Hong Kong: Voucher scheme extended to GBA The Government today announced that seven medical institutions in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) have been included in the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme. Five of these medical institutions provide integrated services including dental services, while the other two are dental institutions. The physical location of the medical institutions was one of the eight key factors the Government took into account when considering them for the pilot scheme. Speaking at a press conference this morning, Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said the pilot scheme aims to give seniors who have retired to or are living in the GBA easier access to healthcare facilities and make sure they can use the Elderly Health Care Voucher in their new place of residence. Some of the selected medical institutions are in Shenzhen, including the two dental institutions. Some of the elderly living in Hong Kong may also choose to travel to the Greater Bay Area, especially (to) the nearby Shenzhen city, for healthcare service, in particular the dental service, Pro Lo added. The remaining factors for selecting medical institutions for the pilot scheme included service quality, experience in management and operation, service scope, service capacity, fee standards and level, knowledge of the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme and availability of advantageous services. The health chief noted about 88,000 Hong Kong elderly residents are living in Greater Bay Area, but that no key performance indicators (KPIs) have been set for the scheme yet. Regarding how many of them will use the service, especially for the comprehensive medical services with the five new general hospitals (joining the scheme), we do not have any KPIs set at this point. The Department of Health is following up with the pilot medical institutions on issues such as personnel training and they are expected to launch the relevant arrangements under the scheme in the third quarter of this year. This story has been published on: 2024-02-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. China vows to serve as world's stabilizing force 08:30, February 19, 2024 By Zhang Yunbi ( Chinadaily.com.cn Foreign Minister Wang Yi gives the keynote speech on Saturday during the "China in the World" session at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. REN PENGFEI / XINHUA Speech: Business climate to be further improved Foreign Minister Wang Yi's wide-ranging policy speech at the 60th Munich Security Conference highlighted China's role as a "stabilizing force", which demonstrates the consistency and credibility of the country's foreign policy, analysts said. Amid escalating geopolitical conflicts and sluggish world economic recovery, China's latest diplomatic efforts and policy statements help shore up expectations for upholding multilateralism, revitalizing China-European Union cooperation, and averting a return to the Cold War mentality, according to observers. In his speech on Saturday at the conference's "China in the World" session, Wang focused on advancing cooperation with major countries and economies as well as the vast number of Global South nations, and he addressed hot spot issues such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In addition, he warned against the fallout and backfiring that would be brought about by disengaging from China or seeking economic decoupling. When highlighting "the urgent need of coordination among major countries to deal with turbulence in the world", Wang named the United States, Russia and the European Union. On relations with the US, Wang said Beijing will firmly guard its legitimate rights and interests, oppose unreasonable suppression, work with Washington to carry out the consensus of the two heads of state, and advance the nations' relations along the right track. The stable growth of China-Russia ties serves the common interest of both sides and "has a positive impact on the strategic stability of the Asia-Pacific and the globe", he said. Regarding ties with the EU, Wang said the two sides "should rule out geopolitical and ideological disturbance and continue defining one another as partners rather than rivals". When talking about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Wang said China calls for a faster pace in establishing an independent State of Palestine, and he emphasized the need to convene a larger and more effective international peace conference. He also underlined Beijing's consistent support for peace talks to resolve the Ukraine crisis. From Friday through the weekend, Wang also embarked on bilateral talks on the sidelines of the conference, including meetings with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the foreign ministers of France, Argentina, Canada, Poland, Mongolia and Ukraine. Scholz told Wang that Berlin stands against protectionism and decoupling, and is ready to work with Beijing to play a positive role in safeguarding peace. After his one-on-one meeting with Wang on Saturday, Josep Borrell, the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said on social media that China "is an important partner to address the most pressing security challenges". Cui Hongjian, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University's Academy of Regional and Global Governance, noted that this year's Munich conference has seen its agenda dominated by topics such as "de-risking", supply and production chains and scrutiny of foreign investment, and some Western countries are still advancing their plans to "de-risk" with regard to China. "As Chinese officials and scholars take part in the discussions, they can help Europe better grasp its role in economic cooperation and better understand where the real risks come from," Cui said. China remains committed to economic globalization and development through multilateral cooperation initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, he added. "The West should also truly return to the path of seeking development through cooperation." In his speech, Wang also said that China remains committed to greater opening-up to the rest of the world and offering more convenience to foreigners coming to the country for business, travel or education. China will shorten the "negative list" for foreign investment and provide a more market-oriented, rule-of-law and internationalized business environment for enterprises from all over the world, including those from Europe, he added. It would be a "historic mistake" to disengage from China in the name of "de-risking", Wang said, adding that "there is no possibility of reversing the general trend of economic globalization", and countries should make globalization more inclusive and beneficial for all. China "sticks to providing more public goods to the world within its capacity", works earnestly to boost unity and collaboration among the developing Global South, and looks to further boost the influence of developing countries in global affairs, he said. Liu Zuokui, deputy director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of European Studies, said various parties should fully respect one other's security concerns, especially those of developing countries, and work to shape and improve a just and reasonable international order. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Xian Jiangnan) FRUITA, Colo. (KREX) The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce (FACC) is holding a City Council candidate forum on Feb. 28. The forum, which will go from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., will be in the Fruita Monument High School auditorium at 1102 Wildcat Avenue. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and community members are invited to an informal meet and greet with the candidates. Candidates at the forum will be mayoral candidate Matthew Breman and the city council candidates Aaron Hancey, Frank Graziano, Richard Parrish and Adrea Stolarczyk. The forum will be moderated by Dr. Justin Gollob from Colorado Mesa University. The forum will be an Equal Time Q&A forum. Candidates will each provide a two-minute opening statement. A moderator will then question the candidates, who will each have the same 90 seconds to answer. Once all questions have been asked, each candidate will provide a one-minute closing statement. The FACC asks attendees to submit their questions before the forum begins to make it more efficient; you can do so on the Chambers website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. MARSHALL, Texas (KETK) The Harrison County Sheriffs Office said that a 24-year-old man was arrested on Saturday for breaking into a residence and stealing two vehicles in Marshall. UPDATE: Person of interest in disappearance of 11-year-old Livingston girl arrested According to the sheriffs office, a woman caller said she found a man inside her home crying and saying no one would let him stay. He then allegedly asked the woman if she was scared of him and left the home. A deputy found the man on Blocker Road and discovered that he had allegedly broke into two of the womans vehicles and that he also allegedly stole two other vehicles in Marshall, according to the sheriffs office. One of the allegedly stolen vehicles was a GMC 2500 that was ruined when it had its gas tank filled with diesel and broke down. The sheriffs office said that the man, Robert Michalec, 24, claimed that he had no memory of how arrived where he was and that someone was controlling his mind. Michalec was charged with burglary of habitation and burglary of vehicles and is being held at the Harrison County Jail. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Gordon Ramsay just helped check off a box on a cancer patient's bucket list. After being diagnosed with stage four terminal cancer at the beginning of 2023, Madison Baloy posted a video to TikTok on Jan. 19 about all the things she wanted to see and do. "This is my bucket list, I am in a hurry to finish it," she said in the video. Among hiking the Appalachian Trail and dancing in a DJ booth at a music festival, the 26-year-old said she wanted to meet Ramsay as one of her 18 goals. Less than a month later and with the help of the internet, the Hells Kitchen chef made it happen. In a video responding to the initial post, Ramsay shared that he would love to meet Baloy, but not just any 'hello, goodbye'" interaction. First of all, Id like to fly you down to Miami, have dinner with you and your friends in Hells Kitchen and then the following night, Friday night, youll be our special guest at the opening of our new restaurant, Lucky Cat in South Beach, Ramsay said in a voiceover set to clips of the two meeting and dancing. He captioned the video, I hope you had the best time @madison in Miami ! It was such an honour for you to be my VVIP last night at #LuckyCat ! Thx to everyone on TikTok too for helping making sure these dreams come true. In the comments, Baloy called the evening the most special night of my life, thanking Ramsay and his family. On her own TikTok account, Baloy shared her own video dancing and laughing with Ramsay in the kitchen, writing that the trip was the biggest honor and coolest night of my entire life. Thank you for teaching me to dance, its the first time ever in a kitchen, Ramsay commented with a red heart emoji. On Instagram, Baloy shared shots of her posing with Ramsay and eating at the new Lucky Cat restaurant. The best night of my life! @gordongram thank you endlessly for giving me the biggest yes, Chef, she captioned the post with a white heart emoji. This article was originally published on TODAY.com PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Three Roseburg men are in custody after police say they broke into a home to zip-tie a 22-year-old man while trying to evict him Friday afternoon. Douglas County deputies reported to 200 Maple Street in Riddle, Ore. after hearing that a man was being zip-tied by the intruders later identified as Justin Daniel Devlaeminck, 25, Daniel Terrance Devlaeminck, 53, and Austin Lee Lyman, 26. Ritz-Carlton Portland Chef Lauro Romero dies According to investigators, Justin had pointed a gun at the resident while Daniel broke a window. When the three men got inside, officers say they assaulted the victim while he tried to escape. At one point, the victim was able to break away and flee outside where the three suspects captured him and continued their assault and eventually used zip ties to restrain him, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office said. 7 suspected fentanyl dealers arrested by PPB Bike Squad The man was taken to the hospital for treatment. It is not clear whether he has recovered. The three men each face charges of burglary, kidnapping, and assault. Justin Devlaeminck is also accused of menacing and pointing a firearm at another person. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. PROVO, Utah (ABC4) The 4-year-old girl who was taken to the hospital in serious condition after a harrowing street racing crash on I-15 over the weekend is now stable, according to Utah Highway Patrol. The girl was reportedly a passenger of a red Subaru WRX that crashed during a street race near mile marker 265 in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 17. The driver of the Subaru reportedly lost control of the car and collided with the concrete barrier on the right side and ricocheted into the left barrier. Police say the girl was unrestrained at the time of the crash. Her injuries were considered serious, but not life-threatening. Utah Highway Patrol said the driver of the Subaru was not related to the four-year-old but was her mothers boyfriend. It is unclear if her mother was also in the car at the time of the crash. ORIGINAL STORY: 4-year-old girl hospitalized after cars race on I-15 The driver of the Subaru, who has yet to be identified, was arrested on outstanding warrants and booked into the Utah County Jail. UHP confirmed on Monday that he also faces charges related to the street racing incident. Investigators are reportedly working with the county attorneys office to determine if there will be any potential charges filed against the girls mother. Witness reports also helped investigators track down and question the other alleged racer who was driving a red Dodge Charger. Police say the second driver also faces charges related to the street racing incident. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Five people were hurt in four separate shootings on Sunday in Columbus, according to our media partner WBNS-10 TV. >> 1 dead, 3 hospitalized after crash in Riverside, police say At 1:12 a.m., the first shooting occurred. Columbus Division of Police officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 100 block of East Long Street in downtown Columbus. When officers with the Columbus Division of Police arrived on scene, they did not find a victim. Just before 3 a.m., a victim walked into Ohio State East Hospital with a gunshot wound, WBNS-10 reported. Information on the victims condition was not immediately made available. Around 1:15 a.m., police were dispatched to a second shooting in the 3000 block of Soldano Boulevard, WBNS-10 reported. Officers on scene located shell casings and noticed that three storefronts were hit by gunfire. >> Woman indicted for allegedly causing crash that killed Logan Co. teen Not long after, two people walked into nearby hospitals with gunshot wounds, WBNS-10 reported. Investigators connected these two victims to the scene on Soldano Boulevard. Both victims are expected to be okay. Just after 1:45 a.m., police were dispatched to a third shooting in the 1000 block of Zettler Road. >> Police investigating reported shooting in Springfield When officers arrived on scene, they found one person suffering from a gunshot wound, WBNS-10 reported. The victim was transported to Grant Medical Center and no information on their condition was immediately made available. Around 4:15 p.m., police were dispatched on reports of a shooting in the 900 block of East 12th Ave., north of Columbus. On scene, officers found one person who was seriously injured, WBNS-10 reported. The victim was taken to Grant Medical Center. No suspect information or motive for these shootings has been made available. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will name several spaces inside its new 26-floor hospital tower after a Columbus family that is making one of the largest charitable gifts in the health system's history. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will name two prominent spaces inside its new 26-floor hospital tower after a Columbus family that is making one of the largest charitable gifts in the health system's history. The Wolfe family will be recognized throughout the hospital thanks to a $50 million donation by the Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation to the project. Those spaces will include the John F. Wolfe Lobby and the Wolfe Foundation Crossroads, a second-floor common space that will act as an "epicenter" of the hospital, said Jay Anderson, Wexner Medical Center chief operating officer. "The Wolfe family embodies the spirit of public service," Ohio State President Ted Carter said at a press conference Monday morning at the Wexner Medical Center. The Wolfe family, among other ventures, owned The Dispatch for more than a century. Their family's legacy can be seen throughout the Columbus region, including Wolfe Park, John F. Wolfe Palm House at the Franklin Park Conservatory, and John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons park. Wolfe died in 2016 at age 72. Wolfe spent more than two decades serving on various boards at Ohio State and its health system. His widow, Ann, also served as a member of the University Hospitals Board and as the longtime chair of the Nationwide Childrens Hospital Foundation Board. Members of the Wolfe family were not present at Monday's press conference but will be in attendance at Thursday's full Ohio State Board of Trustees meeting, where the gift is expected to be approved by trustees. Michael Curtin (left), John Zeiger and Jamie Corral talk Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, before an Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center event announcing a $50 million gift that will help fund the health systems new hospital tower project, set to open in 2026. Curtin represented the Wolfe family at the event; Zeiger is an Ohio State Board of Trustees member; Corral is director of nursing, critical care at the hospital. Gov. Mike DeWine said Monday that he had many opportunities to work with Wolfe over nearly three decades. DeWine said he believes Wolfe would be pleased to know his legacy is "positively influencing the future of health care at the university he loved and the city he helped shape." Few people know, or will ever know, even half of the good works John F. Wolfe and Ann Wolfe put their shoulders behind to benefit Columbus and central Ohio. They preferred to be a quiet force for good with lasting impact, DeWine said. The hospital tower is the largest construction project in Ohio State's history. Once completed, the tower will span 1.9 million square feet across 26 floors. It will include more than 800 inpatient beds, 60 neonatal intensive care unit bassinets, diagnostic and treatment service areas, imaging areas, operating rooms and critical care, medical and surgical beds, as well as an indoor cafe, outdoor park and conference facilities. Ann and John Wolfe photographed in the Columbus Dispatch photo studio in 2006. Sheridan Hendrix is a higher education reporter for The Columbus Dispatch. Sign up for Extra Credit, her education newsletter, here. shendrix@dispatch.com @sheridan120 This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: OSU Wexner Medical Center receives $50 million gift for medical tower Highland clans have fought each other in Papua New Guinea for centuries, but an influx of automatic weapons has made clashes more deadly and escalated the cycle of violence Dozens of bloodied bodies have been found along a remote stretch of road in Papua New Guinea's highlands, police said Monday, a gruesome escalation of long-running violence between warring clans. Police said as many as 64 tribal fighters had been killed in an ambush by a rival group in the early hours of Sunday, although officials later said the number was still unclear. The incident occurred near the village of Wapenamanda, about 600 kilometres (370 miles) northwest of the capital Port Moresby. The rugged and lawless area has been the scene of tit-for-tat mass killings between rival Sikin, Ambulin, Kaekin and other tribesmen for years -- with each retaliatory attack fuelling a fresh round of atrocities. Graphic police images from the scene showed dozens of stripped and bloodied bodies lying by the side of the road and piled up on the back of a flatbed truck. Some men had limbs hacked and were left naked by the road with beer bottles or cans placed on their chests. Police reported gunfights were ongoing in nearby valleys and bodies were still being recovered, leading to confusion about the number of people killed. Senior police and cabinet officials said the toll was between 49 and 64 tribesmen. "The total number of dead and injured is still being assessed as police recover further remains from dense scrubland," Police Commissioner David Manning said late Monday. Describing the incident as a "disgraceful act of barbarity", Manning said additional security personnel had been deployed to the area to restore order. "These personnel have clear instructions that are to use any level of force required to prevent further violence and payback," he said. "This includes the use of up to deadly force when the lives of civilians or security personnel are threatened." - Mass killings - Clans have fought each other in Papua New Guinea's highlands for centuries, but an influx of mercenaries and automatic weapons has made clashes more deadly and escalated the cycle of violence. Police said the gunmen had used a veritable armoury, including SLR, AK-47, M4, AR15 and M16 rifles, as well as pump-action shotguns and home-made firearms. The province's acting police commander Patrick Peka said many of the dead were believed to be mercenaries -- men who roam the countryside offering to help tribes settle scores with their rivals. "The police and government cannot do much when leaders and educated elites supply arms, ammunitions and engage the services of gunmen from other parts of the province," Peka said. Papua New Guinea's government has for years tried suppression, mediation, gun amnesties and a range of other strategies to control the violence, with little success. The military had deployed to the area but their impact has been limited and the security services remain outnumbered and outgunned. Police privately complain that they do not have the resources to do the job, with officers so badly paid that some of the weapons that end up in the hands of the attackers have come from the police force. - 'Very disturbing' - The murders are often extremely violent, with victims hacked with machetes, burned, mutilated or tortured. Civilians, including pregnant women and children, have been targeted in the past in a cycle of retaliatory violence that has stretched over years. Local member of parliament Miki Kaeok called for a state of emergency to be declared. "Hundreds of lives have been lost. Properties worth millions... have been ransacked and destroyed. I don't want this to continue. It must stop now," he said. The killings come at a difficult time for Prime Minister James Marape following deadly January riots in the capital Port Moresby and the city of Lae that prompted opponents to launch a motion of no confidence in his leadership. Papua New Guinea's population has more than doubled since 1980, placing increasing strain on land and resources and deepening tribal rivalries. Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of neighbouring Australia, described the incident as "very disturbing" and said on Monday Canberra would "provide whatever support we can." str-arb/pbt An 85-year-old man was shot and killed after getting into a shootout with deputies, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Just after 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, Union County deputies responded to a domestic incident involving an armed 85-year-old man, who they identified as Wendall Cross of Blairsville. The GBI says that deputies attempted to negotiate with Cross, but he fired his gun at deputies as they commanded him to drop his gun. Deputies then shot back at Cross and hit him. Cross was then taken to a nearby hospital where he died. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] No officers were injured in this shootout. The GBI is continuing to investigate. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Sunday is starting off with a beautiful day compared to Saturday and I can tell you we might even begin feeling those springlike temperatures this week.. Our forecasted high for Presidents Day looks to be warming up to 73 degrees, making it a beautiful day to relax, run some errands or take a hike. Our overnight low is predicted to drop to 44 degrees. Tuesday is forecasted as a sunny and fabulous day as the high for the day warms up to 78 degrees; temperatures in the evening cool off to 46 degrees. This is where that warming trend makes its grand entrance. Wednesdays high is forecasted at 79 degrees. However that is paired with windy conditions throughout the day into the evening. The overnight low is predicted to be 45 degrees. Moving on to Thursday, skies are expected to clear up and the high for the day is predicted to cool off to 70 degrees while our overnight low is expected to sit at 44 degrees. Making our way into the weekend were expecting beautiful weather so no worries on having to reschedule any plans. In fact I encourage you to plan everything out for this perfect weekend.. Fridays high is forecasted to be at 72 degrees paired with partly cloudy skies with an overnight low of 47 degrees. As for Saturday, the high for the day is predicted to warm up to 77 degrees and skies are expected to be mostly sunny; 52 degrees is our forecasted overnight low. Sunday, we are back with partly cloudy skies making the forecast high the warmest out of the weekend at 78 degrees, and overnight lows will no longer be in the 40s as we slightly warm up to 53 degrees in the evening. Windy conditions are expected on Monday with 74 degrees as the forecasted high and 46 degrees as the overnight low. Ending with Tuesday, out predicted high is 69 degrees. Have a beautiful week El Paso. We are getting closer to spring and before we know it, well be in summer! For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Saturday kicked off a two-day special event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. Paul Baribault, president and CEO of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, hosted the opening ceremony of the annual event, which was attended by Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international nonprofit conservation organization in California. It has the largest zoological society membership in the world, with more than 250,000 member households and 130,000 child memberships. Besides wishing all visitors and their loved ones good health and prosperity in the Year of the Dragon, Baribault praised the joint efforts of the alliance and its Chinese partners in breeding and protecting giant pandas and other species while addressing the opening ceremony. "Each year inspires passion for nature, we shared nearly 30 years of cooperation with our Chinese conversation partners and together we helped transform the future," he said, noting "together we can make the impossible possible for wildlife, for people on the planet we share." He said the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration reflected the friendship between the two countries' people and how the partnerships make things possible. Guo echoed Baribault's wish and highlighted the zoo's cooperation with its Chinese partners on a research project on giant pandas, the first between the two countries. "The San Diego Zoo made significant breakthroughs in improving the survival rate of panda cubs and successfully bred six panda cubs," Guo recalled. "Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu were once the superstars of the zoo and attracted many loyal fans, men or women, old or young." The panda "Bai Yun," which means "White Cloud" in Chinese, arrived at the San Diego Zoo in 1996 and lived there for 23 years, becoming the symbol of the zoo. "Bai Yun" and its last cub, "Xiao Liwu," which means "Little Gift" in Chinese, returned to their hometown in China in 2019, but the pavilion where they lived is still a popular spot for tourists. Citing the wildlife conservation efforts by the zoo and its Chinese partners as a good example of cooperation between the two biggest economies in the world, Guo pledged to promote people-to-people exchanges and mutually beneficial collaboration, writing a new chapter in the China-U.S. friendship. "We hope that our two peoples will make more visits, contacts and exchanges. We welcome more American youths to visit China and explore a real, comprehensive and multi-dimensional China," Guo said. During the celebration event, guests to the zoo hung New Year wishes on trees, received red envelopes with gifts inside, met with specialists and learned about wildlife. Guests were invited to tie red ribbons with their wishes to the "wishing trees" in the park. "Wishes for a world where all life thrives," Baribault wrote. "The friendship between the people of China and the United States is evergreen," Guo's wish card read. The crisis facing Wayne Becker isnt the sort of thing that attracts breathless coverage on cable TV news. His plight is playing out quietly at home, as with thousands of Texans with disabilities who need help with tasks like showering or making meals, and who rely on state-funded personal care attendants who receive pitifully low pay. My caregivers are giving me a six-month time to find somebody else because they cant afford to live on the wages of $11 an hour, Becker said Friday, taking his wheelchair and his cause to the front gate of the Governors Mansion. More than a dozen people some caregivers, some clients joined Becker in chants and testimonials. They left a giant 3-foot-by-4-foot letter at the mansion's locked gates, urging Gov. Greg Abbott to meet with members of ADAPT of Texas and the Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas, and to make higher caregiver pay a state priority. We're talking about a workforce that has evaporated, evaporated, said Dennis Borel, executive director of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities. Why? There's only one reason. It's because the pay is so low. Nancy Crowther and other advocates and members of ADAPT of Texas and the Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas left voicemail messages during their protest Friday urging state officials to meet with them. The protesters are urging the state to raise the base pay for caregivers. I've been using attendant services all my life, said Nancy Crowther, who uses a wheelchair, and this is the worst I've seen. In my own house, I cannot find attendants to work with me. She worries her next health setback could land her in a nursing home. Even with the state raising the base pay for caregivers last fall from $8.11 to $10.60 an hour, the compensation is starkly out of line with the job market and the cost of living. People can make $15 an hour serving burgers at P. Terrys, $18 an hour ringing up travelers provisions at Buc-ees, or $20.80 an hour selling snacks at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. In terms of making ends meet in the Austin area, MITs Living Wage Calculator says a single person with no children should make at least $23.98 an hour to cover their bills. Demonstrators rallied outside the Governor's Mansion to deliver a 3-by-4-foot letter addressed to Gov. Greg Abbott on National Caregiver Day. The letter called on Abbott to "prioritize and publicly support necessary appropriations to meet a livable wage and benefits for the community attendants who contribute to our independence." And did I mention the state-funded caregivers dont get health insurance or any paid time off? We dont even take care of the attendants who care for others. Ensuring people with disabilities can live with dignity shouldn't be controversial. Properly paying caregivers which would help ensure Texas has enough of them should be an investment that our prosperous state can afford. It should be a commitment for anyone who values life and freedom. Perhaps youre thinking: That sounds expensive. Where would Texas possibly find the money? Well. Texas lawmakers, blessed last year with a $33 billion surplus, put more than $18 billion toward the property tax cuts that voters approved in November. It would have cost the state $2.6 billion, plus an additional $4 billion in federal money, to raise attendants hourly pay to $15 now and then $17 in two years, as advocates had urged. Texas has the money. State leaders just haven't made those kinds of raises a priority. Cathy Cranston speaks at Friday's rally. The state's base pay for caregivers is $10.60 per hour without health benefits or vacation time, and advocates are urging the state for increases amid a shortage of workers to help those with disabilities. Abbotts office did not respond Friday to my request for comment. But many of the folks gathered at his doorstep were disappointed that the governor, who uses a wheelchair, hasnt done more on this issue. Instead of wasting money on razor wire and floatation (barriers), Crowther said, referring to Abbotts massive spending on border security, look at your community. You as a person with a disability should know what we have to go through. Not that Abbott could hear any of this. On Friday, he was 200 miles away in Eagle Pass, holding another press conference about his $11-billion-and-counting border security boondoggle, Operation Lone Star. Now he's building a permanent military installation at the border. Finding more money for that never seems to be a problem. Seven years ago, Robin Hoffpauir would have attended this protest as a caregiver. Then a car accident broke her ribs and injured her neck and back. She became someone who needs a personal care attendant. Her partner cares for her and four other clients, getting only one day of rest a week. I asked Hoffpauir, who uses a wheelchair, what her life would be like without her caregiver. Protesters depart from outside the Governor's Mansion after Friday's rally for higher pay for caregivers. The current low wages mean that some people with disabilities cannot find caregivers to provide the daily assistance they need. I would live in filth. I cant wash dishes. I cant even reach the dishes, she told me. Id mostly eat take-out, which is not healthy, and Im diabetic. I cant scoop the cat litter from the litter box. I cant even shower without him. Working for 20 years as a caregiver taught Hoffpauir patience. Now she tries not to be too demanding of her partner, knowing how much goes into that work. But even patient people will turn out to protest when their safety and way of life are on the line. Community attendants equal independence! the advocates repeatedly chanted Friday. Someday, they hope, the governor will hear them. Grumet is the Statesmans Metro columnist. Her column, ATX in Context, contains her opinions. Share yours via email at bgrumet@statesman.com or via Twitter at @bgrumet. Find her previous work at statesman.com/news/columns. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Disabled rights advocates press Texas Gov. Abbott to raise caregiver pay ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Jessica Cortez is a Dallas mother who grew up in Abilene. She says its the West Texas point of view and her Christian upbringing that led her to chart a solo trip to Israel with a mission to bring more than 5,000 tablets of antibiotics and some wound care supplies to refugees displaced or otherwise affected by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Cortez said this trip and previous travels have opened her eyes to see the conflict beyond division. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Cortez meets with soldiers and locals before delivering aid to Refugees in Gaza Ive seen people, Oh, were for Israel, were not for Palestine and Gaza. We should be for everyone because were all Gods children, Cortez told KTAB/KRBC. She arrived in Jerusalem through Greece, leaving for the West Bank early Friday morning on February 16th. There, she met up with a trusted local source that was able to receive the medical supplies to be distributed to families in need in Gaza, where the fighting is the most intense. What they were gonna do is give it to families that couldnt afford to get this medication, said Cortez. She said knowing that people who might have had to go without treatment can now fight off infection and sickness without worrying about the cost has made her journey well worth it. But even with her initial task completed, her work is not done. This Texas mom is determined to get to know the people most impacted by this conflict. Israel strikes across Gaza as US says it will block another cease-fire resolution at the UN I was able to go into the emergency room; there was a little boy there, Cortez said. There, she met a young Palestinian boy being treated for a head wound. Although a language barrier prevented her from directly speaking with the boys mother, her actions and intent could transcend spoken word to find common ground between them. Cortez meets with a young Palestinian boy in an Israeli hospital The picture doesnt show everything, but in the back, you can see the blood stains and stuff. It wasnt something a child would get injuries from. He just was happy to see me. I had brought him chocolate. I said hello to his mother. I just wanted to cry because I felt so bad She (the boys mother) just kept nodding her head, and they always say Mashallah, said Cortez. Mashallah means God has willed it in Arabic. A sign to Cortez that she is on the right path. Just one day prior, she stated that she felt this trip to the Middle East was a mission blessed by God, giving her the strength to see it through. Mediator says talks on Gaza not progressing as expected after momentum in recent weeks But war can strain even the strongest of faiths, as Cortez saw that same day. She filmed outside a local Mosque where hundreds of Muslim worshipers were waiting hours to enter the building and pray. The line slowed to a crawl due to heightened security. Cortezs footage showed a man being restrained by nearby security. A local journalist translated the exchange between the man and the guards to Cortez. They couldnt stand long in that line They kinda let him go because he kept saying God sees everything, and my poor mother is just trying to pray. Pray for this world is from what they translated to me, Cortez recalled. On the drive up to the Mosque, she also witnessed some people climbing makeshift ladders to try and get into the Mosque, presumably to pray without waiting in the ever-growing line. Following the security interaction, a Turkish news outlet turned to Cortez inquiring about her shirt, which reads, God loves all. Ceasefire now. The journalist told her she may receive unwanted attention as a foreigner displaying such a bold statement. Cortez with Turkish reporter [They told me] Wearing a shirt like that causes a lot of attention that I may not want by the police or by the army. And I told them I didnt care. I wanted to get the word out there that not only do people here in Jerusalem or Gaza care about them, but as an American, I care about them too, said Cortez. She shared that although she knows she has family and friends back home, she is willing to face the consequences to relay her message of solidarity and do good for people who are truly in need. She hopes Americans back home will hear her message of care to all involved in this conflict rather than seeing things along the lines of division. Anytime that you give that little happiness that maybe they have some darkness It actually gives life back to you Thats going to fuel me probably for the rest of my life, Cortez said. Live updates | Israeli troops raid main hospital in southern Gaza after weeklong siege When asked about what she has learned from her experiences there, Cortez shared a message of unity and hope for the situation in Israel, imploring Americans to open their hearts and see the humanity of the people involved, no matter which country they call home. I think that what I would tell somebody or anybody or everybody is dont be biased We are now in that time to pray, pray for each other, said Cortez. She will spend a few more days in Bethlehem and Jericho, meeting with locals and attempting to establish a secure supply network to continue to provide aid to refugees in Gaza. She will return home to Dallas in the next two to three days. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. US President Joe Biden, shown here in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on February 17, 2024, had a great-great-grandfather who was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln, according to documents (SAUL LOEB) Abraham Lincoln pardoned Joe Biden's great-great-grandfather after a late-night Civil War-era brawl, documents reportedly show, linking the two US presidents across the centuries. The court martial records in the US National Archives, reported on by the Washington Post Monday, detail the trial of Moses J. Robinette after a fight with fellow Union Army civilian employee John J. Alexander on March 21, 1864. Robinette was charged with attempted murder after the tussle in the Army of the Potomac's winter camp in Virginia, when Alexander overheard him saying something about him to a cook, and rushed at him. The two men scuffled, and Robinette drew his pocketknife, leaving Alexander with several cuts before others intervened, according to the documents. The 42-year-old, who had been hired by the army as a veterinary surgeon, insisted that Alexander "possibly might have injured me seriously had I not resorted to the means I did." But military judges convicted him and sentenced him to two years' hard labor. Three army officers petitioned Lincoln to overturn his conviction, claiming the sentence was unduly harsh and that Robinette had been defending himself against someone "much his superior in strength and size." Lincoln agreed, and signed the pardon on September 1 that same year. The story "has waited 160 years to be told," according to the Washington Post article, written by historian David J. Gerleman. The "slender sheaf of 22 well-preserved pages of his trial transcript, unobtrusively squeezed among many hundreds of other routine court-martial cases in the National Archives, reveals the hidden link between the two men -- and between two presidents across the centuries," Gerleman wrote. "Those few pages not only fill in an unknown piece of Biden family history, but also serve as a reminder of just how many Civil War stories have yet to be told." bur-st/nro HEATH Shes a baker, and so much more. I honestly don't remember a dream job when I was little, recalled Jaela Wollenburg. I think Ive always had this go with the wind mentality and following wherever the Lord might lead me. My little brother Justice has Down syndrome and growing up with him was the best! We spent all our time together, so I think I always dreamed of doing something with him and other people with disabilities. Never in a million years would I have pictured my life the way it is now, but I think there's something beautiful to that. Today, Wollenburg is a baker with a business called Sundae Loaf. My friends jokingly call me Miss Sundae Loaf she said. But my title would be nothing without Justice the Bread Boy. Hes really the face of Sundae Loaf. Jaela Wollenburg runs Sundae Loaf, a bread-making business in Heath, with the help of her brother Justice. Wollenburg grew up around Licking County but considers Heath her home. She graduated from Heath High School in 2017 and went Liberty University for a year before returning to central Ohio and graduating from Columbus State Community College with a degree in baking and pastry arts. When I was little, she said, my dad would buy me Easy Bake Ovens and we would spend so much time making things. So I guess thats where the seed was planted. I started the idea of Sundae Loaf almost three years ago by laying it down at Jesus feet in a journal. Ive had this vision of a bakery or some sort of safe place to include and employ people with disabilities, so Sundae Loaf seemed like a good start! I think I do it because I love creating real bread for people, she added. It can be hard to find! When Covid happened I really started to experiment with baking at home and quickly fell more in love with the science and art of it, especially sourdough. It also gives Justice and I something to do together! she noted. I definitely bake from the heart. While making the dough, I make it a point to pray for the people its for. I think Justice is praying for them too! Jaela Wollenburg runs Sundae Loaf, a bread-making business in Heath, with the help of her brother Justice. Mark Johns is the Heath mayor, and a faithful Sundae Loaf customer and supporter. I first met Jaela years ago, as she and my older daughter are friends, said Johns. Shes one of the best young adults you could ever hope to meet. Her sourdoughs taste terrific, but her ability to take her bread loaves to another level is amazing. My wife and I had two of her pumpkin-shaped loaves for Thanksgiving and they were a hit with family to both the eyes and the palate. Im so pleased where God has brought me, Wollenburg responded. Im just so thankful for the life He has given me! And for our supportive family, friends, and community! Right now, its just Justice and I, she concluded. But I continue to lay down future dreams and goals at His feet, trusting that God will make a way if its His plan! You can follow Sunday Loaf on Facebook or Instagram. Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs whether theyre unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at advocate@newarkadvocate.com. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Aces of Trades: Wollenburg bakes with love at Heath's Sundae Loaf President Joe Biden on Monday said the U.S. is considering additional sanctions on Russia for the death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, which he previously blamed on Vladimir Putin "and his thugs." The president and First lady Jill Biden had just stepped off Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on their return from Rehoboth Beach, Del., when he briefly stopped to answer reporters questions. Asked if would put additional sanctions on Russia over Navalnys death: "We already have sanctions, but we are considering additional sanctions, yes. A woman places flowers as people pay tribute to Alexei Navalny at the Memorial to Victims of Political Repression in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. Russians across the vast country streamed to ad-hoc memorials with flowers and candles to pay tribute to Alexei Navalny, the most famous Russian opposition leader, and the Kremlin's fiercest critic. Russian officials reported that Navalny, 47, died in prison on Friday. Navalny, 47, a lawyer who had survived a poisoning and spent months in isolation cells, died in an Arctic Circle maximum-security prison, Russian state media reported Friday. Navalny was last seen Thursday, smiling and making jokes in a video taken during a court appearance in the Russian penal colony where he was in captivity. "Make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Navalny's death," Biden said Friday, singling out the Russian president. "What has happened is yet more proof of Putins brutality. No one should be fooled. Not in Russia, not at home, not anywhere in the world. More: 'Navalny': How to watch the Oscar-winning documentary about the late Putin critic Biden said the U.S. doesnt know exactly what transpired. Biden has been urging the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to immediately approve $60 billion in security funding for Ukraine two years into Putins invasion and war in Ukraine. So far, Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to take the foreign aid bill to the House floor for a vote, insisting it also include measures to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. February 19, 2024: Flowers are seen placed around a portrait of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at a makeshift memorial in front of the former Russian consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, three days after Navalny died in a Russian Arctic prison. Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya accused Russian President Putin of killing her husband and vowed to continue Navalny's work. More: How did Navalny die? No clear answers as 400 arrested for paying tribute: Live updates Asked if theres blood on the hands of Republicans holding off on the foreign aid bill, Biden said they were making a big mistake by not responding. They way theyre walking away from the threat of Russia, the way theyre walking away from NATO. The way they're walking away from meeting our obligations, he said. It's just shocking. I've never seen anything like it." Asked if Navalnys death would make a difference on Republicans as far as the aid package: I hope so, but I'm not sure." More: Alexei Navalny, a thorn in Vladimir Putin's side, died in prison. What does it mean for Russia? Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden says US considering 'additional sanctions' against Russia, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he hopes a "deadlock" between Taliban authorities and the international community can be overcome (KARIM JAAFAR) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday said international envoys to Afghanistan hope for Taliban participation at their future meetings after the authorities snubbed an invitation to talks in Doha. Guterres told a news conference that delegates had discussed "creating the conditions, in a next meeting, to have the presence of the de facto authorities of Afghanistan," following their refusal to join the two-day conference which ended on Monday in the Gulf state. The Taliban's administration in Kabul has not been officially recognised by any other government since it took power and imposed a strict interpretation of Islam, with women subjected to laws characterised by the UN as "gender apartheid". In the aftermath of the Taliban's return to power in 2021, the international community has wrestled with its approach to the country's new rulers. The UN had extended an invitation for Taliban authorities to participate, following their exclusion from the first meeting in May. However, the Kabul government had said they would not participate in the talks unless they could be the sole representative of Afghanistan at the meetings -- to the exclusion of civil society groups. The UN had said that women were among the Afghan civil society representatives to the gathering of national and regional special envoys to Afghanistan. A second demand was that the Taliban government delegation meet with the UN secretary-general and be given an opportunity to present its position. Guterres said he received a set of conditions to participate that "were not acceptable." "These conditions, first of all, denied us the right to talk to other representatives of the Afghan society," he said. -'Deadlock'- Many governments, international organisations and aid agencies cut off or severely scaled back their funding for Afghanistan in response to the Taliban policies -- causing a serious knock to the already struggling economy. "One of our main objectives is to overcome this deadlock," Guterres said, explaining a roadmap needed to be created in which "the concerns of the international community are taken into account. But the concerns of the de facto authorities of Afghanistan are also," he said. Guterres said the meeting, which included the US, China, Pakistan and the European Union, had reached "total consensus" on proposals from a UN independent assessment on Afghanistan. The assessment recommended the appointment of a UN special envoy. This proposal is backed by Western nations but rejected by the Taliban authorities. Guterres said he would begin a "serious process of consultations to see if there are conditions to create a UN envoy". He said the proposed envoy could "have a coordinating role" in the country "and work effectively with the de facto authorities of Afghanistan". The meeting had also aimed at a more coordinated response to the country. Guterres said there had been discussion of a "contact group", with a "limited number of states able to have a more coordinated approach in the engagement with the de facto authorities". He said this could include permanent members of the UN Security Council, neighbouring countries and relevant donors but it would be "up to member states to decide how to create it". "I believe it would be a way to have coherence in the way the international community is engaging with the de facto authorities of Afghanistan," he added. csp/it At least 25 people have died after a landslide caused by heavy snow swept through a village in Afghanistan. So far, eight people are known to have been injured in the incident, and there are fears the death toll may rise. Officials say the weather has hampered rescue efforts, with helicopters unable to land and snow blocking the roads. Those who have managed to reach the village in the eastern province of Nuristan were forced to use shovels and axes to dig through the rubble. Jamiullah Hashimi, the provincial head of information and culture, told news agency AFP that snow was continuing to fall even as people were trying to reach potential survivors in the village of Nakre. He added that "modern equipment, tools, and facilities are not available for the rescue operation". Janan Sayeq, a spokesman for Afghanistan's disaster management ministry, said in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter) that 25 had died. He added that about 15 to 20 homes had either been completely or partially destroyed in the night-time incident. Landslides, avalanches and other disasters are not uncommon in Nuristan, a mountainous region covered in forests near the border with Pakistan. More than 50 people were killed in an avalanche in the province back in 2017, while in 2021 dozens of people were killed in flash flooding in Nuristan. RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) On Tuesday, Attorney General Jason Miyares will host a Fentanyl awareness and Narcan training session. The free training is open to the public and provides resources on understanding synthetic opioids and how opioid overdoses happen. Additionally, it will provide training on how to administer Naloxone (Narcan) during an opioid overdose emergency. This is part of the Attorney Generals One Pill Can Kill public awareness initiative launched last November. The initiative aims to generate open, honest conversations amongst families about the extreme threat that counterfeit drugs and opioids pose. Miyares will be joined by Frederick County Sheriff Lenny Millholland and DEA Agent Ibrar Mian. Other community and faith leaders will also be in attendance. The event takes place at Fellowship Bible Church in Winchester, Virginia on Feb. 20 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. It's not wrong, per se, that they had a monkey in the pharmacy. Or, as the lawyers put it, "the presence of the monkey inside of Xpress Pharmacy does not constitute a 'bad act'." Inquisitive readers might be wondering who this monkey is. Did he graduate from pharmacy school? Is there a tail hole in his monkey-sized lab coat? This article will not answer those questions. What we do know: His name was Carlos and he was a frequent sight in at least one Celina pharmacy that is the target of a federal prosecution related to the unlawful distribution of opioids. Carlos is, prosecutors argue, relevant to the case. To the dismay of the defendants, prosecutors are now fighting to allow testimony about (unfortunately, not by) Carlos to be presented at trial, which is scheduled for April 2. This photo, included as an exhibit in the case against the owners of two Celina, Tennessee, pharmacies, shows Carlos the monkey in Xpress Pharmacy. Defense attorneys don't want pictures of him shown at trial. While Carlos' presence at the pharmacy has been reported several times over the years, more information and the first publicly available photographs of him have recently come out in court filings. The case Carlos is caught up in centers around a few pharmacists and pharmacy employees in Celina, a small town in Clay County of about 2,000 people. One of those employees is William Donaldson, a former pharmacist who in a separate 2012 case pleaded guilty to illegally dispensing hydrocodone from his business, Donaldson Pharmacy. A Tennessean writer previously reported that Carlos was known to belong to Donaldson and was a mainstay at Donaldson Pharmacy for years. In a January court filing, Donaldson's lawyers revealed that Carlos the monkey was his certified emotional support animal. As proof, they showed a picture of Carlos' identification card, issued in 2015, on which his name is spelled "Carlose." (The correct spelling of the monkey's name isn't clear. Defense lawyers have adopted the government's spelling of "Carlos" to avoid confusion. The Tennessean is doing the same.) More: Prosecutors link several Tennessee opioid cases to two Clay County pharmacies in new court filing This photo, included as an exhibit in the case against the owners of two Celina, Tennessee, pharmacies, shows Carlos the monkey in Xpress Pharmacy. Defense attorneys don't want pictures of him shown at trial. Donaldson got out of prison for his 2012 guilty plea in spring 2014, at which point Thomas Weir who had become majority owner of Donaldson's pharmacy and is now his co-defendant hired Donaldson as a greeter at his old business, which had changed names to "Dale Hollow Pharmacy." They devised a plan to both recruit patients and alert old patients that Donaldson was at Dale Hollow, according to prosecutors, and Carlos was their key. "The Government anticipates that witness testimony and other evidence elicited at trial will establish that defendant Weir and Donaldson, who are charged with conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute, designed a currency, called 'Monkey Bucks,' which was used as an illegal inducement to patients of Dale Hollow Pharmacy, using the likeness of Carlos the Monkey," prosecutors wrote on Feb. 5. This photo, included as an exhibit in the case against the owners of two Celina, Tennessee, pharmacies, shows Carlos the monkey in Xpress Pharmacy. Defense attorneys don't want pictures of him shown at trial. Here seems to be the problem for prosecutors, though: They seemingly have no photos of the alleged Monkey Bucks, which apparently would help prove their kickbacks case against Weir and Donaldson. The best they have are a short-lived knockoff version from Xpress Pharmacy called a "Tulip Buck" and the photos of Carlos, although those pictures were taken at Xpress Pharmacy. And while prosecutors believe Donaldson may have schemed to bring patients to Xpress, that pharmacy is not accused of using Monkey Bucks. And defense lawyers argue that you can't use a picture of a monkey at one store to prove that the store two doors down was using monkey money. Beyond that, the defense expects that the photographs would unfairly prejudice a jury against their clients. If a reasonable juror sees a picture of a monkey on a pharmacy counter, they may form some opinions about the owner's judgment in other facets of pharmacy operation. This photo, included as an exhibit in the case against the owners of two Celina, Tennessee, pharmacies, shows Carlos the monkey in Xpress Pharmacy. Defense attorneys don't want pictures of him shown at trial. In response, the government assures the court that everything is above board. They aren't trying to prove that Carlos being at the pharmacy was a "bad act," they wrote. "The United States is not offering photographs of Carlos the Monkey inside of Xpress Pharmacy to suggest any improper purpose," prosecutors wrote, "nor does it suggest that a pharmacy allowing an animal is unsanitary and thus they must have engaged in illegal dispensing." Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EvanMealins. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ahead of an opioid trial, lawyers squabble over a monkey named Carlos You are here: Arts Tourists visit the Palace Museum in snow in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Museums across China received approximately 73.58 million visits during the Spring Festival holiday that ran from Feb. 10 to 17 this year, according to data released by the National Cultural Heritage Administration on Sunday. The amount is 98.6 percent higher than the same period last year, said the administration. Museums in eight provinces including Shaanxi, Sichuan, Jiangsu, and Guangdong received over 3 million visits, according to the administration. Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook The Russians launched four Shahed attack drones at Ukraine on the night of 18-19 February, all of which were shot down by Ukraines air defence. Source: Ukraines Air Force on Telegram Quote from the Air Force: "At night, the Ukrainian Defence Forces destroyed all four Shahed attack UAVs that the enemy launched at Kharkiv Oblast from [Russias] Belgorod Oblast." Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine shot down four Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight on Feb. 18, the Air Force said in its morning update. Russian forces mainly targeted Kharkiv Oblast in the latest attacks. The drones were launched from Russia's Belgorod Oblast, which borders Sumy, Kharhiv, and Luhansk oblasts in Ukraine. Mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Air Force are typically involved in repelling the air attacks. Drone attacks are a daily occurrence in Ukraine, affecting various regions across the country. Overnight on Feb. 17, Ukraines air defense downed 12 Shahed drones, a Su-34 plane, and one Kh-59 missile. Ukrainian authorities have continuously expected Russian attacks over the course of the winter, with Moscow focusing on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and other civilian sites. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine says it repelled Russian offensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine shot down two Russian fighter jets on the morning of Feb. 19, the Air Force reported. According to the Air Force, the two planes were a Su-34 and a Su-35S. The destruction of the jets is the latest in a recent uptick of downed Russian planes, including a Beriev A-50 military observation plane in January, which reportedly cost $330 million to produce. Three Russian fighter jets, two Su-34s and a Su-35, were shot down on Feb. 17, the Air Force said. The Sukhoi Su-35 is a single-seater aircraft, and the Su-34 is a two-seater. Russia has lost over 330 planes since the beginning of the full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Feb. 19. There are signs that the uptick in aircraft losses has caused Russia to change its aerial strategy, reducing the number of sorties flown by Russia's Air Force, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in December 2023. Read also: Ukraine pins hopes on home-made drones to counter Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The map of air-raid warnings issued across Ukraine The Ukrainian authorities have issued a nationwide air-raid warning due to the threat of Russian ballistic missile attacks, with media reports indicating that explosions have been heard in the cities of Poltava and Kropyvnytskyi. Source: map of air-raid warnings; Ukraine's Air Force on Telegram; Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne Quote from the Air Force: "Kirovohrad, Poltava, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts are under threat from ballistic weapons! Central and eastern oblasts are also under a ballistic missile threat!". Details: Suspilne reported that explosions had occurred in Poltava and Kropyvnytskyi. A few minutes later, the Air Force reported that a MiG-31K fighter aircraft, capable of carrying the Kinzhal missile, had taken off from the Savasleyka airfield in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. An air-raid warning has been issued across Ukraine. Updated: The first all-clears have been sounded at 13:27. The danger lasted almost 1.5 hours. At present, the threat to the southern and central oblasts remains. This article has been updated since publication. Support UP or become our patron! The Alabama Supreme Court has declared that embryos created using in-vitro fertilization, or IVF, are people in the eyes of the law, a first-of-its kind ruling that is likely to have far-reaching ripple effects for women and health care providers across the state. The ruling stems from lawsuits filed by three couples against the Center for Reproductive Medicine, a fertility clinic in Mobile, Alabama. All three underwent IVF treatment at the clinic, which stores the embryos it creates in a freezer at a local hospital. In December 2020, the plaintiffs allege a patient at the hospital wandered into the fertility clinic through an unlocked door, opened the freezer where the embryos were being preserved, and removed them. According to the ruling, The subzero temperatures at which the embryos had been stored freeze-burned the patients hand, causing the patient to drop the embryos on the floor, killing them. All three couples sued under Alabamas Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, seeking damages for the loss of their embryos, or extrauterine children, as they are referred to in the lawsuit and the court ruled they are entitled to such remedies. Unborn children are children under the Act, without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other ancillary characteristics, Associate Justice Jay Mitchell wrote in the majority opinion. In a concurring opinion, the chief justice of the court writes, human life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God, who views the destruction of His image as an affront to Himself. Just one of the nine justices on the court, Justice Greg Cook, dissented. The ruling, which experts believe is the first of its kind, could have enormous repercussions in Alabama and, if appealed to higher courts, states across the country. This is the first time that the court has considered the question of whether fertilized eggs or embryos that are cryogenically froze are children, for the purposes of the wrongful death statute and the court holds that they are, says Dana Sussman, deputy executive director of the legal advocacy group Pregnancy Justice, which works to advance the rights of pregnant people. In the wake of the Supreme Courts 2022 decision ending the federal right to abortion, advocates have raised alarms about the potential impact on fertility medicine, families that take advantage of it, doctors who provide it, and companies that support it. There are an estimated 1.5 million frozen embryos across the country. The appeals were made to the states highest court after a circuit court judge first dismissed the suits in 2022, declaring an embryo does not qualify as a minor child under Alabama law. The states supreme court has a long history of treating unborn children as children, both in civil law and in criminal law, Sussman notes. In 2017, the same court ruled that a woman who had a miscarriage could sue her doctor for wrongful death. Four years earlier, the court used similar logic when it declared a statute meant to increase penalties on people who cook meth in their homes could be used to prosecute women who used drugs, including marijuana, while pregnant. (Hundreds of pregnant women in Alabamas smallest county have since been arrested on chemical endangerment of a child charges, many of whom are held for the duration of their pregnancies, and the early years of their eventual childrens lives.) While the case was still being argued, the Alabama Medical Association filed an amicus brief in the warning of the potential consequences for fertility doctors in the state if the court ruled as it ultimately did on Friday. Extending wrongful death liability to preserved embryos would require such embryos to remain in cryogenic storage even after the couple who underwent the IVF treatment have died and potentially even after the couples children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren have died, the medical association brief said, calling such a prospect absurd. Lawyers for the plaintiffs also raised the specter of discrimination, arguing that treating embryos created via IVF differently from embryos conceived naturally could violate the Constitutions equal protection clause. The justices seem to nod approvingly at the argument, invoking the Supreme Courts recent decision in Students for Fair Admissions Inc v. the President and Fellow of Harvard College, the affirmative action case, while declining to address the merits directly. Sussman calls the passing reference a hat tip to that argument, which I think is quite intentional, and which could encourage future anti-abortion arguments. It leaves the door open wide enough to make this argument with a straight face the next time around in the context of not just babies born through IVF, but fetuses or unborn life as having these 14th Amendment rights, Sussman says. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Alabama mom runs over her 7-year-old son with car after making him walk home from school as punishment: police An Alabama mother has been charged with child abuse after she accidentally ran over her 7-year-old son while making him walk home from school as a punishment, according to the Boaz Police Department. Police said the incident happened on Feb. 9 around 3:30 p.m. when Sarai Rachel James, 27, picked up her son from school in Boaz, Alabama. James was told that her son had been sent to the principal's office because he had gotten in trouble earlier in the day, police said. As a form of punishment, James stopped her car, not far from school, and made her son get out to walk or run the rest of the way home, a distance of around eight blocks, police said. UTAH MOMMY BLOGGER RUBY FRANKE PLEADS GUILTY TO 4 COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE Boaz Police said a mom punished her 7-year-old by making him walk home before accidentally running him over. While he walked, James drove beside her son for a few blocks, but as she slowed down, the boy tried to grab the door handle of the car, the Miami Herald reported. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP According to Boaz Chief of Police Michael Abercrombie, when James accelerated, her son was pulled under the car and ran over with a rear tire. Investigators told the Miami Herald that they believe the incident was an accident, though Abercrombie said the boy would never have been in that situation if he hadnt been punished. MICHIGAN FATHER CHARGED WITH CHILD ABUSE AFTER SON, 8, ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTS HIMSELF IN HEAD WITH HIS GUN "She may not have realized he was doing that," Abercrombie said. "God watched over him." According to police, the boy is in stable condition and was brought to the University of Alabama hospital where he was being treated for abrasions on his back and the side of his head. James has since been charged with aggravated child abuse and was released on a $50,000 bond three days after being arrested, Marshall County jail records showed. Fox News Digital reached out to the Boaz Police Department for more information. Original article source: Alabama mom runs over her 7-year-old son with car after making him walk home from school as punishment: police The Alabama Supreme Court ruled Friday that frozen embryos are children, which pro-choice rights groups have warned could have dangerous implications for fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization. The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday reversed Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Jill Parrish Phillips decision to dismiss a lawsuit in which a couple sued an Alabama fertility clinic and hospital for the wrongful death of their frozen embryos in a ruling that was riddled with theology. The couples frozen embryos were destroyed after a hospital patient who accessed the freezer that held the embryos dropped them on the floor. The ruling means that the couple can sue for wrongful death. [T]he Wrongful Death of a Minor Act is sweeping and unqualified. It applies to all children, born and unborn, without limitation, the ruling said. It is not the role of this Court to craft a new limitation based on our own view of what is or is not wise public policy. That is especially true where, as here, the People of this State have adopted a Constitutional amendment directly aimed at stopping courts from excluding unborn life from legal protection. The ruling pointed to the Alabama Constitution Section 36.06, which argues that each person was made in Gods image, meaning each life has an incalculable value that cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God. Section 36.06 recognizes that this is true of unborn human life no less than it is of all other human life that even before birth, all human beings bear the image of God, and their lives cannot be destroyed without effacing his glory, the ruling stated, referring to the Alabama Constitutions Section 36.06. The Medical Association of the State of Alabama previously warned that such a ruling could bring about harmful consequences for fertility treatment in Alabama, according to AL.com. The potential detrimental impact on IVF treatment in Alabama cannot be overstated, according to a brief filed by the medical group, AL.com reported. The increased exposure to wrongful death liability as advocated by the Appellants would at best substantially increase the costs associated with IVF. More ominously, the increased risk of legal exposure might result in Alabamas fertility clinics shutting down and fertility specialists moving to other states to practice fertility medicine. Alabama has a total abortion ban, which went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the monumental Dobbs decision in June 2022. The fight over abortion is implicitly linked to fertility treatments in the same way that anti-abortion activists argue life begins before birth and should be protected. With a treatment like IVF, a patients eggs are fertilized with sperm outside of the body before being implanted into the patients uterus. However, because a patient only needs one egg to successfully become pregnant, leftover eggs may be discarded. Democrats and pro-choice advocates across the country have been working to protect access to fertility treatments against the anti-abortion movement since the Roes reversal. Last month, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) introduced the Access to Family Building Act, a bill that could proactively establish IVF and other fertility treatments as a right for patients and physicians. By contrast, some Republicans in Florida, which is a notably anti-choice state like Alabama, introduced a bill in January that would threaten the presence of fertility treatments by allowing parents to seek civil damages for the death of a fetus. Related... Latvia was the biggest exporter of whiskey to Russia in 2023, according to data published by the Russian state-owned news agency Ria Novosti. That's despite high tensions between the two countries following Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Western sanctions. Ria Novosti wrote that Russia imported almost 244 million worth of whiskey between January and September 2023, almost four times more than in the same period the year before. Most of it came from neighbouring Latvia, which Ria Novosti said shipped products worth 177.4 million, followed by Baltic neighbour, Lithuania with 26.9 million. Latvias exports to Russia were worth more than 1.1 billion in 2023, according to data from the countrys government cited by German news agency DW. More than half of all of Latvian exports to Russia were drinks, spirits and vinegar. The Baltic state exported more wine (73 million) than even Italy (68 million), a much bigger producer than Latvia, to Russia last year. Middleman for Western companies Latvia, according to local experts, is acting as a go-between in a process that involves Western companies unwilling to show theyre still selling their products to Russia amid the deadly war in Ukraine. Matiss Mirosnikovs, an economist at the Bank of Latvia, told Euronews that while the country has long been a middleman for Western companies, it saw the number of re-exports of Western goods ramp up after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. If we look at where these goods are manufactured, what type of alcoholic drinks they are, we mostly see that those are of foreign origin, theyre not produced locally here, he told Euronews. What I think is happening is that Western companies are trying to kind of shift attention away from their role as sellers [to Russia] and blame other distributors, while the names of the larger parent companies dont show up in these trades, it doesnt show that theyre directly linked with Russia, Mirosnikovs suggested. Were not to be blamed, he added. Were on the border and youll have some Western exporters who are using this opportunity. Latvia's exports are not in violation of sanctions imposed against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Davis Vitols, Managing Director of the Latvian Alcohol Industry Association (LANA), agreed. Before Russia started the war in Ukraine, Latvia was one of the main hubs, if not the main hub, for many big alcohol companies reexports to Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, Vitols told Euronews. According to the EU sanctions, alcohol exports to Russia and Belarus are still allowed, except bottles that cost more than 300, so, because Latvia does not produce whisky, these are reexported from other countries, where in Latvia, these bottles are being stamped according to exporting country laws, he added. Russian sources agreed with Latvian experts. If previously, according to documents, imports went to Russia simply in transit through Latvia or Lithuania, now the final point is the Baltic States, and from there the delivery goes to the Russian Federation, Veniamin Grabar, President of Russias alcohol company Ladoga, told Ria Novosti. The logistics chain has not changed, it has changed a little paperwork. The reason is that often foreign suppliers do not want to take risks and indicate Russia as the final delivery point. Mirosnikov told Euronewss the proportion of exports to Russia has actually dropped dramatically since 2014. Ten years ago Russia was Latvias second largest export partner, taking 14 per cent of total goods exported, now its lower than 6 per cent. Its still quite high, but its role has diminished over the years, he continued. You are here: Business Undated file photo shows the Huizhou Dayawan Petrochemical Industrial Park in south China's Guangdong Province. [Huizhou Information Office/Handout via Xinhua] U.S. energy giant ExxonMobil plans to invest 10 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars) in its Huizhou ethylene project in south China's Guangdong Province this year. Addressing the Guangdong Provincial High-quality Development Conference in Shenzhen on Sunday, Jean-Marc Taton, chairman of ExxonMobil China, said ExxonMobil has already invested over 30 billion yuan in the first phase of its Huizhou ethylene project. Taton said that the first phase is expected to be operational by the end of this year after a test run. Dubbed as one of China's major foreign investment projects, the ExxonMobil Huizhou ethylene project is located in the Huizhou Daya Bay Petrochemical Industrial Park. The project, with a total investment of about 10 billion U.S. dollars, will be built in two phases. The first phase mainly consists of a steam cracker and production facilities for high-performance polyethylene and polypropylene. Alexei Navalny was the leading critic of Vladimir Putins regime when he collapsed and died on Friday in an Arctic penal colony. The 47-year-old had been imprisoned since 2020, but with court appearances and his team issuing updates on social media, has rarely been away from the headlines. However, he disappeared for weeks in December before resurfacing at Polar Wolf, a notoriously brutal prison colony in the Arctic Circle. Two months later, he was dead. How did Navalny die? The Russian opposition leader died at a prison inside the Artic Circle where he was serving a 19-year sentence. The facility, often called the Polar Wolf jail, is officially known as the IK-3 penal colony and is located at Kharp in the Yamal-Nenets region, 1,200 miles northeast of Moscow. His death was announced by Russias Federal Penitentiary Service, which said the 47-year-old lost consciousness on Friday after taking a walk in the prison where he was moved last December, and when for several weeks his friends did not know where he was. After his collapse just one day after he appeared in court and was making jokes an ambulance crew tried to resuscitate him for more than half an hour, officials at Labytnang City Hospital told Russian state-run media RIA Novosti. The doctors who arrived at the scene continued the resuscitation measures that the prisons doctors had already provided, RIA quoted an official as saying. They carried them out for more than half an hour. However, the patient died. The ambulance team reached the prison in less than seven minutes, and doctors reached the patient two minutes later. The Russian prison service said Navalny felt unwell after a walk and almost immediately lost consciousness. It said it was investigating his sudden death. For some time his supporters and family declined to believe the news, pointing out there had been earlier such reports that proved false. His long-time chief of staff, Leonid Volkov, wrote on Twitter: We have no reason to believe state propaganda. If this is true, then not Navalny died, but Putin killed Navalny and only that. But I dont trust them one penny. The Kremlin said Putin had been informed. Reuters said the 71-year-old former KGB spy was shown smiling while meeting workers at a factory in Chelyabinsk, in the Ural mountains. Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokesman, said: The immediate reaction of Nato leaders to Navalnys death in the form of direct accusations against Russia was self-exposing. Widow claims death was Novichok poisoning Navalnys family have been unable to see the Russian opposition leaders body, which went missing for several days until it was located in an Arctic morgue. Lyudmila Navalnaya, his mother, travelled to the only morgue in Salekhard, a town near to where her son was imprisoned, but was told it was closed when she arrived. A lawyer who accompanied her later said he had telephoned the morgue but was told that they did not have Navalnys remains. Russian media reported that another local state laboratory had denied holding Navalnys body, prompting concern over its whereabouts. Its obvious that the killers want to cover their tracks and are therefore not handing over Alexeis body, hiding it even from his mother, Navalnys team said. Navalnys bruised body was eventually found at a hospital morgue two days after his death. A Russian paramedic told the Novaya Gazeta newspaper that the marks on his chest and head were seemingly caused during attempts to revive him. The person convulses, they try to restrain him, and bruises appearThey still tried to resuscitate him, and he died, most likely, from cardiac arrest, they said. Reporters said no autopsy had yet been performed on the Russian opposition leader, whom prison authorities claimed had died of sudden death syndrome. However, Yulia Navalnaya, Navalnys widow, claimed that the body had been kept away from his family to allow traces of Novichok to disappear. The Putin critic had been poisoned with the nerve agent in 2020, and was flown to Germany for treatment. He returned to certain imprisonment in Russia the same year. Theyre now hiding his body, refusing to show it to his mother, refusing to hand it over, Ms Navalnaya said. Theyre lying, waiting for the traces of yet another Novichok of Putins to go away. In a video posted on Twitter, she pledged to keep up her husbands struggle. Life at Polar Wolf jail Navalny was moved in secret to the remote prison at the end of last year. It was a period when for some weeks his supporters were uncertain of his whereabouts. It later emerged that he was being held in a place where the temperatures drop as low as minus 30C. Its never been colder than -25F. Even at that temperature you can walk for more than half an hour, but only if you have time to grow a new nose, ears, and fingers, he wrote in a social media post last month. Today I went for a walk, froze, and thought of Leonardo DiCaprio and his characters dead horse trick in the movie The Revenant. I do not think that it would have worked here. A dead horse would freeze to death in about 15 minutes. The AFP news agency said he posted his first message from his prison colony, which requires a three-week journey to reach by road, on Dec 26. I am your new grandfather Frost, Navalny said, in what supporters said was his usual sardonic manner. I have a tulup, an ushanka and I will have valenki soon, he said, referring to traditional furry Russian winter coats, hats and boots. He added: I now live above the Arctic Circle ... But I dont say ho-ho-ho, I say oh-oh-oh when I look out the window, where first there is night, then evening, then night again. Navalny said he was tired from the journey from his previous prison in the central Vladimir region, closer to Moscow, but added: Dont worry about me, everything is well. I am so happy that I finally got here. He was often held in solitary confinement more than 300 days in total, according to his supporters and last month his spokesperson said he had been sent again to a so-called punishment cell for 10 days for incorrectly introducing himself to a guard. Navalny later said: The idea that Putin was pleased enough that he had put me in a barracks in the Far North that they would stop throwing me in solitary confinement was ... naive. He frequently mocked prison routines. On Jan 22, he said the wardens at IK-3 would wake everybody up at 5am to play the Russian national anthem. And right after that - the second most important song in the country: Shamans Ya Russky, he said. The song which means Im Russian has become an unofficial anthem for Putin. Imagine the scene. Yamal-Nenets region. Polar night. In a penal colony of convicts, prisoner Navalny serving 19 years who the Kremlins propaganda for years has scolded for taking part in Russian marches - is exercising to Ya Russky. One of Navalnys final posts, published on Feb 14 Valentines Day was dedicated to his wife. Baby, you and I have everything, just like in the song: cities, airfield lights, blue snowstorms and thousands of kilometres between us, he said, quoting a popular Soviet-era tune. But I feel that you are near me every second, and I love you more and more. Joking in court with judge On Thursday Navalny appeared in court, where he joked with a judge, hours before his death. Appearing via a video link, the activist said: I will send you my bank account number so that you can warm it up a little from your huge salary as a federal judge because my money is running dry. He added: And because of the decision you took, that money will end even sooner, saying the whole prison should chip in. One of Navalnys lawyers, Leonid Solovyov, told the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper he was normal when a colleague saw him on Wednesday. In addition to being seen smiling, state media reported he raised no health complaints during the session. In a previous court appearance, on Feb 8, he urged prison service workers to vote against Russian President Vladimir Putin. I have a suggestion: to vote for any candidate other than Putin. In order to vote against Putin, you just need to vote for any other candidate, Navalny said. I made a list of people I talk to and took upon myself, as my socialist duty, to give this recommendation for each one of them. And that is why I give it to you. And I hope you will follow it. Navalny, dressed in a black prison uniform appeared in good humour, and the camera panned away to show the court officials grinning along with him. On Wednesday he posted on social media. The Yamal prison decided to break Vladimirs record of fawning and pleasing the Moscow authorities. They just gave me 15 days in solitary confinement, he wrote on Twitter. This is the fourth solitary confinement spell in less than 2 months that I have been with them, he added. It was his final post. 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. Yulia Navalnaya said she believed the Kremlin killed her husband and that she would share the reason "soon" Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia has vowed to continue his work to fight for a "free Russia" in a video posted on Monday. Her voice sometimes shaking with grief and anger, Ms Navalnaya asked viewers to stand alongside her and "share the fury and hate for those who dared to kill our future". She also accused the authorities of hiding her husband's body. Navalny's death in prison was announced on 16 February. The prison authorities at the Siberian penal colony he was being held in said he collapsed following a walk and never regained consciousness. Navalny, who was the Russian opposition's most significant leader for the last decade, had been serving a 19-year sentence on charges many viewed as politically motivated. Now, Ms Navalnaya - who previously mostly shied away from the spotlight - has indicated she might be ready to continue her husband's political fight for change in Russia. In her video message, posted on Navalny's YouTube channel, Ms Navalnaya said: "Three days ago, Vladimir Putin killed my husband Alexei Navalny. Putin killed the father of my children. Putin took away the most important thing I had. The person who was closest to me and whom I loved most." She promised to "continue to fight for our country" and added: "We need to use every opportunity - to fight against the war, against corruption, against injustice. To fight for fair elections and freedom of speech. To fight to take our country back. Russia - free, peaceful, happy - the beautiful Russia of the future, of which my husband dreamed so much." In the video, Ms Navalnaya also said she knew "exactly why Putin killed Alexei three days ago" and promised to release the information "soon". Ms Navalnaya's address came shortly before she met EU foreign ministers in Brussels. Navalny's body has not yet been released to his family, despite his mother and lawyer travelling to the remote penal colony where he was being held as soon as news of his death broke. Attempts to locate the body have repeatedly been shut down by the prison mortuary and local authorities. On Monday, the Kremlin said an investigation into Navalny's death was ongoing and that there were "no results" as of yet. Later, Navalny's spokewoman Kira Yarmish said that investigators told Navalny's mother they would not hand over the body for two weeks while they conduct a "chemical analysis". In her video message, Ms Navalnaya said she believed the authorities were waiting for traces of the deadly nerve agent Novichok to disappear from Navalny's body. Western leaders have put the blame for Navalny's death squarely on President Putin. During a press conference on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell offered his condolences to Ms Navalnaya and said he believed her husband "was slowly murdered in a Russian jail by Putin's regime". US President Joe Biden said Navalny's death was a "consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did". Both the EU and the US have said they are considering new sanctions on Russia following Navalny's death. Germany, Sweden and Finland said they were summoning the Russian ambassadors in their capitals. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said comments by Western politicians in regards to Navalny's death were "arrogant" and "unacceptable". Russian prison authorities said at the weekend that Navalny had suffered "sudden death syndrome". Hundreds of people in more than 30 cities across Russia were detained at the weekend for attending makeshift memorials to Navalny. In Moscow, 20 people were sentenced to various amounts of prison time - ranging from one day to nine days - and two people were fined 10,000 rubles (85). Mykhailo Fedorov, the head of the Ministry of Digital Development of Ukraine, has spoken with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk about Russian occupiers use of Starlink satellite communication systems at the contact line even before the issue became public. Source: Mykhailo Fedorov in an interview for Suspilne "We looked at and analysed a case study that took place in Israel when the conflict in Gaza escalated. How did they get out of this situation there? We found a suitable algorithm, suggested it to SpaceX, and now we have clear communication on how to make sure that there are no such cases," Fedorov said. At the same time, the minister added that despite this, he does not know how this situation will be resolved. "But we found this algorithm and suggested it. More specifically, SpaceX has done something similar with the Israeli government, so we suggested this," Mykhailo Fedorov said. Fedorov added that SpaceX can disable Starlink in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, but this will have "catastrophic" consequences. "We need Starlink to work there because certain technologies are used that are also important for us. Drones-related technologies. There is another way to make our Starlinks work, while the other Starlinks that appeared there in different ways dont. And so we are working with SpaceX," Mykhailo Fedorov said. At the same time, the minister does not believe that there is a connection between the fact that Starlink appeared in the Russian army and Musks comments on the Russian-Ukrainian war. "It was logical that they [the Russians ed.] would start buying and importing them through third countries. They had Starlink; they were already imported, but now it has become public, and there are a few more of them. That is, one of their entrepreneurs probably started to monetise it, and it took on a life of its own. Technologically, we need to take out their Starlink and make sure that ours continue to work," Fedorov added. Background: The Russians started using Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink terminals in their positions. On Sunday, 11 February, Ukraine's Defence Intelligence confirmed Russian use of Starlink and reported that Russia continues to operate through so-called parallel imports, purchasing Starlink through third countries. The Kremlin claimed it did not use Starlink for combat purposes since the system had not been certified in Russia. Support UP or become our patron! A Nebraska zoo has issued a warning after veterinarians found dozens of foreign metal objects in the stomach of a 36-year-old alligator. Those metal objects, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium said, were 70 American coins the alligator named Thibodaux had swallowed, according to a Feb. 16 Facebook post. Veterinarians discovered the coins during a routine procedure involving blood collection and radiographs, the Omaha zoo said. Thibodaux needed to be anesthetized and intubated to allow veterinarians to safely remove the loose change. A plastic pipe was placed to protect his mouth and safely pass the tools used to access the coins, such as a camera that helped us guide the retrieval of these objects, according to the zoo. When the procedure was done, crews had removed $7 worth of coins from the gators belly, KETV reported. Veterinarian Christina Ploog told KETV that alligator likely swallowed the coins when guests tossed them into his mouth. Guests should not throw coins into any bodies of water at the zoo, officials said. Any loose change can instead be turned in for a souvenir coin in one of the several machines around the Zoo or in our coin wishing well. Thibodaux is an American alligator with leucism, a rare condition the Audubon Nature Institute said results in pink eyes and no pigmentation at all. Theyve been described as ethereal, ghostly and, most frequently, beautiful, the Audubon Nature Institute said. They have translucent white skin and deep blue eyes with a hint of pigmentation splashed here and there. Thibodaux has recovered from his procedure and is back in his habitat, the zoo said. Large alligator lurks as divers search sunken car for people, Florida officials say Alligator in pond prompts 911 calls, Arizona city says. Its not what it seems Frozen alligators found in North Carolina as temperatures hit 17 degrees, photos show Liam Booth-Smith, left, told Rishi Sunak there was 'no winning over these people' - Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press/Alamy Downing Street believed the Government was being held to ransom by Andy Burnham during a dispute over Covid restrictions, WhatsApp messages have revealed. Evidence published by the Covid Inquiry shows that Liam Booth-Smith, now the Prime Ministers Chief of Staff, complained that there is no winning these people over during a dispute with the Mayor of Greater Manchester. Mr Burnham became embroiled in a public spat with the Government in October 2020 as it imposed the strictest local lockdown rules on Greater Manchester. The former Labour health secretary told the inquiry he believed the area was placed into the toughest restrictions as a punishment, following an argument he had with ministers over financial support for residents who were unable to work. As the Government sought to implement Tier 3, including the closure of pubs and bars, Mr Burnham was locked in talks with ministers and said local leaders were fighting back against restrictions they saw as flawed and unfair. He wanted the Government to pledge more help for workers and firms affected by the move. Tier 3 was finally announced on Oct 20, 2020 without agreement on a support package for businesses and low-paid workers after a 10-day standoff. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester, wanted more support for businesses affected by Covid restrictions - Phil Noble/Reuters Messages from Mr Booth-Smith, then a special adviser to Mr Sunak who was Chancellor, showed he and Number 10 advisers were furious at the row with the mayor. In a WhatsApp group Mr Booth-Smith wrote: There is no winning these people over. Please for the love of god, can we get to realisation that we need to figure out our reasonable position, and f------- impose. Ive seen some s---shows in the last year but these negotiations rank among the worst both in terms of politics and execution. Were literally being held to ransom by Manchester. Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnsons chief adviser, replied that there was no point negotiating with Mr Burnham. He wrote:I made this argument earlier in the political argument negotiating with Burnham clearly pointless, it actively helps him and undermines confidence in us. Surrounding Lancashire had earlier been placed into the strictest local lockdown and Jack Doyle, Mr Johnsons press secretary, asked when support measures for the county would be announced since the Government was going to war with Mr Burnham. Is this 30 million for Lancs going to happen today or not? Helpful to know given were going to go to war with Burnham at 5pm. Messages from other government officials from the same day revealed further frustrations with local authorities as restrictions were announced. Kate Josephs, then director general of the Covid task force, wrote:A few districts with mental Labour leaders are holding out. Ive told them if they dont all go all money off the table and we may have to go for harsher restrictions. They have until 8am tomorrow and then we give up. An official called Henry replied Agh, before Ms Josephs added: This is a f------- stupid strategy. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The two leading Democratic candidates for New Jersey's U.S. Senate seat sparred Sunday night more over each other's qualifications than their policy positions. Over 90 minutes in the primary's first debate, Rep. Andy Kim and first lady Tammy Murphy shared common ideas, including supporting a national right to abortion, increased gun safety laws and fighting to combat the effects of climate change. They disagreed on implementation for certain issues Murphy, for example, cited Kims lack of support for Medicare for All legislation as a red flag, though Kim affirmed his support for universal healthcare through other methods. The debate hosted by On New Jersey, NJ Globe and Rider University was the first time Kim and Murphy faced off in public since the indictment of Sen. Bob Menendez. They and two other candidates Lawrence Hamm and Patricia Campos-Medina, who did not make the debate are seeking the Democratic nomination in June. Kim and Murphy fielded questions ranging from aid to Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war to local issues such as health care and affordability. Where the two disagreed primarily, however, was on the other candidates fitness for the role. Kim heavily criticized Tammy Murphys history of donating to Republican candidates including George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush and remaining a registered Republican after the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. He questioned Murphys loyalty to voting with the Democratic coalition in the Senate. She responded with her work re-building the Democratic Party since 2017, when her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy, was the nominee. I haven't voted for a Republican in a general election in more than two decades. And you know, I've been a Democrat for 10 years, she said. I think you have to know my values are strong, theyre Democratic core values, and I am one who is out there every day fighting for our state and making us stronger. In a post-debate press appearance, Kim reiterated these concerns, saying that New Jersey voters are going to come away with a lot more questions about her Republican past. Early in the debate, Kim also called on Murphy to commit to sharing the highly-coveted county line, in which county party-endorsed candidates are grouped together on the ballot and appear more legitimate to voters. Murphy did not directly respond. We just saw that constantly in her debate performance, just the defense of systems, he added. Murphy raised her own concerns about Kims ability to stand up to Donald Trump, the former president and Republican front-runner for the nomination. She said that Kim was one of only eight Democrats who has voted to help Donald Trump in several situations, including on border security and funding. Kim responded that he had voted alongside President Joe Biden 100 percent of the time, adding that he voted to impeach Trump twice while also representing a district he won twice. So it shows that we can be able to do what is right for the country," Kim said. Affordability dominated much of the policy-centered portions of debate, including fare hikes to NJ Transit recently announced by Gov. Phil Murphy. Kim criticized the increase as a policy that is going to hurt the most vulnerable New Jersey and the people that are already struggling, and they tell me that they feel like they're just being squeezed and its death from a thousand cuts. This is the wrong move to make right now. Murphy did not criticize her husband's fare hikes. Instead, she said that she's going to be a "relentless fighter" for federal dollars back into the transit system. A house explosion in Ann Arbor, Michigan has left at least one person injured, police said Monday morning. The blast was reported just south of the city in the Old West Side neighborhood, a Washtenaw County dispatcher said, and smoke from the blast site could be seen for miles, witnesses reported. Multiple people reported hearing an explosion then seeing a large fire plume southwest of downtown about just after 6 a.m ET. A house explosion injured at least one man in Ann Arbor Michigan during the early morning hours of Feb. 19, 2023, police said. Paul Schrems, who lives several blocks from where the blast took place, said he was sitting in his living room when the explosion took place. "I heard what sounded like a bomb and the whole house shook," Schrems told USA TODAY. "I put on my coat and decided to see what happened. Cops rushed down... I followed them and saw the whole house on fire. Hopefully everyone made it out safely." Scene of a house explosion just southwest of downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan where one person was injured on Feb, 19, 2024. The Ann Arbor Police Department said several streets around the blast site were closed and asked people to avoid the area. First responders shot: Minnesota police seek motive as town grieves after 2 officers, 1 firefighter fatally shot One man injured in house explosion Police, assisting the Ann Arbor Fire Department at the scene, said one person suffered non life-threatening injurers and was taken to a local hospital. It was not immediately known if anyone else was hurt. Scene of a house explosion just southwest of downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan where one person was injured on Feb, 19, 2024. The person transported was inside the home when the blast went off, Ann Arbor Fire Chief Mike Kennedy told CBS Detroit. Another home was also impacted by the blast, Kennedy told the outlet. Cause of Ann Arbor explosion not yet known The home where the explosion took place is a total loss, according to police. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known. 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: Ann Arbor house explosion: 1 person hurt, cause not yet known Dorothy Stevenson digs out an old protest sign in the basement of her home in Milwaukee, Wis., Feb. 13, 2024. (Anna Rose Layden/The New York Times) In 2017 they donned pink hats to march on Washington, registering their fury with Donald Trump by the hundreds of thousands. Then they flipped the House from Republican control, won the presidency and secured a surprisingly strong showing in the 2022 midterm elections, galvanized by their conviction that Trump and his allies constituted a national emergency. This year, anti-Trump voters are grappling with another powerful sentiment: exhaustion. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Some folks are burned out on outrage, said Rebecca Lee Funk, the Washington-based founder of the Outrage, a progressive activism group and a purveyor of resistance-era apparel. People are tired. I think last election we were desperate to get Trump out of office, and folks were willing to rally around that singular call to action. And this election feels different. But for Democrats, the mission is similar: Now defending the White House, President Joe Biden is trying to reassemble that sprawling anti-Trump coalition, casting the 2024 contest as another battle to save American democracy as Trump moves toward the Republican nomination. Biden, however, has a lot of work to do. Interviews with nearly two dozen Democratic voters, activists and officials make clear his challenge in energizing Americans who are unenthusiastic about a likely 2020 rematch, are worried about his age, and, in some cases, are struggling to sustain the searing anger toward Trump that Democrats have relied on for nearly a decade. Were kind of, like, crises-ed out, said Shannon Caseber, 36, a security guard in Pittsburgh who called the prospect of a Trump-Biden rematch a dumpster fire. She added, Its crisis fatigue, for sure. Caseber, a Democrat who would back Biden over Trump, added, Any sense of urgency that we had with the 2020 election I think its still there in the sense that no one wants Trump to be president, at least for Democrats, but its exhausting. Democrats are hardly alone in their political fatigue: A Pew Research Center survey last year found that 65% of Americans said they always or often felt exhausted when they thought about politics. Exhaustion is underlying the entire attitude toward our presidential election, said Whit Ayres, a veteran Republican pollster. When youve got two people that are opposed by 70% of Americans who want a different choice, it creates frustration, anxiety and discouragement. Democratic pollsters and strategists say that no one is more motivating or terrifying to their voters than Trump. Buoyed by strong showings in special elections last week, and other recent contests including a successful write-in campaign for Biden in New Hampshires primary, many believe their voters will grow increasingly engaged as the general election nears and Trumps legal problems unfold. He confronts 91 felony charges across four cases, is poised to be the first former president to face a criminal trial and now has staggering financial problems. He has also privately expressed support for a 16-week national abortion ban, with some exceptions, The New York Times reported Friday, and Democrats see abortion rights as a powerful motivator for their base and for some swing voters. But there are pronounced warning signs on the left, as well. A CNN poll recently asked how motivated Americans were to vote in the election. Republicans, out of power and eager to regain it, were more likely to say extremely motivated. A Yahoo News/YouGov poll asked voters last fall about their attitudes toward the 2024 election. Thirty-nine percent of Democrats picked exhaustion from the list of sentiments offered (a close second to dread). Just 26% of Republicans chose exhaustion. Broadly, surveys have shown erosion in the partys standing with traditional Democratic constituencies. On the left, some groups have warned of funding challenges and voter apathy, and the most visible source of in-the-streets energy is progressive frustration with Biden over his support for Israel. Lauren Hitt, a spokesperson for Biden, said there was tangible evidence of enthusiasm in recent weeks, including on the fundraising front. She also signaled that the campaigns messaging would go beyond simply opposing Trump, drawing contrasts with Republicans on abortion rights and gun safety as she described the stakes of the election, and nodding to Bidens policy accomplishments on issues such as combating climate change and child poverty. This election determines whether we build on that progress or we lose so many of our fundamental freedoms, she said in a statement. Many Democrats have argued that the party must do more to press an affirmative case for Bidens reelection, beyond just stopping Trump again. They also worry that some voters could vote third party or sit out altogether this year. They hear it every cycle: This is the most important election ever, said Leah D. Daughtry, a Democratic strategist. While she considers Trump an existential threat, she said, people want to vote for something and not necessarily against something. Max Dower, the founder of the clothing line Unfortunate Portrait, recently designed a $78 shirt that reflected his sense of feeling uninspired about the election. It featured an image of Biden, 81, using a walker to fend off a cane-wielding Trump, 77, with the message, Vote 2024. He said it had drawn more engagement on social media than any design he had posted in roughly eight years (it also inevitably set off political battles in his Instagram comments). After years of feeling that the country was veering from one crisis to the next, Dower, who said he voted for Biden in 2020, suggested that he was burned out. Weve dealt with so many emergencies these past few years: national emergencies, perceived emergencies, real emergencies its just kind of like, that is not really a strong motivator for me anymore, said Dower, who is based in Los Angeles. He declined to say how he would vote this year, but said he was unlikely to cast a ballot for Trump. A lot of us would like a more positive thing to motivate us, he said. Not just purely, Do this or else this bad thing is going to happen. Certainly, Trump is hardly a morning-in-America candidate. And while some have tuned him out since he left office, he will be unavoidable in an election year reminding voters, Democrats hope, of everything they have long disliked about him. The former president, whose supporters attacked the Capitol to try to overturn the 2020 election, has encouraged political violence, spread conspiracy theories and preached a darkly nativist vision. He has sought to undermine American institutions and threatened to upend the international order, recently suggesting that he would encourage Russian aggression against American allies. People are going to be more alert because Trump has become even more outrageous in his post-presidency, Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina, a Democrat, said in an interview last month. It will be a challenge to make sure that people are aware of what he is doing, because I think that sometimes he is so outrageous, so consistently, that theres a danger that it can be normalized. But I do believe that the stakes will be so high in this election that people will, at the end of the day, understand that our democracy truly is at stake. Democrats are also trying to put abortion rights on the ballot, literally and figuratively. The Biden campaign has already started advertising on the issue. Leah Greenberg, the co-executive director of the Indivisible Project, a progressive grassroots group, said her organization was supporting ballot measure efforts that would protect abortion rights in key states. She also argued that full Democratic control of Washington could lead to meaningful abortion protections nationally. Burnout tends to be a function of a sense of powerlessness, she said. People are activated around getting our rights back. That kind of message resonated with Dorothy Stevenson, 64, of Milwaukee. She did not vote for president in 2020, she said, alluding to Bidens tough-on-crime record as a senator and worried that he was not really for Black people. Now, she said, she is unexcited by her choices, but intends to support Biden because she believes the stakes of the election are higher. Its really, really, really, really because of the abortion issue I think that they need to stay away from womens bodies, she said. The potential return of Trump, she said, is a crisis. Many Americans have been in denial about the prospect of a Trump-Biden rematch. But as Trump moves closer to being renominated, some Democrats say their voters are beginning to grasp the significance of his return. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, a Biden campaign co-chair, said she heard some fatigue and some concern in the recent past. But after Trump won the New Hampshire primary, she said, there has been a palpable shift. And its what I had hoped for. I hope we can sustain it and grow it. In Washington, Funk of the Outrage suggested that to do so, some voters now want to be reminded of whats good about this country. Its been a long slog, she added, for those of us in the movement. c.2024 The New York Times Company LONDON (AP) The Associated Press won the best documentary prize at the British Academy Film Awards for Ukraine war documentary 20 Days in Mariupol, produced with PBS Frontline. Filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov admitted the accolade made him feel conflicted. Its a huge honor. Its a huge responsibility, the Ukrainian journalist said after winning the trophy Sunday at Londons Royal Festival Hall. This is not about us. This is about Ukraine and about the people of Mariupol. Chernov and an AP team spent three weeks in the Ukrainian port city as it was besieged by Russian forces in early 2022, documenting at huge personal risk the devastating toll on civilian and capturing enduring images of the war. Chernov arrived in Mariupol one hour before Russia began its bombardment, along with photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and field producer Vasilisa Stepanenko. The images and stories they captured the death of a 4-year-old girl, freshly dug mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital unflinchingly documented the grim, relentless realities of the siege. The work of Chernov, Maloletka, Stepanenko and Lori Hinnant last year won the Pulitzer Prize for public service, and the film has won numerous accolades, including a Directors Guild Award. It is nominated in the best documentary category at the March 10 Academy Awards, the first-ever Oscar nomination for the 178-year-old AP. Almost two years on since Russia's invasion, Ukrainian cities continue to be bombarded, with Russia claiming over the weekend to have captured the eastern city of Avdiivka after a long, grinding battle. Cities get occupied and destroyed and our work represents what is happening to Ukraine now, Chernov said. He said the story of Mariupol is a symbol of struggle and a symbol of faith. Thank you for empowering our voice and lets just keep fighting. The war in Ukraine and other conflicts, including the war between Israel and Hamas, have been particularly dangerous for journalists. In December, the International Federation of Journalists said 94 journalists were killed around the world in 2023 and almost 400 were imprisoned. Producer Derl McCrudden, the APs head of global news production, said the award reinforces the power of eyewitness journalism. And now, more than ever, having brave colleagues go to the field and report from the worlds hotspots is more important," he said. "Telling truth to power, reporting faithfully events: thats what this win represents. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) The Mid-Illinois Communications Association (MICA) has opened applications for the 2024 MICA Scholarship for college students majoring in communications, journalism, public relations, or related fields. The $1,000 scholarship also accepts applications from students studying marketing, design, videography, and photography. Eligibility requirements include: Must be a college junior, senior, or graduate student. Must be from Central Illinois or attend school in Central Illinois. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Must have a relevant background of educational work and extracurricular or job activities that demonstrate a commitment to a professional career in communications. UI students helping community members with free tax help program Applicants are asked to submit two references, a maximum 500-word essay, at least three work examples or links, and an official college transcript. We are excited to continue our tradition of supporting aspiring communicators through our annual scholarship program, MICA President Brandy Renfro said. This scholarship not only provides financial assistance but also acknowledges the dedication and potential of students committed to pursuing careers in communications. To apply for the 2024 MICA Scholarship, visit www.midilcommunications.org/education-scholarship. Deadline is March 1. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. You are here: Business A drone photo taken on Feb. 15, 2024 shows tourists queuing for experiencing a huge slide at Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua] Harbin, the capital city of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, welcomed over 10.09 million visits during the Spring Festival holiday, an average daily increase of 81.7 percent year on year, local authorities said Sunday. The city raked in 16.42 billion yuan (about 2.28 billion U.S. dollars) of tourism revenue during the eight-day holiday, from Feb. 10 to 17, according to the city's tourism department. Looking ahead, Harbin will continue to integrate various resources such as tourist attractions, large-scale cultural tourism activities, regional characteristic brands, and cultural venues, and design tourism routes and products to help tourists better experience the city's history and charm. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York condemned the funeral of a trans activist that was held last week in St. Patricks Cathedral, expressing outrage over what it called scandalous behavior. More than 1,000 people filled the pews of the revered New York cathedral on February 15 to honor the legendary trans activist Cecilia Gentili, who died on February 6 at 52. Gentili was a pillar of New Yorks trans community, as well as a fierce advocate for sex workers and people with HIV/AIDS. Though she grew up attending Catholic services in her home country of Argentina, she was also an avowed atheist. Friends and family members of Gentili characterized last weeks service as iconic and historic, with funeral organizers saying they believed Gentili was the first trans person to have a funeral at the cathedral. Mourners showed up in feathery red dresses, fishnet stockings and lace veils, and the community prayed for God to protect trans people with health care and housing. In one eulogy, Gentili a former sex worker was remembered as Saint Cecilia. Mother of all whores. But after videos from the funeral and news reports from CNN and other outlets began circulating online, some prominent Catholics and conservative groups responded with backlash. A senior leader at St. Patricks Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of New York, said after the fact that it was deceived into hosting the service. CNN reached out to the Archdiocese of New York on Friday for comment, before it publicly condemned the funeral, but did not receive a response. Hundreds of people filled the pews of St. Patrick's Cathedral last week to remember Gentili. - Laura Oliverio/CNN The Cathedral only knew that family and friends were requesting a funeral Mass for a Catholic, and had no idea our welcome and prayer would be degraded in such a sacrilegious and deceptive way, Rev. Enrique Salvo, the rector at St. Patricks Cathedral, said in a statement over the weekend. That such a scandal occurred at Americas Parish Church makes it worse; that it took place as Lent was beginning, the annual forty-day struggle with the forces of sin and darkness, is a potent reminder of how much we need prayer, reparation, repentance, grace, and mercy to which this holy season invites us. Rev. Salvo added that the cathedral offered a mass of reparation at the direction of Cardinal Timothy Dolan to atone for the funeral. Funeral organizers told CNN that they chose to honor Gentili at St. Patricks Cathedral because they felt its grandeur was a fitting tribute to her legacy she was remembered at her funeral for championing the most marginalized peoples in society. A senior leader from St. Patrick's Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of New York, condemned Gentili's funeral after the fact, saying the house of worship was duped into hosting the service. - Laura Oliverio/CNN Ceyenne Doroshow, one of the organizers, said in an interview with the Washington Post that she told the cathedral that Gentili was a sex worker advocate, an icon and an activist and encouraged them to look her up. She added that the house of worship did not ask about Gentilis gender identity or sexuality and that she did not proactively disclose it to them. If a cisgender persons family organizes their funeral, does their family tell the church that they were cis? Doroshow told the Washington Post. If not, why is that being asked of us? Gentilis family also sharply criticized the archdioceses response, characterizing her funeral as a historic defiance of the Churchs hypocrisy and anti-trans hatred. We bestow sainthood upon Cecilia, for her lifes work, for how she ministered, mothered, and loved all people regardless of HIV, immigration, or employment status, a statement from the family read. Her heart and hands reached those the sanctimonious Church continues to belittle, oppress, and chastise, and she changed the material conditions for countless people, including unhoused people and those who needed healthcare. The statement continued, The only deception present at St. Patricks Cathedral is that it claims to be a welcoming place for all. Despite the outrage from the archdiocese and some Catholics, other worshippers didnt seem to take issue with Gentilis service. Michael Horlan, a lawyer from Ireland who attended Sundays services at the cathedral, told the New York Post that Jesus welcomed everybody. He didnt say if youre one thing or another, youre outside the tent. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A growing global population and an increased understanding of the negative environmental impacts brought by the construction industry have encouraged architects to examine sustainable, affordable options for housing. An innovative solution from an architecture studio in Bologna, Italy, has utilized 3D printing to create a housing prototype made from locally sourced clay, according to design magazine Dezeen. Clay has been used in construction for hundreds of thousands of years, but it has made way for more energy-intensive steel, bricks, and concrete. However, with a need to step back from these materials that produce planet-warming pollution during creation, architects are looking to the past to deliver the future of environmentally friendly accommodation. Mario Cucinella Architects partnered with 3D printing specialists WASP to create the TECLA house, which has been built in Massa Lombarda. The structure is set out in two domes with an open roof covered by huge skylights, and it was formed by 350 stacked layers of clay. According to Dezeen, the layers provide structural stability and deliver a natural thermal barrier, keeping the interior cool. The latter factor is becoming increasingly important in construction, with a warming planet necessitating environmentally friendly cooling options air conditioning is effective but relies on a lot of energy to use. The giant 3D printer features two synchronized arms that can cover a diameter of over 160 feet, and because they can run simultaneously, two housing domes can be delivered in as little as 200 hours. Furthermore, the process used clay obtained from a local riverbed, and the process required just six kilowatts of energy. TECLA responds to the increasingly serious climate emergency, to the need for sustainable homes, and to the great global issue of the housing emergency that will have to be faced, Mario Cucinella Architects told Dezeen. Particularly in the context of urgent crises generated, for example, by large migrations or natural disasters. According to the European Commission, the construction industry is responsible for 35% of the EUs total waste generation, while it also accounts for between 5% and 12% of total planet-warming pollution. This construction method could significantly cut the harmful gases the industry produces, and it can prevent excessive mining and extraction of natural resources. We like to think that TECLA is the beginning of a new story, Mario Cucinella Architects founder and creative director Mario Cucinella told Dezeen. It would be truly extraordinary to shape the future by transforming this ancient material with the technologies we have available today. Its only a prototype, though, and it might be some time before we see 3D-printed homes making up a sustainable community. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Is an election valid if only 10 percent of the voters turn out? Sen. John Kavanagh doesn't think so. The Fountain Hills Republican is promoting a bill that would require at least a 25 percent turnout for any local election to be official. If turnout is below that threshold, the vote would have to be re-run on the next statewide primary or general election ballot. The idea is novel, according to Daniel Griffith of Secure Democracy. As senior policy director for the organization, he tracks election-related bills nationwide. I am not aware of a bill that looks like this in any other state," Griffith said. Nor could he think of any place in the country where such a law exists. The proposal is problematic, he said. We see issues here," Griffith said. "What this bill is doing is throwing out the votes of people who took the time to fill out their ballots. Sen. John Kavanagh sits during a Senate judiciary hearing Feb. 1, 2024. A bill promoted by Kavanaugh and approved by the Senate Elections Committee Feb. 5, aims to induce a re-run on elections that have at least a 25% voter turnout. Kavanagh said his bill is an attempt to get local governments, from cities to school districts to sanitary districts, to hold their elections at the same time as statewide and federal elections. That would mean August and November. "The message here is: Have your election when people show up," Kavanagh said. He calls local elections "quasi-secret" and a form of voter suppression because of their odd-year cycles, which typically draw low turnout. Like other critics, he argues such elections tend to attract proponents of the local issue to the detriment of the wider population. Obscure elected boards, such as sanitary districts, get single or low double-digit turnouts, Kavanagh said. "That's not democracy," he said at the Feb. 5 meeting of the Senate Elections Committee. Sen. Priya Sundareshan on the Arizona Senate floor Jan. 23, 2024. Sundareshan voiced opposition to Senate Bill 1131 which she says is just an attempt to force Tucson City Council elections to a schedule that Kavanaugh likes more. Sen. Priya Sundareshan, D-Tucson, said his bill appears to be yet another attempt to force Tucson to move its council elections to a calendar more to lawmakers' liking. That's been tried unsuccessfully before, she said, referring to court rulings that have held Tucson, as a charter city, is entitled to set its own election calendar. But members of the public told the committee the bill, if it becomes law, would disenfranchise voters. "It would overturn the will of the voters," Kerry Jackson told lawmakers. It would make it more difficult to win approval for school bond issues, he said, and could cripple school budgets. Ruthee Goldkorn said the bill also negates the decision of people who choose to not vote. "You don't know why people don't come (to the polls)," she chided lawmakers. Whether to cast a ballot is a decision that's left to individual voters, not to a Legislature to tell people they must vote, she said. Goldkorn noted the GOP turnout in the Iowa caucuses for president was 15 percent, a level that would be unacceptable under the Arizona proposal. Griffith said while there are countries that have compulsory voting, that's not the case in the U.S. Part of the American right to vote is the right to choose not to vote," he said. The measure, Senate Bill 1131, passed the elections panel on a party-line vote, with Republicans in support and Democrats opposed. District 1 Sen. Ken Bennett smiles from the Senate floor of the Arizona Capitol March 20, 2023. Bennet, a Republican, said during a discussion on Senate Bill 1131 that he had concerns with the idea of voiding an election but voted to approve te bill nonetheless. Sen. Ken Bennett, a Prescott Republican and former Arizona secretary of state, said he had "tremendous concern" at the prospect of voiding an election if not enough people show up. But he voted for the bill to move it along in the legislative process. The bill awaits constitutional clearance from the Rules Committee and then can advance to a vote of the full Senate. Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on Threads as well as on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @maryjpitzl. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona bill to void low-turnout elections passes Senate committee MESQUITE, Texas (KXAN) A Dallas area officer was involved in a shooting after a student showed up to a charter school armed Monday morning, according to school officials and police. Officers with the Mesquite Police Department responded to the Pioneer Technology and Arts Oates campus shortly before 9 a.m. after reports of a person with a gun, according to a post from the police department. The call was then changed to an active shooter call. Mesquite is located just east of Dallas. Police said the person entered the building with the firearm, and officers tried to negotiate but during the process of negotiation, an officer-involved shooting occurred. The suspect was transported to a local hospital, according to Mesquite Police. The police department said no officers or students were injured. The suspect was later identified as a 16-year-old student from the campus. Police are withholding his identity because he is a juvenile, according to a news release from MPD. Police said the student is in custody. Furthermore, there were no injuries to other students, faculty members or officers. Reunification for students from the school was done at a nearby church, and they were later released to family members, according to the schools emergency plans. According to MPD, the three officers involved in the shooting were an 8-year veteran, a 5-year veteran and an officer-in-training, who has multiple years of service with another agency. The shooting remains under investigation by the MPD Criminal Investigations Unit, Internal Affairs Unit and investigators with the Dallas County District Attorneys Office, according to police. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that Armenia is not an ally of Russia when it comes to the war in Ukraine, and pointed to international conventions on the recognition of state borders. Source: European Pravda, citing Armenpress news agency Quote from Pashinyan: "I have repeatedly emphasised that Armenia is not an ally of Russia on the issue of Ukraine, and we are firm in this position. The first time I said this was two years ago, and we regret being unable to influence this situation. Ukrainians are a friendly people to us." Details: The prime minister noted that the Alma-Ata Declaration serves as a basis for recognising the independence and territorial integrity of the republics that gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He noted that Armenia adheres to the Alma-Ata Declaration, which Russia and Ukraine, among others, have adopted. Pashinyan added that the Belovezha Accords, signed by Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, officially disestablished the Soviet Union and proclaimed the independence of all three nations, who would recognise each other's borders. Background: Last September, Armenia sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine for the first time during a visit by Anna Akopyan, the wife of the Armenian Prime Minister. Later, in early October, Pashinyan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met for the first time on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Granada. Support UP or become our patron! HILLSBORO, Mo. A Jefferson County Circuit Court judge issued an arrest warrant on Friday for a St. Francois County man in connection with a child sex abuse investigation. The crimes occurred over a three-year period from 2018 to 2021, when the victim was between the ages of 9 and 12, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office. The victim said a relative, identified as Henry T. Carey, molested her, forced himself on her, and performed sexual acts on her over that period. She told investigators that Carey had inappropriate contact with other young relatives and that Carey threatened to kill her dog if she ever told anyone about the abuse. Suspicious house fire in Ferguson claims lives of mother, four children The victim explained that she still has nightmares and fears that Carey will come back and abuse her again. The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Carey, now 37, with three counts of first-degree child molestation, one count of enticement of a child (under 15), and one count of first-degree statutory rape. Upon his arrest, hell be jailed on a $75,000 cash-only bond. Careys last known address on record is in the Bonne Terre area. The sheriffs office said Carey has prior arrests and convictions for several felonies, including burglary, assault, animal abuse, and endangering the welfare of a child. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Angelo State University will be hosting former United States Special Envoy Jeffrey Feltman as the featured speaker for a foreign affairs speaker program, during which he will discuss topics related to the U.S.s role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The event is the 2024 E. James Holland-Roy A. Harrell Jr. Foreign Affairs Speakers Program, which takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the Houston Harte University Center, located at 1910 Rosemont Drive. During the program, Feltman will present Shaping Tomorrow: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, the U.S. Role and the Prospects for Peace in the Broader Middle East to attendees. Feltman was the first U.S. special envoy for the Horn of Africa and served in that role from April 2021 to January 2022, working to promote peace and stability in that critically important region. Beforehand, he acted as the United Nations under-secretary-general for political issues from 2012-18. He was the chief foreign policy advisor to the UN secretary-general, and he frequently briefed the UN Security Council on worldwide peace and security issues. Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs,, addresses the SC. Peace and security in Africa Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Lake Chad Basin region (S/2017/764) From 2009 to 2012, Feltman was the U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, which followed his tenure as U.S. ambassador to Lebanon from 2004 to 2008. He also completed assignments as a U.S. Foreign Service officer in Kurdistan, Iraq, Israel, Tunis, Jordan, Austria and Haiti. He is the recipient of two Presidential Service Awards and several State Department Superior Honor awards. Today, Feltman is the John C. Whitehead Visiting Fellow in International Diplomacy at the Brookings Institution and a senior fellow at the UN Foundation, both based in Washington, D.C. He is also on the Board of Advisors to the Dialogue Advisory Group in Amsterdam, on the Advisory Council of the Berghof Foundation in Berlin and a senior advisor to the European Institute of Peace in Brussels, Belgium. He also sits on the Board of Governors of the Middle East Institute, where he chairs the International Advisory Council, and serves on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Diplomacy. A native of Greenville, Ohio, Feltman earned his bachelors degree in history and art from Ball State University and his masters degree in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He also holds an honorary doctorate from Ball State. While on the ASU campus from Feb. 20-21, Feltman will also speak to several classes and meet with various student and faculty groups. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. The Texas man named as a person of interest in connection with the disappearance of Audrii Cunningham babysat the 11-year-old girl, according to local reports. The Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS) Southeast Region on Saturday named Don Steven McDougal, 42, as a person of interest in the girl's disappearance, and Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested him on Friday on unrelated charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Video footage obtained by FOX 26 shows McDougal in Livingston on Feb. 16 prior to his arrest. Audrii's mother, Cassie Matthews, told FOX 26 Houston that she believed McDougal was friends with Audrii's father and would babysit the 11-year-old girl while he was staying at her father's home. Audrii has been missing since the morning of Feb. 15, when she was last seen at her residence in the 100 block of Lakeside Drive, in Polk County, Texas. LAW ENFORCEMENT SEARCHING FOR MEN WHO WENT MISSING OFF GULF OF MEXICO Don Steven McDougal was named as a person of interest in connection with the Feb. 15 disappearance of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham of Polk County, Texas. The 11-year-old girl "should have caught the school bus at her neighborhood bus stop; however, school officials reported to the Sheriffs Office that the school bus did not pick Audrii up, nor did she report to school," Polk County authorities said in a press release. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP A statewide Amber Alert was issued on Feb. 17. FLORIDA WOMAN DISAPPEARS IN MADRID AFTER SUSPICIOUS TEXT, BLACKED-OUT SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS Texas authorities issued a statewide Amber Alert for Audrii Cunningham on Feb. 17. While McDougal has not been charged in Audrii's disappearance, investigators believe there may be foul play, according to FOX 26. KENTUCKY GIRL FOR WHOM AMBER ALERT WAS ISSUED IS FOUND, FATHER ARRESTED The 42-year-old has an extensive criminal history dating back to the early 2000s. His charges range from enticement of a child in Brazoria County in 2008 to assault of a family member and evading arrest in Liberty County, among dozens of other crimes. OHIO WOMAN CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING, CHILD ENDANGERMENT AFTER DISAPPEARING WITH 5-YEAR-OLD FOSTER SON Authorities are still looking for McDougal's dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, which they believe was involved in Audrii's disappearance. CALIFORNIA TEEN VANISHES DURING LAYOVER AT DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON WAY HOME FROM MENTAL HEALTH CENTER The Polk County Sheriff's Office said a backpack likely belonging to Audrii was located near the Lake Livingston Dam on Feb. 16. "This investigation remains active and ongoing. If you have any information related to the disappe[arance] of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, contact the Polk County Sheriffs Office," TDPS Southeast said in a Feb. 17 Facebook post. Don Steven McDougal was convicted of enticement of a child in 2008. Polk County officials described Audrii as a White female with blonde hair and blue eyes, weighing 75 lbs. and standing approximately 4 ft., 1 in. tall. She was last seen wearing black pants, a black hoodie with white letter and black high-tip shoes with a bright red "Hello Kitty" backpack. Authorities are offering a $7,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Audrii's disappearance. Original article source: Audrii Cunningham disappearance: Texas babysitter with criminal record named as person of interest AUSTIN (KXAN) In recent years, several Austin streets have taken on new names to honor prolific Black figures who have had influence here in Austin and beyond. Some of those figures are internationally renowned, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Others, like Azie Taylor Morton, are remembered as educators and racial equality advocates. Heres a look at some of the roadways named in their honor, and how they helped shape the Austin of today. Azie Morton Road Jutting off Barton Springs Road in south Austin is Azie Morton Road, named in memory of historic Black educator and prominent government figure Azie Taylor Morton. This embedded content is not available in your region. Morton was born in Dale, Texas before relocating to Austin to attend high school at the Texas Blind, Deaf and Orphan School. The school was a charity sponsored school for Black children due to there being no designated schools for Black people in her hometown, per historic documents. Morton graduated high school at 16 years old before attending Huston-Tillotson College (now Huston-Tillotson University). She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in commercial education in 1956. Azie Morton Road in Austin (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson) In Austin, Morton pushed back against segregationist policies at city institutions, swimming in Barton Springs Pool despite city regulations barring Black people from using it. Swim-ins were some of the ways Black people challenged racist policies early in the civil rights movement, per documents. RELATED: Report outlines framework for City of Austin to rename assets with names tied to Confederacy In addition to Azie Mortons courage, prominent residents like Bertha Means, Willie Mae Kirk, Joan Means Khabele, Saundra Kirk, members of the Universalist Unitarian Church, students from Austin High School and several others in the community all worked collectively over a period of several years to integrate the Springs, city historic documents read. Morton began her educational career working for the Texas AFL-CIO before she was invited to work for then-President John F. Kennedys Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity in Washington, D.C. She later also served on the Presidents Committee on Equal Opportunity in Housing. One of Mortons lasting legacies is her status as the only Black person to serve as Treasurer of the United States. Former President Jimmy Carter appointed her to serve in his cabinet from 1977 to 1981. Following her service as U.S. Treasurer, she relocated back to Austin to assist with her alma mater, Huston-Tillotson. Some of her work included serving as a member of its Alumni Association to help mentor students. From 1999 to 2001, she served on the Austin Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, per documents. In 2018, city leaders renamed Robert E. Lee Road to Azie Morton Road in her memory. J.J. Seabrook Drive This embedded content is not available in your region. A small roadway connected to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard honors the memory of Dr. John Jarvis (J.J.) Seabrook. Seabrook moved to Austin and became an educator before eventually serving as president of Huston-Tillotson College (now Huston-Tillotson University). His community work in Austin included service as a pastor and as a member of several community groups. During the 1970s, Seabrook focused on Austins 19th Street renaming. East of Interstate 35, the roadway had already been renamed to honor Kings memory. However, west of the interstate, the road remained 19th Street. J.J. Seabrook Drive in Austin (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson) It was Seabrooks efforts in the 1970s that helped ensure Martin Luther King Jr.s legacy would be memorialized in Austin through the renaming of 19th Street. While arguing before Austin City Council in favor of the complete road renaming on May 1, 1975, Seabrook suffered a heart attack and died later that evening. In Seabrooks memory, the bridge connecting Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard east and west of I-35 is named in his honor. Just before the intersection of East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Springdale Road, a small side street is named J.J. Seabrook Drive. His namesake is also immortalized in the King-Seabrook Chapel at Huston-Tillotson University; the J.J. Seabrook Greenbelt off East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; and in the J.J. Seabrook Neighborhood Association in east Austin. Maggie Mayes Street This embedded content is not available in your region. Austin City Council voted nearly two years ago to change the name of Confederate Avenue in central Austin to Maggie Mayes Street. The new namesake paid homage to Maggie Mayes, a noted Black educator. Clarksville originally was created as a slaved quarters for those enslaved under Gov. Elisha Pease, according to historic documents from the Clarksville Community Development Corporation. Following the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas in 1865, a portion of the land was released for freedmen to use. Six years later, Charles Clark a formerly enslaved man purchased two acres of land and developed the area now known as West 10th Street. Maggie Mayes Street in Austin (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson) This area formed the nucleus of what would become the community of Clarksville, which according to tradition, Clark envisioned as a place where former slaves could reunite with their families and friends, direct their own lives and freely practice their religion, reads documents published by the Clarksville CDC. Later on, Mayes founded the first school in the Clarksville neighborhood, home to Austins earliest freed Black community. Her husband, state legislator Elias Mayes, served in the Texas Legislature for several years, during a time where few Black legislators served the state. We dont know as much about Maggie Mayes as we need to, former Austin City Council Member Kathie Tovo told KXAN in March 2022. And so my hope is that, in recognizing the significant contributions we know she did as a Black educator, that well also, in the years to come, learn even more about the other ways in which she helped shape not just her neighborhood, but also our city for the better. The street, now named after Mayes, is located between Open Door Preschool and Mathews Elementary School. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard This embedded content is not available in your region. Many know the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., a prolific civil rights activist and one of the leaders of the movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. But some might not know the history of how, exactly, Austins former 19th Street became Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Seabrook is the man who helped ensure Kings legacy would be honored across Austin. He spoke at an Austin City Council meeting in May 1975 to advocate for the name change, when he collapsed and ultimately died from a heart attack. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Austin (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson) Despite Austin City Council approving the renaming of 19th Street on April 10, 1975, businesses along the road west of I-35 pushed back at the change, and West 19th Street remained. Some of the reasons people opposed to the change gave publicly were that the costs of sign changes would be substantial and it would inconvenience businesses to update their addresses. On May 1, 1975, Seabrook stressed to council the vote had been taken and the adoption of the complete name change had been approved. During his testimony, Seabrook suffered a heart attack, and later died that same evening. Five days following his death, Austin City Council voted to approve the full renaming of 19th Street to honor King. Richard Overton Avenue This embedded content is not available in your region. Hamilton Avenue in east Austin is also named Richard Overton Avenue, in memory of Texas veteran and Austinite Richard Overton. He passed away in December 2018 at 112 years old, and was the oldest living World War II veteran in the U.S. prior to his death. Richard Overton Avenue in Austin (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson) Regarded by close friends as the grandfather of Austin, Overton was known for his signature cigar and wide smile two features incorporated into his memorial monument at his burial site at the Texas State Cemetery. As we sat on his porch and smoked cigars and sipped whiskey, he welcomed everyone into his house, into his world, and just loved everyone, his longtime friend friend Allen Bergeron told KXAN in April 2022. And so for me, its about the final chapter, even the final paragraph for me. He was just a dear friend. William Holland Avenue This embedded content is not available in your region. Near the Brentwood neighborhood in central Austin lies William Holland Avenue, a roadway named after a historic Black educator in Austin. Born enslaved, Holland and his brothers are presumed to be the sons of Capt. Bird Holland, a white man who bought their freedom and moved them to Ohio in the late 1850s, city documents write. Holland served in the Union Armys Sixteenth United States Colored Troops before attending Oberlin College for two years after the war. He then returned to Texas and began teaching in multiple counties as well as many city schools in Austin. William Holland Avenue in Austin (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson) Hollands life and legacy centered around his work to advance high quality educational opportunities for Black students in Texas. That dedication included service as a state representative, county commissioner and work as a delegate to the Texas Colored Mens Convention along with two National Republican Conventions, per city documents. Holland established a school for Black children with disabilities in April 1887, which served as one of several predecessor institutions of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Former Texas Gov. Lawrence Sullivan Ross named Holland to serve as the schools first superintendent; his appointment made history as the first Black man in the United States to lead a public institution. In 2018, Austin City Council approved renaming Jeff Davis Avenue in Hollands honor. Possible sites to be renamed in the future A memo sent to the Austin City Council and the mayor from the citys Equity Office last month outlined guidance from renaming city assets that currently have names tied to the Confederacy. The January memo is a follow up from a 2020 council resolution that directed staff to support an educational process and collaborate with residents to identify City assets for renaming, per that memo. Three main assets that could be considered for renaming included Plantation Road, Dixie Drive and Metz Park and Pool. The park is named after Hamilton M. Metz, a firefighter in Austin who later served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Despite Metz Neighborhood Park still going by its original name, the city had already renamed its adjacent recreation facility the Mendez Recreation Center. The facility is named after Rodolfo Rudy Mendez, an Austinite who dedicated his life to mentorship and dance teaching in east Austin. He founded the Ballet East Dance Company and also developed the nationally renowned Dare to Dance program, per city documents. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Liu Liange, former chairman of the Bank of China, has been indicted on charges of suspected bribe-taking and illegal loan-issuing, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said on Monday. Following the completion of an investigation by the National Commission of Supervision, Liu's case has been filed by a procuratorate in the eastern city of Jinan to the municipal intermediate people's court. Prosecutors accused Liu of taking advantage of his previous positions, including former Party chief and chairman of the Bank of China, to offer help to others in terms of loans and financing, project cooperation, and personnel appointments, and accepting huge amounts of money and property in return, said the SPP in a statement. Liu was also charged with illegally issuing large volumes of loans, causing serious loss, according to the SPP. In review and prosecution, prosecutors informed the defendant of his litigation rights, interrogated him, and listened to his defense counsel's opinions. The Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian foreign ministers have condemned Russia's intention to hold presidential "elections" in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Source: Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania on Russias upcoming presidential elections Details: In their statement, Latvia's Krisjanis Karins, Lithuania's Gabrielius Landsbergis and Estonia's Margus Tsahkna declared that the Russian elections in the occupied territories constitute a gross violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and international law. "We do not and will not recognise the holding of such elections or their results in Ukraines territories temporarily occupied and illegally annexed by Russia. Russia has no legitimate basis for any such action on the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine. We strongly condemn these unacceptable decisions by Russias political leadership," the statement reads. The foreign ministers of the Baltic states noted that Russia's political leadership and those involved in organising such actions would be brought to justice for the consequences. "The upcoming presidential "elections" in Russia will be neither free nor fair. In the environment of total crackdown on opposition and independent media, with lack of credible alternative candidates and without the international monitoring, these elections will lack any democratic legitimacy," the statement added. Background: Earlier, the Estonian General Staff noted that Russia's presidential election, scheduled for March, will have an impact on the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine. The Estonian Foreign Ministry has allowed Russia to open only one polling station on its territory at the Russian embassy in Tallinn for the sham "presidential elections" in March 2024. Last year, on behalf of the European Union, EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell condemned Russia's plans to hold presidential elections on 15-17 March 2024, including in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Thousands of customers in North Carolina may have had their information leaked after a Bank of America data breach. The North Carolina Attorney Generals Office says more than 3,200 Bank of America customers in the state could have had their social security numbers and names leaked. Infosys, a company that services Bank of America, says the breach happened on Nov. 3, 2023. The Attorney Generals office was notified in early February. READ MORE: More fallout for Bank of America involving fake account scandal Nearly 60,000 customers nationwide could have had their information leaked, according to the Maine Attorney Generals Office. Following a review of the breach, Infosys says it found no evidence of continued threat. Bank of America offered a 2-year identity theft protection package to affected customers. (WATCH: Bank account numbers & PINs leaked in cybersecurity attack at Charlotte-based AvidXchange) In a move to placate recalcitrant Bashkir troops, Bashkir officers are transferring their compatriots to units that do not directly fight on the frontlines in Ukraine, Ukraines National Resistance Center (NRC) reported on Feb. 18. This decision comes as mobilized Bashkir troops look to sidestep frontline engagement, a sentiment fueled by unrest in their homeland following the detention of Fail Alsourov, a key figure in the Bashkir national movement and an environmental activist. Read also: Death toll in Kupyansk rises to two after Russian air strike, four injured The arrest and subsequent four-year sentencing of Alsourov ignited protests across Bashkortostan, including its capital, Ufa, where Russian police responded with a heavy hand against demonstrators. Citing members of the Ukrainian underground, NRC reports that they have documented preferences within the occupying forces based on ethnic background. Read also: Russian soldiers execute Ukrainian POWs in cold blood in Avdiivka and Vesele video Bashkir officers have been actively relocating their compatriots to safer, non-combat positions, rewarding them with commendations. Notably, these troops have been positioned in support roles on the Kreminna front and near Avdiivka, providing logistical, repair, and evacuation services to the frontlines without direct engagement in combat. "This strategy aims to safeguard mobilized Bashkirs, ensuring they can continue contributing to the national liberation efforts back home," the NRC report stated. This approach has not been without its tensions, as clashes have erupted between Russian forces and Tatar nationals, underscoring the ethnic complexities in Russias military. The spotlight on these developments was intensified on Jan. 17, when thousands rallied outside a courthouse in Baymak, Bashkortostan, protesting the incarceration of Alsourov, marking a significant moment of civic action in the region. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The battery-powered train travelled through Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire A battery-powered train is thought to have broken a UK record during a test journey. Great Western Railway (GWR) has been trialling its FastCharge battery, which it hopes will eventually eliminate the need to use diesel. On 14 February, a test train travelled 86 miles on battery power alone without charging, through Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. A few days later, it travelled 70 miles on 45% of its battery capacity. The totally battery-powered journey began at Long Marston before the train travelled to Evesham West Junction, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne North and back. The stations are on the line to London Paddington. GWR claims that its FastCharge battery has allowed it to claim the record of the longest battery train distance travelled without recharging in the UK. The company hopes the technology will help it reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050The Class 230 battery train completed a 70-mile move from Long Marston to Reading Train Care Depot on 45 per cent of its battery capacity. 'Surpassed expectations' The team of GWR engineers on board the test train claim it could have travelled "more than 120 miles on a single charge". GWR engineering director Dr Simon Green said the test journeys of the battery-powered train "surpassed the expectations of engineers". "Achieving these distances gives us great confidence as we press forward with this industry-leading FastCharge technology," he said. "It's also worth noting that in reaching the 86 miles on Wednesday, the train was operating in a real-world environment, at speeds of up to 60mph, stopping and starting over a hilly route, with elevation changes of up to 200m." It's also hoped that the use of battery-powered trains will remove the need for overhead electric lines. Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) The Battle Creek community came together outside Cafe Rica to reflect on a Thursday shooting inside the business that left a man dead and a police officer injured. The coffee shop has been closed since the deadly shooting and wont reopen until Tuesday. Nearly a hundred people gathered at the business Sunday to heal together, with many of them saying that Cafe Rica provides calm, community and mental clarity. Its a place of peace and a place for community, and we want that to continue, said Charles Rose, who was born and raised in Battle Creek. Man dead, BCPD officer injured in altercation, police say Staff and customers were shaken Thursday by gunshots and a loss of life. Police were sent there that afternoon over a call of an unwanted person, 29-year-old Dario Agudelo of San Antonio, Texas. Agudelo had allegedly assaulted someone near the W. K. Kellogg House, a museum in the area of Capital Avenue and W. Van Buren Street. Body camera video shows police unsuccessfully attempting to shock Agudelo with a Taser inside Cafe Rica, leading to a struggle between him and the officer. The video then shows Agudelo trying to grab the officers gun before shooting her in the leg. Another officer then shot Agudelo. He died at the scene. The injured officer was later released from the hospital. Michigan State Police is investigating the shooting and both officers involved are on administrative leave, which is standard protocol. Boonika Herring, the racial healing coordinator for the Battle Creek Coalition for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, comes to the cafe several times a week. She said she uses it like an office. Her coalition is aimed to build relationships and trust in the community and has difficult conversations about race and identity. Cafe Rica in Battle Creek holds a community gathering days after a deadly shooting. (Feb. 18, 2024) BCPD bodycam shows struggle before officer shot, man killed Battle Creek is small, she said. Its very close-knit, and something we may not think affects someone, affects someone. Theres a lot of traumatic things that have happened in Battle Creek that people are still grieving and healing from it. Herring said Thursdays deadly shooting is very traumatic to the community. I want everybody to know asking for help is OK, processing this type of grief and trauma is a lot, she said. Its OK to reach out for help. The day of the shooting, Herring was originally supposed to meet with her team at the cafe and later drop her daughter off there. At that point you think, Im here everyday, my kid is here everyday, people in the community are here, Herring said. You just pray for everyone involved. I cant imagine. Herring knew what the city needed after the shooting: a space to grieve and heal together. Working with Cafe Ricas owner, they invited the community back to the coffee shop Sunday afternoon. Dozens of people showed up, including the citys mayor, city manager and a local pastor, who led the group in prayer. Herring led a moment of silence herself. Other speakers encouraged people to talk about how they were feeling and seek help if they need it. The healing process is all about support; coming together is the fastest way to heal, Herring said. Rose said Cafe Rica is a place where the community comes to open our hearts. We want things to heal, Rose said. We want our people to heal, we want our community to heal. We value this community and peace and the love thats shared here. Dr. Elishae Johnson, a therapist in the city, told the crowd its OK if theyre struggling with what happened and being together can only help. As a therapist, one of the hardest conditions for me to treat is grief, because what grief needs is an opportunity for us to hold space for it, Johnson said. To do that in community can just be amazing for healing. Johnson called Battle Creek resilient and said the community will persevere together. Ive been here most of my life, and we go through things and pick each other up, she said. I feel blessed to be amongst people who pray for each other and offer hugs and support. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Prince William speaking to Phoebe Dynevor, Ayo Edebiri, Sophie Wilde and Mia McKenna Bruce at the Baftas (Getty Images) A photo of Prince William at the 2024 Baftas has gone viral thanks to the alarmed reactions of the group of actors he was speaking to. Following Sundays (18 February) ceremony, The Prince of Wales made his way backstage to congratulate the EE Rising Star nominees, comprising The Bears Ayo Edibiri, Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton), Sophie Wilde (Talk to Me), Jacob Elordi (Euphoria) and Mia McKenna Bruce (How to Have Sex). Bruce went on to triumph in the category, which is voted on by the public. In a portion of their interaction filmed and uploaded to X, William can be seen shaking all of their hands before he tells them: Very nice to see you guys. Honestly, like the category was so strong all of you it was like whos going to pull this off. It was incredible. It was very close between all of you, he says. In a still captured of the interaction, William is shown laughing violently while the rising stars offer a range of reactions. I am simply beginning you all to look at this photo of Ayo Edebiri meeting Prince William at the Baftas, one person tweeted alongside the photo. They all look alarmed And I Ope (@TheSilverFox_) February 19, 2024 Welcoming Ayo as a Board member to the Please Dont Expect Me to Control My Face club, a second quipped, with a third writing that they all looked alarmed. They all looked pained in their own way, another added. This years Baftas belonged to Oppenheimer and Yorgos Lanthimoss sci-fi comedy Poor Things, as both films dominated the top categories. Christopher Nolans atomic bomb epic ended the night with seven wins, including Best Director, Best Film, Best Leading Actor and Best Supporting Actor. As the Oppenheimer team director Nolan, star Cillian Murphy, and producers Emma Thomas and Charles Roven took the stage to accept the final prize of the night for Best Film, a social media prankster gatecrashed the moment. A Bafta spokesperson later told The Independent in a statement: A social media prankster was removed by security last night after joining the winners of the final award on stage we are taking this very seriously, and dont wish to grant him any publicity by commenting further. Find the full list of Bafta winners here. Birds fly over the Nandagang wetland in Cangzhou, north China's Hebei Province, June 14, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] Over 300 oriental white storks, a species under first-class national protection, recently arrived at Nandagang wetland in Hebei Province, north China, tripling the number observed in the same period last year, according to the wetland's management office. Listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, oriental white storks have strict requirements for their living environment. Only wetlands with abundant food, ample water sources and a high-quality ecological environment can become their habitats. Nandagang wetland in Cangzhou City is an important stopover and breeding site along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Over recent years, a natural wetland ecosystem consisting of water bodies, shallows, and habitat islands have all been gradually restored. Due to improved ecological conditions, more than 100,000 migratory birds were monitored in Nandagang wetland in 2023, compared to 20,000 in 2019. As the peak of the spring migration approaches, the wetland will strengthen daily patrols and monitoring through a combination of AI technology and man power to ensure the safe migration and breeding of the birds, said Meng Zhaolei, director of the Nandagang wetland and bird nature reserve management office. The Bellevue Police Department is hosting upcoming self-defense workshops. No experience is necessary but all participants must be at least 11 years old. The workshops start on Feb. 25th and will be held at the Bellevue Police Department. Fitness attire recommended, said a spokesperson. FREE! preregistration is required. To register for the workshop, send an email to chanaumi@bellevuewa.gov. Several Women Empowered Self Defense Workshops coming up! No experience necessary, 11 years+, fitness attire recommended. FREE! Preregistration is required. Email chanaumi@bellevuewa.gov to save your spot! pic.twitter.com/2w3SkT3kOa Bellevue, WA Police (@BvuePD) February 18, 2024 Government must depend for its Efficiency either on Force or Opinion. From The Colonists Advocate, VII. (Feb 1, 1770) We have become accustomed, today, to seeing our own societies as the pinnacle of human achievement because we have reached a settlement which once appeared impossible: a society governed not by force but by opinion. The promise of a liberal democracy is that the weight of the majority ought to be greater than that of the strong and that persuasion should reign where coercion once governed human affairs. When Benjamin Franklin observed, in 1770, that all governments must rest either upon force or opinion for their efficiency (by which he, a man of the eighteenth century, meant what we now term efficacy), he was advancing what was not then a commonplace but instead a remarkable rejection of the existing order of political life. That force ruled in the world of politics was accepted by almost all of Franklins contemporaries. Prior to the eighteenth century, it had been almost universally held that public peace required force to keep the people in awe, as Thomas Hobbes put it, and the same sentiment remained widely accepted amongst Franklins peers. It was his faith in the possibility of a government founded not upon force but upon opinion that led Franklin to stand amongst those who sought to establish a new nation founded on the ideal of self-government when the revolution of 1776 arrived, and it was the same conviction which guided his career as a revolutionary statesman and philosopher. Franklin was amongst those politicians, philosophers, and ordinary citizens who, at the end of the eighteenth century, engaged in a great experiment to discover whether it was possible for mankind to establish good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force, as Alexander Hamilton put it at the beginning of the first of the Federalist Papers. The result was the birth of modern liberal democracy and the end of a world in which power rested on violence alone. For his part in inaugurating this epochal reordering of human relations, Franklin earned the epithet of the Solon of North America from his contemporaries, who ranked him alongside the mythical Athenian lawgiver in his contribution to the cause of human freedom. Yet in a less utopian age, we might have reason to doubt this strict dichotomy between those regimes founded on force and those founded on opinion. Unlike eighteenth-century writers like Franklin, we have come to be suspicious of democracy and attuned to the potential for majority rule to degenerate into tyranny or for popular self-rule to beget the abuse of the rights of minorities. As the French writer Alexis de Tocqueville (who coined the term the tyranny of the majority) argued in his famous book Democracy in America, although democracy might liberate us from the oppression of kings and aristocrats, it can just as often place us under the yoke of our fellow citizens. Far from passing from the government of force to a free government based on opinion, we pass instead from one form of rule by force to another, from that of a minority to that of the majority. Indeed, if we were to take a very pessimistic view of democratic life, we might argue that it is not founded on free debate and a rational process of deliberation, but upon the implicit force which the majority possesses to force the minority to follow its dictates. On this view, the legitimacy of the majority at the ballot box comprises nothing more than mutual acceptance that, were it to come to it, the numerically superior majority would prevail in a contest of force. Even if we do not hold so dark a view of democracy, it is still hard to avoid the sense that so much of modern political and social life is ruled by the compulsion of mobs rather than the reasonable exchange of opinions. All too often public discourse degenerates into a contest over who can rally more and more vitriolic support, and dispassionate debate gives way to tribal conflict. What is often called cancel culture today can be viewed differently as an inevitable fact of political life in a free country and not a product of a rising illiberalism. Where we are free to hold whatever opinions we wish, we tend to quickly form tribal attachments and behave with hostility towards those who disagree with us. Having initially agreed with our allies on some particular issue, our impulse to conform flattens all dissension until an initially pluralistic political coalition comes to reject any deviation from a broader programme of shared aims and all dissent is quashed by the mob. When tempered, our impulse to form factions leads to benign political competition and a diversity of views, but when unrestrained in this manner it can lead to bitter partisanship and, paradoxically, the elimination of the freedom of thought and opinion of which it is the product. This is a dynamic which was as characteristic of the tumultuous (and far more vicious) politics of Britain and her American colonies in the eighteenth century as it is of the age of the Twitter mob. One of Franklins contemporaries, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, though often unfairly tarred as a defender of this mob democracy, was in fact one of the most perceptive critics of this dynamic of democratic life. As he wrote in The Social Contract, If, when the people, being furnished with adequate information, held its deliberations, the citizens had no communication with one another, the grand total of the small differences would always give the general will. What Rousseau was arguing was not literally that citizens be cut off from one another, but that an ideal democracy should seek to promote independence of thought in its citizens. What Rousseau recognized, and we have forgotten, was that where we allow the opinions of others to dictate our political engagements, democratic self-rule is degraded. The government of opinion thus becomes another species of government by force, with the only difference being that it is the fear of our fellow citizens and not of a tyrant which motivates obeisance. But the dream of a government constituted on the basis of the free exchange of opinions should not be discarded entirely on this count. Rather, understanding this dynamic and the decay to which democratic government is prone demands that we work harder to achieve the noble dream of a politics founded not on violence and coercion but debate and persuasion. It requires us all to reject both immoderate and intemperate attacks, even upon those we regard as heinous, in favour of a stringent commitment to open debate and the possibility of our defeat in a fair and equal public square. At the same time, it requires us to commit to approaching politics with an independence of mind which prevents us from simply following the herd and aping those who we admire or with whom we usually agree. We must stand up for what we believe in even when it is unfashionable, champion causes which might seem unpopular, risk being placed in front of the mobs wrath and defend those who do, even when we disagree with them. It is only by doing so that we can prevent the rule of public opinion from degenerating into the rule of fashion and conformity, in which deference to monarchs and despots is replaced by deference to popularity. If we do not, we risk sacrificing government based on opinion for government based solely on the opinion of the majority, whose tendency is towards a transformation into rule by the force of the greatest number and the persecution of minorities of all kinds. When Benjamin Franklin wrote, just over two and a half centuries ago, that Government must depend for its Efficiency either on Force or Opinion he offered a noble prediction that the liberal form of government then emerging both in the United Kingdom and her American colonies represented a viable alternative to the rule of force. The centuries which followed have shown that Franklins optimism must be tempered with a recognition that democracies may descend into rancour and collapse into combat between factions, and that the government of opinion can descend into the domination of the majority. This does not mean, as is often supposed, the collapse of democracy into a dictatorship backed by the majority, but is found every day in the stifling of genuine debate by the overwhelming pressure for the individual to conform in all aspects of life both through social sanction and, at times, through bullying, coercion, and force. Yet we should not rule out the possibility of a government genuinely based in opinion. Instead, we should aim to model the kind of independent and steadfast political conduct which, as Shakespeare put it, shows our love for the people without relishing their loud applause and Aves vehement. Only then might we hope to realize Franklins dream. Benjamin Franklin House Literary Prize The 2023 winning entry Read more Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Seven Wonders of the World earned the title for being among the most spectacular creations. They can take your breath away for their majesty - and be absolutely miserable for the sheer number of crowds. Their fame is most of the problem; too many people want to see the most celebrated sites on the planet, resulting in crowds, congestion and eye-popping costs. The same is true for the worlds marquee travel destinations. The more famous and popular is, the worse the experience visiting - at least if you go during its high-season. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. To avoid expensive disappointment, you could forgo such places entirely, heading off the beaten path or to second cities. Or visit when the bulk of the crowds have dispersed. Lower demand means lower prices, particularly when it comes to airfare, says Laura Lindsay, trends and destinations expert for the flight booking site Skyscanner. That doesnt mean the lowest of the low season, either. February in Manhattan may be cheaper and quieter, but it also means gray skies, icy sidewalks and frigid temperatures - not ideal for exploring the citys parks or waiting for a Broadway matinee. We talked to experts for the perfect combo of good weather, fewer people and affordable prices in some of the worlds busiest destinations. Rome: February to March Its hard to appreciate a perfect scoop of gelato when youre standing elbow to elbow to eat it, so skip Rome in the summer. The summer has gotten really hot and crowded, says Simone Amorico, CEO of Access Italy, a private tour operator. Instead, he recommends visiting the Eternal City in either the winter - outside of the frenetic festive season just before Christmas to New Year - or spring. Then it becomes quite busy after Easter, Amorico said. According to Skyscanner, youll find the lowest airfare in the heart of spring between March and April. Another solid option: Thanksgiving. Its not crowded at all, Amorico said. Istanbul: September Last year, Istanbul was ranked the most visited city in the world with 20 million international visitors, according to the annual index from Euromonitor International, a global research company. Most travelers head to Turkey between June and August, which is why local journalist Jennifer Hattam - who wrote our guide to Istanbul - recommends waiting until September. Its really quite perfect, she said. You can still have the lovely weather when youre on the ferry, or sitting outside for dinner and drinks. Hattam says the city is still bustling with activities, from art events to outdoor concerts. Its a warmer and livelier time to go than her second choice: spring. According to Skyscanner, March is the cheapest time to fly to Istanbul from the United States, but September averages arent much higher. Mexico City: June to September Mexico Citys high season begins around the end of October - corresponding with Day of the Dead - through March, according to Anais Martinez, a food blogger and culinary tour guide from the city. But come June, the city starts to empty out with visitors wary of Mexico Citys rainy season, which runs through September. Almost no ones here, so youre not going to bump into a bunch of tourists everywhere, Martinez said. Given the scorching temperatures during recent summers in North America, they think that its too hot or that it will rain all day long, Martinez said. Use that misconception to your advantage, and visit during the summer. While you can expect some rain, it pours for forty five minutes, then its back to normal, she said. Olivia Villanti, founder of the fashion label Chava Studio in Mexico City, also recommends March when the days are warm and the evenings are cool. A bonus for art lovers: A lot of the shows that go up during Art Week are still up until the end of March or the beginning of April, Villanti says. You get to see some of the cool stuff thats happening but you are also not dealing with the crowds, the inflated prices, needing reservations at all the restaurants. Paris: February to April Youve mapped out a quintessential Parisian sidewalk cafe. Youve grabbed a table with a view of the Seine. Your server brings you a cafe au lait and pain au chocolate. Its about to be the best morning of your life until you realize everyone around you is American. Sacre bleu. To dodge the lions share of tourists who flock to Paris, avoid June through August, as well as late December. Instead, pack some layers and put February through April and November on your radar. Its when hotel and flight prices are at their lowest. Tokyo: April to May When the trees of Japan are their most stunning, so is the price tag for a trip. Cherry blossom season, peak fall foliage, plus summer vacation are the most difficult time to get hotel rooms, train tickets and notable restaurant reservations. A better window to visit is February, says Yukari Sakamoto, author of Food Sake Tokyo. Just before the sakuras arrive, its warm enough to walk around but not as crowded, and the ume plum trees are starting to blossom, she said. Average flight prices in February are about $100 more than when theyre at their cheapest in April to May. New York: September When the summer rush is over but before When Harry Met Sally season hits, youll find a quiet patch in New York Citys calendar in September (as long you avoid fall Fashion Week), says Dan Rubinstein, a New York native and host of The Grand Tourist podcast. Museum exhibitions pick up again and you can still walk through Central Park all day long and not run into any weather related issues, Rubinstein said. You can wear fall clothing, you can wear spring-ish clothing, you can kind of get away with anything - its just a nice time to be in New York. Marrakesh: September or March To find a happy medium between the lowest hotel and flight prices in Marrakesh, consider September for your trip. With summers intense heat abated, you can expect average temperatures to range from the 60s to 90s. For the cheapest airfare alone, however, look for a March trip just before spring high season begins. Weather is still mild, with daily highs in the 70s - ideal for market browsing and tea breaks. Las Vegas: January to April There are a handful of event land mines to watch out for when planning a trip to Las Vegas: big conventions, bigger sporting events, some holidays and summer heat. No surprise here: the city saw record rates for hotel rooms for Super Bowl 58. Pending there are no mega-events in town the week youre planning your trip, January is the cheapest month for hotels in Las Vegas. But watch out for the Consumer Electronic Show early in the month, which brought about 130,000 attendees this year. Youll see the best airfare between February and April, with the exception of March Madness. However, Vegas local and author Tony Abou-Ganim adds if youre looking to lounge by the pool, late April to mid-May may be your sweet spot. Barcelona: June Summer may be the most popular time to visit Barcelona, but you dont have avoid it altogether, says husband and wife photographers Majo Aguirre and Xavi Cano. Skip July and August when everyones on holiday and an influx of visitors descend from cruise ships, but June can still be enjoyable so long as you avoid staying near particular areas and sites (La Rambla, Sagrada Familia). Plus, use the citys rhythm to your advantage: Barcelona is not a city that will get up early, Aguirre said. So if you get up when the sun comes out, you can walk everywhere practically alone until nine. For a beach day, instead of heading to the best-known, Barceloneta, try Marbella or Botarell. Even better: get on a train midweek to nearby Girona or Sitges when most of the locals who frequent it are at work, Aguirre said. Flight prices are cheaper in June than they are in July or August, but youll find better deals if you travel in April, May or October, when you can expect some rain. Related Content He was born at home in D.C. Now his parents have to prove hes theirs. Speaker Johnson says he has priorities. So why hasnt he acted on them? Ukraine on verge of losing Avdiivka, strategic city long targeted by Russia The Biden administration is poised to soon finalize gas-powered car tailpipe emissions standards that consumer advocates and energy industry groups have dubbed a "de facto electric vehicle mandate." The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed tailpipe emissions which were in recent weeks submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget for final review are designed to ensure a staggering 67% of new car sales are electric by 2032. Over the weekend, the New York Times and Washington Post reported the White House is set to double down on that lofty goal while loosening earlier targets. "The President has been clear since 2020 that he intends to use his agencies to eliminate sales of new gas cars," the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers said in a statement following the media reports. "Tinkering with the near-term speed of implementation doesn't change the end game, which is banning new gas-powered cars." "Consumers would still end up in the same place, with vastly restricted access and in some cases no access if Californias ban receives EPA approval to the range of new vehicle options they enjoy today that fit their needs and budgets," the group, which has lobbied against the EPA's proposal, added. "Lowering the pace of the forced transition would not help consumers or protect our countrys energy security." VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS UPHOLD STATE'S EV MANDATE DESPITE GROWING OPPOSITION: 'DEFY COMMON SENSE' President Biden previously set a goal of ensuring 50% of car purchases are electric by 2030. The White House said the EPA's tailpipe rules would provide a "clear pathway for a continued rise in EV sales." In a statement to Fox News Digital, EPA spokesperson Timothy Carroll declined to comment on the reports but said the agency was committed to finalizing a tailpipe standard that is "readily achievable, secures reductions in dangerous air and climate pollution and ensures economic benefits for families." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP HOUSE JOINS SENATE, STRIKES DOWN BIDEN EV CHARGER RULE PROTECTING CHINESE COMPANIES Citing officials familiar with the administration's plans, the New York Times first reported, and the Washington Post later confirmed, that the more aggressive federal tailpipe regulations and targets for EV sales would be delayed until 2030 under the plan EPA is preparing to finalize soon. Automakers would then be forced to rapidly ramp up compliance with the standards in just a couple of years. The reported slight delay on the initial implementation of the hefty standards for new vehicles is being considered as a result of concerns auto union leaders expressed to White House officials. Over the last year, the broader push for mass EV proliferation has hit several roadblocks as sales have declined and prices have ticked up. "When it's all said and done, the outcome is the same," Tom Pyle, the president of the Institute for Energy Research, told Fox News Digital in an interview. "The Biden administration is attempting to force automakers to produce only electric vehicles and the market is clearly not interested in that. They can try to soft-pedal all they want, but the fact is it's still a ban on conventional cars." "The last year has shown that EVs are not ready for prime time," Pyle continued. "They may be a vehicle of choice for some people, but the vast majority of car buyers want an affordable and reliable vehicle. EVs aren't that." MAINE FORCED TO DELAY VOTE ON EV MANDATE AMID WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES Overall, under the proposal, which EPA unveiled in April 2023, the White House projected that 67% of new sedan, crossover, SUV and light truck purchases would be electric by 2032. In addition, up to 50% of bus and garbage truck, 35% of short-haul freight tractor and 25% of long-haul freight tractor purchases could be electric by then. But, in the months since it was first released, EPA has faced considerable pressure from industry and Republican lawmakers to reverse the proposal. They have argued the market isn't ready for such a massive increase in EV purchases, while the proposed standards would benefit China and lead to higher prices for Americans. "The proposals are the latest effort by the Biden administration to commandeer Americas transportation sector and force its complete vehicle electrification under the guise of mitigating climate change," a group of more than 150 House Republicans wrote to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in May. According to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry group that represents several major automakers, 9.3% of total car purchases in the U.S. last year were electric or plug-in hybrid, up from 7% in 2022. That uptick was driven largely by purchases in California and urban areas where the majority of EV purchases are made. At the same time, EVs remain far more expensive than traditional gas-powered cars. Even factoring in generous federal and state subsidies, the average cost of an EV is about $52,500, according to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, while the average subcompact car costs $24,000. Original article source: Biden admin reportedly doubling down on gas car crackdown The Biden administration is considering relaxing stringent vehicle emissions rules it proposed last year, giving automakers more time to meet requirements that would make them sell more electric vehicles, according to two sources familiar with the plan. The Environmental Protection Agencys vehicle emissions rule is a key plank of President Joe Bidens climate agenda. Biden has made the transition to EVs a signature issue of his presidency, stressing the economic impacts in addition to the boost for the climate. Instead of a previously proposed rule that would rapidly increase the number of EVs sold to meet strict emissions requirements, the EPA is considering delaying these requirements until after 2030, the two people said. The EPA rule is still not finalized and is expected to be released in the spring. However, one source familiar with the plan said the EPA emissions rule will ultimately reduce nearly as much emissions as the original proposal it will do it gradually and build in more flexibility for automakers in the beginning. When they unveiled their proposed vehicle emissions rule last April, EPA officials said they were considering several different emissions proposals, which could result in anywhere from a 64% to 69% electric vehicle adoption rate by early next decade, starting with model year 2027 vehicles. The New York Times first reported EPA was considering the change. An EPA spokesperson did not immediately return CNNs request for comment. A top White House climate official stressed Bidens commitment to the transition to electric vehicles. We are harnessing the power of smart investments and standards to ensure U.S. workers will lead, not follow, the global auto sector, White House national climate adviser Ali Zaidi said in a statement. President Bidens been consistent in moving us forward, accelerating U.S. leadership on this critical technology for our economy and environment. But some advocates blasted the move as a concession to automakers, saying it reflects the reality that US legacy automakers are lagging far behind Tesla and Chinese EV companies like BYD. Automakers are pretty much opposed to the rules, Dan Becker, director of the safe climate transport campaign at the environmental group Center for Biological Diversity, told CNN in an interview. They had fallen all over themselves to make EVs, theyre now trying to run the other way as fast as they can. Theyre trying to wring the last profits they can out of gas guzzling vehicles. The United Auto Workers union a key group that recently endorsed Biden for president in 2024 has long been sounding the alarm about what a shift to EVs means for their workers. And former President Donald Trump has railed against EVs in his speeches as he seeks the Republican nomination for president. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Biden administration announced a preliminary agreement Monday to provide $1.5 billion in funding through the CHIPS and Science Act to a New York-based company in an effort to bolster domestic production of semiconductor chips. The Commerce Department said it signed a nonbinding preliminary memorandum of terms with GlobalFoundries to give funding through the bipartisan legislation President Biden signed into law in 2022. The money would be used for a new facility, expansion of production capacity and the modernization of GlobalFoundriess semiconductor manufacturing sites in New York and Vermont. The company produces chips that are used for blind spot detection and collision warnings in cars, for charging in smartphones and to secure Wi-Fi connections. Part of the funding would specifically be used to expand a facility that houses a dedicated corridor for General Motors. President Biden and I continue to be fully committed to growing our economy and creating opportunity in every part of America. Todays announcement is another way in which we are delivering on that commitment in New York, Vermont, and communities throughout the country, Vice President Harris said in a statement. Thomas Caulfield, president and CEO of GlobalFoundries, said the investments through the CHIPS and Science Act will also play an important role in making the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem more globally competitive and resilient and cements the New York Capital Region as a global semiconductor hub. With new onshore capacity and technology on the horizon, as an industry we now need to turn our attention to increasing the demand for U.S.-made chips, and to growing our talented U.S. semiconductor workforce, Caulfield said in a statement. Biden has repeatedly touted the importance of the CHIPS and Science Act, citing the prevalence of microchips that are used in everyday technology such as phones, cars, home appliances and more. Officials have said the law is critical to bolster domestic production of the chips to make the U.S. less reliant on foreign supply chains. The Biden administration had previously reached a deal with BAE Systems Inc. to provide $35 million in funding through the law for the companys defense projects. And in January, the administration announced $162 million in funding to boost production in Oregon and Colorado. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The US President Joe Biden's administration is working to provide Ukraine with new powerful long-range ATACMS ballistic missiles. Source: NBC News, citing two senior US officials, as reported by European Pravda Details: The United States launched supplies of ATACMS to Ukraine late last year, but they were of an older, medium-range modification. The US is now leaning toward sending Ukraine longer-range missiles, which would allow it to strike targets at greater distances, officials said. With the funding bill for Ukraine stalled in the House of Representatives, the US Department of Defense told NBC News that it has limited stocks of ATACMS and is unlikely to send them to Ukraine without funding to replenish US stockpiles. Should Congress approve funding for Ukraine, officials said the US may include long-range ATACMS in one of the first military aid packages paid for with this money. They added that the United States also has ammunition and artillery ready to be sent to Ukraine immediately after funding is approved. Officials also did not rule out that the US could ask its allies to provide missiles to Ukraine, as well as replenish their ATACMS stockpiles. Background: Last week, the US Senate voted in favour of a package bill that contains US$61 billion for Ukraine. However, the US House of Representatives went on recess until the end of February without voting on the package bill. Support UP or become our patron! WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President Biden called the lack of GOP support for Ukraine shocking and promised Monday to get more money from Congress. Ive never seen anything like this, Biden said. Theyre making a big mistake not responding. The debate over an additional $60 billion in aid for Ukraine hit the global stage this weekend at the Munich Security Conference. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, We are counting on the United States. Zelenskyy said his troops constantly look for updates from the U.S. while fighting on the battlefield. And Vice President Harris said the majority of Congress does not want to disappoint them. Theres only plan A, which is to ensure that Ukraine receives what it needs, Harris explained. These world leaders warned the urgency is only growing. Over the weekend, Russian advances and a shortage of artillery ammunition forced Ukraine to retreat from the city of Avdiivka. This package is vital, said Zelenskyy. But Republicans lawmakers who traveled to Munich remain split. Congressman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) told NBC the House will eventually vote on a Ukraine aid bill. He said, This does need to get done. This is absolutely critical for U.S. support for Ukraine and to oppose Russian aggression. But Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) argued the funding will not achieve the desired effect. That is not going to fundamentally change the reality on the battlefield, Vance claimed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. President Bidens reelection campaign hammered former President Trump on Monday for coming in last among presidents in a new survey. Trump, Bidens likely rival in November, found himself at the very bottom of the list, while Biden was ranked the 14th-best president in the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project Expert Survey, which was conducted from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 by a panel of experts specializing in the American presidency. In a statement with the subject line, Happy Presidents Day! Unless Youre Donald Trump, the campaign said it is clear why Trump ranked last. It takes a lot to be known as the absolute worst in your profession in the history of your country. But Donald Trump managed to do it, and its pretty clear why. Donald Trump spent his four years in office working for one thing only: himself, Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz said. The campaign noted Trump ranked worse than President James Buchanan, who is credited with leading the U.S. into the Civil War, and President Herbert Hoover, elected before the Great Depression. Munoz argued that the choice in November between Biden and Trump is clear to voters. President Biden wakes up every day fighting for the American people, helping to create more jobs in three years than any president has created in four, and investing in America at record levels, he said. The choice in this election is clear: a president who has consistently delivered for the American people or Donald Trump who experts agree might be the worst to ever do it. The experts who conducted the survey ranked Abraham Lincoln as Americas greatest president. Biden was placed ahead of Woodrow Wilson, Ronald Reagan and Ulysses S. Grant. Former President Obama was ranked No. 7, eight spots higher than when the experts were polled last year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Russia said its forces took complete control of a city in eastern Ukraine on Saturday. This comes as Congress is debating whether to send more money to Ukraine. President Joe Biden is putting pressure on lawmakers to pass a security aid package for Ukraine, as the war intensifies. Ukrainian people fought so bravely and heroically, Biden said. On the same day that Russian troops took control of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, President Biden told reporters that he remained confident that he could get the money from Congress. The idea that now running out of ammunition, to walk away, I find it absurd, Biden said. President Bidens pledge comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to world leaders at the Munich Security Conference. We are counting on the United States, Zelensky said. Vice President Kamala Harris assured the world that America would continue to stand with Ukraine and reiterated that there is clear bipartisan support. There is bipartisan support for what America is and what we stand for, Harris said. On Capitol Hill, its unclear if and when House Speaker Mike Johnson will take up the bipartisan foreign aid package passed last week in the Senate. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. From the Wanderland on The Dispatch Editors Note: Kevin D. Williamson is kinda-sorta on leave for a bit; Wanderland will return to its regular form, with possible interruptions, in the immediate future. The media isnt the driverthe media is the passenger. Thats one of the things we consistently get wrong in how we talk about politics and political discourse. Former New York Times ombudsman Margaret Sullivan writes: Bidens advanced age is, granted, far from ideal for a president seeking a second term, even the very effective president that he has been. Yes, hes old; and, never a gifted public speaker, he makes cringe-inducing mistakes. It would be great if he were 20 years younger. His age really is a legitimate concern for many voters. But for the media to make this the overarching issue of the campaign is nothing short of journalistic malpractice. In other words, after the throat-clearing and the obligatory to be sure bit: Stop trying to make fetch happen. But fetch is happening. And not because the corporate media, as Dahlia Lithwick of Slate calls itmeaning CNN and the New York Times and presumably the outlet in which she writes (Slates parent company does approximately $4 billion a year in revenue; it isnt exactly Fugazi on tour in 1989)wills it to be so. It is not as though media outlets and like-minded groupings of media outlets do not have agendas of their ownthey certainly do. But their ability to drive the national political agenda is wildly overstatedtraditionally by conservatives, who have got a lot of mileage out of complaining about being shut out of the mainstream media and persecuted by it, but also by Democrats and progressives when it suits them. In reality, the media doesnt have that kind of power. Consider the Democrat-aligned medias hysteria campaign, now in its fourth decade, intended to turn Americans against gun rights and in favor of more rigid police measures against firearms owners. That hasnt worked, not only as a matter of jurisprudence (the Second Amendment is one of those things conservatives have successfully conserved through old-line institutions such as the Federalist Society and without much help from the endless belly-aching from right-wing populist dopes online) but as a matter of public opinion and way of life. The share of American households with one or more guns has fluctuated predictably between 35 percent and 45 percent for decades, and the number of Americans who tell Gallup they want stricter gun laws has declined since 1990 while the number who say they want more libertarian gun laws has increased. (The share of Americans who think the laws should stay about where they are is about 30 percent, right where it was a quarter-century ago.) The anti-gun elements in the media can make a lot of hay out of mass shootings, while Second Amendment advocates rarely have anything as dramatic to deploy on their side, and that hasnt mattered very much at all. Americans are equally obdurate on other hot-button issues: The number of Americans who say they believe abortion should be legal but only in certain circumstancesby far the most common viewhasnt really budged in 50 years. Contra Sullivan and Lithwick, Bidens age and his mental fitness for the office are a problem not because the New York Times and its corporate associates have issued a command but because Joe Biden currently is the president of the United States of America and, as such, is frequently in view of the public, which can plainly see that he is a diminished man who is rapidly declining from what waslets face itnot exactly an Olympian height of intellect to begin with. Democrats who point out that Donald Trump is himself an elderly doofus who was no great shakes an age ago when he was a 46-year-old political dilettante and a certified schmuckand who today is a declining man who has aged not like a fine Bordeaux but more like convenience-store sashimiare right, as far as that goes, but they are not right in a way that helps their case. Trump and Biden are both sliding down the same slippery slope toward the same final shock that flesh is heir to, but Biden is a good deal farther down the road than Trump is, having had a head start. Put another way, the two mens defects do not at the moment cancel each other out: Biden is, as every honest person can see, worse off. Sure, our guy has the mental acuity of an eggplant, but the other guy is no Richard Feynman, either doesnt get er done. This puts Democrats in an awkward position. Their best argument is one that they do not want to make, i.e., that a literally brain-dead Joe Biden would present less of a danger to the world than would Donald Trump, a relatively energetic psychopath who attempted to stage a coup detat against his legitimately elected successor the last time he was in power. Unable to make the most direct argument, Democrats have to pretend that this is a kind of parliamentary democracy and that what is on the ballot in November is a ministerial slate. It isnt. Like many other conservatives, I am no great admirer of Antony Blinkens or Janet Yellens, but I am not eager to see them replaced by Tucker Carlson and Mike Lindell or J. D. Vance and Marjorie Taylor Greene. But the structure of the U.S. government is not like that of the United Kingdom. We elect a president, not a parliament. Who gets what post with what mandate under what terms is one of those hairy issues that Joe Biden does not seem up to thinking through. And it is a predictably rotten thing that he is inflicting himself on the 2024 election. Despite the partisan insistence to the contrary, Joe Biden has never been a decent, patriotic, public-minded man. He has always been a lying, conniving, self-serving creatureand a mediocrity and a dolt to boot. And at age 81, he remains true to form: A decent, patriotic, public-minded man would not put Americans in the position of being forced to choose between a would-be caudillo in the clutches of some bizarre and unspeakable pre-Oedipal narcissism who named his youngest child after the imaginary friend he invented to lie to the New York Post about his sex life or an eggplanteven though the eggplant beat the caudillo last time around. The New York Times has its problems, beginning with the fact that a good third of its pages are edited by nitwits. But dont blame the media for Americans noticing that Joe Biden thinks hes still dealing with Francois Mitterrand. But if you are going to make that argument, then make the argument honestly: The real complaint from Democratic partisans isnt that the Times et al. are doing a bad job reporting the newsit is that they will not oblige Democrats more than they already do by engaging in a cover-up. In Other News Alexei Navalny is dead. He was likely murdered by Vladimir Putins government right around the time Americans were being treated to Tucker Carlsons softball interview of the Russian dictator and Carlsons tourism department testimony to the loveliness of Moscow, at least the bits that his Russian minders let him see. Maybe my old colleague Michael Brendan Dougherty can ask the Russian ladies at the Manhattan wristwatch boutiques about that. I am sure they will have some fascinating insights. In Other Other News Responding to my criticism of Wolfish, author Erica Berry writes: Every now and then (like today) i get a Google alert that a man has written a blog post about how terrible and crazy my writing and person are, and when it happens I buy myself a really really fancy treat and also cast some spells. Thats great. I hope the treat is something really good, like a Porsche or a month in Montreux. But my criticism isnt that Berry is a terrible person; in fact, I wrote the oppositethat she represents a way of looking at the world associated with perfectly nice people. My criticism is that her work contains substantive errors that are germane to her main argument, including claims of fact that are demonstrably false, misrepresentations of news stories and headlines, etc. Berryand her editors and publishers at the New York Times and Macmillanhave an intellectual duty to address those errors, to acknowledge and correct them. If you believe, as I believe, that writing really does matterand if you desire, as I desire, that books should play a larger role in our public discourse than tweets and posts and whatever is on Fox News this eveningthen it should matter to you that Erica Berry in her book and in her recent New York Times essay makes claims that are not true. Above all, it should matter to Erica Berry. I do not lose sleep over much, but when I make a serious error in a piece, Im out of sorts for a week. Making mistakes is no great sinrefusing to address them is. And Furthermore Thats a funny thing I learned as an editor: The counterintuitive fact is that good reporters often end up writing a lot more corrections than mediocre reporters. The better ones usually are writing in greater detail about more complicated subjectsthey also may just be producing more, periodand they tend to be more scrupulous about fixing errors. More generally, a person who has failed at a lot of things is often someone who has tried a lot of different hard things, and youd rather have his record of failure than the successful record of the well-paid man who never did anything very interesting but did what he did with unremarkable competence. I know a lot of high-dollar lawyers in their 50s whose dearest wish is that they had done something else with their lives. In Closing Maybe it is a weird tic of mine, or maybe you have it, too, but I am kind of protective of other peoples religions, especially public worship and public festivals. E.g., I always have thought it is kind of gross that tourists go to black churches in some parts of the country just to listen to the music, as though they were attending a concert rather than worship. I know that some of these churches welcome and encourage thatit is a way to raise money, in some cases, and the tourists are going to hear the preaching as well as the singingbut it always makes me cringe a little. (It is always something to see white politicians clapping along awkwardly in some Harlem church, or moving, like the Lord, in mysterious ways.) The tourists at St. Patricks in New York or at the various churches in Rome have always creeped me out. That being said, if I were going to impose my firangi self on a Hindu festival, it definitely would be Maha Shivaratri, which is coming up in March. I do not pretend to understand the relevant religious material, but I heard the festival being celebrated in Delhi a long time ago, and I still remember the music. The music isnt the whole thingbut it isnt nothing, either. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. President Biden said Monday hed be willing to meet with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) if he has anything to say, cracking the door open to a potential sit-down after his aides had rejected the idea last week. Sure, Id be happy to meet with him if he has anything to say, Biden told reporters as he arrived at the White House after a weekend in Delaware. In the same gaggle with reporters, Biden again took aim at House Republicans for failing to act on a national security funding bill that would provide assistance to Ukraine in its war against Russia. The way theyre walking away from the threat of Russia; the way theyre walking away from NATO; the way theyre walking away from meeting our obligations. Its just shocking, Biden said. Ive never seen anything like it. The two leaders last met when Biden hosted congressional leaders at the White House in January. Johnson told reporters last week hes been requesting a meeting with Biden for weeks. A month Ive been asking to sit down with the president to talk about the border and talk about national security, and that meeting has not been granted, Johnson said. And Im going to continue to insist on that, because theyre very serious issues that need to be addressed. And if the Speaker of the House cant meet with the president of the United States, thats a problem. But White House officials have argued theres nothing for the two to negotiate and that its Johnson who has been inconsistent in his position on what he is willing to bring up for a vote in the House. Johnson had maintained aid for Ukraine would need to be passed with significant upgrades to border security. The Senate earlier this month unveiled a bipartisan border security package paired with national security funds for Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific allies. But Johnson declared that bill dead on arrival in the House, instead urging Biden to take executive action. The Senate last week overwhelmingly passed national security funding without the border provisions, but Johnson again signaled the bill would not receive a vote in the House because it lacked desired border provisions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. US President Joe Biden could hit Russia with more sanctions following the death of opposition dissident Alexei Navalny. "We already have sanctions, but we are considering additional sanctions, yes," Biden told reporters. A few days earlier, Biden had blamed Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin for the death of Navalny in a Siberian prison camp on Friday. The US has already hit Russia with several rounds of sanctions for its two-year war on Ukraine. With a view to the billions of dollars in Ukraine aid which is being held up by Republicans in the US Congress, the Democrat said he did not know whether Navalny's death would make a difference. "I hope so, but I'm not sure," added Biden. The behaviour of Republican members of the House of Representatives in blocking the Ukraine package was "shocking," Biden added. He said they were running away from the threat posed by Russia and obligations to NATO. Biden added he would be open to meeting the House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson to try to solve the logjam. Joe Biden, President of the US, has stated that he was ready to meet with Mike Johnson, speaker of the Chamber of Representatives of the US Congress, to discuss the bill which includes aid for Ukraine, among other things. Source: European Pravda with reference to Reuters Details: Biden told the journalists that he would "be happy to meet with him, if he has anything to say". Biden added that he thinks the Republicans who act against the support for Ukraine are making a big mistake. Last week the US Senate approved the notorious bill on additional funding of national security, including aid for Ukraine. The most controversial issue of the measures on the southern front to deter migration has been removed from the bill. Republican Mike Johnson, speaker of the Chamber of Representatives, made it clear that he did not want to submit the bill for voting without the measures concerning the southern border, even though he noted that the full compromise bill stood no chance in the Chamber of Representatives if it were approved in the Senate. The Chamber went on recess until the end of February. Reportedly, Johnson wants a personal meeting with US President Joe Biden before continuing work on the project. Support UP or become our patron! President Joe Biden will be back in Los Angeles this week. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Biden is expected to be in the Southland to raise money for his reelection campaign. According to the Los Angeles Times, Bidens trip will include a fundraiser at the home of businessman and media mogul Haim Saban. On Wednesday, Biden will deliver remarks at an official event in the Los Angeles area, the White House said, though specifics were not provided. After L.A., Biden will travel to the San Francisco Bay Area for another fundraiser. The presidents latest visit will mark his second trip to L.A. this month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. US President Joe Biden waves as he and First Lady Jill Biden arrive at the White House in Washington on February 19, 2024 (Jim WATSON) US President Joe Biden is "considering additional sanctions" on Moscow after the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in an Arctic prison, he said Monday. "We already have sanctions, but we are considering additional sanctions, yes," said Biden, who has already directly blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin and his "thugs" for Navalny's death last week, speaking to journalists in Washington. Biden and other Western allies have already used unprecedented sanctions as a way of throttling support for Moscow's war in Ukraine, while at the same time supplying Kyiv with both weapons and aid. But Russia has withstood the initial shock and put its economy on a war footing, ramping up production and recruitment and jailing critics of the invasion. Meanwhile doubts have been growing over Washington's future commitment to Ukraine. With existing US funding already dried up, former president Donald Trump's allies in the House of Representatives have been stalling $60 billion in new military aid. Trump, the likely Republican nominee in the November presidential election, opposes helping Kyiv and recently used his sway to kill a US border reform bill that would have also authorized additional aid to Ukraine. Ukraine's troops are outnumbered and exhausted, while Europe cannot ramp up weapons supplies fast enough without the United States, underscoring the urgency of getting more funding to Kyiv. Biden slammed Republicans again Monday over the failure to pass the aid package. "The way they're walking away from the threat of Russia, the way they're walking away from NATO, the way they're walking away from meeting our obligations, it's just shocking," he said. But he said he would be happy to meet with Mike Johnson, Speaker of the Republican-led House of Representatives, who has told reporters he has no intention of even allowing a vote on the package. "Sure, I'd be happy to meet with him, if he has anything to say," Biden said. He added that he hoped that Navalny's death would make a difference when it came to passing the aid, but "I'm not sure." Analysts have warned Putin may be biding his time, waiting -- and hoping -- for Trump to be reelected, which could reduce support for Kyiv. Trump had stayed silent for days over the death of Navalny, in the face of growing criticism. Then on Monday he posted on his Truth Social website that the "sudden death" of the opposition leader had made him "more and more aware of what is happening" -- in the United States. "It is a slow, steady progression, with crooked, radical left politicians, prosecutors and judges leading us down a path to destruction," he wrote. The post did not mention the Russian government or Putin. bur-st/nro U.S. President Joe Biden said on Feb. 19 he is willing to meet U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to discuss a funding bill for Ukraines security needs, Reuters reported. On Feb. 13, the Senate passed the bill, which contains $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, after months of deadlock. The bill now faces an uphill battle in the Republican-led House of Representatives. Johnson preemptively signaled he opposed the legislation before the Senate even passed it. Id be happy to meet with him (Johnson) if he has anything to say," Biden told reporters at the White House. On Feb. 14, NBC reported, citing a source close to Johnson, that he wanted an in-person, one-on-one meeting with Biden before he took any action on the funding bill. Johnson has requested personal meetings with Biden several times in recent weeks, which Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise claimed the president has "refused," according to the reports. Read also: US Senate passes Ukraine aid bill, awaits uneasy House vote Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters at the White House he is considering additional sanctions against Russia over the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, CBS News reported on Feb. 19. Navalny, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's main political opponent, died on Feb. 16 in a penal colony in the town of Kharp, Yamal Nenets Autonomous District. He had been convicted in several fabricated criminal cases as part of the Kremlin's crackdown on dissent. Leaders around the world have blamed Putin for his death. Opinions differ on whether his death was caused by the harsh prison conditions or was an intentional murder. The Russian government is still refusing to give Navalny's family access to his body. Biden, who had previously stated Putin was responsible for Navalny's death, said that "we already have sanctions" but confirmed he is weighing new ones. In 2021 Biden warned that there would be "devastating" consequences if Navalny died in jail. However, he appeared to mitigate his position when asked about his warning on Feb. 16. He said that the U.S. had already imposed devastating sanctions on Russia before Navalny's death. "We're contemplating what else can be done," Biden said then. "We're looking at a whole number of options, that's all I'll say right now." Read also: Alexei Navalnys life and death as main opponent to Putin regime The US and EU imposed a series of sanctions on Moscow after Navalny was poisoned in Russia in 2020 with a Novichok nerve agent a chemical weapon produced by the Russian government. After the poisoning, Navalny was flown for treatment to Germany, and German doctors said he had been poisoned with Novichok. The Insider, Bellingcat, CNN, and Der Spiegel published an investigation according to which Navalny had been poisoned by agents of Russias Federal Security Service. They also identified the agents' names. The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, also said on Feb. 19 that EU member states would propose sanctions against those behind Navalny's death. Borrell said that Putin was the one ultimately responsible, and the EU's potential sanctions "can go down to the institutional structure of the penitentiary system in Russia." He did not clarify what concrete actions would be taken. Navalny had been serving a 2.5-year prison sentence since 2021 and a separate 9-year sentence on fraud charges since 2022. A Russian court also sentenced Navalny to 19 years in a maximum security prison in August 2023 on extremism charges for creating the Anti-Corruption Foundation. All these cases have been recognized as politically motivated and fabricated by international human rights organizations and governments. Read also: Navalnys death preceded by long list of Putin critics murders Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Joe Biden's age and memory have come under scrutiny after the special counsel's recent report about his handling of classified material. (Credit: Nathan Howard/Getty Images) Biden might be slowing down, but his policies have benefitted the country As a nation, were lucky Joe Biden is an old man. After standing aside for Hillary, passing his best shot at the top job, he became president. He is the most consequential president since Roosevelt. His technology and infrastructure legislation will profoundly level access to the greater world across the geographic and societal barriers that are the roots of our divisions race, status and economic opportunity. His administrations efforts to solve climate-driven problems with data-based policies and science are tied to jobs and education. Our nation will benefit from these programs. The COVID-19 pandemic and the economic shock to the world have been managed and were better off than most of the world because of his policies and his administrations pragmatism. Biden is slowing down, but hes real. He moves from his own moral center and he reaches for the possible. Unlike the scripted and contrived version of a politician who is driven by fund raising, interest groups, and polls to sound bite-policies based on myths of former times and fears of the future. Mike Farmer, Austin Americans need a transparent, unbiased evaluation of president's cognitive status If in the unlikely scenario President Biden has not been formally evaluated regarding his cognitive status, he certainly needs to be. Just as one would not ignore a suspicious-looking mole on ones body, one should not ignore an obvious decline in their mental acuity, especially since they occupy the most important and powerful office on the face of the earth. A fully disclosed, unbiased evaluation of President Bidens cognitive situation is definitely in order. Newt Hasson, Austin Why is it fair to criticize Biden's lapses when Reagan didn't get same treatment Special counsel Robert Kur rightly concluded that President Biden's handling of classified material did not warrant prosecution. But he then went on to assume the role of gerontologist and portray Biden as "a well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory." It should be remembered that Ronald Reagan had many memory failures during his 8 years as President. But no one thought his lapses "significantly limited" his ability to perform his duties. Why is Biden fair game, when Reagan wasn't? Carl Lloyd, San Antonio It's heartening to see Christians rethink their positions on helping the stranger Re: Feb. 10 article, 'Christian women rethink immigration' Good to see Christians actually acting like Christians when it comes to immigration. It mystifies me that the GOP, supposedly a bastion of Christianity, vilifies people coming across our border to escape violence and persecution. Clearly, they didnt read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. God destroyed these cities and saved Lot because only Lot welcomed his angels. It was the sin of inhospitality that God punished. Rona Distenfeld, Austin We are the ones in control of passing, enforcing safe gun laws Regarding the recent shooting at Houstons Lakewood Church, Pastor Joel Osteen remarked, "We don't understand why these things happen. We know God is in control." I beg to differ. Gun violence in America happens because deranged and violent people have easy access to guns. No other country on earth permits this level of carnage. American politicians wont change the gun laws. Citizens keep voting for these do-nothing politicians. Whether or not you believe that God is ultimately in charge, human beings are in charge of making and enforcing safe gun laws. Or, as in this case, failing to do so. Innocent victims pay the terrible price. As for the do-nothing politicians: please vote them out. Renee Potenza, Austin The commuter rail condition necessary for Austin to be considered world class Re Feb. 5 article, "Austin seeks input on light rail" It's imperative that the proposed Green Line actually reach the airport rather than rely on a shuttle bus. In Denver and Portland, for example, direct trains to downtown can be boarded from within the terminal buildings. Only then might Austin be considered a World Class City . . . Irv Smith, Austin Commentary highlights need for more transparency in hospital pricing, billing Re: Feb. 10 commentary, 'We Can End the Crushing Weight of Hospital Bills' Gregg Girvan's illuminating column, "We Can End the Crushing Weight of Hospital Bills," brings much-needed attention to the issue of "facility fees" that burden patients with unexpected financial strain. These fees, often hidden and unjustifiably high, exacerbate the already exorbitant costs of medical care. Navigating through complex medical bills is the last thing patients should have to contend with after seeking healthcare. This underscores the urgent need for greater transparency in pricing and billing practices. Texas needs a collective effort from our lawmakers and providers to make healthcare affordable. Representative James Frank's HB 1692 last year aimed to curb the misuse of facility fees. The bill didn't progress beyond the committee stage, so were counting on the Texas Legislature to act next year and protect patients. Olivia Zelling, Texas Public Interest Research Group Hold Patrick, GOP committee accountable for their support of rogue AG Ken Paxton Texas political shenanigans: the GOP censuring last Saturday of (Texas House) Speaker Dade Phelan for wasting the states time and money on Paxtons impeachment. After a sham Senate trial presided over by Dan Patrick, we await jury trials for Paxtons misdeeds. The outcome of which will likely support the case made for impeachment, same evidence. The whistleblower case which the AG is now not contesting will likely cost Texas taxpayers millions. How about making the GOP executive committee and Dan Patrick liable for the tab that will come due on account of their support of a rogue AG who should have been impeachedand censure them? Maureen Scanlon, Austin How to submit a letter to the editor Send letters of no more than 150 words by noon Thursday by using our online form at https://bit.ly/3Crmkcf or send an email to letters@statesman.com. We welcome your letters on all topics. Include your name and city of residence; we do not publish anonymous letters. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Readers react: Biden's age, gun violence, and hospital billing The State Department's inspector general has opened an inquiry into the suspension of President Biden's special envoy to Iran, Robert Malley, according to a report. The inspector general's office informed members of Congress on Jan. 23 about the internal investigation, Semafor reported Saturday, citing correspondence viewed by the outlet. "The scope of the special review of the suspension of Robert Malleys clearance will include the procedures the Department used in suspending the clearance as well as actions taken by the Department following the suspension," Ryan Holden, the inspector generals director of congressional and public affairs, reportedly said in the letter. "This will include whether the Department followed proper procedures in suspending his clearance, determining what access to information he could maintain, and deciding the status of his employment." Holden informed lawmakers that the inspector general was interviewing State Department staff and reviewing documents and emails as part of the probe, and that a report would be made public at a later date. BIDEN'S IRAN ENVOY ROBERT MALLEY PLACED ON LEAVE AMID SECURITY CLEARANCE INVESTIGATION Robert Malley, vice president for Policy of the International Crisis Group, spoke at the Forum MED Mediterranean Dialogues summit in Rome on Nov. 30, 2017. "The special review will also examine which officials were involved in these decisions and how the process compares to that used for other types of employees," the letter added. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department on Monday about the report but did not immediately hear back. The probe comes in response to growing questions from members of Congress about the Diplomatic Security Services decision to revoke his security clearance last April. Lawmakers reportedly have expressed concern over how Malley continued to perform some of the duties of the special envoy for nearly three months before the State Department officially placed him on unpaid leave in late June amid an investigation into his security clearance. Members of Congress hoped the new inspector general inquiry could explain why. Robert Malley, then the Middle East and North Africa Program director at the International Crisis Group, left, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Jan. 23, 2007 in Washington, D.C. GOP staffers who spoke to Semafor expressed doubt that details about the inspector general's probe would be made public before November's election, given the inquiry's wide scope. Malley, who served in the position since January 2021, is also under investigation by the FBI for allegedly mishandling classified documents. He played a significant role in the Biden administration's efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. In 2018, then-President Trump opted to withdraw from the deal and reimpose sanctions on Iran. BIDENS SUSPENDED IRAN SPECIAL ENVOY ONCE PUSHED ENGAGEMENT WITH HAMAS, HEZBOLLAH TERROR GROUPS Before becoming special envoy, Malley worked in leadership roles at the non-profit International Crisis Group, which had reached a formal research agreement with Irans Foreign Ministry in 2016, Semafor reported earlier this month. The outlet said the deal had not been publicly disclosed. National Security Council Senior Director for Iran, Iraq, Syria and the Gulf States Robert Malley and other U.S. and EU officials with their Tehran counterparts attend the Iran nuclear talks at a hotel in Vienna on June 30, 2015. In the wake of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in southern Israel, Malley's previous efforts to push for U.S. engagement with Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah terror groups have come under scrutiny. Yet, Malley, who remains on leave from the State Department, is teaching a class at Yale University this semester titled, "Contending with Israel-Palestine," which aims to take "an in-depth look at important questions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," according to Yale News. The Biden administration has been mostly quiet about Malley since his suspension over the summer, and a new special envoy has been tapped to take over. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a high school classmate of Malleys in Paris, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan both initially championed Malley's diplomatic work. Original article source: Biden's Iran envoy facing State Department inspector general probe: report Flash Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in Munich, Germany, Feb.17, 2024. [Photo/Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs] China stands ready to enhance political mutual trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Poland, while jointly practicing multilateralism, supporting the United Nations in playing a central role, and opposing power politics and hegemony, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Munich on Saturday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on the sidelines of the 60th Munich Security Conference. Wang said that China-Poland relations have maintained steady development and become increasingly mature and resilient since the establishment of diplomatic ties 75 years ago. The two sides should continue to adhere to the key of friendly cooperation and highlight the positive sides of mutual respect and mutual trust to jointly push for greater development of the bilateral relations from a new starting point and lift them to a higher level, Wang said. Sikorski said Poland was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with China and has always adhered to the one-China policy. Expressing admiration for China's remarkable achievements in development, Sikorski said Poland is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China to make the meeting of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee a success and map out cooperation in various fields for the next stage. He also said that he expects China to support the voice and representation of Central and Eastern Europe in international affairs. Meanwhile, Wang said China appreciates Polish commitment to a friendly policy toward China and that it views China's development in an objective and friendly way. He added that China welcomes Poland's acceleration of revitalization and supports Poland in playing a greater role in the international and regional arena. China is ready to work with Poland to hold meetings of the joint economic commission and the science and technology cooperation commission at an early date to accumulate consensus and achievements and to convene the China-Poland Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee at an appropriate time to coordinate key cooperation in various fields and enhance exchanges of experience on governance, Wang said. Poland is a "bellwether" in cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, and an important destination for China-Europe freight trains, Wang said, noting that China is ready to strengthen connectivity with Poland, jointly build the Belt and Road with high quality to rejuvenate the Silk Road in the new era. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other issues of common concern. After Speaker Mike Johnson rejected the Senate-passed national security supplemental, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers unveiled a new proposal late last week to provide defense-only aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and funds for the U.S. southern border -- however, it's not yet clear if GOP leadership will consider it. The $66.3 billion bipartisan package, titled the "Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act," would provide the aid for one year after enactment. The biggest chunk of the money -- $47.69 billion -- would go to supporting the defense of Ukraine. To address the surge of migrants at the southern border, the legislation would require the suspension of entry of inadmissible aliens and require immigration officers to detain and immediately expel inadmissible aliens. MORE: Not taking care of business: Congress on winter vacation, leaving long list of challenges behind PHOTO: Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Pennsylvania, pauses while speaking during the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Legislative and Grassroots Mobilization Conference in Washington, D.C., Feb. 10, 2020. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE) "Securing one's borders is necessary to preserving one's democracy and, therefore, necessary to maintaining world order and world peace," Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania said in a news release about the proposal. "As the world's oldest and strongest democracy, the United States' primary responsibility must be to secure its own borders. But we also have an obligation to assist our allies in securing their borders, especially when they come under assault by dictators, terrorists, and totalitarians. Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan are all freedom-loving democracies, they are our allies, and we must assist them in protecting their borders just as we must protect our own. We can, and must, achieve all of the above." Fitzpatrick told ABC New last week that House members "all have the ability to find a way to navigate a bill to get to the floor and you know, all options are on the table but there are plenty of us that are not going to allow Ukraine to fail on our watch. It's too existential." He worked with several other lawmakers -- fellow Republicans as well as Democrats -- to craft the proposal. This proposal will certainly put pressure on Johnson, but it's not yet clear if GOP leadership would consider it. Fitzpatrick said he is going to try to push the proposal forward. "We're going to talk to [Johnson] about it. You know, our job is to legislate ... Hopefully ... we can win this support," Fitzpatrick said. PHOTO: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson talks with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on, Nov. 2, 2023. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP, FILE) Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries made it clear last week that he wants a vote only on the Senate-passed supplemental that Johnson said he was opposed to because it didn't include any border changes. "Mike Johnson simply needs to put the bipartisan national security bill on the House floor for an up-or-down vote, and it will pass," Jeffries said last week at a news conference. ABC News reached out to Johnson's office for comment, but hadn't heard back by the time of publication. MORE: White House rejects Johnson's requests to meet with Biden: 'What is there to negotiate?' The proposal may lose some momentum given the timing of its release -- just before the House embarked on a nearly two-week recess. The House returns to session on Feb. 28. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said he could support the new bipartisan proposal out of the House. "Yes, I'm saying that the House proposal, it depends on how it's written, makes perfect sense to me," Graham said on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday. PHOTO: Sen. Lindsey Graham attends a press conference in Washington, Aug. 5, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images, FILE) Graham said he has not spoken to former President Donald Trump about this new House proposal, but said border funding cannot wait. Previously, Trump had called on Republicans to oppose the Senate's bipartisan national security package -- contributing to its tanking. "President Trump says let's wait on the border. With all due respect, we cannot wait," Graham said. "It's a national security nightmare." ABC News' Fritz Farrow contributed to this report. Bipartisan House members unveil new border, foreign aid proposal originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Former national security adviser John Bolton went after former President Trump on Sunday, warning that the Russian government would cheer on Trumps reelection because they see him as an easy mark. If Trump is elected, therell be celebrations in the Kremlin, Bolton said in an MSNBC Inside with Jen Psaki interview Sunday. Theres no doubt about it because Putin thinks that he is an easy mark. Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Trump in the past but nearly endorsed President Biden last week. The Russian leader said Biden would make a more predictable president, and is whom he would prefer to win the election. Bolton brushed the comments off, however, saying Putin really outdid himself in the statements disinformation. Trump has long held up his good relationship with Putin as an example of his foreign policy expertise, but Bolton said the former president is merely playing into Putins hands. He specifically criticized Trump for refusing to pin the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Putin. Navalny was reported dead on Friday, and domestic Putin critics and foreign leaders, including President Biden, have labeled it a likely political assassination. Well, heaven forbid [Trump] say anything critical of Vladimir Putin, Bolton said. Look, accidents dont happen in those kinds of Russian prison camps. Trump made his first comments on Navalnys death Monday, after Boltons interview, comparing the death to his own legal situation. He did not call out Putin, as other leaders have. Trump similarly did not criticize Putin for the 2020 attempted assassination of Navalny by poisoning, while many foreign leaders did blame Putin. Its obviously part of the pattern. He simply doesnt want to criticize his friend Putin, because in Trumps mind, if hes got a good relationship with Putin, the U.S. has a good relationship with Russia, Bolton continued. This is the kind of thing that tells Putin that Trump simply doesnt know what hes doing. Referring to the 2018 Helsinki, Finland, summit between Trump and Putin, Bolton said it was a good thing that the pairs one-one-one conversation was dominated by Putin. Bolton was present in Helsinki with the former president as his national security adviser. The less time Trump is actually saying anything to Vladimir Putin, thats a good thing, he said of the summit. Bolton also warned about Trumps mounting legal fees and judgements, noting that foreign powers could use his financial situation as leverage for foreign policy goals. Trump was levied a massive $355 million ruling last week in a New York business fraud case and was ordered to pay another $83 million in a defamation case last month. I think this is one of the demonstrations why Trump really is not fit for office, Bolton said. He is consumed by these troubles, his family is consumed by them. And I think foreigners will try to take advantage of it one way or another. They may be doing it already. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Janet Smith, 57, was told it would now cost the equivalent of 4,000 a year to take her Boots pension at 60 - PAUL COOPER A row has erupted at Boots as changes to the companys generous pension scheme threaten to upend the retirement plans of thousands of pharmacists. Those enrolled in the companys 4.8bn final-salary scheme will be forced to wait an extra five years to claim their pension, after new managers changed rules which allowed for early retirement. Workers received a letter from new administrators Legal & General about the Boots Pension Scheme in November 2023, which said that the early retirement benefit, which had been discretionary and at the decision of the trustee, would be scrapped. It means those who still want to retire at 60 will not receive a full pension. Some members have said they face losing 18,000 on lump sum payments. Others have said they could be left 4,000 a year worse off in retirement. Some 53,000 members are enrolled in the scheme. It comes as parent company Walgreen Boots Alliance is seeking a multibillion-pound sale of the British high-street chemist. Boots has failed to sell since 2022 when it was put on the market. The offloading of the pension scheme which closed to new members 10 years ago to L&G takes retirement liabilities off Boots balance sheet, as its owners look to make it a more attractive proposition. I was six months off retiring and now I cant Paul Ridley, who was due to retire at 60 this July, said he was going to have to delay his retirement by two to three years as a result of the change. Mr Ridley said: My situation is that my wife retired in September last year. For years Ive been making sure that I get my quotes and making sure I understand where my position is. The impact on me is that I cannot retire. I will have to wait at least two or three years. I am six months off when I was expecting to take that full pension, he said. The former Boots employee, who left the company in 2002 after 13 years there, said: Its really callous, its tough. James Harris, 58, who worked for the chain for eight years until 2006, said that he was going to have to delay his retirement for the full five years, after he received advice to stay in the final salary scheme. He said: It feels like theyve failed on their obligations, for whatever commercial reasons theyve decided, probably to offload something they see as a burden. Janet Smith, 57, worked for Boots for 23 years and paid into the scheme for 21. She is now a self-employed calligrapher. She was planning to take her pension from Boots at 60, but was told that it would now cost her the equivalent of 4,000 a year and more than 20,000 if she took her lump sum payment. She said: Its massive, and if you run that forward to 82, and look at the difference for every year, the overall impact is just over 200,000. Mrs Smith said that the note that came from the scheme in November did not include any calculations for how the change would impact retirees. She added: I havent decided yet how I am going to handle it. I am fortunate that it is not going to mean that I have to live in a cardboard box, but however you look at it, thats money that would have been useful and it has been taken away. This is a brand everyone trusts Shanti Flynn, who used to work for Boots as an HR director, said that Boots pension scheme had been a major draw for prospective employees of the chemist. Mrs Flynn said: One of the things that we would say to people is that: We dont necessarily offer the most competitive salaries, but weve got this really generous and attractive pension scheme. This is a brand that everyone trusts, and thinks, with the white coats and all of that, that theyre not going to screw you later. She said that she had planned to use her pension fund to pay her older daughters university fees, but that the penalty for taking the lump sum early would be 18,000. She added: I had a pension statement in 2001, a year before I left, which didnt have 65 as a retirement option. It had a column, Age 60, with where my pension was and 59, when I could have taken my pension as well. A spokesman for the Pharmacists Defence Association (PDA), a union representing pharmacists, said they were helping members of the pension scheme complain and that they expected concerns to be escalated further. John Ralfe, a pensions consultant who worked on the Boots Pension Fund until 2002, said there had never been a right to retire at 60 under the terms of the scheme. Instead, requests to retire at 60 on a full pension would be granted at the discretion of the pension trustees, he added. A spokesman for L&G said: Changes to the discretionary benefits are a decision made by the trustee of the pension scheme, having consulted with Boots (the scheme sponsor) and after taking the relevant professional advice. A Boots spokesman said: The Trustees firmly believe that this agreement is a positive transaction for members and all decisions were taken in the best interests of the overall membership. The agreement with Legal & General delivers the Gold Standard level of security and protection for members benefits. Are you affected? Get in touch: money@telegraph.co.uk Recommended Is Britains biggest pension scheme any good? Read more 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. Arizonas Republican members of Congress have for years demanded a plan to address illegal migration at the U.S.-Mexico border. When one came across their desks last week, they rejected it. The Houses GOP contingent has over the past two weeks rejected a bipartisan border deal, with leadership declaring it dead on arrival in the Republican-controlled lower chamber and has instead put their political energy behind a measure impeaching the Homeland Security secretary, a constitutionally dubious move that is doomed in the Senate. With legislative oxygen in short supply in an election year, Republicans approach makes it unlikely Congress will enact far-reaching immigration reform. And it has raised questions about the partys commitment to making concrete progress on an issue that has become central to their campaigns and public messaging. It's led Tom Wong, a political science professor and director of the University of California San Diegos U.S. Immigration Policy Center, to a cynical conclusion: "What were seeing is that many politicians would rather complain about the issue than do the difficult work of solving the issue." Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) speaks to reporters during a vote in the Senate Chambers of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. The negotiations came into public view in early February, when a group of senators, led in part by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., unveiled what had until then seemed a remote possibility: a sweeping border bill supported by lawmakers in both parties. Crafted by a bipartisan group in the Senate, the deal included several policy concessions to GOP members hoping to crack down on illegal immigration. Among other provisions, the deal would have scaled back the practice of releasing migrants into the U.S. as they await a court date, raised the bar for migrants to qualify for asylum, and created a new authority for the president to shut down the asylum processing system if illegal crossings reach a certain level of traffic. But the deal didnt resonate with Republican border hawks. Former President Donald Trump blasted the bill on social media, killing its momentum. All of Arizonas Republican House members came out against the measure, except for Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., who stayed silent on the proposal. The bill failed to advance in the Senate, with some Republicans turning against the proposal they had been working to pass just days before. The last few weeks have affirmed Trumps hold on the Republican Party, and re-affirmed the importance that immigration is going to play in the upcoming election, Wong said. Ciscomani Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) speaks during an Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry event at The Arizona Biltmore on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Phoenix. In an interview, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., disputed the idea that Trumps position played any role in his decision to oppose the bill. Ciscomani said he opposed the deal because it didnt go far enough. The situation has gotten way too (far) into a crisis for us to be OK with getting one-fourth of the way there, said Ciscomani said, who has successfully worked on several smaller, bipartisan bills that reform immigration policy in what he calls a piecemeal fashion. At the core of Republicans public opposition to the bill is the provision that would allow the president to turn away most asylum seekers whenever theres an average of 4,000 daily encounters with migrants for a week in between ports of entry. If there are 5,000 daily encounters on average, or 8,500 in just one day, the U.S. would be required to take that step. The provision amounts to a new restriction in the U.S. asylum system, but Republicans still rejected it as being too permissive. U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko speaks during a rally, Oct. 9, 2022, in Mesa, Ariz. Lesko announced on Oct. 17, 2023, that she will not run in 2024. Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., wrote in a statement to The Arizona Republic that the new presidential authority would weaken border security by allowing migrants into the country and giving them work permits, likely a reference to the new work visas provided for in the bill. Her office did not respond to follow-up questions. Pressed on whether the bill would be an improvement from the status quo, Ciscomani said it sends the wrong message. This bill doesnt deal with the main issue, which is sending the message to everyone around the world that if they continue to come, theyll continue to be allowed in," he said. Ciscomani has said that he and other colleagues met with Sinema during the negotiations over the Senate bill and were clear about what they needed to support the bill. Ciscomani, a House freshman, declined to share what exactly he asked for in those meetings, but said the final deal didnt invest enough in stopping the flow of migrants through measures like the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy and the Republican-led H.R. 2, a bill that would codify some of the former president's strictest policies. Democrats oppose both. Lesko likewise placed the onus on Democrats, writing in a statement that House Republicans were stalwart defenders of the border and passed H.R. 2 last year. The Senate instead ignored this proposal and concocted a so-called compromise bill, Lesko wrote. Rather than engage with the Senate bill, House Republicans have trained their sights on impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The impeachment resolution, which passed the House on the second try by a margin of just one vote, argues that Mayorkas lied to the American public by saying that the border was secure, and that he violated existing immigration laws by enforcing Bidens border policies. Arizona's Republican Reps. Eli Crane and Andy Biggs have played key roles in that effort. The effort was constitutionally questionable. Legal scholars from across the political spectrum argued the allegations against Mayorkas were policy disagreements that didnt meet the threshold of high crimes and misdemeanors. Its also unlikely to actually push Mayorkas out of office. Convicting the agency chief would require a two-thirds vote in the Senate, where Democrats are in the majority. It is an opportunity for Republicans to be on the record to appear, quote-unquote, tough on the border, Wong argued. All this was, really, was an opportunity for Republicans to appear as though they are trying to act on the issue. But the impeachment process is appearing tough in a very shallow way. Ciscomani defended the effort, as well as his own vote to impeach Mayorkas. Its always the best use of the Houses time and energy to hold anyone accountable. And Ive done that, Ciscomani said. Laura Gersony covers national politics for the Arizona Republic. Contact her at lgersony@gannett.com or 480-372-0389. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Border bill: Why did Arizona's House Republicans oppose Senate deal? Speaking at a panel discussion on EU defense priorities at the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 18, the EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell criticized Western allies' initial indecisiveness in providing military assistance to Ukraine, suggesting that the outcome of the war "would have been different" had allies acted more decisively. "Every time we discussed about giving a new type of arms, someone was hesitating," Borrell said, referring to allies' reluctance at the start of Russia's invasion to provide weaponry like Leopard tanks and Patriot missile system, fearing further escalation. "Had we have taken these decisions quicker, maybe the war would have been different." Borrell's comments come nearly two years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding long-term military support from the United States. U.S. congressional leaders continue to withhold a $66 billion aid package for Ukraine, a move criticized by Borrell and echoed by U.S. President Joe Biden on Feb. 18 who attributed Ukrainian forces' withdrawal from the embattled city of Avdiivka to congressional inaction. Despite the criticism, Borrell also commended the unity exhibited by European allies in supporting Ukraine. In Europe, after months of delay from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the EU agreed to 50 billion euro ($54 billion) support package for Ukraine. "We mobilized a European peace facility for the first time in our history to provide arms for a country at war," Borrell said, adding that the EU has already provided Ukraine with 90 billion euros ($97 billion) in humanitarian and military support. "My only call is to do more and quicker, but not to dismiss what we've already done," Borrell added. Western allies have recently moved to sign bilateral security guarantees with Ukraine to bolster support against ongoing Russian aggression. Earlier this week, France and Germany signed bilateral treaties, falling in line with the United Kingdom's security cooperation agreement finalized in January. Other European nations are also considering signing their own cooperation agreement, with the Netherlands and Norway expected to sign agreements in the coming months. Read also: Borrell: We cant impose sanctions on third countries that help Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A man faces a murder charge after an alleged assault outside a pub which led to the death of a 35-year-old. Adrian Whiting died in hospital two weeks after the incident at the Carpenters Arms in Witham Street, Boston on 14 January. Maksim Iliev, also, 35, was charged with grievous bodily harm, wounding with intent and now faces a murder charge. Mr Iliev appeared via video link at Lincoln Crown Court. No pleas were entered and Mr Iliev of Union Street, Boston, spoke only to confirm his name. Mr Iliev has been remanded back into custody and the case has been adjourned until 8 March when he will be asked to enter his plea to the murder charge. The case was provisionally listed for a trial beginning at Lincoln Crown Court on 15 July. It is expected to last seven days. Katya Tsoneva, of Red Lion Street, Boston, 34, has been charged with assisting an offender in connection with the investigation into the death of Mr Whiting. She was arrested on 15 February and charged on 16 February. She will also appear at Lincoln Crown Court on 8 March. Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastyorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk South Tech Academy's campus as seen in 2013. The charter school has since opened a middle school and has a combined total enrollment of about 1,600 students. A 35-year-old teacher in Boynton Beach was told by his school's administration not to give students rides in his car or gifts in the weeks leading up to his arrest on charges of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student, school records show. Damian Conti of Greenacres was suspended from his job at South Tech Academy for misconduct just hours before he was arrested by Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies on Feb. 6. The first communication from school officials came on Jan. 12 when an assistant principal said that he should not transport students in his personal car. Documents from Conti's personnel file don't specify where he and the students were going or how often he was giving them rides. The documents also don't say whether one of the students was the 16-year-old involved in his arrest. "I want to remind you that you should not be transporting students in your car. If you are transporting them for a field trip, the appropriate paperwork should be on file and there should always be a minimum of 3 people," assistant principal Erin Kurtz wrote to Conti. The subject line of Kurtz's email to Conti was "reminder." The school provided no investigations or disciplinary records relating to Conti, and Kurtz did not return a request for comment about whether her emails to Conti constituted discipline of the teacher. Kurtz again wrote to Conti on Jan. 24 that "giving gifts and spending time with student groups outside of school activities is outside the boundaries of the teacher/student relationship." She said in her email that she was "confident" he would avoid such situations in the future. Again, her email did not describe specific students involved. Conti was fired by South Tech on Feb. 7, according to a letter in his school file signed by the school's Executive Director Carla Lovett. More on Conti's arrest: Former South Tech charter teacher faces charges of inappropriate relationship with student A dearth of details in personnel files from South Tech and redacted police reports make it difficult to determine more about the incidents he was confronted with. Conti was charged with three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and three counts of offenses against students by authority figures. He has been assigned a public defender and had not entered a plea to the charges as of Monday afternoon. Conti did not return a request for comment on his case. Teacher worked at four schools, one day-care office since graduating from FAU Conti's records show he's worked in four schools and one private day care center since he graduated in 2014 from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor's degree in English. He first taught English at Everglades High School in Broward County during the 2015-16 school year, then worked as a teacher at AMI Kids, a private alternative education center in Fort Lauderdale, during the 2016-17 school year. After that, he worked as a marketing specialist at The Learning Center day care in Deerfield Beach from 2016 through 2020. Conti worked as a teacher at the SLAM! Palm Beach charter high school from 2020 until he began at South Tech in August 2022. While their hiring and progressive discipline processes can be similar to that of public schools, charter schools like SLAM! and South Tech are public schools run by private entities. South Tech charter provided Conti's personnel file in response to a public records request by The Palm Beach Post but did not provide more detailed investigative reports of what led to Kurtz's written reminders to Conti. Records from the school district show he applied to be a teacher in 2020. It's not clear whether he was offered a job, but Conti's resume shows he went to work at the SLAM! charter school instead of working at a district-run school. Conti has had no previous discipline from the Florida Department of Education, state records show. On the day of his arrest, Conti told police that he had been suspended from his job and was having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old who was his student at the school, his arrest record shows. He said the student expressed concern that Conti would get into trouble because of the relationship. His arrest records provide few details about his contact with the student except that they communicated via Instagram, text messages and phone calls. Unlawful sexual activity with certain minors and offenses against students by authority figures are both second-degree felony charges in Florida punishable by up to 15 years in prison. As of Monday afternoon, Conti remained in jail. His bond has been set at $100,000, according to court records. South Tech principal retires after 30+ year career in schools Just three days after Conti's arrest, longtime South Tech Principal Eileen Turenne said on social media that she would be retiring. On Sunday, the principal posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Friday, Feb. 15, would mark the end of her 11 years with South Tech and 19 previous years with the Palm Beach County School District. "Now begins #retirement with the love of my life, our daughters, our sons-in-law, our grandson, and the little guy who is due in June," Turenne wrote. "Its time for the next chapter." As of Feb. 13, former assistant principal Kurtz was listed as South Tech Academy's interim principal in a school district database of charter schools. Kurtz and South Tech Lovett did not return requests for comment on Turenne's employment status. Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work: Subscribe today! This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida teacher told not to give students rides, gifts before arrest Flash Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Munich, Germany, Feb.17, 2024. [Photo/Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs] China is willing to work with Germany to understand and support each other, enhance mutual trust, strengthen collaboration, and jointly provide more stability and certainty to the world, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Munich on Saturday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference this year. Upon their meeting, Wang conveyed cordial greetings from the Chinese leadership and congratulated the Munich Security Conference on its 60th anniversary as it has become an international security policy forum with global influence today. Noting that the current international situation is undergoing frequent disorders with recurring hotspot issues and a sluggish global economy, Wang stressed that China, a responsible major country, will firmly act as a force for stability in the turbulent world. He also noted that China supports Germany in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership, Wang said the two sides should review the success in the past, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and pursue complementarity of advantages so as to benefit the two peoples. China is focusing on advancing Chinese modernization, upholding high-quality development and pushing forwards high-level opening up, Wang said, adding that the march toward modernization of more than 1.4 billion people would bring an even greater market and long-term opportunities for all countries including Germany. Wang called on the two sides to eliminate disturbances, stick to opening up and free trade, give full play to the role of economic and trade cooperation as ballast stones, and provide a predictable policy environment for this. Scholz asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to the Chinese leadership and said that Germany is ready to prepare for high-level exchanges with China this year and promote more substantive achievements. The German economy is deeply integrated into globalization and its development benefits from free trade, Scholz said, adding that the German side opposes protectionism, and decoupling and severing of supply chains. Germany is glad to see China's development and revitalization and is willing to provide a sound business environment in Germany for companies from other countries, he said. Noting that the current international situation is undergoing a difficult moment, Scholz said Germany is willing to work with China to play a positive role in maintaining peace and stability. Also on Saturday, Wang met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Bavarian Minister-President Markus Soeder, among others. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called out Israel for committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, comparing the monthslong military offensive in the territory with the Holocaust. Speaking to reporters at the African Union summit in Ethiopia, the left-wing leader said on Sunday that the ongoing violence in Gaza by the Israeli military isnt a war, its a genocide. The comments come a day after summit leaders condemned the bombardment and called for an immediate cease-fire. Its not a war of soldiers against soldiers, Lula said. Its a war between a highly prepared army, and women and children. In addition to decades of occupation, Israel launched an offensive on Gaza after Hamas militants attacked the country on Oct. 7 killing about 1,200 and capturing hundreds, about 130 of whom are assumed to still be in Gaza. Lula called the assault by Hamas a terrorist act on Oct. 7 itself. Israels retaliation has killed almost 30,000 Gazans mostly women and children, according to Palestinian authorities. The attack has also left many more civilians severely wounded and without limbs; starved families by blocking food and water; caused disease spread by blocking medical aid and bombing hospitals; destroyed schools and humanitarian shelters; disproportionately attacked Palestinian journalists; and displaced the millions who now crowd in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which Israeli forces are preparing to invade. Since Oct. 7, Lulas position on Israels retaliation has become increasingly critical, and the leader has previously described the governments actions as genocide. The Brazilian president is a vocal supporter of South Africas case accusing Israel of genocide before the United Nations International Court of Justice. Whats happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people hasnt happened at any other moment in history, he said. Actually, it did when Hitler decided to kill the Jews. Israel accused Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of trivializing the Holocaust and causing offense to the Jewish people after he likened the Israeli war against Hamas militants in Gaza to the Nazi genocide during World War Two https://t.co/hj8K5jQDBWpic.twitter.com/kiCRhFyqvv Reuters (@Reuters) February 18, 2024 The remarks almost immediately triggered an angry response from Israel, a Jewish ethnostate that the West established on Palestinian land in the wake of the Holocaust. Despite currently facing accusations of Palestinian apartheid and genocide in the international courts, Israel and its allies fervently denounce any comparisons of their behavior with that of the Nazis, who killed 6 million European Jews during World War II. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Lulas comments were antisemitic and disgraceful. This is a trivialization of the Holocaust and an attempt to attack the Jewish people and the right of Israel to self-defense, Netanyahu said. Drawing comparisons between Israel and the Nazis and Hitler is to cross a red line. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that he would summon Brazils ambassador on Monday to reprimand the country over Lulas remarks. While Lula has accused Israel of genocide before, Sunday marks the first time the leader compared the countrys behavior with that of the Holocaust. No one will compromise Israels right to defend itself, Katz tweeted, calling Lulas comments shameful and serious. The Brazilian leader has also criticized Western countries decisions to stop funding the UNRWA a U.N. agency that focuses on helping Palestinian refugees after Israel accused some of the agencys employees of being involved in the Hamas attack. At the moment when the Palestinian people most need support, the rich countries decided to cut humanitarian aid to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, he said last week while announcing that Brazil will increase its funding for UNRWA. Human and material losses are irreparable. We cannot trivialize the deaths of thousands of civilians as mere collateral damage, he continued, according to Brasil247. Before our eyes, the population of Gaza suffers from hunger, thirst, disease and other types of deprivation, as the World Health Organization warns. The Alzheimers drugs touted as a turning point in the fight against the disease can cause the brain to shrink, scientists have warned. Lecanemab and donanemab are two drugs that have been hailed as an Alzheimers breakthrough and work by clearing out amyloid in the brain. Amyloid is the protein that aggregates on neurons and stops the organ working properly, causing dementia. Data from the companies making the drugs, Eisai and Eli Lilly, respectively, shows a 27 per cent and 35 per cent slowing of cognitive decline in people with Alzheimers compared to a placebo. But experts have raised concerns about side-effect data, which shows the drugs can cause the brains of patients to shrink by as much as the volume of three teaspoons. Other serious side effects can include amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), which are characterised by swelling and bleeding of the brain, and can be fatal. As many as a third of patients have ARIA and around 1 per cent have a serious case that is either fatal or requires hospitalisation. Lecanemab has been given Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in the US but with a black-box warning that indicates the drug comes with a risk of extreme adverse effects. UK decision expected soon Neither of the drugs have yet been approved by UK regulators, but the decision from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is expected as soon as next week, a year after the US FDA approved lecanemab. Dr Madhav Thambisetty, a senior clinical investigator at the US National Institute on Aging, has called for more transparency of the safety data by the manufacturers. Prof Rob Howard, of the University College of London Institute of Mental Health, said: When I look at an MRI scan that shows ARIA, it reminds me of looking at MRI scans of patients whove had strokes or some sort of traumatic brain injury. Also, patients whove had these drugs, their brains seem to shrink faster than people who get placebo. Obviously, losing brain volume is something weve always regarded as being a very bad thing. It means that you have more neurons that have died and youve lost more capacity. The imaging data does seem to suggest that people are actually losing probably slightly more than a teaspoon full of brain. Three teaspoons of brain volume Dr Thambisetty said that study participants receiving the largest dose lost up to three teaspoons of brain volume. Brain shrinkage has historically been a reliable indicator of Alzheimers itself and the reduction in volume following the drugs is cause for concern, the scientists say. Both the drugs cost around 20,000 a year and are given as an intravenous drip, a process that takes about an hour, with lecanemab given every fortnight and donanemab once a month. The lecanemab trial has led to three reported deaths, including one woman who had a 7cm haemorrhage and died in hospital. For donanemab there were three deaths following ARIA and up to a third of people had brain bleeds and a quarter had swelling, with the majority asymptomatic. Some individuals who suffered ARIA while on the drugs saw their cognitive ability deteriorate five times faster than an average Alzheimers patient not on the medication. The scientists are calling for the companies to publish more information on the long-term status of the patients who had bleeds or swelling but no symptoms to enable clinicians, regulators and patients to be better informed of the risk-reward balance of these groundbreaking treatments. Dr Thambisetty said there is clear evidence the drugs flush out amyloid very effectively, but warned it is still unknown if this translates into a noticeable improvement in the condition of a patient. Slow down cognitive decline The drugs slow down cognitive decline by around a third when compared to placebo and the relationship was statistically significant. However, this translates to an absolute improvement of just 0.45 points on a standard 18-point scale used to assess Alzheimers symptoms. Dr Thambisetty told the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Denver that an improvement is not noticeable by either patient or doctor until there is at least a one-point difference. The difference is absolutely, literally, too small to be noticeable by the patient or their doctor, said Prof Howard. It is about half the size of what that difference would be. Its a sort of sleight of hand, the way that theyve chosen to portray the results. Its not what the data shows. Dr Alex Osborne, policy manager at the Alzheimers Society, said: Regulators will decide this year whether donanemab and lecanemab will be approved for use in the UK. A drug will not become available in the UK without having strong evidence to show that it is both safe and effective as a treatment. A spokeswoman for Eisai said any volume loss in the brains of patients was not associated with worsening in measured neurodegenerative outcomes. Managing the risks A spokeswoman for Eli Lilly said: Brain volume change with potential Alzheimers disease therapies has broadly been observed though admittedly not well understood. Some experts believe it may be an effect seen on MRI resulting from amyloid plaque removal itself or from reducing inflammation in the brain. We are committed, and encourage others in the field, to also continue to initiate research to manage the risks for this class of agents. The scientists are also concerned that a move to diagnosing patients via blood tests for amyloid, and not taking into account cognitive assessments, could lead to people with no symptoms who may never develop Alzheimers, going on to take the drugs. Because the treatment has to be given really early I am extremely worried about the risks of people being misdiagnosed and being given a treatment that cant help them and can only hurt them, Prof Howard said. My anxiety is that theres a population of people out there who, if theyre diagnosed because theyve got amyloid present, might find themselves in a trial despite never developing dementia. Im really worried about people like that who could not be helped at all by these treatments, only hurt. Its all risk and no reward. 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. BRECKENRIDGE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Police are searching for answers after a woman was found dead from a gunshot wound in Breckenridge this weekend. Shalon Wilson, 47, was found deceased from a gunshot wound in the backyard of a residence on the 400 block of North Parks Street around 10:00 p.m. Sunday, according to a press release from the Breckenridge Police Department. Police say they received a phone call from her father, then first responders found her dead. Her body has been sent to the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy, and an investigation into her death is now underway. Anyone with information on Wilson or her death is asked to contact the Breckenridge Police Department (254)559-2211. No further information has been released. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. A claim by the millionaire founder of BrewDog that the BBC targeted him with a hatchet job documentary has been thrown out by an independent regulator. James Watt, the chief executive of the global beer firm, took the corporation to Ofcom over the January 2022 film The Truth About BrewDog. He claimed the programme, which included allegations of inappropriate conduct towards women and accused the firm of using misleading marketing techniques, was malicious and riddled with inaccuracies. However, in a 66-page ruling, published on Monday, Ofcom dismissed the complaints, finding that the company and Mr Watt had not been treated unfairly. It added that while he had a legitimate expectation of privacy, this was outweighed by the broadcasters freedom of expression on matters of public interest. Mr Watt had previously vowed to put the record straight over the programme, claiming it was based on claims by former employees with a vendetta against the company. A spokesman for the BBC said: We welcome the Ofcom decision. Throughout the process, we have stood by the accuracy and fairness of our journalism. Firm given appropriate chance to respond The broadcaster had been drawn into a bitter dispute with Mr Watt over the programme, in which it was claimed that staff members felt uncomfortable with how he acted towards women in BrewDog bars. It did not make allegations of criminality. It also suggested that BrewDog had potentially misled its customers by claiming that the creation of a forest in the Highlands was being funded by beer sales, when it had in fact applied for a government grant for tree planting. Ofcom said that material facts had not been presented, or disregarded or omitted, in a way that was unfair to Mr Watt and BrewDog. Contrary to BrewDogs claims, the regulator said the company had been given an appropriate and timely opportunity to respond and that its responses had been fairly reflected. BrewDog was founded in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, by Mr Watt and his business partner, Martin Dickie, in 2007 and now has more than 100 bars worldwide. A spokesman for the company said the BBC had failed to explain why it had used a proven fraudster as a key source for the programme. The claim is a reference to Emili Ziem, Mr Watts former girlfriend, who was found by the civil courts in 2022 to have conned him out of 100,000 in Bitcoin. The BBC has admitted that Ms Ziem spoke to producers, but has denied that she was a source for any of the claims in the documentary. The BrewDog spokesman added: The regulator states itself that its role was not to determine the factual accuracy of the programme. The BBCs documentary contains numerous inaccuracies and misrepresentations, so we disagree with Ofcoms findings that the BBC took reasonable care. 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. Brian Walshe, the Cohasset man accused of killing his wife, dismembering her body with a hacksaw and then discarding her remains at trash transfer stations across the region, is set to be sentenced on Tuesday in a federal art fraud case. Walshe pleaded guilty to selling two counterfeit Andy Warhol paintings. In a separate case, investigators say Walshe killed his wife, Ana Walshe, last year. The 39-year-old mother-of-three, a real estate professional who worked in Washington D.C., went missing on New Years Day 2023, authorities said. Her body has never been found. In the art fraud case, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys office are asking for a three-year prison sentence. 25 Investigates: Brian Walshes damaging digital footprint, according to prosecutors These crimes were dangerous, bold, and harmful, both to the victims and the public as a whole, prosecutors said in recent court filings. A sentence of imprisonment is necessary to punish the defendant for his crimes and to deter others from engaging in art fraud, an especially difficult crime to detect, investigate and prosecute. Walshe was charged with wire fraud, interstate transportation for scheme to defraud, and money laundering, in connection with a scheme to sell counterfeit Andy Warhol paintings. Before she went missing: Ana Walshe, a Serbian immigrant who sought the American Dream In nearly 175 pages of filings in the art fraud case, prosecutors said Walshe orchestrated a scheme that encompassed repeated falsehoods. It remains even more fitting now that it has become clear that the defendant engaged in obstruction of justice after pleading guilty, prosecutors said in court filings. Accordingly, the government requests that the Court sentence the defendant principally to 37 months in prison, at the low end of the Guidelines with the obstruction enhancement. Brian Walshe, left, is facing murder and other charges following the disappearance of his wife, Ana Walshe, left, on Jan. 1, 2023. The defendant orchestrated a scheme of many years, encompassing repeated falsehoods and financial complexity, prosecutors said. The defendant did not commit these crimes by mistake or one-time error: he obtained paintings from a person who thought he was the defendants friend; he manipulated the services of artists; he lied to potential buyers, obtaining their money by fraud; and he laundered the money afterwards. In his wake, he left a disappointed friend (Victim 2); a frustrated and harmed collector (Victim 1); and another buyer whose relationship with his own father was destroyed (Victim 3). I am not a threat: Apologetic Brian Walshe aims to be loving, repay debt in 2021 letter to judge This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW One day into his new job as Indianapolis police chief, Chris Bailey started talking. And kept talking. And talked some more. Bailey has more important work to do than almost anyone in the city. Nonetheless, he subjected himself to a gauntlet of media interviews including with IndyStar's Alexandria Burris and then again with IndyStar's Gregg Doyel to explain how he'll lead the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Whatever he does, this much is clear: You're going to know what Bailey thinks. And it's probably going to make you mad. "I think people are looking for the person that's in charge of the largest police department in the state to have some opinions on things and to be a leader in certain areas that politicians either can't, or won't, or the community doesn't have a voice," Bailey told me. "When it comes to the defense of the upper officers, that's something I will do when they're right and, when they're wrong, they can expect the same level of condemnation." There's a lot to unpack in that simple statement. Mirror Indy's Ryan Martin pointed to a few instances when Bailey has expressed strong, potentially explosive, opinions in the past: In 2017, he gave credence to concerns that the city wasn't doing enough to protect witnesses to shootings; in 2018, he said the officers who shot Aaron Bailey, an unarmed Black man, should be fired; and, in 2018, he opposed neighborhood sweeps as a tactic to stem rising crime numbers, saying that it leads to "mass incarceration" and makes police an "occupying force." Newly-sworn in Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Christopher Bailey gives remarks about his plans in his new role Monday, Feb. 12, 2024 during a press conference at the City/County Building. Bailey's history suggests there will be tension ahead both with activists who are skeptical of police and with the police union. Rick Snyder, the head of the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police, issued a brief statement, saying, "We look forward to working with Chief Bailey to keep the IMPD moving forward." Bailey knows how that works. The clock is ticking on whatever grace period a police chief gets. It'll end as soon as he makes a decision rank-and-file officers don't like, or when he doesn't respond to an incident the way some members of the community would like. "There's going to be a time where I'm going to make a decision (officers) don't like," Bailey said. "That's the nature of my job. That's what I have to do. But that doesn't mean that you're not supported. That doesn't mean I don't care. It doesn't mean that I don't recognize that the vast majority of you are doing what's right every single day. And that's my message." That message is a complex tightrope of supporting his officers and earning trust from the community. He cares about getting it right on both sides. Because he cares, it's going to be impossible to avoid tipping in one direction or the other and veering back and forth. Anyone who stays on the job of big-city police chief long enough hears calls from somewhere often multiple directions at once for them to lose their job. Those calls from corners of the community grew louder in recent months even for Randal Taylor, a chief who served with a gentle spirit and gave little cause for offense. Bailey is not a gentle spirit. He admitted to me there were times when he approached Taylor "stomping my feet, pinching my nose, throwing a temper tantrum." He took lessons from Taylor's calmness, but he didn't get a personality transplant. Bailey is going to raise the intensity of the police chief job. Sometimes people will like that. Sometimes they won't. Either way, Indianapolis is about to hear a lot more from its police chief. IMPD is entering an era of radical candor. Contact James Briggs at 317-444-4732 or james.briggs@indystar.com. Follow him on X and Threads at @JamesEBriggs. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IMPD Chief Chris Bailey balances FOP, activists Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron visits San Carlos Cemetery on the Falkland Islands, during his high-profile visit to demonstrate they are a "valued part of the British family" amid renewed Argentinian calls for talks on their future, in Stanley, Falkland Islands, Britain, on Monday Feb. 19, 2024. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Monday toured battle sites of the Falklands War during a visit meant to underline that the Falkland Islands are a valued part of the British family." The visit by Cameron the first British foreign secretary to make the trip to the South Atlantic archipelago in three decades came amid renewed calls by Argentina for negotiations over the contested territory. Cameron said he hoped that the islands would wish to remain part of the British family forever. As long as the Falkland Islands want to be part of the U.K. family they are absolutely welcome to be part of that family and we will support them and back them and help protect and defend them absolutely, as far as Im concerned, for as long as they want, he said. And I hope thats for a very, very long time, possibly forever. The politician was taken on a helicopter tour of the islands and stopped at two battle sites in the 1982 Falklands War. He also visited a cemetery and paid respects to the war dead. The islands, which lie about 300 miles (480 kilometers) from South America and 8,000 miles (13,000 kilometers) from Britain, have long been a source of tension between Argentina and the U.K. Argentina argues that the islands were illegally taken from it in 1833. Britain, which says its territorial claim dates to 1765, sent a warship to the islands in 1833 to expel Argentine forces who had sought to establish sovereignty over the territory. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982, triggering a two-month war, won by Britain, that killed 649 Argentine troops, 255 British servicemen and three islanders. Islanders voted overwhelmingly in a 2013 referendum to remain a British Overseas Territory. Argentinas recently elected President Javier Milei has called for the islands known as the Islas Malvinas in Argentina to be handed over to Buenos Aires. Cameron said the U.K.'s relationship with the Argentine government will never be at the expense of the wishes of the Falkland Islanders, who in our view absolutely come first." Britain's Foreign Office said that the two countries would agree to disagree, and do so politely over the issue. The last British foreign secretary to visit the Falklands was Douglas Hurd in 1994. Noa Dravikula drew attention to his new wife after telling the Army he wanted to bring her to the UK - Solent News A British Army sergeant taken to court martial for bigamy claimed he accidentally married a second wife while deployed in Kenya because the service was in Swahili. Sgt Noa Dravikula, 42, had separated from his first wife but was not officially divorced when he married a second woman in a Sharia Law ceremony, the court martial heard. The soldier had been deployed to Nanyuki, north of Nairobi, when he started a relationship with Kenyan woman Kuki Wason. Prosecutors alleged in October 2021, the couple had an Islamic marriage ceremony, called a nikah, which meant he was committing bigamy. However, Sgt Dravikula said he didnt understand what was happening because the marriage service was in the African language of Swahili, which he does not speak. British law states couples can marry if they are aged 18 or over and are single, widowed or divorced, or if they were in a civil partnership which has been dissolved. The marriage came to the attention of the Army when Sgt Dravikula expressed his wish to bring Ms Wason back to the UK with him. At Bulford Military Court, Wilts, he denied one count of bigamy. Prosecutor told Bulford Military Court that Sgt Dravikula struck up a relationship while deployed to a base near her home - Simon Czapp/Solent News Prosecutor Flight Lieutenant Charlotte Adams told the court Sgt Dravikula married his first wife in June 2011 in a Methodist church in Fiji. The court heard Sgt Dravikulas first wife, with whom he shares a child, had initiated divorce proceedings after their separation in March 2017. However, the divorce had not yet been finalised and so they were not officially separated. Flt Lt Adams said: He then proceeded to marry a second individual, Kuki Wason, on October 29, 2021, whilst married to his first wife. In doing so he committed bigamy. Flt Lt Adams told Bulford Military Court the sergeant struck up a relationship with Ms Wason while deployed at a base in her homeland. He was deployed to a British Army Training Unit in Kenya, Flt Lt Adams said. Whilst there, he started a relationship with Kuki Wason. On October 29, 2021, a Sharia Law marriage ceremony called a nikah took place this was a legal, recognised marriage ceremony. The marriage ceremony was a valid Kenyan marriage ceremony and in doing so he committed bigamy whilst his first wife was still alive and not divorced. The court heard the ceremony was overseen by a priest at the home of the mother of the bride, with two witnesses present but was conducted in Swahili. Several months later, in February 2022, a heavily pregnant Ms Wason went with her mother to register her marriage to Sgt Dravikula, despite his absence. Flt Lt Adams also said: On the marriage certificate, [Sgt Dravikula] said he was divorced but that was not accurate. She said this came to the attention of the Army when Sgt Dravikula tried to record his next of kin as Kuki Wason and referred to her as his wife. It was then flagged there was no divorce from his first wife and he admitted he was not actually divorced and wished to bring his second wife to the UK, Flt Lt Adams said. No knowledge of what happened The court heard Sgt Dravikula claimed he had no knowledge of what had happened because the service was conducted in Swahili and therefore didnt understand what was happening. [Sgt Dravikula] stated he didnt know and any marriage that was conducted was a deception to him, Flt Lt Adams added. In the UK a nikah is only considered a legally valid marriage if it takes place at a registered venue. Otherwise, couples need to register their marriage through a further civil ceremony in order to enjoy the legal benefits and security of marriage. The court heard from a marriage officer who explained Islamic marriage was different in Kenya. He said their wedding certificate shows they got married. Sgt Dravikula denies bigamy. The trial, which is expected to last two days, continues. 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. Cargo ship Rubymar was sailing from the UAE to Bulgaria - Mehmet Caliskan/Reuters A UK-registered cargo ship was at risk of sinking in the Gulf of Aden on Monday after a double rocket attack by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Rubymar, whose cargo is unknown, was sailing from the UAE to Bulgaria when it was struck, according to Ambrey, a British maritime intelligence firm. The security firm in charge of safety on the ship said the crew evacuated after two missiles hit. They were picked up by another commercial ship which took them to Djibouti. We know she was taking in water, the security firm LSS-SAPU said. There is nobody on board now. The owners and managers are considering options for towage. Ambrey said the attacks occurred in the Bab al-Mandab strait, a thin waterway connecting the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, which flanks the south and west coasts of Yemen. The crew of the Belize-flagged and Lebanese-operated ship were rescued by another merchant vessel, said the UK Maritime Trade Operations (MTO), which provides guidance to mariners. So far, no ships have been sunk nor crew killed from the attacks in a sea lane accounting for nearly 15 per cent of global seaborne trade. Some companies have chosen to detour on a more expensive route via the southern tip of Africa to avoid damage to vessels, crew and cargo. Houthi supporters at a rally for Hamas in Sanaa, Yemen - Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images Within hours, a separate Greece-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier was attacked twice. Missiles exploded 32ft to 49ft from the ship and damaged a window, according to Ambrey. That ship, the Sea Champion, was carrying grain from Argentina to Aden with 23 crew members onboard, including five Greek nationals. The UK MTO confirmed that the Sea Champion and its crew were safe and proceeding as planned. The US announced it had conducted five strikes, hitting three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel and one unmanned surface vessel on Saturday. The US military also noted that this was the first time the Houthis had used an unmanned underwater vessel since they began launching attacks into the sea late in October 2023. In solidarity with Hamas Experts expect the Houthi attacks to continue in response to the US re-designating the group last Friday as a terrorist organisation, after delisting them in 2021 to make it easier to allow humanitarian aid into Yemen. The Houthis, a rebel group in Yemen that overthrew the government about a decade ago, says its attacks in the Red Sea are in solidarity with Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group locked in a brutal war with Israel. Both Hamas and Houthis are supported by Iran with funding, weapons and training. They share similar political aims in challenging Israel and the US, the latters staunchest ally. But the two groups operate in different countries and also have their own priorities closer to home. In December 2023, the US announced an international coalition to patrol the waterways to allow the Red Sea route to remain open. Washington also launched joint strikes with the UK in a move to pressure the Houthis to back down. However, the Houthis have not wavered, instead doubling down on rhetoric and missile operations, prompting the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Late last week, the Houthis claimed another attack on what they called a British ship, the Lycavitos, which is operated by a Greek company with offices in London. Going after ships linked to the UK, a strong ally of the US, is a way to squeeze the US without getting into direct confrontation, a move that poses a serious risk in escalating regional war. 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. BROCKTON The four Brockton School Committee members who set off a firestorm by requesting the National Guard be deployed at Brockton High School held a very brief press conference Monday morning and then quickly departed without taking any questions from either the media or a handful of residents in attendance. The committee members Joyce Asack, Tony Rodrigues, Claudio Gomes and Ana Oliver spoke for about a minute each. Oliver said Brockton High School is filled with "great students and doing excellent work, but we still have students not doing what they're supposed to be doing, and that's who we need help with." Brockton School Committee members, from left, Claudio Gomes, Tony Rodrigues, Joyce Asack and Ana Oliver hold a press conference at Brockton High School on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 regarding their request that the National Guard be deployed at the school amid reports of high levels of violence and turmoil. Not just Brockton High Teachers 'hopeless' as chaos extends to elementary, middle schools Rodrigues said the reason for not taking questions is that not all of the Brockton School Committee's eight members were present and they are a united front. "We act as a whole body, and this is four members that are taking on the leadership role to making sure our students are safe. It starts at the top, and our chair has failed to bring us together united so we can plan to make sure the students and our staff are safe," Rodrigues said. The chair of the School Committee is Mayor Robert Sullivan, by virtue of his office. The vice chair is Kathleen Ehlers, with whom Rodrigues has been locked in a protracted power struggle for the vice chairmanship. The same four members who sent the letter requesting the National Guard be deployed have voted for Rodrigues in the vice chair battle. On the other side of the multiple 4-4 tied votes are, in addition to Mayor Robert Sullivan and Ehlers, are School Committee members Tim Sullivan and Judy Sullivan. "We need to take our schools back in control and make sure our students have a safe learning environment cause what's going at in the high school is disheartening and kids are losing precious learning time and kids are causing chaos," Rodrigues said at Monday's press conference. 'Prevent a potential tragedy' Should National Guard be deployed at Brockton High? Brockton School Committee members, from left, Joyce Asack, Claudio Gomes, Ana Oliver and Tony Rodrigues, hold a press conference at Brockton High School on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, regarding their request that the National Guard be deployed at the school amid reports of high levels of violence and turmoil. Mayor opposes deploying National Guard Mayor Robert Sullivan does not support utilizing the National Guard at the high school, he said. "While we appreciate the suggestions put forth by four school committee members, we believe that such measures are not appropriate," Sullivan said in a written statement Monday. "Instead, we are committed to employing a collaborative approach that involves the entire community, including parents, students, educators, and law enforcement, to tackle these challenges head-on," Sullivan said. "Under my direction and in response to these challenges, the police department, under Chief Brenda Perez, has been working diligently and actively with school administrators to address the underlying issues and implement effective strategies to ensure a safe learning environment for all. Our dedicated officers have been working tirelessly to investigate and respond to incidents promptly, and we will continue to do so until a satisfactory resolution is achieved." School committee members Tony Rodrigues, right, with Joyce Asack, left, speaks during a presser with fellow school committee members Claudio Gomes and Ana Oliver (not in photo) at Brockton High School on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 regarding their request that the National Guard be deployed at the school amid reports of high levels of violence and turmoil. About a dozen residents attended the press conference, but none could ask questions and only a couple agreed to speak to The Enterprise. Resident Cynthia Hodges, who has lived in Brockton for more than 20 years and raised her children in Brockton, said bringing in the National Guard would only make the situation worse, "causing parents to withdraw their kids" and look for a new school district and kids to drop out. "You have to have someone come here and do the right job. And I think they have hired the right principal to do the right job at this time, but it's going to take time. Nothing happens overnight, and they think it's going to happen overnight," Hodges said after the press conference. But the School Committee members present said the National Guard would be there to help and not make it a scary environment for the kids but to create a safe place for staff and students. 'So many misbudgeted items' Here are 5 key reasons Brockton schools budget imploded School committee members from left, Claudio Gomes, Tony Rodrigues, Joyce Asack, and Ana Oliver, during a presser on at Brockton High School on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. "We're not asking them to deploy a whole army to our school. We're asking for support, especially with the teacher shortage throughout the commonwealth of Massachusetts," Oliver said. Gomes said, "They're people like us. They're educated and trained. We just need their assistance now. We need more staff to support our staff and help the students learn and have a safe environment. So that's the case. We need the hands, and they have it, so why not provide their assistance?" Jamie Hodges, who ran against Gomes in the last election, after the press conference said she thought it was "a joke." "I think if you really cared about the students, you would've answered the parents' concerns and questions, so I want everyone to show up at the school committee meeting Tuesday night so we all can be present and be there," said Jamie Hodges, who is Cynthia Hodges' daughter. Shocking levels of violence and chaos Emotional teachers describe what it's like inside Brockton High School Brockton High in turmoil School committee members from left, Joyce Asack, Claudio Gomes, Tony Rodrigues, and Ana Oliver hold a press conference at Brockton High School on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, regarding their request that the National Guard be deployed at the school amid reports of high levels of violence and turmoil. Brockton High School has been in increasing turmoil this school year, with many teachers publicly describing shocking levels of chaos and violence inside the largest high school in Massachusetts. Mayor Robert Sullivan said Saturday only the governor can deploy the National Guard, and he forwarded the School Committee members' request to Healey, but he does not favor the request. Sullivan said Perez will provide an update to the School Committee after the school vacation week. The mayor's office wants the community to know they understand the current concerns and fears and are "actively addressing them." This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton School Committee members want National Guard at high school Automakers aiming to become shipshape as exports make waves 08:49, February 19, 2024 By Cao Yingying ( China Daily BYD Exporter No 1 embarks on its maiden voyage from Shenzhen in Guangdong province on Jan 15, transporting more than 5,000 vehicles to Europe. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese automotive companies are establishing oceangoing car carrier fleets, also known as Ro-Ro ships, to enhance their export capacity and responding to the trend of China-made vehicles being shipped abroad. In mid-January, BYD's first car carrier, Explorer No 1, leased from the international shipping company Zodiac Maritime, embarked on its maiden voyage, transporting more than 5,000 new energy vehicles to Europe. The China's largest NEV maker has expanded its business to more than 70 countries and regions. In 2023, BYD exported 252,000 vehicles, a year-on-year growth of 330 percent. In the next two years, BYD plans to put an additional seven car carriers into operation. According to Wang Junbao, general manager of BYD Corporate Division, the global market for NEVs is substantial and there is significant demand for car-carrier services in overseas export. He envisions a promising future for the Ro-Ro business. Later in January, SAIC Motor's first locally-invested and built oceangoing car carrier, SAIC Anji Sincerity, took its maiden voyage from Shanghai to Europe. It carried 5,000 vehicles, including SAIC's MG and Maxus models, along with vehicles from Dongfeng Motor and Yutong. The company plans to expand its Ro-Ro fleet with 14 vessels over the next three years. SAIC exported 1.21 million vehicles in 2023, up 18.8 percent year-on-year, the eighth consecutive year and the most among domestic automakers. It aims to export 1.35 million vehicles this year and 1.5 million in 2025, according to Zhao Aimin, deputy general manager of SAIC International. Meanwhile, Chery Automobile, having placed an order for three car carriers from its shipyard, anticipates the delivery of its first vessel this year. The automaker exported 925,000 vehicles in 2023. The ship deliveries come at a time when Chinese automakers are facing challenges in overseas shipments. As Chinese NEV exports gain momentum, the industry is struggling with a shortage of vessels, which has resulted in price hikes for international shipping. Automakers are opting to own or take out long-term leases of ships, ensuring export stability, reducing transportation costs and guaranteeing timely deliveries to overseas customers, said Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association. The era of self-shipping for domestic vehicles has begun, which will bring sustainable advantages to China's automotive export industry, according to Cui. In 2023, China emerged as the world's largest auto exporter, with vehicle exports reaching 4.91 million units, a 57.9 percent growth year-on-year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The leading automotive trade association estimates that vehicle exports will reach 5.5 million this year. Jin Qi, general manager of SAIC Anji Logistics, said that as China's exports reach a certain scale, the security and stability of the supply chain becomes more crucial. With the continuous growth of Chinese automotive exports, an increasing number of car manufacturers may opt to become shipowners. While building overseas factories will be an inevitable trend, which is more cost-effective than exporting vehicles via Ro-Ro ship transportation. As production localizes, automakers will see substantial profit increases, according to industry experts. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Xian Jiangnan) Flash A boy sits with a dog beside the ruins in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Feb. 17, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 28,985, the Hamas-run health ministry said on Sunday. In a press statement sent to Xinhua, the ministry said that 68,883 Palestinians have been wounded in the coastal enclave since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, 2023. The Israeli army killed 127 Palestinians and wounded 205 others during the last 24 hours, the ministry added. It noted that some victims remain under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of civil defense and ambulance crews. In addition, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that Al-Amal Hospital in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip witnessed several direct attacks from Israeli tanks. The association said in a press statement that Israeli forces targeted the fourth floor, causing major material damage and setting the eastern side of the hospital on the blaze, which led to a patient being trapped with his companions, and the medical teams were able to evacuate them at very high risk. The statement indicated that gunfire targeted the hospital's fuel tanks, and the crews were not able to determine the extent of the damage due to the high risk. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. Members of the Brockton School Committee are calling on the citys mayor to ask Gov. Maura Healey for National Guard support amid safety concerns at the high school. Brockton School Committee members Joyce Asack, Tony Rodrigues, Claudio Gomes, and Ana Oliver sent a letter to Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan on Thursday asking that he request temporary National Guard support at Brockton High School from Healey to assist in restoring order, ensuring the safety of all individuals on the school premises, and implementing measures to address the root causes of the issues we are facing. Asack, Rodrigues, Gomes, and Oliver confirmed Monday that the letter has been sent to Healeys office. However, in a statement from the mayor Monday afternoon, he says he does not support utilizing the National Guard at Brockton High School. While we appreciate the suggestions put forth by four school committee members, we believe that such measures are not appropriate. Instead, we are committed to employing a collaborative approach that involves the entire community, including parents, students, educators, and law enforcement, to tackle these challenges head-on, said Mayor Sullivan. We need to give our administrators the tools to keep order in the school, including amending certain State rules and regulations that currently hamper these efforts. National Guard soldiers are not the answer, said Mayor Sullivan. We have had school police working effectively and safely at the high school for decades. In a press conference outside the high school around noon, the four School Committee members spoke about why they want the National Guard deployed into school hallways. If you support safety within our schools, you will support the National Guard to come in here and to keep our students safe, Rodrigues said. Rodrigues said that school officials are looking for the National Guard to come in and act as substitute teachers, hall monitors to make sure that the high school is safe. He added that the citys middle schools and elementary schools are also of concern. Rodrigues said Brockton is not the only school district in the state grappling with the problem of violence among students. Its across the Commonwealth. You see Framingham dealing with the same issue, he said. Some of the School Committee members said their letter has garnered some negative reaction from the community. Of the National Guard, Oliver said, Were not asking them to deploy a whole army to our school. Were asking for support. We have some great students in Brockton. They are doing excellent work. Theyre coming in, getting an education. They are following the policies with the educators, Oliver said. But we do have some that continue to not do what theyre supposed to be doing, and thats what we need help with. We got to the point where, were seeking help, Asack said. The four School Committee members ended their press conference without taking any questions from media. In their letter to the mayor, the School Committee members wrote, We, the undersigned members of the Brockton School Committee, write to you with a matter of utmost urgency regarding the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and the community at large. Recent events at Brockton High School have prompted us to seek immediate assistance to prevent a potential tragedy. The four School Committee members cited instances of students wandering the halls, altercations, and disruptions that have led to 35 teachers calling in absent. The School Committee members say recent weeks have seen an uptick in instances of students leaving school grounds without permission and trespassers being found on school grounds. These incidents are not only undermining the learning environment but are also jeopardizing the integrity of the state-wide testing process, the school officials wrote. These situations not only put the students and staff at risk but also undermines the overall safety of our community. Earlier this month, Brockton High School teachers and students demanded change after a violent fight on school grounds spread online. I was the only one in the cafeteria at the moment. There were supposed to be two teachers but the other supervisor was absent. A fight broke out with girls wandering the hallways they came in to attack another girl in the cafeteria, said Nora Acevedo, a Brockton High School teacher. It has become very unsafe being at the school teaching and the students as well. Last May, another violent incident was reported and investigated at the school after three students were stabbed. The National Guards expertise in crisis management and community support can offer a vital temporary intervention, allowing for a comprehensive, long-term solution to be developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, the letter said. Brockton school officials asking Gov. Healey for National Guard support to stop potential tragedy by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. We understand the concerns and fears that these incidents have generated among students, parents, and staff, and we want to reassure everyone that we are actively addressing them. We urge the community to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or concerns to the authorities promptly, said Mayor Sullivan. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW BROWNWOOD, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A Brownwood man has been charged with murder after a woman was found dead Sunday morning. Troy Lee Daniel Jr., of Brownwood, was booked into the Brown County Jail for Murder in connection to the death of Nancy Sanchez, 31, of Bangs, Texas, according to a press release from the Brownwood Police department. The press release states officers were called to a home on the 200 block of Bluffview Drive and found Sanchez deceased. Daniel was arrested during the initial investigation, and now a more in-depth investigation is underway involving the Brownwood Police Department, Texas Rangers, and the 35th District Attorneys Office. No further information has been released. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. The capture of Avdiivka is Russias first major achievement in nine months, but it doesnt leave any side looking good. For Russia, it was a Pyrrhic victory that consumed an armys worth of equipment and killed or mangled estimated tens of thousands of Russian men to capture a city with marginal strategic importance. Avdiivka is valuable mostly as a set piece for Vladimir Putins victory propaganda ahead of the upcoming presidential elections. This means that the four-month operation with the likely five-figure body count was propelled mostly by political goals. However, Ukraine revealed problems of its own. It failed to fortify critical fighting positions in time. The 110th Motorized Brigade defending Avdiivka wasnt sent the reinforcements that it needed. And when retreat became inevitable, it was delayed for unknown reasons. All mistakes when facing an enemy that has overwhelming numbers of gliding bombs, drones, artillery, and doctrinally expendable manpower. This made the retreat costlier in lives and equipment than it needed to be, as the Russians pounced on the opportunity to inflict more damage, experts on the Ukrainian military told the Kyiv Independent. Some retreating Ukrainians were shelled or cut off and killed. The number of casualties on the Ukrainian side is unclear, with different guesses by different sources. Some Western-donated equipment was reportedly left behind as well. Avdiivka, the Donetsk Oblast town with a pre-war population of 35,000 people, has taunted Russian forces since 2014. Its the first town of that size that Moscow captured after Bakhmut in the spring of 2023, and the Russian troops paid a very steep price. Military analyst Michael Kofman said it was worth it for Ukraine to hang on to the city until the battle turned once it did, choosing to withdraw was the right decision. However, Russia losing men and materiel doesnt really matter, because they can afford them and they dont care, said Glen Grant, a retired U.K. lieutenant colonel who advises Ukraine. We cannot afford to fight them this way, he said. The tactics have to change. The sign marking the entrance of Avdiivka is seen amid artillery shelling on Dec. 31, 2023, in Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast. (Pierre Crom/Getty Images) The culmination of the Battle for Avdiivka exposes the lack of vision in some units and the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a whole. It tracks with the disorganization at the 110th and other units that Ukrainian soldiers described to the Kyiv Independent in recent months. Elements of the 3rd Assault Brigade have been sent into Avdiivka to support the withdrawal of soldiers and civilians at only two battalions strength as the tide of multiple veteran Russian brigades swamps the city. They claimed to have destroyed two Russian brigades. Forced out Oleksandr Syrskyi, the newly appointed commander-in-chief of Ukraines Armed Forces, officially announced the decision to withdraw at 2 a.m. on Feb. 17. Ivan Sekach, the press officer of the 110th Brigade, told the Kyiv Independent that all of the brigades units are now out of Avdiivka. This agrees with the findings of Pasi Paroinen, one of the open-source monitors at the Black Bird Group. He said the last evacuations happened overnight, into the morning of Feb. 17, though there could still be pockets of isolated troops or civilians in the city. Russian forces are now hoisting flags over positions that were held by Ukrainian units on Feb. 16. Sekach said that the retreat was done at a good level of execution considering the Russians tried their best to hit them with artillery for maximum damage. The units followed exit paths planned in advance with drone escort. The (Russians) squeezed us out of Avdiivka with thousands of tons of meat and bombs, he said. To preserve our personnel, a decision was made to retreat from Avdiivka. He wasnt able to comment about any evacuation delays, saying he is not privy to decisions at the top level and that every military plan tends to change quickly. Grant had a more blunt assessment: Ukraine didnt retreat, they were forced out. The 110th Brigade has been decimated. Brutal withdrawal Unlike earlier battles of the full-scale war, where Russia struck ineffectually in many places at once, this time they brought their firepower to bear on one target, said Ivan Stupak, a military analyst formerly affiliated with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). After taking huge losses trying to capture Avdiivkas flanks, but also grinding down the defenders, the Russians focused on the city. Russian forces have been grinding away at the Avdiivka pocket since the initial assaults in October, Kofman said. By February it was clear that Avdiivkas fall was near inevitable, and that Ukraines Armed Forces should begin withdrawing. Airstrikes with gliding bombs were especially impactful in making Ukraines positions indefensible. They leveled fortifications and caused blast trauma dozens of meters away. What they lacked in accuracy, the bombs made up for in numbers, according to Kirill Mikhailov, a researcher with the Conflict Intelligence Group. Both sides accounts of the final days of the battle suggest an unprecedented number of these bombs. Ukraine recently shot down three of the Russian planes and the strikes fell drastically. This is where the long-promised F-16 jets would come in handy, Mikhailov said, explaining that F-16s with AIM-120 missiles can knock down the planes before their bombs come into range. Read also: Fate of Avdiivka uncertain as Ukrainian forces defending it struggle with fortifications, resources Withdrawing from east of the town, especially the filtration plant, required Ukrainians to hold positions at the Zenit fortress anchoring Avdiivkas southern flank. After evacuations started flowing and the Russians realized it, they sent multiple brigades, including tanks, airborne and special forces to rout them. Many retreats were done in small groups. Depending on where they were in the city, the Ukrainians withdrawal ranged from attempted controlled exits and people fleeing for their lives as the Russians blasted them. In retreat videos, Ukrainians escaping in vehicles are being shot by indirect fire or FPV (first-person view) drones. With no safe way to get vehicles inside Avdiivka, its hard to tell how many casualties there were. Two survivors who retreated from the Zenit fortress after it was mostly encircled told the Kyiv Independent that they witnessed many of the fortress defenders getting killed during the retreat. Delayed evacuation? Fighting withdrawals are some of the most difficult military operations that exist. But experts argued that the defenders should have been long gone. From what we can gather it seems that the evacuation was done very late, Paroinen said. The final decision to leave was likely made around Feb. 15. Although Ukrainian forces withdrew, rather than trying to turn this battle into another Bakhmut, it was still done late and in a costly manner that doesnt reflect good lessons learned from Sievierodonetsk, Soledar, or Bakhmut, Kofman said. You do not leave yourself fighting on three sides without enough forces to push back on two of them, Grant said. When it became clear the front was going to be overwhelmed, we should have worked out how to do a fighting withdrawal three weeks ago, inflicting maximum casualties as we went. All weve done is lost lots of people for no military gain. Besides its supply deficiency, the Ukrainian side is hampered by political interference and poor command and control, multiple experts told the Kyiv Independent. Russia is not the only country going through an election year. Whether or not Ukraine will hold elections, political planners have enough influence over military strategy for it to be a problem, observers said. Stupak thinks the recent replacement of General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former commander-in-chief, with Syrskyi probably has a lot to do with politics. Syrskyi is more office-oriented and less problematic, Stupak said. If you tell him to do something, hell do it. Zaluzhnyi was more willing to push back and speak his mind. President Volodymyr Zelensky, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi during a meeting at a military command post in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, on Nov. 30, 2023. (President's Office) I think Avdiivka had elements of Bakhmut, we will hold this fortress mentality, Stupak added. Some part of that logic was there. Kofman agreed that a "hold at all costs mentality" of political leadership isnt helping. Ukraine must be smarter about how it fights in 2024, he said. Shortcomings The retreat wasnt the only thing that was delayed. Analysts and familiar sources speaking on condition of anonymity said that multiple military decisions on the Avdiivka front were delayed as well. The Kyiv Independent interviewed sources in the military or their family members, including in the 110th. Names have been omitted to protect sources from retaliation. Some of the fighting positions near Avdiivka had gone unreinforced for many years, and were inadequate to repel a Russian attack, according to soldier testimonials to multiple Kyiv Independent reporters, backed by expert opinion. This is ironic, as some have predicted that Avdiivka would be a tough nut to crack due to a decade of continuous reinforcement. Ukrainian servicemen pile up earthbags to build a fortification not far from the town of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on Feb. 17, 2024. (Photo by Anatolii Stepanov /AFP via Getty Images) To be honest, we have been looking at Avdiivka for some time wondering where this idea of it being one of the most heavily fortified towns comes from, Paroinen said. Ukrainian fortifications were in most places built during the 2014-2022 pre-invasion period. And like in many other areas of the front, Ukrainian forces have done much less preparation in depth when compared to the Russians. In the mobilized soldiers description, commanders from other brigades sometimes visited his positions, saw how bad they were, and openly refused to send their men there to die. By the time the brigade decided to fortify these positions, they were under such heavy fire, it was impossible to begin. Press officer Sekach said that the front line was changing too quickly to meaningfully fortify any positions, which would imply that efforts were being made when Russians were at the door. Ukrainian military medics treat wounded Ukrainian soldiers at a base near Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, on Dec. 31, 2023. (Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu/Getty Images) Fire support was another problem when the Ukrainian infantry needed it, it rarely materialized. This is the same thing that Ukrainian soldiers fighting in Bakhmut had told the Kyiv Independent in February 2023. According to one soldier who fought on the Avdiivka front, he once had a clear visual on a Russian truck packed with munitions next to the Russian positions. No matter how many times the Ukrainians tried to call in a strike on it, none ever came the munitions were distributed to the enemy and used on the defenders. Read also: Ukraine struggles to ramp up mobilization as Russias war enters 3rd year One factor was the dearth of ammunition, spent during Ukraine's summer offensive, and the procurement system still has problems. The EU has yet to sufficiently ramp up its ammo production and meet earlier promises while in Washington, right-wing opposition to funding Ukraine continues to drag out the country's ammunition timetable with a question mark. Russians also enjoyed the protection and easy supply of the Donetsk-adjacent area. The issue goes beyond fire support. Experts said that Ukraine conducted a lot fewer counterattacks than it needed to win the fight against its more numerous, better-equipped foe that doesnt value the lives of its men. Ukraine cannot just defend everywhere, Grant said. It has to counterattack and push forward. You cant degrade Russia. Ukrainian soldiers on an armored infantry vehicle on the road to Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, on Feb. 14, 2024. (Vlada Liberova/Libkos/Getty Images) The 110th is largely staffed by reservists whose training and headquarters interaction is not always to the level of professional soldiers. To their credit, they have been very scrappy and fended off multiple professional Russian brigades on Donetsks doorstep since they were deployed there in March 2022. Experts and sources didnt just single out one unit, saying that poor leadership and the conditions that give rise to it exist in some units in different parts of the country. Experts said that Ukraines new Defense Ministry and military leadership should immediately tackle these kinds of shortcomings. What happened in Avdiivka crystallizes the issues in the Ukrainian military that Syrskyi will need to address this year, Kofman said. Asami Terajima contributed reporting from Donetsk Oblast. Note from the author: Hi, this is Igor Kossov, I hope you enjoyed reading our article. I consider it a privilege to keep you informed about one of this century's greatest tragedies, Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. With the help of my colleagues, I will continue to bring you in-depth insights into Ukraine's war effort, its international impacts, and the economic, social, and human cost of this war. But I cannot do it without your help. To support independent Ukrainian journalists, please consider becoming our patron. Thank you very much. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Campaigners against the skin trade say it is inhumane and unsustainable Animal welfare charities have welcomed an Africa-wide ban on the controversial donkey skin trade. It will make it illegal to slaughter donkeys for their skin across the continent. Demand for the animals' skins is fuelled by the popularity of an ancient Chinese medicine called Ejiao, traditionally made from donkey hides. African state leaders approved the ban at the conclusion of the African Union summit in Ethiopia on Sunday. The charity, the Donkey Sanctuary, called the the trade "brutal and unsustainable" and said it had decimated donkey populations around the world, particularly in Africa and South America. Ejiao is believed by some to have anti-ageing and health benefits, although this is unproven. Chinese companies that make it used to use skins from donkeys sourced in China. But when the numbers of the animals in the country plummeted, they looked overseas. "At first our governments saw this as an opportunity, and many legal slaughterhouses opened in Africa," explained Dr Solomon Onyango from the Donkey Sanctuary in Kenya. "But, [here in Kenya], between 2016 and 2019, about half of our donkeys were killed for the trade," he said. A donkey can mean the difference between a modest livelihood and destitution for many people in poor, rural communities Dr Onyango told BBC News that the ban would "go a long way to safeguarding donkeys and the livelihoods of millions of people who rely on them". About two-thirds of world's estimated population of 53 million donkeys are in Africa. People in the poorest, rural communities use them for transport and to carry water, food and other goods. One recent study in Ethiopia - that set out to measure the economic value of donkeys - showed that owning one could mean the difference between destitution and a modest livelihood. Raphael Kinoti, who is regional director of the animal welfare charity The Brooke in East Africa said this was a "terrific moment for communities in Africa who have benefitted from donkeys since time immemorial". "Donkey slaughter for its skin has eroded livelihoods in Africa, robbing the continent of its culture, biodiversity and identity," he said. "We urge all AU members to uphold the decision for the good of all." Some worry that, if the trade is not curbed, the next generation will not have access to a donkey In a Fresno County Board of Supervisors District 2 race that is held by a Republican and features two veteran Republican politicians, a 27-year-old small business owner making his political debut believes he is right for the job. I know that theres a lot of people who believe that you should take a certain pathway from lower office to an office of this level, said Bryce Herrera, a Democrat. Being a young person, I connect better than most to people who are experiencing lived experiences that Ive had myself. Herrera is relying on social media and a small army of volunteers to get his message out to voters in the most urban supervisorial district. The boundaries are mainly in northwest, northeast and central Fresno, including a portion that runs down to Shields Avenue. The latest financial reports showing how much cash the candidates have on hand places Herrera lagging incumbent Steve Brandau ($138,000) and Fresno City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld ($476,000). Herrera has $2,175 available. Fresno County Assessor Paul Dictos, another Democratic challenger, has $12,300 available. Brandau and Bredefeld are Republicans. The race is non-partisan. A candidate must get 50% plus 1 of the March 5 primary to avoid a November runoff. Herrera, who has indigenous (Southern Apache) and Latino roots, shakes off the lackluster fundraising. We are not accepting special corporate interest money, said Herrera, who founded Calico Catering in 2018. Were trying to build a community-based coalition of people who are fed up with the status quo; who want to see change, but for real. Herrera touts endorsements from the Fresno County Democratic Party, the Central Valley Progressive PAC, Democratic Women in Action, Fresno Stonewall Democrats, Central Valley Leadership Roundtable, and the Fresno Muslim Caucus. His campaign website: herreraforfresno.com Vida en el Valle recently interviewed Herrera. Here are the questions and answers in condensed form. Q: What is the top issue in District 2? A: The top issue is homelessness. We have a (homeless) population thats grown over the last year. From 2022 to 2023, the population of our unhoused/unsheltered grew from 4,200 to 4,500. So it was a 7% increase. Were seeing 200 to 300 people that are being added to the population. Its important to address this from a housing first approach. That means that those who dont have shelter, we need to make sure that they have shelter. And right now were not doing a good job of that. The county is taking a stance that theyre doing everything that they need to be doing within their lane; and that the city is responsible for staying in their lane. But the county has the majority of the social service dollars. And so rather than making those arguments, we should be leveraging the resources that we have. Theres gridlock between the County of Fresno and the City of Fresno. A partnership with the city is essential. Q: Are higher housing costs contributing to the homeless problem? We have an unaffordability crisis, and its on two fronts: Housing and homelessness. We need to look at those two in the same light, because if we dont address housing, then more people are going to end up on the streets. And thats exactly what were seeing. The fair market rent has increased by 43% since 2021. One out of five residents fall below the poverty standards for the region. We need to take bold initiative to stabilize the rents and buyers market. The state of California allows us to implement a rent stabilization policy of up to, but not more than, 10%. I would support a policy at 3% to 5% for existing properties that were built before 1990. We need more affordable housing. We need to entice more builders and more businesses to invest in District 2, and elsewhere in the county. That means providing incentives in the form of tax credits. Q: What got you interested in running for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors? A: Ive been interested in politics for several years now. Im a lifelong Democrat whos been involved with different projects. I was the president of the Native American Student Association at Fresno State. The CSU Indians is a statewide alliance of students, staff and faculty from eight different CSU campuses. We were organizing for change on our respective campuses in terms of boosting graduation rates, boosting retention rates, advocating for (graduation) ceremonies to be more institutionalized at the CSU level; and, getting land acknowledgments done at official events. So that work inspired me to connect with the local political scene. I got involved with the Young Democrats while I was still president of the Native American Club, and then met current (Fresno) city councilmembers to push that issue. Q: Did you work at city hall? A: I was a staffer for Councilmember (Luis) Chavez from February to October of last year. I was part-time, but I conducted research and policy and briefed him occasionally. Q: Do you support growth northeast of the Fresno city limits? A: Im not supportive of it. As a Native American candidate, I think I should be in support of preserving our wildlife and wildlands and the landscape as its been for over a millennia. Id like to see that preserved for the next generation. We need to do a better job of planning development. Q: How do you self identify? A: I have a mixed heritage. Im Mexican American, and Native American and Filipino. Im 13th generation American on my moms side. Q: Tell us about your campaign. A: We are self-funded. We are not accepting special interest money. Were relying on the community to get behind our campaign and to support it. We are trying to build a community-based coalition of people who are fed up with the status quo; who want to see change, but for real. Fresno County Supervisor Brandau has challengers in District 2. What are their priorities? Bee endorsement: Five candidates seek to be Fresno County District 2 supervisor | Opinion SAN MARCOS, Texas (Austin Business Journal) Buc-ees Ltd. is eyeing a 74,000-square-foot family travel center in San Marcos, which would be as big as some grocery stores. The Lake Jackson-based company known for its highway food, rows of gas pumps, clean bathrooms and Texas-sized footprints on Feb. 20 will be considered by the San Marcos City Council for incentives to open on the southbound frontage of I-35 south of Yarrington Road, according to Council documents. The 22-acre site is slated to include 120 gas pumps and the capacity for between 100 and 175 electric vehicle charging spots, according to the documents. The company would be required to invest at least $50 million in the site and create 175 full-time jobs, with an average wage of $43,855 and benefits, although officials reported between 200 and 225 employees can be expected. Read the full story at Austin Business Journal. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Over the weekend, three businesses at Fishermens Terminal were burglarized. One shop had its entire front wall ripped out. Its terrible because its everywhere We love the store down here, we frequent several of the cafes, said Linda Schrader. Dan Blanchard, owner of UnCruise Adventures, says one of his trucks and storage units were hit. They got the ignition and they stole some things from the insideThis flatbed was stolen about two months ago to go to commit a crime in South Seattle, and of course, they busted all the windows and that kind of thing, so its kind of ironic that the vehicle was busted into during this crime spree, said Blanchard. He says this isnt the first time his property has been damaged. Weve had over 20 crime incidents right here, and that includes three vehicles being stolen, a couple of car prowls in the parking lot, like 12 or 15 almost break-ins. We have a whole bunch of small ships down here as well as our storage units. Weve been asking for surveillance cameras and extra police protection, none of which the Port has supplied, said Blanchard. Many of the business owners have gone out of their way and purchased surveillance cameras. All the vendors down here, we kind of consider this the wild west. Every day you come to work and wonder what the heck is going on We need a full-time security presence here, and weve needed it for decades, said Blanchard. Blanchard says each time any business is hit, it takes a toll on them physically and financially. Im a small business, I have like 45 employees here, and this damages all of us, and I wish there was more empathy for human belongings and the fact that people need to make a living, said Blanchard. BURNSVILLE, Minn. (FOX 9) - Several police officers were shot, and two officers and one firefighter-paramedic were killed, while responding to a domestic call in Burnsville, Minnesota early Sunday morning, Feb. 18. Officers were responding to a domestic situation when things escalated. The suspect, Shannon Gooden, opened fire, killing Officer Paul Elmstrand, Officer Matthew Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, and injuring Police Sgt. Adam Medlicott. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating the incident. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety will support authorities with the investigation, Governor Tim Walz said. The governor ordered flags to be half-staff starting at sunrise Monday. Here's what we know so far. What happened? According to law enforcement, authorities responded to a home on the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue South at 1:50 a.m. Sunday on a report of a domestic situation. A man was reported to be armed and was barricaded with his family members, which included seven children ages 2 to 15 years old. A timeline of the Burnsville first responders shooting that left Officer Paul Elmstrand, Officer Matthew Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth dead, Police Sgt. Adam Medlicott injured. Ultimately, the situation "escalated," the City of Burnsville said in a press release. The suspect opened fire on the officers and Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth were killed, and Medlicott was injured by the gunman during their response. At about 8 a.m., the suspect was reported to be dead, and the family members that were in the home are now safe. According to authorities, several officers returned fire at the suspect. The suspect had multiple weapons in the home and shot at police from multiple positions in the home. The exact timing of what occurred is currently under investigation. Authorities say there is no ongoing threat. A search warrant made public on Wednesday, Feb. 21, sheds some light on the shooting. The search warrant filed in Ramsey County reveals why police were called to the home, as well as some other details. According to the document, police responded to 12605 33rd Ave. at 1:50 a.m. on Feb. 18, on a report of a sexual assault allegation. Police "contacted" the person who reported the allegation and Gooden, when Gooden "retreated into a bedroom and barricaded himself." "Officers negotiated for Gooden to surrender, but he did not cooperate," the warrant states. "Sometime later, Gooden opened fire at officers with what is believed to be multiple different firearms," killing Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth. Police returned fire at Gooden, who retreated into a bedroom. Special Weapons and Tactics Officers then responded to the scene, and used a drone to locate Gooden dead in the bedroom. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has since said Gooden died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. There were seven children in the home at the time of the shooting, but they were not hurt. The biological mother of three of the children was Gooden's ex-girlfriend, identified as Noemi Torres. Torres admitted to investigators that either during or after the shooting, she was in communication with Gooden's girlfriend at the time of the shooting. Gooden's girlfriend told Torres about the incident via text message, the warrant says. Investigators booked Torres' cell phone into evidence. The goal of taking the phone into evidence is to see communication between Gooden and Torres, with the search warrant stating it could contain information to help investigators understand Gooden's mindset. The 911 call came in at 1:50 a.m. on Feb. 18, with the caller saying, "Can I have the police at my house right now please?" and then sharing their address as 12605 33rd Ave. S in Burnsville. The caller then states, "Um, my husband is [redacted] Help me," followed by an expletive and screaming before the call ended. Here's the transcript of that call: Dispatch: Police and Fire. What's the address of your emergency? Caller: Hi, can I have the police at my house right now please? Dispatch: Yep, what's the address? Caller: 12605 33rd Ave. S, Burnsville. Dispatch: Okay, what's going on there? Caller: Um, my husband is [redacted] Help me. Shut the f--- up. (screaming) Dispatch: Hello? Dispatch attempted to call back three times, but received the voicemail. Dispatch called back a fourth time, at 1:54 a.m. Here's how the call went: Caller: No Dispatch: Police and Fire. How can I help you? Caller: You're calling. Dispatch then called back again: Caller: (Unintelligible) Dispatch: Police and Fire, stay on the phone. What's going on there? Dispatch attempted to call one more time, but it went to voicemail. Burnsville officers Paul Elmstrand (left) and Matthew Ruge (right) with firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth (center) (City of Burnsville / Supplied) Authorities identified the victims that were killed as police officers Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth. A third police officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, was injured by the gunfire. He has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home, the City of Burnsville said in an update Monday. Officer Elmstrand, 27, joined the Burnsville Police Department back in August 2017 as a community service officer and was then promoted to a full officer in 2019. He is a member of the department's mobile command staff, peer team, Honor Guard, and field training unit. Elmstrand graduated in 2018 from the University of Northwestern. According to a post from the university's alumni office, Elmstrand is survived by his wife, a 2-year-old daughter and a 5-month-old son. Elmstrand's wife released the following statement about her husband: "Our family is heartbroken at Pauls death. He was an amazing husband, father, son, and friend to many. He loved to laugh and loved to play. He was the most generous, loving, patient person I've ever known with the biggest smile. He would stay awake so others could sleep. He could make anyone in a room feel welcome. He wore the same pair of pants and the most basic clothes so that he could spoil me and our children. He had a servants heart and would drop everything to help someone who was in need, whether it be family, friend or someone on the street. He loved his job as a police officer and had a strong bond with those he worked with, but he always placed his family first. He had an inner-confidence that was anchored in his faith in Jesus Christ." Officer Ruge, 27, joined the Burnsville Police Department in April 2020. He was part of the department's crisis negotiations team and a physical evidence officer. Firefighter-paramedic Finseth joined the Burnsville Fire Department in February 2019. He was a SWAT team paramedic, and served as a water rescue trainer. Finseth also was part of Burnsville's Health & Wellness Committee. He served in Savage and Hastings before he came to Burnsville. Finseth was remembered by Savage firefighters in a message Sunday that read: "He was more than just a colleague; he was a family member of the Savage Fire team. His legacy is etched in the memories of those who served alongside him and characterized by his calm demeanor and unwavering support for his fellow team members. Adams impact on our department and community will be remembered, and his selfless service inspires us all." Sgt. Medlicott, 38, was named Burnsville's Officer of the Year in 2020. He also received the Meritorious Service Award in 2021. He joined the Burnsville Police Department in 2014. Medlicott is was promoted to Sergeant in September 2022. He also supervises community service officers and is a drug recognition expert. First responders died within minutes of each other Medical examiner's reports show all three first responders died from gunshot wounds. All three were rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead within 13 minutes of each other. Who is the suspect? Authorities have identified the man who opened fire Sunday morning in Burnsville as 38-year-old Shannon Gooden. Court records show Gooden had a criminal history including a 2007 felony assault case, which precluded him from owning weapons. In 2020, Gooden sued in an attempt to restore his gun rights but was unsuccessful. It's unclear how Gooden was able to obtain the multiple weapons he had at his rental home in Burnsville. A photo from Shannon Gooden's Facebook page. (Facebook) Gooden's medical examiner report The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office released the report about Gooden early on Feb. 20. According to official documents, 38-year-old Gooden suffered a gunshot wound to the head, and his manner of death was listed as a suicide. The incident took place at a home on the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue South in Burnsville. The medical examiner did not list a time of death in the report but said Gooden died on Feb. 18, the day of the shooting. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is listed as the investigating agency. The City of Burnsville also shared links to official donation sites for the victims here. The city did warn of some scam donation sites for the victims, so beware. "Unfortunately, some people are taking advantage of our tragedy in Burnsville. Be aware of scams. Links to official donation sites and information on how to help the families involved will be posted at BurnsvilleMN.gov/communityupdates when they are available later this week," The City of Burnsville said in a statement. Flags at half-staff at the Minnesota State Capitol. (FOX 9) Gov. Walz ordered flags to fly at half-staff starting Monday morning to honor Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth. "We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our first responders make each and every day," said Gov. Walz. "It is with deepest gratitude that the State of Minnesota recognizes Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and Firefighter Adam Finseth for their dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, their fellow Minnesotans. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, and community." U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said in a statement on social media, "Learned from police this morning that three officers have been shot in Burnsville. They were doing their jobs. They were protecting our community. John and I are praying for them and their families and the Burnsville P.D. this morning." The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association Executive Director Brian Peters said: "We are heartbroken. Our law enforcement community is heartbroken. Were just devastated at the horrific loss. These heroes leave behind loved ones and a community who will forever remember their bravery and dedication to keeping Minnesotans safe." Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara said on social media, "Please keep Burnsville Police Dept in your prayers this morning." To see more reactions and statements from lawmakers and law enforcement, click here. How is the community reacting? A man who lives in the area told FOX 9 he woke up to a lot of commotion and loud bangs around 5:30 a.m. and then heard a lot of gunshots. He went to the window, where he saw a lot of police vehicles and police officers in the area. He described this situation as "really scary," noting he's thankful his children weren't home this weekend. Another neighbor told FOX 9's Karen Scullin he watched police approach the house in formation when the barricaded man fired with what he says was a high-powered rifle from a second-story window. The neighbor said it was incredibly loud. He and his neighbors grabbed their guns because they didn't know what was happening. A vigil was held Sunday night to remember the victims. This is a developing story, check back for updates. Tributes have been paid to Fu'ad Hassan Yassin Tributes have been paid to a much-loved mosque volunteer, after a man was arrested on suspicion of his murder. Father-of-seven Fu'ad Hassan Yassin, 64, was described as a "pillar" of the South Wales Islamic Centre in the Butetown area of Cardiff. Mr Yassin died on Sunday morning, following reports of a serious assault in Belmont Walk shortly after 09:00 GMT. A 38-year-old man has been arrested, said South Wales Police. Councillor Ali Ahmed, who represented Butetown for five years and now serves the city's Cathays area, said the tight-knit community was in mourning for Mr Yassin. "I knew him - it's sad this has happened in this community, where everyone knows each other," he said. "In Butetown, whether you're black, white, brown, whatever you are, every single person knows each other. "They're all shocked. They can't believe what's happened." He described Mr Yassin, who was of Somali origin and had seven children, as "very nice, polite, helpful, a devoted Muslim". "Fu'ad used to help Hassan our caretaker, purely as a volunteer," he said. "Every morning he used to go and open the door, put the heating on, sometimes at 6am, 5am, 4:30am. "He did the call to prayer, adhan, every day. He would hoover the mosque, made sure the water was hot for people to wash before prayers. "In Ramadan, he used to help a lot, and that's just around the corner now. He was one of the pillars of the mosque." Alongside tributes to Mr Yassin, his photograph has been displayed by the mosque in his memory, with a caption reading "Surely we belong to Allah and to him we shall return." A famed Des Moines ice cream shop may be exiting the Ingersoll Avenue home it has occupied for over 100 years. The scoop: Bauder's is "closed for the season" according to signage on its door at 3802 Ingersoll, though a real estate listing shows the 3,852-square-foot building is for sale with an asking price of $1.6 million, several times its $325,000 assessed value. Real estate agent Mick Grossman declined to comment. A flier for the building, which also houses a beauty salon, calls it a "rare opportunity to own a property on Ingersoll." Polk County assessor records show it was built in 1915. The building, last renovated in 1999, comes with an attached parking lot. Bauder's at 3802 Ingersoll Avenue is listed for sale. Kimberly Robertson, the owner of Bauder's, declined to say whether the shop will reopen in the spring. "I have so many things in the air. I will address them as I can," Robertson said. Jenay Baethke, owner of the neighboring Axis Salon Studio and tenant of Robertson, did not respond to requests for comment. What is the future of Bauder's Ice Cream? Bauder's closed on Dec. 31, according to signage in the window of the Ingersoll Avenue shop. According to CityView, the shop has been for sale at least once previously. In November 2022, it quoted Robertson as saying she was looking to get out of the business. Ive been here 51 years of my life, so I think its time that I just pursue options, she told the Des Moines magazine. Its just a feeler. Generations of Des Moines residents have treasured Bauder's for its ice cream, part of the business since at least the 1930s. But it was first and foremost a pharmacy until 2016, the year after owner and pharmacist Mark Graziano, Robertson's brother, went to federal prison following his conviction for diverting thousands of narcotic pain pills and evading $577,000 in taxes. Graziano handed the store over to his sister, its fate uncertain, though she has kept it in business. The store's now less-clear outlook casts uncertainty over another Bauder's institution: the much-loved peppermint bars it has sold annually for about two decades at the Iowa State Fair. But there may be hope for those craving the cookie-crusted concoction. More: How Bauder's peppermint bars became a fair favorite Robertson owned a storage building connected to the former Donut King storefront at 1205 E. 33rd St. before it burned down last November. Located across the street from the main entrance to the fairgrounds, it had long operated as a warehouse for Bauder's. The Donut King, 3304 E. University Ave., opened in 2018 across from the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Will a building replacing it help keep alive the tradition of Bauder's peppermint bars at the Iowa State Fair? The Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission approved plans Feb. 15 for a new structure at the same address, with a familiar-sounding use. "We can only keep about 250 pounds of ice cream at the fair. We go across the street two to three times a day," Graziano, representing the business, told the commission. "With traffic, there's no way to get ice cream to the fair from the store." Namesake believed to have been Des Moines' only female pharmacist The Ingersoll Avenue store came into the Graziano family in 1947, when Robertson and Graziano's father, Charles Graziano, partnered with then-owner Caroline Bauder. But Bauder's name already had been a part of the city since 1916, when Bauder, believed to have been Des Moines' only female pharmacist, opened a store at 17th and Crocker Streets in Sherman Hill as a handy counter for women." She bought the Norman drug store on Ingersoll in 1923 and renamed it, moving her business there. Bauder began advertising the pharmacy's ice cream in the Register in the late 1930s. When Charles Graziano bought out the Bauder family in 1961, he decided to refine their frozen offerings. We would be in the back room figuring out what flavors we wanted, and he would say, Oh, honey, that is just lush. Thats the best, Robertson told the Register in 2017. After taking over from her brother and closing the pharmacy, she turned to the institution's sweeter side, renaming Bauders Pharmacy as Bauders Ice Cream. We are a family of pharmacists, so if I said ice cream was my best compounding, you should know how seriously I take this," said Robertson, herself a pharmacist. Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at 608-931-1761 and ALathers@registermedia.com, and follow her on Twitter at @addisonlathers. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Future of historic Bauder's Ice Cream 'in the air,' owner says Flash Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday agreed to implement the important consensus reached at the San Francisco meeting between the two heads of state. During their meeting in Vienna on Sunday, the two officials had candid, in-depth and constructive communication on implementing the consensus reached at the San Francisco meeting between the two heads of state, advancing bilateral cooperation in drug control and law enforcement, and addressing each other's concerns. Wang pointed out that during their historic meeting in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden laid out the future-oriented "San Francisco Vision." Wang said he hopes that the two sides will adhere to the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and remove obstacles to bilateral drug control and law enforcement cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Wang urged the U.S. side to stop harassing and interrogating Chinese students for no reason, and ensure that Chinese citizens enjoy fair entry treatment and full dignity. Washington should also take concrete and effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic and consular missions and personnel in the United States, lift visa restrictions on relevant Chinese institutions and personnel, and correct the mistake of listing China as a "major drug source country," Wang said. The two sides agreed to contribute to the steady development of China-U.S. relations by implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintaining dialogue and cooperation on drug control and law enforcement, attaching importance to each other's concerns, and properly resolving issues on the basis of mutual respect, managing differences and mutually beneficial cooperation. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Four candidates seeking to win the U.S. House of Representatives seat once filled by Kevin McCarthy will take to the debate stage Thursday in a bid to win your vote. The debate hosted by Nexstars KGET and KGPE will be held in Bakersfield. The candidates will debate live from the KGET TV studios on Feb. 22 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The debate will also be streamed live on KGET.com and the KGET 17 News app. The debate is the first televised debate among the four candidates who qualified for the debate stage: Assemblymember Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield), Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux (R), Marisa Wood (D) and Andy Morales (D). Who is running for the 20th Congressional District seat? The debate will air on Nexstar television stations covering Californias Central Valley: KGET-TV in Bakersfield and KGPE-TV in Fresno. The debate will air Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. on these Nexstar Central California stations and their digital platforms. Station Network Market Station website Social KGET-TV NBC Bakersfield KGET.com @KGETnews KGPE-TV CBS Fresno YourCentralValley.com @CBS47 The race kicked off with controversy with Vince Fongs candidacy for the office which remains contested in court but Fongs name will appear on the ballot. Fong entered the race after filing for reelection to the 32nd District in the California Assembly. A judge allowed Fong to appear on ballots for both offices a move the Secretary of State is contesting in court. Fong has said he is focusing on the Congressional District 20 seat. Who do the voters want to replace Kevin McCarthy in Congress? Last week, long-time Kern County political allies Sen. Shannon Grove and Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood announced they are endorsing Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux over Fong. Boudreaux has racked up endorsements recently as two challengers in the race dropped out and announced their support for Boudreaux. A January poll showed 26.7% of likely registered voters would vote for Vince Fong, 10.8% would vote for Boudreaux and 10.6% would vote for Marisa Wood. More than third of respondents however, were undecided. The 20th Congressional District includes portions of Kern, Tulare, Fresno and Kings counties. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, makes an announcement regarding additional SkyRanger R70 drone support to Ukraine in Toronto, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press - image credit) The federal government is donating more than 800 drones to help the war effort in Ukraine, Defence Minister Bill Blair announced Monday. The SkyRanger R70 drones are made in Waterloo, Ont., and can carry cargo weighing up to 3.5 kilograms. The drones can be coupled with surveillance cameras to carry out reconnaissance missions, Blair said Monday. "These drones are going to help Ukraine's front line troops assess targets and threats quickly with accuracy and effectiveness," Blair said during a press conference in Toronto. The cost of the drones roughly $95 million comes from the $500-million military aid package announced by the government in June. Blair said the drones are expected to be delivered to Ukraine by the spring. Nearly two years since full-scale invasion began This coming week will mark two years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Canada's announcement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges Western allies to provide his country with more military assistance, especially long-range munitions. Zelenskyy said Monday in a social media post that Russia is taking advantage of delays in military aid. "The situation on the front line is extremely difficult in several areas, particularly where Russian forces have concentrated the majority of their reserves," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses media after bilateral talks with Swiss President in Kehrsatz near Bern, Switzerland, on January 15, 2024. Zelenskyy will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos starting on January 16, 2024. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that "the situation on the front line is extremely difficult in several areas." (Alessandro Della Valle/AFP/Getty Images) "We are working with partners to resume and continue assistance while also increasing the strength of our own domestic defence industry." Blair was asked Monday if Canada could provide more weapons specifically artillery shells and air-defence systems. The minister said Ottawa has provided Ukraine with artillery shells from Canada's own stockpile. He added that the government is looking at ways for Canada to increase domestic production of munitions, though he cautioned that would "take time." He also said that the promise of $406 million worth of surface-to-air missile defence systems, known by the acronym NASAMS, has been caught up in the U.S. legislative quagmire over aid to Ukraine. Democrats in the U.S. Congress have sought to pass legislation that would provide billions in aid to Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel, as well as implement new measures on immigration. But Republicans have blocked the legislation, arguing it does not contain strict enough provisions around the U.S. border. Blair said Monday that Canada had agreed to buy NASAMS for Ukraine along with the U.S., but that the purchase won't go through until the military aid is approved by Congress. "We are pushing as hard as we can to get those systems delivered. The Americans themselves have run into political process challenges that they're working through, but that doesn't take away the urgency," Blair said. Roland Paris, a former foreign affairs adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said the delay in U.S. aid is "the biggest threat to Ukraine's defensive capabilities." "Ukraine is suffering a growing shortage of artillery, ammunition and air defences," he told CBC News. "That gap needs to be closed in order for Ukraine to be able to put up a stiffer defence against Russian offensives." Maria Popova, a political science professor at McGill University, echoed Paris' point. She pointed to the recent announcement that Ukraine is withdrawing from the eastern city of Avdiivka as an example. "The fall of the city is absolutely the result of aid to Ukraine being blocked in the U.S. for months now," she said. In this screen grab from a video taken on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 by the BUAR done unit of the 110th Mechanized Brigade, an ariel view on the ground covered with craters from artillery shell explosions in a destroyed village of Stepove, near Avdiivka, Ukraine. About 150 bodies can be seen in two separate video clips filmed over treelines to the north and south of Stepove. (Ukrainian 110th mechanized brigade via AP) In this screen grab from a video taken on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 by the BUAR done unit of the 110th Mechanized Brigade, an ariel view on the ground covered with craters from artillery shell explosions in a destroyed village of Stepove, near Avdiivka, Ukraine. (Ukrainian 110th mechanized brigade/The Associated Press) Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's military chief, said over the weekend that he's withdrawing troops from Avdiivka, where they've battled a Russian assault for four months. Capturing the city is seen as key to Moscow's aim of securing the Donbas region a key Kremlin goal since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine started. Ukraine's withdrawal from the city of Avdiivka marks the biggest change on the front lines since May when Russian troops captured the city of Bakhmut, also located in the Donbas. "Ukraine needs massive military help as soon as possible in order to hold off or reverse further Russian gains," Popova said. A Ukrainian soldier takes his position on the frontline near Klishchiivka the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 19, 2024. (Iryna Rybakova via AP) OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) The Canadian government said Monday it will dispatch more than 800 drones to Ukraine starting as early as this spring. The Department of National Defence said in a statement that drones have become a critical capability for Ukraine in its war with Russia. It said the drones are important for surveillance and intelligence gathering, and can also be used to move supplies, including munitions. They will cost more than $95 million Canadian ($70 million) and are part of a previously announced $500 million Canadian ($370 million) in military help for Ukraine. The SkyRanger R70 multi-mission Unmanned Aerial Systems are manufactured by Teledyne in Waterloo, Ontario. The announcement comes days ahead of the two-year anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Canada previously donated 100 high-resolution drone cameras to Ukraine, and in the past two years has pledged $2.4 billion Canadian ($1.8 billion) in military assistance. PATERSON On a frigid February night, Natalie Perlaza stood outside her home in Paterson distributing balloons that were blue, green and white. Those were the favorite colors of her brother, Winston Perlaza, 22, who was killed in a hit-and-run collision in Nutley on Valentines Day while walking with his girlfriend. This is for you, my brother, said Natalie, as she released her balloon into the night sky during a family remembrance vigil on Saturday. You will always be in my heart. A remembrance table set up on the front porch where Winston Pelaza lived in Paterson. Other vigil attendees then released their balloons, and a few became entangled in the limbs of a street. Someone remarked that it was Wistons spirit wanting to stay earthbound. Suspect arrested The vigil outside the familys Park Avenue home took place on the same day authorities informed family members they had arrested a suspect. Dhkir Robinson, 42, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, operating a motor vehicle resulting in death with a suspended license, and endangering an injured victim. Justice will be served, said Natalie Perlaza, 24. The victims older brother, Erick Ferrer, said his siblings girlfriend, Jocelyn Pietri of Nutley, also was injured in the collision and remained hospitalized over the weekend. The two of them were on a Valentines Day date, the brother said. Natalie Perlaza, Winston Perlaza's older sister, embraces a loved one at Saturday's candlelight vigil. Police investigators were able to identify Robinsons car based on security camera footage from one of the neighbors living near where the crash took place, Ferrer said. Pietri's family had reportedly heard the violent impact of the collision on Milton Avenue and arrived at the scene moments later, said the deceaseds brother. Nostalgia: Remember NJ's retro blue license plates? There's a new effort to bring them back The grim details have only made the traumatic event more difficult to come to terms with for family members. His body lay on the ground from the moment of the accident until 1 in the morning, covered with a blanket, said Ferrer, sharing what Pietris family had told him. Winston Perlaza's mother last family member to see him Winstons mother, Ana Najera, was the last family member to see Perlaza before he left home on his date. That was my son, said Najera at the vigil, tearful as she showed Paterson Press her sweatshirt with an image of the late son. That was my baby. Ana Najera, Winston Perlaza's mother, was the last family member to see him before he died. Ferrer has been sleeping in his late brother's bedroom since coming back home to help his grieving family. Ferrer said he was recently trying to persuade his brother to move to West Virginia, where he lives with his wife and three children. But Perlaza was determined to stay in New Jersey where he recently had gotten a job as a mechanic at Route 46 Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Inside, Im just like them right now, said Ferrer, hearing his sister let out an agonizing moan. But I cant break down, because I have to keep an eye on them. The final viewing will be on Sat., Feb. 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Alvarez Funeraria, 66 Passaic Ave. in Passaic. The family is asking for donations to help cover the costs of the funeral arrangements. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Candlelight vigil held for Paterson man killed in hit-and-run Seven years ago, Scott Eckelaert started to notice brown, fishy-smelling water coming out of his faucets. The small village of Cleveland in Manitowoc County population of about 1,600 has been Eckelaert's home for 20 years. When he first reached out to village officials about six years ago, Eckelaert said they made him feel like he was the only one with this problem. This summer, Eckelaert posted about his home's discolored water on the village's community Facebook page for the first time. That's when he realized that searching the word "water" on the page brings up multiple comments and photos of residents complaining of the same thing. In response, Eckelaert says the village council offers hydrant flushing, which is the quick release of water from fire hydrants. But it takes as little as a few days for the discolored water to come back, he says. "We can't trust the water," he said. Village of Cleveland resident Scott Eckelaert sent this photo to village manager Stacy Grunwald in June 2023. The top cup is cold water from the kitchen sink, the middle cup is hot water from the kitchen and the bottom is water coming from the faucet in the bathroom, according to Eckelaert. Village resident Brian Smith, who lives about 2.5 miles west of Eckeleart, told Public Investigator that the brown or yellow water has stained his clothes and appliances. Smith said he has reached out to the village about his water every couple months over the past 10 years, although his last call was made over a year ago. "I dont let my kids drink the water," said Smith. "I actually buy bottled water and only use water to shower." That's not the only water issue bothering Cleveland's residents. Water bills for village residents are set to increase by more than 65% in April to compensate for new infrastructure, according to the village's water utility. One of the goals of the project, which began in 2020 and was completed last year, was to replace all water pipes in the village in an effort to improve overall water quality. Smith said that his water bills are already unreasonably high, at roughly $100 a month. "I'd move because of the water bills if I could," he said. DNR has tracked discolored water complaints since 2007, but assures residents it is likely only an aesthetic issue State and local officials have offered up a number of reasons for the waters occasional color and smell. The Department of Natural Resources has been tracking complaints of discolored water in Cleveland since 2007, mostly on the west side of the village. DNR field operations director Kyle Burton said the cause is usually stagnant water in the village's distribution system. When water is not regularly moving through pipes, sediment can build up. The problem is most likely purely aesthetic, Burton said. The water that Eckeleart says smells "fishy" and coats water softeners with "brown gunk," is, by law, tested annually for contaminants. According to the village's most recently available 2022 test, the water is in compliance with DNR safety standards. In response to Eckelaert's safety concerns, the village also tested a sample of his tap water for coliform and E. coli last year. According to a report completed by Badger Labs in August, neither bacterium was present. More: Anyone on a public water system can check if their water passed its safety test. Here's how. Like the DNR, local officials also attributed the issues to stagnant water created at the end of the village's water distribution system. In an interview in January, Stacy Grunwald, Cleveland's director of village services, said village officials have received six complaints since 2019, all from residents who live at a "dead end" on the water system. There isn't a widespread water quality issue, Grunwald said, and most problems are reported on a street called Meadowbrook Drive. "This one little group of houses," added Grunwald. "It's not even like the whole west end of town. It's just one (road)." DNR spokesperson Molly Meister said those complaints have generally been consistent with water main breaks, which are holes or cracks in the underground pipes. The village's recent project to replace the water mains was in part to reduce such breaks, said Meister. Village of Cleveland resident Scott Eckelaert emailed a photo of his tap water to village public works director Chris Jost and village manager Stacy Grunwald in July. Chris Jost, the village's deputy director of public works, said the village increased hydrant flushing in July 2022 to twice a month for houses on Meadowbrook Drive. For those who do not live on Meadowbrook Drive, like Eckelaert and Smith, Grunwald said the village works with homeowners to increase hydrant flushing as needed. She said the most recent village-wide hydrant flushing was in November 2023. Regarding the smelly water, Jost said that is often caused by the anode rod in the water heater decaying and reacting with the water. However, Eckelaert said the fishy smell comes and goes, and it doesn't depend on the temperature of the water. Public Investigator to test faucet water for manganese, other metals Despite the reassurances, Eckelaert remains concerned about the lack of explanation for his water's appearance, and said neither the flushing nor the improvements to the water system have helped. Both the smell and the discoloration are unpredictable, without any "rhyme or reason," he said. Since August, Eckelaert said the water has only been brown a handful of times. Over the summer, he said the discolored water would last for days. "That's what's frustrating," Eckelaert said. "Something will just come in out of the blue and then go away. Then come back." The uncertainty has impacted his wife's mental health, he added, as she wonders what she's bathing in or what she's making her coffee with. Smith, who lives on the opposite end of the village of Eckelaert, said his most recent spell of brown water was last month. Eckelaert took a photo of his kitchen sink water in a white bowl in order to show the water's discoloration in August 2023. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point groundwater specialist Kevin Masarik agreed with officials that discoloration could be caused by a dead end on the water pipe system, and that the brown or yellow color is often just an aesthetic issue. However, he pointed out that it can also cause other problems, such as staining and odor. Masarik also said testing for bacteria isn't the only way to determine if the water is safe. Upon viewing videos and photos of Eckelaert's discolored water, Masarik told Public Investigator that the brown water could be caused by high concentrations of manganese. According the state Department of Health Services, manganese is a naturally occurring mineral needed to form healthy bones and heal wounds. However, the DHS says high levels can affect the nervous system, especially for infants and people over the age of 50. While manganese doesn't usually pose a safety risk, Masarik said it would be worthwhile to test residents' water separately from the required annual water safety tests. The yearly test is taken from the source of the water system, he explained, not straight from residents' faucets. To provide clarity for village residents, Public Investigator ordered water test kits from a certified lab in Wisconsin that will scan Eckelaert and Smith's water for 32 metals, including manganese, as well as pH levels one sample when the water runs clear, and one sample when it runs brown or yellow. Due to the water quality's unpredictability, it is unknown when the discolored water will reappear in order to be tested. After questioning, village officials propose new plan for Eckelaert On Jan. 31, a few weeks after Public Investigator interviewed village officials about the water issues, the village's deputy director of public works reached out to Eckelaert with another potential solution. In an email to Eckelaert, Jost said he believes the longtime resident's water is coming from two separate locations, which may be causing sediment to be "stirred up." In hopes of clearing up the water, Jost said this year he plans to shut a water valve so Eckelaert's water only comes from one direction. In the meantime, Grunwald said the village's engineering firm, the DNR and Wisconsin Rural Water Association will continue to work together to identify the cause of the issue. "We're not dropping it," Grunwald said. "We'll keep taking data and we'll keep trying to figure it out for these few homeowners that are affected by this." As for the cost increase in water bills, Grunwald said it will pay off in the long run. "Failure to invest in the system would result in higher costs," Grunwald said, "and more disruption of service in the long term." Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter. She can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Quinn_A_Clark. Contact Public Investigator Public Investigator Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We'll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to watchdog@journalsentinel.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Village of Cleveland residents in Wisconsin complain of brown, 'fishy' water A car that was found submerged in a North Carolina creek last Friday may hold the answers to a 41-year-old mystery that has puzzled investigators for decades. On Dec. 10, 1982, three men, William Clifton, 30, David McMicken, 24, and Michael Norman, 32, vanished after leaving a bar in Chocowinity. Their last known sighting was in a black and white 1975 Chevrolet Camaro, police said. The case went cold for years. Now, a breakthrough has brought renewed hope to the families of the missing men and the tight-knit community that has been gripped by their unexplained disappearance all thanks to the efforts of a stranger. Jason Souhrada, a Myrtle Beach native, played a pivotal role in reopening the case. COLD CASES CRACKED IN 2023: UNSOLVED MYSTERIES THAT FOUND RESOLUTION His motivation stemmed from watching YouTube videos where people repeatedly searched the town without success. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP This prompted Souhrada to question why they hadn't explored Jack's Creek, a body of water in the town of Washington, located about 4 miles from Chocowinity. "I got inspired by YouTubers that searched multiple times in that town and could not find them," Souhrada told Fox News. "I questioned why they did not search this body of water and realized they couldn't access it with regular boats." SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER This led him to construct a makeshift remote-controlled sonar device for the task. He described it as a Boogie Board with a sonar contained in a mounted protective case. "I decided to build my sonar boat, as I don't have a real boat, nor have a place to keep one," he said. "A real boat would've been far more expensive. Plus, I only wanted to scan retention ponds and other areas real boats aren't allowed or can't access. Tons of missing people are found in retention ponds." Souhrada made two trips to North Carolina. The first was to scan what looked like a car on Google Earth in a large pond on a dirt road. After determining that it wasn't one, he shifted his focus to Jack's Creek and began scanning there. "Later, inspecting video recorded on the scanner, I noticed what looked like an upside down car, but wasn't sure, being this was my first time finding anything," he said. "So, after confirming with four dive teams across the nation, I went back for another scan for more images." He then turned over his findings to Washington Chief of Police Phil Rollinson and Sidney Dive Team Captain John Scott Rose Jr. TEXAS POLICE IDENTIFY SUSPECT IN NEARLY 30-YEAR-OLD COLD CASE MURDER USING DNA LEFT AT SCENE With the coordinates provided by Souhrada, the group organized a dive team to investigate the creek on the morning of Feb. 9, 2024. Family members of the missing men were also present. Kayla Melendres, McMicken's daughter, said, "Stepping onto the site, the reality hit me deeply." FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X "We were very hopeful that was the vehicle he was looking at," Rose told Fox News. "The dives went as usual. Normal bad visibility, and the depth is normal for the area. A lot of mud, trees, fishing lines. Lots of fishing lines all over everything from years of people fishing in there. Tree stumps, logs, things like that floated in and out of that place." Rose was the diver who successfully located the vehicle. "I found the vehicle after about 45 minutes of searching," he said. "The vehicle was in such bad shape that when I put my hands on it, it was hard for me to determine that it was even an automotive. Maybe it was a lawnmower or something. It seemed real small to me, but then I realized that it was small mainly because there was nothing left of it but the chassis and the axles and the motor." To retrieve the vehicle, the diving team and law enforcement drained approximately four million gallons of water from Jack's Creek, according to Rose. The vehicle, significantly deteriorated after decades underwater, was positively identified as the missing Camaro through a VIN number matching that of the car Clifton, McMicken and Norman were last seen in, according to Rollinson. COLD CASE MURDER OF KANSAS WOMAN, 20, SOLVED 34 YEARS LATER WITH CUTTING-EDGE DNA TECHNOLOGY, POLICE SAY Inside the car, human remains were discovered, prompting authorities to send them to a medical examiner's office for identification. Police said they would have to wait for the remains to be identified before determining whether any foul play might have been involved. The families of the missing men are now awaiting the results of the identification process. In a joint statement, the families have requested privacy to grieve, reflect and process these events in their own time. "They were very appreciative of us," Rollinson said. "They expressed how thankful they were that so many people were involved in the effort to recover the vehicle and what remains we could recover. We just want to give them some closure." Lea Rose, Cliftons daughter, emphasized the families' collective gratitude. "Without Jason Souhradas sacrifice, taking time away from his family to help ours, we wouldn't have this potential chance for closure," she said. "This has reopened wounds, initiating the grieving process anew for three families. Despite the pain, there's a slight relief in finally having some answers." "I feel like I am in a dream of sorts," ReAnne Mayo, Clifton's other daughter, told Fox News. "I never thought to prepare myself had we found them. For years, I may have been watching the sunset near the creek with my father nearby and never knew it." Original article source: Car found in North Carolina creek with human remains may hold answers to 1982 cold case Cargo ship 'taking in water' following attack by Houthis in Gulf of Aden A cargo ship reportedly is in jeopardy in the Gulf of Aden following an attack by Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The vessel, identified by Reuters as the British-registered, Lebanese-operated Rubymar, reported sustaining damage Sunday after "an explosion in close proximity to the vessel," the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported. "We know she was taking in water," the Rubymars maritime security company LSS-SAPU told Reuters, adding that two missiles were fired at the ship and its crew managed to evacuate safely. "There is nobody on board now," LSS-SAPU reportedly added. "The owners and managers are considering options for towage." US LAUNCHES 5 AIRSTRIKES AGAINST HOUTHI ANTI-SHIP MISSILES, DESTROYS UNDERWATER DRONE The cargo ship Rubymar, carrying Ukrainian grain, is seen in the Black Sea off Kilyos near Istanbul, Turkey in November 2022. Houthi Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree later issued a statement claiming the rebel groups responsibility for the attack, saying the vessel was "now at risk of potentially sinking." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "The ship suffered catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt," Saree said. The Houthis also claimed to have downed an American drone Monday in the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, according to Reuters. U.S. Central Command, which operates in the region, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. The Houthis last November took out a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone near the Yemeni coast. On Monday, the UKMTO and the private security firm Ambrey said a second vessel came under attack in the Gulf of Aden. Ambrey described the vessel as a Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned bulk carrier bound for Aden, Yemen, and carrying grain from Argentina. The same ship then came under attack again later in the day according to The Associated Press. AMERICAN FORCES SEIZE IRANIAN WEAPONS SHIPMENT HEADING TO HOUTHIS Houthi policemen ride on the back of a patrol pickup during the funeral of Houthi fighters killed in U.S.-led strikes, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Feb. 10. The reported attacks come after the U.S. launched five "self-defense" airstrikes against a series of Houthi rebel positions in Yemen on Saturday. The strikes targeted three anti-ship missile batteries, one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) and another unmanned surface vessel (USV), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Sunday. "This is the first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began on Oct. 23," CENTCOM said in a statement. "CENTCOM identified the anti-ship cruise missiles, unmanned underwater vessel, and the unmanned surface vessel in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels," the statement added. Fox News Anders Hagstrom and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Cargo ship 'taking in water' following attack by Houthis in Gulf of Aden Catherine Finnegan died in January after being hit by a bus outside London Victoria station The funeral of a woman killed at Victoria bus station in central London three weeks ago is to be held in Ireland on Monday afternoon. Catherine Finnegan, 56, died after being hit by a double-decker at a bus stop outside London Victoria station, just before 09:00 GMT on 29 January. Friends and family are expected to gather for a funeral mass in Tuam, County Galway, from noon. The Metropolitan Police said an investigation into the crash continues. No-one has been arrested, a spokesman told the BBC. Photos on social media showed a red double-decker bus which had crashed into a passenger shelter at Terminus Place. The bus driver, a 46-year-old woman, was taken to hospital but was discharged, the Met said. Transport for London's (TfL) chief operating officer Glynn Barton said TfL and bus operator RATP Dev Transit London were both working with police as the investigation continued. "In the meantime, measures have been taken to ensure the bus station remains safe for everyone," he said. Damage to the bus shelters have been made safe with temporary barriers installed to deter pedestrians from crossing other than at the designated crossing points, TfL said. Mr Barton added: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Catherine Finnegan who tragically died after a collision with a bus." Previously, a statement released by Ms Finnegan's family described her as a "very unique lady who had the fast Irish wit and made her family and friends so very proud of her bright, clever personality". "She will be forever in our hearts," they added. Since January 2014 there have been more than 80 deadly bus crashes, according to data published by City Hall on January 18. Six of those have been at bus stations, including Euston and Kingston in March 2014, Edmonton Green in 2020 and in Walthamstow in December 2023. In 2021, Melissa Burr, 32, was killed when she was hit by a bus while using a pedestrian walkway also at Victoria bus station. Conservative MP for the Cities of London and Westminster Nickie Aiken said the latest fatal collision prompted her to be "concerned about passenger safety". TfL has previously set specific targets for safe travel in London. It wants to see no bus-related deaths by 2030. Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk Sixteen years ago, things looked bleak for Ed Buckham. The former chief of staff to the House Majority leader had been swept up in a wave of scandal, found himself under investigation by the FBI and, ultimately, was forced to close down his lucrative lobbying firm. He was never charged with a crime and, now, Buckham has made a fairly quiet return to a notable role on Capitol Hill. Buckham is the chief of staff to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). Their partnership brings together a man who, before his fall from grace, was known as one of the most influential and effective operators in the halls of Congress and Greene, a MAGA firebrand who is trying to turn her popularity with the GOPs right-wing base into real power in Washington. In a statement to TPM, Greene praised Buckham as a worthy ally in her ambitious mission. I have big plans for the future of this country, so of course Im going to hire the best, Greene said. And Ill continue stacking my team to accomplish every goal I set. Greenes statement was provided by her office. It did not address questions about Buckhams past. Buckhams roller coaster congressional career started with stints as a staffer in multiple offices. He became known as one of the most powerful people in Washington during his time working for Tom DeLay, a Texas congressman who became the GOPs majority whip and ultimately majority leader with Buckham as his right-hand man. Buckham parlayed his position into a lucrative lobbying career until a snowballing series of scandals saw him exiled from K Street. Greene ultimately gave him a chance for a comeback as she seeks to climb the ladder as DeLay once did. Reached by phone last week, DeLay described Buckham as perfectly suited to help Greene plot a Washington ascent. She found him and shes very smart to have hired him, because no matter what her future is in the House or otherwise he can help you, DeLay said. The Hammer And The Handle A Tennessean, Buckham began his career in Congress in 1983 when he was in his mid-twenties. He started as a research assistant on the Judiciary Committee and worked for multiple Republican members before becoming executive director of the House Republican Study Committee, a group of the most conservative members. It was there that he met DeLay, who was, in his own words, ambitious and eager to move up in the world. We got to be friends and he wanted me to be chairman of the Republican Study Committee, which is a huge stepping stone to the leadership table, DeLay said of Buckham. So, I agreed and thats when we hooked up. He was executive director and I was chairman of the Study Committee and we drove the leadership crazy. Buckham joined DeLays staff in 1995. With Buckhams help and counsel, DeLay scored a series of partisan wins including helping drive the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton. During their run, DeLay earned the nickname The Hammer for the aggressive tactics he used to keep Republican colleagues in line. DeLay said Buckham was huge in developing the strategy. If I was The Hammer he was the handle, thats for sure, DeLay said of Buckham. U.S. House Majority Leader Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) speaks to the news media at a briefing after a closed meeting with President George W. Bush on Capitol Hill July 27, 2005. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images.) After working on DeLays staff, Buckham opened a lobbying firm, the Alexander Strategy Group, in 1998. The firm made millions and, according to the Washington Post, thrived thanks largely to its close connections to DeLay. Alexander Strategy Group also had DeLays wife on the payroll for four years. Then came the Abramoff investigation at the time perhaps the largest political scandal to hit DC since Watergate and it all came crashing down. The substance of what super lobbyist Jack Abramoff was accused of fraud in his dealing with his clients is not so much what the scandal is remembered for as the way it metastasized, expanding to include more and more people. A dizzying series of interconnected corruption cases swept through the Republican Party, culminating in the conviction of Abramoff, who was close with Buckham and DeLay. Both Buckham and DeLay were investigated as part of the probe during the mid-2000s, but were not found to have committed any wrongdoing and were not charged with a crime in conjunction with the case. Some of their colleagues were not so lucky. Two of DeLays senior congressional aides were among the group of Republican staffers and Bush administration White House officials who ended up being convicted or pleading guilty as part of the fallout from the Abramoff probe. Abramoff himself pleaded guilty to three felony charges in January 2006. The charges against Abramoff included fraud related to him steering Native American tribes that had casino operations to a strategy firm run by a former DeLay aide, Michael Scanlon. Both Abramoff and Scanlon, who pleaded guilty in 2005, also faced charges related to providing gifts to public officials in exchange for actions that benefited their clients and were sentenced to prison time following their pleas. The bribery scandal also led to the conviction of one Republican congressman, Ohios Bob Ney, who pleaded guilty in 2006 to multiple offenses after admitting he accepted trips, campaign contributions, and other gifts in exchange for official actions that benefited Abramoffs casino-running clients. There were extensive ties between Abramoff, Buckham, and DeLay. After leaving DeLays office, Buckham, who was an ordained minister, organized a conservative Christian non-profit called the U.S. Family Network. The group, which raised millions, paid substantial fees to Buckhams lobbying firm and was funded almost entirely by businesses linked to Ambramoff. This cash included a mysterious $1 million check that allegedly came from a pair of Russian oil tycoons. In my opinion, the money we took in to bring America back to God was all from these tainted sources, Christopher Geeslin, a former board president of the U.S. Family Network, told Washington States Spokesman-Review newspaper at the time. It was one of multiple interviews where he expressed concern about the groups finances. I believe that we were a shell organization for [Buckhams] own enrichment, and possibly public corruption, he added. A Concierge Operation While DeLay and Buckham were cleared in the Abramoff investigation, they were not unscathed. Buckham shut down his lobbying firm the week after Abramoff pleaded guilty. He directly attributed the closure to the scandal. DeLay resigned from Congress in April 2006, a week after one of his aides entered a guilty plea of their own. The scandal was widely seen as helping to precipitate DeLays downfall. At the time, DeLay also faced separate corruption charges in Texas over his fundraising operation. He was convicted in 2010 on state money laundering charges for allegedly funneling money he received from lobbyists who sought to influence him to other Republicans. He denied any wrongdoing, and the conviction was overturned in 2013. An overjoyed former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) greets colleagues and friends at the US Capitol after a Texas appellate court overturned his conviction for allegedly scheming to influence Texas state elections with corporate money, on Capitol Hill Thursday September 19, 2013. (Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images.) DeLays prodigious fundraising operation, which had attracted the interest of the FBI and authorities in Texas, was a key weapon in his arsenal as he hammered his priorities through the House. He backed the pet projects and campaigns of allies and funded primary challenges against his enemies. Through it all, Buckham was a key part of the operation. I give him credit for any successes that Ive had never lost a vote and all the good stuff we did, DeLay said of Buckham. He was right in there at the very beginning. He taught me everything I know. Hes quite the strategist. The pairs connection was spiritual as well as political. Buckham became DeLays pastor and they held intimate prayer sessions in the congressmans office. He was my mentor, my rock, my refuge, DeLay said of Buckham. DeLays vote counting and wrangling operation was known for its personal touch with members of the Republican caucus. He and his team knew all the members and their spouses. DeLay provided his colleagues with cigarette breaks and meals during late night sessions as well as what Newsweek described as an endless stream of birthday cards and get-well wishes, flowers and small favors. According to DeLay, Buckham was huge in developing the strategy and he knew the House better than anybody. We set up, really, what you could call a concierge operation, DeLay explained. In the end, the mix of campaign contributions, meals, and event tickets that paved the way for DeLay and Buckhams rise was key to their demise. The investigations that led both men to leave the Hill focused on their relationships with lobbyists and the mix of favors, campaign donations and gifts that swirled around them. After shuttering his firm in the wake of the Abramoff scandal, according to public records, Buckham worked with an RV dealership in West Virginia and other small businesses. However, he was never far from the Hill. Buckhams son and daughter have both worked as congressional staffers. In 2016, the right-wing Freedom Caucus reportedly considered hiring Buckham as its executive director a throwback to his days at the top of the Republican Study Committee. At the time, Politico covered the possible comeback and described Buckham as a controversial former top aide to Tom DeLay and central figure in the Jack Abramoff scandal. The Freedom Caucus ultimately went a different route. Keeping Her Options Open In the end, it was Greene, who has been mired in nearly constant controversies of her own, who brought Buckham back. Greene owned a Crossfit gym and became involved in conservative activism during Donald Trumps administration. She first ran for office in 2020 as a staunch supporter of the former presidents MAGA agenda. Since then, Greene has made national headlines for her history of anti-Semitic and Islamophobic comments as well as her embrace of paranoid theories about the coronavirus, QAnon, and even supposed Jewish space lasers. Greene was also involved in the conspiracy-fueled efforts to protest and overturn Trumps 2020 election loss that coincided with the Jan. 6 attack. Greene hired Buckham in October 2021 at a turbulent moment in her office. It was a little over nine months after she came to the Hill and her first chief of staff had quit shortly after Greene engaged in a shouting match with Democrats outside the Capitol. The bombastic, inexperienced Greene and Buckham, a devout behind the scenes operator might seem like an odd couple. However, each has something the other needs. Buckham brings the experience in dealmaking and diplomacy Greene needs if she hopes to move from MAGA influencer to wielding real influence. And, in Greene, Buckham found someone who had so much of their own drama that they were willing to look past his. As she announced Buckhams hiring, Greene praised him to the right-leaning Washington Examiner as a a strong conservative who has had experience in the swamp, so to speak probably more of it than most people working on the Hill right now. Greene also brushed aside any concerns about Buckhams past. This is a serious hire, Greene said. Its the first of more to come, and Im not afraid of the controversy. Apart from an article on the progressive site Raw Story, Buckhams comeback has attracted relatively little public attention. However, behind the scenes, the move made waves. DeLay, who still speaks with Buckham, was thrilled about his former chiefs return. He said he heard from other Republicans who were excited to see Buckham join forces with Greene. A lot of especially the conservatives and staffers it seems to me that theyre calling him up and getting advice. Hes very much involved in whats going on, DeLay said of Buckham, adding, I know that, when he walked into Greenes office I heard from a lot of people on the Hill that they were very excited about it. He talks to a lot of people, a lot of staffers especially. In a profile on Greene last year, the Washington Post did not mention Buckhams past ties to Abramoff. However, the paper noted that Republicans credited Buckham with giving Greene a focus on the inside game in Congress that had been instrumental in shifting her relationship with GOP leadership. That gamesmanship may be useful as Greene aims to go from the fringe to a far more central role in Washington. According to one senior Republican congressional aide, who requested anonymity to candidly discuss strategic deliberations, Greene is trying to set herself up for something. The aide said Greene angled to become Trumps running mate as he pursues a second term and has moved on to eyeing offices in her home state, such as a run for Senate or the governors race. Rep.-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) takes a photo with U.S. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) after being elected Speaker of the House in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 07, 2023 in Washington, DC. After four days of voting and 15 ballots McCarthy secured enough votes. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images.) According to a source close to Greene, she is keeping her options open including potentially taking a Cabinet position if Trump is re-elected or a leadership position on the Hill. As Greene seeks to gain power, she has notably broken with some of her colleagues on the right. Last year, Greene was ousted from the Freedom Caucus following tensions with her fellow conservatives over her support for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and her clashes with Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO). As other MAGA members and conservatives led the successful effort to oust McCarthy, Greene emerged as one of his vocal backers. She wanted to be a real player, DeLay said, praising Greenes handling of the speaker battle as a move that would help her gain ground. It was obvious to me she wanted to be a player and she used the Freedom Caucus as her base, but at the same time, she knew as time went on, here comes McCarthy, and she knew or somehow somebody told her that she needed to grab ahold of his coattails and support him. So she went from a leader in the Freedom Caucus to maybe backing off a bit and knew where the power was. And DeLay suggested Buckhams impact on Greenes approach was clear. I shouldnt say it that way shes a woman, DeLay began before briefly pausing and plowing forward with a laugh. I was going to say his fingerprints is all over her. Buckham rejected that notion in a statement provided to TPM by Greenes office. Marjorie Taylor Greene doesnt need Ed Buckham. Shes a force of her own. Im just here to assist, Buckham said. Buckham did not comment on his past work in Washington. Just The Way Business Was Done Back Then For his part, DeLay dismissed the scandals that brought both him and Buckham down as the beginning of the cancel culture. He painted the investigations as a conspiracy hatched by Democrats and competing lobbyists who were using our legal system as a political weapon and suggested similar forces are behind Trumps legal woes. Ed was investigated deeply, and they found nothing, and I knew they wouldnt, DeLay said. It was generated the whole investigation was generated by the Democrats aided by the Native American tribes, the lobbyists for the American tribes, because the lobbyists lost a lot of money to Abramoff and his operation and they wanted to destroy him to get rid of him. Despite believing he was unfairly targeted, DeLay has no regrets. None at all. It was time for me to go anyway, said DeLay. Abramoff, for his part, is not willing to weigh in on Buckhams comeback. Reached via phone on Monday, Abramoff declined to comment on this story. I am so sorry to be rude, but at this point, I do not speak either on or off the record to the media, Abramoff said. I hope you understand that this is not personal, but rather a blanket policy for now. Its a new rule for Abramoff. After being released from prison in 2010, he leaned into his infamy and made regular media appearances, including a stint as a mystery judge for TPMs annual Golden Dukes scandal and corruption awards in 2011. Abramoffs current silence may have something to do with a new round of legal woes. In 2020, Abramoff pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges related to an allegedly fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. The charges included violations of rules that were actually inspired by Abramoffs prior misconduct. According to court documents, Abramoff entered a guilty plea on two counts pursuant to a plea agreement that would involve continued cooperation with the government. Abramoffs attorneys and prosecutors jointly requested that his sentencing be postponed as the trial for the CEO of the cryptocurrency company is ongoing. A judge agreed, and the next status hearing in the case has been set for next month. Another figure associated with Buckhams controversial past had no similar reluctance to comment and he dramatically changed his prior story. Christopher Geeslin, the former board president of the U.S. Family Network, who had accused Buckham in newspaper interviews of taking tainted money from Russia, is happy to see Buckham back on the Hill. Geeslin called Buckham a fine man and suggested he had been somewhat naive when he expressed concern over the groups finances. Its just the way business was done back then I guess, Geeslin said. Geeslin, who is a pastor, suggested the situation had worked itself out perfectly. Ed Buckham, I consider him a good friend and any problems we had in the past, we dont have them now, he said, adding: In my opinion, hes right where God would want him to be and Im glad hes there. Former KSK commander Brigadier General Markus Kreitmayr (L) stands in the courtroom with his defence lawyer Bernd Muessig before the start of his trial. A criminal case against a former commanding officer of Germany's elite KSK special forces over thousands of rounds of missing ammunition has been dropped in exchange for an 8,000 ($8,600) charitable donation. Bernd Weibrod/dpa A criminal case against a former commanding officer of Germany's elite KSK special forces over thousands of rounds of missing ammunition has been dropped in exchange for an 8,000 ($8,600) charitable donation. Brigadier General Markus Kreitmayr had stood accused of failing to cooperate in criminal proceedings under German military law, because of his decision to let soldiers anonymously return potentially stolen ammunition to the special forces base. About 28,000 worth of ammunition was found missing during a 2019 inventory at the KSK's base in the town of Calw, located near Stuttgart in south-western Germany. Public prosecutors alleged that Kreitmayr's decision to appeal to his troops to anonymously return the ammunition made it impossible for police to properly investigate potential criminal thefts from the KSK's stocks. The court overseeing the case, however, had urged prosecutors to drop the charges in exchange for Kreitmayr making the donation to a charitable cause. Kreitmayr initially resisted the proposal, with his attorney arguing that it would leave his reputation tainted, but agreed after the presiding judge, Armin Ernst, assured him that he would have no criminal record. He would have faced up to three years in prison if convicted of the charge. Following the general's appeal, soldiers returned more ammunition than was missing. Before the trial, Kreitmayr acknowledged that his decision was in a disciplinary gray area, but said his priority was ensuring that the ammunition was secured and kept from falling into the wrong hands. The KSK is an elite unit of Germany's army, the Bundeswehr, who have regularly been deployed to conflicts abroad and also train for missions such as rescuing hostages. Kreitmayr served as commander of the KSK from June 2018 to August 2021. Embracing Our Differences will use a $102,786 grant from the Barancik Foundation to purchase equipment needed to display and store its annual international outdoor exhibition. The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation recently awarded $11.8 million in grants aimed at further improving education in Sarasota Countys public schools and preschools, expanding access to health care and the arts for underserved communities, supporting environmental education, and more. The grants were approved on Feb. 9 at the board of directors' first meeting of 2024. Education access and quality The Barancik Foundation awarded a total of $4.8 million to improve educational access and quality, including new funding for the Foundations three education initiatives. The Foundation directed $981,519 to its Teacher Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition initiative, which supports the Sarasota County School District. Funds primarily will pay for internships and mentoring for prospective new teachers, scholarships for residents pursuing a teaching degree, and other recruitment and retention activities. Additionally, $310,000 was approved for the Foundations TIME Fellowship program, which offers Sarasota County public school teachers the opportunity to complete a personal project. The board also allocated $1,126,500 for the Early Learning Initiative to recruit and retain more qualified preschool teachers, provide behavioral health supports in classrooms and to families, and offer professional development for teachers and preschool directors. The funding is aligned with a three-year grant of $2,379,965 to the YMCA of Southwest Florida to improve quality and expand access at Sarasota Countys largest childcare provider. Community well-being The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training will receive $50,000 to construct a sustainable Elizabethan-style set for all of its Shakespearean productions, which include educational performances for local students. Embracing Our Differences will use a $102,786 grant to purchase equipment needed to display and store its annual international outdoor exhibition. The board also approved a $550,000, two-year grant to Ringling College of Art and Design to support access and programming at Sarasota Art Museum (SAM) for community members who have been historically underrepresented. Jewish Family & Childrens Service of the Suncoast was awarded $563,744 to assist families with youth who are at risk or already involved with the juvenile justice system. The board also directed nearly $3 million to sustain the Community News Collaborative over three years. An initiative of Barancik Foundation, the nonpartisan, nonprofit news operation will become an independent nonprofit as it establishes itself as a content partner for local news outlets. Environment and health care The Foundation awarded $25,000 to the Longboat Key Foundation to help fund improvements at the 34-acre Quick Point Preserve, a coastal-restoration site at the southern end of Longboat Key. A $165,000 grant to Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage will enhance public access at the FISH Preserve adjacent to the historic fishing village of Cortez. With a grant of $250,000, Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay will repair and rehabilitate homes in Sarasotas Newtown neighborhood and in DeSoto County for residents who otherwise couldnt afford to pay for the work. The grant will be used toward project costs like weatherization, plumbing and electrical, and roof replacements, as well as to support a staff position in Sarasota. A grant to SunCoast Blood Centers for $46,000 will enable the organization to convert one of its bloodmobile buses from using gas-powered generators to operate equipment and air conditioning to using solar and battery power. The board also earmarked $250,000 for Barancik Foundations Health Equity initiative for marginalized communities. The Barancik Foundation board also approved $2,040,000 in grants to benefit more than 30 organizations that the Foundation supports annually, as well as $25,000 to support the charitable efforts of the Sarasota County Sheriffs Office. Submitted by Greg Luberecki This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Barancik Foundation invests nearly $12 million in community CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) You never know where life will land you. When Charlotte resident Brenda Robinson was a girl, she never dreamed one day shed land in the history books as the first black female Navy pilot. She never imagined she would land a plane on an aircraft carrier and be the second woman ever to do so. It was easy, Robinson quips. Just kidding, it was a lot of hard work. First Black female Navy pilot flies it forward And she couldnt have pictured herself inducted into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame. Charlotte resident Brenda Robinson was the first black woman to earn Wings of Gold as a Naval Aviator. (Photo courtesy of Brenda Robinson) And thats not all. Robinson is the first black woman to earn Wings of Gold as a Naval Aviator. Her accolades go on and on. It is a mystery to many of us where we are going in life, where we will end up, Robinson said. But it is important to just keep going. I tell young people, you are capable of so much more than you know. This ideology feeds Robinsons present passion flying it forward as the President of her quarterly non-profit Aviation Camps of the Carolinas. Helping with pilot shortage in Charlotte My father taught me to believe in myself to just go for it. He told me anything was possible. I believed him. Thats all it took. Looking back, that probably wasnt true for a girl of color born in the 50s, but I didnt know any better so I succeeded anyway. I want to instill this courage and confidence in others. Today, this trailblazer holds her aviation camps at various Charlotte-area airports like Concord-Padgett Regional. She offers single-day aviation career immersion camps, introducing teens to all things flying. For more information on camp dates, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Charlotte Murray, from Omagh, County Tyrone, was 34 when she was reported missing A new law which would see longer time in jail for killers who refuse to disclose where they have hidden their victims' bodies will be brought forward before the next assembly election, the justice minister has said. The legislation - dubbed Charlotte's Law after murder victim Charlotte Murray - would affect parole. The body of the 34-year-old, who went missing in 2012, has never been found. Her former partner Johnny Miller was convicted of her murder. Justice Minister Naomi Long said her department had tried to work with families and find ways to encourage killers to volunteer information about where victims' remains were. 'Remember them and grieve' She told Good Morning Ulster that under new legislation, killers would be encouraged to do this at each stage of the criminal process. "We would try to incentivise in some way disclosing that information and at the end it would also factor in to parole commissioner's decision as to whether to grant parole," she added. "The sooner that information comes forward, the more incentive there will be to give that information, the later it comes in the cycle the less. "The whole purpose of this is to try to give some relief to families who do not know where their loved ones are, so they can give them a decent burial where they can remember them and grieve. Mrs Long added that murderers would still face an automatic life sentence. She said Charlotte's Law would mean failure to disclose the location of remains would be recognised as a "significant aggravating factor" during sentencing in terms of the minimum number of years a killer must serve before they would be eligible for parole. Mrs Long said she intended to bring the legislation forward as part of a sentencing bill. Charlotte Murray's family has said her killer should not be released from prison until he reveals the location of her body. Her family has backed in their campaign to change the law by relatives of Lisa Dorrian, who disappeared in 2005, but her body has never been found. The justice minister said department officials had continued to work with the families of Charlotte Murray and Lisa Dorrian. In England and Wales, Helen's Law places a statutory obligation on the parole board to take into account an offender's non-disclosure of certain information when making a decision about their release from prison. Mrs Long had previously said she proposed "to consult on the introduction of provisions similar to Helen's Law". The legislation is dubbed Helen's Law after Helen McCourt, who disappeared in Merseyside in 1988. Her killer Ian Simms was freed from jail without disclosing the location of her remains. Fernando Loyo-Rodriguez, Wilker Gutierrez Sierra, Carlos Carreno-Carreno, and Yonnier Guasamucare Garcia (left to right) CHICAGO - Chicago police arrested four men in connection to a violent CTA Pink Line robbery in North Lawndale over the weekend. Four men allegedly robbed and beat a 49-year-old man on a CTA train in the 2000 block of South Kostner Avenue on Saturday. The following individuals are facing charges of robbery and aggravated battery/strangle: Fernando Loyo-Rodriguez, 22 Wilker Gutierrez Sierra, 21 Carlos Carreno-Carreno, 20 and Yonnier Guasamucare Garcia, 18 The robbery happened near the Kostner Pink Line station at 5:28 p.m. The men were arrested a few blocks away just 45 minutes later. Their detention hearings were scheduled for today. CHICAGO - A 25-year-old man is behind bars after Chicago police say he robbed someone inside a CTA train earlier this month. Julian Brandon, of Yorkville, is charged with one felony count of robbery and was issued a city ordinance citation. Brandon "forcefully" robbed a 28-year-old man inside a CTA train in the 0-100 block of E. Roosevelt Road, Chicago police say. He was arrested on Feb. 17 and his detention hearing is scheduled for Feb. 19. Nicki McGill, 34, was last seen Feb. 15. CHICAGO - The search for a missing 34-year-old woman in South Shore has reached day three and Chicago police are asking for the public's help. Nicki McGill was last seen Feb. 15 by her family members, according to Chicago police. She's described as being 5-foot-4 with brown eyes and black hair. Anyone with more information on McGill's whereabouts is urged to contact the Area One Detectives - SVU Office or call 911. China is increasing patrols in waters near a group of frontline islands controlled by Taiwan, as tensions rise after two Chinese fishermen drowned during a pursuit by Taiwans coast guard who accused them of trespassing. Chinas coast guard said Sunday its Fujian division will strengthen maritime law enforcement and carry out regular patrols in waters around the Chinese city of Xiamen and Taiwans Kinmen islands, which lie just miles apart. The move is aimed at further maintaining the order of operations in the relevant waters and protecting the lives and property of fishermen, Gan Yu, a spokesperson for Chinas coast guard, said in a statement. The patrols are likely to put Chinese coast guard vessels in closer proximity to their Taiwanese counterparts, potentially raising the risk of miscalculation and conflict. The escalation came days after a Chinese speedboat capsized while attempting to flee from Taiwans coast guard, which said it had trespassed to fish in waters about 1 nautical mile off Kinmens coast. Four crew members fell into the water. Two survived after being rescued by Taiwans coast guard, while the other two were found unconscious and confirmed dead after being taken to the hospital in Kinmen. Beijing has issued strongly-worded condemnations and blamed Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for the deaths, claiming it had used various excuses to forcefully seize mainland fishing boats and treat mainland fishermen roughly and dangerously. Such a vicious incident seriously hurt the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait during the Lunar New Year holiday a time for family reunions celebrated in both mainland China and Taiwan, Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office said on Thursday. Taiwan's coast guard inspects a vessel that capsized during a chase off the coast of the Kinmen islands on February 14, 2024. - Taiwan Coast Guard Administration/AP The Chinese Communist Party regards Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, as part of its territory, despite never having controlled it, and Chinese vessels are frequently active in the waters near Kinmen due to its geographical proximity to mainland China. Taiwan authorities on Thursday expressed regret over the deaths, but maintained that its coast guard officers were acting on their mandates in accordance with the law. On Saturday, Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office ramped up the rhetoric, saying the deaths had caused strong indignation in mainland China while denying Taiwans designation of restricted waters near Kinmen. Fishermen on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have been operating in traditional fishing grounds in the Xiamen-Kinmen waters since ancient times, and there is no such thing as prohibited or restricted waters, it said in a statement. The office also urged Taiwan authorities to release the two surviving fishermen from custody. In a rebuttal, Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council said Sunday it will continue to enforce the law in waters it controls and expel or detain trespassing vessels. It also denied Beijings accusations of rough expulsions, saying the unfortunate incident happened due to constant intrusions by ships that carry no name, have no certification or port registration, and the refusal to cooperate by crew members who made a dangerous move to flee. The case is being investigated by prosecutors in Taiwan, the council added. Kuan Bi-ling, Taiwans Minister of Ocean Affairs Council, said the two surviving fishermen under Taiwans custody were being taken care of and would be repatriated soon as the case progresses. Kuan added that Taiwans coast guard had previously rescued mainland Chinese fishermen and cargo ships despite rising military and political tensions across the Taiwan Strait in recent years. Over the past three years, 20 people from mainland China have been rescued by Taiwans coast guard, according to Kuan. China has increased economic, military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan and cut off most communications with Taipei since the DPP came to power in 2016. In the preceding years, during the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang governments term, rescue teams from Taiwan and mainland China had held joint maritime drills to practice search and rescue operations in a sign of warming ties. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Chinese coast-guard vessel and personnel on a rubber boat over Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on Thursday. JAM STA ROSA / AFP The Philippines' fisheries bureau says China is trying to "intentionally destroy" Scarborough Shoal. The fish-rich atoll is hotly contested by China but internationally recognized as the Philippines'. The bureau on Saturday accused Chinese vessels of pumping cyanide into the shoal's waters. The Philippines' fishing bureau has accused Chinese fishing vessels of using cyanide to destroy Scarborough Shoal, a fish-rich atoll in the South China Sea contested by both Manila and Beijing. "These Chinese fishermen use cyanide," Nazario Briguera, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, said on Saturday, per a translation from Filipino by The Philippine Star. Cyanide fishing is a controversial fishing method that typically involves dumping the highly toxic chemical near coral reefs or in fishing grounds to stun or kill fish so they can be easily captured. It's widely condemned because it indiscriminately affects most marine species in the area, causes severe damage to aquatic ecosystems, and can make fish harmful to handle or eat. But Brigeura accused the Chinese fishermen of using cyanide to also "intentionally destroy Bajo de Masinloc to prevent Filipino fishing boats to fish in the area," The Philippine Star noted. Bajo de Masinloc is the Spanish name for Scarborough Shoal. The spokesperson estimated that the alleged use of cyanide would result in about $17,850,000 in damages to the region, the outlet reported. The bureau said it hadn't conducted a formal study of the total damage but said it was a "serious concern," The Philippine Star reported. This photo taken on February 15, 2024, shows an aerial view of Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. JAM STA ROSA/AFP "We will see clearer, and we will have proof or evidence that this is really being done by Chinese fishermen and, apparently, other foreign fishers," Briguera said, according to a translation by the Philippine outlet GMA News. But the Philippine coast guard on Sunday said it hadn't found any evidence of Chinese fishermen using cyanide and couldn't confirm the fisheries bureau's accusation. "We don't have any scientific study or any evidence that would suggest that cyanide fishing in Bajo de Masinloc can be attributed to the Chinese or the Vietnamese fishermen," GMA News quoted a coast-guard spokesperson, Commodore Jay Tarriela, as saying. In an email to Business Insider on February 23, the fisheries bureau said it based its accusation on reports from local fishermen. "It is deeply concerning and we will be validating and investigating," the bureau's email said. The Philippines' fishing industry was known to use cyanide fishing back in the 1960s to capture live fish for aquariums and restaurants, though the practice has become less common. In 2023, a study from the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation in Cebu, the Philippines, found that some Filipino fishermen still used cyanide in the South China Sea. In response to the accusations, the Chinese state-linked tabloid The Global Times wrote that the Philippines had "groundlessly smeared" China over its cyanide claims. The outlet is known for sticking closely to Beijing's viewpoints. Scarborough Shoal, a pristine atoll that's now a hotbed for tensions Scarborough Shoal has been a focal point for territorial disputes in the South China Sea and is claimed by China, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The Scarborough Shoal is contested by The Philippines, China, and Taiwan. Screenshot/Google Maps The atoll, abundant with resources, has been used by Filipino fishermen for decades and was claimed by Manila in the 1930s. But China has more recently said the Chinese astronomer Guo Shoujing discovered the shoal in 1279, and Chinese fishermen had plied the area throughout history. In 2016, an international tribunal in the Hague overwhelmingly ruled in favor of The Philippines in a case deciding the ownership of the atoll. China rejected the ruling. Beijing has since patrolled the region with warships and coast-guard vessels, establishing de facto control of the atoll and often chasing out Philippine fishermen. Filipino fishermen aboard their wooden boats sailing past a Chinese coast-guard ship near Scarborough Shoal, in disputed waters of the South China Sea. TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images Meanwhile, fishing groups in the Philippines have said hundreds of Chinese vessels are entering the region and overfishing its waters. Researchers in Quezon City accused Chinese vessels in 2018 of damaging the atoll so much that the destruction could be seen on Google Earth. More recently, the Philippines accused China's coast guard of using "dangerous" maneuvers to harass and block a Philippine ship delivering supplies to fishing vessels. The Chinese embassy in Manila didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. February 23, 2023: This story was updated to reflect comment from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Read the original article on Business Insider Join the The Savannah Morning News (SMN) in recognizing another round of students who infuse positivity, innovation and sheer drive into their efforts to succeed academically as well as engage their school community. SMN aims to spotlight high school students deemed exceptional by principals, teachers or staff members from local public and private schools. Read over this weeks nominated students and select who you think should be named the Savannah Morning News Student of Week: Lauren Willcoxon, sophomore, Savannah Christian Preparatory School Lauren Willcoxon is a member of the Savannah Christian Preparatory School (SCPS) Marching Band, Concert Band, Literary Team, and Tri-M music honor society. Willcoxon earned High Honor Roll last semester while enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors classes. Lauren was inducted into the National Honor Society this week and has also been chosen as one of SCPS's Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation seminar representatives for 2024. Lauren was elected to participate in the Furman University Honor Band Clinic in Greenville, South Carolina, in November, and was nominated to attend the 74th annual JanFest Band Clinic at the University of Georgia in January. While at this clinic, she was named to one of the Honor Bands. Lauren was also named to the District Honor Band last week. Mayes Keck, junior, Benedictine Military School Mayes Keck has been described by Benedictine Military School school leaders someone who "does not look for anything in return." Keck is known to be compassionate and caring. He was the Southern Motors Student of the Month (October 2023). Mayes is always willing to step up and help peers, but also with his teachers. He is bothered by injustices and seeks peace as he walks with God. He is honest and can always brighten your day. Yesha Patel, sophomore, Windsor Forest High School Yesha Patel holds an executive level position within the DECA club. DECA is an international club that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges, through career development and competitions. Patel has been competing in the Principles of Marketing event. She was a top 3 finalist at the Georgia Regional competition (December 2023), a top 10 finalist at the Georgia State competition (February 2024), and she has advanced to the International competition taking place in Anaheim, California in April. Vote now! Nominate a student Public and private high school principals, leaders, counselors and teachers are welcome to submit nominations for next week's poll to studentoftheweek@savannahnow.com. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah morning news first student of the week poll Chris Cartledge, who has died aged 100, was a Fleet Air Arm pilot who flew the F4U Corsair the Bent-Wing Bastard on operations against the Germans and the Japanese in the Second World War; he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross aged 20 and qualified twice as a member of the Goldfish Club, whose members had ditched at sea. In August 1944 Cartledge took part in Operation Goodwood, the attack on the German battleship Tirpitz which was hiding in the Norwegian fjords. Goodwood was the largest-scale bombing raid by the Fleet Air Arm so far in the war, over a period of several days, when many newly qualified naval aviators were blooded. To maintain surprise, a number of faster Corsairs of 1842 Naval Air Squadron carried 1,000lb bombs: it was not known whether they could even take off in the wind but, using the full length of Formidables flightdeck, they flew at sea level to avoid German radar before climbing over the mountains. The Corsairs led the attack, surprising the Tirpitz before the Germans could generate a smokescreen and dive-bombing from 10,000ft at a 45-degree angle. Cartledge was third in line behind his commanding officer, Tony Judy Garland. Cartledge recalled that the air was thick with black bursts of flak and yellow balls of tracer from blazing guns on the side of the fjord and from Tirpitz as she appeared to slip past his head. There were funnels of frothing foam from exploding bombs as he saw his wingman, John French, blasted out of the sky, and pulling away so hard that he almost blacked out, he sped along the floor of the fjord as bullets kicked up the surface of the water. Cartledge was awarded the DSC. He was puzzled to be singled out, but decided that a few medals were being sprinkled about, and he accepted the award on behalf of all his squadron. HMS Formidable in 1945 Next, 1842 Naval Air Squadron deployed in Formidable to the Far East, where they took part in bombing and strafe-ing operations against land and sea targets on Japanese islands and the mainland. He was airborne when Formidable was hit by a kamikaze pilot on May 4 1945, and had to land on the carrier Indomitable. Despite three killed and 47 wounded and 11 aircraft destroyed, Formidable, thanks to her armoured flightdeck, was quickly serviceable again. Then on July 17 1945, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire as he strafed the Matsushima airfield on the mainland of Japan. He struggled back to Formidable, thinking his hydraulics had been damaged and opting to bale out close to mother. Finding that he was unable to release the cockpit hood, he circled the ship waiting for her to complete emergency landing preparations, all the while continuing to try to jettison the hood. He let go of the control column to enable him to twist round and get both hands on the canopy, at which point his Corsair cartwheeled and crashed into the sea. Luckily, the impact snapped Cartledges parachute and seat straps, knocked off the canopy and threw him clear. He was picked up by an accompanying destroyer, and suffered no more than a few cuts and bruises. All he remembered was coming to, floating on the water in his Mae-west, and watching the last of his plane sinking under the water. Cartledge, second from left, with his squadron after returning from the strike on the Tirpitz On September 19 1945, at wars end, as Formidable steamed into Sydney harbour, Cartledge reflected that of the 18 pilots in the first squadron photograph, only nine had survived: I hope they werent wasted but one shouldnt forget, otherwise what little we did achieve will definitely be wasted. Christopher Reginald Cartledge was born at Egham, Surrey, on December 16 1923 and educated at City of London School, then at its wartime home at Marlborough College. His father had been shot down while flying a Sopwith Camel of the Royal Flying Corps and spent much of the First World War as a prisoner of war. Young Cartledge volunteered for the Fleet Air Arm as soon as he could and on his 18th birthday started his naval training. He first flew the de Havilland Tiger Moth before taking passage in RMS Queen Mary to continue his training in Canada. Chris Cartledge in Ontario, 1942 Returning to Britain on August 18 1943, Cartledge was attempting his first ever deck landing in a Sea Hurricane on the carrier Argus off Scotland when, going round on his fourth try, he veered to starboard off the centreline of the flightdeck, and the ships radio mast sliced three feet off his starboard wing. His aircraft slid over the side and made a graceful, curved descent into the Clyde: he was taken aboard a destroyer, given dry clothes and filled up with gin. A month later he returned to make his first successful deck landing. Later, while based at HMS Nightjar, as RNAS Inskip was known, Cartledge borrowed an unfamiliar Sea Skua in order to keep a date with a Wren in Liverpool. Unfortunately, he collided with a Seafire while taxi-ing, causing minor damage, and on returning was charged and court-martialled. The court was unimpressed by his defence which was that the Seafires camouflage was so good that he could not see it against the background of a muddy airfield, but his CO thought he was too good a pilot to lose and spoke up for him strongly in front of senior officers. He was found guilty but only lost two months seniority. In 1944 Cartledge returned to North America, to Brunswick, Maine, to learn to fly the long-nosed, high-performance Chance Vought Corsair. It was so difficult to handle in the approach to carrier landings that it became known as the Bent-Wing Bastard or the ensign killer and it was given to the US Marine Corps and to the Royal Navy to master. Adopting a curved approach to ensure that the flightdeck was kept in sight as long as possible, young Fleet Air Arm pilots like Cartledge tamed the Corsair and it was brought into service on small British carriers before it was cleared for use in the US Navy. Chris Cartledge on his 100th birthday Post-war he joined his grandfathers company, A Cartledge and Sons, buying and selling non-ferrous metals. As a youth Cartledge was rebellious, but in the early 1960s he converted to Catholicism and his religion found practical expression as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and the St Vincent de Paul Society, as organist and choir director, and as treasurer or chairman of the churches where he worshipped. Until a year ago he travelled long distances to visit family members and called on former neighbours in their care homes. Cartledges story and that of his flying companions in the British Pacific Fleet is told in Will Iredales The Kamikaze Hunters (2015). In 1948 he married Dorothy Taylor, a calligrapher and bookbinder, whom he met while he was a student at Goldsmiths Art College on an ex-servicemens grant. She predeceased him in 2009. He is survived by their three daughters and a son. Christopher Cartledge, born December 16 1923, died January 21 2024 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. Church fires in Topeka, one wants to press charges TOPEKA (KSNT) Two Topeka churches had property intentionally set on fire last night. Area residents shared pictures of the fire on social media around 7:36 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18. The Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship reportedly suffered property damage in the form of a charred fence and trees. At 6:45 p.m., the Topeka Fire Department responded to a fire at the Trinity Presbyterian Church at SW 21st and Edgewater Terrace. A fire was seen close to a fence near the church. Crews were able to extinguish the fire. A fire at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship saw significant damage from the fire. As a result of the fires, a 15-year-old male was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention Center on the charge of Arson: Unknown Circumstance. The churches are located across the street from each other. When asked, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship said it would press charges concerning this incident. Avoid the paddy wagon on Fake Pattys Day Both churches were unoccupied at the time. TPD and TFD want to thank the community for their vigilance and assistance during this incident that resulted in an arrest, City of Topeka Spokeswoman Rosie Nichols said. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Civil servants have been told to work from home after offices used by government departments including a health agency became infested with bedbugs. Staff at 10 South Colonnade, home to the UK Health Security Agency in Canary Wharf, east London, have been advised to avoid entering the office while treatment to eradicate the parasitic insects is carried out. Parts of the fourth floor of the building underwent an initial treatment in late January but precautionary treatments on the entire building are still in progress, with one scheduled for this weekend amid fears the infestations may have spread. Staff have been told not to go in on Saturday while the works are carried out. The insects were first detected by a specialist sniffer dog in late January, with the initial treatment taking place on a week night outside of working hours. Precautionary treatments carried out Since then there have been two whole-building precautionary treatments carried out over the weekends of Feb 10 and Feb 17, with the third planned for Feb 24. A Cabinet Office spokesman said they were continuing to monitor the situation after each treatment and that staff would receive advice on how to respond to the infestation from individual employers. This was to avoid any disruption to staff who were working during the week. The building is home to several government agency staff, including those from the Pensions Ombudsman, HM Revenue & Customs, the UK Health Security Agency and the Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The Government began using the Canary Wharf offices in 2016 and the MHRA relocated there from its former Victoria headquarters in June 2018. Unionists have called on the Government to urgently eradicate the problem. Garry Graham, deputy general secretary of Prospect, said: This may seem like a trivial matter but for anyone who has had bed bugs they will know the deep and lasting irritation an inconvenience and infestation can cause. Any employer must take this seriously, health and safety is not just about danger to life. We have raised the matter urgently with the Government Property Agency to be sure they are taking the necessary steps to eradicate the problem and to prevent the threat. Underwent two deep cleans Parts of the Governments energy department were temporarily closed in July 2023 amid reports of unspecified insects in the building. The 1 Victoria Street London office, home to the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero in Westminster, underwent two deep cleans and further testing in an effort to remove the pests. Concerns over bedbugs shot up after a French epidemic resulted in the insects infesting the countrys hotels, cinemas and public transport in 2023. More than 2,700 industry experts from 30 countries gathered in the French capital for a Parasitic Paris conference in October 2023, dedicated to discussing the possible spread of the insects. The infestation led to additional deep cleaning of the Eurostar and debates around the grounding of flights to prevent the bugs spreading to Europe and the UK. At the time, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said the possibility of bedbugs spreading to the capitals public transport was a real source of concern. A Cabinet Office spokesman said: Treatment to the original site on the fourth floor has now been completed. As a precautionary measure, whole-building treatment has been conducted over the weekend to avoid disruption during the tenants working hours. The final treatment will be applied this weekend. We will continue to monitor the building for any signs of infestation. 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. Petronella Wyatt: Starmers intimates are not the revolutionary sons of toil, but sprout from some of the most elevated families in the land - Eddie Keogh/Getty Our thoughts must now turn to Labour. It is instructive to remember that there is no snob like a Labour snob. When my father was the Labour MP for a northern constituency, he would give regular soirees for the local miners and their wives. With unerring snobbisme, the miners insisted that everyone wore black tie, and expressed grave disappointment if the wine served was not claret. Earlier, while at Oxford, he became friendly with the future Labour Cabinet minister Tony Crosland, a man of great dash and glamour, who on one occasion threw guests out of his rooms for not coming to a dinner formally dressed. You would think that panjandrums of the Labour Party, like the artist of any dignity, would be against the environment in which God had placed them, and thus pathologically opposed to its conventions, as well as indifferent patriots. Artistic names suggest themselves instantly: Goethe, Shelley, Thackeray, Tolstoy, Pope and Swift; most of them piously hated by their contemporary 100-per-centers. All were bitter critics of their time and nation. Dante put all the patriotic Italians of his day into Hell. Shakespeare made his heroes foreigners and his clowns Englishmen. Swift finished the Irish and then the English. Historically, this is not so with Labourites, however. (Even Guy Burgess once punched a man in a nightclub for refusing to stand when the band played the national anthem.) Keir Starmer, one feels, differs little on essentials. It is inevitable that an incoming Labour government will remove the remaining hereditary peers from the House of Lords, but this will be a piece of worthless meat to throw at the partys more covetous dogs, and Starmers heart wont really be in it. Besides, it is increasingly impossible, as many Tories would agree, to defend the hereditary principle in the 21st century, and who is to say that a future Conservative government, under, for instance, Kemi Badenoch, would not do the same? It would be a reform in the Thatcherite tradition. In a modern democracy there is always a strong capacity for envy, and most voters get a glow out of hallucinations like Puritanism. In the face of another persons good fortune, the average human being feels not inertia but extreme distress, as they do at a rich man having more money than they, or their neighbour having a better-looking and more intelligent partner, or a larger house. Most of us would like to be hereditary peers, and to live in the grandeur we mistakenly imagine they inhabit (an earl of my acquaintance resides in a leaky semi south of the river), and thus, in theory, resent their continuing existence as lawmakers. If you take envy out of democracy, you rid it of its lifeblood. But this does not mean that Starmer is a class warrior. He does not seem to suffer from envy, and probably has little time and feels little sympathy for people who do. I doubt he has a desire to punish those with a superior capacity for happiness or bring them down a peg or two just for the sake of it. According to friends of mine who know him well, he appears to be a man of serene spirit and a steady freedom from moral indignation. He fights in the manner of a gentleman fighting a duel, as opposed to brawling like a drunken longshoreman. The present Labour leader is not so dissimilar from those northern miners when it comes to a dash of healthy and civilised snobbery. It is telling that Starmers intimates are not the revolutionary sons of toil, but sprout from the ancient soil of some of the most elevated families in the land. When Labour takes power, I have been told, Starmer intends to appoint as Lord Chancellor his good friend Edward Fitzgerald KC. Edward is also a friend of mine. He happens to be the son-in-law of Lady Antonia Fraser, of the great and aristocratic Whig dynasty. The Frasers are not plutocrats, which, in a democracy like ours, tend to be mistaken for aristocrats. They have the clean tradition of a true aristocracy: culture, public spirit, honesty and courage. They stand under bond of obligation to the state and have behind them a century of public duty. It is encouraging that Starmer prizes excellence and has no aversion to salons, as well as saloons. Lady Antonias parties are some of the best in London. Nobody in politics functions properly without a salon, which is where the Tory party lags lamentably behind. I once wrote that the teetotal Rishi Sunak lacked pint-ability, that bonhomous lure that makes the voter believe they could spend an agreeable evening with him, sinking pints and shooting the conversational breeze. The Frasers often favour champagne over beer, though they like both, but that is no obstacle to seeming democratic these days. One of the silliest things David Cameron did as prime minister was to ban his ministers from being seen drinking champagne in public. He failed to realise that we like our leaders to appear to know what the man on the street is thinking, but not to take us for fools and pose as the man on the street himself. Snobbery has gained a poor name, but it means, in fact, a preference for the best. If Starmer is in the great tradition of Labour snobs, it ought to provide some comfort to nervous voters. 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 machine caught fire at an apparel manufacturing facility in Salisbury caught fire Sunday morning. South Salisbury Fire Department said they went to a Gildan Yarns plant on Chamandy Drive around 6:30 a.m. Sunday for a working commercial structure fire. Employee burned during fire at Monroe plant Gildan Yarns confirmed with Channel 9 that the fire started in one of their machines. The fire was contained within the equipment, so the structure was not damaged. There were no injuries either. A spokesperson said the machine is now in repair and the plant remains fully operational. Gildan Yarns has eight yard-spinning facilities in the United States, all located in North Carolina. The manufacturer spins yard for brands like Comfort Colors, Goldtoe, and its namesake brand, Gildan. This embedded content is not available in your region. We are currently investigating the cause of the incident and are taking all necessary precautions to prevent any recurrence. The safety and wellbeing of our employees remain our top priority, and we appreciate the swift response and the professionalism of our team on the ground, as well as that of the fire department, said the Gildan Yarns spokesperson. Channel 9 asked the fire department how long firefighters worked to control the fire. (WATCH: Toddler, grandmother die after fire engulfs house in Chester) In an unusually blistering ruling, a Miami-Dade appeals court has overturned as unlawful a city of Miami zoning board decision blocking a county plan to remake and reopen the historic, shuttered Coconut Grove Playhouse -- but it doesnt mean the long-stalled project will get underway anytime soon. The unanimous decision, issued Feb. 9 by a three-judge panel of Miami-Dade Circuit Courts appellate division, is the latest in a string of stinging legal losses for a group of Grove activists and residents who have nonetheless succeeded in thwarting the countys playhouse revival plan for eight years, and now vow to continue doing so until all legal avenues are exhausted. Some activists and preservationists oppose the county plan because it calls for demolishing the large auditorium at the rear of the state-owned 1927 playhouse, a designated historic site that is widely considered one of Floridas principal cultural and artistic landmarks, and replacing the performance hall with a smaller, $20 million modern theater. The playhouses distinctive, winged three-story Mediterranean front building would be preserved and restored. The county, which has an agreement with the state to reopen the legendary theater, has repeatedly prevailed in a series of political and legal battles over its fate, but the long-running drama shows few signs of cooling off. Now judges who have more than once ruled emphatically in the countys favor appear to be losing patience with some of the plans leading opponents. This time, the appeals court ruled that the citys planning and zoning board had zero authority to effectively deny the county permission to move forward last year when it granted an appeal filed by a pair of Grove residents and activist attorney David Winker challenging a partial demolition permit authorized for the project by the city planning department. The appellate panel also pointedly noted that the boards action ignored previous court rulings. The Coconut Grove Playhouse, a historic 1927 landmark, has been closed since 2006. PATRICK FARRELL/MIAMI HERALD STAFF The city of Miami agreed with the court, acknowledging in a legal document that the zoning board, made of up of volunteers who act independently as a quasi-judicial body, had made its decision in error. The appellate decision came with an unusual judicial rebuke. In a concurrent opinion, one of the judges raised potential ethical lapses by Winker in the case. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Maria de Jesus Santovenia said Winker may have tried to conceal unfavorable evidence in the case, a claim the attorney strenuously denies. She also sharply upbraided the zoning boards vice chairman, Grove preservationist and developer Anthony Andy Parrish, for failing to recuse himself from the boards hearing on the demolition permit appeal even though he has been a leading public voice in opposition to the county playhouse plan. Parrish led discussion of the demolition permit appeal as acting chair. The conflict and bias, or at the very least the appearance of a conflict and bias, raised in the record is so startlingly apparent that it cannot be ignored, Santovenia wrote. Parrish said Friday that he believes he acted correctly. He openly disclosed his role in opposing the playhouse, and asked his fellow board members whether he should recuse himself, he said. They declined the offer, Parrish said. I am completely unapologetic despite being chastised, Parrish said, adding that he believes the court ruling is flawed. Winker, Parrish and other critics of the county plan have urged development of an alternative that would preserve the full playhouse building with a larger capacity for Broadway-style productions, an idea county cultural affairs officials and theater consultants have dismissed as financially unfeasible. No fleshed-out alternative plan has surfaced. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Commissioner Raquel Regalado, whose district includes the Grove and who has tried unsuccessfully to broker a settlement, praised the appeals court ruling in a joint statement. Last weeks Court ruling is a win for our community. Miami-Dade County is committed to a thoughtful rehabilitation of the historic Coconut Grove Playhouse. Working with the City of Miami, we now can move forward with preserving and rebuilding the Coconut Grove Playhouse, which has remained dormant for too long, the statement read in part. In an interview, Regalado said she recognizes opponents will continue litigating, but contended that theyre running out of legal grounds on which to fight. Were getting to the end. There is not not much left here left to litigate, she said. Ive tried to do as much as I can. This is where we find ourselves. The activists say they are undeterred by the courts decision and plan to appeal. If they do, that would likely prolong the legal fray by months, if not years. The demolition appeal added a year to the saga. Winker, who said hes working pro-bono, contends he did nothing wrong in his handling of the case, but declined to elaborate, saying he will respond in detail in a formal motion asking the appellate court to reconsider its decision. If that tack fails, he added, he and his clients plan to challenge the decision on demolition at the Third District Court of Appeal. Were going to have another crack at it with this court. We feel there are a number of issues the court did not consider. Its just another step in the process of appeal, Winker said. The playhouse is a protected city landmark for both its architecture and its long history of theatrical productions featuring leading stars of the stage, including the U.S. premiere of the classic modern play Waiting for Godot. But it has been vacant and in a sate of advancing deterioration since financial problems facing its non-profit governing board forced an abrupt closure in 2006. In 2014, then-Miami Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez brokered a complex agreement with the state, Florida International University and the GableStage theater group to rebuild and reopen the playhouse. But opponents of the plan won Miami Mayor Francis Suarez to their side. The plan requires city permits to move forward, but Suarezs 2019 veto of city commission approval set off three years of litigation between the city and county. Suarez and the city opted not to pursue further legal action after a final court defeat in June of 2022. That court decision cleared the way for the city to issue a demolition permit. But the zoning board blocked the permit in March of last year after Winker filed an appeal on behalf of a couple who live close to the playhouse property, Anthony Vinciguerra and Courtney Berrien. In overturning the board decision, the appellate panel ruled that the county had met all requirements for the permit, but that the board erroneously considered issues not pertinent to the matter in granting the appeal, while Vinciguerra and Berrien raised legal arguments that were entirely without merit, the court decision says. In exceeding its authority, the board applied the wrong law, made a decision unsupported by competent substantial evidence and deprived (the county) of due process, the decision says. This case is not complicated, the ruling adds. Patti Davis, Ronald Reagans daughter, says her father was not someone who was fractured in age during his time as president Ronald Reagans daughter has backed the introduction of cognitive tests for presidential candidates, saying they are probably a good idea. Patti Davis was asked if the mental capacity of those running for the White House should be subject to examination amid concern over Joe Bidens memory. Yeah, I mean, in just what we know about what age can do. It doesnt always do that, but it would probably be a good idea, Ms Davis said in an interview with NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. My father was 77 when he left office after two terms. It seems so young now, doesnt it? At the time of his election in 1980, Reagan, at 69, was the oldest president ever to take office. Ronald Reagan was 77 when he left office after two terms - Dirck Halstead/The Chronicle Collection He announced he was suffering from Alzheimers disease in 1994, five years after leaving office, at the age of 83. There remains speculation that Reagan began suffering the effects of the disease while still in the White House. Donald Trump was 70 at the time of his election in 2016 while Mr Biden, now 81, was 78 when elected in 2020. A US special council report this month found that Mr Biden has significant limitations in his memory. Ms Davis said that her father was not someone who was fractured in age during his time as president. I mean, yes, I probably thought he was old because he was my father, and we think that about our parents, but not in the way that were talking about now, she said. Mr Biden and Mr Trump look like the likely nominees for this years presidential election and, if elected, they would both be in their 80s by the end of their terms. Nikki Haley, Mr Trumps Republican challenger, has said the age of the likely nominees is a national security matter. Since the special council report on Mr Biden, her calls for cognitive tests for politicians over the age of 75 have intensified. A recent poll by ABC News/Ipsos found 59 per cent of Americans think both candidates are too old to serve as president again. 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 student at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs was arrested Monday in connection with the shooting deaths of two people at a campus dorm room over the weekend, authorities said. The Colorado Springs Police Department said Nicholas Jordan, 25, of Detroit is suspected of two counts of first-degree murder. University spokesperson Jenna Press said he was enrolled at the school when the shooting happened Friday. Police said officers from the motor vehicle theft unit spotted Jordan in a car less than three miles from campus Monday morning and he was arrested without incident shortly afterward. The department identified the victims as Samuel Knopp, a 24-year-old student at the university, and Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, who was not enrolled in the school. The UCCS Police Department was called after shots were heard at Crestone House, an on-campus dormitory, around 6 a.m. Friday. Police found two people dead in the room where shots were fired. Students look outside their dorm window in the Village at Alpine Valley housing, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, as police investigate a shooting on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus in Colorado Springs, Colo. University police requested assistance from the city police, which took over the investigation. The university was under lockdown for several hours Friday as police worked to determine if there was an active shooter on campus. Police are continuing to investigate but so far have ruled out a murder-suicide scenario. "Investigative efforts so far continue to indicate this is an isolated incident between parties that were known to one another and not a random attack against the school or other students at the university," city police said. 'Please remember that you are not alone' The university was closed over the weekend and classes were canceled Monday, though dozens of people participated in a memorial walk at the school of more than 11,000 students and nearly 2,000 faculty and staff. "As we mourn the loss of Samuel Knopp and Celie Montgomery, my hope is that we will come together as a community, support one another and share in our grief. Please remember that you are not alone," Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet wrote in an email to students. Sobanet said Knopp was "a senior studying music and a beloved member of the Visual and Performing Arts department." A police officer stands outside a dorm in the Village at Alpine Valley housing, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, as police investigate a shooting on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus in Colorado Springs, Colo. "He was an accomplished guitar player and an extremely talented musician," she said. Although Montgomery was not a student, she will be "mourned by our campus community," Sobanet said. The fatal shooting comes a week after another student died on campus. The Scribe, UCCS' student newspaper, reported that on the night of Feb. 12, nursing student Mia Brown died after having a medical emergency at the rec center on campus. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado Springs university shooting: student arrested, victims ID'd Former President Trump speaks this month at a rally in Conway, S.C., where he said he would encourage Russia to attack U.S. allies who don't spend enough on defense. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press) Former President Trump hasnt officially won the Republican presidential nomination yet. But hes already throwing his weight around on foreign policy and Republicans in Congress are falling in line. At a campaign rally this month in South Carolina, Trump said he would encourage Russia to attack U.S. allies that dont spend enough on defense. No, I would not protect you, the former president said he told European leaders. In fact, I would encourage [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want. It was an extraordinary statement for a presidential candidate, and it drew rebukes from President Biden, who called it shameful" and un-American, and European leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said any suggestion that the United States would not defend allies was "dangerous" and "only in Russia's interests." But most Republicans in Congress excused it as just another example of Trump being Trump. I have zero concern, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said. He doesnt talk like a traditional politician, and weve already been through this. You would think people would have figured it out by now. That wasnt Trumps only foreign policy intervention this month. He also lobbied GOP senators to block a bill containing $60 billion in aid to Ukraine and said any future aid should be limited to loans instead of grants. Read more: Trump told NATO ally: Pay more or Russia can 'do whatever the hell they want' Most Republicans rolled over for that one too. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, once a fierce supporter of Ukraine, said Trumps opposition persuaded him to switch sides. Trumps positions werent entirely new, except for the innovation of encouraging Russia to attack U.S. allies. During his four years as president, he frequently charged that Germany and other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization owed the United States billions of dollars for backstopping their defense, as if they owed nonexistent "unpaid dues" or the alliance were a protection racket. He eventually focused on the more reasonable complaint that some NATO members weren't living up to the alliance's defense spending targets but he still told aides that he wanted to pull the United States out of NATO completely. He repeatedly praised Vladimir Putin and still does; earlier this month, he lauded the Russian president as very smart, very sharp." As of Sunday, Trump was silent about the death in an Arctic prison colony of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, except for a cryptic social media post suggesting that he has been persecuted by Biden just as Navalny was persecuted by Putin. And he has frequently expressed hostility toward Ukraine. Read more: Putin rival Alexei Navalny dies in prison, Russian authorities say Heres whats different this time: In Trumps first term, Republicans in Congress and his own foreign policy aides talked him out of acting on most of those impulses. If he wins a second term, those restraining forces will be mostly gone. The former president has said he intends to fill a second Trump administration with MAGA loyalists instead of the establishment figures like Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who populated his first term. When I went there [to the White House], I didnt know a lot of people; I had to rely on, in some cases, RINOs, Trump said last year, referring to Republicans in Name Only. But I know them all now. I know the good ones. I know the bad ones. Congress will be different too. Since Trump was elected in 2016, dozens of establishment Republicans in the House and Senate have retired or lost their seats to pro-Trump candidates. Others will leave at the end of their current terms. Read more: Will moving to the middle on immigration deliver electoral success to Democrats in 2024? Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, a frequent Trump critic, is giving up his seat at the end of the year. Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, whom Trump has derided, says he plans to stay in the Senate, but he is likely to face a challenge for his leadership post. Others, like Graham and Rubio, both of whom once criticized Trump, have trimmed their sails to avoid clashing with him. Last year, Rubio co-authored a law that prohibits a president from pulling the United States out of NATO without approval from Congress but that won't prevent Trump from undercutting the alliance by saying he won't defend its members. The cumulative result has been Trump unleashed, and a sea change in Republican foreign policy. For 60 years, from 1952 to 2012, the GOP was led by largely hawkish internationalists, from Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon to Ronald Reagan and Romney. Trumps foreign policy instincts represent a different strain xenophobic, suspicious of alliances, unilateralist on some issues and isolationist on others that has taken root among Republican voters. Last year, a survey sponsored by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs reported that most Republicans want the United States to stay out of world affairs instead of being actively involved. That was a striking reversal from earlier decades. As recently as 2017, the first year of Trumps presidency, 70% of Republicans said they favored an assertive U.S. foreign policy. By last year, that number had fallen to 47%. In the same poll, only 40% of Republicans favored military aid for Ukraine, compared with 76% of Democrats. Unsurprisingly, opposition was strongest among the voters most attached to Trump. Old-school internationalists in both parties warn that the consequences of a second, less-restrained Trump term would be dire. If Trump is reelected, adversaries will be emboldened, and allies will be frightened, said Kori Schake of the conservative American Enterprise Institute, who worked in the George W. Bush administration. Allies are likely to make compromises with Russia, China, Iran and North Korea because they won't trust us. We spend hundreds of billions of dollars [on defense] to establish the credibility of our extended deterrence, said Joseph S. Nye Jr., a former dean of Harvard Kennedy School who worked in the Clinton administration. Trump creates doubts that undercut those investments. Or take it from someone who worked at Trumps side during the first term: his erstwhile national security advisor John Bolton. The damage he did in his first term was reparable, Bolton said recently. The damage in the second term would be irreparable. After Biden won the 2020 election, he tried to assure U.S. allies that the four-year Trump era was a temporary anomaly. America is back, Biden proclaimed. If Trump wins a second term, the message will be: No, its not. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The cougar that is thought to have attacked a group of cyclists in King County, Wash. on Feb. 17, leaving one woman hospitalized, was shot to death by a Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Police officer, officials say. The five cyclists were attacked while riding on a bike trail northeast of Fall City around 1 p.m. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife spokesperson Becky Elder told KOIN 6 News that the cougar was killed shortly after the attack. One cougar was dispatched by an officer with a firearm when they arrived on scene, Elder said. The animal is presumed to be the animal involved in the incident; further testing will be conducted to confirm. Ritz-Carlton Portland Chef Lauro Romero dies Witnesses told authorities that they may have seen a second cougar in the area at the time of the attack. WDFW brought in a tracking dog to search the area. However, no other cougars were found. Public safety is our priority, during a human-wildlife incident, Elder said. We concluded our search efforts Saturday evening after an exhaustive search of the area with assistance from a houndsman. According to WDFW, cougar attacks on humans are extremely rare. Two people have been killed and 20 have been injured by cougars in Washington state in the last century. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Two days before the New Hampshire primary, Gail Huntley was just one of thousands of people who supposedly received a call from President Joe Biden telling them not to vote. Its important that you save your vote for the November election, said the call. Voting this Tuesday only enables the Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again. But the call wasnt from Biden. It was a deep fake AI-generated message created by Texas-based Life Corporation that mimicked the presidents voice. I was just hoping that folks getting that call would know to disregard that message and get out to vote, said Huntley. More: Tech giants pledge crackdown on 2024 election AI deepfakes. Will they keep their promise? Following the New Hampshire election interference, the Federal Communications Commission made illegal the use of robocalls using artificial intelligence-generated voices. 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, said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. State Attorneys General will now have new tools to crack down on these scams and ensure the public is protected from fraud and misinformation. What is a deep fake? First, lets define the term: the AI-generated deepfakes in question are videos, images, and audio that digitally manipulate the appearance, voice, or actions of political candidates and election officials. The issue is whether or not political advertising intentionally or inadvertently misleads voters about when, where, and how to vote. What is being done at the federal level? To date, there are no federal laws against deepfakes. While congressional action on taming AI-generated content significantly lags, the White House Artificial Intelligence Council met in January, three months after Biden signed an executive order to reduce the risks of AI involving national security and consumer rights. Voters wait in line at a polling place at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs in Austin, Texas on Tuesday Nov. 8, 2022. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York recently announced a joint task force consisting of a dozen Democrats and a dozen Republicans to work together to regulate the use of artificial intelligence, especially in politics. Unfortunately, the committee will focus on future political campaigns - not 2024. There is going to be a tsunami of disinformation in 2024. We are already seeing it, and it is going to get much worse, said Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution, in early February. People are anticipating that this will be a close election, and anything that shifts 50,000 votes in three or four states could be decisive. What are states doing to limit AI deepfakes? Five states already have laws to restrict AI in political communications: Minnesota, Michigan, California, Washington, and Texas. But what about the rest of the nation? Since January, more than 30 states have introduced over 50 bills to regulate deepfakes in elections, focusing on disclosure requirements and bans, according to Public Citizen. Whether or not the bills can neutralize deep fakes in this years election cycle remains to be seen. Highlights of state legislation include: Minnesota The North Star State passed a bipartisan bill in 2023 with near-unanimous consent that criminalizes multiple forms of deepfakes. The law criminalizes the non-consensual dissemination of deep fake imagery used to influence elections within 90 days of an election. The repercussions for creating deepfakes range from thousands of dollars to five years in prison. Colorado In Colorado, the Candidate Election Deepfake Disclosures bill was introduced and, if passed, would require a disclosure, similar to political advertisement, on any deepfake AI communication related to a candidate for elective office. Meaning? Candidates could sue the deepfake creators for exact and punitive damages. New Hampshire Similarly, a bill introduced in New Hampshire would require a disclosure of AI usage in political advertising. The bill would prohibit deepfakes or deceptive AI within 90 days of an election unless full disclosure exists. Hawaii In the Aloha State, the proposed legislation would entrust the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission with investigating and imposing fines for AI-generated deceptive information. Like Colorado and New Hampshire, one of the bills would require an AI disclaimer and authorize the states campaign spending commission to impose penalties within 90 days of elections. California Among the five most recent bills to hit the Rotundas floors in February was the California AI Accountability Act, which would require that state agencies notify users when interacting with AI, introduced by state Sen. Bill Dodd of northern San Francisco. Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, who represents southwest San Jose, introduced legislation to ban materially deceptive political deep fakes four months before Election Day and two months after. Nebraska The Nebraska legislature is considering two bills that ban the dissemination of AI-generate deep fakes 60 days before an election and prohibits explicitly deep fakes that intend to mislead voters by misrepresenting the secretary of state and election commissioners. Virginia Virginias legislature is working with Gov. Glenn Youngkin to tackle the challenges of artificial intelligence. Recommendations include creating a task force to assess the impacts of deepfakes, misinformation, and data privacy implications. Other AI-focused legislation includes a bill that regulates the use of the technology by developers, a bill that requires an impact assessment before a public body uses the technology, and a bill that forbids the creation and use of deep fakes. A person is pictured holding an iPhone. How much AI will voters see this 2024 election, and what can they do? Craig Holman, a Capitol Hill lobbyist who works in governmental ethics for the nonprofit Public Citizen, believes 2024 will become the first deepfake election cycle, where AI will influence voters and impact election results. Artificial intelligence has been around for a while, but only in this election cycle have we seen it advance to the point where most people cannot tell the difference between a deepfake and reality. Its sort of breathtaking how good the AI has become, Craig said.Public Citizen didnt always focus on election deepfakes. This is the first year the nonprofit is tackling the issue head-on. Holman said what changed for him was seeing an ad by the Republican National Committee immediately after Biden announced he would seek re-election in 2024.What he saw shocked him. The ad showed scenes of President Biden and Vice President Harris laughing together in a room, China bombing Taiwan, thousands of people swarming over the border into the United States, and San Francisco being locked down due to the fentanyl crisis.None of it was real. And even though he knew the images were fake, he couldnt visually tell the difference. More: As the cradle of tech, California looks to be leader in AI regulation Its clear from the Biden deep fake in New Hampshire that Holmans prediction is already coming true. Are we too late in putting the AI genie back in the bottle? No, says Ashley Casovan, the Managing Director of the International Association of Privacy Professionals Artificial Intelligence Governance Center. Its really important to not only understand how [AI technology is] being used, and then how theyre being used, sometimes maliciously, but then what types of different mitigation measures we need to put in place ... we really need hard legislation, Casovan said. While these acts are continuing to happen and the technologies are starting to get more and more pervasive, its never going to be too late to put appropriate rules, appropriate training, and other types of safeguards in place. With additional reporting by Elizabeth Beyer, Melissa Cruz, Margie Cullen, Sarah Gleason, Maya Marchel Hoff, Kathryn Palmer, Sam Woodward, and Jeremy Yurow This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: What is a deepfake? How AI scams are threatening the 2024 election While the early primary results suggest the country is hurtling toward a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, many Americans believe alternative candidates could be swapped in. Nearly half of U.S. adults, 48%, believe its somewhat or very likely that Biden will be replaced as the Democratic nominee potentially due to his age and mental fitness, according to a Feb. 15 poll from Monmouth University. A smaller share, 32%, said it was likely Trump would be replaced, perhaps because of his legal troubles, according to the poll, which sampled 902 people over the phone and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points. But, short of being defeated in the primaries, how could Biden or Trump be swapped out? There are a few scenarios through which new candidates could be named, though they are unlikely and without much precedent, elections experts told McClatchy News. Joe Biden Though he suffers from record-low approval ratings, Joe Biden has an enormous lead over his challengers and the full backing of the DNC, meaning he is unlikely to be forced to step aside. That leaves the possibility of him voluntarily choosing to drop out of the race which could happen at one of two points, Wesley Leckrone, a political science professor at Widener University, told McClatchy News in an email. First, he could announce he is not seeking re-election before the primaries are over, which would throw the nominating contest into chaos. If Biden were to announce that he was dropping out today it would be difficult, if not impossible, for other Democrats to get their names on the ballots in upcoming primary states due to filing deadlines, Leckrone said. Marianne Williamson, who dropped out in early February, and Rep. Dean Phillips, may already be on the ballots in some states, though, he said. Newly announced candidates could launch write-in campaigns, but its unlikely any of them at this stage in the election cycle would garner a majority of the delegates necessary to win the party nomination, he said. In this scenario, Bidens delegates, including those awarded in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, would become unpledged and able to vote for whomever they saw fit, Douglas Kriner, a professor of government at Cornell University, told McClatchy News in an email. The result would be a full-on open convention with the delegates picking a nominee, potentially over multiple rounds of ballots, Kriner said. There is some modern historic precedent for this. In 1968, after a poor performance in the New Hampshire primary, President Lyndon Johnson announced he would not seek re-election. Senator Robert Kennedy then threw his hat into the race and (Eugene) McCarthy and Kennedy battled each other in a series of primary contests through California, when Senator Kennedy was assassinated while celebrating his victory, Kriner said. Then, during the Democratic Convention, the nomination was awarded to Vice President Hubert Humphrey after a single round of voting, Kriner said. However, some party rules have changed since 1968, meaning its not a direct comparison to now, Leckrone said. The second possibility is that Biden could announce he is stepping aside after receiving the party nomination, he said. At that point, the party would have to make a determination on a new candidate. However, There is no single natural heir to Biden in the Democratic party, meaning the DNCs effort to replace him would undoubtedly be tumultuous, Leckrone said. These possibilities, though, are extremely unlikely, David Barker, professor and director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University, told McClatchy News in an email. That said, I dont know what his health is really like, Barker said. It may be worse than we know. Former President Donald Trump Donald Trump, the overwhelming favorite to win the GOP nomination, is also unlikely to abdicate his position voluntarily, Leckrone said. The RNC rules state that the nominee can be replaced due to death, declination, or otherwise, Leckrone said. Given Trumps stranglehold on positions of power within the GOP power structure it seems like a particularly long shot for him to be replaced for declination. However, the criminal proceedings against him could prove to be his Achilles heel, Barker said. Should Trump be convicted in court, he could lose a large share of his support, a January Morning Consult/Bloomberg poll found. A slim majority of swing state voters, 53%, said they would not vote for Trump if he is convicted, according to the poll. I think if he were to get convicted of one of these big crimes hes charged with before the convention, then the GOP would probably move to choose someone else, Barker said. Its worth remembering that some Republicans tried keeping Trump from receiving the nomination in 2016 through an attempt to add a conscience clause, which would have freed pledged candidates to vote for whomever they wanted, Kriner said. However, Trump who has been charged with 91 felony counts in four criminal cases has moved to delay his trials until after the election. It looks like none of the trials are going to be done by then, Barker said, so they appear extremely unlikely to affect his chances of receiving the GOP nomination. This means that, barring unforeseen circumstances and despite polls showing widespread disapproval of a Biden-Trump rematch the pair will likely fend off their challengers and face off once again in November. Why are more voters worried about Bidens age than Trumps? Heres what experts say Trump says he wants to debate Biden immediately. But will there even be a debate? Would a Taylor Swift endorsement help Bidens re-election chances? Experts weigh in County Commissioner Rita Pritchett filed on Monday to run for Brevard County Tax Collector against incumbent Lisa Cullen, a day before the Commission is slated to discuss instituting term limits for constitutional office holders. The move comes as Pritchett winds down her final year on the Board of Brevard County Commissioners where Pritchett's second and final term will end after the Nov. 5 general election. As a resident of Titusville, Pritchett has represented North Brevard's District 1 on the Board since 2016. Cullen has worked in the Tax Collector's office for decades, serving as the agency's head since 2008. She has run unopposed three times since her initial win in 2008. Both Pritchett and Cullen are Republicans and will face off in the Aug. 20 primary election. If no members of any other parties file to run by that time, the primary winner will automatically win the seat. Incumbent Brevard Tax Collector Lisa Cullen at a meeting of the Brevard County Commission. A new rule proposed by Pritchett this past week would institute a limit of three four-year terms for constitutional officers. Terms that started before 2024 would not be counted. County Commissioners Tuesday declined to move forward with the proposal. More: Blue Origin ramping up New Glenn rocket production on Merritt Island ahead of 1st launch More: Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey wants the city to take control of Wickham Park Constitutional officers are those elected officials who, although funded through the county government, are elected independently of the governing body of the County Commission. This is enshrined in the Florida Constitution as a form of local separation of powers to ensure policy makers on the Commission cannot exert undue influence over those carrying out policies such as the collection of taxes. Pritchett is not the only current commissioner currently running in a contested election against an incumbent constitutional officer. District 3 Commissioner John Tobia is running against Tim Bobanic for Brevard County Supervisor of Elections. When reached by telephone Monday, Pritchett said that her career as an accountant combined with her experience as a commissioner make her a natural fit for office, which she said she is seeking as a way to bring a fresh perspective to the role. "It's just the most intriguing, wonderful sounding job I can imagine having. It would be wonderful to be able to do that job," Pritchett said. She emphasized that she was not "running against" Cullen but seeking the office as a way to present the public with options through the democratic process. "These are elected positions and the people should always get a choice," she said. "I think when you get in there with fresh eyes you can maybe tweak some things and make some changes. With my credentials and my experience and my abilities, I think I'll be a good tax collector," she added. Tyler Vazquez is the North Brevard and Brevard County government watchdog reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Rita Pritchett files to run against Lisa Cullen for Brevard Tax Collector County Criminal Court 1 candidate Linda Noelle Estrada Age: 40 Please describe your personal and professional background. I am the daughter of Ignacio Pratti Estrada and Mona Estrada. I was born in Austin, Texas while my father was attending law school. After he graduated, my family moved back home to El Paso, and I have lived here ever since. I have two siblings and am the auntie of two nephews and a niece. I attended local schools growing up and am a proud UTEP graduate. After I was licensed as an attorney in 2012, I worked as a criminal defense attorney alongside my father, who had over thirty years of experience as an attorney. In 2018, I was appointed as a part-time magistrate and worked evenings, weekends, and holidays while maintaining a law practice. In 2020, I decided to leave private practice and accept a position as a full-time magistrate so that I could contribute to the court in a meaningful way. How do you earn a living? Do you plan to continue if elected? I am currently employed by El Paso County as Criminal Law Magistrate Judge and work at the Downtown Detention Facility. If elected, I will resign from that position. Please describe your education. Where did you get your high school diploma? What higher education degrees and certificates have you earned from where? I am a graduate of Eastwood High School. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Texas At El Paso, where I majored in Criminal Justice with a minor in Legal Reasoning. I moved to California for law school and earned my Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. What experiences in leadership do you have that qualify you for this position? I have been a full-time judge at the Jail Magistrate Court since 2020 and have presided over thousands of hearings with multiple participants from various departments. I also supervise astaff of two court coordinators, a mental health coordinator and an indigent defense coordinator. As a private bar attorney, I supervised two legal assistants. Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? Have you ever had a civil judgment against you? Have you ever been in arrears on local, state or federal taxes? If so, please provide an explanation. No. If elected, would you have any potential conflicts of interest that you are aware of that would impair your ability to serve? Please explain what they are and how you would avoid the conflict No. Issue related questions Why are you running for this office? County Criminal Court One is very near and dear to my heart. I spent a great deal of time there while I worked as a legal assistant prior to becoming an attorney. I learned that I was accepted to law school there. After I learned that I had passed the bar exam, I was sworn in as an attorney by Judge Trejo prior to the afternoon docket beginning, and minutes later, I performed my first hearing before her. I practiced there almost on a daily basis and feel like I grew up there. Later, when I was appointed as a Criminal Law Magistrate, I was sworn in by Judge Trejo. Under Judge Trejo, County Criminal Court One had a reputation as being efficient and fair; I want to carry on that tradition of excellence. Why are you the best candidate for this office? I am the only candidate whose entire career has been focused on criminal law. I was a defense attorney for eight years representing individuals charged with offenses from Class C misdemeanors to Murder and tried numerous cases to verdict. While I do not have experience as a prosecutor, my opponents prosecutorial experience was as a trial team chief for Yvonne Rosales, the administration responsible for driving our criminal justice system into the ground. In my role as a criminal law magistrate, I am presented with affidavits from all local law enforcement agencies seeking arrest and search warrants for individuals suspected of state criminal offenses. It is my job to determine whether probable cause exists to take away an individuals liberty, search their homes and belongings, and in some instances, take blood from their bodies. In order to make these determinations, I have to be familiar with the elements of every single misdemeanor and felony offense. I also am required to have extensive knowledge of criminal procedure. Through my combined experience as a practicing attorney and a judge, I have had the opportunity to work closely with all departments involved with the criminal justice process, have supervised court staff and managed an efficient docket. My opponents judicial experience is limited to less than three months and she does not have experience in private practice. What do you feel are the largest challenges facing County Criminal Court 1? What would you do to address those challenges? The largest challenge Criminal Court One faces is maintaining the reputation that was established during the twenty years that Judge Trejo presided over the court. Judge Trejos experience as a trial attorney, knowledge of criminal law and procedure, judicial temperament and work ethic are what resulted in her court being one of the most efficient courts in El Paso. During my time as a practicing attorney and as a magistrate judge, I have gained extensive experience and proficiency in criminal law and have demonstrated the same judicial temperament and work ethic necessary to continue her legacy. What role can/should judges play to help alleviate the backlog of cases currently in El Paso? The best ways to address a backlog are through scheduling and accessibility. Drawing from my experience as a practicing attorney and as a judge, I have insight into the demands of attorneys and also recognize the need to maintain an efficient docket. I would stagger my hearing times to accommodate scheduling conflicts and be available for contested matters as frequently as a trial schedule will allow to help move cases. The El Paso community has been upset over what they believe to be lenient sentences given to serious criminal offenders, what steps will you take to make sure justice is served? There is a misconception that justice is served only when individuals are punished with convictions or incarceration. Sometimes justice is served by making every effort to rehabilitate offenders who are charged with low level offenses that do not pose a threat to our community. Other times, justice will demand sentences involving confinement. A judges role is to apply the law impartially to each case, making decisions consistent with the law and unaffected by public perception. Will you be willing to participate in treatment courts (mental health court, veteran court, drug court, etc.) to make sure defendants are getting the treatment they need and to avoid recidivism? I will propose a specialty court that focuses on gang intervention due to the recent influx of gang affiliated violence and the use of firearms in our community. The program would provide monitoring and resources such as substance abuse treatment, tattoo removal, a mentoring program, education and job assistance. Participants who successfully graduate from the program would not have a conviction on their record and would leave with the resources to become productive members of our community. El Paso judges have increasingly limited media access to courtrooms, as an elected official, what will your policies be on transparency and allowing media access to court proceedings to make sure the public knows what is happening in your courtroom? I believe that the media plays a vital role in keeping our community informed. So long as their presence does not interfere with court proceedings, the media will always have access to my courtroom. The judicial system is under constant attack related to objectivity and bias, what will you do to maintain public confidence in a fair judicial system? I believe that transparency is key to maintaining public confidence in our judicial system. I am dedicated to maintaining an environment where all participants are treated fairly, with patience, dignity and respect. All court proceedings will always be open to the public, whether in person or via zoom, so that the public can be informed and will have the opportunity to observe. The candidates' responses are being published largely as they were submitted. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: County Criminal Court 1 candidate: Linda Noelle Estrada Traffic is getting heavy on a busy east Charlotte road after a crash into a pole forced CMPD to close inbound lanes of Albemarle Road Monday morning. According to the CMPD traffic logs, the crash happened just after 2:30 a.m. on Monday on Albemarle Road by the intersection with Reddman Road, where drivers are being diverted. >>> SEE ALTERNATE ROUTES ON TRAFFIC TEAM 9S UP-TO-DATE MAP. CMPD set up a blockade and a unit is stationed by the accident. The blockade is also causing traffic to back up onto Central Avenue. Outbound lanes of Albemarle dont appear to be impacted. MEDIC said one person was hospitalized with serious injuries. The NCDOT expects the road to re-open by noon Monday. Channel 9 asked MEDIC if anyone was hurt in the crash. No significant power outages are associated with the crash, but Duke Energy reported one customer without power. They estimate the incident to be resolved by 9:30 a.m. This is a developing story; check wsoctv.com for updates. (WATCH: 1 person trapped after car flips from crash) Days after the Jan. 6 riots, Jeremy J. Vorous, a resident of Crawford County, called the FBI and said, according to the agency, that he was inside the U.S. Capitol that day, but "that he absolutely did not participate in the rioting or take anything." A superseding federal indictment is adding to the government's challenge of Vorous' claims. The indictment alleges that Vorous assaulted police officers with a bicycle rack and a wooden sign during the storming of the Capitol in support of then-President Donald Trump. The superseding indictment, returned Feb. 7 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, replaces the original April 2021 indictment against Vorous, 46, of Venango. He is the last of the Jan. 6 defendants from northwestern Pennsylvania still awaiting trial. This is a video screen grab of Jeremy J. Vorous, center, at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. A superseding indictment has charged him with 12 counts related to the storming of the Capitol. The original indictment charged Vorous with five counts none that he engaged in violence. The superseding indictment charged him with 12 counts, including two new felony counts that he assaulted police. The superseding indictment still includes the main charge in the original indictment. It is the felony count of obstruction of an official proceeding the joint session of Congress that convened on Jan. 6, 2021, to certify the Electoral College vote in the 2020 presidential election, which Joe Biden won. The addition of the violence-related charges has the potential to expose Vorous to more prison time if he is convicted. He has pleaded not guilty. The superseding indictment led to the indefinite postponement of Vorous' trial, which had been scheduled for March 11, according to court records. Vorous remains free on an unsecured bond of $10,000. Vorous now charged with assaulting officers 3 times The superseding indictment alleges Vorous assaulted officers with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., three times while he was on Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. The first incident occurred at 2:07 p.m., according to the superseding indictment. It alleges that Vorous then used a bike rack to assault a police officer at 2:28 p.m., and a that he used wooden sign to assault a police officer at 2:59 p.m. Crawford County resident Jeremy J. Vorous is shown at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He is awaiting trial in federal court in Washington, D.C., on charges related to the breach of the Capitol. His T-shirt reads "NOT TODAY LIBERAL." The new charges appear to have grown out of the review of more video evidence of the attack on the Capitol. At a hearing on Vorous' case in December 2022, an assistant U.S. attorney told U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras that investigators discovered new evidence against Vorous in November 2022 in a review of video in another Jan. 6 case. The newly viewed video evidence showed Vorous pushing bicycle barricades into law enforcement at the Capitol's lower West Terrace, the prosecutor said in court, according to the Meadville Tribune. Vorous knew about the new evidence, according to court records. The U.S. Attorney's Office provided it to the defense in May 2022 and on Feb. 1, "specifically noting its relation to the superseding charges," according to a motion the office filed on Feb. 2. The superseding indictment came down five days later. Superseding indictment puts trial on hold Vorous is one of four defendants from northwestern Pennsylvania indicted in the Jan. 6 attack. The three others one from Meadville in Crawford County and two from McKean County have been sentenced. One was convicted in a nonjury trial and two pleaded guilty. Rioters climb a wall at the U.S. Capitol complex in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. The four defendants are among the more than 1,265 people who have been charged in the breach of the Capitol, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. The superseding indictment charges Vorous with: Two counts of civil disorder Two counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer using a dangerous weapon One count of obstruction of an official proceeding One count of assaulting, impeding or resisting an officer One count of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon One count of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon One count of engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon One count of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building One count of an act of physical violence in the Capitol building or grounds One count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building FBI: Vorous confronted officers, called them 'cowards' Though Vorous told the FBI in the phone call that he did not riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, the initial evidence indicated he was more than a bystander. In filing a criminal complaint against Vorous in March 2021 the complaint preceded the original indictment filed a month later FBI cited Facebook posts of Vorous in the Capitol building and police body-camera video. The complaint also referred to the phone call Vorous made to the FBI, on Jan. 10, 2021. Just before he entered the Capitol, according to the complaint, Vorous was pepper-sprayed and got into confrontations with police at a barricade. Vorous called officers cowards and yelled obscenities at them, according to the complaint. It states that Vorous "said words to the effect that law enforcement were 'preventing me from getting into my house.'" Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNpalattella. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Capitol riots: New indictment charges northwest Pa. man with assault ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. An employee at a local bowling alley has been charged with stealing his coworkers paychecks and depositing them in his bank account. According to the Crestwood Police Departments probable cause statement, the owner of Crestwood Bowl told police that three of his employees told him they hadnt been paid for a pay period ending on April 14, 2023. Investigators determined the employee paychecks had been deposited into a U.S. Bank account via mobile deposit and that their endorsement signatures had been forged. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News The owner said the checks were typically kept at the front desk in an envelope so employees could easily collect them. The U.S. Bank account belonged to another bowling alley employee, Michael S. Mooney (age not provided). Police spoke with Mooney and claim he admitted to stealing the checks and forging the signatures in order to deposit them in his account. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Mooney with one count of forgery. He is due in court on March 13. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Two people have been charged with murder after a man died following an assault near a bar in Derbyshire. David Thompson was attacked in Elmton Road, near to Ours Bar in Creswell, on 27 January, Derbyshire Police said. Mr Thompson, 50, from Clowne, was taken to hospital after suffering serious head injuries but died in the early hours of Thursday. Brandon Brooks, 24, and Ben Hart, 20, have been charged with Mr Thompson's murder. Mr Brooks, of Fairfield Close, Nether Langwith, and Mr Hart, of Skinner Street, Creswell, were remanded into custody and are due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court later. Det Insp Maria Pleace, who is leading the investigation, said: "While we continue to work hard to investigate and understand what happened that night, our thoughts remain with David's family and friends. "We would also urge anyone with any information, CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage from the area that night, who hasn't yet come forward, to contact us." Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. The Houthis said they had targeted the the Belize-flagged, British-registered cargo ship Rubymar (file photo) The crew of a Belize-flagged, British-registered cargo vessel have abandoned ship off Yemen after it was hit by missiles fired by the Houthi movement. The Rubymar was in the Gulf of Aden near the Bab al-Mandab Strait when it was hit and the crew abandoned ship. The Houthis later claimed it had sunk. It is one of the most damaging attacks so far by the Iran-backed Houthis. They have launched dozens of missiles and drones at merchant vessels and Western warships since mid-November. The Houthis say their attacks are a show of support for the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. A Houthi spokesman said the vessel suffered "catastrophic damage" and had sunk. There was no independent confirmation of this. However, the UK government said the Rubymar was taking on water, had been abandoned and the crew taken to safety. It condemned the attacks as "completely unacceptable" and said the UK and its allies reserved the right to respond appropriately. The Houthi movement's spokesman also claimed its forces had attacked two US-owned cargo vessels, the Sea Champion and the Navis Fortuna, in the Gulf of Aden. He added that Houthi air defences in the Red Sea province of Hudaydah had shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) "while it was carrying out hostile missions against our country on behalf of [Israel]". There was no immediate comment from the US military. The Houthis' attacks have prompted many shipping companies to stop using the critical waterway, which accounts for about 12% of global seaborne trade. US and British forces began carrying out air strikes on military targets across Houthi-controlled western Yemen in response last month. On Sunday night, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said it had received a report of an incident from an unnamed ship about 35 nautical miles (65km) south of the Yemeni Red Sea port of Mocha. The master had reported "an explosion in close proximity to the vessel resulting in damage" at about 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT), it added. Early on Monday, the agency cited military authorities as reporting that the crew abandoned the vessel, which was carrying "very dangerous" fertiliser, following an attack. "Vessel at anchor and all crew are safe," it said. "Military authorities remain on scene to provide assistance." British maritime security firm Ambrey separately reported that a Belize-flagged cargo ship had come under attack in the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Sunday as it sailed northwards. BBC iPlayer Troubled Waters: War in the Red Sea? Frank Gardner and expert guests look at the crisis in the Red Sea after attacks on ships by the Yemeni Houthi group. Available now on BBC iPlayer BBC iPlayer Rubymar's security firm, LSS Sapu, and data provider Lloyd's List Intelligence later confirmed that it had sustained damage after being hit by two missiles. According to data from MarineTraffic, which last received a tracking signal on Sunday, the Rubymar had been travelling from Saudi Arabia to Bulgaria. The Djibouti Port Authority said it had co-ordinated the safe repatriation of the Rubymar's 24 crew members - 11 Syrians, six Egyptians, four Filipinos and three Indians - after they were initially assisted by a passing vessel. The 172m-long Rubymar is flagged in Belize, its operators are from Lebanon and its registered owner is Golden Adventure Shipping, with an address in the British port of Southampton. Map showing control of Yemen and the Bab al-Mandab Strait US Central Command said its forces had carried out five strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) and one unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Saturday after determining that they presented an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. It was the first time that US forces had identified a UUV, or submarine drone, being employed by the Houthis since the attacks began. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says the discovery that the Houthis are deploying both USVs and UUVs is a worrying development. The concept of a "swarm attack" - launching a number of relatively cheap missiles and drones simultaneously at an enemy in the hopes of confusing and overwhelming their defences - is straight out of the playbook of the navy of Iran's Revolutionary Guards. As Houthi attacks on shipping in the lower Red Sea and adjacent Gulf of Aden show no sign of stopping, the prospect of such an attack being directed at a US or British warship is an ever-present threat for those crews now serving there, our correspondent adds. In another development, EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels approved a mission to help protect international shipping in the Red Sea. It aims to have the operation which will involve four ships from France, Germany, Italy and Belgium up and running in a few weeks. Crew evacuated from UK-registered ship still 'taking in water' 36 hours after Houthi missile attack in Red Sea The crew of a UK-registered cargo ship in the Red Sea were evacuated after it was damaged in a missile attack by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, say maritime authorities. The Houthis identified the vessel as the Rubymar and claimed it may be at risk of sinking, though this could not be independently confirmed. The ship targeted in the attack on Sunday reported sustaining damage after an explosion in close proximity to the vessel, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) reported. Military authorities report crew have abandoned the vessel, UKMTO said. Vessel at anchor and all crew are safe. US Central Command said: Between 9:30 and 10:45 p.m, two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen toward MV Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier. One of the missiles struck the vessel, causing damage. The ship issued a distress call and a coalition warship along with another merchant vessel responded to the call to assist the crew of the MV Rubymar. The crew was transported to a nearby port by the merchant vessel.The Rubymar sustained damaged although the crew were able to evacuate, the vessel's maritime security company LSS-SAPU told Reuters on Monday. "We know she was taking in water," LSS-SAPU said when asked about the vessel's condition. "There is nobody on board now," LSS-SAPU added. "The owners and mangers are considering options for towage." The operator of the vessel is understood to be a Lebanese registered company and it is Belize flagged. The 24-person crew were rescued by the MV Lobivia a Singapore-flagged container ship and were enroute to Djibouti. None of the crew are UK or US nationals. The master and crew of the MV Rubymar are understood to have abandoned ship due to their vessel taking on water, a situation understood to be continuing at least 36 hours after the attack. In a second incident in the Red Sea, a Greece-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier with 23 crew members was attacked twice on Monday by missiles, with a window damaged but no injuries to personnel, Greek shipping ministry sources said. The vessel was taking grain from Argentina to Aden. So far, no ships attacked by the Houthis have been sunk or any crew killed but there are growing safety fears, and if either of these situations happened it would dramatically increase the Red Sea crisis. Britain condemned the attack on the Rubymar. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: As you will appreciate, its a developing situation. He added: Clearly, we condemn any attacks by the Houthis against commercial, civilian ships. HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond continue to patrol the Red Sea to help protect commercial shipping and as the PM has said we will not hesitate to act to protect the freedom of navigation and lives at sea. A Government spokesperson later said: We condemn this reckless attack by the Houthis against the MV Rubymar, a Belize flagged cargo ship. Current reports suggest no casualties. Nearby coalition vessels are already on the scene and HMS Richmond continues to patrol in the Red Sea to help protect commercial shipping. The ship was reported to be travelling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Houthi Brigadier General Yahya Saree issued a statement claiming the attack, saying the vessel was now at risk of potentially sinking. The ship suffered catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt, he said. During the operation, we made sure that the ships crew exited safely. The private security firm Ambrey reported the British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo ship had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates. Ambrey described the ship as being partially laden with cargo, but it was not immediately clear what it had been carrying. The ship had reportedly turned off its Automatic Identification System tracker while in the Persian Gulf early this month. Since November, the Yemen-based rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters over Israels war targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Britain has rejected any link with the attacks and the Hamas/Israel war and has joined the US in launching air strikes on Houthi positions. Other UK-linked ships have been targeted by the Houthi campaign. The Houthi attacks have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, putting in danger shipping on a key route for trade between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Those vessels have included at least one with cargo for Iran, its main benefactor. Meanwhile, the US militarys Central Command reported it carried out five airstrikes targeting Houthi military equipment. Those strikes targeted mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, an explosive-carrying drone boat and an unmanned underwater vessel, Central Command said. This is the first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began in October 23, Central Command said. Editors Note: The following arrest and incident reports were supplied by the Abilene Police Department. All information below comes from reports made by responding officers, and all suspects are considered not guilty unless determined otherwise in a court of law. Incidents 2800 block of E Overland Trail Theft of Property $878 worth of diesel gas was stolen from a north Abilene gas station. 3600 block of Sayles Boulevard Burglary of Building A suspect entered a campus and took 12 chrome books worth $2,500. 1200 block S La Salle Drive Assault Family Violence A victim reported her husband grabbed her arms and pushed her down, causing her pain. 500 block of Ross Avenue Assault Family Violence 3100 block of N 3rd Street Burglary of Building A victim reported an unknown suspect broke into his storage unit and took fishing gear, tool boxes, and more worth thousands of dollars. 2900 block of Old Anson Road Criminal Mischief A victim reported a known suspect purposely struck his vehicle. 500 block of S 3rd Street Forgery Financial A victim reported he sent a check to a manufacturer in California, but they never received it. 3300 block of Turner Drive Theft of Property Magic cards worth $2,000 were reported stolen. 00 block of Crossroads Drive Forgery A victim reported an unknown suspect took nearly $12,500 from her bank account. 2200 block of Rim Rock Road Assault An assault was reported in south Abilene. 3500 block of Catclaw Drive Theft of Property Animal food was reported stolen from a south Abilene store. 1500 block of Marshall Street Injury to Child A suspect was arrested for assault. 1100 block of S 9th Street Burglary of Building Camera equipment and other items were reported stolen. 2100 block of N 8th Street Burglary of Vehicle A victim reported his pistol was stolen from his truck. 300 block of ES 11th Street Assault Public Servant A suspect was arrested. 1900 block of Pine Street Criminal Trespass A suspect was arrested for criminal trespass after going back onto a property he was previously warned from. 500 block of Turkey Run Burglary of Vehicle A victim reported an unknown suspect entered a vehicle and took m more than $200 worth of items. 1600 block of Hwy 351 Criminal Trespass A report for criminal trespass was taken in north Abilene. 3900 block of Whittier Street Theft of Property $140 in cash was reported stolen in Abilene. 1600 block of Jeanette Street Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse $4,360 was reported stolen. 1500 block of Westview Drive Theft of Property A victim reported items worth thousands of dollars were stolen from her home and storage shed. 900 block of Vine Street Assault Family Violence A victim reported he was assaulted by his girlfriend, who stole his vehicle worth $8,000. 5200 block of Taos Drive Harassment Harassment was reported in south Abilene. 5400 block of S 7th Street Assault Family Violence A victim in south Abilene reported her boyfriend assaulted her. She did wish to press charges. 2400 block of S 25th Street Assault Family Violence A report was taken for assault in south Abilene. 5200 block of S 1st Street Theft of Property A victim reported a known suspect stole her phone worth $100. 1600 block of Avenue D Assault Family Violence A victim reported an assault then became uncooperative. 1700 block of Sandefer Street Assault Family Violence A victim reported her boyfriend assaulted her then left. 700 block of Turkey Run Burglary of Vehicle A laptop, document, backpack, and more was reported stolen. 300 block of W Overland Trail Burglary of Vehicle An employee reported a guest was upset and broke into an office that was not open for the public. 2000 block of S Clack Street Continuous Violence Against Family A victim reported she was assaulted by her boyfriend. 3900 block of Whittier Street Theft of Property A bicycle worth $1,500 was reported stolen. 1600 block of Highway 351 Theft of Property A suspect was arrested for theft in north Abilene. 2200 block of Amy Lyn Avenue Assault Family A report for assault family violence was taken in north Abilene. 4300 block of Velta Lane Assault Family Violence A suspect was arrested for Assault Family Violence in south Abilene. UNDISCLOSED LOCATION Theft of Property Tools worth $8,000 were reported stolen in south Abilene. 4500 block of S 1st Street Publish/Threaten to Publish Intimate Visual Material A report was taken for publishing intimate material. 1200 block of Amarillo Street Theft of Property A victim reported his mountain bike worth $500 was stolen from his front yard. 900 block of Nelson Drive Criminal Trespass Two suspects were arrested for criminal trespass. 1200 block of S 4th Street Assault Family Violence Police responded to a disturbance in progress where a suspect was arrested for assault family violence against her boyfriend. 5200 block of Fairmont Street Assault A suspect is accused of assaulting a victim at a gathering in north Abilene. 4000 block of N 1st Street Theft of Property A report was taken for stolen vehicle. 2500 block of S Clack Street Criminal Trespass A suspect was arrested for criminal trespass in south Abilene. UNDISCLOSED LOCATION Assault Impede Breath A suspect was arrested in reference to a call for service in south Abilene. 5200 block of Durango Drive Criminal Mischief A report was completed for criminal mischief in Abilene. Arrests Fernando Castillo Warrant Bryan Spotwood Evading Arrest Detention, Tampering with Government Record Christopher Acosta Warrant Myra Samuel Organized Retail Theft Guadalupe Garcia Warrant Juan Hernandez Warrant Michael Blankinship Driving While Intoxicated Joshua Quinn Warrant Nicholas Lopez Possession of Controlled Substance Damon Jackson Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Duty to Register , Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Charles Siler Warrant, Possession of Controlled Substance Larry Trotter- Driving While Intoxicated Michael Menjares Warrant Steven Jennings Injury to Child/Elderly/Disabled For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. LAKE FOREST, Ill. - A 52-year-old man is behind bars after he stole a vehicle at a north suburban gas station and crashed it in Chicago. Robert Cattell, 52, is facing a string of charges, which include: One count of vehicular hijacking, a Class 1 felony One count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 2 felony One count of failure to report a personal injury crash, a Class 2 felony His charges stem from an incident at 3:50 a.m., Feb. 15 at the I-94 eastbound Lake Forest Oasis. Illinois State Police say they initially received a report of a cigarette theft at a 7-Eleven gas station. Cattell was caught on camera stealing a vehicle from someone as they were pumping gas, ISP says. He tried to leave the scene with the victim's vehicle by putting it in reverse, but struck the victim with the driver's side door and broke the gas pump hose. A state trooper pulled up next to Cattell, and he continued to reverse the vehicle, striking the front of the trooper's squad car, ISP says. He then drove away from the scene but led troopers on a short pursuit before they lost sight of him. Troopers later found the vehicle Cattell was traveling in crashed in Chicago. He had been arrested by Chicago police for DUI drugs, ISP says. The victim of the carjacking was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Cattell was also taken to the hospital for minor injuries after wrecking the vehicle. He was taken into custody on Friday and is being held in the Lake County Jail, pending a detention hearing. If you need to use the computers at the Maitland Public Library, youll probably end up sitting in the middle of a hallway. The building, parts of which are more than a century old, has no space for a computer lab. Now Maitlands leaders are asking city residents to fix that and a host of other shortcomings by supporting a $14 million bond on the March 19 ballot to build a new and improved library. The question for voters is whether the improvements are worth the property tax increase proposed to pay for them. It will cost the typical Maitland homeowner more than $100 annually. It doesnt meet our needs anymore, said Stacie Larson, director of the Maitland Public Library, of the current facility. Its just too small to hold the collection of books and telescopes and baking pans and DVDs and everything else that we have. City public information officer Robert Sargent said that Maitland leaders began the process toward improving the library in 2017. A study of the current building revealed the need for repairs on the HVAC, electrical lines, roof and more. The city council ultimately decided that it would be more efficient and less costly to build a new library. The current library building stands at 12,300 sq. ft. over one story, while the new building will be 20,000 sq. ft. across two stories. The overall cost of the project would be about $18.7 million. The city has about $5 million in existing funds to allocate toward the project. The city estimates the cost to Maitland homeowners would be an additional $22 per $100,000 of assessed property value. The location for the new library, approved by City Council unanimously in 2020, would be Quinn Strong Park on the corner of W. Packwood Ave and S. Maitland Ave. Thats about a block away from the existing library building, which is on the corner of Ventris Ave W. and S. Maitland Ave. The library site itself was formerly a doctors office, purchased by Maitland in 2017 for $1.1 million. A walk around the current library shows how much improvement it needs. Library staff and patrons say the facility lacks classrooms, office space, and access for the disabled. Built beginning in 1907, the building is not required to comply with modern rules and regulations such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. A new facility would meet those guidelines. Staff members currently work in a mezzanine with low ceilings, the sort of area that would usually be used for storage, directly above the main floor of the library. Despite these limitations, the Maitland Public Library offers a variety of programs for all age groups, including yoga classes, craft classes and book clubs. Library Director Larson said she has many ideas for programs and resources the library could implement in the new building. We dont have computer classes because we dont have a computer lab, and there is a lot of demand still for computer classes, Larson said. We dont have room for a lot of cool tech; we dont have a makerspace, we dont have a 3D printer. The project still includes unanswered questions. One involves the fate of the Maitland Senior Center, which would have to be demolished for the new library. The city is considering whether to convert the current library building into a senior center, or to call on the new library to adopt the programming that the senior center now hosts. Other possible uses for the historic old library building are as an additional exhibit space for the Art & History Museums Maitland, as an administrative space for city staff or as an activities and meeting space for the public. The push for the library bond is readily apparent in town. Maitland residents have organized a campaign group called Vote for Maitlands Library, and its yard signs sprout from many lawns in the citys neighborhoods. Members of the campaign group are actively communicating to residents about what they will be voting for on March 19. There is no organized opposition to the ballot measure, but some residents have expressed concern about the cost, Sargent said. Its been concerns and questions about how its being financed, if theres a better way of financing it and if a tax increase is actually needed for the purpose of a library. And those are actually very logical questions, Sargent said. The city insists the tax hike is essential. And on a chilly recent morning, some library patrons who gathered for a book club in the librarys only conference room felt inclined to agree. Resident Betsy Fulmer said she grew up in Maitland and has been a patron of the Maitland library for decades. However, she recognizes the need for the new building. Weve outgrown this place, Fulmer said. This one room is the only place we can do anything, so if another function is here, were all competing for the same space. Another book club member, Orlando resident Karen Hill, said she will miss the historic building, but the library will be able to provide more for the public with something new. I love this little building. I like the history of it and the quaintness of it, Hill said. But its progress, right? In response to a critical post on X, formerly twitter, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker provided an update on the investigation into the shooting at Crown Center in January. (A) recent tweet by the FOP that suggests charges are not being filed in the Crown Center shootings that occurred last month are misguided and uninformed, Baker said in a statement. We cannot detail further at this time the status of that investigation in order to protect officer safety and the investigation itself. The statement comes after the social media post on X from Kansas City, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police President Brad Lemon, who questioned why no charges have been filed. Its been 33 days since the Crown Center shooting. No one has been charged. Would the same be said in Clay, Platte, Cass, or any other county in the metro? Lemon said on X. Stop the hand-wringing. File the charges!!!! Its been 33 days since the Crown Center shooting. No one has been charged. Would the same be said in Clay, Platte, Cass, or any other county in the metro? Stop the hand-wringing. File the charges!!!! Brad Lemon (@FOPLemon) February 19, 2024 The prosecutors office said in the statement that it did not plan to comment any further on the investigation. Six people were wounded inside Kansas Citys Crown Center in a shooting that drew a major police response and shut down the shopping mall on January 17. Kansas City police have identified several suspects and are still investigating. Illinoisans pay tens of millions of dollars each year to utilities to cover costs they accrue for lawyers, belonging to trade groups, making charitable contributions and purchasing advertisements meant to boost utilities public image. Consumer advocates are pushing for a change to state law that would bar utilities from collecting money from customers for those expenditures, liability insurance covering executives and for the cost associated with filing rate cases. The bill also explicitly bans charging customers for political contributions, a practice already disallowed in Illinois. The proposal, contained in Senate Bill 2885 and House Bill 5061, is backed by AARP Illinois and the Citizens Utility Board, a nonprofit created by the General Assembly to represent customers in front of utility regulators. The bill would also require public hearings, like two held last year, whenever a gas, electric, water or sewer utility requests a rate increase. Rate cases, which generally take a year to complete, are currently conducted primarily online through written testimony from utilities and advocates as well as written comments submitted by members of the public. An analysis from CUB found that last year, companies spent about $28 million for legal representation, expert testimony and other costs accrued in six Illinois Commerce Commission cases that resulted in electric and gas rates going up for most Illinoisans. The states two largest water utilities, Aqua Illinois and Illinois American Water, are going through rate cases right now, which could cost the companies about $3.2 million in expenses. But since rate cases are required by state law, utilities argue such expenditures are necessary costs of doing business. A representative of Commonwealth Edison, the electric utility for most of northern Illinois, argued that the states current regulatory process ensures that no unreasonable or imprudent costs are passed to customers. As a regulated utility, ComEd must demonstrate to the Illinois Commerce Commission that the investments it recovers from its customers are prudent and reasonable, spokesperson Shannon Breymaier said in a statement. In months-long processes in which consumer, public interest, environmental, and governmental groups participate actively, the ICC reviews our costs and rates. In total, the proposed legislation would reduce the amount of recoverable costs meaning costs chargeable to customers for the six largest Illinois utilities by $45 to $63 million annually, according to a CUB analysis. Representatives of several utilities that reviewed costs calculated by CUB said they are in the right ballpark. But some companies took issue with some of the groups methodology, noting that some costs, like insurance and some membership dues, seemed larger than their own calculations. Reforming what costs utility customers pay for has been a consideration for Illinois policymakers for several years. In 2020 amid the early stages of a bribery scandal at ComEd that would eventually lead to its CEOs conviction on felony charges and bring down former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan Gov. JB Pritzker laid out an eight-part outline for energy policy and ethics reform. Parts of that plan would eventually inform the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and 2022 Reimagining Energy and Vehicles Act, both of which the Pritzker administration celebrates as major policy wins. But one element of that plan has yet to come to fruition: a prohibition on utilities recovering costs for charitable contributions from ratepayers. These charitable contributions, according to Pritzkers 2020 policy statement, were often used to curry favor with elected officials. Utility company charitable donations should be exactly that charitable, Pritzkers office said at the time. They should come from the pockets of the corporation or their executives, not from the pockets of ratepayers. The governor has not taken a position on the legislation pending in Springfield. Analyses from WBEZ in 2021 and the Chicago Tribune in 2015 found that some charitable contributions from ComEd went to politically influential nonprofits and groups that advocated for the utilitys interests, although the company denied exerting political pressure on its grantees. ComEds Breymaier told Capitol News Illinois the company is proud to support organizations that improve workforce training, protect the environment and provide social services. She also noted that regulators review all spending, including those contributions. David Schwartz, a spokesperson for Chicago-area gas utilities Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, noted that the ICC capped the amount of charitable spending the companies could charge to customers at about $4.5 million. The consumer advocates pushing for this legislation stressed that they are not seeking to end utilities charitable contributions, but rather to require that shareholders bear the cost. Were not opposed to charity, its a great thing, Jeff Scott, AARPs associate state director, said. But it should be coming out of shareholders pockets. Plain and simple. Nationwide, Illinois is one of a few states that allow utilities to charge customers for charitable contributions, according to Matt Kasper, deputy director at the pro-renewable Energy and Policy Institute. Illinois really stands out for allowing this practice to continue to the level its happening right now, Kasper said. The number of states reexamining what costs utilities can recover is growing. Last year, Colorado, Connecticut and Maine all passed laws banning certain expenses from being charged back to ratepayers including charitable giving. This year, California, Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, Ohio and New York all introduced legislation similar to Illinois, according to Kasper. Utilities can also exert influence through membership in trade associations, such as the American Gas Association and Edison Electric Institute. Each year, Illinois electric and gas utilities spend $6.5 million in membership costs to trade associations, chambers of commerce and other civic groups, according to CUB. Two years ago, EEI advocated for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to revisit its policy on granting utilities right of first refusal for transmission line construction and this year it filed comment with the Environmental Protection Agency over clean air rules. The AGA also regularly supports policies favorable to the gas industry, such as last year when they offered comments to the Department of Energy and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Utilities also pay for goodwill advertising, another category of spending that would be banned under the proposed legislation. The goodwill advertising is basically brand recognition and creating general warm and fuzzies about your company that also happens to be a regional monopoly with no competition, by statute, Eric DeBellis, CUBs general counsel said in an interview. This is effectively a form of lobbying directed at the public, so youre paying for them to try and make you like them. Peoples Gas Schwartz and representatives of Ameren and Nicor echoed ComEds spokesperson in their defense of the companies spending. Regulators always closely examine all of our costs, including charitable contributions, Schwartz said in a statement. We are committed to serving Chicago and the northern suburbs, including non-profit community organizations. A representative of Ameren Illinois, which operates as both a gas and electric utility for much of central and southern Illinois, noted that the company makes investments in organizations and causes that build stronger communities and support a better quality of life for our customers. Nicor Gas spokesperson Jennifer Golz also added that the northern Illinois gas utility provides funding to charities, including to its own emergency assistance program administered by the Salvation Army, without seeking to recover the costs from ratepayers. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association. Russian hackers have attacked several Ukrainian media outlets to spread misinformation, according to a statement from the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine posted on Telegram on Feb. 18. The statement named Ukrainska Pravda, Liga.net, Apostrophe, and Telegraf as media outlets affected by the attack. On the evening of Feb. 18, Ukrainska Pravda reported that their account on the social media platform X had been hacked and misinformation about the Armed Forces of Ukraine had been posted by the account. The cybersecurity agency said it is investigating the case and asked anyone who suspects they were targeted to contact them. Earlier on Dec. 12, a hacker attack targeted Ukrainian telecommunications company Kyivstar and Monobank, one of Ukraine's largest banks. Russian hacker group called Solntsepek claimed responsibility for the attack. Read also: Brutal Battle for Avdiivka brings Russias first major victory in 2024 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A police officer looks on as a farmer drives his tractor to protest rising costs and EU environmental regulations. Deml Ondej/CTK/dpa Farmers driving around 500 tractors, lorries and other large agricultural machinery descended on the Czech Agriculture Ministry in Prague on Monday to protest rising costs and EU environmental regulations. While many streets were blocked in the city centre, major traffic chaos was averted as authorities had warned commuters in advance to travel to work by public transportation rather than their own vehicles. The protest action is directed against the EU's flagship Green Deal, which aims to achieve climate neutrality in the bloc by 2050. Farmers denounce the rules associated with the initiative as overly burdensome and say they are being asked to do too much. The farmers are also venting their anger at the government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala, saying they need more subsidies and less bureaucracy from his liberal-conservative government. They held up banners at their Monday protest reading "Rescue dying agriculture" and "Stop the bureaucratic terror." Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny told the CTK news agency that he wanted to see round-table negotiations take place rather than protests that paralyse Prague. He also accused the farmers of having political agenda. The Czech government, which is made up of five parties, has seen its popularity plunge lately. According to a recent poll by opinion research group STEM, former populist prime minister Andrej Babis' largest opposition party ANO would receive 33.4% of the vote if parliamentary elections were held today. Fiala's ODS would receive 13.2% and the co-governing Pirate Party 11.3%. The Christian Democratic party of Agriculture Minister Vyborny would fail to even reach the 5% hurdle to enter parliament. The survey of 1,092 people took place from January 18 to 27. A farmer drives his tractor to protest rising costs and EU environmental regulations. Deml Ondej/CTK/dpa When asked by Sky News who people should vote for in Rochdale, Wes Streeting replied: 'Im just glad I dont have to make that choice' - TAYFUN SALCI/ZUMA PRESS WIRE/SHUTTERSTOCK Labour voters in Rochdale should spoil their ballots after the partys candidate was axed in an anti-Semitism row, Wes Streeting has suggested. Mr Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said he was sorry and ashamed that people in the Greater Manchester town will not be able to back Labour in the forthcoming by-election. Azhar Ali was suspended last week after it emerged that he had repeated a conspiracy theory about the Oct 7 terror attack on Israel by Hamas. But the decision was only made after nominations for the seat closed, meaning he will still appear on the ballot paper as the Labour candidate. Mr Streeting was asked who people should vote for in Rochdale, which was represented for Labour by Sir Tony Lloyd, who died last month. The shadow health secretary told Sky News: Im just glad I dont have to make that choice, and I just want to say that Im really sorry to voters in Rochdale. I dont think I would be casting a ballot Id probably go along and spoil my ballot if I lived in Rochdale, and Im really sorry weve put people in that position. Mr Streeting said voters could make their own minds up, but were not being spoilt with choice now Labour no longer has a candidate. He added: I feel really quite sorry and ashamed that Rochdale voters have been left in this position, saying the party would be putting up a better candidate at the general election. George Galloway, a former Labour and Respect Party MP, is now the favourite to win the Feb 29 contest after running a campaign heavily focused on Gaza. He will go up against Mr Ali, who is staying in the race as an independent and whose allies claim he was purged for speaking up for Palestinians. Simon Danczuk, who was the Labour MP for Rochdale from 2010 until 2017, is standing in the constituency for Reform UK. Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has begun to toughen up his partys stance on a Gaza ceasefire after months of unrest from MPs and members of his front bench. In his toughest remarks yet on the situation, Mr Streeting warned that Israels military actions had gone beyond reasonable self-defence and said it it may have breached international law. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. When discussing the process of desegregation in schools across the country, you cant negate the impact that the Little Rock Nine played and how Daisy Lee Gatson Bates contributed to making a cultural change in the education system. In 2001, the Arkansas legislature acknowledged the third Monday in February as Daisy Gatson Bates Day, but who exactly was Bates and why was she an influential figure in Arkansas history? Who was Daisy Bates? Daisy Lee Gatson Bates was born in November of 1914 in Huttig. Before the age of 7, she was taken into foster care and raised by Susie and Orlee Smith. At the age of 15, Bates met L. C. Bates, who later became her husband in 1942. Daisy Bates _-7490258218893882459 Just a year before marrying, the couple moved to Little Rock to start the Arkansas State Press, a weekly newspaper that focused on civil rights for African Americans. What role did Arkansas play in the civil rights movement? In 1952, Bates became the president of the Arkansas National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which led to an event that signifies why she celebrated today. Why do we celebrate Daisy Bates Day? In 1954, the decision in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education ruled that racial segregation in public schools violated the 14th amendment, making it unconstitutional. Even after the Supreme Court ruling, Black students in Arkansas were denied the same access to public education as whites. LITTLE ROCK NINE_1537821872267.jpg.jpg Bates continued to push for equal opportunity in the school systems by becoming a leader and mentor to nine Black students, who became the notable Little Rock Nine in 1957. Bates, along with the Little Rock Nine, faced many threats throughout the 1957-58 school year at Central High School, but she continued to stand for what she believed in. Today, children from different races and backgrounds now have the chance to not only sit across from one another, they are able to build a bond due to Bates influence on the school systems in Arkansas. How is Daisy Bates remembered today? Though Bates died in November of 1999, there are multiple landmarks that reminds not only Arkansans, but everyone across the country why she is important to the Black community. Arkansan chosen to create Johnny Cash statue for National Statuary Hall Throughout Arkansas, there are multiple streets in her name, including one in Little Rock. Bates was also honored by the Pulaski County Special School District with an elementary school in her name. In 2019, the Arkansas General Assembly passed a law to replace prominent statues at the U.S. Capitol with statues of Daisy Bates and Johnny Cash. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Actor Danny Masterson, best known for his role in That 70s Show, has been transferred to a state prison in San Luis Obispo, according to state officials. When he was first sent to state prison to serve his sentence for two rape convictions at the end of last year, Masterson was housed inside North Kern State Prison. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 47-year-old Masterson is now being housed inside the California Mens Colony in San Luis Obispo. In September 2023, Masterson was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for two counts of rape with force, violence or fear of bodily injury, authorities say. The star was convicted on two of the three rape charges he faced. Prosecutors say both incidents occurred at Mastersons Hollywood-area home in 2003 when he was at the height of his fame due to the success of That 70s Show. FILE- Ashton Kutcher, left, and Danny Masterson present the award for collaborative video of the year at the CMT Music Awards at Music City Center on June 7, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are apologizing for character letters the celebrity couple wrote on behalf of Masterson ahead of this week's sentencing of their fellow "That '70s Show" cast member. A judge in Los Angeles on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women in 2003. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP, File) On its website, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation describes the California Mens Colony (CMC) prison as committed to providing its inmate population with meaningful rehabilitative resources in order to ensure the men who are released from CMC have the opportunity to rejoin society as peaceful, productive citizens. Masterson is eligible for parole in June 2042. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. FILE - Maryam al-Khawaja poses for a photograph outside Heathrow airport, in London, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. The daughter of a long-detained human rights activist in Bahrain said Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, she had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, again calling for her father's release. Maryam al-Khawaja again called on Denmark, where both al-Khawajas have citizenship, to do more to free her father, 62-year-old Abdulhadi al-Khawaja.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The daughter of a long-detained human rights activist in Bahrain said she has been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and again called for her father's release. Maryam al-Khawaja also urged Denmark, where both al-Khawajas have citizenship, to do more to free her father, 62-year-old Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. She also asked Denmark to end arms sales to Israel and to push to halt fighting amid Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. I urge the Danish government to lead with its stated human rights values: to leverage its diplomatic power to release my father and decisively end all arm sales and demand a cease-fire in Gaza, she said in the statement issued Monday. "Only then, can all of our families finally be safely together. In a statement to The Associated Press, Bahrains government did not acknowledge al-Khawajas cancer announcement, instead saying that her father had all his legal rights afforded to him, including a fair trial and the right to appeal. Bahrain is an island kingdom in the Persian Gulf that is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. Al-Khawaja's father, Abdulhadi, has been in prison for years after an internationally criticized conviction on charges stemming from him leading 2011 Arab Spring demonstrations in Bahrain. Al-Khawaja was blocked last year from traveling to Bahrain with human rights activists to protest his continued detention. Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes. While aggressive, it can be successfully treated. Al-Khawaja said she was undergoing chemotherapy to fight the disease. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the communitys help in finding a suspect involved in a shooting that happened on Saturday in Southeast D.C. Officers responded to the shooting at about 8:22 p.m. in the 3400 block of 13th Place, SE. There, they found a 10-year-old boy who had been shot. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. 10-year-old boy shot in Southeast DC A suspect and vehicle were captured by nearby cameras and can be seen below: (Courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department) Anyone who can identify the suspect or vehicle or has information about the shooting is asked to call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411. A reward of up to $10,000 is offered to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Tuesday is the deadline to register to vote for Florida's March 19 presidential preference primary. Only registered Republican voters can vote in the primary, because there will be no Democratic presidential primary in Florida this year. Here is information voters need to know, from Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic and others: Who is on the ballot? There are seven Republican candidates on the presidential primary ballot, including four who are no longer actively running. The active candidates on the ballot are former President Donald Trump; former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. who also was a former ambassador to the United Nations; and Ryan Binkley, a business executive and pastor from Texas. Also on the ballot are four former candidates no longer actively campaigning former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Why are former candidates still on the ballot? Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic stands in front of pallets of vote-by-mail ballots before they were mailed out to voters in advance of the March 19 Republican presidential preference primary. More to know about primary process: Who can and can't vote in Florida's presidential preference primary? If a candidate did not submit a formal withdrawal by Dec. 12, under Florida Statute, the candidates name must remain on the ballot. Why is there no Democratic primary? Because the Florida Democratic Party provided only one candidate nominee, President Joe Biden. Brevard Democratic Executive Committee Chair Pamela Castellana said no other names were brought forward during a meeting of Democratic Party officials to select candidates for the ballot. There were several other Democrats actively campaigning against Biden at the time. Among the Democrats still campaigning are U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and political commentator Cenk Uygur. Can non Republicans vote in the primary? No. Florida is what's known as a "closed-primary state." So only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican primary. As of Friday, there were 190,349 registered Republicans in Brevard County, representing 44.9% of registered votes. Among other registered voters, 26.9% are Democrats, 25.2% have no party affiliation, and 3.0% are members of one of Florida's 12 minor political parties. Brevard Republican Executive Committee Chair Rick Lacey says his party has been trying to get more non-Republicans to switch to the GOP. How can I register to vote or change my party affiliation to vote in the primary? Voters can visit any of the four Brevard County Supervisor of Elections administrative offices or go to VoteBrevard.gov to register to vote or update their voter registration. These are the office locations: Melbourne: 1515 Sarno Road, Building A. Palm Bay: 450 Cogan Drive SE. Titusville: 400 South St., Suite 1F. Viera: 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Building C, Suite 105. What if I want to request a vote-by-mail ballot? Voters not already on the mail ballot request list have until 5 p.m. March 7 to request a mail ballot be sent to them prior to the March 19 election. Current requests are valid for one general election cycle and, if requested now, are good through Dec. 31. Requests can be made at VoteBrevard.gov, by calling 321-290-VOTE (8683), or at any of the four administrative offices. Can you drop off a filled-out mail ballot? Secure ballot intake stations are available in the lobby of all four administrative offices of Brevard County Supervisor of Elections for voters wishing to return their voted mail ballots. What's the deadline for mail ballots? Mail ballots must be received in the supervisor of elections offices by 7 p.m. on election day. What else should voters know? Bobanic said, if voters have concerns, they should verify information theyve seen or heard by going to VoteBrevard.gov or by calling 321-290-VOTE (8683). 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: If you want to vote in presidential primary, be registered by Tuesday Within the last 24 hours, 70 combat clashes occurred in the combat zone. The Russian forces have launched 4 missile attacks and 52 airstrikes, as well as 72 attacks from multiple-launch rocket systems. Source: evening report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from 19 February Details: On the Kupiansk front the Russians made three unsuccessful attempts to conduct an offensive near the settlement of Synkivka in Kharkiv Oblast. On the Lyman front the Ukrainian forces repelled four attacks near the settlement of Terny in Donetsk Oblast and Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast where the Russians tried to breach the defence of the Ukrainian forces. On the Bakhmut front the Defence Forces of Ukraine repelled 11 Russian attacks near the settlements of Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast where the Russians tried to improve their tactical positions. On the Avdiivka front the Defence Forces repelled nine Russian attacks near the settlements of Lastochkyne, Sieverne, Pervomaiske and Nevelske in Donetsk Oblast. On the Marinka front the Defence Forces continue to deter the Russians near the settlements of Heorhiivka, Pobieda and Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast where 19 attacks were repelled. On the Novopavlivka front the Russians conducted one failed offensive near the settlement of Staromaiorske in Donetsk Oblast. On the Zaporizhzhia front the Defence Forces repelled 10 attacks near the settlements of Malynivka and Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. In the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational Strategic Group on the Kherson front the Russians do not abandon their attempts to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions on the left (east) bank of the Dnipro River. The Russians tried to assault Ukrainian forces five times over the past day. Quote: "On the eastern front the units of the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed two aircraft of the enemy: a Su-34 fighter jet and a Su-35C fighter jet." Ukrainian missile units struck one control point, four ammunition storage points and five artillery systems of the Russians. Support UP or become our patron! Delays in the provision of Western security aid to Ukraine have helped Russia launch offensive operations on several fronts at once to put pressure on Ukrainian forces there. Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: Analysts said that Russian troops are currently conducting at least three offensive operations on these fronts: along the border of Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts, in particular near Kupiansk and Lyman; in and around Avdiivka; near Robotyne in the west of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. ISW estimated, as did several Ukrainian and Western sources, that delays in the delivery of Western security aid, such as artillery ammunition and critically important air defence systems, did not let Ukrainian forces defend Avdiivka from the Russian offensive. A critical shortage of Western-supplied equipment and fears of a complete cessation of US military assistance forced Ukrainian forces to disperse their equipment across the line of contact, which likely encouraged Russian forces to take advantage of the situation. The Russians have launched offensives outside Avdiivka, along the border of Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts since early January 2024, and in the western part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast in the last 48 hours. ISW believes that this Russian offensive is likely to prevent Ukrainian forces from preparing personnel and equipment to resume counteroffensive operations. Ukraine will suffer if it simply digs in and tries to defend itself until the end of 2024, as some Western powers and analysts advocate. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 18 February: Ukrainian forces will likely be able to establish new defensive lines not far beyond Avdiivka, which will likely prompt the culmination of the Russian offensive in this area. Delays in Western security assistance to Ukraine are likely helping Russia launch opportunistic offensive operations along several sectors of the frontline in order to place pressure on Ukrainian forces along multiple axes. Russian forces are likely seeking to take advantage of two windows of opportunity with the recent initiation of their simultaneous offensive operationsthe period before the upcoming spring thaw and the nuanced dynamics of Western aid provision. The Russian capture of Avdiivka after four months of intensified offensive operations exemplifies the way that Russian forces pursue offensive operations that do not necessarily set conditions for wider operational gains but still force Ukraine to commit manpower and materiel to defensive operations. Russian forces have not yet demonstrated an ability to secure operationally significant gains or conduct rapid mechanised manoeuvre across large swaths of territory, and the capture of Avdiivka should not be taken as demonstrating this capability. Ukrainian officials are investigating two instances of apparent Russian violations of the Geneva Convention on prisoners of war (POWs) in occupied Donetsk Oblast. Russian military bloggers criticised the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) for failing to recognise 1st Donetsk Peoples Republic Army Corps (DNR AC) Commander Lieutenant General Sergei Milchakov and the Veterany Assault Brigade (Volunteer Corps) for aiding in the Russian capture of Avdiivka, highlighting continued tension between Russian regular and irregular forces (Donetsk Peoples Republic is a non-recognised and self-proclaimed quasi-state formation in Donetsk Oblast ed.). The Washington Post reported that the Kremlin has been orchestrating a large-scale effort to spread disinformation in the Ukrainian media since January 2023, corroborating recent Ukrainian official reports about Russian information operations that use fake Telegram channels to infiltrate the Ukrainian information space. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on 18 February that Denmark is donating its "entire artillery" to Ukraine. The US is reportedly turning to India and China to engage Russia about Russias reported intent to launch an unspecified anti-satellite nuclear weapon into space. Russian forces recently made a confirmed advance in western Zaporizhzhia amid continued positional engagements along the entire line of contact on 18 February. Russian occupation officials continue to use educational programs as means of Russifying occupied Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) on Sunday said supporters of President Joe Biden who are troubled by his low poll numbers should stop worrying and start working. In an interview with ABCs This Week, Shapiro was asked to weigh in on the fact that polls in Pennsylvania, a swing state that could determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, show Biden and former President Donald Trump essentially tied in a potential rematch with each other. Well, the race is close, but understand, the campaign hasnt really even joined yet, Shapiro said. And this is the reason why we run races. And I would say to folks who are worried about the numbers, stop worrying and start working. Shapiro added that every time Pennsylvanians have gone to the polls after 2016, when they voted for Trump over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, they have opposed extremists. What we have seen really since Donald Trumps election here in 2016 is every other time Pennsylvanians have had the opportunity to go to the ballot, they have voted for freedom and against extremism, Shapiro said. They rejected Donald Trump in 2020. They voted for me by a historic margin in 2022. Shapiro defeated far-right, election-denying Republican Doug Mastriano by nearly 15 percentage points in November 2022. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, one of Biden's top surrogates, tells Biden's supporters to start putting in the work to reelect him despite polling concerns. "I would say to folks who are worried about the numbers: Stop worrying and start working." https://t.co/IQXhm9yvW6pic.twitter.com/2RW4Q5xhhd This Week (@ThisWeekABC) February 18, 2024 Shapiro also brushed aside calls for Biden to exit the 2024 race, including by New York Times opinion columnist Ezra Klein. I think Biden, as painful as this is, should find his way to stepping down as a hero, Klein said Friday in an episode of his podcast, The Ezra Klein Show. That the party should help him find his way to that, to being the thing he said he would be in 2020, the bridge to the next generation of Democrats. And then I think Democrats should meet in August at the convention to do what political parties have done there before: organize victory. Shapiro argued that the race is ultimately less about the two likely candidates, and more about the future of the country that voters are rooting for. In many ways, this election is less about Joe Biden and Donald Trump, and more about us and the kind of country that we want to build, he said. And Ive got confidence in the American people that, just as they did in 2020, they will rise up, they will demand more, they will seek justice, and they will look to defend freedom in this nation and they will reject Donald Trump. Related... TEKONSHA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Authorities are searching for four suspects who broke into a marijuana dispensary in Calhoun County. The Calhoun County Sheriffs Office said around 5:20 a.m. Monday, it received a report of an intrusion alarm at Aim High Meds at the intersection of M-60 and Old 27 in Tekonsha Township, south of Marshall. Surveillance video showed four suspects, who appear to be men, wearing masks and driving a red Kia SUV. The vehicle was last seen driving northbound on I-69, according to the sheriffs office. The sheriffs office said the suspects were able to get away with various items. This embedded content is not available in your region. Anyone with information is asked to call the Calhoun County Sheriffs Office at 269.781.0880 or Silent Observer at 269.964.3888. *Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the highway on which the vehicle was last seen. It was last spotted on I-69. We regret the error, which has been corrected. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. A man who piloted a boat in the English Channel has been found guilty of the manslaughter of four migrants who drowned when it ran into difficulty. Ibrahima Bah, a Senegalese migrant, had offered to steer the dinghy in December 2022 in exchange for a free crossing. He had claimed that he was forced by violent smugglers to make the journey with at least 43 other migrants, claims that were dismissed by the prosecution. Thirty nine of the 43 were rescued by a British fishing boat that came across them, aided by the RNLI, air ambulance and UK Border Force. Four, however, perished in the freezing Channel waters. Bah is the first migrant who piloted a dinghy to have been found responsible for harm caused to other occupants. As well as manslaughter, Bah was found guilty of facilitating a breach of immigration law by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court. Bah, whom a court determined was an adult but whose exact age is in dispute, previously told the court he had changed his mind about piloting the boat to the UK when he arrived at the beach on the French coast and saw it was too small for the number of passengers. The home-built, low-quality inflatable should not have held more than 20 people. But he claimed he was assaulted by smugglers and threatened with death if he did not go ahead with the crossing. He could have turned back Libby Clark, a specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: He couldve turned back. Thats what some of the migrants wanted to do. But Ibrahima Bah carried on. Those arent really the actions of somebody whos acted under duress. The jury heard that a crew on a British fishing boat came across the sinking boat and tried to rescue the passengers, with help from the RNLI, air ambulance and UK Border Force. A total of 39 survivors were brought to shore in Dover. But the exact number of migrants who drowned is unknown, as it appears at least one persons body is believed to have not been recovered. One of the four who lost their lives was named as Hajratullah Ahmadi. The other three were described as unknown. Many of the passengers, not all of whom had life jackets, paid thousands of euros to smugglers. Ms Clark said the crossing on a sober and reasonable analysis was almost bound to fail. She said there was no direct evidence of Bah being assaulted other than what Bah says, and that was not a tenable defence. Undated handout photo issued by Crown Prosecution Service of the boat in which four passengers drowned in the English Channel. - CPS/PA Dinghy completely unseaworthy The crew of the fishing boat described the dinghy as completely unseaworthy with the floor appearing to have collapsed under the weight of the migrants. It had no safety equipment such as flares or a radio and was made from low quality material which did not meet any minimum safety standards. The migrants on board told rescuers the boat had started taking on water shortly after it left the French coast. There was then a sound which they believed was the dinghy puncturing. Despite this, Bah continued to head into UK waters with one passenger reporting him saying: I will either take you there or kill you all. Ms Clark said: The boat he piloted was never designed to undertake a crossing in the worlds busiest shipping lane and would have been all but invisible to other ships. Navigation was carried out with just mobile phones, as there were no other navigational aids available. There is no evidence to suggest that Bah had any training in piloting a boat like this or keeping people safe and, as the pilot, he assumed responsibility for ensuring the safety of his fellow passengers. Any reasonable person would have recognised that by piloting such an ill-equipped and overloaded boat in such dangerous circumstances, there was an obvious risk of serious harm to the passengers. As a result of Bahs actions, four men tragically lost their lives in the Channel that night. Our thoughts remain with their families. 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. Hundreds of students attended a caucus Tuesday at the University of Texas to discuss the new state law banning public college diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Hundreds of students last week gathered at a Texas student caucus hosted by the University of Texas Onyx Honor Society to discuss a new state law banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programs at higher education institutions, and to ask elected officials for advice on how to move forward. Six weeks after Senate Bill 17 went into effect, students are organizing to advocate for UT to support queer students and students of color while staying compliant with the new law. Lacey Reynolds, a junior at UT and president of the Onyx Honor Society UT's first and only Black honors society said Tuesday's event had more than 500 people in attendance with four full overflow rooms. The caucus was one of the first formal gatherings for students to discuss SB 17, and it was intended to give people a sense of clarity about what has changed and to know that they are not alone. That was the first time I was seeing some students cry about what was going on, she said. Some people say the campus environment within itself, it just feels different. The honors society has hosted caucuses before, but this was the first open to everybody, Reynolds said, as the law affects many different communities. Several professors also attended the event, as did students from Huston-Tillotson University, Austin's only historically Black college or university. State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, who chairs the Texas Legislative Black Caucus; Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP chapter; and two council members one from Pflugerville and the other from La Marque spoke and took questions as part of the caucus panel. It was a solution in search of a freaking problem, Ron Reynolds said of SB 17. Let me say this at the outset: Our diversity is our strength. Let me say this at the outset: Our diversity is our strength, state Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, said at Tuesday's UT student event. Speakers and students spoke about the loss of Black Graduation at UT, now run in a different form by Texas Exes, a nonprofit alumni organization. Students spoke about the loss of LGBTQ+ signage in the Women's Community Center, formerly the Gender and Sexuality Center, and the closing of Multicultural Engagement Center. Lacey Reynolds also said UT students have had trouble securing funding for individuals from Black student groups to attend conferences. She and other students are hesitant to ask professors for help, as per SB 17, employees and contractors of public higher education institutions can be disciplined, including by termination, for violating the law, she said. We understand that we are the flagship university in the UT System and so we really set the standards, and we don't want to be the university that overdoes this bill, she said. We're trying to bring everything that we possibly can to the university so that they can see for themselves how the students are being affected. Students and panelists also spoke about action plans: meeting with UT President Jay Hartzell to discuss the needs of students, collecting data about the school's climate after the law, forming a multicultural coalition to advocate against SB 17 changes, posting on social media and brainstorming creative ways to fund student groups. Hartzell told the American-Statesman on Friday that the university's focus on caring for students hasn't changed. "The main thing is our continued maintained relentless focus on student success," he said. "We have to do what we have to do, but that does not at all change our commitment to students." 'It is a time of change' Elijah Wahome, a UT sophomore and member of the Onyx Honor Society, said he came to UT because of its acceptance of LGBTQ+ students. Wahome, having grown up in a conservative Christian area in the state, said UT's focus on belonging made the university special to him. I toured the school, and I saw the pride flags that were on the churches and in the windows and on the walls, he said. I was 18 years old, walking around, just came out of the closet ... was facing a lot of rejection, and I stepped on this campus and I just felt a sense of belonging, a sense of home. Wahome worries SB 17 has set UT back. When Wahome sees tours happening now, he worries that as the visible symbols of belonging diminish, so will the actual sense of belonging if the state's attacks on DEI continue. I think the university does care about us. At least at the highest level, I think they do ultimately care, and I think they do ultimately want us to succeed, Wahome said. However, my fear is, how long is that going to last? Because at the end of the day, the university has to follow the law. Hartzell said the university is in a moment of change, but its commitment to students remains the same. "We may have different tools at our disposal that we can use to help our students, but the main thing is we're going to continue to work to help our students," he said. "It is a time of change, and it's going to feel unsettled for a while, and I think we'll get to a place where people can feel more comfortable with the new normal, whatever that might look like." Wahome said he hopes the Legislature repeals the law. But, he said, Onyx and other organizations on campus will continue to share their stories and to advocate for change. SB 17 "makes people feel like they are being rejected, and when you make someone feel rejected, you make them inevitably feel unsafe, he said. If things continue to get worse, I hope that students continue to have these conversations and continue to advocate for change, and I hope they know that they are loved. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Hundreds of UT students gather for Texas Student Caucus on SB 17 An American man is under arrest and facing extradition to Germany for the 1978 murder of a woman that took place while he was stationed at a U.S. Army base there. Investigators say DNA evidence found at the crime scene decades ago has been matched to the suspect, James Patrick Dempsey. "Investigators determined that the likelihood of a match was 1 in 270 quadrillion," according to an extradition document filed in court last week. Dempsey is accused of stabbing and killing 35-year-old Barbel Gansau in her apartment in Ludwigsburg, Germany. She was found dead in her bed with 37 stab wounds. Investigators said a bathroom window was open, and they collected fingerprint evidence from the window frame suggesting her attacker had entered the apartment this way. Gansau had frequented officers' clubs for American soldiers who were stationed at a U.S. Army base in Ludwigsburg, and a friend said she was acquainted with some of the soldiers. Investigators collected fingerprints from several soldiers whom Gansau knew, but all of them had an alibi. Dempsey was not part of the original investigation. For years, the case was cold. But in 2020, with advancements in forensic technology, investigators reopened the investigation. Since they suspected the killer was an American solider, the fingerprints were compared with a database in the U.S. This time they said they found a match in Dempsey, who was stationed in Ludwigsburg between 1977 and 1978. He was was discharged from the Army in 1978, and according to the court documents, Army records reported he had developed an alcohol problem and aggressive behavior. After Dempsey returned to the U.S., he was arrested for driving under the influence and unauthorized use of a vehicle, and because of that criminal charge, his fingerprints were added in the database. In 2021, FBI investigators pulled trash from Dempsey's home and found material to test for a DNA match. In 2022, German investigators determined the DNA matched evidence from the crime scene, specifically a semen sample found on the bedsheets and Gansau. Dempsey, who was 20 years old at the time of the murder, was from central New York, according to Syracuse.com. As part of its extradition treaty with Germany, the U.S. filed a complaint seeking a warrant for Dempsey's provisional arrest on Feb. 9. He was arrested on Feb. 13 and is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. The U.S. requested that Dempsey be held without bail until he is extradited, arguing that he "poses a flight risk and a danger to the community." CBS News has reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice for further information and is awaiting response. Cillian Murphy: The 60 Minutes Interview Redefining old age The authentic Ashley McBryde Israeli troops forced doctors and other medical staff to leave the Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza, strip down to their underwear, and wait in the cold for hours before the troops allowed five doctors to go back into the building to treat patients, an eyewitness told CNN on Monday. The incident comes as the Israeli military said it had arrested hundreds of militants at the hospital, which is in Khan Younis, including some posing as doctors. Israeli forces also said they found medications with the names of Israeli hostages on them inside the hospital, releasing a video of soldiers showing medicine boxes with inscriptions and sometimes photos on the labels of who they apparently were prescribed to. The eyewitness spoke to CNN in a rare telephone interview from the area of Nasser hospital, where there are few ways to communicate with the outside world. The source said when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) took control of the hospital last week, they broadcast a message saying: Doctors, come outside. When the medics came out and were ordered to take off their clothes, they protested because of the frigid conditions. Take off your clothing, the witness said the doctors were told. The doctors then removed their clothes in the cold and were kept outside for several hours before Israeli troops chose five doctors to return to the complex to take care of patients. The eyewitness does not know what happened to the other doctors. That left five doctors to treat dozens of patients in the old building of the compound, said the eyewitness, who has been inside the hospital and asked not to be named for fear of retribution. Nasser had been the largest functioning hospital in Gaza prior to the IDFs raid last week. The World Health Organization [WHO] said the medical complex, which now has around 180 patients and 15 medical staff, has neither tap water nor electricity and is relying on a backup generator to maintain lifesaving machines. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also said it faced major challenges to deliver fuel to the hospital amid the ongoing military activity in the area. The eyewitness said the hospital had no electricity and that patients were dying every day due to the Israeli blockade of the hospital. The source said the air had filled with the smell of rotting bodies. Four patients died in recent days, and [Israeli] forces havent allowed them to remove the patients from the building, and the smell is very bad, the eyewitness said. Food and water are scarce, the eyewitness said. When WHO officials arrived on Saturday, we said: If you dont bring food and water, we will die, the eyewitness added. The WHO later brought in some water and canned goods like tuna, but there were no carbohydrates, like bread or rice, the eyewitness said. They [the patients] cant eat this without bread, the eyewitness added. On Sunday, the WHO evacuated 14 patients who needed oxygen. A medical source inside Nasser told CNN 16 more patients were evacuated on Monday. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday the evacuation of patients has continued amid an acute shortage of food, oxygen and basic medical supplies. The Ministry of Health in Gaza said Sunday that around 70 healthcare workers in the medical complex were arrested by Israeli forces and 80 patients had been transferred out of the hospital to an unknown location. The IDF did not immediately respond to a CNN question about forcing medical staff to remove their clothes in the cold, but the account is similar to reports from other Gaza hospitals which Israeli troops have entered. CNN has seen at least one instance of Palestinian men stripped of most of their clothes and being held by Israeli troops. Israel has said in the past that it takes away peoples clothing for fear they could conceal improvised explosives. The IDF insists that it treats detainees in accordance with international law. Hamas militants arrested, IDF says The IDF said Monday they apprehended hundreds of Hamas militants hiding in Nasser Hospital, including some of whom they say had been posing as medical staff, and that they found medicines with the names of Israeli hostages on them during their raid on the medical complex. As part of IDF activity in the hospital, boxes of medicine were found with the names of Israeli hostages on them. The packages of medicine that were found were sealed and had not been transferred to the hostages, the IDF said in its statement Monday. The IDF claimed that some of the people they apprehended had participated in the October 7 attack on Israel. They included those with connections to the hostages, as well as significant Hamas operatives. The Israeli military did not say where the suspects had been moved, but said they have been transferred to undergo further investigations by security forces. CNN cannot independently confirm the IDFs claims, but the military released video of a soldier apparently in a hospital pharmacy showing boxes of medicines bearing the names of current and former hostages. Gazas Ministry of Health denied the claims, calling them not true, adding, hospitals provide service to civilians in Gaza. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Georgias attorney general claims internal company documents show the real estate company behind 40-year listing agreements at the center of a series of Channel 2 Action News investigations was more interested in collecting penalties than selling homes. For the first time, Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray talked to someone who actually tried to use MV Realty to sell his house. Willie Berry lives in one of the fastest gentrifying parts of the city Sylvan Hills. After 4 months on the market, Berry said he had no offers. The MV Realty sign out front of Berrys house caught our attention. So, Gray knocked on the door. [HAVE A STORY FOR CHANNEL 2 ACTION NEWS INVESTIGATES? Submit it here] If I got to give them 6%, you know, I might as well go ahead and use them, not having to pay twice, Berry said. Berry, like so many of the people we have met in our series of investigations, told Gray he did not realize he was signing a 40-year deal with MV Realty. Channel 2 Action News has reported on MV Realtys homeowner benefit program where you get a small check now but a big penalty later 3% of the value of your house if you dont use them to sell your house. Did you expect this house to sell pretty quick? Gray asked Berry. I did. I really did, Berry said. RELATED STORIES: Unlike most of the other people Gray has met, Berry took MV up on their offer to sell his house. I dont feel like they put in the full effort, you know, to make it sale, Berry said. Thats no surprise to Georgias attorney general. Attached to Attorney General Chris Carrs lawsuit against MV Realty is an MV Realty business presentation for investors that the AG claims, confirms, among other things, that MV Realty did not intend to operate as a residential real estate firm and instead intended to record memorandums on consumers homes to cloud the title. In the proposal, MV Realty wrote that while it was found as a digital-focused real estate brokerage, it began transitioning the business into a specialty finance-focused prop-tech company. In its SEC filings, one of the investors put in plain English what that means: It listed MV Realty as a banking business, not a real estate company. Berry took his home off the market last week after it didnt sell, and he cant change brokers unless he wants to pay MV Realty that 3% penalty. For MV Realty itself, I wouldnt recommend, Berry said. That same internal business presentation shows MV Realty makes more money when they are not the agent on a home. RELATED NEWS: Delawareans are the first to shout their First State pride and boast about the allure of the Small Wonder, but it looks like the rest of the nation is finally catching on now that Delaware is deemed a top state to live in. In 2022 when approximately 8.2 million people moved around the United States, Delaware broke through the top 20 list and ranked as the 16th-most-sought-after state in the country by net migration, according to StorageCafe. Is everyone moving to Delaware now? Murals on the Delaware Avenue bridge welcome people to Wilmington. StorageCafe, an online platform that provides storage unit listings across the country, used U.S. Census Bureau data and other government data to find trends in recent nationwide moving patterns. The study reports that Delaware gained around 12,500 more residents than it lost in 2022, with 29% of the 125 people who moved to the state every day being millennials, followed by 18% being baby boomers. Welcome to Delaware road sign at the state border. The top states contributing to Delawares influx of new residents are Pennsylvania (26% of movers), Maryland (22%), New Jersey (12%), New York (7%) and North Carolina (7%). The typical new Delawarean earns an average of $58,000 and has an average age of 37 years old, according to the study, which adds that 38% of new residents at least have a bachelors degree and 7% are working remotely. StorageCafe reports that tax leniency and housing affordability including homes that are approximately 16% cheaper than Maryland rates and 22% cheaper than New Jersey rates are big wins for movers choosing Delaware as their new home Nationwide moving trends Nationwide, the South leads the charge for the most residents gained in 2022. Nineteen out of 50 states saw negative net migration numbers in 2022, according to StorageCafe. The only U.S. region to end 2022 with a population gain is the South, which had a net gain of 690,000 residents from interstate migration. All other regions the Northeast, Midwest and West saw net declines, with the Northeast losing the most and shedding over 300,000 residents. The top 10 states for net migration gains in 2022 were: Florida Texas North Carolina Arizona Georgia South Carolina Connecticut Tennessee Alabama Oklahoma The main factors drawing movers to the South include favorable climates, a relatively lower cost of living, abundant job opportunities and a robust economy in some areas. The region has also seen improvements in infrastructure and real estate landscapes, according to StorageCafe. Of the southern hot spots, Texas, Georgia and Florida saw the highest volumes of net migration among 24- to 39-year-olds in 2022, the same demographic that Delaware has welcomed the most in recent years and the largest moving generation in the U.S., the study reports. For younger movers, Connecticut, North Carolina and Washington D.C. saw the most Generation Z movers. Generation Z continues to stray away from expensive urban areas like Los Angeles and New York City, with New York, California and Illinois all seeing negative migration of the demographic. Instead, Generation Z prefers relocating to states like Texas, Pennsylvania, Utah, North Dakota and Alabama. Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com. Got your sights set on solar power?: Delaware ranks as one of the best states for solar installation Presidential lunch: Rehoboth Beach's Henlopen City Oyster House is lunch choice for President Joe Biden This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Why is everyone moving to Delaware? First State is top place to live Dont trash your nip bottles. The owners of three Massachusetts liquor stores say they will pay people who return their empties. The owners of Seaside Liquors, Wellfleet Spirits Shoppe, and Wellfleet Wine and Spirits in the Barnstable County town on Cape Cod say are offering up 10-cent rebates to customers who bring back empty nips to limit litter, the Cape Cod Times reported. The newspaper reported that the move comes after a petition to ban nips in Wellfleet was rejected last year. Were trying to do our part to help promote less litter, Al Kogos, owner of Seaside Liquors, told the Times. If this can catch on in other towns, who knows? Well see how it goes. The 10-cent rebate program took effect in Wellfleet on Feb. 1. Nine towns in Massachusetts have banned the sale of nips. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW COLUMBIA, S.C. Former President Donald Trump on Monday mentioned the death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, though he said Russian President Vladimir Putin's most significant opponent made him "more aware" of his own political rivals and court cases. Trump in a post on his Truth Social platform marked Navalny's "sudden death" in a Russian prison, but he did not blame or even mention Navalny's jailer, Putin. Instead, Trump without evidence attacked "Radical Left Politicians, Prosecutors, and Judges" in the United States. He also appeared to refer to last week's civil court judgment against him of more than $450 million. "The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our Country," Trump said in the post. Trump's linkage of Navalny's death to politics in the U.S. drew immediate criticism from his Republican and Democratic opponents, who have long alleged he's afraid to say anything negative about the autocratic Putin. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in 2019 That group includes former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, Trump's last remaining major opponent in the Republican primaries. "Donald Trump could have condemned Vladimir Putin for being a murderous thug," Haley said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "Trump could have praised Navalnys courage. "Instead, he stole a page from liberals playbook, denouncing America and comparing our country to Russia." Trump's Monday post also drew a harsh assessment from former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who called the former president "human garbage" in a post on X. President Joe Biden, Trump's likely opponent in the general election, has also long accused his predecessor of being overly cozy with Russia. Referring to Trump's recent attacks on NATO, Biden said last week: "No other president in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator. Well, let me say this as clearly as I can: I never will. For God's sake, it's dumb, it's shameful, it's dangerous, it's un-American." Trump's long disputed relationship with Putin and Russia was already front and center in the 2024 race for the White House even before his Monday post about Navalny. That's because Trump earlier this month suggested he would not help NATO members if they were attacked by Russia, saying he might even encourage Russians to do whatever the hell they want if he felt too many NATO countries were in arrears. But Trump has been linked to Putin and Russia for as long as he has been in politics, including a series of investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded there was insufficient evidence to conclude that Trump's campaign coordinated with the Russians in 2016. However, it left open the question on whether Trump acted to obstruct the investigation. Trump also had friendly meetings with Putin throughout his presidency. After a summit in Helsinki, Trump sided with Putin's denials over the conclusions of U.S. intelligence officials. In 2020, Trump refused to condemn Putin or Russia after a poison attack nearly killed Navalny. We have to look at it very seriously - if thats the case - and I think we will, Trump said at the time. I dont know exactly what happened, I think its tragic. Its terrible, it shouldnt happen. We havent had any proof yet, but I will take a look." Haley, who was Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, said during a Fox News town hall on Sunday: Every time (Trump) was in the same room with (Putin) he got weak in the knees ... We cant have a president that gets weak in the knees with Putin. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says Navalny's death made him 'more aware' of political rivals Micheal Martin, then Prime Minister of Ireland, speaks during Plenary session of the European Parliament. The European Union "must do everything possible" to pressure the Israeli government into not attacking Rafah, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said on 19 February in Brussels. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa The European Union "must do everything possible" to pressure the Israeli government into not attacking Rafah, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said on Monday in Brussels. Martin said the "level of inhumanity that's now happening within Gaza" has shocked the world, referencing Israel's ground and air offensive to defeat Hamas in response to the October 7 terrorist attack. The Israeli government has been preparing to launch a full-scale ground offensive into Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza near the border with Egypt, despite international fears it will lead to massive civilian casualties. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel said he has warned Israel that the country is in danger of losing "the last support they have in the world" should they attack. Martin called on Hamas to release the Israeli hostages taken in the October 7 attack and to surrender their weapons and for a humanitarian ceasefire. The Irish foreign minister also called for sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the unanimity required among EU member states to impose the punitive measures was still missing. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said tensions were growing in the West Bank and that the violent actions of Israeli settlers against Palestinians must be addressed by the Israeli government. Expressing her support for sanctions, Baerbock said the EU "must make it clear to extremist settlers" that breaking law will not go unanswered. Micheal Martin, then Prime Minister of Ireland, speaks during Plenary session of the European Parliament. The European Union "must do everything possible" to pressure the Israeli government into not attacking Rafah, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said on 19 February in Brussels. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa The European Union "must do everything possible" to pressure the Israeli government into not attacking Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said on Monday in Brussels. Martin said the "level of inhumanity that's now happening within Gaza" has shocked the world, referencing Israel's ground and air offensive to defeat Hamas in response to the October 7 terrorist attack. The Israeli government has been preparing to launch a full-scale ground offensive into Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza near the border with Egypt, despite international fears it will lead to massive civilian casualties. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel said he has warned Israel that the country is in danger of losing "the last support they have in the world" should they attack. Martin urged Hamas to release the Israeli hostages taken in the October 7 attack and to surrender their weapons. He also called for a humanitarian ceasefire at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. The Irish foreign minister also called for sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said tensions were growing in the West Bank and that the violent actions of Israeli settlers against Palestinians must be addressed by the Israeli government. Expressing her support for sanctions, Baerbock said the EU "must make it clear to extremist settlers" that breaking law will not go unanswered. Hungary, viewed as sympathetic to the Israeli government, however blocked the new EU sanctions, as well as another joint statement appealing to Israel not to attack Rafah, multiple diplomats told dpa. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell admitted after the meeting in a press conference that "we don't have any powers to stop" Israel from attacking Rafah and that the bloc was limited to political and diplomatic means. Borrell said 26 EU member states agreed a statement calling for "an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a sustainable ceasefire." EU diplomats confirmed Hungary did not join the statement. Family and friends of 1-year-old Aniya Robinson gather May 15, 2023, at 60th Street and Fond du Lac Avenue, where Aniya lost her life, along with four other people in a two-vehicle crash. Anteyona Sandifer expressed a lot of grief over the four children and one adult who died as passengers in her vehicle on Mothers Day last year, when she drunkenly sped through a red light and crashed into another car in Milwaukee. But she didnt convince everyone she had taken full responsibility for those actions, which prosecutors said led to the deadliest crash in Milwaukee County in at least 25 years and included, among the victims, Sandifers 1-year-old goddaughter, 15-year-old sister and 15-year-old cousin. While you have taken responsibility in a sense, its not clear to me youve taken full responsibility for the loss of five people, Milwaukee County Judge David Swanson said. That is a heavy burden to bear. I understand that. But thats something youre going to have to wrap your head around before you can safely return (to society). On Monday, up to 20 people looked on from the gallery as Swanson sentenced the 21-year-old Sandifer to 25 years in prison and 15 more on extended supervision in connection with the May 14, 2023, crash at the intersection of West Fond du Lac Avenue and North 60th Street. The crash killed Aniya Robinson, 1; Mercedez C. Brown-Weeks, 15; Mikayla Rattler, 15; Isreal Williams, 17; and Lorenzo Trotter, 32 all passengers in Sandifers vehicle. They were all in a vehicle that left from a family party. Sandifer has never had a valid drivers license. Her blood-alcohol content that night was more than twice the legal limit. She was driving around 80 mph when she ran the red light. The crash devastated and angered everyone, from the family of the victims to Milwaukees mayor and police chief, who made statements in the days afterward condemning reckless driving, one of Milwaukees biggest public-safety issues. Sandifer pleaded guilty to five homicide charges in January in exchange for the dismissal of six other felonies. But that admission of guilt didn't convince prosecutors or Swanson she had really come to terms with what she did. Assistant District Attorney Sara Sadowski cited a recording of a phone call Sandifer made to a friend days after the crash, from the county jail. She said the person Sandifer spoke to was sad at the loss of her goddaughter, to which Sandifer then replied, What about me? Dont you feel bad about me? Im going to be stuck in here for a while. Sandifers own attorney, Scott Anderson, referenced a presentence report that concluded Sandifer showed limited remorse and failed to take full culpability. But Anderson argued that wasnt true. He read a letter to the court written by Sandifer in which she described how the incident haunts her in her sleep and she would trade her life for those that were lost. In brief remarks to the court and while turning emotional, Sandifer said, I just want to apologize for my actions. I take full responsibility. The gravity of the loss weighed heavily in Swansons courtroom. Sandifer entered the room choking back tears. Those in the gallery restlessly jimmied their legs, cried softly or audibly reacted any time Sandifers attorney or family characterized the crash as an accident or advocated for a shorter prison sentence. Two people approached Swanson to give remarks on behalf of the victims. The first was Arneisha Beckworth, the mother of 1-year-old Aniya. She sat before Swanson only to remain speechless for two minutes before walking away. After her came Aniyas grandmother, Rebea Beckworth, who called her granddaughter a sweet baby who liked to play with people. Were hurting for it. Its painful, Beckworth said. She knew better. She was the godmother. Why did she take the baby away from us? Among those in attendance Monday were Sandifers stepfather and cousin, who stressed to the court that Sandifer was smart and loving, but let an alcohol addiction get out of control. Shes a human at the end of the day, her cousin Tanyla Sandifer said. Humans make mistakes. Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on X at @elliothughes12. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee woman gets 25-year sentence in crash that killed 5 Turnpike officials are asking people in Western Pennsylvania to look out for a loose dog. A brown dog with an orange collar was reported loose on I-76 West between Cranberry Exit 28 and Beaver Valley Exit 12 around 10:30 a.m. By 11 a.m., turnpike maintenance crews cleared the area did not find the dog. Drivers are asked to be alert for the dog on or near the roadway. If you see the dog, dial *11 and advise the dispatcher of the milepost location. UPDATE: LOOSE DOG #PaTurnpike I-76 West milepost 22 between Cranberry Exit #28 & Beaver Valley Exit #13. Turnpike Maintenance crews cleared the area and could not locate the dog. Use Caution in the area. If you see the dog, dial *11 and advise the dispatcher of the milepost pic.twitter.com/kmGUk9feHX PA Turnpike Alerts (@PATurnpikeAlert) February 19, 2024 Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Powerball player denied $340 million prize over computer error sues lottery officials Mt. Lebanon police ask for help identifying theft suspect 1 hurt in crash involving train, vehicle in Fayette County VIDEO: Year-long construction project on McKnight Road begins DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Air taxis could become a regular appearance in Dubai in 2026 when passengers (able to afford the as yet unconfirmed prices) can travel by air between four stops. Cover Images/ZUMA Press/dpa Visitors to Dubai usually make the Burj Khalifa one of their first stops: After all, as the worlds tallest building, the 830-metre skyscraper offers stunning views of one of the world's wealthiest cities. From 2026, those vistas could include twin-rotor helicopter-style 4-seat electric aircraft zooming between buildings, now that Joby Aviation has signed a deal with the local Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services. California-based Joby is to get 6 years exclusive rights to provide Dubai with the service, which it claimed it could start in 2025. The operations are to be offered with British company Skyports, who, according to Joby "will design, build and operate four initial vertiport sites across Dubai." Vertiports are envisaged as a cross between small airports/helipads and taxi stands, where the electric taxis will touch down to let passengers off and on. The four stops in Dubai are to be the airport, one of the worlds busiest, along with Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and the citys downtown. Flying at up to 320 km/h, the taxis should get from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah in 10 minutes, less than a quarter of the usual by car, and could offer views of the emirate that rival or overshadow those from near the top of the Burj Khalifa. Electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) are seen by proponents as low-emissions alternatives to helicopters that could help reduce congestion with Archer Aviation, a rival to Joby, aiming to introduce electric air taxis to some of Indias big cities, also by 2026. Joby recently launched New Yorks first electric air taxi service. But others, including the University of Michigan and Ford, have warned that the eVTOLs use up significant amounts of energy when lifting off - more than electric cars, for example. But the electric or hybrid car industry has faced similar criticisms, with China, where many leading manufacturers are based, also the world's biggest user of coal to generate electricity. Air taxi startup Volocopter began trials of its flying taxis in Dubai several years ago. Nikolay Kazakov/Volocopter/dpa (Bloomberg) -- Dutch election winner Geert Wilders claimed Ukrainian refugees come to the Netherlands for free housing instead of escaping the war, amid mounting signs that The Hagues support for Kyiv may wane if he manages to form the next government. Most Read from Bloomberg Ukrainians flock to the Netherlands from all over the EU not because of the war, but for free housing, free health care and our jobs, Wilders said on Monday on social media platform X. The Netherlands is once again the village idiot of Europe. Wilders has long focused on an anti-migration agenda that became a prominent issue on the campaign trail. His comments sharply contradict the current stance of the outgoing Dutch government led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whos been a key ally to Ukraine as its fight against Russia drags toward a third year. Wilders, whos currently trying to form a right-wing coalition government after his shock election victory on Nov. 22, has previously argued the Netherlands should cut its military support to Ukraine. Hes considering rare forms of government like a minority cabinet, in a bid to overcome coalition deadlock after two months of negotiations brought him nowhere. Since the start of Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the Netherlands, a country of nearly 18 million inhabitants, has issued permits for around 140,000 Ukrainian refugees, according to the Dutch statistics agency. The country has received fewer Ukrainian refugees as a percentage of its population than some other members of the European Union, including Germany, Austria and Ireland, Eurostat data show. The Netherlands has also sent important air defense systems to Kyiv and is taking a lead on training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. Rutte has become the front-runner to take over as NATO chief when Jens Stoltenberg steps down this year. Western allies are trying to find new ways to back Ukraine amid an ongoing deadlock in the US over providing Kyiv with tens of billions of dollars in military aid as the war-torn country faces a critical shortage of artillery. Russian televisions welcomed Wilders election success as a victory for Moscow, given his previous praise for President Vladimir Putin. But Wilders has recently backtracked after facing criticism over his Russia stance. He said in December that he isnt a friend of Russia and that he sees Moscow as the aggressor. On Friday, Wilders called the death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny terrible news. He died in a barbaric penal colony of a barbaric regime, Wilders said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The stiff upper lip comes from the heyday of the British Empire, psychologist Phillip Hodson once told this newspaper. You could only hold on to vast possessions, he explained, by pretending that you were somehow superior, immune to the weaknesses of the rabble and the masses. Like the Empire, the stiff upper lip is outdated a view of Britain as a repressed and unemotional nation. We have certainly become better at talking about our emotions. But an obsession with stoicism remains. It is damaging. Increasingly, the way we feel which can too often be dismissed as a fluffy, touchy-feely subject directly impacts the economy. Britain has just fallen into recession at a time when rising sickness means that millions are economically inactive. There are now 9.25 million people aged between 16 and 64 who are neither working or looking for work. A record 2.8 million have dropped out of the jobs market because of their health. That partly comes down to an increase in the number of older workers, who are more likely to be unwell. But the rise has also been driven by a sharp increase in mental ill-health across generations. Official statistics last year revealed that the most prevalent health condition among those not working because of long-term sickness was depression or anxiety. The Health Foundation think tank says mental illness has increased more than four-fold among 16 to 34-year-olds over the last decade. People in this age group are now as likely to report a work-limiting condition as someone aged 45 to 54 did 10 years ago. More people than ever now receive NHS mental health support, with five million patients needing care in 2022/23 a million more compared to five years ago. This is a significant problem for the Government, which has done itself no favours by overlooking a nation in distress for too long. Not enough has been done to stop people from reaching a desperate place. NHS bosses have warned that mental healthcare in England has become a national emergency, with enormous waiting lists and concerns that people only get help when they have reached crisis point. The charity Mind last year revealed that more than one in three British adults have no confidence that a loved one would be safe if they needed hospital mental healthcare. Long-awaited plans for reform of the outdated Mental Health Act, which was a key Conservative manifesto commitment in 2017 and 2019, were excluded from the Kings speech last year and so will not be passed before the general election. The Government launched a discussion paper and call for evidence to inform a 10-year plan for mental health in England in 2022, but this has since been scrapped as a standalone strategy (bundling it in with physical health allows for more joined up thinking in treatment, a government spokesman said). The Government has increased its spending on NHS mental health services, introduced a new suicide prevention strategy, published plans to set up early support hubs and bring in more NHS mental health staff. But it is evidently too little too late. An NHS psychiatrist says those in crisis are waiting several days for a bed and are often discharged too early, meaning there can be high readmission rates. GPs have such little time with patients that its almost impossible to assess and treat them properly given the complexity of cases, with many issues stemming from financial challenges, housing issues, lack of social support and lack of community provisions. People with anxiety and depression can then wait many months before accessing any sort of support. Drastic public sector cuts have worsened Britains mental health crisis, particularly following the pandemic and amid cost of living pressures. Researchers at Liverpool University last year concluded that local authority cuts to cultural, environmental and planning services such as parks and libraries are associated with more people experiencing poor mental health, a point that they argued was often minimised in wider discussions about public sector cuts. In the last decade, around 800 libraries and almost 800 playgrounds have closed across the country. A coalition of charities and think tanks last year urged ministers to think more widely when it comes to improving the nations worsening mental health, taking more action against junk food, smoking, alcohol and gambling, ending hostile environment immigration policies and doing more to tackle child poverty. Tory MP Elliot Colburn revealed that he had tried to take his own life in 2021 - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph Ministers are starting to talk more openly about their own struggles with mental health. Tory MP Elliot Colburn, who earlier this month revealed in an emotional House of Commons speech that he tried to take his own life in 2021, acknowledged that there is a lot of work that needs to be done on mental health services. Members were seen tapping him on the shoulder in support, with Rishi Sunak saying the issue is being taken incredibly seriously. The Government is trying to tackle the problem but it is at crisis point and needs to be taken much more seriously. Now the country has plunged into a recession, urgent action is needed. Unemployment can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression, creating a vicious cycle for those who feel they have been unnecessarily written off from the workforce. People who need help for non-physical problems should not feel forgotten. The economic cost of ignoring those in need is huge. 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. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has attempted to justify his full-scale invasion of Ukraine with pseudo-historical claims, asserting that Russians and Ukrainians are one people supposedly divided by "external forces," according to an "anti-Russian" plan. Putin's claims that the formation of Ukraine as a separate state from Russia is the result of some external conspiracy imposed on Ukrainians against their will is "nonsense," writes The Economist in a Jan. 29 article, "A short history of Russia and Ukraine. Seven maps that illustrate Vladimir Putins distortion of history." NV presents these maps and the key points from The Economist's commentary on them (click on the image to enlarge it). 1-2. Kyivan Rus in 1054 and its fragmentation into principalities (map of 1110) The Economist Putin loves to appeal to the times of Kyivan Rus "a confederation of princedoms that lasted from the late 9th to the mid-13th century" as the source of a supposedly shared "Russian-Ukrainian identity," The Economist writes. However, the center of Rus was Kyiv, the current capital of Ukraine. Although Kyivan Rus did encompass parts of the territory of present-day Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, it began to fragment into semi-autonomous principalities by the mid-11th century (map 2). These included Halychyna and Volyn, which covered parts of modern Ukraine and Belarus, Novgorod, and Vladimir-Suzdal, in modern-day Russia. The Mongol Empire besieged Kyiv in 1040, finally destroying what remained of Kyivan Rus as a single entity. Read also: 'Amateurs' documentary premieres on NV, spotlighting civilians joining Ukraines Territorial Defense Forces post-February 24, 2022 3. Hetmanate Ukrainian Cossack state as of 1650 The Economist When the Mongol Empire and its successors (khanates), began to decline in the 14th century, rival polities rose to fill the vacuum, the article said. "In the east of the region power eventually accumulated in Moscow, leading to the creation of the Grand Principality of Muscovy, says the accompanying text to the maps. To the west, what had become the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania joined forces in 1569 to create the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth." In 1648 the Cossacks, "settlers on the steppe who amalgamated into disciplined military units," as The Economist calls them led an uprising against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This led to the formation of their state, the Hetmanate (map 3), which many Ukrainians see as the origin of their identity as an independent state, the publication said, adding that Cossack lands were indeed often called "Ukraine." Early Cossack warriors practiced a limited form of democracy, unlike the autocratic regime of Muscovy. "That the Hetmanate came about as an act of resistance to larger neighboring powers is a history that resonates with Ukrainians today," The Economist writes. In the 19th century, the folk memory of the Cossacks state helped inspire the birth of a recognizable form of Ukraines cultural nationalism." The 17th-century Cossack state went through troubled times. In 1654, threatened by the Poles as well as the Ottomans to the south, Cossack leaders pledged allegiance to the tsar of Muscovy. The Hetmanates territory had split into two by the 17th century: Muscovy took control of the east bank of the Dnipro River, and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth seized the west. In 1708 Ivan Mazepa, a Cossack leader, led a failed uprising against Tsar Peter the Great, who became the first Russian emperor in 1721. Russia still considers Mazepa a traitor while in Ukraine he is a hero. Read also: The Putin interview showed weakness 4. Maximum extent of the Russian Empire as of 1914 The Economist The Russian Empire broke up the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, with help from Austria and Prussia in the late 18th century. The Russians also seized territory from the Ottoman Empire in the south of modern-day Ukraine, including Crimea, which was annexed by the Russian Empress Catherine the Great in 1783. She oversaw the final dismantling of the Cossack Hetmanate. On the eve of World War I the Russian Empire stretched from the Sea of Japan to the Baltic (map 4). 5. 1922-1989: Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe The Economist Weakened by World War I, the Russian Empire experienced two revolutions in 1017. The first overthrew the Romanov dynasty, the second brought Vladimir Lenin and his Bolsheviks to power. Officials in Kyiv founded the Ukrainian Peoples Republic (UPR) first as an autonomous state, and in January 1918 as an independent state. Eventually, it was captured by Lenin's troops, but, as The Economist writes, "the strength of Ukrainian national identity compelled him to create a socialist Ukrainian republic, and to allow the use of the Ukrainian language." In 1922 Ukraine became one of the four founding members of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) or Soviet Union. Under the Molotov-Ribbentrop non-aggression pact, which the Soviet Union signed with Nazi Germany in 1939, the two countries carved up Eastern Europe. Parts of Poland inhabited by Ukrainians later were annexed to Soviet Ukraine. The Soviet Union transferred control of Crimea from Soviet Russia to Ukraine in 1954. Read also: Putins lies go unchecked by American propagandist Tucker Carlson Ukraine, as part of the USSR, suffered enormous hardships, The Economist writes: among them the Holodomor-genocide of the 1930s, as well as the events of the mid-20th century. Then, as American historian Timothy Snyder wrote in his book, Ukraine became part of the "bloodlands" between Hitler and Stalin referring to the territories of Europe where the Nazi and Soviet regimes committed mass violence on an unprecedented scale between 1933 and 1945. "Co-operation between some Ukrainian nationalists and the Nazis during the war is used by Mr.Putin as evidence for his claim that the Ukraine of today is run by fascists," The Economist said. In 1986, in the last years of the Soviet Union, the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine suffered the worst nuclear accident in the world. The damage, and the ensuing cover-up, heightened Ukrainians anger towards the Kremlin, the article said. 6. Fall of the Soviet Union: 1991 The Economist In the 1980s, Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, tried to reform the Soviet Union by embarking on a path of glasnost and perestroika. The Eastern European states, which were under Soviet control through the framework of the Warsaw Pact, took the opportunity to demand their freedom. The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, bringing independence to its 15 constituent republics (map 6). Putin considers this "the biggest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century," The Economist said. Ukraine suddenly became home to the worlds third-largest nuclear arsenal after the collapse of the USSR. In 1994, it agreed to denuclearize in exchange for security assurances from the United States, United Kingdom, and Russia. Ukraine used this agreement, known as the Budapest Memorandum, to ask the U.S. and UK for aid on the eve of Russias invasion in 2022. 7. Russia's war against Ukraine: 2014present The Economist The Orange Revolution of 2004 highlighted Ukraine's democratic ambitions. Thousands of people protested against a rigged presidential election that gave victory to a pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovych. Ukraines democratic resolve was even more visible during the Maidan revolution (Revolution of Dignity) in 2013-14, The Economist said. Read also: Putins interview with Carlson is time machine travel to distant past with only one signal to West Portnikov It was a reaction to Yanukovych's refusal to sign an association agreement (an extensive free-trade deal) with the European Union. Thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets; Yanukovych fled to Russia. The new Ukrainian government succeeded in signing the agreement with the EU, infuriating Mr. Putin, the publication wrote. His response to Maidan marked Russias first military incursions into independent Ukraine. In 2014 the Kremlin illegally annexed Crimea and sent troops into the Donbas (map 7). Russias separatist proxies led by Russian intelligence officers declared so-called "people's republics" in Donetsk and Luhansk. By December 2021, just before Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, a total of over 14,000 people had been killed as a result of the previous phase of the war. The war continues. 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 Moscow slammed the "reckless" decision and banned the import of some Ecuadoran bananas and flowers, citing the detection of pests (Marcos PIN) Ecuador's foreign minister said Monday the country did not plan to send Soviet-era weapons to Ukraine after the president's vow to do so sparked a spat with Moscow over banana and flower exports. "Ecuador will not send any war material to a country that is involved in an international armed conflict," Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld told a congressional committee. 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 was planning to send six Russian military helicopters, long-range rocket launchers and air defense systems to the United States. These weapons would then be sent from the US to Ukraine. In exchange, Ecuador would receive modern weapons to confront powerful drug trafficking gangs that have the country in a chokehold. Moscow slammed the "reckless" decision and banned the import of some Ecuadoran bananas and flowers, citing the detection of pests. On Friday Ecuador's Trade Minister Sonsoles Garcia said on X that the Russian embargo on five banana exporting companies had been lifted. Ecuador is the world's biggest banana exporter and one of the top exporters of flowers, mainly roses. Nine out of 10 bananas imported by Russia come from Ecuador, according to Russian media. pld/lv/fb/caw The history of this nation is regrettably rife with stories of children being exploited, exhausted, injured and robbed of their educational potential by employers who saw them as little more than commodities. For all too brief a time, Florida leaders viewed that as a bad thing. They voted, often overwhelmingly, for laws that were even stronger than federal protections. Now, however, this states lawmakers appear eager to join other states that are abandoning those safeguards one by one. At the start of the 2024 legislative session, a quartet of bills that would tear gaping holes in Floridas child labor laws drew gasps of outrage at their audacity: One proposed change (HB 49/SB 1596) would have initially allowed children as young as 14 to be recruited into long hours and backbreaking labor in Floridas restaurants, farms and other businesses. It still strips many of those protections from 16- and 17-year-olds. Another pair of bills (HB 917/SB 460) would knock down safety barriers that keep teenagers out of inherently dangerous work sites, including construction. Florida values? Put minors to work and block heat, safety protections | Commentary Many draw a line connecting this Dickensian trend to a crackdown on unauthorized immigration, pulling children into jobs once performed by the undocumented workers who are disappearing under punitive new laws and swaggering threats. Thats part of it, but we see an uglier narrative here: Across the nation, states are rolling back child-protection on many critical issues, including the right to a free public education, access to health care and other protections that elevate childrens needs simply because they are children. Kids in Laborland Its hard to find a better example of this than the repeal of child-labor laws. As the bills made their way through committees in the House and Senate, only a handful of child-welfare advocates, such as the Orlando-based Florida Policy Institute, even took them seriously. There have been amendments, but in their current form, all four bills represent significant, and hazardous, erosions of protective laws and greatly increase the likelihood that children will be enticed (or even forced) to lose their focus on schoolwork to meet the demands of their employers, or the needs of their families. And any step backward will meet a larger goal, throwing decades of hard-won victories on behalf of child safety into reverse. Once the new direction is set, it will be far easier to pick away at provisions protecting young workers in subsequent sessions. Theres only one bright spot here: As the bills were amended, the House and Senate versions picked up substantial differences. Now that the House has given its final approval to both, that puts their fate into the hands of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. She has three choices: She could put her leaders to work reconciling the bills. Or she could let them quietly languish without fanfare, preserving it as a last minute bargaining chip. Or she could take a stronger stand. The Senate leader has to know the truth:These bills are unlikely to affect the children of affluent families, but stripping protections away will deepen the desperation for low income parents caught between skyrocketing costs and stagnant pay. Forced to grab any lifeline just to stay afloat, they may not realize that the rope is wrapped around their own childrens necks. So we plead with Passidomo: Be the champion those families need. Reject any chance that these bills will make it through the Senate and publicly rebuke the possibility that any Florida parent would be forced to bargain away their childrens best shot at a bright future in exchange for survival today. The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com At 47 years old, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny had spent more than a decade relentlessly fighting corruption in Russia before he died on Friday while serving a politically-motivated 19-year sentence at a penal colony. President Joe Biden is correct to blame Navalnys death on Vladimir Putin. That Putin didnt personally push Navalny out of a window or slip him poison doesnt matter, dead is still dead as the dictator engineers another electoral victory for himself. Theres a common fallacy that to criticize something is to excuse its counterpart, and thats just not true. To say that Russia is an imperialistic neo-tsarist oligarchy with Putin as an absolute autocrat at the top is not, obviously, to say that the United States is a perfect society with flawless institutions. This is a country that once elected a failed TV businessman with little grasp of government to the presidency, and which now seems willing to consider doing so again. Yet for all our faults, its ridiculous for someone like far right commentator Tucker Carlson to go to Moscow and crow about Putins great society while a political dissident wasted away on phony charges. The Russian president will of course face no consequences for Navalnys death, at least not internally, just as he has avoided any ramifications for his disastrous invasion of Ukraine, which nears two full years and has so far led only to death, destruction and suffering, not just for Ukraines people but Putins own. Whos going to check him? There are no institutions left in Russia that could bring Putin to account. Hes taken over the judiciary and the press, wrangling almost the whole of his countrys government and industry under his direct control, allowing only symbolic opposition. Hes divided the spoils among elite friends that must strive to stay in his good graces, lest they find themselves slipping out of a high window. We may have had Donald Trump, but when it came down to the wire and he attempted to end American democracy, his coup failed and he was removed from power. Navalny dreamed of another Russia, not one in which he himself stood atop an absolute political order but in which no one did, and the Russian public was able to chart its own path, free of the corruption, thuggery, cronyism and violence of the Putin regime. In this way, he was really an advocate not just for political reform but for fundamental rights, and by consequence a champion for all of us that hold such rights dear. For this simple demand, Navalny paid the ultimate price; whatever explanation for his death is presented by the Russian authorities in the coming days, its clear that they are ultimately responsible. But his movement will live on, because unlike Putins personalistic regime, the structure does not depend on just one man. As long as we dont forget about Navalny, and as long as others inside and outside Russia strive to continue his mission of holding Putin accountable and untangling his entrenched system, the sacrifices that he made which he never should have been forced to make will not have been in vain. Lets remember his resolute belief in self-determination any time a Trump or a Carlson praises Putin again. ___ Nellie Sanders, pictured in the Blue Room at the Oklahoma Capitol, is the new state secretary of education. A self-described warrior mom and people person, Nellie Tayloe Sanders doesnt want to focus on issues she believes will distract her from what she sees as her most important mission as Oklahomas new education secretary helping kids from a wide variety of backgrounds find better ways to learn. This has been a very emotional journey for me, Sanders said. Its one that really has roots in a lot of heartache as a child, to not ever really learn the same way as others. I want people, more than anything, to understand that this is something to me that is vulnerable, because the whole entire way we are rated and evaluated, and our entire potential as humans, is completely tied up with our ability to read, write, spell and do math like everybody else and I have never been that. We have a lot to evaluate. I am so determined to be a voice for a fighting parent and fighting teacher and a fighting child. During a wide-ranging interview Monday with The Oklahoman, Sanders spoke often of the unique perspective she brings to a position thats been fraught with politics in recent years, thanks in good part to current state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters. Walters was the states education secretary from September 2020 until April 2023, three months into his term as superintendent. Walters successor, Katherine Curry, lasted three months before stepping down, saying the complexity and political environment surrounding the position led her to decide to return to the classroom. Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Sanders last month to fill the role, noting she has championed innovative paths in education, particularly for those with dyslexic thinking and unique learning styles. At that time, Walters called her a respected advocate for students and parents throughout the state. Sanders seeks to stay above the political fray that envelops Oklahoma education To Sanders, the political aspects of the job are just noise. She certainly understands politics her husband, Mike Sanders, served 12 years as a state representative and now is the executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office but said her desire is to rise above the fray. She wants to focus on ways to improve student outcomes, to provide a plethora of choices for parents and to use technology to reach students who struggle with traditional methods of learning much as she did growing up. I have a unique understanding of this at a depth that is incredibly painful, she said. For a child to have to go to school every single day, when they cannot do it, its almost like experiencing something that is an open wound and pouring salt in it. I want so badly for children to understand that there is nothing wrong with the way that they think, the speed that they learn. They are perfect, and they deserve to have somebody who understands and has made it to fight for them. Sanders background informs her passion. Diagnosed with dyslexia while in elementary school, she had difficulty learning, even as she was also told she tested at genius level for street smarts. Her parents search for an educational solution for their daughter led them to enroll her in a boarding school. Her children have faced similar learning struggles. State Education Secretary Nellie Sanders said Oklahoma educators need to embrace the use of artificial intelligence. Bringing more technology, including AI, into schools could be a game-changer, she says Incorporating more technology into learning, she believes, and combining it with the soft skills of a good teacher, will be an effective way of helping kids who think and learn differently than others. It levels the playing field for people, Sanders said of technology. It will never replace the human interaction that is essential, that teachers provide, and the love and the security and the safety and the development. But I would need both. She also said Oklahoma educators need to embrace the use of artificial intelligence. AI, whether we like it or not, is coming, she said. We can decide to either sit back and wait for it or we can say, There are so many school districts that are embracing this stuff and it is amazing. We can start talking about what theyre doing and figure out if thats a model for our state. Sanders believes in providing as many alternative paths to learning as possible, which is one reason she voted, while a member of the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, to approve the creation of what would be the nations first public religious charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. Two lawsuits against that decision now are pending, one filed by Attorney General Gentner Drummond in the state Supreme Court and another filed by a group of taxpayers in Oklahoma County District Court. Sanders said the issue boils down to providing parental choice and that the controversy surrounding St. Isidore takes away from whats happening. That is a minority issue to me. There is no question that I believe that a child should be given (that opportunity), through their parents, because thats with them, their taxpayer money, period, end of story, for me. I would never limit them. Nellie Sanders said she wants to employ a forward-thinking mindset as education secretary, looking ahead to what jobs will be relevant in the distant future. Sanders believes alternate paths of education are key to help Oklahoma address educational issues Providing alternative paths of education, Sanders believes, will help reach more families and students and address Oklahomas significant problem with school absenteeism. The state received an F in that category on the most recent statewide School Report Card. Overcoming the shame and trauma long associated with educational struggles by both parents and students is key, she said, in addressing poor outcomes in reading, math and other subjects. If students dont want to attend school, she reasons, there must be an underlying issue. What do you think is happening at home? she asked. Do you think those are parents who have been working with their kids, too, like me, and theyre probably struggling and theyre trying to figure out how to keep their jobs, and put food on the table, and they themselves had the same thing happen when they went to school? I will be the first one to say there is so much shame in not being someone who reads, writes, spells, does math at the same level as everybody else, but I hope those little ones look out and they say, Nellie is like me and shes fighting for me. Because I can, and I know. I will fight for the change I know we can be. I know Oklahoma can lead us. We dont have to be the last. We have an opportunity to really come together. There is a lot of healing we need to be doing. Sanders wants to employ a forward-thinking mindset as education secretary, looking ahead to what jobs will be relevant in 2090, the year around when a child born in the present time would be preparing for retirement. Oklahoma schools should be thinking ahead to that time and the states pioneer spirit should be an asset in reaching that goal, she said. I think that Oklahomans have the answer, she said. We are incredibly talented people. We have incredible educators that dedicate their lives to the development of our children. There isnt anything they wouldnt do to give our children what they need. I havent met one person that isnt absolutely determined in education to provide children with the education they need not one. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New Oklahoma education secretary Nellie Sanders shares goals for role The Eiffel Tower, one of the world's top tourist attractions, was closed Monday after staff went on strike, unions told AFP. The strike, which was called to protest over the way the monument is managed financially, could be extended, they said. The tower's operator, SETE, said on its website that "visits of the monument will be disrupted on Monday". It advised ticket holders to check its website before showing up, or to postpone their visit. E-ticket holders were asked to check their e-mails for further information. The stoppage is the second strike at the Eiffel Tower within two months for the same reason. Unions have criticised operator SETE for its business model that they say is based on an inflated estimate of future visitor numbers, while under-estimating construction costs. The Eiffel Tower -- Paris's most famous landmark -- attracts nearly seven million visitors a year, around three-quarters of them foreigners, according to its website. During the Covid pandemic numbers dropped sharply due to closures and travel restrictions, but recovered to 5.9 million in 2022. Visitor numbers to Paris are expected to swell this summer as the French capital hosts the Olympic Games. In a joint statement, the CGT and FO unions called on the city of Paris "to be reasonable with their financial demands to ensure the survival of the monument and the company operating it". pyv-jh/ah/yad El Paso County Sheriff candidate Oscar Ugarte - D Age: 40 Please describe your personal and professional background. I am a first-generation American. I was born to Mexican parents and raised in El Paso, Texas and graduated from Ysleta High School in El Paso. While still attending High School, I joined the schools law enforcement program, where my passion for law enforcement continued. At the young age of 19, I joined The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division, as a Corrections Officer. In 2005, I obtained my peace officer license from the State of Texas and became a police officer for the City of Socorro, Texas. In 2007, I sought an opportunity to further my law enforcement career and became a court bailiff for the El Paso County Council of Judges. Then, in 2011, I joined the El Paso County Constables Office as a Deputy Constable. In March 2016, I decided to enter a leadership position in my career to serve our community and constituents better. Shortly after, I ran for and was successfully elected as Constable, Precinct 1, and was re-elected in 2019. How do you earn a living? Do you plan to continue if elected? I am the current Constable for Precinct 1. That race is also taking place so, no I will not continue if elected. Please describe your education. Where did you get your high school diploma? What higher education degrees and certificates have you earned from where? I am a proud Ysleta High School graduate. I earned my bachelors degree in business administration from Park University and my masters degree in criminal justice with a certificate of administration of justice and a cyber security-threat detection certificate from Webster University. What experiences in leadership do you have that qualify you for this position? I am the ONLY candidate in the Sheriffs race that has been elected and entrusted by El Pasoans to run a county law enforcement office. I have been Constable for Precinct 1 since 2016. Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? Have you ever had a civil judgment against you? Have you ever been in arrears on local, state or federal taxes? If so, please provide an explanation. No. If elected, would you have any potential conflicts of interest that you are aware of that would impair your ability to serve? Please explain what they are and how you would avoid the conflict. No. What does transparent government mean to you? Will you be personally accessible to answer questions while in office? Transparent government, to me, is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. It means being open and honest with the community, fostering trust through clear communication, and being accountable for our actions. I believe in a transparent sheriff's office that operates with integrity and keeps the public informed. The community has a right to know how the sheriff's office operates, and I am committed to making this information easily accessible. I also recognize the importance of being personally accessible. If elected, I will be readily available to answer questions from the community and from the media. Accessibility means actively engaging with residents, listening to their concerns, and incorporating their feedback into my practices as your Sheriff. Town hall meetings, community forums, and open-door policies will be integral to ensuring that I remain connected with the people I serve. Additionally, I am committed to utilizing various communication channels, such as social media, newsletters, and community outreach programs, to keep the public informed about the sheriff's office's activities, achievements, and challenges. It's vital that our residents are not only aware of what we are doing but also feel empowered to voice their opinions and hold us accountable. Issue related questions What motivated you to run for sheriff of El Paso County? I believe it is time for a new generation of leadership with fresh perspectives for the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. I have been working in law enforcement for over 20 years and have a great understanding of the complexities of the job. My focus is on making sure taxpayer resources are efficiently used and on addressing mental health in policing. I am dedicated to the safety and well-being of the people of El Paso and will use my experience to ensure that justice is served. Why should voters choose you over your opponents in the race for sheriff? I am the ONLY candidate who has been elected and entrusted by voters to run a county law enforcement office and the ONLY candidate with a lifelong Democratic record. I have over 20 years of law enforcement experience in our community, and I am just 40 years old. I still have the drive, passion, energy, and heart to run the Sheriffs office. My fresh perspectives such as the creation of a Civilian Social Services Unit and Youth Advisory Council have earned me the support of Democratic leaders such as U.S. Rep Veronica Escobar, former U.S. Rep Beto ORourke, former State Senators Jose Rodriguez and Eliot Shapleigh, State Reps Joe Moody and Lina Ortega, County Commissioner David Stout, and City Rep Chris Canales. What do you feel are the largest challenges facing the El Paso County Sheriffs Office? As sheriff, what would you do to address those challenges? Currently, the Sheriffs office lacks a Civilian Social Services Unit. My campaign centers around the idea that every individual, regardless of their background, deserves access to resources for well-being and success. As your next Sheriff, I'll establish a Civilian Social Services Unit (CSSU) to collaborate with existing organizations dedicated to addressing mental health, homelessness, food insecurity, and youth development. Connecting residents with these vital resources prior to them entering the criminal justice system aims to foster stability and promote personal growth. Additionally, just a few weeks ago the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) issues two notices of non-compliance after their review of documentation and video of inmate deaths in El Paso jails. As Sheriff, I will put a premium on officer training and accountability. I will ensure every detention officer and deputy has the proper CIT training to address mental health situations and will provide ongoing training to jail staff regarding proper inmate checks. What do you see as the most pressing crime concern in El Paso County? How would you handle it as sheriff? In my conversation with voters while out block-walking the most pressing concerns are youth gun violence and drunk driving. As Sheriff, I intend to increase the departments presence in unincorporated areas that are not serviced by municipal law enforcement agencies, where most of these shootings are taking place. Desert areas like Red Sands pose a challenge due to the lack of roadway infrastructure for emergency vehicles, but that does not take away from the responsibility of law enforcement to respond to criminal activity. Mobile Command Posts are strategies worth investing in to increase law enforcement visibility in large group gatherings, where it is currently inexistent, provoking the level of crime recently seen. I am committed to working with regional law enforcement agencies to combat these challenges together and believe that a Sheriffs office more heavily involved with our youth and out in the community will serve as a deterrent for a lot of these crimes taking place within our region. Should the El Paso County Sheriffs Office be involved in the enforcement of immigration law? Why or why not? No. Immigration is a federal responsibility, and the state legislative process should not require local law enforcement agencies to engage in deportations. The concept of SB4 was questionable from the get-go, and I am happy to see that the recently signed law is being challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice. I am confident that it will be deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Arresting and deporting migrants will not be a priority under my leadership. Local law enforcement agencies are already short staffed and constituents in rural parts of El Paso County already experience long response times, so under my leadership, deputies will focus on more serious criminal offenses and leave federal issues to federal agencies. The candidates' responses are being published largely as they were submitted. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso County Sheriff candidate: Oscar Ugarte China to continue constructive role in restoring peace in Ukraine: FM Xinhua) 09:58, February 19, 2024 MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to play a constructive role in bringing an early end to the conflict and restoring peace in Ukraine, and will not give up as long as there is a glimmer of hope, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Saturday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on the sidelines of the ongoing Munich Security Conference. Noting that China and Ukraine reached a strategic partnership many years ago and the two peoples have enjoyed traditional friendship, Wang said that no matter how the international situation changes, China hopes relations with Ukraine will develop normally and continue to benefit the two peoples. He expressed his gratitude again to the Ukrainian side for helping Chinese personnel evacuate safely in an emergency, saying the Chinese people will never forget. Wang elaborated on China's position on the Ukraine issue, stressing that China adheres to the political settlement of hotspot issues and promoting peace talks, and does not fan the flame, profit from the situation, or sell lethal weapons to regions and parties involved in conflicts. For his part, Kuleba said that Ukraine is willing to maintain friendly exchanges with China and push for further development of their bilateral relations. China has an important influence on global affairs, and Ukraine highly appreciates China's release of a position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, Kuleba said. He said the Ukrainian side hopes that China will continue to play a unique constructive role in promoting peace, and is willing to strengthen contact with the special representative of the Chinese government on Eurasian affairs. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Xian Jiangnan) "Gavel" is a public sculpture by Andrew F. Scott set in a pool outside the Ohio Supreme Court building in downtown Columbus. Once again, it's a pivotal year for control of the Ohio Supreme Court, which will likely decide how the new abortion rights constitutional amendment should be interpreted. Republicans have held a majority of the seven seats since 1986 nearly four decades but with three seats up for election this year the Democrats see a chance to flip the 4-3 court. Election 2024: Who is running for Ohio Supreme Court? Democrats must defend two incumbents, Justices Michael Donnelly and Melody Stewart, and win an open seat in the general election. But before they get there, they'll hold a primary March 19 to decide which appeals court judge will be nominated to run in the general election against Republican Dan Hawkins. 10th District Court of Appeals Judge Terri Jamison, who lost her bid for the high court in 2022, and 8th District Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Forbes are facing off in the Democratic primary. Who is Judge Terri Jamison? 10th District Court of Appeals Judge Terri Jamison, a Democrat, is running for Ohio Supreme Court. Jamison, 64, took a nontraditional path to the bench. She worked as an underground coal miner but after a layoff, she moved to Columbus. Jamison worked in a series of businesses, including an insurance agency. Eventually she ran her own agency for more than 16 years. While working, she took classes at Columbus State Community College, transferred to Franklin University and graduated with a business degree. She sold her insurance agency to go to Capital University Law School. After a stint as a county public defender, Jamison started her own firm, focusing on criminal, juvenile, domestic and appellate work. In 2012, she won a seat on the Franklin County Common Pleas bench in the domestic relations-juvenile division. In 2018 she won reelection. In 2022, Jamison ran against incumbent Ohio Supreme Court Justice Patrick Fischer, losing by 14 points. Ohio Politics: Newsletter, podcast focus on 2024 election news This time around, Jamison argues that she has a better shot at winning. She is running for an open seat and her name has been on the statewide ballot before. "I think it's important that people have already met me, they've already talked to me." Jamison said her life experience and blue collar background is more closely aligned with most Ohioans and she is focused on making sure justice is administered fairly and equally across the state. "From the coal mines to the bench. And I'm still an associate member of the United Mine Workers because it's just a reminder of who I am," she said. Jamison grew up in Welch, W.Va., where she began her education in segregated schools. She considers Brown v. Board of Education as the first case to personally impact her since it eventually led her to attending integrated schools. If Jamison were to win a seat on the high court, she would be the third Black woman to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court. Of the 163 justices that have served since 1803, four have been Black and 13 have been women. Jamison said reproductive rights, the new marijuana law and redistricting are all important issues likely to come before the Ohio Supreme Court. Jamison also said she supports the Ohio Sentencing Data Project, a years-long effort to create a statewide database of criminal sentences. It would allow jurists, journalists, researchers and the public to see if similarly situated defendants get similar sentences. The project has met stiff resistance from a subset of Ohio's 700 elected judges who don't want comparisons made out of context. "I think it should be out there because we are public officials," Jamison said. "The public has a right to know. And they need to know that justice is done fairly and equitably in court." Who is Judge Lisa Forbes? 8th District Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Forbes. After earning a degree at Cornell University, Forbes moved to Washington, D.C., to launch a career in politics and policy. She knocked on congressional office doors until she landed a gig: an unpaid internship. She parlayed that into a paid job and later moved to campaign work. Forbes left D.C. and politics to earn a law degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, where she was born. "I definitely wanted to go back to Washington but fell in love with Cleveland and stayed and been happy ever since," Forbes said. After clerking for a U.S. District Court judge, Forbes entered the world of civil litigation, working for two large law firms for 27 years. Then Forbes took a leap. Instead of riding it out to retirement as a partner at Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease, she ran for a seat on the 8th District Court of Appeals in 2020. Her approach? She said "I start with the law. I look at the facts and I see where they lead me, and I apply that to every case. I think that's an imperative because that's how you can be fair. It doesn't matter who the parties are, it doesn't matter what type of motion it is. What matters is what does the law say and what are the facts?" After a little more than three years on the appellate bench, Forbes, 60, decided to run statewide for the Ohio Supreme Court. Forbes said like many Ohioans, she wants to make sure the court protects individuals' rights against government overreach. "It's a question of service and calling. I have something to offer the people of the state of Ohio," she said. "When I started looking at the Supreme Court seat, I really saw an opportunity to do my part to help make sure that the Supreme Court serves as a firewall to protect our democracy and also to protect the rule of law." She declined to opine on whether the Supreme Court currently serves as a firewall. The Ohio Democratic Party endorsed Forbes over Jamison in the March primary. Forbes said she earned the endorsement after calling and writing letters to members of the party's executive committee to make her case. Campaign reports show Democrats behind Forbes and Jamison both are trailing Hawkins, who reported having $176,689 in his campaign account. Forbes reported just $1,465 while Jamison has $18,618 on hand. Forbes said she brought on a professional fundraiser and has held successful events since the report filing deadline. "I'm confident that I'll have enough money to run and win." Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Election 2024: Democrats hold primary for Ohio Supreme Court race An effort to eliminate property taxes in Michigan would devastate communities and wreak havoc on the state's economy, according to municipal finance experts. The "AxMITax" campaign seeking a spot on the November ballot characterizes its proposed amendment to the state constitution as a way to end tax foreclosure and rein in government spending. At its heart lies a vision that taxpayers should support only the public services they use. "If I want to go to the gym, nobody pays my gym membership," said Karla Wagner, a Cannon Township resident who launched AxMITax after helping GOP gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley's campaign. Wagner said she didn't craft the AxMITax proposal with the aim of defunding public services. But that's the outcome some anticipate. Tony Minghine deputy executive director of external strategies for the Michigan Municipal League forecasts hits to parks, libraries, schools and more that would either force them to close or operate as unrecognizable shells of what they look like now. "It would absolutely decimate local government as we know it," he said. Local governments in Michigan rely heavily on local property tax revenues from residents and businesses. Collectively, they brought in $15 billion for the 2021-22 fiscal year, according to data from the Citizens Research Council of Michigan. The state collected nearly $3 billion in property tax revenue on top of that. "So adoption of this constitutional amendment would put a $18 billion hole in state and local finances," said Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council. AxMITax proposes increasing state revenue sharing with county and local governments to help fill the gap. But it would restrict those funds to support "essential government and essential infrastructure services" such as public safety, fire protection and roads. But that won't help local governments make up what they'll lose. "It can't backfill $15 billion dollars, and the amendment doesn't pretend that it should either," said Lupher. Wagner pointed out examples of what she sees as unnecessary public spending such as a pickleball court and a walking trail. "Everybody from the state on down needs to cut their budgets a little bit," she said. Inspiration for the property tax proposal Wagner drew inspiration for her proposal from her own life. She predicts her elderly parents in their mid-80s may, at some point, no longer be able to afford to live in their home because of a property tax bill that supports services they don't use. She also pointed to her son, who sends five children to Christian school because he doesn't like the public school curriculum. "But yet, he has to support the public school," she said. Wagner a real estate agent said she also worries about the number of homeowners who lose their property due to tax foreclosure. A recently unveiled ADA-inclusive playground sits empty on a rainy day at Clark Park in Southwest Detroit on Friday, June 23, 2023. Overall, she characterized property taxes in Michigan as holding back the state economy. "When the government takes all of our money, we have nothing to spend," she said. "We can't expand our businesses. We can't go out and buy things to generate sales tax." Wagner envisions the tax relief in her proposal will lure investment and spur population growth. Michigan residents pay higher property taxes compared with those living in most other states. The Tax Foundation found Michigan residents paid the 14th highest property taxes in 2021, the year with the most recent available data. Lupher pointed out the limitations on levying local sales taxes and the state ban on levying local income taxes outside of cities as restricting the revenue options for local governments. "So when all you have is a property tax, that's all we lean on," he said. Impact of "AxMITax" property tax amendment The AxMITax proposal worries advocates for public services. Michigan Community College Association President Brandy Johnson expects to see community colleges close in Michigan under the AxMITax proposal. "Without a doubt," she said. Community colleges in Michigan rely on three main buckets of funding: state appropriations, tuition and fees and local property taxes. "When you kick one leg of three-legged stool, the whole thing comes crumbling down," Johnson said. Some community colleges depend on property taxes for more than a third of their revenue. "There's no way we could operate the college ... taking out almost 45% of our revenue," said Schoolcraft College President Glenn Cerny. Libraries would face a similar fate, said Michigan Library Association Executive Director Deborah Mikula. "It would be so cataclysmic that I'm not sure that they would survive," Mikula said. Libraries in the state receive an even larger share of their funding from local property taxes than community colleges. Wagner said she's not trying to close down libraries or community colleges. Still, she sees a trade-off between funding public services and providing tax relief to keep people in their homes. "Show me the book in the library that's worth someone losing their home," she said. Wagner who calls herself a "bookaholic" said she never goes to the library. She said she could use the taxes she pays to support her local library for any number of expenses such as paying off her truck. She proposed creating a membership fee to support libraries in lieu of property taxes. Mikula noted that libraries provide much more than books. They offer access to high-speed internet, employment assistance, workspace, digital literacy support and more. "They're one of the last free and open public institutions that are in the heart of every single community in Michigan," she said. Voters regularly approve millages to keep their libraries open, according to Mikula. A person wearing a bright red sweater stands behind a voting booth as they cast their vote inside the Central United Methodist Church polling place in Detroit on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. With local public services impacted by the AxMITax proposal, Minghine envisions a Michigan where businesses and people won't want to locate. "I mean understand nobody gets excited about paying taxes," he said. "But at the same time, I think we all recognize to be a vibrant place, you have to provide services." What's next for property tax proposal? The AxMITax campaign will try to collect enough voter signatures to land a spot on the November ballot with a shoestring budget. Its latest campaign finance filing indicates the group ended the year with just $637.40 cash on hand. The group doesn't plan to pay for petition circulators and is instead relying on volunteers, Wagner said. The AxMITax website listed six businesses across the state where voters can sign the petition as of Friday, according to the group's website. And Wagner also has travel planned across the state to deliver presentations on the proposal and ask voters to sign at events, with most listed as of Friday hosted by individuals and groups affiliated with the Republican Party and conservative groups. AxMITax must file at least 446,198 valid voter signatures by July 8 to put the proposal to a statewide vote this fall. While the group initially planned to obtain approval from the Board of State Canvassers of the summary language describing its proposal on the petition for collecting voter signatures, the group ultimately ditched those plans after prolonged back and forth over the summary language during multiple canvasser meetings. It didn't obtain approval of the petition form from the board either. The approvals are optional under state election law. But without it, the campaign leaves itself vulnerable to disqualification due to misleading summary language or any defects found with its form. Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan property tax proposal cuts public service funding "No shots were fired and no force was used on the dog", the Met said A man has been taken to hospital with arm injuries after he was attacked by a dog in north London. The Met Police was called at 15:00 GMT on Sunday to reports of a dangerous dog in Albany Park, Enfield. In a statement, the force said officers and armed police responded to the incident but "no shots were fired and no force was used on the dog". The owner, a man in his 30s, restrained the dog before police arrived and it died at the scene, the Met said. The force added the animal was believed to have been a type of American bulldog. London Ambulance Service said paramedics were called at 15:03 to reports of an incident at Albany Park. It said a man was treated for arm injuries and taken to a major trauma centre "as a priority". Albany Park in Enfield with man walking dog in distance Denise Kierstenson told BBC London she went over to the park to check on her children after one of them said there were a lot of police there. She said she saw someone "on top of the dog and the police telling me to 'move away, the dog's dangerous'," so she went home with her children. Ms Kierstenson said she later found out from a police officer the dog bit someone, and the officer told her the dog was "very dangerous". "I was a bit worried, I wanted to know what was going on," she said, adding she now doesn't want her own dog - a Jack Russell - to be off the lead. "There was a lot of police officers here yesterday, a lot. My boy is nine and has special needs and was really scared because he saw a policeman with a gun. He was really upset." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk The other day I received an email which had an opening line that went like this: God Almighty, Gordon, you are one f---ing, ugly, fat b---h. It continued in this vein for some time, with the sender informing me that he would never have sex with me (Im heartbroken, as you can imagine), not even in a month of Sundays (Im weeping, believe me), because I was an ugly, fat f---ing cow. He added that he would laugh at me if he saw me going for a run because, and I continue to quote directly here, I was an ugly piece of vile putrescence. Signing off the email, he described me as an ugly piece of c--p, just in case I hadnt got the message. Ive always preferred with warmest regards, or failing that, best wishes, but I suppose this will have to do. A quick google of the email address established that it was also used by the Hon. Secretary of a branch of a small provincial society that researches military history. What a coincidence! I wonder if, at their meet-ups, they use language similar to that featured in the email? Anyway, I mention this message not to elicit sympathy but to give you an idea of the kind of thing that, every few weeks or so, finds its way into my inbox. Whenever one arrives, I remind myself that these are the exception not the rule 99 per cent of the emails I receive are constructive and kind but they are startlingly frequent and really not on. Last week, the mother of the murdered teenager Brianna Ghey spoke out against the abuse she had received on her social media since she began campaigning for better protection of children online. Esther Ghey has shown unimaginable bravery since her daughter was stabbed to death last year by two pupils from her school, who had been watching videos of real-life torture on the dark web. Speaking on the Today programme, Ghey said that the Governments vastly watered-down Online Safety Act was a step in the right direction but would not be enough to protect children from what is out there. The internet and social media is so vast, she said, it will be so hard to police. I am all for free speech, but some of the comments I have seen on social media posts, after some of the articles Ive done, they are just hateful comments. The Online Safety Bill is not going to protect children and young people from seeing that kind of horrible content, because I dont think that will be deemed as harmful. As if to prove Gheys point, the comments under the article were particularly nasty, with some suggesting that Briannas mother was enjoying the attention because it might get her a damehood. I mean, imagine saying that out loud, in polite company. You might think it, in the same way we all occasionally have intrusive thoughts that in no way reflect our true beliefs, but imagine actually deciding to give voice to it. The very backbone of this country is good manners, and yet the anonymity of the internet seems to give people permission to drop all of theirs. The word troll suggests a disgruntled but ultimately benign creature, and yet the effect of all this below-the-line nastiness is that it begins to legitimise behaviour we would never dream of instilling in our children. We need a code of conduct for social media, a Debretts guide that reminds people of the basic courtesies they would extend to others IRL (in real life). Until then, lets remind ourselves of the wonderful three-question rule used in recovery circles to help people who struggle with their tempers. Before you say anything, ask yourself: does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me? And finally: does this need to be said by me now? If the answer to any of these things is no, youre better off keeping your thoughts to yourself. Recommended TikTok may have banned legging legs but thinspiration is alive and well Read more 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. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has said that the warrant Russia has issued for her arrest is merely an attempt to intimidate her amid speculation that she could be in line for high office in the European Union. Source: Kallas in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, European Pravda reports Details: "It is meant to intimidate and make me refrain from the decisions that I would otherwise make. But it's Russia's playbook. It's nothing surprising and we are not afraid," the Estonian prime minister said. Kallas's high profile in calling on the EU to do more to support Ukraine has led to speculation in Brussels that she could assume a leadership role after the EU elections in June, possibly as foreign policy chief. Kallas said that this speculation also contributes to Russias aggressiveness towards her. "It's hard to be popular. The Russians have also seen that, and that's why they issued the arrest warrant to really emphasise the biggest argument against me, that I am a provocation to Russia," she said. When asked whether she was interested in a position at EU level, the Prime Minister said "We are not there yet" and that she was currently the Prime Minister of Estonia. Background: Estonian Prosecutor General Andres Parmas said that being on Russia's wanted list will make foreign travel riskier for Kaja Kallas. Kallas is reportedly wanted under an article of the Russian Criminal Code, but it is not clear which one. Estonian Secretary of State Taimar Peterkop has also been put on the wanted list under a criminal article. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Kallas and Peterkop were wanted for "destroying monuments to Soviet soldiers". Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said putting the prime minister on the wanted list was an information operation by the Russian Federation. Support UP or become our patron! The EU should work on a plan to issue 100 billion euros ($108 billion) in Eurobonds to boost the European defense industry, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told Bloomberg on Feb. 18. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Kallas also said that European countries should do more to support Ukraine against Russian aggression. The full-scale Russian invasion, soon to hit its two-year mark, was one of the key topics on the conference's agenda. European leaders also discussed ways to revive domestic defense production for their and Kyiv's needs, as U.S. assistance remains stalled by domestic political disputes. "We are in a place where we need to invest more and (explore) what we can do together because the bonds that would be issued by separate countries individually are too small to scale up," Kallas said. "Eurobonds could have a much bigger impact." Bloomberg noted that the idea to jointly borrow funds to boost the defense industry has already been supported by French President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Charles Michel but countries like the Netherlands and Germany are likely to be more hesitant. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us Calls to foster Europe's military self-reliance grew stronger due to the prospect of Donald Trump's return to the White House in this year's presidential election. Trump raised concerns among NATO allies when he said he would encourage Russia to do "whatever the hell it wants" to members who do not meet the 2% defense spending mark. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said last week that 18 of the 31 NATO members are expected to meet the goal of spending at least 2% of GDP in 2024, an increase of seven countries from the previous year. Kallas also said in the interview with Bloomberg that European countries should step up efforts to supply Ukraine with weapons from standing stockpiles or those purchased abroad. "Europe has done a lot and has to also do more. That is clear," the prime minister said, pointing out that "if we, as a small country, still find things that we can send, I'm sure that the bigger countries also have things that they can give or send to Ukraine so that they can defend themselves." Read also: Zelensky in Munich: If Ukraine left alone, Russia will destroy us Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles pictured during an Informal meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU, organized by the Council of the European Union in Brussels. Dirk Waem/Belga/dpa EU foreign ministers on Monday approved the deployment of an EU naval mission to protect shipping from Houthi militants in the Red Sea. "It's a mission in the Red Sea and up to the Gulf [of Aden] to contribute to the freedom of navigation," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters after the ministers' meeting. Called Aspides after the Greek word for "shields," the naval mission involves sending European warships and airborne early warning systems to the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters. Aspides vessels will have orders only to fire on the militants if they attack first and will not be authorized to shoot pre-emptively. The operational command is to be in the Greek city of Larissa. Houthi militants from Yemen have been attacking ships in the region in what they say is retaliation for Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip. An EU official said on Friday that the country most harmed by the piracy is not Israel but Egypt, where declining traffic has caused a 40% loss of revenue for the Suez Canal Authority. Ships are having to go all the way around Africa instead. The European Union's economy is taking a hit too: On Thursday, the EU's Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentilioni told reporters that "as shipping through the Red Sea has been rerouted, delivery times for shipments between Asia and the EU have increased by 10-15 days, and the costs of these shipments have gone up by around 400%." EU foreign ministers also discussed at their meeting in Brussels how to reform the way the bloc pays for military aid to Ukraine. Currently, individual EU member states providing aid to Ukraine directly can be compensated by the EU through a funding mechanism called the European Peace Facility (EPF). But foreign ministers are still struggling to agree an alternative arrangement where member states procure some Ukrainian aid jointly through a 5 billion ($5.4 billion) top up of the EPF budget. Germany, as the EU's largest economy, would be expected to pay the majority of the top-up at 1.25 billion. Berlin is pushing for aid supplied individually on a bilateral basis to Ukraine to count against their new obligations to fund the EPF. An EU diplomat told dpa that given the size of German military aid budgeted for Ukraine in 2024, now at around 8 billion, this would in effect cancel out any additional EPF financial contributions from Germany in the new arrangements under discussion. Other EU member states want such bilateral aid to be kept entirely separate from funding the EPF. Germany's unwillingness to pay more into a joint EU fund for military aid to Ukraine is "very unfortunate," Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Monday. "There is a principle of European unity," he said. "Of course we can do things bilaterally, but it's way more difficult for a country like mine to support Ukraine bilaterally than to be in a group of 27." EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles pictured during an Informal meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU, organized by the Council of the European Union in Brussels. Dirk Waem/Belga/dpa The European Commission said it launched formal infringement proceedings against TikTok over the protection of minors online (Lionel BONAVENTURE) The EU on Monday announced a formal investigation into TikTok over alleged breaches of its obligations to protect minors online, under a landmark new law on policing digital content. It is the second probe into a major online platform since Brussels introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA), after targeting tech billionaire Elon Musk's X in December. Brussels is particularly concerned that the video-sharing app owned by China's ByteDance may not be doing enough to address negative impacts on young people. A key worry is the so-called "rabbit hole" effect -- which occurs when users are fed related content based on an algorithm, in some cases leading to more dangerous content. The European Commission's concerns also include TikTok's age verification tools, which it said "may not be reasonable, proportionate and effective". The commission opened "formal proceedings to assess whether TikTok may have breached" the DSA in other areas including "advertising transparency" and "data access for researchers". The action comes after analysing a risk assessment report by TikTok and its replies to Brussels' requests for more information about what measures the video-sharing platform has taken against illegal content, the protection of minors and access to data. - 'Spare no effort' - Regulators will continue to gather evidence, the commission said, adding that the move empowered it to take further enforcement steps if necessary. "As a platform that reaches millions of children and teenagers, TikTok must fully comply with the DSA and has a particular role to play in the protection of minors online," said the EU's internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton. "We are launching this formal infringement proceeding today to ensure that proportionate action is taken to protect the physical and emotional well-being of young Europeans. We must spare no effort to protect our children," Breton added. TikTok has over 142 million monthly users across the EU, up from 125 million last year. "TikTok needs to take a close look at the services they offer and carefully consider the risks that they pose to their users -- young as well as old," commission executive vice president Margrethe Vestager said. The formal probe will focus on four areas: how TikTok assesses and mitigates systemic risks; how the company is complying with protecting minors' privacy and safety; TikTok's measures on providing a "reliable" advertisement repository and the steps taken to increase transparency. TikTok said it was working to protect minors online. "TikTok has pioneered features and settings to protect teens and keep under 13s off the platform, issues the whole industry is grappling with," a TikTok spokesperson said. "We'll continue to work with experts and industry to keep young people on TikTok safe, and look forward to now having the opportunity to explain this work in detail to the Commission." - Risk of fines - There is no deadline for the completion of the proceedings. The DSA gives Brussels the power to levy heavy fines, with penalties for violations that can include fines going up to six percent of a digital firm's global revenues. The commission can even block platforms in the 27-nation bloc for serious and repeated violations. The EU law came into effect last year for the world's biggest online platforms including TikTok and X as well as Facebook and Instagram. The new rules demand companies do more to police content online, but also expect digital retailers to act swiftly and effectively to protect shoppers online. The DSA law has applied to all platforms since February 17. raz/ec/ach European officials are keeping a close eye on the US presidential race and working on a contingency plan, to be implemented if Donald Trump wins the election and subsequently decides to cut off aid for Ukraine. Source: European Pravda, with reference to The Washington Post (WP) Details: "When the former and possibly future leader of the free world says that he would sit back and see how Russia would attack NATO allies, we have to rethink what US commitment towards Europe and Ukraine could look like," a European security official said under the condition of anonymity. He said: "We should hope for the best but prepare for the worst," adding that the worst-case scenario would see the US dropping support for Ukraine and letting Putin destabilise the region. The WP reported that European officials have privately discussed building a continent-wide complement to NATO to work in concert with US security assurances, but also to serve as a "credible alternative" if US guarantees are withdrawn. However, these conversations are mired in disagreements among Ukraines allies. For example, France and Germany cannot agree on who would foot the bill, while Eastern European countries do not fully trust Western Europes resolve against Russian threats. "Some are focusing on how to lock in U.S. commitments ahead of the November elections. Senior U.S. policymakers say that, realistically, there is only so much they can do to curb the foreign policy decision-making of future administrations," the WP wrote. The WP further reported that there is an underlying sense among European officials that "things will change", even if Biden secures reelection. Background: Bloomberg reported earlier that NATO members are now talking privately about a Russian attack as a danger that requires an immediate response, as they increasingly doubt that the United States will maintain its traditional role of defending Europe as part of the alliance. In a speech at the Munich Security Conference on 17 February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has again urged Western powers to increase military assistance to Ukraine, stressing that keeping Ukraine artificially short of armaments, especially artillery and long-range weapons, "allows Putin to adapt to the current intensity of hostilities". Also in Munich, Zelenskyy said Kyiv was not considering alternatives to US assistance and that the US remains Ukraines key strategic partner. Support UP or become our patron! Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world. Chinas top diplomat Wang Yi had a message for his European counterparts over the weekend: no matter how the world changes, China will be consistent and stable a force for stability. The claim, which Wang delivered during remarks at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, comes as European leaders are warily watching the upcoming United States elections concerned that the potential return of former President Donald Trump could upend their partnership with Washington. Those concerns flared in the past week after Trump said he would not defend NATO allies that failed to spend enough on defense a stunning threat for many in Europe as Russias invasion grinds on in Ukraine. The timing of Trumps comments couldnt have been better for Wang, who is visiting Europe as Beijing struggles to repair deteriorating relations with the bloc an effort made more urgent by its domestic economic struggles and ongoing frictions with the US. No matter how the world changes, China, as a responsible major country, will keep its major principles and policies consistent and stable and serve as a staunch force for stability in a turbulent world, Wang said during remarks in Munich, while calling for China and Europe to stay clear of geopolitical and ideological distractions and work together. But while Wangs pitch may land on receptive ears in some European capitals where leaders hope to stabilize aspects of their relations with China, Beijing also has a major issue when it comes to making real progress to repair ties, analysts say: its steadfast relationship with Moscow. Those challenges were underscored over the weekend in Munich, where the security conference was overshadowed by shock and anger as reports emerged of the death at age 47 of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Leaders decried his death as the work of Russian President Vladimir Putins regime with outrage amplifying mounting concern about the fate of Ukraine, which lost key ground to Russia on Friday. Wangs message to his European hosts is that geopolitical differences should not be allowed to get in the way of close cooperation, said Noah Barkin, a visiting senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) think tank. What is left unsaid is that China is not prepared to change the positions and policies that worry the Europeans most, namely its deepening relationship with Russia and its distortive trade practices. A residential building is in ruins following a Russian missile strike in Ukraine's Kharkiv region in this photo from February 14. - Maxym Marusenko/Reuters Russia relations Since Russias invasion of Ukraine began two years ago, Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have bolstered their countries relations as both face rising tensions with the West. China which has not condemned Russias invasion and claims impartiality in the conflict has also emerged as a key lifeline for the sanctions-hit Russian economy. In Europe, this has galvanized concerns about Chinas own global ambitions and played a role in the European Unions ongoing push to recalibrate its policy toward China. In a panel discussion in Munich on Saturday, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg drew a parallel between Russian aggression and China, saying continued American support for Ukraine would send a message to Xi discouraging potential use of force in Taiwan, a self-ruled island Chinas ruling Communist Party claims. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reiterated the blocs expectation that China refrains from supporting Russia, in a meeting with Wang Friday. Western governments have not accused Beijing of sending extensive aid to Russias military. The EU is considering placing trade restrictions on three mainland Chinese firms as part of a proposed round of measures meant to hamper the Russian war effort, Bloomberg reported last week. In response to a query about the report from CNN, Chinas Foreign Ministry said it firmly opposes illegal sanctions or long-arm jurisdiction against China under the pretext of China-Russia cooperation and that normal exchanges between Chinese and Russian enterprises are not targeted at any third party. Wang made an apparent attempt to address concerns about Chinas ties to Russia over the weekend, framing the relationship for his audience in Munich as part of Beijings efforts to cooperate with major countries to address global challenges. Russia is Chinas largest neighboring country, Wang said, repeating usual statements that their relationship is not an alliance and does not target any third party. As such, a China-Russia relationship that grows steadily meets the shared interests of the two countries and serves the strategic stability of the Asia-Pacific and the world, he said. When asked by conference chairman Christoph Heusgen in a public discussion whether China should do more to rein in Russia, Wang also hit back at what he claimed were attempts to blame China or to shift the responsibility of resolving the Ukraine crisis to China. Beijing has worked relentlessly to promote peace talks, he said. The diplomat reiterated as much in a meeting with Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on Saturday, stressing that China does not sell lethal weapons to conflict areas or parties of conflict and that it would not give up its efforts to re-establish peace. But those efforts have fallen well short of European hopes that China would use its considerable economic leverage and regular high-level communication with Russia, including between Xi and Putin, to end the conflict in a way that respected Ukraines territorial integrity. Instead, a push from Beijing to frame itself as a potential peacemaker in the conflict, spearheaded by Wang at last years Munich Security Conference, hasnt produced tangible results. A plan for a political settlement of the conflict put forward by Beijing at that time was widely criticized as likely to help Moscow consolidate its territorial gains, as it called for a ceasefire without the prior withdrawal of Russian troops. Its also unclear whether Beijing will attend an upcoming Ukraine-backed Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. Kuleba raised the event in his meeting with Wang, according to a statement on the Ukrainian diplomats X account. Beijings readout did not mention the event. Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a state visit on March 21, 2023. - Xie Huanchi/Xinhua/Getty Images The Trump factor Observers say that against this backdrop, Wangs apparent attempts to dial down European concerns about Chinas position relative to the war may have little impact within the EU. As long as war in Ukraine continues, EU policies toward China will move into closer alignment with the US. Most likely, Europeans will join the US to double down export restrictions over critical technologies in light of viewing the Unions economic security as paramount, according to Yu Jie, a senior research fellow on China at the Chatham House think tank in London. The bloc is considering a host of measures that would help it to de-risk European supply chains from China, secure critical technologies and protect its market from what it sees as certain artificially cheap Chinese goods. Beijing sees European policy as excessively influenced by the United States. Wang also attempted to push back against such measures in Munich, warning that those who attempt to shut China out in the name of de-risking will make a historic mistake. The Chinese diplomat met a number of European counterparts on the sidelines of the security conference, before continuing on to Spain. He is also due to visit France this week. Wang may see more success in stabilizing relations with individual EU member states interested in boosting economic ties and those looking with uncertainty at the impending US elections, according to observers. In his European meetings, Wang may utilize the Trump factor to point out that completely siding with the United States is not in the best interests of European countries, according to Liu Dongshu, an assistant professor in the City University of Hong Kongs department of public and international affairs. As president, Trump not only voiced skepticism of the system of US alliances in Europe, but leveraged tariffs on European steel and aluminum, sparking retaliatory measures on US goods from Europe. Wang Yi may point out that if Trump becomes president it will be a problem if (Europe) doesnt have a good relationship with China He wants to persuade the European countries to be more neutral, Liu said. Beijing has made some progress in smoothing relations with European countries in the past year, including during a visit to China from French President Emmanuel Macron last spring a development Wang will hope to build on. In national capitals, there will be a greater focus on keeping the relationship with Beijing stable, in part to head off the risk of a two-front trade conflict with Beijing and Washington, should Trump return to the White House, said Barkin of GMF, who is also a senior adviser at the New York-based Rhodium Group. (Chinas) worst nightmare is a united transatlantic front on trade, technology and security issues China will use Trumps words to reinforce the message in European capitals that Washington is not a reliable partner, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BBQ & Bourbon The Bauerhaus will host Cancer Pathways Midwest fundraiser BBQ & Bourbon on Saturday, Feb. 24 with champion pitmaster Champion pitmaster Jim Johnson. A cooking class will begin at 2 p.m. and dinner and auction will be at 5 p.m. In cooperation with The Bauerhaus, Johnson will will be cooking steak, bacon wrapped carrots, and cinnamon rolls. Vegetarian options are available. Tickets are $100 for the cooking class and $125 for dinner, or combination tickets are $200. Proceeds benefit Cancer Pathways. The Bauerhaus is at 13605 Darmstadt Road; 812-867-3169. Grand Champion Pitmaster Jim Johnson prepares to teach a class on Superbowl appetizers at Thyme in the Kitchen in Evansville on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Carousel Restaurant adds buffet The Carousel Restaurant now has a buffet and salad bar. Beginning on Monday, Feb. 20, the buffet will be open for breakfast every day from 7:30 10:30 a.m. On Sunday it's open until 3 p.m. The price is $12.99 and includes coffee or tea. At lunch the salad bar is $8.99, or $4.99 as an add-on, and the evening buffet runs on Friday (seafood night) and Saturday from 4:30-7:30 p.m. with changing offerings. Recent options have been fried chicken, country fried steak, shrimp, shrimp alfredo, and more. Evening prices vary depending on the food offerings and include salad bar, but have so far been $13 - $14. The Carousel Restaurant is at 5115 Monroe Ave.; 812-479-6388. Corpus Christi Fish Fry The Corpus Christi Parish will host their annual fish fry on Friday, Feb. 23, from 5-7 p.m. or until sold out. On the menu will be a shrimp boil with shrimp, potatoes and corn, along with sides including green beans, cornbread and Cajun dipping sauce. $13 for pound of shrimp; $18 for 1 pound of shrimp. Kids meals with mac and cheese and sides will be available for $5. Drive through only; cash only. Corpus Christi is at 5528 Hogue Road; 812-422-2027. Chicken Stop nears opening The Chicken Stop, the new fried chicken restaurant that will soon be opening in the former Lees Famous Recipe Chicken building on St. Joseph Avenue, has posted their new menu. Items include fried chicken pieces or livers/gizzards with sides, chicken sandwiches and slicers, country fried steak, chicken strips and nugget dippers, fried fish, and more. A large selection of dipping sauces will include the standards plus chipotle sauce, peri peri, jalafeno cilantro ranch, and a Chicken Stop secret sauce, the restaurant has posted that it will open soon, but no date has yet been announced. The Chicken Stop will be at 411 N. St. Joseph Ave,; 812-777-0022. Holy Redeemer Parish fish fry Holy Redeemer Parish will host a fish fry on Feb. 23 and March 15, from 5-7 p.m. On the menu will be fried fish, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, cheddar biscuit, dessert and a drink (drinks for dine in only.) Dine in or drive through. $10 per person. Dine-in or drive through. Holy Redeemer is at 918 W. Mill Road; 812-424-8344. Kwench Juice Cafe now open Kwench Juice Cafe is now open on Evansvhttps://www.womensclubofnewburgh.org/arts-crafts-show?illes East Side. On the menu are raw juices; power juices with additions such as hemp protein, wheatgrass, spirulina and bee pollen; Raw smothies; acai and pitaya bowls with fruit, nut and granola toppings; and edibles such as steel cut oats, and chia pudding with toppings and peanut butter energy bites. Kwench Juice Cafe is at 1211 Tutor Lane, Suite A; 812-550-1125. Cousin's Maine Lobster at Henderson Brewing Co. The Henderson Brewing Co. will host the Cousin's Maine Lobster truck on Friday, Feb. 21, from 4-8 p.m. Cousins will be serving lobster rolls, chowder, lobster mac and cheese and other entrees. The Henderson Brewing Co. is at 737 Second St.. Henderson, Ky.; 812-200-4314. Cousin's Maine Lobster at Myriad Brewing Co. The Myriad Brewing Co. in Downtown Evansville will host the Cousin's Maine Lobster truck on Friday, Feb. 23, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and the Newburg Myriad Tap Room will host the truck on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Cousins will be serving lobster rolls, chowder, lobster mac and cheese and other entrees. The Myriad Brewing Company downtown is at 101 S.E. First St. 812-402-1515; the Myriad Newburgh Tap Room is at 8245 High Pointe Drive; 812-518-9155. St. Benedict Cathedral fish fry St. Benedict Cathedral Parish will host a fish fry on Feb 23, March 1, 8, 15, and 22, from 4:30-7:15 p.m. Meals will be served for dine in or carry out in the St. Benedict Cafeteria. On the menu will be fried and baked fish dinners. $15 for adults and $5 for children 6-12, and kids younger than 6 eat free. For more information call 270-454-9546. St. Benedict Cathedral is at 1328 Lincoln Ave.; 812-425-3369. St. John the Baptist fish fry St. John the Baptist will host a fish fry on Feb. 16 and 23; and March 1, 8, 15, and 22, from 4-7 p.m. Meal will be served at the Saint John the Baptist Center. On the menu will be fried or grilled fish or grilled shrimp (when available) or cheese pizza, cornbread, mac and cheese, slaw, applesauce, desserts and rotating sides. $13 for adults, $6 for kids 4-12, and kids 3 and younger eat free. Dine in or carry out. St. John the Baptist church is at 625 Frame Road, Newburgh, Indiana; 812-490-1000. Women's Club craft show and bake sale The Womens Club of Newburgh Craft Show will happen on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Castle High School. More than 160 vendors will be bringing art, crafts, soaps, jewelry and much more. The Prime Time Pub and Grill will be serving breakfast and both they and Dawgs on the Ohio will be serving lunch. The Womens Club Sweet Shoppe will be full of baked goodies to eat there or take home. Admission is $3 for adults and kids over 12. Proceeds will go to the Womens Club of Newburgh fund for grants to nonprofits serving Warrick County and scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Castle High School is at 3344 Indiana 261, Newburgh. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville food news: 11 bites of food news for you this week The former Post Office chairman has hit back at Kemi Badenoch in the row over the handling of the Horizon scandal. Henry Staunton has accused ministers of failing to take action to deliver justice for postmasters until after a TV drama on the scandal was aired. In a statement to Sky News, Mr Staunton said it was pretty obvious what was really going on after Kemi Badenoch sparked a major row with him over the Horizon IT scandal. He insisted there had been no real movement on the payouts until after the airing of ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office last month. It was in the interests of the business as well as being fair for the postmasters that there was faster progress on exoneration and that compensation was more generous, but we didnt see any real movement until after the Mr Bates programme, he said. I think it is pretty obvious to everyone what was really going on. At the weekend, Mr Staunton told The Sunday Times he had been told by a senior civil servant to delay payouts to sub-postmasters ahead of the next general election because of concerns about costs. He also claimed that, when he was sacked last month, Ms Badenoch told him that someones got to take the rap for the scandal. On Monday, the Business Secretary hit back, claiming Mr Stauntons comments were full of lies. She said he had been removed after whistleblowers raised concerns that he was not doing enough to ensure people received their compensation quickly enough. Ms Badenoch made a Commons statement on the affair on Monday afternoon. More than 4,000 people have been told they will be eligible for compensation as a result of the Horizon scandal. Errors in the Horizon software, made by Fujitsu, the Japanese technology company, caused shortfalls to be recorded that did not exist. Overall, more than 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted after they were blamed for the shortfalls. Some served time in prison as a result. The Government has been repeatedly criticised for its treatment of sub-postmasters some of whom have never received any compensation from three government schemes, despite their lives having been ruined. After the ITV drama aired earlier this year, the Government announced legislation that would swiftly exonerate all sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted. In a letter to Mrs Badenoch on Monday, Jonathan Reynolds, the shadow business secretary, said that to truly ascertain the veracity of Mr Stauntons allegations, she should publish all correspondence and minutes of meetings between her department and the Post Office since the 2019 High Court ruling that there had been bugs and errors in the IT system. He also asked her to explicitly confirm whether any civil servant had told Mr Staunton to stall on compensation payments so the Government could limp into the election with the lowest possible financial liability. Kevin Hollinrake, the Post Office minister, told Sky News he does not recognise claims of trying to slow down compensation. He said: Weve been very focused on getting that compensation out the door as quickly as possible. Weve done much to try and accelerate those payments over the time Henry Staunton was in office, so I dont recognise what hes saying and Im a bit confused why hes saying it. He added that he was not on the call when Mr Staunton was sacked, but Mrs Badenoch has been very clear that the version of events that she read in the paper was nothing like the version that she had from the notes that were taken on that call. Clearly, Henry Staunton sees it differently. Youd have to ask him why hes saying those things, he said. It doesnt accord with the situation as I see it. 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. Heavy rain is expected to arrive in the Fresno area overnight, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford. Meteorologist Jim Bagnall said the rain is off the coast to the north, but will slowly come into the Fresno area Sunday night with heavy rain overnight. Fairly heavy rain, he said. Looks like the heaviest bit of it is going to be overnight through tomorrow. He said the rain is expected to last until Wednesday morning with strong thunderstorms expected to happen Monday afternoon and evening and Tuesday. Bagnall added that there is a slight possibility of severe thunderstorms in Merced. A flood watch is in effect below 6,000 feet. A Flood Watch remains in effect for most of Central California below 6,000 feet from 4 PM PST this afternoon until 4 AM PST Tuesday night. Most of this rain will fall this evening through Monday evening. Mudslides and rockslides are possible in steep canyons and hillsides. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/cjeyzVIras NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) February 18, 2024 Fresno rainfall amount is predicted to be 1.5 inches of rain by the time the storm moves through the region on Wednesday, he said. Snowfall amounts are even expected to be high in the Sierra Nevada, Bagnall said. As much as nearly 5 feet of snow is predicted at the highest elevations, and 6,000 feet is expected to 1 to 3 feet of snow. While the storm is not deemed the atmospheric river that the central San Joaquin Valley has seen recently, Bagnall said it does have the same effect. Its pulling up tropical moisture and feeding it across us, he said. That is kind of feeding the machine there and giving us all this precipitation, and the system itself will move inland and thats going to continue. On Saturday, former president Donald Trump will attend the Conservative Political Action Conference just outside of Washington, DC right before he hops over to the South Carolina primary, where he will almost certainly declare victory. His address to the conservative faithful at CPAC largely comprising snake oil salesmen, College Republican chapters looking for a fun weekend in DC, and the most dieheard conservative activists out there will serve as a sort of homecoming. Trump first addressed the conference in 2011. Doing so began his tease of running for the 2012 Republican nomination, during which he promoted the racist conspiracy theories that Barack Obama was not born in the United States and that he somehow did not deserve to have graduated from Columbia University or Harvard. Trump ultimately elected not to run that year, but his CPAC appearance marked a turning point. The reality television host from New York who spent much of his adult life as a Democrat would become the standard bearer of the Republican Party just five years later, in 2016. In 2021, Trump gave his first major speech after leaving the White House and, more notably, after January 6 riot at CPAC, in his adopted home state of Florida. The fact that the gathered attendees welcomed him so resoundingly showed the party would stick with him rather than purge him and move on. Indeed, Trump will be the dominant theme at this years CPAC. Former officials in his administration such as Steve Bannon, Sebastian Gorka and Ben Carson will speak, as well more Trumpish elected officials such as Senators JD Vance of Ohio and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. MAGA acolytes such as failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and also-ran presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will also be there. In a sign of how much Trump has transformed the GOP, Ramaswamy, who has said Ukraine is not a paragon of democracy, will speak at the dinner named for Ronald Reagan, the president who supported a robust opposition to Russia and who called the Soviet Union an evil empire. This comes a week after a majority of Republicans voted against a foreign aid package that would have assisted Ukraine and House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to put the bill to the floor. This contrasts greatly with last years CPAC, when the event at least tried to have a pretense of being neutral. Nikki Haley, clearly not a favourite among the MAGA faithful, addressed the crowd back then, as did former secretary of state Mike Pompeo. In a preview of his tepid approach to running for president, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did not speak. This time around, CPAC is going whole hog. The conference endorsed Trump shortly before he began his march through Iowa and New Hampshire. The 45th president is no longer a featured attraction of CPAC; he is the main attraction. The same goes for his conquest in South Carolina. Every survey shows Trump decimating Haley, and hes received the endorsement of the states Republican Senators Lindsey Graham who once called Trump a jackass and Tim Scott whom Haley appointed to the Senate more than a decade ago to fill a vacancy as well as the states governor Henry McMaster. Haleys loss will come despite the fact the Palmetto State elected her governor twice and she governed as a fairly consistent conservative. That may be why Haley has traversed around her home state, but also to Super Tuesday states such as California and Texas, in hopes of keeping her campaign alive. But a Trump victory in South Carolina would ultimately deny her the ability to make the case that she can challenge Trump. All of this means that there will be no room for anyone else in the Republican Party in the forseeable future. In the past, runners-up in Republican primaries often would have a path to win the nomination in the next contest, as was the case with John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. But Haley and DeSantis, for that matter will likely not have a shot. Both of them deigned to cross Trump, and in todays GOP, that means your career is dead in the water. CPAC has for years been a showcase for up-and-coming talent within the party. In 2011, a hotshot young conservative lawyer called Ted Cruz served as Trumps hype man right before he took the stage (few could have guessed that Cruz and Trump would end up engaged in a blood feud by 2016.) No more will that showcasing of up-and-coming conservative talent happen. The 24-hour Trump show means that conservatism and fealty to the former president are one-and-the-same and no opposition will be allowed. And ironically, that will lock out future presidential hopefuls like Trump once was. This article was amended on 20 February 2024. It previously referred to Vivek Ramaswamy as having said that Ukraine is not a democracy, but this was inaccurate. He had said Ukraine was not a paragon of democracy. Cairo Just weeks after an Egyptian-Japanese archaeological team announced an ambitious project to reconstruct the outer granite casing of the pyramid of King Menkaure, the smallest of the three main pyramids at Egypt's iconic Giza Necropolis, a committee appointed to review the plans has declared it "impossible." Criticism and fear over the plans for the piece of Egyptian national heritage started to spread online and in the media as soon as the project was announced last month. The plan had been to dig out and examine dozens of large granite blocks from around the base of the pyramid, with the aim being to eventually reinstall them around the pyramid's exterior to restore it to what it's believed to have looked like when it was built more than 4,000 years ago. Visitors pose for a picture by the base of the Pyramid of Menkaure at the Giza Pyramids Necropolis, west of Cairo, Jan. 29, 2024. / Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty King Menkaure's pyramid now has between three and eight rows of the granite blocks around its base, but it originally had 16 rows of the blocks rising up the four sides of the structure. Photos posted by the team, showing the existing original lower rows around the bottom of the pyramid, drew scorn from some observers online who thought the reassembly work had already begun. But experts who understood exactly what the team had planned to do also strongly rejected the entire notion of the project. Last week, a committee tasked by Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities to look into the matter as the controversy unfolded also issued a firm rejection of the proposed project. "The Menkaure Pyramid Review Committee (MPRC), has unanimously objected to the re-installation of the granite casing blocks, scattered around the base of the pyramid since thousands of years ago," a report by the committee read. A crane lifting stones is pictured behind camels resting with their trainers by the Pyramid of Menkaure at the Giza Pyramids Necropolis, west of Cairo, Jan. 29, 2024. / Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty The committee underlined "the importance of maintaining the pyramid's current state without alterations, given its exceptional universal and archaeological value." "There is no way," the head of the review committee, veteran Egyptian archaeologist and former Minister of Antiquities Dr. Zahi Hawass, told CBS News after the decision was reached. "The stones are not shaped at all. How can you put unshaped stones back? There is no way, you cannot know the location of each stone. It's an impossible project." "The pyramid is in my blood, I lived in this area, I excavated every piece of sand, and I'm telling you that no one can put these granite stones back. It's impossible." "We are talking about saving the third pyramid, Menkaure. We do not need any changes," Hawass said, adding: "This is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The project has been discussed by six top Egyptologists, engineers, and architects." Cosmic rays help reveal corridor hidden in Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza He said reinstalling the stones would involve the use of modern materials such as cement, which the committee couldn't back. "All the international organizations' rules, such as UNESCO and others, always like to keep the site as it is, without any changes," Hawass said. He explained that the committee was open to discussing moving the stones for research and excavation work in the area, assuming a number of conditions were met to preserve the antiquities, but he said even that work was beyond the scope of what the Japanese-Egyptian team could take on. "In my opinion, I think this is a major, important project, and it will be impossible to do it without an international campaign," he said. "I think we would need UNESCO to participate." The Egyptian-Japanese archaeological team behind the plans did not respond to CBS News' request for comment on the committee's decision, and it was not clear if they planned to challenge the ruling with the Ministry of Antiquities in a bid to continue with what they had promised would be "Egypt's gift to the world in the 21st century." Cillian Murphy: The 60 Minutes Interview Trump fake elector in Wisconsin describes how he says he was tricked | 60 Minutes U.K. court hears Julian Assange extradition appeal Activists march during a demonstration calling for an end to the fighting between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army and denouncing the international community's silence on the conflicts in Goma By Ange Kasongo KINSHASA (Reuters) - Violent clashes have escalated between Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s army and Rwandan-backed M23 Tutsi-led rebels in eastern Congo, killing scores and displacing hundreds of thousands. The fighting, in a war that has lasted decades, has increased the risk of an all-out conflict between Congo and Rwanda that could suck in neighbours and regional forces including South Africa, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi. In the capital Kinshasa, and the North Kivu provincial capital Goma, Congolese have taken to the streets to protest against deteriorating security in the east and have accused the international community of not doing enough to hold Rwanda to account for its support for the rebels. WHAT IS THE M23? The M23, which refers to the March 23 date of a 2009 accord that ended a previous Tutsi-led revolt in eastern Congo, is the latest in a series of groups of ethnic Tutsi-led insurgents to rise up against Congolese forces. The group has accused the government of Congo of not living up to the peace deal to fully integrate Congolese Tutsis into the army and administration. It also vows to defend Tutsi interests, particularly against ethnic Hutu militias like the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), founded by Hutus who fled Rwanda after participating in the 1994 genocide of more than 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The rebels have been closing in on Goma in the past few weeks and are now stationed in the hills outside Sake, 25 km from Goma, having blocked off the main roads to the north and west of the city. Capturing Goma would be their biggest military gain in more than a decade. WHAT SET OFF THE LATEST REVOLT? In 2012 and 2013, M23 seized large parts of eastern Congo and entered Goma, a strategic economic hub, before they were chased out by Congolese and U.N. forces into Uganda and Rwanda. In March 2022, the group launched a series of attacks and seized large areas of eastern Congo, saying the move was a defensive response to attacks by the FDLR, which it said was collaborating with the Congolese army. The Congolese army has denied working with the FDLR. HOW AND WHY IS RWANDA INVOLVED? The government of Congo, U.N. officials and Western powers including the United States and Belgium have accused Rwanda of providing support for M23, including arms and soldiers, despite Rwanda's repeated denials. Rwanda and Uganda have a long history of military intervention inside Congo. The two countries invaded in 1996 and 1998, claiming they were defending themselves against local militia groups. The U.S. has urged Rwanda to withdraw its military personnel from Congo and remove surface-to-air missile systems. Rwanda has blamed the escalation on Congo's decision to end the mandate of regional peacekeepers. It added that its actions were taken due to threats to Rwanda's national security, including statements by Congolese officials threatening to invade Rwanda. REGIONAL FORCES INVOLVED Fighting has continued despite numerous ceasefires brokered by regional leaders and the United States in 2022 and 2023. Frustrated by the ineffectiveness of regional troops, particularly from Kenya, deployed to enforce the withdrawal of the rebels, Congo decided to end the mandate of the regional force, leading to it pulling out in December. In May, the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) approved a military mission for eastern Congo to help the country address instability and tackle armed groups. Unlike the East African forces, the SADC troops, who include forces from South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania, have an offensive mandate to support Congo's army fight rebel groups. South Africa has said it will contribute 2,900 troops. It reported that two of its soldiers were killed and three were wounded by a mortar bomb in eastern Congo. (Reporting by Ange Kasongo; Writing by Bate Felix, editing by Silvia Aloisi and Nick Macfie) Explosions were heard in occupied Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, on Feb. 19 could have been another Russian aircraft, said mayoral advisor Petro Andryushenko, There are reports that a Russian plane may have crashed near the village of Rybatske. It could also have been a drone, said Andryushenko. Two explosions were heard, followed by a burning aircraft flying over the Primorsky district towards Rybatske, Andryushenko reported. Read also: The precise location is currently unknown. Ukraines Air Force has yet to provide comment. Read also: Disgusting Russian realtor selling destroyed Mariupol homes still strewn with childrens items video Mariupol periodically experiences explosions, as the city is a strategically important center along Russias so-called land corridor to Crimea. Ukraine's military shot down four Russian aircraft in the last two days: three Su-34 fighter-bombers and one Su-35 fighter jet. Petro Andryushchenko/Telegram 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 Claim: The space agency stopped painting its shuttles' fuel tank because the white paint added about 600 pounds of weight. Rating: Rating: True In operation for 30 years, NASA's space shuttle was described by the space agency as "the world's first reusable spacecraft" and was "launched like a rocket, maneuvered in Earth orbit like a spacecraft and landed like an airplane." The spacecraft's external tank was also said, according to online claims, to have once been painted white before engineers realized the paint added roughly 600 pounds of weight. Take, for example, the Reddit post below, which was shared to the r/space subreddit in 2023 (archived here) and had received more than 31,000 upvotes at the time of this publication: This claim is true. During the first two space shuttle launches, STS-1 and STS-2, the external tank (ET), then referred to as the standard weight tank, was painted white to protect its insulating foam from ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun while the spacecraft sat on its launch pad. With the tank standing more than 15 stories tall, the amount of white latex paint needed to cover such a large surface area added an estimated 600 pounds weight that could be better reserved for other items, such as propellant. By the third mission, the tank was left unpainted, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The external tank was painted white for the first two space shuttle launches (left). From the third launch, it was left unpainted (right). (Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons) Measuring 184 feet long with a 78-foot wingspan, the space shuttle typically weighed around 4.5 million pounds at liftoff depending on its payload. It consisted of three major components: the orbiter, which housed the crew; two solid rocket boosters that provided lift during the first two minutes of flight; and the ET, which held fuel for the main engines. Everything on the space shuttle was meant to be reused except the ET. Considered the "backbone" of the shuttle, the ET provided structural support during launch because it attached to the rocket boosters and the orbiter. Eight minutes into the flight, once it was nearly empty, the ET was jettisoned off of the shuttle at an altitude of roughly 28 miles. The tank then fell into a preplanned trajectory, disintegrating in the atmosphere with the remainder falling into the ocean. Empty, the ET weighed 78,100 pounds. It could hold more than 1.5 million pounds of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellent, putting its total payload at more than 1.6 million pounds. The space shuttle program launched its first two-day mission on April 12, 1981, and its final mission on July 8, 2011. Each of the five orbiters Atlantis, Challenger, Columbia, Discovery and Endeavour was designed to be able to fly more than 100 missions, though all flew far fewer than that. The Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff in January 1986, and the Columbia broke up during reentry in 2003. Missions typically lasted between five to 16 days with a crew of five to seven people, though the longest mission was 17.5 days with a crew of eight. Sources: "Navigating LA with 65,000 Pounds of NASA Space Shuttle History - Teachable Moments." NASA/JPL Edu, https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/news/2016/5/18/navigating-la-with-65-000-pounds-of-nasa-space-shuttle-history/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024. The Space Shuttle - NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/reference/the-space-shuttle/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024. "The Space Shuttle's External Tank Used to Be Painted White. They Eventually Stopped Painting It and Saved about 600 Pounds of Weight. Unbelievable." America's Best Pics and Videos, https://americasbestpics.com/picture/n-a-the-space-shuttle-s-external-tank-used-to-9f2gOgTVA. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024. "Why Did NASA Change the Color of the Fuel Tank of the Space Shuttle?" Quora, https://www.quora.com/Why-did-NASA-change-the-color-of-the-fuel-tank-of-the-space-shuttle. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024. Claim: U.S. President George Washington had wooden teeth. Rating: Rating: False Among the long-standing myths surrounding the first president of the United States, George Washington, is that he wore false teeth made out of wood. Though the evidence unambiguously confirms that Washington, who died in 1799, did sport false teeth, and that they were made out of decidedly low-tech (to our modern eye) materials, historians tell us, they were not carved out of wood. Whereas, a mere 50 years ago, many elementary school teachers were still regaling students with tall tales of Washington's wooden dentures, these days even TikTok users are calling out the myth: The evidence isn't hard to come by. One of the most popular historical exhibits at Mount Vernon, originally the estate of the first President of the United States and now a monument to his life and legacy, is a set of the great man's dentures. The crude, handmade prosthesis, comprising both upper and lower teeth, is displayed in a circular glass case permitting a 360-degree view. The majority of Mount Vernon's one million visitors per year, one presumes, pause to stare at the famous choppers for at least a moment before moving on to the table settings. The fascination with George Washington's false teeth could be attributable to various factors that they're a medical curiosity from the 18th century, when dentistry was still just this side of barbaric; that they're an intimate vestige of the man himself, letting us feel closer to him; or, maybe, that we're all just eager to see if the scuttlebutt we heard and repeated as kids is true. The exhibit does not disappoint. One look at the contraption itself, which is actually made out of metal, ivory, and real teeth (both animal and human), is enough to see that it wasn't carved out of wood: George Washington's false teeth, preserved at Mount Vernon ( Getty Images) Plus, there's a plaque that lays out the facts in black and white: Dentures Worn by George Washington Lead base fitted with cow and human teeth, elephant ivory, brass, and steel. ca. 1775-1799. Although George Washington brushed his teeth regularly, by the time he took the oath of office as president at age 57, he was wearing full dentures. Contrary to popular myth, Washington's false teeth were not made of wood but of human and cow teeth as well as elephant ivory. The dentures required frequent adjusting to function naturally, and Washington repeatedly sent them to John Greenwood, his dentist in New York City, for repairs. As was common at the time, the dentures were ill-fitting, awkward, and sometimes painful. They distorted Washington's appearance, mainly by making his lower lip protrude, as can be seen in contemporaneous portraiture of the first president. According to historian Michael Beschloss, his teeth were an embarrassment to him: He once pleaded with his dentist, John Greenwood, by letter, to avoid any change to the denture "which will, in the least degree force the lips out more than now do, as it does this too much already." Members of his cabinet sadly noted how rarely the tight-lipped president smiled or laughed. Others insisted that his embarrassment about his dentures, which sometimes caused him to hiss as he spoke, made him reclusive. Washington was plagued by dental problems throughout most of his adult life. He attributed the misfortune to "cracking of walnuts in his youth," his friend John Adams wrote, though heredity must have played a part, as well. Bad hygiene, too, though Washington wouldn't have been entirely to blame. "It's not that George Washington was sloppy about dental hygiene," John L. Smith notes in Journal of the American Revolution, "it's just that dental hygiene was practically non-existent in the late eighteenth century": In fact, in some social groups, taking care of your teeth was even considered effeminate or vain. But Washington was very wise about the message an image can send, and knew that in the Continental Congress, and as commander-in-chief and president, he had to look the part of a leader which meant at least having teeth. Aside from the possible constant pain Washington endured from his bad teeth, he stayed on a constant life quest to (simply said) have teeth in his mouth. And he paid a lot for professional dental care all through his lifetime. George Washington wore several different sets of dentures over the course of his lifetime, none made of wood. Instead, the dentists treating him would have used the cutting-edge materials of the time: bone, ivory, lead, brass, gold and the castaway teeth of horses, donkeys, cows and, yes, human beings. Washington is said to have saved his own extracted teeth for future use in dentures. A longstanding rumor that Washington purchased teeth from his slaves may be true, as well, Michael Beschloss writes: According to his account books, in 1784, emulating some of his affluent friends, he bought nine teeth from unidentified "Negroes" perhaps enslaved African Americans at his beloved Mount Vernon; the price was 122 shillings. As to how and why the rumor of Washington's wooden teeth took hold in the first place, no one knows for sure, but there are two main theories, both based on the assumption that his dentures must have looked like they were made of wood. One holds that they turned mottled and brown with age, the other that their "woodiness" was due to Washington's habit of drinking fortified wine: Ivory and bone both have hairline fractures in them, which normally can't be seen. With Washington's fondness for Madeira wine, a very dark wine, over time the darkness of the wine started to darken the false teeth of the dentures. Then the thin fractures in the bone started to darken even more than the rest of the tooth, making the lines look like the grain in a piece of wood "that misled later observers." Two hundred fifty years later, we're still talking about Washington's "wooden teeth." Like the cherry tree he never chopped down as a child, they are forever enshrined in American legend. Sources: Beschloss, Michael. "George Washington's Weakness: His Teeth." The New York Times. 28 April 2014. Bingham, Warren L. George Washington's 1791 Southern Tour. Mount Pleasant, NC: Arcadia Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9781625857538. Smith Jr., John L. "Drilling Holes in George Washington's Wooden Teeth Myth." Journal of the American Revolution. 5 October 2014. Claim: A photo authentically showed neo-Nazis waving swastika flags at the Tennessee State Capitol in February 2024. Rating: Rating: True In February 2024, a photo circulated widely online, appearing to show masked neo-Nazis waving swastika flags near the Tennessee state Capitol. We investigated the photo's backstory and concluded it was an authentic image of neo-Nazis taken from a video uploaded to X (formerly Twitter) by a Tennessee state lawmaker. As such, we rate this claim "True." The lawmaker, Democratic Rep. Justin Pearson, appeared to have recorded the video while driving by the Capitol on Feb. 17. On that day, a group of neo-Nazis wearing red shirts and black masks, with some waving the swastika flags gathered for a rally in downtown Nashville, according to local news reports. "I'm disgusted that Nazis are comfortable doing this but I am not surprised," Pearson said in the X post with the video. This is the hate that the @tnhousegop fosters from their positions of power in the General Assembly! I'm disgusted that Nazis are comfortable doing this but I am not surprised. Tragically, their views are shared by many who I serve alongside on the other side of the aisle. pic.twitter.com/ss1dGuH7DB Justin J. Pearson (@Justinjpearson) February 18, 2024 In a Feb. 18 article that used Storyful, a social media research agency that verifies online content, KTTV also confirmed Pearson was the footage's videographer. We reached out to Pearson to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the video recording, and we will update this report if we receive a response. It was unknown who, or what group, took a screenshot of Pearson's video for the image that went viral on Reddit and other social media platforms. During our review of that in-question photo, we looked at other images of the Tennessee State Capitol to confirm the scenery matched. It did; the image depicted a large door with two white pillars below the group, just like other photos of the government building. We also used Google's reverse-image search tool, which uncovered other pictures of the neo-Nazis near the Capitol. Nashville TV news station WKRN shared videos documenting the rally and interviewed some Tennessee lawmakers about it. Legislators from both political parties condemned the event on social media. It was unknown exactly how many people participated in the rally. NBC News, which verified some videos documenting the event, called the group "small" and noted they were all men. That outlet also reported their shirts said "Blood Tribe" in reference to what the Southern Poverty Law Center describes as a white supremacist membership organization founded in 2021 by neo-Nazi and ex-Marine Christopher Pohlhaus. According to NBC News, Nashville police confirmed the the group's presence near the Capitol and said no arrests were made. "Neo-Nazi demonstrators carried flags with swastikas, walked around the Capitol and parts of downtown Saturday afternoon," police told the outlet. "Some persons on Broadway challenged the group, most of whom wore face coverings. The group headed to a U-Haul box truck, got in, and departed Davidson County." There was no further information about the reported incident in which people supposedly "challenged the group." However, Al Jazeera published cellphone footage depicting the neo-Nazis and the voice of a man offscreen calling them "cowards" and asking them to take off their masks to show their faces. During the rally, Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn shared a different photo on X, writing: "Our office is closely monitoring the Nazi rally downtown these groups once relegated to the dark corners now feel empowered to spew their noxious ideology out in the open due to our state's leadership REFUSING to condemn their speech and actions." our office is closely monitoring the Nazi rally downtown these groups once relegated to the dark corners now feel empowered to spew their noxious ideology out in the open due to our state's leadership REFUSING to condemn their speech and actions. pic.twitter.com/WZ1whZ2tPZ Rep. Aftyn Behn (@AftynBehn) February 17, 2024 Also, Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones posted a video of himself on X with the crowd in the background. He wrote: "Just left an event honoring a Black sorority and spoke of the need to unite against the rising tide of white supremacy, only to be confronted by Nazis marching through downtown Nashville." Just left an event honoring a Black sorority and spoke of the need to unite against the rising tide of white supremacy, only to be confronted by Nazis marching through downtown Nashville. This is exactly what my Republican colleagues hate speech is fostering and inviting. pic.twitter.com/ZaK5kUQDYP Rep. Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) February 17, 2024 Sources: Evon, Dan. "Snopes Tips: A Guide To Performing Reverse Image Searches." Snopes, 22 Mar. 2022, https://www.snopes.com//articles/400681/how-to-perform-reverse-image-searches/. Kirby, Rollin. "Sieg Heil!" 1941, https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016682878/. "Man Confronts Neo-Nazis Marching in Nashville." Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/program/newsfeed/2024/2/18/man-confronts-neo-nazis-marching-in-nashville. Accessed 19 Feb. 2024. "Masked Demonstrators Wave Nazi Flags in Front of Tennessee Capitol." FOX TV Stations, 18 Feb. 2024, https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/masked-demonstrators-wave-nazi-flags-in-front-of-tennessee-capitol. Accessed 19 Feb. 2024. "Nazi Marchers at State Capitol Prompt Bipartisan Blowback." The Tennessean, https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2024/02/18/nazi-marchers-at-capitol-in-nashville-prompt-bipartisan-blowback/72651479007/. Accessed 19 Feb. 2024. "Neo-Nazi Ex-Marine Buys Up Land in Rural Maine for 'Blood Tribe.'" Southern Poverty Law Center, https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2023/07/27/neo-nazi-ex-marine-buys-land-rural-maine-blood-tribe. Accessed 19 Feb. 2024. "Neo-Nazis March in Nashville, Leave after Being Challenged." NBC News, 19 Feb. 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/neo-nazis-march-nashville-leave-challenged-rcna139415. Accessed 19 Feb. 2024. "Tennessee Lawmakers React to Group of "Nazis" Marching through Downtown Nashville." WKRN, Feb. 18, 2024, www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IxO9zfiQN0. Accessed 19 Feb. 2024. "Tennessee State Capitol." Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tennessee_State_Capitol#/media/File:Tennessee_State_Capitol_in_July_2021.jpg. Accessed 19 Feb. 2024. "Tennessee State Capitol." Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tennessee_State_Capitol. Accessed 19 Feb. 2024. Some area colleges and universities are adjusting admission and financial deadlines for students because of problems with federal financial aid applications. The U.S. Department of Education announced late last month that colleges and universities won't receive students' financial aid applications until early March, leaving schools with less time to offer financial aid packages to students and students with less time to decide where they will attend college. The Department of Education rolled out a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in December. The changes were expected to make the application process easier to navigate. Instead, it has caused more headaches. Instead of being available to students on Oct. 1 as in previous years, the new form launched Dec. 30. Once it launched, the forms were available at limited times while the education department worked to resolve issues. To make matters worse, the FAFSA forms will not be available to schools until the end of March. Malone University: 'We always rise to the occasion of a challenge.' Pam Pustay, director of financial aid at Malone University in Canton, knows the delay in financial aid has been tough on students and families, but she is confident students will be ready to start school in August with financial aid in hand. "We are all in the same boat," she said. "We'll be able to get it done. We always rise to the occasion of a challenge." In years past, it would take as little as five days after a student filed a FAFSA application for the school to receive the information. Pustay is not sure what the process will be come March, but she doesn't anticipate the state releasing all of the forms at one time. They might prioritize the forms based on when they were received. Her biggest concern is the frustration growing among parents and students. "We are getting calls," Pustay said. "Most are very understanding and know what is going on. They know it is not the school's fault. They are just trying to get information." Until the FAFSA forms are released by the state, financial aid officers don't have any information for them. Universities, colleges adjust FAFSA deadlines Several schools, including Malone, are attempting to ease concerns by adjusting deadline schedules. Malone has extended enrollment decision day from May 1 to June 1. Kent State University, as well as its satellite campuses, also has moved its enrollment deadline to June 1. Kent State has also delayed its March 1 FAFSA deadline to March 15. The University of Mount Union in Alliance has extended its deposit refund deadline from May 1 to July 1. Walsh University in North Canton has made no changes to its deadlines, but it is taking proactive measures to keep open lines of communication with parents and students and keep them up-to-date with information or allocations that are made. "At Walsh University, we understand the significant impact the FAFSA delay has on our students and families, particularly in terms of financial planning and decision-making," Walsh Vice President of Enrollment Management Rebecca Conegilo said in a prepared statement. "In previous years, we have been able to provide financial aid packages to our families by December, allowing them ample time to evaluate their options and make informed decisions about their educational investment." She acknowledged the strain the delay is putting on students, families and the school. Ohio State announced students and families will now have until March 15 to submit their FAFSA form, a month later than the previous Feb. 15 deadline. Incoming and current students will also have until that date to apply for scholarships through ScholarshipUniverse. Ohio State is also extending its enrollment commitment deadline for incoming first-year students from May 1 to May 15. More: FAFSA freaking you out? It's usually the best choice, but other financial aid options exist Stark State College in Jackson Township hasn't made any changes to its financial aid deadlines because the school is an open-access and admissions college. Students can apply and register right up to the term start date. School officials said potential students should complete their FAFSA form by July 1 for the fall semester to ensure plenty of time for processing. Stephanie M. Sutton, vice president of enrollment management at Stark State, said the school offers free FAFSA labs to complete the application on the main campus and Akron locations. The labs are open to the public. Stark State has more than $3 million in enhanced scholarship funding available for the upcoming 2024-25 academic year, she added. Aultman College has a rolling admission enrollment calendar and FAFSA delays should not impact students being able to enroll in time, said Wendy Davis, director of finance and financial aid. University official: Students need to be patient Pustay is asking students and parents to be patient while they await word about funding for the upcoming school year. More: Some colleges offer students their own aid forms after FAFSA delays frustrate families Her biggest concern with the delay is that some students might delay their education, or the financial uncertainty solidifies that a higher education is too costly and causes some students to skip out on college. "That breaks my heart," Pustay said. "Those students who really could benefit from a higher education and have funds available to them aren't going to go. "We're doing what we can to help. They'll be processed as soon as we get them. We'll be working late and on weekends." Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com. This article originally appeared on The Independent: FAFSA delay tests Stark County students, parents and universities The claim: Pope Francis A Feb. 14 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) includes a supposed message from Pope Francis to Catholics about their diet in the weeks leading up to Easter. Eat whatever you want for Lent, begins the purported quote from Francis. The sacrifice is not in the stomach, but in the heart. They refrain from eating meat, but dont talk to their siblings or relatives, dont visit their parents or bother to attend to them. Francis supposedly goes on to say it is less important to follow dietary restrictions than to seek a deeper relationship with God through better treatment of others. It was shared more than 700 times in five days. Other versions of the claim spread widely on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter. More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: False Francis has made no such statement in his speeches for Lent since he became pope. There are also no credible reports of Francis making the remarks in any other context. Francis' Lent speeches talk about service, not diet Lent is a 40-day period in which Christians are encouraged to pray, fast and serve others before the Easter celebration. In particular, Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays during the observance. There is no evidence Francis told Catholics that doing so is unnecessary. No such remarks appear in the Vaticans translated transcript of Francis 2024 message for Lent, which described the freedom offered through a relationship with God. Neither does the quotation appear in any of Francis Lent messages since he became pope in 2013. He has touched on some of the posts broader themes of sacrifice and service in various speeches ahead of the Lenten season. His first such message as pope said Lent was a fitting time for Christians to commit to self-denial and ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. His 2018 message urged others to join the Catholic Church in offering whatever you can to our brothers and sisters in need during and beyond the Lenten season. Additionally, Francis' 2023 message said Lenten penance is an opportunity to commit to following Jesus, though doing so requires effort, sacrifice and concentration. Fact check: Popes death confirmed with traditional means, not hammer Pope Francis gives his blessing during the weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on January 3, 2024. USA TODAY has debunked an array of false claims about Francis, including that a video shows him acknowledging a secret agenda, that he authorized the World Economic Forum to rewrite the Bible and that he called for human depopulation to save the planet. USA TODAY reached out to the Vatican and users who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Rappler also debunked the claim. Our fact-check sources: 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: Lent quote attributed to Pope Francis is fabricated | Fact check OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A Colorado man critically wounded during a dirt bike crash Friday, in Oklahoma City, has been identified. The family of Tyrese Moore confirmed to KFOR he died shortly after the crash happened on Southwest 32nd and Western. Police told News 4 on Friday, officers were chasing a large group of dirt bike riders on city streets. The officers turned their lights and sirens on, said Sgt. Dillon Quirk, Oklahoma City Police. The officers terminated that pursuit due to the driving behavior of those motorcyclists and the speeds involved. Moments later Moore slammed into the back of a turning truck. He later died at the hospital. Quirk called the organized bike ride a street takeover. About 50 to 60 motorcyclists, ATV riders and mini bikes, that had been traveling around the city, said Quirk. Dawn Markel is Moores mother. She told News 4 her son came to Oklahoma City from Colorado to be part of an organized bike ride. She said her son has been to two bike rides before with his older brother and the events are typically organized online. They pick different places all the time, said Markel. In Kansas City, the one that they usually go to, they shut down the streets, the cops do, and let them ride. So they had no idea coming here would be any different cause there was a flier all over the Internet about it. Police searching for woman after fight over endless shrimp Markel said she got a phone call that her son had been in an accident and was taken to the hospital. She said shortly before that call, she heard from her son who said he had been separated from a group of riders and the police had been chasing them. She said she was unable to make the drive to Oklahoma City from Colorado in time to see him before he died at the hospital, only telling him goodbye in a video phone call. He was not responding, said Markel. He had no brain activity. Markel said no one from Oklahoma City Police has reached out to her since the accident. No one will call me back from the police department, the medical examiner. I did finally go to the hospital and I made the chaplain talk to me. She gave me a few extra phone numbers but no ones answering any of the phones, said Markel, tearfully. I need to know where he is because I need to do something with his body. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KFOR Morning Headlines Oklahoma City Police said they were not aware of the organized ride before calls started coming in about the group speeding up and down streets. We have addressed these type of events in the past, coordinated arrests for these specific type of events, that continuously happen in some of the same areas, said Quirk. So its not uncommon for police to take action. Markel said her son was a single father who left behind a five-year-old daughter. Now, shes asking for anyone with pictures or video of the incident to come forward. She asked anyone with information about what happened to her son to call her attorney, Tom Porto, at 913-707-3443 For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Family speaks out after Little Rock police arrest suspects accused in shooting of 15-year-olds LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A family seeks answers and justice after a sixth arrest was made in connection to the deadly shooting of 15-year-old Davin Chance Bizzell-Holmes. A shot spotter activation went off on Washington Street on October 14, 2022. Little Rock Police Department arrived on the scene around 5 p.m. to find two teens shot inside a vehicle in front of the 12th Street Station. Little Rock police identify suspects wanted in Saturday shooting of 15-year-olds People in the area also reported hearing multiple gunshots at that time. I received a phone call, the worst phone call that a mother can receive, LaTracy Bizzell said. LaTracy Bizzell, Davins mom, and LaTiffany Bizzell, Davins aunt, were only four blocks from the incident and didnt even know it happened. When they arrived on the active scene, LaTracy Bizzell recalls feeling helpless. I seen my son slumped over in the car and I tried to get to my baby, but I couldnt reach him, Bizzell said. Little Rock residents shocked and want answers after Wednesday night double homicide For LaTiffany Bizzell, seeing her sister in pain has been challenging. Its been extremely hard, its challenging, to see my sister mentally just fall apart, LaTiffany said. 15-year-old Davin Chance Bizzell-Holmes was shot and killed before the police arrived on the scene. Police said they found one other victim, another 15-year-old, alive who was transported to the hospital for gunshot wounds; they survived. This is the worst feeling in the world for a mother to lose their child, LaTracy Bizzell said. Family of Little Rock homicide victim talks first holiday without him Officials with the Little Rock Police Department arrested 16-year-old Charles Gantt III, 19-year-old Markeise Murphy, 22-year-old Taquan Porter-Baker and 23-year-old Bryant Thompson Jr. for their involvement in the shooting on Washington Street in October of 2023. A fifth person, Darrius Donahue was arrested Jan. 10. The sixth arrest came on Saturday, Feb. 17, when 24-year-old Courtney Hood was taken into custody. Arkansas family speaks out after the 15-year-old was killed in weekend shooting Officers said that the suspects are facing charges of capital murder and first-degree battery. Im not sure why my son was murdered. I havent received any answers, LaTracy Bizzell said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. A man and a teenager who ambushed a man and stabbed him to death have been given life sentences. Farhad Khalili, 32, was murdered in Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, in December 2021 as he walked home from a kebab shop. Sean Deery, 29, from West Moseley, who had known Mr Khalili since childhood, received a minimum term of 25 years. Sebastian Niven, 18, from Thames Ditton, was given a minimum custodial term of 14 years. Judge Peter Rook told them they had "ambushed Farhad Khalili when he was on his way to visit his mother". "Acting together, you carried out a brutal knife attack on a man in a situation where he was defenceless. "In those few seconds you deprived him of his most precious possession, life itself." At the defendants' trial last year, the Old Bailey heard how Deery was engaged in a "feud" with Mr Khalili, who had been a friend of his, over either drugs or money. Deery arranged for Niven, 13 years younger than him, to take part in the attack. "You looked upon him as a 'little cousin' and were quite prepared to let him wield a knife... so you could extract revenge," Judge Rook said. The trial had heard how the defendants had waited for Mr Khalili and chosen a vantage point with a view of his family home before stabbing him in the back. They had attempted to disguise themselves with their hoods drawn up, covering their faces. Mr Khalili had a telephone in his right hand, was wearing earphones and drinking from a bottle and "was completely oblivious as to what was about to occur and had no way to defend himself," said Judge Rook. A victim impact statement from the victim's mother Goli Ghanbari said: "As a mother whose son has been murdered for nothing, I now have to live with this life sentence. "My family have had their lives torn apart in a matter of seconds and I can't see a future for myself." The Old Bailey heard that Niven, who was 15 at the time of the stabbing, had significant mental health issues and was a victim of exploitation by older criminals. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk HARRISBURG, Pa. The Clean Fuels Alliance America finished up their meeting in Texas. More than 800 people attended from over 20 countries, and it was a chance to network with others in the biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel industries. Clean Fuels CEO Donnell Rehagen said as the industry continues to expand, it will be even more important to remain together and focus on issues. Some of the companies there included, BSNF Railway, Union Pacific, American Airlines and PepsiCo. These industries vocalized their sustainability goals and how clean fuels can work with them to reach that goal. Heavy machinery was the focus at this conference. Rural Minds is a national, non-profit organization. They have been chosen to receive the 2023 STARR Coalition Advocacy Organization of the Year Award. They have been recognized for their dedication to those living with mental illness in rural areas and helping expand mental health research. Rural Minds Founder Jeff Winton said that they look forward to the ongoing work with other nonprofits, corporations, and individuals as they confront the growing health issue facing rural America. The Department of Agriculture is optimistic about red meat exports. They are projecting that long-term, the volume of U.S. red meat exports will grow over the next nine years. Thats because they think incomes will rise overseas and the U.S. dollar will start to fall, when compared to other currencies of major agricultural trading partners. They also think it will be led by a steady growth in U.S. pork exports, but are you ready for this? Its because some of the new environmental laws and restrictions in the European Union are expected to cause farmers to cut back or get out of the business completely. That will cause the E.U. to rely on other countries to provide their food. United States Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack blasted Californias Proposition 12. Thats the law that tells the rest of the nation how to raise pigs. He said that if Congress doesnt act, were going to have chaos in the marketplace. That law went into effect on January 1 and placed housing restrictions on farms that send pork to California, even if the farm it was raised on isnt in California. By setting production standards in other states, California is regulating interstate commerce, which they do not have the authority to do. Vilsack says it means that there is no certainty for producers and if the issue isnt taken seriously, itll mean chaos because other states can take the same steps. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Members of the farming industry have raised concerns about plans for a national park in Galloway Agricultural sector concerns about creating a national park in southern Scotland have been renewed as a deadline for bids approaches. Farmer James Biggar said he feared securing the designation for Galloway could damage growth and tourism potential. Campaigners insist that fears over added bureaucracy and development constraints are largely misplaced. The Scottish government has committed to creating at least one new national park by 2026 with bids to be submitted by the end of February. At present there are two national parks - Cairngorms, and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs - but the nominations process has now opened to increase that number. There has been a long-running campaign for Galloway to be one of the areas to secure the status. Campaigners believe the area is well-suited to be Scotland's next national park However, Mr Biggar - who farms in the Stewartry area - said he was unconvinced it would offer any real benefit. "Although I believe Dumfries and Galloway is a wonderful place to live and it has a huge number of fantastic things about it, I can't believe that the creation of a national park will help solve the problems that we do have in the region," he said. "We are strapped for cash. There are a number of things that require real investment and I think investing in a national park would divert those important funds. "I think the last thing we need in the area is an additional layer of bureaucracy." He said that the region had a "lot to sell" to tourists who could bring in "well-needed cash". Mr Biggar said the infrastructure in the region currently struggles to cope with the numbers that already come to the area without the designation. Rob Lucas, who chairs the Galloway National Park Association (GNPA), is preparing to submit its formal bid to the Scottish government. He said being in a national park makes very little difference to farmers. "Farming is largely outside of the planning system - apart from very large sheds - but pretty much everything else is outside the planning system," he said. "The rest of what a national park can ask people to do is very much on a voluntary basis. "The national park can't tell someone that they have to change what they do on their piece of land." Follow the BBC for the South of Scotland on X.Listen to news for Dumfries and Galloway on BBC Sounds. Authorities have determined that a "suspicious package" sent to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson's home church in Louisiana contained non-hazardous material. The package was letter containing a white powder. FBI agents took over the lead in the investigation Monday. Authorities have still not yet released complete details about the package sent to Cypress Baptist Church in the 4700 block of Palmetto Road in Benton, a suburb of Shreveport-Bossier in Louisiana, which is in the heart of Johnson's 4th Congressional District. Louisiana State Police turned over the investigation to the FBI on Monday. The church is also listed as the business address of Onward Christian Counseling Services, which according to the Louisiana Secretary of State's business filing page is owned by Johnson's wife Kelly Johnson. "Earlier today, Speaker Johnson was made aware of a suspicious package sent to his home church in Louisiana," Johnson spokesman Griffin Neal said in a statement. "Speaker Johnson and the Johnson family thank U.S. Capitol Police, the FBI, the Louisiana State Police and the Bossier Parish Sheriffs Office for taking swift action and handling the situation professionally. As the investigation is ongoing, we will refer all further questions to law enforcement handling this matter. More: Superior Grill evacuated as over 20 units respond to Thursday night fire Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Suspicious package sent to Speaker Mike Johnson's church non-hazardous State traffic planners are considering a new road that would provide a more direct connection between State Road 33 and Walt Williams Road just across Interstate 4, and they're inviting the public to a workshop Tuesday. Currently, people needing to go from one area to the other have two, lengthy, out-of-the-way options. For instance, Bridgewater residents who might need to take children to Wendell Watson Elementary can travel more than a mile south on SR 33 to Old Combee Road, then cross I-4 to Socrum Loop Road, then north to Walt Loop Road, then Walt Williams. The other option is longer, but avoids nasty traffic around Socrum Loop. It involves going north on SR 33 to Tomkow Road, then west on Old Polk City Road to Walt Williams Road. Residents in the area of Walt Williams Road looking to travel in the other direction have a similar dilemma. Walt Williams Road is a long, winding road that starts at Walt Loop Road in the west, runs east to I-4, then curves northeast to front the intestate before turning north. From there, it runs alongside Wendell Watson Elementary School before turning sharply to the west, then due north to Old Polk City Road. The Florida Department of Transportation is looking into the feasibility of a direct route between Walt Williams Road and SR 33 either to the east or west of the Bridgewater development. And planners have four ideas they'll present at Tuesday's workshop, which runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lake Crago Recreation Center, 525 Lake Crago Drive, Lakeland. Idea 1 The FDOT is considering a new, direct route between Walt Williams Road and State Road 33 in Lakeland. Corridor 1 would cross the interstate and link up with Lake Luther Road, then SR 33. The first idea would involve building an eastward extension where Walt Williams turns north to run along I-4. The extension would cross the interstate, then turn due south through a rural pocket before connecting to Lake Luther Road and continuing to SR 33. The FDOT staff report said the benefits to this route are a direct connection to Walt Williams and low environmental impact, such as gopher tortoise and eagle nests. The downsides to the route are residential impacts on the south side of the interstate and its proximity to Old Combee Road. Idea 2 The FDOT is considering a new, direct route between Walt Williams Road and State Road 33 in Lakeland. Corridor 2 would link up with Walt Williams much closer to Wendell Watson Elementary School and link up with Tradeport Boulevard, between the Bridgewater neighborhood and an industrial, warehousing complex. The second idea would build an extension where Walt Williams turns north, just on the south end of the elementary school. The extension would continue to partially front I-4 through a wooded parcel before crossing the interstate to the north of the Bridgewater neighborhood and connecting with Tradeport Boulevard and eventually SR 33 between Bridgewater and a warehousing development. The staff report said the benefits are it avoids impacts to gopher tortoise and eagle nests and its proximity to the elementary school. It's drawbacks include an impact to wetlands, an awkward geometry for its I-4 crossing, a realignment of Walt Williams Road at the elementary school and potential concerns with sight distance. Idea 3 The FDOT is considering a new, direct route between Walt Williams Road and State Road 33 in Lakeland. Corridor 3 would link up with Walt Williams Road directly adjacent to Wendell Watson Elementary, cross the interstate and connect to Tradeport Boulevard. The third idea would involve building an extension where Walt Williams makes a 90-degree turn at the northeast corner of the elementary school. It would then curve slightly south before crossing the interstate in a more direct path than option 2. But on the south side of I-4, it would make a sharper S-curve to make its way to Tradeport Boulevard and eventually SR 33. Like the others, the advantage to this route is avoiding impacts to gopher tortoise and eagle nests. The drawbacks, according to the staff report, are that it would conflict with circulation at Wendell Watson and require lower speed limits because of the S-curve. Idea 4 The FDOT is considering a new, direct route between Walt Williams Road and State Road 33 in Lakeland. Corridor 4 would link up with Walt Williams adjacent to the elementary school, then curve through the warehouse complex to meet SR 33 at University Boulevard. The final idea would meet Walt Williams at the same spot as option 3, but wouldn't dip to the southeast before crossing the interstate (meaning it would cross I-4 at an odd angle). On the south side of I-4, it would take a slightly straighter path to Tradeport Boulevard, or rather a less-severe S-curve. But instead of taking Tradeport all the way to SR 33, it would curve sharply north between two of the warehouses and exit the complex via Firstpark Boulevard. That would allow the road to lineup up directly with University Boulevard, which leads to Florida Polytechnic and northern Auburndale. The benefits and drawbacks of this plan, according to staff, would be the same as option 3 except it would have one extra drawback it would require a longer bridge over I-4 because of the awkward angle. The open house At Tuesday's open house, residents can view the plans and ask questions anytime from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For those unable to attend, there will be a live, online workshop on Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Advanced registration is required at https://bit.ly/3SfYRo2. To view the full staff report before the meetings, go to the project webpage at https://www.swflroads.com/project/447989-1. Comments can be made through the webpage, or they can be emailed to adam.rose@dot.state.fl.us or mailed to FDOT District One, Attn: Adam Rose, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830). The FDOT said comments must be received or postmarked by March 4 to be included in the formal Public Workshop record. Questions can be answered by calling the FDOT project manager Adam Rose at 863-519-2832. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: FDOT considering new road crossing I-4 in North Lakeland. Take a look Washington In a Republican presidential primary season that has seen former President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders refer to Jan. 6 defendants as "hostages" and openly promote conspiracy theories about the attack on the Capitol, one institution has been at the forefront of countering those baseless claims: the federal court in Washington, D.C. In a growing number of cases, judges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia are using their platform to swat down conspiracy theories perpetuated by some Jan. 6 defendants and their supporters. Several hearings and exchanges witnessed by CBS News over the past two months illustrate how judges are still confronting false claims about what happened on Jan. 6, 2021, and how they have responded to defendants and political figures who continue to perpetuate falsehoods about the attack. Some of the judges, who share responsibility and oversight of more than 1,200 Capitol riot prosecutions, have ratcheted up their denunciations of efforts to rewrite the history of the attack on the Capitol, just as Trump campaigns to return to the White House. "That is all preposterous" A view of the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 11, 2019. / Credit: Susan Walsh / AP In early January, Trump said he considered the defendants imprisoned for their roles in the attack on the Capitol "hostages" and openly talked about offering them pardons. GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, a member of House Republican leadership, appeared on a Sunday morning talk show and echoed those comments. "I have concerns about the treatment of Jan. 6 hostages," Stefanik told "Meet the Press." "I believe that we're seeing the weaponization of the federal government against not just President Trump, but we're seeing it against conservatives." At a sentencing hearing for Capitol siege defendant James Little two weeks later, Judge Royce Lamberth, one of the most senior judges on the district court in D.C., uncorked a scathing rebuke of the falsehoods about Jan. 6 and those who were involved. Little is a truck driver from North Carolina who was at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unlawful picketing and parading. The Justice Department said he cited conspiracy theories about Jan. 6 during an interview with FBI agents in 2021: "[Little] blamed D.C. and Capitol Police for antagonizing the crowd, blamed supporters of Antifa and Black Lives Matter for leading supporters of the former President to commit violence and stated that he believes a civil war between Americans of differing political affiliations will take place because the former President won the popular vote."" Lamberth, who was appointed to the court in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan, listened as Little and his attorney sought a lenient sentence. "You don't have to worry about me being part of any more J6-type things," Little told him. After a brief recess, Lamberth returned to the bench and seemed to respond to Trump and Stefanik's comments: "The Court is accustomed to defendants who refuse to accept that they did anything wrong. But in my 37 years on the bench, I cannot recall a time when such meritless justifications of criminal activity have gone mainstream." The judge continued: "I have been dismayed to see outright distortions and outright falsehoods creep into the public consciousness. I have been shocked to watch some public figures try to rewrite history, claiming rioters behaved in an orderly fashion like ordinary tourists, or martyrizing convicted Jan. 6 defendants as political prisoners or even, incredibly, hostages. That is all preposterous." Lamberth said that kind of "destructive, misguided rhetoric" could present "further danger to our country." He sentenced Little to five months in prison, with credit for two months already served. A stiff sentence Another case shows the consequences for one defendant who brought their conspiracy theories into the courtroom. Alan Hostetter is a former police chief from California. On Jan. 6, he attended the rally at the White House Ellipse before walking to the Capitol, carrying a hatchet in his backpack, according to prosecutors. He joined a group who pushed through a line of police officers guarding a lower terrace on the west side of the Capitol. Prosecutors accused him of promoting "war and revolution" and transporting weapons to Washington ahead of Jan. 6. He was found guilty of several felonies, including conspiracy, last summer. With his own freedom hanging in the balance at his sentencing hearing in December, Hostetter chose to represent himself. It didn't end well for him. Alan Hostetter speaks during a pro-Trump rally in Santa Ana, California, on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. / Credit: Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images When it was time to ask for mercy from the judge at sentencing, Hostetter unfurled a string of conspiracy theories, just as he had at trial. He claimed the Jan. 6 attack was "an obvious set-up" featuring "crisis actors." He said federal agents were not only responsible for the attack, but that it was "a psy-op" and the "crowning achievement" of wayward federal intelligence and law enforcement officials. As he made his meandering claims, Lamberth maintained eye contact with Hostetter. When he concluded his remarks, Lamberth adjusted his glasses and responded. The judge talked about the protections and importance of the First Amendment, but said the First Amendment "doesn't give anybody the right to obstruct Congress or carry weapons into restricted areas." Lamberth then handed down a uniquely stiff sentence requested by federal prosecutors: More than 11 years in prison, one of the longest issued in any Jan. 6 case so far. "I can't tell you how much I just hate all of it" Karol Chwiesiuk was a police officer in Chicago when he joined the mob at the Capitol. At his sentencing on Jan. 24, Judge Ana Reyes criticized rioters who have equated themselves with revolutionaries and America's Founding Fathers. Looking directly at Chwiesiuk, Reyes said some defendants are misinterpreting history. "I feel the need to give everyone a certain history lesson. Because there are people who believe and continue to believe that the election was stolen and that it is in the best tradition of our American Founding Fathers to rebel against tyranny," she said. Reyes continued: "I suggest that you read President Washington's farewell address. Because in it he warned Americans to 'guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.' And he warned, 'There will always be reasons to distrust the patriotism who in any quarter may endeavor to weaken the bonds of our democratic experiment.'" A screenshot from a Justice Department filing identifying Karol Chwiesiuk at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. / Credit: Justice Department Reyes spared Chwiesiuk from serving prison time, sentencing him to probation instead. But in doing so, she emphasized the frustration felt by judges handling Jan. 6 cases. She alluded to the challenges of sentencing defendants who had no criminal record prior to the false election claims spread after the 2020 election. "I hate this. I hate all of this. I hate having to have these conversations. I hate that these conversations exist. I hate having to talk to two law-abiding individuals in this way," she said. "I can't tell you how much I just hate all of it." Safeguards against conspiracy theories at trial The conspiracy theories that persist from Jan. 6 are less likely to spread in front of trial juries in Jan. 6 cases. Less than 25% of Capitol defendants whose cases have closed sought a trial, with the majority instead opting to plead guilty. The number of defendants who have chosen to testify in their own defense at trial is relatively small. The court's rules insulate jurors from being presented with conspiratorial claims and baseless theories, according to George Washington University law professor Catherine Ross. "There is no evidence of the baseless claims the Jan. 6 defendants are asserting that would qualify for admission in front of a jury or judge," Ross told CBS News. "Conspiracy theories by definition are rumors not evidence. The jury cannot consider them. To the extent these baseless claims come in the form of outbursts, they are stricken from the record as a matter of course." Although CBS News reporters have witnessed a string of defendants who continued to peddle false claims about the 2020 election, those statements were made at sentencing hearings, where defendants have broader flexibility to share their opinions. Sentencing hearings in federal criminal cases are overseen and decided strictly by judges, not juries. "You're not a victim" The judges' rebukes aren't limited to Jan. 6 defendants. As Trump has persisted in his claims of being the victim of a political "witch hunt," judges have also rebutted those claims. Peter Navarro, a former trade adviser in the Trump White House, was convicted last year by a jury of contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 Select Committee. At his sentencing hearing on Jan. 25, Navarro echoed some of Trump's unfounded statements. Judge Amit Mehta handed down a four-month prison term, and had some choice words about Navarro's claims. Facing Navarro in a packed fourth-floor courtroom, Mehta said Navarro was wrong to claim the prosecution was politically motivated "when the evidence is completely to the contrary." Mehta also criticized Navarro's claim that the case demonstrated a "two-tiered system of justice." The judge noted how Navarro had four defense lawyers at his defense table during the trial and sentencing. "There might be a two-tiered system of justice but this isn't it," Mehta said Cillian Murphy: The 60 Minutes Interview Redefining old age The authentic Ashley McBryde The Kentucky Board of Education had received 15 applications for the new commissioner of education, spokesperson Jennifer Ginn told the Herald-Leader Monday. That is far less than when the position was last open in 2020 when 46 applications were reviewed. The Education Commissioner post is open following the resignation of Jason Glass, who said in August 2023 he was leaving the job and the state because he didnt want to enforce the dangerous and unconstitutional Senate Bill 150 that critics called an anti-LGBTQ measure. GOP lawmakers and politicians had urged Glass ouster over the departments inclusive LGBTQ stances. The Commissioner of Education is the chief state school officer and oversees the daily operations of the Kentucky Department of Education and acts as superintendent of the Kentucky School for the Blind, the Kentucky School for the Deaf and the 50 area technology centers, according to the job posting. Interim Commissioner Robin Fields Kinney said the goal is to have a new commissioner in place by July 1. The (board) and the Kentucky Department of Education are committed to being fair and transparent as we continue the search for a new commissioner, Kinney told school superintendents in a statewide message Monday afternoon. State education officials have said the current 15 applications is far less than when Glass was hired in 2020. The 2023 General Assembly passed a law that, for the first time, requires the Kentucky Senate, which is currently Republican-led, to confirm the appointment. State education officials have said they intend to have an applicant chosen in time for the 2024 Kentucky Senate to confirm the hire. Ginn said Monday the applicant names are not available to the public. The names of applicants are confidential at this time and will remain confidential until the (Kentucky Board of Education) releases the names of finalists (not all applicants), with their consent, she said in an email. The Herald-Leader has filed a public records request with the state to obtain the names of the 15 candidates, Richard Green, the newspapers executive editor, said Monday. The Kentucky Board of Education interview committee will meet March 7-8 to review the applications toward the identification of finalists. In-person interviews with finalists will be conducted March 18-19 to determine the selected candidate, Ginn said. The state boards intent is to announce the new commissioner at a yet-to-be-scheduled meeting. As the chief executive officer for the Board of Education and the Department of Education, the commissioner recommends and implements policies and directs the department in the management of the states 171 public school districts. The state has an estimated 635,000 public school students The commissioner also serves as the executive secretary to the Education Professional Standards Board, which is responsible for carrying out regulations related to requirements for a teaching certificate. Among the requirements, the job posting said, is that the commissioner must have the ability to work collaboratively with the Board of Education, state educational partners, the Kentucky General Assembly and school district leadership. Papua New Guiney Prime Minister James Marape waits for French President Emmanuel Macron at APEC haus in Port Moresby on July 28, 2023. Credit - Ludovic MarinAFP/Getty Images At least 49 combatants as well as an unconfirmed number of bystanders died in a tribal dispute in the restive and remote Highlands region of Papua New Guinea, Australian media reported. The latest outbreak of violence happened in Wapenamanda town in Enga Province, some 346 mi. northwest of the seaside capital of Port Moresby in the early hours of the morning, according to local paper Post Courier. Later that day, graphic images of bodies being loaded onto a truck made rounds on social media. Port Moresby police have not responded to TIMEs request for details. The gunbattle comes weeks after the capital was placed under a state of emergency over riots and protests triggered by a pay dispute. The strategic southwestern Pacific nation is home to 10 million people who speak 800 languages. Internal security has become a growing challenge as the U.S., China, and Australia seek closer ties. Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary officials earlier said that the suspected death toll went as high as 64. But the police later said they received the wrong headcount and revised the death toll to 26, the Australia Broadcasting Corporation reported. The number was again revised upward to 49 after more bodies were recovered. Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary acting Superintendent George Kakas told ABC it could be the highest massacre in the countrys highlands in recent history. The Post Courier said the fight was between the Ambulin and Sikis tribes and their respective allies. High-powered guns were reportedly used during the battle, making it difficult for law enforcers to enter the province. Kakas also told ABC that police were still counting those who were shot, injured and ran off into the bushes. Tribal violence in Enga has intensified since Prime Minister James Marape was re-elected in 2022 amid allegations of cheating that triggered violence throughout the country. Elections have normally triggered outbreaks of violence in the country, but tribal fighting has also been used to resolve conflicts in parts of the Highlands. Last September, ABC reported that police had placed the entire province on lockdown in order to quell the violence. Enga Gov. Peter Ipatas told ABC that there had been warning signs of the fight reaching a crux and have alerted security officials to a possible outbreak of violence last week. It's a very big fight that's not normally in Enga province. This is probably the biggest tribal fight we've ever had. Oliver Nobetau, a fellow at the Sydney-based Lowy Institute think-tank who has worked as a legal officer in Papua New Guineas justice department, tells TIME that violence could spiral further. In these cases, the first death sort of sets up a chain reaction, he says. So the deaths that follow should be seen in the context of revenge killing or retribution for those that have died. The governments response has been constrained by limited police resources available to them. The police-to-population ratio in Papua New Guinea is one officer for every 1,845 people, below the U.N.s recommendation of 2.2 per 1,000 people. Contact us at letters@time.com. IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Several people were displaced and two cats died in an apartment complex fire in Imperial Beach Sunday evening. Chula Vista Fire Department Batallion Chief Darrin Bean told FOX 5 two units were damaged in a fire at an apartment complex in the 700 block of Florida Street in Imperial Beach just before 5 p.m. Sunday. Firefighters in critical condition after CNG-powered truck explodes in Los Angeles The Red Cross was called in to help four people displaced by the fire. Two cats died. The cause of the fire is under investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida man has found himself behind bars after he allegedly stole an Amazon delivery van from a driver in Ormond Beach and took it for a joyride. "Is your package late?" the sheriff's office wrote on social media. Matthew Darwin Houghtaling is charged with grand theft, meth trafficking and possession of weed after the incident that occurred in Volusia County on Sunday, according to the Volusia Sheriff's Office. Photo: Volusia Sheriff's Office The Amazon delivery driver told deputies that he was delivering a package on Creek Bluff Way in Ormond Beach when a man, later identified as Houghtaling, went inside of the van and started it, according to an arrest affidavit. The Amazon driver tried to get Houghtaling out of the van, but he got away. An Amazon manager contacted deputies because he was able to track the vehicle and watch the surveillance footage from inside, which showed Houghtaling reportedly "nodding off" while driving, the affidavit said. At this point, he was headed westbount on State Road 40 at 70 mph and stopped at a Circle K. The 35-year-old was taken into custody at the Circle K gas station on State Road 40 and U.S. Route 17 in Pierson on Sunday evening before being turned over to Ormond Beach police. Pierson is located about 20 miles away from where Houghtaling allegedly stole the van. "Hands up!" deputies are heard telling Houghtaling during his arrest, as seen on bodycam footage from the incident shared by the sheriff's office. The affidavit said Houghtaling began "rambling" to deputies and apologized for taking the Amazon truck. He said he was "lost in the neighborhood and thought that taking the vehcile would be his way out." During his arrest and a subsequent search of the truck, deputies found a bag with a glass jar inside of it that had crystal-like rocks, a counterfeit bill, a burnt, glass pipe, and a bag containing a green, leafy substance, the affidavit said. The crystal rocks tested presumptive positive for meth, and the green substance marijuana. The Amazon manager arrived on the scene to take custody of the Amazon truck and said he wishes to pursue charges on behalf of the Amazon delivery service partner On Time Packages LLC. Houghtaling told deputies that he was dehydrated, and medics who arrived on the scene said he needed to go to the hospital. After being cleared, he was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail. MORE FLORIDA MAN : Orlando man robs bank - just one day after being released from prison for the same crime: DOJ Houghtaling remains in custody on $30,500 bond, arrest records show. TOPEKA (KSNT) A man arrested in Florida is at the center of an election fraud case involving a newly approved political party in the state of Kansas. The office of the Kansas Attorney General issued a press release on Monday, Feb. 19 regarding the arrest of a 30-year-old man hailing from Dade City, Florida. This man was arrested on Feb. 10 allegedly for forging signatures on petitions to make the political party No Labels official in the Sunflower State. The arrested individual was part of a scheme to defraud Kansas voters by placing their forged signatures on petitions, Kobach said. In Kansas, we take election fraud seriously, and we will prosecute every case where the evidence indicates a crime has been committed beyond a reasonable doubt. Police arrest 3 during east Topeka house fire No Labels was officially recognized as a new political party in Kansas on Jan. 18, 2024 by the Secretary of States (SOS) Office. No Labels Kansas sent in a petition with the signatures of 2% of the total votes case in the 2022 statewide gubernatorial general election, becoming a new party on par with the Libertarian Party in terms of size. Kobachs office said the arrest came after a lengthy investigation. The man is charged with two counts of election perjury and 28 counts of election forgery. Once he has been extradited to Kansas, he will appear in the Johnson County District Court. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A Florida man has been charged in Kansas with election fraud crimes after he allegedly forged signatures on petitions. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced Monday that George Andrews, 30, of Dade City, Florida, was charged in Johnson County District Court with two counts of election perjury and 28 counts of election forgery. "The arrested individual was part of a scheme to defraud Kansas voters by placing their forged signatures on petitions," Kobach said in a statement. "In Kansas, we take election fraud seriously, and we will prosecute every case where the evidence indicates a crime has been committed beyond a reasonable doubt." Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced that a Florida man has been charged with election crimes in Kansas after he allegedly forged signatures to get No Labels recognized as an official political party. Andrews was arrested on Feb. 10 in Florida and is pending extradition to Kansas, the attorney general's office said, after what it called an "extensive investigation." He is accused of forging signatures to get No Labels recognized as an official political party. Andrews was also arrested on Feb. 6 for a separate investigation. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced that Andrews, whom they described as "a paid petition circulator," and another person allegedly submitted 133 invalid petitions in multiple counties for an abortion rights ballot initiative. There, Andrews faces 10 felony counts each of criminal use of personal identification information and signing another person's name or a fictitious name to a petition. In Kansas, Secretary of Sate Scott Schwab announced Jan. 17 that "No Labels Kansas has met the statutory requirements to become an officially recognized political party in Kansas." That requirement included submitting a petition with signatures from registered voters equivalent to 2% of the votes cast in the 2022 gubernatorial election. County election officials validated the signatures on the petition and reported the results to the state, Schwab said. No Labels became the fourth currently recognized political party in Kansas, joining the Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties. End Citizens United announced on Jan. 29 that it had filed a complaint against No Labels with Kobach's office. The organization alleged that No Labels had fraudulently misused its nonprofit status. "In its attempt to run a third-party presidential ticket, No Labels is abusing its nonprofit status in Kansas and we believe Attorney General Kris Kobach should investigate and hold them accountable," End Citizens United president Tiffany Muller said in a statement. "No Labels is a shadowy dark money political group that is grossly exploiting Kansas laws which are designed to benefit legitimate social welfare organizations. If No Labels' corrupt charade continues unchecked, it will set a dangerous precedent for future elections." Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kris Kobach charges Florida man with Kansas election fraud crimes Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. have officially designated February as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, highlighting the states commitment to providing practical educational opportunities. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< With nearly 800,000 K-12 CTE students, over 412,000 postsecondary CTE students, and more than 20,000 registered apprentices, Florida has seen over 5 million students engage in CTE coursework since 2018-2019. This initiative reportedly aligns with Governor DeSantis policies aimed at bolstering workforce education and addressing the states evolving economic needs. February is Career and Technical Education Month in Florida. Going to a 4-year, brick-and-ivy institution is not the only way to get a good education and for many, it is not the best way. Under our administration, we have worked to greatly expand practical education Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 19, 2024 The states workforce education programs are tailored to meet the demands of various industries, with a focus on sectors such as semiconductors, aviation, energy, broadband, cybersecurity, and information technology. In December, Florida awarded nearly $20 million through the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant to support registered apprenticeship programs, with over $65 million allocated to date. Additionally, over $100 million in Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant funds have been distributed to school districts and Florida College System institutions to enhance CTE workforce development programs. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] 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. Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect the two different spellings the missing woman and her husband use for their last names. The search is underway for a Florida woman who went missing in Spain shortly after a man with his face covered spray-painted the security cameras at her building, according to media reports. Ana Maria Knezevic, 40, was last seen on Feb. 2 in Madrid, Spain, according to the National Center for the Disappeared in Spain. Loved ones said the businesswoman had traveled to Madrid amidst a difficult divorce to get away, according to a police report obtained by USA TODAY. The blacked-out security cameras coupled with some out-of-character texts from Knezevic led her loved ones to push for answers. A banner of missing woman Ana Maria Knezevic, 40, is displayed on a streetlight in Madrid, Spain, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. Spanish police are looking for the Colombian-born American woman who has been reported missing in Madrid since early February. A police spokeswoman said a friend filed a missing persons complaint in a Madrid city center station on Feb. 4. The fact that the building has the cameras spray-painted It just makes us think its foul play. Its not normal, Knezevic's brother Felipe Henao first told NewsNation in a Tuesday interview. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department told USA TODAY that the Department of the State is handling the investigation. The State Department said it is aware of reports of a U.S. citizen missing in Madrid, Spain and will follow protocol by working with local authorities in their search efforts. More: Missing hiker found dead on California's Mount Baldy after citizen's drone tips off authorities 'She wouldnt do that:' Texts show she ran away with a man off the street This undated image provided by Sanna Rameau, shows Ana Maria Knezevic, right, and Rameau. Spanish police are searching for Knezevic, a Colombian-American woman who went missing suddenly in Madrid. Knezevic's friend Sanna Rameau told the Associated Press she received a text Feb. 3 from Knezevic that didn't sound like her at all. "I met someone wonderful!! He has a summer house about 2h from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there. Signal is spotty. I'll call you when I get back," the first text reads, according to screenshots obtained by the AP. "Yesterday after therapy I needed a walk and he approached me on the street! Amazing connection. Like I never had before," a followup text states. This image of a screen shot provided to AP by Sanna Rameau, shows a Feb. 3, 2024 text message thread between Ana Maria Knezevic and Rameau. Spanish police are searching for Knezevic, a Colombian-American woman who went missing suddenly in Madrid. via Another friend received similar texts in Spanish, but believed it had been run through Google translate, according to the police report. She wouldnt do this ... it is very unsafe and crazy behavior. She wouldnt do that. She wouldnt do that, Rameau told the AP. It just didnt make sense. Knezevic's phone was unreachable started Feb. 3, and she failed to show up at a planned meeting in Barcelona on Feb. 5., her family told police. Knezevic going through 'nasty' divorce, husband's location unknown Henao told police that Knezevic and her husband David Knezevich are 'going through a nasty divorce and there is a substantial amount of money on the line to be split up between the two and David is not happy about it," the incident report states. The two have been married for 13 years and own computer support company EOX Technology Solutions Inc., together, the AP reported. Henao told police David Knezevich traveled to Serbia in January, but he didn't know for how long. Henao also told police he reached out to David Knezevich about his sister and he responded that he knew his wife is missing. David Knezevich's location was not known according to Fort Lauderdale police and he did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's emailed request to his company for an interview. Man wearing motorcycle helmet disabled security cameras This undated image provided by Sanna Rameau, shows paint obscuring a building's security camera where Ana Maria Knezevic was staying in Madrid. Spanish police are searching for Knezevic, a Colombian-American woman who went missing suddenly in Madrid. Ana Knezevic had traveled to Madrid to "clear her head" and visit a long time friend three months prior to her disappearance, Henao told police. According to the AP, she had been staying in an apartment in Madrid's upscale Salamanca quarter, and had several trips with friends planned before and after her disappearance. On Feb. 2, the evening before friends received those strange texts, a man wearing a motorcycle helmet spray-painted the lens of the building's security cameras, the AP reported. She was in touch with friends and neighbors around that time, AP stated. Rameau told the AP that emergency officials responding to her home for a wellness check did not find anything unusual. Im just desperate to find answers, Rameau told the AP. Im just desperate to find a reason for who could have done this. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ana Knezevic went missing in Madrid after security camera disabled EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) UTEPs Bri Garcia and New Mexico States Desirae Spearman earned Conference USA Softball weekly honors on Monday after big weekends for their respective schools. Garcia was named the Conference USA Player of the Week; Spearman earned CUSA Freshman of the Week honors for the second week in a row. Garcia and Spearman are both former high school stars in El Paso; Garcia played at Americas for the Trail Blazers 2022 Class 6A Final Four team, while Spearman was a superstar at Hanks. Garcia had an impressive week for the Miners (10-2), who achieved a commendable 6-1 record. She started all seven games at second base and went 8-17 at the plate, resulting in a slash line of .471/.550/.882. Garcia drove in 10 runs, crossed the plate seven times and delivered key hits, including a pair of doubles and home runs. Her defensive performance was equally outstanding with nine putouts and 13 assists for a flawless 1.000 fielding percentage. Garcias exceptional week earned her a spot on the UTEP Invitational All-Tournament Team. Spearman the defending CUSA Freshman of the Week delivered once again, posting a complete-game one-hitter in a weekend-opening 3-0 win over Big 10 foe Nebraska on Friday. Spearman punched out four Huskers and surrendered just one walk. She followed it up by striking out seven of her 12 batters faced over the first three innings of Saturdays 8-7 win over Montana. At the plate, Spearman went 8-12 with half her hits leaving the yard to give her six home runs on the year. She racked up seven RBI and 23 total bases over the weekend, while slashing .667/.714/1.917. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Fabrice Leggeri, the former Frontex director, said I am choosing to put my experience and expertise at the service of the French - NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP/Getty Images A former EU border guard chief has joined Marine Le Pens eurosceptic party and accused Brussels of not wanting to stop migration. Fabrice Leggeri, who is French, was director of Frontex from 2015 to 2022, before resigning after an investigation by the blocs anti-fraud watchdog. Mr Leggeri said he would stand for Ms Le Pens anti-migrant National Rally in Junes European Parliament elections. I am choosing to put my experience and expertise at the service of the French, the 55-year-old former civil servant said. Our objective is clear: to regain control of the borders of the European Union and France. He added: We are determined to combat the migratory submersion, which the European Commission and the Eurocrats do not consider a problem, but rather a project. Mr Leggeri worked for the French state for about 30 years and led Frontex for almost seven. He said his experience working in security and immigration informed his decision to join the National Rally. It was reported he would be placed third on the party list, which makes it almost certain he will become a MEP in the next European Parliament. Jordan Bardella, the president of National Rally, praised Fabrice Leggeris experience in 'fighting submersion - NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP/Getty Images On Monday, Jordan Bardella, 28, who is leading the National Rallys European campaign, said Mr Leggeris experience in fighting submersion was valuable. He said, As the former head of Frontex, Fabrice Leggeri fought against the migration ideology of the European Commission. Standing alongside Mr Bardella, Mr Leggeri said: Frontex has been misguided by the European Commission, it must be restored to its role as border guard. Mr Leggeri was often accused of tolerating the illegal pushbacks of migrants when he led Frontex. He was director of the agency at a time when its resources were dramatically increased because of the 2015 migrant crisis and when EU members demanded tougher borders. He quit after Olaf, the EUs anti-fraud watchdog, found Frontex officials knew about but did not report illegal pushbacks of migrants in the Mediterranean. Olafs confidential report into Mr Leggeri found he did not follow procedures, was dishonest with the EU and managed staff badly, according to reports in Frances Le Point magazine. In his resignation letter to Olaf, Mr Leggeri said, it seems that the Frontex mandate on which I have been elected and renewed in June 2019 has silently but effectively been changed. He had faced criticism from a special committee at the European Parliament that had accused Frontext of failing to protect the human rights of asylum seekers. National Rally is predicted to be Frances most successful party in the European elections and post its strongest results in the bloc-wide vote. Some polls have it winning as much as a 33 per cent share of the vote, with Emmanuel Macrons party predicted to get roughly half as much. It was reported that the conservative Les Republicains tried but failed to convince Mr Leggeri to join their party. Europes hard-Right anti-migrant parties are expected to perform well in the June elections. As well as in France, they are predicted to win the most votes in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia. They are expected to come second or third in the vote in Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sweden, according to a report by the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank. The latest figures released by Frontex showed that illegal border crossings into the EU dropped in January. They fell to nearly 14,000 in January, which is a reduction of about a third since December. There was a monthly fall of 71 per cent on the Mediterranean and 30 per cent on the land route into the EU through the Western Balkans. The number of arrivals on the western African route rose by almost 50 per cent. More than 6,600 migrants, 10 times the figure reported last year, arrived in the usually quiet January period, Frontex said last week. People-smuggling gangs in Mauritania have been cramming migrants onto small wooden fishing boats and taking them to the Canary Islands, which are, like Spain, part of the EU. 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 abbot of the Dormition Cathedral in Kherson was charged with treason for supporting Russian occupation and cooperating with occupation authorities, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Feb. 19. The suspect fled Kherson shortly before the city's liberation in Ukraine's counteroffensive in the fall of 2022. He is now believed to reside in the Russian-occupied part of Kherson Oblast, serving as secretary in the Skadovsk eparchy, illegitimately established by the Russian Orthodox Church in occupied Ukraine. While heading the cathedral in Kherson, the sanctioned priest of the Kremlin-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC-MP) has maintained close contact with occupation authorities and praised them publicly, the Prosecutor General's Office said. As a person with "informal influence on the opinion of the believers of the UOC-MP in Kherson and other regions of Ukraine," he provided "ideological support to the Russian Federation in carrying out subversive activities against Ukraine," according to the prosecutors. The SBU also reported that the former abbot was invited to the Kremlin in September 2022 to attend the ceremony on the illegal annexation of four partially occupied Ukrainian oblasts, including Kherson Oblast. The suspect was believed to have joined the inner circle of Vladimir Saldo, a Russian-appointed proxy head in Kherson Oblast, the SBU said. In return for his support, the suspect has reportedly received various benefits. For example, he was allowed to use property illegally confiscated from Ukrainian citizens and businesses for religious services. He was charged with treason and aiding an aggressor country. "Comprehensive measures are underway to bring the perpetrator to justice," the SBU said. Ukraine has two main Orthodox churches: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and the autocephalous (autonomous) Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church and has been accused of aligning with the Russian government during the war, which the church's leadership has denied. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Emergency officials investigate the scene a day after a Hop-A-Jet Bombardier 600 series charter jet crashed on Feb. 9 on Interstate 75 in Naples. The pilot and co-pilot were killed in the fiery crash while a flight attendant and two passengers from Columbus walked away from the burning wreckage. The pilot had requested an emergency landing at Naples Airport, then reported that both engines were lost and the aircraft would not make it to the airport. Much remains unclear about how a charter jet that took off from Ohio State University on Feb. 9 ended up crashing in Florida a few hours later, but experts told The Dispatch the incident is a symptom of a system struggling to keep up with a soaring number of aircraft in the sky. The 68-foot-long Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed along a busy stretch of Interstate 75 near Naples and burst into flames. The pilot and co-pilot were killed, while a flight attendant and two passengers from Columbus walked away. The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to release a preliminary report on its investigation within 30 days of the crash, spokesman Peter Knudson told The Dispatch. Plane crash is the latest in a string mishaps The plane crash is the latest in a string of aviation mishaps that have garnered scrutiny and stoked concerns about the industry, said Jim Hall, a former chair of the NTSB under President Bill Clinton. Between the recent Boeing incident involving an Alaska Airlines door plug and three of five aboard and those traveling on I-75 escaping death in the crash in Florida, Hall said "we keep getting very lucky." "The Alaska Airlines incident could have been a major loss of life and the same is true in this situation. That's a very busy interstate," Hall said. "I think at some point in time your luck runs out and that's why we need to pay attention." Related article: How often do jets like one that took off from Ohio State and crashed in Florida go down? While aviation accidents have declined in recent years from 2,110 reported in 1992 to 1,157 reported in 2021, the number of objects crisscrossing the sky is increasing due to a rise in private jets and drones. The number of drones used by businesses in the U.S. is expected to grow from 507,000 to 828,000 this year while the number of personal use drones is expected to top 1.4 million nationwide, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). At the same time, private jet-setting has exploded since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of private planes increasing to 23,133 by mid-2022, according to the Institute for Policy Studies, aWashington, D.C.-based think tank. The Ohio Department of Transportation recorded a 1.8% increase in aircraft registered with the state in the past year, bringing the total to 5,265 in 2023. FAA needs to increase number of staff With the dramatic increases, Hall said it would make sense for government agencies such as the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration to follow suit and significantly add to their respective staff. But due to budget constraints, Hall said they've struggled to keep up. Despite transportation growth, the NTSB was found to have the same number of employees in August 2023 as it had for the 20 previous years, according to a GAO report. However, the NTSB was expected to hire 70 new people by the end of 2023 as part of what chair Jennifer Homendy described as an effort to "right-size" its workforce, after it had been "stagnant for decades." The GAO has also cited concerns about the FAA, noting that most of its safety inspectors are eligible for retirement by 2025. When asked about connections between aviation accidents and safety lapses, an FAA spokesperson directed The Dispatch to its website on incidents that simply confirmed the Feb. 9 crash and an investigation that is underway. It's important for there to be enough aircraft investigators and safety inspectors, Hall said, because otherwise airlines and airplane manufacturers end up behaving like drivers speeding down a highway without any law enforcement in sight. "If you were driving on the highway and your (map) tells you there's a policeman ahead, you're going to tap on the brakes," Hall said. "The same thing is true with safety and oversight." Bob Clifford, a Chicago-based attorney who has represented clients in nearly every major aviation accident in the last 40 years, told The Dispatch that he thinks aviation regulatory agencies need to "clean house." As long as the industry continues "chasing down profit over safety" Clifford said that people can "draw a lot of lines" from one aviation accident to another. Clifford said federal agencies deserve some blame for the state of the industry, but he insisted that the pilots who died in the Feb. 9 crash deserve deference until more details are revealed. As the jet approached Naples, the pilots radioed to the airport that the plane had lost both of its engines and wasn't going to make the runway. The plane crashed on the southbound side of I-75 near a highway wall. Although two vehicles were struck, everyone on the ground survived. Like Hall, Clifford feared the plane crash could have been a lot deadlier had quick action not been taken. Referencing a 2009 plane landing on the Hudson River near New York, Clifford credited the pilots aboard the doomed jet for making sure the crash didn't take more lives than their own. "That pilot was calm, collected, professional and he knew he was in a lot of trouble but he knew he had to land that plane," Clifford said. mfilby@dispatch.com @MaxFilby This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Former NTSB chair: Ohio State to Naples jet crash a wake-up for air safety Former President Donald Trump will be in Rock Hill on Friday, just one day before the Republican primary election. Hes holding a rally at the Winthrop Coliseum in the afternoon. Doors open at 1 p.m., and the rally is set to start at 4 p.m. This embedded content is not available in your region. This comes on the heels of former S.C. governor and presidential candidate Nikki Haleys Rock Hill visit on Sunday. She held a rally with House Representative Ralph Norman at the Magnolia Room in Rock Hill after a quick stop in Lancaster County. THE STORY: Nikki Haley speaks in SC hours after slamming former President Trump for comments about NATO, Russia The latest Winthrop poll favors Trump in the South Carolina primary. For independent voters, Trump and Haley are evenly split, polling at 42 percent each. (WATCH: Congressional candidate criticizes commissioner for acts while intoxicated in Facebook post) Presidential candidate Nikki Haley has condemned former President Donald Trump for his silence over the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, reported by Bloomberg on Feb. 18. "Either he's on Putin's side and thinks it's cool that Putin killed one of his political opponents, or he just doesn't think it's that important," Haley said. Read also: Navalnys spokeswoman officially confirms Kremlin critics death According to her, "it's important to side with the Russian people, who believe that Navalny really spoke for them." Haley blamed Navalny's death on Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, joining other Western leaders, including President Joe Biden, in making the accusation. Read also: Navalnys team says his body is not in Salekhard morgue On Feb. 16, the Russian authorities announced the death of 47-year-old opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a penal colony in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District in the Russian Far North. The next day, Navalny's entourage confirmed his death. The politician spent the last three years in prison. He was detained in January 2021, immediately after his return to Russia from Germany, where he was treated after being poisoned by Novichok in the fall of 2020. According to an investigation by The Insider, Bellingcat, and CNN, with the participation of Der Spiegel, a special unit of the FSB's Institute of Criminalistics played a key role in Navalny's poisoning. In February 2021, a Russian court sentenced Navalny to 3.5 years in prison in the so-called Yves Rocher case. Read also: Lithuania observes minute of silence during Independence Day celebrations to mark Navalny death In March 2022, Navalny was sentenced to another 9 years in prison in a case of fraud and contempt of court. And last August, he was sentenced to 19 years in a special regime colony under six articles on extremism. In December 2023, Navalny was transferred to a colony in the village of Kharp in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, above the Arctic Circle. It is considered a colony for particularly dangerous repeat offenders and is characterized by extremely harsh prison conditions. 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 (Bloomberg) -- A day after being freed on parole, Thailands former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra ran into fresh legal hurdles in the form of a probe into comments he made almost a decade ago that was deemed insulting to the nations royals. Most Read from Bloomberg A decision on indicting the 74-year-old former premier hasnt yet been made, Prayut Bejraguna, a spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General, told reporters in Bangkok on Monday. Thaksin, who reported to the prosecutors earlier in the day and was granted bail, will be summoned again on April 10 over the case involving his comments to foreign media in 2015, Prayut said. The two-time former premier was released on parole Sunday after serving only half of a commuted one-year sentence related to corruption cases. Although King Maha Vajiralongkorn had reduced the original eight-year sentence to one, Thaksin spent only hours in prison on his return from exile, serving the rest of the time in a hospital where he was being treated for various ailments. Read: Why Thaksin Made Peace With Thai Establishment Foes: QuickTake In 2016, the then-attorney general had intended to take Thaksin to court over the 2015 media interview in Seoul that allegedly breached Article 112 of Thailands penal code, which carries a maximum jail term of 15 years for each offense of defaming the monarchy. The current attorney general may decide in April whether or not to uphold his predecessors decision. Everything is in accordance with the law and all based on facts, Prayut told reporters. Thaksins bail was set at 500,000 baht ($13,909), he added. A controversial but enduring figure in Thai politics, Thaksin is the head of the Shinawatra clan that has dominated national elections only to be routinely unseated from power. His homecoming was seen as part of a deal with the military establishment that ousted him in 2006 and his sister Yingluck Shinawatras government in 2014. Hours after Thaksins return to Thailand, property tycoon Srettha Thavisin was elected as the new prime minister after months of political deadlock. Thaksins youngest daughter Paetongtarn took the helm of Pheu Thai last year, further strengthening the clans grip on power. Read: What to Watch For as Thai Politics Promises More Drama in 2024 Earlier this month, the justice ministry included Thaksin in a list of more than 900 prisoners eligible for suspended jail terms, saying the billionaire politician met the criteria as he was older than 70 and had severe illnesses. He came to see us in a wheelchair, Preecha Sudsa-Nguan, director-general of the criminal litigation department, told reporters during the briefing. His voice was barely audible when I talked to him and he looked critically ill to me. (Updates with details throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Former member of the "Servant of the People" faction, Anatoliy Hunko, will stand trial for taking an $85,000 bribe, reported the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine on Feb. 19. Law enforcement officers exposed Hunko and two of his accomplices in early August 2023, when they allegedly received the first part of an $85,000 bribe from an entrepreneur for "leasing state land." Read also: Ruling party MP sent into custody over bribery charges According to the SBU, in return for the bribe, the MP promised the businessman to ensure that state land plots would be transferred to the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine for development. Initially, Hunko was given a pre-trial restraint in the form of detention with the possibility of bail of UAH 30 million ($780,000). However, in early October, the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine reduced the bail substantially, to UAH 10 million. On Aug.10, Hunko was expelled from the Servant of the People faction. Read also: Servant of the People MP Kunytskyi charged after unapproved trip to Florida unearthed by RFE/RL team 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 Ask any American with young children what their No. 1 household expense is, and youll hear the same answer almost every time: child care. Each family finds its own way to manage. Some parents are pushed out of the workforce. Others work jobs they wouldnt take otherwise, or hold down multiple jobs in order to meet their families needs. In order to show you how real families are navigating this child care challenge, HuffPost is profiling parents around the country. If youd like to be featured in an installment, email us at parents@huffpost.com. Kristin Dunn and her family. Kristin Dunn and her family. Name: Kristin Dunn Age: 33 Childrens ages: 5 years and 15 months Location: North Carolina Occupation: Dunn works as a housing manager at a domestic violence shelter. She also serves as an elected commissioner for the town of Laurel Park, and she receives a small stipend for this role. Her husband works at a company that produces automotive suspension products. Annual household income: $100,000 Monthly household take-home pay: $6,390 Monthly child care costs: $1,580 Child care plan: Both children attend the same full-day childcare center, where the family receives a sibling discount. The 5-year-old will begin year-round kindergarten later this year. While this will lower monthly daycare payments, it raises the issue of what the family will do during school vacations, which comprise a total of 14 weeks out of the year. During the summer, shes gonna probably do a day camp until three in the afternoon, Dunn said. She acknowledges her privilege in being able to pick her daughter up at 3 p.m., but notes that camp costs will add up quickly. She added that their monthly mortgage payment, at $1,627 per month, is only slightly more than what they currently pay for childcare. Work arrangement: Dunns job is 36 hours a week, and her husband works is 39 and a half hours. For an upcoming annual day off, Dunn said, I dont have paid time off yet because I [just] started [the job], so well just think about whether hes gonna go into the office for three hours, and then I might go into the office for three hours. When the childcare center is closed, we usually have a flex schedule. On a normal day, we get the kids out the door, and if they get to school by 8:15 a.m., they can also have school breakfasts. My daughter likes to have two breakfasts every morning. Then I get to my office at 8:30 a.m. If I have late meetings, hes been able to do pickup at 5 p.m. A lot of the time hes coordinating with the supervisor. Im salary, hes hourly. [On] Friday afternoon to be like, Whos going to pick up the kids? is a pretty normal conversation. [This week] he said, Well, I took her to dance earlier this week. So I took off an hour early earlier this week. Im gonna work a full Friday. We are very good co-parents. I think that were really lucky to live in 2024. And our house is a mile from [my work], daycares a mile in the other direction, so we are really lucky. What would have helped her family: When she began her term as commissioner in 2021, Dunn had one small child, and successfully advocated for an increase of paid time off for family and medical leave. When they showed me the policies, I said, Well, I think that we can increase these standards. So the really big push that I made was to say that we would have six weeks of paid FMLA for all full-time employees of the town government. I had done a lot of research with the local nonprofits and [realized] if were going to be competitive, if were going to be a workforce that people want to stay at, how can we implement [paid parental leave]? I remember calling the mayor on his cell phone, and he said, Well, we follow all laws. And so I said, Well, can we do a presentation to everybody? Because the laws are not meeting basic minimums. So we had a staff member do a presentation with a university student, and after everybody on Council heard the presentation, they voted 100% yes to support paid FMLA. It was not the first time Dunn had successfully advocated for paid parental leave. During her first pregnancy, she was working at a non-profit and got four paid weeks to be the written standard at that organization. When she was pregnant a second time, with her son, she was working at another agency. There, she said, she was told there was nothing in the budget for paid leave. I had signed up for short-term disability and I think I got pregnant 17 days later. You had to have the policy for a full 10 months before they would pay you anything. The insurance agent, he was really nervous. He said, If you give birth, on the last day of August, he said I cant pay a dime. I gave birth September 12th to my son, and he was so nervous. He was like, Our policy almost wont pay for this leave. But we made it. My son stayed in there a little longer. By 12 days I made it. Not a stress someone needs at the end of their pregnancy, especially when they already have another small child. When it comes to the division of labor at home, Dunn believes having more equity will require systemic change and that starts with paid leave. I will tell my husband at times where, maybe Im folding the laundry by myself again, I would say, Do you know that Im folding laundry by myself because of systems? Its not because youre not a co-parent, but I was the one who had leave with my babies. I learned my babys cues more than you did. Dunn said she was grateful to see men who work for her town paving the way by taking six weeks of paid leave when their children were born after the leave policies were changed. If you really want two-parent households to be successful, then you have to start treating both parents as the primary parent. Thats in the workplace and thats with work-life balance, and thats my husband being like, Maybe Im the one taking the kid to dance class every week. Another challenge for families is the availability of high-quality child care. In Henderson County where I reside, we have around 2,000 babies born every year. And we have 70 infant spots in licensed childcare centers. When Dunn brought up these numbers in a a community meeting, the older males were like, Where do these babies go? and I was like, Well, this is why your colleagues dont come back to work. We have had two centers close in December in our county alone, because they couldnt afford to stay open anymore. At the same time, youre seeing these waiting lists. Government subsidies could help open up more childcare spots and retain workers, who Dunn says are underpaid at $13 an hour. She calls them the workforce behind the workforce, and understands how hard their jobs are: She spent five weeks between jobs working part-time at her childrens daycare center. After I put in my notice at a job, my next job wasnt going to start for a little while. And so one morning, I dropped off my children. I looked at the director and I said, Do you need any help? And before I could like finish talking, she started furiously nodding. She said Dunn could work as many hours as she liked. Dunn calls her five weeks of part-time work humbling. Her last paycheck there was for $260. Its not easy. Its very labor intensive. And when you do the math, you couldnt afford to live in your community. In spite of the low pay, Dunn says that when she crunched the numbers, one of the smartest budgets would have just been for me to work in childcare, right when I had both of them. Because I wouldnt be paying that high tuition [if my children attended at no cost]. That was wild, that you could go from being an executive director at a nonprofit to that all of a sudden being like, I make $13 an hour [and] it makes more more sense, since Im not paying tuition. Ive heard many families say that they could not afford to pay for two kids [in child care]. One thing that weve done in my house is that my daughter will tell anyone in the community when she needs clothes to be mended, she says that Daddy is going to get out the sewing kit. Its like a like a myth that shes learning to dispel because shes never had a mom sew her clothing. Im really proud of these tiny little micro-changes within a household. Related... CANANDAIGUA, NY As the person responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Ontario County Chamber of Commerce and its programming, Tracey Dello Stritto said its important for her to get out to businesses in the community, even if its just to say, Hi! Thats a sure way to find out what the needs of the business community are, and what Dello Stritto and the Chamber can do to help. Dello Stritto took over as president and CEO of the Ontario County Chamber of Commerce last October, succeeding Ethan Fogg, who formerly held the role. Dello Stritto comes after the Chamber announced its headquarters was placed on the market, but then decided to stay at its home on Main Street in Canandaigua. That's before Dello Stritto's time as the "face of the Chamber." Dello Stritto has been out and about at various functions, including the ribbon cuttings of several businesses, in Canandaigua and outside the city and town borders. The Chamber's annual dinner, at which the organization's awards will be presented to businesses large and small, is from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, at Finger Lakes Community College, and will be Dello Stritto's first at the helm. On this morning, Dello Stritto is having coffee at Working Class Coffee in Canandaigua and sharing her vision for her role fronting the business organization, before heading to the office for more meetings. Dello Stritto wants businesses, whether a member of the business organization or not, to know shes here for them. Ontario County Chamber President and CEO Tracey Dello Stritto said it's important to be visible in the business community, which could mean meeting for coffee at places like Working Class Coffee in Canandaigua. How important is that to Dello Stritto? One hundred percent important, said Dello Stritto, who most recently was executive director of The Partnership for Ontario County, a not-for-profit with the mission of creating, supporting and administering alliances to cultivate positive social change. Back when Dello Strittos hire was announced, Chamber board President Michelle Pedzich said the leader must also understand the critical role businesses, government and community leaders play in delivering the Chamber's mission, and be able to build and maintain these important relationships. "Tracey has all these skills and more as demonstrated by a distinguished career in not-for-profit and business management, Pedzich stated at the time. Dello Stritto said her background she's also worked in the private sector in the Finger Lakes wine industry enables her to focus on building community, within not just the business sector but within the overall community. Thats where I come from, Dello Stritto said. Thats my background. Here's how Dello Stritto answered four questions. Responses were edited slightly. Q: What are your short-term goals for the Ontario County Chamber? Dello Stritto: I think theres a lot of opportunity to really dig into the smaller communities Honeoye, Naples and celebrate the work theyre doing in addition to continuing the work in Geneva, Canandaigua and Victor that are really are our flagships in terms of where our businesses are located. People are ready to network again. We still do some of that, but I think we can do more that are specific to industry, whether its women-owned business or manufacturing focused or hosting an event about AI (artificial intelligence). Who doesnt want, as a business, to have a conversation about the positives and potential negatives of that? We try to stay current and bring in people to help engage in these conversations. Those are things Id love to be able to bring to our membership and our community. Q: What are your long-term goals for the Ontario County Chamber? Dello Stritto: Long term is sustainable growth. Honestly, I would like the Ontario County Chamber to be one of the organizations in the area that really brings solutions. What can we do to be part of these solutions to all these hard problems that businesses are facing? Thats not a one-industry fix. Thats utilizing education at FLCC. Thats utilizing the county, utilizing municipalities. Its being collaborative. I think in the long term, the Chamber can really build itself to a place where theyre at the table and making industry change along with their industry partners. Q: How does your past experience help lead the Ontario County Chamber? Dello Stritto: Having worked at The Partnership for Ontario County for five years, it really gave me connections. I know a lot of the players, which is great. I know a lot of the people in county leadership. I know a lot of folks in municipality leadership. I think thats been advantageous for me as I transition to this role. Prior to the partnership, I was working in the Finger Lakes wine industry. Im able to draw on those lived experiences with businesses I worked for, those small mom-and-pop businesses that get up every morning and theyre putting in their hard work and hard-earned money back into their business. Q: Why is it important for the Ontario County Chamber to maintain its presence on Main Street, Canandaigua? Dello Stritto: I think it is important because it provides stability as an organization. We have a building. We have an asset. Its on Main Street. Its in Canandaigua, the county seat. The choice to stay is giving us an opportunity to have conversations about potential visitor center spaces. What can we do to help support the community? Were staying, what can we do to amplify our exposure or what were doing as a building on Main Street? They made the choice to stay. I think its a good one and it gives us an opportunity to find out more where we can plug into the community. What other ways can the Chamber support downtown Canandaigua, but also keep our spaces open for Victor, Honeoye, Naples ... Were really taking a strategic look at what we do with that space. There are opportunities for us to engage with our members. Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy. This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Tracey Dello Stritto on goals for Ontario County Chamber of Commerce If Sundays thunderstorms and high gusts of wind made you feel like a twister was whizzing by, you may have been right. The National Weather Service in Miami and Key West confirmed Monday that five tornadoes touched down in South Florida over Presidents Day weekend. Specific locations ranged from as far south as Cudjoe Key in the Lower Keys to as far north as Oakland Park in Broward County. The severe weather left some damage behind but no deaths or injuries. In a post shared on X, formerly Twitter, Miamis weather service officials said they reviewed storm data in addition to surveying social media and the grounds extensively, ultimately concluding that the tornadoes occurred. A tornado damaged trees in the area of Cooper City, Davie and Plantation, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. Tornado hits south Miami-Dade The first in mainland South Florida touched down at 2:57 p.m. Sunday on Krome Avenue in south Miami-Dade County, causing some damage to vegetation there. Meteorologists couldnt immediately determine its rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, or EF Scale, which experts use to rate a tornados wind speed and related damage. They also could not immediately calculate its estimated peak winds, path length or maximum width. Strong waves crash on the beach as people visit the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla. After strong winds and rain showered parts of South Florida on Sunday, the temperature dipped into the mid-60s Monday morning. Three tornadoes touch down in Broward The second tornado arrived about 20 minutes later at 3:20 p.m., hitting in Broward, namely Miramar and Pembroke Pines. Meteorologists calculated its EF rating at 0, meaning it generated three-second gusts of winds as fast as 65-85 miles per hour. They also put its peak winds at 75 miles per hour and its noncontinuous path at just over 3.5 miles. The phenomenon was as wide as 100 yards, the weather experts added, and it toppled some tree branches and uprooted some trees entirely. Cole Shaffer, Rebekah Shaffer and their mom, Stacey Shaffer, make their way down the beach as they visit the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla. After strong winds and rain showered parts of South Florida on Sunday, the temperature dipped into the mid-60s Monday morning. The third tornado also took place at 3:33 p.m. in Broward, this time near Cooper City, Davie and Plantation. Its path also lasted about 3.4 miles, but its maximum width was larger, at 350 yards. It was also rated an EF-0 tornado and its peak winds came at 80 miles per hour. The third also affected some trees. READ MORE: Its about to feel colder in South Florida. Heres how low the wind chill could get The fourth tornado happened at 3:55 p.m., a bit farther north in Broward at Oakland Park. Witnesses told meteorologists they saw a tornado flipping several cars in a residential neighborhood. Experts could not immediately determine its EF rating, peak winds, path length or max width. Tornado Four- Location: Oakland Park - Broward County Rating: Unknown Path Length: N/A Maximum Width: 350 yards Damage: Witnesses described a tornado flipping several cars within a residential neighborhood in the city of Oakland Park. pic.twitter.com/VIrZH5sqHp NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) February 19, 2024 Water spout turns into tornado in the Florida Keys A water spout turned into a tornado in the Lower Keys, according to the National Weather Service in Key West. The wind funnel was captured on video as it moved through Cudjoe Bay. A confirmed tornado moved across Cudjoe Key through the Torch Keys today, the weather agency said Sunday. It was not immediately known when the tornado made landfall nor its EF rating, but a report should be available soon. Israeli soldiers operate in a location given as Nasser Hospital in Gaza By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dan Williams CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Fourteen patients were evacuated from a Gaza hospital that has been raided by Israeli troops, the Gaza health ministry and the United Nations said on Monday, as Israel denied its military operations had stopped the hospital from functioning. The sides gave conflicting accounts of the situation at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza's second-largest, with Israel denying an assertion by the Gaza ministry's spokesperson that its forces had detained the hospital director. The ministry said the evacuated patients, including five who required kidney dialysis and three intensive care cases, were moved from the hospital to others in Gaza thanks to efforts by the World Health Organization, a U.N. agency. "There are still more than 180 patients and 15 doctors and nurses inside Nasser," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus later said in a post on X. "The hospital is still experiencing an acute shortage of food, basic medical supplies, and oxygen. There is no tap water and no electricity, except a backup generator maintaining some lifesaving machines," he said, urging Israel to allow safe and sustained access to Nasser to continue lifesaving efforts. His post contained a video showing a WHO trauma surgeon, Dr Athanasios Gargavanis, wearing a blue U.N. flak jacket and helmet as he walked through dark corridors inside the hospital during the evacuation mission on Sunday. The video showed medics in similar protective gear carrying patients on stretchers by flashlight. "We managed to move 14 patients, eight of them are non-walking patients and the rest are walking patients. Two of them needed ventilation. We have a patient with tracheostomy and a patient who's intubated with a head injury," Gargavanis said. The U.N. humanitarian office said on Monday the Israeli military operation in the hospital complex was ongoing. Nasser Hospital is the latest health facility to become a theatre of war in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, now in its fifth month. Israel says Hamas, the Islamist group that has run Gaza since 2007, uses hospitals for cover. Hamas denies this and says Israel's allegations serve as a pretext to destroy the healthcare system. The war was triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 253 taken hostage, according to Israel. Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel has responded with an air and ground assault that according to Gaza's tallies has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 69,000. The war has displaced most of the enclave's 2.3 million people and reduced much of it to rubble. DISPUTED ARREST Ashraf Al-Qidra, spokesperson for the Gaza health ministry, said Israeli forces had detained 70 staff and volunteers at the hospital, including its director Dr Nahed Abu Taeema. The Israeli army denied Abu Taeema had been detained and said it was not aware of 70 other arrests. The army had previously said it had apprehended hundreds of Hamas militants who were hiding in Nasser Hospital, some posing as medical staff, and had released images of weapons it said were found there. "IDF (Israel Defense Forces) troops conducted activities against terror infrastructure and terrorist operatives at the Nasser Hospital," a spokesperson said. "In addition, the IDF operated in cooperation with the hospital director and the medical team in order to enable the continued functioning of the hospital. The troops also engaged in a dialogue with the director a few days ago." Reuters was unable to reach Abu Taeema by phone. COGAT, an Israeli Defense Ministry liaison agency involved in coordinating aid deliveries to Gaza, said Nasser Hospital had remained functional at all times during the army's raids. "We facilitated humanitarian aid and supplies to the hospital and coordinated a @UN team to evacuate the patients," COGAT said on X. It described the army's actions as "a precise activity against the Hamas terror organization at the Nasser Hospital, with a key objective to ensure that the Nasser hospital continues its operations". It listed items it said had been delivered to the hospital with its help, including diesel fuel, food and drinking water, a replacement generator and medicines donated by the WHO. Hospitals in northern Gaza had been partially operating in recent weeks but were now at risk of shutting down again, the Gaza health ministry. (Additional reporting by Emma Farge and Tala Ramadan; Writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Timothy Heritage) (Bloomberg) -- French finance chief Bruno Le Maire said he will make proposals in early March with German Economy Minister Robert Habeck to reduce European Union norms he says are holding back businesses and harming growth. Most Read from Bloomberg Were running an economic 100-meters race with a ball and chain around our ankle, Le Maire told reporters in Paris on Monday. European growth is shackled by norms, rules, directives and regulations, there is excessive administration. He added that these were holding back EU companies and not applied to US and Chinese businesses. With the EU in an extended period of near-stagnation, the French government cut its GDP growth forecast for this year and announced 10 billion euros ($10.8 billion) of spending cuts in an effort to meet commitments to reduce the countrys budget deficit. Habeck said last week that Germany will revise its forecast lower. Le Maire put part of the blame for the blocs economic challenges on Brussels regulations, adding that he and Habeck will detail proposals at a Franco-German cabinet meeting on March 5. Le Maire reiterated that progress on deepening European capital markets is also key to boosting European growth. EU finance ministers are due to discuss the issue at a meeting in Ghent, Belgium later this week. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A woman walks down a street in the village of Callac, on Dec.15, 2023. The far right cried victory in January 2023, when mayor Jean-Yves Rolland of Callac gave up his plan to house seven to 10 refugee families. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier) SAINT-BREVIN-LES-PINS, France (AP) The mayor of a small resort town on the Atlantic coast of France resigned, closed his medical practice and moved away after his house and two cars were set on fire. The arson followed months of death threats over plans to relocate a refugee center near a school. More than 150 miles (240 kilometers) to the north, trouble visited another mayor when he decided to take in a handful of refugee families. The aim was to fill job vacancies in the village; instead, he received a torrent of abuse. One threat read: I hope, Mr. Mayor, that your wife will be raped, your daughter will be raped, and your grandchildren sodomized. These were not isolated incidents. Mayors, normally among the most appreciated elected officials in France, are under attack as never before. Opposition to immigration is a driving force, led by small extreme-right groups that are often backed by national politicians. While other European countries including Germany, Sweden, Italy and Spain have seen protests over similar issues, the backlash against mayors is especially jarring in France. The French have traditionally revered state institutions. A small-town mayor embodies the values of the French Republic, harking back to the revolution of 1789. The tactics used against French mayors in recent years go beyond the usual street protests and angry public meetings. They include violence and disinformation and local demonstrations are often amplified by outside agitators. In France, like elsewhere in Europe, national identity has become a war cry for far-right political groups. They promote the idea that foreigners are stealing the riches of the nation through state handouts and that they will ultimately upend France's traditional way of life. Frances internal security agency, the DGSI, is increasingly worried about fringe movements and their potential for violence, both on the far right and the far left. Far right groups became more active after deadly attacks by Islamic extremists in 2015-2016. One of their goals is to "precipitate a clash" over those viewed as outsiders, then-DGSI chief Nicolas Lerner said in a rare interview with Le Monde last year. "The normalization of a recourse to violence, and the temptation to want to impose ideas through fear or intimidation, is a grave danger to our democracies, he said. The violent views of the radical right in the U.S. have spread to Europe and been amplified through social media, said Lerner. Topics debated by political parties, like migration, tend to channel energy, he said. FAR RIGHT ON THE RISE The French far right first made its mark in 1984, when the National Front of Jean-Marie Le Pen won 10 seats in the European Parliament. But the nation gasped when Le Pen, a Holocaust denier, reached a runoff in the 2002 presidential election against the incumbent, Jacques Chirac. Parties on the left and right combined to keep Le Pen from power then. But today the party of his daughter, Marine, has 88 deputies in Parliament. She plans to make her fourth bid for the presidency in 2027, after twice reaching the runoff against President Emmanuel Macron. A new party, Reconquete (Reconquest), has staked out a position even further to the right, calling for zero immigration. Its vice president, Marion Marechal, Marine Le Pens niece, is the lead candidate in elections for the European Parliament in June. Reconquete's ambitions go further than just a protest movement, said Jean-Yves Camus, a leading expert on the far right. Beyond those anti-migrant demonstrations there is a real political project, which is confronting the state, he said. While there is no tradition of suspicion of a deep state in France, Reconquetes founder, Eric Zemmour, has emulated former U.S. President Donald Trump, taking aim at elites and predicting the collapse of French society. Zemmour, a French nationalist, has no personal connection to extremist groups, Camus said. But he says, If these people want to join me and my party, they can be useful." Reconquete is also leading a campaign against the educational system with an agenda to end what it calls the great indoctrination. It runs a pressure group, called Vigilant Parents, that tries to keep schools from teaching about topics it deems inappropriate, such as LGBTQ rights, and encourages people to snitch on teachers who do. Many on the far right, including Zemmour, subscribe to the great replacement theory, the false claim that native populations of Western countries are being overrun by non-white immigrants, notably Muslims, who will one day erase Christian civilization and its values. ___ This story, supported by the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, is part of an ongoing Associated Press series covering threats to democracy in Europe. ___ TROUBLE IN CALLAC The far right claimed victory in January 2023, when Mayor Jean-Yves Rolland of Callac gave up his plan to house seven to 10 refugee families in his town in Brittany, in northwest France. His goal had been to help fill local jobs and inject dynamism into the isolated enclave with a shrinking population. For months, demonstrators from near and far, some from Reconquete, converged on the village of 2,200 people. They were clearly threatening democracy, Rolland said, dumping a pile of written threats on his desk in the town hall. One referred to migrants as Dealers, Rapists, Aggressors who should be returned to Africa. Another showed a patron saint of France, the Archangel Michael, trampling on a Quran and chasing Islams Prophet Mohammed out of France with a pitchfork. The use of disinformation, including troll factories that generate swarms of emails targeting an individual, is a hallmark of extreme-right groups. Rolland said he received hundreds of angry emails that mysteriously passed through the Czech Republic. Some carried spurious contact details, complicating investigators efforts to locate the senders, he said. In the end, those contesting came from outside ... terrible extremist groups, Rolland said. MAYOR'S HOUSE ON FIRE Mayor Yannick Morez of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins was awakened in the night on March 22 of last year to find flames lapping at the front of his home while his family slept. His cars were completely destroyed by fire. Asylum seekers had been in the town since 2016, but a plan to house them near a school triggered protests that children would be at risk. As in Callac, some of the demonstrators were local, but out-of-towners seized on the opportunity to promote their anti-migrant cause, whether in person or via online campaigning. Morez resigned and moved away, but his successor as mayor, Dorothee Pacaud stood firm, and the relocation project went ahead. Months later, the town remains tense; it went into full lockdown for a low-key immigration conference last fall. An elected official, a mayor, a deputy mayor, that represents democracy. To use methods like that, what happened in Callac, its unacceptable, Pacaud said. French mayors faced another brief challenge last year: Six nights of nationwide rioting over the police killing of a 17-year-old with North African roots. Unusually, the unrest stretched beyond metropolitan areas and reached provincial towns too, super-charged by messages shared by teenagers on TikTok. A mass police deployment brought the violence to a halt. But the campaigns are continuing, and have touched other towns, too. And another source of tension is brewing. In recent weeks, French farmers have mounted protests across the country, demanding better pay and less red tape, especially from the EU. The farmers are the embodiment of la France profonde, the very essence of what makes France French, that the far right claims to represent. Activists are seizing the opportunity. Small groups of extremists, some members sporting brass knuckles, showed up at one farmers demonstration last month in the southern city of Montpellier. With elections for the European Parliament coming up in June, the protests are an opportunity for the far right to sow discontent with mainstream politics and a warning of the possibility of more disruption to come. ___ Mathieu Pattier in Callac, and Jeremias Gonzalez in Saint-Jean-de-Monts, contributed to this report. ___ Ganley has reported on the French far right for The Associated Press since 1984. Two main northbound streets take Queen Creek and San Tan Valley residents into the metro Phoenix area, and both are quickly outgrowing their capacity. To alleviate that traffic congestion, an extension of State Route 24 has long been envisioned as critical. It also serves to add value to vacant state-trust land earmarked for major development, local leaders say. The state distributed $87.5 million as part of the current fiscal year budget to Queen Creek for the project. The town, Pinal County and the Arizona Department of Transportation would join forces to extend State Route 24 and build an interchange at Ironwood Drive. A Pinal County analysis found that 98% of residents in the San Tan Valley region commute west for work. Other traffic studies show Ellsworth Road and Ironwood Drive already carry more traffic than they are designed for, and that without state Route 24 they would have the worst possible congestion rating within six years. Between 2030 and 2040, traffic on the five-mile stretch of State Route 24 is anticipated to grow by nearly 143%. But state politics are starting to get in the way of those plans, and local planners warn that delays could force them to redo key traffic studies. Residents are frustrated with the delays and demand State Route 24 to alleviate the congestion mess in the southeast region. Queen Creek resident Nancie Naylor is angry at the political impasse and said that Ellsworth Road is like a parking lot. "Were treated like the red-headed stepchild, she said. Months of delays to an agreement between the town and ADOT prompted Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley to write two letters to Gov. Katie Hobbs' office to release the funds to the town. In one letter, Mesa Mayor John Giles and Apache Junction Mayor Chip Wilson, along with Pinal Supervisor Jeff Serdy signed. "The freeway's development on the State Trust lands ... will promote economic development opportunities and provide relief to the Valley's housing crisis through the access of considerable developable land," the letter from Jan. 2 stated. Facing a more than $1 billion deficit in the state budget over two years, Hobbs proposed several clawbacks," including the $87.5 million reserved for the vital highway link. State Rep. Neal Carter, R-Queen Creek, said hes not willing to approve a budget that cuts the project. For Wheatley and the town, the buildout isnt just a backyard project but a key piece to develop more than 4,000 acres of state-trust land that is earmarked for industrial development. To the north of State Route 24 in Apache Junction, more than 10,000 homes are in the pipeline in the Superstitions Vistas master-planned community. The improved and extended highway would help open up that area for growth. Traffic: Highways in Surprise not keeping up with growth. Residents demand fixes Why the holdup of funds? It would be the last Maricopa County freeway connecter to the southeast Valley. Planned to be built over five phases, its currently at an interim Phase 2 as a four-lane freeway with signal-light traffic intersections from Williams Field Road to Ironwood Drive. The long-term goal is to have State Route 24 connect to the U.S. 60. with two lanes in each direction to create an east-to-west corridor. The right-of-way for the route would be 400 feet to accommodate future widening. This embedded content is not available in your region. Pinal County applied for a federal transportation grant in 2022, requesting more than $300 million to accomplish that goal. The county estimated the total project cost to be more than half a billion dollars but failed to win grant support last year. To date, $283 million has been spent on state Route 24 between Loop 202 and Ironwood Drive, according to the Maricopa Association of Governments, or MAG. The highway could have another $119 million in funding to further build out that five-mile section to grade standards if Maricopa County voters in November approve Proposition 479, an extension to a countywide half-cent sales tax. There is no funding for the State Route 24 east of Ironwood (Drive) with the exception of this state appropriations, Heather Wilkey, Queen Creeks intergovernmental relations director, said. After Hobbs signed the bill in May that approved funding for State Route 24, the town and ADOT began drafting an agreement. A revised contract deviated from ADOTs standard agreements with language to reflect the town's role in funding the project, Wilkey said. Those provisions elevated the contract to the governors office and later to the Arizona Department of Administration for approval, causing months of delays. In December, Wheatley wrote a letter to the governors office voicing her concern for the delays to the release of the funds. The town was not made aware the funding would be cut in Hobbs executive budget. Wheatley said neither she nor the town have had any communication with Hobbs or her office about this issue. Wheatley and Wilkey worry the delay will diminish the buying power for the $87.5 million in part because of inflation. An economic link In 2019, the town approved a pre-annexation development agreement with the State Land Department for nearly 4,150 acres. LG Energy Solutions is the first purchaser of that state land trust and will invest more than $5 billion to build a battery plant manufacturing facility. The company has already begun preparing to break ground on the facility. Were also having significant interest from high-profile advance manufacturers looking to locate in that region as well, Wheatley said. State Route 24 on June 1, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona. Having access to the state route in that area makes the land more attractive and increases the value, she said. Profit from state land trust sales largely benefits K-12 schools. Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce President Chris Clark said he hopes the buildout of the state route aligns with the industrial development and that is crucial to get people moving on that. He called State Route 24 a vital link to the economy. The more jobs we bring to Queen Creek the less commuting that there is, he said. Residents experience traffic woes Naylor works from her Queen Creek home most days but when she needs to meet with clients she dreads the drive and tries to work around peak traffic hours. She and her neighbors share on social media word about any major traffic slowdowns to help each other maneuver the roads. During rush hour, Ellsworth Road, one of the two main arterial streets to commute west, is like a parking lot, she said. She credits the town for doing its best to add surface streets but is disappointed and angry the state government is pulling out the funding for State Route 24. "(Hobbs) doesn't even give us the time of day to give us more than two interchange lanes and options on this," she said. "I'm just furious at the fact that she thinks this is so insignificant." San Tan Valley resident Jeanne Stockton also feels that she is getting brushed aside to fund Maricopa County projects. We dont get the funding we need but the state of Maricopa gets all the funding they need, she said. Fed up with spending on studies that plan for the roads, Stockton said it's time to put the roads in place. The state of the roads by the numbers Queen Creek is one of the countrys fastest-growing communities next to San Tan Valley, another large unincorporated community. Between the two communities, they make up a population of about 186,000 residents, according to data from the U.S. Census reporter. The Maricopa Association of Governments projects the average daily traffic volume on State Route 24 to Ironwood Drive will be: 28,000 vehicles per day in 2030 68,000 vehicles per day in 2040 85,000 vehicles per day in 2050. MAG also projects the stretch on State Route 24 between the Loop 202 and Ellsworth Road interchange could reach 93,000 vehicles per day in 2030. ADOTs most recent data for the stretch on State Route 24 between the Loop 202 and Ellsworth Road interchange averages 59,728 vehicles per day. Surface roads are also seeing large vehicle per day volumes. Along Ellsworth Road between Germann and Pecos roads, there are about 57,000 vehicles per day trips, according to data provided by Queen Creek. At the other main entrance of State Route 24 at Ironwood Drive between Pecos Road there are 44,100 vehicles per day trips, according to data provided by Queen Creek. A joint study between Pinal County and Queen Creek found that the capacity of a four-lane road is about 35,000 vehicles per day. Without the extension of State Route 24 and the Central Arizona Parkway by 2030, the town estimates the two main arterials would reach an F level of service. The definition of that level means the traffic flow is forced or broken and occurs when it is approaching its capacity. Queen Creek Public Works Director Mohamed Youssef in a presentation to the Town Council, said without the extension of State Route 24 the projections and studies would become invalid. Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek and can be reached at maritza.dominguez@arizonarepublic.com or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @maritzacdom. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Queen Creek residents were promised an $87.5M buildout of Route 24 The court gave 15 years in prison to a collaborator who directed enemy fire at residential buildings in Kramatorsk Based on evidence presented by Ukraines SBU security service, a court found guilty a collaborator who adjusted enemy fire on residential buildings in Kramatorsk on March 14, the SBU reported in Telegram on Feb. 19. As a result of the attack, 10 civilians were injured and one killed. Read also: Russian attacks Kramatorsk with ballistic missile In May 2023, Ukrainian intelligence officers managed to detain a Russian agent while he was conducting additional reconnaissance near a military facility in the frontline area. The traitor turned out to be a 25-year-old resident of Kramatorsk, who began to cooperate with the FSB remotely in spring of 2022. The informant communicated with his curators via a messenger app, through which he sent photos of Ukrainian objects with detailed descriptions and coordinates. In addition, the man collected information about the location of the Ukrainian Armed Forces units involved in the fighting in the Avdiivka and Bakhmut directions. The traitor was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Earlier, the SBU reported the detention of a collaborator who traveled up to 100 km daily and monitored the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donetsk Oblast. Read also: Body of 65-year-old man recovered from rubble of school in Sloviansk destroyed by Russian shelling 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 Abortion rights could be on the ballot in nearly a quarter of states this November, raising concerns among supporters about the ability to fund major campaign efforts in all of them. From deep-red Arkansas and Missouri to purple Arizona and Nevada, activists are already competing with each other for a limited pool of cash and auditioning for the national progressive groups they need to fund their efforts to enshrine protections in state constitutions. There isnt enough for everyone, particularly as wealthy donors who have showered ballot campaigns with cash in the two years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade now have their attention and wallets divided between those efforts and presidential and congressional races. The scramble is pitting abortion-rights supporters in states with near-total bans against those in states where abortion is legal but under threat against those in battleground states where Democrats hope a strong abortion access campaign will juice turnout and propel President Joe Biden and congressional candidates to victory. If we had an unlimited budget, which we dont, and unlimited staffing, resources and all of that, then thered be an expanded map I would like to make a run at, because it is such a crisis, said Deirdre Schifeling, the chief political and advocacy officer for the American Civil Liberties Union. But these campaigns are incredibly expensive, so we need to see all the right pieces in place to know where we can be successful. The ACLU is one of a handful of organizations, along with Planned Parenthood, Reproductive Freedom for All, the Fairness Project, Think Big America, Open Society Foundations and the progressive nonprofit Tides Foundation that are expected to collectively spend tens of millions this year to help codify abortion rights in state constitutions. These groups are agonizing over where their dollars could have the most impact, telling POLITICO they are weighing the substance of the ballot measure proposals as well as the political and legal hurdles they have to clear, how well theyre polling and their effect on the 2024 election. The campaigns on the short end of these decisions could find themselves starved of the cash needed to gather petition signatures, beat back attempts from GOP officials to block the measures and persuade voters to restore access to millions of people. No ones coming to save us, said Gennie Diaz, executive director of the group For AR People, which is leading Arkansas ballot measure campaign. We dont begrudge any group for having a nuanced strategic plan that we dont necessarily fit into. But if we do not receive the funding to run a robust statewide campaign, the consequence will be that women will die in this state. We need that funding so we can restore access and prevent that from happening. Diaz said that without seven-figure support the kind of money that almost certainly needs to come from large organizations they may be able to qualify the measure for the ballot but likely cant win in November. Theyve received zero so far from national groups, and have cobbled together just $30,000 from small-dollar donors. Progressive organizations are avoiding the state because they believe Arkansas ballot measure, which would override the states near-total ban and restore abortion protections through 20 weeks of pregnancy instead of Roes standard of around 24 weeks, is too restrictive and sets a bad precedent for future efforts. Our motto is, No steps backwards, said Beth Huang, civic engagement and democracy program officer for the Tides Foundation. Roe is the floor, and we are prioritizing measures that reestablish the floor. We dont want to support policies that enable backsliding. Arizona, a presidential and Senate battleground state where courts could implement a near-total abortion ban at any time, has so far drawn support from the most national groups raking in more than $5.8 million as of December, including large sums from national organizations like the Fairness Project, Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzkers nonprofit Think Big America and the Advocacy Action Fund, a nonprofit dark money group that does not have to disclose its donors. Nevada, another presidential swing state with a crucial Senate race, has received $1.8 million, even though abortion is already legal there and the proposed amendment wouldnt take effect until 2026. Mike Ollen, a senior adviser for Think Big America, pitched a two-pronged approach prioritizing direct investment in ballot measures while not being naive to the threat of a national abortion ban. Thats why his organization, he said, will also work to ensure anti-choice politicians do not gain control of both chambers of Congress. Past abortion referendum fights, however, have not proven to be a reliable booster for Democrats running on the same ballot, and some activists are warning against making electoral politics too big a factor in funding decisions. Colorado and Florida are not thought to be in play in the 2024 election but both serve as regional hubs for people traveling from nearby states with anti-abortion laws and campaigns there have raised more than $1.3 million and more than $17 million, respectively. Colorados measure would codify the right to abortion throughout pregnancy in the state constitution and allow state funding for the procedure. Floridas would nullify both the states active 15-week ban and a pending 6-week ban. It wont be clear until this summer whether the majority of the pro-abortion-rights campaigns gather enough signatures and clear the legal or bureaucratic hurdles needed to make it to the ballot, and many deep-pocketed national organizations stressed that they will reevaluate their funding strategy as the year goes on. In Florida, for instance, groups like the Fairness Project are waiting to see if the state Supreme Court allows the measure to go forward before investing millions. But other organizations, like the Tides Foundation, Open Society and Planned Parenthood, believe that the state is so crucial for abortion access that theyve been willing to shell out hefty sums to give the proposal a fighting chance. Florida is the second-largest abortion-providing state in the country. The South is a real desert for reproductive health care. We think the six-week abortion ban would be devastating for abortion access in the South and then also the entire Caribbean, Huang said. It goes so far beyond the 20 million people who live in Florida. At the bottom of most of the organizations lists are Arkansas and South Dakota, two states where abortion is illegal in nearly all circumstances but where proposed ballot measures would only restore some access. Major groups including Planned Parenthood and the Fairness Project told POLITICO those state proposals have shortcomings and dont align with our values. Diaz and other red-state activists say they would have adopted more expansive measures if they believed they could pass in such deeply conservative states. Do we sit on our hands and have ideological purity with our views on this or do we pursue what we can get now and then really hope that this limited restoration of access is going to save peoples lives and get people the health care they need? she asked. Diaz and other ballot measure proponents in those states argue their proposals would make a big difference, saving patients from having to travel hundreds of miles for care. But neither state effort has received any national funding, leaving them to cobble together small-dollar donations to pay for things like polling, signature gathering, legal work and ads. The challenge when youre in one of these more obscure rural states is getting people to actually care and realize that we have people out here that are suffering under one of the most extreme abortion bans in the whole country, said Adam Weiland, co-founder of Dakotans for Health, which is backing the South Dakota measure. There was some question on our measure not going far enough but were kind of in the basement here in South Dakota. Along with unease that Arkansas and South Dakotas proposals keep some abortion restrictions in place, groups gave POLITICO a litany of reasons they are hesitant to support various campaigns, pointing to Floridas hostile political and legal climate, and the lack of a threat to abortion rights in New York, Maryland and Colorado. Several groups also stressed that polling has influenced their decisions. They want to spend resources where theyre confident an abortion-rights ballot measure can not only win but win decisively. You have to start from a very, very strong place in order to overcome the viciousness of the opposition, said Schifeling of the ACLUs criteria. You have to start from a very lopsided place in terms of voter sentiment. Weak polling is what is, for now, keeping the ACLU and other organizations away from Nebraska, where a ballot measure could undo the states 12-week abortion ban, while recent strong polling helped persuade them and others to jump into the fight in Missouri, where a coalition is trying to knock down a near-total ban. You didnt see me talking about Missouri six months ago, said Kelly Hall, the executive director of the Fairness Project. But you do now. The broader goal for activists pushing for constitutional amendments enshrining abortion rights and the donors behind them is to extend the unbroken winning streak since the Dobbs ruling in the summer of 2022. And since Kansas kicked off the post-Roe abortion ballot measure fight in August of that year, the pro-abortion-rights side has massively outraised and outspent their anti-abortion opponents in red and blue states alike. In Michigan, for example, progressives raked in more than double the funding of their anti-abortion rivals in the lead-up to their victory in the fall of 2022. Anti-abortion groups are vowing to catch up and beat back these ballot measures. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, one of the biggest national groups, plans to spend a record $92 million this year some of which will go toward door-knocking in Arizona, Montana and other states where they hope to persuade voters to reject abortion-rights initiatives. The group spent $78 million in 2022, and after several ballot measures and congressional candidates they backed fell short that year and in 2023, they scolded conservative donors for not stepping up to the plate. We need as even a fight as we can when it comes to the money. We have to raise the money now and we have to raise awareness now, SBAs state affairs director Kelsey Pritchard told reporters in January. We have to be aggressive even in states where were not sure if its going to be on the ballot. The Big Four Depot in Crawford County, long recognized as a beacon of civic pride, is set for a significant $2.2 million transformation of its 10,455 square-foot building that will position it as a driver of economic expansion and development. The project received commitments exceeding $1.4 million from local and state source, according to a news release from Crawford Partnership. In addition, JobsOhio has committed $800,000 toward the project through one of its incentive programs. The work should be completed and the facility open to the public this year. The project is estimated to generate an additional downtown investment approaching $4 million over the next three years as well as about $1 million in new payroll. The Big Four Depot in Galion speaks to the rich role Ohio has played in American history, said Gov. Mike DeWine in a release. Refurbishing this space listed on the National Register of Historic Places will attract new businesses to Crawford County and ensure this extraordinary structure can be celebrated for generations. The work at Big Four Depot should be completed and the facility open to the public this year. The project is estimated to generate an additional downtown investment approaching $4 million over the next three years. Why JobsOhio invested in the Galion depot JobsOhios Vibrant Communities Program assists distressed, small and mid-size cities. JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef said the Galion project, when completed, will attract new jobs and create a more vibrant downtown. The historic Big Four Depot that once served as the division headquarters for the Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railway will soon serve as an economic hub to spur growth both in Uptown and in the growing Depot District, Nauseef said in a release. How will the renovations help Galion? Galion depot, which already was identified on the National Register of Historic Places, will undergo an extensive revitalization to ultimately become a hub of innovation and growth for the Galion community. According to Galion officials, the Big Four Depot, positioned in the central business district, not only anchors the Uptown, but also serves as a bridge to the burgeoning Depot District. This renovation is a key step toward economic growth and enhancing our Uptown, promising to be a catalyst for small business development in Galion and beyond, Galion Mayor Tom OLeary said. It's a significant move towards a brighter future for our community." Galion officials estimate additional downtown investment approaching $4 million over the next three years as well as approximately $1 million in new payroll through anchor tenant activity, according to the press release. A depot open sign is hidden behind the front glass doors of the facility, but if things go as planned the Big Four Depot will be open sometime this year. OLeary thanked JobsOhio, Galion City Council, state Sen. Bill Reineke and state Rep. Riordan McClain, North Central Area Transit and Crawford Partnership for their efforts on the project. President and CEO of the Crawford Partnership David Zak in turn thanked the City of Galion's leadership, JobsOhi, and the project's many partners, a pivotal entrepreneurship effort is being launched in Crawford County with the Galion Small Business Loft. This marks a new chapter for local business innovation and support, Zak said. We're eager to see the entrepreneurial spirit thrive in our newly established incubator and co-working space." Supporting downtown revitalization has been a key pillar of the Community Development Strategy for Crawford County. A goal to focus on quality of life including beautification of public spaces aligns with the transformational power of the Galion Big Four Depot project, according to Galion officials. The Galion Depot served as the division headquarters for the Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad until 1969. How the depot will be renovated? The first floor of the facility will include new offices for Seneca-Crawford Area Transportation (SCAT) featuring a dispatch area, conference room, offices, breakroom and lobby, as well as a rentable event office space. The second floor will play host to Galion Small Business Loft as its anchor tenant. The loft will consist of 10 offices for lease by small businesses and startups, co-working space, a resource office for entrepreneurial counseling and a conference room. To achieve these results, the works on the facility will include earthwork, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, construction, utilities, masonry and exterior improvements. A Big Four Depot information sign is near the depot in Galion, where there were frequent Whistle Stops for presidential candidates, according to Crawford Partnership. The Depot served as the division headquarters for the Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad until 1969. Peak passenger traffic occurred around World War 1 with as many as 32 trains stopping per day. It also served as a frequent Whistle Stop for presidential candidates, said Crawford Partnership. The city of Galion purchased the building in 2000 and has since undertaken several repair projects on the property. This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Galion Big Four Depot renovation is key step in economic growth MADISON With the stroke of a pen, Tony Evers on Monday became the first Democrat in 13 years to achieve a long-elusive goal of the party: to win back political capital in the Wisconsin statehouse. Democrats have, since 2011, been unable to climb out of a deep minority in the state Legislature cemented when Republicans drew and passed legislative maps that were considered by redistricting experts to be some of the most gerrymandered electoral boundaries in the nation, delivering massive majorities in both houses for more than a decade. That changed Monday when the Democratic governor signed into law a bill Republican lawmakers begrudgingly passed that implement new legislative maps drawn by Evers. The significance of the moment for Democrats is immense creating competitive districts across the state and giving the party a chance to secure a majority for the first time in years. "This is an extraordinary moment. I am floating," Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman Ben Wikler said after Evers signed the new maps into law. "For voters, for the last 13 years their vote in the state Legislature was usually symbolic and now it actually has power." Not all Democrats were satisfied. All but two Democratic lawmakers voted against the maps, hoping the Wisconsin Supreme Court would step in and deliver the party even more favorable boundaries. On Monday, just four Democratic lawmakers stood by as Evers signed into law a plan the party has sought for years. "To me the decision to enact these maps boils down to this: I made a promise to the people of Wisconsin that I would always try to do the right thing," Evers said at a press conference Monday in the state Capitol. "Keeping that promise, to me, matters most, even if members of my own party disagree with me." Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signs new legislative maps into law Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin. The maps, drawn by the governor's office and approved by the Republican-led Legislature, create new boundaries in races for state Assembly and state Senate that could end more than a decade of lopsided Republican majorities. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Former Democratic lawmakers say Evers' maps will fundamentally shift lawmakers' behavior and priorities. "I taught history and I taught government and I always taught about how compromise was the way government should work and unfortunately, in my time in the Legislature, I never saw that happen," said Don Vruwink, a former Democratic member of the Assembly who was first elected in 2016 and lost re-election in 2022. "We would probably get more crossover votes and more compromise because one side isn't going to dominate the conversation all the time. And I think that's what we need," Vruwink, 70, said in an interview. "As a state, that's what we need in order to to get good policy, because right now there's a lot of pressure on representatives and senators to vote the party line." Adopting Evers' maps is good news for Democrats even if the changes aren't likely to deliver as many wins for the party as others the court considered, said Dave Hansen, a Green Bay Democrat who served in the state Senate from 2001-2021. "If we can have more representative government, more fair government, I think it's about doing the right thing," Hansen, 76, said in an interview. "I know the governor is in a tough position and some Dems want the perfect, which probably will never happen, but it's much better." Lawmakers got along better and worked more effectively in the early 2000s when partisan margins were tighter, Hansen said, adding, "we had the ability to take each other's ideas and work with them." Hansen argued the state is "not as red as the Legislature is," noting that most statewide elected offices are currently held by Democrats. Rick Esenberg, president and chief counsel of the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, disputed the notion that the outcomes of legislative elections should align perfectly with the results of statewide elections in other words, Democrats winning a majority statewide offices would not guarantee Democrats holding a majority of seats in the Legislature. More: In a 50/50 Wisconsin electorate, what does a 'neutral' election map look like? "Whether the aggregate outcome of all those elections match the vote in statewide partisan elections will depend on the political geography of the state. There is no reason to assume that they ought to match," Esenberg said. "If, in an evenly divided state, one partys voters are more concentrated than the other's, they wont match even if the maps are drawn without regard to partisanship. Theres really no question that this is the case in Wisconsin." When Gordon Hintz, a Democrat who served in the Assembly from 2007-2023 and as Assembly Minority Leader from 2017-2022, first took office, Republicans held 52 seats to Democrats' 47 in the Assembly. The Senate had an 18-15 Democratic majority. In that environment, Hintz said, lawmakers needed votes from people in the political center making general elections just as, if not more important than, partisan primaries. "In that time, you saw people in the middle being able to effectively govern," Hintz, 50, said in an interview. "You saw people that were worried about votes they were going to be taking because of the results of what would happen in the general election, not just in legislative primaries, and you saw that the majority couldn't just steamroll the minority." See the new state Assembly districts This map shows Wisconsin state Assembly districts under the previous 2022 map on the left, and the new 2024 map on the right. Each district is colored according to whether itleans Democrat, leans Republican, or is acompetitive district (within 5%). Old maps (2022) New maps (2024) Note: The partisan lean of districts is calculated based on voting data from national and local elections from 2016 to 2022. Districts with less than 5% difference in Republican and Democratic votes are considered competitive districts. Map by Andrew Hahn and Eva Wen / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Under the current Republican-drawn maps, Republicans hold 64 of 99 Assembly seats and 22 of 33 Senate seats. The 99 Assembly districts drawn by Evers are about evenly split between Republican and Democratic-leaning districts. Forty-five districts are more Democratic than Republican, and 46 districts are more Republican than Democratic. That leaves eight districts that are more likely to be a toss-up between Democrats and Republicans. See the new state Senate districts This map shows Wisconsin state Senate districts under the previous 2022 map on the left, and the new 2024 map on the right. Each district is colored according to whether itleans Democrat, leans Republican, or is acompetitive district (within 5%). Old maps (2022) New maps (2024) Note: The partisan lean of districts is calculated based on voting data from national and local elections from 2016 to 2022. Districts with less than 5% difference in Republican and Democratic votes are considered competitive districts. Map by Andrew Hahn and Eva Wen / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel In the state Senate, the districts drawn by Evers are also about evenly split between Republican and Democratic-leaning districts. Fourteen districts out of 33 are Democratic-leaning, while 15 districts are Republican-leaning. The other four districts are competitive, where either party has a fair chance of winning them. The shift doesn't guarantee an "instant Democratic majority," Hintz said, "but what you should see is more competitive general election races and much closer majorities." "That should change how the institution is governed," he said. Michigan and Minnesota two Midwestern states where Democrats took control in 2022 for the first time in many years could serve as examples of what Wisconsin Democrats would do with a legislative majority, said Barry Burden, a political science professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison and director of the university's Elections Research Center. Democrats in those states have "eagerly legislated in new directions on issues such as criminal justice and environmental protection," Burden said. Given the chance, Wisconsin Democrats would likely pursue a variety of policy changes unavailable to them under GOP control, he said. "Among the most immediate actions would be expanding Medicaid coverage through the (Affordable Care Act) and decriminalizing at least some marijuana use. Democrats have been eager to do both of these things and Wisconsin is an outlier among Midwestern states for not having done either yet," Burden said. "There might also be interest in other reforms such as increasing the minimum wage, expanding support for child care, and addressing gun violence, all issues that Gov. Evers has asked the Republican-controlled Legislature to address without success." The new maps are the latest domino to fall for Republicans since 2016, when former President Donald Trump took office and transformed the GOP into an electorate based more in rural areas than the Milwaukee suburbs. Coupled with a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Democrats have prevailed in every statewide race since 2016 except three. One such race was for state Supreme Court in 2023. Janet Protasiewicz, a liberal judge from Milwaukee, defeated former conservative state Supreme Court justice Dan Kelly on a platform focused on abortion access and the state's legislative maps. As a result, control of the state Supreme Court flipped to liberals for the first time in years. The liberal majority on the court ruled in December the legislative maps that favor the GOP were unconstitutional and ordered new maps that the justices said they would draw if lawmakers and Evers could not find a solution. This pushed Republican lawmakers to take an unprecedented vote to pass new maps weakening their power. Republicans "were obviously terrified of what the court would do and were trying to cut their losses," WILL's Esenberg said. "Personally, I think it would have been better for the Court to decide and then justify their choice. But litigants settle all of the time and that is effectively what this was." "Republicans will surely campaign this fall warning voters not to grant Democrats full control over state government," Burden said. "That kind of message is easier to pull off in the context of a gubernatorial race where one office is the focus. In a busy presidential election year with dozens of state legislative seats on the ballot, a message promoting divided government is not likely to have much effect." Recruiting Democratic candidates has been "incredibly hard" under the current maps, Hintz said, "because people that you talk to say, 'Well, how am I going to win a seat if it's 64% Republican?'" "I think once these maps are signed, you're going to see a lot more people that are willing to put their name on the ballot because they think they've actually got a shot at winning," Hintz said. Vruwink, who was appointed by Evers as the state's railroad commissioner, said a more competitive map will likely result in more candidates who are "middle of the road," or are not fierce partisans, and who more willing to compromise. "Pure democracy is compromise and not getting everything you want, but getting some of what you want," Vruwink said. "And to me, that's how government should operate." Editor's note: The Journal Sentinel based its analysis of the districts on precinct-level voting data calculated by Dave's Redistricting App based on national and local elections from 2016 to 2022. The Journal Sentinel defined districts that are 5% more Democratic than Republican as Democratic-leaning and vice versa. Districts where there is a less than 5% difference in the number of Republican and Democratic votes are considered competitive districts. Andrew Hahn and Eva Wen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. Molly Beck and Jessie Opoien can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com and jessie.opoien@jrn.com. THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. Help us share the knowledge by buying a gift subscription. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Democrats see path to majorities with end of GOP gerrymander GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The owner of a restaurant in Gastonia was shot during an armed robbery on Sunday night, according to the Gastonia Police Department. Two unknown suspects broke into the China City on Davis Park Road around 9:30 p.m. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here The suspects entered through the back entrance and moved all five employees who were there at the time to the main dining area, at which they started emptying the cash register, detectives said. During the incident, one of the owners of the restaurant was shot and later transported to a local hospital. His condition is unknown at this time. Officials say the suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money and have not yet been arrested. This is a developing story; check back for updates For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A woman griefs near the dead bodies of Palestinians, killed in Israeli bombardment on lands housing displaced persons, in Al-Najjar hospital. Mohammed Talatene/dpa More than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war with Israel on October 7, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in the territory said on Monday. At least 107 Palestinians had been killed and 145 others injured as a result of Israel's military campaign in the past 24 hours, the ministry said, bringing the total number of deaths to 29,092. More than 69,000 people have been injured in Gaza. While the figures cannot be independently verified, the United Nations and other observers consider them reliable. According to UN estimates, the majority of those killed have been women and children. Many bodies are believed to still be buried under collapsed buildings. Herzi Halevi, the chief of general staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said recently that the army had "eliminated more than 10,000 terrorists in the Gaza Strip so far, including many commanders." The health authority figures do not distinguish between civilian and military deaths. The war was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, carried out by terrorists from Hamas and other extremist Palestinian organizations. They murdered more than 1,200 people and kidnapped 250 others to the Gaza Strip. People grief near the dead bodies of Palestinians, killed in Israeli bombardment on lands housing displaced persons, in Al-Najjar hospital. Mohammed Talatene/dpa More than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war with Israel following October 7, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in the territory said on Monday. More than 69,000 people have been injured in Gaza, it said. While the figures cannot be independently verified, the United Nations and other observers consider them reliable. According to UN estimates, the majority of those killed have been women and children. Many bodies are believed to still be buried under collapsed buildings. Herzi Halevi, the chief of general staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said recently that the army had "eliminated more than 10,000 terrorists in the Gaza Strip so far, including many commanders." The health authority figures do not distinguish between civilian and military deaths. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is particularly worried about the embattled Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip It says 14 seriously ill patients have been transferred to other clinics in the area but more than 180 patients are still on site. "The hospital is still experiencing an acute shortage of food, basic medical supplies, and oxygen. There is no tap water and no electricity, except a backup generator maintaining some lifesaving machines," a WHO statement added. The war was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, carried out by fighters from Hamas and other extremist Palestinian Islamist organizations. They murdered more than 1,200 people and kidnapped 250 others to the Gaza Strip. Israel's right-wing government has said it will not stop until every Hamas terrorist is eliminated despite increasing international pressure to halt the bloodshed. Despite opposition from the US government, the UN Security Council still plans to hold a Gaza war ceasefire vote on Tuesday. But the Israeli government on Sunday rejected a permanent peace settlement with the Palestinians imposed by "international diktats," with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet unanimously approving a declaration to this effect. The US, the Jewish state's most important ally, and other Western powers have been increasingly calling for a two-state solution that foresees the peaceful co-existence of Israel and a Palestinian state. However, even if a two-state solution is ever agreed, Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel will retain military control over all the Palestinian Territories. "In any case, with or without a permanent settlement, Israel will maintain full security control over all areas west of the Jordan River," including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said in a video message. Washington is pushing for a two-state solution as a means to end both the current Gaza war and the decades-old Middle East conflict. Netanyahu, on the other hand, has built his long political career to a large extent on his declared opposition to the two-state solution and he reiterated this stance. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague held its first hearing on Monday over whether Israel has been deliberately violating international law for decades by occupying Palestinian land. Displaced Palestinians hold jerry cans to fill them with drinking water. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Palestinian children wait with jerry cans to fill them with drinking water. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa German Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser hugs a woman at a memorial service for the victims of the racist attack in Hanau. On February 19, 2020, a racist shot nine people before also killing his mother and himself. Boris Roessler/dpa German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said it was more important than ever to combat far-right extremism after attending a memorial on Monday for the nine people killed in a racist attack in Hanau four years ago. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been leading opinion polls in three eastern states ahead of state elections in September - despite media reports saying members of the party attended a meeting when the idea of mass repatriation was discussed. Many Germans fear the AfD's rhetoric is too similar to the murderous Nazi regime of 1939-45. The Hanau attacks are a reminder of where extremism leads, Faeser said. She told reporters after the memorial service that Germany must tell relatives of the victims: "We stand with you." With a clear inference to the AfD, the Social Democrat added: "Nobody in Germany should have to feel like they are thinking about leaving this country. As a state, we are the guarantor that all people are protected, no matter where they come from." On February 19, 2020, a 43-year-old right-wing extremist murdered nine people with migrant backgrounds in a racially motivated shooting spree in Hanau, including at a shisha bar. The gunman then shot his mother and himself. The city, located just east of Frankfurt, decided that Monday's memorial would be silent and without political speeches at the actual event at Hanau's main cemetery "at the express request of the victims' relatives." The families and victims' friends were in attendance along with Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky, Faeser and other local and regional officials. They laid wreaths having earlier listened to an imam pray at the graves of three victims. In the evening, vigils were planned at the two crime scenes. On Saturday, several thousand people attended a demonstration in Hanau in memory of the victims and called for a concerted fight against racism and far-right extremism. German Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser lays a wreath at a memorial service for the victims of the racist attack in Hanau. On February 19, 2020, a racist shot nine people before also killing his mother and himself. Boris Roessler/dpa German Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser hugs a woman at a memorial service for the victims of the racist attack in Hanau. On February 19, 2020, a racist shot nine people before also killing his mother and himself. Boris Roessler/dpa German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said it was more important than ever to combat far-right extremism after attending a memorial on Monday for the nine people killed in a racist attack in Hanau four years ago. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been leading opinion polls in three eastern states ahead of state elections in September - despite media reports saying members of the party attended a meeting when the idea of mass repatriation was discussed. Many Germans fear the AfD's rhetoric is too similar to the murderous Nazi regime of 1939-45. The Hanau attacks are a reminder of where extremism leads, Faeser said. She told reporters after the memorial service that Germany must tell relatives of the victims: "We stand with you." With a clear inference to the AfD, the Social Democrat added: "Nobody in Germany should have to feel like they are thinking about leaving this country. As a state, we are the guarantor that all people are protected, no matter where they come from." On February 19, 2020, a 43-year-old right-wing extremist murdered nine people with migrant backgrounds in a racially motivated shooting spree in Hanau, including at a shisha bar. The gunman then shot his mother and himself. The city, located just east of Frankfurt, decided that Monday's memorial would be silent and without political speeches at the actual event at Hanau's main cemetery "at the express request of the victims' relatives." The families and victims' friends were in attendance along with Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky, Faeser and other local and regional officials. They laid wreaths having earlier listened to an imam pray at the graves of three victims. Vigils took place in the evening at the two crime scenes while at the Berlin Film Festival, members of the film industry gathered on the red carpet to pay tribute on the fourth anniversary. They held hands and displayed posters such as "Racism kills" as well as reciting the names of those killed out loud and observing a minute's silence. On Saturday, several thousand people attended a demonstration in Hanau in memory of the victims and called for a concerted fight against racism and far-right extremism. German Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser lays a wreath at a memorial service for the victims of the racist attack in Hanau. On February 19, 2020, a racist shot nine people before also killing his mother and himself. Boris Roessler/dpa German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrives for an Informal meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU, organized by the Council of the European Union. Dirk Waem/Belga/dpa Germany and other European Union countries are proposing further sanctions against Russia following the death of Kremlin critic and opposition politician Alexi Navalny in a Russian prison camp. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said an EU instrument allowing sanctions for serious human rights violations will be used to punish Russia for Navalny's death. She spoke on Monday just ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. The sanctions instrument, the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, had already been used to punish Russian government functionaries for Navalny's imprisonment. Individuals who are affected will have their financial accounts and other assets in the EU frozen. In addition, they will no longer be allowed to enter the EU or do business with EU citizens. Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, also said on Monday that he would propose renaming the instrument the "Navalny Human Rights Sanctions Regime" in order to honour the Russian's fight for human rights. Borrell also invited Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, to join the meeting of EU foreign ministers. Candles and flowers are brought at a memorial improvised by Russian citizens for the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny on La Rambla Street in Barcelona. Lorena Sopena/EUROPA PRESS/dpa People demonstrate against the Russian government with a banner reading "Putin is a killer" in Berlin-Mitte following the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Fabian Sommer/dpa People demonstrate against the Russian government with a banner reading "Putin is a killer" in Berlin-Mitte following the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Fabian Sommer/dpa The German Foreign Office is summoning the Russian ambassador on Monday over the death of Alexei Navalny, a ministry spokeswoman said. The politically motivated proceedings against Navalny and numerous other critics of the Russian government, as well as the inhumane prison conditions, show how brutally the Russian judiciary acts against dissidents and the means used by President Vladimir Putin to suppress freedom of expression, the spokeswoman said. "We condemn this in the strongest possible terms and expressly call for the release of all those imprisoned in Russia for political reasons," she said. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's spokesman separately called on Russia to fully clarify the circumstances of Navalny's death in a Siberian prison camp and also to release his body to his family. Numerous flowers and candles can be seen alongside photos in memory of the deceased Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny on the fence of the Russian Consulate General. Helmut Fricke/dpa Leer en espanol When 16-year-old Preston Lord died after being beaten by a group of teens at a Halloween Party in Queen Creek, Kristine and Robert Brennan began paying close attention to videos of similar attacks circulating on social media. It was obvious to the Brennans and other concerned parents and southeast Valley residents who saw the videos that most of the attackers appeared to be white teens. They were known as the "Gilbert Goons." "Everything I had heard or seen around the Gilbert Goons, the majority of these kids that were committing the crimes in the videos I was watching, they were, honestly, they were white kids," said Kristine Brennan, 48, a Gilbert resident and business owner. But when the first arrests tied to the Goons attacks were announced in January by the Gilbert Police Department, it was the mug shots of two young men of color one Black, one Latino that were splashed all over local and national media, quickly turning them into poster boys for a string of violent teen attacks in the suburbs east of Phoenix, primarily Gilbert. The arrests of two people of color surprised and confused many, including the Brennans, who had seen video after video of packs of mostly white teens punching and kicking other teens in blitz-style attacks that occurred before and after Lord's death. No arrests have yet been made in Lord's homicide, although Queen Creek police have made multiple criminal referrals to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. "I just couldn't believe the first arrests were those two kids," Kristine Brennan said. About 75% of Gilbert's 275,000 population is white. About 4% is Black, and about 17.6% is Latino, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Gilbert's median household income is $105,733, considerably higher than Arizona's at $65,900, and among the highest in Maricopa County, according to the Maricopa Association of Governments. Because they're 18, teens of color become poster boys of those arrested The case that led to Gilbert police's first arrests since teen violence became a major focus in that southeast Valley involved the beating of Richard Kuehners then-16-year-old son in the parking lot of the Gilbert In-N-Out Burger. It is one of several attacks involving members of the Goons that Gilbert police set aside or failed to connect to the string of group assaults. Kuenher was one of the first parents of a victim to publicly criticize Gilbert police for failing to address the assaults. On the night of Aug. 18, Kuehner's teenage son came home bleeding profusely and was visibly shaken, Kuehner previously told The Republic. Goons attacked him, and it was filmed, he said. When police were called that night, Kuehner's son told them the name of a 16-year-old involved in the attack, court records state. That white 16-year-old, the stepson of a principal of an elementary school in Gilbert, was interviewed and pointed himself out in a video of the attack, saying he was running to watch. The juvenile had his arms raised, stood in a "bladed stance," and appeared to be preparing to participate in the assault, according to court records. After police first interviewed the 16-year-old, officials were "unable" to establish probable cause to arrest, Gilbert police said. The attack video was sent to school resource officers at southeast Valley high schools, but police said they could not identify suspects. Gilbert police listed the case as "inactive" in early October. They didn't reopen it until after The Republic inquired about the attack in December. When the 16-year-old was interviewed again after the case was reactivated in December, he blamed most of the fight on unidentified people of color. He said two Black kids approached Kuehners son that night, then a Mexican kid hit him in the face, police records state. Then, three Black kids and a white kid chased the victim. On Jan. 10, Gilbert police confirmed Christopher Fantastic, 18, who is Black, had been arrested in connection with the beating. Hours later, the department confirmed that three more people were arrested: Aris Arredondo, 18, who is Latino, and two juveniles. The four were suspected of assault and robbery. Another adult, 19-year-old Deleon Haynes, who is Black, and a 17-year-old juvenile were arrested later in January for the same Aug. 18 attack, also on suspicion of assault and robbery. Only the mugshots of Fantastic and Arredondo the two adults were released by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office on the day of the first arrests. The identities of the two juveniles arrested that day were not released by law enforcement and have been withheld by many news outlets, including The Arizona Republic, which does not typically publish the names of minors accused of crimes unless charged as adults. After the Jan. 10 arrests, the story of suburban Arizona teens attacking other teens garnered wider interest. An article in the New York Post ran under the headline, "Affluent teen street gang Gilberts Goons busted in string of caught-on-video attacks on high schoolers." The Post story prominently featured photographs of Fantastic and Arredondo, which seemed to some readers to conflict with the headline, prompting racist comments. "Affluent? Christopher Fantastic (really?) and Aris Arredondo don't look too affluent to me, they just look like the usual suspects," said one reader comment under the name Approve This. "The pics confirm the stereotypes," said another reader comment under the name SlickWillies. "These 2 groups consistently" overrepresent. The 16-year-old interviewed twice by police was among the three minors arrested in connection with the attack on Kuehner's son. But last week, Gilbert police said the Maricopa County Attorney's Office would not charge him. The police referral was "turned down," a police statement said. Criminal cases are proceeding against Fantastic, Arredondo, Haynes and one minor, according to a statement Friday from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, which did not specify the status of the case against the third minor arrested. First arrests being people of color prompts lost trust, suspicion of police Weeks later, parents, residents and civil rights leaders continue to raise questions about Gilbert police's handling of the Goons attacks, with some wondering whether police initially targeted two people of color to deflect public attention away from the white attackers and alleviate public pressure to take action. At the time the arrests of Fantastic and Arredondo were announced, the Gilbert Police Department was facing withering criticism that it had been slow to respond and make arrests in the Gilbert Goons attacks. "It kind of shows what kinds of white privilege is going on here," said Robert Brennan, 43. "Where you've got literal video evidence, you've got masses of people up in arms about this, and you go after the easier targets." The quick arrests of Fantastic and Arredondo weakened his trust in the Gilbert police. "It doesn't sit well," Robert Brennan said. "That wasn't who we were after. We were after these kids, but you didn't go after those kids. You went after some other kids." Similar concerns were raised on social media. "This is really not looking good. As the mother of black children, this is absolutely unnerving. Hold him accountable, yes. But what about the rest? This is just one disgusting injustice after another," Tamara Gooden wrote on Facebook under an azfamily.com article reporting the arrests of Fantastic and Arredondo. Kristine Brennan posted the article on a Facebook page named Lily Waterfield, which she uses to show support for the investigation into Lord's death, draw attention to the Gilbert Goons attacks and organize the community. Teen violence: Why were 2 minors charged as adults in 'Gilbert Goons' attacks? What does it mean? Katey McPherson, 50, does not believe the Gilbert police deliberately timed the arrests of Fantastic and Arredondo to deflect attention from white attackers. Nevertheless, that was the result. "A lot of misinformation was put out due to the timing of the arrests," said McPherson, a youth mental health advocate who has become a major rallying force in the search for justice for Lord. "Because when you look across the span of the group, I would say 94% of them are Caucasian." The false impression created by the timing of the arrests of Fantastic and Arredondo reflects an overall failure by the Gilbert police in handling the Gilbert Goons attacks, she said. "They're not thinking or not mindful of the narrative, but they haven't been mindful of teenagers and teen violence in general anyways," McPherson said. "So, for me, it's just kind of a consistent pattern of incompetence." Katey McPherson poses for a portrait in a Queen Creek neighborhood on Feb. 12, 2024, in Queen Creek, Arizona. Kiana Sears, president of the East Valley NAACP, said she was not so much surprised but suspicious when two people of color were the first to be arrested in the Gilbert Goons attacks, considering the attacks had been going on for a long time, and videos showed the attackers were mostly white. "I was more like suspicious, wondering what is the spin that was happening," Sears said. Sears said the arrests of Fantastic and Arredondo raise many questions. Were they among the first arrested because they stood out from the others? Did white attackers try to pin the blame on them? Given the demographics of Gilbert, Sears also wondered if police were quick to arrest Fantastic and Arredondo to change public perception about the attacks, given that multiple people were involved in the attack. "It was troubling that the first pictures posted were that of (people) of color," Sears said. "Was this a message being sent? Was there an intention? Was there an agenda?" Were there people conspiring to create this perception that people of color were the attackers, Sears said, so "now the narrative changes ... where we no longer are saying that it's these white kids out here doing this?" Lawsuit: 17 'Gilbert Goons' and parents sued over attacks; conspiracy alleged Race played no role in arrests, Gilbert police chief says Fantastic was arrested after Gilbert police on Dec. 22 posted images of the Aug. 18 attack on social media, asking for the public's help identifying the attackers. Tips received from the public helped Gilbert police identify Fantastic as the Black male "with a distinct Afro hairstyle" shown attacking the victim in the screenshot of a social media video of the attack, according to police reports. In the screenshot, Fantastic's face "is clearly identifiable based on prior police interactions," the police report said. According to the police report, Fantastic was among multiple people who attacked the victim in a parking lot. In the video, Fantastic punched the victim numerous times while he was on the ground trying to shield himself from the blows with his arms, according to the police report. Fantastic then stomped and kicked the victim multiple times while the victim was still on the ground. "As this occurred, multiple other subjects in the video also punched and kicked the victim," the police report said. The victim's shoes were also stolen during the attack, prompting the robbery charges, the police report said. The victim told police he believed the attack was in retaliation for reporting previous threats by subjects in the group to a police officer at his school, the police report said. Arredondo, meanwhile, arrived at the Gilbert Police Department and agreed to cooperate two days after police posted screenshots of the incident and asked for the public's help identifying the attackers, according to a police report. Arredondo admitted he can be seen in the video stills, though he denied being involved in the attacks, the police report said. But "multiple tips" the police received identified Arredondo as "the Hispanic male" in the social media screenshots, according to the police report. The victim also identified Arredondo as the person who punched him in the mouth and initiated the altercation, the police report said. The Arizona Republic was unable to reach Fantastic and Arredondo. Public defenders are representing both. Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg vehemently denied race played any role in the arrests of Fantastic and Arredondo. "I want to categorically deny any insinuation that race plays a role in any arrest in Gilbert. Arrests are only made as new information becomes available and probable cause is established. Our primary focus is justice for all victims, the safety of our community and to put those responsible behind bars. To suggest otherwise is irresponsible and disheartening," Soelberg said in a written statement. Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg attends a news conference addressing teen violence at the department's headquarters in Gilbert on Jan. 18, 2024. Soelberg said the Gilbert Police Department has long-standing relationships and partnerships with residents, organizations and businesses from all backgrounds. "Under no circumstances is race ever a determining factor in the arrests of individuals by the Gilbert Police Department. Our officers take all reported crimes, investigations and arrests in our community very seriously," the statement said. The Gilbert Police Department did not share the mugshots with media nor through the city's social media channels, Soelberg said. The mugshots of Fantastic and Arredondo were released by the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office, the agency responsible for booking and processing individuals brought into its custody, Soelberg said. The sheriff's office releases mugshots of adults who are booked. Information involving juvenile arrest records is not releasable due to restrictions outlined in Arizona law unless and until the county attorney prosecutes the juvenile as an adult, Soelberg said. That's why Fantastic and Arredondo were identified on the day of the first arrests and the minors were not. As more arrests are made, does the 'Goons' picture become clearer? Floyd Galloway was president of the East Valley NAACP in the 1990s when a different gang, the Devil Dogs, formed in Gilbert and carried out similar attacks. The Devil Dogs later become involved in selling drugs with the Mafia. Galloway sees parallels between the way the Gilbert police were criticized for being slow to respond to the Devil Dogs and the public uproar the department now faces in response to the Gilbert Goons and the quick arrests of Fantastic and Arredondo. "With the Devil Dogs, it was white kids from affluent families that had the resources to try to protect their kids from the judicial system that these other kids (Fantastic and Arredondo) don't have," Galloway said. "Unfortunately, Gilbert to me has not changed much since the 1990s with the Devil Dogs because of this situation." Galloway, a Tempe civil rights activist, also believes the Gilbert police handling of the Gilbert Goons attacks appears to reflect larger problems with policing in the U.S. in general, where white people with money are treated more favorably than people of color with fewer resources. "Unfortunately, it's throughout this country where those who have money can get away with certain things until it hits a boiling point, but they'll use kids of color, people of color, as a scapegoat," Galloway said. "They try to paint a different narrative, and unfortunately, that's the same thing that has gone on in Gilbert." Floyd Galloway, former president of the East Valley NAACP, poses for a portrait at the Tempe Center for The Arts in Tempe on Feb. 9, 2024. Since the arrests of Fantastic and Arredondo, the Gilbert police have arrested about a dozen additional people tied to Gilbert Goons attacks. Galloway said close attention needs to be paid to how the cases are prosecuted to see if bias becomes a factor. Most of the additional people arrested are adults or juveniles charged as adults, so many of their names and mugshots have become public. That has presented a fuller picture of the attackers, said McPherson, the youth mental health advocate and community organizer. "So if you have been following from start to finish, the story is pretty true," McPherson said. "The real truth is most of these children are Caucasian from middle- to upper-class families and have brutally attacked people for no apparent reason." Galloway said he was unconvinced that public perception would shift from those first mug shots. He said he believed the images of Fantastic and Arredondo as the faces behind the Gilbert Goons attacks have been cemented in the public's mind. "Yeah, the truth is coming out, but you still have that image, that stereotypical idea in the back of your mind of who was at the heart of it, which is untrue," Galloway said. Reporters Elena Santa Cruz and Robert Anglen contributed. Daniel Gonzalez covers race, equity and opportunity. Reach him at daniel.gonzalez@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8312. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why were teens of color among the first arrests in 'Goons' attacks? Flowers and a photo of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny are placed near the Russian Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, on Saturday. Navalny, who crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests as President Vladimir Putin's fiercest foe, died Friday in the Arctic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence. (Michael Probst / Associated Press) Alexei Navalny didnt simply die. He wasnt just murdered. He was tortured to death. It didnt happen on the rack or mid-beating, but Vladimir Putin who had tried to eliminate him earlier slowly killed Navalny all the same. Putin sent the Russian dissident and anti-corruption activist to the gulag with the aim of grinding him down with hard labor, isolation, hunger and shabby medical care, until he died. Russias claims that he died from sudden death syndrome, even if true, change nothing, given that being poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent (2020) and thrown into an Arctic labor camp (2023) presumably increases ones chances of falling prey to SDS. The question of whether the timing of Navalnys death was deliberate matters geopolitically but not morally. Read more: Putin rival Alexei Navalny dies in prison, Russian authorities say If Putin ordered Navalnys death Friday, it might shed light on his state of mind. Was Putin sending a message in advance of next months election in Russia? Does that message reflect confidence or insecurity? Was Putin buoyed by his recent military successes in Ukraine or his related political victories in the U.S. Congress? Perhaps Navalnys death was a thumb in the eye of the West timed to coincide with the Munich Security Conference? Or, was he, as some Russian propagandists have speculated, somehow motivated by the insidiously insipid comments of Tucker Carlson a few days earlier ? Read more: Alexei Navalny's widow vows to keep fighting Kremlin, punish Putin for his death On his way back from interviewing Putin and celebrating Russias superiority to America in a series of embarrassing videos about Moscow supermarkets and subways, Carlson appeared at a forum in Dubai. Asked why he hadnt questioned Putin about the then-still-alive Navalny, Carlson shrugged and said, Every leader kills people. Some kill more than others. Leadership requires killing people. No doubt Putin agrees. At minimum, if Putin didnt want the world to know about Navalnys death Friday, the world would not know about it. The revelation itself is a statement unto itself. What Navalnys death and his life say about Putins Russia should be obvious to anyone who doesnt believe leadership requires killing. Read more: In Russias Arctic area, Alexei Navalnys mother searches for her sons body What it says about the moral rot on parts of the American right is another matter. For numerous right-wing and Republican figures, the real lesson of Navalnys killing is that Navalny = Trump, in the words of Trump-pardoned writer Dinesh DSouza . The plan of the Biden regime and the Democrats is to ensure their leading political opponent dies in prison. Theres no real difference between the two cases. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich concurred, on X (formerly Twitter): Navalnys death is a brutal reminder that jailing your political opponents is inhumane and a violation of every principle of a free society. Watch the Biden Administration speak out against Putin and his jailing of his leading political opponent while Democrats in four different jurisdictions try to turn President Trump into an American Navalny. The hypocrisy and corruption of the left is astonishing. Read more: Goldberg: President Biden's job approval rating is abysmal. Here's why he might beat Trump anyway DSouza and Gingrich were hardly alone in indulging this grotesque exercise in Soviet-style propaganda. On Monday, Trump himself invoked the comparison on social media. His first mention of Navalnys name wasnt to condemn his death or Putins role in it, but to cast himself as an American Navalny . The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our Country, he declared before spewing the usual self-serving grievances. Condemning such false moral equivalence was once central to American conservatism. Ronald Reagans United Nations Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick and National Review founder William F. Buckley led those denouncing the anti-Americanism inherent in equating undemocratic and democratic regimes. When someone told Buckley that the U.S. and U.S.S.R. were the same because they both spend a lot on the military, he replied, Thats like saying that the man who pushed old ladies out of the way of an incoming bus is like the man who pushes old ladies into the way of an incoming bus. Both push old ladies around. Read more: Goldberg: Trump's rants about NATO are making the U.S. weaker Trump is not an innocent anti-corruption crusader brutalized and murdered for championing democracy and the rule of law. Nor does Moscows subway system built with slave labor pose some grand indictment of America, as Carlson insinuated . There are ample plausible criticisms of the legal cases against Trump, but even if you agree with all of them (I dont), the notion that Joe Biden is the moral equivalent of Vladimir Putin is a slander, not merely of Biden but of America itself. Indeed, one reason we know its not true: Publicly criticizing Putins treatment of Navalny can land you in a Russian cell. Criticizing Bidens (alleged) treatment of Trump can land you in a Fox News studio. @JonahDispatch If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A golden eagle found unable to fly in Riverside County earlier this month was released back into the wild Sunday after two weeks of care at the San Diego Humane Societys Ramona Wildlife Center, officials announced. The eagle, discovered by a community member in San Jacinto, was covered in mud and manure, had mild abrasions on its feet and was underweight when the Project Wildlife team took custody of the bird on Feb. 5. Although the exact cause of its condition remains uncertain, the recent heavy rains in the area may have a played a role, officials at the humane society said in a news release. A team of veterinarians gave the eagle pain medication, treated it for parasites and dehydration and placed the raptor in an indoor medical ward in hopes that it would regain its strength. In less than a week, the birds condition improved, and it was put in a small outdoor aviary before being moved to a much larger outdoor aviary on Feb. 15. A golden eagle found unable to fly earlier this month was treated at the San Diego Humane Socitetys Ramona Wildlife Center and released back into the wild on Feb. 18, 2024. (SDHS) A golden eagle found unable to fly earlier this month was treated at the San Diego Humane Socitetys Ramona Wildlife Center and released back into the wild on Feb. 18, 2024. (SDHS) A golden eagle found unable to fly earlier this month was treated at the San Diego Humane Socitetys Ramona Wildlife Center and released back into the wild on Feb. 18, 2024. (SDHS) A golden eagle found unable to fly earlier this month was treated at the San Diego Humane Socitetys Ramona Wildlife Center and released back into the wild on Feb. 18, 2024. (SDHS) Its imperative that a bird of prey like a golden eagle can fly and hunt in order to survive in the wild, the release noted. Before Sundays release in San Jacinto, the golden eagle was tagged by a United States Geological Survey-permitted raptor biologist so wildlife officials at the department of fish and wildlife can track and monitor the protected species. Rescue crews positioned in California counties as storm hits, Gov. Newsom says Video of the birds release shows the eagle rushing to get out of the crate, flapping its wings low to the ground as it gets some distance and then sitting in the grass for some time. The eagle then launches itself into the air and flies to a nearby group of trees. This successful rehabilitation serves as a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team, as well as the unwavering support of our community, the release stated. We are immensely grateful for everyone who played a part in this remarkable rescue and rehabilitation effort. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Carbon-cutting solutions are all around us. We just need to know where to look. The latest is an exciting new renewable energy agreement between Google and offshore wind farms in the Netherlands. This record-breaking clean power purchase has the potential to turn Googles energy supply green and reduce carbon emissions worldwide. By agreeing to use 478 megawatts of energy from new Crosswind and Ecowende wind projects, Google is making waves in clean energy. The size of the contract demonstrates that major corporations are excited to do business in a climate-conscious way. This landmark deal proves that everyday choices by big companies can drive solutions for climate pollution. It also accelerates the global transition toward renewable energy. As the supply of clean power grows, energy sources become more affordable and accessible for households, too. From switching your homes power source to choosing products with less packaging, your principles steer markets. Like Google, you can make green energy and sustainability an ambition in your life. Support businesses walking the walk so more follow suit. With hope, optimism, and dogged collective determination, a brighter future is within reach. This massive investment in offshore wind is something to celebrate. It means cleaner air, climate progress, and a model for other industries to follow. So next time you open up a Google search, know that increasingly that power behind the screen is good for the planet, too. Who said climate optimism is dead? For Google, its blowing in the wind. As Matt Brittin, president of Google in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, said in a statement: At Google, we know that climate change is top of mind for many of our users, with search interest for energy crisis hitting an all-time high in 2023. Thats why we are committed to developing sustainable solutions for our users, businesses, governments, and our own operations. Our ambition to operate on carbon-free energy around the clock by 2030 requires clean energy solutions in every grid where we operate. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Ohio Republican State Sen. Matt Dolan, who is currently running for a Senate seat in Ohio, told Fox News Digital this past week that Ohio voters are concerned about President Biden's ability to serve in light of a Special Counsel report that questioned his memory. "I'm very concerned. I mean, I don't know that President Biden is capable of being president of the United States," Dolan told Fox News Digital after Special Counsel Hur's report cast serious doubt on Biden's cognitive abilities. "That is a huge concern for us. Now obviously I'm running in a Republican primary. I'm talking to a lot of Republicans, so it's just a matter of course it's scary for us," Dolan said. "That was a very telling report about who's running the show in Washington and that should make us scared." "We don't want a president who we don't know who's truly making the decisions in the White House," he continued. WHY BIDENS ANGER AND DEFENSIVENESS INFLAMED ANXIETY ABOUT HIS MEMORY ISSUE L - Matt Dolan R - Joe Biden Hur's report referred to Biden as a "sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory" and outlined several examples of Biden failing to remember the timeline of major events. The Biden administration pushed back on the report and defended Biden's mental sharpness. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Still, Republicans have argued that the report shows the 81-year-old president is not fit to serve another term. DOJ DEFENDS SPECIAL COUNSEL REPORT ON BIDEN'S MEMORY: 'CONSISTENT WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENT,' NOT 'GRATUITOUS' President Joe Biden salutes while arriving during an event in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. Dolan is currently locked in a tight GOP primary against two other Republican opponents to determine who will challenge Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in November and the state senator told Fox News Digital that he is confident he is the candidate who can make the case that Brown is "out of touch" with Ohio voters. "I think people are very frustrated that they have a government that is not working to do what's best for the individual, for the businesses, and for the individual to thrive," Dolan told Fox News Digital. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is seen during senate votes in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) "Instead, they see Sherrod Brown and Joe Biden trying to expand the size of government and saying, don't worry, government will solve these problems and people are sick of it and they don't feel secure. We got to change." The Ohio Senate primary will be held on March 19. Original article source: GOP Senate candidate sounds the alarm about Biden's cognitive issues after Hur report: 'Scary for us' ASHLAND It was a typical Monday morning at Advocates Inc.'s Life & Skills Center on Eliot Street, which provides disability services to people with a wide range of needs and goals. Some participants in the nonprofits Day and Employment program started their morning by practicing communication by socializing in a classroom setting. Others were on their way to gain resume-building skills through volunteer work. And still others had already found jobs in the community with the help of an Advocates job coach. Stephen Robery, director of operations at Framingham-based Advocates Inc., said the center tailors support systems to help program participants pursue their goals for a meaningful day and ultimately a meaningful life. Shanae Yarrell, an employee at Advocates Inc. disability service center in Ashland, instructs a program on social and career skill development. It gives them that sense of independence that they otherwise might not have, he said. It gives them a sense of purpose. But these individualized, flexible programs require a large number of highly trained employees, and the state has struggled to recover its disability care workforce since the pandemic. Healey proposes more spending on helping disabled residents Gov. Maura Healeys proposed fiscal 2025 budget includes spending increases aimed at ensuring services like Advocates' day and employment program are fully staffed and available to disabled residents. The Healey-Driscoll administration prioritizes providing essential health and safety net services to all in Massachusetts, but especially for a population with unique challenges, according to an email from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to the Daily News. These investments reflect the trends, challenges and needs of a diverse population with varied disabilities, from physical to intellectual. The governors budget sets aside almost 70% more funding to pay nonprofit and private organizations to provide care including disability services like Advocates' day and employment program to residents then it did two years ago. The state adjusts how much it pays providers for specific human service programs every other year. The EOHHS is still holding hearings to determine how much it will reimburse disability program providers, but the governors budget would significantly increase what the state is permitted to spend. Advocates official says more funds needed to adequately pay disability care employees Advocates Senior Vice President fior Strategic Planning Jeffery Keilson said that money is primarily necessary to improve salaries for disability care employees who work directly with clients. Theyre a social worker, theyre a nurse they do a lot, he said. They're the backbone of providing high-quality services. Gov. Maura Healey's fiscal 2025 budget includes spending increases aimed at ensuring services like Advocates' day and employment program are fully staffed and available to disabled residents. 'Mental health is critical issue': Framingham's Advocates opens community behavioral health center Disability service providers in Massachusetts have struggled to retain staff and fill open positions since the pandemic, according to a spring 2023 survey by the Framingham-based Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers. The survey found that high staff turnover and vacancy rates mean longer waitlists for daytime programming. Maura Sullivan, deputy executive director at disability advocacy nonprofit The Arc of Massachusetts, said people who have gone without essential services since 2020 are really suffering. The isolation and certainly the regression is significant, she said. Arc of Massachusetts will urge lawmakers to retain Healey spending increases The Legislature has until July 1 to produce a final state budget (although it frequently takes longer). The Arc of Massachusetts is preparing to convince lawmakers to maintain the governors proposed spending increases. We just really need to make sure that the Legislature understands the importance of the investment, Sullivan said. The governors budget also includes significant funding increases for disability transportation, family support services and programs to help disabled residents transition from youth services to adult-centered care once they turn 22. But advocates have expressed concern over the administrations proposal to control spending on personal care attendants those who provide in-home assistance with daily tasks for disabled and elderly people by limiting eligibility for the state-sponsored program. During a recent state agency meeting about the work force crisis in disability care services, state Rep. Kay Khan, D-Newton, said she was open to hearing ideas for budget amendments from disability experts and activists. I will certainly support disability services funding as we move toward discussing legislative budget priorities related to workforce development, Khan wrote in an email to the Daily News. Harvard Kennedy School lecturer says state agencies for the disabled are 'totally incoherent' Alex Green, a lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School who researches the history of American disability institutions, said funding alone wont solve the states problems in ensuring adequate care. He said the large number of state agencies with overlapping responsibilities creates service outcomes that are totally incoherent. What we need is for someone to come in and kind of pull all of these sprawling agencies together, Green said. The Massachusetts Office on Disability website advises residents on the various support offerings from agencies like the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Developmental Disabilities Services and state Medicaid program, MassHealth. When you are looking for answers or support, sometimes a major hurdle can be simply working out who does what, who to contact, and how to get a response, according to the site. Green said these structural problems wont change until disabled people are included in decision making. We're still stuck in a mindset where we do not see disabled people as equal participants in these processes, when they absolutely should be and have a right to be, he said. Our mindsets continue to re-create the same problems again and again and again. This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Healey budget includes more spending for programs aiding the disabled Republican and Democratic senators who have worked for years with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are fuming over his decision to oppose a $95 billion defense and foreign aid package. Architects of the bill saw Grahams support as crucial to mustering a majority of Republican senators to vote for it and apply as much pressure as possible on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to bring it up on the House floor. With Graham voting no, the bill fell short of that goal even with 22 GOP votes in favor, and now it is considered unlikely to pass the House. Senators who thought Graham was on their side feel like he pulled the rug out from under them, especially after last year, when he railed on the Senate floor about a budget deal including not a penny for the war in Ukraine. Some saw Graham as making a blatant effort to curry favor with former President Trump, who lobbied senators last week to oppose the package to deny President Biden a political win. One Democratic senator who was involved in strategizing for the bill said Graham was supposed to be the guy who would work to double Republican support for the bill. The senator explained the way this was supposed to work was they were going to have 60 votes for the bill, including 10 Republicans, and he was supposed to bring the second 10 GOP votes, and then in the last week he became part of the 10 that you couldnt even count as possible yes votes. He got sucked into the Trump orbit, and he is so zealously about his own self-preservation in South Carolina that he literally would push his mother in front of a train to get to where he needs to be, the senator added. I hate to say it because I actually like him. A Winthrop University Poll published in October showed only 30 percent of South Carolina voters approved of Grahams performance, a rating only 1 percentage point higher than Biden had in the state. Trump took a shot at his Senate ally in February 2022 by calling him a RINO because of differences on whether convicted Jan. 6 protesters deserve presidential pardons. Grahams votes against the defense bill exasperated colleagues, given that Graham led a charge on the Senate floor in June to delay action on a deal to raise the debt limit and set caps on defense and nondefense spending because it didnt include any money for Ukraine. Not a penny in this bill to help Ukraine defeat [Russian President Vladimir Putin], Graham thundered on the Senate floor. We need to send a clear message to Putin that when it comes to your invasion of Ukraine, were going to support your loss. If we dont do that, then were going to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. Graham raised such hell that he secured a commitment from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) that they would not let the spending caps deal hold up an emergency defense spending supplemental bill to fund Ukraine. To the brave men and women in Ukraine standing up against Russian aggression and in defense of their homeland, help is on the way, Graham declared on the Senate floor after securing the pledge. The bill Graham opposed last week included $60 billion for Ukraine, including $19.85 billion to replenish U.S. military weapons provided from the Pentagons inventory and $13.8 billion to enable Ukraine to purchase weapons and munitions from U.S. industry. It also provided $4.8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region to deter Chinese aggression toward Taiwan. Administration officials have warned senators that Ukraines military supplies have dwindled so much that its forces can fire only one artillery shell for every four fired by Russian forces. NATO responded late last month by signing a $1.2 billion contract to provide tens of thousands of artillery rounds to ease the shortfall. Graham has pointed to his concerns about the border in explaining his stance. But a Republican senator who worked on putting together the defense package said Grahams shifting stance left him and other colleagues spinning, even given those concerns. I dont know what hes doing, because Lindsey is a super smart guy. I dont know whether hes just trying to cover for Trump or what hes doing, but I find it worrisome. Hes just so all over the map. Its worrisome. I dont know what to do, the senator said. The senators who spoke to The Hill requested anonymity to frankly express their frustrations with Graham while not giving him a reason to retaliate against their criticisms. Graham defended his opposition to the bill as a principled stand to pressure President Biden and Democrats to place hard caps on the number of migrants crossing the border, telling colleagues on the floor: The reason Im going to vote no to this package is because Ive been telling people for months now that I want to help Ukraine, I want to help Israel, I want to help Taiwan, but weve got to help ourselves first. He stood his ground during a trip to Eagle Pass, Texas, on Friday. If you come here enough, you learn, and the best people to learn from are the ones who live here every day tasked with doing the job in the local community. So what did I learn? I learned that the Senate bill had some good things in it but was inadequate to the task more than I thought, he told reporters. Basically, they told me that the Senate bill without Remain in Mexico changes things only on the margin, he said, referring to the Trump-era policy of requiring migrants to wait south of the border while their asylum claims are processed. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who worked with Graham in June to secure the commitment from Senate leaders to allow an emergency supplemental to reach the floor, was more diplomatic than her colleagues but admitted she was surprised by his opposition. I was surprised at his vote but he felt very strongly that the border provisions should have been included and were not strong enough as negotiated by the bipartisan group, she said. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who chairs the State Department, Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, expressed surprise and dismay at Grahams votes against funding for Ukraine. Sen. Graham has long been a vocal supporter of Ukraine funding and it is my hope that in the end he will robustly support Ukraine funding, he said. Ive been very surprised at how quickly his positions on border security and national security have shifted, and well have to see how this all turns out. Other senators on both sides of the aisle balked at Grahams explanation for opposing the emergency defense bill when it was initially paired with border security reforms. They noted Graham had admitted the negotiators who crafted the border deal produced a good product on asylum and good stuff on parole. Grahams colleagues who backed the bill thought he should have appreciated the progress made on giving the current and future administrations more power to turn back migrants with illegitimate asylum claims, given his deep experience on immigration policy as a key member of the Gang of Eight, which drafted the Senates comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2013. A second Republican senator who requested anonymity noted that Grahams vote against the bill chafed fellow members of the Appropriations Committee, because he serves as the top Republican on the State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, which is tasked with putting together foreign aid bills. Lindsey gets a pass on so many things because the answer is, Thats just Lindsey. But that doesnt seem like thats a sufficient answer, said the GOP senator. Hes so mercurial. Its annoying. Its tiresome, the lawmaker added. Generally when a person gets to a place, you expect him to stay there. This is out of character for the issues he has championed for a long time, issues that he and [the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)] worked on side by side. Lindseys always been thought of [as] the national defense, military defense, foreign affairs [leader], and hes decided to take different path, the source added. Grahams opposition to the package was so striking that he announced on the Senate floor that he would drop off as the co-leader of bipartisan Senate delegation to a gathering of NATO allies at the Munich Security Conference. His decision to skip the trip tacitly acknowledged the tensions that have built up between the South Carolina senator, who has become a staunch ally of former President Trump, and advocates for backing Ukraine in its two-year war against Russia. Instead of meeting with U.S. allies in Europe to discuss Ukraine, Graham traveled with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to the Texas border. Asked about his decision to skip the Munich conference to visit Eagle Pass, he told reporters: Its where I need to be. I need to be on our border talking about an invasion of our country. Nothings changed regarding me, Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel, he insisted. If Putin wins in Ukraine, I think he keeps going, and you could have a fight with NATO, and China would certainly sees that as a signal of weakness. I get all of that. Grahams trip drew a rebuke from Schumer, who worked closely with him to pass comprehensive immigration reform through the Senate more than 10 years ago. Its very nice that Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are taking a field trip to the border. But their actions speak louder than words, Schumer said in a statement. Graham pushed back on that criticism. Heres what I would say to Schumer and McConnell, he said. If you dont have a House strategy, nothing works. And President Trump came out and said that make the aid a loan, not grant. If thats what it takes to get it through the House, count me in. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rosie Gamp had been diagnosed with breast cancer in November 1999 after finding a lump under her right armpit - PRAETORIAN/E+ A grandmother lived with terminal breast cancer for 21 years after her husband kept the prognosis secret from her. Rosie Gamp, from Edgware in north London, died aged 90 in April 2021 more than two decades after her doctor had told Melvin Gamp, her husband, that the disease would kill her. Mr Gamp, now 95, did not pass the news onto her and instead researched experimental treatment using a now-proven drug that ended up saving her life. I think I did the right thing, he told MailOnline. I dont know if my children think I did the right thing, but I saved everyone a lot of hassle. She had so much suffering around her with her sisters and I think it was the right decision. Cancer spread to lymph nodes Mrs Gamp, a shorthand typist, had been diagnosed with breast cancer in November 1999 after finding a lump under her right armpit. She had successful surgery on the lump but doctors found the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and rang the landline to recommend she start palliative care. I couldnt believe what I was hearing, Mr Gamp said as he recalled picking up the phone. It was a death sentence. I nearly collapsed. When his wife asked who had called, he admitted it was the surgeon but said they did not yet have the results. My head was spinning, but somehow or other, I tried to act as normally as possible, Mr Gamp said. Turned down chemo Mrs Gamp, whose four sisters all died from cancer, eventually underwent surgery to remove the affected lymph nodes and was then offered radiotherapy and chemotherapy. But unaware that her cancer was terminal, she turned down chemo because she did not want to lose her hair before her grandsons bar mitzvah. A worried Mr Gamp then started to research experimental drug trials and found one at Middlesex Hospital offering anastrozole, a hormone therapy drug which has since been proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer developing and returning. The drug, now branded as Arimidex, is now available on the NHS and was taken by Mrs Gamp for the rest of her life. Lived to age 91 Mr Gamp said: The only problem was that yes, it worked, but for how long? A week, month, year? Was it a cure or only for a short-term delay? Every day after commencement of the new tablets was a hurdle. Mrs Gamp would go on to reach 91 and the couples 50th, 60th and finally 67th wedding anniversaries before dying of kidney failure three years ago. Yet the entire family was unaware of how remarkable those milestones were until Mr Gamp confessed to it all during her eulogy. At the eulogy when I said she lived another 21 years, everyone naturally was extremely surprised, Mr Gamp recalled. They didnt know she was supposed to have died 21 years earlier. Unbelievable love he had Oli Gamp, their grandson, added: Many of us didnt know how to react or feel. I think what he did while incredibly risky spoke to the unbelievable love he had for my grandma because he would have done anything to protect her and keep her safe. This was his way of doing that and it paid off. Mr Gamp, who met his future wife in 1951 when he was 22 and she was 21, married in 1953 and enjoyed 67 years as husband and wife. She cheated death by 21 years, during which time she was able to celebrate, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The London stock market is in crisis and a Great British Isa is part of the solution. A total of more than 43bn has been withdrawn from British funds over the past eight years or so. Pension funds are partly to blame: they have cut the percentage of their money that they invest in London-listed shares from 40pc to 4pc since the turn of the century. Last year and the year before saw a worrying acceleration in this trend. Heavily depressed valuations are an inevitable direct consequence. Depressed valuations attract bargain-hunting buyers, with the result that too many fantastic London-listed companies have been taken private too cheaply, preventing investors from benefiting from their long-term compounding potential. Incidentally, this is not simply a problem for stock market investors; it affects the public finances too. Morrisons and Asda, before they were taken over by private equity, contributed 200m in corporation tax every year, according to Peel Hunt, the investment bank; since their acquisition their contribution has been zero. Listed smaller and medium-sized companies in particular have been disappearing. This not only leads to a fall in tax receipts but also has a broader impact on the economy because listed companies need lawyers, auditors, consultants, PR agencies and other advisers. Meanwhile, not enough companies are coming to the stock market to replace those being bought. Last year was the second-worst year for flotations since 1987, according to Deutsche Numis, the broker. The cost of financing for London-listed companies is 23pc higher than for an equivalent company that seeks to sell its shares overseas, according to analysis by Panmure Gordon, the stockbroker, so it is no surprise that British companies look to list elsewhere. A British Isa would help by encouraging savers to put more of their money into UK stocks, as individuals would earn a tax break (on capital gains and dividends) for investing in our home market. This would be a neat solution because it is logical that the British economy should benefit from the tax break provided to savers. Why should the British taxpayer subsidise the cost of capital for Apple and Tesla? Other countries already offer accounts similar to a Great British Isa. Japanese Nisas offer tax exemption on Japanese stocks and funds, the French PEA is for European-listed shares only and money in Italys PIR must be 70pc invested in Italian companies. There is no single solution to turn the tide. However, we believe the British Isa provides the easiest and quickest catalyst. In time it could be supplemented with changes to improve Britains attractiveness as a place to list, as well as potential further reforms to attract more flows into London-listed shares from pension funds or elsewhere. We believe that as a first step the introduction of a Great British Isa in next months Budget would help galvanise flows of money into the London market and generate a shift in sentiment that could reverse the current downward spiral. It is not too late. Anthony Cross and Natalie Bell are fund managers from the Liontrust economic advantage team 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. If former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is going to win, or at least beat expectations against former President Donald Trump in the Feb. 24 First in the South presidential primary, shell need independents to show up and possibly Democratic voters to cross over. And with less than a week to go before the South Carolina GOP primary, groups are stepping up efforts to turnout non-Republicans to the states open primary that allows anyone who didnt vote in the Democratic contest to vote in the Republican nominating contest. Only 131,000 participated in South Carolinas First in the Nation Democratic Primary out of the states 3.2 million registered voters. So far more than 104,000 people have voted early in person or returned an absentee ballot through Saturday, according to the S.C. Election Commission. According to a poll conducted by the Citadel, a majority of voters who plan to vote early in the GOP primary support Haley. The S.C. GOP has estimated about 1 million people may vote in the primary. About 745,000 people voted in the 2016 S.C. GOP presidential primary. Independent voters helped Haley only have an 11-point loss to Trump in New Hampshires GOP primary, which was open to registered Republicans and independents. President Trump is absolutely correct when he says Nikki Haley is relying on liberals and Democrats to infiltrate because thats who she appeals to, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung told ABC News last month ahead of the New Hampshire primary. Haley has said her campaign doesnt ask for someones party affiliation when they come to her events. What we say is do you want something different in our country? Im going to continue doing that. If we get Republicans thats what Im shooting for. I welcome that. If we get independents I welcome that if we get Reagan-Democrats that want to come in, Im gonna take it, Haley told reporters late last month. This is about the fact that we need to make the choices. You can have two 80-year-olds running for president, which 70% of the country doesnt want, or you can say in a general (election) youre given a choice. In a primary you make the choice. As a handful of groups make their pitches to non-Republican voters, the efforts may ultimately be for naught in the ruby red state as both major political parties in the state advocate against the practice. Primary candidate and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley speaks to supporters at Docs Barbeque on Thursday, February, 2024. Super PACs, advocacy groups push for Democrats, independents to cast GOP ballots The latest group to make a veiled attempt at trying to encourage any registered voter to turnout is Stand For America, Inc., an advocacy group founded by Haley. However, Haley is no longer involved with the group. The group has aired an ad at least on CNN that calls anyone registered to vote as a way to end the chaos. Its a subtle message at encouraging participation by independent and Democratic voters. (Are) you sick of washed off failures who wont go away, had enough of the scandals, the insults, the lawsuits and the drama. Tired of the rage filled rants and tweets, ready to make it all go away, the ad says. The ad also does not explicitly mention any particular candidate. Stand For America did not comment on the cost of the ad or its strategy. Super PAC PrimaryPivot is explicitly reaching out to Democratic voters to crossover to the Republican primary. Ahead of the Feb. 3 presidential primary, the left-leaning PrimaryPivot sent a text message to people who voted in the 2020 Democratic primary encouraging them to stay at home and wait until the GOP primary. Since then, the super PAC has promoted early voting in the Republican primary and plans one more text message to voters ahead of Feb. 24. Although many general election polls that ask about a Biden-Haley matchup show Haley doing better than Trump in a 2020 rematch, and PrimaryPivot members arent worried about potentially hurting the presidents reelection chances. I will sleep very well at night if I know there are two candidates that respect democracy and respect our constitution that are running against each other, PrimaryPivot Co-Founder Robert Schwartz said in an interview. Our democracy will be secure and if we spent the last nine years as Democrats saying the most important thing to us is preserving our democracy, and if Donald Trump is a unique threat to our democracy, then we should be trying to stop him at every turn that we can. Would you rather have 100% chance of preserving our democracy, or a 50% coin toss chance of an autocracy in January 2025. Thats how we should be voting, Schwartz added. One group is explicitly targeting independent people who are unlikely voters who may not necessarily show up in polling data. Brian Wynne, an advisor to Independents Moving the Needle, said the group hes working with is targeting 60% of registered voters who dont vote in either major party primary. Theres a huge number of people that stay home and are disinterested in primaries, Wynne said. These voters are not politically engaged and have lower amounts of information about the election and candidates, or just moved into the state recently and are unfamiliar with South Carolinas presidential primary elections, Wynne said. Moving the Needle conducted surveys of unlikely voters and found that Haley was their preferred candidate in the Republican primary, Wynne said. Wynne said the group estimates South Carolina has about 1 million people who could vote for Haley, who normally wouldnt in a primary if they were motivated to go to the polls. Moving the Needle is using mail, digital advertising, influencers, and an LED truck traveling around the state to deliver its messages. We dont need to make a case to these people you should support Nikki Haley, because by and large theyll do that on their own, we just need to convince these people to show up, Wynne said. Independent Moving the Needle, a super PAC backing former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haleys presidential campaign, has had an LED truck traveling around the state to encourage independents to vote in the Feb. 24 S.C. GOP primary against former President Donald Trump. Parties against the crossover voting Both major political parties in the state have spoken out against crossover voting. The state Republican Partys platform has called for voter registration by party and closing the primaries to only people who are registered. The party also has an advisory question on the presidential primary ballot asking if registration by party should be allowed in the state. The state Democratic Party also has encouraged its voters not to participate in the GOP primary and ran a voter turnout campaign for its First in the Nation primary. In an email to Democratic Party supporters, Executive Director Jay Parmley reminded party members of a Democratic National Committee rule in place for people to participate in county conventions in March, where county party leadership is elected. No one who votes in the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary can participate in our county conventions, Parmley wrote. Attending these conventions is the best way to engage with fellow Democrats and shape the future of our party. But efforts to encourage Democratic and independent voters to participate in the GOP primary may not prove to be successful. The South Carolina Republican Party has said crossover voting does occur, but not to a high enough level to sway a result. Trump has a large lead in the latest polls, with recent surveys having the former presidents lead at 33 percentage points or higher. An Insider Advantage Poll showed Trump leading Haley 60% to 38%, a margin closer than other polling outfits. Her numbers are a bit stronger than expected due to a robust, but under reported, effort by PACs and others to recruit Democrats who did not participate in the Democratic primary, along with independents, to vote in the GOP contest, Insider Advantages Matt Towery said in a news release. Our survey indicates that this effort may have some impact but will be unlikely provide any major boost for Haley. Rep. Quang Nguyen of Prescott Valley says his experience fleeing Vietnam as a child makes him value the Second Amendment. A Prescott Republican lawmaker warned over the weekend that Arizona could see a crackdown on guns should Democrats win control of the Legislature this fall. He said it like thats a bad thing. Rep. Quang Nguyen was attending a gun rights rally on Saturday, just three days after gunmen transformed a Kansas City Chiefs victory parade into a shooting gallery, killing a mother of two and wounding 22 others, more than half of them children. His comments came just a day after seven people were shot to death in Alabama, including four men at a neighborhood car wash But just hours before two Minneapolis police officers and a firefighter were killed by a man who had barricaded himself inside his home with his wife and seven children. "I'm telling you right now, if for some reason we lose the House and Senate and the Ninth Floor (Governors Office), I guarantee you, you wouldn't be able to walk around with your firearm," Nguyen said, during the 11th Annual Celebrate & Protect Second Amendment Rally at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza. "Your rights to keep and bear arms will be taken away from you in a flash." No one can or will come take your guns away Of course, your right to keep and bear arms would not be taken away in a flash. No president, no Congress not even those dreaded Democrats in the Arizona Legislature can take away your Second Amendment right to bear arms. The U.S. Supreme Court long ago ruled that our right to bear arms is protected. But in writing that landmark 2008 decision, the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia noted, Like most rights, the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose, he wrote. But that won't stop Republicans using unfounded fears Which is likely why U.S. Andy Biggs was there at the weekend gunfest, sounding the alarm that Marxist goons will soon be pounding on your door and demanding your Uzi should Republicans lose control of Congress. "Let me tell you what right the hard left the Marxist Democrats in Congress want to do they want to take away your gun rights," Biggs warned. Your right to own a gun? Naah. (Im surprised that Rep. Biggs doesnt know the Supreme Court already settled this.) But how about we elect people who at long last will try to do something to protect innocents whose only crime was going to meet their congresswoman or seeing a movie or attending first grade or celebrating a Super Bowl win? Because reducing gun violence has no merit, is that it? People who died because they went to work or to a outdoor country music concert or to high school? Or to church or a synagogue or to get groceries on a Saturday morning? How about we finally elect a Legislature that would enact a red-flag law to at least try to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill? Or one that would require a background check before you can buy a gun in Arizona? How about we finally elect a Legislature that would strengthen laws to try to disarm domestic abusers before they shoot their so-called loved ones? Or one that would ban the sale of large-capacity magazines in a long-overdue effort to at least slow large-capacity carnage that has become a fixture of life in America? Putting guns ahead of Arizonans, what odd strategy Instead, we have a Legislature that has declared Arizona a sanctuary for guns, that is. Not people. One that is currently hard at work on a bill to arm college coeds. One where Republicans are now clinging to control of both the House and Senate, with a bare one-majority in each chamber. I can see why Rep. Nguyen would be sounding the alarm. Can you imagine, a Legislature that might have the audacity to address the epidemic of gun violence in this country? Oh, the horror. Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerlyTwitter, at @LaurieRoberts or on Threads at laurierobertsaz. Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gun reform if Democrats win the Arizona Legislature? Oh, the horror Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Monday called former President Trump weak in the knees on dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin, pointing to his silence in the wake of Alexei Navalnys death which many world leaders have blamed on Putin. Not at all, Haley said in a Monday interview on Fox Newss Fox & Friends when asked by Steve Doocy whether she and Trump were on the same page when it comes to Russia. I mean its amazing to me how weak in the knees he is when it comes to Putin. Because you look at the fact, he has yet to say anything about Navalnys death, Haley continued, quickly adding, Putin murdered him. Its what he does to his political opponents. Haley said Trump should be focusing more on global threats to U.S. security and instead, she said, he doesnt talk about anything. All he does is go on late-night rants talking about his court cases. And, Steve, thats the problem. We have Russia sitting there doing things. Theyre now surrounding the Baltics, which, if they go in and invade the Baltics, that those are NATO countries, Haley said. That puts America at war. We have to prevent war. The focus we need to have is, how do we protect Americans? How do we prevent war? How do we get the border secure? How do we get our economy back on track? Not his personal grievances. Navalny, the high-profile Russian opposition leader, died in prison Friday, according to the Russian Federal Prison Service, which said Navalnys death came after he lost consciousness following a walk. He was serving a 19-year sentence in the highest-security level prison near the Arctic Circle on charges of extremism, which Navalny and U.S. officials have dismissed as politically motivated. The news sparked concerns of foul play from world leaders across the globe, and Haley is among the many public figures who have blamed Navalnys death on Putin. At a press conference on Friday, President Biden said, Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalnys death. Putin is responsible. What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putins brutality. No one should be fooled, adding that, while it was unclear what exactly precipitated the death on Friday, it certainly was a consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did. Shortly after Haleys interview on Fox News, Trump posted publicly on his Truth Social platform about Navalnys death, tying the tragedy to his political grievances in the United States. The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our Country. It is a slow, steady progression, with CROOKED, Radical Left Politicians, Prosecutors, and Judges leading us down a path to destruction. Open Borders, Rigged Elections, and Grossly Unfair Courtroom Decisions are DESTROYING AMERICA. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE, A FAILING NATION! MAGA2024, Trump wrote. In response to Haleys interview, a spokesperson for Trump said in an emailed statement to The Hill, using Trumps nickname for his primary opponent, Nikki Birdbrain Haley is a loser who is boasting about taking 12 fellas down when she can even win one state in this election. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Nikki Haley pinned the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, warning that soft words against Russia could encourage Russian aggression. Navalnys death in a Russian prison was announced Friday and quickly denounced by Putin critics and the Biden administration as a likely political assassination. When you look at what Putin has done, we have to remember, Russia is not our friend. If Putins mouth is open, he is lying, she said Sunday at a Fox News town hall moderated by John Roberts. Putin knows exactly what he did with Navalny. You look at that situation, this is what he always does. He murders his political opponents. He arrests American journalists and holds them hostage, and he has made no bones about the fact that he wants to destroy America. Russian officials told Navalnys family that he died of sudden death syndrome. Nobody has been able to see Navalnys body or perform an independent investigation into his death. Haley also criticized GOP rival former President Trump for his previous comments praising Putin and recent remarks saying he would encourage Russia to go after NATO allies that dont pay their share. The former South Carolina governor called the NATO comments damaging and called on Trump to be harder on Russia. The best thing we can do with Russia is let them know were on to them, and make sure that they know well hold them to account on anything they do, she said. And that includes hurting our allies. Russia is actually very intimidated by NATO. Chinas intimidated by NATO, she continued. But the one thing we dont do is we dont leave our brothers and sisters who make us strong. We dont separate ourselves from our friends in the name of trying to appease an enemy. Haley said that Trumps message encouraging NATO allies to increase their funding of the organization was the right thing to do, but the wrong way to do it. We should make sure we tell our partners its in their best interests and in the alliances best interest to pull their own weight, she said. And we should make them do that, but theres a way to do it the right way, and theres a way to do it the wrong way and the way Trump did it. Haley and Trump are set to face off in the South Carolina presidential primary on Saturday. Trump holds a 32-point lead in Palmetto State polls, according to a polling average maintained by The Hill/Decision Desk HQ. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said late Sunday that, if elected to the White House, she would pardon former President Trump if hes convicted of a federal crime. Asked the question directly by an audience member at a Fox News town hall in South Carolina, where she once served as governor, Haley said a pardon would be in the countrys best interest so Americans can work to leave the negativity behind without being further divided. If youre talking about pardoning Trump, its not a matter of innocence or guilt at that point, because that means he would have already been found guilty, Haley said at the town hall, hosted by John Roberts. I believe, in the best interest of bringing the country together, I would pardon Donald Trump. Because I think its important for the country to move on. Weve got to leave the negativity and the baggage behind, she added. I dont want this country divided any further. I dont think its in the best interests for America to have an 80-year-old president sitting in jail and having everybody upset about it. I think this would be the time that we would need to move forward and get this out of the way. Trump currently faces four criminal indictments, including two on the federal level brought by special counsel Jack Smith one related to his alleged efforts to stay in power after losing the 2020 election and another for allegedly willfully retaining national security information and obstructing efforts by the federal government to retrieve the document. Despite his legal challenges, Trump remains the partys front-runner; in the latest national polling average from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, Trump led Haley by 62.9 percentage points, 79.1 percent to Haleys 16.2 percent. Haleys comments come one week before the South Carolina GOP primary, slated to be held Saturday. Trumps lead in South Carolina is narrower than his national lead, according to the primary polling average. He leads by 31.8 percentage points, 64.3 percent to Haleys 32.5 percent. Haley has previously been asked about the possibility of a presidential pardon a step taken by President Ford following President Nixons resignation in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Fords controversial pardon applied to all offenses that Nixon has committed or may have committed, according to the language used at the time. In January, Haley said she would not consider a preemptive pardon for Trump but would issue a pardon if he were found guilty. I think you only do it if someones found guilty. So, you know, what Ill say is this is about moving the country forward, and the last thing we want to see is an 80-year-old former president sitting in jail, she said on Fox News when asked if she would pledge to pardon Trump preemptively or only if he was found guilty. Instead, we want to say, OK, how do we put the past behind us and move forward as a country? And I think that by pardoning him, that absolutely would move the country forward, instead of dividing it further. And so I think you always have to look at whats in the best interests of the country, she added. Updated at 9:35 a.m. ET For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By an anonymous summons, an attempt has been made to convene you togetherhow inconsistent with the rules of propriety! how unmilitary! and how subversive of all order and disciplinelet the good sense of the Army decide. In the moment of this summons, another anonymous production was sent into circulation; addressed more to the feelings [and] passions, than to the reason [and] judgment of the Army. The Author of the piece, is entitled to much credit for the goodness of his Pen: and I could wish he had as much credit for the rectitude of his Heartfor, as Men see thro different Optics, and are induced by the reflecting faculties of the Mind, to use different means to attain the same end; the Author of the Address, should have had more charity, than to mark for Suspicion, the Man who should recommend Moderation and longer forbearanceor, in other words, who should not think as he thinks, and act as he advises. But he had another plan in view, in which candor and liberality of Sentiment, regard to justice, and love of Country, have no part; and he was right, to insinuate the darkest suspicion, to effect the blackest designs. That the Address is drawn with great art, and is designed to answer the most insidious purposes. That it is calculated to impress the Mind, with an idea of premeditated injustice in the Sovereign power of the United States, and rouse all those resentments which must unavoidably flow from such a belief. That the secret Mover of this Scheme (whoever he may be) intended to take advantage of the passions, while they were warmed by the recollection of past distresses, without giving time for cool, deliberative thinking, [and] that composure of Mind which is so necessary to give dignity [and] stability to measures, is rendered too obvious, by the mode of conducting the business, to need other proof than a reference to the proceeding. Thus much, Gentlemen, I have thought it incumbent on me to observe to you, to shew upon what principles I opposed the irregular and hasty meeting which was proposed to have been held on Tuesday last: and not because I wanted a disposition to give you every opportunity, consistent with your own honor, and the dignity of the Army, to make known your grievances. If my conduct heretofore, has not evinced to you, that I have been a faithful friend to the Army; my declaration of it at this time wd be equally unavailing [and] improperBut as I was among the first who embarked in the cause of our common CountryAs I have never left your side one moment, but when called from you, on public dutyAs I have been the constant companion [and] witness of your Distresses, and not among the last to feel, [and] acknowledge your MeritsAs I have ever considered my own Military reputation as inseperably connected with that of the ArmyAs my Heart has ever expanded wth joy, when I have heard its praisesand my indignation has arisen, when the Mouth of detraction has been opened against itit can scarcely be supposed, at this late stage of the War, that I am indifferent to its interests. Buthow are they to be promoted? The way is plain, says the anonymous AddresserIf War continues, remove into the unsettled Countrythere establish yourselves, and leave an ungrateful Country to defend itselfBut who are they to defend? Our Wives, our Children, our Farms and other property which we leave behind us. orin this state of hostile seperation, are we to take the two first (the latter cannot be removed) to perish in a Wilderness, with hunger cold [and] nakedness? If Peace takes place, never sheath your Sword says he untill you have obtained full and ample Justicethis dreadful alternative, of either deserting our Country in the extremest hour of her distress, or turning our Army against it, (which is the apparent object, unless Congress can be compelled into an instant compliance) has something so shocking in it, that humanity revolts at the idea. My God! What can this Writer have in view, by recommending such measures? Can he be a friend to the Army? Can he be a friend to this Country? Rather, is he not an insidious Foe? Some Emissary, perhaps, from New York, plotting the ruin of both, by sowing the seeds of discord [and] seperation between the Civil [and] Military powers of the Continent? And what a Compliment does he pay to our understandings, when he recommends measures in either alternative, impracticable in their nature? But here, Gentlemen, I will drop the curtain; because it wd be as imprudent in me to assign my reasons for this opinion, as it would be insulting to your conception, to suppose you stood in need of them. A moments reflection will convince every dispassionate Mind of the physical impossibility of carrying either proposal into execution. There might, Gentlemen, be an impropriety in my taking notice, in this Address to you, of an anonymous productionbut the manner in which that performance has been introduced to the Armythe effect it was intended to have, together with some other circumstances, will amply justify my observations on the tendency of that Writing. With respect to the advice given by the Authorto suspect the Man, who shall recommend moderate measures and longer forbearanceI spurn itas every Man, who regards that liberty, [and] reveres that Justice for which we contend, undoubtedly mustfor if Men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind; reason is of no use to usthe freedom of Speech may be taken awayand, dumb [and] silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter. I cannot, in justice to my own belief, [and] what I have great reason to conceive is the intention of Congress, conclude this Address, without giving it as my decided opinion; that that Honble Body, entertain exalted sentiments of the Services of the Army; and, from a full conviction of its Merits [and] sufferings, will do it compleat Justice: That their endeavors, to discover [and] establish funds for this purpose, have been unwearied, and will not cease, till they have succeeded, I have not a doubt. But, like all other large Bodies, where there is a variety of different Interests to reconcile, their deliberations are slow. Why then should we distrust them? and, in consequence of that distrust, adopt measures, which may cast a shade over that glory which, has been so justly acquired; and tarnish the reputation of an Army which is celebrated thro all Europe, for its fortitude and Patriotism? and for what is this done? to bring the object we seek for nearer? No! most certainly, in my opinion, it will cast it at a greater distance. For myself (and I take no merit in giving the assurance, being induced to it from principles of gratitude, veracity [and] justice)a grateful sence of the confidence you have ever placed in mea recollection of the Chearful assistance, [and] prompt obedience I have experienced from you, under every vicisitude of Fortune, and the sincere affection I feel for an Army, I have so long had the honor to Command, will oblige me to declare, in this public [and] solemn manner, that, in the attainment of compleat justice for all your toils [and] dangers, and in the gratification of every wish, so far as may be done consistently with the great duty I owe my Country, and those powers we are bound to respect, you may freely command my services to the utmost of my abilities. While I give you these assurances, and pledge my self in the most unequivocal manner, to exert whatever ability I am possesed of, in your favorlet me entreat you, Gentlemen, on your part, not to take any measures, which, viewed in the calm light of reason, will lessen the dignity, [and] sully the glory you have hitherto maintainedlet me request you to rely on the plighted faith of your Country, and place a full confidence in the purity of the intentions of Congress; that, previous to your dissolution as an Army they will cause all your Accts to be fairly liquidated, as directed in their resolutions, which were published to you two days agoand that they will adopt the most effectual measures in their power, to render ample justice to you, for your faithful and meritorious Services. And let me conjure you, in the name of our common Countryas you value your own sacred honoras you respect the rights of humanity, [and] as you regard the Military [and] national character of America, to express your utmost horror [and] detestation of the Man who wishes, under any specious pretences, to overturn the liberties of our Country, [and] who wickedly attempts to open the flood Gates of Civil discord, [and] deluge our rising Empire in Blood. By thus determining[and] thus acting, you will pursue the plain [and] direct Road to the attainment of your wishes. You will defeat the insidious designs of our Enemies, who are compelled to resort from open force to secret Artifice. You will give one more distinguished proof of unexampled patriotism [and] patient virtue, rising superior to the pressure of the most complicated sufferings; And you will, by the dignity of your Conduct, afford occasion for Posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to man kind, had this day been wanting, the World had never seen the last stage of perfection to which human nature is capable of attaining. Headteachers will be told to search pupils for mobile phones as part of a government ban on the devices in schools. Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, said phones were an unwanted distraction in the classroom and banishing them would reduce disruption and improve behaviour. In guidance to be published on Monday, headteachers will be given four options on how to implement the ban, with the most severe being a prohibition on mobile phones on school property, meaning children will have to leave their phones at home. Other options include making pupils hand in their phones at the door, put them away in lockers all day, or a never used, seen or heard policy under which they can keep them but could have them confiscated if they use them. Headteachers are also encouraged to search children and their bags if they believe they are carrying a mobile phone under existing legal powers. Gillian Keegan said we are giving our hard-working teachers the tools to take action - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu/Getty Images Ms Keegan said: Schools are places for children to learn and mobile phones are, at a minimum, an unwanted distraction in the classroom. We are giving our hard-working teachers the tools to take action to help improve behaviour and to allow them to do what they do best teach. The guidance comes after Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered trans teenager Brianna Ghey, called for mobile phones to be specifically made so that under-16s cannot access harmful content. Last week, the father of Molly Russell, who killed herself after seeing self-harm and suicide images online, joined her to demand tougher action to crack down on social media. In England, it is up to individual heads to decide their own policies on mobile phones and whether they should be banned. Many have already introduced prohibitions. Katharine Birbalsingh, the leader of Michaela Community School in north London, who is known as Britains strictest headteacher, requires children to put phones into a locker when they get to school. The guidance, which is non-statutory, instructs headteachers on how to ban the use of phones not only during lessons but during break and lunch periods as well. It makes clear that headteachers, or staff they authorise, have a statutory power to search a pupil or their possessions where they have reasonable grounds to suspect that the pupil is in possession of a prohibited item. It says: Headteachers can and should identify mobile phones and similar devices as something that may be searched for in their school behaviour policy. Least advantaged suffer most Tom Bennett, who advises the Department for Education on behaviour, said: Mobile phones may be ubiquitous, but we have a strong and growing understanding of how damaging they can be for a childs social and educational development. And its the least advantaged who suffer most. Many schools already have some kind of policy on phones, but this guidance provides a clear steer for everyone, including parents, about whats right and whats not for the wellbeing of the child. By the age of 12, 97 per cent of children have their own mobile phone, according to Ofcom. Experts say using mobile phones in schools can lead to online bullying, distraction and classroom disruption which, in turn, can lead to lost learning time. Last year, Unesco called for smartphones to be banned from schools as evidence showed it was linked to reduced educational performance and that excessive screen time had a negative impact on childrens wellbeing. Official data show that 29 per cent of secondary school pupils reported mobile phones being used when not supposed to. The move will bring England in line with steps taken by other countries who have restricted mobile phone use including France, Italy and Portugal. Ms Keegan announced that the Government planned to ban mobile phones in schools at the Conservative party conference last year. The guidance gives headteachers four ways to ban phones. The first is No mobile phones on the school premises, under which phones must be left at home or with parents. The second is mobile phone handed in on arrival, giving pupils access to their mobile phones before and after school. They can then be collected at the end of the school day. The third is mobile phones kept in secure location such as lockers and the last is described as never used, seen or heard, under which pupils can keep their phones only on the strict condition that they are never used, seen or heard with consequences for breaching this such as confiscation. Last night the Association of School and College Leaders said it did not expect the new guidance to have any discernible effect. Geoff Barton, its general secretary, said that the compulsive use of devices was not happening in schools but while children are out of school. Non-policy for a non-problem He said: Most schools already forbid the use of mobile phones during the school day or allow their use only in limited and stipulated circumstances. We have lost count of the number of times that ministers have now announced a crackdown on mobile phones in schools. It is a non-policy for a non-problem. The Government would be far better off putting its energies into bringing to heel the online platforms via which children are able to access disturbing and extreme content. 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. Ben Davis lives in Walnut Hill, a rural area about an hour north of Pensacola. Normally the distance to town isnt an issue, until Davis had a heart attack over a year ago and his wife called 9-1-1 for help. Escambia County has an ambulance stationed a few miles from Davis house, as well as one in Century, but on this day they waited and worried when emergency help was slow in coming. After about 10 minutes time they didnt show up, said Davis. I told her to call them back. I said I need some help and she called them back and the woman goes, They just come past Ten Mile Road and that's when my wife said, My God, he'll be dead by the time they get here, because we're a good 45 minutes away from there. Firefighters arrived a short time later and called for life flight, which carried Davis to the hospital where he recovered. Still, hes concerned about slower emergency response times for himself and his neighbors in the northern end of Escambia County. Ben Davis points out an air ambulance's landing zone on the long rural road in front of their Walnut Hill home on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Davis nearly lost his life 15 months ago after what he said was a lengthy delay by ambulance crews. Davis is one of several people who recently spoke about the issue at a town hall meeting held by Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. Josh Edwards also spoke. He lives in Century, next door to his parents. About a week ago, he got a call from his mom that his dad had fallen across the fireplace hearth and was hurt and needed emergency help. Edwards left work in Brewton, Alabama, and got to his parents house about half an hour later, where they were still waiting for an ambulance. I was like, Why isnt the ambulance here? They weren't sure if the ambulances were both out on calls, or if they were doing transfers down to Pensacola, which volunteer firefighters there that night said this is ongoing issue. Edwards told Barry it was another 20 minutes before firefighters on scene decided to call life flight, but the helicopter couldnt come due to weather. Thats when they called for an ambulance from Atmore, Alabama, which took Edwards dad to the hospital where he was treated for several broken ribs, a busted back, and a punctured lung. Its absolutely ridiculous that he had to wait that long on the floor before anybody got there, said Edwards. Weve got to do something about this north end of the county. Its like were the red-headed step-child, whether its law enforcement, EMS, whatever it is, everybody has had enough. Retired Escambia EMS administrative supervisor, Susie Davis, lives in Walnut Hill and also spoke at the town hall meeting. She said EMS is prioritizing transfer calls that pay over emergency 911 calls. Its an ongoing issue, Davis told Barry. Century was pulled the other day with no coverage sent up, so that area stayed without coverage for over seven hours. We have an elderly community up there. I myself have a heart condition. If I call for a helicopter because theres no ambulance available and my insurance doesnt deem that its medically necessary, then I have to pay for that helicopter. My insurance wont cover it. Barry expressed his sympathy over the incidents and the fear and concern residents have. He said it was an issue he thought had been addressed by county and EMS management last summer when it was brought to Barrys attention that ambulances were being pulled from the north end to run calls, including transfers, in other parts of Escambia County. If theyre running a call for a resident in that community and theyre gone, thats understandable, said Barry, but being pulled to town to run calls and then getting one call and its the first call youve had all day and theres no one there to respond, thats the part thats unacceptable. County Administrator, EMS says transfer complaints arent 'corroborated' Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno said he has been looking into the complaints about ambulance response times. While he did not deny the lengthy response time, Moreno said GPS data the county monitors on each ambulance showed ambulances were in the area during the times Davis and Edwards said there were delays. I have not been able to corroborate for those days that there was not an ambulance there, said Moreno. I'm not trying to work against anybody, but the data is the data, and you know if we have an issue, I'm happy to work through it. When they go on a call, they're not there, especially if they have to transport down to one of the hospitals here. There is a time frame when they're not there for that reason, but as far as just not being there, I was not able to corroborate that. Earlier this month the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (IAEP) Local 325, EMS professionals with Escambia County EMS (ECEMS), delivered a vote of "no confidence" in EMS Chief David Torsell and Deputy Chief Christopher Stephens to the Escambia Board of County Commissioners. The union president wrote commissioners that leadership is prioritizing inter-facility transfer calls, like moving patients from a freestanding emergency room to a hospital, over responding to 9-1-1 calls and its slowing down response times in some cases. Other issues included employees working excessively long shifts back-to-back and facing retaliatory action from management, such as being written up, if they complain. The union said overall the problems are creating a toxic environment. Escambia County Emergency Medical Services provided this statement to the News Journal in response to the union letter. Escambia County EMS remains committed to serving the citizens of Escambia County and working diligently to continue to enhance public safety in our community, the statement said. It is important to note that the views expressed by IAEP Local 325 do not reflect those of Escambia County, and many of the allegations in the letter are misleading, false, and based on opinion rather than fact. Escambia County and EMS leadership are aware of challenges with high call volumes and staffing levels, and we are working diligently to address those challenges with increased staffing and new ambulances. County leadership will work with staff to address any other issues internally and continue to ensure that the safety of our citizens remains Escambia Countys top priority. Moreno said he has been looking into those issues, as well, and finds, for the most part, their complaints are unfounded. He said the county needs to do a better job of making sure emergency responders get off work on time and that when theyre busy, which they often are, there are better food options and steps taken to improve morale. However, he said the supervisors and other public safety employees he spoke with support management, and he doesnt believe there is a toxic work environment. The county administrator also has doubts about how many union members actually supported the vote of no confidence. Local 325 President Chad Stimmell doesn't put much stock in that feedback. He said Moreno is picking and choosing who he wants to hear from within the department and that supervisors are likely to tell the county administrator what he wants to hear. Stimmell said at least 35 union members voted in-person to deliver the vote of "no confidence" in Torsell and Stephens, enough to pass as a majority vote. He said only one union member voted against it. Moreno also said people can rely on Escambia Countys ambulance service, that they arent prioritizing transfer calls over 911 calls and that without transfer revenue, some people wouldnt have a job. We added 18 new positions into the budget this year, nine EMTs and nine paramedics, Moreno said, adding he thinks the complaints are from a few disgruntled employees. I feel like some of them are being held more accountable than they would like to be and this is their way of trying to get rid of the folks and hold them accountable. Your job is to come in and run an ambulance. That's all you have to do. Stimmell said Moreno's attitude is similar to what staff experience from management and proves the union leader's point. "Hes beating his chest and talking about past members and how we just need to do our jobs and we don't know what we're talking about and we're this, that and the other," said Stimmell. " So, if he's doing it, why would it be so far-fetched that Torsell and Stevens are and the road supervisors? We do want to just show up and do our job and go home. We don't want to get stuck there for 15, 16, 17 hours and we don't want to be yelled at by our supervisors, and we don't want to be accused of lying about how much fuel is in the truck. We want to show up and go home." Stimmell said the county reached out to him and scheduled a meeting between the union and the county administrator on Tuesday. "I think the county has taken a stance. I don't know why that's going to change, but we're going in there open minded," said Stimmell. "We're going to lay our problems on the table and see what we can discuss and figure out and and go from there." Residents call county explanation 'lip service' Some residents are still frustrated. They feel county leaders are paying lip-service and making excuses while the problems continue. Are there just not enough ambulances, not enough workers? Why are they being pulled to Pensacola, when theyre needed here, asked a woman at the town hall meeting. Barry responded, I dont know, adding he thought the issue had been addressed and would continue to take it up with EMS and the county administrator. Edwards and Davis both stand by what happened to them. "Its not a good situation when you dont know if youre going to live or die and theres nobody there to help you," Davis said at the town hall. This Wes (Moreno) guy basically said that me and Ben Davis, in so many words, that we were not telling the truth about the situation because they have documents of where each ambulance was and each date and this and that. Well, show me, said Edwards. Don't call me a liar. I'm not making that up. That's the last thing in the world I would make up is an emergency situation especially with some of my relatives. Its a mess up here and it's an election year. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Escambia County faces backlash over slow response to 911 calls Milwaukee has more than 75 distinct neighborhoods. Home to about 7,000 residents and surrounded by budding business corridors is Washington Heights one of the most historic neighborhoods in Milwaukee. Where is Washington Heights? Located on the west side of Milwaukee, Washington Heights' northern boundary is West North Avenue and its southern boundary is West Vliet Street. This embedded content is not available in your region. The neighborhood's western boundary is North 60th Street, which also marks the beginning of Wauwatosa's Washington Highlands. The eastern edge is North 47th Street, and just east of that is Highway 175, which may be converted to boulevard, and divides the neighborhood from Milwaukee's Washington Park. Much of Washington Heights is old farmland The area's earliest nonindigenous civilization in the Washington Heights area began in 1835. George Dousman, a Michigan fur trader's son was part of the first wave of European settlement that same year. He settled his family farm on much of what Washington Heights is today. Dousman and his son, George P., continued to hold much of the land until the 1890s when he and his neighbors began to sell parcels to developers. This happened about the same time that the Milwaukee Park Commission Board hired Frederick Law Olmsted to design West Park what is now Washington Park. Rainbow over North 52nd Street in Milwaukee's Washington Heights neighborhood. Nearly all of the homes that still currently stand in Washington Heights were constructed between 1910 and 1930. A number of prominent families owned homes in the area, including the Harleys and Davidsons of motorcycle fame. As the neighborhood developed, the Germans built three churches, St. Sebastians Parish, Mount Olive Lutheran and St. James Lutheran. A smaller Jewish community built a synagogue, Congregation Beth El. The Rev. Mike Schleider makes an announcement to begin the annual Washington Heights Easter Egg Hunt at Mount Olive Lutheran Church on April 8, 2023, in Milwaukee. By 1924, the boundaries of the City of Milwaukee were extended west to North 60th Street. The current set of map boundaries was established by the neighborhood association. According to Richard "Rocky" Marcoux, Milwaukee's longest-serving city development commissioner, Washington Heights had many attempts at establishing a neighborhood association, but finally the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association was formed in 1989. There were two separate efforts in the 1990s and mid-2000s by residents to improve the neighborhood and its homes as Realtors began to be concerned with status of the neighborhood as one of the most sought-after places to live. Where to eat, drink and hang out in Washington Heights? Washington Heights, which is mostly a residential area, has budding business districts on both its northern and southern end. "I love that the Heights is bookended by North Avenue and Vliet (Street)," said Sabrina Eder, president of the neighborhood association. "These budding business districts that continue to have growth and new businesses open up." Storefronts along West North Avenue in Milwaukee's Washington Heights. Eder said the walkability of the neighborhood makes it possible for residents to get to restaurants and shops along the prominent Milwaukee streets. Many of the businesses along these corridors are owned by people who live in Washington Heights. There are two main coffee shops in the neighborhood, along the southern edge is Valentine Coffee Co. at 5918 W. Vliet St. On the northern edge is Vennture Brew Co. at 5519 W. North Ave. Valentine Coffee Co. and Times Cinema on Vliet Street are two staples in Milwaukee's Washington Heights neighborhood. Many bars and pubs are in the neighborhood, including Neighborhood Draft at 5921 W. Vliet St. and McBob's Pub & Grill at 4919 W. North Ave. a Milwaukee staple known for its corned beef. There is also Charles E. Fromage at 5811 W. Vliet St. For a hefty serving of barbecue, check out Heavens Table BBQ at 5507 W. North Ave., while frozen custard lovers can go to Fred's Frozen Custard & Grill at 4726 W. Vliet St., which has been around since 1967. For pizza, Wy'east Pizza at 5601 W. Vliet St. is a popular choice. What is unique about Washington Heights? Washington Heights has many of its residents involved in the area's events and the residents strive to get to know each other. "We are a small town within a large city, and each block is its own community," said Heidi Steeno, vice president of the neighborhood association. "Having lived many other places in the state of Wisconsin, I've never experienced the neighborliness the Heights offers." People look at the offerings from local artists on Sept. 13, 2020, at the Washington Heights Front Yard Pop-Up art and music community festival in the 1700-1800 block of North 52nd Street. Many Washington Heights residents have been in the neighborhood for 20 to 40 years. Eder said there are different generations of families that were raised in the Heights, from children to grandchildren, who attend one of the many public and private schools in the neighborhood. The residents often invest in their homes. "What is really special, is people are continuing to reinvest in their homes by updating them," Eder said, adding that residents often ask for recommendations on contractors or painters. "So you know that people really care about their homes," she said. Likely the event that is most unique to Washington Heights is its nighttime trick-or-treating event it has every year called Spooktacular. When the neighborhood association sponsored a Halloween party at Hi Mount School in 1991, the event included nighttime trick-or-treating. It was the first time a City of Milwaukee neighborhood had nighttime trick-or-treating in over 25 years. Nighttime trick-or-treating in Washington Heights is the longest running nighttime Halloween event in Milwaukee. The event was such a success it became an annual event, sparking other neighborhoods to take notice and bring back nighttime trick-or-treating. Washington Heights has the longest running nighttime trick-or-treating in Milwaukee. Washington Heights is also home to two of the city's independently owned children's bookstores Rooted MKE at 5312 W. Vliet St., which is a BIPOC children's bookstore, and Rainbow Booksellers at 5704 W. Vliet St. The side of the building that houses Rainbow Booksellers features a mural called The Heights Dream Library and has many created book titles named by nearby residents. The Heights Dream Library is on the side of a building that houses Rainbow Booksellers in Milwaukee's Washington Heights. "They're not books that exist. They're books that people would dream about finding," said the building's owner, Dan Schley. Schley said the mural has become a staple in the community. "There's been people taking wedding shots in front of it. There's been people taking baby bump photos in front of it," he said. The mural was painted by artist Fred Kaems, a Washington Heights resident, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020. Bastille Days, the popular downtown Milwaukee festival celebrating all things French, also has a west side adaption of the festival in Washington Heights called Bastille Day West. Two noted painters lived in Washington Heights, Karl Priebe and John Wilde, and two former mayors of Milwaukee have lived in the neighborhood, Henry Maier and Tom Barrett. This research comes from previous Journal Sentinel coverage, John Gurda's "Milwaukee, City of Neighborhoods," and Urban Anthropology Inc. New to the neighborhood? Heres how to access Milwaukee services Washington Heights is in the 10th Aldermanic District. Contact your alderperson and find news about the district at city.milwaukee.gov/CommonCouncil/CouncilMembers/District10. Washington Heights falls within Police District 3. Public meetings take place at the district station, located at 2333 N. 49th St. Visit city.milwaukee.gov/police/districts/District-3 for more information. Find your garbage and recycling schedule at city.milwaukee.gov/sanitation/GarbageRecyclingSchedules. Learn how to register to vote and find your polling place at city.milwaukee.gov/election/Voter-Info. Need to borrow tools for a home improvement project? Check out the citys Tool Loan Center, 2500 W. Capitol Drive. More details at bit.ly/MKE_ToolLoan. Want to get emailed updates about police activity, new development and more in your neighborhood? Sign up for the citys e-notify system at city.milwaukee.gov/News-Events/enotify. Tell us about your Milwaukee neighborhood. We want to hear from you! What makes your Milwaukee neighborhood special to you? Do you have any photos in the neighborhood you'd like to share? Share more at bit.ly/MKE_Neighborhoods. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A guide to Milwaukee's Washington Heights neighborhood After almost nine months without a representative on the Del Valle school board, residents in District 2 will have a trustee representing their area after a majority of the board agreed Thursday to appoint Damian Pantoja, who previously held the seat. The 5-3 vote came down after months of failed attempts by the board to agree on a new board member for the seat, which became vacant due to a homestead tax exemption within another district that Pantoja said he unintentionally filed. After interviewing three candidates for the District 2 seat during a closed session Thursday night, the eight board members, in a split vote in open session, appointed Pantoja, returning him to his position. More: Del Valle school trustee claims homestead exemption in Austin, triggers ouster from office The Del Valle school board normally operates with nine members, though it had only had eight while the District 2 seat remained unfilled. Board President Rebecca Birch and members Richard Rendon and Ann Heuberger voted against Pantojas appointment. After securing a majority with Pantoja, the board didn't vote on the other two applicants. Pantoja had been on the Del Valle school board representing District 2 since 2019, when he was appointed to fill a vacant seat. He won the election in 2020 for the four-year term with 66% of the vote. District 2 represents a compact area of the Del Valle district, largely from East Riverside Drive and East Oltorf Street between South Pleasant Valley Road and Montopolis Drive. The district includes parts of the Montopolis neighborhood and several multifamily apartments. Pantoja said Thursday he is excited to get back to work. I'm just excited to be back on, Pantoja said. Ive been fighting. It took a lot of growth for me to be patient and understand the process and be prepared for the decision. The District 2 seat has been vacant since June, when Pantoja got a homestead exemption on a property within the Austin school district, which effectively disqualified him for the Del Valle school board office. The board that month voted to acknowledge the vacancy, but district officials at the time said Pantoja had been automatically removed when he sought the homestead exemption outside the district. School board members must live within the district they represent. A homestead exemption claims a property as the owners primary residence. At the time, Pantojas lawyer said seeking the homestead exemption had been a mistake and that Pantoja continued living in the Del Valle district. State rules allow school board members to choose between appointing a new member or holding a special election when a seat becomes vacant, according to guidance from the Texas Association of School Boards. Typically, boards must fill the vacancy within 180 days or six months if the office has more than a year remaining in the term, according to state code. The Texas Secretary of States Office didnt immediately return American-Statesman inquiries about any potential penalties school boards could be subject to if they pass the 180-day deadline without filling a board vacancy. Last month, Del Valle board members met to appoint a new board member to the vacant seat but couldn't reach a majority agreement. Pantoja and David Albert, who ran against Pantoja in 2020, had applied for the seat. The board had initially failed to come to a majority consensus during a vote in September. Birch noted Thursday that Pantoja will be officially reinstated on the board during a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday. Pantoja's appointment came a day before Del Valle school Superintendent Annette Tielle announced she planned to retire in December to spend more time with her family. Tielle has been with the district seven years and served as superintendent since 2020. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Del Valle ISD appoints ex-board member Damian Pantoja to retake seat While Beltway pundits debate the fate of the $60 billion aid package to Ukraine that is currently being held up in Congress, those on the frigid front lines say weapons and morale are beginning to run low thanks to isolationist Republicans. With the resounding failure of the vaunted Ukrainian counteroffensivean ambitious operation that pooled billions of dollars worth of everything from Leopard tanks, artillery shells, HIMARS, patriot missile systems, and drones of every flavor in an attempt to push back Russian forces that invaded the country in February 2022Kyiv is now facing a major weapons deficit against a military that is sourcing its arsenal from international pariahs Iran and North Korea. Whether or not its European partners will be able to fill the Pentagon-size hole in lethal aid to Kyiv while U.S. lawmakers bicker over the merits of arming an ally against a major enemy is still unclear. Military and intelligence sources in Ukraine tell The New Republic that though things arent yet at a breaking point, Ukraines political and military leaders are anxiously focused on Washingtonand are gravely concerned about the fate of money and munitions that are badly needed. How possible is it that the House of Representatives will pass [the aid package that passed the Senate last week]? a Ukrainian Special Forces officer with knowledge of the frontline supply chain, nervously wondered. There are no shortages [of weapons] right now, he said, before painting a grimmer picture: But its a very close prospect, unfortunately. If the situation will remain the same for some period, it will be a huge problem for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend themselves, to defend the population, and to defend the Ukrainian territory. According to the officer, Russia has cleverly changed tactics to focus most of its firepower on frontline Ukrainian troops, rather than firing valuable missile and drone stocks at city populations as it had in the winter of 2023, when it was broadly condemned across the globe for attacking the civilian energy infrastructure. As we can see this year, the missile strikes in deep Ukrainian territory have reduced, he said, which has meant more relentless pressure on the already ragged and depleted frontline troops who are in desperate need of new manpower. Theyre trying to organize the imagination that the war is somewhere far away. One soldier manning defensive positions on the border with Russia in Sumy Oblast, where rocket and missile attacks have been on the uptick, echoed that foreboding sentiment and put it simply to me: Its constantly bad. His unit, already low on supplies and relying on donations for things like over-the-counter FPV drones, is constantly facing a cocktail of missile, rocket, and artillery barrages. Its not good. Currently there is widespread rationing of artillery shells that once flowed from Pentagon coffers, while even some of the most aggressive Ukrainian commando units are unable to raid at the same rates as in previous years of the war due to a lack of cover fire and drone technology. Even air defense systems in major cities, less active than a year ago, are being seriously tested and are less successfully intercepting Russian missiles. The effect is to foster the feeling in Ukrainian society that the war in Donbas, where the majority of the fighting is happening, is distant and hopeless. On Sunday, Russian troops took full control of Avdiika, a town in central Ukraine that has featured some of the heaviest fighting of the war. In a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President Biden blamed the retreat on congressional Republicans. This morning, Ukraines military was forced to withdraw from Avdiivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russias first notable gains in months, read a White House statement addressing the call between the two leaders. President Biden emphasized the need for Congress to urgently pass the national security supplemental funding bill to resupply Ukrainian forces. An American veteran who has been training Ukrainian soldiers in combat said hes disgusted with the Republican Party, which he says is either totally compromised by Russia and is willfully aiding Russian interests or is chock-full of sycophantic cowards who would gladly watch Ukrainians get killed if it meant Trump had a higher chance of winning reelection. Having instructed Ukrainian soldiers as a foreign volunteer since the outbreak of the invasion in early 2022, he is intimately aware of how important Pentagon weapons transfers have been to Kyivs war effort. They are an absolute joke of a party and an embarrassment to our country on the world stage, he said. I just hope the Europeans are ready to pick up the slack if the U.S. isnt able to pull through with any more meaningful military aid for Ukraine. And in a conflict that has, from its inception, showcased the centrality of drones to modern warfare, the frontline supply of everything from quadcopters for platoon-level operations to kamikaze drones is dwindling. When the Pentagon released its fact sheets on security assistance to the Ukrainian military, an entire subsection was dedicated to unmanned aerial vehicles. Now, with Republicans withholding critical lethal assistance, largely at the behest of former President Donald Trump, Ukrainian troops are feeling the pressure. Of course there are always not enough [UAVs], but more so now, said a drone operator serving with the Territorial Defense Forces, currently instructing other soldiers on how to use small-unit drones in combat. Every quadcopter on a front line lives for five or maybe 10 flights, and then it is destroyed and needs to be replaced, he said, confirming that American transfers once made up for the shortfall. There is a shortage right now. We need more. Hillary Clinton claims Trump will withdraw US from NATO if elected: 'He means what he says' Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton warned this weekend that former President Trump will try to withdraw the U.S. from NATO if he wins re-election in November. Clinton made the claim during remarks at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, telling U.S. allies that they should take Trump's claims to heart after the former president warned NATO countries to contribute their fair share. "We have a long struggle ahead of us, and the obvious point to make about Donald Trump is take him literally and seriously," she said. "He means what he says. People did not take him literally and seriously in 2016. Now he is telling us what he intends to do, and people who try to wish it away, brush it away, are living in an alternative reality." "He will do everything he can to become an absolute authoritarian leader if given the opportunity to do so. And he will pull us out of NATO even though the Congress passed a resolution saying that he couldnt without congressional support, because he will just not fund our obligations," she said. NATO MEMBERS BRACE FOR TRUMP WIN AS RECORD NUMBER OF MEMBERS MOVE TO MEET SPENDING PLEDGES Failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton warned this weekend that former President Trump will try to withdraw the U.S. from NATO if he wins re-election in November. Clinton's comments seemed directed toward NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, who has said he is confident the U.S. will "remain a strong ally and committed ally" regardless of the outcome this November. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP BIDEN SAYS TRUMP QUESTIONING EUROPEAN COMMITMENT TO NATO IS 'DUMB,' 'UN-AMERICAN' Trump has been heavily critical of NATO on the campaign trail in recent weeks, doubling down on his claim that member countries should not receive protection if they do not pay their share toward NATO's budget. Trump has been heavily critical of NATO on the campaign trail in recent weeks, doubling down on his claim that member countries shouldn't receive protection if they don't pay their share toward NATO's budget. Stoltenberg did say last week that Trump's rhetoric does "undermine" the security of the alliance. "The whole idea of NATO is that an attack on one ally will trigger a response from the whole alliance and as long as we stand behind that message together, we prevent any military attack on any ally," Stoltenberg said. "Any suggestion that we are not standing up for each other, that we are not going to protect each other, that does undermine the security of all of us." Stoltenberg said last week that Trump's rhetoric does "undermine" the security of the NATO alliance. While Stoltenberg expressed concern over Trump's remarks , the former president's comment did spark a rush to confirm member countries' contributions in the coming year. The NATO chief announced that 18 of the alliance's 31 members are on track to meet their pledges of contributing 2% of GDP to the group. European states are on track to contribute $380 billion this year, and Germany will meet its 2% pledge for the first time since the Cold War. The figures show a dramatic uptick compared to 2023, which saw just 11 NATO allies meet their 2% spending pledge. Original article source: Hillary Clinton claims Trump will withdraw US from NATO if elected: 'He means what he says' Hillsborough County Fire Rescue mourns loss of 10-year-old boy who lost battle to cancer TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The 10-year-old son of a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Driver Engineer lost his battle with cancer. Mason Fox was the son of Mike Fox and nephew of Captain Joe Fox. HCFR expressed their gratitude for the Fox family allowing them to meet Mason, who they said made a lasting impact on them. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Hillsborough County Fire Rescue We cannot begin to comprehend the depth of sorrow and anguish that Mike and his family are experiencing during this incredibly difficult time, HCFR said. Losing a child is an unimaginable tragedy, and our prayers and deepest sympathies go out to them as they navigate through this profound grief. The team asks the community to join them in extending support and condolences to the Fox family during this difficult time. Mason, we love you and know you are pain-free now, they added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. The Security Service of Ukraine has called the Russian Federation's report that a Ukrainian agent was supposedly "killed while planting explosives" a staged fabrication. Source: press service of the Security Service of Ukraine in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda Quote: "The plausibility of the statements and videos disseminated by the Russian FSB can be assessed and commented on only through the perspective of theatrical performances that the Russian secret service likes to arrange for its audience, especially on the eve of elections. However, such poorly-staged fabrications only degrade the effectiveness of the Russian school of theatre [in fooling people], just as Ukrainian soldiers destroyed the myth of the Russian army being the second strongest army in the world. Therefore, we advise the FSB to hire more convincing actors for its performances, especially those who have already received notices of suspicion from the Security Service of Ukraine for their propaganda and anti-Ukrainian activities." Background: On 19 February, Russia's Federal Security Service claimed that it had prevented the assassination of a "political figure in Zaporizhzhia Oblast". The Russian secret service claimed that a Russian citizen, Vitaly Dyatlenko, attempted to stage a "terrorist attack" before the Russian "elections" and that Ukraine's Security Service had supposedly recruited him. Support UP or become our patron! Chinese FM rebukes Xinjiang-related lies in Munich Xinhua) 10:01, February 19, 2024 MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday rebuked lies about genocide and forced labor in Xinjiang while responding to questions at the Munich Security Conference. After delivering a keynote speech at the "China in the World" session at the conference, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, answered several questions, including some related to Xinjiang. Wang said certain political forces have spread too many lies about Xinjiang and produced too much false information around the world. The so-called genocide is such a big lie. Since the establishment of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Uygur population has grown from over 3 million to more than 12 million nowadays, he said, adding that the average life expectancy of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang has increased from 30 years to 75.6 years. Calling such facts the best evidence of protecting human rights, Wang said the freedom of religious belief of all ethnic groups there has been well protected, citing examples that Muslims enjoy enough religious sites and the government has funded the repair and maintenance of mosques. Government documents and store signs are bilingual and the languages and cultures of various ethnic minorities, including the Uygurs, have been protected and passed on, he added. Speaking of the so-called forced labor accusations, Wang said such charges could be easily trumped up by a mind to frame others. "Don't the Uygur people have the right to work and the freedom to employment?" He asked. Using forced labor as an excuse to blame China is essentially aiming to take the jobs away from the Uygur people and make their products unsaleable, Wang said. He said Xinjiang is open to friends from all over the world and welcomes people to go to Xinjiang and see by themselves. Those who have been to Xinjiang all have a consensus that what they saw and heard are completely different from what they had read from the Western media, Wang added. China's rapid development has caused discomfort and anxiety among some authorities, so they made up such lies about Xinjiang to cause disruption and thereby prevent China's development and revitalization, Wang said. However, China also has the right to develop, he said, noting that 1.4 billion people's success in modernization would be huge progress for human civilization. The formation of China's ultra-large market will also provide new development opportunities for all countries and help the world achieve common development and prosperity, he said. President Xi Jinping has emphasized that humankind is living in the same global village and all countries are like passengers aboard the same ship who share the same destiny, Wang noted, calling for efforts to rise above differences and obstacles, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and join hands in protecting the planet. This is China's global perspective and the goal of China's diplomacy, he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Xian Jiangnan) HospitaBull provides USF alumni, friends and other guests with a unique opportunity to support students and faculty in the award-winning School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The 12th annual HospitaBull dining event a fundraiser that supports scholarships and other programs at the University of South Floridas School of Hospitality and Tourism Management on the Sarasota-Manatee campus is scheduled fon March 26 from 6-9 p.m. at Michaels on East. Tickets are available at the USF Foundation website (eventful.usf.edu/rsvp/hospitabull). Cihan Cobanoglu is dean of the University of South Florida School of Hospitality and Tourism Management on the Sarasota-Manatee campus. Students will work closely with the Michaels on East restaurants staff to organize, prepare and serve the dinner, allowing them to connect traditional classroom theory with real-life food and beverage operations, said Cihan Cobanoglu, dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Moreover, it plays a crucial role in empowering students by providing financial resources, ensuring they are equipped with the tools needed to excel in their careers, Cobanoglu said. HospitaBull epitomizes the fusion of education, professionalism and generosity, making it an indispensable cornerstone in the journey of budding hospitality professionals." HospitaBull provides USF alumni, friends and other guests with a unique opportunity to support students and faculty in the award-winning School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Returning to this exceptional center of excellence offers our students a unique opportunity to glean insights from industry leaders, learning from the pinnacle of excellence in their field, Cobanoglu said. "Our guests who purchase tickets to HospitaBull will not only indulge in a culinary extravaganza but also contribute invaluable resources towards educating the future leaders of the hospitality industry in Sarasota-Manatee, Florida and beyond," Cobanoglu said. Submitted by Marc Masferrer This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: HospitaBull dinner event supports USF School of Hospitality & Tourism The disappearance of three men who left a North Carolina bar just before last call in December 1982 has stumped investigators for more than 40 years but the recent discovery of human remains in a car at the bottom of a creek is providing some hope the case can be solved. Search crews successfully pulled the car out of Jack's Creek in Washington, North Carolina on Feb. 10. Jonathan Russell, Washington's City Manager told WITN that a YouTuber had recently discovered that a car might be in the water using a boogie board with sonar attached. The car extracted from the water was a 1975 Chevrolet Camaro, the same make and model as the car William Clifton, 30, David McMicken, 24, and Michael Norman, 32, were in when they disappeared after leaving a bar in Chocowinity, North Carolina, in 1982, WNCT reported. Michael Fay Norman Emergency Services is aware of claims posted on social media recently regarding efforts to locate and identify an underwater vehicle in Washington. Local law enforcement is actively reviewing and investigating the information presented in those posts. More information will be released as it becomes available," Beaufort County Communications Director Brandon Tester told WNCT. WITN reported that Jason Souhrada, the Youtuber who first detected the card had been in touch with family members of the three missing men, which is what led him to design a sonar device he could use in areas that boats can't access. Souhrada told the outlet that his images showed the car upside down in about 11 feet of water. The footage appeared to show the car damaged and as if it had been there for a while. The Chaos Divers, a YouTube channel that investigates cold cases, posted on Facebook Feb. 9 about the discovery. "We had made contact with the family on our first trip down and spoke with them again today," the YouTubers said. "They conveyed that the part of the car that had been removed shows a high probability of it belonging to the trio." Police spent several days pumping water out of the search area after a car axle was found on Feb. 9, WNCT reported. Washington Police Chief Phil Rollinson confirmed to WNCT that the VIN on the car matched the car the three men were driving. It was possible that they were going home from where they were coming from, Rollinson told the outlet. As of right now, officials are not sure how many bodies were recovered from the car, but the remains have been sent to a medical examiner for DNA testing. I am confident that the human remains are probably gonna be the individuals, Rollinson told WNCT. I cant say anything for sure until the DNA testing is complete." Washington Police & Fire Services did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. Chevrolet Camaro spotted in NY before being found in NC Clifton, McMicken and Norman were all last seen Dec. 10, 1982, at the VIP, a now-defunct tavern in Chocowinity, North Carolina, according to the Charley Project, which maintains a database of cold cases involving over 15,000 missing persons in the U.S. The three men were never heard from again after leaving VIP before the last call for drinks, the Charley Project said. At the time of the trio's disappearance, Clifton owned a black and white 1975 Chevrolet Camaro with a North Carolina license plate, according to the database. Two months later, the vehicle was found in New York. William Earl Clifton "There's potential that they drove up to New York and then on the way back something happened," Lindsay Bussick, a member of the Chaos Divers, told USA TODAY. After the trio disappeared, authorities thought they had abandoned their families, the Charley Project said. Clifton's daughter told the Charley Project that her parents' marriage was "very happy" and she doesn't think her father would have walked out of his life. Unbeknownst to McMicken, his wife was pregnant at the time of the trio's disappearance, according to the Charley Project. McMicken's wife later gave birth to his daughter. David Leonard McMicken Aside from the abandoned car that happened to be found near one of the men's homes, there's been nothing that points to how the trio ended up in Jack's Creek, Bussick said. "This is one of those cases where there's always a lot of rumors circulating (like) foul play and that kind of thing," she said. "But never at any point was there any kind of solid information to go on." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Car found in North Carolina creek linked to a 1982 disappearance: Reports Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, delivers a speech on the future of Scotland's energy industry in Aberdeen on Monday - ANDREW MILLIGAN/PA Humza Yousaf has been accused of breathtaking hypocrisy after lambasting Labours plans for an increased windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas. The First Minister used a speech in Aberdeen to pledge the SNP would oppose Labours aggressive proposal to lift the energy profits levy from 75 per cent to 78 per cent, and extend it to 2029. Arguing that the rise had caused extreme anger in the north-east of Scotland, he accused Sir Keir Starmers party of being a wolf in a red rosette in the area. But the Scottish Tories accused him of breathtaking hypocrisy after he admitted he supported maintaining the current windfall tax. Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, said the reality is you can barely put a cigarette paper between Labour and the SNP, with both parties equally committed to turning off the taps in the North Sea straight away. Although the licensing of new developments is reserved to Westminster, SNP ministers last year announced a presumption against new oil and gas exploration as part of their energy strategy. Mr Yousaf also lambasted the UK Governments decision last September to grant production consent for the Rosebank field, north-west of Shetland, which is estimated to contain 500 million barrels of oil. The energy profits levy was introduced in 2022 after global oil and gas prices surged in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Scottish Tories accused the SNP of abandoning the oil and gas industry at every opportunity - GANNET77/ISTOCKPHOTO Labour has said its plans to extend it and increase the rate to 78 per cent to generate 10.8 billion over five years to fund its green agenda. The energy industry is expected to hold crisis talks on Tuesday to discuss the plan amid warnings that it could jeopardise 42,000 jobs. Mr Yousaf delivered his speech in Aberdeen, the oil capital of Europe, ahead of this years general election in which the SNP is facing a tough fight to hold its seats in the North East. He said: The SNP will not let the North East go the way our coal and mining towns went under Thatcher, and that is what Labour is threatening to do. You cannot deliver a just transition from oil and gas for the people and businesses that rely on it if you squeeze the life out of the sector overnight. That is why the SNP will oppose Labours aggressive tax plans for the sector, a policy designed solely to plug the massive financial hole in plans to build new nuclear power plants in England. Out of touch Dont get me wrong, we support a windfall tax, but Labours plans to increase this to pay for nuclear energy power plants in England, is plain wrong and will cost tens of thousands of jobs. But Mr Ross said: Humza Yousaf is displaying breathtaking hypocrisy masquerading as a friend of Scotlands oil and gas industry when he and the SNP have abandoned it at every opportunity. The SNP have a long-standing presumption against policy on all new oil and gas licences, they oppose Rosebank, they were the first party to call for a windfall tax and its only a few months since Humza Yousaf was proclaiming the end of the industry in a speech in New York. Ian Murray, Labours shadow Scottish secretary, said: Humza Yousafs latest position on Labours plans is completely incoherent and out of touch. Last year energy giants recorded profits of 33 billion while a third of households in Scotland were living in fuel poverty but after a dizzying series of U-turns, it seems the SNP has decided to side with the energy giants. 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. Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, has said that Budapest will not block the 13th package of EU sanctions against Russia following the meeting of foreign affairs ministers of the EU member states on 19 February. Source: European Pravda with reference to Szijjartos statement made at the press conference Details: Szijjarto said that all elements of the 13th EU sanctions package against Russia which "harm Hungarys interests" had been eliminated so Hungary would not oppose it. However, Szijjarto still criticised the EU policy. Quote: "Fundamental economic interests of Hungary are not violated by concrete measures from the sanctions list but the problem is way broader: the EU continues the strategy which has failed completely and does not bring us closer to peace, but moves us farther from it." Szijjarto thinks that previous sanctions have only harmed the EU economy where "military psychosis still reigns" though "it is already clear" that the war in Ukraine will not end militaristically. Background: The 13th sanctions package against Russia was supposed to be approved by the EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on 19 February. Reportedly, it may also include sanctions against North Korea for supplying Russia with missiles it uses against Ukraine. Last week it was revealed that Hungary blocked the approval of the 13th EU sanctions package against Russia. One of the officials said that Hungary had not agreed with the new sanctions due to Chinese companies being on the list. Support UP or become our patron! Ibrahima Bah, sketched at a previous hearing, had continued the crossing even after signs the boat had been deflating, jurors heard A man who piloted a boat in the English Channel has been found guilty of the manslaughter of four migrants who drowned when it ran into difficulty. Ibrahima Bah, a Senegalese migrant, had offered to steer the dinghy in December 2022 in exchange for a free crossing. He had claimed that he was forced by violent smugglers to make the journey with at least 43 other migrants. A jury at Canterbury Crown Court also found Bah guilty of facilitating a breach of immigration law. The case is the first time a migrant who navigated an inflatable has been found responsible for harm caused to other occupants, the BBC's home and legal correspondent, Dominic Casciani, said. Bah previously told the court he had changed his mind about piloting the boat to the UK when he arrived at the beach on the French coast and saw it was too small for the number of passengers. The home-built, low-quality inflatable should not have held more than 20 people. But he claimed he was assaulted by smugglers and threatened with death if he did not go ahead with the crossing. Duncan Atkinson KC, prosecuting, said as the pilot, Bah owed them a "duty of care to ensure their safety and protect them from the overwhelming risk to their lives". Libby Clark, a specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "He could've turned back. That's what some of the migrants wanted to do. "But Ibrahima Bah carried on. Those aren't really the actions of somebody who's acted under duress." Bah, whom a court determined was an adult but whose exact age is in dispute, will be sentenced on Friday afternoon. He was found guilty by the jury by a majority of 10 to two of four counts of gross negligence manslaughter, which the CPS describes as where a death is a result of a grossly negligent act or omission on the part of the defendant. Bah was also found guilty unanimously of facilitating illegal entry to the UK. The jury in a previous trial, held last summer, was dismissed after being unable to reach a verdict. The court heard that a crew on a British fishing boat came across the sinking boat and tried to rescue the passengers, with help from the RNLI, air ambulance and UK Border Force. A total of 39 survivors were brought to shore in Dover. But the exact number of migrants who drowned is unknown, as it appears at least one person's body believed to have not been recovered. Many of the passengers, not all of whom had life jackets, paid thousands of euros to smugglers. Ms Clark said the crossing "on a sober and reasonable analysis was almost bound to fail". 'Could've gone back' She said there was "no direct evidence of Bah being assaulted other than what Bah says", and that was not a "tenable defence". "If we consider his actions as that boat went forward, he could have refused to have got in," said Ms Clark. "He could've gone out in the boat for a small distance if he was in fear and then gone back because it was too dangerous in his opinion." "But he kept going even when after about half an hour into the voyage, that boat was taking on water and people were hearing sounds of puncturing and hissing as the boat deflated." One of the four who lost their lives was named as Hajratullah Ahmadi. The other three were described as "unknown". Mr Atkinson said Bah did not have training or experience, while the boat had no lights or safety equipment such as flares. The journey was navigated by two Afghan men at the front of the boat using mobile phones. After being rescued from the Channel, Bah told police he travelled from Senegal to Mali, Algeria and Libya, before travelling by boat from Libya to Italy using smugglers. One of the passengers, Ahmadi, from Afghanistan, told BBC South East he was on the boat but could not tell who was driving because it was "really dark". He did not give evidence during the trial. After attempting to push out water from the boat with a bottle, he said he went into the sea to try to swim to the fishing boat. Because it was so cold, he felt like he had "died after about five minutes" and described seeing other people in the water. "One person didn't have a safety jacket. I swam over to him but after two minutes I left him because I realised he was dead," said Ahmadi. Det Ch Insp Neil Kimber, who led the investigation, said: "Today marks the end of a complex investigation carried out by officers of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate. "Our thoughts remain with the families of the victims who lost their lives during that crossing." Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. Semafor Signals Insights from Haaretz, Ynetnews, and Bloomberg The News The International Court of Justice (ICJ) opened a hearing into Israels occupation of Palestinian lands, as international anger grows over Israels offensive on Gaza. The hearing will result in a non-binding advisory opinion, and follows a ruling last month from the U.N.s top court that Israel must work to prevent any acts of genocide in its war with Hamas. Israels military operation in Gaza has entered its fifth month despite mounting anger from the international community and waning support from key allies, including the U.S. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Israel wont attend hearing into occupation Sources: Ynetnews, The Times of Israel Israel has not sent a delegate to the ICJs hearing, Israeli outlet Ynetnews reported. Though Israel is a signatory to the Geneva Convention, which gives the court the authority to examine possible breaches of the agreement, it does not recognize the ICJs jurisdiction. Israeli officials have said the hearing only serves to slam Israel and [harm] its legitimacy, Ynet noted, adding that the decision at the end of the hearing could be used to justify boycotts against Israel in the wake of the war. This is a headache Israel does not need, a source that spoke to the outlet said. Experts view Israeli occupation of Gaza as ongoing Sources: Haaretz, The Associated Press The ICJ case will examine Israels 57-year occupation of the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and Gaza. Palestinian representatives have said that Israel has violated three tenets of international law by annexing portions of land, undermining Palestinians right to self-determination, and imposing a system of apartheid. Officials from the United Nations and other analysts have also said that Israels occupation of Gaza did not end as Israel claims after Israel disengaged from the enclave in 2005, since Israel controls the majority of essential infrastructure in Gaza, one expert told Haaretz. Global outcry against war has not stopped Israels military objectives Source: Bloomberg Israel plans to push ahead with a campaign in the crowded city of Rafah, near the Gaza Strips Egyptian border, unless Hamas returns all remaining hostages by mid-March. The ground offensive would begin at the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Israeli leaders said, if its conditions werent met. Unclear, however, is whether Israel is insisting on both a release of captives and a surrender from Hamas to stop the attack on Rafah, Bloomberg noted. Israel has repeatedly said it would not stop its operations in Gaza until Hamas is eliminated, an objective that has been widely seen as impossible by analysts monitoring the war. By John Fritze, CNN Washington (CNN) Idaho officials asked the Supreme Court to let the state enforce a strict ban on gender-affirming treatments for minors in an emergency request made public Monday by one of the groups involved in the case. The law, signed by Republican Gov. Brad Little last year, makes it a felony for doctors to provide medical treatment to transgender minors such as puberty-blocking drugs, hormone therapy and certain surgeries. It also authorizes up to $5,000 in fines against medical professionals who provide that care. A US District Court in Idaho temporarily blocked the law from taking effect late last year while the underlying case continues in federal court. The 9th US Court of Appeals upheld that decision in January. More than 20 states have enacted laws banning gender-affirming care for minors, according to the Human Rights Campaign, though some of those laws have also been placed on hold by federal courts. The issue has generated considerable uncertainty for lower federal courts. In November, several families and health care providers asked the Supreme Court to consider a similar ban in Tennessee. A federal judge in Tennessee temporarily blocked part of the law last year but the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals unwound that decision and later reversed the district courts findings altogether. That case is pending. Idaho, which is being represented in part by the conservative legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, argues that the lower court decisions to block the law were too broad because they swept in procedures banned under the act that the plaintiffs did not seek to continue. Every day the law is blocked exposes vulnerable children to risky and dangerous medical procedures and infringes Idahos sovereign power to enforce its democratically enacted law, the state told the Supreme Court in its filing. The American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing transgender teenagers and their parents, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In January, when the 9th Circuit backed the decision to block the law, the ACLU applauded the ruling as upholding the rights of transgender youth and their families to access the medical care they and their doctors know is right for them without political interference. The-CNN-Wire & 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. This week we did a media interview with Joe Parris of KTVB in Boise. As he was walking into the Capitol for the interview, a random citizen said to him, Well finally! After 20 years, JFAC is finally exciting! What is JFAC and why is it exciting this year? JFAC is the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee of the Idaho Legislature. We are the co-chairs. This is the committee that sets budgets for the state of Idaho. Unlike the federal government, Idahos Constitution requires us to set a balanced budget. This year we implemented some changes to increase transparency and accountability for how your tax dollars are spent. Not everyone is as excited as that citizen, but taxpayers definitely have reason to be. Remember how the federal government boosted the money supply during the pandemic? Whether they printed it in the basement or borrowed from Japan or China, it was still inflated, one-time cash. Sure, it felt real because we could buy real stuff with those stimulus checks, even if the eggs did cost five dollars a dozen. The same thing happened in government. Spending increased significantly. But just as COVID cash exited your bank account, it is also exiting state government and we need to make sure that we are left with a state government Idahoans can afford. Constitutionally we cant and we wont end up like the federal government spending beyond our ability to pay. Recessions or economic slowdowns are a rotten time to raise taxes to pay for a government we bought during a pandemic that we can no longer afford. So, for the first time, the Legislature has passed maintenance budgets separately from the new funding state agencies have requested. In simple terms, maintenance budgets separate an agencys base budget (all the money they received last year, plus increased costs for salaries and benefits) from its growth (new cars, new computers, new employees, new programs, etc.). Some of the new things may be important and necessary for the agency to do its work, but one thing that hasnt changed is that every request for new funding continues to be scrutinized by the committee. If JFAC ever sends a budget that has unnecessary spending of your hard-earned tax dollars to the House or Senate floors for the full Legislature to consider, we havent done our job. A study conducted last summer by JFAC staff revealed that only about 19% of spending is reviewed during a legislative session. Beginning this summer and fall, that will change. JFAC will begin systematic reviews of base budgets for all state agencies. This perfectly legal, commonsense approach to budgeting means we are going to monitor government spending better than weve been able to before, and make sure we arent growing government beyond Idahoans ability to pay for it. Please go to our new website to learn more or visit transparent.idaho.gov to see how your tax dollars are being spent. Rep. Wendy Horman is a Republican from Idaho Falls. Sen. Scott Grow is a Republican from Eagle. They are co-chairs of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. A new homeless shelter for single men slated to open in Valparaiso in the fall will offer a host of other services, including serving as a warming and cooling center in inclement weather and providing social services to those who need them, as well as taking the place of the overnight shelter that has been rotating at various churches. The city of Valparaiso donated .8 acres on Don Hovey Drive off of Axe Avenue for the project, with a five-year lease for $1 a year and the understanding that the city will deed the property to Respite House, which is overseeing the project, said Mitch Peters, Respite Houses founder and the lead for the new facility, coined Daybreak. The project also is receiving $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the city and has the support of current and former city administrators, with Mayor Jon Costas extremely instrumental in moving the shelter forward, Peters said. The city is fully committed to this, said Peters, adding the shelter has been in the works for around two years. In all, the shelter, which will be around 9,600 square feet and sits on the site of a recently demolished pole barn, is garnering about $1.26 million in donations from unions and contractors, Peters said. The project $3.1 million in all is well on its way with fundraising and were just excited to move forward as quickly as possible, Peters said. The shelter will house 12 single men initially but can be expanded for 24, Peters said, with a live-in structure similar to a halfway house. The facility also will have a resource center and a community kitchen that will offer one meal a day to start. The resource center and free meals will be open to men and women, Peters said, and can accommodate 60 people, with side rooms for programs and case management. Its not just about housing. Were going to provide comprehensive services, said Peters, whose two Respite House facilities, on Chicago Avenue and Union Street, provide services to men coming out of addiction. Several service partners will provide health care, job readiness and counseling. To live here, the people will have to participate. We want to be as low a barrier as possible, Peters said of the shelters expected residents. Some of them just need a hand up. The goal of the multipurpose facility, he added, is to partner with Housing Opportunities in Valparaiso and Gabriels Horn in South Haven to identify who needs services and get them into stable living situations. The new shelter will offer additional shelter for single men, where they can live while they receive comprehensive case management, mental and physical health services, recovery supports, etc. until they are able to stabilize, save money, and eventually move into their own housing, licensed social worker Sam Burgett said in an email. Burgett, who is spearheading the effort with Peters, was a social worker with the Valparaiso Police Department and is now in that role with the Porter County Sheriffs Department. The new facility will also include a co-ed warming center, where individuals can stay overnight without having to meet eligibility requirements, Burgett said. The warming center fills a large service gap in the community, as many of our unhoused community members currently have nowhere to go once Housing Opportunities resource center closes each evening, she said. Living Hope Community Church has operated a low-barrier overnight warming center during the winter months for the past two years, but the new facility will alleviate that need and will provide a safe place for people to sleep year-round, she added. Peters hopes construction can begin in the coming weeks as the weather warms and the shelter is ready in October or November, ahead of next winter, and said one of the obstacles to moving forward was tearing down the old pole barn on the site, which the city did earlier this month. The site now is nothing more than disturbed dirt behind a chain-link fence. Im just so thankful that there are so many people in this community who are invested to act to make a difference in peoples lives, he said. By offering overnight shelter for men, which has been rotated between the citys churches for several years and was overseen by New Creations until Respite House recently took it over, the people who need the service will not have to move from church to church, Peters said. New Creations also provides services for homeless men and runs a resale shop to help fund its mission, which it will be able to better focus on without also overseeing the overnight shelter, he added. The goal is to get them stable because, in reality, no one is going to take their meds when theyre living in a tent in the woods, Peters said. In her various roles as a social worker in the community, Burgett said it has always been extremely difficult to provide effective services to unhoused clients, as much of their time and energy is spent simply trying to find a safe place to be. When they arent sleeping, cannot attend appointments, and consistently lose their belongings due to transporting them around town each day, any mental illness, substance use, or other issues often become exacerbated, making it even more difficult to help meet their needs, she said. When people have a safe, stable, consistent place to stay, services can be much more effective in helping them get back on their feet. ____ By Krishn Kaushik NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India has stepped up development assistance to the Maldives with projects gaining pace last year, even as ties have soured over new Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's demand for Indian troops to leave his country. As global powers jostle for influence in the Indo-Pacific region, India and China have wooed the Indian Ocean nation, which has traditionally been close to neighbour India, but recently pivoted towards China under Muizzu. New Delhi has spent nearly 7.71 billion rupees ($93 million), or almost twice its budgeted 4 billion on projects in the Maldives during this fiscal year, which ends in March, according to an Indian official and government documents. That comes despite strained ties since Muizzu rode to office in October pledging to end the country's "India First" policy and ensure it removed nearly 80 Indian troops. Despite the roadblock, "development co-operation has not changed or stopped," said an Indian official aware of the matter, who added that New Delhi had a two-fold engagement strategy for Male. Rather, "the pace of the projects is faster," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributing the swifter pace to India's increased allocations this fiscal year. Muizzu's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The efforts include a $500-million project for roads and bridges around Male, and two airports worth nearly $130 million each in the archipelago's distant islands, supported through a line of credit from India. Muizzu made a state visit to Beijing last month but has yet to visit India. The two countries agreed this month to replace the troops by May. India says they provide help with humanitarian aid and medical evacuations using aircraft it has provided. Indian budget documents presented to parliament on Feb. 1 show that New Delhi spent 1.83 billion rupees in fiscal 2022-23, which went up to 7.71 billion this year, a figure that is second only to neighbouring Bhutan, where India spent 24 billion. India has set aside 6 billion rupees in initial allocation for the Maldivian projects next year. But Male's closer engagement with Beijing saw it recently allow a Chinese research vessel to dock at its port, despite New Delhi's concerns that information gathered by such ships can be used by China's military for deployment in India's backyard. "The presence of extra-regional powers that impact the security of the Indian Ocean region is a red line for us," the official said, referring to China. ($1=82.9710 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Krishn Kaushik in New Delhi, Additional reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) A gate and fences block access to Germany's notorious cyber bunker, where criminals ran an illegal data centre for years. First a Bundeswehr bunker, then a darknet centre - could the bunker on the Moselle become a cheese warehouse or a wine depot? Harald Tittel/dpa Few bunkers in Germany are as famous as the one on the banks of the Moselle river that was long the centre of an international crime ring. Known as the cyber bunker, the site in Traben-Trarbach made headlines nationwide when it was revealed to be the dark heart of a cyber crime ring, a data processing centre hosting multi-million dollar deals on the darknet. That came to an end when the masterminds behind the crime ring were convicted in one of Germany's largest cybercrime trials to date, a story that still draws viewers to a Netflix documentary. The bunker itself, meanwhile, looks like many others, with little changed since the dramatic raid. The mayor of picturesque Traben-Trarbach, Patrice Langer, says he has already received some enquiries from people looking to rent the site. "Some of them are very curious." There's a Dutchman hoping to ripen cheese in the bunker, while another candidate can see it as a wine depot. Less foody proposals include using the site as a back-up for a bank in Frankfurt, an open-plan club and a bunker hotel, he says. It is not up to Langer to decide, however, as the 13-hectare site is now the property of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Back in its criminal heyday, the 5,500 square metre bunker housed hundreds of servers that were used to carry out almost 250,000 criminal offences spanning drug deals, data theft, computer attacks and counterfeit money transactions. The operators advertised themselves as a "bulletproof hoster" safe from the police and governments. The gang of seven men and one woman were convicted of membership of a criminal organization by the Trier Regional Court in 2021, and were handed sentences ranging from one year on probation to five years and nine months. Rhineland-Palatinate has owned the property since last September, its landlord is the state tax office. The public prosecutor's office confiscated the bunker in October 2019 and it was passed to the state, says senior public prosecutor Jorg Angerer, who heads the State Cybercrime Centre in Rhineland-Palatinate at the Koblenz Public Prosecutor General's Office. The bunker's future is not set in stone. "It has not yet been possible to determine a specific subsequent use," says Wiebke Girolstein, spokeswoman for the state office. The office has offered the facility to the public sector with discussions underway with Germany's Federal Agency for Real Estate. That does nto rule out a sale to a private owner, however. "The future buyer will then decide on the specific use." Officials are currently creating a detailed overview of the entire property, including the bunker and two above-ground buildings. These two buildings are in need of renovation and cannot be used in their current state. No final assessment of the bunker has yet been made, no sale price set. In the short term, its future involves maintenance measures to prevent groundwater from entering or to keep unwelcome guests out. The underground shelter, located on the Mont Royal ridge above Traben-Trarbach, used to house the German Armed Forces' Geoinformation Office. "This was the unit that advised the Bundeswehr on all scientific matters," says Langer, who used to work there himself. Processed data was then sent from there to the units, including abroad, until the closure of the office in 2012. At the end of 2013, the ringleader of the cyber bunker gang bought the old Bundeswehr bunker for 450,000 ($489,000). The Dutchman gradually built up the cyber bunker and it took 650 police officers from Germany backed by special units for the raid that brought the enterprise tumbling down. Special forces found 886 physical and virtual computers. They also tracked down darknet operators worldwide, with some 150 arrest warrants executed abroad later on, according to Chief Public Prosecutor Angerer. The mayor now wants a government authority to move in. That would be good news for the town of nearly 6,000 inhabitants, he says, recalling that back in the day, the Bundeswehr had 345 posts there - leading to more income tax revenue among other municipal benefits. "Since the office left, I've been missing a good half a million euros a year in the town's coffers," says Langer. Meanwhile, his thoughts have also turned to crime - and countering dark forces. "For years, the work up there has been highly criminal. What would it be like if the federal or state government set up an authority there to fight cybercrime? That would have a great impact." Hidden in the forest on a hill in Germany is the infamous cyber bunker, where criminals ran an illegal data centre. Plenty of people have promising ideas for the site. Harald Tittel/dpa Members of Jerome Stevenson's family and others pray at a Dec. 29 news conference about the 26-year-old's death while in custody at an Avoyelles Parish jail facility. An inmate and two correctional deputies have been arrested in connection with Stevenson's death. Three men have been charged in connection to the jail beating and death of an Avoyelles Parish inmate. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office announced the arrests in the Nov. 4 beating and death two days later of 26-year-old Jerome Stevenson on Saturday through a Facebook post. Stevenson's family held a news conference on Dec. 29 in front of the sheriff's office in Marksville. During it, attorney Ben Crump spoke to the crowd via cellphone and promised to fight in court while supporters of Stevenson fought in the community. According to the sheriff office's post, investigators arrested an inmate, 37-year-old John Contrell Williams of Marksville, on a charge of second-degree murder. Williams' bail on that charge was set at $500,000. Also arrested were two correctional deputies, Byron Oneal White, 60, and Frank Clinton Overbey III, 61. White was arrested on a charge of malfeasance in office, while Overbey was arrested on a charge of being a principal to second-degree murder. 'Justice for Jerome': Family seeks accountability in wake of man's beating, death Tayshaun Spearman cases: Man facing another armed robbery charge in Alexandria incident now held on $2M+ bail Bail for White, a resident of Simmesport, was set at $100,000. A resident of Hessmer, Overbey's bail was set at $250,000. Both were arrested and booked into an Avoyelles jail facility, but then were transferred elsewhere "for their safety," reads the release. Both were listed as inmates in transit at the Rapides Parish Detention Center #1 on Friday. Both still were listed as being in custody on Monday afternoon, according to online jail records. Williams also was slated to be transferred to another facility, according to the release. The release also stated the investigation still was continuing. According to Tim Ryan, the sheriff office's criminal investigations unit commander, both Overbey and White were fired. This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Avoyelles inmate, deputies charged in beating death of Jerome Stevenson Alexey Navalny, the deceased Russian dissident, spent his last days in one of the country's harshest prisons. Located near the Arctic Circle, the IK-3 penal colony is infamous for its terrible conditions. One analyst said Russia's penal colonies are known for their austerity and dispiriting atmosphere. Alexey Navalny, the Russian political dissident who died Friday at age 47, spent his final days in one of the country's harshest prisons. In December, a spokesperson for Navalny said he had been transferred to IK-3, a penal colony about 40 miles north of the Arctic Circle. "The conditions are quite terrible, it is clear that this is detention in maximum isolation," Igor Kalyapin, a human-rights defender, said of the facility in a Moscow Times story published the same month. Navalny was a prominent Russian critic of President Vladimir Putin. The anti-corruption blogger turned politician almost died in 2020 after he was poisoned with a nerve agent. Putin has denied accusations that Russian government agents were responsible for the 2020 assassination attempt. Alexey Navalny attending a court hearing in January via video link from IK-3. Vera Savina/AFP via Getty Images After his recovery, Navalny returned to Russia despite knowing he could face imprisonment. He was detained shortly after his flight landed in Russia in January 2021. Navalny was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment in February 2021, though he was given credit for time spent under house arrest. His sentence was extended by nine years in March 2022 and then by another 19 in August. Navalny died in prison on Friday, per Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service. The agency said the cause of Navalny's death has yet to be established. Navalny might have joked about prison, but the reality of life in IK-3 was brutal A satellite image of the IK-3 penal colony where Navalny was detained. Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters "I am your new Santa Claus," Navalny wrote in a post on X in December after arriving at IK-3. The political prisoner said in a series of posts on the platform that it took him 20 days to get to the facility, which is also known as Polar Wolf. "I don't say 'Ho-ho-ho,' but I do say 'Oh-oh-oh' when I look out of the window, where I can see a night, then the evening, and then the night again," Navalny wrote. "The 20 days of my transportation were pretty exhausting, but I'm still in a good mood, as befits a Santa Claus." While Navalny did crack some dark jokes about prison life, inmates in Russia's penal colonies often have to contend with brutal living conditions. In 2022, the US State Department said in its report on human-rights practices in Russia that prison conditions there "were often harsh and life-threatening." "Overcrowding, abuse by guards and inmates, limited access to healthcare, food shortages, and inadequate sanitation were common in prisons, penal colonies, and other detention facilities," the report said. "Russian penal institutions inflict profound and lasting physical and psychological harm on inmates," Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told The Telegraph recently. The prisons, Stanovaya said, were "renowned for their austere conditions" and dispiriting atmosphere. "Conditions there are extremely harsh because the special regime is essentially legalized torture," a lawyer told Meduza a media outlet in Riga, Latvia about Polar Wolf. Antonina Favorskaya/AFP via Getty Images According to the BBC, Polar Wolf enforces a culture of collective punishment on its inmates. For example, prisoners have been forced to stand out in the winter cold without any coats. During the hot summer, inmates have been forced to go shirtless when prison grounds were teeming with mosquitoes, the BBC reported. "Conditions there are extremely harsh because the special regime is essentially legalized torture," an unnamed lawyer told Meduza, an independent media outlet in Riga, Latvia, in a story published Friday. Mikho Khulilidze, a man who served a sentence in IK-3 on kidnapping charges, told the Russian news outlet Life in 2013 that prison guards physically abused him. "When prisoners enter the colony, they are taken to the bathhouse," Khulilidze said. "When a person undresses and goes to wash, the water is turned off, and people in masks come in and start beating him." "They put me on the floor and beat me with batons and fists on my buttocks, my head, my face, my ribs," he said. Khulilidze told Life that his beating lasted about half an hour, and he wasn't given any medical assistance afterward. On Friday, Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service said Navalny had felt unwell after taking a walk. He lost consciousness and was pronounced dead after medics failed to revive him. Navalny had said in an X post on January 9 that he "will try to go for a walk no matter what the weather is." "It's never been colder than -25F. Even at that temperature, you can walk for more than half an hour, but only if you have time to grow a new nose, ears, and fingers," he wrote in a separate X post on January 9. President Joe Biden and NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg have both blamed the Russian government for Navalny's death. "Russian authorities are going to tell their own story. But make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Navalny's death," Biden told journalists on Friday. Read the original article on Business Insider Action News Jaxs Ben Becker is investigating how a tax provision that was part of President Donald Trumps Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 has led to new car washes and gas stations popping up in Jacksonville and across the country. Andrew Jaffa ran his own car wash business in Jacksonville for two decades and said drivers love their cars and car washes. I think its a sexy business, said Jaffa, who sold his business in 2020 because he could no longer compete with new larger operators. It was a good ride, said Jaffa, while it lasted. Read: Investigates: New mismanagement questions at Jacksonville Housing Authority involving fraud and felon The tax legislation allowed so-called bonus depreciation more than previously allowed under the Obama and Bush administrations which in turn attracted private equity firms. When it comes to saving money with your taxes, its not like anyones being robbed or anything, said Eric Wilderman, who is an accountant. Depreciation is what happens when business assets lose value over time. Read: Investigates: JEA defending large pay raises for executives, some of whom live out of the area Under the law, numerous industries can depreciate 100% of the purchase price in the first year of ownership; before, depreciation was in 20 percent increments for five years. The difference is a massive tax break. Theyre paying a less of a tax rate than maybe the people who work here [at the car washes and gas stations] maybe for the first year, Wilderman said. I cant really think of any other industry that benefited as well as those two industries did. According to Pro-Publica, private equity firms control more than $6 trillion in assets in the United States and have acquired numerous companies in the housing, hospital and fast food industries in recent decades. Read: Restaurant Report: My new friend, Customer says Ben Becker saved her money They typically own the business for a short time, before flipping it for a profit, raising concerns about the impact on employees, customers, and communities. Car washes are like land banking. They are not highest and best uses no matter where they go, said Bill Bishop, who is a former member of the Jacksonville City Council and an architect by trade. It is a cheap easy thing to put on a site until something better comes along. Bishop helped lead an effort to preserve the old Arlington Federal Savings and Loan building on University Boulevard from being torn down and replaced by you guessed it a car wash owned by a private equity firm. Instead, it was designated a historic landmark by the City Council in December. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Its not just car washes but gas stations as well. Jacksonville-based Gate Petroleum has opened 18 car washes in the past few years as other gas stations have also gotten into the act. Becker obtained records that show since 2017, there are 51 new gas stations in Duval County and 40 in St. Johns County. Oftentimes you are seeing gas stations do this because they already have the location, they add the car wash, and they are able to write it off a lot quicker, Wilderman said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] As for Jaffa, he said our love affair with cars and car washes isnt ending anytime soon. People love to talk about their cars, baby their cars. They accessorize their cars. They spend a lot of time, you are with your car a good portion of the day. Becker reached out to both Gate and the International Car Wash Association, but both declined to do an interview or issue a comment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, its much better for the environment if you use a commercial car wash than washing your car at home. Most locations reuse water several times before sending it to a treatment plant. 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. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) When 10 On Your Side ran a story earlier this month about a woman charged with conspiracy to commit murder, Rob and Kelly Rogers saw someone they knew. Hitman or repairman? Woman denies being part of murder-for-hire plot from Chesapeake jail Amanda Deese, 49, had been to their Deep Creek home last winter. Ten years before that, she had been convicted of embezzlement. Last December, they trusted Deese and their home warranty company that sent her out to remodel their bathroom. And then they learned all of that trust was misplaced. First, the current charges. Deese spoke with us from jail earlier this month, charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Police say she was part of a plot with inmate Brian Askew to kill a witness who was against him. As 10 On Your Side reported, Chesapeake police arrested her late last month and said she was waiting with a gun in her truck to pick up the would-be hitman, whom Askew had recruited from behind bars. Kelly Rogers saw that story. It made me physically ill, she said. But hearing that and then seeing murder-for-hire was just very scary. The couple had been faithful customers of Select Home Warranty until last week. Select sent out Deese for their bathroom remodel last winter, more than 10 years after Deese was convicted in federal court of felony embezzlement. She stole more than $200,000 from a previous employer. Deese-federal-factsDownload Rob and Kelly Rogers said the home warranty companys background checks are completely inadequate. Either they didnt do anything, or they dont care, Rob Rogers said. Neither answers acceptable. The couple didnt realize they were handing over $6,500 of their hard-earned money to an embezzler, and they said Deese was evasive when they had asked her for credentials. According to its website, Select Home Warranty requires its contractors to be licensed. [Deese] assured me, Oh no, not a problem,' Kelly Rogers said. License and bonded, insured, everythings good, but she never would provide it for me. Kept giving me excuses. Its shocking to discover that they are not licensed, Rob Rogers said. Thats bad enough. But then to add that theyre a convicted felon, and theyre sending her to your home. Pretty soon the subcontractor Deese had hired told Kelly Rogers that he couldnt get paid because Deese was claiming that the customer hadnt paid her. But she had paid Deese. I showed [the subcontractor], this is my receipt, I gave her $6,500, Kelly Rogers said. Shes got a lot of money to pay you. The master bath was torn out, but then the work stopped. The couple took Deese to court and was awarded a judgment against her. They hadnt seen her for several months until our report on charges of murder for hire and possession of a gun by a convicted felon. Back to the home warranty company. When you pay six-and-a half-thousand dollars to an unlicensed fraudulent contractor that was sent by the warranty company to your house, Rob Rogers said, you kind of expected basic customer service for them to make this right. The couple hired another contractor to finish the work, costing them an additional $5,000. Theyre done recommending Select to people shopping for a home warranty. There are other warranty companies out there who wont send fraudulent murder-for-hire people to your home, Rob Rogers said. Choose one of them. Any one of them. Kelly Rogers said Select tried to keep them as a customer. What were they gonna do, send us another felon, Kelly Rogers said. Deese told us from jail she was only picking up the hitman to take him to a carpentry job, despite the gun with the extended magazine police said they found in her pickup. Despite the experience of the Rogerses, Select Home Warranty scores highly in national rankings by U.S. News and World Report of similar firms. 10 On Your Side made repeated attempts by phone and email to find out why Select would have a convicted felon on its roster of approved contractor providers. A representative said a supervisor would respond, but the company has yet to do so. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. The road is considered one of the most dangerous on the island of Ireland, claiming more than 50 lives since 2006 The Irish government is poised to restore its funding promise of 400m for the A5. The dual carriageway project is to improve the main route between Londonderry and Dublin. A high-level Irish government source has confirmed to the BBC that the full amount will be restored after the cabinet meets on Tuesday. Expectations were raised when it was put to the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) a week ago that the government should provide more funding. Speaking in the Dail (Irish lower house of parliament), Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said more funding to help complete the major upgrade would now be considered after it was majorly reduced during the financial crash. Analysis: Julian Fowler, BBC NI South West reporter I think we are closer to work beginning on the A5. We heard in the public inquiry from departmental officials saying if the planning process is approved contractors can move and start work on the project this year. Obviously the funding is the main issue. Weve got 25% of the overall cost coming from Dublin set to be approved on Tuesday. But this road is going to be built in stages, so if this funding is in place on Tuesday and planning is approved then they can start work on the first section, which would be the northern-most section. That first section of road could be completed by the end of 2026. In response to a question from the Sinn Fein TD for Donegal, Padraig Mac Lochlainn, Mr Varadkar said the government would soon be in a position to "make a revised financial commitment to the A5". "We didn't actually remove our commitment, but we did reduce it substantially on account of the financial crisis that occurred here," he said. "The situation is now different, we are now in a much better position financially as a country and the Northern Ireland Executive is now back up and running." The Irish government had previously pledged to contribute 400m to the total cost of the major road project as part of the St Andrews Agreement, but this offer was then reduced. The road is considered one of the most dangerous on the island of Ireland, claiming more than 50 lives since 2006. Despite first being announced about 16 years ago, work has not yet started in any substantial form on the proposed dual carriageway upgrade and has beset by numerous delays. If completed, the major upgrade would be the largest road ever built in Northern Ireland, with an estimated cost of about 1.6bn. 'Positive move' Kate Corrigan said there could not be any more delays in the upgrade of the road Kate Corrigan, whose son Nathan died in December 2021 in a collision on the A5, said work on the road was very much needed. "Its a pity it hadnt happened long ago. Nathan may well have been still with us if the upgrade had gone ahead whenever it was supposed to have gone ahead 16 years ago," she told Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme. "However, we are where we are and its a welcome statement and a very welcome financial contribution to help push this upgrade ahead." She added: "Every time somebodys travelling down that road their lives are at risk and there really cant be any more delays." "So I do feel that this is a very positive move. " 'Not fit for purpose' Caoimhe O'Brien was killed in a crash on the road between Londonderry and Strabane in October 2016. Her mother Marie said there can be no further delays in getting the road upgraded and said any increase in funding by the Irish government is welcome. "That road is not fit for purpose," Marie O'Brien said. "I don't want anyone else going through what we did, as a family. I don't want to see another family get that knock on the door. "I just want to see that road upgraded - it will not bring Caoimhe back but it could save somebody else's child or loved one and that's all I can hope for." George Fleming said his business relies on the A5 for transporting agricultural machinery across the island of Ireland and the UK George Fleming, who is the chair of Fleming Agri-Products, said his business relies on the A5 for transporting agricultural machinery across the island of Ireland and the UK. Mr Fleming said it is imperative the road upgrade is done as soon as possible to ensure greater safety for his drivers. "The A5 is a disastrous journey, especially from here to Aughnacloy - it's just so dangerous," he told BBC News NI. Mr Fleming said at least 50% of what they manufacture is transported on the A5 and said he hopes any proposed Irish government funding will go some way towards seeing that work begin sooner rather than later. Israel has said it will begin an assault on Rafah if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages it holds in Gaza by the beginning of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan expected to be on 10 March. It comes as the EU became the latest to warn that such an offensive would create a humanitarian disaster. Benny Gantz, a member of Israels war cabinet, said: The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know: if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, to include the Rafah area. Israels military said it had struck Khan Younis on Monday, where it has focused its war on Hamas in recent weeks. An assault on Rafah the last refuge for Palestinians in Gaza would mean pushing further south. Health officials in Hamas-run Gaza say that more than 29,000 people have been killed by an Israeli aerial bombardment, ground operations and a blockade that was started in response to a bloody Hamas attack inside Israel that killed around 1,200 people and saw 250 more taken hostage. Up to 1.5 million of Gaza's population of 2.3m are now sheltering in Rafah, a city on the southern edge of the enclave. Many have fled other areas of Gaza as Israeli forces have moved south. An attack on Rafah would be absolutely catastrophic ... it would be unconscionable, Irelands Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said before a meeting with foreign ministers from the 27 EU member states in Brussels. After the talks ended, the blocs top diplomat Josep Borrell said 26 of the EUs 27 countries agreed to a statement warning against any attack on Rafah and calling for an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a sustainable ceasefire, to the unconditional release of hostages, and to the provision of humanitarian assistance. Mr Borrell did not name the country that did not agree to the text but diplomats told Reuters that Hungary blocked a similar statement a few days ago. Palestinian crowds struggle to buy bread from a bakery in Rafah (AP) Mr Borrell said it would be impossible to prevent civilian deaths given the sheer numbers currently in Rafah. We have to continue putting pressure on Israel to make them understand that there are so many people in the streets of Rafah, it will be impossible to avoid civilian casualties, he said. A number of nations, including Israels staunchest ally the US, have warned against a military offensive inside Rafah, with Palestinians having no other place to turn. Also on Monday, the Israeli military released footage which it said showed Israeli woman Shiri Bibas and her two small children being moved by Palestinian militants in Gaza shortly after the family was kidnapped in southern Israel in the Hamas attack on 7 October. The security camera footage showed what appeared to be a young woman carrying a child on her shoulder as she was wrapped in a long, light-coloured covering in the yard of a building and transferred into a car. The army said the footage was recovered a few days ago and came from Khan Younis. It said the images showed Shiri Bibas as well as her sons Ariel, who was aged four when he was kidnapped, and Kfir, the youngest hostage seized, who was nine months old at the time. The footage shows the terrorists wrapping Shiri and her babies in a sheet, trying to hide them, chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a news briefing, adding that the footage came from the day of their abduction. From the information available to us, we are concerned for the wellbeing of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir, he said. The Bibas family released a statement calling for their immediate release. We desperately call on all decision makers in Israel and worldwide involved in negotiations: Bring them home immediately, the family said. Smoke from the ground operation in Khan Younis, seen from a camp sheltering displaced Palestinians in Rafah (Reuters) It comes as 14 patients were evacuated from the last major hospital in southern Gaza, Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, which has been raided by Israeli troops. The UN agency the World Health Organisation (WHO) said over the weekend that the hospital had ceased to function following an Israeli raid. Israels military denies that its raid has forced the hospital offline. There are still more than 180 patients and 15 doctors and nurses inside Nasser, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus later said in a post on Twitter/X. The hospital is still experiencing an acute shortage of food, basic medical supplies, and oxygen. There is no tap water and no electricity, except a back-up generator maintaining some lifesaving machines, he said, urging Israel to allow safe and sustained access to Nasser to continue lifesaving efforts. Meanwhile, at the UNs top court in The Hague, a week of hearings started on a request from the UN General Assembly for a non-binding opinion on the legality of Israels occupation of lands sought for a possible Palestinian state. The request was made to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2022. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem areas which the Palestinians want for a state in a 1967 war and has since built settlements in the occupied West Bank and steadily expanded them. Palestinian representatives asked judges to declare Israels occupation illegal. We call on you to confirm that Israels presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian representative to the United Nations, said. A finding from this distinguished court ... would contribute to bringing [occupation] to an immediate end, paving a way to a just and lasting peace, he said. A future in which no Palestinians and no Israelis are killed. A future in which two states live side by side in peace and security. The ICJs 15-judge panel has been asked to review Israels occupation, settlement and annexation ... including measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures. Israel is not attending the hearings but sent a five-page written statement published by the court in which it said an advisory opinion would be harmful to attempts to resolve the conflict because the questions posed by the UN General Assembly were prejudiced. The judges are expected to take months to issue an opinion. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report The Israeli military plans to continue its full-scale operations in Gaza for at least another six weeks before ramping down the conflict, Israeli officials told Reuters. Four Israeli military officials told the outlet that Israel would adopt a strategy of fewer airstrikes and a greater emphasis on targeted operations. The six-to-eight weeks will likely fall in with Israel's campaign against Hamas in Rafah, which is poised to begin soon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing intense international pressure to call off the invasion of Rafah, a Gaza border town lying next to Egypt. Even the U.S. has issued warnings that it will not support a campaign in Rafah without Israel presenting a clear plan on how to minimize civilian casualties. "Rafah is the last bastion of Hamas control and there remain battalions in Rafah which Israel must dismantle to achieve its goals in this war," Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official, told Reuters. EU FOREIGN POLICY CZAR SUGGESTS US SLASH MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL The Israeli military plans to continue its full-scale military operations in Gaza for at least another six weeks before ramping down the conflict, Israeli officials told Reuters. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the Israel Defense Forces were planning to take "extraordinary measures" to prevent the loss of civilian life. He also argued that a campaign in Rafah was necessary for destroying Hamas. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP BIDEN DISPARAGES NETANYAHU BEHIND THE SCENES AS A-----E, PAIN IN MY A--: REPORT "There were 24 regional battalions in Gaza we have dismantled 18 of them," he told a media briefing. "Now, Rafah is the next Hamas center of gravity." Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the Israeli Defense Forces were planning to take "extraordinary measures" to prevent the loss of civilians life. He also argued that a campaign in Rafah was necessary for destroying Hamas. President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were emphatic about efforts to protect civilians in recent weeks. Blinken met Netanyahu face to face, and Biden called the Israeli leader twice last week alone. Netanyahu has vowed that the war in Gaza will continue in some capacity until Hamas has been destroyed. Reuters contributed to this report. Original article source: Israel to continue full-scale operations in Gaza for at least a month before scaling back war FILE - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, arrives for a German and Brazil governments meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. Israel on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, condemned Brazil's president for comparing the situation in Gaza to the Holocaust, accusing him of being antisemitic and trivializing the Naza genocide of European Jews during World War II. The outcry further strained relations between the countries, which have deteriorated since President Lula returned to office last year. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File) JERUSALEM (AP) Israels foreign minister said Monday that Brazils president would not be welcome in Israel until he apologizes for comments he made comparing Israels war in Gaza to the Holocaust, accusing him of a very serious antisemitic attack. On Sunday, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that what is happening in the Gaza Strip and to the Palestinian people hasnt been seen in any other moment in history. Actually, it did when Hitler decided to kill the Jews. Lula made the comments while speaking to reporters at the African Union summit in Ethiopia. Foreign Minister Israel Katz summoned the Brazilian ambassador to Israels national Holocaust museum in Jerusalem on Monday for a reprimand. The things that Lula said when he compared the righteous war of the State of Israel against Hamas, which murdered and massacred the Jews, and Hitler and the Nazis is shameful and unacceptable, Katz said. Following Israel's reaction to Lula's comments, Brazil on Monday recalled the country's ambassador to Israel, Frederico Meyer, for consultations. Brazil's foreign affairs minister Mauro Vieira also summoned the Israeli ambassador Daniel Zonshine in light of the seriousness of this mornings statements by the Israeli government, according to a statement from his ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Lulas comments trivialized the Holocaust and crossed a red line." Such comments strike a raw nerve in Israel, a country established as a haven for Jews in the wake of the Holocaust. Israel says its war in Gaza, launched in response to a deadly Hamas attack on Oct. 7, is defensive and rejects any comparisons of its offensive to the Holocaust. Lulas comments came after leaders at the African Union summit on Saturday condemned Israels offensive in Gaza and called for its immediate end. In the Oct. 7 attack, Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel and killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostage. Militants still hold around 130 hostages, a fourth of them believed to be dead. Most of the others were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. The war has killed at least 29,092 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Around 80% of Gazas population have been driven from their homes, and a quarter face starvation. The heavy death toll and widespread damage have led to mounting criticism of Israel and growing calls for a cease-fire. Celso Amorim, former foreign affairs minister and a special adviser to Lula, told local news outlet G1 that Israels reaction was absurd. It only increases Israels isolation. Lula is sought after all over the world and at the moment its Israel thats (persona) non grata, Amorim said. Brazils presidential palace did not immediately respond to requests for comment. First lady Rosangela da Silva, Lula's wife, said she was proud of her husband for defending peace and the right to life for women and children. The speech referred to the genocidal government and not to the Jewish people, let's be honest in our analysis, she said. Netanyahu should be concerned about the rejection he arouses in the world and in his own country, before trying to reprimand anyone who denounces his policy of exterminating the Palestinian people. He has no moral or political authority to point the finger at anyone, Gleisi Hoffmann, president of Lulas Workers Party, told Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper. Last week, Lula met with the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Shtayyeh, before participating in the African Union summit in Ethiopias capital, Addis Ababa. After the meeting, Brazils presidential palace said: Lula condemned Hamas attacks against Israeli civilians, indicated agreement with the need for a cease-fire and reiterated the Brazilian governments commitment to the two-state solution with an economically viable Palestinian state, living in peace and security with Israel, within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders." ___ Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro. A member of Israel's War Cabinet has vowed to invade Rafah if remaining Israeli hostages are not freed by the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this month, Israel's plan to invade the border city have sparked concern around the world, even from some of the country's staunchest allies. More than half of Gaza's population have fled to Rafah, which lies on the froniter with Egypt, after Israeli forces ordered them to evacute there. Concerns have grown that Israel may attempt to push the Palestinians into Egypt - something Israel denies. On Sunday, however, Neyanyahu brushed off growing calls to halt the looming offensive, vowing to "finish the job" in Gaza. The Ramadan deadline was set by retired general Benny Gantz, part of the Israeli PM's three-member War Cabinet. He is an influential voice, but not the final word on what might be in store. So far the Israeli government has not publically discussed a timeline of a ground offensive in Rafah. If by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area, Gantz told a conference of Jewish American leaders. Ramadan, expected to begin March 10, is historically a tense time in the region. Netanyahu wants Israel to achieve total victory over Hamas. But criticism is rising - even inside Israel itself - about the extent to which this is possible and at what cost. Israel's war with Hamas has killed at least 28,985 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The 7 October attack by Hamas killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 were taken hostage. Palestinian militants still hold around 130 hostages, a fourth of them believed to be dead - some due to Israeli fire. Most of the others were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November. The Hamas-run health authority reported casualties and destruction in recent Israeli air strikes in Rafah Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz has warned that unless Hamas frees all hostages held in Gaza by 10 March an offensive will be launched in Rafah. It is the first time Israel has said when its troops might enter Gaza's overcrowded southern city. Global opposition is growing to such an attack in Rafah, where some 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering. Earlier, the UN public health agency said a key Gaza hospital had ceased to function following an Israeli raid. The World Health Organization (WHO) said it had not been allowed to enter Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis, north of Rafah, to assess the situation. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) entered the complex on Thursday, saying intelligence indicated hostages taken by Hamas were being held there. The IDF has described its operation in Nasser as "precise and limited", accusing Hamas of "cynically using hospitals for terror". Speaking on Sunday, Mr Gantz, a former defence minister, said: "The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know - if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, to include the Rafah area". Ramadan - the Islamic holy month of fasting - this year begins on 10 March. Mr Gantz added that Israel would act in "a co-ordinated manner, facilitating the evacuation of civilians in dialogue with our American and Egyptian partners to minimise civilian casualties". The Israeli war cabinet consists of the country's top security officials. It was formed several days after Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israel on 7 October, killing at least 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages. Hamas is still holding about 130 hostages in Gaza, Israel believes. Mr Gantz's reference to Egypt may serve to heighten speculation that Israel expects some Palestinians to cross out of the Gaza Strip and seek shelter on the Egyptian side of the border, where the authorities appear to be building a large walled enclosure for this purpose, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams. But Israeli officials have yet to give any details of an evacuation plan, he adds. With exactly three weeks to go before the start of Ramadan, reports from Rafah say that a few people are leaving, heading west towards the coast, but that most are still waiting, unsure what to do. Despite international pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch a ground assault on Rafah to eliminate Hamas gunmen there. Egypt and some other Arab countries have repeatedly warned that an Israeli offensive in Rafah would risk pushing many Palestinians into Egypt - which they consider unacceptable. Saudi Arabia has vowed "very serious repercussions" if Rafah is stormed. Internationally there have been many calls for Israel to refrain from storming Rafah, where Palestinians are living in dire conditions. Israel's offensive against Hamas since 7 October has reduced much of the Gaza Strip to ruins. Map showing Israeli ground operations in southern Gaza (4 February 2023) More than 28,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 68,000 wounded since the war began, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The ministry says at least 127 Palestinians have been killed and 205 others injured in the past 24 hours. Despite the continued fighting in Gaza, efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have been taking place in Cairo in recent days - although Qatari mediators said progress was "not very promising". Mr Netanyahu said he sent negotiators following a request from US President Joe Biden, but added they did not return for further discussions because Hamas's demands were "delusional". Hamas has blamed Israel for a lack of progress towards achieving a ceasefire deal. Israeli officials appear to have set a deadline to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah the largest refugee camp in the coastal territory for the Muslim holy day of Ramadan on March 10. Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war Cabinet, delivered an ultimatum at a Sunday event with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, an umbrella group for the American Jewish community. The world must know and Hamas leaders must know that if by Ramadan the hostages are not home, then the fighting will continue, including in Rafah, Gantz said at the event. Israel has argued it must move into Rafah, which hosts more than a million Palestinians sheltering from the war, to ensure the complete military defeat of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. But the looming offensive is spurring major concerns from human rights groups and emergency responders on the ground, who warn that any invasion of Rafah could trigger a huge loss of civilian life and upend humanitarian efforts in the Gaza strip. Rafah, which borders Egypt, is the only place where humanitarian aid is consistently entering Gaza, and Israeli military operations there could hinder what few basic necessities many Palestinian civilians have access to, including food, water and medical aid. Military operations in Rafah could lead to a slaughter in Gaza, said Martin Griffiths, the U.N.s emergency relief coordinator, in a statement last week. They could also leave an already fragile humanitarian operation at deaths door. To address those concerns, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered his military to draft a plan to evacuate civilians before the invasion. Israels main ally, the U.S., has backed a move into Rafah, but only if a plan is created to keep civilians safe. Speaking at the same conference as Gantz over the weekend, Netanyahu said it was necessary to root out Hamas everywhere they are hiding, arguing we cannot leave a quarter of Hamass terrorist battalions intact. Once you destroy the battalions, there is no organized command and control structure, he said. Youre left with individual terrorists, which we mop up with ground action. Although military and regional political analysts warn that Hamas represents an ideology and will be extremely difficult to wipe out, Israel insists the groups military capabilities can be degraded, and Netanyahu has said victory is within reach. Israeli troops invaded Gaza a few weeks after Hamas launched a deadly Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel, kidnapping 240 people and killing some 1,200. More than 100 hostages remain in Gaza. Israels military has since swept across nearly the entire Gaza Strip, including in the north and central-southern areas, where forces are wrapping up operations in the city of Khan Yunis. The war so far has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians, including both combatants and civilians, according to Gaza health authorities run by Hamas. With the Rafah operation imminent, Israel is facing pressure from the Biden administration to protect civilian lives with an evacuation plan. Without that credible plan, a major operation in Rafah would be a disaster, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said last week. Meanwhile, Arab neighbors are pushing Netanyahu not to invade the refugee camp. Egyptian officials have reportedly threatened to shatter a decades-old peace treaty with Israel if troops move into Rafah, which could send Palestinians over the border and into Egypt and possibly displace them permanently. Netanyahu said over the weekend that he will not surrender to any pressure. Whoever wants to prevent us from operating in Rafah is telling us in effect to lose the war, he said. I will not allow this. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Portraits of the Bibas family held by Hamas militants: Kfir, his brother Ariel, their father Yarden and mother Shiri are displayed in Tel Aviv on January 18, 2024 which would have been Kfir Bibas's first birthday (AHMAD GHARABLI) Israel's military on Monday published new images and voiced concern about a mother and her two boys -- including a baby who is the youngest hostage held by Palestinian militants in Gaza. Hamas announced in November that all three had been killed in an Israeli bombardment but the Israeli authorities have not confirmed the claim. Army spokesman Daniel Hagari said they were "concerned for the welfare" of Shiri Bibas, who was seen on a street camera in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis surrounded by seven armed men. Kfir Bibas is the youngest Israeli hostage and was "stolen from his crib" in the community of Nir Oz when he was barely nine months old while his brother, Ariel, was just four, Hagari told a televised briefing. If still alive, Kfir Bibas would have turned one year old on January 18. In a statement on Monday, other members of the Bibas family described the images as "unbearable and inhumane" and called the kidnapping of children "a crime against humanity and a war crime". "Ariel and Kfir are victims of monstrous evil. Our whole family has become hostages along with all the hostages," they added. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that "these kidnappers of babies and mothers" will be brought to justice. Militant allies of Hamas involved in the kidnapping said in response that the trio were kept safe and treated well, and were held for more than 20 days but were killed in an Israeli air strike. Netanyahu and his government were responsible and were "deliberately" targeting hostages, they added in a statement in response to the army. The boys' father, Yarden Bibas, who was also seized in the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants which triggered the war with Israel, has also appeared in a video. Nir Oz in southern Israel was the scene of some of the bloodiest attacks on October 7, which led to the deaths of 1,160 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. Israel vowed to "destroy" Hamas in response and has carried out a relentless bombardment and ground invasion that has killed more than 29,000 people, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. More than 250 people were taken hostage, including more than 75 from Nir Oz. According to Israel, 130 hostages are still in Gaza but 30 are thought to be dead. Images filmed by Hamas on October 7 of a terrified Shiri Bibas with her two children in her arms have become the defining images of the hostage crisis for Israelis. mib-az/phz/giv FILE PHOTO: Bibas Levy holds with her friend Ulus pictures of her brother Yarden who was kidnapped with his wife and 2 children in Geneva JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli military released footage on Monday which it said showed Israeli woman Shiri Bibas and her two small children being moved by Palestinian militants in Gaza shortly after the family was kidnapped in southern Israel on Oct. 7. The security camera footage showed what appeared to be a young woman carrying a child on her shoulder as she was wrapped in a long, light coloured covering in the yard of a building and transferred into a car. The army said the footage was recovered a few days ago and came from the area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. It said the images showed Shiri Bibas as well as her sons Ariel, who was aged four when he was kidnapped, and Kfir, the youngest hostage seized, who was nine months old at the time. "The footage shows the terrorists wrapping Shiri and her babies in a sheet, trying to hide them," chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a news briefing, adding that the footage came from the day of their abduction. "From the information available to us, we are concerned for the well-being of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir," he said, adding that the family was held by a group called the Mujahideen Brigades. The Bibas family released a statement calling for their immediate release. "We desperately call on all decision makers in Israel and worldwide involved in negotiations: Bring them home immediately," the family said. The Bibas family - Shiri Bibas, her husband Yarden, as well as the two children, were kidnapped from Nir Oz kibbutz near Gaza and are among 134 hostages still held in Gaza. More than 100 others, including most of the children abducted on Oct. 7, were released by Hamas during a brief ceasefire in November but the fate of the Bibas family remains unknown. The Hamas attack on Oct. 7, in which Israel said 1,200 people were killed, triggered the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, in which health officials in the Hamas-run territory say more than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed. (Reporting by James Mackenzie, Editing by Timothy Heritage) Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here. Israel will expand military operations in the southernmost Gazan city of Rafah if hostages held by Hamas are not returned by the start of Ramadan, war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has warned. The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area, Gantz told a gathering of American-Jewish organizations in Jerusalem on Sunday. We will do so in a coordinated manner, facilitating the evacuation of civilians in dialogue with our American and Egyptian partners to minimize civilian casualties, the Israeli minister added. The Muslim holy month is expected to start on March 10 or 11. Israel believes that 130 hostages remain in Gaza 101 alive and 29 dead following Hamas October 7 attacks, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel. Israels subsequent war on Hamas has killed more than 29,000 people and injured another 68,000 in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the enclave. Gantzs comments appear to be the clearest indication yet of a timeline around an Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city, where more than 1 million displaced Palestinians are taking shelter near the Egyptian border. To those saying the price is too high, I say this very clearly: Hamas has a choice they can surrender, release the hostages, and the citizens of Gaza will be able to celebrate the holy holiday of Ramadan, Gantz said. The comments come amid stuttering talks aimed at securing the release of hostages and a longer-term ceasefire in Gaza. In its latest proposal, Hamas has demanded the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave and eventually a permanent end to the war, as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel including those serving life sentences as part of any hostage deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described Hamas proposal as delusional. A woman rests next to a damaged building, as Palestinians arrive in Rafah after they were evacuated from Nasser hospital in Khan Younis due to the Israeli ground operation, in the southern Gaza Strip on February 15. - Mohammed Salem/Reuters Israel has said it plans to expand its ground operations into Rafah as part of its goal to destroy Hamas after the October 7 attacks. But there is growing concern that the roughly 1.5 million Palestinians sheltering there will have nowhere to go. Many in the international community, including the United States and the United Nations, have warned against Israels operation in Rafah, with UN aid chief Martin Griffiths saying such an offensive could lead to a slaughter and leave humanitarian efforts in Gaza at deaths door. Neighboring Egypt has also been on edge over Israels possible operation, boosting its security presence at its border with the Gaza Strip with extra troops and machinery, as well as deploying more soldiers at checkpoints leading to the Rafah border. Egypts security buildup comes amid fears of the war spilling over into its territory should Israel begin its operation in Rafah. With more than half of Gazas population sheltering just steps away from the frontier, Egypts foreign ministry spokesperson has warned that targeting this area of the strip, which is filled with so many civilians, poses a danger. Satellite images also show that Egypt appears to be building a massive, miles-wide buffer zone and wall along its border with southern Gaza, CNN reported last week. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Sunday denied that there were any kind of preparations taking place at the border, saying the reported activities were the ordinary maintenance of our border and our border fortification. It is in no way related to providing any camps or shelter on our side of the border, Shoukry said in an interview with Sky News, stressing that displacing Palestinians out of Gaza would amount to a liquidation of the Palestinian cause. Palestinians holding empty bowls receive food distributed by volunteers amid a hunger crisis and famine risk due to the Israeli embargo imposed on the territory, in Rafah, the southern Gaza Strip on February 18. - Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu/Getty Images Meanwhile, Israel has continued to press ahead with its operation in other parts of Gaza. After days of bombardment, Israeli forces last week raided what was the largest hospital still functioning in the enclave, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, rendering it completely out of service and unable to handle critical cases, the Gazan health ministry said Sunday. Dozens of health care workers were arrested and some 80 patients transferred out of the hospital to an unknown location, a ministry spokesman said. Electricity has been cut off and seven people have so far died as a result, the spokesman added. CNN cannot independently verify casualty figures in Gaza due to limited access to the area. The Israeli military said it had credible evidence that Hamas had previously held hostages at the hospital, and that the bodies of deceased hostages may be at the medical complex. Hamas said it had no business in the hospital. CNNs Abeer Salman, Alex Stambaugh, Nadeen Ebrahim, Sarah El Sirgany and Paul P. Murphy contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The UN has warned of a famine but opponents are undeterred (GIL COHEN-MAGEN) Even as the threat of famine stalks the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, Israeli protesters have gathered repeatedly to stop desperately needed aid from getting into the Palestinian territory. "You might say it's not acceptable to block food and water going in," said one protester, David Rudman, at the Nitzana border post between Israel and Egypt. "But, given the situation we're in, it's acceptable," he argued as the Gaza war, siege and hostage crisis have continued into a fifth month. The latest protest on Sunday came as Hamas threatened to suspend talks to free hostages unless more aid gets in. Despite those threats, just over 100 people gathered at Nitzana, where the Egyptian Sinai meets Israel's Negev desert, with some saying they were hoping to pile pressure on in a bid to free the captives. Rudman, 35, drove three hours from Jerusalem to prevent food, fuel and medicine from getting into Gaza, which Israel has been shelling since Hamas's October 7 attack. Undeterred by concrete blocks across the road and armed soldiers on patrol, the protesters reached the terminal where aid from Egypt is checked before the trucks continue towards Gaza. As a result, trucks waiting on the Egyptian side were unable to cross into Israel. "Our aim is to get the hostages back," said Rudman. "There hasn't been any progress for weeks, and you're going to see more and more people coming here," he predicted. - Despair - The war began with Hamas's attack that resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed more than 29,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's health ministry. Some 300,000 people remain in northern Gaza, where increasingly desperate conditions have forced some to grind bird feed for flour. A first truce at the end of November saw the release of 108 hostages out of the more than 250 kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. Israel says 130 captives are still in Gaza but 30 may be dead. "One of my best friends is a hostage in Gaza," said Rudman, without naming the captive. "We hope he's still alive in Gaza but we don't know for sure. "It makes no sense at all. On the one hand we give them water, medicine and food but on the other we don't even have a list" of who is being held and their condition. Families of the hostages have taken to the streets every week to push the Israeli government to accept a deal for their release. This weekend said they would block the terminal at Nitzana or one further north at Kerem Shalom. But at Nitzana on Sunday only one member of the hostages' families turned up and refused to talk, out of fear of reprisals for those being held. - 'Unhumanitarian' aid - A survey for Israel's Channel 12 television at the end of January suggested 72 percent of Israelis believed Gaza should not receive any aid while hostages are still being held. The UN says the protests at Nitzana and Kerem Shalom are blocking trucks from going into Gaza, hitting dwindling stocks. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society on Sunday evening said 123 trucks made it into Gaza via Kerem Shalom, but none had passed through Nitzana because of the protest. Nili Naouri, head of the far-right group "Israel is Forever", said that "it's completely immoral to force Israel to send humanitarian convoys of trucks to people that support Hamas, who are holding our people hostage, and are collaborating with the enemy". On Sunday, members of the organisation turned up to block aid, calling it "unhumanitarian". "Hamas aren't going to gladly free our hostages if we allow aid trucks in for the civilian population of Gaza," said Naouri. Her solution is simple: "Let Gazans leave Gaza" if they want help from the international community. Hamas, she charged, diverts aid for its own ends. Some 1.4 million Palestinians have been sheltering in Rafah in the far south of Gaza, many having been displaced several times in a bid to find safety since the start of the war. With neighbouring Egypt repeatedly rejecting the mass displacement of Palestinians, they have nowhere to go as Israel's planned ground offensive of Rafah looms. But David Ickowicz, 39, a regular at the aid blockades, is convinced that his "civil disobedience" serves a purpose. "Hamas's leaders live in the tunnels. But to live underground and breathe oxygen you need electricity produced by fuel," he reasoned. "Cut off fuel supplies and we'll get them out of the tunnels." gl/mib/phz/jsa/fz FILE PHOTO: Palestinians inspect a house hit by an Israeli strike, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip FILE PHOTO: Palestinians inspect a house hit by an Israeli strike, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip By Samia Nakhoul, Jonathan Saul and Humeyra Pamuk DOHA (Reuters) - Israel expects to continue full-scale military operations in Gaza for another six to eight weeks as it prepares to mount a ground invasion of the enclave's southernmost city of Rafah, four officials familiar with the strategy said. Military chiefs believe they can significantly damage Hamas' remaining capabilities in that time, paving the way for a shift to a lower-intensity phase of targeted airstrikes and special forces operations, according to the two Israeli and two regional officials who asked to remain anonymous to speak freely. There is little chance that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government will heed international criticism to call off a Rafah ground assault, said Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official and a negotiator in the first and second Palestinian intifadas, or uprisings, in the 1980s and 2000s. "Rafah is the last bastion of Hamas control and there remain battalions in Rafah which Israel must dismantle to achieve its goals in this war," he added. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Friday that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were planning operations in Rafah targeting Hamas fighters, command centres and tunnels, though gave no timeline for the campaign. He stressed that "extraordinary measures" were being taken to avoid civilian casualties. "There were 24 regional battalions in Gaza we have dismantled 18 of them," he told a media briefing. "Now, Rafah is the next Hamas centre of gravity." World leaders fear a humanitarian catastrophe. Trapped between the two sworn enemies are more than a million Palestinian civilians crammed into the city on the Egyptian border, with nowhere left to run, after fleeing Israeli attacks that have laid waste to much of the enclave. In a past week of high diplomatic tension, U.S. President Joe Biden phoned the Israeli leader twice to warn him against launching a military operation in Rafah without a credible plan to ensure the safety of civilians. Netanyahu himself said civilians would be allowed to leave the battle zone before the offensive, even as he vowed "complete victory". The IDF hasn't explained how it will move more than a million people within the ruins of the enclave. According to one Israeli security source and an international aid official, who asked not to be identified, Gazans could be screened to weed out any Hamas fighters before being sent northwards. A separate Israeli source said Israel could also build a floating jetty north of Rafah to enable international aid and hospital ships to arrive by sea. Nonetheless, an Israeli defence official said Palestinians wouldn't be allowed to return to north Gaza en masse, leaving scrubland around Rafah as an option for makeshift tent cities. The regional officials also said it wouldn't be safe to move a large number of people into a northern zone with no power and running water which hasn't been cleared of unexploded ordinance. Washington is sceptical Israel has made sufficient preparations for a secure civilian evacuation, several officials familiar with the conversations between the two governments said. Biden said on Friday he didn't expect a "massive" Israeli ground invasion to happen soon. Furthermore, according to Hamas, the total victory promised by Netanyahu won't be quick or easy. A Hamas official based in Qatar told Reuters that the group estimated it had lost 6,000 fighters during the four-month-old conflict, half the 12,000 Israel says it has killed. Gaza's ruling group can keep fighting and is prepared for a long war in Rafah and Gaza, said the official, who requested anonymity. "Netanyahu's options are difficult and ours are too. He can occupy Gaza but Hamas is still standing and fighting. He hasn't achieved his goals to kill the Hamas leadership or annihilate Hamas," he added. 'NO EMPTY SPACE IN RAFAH' Hamas triggered the conflict on Oct. 7 last year when its fighters burst out of the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages. The surprise attack prompted a massive retaliatory Israeli bombardment and ground invasion that have killed more than 28,000 Palestinians. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble by Israel. Fighting continues in the southern city of Khan Younis, with sporadic clashes still breaking out in northern areas supposedly cleared. More than 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants have been left homeless. Most of the displaced have sought shelter in Rafah, which had a pre-war population of about 300,000. "There is no empty space in Rafah, over a million and half people are here. Does the world know that? A slaughter is going to take place if the tanks enter," said Emad Joudat, 55, who fled there with his family early in the war from Gaza City, where he ran a furniture business. "I am in charge of a big family," said the father-of-five, who lives in a tent city with no food or water in Rafah. "I feel helpless because don't know where to go with them if Israel launches an invasion." Egypt has sealed off its border to the enclave. Cairo has framed its opposition to the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza as part of wider Arab rejection of any repeat of the "Nakba", or "catastrophe", when 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes during the 1948 war that accompanied Israel's creation. Egypt is nonetheless preparing an area at the border that could accommodate Palestinians, as a contingency should an Israeli offensive into Rafah prompt an exodus across the frontier, three security sources in Egypt told Reuters, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. The Egyptian government denied making any such preparations. Israeli Defense Minister Gallant said Israel had no intention of evacuating Palestinian civilians to Egypt. 'PLEDGE TO SACRED VICTIMS' Melamed, the former Israeli intelligence official and negotiator, said the only potential delay to the Israeli assault on Rafah could come should Hamas give ground in hostage negotiations and hand over the prisoners it took on Oct. 7. "Even that would only delay the advance on Rafah unless it is coupled with the demilitarization of the city and surrender of the Hamas battalions there," he added. A senior regional security official said Israel believed some Hamas commanders and hostages were in Rafah. This month, after weeks of negotiations, Hamas proposed a ceasefire of 4-1/2 months during which it would free all Israeli hostages, Israel would withdraw its troops from Gaza and an agreement would be reached on an end to the war. Netanyahu rejected the offer as "delusional". A new round of talks involving America, Egypt, Israel and Qatar on a truce ended without a breakthrough in Cairo on Tuesday. Senior American officials see securing a deal to release the remaining hostages in exchange for an extended pause in the conflict as the best path to creating space for broader talks, the U.S. sources said. Yet they're concerned such a deal may not materialise in coming weeks and war will continue into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in March and April, which could intensify global criticism of Israel's campaign, they added. An overarching agreement to end the conflict appears remote. Any attempt to form a post-war government in Gaza could only succeed if it has Hamas' approval, according to several sources in the region, including from the militant group and the Palestinian Authority, which was pushed out of Gaza by Hamas in 2007. Yet something has to give. Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas. And the group's leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, will fight to the death rather than surrender or go into exile, according to Hamas and regional officials. Israel also remains opposed to any deal involving a permanent ceasefire or a Palestinian state, despite U.S. pressure and international outcry over civilian suffering in Gaza and the lack of progress to a lasting peace solution. Since October, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made five visits to the region. Last month, the State Department said Washington was "actively pursuing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state" with security guarantees for Israel and exploring options with partners in the region. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron also told lawmakers that Britain and its allies "will look at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations". Israel, the U.S. and Britain haven't formally recognised Palestine, unlike nearly 140 other U.N. nations. Yet for Netanyahu and many other Israeli officials, talk of a two-state solution amounts to a betrayal of the people killed on Oct. 7. "I say clearly to anyone still stuck in October 6: We will never lend a hand to the creation of a Palestinian state," Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar said on social media last month. "This is our pledge to the sacred murder victims." (This story has been refiled to include additional reporting byline) (Reporting by Samia Nakhoul in Doha, Jonathan Saul in London and Humeyra Pamuk in Washington; Additional reporting by Dan Williams in Jerusalem, Nidal Al Mughrabi in Cairo, Andrew Mills in Doha and Jeff Mason in Washington; Editing by Pravin Char) According to Italian media will be the next country to sign a long-term security agreement with Ukraine, Italian outlet Formiche reported, citing sources on Feb. 17. The final details are yet to be agreed upon and diplomatic sources did not specify any possible dates for signing the agreement. Read also: France and Ukraine to sign bilateral security agreement during Zelenskyys visit to Paris The first meeting of Italian and Ukrainian officials regarding a bilateral agreement took place on Nov. 28. On the morning of Feb. 16, Zelenskyy arrived in the German capital, Berlin. There, he and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz signed a security guarantee agreement between German and Ukraine. In the evening of the same day, Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and signed a similar agreement with France. Read also: On the British "security deal." What Ukraine can expect This follows a Jan. 12 meeting between Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Kyiv. There, Sunak and Zelenskyy concluded a 10-year security agreement that will remain in effect until Ukraine joins NATO. On Jan. 13, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine is negotiating with many partners to sign agreements on security guarantees and military cooperation. On Jan. 15, it became known that Canada had also handed over a draft security agreement to Ukraine. In July 2023, the G7 leaders announced that they had agreed on a declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine. 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 Ivor Browne at home in Ranelagh, Dublin: he fought the overprescription of mood-altering drugs and held that electroconvulsive therapy should be a last resort - Joe St Leger/THE IRISH TIMES Ivor Browne, who has died aged 94, was a psychiatrist who transformed the public perception of mental illness in Ireland, overseeing the move away from crammed hospital wards and electro-convulsive therapy towards a holistic view of the human mind. When Browne began his career in the 1960s, mental health provision in Ireland was in a parlous state. Proportionately Ireland had the highest rate of incarceration in mental hospitals in the world higher even than that of the Soviet Union and there were, on average, just two psychiatrists per mental hospital (one per 454 inpatients). Often, patients were committed to an institution because they caused difficulty for their families or the church. Many remained there for decades. Browne set out to dismantle the system, declaring: We no longer need the mental hospital as we know it. While he agreed that some people would always need long-term residential care, he pushed for hospitals to be integrated into the community, rather than sequestered behind walls. He was against the over-prescription of mood-altering drugs and held that measures such as electro-convulsive therapy should only be tried when every other form of treatment had been ruled out. Instead Browne argued for talking therapy, which sought to trace mental ill health back to its root. In 1985 his article, Psychological Trauma, or Unexperienced Experience, was published in the Irish Journal of Psychiatry. Here, Browne laid out his hypothesis that traumatic events cause the psyche to generate a non-ordinary state of consciousness in an act of self-protection. This cause the body to hold on to trauma, in what Browne termed the frozen present. Browne encouraged his patients to lie down while they relived their experiences, allowing themselves to react spontaneously to the trauma - Matt Kavanagh Traumatised children might re-enact the event in play; adults might suffer from upsetting dreams, flashbacks or intense distress upon meeting circumstances that reminded them of the past event. If it has been blocked, youre not reliving the experience, Browne explained. Youre living it for the first time. Healing could begin once the patient, with the help of a therapist, had worked through his or her traumatic experience. It was then an ordinary (if unpleasant) memory; the patient could still recall it, but it was no longer intruding into everyday life. In group workshops, Browne encouraged his patients to lie down while they relived their experiences, allowing themselves to react spontaneously to the trauma. In the introduction to Brownes 2008 book Music and Madness, the writer Colm Toibin recalled screaming aloud as the unexperienced pain of his fathers death finally washed over him. Toibin became a friend of Brownes, while the novelist Sebastian Barry likened Browne to a father figure. When Sebastian and Ali [Alison Deegan, his wife] were not doing well, we used to bring them fish and chips, Browne recalled. Willing to break rules in order to save lives, Browne attracted a reputation as a maverick. His sympathy with his patients and opposition to many established practices of the last century also set him at odds with some colleagues. In 1996 he spoke out on behalf of Phyllis Hamilton, who had children with the celebrity Catholic priest Fr Michael Cleary. He defended her from accusations that she was a liar and a blackmailer, and went on RTE radio to say that Cleary had always been open with him about the relationship. For this, Browne was attacked by the Catholic Church and sanctioned by the Medical Council. He remained unapologetic, however, feeling that he had to prioritise the well-being of his patient over the reputation of the Church. He remained in contact with Phyllis Hamilton and was with her when she died in 2001. Music and Madness by Ivor Browne One of five children, William Ivory Browne was born into a middle-class family in Dublin on March 18 1929. Years later he learnt that his parents, determined not to have any more children, practised a form of birth control in which his mother kept the bedroom door locked. Ivor was conceived after his father climbed in through the window. Through his father, a former Catholic who defected to the Church of Ireland on marrying Brownes mother, Ivor inherited a love of literature, music and history. His mother nurtured his spiritual side. As a boy Ivor struggled with dyslexia and did poorly academically, but had a love of music and took up the trumpet. After leaving Blackrock College he went on to the Royal College of Surgeons, where he spent much of his time playing jazz. One professor informed him: Youre only fit to be an obstetrician or a psychiatrist. In his third year at RCS he contracted tuberculosis, which put an end to his trumpet-playing. After graduating in 1955 he started out in neurosurgery where, as a student he assisted in lobotomies (a fact that later caused him great regret). He went on to a position at Warneford Hospital in Oxford, before returning to Ireland and St John of God Hospital in Dublin. It was there that he began to develop scepticism about the use of psychotropic drugs as he watched schizophrenic patients being readmitted to hospital months after a supposed cure. Whatever we were doing, it was clear to me we were not changing the process, he recalled. In 1962 he took a job at St Brendans Hospital in Dublin, where he was appalled at the overcrowding and the use of crude treatments like insulin coma therapy. He rose to become medical superintendent in 1966 and set about establishing group therapies in a disused church on hospital grounds. His approach involved new drugs, intensive one-to-one therapy, and moving patients back into the wider community. At the same time he was experimenting with more radical and controversial therapies, such as the use of LSD and (later) ketamine. He had a lifelong interest in Indian spiritual practices and championed the psychological benefits of yoga and meditation. He presented a manifesto for change in his interview for the job of chief psychiatrist of the Eastern Health Board, and was appointed to the position in 1966, eventually retiring in 1994. Ivor Browne was Professor of Psychiatry and Head of Department at University College Dublin from 1967. He was also president of the Committee of Experts on psychiatric reform in Greece and served as director of the Irish Foundation for Human Development. Strikingly tall, with a trim white beard, Browne was a warm presence, and would often greet people with a hug. He was popular on the jazz scene and founded the record label Claddagh Records with his friend Garech Browne, the Guinness heir. Unafraid of dying, he was a believer in reincarnation and once said that he felt he might have been an Italian monk in a past life. With his first wife, Orla, Ivor Browne had four children. The marriage ended in divorce and in 1999 he married his partner of 30 years, June Juno Levine. She died in 2008. Ivor Browne, born March 18 1929, died January 24 2024 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. Japan is to allocate 1.25 billion to support Japanese investors in Ukraine. The relevant documents were signed during the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo. Source: Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, reported this Details: Shmyhal said the new programme offered by the Japanese export credit agency NEXI will consist of two parts: guarantees for Japanese investors, and a credit line for the export of Japanese goods to carry out reconstruction projects in Ukraine, he added. Quote: "We also discussed further trade liberalisation between our countries. I invited [Japans Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism] Minister [Tetsuo] Saito to work on updating the investment protection agreement." In addition, the Prime Minister spoke with Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki about the continuation of budget support and thanked him for his intention to allocate $4.5 billion in financial assistance this year. Quote: "On the sidelines of the Conference in Tokyo, I also met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa. Our joint objective is to bring Russia to justice and make it pay. We discussed the confiscation of frozen Russian assets." Shmyhal said he had stressed the need to put Russia on the FATF blacklist and take measures to prevent the recognition of sham elections in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. Reminder: In the first two months of 2024, Japan became the largest donor of financial support to Ukraine. In total, Japanese aid is expected to reach about $2.2 billion in the first quarter. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal invited Japanese businesses to contribute to what he described as Ukraine's economic miracle. Support UP or become our patron! Japan will provide Ukraine with financial assistance worth US$12.1 billion. A US$ 4.7 billion grant will be allocated by the end of February. Source: Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal "Japan will provide Ukraine with assistance worth US$12.1 billion, including the promised and implemented funds. This number includes a grant in the amount of US$4.7 billion, which we will receive by the end of this month," Shmyhal said. At the same time, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that Japan's support for Ukraine remains unwavering. Background: On Monday, Japan allocated 1.25 billion to support Japanese investors in Ukraine; the relevant documents were signed during a conference on economic development and reconstruction in Tokyo. In the first months of 2024, Japan became the largest donor of financial support for Ukraine. Overall, aid is expected to reach about US$2.2 billion in the first quarter. Support UP or become our patron! Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction at Keidanren Kaikan in Tokyo Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction at Keidanren Kaikan in Tokyo By Sakura Murakami TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan said on Monday it had started negotiating an investment treaty with Ukraine and vowed to keep up support for the reconstruction of the country almost two years after Russia's invasion. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also pledged a new bilateral tax treaty, support for venture capital companies in Ukraine and an easing of visa controls as he hosted his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal in Tokyo. Kishida did not give more details on the investment treaty but Shmyhal later said on Telegram that Japan would allocate 1.25 billion euros ($1.35 billion) to support Japanese investors in Ukraine in a programme in two parts. "These are, in particular, guarantees for Japanese investors, as well as a credit line for Japanese goods export to implement projects to restore Ukraine," Shmyhal said. Shmyhal said that he hoped to see major carmakers, including Toyota, create production facilities in Ukraine. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 2022, Japan has pledged more than $10 billion worth of financial aid. It cannot provide direct military support under its own regulations. Shmyhal added that Ukraine expects to receive a $4.7 billion grant from Japan by the end of February. The countries had previously announced aid of around that much, but had not confirmed when it might arrive. The funds from Japan are critically important for Kyiv as budget aid from other allies has been delayed. The meeting follows months of wrangling in the United States over a $95.34 billion military aid package for Ukraine and others, with President Joe Biden pushing for its passage amid opposition from Republican hardliners. "Japan has stood with and continues to stand with Ukraine," Kishida said in a speech opening the talks. Kishida said government agency JETRO would open a new office in Kyiv. About 50 Japanese companies signed deals with Ukrainian counterparts at the conference, in areas including agriculture, energy and infrastructure. The total value of the deals was not disclosed. Both men said they were preparing the ground for the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Germany in June in a joint communique issued after the meeting. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy later thanked Kishida and the Japanese people for the support. "The Ukraine-Japan cooperation is gaining momentum and we are looking forward to further realizing its full potential in many areas, including recovery, where Japan has unique expertise and experience," Zelenskiy said on X. ($1 = 0.9293 euros) (Reporting by Sakura Murakami, additional reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Gerry Doyle, Crystal Chesters and Andrew Heavens) Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa announced that Tokyo will provide long-term support to Ukraine and will seek assistance from the private sector to fund these efforts on Feb. 18, Japanese media NHK reported. Kamikawa made her statement on the eve of the Japanese-Ukrainian conference on economic growth and reconstruction, which will take place in Tokyo on Feb. 19. Read also: Japan provides nearly $1 billion in financial support to Ukraine Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal will join around 130 representatives from companies in both countries there to discuss plans for bilateral cooperation in seven areas, including agriculture and infrastructure. Kamikawa emphasized that the private sector's involvement is crucial for aiding Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. She said that achieving these goals will be a long-term process, with Japan making sustained efforts across various sectors. Kamikawa also emphasized the importance of incorporating the concept of Women, Peace, and Security into reconstruction efforts, highlighting the active participation of women in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. The Japanese Foreign Minister assured that Japan will support all Ukrainians, including women and children. Read also: Japan to contribute $37 million to NATO trust fund for drone detection systems in Ukraine 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 WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) A Johnson City woman was arrested on Feb. 16 after authorities say she continued to sell drugs while out on bond. According to the Washington County, Tennessee Sheriffs Office (WCSO), deputies arrested Sandra Pope, 50, of Johnson City, on Friday in the parking lot of a grocery store on North State of Franklin Road. Deputies reportedly found Pope in possession of 21 grams of methamphetamine divided into five baggies, six and a half-pressed M30 fentanyl pills and $2,620. WCSO: Jonesborough man arrested after pursuit Pope was charged with the following: Manufacture/deliver/sell/possession of methamphetamine Criminal conspiracy Scheduled II drug violations The WCSO reports that the Feb. 16 arrest makes the fifth time since December that deputies have arrested Pope while shes had methamphetamine and other drugs in quantities that indicated an intent to sell. THP: Man impersonating police arrested in Sullivan County Since Dec. 8, Pope has been released on bond four times and has made bonds totaling $296,000, the sheriffs office said. One of Popes arrests in December 2023 involved 279 grams of methamphetamine, and in another drug-related arrest, police found a firearm in her possession, the WCSO said. As of Monday, Pope is being held in the Washington County Detention Center without bond. She is set to appear in court on Tuesday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Jeremy Renner takes in standing ovation at 2024 Peoples Choice Awards: 'Feels good to be back' Jeremy Renner was showered with a lot of love at the 2024 People's Choice Awards. When he stepped on stage to present the award for the TV performance of the year, Renner was met with a standing ovation from fans who were glad to see him back on his feet after he experienced a terrible snowplow accident on Jan. 1, 2023. "We are so, so happy to have him back," host Simu Liu said on stage before Renner walked out. "The fans rock," Renner said while taking the mic. "It feels good to be back," he added. "This year has been a heck of a journey and I'm happy to be here with you, the fans. You guys are the best!" Jeremy Renner speaks onstage during the 2024 People's Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar on February 18, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. (Mark Von Holden / NBC via Getty Images) Renner's appearance at the PCAs comes after his "Mayor of Kingstown" co-star Emma Laird celebrated his return to work on the hit show. In December, Laird shared a sweet picture of them on set on her Instagram stories. Above the picture, she wrote, Its happening." On Jan. 1, 2023, Renner suffered major injuries in a snowplow accident in Reno, Nevada. The Hawkeye actor was pulled under a snowplow that weighed at least 7 tons that he had been using to tow his nephews truck out of the snow, according to an incident report from Washoe County Sheriffs Office. Due to the accident, which broke more than 30 bones in Renners body and left him in critical, but stable condition, Renner had to spend the next few months healing and undergoing intense physical therapy. However, the actor seems to be doing much better now. In May 2023, he posted a video of himself working out. In the caption, he wrote, Ive decided to push through the pain of progress (this damn shattered tibia) and take the new parts for a tiny test drive. The body is miraculous. Even though I feel like the Tin Man, needing oil for all my new joints (hips, knees, ankles, tibia etc ). Encouraged after this warm up to press on ( dont tell my PT). This article was originally published on TODAY.com Jessica Lowe, founder of Be a Little Too Kind, laughs with Cameron McCormack, one of her homies, in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Be a Little Too Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting homeless people by providing a homemade meal every week and other essential life sustaining items. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News During the pandemic, everyone found their own way through. For Jessica Lowe, that meant bingeing cooking shows. It wasnt that she loved to cook. Making dinner every night for her family of seven wasnt exactly her idea of nirvana. But she enjoyed watching other people cook, and the more she watched shows like Top Chef, The Great British Baking Show, Nailed It and others, the more it inspired her to see if she could love cooking more. In the fall of 2021, with the pandemic fading, she signed up for a three-month course at the Park City Culinary Institute in South Salt Lake. Little realizing she was about to turn herself into a fixture in the Salt Lake homeless scene. * * * It just blows my mind how far the ripples have reached, theres no way to measure it, its crazy, says Jessica as she reclines in a sofa at her Draper home. Its Friday so she can afford to relax. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays shes either shopping, cooking or delivering hot meals and sack lunches to people who live in tents and cardboard boxes and underpasses throughout the Salt Lake Valley. She calls them her homies. She feeds over 100 homies every Thursday, through the nonprofit she started: Be A Little Too Kind. Be A Little Too Kinds origins trace directly back to the cooking school. One day in October, shortly after she started, Jessica and a fellow student, Victoria Broughton, looked at the food left over from that days cooking and decided to rescue it from its usual destination: the garbage can. Rather than letting it go to waste, they thought theyd see if the homeless people they passed every day on the way to and from their cars might have some use for it. Jessica Lowe, founder of Be a Little Too Kind, hugs Matthew Andrus Hunter, one of her homies, in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Be a Little Too Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting homeless people by providing a homemade meal every week and other essential life sustaining items. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Man, did they. The response was so enthusiastic that Jessica and Victoria kept feeding the homeless until cooking school ended in December. Both women got job offers. Victoria left for a cooking position out of state, while Jessica got an offer from a popular Salt Lake City bakery. The position was exactly what shed hoped for, but something held her back. It was the thoughts of the homies shed gotten to know over the past three months. How could she abandon them? Well, she couldnt. She turned down the job and Be A Little Too Kind was born. The title comes from a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Latter-day Saint apostle, at BYU in 2018, during which he quoted a poem by C.R. Gibson: I have wept in the night At my shortness of sight That to others needs made me blind But I never have yet Had a twinge of regret For being a little too kind Jessica Lowe, founder of Be a Little Too Kind, dices tomatoes to make 100 plus portions of jambalaya at her home in Draper on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Be a Little Too Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting homeless people by providing a homemade meal every week and other essential life sustaining items. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News At first, Be A Little Too Kind was a one-woman show named Jessica. But then, like magic, friends, neighbors and outright strangers began showing up, offering to help, lending their services, donating product, lightening the load. (To learn more or to volunteer, go to bealittletookind.org.) Two years later, Jessica has an army of too kind people backing her. Still, Jessica remains the guiding force, the person who does the cooking, packs it all up every Thursday morning in her F-150 pickup and personally delivers the hot meals and sandwiches. Shes very protective of her homies, taking care that they dont feel exploited, that the relationships shes formed with them remain based on mutual respect and trust. Im not trying to end homelessness or force anyone to change, she says, I just want them to know that they have worth and theyre not forgotten. I also want them to know that the meals and other items are donated by other people who arent forgetting them. Does she ever feel overwhelmed, like shed like to quit? Every Wednesday night Im usually in tears, my backs killing me, she says, laughing, Then it immediately goes away the next day when I see the homies, when I spend time with them. Its just so rewarding and I love seeing how the domino effect is taking place with everybody who volunteers. The ripples sometimes include the people shes serving. People like Johnny, one of Jessicas homies who landed a job and wanted to give his food stamp book to her so she could use it to buy groceries. Jessica protested. Im not going to take your money, she said. Next thing she knew she got a text from Johnny (many homies routinely send her texts), asking her to meet him in front of Walmart. He was there with a grocery cart just full of stuff, she remembers, I gave him a hug and he was just shaking. He was scared to do this because it was completely out of his comfort zone, but he wanted to do it because he knew it was the right thing to do. It reminded me of my first time and I was shaking because it was out of my comfort zone. Recently, she received a text from a homie thanking her for her kindness. In it he used the phrase the ministry of presence to describe what he felt A Little Too Kind is all about. Im going to steal that from you, thats amazing, Jessica texted back. I feel like thats what they need, the ministry of presence people showing up for them in their lives right now, she says. Even after two years, the thought that its her feeding everyone makes her chuckle. I know, I was the one who didnt like to cook dinner, she says. Now Im feeding a hundred people every week and I love it. One of the homies eats homemade jambalaya in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Be a Little Too Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting homeless people by providing a homemade meal every week and other essential life sustaining items. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Jessica Lowe, founder of Be a Little Too Kind, prepares shrimp to make 100 plus portions of jambalaya at her home in Draper on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Be a Little Too Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting homeless people by providing a homemade meal every week and other essential life sustaining items. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News A homeless person looks through hygiene kits from Be a Little Too Kind in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Be a Little Too Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting homeless people by providing a homemade meal every week and other essential life sustaining items. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Jessica Lowe, founder of Be a Little Too Kind, hands a bag with a sack lunch and serving of jambalaya to Matthew Andrus Hunter, one of her homies, in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Be a Little Too Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting homeless people by providing a homemade meal every week and other essential life sustaining items. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Matthew Andrus Hunter eats jambalaya from Be a Little Too Kind in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Be a Little Too Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting homeless people by providing a homemade meal every week and other essential life sustaining items. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Matthew Andrus Hunter grabs a cookie from Be a Little Too Kind in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Be a Little Too Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting homeless people by providing a homemade meal every week and other essential life sustaining items. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Jessica Lowe, founder of Be a Little Too Kind, hangs out with Kevin, one of her homies, in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.Be a Little Too Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting homeless people by providing a homemade meal every week and other essential life sustaining items. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Jessica Lowe, founder of Be a Little Too Kind, hugs Fatkah aka Tuesday, one of her homies, in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Be a Little Too Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting homeless people by providing a homemade meal every week and other essential life sustaining items. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News One of the most underappreciated figures in the nations history, John Brown, was re-introduced to Americans by the Showtime series The Good Lord Bird, based on the James McBride novel of the same name. Too often dismissed as a failed zealot, Brown was an unconventional anti-slavery leader who blazed a trail that Abraham Lincoln would follow just a few years later. Commentators then and now are more likely to see differences between Lincolns and Browns approaches to civic leadership. Lincoln was cautious and deliberate; Brown was a revolutionary on fire. Though this contrast is instructive, theres another way to look at both men. In the end, they were both moral crusaders who exercised uncompromising moral leadership. Unwavering commitment John Brown was a leading white abolitionist who engaged in many peaceful efforts to free and assist enslaved African Americans before the Civil War. But his methods eventually shifted. In 1856, a 55-year-old Brown joined two of his sons in the Kansas territory and led anti-slavery paramilitary forces to victory in the violent period that became known as Bleeding Kansas. In 1859, Browns abolitionist efforts culminated in a raid on a federal armory at Harpers Ferry in what is now West Virginia. This was the first step in Browns broader plan to emancipate slaves throughout the South. The attempt was unsuccessful, and Brown was captured, tried and hanged shortly thereafter. In a speech delivered at Harpers Ferry more than 20 years later, abolitionist Frederick Douglass claimed that John Brown began the war that ended American slavery and made this a free Republic. An 1863 broadside entitled A Song for the Times or John Brown, telling the story of a man who insisted that slaves should be freed and treated like everyone else. JHU Sheridan Libraries/Gado/Getty Images Defending his positive view of Browns turn to violence, Douglass explained that Brown was an agent of Gods retributive justice. Douglass argued that a higher logic what Brown referred to as the law of God provided a special justification and vindication for Browns actions. As I have explored at length elsewhere, such higher-law arguments to justify actions are more than mere rhetoric in the service of political causes. They have been carefully developed throughout the history of political thought by some of the most profound thinkers from around the world, and from ancient times to our own. Brown possessed or, perhaps better, was possessed by a clarity of moral principle that simply ruled out inaction or compromise in the face of grave injustice. One of Browns refrains was Whenever there is a right thing to be done, there is a thus saith the Lord that it shall be done. When questioned about his motives by federal authorities following his capture, Brown said simply: We came to free the slaves, and only that. In stark contrast to the great American political leaders of his day, Brown shunned compromise and accommodation and instead was driven by an unwavering commitment to moral principle. Statesman versus radical The greatest American political leader of the mid-19th century was Abraham Lincoln, who was elected to the presidency the year following Browns famous raid. If Brown began the war that ended slavery, Lincoln is the man who finished it. The inextricable link between the two anti-slavery leaders was forged, in fact, years earlier and hundreds of miles away on the plains of Kansas. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 and its repeal of the Missouri Compromise was like a fire bell in the night for both Brown and Lincoln. By allowing slavery to be legalized by popular vote in new states north of the Missouri Compromise line, this law sparked a flood of settlers to the Kansas territory who were determined to tip the scales either for or against slavery. Given the highly polarized nature of the issue of slavery by this time, many of these new settlers were prepared to engage in violence to influence the outcome of the vote. The ensuing conflict drew Brown into direct, violent confrontation with proponents of slavery for the first time. And the federal governments new openness to slaverys extension beyond the existing states transformed the issue of slavery from being a minor question in Lincolns mind to the centerpiece of his political thought and career. While debating political rival Stephen Douglas a few years later, Lincoln stated the importance of moral principle to his campaign with Brown-like simplicity and clarity: The real issue in this controversy is the sentiment on the part of one class that looks upon the institution of slavery as a wrong, and of another class that does not look upon it as a wrong. In other words, according to Lincoln, abstract legal doctrines relating to states rights or the nature of the constitutional union were, at best, secondary. Opposite opinions about the morality of slavery drove the controversy that would result in the Civil War. And yet, in his Cooper Union Address in 1860 the speech that would catapult him to the presidency Lincoln was at pains to distance himself from Brown. John Brown was no Republican, said Lincoln, the partys leader. He was a deluded madman who convinced himself that he was commissioned by Heaven to liberate the enslaved. Lincoln presented himself as the clearheaded, prudent statesman who would work within the legal framework to combat the moral evil of slavery; Brown was the dangerous radical who would indiscriminately destroy both. Lincoln fought tirelessly for House passage of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. National Archives Distance vanishes between Lincoln and Brown Yet five years later, as Lincoln unknowingly entered what would be the final weeks of his life, his differences with Brown appeared to narrow. Lincoln had fought tirelessly in January 1865 for the passage in the House of Representatives of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, using every tool at his disposal to influence reluctant members. In the first week of February, Lincoln approved Congress resolution to move the 13th Amendment forward to ratification and rejected a Confederate peace proposal. As the Civil War raged on and thousands of additional lives were lost, Lincoln seemed to focus his energy not on securing the peace, but on abolishing slavery. Lincoln had achieved just what Brown had attempted in Kansas and at Harpers Ferry: abolition through violent conflict with slaveholders. Lincolns second inaugural address the following month, moreover, framed the Civil War in precisely the same terms Brown had used to justify his actions. In this speech, Lincoln casts himself as a mere agent in the service of Gods providential plan to punish the evil of slavery. With the 13th Amendment on its way to ratification, all that remained was the fulfillment of divine justice, Lincoln said a mystical moment of equilibrium when all the wealth piled by the bond-mans two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword. [Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.] In his final words on the defining event of his political career, the distance between Lincoln and Brown all but vanishes. Browns thus saith the Lord echoes clearly in Lincolns concluding prayer: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Lincoln appreciated the prudent statesmanship of pre-Civil War politicians such as Henry Clay, but the defining quality of Lincolns leadership was forged of less pliable stuff. Lincoln was ultimately more crusader than compromiser. In this way, he and John Brown share a model of moral leadership that is still worthy of study, even in the 21st century. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Adam Seagrave, Arizona State University Read more: Adam Seagrave does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Comedian and Last Week Tonight host John Oliver is urging Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to resign, offering him $1 million per year to do so. Oliver railed against the conservative justice during the 11th season premiere of his weekly show Sunday, saying Thomas had made the lives of Americans demonstrably worse and promising him a brand new luxury recreational vehicle if he agrees to step down from the high court. Lot on your plate right now. From stripping away womens rights to hearing Jan. 6 cases, you definitely shouldnt be hearing two potentially helping rollback decades of federal regulations, he said. So thats the offer. $1 million a year, Clarence. And a brand new condo on wheels. And all you have to do in return is sign the contract and get the f off the Supreme Court, Oliver added. Talk it over with your totally best friend in the whole world. Because the clock starts now. Thirty days, Clarence Lets do this! The comedians bit was first highlighted by Mediaite. Thomas has come under scrutiny from media outlets and ethics watchdogs in recent months after reporting by ProPublica found he had failed to disclose luxury trips and other benefits he received from conservative billionaire Harlan Crow. I think youre thinking, what would my friend say if I take this offer? Will they judge me as they sit in their boardrooms and mega yachts and Hitler shrines? Will they still treat me to luxury vacations and sing songs about me off their phones? Oliver said. Well, thats the beauty of friendship, Clarence. If theyre real friends, theyll love you no matter what your job is. So I guess this might be the perfect way to find out who your real friends actually are. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ukrainian journalist Ihor Tkachov showed footage of doctors working on the front line. He filmed the historic events of June 2023 and noted that an unsuccessful counteroffensive took place at that time, which claimed many lives. Read also: President Zelenskyy visits frontline battalion near Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast "The doctors worked all night without a break, the wounded were transported non-stop, there were not enough tables, they were put on the floor, there were not enough doctors, everyone was working, none of the medics had seen such an influx," Tkachov said in the video published on YouTube on Feb. 18. The soldiers arrived in moderate and serious condition, with severed limbs and head injuries, unconscious. "That night was hard, but it was not the only one, there were many such nights all over the country in different places," the journalist said. Avdiivka, Kupyansk, Krynky, Bakhmut. This was Toretsk. No one has ever heard of that night, and no one knows about this offensive. It was unsuccessful; we failed to advance, and there were heavy losses. This day didn't make the news. Defeats are not talked about, losses are not talked about, but this is war, and we should know the price that the sons of Ukraine pay, remember the price of freedom. Read also: Battles for besieged Avdiivka many times more hellish than Bakhmut, 3rd Assault Brigade says Tkachov's video begins with a comment from Doctor Yuriy: "There is no romance here. This is perhaps the worst manifestation of humanity war. And at the same time, the moment of defending your country and your loved ones is one of the vivid manifestations of a human, the brightest." The video shows how seriously wounded defenders are being brought into the rooms where military medics work, one by one. Some of them are unconscious, some are missing several limbs at once, and some have to have them amputated right on the spot. "It's really shocking, even after being there for more than a year, every time there are such bloody, heavy assaults, it still stuns me," Yuriy said. No matter how long I've been working in this field, medicine seemed to have already gone through a lot, but every time it strikes me very deeply, it really is a very, very high price and we have to remember that. Another doctor named Bohdan notes that in a war with such a large state as Russia, losses are inevitable, but each of them is someone's life and someone's story, which is infinitely valuable. Read also: Ukraines 3rd Assault Brigade units surrounded in Avdiivka, managed to escape "This is a full-scale war that has been going on for 16 months," says Bohdan. Our enemy is a great power, a serious army, so, unfortunately, there are losses. I don't want to say that there is no war without losses, because every human life and destiny matters. The injuries are serious, injuries that lead to disability. These are young people. The video shows that the doctors are exhausted, but they continue to work, save, and stabilize the conditions of the military who recently defended their homeland at the expense of their own health. "It's just that were getting used to this and it seems so mundane and insignificant," says Yuriy. The wounded are brought in, we provide assistance, and they move on. But in fact, we probably see even more, and experience more stress than some guys who are in the trenches. It is definitely scary and hard out there, but they do not see so many wounded, and we have a huge flow. When there are heavy assaults, and battles, up to 80 fighters pass by us in a day, and it is a constant flow. Pain, wounds, blood. The author of the shocking but truthful footage, Ihor Tkachov, calls on those who care to donate to the Come Back Alive fund, which will be used to purchase evacuation vehicles "so that the wounded can be transported to stabilization centers and have a chance for another life." 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 Just askin': Why was the Cincinnati subway never finished? Construction of the Cincinnati subway stopped in 1929 and never started again. The Enquirer's Just Askin' series aims to answer the questions that no one seems to have an answer for, not even Google. Who would've thought that public transportation could be booming here in Cincinnati? Things seem relatively optimistic for a city that was plagued by falling ridership numbers on buses and the streetcar just years ago. The Cincinnati Connector streetcar broke ridership records last year. Ohio scored funds for a potential expansion of Amtrak, which would include routes through Cincinnati. And there's even been talk about adding new streetcar routes. All this hubbub makes you wonder why our ancestors didn't commit to Cincinnati's most mythic public transportation project: the unfinished subway. Maybe it would have been a hit after all. Question: Why was the Cincinnati subway never finished? Answer: Politics and war. (What else?) The politics of early-twentieth-century Cincinnati and the impact of World War I played a large role in why the subway was never completed, says Janice Forte, who is a member of the Cincinnati Museum Center's Cincinnati Heritage Programs. The outreach association coordinated tours of the abandoned subway tunnels for 13 years. The story of Cincinnati's subway can go back to roughly 1910 when government officials started its planning. Forte says the subway was actually supposed to be part of a larger, 16-mile rapid transit loop. The train car would reach Ludlow Avenue and pass through St. Bernard and Norwood. The idea behind the loop was to keep up with other big cities and reduce the flow of traffic downtown. But even the best-laid plans don't always come to fruition. Trouble began to brew during World War I. The war increased the cost of production and resulted in delays. Around 1919, construction workers finally broke ground. Then came problems stemming from local politics. Cincinnati's political landscape changed dramatically in about 1928, moving away from a political boss concept. "When you do that, politically you start to pooh-pooh or put down previous concepts," says Forte. The new mayor saw the rapid transit loop as a holdover from the boss era, which ultimately led to the subway's demise. On top of it all, people's attitudes and needs were changing. Forte links this to the changing social norms and attitudes war can bring. More people were moving out of downtown. They were also relying on cars, which, she says, "America has a love affair with." The Enquirer previously wrote that the project was abandoned in 1929 with only 2.2 miles of twin tracks laid underneath Central Parkway. That's where things still stand today. You can see the boarded-up tunnel openings from Interstate-75, near the Harrison Avenue exit. Forte says the most-asked question she gets about the subway is whether or not it would've worked. She thinks so. "Not everybody is going to use it. Not everybody is going to use the streetcar either," she says. "But there's a percentage of the population who would." Do you have a question for Just Askin'? Send it to us at cinlocalnews@enquirer.com. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why was the Cincinnati subway abandoned? Does Cincinnati have a subway VIENTIANE, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The annual Elephant Festival was held in northern Lao province of Xayaboury, marking a colorful start to the province's Visit Laos Year 2024 program. The popular annual festival, which saw Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith taking part in the opening ceremony on Saturday, featured a range of events, including a parade of elephants, with some of the animals performing circus acts and competing in a fun painting competition, Lao national TV reported on Monday. The festival was held from Feb. 12 to Feb. 18, aiming at raising awareness of elephant conservation and promoting local tourism and economic development. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Governor of Xayaboury province Phetphixay Sounvilay, said that the festival was intended to spotlight the continuing need to preserve Laos' dwindling elephant herds. He said that elephants are part of Laos' heritage and it is important to preserve the longstanding close links between elephants and the people of Xayaboury. To ensure tourists enjoy their time in Xayaboury during Visit Laos Year 2024, people providing tourism-related services have been given extra training about cleanliness and safety, and an attempt will be made to keep prices at reasonable levels. Xayaboury province, some 170 km northwest of Lao capital Vientiane, has many attractions, including 29 officially designated nature-based attractions, 12 cultural sites, and six places with historical associations. A Just Stop Oil protester who delayed thousands of people when she scaled a gantry on the M25 has said her protest was a manageable inconvenience in relation to the impact of climate change. Cressida Gethin, a 22-year-old Cambridge University music student, has been found guilty of causing public nuisance after she scaled a gantry on the motorway to protest after the UK recorded its hottest temperature on record at 40C. She was found guilty by a majority of 10 to two of causing a public nuisance contrary to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday. During her trial, the court heard the protest, on July 20 2022, delayed 3,923 British Airways passengers journeys. Chris Packham, the BBC broadcaster, who last week told the court he selectively supports Just Stop Oil, told the jury he was stuck in four to five hours of traffic as a result of the actions. Gethin told the court: If you believed that the protest causing the delays was intended to create meaningful, positive change, would you have defined the delay as serious inconvenience? Or would you have experienced it as a proportionate and manageable inconvenience, given that the policy change the protest was seeking to achieve would literally save thousands of lives in the coming decades? Protestors on an M25 gantry halted traffic and disrupted almost 4,000 BA passengers - Just Stop Oil/PA Gethin, who represented herself, did not dispute scaling the gantry but argued that the consequence did not amount to the charge. But Judge Hannah Duncan said evidence about climate change wasnt admissible or relevant. She said she believed the average person would consider the climate crisis far more serious than a nuisance, but that thats not what they [the jury] are considering. Packham, the BBC Springwatch presenter, was asked during his testimony how he felt about being delayed and said: Initially I felt very frustrated and then obviously I researched, and on trying to navigate a quicker route, I discovered the reason was that protesters were active on the M25, and then I changed my thinking. Speaking to the press ahead of giving evidence, he said he would consider joining the group if they came up with more creative ideas. Gethin will be sentenced on May 3. 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. Environmentalist Chris Packham, who was stuck in the traffic caused by Gethin's actions, spoke in court to "sympathise" with her A Just Stop Oil protester has been convicted of causing a nuisance by climbing onto a gantry over the M25 in west London. Cressida Gethin, 22, scaled the gantry above the M25 near Heathrow Airport in July 2022 to protest the UK reaching its hottest temperature on record, 40C (104F), the day before. Those affected by delays included 4,000 airline customers, the court heard. She did not dispute scaling the gantry but denied it amounted to the charge. Speaking outside Isleworth Crown Court after the verdict, the Cambridge University music student said she did not regret the protest and would "not back down". As a result of the protest by the climate activist group, 3,923 British Airways customers were affected by cancellations and delays, said Edwin Hall, senior manager at British Airways, in a statement read to the court. Broadcaster and environmentalist Chris Packham told the court during the trial that he was stuck in the resulting traffic for four to five hours during a trip from Hampshire to Surrey, where he was working on a BBC programme. Cressida Gethin said she wanted to "interrupt business as usual" with her protest He told jurors he came to "sympathise" with the fact he was forced to think about climate change while he waited. Mr Packham later said outside the court: "What makes a music student, aged 22, with her whole life ahead of her, do something as precarious, physically dangerous and now, potentially in terms of an impact on her life, dangerous? "Well, I think I know the reason and I think everyone else knows the reason." During her trial, Ms Gethin, who has taken two years out of her university studies, said she aimed to "interrupt business as usual" and draw media attention to the "dire situation" represented by the temperature in Britain. However, she said she did not realise she was so close to Heathrow Airport and did not choose the location. 'Felt very strongly' In her closing statement last week Gethin, who was self-represented, told the court: "If you believed that the protest causing the delays was intended to create meaningful, positive change, would you have defined the delay as 'serious inconvenience'?" However, Judge Hannah Duncan said "evidence about climate change wasn't admissible or relevant". On Friday, Judge Duncan said she believed the average person would consider the climate crisis "far more serious" than a nuisance, but "that's not what they [the jury] are considering". After the verdict, Gethin said that while pleading guilty would have given credit in her favour, she "felt very strongly" the need to tell the jury "why I had done what I had done". A jury found Gethin guilty of causing a public nuisance contrary to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, by a majority of 10 to two. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A 15-year-old is in critical condition after being shot in southwest Fresno Sunday morning, Fresno Police say. Just after 11:30 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert, with a report of 20 rounds heard, in the area of Arthur and Hawes Avenues. Police say they belive there was an exchange of gunfire. They say they arrived to find a 15-year-old suffering from a gunshot wound in the intersection. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Investigators say they are looking for a gold SUV with four occupants that fled the scene before they arrived. If anyone has information that could help with this case, they are asked to call the Fresno Police Departments non-emergency dispatch number at 559-621-7000. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. A Florida man accused of forging signatures on petitions to get a new political party officially recognized in Kansas has been arrested. George Andrews, 30 of Dade City, Florida, was arrested on Feb. 10 and has been charged with two counts of election perjury and 28 counts of election forgery for allegedly forging signatures on petitions to make No Labels an officially recognized political party in Kansas, according to a news release. The arrested individual was part of a scheme to defraud Kansas voters by placing their forged signatures on petitions. In Kansas, we take election fraud seriously, and we will prosecute every case where the evidence indicates a crime has been committed beyond a reasonable doubt, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said in a statement. Andrews will appear in Johnson County District Court if he is extradited to Kansas. He is also facing legal troubles in Florida. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said that Andrews and another person allegedly submitted 133 invalid petitions in multiple Florida counties for an abortion rights ballot initiative on Feb. 6. No Labels is a bipartisan political party founded in 2009 and is similar in size to the Libertarian Party. It was recognized as a political party in Kansas in January after submitting a petition containing the signatures of registered voters equal to 2% of the total votes cast in the 2022 statewide gubernatorial general election. The arrest comes following an investigation by the states attorney generals office. Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat, center, and fellow House Democrats push for legislation that would allow local governments to enact stricter gun regulations following the mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory rally. Missouri House Democrats on Monday outlined a proposed state constitutional amendment that would allow Kansas City and other local governments to set stricter limits on guns following the mass shooting last week at the Chiefs Super Bowl victory rally. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat running for for governor, said Democrats plan to introduce measures on Tuesday that would restore the power of counties and cities such as Kansas City and St. Louis to set rules limiting guns. Missouri, which has some of the loosest firearm regulations in the country, also severely restrains local municipalities from setting their own gun regulations. Lawmakers for decades have given themselves the power to set rules on firearms, leaving local officials relatively little leeway. The proposed change to the state constitution would have to be approved by the GOP-controlled General Assembly and then again in a statewide vote. But it would not need approval from Republican Gov. Mike Parson, who in the past has signed legislation bolstering gun rights. It would give local control back to where it belongs: local elected officials who best know the needs of their community, Quade told reporters during a news conference on the steps of the Missouri Capitol. The legislation will mirror a citizen-led campaign called Sensible Missouri that has stalled. The Wednesday mass shooting in Kansas City, which killed one person and injured more than 20, has sparked fury from Missouri Democrats and gun control advocates who have for years railed against the states lax approach to firearms. Debates over gun control, including potential legislation barring minors from possessing firearms, are all but certain to roil the Missouri Capitol in the coming weeks. But the bills face an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled General Assembly, which has for years relaxed regulations surrounding guns. Republicans last year, for example, voted down a proposal to ban minors from openly carrying guns on public land without adult supervision. Kansas Citys ordinances address some gun regulations, including banning the transfer of firearms and ammunition to minors. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the city to expand those laws. Quade announced the planned legislation in Jefferson City in front of a crowd of fellow Democrats, many of whom were at the Chiefs parade when the shooting happened. Some wore all black clothing at Mondays news conference. Every emotion that we are feeling, particularly those of us who were there, ranges from sadness, to fury, to anger, to disbelief, Quade said. Im going to tell you this, Im gonna let my caucus do whatever they feel like they need to do to represent their people. House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson, a Lees Summit Republican, said the timing of the legislation, nearly two months into this years legislative session, would make it difficult to pass. Especially, he said, as gun control advocates are already pursuing a similar campaign. In the wake of Wednesdays shooting, Missouri Republicans have largely appeared hesitant or opposed to reopening the states gun laws. Republicans, including Gov. Mike Parson and House Speaker Dean Plocher, have either avoided the issue or pushed back on the idea of making changes. A hard-right faction of Missouri Republicans, called the Missouri Freedom Caucus, last week also posted a series of debunked conspiracy theories on social media claiming one of the shooters was an illegal immigrant. The lawmakers who shared the posts included Republican Sens. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville and Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg. Its disgusting, Quade said of the posts. Citizens deserve better than what these people who work in this building are giving. Patterson, appearing to go the furthest of any leading Republican in opening the door to changing state law, said late last week that House Republicans would no longer pursue a bill that would allow guns on public transit and inside churches and another that would exempt firearms and ammunition from sales taxes. He indicated a willingness to examine gun laws as one of several topic areas that should receive attention in the wake of the shooting. House Republicans will continue to stand for law-abiding citizens Second Amendment rights here in Missouri. But anytime you have an event like we did last week, I think every lawmaker should be willing to take a sober look at policies, Patterson said in an interview with reporters on Monday. We should be willing to look at gun policy, social policy, mental health policy, public safety and crime policy to address those problems. Patterson said that he made the decision not to pursue the two bills after offering thoughts and prayers to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who opposed the legislation. How could we take up a bill that he specifically has said Kansas City does not want? Patterson said. I just thought that would be very disrespectful to do that. Democrats have filed nearly 30 bills this year seeking to change state laws around guns. But Quade suspects Republicans wont end up taking action. She called for Missourians to elect people who want change. Over the next few weeks, were going to cause as much chaos as we can to try to get them to draw attention to this and do something, Quade said. Theyre going to offer thoughts and prayers and say nows not the time, dont politicize this and then move on about their day. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas City police have identified victims in multiple other homicides that happened last week as the city was also reeling from a deadly shooting at the Super Bowl rally. Eight people died from Feb. 12-16 in Kansas City, including 43-year-old Lisa Lopez Galvan, the woman shot and killed at the Kansas City Chiefs parade. Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire given Hero award after parade shooting On Monday, police released the identities of four other homicide victims from last week. On Feb. 13, KCPD investigated two deadly shootings within hours of each other. First, there was a shooting outside an apartment complex near The Paseo and Meyer Boulevard just before 5 p.m. Police found a man unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot. He has now been identified as 45-year-old Antonio Mitchell. Kansas City police took a man into custody at the scene last week, but prosecutors have not announced any charges. Then around 7:45 p.m. Feb. 13, police were called to a second deadly shooting near E. 16th Street and Jackson Avenue. Officers found a man shot dead inside a home. The victim has now been identified as 20-year-old Lamar Allen. Friend says felon found with gun at Chiefs rally was trying to help A few days later, on Feb. 16, police said a social gathering in south Kansas City turned deadly with two people killed and another injured. The shooting happened near Booth Avenue and Ruskin Way just after midnight. One victim was found in the yard and another was found inside a house, police said. The victims have now been identified as 22-year-old Linford Garrett and 16-year-old DeShawn Robinson. Earlier last week, Kansas City police had already confirmed that 56-year-old Ruth Bowman was shot and killed on Feb. 12 near 50th Street and Bellefontaine. The next day, Charlie Bowman was charged with second-degree murder and other charges in her death. Police had also reported the deaths of 31-year-old Deion Lewis and 27-year-old Tyler J. Giles on Feb. 12. Patrick, Brittany Mahomes visit family injured in Chiefs parade shooting KCPD said what started as a non-injury crash near 39th Street and Woodland Avenue led to an argument and then a shooting. Police said, based on a preliminary investigation, detectives believe the two victims were firing shots. All these deadly shootings come the same week that 23 people were shot at the conclusion of the Chiefs Super Bowl rally, leaving Lopez-Galvan dead. About half of the victims were under 16, but all 11 patients at Childrens Mercy have since been released from the hospital. Police Chief Stacey Graves said a dispute between several people led to the shooting. She stressed a preliminary investigation shows no connection to terrorism or homegrown violent extremism. Two juveniles have since been charged in juvenile court for the parade shooting. Theyre facing gun-related and resisting arrest charges. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android The Jackson County Prosecutors Office told FOX4 the juveniles will be charged as adults if and when they are certified to stand trial as adults. They have not been identified, nor have their ages been released. Kansas City has now recorded 14 homicides in 2024, according to FOX4 records. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Nearly four years ago, Wichita resident Jeff Terhune sought approval from his local homeowners association to install solar panels on his home. He hoped to save money on his utility bills, take advantage of federal tax credits and reduce his carbon footprint. He was told the solar panels could not be installed on the front of the house, so he opted to install them on the side of his garage and on the back of the house. Installation cost around $19,000, a relatively cheap price compared to other estimates. But over a year later, Terhunes HOA told him he must reinstall the panels in the back of the house, a costly endeavor. He refused. Since then, Terhune has accumulated thousands of dollars in homeowners association fees, and said he now faces a costly lawsuit for refusing to remove the solar panels from his home, which has saved him an estimated $6,000 on his utility bills since they were installed. I dont feel its just, he said. One man, the developer, cannot decide for the whole. I dont think its right. Last week, Terhune testified in the Kansas House Committee on Local Government in favor of a bill that would prevent HOAs from flat prohibiting the installation of solar panels. Any rules that affect the panels efficiency, restrict the panels use or impair its function would also be prohibited. Twenty-nine states, including Missouri, have enacted laws protecting solar access in neighborhoods governed by an HOA board. Many of those laws, including the proposed Kansas legislation, still allow homeowners associations to put in place reasonable restrictions on solar panels, such as requiring them to be a certain color, to conceal cables and ensure they are fitted well to the roof. Although no one testified against the measure, it was met with hesitation from some lawmakers, who said that people can choose whether to live in an area governed by an HOA. Rep. Carrie Barth, a Baldwin City Republican, said a process already exists to bring forth concerns with their HOAs, so it is not necessary for the state to interfere. Homeowners should read their HOA agreements before agreeing to move to that area, especially since they are clearly notified by real estate agents and Board leadership about aesthetic expectations, she said. If youre buying a house in a community, you know what youre getting into, Barth said. But Alan Bauman, a Prairie Village resident, moved into his home 30 years ago, when he said solar power was not nearly as well known. He said he was upset by some lawmakers comments. HOA meetings are poorly publicized and information booklets are sent out just once a year, he said. As a physician, he said he did not have time to read a 72-page manual unless he needed to specifically reference something. Several of the members said homeowners should read their HOA requirements, he said. Ive lived in my house for 30 years. There was nothing about solar this was passed after I moved in. I dont want to move to another subdivision just because of this one issue. Proponents of the bill argued that many HOA rules governing solar panels are outdated and must be updated to properly address technological developments, such as a thinner, sleeker appearance. Not only can it help customers save money on utilities, but it also props up local solar businesses, they said. They emphasized they were not asking for blanket freedom to install solar panels, only asking HOAs to write rules that were reasonable. Malcolm Proudfit, The CEO of Good Energy Solutions, a solar energy contractor, said the heart of the issue lies in restricting the individual and financial freedoms of homeowners to use solar technology. This bill places the power back into the hands of individual homeowners to control their carbon footprint and to save money by accessing the abundant solar resource that we all have. The Charlotte Observer will host a community conversation that asks How do we keep the character of our communities? The discussion follows our coverage of McCrorey Heights and whether this storied Black neighborhood, rich with decades of history and notable residents, is getting its due since receiving a historic designation in 2022. There still are challenges with retaining the neighborhoods character, amid new housing being built and businesses and a new generation of residents funneling in. Join us on Thursday, Feb. 29, from 6 -7:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church West, 1810 Oaklawn Ave. for an in-person conversation with a panel of community leaders. Well discuss this critical question and others, such as: What challenges arise with a goal to keep neighborhood homes cohesive yet allowing for individuality? How do we avoid losing a communitys unique history? What larger city-wide preservation efforts are happening? Our panelists: Sean Langley, president of the McCrorey Heights Neighborhood Association; Nichelle Bonaparte Hawkins, Historic West End resident and Historic District Commission chairwoman; and Marilyn Twitty Brown, a McCrorey Heights resident. Questions for the panel may be submitted using this form or click on this link. For more conversations on race, culture and equity, please sign up for Kaleidoscope newsletter here. WANT TO GO? What: How do we keep the character of our communities? Time: 6 - 7:30 p.m. When: Thursday, Feb. 29 Where: First Baptist Church West, 1801 Oaklawn Ave. Cost: Free Registration is recommended; follow this Eventbrite link. We look forward to seeing you soon. Our personal information is being collected every day on every device we use. But it is not just our information companies collect, our kids are also being tracked. Parents are the ones who have got to step in and stop it. Dolls that allow strangers to listen in, criminals gaining access to your kids through video games and now companies using the microphones and even the keystrokes on your childs device to collect personal data. Haley Viente is pretty strict when it comes to what her son Blake can do with his devices. Being a mom to a 15-year-old teenager can be very overwhelming, Viente said. Ill see my friends doing things and I wont be allowed to do it, so its kind of frustrating sometimes, social media user Blake Maiden said. Maiden told Boston 25 News that while hes not as tech-savvy as most of his friends he does use social media without putting too much thought into what information is being collected. In the back of my mind, I can see how, like, maybe thats a little nerve-wracking or a little scary, but on a daily basis, Im not worrying about it, Maiden said. We asked the mother-son duo to figure out what the apps on Blakes phone had permission to do. So he has one, two, three, four, five, five apps that are listening to him, Viente said. Then we had them look up the privacy policy for one of those apps to see just how Maidens info is being used. For the detailed answer. Go here. So, theres somewhere else to click, Viente said. Security researcher Willis McDonald told us its on you the parent to search these polices for answers. Even though theyre saying theyre not doing one thing with your information in a whole separate section, it basically negates that, McDonald said. There are a lot of complicated privacy policies out there. According to a 2023 Harvard study, social media companies brought in nearly $11 billion in advertising from users under 18 in 2022. We need to educate children about PII thats personally identifiable information. The less PII you give anyone, any digital or physical entity, the better, said Titania Jordan, chief parenting officer with Bark Technologies. Jordan founded Bark Technologies, which allows parents to track their kids online activity. The power that these devices and these social media entities and these games and these streaming platforms have over our children is unlike anything weve ever seen, Jordan said. The Federal Trade Commissions proposed changes to the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act take direct aim at companies using kids data for advertising. Restrictions would include requiring a separate opt-in for targeted advertising and limits on nudging kids to stay online. There are ways you can protect your child now. McDonald told Boston 25 News that besides turning off location services and microphones on devices and computers, parents need to look for input accessibility and screen recording. Screen recording actually allows somebody to watch what your child is doing. Accessibility and input monitoring actually have the ability or give the ability for someone to monitor keystrokes -- so what your child is typing in, McDonald said. But the best way to keep your child and their info safe is to know what they are doing with their devices. Youve got to put rules and parameters in place to keep your child safe, Viente said. As parents, we know all of this can seem overwhelming but there is a big payoff to you getting involved and stopping the tracking of your kids. Its worth the effort. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Kennewick School Board has called a special meeting for 9 a.m. Tuesday morning to consider opposing two bills before the Washington state Legislature related to books and curricula on historically marginalized and underrepresented groups. The only item on the agenda for the unusual special session is a resolution to oppose ESB 5462 and ESHB 2331. ESHB 2331 was introduced in the House by Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, where it passed on a party line vote with 58 Democrats in favor and 39 Republicans opposed. We know that banning and burning books are go-to moves for dictators around the world, especially when they target minority authors and topics, Stonier posted on social media. As an educator, I know how important it is for kids to have access to books that are written by or feature characters who look like them or have common experiences. The bill would bar school boards from refusing to approve or prohibiting the use of educational material because it includes the contributions of those that are part of a protected class. The Washington Policy Center, which opposes the bill, says in an online post that it would contradict long-standing state policy that community-based school boards and parents have the right to run their own public schools. It says the Washington state superintendent of public instruction could cut the budget of a school district that does not comply. ESB 5462 would require the inclusion of histories, contributions and perspectives of LGBTQ people in age-appropriate school curricula after a review of learning standards by the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in consultation with the LGBTQ Commission. The Washington State School Directors Association, also would be required to adopt a policy for school boards to adopt instructional materials covering such groups as Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, people of different religions and people who are neurodiverse. A draft resolution to be considered by the Kennewick School Board says that ESB 5462 subverts local school boards ability to make decisions about instructional materials that reflect the work of professionals in the district and the voice of the people in the community. The other bill, ESHB 2331, encroaches on the authority of school boards, diminishing their importance, and elevating the state influence in local policies, according to the resolution. The resolution says that in equipping future-ready students, the Kennewick School District will seek to foster belonging, instill purpose, and cultivate curiosity in ALL the students it serves. To watch the meeting remotely, go to bit.ly/42I5Gnc. Public comments may be made remotely by signing up at bit.ly/3dn9dyk. The meeting also may be attended in person at the District Administration Building, 1000 W. Fourth Ave., Kennewick. TEHRAN, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Monday dismissed the recent comments by the head of the UN nuclear organization that Iran was not fully transparent about its nuclear activities. Kanaani was responding to the remarks made by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi at a summit in Dubai on Feb. 13, where he said Iran was "presenting a face which is not entirely transparent" and this "increases dangers." Kanaani told a weekly press conference in Tehran that Iran's nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and in accordance with international rules and regulations and the safeguards agreement with the IAEA. He said Iran was exercising its rights and fulfilling its obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and that developing nuclear weapons had no place in Iran's military doctrine, as stressed by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Kanaani urged not to let the IAEA become a platform for raising "political, unprofessional and untechnical" issues, adding that the revival of the JCPOA was still on the Iranian government's agenda. Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. However, the United States withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments under the deal. The talks on restoring the JCPOA began in April 2021 in Vienna, but no significant progress has been made since the last round ended in August 2022. Russian forces have finalized their capture of the key Ukrainian city of Avdiivka after taking full control of the citys large coke plant, officials said on Monday. The Russian defense ministry announced it had taken full control of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine pulled its forces out of Avdiivka on Saturday as Russian troops advanced. This came days after the White House warned Russian forces were closing in on Avdiivka as U.S. lawmakers struggled to reach an agreement on approving more funding for Ukraine, which is nearing its two-year mark of fighting with Russia. Avdiivka became a key battleground over the past few months as part of a larger Russian strategy to take the rest of the Donetsk region of Ukraine. The capture of the city could help Russia launch more offensives toward the rest of Donetsk. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his daily video address Sunday that Ukraine is doing everything possible and impossible to win the war, emphasizing the need for help from its allies to succeed. But for Ukraine to achieve this success to protect its land, its people, and our common truth, everyone in the free world Ukraine must not remain alone. Support is important. Solidarity is important. Only together, in unity, can we win in this war, he said. U.S. lawmakers have not been able to agree on securing more funding for Ukraine as the White House urges Congress to do so. The Senate passed bipartisan legislation last week that included about $60 billion in funding for Ukraine, but Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) rejected the legislation. A group of bipartisan lawmakers in the House unveiled a bill that contained $47 billion for Ukraine, but the measure has an uphill battle in both chambers as lawmakers tied the aid for Ukraine to strict border security provisions. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The old logo under Queen Elizabeth (above) and the new logo under King Charles King Charles' preferred crown has replaced Queen Elizabeth II's favoured symbol on the government website, marking his role of the head of state. The logo can be seen on key pages on gov.uk as the site rebrands this month. King Charles chose the rounded Tudor Crown for his royal cypher when he took the throne in 2022 - and it is being changed in places where his late mother's St Edward's Crown was shown. These include post boxes, police uniforms and official buildings. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden says the government "takes pride" in the change, and it was funded from the website's usual operating costs. If you are trying to spot the difference between the two crowns, the King's crown has a rounded dome while Queen Elizabeth II's has arches either side of the central cross. The King's grandfather, George VI, also used the Tudor Crown for his cypher when he reigned between 1936 and 1952. One of the first places the King's crown insignia was seen was on the jacket sleeve of the King's Swan Marker, who monitors the health of the swan population and is an officer of the Royal Household King Charles did wear the St Edward's Crown for his coronation in May last year, just as his mother did in 1953. As well as the government website, King Charles' cypher can be found on official documents and some clothing. Beefeaters first donned "C R III" uniforms ahead of the King's coronation last year. Charles' cypher, portrait or name will eventually find its way into a variety of places: Coins Millions of 50p coins with the King's image entered circulation on 8 December last year but if you haven't seen one yet that is because people who get one are likely to hang on to it for novelty value Banknotes All currency in the UK features the monarch on the front but notes are printed long in advance, so the King Charles design - which was unveiled in December 2022 - is only expected to appear on 5, 10, 20 and 50 notes that will enter circulation in the middle part of this year Stamps The Royal Mail moved quite quickly and an image of King Charles - minus his crown - has featured on stamps since 4 April last year Passports British passports in the name of His Majesty rather than Her Majesty were issued from July 2023 but, because most people only renew their passports once a decade, it will be a long time before these are in the majority Official picture Traditionally, many public buildings in the UK display an official portrait of the monarch and King Charles posed for his approved shot at Windsor Castle last year. Local councils, schools, courts, police stations and fire stations can all now apply for a free copy to display on their premises Post boxes In many cases, post boxes are only updated when they fall apart, are damaged or are scheduled for extensive repair - so there are actually some post boxes dotted around the country that still display Queen Victoria's entwined VR letters The 50p coins follow centuries of tradition with the monarch now facing left - the opposite way to his predecessor, the late Queen Humbled, elated, pleased, scared and remorseful are some of the emotions Kirk C. Downey told about 150 people in the Washington County Courthouse's main courtroom that he'd been feeling recently. But the biggest emotion Downey, 51, said he had felt is "gratitude to all of you." Downey was sworn in late Friday afternoon as the newest Washington County Circuit associate judge during his investiture ceremony in a packed courtroom. Dozens of people stood around the edges of the courtroom gallery with the gallery benches full. Many of the attendees were friends, family and colleagues who have known Downey, a lifelong Washington County resident, for years. Among those in attendance were many from the local legal and law enforcement community and local political leaders. They included at least 21 other judges, most of whom serve in Washington County and neighboring counties. Chief Justice Matthew Fader, of the Supreme Court of Maryland, co-presided over the ceremony with Washington County Circuit Court Administrative Judge Brett R. Wilson. Washington County Circuit Court Clerk Kevin Tucker, left, gives the oath of office to Kirk C. Downey as Downey is sworn in as associate circuit court judge during a ceremony Friday in the Washington County Courthouse in downtown Hagerstown. Major infrastructure project done: I-70 bridge projects along south end of Hagerstown have been completed The ceremony, as expected, included reflections about the late Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson, who was a friend of Downey's. Wilkinson was murdered outside his Hagerstown-area home in October. Wilson, at the start of the ceremony, said everyone was "too aware" of the "great tragedy that has not been and will never be forgotten." But it is appropriate to celebrate Downey's appointment as the newest judge, Wilson said. Kirk C. Downey is welcomed to the bench after being sworn in Friday as an associate judge for the Washington County Circuit Court. Standing at the bench, from left to right, are: Downey's best friend and a North Carolina judge, Thomas B. Langan; Downey; Washington County Circuit Court Administrative Judge Brett R. Wilson; and Chief Justice Matthew Fader of the Supreme Court of Maryland. After the ceremony, Wilson said Downey will spend his first 10 days as judge sitting with other judges and meeting with prosecutors and public defenders. In about two weeks, Downey will begin presiding over cases. This fall, Downey will attend what Fader referred to as "baby judge school." Wilson said that is a weeklong program where new judges review ethics and demeanor for judges and learn about "black letter law" and other issues important to serving judges. A celebration and reflection The ceremony featured remembrances of Wilkinson and moments of laughter as Downey and others shared stories about his life before what Wilson called the "cloak of impartiality" is set. Gov. Wes Moore, who appointed Downey, said "The truth is, it is a seat that shouldn't be open. Nobody can replace Judge Andrew Wilkinson, but somebody can and must and will carry his legacy forward." When not speaking, the governor sat in the court gallery near Wilkinson's widow, Stephanie, whom he called "one of my new heroes in life." Eileen Downey, right in red, sits with Stephanie Wilkinson after Kirk C. Downey is welcomed to the bench as associate judge of Washington County Circuit Court on Friday during a ceremony in the old courthouse in downtown Hagerstown. Moore said Downey has dedicated his entire career to the law, and his life to his family and community. Having interviewed Downey and heard from others about the man, Moore said Downey will conduct himself with humility, integrity and compassion. Hagerstown attorney and former state delegate Bruce Poole, who chaired the Judicial Nominating Commission, remarked that the panel forwarded four names to Moore, who made a "great choice." Poole said the time is quickly approaching in society when it's easy for "all good people to opt out." Kirk C. Downey shakes hands with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore after being sworn in as associate judge of Washington County Circuit Court on Friday in the main courtroom of the old courthouse in Hagerstown. Among those looking on are Downey's wife, Eileen, and Hagerstown attorney Bruce Poole, who chaired the Judicial Nominating Commission. Being a judge "can be an isolating life and we also know it is with risk," Poole said. That the nominating commission forwarded the names of four people who are "highly capable of being a judge" bodes well for the future of the community's judiciary, Poole said. Downey "will always endeavor to do the right thing" Poole said. "Kirk is a man who, as a judge, is never going to embarrass the county and in fact will be a source of pride," Poole said. Bill named for Judge Wilkinson: After attack on Maryland judge, bill brought to protect judiciary members, their families Learning about Kirk Downey Downey, who grew up on a family dairy farm in the Downsville area, knows hard work and how to find practical solutions to difficult problems, said Judge Thomas B. Langan. Langan is a District Court Judge in North Carolina, a schoolmate of Downey's from their years at Duke University, and they are best friends. Downey resigned as the longtime lead attorney for county government at noon Friday. He joked about making it through four hours of unemployment. Kirk C. Downey sits with his family during his Feb. 16, 2024, investiture ceremony as associate judge for the Washington County Circuit Court. Among the stories Downey shared were watching his cousin, Lee, be sworn into one of his terms as county commissioner in the same courtroom in December 1986 when Downey was a high school freshman. Downey graduated from Williamsport High School in 1990. He also remembered he and Wilkinson arguing on opposite sides in the state's top court about a zoning case for a solar farm. It was a highlight in their careers and a "cherished memory," Downey said. Downey said Wilkinson was impartial, independent and acted with integrity as a judge. He pledged to follow Wilkinson's example. Kirk C. Downey, second from left, is welcomed to the bench after being sworn in Friday as an associate judge of the Washington County Circuit Court. From left to right: North Carolina Judge Thomas B. Langan, Downey's best friend; Downey; Washington County Circuit Court Administrative Judge Brett R. Wilson; and Chief Justice Matthew Fader of the Supreme Court of Maryland. He also reflected on his days on the family farm and being a member of 4-H, which he said taught him citizenship, public speaking and civic involvement. Among those he thanked were his wife, Eileen, for waiting for him when he was a half-hour late to their first date; his parents, Frank and Carolyn, "for everything," and an aunt, who told him when he was a young child that he asked too many questions. "I guess that worked out well," Downey said. Kirk C. Downey puts on his robe after being sworn in as associate judge of the Washington County Circuit Court on Friday in the Washington County Courthouse in downtown Hagerstown. Helping with the presentation of the robe are Downey's wife Eileen, right, and daughter Erin, center. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County, Maryland resident Kirk Downey sworn in as judge WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Maryland Gov. Wes Moore visited the Washington County courthouse in Hagerstown for the swearing in of Kirk C. Downey as the new circuit court judge. The ceremony turns a page from a tragic episode that happened last year. Downey fills the seat of Judge Andrew Wilkinson who was fatally shot in October of 2023 in the driveway of his home by Pedro Argote. Wilkinson had earlier that day denied child custody to Argote in a divorce case. New Washington County Circuit Court judge appointed in Maryland The investiture ceremony was a perfect balance between remembering Wilkinson and celebrating Kirk Downey taking a seat on the bench, said Peter Perini, Sr., a member of the Hagerstown City Council. Downey has spent 20 years as counsel to the Washington County Commission and is highly regarded in the Hagerstown area. Hes got a lot of integrity, Randy Wagner, a member of the Washington County Commission, said. He is easy going and he will be a fair judge. Wagner added that Downey has invested service in this community. Early voting sites, staffing polls are challenges facing Washington County for primary election Former county commission president Ron Bowers got to know Downey through his cousin with whom he served on the commission for 20 years. I see Kirk Downey now as judge, being that person who really brings a decorum of common sense and compassion and empathy to the bench, Bowers said. Downey will undergo a week or so of orientation with his fellow judges before he starts to hear cases from the bench. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. A man tramples the flag of the Russian Federation in the liberated Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast The Kremlin has deployed specially trained units to oversee falsifications and monitor the so-called "election commissions" in the occupied territories of Ukraine during Russia's fake "presidential elections," Ukraines HUR Main Intelligence Directorate reported on Telegram on Feb. 19. One of the units' tasks is to report on the readiness of employees of enterprises in the Russia-occupied territories to "vote" by March 10 and to provide a "forecast of support" for dictator Vladimir Putin, HUR said. Read also: Russian Supreme Court rejects lawsuit from Putin opponent Nadezhdin, who challenged election disqualification The Kremlin has also approved a new "procedure" for conducting "voting" in the occupied territories, allowing participation with either a Russian or Ukrainian passport, ID card, or other identity document. Read also: Russia sets up makeshift morgues in abandoned Donetsk schools Kyiv "Such a decision testifies to the failure of forced passportization in the occupied territories of Ukraine, and is also another tool of the Russian special services to identify unreliable Ukrainians for repression," HUR said. Following Moscow's directives, Russias occupation "authorities" and propagandists are spreading misinformation about Putin's alleged "85% support," while actively promoting the so-called "mobile voter" system. This system allows "voting" online and "without registration" in the captured territories of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhya oblasts. The Russian Presidential election will be held on March 17, 2024. Putin announced his participation in the elections at the end of 2023. Moscow plans to hold "elections" in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories for three days on March 15, 16, and 17. 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 Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has reported that Russia sends specially trained units to the occupied territories of Ukraine to generate the desired number of votes during so-called "elections", such as the Russian Federation presidential "election" scheduled for next month. Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) Quote: "To create the illusion of support for the Russian dictator, the occupiers sent specially trained units to the occupied territories to oversee the fraud and monitor the work of the so-called electoral commissions. One of the tasks of these units is to report on the readiness of corporate employees in the occupied territories to vote, as well as to provide a forecast of local support for Putin by 10 March 2024." Details: The Kremlin has also approved a new "procedure" for holding "elections" in the temporary occupied territories (TOT) of Ukraine. In particular, the Russians decided that it would be possible to register for the illegal "elections" with either Russian or Ukrainian passports, or other identity documents such as ID cards. DIU believes that this decision demonstrates the failure of forced passportisation in the occupied territories and is another tool that the Russian special services can use to identify "unreliable" Ukrainians for further repression. It is reported that, upon the instruction of Moscow, the Russian occupation administration and propagandists are actively spreading fake news that 85% of the population of the TOT of Ukraine "support" Putin as well as promoting the so-called "mobile voter" system, which, in particular, allows easy "voting" online in the occupied territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! Keir Starmer with his chief of staff Sue Gray who made an announcement on citizen assemblies which Labour says is not an official party policy - Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock/Shutterstock Labour has backtracked on plans to create dozens of citizens assemblies to deliberate on new laws following a backlash against the stupid idea. Sue Gray, the partys chief of staff, had said in an interview that she would introduce the measure as part of efforts to devolve power from Whitehall. But just over 12 hours after her remarks were published, Labour was already rowing back, with officials insisting that the plan was not a formal policy. Under the proposals, modelled on a system in Ireland, juries made up of members of the public would discuss key issues. Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said citizens' assemblies could have been used to debate issues such as assisted dying - Tayfun Salci / Alamy Live News/alamy Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, told the BBC that they could have been used to put forward laws on sensitive subjects like assisted dying. Ms Gray made her comments in an interview she gave for a biography about Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader. Excerpts of the book, published by The Times, revealed she envisaged using them for constitutional reform, devolution and housing. Ms Gray, a former civil servant, hailed the proposal as transformational but warned that Whitehall will not like this because they have no control. The Telegraph has been told the creation of citizens assemblies is not an official party policy and there are currently no plans related to their potential use. The plan had already attracted criticism from both within Labour and from the Tories, who questioned why Ms Gray was announcing such a key policy. Luke Akehurst, a member of Labours ruling National Executive Committee, said in response to the proposal that citizens assemblies are a stupid idea. He added: We already have elected politicians who are put there by the public to take tough decisions. It is an abdication of responsibility to farm these out to potentially unrepresentative panels of people with no specific knowledge or accountability. Tory backlash The Tories had already leapt on the proposal and questioned why Ms Gray, a member of staff, was announcing it rather than Sir Keir. Paul Bristow, the MP for Peterborough, said: Making difficult decisions is what we elect MPs do. We have too many councillors and MPs who bemoan that it is out of their hands. This idea is bizarre and allows those MPs who are desperate to be liked to palm off responsibility. Chris Clarkson, Tory MP for Heywood and Middleton, added: Why is Sue Gray announcing policies? I appreciate that Sir Keir hasnt actually come out with any himself, but it still seems a bit odd. Citizens assemblies were introduced in Ireland in 2016 to give the public a greater voice over key constitutional and policy issues. They have been asked by ministers to look into issues including abortion laws, fixed term parliaments, referendum rules, the ageing population, social care funding and climate change. 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. In his memoirs A Journey, Tony Blair said the Hunting Act of 2004 was one of the domestic legislative measures I most regret. This is hardly surprising given the political convulsions that it caused. The foxhunting ban took up 700 hours of time in the Commons and Lords, and was eventually forced onto the Statute Book by the use of the Parliament Act. But 20 years on and the Labour Party is to have another go, this time by outlawing drag and trail hunting. As the names suggest, these involve packs of hounds following scents either animal or artificial in the case of drag hunting across the countryside. Some even chase human quarry. Animal rights campaigners and hunt saboteurs maintain that hunts are using the legal alternatives to hunt foxes without being prosecuted. If that is true and evidence exists then charges should be brought. Indeed, that is what happens. There have been around 600 successful prosecutions under the Act and police have issued formal cautions in other cases. No one suggests that driving should be banned when a motorist breaks the law, so why would Labour now wish to prohibit the entire pastime of riding to hounds? Steve Reed, the partys environment spokesman, pledged a full ban on trail and drag hunting in the first term of a Labour government. This is another appalling piece of Labour class warfare virtue-signalling, necessitated by the absence of any other ideas for government. It is of a piece with the plans to impose VAT on private school fees and abolish non-dom tax status, supposedly using the money raised to fund a range of initiatives even though it is more likely to drive investors away. Mr Reed said that Labours approach to hunts isnt to do with urban people telling country people how to live their lives, but that is precisely what it is. There are people in rural areas who do not like the hunts, but that is not a justification for wiping out a way of life that has been around for centuries. The Hunting Act is a poor piece of legislation that is bad for the rural economy and a waste of police resources. But it is not going to be repealed and is settled. Labour class warriors seeking to stir it up once again should remember their former and most successful leaders belated recantation, and drop the plan. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The country's newest MP has taken his seat in Parliament - and said his West Country accent helped him get there. Damien Egan was elected MP for Kingswood near Bristol on 15 February, overturning a Conservative majority of more than 11,000. He has now been sworn in, alongside Labour's other by-election victor, Gen Kitchen from Wellingborough. Born in Ireland, Damien Egan came to the West of England as a youngster, and his family still live in the area. Damien Egan said "the hard work starts now" after being elected He was briefly a parish councillor, before moving to London where he rose to become Mayor of Lewisham. In July 2023 he was selected as Labour's candidate for Bristol North East, a new seat being created for the next general election. So it was a shock when, on holiday at the start of January, he was told Kingswood's Conservative MP was standing down - and his party wanted him to stand in the resulting by-election. "The last seven weeks it feels like so much has happened, and it feels like such a long time ago," he said. "It's amazing." Mr Egan said the campaign got personal, with the Conservatives targeting the way he had had seemingly changed his accent since his time as Mayor of Lewisham. He said: "It made me for about an hour really, like, paranoid about talking, because you're like, oh my God, how am I speaking?" "It didn't actually come up that much. If anything I think it backfired on the Conservatives." Mr Egan believes highlighting his local roots went down well with some voters. On his first day in Parliament the two by-election victors were met by party leader Sir Keir Starmer, and cheered by scores of other Labour MPs. Damien Egan admits to a sense of wonder: "I've been in that chamber once, on a guided tour, so it's going to be really interesting. "I can't imagine what it feels like to sit there and listen to PMQs, hear debates, I'm going to learn a lot." But he will not have long to enjoy it. The Kingswood seat will be abolished at the next general election - and within months he will again be fighting for a place in Parliament. Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk The 7-year-old boy shot at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church earlier this month is fighting for his life after multiple surgeries to his brain and skull, according to his grandmother. Shooter Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36, entered the Houston megachurch around 2 p.m. with her own son, Samuel Moreno Carranza, before opening fire with an AR-15. The young boy and another man were critically wounded at the scene. The boy's grandmother, Walli Carranza, wrote in a Wednesday Facebook post that "half of his right skull [now] has to be surgically removed during two surgeries done in less than 24 hours." LAKEWOOD CHURCH HOLDS HEALING AND PRAISE SERVICE A WEEK AFTER FATAL SHOOTING Harris County Sheriffs officers stand outside of the Lakewood Church on Sunday, Feb. 11, in Houston, following the shooting. "He was in cardiac arrest multiple times and no one can determine whether he has significant brain activity because his scalp tissue is too friable to allow the attachment of EEG wires," the boy's grandmother wrote. Moreno's second victim, a 57-year-old man, was shot in the leg but was in stable condition later that day, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner previously told Fox News Digital. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP One of two armed, off-duty law enforcement officers working security at the church shot Moreno in a subsequent firefight - she would later succumb to her injuries. It is unclear whether the boy was shot by his mother or the security guards trying to subdue her. LAKEWOOD CHURCH SHOOTER IDENTIFIED AS GENESSE IVONNE MORENO; 'PALESTINE' WRITTEN ON GUN The Lakewood Church shooting suspect has been identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno. "I don't want to speculate on that, but what I would say is if it was, unfortunately, and that female, that suspect put that baby in danger, I'm going to put that blame on her," Finner said during a press conference last week. After Moreno "went down," Finner said, the officers at the scene quickly searched her backpack and vehicle for explosives due to earlier threats she'd made. NEIGHBORS OF LAKEWOOD CHURCH SHOOTER DETAIL YEARS OF 'HELL,' POLICE INACTION: 'ONLY A MATTER OF TIME' "My faith tradition demands of me compassion, and I have it for my deceased daughter-in-law," the boy's grandmother wrote in her post. "She has schizophrenia and, now we know, anti-social personality disorder. Her brain was broken." The grandmother claimed that, despite more than 20 previous reports of neglect and medical abuse to child protective services in Harris and Montgomery Counties, law enforcement never intervened in the at-risk woman's life. Previously, the grandmother claimed, guns were found in Moreno's diaper bag, purse and car by authorities. The bereaved woman wrote that her grandson had "no protection of his God-given right to life" because "the very same legislators who claim to be 'pro-life' believe that unbridled gun rights matter and the right to life does not." "What is the excuse for those who knew and did nothing and for legislators who refuse to allow red flag laws but do allow anyone to buy an assault weapon?" Carranza asked. She called for legislators to "repeal the second amendment" on the grounds that "[the first] means too much to allow the second." Previously, Moreno's neighbors detailed years of harassment and threats from Moreno and their unsuccessful attempts to alert authorities to her unstable condition. A long line of cars forms outside of Lakewood Church, where Gennesse Ivonne Moreno opened fire on Feb. 11. Moreno's motivation for the shooting is still unclear. Antisemitic writings were found inside the vehicle she drove to the church, police said. Although police did not say what was written, they suggested that it may have stemmed from a familial dispute involving her ex-husband and his family - some of whom are Jewish, police say. The word "Palestine" was written on the woman's gun, Fox News Digital previously reported. Moreno, who is originally from El Salvador, had a criminal history including convictions for assaulting a police officer in 2009 and forgery in 2010. Fox News Digital previously reported that she had six previous arrests dating back to 2005, and used several male and female aliases, including Jeffrey Escalante Moreno. LAKEWOOD CHURCH SHOOTING: WOMAN WITH CHILD IN TOW OPENS FIRE INSIDE JOEL OSTEEN'S TEXAS MEGACHURCH Members of the FBI, the Texas Rangers, the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office and the Conroe and Houston Police Departments were investigating a property Monday in Conroe, north of Houston, that was believed to be Moreno's residence, KPRC reported. Investigators said they will look into how Moreno was able to purchase the two guns, one of which, Hassig said, was legally purchased in December. Yesterday, the church held its first service since the shooting, with Osteen telling parishioners the event had caused "a lot of trauma." Houston Mayor John Whitmire and police Chief Troy Finner were both invited on stage to speak. Original article source: Lakewood shooting: Grandma shares update on 7-year-old shot at Joel Osteen's Houston megachurch SINGAPORE, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kelvin Fan Sui Siong, deputy secretary at Singapore's Ministry of Defense, will take over Maj. Gen. Kelvin Khong Boon Leong as chief of Singapore Air Force on March 22, the defense ministry said on Monday. Brig. Gen. Fan, 44, joined the Singapore Armed Forces in 1998. He served in multiple positions in the Air Force, including the squadron commanding officer, head of air operations department and chief of staff-air staff. Khong, 48, joined the Air Force in 1995 and has held several senior command and staff appointments. The defense ministry expressed appreciation to Khong and noted that the change is part of the continuing leadership renewal in armed forces. A row about wild camping on Dartmoor has ended up in court - RACHEL ADAMS/HYDE NEWS & PICTURES A fresh right to roam row has broken out as campaigners claim routes to open countryside have been blocked by landowners. Campaigners say there are about 2,500 access islands in England where the public have a right to roam, but there is no open path to get to them. Getting to these public access spots therefore requires trespassing, campaigners have said. They have called on landowners to open up public access to all of the 8 per cent of England where people have a right to roam under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. But Victoria Vyvyan, the president of the Country Land and Business Association, said there was no need for people to break the law. Nobody is forced to trespass. It is a choice and millions of acres of land are publicly accessible without the need to do so, she told the BBC. In England, 8 per cent of the countryside is open to the public - LEONIEK VAN DER VLIET/ISTOCKPHOTO She said farmers should be paid more through the Governments agricultural subsidy scheme to improve access via gates, stiles and paths. On Saturday, campaigners will bring together hundreds of people on Dartmoor for a mass trespass to highlight the contradiction in the law. Lewis Winks, from the Right to Roam group, said: The absurdity of access islands is a clear example of why our current system of access rights in England is broken. Often people dont know where they have a right to go in the countryside. Its ridiculous that the public have to trespass to reach these fragments of land where they have a legal right to roam all because of our piecemeal approach to access in this country. There are no access islands in Scotland, however, which created a default right of access to most land and water in 2003, to be exercised responsibly and subject to sensible exemptions and rules, Mr Winks added. With political parties pledging to increase access to nature in England its vital they learn from the mistakes of the past, and look instead to follow successful examples like Scotland. 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 group of property owners angry about a possible expansion of Bluegrass Station have formed a nonprofit group to fight a new runway project they fear will allow the government to take their farms and land. Several hundred people packed a barn on Sunday night near Bluegrass Station to hear more about the possible expansion plans and discuss how to fight an expansion of the state-owned airpark that now serves the U.S. military. Arthur Hancock is a fourth-generation Bourbon County farmer and owns land about four miles from Bluegrass Station. Hancock, like many others, said he had only heard about the project in the past week. Hancock blasted the plan as it was hatched under a veil of secrecy. The government wants to take land to build an airport runway possibly for out-of-state companies and take peoples land like thieves in the night, he said. Hancock and others urged those who attended Sundays meeting to call local and state elected leaders and tell them to stop the expansion. This is not over, Hancock said. We will fight. The group is forming a 501 (c)(4), a type of nonprofit that allows the group to engage in some political activity, such as opposition advertisements against the proposed expansion project. The group, Citizens for Bourbon County, will also weigh-in on other issues involving planning and smart development, organizers said Sunday. It is a slap in the face to Bourbon County farmers who have devoted their lives to the health and preservation of their land. It shouldnt be usurped by the government so Lockheed Martin can line their pockets while they pollute our air, land and livelihoods, said Ike Van Meter, one of the landowners who helped organize Sunday nights meeting at a local farm in Bourbon County. Others who spoke Sunday said they felt blindsided by the push to expand the former Army Depot that is now controlled and owned by the state. If this were truly an issue of national security, our citizens would be lining up to make it happen, said Mark Offutt, a Bourbon County resident and former county magistrate. The problem is, this project is about expanding Lockheed Martins profits after they have repeatedly broken their promises to Bourbon County workers through layoffs and pay cuts. It appears our elected leaders are using the current Lockheed Martin footprint as an excuse to say this is a military operation, which frankly, it is not. Project details and how it will be financed The more than $320 million project to expand Bluegrass Stations current runway into Bourbon County is included in the Republican House version of the state budget. Some project documents say the land to expand the runway could be taken by eminent domain which allows the government to take private land for a public use for a price. Roughly $55 million could be bond or borrowed fund with the potential for a private entity to repay the $55 million. No other tax dollars are currently earmarked for the project, according to officials with the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, which oversees Bluegrass Station. According to documents and a presentation submitted to the Kentucky General Assembly in November 2022, the plans involve a 2,000-acre expansion, but the report states that future market conditions could justify expansion up to 4,000 acres. Pictured above is a draft of the proposed runway and airpark expansion of Bluegrass Station Document provided to Kentucky legislators Dozens of people who attended Sunday nights meeting said they are angry they only learned out about the possible expansion through budget documents. Lockheed Martin, a private government contractor and Bluegrass Stations largest employer, uses the heliport on the property to retrofit helicopters. If the runway is expanded, the private military contractor could also fix airplanes at the site. The airport expansion could also serve private aircraft, which backers of the project say is needed. Theres currently not enough capacity in Central Kentucky for general aviation aircraft. The promise of more jobs is also driving the project. Bourbon Countys economy has been stagnant for years, project supporters say. Some estimate between 4,000 and 6,000 new jobs could be added if the public-private partnership is completed. This embedded content is not available in your region. Who will it benefit? Those who attended Sunday nights meeting questioned those numbers. Much of the jobs at Bluegrass Station are on the Fayette County side. Bluegrass Station straddles the Fayette and Bourbon county line. That means a tax on wages, which helps fund the bulk of city and county government operations, currently goes to Fayette County. If the Bluegrass Station is expanded, would those tax dollars actually help Bourbon County, some questioned. Lockheed Martin has contracts with the U.S. military. Those contracts only last a certain period of years. When those contracts dry up, so do the jobs, several people predicted Sunday. With all due respect, this project will rob Peter to pay Paul, said Mike Thompson, a Bourbon County land owner. The land in Bourbon County will be forever changed by this project, and the jobs and employees will go to Fayette County. They will bleed us dry, and the citizens of Bourbon County will be left with nothing but noise and dirty air for their children and their childrens children to breathe. Plans for the expansion of operations at Bluegrass Station arent new. In 2017, a similar proposal was killed by the Bourbon County Fiscal Court. Offutt was one of the magistrates who voted against the expansion. This time, it appears all the oversight of the project is at the state level. Magistrate Todd Earlywine, who represents the Bourbon County area that includes parts of Bluegrass Station, said he does not support the expansion and stands with the landowners. Earlywine has been told that Bourbon County Fiscal Court has no say over the proposed expansion. On Sunday, Van Meter and others urged those who attended to call senators and House members to jettison the project out of the two-year annual budget. The House has already passed its version of the budget. It now goes to the Senate. Both chambers are controlled by the Republican Party. Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Departments Major Crimes Division are asking the public for assistance with identifying four suspects responsible for attacking three Turkish Consulate members on the University of Southern California campus in September. According to a release from LAPD, the attack occurred at Downey and Watt ways after a planned event held by Armenian students and community members on Sept. 29, 2023. 5 teens, 12-year-old allegedly involved in crash after high-speed pursuit The suspects, who were part of a group of protestors, approached the victims [and] yelled derogatory statements and physically attacked them, LAPD officials said. The suspects pushed, punched, kicked and threw water at the victims. The suspects then fled the area while the diplomats ran for safety, police added. Turkish-Armenian relations have historically been hostile; organizers of the September protest were trying to bring attention to the humanitarian crisis in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. While no suspect descriptions have been released, the LAPD provided photos of the four suspects: LAPD seeking publics help in identifying hate crime suspects who targeted diplomats on USC campus Anyone with information is urged to call Major Crimes Detectives Torres or Allen at 213-486-6270. Mike The Situation Sorrentino says he shared sons choking scare to save lives During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-527-3247. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous are asked contact L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting their website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The Los Angeles Police Department says it seized 17 guns while investigating a congregation of 50 to 70 alleged gang members just south of the Fashion District on Saturday. In a news release, the department said Newton Area Gang Enforcement Detail Officers noticed the large gathering in front of 1300 East 16th Street. The people gathering were smoking narcotics and drinking alcohol in a public space at the time. When officers detained the gatherers to investigate, one person was seen attempting to discard a gun, according to authorities. Another entered a building with a gun before quickly leaving the area. Police called the people gathered an uncooperative gang group. A total of 17 guns were recovered in the nearby warehouse and in plain site, police said. Of the weapons, six were ghost guns, meaning they were without a traceable serial number. Democrats call for reversal of Trump-era change to ghost gun regulation A total of three people were arrested, LAPD confirmed. Of the arrests, one was on firearm-related suspicions and the others were related to disruption to peace. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Law enforcement searching for men who went missing in Gulf of Mexico Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching for four men who have been missing since Saturday morning. The City of Venice says the four men left for a boating trip around 8 a.m. Saturday and did not return as planned. Law enforcement is searching for four men who went out on a boating trip and never returned. Around 8 a.m. Sunday, the Sarasota County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) contacted the Venice Police Department to check the Marina Park Boat Ramp near the Venice Train Depot for a vehicle and boat trailer left behind by the group. Both were located at the park, according to the city. FLORIDA WOMAN DISAPPEARS IN MADRID AFTER SUSPICIOUS TEXT, BLACKED-OUT SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS City officials have identified the four missing men as Ruben Mora Sr., 54, of Port Charlotte, and Angel Hernandez Munoz, 38, Julio Cesar Cordeo Briones, 37, and Vargas Parra, 35, who are all from North Port. VPDs Marine Patrol, SCSCO, the U.S. Coast Guard, Sarasota Police, the Manatee County Sheriffs Office, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are involved in the search, spanning from Stump Pass to Longboat Pass. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The groups vessel is a 1995 23-foot white SportCraft, registration #FL9937HC. Original article source: Law enforcement searching for men who went missing in Gulf of Mexico The Lee County Sheriff's Office is among scores of agencies searching for four boaters who went missing in Venice, Florida, on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. The Lee County Sheriff's Office is assisting the U.S. Coast Guard and others in the search for four boaters who went missing Saturday night in the Gulf of Mexico. According to a series of pictures posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, the Lee County Sheriff's Office has at least two units out at sea. Multiple agencies have searched over 4,600 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico for the boaters, who left for a boating trip from Venice Inlet on Saturday, Feb. 17, aboard a 25-foot center console boat. The Lee County Sheriff's Office is among scores of agencies searching for four boaters who went missing in Venice, Florida, on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. The U.S. Coast Guard posted on X, just after 10 a.m. Monday that the search remained active. The men left from the Marina Park Boat Ramp, near the Historic Venice Train Depot, around 8 a.m. Saturday, according to the Venice Police Department. In the Caloosahatchee River: Missing boater found dead two days after dispatch to Caloosahatchee River, FWC says Family members contacted police Sunday morning. Officers found the men's vehicle and boat trailer still at the park. The Lee County Sheriff's Office is among scores of agencies searching for four boaters who went missing in Venice, Florida, on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. Authorities have identified the missing boaters as Angel Hernandez Munoz, 38, of North Port; Ruben Mora, Sr., 54, of Port Charlotte; Julio Cesar Cordero Briones, 37, of North Port; and Vargas Parra, 35, of North Port. The boat is a 1995 23-foot white SportCraft, registration # FL9937HC, reports indicate. The Lee County Sheriff's Office joins forces with the the Venice Police Department's Marine Patrol; the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office; the Sarasota Police Department; the Manatee County Sheriff's Office; and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. The search stretches from Sarasota County south into Collier County. The U.S. Coast Guard is searching areas nine miles offshore and beyond, Venice Police Department said, using multiple boats and aircraft. 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: Lee sheriff's office joins search for 4 missing Venice boaters If there's one thing most Americans agree on, it's that grandstanding, and gridlock have crippled Washington. Too often, those we send to our nations capital forget where they come from and why they were elected. Leon County commissioners received an update regarding Amazon during its annual retreat. In Washington, the biggest problem is that politicians dont listen to voters. Yet, in Tallahassee, politicians are in danger of making the very same mistake. This year, state lawmakers proposed a bill to strip local voters of the power to decide term limits for their county commissioners. Instead, lawmakers want to install a top-down one-size-fits all solution. County Commissioner Term Limits (HB 57 by Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola / SB 438 by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill) is a bad idea. Simply put, its wrong to strip voters of their rightful powerand its wrong to treat every community like its the same community. Miami-Dade County is over 17,000 % larger than Union County. Their needs are differentand frankly, all of Floridas 67 counties are different. While some thrive on agriculture, others are hubs of tourism. While some are coastal, others are inland. While some rank among the wealthiest places in America, others are economically at-risk. The issues they deal with are different, too. So are the solutions. On education, infrastructure, healthcare and, yes, even term limits, voters in different communities may want different solutionswhich is precisely why some Florida counties have term limits and some do not. Thats the way it should be. Thats how our Founders envisioned it. And right now, thats the way it works. Ironically, if Tallahassee politicians impose the same top-down approach on every county in Florida, it will be the mirror image of the Washington-knows-best attitude that has left so many of us disillusioned with national politics. Currently in Florida there are 20 charter counties including Leon and Wakulla counties. Both of these local counties have chosen not to include term limits in their charter. Should constituents in either county choose to impose term limits they easily can be amended to the charter. Americans frustration with Washington is both valid and justified I share it. The lack of term limits in Congress contributes to a cycle of inertia, sclerosis, and entrenchment. However, transplanting this frustration onto our local communities is like performing surgery on the wrong patient. It undermines voter control and risks severing the deep connections local leaders have with their communitiesconnections that are vital for responsive and effective governance. Bill Truex Bill Truex is a Charlotte County commissioner and President of the Florida Association of Counties. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Let local voters decide term limits, not Florida legislators BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- China will work with Indonesia to advance the sustained, sound and steady growth of bilateral ties after the smooth and successful presidential election in Indonesia, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday. Former general and three-time presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto declared victory in Indonesia's presidential election on Feb. 14. "We congratulate Indonesia on the smooth and successful presidential election," spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing. Noting that Indonesia is China's friendly neighbor, Mao said China believes that the choice of the Indonesian people is in the interest of their country's future and prosperity. "China looks to continue to work with Indonesia to stick to the main theme of building a community with a shared future, forge high-level strategic mutual trust, deepen strategic cooperation across the board, and advance the sustained, sound and steady growth of China-Indonesia relations to deliver greater benefits for our two peoples," Mao said. To the editor: I had a friend who was a criminal defense attorney. One of the cases was reported by the media. "What?" I asked my friend. "You are defending him?" ("Providing criminal defense is not a crime. So why do some demonize lawyers for it?" editorial, Feb. 13) My friend said that he was defending me, assuring me that the Constitution was being used appropriately, that the police were not committing a crime, and that the prosecution was honest. He was preserving democracy. Wow. Some years later, a friend of mine graduated from law school and became a public defender. She quit after three years. The police lied, prosecutors lied, and she did not have the staff or the funding to provide good defense. It is scary out there. Support the lawyers who are defending those who are innocent until proven guilty and even when "proven" guilty, they might not actually be. Niles Ross, Cedar Rapids, Iowa .. To the editor: Your editorial about lawyers with unpopular clients is a helpful reminder to people that lawyers are not their clients. Sometimes good lawyering means representing bad clients, often to vindicate constitutional principles. Most famously, the American Civil Liberties Union represented the Nazis in the Skokie, Ill., case at the U.S. Supreme Court in 1977. But there is no universal truth here, not even among lawyers. It is still hard to get pro bono representation for environmental cases at big law firms today, even when idealistic individuals at the firms are ready to help. For decades, this was also true for reproductive rights. The big firms may aver that these parties are not their clients, but they do capitulate in their values and representation to their big clients. That is how the marketplace works, and the market makes the culture in big firms. Jonathan Kaufelt, Santa Monica This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Former President Trump arrives at Manhattan criminal court in New York on Feb. 15. (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) To the editor: I think we learned from the 2016 election that reporting former President Trump's lies without qualifying them leads many people to believe his untruths. While the media have adapted and now will say when his statements are indeed lies, we need to stay vigilant. In the Associated Press article you published about the former president's criminal trial in New York, the recounting of defense attorney Todd Blanche's statements about Trump unfairly having to stand trial while running for president was not qualified. Thus, people could believe this is a legitimate claim. The fact is, what's outrageous is that someone who is on trial is running for president. What's outrageous is the suggestion that the court is out of line for requiring a person to be held accountable for his actions by a jury of his peers. Carolyn Manetti, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Trump has written on social media that his legal troubles are a "Biden-directed Political Witch Hunt for the purpose of Election Interference." If that's true, then you've got to hand it to the elderly and forgetful man in the White House. He's secretly managing multiple criminal indictments in both federal and state courts, directing appropriate resources with impeccable timing, and always maintaining the upper hand on his opponent. Seems to me like a good candidate for president. Mark Osterstock, Ladera Ranch This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. SIR I read with interest your interview with the avuncular, media-friendly Sir John Curtice, and I note the evident certitude of his prognostications. However, venerating academics and pollsters as modern Nostradamuses is a grave mistake. Their groupthinking errors ahead of the 2016 referendum and various elections clearly misled politicians and media commentators. Sixty-two per cent of voters in Thursdays by-elections didnt bother to vote. I submit that this was mostly not due to idleness, but rather a simmering and widespread sense of betrayal. There is scarcely a voter in the country who hasnt felt betrayed by our Government or Parliament at some point in the past decade, whether Leaver or Remainer, Labour or Conservative, or Irish, English or Scottish. Trust in politicians has completely gone. The next general election will be dominated by those few who have clean hands in these betrayals and, I suspect, the results will confound the polling industry again. Keith Phair Felixstowe, Suffolk SIR Its reasonable and logical that there is a law that says that union strike ballots are only valid if 50 per cent of members turn out to vote. Why then is it acceptable to allow by-election results to stand when the turnout is only 37 and 38 per cent, with the winning candidate approved by a small proportion of the electorate? Paul Webster Dyserth, Denbighshire SIR Judging from Rishi Sunaks flabby steady as you go response to the recent by-elections (Our Conservative family must come together to defeat Labour, Commentary, February 17), neither he nor the Conservative leadership understands what has happened. In 2016 and again, emphatically, in 2019 they were given clear instructions. He and they have ignored those instructions and will suffer accordingly. John Neimer Stoborough, Dorset SIR We didnt leave the Conservative Party; it left us. Sue Beale Maidenhead, Berkshire SIR I was glad when Sir Keir Starmer became Labour leader, but have become totally disillusioned by his lack of decision and increasingly frequent U-turns, making me fearful should Labour win a general election in these intensely worrying times. Despite his many talents, I dislike Rishi Sunaks apparent lack of empathy and inability to understand the despair and anxieties of the man in the street. What should I do, knowing full well the importance of not wasting the vote granted to me? Lutena Yates Aveton Gifford, Devon Army exodus SIR Sir Iain Duncan Smith (Comment, February 16) warns of a forthcoming exodus of military officers. As the wife of a serving Army officer, I must report that as a result of the Ministry of Defences decision to strip us of our guaranteed access to officer-standard accommodation, this is well under way. I know officers who have already given notice and we have evidence that significant numbers are now actively planning their exit over the next couple of years. The reality for my husband and me is this. Because we have not yet produced children, we are set to have our living space slashed by 38 per cent.The long absences and risks inherent for service personnel strain family life. The frequent moves especially for officers often ruin a spouses career, further limiting household income. Now they are coming for our accommodation too. Members of the Armed Forces are prevented by the chain of command from voicing their objections publicly. The only means left to make their dissatisfaction known is to vote with their feet and leave. Rosie Bucknall Warminster, Wiltshire Stay-at-home workers SIR There may be a sting in the tail for those working from home (Letters, February 14). More and more employers are calculating that remote working may be just as well done at less cost by outsourcing to staff abroad. A wise employee, where appropriate, should be at the workplace because in some cases absence may not make an employers heart grow fonder. David Saunders Sidmouth, Devon SIR The housing crisis is also affecting workers mobility. Its very hard for people who are likely to receive low pay and have no assets to move to popular places, where their entire income would go on rent, if they could find anywhere to rent at all. It seems that the failure of housing policy is now destroying the economy. Jonathan Barker Rochdale, Lancashire A rural welcome SIR I travel each summer into the beautiful English countryside with my husband, who is Chinese. We have never experienced racism (Letters, February 15); he has been welcomed into village pubs and spoken to warmly as we shop for antiques or go rambling down paths. Of course nowhere is idyllic; racism is the domain of idiots, not a geographic area. It exists where ignorance reigns. My husband has been spat at outside our London home and subjected to racial slurs. Lets not condemn the decent folk of Englands green and pleasant land when the issue is individual stupidity. Mark Peaker London W1 Ads worth watching SIR Anne Jappies letter (February 17) reminded me of the infancy of commercial television: the chimps in the PG Tips advert, or the Murray Mints theyre too good to hurry mints, or the question of whether Sharon Maughan and Anthony Head would get together in the Nescafe Gold Blend saga. These adverts were so memorable, clever and enjoyable. How many of todays can you say that about? Alan Edwards Steyning, West Sussex Foreign dentists SIR The news that NHS dentistry is to be undertaken by foreign dentists without the need for the overseas entrance exam (report, February 17) is outrageous. False documentation and unaccredited medical schools are rife in some parts of the world, and there are those who, for a fee, would willingly sit examinations for candidates who would fail otherwise. Dentists in Britain also have to keep up to date, which is not obligatory abroad. Lowering the bar further in medical practice is not acceptable. Dr Robert J Leeming Coventry, Warwickshire SIR Why would foreign dentists want to work in a broken and underfunded NHS any more than British dentists? Peter Rosie Ringwood, Hampshire Overpriced theatre SIR I tried to book tickets for the West Ends The Picture of Dorian Gray, in which Sarah Snook is the sole performer (Arts, February 16), and was astonished to discover the cost. On the Theatre Royal Haymarkets own website, the cheapest seats (in the gallery) are an affordable 40, but come with the warning: Limited view, cushioned bench, 65 steps up. The most expensive (stall) seats are 289 each. Such pricing policies are a terrible reflection on Londons theatreland and risk killing off the industry as we know it. Tourists will feel ripped off and British audiences, facing additional travel and meal costs, could find themselves forking out 400 per head for a night out. Very few one-person shows can justify such prices. Excellent though Snook may be, she is surely not one of those rare global stars. This one hour and 50 minutes with no interval play must, therefore, be an example of cynical pricing that can only be explained by greed. Veronica Timperley London W1 Fairground fantasy SIR I wonder if Peta, which believes that carousel fairground horses encourage exploitation (Letters, February 13), could be appeased by the addition of horns to the animals, thereby turning them into unicorns which, as far as I am aware, have never existed and will probably never be genetically engineered in the future. Ian Saponia Purley, Surrey The cost of keeping English churches beautiful Treasure: a medieval brass of Lady Margaret Camoys in St Georges Church, Trotton - Bridgeman Images SIR It was good to read your report (February 16) about the five small grants given to churches by the Church of England as part of its conservation policy. We should not overstate these contributions, however. I was brought up next door to St Georges in Trotton, West Sussex, mentioned in your article, which received the smallest of the grants listed (1,300 for technical surveys preceding the conservation of the churchs medieval paintings). I actually witnessed the 1952 effort to restore these wall paintings. Two years ago I took part in a further fundraising initiative for the same purpose. It was a low-key and local effort, appealing predominantly to our friends and neighbours, who very generously gave 18,500. That generosity enabled the conservation project. The total cost, of more than 30,000, puts the sum being provided by the Church into context. On a more optimistic note, we are hoping that another grant application, now before the Church Buildings Council, will find favour. Christopher R Hill Midhurst, West Sussex Artist, ecologist, war hero and Oundle old boy SIR Your list of distinguished former pupils of Oundle School (Prince Georges new home? Welcome to Oundle, the co-ed school where elitist braying is a no-no, telegraph.co.uk, February 13) omitted the late Sir Peter Scott. Son of Scott of the Antarctic, he had many achievements to his name, including as a wildlife artist, Olympic medal-winning yachtsman and decorated naval officer during the Second World War. He was also a pioneer of the conservation movement and, together with his friend the late Prince Philip, was one of the founders of the Worldwide Fund for Nature in the 1960s. Not a bad recommendation for his old school. Vincent Phillips Naburn, North Yorkshire Letters to the Editor We accept letters by email and post. Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers. ADDRESS: 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0DT EMAIL: dtletters@telegraph.co.uk FOLLOW: Telegraph Letters on Twitter @LettersDesk NEWSLETTER: sign up to receive Letters to the Editor 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. LIBERAL, Kan. (KSNW) The Liberal Police Department says it has been notified of several vehicle burglaries over the past few weeks. If your vehicle has been burglarized, even if no property was taken, please contact us, the LPD said. Kansas Highway Patrol identifies man struck and killed by Wichita Police Department patrol vehicle The LPD is asking for the publics help. If your residence or business has any cameras, we are asking that you look over the footage and notify our investigations division if you have anything that may help in identifying the suspects, said the LPD. We would also like to take this time to remind our community the importance of securing your vehicles and removing all valuable items and keys from your vehicle. Anyone with any information in regard to the burglaries can call the LPD at 620-626-0141. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. On Friday morning, Russian prison authorities announced the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. He reportedly had felt unwell after a walk in the courtyard of Penal Colony No. 3where he had been transferred a few weeks earlierand lost consciousness. Arriving rescuers attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, and Navalnys team confirmed his death the following day. Though the exact cause of his demise is still unknownNavalnys allies have already said he was murderedthere is no doubt the Kremlin bears full responsibility. People have gathered around the world in recent days to express their grief and anger over Navalnys death. These gatherings have been small in Russia itselfthe state is, per usual, cracking down on protestbut there will be an enduring image from this weekend: People laying flowersat Navalnys former home in Moscow, at the memorial for the victims of Soviet repression opposite the FSB headquarters, and in many other places throughout the country. These are acts of individual mourning, of silence, and of loneliness. Just last week, Russias Supreme Court rejected legal challenges from the liberal politician Boris Nadezhdin, reaffirming the Central Election Commissions decision barring him from next months presidential election. Although some suspected him of having made a secret deal with the Kremlin to perform the role of a tolerated and controllable anti-war candidate, Nadezhdin had become a beacon of hope within Russiathe root of his name, , literally means hope in Russianuniting the otherwise divided liberal opposition and inspiring tens of thousands to offer him their signatures to get him on the ballot. The efforts to keep him from participating in the election were expected, but still a bitter disappointment for many. Navalnys death is another, more dramatic symbol of the never-ending brutality of the Russian regime and its warsboth against Ukraine and against its own population. Its possible, of course, that Navalnys death was simply the result of his torture-like prison conditions. But just as likely is the possibility that the course of events followed a precise script, dictated by the Kremlin and intended to deprive Russian society of all remaining hope. And indeed, the dominant emotion in Russia today is not anger, but sadness and despair. In a broadcast over the weekend on Dozhdthe online TV channel now based in the Netherlands because independent media is not welcome in Russiathe journalist Mikhail Fishman fought back tears. In Meduzaanother Russian-language media outlet based somewhere other than Russiasociologist Grigoriy Yudin, not known for emotional outbursts, wrote: In Russia, people like to say that it is darkest before dawn. I think thats trueonly we dont know the true darkness yet. It looks like its starting to get dark. The sun has set. Navalnys rise. Since his return to Russia and subsequent imprisonment in 2021, Navalny believed his main task was to spread courage. But this rolea screen upon which hope could be projectedwas not necessarily predetermined for someone who was largely known for his penetrating sarcasm and his aggressive, scathing criticism. An admirer-turned-fierce critic of Boris Yeltsin, Navalny began his political career as an anticorruption lawyer for small shareholders and as a campaign manager for the liberal party Yabloko. His rhetorical talent was evident in a debate club he moderated in the early 2000s, and he began to develop political ambitions of his own, eventually drifting into Russias nationalist movement against the advice of his friends. He quickly parted ways with the movementpossibly because it did not earn him the following he had hoped forbut he did not make a hard break with its political messages. Purely by electoral standards, Navalnys greatest political success came in 2013, when he finished second in Moscows mayoral elections, securing 27 percent of the vote. That vote signaled to the regime that it was time to end the strategy with which it had tried to present Navalny as the symbol of an unhindered yet always losing liberal opposition. Repression increased. But the real highlight of Navalnys political oeuvre was his 2018 presidential campaign. He was barred from the ballot, of coursethe Central Election Commission cited a fraud case against him as rationalebut the effort helped him build a nationwide network of supporters for the first time in the history of opposition in post-Soviet Russia. He spearheaded an innovative system of tactical voting (termed Smart Voting), which led to successes for local opposition candidates between 2018 and 2020, in a few cases helping to rid United Russia of its majority. The Kremlins intense focus on Navalnythe assassination attempt in 2020, the imprisonment in 2021, the complete destruction of his organizationmake clear that he and his team were the most potent opposition force Putin has ever faced. Not anti-political, but pre-political. Navalny has been criticized from both the left and the nationalist right for his liberal naivete. Some argued that replacing the Russian elite, reforming the countrys justice system, and making elections competitive would not be enough to truly effect the change that they thought Russia needed. But for Navalny, democracy, anti-corruption, and the rule of lawwhich were always at the heart of his workwere not anti-political, but pre-political. His goal was always to put together as broad of a coalition as possible, an alliance which, at its core, agreed primarily on its fundamental opposition to the authoritarian and corrupt regime. To even make normal political competition possible, Navalny thought, Putin needed to first be dislodged. Navalny was also criticized for his reliance on personality-driven politics. And of course, as the charismatic leader of his project, Navalny was very power-conscious. His organization was intended to be an example of the efficient institutions that would exist in the Wonderful Russia of the Futurea slogan he coined himselfbut it was also the personalistic, and at times authoritarian, mirror image of the regime he was up against. His organization, for instance, was a party in all but namewith the important difference that there was no mechanism for the base, the volunteers of the movement, to affect decisions at the top. That said, because Putins regime has systematically shut down normal politicsand therefore the formation of stable political coalitions and worldviewsbuilding an opposition movement around a leading figure is not only understandable but likely the most effective strategy. The return of the collective. Looking back on his life, Navalnys greatest achievement is perhaps his fight for self-efficacyfor the idea that ones actions can actually make a difference. After the wave of protest in 2011 and 2012which was still dominated by veterans of the Perestroika eraNavalnys presidential campaign in 2017 and 2018 represented the most significant political mobilization in Russia in decades. Navalnys team opened about 80 campaign offices throughout the country, with some paid staff and many volunteers. Before 2021, these were places of networking and legal assistance, they were buzzing centers of independent exchange. For many in Russia, that campaign was their first experience of collective action. The leaders of these centers have long been imprisoned or driven into exile. But thousands of activists carry their skills with them, as well as their longing for a peaceful and democratic Russia. Today, they are laying flowers in Volgograd or Vilnius, likely by themselves. But when they come back someday and work together on the Wonderful Russia of the Future, it will be thanks to Alexei Navalny. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. During the pandemic, Desiree Ransom and her then-4-year-old son woke up each morning with sore throats, stuffy noses and a persistent cough. The reason: black mold in their Modesto duplex. After a year of unanswered complaints, her landlord finally addressed the mold issue. Her rent was then raised by $250, forcing her to move out. I was never late on rent, [and the landlord] never had any complaints about me or from me until I found the mold, Ransom, 36, said. In fall 2019, the Modesto City Council approved Ordinance 3703, establishing the Rental Housing Safety Program across the city. It mandates regular inspections of all residential rental units to uphold maintenance standards and safeguard tenants quality of life. As part of the program, up to 10% of rental units undergo an annual audit. In Modesto and across Stanislaus County, rental housing is an issue not just in quantity but quality. Habitability everything from mold to electrical and plumbing problems and discrimination remain persistent problems. Data from the city reveals that since the Rental Housing Safety Program launched in September, about 46% of the 192 inspected units have violations. Around 12% of these violations have been rectified. Since 2021, Project Sentinel, a local program offering education and counseling on fair housing laws, has fielded 136 complaints in Stanislaus County. Nearly half of these complaints relate to disability discrimination, with instances of sex and income discrimination also on the rise in the past few years, said Elizabeth Sanchez, fair housing director at Project Sentinel. Whats behind the increase? In 2020, California broadened its anti-discrimination laws with the passage of SB 329, including support for Section 8 voucher holders. The first few years saw a learning period for tenants and housing providers given the new protections, which may have led to more complaints, said Sanchez. She also saw an increase in domestic violence complaints during the pandemic, possibly due to lockdown orders. Sanchez added that around 75% of Project Sentinels cases have yielded positive outcomes. These include educational interventions, successful negotiations with landlords or accommodations for tenants with disabilities. If housing providers are informed, hopefully they are going to do the right thing, she said. Rather than fix problem, landlord boots tenant When Summer Barker, 37, informed her landlord about the severe mold infestation in her Modesto duplex, stemming from faulty pipes and a lack of property maintenance, her pleas went unanswered. She had been feeling sick for about six years before she discovered the mold last year and finally made the connection. Her health deteriorated. She had breathing difficulties, daily migraines and chronic fatigue, leading to frequent hospital visits and an inability to work. In 2022, she said she was mostly bedridden. Barker later paid for a mold test, which confirmed the presence of unlivable levels of toxic black mold in her home. The city also wrote a citation for her property manager to address the mold. When she approached her landlord again, she was told they could not afford to address the issue and gave her a 60-day notice to vacate the premises. Barker ended up living in her car for almost a week until finding a family member who had some space for her to stay. No one [at the property management company] seemed to care, Barker said. Fear of eviction keeps many tenants silent In instances where landlords are failing to maintain the property up to code, individuals within vulnerable communities, such as undocumented and low-income individuals, may hesitate to request maintenance. Sanchez said a prevalent fear among tenants is that lodging complaints could result in eviction, leading many to endure substandard living conditions rather than risk potential repercussions. She said its important that Project Sentinel ensures its clients stay housed and know their rights. Recent updates to the Fair Employment and Housing Act aim to provide clearer directives, outlining that any adverse actions taken by housing providers, such as neglecting habitability issues, which could jeopardize a tenants housing vouchers, can lead to legal repercussions, said Carole Conn, Executive Director of Project Sentinel. Solutions Aside from building more affordable housing, there are other avenues to tackle the shortage of livable homes. One such solution is the expansion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), sometimes called granny flats or in-law quarters. The city of Sacramento defines an ADU as a permanent dwelling unit that may share at least one wall with the primary residence (attached) or be a stand-alone structure (detached) from the primary residence. ADUs provide permanent facilities for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. California took significant steps in 2021 by lifting various constraints on ADU construction and implementing measures aimed at incentivizing their development. ADUs, which are compact units, have shorter construction timelines compared to traditional housing options. In January 2021, Stanislaus County supervisors eased restrictions on extra dwellings that can be placed on residential and agricultural parcels in unincorporated areas. At the core of addressing housing disparities is education for both tenants and landlords. Its important for everybody to be educated about housing, said Conn. Its just too critical of a basic need. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday that he feels "very optimistic" about a House bipartisan caucus' $66 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific that also includes border security measures. "I don't want to wait I want to act now," Graham said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "I want to turn the aid package into a loan, that makes perfect sense to me. And I think the bipartisan Problem Solvers group has an idea that will sell." Graham added that depending on how the bill is written, it "makes perfect sense" to him. "I feel very optimistic after having been on the phone all weekend talking to my House colleagues that there's a way forward on the border and Ukraine," he said. 4TH GEN FARMER BLASTS BIDEN ADMIN FOR SENDING BILLIONS TO UKRAINE AS US FARMERS SUFFER: 'FACING EXTINCTION' The 30-page House proposal, released Friday, comes as Republican lawmakers shot down any chance of the Senate's $95 billion aid package which Graham voted against making it to the floor. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The bill is designed to curtail the influx of migrants at the southern border as officials struggle to get a handle on the crisis. It would re-up former President Trump's "Remain in Mexico" policy, which mandated asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while they await their court hearings, and additionally prohibits the use of federal funds for transferring migrants between detention centers or other locations, except when necessary for processing their immigration cases. "I think that's a winning combination," Graham said of the proposal. "Let's make it a loan. I think that gets you President Trump on the aid part." Graham's vote against the Senate's foreign aid package last week came as a surprise to pundits, as Graham has historically been a staunch defense funding hawk. His vote followed after Trump floated the idea on his Truth Social account of classifying foreign aid as a loan and instructed House Republicans to reject the Senate's failed bipartisan border deal. However, even though the South Carolina Republican agreed with Trump on making the funds loans, he said "with all due respect, we cannot wait" to secure the border. "It's a national security nightmare," he said. BIDEN APPEARS TO CONFUSE NATO WITH UKRAINE IN CALLING FOR CONGRESS MEMBERS TO PASS FUNDING BILL Two SUVs were seen pulling up to the U.S. southern border near Jacumba, California, and unloading dozens of migrants who entered the country illegally. Graham's appearance on "Face the Nation" comes just days after he visited the southern border with state colleague Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. "The bipartisan senate bill, without the Remain in Mexico policy change, is woefully inadequate to the task at hand. Everyone we met with said going back to Remain in Mexico is a key ingredient to fixing the problem," Graham wrote on X from Eagle Pass, Texas, on Friday. "I encourage all of my colleagues to come down here to listen and learn." The bill also includes $47.7 billion to assist Ukraine's military defense against Russia, $10.4 billion for Israel and $4.9 billion for U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific. The bill, dubbed the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act, is led by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Jared Golden, D-Maine. In a Dear Colleague letter on Monday, Fitzpatrick argued that the House's bill, unlike the Senate bill, which included humanitarian aid for Gaza, "narrows prior foreign aid proposals to critical military essentials for Ukraine and Israel." HOUSE REPUBLICAN INTRODUCES BILL TO REIMBURSE TEXAS THE NEARLY $4 BILLION IT SPENT TO SECURE BORDER President Biden, right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visit Saint Michaels cathedral, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 20, 2023. "Congress is responsible for making the laws that govern our borders, providing resources to enforce those laws, and overseeing the federal agencies responsible for enforcement. It is a mistake to defer our responsibility to the Executive Branch, and the crisis at the border is too great to wait more than eight months for the outcome of an election," the letter stated. "We can fulfill our duties by passing this bill to restore expulsion authority and by amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to make Remain in Mexico a requirement, not an option. These two policies would empower the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to reassert order and control at our border." Original article source: Lindsey Graham, who voted against Senate foreign aid bill, very optimistic about House proposal Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) on Sunday said theres no question that Russian President Vladimir Putin is behind the death of his longtime critic Alexei Navalny, adding that it would be worth it for House Speaker Mike Johnson (La.) to lose his spot as GOP leader to approve more aid for Ukraine. The best thing that we can do right now is to pass the aid bill that the Ukrainians need so urgently to help them continue what theyre doing to defeat Putins army in Ukraine, Cheney told CNNs State of the Union. Cheney said Johnson is in a position to deliver a meaningful message to Putin by allowing a vote on the support package that has already cleared the Senate. Its very unusual actually in American history to be in a situation where one man holds that kind of power whos not the president, Cheney told CNNs State of the Union. Cheney said that while far-right House Republicans have threatened to oust Johnson for simply allowing a potential vote on the package, the GOP leader should be willing to sacrifice his position to help the war-torn country. What I would say to that is he ought to understand that it is worth it if he has to lose his speakership in order to make sure that freedom survives, in order to make sure that the United States of America continues to play its leadership role in the world, she said. Hes going to have to explain to future generations, to his kids, to his grandkids whether or not he did what was right, whether or not he was a force for good and aided the cause of freedom, or whether he continued down this path of cowardice and doing what Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin want him to do, Cheney continued. Navalny died Friday at a penal colony near the Arctic Circle, the countrys prison service announced, adding that he lost consciousness after feeling unwell during a walk and emergency services couldnt revive him. He was 47. Kira Yarmysh, Navalnys spokesperson, said Monday both his mother and his legal team were blocked from entering the morgue where his body is allegedly held. Alexeys mother and his lawyers arrived at the morgue early in the morning. They were not allowed to go in. One of the lawyers was literally pushed out. When the staff was asked if Alexeys body was there, they did not answer (@Kira_Yarmysh) February 19, 2024 Meanwhile, the Kremlin has been cracking down on citizens who gathered across the country to pay tribute to Navalny, making over 300 arrests by Sunday evening, according to a human rights group. Trump has so far not commented on Navalnys death. In a separate part of the interview, Cheney also called out the former president for saying he would encourage Putin to attack NATO members that dont spend enough on defense. Its dangerous, it shows a complete lack of understanding of Americas role in the world, she said. Its disgraceful. Related... A former Tory minister and arch-Remainer has vowed to do everything he can to help Labour succeed as he advises Sir Keir Starmers shadow cabinet on preparing for power. Nick Boles, who quit the Conservative Party five years ago over its refusal to compromise on Brexit, is helping Labour get ready for government, with a general election expected in the autumn. The former skills minister, who served under Lord Cameron, voted Labour in the 2022 local elections and went on to endorse Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, arguing that they best fit the bill. He is now offering informal advice to shadow ministers on the transition to power, and told The Telegraph: I hope Keir Starmer is able to form a government after the next election. I want to do whatever I can to help a Labour administration succeed. The arrangement, first reported by Politics Home, shows that Mr Boles has completely cut ties with the Tories. Wed inherit complete mess from Tories A Labour source told the website that leaning on the expertise of people such as Mr Boles was an important part of preparations, adding: Keirs priority when he became leader was to change the Labour Party and put it back in the service of working people. It speaks to the progress of those changes that former Conservatives including former ministers are now switching to Labour. While theres still much work to be done to win a general election, we owe it to the public to ensure were prepared to govern given wed inherit a complete mess from the Tories. Mr Boles helped Lord Cameron with his preparations for office in the run-up to the 2010 election. Prior to that, he had served as Boris Johnsons chief of staff while Mr Johnson was mayor of London. He resigned from his local Tory association in March 2019 after grassroots activists considered deselecting him over his opposition to a no-deal Brexit. He quit the Conservative Party on the floor of the Commons two weeks later after MPs voted down his plans for a softer exit from the EU, which were described as Common Market 2.0. He said at the time: I have given everything to an attempt to find a compromise that can take this country out of the European Union while maintaining our economic strength and our political cohesion. I accept I have failed. I have failed chiefly because my party refuses to compromise. I regret therefore to announce I can no longer sit for this party. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Its Friday afternoon, and Rachel Church, co-manager at the Airport Inn in Boise, is helping her husband and their two children pack all of their belongings into a gray SUV. My family lives here, as much as we dont want to live here, Church told the Idaho Statesman. There is a lot of activity around here thats not desirable. Its just become a really unsafe place. But its home. The Airport Inn, at 2660 W. Airport Way, was served Thursday with a three-day notice to vacate the premises, which includes the eviction of residents. A similar notice was delivered to the nearby Rodeway Inn, at 2799 W. Airport Way. Both hotels are located on Boise Airport property and pay rent to the city. The eviction notices said the businesses, and tenants, had until Monday to vacate and surrender the properties. Rachel Church and her son Elliot, 12, move personal items out of a storage unit into a vehicle as they prepare to leave the Airport Inn hotel where they live and Rachel works as a manager. Residents at the Airport Inn are being evicted. But long-term residents like Church say they have nowhere else to go, especially on such short notice. Stormy Robles, another employee, said the Airport Inns nine full-time employees live on the backside of the hotel. Most havent seen a paycheck recently, Robles said. I dont know what Im going to do, Robles told the Statesman. I literally dont have anywhere to go. I have no money to move out. The owner has fallen behind on payments to the city, according to airport spokeswoman Shawna Samuelson. But thats not why the business is being vacated. Samuelson said by email that a recent investigation by Boise police found that the two properties are associated with calls for emergency services, including for drug overdoses, suspected drug sales, violent crime, theft and runaways. The Airport Inn, in particular, is connected to a 400% increase in calls for emergency services to the area over the past year, Samuelson said. From outward appearances, both the Airport Inn and the Rodeway Inn were seemingly reputable businesses, Samuelson said. Both hotels have passed fire inspections and had clean, serviceable public areas. Adam and Rachel Church stand outside of the Airport Inn hotel where they live and Rachel works as a manager. Residents of the hotel are being evicted. But she said the airports property management team visited the Airport Inn on Nov. 1 to post a notice for lapsed payments and found several discrepancies that raised concerns. So the city directed law enforcement to the area and began conducting surveillance on both properties. Samuelson said police found evidence of stolen vehicles, as well as the use and sale of drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. Si Banga, manager of the Rodeway Inn, which sits just off South Vista Avenue and is located closer to the airport than the Airport Inn, told the Statesman he was baffled by the citys allegation that the Rodeway Inn is a hotbed of illegal drug activity. He said the hotel only offers short-term stays and that 90% of its clientele are out-of-state travelers. The Rodeway Inn is owned by Choice Hotels, a nationwide chain based in Maryland. We run a really tight ship, Banga said. We have certain policies in place for when there are any incidents, whether its trip related, whether its emergency situations, whether its fire or anything like that we have to file incident reports. As far as the claims from the city of Boise saying we have drug activity at the property, I dispute that. Banga said the hotel has only had a couple of incident reports within the last year, and when it does have an incident, it contacts authorities right away. He said hes working with a legal team to navigate the sudden notice. Rodeway Inn, a hotel located near the Boise Airport, at 2799 W. Airport Way. The city said in its notice to vacate that if the properties are not surrendered by Monday, it will initiate eviction proceedings in court, through an unlawful detainer action outlined in Idaho law under section 6-303(5), which relates to the delivery, production or use of controlled substances on a leased property. The eviction notices posted by the city said the foregoing illegal activity is not subject to cure, meaning it wont offer any opportunity for the businesses to remove or correct the problems. Banga said anyone who rents a room from the Rodeway signs paperwork holding them liable for any damage or illegal activity that might occur in the room. He said Friday that he requested more information from the city on what it purports to have found. When we rent rooms, we dont do so under the impression that this persons going to destroy our room or anything like that, he said. We dont discriminate against anybody, and we dont know what their intentions are, whether they just come to party in a room or whether theyre just here for the night, flying out. Theres so many different scenarios. I mean, every hotel in the industry has to deal with that. Banga, who works full-time running the hotel, said it hasnt had any drug-related issues. He said the Rodeway Inn is being unfairly associated with activity that occurs at the Airport Inn down the road. Church, the co-manager at the Airport Inn, said there is some drug activity at the Airport Inn, and that some of the hotels staff and long-term residents have been working to clean up the place, to no avail. She estimates about 75% of the hotels clients are long-term guests. A lot of them are struggling. A lot of them, when they got here, werent going to put up with not being paid, Church said, referring to the hotels employees. But then, weve all just become one big family. I honestly dont know what were going to do. She said her family is charged $800 a month for the room they live in, and the cost is supposed to be deducted from her paycheck. She said she hasnt received a paycheck since January 2022. The city directed long-term residents of the property to CATCH, or Charitable Assistance to Communitys Homeless, a nonprofit that works to house people experiencing homelessness in Ada and Canyon counties. But Robles, whos recovering from an addiction to heroin, said she doesnt want to move to one of Boises shelters. Stormy Robles sits in the lobby of the Airport Inn hotel where she lives and works. Residents of the hotel are being evicted. She wants to stay clean so she can get her 2-year-old daughter back, who she said was taken by child protective services six months ago because Robles had methadone in her system, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. She said she was legally prescribed the drug by Raise the Bottom, an addiction treatment center with clinics in Boise and Nampa. She said the housing situation in the Treasure Valley is tough, and the Airport Inn has been a home for people with nowhere else to stay. Its not exactly the Best Western, Robles said. It doesnt look perfect. That still doesnt mean its riddled by drugs and everything. Anytime weve had a guest that has ODd, weve done CPR and called the ambulance. So its not like were trying to hide the fact. We have two old ladies here who take care of their mom, who has dementia, and theyre good people. ACCRA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The strong and growing Africa-China relations could be partly attributed to the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a Ghanaian expert has said. Paul Frimpong, executive director of the Africa-China Center for Policy and Advisory, a think tank based in Ghana, told Xinhua in a written interview that Africa has been benefiting from the BRI to boost infrastructure development. The BRI is important for Africa because primary infrastructure bottlenecks in energy, water, sanitation, telecommunications, and transportation, and low access to electricity need to be removed for the continent to achieve its goals of boosting intra-African trade, Frimpong said. "African infrastructure and economic growth may be unified and expedited due to China's participation in infrastructure projects on the continent. Multiple countries across the continent have benefited tremendously from these relations with China," he said. "BRI is already helping Africa to improve infrastructure to make it easier to conduct more intraregional and international trade, lower business costs, increase Africa's domestic and international competitiveness, and thereby experience economic success and sustained growth," Frimpong added. Frimpong said the interconnectivity on the continent provided by Chinese-built projects aligns with Africa's ambitions for the next 50 years, including achieving inclusive social and economic growth by ending poverty, inequalities of income and opportunity, and creating decent jobs, among others. Besides the economic cooperation, he said, China and African countries are connected by their shared desire to advance the South-South agenda. "Countries of the Global South broadly applaud China's resolve to forge partnerships based on equality and respect and its commitment to refraining from meddling in domestic issues," Frimpong added. It was the winter of 2021 when Philbert Shortys family found his abandoned car stuck in the mud outside the small community of Tsaile near the Arizona-New Mexico state line. We knew something happened from the get-go, said his uncle, Ben Shorty. We couldnt find any answers. Family members reported the 44-year-old man missing. And for the next two years, they searched hiking through remote canyons on the Navajo Nation, placing advertisements on the radio and posting across social media in hopes of unearthing any clues. The efforts produced nothing. They had no way of knowing hed been killed more than a week before they reported him missing. They remained unaware even as U.S. prosecutors finalized a plea deal last summer with Shiloh Aaron Oldrock, who was charged in connection with Shortys death as a result of a separate investigation into the killing and beheading of Oldrocks uncle. The 30-year-old Fargo, North Dakota, man told authorities his uncle had threatened to kill him during an alcohol-fueled fight that came eight months after the pair conspired to cover up Shortys death by dismembering and burning his body on Jan. 29, 2021. Lynette Craig marches with a poster of her brother who went missing in 2020 around the California State Capitol at the second annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Summit and Day of Action on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 in Sacramento, California. In both cases, Oldrock told investigators, a night of heavy drinking and fighting ended in death at his uncles home near Navajo, New Mexico. The details of this tale are more gruesome than most. Yet to those living in Indian Country, the elements underlying the tragedy are all too familiar. Generations of unaddressed trauma combine with substance abuse to create a dangerous recipe that often ends in violence, and law enforcement resources and social support programs are too sparse to offer much help. Deaths and disappearances are getting notice. Will it help? Shortys story is one of many across the United States and Canada, where high rates of missing persons and unsolved killings involving Indigenous people have captured the attention of policymakers at the highest levels. In 2019, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a task force. Congress followed in 2020 by passing two key pieces of legislation aimed at addressing the crisis. U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who had championed legislation as a congresswoman, has been working under the Biden administration to solve some of the systemic problems and jurisdictional challenges that have left victims families feeling invisible. The Interior Department is nearly three weeks passed a deadline for responding to a set of recommendations from a special commission that spent months traveling the country, speaking with family members, advocates and police officials about how best to tackle the epidemic. Native American tribes call for action on missing persons, unsolved murders Commission members heard hours of heartbreaking testimony from family members who have fought to keep their cases in the spotlight, often memorializing those lost with prayer vigils, special blankets and buttons, traditional ribbon skirts and red handprints painted on sidewalks and buildings. Like others, Shortys family now knows the suffering will linger despite the increased emphasis on solving such crimes. Shortys family had been left in the dark about what happened, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Alexander Uballez acknowledged in a November sentencing memo that referred to Shorty by only his initials PS. Wrote Uballez: They are just beginning to grieve as they were only informed recently that PS was deceased, rather than missing. Uballez expressed hope that putting Oldrock behind bars would bring some closure, saying that Shortys elderly aunt could stop looking down the driveway in hopes her nephew might one day return. Uballez said Oldrocks convictions were part of the U.S. Justice Departments duty to bring answers to tribal communities. While no amount of investigation or prosecution will bring back a loved one, he said, law enforcement partners will meet each case with urgency, transparency and coordination. Promises that may or may not lead somewhere That vow of transparency is what has Native American families frustrated. Many say authorities regularly fail to communicate about the status of pending cases. In Shortys case, unanswered questions about whether there were any remains recovered have left his family guessing as to whether they can ever have a burial for him. The investigators never called me. They were supposed to but never did, Ben Shorty said in a recent interview. It was all done behind closed doors. The FBIs most recent list of missing people from the Navajo Nation still included Philbert Shorty. Thats despite investigators having had reason to believe he was dead as early as October 2021 with Oldrocks confession. A medical investigators report issued the following spring said that while it couldnt be confirmed conclusively, communications with law enforcement suggested that charred remains found at the home of Oldrocks uncle likely were those of Shorty. Darlene Gomez, an Albuquerque attorney, has represented dozens of Native American families. The handling of Shortys case doesnt surprise her. The FBI does this all the time, she said. They dont even talk to the family until there is an indictment. And very often they dont say anything at all. While there is a need to keep confidential certain details as investigations move forward, federal authorities did not immediately respond to questions by The Associated Press about the process for sharing information with families and whether people were assigned to serve as liaisons to help families as cases move through the system. The federal Not Invisible Act Commission devoted part of its 212-page report to related concerns and recommendations. The report references stories shared by families about difficulties in accessing police and autopsy reports: Families are often kept waiting, not knowing if the person identified is their family member or not knowing the cause and circumstances of death nor how the body of their family member was handled. It all rings true for Bernadine Beyale, the daughter of retired Navajo police officers who founded the non-profit 4 Corners K-9 Search and Rescue in Farmington, New Mexico, in 2022. Her group has conducted dozens of individual searches, and she has helped to build bridges between families and law enforcement to help families avoid feeling like their cases are falling through cracks. Even if (law enforcement) would just talk to the families, say, `We dont have anything yet but were still working on it, it would help, she said. 'I try to be as transparent as possible' Records obtained by the AP show that a witness gave a ride to Oldrock in October 2021. He had cuts on his face and blood on his hands and clothes. He told the driver he had just killed his uncle, identified as Erwin Beach. He said he believed Beach had killed his grandmother a year earlier and was going to kill him, too. Oldrock told the FBI he stabbed Beach repeatedly after Beach swung an axe at him during a drunken fight. Oldrock said the chain of violent events that October day began much the same way as when Shorty was killed months earlier with heavy drinking. Oldrock was sentenced in November to 35 years in prison for second-degree murder in the killing of Beach and involuntary manslaughter in Shortys death. Whether details are unveiled through court documents or they come from investigators in the field, Beyale acknowledges it can be difficult to decide how to share information with victims families. If we find a body or remains, I dont give a lot of details, she said. But I try to be as transparent as possible and tell them we dont have a positive ID but we found remains in this area. Beyale tries to persuade families who want to conduct their own search to let her do it instead. I always ask them if they are not only physically ready to do a search like that, but also mentally ready to find something, she said. They always say, `Yeah, yeah. But they are not. Ive not found one family that was mentally ready. Shortys family still hopes to have a funeral. Theyre ready for closure but are still waiting on investigators. What are we supposed to bury? Just nothing? At least some ashes or something, Ben Shorty said. We got nothing still. Sonner reported from Reno, Nevada. Associated Press reporter Susan Montoya Bryan contributed to this report from Albuquerque, New Mexico. This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Long after tragic mysteries are solved, families of Native American victims are kept in the dark Live camera feeds from around the city are seen on a wall of screens in front of desks at the Memphis Police Departments real time crime center on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. The Memphis Police Department's Real Time Crime Center was mostly silent Wednesday afternoon. Fewer than 10 people were sitting at desks on the floor, each person looking over information and typing at their three-monitor setups. Each desk faced a wall filled with screens, each showing a different live feed from cameras around Memphis. Two televisions in the corners of the room were playing live news, with the volume just loud enough to be heard by staff. Days earlier, on Feb. 11, the room had more life as staff coordinated with officers around the city to track down a man police say shot three people and stole a car from a woman who had her kids in the back seat. "When we had [Courdarion] Craft running around killing and shooting people, we were up here watching the chase," Deputy Chief Joe Oakley, who oversees the department's information systems, said. "Then, when we got out on foot, we were watching cameras just to see what was happening. The command staff was here. We were doing a [Microsoft] Teams call with the chief and all the commanders on it. We were all engaged in it using this." Memphis Police Department Deputy Chief Joe Oakley, who oversees the department's information systems, poses for a portrait in front of a wall of screens showing live camera feeds from around the city at the Memphis Police Departments real time crime center on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. The "this" that Oakley referenced is a program that the department started about six months ago, but says is still in its infancy, called Connect Memphis. The program allows residents and businesses to register or integrate their cameras with MPD so investigators can quickly access information when a crime is reported. The program also marries body camera, in-car camera, SkyCop camera and drone camera feeds when they are live with those residential and commercial cameras so investigators can locate cars or footage of a crime being committed. Why is MPD asking residents to register with Connect Memphis? Connect Memphis, sometimes referred to as Connect-2-Memphis, has two different programs residents can sign up for. The first of those programs allows residents with any sort of camera be it a full-on security camera or something as small as a Ring doorbell camera to appear in the department's database. Oakley said MPD cannot access these cameras remotely, but they are able to see a map of registered cameras. With registration, residents are asked to submit their name, address, email and phone number. When a crime is reported, investigators can find nearby homes and businesses that are registered and reach out to the camera owner. If there is footage of the crime, investigators will ask for that to be sent to them. A map of Memphis within the Connect Memphis program displaying cameras that are either registered or integrated within the program is seen projected at the Memphis Police Departments real time crime center on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. "This keeps the detective from having to go out there and knock on doors, take a thumb drive and try to locate video," Oakley said. "That's why we want people to register cameras. And, something else to think about, if I'm at home, do I want a police officer coming to my neighborhood? In some parts of the city, they don't want the police knocking on their door. If a suspect gets caught, they think the neighbor did it because they talked to the police. So this remains anonymous." Registering a camera is free, Oakley said, but integrating a camera into the system will cost the resident or business money. Integration requires a resident or business to have cameras that can be hardwired to a box receiver. These receivers allow the department to access a live feed of a camera from their computers, and rewind to view past footage. Integration prices range from $350 to $7,300 for the first year, which Oakley said is due to having to buy the device. After the first year, the annual price to keep the service ranges from $150 to $2,300. Those prices range based on the device chosen, which each has its own storage and camera limits. More: Memphis church hopes to reduce violence by turning guns into garden tools at gun surrender event Oakley said many of the city's cameras and the Tennessee Department of Transportation's traffic cameras are already integrated into the system. Some cameras also feature AI, which allows the department to search for cars or objects using keywords. He said it can be used to find things based on searching for bicycles, car descriptions and backpacks, for example, but said that they do not do facial recognition with the AI cameras. Privacy concerns with camera integration People choosing to integrate a camera have the ability to set time frames when a live feed of their cameras can be accessed, and residents are able to see when, and who, is accessing their camera feeds. Oakley also said it is up to each person as to what camera is integrated into the system. Most of the cameras, he said, are external ones that look into front yards, parking lots and storefronts. But, should a resident or business owner want to integrate internal cameras, they are able to do so. When speaking with The Commercial Appeal, Oakley flipped through various cameras around the city that had been integrated. The only internal cameras viewed by The CA were ones inside Buster's Liquor on Highland Street, a store that has been hit multiple times by smash-and-grab burglaries. Memphis Police Department real time crime center staff work on computers as live camera feeds from around the city are seen on a wall of screens in front of them on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. MPD Public Information Officer Theresa Carlson said interior cameras are unusual, and that the department wants to focus on exterior cameras. "He wants us to have [access]," Oakley said. "Let's say we get a hold-up alarm, we're getting an alert on the cameras here. So we can pull these cameras up, we can get on the radio and say something like, 'We have a male, white, dressed in green camouflage, holding an AK-47. He's at the cash register right now.' And officers are gonna know." Oakley said the integration can also help combat shoplifting. The program also combines resources between agencies, Oakley said, with both MPD and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office having access to cameras on one another's systems. More: A man was just convicted of a 1988 rape in Shelby County. How 'justice was done' "[Registration and integration] is pretty widespread around the county," he said. "Believe it or not, we have some in Collierville, Piperton, Bartlett, they're all over the place, which is good because Shelby County has this, too. If you have something going on right here, by Fairway Glen, they could pull that up and contact someone. They can see if he has a camera, send them a little alert." There are currently just over 6,000 cameras registered and 774 cameras integrated across the city, according to the Connect Memphis website, but Oakley said he would like to see more continue to join the program. "On average, each detective spends eight hours a week of their work week canvassing for video," he said. "So, if we have this registry, and we have more cameras that are registered, the detective can get that video, hopefully, from his desk without ever leaving. It's a game changer in many ways, especially for time. It will keep them working these cases. When they're out collecting video, they can't investigate because they have to get video. Now they can get video from their desktop and then solve that case and go onto another one." Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, or (901)208-3922, and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter, @LucasFinton. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Memphis police want to people to register cameras to fight crime Lord Cameron has said he hopes the people of the Falkland Islands will want to stay British forever as he insisted a drive to improve relations with Argentina would not come at their expense. On the first visit to the islands by a Foreign Secretary in 30 years, he played down suggestions from the Argentinian president Javier Milei that there could be a negotiation on the future of the UK overseas territory. The former prime minister was taken on a helicopter tour of the islands, stopping at San Carlos and Goose Green two of the most significant sites in the 1982 war. Speaking in the capital Stanley, he said: Let me be absolutely clear: as far as we are concerned, as long as the Falkland Islands want to be part of the UK family they are absolutely welcome to be part of that family and we will support them and back them and help protect and defend them absolutely, as far as Im concerned, for as long as they want. And I hope thats for a very, very long time, possibly forever. San Carlos Water became nicknamed bomb alley due to the sustained aerial attacks faced by British warships during the operation to land troops on the islands. Three Royal Navy ships were lost during the Battle of San Carlos in May 1982. Lord Cameron inspected the graves in the cemetery, including that of Lt Col H Jones, commander of 2 Para who won a posthumous Victoria Cross during the war, before laying a wreath at the monument to those who died. Lord Cameron's visit was the first by a British foreign secretary for 30 years - Stefan Rousseau/PA Lt Col Jones was killed at the Battle of Goose Green and Lord Cameron also visited the settlement there as part of his tour. He visited the museum and spoke to local residents at the community hall. During the war, islanders were detained in the building until the Argentine forces surrendered. The battle came at a heavy cost, with 18 British soldiers killed including Lt Col H Jones. Writing in the community hall visitors book, Lord Cameron said: Thank you for keeping their memory alive. He also paid tribute to the dead on the other side in the conflict with a low-key visit to the Argentine military cemetery. Javier Milei, Argentinas president, who met Lord Cameron in January, has called for the South Atlantic islands to be handed over to Buenos Aires. The Foreign Secretary met the locals, including some children, as he toured a museum and community centre - Stefan Rousseau/PA But before his arrival in the UK overseas territory, Lord Cameron said: The Falkland Islands are a valued part of the British family, and we are clear that as long as they want to remain part of the family the issue of sovereignty will not be up for discussion. The shadow of the 1982 Falklands War hangs over UK-Argentine relations, but Lord Cameron and Mr Milei had a warm and cordial meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos. On the issue of the Falklands, the Foreign Office said they would agree to disagree and do so politely. Lord Camerons visit is the first by a member of the Cabinet since Sir Michael Fallons trip in 2016 when he was defence secretary. The last visit by a foreign secretary was Lord Hurd in 1994. The Falklands, known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina, are about 8,000 miles from Britain and 300 miles from mainland Argentina. The 1982 conflict claimed the lives of 255 British servicemen, three islanders and 649 Argentinian personnel. In a 2013 referendum, the islanders voted overwhelmingly to retain their status as a UK overseas territory. However, Mr Milei has suggested the UK should approach the issue in a way similar to the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The new minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir says he will meet with the Earl of Shaftesbury this week Environment Minister Andrew Muir is to meet the owner of Lough Neagh's bed and soil later this week. Andrew Muir announced he would meet with the Earl of Shaftesbury during his first minister's question time. Mr Muir said he was looking forward to a "frank and open" discussion with the earl. Last year saw the largest freshwater lake in the UK blighted by unprecedented blooms of potentially toxic blue-green algae. Blue-green algae is a bacteria which can cause skin irritation and sickness in people who come into contact with it, but the biggest risk is to pets, livestock and wildlife. Blue-green algae is toxic to animals and can cause illness in humans The Shaftesbury family has held ownership of the bed and soil of the Lough since the 19th century. Before that, they had been owned by the Chichester family since the Plantation of Ulster. There have been calls for the Lough to be taken into public ownership after blue-green algal blooms appeared last year. Nicolas Ashley-Cooper, who is the 12th member of his family to hold the title of Earl of Shaftesbury, told BBC News NI last year he was open to the idea of selling the Lough but would not be giving it away. Earl of Shaftesbury Nicolas Ashley-Cooper told BBC News NI last year he was open to the idea of selling the lough but would not be giving it away Work is under way to look at future management options, after the Lough Neagh Partnership secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a two-year project. The new minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) told the Northern Ireland Assembly that work and meeting the earl formed "a twin-track" approach for looking at the problems and future of the Lough. "I would say there's no quick wins associated with the issues associated with Lough Neagh," Mr Muir said. "It is highly likely and I think this is important that I put this on the record in the chamber here today, it's highly likely that the scenes we saw last year will occur this year. "And to be honest, and I'm saying this from a genuine place, I think it is a damning indictment that this situation was allowed to unfold." Louisiana's Legislature is likely to expand gun rights for law-abiding citizens during a three-week Special Session called by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry designed to crack down on crime that begins at the Capitol Monday. Two bills have been filed to allow adults 18 and older to carry concealed handguns without the training or permits that are required now. A third has been filed that would provide a level of immunity from civil liability for someone who uses a concealed handgun to shoot a person in self defense. Previous efforts to expand concealed carry either stalled in the Senate or were vetoed by former Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, but Landry included the issue in his Special Session order, signaling his support. Oil City Republican Rep. Danny McCormick will try for a fifth time to pass legislation making it easier to carry concealed handguns with House Bill 12. "I want my four granddaughters to be able to put a pistol in their purses to protect them from murders and rapists," McCormick said in an interview with USA Today Network. "I feel confident with this governor and Legislature we will see a (concealed carry) bill passed." Louisiana's Legislature will debate at least two bills that would allow adults 18 and older to carry concealed handguns without permits or training. The Special Session begins Monday, Feb. 19. Erath Republican Sen. Blake Miguez, a world class competition pistol shooter, is also carrying permitless concealed carry legislation with Senate Bill 1 and the legislation to provide immunity for concealed carry shooters with Senate Bill 2. "Government is not here to place barriers to our constitutional rights," Miguez told USA Today Network. "Criminals already carry concealed handguns without government permission." When asked how expanding concealed carry rights would reduce crime, both lawmakers said it would give criminals pause. "It fights crime by allowing innocent individuals to defend themselves, putting them on equal footing with vicious criminals," Miguez said. "When criminals don't know if you're carrying it makes them more cautious," McCormick said. Supporters of the legislation refer to it as "constitutional carry" because they believe the Second Amendment already grants that right. Louisiana allows for constitutional carry now but requires a permit and training. "It puts law-abiding citizens on equal footing with criminals," Kelby Seanor of the National Rifle Association has said. "It removes the burden to exercise a constitutional right." But opponents, like those from Moms Demand Action and the Louisiana Chiefs of Police who testified against the bill last year, said concealed carry without the training and permits required now make the streets more dangerous for citizens and police. Louisiana is already an "open carry" state, which means people can carry visible firearms without a permit or training. Twenty-seven states already permit a form of concealed carry without permits, including all of Louisiana's neighbors. More: Louisiana lawmaker says 'red wave' will propel bill to expand concealed carry gun rights 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 lawmakers, Jeff Landry set to expand gun rights for self defense Love Island: All Stars spoilers follow. Love Island: All Stars has revealed the latest couple to be dumped from the villa. Tonight's episode (February 18) saw the return of this series' former contestants who strutted into the villa on a very important mission. Noticing the serious expressions from the terrace, the current couples joined the former Islanders to gather around the firepit. Each ex-Islander was asked to vote for the couple they wanted to dump from the Island. ITV Related: Love Island: All Stars airs shock dumping Mitch caused a stir when he voted for Georgia H and Anton, calling them "both game-players". Chris, Kaz, Tyler and Casey also voted for Georgia H and Anton. Ultimately, though, it was Arabella and Adam who were dumped from the island after receiving six votes. Speaking to host Maya Jama upon their exit, Arabella and Adam couldn't mask their annoyance at being dumped, with Arabella branding it "savage" and a "cop out". The newly dumped couple revealed they thought Anton and Georgia H should have been dumped instead, claiming their connection was stronger. The remaining Islanders mirrored these opinions as they discussed the dumping, agreeing that Georgia H and Anton should have been voted out. ITV Related: Rochelle Humes shares opinion on sister Sophie Piper's Love Island relationship Meanwhile, Georgia H and Anton suggested that their bickering actually proved how compatible they are together. "It would be funny if we proved them wrong," Georgia H mused. After receiving a text, Toby announced that the remaining couples had made it to the final, resulting in the Islanders gleefully jumping in the pool. But who will take home the prize in tomorrow night's final (February 19)? Viewers will have the opportunity to vote twice for their winning couple. Voting is now open and will close at 8.45pm tomorrow (February 19). The second voting window will then take place during the live final. Love Island: All Stars airs at 9pm on ITV2, ITVX & STV. You Might Also Like A third lawsuit has been filed against the city of Loveland for actions related to the November election and immediately after the new city council was seated. On Friday, Peter Gazlay, who supported council candidate Dan Anderson for the Ward 1 council seat, filed a lawsuit in Loveland Municipal Court claiming Anderson's opponent Troy Krenning violated city regulations when he declined a background check required of all candidates and that the city breached its fiduciary duties when it allowed Krenning to run. Anderson finished second to Krenning with 36% of the vote to Krenning's 43%. The lawsuit asks the court for a declaratory judgment on whether Krenning was a valid candidate and seeks an injunction preventing Krenning from participating in any further council action until the issue is resolved. It also requests all council decisions since Nov. 21 where Krenning's vote was a deciding vote be voided. Troy Krenning Even if Gazlay's suit is successful and Krenning's votes are voided, it would not affect council's decision to rescind approval of Centerra South's master plan and financing agreement. Those votes passed 6-2 and 5-3 respectively. According to the lawsuit filed by Gazlay's attorney, Russell Sinnett, an 83-page packet sent by the city to all candidates requires background checks to ensure "no person who has been convicted of financial crimes, bribery or perjury, or willfully violated the city's charter" is elected as mayor or council member. The background check is to be done before the city clerk accepts the nomination form from a candidate, according to the lawsuit. In an email sent to the city clerk and all other candidates, Krenning declined to consent to the background check. Krenning, an attorney, said he had previously had his identity and personnel records stolen while working at the U.S. Department of Justice; was cautious about handing over sensitive, confidential information; and had no confidence in the city's ability to safeguard his personal information, Sinnett said in the lawsuit. City Clerk Delynn Coldiron asked Krenning to reconsider, which he declined. On advice from the city attorney, Loveland hired a different company to conduct a background check without Krenning's permission. Krenning then provided copies of a background check conducted by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, but the city did not accept the report because there was no valid certification of the record. While most new council members were sworn in Nov. 14, Krenning was not sworn in until Nov. 21. By then, the background check had deemed he was "clear." Because he declined the background check, the lawsuit claims he was not a viable candidate and should be removed and Anderson seated. During the Nov. 21 City Council meeting, Krenning began asking questions of City Attorney Moses Garcia "in defense of allegations that Krenning's candidacy was invalid because of the lack of background check ... and asked about the city's authority to conduct a background check and sought an admission from the city attorney that the term 'background check' is not included in the charter," the lawsuit states. Background checks are a requirement by the city, Garcia said at the meeting, and candidates "must act in good faith to complete it. ... The public would not find it acceptable if we did not do our job and make sure you're in compliance with the charter." Later, Garcia said it is the practice of the city to perform background checks but there is not a written policy. That prompted Krenning to say: "All of this hysteria about me not complying with a background check seems to be just that, hysteria. I didnt submit to background check, and yet here I am." He asked Garcia if he agreed the request of the city "is not grounded in any law, ordinance or charter and the others who submitted to it" were owed an apology. "I do not agree," Garcia said. Krenning has called for Garcia's resignation and led efforts to decrease his pay. Garcia plans to submit his resignation next week if council agrees to a separation agreement. Prior to this lawsuit, Centerra developer McWhinney Inc. filed a lawsuit against the city of Loveland after City Council rescinded approval of its Centerra South development and the master financing agreement. Larimer County District Court Judge Michelle Brinegar gave McWhinney and the city until Feb. 19 to file their responses to a request for summary judgment. Pending that decision, the court has scheduled a hearing Feb. 28 through March 1. In the other lawsuit filed in Loveland Municipal Court, five former Loveland City Council members and three current residents filed suit against the city for reversing the Centerra South urban renewal development proposal and master financing plan in November. The lawsuit alleges Loveland City Council specifically Mayor Jacki Marsh and council members Krenning, Erin Black, Laura Light-Kovacs and Jon Mallo violated their fiduciary responsibilities and citizens' rights to due process under the Loveland City Charter and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution when they overturned Centerra South. Former council members Richard Ball, David Clark, John Fogle, Chauncey Taylor and Donald Overcash as well as residents Daniel Mills, Christy Taylor and Claire Haenny are seeking a declaratory judgment from the court prior to Feb. 29 the day McWhinney will seek a permanent injunction nullifying council's reversal of its project. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Loveland sued over candidate Troy Krenning's election to City Council LOWER PAXTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) Republicans in Lower Paxton Township are calling for Dauphin County Treasurer Nick DiFrancesco to drop out of the 15th State Senate District seat. The townships Republican Committee passed a resolution on Thursday calling for DiFrancesco, to drop out or resign as treasurer. They cited efforts to help DiFrancesco win the treasurer seat in 2023 and saying he is now betraying that faith and confidence by running for another office just weeks into his term. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania DiFrancesco had won the townships treasurer race in November by less than 700 votes and entered the Republican state senate primary after the Dauphin County Republicans endorsed Commander of the Dauphin County Council of the American Legion Ken Stambaugh for the 15th District seat. When asked on Monday, DiFrancesco declined to comment on the resolution. Pennsylvania, nations gas prices surge last week DiFrancesco and Stambaugh are running in a district currently held by Republican John DiSanto, who is retiring at the end of his term. Democrat State Representative Patty Kim and pastor Alvin Q. Taylor are running in the Democratic primary for the State Senate seat. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. At last weeks Super Bowl victory rally in Kansas City, we had stopped near the west side of the stage area in front of Union Station for a few moments and contemplated waiting to see if some of the Chiefs players would be coming that direction. We had seen a few other VIPs exiting the rally in that same area, so it appeared there was a good chance of potentially meeting some team members. However, after having spent the past few hours Wednesday afternoon standing among the packed crowd, we decided we were ready to move on. Just a few minutes, later gunfire erupted near that spot. Looking back, that simple decision may have been a lifesaving choice. Just luck, I guess. I actually felt pretty calm during Wednesdays tragedy, as none of our children had accompanied us. As my husband and I were being escorted by law enforcement from one spot to another at Union Station to elude the shooters, with officers rushing past us with military-grade weapons, I kept thinking how glad I was that none of our kids were there. Another lucky break. I started to think how this was actually my familys second brush with the direct effects of gun violence in less than two years. In March 2022, I found myself anxiously waiting outside my sons high school after an active shooting incident. While a student, an administrator and a school resource officer were injured, my son was down the hall and was able to avoid the incident. What a stroke of luck. On Wednesday, once the area was deemed secured and we were released, we were directed out of the building and saw images that are hard to shake: young children with tear-stained faces and some very young individuals being loaded onto stretchers and into ambulances. This is the reality of life in America a country where you only ever need half a flagpole. Its a place where weve decided luck should play as great a role in keeping us safe versus commonsense solutions. In a country with nearly unfettered access to firearms, carnage and destruction are a frequent result. Our stats in this regard tell the story: The U.S. gun homicide rate is 26 times higher than that of other high income countries. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children. So far this year, there have been more mass shootings than days. Kansas and Missouri rank 37th and 38th respectively in strength of gun safety policies, and there were numerous Kansas and Missouri lawmakers in attendance at the Wednesday rally. So, what was the response of our states legislative leaders? It appears there were no calls to action to reduce gun violence by leadership (which is GOP-controlled in both states). In fact, the very next day the Kansas Republican supermajority appeared to double down on their desire to even further remove firearms restrictions by introducing H.C.R. 5020, which would give the Second Amendment unparalleled protection, and H.B. 2803, which would allow the state to opt out of following federal gun laws. As former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander noted recently, there is no other area where we similarly leave safety standards to chance. We have safeguards in place with our food supply. There are codes regarding the construction of buildings. We have rules pertaining to driving and flying. None of the safeguards are perfect, but theyre designed to minimize risk. But with firearms, that all goes out the window. Logic or facts cant seem to play a role when it comes to guns. Instead, we leave things to chance. If you are ready to do something about the epidemic of gun violence in the U.S., instead of leaving your fate and that of your loved ones to chance (and the deep pocketed gun lobby), I encourage you to join Moms Demand Action, an organization fighting for commonsense gun safety measures. Additionally, every single Kansas state senator and representative will be on the ballot this fall. If you want lawmakers in office who actually have the courage to act on behalf of the people, and not the gun lobby, show up for every election and support Moms Demand Actions Gun Sense Candidates. Otherwise, this cycle of death, carnage and trauma will continue. And, sadly, our luck might just run out. Cindy Holscher represents District 6 in the Kansas Senate. Passengers walk through the departure hall of the airport. Verdi has called on Lufthansa ground staff at several German airports to go on a warning strike in order to build up pressure in the ongoing wage negotiations. Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa A planned strike by German ground staff at the Lufthansa airline on Tuesday and Wednesday has already led to some flight cancellations beginning on Monday evening. Lufthansa has cancelled dozens of flights at its Frankfurt hub, according to the airport's departure board. Flights within Europe in particular were cancelled, while major intercontinental connections to destinations such as Buenos Aires and Cape Town remained scheduled to take off on Monday. Lufthansa has warned of major cancellations on Tuesday and Wednesday, when the full strike by ground staff will hit the airline. Technical, logistics, freight and IT staff will begin striking as early as 8pm (1900 GMT) on Monday, according to verdi negotiator Marvin Reschinsky. The rest of Lufthansa ground staff at the Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne-Bonn and Stuttgart airports has been called to go on strike beginning at 4 am on Tuesday. Those workers include check-in and boarding gate workers for the airline. Verdi has called for the strike to end at just after 7 am on Wednesday. Lufthansa has told passengers to check the status of flights ahead of time online, and for those on cancelled flights not to travel to airports as rebooking counters will not be staffed due to the strike. The strike is intended to put pressure on Lufthansa over demands for wage increases for roughly 25,000 workers at Lufthansa and its subsidiaries in Germany during ongoing collective bargaining talks. Lufthansa has announced that it will continue to operate about 10% to 20% of flights during the strike, as the airline did about two weeks ago during another strike by the union. During the first wave of strikes, Lufthansa and other German airlines were forced to cancel or reschedule about 900 flights, affecting more than 100,000 passengers. Feature: Hanfu show enriches Spring Festival celebrations in Malta Xinhua) 10:09, February 19, 2024 Women wearing Chinese costumes are pictured in a street in Valletta, Malta, Feb. 17, 2024. In Valletta, the capital city of Malta, a group of ladies wearing colorful Chinese costumes - known as Hanfu, proceed gracefully along historic streets on Saturday afternoon, attracting both Maltese residents and tourists from around the world. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) VALLETTA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- In Valletta, the capital city of Malta, a group of ladies wearing colorful Chinese costumes - known as Hanfu, proceed gracefully along historic streets on Saturday afternoon, attracting both Maltese residents and tourists from around the world. The captivating Hanfu show organized by the China Cultural Center in Malta was performed by 23 female volunteers from China, Malta, and Italy. They held Chinese-style fans and lanterns in their hands and walked along Republic Street, a main street in Valletta, as part of the event to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival. "I love their colors of Hanfu, and the jewelry and hairstyles are also very intricate," said Noemi Calisto, an Italian student at the University of Malta. Some of her classmates were voluntary performers in the Hanfu show, so she took many photos of them. Momo Muller and his wife Rita, a couple from Luxembourg, were enthralled by the beauty of the Hanfu costumes. Muller told Xinhua that he visited Beijing about 15 years ago and is looking forward to revisiting China. Alexander Ouaknine, a 53-year-old owner of a traditional Maltese silver jewelry shop, told Xinhua that the handmade jewelry with silver wire and the beautiful Chinese traditional outfits are both "a wonderful form of art." Among the enthusiastic volunteers of the Hanfu show, Charmaine Zammit is an official from the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation. "I have always been interested in Chinese culture and I always longed to wear Chinese traditional costume," she said. For Martina Vella, a 21-year-old student at the University of Malta, and her friends, it was their first time wearing Hanfu. Studying design, Vella told Xinhua that she would consider incorporating Chinese traditional elements into her future works. Yuan Yuan, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta, highlighted the warm applause received by the Hanfu show. "The event showcases the charm of Chinese culture and the significance of cultural exchange between China and the West," she said. Following the Hanfu show, the China Cultural Center invited people to try Hanfu, practice calligraphy, and make lanterns to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival. On Saturday night, the Chinese Community Association in Malta hosted a gala to celebrate the Spring Festival in the gym of St. Aloysius College in central Malta, featuring singing, dance, and music performances. Addressing about 300 attendees at the gala, Peng Yijun, charge d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Malta, commended the active role of the Chinese Community Association in promoting traditional Chinese culture and enhancing China-Malta friendship. Women wearing Chinese costumes are pictured in a street in Valletta, Malta, Feb. 17, 2024. In Valletta, the capital city of Malta, a group of ladies wearing colorful Chinese costumes - known as Hanfu, proceed gracefully along historic streets on Saturday afternoon, attracting both Maltese residents and tourists from around the world. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) Women wearing Chinese costumes are pictured in a street in Valletta, Malta, Feb. 17, 2024. In Valletta, the capital city of Malta, a group of ladies wearing colorful Chinese costumes - known as Hanfu, proceed gracefully along historic streets on Saturday afternoon, attracting both Maltese residents and tourists from around the world. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Xian Jiangnan) ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that it has established 17 standard cholera treatment centers in Ethiopia to support the country's efforts in combating a cholera outbreak. The UN health agency said in a statement that the newly established treatment centers will play a crucial role in improving the availability, accessibility, and quality of patient care for cholera treatment. "This initiative, which is critical for saving lives, ensures that those affected receive rapid and effective care and treatment," the WHO said. It said the 718-bed capacity cholera treatment centers, which are equipped with the necessary medical equipment, are self-contained medical facilities with designated rooms for screening and triage, observation, admission, recovery, waste disposal, laundry, chlorine preparation, kitchen, and morgue, among others. The WHO said it has also distributed and posted printed standard case management and follow-up protocols at treatment centers. According to the WHO, the death toll from the ongoing cholera outbreak in Ethiopia had reached 468, with 32,548 cholera cases reported across the East African country as of Jan. 30. Amid the spread of the cholera outbreak in Ethiopia, UN agencies and humanitarian partners have been calling for durable solutions to address the root causes of recurrent cholera outbreaks in the country, which include poor-quality drinking water and open defecation. Several reports have raised concerns that fecal contamination of drinking water is the main cause of the cholera outbreak in the country, with most cholera patients using unsafe drinking water. Up to 200,000 passengers on Lufthansa will have their flights cancelled by a short-notice strike involving ground staff at the German airline. A short-notice walk-out by 25,000 members of the Verdi union aimed at disrupting passenger flights will run from 4am on Tuesday 20 February until 7.10am on Wednesday 21 February. The main effects will be felt at the key hubs, Frankfurt and Munich, though Lufthansa workers at Berlin, Cologne-Bonn, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Stuttgart will also strike. Lufthansa warns passengers: Due to the strike, we currently assume that only around 10 to 20 per cent of the Lufthansa airline flight programme can be operated, particularly on 20 February. The German airline currently carries around 200,000 passengers a day. Besides the impact on Tuesdays flights, the first wave of departures on Wednesday is being targeted leading to many more cancellations. Research by The Independent suggests that the vast majority of flights to and from Frankfurt and Munich, including all links serving UK airports, are grounded on Tuesday. The first flight from Frankfurt to London on Wednesday is also cancelled. Lufthansa says: Passengers who are affected by flight cancellations because of the Verdi strike will be informed by email or via the Lufthansa app. We regret the inconvenience for our guests. Under European air passengers rights rules, travellers are entitled to be rebooked on any available flight as soon as possible and provided with meals and accommodation as necessary, at Lufthansas expense. Talks between the union and airline broke down last week, with Verdi claiming 96 per cent of members had rejected the most recent offer from Lufthansa. The union says pay for ground staff is slipping behind other Lufthansa workers, and that at a time of record profits the airline should give employees back part of their lost income from the corona pandemic. It warns: Major flight cancellations and delays are expected to occur. Verdi negotiator Marvin Reschinsky said: While the group gives its pilots with annual basic incomes of up to 270,000 [231,000] high double-digit pay increases, ground workers with starting hourly wages of sometimes 13 [11] are not even expected to be compensated for the price increases of the last few years. This is blatantly anti-social. Talks are due to resume on Wednesday, after the strike. Spectators watch members of South Korea's 'Black Eagle' aerobatics team performing during a preview of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on February 18, 2024 (Roslan RAHMAN) China's first domestically produced passenger jet will be presented to potential buyers in an international debut at Asia's biggest airshow, which opens in Singapore on Tuesday. With its C919 aircraft, Beijing wants to challenge the decades-long dominance of top plane-makers Airbus and Boeing while reducing its reliance on foreign technology. The single-aisle model is a potential competitor to the market-leading A320, made by Europe's Airbus, and the 737 MAX from US-based Boeing -- which will keep a low profile at the Singapore Airshow following a recent safety crisis. At a media preview in the city-state on Sunday, the C919 made its maiden flight outside China, sporting a functional white, green and navy-blue livery. It will take part in daily flying displays at the six-day event, and features among the static exhibits at a sprawling convention centre near Changi Airport. The plane has been making commercial flights in China since May, and was displayed for the first time outside mainland China in Hong Kong in December. But it has yet to attract buyers outside the country. Although the airshow is a good opportunity for Beijing to show off the C919, finding a big-name buyer will be hard, said aviation analyst Shukor Yusof of Singapore-based consultancy Endau Analytics. "There's still a stigma with the 'made-in-China' brand in the aviation industry, even if China now leads the world in the electric vehicle market," he told AFP. "It will take time for the C919 to land an order from a major carrier," he said, even though it's "a matter of when, not if, a top-tier airline buys a Chinese-made commercial jet". The C919 is built by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), which has also brought its smaller, older ARJ21 jet to Singapore to fly and be displayed. - Boeing 'lying low' - More than 1,000 aviation and defence companies are taking part in the airshow, which is held every two years. China, South Korea and the Czech Republic will have country pavilions for the first time, and Airbus is showcasing its new long-range A350-1000 plane. But while Boeing will be present at the airshow, it is not presenting any physical commercial aircraft, unlike in previous years. The company is still smarting from a near-catastrophic incident in January, when a fuselage panel on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 Alaska Airlines jet blew off mid-flight. The incident, which caused only minor injuries, led the US Federal Aviation Administration to ground more than 170 MAX 9 planes for around three weeks. "Boeing is intentionally lying low and avoiding the limelight as it struggles with an antiquated product line, the 737 family," Shukor said. Organisers expect the show to draw 50,000 trade attendees from around the world -- close to pre-pandemic levels. A watered-down airshow was held in 2020 after many of the exhibitors pulled out, and the 2022 edition went ahead but without the two days open to the public. "2018 was the highest we've ever had. We are close to the best we've ever had," said Leck Chet Lam, managing director of event organiser Experia. This reflects the global recovery of air travel, he said. "International passenger traffic has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels and is projected to more than double by 2040," said Cindy Koh, executive vice president of the Singapore Economic Development Board. mba/skc/kaf/dw While Big Oil cashes out, our planets health goes up in smoke. Oil giants ExxonMobil and Chevron just reported record profits for fiscal year 2023, raking in their highest earnings in a decade by pumping out fossil fuels at breakneck speed despite research that demonstrates oil and gas expansion pushes our planet toward catastrophic warming. The New York Times reported they remained enormously profitable and have been taking steps to enhance the performance of their core businesses. Whats happening? In 2023, we returned more cash to shareholders and produced more oil and natural gas than any year in the companys history, Mike Wirth, CEO of Chevron, said in a statement. ExxonMobil and Chevron arent the only companies expanding production. Wael Sawan, CEO of Shell, said his company plans to increase production by half a million barrels of oil a day by 2025. They will enable us to continue providing the energy that the world needs while delivering cash flow, he said, per DNYUZ. Why is this concerning? Oil and gas account for over 75% of planet-warming pollution and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions, according to the United Nations. The choice to double down on drilling locks us in to a polluted future even though clean energy alternatives already exist. More fossil fuel production means more heat-trapping gases are released into the atmosphere, leading to increased rates of respiratory disease worldwide and extreme weather conditions such as flooding and fires. Young people worldwide ask, Is this the only future left for us? Whats being done? The price of clean energy from solar and wind drops yearly even as renewables grow more popular across both red and blue states. Shifting our dollars away from oil and gas and toward electric cars and solar panels is a win-win for our wallets and the planet. Our purchases help shape the future. Cities and states nationwide have committed to 100% clean energy, while countries globally ratchet up commitments under the Paris Agreement. Clean energy jobs are booming, already outnumbering fossil fuel jobs in the United States, according to the World Economic Forum. What can I do? We can make our opinions known by using our voices and our wallets. Call on lawmakers to invest in communities transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables, and make the switch yourself: Ride a bike once a week, organize a cleanup in your neighborhood, go solar on your roof. Building a safe climate future is like playing with Legos: Each small choice adds up to something incredible. Install LED bulbs, buy local food to cut transport pollution, turn off lights when theyre not in use. By acting together, we can turn climate anxiety into climate change. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. The American man admitted to pushing both women down a ravine at Bavaria's Neuschwanstein Castle A US man has confessed to raping and killing a fellow American tourist near Germany's famed Neuschwanstein Castle last June. Troy Philipp B faces several charges, including one count of murder over a 21-year-old woman's death, and attempted murder of the victim's friend, a 22-year-old woman. The 31-year also admitted to sexually assaulting the 21-year-old and pushing both women off a ravine. He may be jailed for life if convicted. "The accused committed the incomprehensible act," lawyer Philip Mueller said of his client on the first day of the trial at district court in the southern town of Kempten. Lawyers denied the suspect acted with intent, telling the court that he acted spontaneously. Mr Mueller said his client was "deeply ashamed" of his actions and wanted to apologise to her family. B, who is from Michigan in the US, also admitted to possessing child pornography, which officials discovered during their investigation. The two women met Troy Philipp B near the Marienbrucke bridge - a popular viewpoint used by tourists to view the castle. He then led them to a hidden trail, on the pretext that the way to the bridge was difficult to navigate. Once in a secluded area, the man shoved the 21-year-old to the ground, raping and strangling her before the 22-year-old tried to stop him. He then pushed the 22-year-old into the 50m deep (164ft) ravine and continued assaulting her friend, strangling her with a belt and recording it. B then pushed the unconscious 21-year-old victim into the same ravine after some hikers came across the scene. Mountain rescuers were able to the locate the women, but the 21-year-old woman died from her injuries in hospital. The 22-year-old suffered numerous injuries but survived. The suspect was detained later that day after a massive police manhunt involving more than 25 vehicles. A tourist from New York witnessed B being taken into custody and said his "face was covered in deep red scratch marks and his neck as well", adding "there was clearly a struggle". The victims names have not released due to Germany's privacy laws. Neuschwanstein Castle, in Bavaria, is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions, which sees over 1.3 million tourists each year. Situated about 126km (78 miles) from Munich, it was built in the 19th Century and intended to serve as a residence for the rulers of the region, but was never occupied. EMERY COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A man was arrested with a copious amount of methamphetamine amounting to a street value of over $5 million during a traffic stop in Emery County Sunday, according to Utah Highway Patrol. Steven Brian Esquivias, 26, of California, was arrested for the charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (second-degree felony) and speeding 100 mph or over (infraction). On Feb. 18, a UHP trooper was sitting on I-70 when they spotted a white Toyota Corolla traveling at an excessive speed. The Corolla was reportedly going 101 mph in an 80 mph zone. Great Salt Lakes brine shrimp population booms, majorly impacting future of Utah, wildlife, and the world The trooper conducted a traffic stop and found one person in the car, later identified as Esquivias. According to the statement of probable cause, the trooper noticed two tote bags in the back seat labeled with numbers. Esquivias was driving a rented car, the trooper said, though Esquivias reportedly claimed a friend had rented the car for him, and Esquivias did not have a renters contract with him. The trooper then had Esquivias come to the patrol car due to suspicion of criminal activity. According to the trooper, Esquivias appeared to be extremely nervous, breathing very heavily as if he was going to hyperventilate. Brighton Resort opens new mid-mountain lodge, restaurant Sidewinder After getting consent from Esquivias to search the car, the trooper found four large totes full of a white crystal substance, the affidavit states, which later measured out to 260 pounds of methamphetamine. The street value of this amount of methamphetamine is $5-$7.5 million, according to police. Esquivias was booked into Emery County Jail on the charges previously stated. The State Bureau of Investigation has since taken over the case. No further information is available at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. An Oregon man who allegedly broke a Speaker of the House sign during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol has been arrested, authorities say. David Medina, 34, was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, the U.S. attorneys office in Washington announced Friday. He is charged with multiple misdemeanor charges, including destruction of government property, entering or remaining in a restricted area without authority and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted area, among others. According to court documents, Medina was identified in open-source images and video footage as slamming the wooden sign above the Speakers office, which read, Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi in an attempt to break it. He was then seen next to other rioters who were holding pieces of the broken sign, according to the documents. After the attack, authorities said he attempted to make light of his participation in the riot. According to an affidavit written by an FBI special agent, a post by a Twitter user included an Instagram Live clip taken by Medina on Jan. 7 showing him describing his experience at the insurrection. So as these guys break into the Capitol, obviously the doors are wide open. I walk in and I am screaming 1776, cause its powerful man. Its a powerful move, a powerful time, Medina says, according to the affidavit. He went on to say, We werent, you know, breaking windows, we werent breaking stuff, according to the affidavit before saying that he kinda broke the Speaker sign. Ummm, I know someone had torn down Speaker Pelosis wooden sign above her door and there was like fragments of it like on the ground, and I just took a piece and I just kinda broke it in half. It felt so good, he said. The press release announcing his arrest noted that Medina was also identified waving an ornate American flag, which authorities said appeared to be an indoor ceremonial flag taken from inside the Capitol. More than 1,133 people have been charged in nearly every state since the attack on the Capitol, which includes more than 469 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, according to the D.C. U.S. attorneys office. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Man who shot Burnsville officers and firefighter tried to have gun rights restored after assault conviction The man who fatally shot two Burnsville police officers and a firefighter/paramedic had a history of domestic violence and a lifetime ban on possessing firearms, according to a court record. Police responded early Sunday on a call of a domestic situation where a man reported to be armed was barricaded with family members in a home. The Hennepin County medical examiners office confirmed Monday that Shannon Gooden, 38, of Burnsville, also died in the incident, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating. Early on Tuesday, the medical examiners office released Goodens manner of death as suicide, with the cause listed as a gunshot wound of the head. Gooden was found dead in the house after law enforcement said he opened fire, killing Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth. A police sergeant was also injured. Gooden pleaded guilty in 2008 to assault with a dangerous weapon and he petitioned the court in 2020 to have his right restored to possess firearms, saying hed only had traffic offenses since then and wanted to be able to protect himself and his family. But the Dakota County attorneys office wrote at the time that the interest of public safety outweighs any private interest Gooden may have. House was a rental Law enforcement said Sunday that several guns and large amounts of ammunition were found in the home, which Burnsville police were dispatched to about 1:50 a.m. Sunday. Someone in the house in the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue South had called 911, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said during a Sunday news conference, without offering further details about the call. When officers arrived, the armed suspect was barricaded inside the home with family members, including seven children between the ages of 2 and 15, Evans said. After talking with police negotiators for quite a bit of time, the suspect opened fire on officers who were inside the home, and multiple officers returned fire, according to Evans. The gunman fired from several locations inside the two-story house, which is located in a wooded neighborhood just west of the junction of Interstate 35E and Cedar Avenue. During the incident, someone called 911 from inside the home and reported, the dad is down, according to an emergency radio dispatch. The person reported the man been shot in the leg earlier and just shot himself in the head. The other family members left the home and are safe, the city of Burnsville said in a Sunday announcement. The BCA wont have further updates until their preliminary investigation is complete, a spokesperson said Monday. Gooden had five children, he wrote in a 2019 affidavit and one was 11 months old at the time. Four of them are currently 7, 12, 14 and 15, according to other court filings. Gooden said in the 2019 court filing that he provided care for his girlfriends children, then ages 8 and 10. Noemi Torres, the mother of Goodens three older children, said when they were together he would threaten to kill her if she called the police. He would definitely have a standoff, she said Monday, though she said he didnt have guns back then. It was going to go down. She said her children were in the home during the shootings and she received a text message from Goodens girlfriend afterward saying she needed to pick the kids up. Torres 12-year-old later told her that her father asked, Do you want to go with me?, which she took to mean to also die. In an ongoing custody case between Gooden and Torres, Gooden previously sought more parenting time than Torres and received it, court records show. A hearing had previously been scheduled in the case for Tuesday. Gooden was living in the 33rd Avenue home, which was being rented out by its owners. A court filing in a civil matter an insurance company trying to collect $5,400 after they said Gooden negligently reversed and collided with another vehicle in 2021 in Burnsville showed Gooden was served at the address in December. A relative of Goodens said the family didnt want to comment Monday. Past cases Minnesota court records show prosecutors charged Gooden in 2005 with domestic assault, interfering with a 911 call and disorderly conduct in a Burnsville case. A woman reported Gooden was being violent with her and they were arguing when she picked up the phone and told him she was going to call the police, the Dakota County attorneys office wrote in the court filing opposing his motion to restore his firearms rights. He hit the phone away, breaking it, and the woman stated that she was very scared the entire time they were arguing and had never seen him that upset, the court document said. Gooden pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and the other charges were dismissed. In 2007, also in Burnsville, the Dakota County attorneys office charged Gooden with making terroristic threats, criminal damage to property and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Related Articles Gooden was in a shopping center when security officers escorted him out due to an argument about harassing phone calls that a woman suspected he made to her. The womans mother and brother arrived, and Gooden and the womans brother squared off to fight. Gooden took a folding knife out of his pocket, which witnesses said was about 7 inches when extended, and ran toward the womans brother while yelling he was going to stab him, the county attorneys document said. A security guard disarmed Gooden. Gooden threw landscaping rocks at the womans brother, whod climbed onto his mothers vehicle to get away, and hit him with them. The vehicle was damaged by the rocks. Gooden pleaded guilty to assault in 2008 and the other charges were dismissed. It was a felony charge, with the conviction deemed a misdemeanor. His jail sentence was stayed and he was placed on probation for five years. The conviction for a crime of violence came with a lifetime ban on possessing firearms, the county attorneys office wrote. Attempt to legally own firearms Minnesota law says a court may restore a persons firearm rights if they show good cause and have been released from physical confinement. Gooden filed a petition requesting restoration in 2020. The ability to possess and operate a firearm is one of the most cherished rights for many Americans, Goodens attorney wrote in the petition. It is not only a cherished right but also a comfort to Mr. Gooden knowing that he can protect his family. Mr. Gooden has spent the past 12 years making up for the poor decisions he made when he was much younger and less mature. His dedication to his family, ability to better himself through anger management and parenting classes, ability to maintain employment and his law abiding behavior for the past 12 years, absent minor traffic offenses, indicate that he is capable of handling a firearm responsibly if this right is restored to him, the attorney continued. Gooden earned his associate degree from Dakota County Technical College in 2013 and had been working at the same collision repair center for seven years as of a 2019 affidavit. The Dakota County attorneys office wrote in its memo opposing Goodens request that one of his character witnesses in his firearm restoration request filed an order for protection against him in 2017 alleging domestic violence, saying he head butted her face, causing a concussion and black eye, and threw her down the stairs. The court dismissed the action because she didnt appear in court. The woman listed her address as the 33rd Avenue home in Burnsville in her 2019 letter in support of his firearm restoration case. In 2020, Torres filed for an order for protection and alleged Gooden told his current girlfriend to beat her up while they were arranging for child exchange, the prosecutors memo said. She also alleged that in 2014, they were in an argument and Gooden grabbed a knife and cut her clothes and side swiped her foot, which resulted in her falling down stairs. She said she believed he was going to kill her. In arguing against a judge restoring Goodens gun rights, a prosecutor wrote that Gooden didnt mention the orders for protection and his continued traffic violations demonstrate his continued disregard to obey the law. She also wrote that it had only been seven years since he was released from probation. The legislatures intent in creating a lifetime ban for those that commit felony crimes of violence is to prevent future dangerous acts because felons who have been convicted of a crime of violence are more likely to reoffend, the prosecutor wrote. Dakota County District Judge Dannia Edwards wrote motion to restore firearm rights denied in an October 2020 court filing. Nick Ferraro contributed to this report. Related Articles WELLINGTON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's Silver Fern Farms expects to enhance the understanding of the China market, and continue learning customers' feedback and need so as to expand their China footprint and share natural goodness from New Zealand. Dave Courtney, Silver Fern Farms' chief customer officer, made the statement to Xinhua in a recent email interview. "China has continued to be our largest international market for four consecutive years. It accounted for 35 percent of our total export volume in 2022," Courtney said. He said he was confident that the Chinese economy will remain a critical part of the global economy. This confidence comes from the scale of China's markets, increasing wealth per capita, robust supply chains, rapid digitalization and investment in new technology. It means a high-quality development path for its population to make China a vibrant and dynamic market. "This market environment and its opportunities bolster our confidence as we continue to invest in capability for our China team, developing targeted market programs and strategic customer relationships to deliver Silver Fern Farms' long-term China market strategy," Courtney said. China is home to a massive population and a fast-changing market, he said, adding the company has recognized the strong influence of social media on Chinese consumers' purchase habits, especially Douyin and e-commerce. The Fresno County Sheriffs Office is investigating a homicide Sunday afternoon. Emergency personnel responded around 4:30 p.m. to Harvard and Chestnut avenues about a man that was down on the ground, off the road. The man was pronounced dead at the scene with suspicious injuries, Fresno County Sheriffs Office spokesman Tony Botti said. Deputies and detectives responded to the location and determined the mans injuries were consistent with a homicide. Deputies dont have the identity of the victim and dont know who is responsible, Botti said. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fresno County Sheriffs Office at 559-600-5111. CANTON, Ohio (WJW) A man was hospitalized after his brother allegedly shot him, according to police. The suspect was arrested in Canton early Monday morning. According to a press release from the Canton Police Department, the shooting happened at about 2:40 a.m. in the 1400 block of 14th Street Northwest. Peacock on the loose in Willoughby When officers arrived at the scene, they found a 36-year-old man outside the home. He appeared to have been shot multiple times. He was taken to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital and is in critical condition, according to the release. The victims brother, Christopher Billheimer, 38, was arrested at the scene. He was charged with one count of felonious assault and one count of domestic violence. 1 dead after crash on W 117th St. in Cleveland This investigation is ongoing. Anying with information is asked to contact the Canton Police Detective Bureau at 330-489-3144. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Man looking for his girlfriend shot at in Fresno, PD says FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) An investigation is underway after a man searching for his girlfriend was shot on Saturday evening, according to the Fresno Police Department. Police say around 6:50 p.m. a man was driving through a neighborhood looking for his girlfriend when he slowed down near Weller and Florence avenues. Investigators say as he drove slowly passed the two men standing on the corner, one of them fired a gun several times at the victims vehicle. Officers say the car was struck three times but the driver was uninjured. Police say he fled the area but returned after to speak with them. Detectives describe the suspects as two males around 18 years old, who were both wearing jeans and white shoes. One suspect was wearing a black hoodie and the others was white. Anyone with any information regarding this shooting is asked to contact police at (559) 621-7000. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. A Miami County man has pleaded not guilty after being accused of raping a 16-year-old girl. >>57-year-old Dayton man killed in Riverside crash Robert Roderick, 34, is facing five felony counts of rape as he is alleged to have used force or the threat of force to compel a girl to engage in sexual activity with him in Piqua last May, according to online court documents. The female also became pregnant. Roderick pled not guilty to the charges Thursday during an arraignment before Judge Stacy Wall in Miami County Common Pleas Court. Bail has been set at $250,000 with conditions that he has no contact with the victim. If bail is posted, he will be placed on GPS monitoring under house arrest, court documents said. Rodericks next court appearance has been scheduled for Feb. 27. Wisconsins Democratic Governor Tony Evers on Monday signed new legislative maps into law, which could help Democrats retake the state legislature in the fall. The new maps, which go into effect immediately, will replace ones that were widely recognized as some of the most gerrymandered in the country. Despite Democrats winning 14 of the last 17 statewide elections, Republicans have carried the majority of the districtsand thus controlled the state legislaturefor the past decade. This is an important day and historic day for our state and for every person who calls Wisconsin home, Evers said before signing the maps into law. This will be the first time in over 50 years that Wisconsin will have fair legislative maps enacted through the legislative process rather than through the courts. When I promised I wanted fair maps, not maps that are better for one party or the other, including my own, I damn well meant it, he said. Wisconsin is not a red state. It is not a blue state. Wisconsin is a purple state, and I believe our maps should reflect that basic fact. The people should get to choose their elected officials, not the other way around. BREAKING: WI Gov. Tony Evers (D) breaks a Republican gerrymander, signs new legislative maps into law: "Wisconsin, when I promised fair maps, I damn well meant it ... People should get to choose their elected officials, not the other way around. pic.twitter.com/MwHTJT4YEM Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) February 19, 2024 State Democrats have tried to challenge the legislative maps for more than a decade, but they hadnt been successful until Wisconsinites overwhelmingly elected state Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz last year. The day after Protasiewicz was sworn in, in August, lawmakers filed a lawsuit against the maps. The high court ruled in December that the legislative maps were unconstitutional, with Protasiewicz providing the tie-breaking fourth vote. The justices ordered the state legislature to adopt new maps and warned they would draw up new lines if the lawmakers could not pass maps that Evers would sign. Evers, lawmakers from both parties, and three independent groups submitted map options to the court for review. Independent consultants hired by the court found that the maps submitted by legislature Republicans and a conservative law firm were partisan gerrymanders, leaving only Democratic-drawn maps left to choose from. The legislature passed Everss maps last week, to avoid having the high court draw the new district lines. Under the new maps, Democrats are widely expected to gain seats in both the state Assembly and state Senate. They could even take control of the legislature, which Democrats have not done since 2010, giving them a trifecta with Evers in office until the end of 2026. Marco Troper, the son of YouTube's former CEO Susan Wojcicki, was found dead in his dorm at the University of California, Berkeley, local officials and the student's family are reporting. Esther Wojcicki, an American journalist, confirmed her grandson's death in a Facebook post after he was reportedly found unresponsive on campus last week. The school in the city of Berkeley is in Alameda County in San Francisco's Bay Area. Tragedy hit my family yesterday," Wojcicki, 83, wrote in her social media post. "My beloved grandson Marco Troper, age 19 passed away yesterday. Our family is devastated beyond comprehension." The Alameda County Coroner's Office confirmed Troper died Feb. 13 and said it was handling his autopsy. A spokesperson for the office told USA TODAY Trevor's cause and manner of death were pending Monday. This is a file photo of the University of California, Berkeley's campus. Marco Troper, son of former YouTube CEO, was found dead on campus at Calrk Kerr residence hall on Feb. 13. Troper, who his grandmother said was in his second semester at Berkeley majoring in math, was the son of Susan Wojcicki, who worked for YouTube from 2014 to 2023. The American-founded online video sharing and social media platform is owned by Google. Death reported at Clark Kerr residence hall The University of California Police Department reported a death took place at Berkeley's Clark Kerr residence hall campus Tuesday and its officers responded to the housing complex at 4:23 p.m. UC Berkeley spokesperson Janet Gilmore previously told USA TODAY the person who died lived at the student housing complex. Students walk past Sather Gate on the University of California at Berkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif. Gilmore said the Berkeley Fire Department responded to the complex and attempted "life-saving measures on the student, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Foul play is not suspected, Gilmore said, and the student's death remained under investigation by police on Monday. Dorm killings: Colorado university mourns loss of two people found fatally shot in dorm; investigation ongoing A life 'cut too short' Troper's grandmother, who wrote his life was cut too short, remembered him as a kind, loving, smart, fun and beautiful human being. Her grandson was thriving academically, she said, and had "a strong community of friends" on campus including his fraternity Zeta Psi. USA TODAY has reached out to the frat. Marco Troper "At home, he would tell us endless stories of his life and friends at Berkeley," Troper's grandma wrote. "Marco's life was cut too short. And we are all devastated, thinking about all the opportunities and life experiences that he will miss and we will miss together. Marco, we all love you and miss you more than you will ever know." Funeral arrangements were not immediately available on Monday. 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: Marco Troper, son of Susan Wojcicki, found dead on UC Berkeley campus Protests took place in Newtown, Powys, over the weekend Wales' outgoing first minister has defended plans to ask farmers to plant trees on their land in return for cash. Mark Drakeford spoke following recent go-slow protests sparked by proposed changes to how agriculture is subsidised. The Welsh Labour leader said farmers could not simply decide themselves what to do with millions in subsidies. Mr Drakeford, who quits next month, said the plans would see farmers paid to help address the climate crisis. He said he understood it was a "difficult time" for rural Wales, but added: "Change is unavoidable." The Welsh Conservatives accused Mr Drakeford of showing "naked contempt for our farmers", while Plaid Cymru said Labour was "out of touch". A go-slow demonstration took place in Newtown, Powys, on Sunday, where a Labour leadership hustings was being held. Mr Drakeford told a press conference that legitimate protest was "absolutely a right" but he said criminal damage was "not acceptable" and warned protesters against having a major impact on other people's lives. The Welsh Labour leader appealed to farmers who have not taken part in the ongoing consultation on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) to do so. "Their voices will shape the final scheme," he said, saying thousands of farmers had taken part so far. Plans for the SFS - the Welsh government's proposals to replace farming subsidies after Brexit - have sparked demonstrations and protests. To gain access farmers will have to commit to planting 10% of their land with trees and earmark another 10% as wildlife habitat. Protesters argue it is not practical while running a business and fear they could be overwhelmed with paperwork. Ministers are also under pressure from environmentalists to ensure the proposals are ambitious. Mark Drakeford said it could not be up to farmers how to spend millions in subsidies Farming unions reiterated their concerns about the new scheme to a Welsh government minister on Monday. Lesley Griffiths, who oversees rural affairs, said she did not think comments by the first minister should "antagonise anybody". Ms Griffiths told BBC Radio Wales Drive: "Whoever has to audit that public money has to ensure that it is public money well spent. I think we would be criticised if we did not say that. "I want to try and get away from is this 'sustainable food production against the environment'. The two for me complement each other. "The biggest threat to sustainable food production is our climate change. "It is absolutely about keeping farmers on that land, protecting our culture, protecting our Welsh language, and making sure those farmers are able to farm for future generations as well." Ms Griffiths met senior officials from Wales' two farming unions, the NFU and FAW. FUW president Ian Rickman said the SFS in its current form is "clearly not ready" and said the minister repeated assurances it will not be launched until it is. "The continuation of the Basic Payment Scheme at current rates, until we are confident the SFS is ready, must therefore be considered," he said. NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said the farming community was in turmoil. Responding to Mr Drakeford's comments, Mr Jones told BBC Radio Cymru's Post Prynhawn there was a "lack of recognition of what agriculture already contributes". Ms Griffiths said many of the issues discussed "were common with those we heard from the 3,200 farmers who've attended the Welsh government events". She said she expected to make changes to the scheme as a result of responses to the consultation. "Once the consultation is over I will receive a detailed analysis of the responses, and as I've said before I would expect to make changes to the scheme as a result," she said. 'Forces of change' At a press conference on Monday, Mr Drakeford said: "I understand that this is a difficult time for people in rural Wales. That people feel their way of life is under attack from the forces of change that go on around them. "But change is unavoidable." He said he did not buy into the "narrative" that there was a choice between "jobs today and a burning platform that will come unless we are prepared to take action". The first minister added: "The bargain cannot be that the public puts its hand into the pocket to put millions of pounds, maybe 300m every year on the table, for farmers to just do whatever farmers think they would like to do with it." He said the public was "entitled to a return on that investment". "Top of the bargain is sustainable food production. Of course we want to see farmers in Wales producing food in ways that are consistent with a climate crisis." Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies said: "This statement shows the first minister's naked contempt for our farmers. "Labour and Plaid Cymru fail to realise that no farmers means no food, as they sacrifice our agricultural communities at the altar of a fanatical green agenda." Plaid Cymru spokesperson for rural affairs, Llyr Gruffydd, said: "The first minister's comments show yet again how out of touch Labour are with our farmers and rural communities across Wales. Instead of patronising the sector, the first minister and his government should be working with the community to show that their voices and concerns are being listened to." Watch on iPlayer banner Watch on iPlayer footer A group of Massachusetts educators are pleading for Gov. Maura Healey to deploy National Guard troops to Brockton High School to help quell what teachers described as "shocking levels of chaos and violence" among the students there, posing serious security concerns over the past several months. In a letter last week, four Brockton School Committee members Joyce Asack, Tony Rodrigues, Claudio Gomes and Ana Oliver asked that Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan request temporary National Guard support at Brockton High School from Healey to address "a disturbing increase in incidents related to violence, security concerns, and substance abuse." "Recent events at Brockton High School have prompted us to seek immediate assistance to prevent a potential tragedy," the letter, obtained by several local news outlets, read. "The situation has reached a critical point, more recently we had an alarming 35 teachers absent, underscoring the severity of the challenges we are facing." The letter said instances of students wandering the halls, engaging in altercations and causing disruptions in classrooms "have become alarmingly frequent." FIRST BOSTON SUBURBANITES HOUSE MIGRANTS IN THEIR HOMES, DEM URGES 'EVERYBODY SHOULD BE OPENING THEIR DOORS' A sign outside of Brockton High School in Brockton, Massachusetts, on March 14, 2021. "These incidents are not only undermining the learning environment but are also jeopardizing the integrity of the state-wide testing process," roughly half of the committee wrote. "As concerned members of the school committee, we are reaching out to you with the hope that the City and State can provide assistance and support in addressing this urgent matter." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The letter pointed to a recent spike in students leaving school grounds without permission, as well as trespassers on school property, citing "a lack of adequate staffing" at entrances and exits." "These situations not only put the students and staff at risk but also undermines the overall safety of our community," the letter said. "Recognizing the gravity of the situation, we are formally requesting that you reach out to Governor Healey and request the deployment of the National Guard to assist in restoring order, ensuring the safety of all individuals on the school premises, and implementing measures to address the root causes of the issues we are facing," they wrote Thursday. "We understand the gravity of this request and the importance of collaboration between local and state authorities. The National Guard's expertise in crisis management and community support can offer a vital temporary intervention, allowing for a comprehensive, long-term solution to be developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders." The four committee members requested an expedited meeting to discuss the deployment of the National Guard to Brockton High School. Teachers who spoke with the Boston Herald described "shocking levels of chaos and violence" at Brockton High School, which serves nearly 4,000 students. The Brockton Enterprise first reported about the letter on Saturday. In a statement to the outlet, Sullivan said he opposed the use of the National Guard at Massachusetts largest high school, but reportedly did not explain why. The mayor said he forwarded the request to Healey, who has authority to deploy the National Guard in times of emergency. From left to right, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov Kim Driscoll and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu toured the Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex on Jan. 31, 2024. The facility was expected to house more than 300 migrants. Last August, Healey notably deployed 250 National Guard members to hotels providing emergency shelter for migrants that did not have a contracted service provider. The Healey administration is "aware of concerns raised about Brockton High School and are in touch with local officials," Karissa Hand, spokesperson for the governor, told the Boston Herald in a statement Sunday. "Our administration is committed to ensuring that schools are safe and supportive environments for students, educators and staff." Fox News Digital reached out to Healey and Sullivan's offices for comment on Monday but did not immediately hear back. MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MAURA HEALEY NOMINATES FORMER ROMANTIC PARTNER TO STATE'S HIGH COURT In a Facebook post Saturday, Brockton City Councilor At-Large Winthrop Farwell Jr. said he also opposed the use of the National Guard at the high school. "Our faithful teachers (at all levels of the system) have experienced violence, injury and disruptions for years. Now, suddenly, the Guard is the answer? I do NOT support this," he wrote. "Soldiers in military field uniforms arent the answer. Convene a committee of classroom teachers (as opposed to administrators) and let that committee provide their input and recommendations on how to deal with the escalating problems in schools." The National Guard stage near South Station in Boston in case of unrest due to the presidential election on Nov. 4, 2020. "Classroom teachers are closest to the students. Select the independent-minded educators, not anyone who wants to curry favor with the school administration. We have the talent to create a positive learning atmosphere if we listen to our teaching staff. They know, they care, they can guide as to success," Farwell added. Asack, Gomes, Oliver and Rodrigues plan to hold a press conference at Brockton High School at 11:30 a.m. Monday regarding the matter, Boston 25 News reported. The letter comes after video of a violent fight at Brockton High School spread online last month. "It has become very unsafe being at the school teaching and the students as well," Nora Acevedo, a teacher present, told Boston 25 News. "I was the only one in the cafeteria at the moment. There were supposed to be two teachers, but the other supervisor was absent. A fight broke out with girls wandering the hallways. They came in to attack another girl in the cafeteria." Last May, three students were hospitalized, and five students were arrested in connection to a stabbing attack that unfolded outside Brockton High School. Original article source: Massachusetts high school pleads National Guard quell 'shocking levels of chaos and violence' among students Through open source research, Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, together with BBC Russia, confirmed the names of 44,654 Russian soldiers who had been killed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since Mediazona's last update in early February, the names of 1,194 Russian soldiers have been added to the list of casualties. The journalists specify that the actual figures are likely considerably higher since the information they have verified so far comes from public sources, including obituaries, posts by relatives, news in regional media, and reports by local authorities. In the past two weeks, 15 military personnel with ranks from Lieutenant Colonel and higher have been added to the list. Since Russia began its all-out war against Ukraine, over 3,100 officers, with 379 holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or higher have been killed in combat in Ukraine. In contrast, there have been nearly 5,354 casualties among newly recruited Russian soldiers. To date, Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, Russia's deputy commander of the Southern Military District, is the highest-ranking Russian military official to have been killed during the war. A majority of those killed in action come from Rostov, Sverdlovsk, Bashkiria, Chelyabinsk, as well as the Buryatia republic. Total estimates of Russia's casualties since the full-scale invasion vary widely. Senior U.S. defense officials estimate that about 315,000 Russian troops had either been killed or injured so far in the war. As of Feb. 18, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces says that Russia lost 402,430 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine says it repelled Russian offensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. If you ever run into Plainfield Police Officer Kyle Sutcliffe, you will most likely see Ingrid right by his side. Ingrid, a 2-and-a-half year old yellow lab, is the K9 assigned to Sutcliffe. One of two police dogs used by the Plainfield Police Department, she has been an asset since joining them nearly a year ago. Ingrids heightened sense of smell has helped Plainfield Police locate illegal drugs. Theres a lot of times where we cant get into a vehicle or develop probable cause on our own, Sutcliffe said regarding narcotics detection dogs like Ingrid. But the dogs nose is so strong, so if somethings hidden, the dog can detect it and then theyll alert to it, which gives us probable cause to search that person or that vehicle. Plainfield Police Officer Kyle Sutcliffe and his K9 Ingrid. Ingrids sense of smell came in handy on Jan. 1, 2024. She was able to discover drug paraphernalia and crack cocaine in a car, which led to the arrest of a Plainfield woman. Outside of work, Ingrid is part of the Sutcliffe family in Brooklyn. I got two young kids at home. Shes very friendly with them, Sutcliffe said. We got two other labs at home. She loves going home, playing, hanging out with the family. Being a normal dog. Ingrid started out as a guide dog for the blind Ingrid was initially going to be a guide dog for the blind. When that did not work out, Connecticut State Police traveled to one of the Guiding Eyes for the Blind campuses to pick dogs capable of serving as police dogs. They go and test out hundreds of dogs to go and see which ones would be a good fit as a police dog, Sutcliffe said. After Sutcliffe picked Ingrid up in March 2023, she lived with him as a pet until her training began in July. Ingrid participated in a six-week training at the Connecticut State Police K9 Unit where she learned to detect the scent of illegal narcotics. Following the initial training, each of the K9 handlers participated in a six-week training with their dogs. Ingrid graduated from the program in October 2023. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Plainfield Police K9 Ingrid locates illegal drugs including cocaine PHNOM PENH, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Local resident Nov Ratha was delighted on Monday as work on a China-funded bridge across the Bassac River began here in the southern part of Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, saying that the bridge will save travelers both time and money. "This new bridge project is very good for local people in this area because there is heavy traffic congestion on the two existing bridges," Nov, a resident in Chbar Ampov district, told Xinhua while attending a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the bridge. The 845.7-meter-long, 27-meter-wide bridge, along with an 804.3-meter connecting road, will be built by the Shanghai Construction Group and it is expected to be completed in 42 months. Linking Meanchey district in the west with Chbar Ampov district in the east, the bridge will play a crucial role in dealing with the rising number of people and vehicles in the capital. "We are all very happy because it will facilitate our travel to and fro, and will also respond to the growing number of people and vehicles," Nov added. The 52-year-old mother of three children said the bridge will link not only residents on both sides of the Bassac River, but also the hearts of the peoples of Cambodia and China. "As a Cambodian citizen, I'm really grateful to China for always supporting Cambodia, with no political strings attached," she said. Prak Essra, a 59-year-old resident in Meanchey district, said the bridge will reduce travel time and ease traffic jams, contributing to the better development of the economy. "It currently takes a long time to cross the river because travelers need to take a detour through a bridge on the right side or another bridge on the left side," he told Xinhua. "When the construction of this bridge is completed, travelers will take a shorter time to cross the river," he said. "This bridge will provide great benefit to travelers by saving time and money." Speaking to thousands of participants at the groundbreaking ceremony, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the project will improve the efficiency of people's travel, goods transport, and logistics in Phnom Penh and Kandal province as it will also serve as a link to the Techo Takhmao International Airport. "China has become the top provider of a great deal of concessional loans and grant aid to Cambodia for transport infrastructure development," Hun Manet said. The Cambodian prime minister added that China-funded transport infrastructure projects have not only improved Cambodia's intra-connectivity, but also better connected the kingdom with its neighboring countries. "On behalf of the people and government of Cambodia, I'd like to express my profound thanks to the people and government of China for always supporting the development of Cambodia in all areas and in all circumstances, without any strings attached," he said. Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian expressed confidence that the new bridge project will give an extra boost to the development of Cambodia's economy, particularly in the southern part of Phnom Penh and its adjacent province of Kandal. He said the project was a new testimony to the ironclad friendship between China and Cambodia. "Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, our comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation has achieved sustainable and high-quality development, injecting vigorous impetus into building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era," he said. A Metro Atlanta man has been indicted on federal charges of wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering conspiracy for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. Nnamdi Iheanacho, 38, of Dacula allegedly defrauded government funds during the COVID-19 pandemic involving state unemployment insurance funds and tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Officials say Iheanachos alleged behavior deprived the government of funding for its programs and possibly created financial instability for his victims of identity theft, said Demetrius Hardeman, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. IRS Criminal Investigation special agents and our law enforcement partners are diligently working to find those who show so much disregard to others in their pursuit of greed, Hardeman said. TRENDING STORIES: Iheanacho violated The CARES Act, a new temporary federal program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance that provided up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits and funding to states for administration of the program. An individual receiving these benefits might also receive a $600 weekly benefit in federal funds under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program if he or she was eligible for such compensation for the week claimed. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Iheanacho is accused of applying online for unemployment insurance benefits for numerous individuals using stolen personal identifying information. Simultaneously, Iheanacho allegedly filed federal income tax returns using stolen identity information. He then allegedly laundered the proceeds of his fraud schemes. This defendant is charged with taking advantage of our nation during an unprecedented time of a pandemic and stealing money intended to help others who were struggling, said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. We are proud to work with our partner agencies to investigate and stamp out these schemes. IN OTHER NEWS: For the first time, Mexican nationals living in Illinois and northern Indiana can cast a vote in person at the Consulate General of Mexico of Chicago for the countrys presidential election that could elect its first-ever female president. The historical election on June 2, along with the move by the National Electoral Institute to provide in-person voting for Mexicans at consulates in the U.S., Canada and France, has inspired thousands to register to vote from abroad for the first time. More than 150,000 Mexican nationals have registered to vote in person, online and through mail to cast a ballot for either front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum, 61, of Morena, the candidate of the countrys current ruling party, or her opponent, Xochitl Galvez, 60, of the Partido Accion Nacional or Pan. A third, less popular candidate, Jorge Alvarez Maynez of Movimiento Ciudadano, is also running. Mexican nationals make up more than half the voters who registered to vote from abroad in the Mexican presidential elections in 2018, according to Arturo Castillo, electoral adviser of the National Electoral Institute. Theres no doubt that Mexicans in Chicago have extremely strong ties to their home country, said Reyna Torres Mendivil, the consul general of Mexico in Chicago. And the excitement of voting for the possibly first female president is driving people to register, she said. Chicago is the U.S. city with the second largest number of registered Mexican voters, a reflection of the fabric of the city where, according to the census, 1 in 5 Chicagoans identify as Mexicans, Castillo said. Los Angeles has the most registered Mexican voters, with Houston in third place. On Thursday, the National Electoral Institute extended voter registration through Feb. 25 to allow more time for Mexican immigrants to register and increase electoral participation abroad, Castillo said. Mexicans living in Chicago say voting will be a way to honor their roots and loved ones who continue to live in Mexico. For those who are undocumented and cannot travel back to the country, voting gives them a say in the future of the country they love, where they send money, and a place they still consider home. That is the case for Celina Guevara, who arrived in Chicago nearly three decades ago from Guerrero, Mexico, and has not returned. Its an opportunity that weve never had before, and it is something that we need to take advantage of, Guevara said recently as she waited in line at the Mexican Consulate in Chicago to obtain her Mexican voters identification to register to vote. Its giving us the voice we need. One weve never had. Guevara said she did not leave Mexico because she wanted to. Instead, extreme poverty and violence forced her to flee. Being able to vote makes her feel connected to her home country. She sends money to her family in Guerrero each month and also invests in property. More than $63 billion in remittances were sent to Mexico in 2023, with most of the money arriving from the United States, according to Banxico, Mexicos central bank. Guevara, a mother of three U.S.-born daughters, said she was motivated to register to vote because she believes that the current president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has made moves that have positively affected Mexicans and she wants to continue supporting his Morena party. According to an analysis of the Mexican presidential election by the Wilson Center, which offers nonpartisan counsel and insights on global affairs to policymakers, polls suggest that most Mexicans favor Sheinbaum, the candidate of the Morena party. Most Morena supporters are driven mainly by Lopez Obradors social and economic programs, which aimed to help low-income Mexicans, said Andrew Rudman, the director of the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center. Salvador Hernandez, 74, a Chicago resident whos a native of Jalisco, Mexico, is not one of them. Though he visits his native Mexico often, he has never voted in any type of election. This year he wants to cast a ballot to make sure he votes Morena out. The violence has been terrible throughout Mexico, Hernandez said. Still, he is excited about the possibility of electing a woman president. Regardless of who the Mexican people favor, both the Mexican community in Chicago and their leaders applaud the historic move that is uplifting the dialogue of the presence of Mexicans in the United States. Torres Mendivil applauded the work of Chicago activists who for decades advocated to ensure that Mexicans abroad could vote in Mexican elections by working hand in hand with the National Electoral Institute. Mendivil said that the message is very clear for both Mexican and American politicians regarding Mexican immigrants: We have a community that is invested in issues that affect both, Chicago and Mexico. Mendivil said that some of the issues that matter the most to Mexicans living abroad include the economy and safety. For others, immigration policies and relations with the U.S. president are more important. Guevara believes that if more Mexicans in the United States vote, they can eventually make a difference, forcing whoever is elected to also advocate on their behalf by pushing U.S. politicians for a pathway to legalization. Or at least, she said, a safer and more stable Mexico so that no more Mexicans are forced out. But despite the significant number of Mexicans in the Chicago area, the numbers registered are not proportional to the 3 million Mexican nationals the consular office serves, Mendivil said. Thats because civic participation is a challenge. After all, for most working-class Mexican nationals, voting is not a priority. In the United States, most Mexican immigrants are focused on their families, jobs and health, she said. This year, the consulate in Chicago is working to create campaigns to educate the community about the voting process in Mexico and encourage people to vote. Mexicans in Chicago area can register to vote through Feb. 25 To be eligible to vote, Mexicans abroad must have a valid voting ID card and must register to vote at www.votoextranjero.mx. People with a valid voting ID card who register by Feb. 25 may choose to vote through one of three ways: Postal: During the first week of May, individuals opting to vote by mail will receive a package at their homes sent by the National Electoral Institute. The package will contain the ballots for casting votes and a prepaid envelope to send them back to Mexico at no cost. Online: Those choosing to vote online will receive an email from the INE no later than May 3, containing the keys to cast their votes on the institutes platform. In person: Individuals may attend one of the consular offices enabled for voting in person to cast their votes through electronic ballot boxes. Those who do not register by Feb. 20 will only be able to vote in person at one of the 23 consular offices with installed polling stations, provided there are still available ballots. Each consular office will receive 1,500 ballots. In the United States, in-person voting will take place at the Mexican consulates in Atlanta; Chicago; Dallas; Fresno, California; Houston; Los Angeles; New Brunswick, New Jersey; New York; Oklahoma City; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix; Raleigh, North Carolina; Sacramento, California; San Bernardino, California; San Diego; San Francisco; San Jose, California; Santa Ana, California; Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Mexicans can obtain their voting ID card at the Consulate General Mexico of Chicago by sending an email to conchicago@sre.gob.mx and presenting the following documents at their appointment: Mexican birth certificate or proof of Mexican nationality, photo ID and proof of address. The ID will be delivered to their address within four to five weeks after their appointment. The Mexican government recently set up a checkpoint near a U.S. border gap after migrants used the opening, known locally as the San Judas Break, to illegally cross the border into the United States, 60 Minutes confirmed. Migrants have moved on and are now crossing the border at another spot four miles east of the San Judas Break, area residents who help migrants said. The gap migrants have moved to is harder to get to, requiring hours of walking. It's not directly accessible by vehicle, whereas smugglers used SUVs to drop off migrants by the San Judas Break. The San Judas Break had become internationally known. Over four days last month, 60 Minutes witnessed nearly 600 migrants adults and children come through the 4-foot gap at the end of a border fence 60 miles east of San Diego. Migrants passed through the gap by ducking under razor wire. Jerry Shuster, who owns land near the gap, estimated he'd seen 3,000 migrants a week come through the gap. He said migrants began arriving on his property in May. "They come through the hole like they're coming to their own country over here," Shuster previously told 60 Minutes. "And nobody do nothin' about it." Shuster also said American border officials knew about the hole near his property and that he'd asked for it to be fixed. "'You gotta call Washington D.C,' that's what they say," Shuster said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection told 60 Minutes that closing the gap was on the agency's priority list, but it would require money from Congress. CBP said border patrol agents do not have legal authority to stop people from coming through gaps like the one by Shuster's home. Agents can only arrest the migrants after they enter illegally Some of the migrants who crossed into the U.S. at the San Judas Break, and others who are now crossing four miles east of the gap, came from China. Chinese migrants are the fastest growing group trying to cross into the U.S. from Mexico. Last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 37,000 Chinese citizens were apprehended as they illegally crossed the border. Migrants, undeterred by policies designed to reduce illegal entries, have been crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in unprecedented numbers. Last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered roughly two-and-a-half million migrants at the southern border. In a 214-213 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. The impeachment articles allege Mayorkas released migrants into the U.S. who should have been detained and that he lied to lawmakers about southern border security. President Biden called the impeachment vote a "blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship that has targeted an honorable public servant in order to play petty political games." "Sadly, the same Republicans pushing this baseless impeachment are rejecting bipartisan plans Secretary Mayorkas and others in my administration have worked hard on to strengthen border security at this very moment reversing from years of their own demands to pass stronger border bills," Mr. Biden said Tuesday. "Giving up on real solutions right when they are needed most in order to play politics is not what the American people expect from their leaders." Redefining old age The authentic Ashley McBryde Crawfish shortage impacts Louisiana's economy Mia McKenna-Bruce won the only Bafta award chosen by the public A 26-year-old Kent actor has taken home the EE Rising Star Award at the Baftas. Mia McKenna-Bruce won the only Bafta award chosen by the public on Sunday for her role as Tara in Molly Manning Walker's How to Have Sex. Miss McKenna-Bruce said the win was a "complete surprise" and she wanted to "hug every single person" who voted for her to win. The actor was nominated alongside Phoebe Dynevor, Ayo Edebiri, Jacob Elordi and Sophie Wilde. Miss McKenna-Bruce won for her role in How to Have Sex, a coming-of-age drama about sexual consent set during a post-GCSEs holiday in Malia on the Greek island of Crete. She said she hoped the win would keep "conversations going" around the film. 'Absolutely petrified' Miss McKenna-Bruce said taking to the stage of Royal Festival Hall, London, to accept her award "just blew my mind". Holding her first Bafta award, Miss McKenna-Bruce thanked her family for believing in her from a young age. "I can't ever repay you, but maybe this is a start." The actor told BBC Radio Kent: "I was absolutely petrified, having to get up and talk in front of the likes of Christopher Nolan." She told the BBC how during her first acting job in Billy Elliot at the age of eight, her dad would "stand at the back of the theatre and watch the show" most days. Miss McKenna-Bruce said she would be celebrating the win with her family and a takeaway. Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. Michael Cohen says Donald Trumps character and growing debts make him dangerous whether hes in the White House or behind bars. We need to be very careful about him as a potential president, because hes for sale. He needs to figure out where hes going to raise 500 plus million dollars over a short period of time, Cohen, Trumps former personal attorney, said on MSNBC Sunday. A judge ruled last week that Trump owes more than $350 million in damages over his yearslong fraudulent business dealings in New York. In a separate case, he was ordered to pay writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million after a New York jury found him liable for defaming her a second time. Trump also has to pay his various lawyers millions of dollars and still faces four criminal trials. Cohen suggested that a cash-strapped Trump could sell sensitive government information that he was privy to before and after his presidency. One of the biggest fears I have about having Donald Trump behind bars is that he would sell this information for a bag of tuna or a book of stamps, Cohen said. He doesnt care about America, he continued. And I say this not to be hyperbolic. I say this as fact, knowing him for as long as Ive known him. He will sell that information to anyone, because he doesnt care about anyone or anything other than himself. Plain and simple. Cohen is far from the first to suggest Trumps legal debts could have national security implications. Trumps onetime national security advisor, John Bolton, for example, said Sunday that foreign autocrats could take advantage of Trumps worsening financial situation, demonstrating why Trump really is not fit for office. Watch Cohens commentary below: Related... Michael Cohen said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is asking his country what it can do to help former President Trump as Trumps legal fines continue to mount. Cohen, who served as Trumps longtime personal lawyer, suggested Putin may be looking into how he can help Trump after a judge ordered the former president to pay nearly $355 million in a New York fraud case last week. This staggering number, combined with the $83.3 million E. Jean Carroll verdict from last month, amounts to $438.1 million in legal penalties for the former president. If youre Vladimir Putin, I tell you how Vladimir Putin is probably looking at Donald Trump right now. That Trump is a poor mans idea of a rich man, a weak mans idea of a strong man, and a stupid mans idea of a smart man, he said on CNNs This Morning. So as a KGB, former KGB expert, hes looking at Donald and saying, What can we do in order to help, to help him to get away from these various different things? Well, one you cant fix stupid. So that is what it is. You just take advantage of it, he added. All right, as far as the poor man and a rich man, well figure out how to put some money in his pocket because thats all Donald Trump cares about. Cohen then took aim at Trump over his legal fees and raising money to pay for them. He doesnt care about America. Hes out there hocking sneakers, hes out there hocking whatever he can, grifting off the poorest of Americans, he said. Think about whos supporting Donald Trump and the use of his 757 plane, whos supporting Donald with all of his legal fees. Its the poorest people in America. And thats what Vladimir Putin will be taking advantage of. Trump has already said he will appeal the judges verdict and has railed against the massive penalty. After the judge ordered Trump to pay hundreds of millions in his fraud case last week, Cohen predicted the former president would need to liquidate his assets to pay. He reiterated this prediction Monday. Its like the death touch to Donald. They dont have that available cash. I read in several different articles, that he has a substantial sum of cash. Its, its not true. I would highly doubt it, he said. Hes probably looking at RNC money. Hes probably looking at Super PAC money, again as part of money that he would use, but no matter what happens, he does not have enough and there will have to be a liquidation of his assets in order to cover this amount, he added. The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. NAIROBI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the 37th African Union (AU) summit on Saturday, calling for drawing up a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation and promoting the joint building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. People from all walks of life in various African countries said they appreciate Xi's message, believing it reflects China's high regard for Africa and its strong support for African development. They believe that China-Africa relations will continue to be a model of South-South cooperation and look forward to working together to strive for modernization. The 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of the Heads of State and Government opened on Saturday at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. GLOBAL GOVERNANCE REFORMS The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the Global South represented by China and Africa is booming, which has a profound impact on the course of world history, said Xi. The AU brings African countries together to seek strength through unity, and promote integration as well as the building of free trade areas, Xi said, adding that the AU's successful accession to the G20 has further enhanced Africa's representation and lifted its voice in global governance, and China extends heartfelt congratulations on that. "President Xi's message clearly shows that China is by Africa's side in its development efforts," said Lalu Etalla, a senior editor at Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation. Last year, Ethiopia's entry into the BRICS mechanism and the AU formal membership in the G20 were both explicitly supported by China, Etalla said, stressing it represents outcomes of South-South cooperation and features significant victories for cooperation among developing countries, amplifying their voices on the world stage. Youssouf Mandoha Assoumani, chairperson of the Permanent Representatives' Committee of the AU, expressed gratitude for China's dedication to all aspects of the continent's development. "Africa acknowledges and will continue to foster this win-win cooperation between the two sides, as well as an exemplary partnership," Assoumani said. Amadou Diop, a Senegalese expert on China, said that through increasing investment and a rebalancing of international relations, the cooperation has shaped new international relations between the two sides and influenced global policy directions and governance methods worldwide. Benjamin Mgana, chief editor of The Guardian newspaper in Tanzania, said that Xi's message emphasizes the importance of solidarity and unity among African nations and also underscores Africa's role in global governance, reflecting China's steadfast support for Africa's development and its commitment to strengthening cooperation. "I believe that China's development experience is beneficial not only to Africa but also to other developing countries," said Raissa Ada Allogo, senior policy officer of AU Infrastructure and Energy Development Department. "Through win-win cooperation, we can enhance the international influence of developing countries and collectively propel the world towards a better future," she said. JOINTLY STRIVE FOR MODERNIZATION Xi stressed over the past year, China-Africa ties have grown deeper. As the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue was successfully held, the two sides decided to support each other in exploring their modernization paths and jointly create a favorable environment for realizing their development visions, Xi noted. "The congratulatory message was warmly received," said Robert Y. Lormia II, ambassador-at-large at the government of Liberia, noting that the cooperation between China and Africa has been very positive and rewarding, benefiting the people of Africa. "In addition to its support for the Greater AU, China continues to assist individual African countries. Liberia, my own country, has greatly benefited from Chinese assistance, especially after enduring many years of war and post-war reconstruction. This support has significantly contributed to our development progress," he noted. "China's role as Africa's largest trading partner has spurred economic growth and created jobs in both regions," said Joseph Mutaboba, a Rwandan expert in international relations and diplomatic affairs, adding that President Xi's proposal for further cooperation in industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development at last year's China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa, holds promise. The 37th AU summit is held under the AU's theme for 2024, "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa." "It resonates with China's initiative to support Africa's talent development, announced by President Xi last year," said Marthe Dorkagoum Boularangar, rapporteur of the AU Advisory Board against Corruption. China has built schools in Africa and provided resources, which has been very helpful, Boularangar said, adding that at the national level, China and African countries cooperate extensively in education and healthcare. "The cooperation between Africa and China has achieved many successes. We hope this collaboration continues," she said. Noting the cooperation platforms with China squarely address deficiencies, Humphrey Moshi, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam of Tanzania, said he looks forward to enhancing cooperation between China and Africa for the benefit of the people of both sides and realizing the vision of a shared future. A COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE Xi said that he stands ready to work with leaders of African countries, with a focus on the benefits of people from both sides, to draw up a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation and promote the joint building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. The new session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is going to be held in 2024, Xi noted. "It is beyond any doubt that FOCAC is a significant step forward in the long process of African integration, not only from an economic standpoint but also from a political perspective," said Namibian independent economic analyst Josef Sheehama. "FOCAC continues to serve its purpose as a platform for collective discourse for cooperation between Africa and China," said Paul Frimpong, executive director of the Africa-China Center for Policy and Advisory, a Ghana-based think tank. He hopes this year's forum will be a bridge for entrepreneurial cooperation and projects benefiting people in Africa and China. "Previous outcomes of FOCAC have distilled best practices where both sides have made enormous progress in a policy-driven approach and mutual respect, enhancing the benefits of cooperation, and developing clear lines of communication and engagement," said Lewis Ndichu, a researcher at Nairobi-based think tank Africa Policy Institute. In the future, Africa looks forward to building an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future and pursuing the greater good and shared interests of peoples, Ndichu said. Since President Xi put forward China's policy toward Africa featuring sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, China has closely combined its development with aiding Africa's development to achieve win-win cooperation and common development, said Antoine Roger Lokongo, a professor of international politics and strategies at the Joseph Kasa-Vubu University, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "Over the years, China advocates common prosperity, security and stability, and carries out win-win cooperation based on the social, political, economic, and cultural conditions and realities of African countries, no matter how big or small, working together to protect the world," Lokongo said. Going places? Kings Cross station in London, the terminus for the East Coast main line, is closed on Monday and Tuesday, 20-21 February 2024 (Simon Calder) After 20 months of rail strikes and weeks of weather-related disruption, passengers on the East Coast main line face another challenge: midweek engineering work. A digital signalling project at the southern end of the line linking the capital with Yorkshire, northeast England and Scotland is keeping London Kings Cross out of long-distance action until Wednesday. Some journey times are being doubled. For example, an afternoon departure from York to London on Monday requires changes at Peterborough, Cambridge and Tottenham Hale on the London Underground, taking almost four hours. LNER rail replacement buses are in operation between Peterborough and Bedford, where travellers can connect with East Midlands Railway services to and from London St Pancras. The one-way fare for the 40-mile bus trip alone is 45. Other journeys require multiple changes. A Monday afternoon trip from London to Newcastle requires a change at Potters Bar in Hertfordshire for a rail replacement bus to Hitchin, and further changes at St Neots, Huntingdon and Peterborough. The fare for the seven-hour journey is 193; cheaper and less-complicated options are available for later departures. It appears that many travellers are switching to air. British Airways is selling seats for its 70-minute flight from Newcastle to London Heathrow for 656 one way on Monday and Tuesday evening. In the opposite direction Heathrow to Newcastle the last aircraft seat on Monday is selling at 651 one way on BAs website. Fares on the five departures on Tuesday start at 328 one way. Network Rail says scheduling the engineering work from Saturday to Tuesday has a lower impact than Thursday to Sunday or Friday to Monday. A spokesperson for the infrastructure provider said: The large-scale nature and importance of this work has meant we have needed to carry it out over a continuous four-day period. We know this involves a significant amount of disruption to customers and our industry partnership planned it carefully using passenger journey data to ensure it chose the time with least impact. The timing was chosen as it is February half term in the locations where the work is taking place, traditionally a quieter time for travel. LNER says its busiest days are Thursday, Friday and Saturday; Sunday to Wednesday are quieter. Network Rail predicts that once digital signalling is in place, there will be less lineside equipment to maintain, and consequently less engineering-related disruption in future. The project is also impacting commuters in the London area. Jenny Saunders, customer services director at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: We are very sorry for the disruption this will cause our Great Northern and Thameslink customers. We are encouraging customers to travel later in the week if they can. In particular, wed urge people to work from home on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 February if possible, to keep replacement bus services free for key workers. Network Rail is closing other rail routes on weekdays notably the main line between Leeds and Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, which is closed at Brighouse from Monday 19 to Friday 23 February. Train diversions are enabling trans-Pennine services to continue, with longer journey times. Next month, the line through Dorset from Dorchester to Weymouth will be closed from Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 March. Network Rails Chris Denham said: Network Rails regions work closely with operators and communities to find the right time for engineering work, taking into account factors such as major events and making sure we dont do work on diversionary routes at the same time. That can mean different things in different parts of the country, particularly in areas which may have more weekend traffic than weekdays or where half term falls on different dates. We can also do work in week-long blocks, which reduces the impact of our work on passengers for the rest of the year. Theres still no right time to do the work, but by doing it, we can keep the railway running reliably the rest of the year. Industrial action at LNER by train drivers belonging to the Aslef union resumes on Thursday 29 February, in the shape of an overtime ban. A strike will take place on Friday 1 March. The Russian military pledged to evacuate wounded Ukrainian soldiers from the Zenit strongpoint in the town of Avdiivka and provide them with assistance but instead shot five of the soldiers, Ukraines 110th Brigade said on Feb. 19. The confirmation came after media reports that relatives identified the dead bodies of three soldiers of the brigade. They were left behind heavily wounded, while the rest of the forces retreated from the strongpoint, according to the reports. The brigade said in a statement that several seriously injured and killed servicemen could not be evacuated due to continuous bombardment and the complete encirclement of Zenit. The brigade said that Ukrainian forces had contacted organizations negotiating with Russia on prisoner exchanges to provide assistance to wounded, unarmed Ukrainian soldiers. The enemy informed the coordinators of this process that they agreed to evacuate our wounded, provide them with assistance, and exchange them later. Our soldiers were ordered to save their lives, the brigade wrote on Facebook, saying that Russian troops broke their promise and shot Ukrainian soldiers. According to Ukraines 110th Brigade, among the executed were Andrii Dubnytskyi, Ivan Zhyntnyk, Heorhii Pavlov, Oleksandr Zinchuk and Mykola Savosik. Information on the fate of a sixth soldier has not yet been confirmed. Commander-in-Chief of Ukraines Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi announced the decision to withdraw Ukrainian units from Avdiivka, an embattled city just north of Russian-occupied Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, on the night of Feb. 17. Two days later, Maksym Zhorin, a deputy commander of Ukraine's Third Assault Brigade, said that some units of the brigade had been "completely surrounded" in Avdiivka but had managed to escape before Russian forces totally captured the town. Russian forces have been trying to capture Avdiivka since 2014, when Russia first invaded Ukraine. Following Russia's recent assault on the city, which started in October last year, most of Avdiivka has been destroyed by urban warfare, artillery barrages, and airstrikes. Read also: Russia takes Avdiivka at steep price, as Ukraine forced to face shortcomings Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MILWAUKEE - A 4-year-old is dead after a shooting in Milwaukee occurred on Sunday, Feb. 18. Milwaukee police said the shooting took place near 64th Court and Bradley around 10:23 a.m. The 4-year-old victim was taken to the hospital and was pronounced deceased. On Monday, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified the child as Jamero Edwards. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Demario Steward lives nearby and said he was surprised by what had happened. Scene at N. 64th Court near Bradley Road, Milwaukee "We didn't hear nothing or see nothing, but you know, when we looked out the window, we seen the police officers there, so we knew something happened," Steward said. "You know, that's a baby." The Milwaukee Fire Department told FOX6 News they were called to respond, but their company was returned, meaning someone else took the four-year-old to the hospital. "It's a shocker, cause it's so close, you know? Then it's so quiet," Steward said. "We didn't even know." Officers remained on scene well into Sunday night. Neighbors like Steward said they hope the senseless violence will stop. Scene at N. 64th Court near Bradley Road, Milwaukee "We can just pray," he said. "That's all we can do." FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. Police told FOX6 News the shooting was "probably accidental." We asked police if that meant the child shot themselves or if somebody accidentally shot the child, but police did not respond. There is nobody in custody at this time. Police said two guns were recovered as a result of the investigation. The case will be reviewed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office. Editor's note: An earlier report listed the child's age as three years old, but an update from Milwaukee police and the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office on Feb. 19 now lists the child's age as four years old. Burnsville police officers Matthew Ruge, Paul Elmstrand, and Burnsville fire-paramedic Adam Finseth were killed during a barricaded suspect incident in Burnsville, Minnesota (Rochester Fire Department) It was nearly 2am when multiple Minnesota police officers parked their cruisers close to a home on 33rd Avenue in Burnsville. The call that summoned them to the home was a domestic dispute that had reportedly spiraled into a barricaded suspect situation. Seven children were reportedly inside the home at the time, their ages ranging from two to 15-years-old. As is typical when a suspect barricades themselves or others in a home, law enforcement officials try to negotiate with them to reach a peaceful resolution. Of course, a peaceful resolution is not always achieved this situation being one of those times. In fact, by the time the sun rose in Burnsville, two police officers, a paramedic, and the suspect were all dead. The shooting Police in Burnsville reportedly spent hours negotiating with the male suspect inside the home, according to USA Today. According to a witness account, the gunfire erupted at the property at around 5.30am. We heard a lot of rapid fire, a neighbour, who did not provide his name, told local broadcaster Fox 9. Lot of gunshots, couldn't even tell you how many. By 8am the gunfire had stopped, and police confirmed the suspect had died. All of the children inside the home were escorted out unharmed. What exactly happened after the emergency responders arrived on the scene and how three as well as the suspect ended up dead remains unclear. Scene of the shooting in Minnesota (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Drew Evans, the superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that at least one of the first responders was killed inside the home. The suspect reportedly fired shots from both the ground floor and the upper floor of the home during the exchange of gunfire. The victims Two Burnsville police officers and a firefighter working in an EMT capacity at the scene were shot and killed during the incident. Paul Elmstrand, 27, joined Burnsville's police department in August 2017 as a community officer and was promoted two years later. He eventually joined the department's mobile command staff, its peer team, honour guard, and its filed training unit, CNN reported. Elmstrand's wife, Cindy Elmstrand-Castruita, said she learned in a text message that he had been killed. She recalled seeing a message expressing sympathy and remorse for what she must be going through, and then looking out her window to see a squad car outside her home. I looked out my bedroom window and saw a squad car out there, she told CBS News. I knew. That's when I knew he was gone. She said her husband loved his job and described him as a hero. He was the most generous, loving, patient person I've ever known, Ms Elmstrand-Castruita said. He could have a conversation with anyone and make them feel seen. He would drop everything to help someone who was in need, whether it be family, friend or someone on the street. Matthew Ruge, 27, was also killed. Mr Ruge joined the police department in 2020, and served on its crisis negotiations team and worked as a physical evidence officer. He was remembered by a neighbour as a man who was all about doing nice things for people, including spending time with her while her father was dying. Unfortunately, his life was cut way too short, the neighbour, Robin Gwaltney told local outlet KARE, because he was a first-rate person. The third victim was Adam Finseth, 40. He was working as a Burnsville firefighter-paramedic on the night of the shooting and was assigned to a SWAT team deployed to the home. He was reportedly shot and killed while attempting to assist one of the wounded police officers. He had been working as a paramedic since 2019. Were hurting. Today three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community, Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz said during a news conference on Sunday. They are heroes. Officers Shot Minnesota (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Our police officers and our fire-paramedics they come to work every day. They do it willingly. They know they might have to give up their life for their partners, for someone else. They know they have to give up their life sometimes, and they do it anyways, she added during a vigil on Sunday. Adam Medicott, a Burnsville police officer, was also wounded in the shooting. He was treated at a local hospital with non-life-threatening wounds and is expected to recover. A vigil was held on Sunday evening at Burnsville City Hall to remember the victims. Governor Tim Walz also ordered flags to be flown at half-mast beginning on Monday at sunrise. We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our first responders make each and every day, Mr Walz said in a statement. Today, the families of these public servants received the call they knew was possible but hoped would never come. My heart is with those grieving families the State of Minnesota stands ready to support in any way we can. The suspect There are currently few details about the suspect involved in the shooting. What is known is that the suspect had several guns and a large amount of ammunition stored at his home, according to Mr Evans. The suspect had died at the home but it is unclear if he was killed by police or if he died by other means. ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) A missing 20-year-old student at Virginia Tech has been reported missing after not arriving at his parents home in Abingdon Friday. According to the university, Johnny Roop was last seen at his apartment complex in the Merrimac area of Montgomery County on Friday. Later that day, Roops phone reportedly pinged near the New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg. THP: Man impersonating police arrested in Sullivan County His phone pinged at 4:26 p.m. Friday. The university reported Roop had been traveling to Abingdon to take an online exam by 5 p.m. However, Roop never arrived in Abingdon. Roop was driving a black 2018 Toyota Camry bearing Virginia license plate number TXW6643. A Virginia Tech flag sticker was placed on the back window of the Camry. Roop is 6 foot 3 inches and weighs between 230-240 pounds, according to Virginia Tech. He has blonde hair and hazel eyes. Washington County, Virginia Sheriff Blake Andis told News Channel 11 that his office was aware of the search for Roop, but the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, Virginia State Police and other agencies were conducting the investigation. A spokesperson for the Abingdon Police Department said the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office had not requested the departments assistance as of Monday afternoon. Anyone who sees Roop or his vehicle or who may have information is asked to call the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office at 540-382-4343. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Stephen Elliot Powers was convicted in December 2000 of capital murder and sentenced to death for the murder of Beth Lafferty in Hattiesburg. Her parents have fought to see him executed over the more than 20 years he has been imprisoned for the crime. Powers, now 54, confessed to killing Lafferty, but he has always maintained he never attempted to rape her nor had any sexual contact with her. To charge a person with capital murder in Mississippi, there has to be an underlying crime that was perpetrated during the murder, such as rape or robbery. But did Powers confess to a crime he didn't commit? New evidence has come to light in the form of testimony from an expert witness who said Powers' confession may have been coerced. Gregory DeClue is a licensed psychologist in Florida who is an expert in forensic psychology. He specializes in the psychology of interrogations and confessions. He also was a police psychologist for 25 years. DeClue said in his affidavit filed with the state Supreme Court on Powers' behalf, that Hattiesburg police did not record their interview with Powers, even though they had the equipment to do so at the time of his arrest. Nor did they hold back evidence that may have indicated whether Powers was telling the truth. "Mr. Powers had been in custody for approximately 7 hours, according to police, when he wrote out a confession story," DeClue wrote in his affidavit. "Because police failed to prepare a hold-back list and to electronically record the interview/interrogation, it is unknown whether, and to what extent, Mr. Powers revealed details that, via independent verification, would show that his confession story independently showed that he must have done it." DeClue pointed out that there is an affidavit on file from another man who also was apprehended by police and accused of murdering Lafferty. "Police's failure to record the interview/interrogation of Mr. Powers, even though they could have set up the video recorder and recorded the interaction, along with the use of coercive police tactics against other persons of interest in this case, strongly suggest that police used coercive tactics during their interview/interrogation of Mr. Powers and hid that from view by not recording," DeClue wrote. "The content of Mr. Powers statement fails to match his charges and convictions, and what police understood to have happened," he said. In Powers' case, DeClue suggests that part of Powers' confession may be true and some of it may be false, given that Lafferty's body was found in a position that suggested she had been sexually assaulted or someone attempted to sexually assault her in addition to killing her. Beth Lafferty, was murdered June 13, 1998, at her home in Hattiesburg. She was 27. "In that light, it is clear that, after hours of unrecorded interview/interrogation, Mr. Powers gave a partially true, and partially false, confession statement. What is unclear from the confession evidence is which part of Mr. Powers confession statement is true, and which part is false," DeClue said. In addition to the possibility of a false confession, Powers' attorneys said their client's right to examine materials held by police and the state and question jurors and potential jurors for information that may show evidence of procedural issues at his trial. The state and Hattiesburg police have refused to allow Powers access to those documents and the jury pool. Powers' attorney Kyle Malone with the Mississippi Office of Capital Post Conviction Counsel is asking the state Supreme Court to allow Powers to present oral arguments. Powers has sought relief from both state and federal courts since his conviction. Most recently, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled against Powers in 2023, when he sought to have his death penalty set aside on the grounds that he is mentally incompetent. He allegedly suffered two strokes and a bleeding aneurysm in his brain, according to a prison ministries newsletter published in December 2017 by University Baptist Church. The justices denied Stephen Elliot Powers' request for post-conviction relief, upholding earlier rulings, including one handed down in 2022, in which the justices overturned a longstanding precedent that says death row prisoners must be mentally competent for all phases of their legal proceedings. Powers' case in federal court has been stayed until he exhausts all the remedies available to him at the state level. Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge. This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: The confession in murder of Beth Lafferty may have been coerced Missouri generated $1.3 billion in marijuana sales, including $1 billion in recreational marijuana sales, since it was legalized on Feb. 3, 2023. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) transferred $3.84 million from its adult use program and another $13 million from its medical marijuana program to various state agencies as outlined by the states constitution. Why Kansas residents cant put marijuana legalization on the ballot Since the Missouri cannabis program was founded in late 2018, the state has transferred $41.26 million to state programs. Missouri now has the nations sixth-largest cannabis market, behind California, Michigan, Illinois, Florida and Massachusetts. Its sales were about 10 times higher than the $104 million in New York in 2023, despite Missouri having about a third of the population. Greenlight Dispensary CEO John Mueller said Missouri outpaces other states because of the regulatory environment. Keep reading in the Kansas City Business Journal. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Hilary Schan, who co-chairs Momentum, warned Labour MPs who failed to vote for a ceasefire on Wednesday that history will not look kindly on them - Richard Gardner/Shutterstock Labour MPs are under pressure from Left-wing activists to rebel against Sir Keir Starmer, the party leader, and back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Momentum, the grassroots group set up to support Jeremy Corbyn, has launched a campaign targeting MPs who have not yet voted for a ceasefire. The organisation is encouraging party members to bombard backbenchers and shadow ministers with messages ahead of a crunch Commons debate on Wednesday. It poses a fresh challenge to Sir Keirs authority as MPs vote for a second time on whether to back a ceasefire. Momentum, which has repeatedly clashed with the Labour leader, has launched a website that Left-wing activists can use to lobby individuals. Users of the site can put in their postcode and some personal details and it will create a template email they can send to their local MP. The pre-prepared message says the sender is deeply alarmed by the indiscriminate slaughter being carried out by Israel. It adds: It is shameful that the UK Government has not called out for a full and immediate ceasefire. But I am equally disappointed that the Labour opposition has followed their lead, rather than standing up for human rights. The Labour Party prides itself on being an internationalist party its time to live up to that legacy. I urge you to publicly call for an immediate ceasefire. Momentums campaign is especially targeting half a dozen Labour MPs who have publicly backed a ceasefire but have not yet voted for one. They include two serving frontbenchers Karl Turner, the shadow solicitor general, and Helen Hayes, a shadow education minister. But Sir Keir is under pressure from both wings of his party, with Labour Friends for Israel, an influential group backed by more than 80 MPs, saying that, for a ceasefire to work, Hamas must first immediately release all hostages it still holds and be disarmed so it cannot carry out further attacks. Labour frontbenchers have suggested the party is preparing to table its own ceasefire amendment on Wednesday to see off the threat of a rebellion. Sir Keir has been locked in a months-long battle with his own MPs and even members of his shadow cabinet over Labours stance on Gaza. He initially resisted calls to support a ceasefire, instead saying he supported humanitarian pauses to allow aid in and people out. That sparked the biggest rebellion of his leadership in November, when more than 50 MPs, including 10 frontbenchers, resigned to vote in favour of a ceasefire. Before that ballot, Momentum ran a similar campaign lobbying in favour of a ceasefire. Since then, Sir Keir has gradually toughened his approach, using a speech in Scotland at the weekend to call for permanent ceasefire. But Left-wing MPs say that still does not go far enough and with an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah imminent he must call for an immediate end to the fighting. Hilary Schan, who co-chairs Momentum, warned Labour MPs who failed to vote for a ceasefire on Wednesday that history will not look kindly on them. Mish Rahman, a member of the national executive committee, Labours ruling body, added: We cannot and will not accept excuses for a failure to stand on the right side of history. It came as Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, warned Israel that its actions in Gaza have gone too far a sign that Labour is readying to back calls for an immediate ceasefire. In his partys toughest rhetoric on the issue yet, he said the military operation had moved beyond reasonable self-defence. Speaking to broadcasters, Mr Streeting expressed increasing concern at the disproportionate loss of civilian life caused by the ongoing war against Hamas. He told Sky News: We want to see a ceasefire of course we do. Israel has a responsibility to get its hostages back. Every country in the world has a right to defend itself. But I think what we have seen are actions that go beyond reasonable self-defence and also call into question whether Israel has broken international law. I think, objectively, Israel has gone too far, and we have seen that with a disproportionate loss of innocent civilian life. 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. UPDATE 3:48 P.M. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office has released an update in the search for missing Virginia Tech student, Jonny Roop. According to the sheriff, it is not currently believed that Roop is in any immediate danger or that any foul play occurred in the events leading to his disappearance. Investigators say they are continuing to follow every lead to make contact with Roop, who was last seen by surveillance cameras at a local financial institution in the Christiansburg area around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16. It is believed that Roop is alone and traveled into southwest Virginia or Tennessee. Anyone who has seen Roops car or knows his whereabouts is encouraged to call the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office at 540-382-4343. WFXR News will update this story as more information is released. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is searching for a Virginia Tech student who went missing on Friday, Feb. 16 after he didnt arrive at his parents house. Lieutenant Light told WFXR News that 20-year-old Johnny Roop was traveling to his parents home in Abingdon, Virginia to take an online exam by 5 p.m., but never made it. According to authorities, Roop was driving a black 2018 Toyota Camry with a Virginia license plate, TXW6643, as shown in the picture below. The car has a Virginia Tech flag sticker on the back window. Anyone who has seen Roops car or knows where he is is encouraged to call the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office at 540-382-4343. WFXR News will update this story as more information is released. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. From the first Black president to the first African American woman ever elected to the United States Congress, Black people have made considerable gains and helped to change the face of U.S. politics as we know it. Historically, Black political power has not come easy in the United States. The institution of slavery and systems of racial inequality from Black Codes to Jim Crow restricted the civil and political rights of African Americans for centuries. But through activism and great sacrifice, Black Americans have built political power over time. That power is not more exemplified than in Washington, the nations capital. From the first Black president to the first African American woman ever elected to the United States Congress, Black people have made considerable gains and helped to change the face of U.S. politics as we know it. Here is theGrios list of most influential Black politicians in American history. Hiram Rhodes Revels Hiram Revels is depicted around 1870, the year he was elected to the U.S. Senate. (Artist unknown; Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images/via Getty Images) Hiram Rhodes Revels broke political barriers in 1870 when he was elected to the United States Senate, becoming the first African-American person to enter either chamber of Congress. Revels, born in North Carolina, was a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. During the Civil War, he served as a chaplain for the United States Army. He later relocated to Mississippi and served in the state Senate. During Reconstruction, the Mississippi State Legislature voted for Revels to represent the state in the U.S. Senate. The Republican politicians historic election did not come without opposition from white southern Democrats, who challenged the constitutionality of his election given the fact that Mississippi was under military rule and lacked a civil government to confirm his election, according to U.S. Congress records. Democrats at the time also argued that Black people had only gained citizenship two years prior under the 14th Amendment and that he needed citizenship for at least nine years to serve in the Senate. Revels was serving out the remainder of a term left vacant during the Civil War and remained in the U.S. Senate for a little over a year before his term expired. During his time in the Senate, he advocated for the eradication of segregation statutes and promoted the civil rights of Black Americans. He also notably caused controversy when he nominated a Black candidate to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Joseph Hayne Rainey Joseph Hayne Rainey of South Carolina was the first Black person to serve in the U.S.House of Representatives and the second to serve in the U.S. Congress. During the Civil War, he was forced by the confederate army to work on fortifications in Charleston. He fled to Bermuda, where his parents were born, and returned to the United States after the war, in 1866. (Artist unknown; Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images) Joining his fellow Republican Party member Hiram Revels in Congress in 1870, Joseph Hayne Rainey was the first African American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing South Carolina. The son of Bermudian immigrants, Rainey worked as a barber before he was forced by the confederate army to build defenses in the American Civil War. During the war, he and his wife escaped to Bermuda, where he operated a barbershop and his wife owned a dress store. They returned to the United States in 1866 when the war ended. Rainey then served in the South Carolina Senate before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to serve out a vacant seat and was later elected for four full terms. While in Congress, Rainey served on the House Select Committee on the Freedmens Bank and was the first African-American to preside over the House of Representatives from the Speakers chair. Raineys time in Congress marked the beginning of the first emergence of Black political power in Congress. During Reconstruction, he was one of 13 Black members of Congress. They would remain in office until Democrats gained back control in the former confederacy and began eradicating the civil rights of African-Americans, leading to voter suppression and a mass exodus of Black representation in Congress. Shirley Chisholm Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress, in 1968. In 1972, she became the first woman and first Black person from a major party to run for president. (Photo by Nancy Shia/Archive Photos/Getty Images) In 1972, Shirley Chisholm became the first woman and first Black person to run for president through a major party. At the time, Chisholm was already a giant in Black politics as the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968. Chisholms campaign slogan Unbought and Unbossed probably best captures the New York congresswomans flare and determination to serve on her own terms. She used her public microphone to champion not just Black rights, but womens rights and was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Womens Caucus. Chisholm also spoke out against the Vietnam War in her first House floor speech in 1969. As a presidential candidate, her unabashed style as a politician resulted in pushback from the status quo in Washington, including among her fellow Black male lawmakers signaling an inability for women to overcome the weight of sexism in U.S. politics. While her campaign for president was largely seen as symbolic, today she is regarded as one of the most influential politicians in U.S. history who paved the way for the likes of former President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. John Lewis Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who died in 2020, was a civil rights giant even before he was elected to the U.S. House. Here, in 2019, he prepares to pay his respects to Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) during a memorial ceremony in the Capitols Statuary Hall. (Photo by Melina Mara-Pool/Getty Images) The legacy of the late John Lewis runs deeper than American politics. Before he was elected to the U.S. House to represent Georgias 5th Congressional District, Lewis was a civil rights giant who fought for racial equality under the mentorship of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and nearly lost his life during the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights, which later became known as Bloody Sunday. After being inspired by King and his leadership in the civil rights movement in the early 1960s, Lewis was involved in organizing and civil disobedience at a young age. He was arrested and jailed many times for his activism and quickly rose as a leader for his generation. Lewis served as head of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC, of which he was a founding member. Lewis was also one of the 13 original Freedom Riders who protested segregation on public buses and helped organize the 1963 March on Washington. While in the U.S. House, where he served for 33 years, Lewis continued his activism including protesting apartheid in South Africa and being arrested outside that countrys embassy in Washington. Lewis was also instrumental in the creation of the National Museum of African American History and Culture; he introduced legislation for its construction over the span of 15 years before it was signed into law by former President George W. Bush in 2003. Today, Lewis name is a rallying call in Washington as the most recent legislation on voting rights in Congress is named after him. Andrew Young Andrew Young, former congressman and United Nations ambassador, speaks in 2014 at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. He was on a panel LBJ and MLK: Fulfilling a Promise, Realizing a Dream at a summit marking the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Civil Rights Act. A King confidant, he was elected to the House from Georgia in 1972 and was reelected twice. (Photo by Rodolfo Gonzalez-Pool/Getty Images) A former pastor, Andrew Young was a leader in the civil rights movement before running for public office and later breaking down barriers in the U.S. diplomacy community. Young served as executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was a close confidant to Martin Luther King Jr. He was notably with King when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968. Young embarked on a political career, first running for Georgias 5th Congressional District unsuccessfully in 1970. He won the U.S. House seat two years later and was reelected twice. While in Congress, Young helped sponsor legislation to establish the U.S. Institute for Peace a precursor to his international work in building peace across the globe. In 1977, Young retired from Congress and was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to become the first African American to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. After his ambassadorship, he served as mayor of Atlanta and later served in many roles in advocacy and academia. Jesse Jackson, Sr. The Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks at the NAACP 110th National Convention in July 2019 in Detroit. The minister and civil rights activist is considered the first candidate to have a real shot at the Democratic Partys nomination for president. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) Minister and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson Sr. wasnt the first Black person to launch a campaign for U.S. president, but he is considered the first candidate to have a legitimate shot at clinching the Democratic Partys nomination. Prior to his two bids for the White House, Jackson was a prominent civil rights leader who worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and ran the Chicago branch of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. In the 1970s and 1980s, Jackson founded and operated his own nonprofit organizations: Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition. In 1984, Jackson became the second African American to run for president. While his candidacy was initially dismissed as a fringe campaign, he would ultimately finish third in the Democratic primaries with more than 3 million votes. He ran again in 1988 and doubled the total votes he received in the previous presidential election. Following his unsuccessful bids for president, Jackson went on to continue influencing Democratic politics from within the activist community. He also built a family legacy of politicians. His eldest son, Jesse Jackson Jr., was elected to Congress in 1995, and his younger son, Jonathan Jackson, was elected to Congress in 2022. John Conyers Jr. Rep. John Conyers Jr., a Michigan Democrat, speaks at a 2007 Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill. He was the first African-American member of the Judiciary Committee. Conyers served in the House for more than 50 years, becoming the first Black member of Congress to introduce legislation supporting reparations and the first bill to make Martin Luther Kings birthday a federal holiday. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) John Conyers Jr. broke major barriers for African-Americans in the halls of Congress and beyond while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than 50 years on Capitol Hill. The Michigan lawmaker, who died in 2019, became the first Black member of Congress to introduce legislation supporting reparations a bill known today as H.R. 40 that remains to be passed and the first bill to make Martin Luther Kings birthday a federal holiday. Conyers, a Detroit native, was the first African-American to serve on the powerful House Judiciary Committee and the first African-American to become Dean of the House. He was also a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Conyers long run in Congress came to an end in 2017 during the #MeToo Movement when it was disclosed that, two years prior, he used funds from his congressional office to settle a sexual harassment charge brought by a former female staff assistant. He later resigned. Carol Moseley Braun Former U.S. senator and current Chicago mayoral candidate Carol Moseley Braun greets supporters following a press conference at her campaign headquarters December 29, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Braun used the press conference to unveil her public safety plan for the city which included replacing the citys current superintendent of police Jody Weis. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Before there was Kamala Harris or Barack Obama, there was Carol Moseley Braun. Moseley Braun has the distinction of becoming the first Black female to be elected to the U.S. Senate, the first African American from the Democratic Party elected to the Senate, and the first Black American to serve in the U.S. Senate from the state of Illinois. Before her historic election to the Senate, Moseley Braun served as Ilinois state representative and a Cook County executive. Moseley Braun, who came of age during the Civil Rights Movement, previously worked as a lawyer. She served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago, primarily focusing on work in housing, health policy, and environmental law. While serving in the Senate, Moseley Braun notably defied an unofficial congressional rule that women had to wear dresses or skirts. In 1993, she and fellow U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and Nancy Kassebaum, R-Kan., intentionally violated the rule by wearing pants. Later that year, the rule was amended to allow women to wear pants, as long as they also wore jackets. Despite breaking glass-ceilings for women and African Americans in politics, Moseley Braun only served one term in the U.S. Senate. She would later be nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve as U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand. She also embarked unsuccessful campaign runs for U.S. president in 2004 and Chicago mayor in 2010. In 2023, the political trailblazer was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as chair of United States African Development Foundation. Colin Powell Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former Secretary of State Colin Powell arrives to pay his respects at the casket of the late former President George H.W. Bush as he lies in state at the U.S. Capitol, December 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Colin Powell was a trailblazer in national security as the first African-American to become U.S. secretary of state. He was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001 and served for four years. The 35-year Army veteran used his military and foreign policy expertise to serve in crucial roles such as deputy national security advisor and national security advisor from 1987-1989 under the Reagan administration. Before being the first Black secretary of state, Powell was the first Black person to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the Bush administration. Powells high-ranking national security positions were rare and groundbreaking on the domestic and international stage, where white men historically dominated. The country and the world were able to witness for the first time an African-American lead on diplomacy and foreign policy something that led many to call for his run for president. The four-star general ultimately decided not to run for higher office due to a lack of desire to get involved in politics. Powell is also credited with playing a role in the historic election of Barack Obama as the nations first Black president. During the 2008 presidential election, Powell endorsed Obama. He also slammed false assertions that suggested that Obama was Muslim. As a Republican, it reaffirmed Powells reputation as a leader who put the country before political party. Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks during a news conference on January 5, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives will continue to try to elect the next Speaker after Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) failed to earn more than 218 votes on six ballots over two days, the first time in 100 years that the Speaker was not elected on the first ballot. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) On Jan. 6, 2023, U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., made history when he was elected by House Democrats to serve as minority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. Jeffries, who has served in U.S. House since 2013, is the first African American to lead a major political party in either chamber of Congress. After being passed the baton by U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the former longtime House speaker, Jeffries represents the next generation of leadership for the Democratic Party. While his party is presently in the minority in the U.S. House, Jeffries has been praised by Democrats for his leadership, including keeping the party united against a Republicans, who for the first time removed their House speaker, U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from office. The House Republican majority has also had the least productive legislative sessions in decades. Democrats, led by Jeffries, are hoping to take back the House majority after the November 2024 elections. If they are successful, Rep. Jeffries will make history yet again as the first Black American to be elected House speaker. Barack Obama Barack Obama delivers a speech accepting the Democratic nomination for president at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. (Photo by Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images) It goes without saying that Barack Obama is one of the most popular and famous politicians in American politics. Before his historic rise as the first Black president of the United States, Obama blazed trails for Black people in academia and politics. As a student at Harvard Law School, he served as the first Black president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. He was also the first African-American man elected to the U.S. Senate in the state of Illinois. Where other Black politicians tried and failed at running for the highest office in the land, Obama managed to capture the hearts and minds of millions of Americans with his charisma and message of hope and change. As president, he signed into law the landmark Affordable Care Act known at the time as Obamacare which to date has led to a 40% decline in the uninsured rate for Black Americans. He also appointed the first Black U.S. attorney general and Black woman attorney general; and the first African-American secretary of homeland security. Among other notable actions, Obama also convened the first U.S.-Africa summit, was the first president to publicly support same-sex marriage and LGBTQ equality, and created through executive order the first of its kind police task force to improve American policing after the deadly police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. While Obamas presidency was polarizing, it no doubt shifted the state of politics and the role of Black leadership on the biggest stage in the world: The White House. Kamala Harris Kamala Harris was a U.S. senator in 2019 when she spoke at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was also an attorney general and a district attorney before becoming vice president. (Photo by Josh Brasted/FilmMagic) Vice President Kamala Harris entire career has been filled with breaking glass ceilings for women and women of color. Before being elected the first Black and first South Asian vice president in United States history, Harris served as the first Black U.S. senator in California, the first Black California attorney general, and the first Black district attorney of San Francisco. As a graduate of Howard University and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Harris is the first vice president to graduate from an HBCU and to be a member of a historically Black greek letter organization, also known as Divine Nine. She has used her role as VP to bring more visibility to the legacy and value of HBCUs and Divine Nine organizations. As vice president, following in the legacy of former President Obama, Harris has established a renewed representation of Black power both domestically and abroad. Her unique role as an African-American and as a Black woman has been leveraged in the Biden administrations effort to improve U.S. relations with African and Caribbean nations, as well as taking the lead on the White Houses efforts to protect reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to an abortion. Harris has also used her powerful position to continue advancing policy issues she worked on as a U.S. senator, from addressing Black maternal health to investing in Black and minority-owned businesses. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Most influential Black politicians in American history appeared first on TheGrio. On average, students in Tri-City schools are still a half year behind on math and reading when comparing their most recent test scores to 2019. The stark finding is based on new data from 2023 standardized testing. Average test scores in the Tri-Cities remain below pre-pandemic levels and students are still struggling to catch up years after schools took up temporary remote learning measures, according to findings from Stanford and Harvard universities the Education Recovery Scorecard. Students lost a historic amount of quality instruction time in the classroom time after the COVID pandemic hit U.S. communities in March 2020. Aside from essential programs, nearly all school buildings in the country closed immediately in the wake of the pandemic and students quickly pivoted to remote learning. Here is what students in the Mid-Columbia region lost between 2019 and 2023. Data reflects years lost or gained in subject achievement: Kennewick School District: -0.45 in math, -0.33 in reading. Pasco School District: -0.41 in math, -0.34 in reading. Richland School District: -0.09 in math, +0.03 in reading. North Franklin School District: -0.07 in math, +0.03 in reading. Finley School District: -0.08 in math, -0.34 in reading. Kiona-Benton City School District: -0.39 in math, -0.63 in reading. Columbia (Walla Walla) School District: -0.56 in math, -0.77 in reading. Prosser School District: -0.69 in math, -0.46 in reading. While some districts including Columbia and Prosser remain more than a half-year behind their 2019s scores, others including Richland and North Franklin have returned to where they were before the pandemic. All-hands-on-deck It was an all-hands-on-deck approach, said North Franklin Superintendent Jim Jacobs. We had paraeducators, teachers everyone who could walk and talk and had a pulse was helping students... I was pretty pleased with our educational community in serving these students during that time. After health mandates loosened in fall 2020, North Franklin was among the first districts in the region to return its 2,000 students to some form of in-person learning. The district quickly brought K-6 students back to in-person and set 7-12 students on a hybrid schedule as the school implemented social distancing measures. Once health mandates expired, the district found success in catching students up with a robust school enrichment and intervention program which it plans to continue funding after their COVID funds expire and summer school activities. It was all about keeping students engaged and helping families to address their social-emotional needs. We took a really humanistic approach to solving this problem that none of us had ever faced before, Jacobs said. The student population of his district is comprised of 34% English language learners, 32% migrant and more than 70% free or reduced lunch. Everyone really focused in on how we could support students and be supportive of students during this time. With COVID mostly in the rearview mirror, and a learning loss catastrophe avoided, North Franklin still has other far more important challenges ahead to face. Students there are still lagging behind by more than a grade level when compared with national averages. And the traumatic impact of COVID continues to stunt the growth of some of the districts youngest learners. Richland School District invested millions the past couple years to keep classroom sizes small, create programs to address and respond to mental health crises, expand summer school programs and opportunities, and implement progress monitoring systems. The district also earmarked $150,000 alone in COVID funds for outside-the-box efforts to support education and address building-level learning loss. End of ESSER money Congress provided nearly $200 billion in federal aid to K-12 schools during the pandemic in the form of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds, or ESSER, with most of that going to high-poverty school districts. State and federal guidance was broad at first, but has since narrowed to focus on learning recovery the last couple years. Over the past few years, Tri-City school districts have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in ESSER to respond to the pandemic and catch students back up. That funding has taken the form of summer school programs, high-quality and intensive tutoring, adding teachers to classrooms and hosting after-school instruction. One estimate from Georgetown Universitys Edunomics Lab estimates it would collectively take more than $77 million in reading and math tutoring for Kennewick, Richland and Pasco to collectively rectify an average learning loss of three months in math and two months in reading. Despite the infusion of cash, academic performance remains lower and more unequal than in 2019 in all but the wealthiest communities, according to research from Harvard Universitys Center for Education Policy Research. With the third and final installment of ESSER set to expire this September, that means many students will likely never catch up. Many elementary and middle school students have made up significant ground since schools closed to in-person learning, but they are nowhere close to being fully caught up, according to a recent data story in the New York Times. Across the country, students have recovered about a third of what they lost in math and about a quarter in reading. Out of all 50 states, Washington spent the most amount of time in remote or hybrid learning, according to the Education Recovery Scorecard. Public school students spent nearly all of the pandemic year a calculated 95% in learning models other than in-person instruction. Because of that, Washington is one of 17 states more than one-third grade level behind in math and among 14 states more than one-third grade level behind in reading. The Mount Vernon Police Department arrested an alleged arsonist on Sunday, according to Lieutenant Dave Shackleton. It all started when police got reports of a violation of a court order in the 1900 block of East College Way. Around four hours later, officers were sent to the same address again. They said the same suspect was throwing items into the hallway of the complex. When officers told the suspect they were under arrest, the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and threatened to harm themselves. The suspect also created a barricade that blocked law enforcement out of the apartment. Officers attempted to verbally de-escalate the situation however, as they were doing so, the subject started a fire in the apartment and began throwing things out of the apartment at officers, said a spokesperson. After evacuating the complex, officers used less lethal chemical munitions to force the suspect to surrender, however, they continued to refuse. Firefighters then extinguished the fire and began venting smoke from the area. Officers attempted to re-contact the subject, however, the subject continued to throw items at officers, said a spokesperson. Amongst those arriving to assist was a member of the Skagit County Crisis Negotiations Team from the Burlington Police Department. The Crisis Negotiator was able to engage the subject verbally, they continued. The suspect eventually surrendered at 6:36 p.m. by allowing officers into the apartment. The 39-year-old suspect was booked into the Skagit County Jail for arson, assault, resisting arrest, and violation of a court order. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Moisture-rich remnants of another atmospheric river system are expected to wash into Utah on Monday evening, bringing valley rain and mountain snow first to northern Utah before expanding statewide Tuesday into Wednesday. Atmospheric rivers are basically streams of moisture in the sky that stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the West Coast. They tend to bring heavy rain and snow to the American West. Several such systems have already brought winter storms to Utah this season. How much do Utah lawmakers make for their work on Capitol Hill? The latest atmospheric river, which has prompted flood watches for millions in California this Presidents Day, is shaping up to bring heavy snow to northern Utahs mountains and rain to the valleys. Waves of moisture are expected to hit Utah over the next several days. This map shows winter alerts issued across northern Utah from Monday night through Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for the northern mountains, including the Wasatch Range and the Western Uintas, from 5 p.m. Monday will continue through early Wednesday for the northern Wasatch mountains and 10 p.m. Wednesday for the southern Wasatch Mountains and Western Uintas. According to ABC4 meteorologist Thomas Geboy, the Upper Cottonwoods and Western Uintas could see between 1-2 feet of snow stack up through Wednesday. Other parts of the northern mountains could see between 6 to 12 inches of snow, while most mountains could see several inches of snow or more. Most of these snow totals will be above 7,000 feet, Geboy said, adding: Areas like Park City might see only rain Monday evening before temperatures cool into midweek. UDOT said drivers should expect road snow and slush on high-elevation mountain passes Monday night into Tuesday. These routes include Parleys Canyon, Soldiers Summit, the Cottonwoods, and US-40 over Mayflower Summit and Daniels Canyon. Expected snow totals for Utahs mountains through Tuesday night. Timing Showers are expected to blow into northern Utah from the second half of the afternoon into Monday evening. Drivers along the Wasatch Front should prepare for a wet evening commute along major roads such as I-15 and I-80. Overnight, the valley rain and mountain snow setup will persist across the majority of northern Utah, before another round of atmospheric river moisture rolls in Tuesday, bringing more widespread impacts. A Futurecast map showing the initial cold front moving into Utah on Monday evening. By Tuesday afternoon, therell likely be scattered showers across Utah, from St. George to the Western Unitas. Travel impacts should be expected along mountain routes and areas of the I-15 corridor. In the central and southern mountains, between 2 to 4 inches of snow could fall. The showers Tuesday look to increase in intensity through the evening and into Wednesday morning, when temperatures are expected to cool, perhaps bringing snow to lower elevations. More showers are expected Wednesday, but its currently too far out to say how exactly theyll impact Utah. Utahs Snowpack Currently, Utah is on track for a slightly above normal season in terms of snow, although it might feel milder compared to last years record-breaking winter, when Utahs Snow Water Equivalent hit 30 inches for the first time. Jim Nelson, a professor in BYUs civil and construction engineering program who specializes in hydrology, told ABC4 last week that the valley rain/mountain snow setup is ideal for Utahs snowpack. I kind of feel like its the best of all scenarios, because it means we have relatively mild weather, no inversion, but were still getting the snowpack that we need for the snowmelt runoff later in the spring, he said. A map of Utahs above-average snow pack this season. Nelson noted that reservoirs are currently at near-normal conditions, adding that they may be releasing water in expectation of relatively high runoff when the mountain snowpack melts in the spring. If they have low snowpack, or theyre anticipating not very much, they dont want to release that water so they can hang onto it and have it available in the summer when they need it, he said. According to the Utah Division of Water Resources, roughly half of the states reservoirs are currently at 81% capacity or higher. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. UPDATE: According to Memphis Police, preliminary information indicates the shooting was self-inflicted. ** MEMPHIS, Tenn. One person was shot in a parking lot outside of Methodist North Hospital overnight. Officers were called to the lot behind a doctors office on New Covington Pike after midnight. WREG saw police put down evidence markers next to apparent shell casings. They also blocked off the lot with crime scene tape. The doctors office, which is next to the hospital, was presumably closed at the time of the shooting. But the hospital was open. 2 injured in shooting near southeast Memphis lounge The emergency room is just yards away from the crime scene. Methodist North released the following statement: Our hearts go out to all who were impacted by the incident this morning, especially the individuals loved ones. The Memphis Police Department has reported that this is a self-inflicted wound. As a healthcare system, we are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all those on our campus. We are cooperating fully with the Memphis Police Department in their investigation and send our deepest prayers to the family. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Utahs 2024 General Session has reached the halfway point and lawmakers still have hundreds of bills and policies to consider, with more likely on the way. Last week, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said its the craziest and most difficult part of the year for lawmakers. But for all the work they do on Capitol Hill, how much do they make? Utah lawmakers make $293.55 per legislative day as of 2023. The daily rate counts for each day there is an official legislative meeting and they sign in for attendance. Utah legislators are also provided a reimbursable per diem for other expenses such as mileage, lodging, and meals, up to $154 per day. Bill would turn Salt Lake Co.s 5 metro townships into cities, give them taxing authority During the 45-day 2024 General Session, Utahs state senators and representatives will make just over $13,200 plus whatever expenses are reimbursed. That payment is made to lawmakers in one lump sum in January, before the start of the legislative session. Last year, Utah lawmakers made just over $14,000 for their work in the 45-day general session and subsequent special sessions and extraordinary sessions. Of course, their true compensation increases once you start factoring in reimbursements and benefits such as Medicare and retirement contributions. Data publicly provided by the Utah Legislative Compensation Commission revealed Utahs state senators and representatives made an average of $37,000 in the 2023 fiscal year. Those in leadership positions also receive some extra funding for their additional responsibilities. Utahs President of the Senate and Speaker of the House each get an additional $5,000 in their paycheck. The Majority and Minority party leaders get an additional $4,000 while other leaders and chairs see an extra $3,000. It used to be Utahs legislators didnt make nearly as much money as they do today. According to a history of compensation, state legislators were compensated just $25 per day in 1980. By 2000, their salaries had increased to $100 and by 2012 it was raised to $117 per day. In 2013, lawmakers received their biggest jump in pay with their salaries more than doubled to $273, which is where it stayed until another pay increase in 2019. Utah bill would drop front license plate requirement in cost-cutting effort State lawmakers salaries are established by the states Legislative Compensation Commission, according to the Utah State Code. So how do Utahs legislative salaries compare to the rest of the nation? According to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, they are making significantly less than they would in other states. For example, in some states such as New York, California and Pennsylvania, lawmakers make over $100,000 a year for their work in policy-making. Other state lawmakers, however, make even less than Utah. In Texas, legislators are paid only $7,200 annually and in New Mexico, lawmakers are only compensated by a per diem with no annual salary. The Utah Legislative Compensation Commission provides a full breakdown of how each representative was compensated in each report, with the latest being for the 2023 fiscal year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Tom Kark KC said statements would continue to be taken by the inquiry team The Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry is to experience further delays as its chair requires surgery. Tom Kark KC read a statement on Monday in which he explained he had been diagnosed with a heart condition. The inquiry is examining allegations of abuse at the hospital outside Antrim which is run by the Belfast Health Trust. It provides provides facilities for adults with special needs. A separate major police investigation began in 2017 after allegations of ill-treatment began to emerge. In his statement, Mr Kark said he would undergo surgery next week and then require six weeks to recover. He has written to the Health Minister Robin Swann to explain the delays. Evidence sessions will pause from Wednesday until 7 May. Tom Kark KC added statements would continue to be taken by the inquiry team and apologised for the delays which he said was a "very personal matter". The Muckamore inquiry is examining allegations of abuse of patients at the facility for adults with special needs. MANILA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday said it will provide grants totaling 655,000 U.S. dollars for the digitization of nine rural banks and a bank consortium in the Philippines. The grants are part of ADB's Fintech for Inclusion Transformation (FIT) program. The grant awardees were chosen from among rural banks nationwide serving women, farmers, fisherfolk, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, which submitted their digital transformation proposals following the program's launch in June 2023. The grant awardees should achieve more efficiency in operations, reduce operational expenses and friction costs, expand their reach, improve customer service, and build more resilient financial institutions. Some digital transformation proposals involve creating cloud-based core banking systems, loan origination systems, and credit scoring systems. The FIT program supports government reforms to expand Filipinos' access to financial services, especially the unbanked population segment. The reforms are linked to the government's National Strategy for Financial Inclusion. Farmers set fire at the Place du Luxembourg during a protest in the European district, organized by several agriculture unions from Belgium and other European countries, as they demand better conditions to grow, produce food and earn a suitable income. Dirk Waem/Belga/dpa Rising costs, red tape and market fluctuations all spell more stress for German farmer Michael Schneller. He loves growing cereals, rapeseed and sugar beet on his 125-hectare farm in Niddatal-Assenheim near Frankfurt. But he and other farmers feel that increasing pressure is making the job intolerable. "I am a farmer in heart and soul," says Schneller, but adds that he would want to see more relief and a "commitment to agriculture," otherwise there is a risk that farmers will quit and sell up, as the government weighs slashing support for agricultural diesel. Throughout Europe, convoys of tractors are blocking motorways as Europe's farmers protest falling prices for their products and environmental regulations they say will be costly to implement. Farmers are clashing with police from Germany to Romania, Lithuania and France. "All European farmers have been fed up for some time," Alessandra Kirsch, head of studies at the Agriculture Strategies think tank, tells dpa. Life became tougher as prices for agricultural products began falling at the start of the year, she says. "It took very little for the last straw to break the camel's back," says Kirsch. "Everyone really shares the feeling that more and more is being demanded of them." Regulations are causing problems in many places, with farmers in France fighting new rules for several months. They are furious at falling income levels coupled with environmental regulations issued by the European Union. Adding insult to injury, the price of agricultural diesel also rose in France. So farmers blocked motorways for several days and dumped piles of tyres, soil and manure in front of official buildings. Some also looted lorries from abroad and threw fruit and vegetables onto the road, incandescent at lower-cost imports in what they see as unfair competition. Trade unions seek emergency support for those worst affected, particularly organic farming and viticulture, plus compensation for the higher diesel price. They also want Paris to drop regulations on water and pesticide use. Here, as in many places, their protests have been infiltrated by extremists positioning themselves as friends of the farmers. Polish farmers are also protesting about competition, focusing on agricultural products from Ukraine which are exempt from customs duties. Ukraine is a major grain producer but struggles to export foods due to Russia's blockade of its Black Sea ports amid a full-scale invasion launched nearly two years ago. The European Union lifted tariffs on Ukrainian imports and expanded trade routes through the bloc by road and rail but farmers in several countries slammed this as unfair competition. In Poland, farmers' protests were backed by the right-wing nationalist party Konfederacja, which is sharing anti-Ukraine propaganda. There were similar protests in Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria, all focused on unfair competition undercutting cereals prices. Romanian farmers blocked roads for days including at border crossings with Hungary, Serbia and Ukraine but largely headed back home again when the government promised to drop car insurance costs, one of their main demands. The farmers also distanced themselves from attempts by far-right politicians to influence the protests. But some of their calls remain unanswered including for tax relief, more subsidies and better loan conditions. In Lithuania, austerity plans and agricultural policy drove thousands of farmers onto the streets demanding that the transit of Russian grain through Lithuania be stopped, alongside concerns about fuel prices. Further issues include regulations on protected areas and milk prices. The protests in Germany were sparked by plans to drop agricultural diesel subsidies in place for more than 70 years. It is now to end gradually in a concession to protests. The government also dropped plans to cancel a tax exemption for agricultural vehicles, but farmers say more is needed. Here too, far-right extremists and conspiracy theorists are trying to steer the movement, says Matthias Quent, an extremism researcher. Dutch farmers have been protesting for years about rules that will lead to the closure of more than 30% of farms, estimates say. The protests in 2021 and 2022 soon became an outlet for broader public dissatisfaction and led to the founding of a new populist party, the BauerBurgerBewegung (BBB), which translates as the Farmer Citizen Movement. Other radical far-right parties also tried to steer the farmers' discontent for their own purposes and right-wing BBB emerged as the strongest party in all areas in regional elections in 2023. While the demands of farmers across Europe differ, criticism of EU agricultural policy is a common factor, says Kirsch. The EU pays farmers tens of billions in annual subsidies yearly, mainly allocated by area. But some are linked to environmental conditions and the budget is not high enough and no longer suited to current needs, she says. "These movements in Europe show one thing: how difficult it is for EU agricultural policy to support a wide variety of agricultural models and business projects," says agricultural sociologist Francois Purseigle from the INP-ENSAT agricultural university in Toulouse. But like farming itself, across Europe, local factors prevail, with farmers' frustrations varying widely from one place to the next, both experts say. A demonstrator throws an egg during a protest by farmers in the European Quarter as European leaders gather for an EU summit in Brussels. Dirk Waem/Belga/dpa German tractors stand on a road and block it. Farmers and entrepreneurs blocked the German-Polish border crossing at Linken in the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald with around a dozen vehicles on Friday morning. Christian Johner/dpa In Germany, like many places in Europe, farmers are protesting. While reasons differ from one place to the next, dissatisfaction with the way the EU pays subsidies is a common feature. Julian Stratenschulte/dpa Farmers steer their tractors onto a road during a protest as they demand better conditions to grow, produce and maintain a proper income. Petraek Radek/CTK/dpa Farmers take part in a protest against EU agricultural policies organized by the Italian Farmers Committee in Rivoli, in land that runs next to the Sito interport and the ring road. Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa The New York Archdiocese on Saturday condemned the scandalous behavior at a funeral held Thursday at St. Patricks Cathedral for transgender community activist Cecilia Gentili. In a statement Saturday, Rev. Enrique Salvo said the Cathedral was not made aware Gentili was reportedly an avowed atheist and that it had not known about her identify before the service. The Cathedral only knew that family and friends were requesting a funeral Mass for a Catholic, and had no idea our welcome and prayer would be degraded in such a sacrilegious and deceptive way, Salvo wrote in a statement. He also thanked so many who have let us know they share our outrage over the scandalous behavior at a funeral here at St. Patricks Cathedral earlier this week. The service attracted hundreds of attendees who, The Washington Post reported, were dressed in bold-colored outfits and included some who made bold choices in the audience. A funeral organizer told the Post that someone started singing over a rendition of Ave Maria and dancing in the aisle, to applause from the audience. In a follow-up statement to the Post, New York Archdiocese spokesperson Joseph Zwilling said the statement was referring to the behavior of some of those in attendance at the funeral including comments like the mother of all whores or changing the words of the Ave Maria, a sacred hymn, to Ave Cecilia to cite just two examples. Gentili was an outspoken advocate for decriminalizing sex work and for trans rights. The New York Times, in her obituary, said, Once an undocumented sex worker and addict, she was a powerful advocate for marginalized people, and an irresistible story teller. The Times also described her as a fierce advocate for transgender people and sex workers and a powerful legislative lobbyist as well as an author and a bawdy, searing performer. She had a one-woman show in New York that addressed her experiences with religion and her recent attempts at living a more pious life, in a lighthearted way, according to an interview published in November 2023. In a statement, Gentilis family pushed back on the Archdioceses statement. We brought precious life and radical joy to the Cathedral in historic defiance of the Churchs hypocrisy and anti-trans hatred. Cecilia Gentilis funeral service, which filled the pews in ways the Cathedral only can during Easter service and NYPD funerals, was a reflection of the love she had for her community and a testament to the impact of her tireless advocacy, her family said in a statement. We bestow sainthood upon Cecilia, for her lifes work, for how she ministered, mothered, and loved all people regardless of HIV, immigration, or employment status. Her heart and hands reached those the sanctimonious Church continues to belittle, oppress, and chastise, and she changed the material conditions for countless people, including unhoused people and those who needed healthcare, the statement continued. The only deception present at St. Patricks Cathedral is that it claims to be a welcoming place for all. Gentilis homegoing service will live on in history as a radical act of love and mourning for a revolutionary saint in our community. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Naftogaz group has signed memoranda with two Japanese companies on the modernisation of thermoelectric power plants (TPPs) and the development of a joint project in the field of wind energy. Source: Naftogazs press service Naftogaz signed the relevant memorandum during the Tokyo Economic Development and Reconstruction Conference. "The Japanese Sumitomo Corporation (SC) with the support of the Japanese government will help conduct a feasibility study for modernisation of Ukrainian heat supply systems. SC will also help attract funding from Japanese government financial institutions," the report says. According to Oleksii Chernyshov, the head of the Naftogaz group, Ukrainian thermoelectric power plants, especially those transferred to Naftogaz, were built long ago and have an extremely outdated material base. In addition, the installation of wind turbines with a capacity of 1 MW is provided for in the second memorandum Naftogaz signed with the Japanese company Komai Haltec. Turbines must be installed at one of the group's facilities. Previously: In 2023, Ukrainian specialists improved the results of gas production from "repaired" wells by 20% compared to the time before the full-scale invasion. This is a record figure in the last four years. In January 2024, Naftogaz group paid UAH 6.1 billion in taxes (about US$160.53 million), of which UAH 5.6 billion (about US$147.37) was allocated to the state budget, and another UAH 500 million (about US$13.16 million) was allocated to local budgets. Support UP or become our patron! Justine Marie Fagan, 48, of Naples, was convicted on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, for the Jan. 27, 2022, crash that killed Maria Fernanda Valdiviezo Solis, 19. A Collier County jury convicted a Naples woman for her role in a January 2022 high-speed crash that killed one. Justine Marie Fagan, 48, was found guilty of vehicular homicide following a three-day trial before Collier Circuit Judge Elizabeth Krier. Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol arrested Fagan on Aug. 19, 2022. On Jan. 27, 2022, Fagan killed Maria Fernanda Valdiviezo Solis, 19, after speeding through traffic on Everglades Boulevard North going northbound in the southbound lanes. The car driven by Valdiviezo Solis stopped for a stop sign on 43rd Avenue Northeast, and attempted a left turn onto Everglades Boulevard North, in Rural Estates, the crash report states. Rick LoCastro: Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro returns to work after arrest, hospitalization The front of Fagan's car collided with the driver's side of Valdiviezo Solis' vehicle. The crash happened as nearby children exited at their bus stop, records indicate. Everglades Boulevard North is a two-way, undivided road, according to the report and is designated 45 mph, records show. The event data recorder on Fagan's car shows she was driving as high as 87 mph seconds before the crash. Her attorney, James Zonas, previously said Fagan was "a mom late to pick up her daughter." Fagan's sentencing is set for March 14. 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 woman convicted in January 2022 high-speed crash The first asteroid samples acquired by NASA from deep space contain double the amount of material scientists were expecting to get, according to a press release. "The OSIRIS-REx sample is the biggest carbon-rich asteroid sample ever delivered to Earth and will help scientists investigate the origins of life on our own planet for generations to come, said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a statement. Almost everything we do at NASA seeks to answer questions about who we are and where we come from." The delivery was made last fall, but according to NASA, it took longer than expected to get all of the samples. The disassembly of the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism, TAGSAM, the system used to collect the samples, was paused because of two stuck fasteners. OSIRIS REx curation team pouring the sample from the TAGSAM head and examining sample material. After developing new tools, scientists with the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science, ARES, division were able to open the capsule and collect the rest of the sample. NASA said it will store 70% of the sample at Houston's Johnson Space Center for further research by scientists from around the world. "Later this spring, the curation team will release a catalog of the OSIRIS-REx samples, which will make the asteroid sample available for request by the global scientific community," said NASA in the press release. What happened, according to NASA OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample in Touch-and-Go-Sample-Acquisition-Mechanism (TAGSAM) head. In September 2023, NASA received an extraterrestrial delivery from its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft as it flew past Earth. It sent a capsule with the asteroid samples that were collected in 2020, The craft released the capsule from 63,000 miles away, and it landed four hours later on a remote expanse of military land, AP News reported Inside the capsule was half a cup of 4.5 billion-year-old samples from the asteroid Bennu. Osiris was already on its way to collect samples from another asteroid, AP reported, when the Bennu sample was strapped to a helicopter and taken to a temporary clean room at the Defense Departments Utah Test and Training Range before being sent to NASAs Johnson Space Center. By October, NASA had collected 2.48 ounces, 70.3 grams, of rocks and dust from the outside of the canister that held the TAGSAM, but scientists paused their research because of the stubborn fasteners that wouldn't open. The team needed the spacecraft to collect around 2.12 ounces and considered the mission a success despite the delay. By January 2024, they developed tools tools remove the fasteners from the TAGSAM safely. In February, NASA announced it completely opened the TAGSAM and acquired the rest of the sample. A total of 4.29 ounces was collected from the asteroid. OSIRIS-REx will release its sample capsule and enter Earth orbit on Sept. 24, 2023. The capsule, protected by a heat shield, will plummet to Earth. It will land by parachute at the Utah Test and Training Range, 80 miles west of Salt Lake City, where the sample will be recovered and taken to Houston for analysis. What is the OSIRIS-REx and what's its mission? The OSIRIS-REx, which stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer, is a van-sized craft with solar panels that power it. On its visit to Bennu, it collected its samples of the asteroids surface, and sealed it into a 3-foot-wide container called the Sample Return Capsule. The capsule was equipped with a heat shield to protect it when it delivered its sample to Earth. The mission, excluding launch, cost $800 million. "NASA missions like OSIRIS-REx will improve our understanding of asteroids that could threaten Earth while giving us a glimpse into what lies beyond," said Nelson. "The sample has made it back to Earth, but there is still so much science to come science like weve never seen before. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz. Contributing: George Petras, Ramon Padilla and Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASA's sample of asteroid rubble double the amount expected A space probe nearing its 50th birthday has stopped contacting Earth and soon communications could be ceased entirely. Launched by NASA in 1977, Voyager 1 is one of the longest continually-running spacecraft in human history and the first human-made objects to escape our Solar System. It is still zipping away from us, approximately 15.1 billion miles (24.3 billion kilometers) away from us. But on November 14, 2023, NASA engineers reported that Voyager 1 has stopped talking to us thanks to a pesky computer glitch. This has disabled the crafts ability to send back telemetry data, which gives an overview of the overall health of the vehicle. While Suzanne Dodd, Voyager project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, stressed that they havent given up yet, she told Ars Technica that it would be the biggest miracle if we get it back. But as the timeline lengthens from when Voyager 1 ghosted us, NASA engineers are also planning for a somber goodbye. "Even though we know the end could come at any time, it's never easy to lose a spacecraft. Especially one like Voyager 1, Bruce Waggoner, the Voyager mission assurance manager, told Space.com. ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Two terrorists were killed in a retaliatory attack by police in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, police sources said. The incident happened in the Tank district of the province where the terrorists opened fire at a polling station where re-polls of a national assembly constituency were underway, the police sources told Xinhua. "The policemen deployed at the polling station responded promptly and killed the two attackers whose bodies have been taken into custody for investigation," the sources added. No group has claimed the attack yet. The polling process had been briefly halted at the station, following the attack, the sources added. The voting at several polling stations of the constituency was postponed on Feb. 8 elections due to law and order situation. An aide for the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Monday that his body will not be released for two weeks pending further examination. The investigators told the lawyers and Alexeys mother that they would not give them the body. The body will be under some sort of chemical examination for another 14 days, Navalny spokesperson Kira Yarmysh wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Russian officials announced Friday that Navalny, 47, had died in the countrys highest security-level facility near the Arctic Circle where he had been imprisoned. His death sparked criticism of Russia throughout the world, with many world leaders and critics blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian Federal Prison Service said Navalny felt unwell after a walk and lost consciousness, noting an ambulance was called but the crews efforts to rehabilitate him were unsuccessful. Ivan Zhdanov, the director of Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation, said Saturday that Russian officials told Navalnys mother her son died from sudden death syndrome. Sudden death syndrome is a general term used to describe various cardiac syndromes that can prompt sudden cardiac arrest and death. Navalnys family requested that his body be returned to them immediately, Yarmysh said Saturday on X. His body was picked up by members of the Investigative Committee, who were conducting investigations with him, she continued. In another post, she said one of Navalnys lawyers who went to Salekhards Investigative Committee was told that the cause of Alexeys death has not yet been established, a new histological examination has been carried out. Yarmysh said results would supposedly be available next week, adding its obvious that they are lying and doing everything they can to avoid handing over the body. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. I follow a lot of Russian language accounts on social media. I first realised something had happened on Friday when I saw a Russian listings magazine post a crying emoji with a picture of the face of Navalny, Russias leading opposition figure. This was odd. Their posts were usually apolitical recently about Rothko in Paris, Timothee Chalamet in Wonka and Prince Charless health. News of Alexei Navalnys death hit the Russian-speaking online world moments before it broke across international media. The very first reaction was cryptic and euphemistic. You could sense the thought behind the responses: Is he really dead? And, if he is, is it OK to protest his death? As the minutes ticked by, one question surfaced: Would people comment on this who wouldnt usually say anything? I clicked over to Facebook. A Russian guy I follow with a large audience, posting from the US, was unusually clear in his expression of anger and dismay. The post was picking up dozens of likes but, weirdly, zero comments. It was as if people were watching and waiting: Are we going to be able to actually say that this is not OK? The horror spread slowly and then at speed. Within an hour a friend of a friend, suddenly emboldened, put up a post praising Navalnys amazing sense of humour, optimism and self-irony. As the hours passed it was becoming acceptable to say what you thought online: The more time passes, the less chances of denunciation. Others were posting meet-up details with addresses and times on Instagram Stories in Poland, Switzerland, France, Germany, the Netherlands. The end of Navalnys life is a horrible, creepily inevitable moment and comes as a shock to no one. But its also a moment that is potentially going to galvanise people, even if that just means breaking the silence with an emoji. Within minutes of the announcement, Navalnys widow, Yulia, was speaking on stage at the Munich Security Conference: I immediately thought about whether I should leave now and fly to my children. She and Alexei have two children, Daria, 23, and Zakhar, 16, who both attended the Academy Awards with their mother last year to accept the Oscar for Best Documentary for Daniel Rohers film Navalny. In her speech on Friday, Yulia Navalnaya appeared numb but defiant: I would like to call upon the global community, everyone in this room, everyone around the world, to overcome this evil. She said she personally held Putin and his government responsible for what they have done to our country, to my family and to my husband. Navalny had a dry and dark sense of humour and had predicted and joked about his own death many times. It was probably the only way to stay sane in a surreal life. Its very hard for most people to understand why Navalny stayed in Russia. But for him it was to prove a point: he wanted to prove that his existence was justified in his own country because he had done nothing wrong. He couldnt prove that point from abroad. In photographs and videos since his arrest in January 2021 right up to the day before his death was reported, he could be seen laughing, smiling and making a heart sign with his hands. These images can seem surprising but this is a phenomenon Pussy Riot no strangers to arrest and prison explained in their photographic exhibition Velvet Terrorism. You make an effort not to present yourself as downbeat or depressed when there are photographers present, even if you are in great pain or feeling hopeless. Because negative photos are so easily used to make you appear guilty or suspicious. Navalny traded instead in hope, transparency and humour. Flowers are laid for Navalny next to the Russian Embassy in Paris - Christian Liewig - Corbis A tribute to Navalny outside the Russian embassy in London - Kin Cheung He narrowly survived a bizarre poisoning attempt in August 2020. In an extraordinary coup de theatre, months later he was able to covertly confront his poisoner over the phone. In an investigation co-ordinated by Bellingcat, Navalny posed as an aide to Russias security council and called the FSB operative alleged to have carried out the poisoning. When the aide (Navalny) asks what went wrong with the operation (ie. why the target survived), the operative talks in detail about smearing poison on the gusset of Navalnys underpants. Do you remember the underwears colour? Blue. But I am not sure Navalnys side of the 49-minute phone call was videoed and the expression on his face gleefully acting out the role of the angry superior officer is priceless. Its pretty clear how unwise it is for Russians in Russia to post anything political online. In the Russian-speaking online world even those living abroad are cautious. Students posting about peace in Ukraine have faced jail sentences. Many either dont post about anything political at all or use Telegram or VPNs (virtual private networks), although even these can be screen-grabbed. There are precious few official independent outlets left who have drawn their line in the sand. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov, editor of Novaya Gazeta, immediately declared Navalnys death as murder. Muratov was declared a foreign agent last year. His staff are under constant threat. Novaya Gazetas investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya was shot dead in Moscow in 2006 on Putins birthday. Elena Kostyuchenko, a special investigations journalist who reported extensively from Ukraine, is still recovering after being poisoned in Germany last year. Independent journalist Catherina Gordeeva must mention her status as foreign agent (content not suitable for those under 18) on every social media post and YouTube video. Gordeevas latest post marking Navalnys death talks of how he managed to be inspiring even from prison: He found the courage to write a Valentines message to his wife and tender notes to his children, to be funny, to argue with his enemies. He was for so many of us the very last hope. Hundreds of responses to this post express the idea that Navalnys death is the death of the future of Russia. That sounds hopelessly grim. However, it has been months since so many expressed themselves with such solidarity and consensus. Around the time of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, I saw Russians I know put up black squares on their social media and then take them straight down again. Others just closed their accounts. Few people were overt, unless they were moving abroad. Perhaps now that will change. And this was the legacy Navalny wanted. In the documentary Navalny, he smiles at the camera as he says: Dont give up. Never give up. If it happens [that I am killed], then in that moment it means we are unusually strong if they have decided to kill me. We must use that strength. And not give up All that is needed for evil to win, is for good people to do nothing. So dont just do nothing. Viv Groskop is the author of the forthcoming memoir One Ukrainian Summer (Bonnier), donating all author proceeds to PEN International for writers at risk 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. Alexei Navalnys death is a significant blow to opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putins regime, but he wasnt the only person pushing for change in his country. Navalny, whose death in a remote Arctic penal colony Friday has been blamed on Putin, silenced the most famous internal critic of the Russia leader at the young age of 47. Here is a look at some of the voices likely to fill the gap in and outside Russia. The Anti-Corruption Foundation Navalny built a network of allies through the Anti-Corruption Foundation, which he established in 2011. The group has become Russias largest anti-corruption organization. Allies in the group include top strategist Leonid Volkov, head of investigations Maria Pevchikh, foundation director Ivan Zhdanov and spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh, The Associated Press reported. His allies faced similar pressure and prosecution in Russia, with all leaving the country in recent years to work aboard, the news wire added. Their work included organized protests and a public push for Navalnys release from prison. His allies have spoken out in the days following Navalnys death, with Yarmysh providing detailed updates on the investigation into his death. Yarmysh insisted in a series of posts over the weekend Navalny was murdered and that the family is demanding the return of his body from investigators. She said Monday it will be another two weeks before Navalnys body is released. Zhdanov has also provided updates on social media and revealed Saturday that prison officials told Navalnys mother he died of sudden death syndrome a general term used to describe various cardiac syndromes that can prompt sudden cardiac arrest and death. Yulia Navalnaya Navalnys widow, Yulia Navalnaya, pledged Monday that she will continue her husbands work and fight for their country and against Putin. In a video posted on her husbands YouTube channel, Navalnaya urged her husbands followers to join her in taking up his fight and honoring his legacy. By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me, half of my heart and my soul. But I still have the other half, and it tells me that I have no right to give up, she said in the video, according to a Google translation of the Russian transcript. I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny. Continue to fight for our country. And I invite you to stand next to me, to share not only the grief and endless pain that envelops us and does not let go. I ask you to share my rage. Rage and anger towards those who dared to kill our future, she said. Mikhail Khodorkovsky Khodorkovsky, a 60-year-old former tycoon turned Russian dissident, spent 10 years in prison on charges largely thought to be political after running afoul of Putin. Upon his release in 2013, Putin offered him a surprise pardon a few months before Sochis Winter Olympics, a move seen as an attempt to improve the Wests perception of the Kremlin, The Associated Press noted. He was flown to Germany and eventually settled in London, where he established Open Russia, an opposition group with its own news outlet. The group endorsed candidates in several elections, offered an educational platform and legal aid to defendants faced with politically motivated prosecutions, the AP reported. Open Russia and its members often dealt with repeated pressure from Russian authorities, and one of its leaders Andrei Pivovarov was sentenced to four years in prison, according to the AP. The group eventually shuttered, but Khodorkovsky, did not stop his scrutiny of the Kremlin and later formed the Anti-War Committee, an alliance opposed to Russias invasion of Ukraine. Khodorkovsky was quick to pin the blame of Navalnys death on Putin. Russias Federal Penitentiary Service has announced the death of Alexey Navalny in prison. If this is true, most likely, we will never know for sure what really happened. But regardless, personal responsibility lies squarely with Vladimir Putin, who first ordered his poisoning, and then sent him to prison, he wrote Friday in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Vladimir Kara-Murza Former journalist turned opposition politician Kara-Murza is currently serving 25 years in a Siberian penal colony on charges of treason, the AP reported. He was an associate of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was assassinated near the Kremlin in 2015 and previously advocated for Washington to impose sanctions on Russians who were considered human rights violators, the news wire added. He has continued to criticize Putin through opinion columns and letters from behind the bars and has often been placed in solitary confinement. His wife, Evgenia, also advocates for the freedom of her husband and other critics of the Kremlin, per the AP. Ilya Yashin Yashin, 40, was a vocal supporter of Navalnys efforts and refused to leave Russia in the wake of pressure from authorities. He was arrested in June 2022, and sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison for spreading false information about the Russian military, the AP reported. His associates continue to push out his messages from prison on social media, and his YouTube account has more than 1.5 million subscribers, the news wire added. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A woman puts flowers at a memorial improvised by Russian citizens for the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny on La Rambla Street in Barcelona. Lorena Sopena/EUROPA PRESS/dpa The mother and lawyers of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who Russian authorities say died in a prison camp on Friday, have still had no access to the 47-year-old's body, according to his spokeswoman. On Monday morning, Navalny's mother Lyudmila Navalnaya and his lawyers were not allowed into the mortuary in the northern Russian town of Salekhard, she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "When asked whether Alexei's body is there, the staff did not answer," Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh wrote. Relatives and Navalny's team have been calling on Russian officials to hand over the body for days. "The investigative committee told his mother and lawyers that the investigation into Navalny's death has been extended. It is not known how long it will last," Yarmysh said. "The causes of death are still 'not established,'" she said. Navalny's team blames President Vladimir Putin for Navalny's death and accuses the authorities of delaying tactics. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, was invited to the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Monday. On Sunday she posted a photo on Instagram of Navalny holding her close with the words: "I love you." Thousands of people posted comments encouraging her and wishing her strength. On Monday morning, the entry had more than half a million likes. Numerous flowers and candles can be seen alongside photos in memory of the deceased Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny on the fence of the Russian Consulate General. Helmut Fricke/dpa By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union on Monday moved closer to new sanctions against Moscow over its war on Ukraine, as Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russia's top opposition leader who died in prison last week, said President Vladimir Putin must be held accountable. Germany, Lithuania and Sweden were among EU countries calling for specific new penalties against Russia over the death of Alexei Navalny in a remote penal colony in Russia's Arctic. That came during a meeting of the 27 EU foreign ministers, which had been scheduled before Navalny's death, to discuss a package of fresh penalties to mark two years since Russia's unleashed a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. Hungary, the last EU country needed to pass the proposed new restrictions against nearly 200 more firms and people deemed involved in the war, said it would not stall the bloc's 13th package of Russia sanctions since Moscow invaded Ukraine. The EU's top diplomat suggested that Russian prison officials linked to Navalny's death could be added to the list of those subjected to asset freezes and travel bans. There was no immediate word of any more hard-hitting measures that could target Russia's broader economy and an EU diplomat said so far it seemed any specific new sanctions related to Navalny's death would be "symbolic" and come later. "The EU will spare no efforts to hold Russia's political leadership and authorities to account, in close coordination with our partners; and impose further costs for their actions, including through sanctions," EU foreign ministers said in a joint statement after their meeting with Navalnaya in Brussels. They said Putin and Russian authorities held the ultimate responsibility for the death of Navalny and called for "an independent and transparent international investigation". German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she hoped the 27-nation EU would agree on the package of sanctions soon. EU officials say that could happen on Wednesday. "We have seen the brutal force with which the Russian president represses his own citizens who take to the streets to demonstrate for freedom or write about it in newspapers," she said. "We will propose new sanctions in light of the death of Alexei Navalny." The bloc's top diplomat said he expected EU countries to seek targeted sanctions against certain Russian officials over the death of the 47-year-old former lawyer who built his profile on fighting state corruption in Russia. "(EU) member states will propose sanctions for sure against those responsible," said the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell who chaired Monday's talks. "We can go down the institutional structure of the penitentiary system in Russia," he said indicating whom the bloc might sanction next for what he called "slow murder" of Navalny in Russian jails. Navalny collapsed after a walk at the "Polar Wolf" penal colony last Friday, Russian authorities said, where he was serving a three-decade sentence following years of persecution that included poisoning with a nerve agent in Siberia in 2020. His wife, who attended Monday's meeting in Brussels, said separately she would continue her late husband's fight, and called on supporters to hold Putin accountable and fight him with more determination than ever. HUNGARY SAYS IT WON'T BLOCK SANCTIONS Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that imposing more EU sanctions on Russia made no sense and would only hurt the bloc's economy. But he added Budapest would not veto the package. "There is no reason to veto it," he said. "Although I think the EU is making a wrong decision." Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has said in the past that he is "proud" about his Russia contacts, has stalled previous rounds of sanctions, as well as EU agreements on financial assistance to Kyiv. The EU says it has cut Russia trade by some 135 billion euros since the invasion through military, energy, aviation, transport and financial sanctions, among others. While Orban is the leading critic of the EU's support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, some others in the bloc have questioned whether trade cuts are effective since they have not forced Moscow to change tack. Lithuania is among EU Russia hawks countering such view. "If Ukraine falls... we will be next. Putin has no intention to stop, he wouldn't be able to stop," Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said. (Additional reporting by Bart Meijer, Piotr Lipinski, Johan Ahlander, Gyori Boldizsar and Andrew Gray, Writing by Gabriela Baczynska, Editing by Gareth Jones, Philippa Fletcher and Nick Macfie) Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, promised to continue his work in a video shared on Navalny's YouTube channel on Feb. 19. Navalny, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's main political opponent, died on Feb. 16 in a penal colony in the town of Kharp, Yamal Nenets Autonomous District. He had been convicted in several fabricated criminal cases as part of the Kremlin's crackdown on dissent. Leaders around the world have blamed Putin for his death. Opinions differ on whether his death was caused by the harsh prison conditions or was an intentional murder. Navalnaya was unequivocal in her assessment of Navalny's death, saying "Vladimir Putin killed my husband Alexei Navalny." "It was impossible to break my husband," she said. "This is exactly why Putin killed him in a cowardly way... And in the same mean and cowardly way they're hiding his body. They're refusing to show it to his mother and are lying and waiting for the traces of something similar to Putin's Novichok to disappear." Navalnaya was referring to Novichok, a nerve agent produced by the Russian government. "We know why exactly Putin killed Alexei three days ago. We'll tell you about it soon," Navalnaya continued. She added that those personally responsible for his death would be identified. "But the main thing we can do - for Alexei and for ourselves - is to continue to fight," Navalnaya emphasized. Read also: Alexei Navalnys life and death as main opponent to Putin regime The Russian authorities are still refusing to give Navalny's family access to his body. Navalny's spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said that Navalny's mother had arrived at the morgue in the city of Salekhard, where her son's body is allegedly kept, early on Feb. 19. However, she and her lawyers were not allowed to go in, Yarmysh said. "The investigators told the lawyers and Alexei's mother that they would not give them the body," she added. "The body will be under some sort of 'chemical examination' for another 14 days." Yarmysh argued that "Navalny's body is being hidden to conceal the traces of his murder" and that "the chemical examination is just a bunch of lies." The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, spoke about Navalny's death on Feb. 19 and expressed his condolences to Navalnaya, who was in Brussels to meet with EU foreign ministers. Borrell said that EU member states would propose sanctions against those behind Navalny's death. While Borrell said that Putin was the one ultimately responsible, the EU's potential sanctions "can go down to the institutional structure of the penitentiary system in Russia." Borrell did not clarify what concrete actions would be taken. Earlier in the day, Borrell said he wanted to rename the EU's Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to the "Navalny Human Rights Sanctions Regime" in order to honor his work. Read also: Russian authorities still refuse to give Navalnys family access to his body Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Kremlin is accused of hiding Navalnys body to cover up his murder. A student and a woman shot at a Colorado university dorm have been identified. And could more Black cardiologists help lessen the burden of heart disease? Heres what to know today. Anniversary of assassination of Boris Nemtsov (Sefa Karacan / Anadolu via Getty Images file) Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalnys widow accused the Kremlin of hiding his body to cover up his murder in an Arctic penal colony and vowed to continue her late husbands fight against President Vladimir Putin. Her comments came after Navalnys team said his mother and lawyers were denied access to his body and told the probe into what killed him had been extended. Three days ago, Vladimir Putin killed my husband, Yulia Navalnaya said in a video posted to his YouTube channel. She said authorities were waiting for traces of yet another Putins Novichok to leave his body referring to the military nerve agent used to poison him years ago. The Kremlin has denied involvement in that poisoning and dismissed suggestions Putin was behind his death on Friday. Yulia vowed to continue her husbands efforts. We know exactly why Putin killed Alexei three days ago. We will tell you soon about it. We will also definitely find out who exactly and how exactly this crime was committed. We will name names and show faces, she said in the video. Israel vows Rafah ground assault by Ramadan if hostages are not freed Israel has threatened to invade Gazas southernmost city of Rafah by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins March 10, if the remaining hostages are not released by Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to finish the job in Gaza as cease-fire talks stalled, with Netanyahu instead saying a hostage release can be achieved through strong military action and tough negotiations. The International Court of Justice has begun hearings on Israeli occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state in a case that will get to the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. An unprecedented number of countries will participate in the six days of hearings, which come after Israels government formalized its opposition to the unilateral recognition of an independent Palestinian state. Follow live updates. Black people have the highest rates of death from heart disease. Could more Black cardiologists help? Photo illustration of heart monitor reading, the back of a patient, and a doctor using a stethoscope (Leila Register / NBC News; Getty Images) Around 60% of Black American adults have heart disease, and death rates from the disease are highest among Black Americans compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Still, its rare for Black patients to find a cardiologist who looks like them. Dr. Mary Branch, a cardiologist based in North Carolina, said she first became interested in cardiology nearly 20 years ago, after shadowing a white interventional cardiologist who was very accepting of me, she said. Branch said her path was a difficult one to follow, and included financial issues and discrimination common hurdles for Black medical students and among the reasons, she said, why there are so few Black doctors in cardiology. Many Black medical students also experience microaggressions which can prevent them from becoming a cardiologist, Branch said. For many Black patients, having a Black cardiologist creates feelings of trust and comfort, which can prove to be a challenge to find due to the medical systems history of racism and mistreatment toward Black patients. Student and woman found gunned down in Colorado university dorm are identified Two people found dead inside a Colorado university dorm room were identified as Samuel Knopp, a student at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and a woman, Celie Rain Montgomery, who was not enrolled at the university. The deaths were being investigated as a homicide, and police believe the killer may have been known to the pair. Investigative efforts so far continue to indicate this is an isolated incident between parties that were known to one another and not a random attack against the school or other students at the university, police said in their statement. Police cited a coroners office autopsy for the identities but said the exact cause and manner of death were still forthcoming. Knives are out for a MAGA influencer after RNC ouster For more than a year, Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist, was aimed like a heat-seeking missile toward one goal ousting Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. Its a battle he won. Just this week, former President Donald Trump endorsed a new slate of leaders to head the party apparatus and signaled that McDaniels four terms would soon come to an end. Few Republican groups have had as meteoric a rise as Kirks Turning Point USA, which saw its fortunes grow as it attached itself to the Trump movement in 2016. But the RNC effort has Kirk increasingly under the microscope in Trump world. In recent weeks, at least three people, including McDaniel herself, have privately warned Trump about Kirks antics which include attacks on Martin Luther King Jr., Black pilots and Taylor Swift seven sources familiar with the discussions told NBC News. Politics in Brief Bidens age: In the days since special counsel Robert Hur released a report that described Bidens memory as significantly limited, lawmakers and presidential appointees have been stepping forward to attest to his acuity. Election 2024: Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., is urging Democrats in Dearborn, Michigan, to vote against President Joe Biden in the states upcoming Democratic primary. Donald Trump: Former President Donald Trump launched a line of sneakers, called Trump Sneakers, ranging in price from $199 to $399. The announcement came less than 24 hours after Trump incurred a more than $350 million penalty for engaging in repeated financial fraud through his family corporation. Congress: Rep. Mike Turner told NBCs Meet the Press that he sounded the alarm to his colleagues about Russias plan to put nuclear weapons in space out of fear that the Biden administration was sleepwalking into an international crisis. Staff Pick: Young adults are getting used to living on a financial cliff Photo Illustration: A couple has dinner near the edge of a cliff, as a wine bottle topples over the edge (Justine Goode / NBC News; Getty Images) As an elder millennial whos heard my share of avocado toast scoldings, it was refreshing to read a report on young adult finances that takes seriously what it means to come of age amid recessions, crushing student loan debt and a pandemic. Many earning middle-class incomes in their 30s and 40s have finally built up some savings and theyre going to enjoy what they have while they have it. Mark Lebetkin, senior copy editor. In Case You Missed It Select: Online Shopping, SimplifiedPresidents' Day is here, and aside from enjoying the day off from work, you can also save big while shopping. Retailers are offering deals on mattresses, furniture, appliances and more. Heres some of the best Presidents' Day deals from Select. Sign up to The Selection newsletter for exclusive reviews and shopping content from NBC Select. Thanks for reading todays Morning Rundown. Todays newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Both. If youre a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign-up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com HANOI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the Ministry of Public Security to consider expanding the coverage of the visa exemption policy to citizens of more foreign countries, Vietnam News Agency reported Monday. The request was made based on the new situation and Vietnam's relations with those countries, the report said. The foreign ministry has been ordered to coordinate with the ministry of public security to propose other countries to be included in Vietnam's unilateral visa exemption list. Citizens of 25 countries are currently in the list including 13 countries entitled to unilateral exemption. Since mid-August 2023, Vietnam has been issuing e-visas to all foreign arrivals and extending the temporary residence period from 30 to 90 days, with unlimited entries and exits. The temporary residence period for foreigners entering the country under unilateral visa exemption has been increased to 45 days. The Southeast Asian country welcomed 12.6 million foreign tourists in 2023, far exceeding the initial target of 8 million, according to the General Statistics Office. Vietnam targets to receive 17 million-18 million foreign arrivals this year. After the Russian authorities announced Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's death in prison, his wife Yulia accused President Vladimir Putin of murder and promised to carry on her husband's struggle. Source: Yulia Navalnaya in a video message released on Navalny's YouTube channel Quote: "I should not have been here, I should not have recorded this video. Another person was supposed to be in my place, but Vladimir Putin killed him. Three days ago, Putin killed my husband, Alexei Navalny." Details: Yulia Navalnaya noted that in the penal colony in the far north of Russia, "Putin took Navalny away" not only from her but also from fellow Russians in order to kill hopes for a new Russia and its future with him as a leader. Yulia Navalnaya noted that "Alexei died in the penal colony after three years of torment and torture", in isolation and deprived of the opportunity to communicate with his family, and that Putin failed to break him, so he decided to cowardly kill Navalny. She says, "They (Russian authorities) are hiding his body in the same vile and cowardly way, not showing it to his mother, not releasing it, telling pathetic lies and waiting for the traces of Putin's 'Novichok' [poison] to vanish." Quote: "We know precisely why Putin killed Alexei three days ago. We will soon share it with you. We will definitely find out who exactly committed this crime and how they did it. We will reveal the names and show the faces. However, the critical thing we can do for Alexei and ourselves is to keep fighting harder, tougher, and fiercer than before. I know it seems impossible to do more, but we need to do more. We must all gather in one strong fist and hit this crazy regime, Putin, his friends, the thugs in uniform (corrupted law enforcement ed.), the thieves and murderers who have crippled our country." Details: Yulia Navalnaya noted that Alexei Navalny was ready to give his life for Russia, which is why he had come back to his homeland. She added, "his great love will be enough for us to carry on his fight for as long as it takes as fiercely and as bravely as Alexei did". Yulia Navalnaya urged people to fight together for a free, peaceful, happy Russia without Putin and to build a country full of dignity. Quote: "I will carry on Alexei Navalny's fight. I will continue to fight for our country. And I urge you to stand by my side. To share not only bitterness and endless pain but also rage, anger and hatred towards those who dared to kill our future. I am addressing you with the words of Alexei, in which I believe very much: 'It is not a shame to do little, it is a shame to do nothing, it is a shame to allow yourself to be intimidated. We must use every opportunity to fight against war, corruption, and injustice, to struggle for fair elections and freedom of speech, and to fight to get our country back (...). Keep on fighting, and do not give up. I am not afraid - and you should not be scared of anything either." Background: Support UP or become our patron! Oscar-nominated movie The Zone of Interest is a horror movie and a public accusation. This is a different type of Holocaust movie where the audience never sees the torture or death of the victims. Instead, viewers watch scenes of a Nazi family enjoying nature and parties while they ignore the screams of gas chamber victims across the wall in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. We the audience are also made to feel complicit. That is the sense I received when I saw the film a few weeks ago at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville. In some ways, it makes the drama more horrific to witness this great level of indifference. On Saturday, Nazis marched through downtown Nashville, went to Public Square and stood at the Tennessee State Capitol waving flags with the swastika logo, causing a barrage of condemnation from politicians and community leaders from both left and right. That condemnation is important, but simply telling Nazis to "go away" is not enough. There needs to be a collective understanding about what Nazi-ism is all about and why it is bad for America. Go away Nazi thugs. This is Tennessee and you are NOT welcome here. Btw, why not show your faces so we can all see who you are? I would be willing to bet that none of you are from anywhere near here. https://t.co/OGOCKKJbw1 William Lamberth (@WilliamLamberth) February 17, 2024 Another view: Educators must equip students to confront rising tide of antisemitism Holocaust education is severely lacking One of the biggest lessons from The Zone of Interest is how apathy and ignorance can lead to the erasure of a human beings culture, identity and right to exist. A scene from "The Zone of Interest." The calls for citizens to never forget and to never again allow this atrocity to happen requires that citizens confront an awful history. This political philosophy resulted in genocide and the subjugation of people who Nazis considered ethnically and racially inferior. The United States and its allies fought a bloody war to destroy this threat. Yet here we are in 2024 and Nazis proudly paraded through Tennessees state capital nearly 80 years after the end of World War II. Do these people know what they are doing and what Nazi symbols really mean? If they do, that is clearly antithetical to our stated values of peaceful protest and treating citizens as equals. In 2020, a 50-state survey by the Jewish Material Claims Against Germany found the alarming statistic that 63% of Millennials and Gen Zers did not know that 6 million Jewish people were murdered during the Holocaust. I have written in the past about the need to increase Holocaust education in Tennessee. Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville speaks during a press conference held in response to a Nazi group known as Blood Tribe that marched through downtown Nashville over the weekend at Legislative Plaza in Nashville , Tenn., Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. But the state is going backwards in our approach by seeking to avoid exposing school children to ideas that may make them feel uncomfortable. In 2022, the McMinn County School Board received global condemnation for removing the Pulitzer Prize-winning Holocaust graphic novel Maus from the eighth grade curriculum. Recent laws in Tennessee banning so-called divisive concepts have had a chilling effect of purging books from school libraries and changing the ways teachers instruct their students to avoid some lessons altogether. The primary victims of the Holocaust were Jewish. However, there were also others including people with disabilities, ethnic minorities such as the Roma, and LGBTQ people who also deserve dignity and respect. On the latter, the Tennessee General Assembly has created a legal environment that is increasingly hostile to LGBTQ people. The First Amendment protects even vile speech The Constitution protects the rights of Nazis. The marchers in Nashville were not arrested for their protest because of the First Amendment, which ensures Americans may speak and assemble freely. In the late 1970s, members of the Nazi Party wanted to hold a march in Skokie, Illinois and received pushback from this Chicago suburb, which was home to many Jewish resident and Holocaust survivors. According to a 2020 essay by David Goldberger, who led a team of ACLU of Illinois lawyers representing the Nazi Party, that case tested the organizations commitment to the First Amendment. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and eventually the Nazis were able to hold their protest while critics held their own counterprotest. Thirty years ago, I studied this incident in a freshman course called Philosophy of Freedom at Northwestern University in nearby Evanston, Illinois, and the details still give me chills. Holocaust survivor, Fritzie Fritzshall, of Skokie, and the President of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, speaks with Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn following the 29th Annual Illinois Holocaust Commemoration at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., Thursday, April 15, 2010. In 2009, Skokie opened the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center years of work that was spurred by the Nazi march. It was a fact that I was reminded of by celebrated Nashville journalist Demetria Kalodimos who replied to my post Sunday on X, formerly Twitter. I was a 1977 high school graduate in Skokie and remember that troubling time well we now have a holocaust museum near our school. Never ever forget demetria kalodimos (@genuinehumandk) February 18, 2024 Tennessee leaders, from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell, have been posting their condemnation of the Nazi march on X. Thats a fine first step but must not be the last. Pass resolutions locally and in the legislature expressing disavowal of the Nazis, and then there needs to be a renewed, collective commitment to civics education that offers more and not fewer books and access to knowledge. This means reversing course on some of the recent legislation in the name of defeating so-called wokeness. Our history is not all bright spots, and in order to overcome the bad, we need to understand how not to repeat the evils of history. That comes by being better, not less, informed. David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He is an editorial board member of The Tennessean. He hosts the Tennessee Voices videocast and curates the Tennessee Voices and Latino Tennessee Voices newsletters.. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nazis in Nashville: Politicians, the public need to know, do better The White House is prepared to send Ukraine long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) if Congress approves a new funding package, NBC News reported on Feb. 19, citing unnamed U.S. officials. After months of deliberation, the U.S. delivered ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in October 2023, but they were an older model with a range of 165 kilometers. Newer variations of ATACMS have a maximum range of around 300 kilometers and have so far not been provided to Ukraine. U.S. officials told NBC that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is prepared to send Ukraine the longer-range ATACMS variation in one of its first aid packages if Congress passes the funding bill. The officials also said that it was possible the U.S. would ask its allies to provide long-range ATACMS to Ukraine with the expectation that the U.S. would refill depleted stockpiles. The shorter-range ATACMS missiles were quickly put to use on the battlefield after their delivery in October 2023. Oleksii Danilov, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary, said the ATACMS had "exceeded expectations" and created a noticeable impact on Russia's military operations. There has been ongoing hesitation from Ukraine's Western allies about delivering long-range weapons that could potentially be used to strike within Russian territory. Ukraine has continued to press its allies for longer-range weapons, including the newer ATACMS variations. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that Ukraine's recent loss of Avdiivka, which had been under an intensified onslaught since October 2023 and was finally captured by Russian forces on Feb. 17, reflected the need for more long-range weapons. Read also: Russia takes Avdiivka at steep price, as Ukraine forced to face shortcomings Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he had discussed the potential delivery of the longer-range ATACMS variant with his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken at the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 17. "There is only one way to destroy Russian capabilities in Ukraine. Its to hit deep into the occupied territories, bypassing Russian radio-electronic warfare and interceptors," Kuleba said, referring to the long-range ATACMS missiles. The U.S. Senate approved a $95 billion funding package earlier in February, which contained $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, but U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has so far declined to bring it to a vote in the House. NBC reported that a spokesperson for the U.S. Defense Department confirmed there is currently no funding available to send more military equipment and would not comment on the contents of any proposed future aid packages. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, NBC said. Read also: Zelensky meets US Senators in Munich, discusses Ukraine aid Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Theres a significant flood threat in Los Angeles and nearly the entire population of California is under flood alerts as rain drenches the already-soaked state. Officials are urging people to stay off roads as they face the risk of flooding and landslides. Around 37 million people under flood alerts: Rounds of rain are soaking large portions of California Monday, but the heaviest is targeting Southern California. Heavy rain shifted away from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties Monday morning and into the greater Los Angeles area by the early afternoon. Airport and roads closed by flooding: The Santa Barbara Airport closed Monday and said due to significant flooding, it would be shuttered until further notice, the airport said on X. There were numerous reports of flooding and rock and debris across roads, the National Weather Service in Los Angeles said. Several roads across the state were closed because of flooding and rockslides, Californias transportation agency reported. Long Beach Fire Department Oceanside lifeguards load hundreds of sandbags to protect homes at the Peninsula in Long Beach, California, Monday, February 19. - Damian Dovarganes/AP Water rescues: Two people were safely removed from a flooded vehicle in San Luis Obispo County Monday morning, according to fire officials. A photo from the scene showed a vehicle submerged to the hood in muddy-brown floodwaters. Rare severe weather risk: A Level 2 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms is in place for Californias Sacramento Valley Monday the first such forecast since February 2015. Severe thunderstorms packing damaging wind gusts, hail and even a couple of brief tornadoes may develop Monday afternoon and evening. Evacuation warnings issued: Officials in Santa Barbara County issued evacuation warnings for several flood-prone areas Saturday in advance of the storm. An evacuation warning was issued Monday for a portion of southwestern Los Angeles County over mud and debris flow fears, according to the sheriffs office. Torrential rainfall triggers flash flood warnings: Flash flood warnings were issued Monday morning for Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, where 2 to 5 inches deluged the area with up to 9 inches falling in higher elevations. The warning expired Monday evening. Another flash flood warning on Monday, which also expired, targeted part of Los Angeles County. The county saw 1 to 3 inches of rain. Days of rain to keep flood threat elevated Heavy rain will continue beyond Monday as the atmospheric-river-fueled storm stalls just off the West Coast. The Weather Prediction Center has issued excessive rain outlooks through Tuesday for much of California. Rain will persist across a large portion of the state Tuesday, but torrential deluges will become more isolated in nature as the storms atmospheric river connection weakens. Even so, the drenched ground will have little ability to tolerate any additional rainfall and flooding remains a considerable concern. Major cities facing the most flood risk over the next couple of days include Los Angeles with a Level 3 of 4 risk on Monday and Tuesday, and Santa Barbara with a Level 2 of 4 risk on Monday and Tuesday. San Diego is under a Level 2 of 4 risk on Tuesday. The Los Angeles office of the National Weather Service warned significant flooding is possible and 2 to 5 inches of rain are expected with up to 10 inches in isolated areas of the Santa Lucias and Santa Ynez ranges. Downtown Los Angeles could pick up between 2 and 3 inches of rainfall from Monday afternoon through Tuesday. Add this to the historic rainfall the city recorded earlier in the month, and this February could become Los Angeles wettest on record. Vehicles drive through the rain on the 101 freeway on Monday in Los Angeles. - Mario Tama/Getty Images Both this weeks storm and the prolific early February storm were fueled by atmospheric rivers. However, the ongoing storm is tapping into much less moisture than the early-month storm and therefore is unlikely to become as extreme. Warnings of possible large mud or rock slides on canyon roads and debris flows in areas recently burned by wildfires were also issued by the forecast office in Los Angeles. An early round of rain arrived Friday night and Saturday with a separate storm. The early-weekend rain soaked soils in Northern Californias Del Norte County and caused a rock slide that shut down a portion of U.S. Highway 101. The city of San Francisco, which also is under a Level 2 flooding rain risk through Tuesday, is providing some residents and businesses with 10 free sandbags. Officials are concerned about excessive runoff from moderate to heavy rain, which may lead to flooding, according to a post from the city on X. Portions of the Bay Area picked up 0.75 to 1.5 inches of rain from Friday night to Monday morning, with higher amounts of 2 to 3.5 inches in the higher terrain near the coast. People cross the street in the rain in San Francisco on February 18. - Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu/Getty Images Flooding began north of the Bay Area Sunday night. Sonoma County fire officials captured video of riverlike floodwaters running across a fully-submerged road. Rounds of rain will finally come to an end in California by late Wednesday as the main storm driving the soaking weather pushes eastward, crossing into the Rockies. CNNs Cindy Von Quednow, Ashley R. Williams, Elliana Hebert and Sara Tonks contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R) meets with US Senators Chris Coons (2nd L) and Richard Blumenthal (R) at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem. Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO/dpa Even in case of a two-state solution between Israeli and the Palestinians, Israel will retain military control over all the Palestinian Territories, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday. "In any case, with or without a permanent settlement, Israel will maintain full security control over all areas west of the Jordan River," including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said in a video message. The US, Israel's most important ally, have been increasingly calling for a two-state solution that foresees the peaceful co-existence of Israel and a Palestinian state, based on the borders of the Palestinian Territories occupied by Israel since 1967 - the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Washington is also pushing for a two-state solution as a means to end both the current Gaza war and the decades-old Middle East conflict. Netanyahu, on the other hand, a politician on the Israeli right, has built his long political career to a large extent on his declared opposition to the two-state solution and he reiterated this decades-old stance on Monday. His government on Sunday rejected a permanent peace settlement with the Palestinians imposed by "international diktats," with his Cabinet unanimously approving a declaration to this effect. Netanyahu was responding to media reports that the United States and other allies could recognize a Palestinian state without Israel's consent. Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R) meets with US Senators Chris Coons (2nd L) and Richard Blumenthal (L) at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem. Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO/dpa Denmark to send its 'entire artillery' to Ukraine, the country's prime minister says Denmark is sending all of its artillery to Ukraine, the Danish prime minister has said. Mette Frederiksen made the announcement while speaking at the Munich Security Conference. It comes as Ukraine faces severe munitions shortages. Denmark is sending its "entire artillery" to Ukraine, the Danish prime minister has said. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Mette Frederiksen appealed to other European nations to do more to help Ukraine in its fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin's invading forces. "They are asking us for ammunition now. Artillery now. From the Danish side, we decided to donate our entire artillery," she said. "I'm sorry to say, friends, there are still ammunition in stock in Europe," she continued. "This is not only a question about production, because we have weapons, we have ammunition, we have air defense that we don't have to use ourself at the moment, that we should deliver to Ukraine." It comes as Ukrainian forces withdrew from the key eastern town of Avdiivka amid severe munitions shortages. The Danish announcement will come as particularly welcome news in Ukraine as its military has been starved of artillery shells, forcing it to scale back some operations, Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi told Reuters in December. "There's a problem with ammunition, especially post-Soviet (shells) - that's 122 mm, 152 mm. And today, these problems exist across the entire front line," he said. Meanwhile, in more positive news to alleviate the ammo famine, the Czech Republic says it could supply 800,000 shells to the Ukrainian military. Czech President Petr Pavel said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference on 17 February that it had a stockpile of about half a million 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm shells, which can be on the Ukraine frontline in a few weeks "if funding is found quickly." Denmark is a key supporter of Ukraine A serviceman of the 66th separate cannon artillery battalion of the 406th separate artillery brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is pictured by the American M777 howitzer, Zaporizhzhia direction, south-eastern Ukraine. Dmytro Smolienko / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images Denmark has been a key supporter of Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the Nordic country's military aid commitments increased by 3.5 billion euros, or around $3.8 billion, since November making it one of the biggest military donors by percentage of GDP, the institute says. Denmark has pledged 8.4 billion euros, around $9 billion, in military aid. With a crucial $60 billion US aid package stalled in Congress, European support is becoming ever more important for Ukraine. Earlier this year, the European Union agreed to a new 50 billion euro, or around $53.9 billion, aid package for Ukraine. "This locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for Ukraine. The EU is taking leadership and responsibility in support for Ukraine; we know what is at stake," President of the European Council Charles Michel said at the time, per Reuters. Read the original article on Business Insider The anniversary of Julius Nyerere's death, 14 October, is a public holiday in Tanzania Tanzania's founding father Julius Nyerere has been honoured with a statue outside the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. Nyerere led what is now Tanzania from independence in 1961 until 1985. Known as Mwalimu, Swahili for teacher, he was a committed pan-Africanist and hosted independence fighters opposed to white minority rule in southern Africa. He played a key role in the creation of the Organisation of African Unity, which later became the African Union. Unveiling the statue at a ceremony attended by numerous African heads of state, AU Commission leader Moussa Faki Mahamat said: "The legacy of this remarkable leader encapsulates the essence of Pan Africanism, profound wisdom, and service to Africa." He recalled Nyerere's own comments at the inaugural OAU summit in 1963. "Our continent is one, and we are all Africans." But when he became prime minister of what was then Tanganyika in 1961, his first task was to unite the new country, made up of more than 120 different ethnic groups, including Arab, Asian and European minorities. He managed to do this, by promoting the use of Swahili as a common language and through his vision of "African Socialism" or ujamaa (familyhood). In 1964, Tanganyika united with the Zanzibar archipelago to form Tanzania. It later became a one-party state. Nyerere defended the absence of multi-party elections by declaring that Tanzanians had far more freedom under him than they had ever had under British rule, and that the one-party system was vital for stability. Nyerere, seen here with British Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1975, lobbied Western governments over white-minority rule in southern Africa Known for his modest lifestyle, Nyerere tried to create an egalitarian society based on co-operative agriculture - meaning farmers no longer worked their individual fields but instead worked together on communally-owned land. He wanted Tanzania to be self-reliant, rather than depending on foreign aid and investment. However, this largely failed and Tanzania's economy was in dire straits when he stepped down in 1985. Yet he oversaw a huge improvement in healthcare and literacy and remains widely revered in Tanzania. The country's main international airport is named after him, as are many roads, bridges and stadiums. During the 1970s, Nyerere lobbied Western governments to take a stronger stance against white-minority rule in Rhodesia, later Zimbabwe, and South Africa, and backed armed groups fighting those regimes. Paying her tribute to Nyerere, Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan said: "To him, Africa's wellbeing came first, before popular approval, personal fortune or country wellbeing." Nyerere was strongly opposed to the expulsion of Asians in neighbouring Uganda under Idi Amin in 1972. Relations continued to deteriorate and seven years later, Nyerere sent his army into Uganda to oust Amin. In a post on X, Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema described the unveiling of the statue to "one of our continent's iconic figures" as a "proud day". He was a trained teacher and became the first person from Tanganyika to study at a British university, when he went to study in Edinburgh in 1949, according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica. He died in 1999, aged 77, and the anniversary of his death, 14 October, is a public holiday. Nyerere is the third leader to be honoured with a statue outside the AU headquarters, after Ghana's founding father and pan-Africanist Kwame Nkrumah, and Ethiopia's emperor Haile Selassie, who became a symbol of African nationalism for resisting Italy's attempts to colonise the country in the 1930s, and later agreed to host the OAU. Nyerere was known for his modest lifestyle Haile Selassie became a symbol of African nationalism for resisting Italy's attempts to colonise the country in the 1930s Under Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana became the first former British colony to achieve independence, in 1957 You may also be interested in: MANILA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Philippine troops have clashed with suspected militants in the southern Philippines, leaving six soldiers and two rebels dead and four other soldiers wounded, a military report said on Monday. The report said the fighting between troops and alleged members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group erupted on Sunday afternoon in a village in Munai town in Lanao del Norte province. The militants fled after two hours of gunfighting, leaving behind an M16, M14 rifles and an M203 grenade launcher, the report added. "The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains relentless in its pursuit operations against members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group that perpetrated the bombing at Mindanao State University last year," AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner said, referring to the blast on Dec. 3 last year that ripped through a gym that killed four people and wounded 50 others. Since the bombing, Brawner said military operations against the group have been "successful," which have resulted in the "neutralization" of 18 militants, including the group's alleged leader. Nikki Haley told a Fox News town hall in South Carolina that 'weve got to leave the negativity and the baggage behind' - JULIA NIKHINSON/AFP via Getty Images Nikki Haley has said she would pardon Donald Trump if she became president, insisting it would be important for the country to move on. The Republican presidential contender made the comment days away from the primary contest in her home state of South Carolina, where polls show her lagging well behind Mr Trump. Her intervention prompted speculation that she is extending an olive branch to her former boss, who appointed her UN ambassador during his time in the White House. Mr Trump is a heavy favourite to win the Republican nomination but is facing dozens of criminal charges related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election and handling of classified documents that threaten to derail his campaign. I believe in the best interest of bringing the country together I would pardon Donald Trump, Ms Haley told a town hall event in South Carolina hosted by John Roberts, the Fox News presenter. Because I think its important for the country to move on. She added: Weve got to leave the negativity and the baggage behind. I dont want this country divided any further. I dont think its in the best interests for America to have an 80-year-old president sitting in jail and having everybody upset about it. I think this would be the time that we would need to move forward and get this out of the way. A new poll of Trump supporters ranks Ms Haley second among the prospective running mates for Mr Trump - AP Ms Haley was governor of South Carolina for six years, but polling aggregator 538 shows Mr Trump has more than double her share of the vote in the state. The intervention marks a softening of her rhetoric in the days before polls open. Just last week, she labelled Mr Trump unhinged and disgusting when he questioned the absence of her husband, who is deployed overseas with the military, from the campaign trail. Political analysts suggested the former UN ambassador may have made the comments with an eye on her political future. An olive branch Haley may be finally waking up to the fact that shed better soon hop on the MAGA [Make America Great Again] train, or her future career in the Republican Party is toast, Dr Thomas Gift, a political science professor at University College London, said. The reality is that shes going to lose in her home state. Its going to be embarrassing. And maybe she doesnt want to go out both crashing and burning and on Trumps bad side. Its not impossible for Haley to soften her tone toward Trump, and still get a plum job in the administration if Trump is elected This may be her way of offering an olive branch. Professor Danielle Vinson, of Furman University in South Carolina, suggested the move could bolster Ms Haleys chances if she ran again in 2028. At that point, Trump would potentially be facing legal consequences the court cases and appeals processes would be closer to playing out and someone who is willing to pardon him might be appealing to the Trump wing of the Republican Party, she told The Telegraph. Such a position might also be attractive to independents who want to move past the current contentiousness of our politics. A new poll of Trump supporters ranks Ms Haley second among the prospective running mates for Mr Trump, with a quarter of the vote. Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, is the top choice on 34 per cent in I&I/TIPPs online poll. Despite toning down her rhetoric, Ms Haley who has leaned heavily on her foreign policy experience throughout the primaries has criticised her former bosss stance on Vladimir Putin. Mr Trump said at a rally that he would encourage Russia to invade allies who did not meet their spending obligations. Ms Haley labelled the claim bone-chilling. We need to remind the American people that Vladimir Putin is not our friend, she said. Vladimir Putin is not cool. This is not someone we want to associate with. On Monday, Mr Trump referred to the former South Carolina governor as a birdbrain for refusing to admit he was a victim of political persecution. When will stupid people like Nikki Haley confess to knowing that the indictments and litigation that I am fighting is all DEMOCRAT and Crooked Joe Biden INSPIRED, COORDINATED and RUN! he wrote on his Truth Social platform. 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. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is making campaign stops in our area ahead of Saturdays Republican primary. ALSO READ: Nikki Haley's request for Secret Service protection one step away from final approval On Sunday afternoon, Haley stopped in Sun City Carolina Lakes in Lancaster County before her speech at 7 p.m. in Rock Hill at the Magnolia Room with Representative Ralph Norman. Haleys campaign stop comes just hours after she condemned former President Donald Trump over his comments about NATO and Russia. Sunday, Haley said that with that one comment, Trump gave Russian President Vladimir Putin more power. All he did in that one moment was empower Putin. And all he did in that moment was side with a guy who killed his political opponents. He sided with a thug who arrested American journalists and held them hostage, and he sided with a guy who wanted to make a point to the Russian people. Dont challenge me in the next election, or this will happen to you too, Haley said (WATCH BELOW: SC Republicans speculate on how Nikki Haley will do in next months primary) It is not worth waiting for any additional reaction from Putin regarding the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Russian dictators press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said, the BBC reported. "I have nothing to add to what has been said on this subject," he claimed. Read also: Navalnys spokeswoman officially confirms Kremlin critics death Putin had said nothing about Navalny's death, claimed Peskov, after journalists had asked him some clarifying questions. An investigation into Navalny's death is ongoing and "all necessary actions are being taken in this regard," the dictator's spokesman added. He also condemned the speeches of Western politicians. "In conditions where there is no information, to make such, let's say, frankly rude statements, we believe, is absolutely impermissible," he said. Read also: Lithuania observes minute of silence during Independence Day celebrations to mark Navalny death Russian authorities announced the death of 47-year-old opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Feb. 16. Since the end of 2023, he had been serving his sentence in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in the Russian Far North. Navalny's team confirmed his death the next day. The politician spent the last three years in prison. He was arrested immediately after returning to Russia from Germany in January 2021, where he was treated after being poisoned by Novichok in the fall of 2020. According to an investigation by The Insider, Bellingcat, and CNN with the participation of Der Spiegel, a special unit of the FSBs Criminal Investigation Department played a key role in Navalnys poisoning. In February 2021, a Russian court sentenced Navalny to 3.5 years in prison in the so-called Yves Rocher case. Navalny was sentenced to another 9 years in prison in a case of fraud and contempt of court in March 2022. Last August he was sentenced to 19 years in a special regime colony under six articles on extremism. Navalny was transferred to a colony in the village of Kharp in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, above the Arctic Circle in December 2023. It is considered a colony for particularly dangerous repeat offenders and is characterized by extremely harsh prison conditions. 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 Lucy Sharp says the few friends and family she told about the 'freebirth' were supportive but her neighbour, a doctor, did question the decision While Lucy Sharp was giving birth to her second child a son at her home in May 2022, her three-year-old daughter Matilda peered around the living room door to see what was going on. She saw her mother in the birthing pool, surrounded by candles, the Bette Midler song Wind Beneath My Wings playing in the background. It was around 7am, and Matilda had just woken up, Lucy says. I told her, Your baby brothers head is out. Do you want to see him being born? and she sat on the sofa and watched. When he came out I reached under the water and I could see the umbilical cord was around his neck, so I unravelled it under the water two or three times, and then brought him up to the surface and held him to my chest. I could tell straight away he was absolutely fine. Lucys story is not always typical of home births, though. She had no midwife with her, not even a doula, and she had chosen to forgo all kinds of medical support something known as freebirthing. Last week, health leaders highlighted concerns over the practice, amid a rise of women giving birth without medical assistance. Although exact figures are not known, freebirths are believed to have increased since the Covid-19 pandemic. Responding to the concerns, Prof Asma Khalil, Vice President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: 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. 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. Some experts also believe UK maternity failings are behind the rise. In November, the Care Quality Commission deemed two-thirds of maternity units not safe enough, partly blaming it on midwife shortages. Last week the charity Birthrights said that while the decision to have an unassisted birth is completely lawful and for many an empowering decision, they are deeply concerned that some people are opting for an unassisted birth because they have been left with no other option, and for some people the decision comes from a deep fear of the maternity system. Lucy, 41, opted for a midwife-supported home birth with Matilda, who was born in 2018. Unusually, however, she hadnt even heard of home births until she was 30 weeks pregnant. During her first pregnancy she and her husband Gray, 44, were living in London. Lucy was under the care of Londons Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, whose staff she describes as amazing. Halfway through the pregnancy, the couple moved to Chester and discovered their local hospital, the Countess of Chester Hospital, was investigating a spate of baby deaths. In August 2023, Lucy Letby, a former neonatal nurse at the hospital, was sentenced to life for the murder and attempted murder of babies in her care. The hospital wasnt all over the news at this point Matilda was born in 2018 but we read about the deaths, and around the same time a friend told us about home births, says Lucy. She started planning to give birth at home with a midwife present. 'Im not a rulebreaker by nature. But I have read so many horror stories about women being treated badly in labour' says Lucy - Lucy Sharp Her first twinge came at 8pm while making fajitas, and by 2.45am Lucy had given birth to Matilda in a birthing pool at home. Later that day the new family visited her parents before going to a fancy bar for a glass of champagne. Matilda was nine hours old, and I felt amazing. By the time she was pregnant with Louis in 2021, Lucy says she had decided she would not be stepping foot in a hospital. She had experienced multiple miscarriages between her pregnancies, having a number of surgical removals, and had a real anxiety around hospitals. She says: I wanted another home birth, and I had also read that during Covid lots of women who wanted them had been let down by their midwife at the last minute and transferred to hospital. The couple decided to pay for a private midwife service, where blood tests were done at home and scans in private clinics. However, Lucy didnt bond with the midwives. I was 22 weeks pregnant and they were coming round too frequently. They detected some sugar in my urine and started talking about gestational diabetes (GD), but Id had a chocolate croissant just before they arrived. I kept saying to them, Why are you being so negative? I was all about the positivity. I had done this before. I said I wouldnt go to the Countess [of Chester Hospital, if anything went wrong], and they said, Youll go where the ambulance takes you. Eventually, Lucy said there would be no more tests or bump measurements and no monitoring in labour, something she said would completely spoil the vibe. She terminated her contract with them at 28 weeks pregnant, paying around 2,600 (the full service up to birth would have cost 3,800). Lucy with Louis and Matilda - Lucy Sharp From then on, Lucy listened to podcasts about breech births, where a baby lies feet or bottom first in the womb, rather than head down (Matilda had been breech, but moved into the right position during labour). She joined freebirth communities online (there are currently over 95,000 hashtags for #freebirth on Instagram alone). I felt from the bottom of my heart that I could do this, she says. I found a wonderful doula called Jemima, who knew about techniques like standing and swaying, which gets your baby into the right position for birth. She recommended I see a chiropractor to make sure my birth canal was in the right position, and talked Gray through lots of techniques. I had my essential oils, my homeopathic kit, and my affirmation cards. One read, Floppy face = floppy fanny. Apparently if your jaw is tense, so is your pelvis, which makes birth harder. On May 19 2022 at 2.30am, Lucy felt a twinge. Gray filled the pool up and, with her playlist still going, Louis was born just after 7am with big sister Matilda looking on. It was a little while until he cried, but I was really relaxed, says Lucy. Matilda joined us in the pool and had a splash around. Then Gray looked up how to cut the cord on YouTube, using a sterilised cord cutting kit we had bought. Lucy then emailed her local hospital to tell them Louis had been born. It is legal for a woman to give birth unattended by a midwife or healthcare professional, but you must register your baby within 42 days of birth. Of her decision to do a free-birth, Lucy says the few friends and family she told were supportive. However, her neighbour, a doctor, did question the decision, and her father also expressed anxieties. But when an animal gives birth it goes to a dark, quiet place, where it feels safe and where its not being watched, she says. Im not a rulebreaker by nature. But I have read so many horror stories about women being treated badly in labour, with a cascade of interventions, or just left alone. Whereas I felt respected and cared for, and safe. I think women know their own bodies better than anybody. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Police responded to a reported drive-by shooting Sunday evening in downtown San Diego. Just a few hours after a shooting nearby at 16th and G streets, calls came in for a drive-by shooting near the 12th and Imperial trolley station just before 7 p.m. Sunday. Man fatally shot in downtown San Diego; suspect at large San Diego Police report six shots were heard. Luckily, no one was hit by gunfire. SDPD are looking for a grey van or SUV with two men. The first suspect is described as a black man in his 20s or 30s, wearing white and tan pants and grey or blue sneakers, with a black man in his 20s, around 55 to 57, wearing a pink sweater, camo pants, and black shoes. Police search for suspect after two shot, one killed in University City No arrests have been made at this time. This story is developing. Stay with FOX 5 and KUSI for the latest. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Norfolk native Grant Gustin will debut in a new Broadway Musical Water for Elephants in New York. Buy Tickets The actor is best known for his role in The CWs The Flash, and has also made appearances in the show Glee. Water for Elephants previews on Feb. 24, and has its opening scheduled for March 21. The musical takes place after the novel where a young man jumps from a train and discovers a new home with a traveling circus. The musical is estimated to run around 2 hours and 30 min. Gustin attended the Governors School for the Arts program in Norfolk for Musical Theatre, according to the musicals website. He will be playing the character Jacob Jankowski. Check with WAVY.com for updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. The North Hills School District is holding a job fair on Monday. The fair will be held in the North Hills Middle School in the LGI room at 55 Rochester Road in Ross Township. It will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone who visits can meet with representatives from all departments within the school district and ABC Transit which provides its buses. People who come to the fair are asked to bring a resume. On-site interviews and application assistance will be available. Click here for a look at openings at the North Hills School District. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: 2 officers, first responder shot, killed during domestic incident in Minnesota Pittsburgh indoor bike park closing after nearly 11 years in business Man charged for stabbing another man multiple times in Whitehall, police say VIDEO: Man sustains burn injury while escaping Fayette County house fire DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts (FOX40.COM) A Northern California man was recently arrested after police learned that he was using a fake military uniform and decades-old photo to scam people throughout California, according to the Redding Police Department. Police said Bernard Curtis, 72 from Oroville, would purposely dress in a uniform made up of U.S. Navy and U.S. Army garments and rank insignias, enter local businesses with a picture of his disabled son that was over two decades old, and swindle employees into giving him money. Video Above: 5 signs its a scam call before you even pick up Redding police officials added that Curtis was indeed a member of the U.S. Navy at some point, but he would lie about the length of his service to those whom he was attempting to scam. They also said that he admitted to completing the scam in multiple counties throughout California. Southern California scam making its way to northern part of state, police say On Tuesday, around 12:30 p.m., police said they received a call about a man who entered Fetch Body Piercing in a military uniform and left the location after stealing about $5,000 worth of jewelry. Police said witnesses informed them that the man entered a silver Jaguar and left the area. Officers were able to find the vehicle quickly and conduct a traffic stop where they found the suspect with stolen jewelry, a large amount of money, and stolen merchandise from other local businesses. Sacramento becomes target of false identification phone scam Fortunately, two of the officers at the scene were veterans of the United States Army and United States Navy so the fake uniform was noticeable, the Redding Police Department said on Facebook. Curtis was arrested for grand theft and misrepresenting military service and uniforms to intentionally impersonate and deceive to obtain money, according to police. If anyone was a victim of this scam and provided money to Bernard Curtis, please contact the Neighborhood Police Unit or Redding Police Detective Liles at 530-225-4200. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. ATHENS, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- A silk scarf painting inspired by the Chinese Spring Festival is on display at an exhibition in Athens by Greek artist Sofia Fotiadou. The exhibition, called "Out of the box - Fearless" began on Feb. 16 at the Sianti Gallery in the center of the Greek capital. The silk scarf is called 'The Dance of Spring,' Fotiadou told Xinhua in a recent interview. The artist explained that in the painting, flowers are scattered on a green background and the use of yellow symbolizes wealth and prosperity in Chinese culture. Fotiadou first created the painting using oil on canvas. Next, she collaborated with local company Hellenic Silk to have her work reproduced on silk. The Greek artist believes that there is a special connection between Greece and China, two countries with ancient civilizations, and a bright future of bilateral cooperation. Fotiadou said that participating in the 2019 Beijing Biennale was the most important moment of her artistic career so far. Images of the trip to China are imprinted on her mind, she said: "It looked like a huge dragon, sleeping on hills and gorges, swaying, and stretching." The artist sent good wishes to the Chinese people on the occasion of the New Year of the Dragon, adding: "I would like to wish that it will be a wonderful year, that it will be a year of peace and health for the whole world." Margarita Gokun Silver lost her home after her husband of 27 years died unexpectedly. Her family had lived as expats in six countries and raised their teenage daughter in Spain. Madrid supported her when she felt lonely back then, so she relocated there again. If there's one rule grief counselors and bereavement support groups agree on, it's that making a big decision following a loss is not a good idea. Whether it's changing jobs, discarding keepsakes, or selling your home and moving, the general advice is to wait from six months to a year before embarking on a path that could be life-altering. When my husband of 27 years died, I completely disregarded that advice. He died in Massachusetts, having been diagnosed with a rare lymphoma 14 months earlier and then medically evacuated from an assignment in Greece. We spent that year of his treatment living out of suitcases in a temporary apartment and dreaming of returning to post once the nightmare was over. When his cancer relapsed for the third time, he decided to discontinue the treatment. His death, a mere three weeks later, didn't only leave me a widow at an age I never imagined possible; it also meant that, in addition to losing a loved one, I lost my home. Widowhood and no place to call home A globe-trotting family for 25 years and never in one place for long enough to sprout roots, home meant wherever my husband, daughter, and I were together. But, now that he was gone and my daughter was grown, I was faced with a realization that in addition to planning a funeral, I also had to make a major decision. Where was I going to live? During our expat career, we lived and worked in six countries and traveled to over 40 more. Yet one country and particularly one city had always captured our affections enough to discuss returning there to retire. For me, though, Madrid wasn't only a wonderfully livable city with cultural activities galore, excellent public transport, and amounts of sunshine to rival Florida. The last time we'd lived there, the city had helped pull me out of desperation so deep it seemed unsurmountable. A perfect city for the lonely and sad Margarita Gokun Silver celebrated her birthday with her daughter in Madrid. Margarita Gokun Silver Our 2012 to 2017 stint in Madrid coincided with our daughter's rising adolescence. Several months shy of her 13th birthday, she wasn't officially a teen, yet, unofficially, she exhibited all the signs. She slammed doors, screamed her way through arguments, and smeared ketchup on pads to impersonate a period so she could skip her swimming lessons. We fought every day and our arguments always ended the same way: me on the kitchen floor crying and her in her room boiling with rage and messaging her friends. New in an unfamiliar city with a husband who was overwhelmed at work, I felt lonely and abandoned. Meanwhile, outside my window, Madrid pulsed with the sounds of people having drinks with friends, chatting with vendors at the fruit stand across the street, and meeting neighbors at wine tastings in a delicatessen below. Mothers walked hand-in-hand with their teenage daughters, and whole families window-shopped as one. Togetherness defined this city, and yet I was alone. Then, one day, after a particularly nasty fight, I was so desperate to be out of the house that I lingered at my neighborhood market. I elicited the fishmonger's advice, I asked the fruit vendor to help me choose the best tomatoes, and, at the bakery, the baker suggested I try a Galician loaf. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, I was having conversations without hostility and resentment. People treated me kinder than my own family did. Later this pattern repeated itself in other stores, at coffee shops, and at restaurants. I started going out just to interact with people, to soak up the affection I was missing. No longer did I fight tears after stepping out onto the street: togetherness didn't bother me anymore. Instead of hating it, I sought it out. Madrid as my new home When my husband died, Madrid was the first place I thought of as a potential new home. Sure, I could have stayed around Boston, where my husband's family lived, or gone to Florida to join my parents. But neither option offered the emotional refuge I so desperately needed. If Madrid had nourished me at my most lonely and despondent once before, I knew it could heal me from grief so heavy I sometimes struggled to leave my bed. To walk to bakeries and cheese shops; to claim tables at neighborhood cafes for quick writing sessions; to open my window and hear the whistle of the knife sharpener, the bustle of shops, and the conversations of strangers was exactly what I wanted. So, a little over a month after my husband's funeral, I flew to Spain to explore (I have dual US and EU citizenship) and, eight months later, I moved to Madrid. It's now been over a year since I made Madrid my home. I'm still thrilled I flouted that rule for the recently bereaved. Margarita Gokun Silver is the author of "I Named My Dog Pushkin (and other immigrant tales)." You can follow her adventures in Madrid on margaritagokunsilver.substack.com. Got a personal essay about living abroad or parenting that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: akarplus@businessinsider.com . Read the original article on Business Insider OAK HILL, WV (WVNS) An Oak Hill man was sentenced for felony drug crimes in Fayette County. 11 arrested, one suspect found dead after investigation into drone activity at FCI McDowell 45-year-old Roger D. Ingram, of Oak Hill, was sentenced to two to ten years in prison for the felony offense of possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver, and one to three years in prison for the felony offense of possession of tramadol with the intent to deliver. Ingram will need to serve three years before he is eligible for parole. A member of the Oak Hill Police Department held a traffic stop on May 10, 2022, where they stopped a car on Main Street in Oak Hill. Ingram, who was driving the car, told the officer that he had controlled substances with him. The officer then found the suspected controlled substances after searching the car. Bluefield, WV Police Department releases new bench warrant list During another traffic stop on September 20, 2022, Ingram was a passenger in the car and a search revealed that he had suspected controlled substances with him. Tests revealed that the substances found with Ingram were more than 15 grams of methamphetamine, over 3.5 grams of a fentanyl and heroin mix, and around 1.5 grams of a fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroine mix. The Oak Hill Police Department and the Central West Virginia Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated the cases. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Fiona Sharpe has grown used to the constant daily drip feed of anti-Semitism in her day-to-day life. As someone who works in politics (a spokesperson for Labour Against Antisemitism), the 57-year-old from Brighton has noticed the abuse get immeasurably worse since the Hamas terror attacks against Israel on Oct 7 last year. But the build-up started long before. It has been happening for years, says Sharpe. But now even more so. I have regular daily staring competitions when people notice my Star of David, which I wear prominently. She has been harassed on X (formerly known as Twitter), with one user stating that she wanted Palestinian children killed, and has been shouted at in the street. What has happened since Oct 7 has pushed things over the edge; where people used to whisper these comments, now they feel emboldened, and that is frightening. Holocaust survivor Agnes Grunwald-Spier is an avid social media user, and since October has been bombarded with abusive messages. Ive been on Twitter since 2015 and I have certainly noticed that the abuse is much worse. Bearing in mind Im a 79-year-old woman, there are a lot of Fs in the language, and [Im called a] bitch, she says. I did complain, and its remarkable what offensive stuff they feel doesnt breach their terms and conditions. More troubling still is when online trolling spills into real-world hate. Esther*, who works at a London synagogue, and wants to remain anonymous for her safety, has had more [abusive] calls since Oct 7 at the synagogue than Ive had in the 12 and a half years Ive been there. She has grown used to calls saying, kill the Jews, and emails saying that theyve put bombs in the building. In the first couple of weeks after Oct 7, we had red paint thrown over the doors of Jewish schools, graffiti on synagogues, says Dave Rich, the Community Security Trust (CST)s director of policy. Photos circulated on social media of ripped and defaced posters of Israeli hostages. There have been physical assaults, although most of the incidents arent violent. Its that drip-drip [effect]; for a lot of Jewish people, its the fear of whether you can actually walk around your neighbourhood being visibly Jewish. Those in Londons Jewish community have found the city has become increasingly hostile. Daniel*, a 42-year-old software engineer, has experienced two incidents of harassment while on public transport in the capital. On both occasions, he was wearing his kippah, and describes himself as a visibly Jewish man. In November 2023, a man got on his train and sat down opposite him. He interrupted the conversation and demanded to know Daniels position on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. He then continued to harass him with questions even after being asked to to move away including whether Daniel supported genocide. At the time, I was nervous that the aggressor would indeed follow me home and potentially become physically violent, because he was quite tall and strong, says Daniel. I was shocked that a person would have the nerve to harass someone else with anti-Semitic tropes, particularly at rush hour. After the incident, Daniel said he was keeping more aware of my surroundings. Being targeted has always correlated when things heat up in the Middle East and they heat up here as well, but it really feels like there has been a proliferation of hate speech recently. These incidents, horrifying in isolation, point to a grim upward trend. Recent statistics published by the CST, a charity that monitors anti-Semitism and provides security to Jewish communities in the UK, show that 4,103 instances of anti-Jewish hate were recorded across the UK in 2023 the highest annual total on record and an 187 per cent rise on the previous year. In all, 66 per cent of these were reported on or after the Hamas terror attack in October. The incidents reported included 3,328 cases of abusive behaviour, 305 threats, 266 assaults, 182 incidents of damage and desecration and 22 of anti-Semitic literature. James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, said the rise was utterly deplorable. And while the number of anti-Semitic incidents reported has skyrocketed in recent months, Dave Rich says that this crisis has been steadily building for years. If you look at the picture year on year, this has been building over a much longer period the trend line on the graph has been going up steadily for a decade or more, he explains. Youve had years with these big spikes where there have been conflicts in Israel, but even between that, it went up year on year. There are several reasons for this. Historically, anti-Semitism always increases at times of major turmoil: economic turmoil, wars, pandemics. We have had all these things over the last 15 years or so. Plus the rise of social media as this all-consuming vector through which anti-Semitic ideas can be shared so easily. In the face of this, Israel expects a wave of immigration from Western countries, according to the Jewish News Syndicate. It has reported a significant increase in aliyah applications the immigration of Jews from the diaspora to Israel from France, Canada, the US and the UK. The face of anti-Jewish hate is changing too, according to Rich. This is a reflection of the fact that anti-Semitism is more common among younger people than older people this is very worrying, and hasnt been fully recognised yet. Opinion polling conducted by Ipsos last October found that 18 to 34-year-olds are more likely to want the Government to support the Palestinians (23 per cent) than the Israelis (just 7 per cent). For those aged 55 to 75, these figures are almost exactly reversed. It is for this reason, he argues, that anti-Semitism is a growing problem on university campuses and in schools. On Monday, Feb 12, a Jewish chaplain at Leeds University was forced into hiding after he was targeted with death threats and anti-Semitic protests over his role as an Israel Defense Force reservist. Lisa*, a mum of two whose daughter is in her first year at university, was horrified to hear that she had been verbally harassed by two male peers and told that Jewish people drink the blood of babies. Before starting university, Lisa says her daughter had moved from a Jewish school to a state co-ed sixth form, where she had discovered anti-Semitism on school corridors was alarmingly commonplace. She would be sent lots of memes saying Hitler was right and other really unpleasant things, she says. She was just 17 at that point and so it was just a bit of a shock, you dont expect it at school. But we shouldnt expect it anywhere. She ended up leaving and going back to her Jewish school because it was so bad. Protestors marched against anti-Semitism in London in November 2023 - one of many protests held - Alishia Abodunde Hannah Curtis, 20, is a second-year student at City University, London where she is also president of the Israeli Society. There has definitely been a rise in the number of cases of anti-Semitic abuse and intimidation since the Israel-Gaza conflict began, she says. Curtis says students are avoiding attending Jewish Society meetings over safety concerns, especially those wearing religious clothing such as the kippur. Her predecessor at the Israeli Society stood down because he could no longer deal with the challenges of the role. I dont think its actually safe for me, she says. Its a very weird atmosphere, being part of such a minority. People point me out and stare at me in the corridor. She was shouted at and called a dirty f---ing Zionist on Oct 9, by an individual linked to the Socialist Worker newspaper, who had previously run a stall at the University Freshers Fair. It was reported to the University, but nothing happened because there was no CCTV footage of the incident. She alleges that anti-Semitic stickers and artwork have been placed over Jewish Society posters, and pro-Hamas leaflets have been handed out just outside campus. Curtis who will be joining the national Union of Jewish Students (UJS) as a representative next year says the university and student union have not taken concerns over anti-Semitism seriously. As a collective, Jews arent feeling safe on campus, and people are feeling demoralised and intimidated. A spokesman for UJS said: The targeting of Jewish students is of deep concern and has included calls made by their peers for death to Zionists, targeted attacks on Jewish property and abuse of visibly Jewish students. Nonetheless, Jewish students have remained resilient in ensuring that Jewish campus life thrives. Jewish students are more determined than ever to fight hatred. Sharpe says that, depressingly, anti-Semitism is part and parcel of daily life. For many people in the Jewish community it is a constant, she says. Its draining. Its exhausting. And its deeply painful. Fiona Sharpe: I have regular daily staring competitions when people notice my Star of David - Christopher Pledger In a statement, City University said: There is no place for anti-Semitism, nor any other form of bullying, harassment or discrimination at City, University of London. Citys Student Charter and our Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech clearly set out the expectations to be inclusive, respectful and supportive of one another. Unacceptable behaviours will not be tolerated at City and students can report incidents at any time. They add: Our central London location means that there are occasional instances of people, who are not members of Citys community, handing out leaflets in the public spaces near our buildings. We know this has caused members of our community to feel unsafe or insecure. These incidents were reported to the Metropolitan Police who attended to investigate, and we are continuing to monitor this and other events that are reported to us. *Names have been changed 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. JERUSALEM Even as Israeli forces continue to battle Hamas terrorists inside the Gaza Strip, tensions appear to be rising on Israels northern border as the Iranian-backed Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon ramped up its rocket fire and Israel responded, hitting military targets and killing one of its top, elite commanders. Despite efforts by U.S. and French mediators to negotiate a solution that would prevent another major conflict breaking out in the region, the odds of a second war for Israel, against another Iranian proxy, seem to be drawing closer. "I do believe that Hezbollah is interested in a war and it is doing everything it can to drive Israel into a war," Sarit Zehavi, founder and president of the Alma Education and Research Center, which is located on Israels northern border and focuses on the security challenges there, told Fox News Digital. "Hezbollah has created a situation in the northern part of Israel that is unbearable for Israelis and unbearable for the State of Israel," she said. "They know that at a certain point, Israel will say enough is enough and will be forced to launch a military campaign." IRAN BOASTS OF CAPABILITY TO ATTACK ISRAELI BASE AFTER NUCLEAR OFFICIAL INDICATES ABILITY TO CREATE BOMB Zehavi, who herself resides a few miles from Israels border with Lebanon, is one of more than 80,000 Israeli civilians who were evacuated from their homes four months ago over fears that Hezbollah, a U.S. designated terror group, would open a second front with Israel as it went to war against Hamas in Gaza. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "There is already a war going on here in the north," Zehavi said. "Its not a full-scale war yet, because neither side is using its full capabilities, but every day we are seeing rockets launched into Israel." While Hezbollahs rocket, missile and armed drone attacks have been ongoing since Oct. 7, when thousands of Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip infiltrated southern Israel, murdering more 1,200 people and taking a further 240 as hostages, over the past week the number of attacks have escalated and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has responded, hitting an increasing number of sites across southern Lebanon. Last week, a barrage of rockets fired from Lebanese territory scored a direct hit on the Israeli border town of Kiryat Shmona, seriously injuring a woman and her son. The following day, Feb. 14, Hezbollah targeted an army base deeper inside Israel, killing one IDF soldier and wounding several others. In response, Israeli fighter jets struck what the army described as military targets observation posts, weapons storage facilities and compounds it said belonged to Hezbollah. On Wednesday, Israel said it killed a commander and six fighters from Hezbollahs elite Radwan unit and local media reported that the strike killed at least 10 civilians in the area as well. Israel named the Radwan commander as Ali Muhammad Aldbas. IRANIAN PROXIES STEPPING UP THEIR DRONE ATTACKS IN WAR WITH ISRAEL Earlier in the week, France, Lebanons former sovereign, announced that it had delivered a written proposal to the Lebanese government aimed at ending the hostilities with Israel. According to media reports, the French proposal calls for Hezbollah and any other militant groups based in southern Lebanon to withdraw 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the border with Israel. U.S. Special Envoy Amos Hochstein, who in 2022 successfully mediated an agreement between Israel and Lebanon on a decades-old maritime border dispute, has also been engaged in finding a peaceful solution that would prevent an additional, perhaps more intense and far broader regional war. Reports suggest that his proposal also involves some kind of security zone along the border. United Nations peacekeeping forces drive along the main road leading to Lebanon's southern town of Naqura, close to the border with Israel on Oct. 27, 2022. Israelis, however, are not optimistic about such proposals, particularly if they do not include a complete return and greater enforcement of the conditions laid out in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. Reached following the 2006 war between the two countries, Resolution 1701 involves Hezbollah pulling back to beyond the Litani River, some 25 kilometers inside Lebanon, and the placement of either multinational U.N. forces or the Lebanese military along the border to enforce it. On Tuesday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah disparaged any peaceful solutions, saying in a televised address that his group would only stop its cross-border attacks on northern Israel "when the shooting stops in Gaza," Reuters reported. The Hezbollah leader referred to the many foreign delegations traveling to Beirut, the Lebanese capital, saying that proposals aimed at ending hostilities only seemed to "have one goal: the security of Israel, the protection of Israel." HEZBOLLAH WATCHES ON AS GAZA WAR SPARKS FEAR OF ADDITIONAL FRONTS FOR ISRAEL TO DEFEND "The U.S. and France are pushing for an agreement, but this agreement is bad for Israel because it does not provide a long-term solution," said Zehavi, adding "Even after this agreement, Israeli civilians will be afraid to go back home because Hezbollah will still be in South Lebanon ready and deployed to carry out the next massacre and there will be no one to stop it." She said the idea of Hezbollah withdrawing from the area was misguided and unlikely to happen. "Everyone is talking about withdrawing but not about disarmament," said Zehavi. "Withdrawal for Hezbollah is meaningless. They are not an external army that took over the area, their fighters live there, so how can they withdraw from an area they live in? They are entrenched in the villages and their rockets are hidden inside their homes. I want to see trucks loaded with these munitions leaving the area, but will that happen? I dont think so." David Daoud, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a D.C.-based think tank, said war between Israel and Hezbollah was "inevitable" and the only question was "when it will occur now or at some indefinite point in the future." Lebanon's Hezbollah leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, gives a televised address at a memorial ceremony to mark one week since the passing of Mohammad Yaghi, one of the powerful armed group's figures, in Baalbek, Lebanon Jan. 5, 2024. "I dont think either side intends to go to war, each for their own considerations," he said. "Hezbollah is fighting from within a Lebanon experiencing economic collapse, political deadlock, and lack of foreign funding, and it has more to lose by launching a war than by just continuing its ongoing attacks at their current level." Daoud said continuing with its current level of intensity "has a massive impact on Israel but does not give Israel international legitimacy for a broader military operation against Lebanon." He also said efforts to mediate a more peaceful solution, to include removing Hezbollah from along Israels border, were "doomed to fail" because there was no way to guarantee that Hezbollah would stay out of south Lebanon for good. IRAN SETS MIDEAST ON FIRE AS CRITICS SAY BIDEN POLICIES FAILED: 'FURTHER RECKLESSNESS' "All the diplomatic deals on the table depend upon the Lebanese State, the Lebanese Armed Forces, and UNIFIL to prevent Hezbollahs return," Daoud said. "But even the presence of forces there wont make a difference, because Lebanon has made clear it is unwilling or unable to rein in Hezbollah." He highlighted a recent interview with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib, who said trying to restrain or disarm Hezbollah, which has sizeable support in the country, would mean civil war for Lebanon, whereas leaving Hezbollah armed risked regional war. He said his personal preference between the two choices was a regional war. "The U.S. is hugely motivated to prevent a war from happening between Israel and Lebanon, especially because war is not part of Bidens ideology and because he understands that a war with Hezbollah really means a war with Iran," said Dr. Eyal Pinko, a senior research fellow at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar Ilan University near Tel Aviv. However, he said that as Hamas, which is also backed by Iran, continues to be destroyed by Israeli forces in Gaza, the more Iran will pressure Hezbollah to attack Israel from the north. "I dont believe that Hezbollah wants a war, its position in Lebanon is very bad," said Pinko, a retired Navy commander who served in the Israeli navy and intelligence agency for 30 years. "On the other hand, Iran is also their landlords, and they need to show they are doing something." "I cant forecast the future but I do assess that there will be something on a much larger scale than what we are seeing now," he said, adding that despite agreements reached in 2006, Hezbollah does whatever it wants and the U.N. is just a "shadow organization." "They just enjoy eating falafel in Lebanon, and they have no power there," said Pinko, referring to the multinational force, UNIFIL, which is meant to patrol the Israeli-Lebanon border. "At this stage, I dont believe anything will work and I am totally pessimistic." Zehavi also expressed pessimism at the brewing situation where she lives. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "As we get closer and closer to a possible diplomatic arrangement, we will see the attacks and fire intensify," she said. "It makes me feel extremely worried because we do not know how this will play out, and we do not understand who will protect us once there is a cease-fire and once the residents [of northern Israel] return home." "We dont understand how the next massacre, which Hezbollah has sworn to carry out, will be prevented," said Zehavi. Original article source: Odds of Israel-Hezbollah war 'inevitable,' experts fear: 'Totally pessimistic' A police officer is hospitalized due to injuries sustained following an incident northeast of Columbus Sunday night. >>57-year-old Dayton man killed in Riverside crash The incident was reported around 8 p.m. in the 2900 block of Perdue Avenue, just north of the Liden neighborhood, according to our news partner WBNS in Columbus. Medics transported the officer to Grant Medical Center. Jeff Simpson, the President of the Fraternal Order of Police in Columbus, told reporters outside the hospital that the officers condition was very serious. Hes been assaulted pretty bad, he said. (Hes) been on 25 years, one of the better ones Ive seen. So, he needs the community to rally behind him. Simpson also called on the Franklin County prosecutors office to fully prosecute the incident. We will continue to provide updates on this developing story. This article was originally published in Ohio Capital Journal. Two new education bills have been introduced by Democrats in the Ohio House: One to ensure school meals for any students who request them, and another to increase base teacher salaries to $50,000 per year. The future of the proposed laws is uncertain with Republican supermajorities controlling both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate. A bill introduced by state Rep. Darnell Brewer, D-Cleveland, and state Rep. Ismail Mohamed, D-Columbus, would require public schools to provide meals and related services to students, even beyond changes made in the latest operating budget. Regardless of whether a student has money to pay for a meal or owes money for earlier meals, each school district shall provide a meal to a student who requests one, the new bill, House Bill 408, states. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The bill also prohibits a requirement that a district discard a meal after it has been served because of a students inability to pay for the meal or because money is owed for previously provided meals or publicly identify or stigmatize a student who cannot pay for a meal or who owes a meal debt. In 2019, a 9-year-old Ohio students hot lunch was taken away over a $9.75 unpaid balance, a Uniontown family told NBC. The bill comes after changes were made in the most recent state operating budget to provide no-cost meals to any student who qualifies for reduced-price or free meals. After the budget was passed, advocates praised the improvements to eligibility, but said more could be done to reduce the categorization of children and the visibility of those who have meal debt. Nearly half of Ohios students qualified for reduced-price or free lunches for the 2022-2023 school year, according to data from the Childrens Defense Fund of Ohio, up from 46.6% the year before. Qualification is based on household income, and children are eligible at up to 185% of the federal poverty line. Brewer and Mohameds bill also requires that districts direct communications about a students meal debt to a parent or guardian and not to the student, except if a student inquires about that students meal debt. Teacher pay Related Wrong Ideas about Teacher Pay, Happiness May Keep Students from the Profession In a separate bill, state Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst, seeks to increase the base teacher salary to $50,000 per year statewide. That would be an increase from the current base salary of $35,000 for teachers with a bachelors degree. Teachers with less than a bachelors degree would have a base salary set at $43,250, while teachers with five years of training but no masters degree would start at $51,900 and teachers with a masters degree or higher would start at $54,750, according to the bill, House Bill 411. Ohios average teacher salary has remained lower than the U.S. average since 2014, according to an analysis by the Legislative Service Commission, which showed an 11.2% increase in Ohio salaries from fiscal year 2012 to 2021, where U.S. salaries grew by 17.9%. A 2022 study by the Economic Policy Institute found that average weekly wagers for teachers have remained relatively flat since 1996, with teachers making more than 14% less in Ohio when compared with other college-educated workers. Salaries will still be determined based on years of service under the newest House bill, including a maximum of five years active military service. Both bills are led by Democratic sponsors, meaning the way forward will be rocky in a Republican supermajority Ohio General Assembly, especially when this particular General Assembly has had a lack of legislative action reaching historic levels. The bills still need to be assigned to a committee for consideration before public comment and possible votes can take place. Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Ohio Capital Journal maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor David DeWitt for questions: info@ohiocapitaljournal.com. Follow Ohio Capital Journal on Facebook and Twitter. This article was originally published in Oklahoma Voice. OKLAHOMA CITY Lori Wathen always hoped her son would continue his education after high school. But Reis, 21, has an intellectual disability, and college programs for students with his needs are often cost-prohibitive, Wathen said. Opportunities for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities are growing in Oklahoma. Four universities in the past five years have created degree- or certificate-granting programs for these students that also assist with independent living on a college campus. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The price to attend these programs, though, can exceed how much traditional students have to pay. State lawmakers advanced legislation this week that could make the difference in the Wathen familys ability to afford a college education for Reis. The two bills would allow students with intellectual disabilities up to age 26 to access dollars from the Oklahomas Promise scholarship fund. Receiving students would have their tuition covered at a public in-state college or CareerTech center that offers a comprehensive transition program designed to support students with intellectual disabilities. The measure wouldnt apply the typical credit requirements of the Oklahomas Promise program. Both bills unanimously passed committee votes in the House and Senate this week. The added scholarships are expected to cost $400,000. Wathen said the legislation could have a huge impact for families like hers and give her son a better chance at future job placement. I know personally, for my family, it would honestly be the only way Reis would be able to attend a postsecondary college program is if we had some additional financial support to offset those costs, she said. Families earning a household income of $100,000 or less would qualify, should either of the bills become law. The household income limit would increase to up to $200,000 if the student has been adopted. The cost of therapy and medical needs associated with an intellectual disability often make it difficult for families to save for college, said Julie Lackey, director of the Oklahoma Inclusive Post Secondary Education Alliance. The alliance worked closely with lawmakers and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to develop the scholarship legislation. Existing scholarships for these students are limited, usually offering only a few thousand dollars a semester, Lackey said. Meanwhile, the college programs that accommodate intellectual disabilities cost between $23,500 and $30,000 a year. Thats why an organization Lackey founded Lead, Learn, Live is raising funds to help offset the cost of tuition and fees for students who are currently enrolled. There is nothing as comprehensive that even touches what this (legislation) could do for students, Lackey said. Lead, Learn, Live helped found the comprehensive transition programs at Oklahoma State University and Northeastern State University. Giving access to full-tuition scholarships could be life changing for current and future students, Lackey said. It also could put students on a path toward employment. Of all students with intellectual disabilities who completed a postsecondary program in the U.S., 59% landed a paying job within 90 days. Thats higher than the average employment rate, 34%, for working-age adults with an intellectual disability. The Senate bills author, Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, said initial estimates indicate the state could cover the cost of her legislation without having to raise Oklahomas Promise funding. Currently, 75 students are enrolled in applicable programs, she said, and they have a better shot at gainful employment once they graduate. This is, of course, a feel-good bill, but it also has a really meaningful, good ROI for the state, Seifried said during a Senate committee hearing Tuesday. When she filed a similar bill in the House, Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, thought of her son, who has an intellectual disability. Hefner said shes unsure if college will be right for him, but it is for other families. Some of her sons friends are enrolled in OSUs Orange Opportunity Scholars program, which serves students with disabilities like his. Those students are enjoying the traditional college experience, like joining Greek life and playing intramural sports, along with peers who followed a more typical path. Hefner said she hopes her bill allows more students that opportunity. Lets open this up so that parents and students can decide where they want to go with the finances that they have, she said. Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter. Meteorological authority escalates cold wave alert, forecasting drastic temperature dropping in majority parts across China 10:35, February 19, 2024 By Du Qiongfang ( Global Times Strong winds and snowstorms hit Jiuquan, Northwest China's Gansu Province, since February 17, 2024, with the minimum level of visibility dropping to less than 20 meters. Photo: CCTV News China's top meteorological authority issued three extreme weather alerts simultaneously on Sunday morning, warning of drastic temperature drops, freezing weather and sandstorm affecting vast swathes of the country over the following week, hindering return journeys back to work after the tradition family reunion holiday of Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year. China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) escalated its warning for freezing weather condition to an orange alert, the second highest level, on Sunday morning, forecasting that drastic temperature drops will occur in majority parts across China with the average temperature drops ranging from 8 C to 12 C from Sunday through Thursday. Temperature drops in some places including the middle and eastern parts of North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Northeast China and some parts of Central China's Hubei and Hunan provinces can reach 20 C or above. Meanwhile, the cold wave will be accompanied by strong winds and dust. The NMC also issued blue warnings for strong winds and sandstorm, forecasting strong winds and sandstorm weather conditions will affect provinces and regions including Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Gansu and Qinghai provinces and Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region from Sunday to Monday. Affected by the strong cold front, Xinjiang in particular has experienced the strongest freezing weather process this year. As of 8 am on Sunday, four meteorological stations in the eastern part of Altay reported temperature drops of over 30 C. The temperature in Tuerhong Township in Fuyun county, Altay dropped to -52.3 C, breaking the extreme lowest temperature on record in Xinjiang set on January 21, 1960, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday. In Northwest China's Gansu Province, more than 40,000 tourists were stranded in Jiuquan city due to traffic control related to a snowstorm, windy and dusty weather which started on Saturday morning, according to CCTV. Temporary traffic controls have been put in place on expressways including Lianyungang-Horgos expressway connecting the port cities of Khorgas city in Xinjiang and Lianyungang in East China's Jiangsu Province, and Beijing-Urumqi Expressway linking the Chinese capital Beijing and Urumqi, the regional capital of Xinjiang, causing a large number of passengers stranded in Jiuquan. Local authorities promptly launched emergency response measures and over 42,929 stranded tourists had been resettled as of 8 am on Sunday, including over 25,000 tourists stranded in Guazhou county. Strong winds and snowstorms hit Jiuquan since Saturday afternoon with the minimum level of visibility dropping to less than 20 meters. Local authorities exerted traffic controls at all the toll stations in the Jiuquan section of Lianyungang-Horgos expressway toward Xinjiang. Over 20,000 tourists from other places were stranded due to traffic controls, according to the information office of Guazhou county people's government. The local authorities promptly allocated 6,000 beds from the local hotels and 1,700 beds from local schools as well as the meeting rooms and dining halls at the hotels for resettling the stranded tourists. Meteorological authorities and experts have warned that the challenging weather condition combined with multiple extreme weather phenomena will have a great impact on tourists on their return journey to their workplace after the holiday. Ma Jun, director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, told the Global Times on Sunday that the widespread sandstorms in Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Northwest China's Shaanxi Province have already exerted a great impact. It will further affect North China's Shanxi Province and Hebei Province afterwards. China's National Early Warning Centre issued several warnings on Saturday night to warn ahead of sandstorms in multiple places including the orange alerts for sandstorms in, Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, and Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Several netizens filmed videos of the orange sky in Xinjiang blanketed by heavy sandstorm. A tourist surnamed Pan who fought through the strong wind and heavy sandstorm on the highway in Xinjiang said the rear window of her vehicle was smashed and blown away, Red Star News reported. Ma warned that it is noteworthy that the following extreme weather conditions of widespread snowstorm in the northern areas and especially the freezing rain in the central and southern areas which will exert great impact on travelers. Ma noted that freezing rain is not very common for this time of year. Ma further noted that under the backdrop of global warming, the rising temperature in the North Pole will cause stronger cold waves heading downwards to the south. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Xian Jiangnan) A judge sentenced a Christian to life in prison under Pakistans blasphemy statutes for a social media message that relatives say was posted on a phone stolen from him, sources said. Fanson Shahid, 56, had been beaten in his home in Lahore when arrested in March 2022 and tortured into confessing after he was accused of posting a derogatory remark about the prophet of Islam in a comment on a post that another Christian had shared, his wife said. The phone on which the Facebook comment was made had been stolen from him in 2019, she said. Justice Zafar Yab Chadhar of the Additional Sessions Court Gujranwala District, Punjab Province, handed down the sentence on Jan. 24, but the family did not disclose it until now. We were praying for Shahids acquittal because hes innocent, but the verdict has shattered our hopes for justice, his sister, Sonia Shahid, told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Investigators found Fanson Shahids Facebook account was logged on in the new phone they recovered in 2022 and presented that as evidence that he had made the comment. His wife, Safia Shahid, said at that time, We believe that the lost phone was misused by someone to post the blasphemous comment, because my husband did not use a passcode for its security, and his Facebook account was also logged in. Fanson Shahid was convicted under Section 295-C of Pakistans blasphemy statutes, which calls for a mandatory death sentence for derogatory comments about Muhammad, but Chadhar cited as a "mitigating circumstance" that the comment was posted only once. If a single doubt or ground is available creating reasonable doubt in the mind of the court/judge to award even death penalty or life imprisonment, it would be sufficient circumstance to adopt alternative course by awarding life imprisonment instead of death sentence, Chadhar wrote in the verdict. He also handed Fanson Shahid a fine of 100,000 rupees (USD 358). Shahid was also convicted under Section 295-A, which prohibits hurting religious sentiments, and sentenced to three years in prison. He was also convicted under Section 153-A, which prohibits causing communal unrest, and sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of 50,000 rupees (USD 179). The judge also sentenced Shahid to three years in prison under Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, which prohibits promoting religious hatred on social media. The sentences are to run concurrently, the courts verdict stated. Sonia Shahid said the verdict shocked the family, members of the Full Gospel Assemblies church. Fanson Shahid has two children, and his family has been forced to relocate from their house due to fears for their security. Prominent Christian lawyer Lazar Allah Rakha said the verdict showed the court had disregarded the defenses arguments without giving a reason for doing so. Moreover, there are glaring contradictions in the statements of the prosecution witnesses which discredit the entire prosecution evidence, Rakha told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. The court blindly relied on the prosecutions evidence instead of viewing both the prosecution and defenses versions. Rakha said Shahid was entitled to acquittal as prosecutors failed to prove their case without any shadow of doubt. Sonia Shahid said the family was scrambling for support to file an appeal in the Lahore High Court. The appeal must be filed within 30 days of the verdict, and with less than a week left to submit it, the family has yet to find able legal representation. Fanson Shahid worked as a purchase officer at Pakistan Railways in Lahore and was due to retire in eight years when he was arrested on blasphemy charges in 2022. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) One person has been arrested after an ATM was stolen from a credit union on January 16. According to police, the ATM was taken from a Tinker Federal Credit Union near SW 89th and Western on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 16. Police investigating stolen ATM. Police investigating stolen ATM. Upon arrival, officers found a forklift left in the parking lot. When they checked security cameras, they could see who took the ATM, but their faces were covered. LOCAL NEWS: OKC homeowner offers reward following burglary Those things are hard to steal. Theyre very heavy, M.Sgt. Gary Knight, with Oklahoma City Police. According to OKCPD, one man has been arrested in connection to the theft. Aaron Peterson. Officials say 52-year-old Aaron Peterson was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 15, for Grand Larceny, Destruction of Property, Pattern of Criminal Offense, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of Stolen Property. No more information is available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Executions of prisoners of war are a gross violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reiterated on Feb. 19. Read also: Russian military executed three Ukrainian POWs from 82nd Air Assault Brigade, Air Force confirms The Russians frequently signal readiness to take prisoners of war, but then execute unarmed Ukrainian soldiers, said the commissioner, commenting on reports of the killings of eight Ukrainian prisoners of war in Avdiivka and Vesele, Donetsk Oblast. "There are no laws and rules for Russia," Lubinets said. By shooting prisoners of war, the aggressor state grossly and cynically violates the norms of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. The Russians will face severe punishment for this grave international crime, the ombudsman said, appealing to the international community and noting that Russia respects no borders. It continues to move forward even after seizing certain territories. Dmytro Lykhoviy, head of the public relations department of the Tavria troop grouping, said that the withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka was as successful as the circumstances allowed. Read also: Battles for besieged Avdiivka many times more hellish than Bakhmut, 3rd Assault Brigade says The DeepState analytical portal reported on Feb. 18 that the Russian troops shot six captured Ukrainian soldiers at the Museum position (formerly the Zenit military unit) in Avdiivka, who remained there after the Ukrainian army retreated from the town. Four of them were wounded and could not get out of the encirclement along with the rest of the Ukrainian military. Investigative outlet Slidstvo.info reported that the mother, wife, and sister of three Ukrainian soldiers out of six who were captured at the Zenit position identified their bodies in the video. Journalist Yuriy Butusov published a list of the names of the soldiers who remained at Zenit. The Ground Forces reported on Feb. 18 that in the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia troop grouping, the Russian military shot two Ukrainian prisoners of war. Later, the Office of the Prosecutor General reported that an investigation had been launched. The second case occurred during a Russian assault in Vesele, Donetsk Oblast. The commander of the Tavria troop grouping, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, previously said that "a number" of Ukrainian soldiers were captured during the withdrawal from Avdiivka. Read also: Some Ukrainian troops were captured during Avdiivka withdrawal 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 He hadnt yet won enough votes to clinch Indonesias presidential election, but with the confidence of a man poised to take power of one of the worlds largest democracies, Prabowo Subianto gave a press conference, half-naked, from his private swimming pool on the outskirts of Jakarta. At 72, the ex-army general, once banned from the United States over alleged human rights violations, might be decades older than his competitors both former governors in their 50s but he says he is more than ready to lead. The most important objective of democracy is giving people the leaders and representatives they want, Prabowo told reporters from his pool. I hope all parties understand the greater goal. Official results will be announced in March. But according to early figures, which historically have been accurate, Prabowo garnered an enormous 60% of the vote, avoiding a run-off in June. He lost presidential elections twice to the wildly popular Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, sparking deadly riots in 2019 after he challenged the results. Now he is poised to become Indonesias next leader. Prabowo Subianto in the pool at his mansion in South Jakarta. - Partai Probawo-Gibran But speculation is rife about what a famously short-tempered military man will do when he ascends to office and what it will mean for the countrys hard-won democracy. Prabowo has worked really hard to whitewash his egregious past and reinvent himself with a softer, cuddlier image but its still too early to tell what kind of president he will be, said Zachary Abuza, a professor in Southeast Asian politics and security issues at the National War College in Washington, DC. Jokowis focus had been on the economy. He believed that economic growth and development would resolve all conflicts, Abuza added. I see Prabowo looking at problems through a military lens. Safeguarding sovereignty and national security will be his priorities. Prabowo's political rallies draw thousands. This was the scene at his last election rally at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta on February 10, 2024. - Antara Foto/Galih Pradipta/Reuters Many are excited about a Prabowo presidency, like this hardcore supporter who has clearly taken his support to the extreme. - Bagus Saragih/AFP/Getty Images More recently, Prabowo has presented himself as a loyal Jokowi ally, serving as his defense minister for the past five years. Much of his 2024 election campaign focused on continuing the outgoing presidents pet projects and policies. But the two could not be more different, political watchers say. When Widodo won the election in 2014, he drew comparisons with Barack Obama and rode in on a platform of change becoming the first elected president in Indonesias history with no ties to the political or military elite. Experts say Prabowo, known for his fiery speeches, military background and combative past will make for a very different kind of president. He is considerably more outspoken and confrontational than Widodo, who is known for his calm and conciliatory demeanor, they add. Prabowo had a reputation in the military for fighting and for his short temper, said Tom Pepinsky, professor of government and director of the Southeast Asia Program at Cornell University. While he might not have the same crassness or brashness of politicians like Rodrigo Duterte, Javier Milei or Trump, his politics replace concern for law and order with a preference for order over the law. Prabowo does have temper issues, said Abuza. Its very easy to get under his skin as weve seen for ourselves in the presidential debates and dont forget: this is someone who has justified military rule and like all politicians, knows how to turn on the charm. Prabowo has represented Indonesia both globally and in the region, at several high profile meetings and security summits. - Dita Alangkara/AFP/Getty Images A new era in foreign policy? As Indonesias defense minister, Prabowo is no stranger on the world stage. While rights groups might criticize him, foreign leaders have been quick to congratulate him on his apparent victory. Prabowo will be more comfortable as a world leader than Jokowi was, said Pepinsky. His English is stronger and he is confident moving around in international circles. But his appearance at a security summit in Singapore last year left audiences stunned when he delivered an impromptu peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, calling for a demilitarized zone that would have allowed Russia to keep its territorial gains. As president of Indonesia, there will be greater pressure on Prabowo to navigate and maintain strong diplomatic ties with countries like China and the US, as well as close neighbor Australia, experts told CNN. Indonesia has long been one of Australias most important bilateral relationships and experts say that will not change with Prabowo in charge. Australia will be very careful. Its relationship with Indonesia is seen as being very politicized, one thats always on spiky ground, said Jacqui Baker, a Southeast Asian politics lecturer and senior fellow at the Center for Indo-Pacific Research in Perth. The Australian government will work very hard to maintain its partnership and good working relations with Indonesia. Resource-rich Indonesia, with the worlds largest nickel reserves, is also seen as a big prize for influence in Asia. Widodos ambitions for the countrys economy have led him to seek out good relations with both Beijing and Washington. Indonesia will continue to maintain neutrality even after Widodo leaves office. We expect Indonesia, led by Prabowo, to continue a pragmatic approach and maintain neutrality by not aligning with China or the US to allow it to continue welcoming both Chinese and Western investment, said Laura Schwartz, Senior Southeast Asia Analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft. But he should expect international scrutiny of his reputation, Schwartz added. Prabowo might have successfully rehabilitated his image domestically but on a global stage, he is still perceived to be a polarizing figure and may face more scrutiny around his controversial history. Mascots depicting Prabowo Subianto (left) and his vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka during a campaign in Jakarta. - Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images Diplomatic relations with China have been especially important during Widodos final year in office, which saw him aggressively courting lucrative Chinese foreign investment deals to speed up infrastructure development. Prabowo will continue to seek out Chinese investment like Jokowi has but whether he has the patience and consistency that Jokowi has demonstrated is unknown at this point, said Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. His past behavior record has included more instances of unpredictable changes in direction. Much of the commentary concerning Prabowo and the US has centered on a ban imposed on him back in 1998 after he was dismissed from the military over alleged human rights atrocities following the fall of the late dictator Suharto, also his former father-in-law. Security experts have pointed out several visits Prabowo has made to the US since becoming defense minister in 2019. Past sanctions on him are unlikely to present any major hurdles when he becomes president. Prabowos ban from entering the US was waived and he has been here more than once and met with very senior officials effectively whitewashing rights abuses in his past, noted Abuza. Dan Slater, a political science professor and director of the Center for Emerging Democracies at the University of Michigan, told CNN that he foresees Prabowo having some leeway with the US after he becomes president. Washington is going to be looking for endeavors and ambitions in Asia, particularly vis-a-vis with Beijing, and as long as it looks at Asian countries as terrain for competition with China, it will give Prabowo some latitude to make initial goodwill. That said, Prabowo won a democratic election in a huge landslide, Slater added. So theres going to be a lot of inclination on Washingtons end to try and get along with him. Indonesian soldiers at the Sultan Iskandar Muda Airforce base in Aceh province are briefed before being deployed to West Papua for security operations. - Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP/Getty Images Revival of military political power For much of his decade in office, Widodos focus had been on advancing Indonesias economy, famously pledging it would become the worlds fourth largest by 2045. Economic growth and infrastructure improved under his watch as he courted major Chinese companies and electric car giant Tesla to invest in its nickel mining industry. Prabowo, while a very wealthy and savvy businessman with assets reportedly worth more than $125 million, is first and foremost a military man and is likely to have different priorities, experts say. As defense minister, he was committed to military modernization. As president, it is unclear how and if he will use the military to further his aims, said Chong, from the National University of Singapore. The risk is if he seeks to re-politicize the army to serve his interests or closes an eye to corruption and abuse. His stance about territorial issues in the South China Sea is expected to remain the same, Chong added. He has little incentive to escalate (tensions) but if he believes Indonesia is being provoked, he might be more willing to take risks as compared to Jokowi, as weve seen with his military past. Indonesias army, known by its initials TNI (Tentara Nasional Indonesia) is formally banned from politics but even with legal restrictions in place, generals remain a powerful force. In Southeast Asia, people do tend to look to militaries as being trusted and important institutions especially if there are corrupt politicians in government, said Abuza. In Indonesia, we have seen the TNI systematically claw back authority over the years and try to reassert itself in spaces that should be the purview of civil authorities I can definitely see Prabowo going into the ranks of retired army officers and generals for many of his advisers and cabinet officials. But a bigger concern is if he accelerates the return of a dual function role for the military. A low-level insurgency has simmered for decades in resource-rich Papua, with Jakarta keeping a tight grip on the region through a heavy military and police presence. - Juni Kriswanto/AFP/Getty Images Papua is going to be ground zero On TikTok, it would seem as if Prabowos former life as a fearsome special forces commander never existed the result of a successful rebranding campaign that charmed young voters and transformed him into a cuddly grandfather figure. But not all have forgotten his bloody past. We are dealing with the possibility of our next president being implicated in major human rights violations, said Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia. A Prabowo presidency could roll back our democratic reforms and the fear is that things are going to change for the worse. Of particular concern is Papua, the restive province where TNI troops have long maintained a strong presence. Access to the country is tightly controlled and accounts of abuse by soldiers against civilians are frequently reported. Papua is going to be ground zero for many of Prabowos policies, said Abuza. He has advocated a more military response to crush Papuans and I would imagine that he will not be one to seek out political solutions. I just do not see him trying to reach negotiated settlements that would grant the region more autonomy. If anything, he would increase state control, he added. A Prabowo presidency risks a dangerous repeat of the late Suhartos authoritarian regime, said Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman who currently lives in exile in Australia. The situation in Papua is about to get worse, Koman told CNN. And seeing Prabowos track record in East Timor, this cant be underestimated. CNNs Kathleen Magramo and Angus Watson contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Few people truly understand the experience of landing in a foreign country with no family, no money and no ability to speak the language. I do, and I can tell you this much: Its lonely and terrifying. I also know that no one chooses this path unless they have no choice. In 2013, I was captured and tortured by the Burundi government for working to build peace between rival Hutus and Tutsis. So I fled to America and legally applied for asylum. Refugees typically wait years to enter the United States, but they arrive with a pathway to permanent residency. As an asylum seeker, I arrived without any guarantee that my request would be accepted. I slept on a strangers couch for a year. I had no jacket, no blankets, no toiletries. I often didnt know where my next meal would come from. One time, after three days without food, I sat frightened feeling intense hunger and very alone. A few minutes later, I received a call. It was the pro-bono lawyer who had assisted with my asylum application. He wanted to check on me and, sensing I was in a desperate place, asked if he could buy me groceries. I couldnt believe it. When we arrived at HEB, he told me to buy anything I wanted. I almost fell over. It was generosity from people like him that allowed me to survive. Eventually I found my way and won my asylum case. I received my green card in 2021, and Ive made it my mission to give back. In 2022, I founded More Than Welcome, a faith-based nonprofit that helps refugees and asylum seekers in Central Texas find housing, food, health care, and employment. Weve now helped over 1,000 refugees and asylum seekers start new lives in America. And yet we could do so much more to give these newcomers the support they need to be truly successful. Some of these changes are simple. For instance, it takes at least 6 monthsand often much longer-- for most asylum seekers to receive their work permits. We need Congress to pass the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, which would reduce this waiting period to 30 days. Rosa Diaz carries her 6-year-old son, Fabian Los Diaz, after they and other Venezuelans crossed the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass on Jan. 8 to seek asylum. (Credit: Jay Janner / American-Statesman / File) At More Than Welcome, my team greets asylum seekers with the same kindness that made such a difference for me in those early days. We help families pay rent, drive people to job interviews, organize language classes, and help them find community as many are lonely. Last year, a family whod fled political persecution in Angola came to us with nowhere to live. We were able to find them an apartment donated by a generous supporter. We helped enroll their 7-year-old daughter in school. Until they can get on their feet, theyll have our support and a roof over their heads. This Angolan family is still dealing with a long list of challenges, but stable housing is a key first step. I know this firsthand. More than a year after I arrived in Austin, I finally saved enough from working a warehouse job to rent my own place. I applied for an apartment in East Austin, and found another asylum seeker to split the rent with me. Co-workers and friends donated furniture. When I walked into my own bedroom for the first time, I was overcome with emotion. Finally, I had a place of my own. Today, were always looking for more volunteers to help us do this work. It does not require any money. It does not require much time. The only thing required is a desire to ease the suffering of others. Im grateful were able to provide deserving people shelter and food, but there are many more out there we cannot reach. Resettlement organizations need more support to do this work because when a person escapes horrific circumstances and lands in the safety of the United States, someone should be there to greet them and make them feel welcome. Alliance Samuragwa is a former asylum seeker from Burundi and the founder of More Than Welcome in Austin. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Opinion: Being an asylum seeker can be terrifying. We can do more help. Editors Note: Dennis Aftergut, a former federal prosecutor, is currently counsel to Lawyers Defending American Democracy, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving the rule of law. The views expressed here are his own. Read more opinion at CNN. On Thursday, the Justice Department indicted Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant, for lying about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Bidens involvement in negotiations with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings. Smirnov is a central witness in the House Republicans Biden impeachment inquiry, which was already circling the drain as committee leaders have persisted in pursuing baseless allegations for political gain. Dennis Aftergut - Courtesy of Dennis Aftergut According to the indictment, Smirnov lied to the FBI by claiming that officials at Burisma, where Hunter Biden served on the board years ago, bribed then-Vice President Biden and his son so the vice president would interfere with a criminal investigation into the company. Smirnov now faces charges for making false statements to the FBI and creating false records. Smirnovs testimony has been the heart of House Oversight Committee Republicans stumbling investigation into impeaching President Biden. News of Smirnovs indictment had Oversight Committee Chair James Comer of Kentucky beating a strategic retreat: The impeachment inquiry, he said on Thursday, is not reliant on the FBIs [interview of Smirnov]. It is based on a large record of evidence. Thats to be expected from politicians trying to salvage an investigation whose key witness has been exposed. With Smirnovs indictment for fabricating claims, the air is out of the House inquirys tires. For those in the fact-based world, the oversight committees impeachment car, driven by Comer, is stuck on the edge of a cliff with two wheels hanging in thin air. The Smirnov episode is Exhibit A in what happens when politicians grinding partisan axes make serious public charges without evidence against elected officials. That shameless behavior erodes citizens precious trust in government. Prosecutors learn early that, in white-collar crimes, youd better have indisputable documents or witnesses whose testimony is thoroughly corroborated before seeking an indictment. Otherwise, you can get seriously burned in the backfire. As Hannah Arendt, the dean of 20th century political theorists, wrote in 1971 about years of government lies revealed in the Pentagon Papers amidst the Vietnam War, There always comes the point beyond which lying becomes counterproductive. Politicians like Comer and GOP Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, could learn something from Arendt and from capable prosecutors about tossing aside facts and truth. Unfortunately, the MAGA committee chairs seem to have neither time nor interest in thought, care, competence or real evidence. All that seems to matter to them is repeating the charges enough times for them to sink into the public consciousness. In 2016, there was no there there with House Republicans Benghazi investigation, but the smear looked like it had an adverse effect on former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. So Republicans have apparently decided, Lets do it again. But dont expect it to work this time. The very smart Democrats now on the House Oversight Committee learned from experience and are onto Comers political stunts. His claims have been called out by New York Rep. Dan Goldman, a former prosecutor who worked on the first impeachment of former President Donald Trump, and ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, a constitutional scholar who served on the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. As Yale professor Timothy Snyder, the eminent historian of 20th century totalitarianism, has written, Students of democracy have argued since ancient times that the truth matters, and that truth needs defenses. We are lucky to have capable defenders of truth whose counter-punches have been stronger than Comers feckless jabs. They dont carry the power of reliable facts. With Smirnov, Comer has led with his jaw. When you are dealing with a shaky witness whose testimony is the key to your fight plan, you need to muscle up with corroboration. Comer has none. Indeed, Comer and Jordan have overhyped Smirnovs testimony so many times, according to the progressive watchdog Congressional Integrity Project, that its hard to keep count. To cite just one example, last June, Comer told Fox News Sean Hannity, This is one of the highest paid, most respected, most trusted, most effective human informants. So what we learned is what the whistleblowers told Sen. Grassley all along. The FBI never investigated this. That last claim is yet another falsehood. This whole investigation into Burisma goes back five years. In early 2020, Rudy Giuliani, Trumps disgraced lawyer who was trying to dig up dirt on Hunters father, handed documents over to Trump administration Attorney General Bill Barr. According to CNN reporting, Barr told reporters at the time, We cant take anything we receive from Ukraine at face value. Former Pittsburgh US Attorney Scott Brady oversaw the FBI investigation of the Giuliani claims. The 1023 document [memorializing Smirnovs interview] demanded by Comer is among the products of that investigation. The FBI and prosecutors who reviewed the information couldnt corroborate the claims. Theres the rub. And Comers face plant by relying on Smirnovs alleged lies is just the latest in a long string of leaning on witnesses who have provided no evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden. They include the presidents bookkeeper, Hunter Bidens business associates, his art dealer and a host of others whove said that President Biden is a loving father but was not involved in his sons business deals. Comer seems to have gone to the ends of the Earth to find dirt on the president. But the congressman has ended up with an empty dustbin. Impeachment is the most serious non-criminal charge that Congress can bring against a federal official. It is no place to be inflating allegations and to be relying on witnesses whose testimony is not corroborated. Doing so drains public confidence in impeachment as a guardrail on executive abuses of power. Wild charges without basis in reliable evidence insult fact and truth, the foundations of democracy. New York University professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat put it this way in her seminal book Strong Men: The decay of truth and democratic dissolution proceed hand in hand. Snyder makes the same point: Once factual truth is no defense in politics, all that remains is spectacle and force. From Comer and Jordan, weve seen plenty of spectacle but an absence of light. These point men for Trump and truthlessness are dangers to democracy. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Last month Michel Forst, the UN special rapporteur on environmental defenders, denounced the UKs regressive new laws on public protest. For Amnesty International and The Guardian, Forsts intervention offers a damning indictment of the repressive crackdown climate activists in the UK face for exercising their right to peacefully protest. For everyone else, this assessment of our public order law will seem risible. Far from ushering in a new authoritarian crackdown on peaceful protest, legislation enacted across the past two years has been an obviously inadequate response to the rising tide of lawlessness on our streets. The Public Order Act 2023 and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 made some sensible changes to the law of public protest. However, neither addressed the fundamental problem created in June 2021 by the Supreme Courts Ziegler judgment. That judgment made the offence of obstructing the highway more or less unworkable, discouraging police from arresting protestors who had occupied the streets, and politicising trials. Ever since the judgment was handed down, Policy Exchange has argued that Parliament must legislate to reverse it, restoring the integrity of the criminal law and thus buttressing the rule of law. So it is good news that the Government plans to table amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill to make the offence of obstructing the highway workable once more and to limit the damaging implications that Ziegler has had in other similar cases involving other public order offences. The significance of the Ziegler judgment is that the Supreme Court ruled that a conviction for obstructing the highway would not be justified unless it was a proportionate interference with the exercise of the right to protest. This put police, prosecutors and trial courts in a very difficult position, not to mention the law-abiding public, who should be entitled to use the highways free from obstruction. The Ziegler approach is that someone is only to be convicted if the judge or jury concludes that convicting the defendant would, all things considered, be a justified interference in his or her freedom of speech or assembly. But this is an unworkable standard for a criminal court to apply and risks politicising the courtroom. The question of proportionality should be decided by Parliament in formulating the offence itself. The reasoning in Ziegler spilled over into the context of criminal damage, most notably in relation to the toppling of the Colston statue in Bristol. Some progress on this front has been made in the courts, but the Supreme Court has not reversed its judgment. That needs legislation. The Public Order Act 2023 created a number of new offences, including offences of locking on, causing serious disruption by tunnelling, and obstructing major transport works or key national infrastructure. However, each of these offences includes a reasonable excuse defence, which positively invites defendants to argue that in locking on, tunnelling, or obstructing transport works or national infrastructure they are exercising their Convention rights and that a conviction would be disproportionate. The Government has not yet tabled its new legislative proposals. One key question for parliamentarians will be whether the amendments directly reverse Ziegler or instead merely try to tweak its application, to make the ruling a little easier to bear. The best course of action would be simply to amend the Highways Act 1980, making clear that no one has a reasonable excuse if he obstructs the highway intending to intimidate, provoke, inconvenience, or harm members of the public or aiming to influence government or public opinion by subjecting any person, or their property, to a risk of loss or damage. This is peaceful protest only in a very loose sense, for the self-styled protestors aim is not peacefully to persuade the electorate or the authorities. Rather, the object of their tactics is to impose their point of view by inconveniencing or actually harming others, or by otherwise interfering with the enjoyment of their lawful rights and freedoms. New legislation should anticipate and address the risk that it might be watered down by the Human Rights Act 1998. It should spell out that the new legislation is to be treated as necessary in a democratic society for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. That would rule out human rights litigation brought to challenge that conclusion, and thus prevent judicial rewriting of the statute. The same legislative approach should apply not only to the offence of obstructing the highway, which would directly reverse Ziegler, but also to other offences that provide a defence of acting with a reasonable or lawful excuse, including many of the offences that are set out in the Public Order Act 2023. The UN special rapporteur may be apoplectic. Amnesty International and The Guardian will fulminate. But if the Government brings forward amendments along these lines, and if Parliament adopts them, it will have helped return the rule of law to Britains streets. Richard Ekins KC (Hon) is head of Policy Exchanges Judicial Power Project and Professor of Law and Constitutional Government, University of Oxford 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. Children born to immigrants to Mayotte, a former colony turned overseas department of France, could soon be cut off the path to French nationality. This is not the first time the government has made different rules for the Indian Ocean islands. Situated between Mozambique and Madagascar, off the coast of south-east Africa, Mayotte is some 7,500 kilometres from mainland France. The gulf between them is about to get even bigger. Interior Minister Gerald Darminin announced this month that the government plans to change Frances constitution to revoke the right to citizenship for children born to foreign parents in Mayotte. That would make the island territory the only part of France where jus soli the right to citizenship through birthplace, a principle that has existed in French law since the 1500s does not apply. Such a law would pose a major problem for the indivisibility of the Republic, Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche, professor of public law at Jean Moulin University in Lyon, told RFI. Enshrined in Frances constitution, this concept is supposed to ensure that the same laws apply throughout the country, mainland or overseas. But in practical terms, the rules in Mayotte are already different from those in the rest of France. A history of difference But the countrys 101st department remained very different to the hundred that came before. Read more on RFI English Read also: France to revoke birthright citizenship in overseas Mayotte to stem migration Mayotte, France's poorest overseas territory, hit by crippling social crisis Unicef sounds alarm over child poverty in French overseas departments Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad al-Maliki asked the United Nationss top court to declare Israeli occupation of the West Bank illegal at a historic hearing opened in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. The Palestinian diplomat focused on the war in Gaza for much of the case proceedings Monday and told the International Court of Justice that 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of them children, are besieged and bombed, killed and maimed, starved and displaced. More than 3.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem, are subjected to colonization of their territory and racist violence that enables it, he said, The Associated Press reported. Al-Maliki called the Israeli occupation annexation and supremacist in nature and pressed the court to declare that the Israeli occupation is illegal and must end immediately, totally and unconditionally. The U.N. General Assembly requested a nonbinding advisory opinion into Israels policies in the occupied territories, which prompted Mondays proceedings. Israel has sharply criticized the hearings, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying Monday the nation does not recognize their legitimacy. The discussion at The Hague is part of the Palestinian attempt to dictate the results of the political agreement without negotiations, Netanyahu said. In a letter published Monday, Israel said the questions put to the court are prejudiced and fail to recognize Israels right and duty to protect its citizens, address Israeli security concerns or acknowledge Israel-Palestinians agreements to negotiate issues, including the permanent status of the territory, security arrangements, settlements, and borders, the AP reported. Al-Maliki said a court opinion in their favor could increase chances for peace, telling reporters, This ruling could help both Palestinians and Israelis to finally live side by side in peace, mutual security and dignity. Israels letter, however, suggested that outcome would have the opposite effect. The letter criticized the hearings portrayal of villain and victim, saying such characterizations only bring the two parties further away from peace. While the request made to the Court seeks to portray it as such, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not a cartoon narrative of villain and victim in which there are no Israeli rights and no Palestinian obligations, the letter said. Entertaining such a falsehood can only push the parties further apart rather than help create conditions to bring them closer together. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Two notable masterpieces looted from the historic Peruvian church, La Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion, 12 years ago, are finally returned to the country's authorities thanks to help from New York's US Homeland Security office and the Manhattan District Attorney's Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU). How the Two Peruvian Masterpieces Were Stolen The two pieces, which are known as "Flight to Egypt" and "The Pilgrim Virgin," and were made by unidentified painters, were taken from the venerable church in the town of Juli in Southern Peru back in 2012. According to a public release by Manhattan's DA Office, the two paintings were then trafficked into Manhattan shortly after to be auctioned off. The investigation set out by the two US offices started in the latter half of 2023, following reports that they were set to be sold by the New York auction house Doyle, as part of its "20th Century Abstraction/Latin American Art" sale. As per Artnet, both paintings were estimated to sell around the $7,000 to $12,000 price range at the October 11 auction. However, they were pulled out from the auction after Peruvian journalist David Hidalgo of Ojo Publico recognized the pieces and consequently alerted the auction house of their stolen status. Doyle, in turn, reported the incident to the concerned authorities. Of the auction house's contribution, Doyle's Senior Vice President for Marketing and Media Louis LeB. Webre said: "We are proud of the active role we played in the recovery of these two works of art." Read Also: English National Opera Performers Call Off Strike, Following an Agreement With the Musicians' Union A Case Solved Through International Collaboration According to the release, the whole operation was led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. through constant communication and cooperation with the Peruvian authorities. "The protection, recovery, and return of our cultural heritage is a permanent policy of the Republic of Peru," said Marita Landaveri, Consul General of Peru in New York. "We are deeply grateful for the cooperation of New York authorities in the successful recovery of two significant colonial paintings, which will soon be returned to the people of Peru," she added. "This collaboration underscores our ongoing commitment to combating the trafficking of cultural heritage, and we anticipate continued partnership in these vital efforts." Under Attorney Bragg's tenure alone, the ATU has helped recover 1,200 antiquities that were stolen from over 25 countries, all of which have a collective estimated value of just about $225 million. HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan, who also had a hand in the investigations that ensued, said: "We are proud to begin the process of turning an atrocious act of stolen religious artwork taken from a sacred place to a parable with a peaceable ending." "Whether here in New York or a continent away, HSI New York's Cultural Property, Art, and Antiquities Group and our law enforcement partners are unendingly committed to reuniting people and nations with their stolen historical artifacts," he continued. Read More: WAWOG Protesters Impede Exhibition on 'Hamas Attack' at the Jewish Museum in New York, Calling It 'Propaganda' 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Palestinian envoy gave a tearful speech at the United Nations highest court during a plea to save children and allow Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side. Riad Mansour, the Palestinian representative to the UN, called on the court to confirm that Israels presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal. His request came at the opening of a week of hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The UN General Assembly sought an advisory, or non-binding, opinion on the occupation in 2022. More than 50 states will present arguments through Feb 26. In a speech in which his voice cracked and he shed tears, Mr Mansour appealed to the international community to guide us towards a future in which Palestinian children are treated as children. He added: A finding from this distinguished court ...would contribute to bringing [occupation] to an immediate end, paving a way to a just and lasting peace. A future in which no Palestinians and no Israelis are killed. A future in which two states live side by side in peace and security. Israel will not participate in the hearings but submitted a written contribution dated July 24 2023, in which it urged the court to dismiss the request for an opinion. 03:58 PM GMT Today's live blog is now closed Thanks for following todays live blog. We will be back tomorrow with all the latest updates. 03:57 PM GMT British ship 'at risk of sinking' after Houthi strike A British-registered ship struck by the Houthis is at risk of sinking in the Gulf of Aden, the group has claimed. The rebel group attacked the Rubymar cargo ship in the Bab al-Mandab Strait off Yemen on Sunday. Yahya Sarea, the groups military spokesman, said the crew was safe. The ship was seriously hit which caused it to stop completely. As a result of the extensive damage the ship suffered, it is now at risk of sinking in the Gulf of Aden, he added. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported on Sunday that the crew had abandoned a ship off Yemen after an explosion in apparently the same incident. Ambrey, a British maritime security firm, said that a Belize-flagged, UK-registered and Lebanese-operated open hatch general cargo ship came under attack in the Bab al-Mandab Strait off Yemen on Sunday. 03:47 PM GMT More than 29,000 Palestinians killed since October 7, says Gaza health ministry More than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, according to figures from the Hamas run health ministry. The health ministry said 107 bodies were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours. That brings the total number of fatalities to 29,092 since the start of the war. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its records, but says around two-thirds of those killed were women and children. 03:27 PM GMT Pictured: Displaced Palestinian children gather to receive food at a government school in Rafah Displaced Palestinian children gather to receive food at a government school in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip - MOHAMMED ABED/AFP 02:35 PM GMT Palestinians accuse Israel of 'apartheid' at UN top court Palestinians are suffering colonialism and apartheid under the Israelis, Riyad Al-Maliki, the foreign minister, told the UNs top court Monday, urging judges to order an immediate and unconditional end to Israels occupation. The Palestinians have endured colonialism and apartheid... There are those who are enraged by these words. They should be enraged by the reality we are suffering, Al-Maliki told the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ is holding hearings all week on the legal implications of Israels occupation since 1967, with an unprecedented 52 countries, including the United States and Russia, expected to give evidence. Israel will not participate in the hearings but submitted a written contribution dated July 24, 2023, in which it urged the court to dismiss the request for an opinion. Speaking in the Peace Palace in The Hague, where the ICJ sits, the minister appealed to the judges to declare the occupation illegal and order it to stop immediately, totally and unconditionally. Justice delayed is justice denied and the Palestinian people have been denied justice for far too long, he said. It is time to put an end to the double standards that have kept our people captive for far too long. 02:13 PM GMT Brazilian president 'persona non grata' in Israel over Holocaust remarks Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian president, is not welcome in Israel until he apologises for comparing its ongoing war against Hamas to the Holocaust, the countrys foreign minister has said. Lulas remarks on Sunday sparked outcry in Israel after the Brazilian leader said the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip isnt a war, its a genocide and compared it to when Hitler decided to kill the Jews. Frederico Meyer (centre), Brazil's ambassador, visits the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum in Jerusalem in Israel Frederico Meyer - AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP Israel summoned Brazils ambassador for a meeting with Israel Katz, the Israeli foreign minister, at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre in Jerusalem. Hes persona non grata in the state of Israel so long as he doesnt retract his remarks and apologise, Mr Katz said of the Brazilian leader. 01:55 PM GMT Israeli GDP shrinks by almost one-fifth Israels GDP shrunk by almost one-fifth in the final quarter of 2023, compared to the three months prior, according to official figures published on Monday. The 19.4 per cent-fall in the final quarter was attributed to the scale of the ongoing Gaza wars effect on the high-tech nations economy. Overall, Israels GDP grew by 2.0 per cent in 2023, short of the 2.3 per cent projection made by the Bank of Israel after the wars outbreak in October, the Central Bureau of Statistics figures showed. It was the single worst quarter for the Israeli economy in terms of GDP per capita since the opening quarter of the Covid pandemic in early 2020. Exports fell by 18.3 per cent and imports by 42.4 per cent, fueled in part by airlines terminating flights and international shipping avoiding the Red Sea after Huthi rebels began attacking ships over Israels war against Hamas. 01:22 PM GMT Spain may impose sanctions on 'violent West Bank settlers' Spain will impose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank unilaterally if the EU fails to reach an agreement on the issue, Jose Manuel Albares, the foreign minister, has said. He said Spain, which has criticised Israels military offensive in Gaza, will push for the approval of such sanctions during a meeting of EUs foreign ministers held in Brussels on Monday. If theres no agreement, Spain will proceed individually with these sanctions against the violent settlers, Mr Albares told reporters before the meeting. 12:43 PM GMT Qatar criticises Netanyahu over pressure on Hamas to release hostages Qatar has criticised comments from Benjamin Netanyahu in which it said he asked the Gulf state to pressure Hamas into freeing Israeli hostages, describing them as a new attempt to prolong the Gaza war. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Qatari prime minister, said at the weekend that the pattern of negotiations for a framework ceasefire deal for the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza was not very promising in recent days. The Israeli prime ministers recent statements in which he calls on Qatar to pressure Hamas into releasing the (Israeli) hostages are nothing but a new attempt by him to delay and prolong the war for reasons that have become clear to everyone, Majed Al-Ansari, Qatars foreign ministry spokesman, posted in a statement on social media platform X. It was unclear what comments from Mr Netanyahu the Qatari statement was referring to. 12:29 PM GMT Germany 'deeply concerned' about Rafah offensive Germany is very concerned about an envisaged Israeli offensive in Rafah, a government spokesman has said. We are deeply concerned about the ground offensive in Rafah, the spokesman said during a regular press conference in Berlin. It is difficult to correctly assess the humanitarian situation there, but I think everyone recognises that it is catastrophic. If there is to be an offensive, Israel must answer the question of how to evacuate the up to 1.3 million civilians who are currently sheltering there, the spokesman added. 11:49 AM GMT Pictured: Palestinians pass the rubble of destroyed structures during an Israeli military operation in the Al Nusairat refugee camp Palestinians pass the rubble of destroyed structures during an Israeli military operation in the Al Nusairat refugee camp - MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock 11:33 AM GMT US-owned ship reports missile attack off Yemen, Ambrey says A Greece-flagged, US-owned, cargo ship reported a missile attack in the Gulf of Aden and called for military assistance, British maritime security firm Ambrey has said. The crew was unharmed in the incident, which occurred 93 nautical miles east of Aden, Yemen, it said. Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said it had received a report of an incident in the area and that authorities were investigating it [see post at 10:47]. 11:01 AM GMT Israel threatens Rafah offensive next month if hostages not released Israel has threatened to launch an offensive on Rafah next month if hostages are not released by Hamas. Benny Gantz, the Israeli war cabinet minister, said the ground offensive in the southernmost city would begin by Ramadan, which is expected to start on March 10, if hostages are not handed over. Mr Gantz told a conference of American Jewish leaders: The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, including the Rafah area. There has been widespread humanitarian concern over Israels impending offensive into Rafah. There are more than 1.4 million Gazans sheltering in the highly populated southern city. Israel has not announced a plan for where the refugees will be moved to in the event of an invasion. It comes as Israel formally opposed international efforts to create a two-state solution. 10:47 AM GMT UKMTO receives report of incident 100 nautical miles east of Yemen's Aden The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency received a report on Monday of an incident 100 nautical miles east of Yemens port of Aden. 10:18 AM GMT Rafah ground invasion would be 'catastrophic,' says Irish deputy premier Irelands deputy premier has said a ground invasion in Rafah would be absolutely catastrophic as he called on the EU to review whether Israel is complying with human rights obligations in its trade agreement with the bloc. Speaking ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, Micheal Martin said everything possible must be done to pressure the Israeli government not to send the military into the area of south Gaza. Mr Martin, who is also the Irish foreign affairs minister, told reporters in Brussels that Palestinian families are going through immense suffering in Rafah. He added: Weve over one and a half million people crowded into a very small corner of Gaza. Theyre weary, theyre exhausted from moving from the north to the centre and onto the south of Gaza. They have nowhere else to go. 09:49 AM GMT Israel 'has gone too far,' says Labour Israels actions in Gaza have gone beyond reasonable self-defence, Wes Streeting has said. The shadow health secretary told Sky News: We want to see a ceasefire, of course we do. And we have been increasingly concerned, as the wider international community has been, with the disproportionate loss of civilian life in Gaza. Israel has a responsibility to get its hostages back, every country in the world has a right to defend itself. But I think what we have seen are actions that go beyond reasonable self-defence and also call into question whether Israel has broken international law. The ICJ (International Court of Justice) are now investigating and we take all of that seriously. Asked whether he thought Israel had gone too fast, Mr Streeting replied: I think, objectively, yes, Israel has gone too far. And we have seen that with a disproportionate loss of innocent civilian life. 09:41 AM GMT Pictured: A Palestinian family evacuate following Israeli military operation in Bureij refugee camp A Palestinian family evacuate following Israeli military operation in Bureij refugee camp - MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock 09:11 AM GMT World Court to hear arguments on Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories The United Nations top court opens a week of hearings on the legal consequences of Israels occupation of Palestinian territories, with more than 50 states due to address the judges. Riyad al-Maliki, the Palestinian foreign minister, will speak first in the legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. In 2022, the UN General Assembly asked the court for an advisory, or non-binding, opinion on the occupation. The hearings will be held until Feb 26, after which the judges are expected to take several months to deliberate before issuing an advisory opinion. While Israel has ignored such opinions in the past, it could increase political pressure over its ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed about 29,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, since Oct.7. 08:45 AM GMT Houthis claim ship in Gulf of Aden 'at risk of sinking' Yemens Houthis targeted the Rubymar cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden and it is now at risk of sinking, the groups military spokesperson Yahya Sarea has claimed. The ship is British and the crew are safe, he said, adding the Houthis had also shot down a US drone in Hodeidah. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that the crew had abandoned a ship off Yemen after an explosion. A Belize-flagged, UK-registered and Lebanese-operated open hatch general cargo ship came under attack in the Bab al-Mandab Strait off Yemen on Sunday, British maritime security firm Ambrey said. 08:30 AM GMT Shameful Brazilian president is trivialising the Holocaust, says Israel Israel accused Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian president, of trivialising the Holocaust and causing offence to the Jewish people on Sunday after he likened the war against Hamas militants in Gaza to the Nazi genocide during the Second World War. Lula told reporters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, where he was attending an African Union summit, that what was happening in the Gaza Strip isnt a war, its a genocide. Its not a war of soldiers against soldiers. Its a war between a highly prepared army and women and children, added the veteran Leftist. Read more here 08:28 AM GMT Pictured: Rally to release the hostages in Tel Aviv Demonstrators hold signs while blocking traffic, as they attend a rally calling for the release of hostages kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack on Israel - DYLAN MARTINEZ/REUTERS A demonstrator holds a sign as they attend a rally calling for the release of hostages - DYLAN MARTINEZ/REUTERS 08:26 AM GMT Houthis could attack Britains underwater internet cables Houthi rebels could attack Britains underwater internet cables, a new report has warned. The Iran-backed militia have conducted drone and missile attacks against ships in the Red Sea, disrupting global shipping, in response to the war in Gaza. A report by Policy Exchange has warned that the Houthis could broaden their response to the conflict by taking it to the subsea domain and targeting underwater cables. Read more here 08:26 AM GMT Good Morning Good morning, and welcome to todays liveblog. We will be guiding you through all the latest updates. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Mohammad Shtayyeh, Prime Minister of the Palestinian Territories, is pictured during an interview with the German Press Agency at the 60th Munich Security Conference. Sven Hoppe/dpa Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh has called on the international community to launch a programme akin to the Marshall Plan, the huge US effort to rebuild Europe after World War II, for the badly damaged Gaza Strip. "We need a Marshall Plan for Gaza," Shtayyeh told dpa on the fringes of the Munich Security Conference at the weekend. He said the plan should have three components: "One, relief and immediate aid. Second, reconstruction and third, revitalization of the economy." "We have seen from satellite images that 45% of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed. That means in private property, 281,000 housing units, between complete destruction and partial destruction," the Palestinian Authority leader told dpa. In some cases, repairs could be possible in weeks or months, he said. "That means we need a lot of money for this." The prime minister, who is based in Ramallah in the West Bank and has no control over the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, once again warned Israel against driving the Palestinians who have fled to the south of the coastal strip to Egypt with a military offensive. Instead, Shtayyeh said Israel should let the people return to their homes as well as allow aid deliveries to the northern Gaza Strip, and switch the water and electricity back on. "Allow people to go back to their homes," he said. "Israel might not like to do that, but that is what we have been asking here in Munich, with all the people whom we have been meeting and with Washington, Germany, Britain and all other countries," said Shtayyeh. Israel has been deliberately violating international law for decades, the Palestinian Authority argued on the first day of an International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearing on Israel's policies in the occupied Palestinian Territories. "The force of law must prevail," said Riyadh al-Maliki, the foreign minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA) on Monday before the highest court of the United Nations in The Hague. The PA argues that Israel has been violating international law since 1967, when Israel took control of the areas in the so-called Six Day War, by annexing wide strips of land and not granting Palestinians the right to self-determination. The UN General Assembly asked the court for an opinion on the legal consequences of Israel's actions towards Palestinians in the occupied territories in late 2022, before the beginning of the latest Gaza war last year. That was unleashed by the October 7 attacks by Palestinian extremist organization Hamas and other militant groups in Israel. The proceeding will examine the extent to which the 57-year occupation is legal and what legal consequences result from it. Although the opinion is not binding, it could further increase international pressure on Israel in the current Gaza war. Fifty-two states and three international organizations are taking part in the hearing, which is scheduled to last six days - a record number for the court. Israel does not wish to speak, but will make a written statement. It may take months before the expert opinion is presented. Israel took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem after the Six Day War in 1967. Today, around 700,000 Israeli settlers live there among 3 million Palestinians. The Palestinians claim the territories for an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The UN granted Palestine observer state status in 2012. Of 193 UN member states, 139 have so far recognized Palestine as an independent state. Monday's hearing is separate from the genocide proceedings brought by South Africa against Israel over the Gaza war. In these proceedings, the ICJ issued an interim ruling at the end of January ordering Israel to do everything in its power to prevent death, destruction and genocide in the Gaza Strip. Israel rejected South Africa's accusations. Displaced Palestinian children eat beans in their tent. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa The three incumbents running for their seats on Texas highest criminal court were not well known political figures outside of the legal community. That was until they earned the ire of Attorney General Ken Paxton in response to a 2021 opinion over a voter fraud case. Now, the three female Republican justices on the Court of Criminal Appeals, Presiding Judge Sharon Keller, Judge Barbara Hervey and Judge Michelle Slaughter, find themselves in the position of having their conservative credentials questioned in low-information elections in which theyre up against Paxtons political machine. The Court of Criminal Appeals, who I am concerned was put there by George Soros cause no one knows who they are, theyre all Republicans but even Republicans dont know who they are, Paxton told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson last month, referring to the Democratic mega donor. The three incumbents, who have nearly a century of combined experience practicing criminal law, as prosecutors and jurists, have been accused by Paxtons allies of abandoning their judicial duties and stripping the attorney generals power to enforce voter fraud a consequential issue for the modern-day GOP under former President Donald Trump. Three years ago, a case stemming from Paxtons effort to override a Jefferson County district attorney who declined to prosecute a sheriff over 2016 campaign-finance allegations was before the criminal appeals court. In a 8-1 decision, the court said the Office of the Attorney General violated the separation of powers in the Texas Constitution by trying to prosecute election cases without the permission of a local prosecutor. The timing of the opinion was such that this primary is the first opportunity for Paxton to seek political retribution against some of the eight Republican judges who he believes ruled against him. Its sad because he wouldn't know me from madam. I'm sure he doesn't know anything about me, said Hervey, wondering whether Paxton had actually read the opinion he railed against publically. Thats really pathetic. Hervey will face off against Gina Parker, a Waco attorney, on March 5. Presiding Judge Kellers opponent is David Schenck, a former state appeals court judge. Slaughter will take on Lee Finley, lawyer from Paxtons native Collin County. The three incumbents have received financial support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform, a committee that Paxton has labeled a political enemy. The challengers all have the backing of a new PAC, Texans for Responsible Judges, but the three have not received contributions from the group, according to the most recent campaign finance reports. Wendy Watson, a faculty member of the University of North Texas Department of Political Science, views these races as a referendum on Trump and his false claims of voter fraud. This is a loyalty test, Watson said. You didn't let Ken Paxton prosecute voter fraud, that must be because you are okay with voter fraud. Right? These races are low-information elections, races in which voters dont know either of the candidates well, Watson said. So any tidbit of information that a voter may get from someone, no matter how wrong or skewed, may end up being the deciding factor behind a cast ballot. Paxtons crusade against the judges has coincided with a separate revenge tour targeting Texas House members who voted to impeach him in May. Paxton was acquitted of abuse-of-office charges by the Senate after a trial in September. The Court of Criminal Appeals serves as a twin to the Texas Supreme Court, which handles civil, instead of criminal, cases. The nine judges on the court serve six years; new elections for three seats are held every two years during the regular election. Presiding Judge In the race for presiding judge, Schenck, a former state appeals court judge, is challenging Keller who was elected in 1994 as the first female judge on the Court of Criminal Appeals. Prior to her decades-long tenure, Keller worked as an assistant district attorney for Dallas County. Keller argues that her experience on the bench is crucial to keeping one of the busiest appellate courts in the country running. Her responsibilities as the presiding judge include preparing legislative appropriation requests, testifying before the Legislature, hiring and firing court employees and coordinating the three parts of the court: the judges, the clerk's office and central staff attorneys. I've been a conservative judge for a long time, I know the law, and I know how to run the court, Keller said. Given her conservative record, Keller said its been weird not having the conservative part of the Republican Party on her side. Keller, like her two colleagues up for reelection, have been subject of criticism from the far right wing of the party. In Kellers case, she has also been the subject of several ethics complaints over her tenure, which include a failure to disclose more than $2.8 million in personal holdings and an incident in which she closed the clerk's office as attorneys for a death row inmate attempted to file a last-minute appeal. Her challenger, Schenck, has stayed relatively quiet about Paxton's involvement in the race. The attorney generals face is not plastered on his campaign website and Schenck has been hesitant to opine on the courts voter fraud opinion. Schenck said Paxton is free to endorse any candidate he wants. Schenck served on the states Fifth District Court of Appeals in Dallas for eight years. He left that office in 2022 to run for the Texas Supreme Court, a race he lost to Justice Evan Young by a 10 percentage point margin. His campaign centers around broader structural concerns he has about the court. Those issues include the pace at which the court issues opinions and a general loss of confidence in the court. Schenck pointed to the number of opinions issued per judge in a year by the Court of Criminal Appeals, which came out to roughly 40 for fiscal year 2022. Compare that to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which averaged 140 per judge for a similar time span. It's slow, it's unproductive and appears no one's presiding, Schenck said. Place 7 Judge Hervey has been on the bench since 2001, prior to which she worked as a Bexar County assistant criminal district attorney for 16 years. Her experience with and knowledge of criminal law are crucial to the operation of the court, she said. On top of her duties as a judge, Hervey co-chairs the Judicial Commission on Mental Health and runs an education program that provides legal courses and assistance to judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and court personnel. I think experience and dedication to these things are important to move the needle forward, Hervey said. On the controversial opinion, Hervey put it in simple terms: Eight of us decided it was a good idea to follow the Constitution. The Texas Constitution tasks the attorney general with being the states chief lawyer, but leaves the prosecution of crimes including voter fraud to locally elected county attorneys and district attorneys. The Constitution states the attorney general may perform such other duties as may be required by law, which Herveys opponent, Parker, pointed to when asked about her interpretation of the 8-1 opinion. Parker is a Waco attorney who has practiced both civil and criminal law. In a statement to The Texas Tribune, she said that her experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney would bring a balanced perspective to the court. Compared to Schenck, Parker has taken a more explicit stance on the 2021 voter fraud opinion. On Feb. 9, Parker told radio host Chris Salcedo that the opinion was an attack on the attorney generals power and the Legislatures ability to make laws that empower Paxtons office. Thankfully Ken Paxton has taken a strong stand against this type of activity on the court and its drawn attention to our race and this is what needs to happen in order to stop this kind of bad, erroneous decisions coming down from the court, Parker said. In response to the Tribune's questions, Parker pointed to Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who have both expressed opposition to the 2021 opinion. Patrick called the decision completely unacceptable. Parker also noted that Hervey, who is 70, would have to retire before the end of her term given a Texas law requiring judges to leave the bench at 75. Keller is also 70 and would have to retire before the end of her term. The governor would appoint someone to finish their terms. Several Texas Supreme Court justices were appointed to the court before being elected to their positions. Place 8 Of the three incumbents, Slaughter has emerged as the loudest defender of the courts past work. For there to be constant misinformation about the court, about the judges, about our opinion, and just such egregious misinformation, I just got really fed up with it, Slaughter said. Slaughter is completing her first term on the bench. Prior to her time on states highest criminal appellate court she was elected to the 405th State District Court in Galveston County in 2013 and served until 2018. Slaughters challenger, Lee Finley, a Collin County lawyer, has prominently touted Paxtons endorsement on his website. According to the campaign biography, Finley has practiced criminal law for over 20 years and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Finley, who did not respond to requests for comment, came under scrutiny for reports that he and his wife, Lynne, are facing a civil judgment as a consequence of defaulting on a home mortgage payment in 2016. Finley and his wife appealed a district court decision to seize and sell the house to repay lenders. The appeal paused the seizure and the parties are waiting for a judgment from the appeals court. Finley financed his campaign through a series of private loans totaling $90,000, according to the most recent campaign finance reports. Meanwhile, Slaughter received $15,000 in campaign contributions from Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the group that has earned the ire of Paxton, in addition to smaller individual donations. The committee donated the same amount to Keller and Hervey. Their work over the years shows they are independent-minded jurists who believe the words of our Constitution must be respected, Lucy Nashed Cafrelli, a spokesperson for TLR, said in a statement. Because TLR believes judicial independence and experience are critically important to maintaining a respected judicial system and strong democracy, we have endorsed Judges Keller, Hervey and Slaughter for reelection. Disclosure: Texans for Lawsuit Reform and University of North Texas 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. We cant wait to welcome you to downtown Austin Sept. 5-7 for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival! Join us at Texas breakout politics and policy event as we dig into the 2024 elections, state and national politics, the state of democracy, and so much more. When tickets go on sale this spring, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today. JERSEY SHORE, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Police say they have arrested a man who was armed with a sword and a pocket knife after a stabbing in Lycoming County. Around 1:00 a.m. Friday morning, officers said they were called to the 300 block of South Lincoln Avenue, Jersey Shore, for a reported stabbing. Police arrived on the scene and found a 30-year-old male with a serious stab wound. One dead after shooting at birthday party in Allentown According to the report, 22-year-old Dalton Johnson was wielding a two-foot-long sword and pointing it at two individuals who were fighting outside the residence. The victim, an unnamed 30-year-old man from Mill Hall, disarmed Johnson and a fight began between the two, authorities said. Johnson reportedly punched the victim in the face and got on top of him. While on top of the 30-year-old, witnesses told police Johnson pulled a pocket knife out of his pocket and stabbed the victim. After the stabbing, police said Johnson fled. About 45 minutes later, Johnson was located in a wooded area several blocks from the scene. Johnson has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault, one count of possessing a weapon, two counts of simple assault, and one count of endangering another person. Johnson is being held in the Lycoming County Jail on an $85,000 cash bail. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. An auction selling the tattooed skin of Wolfgang Flatz, an Austrian performance artist and actor, has been halted following the sale of all twelve "art pieces" on sale for an unspecified "seven-figure sum." The sale would have been held on Feb. 8 at Munich's Pinakothek der Moderne art museum and facilitated with support from the Christie's auction house, if not for the complete buyout of all the slots. The buyer is an anonymous Swiss collector, who will be receiving high-quality greyscale photographs of the "pieces," at least until the originals can be posthumously handed over. That said, one specific tattoo titled "Dum Spiro Spero" ("While I Breath I Hope") is set to be given to Flatz's son. Behind the Wolfgang Flatz Sale The auction was entitled "To Risk One's Own Skin," with an alternate name of "Carrying the Skin to Market," and was planned to be led by Christie's Chairman, Dirk Boll. Christie's has since removed the web listing of the auction lots after the complete buy-out. According to The Art Newspaper, the auction house wrote a description for the sale saying that it "offers a unique opportunity to acquire a significant piece of art history's future," especially as it was the "first time" an art performer had auctioned off portions of his body while still being alive. The once-in-a-lifetime sale was conceptualized as a lead-in to the Munich art museum's exhibition showcasing Flatz's oeuvre, dubbed "Something Wrong with Physical Sculpture. The show is planned to run through May of this year. One of the featured activities during the exhibition is a chance for viewers to chuck darts directly at the artist's whole physique. An unspecified portion of the auction's proceeds will act as funding for both the institution's Bavarian State Painting Collections and the artist's own Flatz Foundation, which he set up to nurture "artistic expression." According to the Austrian artist's own website, the inspiration behind the auction and displays came from an antiquated traditional Japanese practice that saw an individual's tattoos cut out of their bodies after death. Read Also: 'Red Vineyard at Arles': Van Gogh's Sole Painting He Sold Unveiled in Moscow 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pennsylvania caretaker sentenced up to 28 years for sexually abusing people with disabilities A former caretaker was sentenced to up to 28 years in prison for sexually abusing 14 people with physical and intellectual disabilities at a personal care home in Pennsylvania. James Zook, 69, was sentenced to a minimum of 13 years and 9 months and a maximum of 28 years for the sexual assault of 14 residents at the Faith Friendship Villa in West Hempfield Township, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office. The Faith Friendship Villa, where Zook had worked for about 20 years, is a non-profit personal care home for people with mental illness and other disabilities. The victims' ages ranged from 33 to 69, and all of them had intellectual or physical disabilities. Zook had pleaded guilty in September to 329 counts of institutional sexual assault, 333 counts of indecent assault, and one count of disorderly conduct. PENNSYLVANIA COP SHOT ATTEMPTING TRAFFIC STOP, SUSPECT FATALLY SHOT FROM RETURNED FIRE "This was a man who used his position in order to victimize adults who could not protect themselves for 15-plus years," Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick said during the sentencing proceeding. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP During the proceeding, the Faith Friendship Villa's executive director read statements from nine of the victims, many of whom said they considered Zook a friend and expressed forgiveness. The executive director said 12 of 14 victims have returned to the program. "Many of these victims experienced trauma and abuse previously in their lives and seek refuge at Faith Friendship Villa," she said. "He preyed on their vulnerabilities." Zook read a statement apologizing for what he did and saying he regretted his actions. "It's clear to me the deep and long-lasting consequences each victim will continue to suffer from," Reinaker said before ordering the sentence. PENNSYLVANIA MAGISTRATE JUDGE CHARGED WITH SHOOTING ESTRANGED BOYFRIEND IN HEAD A licensed psychologist found that Zook was a sexually violent predator, a designation that includes lifetime registration as a sex offender and requires neighbors to be notified under Megan's Law. Zook was arrested and charged on Nov. 7, 2022, with institutional sexual assault and indecent assault after a victim reported him on August 14, 2022. Zook was accused of sexually assaulting the Faith Friendship Villa resident weekly or biweekly, starting in late 2020 or early 2021 and ending in August 2022. Further investigation led to additional charges in January after 13 other victims came forward saying they were abused. All the victims were interviewed by the Lancaster County Children's Alliance Center and disclosed sexual abuse spanning from 2007 until 2022. Original article source: Pennsylvania caretaker sentenced up to 28 years for sexually abusing people with disabilities A 57-year-old Pennsylvania judge is behind bars after authorities say she shot her ex-boyfriend in the head while he was sleeping. The incident happened on Saturday, Feb. 10, at a residence in Harrisburg, about 106 miles from Philadelphia. Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge Sonya M. McKnight is accused of striking the man in his right temple, resulting in him being blind in one eye, WGAL reported, citing police records. The bullet exited through his left temple. It came after the ex-boyfriend broke up with McKnight and attempted to get her to move out several times. He informed McKnight that he would call her mother to help her remove her belongings, solidifying the end of the relationship. Police noted that at this point, Sonya McKnight responds, Oh, Youre serious? and realized that it was over. When he woke up, he described having massive head pain and struggling to see. According to the report, after the victim was shot, he alleged that McKnight asked, What did you do to yourself? He later told police that he didnt hurt himself. McKnight is the one who called the police to the scene but couldnt give a clear explanation of what occurred. She could not explain what happened and stated that she was sleeping and heard him screaming, officials said, per the news station. The gun used in the incident was registered to McKnight, and a test determined that she had gun residue on her hands, NBC News reported. She was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault. The ex-boyfriend was identified as Michael McCoy. As the WGAL reported, McKnight claimed that she didnt leave the home that night, but footage from neighbors doorbell cameras tells a different story. Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack is overseeing the case. According to PennLive.com, McKnight curbed charges connected to shooting her estranged husband in 2019. He was hit in the groin but ultimately survived his gunshot wounds. We found that Ms. McKnight acted in self-defense, which is why our office did not file charges, the Attorney Generals Office reportedly said at the time. In November, McKnight was also suspended after the Judicial Conduct Board claimed she violated judicial probation stemming from a previous case, the AP reported. It was based on her alleged misconduct when a son was involved in a traffic stop in 2020. Pennsylvania Judge Charged for Shooting Ex-Boyfriend In Sleep Was Accused of Similar Crime Against Husband, Reports Show HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) The Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Commonwealth Libraries has announced that around $4.5 million in grants has been awarded to 17 libraries in 14 counties for construction and refurbishment purposes. Pennsylvanias libraries provide critical resources and services to the residents of their communities, and this funding will enable them to continue those efforts in state-of-the-art spaces, said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. By investing in our libraries, we are investing in the health of our towns and cities and all of the people who call them home. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter Libraries are selected for grants through a competitive process. The Keystone grants are in place to help public library facilities improve their operations. Below are the libraries around Central Pennsylvania that will be receiving grants. Dauphin: Hershey Public Library, $166,708 Lancaster: Manheim Community Library, $750,000 Lebanon: Lebanon Community Library, $68,500 York: Guthrie Memorial Library, $294,975 The Department of Education states that grants pay up to 50% of eligible costs in the planning, acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of public libraries. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. A Pennsylvania man suspected in the death of his mother, jumped from the second floor of an airport parking garage before he was arrested, authorities said. Joshua Leyo confessed to the Feb. 14 killing of Maureen Mazenko, 61, who was found stabbed in the neck in her living room in Altoona, the Altoona Police Department said. He was not at the home when authorities responded. Investigators learned that Leyo had been treated at a hospital for a cut to his hand and tracked him to an airport. That same day, officers with the Allegheny County Police Department responded to a parking garage at the Pittsburgh International Airport amid reports that a man had jumped from the second floor of the structure, the Allegheny County Police Department said. PENNSYLVANIA COP SHOT ATTEMPTING TRAFFIC STOP, SUSPECT FATALLY SHOT FROM RETURNED FIRE Joshua Leyo, 30, jumped from an airport parking garage structure after fatally stabbing his mother during an argument, police said. A short time later, a man called for medical assistance from a stairwell in the garage. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Altoona Police Officers reached out to The Department of Homeland Security and Allegheny County Police Department, who advised that Leyo had jumped from the 2nd floor of the parking garage at the airport and was currently hospitalized at Allegheny General Hospital being treated for serious injuries," a press release states. Leyo was allegedly using Mazenkos bank account and had taken an Uber from Altoona and made purchases in the Pittsburgh area. While being questioned by police, Leyo allegedly said he became upset during a verbal argument with Mazenko and stabbed her in the neck. He remains in police custody at the hospital and is awaiting extradition to Blair County to face charges of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime with intent, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. Original article source: Pennsylvania man accused of mother's murder jumps off Pittsburgh airport parking garage before arrest Shells for a M109 howitzer lie on the ground in Bakhmut, Ukraine, on Aug. 17, 2023. Credit - Viktor FridshonGlobal Images Ukraine via Getty Images Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, one type of weapon has loomed large over every other. Artillery has accounted for about 80% of casualties on both sides. Yet political deadlock in the U.S. Congress over military assistance to Ukraine, combined with a lack of production capacity in Europe, is leading to a critical shortage in artillery ammunition that could spell disaster for Ukraines war effort. The shortage of ammunition is already being felt across the front, and contributed to Ukraine's recent withdrawal from the town of Avdiivka. Artillery is both versatile and devastating. A Ukrainian battery of M109 howitzers, for example, can theoretically land around 530 lbs. of high explosive anywhere within 15 miles with a latency of about 3-5 minutes. Depending on the fuzing, these rounds can fill the air with shrapnel, or bury into the ground and collapse fortifications. The effect is not just the physical damage inflicted, but the psychological fear artillery instills in soldiers and the constraints it imposes on an opposing force that must plan to deal with this threat. Ukraine today is facing around 470,000 Russian troops who every day attack Ukrainian positions using assault groups of infantry. If Ukraine had sufficient artillery, these attacks can be easily repelled because a few rounds of 155 mm caliber fire would kill the attackers as soon as they began to advance from their covered positions. But Ukraine is having to ration its units to fire only 2,000 rounds a day across a 750 mi. front. Ukraine fields around 350 artillery pieces, so that in many areas of the front Ukraine has no artillery at all. Read More: Inside Ukraines Plan to Arm Itself The shortage of guns and shells not only reduces Ukraines ability to blunt Russian attacks, but also makes Ukrainian artillery more vulnerable to Russian Lancet-3M drones and counter battery fire. Russia has more than 4,000 artillery pieces in Ukraine, and is firing around 10,000 rounds a day across the front. So when a Ukrainian howitzer opens fire, it must either keep out of range of the Russian guns, limiting how much of the line it can protect, or move quickly to avoid being destroyed by the Russians firing back. Moving the guns also reduces the number of rounds that can be fired for a given mission. By contrast, the Russians can move one gun and start firing with another. This constant artillery threat makes it extremely dangerous for Ukrainian units to go on the attack, giving Russian forces more freedom to plan and concentrate units in preparation for assaults. Ukrainian forces are trying to make up for their critical deficiency in equipment through the use of novel tactics and First Person View drones. The advantage of FPVs is that they are highly accurate and can be manoeuvred to hit moving targets. They can also be flown from relative safety. In this way, the Ukrainians have inflicted a significant number of vehicle losses on Russian forces. But FPVs are not a substitute for artillery. If the enemy has set up a strong electronic warfare baseline, then the FPVs cannot fly. If the weather is bad, they will struggle to find their targets. Because they rely on batteries, their range is significantly reduced in cold weather. Fundamentally, they are unreliable and lack a large enough charge to deliver many of the effects that artillery can. FPVs are most effective when used in combination with artillery, with the latter destroying or suppressing electronic warfare systems, allowing the FPVs to precisely target enemy vehicles. Without sufficient ammunition, the Ukrainian military will have to physically occupy more positions along the front to defeat Russian attacks with small arms. This will both increase Ukrainian casualties and reduce the number of personnel who can be kept away from the frontline to train and prepare for future offensive operations. In short, without artillery ammunition, the Ukrainians risk being fixed in permanent defense, slowly ceding ground as most recently seen in Avdiika. Read More: Inside Volodymyr Zelenskys Struggle to Keep Ukraine in the Fight If the U.S. approves funding for Ukrainethe Senate passed $60 billion in aid last week but it faces steep hurdles in the Houseit should be possible to get around 1.3 million rounds of ammunition to the country in 2024, which would allow Ukraine to hold the line. With European investment to expand production, significantly more can be provided in 2025, meeting a level that would enable Ukrainian offensive operations. But with Europe still expanding production capacity, Ukraine will face critical shortages in the next few months unless the U.S. steps in. Russia understands the importance of artillery in a war of attrition. While Russian artillery use has been crude and has underperformed, the sheer volume of shells it is expending has given Moscow a decisive battlefield edge today. The country is set to produce another 1.3 million rounds of 152 mm caliber ammunition in 2024, along with around 800,000 rounds of 122 mm caliber ammunition. Alongside a remaining stockpile of around 3 million rounds, the delivery of over 1 million rounds from North Korea, and production contracts signed with North Korea, Belarus, Iran, and Syria, Russia will continue to have firepower dominance throughout the year. In spite of these advantages, Russias firepower dominance will potentially diminish over time. Although its shell production can increase, Russia has so far relied heavily on taking barrels from old Soviet systems it held in storage. By 2025, these stocks will be running low and Russias capacity to forge barrels is insufficient to meet its future needs. The result is that through 2025 the accuracy of Russian guns, and the number that are available at any given time, may diminish. That may give Ukraine and its backers some hope in the longer run. But the critical question is whether the U.S. is willing to sustain the fight for the next year, before the tide begins to turn once again in Ukraines favor. Contact us at letters@time.com. 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CBS News partner network BBC News said the conviction of Ibrahima Bah was the first time a migrant had been held accountable in Britain for harming fellow occupants on one of the boats that make the dangerous crossing, or sink trying. According to Britain's Crown Prosecution Service, Bah could have turned the small inflatable boat around on the morning of Dec. 14, 2022, knowing that it was taking on water, but he decided to carry on across the English Channel. One passenger cited by the service said Bah told the migrants: "I will either take you there or kill you all." CPS special prosecutor Libby Clark said Bah, a Senegalese national whose precise age could not be confirmed, was offered a space for free on the boat as he volunteered to pilot it, claiming to have sailing experience. Migrants are helped by a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat before being taken to a beach in Dungeness, on the south-east coast of England after crossing the English Channel, in a Nov. 24, 2021 file photo. / Credit: BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty "Everyone else on the boat had paid thousands of Euros to make the tragic journey," Clark said in a statement announcing Bah's convictions on four counts of manslaughter. "The boat he piloted was never designed to undertake a crossing in the world's busiest shipping lane and would have been all but invisible to other ships." A line of migrants can be seen boarding a bus after being rescued in the English Channel, December 14, 2022, at the port in Dover, England. / Credit: LEON NEAL/Getty "There is no evidence to suggest that Bah had any training in piloting a boat like this or keeping people safe and, as the pilot, he assumed responsibility for ensuring the safety of his fellow passengers," Clark said, adding that "any reasonable person would have recognized that by piloting such an ill-equipped and overloaded boat in such dangerous circumstances, there was an obvious risk of serious harm to the passengers." Bah claimed during the trial that he'd been forced by smugglers to make the journey with dozens of other migrants, but Clark was quoted by the BBC as saying there was "no direct evidence of Bah being assaulted [by the smugglers] other than what Bah says," which the prosecution deemed not to be a "tenable defense." "If we consider his actions as that boat went forward, he could have refused to have got in," Clark said, according to the BBC. "He could've gone out in the boat for a small distance if he was in fear and then gone back because it was too dangerous in his opinion. But he kept going even when, after about half an hour into the voyage, that boat was taking on water and people were hearing sounds of puncturing and hissing as the boat deflated." At least four bodies were found after a local fishing boat and coast guard vessels responded to the dinghy's distress calls. Only one of the victims has been positively identified, and at least one other person is believed to still be missing. The boat, built to carry no more than 20 people, left the shore of northern France loaded with 43 migrants, according to the CPS. The port of Dover, in southern England, is seen following a rescue mission in the English Channel on December 14, 2022 that saw dozens of apparent migrants plucked from the frigid waters and brought back to the English port. / Credit: LEON NEAL/Getty One of the surviving passengers, an Afghan man named Ahmadi, told the BBC that after first trying to bail water out of the sinking boat, he decided to plunge into the frigid English Channel to swim to the approaching fishing boat. He said it was so cold that he felt as though he had already "died after about five minutes" in the water, and he said he saw others from the doomed vessel in the water around him. "One person didn't have a safety jacket. I swam over to him, but after two minutes I left him, because I realized he was dead," Ahmadi told the BBC. Britain's government has been locked for months in a legal battle over its plans to curb the illegal boat crossings from France, which have soared in recent years. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan has been centered around an effort to fly many of those arriving without prior permission on U.K. shores to Rwanda, where their asylum requests could theoretically be processed remotely. Britain's Supreme Court ruled in November that the plan was unlawful, given "substantial grounds for believing that asylum seekers would face a real risk of ill-treatment by reason of refoulement to their country of origin if they were removed to Rwanda." Sunak's government has been trying to tweak the details of the plan to get it backed by parliament and then cleared by Britain's courts, but so far, despite millions of taxpayer dollars having been spent on the project, not a single plane has left the U.K. carrying asylum-seekers to Rwanda. Cillian Murphy: The 60 Minutes Interview Redefining old age The authentic Ashley McBryde GRAND COUNTY, Utah, (KREX) The Grand County Sheriffs Office has identified the two pilots who died when an airplane crashed near the Colorado-Utah border on Feb. 7. The pilots were Paul Michael Berliner and Darrin Du Ray Towe. Berliner, a Seattle based pilot who had decades of experience captained the flight. Berliner had more than 12,000 flight hours as a captain. His LinkedIn page shows he was a lead test and development pilot for Boeing. Berliner was also rated to fly not just the Boeing 787, but also the 777, 767, 757, 737 and the 727 along with the Lockheed L-1011, the Bombardier CL-65, and the Hawker jet that ultimately took his life. Towe, Berliners co-pilot, also from Seattle, was an avid sailor, adventurer, a hard worker and an award-winning athlete. A Hawker 900XP fixed-wing multi-engine aircraft took off from Grand Junction Regional Airport in the morning hours of Feb. 7, en route for Tacoma, Washington, but crashed after flying no more than a few minutes in Grand County, Utah near the Colorado-Utah border. The planes tail number was N900VA. A Grand County Sheriffs Office vehicle at the scene of a downed aircraft on Feb. 7, 2024. The plane was reportedly on its way to Washington from Colorado when it crashed. (Courtesy of Grand County Sheriffs Office) The National Transportation Board is now the sole party investigating the crash. WesternSlopeNow will update this story when new information is available about the crash. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. PennDOT says the Bigelow Boulevard pedestrian tunnel at Herron Avenue is permanently closed after a recent car crash left it unsafe. Pedestrians will now have to cross at the crosswalk but PennDOT says it has taken steps to make it safe. The constant flow of traffic along Bigelow Boulevard in Pittsburghs Polish Hill neighborhood is just one concern for drivers and those who live and work nearby. Its a very, very busy street, said Patrick Whelan of Polish Hill. People drive really fast on that road too. Whelan owns Snaggletooth Tattoo nearby. He said he was surprised to see the tunnel that walkers used to cross under the busy five-point intersection, has now been filled with cement. It smelled gross, but it was definitely essential to get across the street safely, he said. I dont know why they did that. PennDOT permanently sealed off the tunnel late last week after a spokesperson said a recent car crash there made it unsafe. In a statement, PennDOT said if crews simply fixed the tunnel, it wouldnt have met ADA requirements. People now have to use the crosswalk above the Bigelow Boulevard underpass, which Nicole Haney, PennDOTs community relations coordinator, said has been fixed to give pedestrians more time to cross the street. She also said for added safety, all cars at the intersection will now be stopped while the pedestrian phase is active. PennDOT recently closed the Bigelow Boulevard pedestrian tunnel at Herron Avenue permanently due to an unsafe condition caused by a vehicle crash, Haney said in a statement. Investments to restore the safety of the tunnel would not accommodate ADA requirements. The department worked with the City of Pittsburgh to ensure the signals are working properly, including the pedestrian phase, for all individuals to be able to safely cross at the existing crosswalk. Haney also said PennDOT repainted the crosswalks. Some drivers, however, dont think its enough. Graffiti above the closed tunnel reads, Do better! Them filling that tunnel with cement is incredibly dumb, and this intersection is super dangerous, said Kellen Malone of Polish Hill. Drivers claim crashes happen there often. Last year, Whelan said he rushed to help after a truck veered off the boulevard and crashed into the tunnel. Now they want people to be walking across the street exposed to it...doesnt seem like a good idea, said Whelan. Work to fill the tunnel with concrete began Monday, Feb. 5, and was finished last week. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: 2 officers, first responder shot, killed during domestic incident in Minnesota Pittsburgh indoor bike park closing after nearly 11 years in business Man charged for stabbing another man multiple times in Whitehall, police say VIDEO: Man sustains burn injury while escaping Fayette County house fire DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts ST. PAUL, Ore. (KOIN) Ten days ago Gary Singh Grewal, who owns the St. Paul Market in the small Marion County town, was seen walking on the Willamette River Bridge around 10 a.m. His car was found later on the south side of the bridge, near Highway 219 between Newberg and St. Paul. He hasnt been seen since. And his wife told KOIN 6 News she has no idea how he just vanished. His wife, Kelly Kaur, said he usually went shopping between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Its a regular time to go. For the last 4 years, weve been a part of this community and everybody likes us, she said. He was friends to everybody, If he goes outside everyone would say hello to him. He knew everyones name. Kelly Kaur cries talking about her husband Gary Grewal, was vanished February 8, 2024 in St. Paul. February 18, 2024 (KOIN) Former St. Paul Mayor Kim Wallace said Grewal was very outgoing and always willing to help. Theyve become an integral part. They took over the store over 3 years ago and remodeled it. Its really become a hub for the community, Wallace said. Hardworking guy from early in the morning to late at night. The Oregon State Police is now involved in the search that has, so far, not turned up anything. OSP Lt. Christopher Zohner and Lt. Matt Wilkinson from the Marion County Sheriffs Office, who runs that countys search and rescue operations, briefed the community Saturday on the search efforts for the Woodburn resident. During the roughly 90-minute meeting, Zohner and Wilkinson presented a timeline of the day when Grewal went missing, including summarizing the enforcement effort to date, which included interviews of witnesses in the area at the time of the disappearance, forensic analysis of some security camera from Hazenberg Dairy on the east side of the (Willamette River) bridge and the next phase of the operation, said former St. Paul Mayor Kim Wallis. Gary Singh Grewal in an undated photo provided February 18, 2024 (Kelly Kaur) Gary Grewal seen with his family in undated photo. The St. Paul market owner was last seen February 8, 2024 (GoFundMe) His friends and family are hoping to find dashcam footage of that day. The Grewal family is offering a $10,000 reward for any information that will bring him home. Please come back, Kaur said, through tears. Im missing him a lot. I cant live without him. A GoFundMe has been set up to help in the search efforts for the family. Man dead after shooting in Hollywood neighborhood: PPB Community members talked about their efforts to assist in the search, which included searching the river by boat, riverbank on foot and drone searches covering the St. Paul bridge to east of Butteville, Wallis said. The Portland Tribune, a media partner with KOIN 6 News, contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. TOPEKA (KSNT) Three people were arrested by the Topeka Police Department (TPD) as firefighters responded to a house fire on Sunday. Rosie Nichols with the City of Topeka said in a press release that fire crews with the Topeka Fire Department (TFD) were called around 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 to the 400 block of SE Leland Street. Upon arrival, they found a two-story home on fire and began dousing the flames. This embedded content is not available in your region. Three people in the 700 block of Leland Street, all Topeka residents, were arrested during the response as they were interfering with the TFDs abilities to put out the flames. One of the individuals allegedly tried to enter the home which prompted the TFD to call for help from the TPD. No one was injured during this incident and no people were located in the home at the time of the fire. Shawnee County inmate dead after jail fight In total, the fire caused just over $10,000 in damages. Nichols included the charges for the three who were arrested during the incident in a separate press release: 38-year-old Unlawful interference with firefighter; obstruct efforts to reach location. Two warrants. 21-year-old Unlawful interference with firefighter; while in the performance of duties. Interference with a law enforcement officer; intending to obstruct the execution or process of any official duty. Assault of law enforcement officer; properly identified in performance of duty. Disobeying lawful police order. 18-year-old Interference with law enforcement officer; intending to obstruct the execution or process of any official duty. Pedestrian shall yield to emergency vehicles. Pedestrian in roadway with sidewalk available. Disobeying lawful police order. Warrant. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Seattle Police are now calling an attack against a Muslim woman in the University District a hate crime. They say the victim was at her job in the University District when a knife-wielding suspect grabbed her from behind and put her in a chokehold at around 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 12. Investigators say the attacker made insulting comments about the womans perceived religion and ethnic background and brought up Israel and Iran. The attacker also ripped off the womans head covering and stole it, according to Washingtons Council on American-Islamic Relations. Thats definitely concerning because we have a population here on campus from the Muslim community, a lot of young ladies that wear the headscarf, said CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi. These are the manifestations of this kind of rhetoric escalating in society. Siddiqi said the woman was so traumatized that shes too afraid to return to work. If you saw the attack or anything that could help police, investigators want to hear from you. MIDDLETON, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in southern Wisconsin are investigating a reported homicide where three people were found dead, and one more was injured. According to the Middleton Police Department, on February 18 around 7:40 p.m., officers were in the 6300 block of Maywood Avenue for a separate incident. Shortly after, a man got out of a different residence saying he was shot. The man reportedly had multiple gunshot wounds. He was sent to a local hospital, according to officials. Wisconsin State Patrol: Driver caught going 119 miles per hour arrested for Operating While under the Influence Authorities went into the residence and reportedly found three people all dead. The release says that there is no known danger to the public. Officials say they are not looking for any other individuals. The identities of those who were dead will be released by the Dane County Medical Examiners Office. Multiple agencies helped the Middleton Police Department in this incident. Anyone with information is asked to call 608-824-7300. No additional information was provided. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A St. Louis County woman is accused of making tens of thousands of dollars in personal purchases using her former employers credit card. According to the Chesterfield Police Departments probable cause statement, Jessica Branham (age not provided) worked at a cement manufacturer and was assigned a company credit card. Police claim that between Aug. 11, 2022, and Feb. 5, 2023, Branham made in excess of $65,000 in personal purchases with that card. On Feb. 5, 2023, the company vice president allegedly confronted Branham about the purchases. Branham claimed shed mistakenly used the card on the purchases and sent a resignation email to the company that evening. The St. Louis County Circuit Attorneys Office charged Branham with stealing $25,000 or more. Shes due in court on March 13. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. A California substitute teacher is under investigation after being accused of watching adult content in class. A substitute teacher is under investigation after being removed from a California school for allegedly looking at "inappropriate" content during class. The West Covina Unified School District (WCUSD) said in a release issued Friday that the incident took place at Cameron Elementary School, in West Covina, Calif., leading to the immediate removal of the teacher. According to the district, students reported the teacher had allegedly been "viewing inappropriate images on his cell phone while on school premises," resulting in him being "immediately removed from the classroom setting as well as the school." A second statement issued on Sunday by Superintendent Emy Flores provided more detail and a timeline of events. According to this timeline, the incident occurred around noon on Friday, when a parent called Cameron Elementary principal Sylvia Fullerton to ask why their child had called them crying. States ban sex education in schools: 8 states restricted sex ed last year. More could join amid growing parents' rights activism Principal found several students crying in substitute's class Fullerton then went to check on the classroom and found several students inside crying as well, according to the statement, which is when she "took over the class and directed the substitute teacher to leave the classroom." She then "inquired why students were crying. She spent time with students and assured them that they were safe and that the substitute teacher would not be returning to their class." Superintendent's Message Regarding Alleged Inappropriate Conduct by Substitute Teacher pic.twitter.com/CPKao8pkZp West Covina USD (@WestCovinaUSD) February 18, 2024 The school said district officials, the West Covina Police Department (WCPD) and Child Protective Services were promptly notified and brought into the matter. The WCPD issued a statement on behalf of Chief Richard Bell on Sunday, saying the department is involved in the investigation and working to address community concerns. "An investigation is currently underway to thoroughly examine the situation and gather all the necessary information," the statement said. "However, investigations of this nature require time and diligence to ensure a fair and accurate assessment. It is essential to allow the investigation process to unfold without jumping to conclusions or making assumptions." Two Colorado students shot: Colorado university mourns loss of two people found fatally shot in dorm; investigation ongoing Parents urged to 'remain calm' as investigation unfolds Members of an area community page expressed a flurry of further concerns and accusations in comments on a post about the incident, but none have been confirmed or proven. Some complained that parents were not notified in a timely manner, while others said they were parents of kids in the actual classroom in question and were notified and allowed to pick up their children early that afternoon. According to the timeline shared in the school's second statement, parents were notified by 12:30 p.m., and some opted to come pick their children up from school shortly after. Police have not yet shared the substitute teacher's identity or information about a potential arrest or criminal charges. "We understand this situation may evoke strong emotions within our community. However, we urge everyone to remain calm and trust in the investigation process," the WCPD said. "We will provide updates on the investigation as they become available." Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact investigators at (626) 939-8688. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: West Covina substitute watched something inappropriate in class: Kids PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) After a delay of almost a month due to the January ice storms, Portlands Vancouver Avenue Baptist Church hosted a Sunday service to honor Martin Luther King Jr. for his birthday. This location holds a special significance to the local community as Dr. King spoke at that very same church in November 1961 as part of his trip to the Pacific Northwest. Leading the Empower the Dream service was Rev. Dr. J.W. Matt Hennessee, the only godson of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. The event featured keynote speaker Dr. Jessica Taylor, the first Black female president of Multnomah University in Portland. They were joined by Portland politicians and city leaders, including Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. Portland teen brings Majorette to Jefferson High In addition to the speakers, the event featured choir performances, scholarship recipients and more. Dr. Hennessee in particular has been very passionate about this service. In times like these, it is imperative that we embody the spirit, character, and courage of Dr. King, he said. Now more than ever we must lift each other up. We must shine a bright light on the qualities that can heal the world, and on the women and men who embody these qualities. Together, we will keep the dream alive. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. PORTSMOUTH City leaders are exploring whether the basement of Portsmouth City Jail can support overnight stays for juvenile inmates to reduce the burden of officers and deputies transporting them to court from housing facilities hours away. Until last year, the city had an agreement to house youth charged with crimes with Chesapeake Juvenile Services, which had been holding minors for other localities for more than 30 years. But Portsmouth no longer has a dedicated place nearby to house minors. Sheriff Michael Moore told The Virginian-Pilot this month he was urging a short-term solution as his deputies have been tasked in recent months with travelling as long as 15 hours and as far as Tennessee to transport the citys juvenile inmates to court from housing facilities. Moore and Chief Judge Diane Griffin of the Portsmouth Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court expressed the sense of urgency at a City Council work session last week, calling on members to come up with a more sustainable short-term solution. Griffin said she sent a letter to the city urging their action last April, adding that while judges try to release as many children as they can, some are dangerous. I know that the manager and the mayor have been trying to work on this but I cannot tell you how urgent it is that we do something, Griffin said. The practical and logistical problems that this has created are extraordinary. Following a request from council member Mark Whitaker, council unanimously agreed to direct Interim City Manager Mimi Terry to begin an assessment of the basement and determine the feasibility of using it to support overnight stays for up to four juvenile inmates at a time. Terry said shell return with information about costs and a timeline, but any expenditure of funds would need a council vote. Deputies would still have to make long drives to transport juveniles to housing facilities, but the overnight stays at the jail would provide a buffer either before or after a court appearance. Moore said longer stays would need authorization from the states Department of Corrections since juvenile facilities have additional regulations, such as on-site educational resources and a separation from adults. Moore said water hasnt been available in the basement since December 2022, so Terry said fixing the basement may include such costs. Terry also said the city is in the midst of locating and negotiating the acquisition of a building that can be used as a more permanent solution for juvenile detention. Were willing to work with the city but we have to have some type of response and it has to be a decision made now, Moore said. We cant wait on a prospective building in the future. Terry also noted this has been a problem not only because of Chesapeakes decision, but changes in state law that affect other localities as well. Griffin explained that the Department of Juvenile Justice has implemented whats known as an override where the juveniles probation officers no longer have the discretion to recommend anything other than secured detention for any child arrested on firearms charges, of which Griffin said have become more frequent. In the meantime, Terry said shes been working with Griffin and her staff to adjust the budget accordingly for transportation needs. Griffin estimates an average of 18 children per month need to be placed in detention, adding that some are scattered across Williamsburg, Winchester, Charlottesville, Bristol, Goochland County and Alexandria. Up to 26 children were spread across the state in November, she said. She also said the per diem amount per child fluctuates between $190 per day at Chesapeakes facilities and up to $300 in facilities in Northern Virginia. She estimates the detention efforts are costing an average of $100,000 per month, once reaching a high of $135,000. Take $100,000 (or) $150,000 and let the sheriff get that basement fixed up so it can be used for juvenile detention, Griffin said. Though the consensus was unanimous, council member Bill Moody echoed the need for urgency but also expressed skepticism that the basement could be an option. The real solution is, itd be nice if we could send these kids back home and have them keep them in the homes, Moody said. Obviously theyre in some cases danger to society so that needs to be taken into consideration. Council member DeAndre Barnes said hes not against the idea but would want to see the basement before voting in support of it as a short-term solution for youth. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com On the 50th anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons (1974) -- A dark turn in the pop-culture? (Part Six) By Mark Wegierski web posted February 19, 2024 The 1990s have featured a plethora of ever-darker RPG worlds. There have also been parallel developments in other genres, notably science fiction and fantasy writing, film, and television; and the comic-book genre. The comic-book genre is indeed known for its pioneering embrace of various forms of the macabre. It has also been characterized by a "dark turn" in the portrayal of superheroes such as Batman (typified by the breakthrough graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns) or even Superman (where Superman, for example, was subjected to death). The Spiderman comic also went into a period of "gritty realism," where its lead figure was plagued with doubt, and afflicted with substance abuse. Horror writing, film, and television, have also intensified, probably far beyond what the older writers and directors would have countenanced. All these tendencies are magnified across not infrequently blood-soaked video, computer and interactive Internet games. Indeed, computer and Internet games (played by modem or wireless), have become a huge, burgeoning area, partially eclipsing the dice, pencil, and paper-based games that are played face-to-face. These computer and Internet games can be characterized in terms of several genres notably, arcade-type games, including so-called First Person Shooters (FPS's) like DOOM; MMPORGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games) which can often accommodate virtually unlimited individual characters (these were originally called MUSH Multi-User Shared Hallucination, or MUD Multi-User Dungeon); historical, fantasy, or space empires and empire-building games (such as Civilization); strategic/historical games (straightforward portrayals of military conflict), and so forth. Arcade type games can usually be divided into aerospace combat; ground combat; "abstract" (such as TETRIS); or comic (PAC-MAN) subgenres. Combat games can usually be divided into "mecha" (futuristic war-robots); aerospace; air; tank; and larger-scale historical battles and campaigns subgenres. There can also be identified a subgenre of "art" games, such as MYST, which are characterized by little violence and elegant settings. There are also online CCG's (collectible card games) where the participating players are randomly dealt a set of cards. It may be noted that there is occurring across the Internet gaming culture, a decrease of interest in straight historical games, in favor of FPS's and sci-fi/fantasy. Many games which are ostensibly based on a science fiction background are in fact dark space fantasy, dark fantasy, or horror. One of the interesting aspects of media structures today is the vertical integration in pop-culture industries. Thus, electronic videogames may produce books, television series, or even films based on the game, films may produce games based on the film, and so forth. This vertical integration is a factor strengthening "the gatekeepers" of the media industries, as it is always the same image (whether in film, game, toy, or clothes media) that is being replicated. This replication of images places so-called "border-dwellers" those persons who try to introduce more idiosyncratic images, in a weaker position. "Border-dwellers" typically have to spread their message across various eclectic media. However, what one finds is that many persons simply replicate the main images of the media giants in somewhat less-well-crafted form. It could be pointed out, for example, that there has been the relentless replication of the tendency of the vampire emerging as one of the central icons of the 1990s and today, called "the ultimate unattainable sexual fantasy" and the focus of numerous subgenres, including "vampire romances" and "vampire erotica." Among the more successful vampire television series was Forever Knight, which portrayed the half-shaded figure of a "vampire-cop." More recently, there have been the Twilight book and movie series, and the True Blood, and The Vampire Dairies television series (both also based on book series). Admittedly, the portrayal of vampires today ranges across a very wide spectrum. To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home It's quite a turn when a prosecutor defends the use of cash for financial transactions. After years of authorities treating mere possession of physical money as sketchy and grounds for seizure, this week a law enforcement official claimed there's nothing to see in her alleged cash reimbursements to her boyfriend for an enviable lifestyle arguably funded by the taxpayers. Either Fani Willis and company were right in the past and she should be subject to scrutiny for anonymous transactions, or she's right today and she and her colleagues owe the rest of us a pass on our taste for financial anonymity. If you haven't kept up on the details, Fani Willis is the Fulton County district attorney overseeing the Georgia election interference case, which has been described as potentially the strongest and most consequential case against former (and maybe future) president Donald Trump. At least, it was described that way until defense attorneys revealed that Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor in the case, is unqualified for the job, was romantically involved with Willis, and is being paid much more than any of his colleagues (around $654,000 in all)money from which Willis seemingly benefited in the form of expensive vacations and other pleasures of life with Wade. She Reimbursed Everything in Cash. Of Course. Well, she benefited unless she reimbursed Wade for her share. Whether or not she did is among the issues raised in a hearing investigating her alleged misconduct in the case. "I didn't ever make him produce receipts to me," Willis said in response to questions about the couple's significant expenses. "Whatever he told me it was, I gave him the money back." "You gave him cash before you ever went on the trip?" she was asked to clarify about one vacation. "Mmm-hmm," Willis replied. But she not only had no receipts, she also had no ATM slips or evidence the cash existed. It supposedly came from a substantial stash she kept at home on her father's urging. Dad's Advice and 'Printed Freedom' "I was trained, and most Black folks, they hide cash or they keep cash, and I was trained you always keep some cash," her father, John Floyd, confirmed. "I gave my daughter her first cash box and told her, 'Always keep some cash.'" That's great advice. Cash is essential in emergencies, useful when electronic payments systems are down, and (importantly for this case) it's private and anonymous. When central-bank types floated the idea of abolishing physical money in favor of digital currency a decade ago, prominent German economist Lars Feld retorted that cash is "printed freedom" which helps people escape state control. But that anonymity, which Fani Willis cited as the reason she had no evidence that she'd compensated Wade for his expenses, is exactly why government officials so despise its use by mere mortals. Governments Hate Cash "It just was not credible," CNN legal analyst Michael Moore, a former United States Attorney, commented of Willis's testimony about "things as nebulous as cash payments so there's no way to track it." He added: "It reminded me of watching a criminal defendant take the stand." Cash is increasingly assumed by officialdom to be nefarious in and of itself. "Cash can play a role in criminal activities such as money laundering and allow for tax evasion," notes Investopedia. "Since 2016, global policies have been implemented to thwart the use of cash in favor of digital currency transactions." The mere presence of physical money triggers official suspicion and the urge to confiscate. "It's the presence of paper legal tenderU.S. currencythat underlies nearly all of the thousands of police interactions we reviewed," The Greenville News reported in a 2020 story on civil asset forfeiture, under which money and valuables are seized, often with no charges brought against their owners. Like Fani Willis, CNN's Moore is from Georgia and served there at both the state and federal level, so his attitude is illuminating. Georgia gets a D- grade from the Institute for Justice (I.J.) for its forfeiture laws. "Across 15 states for which we have reliable property data for 2018,38 currencyprimarily cashpredominates, accounting for an average of nearly 70% of forfeited property," I.J. revealed in the 2020 report, Policing for Profit. Georgia was among those states and "between 2015 and 2018, Georgia law enforcement agencies forfeited more than $51 million under state law. Between 2000 and 2019, they generated an additional $388 million from federal equitable sharing, for a total of at least $439 million in forfeiture revenue." The 2023 budget for Fani Willis's Fulton County government includes Fund 442, Federal Equitable Sharing, for "proceeds of liquidated seized assets from asset forfeitures." Willis may have taken her father's excellent advice about keeping cash on-hand. But her office is among those putting the screws to members of the public who abide by similar counsel and rely on physical money for its utility and anonymity. To keep large amounts of cash in Fulton County, Georgia, is to risk its seizure by the authorities. Yet Willis (assuming we believe her) does much business in cash. If Prosecutors Get To Benefit, So Do We So, which is it? Was the Fani Willis of the past, along with most of her profession, correct in considering cash to be inherently sketchy and evidence of some sort of criminal activity? If so, the court should view her claims of cash transactions as suspicious in themselves, just as she would treat regular people. Or is the Fani Willis of last week correct that using cash is just good sense and evidence of homey wisdom handed down through the family? If that's the case, her office should have been treating people with the same light touch she hopes to receive. The powers-that-be should abide by the same policies they inflict on the rest of us. If they want the freedom and privacy inherent in using cash, they can't keep it as a private privilege; we all get to benefit. My sentiments are with John Floyd and Lars Feld on this. Cash is freedom and we should always keep some on hand. If that applies to Fani Willis, it must apply to everybody. The post Prosecutor Fani Willis Touts the Value of Cash, but What About the Rest of Us? appeared first on Reason.com. Murders and violence against the EuroMaidan Revolution's participants were carried out by Ukrainian law enforcement officers under the orders of Ukrainian authorities and Russia's guidance, according to a conclusion by the Prosecutor General's Office, Interfax-Ukraine reported on Feb. 19. No Russian snipers were involved in the shooting that took the lives of Ukrainian citizens, said Oleksii Donskyi, the head of the Department for Maidan Affairs of the Prosecutor General's Office, during a press briefing in Kyiv. The revolution began in November 2013 when people gathered at Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kyiv's central square, to protest pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych's refusal to sign the long-awaited Association Agreement with the European Union. Law enforcement officers, namely Berkut riot police, used violence to suppress the protests, including lethal force. More than 100 people were killed during the revolution, which culminated in Yanukovych fleeing to Russia. "If someone would like to hear that there were Russian snipers, Russian law enforcement officers on the Maidan, then there was no such thing," Donskyi said. Read also: EuroMaidan Revolution "This is a pretty version, not based on real facts. It was Ukrainian law enforcement officers who received instructions from Ukrainian authorities, who killed, and who committed violent crimes." While the violence itself was committed by Ukrainian officers, "the Russian Federation had a huge influence on these decisions (and) on the entire course of events that took place during" the revolution, Donskyi concluded. Around 20 officers of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), as well as officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), carried out joint "information operations," according to the official. "Twenty FSB officers, including five generals, came to Ukraine several times and, together with SBU officers, prepared relevant informational materials that became the basis for committing certain criminal acts," Donskyi said. He also said that the initial violence in November 2013 was already the result of Russian hybrid warfare, which was meant to escalate the situation and prevent Yanukovych's administration from shifting toward the pro-EU direction. In January, Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation charged two ex-commanders of Berkut riot police with destroying weapons used to shoot protesters during the EuroMaidan Revolution. Since the revolution took place a decade ago, over 30 people have been charged with committing crimes against protesters, five of whom have received sentences from the court. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Will Democrat delegates dump Biden? By Mark Alexander web posted February 19, 2024 If the title question sounds familiar, it's because 16 months ago, in October 2022, I stepped way off the prognostication reservation and asserted, "It's Official Biden Will (NOT) Be the Demo Nominee in 2024." I said then that Biden would likely take himself out of the running after the primaries, and then the Demo-convention delegates would choose who will be on the general election ballot. In recent months, the odds on that outlying prediction have gotten better. That is particularly true after the prosecutorial findings that Joe Biden should not be charged for his gross negligence regarding classified documents, as well as Biden's fumbled response. The report was delivered by Special Counsel Robert Hur, who was tapped by Attorney General Merrick Garland to "investigate" all those classified documents Biden was hoarding this on the heels of the Biden/DoJ efforts to indict Donald Trump for possession of classified documents. Hur's 345-page report "uncovered evidence that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen" more than 300 documents. But this was the line in Hur's report that got the attention of everyone on both sides of the political aisle: "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?'). 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." Hur concluded that "no criminal charges are warranted" because a jury would never convict "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory." Then, the White House handlers of that "sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory" allowed him to attempt a rebuttal of Hur's assertions in a press conference. After all, Biden's reelection slogan is "Finish the Job," and he certainly finished debunking any illusions that he has even a modicum of competency. It would have been better had they just turned his teleprompter toward the cameras so we could read it. Virtually all the questions that followed were about his competency, and he was not pleased. He dismissed the question of one journalist by yelling: "That is your judgment! That is your judgment! ... My memory is fine. I'm the most qualified person in the United States to be president." He yelled at another, "I'm well-meaning, I'm an elderly man, and I know what the hell I'm doing." That started a Demo panic. As our Nate Jackson observed: "The report on Joe Biden's mishandling of classified documents and then Biden's press conference in response illustrated what everyone already knows: The emperor has no memory." Jackson concluded, "After an excruciating 12 minutes, the press conference was over, and the panicked dialogue about the 25th Amendment began. After all, the special counsel just declared the president unfit to stand trial by means of cognitive disability. How can he possibly 'discharge the powers and duties of his office' now, much less through a second term?" There is no question that Biden has set a record-low bar for presidential cognitive abilities. Seasoned Democrat strategist James Carville said, "The most damaging thing that can happen to a politician is to have an existing negative suspicion confirmed." Indeed, 86% of voters think Biden is "too old" to serve a second term. But never fear, Kamala Harris is standing by! She insists she is ready to step in: "I am ready to serve. There's no question about that." She added that everyone who sees her on the job "walks away fully aware of my capacity to lead." For some reason, that did not seem to quiet the concerns... No sooner had Biden concluded his presser than Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) fired off a letter to Biden's cabinet, requesting that they "explore proceedings to remove the President pursuant to the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution," and adding, "President Biden needs to be charged, or he needs to be removed." That was followed by a joint statement from the House GOP leaders, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), and Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY). They concluded: The Special Counsel's finding that President Biden "willfully retained and disclosed classified materials" and engaged in practices that "present serious risks to national security" is deeply disturbing. Not only does it demonstrate the President's recklessness, but exposes a two-tiered system of justice that is indicting one President with politically motivated charges while carrying water for another amid similar allegations. Among the most disturbing parts of this report is the Special Counsel's justification for not recommending charges: namely that the President's memory had such "significant limitations" that he could not convince a jury that the President held a "mental state of willfulness" that a serious felony requires. A man too incapable of being held accountable for mishandling classified information is certainly unfit for the Oval Office. The House GOP is now demanding the Justice Department turn over the full transcript of the special counsel's interview of Biden which will likely reveal much more about his incompetency than the summary report. Then came the predictably comical defense by Biden's oh-so-competent spokes-parrot, Karine Jean-Pierre. A reporter asked, "If the special counsel says President Biden has significant limitations on memory, then who is helping him run the country?" KJP responded: "The president of the United States runs the country. The commander-in-chief runs the country." In response to a follow-up, "How can he be trusted with nuclear codes?" she answered: "I want to be very clear here. The reality is, that report, that part of the report does not live in reality. It just doesn't." For sure, somebody "does not live in reality." Then leftist comedian/commentator Bill Maher dared say out loud what everyone else is thinking, calling for delegates to replace Biden, comparing him to Mr. Magoo and telling his audience: "I guess the question now is, is it too late? And I don't think it is because I still think you can do it at the convention. People have said to me, 'Oh, that's ridiculous. They'll look like-, they'll look like nothing. Nobody gives a f*** what they do at the convention. You can switch him out at the convention. ... If a guy says 'I can't run,' then you have to do it. Then it has to be somebody else. Then it's an open convention. We've had open conventions many times. ... They make it up as they go along anyway. It's politics." Who cares what Bill Maher says? Well, he has a substantial audience, and the fact he has now called on Democrat delegates to replace Biden at the Democratic National Convention in August has opened that option for broad consideration. So what are the implications for Donald Trump's electoral prospects? Be careful what you wish for. Stay tuned... I'll cover the implications for Trump in detail next week. Finally, in regard to the Founder quote I chose for this column, Alexander Hamilton's assertion "This process of election affords a moral certainty that the office of President will seldom fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications" was correct given his qualifier, "seldom." In the case of Joe Biden, "the office of President" has clearly fallen to the lot of a man "who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications." Politics aside, the national security implications of a feckless American leader who does not have "the requisite qualifications" are already abundantly apparent. Let me be clear: The probability of the ChiComs invading Taiwan before January 2025 is directly tied to Biden's polling against Trump, and at the moment, Trump holds a narrow lead in a general election matchup. If it looks like Trump will return to office, then, like Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine and Iran/Hamas attacking Israel, China will make their move before it happens. To that end, House Intelligence Chair Mike Turner (R-OH) has, for reasons not yet clear, demanded that Biden make the details of a "serious national security threat" available so "Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat." Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) greets demonstrators with Code Pink for Peace outside her office in the Rayburn House Office Building as they rallied on Capitol Hill in support of Palestinians and to demand a cease fire in Gaza on February 15, 2024 in Washington, DC. WASHINGTON Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., is urging Michigan Democrats to vote "uncommitted" in the state's upcoming Democratic primary in a display of opposition against President Joe Biden over his support for Israel's war in the Gaza Strip. "This is the way you can raise our voices," Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in Congress, said in a video posted Saturday, standing outside an early voting site in Dearborn, Mich. "Right now, we feel completely neglected and just unseen by our government. If you want us to be louder, then come here and vote uncommitted. Michigan's Democratic Primary is Feb. 27. Tlaib, a member of "The Squad" whose district includes parts of Detroit and surrounding communities, is joining forces with Arab American activists who are also urging Michigan Democrats to vote "uncommitted" to send a message. Dearborn, Mich., outside of Detroit, boasts a thriving Arab-American community that has grown to make up a majority of the city's population. Many residents there say they feel abandoned by Biden because of his backing of Israel's war against Hamas, which has killed more than 28,000 Palestinian civilians. Tlaib has demanded the Biden administration support a cease-fire in Gaza. More: Arab Americans feel 'a bone-deep sense of betrayal.' And they want Joe Biden defeated in 2024 By voting "uncommitted," Tlaib said the goal is to "create a voting bloc, something that is a bullhorn to say enough is enough. We don't want a country that supports wars and bombs and destruction. We want to support life." Last year, the House of Representatives censured Tlaib for comments she made about the Israel-Hamas war, including from the river to the sea, a pro-Palestinian slogan that Israels supporters say is anti-Semitic and a call to destroy the state of Israel. Biden, lacking a formidable Democratic challenger, is expected to easily win Michigan's primary even with a strong protest vote. But a solid showing for "uncommitted" in the primary could signal trouble for Biden in the November general election in Michigan, a critical battleground state. Biden, who carried Michigan by 154,188 votes in 2020, risks losing some Arab American voters to liberal third-party candidates, while others could sit the election out altogether, if their discontent remains. Michigans Abandon Biden movement, part of a larger national campaign, is hosting meetings with third-party candidates such as Jill Stein and Cornel West. A separate initiative called Listen to Michigan," which Tlaib has put her support behind, is calling on Michigan Democrats to vote uncommitted in the primary. The backlash for Biden is so serious that the White House last week dispatched a large group of senior officials to meet with Arab-American leaders in Michigan. Participants in those meetings said the Biden officials conceded there had been mistakes and missteps in the response to the war in Gaza and apologized for how the administration has talked publicly about Palestinians during the deadly conflict. President Joe Biden talks briefly with reporters after returning to the White House on February 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden and first lady Jill Biden returned to the White House after spending the weekend in Delaware. Contributing: Michael Collins This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tlaib urges Michigan Dems to vote 'uncommitted' in protest of Biden President John F. Kennedy at San Antonio International Airport on Nov. 21, 1963. Kennedy is one of more than a dozen presidents who have visited the Alamo City during their administrations. Houston Chronicle Presidents of the United States come and go. Some right through San Antonio. The Alamo City has hailed 17 different chiefs of state, more than a third of our nation's highest officeholders. Those visits have been memorable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The first-ever presidential stopover was to kick off the first Fiesta. One president even rode a horse into Alamo Plaza. Another got married in San Antonio a few decades before he took the oath of office, which would come after the death of his predecessor who had just spent some of his final hours in this city. And, of course, there was that one leader of the free world who made global headlines for sinking his teeth into a fully wrapped tamal. As we honor all our nations heads of state this Presidents Day, heres a look at all the commanders in chief who have visited San Antonio during their administrations. The front page of the San Antonio Daily Light, which recounted President Benjamin Harrison's visit to San Antonio on April 20, 1891. Hearst newspaper archives Benjamin Harrison April 20, 1891 San Antonio rolled out the proverbial red carpet for Harrisons 1891 visit as the first real, live president (the city) ever saw, according to an April 18, 1891, edition of the San Antonio Daily Light. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A 21-gun salute from Fort Sam Houston marked his arrival at Southern Pacific depot, while a decorated Alamo Plaza, City Hall and other buildings marked his procession route to the Alamo. Too bad it literally rained on the presidents parade. Heavy downpours forced Harrison to miss the first Battle of Flowers at Alamo Plaza, which essentially launched Fiesta on April 24, 1891, four days later than planned. MORE ABOUT THAT VISIT: 132 years ago, San Antonio's first presidential visit came during the first Fiesta President William McKinley delivering a speech in Alamo Plaza, May 4, 1901. Express-News file photo William McKinley May 4, 1901 San Antonio wouldnt see another president for a decade until McKinleys visit, which also saw a 21-gun salute from Fort Sam Houston, as well as a welcoming chorus of 10,000 children waving flags and singing patriotic songs as the presidents carriage rolled into Travis Park. Advertisement Article continues below this ad McKinleys visit concluded with a rousing speech at Alamo Plaza, where Texas Gov. Joseph Sayers presented the president with a painting of the Alamo. President Theodore Roosevelt riding through Alamo Plaza on April 1, 1905. Before his presidency, Roosevelt trained the Rough Riders volunteer regiment in San Antonio. He returned as president for a Rough Riders reunion. PhotoQuest/Getty Images Theodore Roosevelt April 1, 1905 Roosevelts ties to the Alamo City go back to his pre-presidential days with the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. In 1898, Roosevelt trained the famous volunteer cavalry in San Antonio, then led them to glory later that year in Cuba. Several years later as president, Roosevelt got back in the saddle for a Rough Riders reunion, this time with a ceremonial horse ride into Alamo Plaza, and some public and private time with about 50 veterans of his storied regiment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad President William Howard Taft visited San Antonio in 1909 to dedicate the new Army Chapel at Fort Sam Houston. Courtesy UTSA Special Collection William Howard Taft Oct. 17, 1909 Taft didnt exactly light up the history books, but like many U.S. presidents who came to San Antonio, he did highlight the citys rich military history, which extended well beyond the Alamo. Taft visited in October 1909 to dedicate a shimmering new Army chapel at Fort Sam Houston, where he spoke of the need to grow the armed forces, not reduce them. Military City, USA responded in kind; Mayor Bryan Callaghan declared Oct. 18, 1909, as Taft Day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Congressman Maury Maverick Sr. (left) points out the new U.S. Post Office to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt while riding in a car near the Alamo in 1936. Courtesy Maury Maverick Jr. and the Maverick family Franklin D. Roosevelt June 11, 1936 Franklin Roosevelt, on the other hand, visited San Antonio in 1936 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo. And if theres one person to thank for FDR's visit, it would have to be storied San Antonio U.S. Rep. Maury Maverick. Which is exactly what Roosevelt did in his remarks to the press. I might not have been here but for the fact that I have been promising a man, every time I have seen him in the last few years, that I would come to San Antonio, Roosevelt said. That man is my good friend, Maury Maverick. The front page of the Monday, Sept. 27, 1948, edition of the San Antonio Light featuring President Harry S. Truman during his visit to the Alamo the previous day. Express-News archives Harry S. Truman Sept. 26, 1948 It wasn't long before sitting presidents started visiting San Antonio while campaigning for reelection. Truman was one of the first, sweeping through Texas in September 1948 during his whistle-stop tour. His four-day trek through the Lone Star State included a quick stop in San Antonio, where he attended Sunday services at First Baptist Church, in addition to an obligatory motorcade through downtown and visit to the Alamo. President John F. Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy in San Antonio on Nov. 21, 1963. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas the next day. Express-News file photo John F. Kennedy Nov. 21, 1963 A day before his assassination in Dallas, Kennedy took a long motorcade through San Antonio from San Antonio International Airport to Brooks AFB, where he dedicated a new wing of the School of Aerospace Medicine. U.S.Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez touched down with the president and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy for their arrival, then later spoke of another visit to come as Kennedy departed Kelly AFB that same day. The president promised me he will come back here sometime in the near future, Gonzalez said in a Nov. 22 edition of the San Antonio Light, "and visit the John F. Kennedy High School." ANOTHER FINAL S.A. CONNECTION: S.A. musician was last one to play for JFK President Lyndon B. Johnson is shown at the podium on a July 4, 1968, visit to San Antonio. He and the first lady were in town to visit HemisFair '68. Express-News archives Lyndon B. Johnson July 4, 1968 A Texas native, Johnson's ties to San Antonio came before, during and after his presidency. Probably his most personal visit was Nov. 17, 1934, when he married Claudia Alta Taylor, best known as Lady Bird, at St. Marks Episcopal Church. Later as president, LBJ attended HemisFair 68 on the Fourth of July, where he gave an Independence Day speech. But his final time here marked a tragic bookend. On Jan. 22, 1973, Johnson collapsed from a heart attack at his Hill Country ranch. He was airlifted to San Antonio, but the 64-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at San Antonio International Airport on his way to Brooke Army Medical Center. He had just visited the city less than a week earlier. President Gerald Ford made headlines in 1976 for eating a tamal, shuck and all, while at the Alamo. Pat Hamilton/Express-News file photo Gerald Ford April 9, 1976 Call it the bite that came back to bite him. In early April 1976, Ford swung by the Alamo during his reelection campaign. There the president was handed a plate of tamales. Without missing a beat, Ford bit into one, corn husk and all, and nearly choked. News outlets dubbed the gaffe the Great Tamales Incident. Then-Mayor Lila Cockrell chalked up the food fail to Ford not knowing any better. It was obvious he didnt get a briefing on the eating of tamales, she reportedly said. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Presidential food: That time San Antonio honored Jimmy Carter with a giant chalupa and a special taco The front page of the April 29, 1980, edition of the San Antonio Light, featuring a story about President Jimmy Carter's visit to the city the day prior. Express-News archives Jimmy Carter April 28, 1980 Carters visit to San Antonio was for a much more serious occasion. During the American hostage crisis in Iran, several service members were injured in a failed rescue attempt. Carter visited one of them at Wilford Hall at Lackland AFB and four others at Brooke Army Medical Center. President Ronald Reagan (center, right) and then-Mayor Henry Cisneros share the stage during a Cinco de Mayo event at La Villita on May 5, 1983. Steve Krauss/Express-News file photo Ronald Reagan May 5, 1983 On a lighter note, one of Reagans three visits to San Antonio as president included a sunny Cinco de Mayo celebration at Plaza Nueva in the downtown La Villita Historic District. In a true display of pre-21st-century bipartisanship, the Republican president, and lifelong Democrat and then-Mayor Henry Cisneros took the stage to a mariachi welcome as a backdrop of American flags faced a crowd waving hand-held Mexican flags in the breeze. In his speech, Reagan extolled Cinco de Mayo as a reminder of the love of liberty on both sides of the border, and how in that love you who are Americans of Mexican descent link our two peoples. President George H.W. Bush (center) with Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney (right) and Mexican Prime Minister Carlos Salinas de Gortari (left) at the Plaza San Antonio Hotel for the NAFTA initialing ceremony Oct. 7, 1992. George Bush Presidential Library and Museum George H.W. Bush Oct. 7, 1992 Bush also once visited wounded troops at BAMC in late 1989, though most remember his historic 1992 presence in a downtown courtyard at the Plaza San Antonio Hotel. Thats where he joined Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney for the ceremonial initialing of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Bush reportedly stuck to his prepared remarks for the occasion, though he did field questions later that day from talk show host Larry King in a live broadcast from Arneson River Theatre. President Bill Clinton waves to people in front of the Alamo on November 2, 1996, during a campaign stop in San Antonio. Doug Sehres/Express-News file photo Bill Clinton Nov. 2, 1996 Clinton had been to San Antonio a few times before his November reelection stop, both as a presidential candidate and during his first term, the latter of which included a stop at Kelly AFB in October 1995, just months after begrudgingly accepting recommendations to close Kelly, along with other military installations. Technically, Clintons 1996 visit to the Alamo was twofold. In addition to speaking at the shrine just days before the election, he returned in December after securing a second term. President George W. Bush speaks after meeting wounded U.S. military personnel at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio on Jan. 1, 2006. Bush returned Washington after spending the New Year's holiday at his Central Texas ranch in Crawford. REUTERS/Larry Downing Larry Downing/Reuters George W. Bush Jan. 1, 2006 Bush came to San Antonio several times during his two terms, but perhaps his most poignant visit was New Years Day 2006, when he followed in his fathers footsteps, meeting with wounded troops and their families at BAMC. During the visit, Bush presented nine soldiers with a Purple Heart. One of Bushs final visits to San Antonio as president was Oct. 6, 2008, when he made an impromptu stop at Olmos Pharmacy while here for a Republican fundraiser. MORE ON OLMOS PHARMACY: Olmos Pharmacy building has filled San Antonios nostalgia prescription for more than 80 years President Barack Obama spoke at a fundraiser at the Convention Center in San Antonio on July 17, 2012. Bob Owen/Express-News file photo Barack Obama July 17, 2012 Another incumbent president, another reelection visit to San Antonio. Like Clinton, Obama had been here as a presidential hopeful. When it came time to seek a second term, Obama returned for a stop that lasted four hours. In that short time, Obama attended two fundraising events, one at the Convention Center and another at the home of trial lawyer Mikal Watts in the Dominion. Supporters on hand included actress Eva Longoria, then-Mayor Julian Castro and his brother, state Rep. Joaquin Castro. Obama was back in the air on Air Force One around 3:40 p.m. President Donald Trump arrives at San Antonio International Airport on April 9, 2019, before participating in a roundtable and a joint fundraising committee lunch. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump April 10, 2019 San Antonios incumbent-seeking-reelection streak continued with Trump, who made a brief stop in the Alamo City for a private fundraiser at The Argyle in Alamo Heights. Trump also had been to San Antonio before, as a presidential candidate, for a June 2016 invitation-only event at the Oak Hills Country Club. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden step off Air Force One upon arrival at Kelly Field on May 29, 2022. The Bidens headed to Uvalde to pay their respects following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Joe Biden May 29, 2022 President Biden and first lady Jill Biden flew to Kelly Field in late May 2022, only to take a solemn Marine One helicopter flight to Uvalde, where they met with first responders and families of the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, which killed 19 students and two teachers. Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, an outspoken critic of President Joe Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war, is calling on residents to vote uncommitted in the Michigan primary. We feel completely neglected and just unseen by our government. If you want us to be louder, then come here and vote uncommitted, Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman to serve in Congress, said in a video posted Saturday on X by the group Listen to Michigan. Biden is grappling with growing discontent within his own party over his handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as cries of Genocide Joe and ceasefire now follow him around the campaign trail. Michigan is home to one of the nations largest populations of Arab Americans and Muslims, and there is concern among Democrats that alienating that key group could hurt the president in a battleground state that was crucial to his 2020 win and is expected to be close again in November. Tlaib a liberal firebrand who represents parts of Detroit and its suburbs previously accused Biden of supporting a Palestinian genocide and warned Americans will remember how he responded to the war when hes up for reelection. Mr. President, the American people are not with you on this one, Tlaib said in a November video, adding, We will remember in 2024. The Listen to Michigan campaign is made up of more than 30 Michigan officials who have pledged to vote uncommitted in the states presidential primary on February 27 to demand Biden support a ceasefire. It is also important to create a voting bloc, Tlaib said in the Saturday video. Something that is a bullhorn to say, enough is enough. We dont want a country that supports wars and bombs and destruction. We want to support life. We want to stand up for every single life killed in Gaza. Administration officials met with Arab American leaders in Michigan this month in an attempt to quell uproar from key parts of the presidents coalition over his support for Israel in its war and his reticence to publicly call for a ceasefire. Some in the meeting signaled discontent with what they heard, with a spokesperson for Listen to Michigan saying the group was met with yet another failure from the Biden administration to call for an immediate ceasefire that saves lives. CNNs Michael Williams and Camila DeChalus contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Grupo Duelo was involved in a car accident while traveling to San Antonio for the stock show and rodeo performance on Sunday. The band will be replaced by La Mafia for Sunday's performance during the Noche Del Vaquero at 7:30 p.m. San Antonio Rodeo Members of Grupo Duelo were involved in a car accident Sunday while traveling to San Antonio for the Stock Show & Rodeo. They were traveling from their show in Monterrey, Mexico, when the accident occurred, according to a post on the bands Instagram page. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Several band members sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals near the Monterrey-Reynosa Highway. The bands scheduled performance on Sunday at the Stock Show & Rodeo has been canceled until further notice. We ask for the understanding and patience of our followers as we face this situation, the post states. One of the most controversial issues consistently debated during my almost 30 years in Congress, and still hotly debated today, is the price of prescription drugs in the U.S. Policymakers have worked to target some of the root causes of high drug prices, yet more can be done to reduce the costs patients and employers pay for prescription drugs. At the center of the debate sit the pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which were originally intended to manage prescription drug benefits for employee health plans. Their original goal was to negotiate cost-effective terms and lower drug prices for plan sponsors. Over time, the PBM industry experienced significant consolidation and vertical integration, fostering business tactics that encourage higher, not lower, prices for patients. Richard Burr Today, PBMs influence virtually every aspect of prescription drug costs and access for Americans. PBMs make money from hefty rebates they demand from manufacturers in exchange for preferential placement on drug formularies. Meanwhile, patients do not experience the benefit of the lower, post-rebate drug price that PBMs negotiate. The out-of-pocket cost patients are paying at the pharmacy counter does not reflect the discount provided to the PBM. Another abusive tactic used by PBMs is their use of restrictive formularies to steer patients toward higher-priced drugs, on which the PBMs are collecting greater profits and blocking access to lower cost generics. Congress has the opportunity to act to address these anti-patient practices and pass policy solutions that can make medicines more affordable. Bipartisan policy solutions have been approved by the health committees in the Senate and the U.S. House. These solutions would reform our broken drug pricing system and take steps to create a more transparent and accountable process. Congress should bring an end to the misguided financial incentives making big corporations richer at the expense of patients. The bipartisan legislation pending before Congress would de-link PBM revenues from the price of drugs. In other words, a fair fee would be set for the services PBMs provide and the financial incentive to elevate a drugs cost and force patients towards higher-priced medicines would be gone. To ensure a level playing field and improved access to medicines, it is critical that these reforms are realized for both commercial and federal coverage markets. Modernizing PBM practices is a far more pragmatic and transformative solution than the unprecedented concept of big government seizing privately held intellectual property. The Biden administrations recent attempt to lower drug prices by allowing the federal government to exercise march-in authority under the Bayh-Dole Act will result in severe unintended consequences. Bayh-Dole was designed to encourage private investment in research and provide a way for the government to intervene if the supply of the invented product is not reliably available. The administrations proposal is an abuse of the law as it would take back the patent rights for new inventions, including drugs, if the government deems the list price of the drug product is too high, a factor that is not included under current law. Allowing Uncle Sam to swoop in and arbitrarily take away a drug patent right will disrupt the protections provided to inventors and discourage public-private partnerships investing in new lifesaving medical innovations. For Americans to benefit from the tremendous medical innovation that brings treatments and cures, they need to be able to afford them. Patients deserve a transparent and fair process that helps make the drugs they need more affordable, not less. The most effective and quickest way to end anti-patient practices by PBMs and reduce the amount Americans pay out-of-pocket for their medicines is for Congress to pass these bipartisan reforms and for President Biden to sign them into law. I encourage my former colleagues in Congress to seize the opportunity to put in place modern solutions to reduce prescription drug costs for patients and fix a broken system. Richard Burr is a former U.S. Senator from North Carolina. He is currently Principal Policy Advisor at DLA Piper LLP, a global law firm, where he provides policy advice to a wide range of life sciences and healthcare clients. Roger Waters has hit out at U2 frontman Bono for comments he made last year in support of Israel. The former Pink Floyd musician, 80, branded the Irish singer disgusting and an enormous s***. During a U2 show during their residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas on 8 October, Bono paid his respects to those killed during the 7 October attack at the Israeli music festival Supernova. Introducing the song Pride (In The Name Of Love, Bono said: 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 But our hearts and our anger, you know where thats pointed. So sing with us and those beautiful kids at that music festival. He then changed the words to the song, singing: Early morning, Oct 7, the sun is rising in the desert sky Stars of David, they took your life but they could not take your pride. In a new interview with Al Jazeera, Waters lashed out at Bonos comments. My mother told me, when faced with difficult problems, the first thing to do is to read read, read, read. Then, the next part is easy: do the right thing, he said. Anybody who knows Bono should go and pick him up by his ankles and shake him until he stops being an enormous s***. Roger Waters (left) and Bono (Getty) We have to start saying to these people, your opinion is so disgusting and so degrading sticking up for the Zionist entity, he added. What he did a couple of weeks ago in the Sphere in Las Vegas, singing about the Stars of David, was one of the most disgusting things Ive ever seen in my life. The Independent has contacted Bonos representatives for comment. Waters has consistently been outspokenly critical of the Israeli government. Last month, he was reportedly dropped by music rights company BMG over his inflammatory remarks about Israel, Ukraine and the United States. Variety reports that Waters himself referred to being fired by BMG in a video interview with Glenn Greenwald last November. However, the comment was buried almost half an hour into the conversation; Waters claimed the split was due to pressure from pro-Israeli interests towards BMGs parent company, Bertelsmann. A source told the publication that BMG did not agree with Waters version of events. The rumoured split was just the latest fallout from Waters controversial remarks about Israel, some of which have been met with allegations of antisemitism. Waters, who has vehemently and consistently denied these accusations, caused uproar last year after wearing a uniform onstage in Berlin that was compared to those worn by the Nazis. He won a legal battle in April 2023 after magistrates of Frankfurt instructed a venue to cancel his concert, accusing him of being one of the most widely known antisemites in the world. 3 dead, 2 missing in factory explosion in East Chinas Jiangsu; rescue efforts underway Global Times) 10:53, February 19, 2024 Three people have been killed and two are still missing in an explosion that occurred at an aluminum rod production plant in Nantong, East Chinas Jiangsu Province, on Sunday. The search and rescue efforts are still underway, the local emergency authorities said on Sunday. At 2:11 am on Sunday, an explosion took place in the area of casting well in the factory of Asia-Pacific Light Alloy (Nantong) Technology Co, located in Haian Economic and Technological Development Zone, said the authorities. According to a staff member from the Haian emergency management bureau, there were 18 employees from the company present at the time of the accident. The surveillance video revealed that a large quantity of molten aluminum leaked into the casting well, resulting in an explosion upon contact with water, the Beijing News reported on Sunday. The roof and walls of the involved building collapsed, with an area of collapse exceeding 80 percent. Rescue personnel are using excavators to dig through the rubble and search for missing people, said the report. On Sunday afternoon, a local resident said he heard an explosion sound at around 2:12 am from his home, which is about three kilometers away from the scene, and the doors and windows of his house shook. Initially he thought it was an earthquake, Sichuan-based The Cover reported on Sunday. The resident said the factory area was currently locked down on Sunday afternoon, with some fire trucks on the scene. Some windows and glass doors of nearby factories were partially damaged, according to the report. The company was founded in 2008 and specializes in the manufacturing and sale of aluminum industrial profiles and aluminum tubes for automobiles, according to the companys website. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Xian Jiangnan) International Committee member Cathy Rubiola dishes food on a plate for Arnold Hoglander, a Canadian guest at the International Room at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The International Room is reserved for non-United States guests when they visit the rodeo. Photo courtesy of Vincent T. Davis International Committee member Otto Garza holds up a bandana and metal pin that volunteers give to guests from other countries when they visit the International Room at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Photo courtesy of Vincent T. Davis Otto Garza points out the country of a recent foreign visitor to fellow volunteer Byron Buzzini at the International Room at the grounds of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Photo courtesy of Vincent T. Davis Otto Garza wore garb historically tied to the rodeo a black cowboy hat, vest, blue plaid shirt and jeans. Arms behind his back, he scanned the crowd, thick with guests from all sectors of society. The self-appointed gatekeeper and sub-chair for registration of the International Committee was ready to greet visitors on the busy thoroughfare on the grounds of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Youngsters on school trips scampered into teacher-directed lines. Couples pushed toddlers in strollers. Teens and older folks, clad in Western wear, sauntered down the crowded lane, heavy with the aroma of roasted treats. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He didnt waver at the Northwest corner of Cattle Barn 1 when four visitors from Canada approached him. He welcomed Arnold and Gloria Hoglander, along with Arnolds brother, Dwayne, and sister-in-law, Cheryle, on their one-day visit to the rodeo. Theyre the latest visitors from other countries to stop at the International Room, where foreign guests can rest, conduct business and ask questions. In past years, guests have included international students, foreign military members and tourists from New Zealand, Singapore, China, Mongolia and England. About the author A 22-year veteran of the Air Force, Vincent T. Davis embarked on a second career as a journalist and found his calling. Observing and listening across San Antonio, he finds intriguing tales to tell about everyday people. He shares his stories with Express-News subscribers every Monday morning. The Hoglanders had traveled 1,557 miles from Melita, Manitoba, to the San Antonio area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What brought you all the way south from Canada? Garza asked. A Dodge, Arnold Hoglander said with a chuckle. Canadian humor! Garza said. I love it! Welcome! It was the Hoglanders first visit to the rodeo in five years they call themselves winter Texans. For the past 15 years, the couple wintered and explored the area during three-month stays. Gloria Hoglander said shes even learned the Texas drawl. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The rodeo is high on their to-do list. We have a lot of good memories here, she said. Were country music and rodeo fans. Were country people. The room is only open to non-United States citizens visiting from outside the country volunteers vet everyone who stops at the venue. They offer guests a warm reception from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the first day of the rodeo to the last Saturday. Tours of the grounds are available to groups of 10 or more. The outings offer details of Texas agriculture and interactive areas, including wildlife exhibits and the Dairy Center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Guests register by scanning a QR code on their smartphone or entering their information on a digital tablet. The data is uploaded to a digital world map, topped with the greeting Welcome International Guests. Once each visitor is registered, volunteers welcome them with souvenirs from the rodeo: an international-stenciled bandana and a blue metallic pin. Garza said visitors with questions about farming can talk to representatives on subcommittees connected to the Texas Department of Agriculture. After handing out gifts, volunteers guide guests to the private hospitality room. Each day, a hot lunch is offered from noon to 2 p.m. Garza said the room is financially independent of the rodeo, supported by restaurant sponsorships or donations that offset costs. Its here to enjoy what we have to offer as far as Texas hospitality, Garza said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The rooms origin is linked to the late Mary Nan West, the first woman to chair the rodeo and livestock show. The International Committee first formed in 1968 as Mexico Day in honor of close ties to livestock buyers from Mexico. The day also honored men who drove herds of cattle across the Southwest. Without the vaqueros of that time, the Mexican cowboys, we probably wouldnt have a rodeo, Garza said. Its because of them, who rode in on trail rides and their horses that make the rodeo what it is today. ALSO READ: East Side cook made grueling journey from Venezuela to start new life in San Antonio Over the years, the day evolved. In 1990, West changed the name to the International/Mexico Day Committee. Five years later, she split the committee into the International and Go Rodeo committees. Garza and his wife were involved with educating children in schools for 47 years, something he said trickled into volunteering on the International Committee. Before the pandemic, the volunteers hosted around 2,000 guests from more than 100 countries. So far this year, theyve welcomed more than 500 visitors. Ukraines State Special Communications Service says that well-known Ukrainian media outlets have been targeted by Russian hackers. Source: State Special Communications Service Quote: "Russia continues its information war against our country. Today, Russian hackers launched another attack on a number of Ukrainian media outlets and posted fake information on their websites. Representatives of Ukrainska Pravda, Liga.net, Apostrophe and Telegraph have contacted CERT-UA, the government's computer emergency response team which is operated by the State Special Communications Service of Ukraine. Our experts are already investigating the incident." Details: In case of suspicion of an attack, please contact the CERT-UA team immediately by emailing incidents@cert.gov.ua or calling +38 (044) 281-88-25, +38 (044) 281-88-05, +38 (044) 281-88-01. Background: On Sunday evening, persons unknown hacked Ukrainska Pravdas Ukrainian-language account on the social network X (formerly Twitter). Support UP or become our patron! Russia's aggressive offensive has fragmented into five main fronts following the capture of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, placing Ukrainian ground forces in what may be their most precarious position since the full-scale invasion began, The New York Times reported on Feb. 17. Moscow's forces are pressing forward in key areas, targeting Avdiivka, Maryinka, Bakhmut, and the vicinities of Robotyne and Kreminna, spreading their offensive across the eastern and southern fronts in Ukraine. Read also: Russian soldiers execute Ukrainian POWs in cold blood in Avdiivka and Vesele video The fall of Avdiivka represents a victory for Russia, the first since it seized Bakhmut in May 2023. This could allow Russian troops to more efficiently deploy forces and hardware, bolstering its offensive capability on multiple fronts, the NYT said. After two years of relentless shelling and combat, little remains of Maryinka, Donetsk Oblast. Its capture facilitates a Russian pivot southward to Vuhledar, another Ukrainian defense point. As Russian units push toward Vuhledar from the north, their progress through the village of Novomykhailivka is noted. Although the full extent of Russian military presence in this sector is unclear, Ukrainian authorities estimate around 40,000 troops are staged near the occupied city of Mariupol, poised for further advances. Read also: Russian air superiority aids offensive in Avdiivka; more aggressive frontline advances expected ISW The publication also notes Russia's "determination" to seize the village of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhya Oblast, which Ukrainian Defense Forces liberated during last summers counteroffensive. Russia's campaign extends to Kreminna, Luhansk oblast, where it seeks to regain control over areas lost in late 2022. Despite fierce Ukrainian resistance, Russian forces are slowly advancing. Russian advances are being made from Kreminna in two directions: north towards the destroyed city of Kupiansk and towards Lyman. Russia is "gaining momentum" on the Bakhmut front, the NYT says, with the initiative seemingly shifting to the Russian invaders. The Ukrainian Armed Forces had withdrew from Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast on Feb. 17, Ukraines Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed.The decision was made to avoid encirclement and to save the lives and health of the soldiers, he said. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A new R-rated traveling circus called Paranormal Cirque will be coming to the Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio this week. Tickets are on sale now. WILLIAM LUTHER / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS The circus is coming to town but leave your children at home. A new traveling show called Paranormal Cirque will be rolling into the Rolling Oaks Mall this week. But dont be fooled by the big red tent the horror-themed circus is intended for mature audiences only. Launched in 2018 by Florida-based company Cirque Italian, Paranormal Cirque is poised between fun and the most uninhibited fear that will transport you to a dark world inhabited by creatures with incredible circus art abilities, states the website. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There are shows daily from Feb. 22 to Feb. 25. No one under 13 will be admitted into the R-rated show, and an adult must accompany guests under 18 due to the language and material. This innovative horror story features different shades of sexy and an incomparable storyline, a Facebook post from the mall reads. The only thing you can be sure of during this unique experience is that you will not know what to expect! Circus-goers will see a fusion between circus, theatre and cabaret inside the spooky venue. The two-hour adrenaline-filled show has all the aspects of a normal circus, from death-defying stunts to acrobats and illusionists, with a paranormal twist. The show follows a strict animal-free policy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You will fall into a parallel world and end up surrounded by monstrous creatures with hidden talents that will amaze you with the circus arts, the mall said. This show is not for the faint of heart. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Dannie McCallum attends Marvel Studios "Echo" Launch Event at Regency Village Theatre on January 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic The newest superhero in the Marvel Universe is a valley girl make that a Rio Grande Valley girl. Dannie McCallum, 29, a 2016 graduate of Texas State University, is from Edinburg. She has taken on one of the ancestral roles in Marvel's five-episode miniseries called Echo, a spinoff of Hawkeye that follows the life of Maya Lopez, who transforms into a superhero known as Echo. The Maya character, played by Alaqua Cox, is a Native American of the Cheyenne Nation. McCallum plays Tuklo, one of Maya's indigenous ancestors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad McCallum's character is supposed to be a protector of life and has all sorts of powers, which include command of knives and rifles traits passed on to Maya. Tuklo makes appearances in four of the five episodes of the miniseries, which can be seen on Disney+. McCallum earned a bachelor's degree in theater performance and production, touted in a Facebook post on the Texas State University Alumni page. She told ValleyCentral in January that her Hollywood arrival wasn't real until she walked the red carpet at the premiere with her parents and was being photographed and asked to sign autographs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Marvel fans recognizing her was an unexpected surprise, too. "There's a first for everybody, and it's so not impossible the way people make it seem," she told ValleyCentral. The Maury Maverick branch library is one of Bexar Countys 41 early voting sites for the March 5 primary election. Billy Calzada/Staff photographer Tuesday is the first day that registered voters can cast their ballot early for Texas March 5 primary. The primary will determine the Democratic and Republican parties' nominees for the November general election. The presidential contest is at the top of the ballot, which also includes important statewide and Bexar County races. Advertisement Article continues below this ad These include the primaries for Texas U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Ted Cruz. U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, are vying to be the Democrat who takes on Cruz in the fall. VOTER GUIDE: Everything you need to know for the March 5 Texas primary election A number of Texas House seats are also up for reelection, including House District 121. The incumbent, Republican Steve Allison, is facing a primary challenge from criminal defense attorney Marc LaHood. LaHood has the backing of Gov. Greg Abbott, who has turned against the three-term incumbent over Allisons opposition to school vouchers and his vote to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Two Democrats are vying to be the nominee who faces Republican state Rep. John Lujan in the November race for Texas House District 118, a seat that Democrats see as primed for flipping. Two of Bexar County Commissioners Courts four seats are also on the March 5 ballot: Commissioners Court Precinct 1, which includes the southern and western parts of the county, and the North Sides Precinct 3. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, a Democrat, is up for reelection, as are the constables for the countys four precincts. The full Bexar County Republican and Democratic parties' sample ballots can be found here. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's fearsome way of ruling, many people still have the courage to oppose and criticize him. But, for the past few years, many of Vladimir Putin's top critics faced mysterious fates. You can see this in what happened to Alexei Navalny, one of the Russian president's top critics who recently died in prison. Aside from him, others also died or faced punishments, such as imprisonment or getting exiled. To give you more idea, here are the top critics of Vladimir Putin and what happened to each of them. Vladimir Putin's Critic: Alexei Navalny In December 2023, Alexei Navalny went mission after getting imprisoned for around three weeks. But, he made huge headlines after his death was confirmed on Feb. 16. This was confirmed by the Russian prison service; saying that he died at the age of 47. However, authorities didn't confirm if he was assassinated nor provided the main cause of his death. For those who don't know him, Alexei Navalny was the most prominent opposition leader of his time. He was jailed in early 2021 after returning to Russia, NDTV. Before that, he was staying in Germany while trying to recover from a near-deadly poisoning attack with nerve agent Novichok. However, when he returned in 2021 to Russia, he faced a 19-year imprisonment on charges filed by independent rights groups. After around two years, Vladimir Putin's critic was moved to a remote Arctic prison colony in Russia's Yamalo-Nenets region in northern Siberia. Officials said that this is where he died after losing consciousness during a walk. Read Also: Russia-China Ties: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping Forge Strong Relationship Amid Global Discord Who are Vladimir Putin's Other Top Critics? Al Jazeera listed other top critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin and what happened to each of them. These include the following: Yevgeny Prigozhin Who is he: Prigozhin was a very close friend of Vladimir Putin, He was even given the nickname "Putin's chef." However, the strong bond ended after he and his mercenary group, Wagner Group, mounted an armed rebellion against the Russian government. What happened to him: He died in a plane crash back in August 2023. His death came after criticizing the Russian military for failing to achieve their military goals. Mikhail Khodorkovsky Who is he: a former oil tycoon who challenged Vladimir Putin during the president's early days of ruling. What happened to him: He was imprisoned for around a decade. Khodorkovsky was then exiled after his release in 2013. He's now living in London and financing media projects that are essential to Russia. Alexander Litvinenko Who is he: a former Russian spy who decided to turn against Vladimir Putin. What happened to him: He died in November 2006. Before his death, he met another former Russian agent and drank a cup of tea in a supermarket. He fell ill and spent the entire night vomiting. Authorities confirmed that he was poisoned with a radioactive isotope called polonium-210. Boris Nemtsov Who is he: Nemstov was a former deputy prime minister and a notable Russian critic. What happened to him: He was shot dead while walking home across a Moscow bridge near the Kremlin. Authorities claimed that some Chechen men killed him, but the mastermind was never found. Vladimir Kara-Murza Who is he: Kara-Murza was a Russian politician who opposed Vladimir Putin and his government. What happened to him: He was imprisoned for 25 years. Kara-Murza was placed in jail back in April 2023 after commenting about the Russia-Ukraine war. He was accused of spreading false information regarding Russian troops and was allegedly connected with an "undesirable organization." Related Article: Allies Fear Putin Critic Alexei Navalny Killed by Kremlin After Suddenly Vanishing From Penal Colony UN's World Health Organization has said Nasser hospital, the last major hospital in Southern Gaza, has ceased to function in the wake of a raid by Israeli forces. The medical staff inside Nasser hospital in Khan Younis told The Independent about the intense fighting around the hospital as the Israeli forces broke inside the complex on Thursday. WHO Says Nasser Hospital 'Not Functional' On Thursday, Israel Defense Force (IDF) troops stormed the complex, saying intelligence said that Hamas was holding captives inside. The IDF claimed that the operation in Nasser is precise and limited, and it has accused Hamas of hiding in hospitals and using civilians as shields. WHO head Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Nasser hospital in Gaza is not functional anymore after a week-long siege followed by the ongoing raid. Ghebreyesus added that the WHO team was not permitted to enter the hospital to assess the conditions of the patients and critical medical needs despite reaching the hospital compound to deliver fuel alongside partners. He reported that there are about 200 patients in the hospital, and at least 20 still need to be urgently referred to other hospitals to receive healthcare, noting that medical referral is every patient's right. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, only four medical staff were left at the hospital to take care of the remaining patients. An anonymous insider told BBC News that 11 patients had died due to disruptions in the oxygen and electricity and that several doctors had been detained. However, the IDF claimed that no one died as a result of its activities, adding that its soldiers had been ordered to maintain the hospital's operations. It said that a temporary generator was operating and that supplies of oxygen and diesel had been brought to the site. Furthermore, there has been intense fighting at the Nasser site for weeks. Israel said that schools and hospitals are Hamas's operational bases. The military claimed that about 20 Hamas fighters had been killed and several weapons had been taken in the area of the hospital. The IDF said that dozens of terrorists were eliminated, and large quantities of weapons were seized over the past day. Read Also: Chinese Beauty Products Pushes Donkeys in Africa To Extinction World Leaders Support Gaza Ceasefire Deal In recent days, efforts have been made in Cairo to mediate a truce between Israel and Hamas despite the ongoing violence in Gaza. Sheik Mohammed said at a meeting of world leaders at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday that the pattern in the last few days is not very promising. However, as she always repeats, they will remain optimistic. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the negotiators were sent by US President Joe Biden. However, he said that they did not return for further talks because Hamas's demands were "delusional." The group has outlined several demands, including the exchange of Israeli forces for Palestinian prisoners, full withdrawal of Israeli troops, and an end to the war following a 135-day ceasefire, broken into three phases. Furthermore, Netanyahu reaffirmed that the Israeli government is pushing forward with its invasion of Gaza further south, taking in the area of Rafah, despite the international pressure to hold off advancing its ground invasion without first having the plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians who fled there during the early stages of the conflict. Related Article: Gaza War: Israeli Forces Drive Out Palestinians in Raid of Largest Functioning Hospital Israel criticized Brazil's president for taking a comparison between the conflict in Gaza and the Holocaust, accusing him of being antisemitic and disregarding the severity of the Nazi genocide of European Jews in World War II. The public uproar exacerbated tensions between the nations, which have worsened since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva resumed his position last year. Lula has presented himself as a prominent figure in the "Global South," a loosely defined collection of developing nations, as per to ABC News. Former Brazilian President Lula Sparks Gaza Conflict In a press briefing held a day after his meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva made contentious remarks concerning the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Lula's statements drew attention as he compared the situation to historical events, asserting that what is happening in Gaza is unprecedented. Lula, addressing reporters, stated, "What's happening in the Gaza Strip and with the Palestinian people doesn't exist at any other historical moment. In fact, it existed when Hitler decided to kill the Jews." He went on to characterize the conflict as not merely a war but as a "genocide," emphasizing the disparity between a well-equipped army and vulnerable civilians, particularly women and children. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly responded, deeming Lula's remarks as crossing a "red line" and condemning them as a trivialization of the Holocaust. Netanyahu emphasized that such comparisons undermine Israel's right to self-defense and perpetuate harm against the Jewish people. The Israeli President conveyed his dissatisfaction, specifying the difficulties encountered by Israeli soldiers in fighting a recognized terrorist group with the goal of destroying the Jewish state. Herzog criticized the allegations against Israel, especially the connection to Hitler's actions, calling them appalling, according to Haaretz. Read Also: Avdiivka Falls to Russian Military-A Sign of Ukraine Weakening? Israeli Ministers Condemn Lula's Accusations Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant strongly refuted Lula's accusations, branding them as outrageous and abhorrent. Gallant underscored the long-standing support Brazil has had for Israel and criticized Lula for aligning with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. In response to Lula's statements, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz summoned the Brazilian ambassador for a reprimand. Katz emphasized the severity and shamefulness of Lula's claims while staunchly defending Israel's right to defend itself against external threats. Lula's comments follow his earlier criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. He questioned the proportionality and acceptability of Israel's response, calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state as a prerequisite for peace. The Brazilian Israelite Confederation issued a statement condemning Lula's remarks as a "perverse distortion of reality," accusing his government of an "extreme and unbalanced" stance on the conflict. The Confederation deemed Lula's statements offensive to the memory of Holocaust victims and their descendants. Lula also expressed concern about the suspension of humanitarian aid to the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) and called for an investigation into alleged errors without discontinuing essential funding for those affected by the conflict. The UNRWA, already facing financial strain, came under scrutiny after Israel implicated 12 of its staff members in the October 7 attack by Hamas, Business Day reported. Related Article: Russia Conducts New Assault on Eastern Ukrainian Town of Avdiivka Thousands of protesters wearing pink marched through cities in Mexico and abroad on Sunday in a demonstration they dubbed a "march for democracy" aimed at the country's ruling party ahead of the June 2 elections. The protests organized by Mexico's opposition parties demanded transparent elections in the Latin American country and condemned corruption shortly after presidential favorite Claudia Sheinbaum proclaimed a run with the majority party Morena, as per The Independent. 90,000 Express Democracy Concerns Approximately 90,000 individuals joined the demonstrations, expressing concerns about the perceived threats to democracy by the government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Despite Lopez Obrador's popularity for representing the working class, his administration has faced accusations of undermining democratic principles. Claudia Sheinbaum, considered by many as a successor to the popular populist leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has sparked both support and dissent. Lopez Obrador, who garnered immense popularity in 2018 for challenging the country's elite parties, is now facing accusations of undermining democracy. Last year, the president reduced funding for the National Electoral Institute (INE) and weakened oversight of campaign spending, raising alarms about potential threats to the democratic process. The agency's color, pink, has become a symbolic representation for demonstrators. Furthermore, Lopez Obrador's confrontations with journalists, judiciary, and claims of a conservative conspiracy have added fuel to the growing discontent. In Mexico City, protesters, donned in pink, gathered at the main plaza, chanting demands for Lopez Obrador's departure. Signs reading "the power of the people is greater than the people in power" underscored the sentiment of the demonstrators, according to ABC News. Read Also: President Biden Accuses Putin of Responsibility in Navalny's Death, Denounces 'Brutality' PRI Leader Upholds Democracy Amidst Global Protests The march, organized by various opposition groups including the National Civic Front, Yes for Mexico, Citizen Power, Civil Society Mexico, UNE Mexico, and United for Mexico, aimed to defend democratic institutions and protest against attacks on candidates by drug cartels, particularly in local elections. Enrique de la Madrid Cordero, a prominent politician from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), emphasized the importance of democracy in a video posted on social media. Despite holding power for over 70 years, the PRI now stands with other opposition groups in challenging the current political climate. Demonstrations took place in numerous cities throughout Mexico, the United States, and Spain, highlighting the broad apprehension regarding the condition of Mexican democracy. Despite the large protests, polls indicate that Lopez Obrador's supporter, Claudia Sheinbaum, is in a good position for her election to the presidency. President Lopez Obrador, however, remains resilient in the face of criticism, dismissing the protests as attempts by his critics to restore corruption to power. In a press briefing, he assured reporters that there would be no electoral fraud in the upcoming election and vehemently denied intervening in democratic processes. As Mexico negotiates the intricacies of its political environment, the dispute between supporters of Lopez Obrador's vision and those advocating for electoral integrity highlights the profound concerns about the future of democracy in the nation, US News reported. Related Article: Minneapolis Man Faces Charges for Training, Helping ISIS in Somalia, Threatening To Attack NYC A fake Wisconsin elector said that he was tricked into signing false documents that claimed former United States President Donald Trump won the 2020 election. A month after the presidential election in 2020, Democratic and Republican electors who represented the candidate who won the popular vote in their states gathered to formally cast electoral votes for the president. Wisconsin Fake Elector However, in seven states that Democrat Joe Biden won, Republican electors got together and cast fake votes for Trump. They have since become known to be "fake electors" and federal prosecutors said that they were part of efforts to overturn the presidential race. They added that the entire thing was orchestrated by pro-Trump attorneys who had the support of the former president himself. Authorities have filed state criminal charges against fake electors in Georgia, Michigan, and Nevada. On the other hand, the fake electors in Wisconsin have not been charged and a few weeks ago, one of them, identified as Andrew Hitt, agreed to explain how he said he and others were tricked by the Trump campaign, as per CBS News. Hitt, who is an attorney and former chairman of the state Republican Party, said that he worked tirelessly for the former president. He added that more often than not, phone calls would start at around six in the morning and would end at around 10:30 in the evening. Read Also: Trump Makes Surprise Visit at Philly Sneaker Con-Unveils New 'Never Surrender' Shoe He was often singled out by the former president during rallies in Wisconsin. However, the Republican businessman did not win the state in the 2020 election, losing to his rival, Biden by roughly 20,700 votes. The Trump campaign appealed the vote, challenging more than 200,000 absentee ballots on technical grounds in two Democratic counties. Rudy Giuliani previously said that Trump won Wisconsin by a good margin if you only count the lawful votes. Hitt said that the remarks were false. Tricked Into Signing False Documents Hitt said that he and other electors were told that the documents they signed, claiming the former president's win in Wisconsin, were meaningless unless a court ruled that they had meaning, according to Axios. He argued that if he did not sign the false documents, and the court threw out the contested votes, it would have been solely his fault that the former president lost the state. He emphasized that at the time, he was absolutely scared of the situation. Hitt was also asked if he was scared of Trump supporters in his state and he answered that it was not "a safe time." He argued that if his lawyer was right, the whole reason that the former president lost Wisconsin was because of him, which caused him to be scared to death. The 10 Wisconsin GOP electors met at the state Capitol on Dec. 14, 2020, to sign the document under the supervision of Kenneth Chesebro. The latter is the Trump campaign lawyer that federal special counsel Jack Smith described as the "architect" of the fake elector scheme. On that same day, the Wisconsin Supreme Court threw out the Trump campaign's suit in a 4-3 ruling. Hitt argued that he went forward with the signing of the document anyway in case the high court overturned the decision, said The Hill. Related Articel: Truckers for Trump Plan Boycott in New York Following $355 Million Fraud Ruling as Kathy Hochul Addresses Fine Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz has delivered a stern warning to Hamas, setting a deadline for the release of hostages held in Gaza by March 10 or facing the prospect of a military offensive in the southern city of Rafah. This ultimatum issued by the former defense minister and a significant figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, marks the first occasion on which Israel has publicly indicated the possible timing for its troops to enter Gaza's southern city, where approximately 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge. Israeli War Cabinet Member Issues Ultimatum to Hamas During a conference of Jewish American leaders, Gantz emphasized the urgency of the situation. "The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know: If by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area," the war cabinet member said. This ultimatum coincides with the commencement of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, slated to begin on March 10, adding weight to the deadline set by Israel. Rafah, situated on the border with Egypt, has emerged as a focal point in the conflict, with concerns mounting over potential civilian casualties and humanitarian crises. The recent Israeli raid on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, near Rafah, has further heightened tensions. The raid, conducted in response to intelligence suggesting that hostages held by Hamas were being harbored within the hospital complex, resulted in the hospital ceasing to function, according to the United Nations public health agency. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) characterized the operation as "precise and limited." Accusations have been levied against Hamas for exploiting medical facilities for military purposes. Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated his government's commitment to confronting Hamas, vowing to "finish the job" amid growing calls for halting military actions. Efforts to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages have encountered significant obstacles, with Hamas demanding concessions from Israel, including the release of Palestinian prisoners. As the countdown to Ramadan begins, reports from Rafah indicate a mixed response among residents. While some individuals have chosen to depart, heading westward towards the coast, significant portion of the population remains in a state of uncertainty, unsure of their next course of action. Read Also: Rafah Under Fire as Ceasefire Talks Begin in Cairo Escalation of Israeli-Hamas Conflict The Israeli war cabinet, comprising the nation's top security officials, was established shortly after Hamas-led gunmen launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This assault resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 individuals, with 253 hostages taken. Presently, Israel believes that Hamas still holds approximately 130 hostages in Gaza. In response to the October 7 Hamas attack, Israel launched military operations in Gaza, including airstrikes and ground incursions, aimed at targeting Hamas militants and infrastructure. These actions resulted in casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure, and humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip. Israel also implemented blockades and restrictions on the movement of goods and people into and out of Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the territory. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, the death toll since the beginning of the war stands at more than 28,400 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, with over 68,000 wounded. Despite diplomatic initiatives led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, progress has been slow, exacerbating tensions in the region. In addition to addressing the situation in Gaza, Gantz also warned of the threat posed by Hezbollah along Israel's northern border with Lebanon. He emphasized Israel's commitment to safeguarding its borders from hostile threats, signaling the possibility of military action against Hezbollah strongholds. The looming deadline has elicited international concern, with calls for restraint and diplomatic resolutions to the conflict. As tensions escalate, the region remains on edge, with hopes for a peaceful resolution to the crisis engulfing Gaza and its surrounding areas. Related Article: UN Warns of Potential Slaughter Amid Israeli Ground Invasion Threat in Rafah China, U.S. agree to implement consensus of San Francisco summit Xinhua) 11:10, February 19, 2024 VIENNA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday agreed to implement the important consensus reached at the San Francisco meeting between the two heads of state. During their meeting in Vienna on Sunday, the two officials had candid, in-depth and constructive communication on implementing the consensus reached at the San Francisco meeting between the two heads of state, advancing bilateral cooperation in drug control and law enforcement, and addressing each other's concerns. Wang pointed out that during their historic meeting in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden laid out the future-oriented "San Francisco Vision." Wang said he hopes that the two sides will adhere to the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and remove obstacles to bilateral drug control and law enforcement cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Wang urged the U.S. side to stop harassing and interrogating Chinese students for no reason, and ensure that Chinese citizens enjoy fair entry treatment and full dignity. Washington should also take concrete and effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic and consular missions and personnel in the United States, lift visa restrictions on relevant Chinese institutions and personnel, and correct the mistake of listing China as a "major drug source country," Wang said. The two sides agreed to contribute to the steady development of China-U.S. relations by implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintaining dialogue and cooperation on drug control and law enforcement, attaching importance to each other's concerns, and properly resolving issues on the basis of mutual respect, managing differences and mutually beneficial cooperation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Xian Jiangnan) Hungary's government declined a request to meet with United States senators who are seeking to push for the ratification of Sweden's bid to join the NATO military alliance. The bipartisan delegation of American senators made an official visit to Hungary's capital, Budapest, on Sunday. The European country is the only remaining member of the military alliance not to have ratified Stockholm's bid to join NATO. Hungary's Delay of Sweden's NATO Bid The Hungarian government has been facing mounting pressure to act quickly after delaying the move for more than 18 months. It comes as admitting a new country to the military alliance requires unanimous approval from all member states. The American senators who were visiting the European nation announced that they would submit a joint resolution to Congress that condemns alleged democratic backsliding in Hungary. They also plan to urge the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban to lift its block on Sweden's trans-Atlantic integration. In a statement during a news conference in the U.S. Embassy in Hungary's capital, Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, said that with accession, Hungary and the nation's prime minister will be doing a great service to freedom-loving nations worldwide, as per the Associated Press. The resolution, which was first reported early on Sunday, was authored by Tillis and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat. The two were accompanied in the delegation to Budapest by Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat. Read Also: Labour Party Deals Major Blow to Conservative Party Following Latest Parliamentary By-Elections in Britain Shaheen argued that it was "disappointing" that no members of the Hungarian government had accepted invitations to meet the delegation. However, she said that she was still "hopeful and optimistic" that Sweden's accession would be submitted for ratification when Hungarian lawmakers reconvene on Feb. 26, 2024. On the other hand, Murphy said that the refusal of the Orban government to meet them was "strange and concerning." However, he said that the onus was on the long-serving leader to push for a vote on the matter. Approving Stockholm's NATO Membership Efforts While Hungary only has roughly 10 million people and accounts for only 1% of the European Union's economic output, the nation, under Orban, has made its guiding philosophy the defiance of more powerful countries, according to the New York Times. Orban, speaking a day earlier in the capital of Hungary, restated his previous commitment, which was to let Sweden into the alliance as soon as possible. He said that they are on course to ratify Stockholm's accession to NATO at the beginning of Parliament's spring session. The prime minister's party has a large majority in Parliament and controls when it meets and how it votes. Legislators with the Fidesz Party boycotted a session of Parliament called earlier this month by the opposition to ratify Sweden's NATO bid. The situation comes as the Hungarian prime minister previously said that his government can ratify Stockholm's accession as soon as Feb. 26, 2024. He said that with the help of the Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, they have taken important steps to restore confidence. Sweden's efforts to join NATO came at the same time that Finland applied for membership as well, which was prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While Helsinki joined the military alliance in April 2023, Stockholm's efforts have been stifled, said CNN. Related Article: Yulia Navalnaya Calls Out Putin Regime Following Husband's Death Nintendo's shares experienced a sharp decline on Monday, dropping by 6% following reports suggesting a delay in the release of its highly anticipated successor to the Nintendo Switch console. While Nintendo has refrained from providing official comments regarding plans for a new console, sources familiar with the matter revealed that the gaming giant is now looking towards an early 2025 launch for its next-generation device, as opposed to the previously speculated late 2024 release. Nintendo Delays Console Launch Until March 2025 According to Bloomberg, which independently verified the news through its sources, Nintendo has been informing game publishers about the delay, advising them to expect the new console no earlier than March 2025. This shift in the launch timeline has been met with notable market reaction, with Nintendo's shares experiencing their most significant intraday decline since October 2021, plummeting by as much as 8.8% in Tokyo trading on Monday. The decision to postpone the release of the successor to the wildly successful Nintendo Switch marks a deviation from earlier expectations. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa had previously underscored the importance of maintaining the momentum of the Switch business, further fueling speculation about the imminent release of a new console. Read Also: Switch 2: Here's Everything We Know About Nintendo's Next Hand-Held Console Additional Time for Nintendo's New Console Finalization While details regarding the upcoming device remain scarce, industry insiders suggest that the delay could provide game developers with additional time to finalize their projects for the new platform. Anticipated titles, including the highly awaited Metroid Prime 4, are expected to accompany the console's launch, potentially offering consumers a robust gaming experience upon release. Rumors surrounding the specifications of the new console indicate upgraded features such as a next-generation NVIDIA Tegra processor with real-time ray-tracing capabilities and an enlarged 8-inch display. This delay also raises questions about pricing strategies, with some industry analysts predicting a potential increase compared to the launch price of the original Nintendo Switch. Nonetheless, Nintendo continues to focus on its existing hardware, with Furukawa reiterating that the current iteration of the Switch will remain the company's primary focus heading into 2024. Plans for the upcoming fiscal year, including potential details about the delayed console launch, are expected to be unveiled during Nintendo's next earnings briefing scheduled for May. The Nintendo Switch, initially released in 2017, has consistently performed well in the gaming market, outselling competitors like the Sony PS5 and the Xbox Series S/X. Recent iterations, such as the OLED model released in October 2021, have further bolstered Nintendo's position in the industry. Related Article: Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors: Backwards Compatibility, Custom Nvidia Cip, & More! "Oppenheimer" - the 2023 biopic focusing on the Manhattan Project, the development of the atomic bomb, the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, and the dawn of the nuclear age - won seven prizes at the 77th British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) on Sunday night (Feb. 18). Among the awards include Best Picture, Best Director (Christopher Nolan), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), and Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.). The film's BAFTA accolades cemented its front-runner status for the Oscars this March, the Associated Press reported. Films that were runners-up for the most BAFTAs were "Poor Things" with five awards, the Holocaust drama "The Zone of Interest" with three, and "The Holdovers" with two. Murphy said he was grateful to play Oppenheimer - dubbed the father of the atomic bomb - who he described as a "colossally knotty, complex character." "Oppenheimer" was Nolan's first BAFTA win. He noted in his acceptance speech that nuclear weapons were "a nihilistic subject," which, he perceived, the film did cinematic justice. "Thank you for taking on something dark," he told the film's producers. Read Also: Oscars Reveals 2024 Nominees - Here's the Full List and Analysis Full List, Analysis of BAFTA Nominees, Winners The following is the list of BAFTA 2024 nominees and winners: Best film Oppenheimer (winner) Anatomy of a Fall The Holdovers Killers of the Flower Moon Poor Things Outstanding British film The Zone of Interest (winner) All of Us Strangers How To Have Sex Napoleon The Old Oak Poor Things Rye Lane Saltburn Scrapper Wonka Best film not in the English language The Zone of Interest (winner) 20 Days In Mariupol Anatomy of a Fall Past Lives Society of the Snow Best Animated Film The Boy and the Heron (winner) Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget Elemental Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Best Documentary 20 Days In Mariupol (winner) American Symphony Beyond Utopia Still: A Michael J Fox Movie Wham! Best British Short Animation Crab Day (winner) Visible Mending Wild Summon Best British Short Film Jellyfish and Lobster (winner) Festival of Slaps Gorka Such a Lovely Day Yellow Best Director Oppenheimer - Christopher Nolan (winner) All of Us Strangers - Andrew Haigh Anatomy of a Fall - Justine Triet The Holdovers - Alexander Payne Maestro - Bradley Cooper The Zone of Interest - Jonathan Glazer Best Leading Actor Cillian Murphy - Oppenheimer (winner) Bradley Cooper - Maestro Colman Domingo - Rustin Paul Giamatti - The Holdovers Barry Keoghan - Saltburn Teo Yoo - Past Lives Best Leading Actress Emma Stone - Poor Things (winner) Fantasia Barrino - The Color Purple Sandra Huller - Anatomy of a Fall Carey Mulligan - Maestro Vivian Oparah - Rye Lane Margot Robbie - Barbie Best Supporting Actor Robert Downey Jr - Oppenheimer (winner) Robert De Niro - Killers of the Flower Moon Jacob Elordi - Saltburn Ryan Gosling - Barbie Paul Mescal - All of Us Strangers Dominic Sessa - The Holdovers Best Supporting Actress Da'Vine Joy Randolph - The Holdovers (winner) Emily Blunt - Oppenheimer Danielle Brooks - The Color Purple Claire Foy - All of Us Strangers Sandra Huller - The Zone of Interest Rosamund Pike - Saltburn Best Original Screenplay Anatomy of a Fall (winner) Barbie The Holdovers Maestro Past Lives Best Adapted Screenplay American Fiction (winner) All of Us Strangers Oppenheimer Poor Things The Zone of Interest Outstanding Debut by a British writer, director, or producer Earth Mama (winner) Blue Bag Life Bobi Wine: The People's President How To Have Sex Is There Anybody Out There? Original Score Oppenheimer (winner) Killers of the Flower Moon Poor Things Saltburn Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Best Make-up and Hair Poor Things (winner) Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Napoleon Oppenheimer Best Costume Design Poor Things (winner) Barbie Killers of the Flower Moon Napoleon Oppenheimer Best Production Design Poor Things (winner) Barbie Killers of the Flower Moon Oppenheimer The Zone of Interest Best Sound The Zone of Interest (winner) Ferrari Maestro Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One Oppenheimer Best Cinematography Oppenheimer (winner) Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Poor Things The Zone of Interest Best Editing Oppenheimer (winner) Anatomy of a Fall Killers of the Flower Moon Poor Things The Zone of Interest Best Casting The Holdovers (winner) All of Us Strangers Anatomy of a Fall How To Have Sex Killers of the Flower Moon Best Special Visual Effects Poor Things (winner) The Creator Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One Napoleon BAFTA Fellowship Samantha Morton Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema June Givanni EE Bafta Rising Star Award (voted for by the public) Mia McKenna-Bruce (winner) Phoebe Dynevor Ayo Edebiri Jacob Elordi Sophie Wilde In terms of nomination win-loss ratio, "Oppenheimer" had a whopping seven awards out of 13 nominations, which was the most for this year's competition. However, it fell short of the nine trophies won by the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" in 1971. Meanwhile, "Poor Things" won five out of 11 nominations, "The Zone of Interest" with three out of nine, and "The Holdovers" with two out of seven. Out of the major nominees, "Anatomy of a Fall" won best original screenplay, "American Fiction" won best-adapted screenplay, Other winners include "The Boy and the Heron" (best-animated film), "20 Days In Mariupol" (best documentary), "Crab Day" (best British short animation), "Jellyfish and Lobster" (best British short film), "Earth Mama" (outstanding debut by a British writer, director, or producer). However, nominees from the films "Barbie," "Maestro," "Killers of the Flower Moon," and "Past Lives" - who also have multiple nominations in the upcoming Oscars - were sidelined in this year's BAFTAs. Related Article: Prince William Graces BAFTAs Red Carpet Solo Amid Kate Middleton's Recovery Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Copenhagen is prepared to send its "entire artillery" to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. Frederiksen's remarks were made while she was speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. At the event, she also appealed to other European nations to do more to help Kyiv amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's continued invasion. Denmark Pledges More Support for Ukraine The Danish prime minister argued that the situation is not only a question about production, adding that they have weapons, ammunition, and air defense that they do not have a use for themselves at the moment that can be delivered to Ukraine. Frederiksen's remarks come as Ukrainian military troops withdrew from the key eastern town of Avdiivka amid severe munitions shortages. Her announcement will come as particularly welcome news in Kyiv as the nation's military has long been starved of artillery shells. In December last year, Ukrainian Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavsky said that the nation had been forced to scale back some of its operations. He noted that there was a problem with ammunition, particularly with post-Soviet shells, including 122mm and 152mm, as per the South China Morning Post. On top of the Danish prime minister's pledge, the Czech Republic also said that it could supply Ukraine's military with 800,000 shells. Czech President Petr Pavel said on Saturday that his country has a stockpile of roughly half a million 155mm and 300,000 122mm shells. He noted that these could be transported to Kyiv's front line in a few weeks "if funding is found quickly." Read Also: Avdiivka Falls to Russian Military-A Sign of Ukraine Weakening? Frederiksen's commitment comes as Denmark has been a key supporter of Ukraine since the beginning of Moscow's invasion in February 2022. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy showed that the Nordic country's military aid commitments increased by $3.8 billion since November. These numbers made Denmark one of the biggest military donors for Ukraine by the percentage of GDP. Denmark has already pledged roughly $9 billion to support Kyiv's continued fight against Russian aggression. Waning Sense of Urgency Frederiksen also criticized a waning sense of urgency among delegates at the Munich Security Conference as Moscow's invasion of Ukraine enters its third year. She argued that the sense of urgency is "simply not clear enough in our discussions," according to CNBC. The Danish prime minister also called out Europe's claims of production constraints as a reason for failing to provide more military assistance to Kyiv. She noted that the continent has existing stockpiles that it could and should share, particularly with those in need. There were many in the room who echoed Frederiksen's sentiment toward the need for more support for Ukraine. The lawmakers spoke at the 7th Munich Ukrainian Lunch, which was hosted on the sidelines of the MSC by the Yalta European Strategy (YES) forum and the Ukrainian non-profit Victor Pinchuk Foundation. Russia's accession of Avdiivka also comes against a backdrop of a large-scale counteroffensive that Kyiv launched in the summer of last year. The operation resulted in no material gains for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's government, said Almayadeen. Related Article: Hungary Faces Criticism Over Delay in Ratification of Sweden's NATO Bid US lawmakers said that their Capitol Hill colleagues were considering sanctioning Chinese companies they believed were helping Russia fuel its war in Ukraine, the first time they have directly blamed Beijing for the war. US House Foreign Relations Committee member Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA) told CNBC over the weekend that lawmakers were working on following through what the European Union proposed last week. The EU's provisions would mark the first direct penalties against Beijing despite long-held Western suspicions over its support for Russia's military operations. "China has to understand that the same kinds of sanctions which are beginning to really take hold in Russia and are affecting Russian productivity, economic performance and quality of life, can also be applied to China," he told CNBC at the Munich Security Conference (MSC). "And frankly, China has a lot more to lose than Russia." Sanctions Stinging Both Ways While US sanctions could severely hurt a Chinese economy already in decline after a slower-than-anticipated COVID-19 recovery and crumbling real estate sector, it could also negatively affect the US, given its trade interdependence. Such a consideration has prompted caution from Washington in the past. Nevertheless, Connolly said that the sanctions would not deter such penalties, which could come "very soon." "My hope is the very threat of it - and the fact that the Europeans are really serious about this, which is a relatively recent development - ought to clarify some thinking in Beijing, I hope," he added. "So I would hope China would calculate carefully that there are consequences around the corner for supporting Russia's violence and depravity in Ukraine." Read Also: Taiwan Defends Coast Guard Actions Amidst Fatal Clash with Chinese Speedboat Congress Considers Sanctioning Pro-Russia Chinese Firms Asked whether the US was considering similar sanctions on China as those proposed by the EU, US Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) said that Congress was currently looking into options with the Biden administration. "It's an area that we're looking at, and Congress is working with the administration as to how we can enforce the sanctions against Russia, and that will require greater cooperation of other countries," he said. The EU's proposals of sanctioning pro-Russia Chinese firms would form part of the bloc's 13th sanctions package since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and could be ready and have it scheduled to mark the war's second anniversary this week. EU top diplomat Josep Borrell said on Monday (Feb. 19) that those plans had gained a new urgency in the wake of the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Friday (Feb. 16). A CNBC investigation last September revealed that Chinese firms were playing a critical role in boosting Russia's military capabilities, including via the trade of goods for battlefield use in Ukraine. A separate January report of the outlet further found that China has become the key conduit in funneling critical Western tech into Russia. Officials from both Beijing and Washington did not immediately respond to reporters' requests for comment. China Slams Proposed US Sanctions A US intelligence report stated that China "has also become an increasingly important buttress for Russia in its war effort, probably supplying Moscow with key technology and dual-use equipment used in Ukraine." However, Beijing officials rejected such accusations, saying that its trade with the Kremlin constituted "normal economic cooperation" and was not targeting any "third party." China previously attempted to mediate the war in Ukraine by proposing a 12-point peace plan for the conflict that has yet to gain traction. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the MSC that trade should not be weaponized, saying that any attempts to limit trade ties with his country would be a "historic mistake." "Those who attempt to shut China out in the name of derisking will make a historical mistake," he said, referring to existing restrictions implemented by the US to limit the trade of sensitive technologies. Wang later met with his US counterpart Antony Blinken on the conference's sidelines, where he urged Washington to lift existing sanctions on Chinese firms and individuals - especially those involved in the human rights abuse of Uyghurs in Xinjiang - saying that the US should not hurt China's legitimate development rights. Related Article: Russian Salaries Increase More Than 7% Last Year Due to Wartime Labor Crunch Generative AI has been used for some very creative purposes. However, according to CNN, this time around, there's hope that it can be used for justice. A voice recording on a mother's cellphone outside the office doors of lawmakers on Capitol Hill carries the voice of Joaquin Oliver on the sixth anniversary of his death. Who was Joaquin Oliver? He was a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School; "Six years ago, I was a senior at Parkland. Many students and teachers were murdered on Valentine's Day that year by a person using an AR-15 assault rifle," the voice says. "It's been six years, and you've done nothing. Not a thing to stop all the shootings that have continued to happen since." "The thing is, I died that day in Parkland," the voice continues. "My body was destroyed by a weapon of war. I'm back today because my parents used AI to recreate my voice to call you." Change the Ref Manuel and Patricia Oliver lost their 17-year-old son in the Parkland mass shooting of 2018. The organization they helped found in his memory, Change the Ref, launched the voice message campaign. The audio is but one of six voice messages of young people killed by gun violence that AI has generated as part of a new campaign launched by the aforementioned Change the Ref and March For Our Lives to urge lawmakers to act on gun control. "My wife and I have been trying to use our voices for the last six years. Nonstop. We have tried almost every single way to approach gun violence in a way that people will pay attention. We haven't been very successful," says Manuel Oliver, who founded the Change the Ref advocacy group in memory of his son after the 2018 shooting in Florida."So we decided, you know what? Let's bring the voices of our loved ones. Let's bring the voice of Joaquin." The Shotline, the campaign's website, urges people to listen to the voice messages, enter a zip code, and send the calls to members of Congress. The campaign was launched on the day of a mass shooting at a Super Bowl parade in Kansas City that resulted in the death of one person and wounded more than 20 others, more than half of whom were children. The Gun Violence Archive reports that there have been 50 mass shootings in the United States in 2024. Duelo onstage at Arena Monterrey hours before the accident. B-Latin Music Norteno group Duelo formed in Roma, a small town near the Rio Grande. courtesy Norteno group Duelo formed in Roma, a small town near the Rio Grande. courtesy UPDATE: Oscar Ivan Trevino, lead singer for Duelo, has provided an update about the band's accident. Monday afternoon, Trevino posted a video to Instagram detailing what happened during an accident en route from Monterrey, Mexico to San Antonio. "This video, more than anything, is to thank you for your prayers, for your attention, for keeping an eye on the group," Trevino said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trevino said drummer Ivan Torres and bassist Pedro Flores suffered the most severe injuries. Flores injured "four vertebrae of the lower spine" and had surgery Sunday. He is currently in "a little more stable" condition. Torres injured his left side and shoulder and is now recuperating at home. "God definitely performed a miracle this weekend due to the severity of the accident, and the boys are now a little more stable, which is the most important thing," Trevino said (Original story continues below.) Several members of norteno group Duelo were involved in a "terrible accident" on their way to a show in San Antonio. According to a media alert, it occurred early Sunday morning on Mexico Federal Hwy. 50 between Monterrey and Reynosa. The group was coming off a two-night stint at Arena Monterrey, a venue with a capacity of almost 18,000. (The photos above and below are from those shows.) Advertisement Article continues below this ad Multiple members of Duelo were injured and are being treated at different hospitals in the area. A publicist for the group did not specify which members were injured. The group was scheduled to perform Sunday night at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Houston-based Tejano group La Mafia was announced as a last-minute replacement. "A special show, dedicated to our buddies Duelo. We love you, speedy recovery!" La Mafia posted on Instagram. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Duelo onstage at Arena Monterrey hours before the accident. B-Latin Music Duelo, whose hits include "Puno de Diamantes" and "A Mi Me Gustas Tu," performed this month at Mardi Gras! Galveston. They originated in Roma, a small town near the Rio Grande. Members Oscar Ivan Trevino and Dimas Lopez began playing together at a restaurant owned by Lopez's parents. The group formed officially in 1996 featuring other schoolmates. The group released three albums as Duelo Norteno before rebranding as simply Duelo for 2002's "El amor no acaba" on the Fonovisa label. They played the Houston Rodeo in 2005, 2008 and 2012 and at the time broke attendance records. Kate and Oliver Maarraui at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at NRG Center Sunday Feb. 18, 2024. Dave Rossman/Contributor Deloris Cornelius, Shanna Nelson and Janice Cummings at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition Dave Rossman/Contributor Jennifer Neslonely, with Lauren and Cole Prestenbach, at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Jemmina Gualy with Jad and Jamie Doan at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Carol Bucek and Sara Beth Bubak at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor A packed house at the 2024 Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Lauren and Jonathan Rodriguez at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Melissa Bryant, Chris Cooke, Allison Cooke and Chip Bryant at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Aaron and Laura Wilkins at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Adrienne Adams, Terry Youngs and Kendra Hudson at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Bacon wrapped shrimp from Hearsay at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Angela Hernandez with Mark and Gabriella Eldred at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Kim Folger with James and Barbara Mora at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Ron Behar, Danielle Behar, Kristen Hopper and David Skinner at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Loro made curried brisket rice at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Jennifer, Elly and Jon Gerber at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Jeremy Stiles, Taylor Newquist and Paul Bonarrigo at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Bread pudding from Lemond Kitchen at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Taylor Porterand and Lisa Gochman at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor A plate from Liberty Kitchen at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Katie Lyle and Macy Vance at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Isela and Juan Garcia at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Miya Shay, Deborah Elias and Lara Bell at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor The display from the Palm Restaurant at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor Jana Agee, Laura Wells and Jeff Thomas at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition at the NRG Center Dave Rossman/Contributor As it does every year, the Roundup & Best Bites competition kick-started the 2024 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo the only way it knows how: in grand fashion. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The sold-out dine-around Sunday night featured more than 200 restaurants and culinary businesses serving their "best bites" to more than 6,000 attendees spanning multiple halls at NRG Center. There was wine, too nearly 450 wines from the rodeo's International Wine Competition, including the Grand Champion (Beau Joie Brut Champagne) and Reserve Grand Champion (Smith-Madrone Riesling). Award categories were both judged by attendees (People's Choice) and a few dozen judges, mostly media personalities and local food writers. The 2024 Best Bites winners are as follows: Peoples Choice Award Advertisement Article continues below this ad 1st: Grazia Italian Kitchen (R-C Ranch smoked wagyu chuck eye and pancetta risotto topped with a blueberry, rosemary and garlic port reduction) 2nd: Cotton Culinary (Duck Duck Crunch, a cotija wafer with micro slaw and smoked duck topped with jalapeno jam) Outstanding Showmanship Award 1st: Eculent 2nd: Sheshe Treats Tasty Tradition Award 1st: Messina Hof Harvest Green Winery & Kitchen 2nd: Cultivated F+B Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trailblazer Appetizer Award (judges' award) 1st: Pier 6 Seafood 2nd: Goode Co. 3rd: Loro Lone Star Entree Award (judges' award) 1st: Raising Canes 2nd: The Capital Grille 3rd: Grazia Italian Kitchen Two-Steppin Dessert Award (judges' award) Advertisement Article continues below this ad 1st: Egghaus Gourmet 2nd: 1848 Handcrafted Heritage Ice Cream 3rd: Guzel Cakes Rookie Award Carolyn Dorros, Valerie Dieterich, Isabel David and Lindley Arnoldy Dave Rossman Jacquelyn Long, Natalie Varnum and Tyler Donatelli wear gowns designed by Houston fashion designer David Peck to Ballet Ball 2024. Courtesy of Jacquelyn Long Harper Watters at the 2024 Ballet Ball at the Wortham Theater Dave Rossman/Contributor Designer Bach Mai at the 2024 Ballet Ball Dave Rossman/Contributor Kristy Bradshaw wears Bach Mai at the 2024 Ballet Ball. Dave Rossman/Contributor Jordan Seff, Amanda Boffone and Jane Johnson Dave Rossman/Contributor Carolyn Dorros, Valerie Dieterich, Isabel David and Lindley Arnoldy at the 2024 Ballet Ball at the Wortham Theater. Dave Rossman/Contributor The city's white-tie takeover continues. Last Saturday, voluminous gowns, tuxedo jackets with tails and rarely seen jewels swept through Wortham Theater Center for the 2024 Houston Ballet Ball. The evening, a nod to Sir Kenneth MacMillan's "Mayerling," was chaired by Cabrina and Steven Owsley and Margaret and Jonathan Cox, and honored Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh. Principal dancer Yuriko Kajiya presented the couple, who were instrumental to Houston Ballet leadership's recent tour to Japan, with flowers and praised their efforts in Japanese. In return, Yasuhiko thanked the professional dance company for bringing four performances of Stanton Welch's "Swan Lake" to Tokyo in 2022. Steven and Cabrina Owsley with Houston Ballet principal dancer Yuriko Kajiya and Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh. Wilson Parish "Houston Ballet forever," he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The gala, which took place in a stunning re-creation of Hofburg Palace, raised more than $1.6 million. Houston Ballet Academy Pro students brought the tale of Crown Price Rudolf, sole heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 1880s, to life through choreography by former company dancer and current academy instructor Hayden Stark. Male dancers wore tuxedos from Welch's "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," while female dancers donned gowns from previous artistic director Ben Stevenson's "Cinderella." Welch's rendition of "Cinderella" opened Thursday, running through March 3. Soloist Jacquelyn Long plays the titular role; she and fellow dancers, including Natalie Varnum and Tyler Donatelli, were dressed by Houston fashion designer David Peck. Ballet board president Kristy Bradshaw and Duyen Nguyen wore Bach Mai, a former Houston Ballet costume apprentice. Here are some of the most glamorous looks from the night: Shawn Stephens Dave Rossman/Contributor Brigitte Kalai Dave Rossman/Contributor Alicia Smith Dave Rossman/Contributor Kelli Blanton Dave Rossman/Contributor Duyen Nguyen wears a Bach Mai cape at the 2024 Ballet Ball. Dave Rossman/Contributor Hallie Vanderhider Dave Rossman/Contributor Fady Armanious Dave Rossman/Contributor Lynn Wyatt at the 2024 Ballet Ball Dave Rossman/Contributor Ileana Trevino Dave Rossman/Contributor Rose Cullen Dave Rossman/Contributor Kaleta Blaffer Johnson Dave Rossman/Contributor Audrey White Dave Rossman/Contributor Amy Stanton Dave Rossman/Contributor Margaret Williams Dave Rossman/Contributor Melissa Juneau Dave Rossman/Contributor Phoebe Tudor at the 2024 Ballet Ball Dave Rossman/Contributor Kelley Lubanko Dave Rossman/Contributor Beth Zdeblick Dave Rossman/Contributor Lakewood Church hosts a special service on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in Houston, a week after a deadly shooting took place just before the spanish speaking service. (Raquel Nataliccio/Houston Chronicle) Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer After a deadly shooting before a Spanish-language service shook many Latino congregants Feb. 11 at Lakewood Church, pastors and church leaders spent much of Sunday afternoons Spanish worship reassuring churchgoers and thanking volunteers and law enforcement officers for their response last week. Pastor Danilo Montero, who leads the Spanish worship every weekend, praised the hundreds of families who attended the first Spanish-language Sunday service since the shooting and said the megachurchs community should work to reclaim the building. Many were affected (by the shooting), and its going to take time and Gods grace for us to recuperate from this, Montero told congregants in Spanish. But were here to emphasize one thing: That has shown His fidelity once more. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last week as Spanish-speaking devotees were still filing in for the weekly 2 p.m. service, a 36-year-old woman, identified as Genesse Moreno by the Houston Police Department, reportedly walked into Lakewood with her 7-year-old son and allegedly began shooting an AR-style rifle in the church before two off-duty law enforcement officers working security at the church shot and killed her. Morenos son, whose family says is fighting for his life after being shot in the head, and 47-year-old church volunteer Tom George Thomas were also wounded in the crossfire, although it is unclear who shot them. Pastor Montero wasnt alone Sunday in assuring churchgoers that Lakewood was safe. Televangelist Joel Osteen, whose family founded and has led Lakewood Church since 1959, made a surprise appearance during the Spanish-language service to raucous applause from congregants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The 60-year-old pastor, joined by his wife, Victoria, and other church dignitaries, became emotional as he addressed the hundreds who gathered Sunday. To think that someone would want to come and do harm really breaks our heart, Osteen told the crowd through tears, as Montero translated. Without His faithfulness, this couldve been a big tragedy. Much of Sundays Spanish-language service was also dedicated to thanking Lakewood volunteers, church security and law enforcement officers. Lakewood security director Bruce Alpe singled out several church volunteers who he said were essential in maintaining order. Congregants described a frenzy inside the church after several shots rang out before last weeks service, sending families scrambling for their kids and prompting a massive law enforcement response. These fine folks right here were brave, and they did everything they could for your safety and to secure the church, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Alpe also praised the two off-duty officers who reportedly killed Moreno, saying the incident couldve been worse. The off-duty officers were identified as HPD officer Christopher Moreno (no relation to the alleged shooter) and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent Adrian Herrera. Many congregants said they were unphased going into Sundays 2 p.m. Spanish service. Estuardo Juarez, a 39-year-old father who has worshipped at Lakewood for two years, said the shooting wasnt going to stop him from coming every Sunday. The police acted quickly, he said. Im calm knowing that God is with us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mercedes Arana, a longtime Lakewood worshipper, said the tight-knit community that attends the Sunday Spanish services has been resilient in the week since the tragedy. The 67-year-old said many fellow devotees immediately began praying together after they were evacuated from the megachurch after the shooting. We Are China People celebrate Tibetan New Year with folk dance Ecns.cn) 13:09, February 19, 2024 Women dressed in traditional costumes perform folk dance to celebrate the Tibetan New Year in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Photo/China News Service) The Tibetan New Year coincides with the Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 10 this year. During celebrations, local Tibetan people perform this traditional dance. A local young woman dresses up to perform folk dance to celebrate the Tibetan New Year in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Photo/China News Service) A local young woman dresses up to perform folk dance to celebrate the Tibetan New Year in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Photo/China News Service) Women dressed in traditional costumes perform folk dance to celebrate the Tibetan New Year in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Photo/China News Service) Local women attend a grand Tibetan Buddhist event, known as the "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Photo/China News Service) Women dressed in traditional costumes perform Guozhuang dance to celebrate the Tibetan New Year in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Photo/China News Service) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Jim Matlock is a Railroad Commission candidate in the Republican primary Courtesy Jim Matlock James Matlock is no politician. Hes a former Marine whos never run for office before. You wont find him palling around with lobbyists and lawmakers in the halls of the state Capitol. Yet for nearly 20 years as an independent consultant for oil and gas companies, Matlock, 51, has observed the Texas Railroad Commissions apathetic approach to regulation. While the state agency is ostensibly supposed to be a watchdog over the oil and gas industry, Matlock said it instead repeatedly allows producers to cause earthquakes by injecting fracking wastewater into the ground and flare toxic pollutants into the air without regard for the environment or public health. Ultimately, he decided to do something about it, launching a long shot primary campaign against Christi Craddick, the incumbent Republican who currently chairs the commission. Matlock is no tree hugger. Hes not calling for shutting down any oil and gas production or instituting a plethora of new rules that would cut into producers' bottom line. Hes most concerned with what has become a common practice among oil and gas drillers who inject briny, contaminated wastewater that they pull up from fracking deep into porous rock formations underground, which researchers have linked to earthquakes. Rather than continue the commissions practice of temporarily shutting down drilling in areas that have temblors, Matlock said, if elected, he would focus on responsible water management. He would push the Railroad Commission to invest in facilities and pipelines that recycle the produced water used for drilling. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Theres technology available that would recycle the water to be used for irrigation purposes, Matlock told us. It would help farmers with food production, textile production such as cotton and help eliminate the quakes in West Texas. Though were not yet convinced such irrigation is safe, were encouraged by his search for solutions. Matlock is also concerned with the amount of flaring permits the commission issues, allowing oil and gas producers to spew toxic pollutants such as methane into the air. Matlock said flaring should be rare and that the commission will need to hire far more inspectors than it currently has to ensure producers are complying with the Biden administrations rule to limit methane emissions, which the agency will be tasked with enforcing. These ideas strike us as commonsense, low-hanging fruit solutions and a stark contrast to Craddicks hands-off approach to an industry which has made her fabulously wealthy. Craddick, 53, and her family own mineral rights and stock in oil and gas companies her agency is supposed to regulate and shes accepted thousands of dollars in campaign donations from the industry. We have little faith that she would work to implement critical federal pollution regulations, such as the new methane rule, which she has referred to as a government overreach and unrealistic. Worse, after the deadly 2021 Winter Storm Uri, Craddick testified before Congress that frozen natural gas pipelines werent to blame for millions of power outages, despite federal regulators concluding the opposite. We called on her to resign for misleading the public. She did not respond to our request to meet with her. Craddick has drawn several other challengers in this race. Christie Clark, 48, is a civil attorney licensed in Louisiana who moved to Houston three years ago. Clark and Matlock share similar concerns about curbing groundwater contamination and stopping earthquakes, but she lacks Matlocks experience and knowledge of the industry. Two other challengers, Petra Reyes and Corey Howell, did not respond to our interview requests. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As reasonable as Matlock seemed to be about relevant policy, we were concerned to learn hed signed on to the Texas First pledge, which supports the possibility of seceding from the U.S. Matlock said he would only support secession under extreme circumstances, and that his pledge was primarily in the interest of backing policies that put the people of Texas first, such as ensuring that the state has a secure, sustainable supply of food, water and energy. We hope he keeps his focus there. Nikki Haley sits down with the Editorial Board to discuss her candidacy for President on the United States in the 2024 Republican Primary. Houston Chronicle Shake off your dust, Texas voters. The results of the Republican primary for the presidential nomination are not final, and in this state, all registered voters can participate. No Texan is a registered Republican or Democrat. Our primaries are open at least, for now, until somebody powerful starts insisting that we close them in the name of "election integrity." We urge any Texas voter who's not a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat to have their say in the March 5 GOP primaries. Early voting starts Tuesday. Storm them, we say, if you have even an iota of conservatism in you. By that we mean the desire to conserve American democracy. Storm them if you're an independent. Storm them if you usually stay home in March and wait for the main event in November. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fact is, in Texas, the March Republican primary is the main event. It's where the winners and losers are picked, especially in districts that are so gerrymandered that Democrats don't have a chance in November. Faithful Democrats, we're not asking you to switch sides; you're still needed in your own primary, especially to ward off some of the worrisome down-ballot candidates we've warned against in our endorsements. Everybody else, have your say. There's no question that the presidential candidate with the best chance of restoring our fractious union is Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump administration and governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017. Haley, of course, has lost primary after primary to the former president, first in Iowa and then in New Hampshire, where she had her best chance at an upset. Then, in Nevada, where Donald Trumps name didnt even appear on the ballot, Haley still lost to the none of these candidates option. Why doesnt she just drop out? We asked her when she sat down with the editorial board last week in her swing through Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We have a country to save, she told us. For nearly an hour, Haley parried our questions, never fumbling for words or veering into vengeful incoherence like Trump. We didn't have to wonder what bit part American interests play in her quixotic bid for the most powerful position in the world. America, it seems rather than ego, fame, greed or an oval-shaped shelter from criminal prosecution is her chief concern. Haleys views often clash with ours, but she made reasoned arguments that were, for the most part, based on verifiable facts. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley talks to members of the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at the Houston Chronicle office in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Indeed, Haley, who identifies herself as unapologetically pro-life, citing her husbands adoption and her own difficulty becoming pregnant, pushed back on the ambiguity of Texas' abortion law. The lack of clarity forced Kate Cox to leave the state to obtain an abortion after receiving a fatal fetal diagnosis that threatened her health and future fertility. Texas lawmakers, even those who once expressed a desire to clarify laws that endanger women's lives, have failed to do so. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas had an issue where it was clear that they've got to make some adjustments and fix it, and they should be willing to do that," Haley told us. If only Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick could be so clearly pro-life when it comes to the mother's life. Regarding a federal ban on abortion, and setting a line for viability at, say, six, 12 or even 20 weeks, Haley skillfully pivoted. No Republican president will get the 60 votes needed for such a policy, she said. A ban on late-term abortions she believes can pass. Otherwise, abortion policies are up to the states. Question after question, Haley redirected away from what inflames and instead focused on what can get done. Is she just another squirrely politician refusing to talk straight? Sure, but its with the aim of building consensus and governing. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley talks to members of the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at the Houston Chronicle office in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer On the border, she rattled off the standard Republican positions require businesses to use E-Verify when hiring, as she did in South Carolina, defund so-called sanctuary cities, beef up Border Patrol, catch and deport instead of catch and release, go back to the Remain in Mexico policy. She said we are a nation of laws, so naturally we asked her about the law guaranteeing the right to claim asylum. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We want to have asylum laws, we know that there are people who come here who are persecuted, she acknowledged, but she said those laws are abused. The recent bipartisan border deal, crafted by a Republican senator and torpedoed after Trump registered displeasure, would have made a big difference, she said, but needed to be strengthened. She added, Trump doesn't need to come in there and say, Don't pass this until November we can't wait until November. She claimed that America is acting like its Sept. 10 by failing to vet people allowed into the country, including those granted parole so they can work legally. It's an overstatement, in our view, but not entirely without merit. We are, however, alarmed by her hard-line comments in Dallas in support of deporting millions of people "if we can find them." Haley says climate change is real but wants to stop demonizing energy producers and that the United States should hold China and India to account, greenlight pipelines, pursue all of the above energy with more nuclear power and get the Environmental Protection Agency to back off: When you look right now, the EPA cares more about sagebrush lizards than they do about whether we can afford our utility bill. Again, hyperbole playing to a certain crowd but still more nuanced than any Trump blather. VOTER GUIDE: Everything you need to know for the 2024 Texas Primary Democrats who read this may howl that were turning our eyes away from Haleys worst positions. Regarding the movement for Texas to secede from the U.S., she told radio host Charlamagne tha God, If Texas decides they want to do that, they can do that. Shes walked that back since and told us, We all know that they're not going to secede and said what they want to do is be free. Shell make that happen, she says, by empowering states, giving them more say over how resources are spent. Were not suggesting that moderates vote for Haley in the Republican primary, believing she will somehow satisfy everyone and reach the high favorability ratings presidents once enjoyed. Indeed, those with tribal loyalties to the Democratic Party may wish for Trump to win the Republican nomination because he would be a far weaker opponent to Biden. But we believe our current president should have to defend his record against a capable Republican and win Americans in the middle through persuasion, not by default because of Trumps blatant disregard for the Constitution or, if it comes to pass, felony conviction(s). Advertisement Article continues below this ad Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley talks to members of the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at the Houston Chronicle office in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Haleys responses to our questions about gender and race are perhaps most revealing. Haley wants to inspire little girls but doesnt want to be merely the first female president. She says she wants to be the right first female president. On experiencing racism growing up the child of Indian immigrants in a small town in rural South Carolina, not "white enough to be white" and not "Black enough to be Black," she said her mother told her to show the kids who teased her how you're similar. That may strike many Houstonians as too assimilationist, but she said the lesson carries over into politics: If you first talk about the things you have in common, people let their guard down, and then you can get towards a solution. Compare Haley's unifying sentiments, whether on policy or identity, with Trumps quips about NATO, encouraging Russian President Vladimir Putin to attack our allies, jokingly perhaps, but still destabilizing the world order weve apparently taken for granted. Too few World War II veterans remain to remind us of the authoritarian forces they defeated. Saving this country? That's only the half of it when the U.S. has been the guarantor when we are at our best of flourishing democracies and prosperity based on global trade. Now we risk losing that role, not because of stronger adversaries but by our own abandonment. TOKYO, Feb 19 (News On Japan) - The issue of popular serialized manga being leaked online before their official release dates, known as "early leaks," is becoming a significant problem. This phenomenon, often facilitated by platforms like YouTube, deprives both creators and eagerly awaiting readers of the joy of experiencing new releases as intended. Shueisha, the publisher of Weekly Shonen Jump, recently made a statement condemning these leaks as actions that "steal the joy" of readers anticipating new releases. The statement was prompted by an incident where manga images were illegally translated, colored, and posted on a website. On February 4th, two individuals, including Takeshi Jumonji, were arrested on suspicion of copyright infringement. They allegedly obtained a copy of a Shonen Jump issue before its release date in March of the previous year and published translated and colored versions of manga like One Piece on an online pirate site. Additionally, there are suspicions that manga was photographed and uploaded five days before its release date last month. The suspects have admitted to photographing the manga but deny posting it online. Early leaks of popular manga have been confirmed, with some appearing online up to five days before their official release. When asked about this issue, some people expressed concern that it undermines the creators' efforts and diminishes the collective excitement of the release day. There is a persistent demand for such content, which is why these leaks continue to occur. It is illegal to download pirate versions of publications, even if done knowingly. The damage caused by piracy to the publishing industry is significant, with the estimated cost of piracy reaching 831.1 billion yen from 2019 to 2022. Violations of copyright law can result in up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to 10 million yen, or both. Early leaks, in particular, can lead to more severe penalties due to the significant damage they cause to publishers and creators. In a notable case, the illegal manga site "Manga Village" was ordered to pay 1.9 billion yen in damages. This serves as a reminder of the potential legal and financial consequences of engaging in or supporting piracy. It is crucial for fans to respect creators and the publishing industry by waiting for official releases and avoiding illegal downloads or sharing spoilers on social media. This respect is essential for the continued production of quality manga and the sustainability of the industry. Source: KTV NEWS HYOGO, Feb 19 (News On Japan) - At Himeji Castle, a World Heritage site in Hyogo Prefecture, an event recreating a daimyo procession from the Edo period took place, captivating tourists with a glimpse into the past. The procession, held in front of the castle's main tower, showcased the solemn actions of the daimyo and his entourage. Organized by Himeji City, the event aimed to provide visitors with a tangible experience of history and culture. The procession depicted was that of the Sakai family, the late Edo period lords of Himeji. The costumes and paraphernalia of the 12 participants were faithfully reproduced based on illustrations owned by the city. A tourist expressed their admiration, saying, "Seeing the procession in motion and hearing the shouts was a unique experience. It's moving to imagine this is how they actually walked back then." Visitors, standing before this "moving historical scroll," were seen taking photos and immersing themselves in the atmosphere of bygone days. Source: KTV NEWS LOS ANGELES, Feb 19 (News On Japan) - At the Annie Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 17, known as the Academy Awards of the animation industry, Hayao Miyazaki's film "The Boy and the Heron" received the Storyboard and Character Animation awards. Nominated in seven categories, "The Boy and the Heron" missed out on the most coveted Best Feature award but secured accolades for Storyboarding and Character Animation. Animation director Yu Honda, who attended the ceremony, reflected on the seven-year journey of making the film. He believed Miyazaki initially intended to complete the project in about three years and make it his swan song. Honda reminisced about working side by side with Miyazaki, who often sang and suggested watching the beautiful sunset from the rooftop, seemingly enjoying the remaining years of his life. Despite the project taking seven years, Honda joked that Miyazaki is still alive and his life plans have been disrupted. He believes Miyazaki might be bored and hopes he will start working on a new project, to which Honda would gladly contribute. Studio Ghibli's executive officer, Junichi Nishioka, accepted the Storyboard award on behalf of Miyazaki. He mentioned that Miyazaki couldn't attend due to his age and the challenges of a long journey. Nishioka expressed his pleasure that Miyazaki's storyboarding was recognized, considering him the most passionate director in this aspect globally. Unlike other directors, Miyazaki doesn't write scripts but starts directly with storyboarding, a unique approach in the industry. Nishioka highlighted Miyazaki's dedication to translating his mental imagery onto paper over a year and his continuous storyboarding while directing on set for 50 years. He quoted one of Miyazaki's famous sayings: "The person who draws the storyboard is the director." "The Boy and the Heron" has already made history by being the first Japanese film to win the Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globe Awards. It is also nominated for the Best Animated Feature at the upcoming Academy Awards on March 10th, with high hopes for a win. Additionally, Joe Hisaishi, who has composed music for numerous Studio Ghibli films, was honored with the Winsor McCay Award for his significant contributions to the animation industry. Meanwhile, Makoto Shinkai's film "Suzume no Tojimari" was nominated in seven categories, including Best Feature and Best Writing, but did not secure any awards. The Best Feature award went to "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse." Source: NEWS Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and fellow Governors hold a press conference along the Rio Grande at the U.S.-Mexico border to discuss Operation Lone Star and border concerns on Sunday, February 4, 2024 in Eagle Pass, TX. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Gov. Greg Abbotts approval rating has rebounded to its highest point in nearly four years as he clashes with the Biden administration over the southern border, according to a recent poll from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. The poll, conducted earlier this month, found that 53% of Texas registered voters approve of Abbotts performance as governor. Thats up from 48% in December. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is also Abbotts strongest showing in the Texas Politics Projects polling since April 2020, the first full month of the COVID pandemic, when 56% approved of the Republican governors job performance. Abbott gained ground from the December poll among voters in both parties. Twenty-seven percent of Democrats approved of his job performance in this months survey, up from 19%. And 83% of Republicans approved of him in the recent poll, compared to 78% in December. The latest poll was conducted from Feb. 2 through Feb. 12, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for federal authorities to remove razor wire that Texas officials had strung along the banks of the Rio Grande to deter migrants from crossing. It also came after state soldiers seized control of Shelby Park, a key border area near the Eagle Pass International Bridge. Abbott says the Biden administration is helping migrants cross the river by cutting the razor wire, while federal officials say they are trying to prevent injuries to migrants who can legally claim asylum once on U.S. soil. The third-term governor has emerged as a leading voice in the countrys immigration debate, drawing praise from fellow GOP governors and influential conservative commentators. Democrats have accused Abbott of using anti-immigrant rhetoric and interfering with the federal governments immigration enforcement to score political points. Advertisement Article continues below this ad President Joe Bidens approval rating also saw a modest rebound in the Texas Politics Projects latest poll, going from 38% approval in December to 42% this month. But his approach to immigration and border security remains unpopular among Texas voters, with just 30% saying they approve of how hes handled those areas. Voters voiced nearly the opposite view of Abbott on immigration, with 54% approving of his approach to the issue. Forty-eight percent of voters said the number of migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border is a crisis, while 23% called it a very serious problem, but not a crisis. Just 7% said it is not much of a problem. Abbott has pointed to a recent dip in crossings around Shelby Park and other parts of the state, claiming credit due to the resistance that the Texas National Guard has provided. Federal authorities recorded a drop in the number of migrants encountered at the southern border in January, a term that includes people apprehended between ports of entry and those who were admitted illegally. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TOKYO, Feb 19 (News On Japan) - Known as "Japan's Buffett," 87-year-old day trader Shigeru Fujimoto has amassed a fortune of 2 billion yen. Starting as a pet shop employee and later running a mahjong parlor, Fujimoto became a full-time investor, mastering the art of day trading. His approach to reading the market and making buy-sell decisions was explored in a close-up interview on a day when the stock market's closing price hit a 34-year high of 38,000 yen. Fujimoto, who has been trading stocks since he was 19, continues to engage in day trading, securing profits within the same day. On a typical trading day, he successfully sold stocks at a higher price, earning a profit of 147,000. He explained his strategy of buying low and selling high or vice versa to capitalize on market movements. The stock market that day showed signs of change, with an increase in buying activity. Fujimoto noted that the current stock market rise is influenced by various factors, including forest differences, attracting both domestic and foreign investors. With 68 years of investment experience, Fujimoto shared that there is no fixed timing for buying stocks to make a profit. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and monitoring financial indicators like sales growth, profit growth, and dividend increases. Fujimoto pays close attention to indicators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which helps him gauge the momentum of a stock's rise or fall. He uses RSI, among other tools, to make informed investment decisions. Despite the risks associated with stock trading, Fujimoto remains committed to his daily trading routine, steadily growing his assets to 2 billion. When asked about his future goals, he expressed his intention to continue trading for the rest of his life, driven by his passion for the market. The interview also touched on the broader economic context, including the impact of the stock market's performance on wages and the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in raising salaries. The article highlighted the importance of creating an environment conducive to wage increases, especially for SMEs, which make up 70% of the workforce. Source: YOMIURI OSAKA, Feb 19 (News On Japan) - A whale that had strayed into Osaka Bay and become immobile was confirmed dead on Monday. The authorities are considering whether to bury it on land or move it to another marine area. According to Osaka Prefecture, the whale was confirmed dead by experts on Monday morning. The whale, believed to be a male sperm whale, is approximately 12 meters long. It was first spotted last month off the coast of Kobe City and has since remained in the Sakai-Senboku Port in Osaka. The area where the whale was found is shallow, and there are no organisms that could serve as food, leading to its weakening. Osaka Prefecture confirmed on Sunday that the whale was not moving. The method for disposing of the carcass is being considered, with the options being burial on land or relocation to another marine area. The prefecture plans to make a decision by Monday evening, February 19. Source: ANN TOKYO, Feb 19 (News On Japan) - In a public opinion poll conducted by NNN and Yomiuri Shimbun from February 16 to 18, 52 percent of respondents said they did not support any political party, a 4-point increase from the previous January survey. This marks the first time "no party support" has exceeded 50% since November 2012, during the final phase of the Democratic Party of Japan's administration. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) saw a 1-point decrease from the January survey to 24%, the lowest since its return to power in 2012. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan stood at 5%, Nippon Ishin no Kai at 4%, Komeito at 4%, the Japanese Communist Party at 2%, and the Democratic Party for the People at 2%. No respondents expressed support for the Party to Realize Free Education. Reiwa Shinsengumi had 2% support, while the Social Democratic Party and Sanseito both had 0%. In light of the political funding scandal involving LDP factions, 81% believed that strict measures should be taken against Abe faction executives involved in the incident. Regarding the LDP's investigation into undeclared political funds, 77% thought it would not lead to a full understanding of the issue. As for the dissolution of factions such as the Abe, Kishida, and Nikai factions, 76% did not believe it would restore trust in the LDP. Regarding explanations to the public by faction executives, 93% felt they were insufficient, nearly unchanged from 92% in the January survey. Support for the Kishida cabinet remained at 24%, tied for the lowest since the administration's inception. When asked who is suitable for the next LDP president, former Secretary-General Ishiba was at 21%, former Environment Minister Koizumi at 17%, and Digital Minister Kono at 10%. Foreign Minister Kamikawa rose to fourth place with 8%, while Prime Minister Kishida was tied for sixth place at 4%. Regarding the government's proposal for a child-rearing support fund, with an average monthly burden of less than 500 per person, 60% did not approve of the plan. Source: NNN FUKUOKA, Feb 19 (News On Japan) - The owner of an emu that went missing last week has informed police that the emu has returned home, after several sightings of unusually large bird roaming in Fukuoka's Aburayama. A witness reported, "I saw an animal that looks like an ostrich. It's about 160 cm tall." According to the police, around noon February 17th, the emu's owner, a man, contacted them to report that the emu had been found safely. The owner, who lives in the Aburayama area, had been raising four emus, and one of them had gone missing, prompting him to file a "lost property report" with the police. So far, there have been no reports of injuries, and the emu is also uninjured. Source: ANN Farmers and ranchers Pottawattamie County received about $2.6 million in cash-back dividends returned by Farm Credit Services of America as part of the financial cooperatives patronage program. Eligible customer-owners were issued cash-back dividend checks the last week of January. Cash-back dividends effectively reduce our cost of borrowing," Jim Knuth, FCSAmerica senior vice president of business development in Iowa, said in a news release. "But there also is an exponential impact to putting money into the pockets of farmers and ranchers to invest in their operations, families and rural communities. This years cash-back dividend is equal to 100 basis points 1% of a customers eligible average daily loan balance with FCSAmerica. The payout returned $2,621,000 in Pottawattamie County, $1,916,000 in Harrison County and $693,000 in Mills County. Whether you planned it originally or held off because of dry conditions in the fall, the time for spring alfalfa planting is just around the corner. Selecting the right seed is crucial, and two traits to consider are fall dormancy and winter survival. These traits often are treated the same Algeria is trying to catch up economically with Morocco in the Sahel. But observers see that Algerian diplomatic blunders are discouraging Sahel countries from engaging with Algiers. A new chapter of Algerias economic warfare was opened when Morocco had offered its ports and infrastructure to give landlocked Sahel countries access to the Atlantic and global trade. The Algerian president responded by announcing his countrys plan to sign free trade agreements with its southern Sahel neighbors. He also mentioned old projects that failed to materialize including the Saharan highway linking the country to Nigeria, a fiber optic cable to the Sahel, and the gas pipeline with Nigeria. These announcements were met with no enthusiasm by Sahel countries where young leaders are taking their distances from the Algerian regime. Ties with Mali are at a near rupture while Niger has refused Algerias meddling in its domestic affairs. The new Sahel regimes accuse Algeria of pursuing self-serving policies. Algeria is also blamed by Sahel leaders for condescendence with their countries who are viewed by the military junta in Algiers as a mere backyard or a dumping ground of terrorists. Weak private sector Algeria ambitions to be able to compete economically with Morocco in the Shael. But does it have the requirements to do so? Most Moroccan investments in Africa and the Sahel in particular are led by a vibrant private sector. Moroccan banks have operated subsidiaries in the Sahel for decades and Moroccan cement, telecoms, housing, and insurance companies are well known in the region. Moroccos trade with Africa exceeds $6 billion and the continent receives most Moroccan private investments. Plants by phosphates giant OCP across the continent are a brilliant example of a win-win approach to help the continent develop the fertilizers industry and ensure its food security. On the other hand, Algerias economic goals in Africa are hampered by a desire to undermine Morocco rather than to develop trade ties with African countries. All the projects mentioned by Tebboune are state-led. Some of them such as the Saharan highway or the gas pipeline have stalled for years and there is no sign they will be implemented. The Algerian weak private sector lacks competitiveness at home where the state controls most big companies. Algeria depends on gas and oil for 90% of its exports and has little to offer the Sahel from an economic point of view. Algeria, one of the least diversified economies in the world, has also implemented import restrictions that left its people queuing for basic goods. Sahel countries are right to question how a country with such import restrictions would enter into a free trade agreement? Algerias subsidy policy is another issue that would undermine any free trade agreement. Algeria would end up subsidizing products in the whole Sahel and would encourage smuggling if it does not liberalize its economy first. Algeria is also among the 14 countries that are yet to join the World Trade Organization on par with North Korea and Eritrea. Before trying to compete with Morocco economically in the Sahel, Algeria should have launched reforms to diversify its economy and improve the competitiveness of its small private sector. A patrol unit of the Moroccan royal navy rescued 141 Sub-Saharan migrants, including 3 women and 2 children, off the southern city of Dakhla on February 18. The migrant-loaded boat sailed from Mauritania en route to Canary Islands when the royal navy unit was asked for assistance by the national center for coordination and maritime rescue. The rescue took 14 hours in total due to bad weather conditions, the royal navy said in a statement. Mauritania has become a major departure point for migrants hoping to reach the Canary Islands. Spanish officials say that 8 out of ten migrant boats depart from Mauritania. Last year, the Canary Islands accounted for most arrivals in Spain with nearly 40,000, compared with 56,852 migrants that entered the country by land or sea in 2023. The number of migrants from West Africa who braved the sea in fragile boats to reach Spains Canary Islands jumped more than 1,000% in January from a year ago. In contrast, thanks to increased monitoring by Moroccan patrols, the number of arrivals into Spanish occupied enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla dropped by 62% to six attempts involving 1400 migrants in 2023. Head of the Moroccan government Aziz Akhannouch said his cabinet needed a reshuffle as the government assesses its mid-term achievement. Speaking to his RNI party members at a rally, Akhannouch defended his cabinet saying he ensures to guarantee harmony and cohesion within the governments majority. The specter of the change of PAM leadership hovered around the meeting. PAM elected a trio led by current housing minister Fatima Zahra Mansouri to lead the party succeeding to justice minister Abdellatif Ouahbi. Akhanouch said the government is forging ahead with the implementation of social and economic choices backed by a government majority that prioritizes the supreme interests of the nation. The majority received scant criticism from opposition parliament members who blamed the government and the Prime Minister for turning the Parliament into a governmental annex. At a press conference two weeks ago, the MPS from the opposition PPS, USFP, MP and PJD parties accused the majority of neglecting the parliament and its legislative role. Akhannouch government was also rebuked for a lack of communication with MPs on major issues. Governments spokesman has earlier denied the accusations saying cabinet members were responding to MPs questions. At mid-term, Akhannouch government faces a series of challenges notably drought and social demands by different sectors calling for wage hikes. Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, which places the Palestinian cause and Al-Quds Al-Sharif at the forefront of its concerns, reaffirmed its unwavering support of the Palestinian question and defense of the Palestinian people, condemned the continuing war in Gaza, and reiterated its commitment to a peaceful settlement based on the two-state solution to establish a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. The remarks were made Sunday by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, who represented King Mohammed VI at the 37th African Union Summit, held in Addis Ababa, Feb.17-18Sunday. Morocco will continue its tireless efforts to defend the Holy Places, notably Al-Quds Al-Sharif, to which the King, Chairman of Al-Quds Committee, attaches particular importance, by combining political and diplomatic action along with the work on the ground carried out by Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency, the executive arm of Al-Quds Committee, Bourita Said, recalling that the agency implements concrete plans and projects, with the aim of preserving the cultural identity of the Holy City, improving the social and living conditions of Al Quds inhabitants and supporting their resistance. The Kingdom shares with brotherly African countries the feelings of great sadness and deep sorrow at the violent events and military confrontations in the Middle East region, particularly the Gaza Strip, with what it has unfortunately left and continues to do, thousands of dead, wounded, missing, forcibly displaced and the destruction of numerous residential buildings, hospitals, and places of worship, in flagrant violation of international laws and human values, Bourita added. Morocco, through the voice of the King, had stressed in his address to the Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh the need for collective action to achieve four urgent priorities, the Minister recalled. These priorities evolve around bringing about urgent, tangible de-escalation and stop military attacks to pave the way for a permanent, verifiable ceasefire; ensuring the protection of civilians and preventing their targeting, in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law; allowing for the steady delivery of humanitarian aid, in sufficient quantities, to the inhabitants of Gaza; and paving the way for a political settlement of the Palestinian issue one that can revive the two-state solution agreed upon by the international community, Bourita recalled. Abortion rights demonstrators attend a rally at the Texas state Capitol in Austin, Texas, May 14, 2022. Eric Gay/Associated Press The claim: Some social media posts are using the criminal sentencing of a man in Texas to criticize the states strict abortion laws. But the posts mischaracterize the laws penalties. A Feb. 11 Instagram post shared a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, from a Democratic Florida 2020 congressional candidate, that said a Texas man secretly gave his wife abortion pills, "severely damaging the fetus," and was sentenced to 180 days in jail. "If she had taken the abortion pills voluntarily, she would have been charged with MURDER," the post said. "This is about controlling women." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Another Instagram post shared a similar message from a Democratic Illinois congressional candidate, who said a woman who gets an abortion in Texas can face a $10,000 fine or life in prison. PolitiFact ruling: False. Doctors who administer abortions can be charged under Texas 2022 abortion law that makes it a felony to provide an abortion and is punishable with up to life in prison. But the law explicitly states women who have abortions wont face legal or civil penalties. Discussion The posts refer to Mason Herring, a Houston man who, according to news reports, drugged his wifes drinks aiming to induce an abortion. He was initially charged with felony assault to induce abortion, but pleaded guilty Feb. 7 to injury to a child and assault on a pregnant person. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail and 10 years probation. Texas abortion laws are among the nations strictest. Although abortion is essentially outlawed in the state except for rare exceptions, women who get one are not subject to criminal or civil penalties, according to experts and the text of Texas abortion laws. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1280, known as the Human Life Protection Act, into law in June 2021. This so-called trigger law took effect Aug. 25, 2022, two months after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. Under the August 2022 law, a Texas physician who provides an abortion could be charged with a first-degree felony, which is punishable by at least five and up to 99 years in prison, and up to a $10,000 fine. A provider could also face a civil penalty of at least $100,000, the law states. But these penalties do not apply to women who undergo abortions, said Seth Chandler, a University of Houston law professor. The trigger law added a new chapter to the states existing Health and Safety Code, to read: "This chapter may not be construed to authorize the imposition of criminal, civil, or administrative liability or penalties on a pregnant female on whom an abortion is performed, induced, or attempted." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Joanna Grossman, a Southern Methodist University law professor, said, "There are no laws in Texas that criminalize self-managed (or) (self-)induced abortion." The law that criminalizes abortion specifically refers only to providers, she said. She added that Texas penal code provisions on assault and homicide "both expressly state that nothing a woman does to end her own pregnancy is a crime." "There have been cases in which people have been wrongfully charged with crimes related to self-induced abortion," Grossman said. "But thats a problem with rogue prosecutors rather than a reflection of what the law provides." Grossman pointed to an April 2022 case in which a Starr County woman was arrested and charged with murder after she had what authorities called a self-induced abortion. A judge dismissed the charges shortly after the woman was arrested, and the district attorney said in a statement that its clear the woman "cannot and should not be prosecuted for the allegation against her." Elisabeth Smith, director of state policy and advocacy at the Center for Reproductive Rights, a group that advocates for abortion rights, said that although Texas abortion laws have exemptions for pregnant people, "that doesnt mean that pregnant people in Texas have never been, or will never be, charged with a crime for ending a pregnancy or being suspected of ending a pregnancy." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Smith pointed to the Starr County case as an example, and research from before Roe v. Wade was overturned. Also in 2021, Texas enacted Senate Bill 8, known as the heartbeat bill, which bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Many reproductive health experts have said its medically inaccurate to describe sounds heard over an early ultrasound as a heartbeat. The heartbeat law doesnt include criminal penalties, but allows anyone to sue a person who provides, induces or aids and abets an abortion. Any questions? Photo: Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post/Getty Images Donald Trump is a man of the people, so he knows Americans like their news delivered the same way he does: with lots of pictures and graphs. Yet during his presidency his commitment to excellence in props (both real and fake) was often overlooked. That ends today. In honor of Trump debuting a shoe line at Sneaker-Con including a pair of $399 high-top gold sneakers that are already sold out were showing off the best objects shown off by the former president. A Big Pile of Papers These papers are just some of the many documents that Ive signed turning over complete and total control to my sons, President-elect Trump explained during a January 2017 press conference in Trump Tower. Trump never opened the folders, referenced specific documents, or let journalists review them, and some of the pages and folder labels appeared to be blank. But just look at all those pieces of paper! One of them had to say no conflict of interest. Photo: DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images A Handwritten Letter From Obama Yes, presidents usually get a letter from their predecessor, but how many of them received a long, thoughtful letter from the founder of ISIS? A Huge Chart of Regulations Trump broke out this massive chart, which shows the permitting process to build a theoretical federally funded highway, several times in April 2017. Trump promised to get rid of many of these regulations, presumably stupid considerations like Is the project in a floodplain? and Does the project involve hazardous waste? Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images A Big Pile of Papers Wrapped in a Ribbon Who could forget that time Trump used a scissor to SET FREE OUR DREAMS, and this inaccurately sized stack of paper? In 1960, there were approximately 20,000 pages in the Code of Federal Regulations. Today there are over 185,000 pages, as seen in the Roosevelt Room. Today, we CUT THE RED TAPE! It is time to SET FREE OUR DREAMS and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/teAVNzjvcx Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2017 A Blank Piece of Paper The president is a busy man. Its just more efficient if he signs first, fills in the bill part later. Some of the many Bills that I am signing in the Oval Office right now. Cancelled my trip on Air Force One to Florida while we wait to see if the Democrats will help us to protect Americas Southern Border! pic.twitter.com/ws6LYhKcKl Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 21, 2018 A Map of ISIS Territory in Syria When Trump declared on March 20, 2019, that the remnants of ISISs self-declared caliphate would be gone by tonight, the New York Times countered that there were still reports of continuing fighting between the extremist group and American-backed local forces in Syria. The Times supplied zero graphics to back up that claim, so it seems Trump was right. A Deal With Mexico Think President Trump didnt have a secret agreement with Mexico? Read this folded up piece of paper (through careful photo analysis) and weep. President Trump waves piece of paper: "That's the agreement that everybody says I don't have." pic.twitter.com/8ownEaklrP The Hill (@thehill) June 11, 2019 Plans for the Air Force One Redesign Sure, Air Force Ones proposed new paint job made it look a lot like Trumps private jet. But why didnt anyone give Trump credit for not demanding that George Stephanopoulos hop in? A Model of the Redesigned Air Force One Then-press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders suggested the president should give Justin a turn playing with it, but he said no. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images A Hurricane Forecast Map He Altered With a Sharpie While his predecessors were content to let underlings at the National Hurricane Center produce forecast maps, President Trump personally doctored this map, extending the storms path with a black marker. The haters claimed Trump was trying to cover for a mistake he made days earlier, but maybe he just didnt want Alabamians to feel left out of Dorian coverage. Thoughtful! Photo: Tom Brenner/Bloomberg via Getty Images Handwritten Talking Points on the Ukraine Scandal No time to watch hours of impeachment hearings? Thankfully President Trump summed up the only points you need to know, via Sharpie-scrawled notes he brought to a chat with reporters on the White House lawn on November 20. I want nothing, he wrote. I want nothing. I want no quid pro quo. Tell Zellensky [sic] to do the right thing. This is the final word from the Pres of the U.S. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images Any questions? Hopefully not, because this is the FINAL WORD FROM THE PRES OF THE U.S.! A Blank Piece of Paper, Hospital Edition While President Trump was being treated for COVID-19 at Walter Reed medical center, the White House released photos assuring us that he was still healthy enough to pretend to work. A Bound Book of Trump Health Care Achievements Before Trump stomped out of his October 2020 interview with Lesley Stahl, the 60 Minutes journalist was presented with a bound book containing just a small part of what the president has achieved on health care, according to Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany. The page Stahl opened to appeared to be blank. Handing Lesley Stahl just a small part of what President @realDonaldTrump has done for healthcare in the United States. She couldnt believe how HUGE it was and said, I can hardly lift this pic.twitter.com/RSWrzKo1or Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) October 20, 2020 Kayleigh McEnany presenting Lesley Stahl (@60Minutes) with some of the many things weve done for Healthcare. Lesley had no idea! pic.twitter.com/8bfIxkFiXt Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 21, 2020 A Pair of Gold Never Surrender Sneakers Are these shoes gaudy? Sure. Were they made in China? Maybe. Are they a form of insidious trivialization, the sort of tactic that plays perfectly in the landscape of late-stage capitalism in which everything is a product for sale, as the New York Times put it? Sounds about right. But Abraham Lincoln never sold out a line of limited-edition gold brogans in a matter of hours, so Trump has finally won his one-sided competition with the 16th president. Honorable Mention You cant get any clearer! I just can't get over this argument. "Look at the size. This is the Democrats. This is us." pic.twitter.com/0lPfRxFvMf Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 7, 2017 This piece has been updated. Olly Alexander is the UKs entry for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest (PA Archive) When the Eurovision Song Contest was first held in 1956, only seven countries entered and had two acts each. Switzerlands Lys Assia won with her song Refrain and none of the participants sang in English. France was able to draw on talent from Algeria if it had wanted. Times have changed and empires have fallen. The contest has also evolved its voting system from an all-jury format to a combination of jury and public televoting. In 2024, Luxembourg will be returning to the competition for the first time since 1993. The five-time winner withdrew due to financial concerns and changes in broadcasting priorities. However, it will be returning in Malmo, Swedenm with the artist Tali Golergant and her song Fighter. Meanwhile, some musicians including from Finland and Iceland have demanded that Israel be disqualified from the 2024 event because of the continuing Gaza War. However, celebrities such as Helen Mirren, Boy George and Sharon Osbourne are among those who have signed an open letter to keep Israel in the competition. The European Broadcasting Union said in February that Israel will be permitted to compete in Malmo. Swiss singer Lys Assia, shortly after winning the first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 with her song Refrain (Getty Images) The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political music event and a competition between public service broadcasters who are members of the EBU. It is not a contest between governments, EBU director-general Noel Curran said, repeating a statement made in January. Our governing bodies did review the participants list for the 2024 contest and agreed that the Israeli public broadcaster Kan met all the competition rules for this year and can participate, as it has for the past 50 years. Some who oppose Israel's involvement have pointed to Russia's expulsion after it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. They claim that the EBU lacks consistency. In the case of Russia, the Russian broadcasters themselves were suspended from the EBU due to their persistent breaches of membership obligations and the violation of public service values, Mr Curran said. Story continues Our governing bodies did review the participants list for the 2024 contest and agreed that the Israeli public broadcaster Kan met all the competition rules for this year and can participate, as it has for the past 50 years. European Broadcasting Union director-general, Noel Curran The relationship between Kan and the Israeli government is fundamentally different to the relationship that exists between those Russian members and the state, with the Israeli government in recent years threatening to close down the broadcaster. Countries taking part have to be EBU members and have a state broadcaster to run the competition. Britain is a member of the EBU and is one of five nations given the right to bypass the semi-final in return for paying more to the organisers. But for various reasons, not all participants from the past will be in Sweden for the 2024 event. Here are all the countries that have stopped competing in Eurovision and why. Which countries dont take part in Eurovision and why? Andorra Spain could almost be guaranteed top points from its tiny neighbour, which would be gracious in return by having entrants singing in Catalan. The country has not competed since 2009 due to the state of its finances. Belarus Belarus has been banned from competing since 2021. The Belarusian entry that year, Ya Nauchu Tebya (I'll Teach You), contained lyrics deemed to be politically motivated and potentially harmful. Belarus appealed against the ban but was unsuccessful. The EBU has stated that Belarus may be allowed to return in the future. However, they must comply with the competition's rules and values, which emphasise inclusion and non-discrimination. Bosnia and Herzegovina Monetary problems have meant the 19-time competitor hasnt competed since 2016. Bulgaria Bulgaria will miss the competition for the second consecutive year in 2024. The Bulgarian National Television (BNT) cited financial difficulties as a major reason for their withdrawal. Hungary Hungary has participated 19 times, making its first appearance in the contest qualification round in 1993. However, since the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel, Hungary has not competed. This is thought to be due to financial difficulties experienced by the national broadcaster, MTVA. While never officially stated, some also speculate that Eurovision's inclusivity and celebration of diversity may have clashed with Hungarys anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Monaco The tiny state won the 1971 competition and competed 23 times from 1959 to 1979 and then again from 2004 to 2006. Funding issues and geopolitical voting caused Monaco to leave and the country no longer has a state broadcaster after TMC was bought by Frances TF1 network. Montenegro Rita Ora was born in Kosovo but her homeland has never taken part in Eurovision (PA) Montenegro made its debut in 2007 and participated until 2022. However, it withdrew in 2023 due to a lack of interest from sponsors. Neighbouring Serbia has had more success and won the 2007 edition. Morocco In 1980, Morocco became the only African nation to take part. Samira Bensaids song Bitaqat Hub came 18th second from bottom. The country decided not to return after the disappointment of Bensaids performance. North Macedonia The small Balkan country will miss the contest for the second consecutive year in 2024 due to financial constraints. Romania The Romanian national broadcaster TVR has confirmed that Romania will not compete at the 2024 event. Romania last competed in 2023, sending D.G.T. with the song Off and On. Unfortunately, they didn't qualify for the final, finishing 15th in the semi-final. Russia Russia's participation is suspended indefinitely due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The EBU made this decision in February 2022, stating that Russia's inclusion would "bring the competition into disrepute. Serbia and Montenegro Serbia and Montenegro never competed in the Eurovision Song Contest as a single entity. The state is now defunct and two separate entities. They existed from 1992 to 2006 but werent eligible to join Eurovision until recognised as an independent state (which occurred in 2003). Slovakia A competitor from 1994 to 2021, the landlocked country in Central Europe pulled out for financial reasons and have not competed since 2012. The Czech Republic but not Slovakia competes in the event (Reuters) Turkey Turkey last competed in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012. Despite participating 34 times since their debut in 1975, their most recent participation was with the song Love Me Back by Can Bonomo. This came seventh with 112 points. The 2003 winner hasn't officially withdrawn from the competition. However, they haven't participated since 2012. The reasons for their absence are complex and haven't been definitively stated. In 2013, Turkey expressed dissatisfaction with the reintroduction of jury voting and the Big Five automatic qualifiers, potentially influencing their decision. Non-starters Liechtenstein, Kosovo, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and the Vatican City have never competed in the event despite being eligible. While Kazakhstan is geographically in Asia, It is considered part of the Eurovision Broadcasting Area. While its possible participation has been discussed, no concrete plans exist. Other potentially eligible countries: A man was arrested after he allegedly abused and neglected his 68-year-old wife before she died at East Alabama Medical Center, according to Opelika police. Spencer Tracy Bell faces one count each of first-degree elder abuse and neglect and first-degree domestic violence following the death of Barbara Ann Bell, according to Alacourt. He remains in the Lee County Jail without bond pending his Anaiahs Law hearing. OPD said the case remains under investigation and additional charges are pending. Opelika police responded to a rescue call on Feb. 6 concerning a 68-year-old woman who was unresponsive in the 2600 Block of Frederick Road. Barbara Ann Bell was transported to the East Alabama Medical Center and placed in the intensive care unit for treatment. She died from her injuries two days later, authorities said. Her body was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery for an autopsy. As of Monday afternoon, the autopsy results are still pending. The Opelika Police Department didnt immediate release any additional details about the incident. Anyone with information regarding this case has been asked to call the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Opelika Police Departments mobile app. jesus i don't have anything else to say other than that Reply Thread Link Jesus christ the description of those attacks. I have had severe panic attacks before and they are awful, but its hard for me to comprehend randomly attacking nurses because of one. I was always barely coherent/able to coordinate my limbs. Reply Thread Link Same, I've probably had hundreds of panic attacks by this point in my life and I've never even once though of getting violent with someone during them. Pretty sure there's some other mental illness or personality disorder going on if a person's reaction to anxiety is violence. Reply Parent Thread Link I clicked into the post assuming he had hurt a nurse who was trying to prevent him from getting back outside or something, that I can associate with panic, but it sounds like he randomly went after a nurse who wasnt even paying him attention? Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, that ain't it chief, try again. Anxiety does not make you violent. It does not make you go on a rampage in a fucking ER. Honestly, it sounds like he did a little too much coke. The "heart attack" feeling, the anxiety, the aggression and violence... Reply Thread Link He says his blood tests came back negative but I guess he could be lying?? Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah he could be, more info could come out when Im assuming the people he attacked sue him, Id sue him for that. Reply Parent Thread Link Either that, or he was on something that wasn't tested for/there isn't a test available for. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link He 100% could be, and we would never know bc its not like the medical staff are going to risk their jobs and violate HIPPA to prove him wrong Reply Parent Thread Link Yup, as someone who both has a history of panic attacks and works in the mental health field, I can't comprehend behaving that way as the result of a panic attack, nor I have never heard of someone being violent due to one. My first thoughts reading this were something drug-related and/or a psychotic break. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I've had a panic attack that sent me to urgent care and then the ER. I was so terrified I could hardly walk and had a numb arm. No way was I capable of doing something like that just from anxiety wtf Reply Thread Link Yup same its how I learned what anxiety really was tbh. I was 20 yo, I thought I was having a heart attack because my arm was numb and my heart was racing, I went to the ER and the doctor told me youre having an anxiety attack sis pretty normal for an undergrad and I was like Reply Parent Thread Link Yup full on thought I was having a cardiac episode. I just felt so scared and weird, nauseous, and my left arm was pins and needles by the time we got to urgent care. It was almost 10 years ago and I hope I never experience that again. Reply Parent Thread Link When I have panic attacks I almost faint or can't breath, so I'm definitely not harming other people. He's full of shit. Reply Thread Link Both anxiety and panic attacks are so fucking awful. You feel like youre dying and no one is helping - even if youre surrounded by people who are clearly trying to help. But, Ive never heard of anyone getting violent. I cant even imagine doing it because I feel so weak and uncoordinated as its happening, so its not like my first thought is to push or hit someone. Weird. Reply Thread Link not sure if panic attacks make you violent, but if i had been strong enough when i had sepsis i probably would've been doing something similar in an attempt to escape from the hospital. i was so deluded. my typical thinking pattern was there but i was making the most insane conclusions and i was convinced i was getting human trafficked. so if a severe panic attack can affect your mind like that, then it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility Reply Thread Link Not only do I not believe him I dont remember who tf he played on Outer Banks, Im not sorry to this man Reply Thread Link sarah's original/ex boyfriend, i think? Reply Parent Thread Link omg that poor nurse. glad that phlebotomist was able to defend himself and I hope theyre all ok. wtf Reply Thread Link I've def had panic attacks in my life but I'm too busy spiraling out and losing control over my emotions to actually attack people. I would argue those who go through panic would rather disappear in that moment or jump out of a window (hyperbolic) or anything just to escape the non-existent doom inside. If I got time to attack people I'm guessing it's because I already had that issue with me, it's the not panic attack causing it. Reply Thread Link i have ptsd and when i have a panic attack i can physically lash out at anyone that touches me (but i don't go up and randomly attack people). tbh idk anything about him or his history so maybe he's lying but i have enough first and second-hand experience with mental health crises to say that there's no one single "right" way that people act when they're in crisis. particularly if there was any kind of psychosis involved. idk i just don't really agree with the "i personally don't react like this, so this person must be lying about their experience" energy in the comments so far. personal mental health experiences aren't generalizable. Reply Thread Link totally agree with you & im a clinical psychologist Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah Im really uncomfortable with some comments above stating anxiety doesnt cause issues like this so hes lying or on drugs. I have had a panic induced psychotic break that got violent when I was 15. I have zero recollection but apparently I tried to kick the car window out, jumped out of the car and shut myself in a nearby phone booth. I have never hurt a person but I can see how I easily could have hurt my parents in that situation but my mind went elsewhere and I dont remember it Reply Parent Thread Link Yes. It could have activated a fight response, who knows. I have CPTSD and if anyone jumps out at me, I fight. It's automatic. I don't even realize I'm doing it. I learned to warn roommates not to purposely scare me and one forgot, and when she jumped out at me screaming within reach, I gave her a black eye and busted her cheek. With one blow. I was horrified and felt so awful. Once i hit her, i came to, but i still feel bad about it. Reply Parent Thread Link Dont feel bad. Seriously, why did that person jump at you and scream???? They literally attacked you, even if it ~was a joke. It sounds like they got the attention they wanted Reply Parent Thread Expand Link When I first started having panic attacks, I'd have to warn my boyfriend at the time to not come near me because I immediately became agitated that he was trying to touch me. So, perhaps the truth is somewhere in the middle with this one. Reply Parent Thread Link idk i think whatever caused this could absolutely be anxiety/panic derived (panic probably less so) but it cant be a "panic attack". in his specific case he started assaulting people who posed no danger to him and weren't even around him. a panic attack puts you in a state of hyperarousal because it's a false trigger of your survival pathways, but also prevents you from higher order actions like pre-emptive attacks. you're being switched to a reactive state because it's meant to be a form of defense. there are people here saying they did x, y, z "aggressive" thing but even in their own recounts they had either an A) anxiety-triggered break/psychosis/crisis or B) were reacting to stimuli (being defensive). normally i wouldnt nitpick but i think it's important to use appropriate terminology so when people relate to a story someone else shares, they have the right words to seek help with. although i would also concede that it doesnt feel like we have popular terminology that delineates all these things clearly. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Yeah these comments are so not it. My 6yo has very violent meltdowns and I worry every day about her having one around the wrong person. Autistic and people disabled by mental illness have an insanely high rate of murder by cops because of thisI know for a fact that if my kid was not a tiny white girl shed be in much more danger. I wish people were more understanding that their more self contained experiences are not the only reality. Edited at 2024-02-19 12:45 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Same with CPTSD anything can happen and has. I hope he is able to get some help. Reply Parent Thread Link this is just sad Reply Thread Link Part of me wants to not believe him because man, Hollywood man, in Vegas etc. But I have severe trauma when my sides are touched. Never knew why and if its from behind my instinct is to throw my elbow back and accidentally hit my then boyfriend in the nose due to the reaction. Through therapy they unlocked a memory of when the neighbors large dog attacked me when I was 3/4 and pinned me down by, you guessed it, the sides of my torso and tried to bite my face off. Ive had plenty of panic attacks and have never been violent with them, but if he has a trigger deeply suppressed I can see this making someone become violent. I feel for those workers though because Jesus fucking Christ. If he wasnt on a coke binge then I hope he gets some help. If not then he can rot. Thats all I got. Edited at 2024-02-19 03:50 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link Yup, the last thing I want is for someone to touch me when Im having a panic attack. I just had a really bad one in the shower yesterday to the point that I had to get out with conditioner still in my hair because I physically just could not make the effort, I cant ever see myself getting violent with someone except to protect myself. Reply Parent Thread Link I can relate to a panic attack resulting in a physical altercation with someone who touches you or tries to prevent you from leaving, especially if other conditions like ptsd are at play, but to attack someone who even paying you attention Id suspect mania or something else causing delusion if it isnt drugs. Reply Parent Thread Link I agree. Reply Parent Thread Link Definitely come CPTSD there for you. What a scary experience. Glad you were not biten. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I used to work at a hospital and I'd see people act like this for varying reasons but not because they were having an anxiety attack. Maybe there was an anxiety attack but maybe there's also another underlying personality disorder, PTSD and/or a coke binge at play. People talk a lot more about anxiety than they used to and are therefore usually in possession of at least a bargain basement understanding of the subject. Anxiety is also incredibly common so a rather high percent of people who read this Instagram story have had one (we can see this just from the comments here on ONTD). So, I'm not sure who he thinks he's bamboozled with this low quality fib but I doubt very many are falling for it. I don't know, it just seems like part of the story is missing here, which I guess is fine, we're not owed anything but he's gotta understand that most are gonna read this and start poking holes in it. Edited at 2024-02-19 03:51 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link yeah i was thinking maybe an underlying personality disorder also which, if the case, i do feel for him because i wouldn't want to have to share that to explain why i got arrested either Reply Parent Thread Link Exactly. The more I think about this, the more I wonder if he was made to give a statement by higher ups and/or his agent. Depending on what the issue(s) is, there could be dire career consequences so upon reading this again, I'm starting to think this instagram post was focus grouped to have the least amount of impact in any direction. It makes one news cycle and then disappears the next day. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, I felt weird because if there is something else at play he doesnt want to share we arent entitled to that but if you put out this explanation its hard not to have questions. Reply Parent Thread Link Its more likely undiagnosed autism and a meltdown (commonly called panic attacks when you dont know what they are) rather than a PD. Its so weird how professionals will jump right to the more stigmatized diagnosis. Reply Parent Thread Link 'The Act' Star Joey King Says She Had a Private Conversation With Gypsy Rose Blanchard After Prison Release (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/ZM5WNEekxC Variety (@Variety) February 16, 2024 Joey King says she and Gypsy Rose Blanchard have recently been in touch. King portrayed Blanchard, a woman sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for the death mother Clauddine Dee Dee Blanchard in Hulus limited series The Act.She and I have privately talked a little bit, which has been really nice, King told Variety on an upcoming episode of the Just for Variety podcast. Having that private conversation with her was really lovely. We both know that theres absolutely no ill will towards one another. I really appreciated that we got to say those things to each other that were just really sweet and supportive because people are stupid and people assume whatever they want, and people are just going to make up stuff because its funny to them.King says she knew when Blanchard was up for parole: I think its so great that shes free and she can really start her life now. President Biden recently announced a temporary pause on pending approvals of liquefied natural gas exports. This announcement comes on the heels of news that in 2023 the U.S. surpassed Qatar and Australia to become the worlds two largest LNG exporter. This decision has sparked debate and raised several key points. I will discuss the reasons behind the pause, potential implications, and next steps. Reasons for the Pause The key reason cited for the pause was climate change concerns. Natural gas, while much cleaner than coal, still emits greenhouse gases when burned. The administration believes expanding LNG infrastructure could lock in fossil fuel dependence and hinder progress toward climate goals. I have a different opinion on this, which I address below. Some have also argued that prioritizing domestic needs for natural gas should come before exporting it. The pause allows the Department of Energy to assess the potential impacts of increased exports on domestic energy prices and availability. But one significant reason for the announcement recently acknowledged by White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi was to address concerns of young and climate-focused voters. The administration needs these voters in the fall, and the hope is that announcing this pause will energize them to vote for Biden in the November election. After all, Biden has pledged to cut climate pollution in half by 2030, but the oil and gas industry continues to break production records during his administration. Potential Implications The U.S. currently has seven operational LNG terminals, predominantly located in Louisiana and Texas, and anticipates up to five more becoming operational in the coming years. President Bidens action wont impact the existing projects. However, it may cause delays for about a dozen pending or planned LNG projects, such as the significant Calcasieu Pass 2 project along Louisianas Gulf Coast. This project, if realized, would be the largest export terminal in the United States. In the long run, these delays might affect global energy markets, potentially leading to higher natural gas prices in countries that rely on LNG imports. The long-term economic benefits of expanded LNG exports are being evaluated. Some argue that exporting more gas would create jobs and boost the economy, while others contend it could drive up domestic energy costs and harm certain industries. The pause has ignited a political debate, with supporters of the decision praising its focus on climate and domestic energy security. At the same time, critics argue it stifles economic growth and undermines U.S. leadership in the global energy market. How the Decision Could Increase Carbon Emissions According to data from the 2023 Statistical Review of World Energy, over the past 15 years, the U.S. has experienced the largest decline in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of any country. This reflects carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from energy, process emissions, methane, and flaring. The single biggest reason for this decline was natural gas displacing coal in power production. In 2007, coal had more than a 40% share of all power production, while natural gas held only a 20% share. By 2022, coal had significantly been displaced by natural gas. Coals share had fallen to 20%, and the natural gas share had increased to 40%. Because coal produces more than double the amount of carbon dioxide per unit of power production than natural gas (source), this resulted in a huge decrease in U.S. carbon emissions. Renewables were the second largest contributor to coals decline, but natural gas allowed coal-fired power plants to be switched to the lower-emission fuel. That would not have happened with renewables alone, at least certainly not as quickly as it did. It would be much more challenging to replace a large coal-fired power plant with renewables, for reasons of scale and reliability. In the process, U.S. carbon emissions decreased by 879 million metric tons, or 14%. Thus, natural gas can enable coal-dependent countries to slash carbon emissions much faster than could be achieved with renewables. India and China will continue to add renewable power, but if you expect them to shut down coal-fired power plants and replace them with solar plants, thats not going to happen to any significant degree. However, they could replace that coal-fired power with natural gas if the natural gas is available. Thus, the potential unintended consequence of this pause could be to keep countries hooked on coal longer than they need to be, and therefore increasing carbon emissions over a scenario in which these countries use LNG to displace coal. I would note that critics argue that if significant amounts of methane leak during the process of producing and transporting LNG, the carbon savings against coal may be lost. That is true but would require leaks far beyond the estimates of the Environmental Protection Agency. Further, the above emissions calculation from the Statistical Review includes estimates of associated fugitive methane emissions from the International Energy Agency. ADVERTISEMENT Next Steps The DOE will comprehensively review the potential impacts of LNG exports and update its analysis methods. This review is expected to take several months. The administration has invited public comments on the pause and the DOE review process. This ensures stakeholders have a voice in shaping the future of LNG exports. After the DOE review and considering public input, the administration will decide whether to lift the pause, impose permanent restrictions, or implement other policy changes related to LNG exports. Overall, President Bidens decision to pause new LNG export terminals is a complex issue with various economic, environmental, and political considerations. The coming months will be crucial for understanding the full implications of this decision and determining the future of LNG exports in the United States. By Robert Rapier More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Last weeks attempt by the U.S.s Republican-controlled House of Representatives to unblock the stoppage on approvals of permits for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) looks highly unlikely to succeed. Despite the House approving a bill to remove the pause on LNG permits, it still needs to be passed in the Democratic-controlled Senate and then to be signed by Biden to become law. LNG remains the key emergency energy source in the new global oil market order, as analysed in full in my new book of the same name, and without the U.S. continuing to play its role as key producer and coordinator of other LNG supplies, the political cohesion of Europe and of the Wests core NATO security alliance may falter. NATOs response to Russias 2014 invasion of Ukraine and subsequent annexation of its Crimea region was non-existent to all intents and purposes. The reason why is that key countries in Europe especially its de facto economic leader, Germany had become reliant on cheap and plentiful supplies of Russian gas to power their economic growth over the years. None of them wanted any major punishments meted out on Russia for the 2014 invasion that might jeopardise these gas flows. The response of these European countries to Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine was exactly the same at first. As also highlighted in my book, Germanys principal concern was ensuring that Russia did not stop supplying it, or other European countries, with either gas or oil, due to their not being able to pay in the way Moscow preferred. This followed the 31 March 2022 decree signed by President Vladimir Putin that required European buyers to pay in roubles for Russian gas via a new currency conversion mechanism or risk having supplies suspended. The official guidance document sent out to all 27 European countries that are members of the European Union (E.U.) on 21 April by its executive branch, the European Commission (EC), simply stated: It appears possible [to pay for Russian gas after the adoption of the new decree without being in conflict with EU law], EU companies can ask their Russian counterparts to fulfil their contractual obligations in the same manner as before the adoption of the decree, i.e. by depositing the due amount in euros or dollars. Related: EU Carbon Prices Tumble to More Than Two-Year Low The one and only reason that the view of these European countries changed towards being willing to punish Russia for a further invasion westwards into Europe was the U.S. ensuring that substitute supplies for Russian gas became available early on. As also detailed in my new book on the new global oil market order, the U.S. strategy for replacing Russian gas supplies at that point was twofold. First, increase its own gas deliveries to Europe. Second, pressure other gas suppliers to do the same. As LNG does not require the enormous time, cost, and infrastructure build-out as pipelined gas, it was the gas resource upon which the U.S. focused these efforts. On the first point, from zero LNG exports before 2016, the U.S. quickly became the worlds biggest exporter, with around 86 million metric tonnes of LNG shipped in 2022. And around two-thirds of all the U.S.s LNG exports since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022 have gone to Europe. The new LNG projects that have seen their permit permissions paused for an unspecified period are key to the U.S.s LNG exports doubling by the end of this decade. On the second point, the U.S. leveraged every proverbial carrot and stick available to it to pressure Qatar, for one, to stop signing LNG supply deals one after another with China as it had been doing in the run-up to Russias 2022 invasion, as also analysed in depth in my new book. Given this, May 2022 saw Qatar signed a declaration of intent on energy cooperation with Germany aimed at becoming its key supplier of LNG into the future. These new supplies of LNG from Qatar would come into Germany through existing importation routes augmented by new infrastructure approved by the German Bundestag on 19 May. The plans would run in parallel with, but were likely to be finished significantly sooner than, the plans for Qatar to also make available to Germany sizeable supplies of LNG from the Golden Pass terminal on the Gulf Coast of Texas. QatarEnergy holds a 70 percent stake in the project, with the U.S.s ExxonMobil holding the remainder. The Golden Pass terminals estimated send-out capacity is projected to be around 18 million mtpy of LNG. Just after the White Houses announcement on 26 January to pause approvals of new LNG projects, the European Commission said that this will have no short- or medium-term impact on the E.U.s security of supply. The reality is that theres no doubt the U.S. has been the key factor in ensuring cohesion in the E.U.s approach to punishing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, both in terms of brokering deals with other suppliers such as Qatar, and in providing LNG itself, a senior figure in the E.U.s energy security complex exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. The big fear here is not just that these pauses in permits for the big U.S. LNG projects will take months and maybe longer but also that some of them may not be allowed to go ahead at all, he added. Both of them raise questions about the U.S.s entire commitment to the LNG sector now, and with that there is a very great danger of this [E.U.] cohesion [in its approach to punishing Russia for the invasion of Ukraine] being seriously undermined, he concluded. More recently, British oil and gas supermajor Shell warned that world demand for LNG would jump more than 50 percent by 2040. It added that a long-term U.S. ban on issuing new LNG export permits would have quite an impact on the global LNG market. This appears to be British understatement at its finest, as Shell also forecasts that North American LNG exports will grow to about 200 million metric tonnes per year by the end of the decade, accounting for about 30 percent of global LNG demand and about 5 percent of global natural gas demand. In the meantime, Eurogas President Didier Holleaux warned that should additional U.S. LNG export projects not materialise, it would risk increasing and prolonging the global gas supply imbalance. And last week European Commission Executive Vice President, Maros Sefcovic, said that the U.S. is now the global guarantor of energy security. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Europes carbon prices continued to slide on Monday and tumbled to levels last seen in October 2021, as renewables surge while natural gas prices slump and industrial activity slows down amid weaker economies. The EU has a carbon permit market in place, in which industry, power firms, and airlines pay a carbon price for their emissions, as the bloc seeks to lower its carbon footprint and become carbon neutral by 2050. The EU carbon futures for December slumped by 5.3% on Monday morning in Europe to $58.39 (54.17 euros) per ton on the ICE Endex exchange, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Thats the lowest price for carbon allowances since October 2021. The price of polluting per ton has dropped below the $59.29 (55 euros) per ton threshold for the first time in 28 months. To compare, at this time last year, the price of carbon dioxide on the EU emissions market hit a record high of 98.30 euros per ton, or $104, as Europe was bracing for a cold spell and a forecast for low wind power output. Many energy transition proponents in Brussels have hoped to see such prices as soon as possible as the higher cost of emissions is seen as critical for motivating more effortsand investmentsin decarbonization. However, prices began to tumble last year amid low demand and weaker industrial activity, while renewable power generation continued to surge. So far this year, the EU carbon price has slumped by 30%, while the price of the UK carbon permits has tumbled by 23%, according to data from CarbonCredits. ADVERTISEMENT Carbon prices in Europe have further room to fall, Per Lekander, CEO at London-based hedge fund Clean Energy Transition, told Bloomberg last week. Thats because of rising renewable power generation, declining natural gas prices, and a recovery in nuclear and hydropower, according to the investor. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: QatarEnergy, the state giant of one of the worlds top liquefied natural gas exporters, expects to soon announce new LNG supply agreements with European and Asian buyers as it is working on the worlds largest LNG export capacity expansion. QatarEnergy could also sign additional agreements to welcome more partners in the joint ventures that will operate the expanded capacities at the North Field, QatarEnergys CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said on Monday at a news conference, as quoted by Bloomberg. Qatars LNG output is in no way threatened by the disruption to shipping in the Red Sea, said Al-Kaabi, who is also Qatars Minister of State for Energy Affairs. Most of Qatars LNG cargoes are bound eastward to Asia, while European customers would see longer delivery times, the executive noted. Last month, QatarEnergy halted LNG cargo shipments via the Red Sea. At the end of last year and early this year, QatarEnergy signed several major LNG supply deals with European and Asian majors, including with Shell, TotalEnergies, Eni, and Sinopec. QatarEnergy announced earlier this month the latest such agreement with Indias Petronet, a 20-year LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the supply of 7.5 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG to India. In October 2023, the Qatari state energy giant signed another 27-year agreement to ship LNG to Europe by agreeing to deliver cargoes for Eni in Italy beginning in 2026, after similar deals with Shell and TotalEnergies for supply to the Netherlands and France, respectively. Shell, TotalEnergies, and Eni, as well as U.S. firms ConocoPhillips and Exxon, all hold minority stakes in the joint ventures developing several LNG trains at the North Field East (NFE) and North Field South (NFS) expansion projects. ADVERTISEMENT Last year, Al-Kaabi said that 40% of all the new LNG that will come to the market by 2029, when all our projects are up and running, is going to be from QatarEnergy. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russian state-run oil company Rosneft has reported a nearly 50% jump in net profits for 2023, Reuters reports, hitting over $14 billion despite Western sanctions following Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. According to Reuters, Rosnefts 2023 net profit surged by 47.2% to 1.3 trillion rublesthe equivalent of approximately $14.7 billion. Earnings before EBITDA jumped 17.8% to 3 trillion rubles, with revenues up 1.3%. Rosneft continues to rake in profits as Europe, particularly Germany, mulls the fate of Russian assets abroad. Last week, attention was centered on Germanys uncomfortable decision on the fate of a Rosneft refinery in this country. Berlin is considering nationalizing the refinery, which could risk supply cuts and end up costing Germany a major payout to Moscow. The PCK refinery in the German town of Schwedt accounts for half of east Germanys fuel supply and around 11% of the countrys total supply. Berlin views nationalization as a way of securing longer-term energy needs. However, while the refinery is currently under a government trusteeship, a decision must now be made as to whether to extend that, which means that Rosneft would continue to control it with its 54% stake. Germany has already extended the trusteeship twice, Politico reports. At the same time, expropriating the Russian refinery assets would leave Germany owing Russia a billion euros. Rosneft has around $7 billion in assets in Germany, according to Politico. Germany has already nationalized a German subsidiary of Gazprom, and in the tit-for-tat process, Moscow has seized assets of Germanys Wintershall oil and gas producer in Russia. ADVERTISEMENT While Rosneft has posted a significant surge in profits, its refinery rates have dropped in February by 380,000 barrels per day, compared to December, with some refineries under maintenance and others being targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks. According to Bloomberg, Russian refinery rates dropped to 5.16 million bpd in the second week of February. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Donald Trump's Truth Social is set to merge with Digital World Acquisition just months ahead of the 2024 Elections. Digital World, a blank check acquisition firm, received approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission for its merger with Trump Media & Technology Group. Trump will retain at least 58% of the company. Reuters earlier reported that the acquisition deal cost nearly $50 million, according to people familiar with the deal. No details on what the merger will entail for Truth Social aside from plans to "accelerate our work to build a free speech highway outside the stifling stranglehold of Big Tech." Also Read: 2020 Elections Denialism Ads Are Back on Facebook, Instagram Effect of Merger to Trump Campaign A big question that follows the merger is how it will affect Trump's chances at the upcoming 2024 Elections. Trump is currently trying for another run for presidency with President Joe Biden his biggest contender at the moment. While Biden has been expanding his online presence across different social media, Trump's online presence is relatively contained on Truth Social where he regularly receives thousands of engagements. It remains uncertain if the merger will propel Trump's reach on the digital scape. As of writing, most users on Truth Social are part of the 6.61 million followers of Trump. Recent reports estimated Truth Social has 2 million monthly users, half of the active monthly users on Bluesky that just opened to the public in February. Related Article: How to Spot Election 'Fake News' on Social Media Digital World's History with SEC Before announcing its merger with TMTG, Digital World was previously reported for facing troubles from state agencies. It also became part of the Department of Justice and the SEC investigations following the ousting of Trump in January 2021. Digital World first opened possibilities of a merger with Trump's company in October of the same year. And just last July, the company was fined $18 million by the SEC for supposedly misleading investigators about its deal with Trump and his company. A UK-registered vessel has become the target of attack off the Yemeni coast, with military authorities saying that the crew had abandoned the vessel. The UKs Maritime Trade Operations authority reported the incident and said that military authorities remained on the scene to provide assistance, adding advice for ships in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to the authority. Reuters, for its part, cited British maritime security services provider Ambrey as confirming the attack on the Belize-flagged ship that was operated by a Lebanese entity. "The partially laden vessel briefly slowed from 10 to six knots and deviated course, and contacted the Djiboutian Navy, before returning to her previous course and speed," the security services firm said. This is the latest in a constantly extending string of attacks by Yemens Houthis on ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait between Africa and the Middle East. The attacks began last November in response to Israels bombing of Gaza. The U.S. and UK sent their military to the Red Sea to prevent the attacks and they carried out several attacks on ground targets in Yemen. This has not stopped the Houthi attacks, which have redrawn the global maritime transport map. Despite the stronger U.S. and UK military presence in the Red Sea, many shipping operators have chosen to reroute their vessels around Africa to avoid the risk of attacks. This has added days to journeys between Asia and Europe and has increased fuel consumption and overall transportation costs. There have even been reports about the increase in emissions that have resulted from the rerouting of ships from the Red Sea. ADVERTISEMENT In energy, the Red Sea situation has prompted European oil buyers to turn West instead of East for their crude, with exports from the United States on the rise, while Middle Eastern oil moved East, to Asia, via the Persian Gulf. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Carjackings and car thefts are up significantly compared with the number of incidents before the pandemic, prompting fear and calls for action in many American cities. Motor vehicle thefts increased by 29% in 2023 compared with the previous year, while carjackings slightly decreased by 5% in nearly 40 American cities, according to the Council on Criminal Justices most recent crime trends report. But between 2019 and 2023, car thefts and carjackings increased dramatically, by 105% and 93%, respectively, according to the report. The five cities with the highest year-over-year increases in motor vehicle theft between 2022 and 2023 were Rochester, New York; Baltimore; Buffalo, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Cincinnati. The cities with the highest carjacking rates per 100,000 residents in 2023 were the District of Columbia; Baltimore; Memphis, Tennessee; Chicago; and Denver. Many have blamed the surge in auto theft on a social media trend among teenagers that exposes vulnerabilities in certain kinds of cars, especially Kia and Hyundai models. But the varying reliability of motor vehicle theft data at different law enforcement levels and the scarcity of national carjacking data make it hard to determine what or who is responsible for the spikes. As with many other crimes, there is limited FBI data on carjackings and motor vehicle thefts because law enforcement agencies differ in how they collect and submit their data. The federal Bureau of Justice Statistics also has not released any updated statistics on carjackings since October 2022, which tracked crimes committed through 2021. That poses a significant challenge for policymakers trying to allocate police resources to the communities that need them most. We certainly don't want people flying blind making decisions with respect to public safety, said Alex Piquero, a criminology professor at the University of Miami and the former director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Anecdotal evidence on social media can heavily shape public perceptions of safety and crime, Ernesto Lopez, a research specialist at the Council on Criminal Justice, said. Josh Rovner, the director of youth justice at The Sentencing Project, agreed that the scraps of information that we have about youth involvement is very easy to overstate and misunderstand. Carjacking data, especially at the national level, is hard to come by. And despite the greater availability of motor vehicle theft data, its reliability varies across different law enforcement levels, with some local departments failing to submit their data to federal agencies and others not collecting the information at all. We need more local law enforcement agencies to produce that data not just internally for their own community to report out to the community, but also for policy action, Piquero said. Since reaching its peak in the 1990s, overall crime in the United States has declined. In 2022, the most recent year with available data, there were 23.5 violent crimes for every 1,000 Americans aged 12 and older, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. The violent victimization rate increased by 42% in 2022 compared with 2021, but the past three decades have seen an overall decline. Carjackings and motor vehicle thefts, however, are up compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Its hard to say exactly whats behind the surge, but some crime experts suggest that the economic turmoil during the pandemic, coupled with the relative ease of stealing cars or parts for financial gain, increased the attractiveness of car-related crime. Carjackings are less common than auto thefts but more violent. In a carjacking the perpetrator directly confronts the vehicle's owner, while auto theft typically occurs when a car is unoccupied. Motor vehicle theft includes stealing entire cars or specific parts such as tires, rims or catalytic converters. The difference between the two offenses is whether force is used to steal a car. In the District of Columbia, the city's police department recorded 958 carjackings last year but only made 173 arrests, according to the Metropolitan Police Departments carjacking dashboard. Sixty-two percent of those suspects were under 18. Juveniles might be overrepresented because they are easier to apprehend, or because they tend to commit crimes together, said Rovner, of The Sentencing Project. Crime experts say vehicle owners also can take simple yet crucial precautions, such as avoiding leaving cars unlocked or running unattended, to significantly reduce the risk of theft. And policymakers at all levels of government are increasingly urging car manufacturers to be held accountable for the design of vehicles that might be vulnerable to break-ins. Its important to recognize that the data can certainly guide us, Rovner said. Regardless of whether arrests go up or arrests go down, what we should be interested in is what's best for kids and what's best for public safety. 10 most commonly stolen car models in every state Vehicle thefts by state Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana lowa Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington DC West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming LOS ANGELES Samantha Sumiko Pinedo and her grandparents file into a dimly lit enclosure at the Japanese American National Museum and approach a massive book splayed open to reveal columns of names. Pinedo hopes the list includes her great-grandparents, who were detained in Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II. "For a lot of people, it feels like so long ago because it was World War II. But I grew up with my Bompa (great-grandpa), who was in the internment camps," Pinedo says. A docent at the museum in Los Angeles gently flips to the middle of the book called the Ireicho and locates Kaneo Sakatani near the center of a page. This was Pinedo's great-grandfather, and his family can now honor him. On Feb. 19, 1942, following the attack by Imperial Japan on Pearl Harbor and the United States' entry to WWII, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing the incarceration of people of Japanese ancestry who were considered potentially dangerous. From the extreme heat of the Gila River center in Arizona, to the biting winters of Heart Mountain in Wyoming, Japanese Americans were forced into hastily built barracks, with no insulation or privacy, and surrounded by barbed wire. They shared bathrooms and mess halls, and families of up to eight were squeezed into 20-by-25 foot rooms. Armed U.S. soldiers in guard towers ensured nobody tried to flee. About two-thirds of the detainees were American citizens. When the 75 holding facilities on U.S. soil closed in 1946, the government published Final Accountability Rosters listing the name, sex, date of birth and marital status of the Japanese Americans held at the 10 largest facilities. There was no clear consensus of who or how many were detained nationwide. Duncan Ryuken Williams, the director of the Shinso Ito Center for Japanese Religions and Culture at the University of Southern California, knew those rosters were incomplete and riddled with errors, so he and a team of researchers took on the mammoth task of identifying all the detainees and honoring them with a three-part monument called "Irei: National Monument for the WWII Japanese American Incarceration." "We wanted to repair that moment in American history by thinking of the fact that this is a group of people, Japanese Americans, that was targeted by the government. As long as you had one drop of Japanese blood in you, the government told you you didn't belong," Williams said. The Irei project was inspired by stone Buddhist monuments called Ireitos that were built by detainees at camps in Manzanar, California, and Amache, Colorado, to memorialize and console the spirits of internees who died. The first part of the Irei monument is the Ireicho, the sacred book listing 125,284 verified names of Japanese American detainees. "We felt like we needed to bring dignity and personhood and individuality back to all these people," Williams said. "The best way we thought we could do that was to give them their names back." The second element, the Ireizo, is a website launched Monday, the Day of Remembrance, which visitors can use to search for additional information about detainees. Ireihi is the final part: A collection of light installations at incarceration sites and the Japanese American National Museum. Williams and his team spent more than three years reaching out to camp survivors and their relatives, correcting misspelled names and data errors and filling in the gaps. They analyzed records in the National Archives of detainee transfers, as well as Enemy Alien identification cards and directories created by detainees. "We feel fairly confident that we're at least 99% accurate with that list," Williams said. The team recorded every name in order of age, from the oldest person who entered the camps to the last baby born there. Williams, who is a Buddhist priest, invited leaders from different faiths, Native American tribes and social justice groups to attend a ceremony introducing the Ireicho to the museum. Crowds of people gathered in the Little Tokyo neighborhood to watch camp survivors and descendants of detainees file into the museum, one by one, holding wooden pillars, called sobata, bearing the names of each of the camps. At the end of the procession, the massive book of names was carried inside by multiple faith leaders. Williams read Buddhist scripture and led chants to honor the detainees. Those sobata now line the walls of the serene enclosure where the Ireicho will remain until Dec. 1. Each bears the name in English and Japanese of the camp it represents. Suspended from each post is a jar containing soil from the named site. Visitors are encouraged to look for their loved ones in the Ireicho and leave a mark under their names using a Japanese stamp called a hanko. The first people to stamp it were some of the last surviving camp detainees. So far, 40,000 visitors have made their mark. For Williams, that interaction is essential. "To honor each person by placing a stamp in the book means that you are changing the monument every day," Williams said. Sharon Matsuura, who visited the Ireicho to commemorate her parents and husband who were incarcerated in Camp Amache, says the monument has an important role to play in raising awareness, especially for young people who may not know about this harsh chapter in America's story. "It was a very shameful part of history that the young men and women were good enough to fight and die for the country, but they had to live in terrible conditions and camps," Matsuura says. "We want people to realize these things happened." 30 iconic posters from World War II 30 iconic posters from World War II 'Buy More War Bonds and Stamps Were Building Things Up! I Want You Keep Calm and Carry On Come into the Factories Adolf Hitler ist der Sieg! Japanese air force poster Avenge Pearl Harbor Defend Your Country We Can Do It Is YOUR Trip Necessary? Keep Us Flying! This is Nazi Brutality Blackout! Meeting over Berlin UNITED we are strong Become a Nurse Doing all you can, brother? Of Course I Can! Dont Let That Shadow Touch Them Ecco i Liberatori Waffen-SS Buy War Bonds Shes a WOW When You Ride Alone You Ride With Hitler! Hes Watching You FOOD IS A WEAPON Plant a Victory Garden Freedom Shall Prevail A principal suspect in the controversial Malabu oil scandal on Wednesday appeared as a witness before an Italian court in Milan. Abubakar Aliyu is alleged to have acted as a middleman for top officials of former President Goodluck Jonathans administration in the long-running controversy. Mr Abubakar is being questioned in Italy over his role in what has been described as one of Africas most controversial corrupt oil deal. The Malabu scandal involved the transfer of about $1.1 billion by Shell and ENI through the Nigerian government to accounts controlled by a former Nigerian petroleum minister, Dan Etete. From accounts controlled by Mr Etete, about half the money ($520 million) went to accounts of companies controlled by Mr Aliyu, popularly known in Nigeria as the owner of AA oil. Anti-corruption investigators and activists suspect he fronted for top officials of the Jonathan administration as well of officials of Shell and ENI. The transaction was authorised in 2011 by Mr Jonathan through some of his cabinet ministers and the money was payment for OPL 245, one of Nigerias richest oil blocks. Although Shell and ENI initially claimed they did not know the money would end up with Mr Etete and his cronies, evidence has shown that claim to be false. Shell, Eni, Mr Etete, Mr Aliyu and several officials of the oil firms are being prosecuted in Italy for their roles in the scandal. During the trial in Italy Wednesday morning, the prosecutors announced that an Italian lawyer who claimed to be acting for Mr Aliyu visited them yesterday asking for a new delay. An anti-corruption campaigner who covered the trial, Barnaby Pace of UK Global Witness, however, said that the lawyer was not present at the court Wednesday morning and no written request was submitted. But as proceedings commenced, Mr Aliyu confirmed that he received the information regarding the charges against him. He was however reminded he could choose not to answer questions as he could incriminate himself in the process. PREMIUM TIMES understands that the lawyer representing him later turned up in the Milan court. The Nigerian government also has a law observing the case in court. Mr Aliyu later asked for a delay in giving his testimony. He was supported by lawyers to some other defendants who claimed that he is an important witness and his new lawyers have not had time to review all the evidence. Although Mr Aliyu is was due to face charges in Italy for his roles in the Malabu oil deal, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that prosecutors were not able to serve the papers on him until recently. In their ruling Wednesday morning, the judges noted that given the seriousness and complexity of the charges against Mr Aliyu, a delay should be granted. Given the scope of the charges and evidence against him, his new lawyers were subsequently given time to digest it. The judges will offer a new date for the resumption of the trial. Mr Aliyus trial in Nigeria is being stalled because Nigerias anti-graft agency said he and other principal suspects have been on the run. In March 2017, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, filed fresh charges against him, along with Mohammed Adoke, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and Dan Etete, a former Minister of Petroleum, for involvement in the $1.1 billion Malabu oil scandal. They are being prosecuted alongside two international oil giants Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company, and ENI, as well as Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd, Rocky Top Resource Ltd, Imperial Union Ltd, Novel Properties & Dev. Co. Ltd, Group Construction Ltd, and Megatech Engineering Ltd. Although Mr Adoke has consistently claimed that he is being persecuted, he has declined to show up in Nigeria and face trial. Last year, the EFCC said it had begun moves to extradite the former attorney general. Although Mr Jonathans government brokered the deal in 2011, the former president is not facing trial over the case. Dominant telecom operator in the country, MTN, lost 2.09 million subscribers between January and March this year, New Telegraph has learnt. The telco, which had 67.1 million active subscribers at the end of 2018, ended March 2019 with 65 million active customers, according to statistics released by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). However, the decline in number of subscribers could not stop the company from generating N282 billion from voice and data services in the first three months of the year, as revealed in its recently released Q1 result. As at the end of March, MTN still remained the largest telecom operator by subscriber in the country with 37 per cent share of the market. The telecom industrys data for March released yesterday by NCC showed that total active subscriptions across the mobile networks rose marginally by 156,335 to reach 173.4 million as against 173.2 million recorded in February. While MTN lost 531,283 million active subscriptions in the month, other GSM operators, Globacom, Airtel and 9mobile gained more subscriptions. Analysis of the statistics showed that Globacom retained its second position with 46.2 million subscriptions as it gained 199,186 subscriptions in the month. Airtel emerged as highest gainer for the month as it added 262,803 new users to achieve 45.2 million active subscriptions in the month. 9mobile also maintained its steady return to subscription growth as it gained 107,822 subscriptions, which brought its total active customers to 16.8 million. Despite the marginal rise in the number of active subscriptions, the countrys teledensity declined from 124.05 per cent in February to 91 per cent. Teledensity refers to the number of telephone connections for every 100 individuals living within an area and it varies widely across the country. NCC noted that from March 2019, teledensity is now being calculated based on a population estimate of 190 million as against 140 million being used over the years. Meanwhile, the figure of active Internet subscribers over the mobile networks rose by 1.2 million to hit 115.9 million by the end of March. The data showed that MTN also maintained the lead in data customers with 46.5 million users, while Airtel came second in data subscriptions with 31.2 million active users. Globacom had 28.4 million Internet subscriptions as at March while 9mobile had 9.6 million. A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the last general elections, Omoyele Sowore and Malcolm Fabiyi from further parading themselves as National Chairman and the Deputy National Chairman of the party. Justice Inyang Ekwo made the order in an ex-parte ruling on a motion filed by the partys acting National Chairman, Dr. Leonard Nzenwa,which was argued by his lawyer, Emeka Ozani. Justice Ekwo also restrained Sowore and Fabiyi from further exercising any power or function relating to the offices. The judge equally restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from further recognizing the two in the capacities of National Chairman and Deputy National Chairman. According to the judge, the orders made are to remain in force pending the determination of a motion on notice also filed by the plaintiff in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/512/2019. Justice Ekwo, who ordered accelerated hearing of the substantive suit, directed that court processes be served on the 1st and 2nd defendants (Sowore and Fabiyi) through substituted means. He adjourned further proceedings in the case till May 28 this year. In a supporting affidavit, the plaintiff claimed that Sowore failed to fulfil the mandatory statutory requirement of holding the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party quarterly. The plaintiff equally claimed that Sowore allegedly received money from foreign donors and converted it for his personal uses, in contravention of the provisions of the Constitution. Nzenwa stated that despite appeals made to him to convene the partys NEC meeting for the various allegations raised against him to be discussed, he failed to do so. The plaintiff stated that party was compelled to adopt a resolution on March 27th, 2019 suspending Sowore and Fabiyi from the party for six months. Sociopolitical activist Reno Omokri urged Nigerians on Sunday to refrain from blaming President Bola Tinubu for the countrys hardships and high dollar rate. Omokri emphasized that Nigerians inclination towards foreign products over domestically produced goods has exacerbated the countrys hardships. He stressed that the US dollar exchange rate will persist unless Nigerians prioritize locally made products. Posting on X, Omokri wrote: You come on the Internet with MTN. You are wearing a $250 human hair wig that was sacrificed in an Indian temple and then shipped to Nigeria as Brazilian hair, your clothes come from Italy, your shoes from Spain, and you had Quaker oats from England for breakfast, with eggs from South Africa, which you ate while watching DSTV also from South Africa, and you are heaping curses on Bola Tinubu over the state of the Naira? You are the problem with the Naira. You, with your MTN data. High Dollar kpa e mbe! If you are not producing locally or consuming locally and you come to social media to complain, then you dont yet understand that the Naira has been floated. If you like throw tantrums from now until 2027, the dollar will not come down until you start consuming made-in-Nigeria goods and services. If your money is not circulating in made-in-Nigital goods and services, no power on Earth can make your Naira circulate with higher purchasing power. This is about economics. This is not propaganda. Drive with Innoson, Call with Glo, Build with Dangote, Eat with Nasco. Kanyi Daily recalls that Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, had accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of causing harm to Nigerias economy during his eight years in office. Mrs. Adachukwu Okafor, a lawyer, who allegedly mistreated her 10-year-old house help, has been arrested by the Nigeria Police. In a statement, Ohaeri Joseph, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Women Affairs, stated that the lawyer had been fleeing since news of her alleged crime broke on the internet. Joseph also said that the weapons used to harm the child included a broken bottle, a knife, and an electric pressing iron. The minister had earlier offered a N2 million reward for any information on the lawyer who disappeared after a video of her wrongdoing went viral Days after the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Ohanenye, placed a N2 million bounty on an Onitsha-based lawyer, Mrs Adachukwu Okafor, for child abuse in Onitsha, she has been arrested. The ladys action, which went viral across various social media platforms, was alleged to have inflicted bodily harm on the minor. The lady has been on the run for weeks after being reported to have inflicted severe injuries on the minor, which prompted the minister to place a reward of N2 million for information on her whereabouts, he said. Ohaeri stated that the ministry would collaborate with the police to initiate an immediate investigation into the matter The girl is still undergoing medical treatment in the hospital, but I can assure members of the public that she will get justice, the statement added Kanyi Daily recalls that the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare had issued a warrant for the arrest of Mrs. Adachukwu Okafor. Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said on Sunday that the Bola Tinubu administration inherited an economic mess from former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, unsure even what charges to bring against him. Speaking at Senator Barinada Mpigis Thanksgiving service in Koroma, Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State, Akpabio claimed the economic situation left by Emefiele was terrible. We did not even know what to charge him with whether for putting foam on top of the bill, illegal firearm possession, printing notes without income. I dont know what we are going to charge him with, Akpabio said. The Senate President asserted that current economic woes and hunger were due to past policies. But what we can say is that yes there is hunger today because of the policies and actions that they took, and we recognise that, and I think every political party should recognise that there is hunger, and we are battling to ensure that Nigerians sleep with their eyes closed, he stated. Akpabio assured Nigerians of efforts to improve security and living standards but appealed for patience, arguing decades of rot could not be solved in months. Yes, there is insecurity; we are battling to ensure that Nigerians can take three square meals a day. But be rest assured that we campaigned for this job; we campaigned around the country; we will not let you down; we will get to the bottom of it; all we need is your patience. Emefiele is facing accusations from the Federal Government related to financial crimes after Tinubu removed him from his position as CBN governor in June 2023. The criminal charges against the former governor of CBN were revised by the Federal Government on January 18. The six counts were expanded to 20 counts. Emefiele was accused of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to conduct forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit a felony in the amendment. However, the Senate President maintained that the government is working hard to fix the economy and country. Related Julius Abure Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has accused the suspended treasurer of the party, Oluchi Opara, of attempting to damage his reputation with the corruption allegations levelled against him. It was earlier reported that Opara had asked Abure to give an account of the donations received from Nigerians in the diaspora during the campaign tour of the partys presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the United States. Opara claimed that Abure used the partys name to raise funds during the United States campaign tour and used proxy accounts to withdraw money from the party. The suspended treasurer also alleged that for the past eleven months, Abure had been the only one withdrawing the money from the partys account. Reacting to the claims in an interview with Punch, Abure stated that he never used the partys name to raise campaign funds in the United States. The embattled LP chairman stated that Opara was working with his detractors and was merely out to tarnish his image. He said, We made changes to the account. That was how we were able to run the party from January 2021 to March 2021 when we had the NEC meeting in Benin, where I emerged as the national chairman of the party. All the money withdrawn between January and March 2021 was co-signed with the acting national chairman, Maria Lebeke. I was the national secretary at the time and there was no way I could have withdrawn from the account or any person could have withdrawn money without the co-signatory. We brought in the new acting chairman, who co-signed all the cheques, and Opara equally co-signed the cheques. So, changes of signatories were made and we needed to run the party, and a lot of activities of the party at that time were co-signed by Maria Lebeke, and it is obvious. US President Joe Biden is now giving more breathing room for the electric vehicle industry as it intends to relax tailpipe emissions limit to encourage more Americans to shift to EVs. Citing people familiar with the plan, the New York Times reported that the administration will be giving car manufacturers more time to increase EV sales until 2030. The new mandate is expected to be finalized by "early Spring." So far, several businesses agreed over the slowdown to prepare for the massive undertaking in the next three to four years. The administration earlier indicated that massive transitions will start by 2027. White House Pushes Major Tailpipe Emissions by 2032 The White House has been previously reported to impose dramatic tailpipe emissions as soon as March to reach the 67% EV market share in the US by 2032. EVs currently occupied only 8% of the car retails last year, causing dealers and manufacturers to urge the Biden administration to slow down the proposed "emission-free" ramp-up. The report comes in as sales for electric cars hit a plateau in the first quarter of the year. Also Read: California EV Sales Slow Down Amid Government Ramp Up Car Dealers, Manufacturers Cry of Costs in EV Making One of the main concerns of car dealers and manufacturers is the high costs needed to create an EV in the industry's current state. As of writing, many EV manufacturers in the US have to import the batteries and other materials required due to the lack of facilities and factories able to provide the parts. The Biden administration has since proposed more than $15 billion to help prepare the industry and manufacturers for the transition but have face pushback from lawmakers and other businesses. It is worth noting that the push to eliminate carbon emissions in the US is part of the achievements Biden tout for his presidential reelection campaign this coming November. Related Article: Electric Vehicles in the US: Is America Truly Ready for Carbon-Free Highways? Murja Ibrahim Kunya The Kano State Prison Command has debunked reports ciirculating online that controversial Tiktoker, Murja Ibrahim Kunya escaped from one of their facilities. The authority were quick to explain that Murja Ibrahim Kunya was released on the orders of a State High Court. Kunya was declared wanted alongside five others by the Kano State Hisbah Board, the State Sharia Police, and arrested at Hotoro Tinshama area of the city late last week. She was arrested on complaints of her neighbours over her alleged immoral behaviour which included public nuisances, attempt to corrupt and recruit young girls into pr*stitution and sharing explicit material and vulgar language on social media. After her arrest, she was arraigned at a Sharia Court in the Gama ward of the city, where the judge, Malam Nura Yusuf Ahmed, remanded her in prison until Tuesday, 20 February, 2024 for hearing on her bail application. Kunya was remanded after she denied the charges read to her by the prosecutor of the case, Aliyu Abideen. But on Sunday, two days before the adjourned date, reports emerged that she had disappeared from prison custody, prompting speculations on whether she had escaped. However, a spokesman for the Kano Correctional Centre, Musbahu Kofar Nasarawa, said Murja Kunya did not escape custody but was instead released by the court, which remanded her. Musbahu said the Tiktoker was released since Thursday, meaning she spent only two days in custody instead of seven. It was a court that brought her to us for remand, and it was the same court that ordered us to release her, he said. The Bola Tinubu-led government will hold a meeting today, with the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to avert the planned suspension of operations. Recall that the association had, in a letter dated February 15, 2024, addressed to the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), directed all its members to withdraw their petroleum trucks from product-loading activities from Monday, February 19, 2024. In the letter, NARTO said the high freight rates and cost of operations are responsible for their plan to park their vehicles and stop lifting fuel beginning today. In a chat with Punch, NARTOs President, Yusuf Othman, said his members and oil marketers had been meeting since Saturday based on the orders of the Federal Government. Othman disclosed that the downstream regulator and the Ministry of Petroleum would meet with NARTO members and other parties today in Abuja to sort out the issues. He stated that oil marketers and his executives met about six times in the last two days to avert a threat to halt the lifting of petroleum products in the country. Othman added that NARTO members are not going on strike but withdrawing their services because they are not employees but business people. He said: We are discussing with the marketers, and they have proposed some increase in the transportation arrangement, and right now, we are discussing with our executives with a view to consider the matter. But you know this has nothing to do with the government because the government no longer has a hand in the payment of transportation for products. It is purely for marketers that we provide the services to. Othman said the letter to the Petroleum Minister, Department of State Services (DSS) and other Federal Government agencies was to alert the government to intervene. He said: Yes, it was for them to intervene, not that they should pay, at least for them to see reasons why they need to talk to the other parties because the government naturally has to be an arbiter. In a free market, the government cannot just fold its arms and say everybody should do whatever they like. And this is the time we are oppressed downstream because most of the marketers have increased their pump prices, but they have not increased our freight rates. So since the time we issued the letters, weve met with the marketers about four to five times, and we are meeting later this (Sunday) evening. And I do hope we will be able to conclude before Monday, otherwise, we will withdraw our services. It is not a strike, because we are not employees, we are business people, we will just withdraw our services. But I dont want to believe that it will not be resolved before then because everybody is aware of their responsibilities. On whether NARTO was getting the desired response from marketers, Othman replied, Weve met almost six times. Today (Sunday) we met three times, yesterday (Saturday) we met three times and we are going to meet again later this (Sunday) evening. The government has directed them that they must negotiate with us, because they have seen reasons why we have to get some improvement in our freight rates, in view of the high operational cost. So there is hope. A staff of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, who was accused of stealing a mobile phone has been tortured to death. Youths in Gyado villa, Kilometer 4, along Makurdi-Gboko Road, were informed of a missing phone so they invited the deceased to question him. The youths then proceeded to torture him to death, The Nation reports. Following his death, on Saturday night, Feb. 17, a youth group loyal to the deceased mobilised and razed down the house of the father of the youth leader who allegedly led the torture. This led to chaos and many residents were seen packing out of the community for fear of the unknown. Police sources said investigations had commenced to get to the root of the crisis. Andrew Emwanta Andrew Emwanta, a former Commissioner for Communication and Orientation in Edo State, has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that he has no confidence in the conduct of the partys governorship primary. The controversial primaries, held on Saturday, resulted in an unprecedented outcome, with three different candidates being declared winners, leading to confusion and disputes within the party ranks. The chaos unfolded when the Chairman of the Electoral Committee for the primary, Governor Hope Uzodimma, announced Dennis Idahosa as the winner of the contest. Complicating matters further, Stanley Ugboaja, acting as a returning officer, declared Monday Okpebholo as the winner. Adding to the controversy, Ojo Babatunde, purporting to represent the returning officers from all local governments, proclaimed Anamero Dekeri as the rightful victor. This disarray prompted Emwantas decision to depart from the APC, as he expressed his concerns over the integrity of the primary process. In a letter to the Ward Chairman, Ward 7, Egor Local Government Area and made available to journalists on Monday, Emwanta said, I am writing to formally tender my resignation from the membership of the All Progressives Congress, effective from today, the 18th day of February 2024. My decision to resign from the party stems from its lack of internal democracy, flowing from the flawed process of the just concluded Edo governorship primaries. It has left me with no confidence in the partys leadership structure and sense of political ethos. It is indeed a sad decision for me to take at this crucial time, particularly, because l joined the party a few months ago. But, it is an inevitable decision, since l still enjoy the inalienable right to freedom of association, (or dissociation), guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended. I believe that my continued association with the APC would compromise my ability to support any decent candidate of my choice, as I would be compelled to unwittingly align with the partys decisions, regardless of my convictions. To do otherwise will be termed anti-party. This was my grouse last year with my former party, the PDP. Moving forward, l wish to be an Independent political player, who can freely support any candidate in future elections, based on their qualifications, integrity, and alignment with my values and beliefs. I am confident that this decision is in the best interest of my lifes philosophy, social orientation and the political principles I hold very dear. Please consider this letter as my formal resignation from the APC. I would appreciate it if you could delete my name from your register at the ward, as l move on. Thank you for your understanding and anticipated action. The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Festus Fuanter, underscored the alarming fact that Sylvanus Namang had been subjected to over 20 death threats before his tragic murder. Sylvanus Namang, who hailed from Mangu Local Government Area and served as the Publicity Secretary of the Plateau State chapter of the APC, met a tragic end during a burial event he attended in Pankshin LGA on Saturday, plunging the party into profound grief. According to reports, Namang was in the vicinity of a local shop to buy some items when assailants fatally shot him. Expressing deep sorrow over Namangs demise, APCs National Secretary, Festus Fuanter, demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, highlighting Namangs history of receiving numerous death threats. Fuanter remarked, His death is quite sad. If it was a case of kidnapping, they would have abducted him and left. Why kill him on the spot? We are waiting for the outcome of any possible investigation and security report on the circumstances surrounding the incident, and we will respond appropriately. Because, before now, he has received more than 20 threats to his life, some of which he has reported to the security authorities. Former Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, expressed shock and devastation at Namangs killing, urging security agencies to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators. Rufus Bature, the Chairman of the Plateau State APC, echoed similar sentiments, describing Namangs death as deeply shocking. Bature stated, As a party, we are not fine at all. The death of the partys state Publicity Secretary at this time is quite unfortunate. He was a complete gentleman and a humble human being committed to his duties. He had no fears of telling the truth. We will sorely miss him. Former Minister Solomon Dalung has lashed out at the Tinubu-led government. This comes after the government blamed ex-President Muhammad Buhari for Nigerias economic woes. In a series of posts shared on his handle, Dalung said if Tinubu deployed the same energy, knowledge, tactics and money that was deployed during elections and tribunal to deal with Nigerias security and economic challenges, things would change. He added that blaming Buhari for economic woes cannot address the hardship confronting the people. Read his posts below Reverend Harrison Ayintete has called out stingy Christians. He warned them to stop being stingy towards God. Speaking via his X account, he said people who are millionaires but dont give the church a million naira as an offering are being stingy to God. If you are a millionaire and you have never given 1million naira before in your local church, you are a bad specimen of a believer in that aspect of the faith! You are stingy towards God! You are saved, you are loved, you have eternal life, you will never perish but you are not radical about Gods work on earth and you have little reward in heaven! If your theology is to use widows mite as your yardstick for giving, thus you give mites and kobo in your local church , you are a bad specimen of a believer in that aspect of the faith! he wrote. Kano State Government has been issued a warning by a community group in Bichi. It warned the government against plunging the state into chaos over plans to dissolve four emirates councils. The group cautioned the State House of Assembly against yielding to pressures to dissolve the Bichi, Karaye, Gaya and Rano Emirates, warning that the move would only create anarchy and confusion. The group known as Inuwar Masarautar Bichi and translated to Kano State the Will and Vision of Good People Of Bichi, said in a press statement signed by its Coordinating Secretary, Bello Gambo, that the State House of Assembly and the Government, should discard sentimental insinuations calling for the dissolution of the emirates councils to avoid problems. A week earlier, another group had submitted a letter to the State Assembly, asking them to hasten the dissolution of the four new Emirates created in the wake of the dethronement saga that plagued the state and return the dethroned Emir Muhammadu Sanusi ii. However, in response, the Inuwar Masarautar Bichi, through the Coordinating Secretary Bello Gambo and 77 other persons who signed the statement said, We should avoid experimenting with conflict theory at this material time when there is glaring hardship in the land. Tinkering with the existing Emirates Council structure would not only create anarchy and a State of confusion but will make us a laughing stock in the country, leading to an unwarranted sojourn. We support efforts towards dialogue, local empowerment, infrastructural development and civilizational and cultural aspirations, only by doing so can we foster genuine peace, progress and cultural stability in Kano and uphold the Principles of democratic coexistence, self-determination and tranquillity. We wish that the House of Assembly and the State Government will respect the agency of the different indigenous communities and support the efforts of Local People, Politicians and individual Emirates Councils in bringing Government closer to the People using the existing Emirates Councils. We want to affirm that our People love their Emirs and Emirates, taking any retrogressive tendencies by abolishing the Current administrative structure will certainly undermine peace and security which could lead to general disenchantment at large. It is our prayers that the Government would not listen and allow some disgruntled elements to distort its good intentions of moving the State to a higher pedestal rather than becoming a retrogressive and not progressive movement. The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State, Sylvanus Namang, has been shot dead in Pankshin town, Pankshin Local Government Area of the state. An official of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the telephone, adding that the APC scribe died from injuries sustained in the attack. He stated that the late Namang was a dependable ally, and deeply committed to the development of the APC at the grassroots and state levels, adding that the party would issue a statement regarding the circumstances surrounding his death. This newspaper gathered that Namang was gunned down outside his hotel room in the area by hoodlums who opened fire at him around 7:30 am. Sources also toldthis newspaper that the deceased left home on Saturday to attend a burial in Pankshin where he was suddenly killed. The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alfred Alabo, was not available for comment when contacted on the incident, as his phone indicated that it was switched off. Related The police have rescued a 61 year- old man, who is a Nigerian Brewery Distributor Mr. John Akombo from the hands of kidnappers in Gboko Benue state. An eye witness Jimin Ayo told our correspondent that Joint Taskforce (JTF) comprising The Police and Army from A division, Area command in Gboko chased the kidnappers and rescued the businessman around Mbaamandev, Mkar- Ameladu road, Gboko. Speaking with The Nation, the rescued victim, Akombo said: The well -armed abductors numbering four came in a tinted ash color Honda Pilot Jeep, approached me in my office and forced me into their vehicle. My son picked my car, followed us behind closely and alerted the police officers on patrol who trailed, opened fire on the abductors vehicles tyre. They overpowered them around Mbaamandev Mkar Ameladu road and I was rescued. His wife, Mrs. Rebecca Akombo, who shed tears of joy, thanked God for the safe return of her husband from the hands of abductors. It was learnt the kidnappers escaped with bullets wounds around Mkar hills. They also abandoned their bullet Honda pilot jeep. (Photo : Unsplash/Greg Bulla) Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced plans to construct an 80-acre base on Friday to accommodate up to 1,800 Texas National Guard members near Eagle Pass, a border city at the center of a dispute between the state and the Biden administration regarding federal immigration policy. The Future Home of the Texas Military Previously, the Texas National Guard was spread out across this area, often in cramped conditions and separated from their fellow soldiers. They would sometimes have to travel long distances to fulfill their duties, said Abbott during a press conference, with a banner behind him reading "Future Home of the Texas Military Department, Forward Operating Base." As it expands, the new base camp will significantly enhance soldiers' living conditions and accommodate up to 2,300 personnel. Abbott was joined by the state's border czar, Mike Banks, and Texas military department Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Suelzer mentioned that the construction cost of the base would be "minimal," explaining that housing guard members for Operation Lone Star at the base would save expenses compared to their current lodging in hotel rooms. However, the exact construction cost was not disclosed during the news conference. According to a statement from Abbott's office, the camp will include a dining facility, a recreation center, laundry facilities, individual rooms for troops, and health care facilities. A Feud with President Biden Over Immigration Policy The Texas Republican Governor has clashed with President Biden over migrants crossing the US-Mexico border. In 2021, Abbott announced Operation Lone Star, Texas' independent border security initiative to fight illegal immigration in response to what state officials called "reckless open border policies" from the Biden administration. Federal Law Enforcements' Restricted Access to Certain Areas Tensions have risen since state authorities installed razor wire along the border, restricting federal law enforcement's access to certain areas, and continued to transfer migrants to Democratic-controlled cities across the U.S. READ ALSO: Labor's $255 Million Pledge: Boosting Security Measures for Released Detainees Last month, a woman and two children, migrants from Mexico, drowned in an area near Eagle Pass, where state authorities had restricted federal access. After the migrant deaths, a letter from Department of Homeland Security General Counsel Jonathan Meyer expressed concern over Texas's failure to grant access to the border, even in situations of imminent danger to life and safety. The letter stated that Texas has shown it will not permit Border Patrol access to the border for law enforcement and emergency response activities, even in the most urgent circumstances. Biden Administration Removing Razor Wires at the Border Last year, Texas officials sued the Biden administration for removing razor wire at the border. Last month, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to allow Border Patrol agents to remove the razor wire installed in the Eagle Pass area as part of Abbott's security initiative. In contrast, the state's legal challenge to the wire removal continues. The Department of Homeland Security has requested that Texas grant "full access" to the border, stating that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Abbott and other Texas officials have pledged to stand firm and not yield. Building a Base Camp to Support Soldiers On Friday, Abbott emphasized that the Texas National Guard plays a vital role in addressing President Biden's border crisis, highlighting the necessity of constructing a base camp to support their efforts. The governor has previously criticized Biden for not fulfilling his duty to protect the nation's borders and for using taxpayer money to dismantle Texas's border security infrastructure. RELATED ARTICLE: Work Permit Strife: Rising Tensions Between Newcomers and Immigrants with Longtime US Residents 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Adegboyega Oyetola According to The Nation, following the recent confirmation of COVID-19 in Osun State announced by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in the early hours of Wednesday, the Osun State governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has said he has subjected himself and wife to coronavirus test and it came negative. The governor said this while briefing journalists at the Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo on the first confirmed case in the State. Oyetola said, Considering the fact that I was in Abuja for the better part of last week, as a way of leading by example, I have also subjected myself to test. My wife, because of her recent travel history also subjected herself to test. Both came back negative. Oyetola said the index case involved a returnee from the United Kingdom and he was tested at NCDC accredited center in Ede. His words, My dear people of Osun State, recall that I addressed you about two days ago concerning the measures we had taken to wage the war against Coronavirus. Sadly, I want to say that we have the first confirmed case of the novel Coronavirus in the State. It was confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC. The case is a returnee from the United Kingdom and is currently receiving treatment. The sample was tested at NCDC accredited Testing Centre, which is the African Centre of Excellence in Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Ede, Osun, and the result returned positive on Tuesday night. However, this confirmed case is not the first one we will be subjected to an investigation. But so far all the others have tested negative. The Government had contacted the family of the patient and has since commenced contact tracing to identify people who might have been in contact with the confirmed case. To this end, I want to passionately encourage all returnees from UK, US, Europe, the West African Coast and indeed other high-risk countries to self-isolate and submit themselves to test, so as to assist the government in containing the spread of the virus. The Emergency number to call is 293. Other numbers are 08035025692, 08033908772 and 08056456250. I want to urge you all to continue to observe necessary precautionary measures by regularly washing your hands with water and soap and also maintain the prescribed social distance. As part of our efforts to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the State, we have set up holding centres and the one in Asubiaro Specialist Hospital, Osogbo, is up and running, to isolate and treat suspected and reported cases of the virus in the State. Also speaking at the briefing, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamontu said, twenty Judges who returned from United Arab Emirate are on self-isolation. Giving more details about the confirmed cases he said, I spoke with him while he was in Lagos while he was on his way and he promised to get in touch with me as soon as he gets to Osun State. When he gets Ikire, he continuously rings my phones till he gets to Osogbo. He never hid from the check, the case was the self-reported case because he wanted to be sure if he had contacted the virus. He doesnt want to go home to avoid infecting his family with it. He has been cooperating so far Alexey Navalny, who the Russian prison service says died on Friday, was a man as ambitious as he was spectacularly brave, punished for actions that would have been rewarded in other societies. All of those in the West who admire Vladimir Putin for his strength and anti-liberal values should take a long hard look, because Navalnys fate is the true face of the Kremlins rule. Navalny was arrested countless times for political protests, poisoned with a nerve agent, and jailed in effect for life on charges of extremism. In reality, he was punished for daring to oppose and expose Russias ruling kleptocracy. He had already outlived his life expectancy, not because he was unhealthy or, at 47, old, but rather because of the abuse he was subjected to in jail. He may well have fainted on a walk at his prison camp in northern Siberia, as the prison authority said, yet its all but certain that his death was caused by what was done to him before. As a victim, Navalny was far from unique. Boris Nemtsov, one of the few genuine opposition politicians to survive long into Putins rule, was assassinated while crossing a bridge next to the Kremlin in 2015. Numerous countries have introduced so-called Magnitsky acts, in response to the 2009 killing in prison of Sergei Magnitsky, a tax advisor who exposed a massive fraud by the same Interior Ministry that cooked up charges to jail him. A list of all the Kremlin-critical journalists, politicians, activists and inconvenient businesspeople whove been shot, poisoned or fallen out of windows in Putins Russia is long. And yet Navalny was special, in that he seemed able to get under the Kremlins skin like nobody else. Had he ever been allowed to run in an election, he almost certainly would have lost to Putin, his nemesis. He was no liberal, in the woke sense of the word. Early on in his political activism, he went on marches with nationalists and neo-Nazis, whom he saw as allies, because at the time long before the invasion of Ukraine they also opposed Putin. What made Navalny dangerous to the Kremlin was that he had the extraordinary degree of courage needed to investigate and expose the secret wealth of the nations most powerful men, plus he had a genius for using modern media to broadcast their alleged theft in a country that has no free press. Navalny was poisoned while on a plane in Russia and almost died in 2020. He was flown to Germany for treatment, where it was found that the weapon used had been a military grade nerve agent called Novichok, which has also been used in other assassination attempts on Russian dissidents, including in the UK. Navalnys YouTube film on Kremlin corruption, "Palace for Putin," was made while he was in Germany recovering. Yet he released it only after returning to Russia in 2021 because we do not want the main character of this film to think that we are afraid of him. As soon as he landed in Russia, Navalny was arrested, continued his activism in jail, was routinely placed in solitary confinement, and then transferred to a prison camp in northern Siberia in December, when he looked increasingly weak. Now hes dead. "Palace for Putin" was viewed more than 129 million times and that was just the one about a vast building on the Black Sea coast that the Kremlin has denied belonged to the Russian president. Then there was the expose that alleged Putin also owns a $700 million superyacht and another about vast estates Navalny tied to former President Dmitry Medvedev. In a kind of quantitative take on Navalnys place in Russia, the Levada Center, Russias most independent polling agency, asked in 2021 how many people had seen "Palace for Putin," and whether it had changed their attitudes to the president. More than a quarter of the country, 26%, had watched the video, according to the poll. Of these, 17% said their view of Putin had gotten worse as a result, 77% said it had no impact, and 3% said they now thought better of him. Like most dissidents, Navalny was no saint. But he stood out for the sheer bravery of his decisions, above all in returning to Russia after what was clearly an assassination attempt by the state. I say clearly not just because Novichok is a chemical weapon only available to Russian state organs, but also because Navalny recorded his call to one of the men suspected of putting the poison in his underpants while he was traveling. The man confirmed what he and his colleagues had done. Navalny cooperated in a documentary about him while in Germany. Asked by the director what message he would have for the Russian people should he be killed, he said it should be that: Evil is only able to proliferate if good people do nothing, so dont be inactive. Navalny was never that, even when he had already experienced the full extent of the regimes plans for him. He may not have been afraid of the Kremlin, but the Kremlin was obviously afraid of him. The parliamentary candidate of the NDC in the Effutu constituency, James Kofi Annan, has urged the National Peace Council to intervene to avert a potential violent confrontation between the NDC and the NPP. According to him, the patience of the NDC has been overstretched, and the party will soon be left with no option but to defend itself. James Kofi Annan stated this when he addressed newsmen in Winneba over the weekend. According to him, there was widespread violence during the just-ended District Assembly elections in the Effutu constituency, but the Ghana Police Service failed to protect the citizens. He said the NPP brought military men to attack and brutalize NDC sympathizers, even though the local assembly elections are supposed to be non-partisan. Mr. Annan stated, for instance, that it was reported that an armed military officer accompanying the Effutu MP slapped a polling agent at Roman School because he resisted an instruction from the MP. Another military man in his company slapped an NDC branch executive at the polling center in Sankor. Abena Serwa and Emmanuel Coffie (reporters of Nyce FM and Radio Gold, respectively) were reportedly attacked with a sharp knife by one Adams, a known NPP activist, who collected their money, mobile phones, and other valuables and boasted that he would kill them and nothing could be done to him. It has been two months, and nothing has indeed happened to him," Mr. Annan stated. According to him, the NPP, through the Effutu Municipal Assembly, is engaging in such extreme provocations that can result in violent confrontations. He said that in the last couple of years, the Assembly embarked on the demolition of the billboards that he would have used for his personal and campaign activities, even though he had paid the necessary fees and bills to the same municipal assembly. The assembly has provocatively allowed the NPP to erect Afenyo-Markins billboards on the same spots where my billboards were demolished, and in some cases, it is my billboard structures that have been re-erected and Afenyo-Markins posters pasted on those billboards. "This is a recipe for violence, and I wonder why, after several protestations, the National Peace Council is still quiet about the situation. Is the National Peace Council waiting for violence to erupt before they issue statements?, Mr. Annan quizzed. We in the NDC have gotten to the boiling point and are serving notice that if the state institutions are not going to act to protect our people, we will find ways to protect ourselves," he concluded. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Electoral Commission (EC) has revealed that the proposal to change the election date from December 7 to November 7 will be effective but not in this electioneering year. Dr. Eric Asare Bossman, the Deputy EC Chairman in charge of Corporate Services noted that the legislation required for the change in date to be implemented will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible for possible consideration. Dr. Bossman said, "So within the last few months, this is something the commission is going to trigger. Earlier in the year, the EC proposed the date change, along with considerations for designating the election days as national holidays. These proposals were presented during the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held on Monday, January 22, 2024 in Accra. According to the electoral commission, declaring the Election Day as holiday will increase the Electoral College and will promote a robust democracy culture. However, a section of Ghanaians, including the National Democratic Congress (NDC), opposed the idea stating that the timing is not appropriate, thus, the likelihood of the change of date resulting in utter confusion will be high. The NDC explained further that, it will be prudent for the electoral commission to have change made against the election in 2028. Deputy EC Chairman, Dr. Asare Bossman, while clarifying the matter on JoyNews stated that the move is not expected to be implemented during this years polls. He said, That was agreed with the political parties that in the event we cannot marshal the forces of IPAC to have it in November in 2020, the commission should take steps to ensure that in 2028, we are going to have it in November. The Deputy EC Chairman further explained that the new date will be a selected day in November, and not November 7 as widely speculated. "This must be clear, we were not talking about November 7. At the IPAC meeting, the decision was a day in November. So it can be the first Monday, a second Monday, a third Monday or Tuesday or Friday or Thursday. 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. Featured Video Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye is known to always add a bow tie as a cherry on top of his dressing. In an interview explaining his love for bowties, Okoe Boye is reported to have said: Most people dont know that the bow tie is not difficult to get and is also easy to wear, unlike the long tie that you have to make a knot. Dr. Okoe Boye was recently appointed as Health Minister in a reshuffle announced by President Akufo-Addo. Insight Managing Editor, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., congratulating his 'friend and brother', Okoe Boye during a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', sought to find out whether he will still be wearing his popular bow tie as a Health Minister. Listen to him in the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Nana Ofori Owusu has applauded the Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alex Afenyo-Markin, on his appointment as Majority Leader in Parliament. The Effutu lawmaker is said to replace the Suame Parliamentarian, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the current Majority Leader. This follows the President's ministerial reshuffle, which saw the exit of the Finance and Health Ministers, Ken Ofori-Atta and Kwaku Agyemang Manu among others. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has been appointed to head the Finance Ministry, with the Director of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, being sent to the Health Ministry. Speaking on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Nana Ofori, the National Chairman of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), expressed delight that Hon. Afenyo-Markin has won the opportunity to lead the Majority Caucus. To him, the people of Effutu are proud of their Member of Parliament. "I am excited for him, and I know the people of Effutu will be happy...If Alex Markin has been appointed Majority Leader, we are very happy for that. To the Effutu people, we are blessed that somebody from the Effutu has been able to rise to that level, so, on that score from a brotherly perspective, I wish him well in his new endeavor," he said. 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. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Coot nesting on a bike on a lake in Copenhagen. Birds and humans also co-inhabited specific environments in our prehistory, new research shows. Credit: Lisa Yeomans Roughly 14,500 to 10,500 years ago, in the transition from the last glacial period, Epipaleolithic and Neolithic peoples harvesting vegetation from the wetlands of eastern Jordan created a habitat for birds that would otherwise have migrated, a new study published in the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory reveals. It shows that human activity is not necessarily detrimental to biodiversity but may allow for species to co-inhabit specific environments, the researchers suggest. The presence of humans is usually associated with negative effects on flora and fauna, and our species has demonstrably influenced biodiversity negatively in the course of history. But in the study, titled "Waterfowl Eggshell Refines Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction and Supports Multi-species Niche Construction at the Pleistocene-Holocene Transition in the Levant," a team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Turin has discovered that some human activities may have had an encouraging effect on biodiversity through modification of specific ecosystems. "The ecosystem in question is the Shubayqa wetlands of eastern Jordan that is now only seasonally flooded. But recent evidence has shown that water was likely available through much of the year, and therefore it was also possible for waterfowl and other species to exist there all year round if they had a suitable habitat," said zooarchaeologist Lisa Yeomans from the University of Copenhagen. The team's excavations at the sites of Shubayqa have produced evidence that the Neolithic peoples who occupied these sites for longer or shorter periods of time not only harvested emergent vegetation from the wetlands, but also hunted waterfowl and collected their eggs and feathers. "The presence of eggshells and bones of juvenile ducks and swans in the archaeological record indicates that these birds did indeed remain year-round to breed in the wetlands instead of returning to Europe. We know that the modern descendants of these birds can stay and breed in the region, but only if the environment is suitable for them, and we think that human management of the wetland vegetation did provide suitable ecological niches for them through harvest of the vegetation," added Lisa Yeomans. Wetland management: A pathway to agriculture? The archaeological cultures the researchers have been studying were periods when humans were on the cusp of developing agriculture. Recent studies have considered that habitat modification activities such as the ones documented at the Shubayqa wetlands of eastern Jordan might have been an important driver in this process. "We know that agriculture developed in this region not long after these cultures, and we suggest that intentional management of wetlands was an important stage in this process. The effort taken to alter the wetlands paid off in that it afforded improved foraging opportunities in terms of waterfowl, eggs and feathers," said anthropologist Camilla Mazzucato. "Novel paleoproteomic methodologies were developed to identify species of eggshells. Breeding waterfowl at Shubayqa demonstrates the year-round presence of water at the wetland. This has encouraged us to consider the agency of humans and other species in modifying the environment and move beyond simple deterministic interpretations of climate-driven innovation. "For millennia humans and animals have co-inhabited different environments adapting to the presence and actions of one another, and this co-habitation has, we argue, been crucial for innovations that subsequently led to the advent of agriculture." More information: Lisa Yeomans et al, Waterfowl Eggshell Refines Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction and Supports Multi-species Niche Construction at the Pleistocene-Holocene Transition in the Levant, Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s10816-024-09641-0 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This artists impression shows the record-breaking quasar J059-4351, the bright core of a distant galaxy that is powered by a supermassive black hole. Using ESOs Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, this quasar has been found to be the most luminous object known in the universe to date. The supermassive black hole, seen here pulling in surrounding matter, has a mass 17 billion times that of the sun and is growing in mass by the equivalent of another sun per day, making it the fastest-growing black hole ever known. Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser Using the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT), astronomers have characterized a bright quasar, finding it to be not only the brightest of its kind but also the most luminous object ever observed. Quasars are the bright cores of distant galaxies, and supermassive black holes power them. The black hole in this record-breaking quasar is growing in mass by the equivalent of one sun per day, making it the fastest-growing black hole to date. The black holes powering quasars collect matter from their surroundings in an energetic process that emits vast amounts of light. So much so that quasars are some of the brightest objects in our sky, meaning even distant ones are visible from Earth. Generally, the most luminous quasars indicate the fastest-growing supermassive black holes. "We have discovered the fastest-growing black hole known to date. It has a mass of 17 billion suns and eats just over a sun per day. This makes it the most luminous object in the known universe," says Christian Wolf, an astronomer at the Australian National University (ANU) and lead author of the study published Nature Astronomy. The quasar, called J0529-4351, is so far away from Earth that its light took over 12 billion years to reach us. This video takes us on a journey from our Milky Way far into the sky to the quasar J0529-4351, the bright core of a distant galaxy, in the direction of the Pictor constellation. Credit: ESO/N. Risinger (skysurvey.org)/Digitized Sky Survey 2/Dark Energy Survey/M. Kornmesser. Music: Astral Electronic The matter being pulled in toward this black hole, in the form of a disk, emits so much energy that J0529-4351 is over 500 trillion times more luminous than the sun. "All this light comes from a hot accretion disk that measures seven light-years in diameterthis must be the largest accretion disk in the universe," says ANU Ph.D. student and co-author Samuel Lai. Seven light-years is about 15,000 times the distance from the sun to the orbit of Neptune. Remarkably, this record-breaking quasar was hiding in plain sight. "It is a surprise that it has remained unknown until today when we already know about a million less impressive quasars. It has been staring us in the face until now," says co-author Christopher Onken, an astronomer at ANU. He added that this object showed up in images from the ESO Schmidt Southern Sky Survey dating back to 1980, but it was not recognized as a quasar until decades later. Finding quasars requires precise observational data from large areas of the sky. The resulting datasets are so large that researchers often use machine-learning models to analyze them and tell quasars apart from other celestial objects. However, these models are trained on existing data, which limits the potential candidates to objects similar to those already known. If a new quasar is more luminous than any other previously observed, the program might reject it and classify it instead as a star not too distant from Earth. Credit: ESO An automated analysis of data from the European Space Agency's Gaia satellite passed over J0529-4351 for being too bright to be a quasar, suggesting it to be a star instead. The researchers identified it as a distant quasar last year using observations from the ANU 2.3-meter telescope at the Siding Spring Observatory in Australia. However, discovering that it was the most luminous quasar ever observed required a larger telescope and measurements from a more precise instrument. The X-shooter spectrograph on ESO's VLT in the Chilean Atacama Desert provided crucial data. The fastest-growing black hole ever observed will also be a perfect target for the GRAVITY+ upgrade on ESO's VLT Interferometer (VLTI), which is designed to accurately measure the mass of black holes, including those far away from Earth. Additionally, ESO's Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), a 39-meter telescope under construction in the Chilean Atacama Desert, will make identifying and characterizing such elusive objects even more feasible. This image shows the region of the sky in which the record-breaking quasar J0529-4351 is situated. Using ESOs Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, this quasar has been found to be the most luminous object known in the universe to date. This picture was created from images forming part of the Digitized Sky Survey 2, while the inset shows the location of the quasar in an image from the Dark Energy Survey. Credit: ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2/Dark Energy Survey Finding and studying distant supermassive black holes could shed light on some of the mysteries of the early universe, including how they and their host galaxies formed and evolved. But that's not the only reason why Wolf searches for them. "Personally, I simply like the chase," he says. "For a few minutes a day, I get to feel like a child again, playing treasure hunt, and now I bring everything to the table that I have learned since." More information: Christian Wolf, The accretion of a solar mass per day by a 17-billion solar mass black hole, Nature Astronomy (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-024-02195-x. www.nature.com/articles/s41550-024-02195-x Journal information: Nature Astronomy Provided by ESO This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Since 1996, a deadly neurodegenerative disease of cervids (deer, elk, moose, caribou, reindeer) has been spreading across Canada. On Jan. 31, 2024, chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected for the first time in British Columbia in two deer. In just over half a century from its first detection in the United States, it has since been reported in 32 states, five provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia), as well as in Norway, Sweden, Finland and South Korea. Disease-causing proteins CWD differs from other diseases, as it is caused by a protein called a prion. The protein is similar to other normal proteins in the body, except it's abnormally shaped. The abnormal folding of these disease-causing prion proteinswhich are found most abundantly in the brainleads to brain damage that makes the brain appear like a sponge. Diseases caused by prions in this manner are called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Other TSEs include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in people, bovine-spongiform encephalopathy ("mad cow disease") in cows, and scrapie in sheep and goats. And while there is no evidence at the moment that CWD can be transmitted to people, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control and Health Canada recommend that people not consume meat or other parts of an infected animal. The impacts of CWD extend beyond concerns over disease in people. CWD threatens our confidence in the health of wild animals, intersecting with broader issues of food safety and sovereignty. The impacts can be especially severe for individuals and communities for whom cervids are a part of traditional foods and livelihoods, such as Indigenous communities, hunters, harvesters, butchers and cervid farmers. Unlike many other infectious agents, animals infected with CWD do not recover and there is no current vaccine to prevent infection. This means that early detection and management is critical for reducing the impact of this disease. British Columbia's preparations Since 2002, the province of B.C. has established a surveillance program to detect CWD as soon as possible. Now that CWD has been detected in the province, the next step will be to chart a path forward for an effective, efficient and sustainable management program. The good news is that we have options. Our research team has been reviewing management approaches that have been used throughout North America. Although there aren't many examples of successful CWD eradicationNew York is one exception, as the only U.S. state to have stopped a CWD outbreak through an intensive and comprehensive testing and culling programthere have been tremendous efforts to reduce CWD prevalence. Our research suggests that a robust approach to such a difficult disease will require rapid, collective and collaborative action across sectors. This approach must involve wildlife managers, hunters, local communities, First Nations and researchers to integrate a number of approaches. Surveillance and management Many CWD management programs rely on removing infected animals from the landscape. This might involve population reduction through hunting, intensive culling and by increasing harvesting permits. Targeted removal both reduces the number of infected animals in the environment and provides us with necessary samples to identify which animals are infected and where they are. This is because there are currently no ways to test living animals for CWD. We require specific tissues of the head (lymph nodes and tonsils) for testing. While it is mandatory to submit the heads from hunted cervids in select management units in B.C., in most regions, submission is voluntary. Hunters can participate in CWD management and surveillance by removing the head of the animal and submitting it to a local testing station or freezer for CWD testing. The public can also participate in CWD surveillance and management by reporting signs of sick animals and vehicle collisions with cervids. While CWD is sometimes portrayed as a "zombie deer" disease, with staggering footsteps, weight loss and a drooping head, in truth, most infected animals appear healthy. An infected cervid may not show signs of illness for 18 months to two years, and by then they may have been removed from the landscape by other animals, hunters or vehicles. This is why testing cervids that have been killed by vehicles is also a critical component of CWD surveillance and management. Curbing the spread Removing and testing animals is just one part of management. CWD can spread between animals through contact with bodily fluids. And although it's not possible to manage when and where an animal dies or defecates, it is possible to restrict the movement of infected carcasses and animal fluids across and within provincial borders. Legal restrictions on carcass transport and the use of urine-based scents in hunting can also reduce the unintentional spread of CWD. Since CWD prions can remain in the environment for years, it is important to regulate the use of scents and other deer attractants and ensure carcasses are removed to prevent prions from persisting in soil and water. CWD management is complex. What works in one location might not work in another. Developing a robust management program in B.C. will require community engagement to ensure management approaches are rooted in local contexts, perspectives and priorities. Research has shown that community-focused communication and engagement are essential for the success of CWD management efforts. In the days ahead, fostering open dialogue and collaboration will be paramount towards an effective and sustainable effort against CWD. We're in this together. And together we can work to protect wildlife and the people and economies that depend on them. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. (Photo : Unsplash/Campaign Creators ) The surge in remote work during the pandemic drastically changed workplaces, and the push to return to the office now questions the new standard that emerged for corporate America. A hybrid job model can be attractive for new workers, as it offers flexible schedules, less commuting time, and opportunities for in-person interaction with colleagues. However, not all workers are excited about this approach because of proximity bias. The Proximity Bias Reality Proximity bias occurs when senior leaders unintentionally favor employees who work closely with them physically over remote workers, originating from the mistaken belief that office-based employees are more productive and dedicated than remote ones. Although not a new phenomenon, this bias has recently become a more significant issue. A study by SHRM discovered that two-thirds of business leaders believe it's easier to replace remote workers than those who work in the office. Also, according to Live Data Technologies, remote workers were promoted 31% less frequently than their in-person or hybrid-working counterparts in 2023. READ ALSO: IBM Issues a Three-Day In-Office Ultimatum to Remote Managers: Move Near the Office or Leave How to Overcome Proximity Bias Safeguard Global's solution to proximity bias is a flexible approach that lets employees work in ways that suit their lifestyles and preferences. It's more than just working from different locations. CEO Bjorn Reynolds suggests five strategies based on his experience of having 90% of employees consistently working remotely: 1. Changing the Company's Culture Embrace a 'flexibility-first' mindset organization-wide to promote equal value for all working styles. Focus on policies and technologies that enable seamless collaboration, no matter where employees are located. By using digital tools for communication, you create an inclusive environment where everyone can engage, fostering a sense of belonging and unity, regardless of diverse work arrangements. 2. Training Management Effectively Managers need to fairly recognize the efforts of remote and hybrid workers, just as they do for those in the office. Companies should focus on empathy and enhancing virtual communication skills to overcome proximity bias. Training managers on "last touch" bias, where recent interactions are more memorable, can help them adopt a broader, more long-term perspective on employees. 3. Inclusion of All Employees in Meetings Encourage leaders to hold "skip-level" meetings, directly engaging with employees one or more levels below the organization to promote open communication that can offer insights into team challenges and successes. They also facilitate direct interaction between leadership and all staff levels, aiding in understanding and addressing the needs of remote workers. 4. Listening to the Workers Create policies that consider the needs and values of your entire workforce by regularly seeking feedback to improve employee satisfaction and promote an environment where everyone's input matters. Keep in touch with employees to grasp their challenges and progress. Ensure all team members, no matter where they are, have equal access to information and leadership. 5. Ensuring Equal Opportunities Offer both remote and in-person employees equal opportunities for professional growth and advancement. Establish clear and fair methods for evaluating work based on accomplishments rather than location. Shift away from solely quantitative measures like hours worked or tasks completed and promote meaningful contributions to ensure fair promotion processes. Overcoming proximity bias is crucial for managing diverse global teams, whether they work remotely, in hybrid settings, or the office. This change improves access to global talent and enhances employee retention and productivity. RELATED ARTICLE: Employees Acting Out Roles in "Productivity Theater", Do Managers Need to Micromanage? 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The seven Colorado River states face a quickly approaching deadline to present a unified plan for how to manage the drying river that provides water for 40 million people across the West. But major disagreements remain ahead of next month's targetand the Upper Basin states, including Colorado, say they may submit their own proposal to the federal government instead. The seven states are tasked with proposing a long-term plan to manage the crucial river and its two major reservoirs. The river system generates electric power, fuels recreation economies across the West and irrigates 5.5 million acres of agricultural lands that feed the country. The amount of water in the Colorado Riveroverestimated from the beginningis shrinking because of climate change. Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the major water storage units on the river, remain dangerously low. All sides agree there is a crisis. But shared solutions remain elusive. The guidelines established in 2007 that determine how to manage the river's water in times of shortage are set to expire at the end of 2026. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which operates the river's two major reservoirs, has asked the states to present possible replacement guidelines in early to mid-March to avoid any disruptions from staff turnover that could result from the November election, the states' negotiators said. While all seven states continue to meet, it's unclear whether the seven negotiators will reach a consensus by that time. "Given the complexity of the challenges and the short amount of time for an initial submittal, it is possible that a consensus seven-state alternative may not be achieved within the next month," the Upper Basin states of Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah said in a joint statement to The Denver Post. Negotiators from the Lower BasinArizona, California and Nevadaechoed that uncertainty, with Tom Buschatzke, who is negotiating on behalf of Arizona, confirming there was doubt that a seven-state joint plan would be ready in March. The Upper Basin states are creating their own proposal to present to federal officials in case a seven-state consensus is not reached in time, according to the basin's statement. "This is an ongoing negotiation and there will be many touchpoints along the way," Becky Mitchell, Colorado's negotiator, said Feb. 15 during a public webinar about the negotiations. "I'm committed to working toward that early March deadline, and I know that my counterparts in the Upper Basin states are working together to have something ready. We also know that discussions will likely extend beyond this." Even if a seven-state plan isn't presented to the Bureau of Reclamation in March, the states can continue to work together to create such a plan. "This is not the end-all, be-all date," Mitchell said. "A seven-state solution is preferable if that can be achieved and I'm going to stay at that tablewe're going to keep the invites out there. I would open the invitation to any of my Lower Basin counterparts: Let's have those hard discussions at any time. I'm available nights and weekends." The seven states that use the Colorado River's water are divided into two basins, which access it in two different ways. The Lower Basin states sit downstream of Lake Powell and Lake Mead and rely on releases from the two massive reservoirs. The Upper Basin states are upstream of the reservoirs and primarily rely on spring runoff. Negotiators of the original 1922 Colorado River Compact allocated 7.5 million acre-feet of water to each basin. But the Lower Basin in recent years has used more than its allocation and drawn down the stores of water in Lake Powell and Lake Mead, which are at their lowest levels since they were filled. Upper Basin states routinely do not use their entire allocation, as the amount of water available is determined by the amount of precipitation. The key disagreement between the basins is who should have to give up waterand how much water should be given up to address climate change and the reservoirs' low levels. Upper Basin states argue that before they make any cuts, the Lower Basin states must first reduce their use to below what they are allotted. Lower Basin states, however, argue both basins should make reductions, which Mitchell called impossible and untenable. There are also places of agreement between the basins, Mitchell said. All seven states agree that they must address how climate change is shrinking the river's flows. One key area is the acknowledgment that the management system must account for water that evaporates from the river and water that is lost as it travels in canals and pipelines across the Lower Basin. The Lower Basin has agreed to address that loss in the post-2026 guidelines by reducing those states' use by 1.5 million acre-feet a year, Buschatzke said. The Lower Basin states are still negotiating exactly how to divvy up that loss, he said. "But more reductions are potentially needed, depending upon different hydrologies that might be in our futureespecially the more dry hydrologies that are in our future," he said. "From that point, we expect the Upper and Lower basins collectively to address what remains beyond that 1.5 million." That appears to be a sticking point for the Upper Basin. "I think one of the first steps would be, before discussing shared shortages, for everyone in the basin to only use what they're legally entitled to," Mitchell said. Negotiators from all seven states last spoke Feb. 2 and are planning to speak again this week, Buschatzke said. 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain With over half the world's population heading to the polls in 2024, disinformation season is upon usand the warnings are dire. The World Economic Forum declared misinformation a top societal threat over the next two years and major news organizations caution that disinformation poses an unprecedented threat to democracies worldwide. Yet, some scholars and pundits have questioned whether disinformation can really sway election outcomes. Others think concern over disinformation is just a moral panic or merely a symptom rather than the cause of our societal ills. Pollster Nate Silver even thinks that misinformation "isn't a coherent concept." But we argue the evidence tells a different story. A 2023 study showed that the vast majority of academic experts are in agreement about how to define misinformation (namely as false and misleading content) and what this looks like (for example lies, conspiracy theories and pseudoscience). Although the study didn't cover disinformation, such experts generally agree that this can be defined as intentional misinformation. A recent paper clarified that misinformation can both be a symptom and the disease. In 2022, nearly 70% of Republicans still endorsed the false conspiracy theory that the 2020 US presidential election was "stolen" from Donald Trump. If Trump had never floated this theory, how would millions of people have possibly acquired these beliefs? Moreover, although it is clear that people do not always act on dangerous beliefs, the January 6 US Capitol riots, incited by false claims, serve as an important reminder that a misinformed crowd can disrupt and undermine democracy. Given that nearly 25% of elections are decided by a margin of under 3%, mis- and disinformation can have important influence. One study found that among previous Barack Obama voters who did not buy into any fake news about Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election, 89% voted for Clinton. By contrast, among prior Obama voters who believed at least two fake headlines about Clinton, only 17% voted for her. While this doesn't necessarily prove that the misinformation caused the voting behavior, we do know that millions of black voters were targeted with misleading ads discrediting Clinton in key swing states ahead of the election. Research has shown that such micro-targeting of specific audiences based on variables such as their personality not only influences decision-making but also impacts voting intentions. A recent paper illustrated how large language models can be deployed to craft micro-targeted ads at scale, estimating that for every 100,000 individuals targeted, at least several thousand can be persuaded. We also know that not only are people bad at discerning deepfakes (AI generated images of fake events) from genuine content, studies find that deepfakes do influence political attitudes among a small target group. There are more indirect consequences of disinformation too, such as eroding public trust and participation in elections. Other than hiding under our beds and worrying, what can we do to protect ourselves? The power of prebunking Many efforts have focused on fact-checking and debunking false beliefs. In contrast, "prebunking" is a new way to prevent false beliefs from forming in the first place. Such "inoculation" involves warning people not to fall for a false narrative or propaganda tactic, together with an explanation as to why. Misinforming rhetoric has clear markers, such as scapegoating or use of false dichotomies (there are many others), that people can learn to identify. Like a medical vaccine, the prebunk exposes the recipient to a "weakened dose" of the infectious agent (the disinformation) and refutes it in a way that confers protection. For example, we created an online game for the Department of Homeland Security to empower Americans to spot foreign influence techniques during the 2020 presidential election. The weakened dose? Pineapple pizza. How could pineapple pizza possibly be the way to tackle misinformation? It shows how bad-faith actors can take an innocuous issue such as whether or not to put pineapple on pizza, and use this to try to start a culture war. They might claim it's offensive to Italians or urge Americans not to let anybody restrict their pizza-topping freedom. They can then buy bots to amplify the issue on both sides, disrupt debateand sow chaos. Our results showed that people improved in their ability to recognize these tactics after playing our inoculation game. In 2020, Twitter identified false election tropes as potential "vectors of misinformation" and sent out prebunks to millions of US users warning them of fraudulent claims, such as that voting by mail is not safe. These prebunks armed people with a factthat experts agree that voting by mail is reliableand it worked insofar as the prebunks inspired confidence in the election process and motivated users to seek out more factual information. Other social media companies, such as Google and Meta have followed suit across a range of issues. A new paper tested inoculation against false claims about the election process in the US and Brazil. Not only did it found that prebunking worked better than traditional debunking, but that the inoculation improved discernment between true and false claims, effectively reduced election fraud beliefs and improved confidence in the integrity of the upcoming 2024 elections. In short, inoculation is a free speech-empowering intervention that can work on a global scale. When Russia was looking for a pretext to invade Ukraine, US president Joe Biden used this approach to "inoculate" the world against Putin's plan to stage and film a fabricated Ukrainian atrocity, complete with actors, a script and a movie crew. Biden declassified the intelligence and exposed the plot. In effect, he warned the world not to fall for fake videos with actors pretending to be Ukrainian soldiers on Russian soil. Forewarned, the international community was unlikely to fall for it. Russia found another pretext to invade, of course, but the point remains: forewarned is forearmed. But we need not rely on government or tech firms to build mental immunity. We can all learn how to spot misinformation by studying the markers accompanying misleading rhetoric. Remember that polio was a highly infectious disease that was eradicated through vaccination and herd immunity. Our challenge now is to build herd immunity to the tricks of disinformers and propagandists. The future of our democracy may depend on it. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain South Africa relies heavily on energy from coal-fired power stations, which emit large quantities of carbon. But making the transition to greater use of renewable energies, such as solar, is being hampered by a number of factors. Chief among them is corruption, which is affecting the quality of institutions. In a recent paper I set out how perceptions of corruption in the country's institutions have had a huge impact on the country's transition to clean energy. This is particularly true of institutions involved in energy, such as the state power utility Eskom. My findings were based on an econometric model we developed, based on economic theory. It highlighted how perceptions of corruption and the effectiveness of government institutions influenced attitudes towards the country's energy transition efforts. Econometrics combines statistics, mathematical models and economic theories to understand and model economic problems. It uncovers the relationships and effects of various economic elements. The model showed that greater trust in institutions would make people, policymakers and businesses more inclined to adopt renewable energy practices. The study also found that the quality of the regulatory framework and government's effectiveness shaped people's views. This in turn affected decisions around adding renewable energy to the supply mix. These findings matter because South Africa's energy transition faces a host of challenges. These range from technical and financial challenges to broader political, socioeconomic and institutional hurdles. The key to a successful energy transition is policy that's aligned with what the environment and the society need. It's essential to improve institutional quality, put anti-corruption procedures in place and have clear rules. Energy mix and vision The energy situation in South Africa has changed significantly since the mid-1990s. Then, coal made up 73%-76% of the primary energy mix. Oil made up 21%-22%. By 2022, coal's share had fallen to almost 69%. The share of renewable energy sources had increased to roughly 2.3%. Our study supports others which show that 2008 was a turning point for the South African economy, particularly the energy sector. The factors involved included: the global financial crisis changes in government policies, such as monetary policies leadership changes in the country and at Eskom power cuts and rising electricity prices a downturn in the economy. Institutions and economic implications This research was designed to understand the impact of national policies, governmental efficiency and past dependency on fossil fuel. I based the models on historical data about the energy mix and governance scores. The analysis focused on the share of renewable energy in South Africa's total final energy consumption. I used this as a proxy for the nation's shift to cleaner energy. Institutional quality is a complex concept. In our modeling exercise we therefore used three of the World Governance Indicators to stand for institutional quality: corruption perception index regulatory qualityperceptions of government's ability to make regulations that support private sector development government effectivenessperceptions of the quality and trustworthiness of public services. The first model confirmed a positive relationship between perceptions of corruption-free institutions and the rollout of renewable energy. More renewable energy has been produced when governance scores have been highest. The second model showed that transparent and effective regulation potentially hindered the adoption of cleaner alternatives. This can be explained by the fact that regulatory decisions have mostly supported the country's energy dependence on fossil fuels. The energy markets, especially those for electricity, are doing better because of more sensible, open, and high-quality rules. As a result, this reduced the desire to switch to more environmentally friendly, renewable options. Finally, the third model indicated a negative relationship between higher government effectiveness and the share of renewable energy. Close ties between stable governments and the conventional energy sector are common. This can influence policy choices. If these well-established businesses oppose reforms that jeopardize their interestsmuch like the fossil fuel sector doesthe promotion of renewable energy sources may suffer. I also saw that there had been a slow rate of change in renewable energy share. That can be attributed to slow procurement processes, coupled with potential lobbying and corruptive practices. Next steps South Africa has a new Integrated Resource Plan 2023 which proposes a near-term (2023-2030) plan that combines gas, solar, wind and battery storage. But to boost the adoption of cleaner energy, South Africa needs to take urgent action to fight corruption and improve confidence in the country's institutions. Policymakers should focus first on making regulatory changes. Efficient procurement procedures and honest practices would speed up the shift to renewables. What's needed are streamlined procurement, greater transparency and more competition. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The English language is famous for the large number of words that express the idea of being drunk in a humorous wayso-called drunkonyms like "pissed," "hammered" or "wasted." British comedian Michael McIntyre even argues in a comedy routine that posh people can use any word to mean "drunk" in English, e.g., "I was utterly gazeboed" or "I'm gonna get totally carparked." With the myriad of possibilities, how can people understand new drunkonyms then? Two German linguists, Prof. Dr. Christina Sanchez-Stockhammer (Chemnitz University of Technology) and Prof. Dr. Peter Uhrig (FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg & ScaDS.AI Dresden/Leipzig), took Michael McIntyre's claim seriously and tested it in a linguistic study. "We were curious to find out if the synonyms of 'drunk' are used in similar contexts," explains Sanchez-Stockhammer. If that were the case, new word formations might inherit the meaning 'drunk' automatically from the context. The study was recently published in the Yearbook of the German Cognitive Linguistics Association. "We found that 'drunk' mainly occurs in the combinations 'too/so/very drunk,' but unexpectedly not with the kinds of adverb used by Michael McIntyre," explains Uhrig. By contrast, the drunkonyms ending in ed (e.g., "blasted" and "loaded") preferably occur with the expected intensifiers "completely" or "totally" (e.g., "completely loaded"). As expected, the combination of "be" + intensifying adverb + word ending in -ed is commonly used to refer to drunkenness, but not often enough to explain how language users understand new drunkonyms. Sanchez-Stockhammer and Uhrig, therefore, provide an additional explanation. By the time English native speakers reach adulthood, they have most likely experienced so many different words ending in -ed, meaning "drunk" that it allows them to interpret words with unknown meanings ending in -ed (e.g. "pyjamaed") as "drunk" in many contexts. The appendix of the paper alone contains a list of 546 English synonyms for "drunk" compiled from various sources. Even though excessive alcohol consumption may come with negative consequences, drunkenness is commonly discussed using a wide range of light-hearted linguistic means in English. Sanchez-Stockhammer observes, "The humorous effect of drunkonyms is often achieved through their indirectness." What renders McIntyre's examples "gazeboed" or "carparked" funny is that there is no obvious relation between the base (e.g. "gazebo") and the meaning "drunk." Indirectness is also present in other types of playful language, like Cockney rhyming slang, which provides the model for English drunkonyms like "Brahms" or "Schindler's" (short for "Brahms and Liszt" and "Schindler's list," both of which rhyme with the target word "pissed"). "The English language also expresses drunkenness indirectly by shortening phrases like 'blind drunk' and 'nicely drunk' to the corresponding drunkonyms 'blind' and 'nicely.' All this suggests that drunkonyms fit in well with English linguistic and humorous traditions," says Sanchez-Stockhammer. More information: Christina Sanchez-Stockhammer et al, "I'm gonna get totally and utterly X-ed." Constructing drunkenness, Yearbook of the German Cognitive Linguistics Association (2024). DOI: 10.1515/gcla-2023-0007 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay from Pexels A Japanese firm said Monday it had successfully launched a spacecraft tasked with inspecting potentially dangerous man-made junk floating around the Earth. The European Space Agency (ESA) estimates that around one million pieces of debris from satellites and rockets larger than a centimeterbig enough to "disable a spacecraft"are in orbit. The Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J) is meant to rendezvous with and examine the remains of a Japanese H2A rocket floating in space for the last 15 years, Astroscale Japan said. The probe was launched from New Zealand at 1452 GMT on Sunday, and Astroscale "has successfully made contact... and is ready to start operations", project manager Eijiro Atarashi said in a statement. The precise location and orbital position of the H2A upper stage rocket body, launched by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) space agency in 2009 and around the size of a bus, is not known. But using observation data from Earth, the estimated location will be determined and ADRAS-J will approach "from a safe distance" and then gather images to assess the structure's movements and condition. The ADRAS-J spacecraftwhich Astroscale says is the first of its kindwas selected by JAXA for the first phase of a program aimed at removing large debris of Japanese origin in cooperation with private companies. Junk like used satellites, parts of rockets and wreckage from collisions has been piling up since the space age began, with the problem accelerating in recent decades. Potential solutions include using a laser beam to push objects into a new orbit and Astroscale's own space "tow-truck", which uses a magnet to collect and move out-of-service satellites. The launch of the ADRAS-J mission came after Japan successfully blasted off its new flagship H3 rocket on Saturday after years of delays and two previous failed attempts. It also followed the country's successful landing last month of an unmanned probe on the Moonalbeit at a wonky anglemaking it just the fifth country to achieve a "soft" lunar landing. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Agricultural engineer Adriano Cruvinel checks on his soybean plants in Montividiu, Brazil. Inspecting a thriving green field, Brazilian farmer Adriano Cruvinel is beaming: Using a fraction of the chemical products he used to, he is growing even more soy, thanks to natural pesticides. Agricultural powerhouse Brazil may be the world leader in chemical pesticide use, but Cruvinel is part of a growing trend of farmers turning to natural products known as "biopesticides." "Our soy is doing great," says the 36-year-old agricultural engineer, giving a tour of his 1,400-hectare (nearly 3,500-acre) farm in the central-western county of Montividiu, as combine harvesters work their way across a field. "Thanks to the microorganisms we apply to the crop, it's a lot more resistant to pests and disease." Brazil, the world's biggest exporter of soy, corn and cotton, is also the top consumer of chemical pesticides: nearly 720,000 metric tons in 2021, or one-fifth of global sales, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. Seeking to improve his profits, in 2016 Cruvinel started transitioning toward so-called "regenerative" agriculture. The technique seeks to restore the soil's biodiversity, replacing chemical fertilizers and pesticides with natural alternatives. He still uses genetically modified soy, widespread in Brazil. But near those fields he built an ultra-modern laboratory and factory. Organic products, including fungi and bacteria, are used by farmer Adriano Cruvinel as natural pesticides. Inside, refrigerators conserve fungi and bacteria, some harvested from forestland on his farm. He cultivates them en masse in vats, then uses them to treat his fields. "Here, we imitate nature on a giant scale," says Cruvinel, who has replaced 76 percent of the chemical pesticides he formerly used with natural products. The approach is good for health and the environment, but also business: His production costs have fallen by 61 percent, while his soy yields have risen by 13 percent, he says. 'Long way to go' Natural pesticides "could revolutionize Brazilian and global agriculture," says Marcos Rodrigues de Faria, a researcher at Embrapa, Brazil's public agricultural research agency. But "there's a long way to go," he adds. Brazil still relies heavily on chemical pesticides, known here as "agrotoxicos," or "agri-toxic" products. Workers harvest soybeans in Montividiu, Brazil. Natural products grew from four percent of total pesticide sales in Brazil in 2020 to nine percent in 2022. Their use has expanded four times faster in Brazil than internationally, says Amalia Borsari, of CropLife Brasil, an organization representing the agricultural chemicals industry. "There has been exponential growth," she says. Geographer Larissa Bombardi, an expert on pesticide use in Brazil, calls the trend "interesting." But she says it is not yet changing Brazil's dominant model of massive, land-intensive mono-crop agriculture, which leaves little room for small-scale producers or more environmentally friendly practices. "The surface area of land under cultivation in Brazil increased by 29 percent from 2010 to 2019, while pesticide use increased by 78 percent," she says. The agribusiness sector -- including the soybeans seen here -- accounts for nearly a quarter of Brazil's economy. 'Gift to agribusiness' The agribusiness sector accounts for nearly a quarter of Latin America's biggest economy, making the pesticide debate politically charged. After a long standoff with Congress, where agribusiness interests are a powerful force, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a bill into law in December softening regulations on agricultural chemicals. The veteran leftist used his line-item veto to block some controversial aspects of the bill. But the final text significantly lowered the bar for regulatory approval of new pesticides, drawing scathing criticism from environmentalists. Chemicals that can cause cancer and mutations or harm the environment are no longer automatically bannedonly those found to represent an "unacceptable risk." Bombardi calls the law a "tragedy" and "a gift to the agribusiness and agricultural chemicals industries." Brazil, the world's biggest exporter of corn, cotton and soy (seen here), is also the top consumer of chemical pesticides. The stakes go beyond Brazil. The country's massive use of pesticides is one of the main objections voiced by opponents of a landmark trade deal between the European Union and South American bloc Mercosur, in which Brazil is the biggest player. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A new report from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation says efforts to restore oyster populations could have benefits beyond just survival of the species. The report outlines strategies for reaping the most benefits from oyster restoration. Allison Colden, Maryland executive director for the foundation, said oysters are "a powerful tool" to mitigate and adapt to climate change and its challenges. "The bay is woven into the fabric of our everyday livesfrom casual conversation over crab feasts to those who make their living working on the water each and every day," Colden said. "The social, cultural and economic benefits of the bay are increasingly at risk from the threats of climate change, increased precipitation, storm intensity and sea-level rise, threaten homes and critical infrastructure. "Sunny-day or nuisance flooding renders our roads impassable, cutting off businesses and emergency services. Shoreline properties are eroding at increasing rates as well as increasing temperatures challenging the electrical grid on our summer's hottest days." According to the report, furthering restoration of oysters would help coastal communities vulnerable to sea-level rise. Specifically, living shorelines that include oyster shell reefs are a natural approach to protecting them from erosion. Healthy oyster reefs can also help protect the habitats that capture and store carbon. The report states that strong policies reduce shoreline hardening and incorporating oyster habitat can re-create "continuous, interconnected natural systems" that protect coastal areas against storms and erosion. Currently, the foundation estimates roughly 14% of Chesapeake Bay shorelines in Maryland and 11% in Virginia are considered "hardened," by using shoreline protections such as bulkheads and revetments. Doing so will also provide additional benefits for other coastal species, habitats and economies, the report continues. Oysters also filter sediment and algae from the water, the report states, increasing the clarity that is needed for Chesapeake Bay vegetation to receive enough sunlight. At the same time, they deposit nutrient-rich organic matter on the bottom that supports growth. "We want to make sure that with the scientific tools we have available now, we can manage the oyster population to increase our harvest to levels that actually are sustainable in the future and not be in a situation where we follow good reproduction with unsustainable harvest, and therefore (oysters) experience drops in populations," said Chris Moore, CBF director for Virginia. "We've all seen how exciting the increase of oyster harvested in the last couple of years is. But we want to make sure that remains in an upward trajectory and, like I say, not somewhat of a bust cycle like we've seen over the last 2025 years or so." The report also outlines transparency and accountability recommendations for states along the bay. In Virginia, the foundation recommends better accounting and data-sharing about how many oyster-lease acres there are, and allowing the public to participate in recommending how oyster fisheries operate. Currently, the foundation reports that under the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, federal-state efforts are on track to fully restore 11 Chesapeake Bay tributaries for oyster habitat by 2025. Don Boesch, president emeritus for the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, said reaching the full potential for oysters' involvement in resiliency. "We can celebrate that and accept that as a success, but this accomplishment should be seen just as the beginning not the end, for recovery of the bay's oyster population," Boesch said. "We must continue to get an even smarter way, learning from what we've been able to do (and) building on what we've learned, to take the next steps recommended in this report by CBF in a way that is now also aligned with mitigating and adapting to climate change. While bold, these recommendations are entirely feasible in my opinion." 2024 The Virginian-Pilot. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Loren Babcock with a collection of Orton Museum's fossil fishes, including several from John Newberry. Credit: The Ohio State University Until recently, Orthacanthus gracilis could have been considered the "John Smith" of prehistoric shark names, given how common it was. Three different species of sharks from the late Paleozoic Eraabout 310 million years agowere mistakenly given that same name, causing lots of grief to paleontologists who studied and wrote about the sharks through the years and had trouble keeping them apart. But now Loren Babcock, a professor of earth sciences at The Ohio State University, has finished the arduous task of renaming two of the three sharksand in the process rediscovered a wealth of fossil fishes that had been stored at an Ohio State museum for years but had been largely forgotten. In order to change the names, Babcock had to go through a process governed by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). He had to document the need to change the names, propose new names and submit them to an ICZN-recognized journal for peer review and then have the ICZN officially accept the names. "It was one of the most complex naming problems we have had in paleontology, which is probably one reason no one attempted to fix it until now," Babcock said. "A lot of scientists in the field have written, thanking me for doing this. We are all happy it is finally done," he said. One measure of the impact the renaming has had on the field: Babcock's paper announcing the new names was just published in the journal ZooKeys on Jan. 8, but it has already been referenced on seven different Wikipedia pages. The original Orthacanthus gracilis fossil was found in Germany and named in 1848. That species gets to keep the name. The remaining two fossils were found in Ohio and named by the famous American paleontologist John Strong Newberry in 1857 and 1875. Babcock renamed the Ohio sharks Orthacanthus lintonensis and Orthacanthus adamas, both based on the name of the place where they were originally found. Why did Newberry give the two Ohio sharks the same name? "He probably just forgot. It was nearly 20 years between the time the two species were named," Babcock said. And as far as giving it the same name as a German species: "In those days, it was really difficult to search for names that were already in existencethey did not have the internet." The sharks themselves were fascinating creatures, Babcock said. They were large and creepy, nearly 10 feet long, and looked more like eels than present-day sharks, with long dorsal fins extending the length of their backs and a peculiar spine extending backward from their heads. They lived in the fresh or brackish water of what are known as "coal swamps" of the late Carboniferous Period (323299 million years ago) during the late Paleozoic Era. They belong to an extinct group of chondrichthyans (which includes sharks, skates and rays) called the xenacanthiforms. Newberry was for a time the chief geologist at the Geological Survey of Ohio. He played an important role in the early growth of what is now the Orton Geological Museum at Ohio State. Babcock, who is the current director of the Orton Museum, decided to begin the renaming process after reviewing the museum's collection. He was surprised to see how many fossils the museum had that had been collected by Newberry, including the two prehistoric sharks. Babcock wrote about Orton's Newberry collection in a new article published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Through the years, scientists have written about how various Newberry specimens had been lost. It turns out many had been at the Orton Museum. "No museum has a larger collection of Newberry's fossils except for the American Museum of Natural History in New York City," Babcock said. "Not a lot of people are aware of thatI did not even know the extent of our collection. If you're looking for part of the Newberry collection and can't find it in the American Museum of Natural History, it is probably going to be here." More information: Loren E. Babcock, Replacement names for two species of Orthacanthus Agassiz, 1843 (Chondrichthyes, Xenacanthiformes), and discussion of Giebelodus Whitley, 1940, replacement name for Chilodus Giebel, 1848 (Chondrichthyes, Xenacanthiformes), preoccupied by Chilodus Muller & Troschel, 1844 (Actinopterygii, Characiformes), ZooKeys (2024). DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1188.108571 Loren E. Babcock, Some vertebrate types (Chondrichthyes, Actinopterygii, Sarcopterygii, and Tetrapoda) from two Paleozoic Lagerstatten of Ohio, U.S.A., Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2024). DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2308621 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: An artistic depiction of the 16 quantum states of the antimony atom, and all the different ways in which one can climb between them. Credit: UNSW Sydney Quantum computing engineers at UNSW Sydney have shown they can encode quantum informationthe special data in a quantum computerin four unique ways within a single atom, inside a silicon chip. The feat could alleviate some of the challenges in operating tens of millions of quantum computing units in just a few square millimeters of a silicon quantum computer chip. In a paper published in Nature Communications, the engineers describe how they used the 16 quantum 'states' of an antimony atom to encode quantum information. Antimony is a heavy atom that can be implanted in a silicon chip, replacing one of the existing silicon atoms. It was chosen because its nucleus possesses eight distinct quantum states, plus an electron with two quantum states, resulting in a total of 8 x 2 = 16 quantum states, all within just one atom. Reaching the same number of states using simple quantum bitsor qubits, the basic unit of quantum informationwould require manufacturing and coupling four of them. Lead author Irene Fernandez de Fuentes says the team, under the guidance of Scientia Professor Andrea Morello, drew on more than a decade's work that had established different methods of quantum control to show all were possible within the same atom. The antimony atom was implanted in the chip by colleagues at the University of Melbourne, using facilities of the Heavy Ion Accelerators at the Australian National University. "First, we showed that we could control the antimony's electron with an oscillating magnetic field, similar to the breakthrough in 2012 which was the first time a qubit had ever been demonstrated in silicon," she says. "Next we showed that we could use a magnetic field to manipulate the spin of the antimony's nucleus. This is the standard magnetic resonance method, as used for example in MRI machines in hospitals. The third method was to control the nucleus of the antimony atom with an electric field, something that was discovered by lucky accident in 2020. "And the fourth way was to control both the antimony nucleus and the electron in opposition to each other, using an electric field using so-called flip-flop qubits, which was demonstrated by this team last year. "This latest experiment shows that all four of these methods can be used in the same silicon chip using the same architecture." The advantage of having four different methods is that each method gives computer engineers and physicists more flexibility when designing future quantum computing chips. For example, magnetic resonance is faster than electric resonance, but the magnetic field spreads widely in space, so it may also affect neighboring atoms. Electric resonance, while slower, can be applied very locally to select one specific atom without affecting any of its neighbors. "With this big antimony atom, we have the complete flexibility of how we integrate it with a control structure over a silicon chip," Prof. Morello says. Why this matters The quantum computers of the future will have millions, if not billions of qubits working simultaneously to crunch numbers and simulate models in minutes that would take today's supercomputers hundreds or even thousands of years to complete. While some teams around the world have made progress with large numbers of qubits, such as Google's 70 qubit model or IBM's version which has more than 1000, they require much larger spaces for their qubits to work without interfering with one another. But the approach that Prof. Morello and other colleagues have taken at UNSW is to design quantum computing using technology already in use to make conventional computers. While progress may be slower in terms of numbers of working qubits, the advantage of using silicon will mean being able to have millions of qubits in a square millimeter of chip. "We are investing in a technology that is harder, slower, but for very good reasons, one of them being the extreme density of information that it'll be able to handle," says Prof. Morello. "It's all very well to have 25 million atoms in a square millimeter, but you have to control them one by one. Having the flexibility to do it with magnetic fields, or electric fields, or any combination of them, will give us lots of options to play with when scaling up the system." Back to the lab Next, the group will use the large computational space of the antimony atom to perform quantum operations that are much more sophisticated than those afforded by plain qubits. They plan to encode a 'logical' qubit within the atoma qubit built upon more than two quantum levels, to get enough redundancy to detect and correct errors as they occur. "This is the next frontier for practical, useful quantum computer hardware," says Prof. Morello. "Being able to build an error-corrected logical qubit within a single atom will be a tremendous opportunity for scaling up silicon quantum hardware to the point where it becomes commercially useful." More information: Irene Fernandez de Fuentes et al, Navigating the 16-dimensional Hilbert space of a high-spin donor qudit with electric and magnetic fields, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45368-y This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Charles Darwin University (CDU) researchers and Yugul Mangi Rangers have discovered a population of the rare threatened Speartooth Shark in the Roper River. Credit: Charles Darwin University Charles Darwin University (CDU) researchers and First Nations Yugul Mangi Rangers have discovered a new population of a rare and threatened shark species in the Northern Territory's Roper River. The Speartooth Shark or Glyphis glyphis is a rare species of river shark that inhabits only a small number of tropical rivers and adjacent marine waters in northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea. The species is currently listed as Critically Endangered under Australia's national environmental legislation, with a very small population and a restricted geographic range. CDU Ph.D. candidate Julia Constance, who is studying the movement ecology of the Speartooth Shark, said there is still much to learn about this rare species. "The Speartooth Shark is quite elusive and occurs in very particular habitats. This can make them susceptible to changes in their environment," Constance said. "We do know that female adults return to the same rivers they were born to pup, and that juveniles spend their early years in rivers, so it makes understanding their river habitats all the more important." The Speartooth Shark can grow to be over 2.5 meters in length and is one of only a handful of sharks around the world that occur in rivers. They favor brackish and very muddy waters of large tidal rivers. The Roper River, which flows into the remote southwestern Gulf of Carpentaria, contains suitable Speartooth Shark habitat which had not previously been surveyed for the species. To find out whether a population of Speartooth Sharks lived in the Roper River, researchers traveled to Port Roper in September and November last year. "We mapped areas of the river for salinity levels that might point us to where the sharks could be before casting fishing lines in the river," Constance said. "We caught 40 Speartooth Sharks including pups (newborn sharks), showing that this is a breeding population." "We were able to measure each shark, record their sex, assess their level of maturity, and take a genetic sample before releasing them," she said. The Roper River is a unique environment fed by groundwater during the dry season and by runoff from surrounding catchments and rivers such as the Wilton River in the wet season. It is home to iconic barramundi, crocodiles, huge freshwater stingrays, and threatened sawfish. Recently the aquifer that supplies the river was given the go-ahead for a massive water extraction known as the Georgina Wiso allocation. CDU's Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Senior Research Fellow Dr. Peter Kyne said a greater understanding of this species' environment is needed to learn what impact these changes will have. "The results of our survey showed that the Speartooth Shark occur in a limited stretch of the downstream Roper River, and the population could decline rapidly in the face of threats, so we need to determine how these environmental changes impact them and come up with ways of managing them," Dr. Kyne said. "If we don't, then this unique and isolated population that call the Roper River home could be lost forever." Constance worked closely with the Yugul Mangi Rangers from Ngukurr who joined the researchers on fieldwork to share knowledge of the river and help the survey efforts. "The rangers will play an important part in helping to protect and preserve these species by helping with recreational fishing compliance and identifying any environmental changes," Constance said. Yugul Mangi Ranger Davin Hall said this discovery is exciting for the Rangers. "That's good we found the Speartooth Shark in the Roper River because we didn't know they lived in the muddy and brackish water here before," said Hall. (Photo : Unsplash/Norbert Buduczki) Anglo American Platinum Ltd. has proposed a restructuring that could impact around 4,300 jobs in its South African operations following a 71% drop in profits last year. Amplats Returns Were The Lowest in 30 Years Amplats, as the company is known, along with other companies in Johannesburg, has experienced a sharp decline in its financial situation. These companies enjoyed high profits due to strong demand from automakers, which drove the prices of metals like rhodium and palladium to record levels just two years ago. In December, Anglo American Plc, the company's parent, stated that returns for platinum-group metal miners were the lowest in 30 years and that the restructuring may affect approximately 3,700 Amplats employees, about 17% of its workforce, and over 600 contractors. A Call for Restructuring Amid Falling Metal Performance CEO Craig Miller stated in a Monday statement that further steps are needed to enhance resilience and competitiveness to sustain the business. These actions are essential to maintain the employment of thousands of workers and contractors. On a conference call, Miller stated that the restructuring is a last resort, given the recognition of unemployment challenges in South Africa and the potential socio-economic impact on people and communities. READ ALSO: Albemarle Cuts Jobs and Pauses Project's Expansion, Faces "Road Bumps" Amid Dropping Lithium Prices Significant Dropping Trend in Amplats' Profit The Johannesburg-based company reported a significant drop in profit to 14 billion rand ($741.81 million) for the year ended December 31, compared to 48.8 billion rand the previous year. Amplats dividend was also reduced by 81% to 21.30 rand per share. The prices of the three main platinum-group metals have plummeted since the beginning of last year: platinum by 17%, palladium by 43%, and rhodium by 64%, hastened by destocking in the auto industry and lower-than-expected demand from China. Still, Amplats stated that the payout remains within its ratio of 40% of headline earnings, with the prices of palladium and rhodium dropping by 37% and 58%, respectively, during the year. Other South African mining companies like Sibanye Stillwater have also revealed intentions to reduce jobs because of the decline in metal prices. Section 189A: A Consultation Period Before Restructuring CEO Craig Miller stated that the Section 189A process includes consulting with trade unions and affected employees, facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration, and the final number of impacted jobs will only be determined after the consultation process is complete. Amplats has started reviewing its contractors and vendors, which might affect approximately 620 service providers and contractors. This review could lead to renegotiating some contract terms and scopes, not renewing contracts upon expiration, and even terminating contracts according to contractual provisions. Extensive Cuts as Part of Cost-Cutting Measures Anglo American CEO Duncan Wanblad told Reuters on February 5 that the group was considering more significant cost reductions if market conditions did not improve. In December, Anglo American had announced extensive cuts to save approximately $1.8 billion by 2026. Amplats is delaying planned projects at its Amandelbult complex as part of the cost-cutting measures, said the company. RELATED ARTICLE: 199,000 Jobs Trigger Unemployment Plunge, Signaling Strong Hiring Momentum and Economic "Soft-Landing" 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The Department of Defense is looking for a new home for SpaceX's Starship, launching the process to determine what the environmental impact would be to allow the world's most powerful rocket to launch from Florida's Space Coast. Led by the U.S. Air Force, which includes the Space Force, but working with NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard, what is officially called an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has the most rigorous requirements when weighing the detriments a project might have on its surroundings. The Air Force detailed its plans for the EIS on a new website: spaceforcestarshipeis.com. For now SpaceX continues to attempt test launches of the Starship and Super Heavy rocket from its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The company had two launches in 2023 in which the rocket generating more than 16 million pounds of thrust made it off the launch pad, but ultimately ended with the hardware exploding minutes after takeoff both times. The first of the two launches created so much power on liftoff that it destroyed the launch pad, prompting major changes that ultimately paid off for the second launch, with the pad sustaining little damage. A third attempt to get Starship to complete its suborbital test flight could come before the end of next month. The sheer power of Starship, though, had NASA raising flags as SpaceX has been constructing a tower at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A to support future Starship flights. This is the same pad where it launches Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches, but more importantly for NASA the only SpaceX launch pad at the time that could support human spaceflight. That led to SpaceX constructing a second support tower at nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 that could support human launches, although it has yet to complete it. And while SpaceX may one day use KSC for Starship launches, the Space Force is keen to make sure there's no delay in its ability to use the massive rocket for its own purposes. So the EIC is considering three options. One is to transition Space Launch Complex 37 after it supports the final United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket mission, expected to fly this summer. The second is to construct a new launch pad called Space Launch Complex 50 that would be located between SLC 40 and SLC 37 on currently undeveloped land. The final option is to do nothing. An EIC process can take years sometimes. It was one of the processes SpaceX officials feared would be required when it was pursuing the rights to launch from Texas at the end of the less rigorous "Environmental Assessment" under the National Environmental Policy Act. The next steps in the process are a series of public meetings. The first is on Tuesday, March 5, from 47 p.m. at the Catherine Schweinsberg Rood Central Cocoa Library, followed Wednesday, March 6, from 47 p.m. at the Titusville Civic Center and Thursday, March 7 from 47 p.m. at the Radisson Resort at The Port in Cape Canaveral. A virtual meeting on Tuesday, March 12, at 6 p.m. Eastern is also planned, according to the website. Starship is SpaceX's planned fully reusable rocket to eventually replace its Falcon family of rockets. Elon Musk's goal with the vessel is to enable settlement of Mars eventually, and the rocket has the capacity to fly up to 100 passengers or up to 500,000 pounds of cargo to space, which is more than three times the payload capacity of Falcon Heavy. The capacity of potential point-to-point flights on Earth, though, that could rapidly deploy cargo or even troops also has the Department of Defense interested in Starship's success. The purpose of pursuing the EIC is "to advance U.S. space capabilities and provide launch and landing infrastructure in furtherance of U.S. policy to ensure capabilities necessary to launch and insert (Department of the Air Force) payloads into space," according to the website. Among the needs listed for finding a new launch site are to ensure access to space without compromising current launch capability, maximize DOD space transportation infrastructure by the private sector, maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of that infrastructure, reduce costs to the DOD and encourage commercial space activities. The notion that government regulation was hampering SpaceX and other commercial companies' progress was the subject of discussion at last month's Space Mobility Conference in Orlando hosted by the Space Force. "I really don't get the sense that at this moment in time, we're readythat our government is ready and we need to encourage the appropriate investment and appropriate attention at the national level to enable what's coming," said SpaceX senior advisor Gary Henry, who advised the company's goals to launch hundreds of Starships from several launch pads in the coming years once it's up and running. The call to action was echoed by military members of the panel, including Air Force Col. Gabe Arrington, chief of disruptive technology. "We need to look within ourselves and within our organizations that we represent, and figure out how we can enable this critical capability to be expedited," he said. 2024 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Millions of dollars are being spent to add sand to Southern California beachesbut a new study suggests technology can give a better understanding of how sand moves, offering data decision-makers could use in planning how to fix the eroding coastline. A new paper published recently by University of California, Irvine researchers in the Coastal Engineering Journal analyzed beaches between Long Beach and La Jolla, offering new data and methods that can be used to figure out the most vulnerable areas of coastline and whether those beaches are suitable for the mega, costly projects often turned toward for trying to replenish and retain sand. The study comes as coastal cities across the state are grappling with eroding beaches, due in part to human development that has impacted natural sand supply but also rising sea levels and climate change. Because shrinking sand impacts everything from recreation, public access, infrastructure and the economy, decision-makers are searching for solutionshistorically, major sand replenishment projects have moved at a snail's pace, taking years and even decades to get through permitting and secure government funding. "I'm really excited to have the resources that help, potentially, inform these decisions," said Daniel Kahl, UCI researcher and lead author of the paper. "It can help us inform where nourishments will be most beneficial and where they won't be the best." The researchers used satellite imagery dating back nearly 20 years and wave data from that same period from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego to analyze "longshore transport," which is wave-driven movement of sand along the coast, the pathway that shows which direction sand will be redistributed. Their paper also analyzed "divergence of drift," which shows whether sand will accumulate or diminish, based on the movements of sand. "This method characterizes a process that can help us understand which areas of the beach are susceptible for erosion, but also where beaches might grow if given enough sand," Kahl said. The new information could help decision-makers better understand whether areas are "feeder" beaches that contribute to other coastal communities or whether sand stays put. "It's more complex than we previously thought," Kahl said. "Maybe there's more ideal locations for nourishments based on these sediment pathways we see. And there's areas where sand won't accumulate, and maybe that's not the best location (for a replenishment) and other sites should be considered." "The data essentially shows: Where do we get the most bang for our buck when it comes to placing sand on the coast," said Brett Sanders, UCI civil and environmental engineering professor and co-author of the published paper. The data showed, for example, that the Surfside beach along Orange County's northern coast, is an area that suffers from severe erosiona well-known fact and why the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is spearheading a $23 million project now underway to dredge and place 1.1 million cubic yards of sand there. It's a project done periodically since the 1960s. The project is thought to have regional benefit, with currents expected to spread sand nearly 12 miles to Newport Beachbut the latest data shows that may not be the case, the researchers said. Sand typically stops in Huntington Beach, part of the reason those beaches have continued to grow over the years at a rate of about 3 feet each year, Sanders said. And sand in West Newport, in turn, travels up the coast to Huntington Beach. So maybe Newport Beach officials reconsider if it's worth paying into the pot for that large replenishment project, Sanders said. "This is critical from a management perspective, because it tells us which communities along the coast need to work together on plans to manage the coast." Their research also validates the importance of sand retention structures in Newport Beachgroin jetties built in the 1960s to trap sandand the city's regular, ongoing efforts to nourish beaches with sand from the Newport Harbor and the Santa Ana River, Sanders said. San Clemente is a prime candidate for sand replenishment, with the material wanting to stick around, based on the models. The problem San Clemente is currently facing, however, is actually getting the sand. A $14 million project more than two decades in the making was put on hold a few weeks ago when the dredger ran into trouble sucking up rocks instead of sand at an Oceanside borrow site, with no definitive answer on when that project may get back on track. Other areas that need immediate attention are Doheny State Beach and San Onofre, shown in one of the research paper's graphics with bright red coloring, indicating "hot spots" where erosion is occurring at a rapid pace. Kahl is working on a drone project monitoring a recent small-scale sand project over the summer that involved about 3,000 truckloads of sand dumped on Capistrano Beach and Doheny State Beach, and said those areas hold sand well, according to the data. The recessed section of coastline in San Clemente, called a bight, from Cotton's Point in the south up to Dana Pointhas good sand retention and is a largely self-contained region from a sand transport perspective, meaning it's a good candidate for replenishment projects, according to the new paper. Sand near Cotton's Point wants to move up the coast, while sand near Dana Point tends to move down the coast, the researchers said. "This also makes the area well-suited for beach nourishment projects as waves will tend to keep the sand within the bightto the extent possible, before sand is dispersed offshore with large wave events," Sanders said. "The takeaway here is that fixing beach erosion in the Capistrano bight requires new sand supplies and the waves can do much of the remaining work to spread the sand up and down the coast between the two points." That kind of information could impact recent discussions in Dana Point and San Clemente about joining a group of coastal cities in San Diego trying to find regional solutions to sand replenishment, or if funds and efforts would be better spent on locally focused projects. "If you nourish San Clemente or Doheny, the sand isn't going to move south and nourish San Onofre," Kahl said the researchers' data indicates. "It will stay in that area. It will naturally grow if there's enough sand." "Beaches there have been eroding more rapidly in recent decades, and that area is starved of sand," he said. "If it was given adequate sand supply, our analysis suggests these beaches would be growing." The study also maps out other areas rapidly eroding, such as near the Wedge in Newport Beach north of the harbor entrance and several beaches in San Diego, including Del Mar and Encinitas. "We can see which beaches are being hit the hardest, which are doing better," Sanders said. "This satellite data will allow us to step back and see these hot spots before they turn into disasters. It could give us the ability to act earlier instead of waiting for beaches to completely disappear." Oceanside is an area that doesn't keep sand well and needs a sand-retention strategy, according to the data. "Nourishing alone would not be very effective there, that's what our data shows," Sanders said. "Waves want to push that sand back up the coast and even back into the harbor. This suggests the need to consider projects that could help to hold sand on the coast." The city is working on plans for a "living speed bump" project that would create offshore headlands to retain sand. "We do need to create an environment where there's space for innovation," Sanders said, adding future sea level rise and changes to the frequency and intensity of storms is expected to put stress on coastlines, especially near urban areas where infrastructure is at risk. "Communities and governments at every level will be pulled into conversations about ways to manage impacts, including plans for strategic retreat, plans to restore nature-based processes, and plans to nourish beaches," Sanders said. "Our research reveals an opportunity to make these plans with better data and information, and a better sense for the optimal scale at which to tackle the problem." More information: Daniel T. Kahl et al, Characterizing longshore transport potential and divergence of drift to inform beach loss trends, Coastal Engineering (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2024.104473 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. , Cookies . cookies. MIDDLE TOWNSHIP Janet Crews looked at all of the things wrong with Whitesboro and wanted to make a difference. The founder of Janet's Society for Love, a nonprofit she started in 2009, saw the problems in her community: homelessness, drug use, racism and abuse among others. "There's homeless here, there's children with nowhere to go, grandparents are raising them," she said, "and then people have been constantly asking me, 'How do I get a hold of somebody to reach out?'" Crews wanted to bring the community together. Crews' organization held a Black History Month event at the borough's Martin Luther King Center on Sunday afternoon. Vendors sold jewelry, candles and artwork, and tables were set up to hand out information for rape and abuse victims, drug addiction and community outreach. "We all needed to come together. We're all locals. We all went to school together, but we're not reaching out to these programs that are available," said Crews, 62, who grew up in Cape May and moved to Whitesboro in 2000. Crews invited a handful of guest speakers Sunday: U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Lawrence Hamm, District 2 Congressional Democratic candidate Tim Alexander, and local activist Steven Young. Alexander, who lost to Jeff Van Drew, R-Atlantic, in the 2022 election, talked about his experiences, including when he was assaulted by police as a young man. He used that moment in his life to motivate himself to get into law enforcement as an Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and now as a civil rights attorney. "It was my grandfather who said, 'Listen, you can protest about this, you can join organizations, you can really fight, but if you want to make change ... get inside and make change from within,'" Alexander said. Young, who is president of the National Action Network South Jersey Chapter, wore traditional African garb he got when he visited Ghana, West Africa. He wore purple, which symbolizes royalty in Africa. He spoke to the crowd about key moments in Black history and read a series of African proverbs. Hamm spoke last. He brought energy to the gymnasium when he started off by publicly endorsing Alexander's pursuit of Congress. Hamm also talked about the present, focusing on Black voters, education and a lack of Black leaders in office. "If there is any message that we have to give during Black History Month, is No. 1, we need Black unity in the Black community," Hamm said. One of the resource tables on hand Sunday was for the Coalition Against Rape and Abuse (CARA). Wanda Young, a residential advocate who has been with the organization since 2017, and case aide Nena Wise said they handed out a lot of information, whether it was for people who experience abuse or for someone they know who had gone through it. "(This event) helps us spread the word with the violence and sexual assault, and it allows us to go out into the community with the resources that we provide," said Wanda Young, who added this isn't just a local problem but a national issue. "We have a lot of resources, like counseling, children's counseling, therapy. We have a food pantry, outreach. We provide so many services to help survivors get reacclimated into the community and to assist them while they're in need." Steven Young was joined by Kathy Valentine, the president of the NAN Cape May County chapter. Their table also included artwork Young got while in Africa. Young spoke of traditions, something he feels has been missing in Black communities. "A family eats together, prays together, stays together. And that's what we've been missing in our Black communities. ... And what better place for it to be done than at the MLK Center," said Young, 64, of Atlantic City. Valentine, 63, grew up with Crews and lives in Whitesboro. The two got together about six months ago at an event in Whitesboro and started talking about different things they could do for the community. They were also moved by seeing Hamm speak at the event. "It catapulted me into doing something," Valentine said of the new NAN Cape May chapter. "What I really wanted to do was bring another avenue to the people (so they can) express and get their voices out." As for Crews, the goal of events like Sunday's is bringing the community together. About 50 people made their way through the gymnasium in the early afternoon, checking out the vendors and tables before settling in to listen to the speeches. "This was a little thing I wanted to put together for people to come and know these things are out there for them," Crews said. "Because if they can't help them, they might be able to connect them with somebody who can." Crews took inspiration from a little history. "I figured, Harriet Tubman did the first networking ever, and she did it word of mouth and saved thousands of people," she said. "So we, as individuals, can definitely network in this little community and make it work!" PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. In a mostly civil but occasionally testy debate Sunday night, the two leading Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate, U.S. Rep. Andy Kim and first lady Tammy Murphy, offered slight variations on policy positions, took aim at each others partisan bona fides and pledged to return integrity to the office. With incumbent Sen. Bob Menendez facing a federal corruption trial in May and undecided about running for reelection, Kim and Murphy have taken center stage in challenging Menendez and each other. We are only as good as our elected leaders, Murphy said. The most contentious moments in the 90-minute livestreamed debate came when the candidates challenged each others politics. Kim, D-3rd, criticized Murphys six-figure contributions to the Republican party, including President George W. Bush, and her Republican registration for most of her life. Murphy responded that she contributed more to the Democratic party over time than she had to Republicans and hadnt voted for a Republican in two decades. Murphy criticized Kims voting record, pointing out that he was one of eight Democrats who backed Republican President Donald Trump on immigration and other legislation, though many of those votes were largely procedural. Kim countered that he twice voted to impeach Trump and has run as an anti-Trump candidate in each of his elections. I will stand up to his legislative attacks, Kim said. The candidates spent most of their time highlighting what were essentially minor differences on most policy issues. Amy Kennedy endorses Tammy Murphy for US Senate Former congressional candidate Amy Kennedy, of Brigantine, endorsed New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Murphy's campaign said. Health care: Murphy called the American health care system a moral failure and spoke of her support for the expansion of Medicare. Health care is a right, not a privilege, said Murphy. While Kim would not concretely endorse Medicare, he did express a desire to establish universal health care through a wide coalition of resources. Gun safety: Both endorsed universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons. Kim expressed concern for his own children attending public schools and having to practice active shooter drills at a young age. Murphy pointed to the role that mental health plays in rising rates of gun violence. This is a health epidemic; it has to be treated as such, Murphy said. Climate change: Murphy discussed potential initiatives to analyze local land erosion in the interests of future construction projects. Kim similarly emphasized the importance of analyzing climate effects on weather and sea level rise and its impact on the states residents. Affordability: Kim noted that affordability was the top concern he has heard from residents thus far. He said he wants to ensure financial support and renters assistance for homebuyers. Murphy agreed that New Jersey is an expensive state to live in. She suggested implementing tax breaks for students putting themselves through school. We have got to give them a lifeline immediately, said Murphy. Kim expressed the need for Pell grants to be increased and student loan percentage rates closer to zero. He also hopes to codify student debt relief into law rather than counting on executive orders. NJ Transit: Like many residents of New Jersey, Kim said his wife takes NJ Transit to work daily and he thinks that fare increases discourage transit ridership. This is the lifeblood of our state. The fare hike will hurt our most vulnerable populations, Kim said. Murphy did not explicitly state whether she would oppose the fare increases floated by her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy. Israel-Palestinian conflict: Kim and Murphy called for the immediate release of hostages in Israel and Gaza, as well as increased humanitarian aid. Murphy said she favors a two-state solution, while Kim called for a bilateral ceasefire. Immigration: Both referenced their respective family histories when discussing immigration. Kim said Democratic campaigns do not talk about immigration enough, and stressed the need for the party to avoid submitting to the cruelty of Trump and the Republicans. We are a country of immigrants, and we must treat each other with respect, Murphy said. In the end, both candidates agreed that keeping Democrats in control of the Senate is paramount and that Trump poses a threat to democracy. I would say Donald Trump has opened Pandoras box, and we have never been able to get that genie back in, Murphy said. Kim added, We cannot give in to feelings of helplessness and apathy. No other debates are planned, though Kim and Murphy said they would welcome them. New Jersey State House News Service is a collaboration by student journalists from Rutgers University and The College of New Jersey to cover state government and politics. This article is being reprinted with permission. Rapid City is set to begin a tree removal project in its northern neighborhoods thanks to a $90,000 grant from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The initiative, starting in February, targets the removal of dead and diseased trees and replaces them with two new trees for every one taken down. The grant allows us to go in and remove dead and diseased trees and to plant new trees which will have great benefits and impacts on neighborhoods in the north Rapid City area, City Forestry and Landscape Supervisor Jason Preble said. This program provides an opportunity to get the affected trees removed and replaced. The project aims to rejuvenate the area's greenery and ensure public safety by eliminating potential hazards, Preble said. The city has reached out to over 50 homeowners to offer participation in the program at no cost, with some properties having multiple trees qualifying for removal and replacement. Planting two trees for every one removed helps to increase the quality and quantity of the citys urban forest, Preble said. A more diverse urban forest helps add to the natural beauty of our community and makes it less likely for neighborhoods to be devastated by disease, invasive pests and weather events. The city's Grants Division applied for the state grant. State officials notified Jamie Toennies, the grants division manager, of the award last month. The grants division continues to research and review opportunities to seek and apply for state, federal and other funds that may assist our city departments in promoting and funding programs and efforts that will benefit our community and citizens, Toennies said. Historical incidents, such as the disruption caused by the 2013 Winter Storm Atlas due to fallen branches from dead trees, underline the importance of this initiative. By replacing removed trees with new plantings, Rapid City aims to bolster its urban forest against future environmental challenges, according to city officials. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning the public to be careful about telephone calls they receive threatening to take away Medicare benefits. The Consumer Protection Division has received calls from citizens in recent weeks who say they have received telephone calls from scammers purporting to be from Medicare. The callers will demand the person to provide their Medicare number and if not, threaten to stop their benefits. This is not a new scam, but it is a relentless one, Jackley said. These scammers will do anything they can to convince the person to disclose personal or financial information, including their Medicare numbers. Please remember that the official Medicare office does not call people. The Consumer Protection Division recommends that consumers never provide their financial or personal information to someone via the telephone. Anyone receiving such a call from a number that does not show up on caller ID should hang up and contact the businesses directly using a known number. Never accept back, knee or wrist braces via mail that were not ordered. Medicare will require the consumer to pay for the brace even if they didnt order it. Consumers who believe they may have been a victim of any type of scam should contact the Attorney Generals Offices Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986. PIERRE Lawmakers on a House committee approved a bill Wednesday to establish an advisory council to oversee communication on the welfare of Native American children in South Dakotas foster care system. But the same committee also voted to reject a bill that would have created a two-year task force to study the welfare of Native children in foster care. Rep. Tamara St. John, R-Sisseton, sponsored the advisory council bill, describing it as a way for stakeholders from tribes, the Department of Social Services and the South Dakota Legislature to come together once a year to hold a formalized discussion about the care of Native foster children. Where do we have that space for innovation, that focus on prevention, or how do we know what we're looking at in the form of data? said St. John, an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton tribe. A six-month joint investigation by South Dakota Searchlight and the Argus Leader following last years legislative session explored the causes, effects and potential solutions to the decades-long overrepresentation of Native American children in South Dakotas foster care system. Native American children accounted for nearly 74% of the foster care system in June 2023, despite accounting for only 13% of the states overall child population. Rep. Peri Pourier, D-Rapid City, sponsored the failed bill to create a 21-member task force to study the problem and expand portions of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act into state law, which was part of the task forces duties. Pourier, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and St. John brought their bills as a way to further the conversation around children in state care. St. Johns council bill originally had the group meeting four times a year, but she brought an amendment reducing the frequency to once a year. At the end of that annual meeting, minutes would be available for lawmakers to refer back to if they want to bring future legislation. Jessica Morson, the ICWA Coalition director, also spoke in favor of HB 1232, saying that it served as a step forward and enhances focus on solutions-based collaboration in a smaller, more effective setting by review of existing practices and laws. The only opposition came from Department of Social Services Secretary Matt Althoff, who said that the department already has the ability to hold the conversations now in a less formal environment. He said despite wonderful intentions, its unlikely the advisory council is going to achieve much given the totality of what it faces. The department also opposed Pouriers task force bill, saying its already working individually with tribes on how to better support Native children in care and foster families across the state. Althoff added that the task force, modeled after a 2006 task force that studied the same issue, may not be successful because of various competing interests. Please understand that the work continues regardless of the bill, so you have our assurances that we will not relent and are wanting to continue to keep these lines of communication and these intersects between tribal officials and ourselves ongoing, he said. Lawmakers voiced concerns about the size of the task force and recommended a summer study as a possible avenue for future conversation. The committee voted 10-1 to reject the bill with the lone dissenting voice coming from Rep. Erin Healy, D-Sioux Falls. But, lawmakers liked the idea of St. Johns formalized council. Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt, R-Sioux Falls, said it would serve as a baseline to gather data. If we're in the same spot as we were the year before, then that tells us that we're probably not doing something right," she said. "So even if we can just do that one small thing of establishing that something else needs to happen, that we're clearly not making steps in the right direction, I think that alone is worth having something." Rep. Will Mortenson, R-Fort Pierre, noted that while the council wont stop children from entering into the foster care system, it wouldnt be an undue burden on the department, an argument that had been voiced by Rep. Rocky Blaire, R-Ideal, when he spoke in opposition to the bill. Mortenson noted that everyone would have to address one of the leading reasons why children are removed from their parents in the first place: alcohol and drug abuse. Parental substance abuse is 57% of the reason why South Dakota children are removed from their families and placed into foster care, according to federal data. I think that we're doing a disservice to this topic if we don't acknowledge phase one of this problem and try to train our collective focus there, he said. The advisory council bill passed 10-2 to the House floor, where it will be debated next. This story originally appeared in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. By Lee Gyu-lee The upcoming film "FAQ" explores the grueling world of an 11-year-old girl burdened with private education, weaving a whimsical and imaginative narrative. Filmmaker Kim Da-min's feature directorial debut centers on an elementary school student named Dong-chun (played by Park Na-eun), whose after-school hours are consumed by shuttling between various cram schools at the insistence of her mother (portrayed by Park Hyo-joo). During a school trip, Dong-chun stumbles upon a bottle of makgeolli, or Korean rice wine, and decides to bring some home. To her surprise, the makgeolli begins to emit noises as it ferments, revealing itself to be attempting to communicate with her through bubbling sounds. Eventually, Dong-chun discovers that these sounds correspond to the Morse code for the Persian alphabet. Set against the backdrop of Korea's demanding private education system, the reserved and obedient Dong-chun embarks on a journey of self-discovery, guided by her unlikely friendship with the talking makgeolli. As she seeks answers to numerous questions, she delves into an adventure that unveils both herself and the world around her, all while keeping her newfound secret from her parents and friends. Scheduled for release in theaters on Feb. 28, the film has already garnered significant attention and acclaim, including the prestigious Aurora Media Award at last year's Busan International Film Festival, recognizing promising new filmmakers. Kim drew inspiration for the comic fantasy story from her personal experience. "I enjoy attending classes at community centers in my free time. I once took a traditional makgeolli-making class there. When I brought [the batch] home and watched it fermenting, it felt like it was trying to talk to me. The process of how makgeolli is made fascinated me and sparked my curiosity," she said during a press event for the film held at a CGV theater in Yongsan District, Seoul, on Thursday. "Later, in my neighborhood, I saw kids waiting for buses [for cram school] in front of their school, which was an intriguing scene. And I started to wonder about the underlying principle of this as well, so I put them together into one story." The film is told from the perspective of Dong-chun and offers a satirical look at the heated private education world and the burden it puts on young students. Kim aimed to depict Dong-chun's journey of finding answers to life's questions, encapsulated in the Korean title "Makgeolli Will Tell You." "Rather than intending to criticize private education, my initial thought was more about how a child, as an individual directly involved in the issue, would perceive these things. So, I wanted to depict how she seeks answers to life's questions," Kim said. Dong-Chun, portrayed as rather reticent and introverted, complies with whatever academic demand her mother makes for her without asking any questions until she meets the talking makgeolli. Young actor Na-eun shared her connection with Dong-chun, empathizing with her character's suppressed desires and dreams amid the relentless push toward academic achievement. "Dong-chun enjoys daydreaming and has a lot of curiosity. And I wondered why she had so much curiosity. It saddened me to see Dong-chun attending so many cram schools. She must have things that she wants to do, but it felt like her mom only pushes her to academies, so I felt sorry for her," Na-eun said. The director, who also took part in writing Netflix's recent dark thriller series "A Killer Paradox," said her film echoes her own journey, viewing the world through the lens of curiosity. "I was a student with a lot of curiosity, like Dong-chun. And I feel I am now fulfilling that curiosity that I couldn't satisfy back then as an adult. So I've been wanting to try diverse genres," she said. Montana State University reported a record number of students enrolled this spring semester a 3% increase over last spring and the University of Montana reported a 2.4% increase in the same period. In a news release this week, MSU said its 16,110 students represent an all-time spring enrollment record for the Bozeman flagship and the first time the spring headcount exceeded 16,000. We are immensely proud of this spring enrollment because it shows how hard students are working to pursue higher education, stay enrolled and make progress toward their college degree from Montana State University, said MSU President Waded Cruzado in a statement. The Missoula flagship reported 10,349 students enrolled this spring, the most in spring semester since 2019. Census data shows increases in students who are veterans, have disabilities, are Native American and are first in their family to attend college. Not only are more students choosing UM, but they are persevering towards graduation at a record rate, said UM President Seth Bodnar in a statement. As a result of these efforts, we are seeing benefits to our students beyond consecutive years of enrollment and revenue growth. These impactful strides are leading to improved graduation rates, increased scholarly impact and expanded job opportunities for our graduates. The universities successes in enrollment come as they address separate challenges. Since last fall, MSU has received at least three separate notices that it is under investigation from the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights. OCR is investigating allegations that MSU discriminated against female students, Jewish people and members of a club that supports the LGBTQ+ community. The UM administration recently released an Academic Affairs playbook that said the institution has continued to experience financial strain. It said UM has a balanced budget and growing enrollment for the first time in a decade, but needs to look ahead to avoid financial shortfalls. In its news release, UM said its year-over-year growth in enrollment is driven by a 3.4% increase in undergraduate student enrollment compared with last spring including an 86.8% retention rate of undergraduate students from the fall to spring semester. The number of full-time equivalent students (or ones taking a full course load, equal to 15 credits) at UM this spring increased by 2.4% including a 4.6% increase at Missoula College, UM said. UM also highlighted the following: 84 first-time entering freshmen, a 20% increase compared with 2023. 142 incoming transfer students, a 34% increase compared with 2023. 255 law school students, a 4.5% increase compared with 2023. 6,704 Montana resident students enrolled, a 3.2% increase compared with 2023. Missoula College, UMs two-year affiliate, welcomed 1,092 early admit and dual enrollment students from primarily Missoula-area high schools. These students are full-time high school students who enroll in Missoula College courses to begin earning higher education credits. In December, more than 800 students graduated from UM in the fall 2023 semester. MSU said its new total represents 3% more students than last spring, or 393 students. MSU also said its spring record comes following an all-time record in the fall of 16,978 and noted spring enrollment is typically smaller than the fall count. MSU census data shows increases in minority students, including those who are African American, Native American, Asian and Hispanic. Additionally, MSU said Gallatin College MSU, which offers programs in career technical education and vocational training, saw its highest spring enrollment as well at 644, up 8% since the prior spring. Gallatin College MSU has been the universitys fastest growing college for years, MSU said. MSU also highlighted the following in its news release: Undergraduate students exceeded 14,000 for the first time at 14,127. And MSUs total full-time equivalent students also hit a high of 14,216. Dual enrollment headcount hit 689, a new spring record. First-time students who remained for a second semester of classes remained steady this spring at 90.2%. The retention rate is 92.8% for all students who could have enrolled in spring classes (minus those who graduated in December, for example), or up by nearly a percentage point compared with the prior spring. The road to business ownership can be daunting. For Devon Copeland, the vast amount of research required to run a business left her feeling discouraged about pursuing her dream. You can only Google yourself but so far into a business, Copeland said. I could look to the left, I could look to the right and find competing information. Copeland, 41, is the founder and executive director of Iron Village Preparatory Academy, an academic enrichment program that began in 2020 during the pandemic. Copelands program aims to address the achievement gap that negatively affects children of color in the Richmond area. The program currently runs as a summer camp for rising 1st through 8th graders based in North Chesterfield. The focus at Iron Village is on the importance of community. Its name is built off of the proverb, It takes a village to raise a child. The JWC Foundation has created a space for small business owners like Copeland to learn and thrive. A Black-centered business organization, the JWC Foundation provides a support system for business owners of all levels. Executive director Rasheeda Creighton co-founded the organization in 2020, filling the need for a Black business hub in Richmond. It came from recognizing that there is a lot of support for entrepreneurs in Richmond but the people that are taking advantage of them dont look like me. And often, we dont know what those opportunities are, so how do we build a bridge to get people access to those resources and make sure they are aware of them and not have to forge this endeavor on your own because entrepreneurship can be isolating and lonely and it can be harder when you dont have people to go to talk to about it, Creighton said. The foundations Community Business Academy allowed Copeland to find a community of her own. At the heart of what Im trying to do with school and my program is create a community and create a village, Copeland said. Community Business Academy is my village. Its my community that gave me access to marketing insight, it gave me access to legal insight, it made some of the scary parts of owning and running a business less scary. Run by Lisa Townes, the Community Business Academy is a 12-week program that provides hands-on training catered to learning the fundamentals of running a business. The course covers topics like pricing models, bookkeeping, budgeting, marketing, financing, supply and demand and more. The program is offered twice a year in the fall and spring. Typically entrepreneurs know how to do their craft really well but all of the back end operations of how to make the business continue to grow and move forward can sometimes be daunting, Townes said. For 12 weeks, business owners and entrepreneurs at various levels work together once a week to learn about the operations side of running a business. The course also offers targeted simulation activities that allow its participants to work through building a business. When I created Iron Village it was very much dream-oriented. It was about what I wanted to create for my children and other children in the community. CBA gave me the opportunity to use tools that turned that dream into something that is achievable and something that I can scale. It helped make my dream a bit more accessible, Copeland said. Last fall, the CBA added a nine-month long post-cohort experience that allows its students to dive even deeper into specific topics covered in the previous course. Townes says the class covers topics tailored to supplement what academy graduates learned during the 12-week program and provide more information that teaches business owners how to better serve their community. Copeland is currently in the post cohort. She graduated from the academy last spring. Its nice to be back around the table with some of the folks that I went through with originally. We are talking about different challenges and we are talking about different opportunities. Were working through our plan in a new way, Copeland said. Graduates of the academy are eligible to apply for $5,000 seed grants for their business. The business owner shows us what theyve been doing, how theyve been working on the business and then gives us a budget and a plan for utilizing those funds, Creighton said. We try to invest in the business and in the founders. It is important to acknowledge that being a founder of a business and being an entrepreneur comes with its own set of things to you as an individual. We want to make sure we are caring for people and not just their business and their business outcomes. Another supportive program within the foundation is the Jackson Ward Collective. Managed by Crystal Simmons, the collective is a membership-based hub that offers opportunities to build social capital, giving business owners and aspiring business owners a like-minded business community. I walked away from that experience with two folks who are now my accountability partners. We celebrate each other and hold each other accountable. Continuing to feel supported by Community Business Academy and JWC has been something I dont think I expected when I signed up. I dont think I realized how supported I would continue to be, Copeland said. The Jackson Ward Collective has 175 members based in Richmond and surrounding Virginia areas including restaurants like Farm + Oak and Blacker the Berry Juice Bar and shops like Shades of Moss. The JWC foundation is actively continuing the legacy of the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood, one of the first documented Black Wall Streets in the United States. Our background is to work together. We (the Black community) are a communal people and we saw the impact of being a communal people in the heyday of Jackson Ward, and it was only because of systemic racism that it went away, Creighton said. The purpose of legacy is not just to say remember when. The purpose of legacy is to continuously build up from a foundation that makes it better for the next generation. From the archives: 65 photos of Richmond in the 1930s A Chesterfield County man has been charged with multiple felonies after police seized nearly $500,000 worth of fentanyl from his home, authorities said. Anthony M. Pollard, 45, of North Chesterfield, has been charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute and one count of transporting a controlled substance into Virginia after police recovered over 6 pounds of fentanyl powder during a search of Pollards residence. Pollard is next scheduled to appear in court on March 7, according to court records. The investigation is ongoing. Today in history: Feb. 19 1473: Nicolaus Copernicus 1878: Thomas Edison 1942: Franklin D. Roosevelt 1976: Gerald R. Ford 1997: Deng Xiaoping 2008: Fidel Castro 2017: Anthony Davis 2017: Jamie Dantzscher 2021: Joe Biden 2021: Kim Kardashian West VCU Police on Monday said investigators had determined that four sexual and aggravated assault reports made by an individual since November 2022 were fabricated and did not occur. The announcement came after police investigated an alleged Feb. 14 aggravated assault that was said to have occurred inside Cabell Library on Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Monroe Park campus. According to police, a person submitted an anonymous report in which they claimed a suspect had followed them into a bathroom and choked them with a scarf before fleeing the scene. As a part of the investigation, police reviewed extensive security camera footage, which did not substantiate the alleged assault. Investigators then identified and interviewed the person who reported the assault. The individual admitted to fabricating the incident, police said. Similarities between the Feb. 14 false report and several previous reports prompted police to expand their investigation. The probe led police to determine that a reported Nov. 10, 2022, sexual battery at Cabell Library; a reported Jan. 12, 2023, sexual battery at the 8th Street Parking Deck on VCUs medical campus; and a reported Feb. 4 rape in an alleyway outside the Cabell Library were all fabricated. In each case, detectives had previously reviewed security camera footage at each location. The footage did not corroborate the reports, police said. The individual who fabricated the Feb. 14 assault admitted to fabricating the other three incidents, police said. Aside from the admission, no other evidence was found on any of the cases, police said. Police said the false reports had caused community members to be concerned for their safety. Detectives are working with the commonwealths attorney regarding possible charges against the individual for filing false police reports. Police also emphasized that false reports to police are rare, and noted that they do not discourage detectives from tak(ing) all reports of crime seriously. Community members should not be deterred from contacting police as needed, a VCU Police spokesperson said. Every report will be investigated thoroughly and resources will be provided to victims. VCU is a Start by Believing agency, meaning staff will always start by believing survivors, the spokesperson said. In December, VCU officials announced the school had miscounted the number of rapes that occurred on campus in 2022. While an initial October 2023 report indicated that there were five rapes on VCUs Monroe Park campus in 2022, the report did not include cases of rape reported to the universitys Title IX office. When cases reported to the Title IX office were factored in, the number of rapes surged to 20 the most in 8 years, VCU officials said. Officials attributed the increase to increased reporting on the part of survivors. VCU police is responsible for the safety of around 50,000 students, faculty and staff members. PHOTOS: Richmond boat show RAFAH, Gaza Strip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday brushed off growing calls to halt the military offensive in Gaza, vowing to finish the job as a member of his War Cabinet threatened to invade the southern city of Rafah if remaining Israeli hostages are not freed by the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Israels government has not publicly discussed a timeline for a ground offensive on Rafah, where more than half of the enclaves 2.3 million Palestinians have sought refuge. Retired general Benny Gantz, part of Netanyahus three-member War Cabinet, represents an influential voice but not the final word on what might lie ahead. If by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area, Gantz told a conference of Jewish American leaders. Ramadan, expected to begin March 10, is historically a tense time in the region. As cease-fire negotiations struggle after signs of progress in recent weeks, Netanyahu has called demands by Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group delusional. The United States, Israel's top ally, says it still hopes to broker a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement, and envisions a wider resolution of the war sparked by Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel. The U.S. also says it will veto another draft U.N. resolution calling for a cease-fire, with its U.N. ambassador warning against measures that could jeopardize the opportunity for an enduring resolution of hostilities. 'There is growing frustration inside Israel' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "brought to the table a declaratory statement which they voted through unanimously, which acutua But Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood, which the U.S. calls a key element in a broader vision for normalization of relations between Israel and regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia. His Cabinet adopted a declaration Sunday saying Israel categorically rejects international edicts on a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians and opposes any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. The international community overwhelmingly supports an independent Palestinian state as part of a future peace agreement. Netanyahu's government is filled with hard-liners who oppose Palestinian independence. Netanyahu wants Israel to achieve total victory over Hamas. In response to international concern over a Rafah offensive, he has said Palestinian civilians will be evacuated. Where they will go in largely devastated Gaza is not clear. The suggested timing for the offensive came as the World Health Organization chief said southern Gaza's main medical center, Nasser Hospital, is not functional anymore after Israeli forces raided it in Khan Younis last week. Israeli strikes across Gaza continued, killing at least 18 people overnight into Sunday, according to medics and witnesses. A strike in Rafah killed six people, including a woman and three children, and another killed five in Khan Younis, the main target of the southern Gaza offensive in recent weeks. Associated Press journalists saw the bodies. All those who were martyred were those whom the Jews asked to move to safe places, said a bystander after the Rafah strike, Ahmad Abu Rezeq. In Gaza City, which suffered widespread destruction early in the war, an airstrike flattened a home, killing seven people, including three women, according to relative Sayed al-Afifi. Israels military rarely comments on individual strikes and blames civilian casualties on Hamas because the militants operate in dense residential areas. Meanwhile, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a WHO team was not allowed to enter Nasser Hospital on Friday or Saturday. In a post on X, he said about 200 patients remain, including 20 who need urgent referrals elsewhere. Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said at least 200 militants surrendered at the hospital. He also claimed that Hamas in Khan Younis is defeated, and that Hamas is largely leaderless in Gaza. He gave no evidence to support the claims. The Gaza Health Ministry said 70 medical personnel were among those arrested, along with patients, leaving 150 patients without medical care. It said Israel refused to allow patients, including newborns, to be evacuated to other hospitals. The military says it is looking for the remains of hostages inside Nasser Hospital and does not target doctors or patients. The Oct. 7 attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostage. Militants still hold around 130 hostages, a fourth of them believed to be dead. Most of the others were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. The war has killed at least 28,985 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. On Sunday it said 127 bodies were brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours. Around 80% of Gaza's population has been displaced, and a quarter face starvation. Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority, said 123 aid trucks entered Gaza through Israel's Kerem Shalom border crossing Sunday and four trucks of cooking gas entered through the Rafah crossing with Egypt. That's well below the 500 trucks entering daily before the war. In the occupied West Bank, a shootout erupted when Israeli forces went to arrest an armed suspect in the town of Tulkarem. The military said the suspect was killed, and a member of Israels paramilitary Border Police was severely wounded. It described the target of the raid as a senior militant. The Palestinian Health Ministry said two Palestinians were killed. The war in Gaza has threatened to ignite wider conflict in the region. The U.S. Central Command said it conducted five self-defense strikes Saturday against cruise missiles and drones in area of Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group. Six killed in two vehicle crash on Riviera Maya highway Riviera Maya, Q.R. Six people were killed Sunday in a two vehicle collision south of Playa del Carmen. Five of the deceased are reported to be tourists from Argentina. The sixth deceased is a local transport driver. Scores of police and emergency services had a large section of the federal highway completely shut Sunday while ambulances and a helicopter arrived. At least three ambulances were at the scene along with Transit elements, Civil Protection and Playa del Carmen firemen to attend to the crash that involved two vehicles and at least eight people. The highway was completely shut for several hours due to the accident. Photos: February 18, 2024. An SUV carrying seven Argentinian tourists crashed with a local transport van. Five of the seven from inside the SUV were killed. The driver of the transport van was rushed to hospital where he died. It is not clear if he died in hospital or was pronounced on arrival. Seven people were traveling inside the silver SUV when it collided with the van. The accident happened early Sunday afternoon approximately 30 kilometers south of Playa del Carmen. Passing motorists reported the colission between the SUV and van in an area about halfway between the sea side towns of Puerto Aventuras and Akumal. The driver and sole occupant of the van was airlifted to hospital. Operational elements and firefighters continue to support the accident that occurred on the Puerto Aventuras-Tulum federal highway near the Palladium Hotel. Take precautions as traffic is completely stopped, the SPC (Sria de Proteccion Civil, Prevencion de Riesgos y Bomberos de Solidaridad) reported Sunday. Playa del Carmen firemen used the jaws of life to remove the trapped driver from the van and the SUV. Several Playa del Carmen firemen were at the accident site using the jaws of life to free trapped occupants. The young driver of the van, who was critically injured, was removed from the front seat and air lifted to hospital. The front seat passenger of the SUV is seen using his phone before being placed on a stretcher. Five people inside the silver SUV were killed during the collision. Emergency responders arrived to find three of the cars occupants partially outside the vehicle. One woman from the center back seat and the male front seat passenger survived. The accident is believed to have been the result of speed and wet roads, with one of the drivers losing control and crossing into an oncoming lane. Five of the seven from inside the SUV were killed in the Sunday accident. Late Sunday, the State Attorney General (FGE) said an investigation had begun into the official cause of the crash while verifying six deaths. The driver of the van is seen here being moved to a waiting helicopter for hospital transfer. The State Attorney Generals Office reports that it has initiated an investigation into the unfortunate accident that occurred on the Puerto Aventuras-Tulum highway, where six people are reported dead and two injured. The unidentified driver of the van died. It is not known if he died in hospital or along the way. This autonomous body, in coordination with the security and rescue teams, provides support to the survivors of this event, who were transferred to the hospital to be evaluated and treated in an emergency. Based on the first investigations, it can be determined that, due to the weather conditions in the city, one of the drivers lost control of their vehicle, invading the opposite lane, causing the accident. Experts from different specialties are working on the analysis of the evidence collected, in order to clarify this unfortunate fact. On Saturday, state officials posted heavy to very heavy rain warnings for the region, in particular, the south. Advisories were also issued that highway drivers use caution due to the expected rains. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is asking the public to help locate a 20-year-old Virginia Tech student. Johnny Roop was last seen Friday at his apartment complex on Canyon Ridge Road in the Merrimac area of the county, the university said in a statement Monday. Roops phone pinged near the Uptown Mall in Christiansburg at 4:26 p.m. later that same day, the universitys statement continued. He was traveling to his parents home in Abingdon to take an online exam by 5 p.m. but never showed up. At this point, we are asking the entire VT community to aid in locating Johnny, Mark Owczarski, the universitys associate vice president of communications and marketing, said in an email. On Friday, Roop was driving a black 2018 Toyota Camry with Virginia license plate number TXW6643, the universitys statement said. The car has a Virginia Tech flag sticker on the back window. Roop is 6 feet and 3 inches tall with blonde hair and hazel eyes. He weights between 230 and 240 pounds. If you have any information or see Roops vehicle, Virginia Tech encourages you to contact the county sheriffs office at 540-382-4343. The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine has opted to rename one of its scholarships to honor the memory of Henrietta Lacks. The scholarship, formerly known as the VTC Deans Council Diversity Excellence in Medicine Endowed Scholarship, will now be called the Henrietta Lacks Excellence in Medicine Scholarship, according to news release from the medical school. Lacks, who was born in Roanoke in 1920, became, without her knowledge, a significant figure in the history of medicine. While undergoing treatment for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore in the 1950s, some cells from her tumor were taken for research without her consent. Later research showed that her cells had unusual longevity, eventually proving to be the oldest, and one of the most widely used in history, leading to many advancements in medical science. In recent years, Lacks contribution, which went unacknowledged for decades, has been honored with numerous monuments, in Roanoke and elsewhere. A statue to Lacks was dedicated last October next to Roanokes city hall. The scholarship is awarded to students who come from communities that are underrepresented in the field of medicine, and the renaming of the scholarship is meant as a recognition of contributions by people of color and others that often go unrecognized, according to Lee Learman, the dean of the school. It is fitting for us to honor Mrs. Lacks and her role in medicine by reducing the financial barriers to medical students who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in medicine, Learman said. Reflecting on her life and legacy fuels our dedication to help build a healthy and inclusive future in the place of her birth. The scholarship serves an important purpose in the world of medicine, where many groups go underrepresented, according to Frank Clark, a psychiatrist and former faculty member at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, who praised the decision to rename the scholarship. We cannot address the social determinants and political determinants of health that contribute to premature death for historically marginalized communities without a physician workforce that reflects the populations we care for, Clark said. I know this first-hand as a black physician, who makes up 6 percent of the United States physician workforce. Therefore, it is paramount that scholarships such as the Henrietta Lacks Scholarship exist. Also, in honor of Februarys Black History Month, the school is again partnering with the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and Carilion Clinic as well as Radford University to host a free public showing of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks at the Grandin Theatre in Roanoke. The movie will be shown at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 with a Q&A session with health care leaders following. They call it the roadkill bill and legislators make sure to tease its sponsor, Del. Tony Wilt, R-Rockingham, about his proposal that people be allowed to pick up dead deer, bears, elk or turkeys after they have been hit by vehicles. Yeah, I do get some banter about it, Wilt said. But we have a lot of deer up my way and a lot of them are hit and left by the road, he said. It is one of those bills that remind legislators that Virginia is actually a pretty diverse state, Wilt said. His bill passed the House of Delegates 98-0 with one abstention. Questions that bug people in his Shenandoah Valley district sometimes do not arise in Richmond or Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads legislators email or when they are working in their district offices. On the flip side, this session saw senators from big cities, rural districts and suburbs join hands to ease worries that some Fairfax County residents have about whether they would be able to keep using wells as the Potomac aquifer continues shrinking. Wilt was ready for ribbing when he first presented his bill in January to a House Natural Resources subcommittee. Let the jokes begin, Wilt told members of the panel. Del. Robert Bloxom, R-Accomack, who represents two counties on the Eastern Shore, as well as part of Virginia Beach, asked Wilt whether the size of the animal matters. Wilt responded in jest: You well know you can already pick up a possum. We know how you folks are over in your neck of the woods. Bloxom said he assumes it would be picker beware in the summertime, when picking up a dead animal, thinking that youre going to eat it, could be a little dangerous. Wilt said the buck stops with the consumer: If you see an animal laying along the road and its blown up twice its size, it is probably not a good bet. Currently, only drivers who have hit a deer or bear deer are oddly inclined to run in front of vehicles at the last minute can claim a carcass, and only during hunting season. They have to notify the state Conservation Police or local sheriffs office to get permission to take the animal. A lot of times, the driver is done with deer, Wilt said. I had a constituent say, why not let people pick up the meat, if they want? His bill would let people do that, even out of hunting season. They would still need to notify the Conservation Police or local sheriff to get permission to take the animal, which otherwise is the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Transportation to remove. You think the deer would be all torn up after hitting a car, but often theyre not, Wilt said. I got some questions about liability, if the meat spoils. But you have to count on peoples good sense. If its been out there for three days, whos really going to want to? Billikens fall to VCU Rams 95-85 at Chaifetz Arena Feature: Chinese New Year parade brings festive atmosphere to Chicago Xinhua) 14:39, February 19, 2024 CHICAGO, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The parade celebrating the Chinese New Year on Sunday attracted tens of thousands of people to Chinatown on the South Side of Chicago to ring in the Year of the Dragon. The main streets of Chinatown were lined with teenagers, young couples, and families with young kids sitting on dads' shoulders. Some 50 formations, including 10 marching bands and drum corps, 10 colorful floats, and performance and marching groups, drew cheers and applause from time to time as they passed by. The parade featured traditional Chinese dragon and lion dancing teams, as well as marching bands of local schools. People raised their arms to grab candies tossed from several floats. Dale Adele was at the parade with his son, who was on the parade team for the dragon dance. To prepare for the parade show, her son started practicing about six months ago. "This is the first time that we've come down for the parade," Adele told Xinhua. "I never got a chance to see celebrations when I was in China. I get to see some celebrating, that's very nice." As a pilot, Adele used to fly frequently to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong but never got a chance to have a tour in China. "My 14-year-old son has a very good engineering brain. He's going to high school next year, he's going to take Chinese as his language. And He wants to go to a good engineering school in China," Adele said with a smile. Harland Joseph Berk came all the way from River Forest in the western suburbs of Chicago to watch the parade with his whole family, including his wife, two sons, and a grandchild. This was the first time for the 81-year-old corn dealer to watch the parade. He thought the parade was in Chinese style and also an American thing. "You see the Chinese and the dragons, and then you see people with bagpipes, and you see black people with their bands." Berk went to China 15 years ago. "We went to quite a few different cities. We saw the tombs where the soldiers were. Of course, we were in Beijing, and we went to places where they were growing up green tea," he said. "Everyone was very nice. And it was all very beautiful," he added. The annual Chinese New Year Parade is a great event for people of different ethnic groups from around the Great Chicago Area to get acquainted with Chinese culture and traditions, as well as have a taste of Chinese foods. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) By Lee Yeon-woo The Bank of China (BOC) lost its legal battle in the Korean Supreme Court, failing to overturn a 35.8 billion won ($26.9 million) tax imposed by the Korea's tax authorities. According to sources, the Supreme Court on Jan. 25 upheld the lower court's ruling against the Chinese central bank in the corporate tax cancellation lawsuit. The BOC has raised capital from its Seoul branch, generating profits by either depositing this capital in branches located in China or by lending it to Chinese businesspeople. The interest income generated by such activities has been attributed to its Seoul branch. Regarding this business practice, the BOC deducted 10 percent of the income the amount withheld by the Chinese government as tax when filing corporate taxes to the Korean government. According to domestic regulations, foreign corporations paying corporate tax in Korea are permitted to make their payments after deducting the amount they have already paid to foreign countries. This provision, known as the foreign tax credit, is designed to prevent double taxation. For example, if the BOC's Seoul branch earned profits in Japan and paid the relevant taxes to Japan, the bank could apply this regulation to reduce its tax liability in Korea by the amount of tax already paid in Japan. However, a legal dispute arose in this case because the BOC applied the regulation to deduct taxes it paid to its home country, leading to a difference in legal interpretation. Korean tax authorities determined that the regulation could not be applied in this case, and subsequently levied a tax of 35.8 billion won on the BOC. This amount was calculated based on the income the bank earned between 2011 and 2015 in addition to some additional taxes. The Chinese bank disagreed with this assessment and filed a lawsuit to challenge the decision. While the outcomes of the first and the second trial were different, the Supreme Court ultimately upheld the second trial's decision, mandating the bank to pay the levied tax. The Supreme Court stated that Korea has the primary right to tax, before China. It reasoned that if the BOC's Seoul branch generated profits in China, where its headquarters are located, and paid corporate taxes there, Korea should have the first opportunity to levy taxes on those earnings. Only after such taxation by Korea would the earnings be eligible for any tax deductions in China, it said. By Lisa Barrington SINGAPORE (Reuters) - China's challenger to Airbus and Boeing's passenger jets, the narrow-body C919 manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), has made its first trip outside Chinese territory, staging a fly-by at the Singapore Airshow on Sunday. China has invested heavily in its attempt to break the hold of the dominant two Western planemakers on the global passenger market. China has indicated a push this year to advance the C919 and COMAC's footprint domestically and internationally. The plane is only certified within China and the first of now four C919s began flying with China Eastern Airlines last year. With Airbus and Boeing struggling to ramp up production and meet demand for new planes, and Boeing struggling with a string of crises, the aviation industry is watching how COMAC positions itself as a viable alternative. COMAC will invest tens of billions of yuan over the next 3-5 years to expand C919 production capacity, Chinese media reported a COMAC official saying in January. China's aviation authority said last month it would this year pursue European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) validation for the C919, a process which began in 2018. The C919 was one of two commercial planemakers flying their planes off Singapore's coast alongside Airbus at a Sunday preview for Asia's biggest air show. Boeing will not display a commercial aircraft this year. COMAC has two passenger products: the ARJ21 regional jet and the larger C919 twin-engine narrow-body airliner with 158-192 seats, which competes with the established Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX 8 models. The C919 made its first flight outside mainland China in December to Hong Kong. ARJ21s are in use by Indonesia's TransNusa Air. Many inside the industry caution that only four C919s are in service in China; the plane is only certified by Chinese regulators and the C919 relies international supply chains. Story continues However the aviation industry-wide supply crunch, which is testing an expected full return and then growth of civil capacity in Asia, is garnering COMAC more attention. "We have also seen a growing trend where clients are including the C919 option in their fleet evaluation," said Adam Cowburn of Alton Aviation Consultancy. Two C919s were delivered in 2023. Aviation consultancy IBA forecasts 7-10 C919s could be delivered in 2024. "With Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies in the A320neo and 737 MAX families sold out for most of this decade, the C919 has a strong opportunity to gain market share, particularly in its domestic market," said Mike Yeomans of aviation consultancy IBA. "The immediate challenges for COMAC are around production to meet local demand and certification to penetrate international markets," Yeomans added. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) Lloyds Inn Kuala Lumpur is one of the five newly opened hotels in Malaysia. (Photo: Trip.com) If a staycation can no longer satisfy your wanderlust, how about a short getaway in our neighbouring country, Malaysia? With the enticing currency exchange rateS$1 gives you about M$3.50 ringgit nowtheres all the more reason to visit Malaysia. From unforgettable destinations to a special feature in an anime, Malaysia continues to fascinate with hidden gems and unexpected discoveries. For those looking for new experiences, check out these five hotels that recently opened in Malaysia. 1. Lloyds Inn Kuala Lumpur (April 2024) Lloyds Inn Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: Trip.com) Currently in its soft opening phase, Lloyds Inn Kuala Lumpur is located at a five-minute drive from Berjaya Times Square. This is for you if youre a fan of lofts and rooms with a private terrace. Its clean and green designa style typical of Lloyds Innalso emits a serene atmosphere, providing maximum comfort and relaxation. Book your stay: Booking.com | Trip.com | Agoda 2. Penang Marriott Hotel (February 2024) Penang Marriott Hotel. (Photo: Trip.com) Marriott Hotel makes its debut in Penang with Penang Marriott Hotel. Its sea-front Gurney Drive location gives you convenient access to Penangs George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With contemporary designs that blend modern elegance and comfort, it will be a luxurious retreat that transcends the ordinary. Book your stay: Trip.com | Agoda | HotelsCombined | Marriott 3. Moxy Putrajaya (February 2024) Moxy Putrajaya. (Photo: Trip.com) Moxy Putrajaya is Malaysias first-ever Moxy brand hotel. Located in Putrajaya, next to IOI City Mall, the hotel features a funky design with lively vibes. Its rooms are perfect for post-party relaxation, and its restaurant and bar offer Malaysian and international favourites in a trendy ambience. Book your stay: Booking.com | Trip.com | Agoda | HotelsCombined | Marriott 4. Mercure Kuala Lumpur Trion (December 2023) Mercure Kuala Lumpur Trion. (Photo: Trip.com) Mercure Kuala Lumpur Trion stands out as a three-in-one building featuring a hotel, a shopping mall and private residences. It boasts more than 40 facilities and lush lifestyle amenities like Sky Dining, Sky Karaoke, Sky Lounge and Party Deck. Nearby attractions include KLCC and Berjaya Times Square. Book your stay: Booking.com | Trip.com | Agoda | HotelsCombined 5. Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park (December 2023) Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park. (Photo: Trip.com) The first Hotel Indigo in Malaysia, Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park is located next to KL Forest Eco Park, the only remaining patch of tropical rainforest in central Kuala Lumpur. It offers city views amidst lush greenery, making it a truly unique experience. The hotel design also features local cultural nuances and is big on sustainability by re-purposing old railway sleepers, reinforcement steel bars, recycled plastic bottles, old bottles and books, and rescued tree roots. 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For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. SIOUX CITY For roughly 11 years, the Warming Shelter, Sioux City's only emergency shelter, has provided individuals experiencing homelessness a safe place to sleep. At the Sioux City Council's Jan. 22 meeting, Shayla Moore, the Warming Shelter's executive director, asked the council to allocate funding to the shelter in the next budget year, which begins July 1. She said the shelter's closure will become "a harsh reality" if additional funding cannot be secured. Over the years, the shelter, which is located at 910 Nebraska St., has primarily relied on donations from the public to fund its operational costs. The shelter's monthly budget is around $70,000. Moore talked with The Journal about the services the shelter provides and the financial challenges it faces for our latest installment of "Five Questions." Comments have been edited for length and clarity. The Warming Shelter People stand at the entrance to the Warming Shelter, 910 Nebraska St. on Feb. 13 in downtown Sioux City. The non-profit, open about 10 years, How many people are currently staying at the Warming Shelter and how does that number compare to other years? "We're seeing about 140 per night. It's actually been a bit more this year. I think our busiest time last year was actually Feb. 11. We had 152 people we served that night. We would say between 100 to 120 range, prior to that. And this year, the 140 range is pretty normal. That is what we're seeing on a daily basis. That's like 25 more people than typical." Why do you think you are seeing more people? "I couldn't answer why, either. I'm not sure why we have more at this point in time." The Warming Shelter Phil Groves does his laundry Feb. 13 at the Warming Shelter, 910 Nebraska St. in downtown Sioux City. The non-profit, open about 10 years, pro Who are the people who are experiencing homelessness in Sioux City? "I get that question a lot. I can tell you, just because I've been at the shelter for five years, we do see some repeat people. But a lot of the people that we're seeing are new faces. We're seeing people mostly from Sioux City. If we do get people who aren't from Sioux City, they're from one of the small towns right outside of Sioux City, like Lawton or Moville or Le Mars or Brunsville -- places like that that don't have homeless shelters. The majority of our people are Sioux City-born and raised." Since the shelter opened, have you just relied on donations to keep the shelter running? "Yes, for the most part. In the last two years, we've gotten a grant. It's called the ESG (Emergency Solutions Grants) SAF (Shelter Assistance Fund) grant. It's for homeless shelters. It's really one of the only grants that's out there and available to us that allows us to use the grant for just operations and not a project or something specific. We have gotten that grant the last two years. That has been another source of income, but the majority of our operations have been just funded through donations. It's not a specific number that we can rely on each year. We're able to reapply each year. This year, we actually got substantially less than we did last year. It was like $100,000 last year, and we applied again, same circumstances, and we actually ended up getting $70,000 this year. You never know if that's going to be there every single year." Your budget is $70,000 per month. Why does it cost so much to operate the shelter? "All the costs are like the bare minimum, absolute necessary needs. We pay our staff, obviously, and that takes up a good portion of those funds. We absolutely could not operate without staff. We operate with bare minimum staff. At some point, when things are more stable and more funding is secured, we hope to bring on more staff, so that we can actually meet the needs of all of the individuals in our shelter. Our second largest cost is sheets. We get sheets laundered and brought in. They get fresh sheets every single night. The reason we have to do that is because if we don't, then, people are bringing in their own things. We've seen bed bug infestations and those kinds of things, which end up costing way more. That's one of our largest costs and, then, our utilities and repairs. Our building is a very old building. We do put quite a substantial amount of funds toward repairs every month. Our building wasn't meant to house 140 people a night. We have people showering and laundry, so we have those costs, as well. We provide everything that they need for their basic hygiene needs. We have a resident resource and advocacy liaison, now. That does increase our costs a little bit with staffing, but there was a gap and our people weren't getting the help that they needed." RAFAH, Gaza Strip Israel's assault in Gaza has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7, the territory's Health Ministry said Monday, marking another grim milestone in one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to continue the offensive until "total victory" against Hamas after the militants' Oct. 7 attack on Israeli communities. He and the military have said troops will move soon into the southernmost town of Rafah on the Egyptian border, where over half of Gaza's 2.3 million people have sought refuge from fighting elsewhere. Meanwhile, the United States circulated a rival U.N. Security Council resolution that would support a temporary cease-fire in Gaza after rejecting an Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the territory. The U.S. draft resolution, obtained Monday by The Associated Press, would underscore that a temporary cease-fire as soon as practicable requires the release of all hostages taken from Israel after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, and calls for the lifting of all restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid. The Security Council is expected to vote Tuesday on the Arab-backed draft resolution circulated by Algeria, which represents the 22 Arab nations in the U.N.s most powerful body. The United States, Israel's top ally, says it is still working with mediators Egypt and Qatar to try to broker another cease-fire and hostage release agreement. But those efforts appear to have stalled in recent days, and Netanyahu angered Qatar by calling on it to pressure Hamas and suggesting it funds the militant group. The conflict has also brought near daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group that frequently threaten to escalate. Israeli warplanes on Monday carried out at least two strikes near the southern port city of Sidon in one of the largest attacks near a major city, wounding 14 people, Lebanese state media said. The Israeli military said it attacked Hezbollah arms depots near Sidon in retaliation for a drone that exploded in an open field near the northern Israeli city of Tiberias earlier Monday. Humanitarian crisis In Gaza, the Health Ministry said the death toll rose to 29,092 since the start of the war, about two-thirds of them women and children. More than 69,000 Palestinians have been wounded, overwhelming the territory's hospitals, less than half of which are even partially functioning. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. In Hamas cross-border raid on Oct. 7, an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and militants took 250 people captive, according to Israeli authorities. After a round of exchanges for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel in November, about 130 remain captive, a fourth of them believed to be dead. With thousands of Palestinians detained by Israel since the war began, an Israeli human rights group reported that Palestinians inside Israeli prisons face daily violence from guards, who enter cells and beat inmates with batons, kicks and fists without provocation in abuse it said could amount to torture. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel said in a report Monday that detainees reported guards urinating on them and forcing them to kiss the Israeli flag and to strip. Prisoners are also held in overcrowded cells and deprived of water for long periods, it said. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern about hundreds of Palestinian women and girls in Israeli detention. It said there were credible reports that at least two were raped, and others "subjected to multiple forms of sexual assault," including being stripped naked and searched by male officers and being photographed "in degrading circumstances." Hearing at The Hague The Palestinian foreign minister on Monday accused Israel of apartheid and urged the United Nations' top court to declare that Israels occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state is illegal and must end immediately and unconditionally for any hope for a two-state future to survive. The remarks came at historic hearings into the legality of Israels 57-year occupation. The case opened against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, which immediately became a focal point of the day even though the hearings were meant to center on Israels open-ended control over the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip and annexed east Jerusalem. Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Riad Malki told the International Court of Justice that 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of them children, are besieged and bombed, killed and maimed, starved and displaced. "More than 3.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem, are subjected to colonization of their territory and racist violence that enables it," he added. International law expert Paul Reichler, representing the Palestinians, told the court that the policies of Israel's government are aligned to an unprecedented extent with the goals of the Israeli settler movement to expand long term control over the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in practice to further integrate those areas within the territory of Israel. The hearings follow a request by the U.N. General Assembly for a non-binding advisory opinion into Israels policies in the occupied territories. Judges will likely take months to issue an opinion. Today in history: Feb. 19 1473: Nicolaus Copernicus 1878: Thomas Edison 1942: Franklin D. Roosevelt 1976: Gerald R. Ford 1997: Deng Xiaoping 2008: Fidel Castro 2017: Anthony Davis 2017: Jamie Dantzscher 2021: Joe Biden 2021: Kim Kardashian West GAYVILLE, S.D. -- One person was killed and two others injured Saturday in a two-vehicle collision in Yankton County. According to a South Dakota Department of Public Safety news release, the crash occurred at 8:49 p.m. on South Dakota Highway 50 near Gayville, where an eastbound Ford van was traveling east in the westbound lanes and collided head on with a westbound Chevrolet Tahoe. The van driver, a 45-year-old man who was not wearing a seat belt, was killed. The driver of the Tahoe was wearing a seat belt and was flown by helicopter to a Sioux Falls hospital with life-threatening injuries. A passenger in the Tahoe was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. She was wearing a seat belt. The names of the people involved in the crash have not yet been released. The crash remains under investigation. True Detective: Night Country wrapped tonight, with a supersized sixth episode that saw detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) finally descend into the much-discussed ice caves, nab the mad scientist Clark, get stuck in the freezing-cold Tsalal Station during a storm, find out the truth about the death of activist Annie K., and figure outsort of!who turned the group of scientists into the famous corpsicle. Meanwhile, the young deputy Peter Prior (Finn Bennett) goes on his own mission, to bury the father (John Hawkes) he shot in Episode 5. This is a lot to stuff into 75 minutes, and in classic True Detective fashion, the finale left more than one open question. Writer, director, and showrunner Issa Lopez agreed to sit for an exit interview and entertain some queries about Annies tongue, Danvarro, and that one line about a flat circle. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Rebecca Onion: A lot of people who consume genre fiction set in the Arctic or the Antarctic suspected that the microorganism the scientists were digging for, under the permafrost, might be making everyone in Ennis go a little bit mad. We found out in this final episode that this was not the case! The microorganism was making the scientists power mad, instead. Issa Lopez: Yes, its the obsession with a microorganism that gets them absolutely mad. This corrupts the ambition of finding something for good, that will change human life, and that will achieve beautiful things, and it makes it into an absolute ego-obsessive trip for fame and glory. To find that answer is not about science or helping humanity anymore. Its about becoming the ones bringing this to the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This explains a little bit why theyre so insular or secretive at the beginning. Maybe thats just because theyre all collectively spinning out on this idea. Becoming paranoid. Yes, absolutely right. I did toy with the idea that it was something they find in the ice thats driving them mad. They dig into this place that they shouldnt be making holes in, an ancient cave that is obviously a special place, and they keep it a secret. There are all kinds of no-noes in this scenario. But there is already a really good TV series about microorganisms under the ice, which is called Fortitude. I would never make Fortitude. Its a completely different story. But if people are curious, they should absolutely watch Fortitude, because that goes down that route. Advertisement At the end here, how much room is left for the functioning of the supernatural within the story? One of the questions that, I think, remains open, is: Who cut out Annie Ks tongue? How did the tongue end up on the floor of the station? And who is the she who is awakening? Are we supposed to know the answer to those questions at the end, or are those supposed to remain open questions? Advertisement Theyre open questions. However, there are answers. And its too late for me to try to put the cork on that first one, because John Hawkes has been going around the world telling everybody that his character, Hank Prior, cut the tongue! Im more of the school of, Dont give every answer, because as happens in true crime, you have many answers, but you dont know exactly how everything went down. But for the character work, John and I talked about it. At the beginning I had my doubts that the character of Hank could have done that. And John very clearly was like, Oh, he did. Hanks not evil, but he has a job to do at that point. And hes a hunter. He takes Annies body and kicks the dead body, breaking the ribs and all of that, that Navarro describes in the first episode. And then he cuts the tongue, because that drives the message home. So, that was Hank, and now Im forced to tell it to everybody, because John did. Its fine. Its fine! Advertisement Advertisement Every single question within the series, there is a rational explanation. There is a Danvers explanation, and then theres a Navarro explanation. That said, how the tongue appears six years later in the station, thats a different question. The entire series, every single question within the series, there is a rational explanation. There is a Danvers explanation, and then theres a Navarro explanation. And if you go the Danvers route, who found Annies body? It was not Navarro. Navarro was the first on the scene from the police force, but the community, the women, find the body. They cannot take the body. They cannot protect this woman that has been so abused so horribly, and its one of them. The one thing they can do is take her tongue, and keep it in a gesture of kindness for their comrade. And Danvers says in Episode 2, The tongue had some unusual damage, could be from freezing. So, in this scenario, the women preserve the tongue, and when they take the station, they leave it there as a sign that the time of changing the story that we tell has come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then when Navarro, in Episode 6, asks Bee (Lxeis Diane Benson), What happened to the tongue? Did you put it there? Bee turns to her and says, Thats not part of her story. But look carefully at her performance. You can read it both ways. Its interesting. Now, the Navarro story is different. The tongue is cut, its left there, and it vanishes. Where does it go? We dont know. But when the women come and its time for the men to pay, something, someone leaves that tongue there, because its the time for that story to come to the light and be told. Your decision. Now, your second question was who is asleep and who wakes up, and all of that? Yes, that! Advertisement Advertisement This time, theres no John here who has spilled the beans, so Im going to be able to be as vague as I love to be. Clark is convinced the she is Annie, that the spirit of Annie has always been in that cave forever, before the ice was ice. And will be there forever because time is a flat circle. Thats Clarks story. And whats waiting for the men out there, in Clarks mind, is probably Annie. The same way that, when the engineer, Otis Heiss (Klaus Tange), and his buddies found the cave, they woke that spirit of Annie and it came for them, because that place should not be messed with. This is the Clark explanation, right? Advertisement Advertisement The women tell us, they went into her home, into her place, and woke her up and killed her daughter and she ate their souls from the inside outI really like that one. And Danvers would say, No, no, no. Theres a cave in there which has some fossils in an interesting shape, because fish can swim in that way and get frozen, and it does have a secret feel to it, but its just a cave. This is where the men dug, and then they were taken by the women because they killed Annie. And they were sent into the dark without their clothes, and they died there with a flash moment of freezing, and they had all the signs of delirium because of hypothermia and of all the self-harming that can come with that. So, everything has a rational explanation. Your decision. Advertisement You brought up Clarks time is a flat circle line. What went into the decision to have him say that line, which is so famous, from Season 1? Advertisement I felt a very important need to establish that its the same universe as Season 1, that while this happens in Ennis, Alaska, in 2023, in 2014 those murders were happening in Louisiana. And if Im talking about Alaska, which is the place where Rust Cohles (Matthew McConaugheys) father died, it would be very weird not to talk about it. So, every single time the connections happen organically in the story, I put them there, but it had to come from the story. Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, if I have a symbol in my story that signifies the proximity of that place where everything went down, which also connects possibly with a supernatural level where Gods asleep, and theres a symbol for the same thing in the first season, it would be very weird to use two different symbols. It should be the same one, right? So, the spiral. Advertisement Now, I have a mad scientist, literally a mad scientist, in Episode 6, explaining why hes convinced that Annies a spirit, which is a bigger force than a single woman, and has inhabited that cave forever, for all the ages. And that is not because its eternal, its because time means nothing for scientists. Time is a construct. Time is a flat circle, and that is a concept that comes from quantum physics. So, while hes trying to explain this, its obviously the line that comes organically. All of this also is making me think more about Clark and Annies relationship, and it puts a new spin on it. Its interesting that he was thinking of her as some eternal feminine. Advertisement I think that he was absolutely enthralled. The fact that he sees the spiral on her back that he knows is a spiral down there in the cave, and hes losing his mind, as you said, in the obsession of this search. And then he sees this woman who has the same symbol and his mind is going places, and he actually falls in love with her at a human level. But I think that his madness is already boiling underneath, and then everything explodes and he ends up murdering her with his own hands. And I think that the story he tells himself is that he was stopping her suffering because she was going to die anyway, right? But we dont know that. I think that there was a chance that she could have survived, had he tried. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats what will destroy his mind. The cognitive dissonance between I loved her and she was the most important thing and I killed her for this. And the only thing that keeps him from exploding is deciding that shes eternal, that shes indestructible and will come back. As a sort of self-soothing mechanism? Yes. Which might be not completely a lie! Speaking of people who are fucked for life, is Peter Prior going to be fucked for life? In Danvers words, Its crazy the shit we survive. I think hes not. I definitely very much profoundly think hes not. I think he is a virgin spirit, throughout the entire series up until that point. He does have a moral compass. Hes truly trying to do the right thing. He is so confused about the fact that the person who he looks up to committed a murder, and he doesnt know what to do with that. He wishes he didnt know, but he found out, because hes good at what he was trained to be good at. And then hes confronted with a moment where theres no possible action except pulling that trigger on his father. And he commits the original sin: Killing your brother or your father, especially your parents, is the original sin. However, hes destroying an evil origin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hank is everything that is pulling him to the dark, to not be himself and to not grow up and to not live his own life. And Im absolutely not promoting the idea that you have to go around shooting your father, for fucks sake, but I will say that in relationship to this particular series. Im not saying that hes not going to carry it his entire life. Doesnt seem like the type of place where you go to therapy, Ennis, but it feels like this will also allow him to explode out of himself and grow in different ways. Carrying that pain, carrying that doubt forever. But hes going to make it. Hes going to be fine. Advertisement Advertisement You kind of see it in the fact that his wife finally kisses him. I know. And then hes in bed with his baby at the very end. Speaking of people who have redemption arcs, what about Liz Danvers? She starts out in the first couple of episodes pretty darn unlikable, and it seems like at the end shes softened through the events of whats happened, and is almost reborn when she goes down into the ice and then comes back up. Advertisement Yes, because she has to die. She really dies. This is a woman who has effectively frozen her past, her pain, her loss, her life in a knot of bitterness and irony. And lets be clear, as Connelly (Christopher Eccleston) says, she was not nice to start with. She was a difficult woman forever. And I worked on it with Jodie. Jodie was very clear: Lets not make a woman that was perfectly fine and then went through tragedy and became shitty. No, no, no. She was a tough fucking bitch from the very beginning, because she grows up in this incredibly male-dominated, push-and-shove culture. Advertisement And then she goes through a horrible tragedy, and she becomes shittier. And her emotions are completely frozen, and shes terrified of being quiet with herself. She has to play white noise when shes alone, because otherwise shes going to start to feel and think. Throughout the series, shes pushed and forced into facing the things she carries, into facing the loss, into facing the fear she feels for her stepdaughter. She cannot love her, because shes terrified of loss. And she cannot allow anybody too close, because when they get too close, she has to push them back. As Navarro says in Episode 2, Youre going to break Priors heart, because when you get too close, you have to break our heart. You kick us back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end shes faced with the ghost of her dead child. And Im not saying a literal ghost, but she has to face the fact that hes dead and gone, and face the pain of losing him. And she speaks about it finally. She falls through the ice and diesI think her pulse basically stops. Navarro has to bring her out of the ice and back to life and force her to breathe. And then she can talk about Holden, and then she can cry, and then she can move on finally. And its not that after that she is going to be Mother Teresa, because she wont, but shes going to be better. I think shes going to be kinder to herself and kinder to others. And we see her in the car with Leah, and theyre laughing. And Leah has her tattoo lines on her chin. So, this is a different woman we see. Advertisement You may be aware that there is a contingent of people, including at least one writer for Slate.com, who want Danvers and Navarro to get together? Oh, I know. I read it somewhere, that made me laugh so hard and I sent it to Jodie and Kali, where they called the couple Danvarro, whichI love it. I love it! Advertisement You see at the end theres an opening for that, where theyre together looking out to sea from Danvers deckbut maybe not. Well, listen. HBO paid me to write six episodes, and I didnt write seven. They wanted me to write seven. And I was like, No, its six, its six, its six. What Im saying is, everything that happens after this series is yours. Its yours! Navarro is a character that is established in the story is bisexual. Danvers is pretty fucking damn straight. But that said, shes 60, lifes short! The truth of the matter is, it is a love story. Its a profound, profound love story. And I wrote it as nonromantic, because I think that there are definitely loves that are deeper than romantic love. And Im a firm believer in this, and I believe these women love each other to a level and to a depth that goes beyond romance for me. But Episode 7 is yours, guys. Its not mine. Go for it. Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Submit questions here. (Its anonymous!) Dear Prudence, My boyfriend of four years and I love each other very much, but are not in a position to get married. Even though weve both talked about how much we want to, the reason we cant is embarrassing. Both of our extended families are badgering us about it and I dont know what to say. Even my close family is starting to be pushy, and I dont know how to respond because I do really wish we could! We live together in my home, and split bills 70 me/30 him. I have some limited student loan debt that Im paying off, and a chronic illness that limits how much Im physically able to work, so Im very careful with saving my money for emergencies. My boyfriend has big student loan debt as well as tax arrears, credit card debt, and medical debt, all from a big manic episode at 23 that snowballed. Hes on medication now, and has a payment plan and system for all his debts as he slowly chips away at them but theyre big! Consulting with two different attorneys, we learned that the risk to me if he loses his job and cant pay, or dies, or we get divorced, or in some other way were married and he stops paying these debts, is huge. In addition, my income will make him ineligible for a lot of the income-driven repayment options hes using right now. Either way, marriage is not a smart plan for us right now, but were staying together. How do I respond when people push me about it? Making It Work Dear Making It Work, You were really smart to think everything through this way. I dont think many people do the same before tying the knot. But if avoiding responsibility for your boyfriends debt is truly the only thing keeping you from walking down the aisle, what about a commitment ceremony that is exactly like the wedding you would like to have (whether that involves 300 people or just the two of you under a tree with an officiant) except you dont sign anything? You can still call it a wedding. Or you could word the invitations slightly differently, like, Join us as we celebrate our union. Advertisement Either way, appropriate responses to people who are badgering you are, It seems like a waste of money to us, We dont need a piece of paper to define our commitment, We have financial goals we want to meet first, or Were happy as we are, and its getting pretty annoying to have to defend it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get Even More Advice From the Dear Prudence Podcast Dear Prudence, When Ive given my kids the option to stay home rather than attend camps, they spend most, if not all, their time on their computers playing games or watching YouTube and TikTok. To my older sons credit, he will take some time to cook and my younger son does try to sneak in books past bedtime. My younger son also says hed do more biking but he cant while I work because I cant go with him. They have suggested that I should allow them to do absolutely nothing for the summer and just veg out because I work from home. Advertisement They also pointed out that they are straight-A students who have a busy extracurricular schedule during the year. My older one added that it would be his last free summer before high school. Study after study shows that kids often fall behind during the summer academically because they arent engaged mentally. As a result, I encourage them to find camps that interest them. Most of the time though, they dont make an effort to search so I end up researching all the options and highlighting the ones available. I let them choose. Still, they want a summer where they can do absolutely nothing. I already know itll involve me prodding them to do something other than play on their iPad (because they manage to find ways to get around screentime limits). Should I let them enjoy, Summertime, when the living is easy or be saved by a camp bell? Camp Mom Dear Camp Mom, Advertisement Advertisement Your kids make a strong case for a break. You should consider itwith some limits. How about a new family rule that if you have great grades and havent developed a reputation for getting in trouble or annoying everyone when left to your own devices, you can take off the summer before high school? This would mean your older son gets a pass to be a couch potato, but the younger one needs to put in a few more years before he earns his vegging out privileges. This is a reasonable compromise. Kids are so busy these days, and high school is so demanding. I like the idea of offering them time to reset before embarking on four long years of classes, activities, and stress over college admission. Plus, Im interested in what your older son might do if he does get bored. An iPad isnt just a portal to YouTube. He might start composing music, making movies, or meeting a long-distance best friend in some community related to an obscure hobby. Advertisement Advertisement I admit its my elder millennial nostalgia kicking in here, but I have really fond memories of the summer weeks when my friends and I didnt have a lot to do. And I want that for your son! Maybe hell meet up with other kids who are between camps and aimlessly wander the streets of your town, stopping at a 7-11 to get a Slurpee or take public transportation to the beach and freak out about missing the last bus home. Maybe hell go see if his classmate who works at the movie theater will let him in for free. Maybe hell embark on a huge project to collage the walls of his bedroom with magazine cutouts. (Do kids still read magazines? I have a feeling the answer is no.) But you get the ideahe might do something creative. We used to physically stalk the homes of our crushes, and Im guessing social media means that kind of questionable behavior wont be necessary, but I do feel that theres something to be said for just being a teen hanging out with your buddies, trying to fill a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, the line between filling a day and getting into trouble is a very fine one. But you could add some rules and regulations to make you feel better about his lack of structure. For example, you can require that he answers whenever you FaceTime him. Or hell need to be in charge of lawn care or making dinner for the family twice a week. You could ask him to call his grandparents regularly, since he wont have the normal, Im so busy excuse. Or you could insist that one day (or even half-day!) a week be spent volunteering. And of course, let him know that the agreement is subject to renegotiation. If hes not holding up his end of the deal, leaves dirty dishes all over the house, or bugs you because it turns out he has no idea what to do with all the free time, or is seen smoking outside the local pizza place, he should know that youre going to place him in whatever undesirable boring camp has a last-minute spot open. Advertisement Advertisement How to Get Advice From Prudie Submit your questions anonymously here. (Questions may be edited for publication.) Dear Prudence, My wife and I are traveling to southern Europe with our six-month-old in a few months for a family wedding. Ive requested that we use a car seat for the planes, trains, and automobiles that were taking to get to the wedding. My wife, my in-laws, and my wifes friends all think Im overreacting (including friends and family who have traveled or will be traveling with infants). My wife reasons that from a legal standpoint, we dont need a car seat (public transit and taxis are not required to use them) and that we can just hold the baby on our lap. Ill admit that Im more anxious than her when it comes to safety (I work in health care), but somehow I doubt the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board recommend car seats on planes to sell more seats. My Lap Is Not a Harness Dear Harness, Advertisement When it comes to taking care of a baby, the person who is more cautious about safety should almost always win. Your goal should not be to justify your desire to use a car seat according to laws and regulations, but to ask for your familys understanding, explaining that it will be impossible for you to enjoy the festivities if youre stressed about your childs safety. They dont have to agree with you to honor that request. Classic Prudie Since my daughter married Chris, she has turned into a different person. It started on her wedding day, when she got drunk and screamed at me for always putting her down after I made a (not insulting!) comment about her non-traditional dress. That was four years ago, and things have gotten worse since then. Slate Plus members get more Care and Feeding every week. Have a question about kids, parenting, or family life? Submit it here! Dear Care and Feeding, I (28F) have one daughter (4F) whom my husband and I have decided to homeschool. This was for several reasons: the public schools in our area arent great, we think that homeschooling will benefit her better in the long run, etc. My friends and family have been very supportive of our choice, but none of them homeschool. I chose to find a homeschooling group because I wanted to be able to talk to parents who were going through what I was experiencing. I expected that there would be some trial and error, but its beenrough, to say the least. We live in Texas, a state that leans more conservative and has very lax homeschooling regulations. Every group that I have tried to join has been deeply religious, a parenting one-up contest, or have been unschoolers altogether. I dont consider myself intellectually pretentious by any means, but I would love to join a group thats not exclusionary or that believes in education! We live pretty close to a major city, so I thought that the groups might lean more liberal in terms of politics and educational philosophy, but there has been no such luck. The group that Im in right now consists of 10 very nice women and their lovely children, but every single one believes in letting kids learn math when they feel the Holy Educational Spirit moving them to do so or something along those lines. I always feel like Im the one-up mom whenever I try to awkwardly discuss the fact that Im teaching my kid to do basic math or read. Ive even tried to start my own group, but all the replies were from the religiously devout or more unschoolers. I know that parents who home educate to actually educate are out there, but Im at a loss! Do I just keep looking until I find that perfect family or group? Or is there some pro tip Im missing? Un/Schooler Dear Un/Schooler, Your letter reminded me of one of my favorite and most outspokenly liberal college friends, Melissa, who has spent the better part of 20 years homeschooling her kids in Louisiana and Nebraska! So, naturally, I asked her what she thought. There arent any pro tips, she said. It takes time to find your people. Keep engaging in existing groups, go on field trips, take advantage of park days and one-off opportunities. You can also look at liberal religious churches, like Unitarian Universalist, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian USA, etc. You dont have to be devout to enjoy the services and opportunities, and you might find like-minded families in places like that. She also suggested looking into clubs and activities that the more conservative members of your community might shy away from, like Dungeons and Dragons meet-ups. What I love about this advice is that its about finding the like-minded folks first, and the homeschooler subset later. If you think about it, any other liberal and/or agnostic homeschoolers might have run into the same culture clash that you have, and thus they might not be very active on the homeschool scene. But if you try to walk in some more liberal circles, it could be easier to meet folks who are pursuing or considering the homeschool life. One other thing that Melissa and I both noted was the age of your child. Four years old is still relatively young, developmentally, for any kind of regular curriculum. Some kids are ready for that, and your daughter may be one of them, but many arent. It might be worth it to shift your mindset a bit and think of these early childhood years as more mommy-and-me enrichment, and less about the homeschool label. Moms who plan to send their kids to kindergarten but are nonetheless not sending them to daycare have something in common with you right now, even if not for the long term. Finding commonality with this crew now might help you feel less adrift, and then you can take your time over the next few years to cultivate that more dedicated homeschooling crew. Final thought: Dont forget the power of social media groups. A quick search on Facebook brought up a few pointedly liberal or secular homeschooling groups for Texas. This might be a great way to get your footing. Allison More Advice From Slate Im a first-time mom to a beautiful 2-month-old daughter. My company has generous maternity leave, so Im not expected back in the office until the end of the year. Since Im home for the rest of the year, Im spending a majority of the time breastfeeding, which is going pretty well. I started pumping about a month ago so my husband could start introducing our baby to the bottle (and give me a break). While Im only pumping once a day to ensure theres a backup in the event Im away from the baby, my husband has made it clear that he is uncomfortable with me pumping in his presence. According to every conceivable scientific metric, masturbation is healthy, or at the very least harmless. You are not risking hairy palms, or depleted reproductive potency, or psychosexual deviancy by taking pleasure into your own hands. And yet, for as long as weve intellectualized human sexuality, a whole cabal of prudish authorities have attempted to convince us of the opposite. Anti-masturbation rhetoric is everywherefrom the sermon pulpit to seedy message boardsand Eric Sprankle, a sex educator and professor of psychology at Minnesota State University in Mankato wants to know why.* His new book, DIY: The Wonderfully Weird History and Science of Masturbation, examines a millennia of masturbation freakouts in order to solve one of the enduring mysteries of reproductive health: Why is jerking itan instinct that overlaps with the entirety of human existence, and often the first sexual experience most of us encounter in our livesso often caked in shame? I called up Sprankle looking for answers and found myself talking about puritanical 18th-century pamphlets, the dearth of well-funded self-pleasure research, and how we can all orgasm with dignity. Our conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity. Luke Winkie: What made you want to write a book about masturbation? Eric Sprankle: It started with an Instagram comment. I posted something about masturbation being normal and healthy, and some random dude called me unprofessional because I didnt mention that masturbation causes depression, social anxiety, loss of testosterone, and a loss of zinc. My first thought was, Hm, maybe I missed that day in my training. I looked into it, and no, none of those things are true. He was just wildly misinformed, and certainly not alone. There are whole subcultures online that spout the same nonsense. That sparked my interest to explore exactly whats going on here. Advertisement Is your book positioned as a response to some of the new-fangled anti-masturbation rhetoric you find in those digital subcultures? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A little bit. The NoFap movementif you can even call it a movementor the semen retention groups that have co-opted Eastern philosophies and spiritualities are all featured throughout the book, but its much larger than that. Anti-masturbation crusades have very strange bedfellows. There are the religious moralists, who are anti-masturbation because of religious values. Or the wellness gurus, or the groups of white supremacists, who are anti-masturbation and porn because its wrapped up in an antisemitic conspiracy theory for them. I try to touch upon all the different groups who believe that masturbation is a destroyer of bodies, souls, and civilizations. Advertisement Its been pretty well-established that masturbation is healthy, and its not going to make you grow hair on your palms or turn you into a sexual deviant. So why and when did humans start clutching their pearls about masturbation? And have there been times in history where masturbation was more normalized? There were definitely times like that. Masturbation was once a behavior that was acceptednobody thought one way or another about it. But then you insert some of the religious prohibitions that were around for a few thousand years, who started tainting masturbation with the idea that it is sinful. Especially for menwomen were ignored in the religious texts, which is its own brand of misogyny. But for men, the focus was on not wasting your seed or the God-given purpose of your genitals. Advertisement Advertisement But really, the selling of masturbation as a disease didnt come into the picture until the early 1700s. There was this anonymous pamphlet circulating around London at the time called Onania. It was rooted in a lot of hellfire preaching about the sinfulness of masturbation, but it was also peppered with medical informationthat masturbation would cause a whole host of diseases. That gave more ammunition to the preachers, who can now say that masturbation will condemn you to hell, and also give you leprosy. And it also caught on with physicians, who parroted this nonsense. They would say that masturbation could lead to paralysis, and tooth loss, and discharges from the anuswhatever they meant by that. Advertisement How has the scientific truth about masturbation been suppressed over the years? Advertisement Research into masturbation is just not that common. Depending on the university youre affiliated with, there might be pressure on a professor to attract large grant fundings to support their research. If youre at an institution where that is the expectation, youre not going to be doing masturbation research. There arent funds for that. Thats the larger barrier. I think most people who arent zealots understand that masturbation is essentially harmless. But is self-pleasure truly healthy? Or is it simply not bad for you? Advertisement Advertisement That was one of the surprising things in writing the book. The slogan in sex education and sex therapy is that masturbation is healthy, and they list a lot of things explaining why its helpful. That it can reduce stress, and alleviate pain, or other ridiculous claimslike that it can boost your immune system. I started challenging those claims, because I wanted to know if sex educators were misinterpreting the research, and theres a little bit of that. When we say masturbation is healthy, were saying that its not harmful for you. Youre going to get out of it what you want to get out of it. Masturbation can be harmful to people who think masturbation is wrongthat its unhealthy, that its a sin. When they do it anyway, that leads to a whole host of psychological distresses for them. For those who view it as healthy? Its not going to hurt them in any capacity. Advertisement As far as the health benefits goes, my take is a bit nuanced. An orgasm, which obviously doesnt have to be from masturbation, does have the properties to lead to stress reduction, or ease and contentment. But Id never advocate something like, Oh, you have insomnia? Masturbation is the treatment. I think all of this stuff is coming from this place where we want to make masturbation more acceptable, and to do that, it needs to become self-care. But the No. 1 reason people masturbate? To feel pleasure, and that should be good enough. It doesnt need much justification beyond that. Advertisement Advertisement In general, masturbationand sex positivityhas been trending in a progressive direction for decades. However, more recently, it does seem like weve been inundated with a lot of anti-masturbation campaigns, especially from some right-wing corners of the internet. Do you think theres been a backslide in our sexual culture? Advertisement I do think theres been a bit of a backslide. I make a joke early in the book that sexual progressiveness is not a linear process. Its two orgasms forward, one orgasm back. And I think we might be in a one-orgasm-back period right now, because of the message boards and the proliferation of this anti-masturbation content. The way we talk about porn factors into this too, because when we talk about porn, were talking about masturbation. I dont think the culture is in a better place than it was in, say, the 1970s where you had activists like Betty Dodson pushing for masturbation liberation. It felt more revolutionary and exciting. But right now, were at least in a stuck point. Advertisement So much of the anti-masturbation rhetoric is cached in much larger issues of loneliness, or masculinity, or misogyny. Why do you think masturbation has been conflated with all of those other vectors? Why do these men perceive masturbation as the key to solving their much larger psychological and social hangups? Advertisement Advertisement I was never able to pinpoint a source for that. It bleeds into the last 200 years of masturbation discourse. But masturbation has become a scapegoat for these guys, a place to put all of their failures, insecurities, and problems. One way to make sense of this is that masturbation is the one thing you have most control over. If you dont have the body you want, the girlfriend you want, or the job that you want, and you get information online that masturbation is leading you down this paththat its sapping you of your testosteroneand that if you cut it out, all of your problems will be solved, you can understand how that might sound like a good blueprint. Even though fully abstaining from masturbation is nearly impossible for most people. Its effective because we already have so many taboos around masturbation, and were already uncertain if its good for us. Its easy to buy into that language. Advertisement Advertisement Do you have any thoughts on how, in general, we can develop a healthier personal relationship with masturbation? As I said earlier, our attitudes about masturbation will impact how we feel towards it, and our feelings of satisfaction and pleasure. Its a good idea to elevate masturbation to be at the same level of partnered sex. Oftentimes it gets reduced to a poor substitute, a backup, something less than. But masturbation is the form of sex we have most often in our lives, and based on the research, the sex that most reliably leads to arousal and orgasm. To think that masturbation is not the real thing is an insult to our genitals and ourselves. Its a valid form of sexual expression. US envoy urges world to reinstall sense of urgency to act to accelerate progress By Jung Min-ho Human rights advocates called for renewed efforts to bring international attention to North Korea on Monday, as this month marks the 10th anniversary of the publication of a landmark U.N. report that sheds light on unspeakable atrocities committed by the regime. At the inaugural Seoul Freedom Forum held in Seoul, North Korean defectors-turned-activists shared their messages of hope, saying international efforts to spread the truth about North Korea and the outside world helped make some progress there, albeit slowly. Some argue that there has been little substantive improvement in North Korean human rights activism (Yet) changes are being brought about in North Korea and its people, Kim Il-hyeok, one of the speakers, said. North Korean residents, who were previously unaware of the concept of human rights, are now using the term human rights violations. Citing testimonies from those who escaped North Korea in recent years, the activist said the term had been used by some residents there, in a hopeful sign of outside information flowing into the country and affecting their perceptions. These testimonies demonstrate that when the international community continues to pressure the North Korean regimes human rights abuses based on detailed and verified information, it can lead to better outcomes, Kim said, adding that such international efforts also provide a glimmer of hope for ordinary North Koreans. In 2014, a U.N.-commissioned report on human rights violations in North Korea shocked the world with its unspeakable atrocities committed under Kim Jong-un and his predecessors. It noted that the regime in Pyongyang has for decades pursued policies involving crimes that shock the conscience of humanity," which it said "raises questions about the inadequacy of the response of the international community. That message continues to ring true today, said Julie Turner, the U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights. While we have some successes, including establishing the OHCHR office based in Seoul, many of the reports concrete and powerful recommendations remain unimplemented, she said in a video message. I hope during this 10th year anniversary there will be a renewed focus on the COIs (U.N. Commission of Inquiry) recommendations and our shock and horror are renewed to reinstall a sense of urgency to act. Speakers there said that the most effective way of making progress is to provide ordinary North Koreans with accurate information about the regime. Park Jung-oh, an activist who has sent bottles containing rice, medicine, money as well as outside information into the North by ocean currents, said that facts are the most feared force for the regime, which is founded upon lies and propaganda. The previous day, South Korea, the United States and Japan released a joint statement urging North Korea to take immediate steps to end all human rights violations. We call for a reinvigorated effort to bring justice to victims of human rights violations and abuses in the DPRK, the statement says, referring to North Korea by an abbreviation of its official name. "And we urge the DPRK to abide by its obligations under international law, take immediate steps to end all human rights violations and abuses including the immediate resolution of issues involving abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war and engage with the U.N.s human rights experts for that purpose. This is part of Opening Arguments, Slates coverage of the start of the latest Supreme Court term. Were working to change the way the media covers the Supreme Court. Support our work when you join Slate Plus. If there were any doubt about the Supreme Courts commitment to the conservative project of bringing about the deconstruction of the administrative state, this term will likely lay those to rest. The court has already teed up several potential blockbusters for decisions by the end of June, including two cases that could spell the end of the Chevron deference doctrine and another that could significantly restrict agencies ability to use administrative law judges in enforcement proceedings. On Tuesday, the courts conservative supermajority will get to take yet another powerful swipe against the administrative state when it hears oral arguments in a case called Corner Post v. Board of Governors. Despite the very real threat it poses, this case has received surprisingly little attention. At issue in Corner Post is a technical debate over who is eligible to bring lawsuits against the regulations that agencies issue. The Administrative Procedure Act, which establishes the general framework for challenging the legal validity of a regulation, provides a statute of limitations of six years after the claim first accrues. The prevailing understanding of that languageand frankly, the obvious onehas been that such claims accrue when the rule being challenged is first issued. But the corporate litigants in Corner Post (with the support of a conservative legal advocacy firm) aim to jettison that objective benchmark. In its place, they hope to create a new, free-floating rule that ties the start of the statute of limitations to when the particular challenger involved first suffers legal wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case centers on a 2011 rule issued under the Dodd-Frank financial reform law that sets maximum swipe fees that banks can charge for the use of their debit cards. The rule survived an initial challenge when it was upheld by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2015. Apparently dissatisfied with this outcome, two trade associations representing convenience stores and gas stations wanted a second bite at the apple and so initiated this case in 2021a decade after the rule was first issued. The Federal Reserve, the agency that issued the rule, sought to have this second suit dismissed as barred by the APAs statute of limitations. Remarkably, the trade associations responded by adding an individual gas station called Corner Post as a co-plaintiff. The twist? Corner Post first opened for business in 2018. That was the moment when the stores claim against the rule accrued, according to the trade associations, which meant that the statute of limitations was still open to them. Advertisement These facts illustrate how this new interpretation of the APAs statute of limitations is a recipe for the exact kind of legal uncertainty that conservatives claim to hate. Any ruleno matter how oldwould be potentially subject to a nonstop conveyor belt of litigation. All an opponent of a particular rule would need to do is find a relatively new business that is subject to the rules requirements. Better still, they could even manufacture fictitious new companies for the sole purpose of bringing lawsuits. In many cases, this strategic behavior would complement the blatant forum shopping that corporate interests and conservative legal advocates already use. Related From Slate The Supreme Court Is About to Seize Way More Power From Democratic Presidents Read More What little attention Corner Post has attracted so far has tended to focus on its potential to amplify the chaos that would ensue if the court ends up overruling the Chevron deference doctrine in the pending cases Loper Bright v. Raimondo and Relentless v. Department of Commerce. The end of Chevron deference by itself could reopen hundreds of prior cases that had been resolved using the doctrine. If the court were also to adopt the trade associations new formula for calculating the statute of limitations under the APA in Corner Post, that would add more fuel to this blaze of litigation. This new loophole in the statute of limitations would empower industry to reach back further in time and reopen an even larger universe of old Chevron deference cases. Advertisement Advertisement Importantly, though, the significance of Corner Post extends well beyond traditional Chevron cases, which involve challenges to the statutory authority for particular regulations. It would also allow corporate interests to relitigate disputes over the underlying policy rationale for old regulations they opposegenerally referred to as arbitrary and capricious claims. Creative industry and conservative movement attorneys would be presented with a huge legal target to aim at when challenging existing regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, it is this wide-ranging retrospective reach that has conservative opponents of the administrative state most excited about the prospects of a win in Corner Post. As it stands, they have already devised effective strategies for blocking the flow of future regulations. For instance, the campaign to end Chevron deference is an important part of this broader plan (though, as noted above, it would have some retrospective effects as well). The conservative legal movement is betting that risk-adverse agencies will respond to the heightened threat of judicial second-guessing over their decisionmaking by significantly scaling back the ambitions of their future rulesor perhaps even by abandoning some of their more far-reaching rulemakings altogether. Advertisement What remains unrealized, even with the end of Chevron, is their vision for dismantling that body of rules already on the books. One of the major lessons of the Trump administration is that removing them one by one through the standard rulemaking process is slow, resource-intensive, and legally fraught. Instead, they have found it far more efficient to use the wrecking ball of litigation to knock down the existing regulatory edifice. The promise of Corner Post is a wrecking ball with far greater reach. By the end of the current term, the Supreme Court could hand to regulated industries and conservative legal advocates powerful weapons for unwinding Americas regulatory past while throttling our regulatory future. This one-two punch against the administrative state would decimate a critical part of our constitutional democracy while leaving tens of millions of Americans at unacceptable risk of harm from pollution, workplace injuries, dangerous products, and much more. Isabel Casillas Guzman, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator, has unveiled an updated Equity Action Plan in a bid to foster inclusivity and economic opportunity. This initiative is set to transform the landscape for Americas 33 million small businesses and startups, particularly benefiting those from underserved communities. The SBAs refreshed Equity Action Plan zeroes in on crucial areas such as improving access to capital, enhancing entrepreneurial support services, and broadening economic opportunities to advance the national economy. This plan is part of the administrations broader commitment to equity, initiated by President Bidens Executive Order on his first day in office, mandating a comprehensive equity assessment across federal agencies. Empowering Diverse Entrepreneurs As America continues to enjoy an unprecedented Small Business Boom, the SBA remains determined in its efforts to boost entrepreneurship among people of color, women, veterans, and those from rural communities, and this updated Equity Action Plan is a testament to that commitment, stated Administrator Guzman. The Equity Action Plan is pivotal in acknowledging and harnessing the value these entrepreneurs bring through job creation, innovation, and competitiveness on both domestic and international fronts. Strategic Enhancements and Achievements The 2023 Equity Action Plan outlines strategic improvements in several key areas: Access to Loan Capital: Introducing new lenders capable of reaching underserved markets, simplifying lending rules, and promoting policies to support justice-involved entrepreneurs. Introducing new lenders capable of reaching underserved markets, simplifying lending rules, and promoting policies to support justice-involved entrepreneurs. Federal Government Procurement: Enhancing Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) access to contracting opportunities and advocating for their inclusion in federal agency contracts. Enhancing Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) access to contracting opportunities and advocating for their inclusion in federal agency contracts. Disaster Assistance: Modernizing application processes and bolstering support for underserved communities in disaster recovery efforts. Modernizing application processes and bolstering support for underserved communities in disaster recovery efforts. Business Counseling and Training: Tailoring resources to meet the specific needs of underserved entrepreneurs. Tailoring resources to meet the specific needs of underserved entrepreneurs. Investment Capital: Implementing rules to diversify fund managers within the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program, aimed at directing more investments toward underserved entrepreneurs. These strategies build on the successes of the initial Equity Action Plan, which notably increased Community Advantage lending, expanded SBLC licenses targeting underserved businesses, and enhanced SBIC financing to minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses. Community Engagement and Resource Allocation The SBAs engagement with the small business community has been instrumental in shaping the Equity Action Plan. Through nationwide outreach, training events, and consultations with Resource Partners and trade associations, the SBA has honed its strategies to meet the evolving needs of small business owners. Noteworthy accomplishments include the launch of new Small Business Lending Companies (CA SBLCs), significant increases in SDB contracting, and the implementation of the Disaster Loan Program Modifications Rule. Forward Momentum As the SBA continues to refine its approach to equity and inclusivity, the updated Equity Action Plan stands as a testament to the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to creating a more equitable economic landscape. By addressing systemic barriers and fostering a supportive environment, the SBA aims to ensure that all entrepreneurs have the resources and opportunities needed to thrive. For more information on the SBAs efforts and to read the complete Equity Action Plan, visit the SBAs official website. This initiative not only promises to reshape the future of small business ownership in the U.S. but also reinforces the governments role in facilitating equitable economic growth and resilience. After working in America and Greece, Yiannis Fanourakis opened a bistro in Slovakia. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Slightly undecided, I had been staring at a menu board above my head for a few seconds when a man greeted me and said, Try vegetable soup. Starving, I quickly nodded to this simple proposal from the friendly man, who turned out to be a Greek waiter. His name was Christos. He then took me over to the counter and pointed to some moussaka, which can be described most simply as eggplant lasagne, and tried to persuade me to have some. Honestly, I didnt need much convincing: I would have eaten anything on the Saturday night I paid my first visit to Suvlaki, Bratislavas only Greek bistro, including the hearty meal suggested to me just seconds earlier. Okay, I said to Christos and to Greeces national dish. I seated myself at a table near the counter and beneath a television that hung from the white wall. Songs by Greek artists such as Antonis Remos and Pashalis Terzis were blasting out from it as I ate and observed Christos welcoming other customers to the venue (in between, he showed me how to make a crab out of a Greek beer bottle cap). You like it, my friend? Christos Greek colleague later asked from behind the counter about my moussaka. The small bistro in central Bratislava, a stones throw from Comenius Universitys medical faculty, is named after a classic Greek dish. Souvlaki, which has become one of my favourite orders on food delivery apps, essentially comprises small pieces of meat that are grilled on a skewer and eaten directly from the skewer, or served with pita (a Greek flatbread), chips and tzatziki sauce. Situated on Krizna Street, just a few steps from the Americke namestie (American Square) tram stop, Yiannis Fanourakis opened the citys only Greek restaurant almost a decade ago. That wasnt his original plan at all, at least not at first. The chef, who hails from Crete, says that he initially came to Bratislava to make some extra money by cooking at different restaurants. However, I noticed that Bratislava lacked a Greek restaurant, he says. A Greek evening at Suvlaki. (Source: Facebook) A bit of everything The restaurant is a dream come true for him. The chef says he always wanted to run a small restaurant business where he could greet customers with a warm welcome. Greeks, Ukrainians and Slovaks all work at the bistro. Fanourakis himself takes on different roles in his restaurant. In addition to being a chef, he is also a manager. These roles vary depending on what needs to be done, he explains. Im a bit of everything, Fanourakis laughs, stressing that this is not a complaint. Having lived in Slovakia for almost 20 years, he says that several people have tried to open a Greek restaurant in Bratislava. Past attempts apparently failed. But the catering scene on Krizna Street has evolved. Today, theres a French restaurant, an American pizza restaurant and an Italian restaurant too. I love it. Theres more restaurants and more people coming here, says the owner. Because the bistro is located on a busy street and near the university, many people come in to grab a meal on their way past. I had planned on opening a second bistro, but then there was the possibility of expanding this one. So we went for that instead, the Greek notes. Greek vibes The menu at Suvlaki pays homage to Greek cuisine. Herbs, fresh produce and, most importantly, olive oil are its essential ingredients. In addition to souvlaki and moussaka, the bistro serves seafood such as fried anchovies (gavros), octopus and grilled calamari. Gyros, one of the most popular Greek street food dishes, and dakos, a traditional salad from Crete, are also served at the bistro. The bistro is, moreover, known for its family atmosphere. Many people appreciate this and regularly return here. Adam, a Slovak who works in real estate, is one of them. He has been coming back to the bistro for four years. They make me feel welcome here, he tells me in a brief conversation outside the bistro on a sunny Monday afternoon as he enjoys his grilled calamari. However, he confesses that shrimps in tomato sauce with feta cheese is his favourite meal at Suvlaki. As Fanourakis explains, hed like to take people to the streets of Athens and to the shores of Crete through the meals he and his colleagues prepare at the restaurant. The easy-going waiters and chefs add an extra layer to the Greekness of the cosy venue. They come from different regions of Greece and regularly share stories and traditions with customers, creating a new kind of connection that goes beyond the plate. In the last six months, weve been organising Greek Evenings once a month, explains Fanourakis. So far, it has been fantastic, he adds. People dance, sing, laugh, and the Greek staff share stories and traditions with our mostly Slovak customers. We throw napkins in the air and plates on the floor. Thats how we do it in Greece, says the chef. Tossing napkins in the air signals wealth or, some say, freedom. Ancient Greeks used to toss money in the air. The smashing of plates, often accompanied with the expression Opa! (Watch out!), is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. But its also the hum of conversation, Greek music, and the clatter of plates that add up to the atmosphere and bustling energy of the Greek bistro. Last but not least, blue chairs, whitewashed walls and the pictures of Greece also enhance the Hellenic vibes at Suvlaki. Compared to the past, when Fanourakis says Slovak people were afraid of tasting Greek specialities, the situation has changed for the better. He attributes this to the fact that more people travel: Greece is now a popular summer destination for many Slovaks. They like all of [our specialities] now, he declares proudly. A Greek specialty. (Source: Pixabay) A Greek mother who loves Slovakia Fanourakis had travelled a lot before settling down in Slovakia, working in several restaurants in Greece and America. Looking back on his experience here, the chef says that life in Slovakia has been good to him. I really cant say anything bad. Its a calm place, and I feel safe, he says with a smile on his face, adding that the country feels almost like home. However, he misses the sea and his family. The Greek community isnt large in Bratislava: there are about 500 Greek citizens, mostly students, Fanourakis estimates. So when his mother, Despina, visits, its always a joy for him. Fortunately, theyre not short visits; she stays in the city for several months and helps her son in the restaurant. Shes been visiting Bratislava since his bistro opened. I like Bratislava and Slovakia very much, Despina tells me in a short conversation during her lunch break before she rushes off back to work. Zuzana Rusnakova contributed to the reporting. Smer names its nominee for secret service director, and its a name observers feared. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. President passes the ball on to the Constitutional Court. Ruling coalition lobs another grenade at the president. Pellegrini continues to top polls ahead of presidential vote. If you have a suggestion on how to make this overview better, let me know at michaela.terenzani@spectator.sk. Slovak politics new favourite sport: Playing for time President Zuzana Caputova is so opposed to the coalitions rule-of-law-related legislation passed by parliament that she has decided to sign it into law. If you read the previous issue of this newsletter, that sentence probably wont strike you as being quite as paradoxical as it sounds. In dealing with amendments that do away with the Special Prosecutors Office and generally make life easier for criminals, by cutting down on prison sentences and statutes of limitations for many crimes, including serious ones, the president went for the only option that provides much hope of halting the coalitions plans. But the outcome of her approach is far from assured and meanwhile, the government has handed Caputova another dilemma by unexpectedly naming a nominee to lead the Slovak Information Service (SIS), Slovakias main intelligence agency. The dispute moves to Kosice The ruling coalition managed to use up one more week of the time that Slovakias constitutional bodies would have to consider the changes to the prosecution and penal system before they come into effect on March 15. The prime minister only signed the amendment to the Penal Code and forwarded it to the president on Wednesday, February 14 six days after its approval by parliament, an unusually long interval by normal standards. President Caputova announced on Friday that she would consent to the law even though she did not agree with it, in the hope that the Constitutional Court will suspend it before it becomes effective. Critics of the law changes point out that if they come into effect, even for one day, it will affect a large number of cases. This is because, under existing legal practice, someone charged with a crime is subject to the mildest conditions that apply during any of the period that their case is being investigated and prosecuted which in this case would mean the generally much more lenient conditions set out in this amendment, even if the law change is later overturned by the Constitutional Court. The standard procedure for the president would be to file a motion with the Kosice-based Constitutional Court only after the text of the new legislation is published in the official collection of laws; she has said she is ready to wait for that to happen. At the same time, the president noted that she could not exclude the possibility that the government will use its powers to drag out the process of publication for an unreasonably long time, in which case she is ready to file the motion even before then. The people who can hinder the process are Speaker of Parliament Peter Pellegrini (Hlas), who hopes to replace Caputova as president later this year, and Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer). Pellegrini has until February 29 (that is 21 days after the house passed the law on February 8) to sign it and send it to the Justice Ministry for publication in the collection of laws. His performance in this game of playing for time will serve as yet another indication for voters of just how much of a podrztaska for Robert Fico he is likely to be as president. Once the law is delivered to the Justice Ministry, the minister has another 15 days to sign and publish it in the collection of laws. If both Susko and Pellegrini stretch the deadlines to the maximum, it could mean the Constitutional Court has just one day i.e. no time at all, at least by the standards of Slovak justice to decide on whether to suspend the law. However, even if the court were to decide to suspend the law and did so before March 15, that decision too would only become effective once it is published in the collection of laws giving the justice minister another chance to delay the process past March 15, and ensure that the law becomes effective for at least a day. Fico follows the disinformation playbook The company behind this mobile payment system promises speed and simplicity. Launched in 2015 by a group of some of the largest banks in Poland, the Blik service is now offered in most Polish banks. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share The Polish mobile payment system known as Blik is coming to Slovakia, hoping to convince Slovaks that they can pay for online purchases faster and more easily. Clients will only have to enter a generated six-digit code to pay for something. The company Polski Standard Patnosci (PSP), which operates the payment system, promises that clients will need no QR codes, nor card numbers. I personally use it mainly for online payments, Warsaw-based Slovak Juraj Gombos told the HN daily, noting that Blik is very popular in Poland. Launched in 2013 by a group of some of the largest banks in Poland, the service is now offered in most Polish banks. More than 15 million people in Poland used the service last year. Between July and September 2023, Blik facilitated 455 million transactions worth $15.7 billion. Two banks will launch the system In Slovakia, two banks are said to be launching it in the near future: mBank (which also operates in Poland and Slovakia) and Tatra Banka. Its not clear when the service could be available to clients. We will make payments via Blik available to our clients in the coming months, said Tatra Bankas spokesperson Simona Miklosovicova, as quoted by the HN daily. The system will be available through the banks Viamo application, she added. Slovenska Sporitelna, Fio Banka, CSOB Banka and 365.bank are not considering using the system for now. UniCredit Bankas response was described as mysterious by the Slovak newspaper. Other banks failed to provide a comment. The Polish firm can start its Blik business in Slovakia because the central bank (NBS) has greenlighted the acquisition of Viamo. As a result, the Blik SK company has been established. Polski Standard Patnosci, a joint venture between six top banks (Alior Bank, Bank Millennium, Santander Bank Polska, ING Bank Slaski, mBank and PKO Bank Polski and Mastercard), plans to expand to Romania, too. A controversial number plate, a political look back at last week, and a popular Greek bistro. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Good evening. Here is the Monday, February 19 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. First tractors block roads, more to come The "We're Not Public Servants. We're Farmers" poster is carried by a tractor in Bratislava on February 19, 2024. (Source: TASR) More than 300 farmers grouped in the Land Owners and Agricultural Entrepreneurs Association (ZVPAS) and Young Farmers Association (ASYF) took to the roads in more than 20 Slovak towns on Monday. The goal of the protest is to point out the critical situation of farmers in Slovakia, said Land Owners and Agricultural Entrepreneurs Association chair, Jan Jelen. They havent received the direct payments to which they are entitled. The associations see the biggest problem in the Agricultural Paying Agency (PPA), which is responsible for giving out these payments. It falls under the Agriculture Ministry. They also criticised the ministry for refusing to communicate about their demands because it only meets with one chamber [Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber - SPPK]. In addition to direct payments to be paid out immediately, farmers asked for the relief of social levies for all farmers, the administrative burden to be reduced, and discrimination to be eliminated when renting land from the Slovak Land Fund, the TASR news agency wrote. They also demanded the setting up of a register of land use relationships and the preparation of financial instruments to support farmers through more favourable loans. On Monday, they also fought for green diesel for all farmers, as well as a ban on the duty-free import of agricultural commodities from countries outside the European Union. Other protests will take place on Thursday. These will be organised by the SPPK. Minister Richard Takac (Smer), who criticised the Monday protests and referred to the young farmers arguments pseudo-arguments, should also back the farmers on this day. Related: ZVPAS and ASYF will not support the Thursday protests because the SPPK will protest against the EU and its agricultural policy. The other two organisations are blaming the PPA. The Thursday protests should be larger. Quote: We know from the past that SPPK campaigned for Smer. We do not want to involve farmers in the political campaign very likely to be witnessed at the protest. (ASYF chair Marian Glovatak) More stories from The Slovak Spectator website Business: Blik, a Polish mobile payment system, will be available to some clients in Slovakia in the near future. Blik, a Polish mobile payment system, will be available to some clients in Slovakia in the near future. Regions: A man in Kosice drives a luxury car with a controversial number plate. A man in Kosice drives a luxury car with a controversial number plate. Opinion: Ruling coalition lobs another grenade at the president, but she still has a lot of work to do with the first grenade. Ruling coalition lobs another grenade at the president, but she still has a lot of work to do with the first grenade. Travel: A Slovak climber has reportedly died in Argentina. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you. FEATURE STORY FOR MONDAY A Greek food island in the middle of Bratislava The Greek bistro Suvlaki on Krizna Street in Bratislava. (Source: Peter Dlhopolec - The Slovak Spectator) A small bistro in central Bratislava, a stones throw from Comenius Universitys medical faculty, is named after a classic Greek dish. Yiannis Fanourakis opened the citys only Greek restaurant almost a decade ago. That wasnt his original plan at all, at least not at first. EVENT FOR WEDNESDAY 32 cities An anti-government protest after the Kuciak murder in 2018. (Source: TASR) On Wednesday, February 21, six years will pass since the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova. On this occasion, public gatherings in 32 cities, of which 23 are in Slovakia and nine abroad, will take place. The murder changed Slovakia, we stood together in the squares to fight for decency and justice. Today we feel as if nothing has changed in Slovakia after the murder of Jan and Martina. The old days are back, the For a Decent Slovakia initiative has said. Bratislava: 17:00 on Namestie Slobody (square) Other Slovak towns: Kosice, B. Bystrica, Lucenec, Prievidza, R. Sobota, Dolny Kubin, Bardejov, Namestovo, Roznava, Banska Stiavnica, L. Mikulas, Presov, N. Zamky, Ruzomberok, Trstena, Zvolen, Michalovce, Vranov n. Toplou, Piestany, Pezinok, Komarno, Spisska Nova Ves. Abroad: Luxembourg, Brno, Zlin, Prague, Paris, Oslo, Vancouver, the Hague, Copenhagen. In other news The Agricultural Paying Agency has accelerated the disbursement of direct payments . Farmers and young farmers will receive over 118 million in the coming days, the agency announced on the day when farmers protested across Slovakia. (TASR) has accelerated the . Farmers and young farmers will receive over 118 million in the coming days, the agency announced on the day when farmers protested across Slovakia. (TASR) Progresivne Slovensko has prepared a motion to the Constitutional Court for a review of the adopted amendment to the Penal Code, in which the party will demand the suspension of its effectiveness. The president has already sent her motion to the Court. (SITA) has prepared a for a review of the adopted amendment to the Penal Code, in which the party will demand the suspension of its effectiveness. The president has already sent her motion to the Court. (SITA) The Slovak Foreign Ministry has warned passengers about a strike by the ground staff of German airline Lufthansa due to take place on Tuesday (February 20) and Wednesday (February 21). The strike will concern airports in Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne and Stuttgart. due to take place on Tuesday (February 20) and Wednesday (February 21). The strike will concern airports in Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne and Stuttgart. The trial with businessman Norbert Bodor began on Monday at the Specialised Criminal Court in Pezinok. Bodor faces charges of paying a bribe of 50,000. The court summoned four witnesses. Bodor, who is also involved in the Cattle-Breeder case, is accused of bribery. However, he refutes the charges. The 50,000-bribe was allegedly related to assistance in a specific criminal matter for the benefit of another person. (TASR) began on Monday at the Specialised Criminal Court in Pezinok. Bodor faces charges of paying a bribe of 50,000. The court summoned four witnesses. Bodor, who is also involved in the Cattle-Breeder case, is accused of bribery. However, he refutes the charges. The 50,000-bribe was allegedly related to assistance in a specific criminal matter for the benefit of another person. (TASR) Robert Svec, from the extremist party Slovenske Hnutie Obrody, can run for president in the 2024 election , the Supreme Administrative Court ruled on Monday. There will be 11 presidential candidates in total. (Sme) from the extremist party Slovenske Hnutie Obrody, can run for president in the , the Supreme Administrative Court ruled on Monday. There will be 11 presidential candidates in total. (Sme) The Constitutional Court objected to the statements of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) on Monday. Fico suggests that the court and the president were in contact, so that the head of state could influence the ruling after she submitted the criticised amendment to the Penal Code for review with the constitution. The president refuted the claims made by Fico last weekend. (TASR) objected to the statements of (Smer) on Monday. Fico suggests that the court and the president were in contact, so that the head of state could influence the ruling after she submitted the criticised amendment to the Penal Code for review with the constitution. The president refuted the claims made by Fico last weekend. (TASR) A prosecutor of the Special Prosecutors Office has scrapped the resolution on bringing charges in the Gorilla political corruption case (2011), returning the matter to an investigator of the National Crime Agency for new proceedings and decision. Charges were pressed against five people, including financier Jaroslav Hascak, in 2022. (TASR) A tree of gratitude, symbolising mutual fellowship between Ukrainians and Slovaks, was planted by Kuchajda lake in Bratislava on February 17, with Ukrainian Ambassador to Slovakia Myroslav Kastran and Bratislava's New Town mayor Matus Cupka in attendance. (Source: TASR) WEATHER FOR TUESDAY: Tuesday will be cloudy. It will rain in some parts of the country, in particular the north. Daytime temperatures will range from 4C to 13C. (SHMU) FEBRUARY 20 NAME'S DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Livia. Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us. P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook and Instagram (@slovakspectator). https://sputnikglobe.com/20240218/oregon-eyes-re-criminalizing-illicit-drugs-shortly-after-passing-most-liberal-drug-law-1116866024.html Oregon Eyes Re-Criminalizing Illicit Drugs Shortly After Passing Most Liberal Drug Law Oregon Eyes Re-Criminalizing Illicit Drugs Shortly After Passing Most Liberal Drug Law Sputnik International The US state of Oregon passed their Ballot Measure 110or the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act---just over three years ago. The measure is one of the most liberal drug laws in the US. 2024-02-18T23:44+0000 2024-02-18T23:44+0000 2024-02-19T02:52+0000 drug americas drug addiction oregon portland, oregon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/12/1116865864_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_46a519ac5046e30199999d833e36ab21.jpg The US state of Oregon passed their Ballot Measure 110or the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act---just over three years ago. The measure is one of the most liberal drug laws in the US, decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl, while using hundreds of millions of dollars in cannabis taxed to aid addiction recovery. But now, Oregon lawmakers may reverse their stance on the bill this legislative session. Under Measure 110, police were ordered to issue citations of $100 along with a card that has the hotline number for addiction treatment services. If a person called the hotline, they could be allowed to have that citation dismissed and not pay the $100. Oregon data revealed that only 4% of people who received the citation actually called the hotline, per one report, as the tickets went unpaid.Oregon lawmakers are now considering re-criminalizing illicit drugs as they believe the lax approach isnt working. According to an Oregon public media report, there has been evidence of drug addicts seeking out treatment, but the effort to fortify the police's ability to help people to seek treatment has not been successful. At the same time, an increase in drug overdose deaths has been noted by state lawmakers.But lawmakers also declined to fund a proposed $50,000 online course that would have instructed police officers on how to enforce the new law, adds the report from Friday. Even though police leaders campaigned against the ballot measure before it was passed. Lawmakers believed the funding should go towards treatment instead of training police to help people seek treatment.Lawmakers in Oregon are expected to vote on a bill to re-criminalize illicit drugs, with Democrats pushing for a bill that would make small-scale drug possession a low-level misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail with the opportunity to seek treatment instead of facing charges. The bill would also carry harsher sentences for those who sell drugs, offer wider access to medication for opioid addiction and would expand recovery and housing services as well as drug use prevention programs.Meanwhile, Republicans in Oregon would like to push for harder punishments including up to a year in jail for drug possession, with the option for treatment and probation as opposed to jail.Drug overdose deaths in Oregon increased by a third from 2019 to 2020, that percentage swelled to another 44% in 2021, marking over 1,000 deaths in 2021, according to the Oregon Health Authority.A report from last week, however, claims that the lax drug laws are not linked to drug related deaths in Oregon. One study, the report says, shows that just 1.5% of the 468 drug users in eight Oregon counties began using drugs after Measure 110 went into effect.Instead, the report blames the bill for not addressing the issue of the unpredictable potency of illegal drugs, as chances of being killed by illicit drugs purchased on the black market is greater than when prescription drugswhich are legally producedare misused. This crackdown on legally produced drugs coincided with the rise of illicit fentanyl, which is more potent than heroin. As opioid prescriptions decreased, opioid-related deaths increased, the report claims, basing their findings on data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://sputnikglobe.com/20230704/us-will-only-turn-itself-into-a-global-drug-den-by-scapegoating-china-1111662116.html americas oregon portland, oregon Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg drug laws, illicit drugs, drug abuse, drug use, oregon, oregon lawmakers, the rise of illicit fentanyl https://sputnikglobe.com/20240218/us-detects-first-houthi-underwater-drone-while-conducting-new-round-of-strikes-1116865553.html US Detects First Houthi Underwater Drone While Conducting New Round of Strikes US Detects First Houthi Underwater Drone While Conducting New Round of Strikes Sputnik International The United States escalated tensions in the Red Sea on Saturday with a strike on the Houthis as the Yemeni movement continued its resistance against Israels destruction of Gaza. 2024-02-18T22:30+0000 2024-02-18T22:30+0000 2024-02-19T00:54+0000 us joe biden william blum israel red sea us central command (centcom) houthi u.s. navy red sea crisis palestine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/17/1115770410_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_64fa533178feddd863993781d75d52f5.jpg The US conducted five strikes in total, three of them against Houthi anti-ship missiles, one against a surface drone ship, and one against an underwater drone vessel.These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels, the statement read, without clarifying the justification for US Navy ships' presence in the Red Sea. The body of water lies between the continents of Asia and Africa in the Indian Ocean, thousands of miles away from the United States.The Ansar Allah movement, known in the West as the Houthis, has attacked Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea since Israels military operation in the Palestinian Gaza Strip began last October. The group, which controls large portions of Yemen, cites governments obligation under international law to prevent genocide, a term that numerous organizations have claimed applies to Israels actions.Earlier Sunday it was reported that multiple patients have died at Gazas Nasser Hospital as the medical facility has run out of oxygen. Israel has destroyed most of the hospitals in the Gaza Strip, often claiming they serve as headquarters for the Hamas resistance movement. Some journalistic investigations by international news organizations have called such claims into question.The United States has struck dozens of Houthi targets in recent months as the Biden administration continues to support Israel with lethal aid. The Houthis resistance campaign, which originally only targeted Israel-linked ships, has expanded to bar ships of US and UK origin from the Red Sea as well after the US-led attacks.No casualties have been reported as a result of the Houthis blockade of the body of water. Meanwhile, US attacks across the region have killed dozens as countries throughout the Middle East reject the American presence.US Central Command is one of multiple unified combatant command organizations the US armed forces operate to project military power around the world. The United States carves up the globe into six areas with their own geographic command units, including Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Africa Command (AFRICOM), and Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).US Central Command (CENTCOM) focuses specifically on the oil-rich Middle East region, which the United States has attempted to dominate for decades through coups and political subversion.Additionally the US military operates a Space Command (SPACECOM) division and so-called functional combatant commands, including Cyber Command (CYBERCOM), Strategic Command (STRATCOM), and Special Operations Command (SOCOM).Israel has been a particular focus of US support in recent decades, with the United States recognizing the utility of backing the neo-colonialist movement as a way to ensure Western influence in the Middle East.A report from the US Congress Congressional Research Service documents hundreds of instances of the use of the United States armed forces around the globe. Each occasion is typically justified under the claim of protecting American interests, which usually refers to the commercial interests of US businesses.The United States has led campaigns of regime change and political subversion in numerous countries, including Haiti, El Salvador, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bulgaria, Panama, Nicaragua, Libya, Morocco, Grenada, Angola, Australia, Guatemala, Bolivia, Greece, Chile, Uruguay, Ghana, Indonesia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Brazil, the Congo, Ecuador, France, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Italy, Syria, Costa Rica, Iran, Albania, Korea, the Philippines, and China, according to researcher William Blum, who extensively documented such efforts in his acclaimed and eye-opening book Killing Hope. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240217/us-navy-worried-over-scary-scenario-of-houthis-armed-with-high-speed-unmanned-naval-drones-1116849919.html israel red sea palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg red sea crisis, us role in red sea crisis, us escalates red sea crisis, us defends israeli genocide, us attacks houthis, us imperialism in the middle east, us defense of israel, why does the us support israel, why does the united states hate palestinians, why is the united states involved in the red sea, israel-palestine crisis, palestine-israel crisis, israel-gaza crisis, us zionist influence, us military zionist influence, us central command, unified combatant commands, us imperialism, when will the us empire fall https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/another-headache-for-biden-as-democratic-lawmaker-urges-vote-against-president-1116866384.html Another Headache for Biden as Democratic Lawmaker Urges Vote Against President Another Headache for Biden as Democratic Lawmaker Urges Vote Against President Sputnik International Observers say the president faces a difficult path to reelection amidst opposition from various elements of the Democratic Partys traditional coalition, including young people and Arab Americans. 2024-02-19T01:02+0000 2024-02-19T01:02+0000 2024-02-19T04:35+0000 americas us joe biden rashida tlaib palestinians michigan palestine israel congress democratic party https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/1d/1112968422_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_aec73a4efcc4802bc7cb52873abe52fb.jpg In the latest example of opposition to US President Joe Biden from within his own party, Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib publicly urged Michigan voters to oppose the president in the states primary election next week.Rep. Tlaib made the call Saturday in a video posted by the Listen to Michigan campaign on the X social media platform. Listen to Michigan is an organization of pro-Palestine activists in the state organizing opposition to Bidens support for Israels deadly campaign in Gaza, which has killed some 29,000 people.We dont want a country that supports wars and bombs and destruction, she added. We want to support life. We want to stand up for every single life killed in Gaza.Tlaib and other activists are urging Democrats to vote uncommitted in the partys presidential primary election next Tuesday rather than supporting Biden or any of his challengers. Activists portray the move as a show of opposition to the presidents handling of the Palestine-Israel crisis. Biden has attempted to express modest criticism of Israel through leaked statements to the press alleging consternation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the US president has continued to back the country with the frequent provision of financial support and lethal aid.In December the Biden administration even bypassed Congress to rush an emergency arms shipment to Israel, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirming the move was necessary in response to an alleged imminent security threat to the United States. Observers have noted Blinken could be impeached on perjury charges for the dubious claim, which is unlikely to generate opposition given the significant influence of AIPAC and other Zionist groups in US politics.Tlaib made the statement standing outside of an early voting location in Dearborn, a major hub of the Arab American community in Michigan. Pro-Palestine activists have warned Biden that his unrelenting support for Israel could cost him reelection in November, with Michigan representing a crucial swing state for the president. Former President Donald Trump won Michigan in 2016 with a margin of just 10,700 votes; Michigan has an Arab American population of some 211,000.Tlaib has faced opposition within the Democratic Party for her championing of the Palestinian cause. In November the congresswoman, one of just three Muslims currently serving in Congress, was censured by the US House of Representatives for her use of the protest chant from the river to the sea.In order to delegitimize pro-Palestine activism, Zionist groups have claimed the phrase is an antisemitic statement intended to express support for genocide of Jewish people. The chant actually refers to the geographic location of Palestinians ancestral home between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, where Palestinians currently lack full human and political rights. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were killed and driven out of the area during the Nakba, the violent campaign that marked the creation of the Israeli state.Tlaibs colleague Ilhan Omar, who is also Muslim, has likewise faced opposition from party elites for her pro-Palestine advocacy. The congresswoman reported receiving death threats after a highly unusual round of criticism from within her own party after she noted the influence of Zionist advocacy groups in US politics, with her statements also disingenuously cast as antisemitic.The squad refused calls from activists to use the reelection of Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker as leverage to force concessions in 2019, with New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez claiming those championing the tactic were not real organizers. Poor and elderly terminal cancer patients were among the activists urging Ocasio Cortez to adopt the strategy, which was intended to promote increased healthcare spending.The Democratic Party lost control of the House of Representatives during the 2022 midterm elections after US President Joe Biden failed to enact a minimum wage increase or act on numerous other campaign promises. Nevertheless the United States rigid two-party system frustrates activists attempts to challenge the party, with third-party candidates lacking the massive sums of money required to successfully compete in US politics.Studies have found that candidates who spend more money in their electoral campaigns are overwhelmingly favored to be reelected in the United States. Still, the US continuously lectures other countries about freedom and democracy despite massive levels of corruption within its own political system. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231211/how-team-biden-defies-own-human-rights-rules-in-israel-weapons-supplies-1115518899.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240218/new-york-governor-forced-to-apologize-after-defending-israels-destruction-of-gaza-1116852226.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231209/innovation-or-incompetence-democrats-concerned-over-bidens-2024-strategy-1115503365.html americas michigan palestine israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg why does rashida tlaib oppose biden, why does rashida talib oppose president joe biden, how can i help palestine, how can i stop the genocide in palestine, how can i help palestinians, why does the democratic party support israel, why should i vote against joe biden, why do arab americans oppose joe biden, why will joe biden lose michigan, why do democrats defend israel, why doesn't the squad pressure joe biden https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/eu-approves-naval-mission-to-protect-navigation-in-red-sea---italian-foreign-minister-1116879005.html EU Approves Naval Mission to Protect Navigation in Red Sea - Italian Foreign Minister EU Approves Naval Mission to Protect Navigation in Red Sea - Italian Foreign Minister Sputnik International The EU foreign ministers have approved the launch of a naval mission to protect navigation in the Red Sea amid an increase in attacks on cargo ships by Yemen's Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, with Italy set to take over the command of the forces, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday 2024-02-19T16:16+0000 2024-02-19T16:16+0000 2024-02-19T16:16+0000 military red sea crisis antonio tajani italy red sea yemen houthi european union (eu) houthi movement houthi rebels https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/13/1116878808_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_714a08abc3c821e742475350dc02b0d0.jpg "At a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, we have just approved the launch of a military operation Aspides, where Italy will take command of the forces," Tajani wrote on X (former Twitter). Participants in the mission will not strike Houthi positions in Yemen, as the operation will be purely defensive, Tajani said earlier in February. This led US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to announce the creation of a multinational operation to secure navigation in the Red Sea. US and UK forces later launched major strikes against Houthi positions in a bid to degrade the rebels' ability to target commercial vessels. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/houthis-bring-down-second-us-reaper-drone-as-red-sea-crisis-escalates-1116875086.html italy red sea yemen Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International houthi attacks in the red sea, terrorist attacks in the red sea, why are houthis attacks ships in the red sea, commercial ships under attack in the red sea, who do houthis target, who do houthis attack, who are houtis, red sea attacks, whats happening in the red sea, why are there attacks in the red sea, us ships in the red sea, us coalition in the red sea, us-led coalition in the red sea, international coalition in the red sea, military hostilities in the red sea, tensions in the red sea Medical chaos imminent as gov't, doctors remain at odds over med school quota hike By Jun Ji-hye Major hospitals and health authorities are swiftly transitioning into emergency mode as thousands of trainee doctors prepare to walk off their jobs on Tuesday to protest the government's plan to increase the number of medical school students starting next year. Trainee doctors, which include interns and resident doctors, constitute approximately 30 to 40 percent of the total medical staff at large hospitals. They play a pivotal role in emergency procedures, providing crucial assistance to medical experts. Bracing for the looming walkout, large hospitals have begun adjusting surgery schedules based on the severity of a patient's illness. Health authorities are also formulating various contingency plans, including proposals to make emergency rooms at military hospitals accessible to the public. These measures are intended to mitigate potential disruptions in patient care resulting from the impending walkout by trainee doctors. The imminent collective action by junior doctors is a response to the government's announcement on Feb. 6 of plans to increase the annual enrollment quota at 40 medical schools nationwide. The proposed increase would raise the quota from the current 3,058 to 5,058 starting next year. The government has been seeking to raise the medical school enrollment quota to address shortages of doctors and improve public access to medical services. On the other hand, doctors and medical school students raised concerns that expanding the number of placements could adversely affect the quality of education and training. They said the government should instead explore ways to improve the working environment of physicians and better allocate them. Trainee doctors at major hospitals nationwide, including ones at the so-called big five hospitals in Seoul Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul Asan Medical Center, Samsung Medical Center, Severance Hospital and Seoul St. Marys Hospital were poised to submit their letters of resignation en masse and stop working on Tuesday. Among them, some trainee doctors at Severance Hospital already stopped working on Monday, with others continuing to take part in the submission of resignation letters. We have reduced our surgery room operations to about 50 to 60 percent of the ordinary rate in preparation for a collective walkout of trainee doctors, an official at Severance Hospital said. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, there are approximately 13,000 trainee doctors stationed at 221 teaching hospitals nationwide. Among them, around 2,745, constituting about 21 percent of the total, are employed at the five major hospitals in Seoul. Concerns are rising that actions by trainee doctors could pose a serious threat to hospital operations and patient care across the country. The health ministry reiterated its firm stance against any collective action, ordering all trainee doctors to keep providing medical services. This order is effective immediately, Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said during a media briefing. We will carry out on-site inspections to monitor the situation. We will disclose everything transparently and promptly. In a bid to mitigate potential medical disruptions stemming from the impending walkout, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced that the government will significantly expand telemedicine services. Telemedicine, or non-face-to-face medical treatments, which is technically illegal under the current Medical Services Act, was temporarily allowed in Korea in February 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling people to use phone consultations and prescriptions for a limited time. After the public health crisis came to an end, telemedicine continued as a pilot project in June last year with available services significantly narrowed. The government will also expand the consulting hours of 97 public hospitals and open the emergency rooms of 12 military hospitals to the public, Han said during an emergency meeting with relevant ministers. Medical students are also mobilizing to join the protests by collectively taking leaves of absence. Representatives from 35 out of 40 medical schools unanimously agreed to submit applications for leaves of absence on Tuesday. In response, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho convened a video conference with the presidents of the 40 medical schools on Monday, urging them to closely monitor the situation and manage their students effectively. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/eu-plans-for-new-russia-sanctions-driven-by-desire-to-please-us---budapest-1116880874.html EU Plans for New Russia Sanctions Driven by Desire to 'Please' US - Budapest EU Plans for New Russia Sanctions Driven by Desire to 'Please' US - Budapest Sputnik International The European Union's plans for a new package of Russia sanctions make no sense, as they will constitute just a demonstrative step designed to "please" Washington and liberal media, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Monday 2024-02-19T17:49+0000 2024-02-19T17:49+0000 2024-02-19T17:49+0000 world peter szijjarto russia washington ukraine european union (eu) us sanctions russian economy under sanctions eu sanctions western sanctions https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/08/1116667906_0:33:3526:2016_1920x0_80_0_0_3e80ac7071aeb42a24396c64779e2ff3.jpg Earlier in the day, the EU foreign ministers discussed new Russian sanctions they are seeking to impose by February 24, which marks the anniversary of the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. As many as 193 individuals and legal entities are expected to be included in the 13th package of sanctions, media reported. Most of them will be from Russia, but sanctions may also be imposed against individuals or organizations from Belarus, China, India, Turkiye and North Korea. The upcoming anniversary of the start of the Ukraine conflict should encourage European politicians to promote a ceasefire and peace talks, but "there are no peace proposals on the agenda today," Szijjarto added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240215/hungary-halts-new-eu-sanctions-against-russia--reports-1116801418.html russia washington ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International what sanctions did us adopt against russia, is us limiting import of russian fuel, does russia export fuel to the us, what fuels does russia export to the us, what is enriched uranium, is us struggling with enriched uranium, who is global uranium leader, are russia and us cooperating in nuclear industry https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/eurobonds-floated-as-eu-grapples-with-ukraine-aid--depleted-weapons-stocks-1116873838.html Eurobonds Floated as EU Grapples With Ukraine Aid & Depleted Weapons Stocks Eurobonds Floated as EU Grapples With Ukraine Aid & Depleted Weapons Stocks Sputnik International Issuing Eurobonds has been floated as a way to scrape together more funds for Ukraine, and kick-start Europe's own defense industry. 2024-02-19T11:47+0000 2024-02-19T11:47+0000 2024-02-19T11:47+0000 ukraine estonia world european union (eu) nato munich security conference proxy war eurobonds eurobonds https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/13/1116872812_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_fbb612195375716f91409f6f638c99f3.jpg Issuing 100 billion ($108 billion) in joint eurobonds has been floated as a way to not only scrape together more funds for the flagging NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, but to kick start Europe's own defense industry.The eurobonds idea was insistently touted by Estonias Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, fresh from attending the weekend's Munich Security Conference.Amid growing signs of waning support for funding Ukraine in several European capitals, Kallas remains a fervid supporter of the proxy war. She used the interview to yet again urge EU countries to supply Kiev with weapons, no matter how depleted their own stockpiles might be, adding:"Europe has done a lot and has to also do more. That is clear... I dont see their warehouses, but if we, as a small country, still find things that we can send, I'm sure that the bigger countries also have things that they can give or send to Ukraine."Estonia's PM also called on allies to follow her country's own pledge in January to spend 0.25% of GDP (or about 120 billion euros/$131 billion USD) over the next four years to support Ukraine.Many EU national budgets have increasingly come under strain, cash-strapped over US-driven pressure to pump more money to fund NATO's proxy war with Russia in Ukraine. Amid rapidly depleting weapons stockpiles due to the drive to arm Kievs regime, NATO has also been increasingly impelling its members to meet its defense spending target of at least 2% of national GDP. This explains the timing of the idea of taking a swipe at these problems by issuing eurobonds.French President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Charles Michel have both floated the idea of special EU bonds to ramp up defense investment. Recently, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also went on record as saying that it was a "sound idea and it's something that could help us in speeding things up." However, he added in a more sobering afterthought that "at some point, you need to be able to sustain it," in a reference to increased military spending. "You cant sustain it by borrowing all the time," Croo warned.But the eurobonds plan is a tricky one. The idea of euorobonds issued jointly by the EU's 19 Eurozone states was first suggested during the sovereign debt crisis (2009 -2010s). Germany's then-Chancellor Angela Merkel was adamantly against it, pointing out that the EU treaty did not allow for the issuance of common bonds. The idea resurfaced several times, more recently during the coronavirus pandemic. Some critics emphasize that eurobonds could contravene Article 125 of the Lisbon Treaty, which states that the EU and its member states are not liable for the commitments of other members. It is also underscored that eurobonds would give debt-mired EU states free reign to to dip into cheaper credit at the expense of other, stronger Eurozone economies.The talk about eurobonds comes as patrons of the Kiev regime have been brainstorming how to find ways to continue to fund the flagging Ukraine "project." While the Munich Security Conference was taking place, the Russian military routed Ukraine's forces from the stronghold of Avdeyevka. The city had long been used by the Kiev regimes nationalist troops to shell residential areas of the nearby Donbass city of Donetsk. Besides having to face Ukraine's battleground losses after sending billions' worth of weapons to President Volodymyr Zelenskys nationalist forces, the West is now facing a plethora of procurement problems. Ukraine's supporters are now reduced to scouring previously long-overlooked sources of munitions and artillery as warehouses across the continent have been bled dry.Last month, several EU leaders and officials admitted that a joint procurement initiative to get ammunition and missiles to Ukraine within a year would not make the deadline. The EU had promised Kiev one million artillery rounds before the end of March 2024. The hard truth: we have fallen short of this goal, it was stated in a letter signed by Germanys Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Estonian PM Kaja Kallas, and several others. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240202/french-politician-says-54bln-in-aid-to-ukraine-will-cost-france-86bln-in-taxpayers-money-1116546030.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240217/eus-2024-economic-growth-forecasts-cut-as-blocs-big-guns-hit-recession-1116841060.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240205/burden-of-ukraine-funding-may-be-passed-onto-europe-1116606550.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/no-logical-plan-for-ukraines-war-effort-as-40-million-in-us-aid-stolen---report-1116478381.html ukraine estonia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko aid for ukraine, depleted weapons stockpiles, us military aid to ukraine, eu aid to kiev, us military stockpiles depleted, eu military stockpiles depleted, russian forces liberate avdeyevka https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/expert-us-supplies-chemical-weapons-to-ukraine-in-violation-of-law-1116879425.html Expert: US Supplies Chemical Weapons to Ukraine in Violation of Law Expert: US Supplies Chemical Weapons to Ukraine in Violation of Law Sputnik International Russia recorded cases of Ukrainian troops using US-made chemical grenades in the special military operation zone, according to Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's radiation, chemical and biological defense force 2024-02-19T17:42+0000 2024-02-19T17:42+0000 2024-02-19T17:42+0000 world ukraine russia washington ukrainian armed forces organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons (opcw) rchbd chemical weapons convention high mobility artillery rocket system (himars) patriot https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/03/1c/1094264759_0:44:2000:1169_1920x0_80_0_0_678d85a58939b792125e50f28faf96e4.jpg Russia's Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops (RChBD) have documented cases of the use of poisonous chemicals by the Ukrainian military.According to Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, some of those substances were contained in the US-made weapons.Inn particular, Ukrainian forces used US-made gas grenades loaded with "CS" capable of causing skin burns and respiratory paralysis, meaning Washington violated the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) ratified by the US on April 25, 1997.Ukraine received US-made chemical weapons along with HIMARS systems, Patriot missile defense complexes, howitzers, etc "directly from the United States," Igor Nikulin, military expert, former member of the UN Commission on Chemical and Biological Weapons, told Sputnik.According to the expert, the US was well aware that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would use these chemical weapons against the Russian military. Nikulin said the US was directly pulling the Kiev regime's strings."Not a single terrorist attack was committed on the Russian territory without the participation of American or British curators," he argued. "Especially now, when the Ukrainian Armed Forces are on the verge of defeat, the West is assisting [Ukraine] with all means in its possession."According to Kirillov, on December 28, 2023, US-made grenades loaded with CS gas were dropped from a copter-type unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on the positions of Russian troops in the Krasny Liman area.CS is an abbreviation for the compound 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, a cyano-carbon, the main component of tear gas.On January 31, 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces used an unknown toxic chemical that caused burns which was later identified as anthraquinone.According to Kirillov, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are currently planning to use dangerous chemical substances to hinder the offensive of the Russia military in order to gain extra time to prepare defensive lines in the Zaporozhye, Kharkov and Sumy regions.The expert recalled that Daesh (ISIS/ISIL)* plotted a terrorist attack in Jordan against King Abdullah II with the use of the same substances. "But it did not take place, it was exposed in time, it was about 20 years ago," he noted.Meanwhile, there is still much controversy surrounding the US' chemical weapon stockpiles. According to Kirillov, two facilities in the United States are still storing highly toxic reaction masses left after the destruction of declared American chemical weapons. The US was expected to complete the destruction of these stockpiles in 2007, but it has not yet been done, the lieutenant general highlighted on Monday.It is also known that in 2003-2011 the United States identified more than 4,500 artillery and rocket chemical munitions containing mustard gas and sarin on the territory of Iraq. Some of those weapons were disposed of locally without an OPCW sanction, while the others were exported to the US; it is still unclear what happened to these munitions.Nikulin drew attention to the fact that OPCW has yet to investigate these cases, suggesting that the US is de facto controlling the international watchdog.*Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) is a terrorist organization banned by Russia and many other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/russia-recorded-cases-of-ukraine-using-us-chemical-munitions-in-action---mod-1116874393.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/us-stores-dangerous-reactive-materials-after-destroying-its-chemical-weapons---mod-1116875805.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231127/russia-has-proof-of-us-engagement-in-supply-of-toxic-chemicals-to-ukraine-1115231068.html ukraine russia washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova ukraine uses chemical weapons against russian military, us-made chemical weapons, ukraine plan to use poisonous substances against russians, chemical weapons convention, us violates chemical weapons convention https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/houthis-attacked-uk-ship-in-gulf-of-aden-vessel-severely-damaged-1116873004.html Houthis Attacked UK Ship in Gulf of Aden, Vessel Severely Damaged Houthis Attacked UK Ship in Gulf of Aden, Vessel Severely Damaged Sputnik International Yemen's Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, has attacked a UK Rubymar cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Monday, adding that the vessel was severely damaged. 2024-02-19T08:20+0000 2024-02-19T08:20+0000 2024-02-19T08:20+0000 world red sea crisis houthi houthis united kingdom (uk) middle east gulf of aden cargo ship https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/18/1116350323_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_6cd6ca434f5975d5880c0f63f4a0fd25.jpg "The Naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a specific military operation, targeting a British ship in the Gulf of Aden, 'RUBYMAR,' with a number of appropriate naval missiles. Among the results of the operation were the following: The ship suffered catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt. As a result of the extensive damage the ship suffered, it is now at risk of potential sinking in the Gulf of Aden," Saree said in a statement on Telegram. The Yemeni air defenses were also able to shoot down a US-made Drone, MQ9, "with a suitable missile while it was carrying out hostile missions against our country on behalf of the Zionist entity," the spokesman added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240218/us-detects-first-houthi-underwater-drone-while-conducting-new-round-of-strikes-1116865553.html united kingdom (uk) gulf of aden Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International yemen's houthi movement, gulf of aden, uk rubymar https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/houthis-bring-down-second-us-reaper-drone-as-red-sea-crisis-escalates-1116875086.html Houthis Bring Down Second US Reaper Drone as Red Sea Crisis Escalates Houthis Bring Down Second US Reaper Drone as Red Sea Crisis Escalates Sputnik International A senior Houthi official said last week that the critical maritime corridor linking Europe and Asia was no longer a resort in which the Americans can roam and have fun in. On Sunday, US Central Command confirmed that the Navys nightmare scenario of Houthis armed with unmanned underwater and surface vessels had turned into a reality. 2024-02-19T12:05+0000 2024-02-19T12:05+0000 2024-02-19T12:27+0000 military & intelligence red sea hodeidah yemen houthi us central command (centcom) houthis mq-9 reaper red sea crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/03/18/1082440961_0:96:1083:705_1920x0_80_0_0_3d60c132bc5f8eed7d137334b6cc244e.png Yemens Houthi fighters say theyve shot down a second US MQ-9 Reaper drone, with the incident reportedly taking place over Al Hodeidah Governorate in the countrys west.The Yemeni Armed Forces will not hesitate to take more military measures and carry out more qualitative operations against all hostile targets in defense of beloved Yemen and in confirmation of the position of support for the Palestinian people. The operations of the Yemeni Armed Forces in the Red and Arabian Seas will not stop until the aggression stops and the siege on the Gaza Strip is lifted, he added.CENTCOM, the United States combatant command responsible for operations in the Middle East, has yet to comment on the Houthis announcement.The militia previously shot down a Reaper drone off the Yemeni coast on November 8, 2023, three weeks after starting a campaign of cruise missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, and provoking a US response. The same month, the Houthis began their campaign of attacks and hijackings against Israeli-affiliated commercial vessels traveling through the Red Sea, shrinking traffic through the critical maritime artery by over 40 percent.The Houthis air defense troops are known for their proficiency in shooting down MQ-9s, the laser-guided bomb and Hellfire missile-armed American unmanned aerial vehicles, downing their first one in October 2017 over Sanaa, Yemens capital.The militias knowhow in shooting down drones has been matched by their ability to build their own, with the fighters regularly firing kamikaze UAVs and loitering munitions against the Gulf Coalition seeking to oust them from 2015 onward, and more recently, deploying them against commercial vessels and US and British warships deployed to the Gulf amid the Palestinian-Israeli crisis.On Sunday, CENTCOM confirmed that in addition to anti-ship cruise missiles, the Houthis possessed unmanned underwater and unmanned surface vessels.CENTCOMs statement came just days after Rear Admiral Marc Miguez, commander of US Carrier Strike Group Two, warned that one of the most scary scenarios for his forces is to have a bomb-laden, unmanned surface vessel that can go in pretty fast speeds.[Its] more of an unknown threat that we dont have a lot of intel on, that could be extremely lethal an unmanned surface vessel, Miguez said, adding that the Houthis have ways of obviously controlling them just like they do [aerial drones], and we have very little fidelity as to all the stockpiles of what they have.Carrier Strike Group Two and its lead ship, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, have been patrolling the Red Sea since November, with officers and seamen reportedly approaching exhaustion from having to chase after Houthi hijackers and shoot down their incoming missiles and drones. Last week, the Royal Navys HMS Diamond guided missile destroyer was temporarily pulled out of the Red Sea to refit after having to dodge repeated Houthi attacks. That ship had been operating in the region since December, with Britain being the sole US ally to commit anything beyond a handful of seamen to Washingtons "Operation Prosperity Guardian" mission against the Houthis. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240218/us-detects-first-houthi-underwater-drone-while-conducting-new-round-of-strikes-1116865553.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20200224/watch-houthis-show-off-new-line-of-home-grown-surface-to-air-missiles-1078395381.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/ex-mp-uk-navys-lack-of-missiles-shows-anti-houthi-op-was-knee-jerk-reaction-1116452910.html red sea hodeidah yemen Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov why are the houthis attacking us in red sea, why is us attacking houthis in red sea, red sea crisis, houthi https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/how-euromaidan-triggered-ukraines-nine-year-war-on-donbass-1116864693.html How Euromaidan Triggered Ukraine's Nine-Year War on Donbass How Euromaidan Triggered Ukraine's Nine-Year War on Donbass Sputnik International The 2014 February coup d'etat became the trigger for the conflict in Ukraine, which Russia's special military operation was designed to end, Maidan witnesses from Donbass told Sputnik. 2024-02-19T06:00+0000 2024-02-19T06:00+0000 2024-02-25T13:44+0000 european union (eu) donbass donetsk ukraine viktor yushchenko europe viktor yanukovych world military coup coup d'etat https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105461/66/1054616619_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_332e4576663253940df72ea9c8df0349.jpg The "Russian Spring" in Donbass was a grassroots movement that began when the Euromaidan protests were raging in Kiev, Alexander Matyushin, call sign "Varyag," former commander of the "Varyag" detachment and war correspondent, told Sputnik.The protests started on November 21, 2013, with up to 2,000 protesters gathering in Kiev's central square, Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square), after then-President Viktor Yanukovich refused to sign an EU association agreement.Roots of Split Between Western and Eastern Ukraine"Historically, the southeast [of Ukraine] has always gravitated towards Russia," Matyushin said. He recalled that in 1919, Vladimir Lenin, then head of the Soviet government, integrated Donbass into the Ukrainian Socialist Republic against the will of the region's population. After the collapse of the USSR, the 1994 plebiscite in Donbass concerning the region's federalization and making Russian a second official language was similarly ignored by the then-Ukrainian government.By the time of Euromaidan, the southeastern and northwestern parts of Ukraine had already been divided over the future of the country: the former sought to integrate with the EU, while the latter wanted to develop economic ties with Russia, according to Matyushin.The split became especially visible in 2004, when the Western-backed Orange Revolution on Maidan square brought Viktor Yushchenko to power in Kiev, the war correspondent pointed out."And all the economic vicissitudes starting from 2004, when there was a severance of relations [between Russia and Ukraine], i.e. the gas war, the sugar war, etc., hit Donbass very hard because its industries relied, in particular, on cheap Russian gas."In 2005, the Yushchenko government unilaterally initiated a review of tariffs for the transit of Russian gas to Europe through the territory of Ukraine, which led to the termination of a long-term Russo-Ukrainian gas contract that had fixed the fuel price for Kiev at $50 per 1,000 cubic meters until 2010. The increase in gas price dealt a blow to Donbass, which "blamed the Western Ukraine protege Yushchenko" for the economic turndown, Matyushin noted.According to the war correspondent, over 10 years from 2004 to 2014 the ideological and political rift between western and eastern Ukraine deepened dramatically. The 2014 Euromaidan events became the catalyst for the final division, he underscored.'Russian Spring': Grassroots Movement in DonbassThe 2013-14 Euromaidan movement was orchestrated and funded by Ukrainian oligarchs and their Western backers, who "tried from the very beginning to turn Ukraine into an 'anti-Russia,'" Matyushin explained."On December 3 [2013], I organized a rally on Lenin Square in the center of Donetsk, where a few pro-Russian activists gathered. We stated that we did not support the Maidan unrest, that it should be stopped," Matyushin recalled.After the regime change of February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Donbass activists scheduled a rally for the very next day."An important point is that its backbone was not elderly people, or even middle-aged people, but young people from 20 to 35 years old," he continued.Donetsk activists understood at the time that to confront Ukrainian nationalist and neo-Nazi gangs, they needed to create some sort of a center where people could go and coordinate their activities.On March 1, 2014, a rally on Lenin Square in Donetsk brought together over 10,000 people. Demonstrators carried a large Russian flag and the placards with slogans "Donbass with Russia" and "Crimea-Donbass-Russia." The protesters hoisted the Russian flag on the flagpole of the Donetsk Regional State Administration. On the steps of the building, newly elected People's Governor Pavel Gubarev announced that the people of Donbass wouldnt recognize the illegitimate Kiev regime and would demand a referendum and elections. On April 7, 2014, the newly established Donetsk People's Republic declared independence.Kiev Regime's War Against Its Own PeopleThe regions of southeastern Ukraine did not accept the Maidan coup and launched protest movements. Crimea held a referendum to gain autonomy and rejoin Russia in March 2014. Tens of thousands took to the streets in Kharkov, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, Nikolaev, Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye, Odessa, Gorlovka, Mariupol, and other cities.The Ukrainian junta responded with brutal attacks and military action against pro-Russian protesters.On April 14, 2014, a decree of Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov was released marking the beginning of the "Anti-Terrorist Operation" in southeastern Ukraine. Residents of Donbass who did not accept the coup d'etat were declared "enemies" and "terrorists."On May 2, 2014, the hideous Odessa Trade Unions House massacre, where roughly 50 people were bludgeoned to death and burned alive, took place. On May 9, 2014, Ukrainian ultra-nationalists and the military killed and persecuted participants of the Victory Day Parade in Mariupol. The Ukrainian regime also started to shell Donbass."Everything that happened at the time was seen not only by the militia, but also by all the residents of Donbass. We, the people, were bombed literally everywhere. They struck everywhere. Children were dying," Maya said."It was hard for our population to endure this tragedy when Ukraine essentially betrayed us. These events have ruined the lives of many people," Maya highlighted.Like many Donbass residents at the time, Matyushin took up arms to defend the Donetsk Republic: "A bayonet can only be confronted with a bayonet," he said. "Therefore, I gathered my detachment and went to defend my land. I couldn't do it in any other way."Initially, his detachment consisted mostly of his friends and Donetsk activists. Soon it started to grow."The backbone was made up of those who fought for the Donetsk Republic from the very start. And the rest were those who, in the era of the Russian Spring, realized that their home must be defended, so they took up arms," he said. "Most of my guys had no military experience, so they learned in battle. [] The detachment would have grown larger, but I did not have enough arms. Weapons for the most part were obtained directly as trophies in battle."Russia Steps in to End Kiev Regime's War on DonbassRussia's attempts to stop the Kiev regime's war against Donbass through the Minsk Agreements of 2014 and 2015 failed, as neither Ukraine nor its Western backers were willing to observe the provisions of the accords.Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and ex-French President Francois Hollande later admitted that they considered the Minsk Agreements as an opportunity for the Ukrainian military to build up. Speaking to Spiegel in February 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that he made a decision not to observe the agreements after his election in 2019 and that he had informed Western leaders about it.Likewise, the US and NATO rejected Russia's draft security agreements of December 2021, aimed at ensuring peace in Europe and requesting non-enlargement guarantees from the transatlantic alliance, as well as Ukraine's demilitarization and non-aligned status.Moscow had no alternative but to step in to protect Russian-speakers in the east of Ukraine and ensure the security of its own borders. On February 24, 2022, the special military operation to de-Nazify and demilitarize Ukraine began.Now that the Russian Armed Forces are making progress on the battlefield to bring an end to the nine-year war in eastern Ukraine, Matyushin, who has repeatedly been wounded during the hostilities in Donbass, is working as a war correspondent."Not having the opportunity to fight at the front now, I am trying to protect the country at least informationally," he said. "Therefore, I am always ready to go on air from the scene even if it entails risking my life. But every day in Donetsk one runs the risk of being killed, even if one doesn't leave the house."*The Right Sector and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) are extremist organizations banned in Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240217/how-fake-heavenly-hundred-was-used-to-legitimize-bloodbath--coup-detat-in-ukraine-1116827558.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20220304/why-is-the-west-silent-about-ukrainian-neo-nazi-movements-azov-battalion--bandera-legacy-1093561142.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230509/mariupol-residents-reveal-how-kiev-nazis-turned-sacred-may-9-victory-day-into-massacre-in-2014-1110164374.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230502/journo-i-can-be-jailed-for-treason-in-ukraine-for-telling-truth-about-2014-odessa-massacre-1109983490.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/blood-on-the-walls-inside-ukraines-torture-chambers-1111796712.html donbass donetsk ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova euromaidan, tenth anniversary of euromaidan coup d'etat, tenth anniversary of 2014 regime change in ukraine, maidan protests, neo-nazi paramilitary groups, russian spring, donbass breakaway republics, pro-russia rallies, odessa massacre, mariupol, ukraine's anti-terrorist operation in donbass, russian special military operation to demilitarize and de-nazify ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/irgc-navy-takes-delivery-of-two-new-stealth-warships-1116878209.html IRGC Navy Takes Delivery of Two New Stealth Warships IRGC Navy Takes Delivery of Two New Stealth Warships Sputnik International Irans Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman-adjacent southern coastline stretches roughly 1,700 km and is home to over half a dozen US military bases, making it vital for the Islamic Republic to maintain adequate military resources to defend its shores using asymmetric means. 2024-02-19T15:32+0000 2024-02-19T15:32+0000 2024-02-19T15:33+0000 world qasem soleimani military & intelligence mohammad hossein bagheri iran persian gulf islamic republic islamic revolutionary guard corps (irgc) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/13/1116878043_13:0:1023:568_1920x0_80_0_0_a5850aaa171148309514c57407970624.png The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy has taken delivery of two new Soleimani-class corvettes, with the vessels, the Sayyad Shirazi and the Hassan Bagheri, inaugurated at a ceremony in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Monday.The unique new class of warships, named after fallen IRGC Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, constitutes one of the most sophisticated military vessel designs in Irans arsenal, featuring a unique, low-observable hull design and equipped chock full of some of the latest Iranian radar, sensor and weapons technology.Onboard, the ships bristle with missile and air defense systems, including Irans new Navvab vertical launch system for missiles, four 20 mm triple-barreled Gatling guns, a 30 mm autocannon, 16 Sayyad-series SAMs, and six Abu-Mahdi naval cruise missiles.The ships can carry a combat helicopter and three fast attack boats.There is some confusion in reporting about the two new vessels in Iranian media. The Shahid Soleimani, the lead ship in the series, was commissioned in September 2022. In January, the IRGC commissioned an outwardly similar-looking but smaller warship, the Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (named after the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces commander who was assassinated by the US alongside Qasem Soleimani in 2020 in Baghdad). The latter warship, not to be confused with the Soleimani-series, is 47 meters long, can accelerate to speeds up to 37 knots, and is a separate class of military vessel.Iran began experimenting with stealth-oriented, twin-hull warship designs in 2016 and the commissioning of the Shahid Nazeri, an 800 ton, 55 meter long, twin-engine catamaran with a slender aluminum hull, a 5,400 nautical mile range, and space for one helicopter.Taking part in Mondays ceremony, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri praised Irans naval deterrence power as a reliable shield protecting the nation against foreign aggression, while slamming Washington for using the crisis in Gaza as an excuse to expand its presence in the Middle East.Bagheri praised Irans defense industry, pointing out that the situation today is markedly different from what it was during the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988, when the Islamic Republics naval forces in the Persian Gulf were empty-handed before enemies. Today, he said, Irans warships are equipped with world-class technology and successfully designed and produced in Islamic Iran in spite of sanctions.Western observers have characterized Irans exploration into the field of stealth catamarans as an indication that the country is looking to expand beyond a speedboat-dominated coastal defense strategy toward aspirations of true regional naval power.Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff Aziz Nasirzadeh confirmed on Sunday that Iran has plans to develop the nations regional and extra-regional power in the seas toward the Indian Ocean. Iran took its first steps toward the status of fledgling global maritime power in 2021, sailing a miniature flotilla halfway around the world to St. Petersburg, Russia, and repeating and topping its record in 2023 in two-ship trip that circumnavigated the globe. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240217/iran-showcases-advanced-homegrown-air-defense-systems-1116842683.html iran persian gulf islamic republic Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov does iran have stealth warships, what are iran's latest warships https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/israels-economy-plummets-off-a-cliff-amid-gaza-war-1116881985.html Israels Economy Plummets Off a Cliff Amid Gaza War Israels Economy Plummets Off a Cliff Amid Gaza War Sputnik International Hamas launched a surprise attack into southern Israel from Gaza last October in response to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. To date, over 1,450 Israelis and 30,000+ Palestinians have been killed. 2024-02-19T18:48+0000 2024-02-19T18:48+0000 2024-02-19T18:58+0000 economy benjamin netanyahu palestinians middle east israel palestine jerusalem moodys houthis hamas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/13/1116881640_0:320:3072:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_6f211106bdbbc2fe5495865f8b33d5b4.jpg Newly published data shows that Israels economy has dropped by nearly double digits in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, with GDP shrinking by over 19 percent in annualized terms in the final quarter of 2023.Central Bureau of Statistics figures released Monday showed a 19.4 percent decline in GDP between October to December, highlighting the fallout the ongoing conflict with the Palestinian militant group has had on consumer spending, productivity, investment and trade.The Bureau attributed the drop in part to the fact that some 300,000 reservists were called up to man the war effort, leaving their day jobs vacant and the civilian economy losing out on a big chunk of both producer activity and consumer spending. With about 8 percent of the workforce pulled out of the economy, consumption fell 27 percent, while government spending increased 88 percent.Imports and exports also saw a sharp drop, by 42 percent and 18 percent, respectively, with the Houthis campaign of hijacking and missile attacks against Israeli-affiliated commercial shipping in the Red Sea undoubtedly contributing to the losses.Moodys downgraded Israels credit rating from A1 to A2 last week, citing the impact the Gaza war has had in perceptions of the countrys ability to repay its debts, and updating its sovereign debt outlook to negative. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich blasted Moody's move, calling it a political manifesto that did not include serious economic claims.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured that Israels credit rating would go back up the moment we win the war and we will win the war.But the Central Bureau of Statistics figures appear to confirm that international creditors have reasons for concern, with the GDP drop on a scale this size unseen since 2020 and Israels heavy-handed coronavirus response, which saw the economy temporarily shrinking by nearly 30 percent.Netanyahus optimistic predictions about the conflict in Gaza havent been matched by Israeli military intelligence, which circulated a memo to government officials last week saying that Hamas would survive even if the IDF dismantled its structures thanks to authentic support among Gaza residents.Israels fortunes on the economic front have also been compromised by delays in US funding efforts, with a long-awaited $95 billion military aid package to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan remaining stuck in Congress amid bickering over the Biden administrations perceived failure to address the crisis at the US southern border. The bill, which includes $14 billion for Israel, has been slammed by House MAGA Republicans, who made no progress on its passage and left Washington for a two-week winter break last Thursday.The US sends Israel over $3 billion in military support every year, with total aid topping $260 billion since 1948. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240211/israels-credit-rating-downgraded-to-negative-by-moodys-due-to-war-with-hamas-1116722024.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240218/israelis-flood-tel-aviv-in-renewed-protest-against-pm-netanyahu-1116855107.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/vote-for-ukraine-aid-exposes-deep-generational-gap-within-republican-party-1116876639.html israel palestine jerusalem Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov how is israel's economy doing amid gaza war, how has gaza war impacted israel's economy https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/russia-recorded-cases-of-ukraine-using-us-chemical-munitions-in-action---mod-1116874393.html Ukraine Used US Chemical Weapons Against Russian Troops - MoD Ukraine Used US Chemical Weapons Against Russian Troops - MoD Sputnik International Russia has recorded cases of use of US chemical munitions by Ukrainian troops during the special military operation, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological defense troops of the Russian armed forces, said on Monday. 2024-02-19T10:28+0000 2024-02-19T10:28+0000 2024-02-19T12:34+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine russia kherson russian defense ministry ukrainian armed forces anatoly kirillov chemical weapons https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/0c/1114908255_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_9cdd18b8c81b8dc461e877eb7f3a11ec.jpg "During the special military operation, cases of US chemical weapons used by the armed forces of Ukraine were recorded," Kirillov told a briefing. The Ukraine military used US-made chemical grenades dropped from UAVs several times against the Russian armed forces in 2023, and this January, Ukrainian units used an unknown toxic chemical against the Russian troops, which led to burns, nausea and vomiting. Kherson Region & LPR Heads Survived Poisoning Plots by Ukrainian ForcesIn August 2022, Vladimir Saldo, the head of the Kherson region administration, was hospitalized after being poisoned with ricin, a substance detected in his biomedical samples, revealed Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Chemical Defense Forces.In December 2023, the head of the Lugansk People Republic, Leonid Pasechnik, suffered a serious poisoning attempt from phenolic compounds, said Kirillov. Prior to that incident, Pasechnik had never experienced any such poisoning attempts.The Russian Defense Ministry reported on the facts of the use of poisonous substances by the Ukrainian military:Ukraine Plans to Use Chemicals to Complicate Russian OffensiveThe Armed Forces of Ukraine plan to use chemicals to impede the offensive of the Russian army in order to get additional time to prepare defensive lines in the Zaporozhye, Kharkov and Sumy regions, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov pointed out. According to him, Ukraine's requests for the supply of antidotes, gas masks and other personal protective equipment indicate plans for the large-scale use of toxic substances.Ukraine Dropped US Chemical Grenades on Russian ForcesIn 2023, the Armed Forces of Ukraine used American-made chemical grenades dropped from drones several times against Russian servicemen, said Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov. He pointed out that the very fact of the supply of such ammunition by the United States in a military conflict is a violation of the article of the Convention, which obliges the State party "never, under any circumstances, directly or indirectly transfer chemical weapons to anyone." In addition, according to Kirillov, on April 7 and 21 last year, hand grenades with irritating chemicals marked "Teren-6" were dropped on the positions of Russian troops. He also said that on June 15, a drone with a plastic container filled with the mixture of chloroacetophenone and chloropicrin was used on Russian servicemen in the area of Rabotino in the Zaporozhye region. "If the first compound is classified as a chemical anti-riot agent, then chloropicrin is listed in Schedule 3 of the Chemical Weapons Convention and is prohibited for use even for law enforcement purposes. Repeated cases of the use of ammunition loaded with chloropicrin were recorded in the area of the settlement of Rabotino on August 3 and 11, 2023," Kirillov explained. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231227/ukraine-plotting-false-flag-with-chemical-weapons-warns-russian-foreign-ministry-1115833064.html ukraine russia kherson Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us chemical munitions, russian armed forces, radiation, chemical and biological defense troops, ukrainian troops, us chemical munitions in action https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/russian-troops-completely-liberate-coke-and-chemical-plant-in-avdeyevka-1116867967.html Russian Troops Completely Liberate Coke and Chemical Plant in Avdeyevka Russian Troops Completely Liberate Coke and Chemical Plant in Avdeyevka Sputnik International Russian troops have completely liberated a coke and chemical plant in Avdeyevka from Ukrainian forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. 2024-02-19T05:11+0000 2024-02-19T05:11+0000 2024-02-19T05:27+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine donetsk sergei shoigu ukraine russia russian defense ministry armed forces of ukraine defense ministry vladimir putin https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/13/1116868269_87:0:1333:701_1920x0_80_0_0_b9c7b386ecf2c27366ad636d4049a0a6.jpg Russian troops have completely liberated the coke and chemical plant in Avdeyevka from Ukrainian forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.Units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue their indiscriminate retreat, the ministry added.The Russian military hit the enemy fortified areas with artillery and aviation, and Battlegroup Tsentr continues active operations, the Defense Ministry said.Earlier, the ministry noted that the Russian military was carrying out the final clearing of Avdeyevka of Ukrainian troops, in particular units that were holed up in the local coke and chemical plant.Avdeyevka is a northern suburb of Donetsk and has been contested since the beginning of the special military operation. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have regularly shelled the capital of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and other populated areas of Donbass from there. On Saturday, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin that Avdeyevka was fully under the control of Russian troops. The president congratulated the military on the success and important victory. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240218/avdeyevkas-liberation-shows-ukrainian-front-has-begun-to-crack-1116862066.html donetsk ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 The coke plant was the last fortified facility under the control of Ukrainian forces Sputnik International The coke plant was the last fortified facility under the control of Ukrainian forces 2024-02-19T05:11+0000 true PT0M27S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian troops, ukrainian forces, russian defense ministry The Seoul city government said Monday it will extend the operating hours of city-run hospitals and community healthcare centers and take other emergency measures if a looming doctors' walkout materializes. The city government has been operating a situation room to cope with any contingencies arising from potential collective action by doctors protesting the government's decision to significantly increase medical school seats. The city government has been on an emergency footing since the health ministry raised the country's medical crisis level to the second highest "warning" earlier this month as doctors showed signs of taking collective action. The crisis level is expected to be raised to the highest "severe" level if doctors walk off their jobs. Hundreds of resident doctors have been turning in resignations en masse and plan to walk out of their jobs starting Tuesday morning. In that case, the city government plans to extend the operating hours of internal medicine and other key departments at eight city-run hospitals to 8 p.m. on weekdays while having four of the hospitals open their emergency rooms around the clock. The four hospitals are Seoul Medical Center, Boramae Medical Center, Dongbu Hospital and Seonam Hospital. Community healthcare centers will also be open until 8 p.m., officials said. The city government also plans to provide information on available hospitals and clinics at its emergency medical portal site at www.e-gen.or.kr. (Yonhap) https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/second-largest-hospital-in-gaza-not-functional-after-idf-raid-says-who-head-1116866704.html Second-Largest Hospital in Gaza Not Functional After IDF Raid, Says WHO Head Second-Largest Hospital in Gaza Not Functional After IDF Raid, Says WHO Head Sputnik International Gazas al-Nasser hospital is no longer functional following an Israeli raid, wrote Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Sunday. 2024-02-19T02:05+0000 2024-02-19T02:05+0000 2024-02-19T02:05+0000 israel-gaza conflict world palestine palestine-israel conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/1b/1116442955_0:44:3072:1772_1920x0_80_0_0_420bc1a7d4e3222f6b47769a2b03f948.jpg Gazas al-Nasser hospital is no longer functional following an Israeli raid, wrote Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Sunday. Scores of people including patients and doctors were arrested during the raid, the Gaza Health Ministry and a senior UN official said. The head of WHO said that a team from the organization was barred from entering the facility on Friday and Saturday despite reaching the hospital compound to deliver fuel alongside partners. He said that the delays will cost patients their lives, and added that there are still 200 patients in the hospital; 20 of whom need to be urgently referred to other hospitals to receive health care.The hospital also acted as a shelter for Palestinians who had been displaced due to the war.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) entered the complex on Thursday, excusing their actions based on claims that hostages taken by Hamas were being held there. They also said their raid was precise and limited and accused Hamas of cynically using hospitals for terror. The deadly raid followed a weeks-long siege that intensified this week.Seven patients died at the hospital on Friday after Israeli troops stormed it and a power outage caused the oxygen to shut off, reported Al Jazeera quoting Ashrag al-Qudra, a spokesperson for the Gaza Health Ministry, adding that there are just now four medical staff able to care for patients.Al-Amal Hospital, the only other major medical facility still operational in Khan Youni, is also under attack by Israeli forces. On Sunday, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said that the IDF had targeted the third floor of the hospital with artillery fire after coming under a weeks-long siege.Al Jazeera also reported that the IDF have increased their attacks on Palestine from the air, land and sea. The forces are expanding their hold on Khan Yunis as they move further south into Rafah, where more than 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering.On top of that, there is a lack of available medical staff and a shortage of medical supplies, which literally leaves people lying on the floors of hospitals for hours, waiting for help. Israel has put restrictions on the delivery of aid worsening the shortage.A report from last week showed Israeli forces shooting a Palestinian hostage in cold blood after sending him into the al-Nasser Hospital to warn others to evacuate.The UN, the US, and other Israel allies said they would not accept an invasion of Rafah while Israel has announced that they will push heir offensive into the city if Hamas does not return their hostages by Ramadan.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said that any further negotiations over a cease-fire would not be productive given what he said were Hamass delusional demands which include Israel's retreat from Gaza and the release of Palestinians from Israeli prisons.The death toll from Israeli strikes in Gaza has now risen to nearly 29,000 people with more than 68,000 people being wounded since the conflict first broke out, according to the enclave's health ministry.Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack on October 7, 2023 and breached the border, killing 1,200 and abducting 240 hostages. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240216/situation-around-rafah-does-not-require-additional-measures-against-israel---icj-1116833632.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240218/un-security-council-gears-up-for-gaza-ceasefire-vote-as-us-threatens-veto-1116858194.html palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg idf, israel, palestine, gaza strip, al-nasser hospital https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/sputnik-launches-a-series-of-international-expert-events-1116882447.html Sputnik Launches a Series of International Expert Events Sputnik Launches a Series of International Expert Events Sputnik International Sputnik International News Media has launched a series of expert events entitled "Russia's Cooperation with Asia, Africa and Latin America - Challenges and Prospects" dedicated to discussing topical issues of Russia's interaction with the countries of the Global South 2024-02-19T19:00+0000 2024-02-19T19:00+0000 2024-02-19T19:00+0000 world russia southeast asia moscow asean sputnik russian foreign ministry https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/11/1115020946_0:117:1280:837_1920x0_80_0_0_d890db9a61fae39c3d4eef96bb045ce5.jpg The project is implemented by the media group in partnership with the Gorchakov Foundation and the Center for Assistance to Humanitarian and Educational Programs. The first event of the project was a round table on "Russia-ASEAN: topical issues of interaction".Ekaterina Koldunova, Director of the ASEAN Center at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations and International Relations, Nadezhda Bektimirova, Head of the Department of History of the Far East and Southeast Asia at the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, and Evgeny Korenev, Associate Professor at the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of Russia at the Institute of History and International Relations at the N.G. Chernyshevsky Saratov National Research State University, Director of the Center for External Communications and Development of Youth International Programs at the Pushkin Institute of Russian Language, Head of the International Volunteer Program "Ambassadors of the Russian Language in the World" Svetlana Ulyanova, Secretary General of the Dialogue for Cooperation in Asia Pornchai Danvivatana, Head of Academic Programs at the Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Laos Pavel Huk and Coordinator of Educational Programs at the Faculty of International Relations of the New Era University Noe Pobadora, joined the discussion in person and online.During the roundtable, the participants discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation between the Russian Federation and Southeast Asian countries, as well as potential opportunities and challenges of regional cooperation between Russia and ASEAN countries.Secretary General of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Pornchai Danvivatana emphasized that relations between Russia and ASEAN states have a strong foundation of mutual respect while maintaining their own development goals and interests: "Relations between Russia and ASEAN are marked by mutual respect and a high level of mutual understanding. We share similar values and we are committed to advancing our cooperation, and I would like to note that it is very important for both sides to seek consensus on as many issues as possible."Ekaterina Koldunova, Director of the ASEAN Center at MGIMO of the Russian Foreign Ministry, noted the determining role of tourism in the development of relations between Russia and Southeast Asia: "When we first started to establish and expand the dialog partnership with ASEAN, the very first driving forces of these relations were our tourists. And the most interesting thing is that now we are to some extent witnessing a renaissance of this direction, as all, without exception, countries of the region are striving to create conditions for Russian tourists to return to Southeast Asia again".Noe Pobadora, Coordinator of Educational Programs at the Faculty of International Relations of the University of New Era, elaborated on how cooperation in education allows our countries to deepen mutual understanding and share knowledge in a variety of areas: "We can contribute to the cause of peace, we can share our experiences and promote closer ties, hold international seminars, international festivals, various joint arts events. And, of course, it is also worth finding opportunities within the framework of spreading knowledge about each other through educational programs."Pavel Huc, Director of Academic Programs of the Lao Young Entrepreneurs Association, also emphasized that "cooperation in the field of education is the key to the development of ties between the states as a whole. Therefore, it should be developed in close connection with the needs of the economy. First of all, it is necessary to establish contacts through educational institutions with the involvement of state authorities", said the expert.Nadezhda Bektimirova, Head of the Department of History of the Far East and Southeast Asia at the Institute of Asian and African Countries of Lomonosov Moscow State University, speaking about Russian-Cambodian relations in the context of regional cooperation between Russia and ASEAN, noted: "All countries of Southeast Asia, but Cambodia especially, are countries with the oldest culture, with the oldest civilization. They value their identity very much, they protect it, they are proud of it. And with regard to such spiritually valuable things, of course, we have common views and common relations. Therefore, in my opinion, we need to emphasize the development of humanitarian ties".Evgeny Korenev, Associate Professor of the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of Russia at the Institute of History and International Relations of Saratov National Research State University, highlighted security issues in his speech, calling cooperation in the field of cybersecurity a particularly important area: "We live in a world where information is becoming a very powerful resource, including for various kinds of operations by intelligence services, for using it for the purposes of cross-border criminal groups, and so on. Especially since 2018, we have accumulated a good legal framework with ASEAN, including relevant agreements in the field of information security".Svetlana Ulyanova, Director of the Center for External Communications and Development of Youth International Programs at the Pushkin State Institute of the Russian Language, told about the program "Ambassadors of the Russian Language in the World": "The program has been implemented for 8 years, its essence is that students, postgraduates and young specialists from Russia travel to foreign countries, where they introduce foreign pupils and students to the Russian language, our culture and literature". The expert stressed that an expedition of Russian language ambassadors to ASEAN countries is scheduled for 2024, which is one of the key directions of this program. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231024/sputnikpro-joins-un-global-media-and-information-literacy-week--1114443734.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/sputnik-new-era-university-of-philippines-sign-memorandum-of-understanding-1116131658.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/global-training-program-rt-academy-underway-1116877826.html russia southeast asia moscow Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International sputnik international, sputnik globe, sputnik events, sputnik news agency https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/support-for-reducing-arms-supplies-to-ukraine-increases-to-38-in-france---poll-1116867587.html Support for Reducing Arms Supplies to Ukraine Increases to 38% in France - Poll Support for Reducing Arms Supplies to Ukraine Increases to 38% in France - Poll Sputnik International Support for reducing arms supplies to Ukraine has increased among the French by 10 percentage points compared to June 2023 and reached 38%, showed an Ipsos poll for La Tribune newspaper. 2024-02-19T03:55+0000 2024-02-19T03:55+0000 2024-02-19T03:55+0000 world europe ukraine france nato ipsos arms https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/05/1105067558_0:10:1281:730_1920x0_80_0_0_ff27997df19268bb91bca41c3f81cc6a.jpg At the same time, support for increasing arms supplies to Ukraine decreased by 10 percentage points to 21%, while the number of supporters of maintaining supplies at the current level did not change and reached 41%, the report said.The share of French people who support reducing humanitarian aid to Ukraine has also increased from 16% to 24%. In addition, 35% of respondents, an increase of 11 percentage points, supported a reduction in the intake of Ukrainian refugees.The report added that the number of people who are in favor of reducing economic sanctions against Russia increased by 9 percentage points and reached 30%. The poll was conducted from February 13-15 and surveyed 1,000 people. On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a security agreement for 10 years, which will be valid until Ukraine joins NATO, Macron said. The agreement includes the provision of 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) of military aid to Ukraine in 2024, and also concerns the supply of modern military equipment to Ukraine compatible with NATO-supplied weapons, training of Ukrainian soldiers, as well as strengthening Ukraine's defense industry.Western countries 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. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240218/eu-lacks-funding-to-produce-ammunition-supply-for-ukraine---borrell-1116860631.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240216/heres-why-zelensky-wants-separate-security-pacts-with-france-and-germany-1116826716.html ukraine france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International french support ukraine, ipsos poll for la tribune, west sending arms for ukraine, ukraine military https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/us-stores-dangerous-reactive-materials-after-destroying-its-chemical-weapons---mod-1116875805.html US Stores Dangerous Reactive Materials After Destroying Its Chemical Weapons - MoD US Stores Dangerous Reactive Materials After Destroying Its Chemical Weapons - MoD Sputnik International Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological defense troops of the Russian armed forces, said that Russia has recorded cases of use of US chemical munitions by Ukrainian troops during the special military operation. 2024-02-19T13:09+0000 2024-02-19T13:09+0000 2024-02-19T13:09+0000 world russia organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons (opcw) us dangerous chemicals toxic chemicals chemical attack chemical weapons kentucky https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107618/84/1076188459_12:0:1971:1102_1920x0_80_0_0_52f2f54a1e0fb1676ef8c47633f8bb2a.jpg Two facilities in the United States are still storing highly toxic reaction masses left after the destruction of declared American chemical weapons.Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the chief of the Russian Armed Forces' radiological, chemical and biological defense troops, made the damning revelation in a briefing on Monday.The US was supposed to complete the destruction of its declared chemical weapons stockpiles in 2007, but had not yet done so as of 2023, Kirillov noted.The US removed aerial bombs, artillery and rocket-propelled chemical munitions containing mustard gas and sarin from Iraq in 2003-2011, the location of which is unknown, Kirillov stressed."On Iraqi territory in 2003-2011, the United States identified more than 4,500 aerial bombs, artillery and rocket-propelled chemical munitions containing mustard gas and sarin, some of which were disposed of locally without the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' (OPCW) sanction, and others were exported to the United States. Their further fate is unknown," Kirillov told reporters.Until recently, the US regularly found unaccounted chemical munitions in its artillery arsenals, which were destroyed without promptly telling the OPCW, Kirillov added.The United States retains significant interest in the use of riot control chemicals as a tool of warfare, Kirillov said."Washington continues to show great interest in the use of chemical riot control agents as a tool of warfare. In 2007, the US adopted a military-wide charter on the use of non-lethal weapons, and in 2015, the General Staff Committee approved the 'Guidelines for the Implementation of the Provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention'. These documents define the procedure for the use of non-lethal chemical weapons by military units during special, humanitarian and anti-terrorist operations and peacekeeping missions," he said.Kirillov noted that while the US previously spoke of using such weapons only in response to chemical aggression by an enemy, the new rules crucially include the possibility of unilateral use of toxic chemicals.US Delivered Non-Lethal Chemical Weapons to Third CountriesThe United States transferred non-lethal chemical weapons to third countries in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Igor Kirillov pointed out.In addition, the Pentagon's internal rules allow the use of toxic chemicals in special operations on a 'preventive' basis, while previously it was permitted only in response to enemy chemical aggression, the official said.US Declared 460 Tonnes of Novichok-Class Toxic Substances up Until 2018Until 2018, the US reported an annual declaration of 460 tonnes of unidentified nerve toxin agents, Kirillov stressed.According to the ministry, the compounds belonged to the Novichok class, he added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231020/us-conducts-chemical-explosion-at-nuclear-test-site-on-day-russia-pulls-out-of-ctbt-1114343779.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/russia-recorded-cases-of-ukraine-using-us-chemical-munitions-in-action---mod-1116874393.html russia kentucky Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International dangerous reactive materials, united states, russian armed forces' radiological, chemical and biological defense troops, chemical weapons, american chemical weapons https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/vote-for-ukraine-aid-exposes-deep-generational-gap-within-republican-party-1116876639.html Vote for Ukraine Aid Exposes Deep Generational Gap Within Republican Party Vote for Ukraine Aid Exposes Deep Generational Gap Within Republican Party Sputnik International The Senate's foreign aid bill has exposed a generational gap within the ranks of the Republican Party, according to the DC-based think tank the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. 2024-02-19T13:41+0000 2024-02-19T13:41+0000 2024-02-19T13:41+0000 us donald trump lindsey graham americans ukraine russia gop senate republican americas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/06/17/1096578500_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_7d9b5de515b7573c1b06dc5a27a9eb90.jpg The Senate passed a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill for Ukraine, Israel and the island of Taiwan, stripped of border security provisions, last Tuesday. Twenty-two GOP Senators voted in favor of the legislation, with 27 vehemently opposing it. Having conducted an analysis of the votes, DC-based think tank the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft concluded on February 19 that there is "an interesting generational divide" within the Republican caucus.Senators have also noticed the generational gap: "Nearly every Republican Senator under the age of 55 voted NO on this America Last bill," tweeted Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), 48."Youthful naivety is bliss, the wisdom of age may save the West," argued Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), 63. "Reagan may be dead, but his doctrine saved the world during less dangerous times than these."For his part, Sen. J.D. Vance, 39, drew attention to the fact that "the fruits of [the older] generation in American leadership is: quagmire in Afghanistan, war in Iraq under false pretenses." According to him, younger Americans are fed up with that foreign policy.According to the QI, "equally striking" was the breakdown of votes among GOP senators based on when they assumed their current positions in the upper chamber. Thus, of the 49 incumbent Republican senators, 30 were elected before Donald Trump was picked as the GOP's presidential candidate in 2016. Over half of those 30 voted in favor of the aid bill. When it comes to the 19 senators who assumed office in 2017 and later, just four of them supported the legislation; the rest resolutely opposed it.The think tank suggested that the difference in votes could partially be attributable to Trump's unorthodox foreign policy approach, dubbed at the time "isolationist," whereas the Republican Party establishment hardened during the Cold War era and Global War on Terror and adopted a hawkish approach including to Russia.Still, the QI presumed that the vote cannot be explained solely by ideology, given that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) ultimately voted against the package, despite his vocal support for Ukraine and Israel. Graham, 68, has held his seat in the upper chamber since 2003. Explaining his move, the senator bemoaned the lack of border security provisions in the $9 bill and even echoed Trumps argument that aid to Ukraine should be a "loan."However, Graham's recent move appears to be a mere political maneuver: on Sunday, he signaled support for the House's $66 billion national security package proposed by a bipartisan group of representatives on February 16.The Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act was proposed by the so-called bipartisan moderate Problem Solvers Caucus. Axios assumed last Friday that the bill would face opposition from the House MAGA Republicans as its border provisions aren't as tough as what conservative representatives are seeking. Likewise, attempts to ram a multi-billion Ukraine package could be nixed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and like-minded GOP members of Congress in the lower chamber. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240215/us-house-breaks-until-february-28-without-advancing-ukraine-israel-aid-bill-1116808540.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240216/donald-trump-resonates-with-average-people-with-criticism-of-nato-ukraine-funding-1116813393.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240214/lindsey-grahams-about-face-on-ukraine-shows-gop-patience-with-kiev-regime-has-run-out-1116788385.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/keeping-ukraines-military-from-collapsing-only-plan-western-sponsors-have-1116868865.html ukraine russia americas afghanistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova aid for ukraine, ukraine aid, us republican party, will house vote for ukraine aid, us foreign aid bill, americans support for ukraine fading, ukraine war, russian special military operation in ukraine The longtime partnership between the Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic and Mary Washington Healthcare is deteriorating, threatening the future of the clinic thats served the areas uninsured for more than 30 years and provided more than $325 million in free services. The issue stems from the clinics dwindling operational fund, which was established by community donations 20 years ago. As the two groups discussed the financial situation, MWHC offered to take over operations, to bring Moss into the family, said Eric Fletcher, senior vice president and chief strategy officer of Mary Washington Healthcare. Members of the clinics board of directors feared MWHC would cut the dental program, which provided 1,194 free appointments in 2022, and the pharmacy, which helps provide free prescriptions to patients locally as well as to 14 other free clinics in the state. Nothing was put in writing about the cuts, but Dr. Lloyd Moss Jr. said the intent was clear, and we couldnt accept that. His late father was one of the clinic founders in 1993, a longtime Fredericksburg physician and true humanitarian whose only purpose was to provide health care to those who needed it, said Lloyd Moss Jr., vice president of the clinics board. In the weeks after Moss declined MWHCs offer, the relationship between the two groups began to change, said Karen Dulaney, the clinics executive director. MWHC stopped providing services in IT and human resources, payroll and accounts payable. Then, it started charging for landscaping, snow removal and janitorial services. All the services had been provided by MWHC since Moss opened on the hospital campus in May 2007, Dulaney said. Paying for them will cost the clinic more than $205,000 a year. Thats in addition to the loss of operating funds. Moss had been drawing about $500,000 a year from the fund, but got the last payment in November. That wasnt a surprise, Dulaney said. Board members knew the money was running out, but, going forward, expected a continuing partnership and the collaborative support theyd always gotten from MWHC, she said. We didnt expect to be dropped like a hot potato or the additional expenses being levied on us, Dulaney said. Together, the unexpected costs and the loss of operating funds account for more than $720,000 a year, Dulaney said. The clinic will have to raise that as part of its $2.6 million annual budget. Piece by piece Fletcher maintains the removal of computer-related services and the charge for basic maintenance dont have anything to do with Moss declining the takeover offer. He said the health care system has regular cybersecurity assessments, and a recent evaluation noted a significant risk with having Moss on its network even though nothing about the arrangement changed on the Moss end. We cant have that kind of risk, Fletcher said. We had to change the relationship with Moss. As for the maintenance expenses, Fletcher said it was the Moss boards prerogative to be an independent organization, and as such, MWHC is charging for services as it would any other independent practice operating on one of its campuses. Mary Washington Healthcare has two hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 60 outpatient facilities and wellness services from Culpeper County to Colonial Beach. Stacy Horne, a member of the Moss board, told Fletcher and Dr. Mike McDermott, CEO and president of MWHC, that MWHCs actions couldnt be viewed as anything but retaliatory. When we decided not to accept their offer, it was like they decided to take their ball and go home, Horne said. And were going to pay the price for it and our patients are going to pay the price. Theres no way that wont affect patients. Physicians who volunteer their time at Moss also told board members they werent interested in doing the same, if the clinic were operated by MWHC. We have a couple physicians on our board and theres no interest in working for MWHC and then volunteering for MWHC in (what would be) their free clinic, said Christen Gallik, immediate past president of the clinics board of directors. It just wasnt going to happen. Lloyd Moss Jr. said whats happened is heartbreaking, considering everything the clinic has accomplished in three decades. Its served more than 16,000 patients and dispensed more than 880,000 prescriptions, both locally and in other free clinics that serve more than 20 cities in Virginia. In spite of their statements of supporting the free clinic any way they could, (MWHC) has been taking away, piece by piece by piece, everything they could take away from us, Moss said. I think its kind of a statement of the present health care situation. Were losing sight of what all people in health care are designed to do, to take care of everybody who needs the care. No guarantees The Moss Free Clinic operated out of two small offices downtown for its first decade. When it needed more space, Fred Rankin, then-CEO and president of Mary Washington Healthcare, suggested building on the campus of Mary Washington Hospital, according to the Fredericksburg Area Regional Health Council meetings from April 2003. The hospital foundation agreed to conduct a capital campaign, and the community donated $10.4 million. Of that amount, $4.2 million was used to build the clinic, which opened in May 2007, nine months after the death of its namesake. The rest of the money, $6.2 million, was designated for operations. Another $2.1 million in interest grew over the years, through the fund the hospital foundation managed. MWHC also contributed another $8.5 million for operating expenses since the clinic opened, Fletcher said, noting the level of support the health care titan has provided over the years. Moss officials are grateful for the past support and assumed the relationship would continue, not go in the opposite direction, Gallik said. When we began good-faith discussions, we just assumed our partnership would continue in the manner we had always operated, she said. The proposal from MWHC to take over the clinic took the entire board by surprise. Moss hired Snowflake Consulting Partners, which has worked with other free clinics, to evaluate the situation and determine the best way to proceed. Board members were frustrated by the lack of information they received about MWHCs intent, if it took over the clinic. Sadly, all of our answers (from MWHC) were non-answers, Horne said. We needed to feel confident the dental and prescriptions were not going to be taken out of what we do and that was not at all the indication they gave us. Fletcher said Moss was asking for a guarantee that MWHC couldnt provide. He dismissed the notion that any health care organization could promise something such as free dental care at the clinic for like forever. Can you guarantee anybody anything forever? he asked, adding that the Moss board members tried to pin us in a corner and say, You have to guarantee us its going to operate like it always has. Fletcher added: Theyve run out of money and they cant continue to operate the way they always have. Better safety net Fletcher also stressed that the health care landscape has changed and that Moss is no longer the only clinic providing free health care for the uninsured or those with Medicaid. He cited five other clinics that MWHC supports, from Orange County to Colonial Beach, as well as its $10 million investments in two clinics for its Graduate Medical Education program. Hospital residents, whove graduated from medical school and earned medical licenses, will complete their three-year residencies while rotating through MWHCs various facilities. There are 21 residents in the program so far who are seeing patients for primary care and internal medicine appointments. Theyre treating 1,500 patients a month more than Moss treats a year said Fletcher, noting that 15% to 20% of patients are uninsured or have Medicaid. All of these things, stitched together, form a better safety net than we have ever had, Fletcher said, adding there are fewer patients without insurance as a result of Medicaid expansion and more places where they can find care. Gallik, whos also the director of Fredericksburgs Department of Social Services, said availability does not equate to access. The clinic has provided all the services a patient would need medical, dental, vision and mental health under one roof, at a place reachable by the FRED bus line. I see our shared patients every single day and I know how difficult it is for them to navigate any system, let alone health care, she said. My clients are not gonna go down Route 3 to a GME (Graduate Medical Education) practice, its just not gonna happen. Theyre gonna forego care, theyre gonna get sick, be seen in the ER when theyre sicker and have advanced disease. Moss officials have moved offices from the second floor of the clinic to reduce expenses and suspect their prime location on campus is the reason MWHC is looking to take over and perhaps reduce the clinic size and scope. Fletcher said maybe the clinic looks different going forward, but that no one wants to see it closed. He did say MWHC is looking at all the buildings on campus to see how to best use the space as the region and need for medical care grows. That includes the Kids Station daycare facility, which will close May 24 so MWHC can repurpose the building. Rufus Phillips, CEO of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, was disturbed to hear about possible changes at Moss. Its one of the real jewels in terms of free clinics across the state, he said, noting its size, volunteer force and ability to provide medical, dental, vision and mental health services. Theyre able to address, as we say, the whole person, and that cannot be understated. I just dont know how the community would be able to make up for that kind of clinic, you dont build that overnight. The boy ordered 79 meals during the 2019-20 school year: Chicken fingers, mac and cheese, corn puppies, French toast sticks, hot dogs, a stuffed-crust pepperoni pizza. A court document labeled Exhibit A lists them all in plain black text. In total, he ate $194 worth of lunches at Clinton Elementary School in Lincoln. When his parents failed to pay the entire amount, the school district referred the rest, $53, to a private debt collection agency that sued the boys parents in late 2020. The company won the case and garnished wages earned by the familys breadwinner for several months. Lincoln Public Schools turned over nearly 1,700 such school lunch debts to collector Professional Choice Recovery last school year. The average debt the district referred to the agency: $67. Most of Nebraskas urban school districts, including all in the Omaha area, have found ways around sending parents to collections over unpaid lunch tabs. But four of the states 20 largest districts Lincoln, Kearney, Columbus and Scottsbluff use private collectors to recoup unpaid lunch tabs, according to a Flatwater Free Press analysis. The Nebraska Legislature is considering a bill that would ban the practice of sending unpaid school meal debts to collection firms. Districts use of collection agencies primarily hurts working-class families who live paycheck to paycheck but earn too much money to qualify for free or reduced meals, said bill sponsor Sen. Danielle Conrad. Sending lunch debts to collections can plunge parents into a spiraling series of harm that starts with a stress-inducing barrage of collection letters and ends with wage garnishment and damaged credit scores, the Lincoln Democrat said. Nebraska school districts that use collection agencies say the longstanding practice helps their meal programs stay afloat amid challenging economic circumstances. It also holds families responsible for the deficits they accrue, said Kate Murphy, the food service director for Kearney Public Schools. If Conrads bill passes, it would remove the incentive for parents to pay their kids lunch bills, Murphy said. At a hearing on the proposal last month, several members of the Legislatures Education Committee were surprised to learn that districts refer meal debts to collectors. Sending parents to collections over small sums is absolutely absurd, said Sen. Joni Albrecht, a Republican from Thurston, noting that lawmakers boosted state K-12 funding last year to cover these kinds of expenses. The COVID-19 pandemic put a heavy strain on public schools and the families that relied on them, but the mass expansion of a federal school meal program temporarily took one burden off their plate by making lunches free. Since the universal free lunch program expired in 2022, lunch debts have risen across the country, according to survey data from the School Nutrition Association. Despite that uptick in debts, the use of private debt collectors remains a relatively uncommon practice nationally, said School Nutrition Association spokeswoman Diane Pratt-Heavner. Conrad first noticed LPS debt collection policy years ago while reading through the student-parent handbook for her kids school. The lawmaker said she tried behind the scenes to get the district to abandon the practice without luck. It really struck me as strange and out of alignment with LPS values that they had this policy, Conrad said. Last school year, LPS referred lunch debts to third-party collectors at a far greater rate and over lower amounts than any other district contacted by the Flatwater Free Press. The states second-largest district sent 1,681 meal debts to Professional Choice Recovery, according to data obtained through a public records request. About 940 students owed the debts, meaning that LPS referred some families to collections more than once. More than a quarter of the debts were under $50, and only one exceeded $200. The debt collector recovered about $43,000 of the $112,000 owed by LPS families and got a 40% cut of the cash. LPS nutrition program operated in the black last school year, bringing in about $1.9 million more than it spent. However, the district cannot use those dollars to write off lunch debts, so the money would have to come out of LPS general fund, which pays for staffing and operations, said Liz Standish, associate superintendent for business affairs. So far, LPS has preferred not to go in that direction, but the district is reviewing its policies, Standish said. Districts in Scottsbluff and Kearney have referred lunch debts to collections much more sparingly and usually as a last resort when indebted parents failed to respond to repeated messages about their kids negative balances, school leaders said. Scottsbluff Public Schools sent about 50 debts to collections last school year and all were over $100. The district recouped 9% of the roughly $12,500 it was owed. Kearney Public Schools referred nearly 60 debts averaging $500 in the last year. The collector has gotten back less than 2% of the $29,500 owed. Columbus Public Schools began using a private collection firm for the first time after last school year because unpaid meal balances exceeded $56,000. The district referred 194 families that owed more than $50 to the collector, but it has held off on reporting any parents to credit bureaus that could lower their credit scores. If debts arent paid by June, the district will report to the bureaus, said Superintendent Troy Loeffelholz. Jack Moles, director of the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, wrote in testimony to the Legislatures Education Committee that only four of the more than 70 rural schools he surveyed had ever used a collector for lunch debts. Murphy, the Kearney nutrition director, said her district has to pay its bills, but she wishes the government would make meals free for everybody. From South Sioux City to North Platte, Nebraskas other urban school districts have found alternatives to the debt collector. Omaha Public Schools has an income-based federal designation that allows it to serve breakfast and lunch to students for free regardless of economic status. Millard Public Schools referred parents to collections before the pandemic, but the suburban Omaha district has since abandoned the practice. A handful of districts, including Fremont and Grand Island public schools, told the Flatwater Free Press, they use money from their general fund to cover unpaid meal balances. Other districts have relied on the generosity of donors in their community. Norfolk Public Schools recently landed a couple of four-figure donations to cover past-due meal accounts. One came from brother and sister Lincoln and Brooklyn Wingate, who sold cookies and cider to raise nearly $2,500 for the district, according to the Norfolk Daily News. A group of local businesses led by Daycos, a transportation-oriented financial services company, pooled together $1,650 to cover Norfolk lunch debts. Daycos Chief Operating Officer Andrea Libengood learned about school meal debts from a Facebook page tied to her nearby hometown of Battle Creek. Libengood and her colleagues decided to give to the Norfolk district as part of the companys annual holiday donation program. Through word of mouth, they got a dentist, a bank and construction company to pitch in, too. It was a slam dunk lets do it for the kids, Libengood said. We were unaware of the cause, and it just connected with us so much. The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul could hold separate bilateral talks with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, and also meet trilaterally, on the margins of the foreign ministers' meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) countries in Brazil this week. Talks are under way with the United States and Japan to arrange Cho's meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa during the gathering in Rio de Janeiro set for Wednesday through Thursday (Brazil time), officials familiar with the matter said Monday. Cho is scheduled to depart for Brazil late Monday night (Seoul time). If realized, it will mark the first such one-on-one talks with Blinken and Kamikawa, and also the first trilateral meeting among the top diplomats of the three countries since Cho took office last month. Cho has spoken with each counterpart separately over the phone. The potential talks will come as North Korea has signaled an openness about mending ties with Japan and a possible visit to Pyongyang by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida if Tokyo agrees to certain conditions, such as not raising the issue of Japanese abductees. While refusing to accept the North's demands, Japan said it is taking heed of the North's statement. South Korea has said any contact between Tokyo and Pyongyang should be made in a way that would "help promote the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula." At the envisioned three-way talks, the top diplomats could also discuss efforts to firm up the trilateral security cooperation, a key product of the landmark Camp David summit of the leaders of the three countries in August last year. Albeit not formally, Cho could also have an encounter with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, who is also expected to be present at the multilateral gathering. Bilateral relations between South Korea and Russia have been strained amid Moscow's suspected expanding military cooperation with Pyongyang. (Yonhap) The Iredell County Public Library is presenting several programs in the Statesville library meeting room in February as part of Black History Month. On Tuesday, I presented a program on Researching African American History in Iredell County. On Thursday, the Statesville Branch of the NAACPs Education Committee presented Commemorating Black History with Statesville NAACP. On Feb. 20, the library Youth Services Department will host Bright Star Theatre as they present African Folktales at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Statesville Library. Presentation of African Folktales will be given on Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Harmony Library and at 4 p.m. in the Troutman Library. On Feb. 22, Lisa Henderson will present Local Legacies: Black Families of Statesville at 6 p.m. Henderson is a researcher and local community descendant, who will discuss her connections through the Colvert, Tomlin, Petty, Simonton, and McNeely families, as well as her work as an advocate for African American cemeteries in Wilson County. The Iredell County Public Library and the city of Statesville will hold a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 at the Green Street Cemetery in Statesville. A new sign will be unveiled at the cemetery to mark the completion of the Green Street Cemetery Ground Penetrating Radar Survey conducted in 2023. The new sign will provide a history of the Green Street Cemetery, the 2023 GPR Survey results, a list of the names of those interred in the cemetery along with a map showing the location of both the marked and unmarked graves. Speaking at the event will be Len Strozier from Omega Mapping Services who conducted the survey and who will a rededication of the newly discovered unmarked graves. Ministers from some of the local African American churches in and around Statesville will also be speaking. The Statesville Library will host local African American historian Phyllis Bailey on Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. for a special program on Rural County Cemeteries. With the survey of the Green Street Cemetery complete, the Iredell County Public Library Local History Department has begun a new project of identifying, locating, and surveying the African American cemeteries in the rural Iredell County area. So far, we have visited, Tuckers Grove Methodist AME, Haywood Chapel Methodist AME, Pineville Methodist AME, Williams Grove, Presbyterian, Zion Hill Methodist AME, and Summerville Baptist Church. If you know of other African American family or church cemeteries along with any suspected slave cemeteries or individual graves, please contact the Local History Department at jreese@iredellcountync.gov, michelle.taylor@co.iredell.nc.us or call 704-878-3090, ext. 3093. Statesville native Juanita Ramsey will present, Historic Black Rankintown: As We Look Back on March 2, at 2 p.m. at the library in Statesville. Ramsey will be discussing the history of the Rankintown community and many of the families that have lived there. There are several African American settlements or communities in and around Statesville. The location of these communities and the roads associated with these communities is loosely defined. In going back through historical newspapers in Statesville we find the following African American communities: Belmont, Chestnut Grove, Diamond Hill, Newtonville, Old Field, Popular Branch, Rabbit Town, Rankinville, Society Hill, Sunnyside, and Wallace Town. The names of many of these communities are probably unfamiliar to many of todays readers and in another 20 years there may be few local citizens who can describe the location of these communities. To assist our patrons and local researchers, I have searched back through Statesville City Directories, maps, and newspapers to try and create a map that would show where each of these communities lay. I gave the information I gathered to Chris Bridges, the Iredell County GIS mapping administrator, and he and his staff created a modern map showing the location of these communities. In researching Belmont, I first find the name mentioned as Bell mont in The Landmark on June 4, 1891. It is often referred to as an African American community, but it is never identified as such in the city directories. The 1907 directory identifies Bellemont as a small settlement about one mile east of the city. The 1910 city directory lists Bellemont as a small settlement about one mile east of city on Southern Railroad. By 1936 Belmont is a settlement on Highway 10, 2 miles east of city limits, with a population of 83. The 1940 directory identifies Belmont as a settlement on Salisbury Road, two miles east of the city limits with a population of 258. Chestnut Grove is referred to from the 1907 to 1930 directories as simply a colored settlement just south of Bloomfield. The original Chestnut Grove School is now the Chestnut Grove Community Center, located at 177 Chestnut Grove Road. Bloomfield is referred to as a cotton mill settlement west end of Front Street. Roads associated with the Bloomfield settlement include West Front, Wilson, Denton Pearl, Lackey, and Miller. Diamond Hill is identified as a colored settlement east of (the city) limits on Sothern (Southern) Railway in the 1925 Directory. The 1930 directory says its a section beyond city limits, South of Southern Railroad, East of Railroad Station. The 1936 directory identifies it as a suburb beyond city limits, south of Sothern Railroad, population 479. The 1940 directory says it is a suburb on Monroe Extd, east of Southern Railroad, population, 487. Roads associated with Diamond Hill include Wall, Rickert, Jackson, Opal, and Gulf. Newtonville was in the past an African American community located on the Free Nancy Branch valley of North Race Street. The community had about 100 homes and several churches with families being served by the Race Street Elementary School. Most of the houses in the Newtonville area were cleared, and the families relocated around 1977. It was reported in 1976 that the last survey showed 99 families living in the Newtonville area. Newtonville lay between Race and Mulberry streets and included Hickory, Black, and Stinson streets along with Cloverdale Drive and Fraley Street. An Oct. 19, 1897, issue of The Landmark placed Newtonville as north of town. The city directories from 1915 through 1930 identified Newtonville as a colored settlement, north end of Race St. In the 1936 directory it has a population of 113 and 126 in 1940. The Old Field community was identified as being a colored settlement at the South End of Seventh Street with a population of 73 in the 1936 Statesville City Directory. The population had increased to 93 by 1940. It is referred to early on as being near the southern town limits. The Old Field community today would include the Earnest Morgan American Legion Post 217 at 167 Wallace Springs Road. Right across from Post 217 is the Rocky Knoll School building that closed in 1951. Grays Chapel United Church of Christ at 1719 Lynwood Drive is also in Old Field. In the 1907 Statesville City Directory Popular Branch is listed as a colored settlement southwest of Bloomfield. By 1930 the directory says it is a section southwest of the Statesville city limits and south of West Front St. The 1936 Directory lists Poplar Branch as a colored suburb South of West Front near city limits, population 273. The population has increased to 204 by 1942. A large number of cities and towns in N.C. had at one time an area known as Rabbit Town including Lenoir, in Caldwell County. Rabbit Town was first called Rickertville and was named after James W. Rickert a well-known drayman around Statesville after 1900. A drayman was generally someone who drove a dray (a low flatbed wagon pulled by horse or mule to transport and deliver various items). His obituary published on July 30, 1931 in The Landmark, stated, Statesville people will miss the familiar form of James W. Rickert, aged and respected colored drayman, whose life of four-score and two years came to an end Wednesday evening, July 29, at his home in the colored settlement south of Statesville, which he called Rickertville, He was a pioneer settler in the colored community, which some people call Rabbit Town, but the original inhabitant gave it the official name of Rickertville. Rabbit Town included Quincy Street, later called McCollough Lane, Rickert, Adams, Charles, Cass, Clay, Van Buren, Marshall, Daniels, Atkins, Dobson, Jones, Williams, Mills, Harris and Winona streets along with Lerain Court, and Susce Court. In the 1920 Statesville City Directory the area is listed as, Rabbittown, a colored settlement south east of Wallacetown. In the 1936 Directory it is listed as, Rabbit Town, a colored settlement North of North Tradd extd. East of Center, population 242. The 1940 Directory says it is south of Monroe east of Wallace Town beyond city limit, population, 547. Rankintown is regarded as Statesvilles oldest African American settlement. Rankintown includes Brevard, Sylvia, Poplar, Hackett and Bingham streets along with Back Road (Airline Avenue), Wood Drive and a portion of Hartness Road. Juanita Ramsey says Radio Road was once considered be in Rankintown but is not today. Rankintown School was located on Brevard Street near the corner of Brevard and Turner streets. In the 1907 Statesville City Directory Rankintown is called Rankinsville and is said to be a colored settlement to the right of north end of Center street. The 1920 and 1925 Directories identify Rankinsville as a colored settlement north east of city on Center St. The 1930 Directory refers to the area as Rankintown, a colored settlement East of North Tradd. The 1940 Directory places Rankintown as north of N Tradd beyond city limit with a population of 241. Society Hill was an African American section of Statesville off the Hickory branch of the Southern Railroad. It is listed as having a population of 179 in both 1936 and 1940. Sunnyside was an African American settlement south of Washington Avenue and parallel to the Southern Railway line. Sunnyside is sometimes referred to as Stearnstown in the past. The 1936 Statesville City Directory places Sunnyside as east of Washington Ave and south of the Charlotte Branch of the Southern Railway with a population of 187. The area that was Sunnyside was later cleared for a new housing development. The only part still remaining is the United House of Prayer For All People at 1036 McCollough St. in southeast Statesville. Wallacetown is identified as Wallace Town, a colored settlement, southeast of the railroad station in the 1915 Statesville City Directory. It is defined more specifically in the 1936 City Directory which places it as being, that portion of South Statesville between Center and Daniel Streets, with a population of 224. The 1940 Directory places it at the end of Washington Avenue, beyond the city limits with a population of 243. Early roads in Wallacetown were A Street, B Street, and C Street along with First, Second, and Third streets. Wallacetown in the past seems to overlap with Rabbit Town as parts of Wallacetown also included Washington, Monroe, Kincaid, Quincy, Van Buren, Adams, and Jefferson. Whether it was pouring concrete for a new building, fighting a fire, or mentoring new members, Randy Sturgill answered the call for Chilhowie Fire & EMS. Saturday evening, the captain was honored for his 13 years of service following his Dec. 31, 2023 retirement. He never hesitated to step up, declared Chief David Haynes. Over the course of his service, Haynes said that Sturgill responded to 3,653 incidents and underwent 1,647 hours of formal training. That training led to Sturgill becoming part of the swift water rescue unit, a firefighting instructor, and fire prevention specialist. Sturgill, Haynes said, also worked with the towns Building and Property Maintenance Department as an official. Haynes particularly noted Sturgills work with the development of the fire-EMS training center. Im not sure how many yards of concrete we placed at the training center, Haynes said, noting that Sturgill also helped with work on the towns soon-to-be dedicated dog park and steps for the farmers market. During his years of service, Haynes also noted that Sturgill received multiple awards, including the Charles W. Brother Smith Ribbon, which is awarded to members who respond and operate at an active Urban Search & Rescue incident, which can include technical rescues from heights, trenches or confined spaces. Urban Search & Rescue can also include natural disasters such as a tornado that leaves someone trapped in debris or rising flood waters that trap people. Sturgill also was awarded the J.E. Morphew Award multiple times. The ribbon is given to members when they complete 200 or more creditable training hours in a years time. To honor Sturgill, the department presented him with a ceremonial axe and plaque. Sturgill reflected that if a person is fortunate enough to be part of something as special as Chilhowie Fire & EMS, they are quite fortunate. Looking around the room, he acknowledged that he made lifelong friends during his time with the agency. As he offered the blessing for the meal to come, Sturgill prayed that those gathered would be dedicated to Gods service and he appealed for everyones safety. As the department could depend on Sturgill, Chilhowie Fire & EMS also knows they can count on Lt. Jeannie P. Haynes. During Saturdays awards ceremony, she received the 2023 Firefighter Attendance Ribbon, which is awarded annually to the volunteer member who responds to the most calls during the year. In 2023, Jeannie answered 292 calls. This wasnt Jeannies first Attendance Ribbon. The 2023 award was her 13th. Since 2007, Jeannie has answered 5,214 calls. The department also presented Jeannie with the Dan W. Jackson Service Award. The award recognizes the departments retired chief engineer Dan W. Jackson, who is one of the agencys longest serving members, and is given when a member reaches 20 years of service. Jeannie marked the milestone in 2023. Three members of the department were presented with the J.E. Morphew Award, named in memory of the late Captain Earl Morphew. Morphew was known throughout Virginia as a firefighter who loved to train and pushed others to train to become better first-responders. He honed his skills throughout his career and served as an instructor for the Virginia Office of EMS and the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. A firefighter and paramedic, the 46-year-old Morphew died in early 2009 when he was headed for work as a helicopter flight paramedic around 4:30 a.m. and a van driven by a drunk driver traveling north in the southward lanes of Interstate 81 at Abingdon fatally struck his car. Morphew served 17 years as a volunteer firefighter for the Chilhowie Fire Department, 16 years as a paid firefighter for the Bristol Fire Department, including five years as a sergeant, and worked part-time as a member of the Bristol Life Saving Crew. For 2023, Chilhowie Fire & EMS awarded the J.E. Morphew Award to three members: Captain Jenna Ruffin with 245 hours of training; Captain Logan Ashlin with 445 hours; and Captain Jason Arnold with 328.5 hours. Ruffin received the Morphew award for the seventh time, while it was awarded to Ashlin for the fourth time. Ruffin, Ashlin, and Arnold were also recognized Saturday for their promotions to captain in 2023. They each oversee a department shift. The agency also awards Educational Achievement Ribbons in the fields of Fire Service, EMS Service, Rescue Service, Instructor, Officer, Fire Prevention, Fire Investigation, Fire Inspector and Hazardous Materials. Educational Achievement Ribbons are given to members when they complete specified training requirements in a given field. Most require a significant investment of classroom time and practical evolutions. Many require advanced classes over the course of several months. For 2023, six members received Educational Achievement Ribbons: Ruffin, the Fire Investigator Educational Achievement Ribbon; Ashlin, the Fire Inspector Educational Achievement Ribbon and Fire Investigator Educational Achievement Ribbon; Arnold, Fire Inspector Educational Achievement Ribbon and Fire Investigator Educational Achievement Ribbon; Firefighter/EMT-B Brendan Donnelly, EMS Service Educational Achievement Ribbon (EMT-Basic); Firefight/EMT-B Casey Utt, Fire Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, EMS Service Educational Achievement Ribbon (EMT-Basic), Rescue Service Educational Achievement Ribbon; and Firefighter Gabriel Brown, Fire Service EAR. The department also recognized three new employees who joined the department in 2023: Firefighter/EMT-B Brendan Donnelly, who is assigned to B-Shift; Firefighter/EMT-B Casey Utt, who is assigned to C-Shift; and Firefighter Gabriel Brown, who is assigned to A-Shift. In recent weeks, cases of RSV, known for causing bronchiolitis, have also been documented, particularly among children. The results of the Early Warning Network tests revealed a significant surge in cases of Influenza A (severe acute respiratory disease) across northwestern regions of Syria. Data indicated a notable increase compared to the annual average over the past five years. PCR analysis results further highlighted a rise in positive cases for both Influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Dr. Mohammed al-Saleh, a hospital internist and coordinator of the Early Warning Network, emphasized that the prevailing pattern is Influenza A. Saleh affirmed in statements to the Syria TV website that entire families are falling ill due to this virus, with recorded symptoms including headaches, joint and muscle pains, sore throat, coughing, and high temperatures. In recent weeks, cases of RSV, known for causing bronchiolitis, have also been documented, particularly among children. These infections proliferate due to the cold winter season and the usage of inadequate heating materials such as coal, firewood, and nylon. Weak immunity and malnutrition exacerbate symptoms and prolong the duration of infection. Mohammed Nahas, a 40-year-old displaced person from Maarat al-Naaman residing in Mashhad Ruhin camps in rural Idleb, described the widespread infections, stating that he and most of his family members have been affected, with the contagion spreading among individuals in varying degrees. He recounted to the Syria TV website, I had COVID-19 in 2021, and now Im experiencing similar symptoms. Its a disease that weakens the muscles and joints. I could barely move. My children and I went to the doctor, and now Im starting to feel a bit better. Nahas expressed concern about the lack of medical facilities in the Mashhad Ruhin camp area, home to approximately 75,000 people, with no medical point, clinic, or ambulance available. Residents face challenges accessing distant medical facilities for treatment. Ahmed al-Shaaban, residing in Deir Hassan camps, recounted his struggle to transport his five-year-old daughter Hala to Atmeh Hospital. He described seeking transportation amidst unfavourable weather conditions, unable to utilize his motorcycle. Shaaban recounted having to rely on neighbours to transport his daughter to the Sams-supported childrens hospital in Dana, approximately 15 kilometres away, only to find the beds occupied by other children. Prevalence of the disease among children Mrs. Amal al-Ibrahim, 37, originally from Khan Sheikhoun and now displaced, married with four children, resides in Al-Dana in Idleb countryside. She recounts contracting severe influenza, which left her paralyzed. Subsequently, the infection spread to her husband, and her children experienced worsened health conditions, characterized by shortness of breath, dry cough, and fever. n. Ibrahim, who works as a teacher, observed a prevalent spread of the disease among children, evident from increased absenteeism. Doctors confirm a notable surge in respiratory illnesses across northern Syria in the past three months, reaching a peak compared to the past five years. Laboratory results indicate that over 70% of cases are attributed to the syncytial virus, with children under the age of 5 constituting 85% of accepted cases for acute respiratory diseases in northern Syria. 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. Large quantities of drugs were seized and subsequently handed over to the appropriate authorities, Athr Press reports. The Jordanian army announced on Sunday that it was able to eliminate five people and injure four others while they were trying to smuggle drugs from Syria. The Jordanian channel al-Mamlaka reported that an official military source from the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces stated, The Eastern Military Region, in coordination with military security services and the Drug Enforcement Administration, successfully thwarted an attempt to infiltrate and smuggle significant quantities of narcotics originating from Syrian territory within its jurisdiction. The operation led to the demise of five smugglers, with four others sustaining injuries. Additionally, large quantities of drugs were seized and subsequently handed over to the appropriate authorities, the source added. This operation occurred one day following a meeting among the interior ministers of Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon in the Jordanian capital, Amman. Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya affirmed that a joint liaison cell has been established with Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, wherein liaison officers monitor information and track shipments to their final destination to combat the drug epidemic. He further stated, The liaison cell focuses on exchanging expertise, training, and resources, as well as monitoring both pre-existing and ongoing information and controlled delivery, which involves tracking shipments from their origin to their ultimate destination. 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. This pattern of attacks signifies an intensification of ISIS's operational scope, according to Enab Baladi. For the first time since 2019, ISIS has resumed operations in the central area of Qamishli, marking a significant shift in the conflict landscape where Syrian regime forces are deployed. The group claimed responsibility for an attack on February 17, 2024, which resulted in the death of a regime member and left another injured. This operation involved gunfire targeting a military position held by regime forces within Qamishlis security sector. This recent operation underscores a notable resurgence of ISIS activities in Syria, targeting areas previously considered secure. The attack is distinguished as the organizations first targeted action in Qamishlis center since a car bombing incident in 2019 that inflicted casualties among civilians. Following the attack, the Press Office in Al-Hassakeh Governorate shared a photograph on Facebook, documenting the funeral of Lieutenant Sharaf Bassam Al-Azou, who was killed during the ISIS assault in Qamishli. The office highlighted that Lieutenant Al-Azou was fulfilling his national duty at the time of his death, without specifying the attackers. The resurgence of ISIS extends beyond Qamishli; recent operations have targeted various regions in Syria, including an employee of the Autonomous Administration in Hassakehs Mufti neighbourhood. Additionally, ISIS activities have expanded to Sukhna, east of Homs, a region previously known for the organizations presence. The Syrian regime maintains control over small sectors in the central parts of Al-Hasakah and Qamishli, referred to as security squares due to their concentration of security and government facilities. Meanwhile, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control extensive areas surrounding these sectors. ISIS has escalated its operations across Syria, achieving a frequency not seen in over a year. The organization has broadcasted its activities through its official Telegram channel, claiming responsibility for numerous attacks across northern Syria and the Badia region in Homs countryside. The first week of this year alone saw 32 operations, followed by 34 the next week, with an additional 11 operations reported on February 15. This pattern of attacks signifies an intensification of ISISs operational scope, reaching areas in governorates like Raqqa and Al-Hasakah that had not experienced such incidents for approximately a year. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria. Over the weekend, the Israeli army carried out strikes on targets within Lebanon and Syria, as announced by the military. This action comes amid heightened tensions in the Northern region following the killing of an Israeli soldier by Hezbollah on Wednesday, which also left several others wounded. Additionally, a visit by the commander of Irans elite Quds Force to Baghdad, occurring less than 48 hours after the deaths of three US soldiers in Jordan in January, has resulted in a cessation of attacks on American troops in Iraq. Interior ministers from 4 Arab countries agree in Jordan that illegal drug trade needs to be tackled The interior ministers of four Arab countries held talks in Jordan on Saturday to discuss ways of combatting the illegal drug trade in the region and agreed to set up a joint telecommunications cell to exchange information, AP reported. The meeting between the interior ministers of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, saw the four officials acknowledge that there is a big problem and it is drugs and all our societies are suffering from this problem, Jordans Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya told reporters after the meeting. The drug trade has been a source of tension between Jordan and Syria, with the Jordanian air force reportedly carrying out strikes in Syrias south targeting alleged smugglers and drug manufacturing plants. Smugglers have used Jordan as a corridor in recent years to smuggle highly addictive Captagon amphetamine pills out of Syria, mainly to oil-rich Arab Gulf states. The vast majority of the worlds Captagon is produced in Syria, with smaller production in neighbouring Lebanon. Western governments estimate that Captagon has generated billions of dollars in revenue for President Bashar Assad, his Syrian associates and allies. Damascus has denied the accusations. Five drug dealers killed Hours after the meeting, five drug dealers were killed on Sunday during a foiled attempt to smuggle large quantities of drugs into Jordan from Syria, an army statement said. Four other smugglers were injured in the dawn attempt to cross the northern border with Syria and large quantities of drugs were seized, the statement said. Since the start of the year, there has been an escalation in clashes with drug dealers that Jordan says have direct links to pro-Iranian militias and are carrying narcotics, arms and explosives over the border from Syria. Iran Commander Requests Armed Groups Pause Attacks on US Targets A visit by the commander of Irans elite Quds Force to Baghdad, less than 48 hours after three US soldiers were killed in Jordan in January, has led to a halt in attacks on American troops in Iraq, Iranian and Iraqi sources told Reuters. The sources said the visit marked Tehrans desire to prevent a broader conflict in the region after Iran-aligned groups ramped up attacks on US targets in Iraq and Syria over Israels war on Gaza. Esmail Kaani met representatives of several armed groups in Baghdad airport on 29 January, two days after Washington blamed groups for the attack that killed its soldiers, the sources said. The strike on Tower 22 in a remote sliver of northeast Jordan sent a shockwave through Washington, as it marked the first public deaths of US soldiers since attacks on US troops began, following the outbreak of the war on Gaza in October. Qaani told the Iraqi factions that killing Americans risked a heavy US response, Reuters cited 10 of the sources, which include politicians, security officials, diplomats and members of armed groups, as saying. The Iranian commander said the militias should lie low, to avoid US strikes on their senior commanders, destruction of key infrastructure or even a direct retaliation against Iran, the sources said. Israel bombs weapons depot in Syria, shells Hezbollah in southern Lebanon The Israeli army struck targets inside Lebanon and Syria over the weekend, the army announced, as part of an escalation in the North after Hezbollah killed an Israeli soldier on Wednesday and wounded several others, JPost reporter. In Lebanon, the Israeli army attacked infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in the Jabal Balat area near the border. They also struck military buildings in the Bin Jbeil area. On Saturday morning, the IDF bombed a Syrian Army weapons depot in the area of the town Mhajjah near the Golan Heights. Hezbollah signalling escalation The strikes were a response to rocket launches from Syrian territory toward the southern Golan, although they did not enter Israeli territory. Hezbollah signalled on Friday it would escalate attacks on Israel as its secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah said Israel would pay a price in blood. Nasrallah said The response to the [Israeli] massacre should be continuing resistance work and escalating resistance work at the front. For our women and our children killed these days, the enemy will pay the price of spilling their blood in blood.. Nasrallah said the killings had increased Hezbollahs determination to increase its presence, strength, fire, anger and expand its operations, he said. Israel must expect that and wait for that. Whats missing from the debate over US troops in Syria Responsible States Craft Website published a critique of U.S. military involvement in Syria, highlighting the significant humanitarian and geopolitical consequences of American actions in the region. A report from Foreign Policy last month ignited discussions on U.S. Middle East policy, revealing the Biden administrations consideration for a full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. This prospect has sparked debate among legacy media on the future of American involvement in the region. However, the broader conversation often overlooks the significant suffering U.S. involvement has caused in Syria. Kenneth McKenzie, a retired general writing for the New York Times, argues against the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. He believes that even discussing withdrawal could harm U.S. interests and embolden Tehran, potentially allowing Iran to expand its influence in the Middle East. McKenzie also contends that U.S. forces are essential for securing prisons holding ISIS fighters, suggesting that their departure could lead to militants escaping and the resurgence of ISIS. He doubts the Syrian governments capability, even with Russian and Iranian support, to prevent such outcomes. McKenzies stance, however, is challenged by the argument that American intervention in the Middle East created conditions conducive to the rise of ISIS. Critics, including figures like Noam Chomsky and Rand Paul, have pointed out that U.S. actionssuch as military invasions, the toppling of governments, and sanctionshave contributed to power vacuums and instability that allowed groups like ISIS to gain traction. The discussion also touches on the dire humanitarian situation in Syria, exacerbated by nearly 13 years of civil war and foreign interventions. Syria, once a middle-income country, now faces profound poverty, with over 90% of its population living below the international poverty line. American sanctions, particularly the Caesar Act, have further strained Syrias ability to rebuild and recover, by targeting anyone engaged in significant transactions with the Syrian government. The debate around U.S. policy in Syria includes criticisms of the broader impacts of American militarism in the region. It highlights the severe human costsfood insecurity, lack of electricity, and a decimated economystemming from prolonged conflict and foreign interference. McKenzies focus on military objectives and the projection of American power overlooks these significant humanitarian concerns, underscoring a disconnect between strategic interests and the well-being of the Syrian people. This summary reflects the complexities and controversies surrounding U.S. involvement in Syria, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of both the geopolitical implications and the human costs of foreign intervention. Leave Syria, Keep Fighting ISIS The commentary from War on the Rocks, authored by Thanassis Cambanis and titled Leave Syria, Keep Fighting the Islamic State, argues for the withdrawal of US troops from Syria. The piece highlights the challenges faced by US forces due to daily attacks from the Axis of Resistance in Syria and Iraq, referencing a recent attack that resulted in the deaths of three US service members. Cambanis suggests that the US has missed its window for a well-organized withdrawal, which is now imminent, possibly within months or a year, depending largely on the outcomes of the upcoming US presidential election. The commentary emphasizes the need for the US to focus on its original objective in Syria: combating the Islamic State (ISIS). Despite claims by some that ISIS remains as strong as ever and warnings of the potential threat posed by detained terrorists, the article urges the US and its allies to prioritize the fight against ISIS. It advocates for the US to disengage from other conflicts that divert attention and resources away from this goal. The suggestion includes working with the Syrian government to ensure control over detention centers holding ISIS members and planning for a reduced US presence in Iraq and northeast Syria. Furthermore, the commentary calls for the US to accept a reduced military footprint in Iraq in exchange for continued intelligence and counter-terrorism collaboration with both the federal Iraqi security forces and the Kurdistan Regional Government. This approach acknowledges Iraqs sovereignty and the complexity of its government, which includes factions the US may find problematic. The piece concludes by arguing that the US can maintain its core mission of combating ISIS while reducing its military presence in the Middle East, provided it is willing to adjust its strategy and accept a diminished role in the regions security dynamics. This strategy, Cambanis suggests, could lead to a more focused fight against ISIS without the distractions of broader regional conflicts. 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. Leveraging Double Tax Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) to Minimize Capital Gain Taxes on Bonds and Mutual Funds for Germany/Singapore/UAE/Netherlands Non-Resident Indians In the globalized world, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) residing in various countries such as Singapore, Germany, UAE, Netherlands, and more, can strategically utilize the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to mitigate capital gain taxes in India. First and foremost, understanding how we ascertain the residential status of individuals is crucial. This will be determined based on the number of days of stay in India. According to section 6(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, an individual is resident in India for a particular previous year if they fulfill either of the following conditions: 1. They have been in India for 182 days or more during the relevant previous year. or 2. They have been in India for a total of 365 days or more in the four years immediately preceding the relevant previous year, with at least 60 days of presence in the relevant previous year. If both the above conditions are not satisfied, the individual is a non-resident. While there are exceptions to these conditions for determining residential status, our primary focus here is on leveraging the benefits of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), so well set aside these exceptions for now. A non-resident Indian (NRI) is an individual originally from India who resides in a foreign country while retaining Indian citizenship. NRIs are termed as such due to their relocation abroad. A Non-Resident is someone who has not resided in India for a specified period. Put simply, an NRI can also be described as someone who spends more than 183 days in any foreign country. The Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is an agreement that has been signed between India and other countries. According to the agreement, an individual earning an income in another country while being a resident of another country does not have to pay two (double) taxes on the same income. Lets dig into how NRIs can leverage DTAA to mitigate taxes on capital gains in India. Initially, three prerequisites must be met, outlined below: The individual must be classified as a Non-Resident. They must procure a tax residency certificate from the relevant foreign tax authorities. Filing Form 10F on the income tax portal is necessary to avail the DTAA benefits. Under the DTAA between India and countries like Singapore, Germany, UAE, Netherlands, and others, a crucial provision lies in Article 13, which specifically addresses capital gains taxes. Here are the extracted wordings from Article 13 (4) and (5) for reference: Gains from the alienation of shares other than those mentioned in the above paragraph of this article in a company that is a resident of a Contracting State may be taxed in that State. Gains from the alienation of any property other than that referred to in the above paragraphs of this article shall be taxable only in the Contracting State of which the alienator is a resident. In essence, Article 13(4) of the DTAA of the aforementioned countries pertains to the taxation of gains from the sale of shares in India. On the other hand, Article 13(5) addresses how any transfer besides shares and immovable properties will not incur taxation in India. Therefore, it can be concluded that transfers involving mutual funds and bonds in India by NRIs will not be subject to taxation in India, as per the provisions of Article 13(5) of the DTAA. However, theres a crucial caveat to consider. Tax treaties are designed to prevent double taxation between the source country and the resident country. When NRIs invest in bonds and mutual funds in India, it can lead to whats known as double non-taxation, meaning no tax liability in either India or the above-mentioned countries. Such scenarios often invite legal scrutiny, although favourable rulings do exist. One notable case is the ITAT ruling in the matter of Sri K.E. Faizal, adjudicated by the Cochin bench (ITA No. 423/ Coch/ 2018: A.Y 2012-23). In this case, it was determined that units of equity-oriented mutual funds do not fall under the category of shares. Consequently, the short-term capital gains derived from the transfer of such units should be exempt from taxation under Article 13(5) of the India-UAE Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). This ruling provides a lucrative opportunity for investors to optimize their tax obligations by strategically investing in equity-oriented mutual funds. Conclusion: Harnessing DTAA provisions enables NRIs to navigate complex tax landscapes, particularly regarding capital gains on investments in India. With strategic planning and adherence to legal interpretations like the Sri K.E. Faizal case, NRIs can effectively mitigate tax burdens and optimize their investment returns, fostering financial growth and security. Skeletal remains found in 2022 off the Columbia River near Temco Kalama have been identified as an Oregon man reported missing that January. Cowlitz County Coroner Dana Tucker states in a press release the jawbone discovered on July 23, 2022, on the riverbank near Tidewater Drive belongs to Barry M. Rezansoff, 56. The rest of Rezansoffs remains were recovered on a Columbia River beach in Clatskanie almost a month prior. He was reported missing on Jan. 12, 2022, in Portland. DNA, dental records and the forensic genealogy corporation Othram were used to identify the remains, says the press release. The limited details of the case were put into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and named Kalama Tide Water Skeletal Remains, according to DNA Solves. The skeletal remains were sent to Othrams laboratory in Texas where scientists created a DNA profile using DNA from the evidence, officials said. The Rezansoff case is the 27th time law enforcement in Washington state used Othrams technology to identify a dead body, the company reports. Rezansoff, described in his obituary as intelligent, compassionate, and sensitive, was reported missing following an undiagnosed illness and the May 2020 death of his wife, officials said. Cowlitz County Coroners Office also employed Othram to identify the body of Bryan M. Heinrich, Sr., 55, when remains were found in the Cowlitz River in July 2022. The Kelso Class of 1965 plans to meet for lunch at the Kelso Elks at 11:30 a.m. March 14. All classmates and spouses are welcome. For questions or more information, call Cindy Loranger Quick at 360 864-6932. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Professor David Chiaramonti is looking down at the ground to help resolve a problem up in the sky: airplanes' emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and other pollutants. An expert in energy systems and power generation at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy, Chiaramonti wants land that is unused, marginal and degraded to produce clean fuels for jets. Oil-rich plants The fuels would come from oilseed plants such as Camelina sativanative to Europe and central Asiaand replace kerosene, a fossil fuel that traditionally powers aircraft. Kerosene worsens climate change by releasing CO 2 and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Chiaramonti led a research project that aimed to increase supplies of the only type of sustainable aviation fuel currently available: hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids, known collectively as HEFA. Called BIO4A, the project wrapped up in mid-2023 after five years. HEFA is a biofuel made mainly from used cooking oil and animal fat left over in meat productionsources that at best can meet 2% of aviation's fuel needs. Chiaramonti believes camelina, which is also known as false flax and grows in countries including Italy and Spain, can help overcome this bottleneck without impinging on crops grown for food. "We focused on very poor soilson land that is very dry and arid and lost to food production, but which could be recovered," he said. As a result, camelina offers the prospect of increasing overall HEFA quantities and of addressing soil degradation, which plagues many countries especially in the Mediterranean region as a result of climate change and intensive agriculture. "The biggest problem in sustainable aviation fuels today is sourcing sustainable lipids," said Chiaramonti, who is also president of an Italian renewable-energy research organization called RE-CORD. "We investigated how to produce sustainable lipids in marginal, degraded land." Sky-high emissions The global aviation industry's emissions of CO 2 have risen faster in recent decades than those of the road, rail and shipping sectors. Aviation now accounts for 2%3% of global CO 2 discharges. What's more, unlike with road and rail transport, electricity has yet to emerge as an option for aviation in general because battery technologies can currently power only light aircraft such as drones. That intensifies the spotlight on sustainable aviation fuels, also known as SAF. In October 2023, the EU's national governments approved legislation that will require suppliers of aviation fuels in Europe to ensure a SAF market share of at least 2% in 2025, 6% in 2030 and 70% in 2050. The law is part of a major package of European legislation that underpins an EU goal to slash greenhouse-gas emissions by 55% in 2030 compared with 1990 levels. The 55% reduction target is more ambitious than a previous EU plan to cut emissions by 40% over that period. Traditional success HEFA has a similar chemical structure to fossil fuels, easing the task of making it fit for jet engines. Even as they tested unused land to make HEFA from camelina, the BIO4A researchers advanced traditional production methods. The project used a refinery that makes HEFA from waste cooking oil and animal fat left over from meat production at a full industrial scale. This focus explains the participation in the project of two major European oil companies: Total in France and Italy-based Eni. "We produced 1,000 [metric] tons of HEFA from residual oil, which so far was the largest volume ever produced industrially in Europe in the framework of the EU's research program," Chiaramonti said. Crop rotation Back on the unused land, the team was keen to show that producing HEFA from plants like camelina can be done while supporting the cultivation of crops for food and feed. The idea centers on the use of compost as well as biochar, which is made from plant and animal biomass, improves soil quality and contributes to carbon neutrality or even carbon negativity. The researchers believe cultivating energy crops could help farmers improve the quality of marginal soil so that biofuels and food production can coexist rather than compete. Energy markets could pay farmers to restore soil quality with compost and biochar, according to Chiaramonti. "Then one year the soil can deliver energy crops such as camelina and the next it can grow barley, for example," he said. Plant residues would be composted and/or turned into biochar by heating at high temperatures and returned to the soil. That would not only improve soil health but also lock in carbon, further decreasing the environmental footprint of the resulting jet fuel. "We demonstrated that biofuels can be carbon negative," said Chiaramonti. "That's a groundbreaking result." The researchers tested their approach on plots of degraded land near the Spanish capital Madrid and in the Italian region of Tuscany. They experimented with different methods of soil recovery and alternately grew barley and camelina, which tolerates drought better than other energy crops and has previously been used to produce HEFA-based jet fuel. Parallel steps While degraded land may boost HEFA supplies, many researchers think sustainable jet fuels will in any case have to be made also from more abundant resources like biomass waste that aren't rich in oils. That's a good deal more complicated than making HEFA from oily biomass and is a challenge being tackled by another research project. Called HIGFLY, the project lasts for four years until the end of 2024 and is run from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. The researchers are looking at agricultural residues, residues from the food industry and certain types of algaeanything that has sugars in it but isn't edible, according to Dr. Fernanda Neira D'Angelo, the HIGFLY principal investigator who is an expert in chemical engineering at the Dutch university. This type of material is called lignocellulosic biomass. Turning sugar-based matter into energy-packed oil that could enable planes to take off involves several steps, according to D'Angelo. "The process requires much more energy and processing steps than turning oily biomass into HEFA jet fuel," she said. The researchers are seeking to maximize the efficiency during each step so that most of the biomass and energy used in the process remains in the resulting fuel. They process the biomass into cyclic organic molecules called furanics and then merge them to produce oils that can be further refined into fuels. The team aims to test initial samples of its biomass-based jet fuel in laboratories within months. While the results of the project are promising, it will take years for such biomass-based fuel to power planes because certifying new fuels and bringing new technologies to market take time, according to D'Angelo. "Depending on the results that we obtain in this project, we can evaluate possible improvements in the fuel's composition and also steps necessary for commercialization," she said. Cost questions Beyond the search for sufficient material for plant-based jet fuels, developing them faces a significant economic hurdle: cost. HEFA-based jet fuels currently cost at least twice as much as fossil counterparts. And the price of fuels from biomass waste will be perhaps three times higher. This mean that making plant-based aviation fuels competitive with fossil jet fuel will require policy changes and more investment in research and development, according to D'Angelo. "We can make it competitive if we have the investment and the regulation supporting it," she said. Chiaramonti agrees, saying progress will result from a range of steps including regulatory incentives and improvements in feedstocks production and supply. "It will not be a solution coming just from a single measure," he said. More information: BIO4A HIGFLY This article was originally published in Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation Magazine. As Korea's birth rate hits fresh lows, Seoul city officials have a plan to help subsidized egg freezing. But experts warn the initiative is unlikely to reverse precipitous demographic decline. At just 0.7 births per woman late last year, Korea has one of the lowest birthrates in the world, far below the replacement rate, meaning the population is aging and shrinking rapidly. The government has poured billions of dollars into trying to encourage more births, with one of the latest efforts involving Seoul city authorities offering to subsidize the cost of a round of egg freezing. Jeong, who is in her 40s, decided to take them up. "I felt the pressure to have a baby because of my age, which led me to consider getting married quickly," Jeong, who asked to be identified only by her surname, told AFP. "When I reached my mid-30s, I suggested to the men I dated that we should get married as soon as possible. But it just didn't work out," Jeong added. So she turned to a backup plan. While single women can freeze their eggs, in reality the scheme will only assist women who go on to marry, as clinics offering intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) typically require marriage certificates, making the procedures virtually impossible for singles or same sex couples to access. Egg freezing theoretically allows women to preserve their fertility, although it is seen as being more likely to succeed if women undergo the procedure before egg quality starts to sharply decline, typically from age 38 onwards. Having frozen her eggs, Jeong said she no longer felt "as anxious" about being single and missing out on having a baby -- and was ready to wait until she found the right person. "Now that I have my frozen eggs as insurance, I can take my time," she told AFP. Helping Korean women to freeze their eggs was determined by Seoul city authorities to be "the most practical solution" for "investing in future childbirth possibilities," the municipal government said. "As the age of marriage and pregnancy continues to rise, and women's participation in society becomes more prominent, there is a growing interest among unmarried women who aspire to conceive and give birth in the future," it added. Beyond fertility The technology to freeze eggs has been available in Korea since the late 1990s, but there was little awareness and minimal demand for the procedure. Cha Kwang-yul, who runs the CHA Medical Group, developed one of the world's first vitrified egg-freeze preservation methods in 1998, and has run an egg bank since 1999. But only women with cancer, who might lose fertility through medical treatments, were interested in the procedure, he said. "It's only been a few years since the culture... changed and people (started) saying: 'Hey, if you don't (plan on getting) married, store your eggs well.'" Cha's research has focused on the potential of eggs for stem cell technology, which he said could offer help for many medical concerns such as organ transplants not just fertility issues. But in recent years, as more information on the procedure's potential to help extend female fertility has moved into the mainstream, he has seen growing demand for the procedure. The number of egg freezing procedures carried out at the CHA Medical Center has risen exponentially in just a few years, from 72 in 2015 to more than 1,000 in 2022. 'N-po' generation But efforts to fix Korea's demographic crisis that focus on encouraging people to get married and have babies are not recognizing major social shifts, experts say. Young Koreans have embraced the term "N-po" generation to refer to the decision to abandon aspirations for marriage, parenthood and home ownership due to stagnant economic growth and intense competition for scarce jobs. Just 3.7 per 1,000 people got married in 2022, according to official data, a record low. Single-person households now account for 41 percent of all households in Korea, official figures show with that figure set to grow in coming decades. Despite this reality, single parenthood remains highly stigmatized, and rates are far lower than in other industrialized countries, said Woo Hye-young, a sociology professor who researches families in Korea at Portland State University. Just 2.5 percent of all Korean babies in 2020 were born out of wedlock, compared to the OECD average of around 40 percent. Subsidizing egg freezing will not "effectively address the current low birth rate in Korea," Woo told AFP. It would be more effective to focus on encouraging marriage and more second children within marriages through housing, tax, childcare and parental leave benefits, she said. Moreover, the country needs to "be more accepting of diverse forms of family," she added, including helping single people and same sex couples if they want to have children. (AFP) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Existing measures to cajole companies to decarbonize, with subsidies for renewable energy and carbon taxes, have failed to prevent global emissions rising. Does state ownership, particularly in the energy sector, make this process easier? State-owned energy firms that search for, produce and refine fossil fuels are among the most polluting organizations in the world. But because governments have a big say in how they operate, it might be considered easier for their emissions to be rapidly phased out by treating them as extensions of the government, without needing to rely on the incentives, fines or sanctions usually necessary to make private firms act. So far, however, things have not proved to be so simple. A blessing or a curse? When it comes to climate change, ownership of a polluting company creates a dilemma for a government. On the one hand, state-owned firms are better equipped to bear the costs of decarbonization as they can draw from a tax base (a more reliable revenue source) to subsidize green measures. But ownership of a polluting, state-owned firm also creates conflicting incentives within and across different branches of a government. Some ministries may rely on the income generated from these industries (such as the Saudi Arabian Oil Group) to finance public services or support pensions. Other ministries, perhaps responsible for environmental protection, will be tasked with curtailing the activities of these firms to cut pollution. This conflict indicates that state-owned firms are not simply "instruments of the state" that can be easily directed to cut emissions quickly. The ability of governments to use state-owned firms to tackle climate change depends on various governance issues within the state bureaucracy. Governments attempting to reform state-owned entities can face resistance from various stakeholdersranging from the workers and managers of these firms to the users of subsidized services, who may object to higher tariffs to fund a transition to renewable energy. State-owned utilities such as the Federal Electricity Commission in Mexico and Eskom in South Africa have previously defended their energy market monopolies against smaller competitorsin some cases, preventing more decentralized renewable energy generation. State-owned firms can exploit their close contact with policymakers to do this, and may even refuse to sign purchasing agreements with independent power generators. State-owned firms and emissions Our research showed that for some countries with high CO emissions per capita, the state played a big role in their major polluting industries. Countries such as China, India, Russia, Japan, Iran and Saudi Arabia, where state ownership is extensive in the energy sector, are among the world's ten biggest emitters. In countries with established state entities to manage the production of fossil fuel reserves, commitments to cut CO emissions are often overridden by the incentive to generate revenue from oil. Yet, we also found that regulatory measures, such as "cap-and-trade" systems, can complement state ownership and produce positive outcomes by resolving conflicts between different government departments. Cap-and-trade regulations compel firms to buy carbon emission allowances and pay fines if they exceed them. Under a cap-and-trade system designed to limit the total amount of pollutants a company can emit, firms can also sell unused allowances. Take the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS): state-owned companies within it have lower emissions than their equivalents elsewhere that are not covered by such schemes. This finding contradicts economic literature that has argued state-owned firms are not sensitive to prices on carbonthe thinking being that state ownership shelters them from the same pressures private firms face to stay competitive, as fines from exceeding emissions allowances eat into private profits. This puzzle can be solved by what we call the legitimacy effect. Governments that publicly commit to cap-and-trade or similar carbon pricing schemes have stronger incentives as a result of public pressure to ensure state-owned firms reduce emissions, compared with governments that opt out. While other obstacles to achieving this goal remain, the government's commitment goes some way to generating the necessary pressure on state-owned firmsabove and beyond the pricing itself. So, while the the effectiveness of carbon pricing schemes is debatable, our research provides one reason to stick with them. Namely, that they constitute a means of tying a government's reputation to emissions reduction, and so create incentives for that government to get serious about the emissions of its state-owned firms. Given that these firms are often among the worst polluters, this can make a difference. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Interchange Capital Partners LLC grew its position in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV Free Report) by 7.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,865 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 137 shares during the quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLCs holdings in AbbVie were worth $278,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in ABBV. Stokes Family Office LLC lifted its holdings in AbbVie by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC now owns 27,469 shares of the companys stock worth $4,095,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in AbbVie in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $5,116,000. Glenview Trust co lifted its holdings in AbbVie by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. Glenview Trust co now owns 376,954 shares of the companys stock worth $56,189,000 after purchasing an additional 15,157 shares during the last quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP acquired a new stake in AbbVie in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $986,000. Finally, WestHill Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in AbbVie by 7.8% in the 3rd quarter. WestHill Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 3,299 shares of the companys stock worth $492,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. 67.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get AbbVie alerts: AbbVie Stock Performance ABBV stock traded up $0.90 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $177.49. The stock had a trading volume of 6,689,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,450,448. The firm has a market capitalization of $319.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 65.01, a P/E/G ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.57. AbbVie Inc. has a 52 week low of $130.96 and a 52 week high of $178.92. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $162.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $152.21. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.59. AbbVie Dividend Announcement AbbVie ( NYSE:ABBV Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The company reported $2.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.03. AbbVie had a net margin of 8.95% and a return on equity of 154.73%. The firm had revenue of $14.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.02 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.60 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.14 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.55 per share. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.49%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 12th. AbbVies dividend payout ratio is currently 227.11%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on ABBV shares. Raymond James boosted their target price on AbbVie from $181.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Barclays upped their price target on AbbVie from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on AbbVie from $187.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded AbbVie from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $173.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on AbbVie from $193.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 30th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, AbbVie currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $175.36. Get Our Latest Research Report on AbbVie Insider Activity at AbbVie In other news, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 2,912 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.72, for a total transaction of $450,544.64. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 55,903 shares in the company, valued at $8,649,312.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. AbbVie Profile (Free Report) AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for AbbVie Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AbbVie and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CIBC reiterated their outperform rating on shares of Barrick Gold (TSE:ABX Free Report) (NYSE:ABX) in a research note published on Thursday morning, Stock Target Advisor reports. CIBC currently has a C$31.00 target price on the basic materials companys stock. A number of other equities analysts have also commented on the stock. Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of Barrick Gold from C$26.00 to C$25.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. National Bank Financial lifted their price target on shares of Barrick Gold to C$29.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, January 15th. TD Securities reissued a buy rating and issued a C$34.50 price target on shares of Barrick Gold in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. National Bankshares dropped their price target on shares of Barrick Gold from C$29.00 to C$28.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Barrick Gold from C$30.00 to C$25.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Barrick Gold presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$28.81. Get Barrick Gold alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on ABX Barrick Gold Price Performance Barrick Gold Cuts Dividend Shares of ABX opened at C$19.74 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of C$34.74 billion, a PE ratio of 493.50, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.40. The firms 50 day moving average price is C$22.13 and its 200 day moving average price is C$21.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.06, a quick ratio of 2.62 and a current ratio of 3.07. Barrick Gold has a twelve month low of C$18.65 and a twelve month high of C$28.19. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.03%. Barrick Golds dividend payout ratio is 1,350.00%. Insider Activity at Barrick Gold In other Barrick Gold news, Senior Officer Joel James Holliday sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$18.24, for a total transaction of C$54,705.00. In other news, Senior Officer Poupak Bahamin acquired 2,941 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 30th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$17.49 per share, with a total value of C$51,438.09. Also, Senior Officer Joel James Holliday sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$18.24, for a total value of C$54,705.00. Insiders acquired 157,921 shares of company stock valued at $2,604,355 over the last ninety days. 0.61% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Barrick Gold (Get Free Report) Barrick Gold Corporation engages in the exploration, mine development, production, and sale of gold and copper properties in Canada and internationally. The company also explores and sells silver and energy materials. It has ownership interests in producing gold mines located in Argentina, Canada, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dominican Republic, Mali, Tanzania, and the United States. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Barrick Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barrick Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bison Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 2.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 23,846 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 575 shares during the quarter. Bison Wealth LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,310,000 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. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC acquired a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Halpern Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. CGC Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, FWL Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.70% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have weighed in on ABT shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Raymond James lifted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Barclays lifted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $128.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.00. Insider Activity at Abbott Laboratories In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,315,537.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total value of $1,620,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,022,916. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total value of $4,781,250.00. Following the completion of 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. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Abbott Laboratories Price Performance Shares of NYSE ABT traded up $0.37 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $114.01. The company had a trading volume of 7,161,100 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,401,794. 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 stock has a market cap of $197.93 billion, a PE ratio of 34.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $111.43 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $103.96. Abbott Laboratories has a 1-year low of $89.67 and a 1-year high of $115.83. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. The business had revenue of $10.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.19 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.84% and a net margin of 14.27%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.03 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.61 earnings per share for the current year. Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 12th were given a $0.55 dividend. This is a positive change from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 11th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 67.48%. Abbott Laboratories Company 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MIY Free Report) by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 103,712 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 6,594 shares during the quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC owned about 0.35% of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund worth $1,030,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Fiera Capital Corp boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 2.3% during the third quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 510,239 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,067,000 after purchasing an additional 11,549 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 10.5% in the third quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 27,424 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $272,000 after acquiring an additional 2,606 shares during the last quarter. SYM FINANCIAL Corp acquired a new position in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund in the third quarter valued at $152,000. Simon Quick Advisors LLC acquired a new position in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund in the third quarter valued at $112,000. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 7.6% in the third quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 25,431 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $253,000 after acquiring an additional 1,801 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.63% of the companys stock. Get BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund alerts: BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund Trading Down 0.3 % Shares of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund stock opened at $11.43 on Monday. BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund, Inc. has a twelve month low of $9.45 and a twelve month high of $11.70. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $11.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.73. BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund Announces Dividend About BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Investors of record on Friday, December 15th were issued a $0.0465 dividend. This represents a yield of 4.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 14th. (Free Report) BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in investment grade, long-term municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes and Michigan income taxes. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MIY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MIY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandes Investment Partners LP grew its holdings in Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH Free Report) by 25.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 293,455 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 59,501 shares during the period. Brandes Investment Partners LP owned about 0.35% of Laboratory Co. of America worth $58,999,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Laboratory Co. of America by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 12,703,935 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $3,065,841,000 after purchasing an additional 743,824 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Laboratory Co. of America by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,859,128 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $2,863,118,000 after purchasing an additional 106,063 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Laboratory Co. of America by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,876,144 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $451,580,000 after purchasing an additional 33,093 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Laboratory Co. of America by 532.2% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,530,675 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $360,441,000 after purchasing an additional 1,288,574 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in Laboratory Co. of America by 19.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,317,815 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $310,319,000 after purchasing an additional 218,161 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.37% of the companys stock. Get Laboratory Co. of America alerts: Laboratory Co. of America Trading Down 2.5 % Shares of LH stock traded down $5.49 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $216.64. 1,151,400 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 688,627. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a 1-year low of $174.20 and a 1-year high of $234.09. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $224.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $213.51. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.39 billion, a PE ratio of 46.39 and a beta of 1.04. Laboratory Co. of America Announces Dividend Laboratory Co. of America ( NYSE:LH Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The medical research company reported $3.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by $0.01. Laboratory Co. of America had a net margin of 3.24% and a return on equity of 13.99%. The business had revenue of $3.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.02 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.14 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 14.62 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.72 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 26th. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.33%. Laboratory Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 61.67%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have commented on LH shares. Evercore ISI started coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research report on Friday, February 9th. They set an in-line rating and a $240.00 price target on the stock. Barclays started coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. They set an equal weight rating and a $222.00 price target on the stock. Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $257.00 to $230.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded shares of Laboratory Co. of America from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Laboratory Co. of America presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $241.86. Read Our Latest Research Report on LH Insider Activity In related news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 237 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.45, for a total transaction of $53,668.65. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,729,398.65. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 259 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.06, for a total transaction of $57,513.54. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,695,872.22. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 237 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.45, for a total transaction of $53,668.65. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,637 shares in the company, valued at $1,729,398.65. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.65% of the stock is owned by company insiders. 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Laboratory Co. of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Laboratory Co. of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS Get Free Report) (TSE:BNS) has earned an average rating of Reduce from the five brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and four have given a hold recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $69.00. Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from $73.00 to $68.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. StockNews.com raised shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Get Bank of Nova Scotia alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on BNS Bank of Nova Scotia Price Performance BNS stock opened at $47.36 on Monday. Bank of Nova Scotia has a 12 month low of $39.79 and a 12 month high of $54.46. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $46.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $45.63. The stock has a market cap of $57.50 billion, a PE ratio of 11.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.03. Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS Get Free Report) (TSE:BNS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 28th. The bank reported $0.93 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.21 by ($0.28). The firm had revenue of $8.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.98 billion. Bank of Nova Scotia had a return on equity of 11.87% and a net margin of 10.47%. Bank of Nova Scotias revenue for the quarter was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.55 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Bank of Nova Scotia will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current year. Bank of Nova Scotia Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 29th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 3rd were issued a $0.7773 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.11 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.57%. Bank of Nova Scotias dividend payout ratio is currently 72.73%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bank of Nova Scotia Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Mcmillion Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $42,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 135.6% during the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 919 shares of the banks stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 529 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $42,000. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 71.6% during the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 858 shares of the banks stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 358 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NBC Securities Inc. bought a new position in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $67,000. Institutional investors own 43.18% of the companys stock. About Bank of Nova Scotia (Get Free Report The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Nova Scotia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Nova Scotia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD Get Free Report) is scheduled to be issuing its quarterly earnings data after the market closes on Tuesday, February 20th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of ($0.19) per share for the quarter. Parties that are interested in registering for the companys conference call can do so using this link. Brookdale Senior Living Stock Down 1.9 % Shares of NYSE:BKD opened at $6.17 on Monday. Brookdale Senior Living has a 1 year low of $2.27 and a 1 year high of $6.31. The company has a market cap of $1.16 billion, a PE ratio of -10.82 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.39, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The stocks 50-day moving average is $5.71 and its 200 day moving average is $4.79. Get Brookdale Senior Living alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth BKD has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Bank of America upgraded Brookdale Senior Living from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price target for the company from $3.95 to $6.00 in a report on Friday, December 15th. Royal Bank of Canada raised Brookdale Senior Living from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $7.00 to $9.00 in a research report on Friday, November 17th. TheStreet raised Brookdale Senior Living from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research report on Friday, December 29th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Brookdale Senior Living from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 24th. Insider Buying and Selling at Brookdale Senior Living In other news, Director Marcus E. Bromley sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.38, for a total value of $53,800.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 160,996 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $866,158.48. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In the last three months, insiders have sold 15,000 shares of company stock valued at $80,451. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Brookdale Senior Living Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Brookdale Senior Living in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its position in Brookdale Senior Living by 12,683.9% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 7,926 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 7,864 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank bought a new position in Brookdale Senior Living in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in Brookdale Senior Living by 73.9% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 9,169 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 3,897 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in Brookdale Senior Living in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Brookdale Senior Living Company Profile (Get Free Report) Brookdale Senior Living Inc owns, manages, and operates senior living communities in the United States. It operates in three segments: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). The Independent Living segment owns or leases communities comprising independent and assisted living units in a single community that are primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Brookdale Senior Living Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookdale Senior Living and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE:CWK Get Free Report) is scheduled to be releasing its earnings data after the market closes on Tuesday, February 20th. Analysts expect Cushman & Wakefield to post earnings of $0.39 per share for the quarter. Persons interested in listening to the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link. Cushman & Wakefield Price Performance Cushman & Wakefield stock opened at $11.51 on Monday. Cushman & Wakefield has a 12 month low of $6.24 and a 12 month high of $14.23. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $10.31 and its 200 day simple moving average is $8.98. The company has a market cap of $2.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -33.85 and a beta of 1.37. Get Cushman & Wakefield alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently commented on CWK. Raymond James upped their price objective on Cushman & Wakefield from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Wolfe Research raised shares of Cushman & Wakefield from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $12.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, December 8th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Cushman & Wakefield from $11.00 to $9.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Cushman & Wakefield currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $10.58. Insider Buying and Selling at Cushman & Wakefield In other Cushman & Wakefield news, insider Nathaniel Robinson sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.82, for a total transaction of $176,400.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 29,459 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $259,828.38. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.19% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CWK. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 3,128.2% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,292 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 2,221 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 3.7% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 550,325 shares of the companys stock worth $11,287,000 after purchasing an additional 19,586 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE increased its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 1,215.8% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 8,237 shares of the companys stock worth $169,000 after purchasing an additional 7,611 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can increased its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 7.0% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 34,037 shares of the companys stock worth $711,000 after purchasing an additional 2,216 shares during the period. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 199.9% in the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 13,220 shares of the companys stock worth $271,000 after purchasing an additional 8,812 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.47% of the companys stock. About Cushman & Wakefield (Get Free Report) Cushman & Wakefield plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial real estate services under the Cushman & Wakefield brand in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and Asia Pacific segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Cushman & Wakefield Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cushman & Wakefield and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. President Yoon Suk Yeol called on the government Monday to make utmost efforts to protect the people's lives and health amid a looming walkout by doctors protesting a planned increase in the medical school enrollment quota, his office said. Yoon issued the call during his weekly meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, according to presidential spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung. "Please make utmost efforts in the response to protect the people's lives and health," he was quoted as saying. Trainee doctors at the country's five biggest hospitals are set to submit their resignation letters en masse later Monday and walk off the job starting at 6 a.m. Tuesday to protest the government's plan to increase the medical school enrollment quota by 2,000 next year from the current 3,058. The government argues an increase is necessary to address the shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas and in essential medical fields, while doctors' groups counter a better solution would be to boost their compensation and ensure protection against malpractice suits, among other things. (Yonhap) Mork Capital Management LLC raised its stake in DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC Free Report) by 49.8% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 60,200 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 20,000 shares during the quarter. DXC Technology makes up approximately 1.0% of Mork Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. Mork Capital Management LLCs holdings in DXC Technology were worth $1,254,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in shares of DXC Technology by 38.7% in the third quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 950,875 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,121,000 after purchasing an additional 265,248 shares during the last quarter. Investment Management Associates Inc. ADV grew its position in shares of DXC Technology by 2.2% in the third quarter. Investment Management Associates Inc. ADV now owns 679,760 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,159,000 after purchasing an additional 14,425 shares during the last quarter. Pinebridge Investments L.P. boosted its position in DXC Technology by 1.4% during the second quarter. Pinebridge Investments L.P. now owns 90,985 shares of the companys stock worth $2,431,000 after acquiring an additional 1,215 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in DXC Technology by 195.0% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 119,657 shares of the companys stock worth $2,492,000 after acquiring an additional 79,096 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its position in DXC Technology by 3.4% during the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 101,966 shares of the companys stock worth $2,124,000 after acquiring an additional 3,365 shares during the last quarter. 88.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get DXC Technology alerts: DXC Technology Stock Down 2.0 % Shares of NYSE:DXC traded down $0.45 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $21.72. 4,491,000 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,598,724. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11. The company has a market cap of $3.97 billion, a PE ratio of -11.37, a P/E/G ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 1.87. The firms fifty day moving average price is $22.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $21.81. DXC Technology has a twelve month low of $18.61 and a twelve month high of $29.09. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades DXC Technology ( NYSE:DXC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $3.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.36 billion. DXC Technology had a negative net margin of 3.35% and a positive return on equity of 19.00%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.95 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that DXC Technology will post 3.03 EPS for the current fiscal year. DXC has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of DXC Technology from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $27.00 to $24.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Citigroup lowered shares of DXC Technology from a neutral rating to a sell rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $24.00 to $21.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of DXC Technology from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $24.00 price target on shares of DXC Technology in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $23.33. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on DXC About DXC Technology (Free Report) DXC Technology Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology services and solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Australia, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Global Business Services (GBS) and Global Infrastructure Services (GIS). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DXC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for DXC Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DXC Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Estabrook Capital Management trimmed its position in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report) by 6.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 79,077 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 5,250 shares during the quarter. Aflac accounts for 1.1% of Estabrook Capital Managements holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. Estabrook Capital Managements holdings in Aflac were worth $6,069,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Baystate Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Aflac by 24.1% during the 3rd quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 675 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the period. Dominguez Wealth Management Solutions Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Aflac by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Dominguez Wealth Management Solutions Inc. now owns 24,969 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,916,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Aflac by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,156 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $472,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Aflac by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,779 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $290,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Finally, SVB Wealth LLC increased its stake in Aflac by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 10,370 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $796,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. 66.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Aflac alerts: Aflac Price Performance Shares of AFL stock traded down $0.79 during trading on Monday, hitting $79.38. The company had a trading volume of 2,185,600 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,282,730. The stocks 50-day moving average is $81.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $79.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 0.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.93. Aflac Incorporated has a 52 week low of $60.20 and a 52 week high of $86.20. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Aflac ( NYSE:AFL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.47 by ($0.22). The firm had revenue of $3.78 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.44 billion. Aflac had a net margin of 24.92% and a return on equity of 17.59%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.29 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.43 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on AFL. Evercore ISI cut shares of Aflac from an in-line rating to an underperform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $76.00 to $78.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Aflac from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Aflac from $74.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Aflac from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Finally, Raymond James increased their price target on shares of Aflac from $83.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Aflac presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $80.36. Get Our Latest Stock Report on AFL Insider Activity at Aflac In other news, CFO Steven Kent Beaver sold 3,114 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.71, for a total value of $257,558.94. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 20,914 shares in the company, valued at $1,729,796.94. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.90% of the stock is owned by insiders. Aflac Company Profile (Free Report) Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AFL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GoodHaven Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Guild Holdings (NYSE:GHLD Free Report) by 7.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 174,731 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 12,634 shares during the period. Guild comprises 1.0% of GoodHaven Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest position. GoodHaven Capital Management LLC owned about 0.29% of Guild worth $1,917,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of GHLD. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Guild by 30.9% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 520,909 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,813,000 after acquiring an additional 123,099 shares during the last quarter. Algebris UK Ltd increased its stake in Guild by 46.9% in the 1st quarter. Algebris UK Ltd now owns 140,418 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,441,000 after buying an additional 44,844 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Guild by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 104,880 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,191,000 after buying an additional 4,014 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in Guild by 20.4% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 89,437 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,016,000 after buying an additional 15,159 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its stake in Guild by 6.0% in the 3rd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 78,525 shares of the companys stock valued at $726,000 after buying an additional 4,437 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 7.85% of the companys stock. Get Guild alerts: Guild Price Performance GHLD stock traded up $0.12 during trading on Monday, reaching $14.99. 1,800 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,884. The company has a 50-day moving average of $14.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.50. The company has a market capitalization of $915.89 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.18 and a beta of 1.03. Guild Holdings has a twelve month low of $9.45 and a twelve month high of $15.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.16 and a quick ratio of 0.16. Insider Buying and Selling Analysts Set New Price Targets In other Guild news, Director Edward Bryant, Jr. sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.37, for a total value of $30,925.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 25,889 shares in the company, valued at approximately $320,246.93. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . 78.24% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Several analysts recently commented on GHLD shares. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Guild from $13.00 to $12.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Guild from $12.00 to $14.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Guild Guild Company Profile (Free Report) Guild Holdings Company originates, sells, and services residential mortgage loans in the United States. It operates in two segments, Origination and Servicing. The company originates residential mortgages through retail and correspondent channels. Guild Holdings Company was incorporated in 1960 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GHLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Guild Holdings (NYSE:GHLD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Guild Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Guild and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc. reduced its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 74.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,706 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 22,261 shares during the quarter. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $437,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BMY. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Northwest Capital Management Inc bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Live Oak Investment Partners bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. 74.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:BMY traded up $0.42 during trading on Monday, hitting $49.86. The companys stock had a trading volume of 13,176,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,873,069. The company has a 50-day moving average of $50.44 and a 200-day moving average of $54.23. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12 month low of $47.58 and a 12 month high of $71.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 1.31. The firm has a market cap of $100.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.38. Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 50.95%. The firm had revenue of $11.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.82 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 earnings per share for the current year. Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued. Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 5th were paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. This is a boost from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.81%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.18%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of $49.78 per share, for a total transaction of $99,560.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 82,672 shares in the company, valued at $4,115,412.16. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of $49.78 per share, for a total transaction of $99,560.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 82,672 shares in the company, valued at $4,115,412.16. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner acquired 3,071 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $48.86 per share, with a total value of $150,049.06. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at $3,878,702.24. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.08% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have commented on BMY. William Blair lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. HSBC raised shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a reduce rating to a hold rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $55.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $68.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $81.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have issued a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $61.17. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk (OTCMKTS:PPERY Get Free Report) and Swedbank AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:SWDBY Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, dividends and valuation. Volatility & Risk PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk has a beta of 0.81, suggesting that its stock price is 19% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Swedbank AB (publ) has a beta of 0.99, suggesting that its stock price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk alerts: Profitability This table compares PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk and Swedbank AB (publ)s net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk N/A N/A N/A Swedbank AB (publ) 27.42% 18.57% 1.12% Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk 0 0 0 0 N/A Swedbank AB (publ) 0 1 2 0 2.67 This is a summary of current ratings for PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk and Swedbank AB (publ), as provided by MarketBeat.com. Valuation and Earnings This table compares PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk and Swedbank AB (publ)s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk $8.58 billion 5.01 $2.79 billion N/A N/A Swedbank AB (publ) $11.74 billion N/A $3.22 billion SEK 2.85 7.30 Swedbank AB (publ) has higher revenue and earnings than PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk. Institutional and Insider Ownership 0.0% of PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Dividends PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk pays an annual dividend of $0.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Swedbank AB (publ) pays an annual dividend of SEK 0.76 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. Swedbank AB (publ) pays out 26.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Summary Swedbank AB (publ) beats PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk (Get Free Report) PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk provides various banking products and services to individuals and businesses in Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Timor Leste, Shanghai, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the Cayman Islands. It offers savings and current accounts, time deposits, demand deposits, and foreign currency savings and current accounts; motorcycle loans, mortgage loan, and housing loans, as well as loans for various purposes, such as education, home renovation, marriage, health, and other needs for individuals; and working capital loans, investment loans, people's business loans, syndicated loans, and micro business loans for businesses. The company also provides investment products comprising mutual funds, stocks, and bond trading; life, health, and general insurance products; credit, debit, and corporate cards; e-banking services; digital lending; cash management services; trade finance services, value chain, supply chain management, global and domestic trade, export and import, standby letter of credit, and bank guarantee, as well as spot and forex services; custodial services; treasury services, including cash transaction/liquidity, hedging, and investment products; trust services comprising trustee, paying agent, security agent, escrow agent, monitoring agent, and receiving bank services; and money transfer, remittance services, and venture capital financing. It operates branch offices, sub-branch offices, and overseas branch offices; and ATM facilities. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. About Swedbank AB (publ) (Get Free Report) Swedbank AB (publ) engages in the provision of various banking products and services to individuals and companies. The company operates through Swedish Banking, Baltic Banking, and Large Corporates & Institutions segments. It offers savings accounts, mutual funds and insurance savings, pension savings, institutional asset management, and other savings and investment products; provides private residential lending, consumer financing, corporate lending, leasing, and other financing products, as well as trade finance, and factoring services; and current accounts, cash handling, debit and credit cards, and card acquiring, as well as domestic, international, mobile, document, and other payment products. The company also provides equity trading, structured products, corporate finance, custody services, fixed income and currency trading, and other capital market products; and offers administrative services, treasury operations, real estate brokerage and management, legal services, safe deposit boxes, and other services. In addition, it offers life insurance and pension solutions; and transaction banking services comprising cash management, securities, account, and clearing and settlement services, as well as provides Internet and mobile banking services. It has operations in Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland, China, and the United States. The company was formerly known as ForeningsSparbanken AB and changed its name to Swedbank AB (publ) in September 2006. Swedbank AB (publ) was founded in 1820 and is headquartered in Sundbyberg, Sweden. Receive News & Ratings for PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Intact Financial (TSE:IFC Free Report) had its price objective increased by Desjardins from C$230.00 to C$235.00 in a report released on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have a buy rating on the stock. Desjardins also issued estimates for Intact Financials Q1 2024 earnings at $3.30 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $3.59 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $3.64 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $3.92 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $14.45 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $15.65 EPS. A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on IFC. Scotiabank boosted their target price on Intact Financial from C$232.00 to C$252.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Intact Financial from C$228.00 to C$229.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on Intact Financial from C$225.00 to C$230.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. TD Securities boosted their price target on Intact Financial from C$225.00 to C$235.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, National Bankshares upped their price objective on Intact Financial from C$235.00 to C$240.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$236.40. Get Intact Financial alerts: Get Our Latest Report on IFC Intact Financial Stock Up 0.4 % Intact Financial Increases Dividend TSE:IFC opened at C$228.67 on Thursday. Intact Financial has a 1 year low of C$182.01 and a 1 year high of C$229.76. The company has a current ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 35.57. The stock has a market cap of C$40.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.76, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.54. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$206.71 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$202.23. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $1.21 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This is a boost from Intact Financials previous quarterly dividend of $1.10. This represents a $4.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.12%. Intact Financials dividend payout ratio is 74.58%. Insider Activity at Intact Financial In related news, Senior Officer Benoit Morissette sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$226.23, for a total transaction of C$1,583,589.00. Insiders own 0.23% of the companys stock. Intact Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) Intact Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides property and casualty insurance products to individuals and businesses in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers vehicle insurance; insurance for car, motorcycle insurance, RV, ATV, snowmobile, boat, and trailer vehicles. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Intact Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Intact Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of UiPath Inc. (NYSE:PATH Free Report) by 5.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 26,362 shares of the healthcare companys stock after buying an additional 1,365 shares during the quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLCs holdings in UiPath were worth $451,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of UiPath by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 40,993 shares of the healthcare companys stock worth $885,000 after purchasing an additional 1,506 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of UiPath in the 1st quarter valued at $184,000. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of UiPath by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,316,635 shares of the healthcare companys stock worth $114,786,000 after acquiring an additional 99,242 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP purchased a new stake in shares of UiPath during the 1st quarter worth $534,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in UiPath during the first quarter valued at about $259,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 59.04% of the companys stock. Get UiPath alerts: Insider Activity In related news, Director Rich Wong sold 100,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.98, for a total transaction of $1,998,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 656,599 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,118,848.02. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other UiPath news, Director Rich Wong sold 100,000 shares of UiPath stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.98, for a total transaction of $1,998,000.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 656,599 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,118,848.02. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Ashim Gupta sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.88, for a total transaction of $995,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 1,103,754 shares of the companys stock, valued at $27,461,399.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 766,000 shares of company stock worth $17,575,520 over the last 90 days. 31.03% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. UiPath Stock Performance Shares of UiPath stock traded down $0.71 on Monday, hitting $24.96. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,171,300 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,426,849. The company has a market capitalization of $14.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -89.14 and a beta of 0.97. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $24.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $19.55. UiPath Inc. has a 1 year low of $12.38 and a 1 year high of $27.87. UiPath (NYSE:PATH Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 30th. The healthcare company reported ($0.05) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.10) by $0.05. The business had revenue of $325.92 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $315.54 million. UiPath had a negative return on equity of 5.98% and a negative net margin of 12.51%. As a group, analysts forecast that UiPath Inc. will post -0.22 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms recently commented on PATH. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price objective on shares of UiPath from $21.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Mizuho increased their price objective on UiPath from $18.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. William Blair assumed coverage on UiPath in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. They set an outperform rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on UiPath from $19.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on UiPath from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $22.32. Check Out Our Latest Report on PATH About UiPath (Free Report) UiPath Inc provides an end-to-end automation platform that offers a range of robotic process automation (RPA) solutions primarily in the United States, Romania, and Japan. The company offers a suite of interrelated software to build, manage, run, engage, measure, and govern automation within the organization. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PATH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UiPath Inc. (NYSE:PATH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for UiPath Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UiPath and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Martin Currie Ltd. grew its position in iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF (NYSEARCA:KSA Free Report) by 0.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 670,027 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,756 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF makes up approximately 0.9% of Martin Currie Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Martin Currie Ltd. owned 2.84% of iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF worth $25,957,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of KSA. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF by 85.9% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 9,091 shares of the companys stock valued at $431,000 after purchasing an additional 4,201 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $222,000. Barometer Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $598,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF by 335.8% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 308,644 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,648,000 after acquiring an additional 237,816 shares during the period. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF by 336.3% during the 1st quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 163,891 shares of the companys stock worth $7,778,000 after buying an additional 126,323 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF Trading Up 0.2 % KSA stock traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $44.56. The companys stock had a trading volume of 320,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 548,273. The company has a market cap of $1.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.03 and a beta of 0.56. iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF has a 12 month low of $35.78 and a 12 month high of $44.74. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $42.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $40.41. About iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF The iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF (KSA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Saudi Arabia IMI 25-50 index, a market-cap-weighted index of Saudi Arabian firms covering 99% of the market cap spectrum. KSA was launched on Sep 16, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KSA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF (NYSEARCA:KSA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Martin Currie Ltd. lessened its stake in iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Free Report) by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 692,254 shares of the companys stock after selling 46,906 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI India ETF makes up 1.1% of Martin Currie Ltd.s holdings, making the stock its 26th biggest position. Martin Currie Ltd. owned about 0.51% of iShares MSCI India ETF worth $30,611,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Sheets Smith Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $34,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI India ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. US Bancorp DE grew its holdings in iShares MSCI India ETF by 38.7% in the 2nd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,040 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 290 shares in the last quarter. Finally, WestEnd Advisors LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI India ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at about $50,000. Get iShares MSCI India ETF alerts: iShares MSCI India ETF Price Performance INDA traded up $0.12 on Monday, hitting $51.20. 4,390,875 shares of the stock were exchanged. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.86 and a beta of 0.68. iShares MSCI India ETF has a 12 month low of $30.57 and a 12 month high of $38.21. The business has a 50-day moving average of $49.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $46.17. About iShares MSCI India ETF The iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI India index, a market-cap-weighted index of the top 85% of firms in the Indian securities market. INDA was launched on Feb 2, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding INDA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Martin Currie Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP Free Report) by 1.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 534,976 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 5,395 shares during the period. Credicorp comprises 2.4% of Martin Currie Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Martin Currie Ltd. owned approximately 0.67% of Credicorp worth $68,461,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of BAP. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Credicorp during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,340,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Credicorp by 20.0% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,040 shares of the banks stock valued at $179,000 after buying an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers purchased a new stake in shares of Credicorp during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $234,000. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS purchased a new stake in shares of Credicorp during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $468,000. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Credicorp by 40.2% in the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 4,084 shares of the banks stock worth $702,000 after purchasing an additional 1,170 shares in the last quarter. 70.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Credicorp alerts: Credicorp Price Performance NYSE:BAP traded up $1.20 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $170.21. The stock had a trading volume of 392,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 218,033. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $149.79 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $138.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 1.00. Credicorp Ltd. has a one year low of $116.42 and a one year high of $173.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.53, a P/E/G ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.10. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have commented on BAP shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Credicorp from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the company from $162.00 to $190.00 in a report on Friday, December 15th. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Credicorp from $192.00 to $190.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $180.40. Get Our Latest Analysis on Credicorp About Credicorp (Free Report) Credicorp Ltd. provides various financial, insurance, and health services and products primarily in Peru and internationally. Its Universal Banking segment includes granting various credits and financial instruments to individuals and legal entities; and various deposits and checking accounts. The Insurance and Pensions segment includes the issuance of insurance policies to cover losses in commercial property, transport, marine vessels, automobiles, life, health, and pensions; management services for private pension funds. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Credicorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credicorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lee Nak-yon drops hints at leaving Reform Party By Nam Hyun-woo The Reform Party, a big tent political party that was formed recently and is led by the former heads of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), finds itself in turmoil, as its leaders clashed, Monday, over a vote to entrust its Co-Chairman Lee Jun-seok with the authority to lead the partys election campaign and policymaking activities. Lee Nak-yon, the other co-chairman, stormed out of the partys Supreme Council meeting in protest of the vote, while former PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok criticized the former DPK leader's reaction as "agitating," urging him to "accept the outcome of the vote." The former DPK leader's camp said it will hold a press conference on Tuesday, hinting at a potential departure from the big tent political party. According to Reform Party spokesperson Her Eun-a, the party's Supreme Council conducted the vote, resulting in the decision to empower Lee Jun-seok to lead the party's campaign efforts and determine its policy direction. All members present at the meeting, with the exception of Lee Nak-yon and Supreme Council member Rep. Kim Jong-min, concurred with this decision. Both are affiliated with the Saemirae Party, a breakaway faction of the DPK, which had previously agreed to merge with the Reform Party on Feb. 9. (The Supreme Council) attempted to unilaterally advance the agenda, Kim told reporters. My point is clear. Entrusting the whole election campaign to Lee Jun-seok is impossible in a democratic political party. There is no clarification on what tasks he will be entrusted with, meaning everything How can a democratic political party entrust its policymaking processes to a certain individual? he added. The Saemirae Party issued a statement asserting that the Reform Party has effectively transformed into Lee Jun-seok's personal political entity, stating, "we categorically reject any undemocratic procedures that undermine the essence of the merger." On Monday evening, the Saemirae Party said in a press briefing that Lee Nak-yon and other members would convene a press conference regarding the internal conflict within the Reform Party. This development has sparked speculation that the Saemirae Party could break away from the Reform Party. During the announcement, Rep. Kim said the voting had "shattered unity" and criticized Lee Jun-seok, stating that he is "disqualified as a politician." In response, Lee Jun-seok wrote on Facebook that he would "not entertain attempts to disregard the outcome of the vote." The clash has been widely anticipated because the Reform Party was created via an abrupt merger of conservatives who followed Lee Jun-seok and several liberal political groups, including some hardliners. Of them, the former PPP chairman has been facing an uproar from his supporters who are refusing to go into coalition, claiming that the Reform Party will end up being controlled by the liberals. Against that backdrop, Lee Jun-seok and Lee Nak-yon butted heads over the weekend over who will take control of the Reform Partys election campaign and whether it should grant membership to Bae Bok-joo, a former vice chairperson of the left-leaning Justice Party and disability rights activist who has been accusing Lee Jun-seok of being an ableist. While Lee Jun-seok demanded the party entrust him with the power to control the election campaign and exempt Bae from gaining candidacy in the Reform Party for the April 10 general elections, Lee Nak-yon said that the party had already agreed to appoint him as the campaign chief and Bae should not be exempted. During a debate hosted at Kwanhun Club, a journalist group, Monday, Lee Jun-seok said, There could be objections to the voting but such an agitating response goes against the spirit of unity. Though voting is not always the best option, but once it is held, I believe the reasonable stance is accepting the result, he said. Surveys show that most of our supporters are younger generations, and Lee Nak-yons campaigns are effective for conventional supporters while mine is targeting the participation of the younger generations. The vote was a reasonable adjustment between these two values. Lee Jun-seok continued that Bae decided to join the Reform Party without withdrawing her claim that the former PPP chairman discriminates against the disabled, and that she needs to explain her position well to party members if she seriously wants to pursue her career in the Reform Party. Though Lee Jun-seok said that the party is working on holding its convention on Feb. 25 as scheduled, doubts are growing as to whether the big tent party can stay afloat while having such conflicts within it. According to a Realmeter poll released on Monday, the Reform Party secured a 6.3 percent support rate, trailing the DPK which stands at 40.2 percent and the PPP with 39.1 percent. The poll surveyed 1,009 adults from Feb. 15 to 16 at the request of Energy Economy Newspaper. Further details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commissions website. Given the past precedents, this is a worrisome level for the Reform Party which seeks to change the landscape of Koreas two-party politics. During the 2016 general elections, the Peoples Party, which was created as a moderate political party, collected 38 out of 300 National Assembly seats. Martin Currie Ltd. raised its holdings in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY Free Report) by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 92,439 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 1,482 shares during the period. Martin Currie Ltd. owned approximately 0.16% of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF worth $5,448,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its stake in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 2.1% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 7,864 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $560,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 14.2% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 15,163 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,080,000 after acquiring an additional 1,886 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 17.9% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 14,549 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,036,000 after acquiring an additional 2,206 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 84.2% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,750,438 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $124,683,000 after acquiring an additional 800,235 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 1.0% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 68,846 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,904,000 after acquiring an additional 701 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI South Korea ETF alerts: iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Stock Performance EWY stock traded up $0.40 during trading on Monday, reaching $64.19. 2,395,500 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,642,085. The company has a market cap of $3.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.39 and a beta of 1.05. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF has a 52-week low of $54.49 and a 52-week high of $67.95. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $62.38 and its 200 day moving average price is $61.43. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Company Profile 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mirabella Financial Services LLP grew its position in shares of Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM Free Report) by 282.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,180 shares of the business services providers stock after buying an additional 3,824 shares during the quarter. Mirabella Financial Services LLPs holdings in Waste Management were worth $790,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of WM. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 110,208.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,778,550 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $749,659,000 after purchasing an additional 4,774,218 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Waste Management in the 4th quarter valued at about $658,370,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 153.4% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 3,694,489 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $640,698,000 after purchasing an additional 2,236,280 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in shares of Waste Management in the 2nd quarter valued at about $304,180,000. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 30.4% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 7,370,481 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,156,281,000 after purchasing an additional 1,718,449 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.34% of the companys stock. Get Waste Management alerts: Insider Transactions at Waste Management In other Waste Management news, SVP Tara J. Hemmer sold 10,048 shares of Waste Management stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.19, for a total value of $1,720,117.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 49,099 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,405,257.81. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Waste Management news, SVP Tara J. Hemmer sold 10,048 shares of Waste Management stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.19, for a total value of $1,720,117.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 49,099 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,405,257.81. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 9,550 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.00, for a total transaction of $1,690,350.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 162,388 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $28,742,676. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 36,720 shares of company stock valued at $6,613,888. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Waste Management Trading Up 1.2 % WM opened at $201.54 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.61, a P/E/G ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.70. The firms 50 day moving average is $182.96 and its 200-day moving average is $169.41. Waste Management, Inc. has a 52-week low of $148.31 and a 52-week high of $202.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.30. Waste Management (NYSE:WM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 12th. The business services provider reported $1.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.21. Waste Management had a net margin of 11.28% and a return on equity of 36.51%. The company had revenue of $5.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.30 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Waste Management, Inc. will post 6.8 EPS for the current fiscal year. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages recently commented on WM. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on shares of Waste Management from $188.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Waste Management from $190.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. HSBC cut shares of Waste Management from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $210.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Thursday. UBS Group cut shares of Waste Management from a buy rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the stock from $190.00 to $205.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Waste Management from $165.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Waste Management presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $197.57. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on WM Waste Management Company Profile (Free Report) Waste Management, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of environmental solutions to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in the United States and Canada. It offers collection services, including picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility (MRF), or disposal site; and owns and operates transfer stations, as well as owns, develops, and operates landfill facilities that produce landfill gas used as renewable natural gas for generating electricity. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Waste Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Waste Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. River Road Asset Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA Free Report) by 5.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 428,995 shares of the specialty retailers stock after selling 23,120 shares during the period. Murphy USA accounts for about 2.1% of River Road Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest position. River Road Asset Management LLCs holdings in Murphy USA were worth $146,600,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Pinebridge Investments L.P. raised its holdings in Murphy USA by 136.1% during the second quarter. Pinebridge Investments L.P. now owns 85 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 70.8% in the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 111 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the period. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Murphy USA in the second quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 34.2% in the third quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 153 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covington Capital Management acquired a new position in Murphy USA during the third quarter worth $61,000. 83.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Murphy USA alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages recently commented on MUSA. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Murphy USA from $252.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Stephens restated an overweight rating and set a $425.00 price objective on shares of Murphy USA in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Murphy USA from $395.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Murphy USA from $382.00 to $408.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Murphy USA from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $375.00 to $425.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $395.60. Murphy USA Stock Up 1.3 % Shares of NYSE MUSA traded up $5.30 on Monday, hitting $397.96. The company had a trading volume of 157,800 shares, compared to its average volume of 212,176. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.60 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.15. Murphy USA Inc. has a 12-month low of $231.65 and a 12-month high of $404.93. The business has a 50 day moving average of $367.93 and a two-hundred day moving average of $352.36. Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The specialty retailer reported $7.00 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.79 by $1.21. Murphy USA had a return on equity of 70.92% and a net margin of 2.59%. The firm had revenue of $5.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $5.21 EPS. Murphy USAs quarterly revenue was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Murphy USA Inc. will post 25.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Murphy USA Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 26th will be issued a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.42%. This is a positive change from Murphy USAs previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. Murphy USAs payout ratio is currently 6.43%. Murphy USA Profile (Free Report) Murphy USA Inc engages in marketing of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise. The company operates retail stores under the Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek brands. It operates retail gasoline stores principally in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest United States. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in El Dorado, Arkansas. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MUSA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Murphy USA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Murphy USA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North Star Investment Management Corp. grew its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report) by 2.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,745 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 97 shares during the quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp.s holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $514,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. raised its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 8.3% during the first quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 78,641 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,484,000 after purchasing an additional 6,036 shares during the last quarter. United Bank raised its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 5.6% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 27,546 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,972,000 after purchasing an additional 1,456 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 67.2% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 52,705 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $5,686,000 after acquiring an additional 21,177 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 4.8% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 24,791 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,674,000 after acquiring an additional 1,128 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 19.7% in the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 8,847 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $954,000 after acquiring an additional 1,455 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Trading Down 1.1 % Shares of NYSEARCA IJR traded down $1.22 during trading on Monday, reaching $107.38. The company had a trading volume of 3,897,100 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,079,154. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a twelve month low of $87.32 and a twelve month high of $110.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $75.00 billion, a PE ratio of 12.11 and a beta of 1.15. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $105.71 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $99.33. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Profile iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY Free Report) had its price target increased by Wells Fargo & Company from $59.00 to $62.00 in a research note released on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. Wells Fargo & Company currently has an equal weight rating on the oil and gas producers stock. Several other research analysts also recently commented on OXY. Truist Financial cut their target price on Occidental Petroleum from $80.00 to $77.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Wolfe Research downgraded Occidental Petroleum from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Friday, November 10th. StockNews.com downgraded Occidental Petroleum from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Mizuho downgraded Occidental Petroleum from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $63.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, Raymond James dropped their price objective on Occidental Petroleum from $70.00 to $68.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $70.06. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Occidental Petroleum Occidental Petroleum Trading Up 0.7 % NYSE OXY opened at $60.52 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. Occidental Petroleum has a twelve month low of $55.12 and a twelve month high of $67.67. The company has a market cap of $53.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.48 and a beta of 1.64. The businesss fifty day moving average is $58.36 and its 200 day moving average is $61.16. Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.74 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.74. Occidental Petroleum had a return on equity of 20.63% and a net margin of 16.24%. The company had revenue of $7.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.93 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.61 EPS. Occidental Petroleums revenue for the quarter was down 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Occidental Petroleum will post 4.03 EPS for the current fiscal year. Occidental Petroleum Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.45%. This is a positive change from Occidental Petroleums previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. Occidental Petroleums payout ratio is presently 18.41%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc acquired 1,626,983 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $59.85 per share, with a total value of $97,374,932.55. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 240,160,172 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,373,586,294.20. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In the last ninety days, insiders purchased 8,720,708 shares of company stock valued at $505,766,000. Corporate insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Occidental Petroleum A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in OXY. Glenview Trust Co grew its stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 3.3% during the second quarter. Glenview Trust Co now owns 4,932 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $290,000 after buying an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. KLCM Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 3.3% during the second quarter. KLCM Advisors Inc. now owns 4,939 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $290,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the period. Everhart Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 2.3% during the third quarter. Everhart Financial Group Inc. now owns 7,457 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $484,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the period. PFG Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 2.7% during the third quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 6,423 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $417,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the period. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 13.9% during the third quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,421 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $92,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the period. 77.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Occidental Petroleum (Get Free Report) Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Occidental Petroleum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Occidental Petroleum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oscar Health (NYSE:OSCR Free Report) had its target price raised by Wells Fargo & Company from $12.00 to $20.00 in a research note released on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock. Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Bank of America upgraded Oscar Health from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $8.00 to $9.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Oscar Health from $8.00 to $16.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Oscar Health presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $12.20. Get Oscar Health alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on OSCR Oscar Health Price Performance Shares of Oscar Health stock opened at $17.76 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $4.02 billion, a P/E ratio of -14.80 and a beta of 1.72. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $11.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.19. Oscar Health has a twelve month low of $3.22 and a twelve month high of $18.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a current ratio of 1.36. Oscar Health (NYSE:OSCR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported ($0.66) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.74) by $0.08. Oscar Health had a negative net margin of 4.62% and a negative return on equity of 28.95%. The firm had revenue of $1.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.43 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($1.05) earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 43.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Oscar Health will post 0.04 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In related news, EVP Alessandrea C. Quane sold 16,793 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.16, for a total transaction of $137,030.88. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 301,223 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,457,979.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, EVP Alessandrea C. Quane sold 16,793 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.16, for a total value of $137,030.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 301,223 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,457,979.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Richard Scott Blackley sold 30,029 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.16, for a total value of $245,036.64. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 548,613 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,476,682.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 25.54% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Oscar Health A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in OSCR. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Oscar Health in the 1st quarter valued at about $164,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in Oscar Health by 157.5% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 10,106 shares of the companys stock valued at $101,000 after acquiring an additional 6,182 shares during the last quarter. Swiss National Bank boosted its stake in Oscar Health by 8.6% in the first quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 103,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,028,000 after acquiring an additional 8,200 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC acquired a new stake in Oscar Health during the 1st quarter worth $633,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Oscar Health by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 193,504 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,930,000 after acquiring an additional 4,801 shares during the last quarter. 66.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Oscar Health Company Profile (Get Free Report) Oscar Health, Inc operates as a health insurance in the United States. The company offers health plans in individual and small group markets, as well as +Oscar, a technology driven platform that help providers and payors directly enable their shift to value-based care. It also provides reinsurance products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Oscar Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oscar Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC grew its position in Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC Free Report) by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 27,822 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,419 shares during the period. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs holdings in Omnicom Group were worth $2,072,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in Omnicom Group by 4.2% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 18,744,473 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,783,537,000 after purchasing an additional 749,118 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Omnicom Group by 3.1% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,303,089 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,083,214,000 after acquiring an additional 337,392 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Omnicom Group by 5.1% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 7,434,922 shares of the business services providers stock worth $631,076,000 after acquiring an additional 362,985 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its position in shares of Omnicom Group by 8.6% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 4,745,400 shares of the business services providers stock worth $353,437,000 after acquiring an additional 374,874 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. increased its position in shares of Omnicom Group by 1.6% during the second quarter. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. now owns 4,712,072 shares of the business services providers stock worth $448,353,000 after acquiring an additional 72,036 shares in the last quarter. 92.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Omnicom Group alerts: Insider Transactions at Omnicom Group In other news, Director Linda Johnson Rice sold 507 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.66, for a total transaction of $43,936.62. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 9,753 shares in the company, valued at approximately $845,194.98. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Omnicom Group Stock Performance Shares of OMC traded up $0.48 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $87.51. The stock had a trading volume of 1,234,000 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,613,106. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $87.43 and a 200-day simple moving average of $81.11. Omnicom Group Inc. has a one year low of $72.20 and a one year high of $99.23. The firm has a market cap of $17.33 billion, a PE ratio of 12.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. Omnicom Group (NYSE:OMC Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The business services provider reported $2.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.16 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $4.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4 billion. Omnicom Group had a net margin of 9.47% and a return on equity of 39.07%. Omnicom Groups quarterly revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.09 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Omnicom Group Inc. will post 7.64 EPS for the current year. Omnicom Group Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 8th. Omnicom Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 40.46%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Omnicom Group from $106.00 to $104.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Omnicom Group from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Omnicom Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the company from $90.00 to $100.00 in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Macquarie raised shares of Omnicom Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the company from $80.00 to $100.00 in a research report on Friday, January 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Omnicom Group from $85.00 to $91.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Omnicom Group presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $99.22. Get Our Latest Research Report on OMC Omnicom Group Company Profile (Free Report) Omnicom Group Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers advertising, marketing, and corporate communications services. It provides a range of services in the areas of advertising and media, precision marketing, commerce and brand consulting, experiential, execution and support, public relations, and healthcare. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OMC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Omnicom Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Omnicom Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC lifted its position in The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX Free Report) by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,686 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 230 shares during the quarter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs holdings in Clorox were worth $2,187,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Schroder Investment Management Group raised its holdings in shares of Clorox by 384.0% in the 2nd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 64,175 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,206,000 after buying an additional 50,917 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its holdings in Clorox by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 9,709 shares of the companys stock worth $1,544,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC purchased a new stake in Clorox during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,862,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its holdings in Clorox by 742.8% during the 3rd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 78,713 shares of the companys stock worth $10,316,000 after purchasing an additional 69,373 shares during the period. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB increased its holdings in Clorox by 30.7% during the 2nd quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 25,190 shares of the companys stock worth $4,006,000 after purchasing an additional 5,918 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.98% of the companys stock. Get Clorox alerts: Clorox Price Performance CLX stock traded down $1.76 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $151.05. 1,071,500 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,298,509. The Clorox Company has a fifty-two week low of $114.68 and a fifty-two week high of $178.21. The stock has a market cap of $18.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 239.77, a PEG ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.43. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $145.22 and its 200-day moving average price is $141.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.37, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.89. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Clorox ( NYSE:CLX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $1.08. Clorox had a return on equity of 319.41% and a net margin of 1.09%. The firm had revenue of $1.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.98 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 16.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that The Clorox Company will post 5.58 earnings per share for the current year. Several equities research analysts have weighed in on CLX shares. UBS Group upped their price target on Clorox from $145.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Clorox from $145.00 to $152.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Barclays increased their price objective on Clorox from $115.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Clorox in a report on Monday, November 13th. They issued an underperform rating and a $117.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Clorox from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Clorox presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $144.64. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Clorox Clorox Company Profile (Free Report) The Clorox Company manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International. The Health and Wellness segment offers cleaning products, such as laundry additives and home care products primarily under the Clorox, Clorox2, Scentiva, Pine-Sol, Liquid-Plumr, Tilex, and Formula 409 brands; professional cleaning and disinfecting products under the CloroxPro and Clorox Healthcare brands; professional food service products under the Hidden Valley brand; and vitamins, minerals and supplement products under the RenewLife, Natural Vitality, NeoCell, and Rainbow Light brands in the United States. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Clorox Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Clorox and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC increased its position in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Free Report) by 1.3% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 23,139 shares of the energy producers stock after buying an additional 291 shares during the period. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $2,772,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in COP. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in ConocoPhillips by 98,832.5% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 8,584,373 shares of the energy producers stock worth $1,012,956,000 after acquiring an additional 8,575,696 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in ConocoPhillips by 26.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 16,647,723 shares of the energy producers stock worth $1,964,432,000 after acquiring an additional 3,497,750 shares during the last quarter. Alphinity Investment Management Pty Ltd purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the 3rd quarter valued at about $310,102,000. Cowa LLC raised its stake in shares of ConocoPhillips by 6,475.2% during the 1st quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 2,375,224 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $2,383,000 after buying an additional 2,339,100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the 4th quarter valued at about $186,330,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.36% of the companys stock. Get ConocoPhillips alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have weighed in on COP. Mizuho reduced their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $139.00 to $132.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. UBS Group lifted their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $138.00 to $143.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Raymond James reduced their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $140.00 to $137.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Scotiabank raised their target price on ConocoPhillips from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on ConocoPhillips from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $134.61. ConocoPhillips Price Performance Shares of ConocoPhillips stock traded down $0.43 on Monday, hitting $110.57. 6,967,700 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,637,536. The stock has a market capitalization of $130.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $112.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $116.34. ConocoPhillips has a 1-year low of $91.53 and a 1-year high of $127.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The energy producer reported $2.40 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.32. The firm had revenue of $15.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.47 billion. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 18.71% and a return on equity of 22.08%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.71 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that ConocoPhillips will post 9.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. ConocoPhillips Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 19th will be given a $0.78 dividend. This is a positive change from ConocoPhillipss previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.82%. ConocoPhillipss payout ratio is presently 25.61%. ConocoPhillips Profile (Free Report) ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; various LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ConocoPhillips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ConocoPhillips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC cut its position in shares of New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:NYCB Free Report) by 20.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 55,913 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 13,967 shares during the period. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs holdings in New York Community Bancorp were worth $634,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of NYCB. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in New York Community Bancorp in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P bought a new stake in New York Community Bancorp in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in New York Community Bancorp in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new stake in New York Community Bancorp in the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in New York Community Bancorp in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.52% of the companys stock. Get New York Community Bancorp alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Chairman Alessandro Dinello bought 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 9th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $4.19 per share, with a total value of $209,500.00. Following the acquisition, the chairman now owns 114,305 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $478,937.95. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Chairman Alessandro Dinello purchased 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $4.19 per share, with a total value of $209,500.00. Following the purchase, the chairman now directly owns 114,305 shares in the company, valued at $478,937.95. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Lee Matthew Smith purchased 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $4.05 per share, with a total value of $101,250.00. Following the purchase, the executive vice president now owns 1,440,683 shares in the company, valued at $5,834,766.15. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have bought 186,310 shares of company stock valued at $775,627. Company insiders own 1.62% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Compass Point downgraded shares of New York Community Bancorp from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the stock from $16.00 to $8.00 in a report on Thursday, February 1st. UBS Group downgraded shares of New York Community Bancorp from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of New York Community Bancorp from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of New York Community Bancorp from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $15.00 to $7.00 in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, DA Davidson downgraded shares of New York Community Bancorp from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $8.50 to $5.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, New York Community Bancorp currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $8.29. Get Our Latest Analysis on NYCB New York Community Bancorp Stock Down 0.6 % Shares of New York Community Bancorp stock traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $4.90. The companys stock had a trading volume of 23,796,400 shares, compared to its average volume of 35,604,262. New York Community Bancorp, Inc. has a one year low of $3.60 and a one year high of $14.22. The company has a market capitalization of $3.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 1.47, a P/E/G ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 1.03. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $8.91 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $10.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.18. New York Community Bancorp (NYSE:NYCB Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The financial services provider reported ($0.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.29 by ($0.56). New York Community Bancorp had a net margin of 28.96% and a return on equity of 5.85%. The business had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $935.90 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.25 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that New York Community Bancorp, Inc. will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current year. New York Community Bancorp Cuts Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 13th. New York Community Bancorps dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.01%. New York Community Bancorp Profile (Free Report) New York Community Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Flagstar Bank, N.A. that provides banking products and services in the United States. The company's deposit products include interest-bearing checking and money market, savings, non-interest-bearing, and retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NYCB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:NYCB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for New York Community Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New York Community Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Digitally-altered images could swing election outcome, experts warn By Lee Hyo-jin Artificial intelligence (AI) generated deepfakes represent a substantial threat to political campaigns in the lead-up to the April 10 parliamentary elections, prompting concerns among experts regarding their potential to influence election outcomes. The National Election Commission (NEC) said on Monday that it had identified 129 instances of election-related content utilizing deepfake technology from Jan. 29 to Feb. 16. Each of these cases was determined to be in violation of the Public Official Election Act. Deepfakes, a term derived from "deep learning" and "fake," refers to images, audio and videos that closely mimic reality through the utilization of AI. Although AI-generated synthetic content has proven to be useful in various fields, its exploitation in politics, notably for the dissemination of misinformation, presents a significant challenge for government authorities and policymakers. "The most concerning scenario would involve uploading a deepfake video defaming a candidate just a day before the election, and it gathers millions of views. There would be no time for the press or the government to verify it before voters head to the polls the next day," said Jeon Chang-bae, chairman of the International Artificial Intelligence Ethics Association (IAIE), a Seoul-based non-profit group studying AI ethics. Kim Myung-joo, a professor of information security at Seoul Women's University, said, "AI-generated misinformation could have a significant impact on swing voters' perceptions, among others." The professor also pointed out that crafting a convincing hoax using deepfake technology has become remarkably easy. "Creating deepfake videos is a bit complicated, but anyone can generate a deepfake image using a mobile app. It only takes about 10 minutes. This means that political YouTubers or bloggers can easily use this technology to spread misinformation about politicians they dislike," he said. Deepfake content is not entirely new to Korean politics. During the presidential election campaign in 2022, then candidates Yoon Suk Yeol and Lee Jae-myung utilized AI-generated avatars of themselves to announce their pledges and appeal to young voters. However, there have been cases of the misuse of deepfake content in politics. During the local elections in May 2022, a manipulated video clip depicting Yoon endorsing a conservative Namhae County head candidate circulated on social media. This led viewers to mistakenly believe that the president had failed to remain politically neutral. More recently, a deepfake video uploaded on YouTube depicted the interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), Han Dong-hoon, likening liberals to gangsters during a press conference. In response to these incidents, a special parliamentary committee passed a revision to the Public Official Election Act in December, aimed at prohibiting political campaign content that utilizes AI-generated deepfakes during the election season. The law came into effect on Jan. 29. Under the revised law, individuals involved in distributing or showcasing political campaign videos crafted using deepfake technology within the 90-day window leading up to an election could potentially incur severe penalties. This includes a maximum prison term of seven years or a fine reaching up to 50 million won ($37,420). While it is encouraging that bipartisan support has led to a legal ban on the use of deepfakes in election campaigns in Korea in contrast to the United States or European states that primarily rely on self-regulation by big tech companies the existing laws are insufficient to prevent generation of deepfakes in the first place, experts said. "It's a big step forward. However, what is more important than the laws is raising awareness among the public that any videos and images they view on the internet could be fabricated, and not trusting them at face value," Jeon said, stressing the importance of digital media literacy and critical thinking. Retirement Capital Strategies increased its position in shares of Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF (NYSEARCA:ERTH Free Report) by 195.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,041 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 10,607 shares during the period. Retirement Capital Strategies holdings in Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF were worth $710,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Mission Wealth Management LP boosted its position in shares of Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF by 10.0% during the 2nd quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 31,899 shares of the companys stock worth $1,564,000 after acquiring an additional 2,904 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $349,000. Ledyard National Bank lifted its stake in Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Ledyard National Bank now owns 13,260 shares of the companys stock valued at $650,000 after purchasing an additional 695 shares during the last quarter. KCM Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF by 14.2% in the 3rd quarter. KCM Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,539 shares of the companys stock valued at $334,000 after purchasing an additional 937 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LexAurum Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF by 21.0% in the 3rd quarter. LexAurum Advisors LLC now owns 6,918 shares of the companys stock valued at $306,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter. Get Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF alerts: Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF Trading Down 0.3 % NYSEARCA:ERTH traded down $0.12 on Monday, hitting $42.61. The company had a trading volume of 8,400 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,088. The stock has a market capitalization of $238.62 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.61 and a beta of 1.15. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $43.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $44.05. Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF has a 52 week low of $38.72 and a 52 week high of $52.85. Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF Company Profile The Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF (ERTH) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Global Environment Select index. The fund tracks an index of global companies focusing on contributing to a more environmentally sustainable economy. ERTH was launched on Oct 24, 2006 and is managed by Invesco. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ERTH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF (NYSEARCA:ERTH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. River Road Asset Management LLC decreased its stake in TD SYNNEX Co. (NYSE:SNX Free Report) by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,252,705 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 76,180 shares during the period. TD SYNNEX makes up 1.8% of River Road Asset Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest position. River Road Asset Management LLC owned 1.36% of TD SYNNEX worth $125,095,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of TD SYNNEX by 31.5% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 20,197 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,085,000 after purchasing an additional 4,841 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its position in shares of TD SYNNEX by 11.6% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 7,213 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $745,000 after purchasing an additional 747 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in TD SYNNEX by 7.6% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 9,614 shares of the business services providers stock worth $992,000 after acquiring an additional 677 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its stake in TD SYNNEX by 202.3% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 53,183 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $5,569,000 after purchasing an additional 35,593 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new stake in shares of TD SYNNEX during the 1st quarter valued at $1,065,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.00% of the companys stock. Get TD SYNNEX alerts: TD SYNNEX Stock Down 0.6 % Shares of TD SYNNEX stock traded down $0.65 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $100.99. 488,700 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 829,400. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The company has a 50 day moving average of $104.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $100.00. TD SYNNEX Co. has a fifty-two week low of $86.30 and a fifty-two week high of $108.92. The stock has a market cap of $9.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.05, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.64. TD SYNNEX Increases Dividend TD SYNNEX ( NYSE:SNX Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 9th. The business services provider reported $3.13 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.56 by $0.57. TD SYNNEX had a net margin of 1.09% and a return on equity of 12.34%. The company had revenue of $14.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.54 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.30 EPS. TD SYNNEXs revenue for the quarter was down 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that TD SYNNEX Co. will post 11.17 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 19th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.58%. This is a boost from TD SYNNEXs previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 18th. TD SYNNEXs payout ratio is 23.85%. Insider Buying and Selling at TD SYNNEX In related news, major shareholder Apollo Management Holdings Gp, sold 2,250,000 shares of TD SYNNEX stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.50, for a total transaction of $228,375,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 26,153,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,654,534,473.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, insider Michael Urban sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.67, for a total transaction of $518,350.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 36,131 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,745,700.77. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Apollo Management Holdings Gp, sold 2,250,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.50, for a total value of $228,375,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 26,153,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,654,534,473.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 2,279,905 shares of company stock worth $231,500,662 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.90% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets SNX has been the topic of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of TD SYNNEX from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the company from $112.00 to $113.00 in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of TD SYNNEX from $97.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. UBS Group started coverage on TD SYNNEX in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. They set a neutral rating and a $105.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of TD SYNNEX from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $111.00. View Our Latest Report on TD SYNNEX TD SYNNEX Company Profile (Free Report) TD SYNNEX Corporation operates as a distributor and solutions aggregator for the information technology (IT) ecosystem. The company offers personal computing devices and peripherals, mobile phones and accessories, printers, supplies, and endpoint technology software; and data center technologies, such as hybrid cloud, security, storage, networking, servers, technology software, and converged and hyper-converged infrastructure, as well as computing components. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for TD SYNNEX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TD SYNNEX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL Free Report) had its price target hoisted by Robert W. Baird from $252.00 to $268.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the medical research companys stock. A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on CRL. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Charles River Laboratories International from $220.00 to $205.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Charles River Laboratories International from $190.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Guggenheim lowered Charles River Laboratories International from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Charles River Laboratories International from $210.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on Charles River Laboratories International from $250.00 to $215.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 9th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $246.54. Get Charles River Laboratories International alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Charles River Laboratories International Charles River Laboratories International Trading Down 0.2 % Shares of Charles River Laboratories International stock opened at $244.96 on Thursday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $223.41 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $204.99. Charles River Laboratories International has a 1 year low of $161.65 and a 1 year high of $252.20. The company has a market capitalization of $12.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.60, a P/E/G ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 1.16. Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The medical research company reported $2.46 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.39 by $0.07. Charles River Laboratories International had a return on equity of 16.53% and a net margin of 11.49%. The company had revenue of $1.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $991.25 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.98 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Charles River Laboratories International will post 11.03 EPS for the current year. Institutional Trading of Charles River Laboratories International Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CRL. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,980,306 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,413,744,000 after buying an additional 26,446 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 8.6% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,198,037 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,092,887,000 after buying an additional 411,153 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 35.3% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,506,293 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $505,821,000 after buying an additional 653,790 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,091,017 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $439,636,000 after purchasing an additional 37,816 shares during the period. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its stake in Charles River Laboratories International by 24.4% during the second quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 1,750,110 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $367,961,000 after buying an additional 343,076 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.91% of the companys stock. Charles River Laboratories International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Charles River Laboratories International, Inc, a non-clinical contract research organization, provides drug discovery, non-clinical development, and safety testing services in the United States, Europe, Canada, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Research Models and Services (RMS), Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA), and Manufacturing Solutions (Manufacturing). Read More Receive News & Ratings for Charles River Laboratories International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles River Laboratories International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stokes Family Office LLC increased its stake in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG Free Report) by 22.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,224 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 406 shares during the quarter. Stokes Family Office LLCs holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. were worth $507,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in AJG. Greenleaf Trust lifted its holdings in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 2,967 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $676,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the period. Clarius Group LLC raised its holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 2.7% in the second quarter. Clarius Group LLC now owns 1,700 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $373,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the period. Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA raised its holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 3.6% in the second quarter. Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA now owns 1,288 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $283,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the period. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC raised its holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 3.9% in the third quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 1,230 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $280,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the period. Finally, Fidelis Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 3.7% in the third quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,325 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $302,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.15% of the companys stock. Get Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. alerts: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Stock Performance Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock opened at $239.22 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $51.86 billion, a PE ratio of 53.88, a P/E/G ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $231.89 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $233.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 12 month low of $174.45 and a 12 month high of $254.00. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Increases Dividend Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. ( NYSE:AJG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The financial services provider reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.02. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a net margin of 9.63% and a return on equity of 18.49%. The company had revenue of $2.39 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.54 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 10.07 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. This is a boost from Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.00%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s payout ratio is currently 49.55%. Insider Activity at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. In related news, Director David S. Johnson sold 500 shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.04, for a total transaction of $117,020.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 45,038 shares in the company, valued at $10,540,693.52. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director David S. Johnson sold 500 shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.04, for a total transaction of $117,020.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 45,038 shares in the company, valued at $10,540,693.52. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Douglas K. Howell sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.59, for a total transaction of $3,398,850.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 102,942 shares in the company, valued at $23,325,627.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 27,809 shares of company stock worth $6,441,104 over the last ninety days. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently commented on AJG. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price target for the company from $279.00 to $233.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Raymond James lowered shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $270.00 price objective on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Finally, TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a market perform rating and a $249.00 price target for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $255.62. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Company Profile (Free Report) Arthur J. Gallagher & Co, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party property/casualty claims settlement and administration services to businesses and organizations worldwide. It operates in Brokerage and Risk Management segments. The Brokerage segment offers retail and wholesale insurance and reinsurance brokerage services; assists retail brokers and other non-affiliated brokers in the placement of specialized and hard-to-place insurance; and acts as a brokerage wholesaler, managing general agent, and managing general underwriter for distributing specialized insurance coverages to underwriting enterprises. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc. cut its position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP Free Report) by 11.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,609 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 210 shares during the quarter. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc.s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $326,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 1.9% during the third quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 40,124 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $8,166,000 after purchasing an additional 749 shares during the last quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 1,071.0% during the third quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd now owns 52,695 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $10,730,000 after purchasing an additional 48,195 shares during the last quarter. Institutional & Family Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 11.3% during the third quarter. Institutional & Family Asset Management LLC now owns 1,169 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $238,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Provence Wealth Management Group lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 26.9% in the third quarter. Provence Wealth Management Group now owns 1,974 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $402,000 after buying an additional 418 shares during the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 36.6% in the third quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 4,947 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,007,000 after buying an additional 1,326 shares during the last quarter. 77.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Union Pacific alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on UNP shares. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Union Pacific from $282.00 to $272.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 26th. UBS Group raised their target price on Union Pacific from $235.00 to $248.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Union Pacific from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $280.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Union Pacific from $239.00 to $237.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Benchmark reissued a buy rating and set a $260.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, January 26th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $249.67. Union Pacific Trading Down 1.6 % UNP traded down $3.96 during trading on Monday, reaching $246.59. The company had a trading volume of 2,202,300 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,434,760. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $242.75 and its 200 day simple moving average is $225.49. The company has a market cap of $150.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.57, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 1.08. Union Pacific Co. has a 12-month low of $183.69 and a 12-month high of $251.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.81. Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.56 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 46.87% and a net margin of 26.45%. The firm had revenue of $6.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.67 EPS. Union Pacifics revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 10.92 earnings per share for the current year. Union Pacific Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.11%. Union Pacifics payout ratio is presently 49.71%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Union Pacific news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $235.00, for a total transaction of $235,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 98,297 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,099,795. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 1,000 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $235.00, for a total transaction of $235,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 98,297 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,099,795. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,750 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $937,500.00. Following the sale, the president now owns 56,682 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,170,500. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock. Union Pacific Company Profile (Free Report) Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, and other agricultural users; petroleum, and liquid petroleum gases; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Union Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Union Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW Free Report) by 51.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,395 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,863 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLCs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $582,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Truvestments Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 260.0% during the 2nd quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 270 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 195 shares in the last quarter. Castleview Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Northwest Capital Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Jackson Grant Investment Advisers Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.25% of the companys stock. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes EW has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $78.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 22nd. StockNews.com raised shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $83.00 to $68.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Evercore ISI downgraded shares of Edwards Lifesciences from an outperform rating to an in-line rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $80.00 to $77.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Citigroup downgraded shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $87.38. Insider Activity at Edwards Lifesciences In related news, VP Catherine M. Szyman sold 27,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.62, for a total transaction of $2,311,740.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 34,814 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,980,774.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 11,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.83, for a total transaction of $944,130.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 39,503 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,390,542.49. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Catherine M. Szyman sold 27,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.62, for a total transaction of $2,311,740.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 34,814 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,980,774.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 174,889 shares of company stock worth $13,685,420. 1.29% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Edwards Lifesciences Stock Up 0.1 % NYSE:EW traded up $0.06 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $86.10. The company had a trading volume of 2,122,100 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,208,088. The company has a quick ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 3.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. The firm has a market cap of $51.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.43, a P/E/G ratio of 4.32 and a beta of 1.04. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $77.44 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $73.48. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a twelve month low of $60.57 and a twelve month high of $94.87. Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The medical research company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.64. The firm had revenue of $1.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.50 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 23.35% and a return on equity of 23.56%. The businesss revenue was up 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.64 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current year. About Edwards Lifesciences (Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Valueworks LLC lessened its stake in Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. (NYSE:MLP Free Report) by 0.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 643,022 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 2,333 shares during the quarter. Maui Land & Pineapple comprises about 3.1% of Valueworks LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest holding. Valueworks LLC owned about 3.28% of Maui Land & Pineapple worth $8,520,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in MLP. Deutsche Bank AG acquired a new position in Maui Land & Pineapple in the third quarter valued at about $59,000. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Maui Land & Pineapple during the third quarter worth about $334,000. Raymond James & Associates boosted its position in shares of Maui Land & Pineapple by 2.6% during the third quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 77,650 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,029,000 after buying an additional 2,000 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System acquired a new position in shares of Maui Land & Pineapple during the second quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its position in shares of Maui Land & Pineapple by 28.5% during the second quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 3,126 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 693 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 21.49% of the companys stock. Get Maui Land & Pineapple alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, StockNews.com cut Maui Land & Pineapple from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Maui Land & Pineapple Price Performance NYSE:MLP traded down $0.70 on Monday, hitting $19.94. The companys stock had a trading volume of 15,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 33,555. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $17.87 and a two-hundred day moving average of $15.52. Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. has a one year low of $8.66 and a one year high of $20.83. Maui Land & Pineapple Profile (Free Report) Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manages, and sells residential, resort, commercial, agricultural, and industrial real estate properties in the United States. It operates through Real Estate, Leasing, and Resort Amenities segments. The Real Estate segment is involved in the land planning and entitlement; and development and sale of its landholdings on Maui. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Maui Land & Pineapple Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Maui Land & Pineapple and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of First Horizon Co. (NYSE:FHN Free Report) by 9.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 87,242 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 7,265 shares during the quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLCs holdings in First Horizon were worth $961,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of FHN. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in First Horizon by 112.7% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 43,274 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $477,000 after acquiring an additional 22,927 shares during the period. Rafferty Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in First Horizon by 27.3% during the 3rd quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC now owns 861,983 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $9,499,000 after acquiring an additional 184,780 shares during the period. Algebris UK Ltd bought a new position in First Horizon during the 3rd quarter valued at about $7,297,000. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in shares of First Horizon by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 1,681,467 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $18,530,000 after purchasing an additional 33,844 shares during the period. Finally, EMC Capital Management lifted its stake in shares of First Horizon by 221.7% in the 3rd quarter. EMC Capital Management now owns 21,140 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $233,000 after purchasing an additional 14,568 shares during the period. 76.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get First Horizon alerts: First Horizon Trading Down 1.4 % Shares of FHN opened at $13.88 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.94. First Horizon Co. has a 1 year low of $8.99 and a 1 year high of $24.90. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $14.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.62. The firm has a market cap of $7.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.01 and a beta of 0.95. First Horizon ( NYSE:FHN Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.01. First Horizon had a net margin of 17.80% and a return on equity of 9.94%. The business had revenue of $1.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $784.20 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.51 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that First Horizon Co. will post 1.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. First Horizon declared that its board has authorized a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, January 23rd that allows the company to repurchase $650.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to purchase up to 7.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. First Horizon Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.32%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. First Horizons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.22%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on FHN shares. Wedbush upgraded shares of First Horizon from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $12.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. UBS Group upgraded shares of First Horizon from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $15.50 to $16.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com cut shares of First Horizon from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Citigroup started coverage on shares of First Horizon in a research note on Friday, December 1st. They set a buy rating and a $14.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Raymond James upgraded shares of First Horizon from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and raised their target price for the stock from $13.00 to $17.00 in a research note on Friday, January 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $14.35. View Our Latest Stock Report on First Horizon First Horizon Profile (Free Report) First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through three segments: Regional Banking, Specialty Banking, and Corporate. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FHN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for First Horizon Co. (NYSE:FHN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for First Horizon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Horizon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (NYSE:BMEZ Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 76,141 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,097,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of BMEZ. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust by 45.8% in the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 43,557 shares of the companys stock valued at $628,000 after buying an additional 13,683 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at $3,827,000. Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors LP acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at $519,000. Karpus Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust by 11.8% during the 3rd quarter. Karpus Management Inc. now owns 958,125 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,807,000 after acquiring an additional 101,328 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 186,566 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,688,000 after acquiring an additional 1,041 shares during the period. Get BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust alerts: Insider Transactions at BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust In related news, major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 41,462 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were bought at an average cost of 15.82 per share, with a total value of 655,928.84. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 19,310,445 shares of the companys stock, valued at 305,491,239.90. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders bought a total of 3,487,671 shares of company stock worth $51,357,701 in the last quarter. BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust Stock Performance BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust Cuts Dividend Shares of BMEZ stock opened at 15.87 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of 15.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of 14.67. BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust has a 12 month low of 12.93 and a 12 month high of 16.95. The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be paid a $0.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.81%. BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust Profile (Free Report) BlackRock Health Sciences Trust IIs (BMEZ) (the Trust) investment objective is to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries and equity derivatives with exposure to the health sciences group of industries. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMEZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (NYSE:BMEZ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code By Nam Hyun-woo Political debate is intensifying concerning the presidential office's handling of people who heckled during events that President Yoon Suk Yeol attended, with opposition parties comparing the government's reaction to that of a military junta. Shin Min-ki, a spokesperson for the minor progressive Justice Party's Daejeon chapter, said Yoon should apologize and punish his security service personnel for their "excessive coercion" against him during a graduation ceremony held at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, Friday. "I was forcibly removed even though I was not in a position to threaten the president," said Shin, a KAIST student who was removed from the ceremony by security guards after denouncing the Yoon administration's cuts to the country's research and development budget. Shin said he was suppressed by security guards and muzzled as soon as he protested, was dragged out and detained in a room for 30 minutes before being sent to the police for a further investigation. A Daejeon police station has investigated him on charges of obstruction of work. "I don't understand why the picketing constitutes a disturbance that needs to limit my freedom of expression," Shin said, adding that he is afraid of possible negative consequences in his job-seeking efforts. On Saturday, a group of KAIST alumni held a press conference in front of the presidential office in Seoul and criticized the office's handling of Shin and the Yoon administration's R&D budget cuts. The presidential office said in a statement that "the Presidential Security Service removed a heckler to ensure safety within a security area and to maintain order in the venue," and it was "an inevitable action in accordance with the law and security principles." The removal came a month after presidential security officers dragged out Rep. Kang Sung-hee of the minor progressive Jinbo Party from an event Yoon attended on Jan. 18. At that time, Kang shouted at Yoon, urging him to change his political principles after having a handshake. The presidential office said the security guards removed Kang because Kang refused to let go of Yoon's hand. Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung said Monday that "the government and the ruling party are running state affairs with violence" and compared the incidents to the case of the Chun Doo-hwan administration's suppression of protestors in the 1980s. Rep. Ko Min-jung, a member of the party's supreme council, also said that "the muzzling turned the graduation ceremony into a horrible scene" and "the action shows the characteristic of the Yoon administration." On the other hand, ruling People Power Party floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok said Monday that the opposition is exploiting the case for its own political gain. "Rep. Kang and spokesperson Shin planned to heckle the presidential event for their political gain," Yun said. "It is nothing more than acts of disturbance which are politically motivated As the oppositions mount criticisms, there are people saying the incidents remind them of creating a car accident for certain purposes." Quang Nam province works to attract investment in industry By Thanh Van, Minh Hue Mon, February 19, 2024 | 4:36 pm GMT+7 The central province of Quang Nam will speed up site clearance and build infrastructure for industrial parks and industrial clusters to lure investment. Expanding industrial land funds Quang Nam province has so far licensed 14 industrial parks covering over 3,676 hectares. Among them, 11 are in Chu Lai Open Economic Zone, covering 2,959 hectares. In addition, the province has 51 industrial clusters in operation with a total land area leased or registered for lease reaching more than 722 hectares, and an occupancy rate of about 70%. Nguyen Tan Van, deputy director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment, said that according to the plan, the province will develop 31 industrial parks with an area of more than 11,000 hectares by 2050, and 115 industrial clusters spanning 3,000 hectares by 2030. Chu Lai Open Economic Zone in Quang Nam province, central Vietnam. Photo by The Investor/Thanh Van. "The province will prioritize attracting projects in processing and manufacturing with advanced and environmentally friendly technology, modern governance, high added value, and spillover effects; as well as those connecting global production and supply chains," he said. Quang Nam intends to make Chu Lai Open Economic Zone a nucleus and major development center of the central key economic region and the whole country, he went on, adding that it is also planning to become a multi-industry and multi-sector marine economic zone and a driving force for the central region and Vietnam as a whole. According to the provincial People's Committee, in 2023, Quang Nam granted licenses to 19 new domestic investment projects with total registered capital of nearly VND1.92 trillion ($78.27 million), raising the total number of such projects in the province so far to 1,138, valued at VND225 trillion ($9.17 billion). There were three new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects licensed last year, with total investment capital of $23.58 million. To date, the number of valid FDI projects in the province is 193, worth $6 billion. In addition, the province saw about 1,180 new enterprises with registered capital of about VND6.3 trillion ($256.83 million), along with 447 businesses resuming operations. Luring investment to industrial parks, clusters In 2024, Quang Nam province will continue to effectively implement its economic development and recovery program, taking solutions to support businesses, especially tourism services providers and those producing goods for export. In particular, the locality will speed up site clearance and build infrastructure in industrial parks and clusters to attract investment. According to Le Tri Thanh, chairman of the provincial People's Committee, the locality has determined economic restructuring towards parallel development of industry and services, taking services-tourism as a spearhead. It aims to develop the southeast region into a chain of urban areas - service centers, and tourism - clean industry - high-tech agriculture areas by 2030. Quang Nam will turn industry into a driving force, create a breakthrough in economic growth, and develop services-tourism into a key economic sector. It plans to focus on industrial development, with the implementation of a project to develop a center for deep processing of silica products. "The province will focus on promoting and implementing industrial project groups in its eastern region, promptly removing difficulties to put key projects into operation, and developing and expanding the Thaco Auto Complex, he noted. Thanh stated that Quang Nam will promote the development of supporting industries serving the province's key industries such as manufacturing, automobile assembly, mechanical engineering, machinery and equipment for textile and garment, footwear and chemical production, and high-tech agriculture, thus increasing the localization rate of industrial products. It will continue to invest in infrastructure and arrange projects in licensed industrial parks like Tam Thang, Tam Anh and North Chu Lai IPs and Tam Hiep Port and Logistics Park. Policies and mechanisms will be launched to support investors in building infrastructure for new industrial parks in the province, he added. Photographer Cecil Williams and author Claudia Smith Brinson discussed their new book Injustice in Focus: The Civil Rights Photography of Cecil Williams at the Orangeburg County Library on Feb. 8. The book depicts Williams coverage of the civil rights movement in South Carolina. Brinson said readers should consider the importance of Williams career as one of the few Black photojournalists in the segregated South. What happens when we understand history, but we don't have visuals? Brinson said, The pictures give us information that perhaps words cannot, that pictures can prove things we might not want to believe and so Cecils career is very important. Providing context for an image of his car with a press marker on it, Williams said it was a dangerous era for Black press members. He wore his badge proudly because it was the handwriting of God that put him in that position. Cecil Williams Cecil Williams speaks at the event held at the Orangeburg County Library. Somebody had to tell the stories of that period in South Carolina, Williams said. Again, it was my destiny to do that. Williams praised Brinson for her work and said Injustice in Focus was an immediate yes for him. He said that though she is not a historian, Brinson takes time to ensure that her information is accurate. You will find that this is one of the most accurate books I've ever had the opportunity to be a part of because Claudia is that kind of writer, Williams said. She would go above and beyond, and fact check, and so she is more of an author that she is a historian. Brinson, who grew up on desegregated military bases, said the scenes she saw in South Carolina shocked her. These experiences and working for skewed" news outlets led her to seek information from minorities and elders of the civil rights movement. 'Injustice in Focus' 'Injustice in Focus' is a new book about Cecil Williams' impact as a civil rights photographer. Along the way, I met this wonderful person, Cecil, and I found that using his images helped me understand things more, Brinson said. He was generous with his time and explained the world to me. During the event, Williams and Brinson guided the guests through some of Williams' photos. They both agreed that there needs to be an expansion of South Carolinas history books. Claudia Smith Brinson Author Claudia Smith Brinson talks about the new book "Injustice in Focus." History, again, allows -- or provides -- you to know where you can form and then you can better chart where you're going to, Williams said. I believe this is such an important book because the book transcends time, it helps one generation to another know about what went on -- and getting it straight from the perspective of the person that did it. Jaeon David-Isiah Allen, 20, of 53 Isle Palm East, Bluffton, pleaded guilty to first-offense failure to stop for blue lights during a recent term of court held at the Orangeburg County Courthouse. Circuit Judge Heath P. Taylor sentenced him under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed three years. Because Allen already served one day in jail, his term was suspended to probation for one year. Allen was charged with first-offense driving under suspension license not suspended for DUI and passing unlawfully, but those charges were dismissed. In other recent guilty pleas: Terrance Allen, 39, of 864 Foliage Street, Bowman, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and battery and use of vehicle without permission with intention to deprive, although he was originally charged with grand larceny valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000. Taylor sentenced him to 44 days in prison and gave him credit for time served. Michael Demetric Bowers, 37, of 1888 Kinley Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of scheduled drugs. Taylor sentenced him to 31 days and gave him credit for time served. Jermaine Tyrese Brown, 23, of 1120 Wolfe Trail, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of a scheduled drug. Taylor sentenced him to 14 days in jail and gave him credit for time served. Joshua Garret Eichman, 33, of 644 Canaan Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of cocaine and petit larceny valued at $2,000 or less. Taylor sentenced him to two years in prison. Because Eichman already served 116 days in jail, his term was suspended to 18 months of probation. Taylor also ordered him to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug and alcohol testing. Michael Ervin, 64, of 143 Glivens Court, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to third-degree domestic violence. Taylor sentenced him to jail for 90 days. Because Ervin spent two days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for two years. Brandon Lee Hanna, 34, of 1030 Riverside Drive, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to shoplifting valued at $2,000 or less and first-offense possession of a controlled substance. Taylor sentenced him to prison for six months and gave him credit for having already served 74 days in jail. Taylor stipulated that Hanna should be housed in the addiction treatment unit. Andre Danae Hilliard, 47, of 109 Mariah Circle, Santee, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of a controlled substance. Taylor sentenced him to 66 days in jail and gave him credit for time served. Nathaniel Darry Johnson, 26, of 500 Fletcher Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of a controlled substance. Taylor sentenced him to jail for 56 days and gave him credit for time served. William Rodregus Johnson, 39, of 160 Woodchopper Drive, Cordova, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of cocaine, first-offense manufacturing methamphetamine, first-offense possession of a controlled substance and two counts of unlawful carrying of a pistol. Taylor sentenced him to one year in prison. Because Johnson already served 22 days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for two years. Johnson faced the following charges, but they were dismissed: transporting alcohol with a broken seal in a motor vehicle, third or subsequent offense driving under suspension license not suspended for DUI and habitual traffic offender status driving under suspension. Quincy James Smith, 35, of 205 Oakmont Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of a controlled substance. Taylor sentenced him to 41 days in jail and. He was given credit for time served. Vincent Michael Smith, 33, of 257 Jensen Court, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense manufacturing/distributing cocaine base. Taylor sentenced him to prison for three years. Because Smith already served five days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for two years. He also ordered Smith to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing. Bryan Troy Summers, 30, of 1837 Maxwell Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary and giving false information to law enforcement. Taylor sentenced him to 173 days in jail and gave him credit for time served. Summers faced the following charges, but they were dismissed: first-offense possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a pistol. Ivan ODell Wilson, 45, of 1486 Poplar Hill Road, Ridgeville, pleaded guilty to third or subsequent offense possession of a narcotic. Taylor sentenced Wilson to 85 days in jail and gave him credit for time served. Stephanie Danielle Wolfe, 42, of 131 Tucker Road, Eutawville, pleaded guilty to identity fraud to obtain employment or to avoid detection by law enforcement and forgery valued less than $10,000. Taylor sentenced her to prison for one year and gave her credit for having already served 106 days in jail. Taylor also ordered her to pay restitution. Wolfe faced the following charges, but they were dismissed: forgery no dollar amount involved, identity fraud to obtain employment or to avoid detection by law enforcement and Computer Crime Act valued more than $1,000 but less than $10,000. REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. Sen. Tim Scott, a potential running mate if Donald Trump becomes the Republican presidential nominee, is treading carefully on questions about whether he would have certified the 2020 election had he been vice president at that time. Election 2024 Certification Vice President FILE - Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate, Nov. 8, 2023, in Miami. Scott, a 2024 vice presidential contender for GOP frontrunner former President Donald Trump's ticket, is treading carefully on questions about whether he would have certified the 2020 election if he had been vice president at the time. Scott in a pair of Sunday, Feb. 18, television interviews, would not say if he would have acted differently than Vice President Mike Pence. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File) On Jan. 6, 2021, about two months after Trump lost the White House, then-Vice President Mike Pence defied his boss and refused to use his largely ceremonial role in overseeing the election certification process to block Democrat Joe Biden's victory. Pence went forward with ratification of the Electoral College even after a violent mob of Trump supporters, some of whom chanted "Hang Mike Pence," swarmed the U.S. Capitol, interrupting the congressional proceedings and forcing Pence, his family and staff into hiding in the complex. Get The Times and Democrat app today Local news has never been this personal. Free to download. Subscribers enjoy unlimited access. Scott, a Trump rival in the 2024 race who dropped out and later endorsed the former president, declined to say in two Sunday news show interviews whether he would have acted differently as vice president. "I'm not going to answer hypothetical questions, No. 1," said Scott, R-S.C. He added: "You're asking a hypothetical question that you know can never happen again." Scott voted in favor of certifying the 2020 results when the Senate got back to work after the siege. He also said during a presidential debate last year that Pence did the right thing when he certified the election. The issue of certification is beginning to emerge again among Republicans. Two other potential Trump vice president contenders, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, said this month they would not have allowed 2020 election results to be certified on Jan. 6 had they been in Pence's position. Scott sidestepped questions Sunday about how he saw the vice president's role in the certification process. "The one thing we know about the future is that the former president, fortunately, he'll be successful in 2024, he won't be facing that situation again," Scott said. "So what we should focus on is what will cause the former president, President Trump, to be the next president of the United States." Congress passed legislation in 2022 changing the law that governs the certification of a presidential contest, with the aim of avoiding a repeat of Trump's effort to reverse his 2020 loss. The legislation, in part, makes clear that the vice president's responsibilities in the certification process are merely ceremonial and that the vice president has no say in determining who actually won the election. Trump is facing felony charges for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the Capitol riot. He was impeached after Jan. 6 on a charge of inciting an insurrection, but was acquitted by the Senate the next month, after leaving office. Scott appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" and CBS' "Face the Nation." It was one of the Civil Wars most technologically advanced weapons. The H.L. Hunley was a 40-foot submarine built out of iron and powered by a hand-cranked screw propeller. Hunley This 2015 photo of the Hunley shows restoration efforts in action. In 1995, the sub was found buried under silt in about 30 feet of water four The Confederate vessel secured its place in history on Feb. 17, 1864, when it set off 135 pounds of black powder along the hull of the USS Housatonic and became the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in battle. The Hunley and its eight crew members were lost to the waters off the coast of Sullivans Island that cold night, and five from the Housatonic were also killed. On the 160th anniversary of those events in 2024, the sub that transformed naval warfare is back at the forefront of technological innovation, but in a way that none of its 19th-century creators could have predicted. The H.L. Hunley has been the center of a multi-agency, conservation-and-education effort since it was raised from the depths in August 2000 and moved to the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in North Charleston. Warren Lasch Conservation Center Students Patricia Ploehn, left, and Melissa Allen use cutting-edge technology to study the H.L. Hunley submarine, which is housed at the the W Clemson University conservation scientists, archaeologists, conservators, and historic preservationists are playing a central role by leading the scientific work that is telling the story of the Hunley and its crew while conserving the vessel and its artifacts for posterity. Stephanie Crette, the centers director, said its affiliation with the University gives researchers unique access to state-of-the-art technology, including scanning-electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-radiography and 3D laser scanners. With their expertise and sophisticated equipment, the centers researchers have pioneered new conservation methods, including a subcritical technique to desalinate metal, especially iron. The cherry on top is that we are in Charleston, where history and preservation developed early on, so we have a good network of collaborators, Crette said. Our technologically advanced facilities and partnerships with multiple agencies are what make us unique. When a submarine sinks and is found For 131 years after the Housatonics sinking, the Hunleys whereabouts remained a mystery. Its location was verified in 1995, when a team led by author and explorer Clive Cussler found the sub buried under silt in about 30 feet of water four miles off Sullivans Island. The Hunley, secure at the center 24 years after its raising, is again submerged. But this time its in a tank of sodium hydroxide, a solution that pulls salt and chlorides out of the iron. While the solution does its job, researchers are branching out beyond the Hunley to apply their expertise to other artifacts. They include a 4,000-year-old Native American dugout canoe and the International African-American Museum collection. Those efforts and future collaborations will give Clemson researchers plenty to do long after their work with Hunley is completed. But researchers said their job with the sub is far from over. Michael Scafuri, senior archaeologist, likened the Clemson teams work to crime-scene investigation. We process a site or scene and collect evidence and try and see what it tells us, he said. What were trying to do is get as close as we can to understanding this event in the past. Were trying to understand what these people did and why they did it, their motivations and what came out of it. Johanna Rivera, senior conservator, has been working to protect the Hunleys artifacts. They include, for example, the silver suspenders, gold pocket watch and binoculars believed to have belonged to its captain, George E. Dixon. We are trying to bring things back to their state before the sinking event bringing objects back to life, if you will, Rivera said. That challenge to try and work with the material and to try to reverse time a little bit is the best part about my job. An aerial view of the H.L. Hunley submarine surrounded by framing and covered in rust while people in blue uniforms work on it. History and stories of people recovered Nicholas DeLong, a maritime archaeologist, has focused on personal artifacts, specifically the crews shoes, as well as clothing, textiles, and buttons. What they were wearing can tell us about the crew members themselves and how that plays into the bigger, overarching time period of the Civil War in Charleston, DeLong said. What they were wearing can also tell us a little bit about how they perceived their actions, what kind of unit they were, their cohesion. To understand cohesion in efforts to restore the Hunley, one need look no further than Clemsons partnership with Friends of the Hunley. The University and the nonprofit share the Warren Lasch Conservation Center. Friends of the Hunley runs an exhibit that tells the subs story and displays some of its restored artifacts. The nonprofit offers weekend tours that allow the public a glimpse of the sub in its tank. Collaborations with partners such as Clemson University are critical to illuminating an important piece of our nations rich naval heritage, said Kellen Butler, president and executive director of Friends of the Hunley. We look forward to continuing to work with Clemson to conserve the Hunley and its artifacts for future generations. Congregations in the Orangeburg District of the South Carolina United Methodist Church Conference are working to discern whether they should separate from the denomination. The Local Church Discernment Process is designed to help each local church determine whether it can function as a United Methodist church if it believes that the denomination has not consistently upheld its stated doctrine on issues of human sexuality. Ongoing process The process is intended to provide an opportunity for church members to engage in dialogue and allow every voice in a congregation to determine their sentiment regarding separation. Churches have until March 1 to determine whether they will participate in the discernment process. Leaving the United Methodist Church requires a vote indicating that two-thirds of a congregations members formally declare the church can no longer continue to function as a United Methodist Church. Our process is still ongoing. The churches that are contemplating it have until March 1 to have the vote, and that process remains in place each year annually. So they have to complete the process by March 1 annually in order to be considered by the (South Carolina) annual conference, Orangeburg District Superintendent the Rev. Ken Nelson said. The denominations General Conference is scheduled for April 23-May 3 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. The 2024 S.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church will convene June 9-12 at the Greenville Convention Center. Nelson has said the churches will discern what they believe their future is with the United Methodist Church, whether than means remaining as a United Methodist congregation, becoming independent or uniting with another body. The Orangeburg District was comprised of 89 congregations throughout Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Lexington and Orangeburg counties. There are now 86. In 2023, we lost three churches that actually chose to separate, and then this year we have a number of churches that are giving significant consideration to it. Our voting process opened up in January. They will be allowed to take the vote, and I believe that we will have 13 churches that are going to be ready to take votes between January and March 1, Nelson said. But even then, thats not a done deal. That vote then has to be ratified and approved by the annual conference, he said. The churches who separated in 2023 were Limestone United Methodist Church in the Wolfton community, Ebenezer United Methodist Church in North and Cattle Creek United Methodist Church in Rowesville. Nelson has said some churches may very well be waiting until the 2024 General Conference before making a decision on whether to participate in the discerning process or not. Only the General Conference has the power to speak for the denomination. No bishop, no district superintendent, no individual, no one congregation has the ability to speak for the denomination, Nelson said. That includes decisions concerning human sexuality. The only body that can speak on those matters is the General Conference, so at the end of the General Conference we will perhaps have a clearer path forward. I wont say that all of the questions will be finalized, but the path for moving forward will take another step, he said. As far as human sexuality, Nelson said, Theres three questions related to that whole issue and they were: Will there be ordination of persons from the LGBTQ community? Can a local church host same-sex weddings or not? Can the clergy officiate same-sex weddings or not? Nelson said homosexuality, however, is just a part of the issue. Some believe its an understanding of how the United Methodist Church understands or interprets scripture. Some believe that this is a question about the best way for churches to be engaged in mission and ministry and whether they want to be a part of a system that is connectional or not. ... Nelson continued, In a connectional system, we have whats called a trust clause, which means that the churches are held in trust by the local church, but the property actually belongs to the denomination. There are many churches who might say, Wed like to be able to control our own property and our own destiny in the future and not be connected to a system that doesnt allow that. There were 113 churches that separated from the United Methodist Church in 2023, with the annual conference formally approving their separation in June of that year. The SC UMC reported that part of the requirement to separate involved the churches paying all of their 2023 apportionments, any past due apportionments from 2022 and six months of 2024 apportionments. Nelson said some churches would say it would be too expensive to separate. Certainly some churches would say that. I would say that the South Carolina Conference is trying to be as generous as it could be with all of the churches and provide a means that we believe is fair to all that are involved for those churches to be able to leave. But no matter what you do, someones not going to be happy about that and will believe that any cost if they had to pay anything would have been too much, he said. Were just trying to follow the Bible Limestone UMC of Wolfton is now known as Historic Limestone Community Church. Longtime members Cindy Pfeffer, Mary Agnes French and Al Watson, church historian, say the separation process was not something taken lightly or that happened overnight. Im very proud of us, but it took some doing. Weve studied this for a long time, a couple of years now. Just studied it and prayed about it. I think were happier. I know we are, Pfeffer said. French said, I think one of our main reasons for separating is we were tired of paying the United Methodist Conference and not having anything to show for it. We wanted to have the church as ours, not theirs. And there was liberalism moving this way, said Pfeffer, who stopped short of saying that the church would not condone homosexual clergy preaching from the pulpit or, among other things, officiating marriages. We dont know if we want to get into that. It was just coming from California. I remember us talking about this a couple of years ago. We want everybody to come, and we love everybody. ... We just thought we want to go by the Bible, she said. Pfeffer continued, Thats it in a nutshell. We want to go by the Bible, what the Bible says. French said, Weve been here a long time. This is an old church. Were just trying to follow the Bible as closely as we can. There were other changes coming, too, I think. Pfeffer said the church is interdenominational. Anybody can come. Were welcome to everybody, she said, noting that their separation from the UMC may be a bit misunderstood. We really didnt break from them. They broke away from us. You can look at it that way. Its easy to see, Pfeffer said. I think were very pleased that we were able to do it. I think the whole thing is were trying to follow the Bible. ... A lot of churches couldnt do it, I understand couldnt raise enough money to do it, but I dont know if thats true or not, she said. Watson, 82, said he is more concerned keeping the historical value of the church than he is with issues of human sexuality. Im aware of the fact that there are a whole bunch of other issues, but for this particular church, which incidentally dates back to 1815, we would like for it to remain a historical feature of the community, he said, noting that issues of human sexuality are much more complex. We are all part of this religious movement. If you believe in Christianity, then God will make that decision, certainly not me. Who am I to make that decision? So that doesnt bother me at all, and, incidentally, neither does race, Watson said. We are trying to increase members by having social get-togethers, and the one drawing card in that is to feed people. Its word of mouth. People are inviting friends, that kind of thing. It has worked to a very limited degree because Limestone is a part of a whole movement thats occurring, I think, nationwide, he said. Ive seen several documentary films on that, about even preachers who are having trouble because they no longer believe in some of the religious teachings, or points of theology. So thats a very complicated issue, Watson said. Nelson said he ultimately wants to see the discernment process not be a rancorous one. We want all of our churches to do well. I think when churches do well, communities do well. Weve done what we had to do within this district without rancor and without difficulties. We simply honored our process and allowed the church to make the decisions they believe God is calling them to make, he said. Nelson continued, There are a significant number of our churches that have remained. I dont want the story to be solely those who have parted. It is also about those who continue to remain and be engaged in the life and ministry of their community and continue to offer the love of God to all. The Citadels Department of Political Science, ahead of the South Carolina Republican primary on Feb. 24, announced results from the inaugural The Citadel Poll on Feb. 16 after surveying 1,000 SC voters between Feb. 5-11 through live telephone interviews or text messages. The margin of sampling error is 4.1% and margin of error is 3.1% for the full sample. The sample included 505 likely Republican Primary voters who said they would definitely vote. This sample has a margin of sampling error of 5.7%, margin of error of 4.4%. Consistent with the national trend, former President Donald Trump at 64% holds a considerable lead over ex-Gov. Nikki Haley, with 31%, in the states open primary. The 33% lead is well above the 4.4% margin of error for the likely voter sample. What makes the race truly interesting, is the variation in where each candidates support is. Trump benefits from above-average support in areas outside of the Charleston and Columbia metropolitan areas. The rallies held in Conway and North Charleston show that Trump is trying to build enthusiasm in major population centers to keep or grow his support. Trump this week gives his closing pitch in Greenville to a region of the state where his popularity is the highest. Voter enthusiasm shows that Trump still has supporters in Charleston and the Upstate that are not certain they will vote in the next week. Election 2024 Trump Abortion Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks Feb. 10 at a Get Out The Vote rally in Conway. Haleys modern day whistle-stop tour in the Midlands and Lowcountry is a recognition that she is well liked in the state but needs her supporters to be more enthusiastic about voting before Saturday, Feb. 24. Early voting is a key to her beating expectations, because a majority of voters who plan to vote early support Haley. A total of 707 respondents said they would support Trump or Haley in the primary. There were 140 respondents who did not receive this question because they voted in South Carolinas Democratic Primary on Feb. 3. Is SC truly Trumps to win? Both Republican candidates are electable in the eyes of the South Carolina voters. In a head-to-head contest, preference among registered voters for Trump (54%) is 19% higher than President Joe Biden at 35%. Similarly, Haley (50%) is preferred by 22% more of the respondents than Biden (28%). The key difference is that, if Haley is on the ballot, most Trump supporters continue to prefer her (69%, another 15% are undecided). Her edge is that 21% of voters who prefer Biden over Trump would vote for Haley. Only 7% of voters who prefer Biden over Trump would be undecided if Haley was the candidate. Thus, says Citadel political science professor DuBose Kapeluck, the poll suggests that Republicans would win more decisively in the general election if Haley was the Republican nominee, but Republicans will carry the state regardless. The publics anticipation of who they will support in November 2024 when the field of candidates is larger than the two party nominees shows the race could look different depending on who wins the Republican nomination. The head-to-head question asking which candidate a voter would support was expanded to include independent Robert F. Kennedy,Jr., Sen. Joe Manchin, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein. In a larger field, Biden (31%) still trails Trump (50%) in South Carolina by the same percentage as the head-to-head contest. This pattern contradicts any expectation that a third-party contest would draw more votes from one candidate than another, said Citadel political science professor Mark Owens, who conducted the poll with Kapeluck. Third-party candidates could gain more traction with voters if Haley wins the Republican nomination. With more candidates in the race, Kennedys support increases to 20% in a Biden-Haley contest (+10% if Trump were on the ballot). Kennedys appeal detracts from both candidates, but more heavily from Haley, whose lead over Biden drops from 21% to 17%. The largest shift is that 28% of Trump supporters in a Biden-Trump contest would prefer Kennedy over Haley. Kapeluck notes, This suggests that Kennedy has positioned himself right in the middle ideologically between the two major party candidates. Kennedy would seem to be a second-best for many Republicans, though for some its Trump or nothing. Haley maintains support from 55% of the Trump supporters, but we should be somewhat cautious to read into this as 10% of the Trump respondents refused to indicate who they would vote for if Trump was not the nominee. Haleys lead remains strong, because she gains support from 19% of those who back Biden in a head-to-head race with Trump. If Haley wins the nomination, it appears more difficult to win back Trump supporters; however, she is the candidate that draws support away from Biden. Leadership traits the public wants? The Citadel Poll asked voters what leadership traits they would like to see the president of the United States have. The broadest agreement among registered voters in South Carolina is that the president should accomplish tasks efficiently (85%), reduce uncertainty (70%), respect the ideas and feelings of the public (68%), and project a sense of calm (65%). This reveals that the public currently favors leadership that prioritizes accomplishments where the outcome is likely certain, more than feeling calm and secure. Winthrop Poll: Trump far ahead in SC ROCK HILL With just over a week to go until the 2024 South Carolina Republican presidential primary, 65% of likely voters in the state support the nomination of former President Donald Trump a 36% lead over his opponent, former South Carolina Governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. The poll shows that Gov. Henry McMaster has the highest approval of elected officials in South Carolina. When voters were asked if they supported or opposed sending the South Carolina National Guard to the Mexico border, the voters who were told McMaster had already done so were more supportive of the policy. Sen. Scotts endorsement? The possibility that Sen. Tim Scott is on the short list to be tapped as a running mate, if Trump wins the Republican primary, has captured the attention of South Carolina voters. A majority of Republican primary voters (51%) would be more enthusiastic about Trumps candidacy if he selected Scott as his running mate. The selection offers future benefits to Trump since enthusiasm for selecting Scott is higher among voters who support Trump over Biden in a head-to-head contest (62%). Enthusiasm is also greatest among voters who already prefer Trump to Haley in this weeks election, but the selection holds little risk with the primary voters who support Haley who say it will have no impact on their preference (32%). This is consistent with the idea that Scott can mobilize a base and also propel momentum. Among voters who are currently considering other candidates (34%) or unsure how committed they are before they vote in the primary (51%) would be more enthusiastic about Trump in the general election if Scott was on the ticket. We cant be sure this cant lose Tim Scott VP dynamic will hold in other states, but in South Carolina it is impossible to deny, Kapeluck said. How long they've lived in SC Donald Trump attracts a majority of voters who will probably vote in the Republican primary across each category of residency. Among the most recent residents, Trump leads Nikki Haley by 52-37 percent. It is important to remember that while the state has a growing population, only 10% of the registered voter population is new. Trumps greatest advantage is among voters who have lived in South Carolina their entire lives (Trump, 68%; Haley, 20%). To be competitive, Haley will have to narrow the gap with longtime South Carolina residents. Voters who either moved here more than 10 years ago or have not lived anywhere else combined are 80% of the states registered voters. Enthusiasm in the electorate varies based on length of residency in the state, Owens said. Respondents who have lived in South Carolina their entire lives are the least enthusiastic about this primary (49% definite, 24% probably). The highest enthusiasm is among voters who moved to the state five to 10 years ago (63% definite, 24% probably). The residents who moved to the state while Haley was governor or had a high-profile position in the Trump administration are an important target. To this group, Trumps campaign has shaped their political memories in South Carolina in the primary and general elections and few if any have had the opportunity to vote for Haley. Looking back to 2016, Trump won the state in 2016 (32.5%). Haley endorsed Marco Rubio in 2016 in the last week of the campaign; he came in second (22.5%). Today, Haleys name is on the ballot and her opponent Donald Trump won the general election in South Carolina twice. China-Africa cooperation lauded at 37th AU summit Xinhua) 15:35, February 19, 2024 NAIROBI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the 37th African Union (AU) summit on Saturday, calling for drawing up a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation and promoting the joint building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. People from all walks of life in various African countries said they appreciate Xi's message, believing it reflects China's high regard for Africa and its strong support for African development. They believe that China-Africa relations will continue to be a model of South-South cooperation and look forward to working together to strive for modernization. The 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of the Heads of State and Government opened on Saturday at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. GLOBAL GOVERNANCE REFORMS The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the Global South represented by China and Africa is booming, which has a profound impact on the course of world history, said Xi. The AU brings African countries together to seek strength through unity, and promote integration as well as the building of free trade areas, Xi said, adding that the AU's successful accession to the G20 has further enhanced Africa's representation and lifted its voice in global governance, and China extends heartfelt congratulations on that. "President Xi's message clearly shows that China is by Africa's side in its development efforts," said Lalu Etalla, a senior editor at Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation. Last year, Ethiopia's entry into the BRICS mechanism and the AU formal membership in the G20 were both explicitly supported by China, Etalla said, stressing it represents outcomes of South-South cooperation and features significant victories for cooperation among developing countries, amplifying their voices on the world stage. Youssouf Mandoha Assoumani, chairperson of the Permanent Representatives' Committee of the AU, expressed gratitude for China's dedication to all aspects of the continent's development. "Africa acknowledges and will continue to foster this win-win cooperation between the two sides, as well as an exemplary partnership," Assoumani said. Amadou Diop, a Senegalese expert on China, said that through increasing investment and a rebalancing of international relations, the cooperation has shaped new international relations between the two sides and influenced global policy directions and governance methods worldwide. Benjamin Mgana, chief editor of The Guardian newspaper in Tanzania, said that Xi's message emphasizes the importance of solidarity and unity among African nations and also underscores Africa's role in global governance, reflecting China's steadfast support for Africa's development and its commitment to strengthening cooperation. "I believe that China's development experience is beneficial not only to Africa but also to other developing countries," said Raissa Ada Allogo, senior policy officer of AU Infrastructure and Energy Development Department. "Through win-win cooperation, we can enhance the international influence of developing countries and collectively propel the world towards a better future," she said. JOINTLY STRIVE FOR MODERNIZATION Xi stressed over the past year, China-Africa ties have grown deeper. As the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue was successfully held, the two sides decided to support each other in exploring their modernization paths and jointly create a favorable environment for realizing their development visions, Xi noted. "The congratulatory message was warmly received," said Robert Y. Lormia II, ambassador-at-large at the government of Liberia, noting that the cooperation between China and Africa has been very positive and rewarding, benefiting the people of Africa. "In addition to its support for the Greater AU, China continues to assist individual African countries. Liberia, my own country, has greatly benefited from Chinese assistance, especially after enduring many years of war and post-war reconstruction. This support has significantly contributed to our development progress," he noted. "China's role as Africa's largest trading partner has spurred economic growth and created jobs in both regions," said Joseph Mutaboba, a Rwandan expert in international relations and diplomatic affairs, adding that President Xi's proposal for further cooperation in industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development at last year's China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa, holds promise. The 37th AU summit is held under the AU's theme for 2024, "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa." "It resonates with China's initiative to support Africa's talent development, announced by President Xi last year," said Marthe Dorkagoum Boularangar, rapporteur of the AU Advisory Board against Corruption. China has built schools in Africa and provided resources, which has been very helpful, Boularangar said, adding that at the national level, China and African countries cooperate extensively in education and healthcare. "The cooperation between Africa and China has achieved many successes. We hope this collaboration continues," she said. Noting the cooperation platforms with China squarely address deficiencies, Humphrey Moshi, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam of Tanzania, said he looks forward to enhancing cooperation between China and Africa for the benefit of the people of both sides and realizing the vision of a shared future. A COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE Xi said that he stands ready to work with leaders of African countries, with a focus on the benefits of people from both sides, to draw up a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation and promote the joint building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. The new session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is going to be held in 2024, Xi noted. "It is beyond any doubt that FOCAC is a significant step forward in the long process of African integration, not only from an economic standpoint but also from a political perspective," said Namibian independent economic analyst Josef Sheehama. "FOCAC continues to serve its purpose as a platform for collective discourse for cooperation between Africa and China," said Paul Frimpong, executive director of the Africa-China Center for Policy and Advisory, a Ghana-based think tank. He hopes this year's forum will be a bridge for entrepreneurial cooperation and projects benefiting people in Africa and China. "Previous outcomes of FOCAC have distilled best practices where both sides have made enormous progress in a policy-driven approach and mutual respect, enhancing the benefits of cooperation, and developing clear lines of communication and engagement," said Lewis Ndichu, a researcher at Nairobi-based think tank Africa Policy Institute. In the future, Africa looks forward to building an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future and pursuing the greater good and shared interests of peoples, Ndichu said. Since President Xi put forward China's policy toward Africa featuring sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, China has closely combined its development with aiding Africa's development to achieve win-win cooperation and common development, said Antoine Roger Lokongo, a professor of international politics and strategies at the Joseph Kasa-Vubu University, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "Over the years, China advocates common prosperity, security and stability, and carries out win-win cooperation based on the social, political, economic, and cultural conditions and realities of African countries, no matter how big or small, working together to protect the world," Lokongo said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) North Koreas isolation deepens in global community The presidential office unveiled a list of possible benefits stemming from the newly reestablished diplomatic ties between Seoul and Havana on Sunday. The office said more Korean enterprises will be able to make inroads into Cuba especially in the areas of daily necessities and home appliances, led by leading domestic firms like Samsung and LG. Prompted by the diplomatic decision, a series of economic pacts will be signed, easing the path for numerous domestic enterprises to venture into Havana, it said. The office underscored Cuba's emergence as a promising new market, highlighting its abundant reservoirs of vital mineral resources like nickel and cobalt, crucial components for battery production, among other sectors poised for growth. The presidential office issued its statement following the unexpected announcement on Wednesday of the normalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba. Wary of the possible repercussions from North Korea, the announcement was strategically timed for 11:59 p.m. (KST), conducted through the exchange of official diplomatic letters via the respective U.N. offices in New York. Cuba, often referred to as the "socialist brother nation" of North Korea, forged diplomatic ties with South Korea through clandestine behind-the-scenes negotiations, according to diplomatic sources. With this development, Cuba now joins the ranks of 138 other nations with formal diplomatic relations with Seoul, leaving only Syria as the sole country yet to establish such ties with South Korea worldwide. The recent reinstatement of diplomatic relations vividly illustrates Cuba's prioritization of pragmatic necessities and economic collaboration over ideological alliances. Former North Korean leader Kim Il-sung and Cuban leader Fidel Castro formed a solidarity in their bid to fight against Western imperialism. Cuba had been supporting the North consistently despite Pyongyang's arduous attempt to build up its nuclear capabilities. The past Korean governments had persistently endeavored to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, led by former Foreign Ministers Yun Byung-se under the Park Geun-hye administration and Park Jin under the current government. Cuba had maintained a lukewarm attitude due to its relations with the North. Cuba seems to have judged it has little to gain from North Korea, Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said in an interview. Cuba has been facing increasing pressure, given the growing possibility of Donald Trump securing victory in the November U.S. presidential election. Trump's implementation of stringent policies, such as re-designating Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, has intensified the challenges facing the island nation. Coupled with expanding economic exchanges between Seoul and Havana, the number of Korean tourists to Cuba has continued to increase. Furthermore, the impact of hallyu, such as K-pop and K-drama, has been apparent in Cuba, which has nudged the Cuban authorities to make the diplomatic shift. North Korea appears to have been taken aback by the recent development, given its longstanding close relationship with Cuba, often described as "comrade-in-arms," involving regular exchanges of high-level officials. In an interview with The Korea Times, Cheong Seong-chang, a senior researcher at the Sejong Institute, described Cubas recent decision as the biggest diplomatic failure since Kim Jong-un took power. In an apparent response to the diplomatic move, North Korea turned its eyes to Japan, floating the idea of a summit between the two countries. The North Korean leader's powerful sister Kim Yo-jong said, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida may come to Pyongyang once he makes a determination. The number of North Koreas overseas missions dwindled to 44 in late 2023 from 53 early that year. This signifies a further isolation of Pyongyang within the international community, largely attributable to its relentless pursuit of nuclear armament. In response, North Korea has escalated its threats against South Korea, branding it as a "primary foe in a state of war." It appears that North Korea anticipates significant opportunities with the potential victory of Trump in the election, aiming to initiate direct dialogue with the U.S. while sidelining South Korea. Should this scenario unfold, Cuba could potentially assume a mediating role between the two Koreas. Presently, Pyongyang confronts a pivotal choice between further isolationism via nuclear proliferation or pursuing peace through dialogue and coexistence within the global community. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). At last weeks City Council work session, Casper Police Department Police Chief Keith McPheeters presented a few increases to Casper City Councilors: DUIs, public intoxication and minors who were caught having alcohol went up by several percentage points in 2023 compared to in 2022. In his annual liquor license review and report, he explained that these incidents were trending upwards since 2021 and 2022. In this years report, the memo for the work session states, there has been additional effort in more narrowly looking at the calls for service generated at our local, licensed, liquor establishments. We have attempted to remove a greater extent of calls for police service that had no readily discernable relationship with the liquor establishment from this years count. Therefore, comparisons with previous years counts will be inconsistent. The memo then notes that even despite this reduction in countable categories, calls continued to increase for many establishments. The data, which is available on the citys website, reports that DUIs went up by 13.9% from 2022, public intoxication went up 28.1%, and minors in possession of alcohol went up 36.6%. Later in the meeting, when asked about this number, McPheeters admitted that he may have gotten the numbers of minors who were caught with alcohol wrong, which would affect the percentage increase reported. McPheeters clarified to the Star-Tribune in a text forwarded from the public information officer that The 2022 data for minors in possession did not capture the correct amount of enforcement actions. The actual count for 2022 should have been 93, leaving an increase of 36.6% more minor in possession alcohol enforcement actions in 2023 than in 2022. The number listed in the chart for 2022 was 22. DUI accidents also saw a 14.3% increase, but alcohol related accidents i.e.: someone who had consumed alcohol, but had not risen to the level of impairment, McPheeters said at the meeting, and got into an accident saw a 6.3% decrease. The average BAC of drivers who were arrested and consented to blood testing at the time of their arrest was .174. The per se legal limit in Wyoming is 0.08%. The years of COVID really did kinda harm us a little bit, and we think there was more maladaptive coping resorting to alcohol during COVID. Were still not out of ... the impact of the COVID shutdowns, McPheeters. People are becoming more intoxicated. He added that the police department increased training last year for officers to determine more closely people who tested at a 0.08% BAC or 0.09% BAC. Training officers to be more scrutinous brought the average BAC down a bit, he said. One positive thing that the report notes is that only 11 businesses failed their compliance check in 2023. This is down from the 25 that failed in 2022. Only one that failed in 2022 failed again last year, and zero failed twice in 2023. The memo notes that over half of the people arrested for a DUI in Casper were arrested at more than double the legal limit. Another thing that the memo includes is the tentative suggestion that an ordinance carefully developed that would focus on civil sanctions, criminal sanctions or both types may reduce alcohol-related accidents. In other words, McPheeters told councilors that he thinks they should think seriously about curbing overserving within establishments that have liquor licenses. Based upon the data of rising BACs at the time of arrest for DUI, and the dangerously-high average BAC at the time of arrest for Public Intoxication, Council may wish to explore potential legislation regarding the responsible serving of alcohol, the memo reads. Places that serve liquor within city limits must already train their staff to serve responsibly using a method called TIPS Training, or Training for Intervention Procedures. McPheeters also noted that he is not advocating for prohibition, but for slightly more legislation that he believes could bring down the number of accidents. His research on such legislation has pointed him to believe that a little bit of legislation goes a long way. But he also admitted that building that legislation would be complicated to enact and require a lot of nuance. Councilors asked that Eric Nelson, the citys attorney, and McPheeters meet to discuss what an ordinance might look like, and Nelson agreed. After that meeting, Nelson and McPheeters would bring the fruits of that brainstorming to councilors during another work session, at which point councilors could discuss it further. The Legislature on Friday wrapped up the first week of its 20-day budget session, and with the end of the week bills that had not yet been voted on for introduction died. Speaker of the House Rep. Albert Sommers, R-Pinedale, had up to Friday to decide the order in which the 229 bills filed in his chamber were to be voted on for introduction. By the time the House adjourned on Friday evening 94 bills died without a vote. The Senate filed roughly 100 less bills and voted on all but two. The Wyoming Legislature has until March 8 at midnight to set the states budget for 2025-26. Bills drafted by committees were pushed through for voting first in both chambers of the Legislature. Among the committee bills that failed to get support from two thirds of the House of Representatives to be introduced was House Bill 2, sponsored by the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Interim Committee, which would have raised nonresident fishing license fees. The same committee also failed to introduce House Bill 17, which sought to regulate commercially guided fishing boats operated by outfitters and professional fishing guides. Over 20 bills attempting to address rising property taxes which rose an average of 20.3% in 2023 were brought forward with only a couple failing to move forward. Bills not relating to the states budget met mixed reception and votes varied by chamber. House Bill 63 sponsored by Rep. Lloyd Larsen, R-Lander, which sought to prohibit physicians from performing procedures for children related to gender transitioning and gender reassignment, failed to meet the threshold for introduction. But Senate Bill 99, sponsored by Sen. Anthony Bouchard, R-Cheyenne, accomplishes the same goal as House Bill 63 and met the two thirds vote for introduction. Other failed house bills include House Bill 85, sponsored by Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, which sought to require parental consent for social media platforms for minors and House Bill 50, sponsored by Rep. Jeanette Ward, R-Casper, which would have defined by law what a male, female, mother, father, boy and girl. Sen. Bo Biteman, R-Sheridan, failed to receive the needed votes for House Bill 108, which would ban abortion drugs from entering any public water supply or community water system. Bills relating to guns passed in both chambers of the Legislature and Senate Bill 109, sponsored by Biteman, is attempting to stop the implementation or enforcement of federal red flag gun seizures. Red Flag Laws allow for a temporary removal of firearms from people believed to present a danger to themselves or others. House Bill 125, sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, would repeal gun free zones and allow for concealed carry in any meeting of a governmental entity, any meeting of the legislature and any public school, public college or university. Bills seeking to ban certain foreign entities from owning land in Wyoming also passed both in chambers of the Legislature. House Bill 168, sponsored by Rep. Dalton Banks, R-Cowley, seeks to ban foreign businesses, governments and aliens from ownership of agricultural lands and Senate File 102, sponsored by Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Lingle, seeks to prohibit foreign ownership of property near critical infrastructure and military installations. Roughly half of the country has laws preventing or restricting foreign ownership of agricultural land. Federal officials in October raised concerns over a Chinese Bitcoin mine close to F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. Senate File 130, sponsored by Biteman, narrowly passed introduction. The bill seeks to prohibit any governmental entities from engaging in any diversity, equity or inclusion program, activity or policy. Last month, Sen. Cynthia Lummis voted to support the Providing Reliable, Objective, Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency (PROVE IT) Act despite heavy lobbying from groups that oppose President Donald Trumps America First trade agenda. Wall Street interests have weaved a complex set of lies around PROVE IT to protect unfettered trade with the Communist Chinese Party, which uses its poor environmental and human rights abuses to create an unfair advantage against American workers. Rather than be honest about their intent to safeguard their cozy relationship with China, which they know is a political loser, opponents of Lummiss vote have claimed that the bill would somehow tax American energy, which is blatantly false. Lummis, who vehemently opposes such a tax, rightly saw through this deception. PROVE IT would produce the data that we need to defend U.S. economic security by demonstrating to others at home and abroad the global environmental benefits of increasing U.S. domestic manufacturing and extraction of its own resources, as opposed to offshoring American jobs. U.S. and Wyoming companies are among the cleanest producers in the world, but their superior performance is not recognized by climate activists or in the global marketplace, which instead rewards poor performers like China. In reality, PROVE IT forbids using its data to impose, enforce, or collect a tax or generate new regulation. Instead, its study will protect U.S. exports against overseas carbon taxes. The European Union carbon border adjustment (CBAM), which will become entirely operational in 2026, will be followed a year later by the UKs CBAM. Each mechanism will require covered U.S. imports (steel, aluminum, etc.) to pay a carbon tax, which will be determined by their domestic regulations and assumptions. Moreover, other countries are likely to adopt their own CBAMs in response to these policies. America has learned that it needs its own math to counter foreign trade policies that disadvantage U.S. exports even from countries that are supposedly our friends. In 2020, for example, the French government blocked a contract between a U.S. liquefied natural gas exporter and a French power company because of environmental concerns, while at the same time, approving gas imports from dirtier producers in Algeria and Russia. We know through the Trump administrations research at the Department of Energys National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) that this arbitrary decision was not based on fact. PROVE IT will expand NETLs work to include many more strategic economic sectors, and thus provide the needed data to push back on unfair foreign policies. PROVE IT also has significant domestic benefits. For too long, environmentalists have used litigation to block investments that promote the national interest ironically, in the name of the environment. If enacted into law, the Act will weaken their fictional arguments and strengthen the case that domestic production that displaces less efficient overseas goods and resources reduces global emissions. PROVE IT should also bolster arguments for the permitting of new infrastructure, particularly for those projects facing resistance on the grounds of the environment. The Acts data, moreover, would help undermine any push for over-reaching unilateral greenhouse gas (GHG) regulation of U.S. industry. Sen. Lummis knows that a second-term Biden administration would seek burdensome rules that would target GHG emissions from heavy industry, thus undermining U.S. competitiveness. Moreover, she realizes that we need to arm ourselves to combat those efforts that would harm America. If reelected, President Trump has promised to hold foreign economies accountable for their unfair trade practices, which includes using lax environmental compliance and enforcement to subsidize their industries at our expense. A second term Trump administration would find the PROVE IT Acts data incredibly helpful in doing so, which explains why Wall Street interests have aligned against it. Thankfully, we have thoughtful leaders like Sen. Lummis in Washington who will challenge big corporations and stand up for Wyomings miners and oil producers. The PROVE IT Act is an America First proposal that would help the nation promote the development of its natural resources and manufacturing base and the interests of its workers, while protecting its commercial interests abroad. Over the last few years, Leon Coldero has arguably become just as renowned for his insatiable cuisine as he is as an entertainer. Having spent four decades in entertainment, giving soca parang lovers hits that never get old, opening his restaurant was just a natural progression for Coldero, who used the downtime during the Covid-19 pandemic, to delve full throttle into the restaurant business. A new camera system is being installed along this countrys roadways with the aim of tackling traffic congestion and reducing the countrys crime. This was said yesterday by Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, who spoke with the media at the intersection of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and Golden Grove Road in Piarco. By Robert Neff In the fall of 1900, Seoul was temporarily graced by an intrepid English doctor named Ella Campbell Scarlett. Like many of these temporary presences in the Land of the Morning Calm, we know very little about her stay in Korea, but, judging from Horace N. Allen, the ever-cranky American minister to Korea, she was quite the character. In a letter to his son, Allen excitedly declared that the shooting now [between Seoul and Incheon] is excellent, plenty of pheasant, duck and geese. I am not sure why Allen felt compelled to mention hunting as he rarely engaged in that activity, but it did inspire him to indulge in one of his favorite activities gossiping. We have a new lady doctor here, an English woman, of rather particular qualifications. She is a great shot and can 'skin a beast' as well as a man. I hear she will try for a tiger later on. Her name is Scarlet and she has the idea that she is the first doctor to come to Korea. A case of English conceit again. I like the English as a race, but most of the individuals are not pleasant to know. When Allen wrote his letter, Dr. Scarlett had just celebrated her 36th birthday. Of course, Allen was unaware of her birthday, or much about her, and judging from his correspondences, never really got to know her. Born in Surrey, England, on Nov. 22, 1864, Dr. Scarlett was unmarried and perhaps rankled Allen with her unconventional lifestyle. She was rather under the medium height, with dark brown hair, small features, and olive brown eyes and she wasnt entirely English her deceased grandfather was George Allen Magruder, a commodore in the U.S. Navy. In fact, she had several family members associated with the American military. Allens animosity towards her might have also been tinged with jealousy. As a child she distinguished herself at school by her smartness, while her geniality and good nature made her a general favorite. She then went to London where she dabbled in proper society but found it [boring], stale, and profitless. To alleviate her misery, she spent the between seasons [of society] in the Highlands [of Scotland], where she fished and engaged in other wholesome outdoor pastimes. In her mid-20s, she studied music in Germany where she acquired a taste for things Teutonic before returning to London in 1892. Disgruntled with the music scene, she pursued a career in medicine and obtained not only a Belgian degree but likewise an English one. As one can easily surmise, Dr. Scarlett needed adventure. According to a Chicago newspaper, she practiced medicine for a short time in India before she accepted the position of physician to the ladies of the harem of the Corean court. Apparently she had accepted this position in the spring of 1900 and spent a considerable time at South Kensington learning the art of preserving furred and feathered game in preparation for her trip to Korea. In July 1900, a local newspaper wrote: Miss Scarlett, who is a good natural historian intends to study the flora and fauna of Korea, as a recreation in the intervals of attending the sick and suffering. She takes her gun and her bicycle with her, as well as her camera, and intends to be very busy all round. It is surprising how little is known about her stay in Korea. In March 1901, an American newspaper merely described her position on the peninsula as a mistress of a hospital in the Far East. Chicagos newspaper provided a little more information about her time spent at the Corean court, the existence being not devoid of adventure, the Corean women being just one remove above actual savagery. Other than her wild times in the Korean palace, she rendered invaluable services to the Natural History Museum at South Kensington in London with her magnificent shot by killing much big game, including some of those gigantic snow tigers that infest Corea and Manchuria There was a degree of inaccuracy in this article from the Windy City (including the amount of time Dr. Scarlett spent in Korea) but the claim she [was] a skillful bicyclist and devoted to every form of outdoor sports seems to have been true. Allen was proud of the role he had in Koreas bicycle history. He was there when the first bicyclist rode through the streets of Seoul in the winter of 1884/85. He thought of himself as a skilled bicyclist (despite the many accidents), but I dont recall anyone else praising his skill, especially in a newspaper. Allen's opinions of English physicians were never very flattering. In a letter to his sons in the spring of 1901, he complained about stomach problems and wrote: After my long illness in [1893] I was put on egg nog [by an English doctor in Seoul] and told to take a certain amount of alcohol every day, but I believe it was a mistake. English doctors have different ideas from us, and are inclined to fall back on alcohol for everything from in-growing toenails to falling hairs. Allens scorn for the English wasnt confined to just female physicians his letters are peppered with distaste for people being too frightfully English and stuck up. When describing the Boer conflict in South Africa, he expressed regret that our English cousins are having such a hard time and losing so many fine men and worried it might result in the downfall of the great nation He added, but the contemptible actions of some local individual Englishmen make the losses of the English Nation less disagreeable to us Americans in Korea than they otherwise might be. It was the Boer conflict that led to Dr. Scarlett resign her position with the Korean government in 1901, after only a years service. She traveled to South Africa where she [rendered] invaluable service, first in nursing the sick and wounded in the British military hospitals, and subsequently in medical charge of the Boer women and children in the concentration camps. Shortly after she arrived, she married Percy Hamilton Synge, a young British army officer, and settled down to domestic life. Or did she? According to the December 1902 edition of the Korea Review, a magazine published in Seoul: Mrs. Ella Scarlett Synge writes from Bloemfontein about her work in South Africa: My husband and I are thinking of settling in this country where there is so much to do. He is at present surveying for one of the new lines of railroad in the Transvaal. I am thinking of starting private practice in Bloemfontein but nothing is settled as yet. According to her Wikipedia page, she went on to do many things. She was the first female physician in Bloemfontein and the first woman doctor at the Royal Columbian Hospital. Considering her important achievements and her early fame, it is surprising how little is known about her. The only mention of her in Korea is that one entry in The Korea Review even the regional directories fail to mention her. Allen is the only gossiper that mentioned her and he did it only once or twice. Even an article about her in 1916 for which I believe she was interviewed seems inaccurate and makes no mention of Korea. She died on Oct. 30, 1937, and according to her obituary in an English newspaper: Perhaps because of the birth of her mother, an American, in an enterprising nation, Miss Ella Scarlett was one of the first women of a family in the peerage to become a doctor. She found the life so interesting that she did not marry until the later thirties. [her] career was more adventurous and dramatic in her earlier days than most of the stories we read in fiction or see on the films. Hopefully in the future her archives will be found especially the photographs and letters and we will be provided with not only an insight into the Korean palace (and its harem) but also a candid view of Horace Allen hopefully it wont be too frightfully English and stuck up. My sincere appreciation to Diane Nars for her invaluable assistance. Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including "Letters from Joseon," "Korea Through Western Eyes" and "Brief Encounters." Its fair to say that in its 50 years, Kronos Quartet has upended the notion of the traditional string quartet. Dont take our word for it. Check out the program for the groups 50th anniversary concert with Arizona Arts Live on Thursday, Feb. 22, at Centennial Hall. No quartets from Beethoven, Brahms or Mendelssohn. Nothing from Haydn, Schubert or Mozart. Not a whisper from Dvorak or Shostakovich. But there is Kiss Yo Ass Goodbye, composed by Terry Riley and Sara Miyamoto, taking cues from the late experimental jazz composer Sun Ras 1982 song Nuclear War. Theres Serbian-American composer Aleksandra Vrebalovs Gold Came From Space and a string quartet arrangement of Mexican composer Severiano Brisenos El Sinaloense (The Man from Sin). Popular Bay Area electronica DJ Jlin chips in Little Black Book, commissioned by Kronos; and Canadian composer Nicole Lizees Zonelyhearts, which the New York Times described as a lengthy homage to The Twilight Zone, tacked wildly between willful wackiness including using Pop Rocks (yes, the classic 1970s candy) as a form of percussion, amplified with the performers open mouths nestled up to microphones and existential musings on censorship and surveillance. Thats the kind of stuff were bringing with us to Tucson, Kronos founder and violinist David Harrington said with a giggle during a phone call earlier this month. Like I say, weve had a lot of fun. The cornerstone of the Tucson program: The world premiere of The Black Art Book of St. Cyprian the Mage by Trey Spruance, the founder and guitarist for the 1980s experimental rock band Mr. Bungle. Spruance, who has called the Phoenix area home since the pandemic, wrote the eight-movement work for Kronos on a commission that was sponsored by more than a dozen organizations including Arizona Arts Live. I cant wait to do Treys piece. Its really cool, Harrington said. Thursdays concert, Kronoss first here since November 2021, celebrates the quartets 50 years together. But this is not a retrospective; the repertoire looks more to the future than the quartets past. But the past definitely foreshadowed Kronoss future. Harrington, a violinist who had been playing string quartets since he was 12, started Kronos after hearing avant-garde composer George Crumbs electronic string quartet Black Angels. After hearing Black Angels on the radio in August of 73, I realized I didnt have a choice; I had to play that piece, he recalled. It was clear that I was going to have to have a group that really was going to work hard. Kronos Quartet held its first rehearsal on Sept. 2, and all Harrington could think about after they finished was rehearsing the next day. And the day after that and the day after that, he said. In November 1973, they played their first public concert; several months later, in the spring of 1974, they were ready to play Black Angels, a work scored for crystal glasses and tam-tam gongs alongside the violin, viola and cello anchoring a traditional string quartet. The performance served as an epiphany. It felt to me like all of a sudden, the world of the string quartet was able to respond to the world the way that it felt like it was, he said. This piece is dealing with the American war in Vietnam. It was dealing with things I was feeling as a young musician. This world of music that I had grown up with, playing Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert and all those Viennese white guys who made this incredible foundation for us that this form was alive and could be added to, it could be amazingly interesting and fun. In the 50 years that have passed, Kronos Quartet has commissioned more than 1,100 new works from a diverse stratosphere of composers, both geographically and musically. Were gonna play music by people that Haydn would have wished he would have known about or would be able to know about if he were alive right now, Harrington said, including new works being created and widely distributed through the groups 50 for the Future initiative. Kronos performed premieres of the 50 works composed through the project before making them available free of charge to ensembles. Now, groups around the world are playing our commissioned music. Its exciting, he said, recalling a recent performance in Paris where three or four groups were playing works from the 50 for the Future project. To sit in the audience and hear our music being played so beautifully by other groups is really fantastic, Harrington said. You can really say, for sure, that the musical world has changed. You can witness it firsthand. If you go What: Kronos Quartet: Five Decades Presented by: Arizona Arts Live When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 Where: Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd., on the University of Arizona campus Tickets: $55-$95, $10 for students through arizonaartslive.com The couple once followed the so-called American dream. Then they decided to pack up the kids and travel the world, visiting the pyramids of Egypt, Paris, Australia and more. LEDEGEM, Belgium On a farm in northern Belgium, not far from the hundreds of tractors blocking Europes second-biggest port to demand more respect for farmers, Bart Dochy switched on his computer, waiting for a government program to load with maps of his land next to empty digital boxes demanding to be filled with statistics on fertilizer, pesticides, production and harvesting. They also supervise us with satellite images and even with drones, Dochy said. His frustration highlights the yawning gap in trust and understanding that has opened up between European farmers and what they increasingly see as a nanny state looking into every nook and cranny of their barns, analyzing how every drop of liquid manure is spread. From Greece to Ireland, from the Baltics to Spain, tens of thousands of farmers and their supporters joined protests across Europe in recent weeks. It was enough to put the farmers plight on front pages all over the continent, setting it up as a key theme for the June 6-9 parliamentary elections in the 27-nation European Union. Farmers have always lived by the whim of nature. Fickle regulation, though, they cannot accept. That is what is creating this level of distrust. Its like living in Russia or China, Dochy said, instead of the fertile flatlands of Flanders in northwestern Belgium. Farmers have many complaints from insufficiently regulated cheap imports to overbearing environmental rules but the reams of red tape set off everyone almost instantly. The EU however, is also the hand that feeds them, with some $50 billion (euros) going into a vast network of programs that touch on agriculture in various ways every year. In return, farmers must account for their spending in ways they find increasingly onerous. At 51, Dochy is far from an embittered, extremist farmer setting bales of hay on fire or spraying manure into government buildings. In his office, as essential as a barn in the life of a current-day EU farmer, hangs the warning God Watches No Cursing Here. He comes from old-time farming stock, generations of conservative Christian Democrats that traditionally provided the backbone of European agriculture. Once Dochy finishes dealing with 900 pigs and some 74 acres of corn or potatoes, he exchanges his blue overalls and rubber boots for a three-piece suit. Hes also the mayor of this farming community, Ledegem, 70 miles west of Brussels where much of the detested EU farm bureaucracy comes from. Over morning coffee, his father, Frans Dochy, 82, remembers how, in his youth, he would harvest beets out of the cold, thick earth by hand for hours. Yet, he says, 2024 bookkeeping would have driven me off the farm long ago. He sees how his son has to register the arrival of any artificial manure within seven days. And it has to be done even at the busiest times on the field, of course, Bart Dochy said. Then it has to be registered exactly how it is spread on every single little plot of land how many kilos and how it is distributed, he explained, going through some of the thick folders in his office. And with the smallest error, he added, there are fines. Dochy said he often heard from dozens of the farmers in his town how the fines can amount to hundreds of euros, simply with a wrong click of the mouse. The same stories come up at every farmers protest be they Italian, French, Dutch or Spanish. Farmers blocked roads around the Belgian port of Antwerp, the second-largest in Europe, most of Tuesday. The disruption followed earlier protests at the port, 40 miles north of Ledegem, and around the country that cost tens of millions of euros in transport delays and spoilt goods. What really gets Dochy is when bureaucratic deadlines are imposed on him, for example if certain crops or green fertilizers need to be sown by Sep. 1. If the last week of August is unbelievably rainy, you will not be able to sow this properly, he said. But you are nevertheless obliged to sow. Otherwise, you may be faced with a fine. A farmer actually lives in conflict between the government, which wants to be in charge, and nature, which is still in charge, Dochy said. And you cant actually change anything about nature. Because the rules also change so fast, Dochy said, it becomes harder and harder to invest wisely. In northern Belgium such issues coalesced around nitrate pollution from farming and rules to contain it. Years of political bickering and court challenges left no clear view of what the future could hold. EU officials point to the need for strict regulation after decades of lax enforcement. Soil pollution was once widespread from the dumping of excess manure in gutters and rivers. Farms had to be thoroughly checked to make sure they were spending subsidies correctly. Now, after years of piling on ever more intricate rules, politicians realize they might have gone too far. Our farmers continue to face huge challenges, EU Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic told EU parliamentarians this week, mentioning administrative requirements. We hear our farmers loud and clear, Sefcovic said. We acknowledge your hardship. And politicians need to do better! The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: Constitutionally enacted in 1912 to: grow Arizonas economy as we help local entrepreneurs achieve their dream of starting a business , the current Arizona Corporation Commission serially violates its constitutional oath by instead pursuing policies that destroy the dreams of emerging renewable energy businesses the animal kingdom equivalent of eating its young. In a state with the second-highest sun peak hours in America, at the most climate-critical time in world history life as we know it hanging in the balance the ACC is hellbent on destroying Arizona solar and renewable energy businesses critical for mitigating global warming. More than 260,000 Arizonans have rooftop solar and over 8,000 are employed in the solar industry, with both numbers increasing as the climate crisis escalates. On a 4-1 party-line vote on Feb. 9, the ACC instructed its staff to draft rules repealing the Renewable Energy Standard adopted in 2006, which, among other things, required Arizona utilities to generate 15% of their energy from renewable sources by 2025. And if that wasnt enough, the same four moved closer to repealing the energy efficiency standards adopted 15 years ago requiring electric and gas utilities to show 22% energy savings by 2020 (long passed and not met) cant meet the mandated goals, no problem well just repeal the law. Trumpeting the logical fallacy of saving taxpayers money, the four are incapable of acting upon the true cost to Arizonans health and well-being caused by the continued burning of fossil fuels for energy. A logical fallacy because its a virtual certainty that while there might be savings from getting rid of those pesky environmental rules, the unpredictable and mercurial nature of fossil fuel pricing will skyrocket future rates much higher than the relative pittance saved today. Starting in 2020, solar-generated electricity became cheaper than fossil fuels-generated electricity. Even conservative M.I.T. and National Institute of Health studies support this conclusion, adding that one cannot assess costs of energy without considering the true cost, the so-called externalities of burning fossil fuels, including acid rain, smog, land degradation, asthma, cancer, sea level rise and species extinction. At every point in the production cycle, were met with air and water pollution, toxic releases and waste products hazardous to the public health. The utilities do not want the solar industry. In a stunning public admission under oath saying what most observers assumed despite utility PR spin to the contrary the utilities industrys own expert witness testified that utilities oppose rooftop solar because it is a threat to their profits. The current ACC four Kevin Thompson, Nick Myers, Jim OConnor and Lea Marquez-Peterson likely really do care about health and safety, but theyre caught up in the politicization of global warming, unable to clearly view the tsunami of climate woe that is now and will continue to beset Arizona, and unable to make objective unfiltered judgments. Current ACC actions are more or less in lockstep with the chronology of the increasingly chaotic and vitriolic political divide. Rules and regulations the four currently target for repeal were passed 10-18 or so years ago when the then ACC majority was paying more attention to climate change and the health and safety of Arizonans than to offending perceived political communities. Three of the five ACC seats will be contested in Novembers election and once again will be at the bottom of the ballot. Do your voting from the bottom of the ballot up. Unlikely any vote you cast on that ballot will personally impact you as much as the ACC contested seats. If you care about the environment, love living in Arizona and seeing the flora and fauna, the big sky and experiencing the outdoor lifestyle, vote in people who will change the current ACC direction away from shortsighted savings. Their savings are killing us. When Hamas committed the unthinkable atrocities of October 7, it was the last straw for Israel; Hamas must be militarily and politically neutralized and Gaza must have a new Palestinian government. In these five months the Israeli offensive that began in Gaza City has pushed Hamas southward through Khan Younis to Rafah at the Egyptian border destroying all tunnels and military infrastructure while costing significant combatant and civilian casualties. Many Gazans seeking refuge from the fighting now find their backs to the fence at the Egyptian border. Take a deeper dive into the local journalism you love. Stars of the Star, a look inside the Arizona Daily Star newsroom talking with the people who Tell Tucsons story. Join David McCumber, Executive editor at The Arizona Daily Star as he talks to the people that bring you award winning journalism and takes a look behind the scenes of the reporting that makes it happen. Find out the stories behind the stories and listen wherever you get your podcasts or at Tucson.com. Subscribe to support local Journalism and comment on, rate and share this podcast. Find more content at Tucson.com. Follow us on Social media @ArizonaDailyStar Produced by Pascal Albright | Arizona Daily Star Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts By Mitch Shin South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had an exclusive interview with the Korean Broadcasting System, Korea's public broadcaster, earlier this month, skipping a press conference that most former South Korean presidents did every January. Holding a press conference in January is a platform for the president to deliver his or her message to the people. More specifically, the president can introduce the government's policy and goals to the people. It is one of the customs former presidents followed as it elevates the level of transparency in politics and democracy. However, Yoon's one-on-one interview with KBS showed his attitude toward the values his predecessors cared to keep. The presidential office's explanation that such an interview system is often selected by other countries is not persuasive, as the public wanted to see Yoon answering questions in a press conference. Also, considering his wife Kim Keon Hee's Dior bag scandal and his low approval ratings, Yoon should have met as many journalists as he could to explain his stance on the scandal and his plan to garner more public support. Consequentially, his defense of his wife's bribery allegation with no apologies fueled public anger which goes against his brand centered on justice and fairness when he was a presidential candidate. The interviewer's soft-ball questions for the president also brought criticism from the viewers, saying that is why the public wanted to see the president holding a press conference. The interviewer demonstrated what a journalist should not do when interviewing a powerful figure: asking soft-ball questions so as not to make the interviewee feel uncomfortable. One of the main reasons for Yoon moving the presidential office from the Blue House to Yongsan is to communicate with reporters more flexibly. However, since one MBC reporter questioned Yoon's remarks that MBC maliciously reported his hot mic scandal during his trip to New York in September 2022, he indefinitely suspended his daily chat with reporters. It has been almost a year and a half, and still, Yoon has no interest in resuming it. Yoon thought it was not an ideal way to explain his policy to the people through the daily chat with reporters after he witnessed his remarks to questions in the daily chat with reporters covered all headlines and media reports. Considering the hot mic scandal and the timing of the suspension of the daily chat with reporters, however, his explanation rather demonstrates that he has no confidence in answering reporters' questions under any circumstances. In light of what he said during the presidential campaign and when he was president-elect, his decision to sit down with a certain media outlet whenever there is something he wants to say is incomprehensible. Also, as his inexperience in politics was shown through his impromptu remarks during his daily chat with reporters, there was no problem with the media coverage but his unprepared and unrefined responses. South Koreans are not expecting Yoon to hold a press conference like Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, the top 2 liberal presidents who held a press conference more than any other presidents in history. It is not even comparable to the number of press conferences the U.S. presidents and Yoon held. However, he at least should make an effort to keep his word that he would communicate with reporters often, which was one of the reasons for his decision to move the presidential office suddenly. Avoiding meeting reporters is clearly not worth spending about U.S. $38 million, the estimated cost to move the presidential office to Yongsan. Some may wonder why it is so important for the president to hold a press conference or at least talk to reporters often. Among many reasons, the president should talk to reporters as frequently as possible because it reflects the degree of democracy in his country, as press freedom is one of the core values that enhances freedom and democracy. According to the annual World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders last year, South Korea ranked 47th, falling by four spots. This figure can plummet if Yoon keeps his disfavor for meeting reporters. In a bid to prove that South Korea is a middle-power country that has developed under democracy and press freedom, the South Korean president needs to show how passionate and supportive he is of interacting with reporters. Mitch Shin is a chief correspondent for The Diplomat and a research fellow at the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy. Shin was a nonresident research fellow at the Institute for Security & Development Policy and Stockholm Korea Center and a nonresident Korea Foundation fellow at Pacific Forum. An Giang Province in southern Vietnam has exported 13 metric tons of flat-seed mangos to South Korea, generating eagerness among local farmers, and showing positive signs for mango consumption. The Peoples Committee of Cho Moi District under the province on Monday cooperated with the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to organize a ceremony to announce the exportation of the first batch of flat-seed mangos to South Korea. The shipment was conducted by Hoang Phat Fruit Company. The firm will also start stepping up a value chain for mango production and consumption. The price of mangos has hovered around VND20,000 (US$0.8) per kilogram over the past few days, while each kilogram of flat-seed mangos was bought at VND32,000 ($1.3) for export, said a representative of the provincial department. This mango variety has green skin, a small weight, and a flat seed. Cho Moi District is planning to promote One Commune One Product (OCOP) products in the near future, the representative revealed. At the event, GAP Cu Lao Gieng Cooperative, Hoang Phat Fruit, and Tin Tam Trading Development and Investment Company signed a deal to consume 500 metric tons of flat-seed mangos and supply input materials to the cooperatives members in 2024. Representatives attend a ceremony to announce the exportation of the first batch of flat-seed mangos to South Korea on February 19, 2024. Photo: Minh Khang / Tuoi Tre An Giang Province is home to about 12,000-hectares of mango farms. Cho Moi District is the largest mango growing region in the province, with 6,400 hectares. Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, vice-chairwoman of the provincial administration, appreciated the efforts from the provincial departments and agencies and Cho Moi District in calling on farmers to join a mango production chain. In early January, the province exported green-skinned mangos to Australia and the United States. Shipping metric tons of mangos to these selective markets resulted from the close collaboration between the administration, firms, and farmers. The provincial administration will continue making life easier for firms and farmers to build a stable mango material zone and boost a sustainable mango value chain, Thuy said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams national brand value skyrocketed 102 percent in 2019-23, the fastest in the world, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade said, citing a report by the UKs brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance. The Vietnamese national brand was valued at US$247 billion in 2019 but the figure soared to $498.13 billion last year. The country reported an annual double-digit growth pace in its national brand value. The Southeast Asian country ranked 33rd out of the 121 countries and territories in terms of brand value in 2023, up one notch from the preceding year's position. Vietnamese telecom brands, valued at $13.2 billion, accounted for some 31 percent of the total value of the top 100 brands in Vietnam last year. Viettel, VinaPhone, and MobiFone had their value set at $8.9 billion, $800 million, $800 million, respectively. They made up 79 percent of the value of the five biggest Vietnamese telecom brands. Telecom brands were followed by banking names with a combined value of $12.5 billion, accounting for 30 percent of the total value of Vietnams top 100 brands. Four state-run banks Vietcombank, Agribank, BIDV, and Vietinbank made up 81 percent of the value of the five most valuable Vietnamese banking brands. Food and beverage brands ranked third among the countrys most valuable with a 14-percent proportion. These brands, collectively valued at $6 billion, saw a significant contribution of $3 billion from dairy giant Vinamilk. Vietnam's top brands have made substantial progress in their brand growth in accordance with global trends, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Authorities in Quang Ngai Province, located in central Vietnam, have fined a company VND330 million (US$13,500) for disposing of wastewater containing chemical levels, including poisonous ones, that were much higher than the permitted levels. The fine was imposed on Sinh Loc Manufacturing and Trading Co. Ltd., the provincial governments office said on Sunday. In December last year, a provincial police team conducted an inspection of the company to assess its adherence to environmental protection regulations, revealing instances of non-compliance. In particular, police officers identified that the company had discharged wastewater containing cyanide, a highly toxic chemical compound, at a concentration more than 21 times the permitted limit. As a consequence, the company was fined VND150 million ($6,141). The firm faced another fine of VND45 million ($1,842) as the amount of nitrogen in its wastewater was nearly 2.4 times higher than the allowed rate. The Quang Ngai administration also imposed a fine of VND60 million ($2,456) on Sinh Loc Manufacturing and Trading Co. Ltd. as the total suspended solids in its wastewater exceeded the standard level by some 4.4 times. The biological oxygen demand in the companys wastewater also surpassed the permitted level by over 12 times, so it was fined VND75 million ($3,070). In total, the company was fined VND330 million ($13,500). The Quang Ngai authorities also forced the firm to deal with the environmental pollution caused by its violations. In October 2019, the provincial police caught the company red-handed discharging untreated wastewater into the environment. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Vietnamese baby boy, diagnosed with severe congenital heart abnormalities, recently became the first-ever case in Vietnam and Southeast Asia to undergo foetal cardiac catheterization as a remedial procedure. The successful intervention took place at Childrens Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, and the infant was discharged last week. Following more than two weeks of treatment and post-cardiac catheterization care, doctors reported on February 18 that the baby was discharged in significantly improved health conditions compared to other infants with similar serious abnormalities who did not undergo such an interventional surgery. The boy's abnormalities, characterized by hypoplasia of the right ventricle and the absence of a pulmonary valve opening, were first identified at Da Nang Hospital. The mother, L., a 26-year-old resident of Da Nang City, underwent an examination for her first pregnancy at the hospital last year, where these congenital heart issues were detected. L. was subsequently transferred to Tu Du Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City in early November 2023. Doctors at Tu Du Hospital made the decision to conduct a foetal cardiac catheterization to save the baby boy, as his severe conditions posed a risk of mortality either in the mother's womb or at birth, Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper reported, citing medical professionals. The interventional surgeon was performed on January 4 by specialists from Tu Du Hospital and Childrens Hospital 1. L. successfully gave birth to the boy, weighing 2.9kg, on the morning of January 30, at 37 weeks of pregnancy. Later that day, the newborn was transferred to Childrens Hospital 1 for further care and attention. While at the pediatric hospital, the baby underwent a pulmonary artery angioplasty once, and notably, there was no need for ductus arteriosus stent placement. This stands in contrast to other similar cases that did not undergo foetal cardiac catheterization, as highlighted by the medical team. On the first day of the Lunar New Year festival, February 10, the baby's mother visited the hospital to breastfeed him for the first time. She stayed at the hospital until her son was discharged five days later. The complete treatment cost for the baby, estimated at VND100 million (US$4,100), has been covered by health insurance, supplemented by a payment from Childrens Hospital 1. Doctors mentioned that a follow-up examination for the boy is scheduled a month after discharge. During these follow-up visits, they will assess his cardiovascular conditions to determine if further care or treatment is necessary. Dr. Do Nguyen Tin, deputy head of the cardiology department at Childrens Hospital 1, stated that this marks the first cardiac intervention of its kind in Vietnam and Southeast Asia as a whole. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A voter in Dak Lak Province expressed concerns, stating that numerous fruit ripening chemicals are extensively used in the Vietnamese market, yet many of them lack proper licensing or user guides. This situation poses challenges for farmers who wish to employ these chemicals, said the voter, from Vietnam's Central Highlands region. Due to the rampant sales of fruit-ripening chemicals, the voter proposed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issue detailed instructions on the usage of such agents. The voter also urged the ministry to make a list of banned chemicals. Responding to the proposals, the ministry said in its recent dispatch that no post-harvest farm produce preservatives on fruits have been permitted in Vietnam in line with Circular 09 dated 2023 passed by the agriculture minister. The current list of allowed crop protection agents excludes any fruit preservative, the ministry underlined. However, the ministry tasked the Plant Protection Department with considering and creating favorable conditions for organizations and individuals to register these preservatives and add them to the list of permitted chemicals. The ministry also encourages organizations and individuals to register the use of post-harvest farm produce preservatives on fruits. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered the Ministry of Public Security to lead and collaborate with relevant agencies and local administrations to recommend policies expanding visa exemptions for citizens of selected countries, aligning with evolving circumstances and bilateral cooperation relations. PM Chinh assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review and assess the countrys unilateral visa exemption policy for citizens of 13 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belarus, Japan, and South Korea. The ministry will have to join hands with the Ministry of Public Security to propose a new list of countries eligible for a unilateral visa waiver. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism was asked to coordinate with other agencies and localities to organize cultural and artistic activities as well as traditional festivals after the Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, in a safe and civilized manner to preserve and promote the nations cultural values. It must also strengthen the oversight of tourist destinations and tourism service providers to ensure safety for tourists and local residents. Vietnam currently offers visa waivers for 25 countries and territories, including nine ASEAN members, Chile, Panama, Kyrgyzstan, the UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Belarus, and seven EU members -- Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. In mid-August last year, the Vietnamese government issued a resolution to grant e-visas to citizens from all countries and territories. Vietnam allowed extending the validity of e-visas granted to foreigners entering the country to 90 days from no more than 30 days for single entry or multiple entries. It also lengthened the visa-free stay to 45 days from 15 days for citizens of 13 countries eligible for the country's unilateral visa waiver policy, regardless of passport types or entry purposes, as long as they meet the entry requirements outlined in Vietnamese law. The Southeast Asian country welcomed more than 1.5 million international tourist arrivals last month, up 10.3 percent month on month and 73.6 percent year on year. During the 2024 Lunar New Year holiday, many localities reported a year-on-year surge of 2.2 to 4.8 times in the number of international travelers. The results were thanks to preferential visa policies, the restructuring of source markets, efforts of local enterprises and localities, and promotion activities, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. The expansion of the visa waiver policy has facilitated foreign tourists, thus attracting more tourists to Vietnam and improving the countrys competitiveness, the authority added. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Nguyen Tien Dung, chairman of the Ha Long City administration in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, offered a gift and congratulations to an Indian billionaire at his wedding celebration in the Vietnamese city last week. Chairman Dung attended the event to celebrate with the Indian couple and expressed high appreciation for their decision to choose Ha Long as the venue for their wedding, the city's administration said on Monday. The grand event took place at the Vinpearl Resort and Spa Ha Long from Friday to Sunday last week. The groom, Vivek Dinodiya, is an Indian billionaire and the director of PL Global Impex Pte Ltd. His bride is Anmol Garg. The joy-filled wedding was attended by hundreds of guests, including officials from the Indian government and the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, as well as prominent entrepreneurs from India and various Southeast Asian countries. Chairman Dung said that the city underlined the importance of the wedding and pledged tremendous support for similar events in the future. This grand wedding is expected to further promote the people of Ha Long and the UNESCO-listed world heritage Ha Long Bay to the world. In February last year, another affluent Indian couple also chose Ha Long as the venue for their wedding celebration, which was attended by more than 400 guests. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Local authorities announced on Sunday that Quang Tri Province in north-central Vietnam is slated to receive a C-119 aircraft, which participated in the war against the U.S. in Vietnam, from the Ministry of National Defense for display at the Ta Con airport relic site in Huong Hoa District. Quang Tri has agreed to allocate VND3.5 billion (US$142,682) to the acquisition of the C-119 aircraft to enhance the collection of large-scale artifacts showcased at the Ta Con airport relic site. According to the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Quang Tri, the C-119 aircraft, originally a transport vehicle upgraded to a reconnaissance aircraft, played a significant role in battles along the Truong Son Road, including in Quang Tri. In May 2016, the Ministry of National Defense issued the aforementioned aircraft to Quang Tri for exhibition purposes. Subsequently, the Quang Tri Monuments and Scenic Conservation Center entered into a contract with Factory A41, which is responsible for maintaining and repairing all kinds of aircraft equipped for the Vietnamese military, for the repair, disassembly, and transportation of the C-119 aircraft from Ho Chi Minh City to Ta Con airport. However, due to financial constraints, Quang Tri only recently resumed the exhibition plan after an eight-year hiatus. The estimated cost for repairing, restoring, and relocating the C-119 aircraft from Ho Chi Minh City to Ta Con airport is VND3.5 billion. Currently, Ta Con airport houses a C-130, a large U.S. military aircraft nicknamed packhorse, which served during U.S. presidential trips. The management board reports that Ta Con airport receives approximately 15,000 visitors annually, with 50 percent being international visitors. Despite its significance, visitors typically spend minimal time at the monument, with entrance tickets priced at only VND50,000 ($2). The Ta Con airport relic site encompasses a cluster of strategic bases utilized by the U.S. military from 1966 to 1968, serving as a crucial link within the Khe Sanh base group. This landmark is intricately linked to Vietnam's campaign to liberate Khe Sanh-Huong Hoa in 1968 and was nationally recognized in 1986. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Local and international tourists flocked to Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on Sunday to pray and admire the 67-meter-high statue of Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The route leading to the peninsula was crowded with visitors from near and far. Many of them took a close look at the giant statue at the pagoda for the first time. My family often visits a pagoda in a different locality across Vietnam on the occasion of the Lunar New Year [Tet] festival, said Nguyen Ngoc Duc from Hanoi. This year, we are touring Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula." He also stated that he saw no beggars and street vendors along the road approaching the pagoda, making a serene and tranquil atmosphere. After offering incense, Duc and his family members took wefies and photographs with the statue of Guanyin, and other venues. This is my first time to admire the statue of Guanyin, which overlooks the stunning blue sea, Duc expressed his excitement. Tourists visit Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Doan Cuong / Tuoi Tre Situated on Son Tra Peninsula in Son Tra District, Linh Ung Pagoda was constructed in 2004, and was inaugurated in 2010. The 20-hectare pagoda houses the statue of Guanyin, considered the highest in Vietnam. In 2017, the municipal Peoples Committee recognized Linh Ung Pagoda as a tourist site. The pagoda has enticed throngs of local and foreign travelers to Da Nang. Local and international visitors flocked to Linh Ung Pagoda to admire the statue of Guanyin on February 18, 2024. Photo: Doan Cuong / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The BAFTAs have confirmed they will pay tribute to the late Matthew Perry at their upcoming BAFTA TV Awards. Perry was not included in the In Memoriam segment today in London, in which Hannah Waddingham exquisitely sang Time After Time. The BAFTAs included a range of UK and international artists and creatives but not the late Friends star. Matthew Perry will be remembered in the forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards in May, a spokesperson told Variety. Perrys films included The Whole Nine Yards and Fools Rush In but undoubtedly made his mark more on the small screen. UKTV screens the BAFTA Awards tonight at 8:30pm. By Ko Dong-hwan Baskin-Robbins has launched a new store in Seoul that features the company's exclusive ice cream flavors, created by a new artificial intelligence (AI)-based product development system, according to the brand operator BR Korea, Monday. The company on the same day opened Workshop by Baskin-Robbins on the first floor of its building in central Seoul. It is the brand's new hybrid-type store that is not only a shop but also a research lab that tests new flavors and introduces them to consumers for the first time. The store runs an AI NPD (new product development) model, a recipe system that creates new flavors via ChatGPT and visualizes what the end product of the various flavors might be like. The company said that the store will exclusively introduce a new "deep flavor" every month, which will be created by the system's big data-deep learning AI. "The new store is at the forefront of our chain, introducing new flavors that are developed by next-generation technologies and confirming public reception on those innovative flavors faster than any of our stores," a company official said. "The R&D center will guide us to our future." The new store's exclusive flavors include Wasabi, Creme Brulee, Greentea Orange Jasmine and Greentea Earl Grey. The flavors were created after the company analyzed the big data of 23 million users of Happy Point, the brand's point-reward membership program, which is also shared by other brands under the company's mother company SPC Group. A lineup of Egg Cakes in the shape of different animals, fruit and characters is another of the store's product groups unavailable anywhere else. To further boost the store's innovativeness, the company plans to introduce within the first half of this year a new docent program featuring a clerk posing as an ice cream docent called a "doctor." Doctors will give visitors a private tour by recommending flavors based on their interests and also share stories related to the flavor choices of consumers and the company. Kento is an I.T. worker & self-confessed geek, who hasnt had much opportunity to meet women IRL (In Real Life) until now. 8:30pm Tuesday on ABC. Australian Idol Australian Survivor The Hundred with Andy Lee Back Roads MH370: Ten Years On Britains ITV has picked up upcoming Australian drama Four Years Later. The 8 part romance which delves into the complex ways love can change over time and distance, is being filming by Easy Tiger for SBS, in Mumbai, Jaipur, and Sydney. The series explores the love story of Sridevi and Yash, who have to endure four years apart right after their wedding when Yash lands a medical traineeship in Australia. It follows Yash and Sridevis turbulent time apart and reconnection two timelines, two worlds, told through dual perspectives and explores themes of the changing nature of love, intimacy and belonging as you change within yourself and asks what it takes to find your way back to someone you have deeply loved after so long apart. The series stars Indian actors Akshay Ajit Singh (24: India) playing Yash and Shahana Goswami (Bombay Begums, A Suitable Boy) as Sridevi. Created by Mithila Gupta (Five Bedrooms, Bump) and featuring a writing team all with South Asian heritage, Mithila, Nicole Reddy and S. Shakthidharan, the series is directed by Mohini Herse (Appetite) and Fadia Abboud (Year Of, Five Bedrooms). Easy Tigers Ian Collie tells TV Tonight, The shorthand is its an Indian Normal People. Were doing our chemistry tests in India. Weve got a shortlist of roughly about four of each gender, and so were seeing if the sparks fly between the two. Its great to know that were bringing through the next generation of talent. It will screen on SBS later this year. ITV has also confirmed Northern Pictures comedy Austin, which is set to screen on ABC. The series features Michael Theo (Love on the Spectrum) in an acting role, as Austin, the neurodivergent son that childrens author Julian Hartswood (Ben Miller) never knew existed. Could embracing this modern nuclear family be Julians route back from cancellation? Will wife Ingrid (Sally Phillips) forgive him for being such a pompous shit? One thing is for certain: if Julian thinks Austin is going to be a push over, hes in for a rude awakening. Nine Network and Stan are amongst a raft of global buyers for Sean Penns Superpower feature documentary about Ukraines fight for freedom against invading Russian forces. For the film he sits down with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Other broadcasters and platforms which have bought the title recently include Spains Movistar Plus+, HBO in CEE and Baltics, PCCW for Now TV in Hong Kong and Macau, Belgiums DPG Media, A+E Networks / History Channel in Germany, and Kyivstar TV in Ukraine. The deals were announced by distributor Fifth Season. Prentiss Fraser, president of television distribution at Fifth Season said: The documentary offers unprecedented access as it brings viewers onto the frontlines and shines a light on the strength, resilience and humanity of the Ukrainian people during their fight for freedom. Penn recently had a feature role in Stans C*A*U*G*H*T. Broadcast dates are yet to be announced. Source: C21 Andrei Molodkin, the Russian dissident artist, has collected 16 works of art by donation, which he estimates to be worth around $45 million. These precious works of art by Andy Warhol, Rembrandt and Picasso, to name just a few, are locked away in a safe with a corrosive substance and might be destroyed. Why? Molodkin wants Julian Assange set free, and this is his protest. He believes Assange changed the history of journalism. He is concerned that repressing him means less freedom of speech. The artworks are being placed in plywood crates alongside what is called the dead mans switch, a pneumatic pump connecting two barrels, one with an accelerator and the other with acid powder, that could cause a chemical reaction that could, if strong enough, turn the safes contents to debris within two hours. Each day, a 24-hour countdown begins that is only reset when Assanges well-being is reported by someone close to him. Assange has been held on remand in Belmarsh prison for five years and is due to face a court hearing on 20/21 February, which will most likely be his final bid to appeal against the US order to extradite him. Collective artwork Molodkin, who works with such materials as steel and ballpoint pen, crude oil, and human blood, spent around six months persuading collectors and artists to donate works to this project. He referred to them as a collective artwork, and they are all participating in it. He says they wish to open a dialogue with the White House and that solutions are to be found on the cultural platform. There are also works by Jannis Kounellis, Andres Serrano, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Sarah Lucas, Jake Chapman, Santiago Sierra and Molodkin himself. Assanges wife, Stella, told the New Yorker that Molodkins project is like a protective step its a kind of human shield but in art. An art shield. Whatever that means. Molodkin says the works of art will only be returned to their owners if Assange is set free. One presumes they are happy with that arrangement. In the Guardian last week, journalist Jonathan Jones expressed frustration with Molodkins plans by pointing out that it is a weak argument that will achieve nothing. He referred to it as a "banal stunt." Hes right. Molodkin and his followers are wrong to destroy valuable artworks in support of Assanges misdoings. Sure, they see him as a Libertarian renegade who needs to be set free. However, the value of those artworks and others that have been attacked over the years far outweighs the protesters arguments. Protest This protest is just another long line of rather tiresome activism thats become popular recently. Throwing paint or whatever protesters can find in their kitchen cupboards at famous artworks on display in galleries around the world, and then reading out statements decrying climate change or whatever is the current gripe on their social media. It gets them in the news for about five minutes, and if they can spread footage of the "event" on TikTok, maybe a few likes. Hey, it might even go "viral." Far out! Molodkin has clearly taken this up a notch. Actually, destroying the works of art will eventuate some media coverage that may stay around for a few days. However, it all depends on the publics view of Assanges cause. Sure, theres been some protests in the UK, but there appears to be little interest elsewhere. Im not surprised. Although the Australian government is still requesting Assange be sent back home and not to the US, theyve been requesting this move for some time now, and the Americans appear to be dragging their feet. Assange needs to face an American court of law and explain the actions of Wikileaks in publishing US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Mannings illegally obtained footage, which she handed over to Assange. If Assange was the brilliant journalist his supporters say he is, he would have discovered that he was sitting on a goldmine once he checked out the footage. The footage was clearly something the Army would not want the public to see. If Assange had approached them and asked how it had all come about and dug into the reaction from the State Department, there would have been days, if not weeks, of stories that followed. Of course, it would have taken some good investigative journalism to ensure you werent immediately imprisoned. Instead, you worked your way through the tangled mess of the footage and spoke to all the departments responsible for the shootings and right up to the heads of the departments. Youd have heaps of copy that could be syndicated to media worldwide. Assange would have been hailed as a groundbreaking journalist who asked questions and got answers. Instead, he produced small-time gutter journalism and was hounded into hiding. Julian Assange broke the golden rule of journalism, never becoming part of the story. The new Finmeccanica's logo, Leonardo, is seen on a screen during a meeting of shareholders in Rome ROME (Reuters) - Italy's state-owned Leonardo said on Monday that the Ministry of Defence had asked it to study the development of its military space cloud architecture project, the first in Europe. The project, dubbed MILSCA, will provide Italy's government and armed forces with a system of high-performing computing, cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) and storage capacity directly in space, the statement said. During the two-year study, Leonardo will cooperate with Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space, two joint ventures between the Italian defence and aerospace group and France's Thales. It falls in line with Leonardo's main goals for the years ahead to focus on the space industry - key for defence and security in the future - and setting up interconnected, multi-domained digitalised platforms, aimed at supporting its traditional products. MILSCA will guarantee users access to strategic data such as communications, earth observation, and navigation data, anywhere and at any time. It can grant higher speed and flexibility in the processing and sharing of information, with 100 Terabytes of data storage on Earth and in space aboard each satellite and a processing power of over 250 TFLOPS, or 250 thousand billion operations per second. In the first phase of the study the architecture will be defined, while in the second phase a digital twin will be developed. "In a multi-domain scenario, management, security, and rapid exchange of an ever-increasing amount of data, much of which is tactical, become strategic elements for the country's defense. We will be the first in Europe to develop a Space Cloud project...," Leonardo's Chief Innovation Officer Simone Ungaro said in a statement. (Reporting by Giulia Segreti; Editing by Sharon Singleton) Welcome Guest! You are here: Home International Akin to Holocaust: Lula da Silva slams Israeli carnage in Gaza The Holocaust is the term used to describe the genocide of European Jews during World War II at the hands of Nazi Germany led by Adolf Hitler. Read More Monday February 19, 2024 11:25 AM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies Addis Ababa: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Sunday February 18, 2024 accused the Israeli Occupation Forces of committing genocide against the Palestinians, describing the Zionist carnage in Gaza akin to Holocaust. The Holocaust is the term used to describe the genocide of European Jews during World War II at the hands of Nazi Germany led by Adolf Hitler. The Zionists exploit the term to justify its war crimes and massacre of Palestinians, and also use it to garner sympathy and support to legitimise its occupation. Whats happening in the Gaza Strip isnt a war, its a genocide, Lula told reporters in Addis Ababa where he was attending an African Union summit on Sunday. Its not a war of soldiers against soldiers. Its a war between a highly prepared army and women and children, added the Brazilian president . Whats happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people hasnt happened at any other moment in history. Actually, it has happened: when Hitler decided to kill the Jews. Watch Video What Israel is doing in Gaza is like what Hitler did to the Jews. Brazils President Lula da Silvapic.twitter.com/hCrRJsfP5J sarah (@sahouraxo) February 18, 2024 The Palestinians have hailed the Lulas comments who described the remarks as "an accurate description" of what people were facing in the Gaza Strip that it controls. Israel Fumes The Netanyahu-led far right Zionist government in Israel however is fuming over Lula's comparision of its Gaza carnage with holocaust. "The comparison between Israel to holocaust of the Nazis and Hitler is crossing a red line," Ntanyahu said in a statement. Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant called Lula's comments "outrageous and abhorrent". "Brazil has stood with Israel for years. President Lula supports a "genocidal terrorist organisation -- Hamas", and in doing so brings great shame to his people, and violates the values of the free world", he wrote on social media site X. Antisemitism Israel also has a habit of accusing people dondeming its brutality against humanity of "Antisemitism". Rejcting this Prof Zenkus of Columbia University said: "Arabs didn't perpetrate genocide against Jewish ppl: Europeans did. Palestinians didn't turn boats with Jews escaping the holocaust away: The US did. "Antisemitism is not a creation of Palestinians and Muslims. Wihy are they being punished for the crimes of Germans and Americans?" he asked on social media platform X. Lula, a prominent voice for the global south whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the G20, has been condemning the Israeli carnage against Palestinians in Gaza since Oct 7 when the Zionist forces launched military offensive following Hamas' Operation Al Aqsa Flood - a retaliatory move against occupation and decades of provocation by the occupation forces. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home India Chandigarh Mayor Polls: Demands to expose Mastermind after ROs confession in SC A huge demand to expose the mastermind behind the manipulation in Chandigarh Mayor Elections is building up after Returning Officer (RO) Anil Masih in the Supreme Court of India confessed defacing the ballot papers. Read More Monday February 19, 2024 9:27 PM , ummid.com News Network New Delhi: A huge demand to expose the mastermind behind the manipulation in Chandigarh Mayor Elections is building up after Returning Officer (RO) Anil Masih in the Supreme Court of India confessed defacing the ballot papers. After Anil Masihs admission in the Supreme Court of India that he tampered 08 ballot papers, the Apex Court should order a probe to expose the mastermind and main culprit behind the manipulation done in the Chandigarh Mayor Elections, Farheen Saifi, a Journalist working for YouTube Channel Bolta Hindustan, said. This is important because Chandigarh being a Union Territory (UT) comes under the direct control of the Central government, she said. The country needs to know on whose behest Masih tampered the ballot papers and who was the person who as repeatedly calling Masih during the election process, she said. Farheen Saifi was commenting on the hearing in the Supreme Court of India Monday during which Anil Masih, the Returning Officer in the Chandigarh Mayor Elections, admitted he himself marked X on eight ballot papers so as to declare them invalid. Watch SC Proceeding Surely Anil Masih's handlers will come out with an even more sinister plan to manage things. But this is the well deserved & proper belt treatment of this fraud by CJI. Bol Masih ko rahe hain, lekin suna usko Masiha ko rahe hain. Enjoy pic.twitter.com/7YG8uzOy50 Rofl Gandhi 2.0 (@RoflGandhi_) February 19, 2024 In the Chandigarh Mayor Polls held on January 30, 2024 , a total of 36 votes were casted. Of them, 16 votes were in favour of the BJP whereas 20 votes were in support of the AAP-Congress joint candidate. Masih however declared 08 votes of AAP and Congress members invalid and declared the BJP candidate, Manoj Sonkar, winner and the new Mayor of Chandigarh. AAP-Congress Mayoral candidate Kuldeep Singh approached the Supreme Court after the High Court dismissed his plea. In the earlier hearing on Kuldeep Singhs plea on Feb 5 , the Supreme Court of India had called the entire episode a murder of democracy and asked Presiding Officer Anil Masih to depose before it with all the records and documents related to the mayoral elections. Consequently, Masih appeared in the Court Monday and admitted the foul play. Those who were present in the court said Masih was shaking with fear. 'Masih must be prosecuted' The Apex Court meanwhile said RO Anil Masih must be prosecuted as he was interfering with the election process. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said it is obvious that the returning officer has defaced the ballot papers. The court also said it will peruse ballot papers, entire video recording of counting of votes at 02:00 pm Tuesday. The SC also said "horse trading" is taking place without divulging in details even as three AAP Councilors in Chandigarh - Poonam Devi, Neha Musavat, and Gurcharan Kala, Sunday Feb 18 joined the BJP. Meanwhile, Manoj Sonkar of the BJP who was declared winner by RO Masih has resigned as Chandigarh Mayor. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Views & Analysis Palestine State Dominates Munich Security Conference The Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2024 got underway in the background of the continued war in Palestine. Significantly, Indias external affairs minister made Indias position on Palestinian statehood clearer at the conference, besides holding talks with other global leaders. Read More Monday February 19, 2024 5:24 PM , Asad Mirza Indian External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar has called for a permanent fix to the Israel-Palestine conflict. In his speech at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2024, Jaishankar stated that a large number of nations, particularly those in the Global South, believe that terrorism shouldn't be justified. Though calling Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, an act of terrorism, EAM Jaishankar said that Israel should have been very mindful of civilian casualties in its response and emphasised its obligation to observe international humanitarian law. He also outlined key dimensions of the Israel-Palestine conflict so as to have a long term and a permanent solution to the issue. Jaishankars latest speech stresses two points that India, as the PM noted in his first reaction, after the 7 October attacks, emphasises that the Hamas attacks were a terrorist attack, yet it has further reiterated its age-old stand that the solution to the Palestinian issue, could be found only through a two stage solution. However, the outlines of any such two state solution is yet to be defined and by the time the international comity agrees to those parameters, a lot of innocent Palestinians would have been killed in the on-going Israeli attacks. What is of paramount importance here is an immediate cessation of hostilities by the IDF, and an ensured flow of humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinians. In his speech EAM, also praised the efforts by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, but Blinken on his part said that the US is committed to Israel's security and supports the proposition that Israel has to find ways to ensure that whatever happened on 7 October never happens again. This underlies the continued American support to the Bibi regime in Israel and till the time this monetary and military support is not halted by the US, signs of the war ending immediately are very slim. In his speech, Jaishankar also stated that a large number of nations, particularly those in the Global South, believe that terrorism shouldn't be justified. He said that these nations believe a two-state solution should not be delayed. "I think a very large number of countries, especially those in the Global South, believe that terrorism shouldn't be countenanced or justified. But they equally strongly believe that a two-state solution should not be delayed. These are not choices. These are both musts. And unless we are able to address both these issues, we are not going to really solve the problem," EAM said. At the conference, Jaishankar also met with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and discussed the West Asia situation and the strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia. Notably, India and Saudi Arabia share centuries old economic and socio-cultural ties. Economic ties are an important aspect of the bilateral strategic partnership between two nations, according to the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia. If however, India and Saudi Arabia share the same page on the Palestinian issue, then it seems plausible that the war may end soon in Palestine. As Saudi is one of the prominent Middle Eastern nations, who are pursuing diplomatic efforts to get the conflict, ended as soon as possible. Meanwhile, there are reports that Russia has invited various Palestinian factions to meet in Moscow on 26 February, the Palestinian Authority prime minister said on Sunday, adding that the PA was ready to engage with Hamas. Russia has invited all Palestinian factions who will be meeting on the 26 of this month in Moscow. We will see if Hamas is ready to come to the ground with us Mohammad Shtayyeh told the Munich Security Conference. We are ready to engage. If Hamas is not then thats a different story. We need Palestinian unity, he said, adding that to be part of that unity Hamas needed to meet certain prerequisites. The Russian initiative has come rather as a surprise to the western world, but it should not be marred by any indifference. As far as the question of Hamas participating at the 26 February meeting is considered, Russia may take help of its crucial ally Iran to influence the Hamas leadership to sit at the same table as other Palestinian factions and hammer out a long-term stand and policy for an earliest solution to the long running conflict. At an interactive session at the security conference with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Jaishankar also delved on the question of Indias alignment on non-alignment with Russia and the US. When asked about the country's foreign policy priorities in the backdrop of observations that it is traversing from non-alignment to all alignment and its continued procurement of crude oil from Russia notwithstanding Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Jaishankar asserted that India should not be criticised for having multiple options. "Why should it be a problem? I am smart enough to have multiple options. You should be admiring and not criticising. Is it a problem for others? I do not think so," he said. This is not the first time that the EAM has forcefully put across Indias stand on its continued economic ties with Russia and the two state solution to the Palestinian issue. Rather it should be seen in the new paradigm shift of the global geopolitics, where India, once being a champion of non-alignment has been able to maintain ties with different ideologies based on its own interpretation and understanding of the issues, rather than being tutored by either super power. (The writer, Asad Mirza, is a Delhi-based senior political and international affairs commentator.) Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. By Park Jae-hyuk An Uzbek businessperson who leads the Korean subsidiary of the country's state-run carmaker, UzAuto Korea, donated 100 million won ($75,000) to Friends of Hope, Korea Food for the Hungry International (KFHI) to help the children of multicultural and marginalized families here, the international relief organization said Monday. The charity said UzAuto Korea CEO Eshanov Bakhtiyar Gulyamidinovich became the first foreign member of its Philanthropy Club, established in 2014 to honor patrons who donate 100 million won or more. Born in Uzbekistan, he joined Uz-DaewooAuto in 1993 to work at Central Asia's first car factory, which was set up by a joint venture between Korea's now-defunct Daewoo Group and the Uzbek government. He received training for the job in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. In 1998, he enrolled in an MBA program at Ajou University in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. He was transferred to UzAuto Korea in 2003 and started leading the company in 2010. He reportedly refused the KFHI's proposal of using his donation for emergency relief in Ukraine or African nations, as he wanted to use the money for Korea which contributed to Uzbekistan's automotive industry. The organization subsequently decided to use his donation to support children of multicultural and marginalized families here. The UzAuto Korea CEO also said he intends to continue working with the KFHI to support single mothers and older adults living alone. "His donation showed that migrants having diverse backgrounds have had positive impacts on our society," KFHI Chairman Yoo Won-sik said. In January, UzAuto Korea's corporate body donated 100 million won to Community Chest of Korea to support those in need. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home International Palestinians have endured more than their share of agony: Top UN Court told The Palestinians have endured more than their share of agony even as the International laws did not provide any protection to them, Palestine's UN Envoy Riyad Mansour told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Monday February 19, 2024. Read More Monday February 19, 2024 11:33 PM , ummid.com News Network The Hague: The Palestinians have endured more than their share of agony even as the International laws did not provide any protection to them, Palestine's UN Envoy Riyad Mansour told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Monday February 19, 2024. What does the International Law mean for Palestinian children in Gaza today. It has protected neither them nor their childhood. It has not protected their families", Mansour said in choked voice. "We are a proud a resilient people that has eundred more than its share of agony. It is so painful to be Palestinian today(sic)", he added. Mansour also said that Israel must bear the consequences of actions that run counter to international law, not be rewarded for them. He described tearfully how international law has failed to protect Palestinian children. We call on you to confirm that the Israeli presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal and that its occupation must come to an immediate, complete and unconditional end, he said. Without accountability, there is no justice; and without justice, there can be no peace", he said. "The state of Palestine appeals to this court to guide us towards a future in which Palestinian children are treated as children... not as demographics", he said. Riyad Mansour was speaking at the ICJ in The Hague during a hearing on the request of the United Nations to determine the legal consequences of Israels decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories. With his voice wavering with emotion, Palestine's Permanent Observer to the UN Riyad Mansour intervenes at the @CIJ_ICJ with a powerful and heartfelt statement on international law: "They defy the law, and the law is barely fighting back." pic.twitter.com/BHn2YrnJoP ICJP (@ICJPalestine) February 19, 2024 The United Nations had in December 2022 asked the ICJ to judge and opine upon the legal status of Israels illegal occupation of Palestinian territories as per the international law. The UNGA in its resolution also called for an investigation into Israeli measures "aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem", saying Israel has adopted "discriminatory legislation and measures". The 6-day hearing at the ICJ following the UN resolution will continue till Feb 26. The resolution marks only the second time the UN General Assembly asked the ICJ to comment on Israeli war crimes and it's not on a specific policy but Israeli apartheid, occupation, and colonization more broadly. In another case relating to Israel, the ICJ on the South African Petition seeking additional measures asked the Zionist regime in Israel to refrain from going ahead with the ground offensive in Rafah. The Court notes that the most recent developments in the Gaza Strip, and in Rafah in particular, would exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences, as stated by the United Nations Secretary-General in his remarks to the General Assembly on priorities for 2024 on Feb 7, 2024", the ICJ said on Feb 16, 2024. "This perilous situation demands immediate and effective implementation of the provisional measures indicated by the Court in its Order of 26 January 2024 , which are applicable throughout the Gaza Strip, including in Rafah, and does not demand the indication of additional provisional measures", the ICJ said. "The Court emphasizes that the State of Israel remains bound to fully comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention and with the said Order, including by ensuring the safety and security of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip", the UN Court said. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home India States to spend crores on Ration Bags with Narendra Modi photos The government in various states will be required to spend a huge sum of exchequer money for the foodgrain sacks having PM Modis photo that will be distributed through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). Read More Monday February 19, 2024 5:21 PM , ummid.com News Network Mumbai: The government in various states will be required to spend a huge sum of exchequer money for the foodgrain sacks having PM Modis photo that will be distributed through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). According to RTI Activist Ajay Basudev Bose, the Regional Office of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in Jaipur has ordered 1,07,45,168 bags having PM Modis photo at the cost of INR 12.375 for one. The supply order by the FCI Regional Office in Jaipur for around 1.08 crore rations bags has been given to five vendors 03 of them from Rajasthan and 02 from Gujarat, according to the reply Bose has received in response of his RTI query. In his RTI application Bose has sought details of the information related to Synthetic Ration Bags with PM Modi printed image bought by the FCI for distribution of Ration to beneficiaries under Garib Kalyan Yojna. Bose listed four points in his RTI application including name and contractors, total number of Modi Printed Synthetic Ration Bags, their cost and amount paid to the contractors. In its reply dated Feb 08, 2024, the FCI gave details related to the quantity, cost and name of the contractors and companies. It however said the FCI has so far not made any payment against the Supply Order of around 1.08 Crore rations bags around INR 13.29 Crores. These figures are from only Rajasthan, there are 27 more states and 8 Union Territories (UTs) in India. According to Central government data, the PMGKAY scheme, aimed at supplying free foodgrains to approximately 81.35 crore beneficiaries of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH), saw more than 75 crore beneficiaries receiving foodgrains between the fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22. Citing a circular dated January 12, 2024, The Hindu reported that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has directed all 26 of its regional offices to solicit tenders for woven laminated bags having pictures of Narendra Modi for distribution of foodgrains under the PMGKAY Scheme. According to Hindu Nagaland has awarded the contract to Rajasthan Flexible Packaging at INR 9.30 per bag, as per the RTI reply from the FCI's Regional Office in Dimapur. However, the specific quantity of bags ordered in Nagaland was not detailed in the response. On the other hand, the FCI Regional Offices in Maharashtra and Delhi said the tender process to purchase Modi printed bags are ongoing whereas FCI Tamil Nadu said it has floated the tender for the supply of around 1.14 crore bags, as per the FCI response to the RTI queries. As per the earlier practice, people buying foodgrains on subsidized rates through Ration Shops used to carry their own bags. Bags with Modi images came into picture when the government started distributing free foodgrains after Covid-19. Narendra Modi images are so important for the BJP-led government in New Delhi that Union Finance Minister Sitharaman had in September 2023 during a visit to Telangana personally asked all District Collectors to ensure Modis picture are put up at all the fair shops. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. University of North Georgia (UNG) alumnus Lt. Col. Kevin D. Holloway, '07, was recently promoted to lieutenant colonel at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Fellow alumnus Lt. Gen. James B. Jarrard, '88, led the promotion ceremony for Holloway. Jarrard is the deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific. "It is always exciting for me to be a part of promotion ceremonies as it provides an opportunity for me to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of our great soldiers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and officers who have dedicated their professional careers to something bigger than themselves and to thank them and their families for all their sacrifices to that end," Jarrard said. "It also provides me a time of reflection for me and my career and my promotions and how much UNG helped me with so many valuable experiences that helped me develop at a young age. I'm so proud of Kevin, his wife Lucie, and all of the great leaders UNG continues to produce each year." By BD Naraayannkar Maldives, Feb 19 (UNI) Marking a historic moment for Maldives aviation industry, Manta Air, carrying a group of journalists and few other tourists, made its first international flight from Kempegowda Internation Airport in Bengaluru to Dhaalu Airport in Maldives on February 16. Manta Air CEO Mohammad Khalil, who was at the airport, said the company's decision to establish direct flights to Dhaalu Airport underscores the growing importance of the Indian market for the Maldives tourism sector. "India as of now ranks as the fifth largest tourist market to the Maldives, with Bengaluru emerging as a popular destination for Maldivians seeking medical treatment, higher education, and leisure activities," he said. The direct flight service between Bengaluru and Dhaalu Airport opens up new vistas for both tourists and business travelers, fostering greater cultural exchange and economic cooperation between the two countries, Khalil said. "The flight services from Bengaluru will give a big boost to tourism in Maldives. Indians visiting Maldives will not have to transit at the Velana International Airport," he said. This strategic move also aims to enhance the guest experience and boost bookings for resorts in Dhaalu atoll, particularly Kandima, RIU Hotel, and Niyama Private Island, which are all located in close proximity to the airport, Khalil said. "By facilitating easier and more affordable travel access to the Maldives, we foresee a substantial increase in travel demand from Bengaluru and across India in 2024 and beyond," he said. Khalil also announced three days a week flights between Bengaluru and added that the expansion of the airport will help the aviation company to introduce Airbuses. The Manta Air also plans to commence flights to other parts of India as well in next two to three years, Khalil said. Plans also are afoot to introduce flights from Sri Lanka, China and the Middle East in the same period, he said. Khalil said that international flights would add to Manta's flying hours, which would be the biggest benefit for an airline, and this would also help in developing domestic airports. "The move from a domestic seaplane carrier and airline to an airline with international flights is an important step for the companys growth. This will further improve the tourist experience and increase the bookings received by the resorts in Dhaalu Atoll," he said. "The launch of international flights to Dhaalu Airport not only benefits tourists but also facilitates seamless travel for Maldivians traveling abroad," he said. Manta Air plans to curate exclusive packages to international travelers from India which will not only provide significant savings on flight time and costs, but also enhance the accessibility of the Maldives pristine island resorts, Khalil said. The packages will be offered in collaboration with premium partner resorts in the Dhaalu Atoll region, he added. The future looks promising for enhanced connectivity and tourism growth in the region, Khalil said. There are eight resorts operating in Dhaalu Atoll, including the highest-end resorts. Of these resorts, Kandinma Maldives and Niyama Resort are owned by Sanjay Manik, the owner of the Dhaalu Airport. UNI BDN SY ARN By Ko Dong-hwan EcoPro has partnered with a vocational training institute in Hungary to secure a skilled workforce for its cathode manufacturing operation in the country, the battery materials developer said Monday. This is the latest in a series of agreements the company has sealed here and abroad over the past year to secure production capability in the European nation, where it plans to manufacture over 100,000 tons of cathode materials annually starting next year. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the job training center in the city of Debrecen. Chang Sun-dong, CEO of EcoPro Global Hungary, and Zsolt Tirpak, president of Debreceni Szakkepzesi Centrum, signed the MOU. The number of students at the training center has recently skyrocketed from 2,500 to 12,000, according to the company. The company expects the rich pool of trainees will be a stable source of skilled workers with training experience in chemicals and specialties in secondary cell production. Tirpak said the school has seen an increasing number of companies and investors providing diverse job opportunities to students. "We've signed the deal to systemically train young Hungarians and provide them with quality career opportunities," Chang said. "Once our factory is completed in Debrecen by 2025, it will create about 600 new jobs." The company broke ground in April 2023 on its new cathode materials plant in Debrecen. It invested 383 billion won ($287 million) for the project. Last month, EcoPro signed an MOU with the University of Debrecen to boost personnel exchanges. It is preceded by the company's agreements under a similar purpose with Hungary's Eotvos Lorand University last October and with the Hungarian program under Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul last February. The company will keep forming new ties with institutes in Hungary to strengthen its network within the European nation to train and prepare a key workforce for its upcoming plant, a company official said. Thirty-four new employees to the company's offshoot company in Hungary were invited to Korea for job orientation last October. HA NOI Viet Nam wants to promote the development of green agriculture to ensure sustainable growth and higher quality of products, especially export goods. At the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh introduced to the world for the first time a plan on establishing one million hectares of high-quality, low-carbon rice production in Viet Nam. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said many international partners are interested in this project because rice has always been one of the leading sectors that emit the most methane. Hoan told chinhphu.vn: "The agricultural sector must contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including the rice production. The current context forces Viet Nam to change the farming process to adapt to the green consumption trend. "Viet Nam targets to market rice grains that do not cause greenhouse effects. At the same time, the green production will be applied to other commodities to carry out green growth in the agriculture." Viet Nam recorded the highest rice export of eight million tonnes in 2023, earning more than US$4.5 billion, since 1989 when the first Vietnamese rice grains were exported abroad. Viet Nam has not much agricultural production area, but this country still has a high export output, playing an important role in food security, according to Hoan. The carbon credit market also brings new opportunities for green agricultural development. Tran Quang Bao, director of the Viet Nam Department of Forest, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that development of the carbon credit market in Viet Nam now is appropriate. This will help Viet Nam connect to the global carbon credit market. Viet Nam's 14.79 million hectares of forests can generate huge financial resources from the carbon credit market to re-invest in forest protection and development. According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) on global forest resources, Viet Nam is one of 10 countries in the world that have the highest increase in forest area, Bao said. In the future, the forestry sector will continue to propose solutions to attract investment in afforestation because this is huge potential for Viet Nam to participate in the carbon credit market. Forestry is a field with negative emissions and is assessed by experts as having great potential to exchange forest carbon credits with domestic and foreign partners. Therefore, the formation of the carbon credit market has many positive impacts on forest protection and development, he said. To promote the early formation of the carbon market, the Forestry Department has said that it is necessary to complete the specific legal framework for the development and operation of the exchange on carbon credit, including forest carbon credits, according to Bao. At present, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has submitted to the Government proposals on forest carbon absorption and storage services in the draft of a decree amending and supplementing some articles of Decree 156/2018/N-CP on enforcement of the Law on Forestry. The department hopes that the new decree will create an important legal corridor for successfully implementing forest carbon absorption and storage services across the country. This will be the basic premise to help quickly connect to the global carbon credit market when the domestic carbon credit exchange is officially operated in 2028. In addition, the ministry has issued a circular on measurement and inventory of greenhouse gases in the forestry sector. It also measures and calculates the amount of transferable forest carbon credits for each locality. It is necessary to promote communication, and also improve awareness on forest carbon and the forest carbon credit trading market for central and local officials and forest owners. Besides that, building of a database system relating to forest carbon indicators is necessary. Meanwhile, the national system for measurement, reporting, appraisal and recognition of emission reduction results must be developed to ensure harmony with domestic and international standards. Viet Nam also needs to promote international cooperation to get technical and financial assistance from partners to boost carbon market development. VNS HA NOI As Viet Nam emerges as a destination for investments by multinational enterprises (MNEs) in the global trend of diversifying supply chains, it becomes critical for domestic enterprises to enhance competitiveness through R&D and human resource training to become an important part of the global value chain. Phung Anh Tuan, deputy director of electronic assembly company Manutronic Viet Nam, said that the global production shift is bringing not only opportunities but also challenges. For the electronics industry, the door is widening for domestic enterprises to participate deeply in global value chains, expand production and create more jobs, he said. However, domestic enterprises are facing challenges as MNEs have high requirements in technology, quality and optimisation, as well as reasonable cost, fast turnaround and delivery. Viet Nam needs to have high-quality human resources to be able to receive technology transfers from MNEs, he said. According to Truong Thi Chi Binh, Vice Chairwoman of Viet Nam Association for Supporting Industries, in the manufacturing industry, domestic enterprises are mostly of small and medium sizes, operating in supplying components for automobile, electronics and motorbike industries. For example, in the aviation industry, Vietnamese enterprises are capable of manufacturing several small single parts for tier suppliers of Boeing, but it is not simple to participate in the global aviation supply chain, Binh said. Viet Nam still has some weakness in operation and machine-based production, she said. Binh, however, pointed out that Viet Nam has advantages in production stages which require the combination of machinery and workers skills. For example, Viet Nams electrical wires, which require a combination of machinery and human skills in production, are exported widely to the global market. Viet Nam needs to make preparations for a long journey, she said, adding that India and Malaysia started to build strategies to develop aerospace industry 30 years ago, starting from training engineers to researching technology trends. Nguyen Thi Van Anh from Systech Trading and Technology Joint Stock Company said Viet Nam is attracting an influx of foreign direct investment, creating opportunities for domestic enterprises to become suppliers of MNEs. However, local procurement rates remain low, only around 30-40 per cent, demonstrating significant challenges ahead for the supporting industry. To participate more deeply in global supply chains, Vietnamese businesses need to drastically change their thinking to meet MNEs demand, Nguyen Hoan Vu, general director of KORI Beauty, said. Enterprises should invest 10-20 per cent of resources in research and development to be able to produce products with high technology content, he said, adding that enterprises should also apply international standards to improve professionalism and build trust. According to Pham Tuan Anh, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trades Industry Department, the capacity of domestic enterprises remains limited. When a MNE invests in Viet Nam, it really needs capable domestic satellite enterprises as suppliers to reduce costs in the production process. Limited capacity of domestic enterprises is a weakness. He said that Viet Nams supporting industry is still at the low added value section of the value chains. Enterprises have not paid adequate attention to R&D, and the linkage between foreign direct investment enterprises and domestic ones remains weak. Updates from the Ministry of Industry and Trade showed that around 30 per cent of enterprises in the supporting industry of Viet Nam participate in global supply chains. The ministry has proposed amendments to Government Decree 111/2015/N-CP about policies to develop the supporting industry. There are about 5,000 enterprises operating in the supporting industry in Viet Nam. VNS HA NOI The Vietnamese stock market opened the year of the Dragon on a positive note with two rising trading sessions. The benchmark VN-Index extended rallies to surpass the threshold of 1,200 points and closed the week at the highest in five months. The gains were attributed to positive macroeconomic indicators and optimistic business performance expectations, according to experts. On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the VN-Index ended the week at at 1,209.7 points, while the HNX-Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX) was last traded at 233.04 points. Last week, the total trading value of the entire market increased by 20.2 per cent from the previous week to over VN20.6 trillion per session (US$841.3 million), thanks to positive sentiment following the Lunar New Year. However, foreign investors continued to net sell on all three exchanges, with a total value of VN768 billion. Domestic investors mood is quite positive, boosted by encouraging macroeconomic indicators within the country, according to VNDirect Securities Corporation. Particularly noteworthy are the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), export-import figures, and foreign direct investment (FDI) data for January. A clear recovery in listed companies' fourth-quarter business results also supported the bullish mood. These factors contribute to the market's optimism towards the upcoming annual shareholders' meeting in 2024 and the first-quarter financial reporting, which are anticipated to display a brighter outlook. As a result, the market is unlikely to reverse the current upward trend. The VN-Index has the potential to target the previous resistance level of around 1,240 points. This level poses a significant challenge to the market's upward momentum. Saigon - Hanoi Securities JSC (SHS) said that last week, the market also took in news regarding the Prime Minister's Directive No. 06, issued on February 15, 2024. The directive emphasises the urgency of implementing key tasks after the Lunar New Year holiday. The PM specifically instructed the Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the State Bank of Vietnam and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, to promptly resolve any obstacles in their respective areas of responsibility. The aim is to meet the criteria for upgrading the stock market from frontier status to an emerging market. Notably, the Ministry of Finance is required to report on the progress of this matter to the PM before June 30. Once upgraded, the stock market is likely to attract a strong inflow of foreign investment capital, particularly from passive investment funds such as those that track market indices from reputable global market rating organisations like MSCI and FTSE Russell, said experts. This is also an important factor that influences the long-term sustainable development of the market. According to estimates from BIDV Securities Company (BSC), if Viet Nam is upgraded to an emerging market by MSCI and FTSE Russell, it is projected to attract approximately $3.5-4 billion in new investments in Vietnamese stocks. Investors cashflow has swiftly returned to the stock market following the Tet holiday, leading to a significant surge in the VN-Index beyond the 1,200 point-level. The market breadth has also become more positive, with numerous industry groups contributing to the market's upward trend, rather than the sole concentration on the banking sector observed prior to the holidays. Experts from Vietnam Construction Securities JSC (CSI) believe that the upward momentum shows no signs of slowing down after the last trading session, and even indicates the potential for further increases. The benchmark index tested the resistance level around 1,200 points in Fridays trade, leading to profit-taking pressure, but buying power remained strong. Meanwhile, Viet Dragon Securities JSC (VDSC) said that investors should remain cautious due to potential pressures from supply sources and a potential slowdown in market momentum, along with significant divergence in stock performances. Experts from VDSC maintain a cautious stance amid the decline in global stock markets. VNS BINH PHUOC A business forum to showcase the potential of and investment initiatives, especially in high-tech agriculture, will be organised in the southern province of Binh Phuoc on March 12, its Peoples Committee has announced. Business Connection Forum Industry, Trade and High-tech Agriculture EuroCham Binh Phuoc Province in 2024 seems set to be attended by hundreds of delegates including senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Binh Phuoc People's Committee and other Government agencies, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, consulates of European countries, businesses affiliated to EuroCham, major corporations, and local ones. It will bring business executives and investors in high-tech agriculture together with local authorities and help promote sustainable agricultural development. Tran Tue Hien, chairman of the provincial People's Committee, called it the largest international investment connection forum in the agricultural sector ever organised in Binh Phuoc. It is an opportunity for Binh Phuoc to promote its strengths and incentive policies for both domestic and international investors, she said. "The forum also serves as a chance for Binh Phuoc to invite reputable domestic and foreign businesses and investors with financial strength and technology to invest in high-tech agriculture and share information with the business community. At the forum, the People's Committee, EuroCham, various other business associations, and agricultural companies will sign a number of memorandums of understanding for investment in high-tech agriculture. Gabor Fluit, chairman of EuroCham, said: "The forum is an opportunity for EuroCham businesses to connect production and consumption value chains, enhance the brands and value of key local agricultural products and introduce high-quality agricultural products from Binh Phuoc Province to the European market. EuroCham would recommend means for the rapid and sustainable development of high-tech agriculture eco-systems in Binh Phuoc, he added. Also during the forum, there will be surveys of local industrial clusters and exhibitions showcasing typical Binh Phuoc products. Vu Manh Hung, deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Digital Agriculture Association (VIDA) cum chairman of the board of directors of Hung Nhon Group, said with the purpose of connecting businesses and investors in high-tech agricultural development, the forum will feature numerous discussions from domestic and international businesses, sharing experiences in the field of developing high-tech agriculture in Viet Nam in general, and Binh Phuoc Province in particular. The forum will be held on the afternoon of March 12 at the Provincial Political School in ong Xoai City. VNS HA NOI On February 19, the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, the God of Wealth Day, many people lined up to buy gold for good luck at gold shops in Ha Noi, as gold prices dropped on the domestic market. Many gold shops on the streets of Ha Noi such as Tran Nhan Tong, Nguyen Trai, Tran Phu and Ha Trung are crowded. On Tran Nhan Tong street, Ha Noi with many gold shops of popular brands such as Bao Tin Minh Chau, SJC and Phu Quy, most gold shops open from 6 am to welcome customers, instead of at 8am as usual. To avoid having to wait long, Nguyen Thanh Van in Hoang Mai District had an online order of a gold product and went to the store to receive this product one day before the God of Wealth Day. Every year I go on the same day. Last year, it was very crowded so this year I have to go early," Van said. According to the gold shops, on the day of the God of Wealth, plain round rings are the choice of most people, because they are easy to trade and have low depreciation. Viet Ha from Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi, said: "Every year on this day, I buy a gold product for luck. I often only bought plain rings. In recent years, when the market has more new designs, I switched to buying artistic gold products which have meaning and high aesthetic value." Nguyen Huu Thuyet, from the Gold Exchange Department, Bao Tin Minh Chau Company, said: "This year many customers came to buy gold earlier than last year. Every year, customers come to buy gold products when it's almost God of Wealth Day, but this year they have bought gold from the end of last lunar year until opening at the beginning of this lunar new year." "Besides direct transactions at the shops, the company also sells the products through online channels. Customers can order in advance, then receive the gold on God of Wealth Day." Domestic gold price decreased on February 19, God of Wealth Day, compared to the price at the close of February 18. At 12 pm, the Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) bought SJC gold at VN74.8 million (US$3,060) per tael (37.5 grams), down VN1.3 million per tael, and sold at VN77.8 million per tael, down VN800,000. Bao Tin Minh Chau listed its buying price of SJC gold at VN75.1 million per tael and the selling price at VN77.6 million per tael, down between VN500,000-VN1 million compared to the close of February 18. Vietnamese prefer buying gold to mark God of Wealth Day, the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, as legend has it that the God of Wealth returns to heaven on the tenth day of the first lunar month each year. Vietnamese people consider this God of Wealth Day, so they have a tradition of buying some gold for good luck and prosperity throughout the year. VNS HA NOI Poetry Day, a much-anticipated celebration of poetry every year on the first Full Moon of the Lunar Year, will be held on the grounds of Ha Noi's Thang Long Royal Citadel on February 24. Titled "Harmony of the Country", the Poetry Day honours poets of all 54 ethnicities of Viet Nam. The less-populous communities will receive special attention this year, according to Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of Viet Nam's Writers Association in a press conference. To mark the Day's 22nd celebration, a team of gong players from Hoa Binh Province will perform around 22 torch towers. Poets will recite their poems and international poets will hold talks about their poetry works. A special session will be dedicated to highlight poets from all three regions of Viet Nam. Some of the great works to be performed this year are Bach ieu bach hoa (Hundreds of birds, hundreds of flowers), e at e nuoc (Giving birth to the soil, the water) and Xong chu xon xao (Farewell, my love), from the Tay, Muong and Thai ethnic communities, respectively. An exhibition procession will be held along the central path from oan Mon Gate to Ha Noi Flag Tower. A poetry tree will feature 54 leaves with poetic quizzes. A poetry house of fame, in the form of a Tay Nguyen long house, holds a display of memorabilia from 12 significant poets, including late Poet-President Ho Chi Minh and 11 other poets of other ethnicities. Some of their works have been printed in school textbooks, and some are being introduced for the first time. The exhibition opens on February 23, with the House of Memory, Poetry Path, poet talks and games and activities of some poetry clubs. A special discussion session will be chaired on February 24 by Nguyen Binh Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Viet Nam Writers Association. Initiated in 2003, Poetry Day has become one of the country's modern festivals celebrating Vietnamese love for poetry in all communities and among people of all ages. Viet Nam's most famous poet Nguyen Du's works and writings have been loved, learned by heart and celebrated by generations of Vietnamese. Poet Nguyen Binh wrote these famous lines: "The first advice for you, my darling daughter, is not to marry a poet husband, As he shall be very poor and hard to please." But against all heart-felt advice from a father poet, generations of Vietnamese still fall for the beauty of poetry. VNS Alexei Navalny's widow will meet European foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, EU officials announced, as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva cautioned against rushing to judgement over his death. The 47-year-old Kremlin critic died in an Arctic prison on Friday after spending more than three years behind bars, prompting outrage and condemnation from Western leaders and his supporters. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he would welcome Yulia Navalnaya to the bloc's Foreign Affairs Council on Monday. "EU Ministers will send a strong message of support to freedom fighters in Russia" and "honor" Navalny's memory, he added on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday. Navalny was Russia's most prominent opposition leader and garnered a huge following as he campaigned against corruption under President Vladimir Putin. In the hours following the announcement that her husband had died, Navalnaya, who had not seen him in two years, said she held Putin personally responsible. She called on the international community to "unite and defeat this evil, terrifying regime." Lula urges caution Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Navalnaya's words "will make us feel the threat that weighs on Russian citizens and on every region of our Europe," where "violence, brutality, and war have been shamefully and irresponsibly returned." But Lula's comments marked a sharp contrast to the messages coming out of many Western capitals, whose leaders have directly or indirectly blamed Putin for Navalny's death. Speaking to reporters in Addis Ababa, where he was attending an African Union summit, Lula said it was important to avoid "speculation" and await the results of an autopsy. "If you judge now and say I-don't-know-who ordered the killing and it wasn't them, afterwards you have to apologise. Why the rush to accuse?" Navalny could have been sick or had a health problem, said Lula, warning against "trivialising" accusations of murder. Lula has faced criticism in the West as overly soft on Putin, his fellow leader in the BRICS group which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa but recently expanded to include several other emerging powers. Lula, 78, has been critical of the U.S. and European responses to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying Kyiv shares the blame for the conflict and refusing to join Western sanctions on Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Western leaders on Friday of "absolutely unacceptable" and "hysterical" reactions to Navalny's death. The U.S. ambassador to Moscow visited a makeshift shrine to Navalny on Sunday, as Russian authorities suppressed memorials and tributes to him. Lynne Tracy was pictured at the Solovetsky Stone, a monument to political repression that has become a major site of tributes for Navalny. At a separate makeshift memorial known as the "Wall of Grief," a bronze monument to Soviet-era repression, police had set up fences in a bid to ward off mourners. Several dozen police officers could be seen standing nearby, but some people were allowed to enter through the fence and lay flowers, an AFP reporter saw. Rights groups say police have detained more than 400 people at gatherings paying tribute to the opposition figure. In several cities around Europe, Navalny supporters continued to pay tribute to him Sunday. In Germany, people laid flowers and candles at a memorial in front of the Russian embassy in Berlin. In Romania, a similar tribute appeared outside the Russian embassy in Bucharest. (AFP) HA NOI With nearly a decade of experience as a pilot, 31-year-old Van Ngoc Anh Thu finds herself increasingly captivated by her profession, drawn to its unique experiences. At the age of 15, inspired by a news article about Vietnam Airlines' first female captain, she began to dream of becoming a pilot. After graduating from high school, Thu pleaded with her parents to let her pursue pilot training, but they objected because no one in her family had ever been in that industry and they feared the challenges of aviation for their daughter. Reluctantly, Thu enrolled in a degree programme in Economics and Law. However, her persistent dream of conquering the skies drove her to secretly apply for pilot training while in her first year of university. She only informed her family after she was accepted into the aviation industry. Following three months of military training in Nha Trang, Thu embarked on a year-long training journey in the United States and returned home for an additional six months of specialised training in Viet Nam. The female captain said that this job requires good health, proficiency in English, and the application of knowledge from natural science subjects during training. Fortunately, Thu overcame every challenge during her studies. She still vividly recalls the emotions she felt when she first took control of the aircraft during her initial training flight in 2013. Despite having an instructor sitting next to her, her heart raced nervously, and she burst into tears as her dream became a reality. In 2015, Anh Thu embarked on commercial flights for Vietnam Airlines. While passengers on the aircraft could only see the sky through a small window, Thu could see the expanse of sky from the cockpit. She felt so small amidst the vast sky, and the more she experienced it, the more she realised how miraculous this job truly was. "Although I'm still at the controls, having passengers seated behind me as we soar over the Vietnamese skies adds an extra magic," Thu told Thanh Nien (Youth) newspaper. "The control buttons in the cockpit, the clouds passing by the windows, the crew, the airport... all of them evoke a sense of excitement in me. I know I have chosen the right passion." Having been a pilot for nearly 10 years, the female captain's most memorable moments are the rescue flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, everyone was dressed in protective gear, fully covered, but looking into their eyes, Thu could feel the joy of those special passengers at being able to return home despite difficult circumstances. Following her tenure with Vietnam Airlines, Thu transitioned to Pacific Airlines under the coordination of the company. Just like her fellow aviators, she had her sights set on the coveted left seat - the captain's seat. It was a dream she realised two years ago, having fulfilled the demanding criteria of flight hours, supervision and the entire work process. Thu's journey to become a captain is a testament to her dedication and passion for aviation. "Sitting in the cockpit as a first officer, I could ask the captain about anything I didn't know how to handle. But when I sit in the left seat, the captain's seat, I have to solve every issue by myself. "On my first official day as a captain, I felt nervous, under pressure. The more afraid I was, the more determined I became... and that's how everything smoothly passed," said Thu. She said that on the flight, both the captain and the first officer have the right to express their opinions on anything related to flight safety, but the ultimate responsibility still lies with the captain, adding that in some cases, the captain must make decisions in a second. Starting her career, she knew that being a pilot was a profession dominated by men. Nowadays, gender is no longer a barrier in this industry, so if women have dreams, they should set their determination to achieve them, Thu said. 'If they can do it, so can I,' the young woman sets her goals and diligently strives for them. Thu recalls that when she first entered the profession, she received a lot of support from male instructors and colleagues during her training flights until she flew solo. "My decisiveness and strength made many male colleagues forget that I am a woman," she said. "Thu is an excellent, passionate, meticulous and detail-oriented female captain. Flying with her, I have learned a lot. Whether male or female, as pilots, we all have to trust each other to coordinate on safe flights," said first officer Nguyen Thanh Tung. Except for the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thu has worked every Tet holiday. Welcoming the new year with the flight crew and passengers in the sky is also a memorable part of this job, she said. "During Tet, passengers are always excited to return home to welcome the new year with their families. It brings joy and encouragement to my profession during the Tet holiday." Looking back on nearly 10 years as a pilot, Thu still finds this job fascinating because each flight is unique. Even though the departure and destination may be the same, every flight differs due to weather conditions, people and different flight crews, making the job never boring. This diversity has nurtured her passion over the years. VNS HA NOI Most workers have returned to work after the Tet holiday, according to trade unions at different levels. Report of the Ha Noi Trade Union said that by Monday, the 10th day of the Lunar New Year, all enterprises opened for production with all workers returning to work. Nguyen Huy Khanh, Deputy Chairman of the Ha Noi Federation of Labour, said that before, during and after the Lunar New Year holiday, the labour situation in the capital was stable. During Tet holiday, as many as 372 workers stayed in boarding houses in Long Bien, Hoang Mai, Gia Lam and Me Linh districts, not returning to their hometowns. District labour federations visited and gave gifts to them with VN1 million (US$40) per person. In Thai Nguyen northern province, more than 98 per cent of workers have returned to their workplaces safely. Enterprises with foreign direct investment (FDI) resumed production last Thursday in accordance with regulations. Representatives of grassroots-level trade unions in ong Nai southern province said that nearly 90 per cent of workers in both business sector and administrative agencies had come back to work. The same situation was reported in ong Thap southern province. The provincial Labour Federation said that after the Lunar New Year holiday, 95 per cent of workers return to work as usual. Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Deputy Chairman of the ong Thap Trade Union of Industrial and Economic Zones, said that most of the labourers worked in Sa ec, Tran Quoc Toan and Song Hau industrial zones. He added that it was an exciting sign in the context that many businesses in the province were worried about worker shortage after Tet holiday. Expressing their joy with the good signal and receiving a number of long-term orders, many business owners went to workshops to encourage and wish workers a happy new year on the first working day of the new year. On this occasion, some businesses also gave lucky money to workers. ong Thap Province has more than 47,200 workers. Deputy Chairwoman of the ong Thap Labour Federation Huynh Thi Thu Thuy said that some businesses faced difficulties but still ensured that at the beginning of the year, workers received lucky money of VN100,000-200,000 ($4-8) per person. Enterprises organised different activities to welcome workers back, such as lion dance and new year party. On the occasion of the Tet holiday, the province organised 338 programmes totally worth more than VN20 billion ($81,800) to take care of more than 63,000 workers. To connect the labour market, on Thursday this week, nine employment service centres in the northern region will launch online job connection sessions. VNS KHANH HOA As many as 43 international cruise ships have chosen Nha Trang Bay in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa to dock, bringing tourists to the resort city of Nha Trang, according to the provincial Department of Tourism. The ships are luxurious cruise liners, from the Bahamas, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Ukraine, France and Italy, among others. Many of them are capable of serving thousands of passengers at the same time, such behemoth vessels named Spectrum of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas. The department said the province has welcomed 10 cruise ships so far this year with more than 20,750 aboard. Last year, it served 23 cruise ships carrying over 45,000 holidaymakers. According to Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, director of the department, the number of tourists to Khanh Hoa is expected to reach nine million this year, of them three million international. Revenue projection for the sector is set at over VN40 trillion ($1.6 billion). In 2023, the locality welcomed over seven million visitors, and earned some VN33 trillion from tourism. - VNA/VNS According to Amazon CTO Werner Vogels technology predictions for 2024, generative AI will become more culturally aware in the near future. This involves training large language models (LLMs), a type of AI algorithm, on a diverse range of data, leading to more nuanced and accurate results. The goal is to make generative AI more accessible and useful to users worldwide. The collaboration is producing the region's first Large Language Model family trained for Southeast Asian languages and cultures However, LLMs rely on data from the internet, which is mostly associated with high-resource languages. This term typically refers to languages, such as English, that have an abundance of linguistic resources available for natural language processing tasks. It is critical that organisations gain the ability to easily customise their LLMs with local data in their native languages to foster social inclusion, stimulate economic growth by opening up new markets, and create improved citizen experiences. Culture influences everything. Recognising this, AI Singapore (AISG), a national programme launched by Singapores National Research Foundation to enhance the countrys AI capabilities, is making its LLMs more culturally accurate, localised, and tailored to Southeast Asia. SEA-LION Familya first for the region Collaborating with AWS, AISG developed SEA-LION, a family of LLMs that is specifically pre-trained and instruct-tuned (a powerful fine-tuning method that allows for greater control over LLM behaviour) for Southeast Asian languages and cultures. SEA-LION also serves as the foundation for Singapores National Multimodal LLM Programme, contributing to the islands capabilities in AI research and innovation. This initiative aligns with the National AI Strategy 2.0 that outlines plans to deepen the use of AI in Singapore. The model will focus on more commonly used languages in Southeast Asia, including Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu, Thai, and Vietnamese, and will eventually be extended to include other Southeast Asian languages like Burmese and Lao. Building regionally represented LLMs also requires rich, hyper-local data in relevant languages. An example of local language nuances is the term LOL (an abbreviation of laughing out loud in English). In Thailand, people commonly use 55555, while Indonesians often use wkwkwk. LLMs trained on culturally diverse training data, like SEA-LION, enhances the ability of generative AI applications to grasp nuanced aspects of human experiences and navigate complex societal challenges. Accelerating hyper-local Generative AI SEA-LION will be available on Amazon SageMaker JumpStart this month. The platform provides pre-trained, publicly available models to help customers around the world get started with machine learning. The relatively small 3-billion and 7-billion parameter variants of SEA-LION that have been released so far were trained using Amazon EC2, a service that provides scalable compute capacity in the cloud. These smaller variants are designed to offer increased flexibility and accessibility compared to many commonly used LLMs available in the market today, which often boast hundreds of billions of parameters. AISG will soon launch a commercial version of instruction tuning parameters for SEA-LION. This version aims to enhance the capacity to capture nuances in Southeast Asian languages, improve contextual understanding, enhance multilingual reasoning, and generate context-rich outputs. Cost-effective Building, training, and deploying an LLM requires time, significant compute resources, and expertise. AISG is working with AWS to leverage the clouds infrastructure for tasks like ML training and high-performance computing using NVIDIA A100 Tensor Core GPUs, which deliver top-notch throughput and fast, responsive networking. The compact size of SEA-LION also makes it relatively more cost-effective and efficient than larger LLMs, which can have hundreds of times more parameters. Smaller LLMs allow developers to deploy faster, are cheaper to fine-tune, and perform more quickly during inference. The ease of deploying smaller LLMs on mobile devices, or at the edge, also helps businesses more easily adopt and create applications. Building an LLM requires reliable cloud infrastructure that is readily available exactly when needed, and AWS is instrumental in helping us scale cost-effectively. We built a 3 billion parameter LLM in just three months with AWS, and we have since scaled the model to 7 billion parameters, extending its reach to more audiences, said Dr Leslie Teo, senior director of AI Products at AISG. By working with AWS, we can focus solely on training our models instead of managing infrastructure. This accelerates the development of unique LLMs that reflect our regions diversity. Elevating security capabilities with AWS As the digital transformation is accelerated, businesses in Vietnam are looking to improve their security capabilities, with AWS services being among the most optimal choices. AWS is helping Asia-Pacific get 'AI-ready' We hear from Andrew Sklar, director of Training and Certification at Amazon Web Services for Asia Pacific and Japan, about the tech giant's new training initiatives that are helping businesses and individuals in the region prepare for the next big evolutionary step in technology. Several foreign-invested enterprises in Bac Giang recruit thousands of employees According to Bac Giang Industrial Zones Management Authority, in the first quarter of 2024, many foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) in local industrial parks are seeing growth and want to expand. 13 FIEs will issue the recruitment information for 13,000 skilled and unskilled employees. Accordingly, the demand for employees in February is 7,430 people and the figure in March is 5,630 people. Four member companies of Luxshare namely Fukang Technology Co., Ltd., Fuyu Precious Technology Co., Ltd., New Wing Interconnect Technology, and Luxshare-ITC Bac Giang Co., Ltd have demand for 3,080, 2,550, 2,400, and 1,300 staff respectively. The employees will enjoy many benefits, including stable income, long-term working contracts, a safe working environment, and other allowances. In addition, they will be paid insurance for all hours worked. In Bac Giang, Luxshare-ICT Bac Giang is one of the FIEs having the largest demand for employees, approximately 80,000 people. The factory manufactures electronic components, including wireless bluetooth headsets, audio components for smartphones and other electronic devices. All such products were registered to be exported. The Apple supplier is implementing the construction of the expanded factory in Quang Chau Industrial Park, which has total investment capital of $330 million. The expansion of the plant was started in November 2023 and will be completed within 24 months. Once completed, the expanded facility will increase the projects total investment to $504 million. Malaysia to recruit large number of foreign workers in three sub-sectors Applications for the recruitment of foreign workers for barbershops and the textile and goldsmithery sub-sectors will open on October 10, according to Malaysian Minister of Human Resources V. Sivakumar. Apple supplier Luxshare-ICT injects $330 million into Bac Giang Through its Vietnamese subsidiary, the Apple supplier Luxshare-ICT is pouring an additional $330 million into its electronic component manufacturing project in the northern province of Bac Giang. PM visits northern region's first semiconductor chip factory in Bac Giang Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 23 visited Hana Micron Vina Ltd., a company invested by the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the first semiconductor chip manufacturer in the northern region, which is located in Van Trung industrial park, Viet Yen district , the northern province of Bac Giang. Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra returns home after being released in Bangkok on February 18, 2024. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Bangkok Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released on February 18, six months after his return to the country following a period of exile. In the early morning on February 18, Thaksin left the police general hospital in Bangkok, where he received medical treatment and served six months of a one-year prison sentence. According to the Thai Ministry of Justice, the 74-year-old former PM is among 930 prisoners approved for release this month. He qualified for parole due to being over 70 years old and suffering from a serious illness. Thai King approves new cabinet led by PM Srettha Thavisin Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed the cabinet of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a royal gazette said on September 2. Thai PM attends ESG Symposium 2023 in Bangkok The United Nations has declared that an era of global boiling, which is rapidly and severely impacting life on Earth across environmental, social, and economic dimensions, is dawning. The collaboration between the two parties aims to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with the goals of the government and domestic enterprises in achieving net-zero by 2050. In the collaboration, both parties expect to mutually promote international standard carbon credit projects. FPT IS plays a role as a connector with organisations and business communities in Vietnam, providing services and solutions to drive green transformation projects. This includes the application of technology for project and credit management. Carbon EX specialises in the creation of new carbon credit projects, guiding them through the entire verification process to final approval. They also provide support in developing new methods that comply with global standards such as Verra Carbon Standard, Gold Standard, J-Credit, and more. Additionally, they assist in global carbon credit trading activities. Accordingly, businesses can collaborate with FPT IS and Carbon EX to create carbon credits that meet standards, efficiently operate, and manage carbon credit projects. With the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 as per the common agreement at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26), the carbon market is gradually taking shape in various countries, attracting particular attention from organisations and businesses. Greenhouse gas reduction projects under the carbon credit mechanism may generate potential commodities for trading, buying, and selling on the billion-dollar carbon credit market, both domestically and internationally. In recent times, Vietnam has seen over 300 programmes and projects registered for implementation under various mechanisms such as carbon credit exchange, and offsetting, etc. Among them, approximately 150 programnes and projects have been issued 40.2 million carbon credits and traded on the global carbon market. Nevertheless, the development of carbon credit projects, as well as the monitoring and operation of these projects, require specialised knowledge and the involvement of recognised organisations. This poses a significant challenge for organisations and businesses participating in these endeavours," emphasised Tran Duc Tri Quang, chief data officer of FPT IS. In response to these needs, FPT IS collaborates with Carbon EX to share expertise, promote research, and apply technology to develop carbon credits that meet international standards. The collaboration aims to accelerate the expansion of carbon market business activities in Vietnam and the region. The common goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, facilitate the green transition, improve the efficiency of carbon credit management, and promote the generation of credits from green projects. The collaboration between FPT IS and Carbon EX demonstrates the efforts of technology enterprises in aligning with the government's mission and supporting businesses to enhance the effectiveness of digital and green transformation. Successful implementation of the carbon market and carbon credit trading platform in Vietnam aids businesses and the entire society in carrying out greenhouse gas emission reduction activities at low costs. It also promotes low-emission industries and the transition to a circular economic model. Carbon EX is a trading platform for carbon credits/renewable energy certificates, facilitating the connection of developers, sellers, traders, and buyers for carbon credit transactions. Carbon EX provides consultancy services to assist in purchasing carbon credits as needed and offers guidance for the development of new carbon credit projects worldwide. "We highly value the opportunity to collaborate with FPT IS in the goal of developing the carbon credit market in Vietnam. The favourable conditions created by the Memorandum of Cooperation on low-carbon growth between Vietnam and Japan in 2021-2030 provide an ideal environment for technology companies like FPT IS and Carbon EX to join forces, contribute to promoting investment, and developing technologies, products, systems, services, and low-carbon emission infrastructure in Vietnam, establishing a Joint Crediting Mechanism," said Takayuki Kageyama at the event. On behalf of FPT IS, Quang said, 'With over 30 years of experience in digital transformation for more than 4,000 partners and clients in Vietnam and the region, FPT IS has built a robust foundation. This will serve as a solid platform for us to leverage connections and collaborate with organisations and businesses in applying new technologies to swiftly implement green transformations, and build carbon credit." FPT IS is investing in research and collaborating with industry-leading experts and advisors on green transformation solutions for businesses. The company is focusing on developing two strategic outcomes: the Carbon Accounting Solution and the ESG Reporting Solution. These aim for comprehensive digitalisation of environmental data collection, calculation, management, greenhouse gas reporting, and monitoring processes to comply with international standards. FPT IS and Tran Duc officially implement 'Rise with SAP' solution Tran Duc Corporation, with support from FPT Information System (FPT IS), has embraced the 'Rise with SAP' solution, marking an important step for the company on its digital transformation journey. Siba Food and FPT IS implement Rise with SAP solution to standardise business operations At a ceremony on January 10 in Ho Chi Minh City, Siba Food and FPT Information System Corporation (FPT IS) announced the successful operation of SAP S/4HANA, a system in the preliminary processing, mixing and retail industry helping to tackle specific operational problems for food retail businesses. OpenAI in deal valuing it at $80 billion: media, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com The agreement, reported by The New York Times but not yet confirmed by OpenAI, would mean the value of the company -- a world leader in generative artificial intelligence -- would have nearly tripled in under 10 months. The reported deal would have the San Francisco-based firm selling existing shares to investors led by Thrive Capital. It would permit executives and employees to sell shares at a highly favorable price, just three months after the firm survived a major crisis when company co-founder and chief executive Sam Altman was fired and then brought back only days later. OpenAI led a revolution in artificial intelligence when it placed its ChatGPT program online in late 2022. The immediate success of the interface sparked tremendous interest in the cutting-edge technology, capable of producing text, sounds and images upon demand. Microsoft, already an investor in the start-up, redoubled its involvement. The software giant has injected some $13 billion into OpenAI in the past few years. It is locked in fierce competition with Google to develop and roll out new tools using AI's generative abilities, to the point that the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in January launched an investigation into the enormous investments by Microsoft, Google and Amazon in the specialized start-ups. OpenAI, founded as a non-profit in 2015, faced a major crisis last November. Its board fired CEO Sam Altman, one of Silicon Valley's more charismatic figures, accusing him of a lack of "transparence." In the following days, Microsoft tried to hire him, while both executives and a majority of OpenAI employees demanded that those behind Altman's ouster resign and that he be rehired. Within the week, Altman was back at work while several board members resigned. On Friday, OpenAI -- developer not only of ChatGPT but of image-generating DALL-E -- released a new tool named "Sora," which can create realistic videos of up to a minute on simple demand. According to the Times, OpenAI concluded a similar agreement early last year with venture-capital firms including Thrive Capital, Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, which valued the firm at $29 billion. OpenAI CEO Altman visits S.Korea for Samsung, SK Hynix meetings: reports ChatGPT creator OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has arrived in South Korea to meet with the leaders of chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, reports said Friday. ChatGPT's OpenAI reveals text-to-video tool OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT and image generator DALL-E, said it was testing a text-to-video model called Sora that would allow users to create realistic videos with a simple prompt. The visa-free policy expansion is expected to attract more international tourists to Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) consider expanding the coverage of the visa exemption policy. This is part of his recently issued Directive No. 06/CT-TTg, which urges the implementation of some focal tasks after the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday. Accordingly, he asked the MPS to consider expanding the visa exemption policy to citizens of some other countries on the basis of the new situation and Vietnams relations with those countries. The PM also ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to quickly review the application of the unilateral visa exemption for citizens of 13 countries so far, and coordinate with the MPS to propose other countries for inclusion in Vietnams unilateral visa exemption list. The visa-free policy expansion is expected to attract more international tourists to Vietnam and enhance the countrys tourism competitiveness compared to others in the region and the world. Vietnam is currently exempting visa requirements for citizens of 25 countries, including 13 entitled to unilateral exemption, namely Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. Since August 2023, it has granted electronic visas to citizens of all countries and extended the stay from 30 to 90 days with multiple entries. Meanwhile, citizens of the countries entitled to the unilateral visa exemption have also had their stay in Vietnam extended to 45 from 15 days. Tourism sector moves to optimise new visa policy The new visa policy, coming into force on August 15, is believed to open up various opportunities for tourism development, and stakeholders in this industry are taking actions to seize those chances. New visa policy helping facilitate tourism development: Authority The new visa policy is presenting an opportunity for Vietnam's tourism industry to enhance its competitiveness, said the Ministry of Public Securitys Vietnam Immigration Department during a press conference in Hanoi on August 30. Vietnams new visa policy creating growth engine in tourism About two-thirds of the 4,000 tourists from over 60 countries and territories on the Spectrum of the Seas cruise ship joined a short excursion to explore Vietnam after it docked at Phu My port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province last week. Da Nang hopes that about 50 per cent of FDI businesses investing in its Hi-Tech Park this year are semiconductor ones. (Illustrative photo: baodanang.vn) Hanoi Some potential investors are exploring investment chances in central Da Nang city, and its Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Zones Authority (DHPIZA) hopes that 50 per cent of those FDI businesses will invest in the local semiconductor industry this year. Nearly 260 million USD in investment was poured into the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park in 2023, the DHPIZA said, noting that many challenges are predicted for 2024 and beyond, but it hopes the firms who are planning to invest in the city and learning about the local market will make decisions this or next year. DHPIZA Director Vu Quang Hung told the Lao dong (Labour) daily that the semiconductor industry is among those benefiting from preferential treatment at the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park. The authority is giving preferential policies to three industries, namely semiconductor, high-quality health care, and aerospace. All investors coming to the city will receive the DHPIZAs assistance in terms of administrative procedures, time, and coordination with local departments to learn about the market, he went on. He revealed that in 2024, Foxlink of Taiwan (China) is set to pour 400 million USD into the second phase of its electronics factory while the ICT Vina Co. Ltd, invested by the Republic of Korea, will channel some 277 million USD into its project at the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park. Some other semiconductor businesses of Taiwan and Japan are also considering the local environment to make investment decisions. The DHPIZA expected about 50 per cent of FDI businesses investing in the park this year are semiconductor ones, Hung added. At a meeting held in mid-February, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang asked the DHPIZA to pay more attention to attracting investment to the electronics, semiconductor, and medical equipment industries. He said Da Nang is reviewing the zoning plan of the Hi-Tech Park, resolutely revoke land from the firms not implementing their projects, and make thorough preparations for expanding this park in the second phase to make room for future investors. Foundation there for chip success Vietnam can become a reliable partner and an important link in the global semiconductor value chain. Vu Quoc Huy, director general of the National Innovation Centre (NIC), told VIRs Hara Nguyen about Vietnams advantages and preparation for a coming breakthrough. Ho Chi Minh City: a rising hub for high-tech manufacturing Vietnam is currently one of the most attractive destinations for investors in the semiconductor sector due to advantages such as a large reserve of silica and rare earth metals (used for chip manufacturing), low labour costs, favourable geographical location, and government incentives. Russian courts have sentenced dozens of people detained at events commemorating Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to short prison sentences, official court announcements showed, with 154 sentenced in Saint Petersburg alone. Details of rulings published by the city's court service on Saturday and Sunday showed 154 people had been given jail time of up to 14 days for violating Russia's strict anti-protest laws. Rights groups and independent media outlets reported a handful of similar sentences in other cities across the country. The 47-year-old Kremlin critic died on Friday at the Arctic prison colony where he was being held on charges widely seen as retribution for his campaigning against President Vladimir Putin. Police over the weekend arrested hundreds of Russians in dozens of cities who came to lay flowers and light candles in his honour at memorials to victims of Stalin-era repressions. Anti-Kremlin demonstrations or public shows of opposition to the regime are effectively illegal in Russia under strict military censorship rules and laws against unapproved rallies. Police and men in plain clothes patrolled sites in dozens of Russian cities where people had gathered to commemorate Navalny over the weekend. There were several reports of them removing the pop-up memorials overnight, and footage showed hooded men scooping up flowers into bin bags on a bridge next to the Kremlin where another leading Putin critic, Boris Nemtsov, was killed in 2015. The news of Navalny's death, which came just a month before Putin is set to secure another six-year term in the Kremlin, triggered an outpouring of grief and anger among his supporters at home and abroad. Russian authorities had still not given Navalny's mother or lawyers access to his body on Sunday, enraging his backers who had earlier called the Russian state "killers" trying to "cover their tracks." Putin has not commented on the death of his most vocal critic and the Kremlin has not said anything since Friday evening when it criticised Western leaders for saying they held Putin responsible. Tributes to Navalny, who narrowly survived a poisoning attack in 2020 only to fly back to Russia months later knowing he would be jailed, continued to pour in Sunday. "Alexei Navalny wanted one very simple thing: for his beloved Russia to be just a normal country," Leonid Volkov, his chief of staff and one of his closest aides wrote on the X social media site. "And for this Vladimir Putin killed him. Poisoned, imprisoned, tortured and killed him." (AFP) The move signifies VinFast's ambitious push to establish a foothold in Indonesia, a crucial market in the region's automotive sector. The newly formed alliances with dealers BAM, GNA, and GSU in Jakarta, MCA in Medan, and Majesty in Batam, mark VinFast's first step towards building its brand presence and connecting with local consumers. The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of EVs in Indonesia, offering a range of models including the VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, and VF 7, with sales expected to commence following their official market launch. Details regarding orders, pricing, and after-sales services are slated for release in the first half of 2024. In an interview, Tran Quoc Huy, general director of VinFast Indonesia, said, "By aligning with Indonesia's most reputable dealers, VinFast intends to deliver smart, eco-friendly mobility solutions to the local market. This collaboration lays down a robust foundation for both VinFast and our partners, and it paves the way for the limitless potential of the green transportation sector in both the local and regional landscapes." "This is a market with a considerable population, approximately 250 million people, and the total volume of cars sold in Indonesia tends to be around one million vehicles, so VinFast sees this as a market brimming with potential. Additionally, the Indonesian government is implementing supportive policies for EV products through import tax policies that actively support the EV ecosystem. That's why VinFast is investing in the Indonesian market," added Huy. Hartono Kurniawan, director of BAM, said, "VinFast is a brand with a profound green vision and a solid foothold in the EV industry that can enrich the Indonesian market with a broad array of international standard products, competitive pricing, and superior after-sales support. This partnership is poised to be a catalyst for growth in Indonesia's automotive industry." VinFast's long-term strategy in Indonesia includes the establishment of a manufacturing facility with the capacity to produce up to 50,000 EV annually. Aiming for a localisation rate of up to 40 per cent, the VinFast factory project is expected to generate thousands of job opportunities and boost the local EV industry. Once operational, Indonesia will also play a crucial role in VinFast's global EV supply chain. VinFast plans first EV factory in India Vietnamese carmaker VinFast said it will build its first electric vehicle factory in India as part of a planned $2 billion investment, as it looks to expand into the rapidly growing market. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) It started out as a 911 call about a domestic incident. It ended with two police officers, a firefighter and the suspect dead, a third officer wounded, and a suburb of Minneapolis badly shaken and waiting for answers. Agents with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were still conducting their preliminary investigation into Sunday's shooting, spokesperson Bonney Bowman said Monday. They planned to share more information once that was complete. That meant that several key questions remained unanswered. While the BCA named the suspect Monday evening, it has not said what prompted the 911 call early Sunday from a home in a wooded, well-to-do neighborhood of single-family homes on curvy streets in Burnsville, a city of around 64,000 located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of downtown Minneapolis. The Hennepin County Medical Examiners Office said Monday afternoon that Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and Adam Finseth, 40, a firefighter and paramedic who was assigned to the citys SWAT team, died of gunshot wounds in the emergency room at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis shortly after 6:30 a.m. Sunday. The BCA said Monday that the man who killed them was Shannon Gooden, 38, of Burnsville. The medical examiner said Tuesday that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Court records show that Gooden wasnt legally allowed to have guns and had been entangled in a yearslong dispute over the custody and financial support of his three oldest children. A procession of emergency vehicles escorted Finseths body from the medical examiners office in Minnetonka to a funeral home in Jordan on Monday afternoon, passing under several bridges where firefighters stood on their parked engines and flew American flags in tribute. BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said Sunday that Burnsville police were called to the home around 1:50 a.m. Sunday about a domestic situation where a man was reported to be armed and barricaded with family members in the home." That included seven children ages 2 to 15 years. Evans declined to say which resident called. Arriving officers spent quite a bit of time negotiating with Gooden, he said. At some point he declined to specify when Gooden opened fire, killing the two officers and the firefighter. Another officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, survived with injuries that were not life-threatening. He was released from a hospital and was recovering at home Monday, the city said. Elmstrands wife, Cindy Elmstrand-Castruita, told WCCO-TV that her husband "had to do what he thought was right to protect those little lives, even if it meant putting his at risk and it breaks my heart because now hes gone. But I know that he thought what he did was right. Elmstrand joined the police department in 2017 and was a member of its mobile command staff. Ruge, hired in 2020, was on the departments crisis negotiations team and was a physical evidence officer. Finseth, who had been with the fire department since 2019, was shot while aiding the first officer who was injured, Evans said. Medlicott, who joined the police department in 2014, supervises community service officers and is a drug recognition expert. Several officers returned fire during the exchange, Evans said. Gooden fired from multiple places on both floors of the home. At least one officer was shot inside. An armored SWAT team vehicle sustained bullet damage to its windshield. Evans said Gooden was armed with several guns and large amounts of ammunition, though he declined to provide details. Neighbors were startled awake by loud pops about an hour before sunrise. Alicia McCullum, who lives two houses down from the source of the commotion, told The Associated Press that she and her family dropped to the floor. I didnt think it was a gunshot at first, but then we opened the windows and we saw police everywhere and police hiding in our neighbors yards, McCullum said. Then there were three more gunshots." The man was reported to be deceased in the home around 8 a.m., Evans said, and the children and other family members were later able to escape. McCullum said she saw a woman and a few children escorted out of the home. The superintendent declined to say how long officers negotiated with Gooden, but the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association said the standoff lasted for four hours before the SWAT team entered the home. Investigators will review body camera and other videos, conduct interviews and gather all available evidence as they determine what happened, he said. I know everybody wants to know exactly what occurred and really what led up to these really terrible events that occurred today, Evans told reporters. But I ask that you have patience as we work through that to piece together everything so that we can to provide the answers in due time. Gov. Tim Walz ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at all state-owned buildings. Members of the Minnesota House and Senate stood with bowed heads for moments of silence Monday. Our police officers and medics and fire, they come to work every day, said Rep. Jeff Witte, of Lakeville, who served in the Burnsville Police Department for 27 years. They do it willingly to protect and serve our communities, knowing that they may have to give up their life for a partner or the community. And if youre not in the profession, you cant understand: the goal is to go home to their families. Associated Press reporters Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota, and John Hanna in Wichita, Kansas, contributed to this story. Early voting for the March 5 primaries will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 20-23; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 24; 1 to 6 p.m. Feb. 25; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 26 through March 1. Registered McLennan County voters can cast an early ballot at any the following locations: McLennan County Elections Administration Office, Records Building, 214 N. Fourth St., Suite 300, Waco Waco Multi-Purpose Community Center, 1020 Elm Ave. Hewitt City Hall and Library, 200 Patriot Court Robinson Community Center, 106 W. Lyndale Ave. First Assembly of God Church, 6701 Bosque Blvd., Waco. Feb. 23 is the deadline to apply for a ballot by mail. Voters will be able to choose from 46 polling places open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. WASHINGTON A federal appeals panel ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump can face trial on charges that he plotted to overturn the results of the 2020 election, rejecting the former presidents claims that he is immune from prosecution. The decision marks the second time in as many months that judges have spurned Trumps immunity arguments and held that he can be prosecuted for actions undertaken while in the White House and in the run-up to Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. But it also sets the stage for additional appeals from the Republican ex-president that could reach the U.S. Supreme Court. The trial was originally set for March, but it was postponed last week and the judge didn't immediately set a new date. We conclude that the interest in criminal accountability, held by both the public and the Executive Branch, outweighs the potential risks of chilling Presidential action and permitting vexatious litigation, the judges wrote. The trial date carries enormous political ramifications, with the Republican primary front-runner hoping to delay it until after the November election. If Trump defeats President Joe Biden, he could presumably try to use his position as head of the executive branch to order a new attorney general to dismiss the federal cases or he potentially could seek a pardon for himself. The appeals court took center stage in the immunity dispute after the Supreme Court last month said it was at least temporarily staying out of it, rejecting a request from special counsel Jack Smith to take up the matter quickly and issue a speedy ruling. The legally untested question before the court was whether former presidents can be prosecuted after they leave office for actions taken in the White House related to their official duties. The Supreme Court has held that presidents are immune from civil liability for official acts, and Trumps lawyers have for months argued that that protection should be extended to criminal prosecution as well. They said the actions Trump was accused of in his failed bid to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election to Biden, including badgering his vice president to refuse to certify the results of the election, all fell within the outer perimeters of a presidents official acts. But Smiths team has said that no such immunity exists in the U.S. Constitution or in prior cases and that, in any event, Trumps actions werent part of his official duties. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the case, rejected Trumps arguments in a Dec. 1 opinion that said the office of the president does not confer a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free pass. Trumps lawyers then appealed to the D.C. appeals court, but Smith asked the Supreme Court to weigh in first, in hopes of securing a fast and definitive ruling and preserving the March 4 trial date. The high court declined the request, leaving the matter with the appeals court. The case was argued before Judges Florence Pan and J. Michelle Childs, appointees of Biden, a Democrat, and Karen LeCraft Henderson, who was named to the bench by President George H.W. Bush, a Republican. The judges made clear their skepticism of Trumps claims during arguments last month, when they peppered his lawyer with tough questions and posed a series of extreme hypotheticals as a way to test his legal theory of immunity including whether a president who directed Navy commandos to assassinate a political rival could be prosecuted. Trumps lawyer, D. John Sauer, answered yes but only if a president had first been impeached and convicted by Congress. That view was in keeping with the teams position that the Constitution did not permit the prosecution of ex-presidents who had been impeached but then acquitted, like Trump. The case in Washington is one of four criminal prosecutions Trump faces as he seeks to reclaim the White House this year. He faces federal charges in Florida that he illegally retained classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, a case that was also brought by Smith and is set for trial in May. Hes also charged in state court in Georgia with scheming to subvert that states 2020 election and in New York in connection with hush money payments made to porn actor Stormy Daniels. He has denied any wrongdoing. ___ States where the most Jan. 6 rioters were arrested States where the most Jan. 6 rioters were arrested #49. Mississippi #48. Nebraska #47. Hawaii #46. Rhode Island #45. Vermont #44. New Mexico #43. South Dakota #42. Alaska #41. Louisiana #40. Nevada #39. New Hampshire #38. Connecticut #37. Arkansas #36. Maine #35. Montana #34. Delaware #33. Oregon #32. Idaho #30. Iowa #29. Kansas #28. West Virginia #27. Wisconsin #26. Minnesota #25. Utah #23. Massachusetts #22. Maryland #21. South Carolina #20. Alabama #19. Indiana #18. Colorado #17. Kentucky #16. North Carolina #15. Georgia #14. Michigan #13. Washington #12. Missouri #11. New Jersey #10. Tennessee #9. Washington, D.C. #8. Illinois #7. Virginia #6. Ohio #5. California #4. New York #3. Pennsylvania #1. Florida CEDAR FALLS The journey has been long and arduous for Carrsan Morrisseys newest movie. It wasnt the end of the world but thats exactly where the filmmakers apocalyptic tale of lust, love and wrath is set. The Salvages premiered earlier this month in Iowa City at the FilmScene Theater at The Chauncey. It was a massive success. We sold out the theater and got some extremely positive reactions, said Morrissey. A true auteur, Morrissey was writer, director, cinematographer and editor on the project. The script idea grew out of a conversation with castmates in a 2022 Cedar Falls Community Theatre production of Bram Stokers Dracula. It was just a vague concept, and I kept following ideas and came up with a script, Morrissey said. The story begins three days before the apocalypse. Judith (J. Croft) is incarcerated at an academy for delinquents, an alternative to jail that proves worse than she could imagine. The academys abusive and predatory figurehead, Reverend Hoelting (Joe Frenna) menaces Judith from the start. J. Croft loved her role as Judith. Shes very reserved and introspective and always questioning the world around her. She comes up with her own morals and values and follows them, she said. Its really interesting to me, being able to tell a queer story and bring up really important themes like corruption and power. We are portraying really serious content and themes, but it was always a blast on set. We had a wonderful cast and crew. Other cast members are Jessica Buchanan, Dahlia Hemlock, Alannah Swenka, Emille Lacsa, Shannon Devorah and Asa Crowe. I ended up having to recast several roles due to scheduling conflicts, so that took time, but creatively it really worked out, Morrissey said. This is a very small story that takes place at the end of the world. Were following these three characters in a closed-off environment and talk about power and how people attain it and use it to control others. I like the idea that life keeps happening up until the moment it doesnt. In certain aspects, new talent changed the tone of the script, Morrissey said. It was stressful but, at the same time, it was fun to watch the project evolve as new actors came in. Scenes were filmed in Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids. I like to shoot my own projects. When I write something, Im seeing the movie over and over in my head. Im able to bring it to life with a camera, Morrissey explained. I dont consider myself overly authoritative when Im directing. There are moments when Im exacting, but I like the collaborative process. I like to guide, not dictate. Rose Smith served as production assistant, location manager and makeup artist, and Stephanie Schneider was intimacy coordinator. Micheal Duede composed the original score. Drone operator was Benjamin Be. A Cedar Falls native, Morrissey fell in love with moviemaking in grade school, filling binders with ideas, stories and scripts. Now the filmmaker has won numerous Iowa Motion Picture Association awards, including the award of excellence. Morrissey has entered The Salvages in three Iowa film festivals as well as festivals in other states. There definitely will be other public screenings in the future. Im excited to see what festivals it gets into, Morrissey added. 10 trending travel destinations inspired by TV shows and movies 10 trending travel destinations inspired by TV shows and movies Busteni, Romania: "Wednesday" Scottish Highlands: "Outlander" Richmond, UK: "Ted Lasso" Bath, UK: "Bridgerton" Pasadena, California: "Twilight" Brisbane, Australia: "Thor: Ragnarok" Budapest, Hungary: "The Witcher" Taormina, Sicily: "The White Lotus" Petra, Jordan: "Star Wars" Astoria, Oregon: "The Goonies" WATERLOO A Waterloo man accused of shooting an acquaintance on Halloween said he didnt do it. Christopher Wortham Abram, 45, took the stand in his own defense Thursday, denying any role in the shooting of 45-year-old Marcel Rose on South Street and denying any knowledge of two guns found at his home days later. Rose, who survived the shooting and continues to suffer from the bullet wound, earlier took the standing, telling jurors he was kind of certain it was Abram who pulled the trigger. The jury also heard testimony from law enforcement that officers found a 9 mm Tanfolglio pistol under some clothing in a ground floor bedroom at 928 Lafayette St. that had Abrams nickname Terrific spraypainted on the wall. Abram and another man also were found inside the home. The Tanfoglio had genetic material that matched Abrams DNA profile on the grip, and ballistics tests linked the weapon to shell casings found at the shooting scene, according to authorities. Abram told jurors he had been living at the house since 2010, and he said other people many that he doesnt know regularly come and go from the residence sometimes entering through windows, sometime selling drugs there. Its kind of like a safe house for people to go to, Abram said. According to Abrams account, he had been having sex with another man upstairs at the house on the day police raided it. He said when police entered the other man darted downstairs. Police testified they talked to the man, who said he had come over to fix the furnace at the house, and officers released him. Photos: South Street shooting, Oct. 31, 2023 103123jr-shooting-south-2 103123jr-shooting-south-1 103123jr-shooting-south-3 103123jr-shooting-south-4 103123jr-shooting-south-5 021524jr-abram-pistol WATERLOO A Waterloo man has been arrested after he allegedly pointed a ghost gun at police officers who responded to an assault call Sunday. Police arrested Daytrell Dreshawn Washington-Roby, 25, of 119 Irving St., for assault on a peace officer with a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying weapons and a drug charge. He was being held without bond at the Black Hawk County Jail as of Monday morning. According to court records, officers were sent to 2418 W. Seventh St., around 8:35 p.m. for a report of an assault taking place in a parked car outside the address and the suspect walking away. When police arrived, they found Washington-Roby walking in the area of West Seventh Street and Lorraine Avenue. Washington-Roby allegedly pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at an officer in a squad car. He then continued walking and tossed the gun in the backyard of a home on West Seventh. Police seized an unbranded 9 mm pistol without a serial number. Court records show Washington-Roby was released from prison in December after serving time for a federal firearm charge. The felony conviction prohibits him from legally acquiring and possessing guns. Ghost guns are firearms made from partially complete frames that can be finished with common tools and assembled from readily available parts. Until recently, ghost gun kits didnt contain manufacturer serial numbers, which means authorities were not able to trace the sale of the weapon, and didnt require background checks, which means they could be easily acquired by people prohibited from possessing firearms. In 2022, new federal regulations began to require kit manufacturers to add traceable serial numbers, require sales be made through licensed firearms dealers and require purchasers to undergo background checks. Photos: Guns in Northeast Iowa crime cases The president of the United States is said to wear seven hats: chief citizen, commander in chief, chief diplomat, chief executive, chief host, chief legislator and chief politician. An eighth, informal hat might be voice of the nation. In honor of Presidents' Day on Monday, we share inspiration, wisdom and some humor from our former leaders. "It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company." -- George Washington (1789-1797) "Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." -- John Adams (1797-1801) In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand still like the rock. -- Thomas Jefferson (1801-1805) It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didnt. -- Martin Van Buren (1837-1841) "The test of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there." -- James Buchanan (1857-1861) "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax." -- Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) "Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office seeking." -- Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881) "The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable." -- James A. Garfield (1881) "In the time of darkest defeat, victory may be nearest." -- William McKinley (1897-1901) "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." -- Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) "If you see 10 troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you." --- Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929) "Blessed are the young for they shall inherit the national debt." -- Herbert Hoover (1929-1933) "When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) "You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog." -- Harry S. Truman (1945-1953) Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961) "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." -- John F. Kennedy (1961-1963) "You aren't learning anything when you're talking." -- Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969) Tell the truth, work hard and come to dinner on time. -- Gerald R. Ford (1974-1977) "Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -- Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) "I do not like broccoli. And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid, and my mother made me eat it. And I'm president of the United States, and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli." -- George H. W. Bush (1989-1993) "There is nothing wrong in America that can't be fixed with what is right in America." -- Bill Clinton (1993-2001) "Some folks look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called 'walking.'" -- George W. Bush (2001-2009) "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." -- Barack Obama (2009-2017) Some time ago I wrote here in my TG channel: A nuclear power cannot lose a war. The snotty Anglo-American fosterlings immediately jumped out with heart-rending cries: No, thats not true at all, even the USA lost in wars. This is an obvious lie. I wasnt talking about Vietnam, Afghanistan or dozens of other places in which the Americans waged colonial wars of conquest. I wrote about historical Wars in which the defense of ones Fatherland takes place. Your land, your people, your values. These are the kind of wars that nuclear powers have never lost to anyone. Why am I writing about this again? Yes, I read the words of all sorts of Pistorius and Shapps and think: are they really such assholes or are they just pretending? The world cannot afford a Russian victory in this war. Like this? Thats how. OK. Lets imagine for a moment that Russia lost, and Ukraine with its allies won. What would such a victory be like for our enemies the neo-Nazis and their Western sponsors? Well, as has been said many times, a return to the borders of 1991. That is, the direct and irreversible collapse of present-day Russia, which, according to the Constitution, includes new territories. And then there was a violent civil war with the final disappearance of our country from the world map. Tens of millions of victims. The death of our future. The collapse of everything in the world. And now the main question: do these idiots really believe that the people of Russia will swallow such a division of their country? That we will all think something like this: Well, alas, this happened. They won. Todays Russia has disappeared. Its a pity, of course, but we must continue to live in a collapsing, dying country, since a nuclear war is much more terrible for us than the death of our loved ones, our children, our Russia? And that the leadership of the state, headed by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, in this case will tremble in its hand to make the most difficult decisions? So here it is. It will be completely different. The collapse of Russia will have much more dire consequences than the results of an ordinary, even the most protracted war. Because attempts to return Russia to the borders of 1991 will lead to only one thing. Towards a global war with Western countries using the entire strategic arsenal of our state. In Kyiv, Berlin, London, Washington. To all other beautiful historical places that have long been included in the flight targets of our nuclear triad. Will we have the courage to do this if the disappearance of a thousand-year-old country, our great Motherland, is at stake, and the sacrifices made by the people of Russia over the centuries will be in vain? The answer is obvious. So its better to return everything before its too late. Or we will return it ourselves with maximum losses for the enemy. Like Avdeevka. Our warriors are heroes! Medvedev Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (19 February 2024) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. In Kupyansk direction, the Zapad Group of Forces units, aviation, and artillery repelled six attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 30th, 32nd, 60th mechanised brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terni (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The enemy losses were up to 30 servicemen, one Leopard tank, two armoured personnel carriers, and four motor vehicles. In the course of the counterbattery warfare, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one D-20 howitzer, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems were eliminated. In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the situation on the front line, and hit units of AFU 22nd, 42nd, 93rd mechanised, 79th, 80th air assault brigades close to Novomikhailovka, Grigorovka, Kurdyumovka, and Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). In addition, four attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 24th Mechanised Brigade were repelled near Leninskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Up to 275 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer were destroyed. In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces units captured more favourable lines and positions, and fully liberated the coke and chemical plant. Strikes were delivered at clusters of manpower and hardware of AFU 71st jaeger, 23rd mechanised, and 116th territorial defence brigades close to Solovyevo and Tonenkoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Nine attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 53rd, 59th mechanised, 3rd assault brigades were repelled near Lastochkino and Pervomayskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The enemy losses amounted to up to 565 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, 23 motor vehicles, two U.S.-made M777 howitzers, and one D-30 howitzer. In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted losses on units of AFU 102nd, 128th territorial defence brigades close to Staromayorskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Chervonoye (Zaporozhye region). One attack launched by assault groups of the AFU 58th Mechanised Brigade was repelled close to Shevchenko (Zaporozhye region). The enemy lost up to 150 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one D-20 howitzer, and two Bukovel-AD electronic warfare stations. In Kherson direction, as a result of actions of the Russian troops, the AFU lost up to 45 Ukrainian troops, four pick-up trucks, and one D-20 howitzer. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged one French-made SAMP/T air defence system, as well as AFU manpower and hardware in 138 areas during the day. Air defence systems shot down 96 unmanned aerial vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Olshana, Krakhmalnoye, Timkovka (Kharkov region), Svatovo, Kremennaya (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Artyomovsk, Peski, Vladimirovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Ulyanovka, Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region), Razdolnoye (Kherson region), as well as two HIMARS MLRS projectiles. In total, 571 airplanes and 266 helicopters, 12,819 unmanned aerial vehicles, 471 air defence missile systems, 15,107 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,222 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,102 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 18,837 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. Tags: WtR A steam of sweat rose as hundreds of naked men tussled over a bag of wooden talismans, performing a dramatic end to a thousand-year-old ritual in Japan that took place for the last time. Their passionate chants of "jasso, joyasa" (meaning "evil, be gone") echoed through a ceder forest of the northern Japan's Iwate region, where the secluded Kokuseki Temple has decided to end the popular annual rite. Organizing the event, which draws hundreds of participants and thousands of tourists every year, has become a heavy burden for the aging local faithful, who find it hard to keep up with the rigors of the ritual. The "Sominsai" festival, regarded as one of the strangest festivals in Japan, is the latest tradition impacted by the country's aging population crisis that has hit rural communities hard. "It is very difficult to organize a festival of this scale," said Daigo Fujinami, a resident monk of the temple that opened in 729. "You can see what happened today so many people are here and it's all exciting. But behind the scenes, there are many rituals and so much work that have to be done," he said. "I cannot be blind to the difficult reality." Aging population Japan's society has aged more rapidly than most other countries.' The trend has forced countless schools, shops and services to close, particularly in small or rural communities. Kokuseki Temple's Sominsai festival used to take place from the seventh day of Lunar New Year through to the following morning. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was scaled down to prayer ceremonies and smaller rituals. The final festival was a shortened version, ending around 11:00 p.m., but it drew the biggest crowd in recent memory, local residents said. As the sun set, men in white loincloths came to the mountainous temple, bathed in a creek and marched around temple's ground. They clenched their fists against the chill of a winter breeze, all the while chanting "jasso joyasa." Some held small cameras to record their experience, while dozens of television crews followed the men through the temple's stone steps and dirt pathways. As the festival reached its climax, hundreds of men packed inside the wooden temple shouting, chanting and aggressively jostling over a bag of talismans. Changing norms Toshiaki Kikuchi, a local resident who claimed the talismans and who helped organize the festival for years, said he hoped the ritual will return in the future. "Even under a different format, I hope to maintain this tradition," he said after the festival. "There are many things that you can appreciate only if you take part." Many participants and visitors voiced both sadness and understanding about the festival's ending. "This is the last of this great festival that has lasted 1,000 years. I really wanted to participate in this festival," Yasuo Nishimura, 49, a caregiver from Osaka, told AFP. Other temples across Japan continue to host similar festivals where men wear loincloths and bathe in freezing water or fight over talismans. Some festivals are adjusting their rules in line with changing demographics and social norms so that they can continue to exist such as letting women take part in previously male-only ceremonies. From next year, Kokuseki Temple will replace the festival with prayer ceremonies and other ways to continue its spiritual practices. "Japan is facing a falling birthrate, aging population, and lack of young people to continue various things," Nishimura said. "Perhaps it is difficult to continue the same way as in the past." (AFP) So Russia officially said it MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. Military personnel from NATO countries, under the guise of mercenaries, operate air defense systems, multiple launch rocket systems, and tactical missile systems in Ukraine, Colonel General Sergey Rudskoy, chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff and First Deputy Chief of the General Staff, said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper. NATO military personnel, under the guise of mercenaries, participate in hostilities. They control air defense systems, tactical missiles and multiple launch rocket systems, and are part of assault detachments, he said. NATO is and has been implicated and as we knew all along, NATO is a snake in the Grass No we will watch how it develops and what does Russia do about it since Russia finally states it officially WtR Interesting and we will see what comes of this THE HAGUE, Netherlands The United Nations highest court opens historic hearings Monday into the legality of Israels 57-year occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state, plunging the 15 international judges back into the heart of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Six days of hearings are scheduled at the International Court of Justice, during which an unprecedented number of countries will participate, as Israel continues its devastating assault on Gaza. Though the case occurs against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, it focuses instead on Israels open-ended occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem. Read More: https://www.npr.org/2024/02/18/1232294503/top-un-court-to-hold-hearings-on-legality-of-the-israeli-occupation-of-palestine We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form CORRECTS TO DELETE THE DEATH TOLL AS THE NUMBER HAS LOWERED AFTER MORE REPORT - FILE - Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 22, 2022, at U.N. headquarters. Multiple people were massacred in a major escalation of tribal violence in Papua New Guinea, Australian media reported Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. Tribal violence in the Enga region has intensified since elections in 2022 that maintained Prime Minister James Marape's administration. There will be 17 Vote Centers throughout Washoe County, open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters may drop off their mail-in ballot or vote in person. Palestinian activists carry posters, one reads "the siege is killing the children," while protesting in front of the Egyptian embassy, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. Tens of activists carried posters and chanted slogans protesting the ongoing closure of the Rafah border crossing during the war between Israel and Hamas and accusing Egyptian authorities of "taking part in the Israeli siege of Gaza." (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) Japan is hosting a conference for Japanese and Ukrainian officials to discuss reconstruction of Ukraine just ahead of the two-year anniversary of Russias invasion, while the U.S. and other Western countries are still focusing on military aid for the battlefield. Hundreds of senior officials and executives are attending the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo. AP explains the event, its purpose, who's attending and the projects being discussed. Who's attending? The conference is co-organized by the Japanese and Ukrainian governments, Japans powerful business organization Keidanren, and the Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO. Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is heading his countrys delegation of more than 100 government and corporate officials. First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko and Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Minister Ruslan Strilets also were to attend. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is leading Japan's side, joined by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Keidanren chair Masakazu Tokura, among many others. About 100 officials from Japanese companies, the majority of them startups but from also leading companies like Kawasaki Heavy Industry, farming equipment makers Yanmar Holdings and Kubota, and telecoms company Rakuten Symphony also are attending. Why now? Japan hopes the conference will help build support for Ukraine as the war drags on after two years, at a time when attention has been diverted to the situation in Gaza. Officials in Tokyo say the global community should unite in supporting Ukraine to show that using force against other countries will not be tolerated. Why is Japan doing this? The conference is largely about reconstruction and investment in Ukraine that could put Japan ahead of the curve. Its also about Japans national security. Kishida has repeatedly said Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow. Japan has staunchly opposed Russias invasion, viewing it as a one-sided change of the status-quo by force. It is concerned about Chinas increasingly assertive military actions in the region. Japan has earned a strong reputation for economic and development cooperation under its post-World War II pacifist policy that commits it to never using force against other nations. Tokyo has eased that restraint to build up a military deterrence against China, but its support for Ukraine has largely been for humanitarian assistance. It has limited its supplies of military equipment to non-lethal weapons. Japans $12.1 billion contribution to Ukraine over the past two years is much smaller than the $111 billion that the United States and other Western nations have provided in weapons, equipment and humanitarian assistance. The government hopes to facilitate private sector investment while minimizing risks of business operations in Ukraine. Having risen from the ashes of devastation from World War II and from the damage caused by major earthquakes and other disasters, Japan believes it has a special role to play in aiding Ukraine's rebuilding. What are some of the deals signed? Ukraine's Shmyhal expressed high expectations for Japanese companies expertise in technology and Japans experience in postwar and disaster reconstruction. Ukraines reconstruction also will mean future investment and business opportunities for the startups, who were the majority of companies attending the conference. The Japanese government has chosen seven target areas including removal of mines and debris; improvement of humanitarian and living conditions; farming; biochemical manufacturing; digital and information industries; infrastructure for power generation and transportation and anti-corruption measures. In all, 56 cooperation deals between Japanese and Ukrainian government agencies and companies were announced, and Kishida unveiled a plan to open a JETRO office in Kyiv. A Tokyo-based bridge-builder, Komaihaltec, is to jointly develop small wind power generation facilities with Ukraines state gas operator. Sumitomo and Kawasaki Heavy Industries agreed on a joint study with the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine on modernizing gas compressor stations. Rakuten Symphony and Ukrainian telecom Kyivstar plan to jointly rebuild digital infrastructure. One Japanese startup has developed radar-mounted landmine removal equipment and another helps optimize farming by analyzing soil components using satellite imagery. What's in the joint communique? In the joint communique, Japan and Ukraine reaffirmed that sanctions against Russia are a crucial and effective measure to deter Russia's military activities. They also confirmed their determination to prevent circumvention of sanctions. Japan expressed its continued support of all phases of Ukraine's reconstruction, from its initial emergency recovery to economic reconstruction and industrial development. The two countries signed a tax convention and are to begin reviewing an investment treaty. Japan also announced the easing of visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens. (AP) Former chairman of Bank of China indicted for bribery, illegal loan-issuing Xinhua) 16:25, February 19, 2024 BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Liu Liange, former chairman of the Bank of China, has been indicted on charges of suspected bribe-taking and illegal loan-issuing, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said on Monday. Following the completion of an investigation by the National Commission of Supervision, Liu's case has been filed by a procuratorate in the eastern city of Jinan to the municipal intermediate people's court. Prosecutors accused Liu of taking advantage of his previous positions, including former Party chief and chairman of the Bank of China, to offer help to others in terms of loans and financing, project cooperation, and personnel appointments, and accepting huge amounts of money and property in return, said the SPP in a statement. Liu was also charged with illegally issuing large volumes of loans, causing serious loss, according to the SPP. In review and prosecution, prosecutors informed the defendant of his litigation rights, interrogated him, and listened to his defense counsel's opinions. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) The mother of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Monday was denied access to a morgue where his body was believed to be kept after his death in an Arctic penal colony, and Navalny's allies accused authorities of trying to hide evidence. Navalnys spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said that the Investigative Committee, the country's top criminal investigation agency, informed Lyudmila Navalnaya that the cause of her son's death remained unknown and that the official probe had been extended. They lie, buy time for themselves and do not even hide it, Yarmysh posted on X, formerly Twitter. Many world leaders blamed President Vladimir Putin and his government for Navalnys death Friday at age 47. Navalnys team said he was murdered, and charged that officials' refusal to hand over his body was part of a cover-up. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov slammed what he described as boorish and inadmissible statements by Western leaders who held Putin responsible for Navalnys death. Those statements cant do any harm to the head of our state, but they certainly arent becoming for those who make them, Peskov said in a call with reporters. Yarmysh said that Navalny's 69-year-old mother and his lawyers were not allowed into the morgue in Salekhard on Monday morning. The staff didn't answer when they asked if the body was there, Yarmysh said. Asked when Navalny's body could be handed over to his family, Peskov responded that the Kremlin was not involved in those proceedings, adding that the official probe was continuing in line with the law. Navalnys ally Ivan Zhdanov denounced the Russian authorities as lackeys and liars. Its clear what they are doing now -- covering up the traces of their crime, he wrote Monday. Navalnys death has deprived the Russian opposition of its most well-known and inspiring politician less than a month before an election that is all but certain to give Putin another six years in power . It dealt a devastating blow to many Russians, who had seen Navalny as a hope for political change following his unrelenting criticism of the Kremlin. Nearly 300 people have been detained by police in Russia as they streamed to ad-hoc memorials and monuments to victims of political repression with flowers and candles to pay tribute to Navalny, according to OVD-Info, a group that monitors political arrests. The U.S. and British ambassadors also mourned Navalny's death at a memorial in Moscow. Authorities cordoned off some of the memorials across the country and were removing flowers at night, but they kept appearing. Over 50,000 people have submitted requests to the Russian government asking for Navalny's remains to be handed over to his relatives, OVD-Info said. Russias Federal Penitentiary Service reported that Navalny felt sick after a walk Friday and became unconscious at the penal colony in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets region about 1,900 kilometers northeast of Moscow. An ambulance arrived, but he couldnt be revived, the service said, adding that the cause of death is still being established. Navalny had been jailed since January 2021 , when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin. He received three prison terms since his arrest, on a number of charges he has rejected as politically motivated. After the last verdict that handed him a 19-year term, Navalny said he understood he was serving a life sentence, which is measured by the length of my life or the length of life of this regime. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, was in Brussels Monday and is expected to meet with European Union foreign ministers and other EU officials. On Sunday, she published a picture of the couple on Instagram in her first social media post since her husbands death, with the caption I love you. (AP) Google has named Archana Vohra as the Managing Director of Payments and Commerce for the Asia Pacific region. Vohra announced this appointment via a post on LinkedIn. The opportunity to serve in this role brings full circle my experience in monetization, commerce, large partnerships, payments and product. But more importantly it facilitates real-time learning and working with what I already believe is a dream team eager to build simple yet transformative experiences for users, clients and merchants, she expressed. Before joining Google, Vohra held the position of Senior Director in Meta's Global Business Group, overseeing Mid Market and SMB sectors. Her responsibilities included account management, business development, agency sales, and program management, playing a key role in Meta's monetization efforts across various business verticals in India. With over 25 years of professional experience, Vohra has previously worked at companies such as Amazon and Times Internet. At Amazon, she served as Director of Seller Enablement, while at Times Internet, she held positions as Chief Operating Officer for Times Cards, Communities, and Brandwire. Classic Stripes, the flagship company of the Astarc Group, is a design & technology company providing new generation solutions to global OEMs in the Automotive, Consumer Durables & Appliances industries in India and globally has announced its new brand identity. The company will now move forward as Naxnova. On track to quadruple revenues in the next 4 years, the company aims to grow the homegrown brand globally under the leadership of its Managing Director - Salil Musale. Naxnova (previously Classic Stripes) is an ambitious and fast-paced global India-based organization with a unique product portfolio and global presence. For over three decades, they have been the preferred partners and suppliers to some of the leading OEM customers all over the world. The companys design approach sets it apart in the industry as it focuses on bringing futuristic solutions ingrained in practical research that works for its clients. Standing strong with over 1000 employees, the company leverages design & technology as an enabler to make this ambition possible and nurtures strong partnerships to bring superior & positive experiences for millions of users around the world. They have built a global R&D team to deliver solutions for its customers. They already serve global OEMs like Yamaha, Ford, Honda, Suzuki, Tata Motors, Toyota, Kia, Nissan Renault, MG, Samsung, Hero, Bajaj, Harley Davidson, KTM, TVS, Royal Enfield, Panasonic, Continental, and more. Their next generation products are thin, flexible, lightweight and sustainable, in line with their vision to provide positive & exciting experiences to their customers in the areas of illumination, smart surfaces, safety sensors, thermal management, branding with aesthetics and great functionality embedded in all their solutions. Besides automotive, consumer goods and appliances, Naxnova will very soon be entering the medical devices & wearables industry. The name 'Naxnova' symbolizes our innovative spirit. 'Nax' hints at the nexus of technology and advancement, while 'nova' suggests a burst of newness and brilliance. Together, 'Naxnova' represents our journey into unexplored realms of technology especially in PRINTED ELECTRONICS. The new brand identity will leverage our deep-rooted experience across almost 40 years in the industry and will give strength to our global plans as we expand across countries and verticals to serve our existing and new customers. We are a homegrown design & technology company that will work with brands in India and globally, becoming a leader in its space in the next 5-7 years, said Salil Musale, Managing Director at Naxnova. Commenting on the same, Rohit Varma, Founder, narrative, said The rebranding project of Classic Stripes was surely intriguing. The organization is advancing in a new direction and expanding globally, necessitating the rebranding. The new brand needs to appeal to a global audience which means we needed to look at what's happening around the world in this space and create a unique positioning for the new brand. While Classic Stripes is known for their precision manufacturing capabilities, this new brand will be known for its design, technology and engineering prowess. Avik Sarkar, formerly the regional Marketing Lead for Kellogg Company in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, has transitioned to Mars as the Business Head for South East Asia and South Asia. His transition from Kellogg Company to Mars reflects his adaptability and capability to navigate diverse markets and regions. Starting from Parle Agro and then moving through Emami and ITC, Sarkar has accumulated rich experience in different facets of marketing and business development. His tenure at ITC, where he played a pivotal role in establishing Vivel as a dominant soap brand in East India, underscores his strategic acumen and leadership skills. His expertise encompasses consumer behavior, customer insights, brand development, business strategy, and more. Sarkar conducted extensive research on need states for benefit segmentation, informing the development of the destination portfolio strategy. He also led marketing efforts, identifying market strengths and weaknesses for Vivel, and executing both short and long-term marketing plans through targeted micro-campaigns. Avik Sarkar's transition to Mars as the business head for South East Asia and South Asia positions him to leverage his expertise and experience to further drive the company's growth and market presence in these regions. Authored by Mayank Vora, Co-Founder, Logicloop and Realatte The metaverse appears as a disruptive force in the dynamic field of marketing, particularly for experience-driven sectors like real estate and automotive. The metaverse becomes a digital frontier for businesses like real estate and automotive that depend on experience marketing, encouraging creativity, and immersive campaigns that transform customer interaction. With the world economy expanding so quickly, there are countless opportunities to create better visual experiences and create a virtual environment where digital interactions are real. Prominent technology companies support the metaverse as the next big thing in real estate, which makes it seem like a wise investment for financiers and developers. Real estate in the metaverse is virtual land parcels that can be used as meeting rooms, playgrounds, and workplaces. It transcends physical boundaries. Revolutionizing Real Estate with Metaverse Metaverse marketing has led to a paradigm integration in the real estate sector, which was dependent on personal interactions and static images. With the use of the metaverse, potential purchasers may now tour properties virtually from the comfort of their own homes. This improves convenience and broadens the audience for real estate marketing worldwide. Within the enveloping embrace of the metaverse, developers may construct lifelike, interactive settings that let prospective purchasers visualize rooms, test functionalities, and make well-informed decisions. Education The education sector is undergoing a transformative journey with the convergence of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in metaverse marketing. The immersive experiences provided by the metaverse are shaping how students interact with courses like biology, chemistry, anatomy, and geography. With the advancement of contemporary AR and VR, kids may now experience ballet performances, take virtual 3D tours of esteemed museums inside their classrooms, and even take trips to well-known locations across the world. These engaging learning models show how the metaverse might alter the educational process by increasing learning effectiveness while maintaining student focus. Retail The retail sector is currently going through a major transformation in metaverse marketing. Brands can connect with their customers like never before as the metaverse provides them with ample access, which in turn enhances response rates. Customers can enjoy using virtual reality booths to virtually try on apparel they are interested in before they buy it, which improves sales and increases customer engagement. This immersive method illustrates that consumers are enticed by metaverse marketing, which is revolutionizing the retail industry through cutting-edge and captivating experiences. Metaverse Auto Showrooms Metaverse marketing is transforming how consumers interact with automobiles in the automotive industry. The virtual showrooms go beyond geographical boundaries, as auto enthusiasts can test the latest models, customize features, and even take virtual test drives from the comfort of their homes. Through metaverse experiences, potential customers can engage with a brand at a level that traditional advertising cannot provide from anywhere around the globe. Building Virtual Communities Marketing in the metaverse also promotes the participation of communities, beyond individual trades. Realtors can build virtual communities so that potential residents can interact with the organization before becoming one of them. However, on the other hand, auto brands have the power to organize events online for enthusiasts, so that consumers can communicate with one another and develop a common passion for the brand. These components of community creation lead to brand loyalty and change marketing from a transactional process to a shared experience. Challenges and Opportunities Despite its promising opportunities, metaverse marketing presents challenges like privacy concerns, necessitating a robust virtual infrastructure for secure interactions. Ensuring a seamless user experience is paramount to overcoming adoption barriers. Innovative industries acknowledge these challenges but are driven by the metaverse's immense potential to revolutionize consumer engagement. In navigating these complexities, the transformative impact of metaverse marketing on immersive experiences emerges as a compelling force reshaping the landscape of consumer interaction. All Things Considered! As we navigate the metaverse, its impact on experience-driven industries like real estate and auto marketing cannot be overstated. The fusion of virtual reality, community building, and immersive experiences reshapes how consumers interact with brands. Metaverse marketing transcends physical constraints, offering a glimpse into a future where consumer engagement is not just transactional but a journey through an interconnected virtual world. Insight Brandcom, a leading integrated marketing communications agency, continues to lead with its remarkable work through the "Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra" campaign, a rural activation initiative spanning across the country to create awareness about government schemes at the grassroots level. Insight Brandcom led the "Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra" campaign through a transformative journey across 8 states in India, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Telangana. Sunit Jain, Managing Director of Insight Brandcom, commented, "This campaign is a testament to our agency's proficiency in integrated marketing communications, which effectively increased awareness of various government schemes and encouraged widespread citizen engagement. Jain also established the campaign's robust monitoring and reporting, facilitated by the Agencys backend team, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout. Dr.Ashish K Bhutani, IAS now a Secretary with Government of India, overseeing the campaign in Assam said, The idea is to connect to the remotest village and ensure complete saturation of all the schemes. Assam is one of the top states in implementing the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. Insight Brandcom offered impeccable support & reporting, deploying over 150 hi-tech vans across various districts, conducting events at more than 15,000 different locations reaching more than 20 million people directly. The agency demonstrated unparalleled efficiency, carrying out live activities, with a notable highlight being the active participation of Prime Minister Modi at various locations. Governments Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra was aimed to reach out to the last mile ensuring communication of various initiatives and schemes of Government of India reaches the people. During this campaign, beneficiaries were enrolled for various schemes through participation of local Block/ District officials accompanied by various Ministers/ MPs, MLAs and other public representatives. The campaign aimed to bridge the gap between government schemes and the communities they serve by disseminating information and promoting participation at the grassroots level. Through a series of interactive sessions, roadshows, and community engagements, the campaign successfully educated and empowered citizens about the various government initiatives available to them. As the release date of Jio Studios and Aamir Khan Productions 'Laapataa Ladies' directed by Kiran Rao draws close the anticipation for the film is building day by day. The trailer has received unanimous love from the audiences and they are waiting to enter into the entertaining and humorous world with the film, releasing in cinemas on March 1st, 2024. It is well known that the makers are organizing the screening for the students in various cities and after a blockbuster response to the screening at Sehore and Jaipur, the team recently kept a screening at Cinepolis Bangalore on 13th February. The screening was attended by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao and the lead cast Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Sparsh Shrivastav, and following the screening, the team visited IIM Bangalore. The screening of the film in Bangalore is another successful event for the much-awaited film as the film got a roaring response from the students of IIM College. The students who watched the film showered unanimous love on the film's storytelling and lauded the makers for another qualitative content that is laced with solid performance from the lead cast. During their visit to the IIM Bangalore, Aamir Khan and team Laapataa Ladies interacted with the students of the college. IIM Bangalore is one of those places, where Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir Khan shot their blockbuster film '3 Idiots'. Presented by Jio Studios, 'Laapataa Ladies' is directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan and Jyoti Deshpande. The film Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastav along with Ravi Kishan is releasing on March 1st, 2024, and has been made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, with the script based on an award-winning story by Biplab Goswami. The screenplay and dialogue are written by Sneha Desai, while the additional dialogues have been jotted down by Divyanidhi Sharma. Renowned to be as Wonder Boy of New India, Nikhil Kamath has been distinctively bringing the most crucial subjects into a discussion with his podcast 'WTF is? From being a school dropout to being called Indias Warren Buffett in the making, Nikhil Kamaths self-made journey is nothing short of inspiring. Leading his way as the brightest investor in India, Nikhil in collaboration with leading climate pioneers such as Sunita Narain, director-general for Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment, actor Bhumi Pednekar, Climate researcher Navroz Dubash, and sustainability collaborator Mirik Gogri on his new podcast titled 'WTF is Climate Change? explored the impacts of climate change and the implications of a dramatic increase in carbon dioxide levels, as well as the looming threat of a 3-degree temperature rise. Nikhil Kamath asked in the podcast, What did we do right with the ozone issue? Ozone was like this world-ending issue many years ago. To this Sunita Narain, director-general for Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment, responded saying: "Agreed, I mean it's a very simple story but a very clear story, it does not have the lessons for climate change. so this is something we need to start and understand very clearly. what has happened with ozone not only does not work with climate change. But we may have exactly as Navroz says we may have derailed the climate change action because of the action so what happened in the ozone we had a chemical made by a multinational that was destroying the world's ozone layer. that same multinational came up with an alternative that only made sure that the ozone layer was less destroyed . but there was an alternative technology available from the same multinational and many more such companies that came on Dupont and many others that came up. The global consensus around it was we need to do something because the ozone layer is being damaged we need to repair it or we need to phase out this technology and to phase out this technology we need to phase in the new technology which now is being held also on proprietary grounds by the same company which made the first technology. So what was the deal was the money would be put in to buy the technology which was in proprietary hands and public money would be used and that technology would then be given to countries that had a 10-year lead time to catch up. You had a problem that was created by a company that company was not held to account." Continuing the same, Nikhil Kamath asked: Which company? To this, Sunita responded to the same saying: "Dupont, they were not held to ICICI and Dupont. They were not held to account. They were not told that they damaged the Ozone layer polluter pay should operate they should be asked to pay for it in fact the global agreement was that now that you have found the new technology we will buy that from you and replace your old technology with it. We have gone through four variations of this now by the line we reached today. Today HFC134 coming which now are coming." The next question came in from Nikhil saying, What if HF? Replying to this, Sunita added, "HF each one of them are new chemicals which are b you start with chlor fluorocarbons were the original ones then you had CFCs, then hydro. So each one has been a substitute to the other companies that have made a profit laughing themselves to the bank is also a twist. The public sector has paid for those technologies. Countries like us have been told that if we operative mechanism was that either you join we give you 10 years more to do the reduction not possible at the differences emissions from there and the emissions we need to increase more than that what we have done is to basically Not the mean to me the story was by the rich producers, the rich consumer's poor poor consumers producers and if you dont do this we will beat you. Can I have this where is the Rivers can any of the essential chemical carbon foil burning is the core of the Industrial Revolution? Human development has evolved with. Its everything we do around us, all the time, the nature and the scoop. The change is just so much so much that in fact and I think this is where the shift in mindset is important with climate change." Commenting on the same, sustainability collaborator Narvoz. said, "It is a global collective action problem in the sense that you know we have to you can free ride and you can choose not to act and wait for somebody else to act and so forth but I think the way we are thinking about it more and more is can you shift your economies in the base that makes sense for your economy and have the effect of climate that shift is not possible is in Hindu religion. Very interesting." While the podcast saw different opinions coming in from the guests, Nikhil asked actor Bhumi Pednekar "Why doesn't Bollywood make movies around climate change" and on the fact that Hollywood made smoking cool, diamond expensive and defined attractive things beyond cematric way, to which the actress responded, " Responding to the same, Bhumi Pednekar said, I think it comes from the fact that a lot of people feel that they are not going to be affected by it because we feel that we are protected by the wealth that we have and there will be some elite institution that is going to come and solve all of this. But thats not the case. As rightly pointed out by Ma'am (Sunita Narain) that climate change is going to be a great equaliser and there will be only enough narrative around which I really feel is missing, especially in the industry that I am from because people feel its not going to affect them. We live in our bubble and it gives us a lot of comfort, like we have access to the best of things. I think the narrative will only shift when we are truly affected by it. I am trying to get as many people like me to start talking about it. It needs to become popular culture. Thats the impact that media or films have. I want climate change and all the effects and need people to be fearful in many ways and I really hope that there are many more films that are made. In fact, there was such a phenomenal film made called Kadwi Hawa but it didnt really do well and didnt reach a large audience because people have sort of ostrich mentality where they behave that everything is pretty and okay around us and believe that someone will get us out of this situation. Nikhil became a part of the Forbes Billionaires List 2020 & 2023 and the Self-Made Rich List 2022. Nikhil continues to be the path-breaking investor he is with his dedication to investment in philanthropy at a large scale. He recently became not only just the 4th but also the youngest Indian to pledge a majority of his wealth through the Bill Gates and Melinda Gates charity foundation. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has promised that live-in couples living in the state will not be "unduly harassed" by police and administration for not complying with the new Uniform Civil Code bill that is going to be enacted. Replying to questions in Rajat Sharma's 'Aap Ki Adalat' show, that telecasted on India TV, Dhami said: "I want to tell people that our government has formed a committee, soon after the passage of UCC Bill, to frame rules so that nobody in the police and administration can misuse its provisions. The rules will ensure that people (live-in couples) are not unduly harassed, do not face excesses or undue pressures and are not subjected to misbehaviour. It is our duty to ensure that the implementation of UCC law should become a model for other states too." The nine-member committee headed by a former chief secretary was set up last week to prepare a draft of rules relating to procedures, designation of competent level authorities for easy implementation of the provisions of the UCC law. Uttarakhand is the first state in India to enact the uniform civil code law which also covers live-in relationships. It requires compulsory registration of live-in couples, a record of which will be kept in police station. It also prescribes jail term of up to six months for not producing a certificate of live-in relationship. Reacting to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's remark that the government in Uttarakhand was invading the privacy of couples "in bedroom" and is acting like a "nanny state", the Chief Minister said: "The provisions in the law have been made not for the benefit of Shashi Tharoor, but for the protection of our sons and daughters, so that their parents can know how their children are living. You have seen reports of people killing their live-in partners, cutting their bodies to pieces and stuffing them in suitcases. Children born of live-in couples have none to take care of and they are deprived of their share in property. ...We have incorporated the registration (of live-in couples) provisions for their security." Dhami said: "Our aim is not to harass anybody, but at least children must get security. Today they (live-in couples) are in love, and after 5 to 10 years, when love turns sour(mohabbat gadbadaa jaati hai), they start accusing each other." When Rajat Sharma asked why provision has been made for live-in couples to inform police when they separate, Pushkar Singh Dhami replied: "No they need go for a fresh registration. They should only inform that they are no more staying together. This law has not been made to target anybody." Dhami said: "The government, as a guardian, has made this law so that the future of our children is safe. ..If they (live-in couples) give birth to children, we have to think about the future of the kids too. Let them (couples) live together, but their parents should know how and where they are staying. If some unfortunate incidents take place, think of the trauma that the parents go through." On 'Love Jihad', the Uttarakhand chief minister emphatically said: "Incidents like Love Jihad are very bad. Such incidents are not at all acceptable in Uttarakhand. There is no place for Love Jihad in Devbhoomi. Our Devbhoomi must remain sacred." Asked about the objections raised by Muslim clergy that the UCC law goes against Shariah and Islamic injunctions, Dhami said: "People belonging to different religions are free to follow their customary traditions of marriage. No changes have been made as far as weddings are concerned. Muslims can follow their customary Nikaah, Christians can follow Holy Marriage, Hindus can follow Saat Phere tradition and Sikhs can follow Anand Karaj rites." Dhami pointed out that BJP had promised to bring Uniform Civil Code law in its manifesto during 2022 Uttarakhand assembly polls. "UCC was our 'sankalp' (promise). Modi's 'Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat' is our 'sankalp'. Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi (Land of Gods), the Ganga and Yamuna flow from Uttarakhand, it is the land of our rishi-munis. Article 44 clearly provides for bringing Uniform Civil Code for all. The people of the state have blessed us for fulfilling this promise." Dhami said, In UCC law "we have abolished talaq and polygamy..We do not want women's rights to be curtailed...I would like to make one point: Ab Desh Me Shariyat Nahin Chalegi (We won't allow Shariat in the country). Samaan Nagrik Sanhita (UCC) Chalegi... Those who believe in Constitution will benefit and they will be freed from social evils like Halala." The Chief Minister said, he met Muslim women in Haridwar who praised the UCC law and told him that they have been freed from a big curse (abhishaap). "We have got back our self-respect", the Muslim women told me." Asked by Rajat Sharma whether Uttarakhand is being made the laboratory for Hindutva, Dhami replied: "Prayogshala jaisi koi baat nahin (nothing like laboratory), the people of Uttarakhand have given us the mandate. Where will you have Hindutva, if not in Uttarakhand? (Hindutva Agar Uttarakhand mein nahin Hoga, Toh Aur Kahaan Hoga?" On the recent communal violence in Haldwani, the Chief Minister said, "government land like PWD land, irrigation department land, revenue land and forest land were encroached upon and 'mazaars' were built. These were illegal encroachments. We dug out several mazaars and did not find any skeletal remains. How can anybody justify encroachments?...This is 'Land Jihad'. Dhami said: "We will not allow any change to the 'mool swaroop' (original features) of our Devbhoomi....If mosque has been built on encroached land, it will be considered as encroachment, and will be removed." Dhami also said, "We will not allow change in demography of Devbhoomi at any cost", he said. 'Mazaars' were built on govt land, encroachments will be removed, says Dhami on Haldwani Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that mazaars were built on government lands in the state and termed the act of illegal encroachments as Land Jihad. Dhami, in a stern message, said that the government would remove any mosque built on the encroached land, considering it as encroachment. The Chief Minister stressed that his administration wojuld not allow a change in demography at any cost. Replying to questions on the recent Haldwani violence in Rajat Sharma's 'Aap Ki Adalat' show, Dhami said, the government land like PWD land, irrigation department land, revenue land and forest land were encroached upon and 'mazaars' were built. These were illegal encroachments. We dug out several mazaars and did not find any skeletal remains. How can anybody justify encroachments?...This is 'Land Jihad'. We will not allow any change to the 'mool swaroop' (original features) of our Devbhoomi....If mosque has been built on encroached land, it will be considered as encroachment, and will be removed. We will not allow change in demography of Devbhoomi at any cost, he added. Alexei Navalny's widow said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin killed her husband, as she vowed to carry on his work, three days after he died in an Arctic prison. Holding back tears in a video address published Monday, Yulia Navalnaya said, "Three days ago, Vladimir Putin killed my husband, Alexei Navalny." Prison authorities said Navalny died after losing consciousness following a walk in his prison colony in Kharp, 1,200 kilometers northeast of Moscow inside the Arctic circle. "Alexei died in a prison colony after three years of torment and torture," Navalnaya said Monday. Navalnaya, who was by her husband's side for more than a decade in his fight against Putin, vowed to continue his work. "The most important thing we can do for Alexei and for ourselves is to keep fighting, more desperately and more fiercely than before," she said. "We need to seize every opportunity to fight against war, against corruption, against injustice, to fight for fair elections and the freedom of speech, to fight to take back our country." She also vowed to uncover the people who she said had killed her husband. "We know exactly why Putin killed Alexei three days ago ... We will definitely find out exactly who carried out this crime and how it was carried out. We will name names and show faces," she said. The Kremlin said earlier on Monday that an investigation into Navalny's death was ongoing and slammed Western governments that have said Putin carries responsibility for his death. Russian authorities have so far refused to hand over Navalny's body to his mother and lawyer, enraging his supports who have said it was a move by the "killers" to "cover their tracks." (AFP) Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Bern, 19.02.2024 - Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and a number of Italian dignitaries kicked off the fourth edition of the international Romansh Language Week (Emna rumantscha) at Milan's Swiss Centre today. The FDFA runs this week each year in collaboration with the Canton of Graubunden and Lia Rumantscha. The kick-off event 'From words to ideas: six Swiss and Italian regions in dialogue' focused on innovation and sustainability between Switzerland and northern Italy, with fashion featuring prominently given its concurrence with Milan Fashion Week. Switzerland and Italy share not only three European languages (Italian, German and French) but also three Rhaeto-Romanic languages (Romansh, Ladin and Friulian). The two countries' commitment to preserving this diversity is a source of innovation. This was the backdrop for the fourth Romansh Language Week at the Swiss Centre of Milan. The initiative aims to highlight the richness of multilingual Switzerland abroad, starting this year in the Lombard capital. "The city of Milan is the ideal place to bring together the different regions of northern Italy and southern Switzerland, which share a plurality of languages and a plethora of social, business and cultural connections," said Mr Cassis. He was joined at the gathering by Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala, Lombardy Regional Councillor Massimo Sertori, as well as Vice-President of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano Daniel Alfreider, the Vice-President of the Regional Council of Trentino Alto Adige Luca Guglielmi , Regional Councillor for the Veneto Region Silvia Cestaro and the president of the Regional Agency for the Friulian Language Eros Cisilino. 'From words to ideas: six Swiss and Italian regions in dialogue' was also attended by the president of Graubunden government Jon Domenic Parolini.Graubunden joins the FDFA each year in organising Romansh Language Week. The plurality of languages and cultures as a vector of innovation was at the heart of the event, which included a special fashion-focused meeting to weave in the concurrent Milan Fashion Week. From words to ideas: six Swiss and Italian regions in dialogue What happens when Romansh-speaking rapper Gino Clavuot (aka SNOOK), Italian-speaking artist Ivan Tresoldi, students from the Swiss School of Milan and young Ladin and Friulian speakers meet up? A work of art is born! On the occasion of Romansh Language Week's kick-off event, the Swiss Centre and Swiss Institute are displaying Ivan Tresoldi's participatory work 'La grande pagina bianca' (the big blank page). The young participants were invited to reflect on the concept of identity and use colours and drawings to express thoughts on a large white background. A final brushstroke was added by the Swiss and Italian authorities present, as a symbol of cross-border cooperation and shared commitment to promoting each language's unique attributes. The artwork then served as a springboard for a discussion on innovation in fashion with representatives of the sector. The discussion, moderated by Switzerland's ambassador to Italy, Monika Schmutz Kirgoz, focused on sustainability and the related new creation and production methods arising in the textiles sector. The event was organised by the FDFA and coordinated by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Milan. The event took place in cooperation with the Canton of Graubunden, Lia Rumantscha, the Swiss Business Hub, the Swiss School of Milan, Swiss Chamber, the Swiss Institute, Graubunden's Rhaetian Railway, Switzerland Tourism and Swiss Corner Milan. Romansh Language Week and the FDFA's commitment to multilingualism The annual rendez-vous with Romansh Language Week is an opportunity for the FDFA to raise the visibility of Switzerland's linguistic diversity abroad. The Swiss representations make it come alive with various activities, digital and beyond. In Finland, for example, the Swiss embassy is working with the Romance and Classical languages section of the University of Jyvaskyla to offer a beginners' course in Romansh to master's students in spring 2024 under the supervision of Professor Chasper Pult. In London, Romansh will once again garner attention during Wales Week, with the Swiss embassy taking this opportunity to highlight the FDFA's commitment to Romansh in parallel with the UK's efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of Wales. Romansh Language Week is one of a series of events that emphasise the importance of multilingualism for national cohesion, as well as for Swiss foreign policy. These events include the Multilingualism Days, and the specific Italian, French and German language weeks. Switzerland's linguistic diversity is indeed a characteristic of the country that is appreciated around the world. The promotion of minority languages in Switzerland also furthers the objectives of the structured political dialogue that Mr Cassis has been conducting with the cantons of Graubunden and Ticino since 2018. The programme and some pictures of the event will be available at this link: https://share.dma.swiss/s/zXc2n5gNCjEqQxo 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 Country music royalty will be represented in the latest season of American Idol. Emmy Russell, 25, will be featured in the Feb. 25 episode of the hit reality show. She is the granddaughter of the late Loretta Lynn. Russell I just wanted to be around other young creatives like me, Russell told Kingston Springs Gazette. I think I just like the hard work of it, and it was outside the traditional way that my grandma had which is a publishing deal, get the record deal. I wanted something out there and fun and just forced me to do it because Im so shy and scared of going for it. Russell made her Grand Ole Opry debut last April in honor of her grandmothers birthday. I use to run from my family heritage and wanna make my own path, Russell posted on Instagram. I feel a deep connection to thank, accept and celebrate her, cause she believed in me from the start before anyone did. Not ashamed anymore. She was never ashamed of me. Im a granddaughter, and Im Emmy . Its all a part of me! This is the start of a beautiful journey. Couldnt be more excited. Lynns family has made headlines of late. Last week, Cissie Lynn, 71, Lynns daughter, announced on Facebook she was undergoing an oral surgery for cancer. It has been at least 10 years since my first one, she posted. Thats a blessing. This one is (worse) than the other it also is (in) my mouth. I dont know what to say because Im way too emotional and scared this time. In January, Lynns son, Ernest Ray Lynn, had to undergo a critical surgery for kidney failure. Not long after, Ernest was being allowed to go home to heal. Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily. A south Alabama man died over the weekend following a farm tractor accident. Coffee County sheriffs officials said a 79-year-old man from Kinston was working on a tractor when it rolled over on him on Friday. Deputies, as well as the Kinston Volunteer Fire Department, the Ino Volunteer Fire Department and Enterprise Rescue all responded to the scene in the 1000 block of Highway 134 Wendell Moore was airlifted to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. According to the Coffee County Coroners Office, he was pronounced dead at the hospital on Saturday. This is an opinion cartoon. Kay Ivey and Alabama GOP lawmakers have a stealthy new name for promoting resegregation and white flight from public schools. From his column - Whites will soon be a minority in Ala. schools, so state may pay students to leave - al.com - John Archibald writes: And here we go again. Because flight has a new name, a new engine: School choice. Gov. Kay Ivey and assorted lawmakers unveiled a bill that will designate $100 million in state money to pull from the public schools and hand it in increments of up to $7,000 in tax credits per student to those who would like to fly. To go to religious schools. To private schools. To schools that might seem better than those left behind, but have no way to prove it. Alabama leaders want to take your money and hand it separation of church and state be damned to church schools and other institutions that dont have to follow state standards, that dont have to take the same standardized tests, that are almost impossible to compare to public schools. To paraphrase Josh Moon, columnist for the Alabama Political Reporter: This school choice legislation will crush public school teachers and this states most at-risk kids. Excerpts from Moons column: To be clear, this is a bill that provides a $7,000-per-student slush fund up to $100 million annually for now and who knows how much more later to private, typically religious-based organizations, many of which were built with the specific business plan of keeping Jim Crow segregation alive and well and still have the racial makeup to show for it, with little to no oversight, no public accountability and hardly any checks to ensure my tax dollars are being spent responsibly. But even worse and yeah, I know its hard to get worse than what Ive described above, but thats how bad this plan is it will cripple public schools in our most impoverished counties by sucking away funding from already underfunded schools, and all the while it will shut out of the program the very students it claims to want to help. Related content Alabama lawmakers debate costs of ESA program, private school comparison - al.com Guest opinion: Alabama should proceed with caution on school choice - al.com Battles over education, absentee voting looming for Alabama legislative session - al.com The CHOOSE program provides $7,000 annually for a student to attend a private school. The average tuition cost of private schools in Alabama is more than $8,200 per year, according to the Education Data Initiative and Private School Review. Those tuition costs typically dont include lunches, so tough luck, free and reduced lunch kids. And it never includes transportation costs. They also rarely include a variety of fees for various programs some totaling into the thousands annually and sometimes dont include all textbooks. Read all of Moons column here Subscribe to my Crowe Jam newsletter and all the other fabulous AL.com newsletters right here. Recent JD Crowe cartoons Kay Ivey on lead guitar: What song is she playing? caption contest - al.com Latest Alabama star in transfer portal hits Nick Saban hard - al.com Tommy Tuberville is just another Putin propaganda parrot - al.com JD Crowe: I was a Mardi Gras virgin: Fat Tuesday toons - al.com Nick Saban joining ESPN is a College GameDay name changer - al.com True stories and stuff by JD Crowe The mysterious Bubble Guy of Fairhope and the art of bubble Zen - al.com How I met Dr. Seuss Robert Plant head-butted me. Thanks, David Coverdale I was ZZ Tops drummer for a night and got kidnapped by groupies Check out more cartoons and stuff by JD Crowe JD Crowe is the cartoonist for Alabama Media Group and AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award for local and state cartoons by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler @jdcrowe@al.com. This is an opinion column. Lord have mercy, its like the crazy crept up on us in the night. While we were supposed to be asleep. The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that frozen embryos are people too. Popsicle people, maybe, but people. So when somebody drops a vial of humans in a lab, its not a cleanup on aisle one, anymore. Its a wrongful death suit. Were just a hop, skip and bump away from somebody getting locked up in Alabamas death camp prisons for knocking over a test tube. Is it just me? Tell me its not just me. Alabama lawmakers are pushing bills that would protect themselves, that would give them the illusion of power over history, that would keep them from having to deal with real problems, that would make sure the state of Alabama will continue to feel unwelcome to any of those weirdos. Thats the goal. We have a bill to make it a felony, punishable by years in Alabamas already overcrowded prisons, to help sick or old or disabled people vote. Thats Senate Bill Numero Uno, SB1, the Top Dog. It has already passed the Senate and now moves on to the House. This bill is done in the name wink, wink of preventing widespread voter fraud, which isnt real. Which means the bill, ironically, sounds a little bit like fraud itself, since its only real purpose is to prevent people from voting. We also have a bill to make the Alabama Department of Archives and History regret that decision to let somebody talk for an hour one time last year about Alabama LGBTQ history. SB77 by Sen. Chris Elliott not the guy from Schitts Creek but the one who might just put us up it would replace the Archives board members with political appointees who would make sure that Alabama history is politicized, and that those people dont get a voice in it anymore. One time was too many. History, as Alabama well knows, is not for the Tim Cooks, the Jim Naborses, the Truman Capotes of the world. Its for those who want to pretend history is a world only they are comfortable with. Another Elliott special, SB10, would make library boards subject to the whims of local politicians. After all, you never know when some kid might want to check out a book about the Enola Gay, Gay Talese, or anything by Marie-Louise Gay. That bill passed the Senate faster than a bootleg copy of An Amish Romance. It is headed for the House. Weve got a bill by a cattle farmer from Mobile that would make it a felony again, prison time to sell lab-made meat in Alabama. Because gross and because thats not how we do it in Alabama, apparently. When in doubt, ban it, jail it, lock it up. And maybe because cows, and the people who grow them, are people too. We have bills to let parents hover over teachers and monitor every page in classrooms, bills to give money to people who leave public schools for private ones, a bill that would bar companies that expect employees to support diversity, energy efficiency, pay equity or ethical or sustainable purchasing choices from getting state contracts. Better to fight to preserve the rose-colored past than to try to stave off a red-hot future. Its not like climate change is gonna hurt those embryos. I guess none of this is surprising. The Alabama GOP, in advance of this session, reported its own poll that found almost half of the states Republicans thought the most important issue facing our state was protecting children from woke policies. Thats way easier than fixing prisons, stemming murders, improving healthcare and slowing the closing of rural hospitals, stopping the brain drain or simply acknowledging that its ok to be different. I guess it explains the bill that would make ethics crimes for Alabama politicians, well, not crimes anymore. Feel free, fellas, to take gifts, hire your cousins and steal around the state. After all, there is nothing more woke than holding politicians accountable. John Archibald is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Welcome back, and happy whatever-you-call-today (more on that below). Also, dont miss the weekly quiz. Its the best way to make sure youre keeping up with news trivia in the Yellowhammer State. Read the newsletter below. Sign up to get it in your inbox each day here. Violence in the Magic City Friday was a rough one in Birmingham, with six more names added to the citys list of homicide victims, reports AL.coms Carol Robinson. Around 2:45 p.m. in the Smithfield neighborhood, at least 39 shots were fired in what police believe was a targeted drive-by shooting that killed four friends in their 30s. A little over an hour later, two bodies were found in an alley in the Ensley neighborhood. The victims were later found to be a couple that had been missing since Valentines Day, and its believed they were on their way to a movie date. They were both 20 years old, the woman was pregnant, according to family, and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said one of them was his cousin. The six homicides gave Birmingham a total of 15 for the year. One of those has been ruled justifiable. Embryos and the law The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that three couples can sue over the destruction of their frozen embryos, reports AL.coms Howard Koplowitz. According to the lawsuit, a patient at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center was able to access the cryogenic storage area, remove the embryos in their extremely cold containers, and then drop them. A lower court had ruled to dismiss the case, arguing that Alabamas Wrongful Death of a Minor Act doesnt cover embryos outside the womb. The states high court reversed that decision. Wrote Justice Jay Mitchell: [T]he Wrongful Death of a Minor Act is sweeping and unqualified. It applies to all children, born and unborn, without limitation. It is not the role of this Court to craft a new limitation based on our own view of what is or is not wise public policy. That is especially true where, as here, the People of this State have adopted a Constitutional amendment directly aimed at stopping courts from excluding unborn life from legal protection. Idol youth An Alabamian is on his way to Hollywood to compete in American Idol, reports AL.coms Lawrence Specker. Theres nothing new about that. Alabamas been well-represented with contestants, finalists and champions on the popular TV talent show. But this one is young even by American Idol standards. Triston Harper is a 15-year-old from McIntosh in Washington County and is affiliated with the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians. He punched his ticket to Hollywood after singing Jason Isbells Cover Me Up and receiving unanimous yes votes from judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. How young is 15? Well, Alabamas last Idol champion, Taylor Hicks, won his title a couple years before Harper was born. Quoting President Carter continues to be at home with his family. The family is pleased that his decision last year to enter hospice care has sparked so many family discussions across the country on an important subject. Family of Jimmy Carter, in a press release acknowledging the one-year anniversary of the former president going on hospice care. More Alabama news On this Date In 1807, former Vice President Aaron Burr was arrested near the Tombigbee River in what is now Alabama (at the time it was part of the Mississippi Territory). He was charged with treason and was later acquitted. In 1967, actress Cynthia Bailey of Decatur and Tuscumbia was born. On the Calendar Its Presidents Day -- officially Washingtons Birthday at the federal level. Todays state holiday is George Washington & Thomas Jeffersons Birthday. Any of those acknowledgements would likely horrify George Washington, who eschewed the power and pageantry that so many heads of state crave. Still, we remember him fondly by taking advantage of the widespread Presidents Day sales. The podcast Chris Norris and Liyah Webster were excitedly planning for their babys upcoming gender reveal. The Disney-inspired party was set for April 6, and it was there that friends and family would find out if the baby was going to a Moana or a Maui. Instead, loved ones are now planning a vigil and funerals for the young couple after the vanished Valentines Day and were found murdered inside their vehicle two days later in a Wylam alley. They were really happy to be parents, said Sherita Clark, Norriss cousin. Angeliyah ne-vaeh Jolie Webster and Christan Tyre Norris, both 20, were last seen about 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, in the 1500 block of 20th Place in Ensley. They were believed to be on their way to a movie date at an unknown theater. They were in a white Ford Taurus. Their bodies were found about 4 p.m. Friday inside Norriss vehicle in the 4100 block of 10th Avenue in Wylam. A man and a woman were found shot to death Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in a Wylam alley.(Carol Robinson) Clark said the victims mothers had been trying to call them Thursday but to no avail. They immediately became concerned. Normally theyd check in throughout the day, Clark said. Theres not a day that goes by that theyre not communicating with someone in their family. " Concern quickly turned to alarm. It had had been a full 24 hours and no one had seen them or heard from them, she said. You get a little concerned when you dont talk to them for one day but when it hits two days and no one has heard from them, that becomes a problem. " They filed a report with the Birmingham Police Department which issued bulletins for the couple late Thursday night. On Friday, the family continued their own search. They were driving away all day, Clark said. Wed heard so many different stories and people were messaging us. There was much discussion on social media about the disappearance. Some of it was helpful, and much of it was not. People are making a game out of someone being murdered, Clark said. The family on Friday also went to the dealership where Norris had bought his car. They were able to ping the vehicles general location as somewhere in Wylam. The family then headed that way, as did Birmingham police detectives who independently learned of a possible location for the Taurus. Soon, their worst fears were realized. Its devastating, Clark said. Clark said the young couple will be missed. Angeliyah ne-vaeh Jolie Webster and Christan Tyre Norris were excitedly awaiting the gender reveal for their unborn baby.(Contributed) Norris, she said, loved his family and his girlfriend. He loved Angeliyah and was very excited about them getting ready to have a baby, she said. Webster was pleasant to be around. She was a smiley person, Clark said. She gave big hugs. The family is pleading that anyone with information to come forward. We need people to come forward and tell what they know, she said. People know whats going on. I have a few tips also. She said she has no idea why someone would target the couple. I dont think theres any justification for killing someone no matter what the circumstance was, Clark said. I dont think the families would care why this would happen, she said. I just think they want the person taken off the streets before it happens again. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. An early-morning shooting in Hueytown left one man dead. Hueytown police were dispatched at 2 a.m. Monday to a home in the 200 block of June Avenue on a report of a person shot. Officers arrived to find the male dead in the front seat of a vehicle. Police said the initial investigation indicates the sister of the resident of the home arrived at the house with two other males. At least one of the males brandished a gun and was shot by the homeowner. The slain mans name has not yet been released. No charges have been filed at this point. Once the investigation is completed, detectives will present the case to the Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District Attorneys Office for consideration of charges. Police said they are still trying to identify the second man who was involved. The deadly shooting is Hueytowns first homicide this year. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 20 homicides in 2024. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 205-491-3523. A hate-filled group marched with swastika flags through downtown Nashville on Saturday, drawing condemnation from a wide range of groups. The demonstrators, wearing red t-shirts and black masks chanted, Deportation saves the nation, WKRN-TV reported. Social media posts condemned the group as cowards, with state legislators from both sides of the aisle chiming in. Just left an event honoring a Black sorority and spoke of the need to unite against the rising tide of white supremacy, only to be confronted by Nazis marching through downtown Nashville, Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones posted on X. Disgusted that Nazis are comfortable doing this, state Rep. Justin Pearson wrote on social media, while Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn said her office was closely monitoring the situation and said that these groups once relegated to the dark corners now feel empowered to spew their noxious ideology out in the open due to our states leadership REFUSING to condemn their speech and actions. An incredulous Nashville Vice Mayor Angie Henderson also weighed in. That I even have to say this. NAZIS are NOT WELCOME in NASHVILLE, she wrote on X. Get your hateful, dangerous, fascist, Nazi nonsense off our streets & off our beautiful Public Square. While Jones, Pearson and Behn said conservatives enabled such activity, Republican colleagues also condemned the group. Go away Nazi thugs. This is Tennessee and you are NOT welcome here, state Rep. William Lamberth on said X. Btw, why not show your faces so we can all see who you are? I would be willing to bet that none of you are from anywhere near here. Local Jewish leaders decried the incident and said they would not be cowed. Yesterday, a group of Nazis decided to publicly intimidate and harass by displaying their hateful imagery through the city, Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville CEO and Rabbi Dan Horwitz said in a Sunday statement obtained by The Tennessean. They flew flags with swastikas on them. They chanted antisemitic slogans. And they hid their faces with masks, like the cowards they are. The crowd numbered about two dozen, The Tennessean reported. I was heartened by the videos that circulated on social media of everyday folks in our city most of whom were not Jewish challenging and calling out these bigots vocally as they spewed their hate, Horwitz told The Tennessean. 2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. By Hadriana Lowenkron and Alicia DiazBloomberg News (TNS) Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley assailed Donald Trumps foreign policy, condemning the former president for his silence on the death of Russian opposition leader Alexander Navalny. Either he sides with Putin and thinks its cool that Putin killed one of his political opponents, or he just doesnt think its that big of a deal, Haley said Sunday on ABCs This Week. I think its important to stand with the Russian people who believe Navalny was really talking for them. Haley, who was Trumps ambassador to the United Nations, has targeted her former boss on foreign policy in recent days as she fights to stave off a defeat in her home state in the Feb. 24 Republican primary. Polls show Haley, Trumps only remaining opponent for the GOP presidential nomination, trailing by double digits. Haley blamed Navalnys death on Russian President Vladimir Putin, joining accusations by other Western leaders including President Joe Biden. Russias prison service said Navalny fell sick at a maximum-security camp where he was imprisoned and medical staff were unable to revive him. You look at this hero, he was fighting corruption, she said. He was fighting what Putin does and what did Putin do? He killed him just like he does all his political opponents. Navalny, 47, was a leading voice against Putin, drawing his ire by investigations that exposed corruption at state companies and videos on the lavish lives of senior officials. Haley has made her foreign policy chops a centerpiece of her presidential bid, vowing to get tough with China and other U.S. adversaries abroad. She has criticized Trumps threats to NATO member countries that fall short of defense-spending commitments and his obstruction of further US aid to Ukraine. Her views make her an outlier in her party, where the base has largely embraced Trumps more isolationist views. But it could bolster her among Democrats and independent voters. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Chinese coast guard personnel briefly boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat near Taiwan-controlled islands next to China's coast on Monday, the government in Taipei said, in an escalation of tensions after China said it would carry out regular patrols. China announced on Sunday that its coast guard would strengthen law enforcement activity around the Kinmen islands following the death of two Chinese nationals fleeing Taiwan's coast guard having entered into prohibited waters too close to Kinmen, which lies opposite the Chinese cities of Xiamen and Quanzhou. Taiwan's coast guard said in a statement that late afternoon Monday six Chinese coast guard officers had boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat carrying 11 crew members and 23 passengers to check its route plan, certificate and crew licenses, leaving around half an hour later. Taiwan's coast guard observed two Chinese coast guard boats approaching the tourist boat and sent a ship of its own which then accompanied the tourist vessel back to port on the main island of Kinmen, it added. Due to shallow waters, the Taiwanese tourist boat "inclined towards" the Chinese side on its trip, Taiwan's coast guard said. There was no immediate comment from China's coast guard, which does not have publicly available contact details. Taiwan's coast guard said it called on China to "uphold peace and rationality" in the sea around Kinmen, and that people should avoid approaching the waters on the Chinese side. A senior Taiwan official briefed on the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity as the official was not authorized to talk to the media, told Reuters that President Tsai Ing-wen was given real-time updates on the situation as it unfolded. China's coast guard inspecting Taiwanese ships has long been a scenario Taiwan's security agencies have been concerned about, the official added. Taiwan's presidential office referred questions to the coast guard. China's government said on Saturday it recognizes no off-limits or restricted zones for Chinese fishermen around Kinmen. Kinmen has been controlled by Taipei since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists who set up the People's Republic of China. Kinmen was the site of frequent fighting during the height of the Cold War but is now a popular tourist destination, though many of its islets are heavily fortified by Taiwanese forces and remain off limits to civilians. (Reuters) Officially, at least according to the U.S. government, today is the holiday commemorating the birthday of George Washington. The first president was born on Feb. 22, 1732, with the federal governments holiday known as Washingtons Birthday marked each year on the third Monday in February, no matter the date. For most of the country, today is simply Presidents Day (no apostrophe, please) a time to honor all those who have served as the countrys chief executive. If specific presidents are named in state declarations, it is most commonly Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States who saw the country through the Civil War. And thats where things get sticky, at least in Alabama, where old wounds die hard. Alabamas official Presidents Day holiday omits Lincoln and honors Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson, a Virginian, was the third U.S. president and principal author of the Declaration of Independence. His birthday is in April, unlike Lincoln, who was born on Feb. 12. Alabama is one of only two states to add someone other than Lincoln to its holiday lineup with the other being Arkansas, where today is Washingtons birthday and Daisy Bates Day. Bates was a civil rights activist who played a central role in the integration of Little Rocks Center High School in 1957. READ MORE: Alabama 1 of 2 states to combine Martin Luther King Jr. Day with holiday honoring Confederacy History of Presidents Day The idea of a day to honor Washington dates back to the 1870s when Sen. Steven Wallace Dorsey proposed adding the presidents birthday Feb. 22 to the list of existing national holidays. President Rutherford B. Hayes made it official, signing the federal law in 1879 to honor Washington. It was after the Civil War by this point, however, and many Northern states added Lincoln, who was assassinated by a Southern sympathizer on April 15, 1865, to their official celebrations. Southern states didnt follow along and still dont. No state that was part of the Confederacy mentions Lincoln by name as part of its Presidents Day holiday. South Carolina celebrates Washingtons Birthday/Presidents Day; Mississippi, Georgia and Virginia commemorate George Washington Day; no holiday is observed in Florida, North Carolina or Louisiana; and Texas and Tennessee have Presidents Day. As some schools reach capacity in one of Alabamas fastest growing counties, the superintendent says the district has no choice but to rezone. If the school board in Limestone County approves the rezoning plan, some students will find themselves attending new schools in the fall. Its disheartening knowing that theyre just going to rip children away from things that theyve known pretty much their entire lives, parent Ashley Shaneyfelt told AL.com. Under the districts rezoning plan, Shaneyfelts children, who currently ride the bus to Creekside Elementary and East Limestone High School, would instead go to school at Tanner. They could remain at the schools on the east side of the county, if shes able to drive them to school each day. Ashley ShaneyfeltAshley Shaneyfelt Considering the fact that its going to be longer drives on the buses for the children, theyre going to be out longer, she said. Its totally further away from our home facility. Superintendent Randy Shearouse said he understands parent concerns about the changes. He said the school system will continue addressing concerns, adjusting plans and plotting solutions ahead of the school boards vote next month. But he said the district must rezone to keep up with rapid growth across the county. Speaking to a crowd of parents at a community meeting last week, Shearouse said the county has approved thousands of plots for home construction, most of which are in the East Limestone area. He said growth on that side of the county has left Creekside Primary and Creekside Elementary at capacity. Creekside Primary SchoolKayode Crown We do need to move some students to make plans for new homes, he said. From January 2021 the county has approved about 2600 lots across the county, with most of those, about 2000, in East Limestone and over 400 in Tanner. Board member Earl Glaze told AL.com that the district must move children. We as a board just have to do whats best for not just one school but all the schools, he said. Were going to have to move some kids around in some form or fashion. What that is right now, I dont know. The superintendent modified the plan after feedback from five meetings with parents across the district. He presented the redistricting proposal at a school board meeting last week. The plan will kick off in August if the school board approves it at the March 12 meeting. Four school zones will change based on the proposal. 1. Johnson Elementary School and Ardmore High School zone. Creekside students who live in the area from Barksdale to Copeland roads, and south of Highway 251 would move to Johnson. Contingent on parents providing transportation, students now in 3rd and 4th grade can remain at Creekside Elementary. Their younger siblings may remain at Creekside until the older siblings move to the 6th grade. Current East Limestone students living in the area can remain at East Limestone High School if their parents can provide transportation. Johnson Elementary SchoolKayode Crown 2. Elkmont Elementary School and Elkmont High Schools zone. New students living north of Highway 251 currently zoned for Johnson and Ardmore would go to Elkmont. Current students can stay in Johnson and Ardmore until they graduate if their parents can provide transportation. 3. Blue Springs Elementary and Clements High School zone. This area from Brownsferry Road up to the Athens City limits currently zones for Tanner. New students would go to Blue Springs Elementary and Clements High Schools. Current students can stay until they graduate if their parents provide transportation. Tanner High SchoolKayode Crown 4. Tanner Elementary School and Tanner High School zone. The affected area is south of Huntsville-Brownsferry Road down to the Tennessee River. Students in this area currently attend Creekside, East Limestone, and Tanner. The Creekside students would go to Tanner. Contingent on parents providing transportation, current Creekside students moving on to 4th and 5th grade next session can remain. Younger siblings may also remain at Creekside until the 4th or 5th grader moves to 6th grade. Students going into 6th through 12th grade at East Limestone can continue until graduation if parents provide transportation. New students in the area would go to Tanner. Speaking to the school board, some parents asked that the plans execution be delayed for one year. Anton and Shannon Kochevar have special needs children at Creekside and believe moving to Elkmont would be disruptive. Creekside Primary SchoolKayode Crown My special needs kids do not need to be used as a trial for the new services to find out what their new sensory room service or building is like, Anton Kochevar said. Shearouse said the district will decide on children in a similar situation based on their individualized education plan. Every special ed child has an IEP and so they look at the programs, they look at the students to make sure their needs are being met, he said. And so a lot of that will be taken care of at the school level when they have those meetings to make sure the needs of those special needs kids are taken care of. The IEP team ultimately makes that decision about special education children, and so the IEP team will make that decision of whats best for the child. Parent Hayley King said shes worried about losing her after-school childcare, a service thats offered at Creekside. Not all parents have a support system to get their kids off the bus in the afternoon or be able to leave work early, she told the school board. I urge you to consider this factor and how parents and kids will be impacted by Johnson not offering any of the aftercare programs. Shearouse addressed the issue during his presentation. Ongoing Limestone county schools board work session. Parents waiting to speak on a proposed redistricting plan they say would make life difficult. pic.twitter.com/0N1rEdMJ6O Kayode Crown (@kayodecrown) February 13, 2024 I know one of the things we talked about over at Johnson was child care, Shearouse said. The principal and I have talked about that. Theres opportunities for after-school care of course at Johnson. Johnson also could be eligible for a 21st century grant which would also allow some after-school care. Amy Bonville said she is worried about creating a new prom plan for her child at East Limestone. We bought class rings, we bought letterman jackets, we planned for the prom, she said. Weve got a lot of things already planned out that if we do have to move schools, we will be behind on that. Heath Fogg threatens to pull his two elementary-grade children from the district if the planned changes progress. They now attend Creekside but may have to move to Tanner Elementary School based on the redistricting plans. He complained that going to the new school meant commuting significantly longer. Tanner is probably a great school, but its not our community, and we wont be going to Tanner, Fogg said during a meeting with the superintendent at Tanner. If the vote is yes, well be annexing into Madison. Were not going to spend any more Limestone County tax dollars for schools that our kids arent going to, basically, Fogg said. With the current plan, both Alison Jones 3rd grader at Creekside and her 8th grader at East Limestone would have to move to Johnson and Ardmore, if she could not transport them to school. Alison JonesKayode Crown Jones, who is a real estate agent, told AL.com that people buy houses in East Limestone because of its central location, being a short drive to Madison, Huntsville, and Athens. She said that rezoning the school district could impact property values in the area if parents have to send their kids to schools further away. A large majority of the people in this area work in Huntsville, Redstone Arsenal, downtown Huntsville, NASA, places like that. So when they purchase their property here, theyre paying higher for it in this area, but its also because its conveniently located. So, its going to have a huge effect, I think, on property value and for the ability for people to sell their house. Stuck in a dating app loop with no date in sight? A lawsuit filed Wednesday against Match Group claims that is by design. Tinder, Hinge and other Match dating apps are filled with addictive features that encourage compulsive use, the proposed class-action lawsuit claims. The lawsuit filed in federal court in the Northern District of California on Wednesday Valentines Day says Match intentionally designs its dating platforms with game-like features that lock users into a perpetual pay-to-play loop prioritizing profit over promises to help users find relationships. This, the suit claims, turns users into addicts who purchase ever-more-expensive subscriptions to access special features that promise romance and matches. Matchs business model depends on generating returns through the monopolization of users attention, and Match has guaranteed its market success by fomenting dating app addiction that drives expensive subscriptions and perpetual use, the lawsuit says. It was filed by six dating app users and seeks class action status. Representatives for Dallas-based Match did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Though it focuses on adults, the lawsuit comes as tech companies face increasing scrutiny over addictive features that harm young peoples mental health. Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, for instance, faces a lawsuit by dozens of states accusing it of contributing to the youth mental health crisis by designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. Matchs apps, according to the lawsuit against the company, employs recognized dopamine-manipulating product features to turn users into gamblers locked in a search for psychological rewards that Match makes elusive on purpose. A Trump-supporting trucker who goes by Chicago Ray is warning New York City merchants and consumers that theyd better start stocking up, because other truckers are refusing loads bound for the city. The trucker, whose call for a trucking boycott of New York City to protest the verdict in Trumps New York fraud trial, went viral on right-wing social media over the weekend. A judge ordered the former president to fork over $355 million of his fortune, plus interest, finding he lied for years about his wealth on financial statements he used to secure loans and make deals as he built the real estate empire that vaulted him to fame and the presidency, The Associated Press reported. He deleted his original post. In it, he ranted: Ive been on the radio talking to drivers the last hour. ... Ive talked to at least 10 drivers, theyre going to start refusing loads going to NYC starting Monday. I got three drivers I drive with, they already told the boss they aint going to NYC ... I tell you what, you [screw] around and find out! Were tired of you [mother-bleeping] leftists [screwing] with Trump. Our bosses aint gonna care if we deny the load ... Leave Trump the [bleep] alone with the bullshit! You know you aint got sh*t on Trump, so cut the bullsh*t. Its election interference. He also celebrate that Trump had posted his video on Truth Social. I'm in Wisconsin and I'm hearing guys refusing loads..... this could take longer than a week.... my advice for New Yorkers is start stocking up... there's millions of Truckers for Trump millions of us .. leave Trump TF alone #TruckersForTrump I stand with Trump pic.twitter.com/fBBIIknhnj Chicago1Ray (@Chicago1Ray) February 19, 2024 I got family there, he posted. Trump will win this on appeal and will be vindicated. Lets ratchet it down and let the process play out. Were all Americans. And although we may not agree with the way Trump is being persecuted, theres a lot of people who have nothing to do with this that could be harmed. Were truckers, we do what we do. We work through the pandemic. Lets keep goods and services flowing as scheduled, and our voices will be heard loud and clear this November. God bless America. God bless Trump, and God bless every truck driver in this country. After he was called out for backing down, Chicago Ray defended himself on Twitter. I took that video down from Friday because it went viral, and my grandson seen it on TikTok. No ones got to me. I heard what drivers were saying, and I hear some of that today. I aint scared of sh*t. I grew up in Chicago. I stand with Trump 100% Truckers for Trump. Drivers can make their own decisions based on their families and their careers. I worked for a place for 18 years and I quit em in one day and had this job before I got to my car. I aint the leader of any movement. Im my own man, period. On Sunday, Trump had called the boycotting truckers Great Patriots on the side of freedom! Sunny skies and warming temperatures are in the forecast for Alabama for much of this week, according to the National Weather Service. Expect temperatures increase through mid-week, with highs across the state in the high 60s and 70s by Wednesday and Thursday. Those are expected to be the warmest days of the week, according to forecasters. Here is the forecast for Wednesday: Wednesday's forecast highs are in the 60s and 70s in Alabama.NWS Here is Thursdays forecast: More warm weather is expected on Thursday.NWS The next chance for rain for Alabama will arrive on Thursday into Friday, according to the weather service, as a cold front moves across the state. Rain could reach north Alabama by Thursday afternoon into the evening hours and push southward overnight while lessening in coverage. The weather service expects rain amounts to be on the lighter side for north and central parts of the state. The seven-day precipitation outlook (shown at the top of this post) doesnt show any rain at all for south Alabama during that timeframe. No severe weather is in the forecast for Alabama for the next week, according to NOAAs Storm Prediction Center. Thursdays front could bring a few claps of thunder, according to the weather service, but strong storms are not looking likely at this point. Will there be a cooldown after the front passes through? The weather service expects temperatures to stay on the warm side, with highs on Friday forecast to stay in the 60s and 70s statewide: Warm temperatures are expected to hang around on Friday.NWS The long-range outlook from NOAAs Climate Prediction Center suggests an increased probability of above-average temperatures for Alabama through the end of the month, with northwest Alabama having the highest chances: The six- to 10-day temperature outlook suggests an increased probability of above-average temperatures in Alabama.CPC The CPC is also forecasting near-average precipitation for the northern half of Alabama during that timeframe. South Alabama has higher probabilities of below-average rainfall, however: The Alabama Supreme Court ruling issued Friday determining frozen embryos are children was made possible by Donald Trump paving the way to end Roe v. Wade, the Biden campaign said. The Republican-appointed Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that frozen, unimplanted embryos qualify as children, threatening access to IVF across the state, the Biden-Harris campaigns rapid response team said on social media. This is made possible by Donald Trump ending Roe v. Wade, which he calls a miracle. The Republican-appointed Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that frozen, unimplanted embryos qualify as children, threatening access to IVF across the state. This is made possible by Donald Trump ending Roe v. Wade, which he calls a miraclehttps://t.co/C2SnboqjqW pic.twitter.com/VjTe0rC9Ky Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) February 18, 2024 The Alabama Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos are children in the cases of three couples suing a fertility clinic and a Mobile hospital after a hospital patient destroyed the specimens. The couples sued for wrongful death. A Mobile County Circuit Court judge threw out the wrongful death claims after ruling the embryos were not people, but the Alabama Supreme Court on Friday reversed Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Jill Parrish Phillips ruling to dismiss the case in 2022. The Wrongful Death of a Minor Act applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location, wrote Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell. [T]he Wrongful Death of a Minor Act is sweeping and unqualified. It applies to all children, born and unborn, without limitation. It is not the role of this Court to craft a new limitation based on our own view of what is or is not wise public policy. That is especially true where, as here, the People of this State have adopted a Constitutional amendment directly aimed at stopping courts from excluding unborn life from legal protection. The couples accused the defendants of wrongful death, negligence and breach of contract in two lawsuits filed in 2021 in Mobile County Circuit Court. Mobile Infirmary allowed one of its patients to leave and/or elope from his or her room in the Infirmarys hospital area and access the cryogenic storage area, according to one of the lawsuits. The patient removed embryos from the freezer, and it is believed that the cryopreservations subzero temperatures burned the eloping patients hands, causing him or her to drop the cryopreserved embryonic human beings on the floor, where they began to slowly die, one of the filings stated. By the time hospital staff noticed the incident, all of the embryos died, according to the lawsuits. Trump appointed three U.S. Supreme Court justices -- Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett -- instrumental in overturning Roe v. Wade. The Alabama Supreme Court decision was hailed by Lila Rose, president and founder of the pro-life group Live Action. This decision made by the Alabama Supreme Court affirms the scientific reality that a new human life begins at the moment of fertilization, Rose said. Each person, from the tiniest embryo to an elder nearing the end of his life, has incalculable value that deserves and is guaranteed legal protection. This ruling, which involved a wrongful-death claim brought by parents against a fertility clinic that negligently caused the death of their children, rightly acknowledged the humanity of unborn children created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and is an important step towards applying equal protection for all. The National Fertility Association said the ruling was anti-family. Alabamas Supreme Court ruling is a terrifying development for the one in six people impacted by infertility who need in-vitro fertilization to build their families, the association said in a statement. This anti-family ruling will likely have devastating consequences, including impacting the standard of care provided by the states five fertility clinics. This new legal framework may make it impossible to offer services like IVF, a standard medical treatment for infertility. It also remains unclear what this decision means for families who currently have embryos stored at these clinics. The association said the ruling has national ramifications. One thing is certain: this ruling has profound implications far beyond Alabamas borders, the group said. Every American who wants or needs access to family-building options like IVF should be deeply concerned about this development and the precedent it will set across the country. RESOLVE will continue to be on the front lines protecting these options and ensuring everyone has the support and access to family building support they deserve. English News Certain countries must stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces Alwihda Info | Par pd - 12 Fevrier 2024 China urges relevant countries to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, stop all forms of official contact with the Taiwan, stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and sincerely support China's peaceful reunification. By Zhong Sheng, People's Daily Following the elections of China's Taiwan region, over 100 countries and international organizations have reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle, their firm support for China's effort to safeguard the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, their opposition to any form of "Taiwan independence" and their support for China's cause of national reunification. What they have made is the voice of justice and peace. However, the United States and a few other countries sought to use the event to engage in political manipulation and published so-called statements "congratulating" the election victor. Such practices are serious interference of China's internal affairs and violation of China's sovereignty, and go against universally recognized basic norm in international relations and a prevailing consensus among the international community. The Taiwan question is China's internal affair and elections in the Taiwan region are purely China's internal affairs. Whatever changes take place in Taiwan, the basic fact that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China will not change. The Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Proclamation and other legally binding international instruments that have established the post-World War II international order all provide the historical and jurisprudential basis for the fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. While the two sides across the Taiwan Strait have yet to be reunified, the sovereignty and territory of China have never been severed. The legal status and the fact that Taiwan is an integral part of China's territory have never changed. This represents the true status quo of the Taiwan question. The one-China principle is the political premise on which China establishes and develops diplomatic relations with other countries. China has consistently and firmly opposed any form of official contact between the Taiwan region and countries having diplomatic ties with China, and interfering in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext. A few countries have manipulated narratives to mislead the public, with an aim to cover and gloss over their erroneous practices that interfere in China's internal affairs and violate the basic norm governing international relations. They hyped the so-called "democratic values," trying to support "Taiwan independence" in the name of "democracy." The Taiwan question is not about democracy, but about China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, in collusion with external forces, have been foisting a trumped-up narrative of "democracy versus authoritarianism," fanning up the institutional difference between Taiwan and the mainland. Such efforts to pursue "Taiwan independence" in the name of democracy are very dangerous and go against the interests and wellbeing of people in Taiwan. The future of Taiwan lies in China's reunification. The difference in social systems are neither an obstacle to reunification nor a justification for secessionism. A few countries are all talk when it comes to the "peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," while turning a blind eye to the actual threats that jeopardize it. The one-China principle is what underpins peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. "Taiwan independence" is as incompatible with peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait as fire with water. The real threat to cross-Strait peace and stability is the DPP authorities' unwillingness to recognize the 1992 Consensus which embodies the one-China principle, separatist activities to seek "Taiwan independence" and attempts to change the status quo that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China. Certain countries have been fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle, and echoing and collaborating with "Taiwan independence" forces in political, military and economic dimensions. They only say they want peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but ignore the separatist activities to seek "Taiwan independence." This will only embolden the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces to solicit foreign support and cause greater damage to cross-Strait peace and stability. These countries only say they want to solve the Taiwan question peacefully, but never show support for China's peaceful reunification. In essence, they are hindering China's efforts to pursue reunification and separating the two sides across the Taiwan Strait. Certain countries claimed that they are committed to maintaining the peaceful resolution of differences, free from coercion and pressure. In recent years, the DPP authorities have damaged the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, blatantly obstructed cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and continuously escalated the tense and volatile situation across the Taiwan Strait. A few countries, in an attempt to mislead the public, disguised the DPP authorities as a "victim" so that the latter could win "compassion" from the international community. They hyped the rhetoric that they are committed to maintaining the peaceful resolution of differences, free from coercion and pressure, just to hinder the Chinese government and people from deterring separatist activities for Taiwan independence. The Chinese government and people are ready to create vast space for peaceful reunification; but they will leave no room for separatist activities in any form. They will work with the greatest sincerity and exert their utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification; but they will not renounce the use of force, and they reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. Taiwan has never been a country and will never be one. The recent decision of Nauru to sever "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan and resume diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China once again proved that the one-China principle is where the global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends. China believes that the international community will keep supporting the one-China principle, understand and support the Chinese people's just cause of opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, and their striving to achieve national reunification. China urges relevant countries to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, stop all forms of official contact with the Taiwan, stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and sincerely support China's peaceful reunification. (Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.) Dans la meme rubrique : < > China's cruise economy embraces rapid development China still considered favorable investment destination by foreign companies China will remain staunch force for peace, stability, progress of world Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News China the most trustworthy partner Alwihda Info | Par pd - 12 Fevrier 2024 Only when all sides treat each other with sincerity and work in the same direction can there be a stronger foundation of trust and more fruits of cooperation. While focusing on effectively managing its own affairs, China will uphold solidarity, cooperation, openness, and sharing, and work together with all parties to improve global economic governance, so as to promote the steady and sustainable recovery of the world economy. By He Yin, People's Daily China's economy took center stage at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2024, which was themed "Rebuilding Trust". Participants actively praised the enhanced resilience of China's economy and businesses over the past two years. They acknowledged that China's efforts would create more opportunities for global economic growth and employment. China's pursuit of high-level opening-up was seen as having a positive impact on promoting international economic and trade development. The attendees widely recognized that China's solution was indispensable in addressing the global trust deficit. Currently, the global economic recovery is fragile and sluggish and lacks momentum, the development gap is widening. The impact of geopolitical conflicts on global development is becoming increasingly evident. More than 2,800 representatives from over 120 countries and regions gathered at the WEF Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos, Switzerland with a common goal of promoting global economic governance and helping the world economy overcome difficulties and sail towards a brighter future. China has always been sharing the same goal with the WEF. Chinese President Xi Jinping's important remarks on promoting economic globalization and upholding true multilateralism, as articulated at WEF platforms, hold profound practical significance in addressing global challenges. While striving for high-quality development of its own economy, China has always been sincerely committed to fostering an open world economy and has made tremendous efforts to improve global economic governance. The facts have proven that China is the most trustworthy partner. China's economy is steadily advancing, providing sustained strong impetus for global economic development. Over the years, China's contribution to world economic growth has stayed at around 30 percent. In 2023, China's economy showed positive overall growth, with a year-on-year increase of 5.2 percent in GDP. It has been repeatedly emphasized by international media outlets that China's economic growth rate was among the top in the world's major economies. According to the World Bank's latest Global Economic Prospects report, driven by China's economic recovery, the economic growth in East Asia and the Pacific region is projected to increase from 3.4 percent in 2022 to 5.1 percent in 2023. China has established sound and solid fundamentals in terms of the industrial base, production factors and innovation capacity. The conditions supporting high-quality development continue to gather and increase. The overall trend of long-term growth will not change. Saadia Zahidi, managing director of the WEF, noted that China's healthy economic development brings very positive spillover effects to other parts in the world. China remains firmly committed to opening up, and continues to create favorable conditions for the world to share in its opportunities. China is a major trading partner of over 140 countries and regions, with the overall tariff level cut to 7.3 percent, relatively on par with the developed members in the World Trade Organization. Currently, global demand remains insufficient, and the market is the scarcest resource. The Chinese market, with its vast space and growing depth, will play an important role in boosting aggregate global demand. China warmly welcomes foreign companies to continue investing in China and strives to create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. China will steadily expand institutional opening up, continue to shorten the negative list for foreign investment, follow through on removing all restrictions on access for foreign investment in the manufacturing sector, and guarantee national treatment for foreign businesses. According to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, the return on FDI in the Chinese mainland had been around 9.1 percent over the past five years, while in Europe and the United States, it was around 3 percent. The facts have already proven and will continue to prove that choosing the Chinese market is not a risk but an opportunity. China advocates for a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization and continues to contribute wisdom to improving global economic governance. Economic globalization is an inherent requirement of developing productive forces, a natural result of scientific and technological advancement, a sure path to human progress and more importantly, an irreversible trend of the times. In order to promote economic globalization for the greater benefit of people around the world, China advocates for a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. A universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization means meeting the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, properly addressing the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources. It is important for the international community to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalization and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, firmly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all. In response to the prominent challenges facing the global economy, China advocates for strengthening coordination of macroeconomic policies, enhancing international division of labor and cooperation, promoting international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation, fostering collaboration in green development, and strengthening North-South and South-South cooperation. These proposals provide practical and feasible solutions for rebuilding trust in the international community. Only when all sides treat each other with sincerity and work in the same direction can there be a stronger foundation of trust and more fruits of cooperation. While focusing on effectively managing its own affairs, China will uphold solidarity, cooperation, openness, and sharing, and work together with all parties to improve global economic governance, so as to promote the steady and sustainable recovery of the world economy. Dans la meme rubrique : < > China's cruise economy embraces rapid development China still considered favorable investment destination by foreign companies China will remain staunch force for peace, stability, progress of world Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) President-In-Name-Only Joe Biden finally decided to visit East Palestine, Ohio the community that last year endured both a toxic train derailment and the governments questionable decision to burn the spilled hazardous chemicals and poison the regions air. Given Bidens obvious cognitive decline, its impossible to know whether PINO mistakenly thought he was heading out to provide aid and comfort to Palestinian terrorists in their war against Israel or whether he wanted to belatedly feign love for blue-collar Americans before demanding their votes in November. Either way, Dementia Joe made the trip late in the day on a Friday so that coverage of his visit would disappear with the rest of the administrations conveniently flushed news. For their part, the good people of East Palestine were quick to declare with numerous signs that PINO Bidens arrival was Too Little, Too Late. As Wandering Joe stood anxiously behind him and fidgeted in his coat pockets, the village mayor thanked the White Houses nursing home patient for his long-awaited visit while acknowledging this disaster should have never happened. Unlike Biden, who arrived a year late and brought only note cardscripted empty promises, President Trump visited this community in the midst of the tragedy and brought truckloads of bottled water for the victims. He also cast a giant spotlight on the environmental disaster as it was unfolding and expressed concern for the villagers health. Decrepit Joe the guy whose administration invests heavily in green energy scams that fleece the American people showed through a calendar year of radio silence that environmentalism is pointless unless it pays. Maybe if the blue-collar workers of East Palestine had ponied up 10% from their cleanup collection fund for Quid-Pro-Quo Joes campaign or family coffers, the federal government would have felt that the catastrophe deserved more urgent attention. Of all the jeering cardboard signs mocking PINO Joe for his un-timely visit, perhaps the most pointed were in the hands of two smiling schoolgirls. One said loudly, Resident NOT President, while the other begged the Oval Office chief, infamous for creeping on little girls, Dont Sniff Me! It is common to find children carrying signs in political protests that are almost certainly designed by their parents. However, in this instance, the mischievous grins on those girls faces revealed that they understood what a sad, cringe-worthy punch line Biden has become. When nearly 90% of Americans believe that Child-Sniffer Joe is mentally unfit, kids get the joke. Joe Bidens presidency is too defective for anyone to take seriously. At the same time that Clueless Joe was being lampooned in Ohio, a joke of a judge in New York was handing down a jury-free judgment against Donald Trump to the tune of nearly four hundred million dollars. His crime? There was no crime. The states attorney general (who campaigned on a pledge to target Trump) simply found a judge so intellectually tainted by political partisanship and so unburdened by any sense of ethical duty that the two could conspire to strip the Trump family of wealth and professional standing under the color of law. Effectively, the Democrat duo committed legal fraud against Donald Trump by fabricating a laughably absurd claim that the president had engaged in some kind of mysterious civil fraud resulting in neither damages nor victims. Before the trial began, the Judge-In-Name-Only (hmm...theres a pattern here) declared as a matter of law and without any jury to consider the colossal weight of factual evidence to the contrary that Trumps business had engaged in this one-of-its-kind imaginary fraud, so the only question left was how much to unjustly punish the once and future president. After weeks of a farcical show trial designed to give the black-robed tyrant a public stage to prance around on the Trump familys good name, the JINO finally got around to announcing the decision that he had already reached before the spectacle began: an unprecedented fine and a three-year prohibition against doing business in the state. Barring Donald Trump from doing business with banking institutions from New York City will hamstring his business operations everywhere, so the costly civil judgment makes it that much more difficult for the presumptive presidential nominee to defend himself against the unremitting lawfare coming from the Deep State. As Bidens Stalinesque Department of (in)Justice and the Democrats other legal assassins posing as state prosecutors and judges threaten President Trumps freedom with criminal cases that they would never dare bring against a Bush, Biden, Obama, or Clinton, these civil cases are meant to drain his resources and divert his attention from the 2024 campaign. The fact that so few voices have expressed outrage at this judicially sanctioned injustice is execrable proof that the Establishments system of control is not worth preserving. We have a tale of two presidents that cements the federal governments irredeemable reputation for corruption in the minds of most Americans. In PINO Joe Bidens case, both criminal investigators and corporate news talking heads have ignored his familys documented history of quid pro quo bribery schemes with foreign regimes. Even when government agents find top-secret materials carelessly stored in Joes garage files that he was never entitled to possess privately as a senator or vice president there is never any real threat of criminal punishment. Joe gets the same kid-gloves treatment that Hillary Clinton received when FBI director Jim Comey laid out every element of her crimes for espionage and illegal retention of classified documents before giving her a pass. The Deep State does not prosecute its friends. In President Trumps case, the DOJ spent years manufacturing a Russia collusion hoax that the FBI and CIA knew to be a lie, and journalistic hacks intentionally defamed him as a bought-and-paid-for Russian stooge. Barack Obamas CIA used foreign governments to illegally spy on Trumps campaign a fact that Deep State stenographers such as Lesley Stahl continue to cover up. Journalists Michael Shellenberger, Matt Taibbi, and Alex Gutentag have documented that CIA director John Brennan cooked the intelligence to hide another inconvenient fact: that Russia preferred a Clinton victory in the 2016 election and didnt fear a Hillary Clinton presidency. Donald Trump took no salary while serving the American people as president, and the Deep State honored his commitment by stabbing him in the back. Have any of the FBI agents, intelligence officers, DOJ attorneys, or special counsel prosecutors faced any professional or criminal sanctions for having perpetrated a fraud against the American people that was meant to cripple, if not prematurely end, Donald Trumps presidency? Of course not. Instead, the same people and institutions that engaged in a veritable coup detat are seeking to incarcerate President Trump for the rest of his life for having retained documentary evidence of the Obama-Brennan-Comey-Clinton crimes against his campaign and presidency files, it should be noted, that the president declassified under his constitutional authority. In an expanded tale of three presidents, Obama and Biden can commit crimes against Donald Trump, but the Deep State insists that President Trump be imprisoned for noticing. At the same time, the DOJ wants Trump behind bars for using his voice to condemn the 2020 election as tainted by fraud. Interestingly, that allegation is now backed up by so much demonstrable evidence of electoral crimes and statistical evidence of probable crimes that one recent study concludes that but for mail-in ballot fraud, President Trump would have almost certainly won re-election. As the persecution of J6 political hostages has shown, noticing Deep State fraud is a bigger crime than committing fraud. Any system so corrupt that it protects the guilty and punishes the innocent cannot be taken seriously. But can it be saved? Image: cagdesign via Pixabay, Pixabay License. Of all the worlds countries, just one faces an endless public battle over its right to exist: Israel. Even countries that have committed genocides with victims numbering in the millionsTurkey, Germany, Russia, Chinaface no such challenge. And countries whose foundings caused the uprooting and exile of millions morelike Pakistan and modern Indiaalso face no such challenge. So why Israel, and only Israel? The true answer is a tsunami of false propaganda produced by Israels detractors and circulated by biased commentators. This includes a torrent of human rights activists and journalists publicly accusing Israel of ruthlessly occupying and oppressing people in Gaza and the West Bank and, now, of committing genocide in Gaza. Such indictments ignore a mountain of confounding facts. At least nine times in the past century, both Israel and its pre-state leaders sought or conducted negotiations with Arab leaders to establish two states for two peoplesin 1937, 1948, 1967, 1979, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2008, and 2019. At least six such overtures involved explicit offers for a state alongside Israel. Leaders in Gaza and the West Bank not only rejected all those statehood offers but each time commenced or resumed terror campaigns to destroy Israel. Image: Hamas childrens television. YouTube screen grab. When the U.N. recognized the nation Israel in 1948and offered Arabs in the British mandate their own state alongside Israelthe Arab leaders instead launched a war to kill every last Jew in the region, as five Arab countries invaded Israel. Israels leaders urged the Arabs within its assigned borders to remain, with the guarantee that they would have equal rights. Instead, Arab leaders successfully urged the Arabs within the new nations borders to flee in order to clear the field for their intended mass slaughter of the Jews. Since 1948, all Arab leadersincluding both the Palestinian Authority and Hamashave indoctrinated the people in their control to have genocidal hatred for Jews and Israel while glorifying mass killers of Jews as their greatest of heroes. The daily drumbeat of such propaganda throughout their schools, media, mosques, and civic ceremonies has created the worlds most powerful ideological ecosystem for the mass production of terrorists. And despite not having had a single day of complete peace since 1948, when one of Britains top military leaders, Col. Richard Kempt, thoroughly scrutinized the Israel Defense Force, he concluded it was the worlds most moral army. Col. Kemps assessment emphasized Israels extraordinary efforts, unprecedented in the history of warfare, to protect civilians from harm. This has been manifested yet again in Israels response to Hamass genocidal attacks of October 7. It is well documented that Israel has dropped over a million leaflets and made over 10 million calls and texts to Gazans, warning them when to evacuate ahead of Israeli military action; it has opened humanitarian corridors for such evacuees; and it has repeatedly sought to deliver fuel, incubators, respirators, and other supplies to Gazas largest hospital, Al-Shifa. Israel also gives its pilots and soldiers authority to call off strikes on military targets when civilians are spotted in the target area, something theyve done during this war. In stark contrast, Hamas deliberately targets Israeli civilians for murder, including women and children (especially women). The murders on October 7 were conducted with gruesome tortures. The slaughter was consistent with Hamass 1988 Charter, which declares its goal to obliterate Israelthat is, commit genocide. As urged by Hamas leaders, the terrorists recorded, broadcast, and celebrated their horrifying rapes and murders of Israeli women and children; and mobs of Gazan civilians cheered with bloodlust at the sights of mutilated Israelis paraded through their streets. While Israel seeks to protect Gazan civilians amid war, Hamas has hoarded for its terror cadres the medical and humanitarian aid intended for its desperate citizens. As one Gaza City resident recently put it: When Hamas distributes the aid, only Hamas members get the aid. The real reason for civilian losses in this current war is that Hamas forces its citizens to be human shields, dragged into the line of fire to score propaganda points against Israel. Per the Mideast Media Research Institute, Hamas conducts military activity from within hospitals, mosques, churches and schools . . . in order to deliberately provoke Israel into attacking these sites. Worse, when Gazans seek to utilize the Israeli escape corridors, multiple reports have documented Hamas terrorists blockading the routes and even shooting their fellow citizens to prevent their escape. Yet despite all this, and despite Hamas having deliberately created the most civilian-embedded battlespace in the long history of war, the fact remains that Israels military actions [have] produced far fewer deaths and a far lower ratio of civilian-to-combatant deaths than in any comparable urban warfare. By way of perspective, Americas war in Iraq yielded a civilian-to-combatant death rate more than double that of Israel in Gazaa fact the Biden administration would do well to consider before scolding and threatening Israel over civilian casualties. The core reality that Israels accusers neglect is this: If today Hamas laid down their arms, tomorrow there would be peace with Israel. But if today Israel laid down their arms, tomorrow there would be no Israel. It is Hamas that seeks genocide, and it is Israel that ethically acts to prevent it. Henry Kopel is a retired federal prosecutor and the author of War on Hate: How to Stop Genocide, Fight Terrorism, and Defend Freedom (Lexington Books, 2021). He serves on the global advisory board for the Abraham Global Peace Initiative. With the shock and awakening of Americans that the freedoms, rights, and opportunities they had taken for granted for generations have been brazenly stripped away in the last few years, primarily by the federal government and its administrative state, Presidents Day 2024 takes on particular significance. It is unique among American holidays in that two of Americas greatest presidents -- George Washington and Abraham Lincoln -- speak to us from their graves. Washington was the key founder of the United States, the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army which defeated Great Britain -- the greatest military power in world. Later Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention and was unanimously elected as the first President in 1789. Lincoln was elected as the sixteenth President in 1860 and was the wartime commander-in-chief who presided over the start and the end of the Civil War. In so doing he set the stage for national reunification, ending the scourge of slavery, and saving the United States from remaining divided. In short, Lincoln saved the republic that Washington made possible. And two remarkable men they were, whose wisdom and judgment were profound and as relevant today as it was in their times many years ago. In both Washington and Lincoln, we are confronted with flawed men who made mistakes, but whose remarkable qualities of character were so formidable that they became part of the essence of what we call American exceptionalism. Both presidents readily admitted that it was not their own abilities that made the difference but rather their faith, trust and reliance on God that gave them their strength and opened the way for ultimate success. What is particularly striking for people today is that both Washington and Lincoln agreed that Americas greatest threat to national survival would not come from military invasion from a foreign power. Rather Americas downfall would come from within. Washingtons final gift to America was his Farewell Address, calling it a warning from a departing friend. It was so profound and in demand that it was reprinted more than the Declaration of Independence. Prophetic in nature, it warned of three sources of internal peril to liberty in the American Republic. And these are more relevant now than ever before: The failure of citizens to be well-informed; Internal division because of party factions and hyper-partisanship; and The decline of religious obligation and national morality. Lincoln wanted to prompt Americans to think and be vigilant by asking them, At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? He answered that question, stating, If it ever reaches us it must spring up amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time or die by suicide. On another occasion, Lincoln said, The people are the rightful masters of both congresses, and courts -- not to overthrow the constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it. After his reelection for a second term, shortly before his assassination, Lincoln observed that corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. While he could not have foreseen the technological transformations to come in the U.S. economy, Lincoln was remarkably prescient. It is now obvious that the aggregation and concentration of wealth in the information technology and the pharmaceutical industries today are major factors in undermining our constitutional First Amendment rights. Free speech, which roots our falsehood and helps reveal the truth, is after all the cornerstone of the republic. Washington and Lincoln were unique and quite distinct in personality, but both were men of deep faith, wisdom, courage, and persistence. Each in separate times with different challenges was willing to sacrifice his life for the greater good. They both shared a vision of America as a nation grounded in the ideas of the Declaration of Independence that would provide its people the freedom and rights to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. And they both believed that if the nation lived up to these ideals, The United States would be a light and beacon of hope for the world. If Washington and Lincoln could somehow be resurrected and transported into the present, neither would recognize what America has become. Their first reaction would likely be to cheer on the efforts of American citizens to push back against government tyranny and reclaim their rights, enshrined in the Constitution. America is currently being assaulted on many more fronts than at the time of the War of Independence or the Civil War. Our challenge today is one of commitment. The Founders were willing to give their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to establish independence and create a new nation. We are called to do no less to save this country. Scott Powell is a member of the Committee on the Present Danger China and senior fellow at Discovery Institute. His timeless book, Rediscovering America, was a #1 Amazon new release in history for eight straight weeks. Reach him at scottp@discovery.org Image: Public Domain The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by poet T.S. Eliot shares the story of a sexually frustrated middle-aged man who wants to express his true feelings but is afraid to speak his mind. The Love Song of (Fulton County) D.A. Fani Willis tells the tragic tale of a woman whose lust for power was exceeded by her lust for another womans husband, and now she faces embarrassment and possibly even legal ramifications for accusations based on her sordid affair with a married man. Look for any parallels you might find between Eliots poem and the life and times of Fani Willis. Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out against the sky Like a patient etherized upon a table ... No one has ever accused Fani Willis of being the sharpest tool in the shed. Fulton County Superior Court judge Robert McBurney said about Willis hosting a 2022 fundraiser for a Democrat candidate opposing a potential target of her investigation, Its a What are you thinking? moment. The optics are horrific. When people believe they are above the law, they tend to do as they please. Case in point: D.A. Willis apparently hired her boyfriend, Nathan Wade, to help prosecute former president Donald Trump under a RICO statute. Even though Mr. Wade has no experience trying RICO cases, she is paying him the exorbitant rate of $250 per hour. Thus far, Wade has billed the state of Georgia for more than $728,000 in legal fees. Contrast his salary with attorney John Floyd, a recognized expert on RICO prosecutions, also assigned to the Trump case, who is making $150 per hour. Mr. Wade is black, and Mr. Floyd is white. There are only two possible explanations for why Mr. Wade should earn $100 more per hour than Mr. Floyd for doing the same work on the same case: either race played a role in the pay discrepancy or the personal relationship between Mr. Wade and Ms. Willis played a role. Ms. Willis hired her lover at the maximum hourly rate despite his lack of experience with handling such cases and has reaped the benefit of their romantic relationship by taking extravagant trips to Belize and Aruba, cruises in the Caribbean, and even a champagne and caviar tasting in Napa Valley. What, no balloon rides? All courtesy of Georgia taxpayers. And indeed there will be time To wonder, Do I dare? and, Do I dare? Ms. Willis (and Mr. Wade) claims she reimbursed Mr. Wade with cash she just happened to have lying around the house. Apparently, she doesnt have a checking account. In virtually every other instance where she reimbursed others for her personal expenses, she used Cash App instead of paying with actual cash, but in the instance of reimbursing Mr. Wade for far more money, she used actual currency currency that never shows as being deposited into Mr. Wades bank. Ms. Willis didnt have to get involved in a political prosecution of former President Trump, but Joe Biden and the White House wanted him prosecuted, and she wanted to be a good Democrat and toe the party line. She didnt have to hire Mr. Wade. She thought she could get away with it. Do I dare Disturb the universe? Ms. Willis got on the stand and may have gotten herself disbarred when she defiantly said, Do you think Im on trial? These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. Im not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial. However, she said this while on the witness stand after the allegations of her romantic involvement with Mr. Wade first surfaced, leading the judge to call for this hearing to decide whether Ms. Willis and Mr. Wade should be removed from the special prosecution or not, and its not looking very good for Ms. Willis. And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin, When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall, Then how should I begin To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways? And how should I presume? Hiring your inexperienced lover and paying him considerably more than his associates is unethical and immoral, but it might not be illegal. But what is illegal is committing perjury, and that seems to be the biggest current problem for Ms. Willis and Mr. Wade. Both swore in court documents that their romantic relationship did not begin until early 2022, after Mr. Wade was hired in November 2021. However, Williss friend Robin Bryant-Yeartie testified under oath that she had no doubt that the relationship between Willis and Wade began as early as 2019. When pressed about documentation or any evidence to support her claim shed repaid Wade with cash for the extravagant vacations theyd taken together, Ms. Willis defiantly said she had her word and that the testimony of a single witness should be considered good enough. By that standard, the testimony of Ms. Bryant-Yeartie should also be accepted without corroboration. But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed, Though I have seen my head (grown slightly bald) brought in upon a platter, I am no prophet and heres no great matter; I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker, And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker, And in short, I was afraid. Ashleigh Merchant, attorney for Trump co-defendant Mike Roman, made the allegations against Ms. Willis and Mr. Wade that culminated in the need for the hearing, and Ms. Wade was not happy with her. She said, Ms. Merchants interests are contrary to democracy, your Honor, not to mine, as if the future of our right to vote depended on her integrity being questioned. Ms. Willis appears to have made the fatal mistake of assuming the rules dont apply to her. Politic, cautious, and meticulous; Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; At times, indeed, almost ridiculous Almost, at times, the Fool. The prosecution of President Trump is purely political and designed to prevent him from winning the election this November. Mafia bosses running a criminal enterprise should be charged under RICO statutes, but not candidates for president. Linguini-spined Brian Kemp was content to let Willis run roughshod in the judicial system to engineer a corrupt indictment, but an astute defense attorney has accused Willis of adultery and perjury. The evidence looks damning. We are being asked to believe, without evidence, that Ms. Willis reimbursed Mr. Wade for her half of all their travel expenses out of untraceable cash reserves she just had lying around her house reserves that included funds she now claims she kept that were campaign contributions illegally converted to her personal use. We are being asked to believe that their affair didnt begin until 2022 when a former associate has testified under oath that it actually began in 2019. Just when you think it couldnt get any more embarrassing for Fani Willis, the world discovered she was allegedly wearing her dress backwards. Even the London Daily Mail noticed. At one point, the judge called for a five-minute recess because Ms. Willis had gotten out of control, shouting that Ms. Merchant is a liar. Before the hearing began, the question being asked most often was whether Ms. Willis and Mr. Ward would be allowed to remain involved with the prosecution of President Trump. Now the question is whether Ms. Willis will be allowed to keep her license to practice law. John Leonard is a freelance writer. He blogs at southernprose.com, and his books can be found at LeonardBooks.net. His latest novel is titled Atheists Prayer. Image: Fani Willis. Credit: Atlanta News First via YouTube, CC BY 3.0. One of the creepiest videos Ive ever seen showed a mixed-up partnership in which the man claimed to be a woman, and the woman claimed to be a man. Thats not even the creepy part. What was creepy was that the woman (i.e., fake man) had a baby, and the man (i.e., fake woman) tried to breastfeed that poor little infant. That was bad. Much worse is that a trust in Britains National Health Service is claiming that a man given a dangerous chemical cocktail can, in fact, breastfeed a baby. Matt Walsh gives a good rundown of what led to the video and then has the actual clip itself. If you dont want to listen to him first, the clip starts at 3:12: In a sane world, those manifestly delusional people would get a visit from Child Protective Services, and that poor little baby (a they) would be put into a normal and safe home. Unfortunately, we dont live in a sane world. Instead, in a push to validate mental illness, science has stepped in with a chemical cocktail that is known to be a risk for infants but that allows mens breasts to produce a white liquid. And in the name of gender equity, one of Britains National Health Service trusts is assuring all and sundry thathonest!its just like the real thing: An NHS trust has said that breast milk produced by trans women who were assigned male at birth is as good for babies as that produced by a mother who has given birth. In a letter to campaigners, the University of Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust (USHT), said that the milk produced by trans women after taking a combination of drugs is comparable to that produced following the birth of a baby. The hospital trust, which runs Royal Sussex County Hospital, Worthing Hospital and Royal Alexandra Childrens Hospital among others, was also the first in Britain to use the term chestfeeding in place of breastfeeding because it is considered by some to be more inclusive. [snip] [The trusts report] also references a 2022 study that found milk testosterone concentrations were under 1 per cent with no observable side effects in the babies. The study lasted for five months and no long-term data was obtained. For a person born male to breastfeed, they must develop milk-producing glands by taking the hormone progestin. A drug is required to lactate, such as domperidone, which is often prescribed to women struggling to breastfeed, and helps to stimulate the production of prolactin a separate hormone that tells the body to produce milk. Domperidone, also known by the brand name Motilum, was not intended for this, but is prescribed off-label by doctors, despite the manufacturer, Janssen, itself recommending against it because of possible side effects to a babys heart. (Emphasis mine.) Reading that, I really did feel like hollering out Paging Dr. Mengele! As you may recall, in addition to being a mass-murdering monster, Mengele was fascinated with bizarre human experiments involving twins and dwarfism. Were seeing much the same here, as a hospital insists that going against nature in the most fundamental way is a good thing. Whats really sick is that this has nothing to do with the babys needs. Its all about validating the delusions of mentally ill men. This kind of ideological madness is all over the medical establishment, of course. In hospital after hospital, medical students are taught that whites are pathologically evil, indigenous wisdom needs to override the evil Eurocentrism of actual science (ignoring that true Western science saved lives at unprecedented rates), and, of course, that human biology is meaningless when it comes to sex. All this nonsense follows on the heels of the madness of COVID. Since 2020, weve seen the medical establishment insist on a panoply of dubious remediations (masks, social distancing, lockdowns, vaccines) while ignoring traditional scientific approaches to medicines such as Ivermectin. Something inevitable happens when the scientific community abandons the actual scientific process in favor of Lysenkoism and Maoism (that is, ideology overrides classic scientific principles): People cease believing in all scientific principles, whether real or, as now, faked. A recent poll shows a dramatic decline in trust: A new Pew Research Center survey finds the share of Americans who say science has had a mostly positive effect on society has fallen and theres been a continued decline in public trust in scientists. [snip] Overall, 57% of Americans say science has had a mostly positive effect on society. This share is down 8 percentage points since November 2021 and down 16 points since before the start of the coronavirus outbreak. [snip] When it comes to the standing of scientists, 73% of U.S. adults have a great deal or fair amount of confidence in scientists to act in the publics best interests. But trust in scientists is 14 points lower than it was at the early stages of the pandemic. Science disconnected from morality gets you Mengele. Were not there yet, but were getting there because were going one better than Mengele. Were now abandoning not just morality but even the pretense of sanity. Image: YouTube screen grab (edited). Showing its complete disdain for citizenship and the rights that go with citizenship, San Francisco has appointed a non-citizen who hasnt even lived in America for five years to its Election Commission. Kelly Wong, who cant vote, is now one of the people charged with overseeing and creating policy for San Franciscos Department of Elections. Back in 2020, San Francisco voters approved a measure holding that people no longer needed to be citizens to serve on San Franciscos advisory bodies, boards, and commissions, all of which are appointed positions. That opened the door for Wong to start having a say in how San Franciscans vote. (San Francisco also lets non-citizens with children in public schools vote in school board elections. As one non-citizen parent said, Even though we are not U.S. citizens, we should not be silenced. Well, actually, yes, you should be silencedor become a citizen.) Image: Kelly Wong. X screen grab. KQED, the local PBS affiliate, reported on Wongs appointment. It was a very approving, even woke report (emphasis mine): Wong said she hopes her appointment is a beacon of hope for other immigrants living in the city. There are always voices inside my head. Like, You cant do it. Youre not competent. Youre an immigrant. This is not your country. Thats not true, said Wong, who immigrated to the U.S. in 2019 from Hong Kong to pursue graduate studies. If I can do it, you can do it. [snip] Im very impressed by her commitment to enfranchising people who rarely vote, to educating people about the voting process, and to bring in noncitizens and get them the tools they need as they become citizens, Peskin said. Drawing on her lived experience, Wong said she wants to increase engagement among the citys immigrant and non-English speaking communities. Anyone who has delved into San Franciscos ballot knows it can be just as confusing for native English speakers to decipher the myriad propositions, their arguments, and the citys ranked-choice voting system. Even though Im fluent in English, I still encounter challenges in navigating a new system, let alone participating in political conversation and activities, Wong said in an interview with KQED before Wednesdays swearing-in ceremony. I happen to agree with Wong that ballot measures are badly written, obscuring their meaning. Indeed, this is often done intentionally (for example, using confusing techniques such as double negatives) to trick unwitting voters into approving initiatives they would never support if they fully understood. For legal voters who dont speak English as a first language, these things can be even more of a struggle. The fact that Wong has a point, though, doesnt mean that a non-citizen who barely knows America should be guiding the citys voting policy. Of course, the anti-Americanism in San Francisco is blatant. In November 2022, the Election Commission booted John Arntz not for doing a bad job or being corrupt but simply because he was white. The commission didnt even try to hide its violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Elections Commissioner Cynthia Dai, who voted to not renew Arntzs contract, said there was no performance-based reason for the commissions decision. She did not dispute that San Francisco has run free, fair and functional elections for 20 years. Rather, she says, it was time to open up this position to a more diverse field; the city, she said, could not make progress on its racial equity goals without opening up its top positions. Our decision wasnt about your performance, but after twenty years we wanted to take action on the Citys racial equity plan and give people an opportunity to compete for a leadership position, reads an email sent from commission president Chris Jerdonek to Arntz. We also wanted to allow enough time for a fair and equitable process and conduct as broad a search as possible. What just happened in San Francisco is another step in the lefts overall goal of erasing citizenship entirely. Leftists think Americans are spoiled, entitled white people who refuse to get with the program and vote in full socialism. Therefore, theyre chipping away at American votes through unlimited illegal immigration, non-citizen voting, election fraud and, as in Wongs case, handing the keys to the kingdom to people who have no ties to America and no legal right to have a say in it. I like a holiday as much as the next guy, but Presidents Day puts me in a bit of a pickle. I respect the Office of the President, and I love this country, but I also know that 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has housed more than its share of skunks. Back in 1954 AD, when I was born, America celebrated Lincolns birthday on February 12th and Washingtons birthday on February 22nd. I had no problem celebrating the birth of those two wonderful men who make me proud to be an American. I didnt overexert myself doing research, but I did find this explanation about the current naming of this holiday. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present. My problem is with this part, Presidents Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present. I will not celebrate the skunks. Ill sooner celebrate National Hemorrhoid Day, National Kidney Stone Day, or National Lets Get a Cystoscopic Day before I will celebrate Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, or Barack Obamas birthday. Image: An 1865 print of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Library of Congress. Some reading this might accuse me of cynicism, and they might be right. Three years of Biden or 12 years of Obama makes me a bit irritable. Watching them do unto Trump what Putin did unto Navalny makes me want to %&$#@#%. Now they say it is not enough to complain about a problem. It is better to offer solutions. So, here goes. We need to reclaim the idea of public servants. Harry Truman, in his private papers, expressed contempt for politics as a path to wealth, a sentiment boiled down to the saying, Show me a man that gets rich by being a politician, and Ill show you a crook. So, how did Joe Biden or the Clintons become millionaires in politics? The Bible does not address specifically desired qualities for politicians, but it does address qualities desirable in leaders. It asks us to look at the leaders family. Is he/she happily married and faithful? If he or she has children, are they well adjusted? A lot of presidential skunks dont pass that metric either. Finally, it would help if our journalists would do their job. There are too many instances in American history of journalists covering up for politicians instead of properly vetting them. The laptop from hell comes to mind. Tell us the truth and let the chips fall where they may. Telling the truth is easier and healthier than controlling the narrative. Ned Cosby, a frequent contributor to American Thinker, is a former pastor, veteran Coast Guard officer, and a retired career public high school teacher. His newest novel OUTCRY is a love story exposing the refusal of Christian leaders to report and discipline clergy who sexually abuse our young people. This work of fiction addresses crimes that are all too real. Cosby has also written RECOLLECTIONS FROM MY FATHERS HOUSE, tracing his own odyssey from 1954 to the present. For more info, visit Ned Cosby. Last Friday, I was watching a presentation about a trip to Germany. The lady making the presentation told us about the museums, the churches and all of these benefits that they have, i.e., health care, education, early retirement, etc. I thought to myself that it must be nice to be protected by the U.S. Like many of you, I grew up during the Cold War. I understood the Soviet threat or the idea of Warsaw Pact tanks marching in, as happened in Hungary in 1956 and in Prague in 1968. Didn't everything change when the U.S.S.R. collapsed and countries like Poland and Germany were given a second chance? How long are we supposed to be committed to defending prosperous countries that don't pay their NATO dues, open their borders recklessly and do not have babies to maintain their populations? According to Francis P. Sempa, this is 2024 not 1949. This is what he wrote When looking at the tens of millions pouring illegally into America, some people console themselves by looking at the Latin Americans among them and thinking, At least theyre bringing in traditional social values. Ive got some bad news for you. Dont count on it. In Mexico, two congresspeople have been convicted of gendered violence for calling a mana man. Leftism strikes again, and its crossing our Southern border into America. Salma Luevano is a man with fake boobs. Hes also a radical activist for the cause of so-called transgenderism who managed to get himself elected to the Mexican legislature as a member of MORENA, the countrys left-wing political party. Typically for mentally ill men living with the cognitive dissonance of pretending that they are women, Luevano is fanatically aggressive in responding to any slights to his femininity. Hes now twice accused conservative Mexican politicians of the crime of gendered violence toward him, and hes twice been successful. Image: Salma Luevano. YouTube screen grab. Reduxx, which is the go-to site for stories from the forefront of gender madness, has the story: The Electoral Tribunal of the Judiciary of Mexico (TEPJF) has convicted Congresswoman Teresa Castell of gendered violence towards a trans-identified male politician, Salma Luevano, for referring to him as a man. This incident shortly follows news that a former Congressman had similarly been convicted for the exact same crime against Luevano. Castells incident date back to March 2023, when Luevano, a Deputy with the governing Morena Party, reported her to the National Electoral Institute for referring to him as a man on YouTube and X (formerly Twitter). Two months later, the Electoral Tribunal issued a ruling stating that Castell had been found guilty of political gendered violence, a conviction which was confirmed by unanimous vote this past week. Castells punishment is brutal because it forces her to go through indoctrination and publicly lie about her values, as well as place her on a register that identifies her as someone who commits political violence against womennever mind that Luevano is most decidedly a man: As punishment, Castell must take a course on political violence, both against women because of gender and against LGBTTTIQA+ people. She must also extend a public apology and publish an excerpt of the sentence on her X account. In addition, she will be catalogued in the National Registry of Persons Sanctioned in Political Matters against Women for Gender Reasons of the National Electoral Institute, a registry that was created to protect female politicians from political violence. Her sentence will also be recorded in the Catalogue of Subjects Sanctioned in Special Sanctioning Proceedings on the website of the Specialized Chamber of the Electoral Tribunal. In some ways, Castells punishment wasnt as bad as it could have been. Rodrigo Ivan Cortes wasnt ordered to grovel just once to Mr. Luevano. Instead, he was told to apologize daily for 30 days: Former Mexican Congressman Rodrigo Ivan Cortes has been convicted of "gendered violence" after calling trans lawmaker Salma Luevano a "man." Cortes has been ordered to apologize every day for 30 days, and will be entered into a registry of violence against female politicians. pic.twitter.com/3tyvns2lGE REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) February 15, 2024 As for Castell, she promptly went ahead and posted her apology on Xand then immediately made clear that she didnt mean it: Mere formality. We are going to international bodies. The good thing? MILLIONS OF MEXICANS have already turned to see what gender ideology is and are beginning to know the dangers for WOMEN and CHILDREN. A FORCED apology is worthless, and everyone knows I am being FORCED . Nothing is forever. Good for her. Castell added that she felt that her conviction was useful because its going to break through the Mexican peoples being unaware of just how fast and furiously gender madness has grown in Mexico: The people of Mexico are beginning to realize what is happening, that this is not a simple matter of dressing as a woman and wanting to be called by a feminine name. No, it goes far beyond only dressing as a woman. It is our rights, it is our victories, and it is our liberties that are being appropriated, that today are being usurped and we have to put a stop to it, she said. It is not a fight of woman against woman and man against man. Here we are fighting a totally unequal and unjust battle: it is a fight of women against men who believe, feel or disguise themselves as women. As it is, though, we are getting tens of millions of Latin Americans who now come from countries without a history of free speech and in which the pro-gender madness laws have intersected with censorship. Its like Canada, only in this case, the Canadians are flooding our country! The five U.S. Senators state that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahus government, which they neglect to mention has become a unity government to manage the war by consensus, has had an unacceptable impact on Palestinian civilians. They provide the number of casualties from the terrorist regimes mouthpiece - the Gazan health ministry - as their evidence. What is conspicuously absent from their evidence of the casualty figure is that it includes not only civilians but terrorist fighters as well! So why do the Senators feel the need to manipulate readers by inflating the numbers, other than to bias the public against Israel? The factual distortion seems part of what has been a time-worn battle by certain U.S. Senators against the sole Jewish state. As proof, they never protested civilian casualties when the U.S. was battling the Taliban with civilians getting killed in Afghanistan. They never protested when the U.S. was battling in Iraq, when Iraqi civilians were getting killed in Iraq. Yet now, with regards to Israel, they are not only protesting, but embellishing. They also ignore the one measure that would stop all the killing: Hamas should be forced to surrender. If the Senators are so concerned with the survival of Gazans, why do they not call on Egypt to take in Gazans temporarily to get them out of harms way? Egypt, as a border country to Gaza, could easily do that. The U.S. provides enough assistance to Egypt to require this humanitarian refuge. But the Senators dont even mention it. Why, when it would be such an easy fix? The tactic would also aid Israel since they are painstakingly doing what has never been done before in their efforts to spare civilian lives. Which other country has ever sent texts, pamphlets, pinged tops of roofs, provided humanitarian corridors to civilians in wartime, other than Israel? Yes, Senators, you cannot deny that never in warfare has a country gone to such lengths to save an enemys civilians, more than the enemy commanders themselves who wont even provide them basic shelter. Even the Nazis built bomb shelters for their civilians. And its not because of a lack of funds that there arent shelters in Gaza. Hamas has spent a fortune on military tunnels that they use to attack Israel but also to protect themselves and allow for quick getaways. Removing the civilians would end this war more quickly. Senators, where are your voices when it comes to pressuring Egypt? The Senators claim that an Israeli operation against the last remaining stronghold of Hamas would be unacceptable. It seems the critics of Israel have said this before every military operation in each city in Gaza. The Senators may see this effort as unacceptable, but who could deny that it would bring this war closer to an end - a permanent end. And isnt that what we all want? The Senators plan would only ensure that the war is perpetuated - and for this they get the honor of an op-ed? Dr. Michael Berenhaus is a freelance activist who works to combat anti-Israel bias in the media. He has been widely published in news sources such as The Economist, The New York Times and The Washington Post. Following the monstrous $355 million fine leveled against President Trump and his associates for a victimless claim of inflating assets in New York City, New York's governor, Kathy Hochul, assured concerned investors that they have "nothing to worry about." According to The Hill: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) addressed New York business owners in a new interview and told them there was nothing to worry about after former President Trump was hit with a $355 million fine and a ban on conducting business in New York for three years. Hochul joined John Catsimatidis on The Cats Roundtable on WABC 770 AM, where she was asked if other New York businesspeople should be worried that if they can do that to the former president, they can do that to anybody. Donald Trump I think that this is really an extraordinary, unusual circumstance that the law-abiding and rule-following New Yorkers who are business people have nothing to worry about, because theyre very different thanand his behavior, Hochul responded. If that response was meant to assure, it did the opposite. Trump was handed a monstrous fine from a prosecutor rabidly against President Trump politically, a woman so biased she ran for office on pinning something on Trump, which is illegal, teamed with a sneering, grotesquely biased, judge with many conflicts of interest including potential family profits who made it clear all through his courtroom sessions that he intended to destroy Trump. The fine was grotesquely out of proportion to an utterly victimless "crime" of supposedly inflating assets, while witnesses testified that nobody lost money, loans were paid in full, and banks were happy to lend again. The judge himself, a man of no training in the matter, made the assessments of the values Trump's properties, such as Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, grotesquely undervaluing the property, ipse dixit. Real estate professionals raised their eyebrows at that one. Judge, jury, executioner -- and we thought this crap only occurred in tinpot dictatorships, or in Alice in Wonderland tales. Legal scholar Jonathan Turley described the fine as "obscene." Darn right investors have a right to be worried that they could be next. This story confirms that investors actually are thinking about this banana-republic state of justice in New York and wisely considering capital flight. Turley wrote that it would get bad for New York: The impact on New York business is likely to be dire. New York is already viewed as a hostile business environment, with the top end of its tax base literally heading south as taxes and crime rises. This draconian award is only going to deepen concerns over the arbitrary application of the law by figures like James, who previously sought to disband the National Rifle Association. (She has shown less interest in cracking down on liberal organizations like Black Lives Matter or the National Action Network of Al Sharpton despite their own major financial scandals.) Catsimatidis is a bigfoot investor with a major following, and highly respected, so that question and answer will be closely followed and investors and companies will make their choices accordingly. As one Trump lawyer said in the wake of this travesty verdict, according to the New York Times: A lawyer for Mr. Trump, Christopher M. Kise, reacted with fury, saying the sobering future consequences of this tyrannical abuse of power do not just impact President Trump. When a court willingly allows a reckless government official to meddle in the lawful, private and profitable affairs of any citizen based on political bias, Americas economic prosperity and way of life are at extreme risk of extinction, he said. That's what New York investors are clearly thinking. If they could do this to take down Trump, they could to it to anyone. And what's more, they probably will, given their gargantuan budget shortfalls and their need to raise money to pay for them. They got Trump on political grounds, but now they've got a taste for big unprecedented fines after what they got away with against the hated Trump, so they'll pin something on someone else and get themselves another one. They can fund their entire state budget shortfalls on just by confiscating huge businesses and their assets on technical legal grounds and prosecutorial favorites and whims. In the end, investors will see what's going on, decide to flee to states that still have actual rule of law, and their New York properties will be sold to the communist Chinese or other unsavory players the New York ruling elites won't want to mess with, which is exactly what happened in Venezuela when Hugo Chavez started expropriating properties. When I visited Venezuela in late 2005, desperate property owners told me they had no choice but to sell their properties to avoid getting them confiscated and the only buyers for them were FARC's Marxist narcoterrorists because they were Chavista allies. Look for that same dynamic to start happening in New York as a result of this judicial travesty. The other problem with Hochul's statement is that with her assurance that there was nothing to see here, worry not, she accidentally admitted that Democrats were all in this together and the Trump ruling was indeed politically motivated. Executive, legislative and judicial were all in this together with the Democrat party the final arbiter, there was no such thing as independent branches of government in New York. How the heck would she "know" what the nominally independent justice system would do to the next guy? In reality, she let the cat out of the bag as to what was really going on here. She's offering her assurances to businessmen that nothing would happen to them, stop worrying, nothing to see here, Trump was 'special,' but in their minds, this travesty did happened to one guy, and he didn't commit a crime, so it could happen to all of them. Play ball, politically, Hochul effectively was saying, and nothing gets broken. Sound like a good business environment? At least Sicily is cheaper. Stand by for a lot of capital flight from New York with this repellent response. Image: Picryl // public domain Since the 1600s, the writings of two philosophersJohn Locke and Thomas Hobbeshave warned that without a governing society, man lives in a dangerous state of anarchy. To defeat chaos and internal/external strife among humans, societies are formed and enter into a compact with each one of their respective citizens: in exchange for non-criminal behavior and personal vengeance, the society will protect you, the individual, from internal and external harm, including securing its sovereign borders. In the United States, this compact has been broken by a combination of open borders, DEI, woke policies, and criminal behavior unchecked. Israeli citizens overwhelmingly feel that on October 7th, their social compact was broken when over 5,000 Palestinian Arabs breached their southern border wall in thirty places. Also, because for over 9 hours, pockets of brave Israelis battled against the surprise attackers with little success; and for over 9 hours, no significant Israeli force appeared to combat the attackers. Apparently, fearing trouble in the West Bank, one third of the soldiers stationed in the South had been relocated to the former, when the attacks occurred. Rumors abound. Israelis cannot believe, cannot understand, and cannot accept that the heinous acts of October 7th, 2023 were ever permitted to occur. Some believe Bibi let Hamas maintain a certain status quo and that he alone is responsible for the attack. Others opine that Bibi wants the war to continue, without any more ceasefires, in order that he may retain power and avert elections. Finally, there are those who believe Bibi made a deal with Biden: in exchange for Bidens reluctance to call for a ceasefire, Bibi will accept a two-state solution. Currently, while some Israelis grudgingly concur a two-state solution is the only alternative to constant attacks, none believe the time is appropriate to even discuss it. Others have lost faith that a two-state solution can successfully be implemented. The Israeli public is divided on how to proceed. Many feel that peace now would be the ultimate insult to those soldiers who have fallen during this current round of fighting. Others feel a ceasefire would bring the hostages home; however, nobody knows with certainty how many hostages remain alive. And, many believe hostage negotiations are a recipe for future kidnappings. These contradictions were on display in Tel Aviv over the weekend. Angry groups staged a Habima which essentially is a protest against a dysfunctional dystopian fictional society which should be canceled and replaced. The Habima was followed by a protest rally at Hostage Square for the immediate return of the hostages. The latter demonstration brings us back to societys compact with its citizenry. Many Israelis view the continued captivity of the hostages as the ultimate symbol of Bibis breach of the social compact. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. Independent journalist Michael Shellenberger has broken a story on Substack this week exposing Barack Obamas CIA both before and after the 2016 election: 1. Lying about Trump and Russia and Clinton (Hillary was actually Russias preference, but the CIA manipulated their own intelligence findings to stand the real conclusions on their heads and point to Trump as the Russian preference); and 2. Using international intelligence networks dominated by the U.S., to put out queries/ a.k.a. commit espionage upon 26 of Trumps associates -- including Ben Carson. Tom Fitton brings up a solid point on the Shellenberger bombshells: it is the U.S. Congress that now must secure the hidden CIA documents, referenced by reliable witnesses, on the agency's efforts to undermine Trump before the 2016 and 2020 elections. Further, it is necessary that Obama be subject to the same investigative furor to which Trump has been subject to -- undoubtedly under Obama's direction. Shellenberger summarizes the CIA surveillance scheme, what he describes as a two-part strategy: Now, multiple credible sources tell Public and Racket {Matt Taibbis site} that the United States Intelligence Community (IC), including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), illegally mobilized foreign intelligence agencies to target Trump advisors long before the summer of 2016. The new information fills many gaps in our understanding of the Russia collusion hoax and is supported by testimony already in the public record. Until now, the official story has been that the FBIs investigation began after Australian intelligence officials told US officials that a Trump aide had boasted to an Australian diplomat that Russia had damning material about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. In truth, the US IC asked the Five Eyes intelligence alliance to surveil Trumps associates and share the intelligence they acquired with US agencies, say sources close to a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HSPCI) investigation. The Five Eyes nations are the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Remember the raid on Trumps home at Mar-a-Lago? After Public and Racket {Matt Taibis site} had been told that President Barack Obamas CIA Director, John Brennan, had identified 26 Trump associates for the Five Eyes to target, a source confirmed that the IC had identified [them] as people to bump, or make contact with or manipulate. They were targets of our own IC and law enforcement -- targets for collection and misinformation. Unknown details about the FBIs investigation of the Trump campaign and raw intelligence related to the ICs surveillance of the Trump campaign are in a 10-inch binder that Trump ordered to be declassified at the very end of his term, sources told Public and Racket. If the top-secret documents exist proving these charges, they are potentially proof that multiple US intelligence officials broke laws against spying and election interference. Oh, my -- is that why they broke into Trumps Mar-a-Lago home? Worried that he may have kept a copy of those documents he wanted unclassified? The New York Post also recaps parts of the Shellenberger release: The US Intelligence Community asked foreign spy agencies to surveil 26 associates of Donald Trump in the run-up to the 2016 election, which triggered the allegations that the former presidents campaign had been colluding with Russia, according to a report. Former CIA Director John Brennan identified and presented the targets to the USs intelligence-sharing partners in the so-called Five Eyes agencies -- the intelligence-gathering organizations in the US, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand -- according to a report published Monday on Michael Shellenbergers Public Substack. In 2022, Taibbi and Shellenberger were involved in the publishing of the Twitter Files expose, which detailed how the social media giants previous management team sought to silence controversial voices and suppress news items such as The Posts reporting on Hunter Bidens laptop. Shellenberger told Jesse Watters two days ago, The CIA is currently hiding this report. Wheres the congressional oversight? Its time for the U.S. Congress to step it up. It well may be their last chance. This story hasnt ended yet, just worsened. Former president Donald Trump has the Republican nomination in the bag despite various legal woes, the latest being a New York civil judgment against him to the tune of 355 million dollars. Add in interest, and you have the presumptive nominee more than 400 million in the hole. Thats not counting an addition 83-million-dollar federal judgment in a previous civil case against E. Jean Carroll. Despite his legal issues, the former president has probably never had more influence in the GOP than he has today. With current Republican National Committee (RNC) chairwoman Ronna McDaniel offering to relinquish her position, Trumps endorsement of Michael Whatley and Lara Trump cement his full control of the party. For Trump supporters, this is as it should be, but what about the consequences of losing his various legal cases? Im not talking about the criminal cases pending, as most are likely to be resolved after the election. Right now, Im referencing the recent civil judgments. Trumps empire has always been real-estate heavy, and thats a very non-liquid form of investment. Does he have 400-500 million lying around? When does he have to pay? Is interest on the judgment accruing as we speak? These arent rhetorical questions. The question is, can the former president use RNC funds to pay his legal fees? His fundraising committees have spent nearly $30 million, not on campaign ads, but on legal fees in the second half of 2023. With friends and family members soon to be leading the RNC, can Trump use GOP funds to pay his lawyers? The issue was brought up by former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson. He believes that whoever leads the RNC should pledge not to use GOP funds to pay Donald Trumps legal expenses. This follows an interview where Lara Trump, the favored candidate for co-chair, opined that she would spend every single penny the RNC has to help her father-in-law. Should Donald Trump use the RNC as his personal legal defense fund? The committee is working under financial strain as it is. Nikki Haleys campaign suggests that the former president is rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic by his endorsements. By that, I assume she believes the new RNC leadership will cover his legal fees to the detriment of hundreds of House and Senate candidates that need the money to improve the GOPs chances in 2024. Whether thats true or not, President Trumps trials and tribulations have been painful to watch. He has been dealt a bad hand, and it's difficult battling the nefarious lawfare the Democrats use as their election strategy. That said, its time to spend every single penny in a way that will win the House, Senate, and Presidency, not fatten the wallets of attorneys. Lara Trump and others must work to raise money to elect Republicans up and down the entire ballot. Image: RNC If you thought the woke Episcopalians with their silent disco at the famed Canterbury cathedral couldn't get any lower on the desecration front, get a load of what the Catholics have come up with to go them one better. According to the New York Times: The pews of St. Patricks Cathedral were packed on Thursday for an event with no likely precedent in Catholic history: the funeral of Cecilia Gentili, a transgender activist and actress, former sex worker and self-professed atheist whose memorial functioned as both a celebration of her life and an exuberant piece of political theater. Over 1,000 mourners, several hundred of whom were transgender, arrived in daring outfits glittery miniskirts and halter tops, fishnet stockings, sumptuous fur stoles and at least one boa sewed from what appeared to be $100 bills. Mass cards and a picture near the altar showed a haloed Ms. Gentili surrounded by the Spanish words for transvestite, whore, blessed and mother above the text of Psalm 25. Daring? I think the word they were looking for was "sleazy." Oooh, feather boas with $100 bills. What could be more reverent? And it was far more repellent than just that. There was, for example, two males kissing in the sanctuary: At one point, two men kissed in the Churchs sanctuary and all the while the celebrant seemed overwhelmed by what was happening around him, and cathedral personnel entirely unprepared to deal with it. When one of the musically trained soloists from the cathedral came forward to sing the sacred song, "Ave Maria," some jackass jumped forward to upstage him and got the crowd in a pep-rally style chant-song to make it "Ave Cecilia" before dancing down the aisle "twirling" a red scarf, as the press noted. As Daily Mail reports: "A mourner upstaged the priest at one point by singing 'Ave Maria' - but changing the lyrics to 'Ave Cecilia' before dancing through the aisles." pic.twitter.com/PxknJtgDp0 Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) February 16, 2024 Oooh, sexy. Oooh, ironic! I see a lot of cheering in the video. I see a lot of chanting and pep-rally crap for various political causes such as "gender-affirming health care." But what I don't see here is any authentic mourning for the soul of someone who died. I don't see any intense praying for this person's soul, that he get into Heaven somehow despite everything, as might happen in a normal case when someone really outside the Church somehow gets a Church funeral. I see dancing around amid revolting talk from the front. Which probably isn't surprising. This deceased person who was chanted about from the pulpit of the cathedral as "the mother of all whores," like that was a good thing, probably didn't have any serious relationships. That's a sad byproduct of prostitution by its very nature and like a lot of transgender activists, this person spent a lot of time as a prostitute and prostitution advocate. As for the real St. Cecilia, she died a virgin and martyr for her faith around the year 230 A.D. But there clearly was a political agenda beyond "access to transgender health care" and the Church was dragooned into becoming the perfect vehicle for it. The transgender activists wanted to demonstrate that they had taken over. Rah, rah, we won. See it in the pep rally. Priests, sacred scriptures and songs, the cathedral itself which has been the setting for countless sacraments -- and baptisms, weddings, and funerals -- was just a prop for their burlesque. This supposed 'Catholic' priest did nothing to stop the vile desecration of St. Patrick's cathedral, NYC, by demoniacs -- sexual perverts and haters of the Catholic Faith He just sat there and let it happen Shameful pic.twitter.com/c9qWTuvse4 Nick Donnelly (@ProtecttheFaith) February 17, 2024 Nothing's sacred when everything's "inclusive." Oh, but the New York Times emphasized that the funeral was a Historic First. Yet it went beyond that. As transgenders, who are mostly males posing as women, they seemed to demonstrate their idea of 'winning' with the same old special hatred for women seen in other incidents, desecrating the Virgin Mary and St. Cecilia in particular. And they made a solemn occasion into a trashy party scene just like all their others, celebrating their libertine promiscuous values in order to wave the whole specter into the faces of the faithful. God wasn't part of this, but the cathedral sure was: Ceyenne Doroshow, who organized the funeral, said friends of Ms. Gentili who died on Feb. 6 at 52 had wanted the service to be at St. Patricks because it is an icon, just like her. Not a holy place. An 'icon,' and not in the religious sense but the current sense, which is to say 'famous.' The reaction among the faithful apparently was very negative because the Church has since backtracked on the event, saying they were hookwinked by the group into putting on the specter. St. Patricks Cathedral issues a statement after fallout after scandalous funeral service at the Cathedral this week. pic.twitter.com/dBpBBoJESz Raymond Arroyo (@RaymondArroyo) February 17, 2024 I wonder if they were hearing from a Catholic version of Bill Ackman or the Harvard alumni vowing to pull funding if the institution doesn't clean up its act? The backtracking was unexpectedly fierce. Even the gay-focused priest, Rev. James Martin, S.J., hastened to distance himself from the mess, too, stating that he made his comments to the Times before the funeral, and he wasn't aware of how it would turn out. He decried the absence of reverence. Dear friends: The comments I gave to @nytimes about the Memorial Service for Cecilia Gentili were given before the service, and assuming that St. Patrick's Cathedral had approved the service, which seemed like a compassionate gesture towards the deceased's family and friends.... James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) February 17, 2024 While I'm not going to accuse him of orchestrating this fiasco as some are, I do wonder about the leaders of the cathedral itself who permitted this and who said they had no idea they were in for this travesty. After all, St. Patrick's Cathedral probably is the country's most famous Catholic Church. Is it easy to get a wedding or funeral there? At high-profile churches, my experience has been that you'd better be a registered parishioner there or no event for you. Nobody in this person's circle seemed to be, and the person himself certainly wasn't, being an atheist and at odds with the Catholic Church during his entire life. How'd he get a funeral? The people who arranged this funeral did all had high political profiles, however, the activist organizer and the activist who was deceased. Sound like some political strings were pulled? I wonder which longtime parishioner they bumped to have this "historic first" instead? The move came just as the Vatican itself put out a document giving the green light for Church blessings on gays in "couples" relationships, and harshly repressed traditionally oriented bishops and cardinals, as well as fans of the traditional Latin Mass. That sent a signal to all that this is what they reward, so it doesn't surprise me to think that maybe the cathedral wanted to get some brownie points with the leftists in the Vatican. Now it's blown up in their faces, all this 'welcoming everyone' nonsense, resulting in a scandalized flock, a mass of reparation, and lots of egg on their faces. What's it's very likely to do is make the Catholic public more resolute in demanding minimum standards in preserving that which is sacred and keeping out riffraff who hate the Church and whose only interest is in its desecration. Their minds were so 'open' their brains fell out, and the bad reaction is exactly what they deserve. They should quit defending wokedom and start defending the Church. Image: Twitter screen shot The Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55, Samsungs upcoming mid-range smartphones, have been consistently leaking in recent weeks. The devices have appeared in several certification and benchmark listings. The company has also put up support pages for the duo on its official website. The former has now been spotted on the Google Play Console, revealing its design and some specs. Samsungs Galaxy A35 listed on the Google Play Console The Google Play Console listed the global version of the Galaxy A35 (model number SM-A356E) with 6GB of RAM. As confirmed through Geekbench last week, the phone will also come in an 8GB RAM variant. It will be powered by Samsungs Exynos 1380 chipset, also found in last years Galaxy A54 and Galaxy Tab S9 FE series. The 5nm processor has four ARM Cortex-A78 CPU cores clocked at 2.4GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0GHz. Advertisement Advertisement Samsung has paired the CPU with ARMs Mali G68 GPU operating at a maximum frequency of 950MHz. This listing also confirms the rumored display resolution of 10802340 pixels with a 450 DPI screen density. We should be looking at a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The accompanying image confirms a hole-punch display for the Galaxy A35 rather than a notch like its predecessor. This change makes the device look more premium and modern. Samsung has also recently introduced a new design element that it calls the Key Island design. It has raised the frame around the power and volume buttons to make a sort of island around them. We first saw this design on the Galaxy A15 and Galaxy A25 a couple of months ago. The Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55 will arrive with the same overall look, though there are a few minor differences. For example, the Galaxy A55, which is the most superior model in the lineup, has its camera lenses protruding out of the back panel more than the Galaxy A35. It also features a metallic frame, which is confirmed by leaked renders. We exclusively leaked the official renders of both handsets last month. The devices have also leaked through multiple other sources in recent weeks. An official launch date is still missing. Samsung might unveil the new A-series devices in April Rumors say Samsung will launch the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55 a few weeks later than expected. The 2023 models arrived in March, so the upcoming duo could debut in early April. While the phones look identical, they will differ significantly internally. The devices will pack different processors and cameras, among other things. We expect more leaks about the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55 in the build-up to launch. Google is gearing up for another round of its I/O Connect event, with invitations for the 2024 edition already hitting developers inboxes. This year, Google is bringing its developer conference to the German capital of Berlin. These I/O Connect events are typically an after-party of the main annual I/O event. Although theres no date as to when the annual event is happening place, the invite for the post-event tells that the annual I/O event may happen in May. This also hints to us that we may be seeing a Google Pixel 8a soon, or a Pixel Watch. Google is inviting developers to an I/O Connect Google sent invitations to developers on Friday announcing the Google I/O Connect, Berlin 2024, slated for June 27. It promises a platform for developers, across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, to delve into Googles latest products and solutions. Further, the event will feature live sessions, hands-on activities, demos, and some networking opportunities. Mind you, Its an invite-only event. Advertisement Advertisement Google, notably, advises the attendees to plan their accommodations wisely, as the UEFA Euro 2024 is happening concurrently. Because many people will be attending both events, its best to book a hotel room early. Further details about the event schedule, including potential plans on June 26 and 28, are expected in the coming weeks. It isnt the first time, though The I/O Connect initiative isnt new for Google. Last year, they expanded their outreach with similar events in Amsterdam, Miami, and Bengaluru. These events typically offer developers more opportunities to engage with the latest developments in Googles ecosystem. Last years events strategically coincided with the main Google I/O developer conference in Mountain View. Additionally, besides Googles anticipated Pixel 8a, we may see a new Pixel watch, potentially rivaling Apples Vision Pro. Because Google might at least announce something to combat the $3,500 mixed-reality headset. Back in March of 2021, OnePlus released probably its lowest-rated device to date. It was the OnePlus Watch, and it was a pretty big flop in the tech industry. The interface was clunky, the performance was bad, the readings were inaccurate, Etc. Well, the company just released a teaser for what could be the OnePlus Watch 2, and it shows that OnePlus acknowledges its past mistake. At this point, were dealing with really early information, so there will definitely be some speculation. However, this teaser comes straight from the company itself. So, you can trust that what youre seeing in a picture its pretty accurate to the product to come. Advertisement Advertisement It should be known that the company did not specifically refer to the watch as the OnePlus Watch 2. So, while its pretty likely that that will be the name, youll still want to take the news a bit cautiously. OnePlus Watch 2 teaser let us know that the company wants to make up for its first smartwatch Every company deserves a redemption arc. Samsungs mobile division was on a steep decline during the mid-2010s until the company made its rapid shift. When it comes to OnePlus, its redemption arc involves phones like the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 12 picking up the pieces after the OnePlus 10. Well, its time for the OnePlus Watch to get the same love. The company has shied away from launching smartwatches since 2021 with the exception of the OnePlus Nord Watch that launched a while back. However, that watch was not meant to compete with the big boys. The OnePlus Watch series is meant to compete with the likes of the Apple Watch, Pixel Watch, and Galaxy Watch. Advertisement On the OnePlus Community Forum, James T posted a thread with a picture. In the picture, we see the silhouette of a smartWatch with a round face and metallic body. Theres a harsh red rim light on top of it. Above that, we get the text Its time, to do it right! With that, its pretty obvious that the company is alluding to how poorly the first OnePlus Watch failed. It appears that the company wants to do things right and launch a smartwatch that doesnt make reviewers frustrated. Rumors about the OnePlus Watch 2 As for other information about this watch, most of it is rumored. The leaked renders to this watch we got not too long ago show a watch that is rather different from what we saw with the first OnePlus Watch. Based on the renders, it appears that the watch face will be flat. So, it will resemble a Galaxy Watch more than a Pixel Watch. On the right side, we see a protrusion that will house two buttons. Thats one thing that will definitely set it apart from others. As for the launch date, Max Jambor stated that the OnePlus Watch 2 is going to launch during MWC on February 24th. Thats only five days away, so people will be excited to see this product show up. Samsung has announced its latest collection of Samsung Eco-Friends accessories. The lineup includes 57 eco-friendly cases for the Galaxy S24 series. They feature unique designs inspired by popular movies, characters, celebrities, and more. The company will gradually release the new cases in more than 40 countries. Go green with Samsung eco-friendly cases for your Galaxy S24 Samsung Eco-Friends is a collection of eco-friendly accessories for Galaxy devices. Envisioned by Future Generation Lab, a group of global Samsung employees in their 20s, the company offers protective cases and stars for its smartphones, wearables, and other products through this program. Advertisement Advertisement Since its introduction in 2022, the Korean firm has gradually expanded the Eco-Friends collection. The accessories feature designs inspired by the likes of late American pop artist Keith Haring, Star Wars, Smiley, K-pop boy band Stray Kids, The Simpsons, The Rolling Stones, Queen, and more. For the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung has also made cases featuring Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, and Cinnamonroll. Some of these cases come with NFC cards, including the designs inspired by The Rolling Stones, Queen, and Stray Kids. According to Samsung, these collectible cards give users another way to express themselves. For example, the Stray Kids NFC card offers a unique collection of videos and photos featuring the band members. You can see the photos and videos on the screen by simply inserting the card into the case. Samsung says these partnerships allow fans to enjoy a one-of-a-kind, pocketable experience, while protecting their phones in an eco-friendly way. Reflecting the next generations preference for eco-conscious products, these accessories incorporate sustainable materials such as recycled plastic and vegan leather that contain at least 40% post-consumer materials, the company said in a press release. Advertisement The cases will soon be available globally On Friday, Samsung published a video for its Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra Eco-Friends collection on its YouTube and Instagram channels. The video showcases how plastic waste can be transformed into innovative smartphone cases that are not just unique but also eco-friendly and sustainable. According to Samsung, the new accessories are already available in its homeland South Korea. The company will soon release the Galaxy S24 Eco-Friends collection in Japan and the US. It plans to gradually bring them to more markets, expanding availability to more than 40 countries in the first half of 2024. The cases will be available from Samsungs flagship stores, official website, and its accessory partner Slash B Slash. An asylum seeker who piloted an unseaworthy boat where four passengers drowned in the English Channel has been found guilty of manslaughter. Ibrahima Bah, who is over 18, killed four other migrants while seeking passage from France to the UK on December 14 2022. Bah, from Senegal, was found guilty by the jury by a majority of 10 to 2 of four counts of manslaughter and was found guilty unanimously of facilitating illegal entry to the UK following a retrial at Canterbury Crown Court. During the trial, jurors were told the home-built, low-quality inflatable should have had no more than 20 people on board but, in fact, tried to carry at least 43 people across the English Channel that night. While the majority of travellers paid thousands of euros to smugglers for a spot in the overcrowded vessel, prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said it appears Bah did not pay for his journey because he piloted the dingy, therefore owing his fellow passengers a duty of care. But Mr Atkinson said Bah was not trained or licensed to lead the voyage and there was insufficient safety equipment such as life jackets and no flares or radio on board. Mr Atkinson said: He, as the pilot, owed to the passengers of that small and vulnerable boat for their safety during the crossing that he had agreed to make. He was aware that the boat was overcrowded, lacking in safety equipment and, as it took in water, that it was increasingly unseaworthy. The court heard that when the boat got into trouble a number of migrants inside the boat described water reaching their knees within 30 minutes of leaving the French coast. Mr Atkinson said: Despite these increasing and obvious problems, the defendant continued to head into UK waters. The jury heard that a crew on a UK fishing boat called the Arcturus came across the sinking boat and tried to rescue the passengers, with help from the RNLI, air ambulance and UK Border Force. A total of 39 survivors were brought to shore in the port of Dover. Ibrahima Bah appeared by videolink at an earlier hearing at Folkestone Magistrates Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA) The exact number of migrants who drowned is unknown as it appears at least one migrants body was not recovered, Mr Atkinson said. Three of four of the people who died were known only as unknown male persons, while one man was named Hajratullah Ahmadi. During the trial, one asylum seeker, Amrullah Ahmadzai, described how everyone on the boat was screaming and trying to call for help on their mobile phones during the journey, before being rescued by the fishing boat. He described how the skipper tried to steer the dinghy towards the fishing vessel to help the passengers, and was shouting at everyone calm down, Im going to take you there. The boat, described as unseaworthy and low quality, had tried to carry at least 43 migrants across the English Channel (Crown Prosecution Service/PA) The court heard from witnesses that before the voyage the group of migrants were transported in three cars to the shoreline, organised by Kurdish agents. The smugglers also brought the boat in a car and got the passengers to help pump it up. Another traveller, Ghanam Gul Ahmadzai, said the smugglers were cruel to the migrants, sometimes beating them up to pump the dingy. Giving evidence in court, Bah said that smugglers beat him up and threatened to kill him when he refused to pilot the boat. The defendant told jurors he agreed to pilot the boat before he had seen it, in exchange for free travel for himself and his friend. But when he saw the boat after it was inflated on the beach, he changed his mind because it was too small for the number of people travelling. Mr Atkinson said Bah was not telling the truth about being forced to pilot the boat, and that he was changing his story as to why he did not want to drive the vessel. The court heard that it was Bahs dream to come to the UK to claim asylum, and he had left Senegal in 2019. He told police, when he arrived in the UK, that he had travelled from Senegal to Mali, Algeria and then Libya, before going by boat to Italy using smugglers. He had previously worked on fishing boats in Senegal, sometimes helping with fishing and steering the boat, and assisted in piloting the boat from Libya to Italy. Libby Clark from the CPS said: Bah claimed that he had sailed boats before and, as a result, received free passage, whereas everyone else on the boat had paid thousands of Euros to make the tragic journey. The boat he piloted was never designed to undertake a crossing in the worlds busiest shipping lane and would have been all but invisible to other ships. Navigation was carried out with just mobile phones, as there were no other navigational aids available. There is no evidence to suggest that Bah had any training in piloting a boat like this or keeping people safe and, as the pilot, he assumed responsibility for ensuring the safety of his fellow passengers. Any reasonable person would have recognised that by piloting such an ill-equipped and overloaded boat in such dangerous circumstances, there was an obvious risk of serious harm to the passengers. As a result of Bahs actions, four men tragically lost their lives in the Channel that night. Our thoughts remain with their families. Bah will be sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday February 23. Campaigners have lost a High Court challenge over renewed plans to build a road tunnel near Stonehenge. Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site (SSWHS) challenged Transport Secretary Mark Harpers backing of plans which include the two-mile tunnel, to overhaul eight miles of the A303. The previous go-ahead for the National Highways project was quashed by the High Court in July 2021 amid concern about the environmental impact on the site. But the Department for Transport (DfT) approved the tunnel, from Amesbury to Berwick Down in Wiltshire, for the second time, on July 14 last year. In December, the campaigners brought a bid to the High Court in London to challenge the decision to reapprove the plans. (PA Graphics) However, in a ruling on Monday, Mr Justice Holgate largely dismissed their claim, finding most parts of their case were unarguable. One part of the legal bid, over the DfTs approach to an environmental impact assessment, will be determined at a later date. In his 50-page ruling, Mr Justice Holgate said ministers had rightly focused on the relevant policies and that the campaigners evidence provides no basis for undermining that conclusion. During the hearing last year, David Wolfe KC, for SSWHS, said the Government gave unlawful consideration of alternatives to the project, adding that campaigners believed National Highways had provided fundamentally flawed information over these that failed to acknowledge the heritage harm and was based on a flawed analysis of likely traffic figures for the A303. However, James Strachan KC, for the DfT, said the Government concluded the project was consistent with the UKs obligations under the world heritage convention and that it would work with advisory bodies to minimise harm. Campaigners made a second High Court bid to block the controversial road project (Lucy North/PA) The Government has argued that the need for the scheme and its benefits outweighed the harms, including the less than substantial harm to heritage assets. National Highways has said its plan for the tunnel will remove the sight and sound of traffic passing the site and cut journey times. Then-transport secretary Grant Shapps first gave the green light to the project in November 2020, despite advice from Planning Inspectorate officials that it would cause permanent, irreversible harm to the area. The SSWHS alliance successfully challenged his decision in the High Court. After the ruling, David Bullock, National Highways project director for the A303 Stonehenge scheme, said: We welcome the High Courts decision and wait for conclusion of the legal proceedings. It is a positive step forward and would mean that at long last we can progress solving the issues of the A303 near Stonehenge. It represents decades of working with our stakeholders, heritage bodies and local communities to create the best possible solution. A family friend of three children who were found dead at a home in Bristol has spoken of her shock at the incident. Officers were called to a property in the Sea Mills area of the city on Sunday morning by a member of the public concerned for the welfare of the people inside. Three children a boy aged seven, a girl of three and a 10-month-old boy, who have not been named by detectives were found inside the property and pronounced dead at the scene just after 12.40pm on Sunday. A 42-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. She remains in custody. Detectives have not said whether the children were related to each other or the arrested woman. Salwa Bashar, a family friend of the three murdered children in Bristol, has spoken of her shock (PA) Members of the Sudanese community gathered at the Sea Mills Methodist Church to pay their respects to the children. People had travelled from as far as Newport to visit the church, which is around the corner from where the incident took place. Salwa Bashar, a family friend from Bristol, said: I have known this family for over six years now. They are part of our community, theyre family friends. She and her husband are a very big part of our community, they were just lovely people and were always smiling. Shes very friendly and hes also really friendly. I was shocked (when I heard the news) I didnt want to believe it, I didnt want it to be true. Ahmed Abdelaal, a family friend (PA) I was, I still am in shock. I was really really sad, I still am very sad. The Sudanese community, not just in Bristol but across the UK, are shocked as well. This is something I have never heard of happening before in our community, never in my life. Its beyond unbelievable. Ms Bashar said she felt various organisations, including the police, had let down the family, and the community wanted answers over how this happened. Ahmed Abdelaal, another family friend, said: We are all shocked. We dont know why this has happened or what has happened. She was an amazing mum, we dont know what led to this incident. Avon and Somerset Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog over prior contact. Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen speaking to the media near the scene in Blaise Walk (Ben Birchall/PA) Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen told reporters at the scene on Monday that the police believe this to be an isolated incident and there is no risk to the wider community. She said: The death of such young children is a great shock to the whole community and this incident has had a profound and deep impact on all of us in the police. Well be making sure all those involved in the response and the subsequent investigation are given any welfare support they may need. I know people will be eager to have answers, but the major crime investigation team are in the very early stages of what will be a highly sensitive, complex and thorough investigation, and it will take time to establish all the facts. We anticipate well need to carry out further inquiries at the scene for the rest of the week and there will be some cordons in place while we do this. Dame Esther Rantzen has revealed she would like a final dinner of caviar and champagne before her death after she signed up for an assisted dying clinic. Since being diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2023, Dame Esther has campaigned for a parliamentary debate and a free vote to legalise assisted dying with built-in precautions to protect the interests of the person. The 83-year-old founder of Childline joined the Swiss-assisted dying company, Dignitas, as a precautionary measure if the law does not change in time. Former journalist and broadcaster Rantzen said she would like to have a fantastic dinner before her death. (PA) Speaking to LBC on Monday, Dame Esther outlined her preparations for her death should she go ahead with Dignitas. She said: Id like to fly off to Zurich with my nearest and dearest. Have a fantastic dinner the night before. Id love caviar, if possible, and the fact that it doesnt always agree with me doesnt matter, does it? I could even have champagne, which Im deeply allergic to. Then the next day, go to this rather unappealing place where they do it. Listen to a favourite piece of music, say goodbye to everybody. Tell them to cheer up. Im meeting my late husband, my departed dog and my mother at the pearly gates. Hold up my hand for an injection or open my mouth for a rather disgusting medication. Ive got an amazing family and a group of friends and colleagues. So Id like to say goodbye fairly gracefully, as much as I can muster, and then go, thats what Id like. Dame Esther Rantzen has outlined her preparations for her death should she go ahead with assisted dying (Esther Rantzen/PA) Dame Esther, from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, said the laws surrounding assisted dying are a mess at the moment as her family could be accused of murder if they travelled with her to Dignitas. The former journalist and television presenter emphasised the importance of individual choice if her suffering from cancer becomes too great. The intentions are good to protect people in the last days of their life, from being coerced into something by greedy relatives, or other crimes of that kind, she said. As I have terminal cancer, it is a possibility that my life will become too painful, that my suffering will be too great. Even with the great palliative care skills that exist in this country and in my local hospice they wont be able to help me and I want to die. What we need is for people to have individual choice, at that moment, which is literally life and death. Dame Esther Rantzen with her late husband Desmond Wilcox, who died in 2000 (Michael Stephens/PA) Dame Esther, along with the Daily Express and the campaign group Dignity in Dying, launched a petition demanding a parliamentary vote on the subject, which amassed 120,000 signatures in about three weeks. Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, told the PA news agency: Dame Esther Rantzen speaks for countless families up and down the country, from all walks of life, who are demanding change. Under the current law, dying people are forced to choose between suffering, suicide or Switzerland. From countries that have already legalised like Australia and New Zealand, we know that there is a better, kinder, safer way. Assisted dying would only be available to terminally ill people with mental capacity, subject to assessment by two independent doctors. It is clear that it is time for a free and fair debate on assisted dying, but the law will not change unless the next Government commits to making Parliamentary time for this issue. Nowhere is the personal more political than in matters of life and death. The next election needs to count for dying Britons and party leaders should prioritise a debate on assisted dying. Dr Gordon Macdonald, chief executive officer of the campaign group Care Not Killing, who opposes assisted dying, told the PA: Changing the law to legalise assisted suicide or euthanasia in the UK would represent a dramatic change in how doctors and nurses treat and care for people. It would also place huge pressure, real or perceived on terminally ill and disabled people to end their lives exactly as we see in the handful of places that have legalised assisted suicide or euthanasia. It is disappointing at a time when we have seen widespread discrimination against the elderly and disabled people. Along with a crisis in the NHS, the care system and with hospices across the UK facing a 50 million shortfall that we continue to ignore, the more important debate is how to extend high-quality palliative care to all those who need it. It is right to describe Alexei Navalnys death as murder, a Foreign Office minister has said. Leo Docherty agreed with the description of the Russian opposition leaders death amid calls from MPs to bolster the UKs sanctions regime in response to the incident. Mr Docherty said the politicians family must be allowed access to his body after Russian authorities denied his mother access to a mortuary where his body is believed to be held. Downing Street has not commented on possible future sanctions in response to the death of the jailed dissident in an Arctic penal colony on Friday, but paid tribute to Mr Navalny and called for a full investigation. Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron has already signalled that there could be fresh sanctions against Russian officials, amid questions for Russian authorities over how Mr Navalny died and a mounting chorus of Western voices holding Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible. On Monday, he said he expected the UK and G7 allies to impose fresh sanctions on Russians involved in the politicians death. In the Commons, Alicia Kearns, the Conservative chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said: Alexei Navalny was murdered and it is important that we in this House call it out for what it was, because that is what he deserves. Following his murder, I was also in Munich, where I heard his wife Yulia (Navalnaya) ask us to stand by her. That is what we must now do. She urged ministers to heed calls to seize Russian assets, and called for the US to follow through on warnings it would act if Mr Navalny were to die, adding: (US President Joe) Biden must now deliver on that threat or we will see more lives taken, such as that of Vladimir Kara-Murza. Foreign Office minister Mr Docherty replied: She is right to use the word murder. We do seek to hold the state and the Russian leadership to account. Of course I cant comment on the American position but with regard to our policy with regard to Russian state assets, we will continue to look at the appropriate legal path to ensuring that which is frozen might be utilised to bring benefit to those affected by this outrageous and illegal war in Ukraine. Mr Docherty added: His death must be investigated fully and transparently. The Russian authorities must urgently confirm the location of Mr Navalnys body to his family and allow them access to it. Shadow Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty also urged ministers to review further sanctions on Russia, including a list of 35 individuals implicated in Mr Navalnys 2020 poisoning. SNP former Westminster leader Ian Blackford meanwhile called for immediate action against Russia, saying: Why is Russia participating in the G20 summit this week? There needs to be a very clear message to Putin. The only message that he will understand is that we will take the swiftest action against this international thug. People lay flowers for Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP) Conservative MP Bob Seely (Isle of Wight) warned that jailed British-Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza could be next unless every conceivable course of action is taken to free him. Mr Seely said: In my conversations with Evgenia Kara-Murza, she is adamant she wants everything now done if possible to get Vladimir out, despite the fact he went back on his own accord, because his health is in a fragile condition and if Putin can kill Navalny, he can kill Kara-Murza. Mr Kara-Murza, 42, has been a long-term critic of the Russian president and has survived two poisonings since 2015, which have left him with a form of nerve damage called polyneuropathy. He was jailed by a Moscow court in April 2023, leading the UK to sanction 11 individuals involved in his case. Downing Street would not comment on possible future sanctions following Mr Navalnys death on Monday, with the Prime Ministers official spokesman telling reporters: It is very clear that the Russian authorities saw him as a threat and that is why they imprisoned him on fabricated charges. The fact that the FSB (the Russian federal security service) poisoned him with a banned nerve agent and then sent him to an Arctic penal colony his death must be fully investigated, and all of those in the Russian regime must be held to account. His widow Yulia has claimed his family is being blocked from seeing his body as Russian authorities sought to conceal that he was killed using nerve agent Novichok, which he accused the Kremlin of using to poison him in 2020. Yulia Navalnaya, wife of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, joins a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP) The Kremlins most prominent critic, 47-year-old Mr Navalny was imprisoned in January 2021 after he returned to Russia from Germany where he was recuperating from a near-lethal poisoning with a nerve agent. It remains unclear what response the UK Government and other allies may take against Mr Putin, with Moscow already facing heavy sanctions since the start of the war in Ukraine. In a Cabinet meeting held on Monday, Rishi Sunak told ministers Putin is not winning but that the UK and its allies must intensify support for Ukraine as the country keeps up its defensive position against Moscow. The Prime Minister concluded by reiterating the importance of Ukraines success for Western democracy, Downing Street said. The row over Mr Navalnys death comes as Ukraine and its allies prepare to mark the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is struggling to convince Republicans in Washington to facilitate a major funding package for Kyiv. Lord Cameron has urged legislators to pass the 60 billion US dollar (47.6 billion) package. Speaking to reporters during his visit to the Falkland Islands, the Foreign Secretary said: I think the first thing is just to remember what a great man Alexei Navalny was, and what an appalling regime Putin runs in Russia. And yes, there will be consequences. What we do in these situations is we look at how someones human rights have been damaged and the individual people that caused that, and were able to go after those people with particular measures. Now we never pre-announce sanctions in advance, I cant do that. But what I can tell you is at the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Munich, I pressed that the United Kingdom will be doing that and I urged other countries to do the same. And I believe very much that both those things will happen. More than a sixth of jobs advertised in the UK require applicants to be able to drive, according to new analysis. The RAC Foundation said its research highlights how a driving licence can be a crucial qualification. Nearly 190,000 of the 1.1 million vacancies posted by job website Adzuna in October last year were found to require those applying to have a driving licence. The jobs were either specifically for a driver, involved driving during the work, or in a small proportion of cases a vehicle was needed to reach the place of work due to a lack of transport alternatives. Among the roles for which more than a third of adverts required employees to drive were plumbers (67%), estate agents (59%) and care workers (34%). The cost of learning to drive has been estimated at nearly 2,200 not including purchasing and running a vehicle. The analysis found that the proportion of advertised jobs that require applicants being able to drive rose from 15.2% in 2016 to 17.4% last year. Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: Our research shows that a driving licence can be a crucial qualification. Little wonder official figures show that about 45% of all driving tests conducted during 2022/23 involved candidates aged 20 or younger. Many job ads which list a driving requirement are in relatively poorly-paid sectors, such as the caring profession. This is something the Chancellor should have in mind when making decisions that influence the cost of motoring and impact on those who are already struggling to pay for transport they cant do without. Hundreds of people campaigning for the right to roam in England are to descend on Dartmoor to highlight the absurdity of the current law. Organisers say it will be the largest mass trespass in a generation and will see supporters gathering at Vixen Tor in Devon on February 24. The trespass will cross a section of private land to get to a piece of land that has a right of access but that currently no-one can get to without trespassing. Campaign group the Right to Roam said there were around 2,500 of these access islands in England where the public have a right to roam, but no legal right to get to them. Many of these sites can only be accessed by trespassing. The issue has arisen because of the way Englands partial right to roam was created. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) gave people a right to roam over certain landscape types mountains, moorland, heathland, downland and commons covering some 8% of England. These landscape types are known as access land. But many of these landscapes are highly fragmented much of Englands downland, for example, was ploughed up for agriculture after the Second World War. This means that in some situations, access islands are stranded within a sea of other landscape types where the public has no legal right to walk. The trespass will start at the wall that separates open access and private land. Campaigners have been asked to creatively imagine how they will get to the island. Performers and musicians will be bringing a large boat to symbolically sail to the island, while participants have been asked to think of creative ways they will travel. Throughout the emphasis will be on drawing attention to the absurdity of access islands. Lewis Winks, from the Right to Roam group, said: The absurdity of access islands is a clear example of why our current system of access rights in England is broken. Often people dont know where they have a right to go in the countryside. Its ridiculous that the public have to trespass to reach these fragments of land where they have a legal right to roam all because of our piecemeal approach to access in this country. There are no access islands in Scotland, however, which created a default right of access to most land and water in 2003, to be exercised responsibly and subject to sensible exemptions and rules. With political parties pledging to increase access to nature in England its vital they learn from the mistakes of the past, and look instead to follow successful examples like Scotland. Israels actions in Gaza have gone beyond reasonable self-defence and may have breached international law, a senior Labour MP has said. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting made the critical comments after stating that his party is considering its options on whether to back an SNP-led vote this week on an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. Labour has so far not ruled out backing the Commons motion, with fears it could reopen deep divides among MPs on the Israel-Hamas war. A similar vote tabled by the SNP in November saw eight shadow ministers break ranks to back an immediate ceasefire, with some 56 Labour members defying a three-line whip and backing an amendment to the Kings Speech. The SNPs Westminster chief Stephen Flynn has said he has offered to meet Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on Monday to discuss the vote, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. The motion comes in the wake of a row over the Rochdale by-election, which saw Labour take the highly unusual step of withdrawing support for candidate Azhar Ali after he suggested Israel took Hamas October attack as a pretext to invade Gaza. Mr Streeting told TalkTV on Monday that the Opposition party wants to see what the final motion looks like. He added: We are not going to be pushed around by protesters, and we are not going to be told what to say by our opponents in Parliament either. Sir Keir used a speech at Scottish Labours conference in Glasgow on Sunday to call for a ceasefire that lasts in the Middle East, in an echo of previous calls by UK ministers for a sustainable ceasefire. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has offered to meet Sir Keir Starmer over his partys Gaza motion (House of Commons/PA) Mr Streeting, a key figure in Sir Keirs shadow cabinet, used broadcast interviews on Monday to hit out at Tel Avivs defence against Hamas, saying there had been a disproportionate loss of civilian life in the Palestinian enclave. He said Israel had gone too far in its reaction to the October 7 raids by Hamas. That attack by the Palestinian militant group killed about 1,200 people, with around 250 taken hostage. Militants still hold around 130 hostages, and a quarter of them are believed to be dead. The war has killed at least 28,985 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. Mr Streeting told Sky News: We want to see a ceasefire, of course we do. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for a ceasefire that lasts in the Middle East while speaking in Glasgow (Jane Barlow/PA) And we have been increasingly concerned, as the wider international community has been, with the disproportionate loss of civilian life in Gaza. Israel has a responsibility to get its hostages back, every country in the world has a right to defend itself. But I think what we have seen are actions that go beyond reasonable self-defence and also call into question whether Israel has broken international law. The ICJ (International Court of Justice) is now investigating and we take all of that seriously. A spokeswoman for the Chief Whip said a decision had not been made on Conservative whipping arrangements ahead of a possible vote on Wednesdays SNP motion. Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks official spokesman, asked about Mr Streetings criticisms of Israel, told reporters on Monday: As the Prime Minister said to the prime minister of Israel last week, we continue to support Israels right to defend its people against Hamass terror. But we are concerned about the loss of civilian life in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis. And that is why the immediate priority must be to negotiate a pause that allows both the safe release of hostages and to facilitate far more aid going into Gaza. Palestinians line up for a free meal in Rafah, Gaza Strip (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair) He said that Mr Sunak and Lord Cameron have an aligned position after the Foreign Secretary said Israel should stop and think seriously before taking further action in Rafah. There are fresh fears about an escalation in the conflict if Israeli forces move into the city and major aid delivery point in southern Gaza. Number 10 said it is hopeful that the priority right now is negotiating this pause in order to allow allow the safe release of hostages and more aid into Gaza. The Arab Group chair this month, Tunisias UN ambassador Tarek Ladeb, told UN reporters last Wednesday that some 1.5 million Palestinians who sought safety in Rafah face a catastrophic scenario if Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu goes ahead with a potential evacuation of civilians and military offensive in the area bordering Egypt. Mr Streeting said any decision to move into the region would be an intolerable escalation. We are now at a really dangerous tipping point in relation to Rafah where the crossing is with Egypt, where there is a real risk of innocent Palestinians being pushed out of Gaza into the desert, he told TalkTV. Downing Street said the UK Government is deeply concerned about the potentially devastating humanitarian impact of a military incursion into Rafah. Lord David Cameron toured Falklands War battle sites as he became the first Foreign Secretary to visit the South Atlantic territory in 30 years. His visit was a high-profile demonstration that the islands are part of the British family amid fresh calls from Argentina for talks about their future. The former prime minister was taken on a helicopter tour of the islands, stopping at San Carlos and Goose Green two of the most significant sites in the 1982 war. Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron visits San Carlos Cemetery on the Falkland Islands (Stefan Rousseau/PA) San Carlos Water became nicknamed bomb alley due to the sustained aerial attacks faced by British warships during the operation to land troops on the islands. Three Royal Navy ships were lost during the Battle of San Carlos in May 1982. Lord Cameron inspected the graves in the cemetery, including that of Lt Col H Jones, commander of 2 Para who won a posthumous Victoria Cross during the war, before laying a wreath at the monument to those who died. Lt Col Jones was killed at the Battle of Goose Green and Lord Cameron also visited the settlement there as part of his tour. He visited the museum and spoke to local residents at the community hall. During the war, islanders were detained in the building until the Argentine forces surrendered. The battle came at a heavy cost, with 18 British soldiers killed including Lt Col H Jones. Writing in the community hall visitors book, Lord Cameron said: Thank you for keeping their memory alive. He also paid tribute to the dead on the other side in the conflict with a low-key visit to the Argentine military cemetery. Lord Cameron visits San Carlos Cemetery (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Argentinas president, Javier Milei who met Lord Cameron last month, has called for the South Atlantic islands to be handed over to Buenos Aires. But ahead of his arrival in the UK overseas territory, Lord Cameron said: The Falkland Islands are a valued part of the British family, and we are clear that as long as they want to remain part of the family, the issue of sovereignty will not be up for discussion. The shadow of the 1982 Falklands War hangs over UK-Argentine relations, but Lord Cameron and Mr Milei had a warm and cordial meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos. On the issue of the Falklands, the Foreign Office said they would agree to disagree, and do so politely. The former prime ministers visit is the first by a member of the Cabinet since then-defence secretary Sir Michael Fallons trip in 2016. The last visit by a foreign secretary was Lord Hurd in 1994. The Falklands, known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina, are about 8,000 miles from Britain and 300 miles from mainland Argentina. The 1982 conflict claimed the lives of 255 British servicemen, three islanders and 649 Argentinian personnel. In a 2013 referendum, the islanders voted overwhelmingly to retain their status as a UK overseas territory. But Mr Milei has suggested the UK should approach the issue in a way similar to the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. The average price tag on a home jumped by more than 3,000 month-on-month in February, according to a property website. Across Britain, the average new seller asking price increased by 0.9% or 3,091 this month to 362,839, Rightmove said. The website said the increase is in line with the seasonal rise it would expect in February. In signs of growing market momentum, the average asking price is also up by 0.1% compared with a year earlier, following a period of annual falls in every month since August 2023. The number of sales agreed in the first six weeks of this year is also 16% higher than in the same period last year, Rightmove said. Tim Bannister, Rightmoves director of property science, said: Mortgage rates have fallen considerably from their peak and are now remaining broadly stable after the uncertainty of late 2022 and 2023. Momentum to move in 2024 is continuing to build, but prospective sellers mustnt get carried away. Buyers now have more choice of property for sale and many are still very price-sensitive, with mortgage rates remaining elevated. Sellers who are serious about moving this year would be well advised to ride this wave of increased buyer confidence with an attractive asking price before any pre-election jitters or unexpected events dampen the momentum. Rightmove said properties that are over-priced are being left on the shelf by price-sensitive buyers. The websites analysis indicates that sellers who price correctly initially are far more likely to find a buyer and sell their property faster. Rightmoves map shows changes in average asking prices across Britain (Rightmove/PA) The report also quoted the views of estate agents. Michelle Niziol, chief executive at IMS Property Group in Oxfordshire said: Its been a positive start to the year, particularly when compared to the slower pace of this time last year. Theres a sense of optimism, helped hugely by mortgage rates dropping in recent months, which now seem to have settled and remained stable, giving prospective buyers assurance and confidence. With lower mortgage rates on offer and more properties for sale, now is a good opportunity for any would-be buyers out there. Despite the affordability constraints, we are still seeing a good level of activity in the first-time buyer market, which is encouraging the next time buyers to review their situation and supporting movement further up the property ladder. There is a good audience of buyers out there for properties priced well, also providing opportunities for those looking to sell. Kate Eales, deputy head of residential at Strutt & Parker said: Activity is trending upwards compared to this time last year, which is encouraging, but the market remains price sensitive. Motivated sellers need to be realistic with listing prices and take advice on how to effectively position their sale in the current market. Jimmy Waight, head of sales at John D Wood & Co in London said: We are witnessing a good start to the year in Londons property market, with buyers acting earlier than usual. The surge in activity can be attributed to the decreasing and now stabilising mortgage rates, which have prompted many individuals who postponed their moves last year amid uncertainty to now re-emerge. Rightmoves report was released as a rental index from property firm Hamptons said that average rents on newly-let properties across Britain rose by 8.3% annually in January to 1,324 per month. Hamptons said it marked the slowest pace of growth for 13 months and the first time in six months that growth was in single digits. In January, 59% of landlords re-letting a home achieved a higher rent than they had previously, compared with 81% in January 2022 and 79% in January 2023, Hamptons added. The bulk of the rent increases during 2022 and 2023 were driven by landlords of smaller homes, the report said. This was a reflection of higher demand for cheaper properties in the cost-of-living squeeze. Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons, said: Last summer looks like it may have been the high watermark for rental growth. Since then, fewer landlords have been putting up the rent. Where they have, in cash terms, monthly increases have tended to be in double rather than triple figures. At the end of January, there were 34% more homes on the market to rent across Britain than at the same time last year. This is primarily a reflection of the increased time it takes to let a property, rather than a big increase in the number of new rental homes coming onto the market, the report said. Hamptons index uses data from the Countrywide Group to track changes to the cost of renting. The index is based on the 90,000 homes let and managed by Countrywide each year. Here are average monthly rents in January and the annual increase in percentage and cash terms, according to Hamptons: London, 2,315, 8.1%, 174 East of England, 1,292, 13.1%, 149 South East, 1,407, 7.7%, 101 South West, 1,156, 5.3%, 59 Midlands, 950, 10.0%, 86 North of England, 885, 8.2%, 67 Wales, 801, 4.5%, 34 Scotland, 916, 9.9%, 82 The death of Alexei Navalny is expected to be discussed by MPs later, as Commons returns after recess. The Government is currently weighing up its response to the death of the jailed opposition leader, as Western capitals heaped blame on Vladimir Putin. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has already signalled that there could be fresh sanctions against Russia officials, amid questions for the Russian authorities over how exactly Mr Navalny died. The row over his death comes as Ukraine and its allies prepare to mark the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion. Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy told the BBC on Sunday Labour would try to plug gaps in the current sanctions regime if it wins power. Mr Navalnys team said on Saturday that the politician was murdered and accused authorities of deliberately stalling the release of the body. His mother and lawyers received contradictory information from various institutions they visited in their quest to retrieve the body. It remains unclear what response the Government and other allies may take against Mr Putin, with Moscow already facing heavy sanctions since the start of the war in Ukraine. The UK has backed using seized Russian central bank assets currently held in the West as one way of financing the reconstruction of Ukraine. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, with the death of Mr Navalny raised in the conversation alongside aid for Ukraine. A Downing Street spokeswoman said the pair underscored the importance of providing continuing support to the Ukrainian people. She said: The Prime Minister welcomed the recent announcement that the EU will provide 50 billion euro support to Ukraine, and outlined the work the UK is doing through our security cooperation agreement. The Prime Minister and President Von der Leyen expressed their outrage at the death of Alexei Navalny, and underscored the utmost importance of holding those responsible within the Russian system to account. It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky struggles to convince Republicans in Washington to facilitate a major funding package for Kyiv. Lord Cameron has urged lawmakers to pass the 60 billion dollars (47.6 billion) package. The Reading terror attacker expressed a desire to start a revolution in Libya and then return to Britain to blow people up, an inquest has heard. Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, James Furlong and David Wails were murdered by Khairi Saadallah who had a history of offending on June 20 2020 in Forbury Gardens, Reading. On Monday, the inquest into the attack at the Old Bailey saw written evidence from March 2018 that while at HMP Bullingdon, Saadallah had expressed a desire to start a revolution in Libya and then come back to Britain to blow people up. Joe Ritchie-Bennett, James Furlong and David Wails were killed in the Reading terror attack (Family handout/PA) A witness from the security services said MI5 was not initially made aware that the Reading terror attacker was granted asylum and leave to remain in the UK, the inquest heard. When asked by Nicholas Moss KC, the witness said: No, I dont think we were aware of that specifically. This meant that at the time of MI5s second triage exercise into Saadallah in 2018, it was wrongly thought that the risk level posed would have been mitigated by his deportation to Libya. Giving evidence from behind a blue screen, the witness said: The simple fact that this man was still in the country should have been enough to open a lead investigation. The witness, described at the inquest as a senior manager at MI5, said the counter-terror system relied on accurate information being shared. The witness said: MI5 is part of a counter-terror system. It is not an alternative to it. The witness added that it was only two years after the fact that MI5 became aware that, in 2017, Saadallah was keen to speak with Islamist terrorist Omar Brooks, also known as Abu Izzadeen, in prison. The witness said: It wasnt (the information) sent to us. Im not sure I can explain why. A general view of Forbury Gardens in Reading where David Wails, Joseph Ritchie-Bennett and James Furlong, were killed in the Reading terror attack (Steve Parsons/PA) Saadallah was declared a subject of interest by MI5 in 2019, but months later he became a closed subject of interest. The security services witness said the purpose of an investigation into a subject of interest was to separate the things they say about themselves and the things that are actually true. They added that Saadallahs behaviour was much more complex than a linear path of progression towards the attack. The witness said: Given the intelligence, no proportionate actions we could have taken would have changed the outcome. They added: I have seen no material to suggest the conclusion would have been different. The witness said the process for the closure of a subject of interest was based on the likelihood of re-engagement and the potential impact if that re-engagement occurs. They added that the post-attack investigation was rigorous and detailed. Asked by Mr Moss, if in laymans terms, he (Saadallah) was acting alone, the witness replied: Yes, thats right. Asked if there was no indication that Saadallah had any specific targets in mind, the witness replied: Yes, that remains the assessment. In January 2021, Saadallah was handed a whole-life sentence at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to three murders and three attempted murders. The inquest continues. The announcement by the Russian Ministry of Defence that its forces had full control of the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka represents a devastating blow to Ukraine and almost certainly a decisive turning point in the war. Avdiivka, which is called Avdeyevka by Russians, has endured a decade of conflict. It was taken in 2014 by forces of the Donetsk Republic. When the Ukrainians recaptured the town, they built extensive fortifications. It was therefore regarded as a virtually impregnable strong point that the Russians would find difficult, if not impossible, to capture. Moreover, the Ukrainian leadership continually insisted that it was a vital strategic position, the loss of which would deal a heavy blow to all Ukrainian hopes for victory. For all of these reasons, the fall of Avdiivka will have the most serious repercussions on the morale of the Ukrainian public in general, and the Ukrainian armed forces in particular. What was supposed to be one of the strongest and most fortified positions in the Ukrainian defences has fallen. Some sporadic gunfire can still be heard, but the battle for Avdiivka is now effectively over. Yet these astonishing developments, which, one would suppose would warrant front-page news in the western press, were met with what one can only describe as a deafening silence. The death of Navalny Instead, the entire coverage of western media was devoted to one question: the death of Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison camp. Since he was the main leader of the bourgeois-liberal opposition in Russia supported by the West, this was quite predictable, as was the instant verdict by western leaders. The entire coverage of western media was devoted to one question: the death of Alexei Navalny / Image: Evgeny Feldman, Wikimedia Commons US President Joe Biden and all the others immediately piled in with statements that he had been murdered on direct orders of Vladimir Putin. Now this may be true and is perfectly plausible. On the other hand, it may not be true. At this moment in time, it is impossible to be certain. But there is something highly suspicious about the indecent haste with which the leaders of the western world fell over themselves to join in a deafening chorus, condemning the man in the Kremlin (who is regularly blamed for everything, even the weather) and saying this was more proof, if such were needed, of Russian barbarism. Now, the death of any man or woman may be considered a tragedy. However, the scale and high-pitched volume of the chorus of condemnation appears to be somewhat out of place. The impression is created that the entire world has come out onto the streets to protest the death of one man in Russia. However, it is doubtful that most people in the West even know who he is. As for the demonstrations in Russia, it is hard to get an accurate idea of their scale. But for a number of reasons, it is doubtful whether more than relatively small numbers were involved. It is, however, quite clear that they were met with arrests and police brutality, which is the norm in Putins Russia today. What is striking is the fact that police brutality in Russia against pro-Navalny demonstrators should be given such extreme coverage, while police violence that is now becoming ever-more extreme against pro-Palestinian demonstrators is scarcely considered worthy of mention. Let us accept, for the sake of argument, that one man in Russia was murdered by order of the head of state. This is considered to be a most heinous crime against all the values of humanity. Britains Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, warned darkly that there would be consequences. But what form this punishment ought to take remains a matter shrouded in a deep mystery. Since the western nations have already exhausted every conceivable avenue of punishing President Putin and Russia short of physical assassination or a declaration of war, they now find that their arsenal of threats is about as depleted as their stocks of money and weapons for Ukraine. The threats therefore can amount to little more than a generous quantity of very hot air. The President of the United States has repeatedly expressed his firm opinion that the man in the Kremlin should be punished for the death of one man. Yet Joe Bidens good friend Netanyahu has been murdering large numbers of men, women and children in Gaza every day for the last four months; and yet this is not presented in the western press as proof of murderous intent or a violation of civilised norms. Nowadays, it is mentioned only in passing, while the slaughter continues unabated, and certainly unpunished. Oh yes, Joe Biden now pretends to be very sorry about the innocent victims in Gaza. But whereas he is powerless to influence the actions of President Putin in Russia, he has all the means at his disposal to put an immediate stop to Israels murderous acts, by simply cutting off all financial and military aid. However, he does no such thing. The arms and dollars continue to flow into Israels coffers and are put to good use killing civilians in Gaza. The man in the White House is therefore an accessory to the murder, not of one man, but of countless innocent men, women and children. Whatever may be the truth about the circumstances of Navalnys death, the chorus of outraged morality by the western imperialists can be dismissed with contempt as yet a further example of their stinking hypocrisy and cynicism. The fact is that this news has provided them with a golden opportunity to drown out the most important news, which does not come from Russia, but from Ukraine, where events have taken a very dramatic turn in the last few days. The fall of Avdiivka Russias defence ministry said its troops had occupied Avdiivka, after a deadly bombardment had left the town almost completely depopulated and reduced to a heap of rubble. The fall of Avdiivka is merely a continuation of the events that followed the catastrophic failure of Ukraines counteroffensive last summer. Just as we predicted, the Ukrainian forces failed to pierce Russian lines and were driven back with heavy casualties. The tactics pursued by the Russian army have closely followed the proposition of Clausewitz, who pointed out that the purpose of warfare is not to conquer cities or territory, but to destroy the enemy forces and thus render them incapable of resistance. The central aim has been to grind down Ukrainian forces in a brutal war of attrition. The Russians have been greatly assisted in this by the stupidity of the military and political leadership in Kyiv, which obstinately insists on the policy of pointless offensives to reconquer lost territory, and refuses to contemplate any idea of retreats or withdrawals. The fall of Avdiivka is merely a continuation of the events that followed the catastrophic failure of Ukraines counteroffensive last summer / Image: National Police of Ukraine, Wikimedia Commons This madness was what really settled the fate of Avdiivka, and not, as they now try to argue, the lack of money and arms from the West. The truth of the matter is that America in particular has poured billions of dollars and vast quantities of weapons into the bottomless pit of the Ukraine war. Did this achieve victory? On the contrary, it led Ukraine from one senseless action to another and ultimately to inevitable defeat. Yet this self-evident truth is entirely lost on the obstinate and myopic leaders in Kyiv and their imperialist backers in Washington and London. The disasters at the front and the growing war weariness of both troops and civilians have produced tensions that led to a political crisis in recent months. This manifested itself in an open confrontation between President Volodymir Zelensky and his commander-in-chief, Valeryi Zaluzhnyi. In a move that is unprecedented in the middle of a war, the president was forced to appoint a new commander to run the war. This political crisis also impacted events on the battlefield in the most serious manner. Suddenly, on Sunday morning, things took a dramatic turn when Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who took command of the Ukrainian military following the dramatic dismissal of General Zaluzhnyi, announced that Ukrainian forces had moved back to more secure positions outside the town, allegedly to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of servicemen. This must have sounded cruelly ironic to the soldiers on the battlefield, who had already taken their own decision to preserve their lives and health without consulting with their commanders in Kyiv by the simple expedient of fleeing for their lives from the advancing Russian forces. The order to withdraw might have made some sense even one week earlier, when the Russian advances had clearly reached a point where the beleaguered forces in the shattered city were faced with the imminent risk of encirclement and annihilation. It would be easy to blame General Syrskyi for this failure. But that would be grossly unfair. After all, he has only been in command for about a week. The military debacle in Avdiivka was entirely predictable long before this. About two months ago, the then commander-in-chief Zaluzhnyi warned that the Russians would take the town in three to six months. The prediction was accurate enough, but his timing was lamentably wide of the mark. Russian forces advanced far more rapidly and organised the attack far more efficiently than he had anticipated. This fact in itself starkly reveals the level of incompetence at the highest level of Ukrainian military command and also the ineptitude of its intelligence services. In wars, timing is always of critical importance. In any case, if Zaluzhnyi was convinced that the Russians would inevitably take Avdiivka, it follows that the obstinate insistence on maintaining its defence at all costs was a fundamental mistake, and one that endangered the lives of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers. Any half-competent military commander under such circumstances ought to have immediately taken steps to remove the surviving forces, who had heroically remained at their posts in incredibly difficult and dangerous circumstances, and thus save many lives although, by this point, such a withdrawal would have inevitably involved further losses. But no such order was given. On the contrary. Far from preparing for an orderly withdrawal and using whatever time was available to establish a more solid line of defence to which the Ukrainian forces could retreat, the military leaders in Kyiv continued to insist that the defence of Avdiivka was of paramount importance and must be maintained whatever the cost. Zaluzhnyi issued no such orders for the simple reason that he was too occupied carrying on a factional struggle against Zelensky to maintain his own position. So when the order to withdraw was given, it was far too late. This was not a withdrawal but a terrible rout. Amid scenes of indescribable chaos and bloodshed, thousands of shellshocked Ukrainian soldiers surrendered or fled in panic across open fields where they were subjected to a merciless bombardment from the air and withering machine gun fire. The scenes now unfolding in and around Avdiivka are ones of unspeakable horror. This was not a battle, but a bloody massacre. Outnumbered, outgunned and outmanoeuvred, the Ukrainian defenders now face certain annihilation unless they surrender and throw down their arms. Some Ukrainian forces are said to be still holed up at the Soviet-era coke plant, once one of Europe's biggest. Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said: Measures are being taken to completely clear the town of militants and to block Ukrainian units that have left the town and are entrenched at the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant. But Russian state television showed blue and yellow Ukrainian flags being taken down in Avdiivka and Russias white, blue and red tricolour flag raised, including over the coke plant. To all intents and purposes, the battle is over. The question that must now be uppermost in the minds of many Ukrainians is: what was it all about? What are we fighting for? The blame game commences The fall of Avdiivka exposes the utter falsity of the way the western media have persistently underestimated the fighting ability of the Russian forces, the quality of their weapons and equipment and the competence of their commanders. Biden previously warned that Avdiivka could fall to Russian forces because of ammunition shortages, after months of the Republican opposition in Congress blocking a new US military aid package for Kyiv. Neither Russia nor Ukraine have given details of their losses in the intense battle for Avdiivka / Image: Donetsk Regional Military Civil Administration, Wikimedia Commons Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said: Avdiivka showed the need for modern air defence systems to counter guided bombs and long-range weapons to destroy enemy formations. He also underlined the need for artillery shells. This same old song now clearly sounds like an alibi for defeat which is what it is. Biden reportedly called Zelensky on Saturday to reaffirm continued US support for Ukraine, which he connected to the urgent need for Congress to pass a new aid package. The White House in turn pointed at Republicans, claiming that the Ukrainians were forced to withdraw because of dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, leading to Russias first notable gains in months. The blame game has thus commenced in earnest. Biden points an accusing finger at the Republicans in Congress for allegedly sabotaging the delivery of money and arms to Kyiv, and thus betraying the heroic people of Ukraine. Western production of arms and ammunition is completely insufficient to supply the Ukrainians, who have been firing off ammunition and missiles as if there were no tomorrow. Unfortunately, tomorrow has abruptly come. Neither Russia nor Ukraine have given details of their losses in the intense battle for Avdiivka, nor the war as a whole. Western intelligence assessments say hundreds of thousands of men on both sides have been killed or wounded in the war. Whatever the true figure, the fact is that Ukraine cannot replace these losses, while Russia has no shortage of men, weapons or ammunition. Putin offered his congratulations to the Russian commander in charge of the forces that took Avdiivka, Colonel-General Andrei Mordvichev in a telegram: Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in fulfilling the tasks of the special military operation! The Russian forces continued to advance all along the front line, capturing one point after another. On Sunday, the very day that Avdiivka fell, Ukrainian forces reported a Russian offensive on the southern front in the area of Zaporizhzhia. It is too soon to say whether this will be the next objective of what is clearly a Russian offensive. But it is beyond doubt that the Ukrainians no longer have any possibility of halting it. The truth is beginning to slowly penetrate even the thickest skulls in Washington and London: the chances of Ukraine defeating Russia are now practically nil. Although most politicians cannot say so in public, in private they openly ask the question: can we afford to continue this? Betrayal While the battle for Avdiivka was reaching its bloody climax, the heads of western states were gathering in Germany for the 2024 Munich Security Conference (MSC). This jamboree of the rich and famous was advertised as the worlds leading forum for debating the most pressing challenges to international security. But the mood this year contrasted starkly with the more upbeat affair in 2023. As Heather Conley, head of the German Marshall Fund put it: It was very self-congratulatory last year, with so much hope pinned on the Ukrainian counteroffensive. But the humiliating defeat of that counteroffensive has shattered those foolish illusions and compelled at least some of those present to use their brains to think: The chances of Ukraine defeating Russia are now practically nil / Image: National Police of Ukraine, Wikimedia Commons Were going to see Ukraine suffer from battlefield losses, we could see significant Russian gains, and the Ukrainians have no ammunition left, Conley said. The mood at the Munich conference is evident from a report in the NY Times: The dourness of the mood contrasted sharply with just a year ago, when many of the same participants intelligence chiefs and diplomats, oligarchs and analysts thought Russia might be on the verge of strategic defeat in Ukraine. There was talk of how many months it might take to drive the Russians back to the borders that existed before their invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Now that optimism appeared premature at best, faintly delusional at worst. Delusional is precisely the word to describe the kind of artificial bubble in which western leaders had become accustomed to living. And despite all the accumulated evidence from the battlefield, the inhabitants of this bubble seemed to be quite comfortable with their delusions. In between one cocktail reception party and another, these privileged ladies and gentlemen took it upon themselves to encourage the long-suffering people of Ukraine to continue their heroic resistance to Russian aggression. As usual, they were prepared to fight to the last drop of Ukrainian blood. This is, of course, a very safe kind of heroism, over a thousand miles distant from the actual blood-soaked battlefields of Donetsk. Here, the awful reality of war presents a stark contrast with the absurd delusions that persist in the minds of the leaders in the USA and Europe always assuming that they possess such a thing as a mind at all. Jens Stoltenberg, the flint-faced Norwegian who calls himself the Secretary General of NATO, naturally occupied pride of place as a well-known advocate of peace, security, apple pie and motherhood, as well as democracy and all the other basic principles of western, Christian values. Also present was the widow of Alexei Navalny, whose contribution to the maintenance of European security seems limited to demands that the West stands up to Russia. This was music to the ears of Stoltenberg, who did not fail to make full use of these words to add spice to his usual belligerent and bellicose speech. He called on Russia to answer serious questions about the death of Alexei Navalny, underlining that Russia is ultimately responsible, and that the best way to honour Navalnys memory was to continue supporting the Ukrainians fighting for freedom and independence. Thus, he let the cat out of the bag. Also noteworthy was the presence of the representatives of the US military-industrial complex: President and CEO of Lockheed Martin, James Taiclet; and a delegation from Boeing, including President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Ted Colbert all put in their appearance, like so many hungry vultures circling over the corpses on a battlefield. Someone once said to Lenin: war is terrible, to which he replied: yes, terribly profitable. In addition to the obsessive hatred of Russia that persists from the Cold War era in Bidens White House, there are very material interests that favour continuing the appalling carnage in Ukraine for as long as possible. Mr Stoltenberg pointed proudly to record increases in Allied defence spending and arms production as examples of how the Alliance is adapting to a more dangerous world by making it still more dangerous. A note of worry began to creep into his speech at this point. Badly shaken by Donald Trumps off-the-cuff remark that the USA would not be prepared to come to the defence of members of NATO that did not fulfil their financial obligations, Mr Stoltenberg emphasised that European Allies and Canada are stepping up aid to Kyiv, and he warned that there was a vital and urgent need for the US to follow suit. Stoltenberg was clearly aiming his remarks at the US Congress in general and the Republicans in particular. But the latter show no signs at present of relaxing their opposition to sending more money into a black hole in Ukraine. Whether they were listening to him or not is a matter of speculation. In talks with delegations from both sides of the US Senate, Stoltenberg stressed that a strong NATO is in the US national interest, and underlined the need for the US to urgently approve further aid to Ukraine. Naturally, Volodymir Zelensky could not fail to attend a gathering of the rich and powerful, who could be relied upon to give him the support and applause that he signally lacks in his own country. Thus, at a moment of extreme national emergency, he found himself in Munich, once again at a global security conference, pleading for more weapons to fill what he called an artificial shortage, and to underline the imperative need for the US to come through with its stalled aid package. He praised his troops for exhausting Russian forces in Avdiivka, and suggested the withdrawal was partly caused by a lack of weapons. There was no hint in his speech that there had been a serious defeat at all! The fall of Avdiivka will have enormously increased the mood of disaffection and anger / Image: National Police of Ukraine, Wikimedia Commons Now, [the military] will replenish, they will wait for the relevant weapons, of which there simply werent enough, simply arent enough, he said. Russia has long-range weapons, while we simply don't have enough. What the Ukrainian president forgets to mention is that it is not just Ukraine that simply doesn't have enough. It is the whole western alliance, whose stocks of weapons, missiles and ammunition have been so depleted by massive shipments to Ukraine that it is no longer able to meet the demands coming from him and his generals. Zelenskys support is rapidly evaporating. He is attempting to push through a major new mobilisation. But this is meeting growing resistance from a population that is now thoroughly tired of war and no longer believes anything that the government says about the prospect of victory. The news from the front gradually trickles down and spreads a feeling of despondency and defeatism among both the troops and the civilian population. The fall of Avdiivka will have enormously increased the mood of disaffection and anger, not just against Putin, but in particular against the political and military leaders in Kyiv, who are blamed for creating the present disastrous situation. Just how long this situation can last is difficult to predict. But it is quite clear that time is running out fast for the Ukrainian side and for the West. There is now no question whatsoever of a Ukrainian victory over Russia. The fact is that there never was such a possibility. The people of Ukraine are the main victims of this terrible crime. From the very beginning, they have been deceived with false illusions and pushed into an unnecessary and catastrophic conflict with a far more powerful neighbour. Zelensky might be well advised to cancel his return ticket to Kyiv and stay in Munich, where he will be assured of a comfortable retirement. In his own country, his support is collapsing by the day, if not by the hour. It may be too soon to say that the debacle of Avdiivka marks the end of the war. But it is certainly the beginning of the end, which nothing can now alter. In reality, those who have shamefully betrayed the Ukrainian people are the likes of Joseph Biden, Boris Johnson and their allies-in-crime in NATO, who deliberately pushed Ukraine into a war it could never win and are now attempting to prolong the agony, suffering and death of the people whose interests they claim to defend. Veteran filmmaker Ken Loach and his long-standing screenwriter Paul Laverty have posed at the Baftas with a sign calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The 87-year-old was attending the ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall when he made the gesture while posing for photographers. Ken Loach attends the Bafta Film Awards 2024, at the Royal Festival Hall (Ian West/PA) As well as Laverty, who scripted Loachs The Old Oak which was nominated in the Outstanding British Film category, the director was accompanied by the films stars Claire Rodgerson and Dave Turner, and producer Rebecca OBrien. Ken Loach, Paul Laverty and co had a message for the #BAFTAs this evening: #CeasefireNow! pic.twitter.com/dTZhQsH13w Stop the War (@STWuk) February 18, 2024 Posting the photograph on X, the Stop The War Coalition stated: Ken Loach, Paul Laverty and co had a message for the #BAFTAs this evening: #CeasefireNow! Loachs Sixteen Films also reposted the image and stated: Ceasefire now The Old Oak tells the story of a struggling pub landlord in a former mining community in County Durham where tensions rise after Syrian refugees are housed there. Although the film did not win, Loach was praised by Samantha Morton in her acceptance speech for her Bafta Fellowship award. She said: When I first saw Ken Loachs Kes on a huge telly that was wheeled into my classroom I was forever changed. Seeing poverty and people like me on the screen, I recognised myself representation matters. A student at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs was arrested on murder charges Monday in the fatal dorm shooting of two people at the school, authorities said. The student suspect, Nicholas Jordan, 25, of Detroit, was taken into custody after authorities found him in a vehicle Monday morning, Colorado Springs police said. He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, jail records show. Authorities did not elaborate on how they were able to identify Jordan as a suspect but said they obtained an arrest warrant for two counts of first-degree murder on Friday. CNN is working to identify Jordans legal representation. Nicholas Jordan - Colorado Springs Police Department Police also did not detail any motive in the Friday shooting that left both Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, of Pueblo, Colorado, and Samuel Knopp, 24, of Parker, Colorado, dead. Knopp was a student at the school while Montgomery was not. Given this cases active and fluid nature, additional information about those leads and any potential suspect details will not be released at this time, Colorado Springs police said in a statement. Investigative efforts so far continue to indicate this is an isolated incident between parties that were known to one another and not a random attack against the school or other students at the university, the statement continued. Police said the El Paso County Coroners Office will determine the cause and manner of death. They added the deaths were being investigated as homicides. This remains an active investigation, and anyone with information or who is a witness to this investigation is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department, police said in the news release. Celie Rain Montgomery - Family Handout Samuel Knopp - From UCCS Music Program Police rushed to the scene Campus police received a call just before 6 a.m. Friday about shots fired in a dormitory. University police reached the dorm at 6:05 a.m., where they found two people dead, Cronin said. Each had suffered at least one gunshot wound. CNN affiliate KKTV spoke to a student who was on campus when the shooting happened. I was shocked, honestly, Adam Trujillo said. I had woke up to an email from one of my teachers saying that there was a lockdown and to just be safe, lock the doors. And then I came out here to all these police cars and news people, and I was pretty shocked. Campus went on lockdown Campus police and the Colorado Springs Police Department said the shooting was not an active shooter situation, but it led the campus to go into lockdown and dormitory residents were ordered to shelter in place for several hours. Lockdown! Lock interior doors, an alert sent by campus police just after 7 a.m. stated. Turn out the lights. Move away from sight. Do not open the door. Maintain silence. Evade/Defend. A few minutes later, university police posted there were no reports of an active shooter, but asked those on campus to shelter in place. Just before 8 a.m., police said everyone could leave campus except students at Alpine Village, a residence hall housing sophomore through graduate school students. At 8:52 a.m., campus police said there is no safety concern on campus and the shelter-in-place order for Alpine Village was due to an ongoing investigation. The order was fully lifted at 9:36 a.m. The campus was closed Saturday and Sunday. Classes have been canceled for Monday but the campus will be open for support and healing, the university announced. CNNs Cindy Von Quednow and Andi Babineau contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com David Schulze Play the song Ancora, Ancora, Ancora, by the great Italian diva Mina, at any club in Milan, and the ragazzi will still, nearly 50 years after its release, breathlessly sing along. Farmi morire ancora/Perche ti amo ancora, the chanteuse croons. Make me die again/Because I still love you. The translation doesnt quite do the word ancora justice. Literally it means again, but as the lyrics suggest, it also evokes unfinished business, a craving for someone or something that you tried once and desire over and over. David Schulze For Mina its a romance. For Guccis new creative director, Sabato De Sarno, who titled both his mens and womens spring collections Ancora, its the vibe that has epitomized this Florentine house from its earliest daysa carefree, confident sensibility that was distilled in 1961 to a single handbag: the Jackie, named for the first lady who was so often seen on the streets of New York with precious few accessories besides her oversize sunglasses and this crescent-shaped clutch. David Schulze Originally rendered in black leather with a red interior, always with a snap hook clasp, the Jackie has been a touchstone for the label for more than 60 years, reinterpreted by every designer who has taken the helm. Daniele Venturelli - Getty Images De Sarno imagined his version not for a museum but to enrich everyday life, perhaps going from grocery shopping in Brera to dancing at Club Plastic Milanoto Mark Ronsons fresh remix of Minas indelible anthem, which has gone viral. The kids, it seems, cant get enough. You Might Also Like David Allan riding Art Power to win The Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot Racecourse (Getty Images) Art Power returns at the lucrative Saudi Cup 2024 this week in Saudi Arabia. Leading King Power Racings charge, the owners aim to make a splash on the global stage. Trained by Tim Easterby, Art Power is aiming to build on its Group 1 triumph after storming home to produce a 40-1 shock at Ascot in the British Champions Sprint last October. It will now feature in the Group 2 1351 Turf Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard, with fellow British-trained runners Anaaf and Jumby also contending the $2 million contest on Saturday - while the main race boasts a $20m (15.86m) purse. Maltilda Picotte, trained by Kieran Cotter in Ireland, and last year's winner Bathrat Leon, a contender from Japan, are also in the running. Alastair Donald, a spokesperson for King Power Racing, said: "The hope is to go out with Art Power. Another of ours, Happy Power, went close in it a couple of years ago, but this lad is better. He could go well and is not getting any younger so we'll go chase some dollars and have fun with him. "We were thrilled he got his big triumph last year as he really deserved it. Some people had said before he didn't run well in Group 1s, but he wasn't beaten far in a good few of them and luck wasn't on his side too. Some forget he's a Royal Ascot winner too, he's been a real star for us." David Allan has linked up with Art Power in 14 of his 31 career starts, including the big win on British Champions Day, so it was an easy decision to extend the relationship in Riyadh. Donald added: "David gave Art Power such a good ride and he gets on well with him so he should be on board again. It's always great to be able to travel out to prestigious contests with grand horses like him." MUNICH After months of requests from Ukrainian officials, the Biden administration is working toward providing Ukraine with powerful new long-range ballistic missiles, according to two U.S. officials. Late last year, the U.S. began to supply Ukraine with Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, but so far it has provided only the older medium-range ATACMS. Now, the U.S. is leaning toward sending the longer-range version of the missile, the officials said, which would allow Ukraine to strike farther inside the Russian-held Crimean Peninsula. But U.S. funding for arms shipments to Ukraine remains uncertain because of opposition from former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress. Last week the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. But its not clear whether or when the GOP-controlled House will vote on the measure or whether it would survive the vote. For months, pro-Trump Republicans have said they will approve U.S. military aid to Ukraine only if the Biden administration agrees to a package of GOP immigration and border security measures. Trump and his House and Senate allies this month rejected a bipartisan border security and immigration compromise negotiated by Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. Defense officials told NBC News that the U.S. has a limited inventory of ATACMS and that it is not likely to send them to Ukraine without money to replenish U.S. stockpiles. If Congress approves more funding for Ukraine, the U.S. could include the long-range ATACMS in one of the first packages of military aid paid for with that money, according to the two U.S. officials. The U.S. also has ammunition and artillery ready to send to Ukraine immediately if the funding is approved, the officials added. Ukraine Frontline Soldier (Genya Savilov / AFP - Getty Images) The officials did not rule out asking allies to provide the missiles to Ukraine, as well, and replenishing their ATACM stockpiles. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement, a Defense Department spokesperson said: Without a supplemental [funding bill], we do not currently have a security assistance package to give to Ukraine. At the same time, I wont speculate on the contents of any future packages if a supplemental were to be passed. We will let you know if this changes and if we have a new package to announce. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he spent much of his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Munich on Saturday discussing Ukraines need for longer-range weapons. I just came here from a meeting with Secretary Blinken, Kuleba told a small group of reporters in Munich on Saturday. I spent a very good part of the time arguing in favor of ATACMS, he said, explaining that Ukraine needs the version of the missile that can fly 300 kilometers, or more than 180 miles. There is only one way to destroy Russian capabilities in Ukraine. Its to hit deep into the occupied territories, bypassing Russian radio electronic warfare and interceptors, he said, referring to long-range ATACMS. Kuleba called the systems an important symbol to Ukrainians. If you want to hit behind the lines, disrupt their logistics and supplies, destroy their depots of ammunition, you can do it only with long-range missiles, he said. The Biden administration has resisted sending the long-range missiles over the past two years because officials worried Ukraine would use them to strike inside Crimea or Russia and cause Russian President Vladimir Putin to escalate the conflict. White House and Pentagon officials have expressed similar concerns about other weapons systems but have now decided to provide them to Ukraine. On Saturday, Kuleba also described an urgent need for more European weapons and assistance for Ukraine, saying many people in Europe are still reluctant to understand the threat. When a citizen of Europe reads in the news that Ukraine retreated from Avdiivka, he should realize one simple fact: Russia has got a few kilometers closer to his own home, Kuleba said. Every advance Russia makes in Ukraine brings Russian weapons closer to the home of a middle-class European. Kuleba praised support from European allies but said they need to speed up production of weapons and ammunition for Ukraine. It took Europeans too much time to start ramping up or waking up or dusting off their defense industries, he said. We will pay with our lives throughout 2024 to give your defense industries time to ramp up production or new lines. President Joe Biden, in the wake of the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, said congressional Republicans are "making a big mistake" by not passing additional aid to Ukraine. Biden, returning to the White House on Monday, was asked by a reporter if he'd go so far as to say House Republicans had Navalny's "blood on their hands" amid their opposition to funding for the war-torn nation as Russia's invasion enters its third year. "No, I wouldn't use that term," the president responded. "They're making a big mistake not responding." Biden continued, "Look, the way they're walking away from the threat of Russia, the way they're walking away from NATO, the way they're walking away from leaving our obligations, it's just shocking ... I've never seen anything like this." PHOTO: President Joe Biden talks briefly with reporters after returning to the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 19, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) MORE: Navalny's widow vows to continue husband's opposition to Putin Navalny's death was reported by Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service on Feb. 16. No information has been shared about the cause of death. According to Navanly's team, his family has been denied access to his body. Biden has blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Navalny's death. Biden said Monday he is considering additional sanctions on Russia over Navalny's death, though he didn't elaborate on when those sanctions could be implemented or what they would target. Officials have told ABC they're weighing additional sanctions against human rights violators connected to Navalny's imprisonment. Asked if Navalny's death could spark movement from Republicans on Ukraine aid, Biden said: "I hope so, but I'm not sure anything's gonna change." In a shift from past statements from the White House, Biden said he would be willing to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson on the issue. "I'd be happy to meet with him if he has anything to say," Biden said. MORE: White House rejects Johnson's requests to meet with Biden: 'What is there to negotiate?' Johnson has said he's been asking for a sit-down with President Biden for weeks to discuss aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and border security, but those requests were denied. "What is there to negotiate really, truly?" White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce last week. Jean-Pierre cited Johnson's shifting positions on how to deal with the border and foreign aid. House Republicans have stalled two bills that would deal with foreign aid: a bipartisan Senate compromise tying immigration changes to the aid and a stand-alone measure passed by the Senate providing $95 billion for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. In the wake of Navalny's death, Johnson was critical of Putin but didn't commit to providing additional aid to Ukraine. The House is currently in recess until the end of the month. "As Congress debates the best path forward to support Ukraine, the United States, and our partners, must be using every means available to cut off Putin's ability to fund his unprovoked war in Ukraine and aggression against the Baltic states," Johnson said in a statement. Biden says GOP making 'big mistake' on Ukraine aid, willing to meet with Johnson originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Washington President Biden said Monday he is weighing additional sanctions against Russia over the death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. "We already have sanctions, but we are considering additional sanctions, yes," Mr. Biden told reporters as he returned to the White House from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. On Friday, Mr. Biden blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Navalny's death, saying the U.S. wasn't sure what exactly happened, but that it was "a consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did." Navalny's death was reported Friday by Russian prison authorities, who said the dissident "felt unwell" after going for a walk and "almost immediately" lost consciousness. His widow Yulia Navalnaya, who lives in exile outside Russia, said Monday that authorities were "hiding his body" and "refusing to give it to his mother." She accused the Kremlin of poisoning her husband, alleging that Russian authorities were delaying handing over his body to allow for traces of the poison to disappear. The U.S. has already imposed several rounds of punishing sanctions against Russian officials, institutions and businesses since its invasion of Ukraine two years ago. When asked about increasing sanctions against Russia on Friday, Mr. Biden told reporters he was considering "a whole number of options." He has also used Navalny's death to underscore the threat posed by Russia, and has urged Congress to approve more funding to Ukraine. But Mr. Biden said Monday he wasn't sure if the death would convince House Republicans to hold a vote on more Ukraine aid. "I hope so, but I'm not sure anything's going to change their minds," he said, adding that Republicans are "making a big mistake not responding." Sara Cook contributed reporting. Cillian Murphy: The 60 Minutes Interview Redefining old age The authentic Ashley McBryde A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging their colleagues to back a modified version of a foreign aid and border security package it unveiled last week. In a Dear Colleague letter sent Sunday and obtained by The Hill, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) underscored the urgency of delivering aid to Ukraine as it works to fend off Russian troops. In the two years since Russia invaded Ukraine in the most brazen campaign of territorial aggression in Europe since World War II, Americas support for Ukraines young democracy has been a bipartisan consensus in Congress, Fitzpatrick and Golden wrote in a letter to the full House. But as we write, Ukraines position is imperiled. Its freedom fighters are running out of ammunition and withdrawing from the East, paving the way for Russias further advance. This is a direct result of Congress gridlock. They continued: We cannot turn our backs on the Ukrainian people as they fight and die by the tens of thousands to preserve their democracy and sovereignty. They have proven that when equipped with American arms and ammunition, they can win this struggle. We know that without them, they may fail. The call for action comes a week after the Senate passed a foreign aid bill that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has said he would not take up in the House. The $95 billion Senate bill contained money for Ukraine, Israel and other foreign policy priorities but did not include the negotiated bipartisan border agreement that had provisions to increase border security and tighten asylum laws. Republicans had demanded border policy reforms as a condition for Ukraine aid, but conservatives in both chambers shot down a previous version of the Senate bill that contained a border component. Centrist lawmakers are hoping their new proposal can garner more support. Their legislation, called the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act, would allocate $66.32 billion to the Defense Department to support embattled nations, including roughly $47 billion for Ukraine, $10 billion for Israel, $5 billion for the Indo-Pacific and $2 billion to support U.S. Central Command operations. It also has border provisions, including reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy for one year, and would strip the package of any humanitarian aid for Gaza, Ukraine and other global hot spots. The bill is unlikely to garner sufficient support. Democrats are already throwing cold water on it, instead calling on Johnson to take up the Senate bill. And many Republicans have said they would only support a bill that includes all of the demands in their H.R. 2 border bill, which passed without a single Democratic vote. Golden and Fitzpatrick addressed the humanitarian aid in their letter to colleagues, writing, While our responsibility to protect American interests and democracy is great, so too is our duty to be mindful of Americas resources. That is why our bill narrows prior foreign aid proposals to critical military essentials for Ukraine and Israel. The international community has the will and resources to provide important humanitarian assistance to both Ukraine and Gaza, and the United States should offer to aid in the logistics of its delivery as necessary. Fitzpatrick told reporters last week that he would have supported the original foreign aid package that Senate negotiators unveiled after months of negotiation, but he said he understands the difficult situation Johnson is in dealing with a demanding GOP conference. The Speakers got to manage the conference. Hes doing the best he can to do, Fitzpatrick said last week. But I also think its incumbent upon members that, if theres not successful progress on time-sensitive existential matters, that we do what we have to do to protect our country. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. South Tech Academy's campus as seen in 2013. The charter school has since opened a middle school and has a combined total enrollment of about 1,600 students. A 35-year-old teacher in Boynton Beach was told by his school's administration not to give students rides in his car or gifts in the weeks leading up to his arrest on charges of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student, school records show. Damian Conti of Greenacres was suspended from his job at South Tech Academy for misconduct just hours before he was arrested by Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies on Feb. 6. The first communication from school officials came on Jan. 12 when an assistant principal said that he should not transport students in his personal car. Documents from Conti's personnel file don't specify where he and the students were going or how often he was giving them rides. The documents also don't say whether one of the students was the 16-year-old involved in his arrest. "I want to remind you that you should not be transporting students in your car. If you are transporting them for a field trip, the appropriate paperwork should be on file and there should always be a minimum of 3 people," assistant principal Erin Kurtz wrote to Conti. The subject line of Kurtz's email to Conti was "reminder." The school provided no investigations or disciplinary records relating to Conti, and Kurtz did not return a request for comment about whether her emails to Conti constituted discipline of the teacher. Kurtz again wrote to Conti on Jan. 24 that "giving gifts and spending time with student groups outside of school activities is outside the boundaries of the teacher/student relationship." She said in her email that she was "confident" he would avoid such situations in the future. Again, her email did not describe specific students involved. Conti was fired by South Tech on Feb. 7, according to a letter in his school file signed by the school's Executive Director Carla Lovett. More on Conti's arrest: Former South Tech charter teacher faces charges of inappropriate relationship with student A dearth of details in personnel files from South Tech and redacted police reports make it difficult to determine more about the incidents he was confronted with. Conti was charged with three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and three counts of offenses against students by authority figures. He has been assigned a public defender and had not entered a plea to the charges as of Feb. 14. Conti did not return a request for comment on his case. Teacher worked at four schools, one day-care office since graduating from FAU Conti's records show he's worked in four schools and one private day care center since he graduated in 2014 from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor's degree in English. He first taught English at Everglades High School in Broward County during the 2015-16 school year, then worked as a teacher at AMI Kids, a private alternative education center in Fort Lauderdale, during the 2016-17 school year. After that, he worked as a marketing specialist at The Learning Center day care in Deerfield Beach from 2016 through 2020. Conti worked as a teacher at the SLAM! Palm Beach charter high school from 2020 until he began at South Tech in August 2022. While their hiring and progressive discipline processes can be similar to that of public schools, charter schools like SLAM! and South Tech are public schools run by private entities. South Tech charter provided Conti's personnel file in response to a public records request by The Palm Beach Post but did not provide more detailed investigative reports of what led to Kurtz's written reminders to Conti. Records from the school district show he applied to be a teacher in 2020. It's not clear whether he was offered a job, but Conti's resume shows he went to work at the SLAM! charter school instead of working at a district-run school. Conti has had no previous discipline from the Florida Department of Education, state records show. On the day of his arrest, Conti told police that he had been suspended from his job and was having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old who was his student at the school, his arrest record shows. He said the student expressed concern that Conti would get into trouble because of the relationship. His arrest records provide few details about his contact with the student except that they communicated via Instagram, text messages and phone calls. Unlawful sexual activity with certain minors and offenses against students by authority figures are both second-degree felony charges in Florida punishable by up to 15 years in prison. As of Thursday morning, Conti remained in jail. His bond has been set at $100,000, according to court records. South Tech principal retires after 30+ year career in schools Just three days after Conti's arrest, longtime South Tech Principal Eileen Turenne said on social media that she would be retiring. On Sunday, the principal posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Friday, Feb. 15, would mark the end of her 11 years with South Tech and 19 previous years with the Palm Beach County School District. "Now begins #retirement with the love of my life, our daughters, our sons-in-law, our grandson, and the little guy who is due in June," Turenne wrote. "Its time for the next chapter." As of Tuesday morning, former assistant principal Kurtz was listed as South Tech Academy's interim principal in a school district database of charter schools. Kurtz and South Tech Lovett did not return requests for comment on Turenne's employment status. Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work: Subscribe today! This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida teacher told not to give students rides, gifts before arrest TOKYO, Feb 20 (News On Japan) - The University of Tokyo has decided to establish a new 5-year educational program in the fall of 2027, aiming to nurture talent capable of solving global societal issues such as decarbonization. According to the University of Tokyo, the new program, "College of Design," will be established in the fall of 2027, allowing students to study across various academic disciplines. The program combines four years of undergraduate studies with one year of graduate studies. To attract outstanding students from around the world, the university plans to recruit students for the fall semester, a common practice in Western universities, and conduct all classes in English. The new program aims to develop world-class talent and research capable of addressing global issues such as "decarbonization" and "biodiversity." The enrollment capacity is expected to be around 100 students, with half of them being international students. According to sources, the university plans to announce the details of the entrance examination during the 2024 academic year. Source: TBS Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), an outspoken critic of former President Trump, warned of the emergence of a Putin wing of the Republican party and stressed the importance of preventing its return to the White House. In an interview on CNNs State of the Union, Cheney sharply criticized Trumps recent comments suggesting he would not defend NATO allies in the wake of an attack from Russia and his recent silence following the death of the anti-corruption, pro-democracy opposition leader in Russia, Alexei Navalny. I think that we have to take Donald Trump very seriously, Cheney said Sunday. We have to take seriously the extent to which you have now got a Putin wing of the Republican Party. I believe the issue this election cycle is making sure the Putin wing of the Republican Party does not take over the West Wing of the White House, she continued. In the interview, she did not make any presidential endorsements and said she has not yet decided whether she would enter the race herself. She made clear, however, that she would do whatever she could to prevent Trumps return to the White House. Donald Trump, as you pointed out, said just a few days ago that he had told a NATO ally that he would encourage [Russian President Vladimir Putin] to do whatever he needed to do, whatever he wanted to do, Cheney told CNN anchor Jake Tapper. Hes basically made clear that, under a Trump administration, the United States is unlikely to keep its NATO commitments. And I think that Republicans who understand the importance of the national security situation who continue to support him are similarly going to be held to account, she said. Pressed later about Trumps NATO comments, Cheney said, Its disgraceful. I cant imagine any other American president of either party since the establishment of NATO saying such a thing. And its completely uninformed and ignorant and dangerous. Cheney also drew a connection between Trumps frequent suggestions that he would investigate his political opponents in a second term and Navalnys death. When you think about Donald Trump, for example, pledging retribution what Vladimir Putin did to Navalny is what retribution looks like in a country where the leader is not subject to the rule of law, Cheney said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Cori Bush (Mo.), one of the most prominent progressives in the Squad, is facing a challenging reelection bid over her stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. A poll this week found Bush lagging significantly behind prosecutor Wesley Bell in the primary for Missouris 1st Congressional District, and recent financial statements show shes at threat of being outraised by him as well. Bush has gone so far as to paint herself as the underdog in the race to her constituents. Her formidable primary challenge comes as her positions on Israel have upset many establishment Democrats, leading to a growing national effort to unseat her in the early August race. Mark Mellman, CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel, said Bush is even more vulnerable today due to her resistance to the partys pro-Israel approach to the conflict following Oct. 7. He counts Bush among several progressives who are not safe in their quests for another term in Congress. Part of the reason that people dont follow them is they think that their ideas arent necessarily good ideas, and they think the politics is not smart, Mellman said. The recent survey, conducted by the GOP-leaning Remington Research Group, shows Bush behind Bell by double digits in the high-profile contest. The firm found Bell with a 22-point lead among 401 primary voters earlier this month. For Bell, the prosecuting attorney for St. Louis, the apparent surge of support tracks with what his camp believes is enthusiasm for a more pragmatic alternative to represent the blue district in Congress. This poll validates what weve known for a while, Bell told The Hill on Thursday. We have the momentum in this race because voters in the first district want a representative who is a bridge builder. Without mentioning Bush by name, Bells comments reflect a frustration that has dogged the congresswomans brief House tenure. Moderate Democrats have often dismissed her as out of alignment with where the party is under President Biden, who won by campaigning as a consensus candidate. Republicans have in turn gone much further, painting her as one of the most extreme and divisive members of the Democratic caucus, evoking her activism on police reform and criminal justice as main points of contrast and now turning their attention to the war in Gaza. Voters want someone who offers steady, grounded leadership in these very difficult times, Bell said. Chappelle Nadal, a former state lawmaker, is also running in the primary. Bushs challenges grew after the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. Facing immense global devastation, Biden and many Democrats rallied in support of Israel against the Palestinian terrorist group. While also denouncing Hamas, a small faction of progressives struck a markedly different tone than Biden and their moderate counterparts in Congress over actions by the Israeli government toward Palestinians in Gaza. Bush, who gained notoriety in Missouri as a civil rights activist during the 2014 Black Lives Matter movement, has been among the most outspoken in favor of Palestinian rights and against some retaliatory actions by the Israeli military. She has strongly advocated for a cease-fire, a non-starter for many Democrats mourning the loss of 1,200 Israelis, and has lobbied to make certain U.S. aid to Israel conditional. She has used the verbiage cease-fire now in office while running for reelection. While Bush has faced an onslaught of detractors, her supporters have also pushed back against what they see as a concerted effort among some pro-Israel political figures to oust her. Tim Black, a left-wing podcast host and commentator, sees her calls for a cease-fire as the reason Bells campaign is gaining visible traction. Those statements have angered supporters of Israel, and now the money is flowing for her challenger, he said. Some progressives like Black see parallels between Bushs race and what happened in former Ohio state Sen. Nina Turners Cleveland congressional bid against Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio). Money was dumped into Nina Turners special election vs. Shontel Brown to the tune of millions at the close of the race, Black said. Like Bush, Turner has been outspoken about the Democratic response to Israel and the treatment of Palestinian people. Wesley Bell doesnt have much of a platform, he said. The only policies I can be sure he supports is Israel continuing to bomb Gaza. Justice Democrats, which helped recruit Bush, is spotlighting what organizers see as Bells proximity to groups that also have ample financial support from Republicans. Usamah Andrabi, its communications director, said that Bell is one of several primary challengers who have become nothing more than a vehicle for GOP megadonors to influence Democratic primary elections. Andrabi was referencing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which has supported Republican and Democratic candidates with its affiliated super PAC United Democracy Project and has become a target of progressives railing against contributions from some wealthy Republican donors. A spokesperson for AIPAC told The Hill that the group supports Bells primary campaign. We proudly endorse Wesley Bell, who is a strong advocate for the US-Israel relationship, said Marshall Wittmann, in clear contrast to his opponent who represents the extremist anti-Israel fringe. Bushs positions regarding Israel have become a point of contention with her caucus on Capitol Hill and have carried over to the campaign trail, where Bell and allies have sought to create distance from his rival. Bush voted alongside Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) against a recent House bill that would specifically prevent members of Hamas and other related terrorist-affiliated groups from coming to the U.S., arguing that the groups are already banned and that the bill is therefore extraneous. Its just a couple of them voting by themselves on legislation, Mellman said about Bush and several fellow Squad members, who often band together as a progressive coalition. Bush and other left-wing lawmakers also voted against Bidens bipartisan infrastructure bill, for example, which the president considers one of his biggest first-term successes. They dont have a lot of followers on Capitol Hill, Mellman argued. Bushs positions on issues such as reparations, Medicare for All, and a Green New Deal stances that first helped her oust 10-term Rep. William Lacy Clay (D) in a surprise upset in 2021 have nonetheless elevated her among close colleagues and constituents. In a show of solidarity with one of her biggest allies in the lower chamber, Bush invited Tlaib to kick off her reelection campaign in Northwoods. Tlaib is the only Palestinian American in the House. While Bush has indeed alienated some pro-Israel supporters, including some within her own caucus, she has also built a considerable base among local elected leaders in St. Louis, including Mayor Tishaura Jones. Shes also backed by the Service Employees International Union, a powerful labor union. Hassan Martini, who leads the progressive group No Dem Left Behind, is fervently backing Bushs campaign, noting that she won her last race by a landslide. The popular support on the ground, he argued, may not be evidenced by the Republican-backed firms latest survey. In 2022, Bush beat out her opponent with a nearly 50-point margin, Martini said, arguing that the newest poll showing her trailing by double digits seems unlikely to represent the true feelings of Missouri voters. Democrats need to protect Bush and the spirit of that kind of progressive momentum, he argued. The GOP has everything to gain from shifting the Overton window in Democratic politics, Martini said. When we go further right, it makes their extremists seem less crazy. Thats why Republican research firms work to uproot inspiring progressive politicians such as Cori Bush. We should all be invested in preserving and continuing her legacy. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rochester-based Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, with an office in Utica, is the best mid-size employer in upstate New York. Its also the second-best in the state and number eight nationwide. Thats according to the recently released Forbes list of Americas Best Midsize Employers. Of course, No. 8 is a slight drop from the companys No. 2 spot on last years list. Seven more midsize firms headquartered upstate also made the list. And seven upstate companies made the Forbes list of Americas Best Large Employers. And five of those 14 companies on the lists are, like Excellus, located in the Rochester area. Excellus BCBS headquarters in Rochester. Excellus isnt the only company on the list with a presence in Oneida County. The two lists also include: NBT Bank, M & T Bank and the New York State Bank. And many Oneida County residents shop at another company that made the lists: Wegmans Food Markets. Forbes defines midsize employers as having between 1,000 and 5,000 workers and large firms as having more than 5,000 employees. The midsize list contains 400 companies and the large employer list contains 600. Excellus named top employer, again Excellus leaders are thrilled to be named a top employer again, an honor that stems from employees commitment to an inclusive, supportive and collaborative culture, President and CEO Jim Reed said. We remain committed, he added, to cultivating an environment where our employees can thrive by focusing on employee wellbeing, growth and development, diversity, equity and inclusion, comprehensive employee benefits, a flexible work environment and more. The companies on the list are not chosen by third-party surveyors. Instead, the lists are based on the results of a survey given to more than 170,000 U.S. workers at companies with at least 1,000 employees. Workers were asked to evaluate their own employer or a former employer for whom they worked in the past two years on criteria such as work-life balance, compensation, gender pay equity, training programs, opportunities for career advancement, diversity and health benefits. They were also asked if they would recommend their employer to others. More: Kids will be climbing the walls after Oneida County gives Utica Children's Museum $500K More: IIHF Women's World Championship slated to rock Utica with hockey fever. What to know Participants were also allowed to rate other employers if they were familiar with them through family, friends or peers in their industry. These ratings did not count as much in the final results as the direct employee surveys. Here are the other midsize upstate employers who made the list and their ranking: Kodak Alaris, Rochester: 43 The Raymond Corp., Greene: 99 Glens Falls Hospital: 185 Mediacom Communications, Blooming Grove: 193 NBT Bank, Norwich: 200 New York State Insurance Fund, Albany: 289 Cannon Design, Niagara Falls: 371 Excellus wasnt the only repeat from last years list. Kodak Alaris was on the list in 25th place last year. The Raymond Group was ranked number 337, Mediacom ranked number 477 and NYS Insurance Fund ranked number 145 on last years list. Several employers that made the list last year did not make it again this year: Syracuse University; HealthNow New York, Buffalo; National Fuel Gas, Williamsville; Rochester Institute of Technology, Henrietta; Arnot Health, Elmira; Stewarts Shops, Ballston Spa; and Life Storage, Buffalo. Here are the large employers headquartered in upstate New York who made the 2024 Forbes list: Wegmans Food Markets, Rochester, 53,000 employees: 93 Paychex, Rochester, 15,000 employees: 162 M&T Bank, Buffalo, 22,690 employees: 213 Cornell University, Ithaca, 10,828 employees: 214 New York State Police, Albany, 127,273 employees: 452 Corning, Corning, 57,500 employees: 473 Sutherland Global Services, Pittsford, 38,000 employees: 541 Wegmans and Paychex also made last years list, Wegmans at number 44 and Paychex at number 174. SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse was ranked number 245 on last years list, but did not make the cut this year. This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Upstate NY businesses on Forbes list of best midsize, large employers European film agencies, festivals and organizations could do more to support Ukrainian filmmakers, the head of Germanys state film promotion body, German Films, says. Simone Baumann, managing director of German Films which supports the promotion of national filmmakers at festivals and events worldwide says there is a lot of talk at festival panels and industry gatherings of supporting Ukrainians, but little financial backing. More from Variety Festivals, especially the Berlinale, are trying to help by giving the Ukrainians a discount on the European Film Market booth, but there are not many other organisations that are helping them pay their way, Baumann says. It could be better. In Cannes last year, it was the Estonians and German Films that supported the Ukrainian pavilion. Poland has also been helping many Ukrainian (and Belarusian) filmmaker have got asylum there, and they are trying to help with projects too. One example of good practice, she says, was the European Solidarity Fund for Ukrainian Producers, which had 1.3 million ($1.4 million) available in 2023 for projects where the Ukrainians had a co-producer in one of the 16 EU countries where the national film funds are supporting the project. The scheme offers support for cinematic works by a Ukrainian director at the development of finalization stage but is capped at 25,000 for documentaries, and 50,000 for fiction or animation. It is not big money, and covers all kinds of projects at all stages of development. For production you need other resources to produce; there is a kind of danger for the Ukrainian film industry that at a certain moment it is going to collapse because producers wont be able to find the resources anymore, Baumann adds. Ukrainian filmmakers agree that there could be better and more cohesive support. Kyiv-based producer Igor Savychenko, says the picture was complicated but that there had been a host of programs launched by donors since the Russian invasion two years ago, including grants to individual filmmakers under the Filmboost project, supported by the Polish Film Institute and Netflix for up to 8,500 each, and Netflix grants of up to $15,000 each for 48 documentary and fiction projects. Various residencies and presentation or delegation support had been offered by festivals including Tallinn, Toronto, Sarajevo and Karlovy Vary. American overseas support agency, USAID, had also provided support for a number of projects. In 2022, the Warsaw film festival hosted the Odessa Film Festival, he adds. Ukrainian projects had also been commissioned by BBC Storyville, and Ukrainian projects had received Eurimages development backing. Domestic support for Ukrainian filmmakers had been interrupted since the invasion, but the Ukrainian State Film Agency (USFA) had recently been officially allocated a budget that included more than 10 million for production, but internal opposition from a significant number of Ukrainian filmmakers was currently sabotaging the competition for grants, he says. Julia Sinkevych, former head of Odessa Film Festival and now a board member of the Ukrainian Filmmakers Union, agrees that opposition from many filmmakers in Ukraine to the current management of the USFA is preventing distribution of money. More than 700 filmmakers, including director and former Russian prisoner, Oleg Sentsov, had signed an open letter to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying the agencys budget (which totals 16 million, including the 10 million slated for production grants) was better spent on the army. The letter states that although film is extremely important in a time of war, and supporting the arts and film should be a priority, the agency does not have the trust of filmmakers, Sinkevich says. Nobody believes this money will be distributed in an honest and transparent way. The controversy over the state film agency had even reached Europe where Tiina Lokk, head of Tallinns Black Nights Film Festival, had told Ukrainian news site LB.UA that she regarded agency head Marina Kuderchuk as absolutely incompetent in cinema. Regarding support for Ukrainians at festivals such as the Berlinale, Sinkevich says it was inconsistent: the EFM was giving a discount to the USFA for its stand this year, when the agency now had a budget for such events. At the same time a presentation of Ukrainian producers at the EFMs Producers Hub she was organizing with support from USAID had to pay the full fee. Some Ukrainian filmmakers have asked if there were discounts for accreditation at the Berlinale this year, like last, but have been told there is nothing. This is the same kind of treatment we get at Cannes, Sinkevych adds. Head of EFM Dennis Ruh says the market was doing its best to support the Ukrainian film industry, but tough choices had to be made this year. Activities in 2023 were funded by the Goethe Institute, the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, and USAID and German Films. But for 2024, in response to my initial inquiry, no special funding was provided by Germany funding bodies, ministries and institutions, beside the support from German Films for promoting Ukrainian-German co-productions and corresponding opportunities at the Ukrainian stand. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. SHEIN X 100K Challenge 2021/Getty Images for SHEIN UPDATE, 2/19 at 5:36 p.m. ET Khloe Kardashian took to her Instagram Story to share her gratitude for winning the Peoples Choice Award for Reality TV Star of the Year for the sixth time. Wow, this is insane!!! Reality TV Star of the Year and Best Reality Show!!! she wrote on Monday, February 19. Thank you to all of you who voted for me to win the Peoples Choice Award for Best Reality Star 2024. This is my sixth time winning this award, which is just so crazy to me. Kardashian went on to note that for over a decade, she and her family have been honored and blessed to share their lives with everyone. I was only 22 when we started filming our show, and I never could have imagined back then the journey we would go on, and the amazing community that would come on this wild ride with us, she continued. Your love and support over the years has meant everything to me and I truly cant thank you enough for being there through it all. I am so grateful, humbled and thankful. Thank you all so much, from the bottom of my heart. Original story below: There was more than enough drama to go around in the past year, making the decision of Reality TV Star of the Year at the 2024 Peoples Choice Awards quite difficult. Khloe Kardashian ultimately took home the prize at the Sunday, February 18, ceremony, which was held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. She was not in attendance at the event and the category was not televised. Other nominees in the category included Ariana Madix from Vanderpump Rules, Chrishell Stause from Selling Sunset, Kyle Richards and Garcelle Beauvais from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Kandi Burruss from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kim Kardashian from The Kardashians and Mike The Situation Sorrentino from Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. Us Weekly previously named Madix, 38, the Reality Star of the Year in October 2023. Months earlier, Madixs breakup from longtime boyfriend Tom Sandoval played out on Vanderpump Rules after she discovered he was having an affair with their costar Raquel Leviss. The Best Red Carpet Fashion From the 2024 Peoples Choice Awards This situation made me realize that I can do hard things, Madix exclusively told Us at the time. The worst-case scenario literally did happen, and I was OK. Like, look you can handle whats thrown at you. Following the scandal, Madix garnered support from fans and refocused on her personal goals, competing on season 32 of Dancing With the Stars and making her Broadway debut in January. Ive grown up, she said of her journey since joining Vanderpump Rules in 2013. Im somebody who never really wanted to grow up. [But] over time, Ive been able to love myself more and give myself a lot more grace when it comes to things we go through during filming. And that has allowed me to give others more grace. Awards Show Audience Reactions: Funniest Celebrity Faces in the Crowd Stause, 42, also landed a spot on Us list of the top reality stars of 2023 as she learned to speak her mind amid drama on Selling Sunset. In the past, I always questioned myself, she told Us. But you get to a place where you say fk it, this is my life. And youre going to see the good, the bad and the ugly. Being able just to live, whether people approve or not, has been the most freeing thing. As for Richards, 55, her approach to her separation from husband Mauricio Umansky after 27 years of marriage secured her inclusion on the roundup. She faced her marital woes head-on, rather than trying to hide them from viewers, proving why she is the only original Beverly Hills Housewife still on the show. MADISON Wisconsin Republicans lost their more than decade-long grip on control of the state Legislature Monday after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed into law new electoral maps that reshape down-ballot races in this battleground state. Evers signed a bill put forward by GOP lawmakers last week implementing new legislative maps the Democratic governor drew himself that dramatically weaken the advantages Republicans have enjoyed each election cycle since 2011. "It is a new day in Wisconsin, and today is a beautiful day for democracy," Evers said at a press conference in the state Capitol. "Of the 1,869 days Ive been proud to serve as your governor, few have been as consequential as this one." The new map gives Democrats a chance to compete with Republicans for control of the Legislature for the first time in more than a decade. Even so, the vast majority of Democratic lawmakers voted against the plan, arguing the state Supeme Court should pick new boundaries instead. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signs new legislative maps into law Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin. The maps, drawn by the governor's office and approved by the Republican-led Legislature, create new boundaries in races for state Assembly and state Senate that could end more than a decade of lopsided Republican majorities. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel State Sen. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit, voted against the maps but stood behind Evers on Monday to celebrate signing them into law. He was one of just four Democratic lawmakers to join Evers at the bill signing ceremony. "My vote was never about the map itself. It was about the process. It was about making sure we looked at all the legal angles to make sure there wasn't a Republican trick here to avoid fair maps. And I trust the Gov. Evers has done that," Spreitzer said Monday. The move by Republicans to diminish their own power comes two months after the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the GOP-drawn legislative maps as unconstitutional and ordered lawmakers to come up with a new plan or allow the court to create a new set of legislative boundaries. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Republicans chose to pass Evers' maps because they were "the most Republican-leaning maps out of all the Democrat-gerrymandered maps" being considered by the court. ""We sent him those maps, not because they are fair, but because the people of Wisconsin deserve certainty in state government," Vos said in a statement. This fall Republicans will prove that we can win on any maps because we have the better policy ideas for the State of Wisconsin." Under the current gerrymandered maps, Republicans hold 64 of 99 Assembly seats and 22 of 33 Senate seats. More: Confused by Wisconsin redistricting terms? Here's what they mean. Republican leaders decided to pass a proposed map Evers submitted to the court as part of their order, characterizing the move as the lesser of evils. We kind of have a gun to our head, frankly, Sen. Duey Stroebel, R-Town of Cedarburg, said during Tuesday's floor debate on the bill. The 99 Assembly districts proposed by Evers are about evenly split between Republican and Democratic-leaning districts. Forty-five districts are more Democratic than Republican, and 46 districts are more Republican than Democratic. That leaves eight districts that are more likely to be a toss-up between Democrats and Republicans. See the new state Assembly districts This map shows Wisconsin state Assembly districts under the previous 2022 map on the left, and the new 2024 map on the right. Each district is colored according to whether itleans Democrat, leans Republican, or is acompetitive district (within 5%). Old maps (2022) New maps (2024) Note: The partisan lean of districts is calculated based on voting data from national and local elections from 2016 to 2022. Districts with less than 5% difference in Republican and Democratic votes are considered competitive districts. Map by Andrew Hahn and Eva Wen / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel The state Senate districts drawn by Evers are about evenly split between Republican and Democratic-leaning districts. Fourteen districts out of 33 are Democratic-leaning, while 15 districts are Republican-leaning. The other four districts are competitive, where either party has a fair chance of winning them. See the new state Senate districts This map shows Wisconsin state Senate districts under the previous 2022 map on the left, and the new 2024 map on the right. Each district is colored according to whether itleans Democrat, leans Republican, or is acompetitive district (within 5%). Old maps (2022) New maps (2024) Note: The partisan lean of districts is calculated based on voting data from national and local elections from 2016 to 2022. Districts with less than 5% difference in Republican and Democratic votes are considered competitive districts. Map by Andrew Hahn and Eva Wen / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel The Journal Sentinel based its analysis of the districts on precinct-level voting data calculated by Dave's Redistricting App based on national and local elections from 2016 to 2022. The Journal Sentinel defined districts that are 5% more Democratic than Republican as Democratic-leaning and vice versa. Districts where there is a less than 5% difference in the number of Republican and Democratic votes are considered competitive districts. More: In a 50/50 Wisconsin electorate, what does a 'neutral' election map look like? Andrew Hahn and Eva Wen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. Molly Beck and Eva Wen can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com and qwen@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Gov. Tony Evers signs new election maps, ending Wisconsin gerrymander Idaho officials asked the Supreme Court to let the state enforce a strict ban on gender-affirming treatments for minors in an emergency request made public Monday by one of the groups involved in the case. The law, signed by Republican Gov. Brad Little last year, makes it a felony for doctors to provide medical treatment to transgender minors such as puberty-blocking drugs, hormone therapy and certain surgeries. It also authorizes up to $5,000 in fines against medical professionals who provide that care. A US District Court in Idaho temporarily blocked the law from taking effect late last year while the underlying case continues in federal court. The 9th US Court of Appeals upheld that decision in January. More than 20 states have enacted laws banning gender-affirming care for minors, according to the Human Rights Campaign, though some of those laws have also been placed on hold by federal courts. The issue has generated considerable uncertainty for lower federal courts. In November, several families and health care providers asked the Supreme Court to consider a similar ban in Tennessee. A federal judge in Tennessee temporarily blocked part of the law last year but the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals unwound that decision and later reversed the district courts findings altogether. That case is pending. Idaho, which is being represented in part by the conservative legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, argues that the lower court decisions to block the law were too broad because they swept in procedures banned under the act that the plaintiffs did not seek to continue. Every day the law is blocked exposes vulnerable children to risky and dangerous medical procedures and infringes Idahos sovereign power to enforce its democratically enacted law, the state told the Supreme Court in its filing. Li Nowlin-Sohl, a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Unions LGBTQ & HIV Project, described the law as dangerous and discriminatory. The group, which is representing transgender teenagers and their parents in the case, said it would urge the Supreme Court to reject this request from the state and will never stop fighting this ban until Idaho is a safe place to raise every family. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Finding the right insurance policy for your needs can be challenging. How do you know that a company is reputable and financially stable? How are insurance companies rated, and who does the rating? Fortunately, there are a handful of third-party ratings organizations that offer trustworthy assessments of a carriers quality. Looking at all these ratings can give you an overview of how well a company could meet your coverage needs. How are insurance companies rated? Every consumer analytics company rates insurers using their own proprietary algorithms, so there may be slight differences from one rating company to the next. Many of them, like AM Best and Standard & Poors look primarily at financial stability, since being able to pay out on claims is of high importance to policyholders. Consumers expect their insurance carriers to manage their financial resources widely, so that even if there was a widespread disastersuch as a hurricane or wildfirethe company would have the funds to pay out claims efficiently. After financial stability, many individuals may consider excellent customer service a must-have for their insurance needs. Here, companies such as J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) can help consumers make informed coverage decisions. These analytics companies look at the number of complaints filed against an insurer and customer reviews to gain a sense of how highly they prioritize their customer relationships. Other factors that rating agencies may consider include the breadth of coverage options, discounts and pricing structure. What do insurance scores consider? Insurance company ratings take into account a number of factors. Besides the finances, the general health and ethics of the company are also considered before rating the insurer. Some other consideration factors are: Cash in reserve Debt to assets ratio Ethics and risk management Revenue streams Quality of policies underwritten Since every analytics company is different and follows separate methods to determine scores, the ratings may not always be uniform for all insurers. Besides considering third-party ratings, it is also important that you conduct your own independent research to find your best fit. Who rates insurance companies There are four companies whose scores for insurance providers stand out from all others. These are AM Best, Standard & Poors, Moodys and Demotech. AM Best The most well-known insurance specific rating company, the scores provided by AM Best are often considered the yardstick for financial strength in the industry. The highest rating offered is A++ (Superior) while the lowest is a D (Poor). AM Best does not rate any other kind of businesses other than insurance companies. Standard & Poors Unlike A.M. Best, Standard & Poors rates businesses across all industries, including insurance. They rate the ability and willingness of companies to meet their financial obligations on time and in full. Or, in other words, they rate the likelihood that an insurance company can and will pay out your claim in a timely manner. The highest score it offers is AAA (Extremely Strong) while the lowest is a D. Moodys Another all-industry rating company, Moodys Corporation analyzes insurance providers for financial stability, market risk and overall performance. They do this with the intent of determining, like other rating companies, how likely an insurance company is to be able to pay out your claim on time. Their highest score is Aaa (Highest Quality) while C (lowest-rated, typically in default) is the lowest. Demotech Ohio-based financial analysis company Demotech rates insurance companies for their survival strength regardless of market downturns. Its rating scale is a little different, in that the highest score offered is A and the lowest an L, with A, A, S, M in the middle. Why are insurance company ratings important? An insurance company is different from other businesses because it has a financial obligation to customers. Ratings for insurance companies matter because they highlight the financial stability of an insurer and help people gauge if the company will be able to provide them with the money they need in the event of an accident or catastrophe. However, because these ratings are objective and fairly broad, they must not be the only factor to determine the effectiveness of the company. Just because an insurance company is financially strong, it must not be considered a guarantee of excellent customer service too. What if an insurance company does not have a rating? Sometimes, an insurance company may be unrated by any of the leading credit-rating agencies. This is not always a negative indicator. In most cases, it simply means that the company is new and has not yet had many years in business or it operates in only a handful of regions and is not considered a national insurer. In the absence of financial ratings, it is best to focus on customer reviews to learn more about the companys performance. How else can I evaluate the quality of an insurance company? Financial strength is only one parameter to consider when searching for the best insurer. Another way to assess carriers is to look at their customer relationships by reviewing complaints. Two organizations that can help are the National Association for Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and J.D. Power. NAICs complaint index shows the number of complaints lodged against a company, broken down by product line. With a benchmark index of 1.0, anything above that indicates a higher number of complaints than expected for the companys size. J.D. Power issues annual listings of customer satisfaction and claims handling that rank major insurers for the quality of their customer interactions. The company works across a number of industries, including insurance, and offers unbiased readings that may help give you a sense of a companys responsiveness to policyholder needs. Frequently asked questions SCOTTVILLE, Mich. (AP) A 21-year-old Tennessee man traveled to Michigan and tried to enroll at a high school after meeting a minor online, authorities said. A suspicious staff member at Mason County Central alerted a sheriff's deputy who interviewed the young man Tuesday and learned that he wasn't a teenager as claimed, the sheriff's office said. The man from Fort Campbell, Tennessee, was charged with using a computer to commit a crime as well as other crimes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I would strongly encourage parents to have conversations with their children about the dangers of online chatting and the sharing of information over the internet or social media platforms, Sheriff Kim Cole said. More than four months since Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, the Israeli military continues its bombardment of the neighboring Gaza Strip. The conflict, now the deadliest between the warring sides since Israel's founding in 1948, shows no signs of letting up soon and the brief cease-fire that allowed for over 100 hostages to be freed from Gaza remains a distant memory. Click here for updates from previous days. Latest Developments Feb 20, 2:21 PM Hostages held in Gaza have received medicine, Qatar says Qatari officials said hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have received the medication that was part of a deal brokered last month. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said it has asked Qatar for evidence that the medicine was delivered. "Israel will examine the credibility of the report and will continue to work for the peace of our abductees," the office said in a statement. Feb 20, 12:22 PM US draft resolution calls for temporary cease-fire The U.S. voted against a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire at Wednesdays United Nations Security Council meeting, The Associated Press reported. PHOTO: An Israeli military helicopter flies over Tel Aviv, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 20, 2024. (Dylan Martinez/Reuters) The U.S. was the only nation of the 15 permanent Security Council members to vote against the measure, according to the AP. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said "an unconditional cease-fire without any obligation for Hamas to release hostages" was irresponsible. "While we cannot support a resolution that would put sensitive negotiations in jeopardy, we look forward to engaging on a text that we believe will address so many of the concerns we all share -- a text that can and should be adopted by the council, so that we can have a temporary cease-fire as soon as practicable, based on the formula of all hostages being released," she said. PHOTO: Smoke billows over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment, Feb. 19, 2024. (Said Khatib/AFP via Getty Images) The U.S. has been circulating its own draft resolution on Gaza that calls for a temporary cease-fire conditioned on the release of all hostages, while also condemning Hamas for the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war, according to senior administration officials familiar with the matter. If the proposal were to be adopted by the U.N. Security Council, it would mark the first time the body has formally condemned Hamas actions. The officials say the draft also makes clear "that under current circumstances a major ground offensive into Rafah should not proceed" and that there can be no reduction in territory in the Gaza Strip or any forced displacement of Palestinians, while also calling on Israel "to lift all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance, open additional humanitarian routes, and to keep current crossings open." PHOTO: People inspect the damage to their homes following Israeli air strikes on Feb. 20, 2024, in Rafah, Gaza. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images) The senior officials signaled that American diplomats wouldnt rush the text to a vote and that they intended on "allowing time for negotiations." While hostage talks have sputtered over the past couple of weeks, senior administration officials said they were making some progress. "The differences between the parties, they have been narrowed. They havent been sufficiently narrowed to get us to a deal, but we are still hopeful and we are confident that there is the basis for an agreement between the parties," one official said. -ABC News' Shannon Crawford Feb 20, 11:07 AM IDF operating inside Al-Amal Hospital Israeli forces, which already entered Gazas Nasser Hospital, are also now operating inside the nearby Al-Amal Hospital, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed to ABC News. "Al-Amal Hospital is currently under multiple attacks, as Israeli forces have directly targeted the third floor of the hospital, resulting in the burning of two rooms," and "the hospitals water lines were targeted," the Palestine Red Crescent Society said. Over 8,000 patients were evacuated from the hospital earlier this month, but almost 100 patients still remain inside, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said. Feb 20, 7:13 AM WHO helps transfer 32 critical patients out of Gaza's besieged Nasser Hospital The World Health Organization said Tuesday that it has helped to successfully transfer 32 critically ill patients, including two children, from besieged Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. The WHO said its staff led two "life-saving," "high-risk" missions at the medical complex in Khan Younis on Sunday and Monday, in close partnership with the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, "amid ongoing hostilities and access restrictions." Staff at Nasser Hospital had requested the transfer of patients after the facility became "non-functional" following an Israeli military raid on Feb. 14 after a weeklong siege, according to the WHO. "Weak and frail patients were transferred amidst active conflict near the aid convoy," the WHO said in a statement. "Road conditions hindered the swift movement of ambulances, placing the health of patients at further risk." "Nasser Hospital has no electricity or running water, and medical waste and garbage are creating a breeding ground for disease," the organization added. "WHO staff said the destruction around the hospital was 'indescribable.' The area was surrounded by burnt and destroyed buildings, heavy layers of debris, with no stretch of intact road." The WHO estimates that 130 sick and injured patients and at least 15 doctors and nurses remain inside Nasser Hospital. As the facility's intensive care unit was no longer functioning, the only remaining ICU patient was transferred to a different part of the complex where other patients are receiving basic care, according to the WHO. "WHO fears for the safety and well-being of the patients and health workers remaining in the hospital and warns that further disruption to lifesaving care for the sick and injured would lead to more deaths," the organization said. "Efforts to facilitate further patient referrals amidst the ongoing hostilities are in process." Prior to the missions on Sunday and Monday, the WHO said it "received two consecutive denials to access the hospital for medical assessment, causing delays in urgently needed patient referral." At least five patients reportedly died in Nasser Hospital's ICU before any missions or transfers were possible, according to the WHO. Nasser Hospital is the main medical center serving southern Gaza. Ground troops from the Israel Defense Forces stormed the facility last week, looking for members of Hamas who the IDF alleges have been conducting military operations out of the hospital. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs Gaza and is at war with neighboring Israel, denies the claims. "The dismantling and degradation of the Nasser Medical Complex is a massive blow to Gaza's health system," the WHO said. "Facilities in the south are already operating well beyond maximum capacity and are barely able to receive more patients." -ABC News Morgan Winsor Feb 20, 7:08 AM Aid groups warn of 'explosion in preventable child deaths' in Gaza A new analysis by the Global Nutrition Cluster, a humanitarian aid partnership led by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, found that 90% of children under the age of 2 in the war-torn Gaza Strip face severe food poverty, meaning they eat two or fewer food groups a day. The same was true for 95% of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza, according to the report released Monday. And at least 90% of children under 5 are affected by one or more infectious disease, with 70% experiencing diarrhea in the past two weeks, the report said. In Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, where most humanitarian aid enters, 5% of children under 2 are acutely malnourished, compared to more than 15% in northern Gaza, which has been isolated by the Israeli military and almost completely cut off from aid for weeks, the report said. Before war broke out last October between Israel and Gaza's militant rulers, Hamas, the acute malnutrition rate across the coastal enclave was less than 1%, according to the report. The report also found that more than 80% of homes in Gaza lack clean and safe water, with the average household having one liter per person per day. "The Gaza Strip is poised to witness an explosion in preventable child deaths which would compound the already unbearable level of child deaths in Gaza," Ted Chaiban, deputy executive director for humanitarian action and supply operations at UNICEF, said in a statement. "We've been warning for weeks that the Gaza Strip is on the brink of a nutrition crisis. If the conflict doesn't end now, childrens nutrition will continue to plummet, leading to preventable deaths or health issues which will affect the children of Gaza for the rest of their lives and have potential intergenerational consequences." -ABC News' Morgan Winsor Feb 19, 12:31 PM Gaza's health ministry accuses IDF of turning Nasser Hospital into 'military barracks' Israeli troops have turned Nasser Hospital, the main medical center serving the southern Gaza Strip, into a "military barracks" and are "endangering the lives of patients and medical staff," according to Gaza's Hamas-run Ministry of Health. The health ministry said Monday that patients and medical staff inside Nasser Hospital are now without electricity, water, food, oxygen and treatment capabilities for difficult cases since Israeli ground troops raided the facility in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis last week. The World Health Organization, which warned on Sunday that Nasser Hospital "is not functional anymore," said more than 180 patients and 15 doctors and nurses remain inside the hospital. The WHO said it has evacuated 14 critical patients from the hospital to receive treatment elsewhere. The Israel Defense Forces alleges that Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs Gaza, has been conducting military operations out of Nasser Hospital and other medical centers in the war-torn enclave -- claims which Hamas denies. -ABC News' Morgan Winsor Feb 19, 12:24 PM IDF strikes Hezbollah weapon storage facilities, terrorist infrastructure The Israel Defense Forces said its fighter jets hit two Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in Lebanon on Monday. PHOTO: Black smoke and flames rise from a burning warehouse, attacked by Israeli strikes, at an industrial district, in the southern coastal town of Ghazieh, Lebanon, Feb. 19, 2024. (Mohammad Zaatari/AP) The IDF said this was in response to the unmanned aerial vehicle launched toward northern Israel earlier in the day, and the Israelis believe it was most likely launched from Lebanon by Hezbollah. The IDF also said its fighter jets have struck some Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in Lebanon on Monday. Feb 19, 11:24 AM IDF arrests 200 suspects at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza The Israel Defense Forces said Monday that it has arrested 200 suspects at Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Gaza's Hamas-run Ministry of Health said Monday that the IDF arrested medical staff at Nasser Hospital, including the director and the only doctor responsible for caring for patients in the intensive care unit. PHOTO: Israeli soldiers operate in a location given as Nasser Hospital in Gaza in this picture released on February 18, 2024. Israel Defense Forces via Reuters. (Israel Defense Forces/via Reuters) Israeli ground forces stormed the hospital last week, looking for members of Hamas who the IDF alleges have been conducting military operations there. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs Gaza, has denied the allegations. Nasser Hospital is the main medical center serving southern Gaza and was -- until now -- the only fully functioning hospital in the war-torn enclave. The World Health Organization said Sunday that Nasser Hospital "is not functional anymore" after Israeli troops raided the facility. -ABC News' Jordana Miller, Morgan Winsor and Samy Zayara Feb 19, 4:46 AM IDF continues ground operations in Khan Younis The Israel Defense Forces said Monday morning that its ground troops and special forces are "continuing to operate" in the western part of Khan Younis, a city in the southern Gaza Strip. The IDF said its ground troops conducted "targeted raids on terror targets" in western Khan Younis over the past day, "during which AK-47s, drones, an RPG, explosive devices, and additional military equipment were located." The soldiers on the ground also coordinated with the Israel Air Force's fighter jets overhead to kill "terrorists who were operating adjacent to the troops in the area," according to the IDF. "During additional activity in western Khan Yunis, IDF ground troops used a drone to identify a terrorist cell that was approaching the troops," the IDF said in a statement. "In response, the troops directed an aircraft to eliminate them. A short while after, four additional terrorists were identified in the area, who were also eliminated by an IAF aircraft." Meanwhile, the IDF said its special forces "encountered armed terrorists, conducted targeted raids on terror targets, seized weapons and directed a helicopter to strike and eliminate an additional terrorist." -ABC News' Jordana Miller and Morgan Winsor Feb 19, 4:11 AM Medicine for hostages, weapons found at Nasser Hospital, IDF says The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday that boxes of medicine intended for Israeli hostages, a large number of weapons and a vehicle belonging to a kibbutz that was attacked by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7 were found during a raid at Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. The IDF said its soldiers located "medicines specifically designated for the Israeli hostages in Gaza, large quantities of weapons and a vehicle belonging to Kibbutz Nir Oz" during its operations in Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis. The IDF said it also apprehended "hundreds of terrorists and other suspects who were hiding in the Nasser Hospital, some posing as medical staff." "Boxes of medicine were found with the names of Israeli hostages on them. The packages of medicine that were found were sealed and had not been transferred to the hostages," the IDF said. -ABC Edward Szekeres Click here to read the rest of the blog. Olive oil has many health benefits, including lowering the risk for dementia, poor heart health, cognitive decline or early death. How beneficial the Mediterranean diet staple actually is depends on how the product is harvested, processed, stored and used in farms or mills, grocery stores and your own home. The health benefits come from a variety of factors or components within olive oil, said Dr. Tassos Kyriakides, assistant professor of biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health in New Haven, Connecticut. The main one is oleic acid, and that has been shown to have very healthful benefits. Also important is the rich amount of polyphenols in olive oil, which are a type of antioxidant that helps protect against cell damage and inflammation in the body, said Dr. Mercedes Fernandez, head of the standardization and research unit of the International Olive Council, an intergovernmental organization based in Spain. Heres what you need to know to select the best possible olive oil for your diet. Harvest and processing Historically, brands that maintain a high quality of olive oil are those that put care into the process from the moment of harvest, Kyriakides said. Oil made from gently harvested, very green olives that havent fully ripened are best since those have a higher concentration of the healthful components, he added. How quickly the olives go from harvest to being processed into oil is the next critical step. Some companies have their own mills and processing where within two hours, they could take the fruit from the trees, put it in the mill and get the product, Kyriakides said. This minimizes the risk of the fruit oxidizing or fermenting from sitting out for too long post-harvest. A worker pours harvested olives into the truck's silos to transport them to a mill in Molfetta, Italy, on December 2, 2020. - Davide Pischettola/NurPhoto/Getty Images There shouldnt be more than a few days between harvest and processing dates, he added. How the oil is processed is one of the biggest factors in whether that product is healthy, experts say. Extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest version because its cold-pressed only once without high heat or chemical solvents. The special processing helps extra virgin oil retain its nutrients. Freshness and storage methods You may be wondering how youre supposed to know when brands pick their olives or how soon they process them. With the growing popularity of consuming olive oil for health benefits, some companies have placed these details directly on product labels. Alternatively, some labels have a QR code you can scan to read that information on your smartphone. Either way, be sure to look for the harvest, processing and bottling dates and the best by date to get the freshest oil, experts recommend. Bottles that take no more than three months to get from the harvest to the shelf are your best choice, and the farther away the best-by date is from when you buy the oil, the fresher the product will be, Kyriakides said. The International Olive Council has recommended brands limit the best-by date to no longer than two years after bottling. If a brands bottle says the harvest season was 23/24, for example, that means their harvest lasted the latter part of 2023 into early 2024, Kyriakides said. Others will be very strict they will say October, September 2023. For fans in the United States, getting fresh olive oil doesnt mean it needs to be imported anymore. Its been made possible by the growth in US-based producers especially in California, where theres a climate conducive to growing native varieties of olive trees and locals can get high quality oil within a much shorter time frame. Georgia, Oregon, Texas and Arizona also produce olive oil, but on a smaller scale. Just like the compounds in tea or chocolate, those in olive oil degrade with time, especially if its stored in a hot environment or exposed to light or air, said Dr. Selina Wang, an associate professor of cooperative extension in small-scale fruit and vegetable processing at the University of California, Davis. This is why storing the oil in a cool environment and a dark-colored glass bottle throughout the olive oils life is crucial. The importance of a cool environment is also why consuming the oil raw, say as a salad dressing, is better than using it to cook. But regardless of how it is consumed, olive oil is much healthier than heavily refined oils purchased at the grocery store, experts said. If at the grocery store you see extra virgin olive oil stored on a top shelf near bright, big lights and the bottle is warm, thats a red flag, Kyriakides said. Im not going to buy that oil, because I know its been sitting there, its been exposed to that heat already, he added. Preserving your oil at home Besides information on harvest and processing dates, another way to gauge the freshness of your oil is by taste. The more taste an olive oil has, the more health benefits, as the compounds responsible for them also contribute to the oils taste, said Joseph R. Profaci, executive director of the North American Olive Oil Association, an industry trade association, via email. If health is the primary driver, the consumers should look for those that are robust rather than mild. For that reason, Profaci urged that people get accustomed to cracking open their olive oil bottle as soon as they get it home and tasting it, he added. That will help them develop a more discerning palate for olive oil. If they take that taste and are disappointed, and especially if it has the rancid taste of wax crayons or stale nuts, take it back to the store and ask for a refund or replacement. And once you taste it, if the oils fresh enough, dont put it on the back burner for special occasions, Wang said. You should consume your olive oil as soon as possible, she added, because the reasons that you purchase it which is for the health and then the flavor those both decline as the oil ages. Consistently keeping the oil in the fridge can extend the protection of the phenolics for another year or two just be sure to set it on the counter a little in advance of putting it on your salad so it can warm up to its normal consistency, Kyriakides said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Mark Zuckerbergs job can be hard to describe to a child. But one of his favorite hobbies these daysproducing beefis easier to understand. The Meta CEO recently revealed that his daughter misunderstood what his main job was. For a while, she just thought that I was a cattle rancher, the Facebook cofounder told Morning Brew Daily on Friday. While Zuckerbergs fascination with martial arts has been well documented, hes also intent on producing some of the best beef on the planetnot to sell commercially, but to enjoy with friends and family. The tech billionaire is raising cattle on Koolau Ranch, a property he owns on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. In an Instagram post last month, he wrote: Started raising cattle at Ko'olau Ranch on Kauai, and my goal is to create some of the highest quality beef in the world. The cattle are wagyu and angus, and they'll grow up eating macadamia meal and drinking beer that we grow and produce here on the ranch. Zuckerberg has no shortage of land on the island. According to a Wired investigation published a few months ago, the property includes 1,400 acres. Less than one percent of the overall land is developed with the vast majority dedicated to farming, ranching, conservation, open spaces, and wildlife preservation, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan told the technology publication. We want the whole process to be local and vertically integrated, Zuckerberg wrote on Instagram. Each cow eats 5,000-10,000 pounds of food each year, so that's a lot of acres of macadamia trees. My daughters help plant the mac trees and take care of our different animals. We're still early in the journey and it's fun improving on it every season. Zuckerberg jokes with his family that if I'm ever done with Meta, I'm going to run Mark's Meats, he told Morning Brew. Such an operation would be easier for a child to understand than Metas offerings, which include Facebook, Instagram, and the metaverse. If youre a kid, its kinda hard to wrap your head around what Meta is, Zuckerberg noted. As for raising cattle, I just think its super fun, he said. Its like, Alright, lets brew our own beer. Lets grow our own macadamia nuts. His children can be part of figuring out what its like run such a process, he noted, and its easier for them to do that than be involved in the software business. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Alexei Navalny, prominent Vladimir Putin critic and the subject of an Oscar-winning documentary, has died in prison. The Kremlin has been accused of a brutal assassination a claim that the Russian government vehemently denies. The 47-year-old was sentenced to 19 years in a penal colony in the Arctic Circle on charges widely thought to be politically motivated. He felt unwell after a walk at the jail and lost consciousness. An ambulance arrived to try to rehabilitate him, but he died, according to prison authorities. His life was the subject of a feature-length documentary, Navalny (2022), directed by Canadian director Daniel Roher. It details his poisoning and political activism and won the award for Best Documentary Feature at the 95th Academy Awards last year. The film portrays his career of fighting official corruption, his near-fatal poisoning with a nerve agent in 2020 that he blames on the Kremlin, his five-month recuperation in Germany and his 2021 return to Moscow, where he was immediately taken into custody at the airport. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison after a series of legal trials spanning years in which he was placed on house arrest, charged for various crimes and eventually convicted for extremism in July 2023. In a Bafta acceptance speech last year, executive producer Diane Becker said the movie had been made under the constant threat of surveillance. A shot from the documentary in which the activist shares his final message (Warner Bros via AP) She said: We shot in secrecy. We went to extraordinary lengths to keep the footage secure. All emails cease and production was communicated via encrypted messaging. And this is obviously nothing compared to what the people in our film endure every single day. The creators added a dedication to the dissident: This award is for the Navalny family and for Alexei himself... who for months has been in solitary confinement for his condemnation of the war in Ukraine. May this work amplify his simple, essential message to us all. In a series of tweets that appeared on his account following the Oscar win in March last year, the politician congratulated the creators of Navalny, as well as his wife Yulia and his allies in the Anti-Corruption Foundation. I am, of course, terribly glad, but while rejoicing, I try not to forget that it wasnt me who won the Oscar after all, Navalny said. Navalny communicating by video link (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) In the tweets, Navalny confirmed he learned about the Oscar while attending a court hearing via video link from his prison. I had a very strange feeling at that moment, the politician said. It was as if those words didnt even belong in this world, but, on the other hand, everything here is so weird and crazy that it feels like thats the only world they belong in. In the documentary, the activist shares an eerie message in the event that he is killed by his opponents. He says: My message for the situation when I am killed is very simple: not give up. The interviewer asks him to speak in Russian and he continues vehemently: Listen Ive got something very obvious to tell you. Youre not allowed to give up. If they decide to kill me it means that we are incredibly strong. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. So dont do nothing. As Mr Navalnys team sought confirmation of his death and warned against Kremlin propaganda, Latvian president Edgars Rinkevics was among those who noted that his death would amount to being brutally murdered by the Kremlin. The documentary is available to watch on BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+. By James Oliphant (Reuters) -Donald Trump wants to make South Carolina the end of the road for Nikki Haley in their battle for the Republican nomination. Haley aims to survive and take their fight into the multistate Super Tuesday contest in March. Opinion polls show the former U.S. president with a clear advantage in South Carolina ahead of the state's primary on Saturday, despite the fact that Haley served as its governor for six years. While Haleys presidential bid is looking increasingly quixotic, her campaign insists it will press forward regardless of the result. Heres a look at the stakes for each of the candidates as they vie to be the one to challenge President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in the November election: DONALD TRUMP Simply put, Trump wants the Republican race to end so he can turn his full attention to taking on Biden. Already, the Trump campaign has signaled that it is pivoting toward the general election by stepping up its attacks on the president and by attempting to secure control of the Republican National Committee. Trump also has some real work to do within the party. Haleys candidacy has exposed a deep schism among Republicans over Trumps candidacy, with a solid chunk of that electorate largely college-educated, suburban voters - rejecting what he represents. His campaign must be concerned those voters in November will either defect to Biden, support a potential third-party candidate or stay home. Trump needs to demonstrate he has a firm grip on his party and is in a position to beat Biden. Crushing Haley in her home state would help. NIKKI HALEY Haley's rationale for staying in the race will become harder to see if she's buried by Trump in South Carolina, after also losing to him in Iowa and New Hampshire. The pressure for her to drop out will come fast and hard. But Haley, who served as ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, may view the race as being about more than her. She speaks now for the bloc of Republican voters who cant abide Trump. She also has a platform to air her concerns about Trumps approach to national security, which was brought into stark relief when he suggested he would allow Russia a free hand with NATO countries that dont meet their defense spending obligations. Haley, however, must also worry that a series of defeats at some point will damage her prospects to run again as a viable candidate in four years. Her campaign has pointed to a number of contests at play on Super Tuesday on March 5 as being favorable for Haley, including Texas, North Carolina and Virginia. Hundreds of delegates will be awarded on that day, but it remains to be seen whether she is going to make investments in those states in order to compete. At some point, she has to win somewhere. (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Jonathan Oatis) For Elston Harris, heart attacks seem to be a generational curse. Several men from his fathers side of the family including Harris uncles died from heart attacks. Harris, who is 59 and a former college basketball player, almost experienced a similar fate after his own heart attack in 2017. The only signs he was having a heart attack that he noticed were small symptoms of back pain and trapped gas. For Harris, the curse may have been a blessing in disguise: While being treated at Advocate Trinity Hospital, a medical center in southeast Chicago, he was referred to Dr. Marlon Everett, a cardiologist who gave him a game plan to follow. This included putting God first, eating healthy and concentrating on his checkups. But aside from Everetts expertise, Harris said he felt comfortable because Everett looked like him. When you are African American or Black, youre more comfortable interacting with someone who knows, OK, he might have grew up here, or he might eat this, or I heard them do that, said Harris, who lives in Chicago. So, youre a lot more comfortable with people who walk in similar footsteps. Elston Harris, 59, was referred to a Black cardiologist after a heart attack in 2017. (Courtesy Elston Harris) Around 60% of Black American adults have heart disease, and heart disease death rates are highest among Black Americans compared to other racial and ethnic groups, according to the American Heart Association. Yet Harris experience of having a cardiologist who looks like him is a rarity. A 2021 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges found that only 4.2% of cardiologists are Black. An earlier study, published in 2019 in the journal JAMA Cardiology had similar findings, revealing that Black doctors made up only 3% of the cardiologist workforce. That same report found that 51% of cardiologists were white and 19% were Asian. Increasing the number of Black cardiologists could mean better heart health for Black patients. Underrepresented medical professionals are more likely to practice in their communities where cultural sensitivity can create trust and their presence have been shown to improve outcomes, the AHA said in a statement to NBC News. This connection is particularly important among Black Americans when it comes to heart health. Why are there so few Black cardiologists? Dr. Mary Branch, a cardiologist based in Greensboro, North Carolina, said she first became interested in cardiology nearly 20 years ago, after shadowing a white interventional cardiologist who was very accepting of me, she said. The path to cardiology is onerous, and includes four years of medical school, three years of internal medicine residency and three years of a cardiology fellowship, in addition to several board exams, she said, which can be a difficult path to follow. Branch, a fourth-generation physician, said her path also included financial strain and discrimination hurdles that are all too common for Black medical students and among the reasons, she said, why there are so few Black doctors in cardiology. Branch was the first Black woman to enter the cardiovascular disease fellowship at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. At one point during her fellowship, she said, she lived in a hotel while trying to find secure housing. Even without a place to stay, Branch said she was still showing up at her fellowship. Really, it was just God saying youre needed, she said. So, we got to keep going. But that meant a lot of hard choices. Many Black medical students can also experience harsh microaggressions, which can prevent them from becoming a cardiologist, Branch said. The margin of error can be very small for Black trainees, she said. While most medical students and residents of all races perceived high levels of mistreatment, Black people perceived more stress in medical school than white people, according to a 2006 study in the Journal of the National Medical Association. The perceived stress stemmed from their minority status and experiences of racial discrimination in training. A 2021 study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that the proportion of Black doctors in the U.S. had increased by only 4 percentage points over the last 120 years. The study also found that the share of Black male doctors remained the same since 1940. While theres little data on the rates of Black women in cardiology, Black women make up only 2.8% of the physician workforce, according to a 2021 perspective in The Lancet. Everett, who is a member of the Association of Black Cardiologists, a national organization bringing attention to the harmful impact of heart disease on Black people, cited a lack of adequate training programs for doctors who want to be cardiologists. Most cardiology programs may only have three or four cardiology training positions, but were just not getting those training positions, he said. Until there are programs that are mandating that theres diversity in training programs, were never going to have a lot of inclusivity, especially in the sought-out training programs such as cardiology, Everett added. The organization also plays a role in recruiting Black patients for clinical trials, which have low numbers of Black participants. A 2021 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that Black adults were underrepresented in cardiovascular trials funded by the National Institutes of Health. That can mean that doctors dont have the best available information on how to treat Black patients. Its very important to have a lot of Black patients in trials, so we can get better data and more data means better information, and hopefully better outcomes, Everett said. A sense of comfort For many Black patients, having a Black cardiologist creates feelings of trust and comfort, which is sometimes a challenge due to the medical systems history of racism and mistreatment toward Black patients. Nikita Oxner first saw Branch last year after doctors discovered she had a heart murmur that they detected during a sleep study. Oxner, 45, said up until that point, she had never sought care from a cardiologist, and even being referred to one was scary. Yet her fears subsided when she met Branch. Nikita Oxner, 45, saw a cardiologist after learning she had a heart murmur. (Courtesy Nikita Oxner) Under Branchs care, Oxner discovered she had a condition that makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood. Heart-related problems run in Oxners family. In 2019, hypertension led to her brothers sudden death at age 31, and her grandmother died from heart disease at age 77. Her father, who died from cancer at age 39, had hypertension, high blood pressure a majority of his life, she said. Oxner said that when she shared details about her brother and other family members to Branch, she instantly understood. While she didnt feel good about having surgery to insert a defibrillator in her heart, Oxner trusted her doctors opinion. She had a lot of compassion, said Oxner, who lives in Greensboro, North Carolina. She was very understanding, down to earth and relatable and really helped me understand how this could change my life. As a Black woman who often has to advocate for her health, Oxner said the fact that Branch was also a Black woman mattered to me. Branch said the added layer of trust and comfort often seen between a Black patient and Black doctor can help motivate patients to stay on their heart medications and stick with healthy lifestyle changes. For example, hypertension is a big thing in our community, she said. A Black cardiologist may also be on hypertension medication, she said, so, they can relate and connect in that way. Like Oxner, Kia Smith, 42, is another Black woman who sought cardiac care from a Black physician. Smith, who lives in Ellenwood, Georgia, said she saw Dr. Camille Nelson, a cardiologist at Atlanta Heart Associates, in 2020 after experiencing an elevated heart rate. Smith said she believes that if she had chosen a non-Black cardiologist, she may have been treated like a dramatic walk-in and had her symptoms dismissed. Kia Smith, 42, said she believes her symptoms would've been dismissed had she seen a non-Black cardiologist. (Courtesy Kia Smith) At every turn, when I was concerned, she did not dismiss my concerns or my personal experiences, Smith said of Nelson. She also explained the science of everything to me, and we were able to get to a place where I was confident that I was going to be OK. Nelson said that Smiths symptoms may have stemmed from stress and recommended workout routines to get her heart into a healthier state. Dr. Zainab Mahmoud, a cardiologist and instructor of medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, said many Black women tell her that they feel heard and understood under her care. Having a provider who can understand a Black patients experiences creates this kind of trust and improves a patient-provider relationship, she said. Theyre more likely to then have their family members come or their family and friends come to see me as well, Mahmoud added. Ive seen that happen multiple times I cant even count. Getting more Black doctors into cardiology Increasing the number of Black cardiologists has been the focus of major health organizations in recent years. The AHAs scholars program provides cardiology resources for Black students from historically Black colleges and universities, where more than 70% of Black medical professionals earn their degrees. The organization is also focusing on broader efforts: A strong education can help grow the next generation of Black doctors, nurses and researchers, it said in a statement. One major goal is to increase the number of Black students in graduate science, research and public health programs. Like the AHA, the American College of Cardiology also implemented diversity efforts through its internal medicine program to introduce Black, Latino and other underrepresented groups into cardiology. The problem is, its not just cardiology, said Dr. Melvin Echols, the ACCs chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. Its all of health care. You see a significant, very low rate of African American doctors. I think what were trying to do is make it easier, No. 1, for people to actually get information and get resources. Harris, who survived his 2017 heart attack, said it was through Gods grace that he ended up at Advocate Trinity Hospital when his life was on the line with a cardiologist he could trust. He was there during my episode and we immediately formed a relationship after that, Harris said of his cardiologist Everett. Harris has been under his care ever since. On Monday, 19 February, the US will honour Presidents Day. Every year, millions of Americans have the day off to celebrate the achievements of the countrys past leaders. Originally, the third Monday in February was meant to solely recognise just one - George Washington. In the 1880s, Presidents Day was known to be the birthday (12 February) of the first president of the United States. Yet, over time, a widespread appreciation for the countrys many vanguards was adopted. When Congress deliberated the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill in 1968, the name switch from Washingtons Birthday to Presidents Day was discussed. The motivation behind the new title was to recognise Abraham Lincolns 22 February birthday as well. However, the moniker change wasnt accepted by the masses until 1971. Though the law recognises specific federal holidays, this does not mean that individuals working for private businesses are required to have work off. From Veterans Day to Christmas, here are the dates of the 2024 federal holidays. New Years Day: Monday, January 1 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Monday, January 15 Presidents Day: Monday, February 19 Memorial Day: Monday, May 27 Juneteenth National Independence Day: Wednesday, June 19 Independence Day: Thursday, July 4 Labor Day: Monday, September 2 Indigenous Peoples Day (also observed as Columbus Day): Monday, October 14 Veterans Day: Monday, November 11 Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28 Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25 Other important days to note: Valentines Day: Wednesday, February 14 St Patricks Day: Sunday, March 17 Good Friday: Friday, March 29 Easter: Sunday, March 31 Passover: Monday, April 22 Hideki Matsuyama hits from the 10th tee during the final round of the Genesis Invitational on Sunday at Riviera Country Club. (Ryan Kang / Associated Press) Hideki Matsuyama made a trio of three consecutive birdies Sunday on his way to a sizzling 62 and that proved more than good enough to win the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. Matsuyama had a chance to tie the course record of 61 set by Ted Tryba in the third round in 1999 but rolled his long birdie attempt three feet past the hole at the famed 18th green before calmly sinking his par putt to take a three-stroke lead to the clubhouse. The 2021 Masters winner from the island of Shikoku in Japan notched his ninth PGA Tour victory and first since the Sony Open in Hawaii two years ago by posting the lowest final round score ever at Riviera. He hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation, eight of 14 fairways and needed 23 putts while vaulting to third in the FedExCup standings. Read more:Patrick Cantlay leads at Genesis Invitational as he goes for home win "To win here at Riviera was one of my goals since I became a pro, and after Tiger Woods became the host that goal became a lot bigger, Matsuyama said. The owner [Noboru Watanabe] is Japanese and Ive known him a long time. Im disappointed I couldnt take a picture with Tiger today." It was a remarkable performance for someone who began the day with no confidence he could win. I was not feeling comfortable with my ball striking but it worked out, he said after a 30 on the back nine. The first tee shot was the worst shot Ive hit all week. Five players were tied at 14 under with seven holes to play, but Matsuyama finished with a flourish, carding three birdies on his last four holes to get to 9 under on the day and -17 for the week. His four-day total of 267 was three off the Riviera record of 264 achieved by Lanny Wadkins in 1985. Hideki Matsuyama celebrates his win on the 18th green during the final round of the Genesis Invitational on Sunday. (Ryan Sun / Associated Press) After starting his round with three straight birdies and making the turn at 11 under par, Matsuyama reeled off three birdies in a row to start the back nine. Back-to-back pars followed before he hit the shot of the tournament, hitting his approach onto the green and watching it roll to within inches of the cup. He tapped in for birdie and nearly aced his tee shot at the 16th to set up another birdie. His birdie at 17 gave him a three-shot cushion and all but clinched the victory. I was striking the ball well and my chipping and putting were good, Matsuyama said after carding rounds of 69, 68, 68 and 62. I was happy how I struck that second shot on 15. It was 184 [yards] into the wind and I executed it perfectly. On 16, I hit it five yards right of my target and it rolled the right direction. I hope I can keep this momentum going into Augusta. Rallying from six shots down, Matsuyamas ninth Tour win moves him one past K.J. Choi of South Korea for the most by an Asian-born player. Shortly after, numerous fellow players praised Matsuyama, including Jordan Speith, who tweeted: "Great playing Hideki! Just make sure you double check that scorecard. Spieth was disqualified after the second round for signing an incorrect card. Woods fell ill Friday and withdrew after six holes. Matsuyama pulled out of the BMW Championship in August with a back injury and feared he might never win again. Reaching nine wins and passing K.J. is great after struggling with my back injury and also my neck has been hurting and bothering me for a long time, but since start of this year its been getting better, he said. So Im really happy I was able to win today. Will Zalatoris and Luke List tied for second at -14 while Canadian Adam Hadwin, San Diego native Xander Schauffele and Long Beach native Patrick Cantlay finished in a three-way tie for fourth, four shots behind the winner. Schauffele had a chance for a share of second, but his birdie putt at 18 lipped out. Moments earlier, Cantlay came up with his best putt of the day to birdie the last hole and reach 13 under. He started the day with a two-shot lead at -14 after a third-round 70. Hadwins 65 was the second-lowest round Sunday. List and Harris English (who finished alone in seventh) were the only two players besides Matsuyama to shoot four rounds in the 60s. Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Nikki Haley is fully on the offensive as she stares down the quickly approaching South Carolina primary, now less than one week away. The former UN ambassador was on the Sunday show circuit this weekend as her campaign continues events through her home state and maintains that she will stay in the race through March no matter what happens this coming Saturday. On ABCs This Week, Ms Haley attacked her opponent once again for his comments about Nato. The former president made an off-colour remark at a rally in the state on 10 February wherein he seemed to invite Russia to attack any Nato member-state deemed to be making insufficient contributions to its own national defence. [W]hen you hear Donald Trump say in South Carolina a week ago that he would encourage Putin to invade our allies if they werent pulling their weight, thats bone chilling because all he did in that one moment was empower Putin, said Ms Haley. And all he did in that moment was he sided with a guy that kills his political opponents, he sided with a thug that arrests American journalists and holds them hostage. Those comments, she argued, were part of the favouritism Mr Trump has shown Vladimir Putin and the Russian government throughout his political career. After Russian agents were found to have worked against his political opponent Hillary Clinton during the 2016 US presidential election, Mr Trump would go on to declare at a joint press conference with Mr Putin that he accepted Russias explanation of its supposed innocence despite the conclusions of the US intelligence community. Ms Haley contended in the interview that the pro-Russia sentiment her opponent exhibits was playing into his lack of acknowledgement of the death on Friday of Alexei Navalny, Mr Putins leading opposition figure, in a Russian prison. Its actually pretty amazing that he would encourage Putin to invade Nato, but the fact that he wont acknowledge anything with Navalny; either he sides with Putin and thinks its cool that Putin killed one of his political opponents or he just doesnt think its that big of a deal, said Ms Haley. Either one of those is concerning. Either one of those is a problem. She had also, a day prior, demanded that Mr Trump answer for Mr Navalnys death at a press conference at a campaign event where she asked the rhetorical question: Why does he always side with dictators? Trump needs to answer to that. Does he think Putin killed him? Does he think Putin was right to kill him? And does he think Navalny was a hero? she asked. Technically, Mr Trump did acknowledge the death of Mr Navalny on Sunday; but in a way only he could. A re-Truthed post on the former presidents Truth Social feed Sunday morning highlighted a memo declaring that Mr Navalnys past treatment and eventual death in Russian captivity highlighted the injustice of Mr Trumps own situation. In normal times, it would be pretty damning criticism for a former president to take, especially coming from their own former ambassador to the United Nations. But Donald Trump has up until now largely remained impervious to any criticism lobbed his way by rivals for the Republican nomination. Heading into the final week of campaigning in South Carolina, Mr Trump is leading Ms Haley by anywhere from 20-40 points according to polling, and has shown no signs of losing his dominant share of the Republican electorate so far. Still, Ms Haley has vowed to stay in the race through Super Tuesday, a collection of primary contests held on 5 March. This past week, her campaign travelled to Texas where it announced a $1m fundraising haul after a two-rally swing through the state. New building of museum at Shang Dynasty capital site to open this month Xinhua) 16:59, February 19, 2024 BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The new building of the Yinxu Museum at the Yin Ruins, the site of the last capital of the Shang Dynasty (1600 B.C.-1046 B.C.), will open to the public on Feb. 26. The announcement was made at a press conference held by the National Cultural Heritage Administration on Monday in Beijing. The museum, located in the city of Anyang in central China's Henan Province, will showcase nearly 4,000 items or sets of cultural relics, including bronzeware, pottery, jade objects, and oracle bones. The exhibition features a vast quantity and diverse range of cultural artifacts, with over three-quarters of the relics making their debut appearances. The Yin Ruins is the first documented late Shang Dynasty capital site in China, as confirmed by archaeological excavations and oracle bone inscriptions. It is also the ancient capital site with the highest frequency of archaeological excavations and the longest duration of exploration in China. The expanded Yinxu Museum is the first national major archaeological museum to comprehensively present the Shang civilization. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) KYIV, Ukraine On Ukraines front lines, soldiers have their eyes on the enemy slowly advancing across the countrys muddy fields and on Washington, where an allys inaction is doing as much to dent their morale. The situation on the battlefield is getting worse every week, one soldier serving in the southern Zaporizhzhia region told NBC News. Russias military has Ukraine on the defensive, taking advantage of an army that is vulnerable after nearly two years of war: short of soldiers, dealing with leadership upheaval and critically low on ammunition. New military aid remains stalled in Congress, and a shortage of supplies has contributed to the surrender of a key eastern city and eroded morale among units that find themselves outmanned and outgunned. NBC News spoke to five soldiers across the war's more than 600 miles of front lines, as well as military analysts, who offered a bleak assessment of Ukraines prospects with support from its Western backers in doubt. Military mobility of Ukrainian soldiers in the direction of Avdiivka (Diego Herrera Carcedo / Anadolu via Getty Images) The soldier in the south, a drone operator, said that if he spots Russian movement in his area, Ukrainian artillery units fire a few rounds in response enough to frighten but not destroy them. Facing a shortage of rounds, he said they try to substitute artillery fire with small handmade bombs strapped to the drones that they then drop on the Russians. It works well sometimes, but their power and range are very limited, added the private, who like others in this story requested anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly. It feels that if something doesnt change completely in the next couple weeks, we are f---ed up here. Aid delays and ammo shortages The U.S. has provided more than $47 billion in military support to Ukraine since the war began, but a new package of aid has been in congressional limbo for months. There was some relief for Kyiv last week as the Senate finally passed the aid package. But it will face a major hurdle in the House, where hard-line Republicans aligned with former President Donald Trump have voiced strong opposition to the legislation. That could leave Ukraine scrambling to fill in gaps for months before the legislation goes to President Joe Bidens desk if that happens at all. Its difficult to predict exactly what would happen on the battlefield if the U.S. halts its assistance completely, but it would certainly put him [Putin] in a good position to reach his goals, a European official told NBC News. New supplies of ammunition are really critical for the ability of the Ukrainian forces to be able to sustain this effort in the coming months, the official said. Western countries are working with Ukraines defense industry to enable Kyiv to produce its own ammunition, but Kyiv remains reliant on the U.S. and other countries in particular for artillery shells and air-defense munitions, the European official said. Russia Continues Long-Running Assault On Avdiivka Area (Libkos / Getty Images) Those needs are already being felt. Ammunition stalling greatly impacts us on the battlefield, said U.S. Army veteran Miro Popovich, a combat volunteer fighting in Ukraines southern Kherson region. Popovich, 34, said his unit was caught in heavy artillery fire a few weeks ago that lasted for two hours, but Ukrainian forces were unable to counter. He suspects a shortage of ammunition was to blame. We got out alive, but it left a little frustration that the enemy is able to do things like that unpunished, Popovich said. It would have been great if American politicians stopped using Ukraine in pre-election games and just helped us to stop this great evil, he added. The most acute need right now is for artillery rounds, said Dara Massicot, a senior fellow with the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, but rationing is now occurring across many ammunition categories like tank rounds and rockets. Another soldier serving in the infantry in the eastern Donbas region said that Ukrainian forces were aware of their heavy reliance on Western supplies and the dire future they faced with that support in doubt. Imagine a person injured in a car crash, said the private, who goes by the call sign Tatarin. You have an option of either helping this person or wait a little until the medics arrive, and every minute for this person is their chance of survival, he said. Its the same here. You can think about it for another week or two, but it all costs the lives of the soldiers on the front lines. The battle for Avdiivka and beyond The struggle Ukraine is facing has been evident in the fight for Avdiivka, a small eastern city that became the main flashpoint of the war over the winter. The two sides fought over the battered town for months, but Russian forces seized it over the weekend. Avdiivkas fall hands Putin a high-profile victory amid faltering Western support and ahead of his re-election next month. It also expands Russias control over Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, where Avdiivka serves as a gateway to the main city of Donetsk. Last week, Kyiv appeared determined to keep fighting in the city, with street-to-street battles ongoing and one of its best-trained and battle-hardened units brought in as reinforcements. But on Saturday, the countrys new commander-in-chief, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said he was pulling his troops out to avoid being encircled and to preserve the life and health of military personnel. Artillery sergeant Andriy was in Avdiivka since the fighting there intensified in October. Like others NBC News spoke with, he said ahead of the withdrawal that Ukraine was running low on soldiers and that those it did have were exhausted and lacking supplies. We have nearly no ammunition, said Andriy, who was also not authorized to speak publicly. Artillery has been crucial throughout the war, but some soldiers told NBC News they now faced restrictions limiting the duration and quality of fire, leaving their defensive positions vulnerable and severely outgunned by Russian units lacking neither supplies nor soldiers. Military mobility of Ukrainian soldiers in Donetsk Oblast (Diego Herrera Carcedo / Anadolu via Getty Images) The troops daily rations have been severely reduced, Andriy said, and instead of the usual 90 rounds a day or so, they often get a third of that. We have had cases of being given just 10 for 24 hours, he said. How can you fight with 10 rounds? That is in contrast to the counteroffensive he took part in in the south last summer, in which he said there were no such restrictions. The delays in aid mean he couldnt do his job of covering the infantry, Andriy said. If that aid is stalled for another couple of weeks or even months, its inevitable the Russians will break through Ukraines defenses across the front lines, Oleksandr, a sergeant with Ukraines military intelligence who did not want his last name disclosed because of the sensitivity of his role, told NBC News. They will tear through the line of defense. It has already started moving not to our advantage, unfortunately, Oleksandr, 30, added. There are simply no people and not enough weapons. The U.S. assessment of the situation is similarly bleak. Ukraines military was forced to withdraw from Avdiivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russias first notable gains in months, Biden said in a phone call with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday. Russia is already touting the surrender of Avdiivka as a big win and what it said was a chaotic retreat, with its forces now looking to push further forward in the east. The situation is dire beyond Avdiivka, Massicot said. If this aid does not resume quickly, Ukraines positions are in jeopardy in 2024 and beyond. Daryna Mayer reported from Kyiv, Yuliya Talmazan from London and Dan De Luce from Washington. By Juarawee Kittisilpa and Panarat Thepgumpanat BANGKOK (Reuters) -A day after his high-profile release from detention, Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra met with prosecutors on Monday to discuss allegations he insulted the powerful monarchy, during which he appeared "truly ill", a senior official said. The influential billionaire, who has loomed large over Thai politics for two decades, reached the meeting in a wheelchair, wearing a neck brace, according to images in local media. Thaksin, 74, was released on parole on Sunday after six months in hospital detention, his first day of freedom in his homeland 15 years after fleeing in the wake of his overthrow in a military coup. It is unclear what health issues he has been suffering from, with full details yet to be disclosed by doctors or his family. "I spoke to him and he barely had any voice. From what I can see he is truly ill," Preecha Sudsanguan, director general of the office of litigation told a press conference. "He had a neck brace and a sling on the arm, and he couldn't really walk." He was paroled, with conditions, on account of his age, health and time served. Thaksin's eight-year sentence for abuse of power and conflicts of interest was commuted by the king to one year soon after he went into detention. Pheu Thai, a party controlled by the Shinawatra family, is currently in power and critics have complained about Thaksin's lenient treatment and questioned the severity of his health problems. "From now, anyone in detention can say they have Thaksin's disease because once you have this, you can go get treatment anywhere," said Ramet Rattanashaweng, spokesperson for the opposition Democrat Party. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai defended Thaksin and said it was normal for someone of his age to need a neck brace and sling. "For a person who is sick, we should give encouragement rather than trying to accuse him of pretending," he said. CELEBRATED HOMECOMING Thaksin made a dramatic return in August and showed no signs of poor health as he emerged from his private jet to greet supporters and family, before being escorted away by police who saluted him as he arrived. But he was transferred to a hospital on his first night in jail as he complained of chest pains. Doctors last year said he had high blood pressure, heart issues and back pains affecting his balance, for which he underwent surgery, and was easily tired due to an earlier COVID-19 infection. The attorney-general's office said more investigation was needed before deciding whether to indict Thaksin for insulting the crown. The complaint, made by the military that ousted his sister Yingluck Shinawatra's government, stems from an interview Thaksin gave while in exile in 2015. Insulting the monarchy is a serious offence and a major slur in Thailand, where the constitution states the king must be held in a position of "revered worship". Hundreds of people have been prosecuted in recent years under Thailand's lese-majeste law, which is among the world's strictest and carries a maximum jail sentence of up to 15 years for each perceived royal insult. Thaksin has always pledged loyalty to the monarchy and had recently sent a plea letter to authorities requesting fairness in the case. Thailand's best-known and most polarising premier, Thaksin was a towering figure over Thai politics while in self-imposed exile to avoid jail for abuse of power, charges he maintained were cooked up by the country's old guard to keep him at bay. He is widely expected to exert some influence over the current government led by his allies, but has insisted he is retired. Thaksin will need to report back on April 10 to hear the office's decision on the royal insults probe, said Prayut Petchkun, spokesperson for the attorney-general's office, describing it as "an important case". "The person involved is an important person, the charge is serious and the public has interest in it", he said. (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, Juarawee Kittisilpa and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Himani Sarkar) A parody musical centered on former President Trump and some of the well-known women in his life is hitting the off-Broadway stage in New York City this month. The musical, titled Five: The Parody Musical, tells a story about Trump; his wife, Melania; his ex-wives, Ivana Trump and Marla Maples; his daughter, Ivanka; and Stormy Daniels, the adult film actress who was paid by Trumps former fixer, Michael Cohen, in 2016 in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair she had with the former president. Five: The Parody Musical is inspired by the British musical comedy Six, which centers on the six wives of King Henry VIII. Poised to make America laugh again, FIVE is an irreverent musical comedy revue starring some of the women in the life of Americas past (and hopefully not future) President. Ivana, Marla, and Melania are joined by crowd favorite Storm and daddys girl Ivanka as they each take the spotlight and sing their hearts out for your vote, a description of the musical says on its website. Ivana. Marla. Melania. Stormy. Ivanka Divorced. Her-Larious. Uncensored, reads the tagline for the show. The four-week run began with previews last week and will run for the public through March 10 at Theater 555, an off-Broadway theater venue. Tickets are typically $49. It comes nearly a month ahead of the slated March 25 start date for the former presidents hush money trial stemming from the payments Cohen made to Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. The former president faces 34 counts of falsifying business records over reimbursements he made in 2016 to Cohen. Trump has denied the affair with Daniels and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial is poised to be the first criminal one for the former president, who faces dozens of charges in three other criminal cases. Cohen told The New York Times last week that he saw the script for the musical and found it clever and funny. He also told the outlet he worked on his material ahead of time, though there is no part depicting him in the show but rather mention of him. It really should sound like me otherwise its not authentic, he said. I think my sense of humor is strong enough. This is not a full, you know, comedic routine. Its merely minutes in between the acts. The shows cast includes Anyae Anasia, Gabriella Joy Rodriguez, Jaime Lyn Beatty, Gabi Garcia and Hannah Bonnett, per Playbill. The musicals book and lyrics are written by Shimmy Braun and Moshiel Newman Daphna, with Billy Recce also writing lyrics and the music, according to Playbill. It is directed by Jen Wineman, who has directed a series of New York, regional, university and touring productions. The Hill reached out to Wineman for further comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. It is a pivotal moment, where both Russian advances and Western atrophy threaten to transform the biggest land war in Europe since the 1940s. Traveling from the Munich Security Conference towards Ukraines frontlines, the polite frustration and manicured pleas of Western leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky feel yet more desperate. The warnings that Ukraine might suffer setbacks on the frontline if the United States Congress continued to hold up a $60 billion aid package have now curdled into a bitter, brutal reality. The pledges and rhetoric of Munichs suits and limousines have so far amounted to little; in the wait, or abyss, ahead, Ukraine is losing people and land. It is all very real, very immediate and stark. After months of stalemate, the possibility of sweeping changes on the frontlines is quite real. Ukrainian soldiers of Brigade 71 fire artillery in the direction of Avdiivka on February 18, 2024. - Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu/Getty Images The horrific death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny meant the brutality of the Putin regime was amplified and crystal-clear for European leaders who had feared the gathering would be dogged by doubts over a future Trump presidencys adherence to the NATO alliance. Latvias president spoke of murder, Germanys defense minister of how the death showed Russia was willing and able to provoke the West. Ukraine reasoned it was clear proof Putin was too irrational a man to negotiate with. Yet still, the conference often a talking shop, fixated on entourages and colored-passes over concrete results ended without major progress. US President Joe Biden had said in 2021 that Navalnys death would lead to devastating consequences for Russia. Yet the White Houses toolkit has been somewhat emptied by the 2022 invasion and as of Monday morning 72 hours after Navalnys passing was announced no measures have been announced. Indeed, Vice President Kamala Harris could only berate the political gamesmanship of a Republican-led Congress that has just taken two weeks off. Meanwhile, Zelensky taking the stage in Munich right after Ukraine announced its withdrawal from the significant eastern frontline town of Avdiivka on Saturday found the climate of defeat in Ukraine, and savagery in Russia, did almost nothing to bring the urgently needed US billions closer. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Vice President Kamala Harris as well as members of their delegations meet for talks at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, southern Germany on February 17, 2024. - Tobias Schwarz/Reuters In and of itself, the Ukrainian defeat Avdiivka does not herald a sea change in Kyivs fortunes. It is only of moderate strategic importance. But Ukraine held it for a decade, since Russias first invasion in 2014 pushed into the Donbas region. Ukraine announced a voluntary withdrawal after months of immense Russian pressure, a choice perhaps fomented by some political realities. The defense of Bakhmut another town on the eastern front that Moscow was willing to squander thousands of lives to take last year did, critics of Ukrainian policy argue, cost Kyiv resources it would have better devoted to its counteroffensive in the south last summer. That counteroffensive failed, and the reshuffle of Ukraines top brass in which the architect of the failed summer push, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, was replaced by his top deputy Oleksandr Syrsky comes at both the worst and best time, depending on who you are talking to. The animosity between Zelensky and his military chief had become a distraction to the war effort, and new ideas were clearly needed. Yet Syrsky must replace a near iconic commander who is deeply popular with troops and civilians, at a time when Ukraine is hobbled in all directions. He does not have a moment to take stock or reassess. Some analysis has seen Syrskys opening act of withdrawing from Avdiivka as a bid to show he is a more protective custodian of troops lives than his hard man reputation would suggest. Kyiv is now dealing with Russian surges on many fronts. After Avdiivka, they may attempt to sweep up other surrounding villages. Yet the fall of this railway hub frees up Kremlin units and air power to fight elsewhere. That could be Vulehdar to the south. To the west, one of the main and incremental gains of the southern counteroffensive Robotyne, where hundreds died in pitched battles for a tiny village is under threat. Russian bloggers have suggested a full assault on its eastern flank. Ukrainian officials insist they have been repelled. There is pressure near Kupiansk, on the edges of Kharkiv, and there also could be another Russian surge around Bakhmut. The extent of Russias capabilities and intent is unclear at the moment, and it is important to remember the mess and collapse they were in a year ago was under the same president and defense minister. But they are badly in need of demonstrating a win ahead of Putins rubber-stamp re-election as president just under a month from now. Their military-industrial complex appears to be humming in producing war materiel, and the Kremlins coffers have never been fuller. Vehicles are seen on the outskirts of Avdiivka on February 14, 2024. - Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images It would be a mistake to think Putin - with his state apparatus and economy now fully retooled for indefinite conflict - has curbed his ambitions. He even spoke about Poland, a NATO member, as an errant vassal in his recent interview with Tucker Carlson. How far he is willing to go remains unclear, but the fact that the answer to the question is unknown should be cause for concern. The key asset of Russias forces now is persistence - dogged and callous. Moscow has something Kyiv lacks, and that is a constant stream of recruits conscripts, mercenaries, prisoners for the frontlines, which it is willing to waste for minor objectives, with unimaginative frontal assaults, and can replenish at a staggering rate. Conversely, Ukraine lacks manpower and is stalling on a decision to widen the draft to include 25- and 26-year-olds. Zaluzhnyi wanted another 500,000 men, and that has yet to happen. Ammunition is lacking, and so on imperilled frontlines, Ukraine must ration shells, while Moscows forces can even rely on top-ups from as far away as North Korea to keep their artillery stocked. Western aid, replenished by the European Union last month, is still meager because of Republican dysfunction in Congress. The House has gone on a two-week break; that fortnight might see changes on the frontlines that Ukraine would not have dreamed of just six months ago. A view of the city's destroyed buildings in Avdiivka on February 15, 2024. - Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images The impact of Congresss indecision is already calamitous. The belief perhaps held by some uninformed Republicans that if Ukraine is ignored enough, Putin will somehow stop and just go away, has already been exposed as delusional in the last weeks alone. The Kremlin will not stop. Ukraine will continue to weaken without Western aid in its billions. The war will not go away. And the decisions the West will face in the coming months are not over whether they are willing to continue with the paltry aid they are currently prevaricating over. Instead they may face larger existential questions about providing a lot more help, very urgently, to stop Ukraines war becoming Europes. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The United States has proposed a rival draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and opposing a major ground offensive by its ally Israel in Rafah, according to the text seen by Reuters. The move comes after the U.S. signalled it would veto on Tuesday an Algerian-drafted resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire over concerns it could jeopardize talks between the U.S., Egypt, Israel and Qatar that seek to broker a pause in the war and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Until now, Washington has been averse to the word ceasefire in any U.N. action on the Israel-Hamas war, but the U.S. text echoes language that President Joe Biden said he used last week in conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It would see the Security Council "underscore its support for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as practicable, based on the formula of all hostages being released, and calls for lifting all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale." The United States does "not plan to rush" to a vote and intends to allow time for negotiations, a senior U.S. administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Monday. To pass, a resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the U.S., France, Britain, Russia or China. The U.S. draft text "determines that under current circumstances a major ground offensive into Rafah would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement including potentially into neighboring countries." Israel plans to storm Rafah, where more than 1 million of the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza have sought shelter, prompting international concern that an assault would sharply worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The U.N. has warned it "could lead to a slaughter." The draft U.S. resolution says such a move "would have serious implications for regional peace and security, and therefore underscores that such a major ground offensive should not proceed under current circumstances." Washington traditionally shields Israel from U.N. action and has twice vetoed council resolutions since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants. But it has also abstained twice, allowing the council to adopt resolutions that aimed to boost aid to Gaza and called for extended pauses in fighting. 'WARNING SHOT' This is the second time since Oct. 7 that Washington has proposed a Security Council resolution on Gaza. Russia and China vetoed its first attempt in late October. While the U.S. was ready to protect Israel by vetoing the Algerian draft resolution on Tuesday, International Crisis Group U.N. Director Richard Gowan said Israel would be more concerned by the text Washington drafted. "The simple fact that the U.S. is tabling this text at all is a warning shot for Netanyahu," he said. "It is the strongest signal the U.S. has sent at the U.N. so far that Israel cannot rely on American diplomatic protection indefinitely." Israel's mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the U.S. draft. A second senior U.S. administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. draft does not suggest "anything about the dynamics of any particular relationship, whether that's with the Israelis or any other partner we have." The draft U.S. text would condemn calls by some Israeli government ministers for Jewish settlers to move to Gaza and would reject any attempt at demographic or territorial change in Gaza that would violate international law. The resolution would also reject "any actions by any party that reduce the territory of Gaza, on a temporary or permanent basis, including through the establishment officially or unofficially of so-called buffer zones, as well as the widespread, systematic demolition of civilian infrastructure." Reuters reported in December that Israel told several Arab states that it wants to carve out a buffer zone inside Gaza's borders to prevent attacks after the war ends. The war began when fighters from the Hamas militant group that runs Gaza attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. In retaliation, Israel launched a military assault on Gaza that health authorities say has killed nearly 29,000 Palestinians with thousands more bodies feared lost amid the ruins. In December, more than three-quarters of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly voted to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry political weight, reflecting a global view on the war. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Lisa Shumaker and Michael Perry) Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Monday signed into law new maps that will shift the balance of power in a state Legislature that has been dominated by Republicans for more than a decade. The new maps followed a change in the balance of the state Supreme Court from a 4-3 conservative majority to a 4-3 liberal edge after Janet Protasiewicz won a seat last year following the retirement of a conservative-leaning justice. In December, the court ruled that the states existing maps, which experts have described as some of the most gerrymandered in the country, were unconstitutional, ordering new lines to be drawn ahead of the 2024 elections. The existing map heavily favored Republicans who controlled 64 of 99 seats in the state Assembly and 22 of 33 in the state Senate in a battleground state that has seen razor-thin margins of victory in recent U.S. Senate and presidential races. According to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel analysis, the new maps have a roughly even split of Democratic and Republican-leaning state Assembly districts, which will all but guarantee a wave of Democratic gains this fall. When I promised I wanted fair maps not maps that are better for one party or another I damn well meant it, Evers said in a statement. Wisconsin is not a red state or a blue state were a purple state, and I believe our maps should reflect that basic fact. In a statement, state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican, said the maps Evers signed were the most Republican-leaning maps out of all the Democrat-gerrymandered maps the states high court is considering. We sent him those maps, not because they are fair, but because the people of Wisconsin deserve certainty in state government, Vos said. This fall Republicans will prove that we can win on any maps because we have the better policy ideas for the State of Wisconsin." Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, described the new legislative maps as "a sea change." "The end of Wisconsins gerrymandering era will unleash a new wave of energy from candidates, volunteers, and voters that could affect not just the state legislature, but the U.S. House, the Senate, and the presidential race," he said. With the new maps in place, Democratic groups are already gearing up to flip seats this fall. "Wisconsin is a top priority for the DLCC in 2024, and were already hard at work building the campaigns that will fuel our legislative gains this fall," Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams said in a statement. "The time for fair representation in Wisconsin is long overdue, and we are building winning campaigns and sustainable infrastructure to build power this cycle and ultimately take back both majorities." By Anthony Deutsch and Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE (Reuters) -Palestinian representatives on Monday asked judges at the U.N.'s highest court to declare Israel's occupation of their territory illegal, saying their advisory opinion could contribute to a two-state solution and a lasting peace. The requests came at the opening of a week of hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The U.N. General Assembly sought an advisory, or non-binding, opinion on the occupation in 2022. More than 50 states will present arguments through Feb. 26. "We call on you to confirm that Israel's presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal," Riad Mansour, the Palestinian representative to the United Nations, said in a speech in which his voice cracked and he shed tears. "A finding from this distinguished court. ..would contribute to bringing (occupation) to an immediate end, paving a way to a just and lasting peace," he said. "A future in which no Palestinians and no Israelis are killed. A future in which two states live side by side in peace and security." The latest surge of violence in Gaza, promoted by the Oct.7 attacks in Israel by Hamas has complicated already deeply-rooted grievances in the Middle East and damaged efforts towards finding a path to peace. The ICJ's 15-judge panel has been asked to review Israel's "occupation, settlement and annexation ... including measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures." Israel is not attending the hearings but sent a 5-page written statement published by the court on Monday in which it said an advisory opinion would be "harmful" to attempts to resolve the conflict because the questions posed by the U.N. General Assembly were prejudiced. The judges are expected to take roughly six months to issue an opinion on the request, which also asks them to consider the legal status of the occupation and its consequences. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem - areas of historic Palestine which the Palestinians want for a state - in a 1967 war and has since built settlements in the West Bank and steadily expanded them. Israeli leaders have long disputed that the territories are formally occupied on the basis that they were captured from Jordan and Egypt during a war rather than from a sovereign Palestine. The United Nations has since 1967 referred to the territories as occupied by Israel and demanded that Israeli forces withdraw, saying it is the only way to secure peace. Its 1967 resolution did not, however, specifically label the resolution as illegal. While Israel has ignored legal opinions in the past, this one could increase political pressure over its war in Gaza, which has killed about 29,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. It withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but, along with neighbouring Egypt, still controls its borders. It has also annexed East Jerusalem in a move not recognised by most countries. 'MORAL, POLITICAL AND LEGAL IMPERATIVE' The hearing is part of Palestinian efforts to get international legal institutions to examine Israel's conduct. These have stepped up since Israel's war on Gaza in response to the Hamas attacks, which killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has said it faces an existential threat by Hamas militants and other groups and is acting in self-defence. There are mounting concerns about an Israeli ground offensive against the Gaza city of Rafah, a last refuge for more than a million Palestinians after they fled to the south of the enclave to avoid Israeli assaults. It is the second time the U.N. General Assembly has asked the ICJ, also known as the World Court, for an advisory opinion related to the occupied Palestinian territory. In July 2004, the court found that Israel's separation wall in the West Bank violated international law and should be dismantled, though it still stands to this day. (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch, Stephanie van den Berg and Dan Williams; Editing by Angus MacSwan, Michael Perry and Philippa Fletcher) Police in Texas are pleading for information on the whereabouts of an 11-year-old girl who vanished four days ago, as authorities said an SUV belonging to a man arrested on Friday may have been involved in the disappearance. Audrii Cunningham was last seen near her home in Polk County, Texas, at 7 a.m. local time Thursday. She was due to catch a bus, but school officials reported that she did not board it or show up at school that day, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. An Amber Alert has been issued for Audrii, who is described as white and about 4 feet, 1 inch tall. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing black pants, a black hoodie with white lettering and black tennis shoes. 11-year-old Texas girl still missing after four days, man in custody is 'person of interest' (Polk County Sheriff's Office) Don Steven McDougal, 42, was arrested Friday on suspicion of aggravated assault, in what authorities said was an unrelated incident. The state Department of Public Safety for the Southeast Texas region said he was "one of the persons of interest" involved in the case. McDougal lives in a trailer behind the home that Audrii shares with her family, authorities said at a news conference Monday afternoon. McDougal was a family friend who occasionally took Audrii to the bus stop or to school, officials said. He has not confessed in Audriis case and has not been greatly cooperative, according to law enforcement officials, who said he may have been the last person with Audrii. Detectives believe his dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban was involved in Audrii's disappearance and are appealing for anyone who saw it on Thursday or Friday to report it, the Department of Public Safety said in a statement. A small backpack thought to belong to a child was found at the Lake Livingston Dam, not far from the Cunningham family home, according to the statement. Law enforcement officials said there is a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for Audriis disappearance. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Polk County Sheriffs Office at 936-327-6810. Tips can be submitted anonymously via the Polk County Crime Stoppers line at 936-327-7867 or online at p3tips.com or iwatchtx.org. The 'One Million Years B.C.' star died at age 82 last February Donato Sardella/Getty Images; Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images Raquel Welch An iconic fur bikini worn by Raquel Welch will soon be for sale along with hundreds of other items once owned by the late actress, who died last February at age 82. On Monday, Juliens Auctions announced Bombshell: The Raquel Welch Collection, a sale set for Friday, April 12 in Los Angeles and online at juliensauctions.com. Among the items up for bid are a faux fur bikini Welch wore in her 1974 TV special Really Raquel, a replica of the iconic costume from her 1966 breakout film One Million Years B.C. Other items available include her 1974 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her role in The Three Musketeers, a flapper-style dress, designed by Ron Talsky, that she wore in the 1975 musical-comedy The Wild Party and a Bob Mackie halter dress she wore on The Muppet Show in 1978. Related: Raquel Welch's Life in Photos Julien's Auctions Raquel Welch's fur bikini The auction also features art, shoes, accessories, jewelry and furnishings Welch kept at her home in L.A.s Beverly Crest neighborhood. That includes her 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 Convertible, a diamond and 14k gold wedding ring (Welch was married four times), a stainless steel and gold Rolex wristwatch and even her diploma from La Jolla High School (printed with her birth name, Jo Raquel Tejada) and her senior year report card. Julien's Auctions Raquel Welch's wedding ring A La Jolla High School program for a 1958 production of Our Town, starring Welch as Emily Webb, gives a look at her early acting aspirations. "By age 7 I knew I wanted to be an actress," the star, who moved with her parents from Chicago to California when she was a child, told PEOPLE in 2010. Related: The Top 10 Hottest Swimsuit Scenes in the Movies "My parents enrolled me in a theater program. You could get away from some of the painfulness of real life. I always had flights of fancy," she continued. Julien's Auctions Raquel Welch's Bob Mackie dress 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. She married her high school sweetheart, Jim Welch, when she was 19 and welcomed children Damon and Tahnee shortly after. Within a few years, she was a single mom and a Hollywood star after leaving her husband and breaking out in the campy One Million Years B.C. Over her six-decade career, she made dozens of films, including the 1973 mystery The Last of Sheila and the 2001 smash hit comedy Legally Blonde; starred on TV series like Central Park West; and acted on Broadway. As she said in 2010, Ive gotten a lot of opportunities to do various things I am very proud of. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A satellite made an uncontrolled return to Earth Wednesday, re-entering the atmosphere over the north Pacific Ocean between Alaska and Hawaii, according to the the European Space Agency. The agency said ERS-2, which weighs about as much as an adult male rhinoceros, crashed through the atmosphere at 5:17 p.m. UTC. The agency was unable to predict exactly when and where the satellite would re-enter because its return was "natural." What is a natural return? ERS-2's batteries were depleted and its communication antenna and onboard electronics were switched off, which meant there was no way to actively control the motion of the satellite from the ground during its descent, the European Space Agency said. The last of ERS-2's fuel was used up back in 2011 to minimize the risk of a catastrophic explosion capable of generating a large amount of space debris. Is there any danger as ERS-2 returns? Most of the satellite burned up as it re-entered Earth's atmosphere. None of the fragments will contain any toxic or radioactive substances. The space agency has not yet said how many pieces of the satellite survived the return, but noted any pieces would be "spread out somewhat randomly over a ground track on average hundreds of kilometers long and a few tens of kilometers wide." The space agency added that the annual risk of a person being injured by space debris is under 1 in 100 billion, or 65,000 times lower than the risk of being struck by lightning. What was ERS-2 doing in space? The satellite was launched on April 21, 1995, as an Earth observation spacecraft. It was used to collect data on Earth's land surfaces, oceans and polar caps. ERS-2 was also used to monitor natural disasters, such as severe flooding and earthquakes. Its mission ended in 2011, when the European Space Agency began deorbiting the satellite. The deorbiting process helps prevent collisions in orbit and mitigates the creation of space debris. ERS-2's remaining fuel was used up as it was deorbited. The satellite's average altitude was also lowered. Nikki Haley vows to continue campaign through Super Tuesday What Capital One buying Discover could mean for consumers Haley defies calls from Trump to drop out of 2024 race South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott on Sunday refused to say whether he would have certified the 2020 election results if he were vice president at the time, breaking with other high-profile Trump allies whose names have been floated as potential 2024 vice president picks. Im not going to answer hypothetical questions, No. 1, and I didnt know that I was a vice president hopeful. Thank you very much, Jake, for letting me know where I am on the scale, Scott told CNNs Jake Tapper on State of the Union. What Im actually more interested in is not my future, the future of America, said Scott, who Trump has signaled is under consideration for his pick as vice president. I want poor kids today, growing up like I did in impoverished neighborhoods and single-parent households to look to Americas future and say, Theres a place for me at the top. Scotts refusal to answer the question comes as other potential Trump running mates, including Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York and Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, have said they would not have certified the 2020 election results had they been Trumps vice president, despite no evidence of fraud. With Trump still considering his potential GOP vice president pick, Republican lawmakers are looking to place themselves in the former presidents good graces by reviving false claims about the 2020 election. Scott voted to certify the 2020 election in the Senate and said in August, as a presidential candidate, that former Vice President Mike Pence absolutely did the right thing in certifying the results. Scott said Sunday that his position has not changed. I have not changed my view, Scott said. Youre asking a hypothetical question that you know can never happen again. Scott did part with Trump in his response to the death of jailed Russian opposition figure and outspoken Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a murderous dictator who always looks for ways to take out the competition and send a clear message just a few days or a few weeks before the Russian election. While Trump said nothing directly about Navalny in a post that his campaign said was his official response to the opposition leaders death, Scott looked to cast the former president as a stronger candidate against Putin than President Joe Biden. We need strong leadership coming from America that actually pushes back against Russia and other dictators. Unfortunately, Joe Biden is not up for that charge, and Donald Trump is, he told Tapper. CNNs Jack Forrest, Melanie Zanona and Annie Grayer contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com There is nothing soft about the lawsuits being thrown around by Squishmallows and Build-A-Bear, who are going to court as the popular squishy toy company accuses the stuff-your-own-plush brand of copying its stuffed animals. Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway's company Jazwares, who acquired KellyToys, the company that created Squishmallows, filed an intellectual property lawsuit against Build-A-Bear in California last week in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, stating Build-A-Bear's new line of stuffed animals, Skoosherz, is a knock-off of the popular Squishmallows plush toys. "Instead of maintaining its original idea of allowing consumers to create their own toys, Build-A-Bear now seeks to trade off the goodwill of Squishmallows by marketing obvious copycat products," states the complaint. Squishmallows line the shelves of a store. Now, the company is seeking unspecified damages and wants Build-A-Bear to stop selling Skoosherz products. But Build-A-Bear filed its own lawsuit, saying the trade dress rights are baseless. Here's everything to know about the plush legal battle. Jazware's lawsuit against Build-A-Bear "Build-A-Bear has been trying to trick customers looking for Squishmallows into buying its own Skoosherz instead," Jazware's complaint claims. Jazware's attorney, Moez Kaba, told USA Today that Build-A-Bear's designs are very similar to some of Squishmallows' most popular designs. Squishmallows has become wildly successful due to Jazwares creativity and investments," said Kaba. "Jazwares will vigorously pursue and protect its clients rights. The law protects innovation, not imitation. The complaint filed by Jazwares states the following as evidence that Build-A-Bear is copying its unique brand: Build-A-Bear uses the same manufacturer as Jazwares to create Skoosherz. Skoosherz' name "closely resembles" Squishmallows' name. The plushies' texture and feel are similar to each other. Skoosherz have similar "simplified Asian style kawaii, (meaning cute in Japanese), faces." The complaint also points out that Skoosherz don't follow the Build-A-Bear model of creating the toy in-store. Instead, Skoosherz come premade. Kaba told USA TODAY he believes it's "interesting" that Build-A-Bear "decided to do something that is contrary to the business model that they've accepted," and created something that looks similar to Squishmallows. "Obviously, customers are going to be confused and just think 'oh this is basically a Squishmallow,'" said Kaba. Build-A-Bear files lawsuit backing its designs Build-A-Bear fired back by filing a lawsuit in Missouri that states its new line doesn't infringe on Jazware's rights. AP News reported the make-your-own toy company wants a declaratory judgment stating the trade dress rights claimed by Squishmallows' makers are baseless. According to the outlet, the Missouri-based toy company says Skoosherz's designs are based on the company's own original stuffed animals that it has been selling for years. If each aspect of the claimed trade dress were in fact protected trade dress, it would be virtually impossible for competitors to create alternative designs, Build-A-Bear said, reports AP news. Build-A-Bear has not returned USA TODAY's request for comment. What are Squishmallows? Squishmallows is a popular plush that was created by Kelly Toys and debuted in 2017, according to its website. Their owners can find a tag on each Squishmallow with its name and a description of its personality. The designs come in a variety of animals and food. People can even find Squishmallows of popular characters like Pooh Bear, Hello Kitty and Kermit the Frog. The Squishmallows craze started because it went viral on TikTok, and the toy was soon popular among teenage girls before becoming one of the most popular toys sold during the holiday season, reports the Guardian. What are Skoosherz? On January 12, Build-A-Bear introduced the controversial line of huggable plushies, called Skoosherz, in a press release. Build-A-Bear released the Skoosherz collection in anticipation of National Hug Day. "As a teddy bear hug authority, Build-A-Bear was inspired to create the extra huggable Skoosherz as research indicates hugs improve emotional and physical well-being," states the press release announcing the toy. A green Build-A-Bear frog plush, a Disney Munchlings Baymax plush, and a teddy bear from an unknown brand. The five plushies that are available for purchase on the Build-A-Bear website are: Pink axolotl Green frog Red dinosaur Rainbow teddy bear Pink "strawberry" cow Build-a-Bear's new line joins a competitive stuffed animal market to the likes of TY, who also sells Beanie Babies, Squishables and, of course, Squishmallows. Disney's Munchlings, plushies of food inspired by Disney characters, are another brand of stuffed animals that are soft, squishy and round. All the companies now sell plushies that, unlike traditional stuffed animals, are less firm, have fewer edges and are shaped into something resembling a circle or egg, all of which can make them easier to cuddle, sleep with or use as a pillow. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She's covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Squishmallows vs. Build-A-Bear: Companies file lawsuits over Skoosherz kupicoo / Getty Images The federal income tax collected by the IRS applies to all Americans regardless of where you live, but the rules for state income tax rates and how those taxes are paid can be vastly different. What you end up paying to the IRS in individual income taxes will not only depend on your income level but also on your states income tax structure. Learn More: What To Do if You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS State income tax systems fall into three broad categories: fixed or flat income taxes, progressive income taxes and no income taxes. State Income Tax Rates: An Overview Fixed rates or flat rates, as the name implies, have a single tax bracket regardless of how much you make. Progressive income tax, the most commonly used system, refers to tax rates that increase incrementally for people with more taxable income. Some states, like Alaska and Florida, have high sales tax or property taxes to compensate for the fact that they are among the few states with no income tax. State Income Rates State Tax Rate or Range Alabama 2% to 5% Alaska No State Income Tax Arizona 2.5% Arkansas 2% to 4.9% California 1% to 12.3% Colorado 4.40% Connecticut 3% to 6.99% Delaware 0% to 6.6% District Of Columbia 4% to 10.75% Florida No State Income Tax Georgia 1% to 5.75% Hawaii 1.4% to 11% Idaho 5.80% Illinois 4.95% Indiana 3.15% Iowa 4.4% to 6% Kansas 1% to 5.7% Kentucky 4.5% Louisiana 1.85% to 4.25% Maine 5.8% to 7.15% Maryland 2% to 5.75% Massachusetts 5% Michigan 4.25% Minnesota 5.35% to 9.85% Mississippi 0% to 5% Missouri 0% to 4.95% Montana 1% to 6.75% Nebraska 2.46% to 6.64% Nevada No State Income Tax New Hampshire 5% State Tax on Dividends and Interest Income Only New Jersey 1.4% to 10.75 New Mexico 1.7% to 5.9% New York 4% to 10.9% North Carolina 4.75% North Dakota 1.1% to 2.9% Ohio 0% to 3.99% Oklahoma 0.25% to 4.75% Oregon 4.75% to 9.9% Pennsylvania 3.07% Rhode Island 3.75% to 5.99% South Carolina 0% to 6.4% South Dakota No State Income Tax Tennessee No State Income Tax Texas No State Income Tax Utah 4.85% Vermont 3.35% to 8.75% Virginia 2% to 5.75% Washington No State Income Tax West Virginia 3% to 6.5% Wisconsin 3.54% to 7.65% Wyoming No State Income Tax States With Flat Tax Rates With flat tax rates, you pay the same tax rate no matter how much income you have. Many states have moved away from flat-tax structures because critics claim that they unfairly burden low- and middle-class taxpayers. Illinois, however, which imposes a 4.95% fixed tax, has a flat tax because when the tax was first implemented, it was unclear whether a progressive income tax was constitutional under the state constitution, and the law hasnt been changed since then. Here are the states that impose a flat tax rate on their citizens: Arizona: 2.5% Colorado: 4.4% Idaho: 5.8% Illinois: 4.95% Indiana: 3.15% Kentucky: 4.5% Massachusetts: 5% Michigan: 4.25% New Hampshire: 4% flat tax on dividends and interest income only North Carolina: 4.75% Pennsylvania: 3.07% Utah: 4.85% Vermont: 3.35% States With Graduated-Rate Income Taxes With progressive or graduated tax rates, most states have separate tax brackets that depend on how much you earn. The idea is that people in higher income brackets can afford to pay more taxes. More brackets can lead to more complexity. Here are the standard tax brackets for the states with progressive income tax rates: State Tax Rate Range Income Range for Tax Brackets Alabama 3 Brackets: 2% to 5% $500 to $3,001 Arkansas 5 Brackets: 2% to 4.9% $5,100 to $87,000 California 9 Brackets: 1% to 12.3% $10,099 to $677,275 Connecticut 7 Brackets: 3% to 6.99% $10,000 to $500,000 Delaware 7 Brackets: 0% to 6.6% $2,000 to $60,001 District Of Columbia 7 Brackets: 4% to 10.75% $10,000 to $1 million Georgia 6 Brackets: 1% to 5.75% $750 to $7,001 Hawaii 12 Brackets: 1.4% to 11% $2,400 to $200,000 Iowa 4 Brackets: 0.4% to 6% $6,000 to $75,000 Kansas 3 Brackets 1% to 5.7% $15,000 to $30,000 Louisiana 3 Brackets: 1.85% 4.25% $12,500 to $50,001 Maine 3 Brackets: 5.8% to 7.15% $24,500 to $58,050 Maryland 8 Brackets: 2% to 5.75% $1,000 to $250,000 Minnesota 4 Brackets: 5.35% to 9.85% $30,070 to $183,341 Mississippi 2 Brackets: 0% to 5% $10,001 and over is subject to a 5% flat rate. Missouri 8 Brackets: 0% to 4.95% $1,207 to $8,449 Montana 7 Brackets: 1% to 6.75% $3,600 to $21,600 Nebraska 4 Brackets: 2.46% to 6.64% $3,700 $35,730 New Jersey 7 Brackets: 1.4% to 10.75 $20,000 to $1 million New Mexico 5 Brackets: 1.7% to 5.9% $5,500 to $210,000 New York 9 Brackets: 4% to 10.9% $8,500 to $25 million North Dakota 3 Brackets: 1.1% to 2.9% $44,775 to $225,975 Ohio 4 Brackets: 0% to 3.99% $26,050 to $115,300 Oklahoma 6 Brackets; 0.25% to 4.75% $1,000 to $7,200 Oregon 4 Brackets: 4.75% to 9.9% $4,050 to $125,000 Rhode Island 3 Brackets: 3.75% to 5.99% $73,450 to $166,950 South Carolina 3 Brackets: 0% to 6.4% $3,200 to $16,040 Vermont 4 Brackets: 3.35% to 8.75% $45,400 to $229,500 Virginia 4 Brackets: 2% to 5.75% $3,000 to $17,001 West Virginia 5 Brackets: 3% to 6.5% $10,000 to $60,000 Wisconsin 4 Brackets: 3.54% to 7.65% $13,810 to $304,170 States With No Income Tax Currently, nine states dont impose a state income tax. However, be aware that the state sales tax rates, property tax rates and capital gains taxes will typically be higher in these locations. When it comes to filing taxes on your earned income, there is no getting out scott-free, but you can weigh the benefits and drawbacks of your individual taxes versus your local sales tax. When you break down your tax year you might find no-income-tax state to be better for you. If you live in any of the following states you wont have to pay income taxes: Alaska Florida Nevada New Hampshire South Dakota Tennessee Texas Washington Wyoming If you have further questions about items such as FICA tax rate as it relates either state or federal taxes, be sure to consult with a tax professional. How To Calculate Tax Burden Though you can measure tax burden by looking at which states have the highest income tax, property tax, sales tax or other additional taxes, to calculate the actual tax burden of a state you divide the actual collections by capacity for each revenue source and for all sources as a whole. States approach collecting revenue in varying ways. Here is a look at which states have the highest and lowest tax burdens. States With Highest Tax Burden The states with the highest overall tax burden are: New York: 12.47% Hawaii: 12.31% Maine: 11.14% Vermont: 10.28% Connecticut: 9.83% New Jersey: 9.76% Maryland: 9.44% Minnesota: 9.41% Illinois: 9.38% Iowa: 9.15% States With the Lowest Tax Burden The states with the lowest tax burden are: Alaska: 5.06% Delaware: 6.12% New Hampshire: 6.14% Tennessee: 6.22% Florida: 6.33% Wyoming: 6.42% South Dakota: 6.69% Montana: 6.93% Missouri: 7.11% Oklahoma: 7.12% Final Take To GO The bottom line is that knowing the difference between state and federal income taxes can serve you well when creating a budget or considering a move. All states have a unique tax structure and rates so before you buy property somewhere else make sure you know exactly what it will cost you. Remember, its always a good idea to consult with your tax professional if you have questions about this, or other specific items, such as about deductions or credits and tax refunds. Brian Nelson and John Csiszar contributed to the reporting for this article. This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: State Income Tax Rates for 2023-2024 HBO announced Thursday, that executive producer, writer and director Issa Lopez's would return for a fifth season of "True Detective," four days after the "Night Country" finale. True Detective: Night Country was the most-watched season of True Detective, with 12.7 million viewers between HBO and Max. "I can't wait to go again, Lopez said in a statement. Here's what happened in the "True Detective: Night Country" finale on Sunday. The dark, twisted heart of HBO's "True Detective: Night Country" has centered on a chilling mystery who (or what) killed the seven scientists found naked, frozen and grotesquely intertwined in a "corpsicle" outside their isolated research center in Ennis, Alaska. All signs including the recurring spiral, a callback to the anthology series' first season pointed to something menacing and mystical. However, in Sunday's Season 4 finale, police chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and state trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) crack the case rocking the fictional Alaskan town and learn it was humans, and not supernatural forces, who were responsible for the murder. Yet no one is arrested for the crime. Blame it on Lopez's love of author Sir Conan Doyle. "The Sherlock Holmes stories I love the most are (those) where Sherlock discovers the murderer, understands why the crime was committed, says he can't solve it and walks away," says Lopez. Here are answers to key questions in the finale: Episode 5 'True Detective: Night Country'reveals a stunning death. What happened and why? Police Chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) in the finale of "True Detective: Night Country." Who killed the frozen naked scientists in 'True Detective'? Yep, the cadre of male scientists weren't killed by mystical forces. Instead, the culprits are a band of vengeful women who work as Ennis' cleaners or in the crab processing plant. They are prompted after a simple mop bucket spill leads to the discovery of the station's nefarious secrets. In short, it was the scientists who, six years prior, killed Annie K. They had panicked after Annie K had discovered their hidden lair of lies beneath the ice, and they stabbed the activist to death. Another "Night Country" mystery solved. And the nail in the coffin for the scientists: They weren't just falsifying pollution numbers from the mine. They were pushing the mine to produce more pollutants, which softened the permafrost and made their delicate job of extracting DNA from frozen microorganisms significantly easier. The scientists were conducting potentially world-saving research, but pushing the mine to make the town toxic to devastating effect. Lopez says the actors playing the avenging "Night Country" women proudly dubbed their characters "The Justice Ladies." The Justice Ladies are shown in flashbacks busting into the science station to take matters into their own hands. The panicked scientists are forced to undress at gunpoint and run naked into the brutal Arctic storm. Voila, corpsicle! "These women are invisible, which is a tremendous disadvantage socially because justice is never going to be served to them," says Lopez. "But at the same time, it's their superpower. They have access and can do things that nobody will suspect them of doing. That includes a big murder." Raymond Clark (Owen McDonnell) is the final scientist to die in "True Detective: Night Country." Raymond Clark (Owen McDonnell), the one scientist who escaped their killing wrath, confesses to the evil scheme to Navarro in an iPhone video. Clark is then shown dead in an Arctic storm making one last, gloriously gruesome corpsicle. So it's case closed. Danvers and Navarro don't arrest the Justice Ladies, even after hearing a substantial confession. Danvers hides the truth about the spate of Ennis deaths (the scientists, and that of crooked Hank Prior in last week's episode) from investigators. "Some questions don't have answers," she shrugs. Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Navarro (Kali Reis) at the end of "True Detective: Night Country." But is Navarro alive or a spirit? Does Navarro die at the end of 'True Detective'? It's not a happy "Night Country" ending, but a quietly triumphant one as the polluting mine is shut down once the Clark confession video goes instantly viral. Danvers is shown laughing with her once estranged stepdaughter, a relationship on the mend. "This is not to say they're happy forever, but it's a beginning," says Lopez. After being kicked out of the house, officer Peter Prior (Finn Bennett) reunites with his family. But Peter's face becomes troubled holding his son; he was no doubt thinking of being forced to kill his father. Those thoughts aren't possible to erase like the blood he wiped up. "He will carry that forever," says Lopez. "But as Danvers says in Episode 6, 'It's crazy what we survive.'" Police Chief Danvers (Jodie Foster) visits Navarro's empty house in "True Detective: Night Country." Navarro's fate is unclear. Finally at peace with so many parts of her life, including her fear of what's on the "other side" of life, Navarro is shown walking out onto the Alaskan ice, a serene look on her face. "It could be Navarro goes on a walkabout, like they do in Australia, and then comes back in peace," says Lopez. "Or she walks out in peace, not in torment, to join the women she knows on the other side." Danvers visits Navarro's starkly empty house, and the investigators ask where Navarro is. So she went missing. In the final scene, Navarro is standing, staring into the distance on Danvers' sun-strewn Alaskan summer porch. Has she returned? Or is it her spirit returning to visit the living Danvers, as spirits do in "Night Country." "It's really up to you to decide," says Lopez. As Danvers says to investigators, "This is Ennis; nobody really leaves." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: HBO orders 'True Detective' Season 5 with 'Night Country's Issa Lopez By Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Donald Trump, who drew criticism as U.S. president for his praise of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, on Monday made his first public comment on the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a social media post that cast no blame but alluded to his own legal woes. "The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our Country," the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination wrote on his Truth Social platform, appearing to link the death to his own political troubles. "It is a slow, steady progression, with CROOKED, Radical Left Politicians, Prosecutors, and Judges leading us down a path to destruction. Open Borders, Rigged Elections, and Grossly Unfair Courtroom Decisions are DESTROYING AMERICA. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE, A FAILING NATION! MAGA2024" It was not clear what similarities Trump was trying to draw with Russia's most prominent opposition leader. Navalny, 47, fought for years against what he called vast corruption in Putin's Russia, ruled by "crooks and thieves." The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for clarification. Trump has railed against a judge's order on Friday that he pay $355 million in penalties for overstating his net worth to dupe lenders, a decision he called politically motivated. Trump also is preparing for four upcoming criminal trials as he pursues the Republican nomination. President Joe Biden on Friday directly blamed Putin for Navalny's death in a penal colony north of the Arctic Circle, as did Trump's main Republican rival, Nikki Haley. "Putin is responsible for Navalny's death," Biden said. The Kremlin has denied involvement in his death and said that Western claims that Putin was responsible were unacceptable. Since Navalny's death was reported on Friday, former U.S. presidents and top members of Congress from both parties also denounced Putin. But Trump, the Republican candidate leading the race to challenge Biden in the November election, remained silent until Monday. During his 2017-2021 White House tenure, Trump expressed admiration for Putin. In 2018, he refused to blame the Russian leader for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, casting doubt on the findings of his own intelligence agencies and sparking criticism at home. Last week, he suggested the United States might not protect NATO allies who do not spend enough on defense from a potential Russian invasion. Haley, the former South Carolina governor who will face Trump as an underdog in her home state's presidential primary on Saturday, called Trump's response on Monday unpatriotic. "Donald Trump could have condemned Vladimir Putin for being a murderous thug. Trump could have praised Navalnys courage," she wrote on X. Instead, she said, he denounced America and compared it to Russia. Campaigning in Sumter, South Carolina, later on Monday, Haley criticized Trump again over his NATO comments, saying, "He sided with a dictator who kills his political opponents." Republican former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, a vice chair of the congressional panel that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters, recalled Trump's frequent promise to seek "retribution" against political opponents if he regains power. "What Vladimir Putin did to Navalny is what retribution looks like in a country where the leader is not subject to the rule of law," Cheney said on Sunday. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu in Washington, additional reporting by Nathan Layne in South Carolina; Editing by Scott Malone, Nick Macfie, Lisa Shumaker and Cynthia Osterman) Former President Trump compared the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to his legal problems Monday, saying it had made him more aware of what is happening in this country. The remarks about Navalny are Trumps first since the 47-year-olds death in prison, which President Biden has blamed on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump did not mention Putin in his remarks on Truth Social, and instead pivoted to a recitation of his complaints about prosecutors, judges and Democrats conspiring against him. On Friday, Trump was ordered to pay a $355 million payment as part of civil fraud trial decision. The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our Country, Trump wrote on Truth Social. It is a slow, steady progression, with CROOKED, Radical Left Politicians, Prosecutors, and Judges leading us down a path to destruction. Open Borders, Rigged Elections, and Grossly Unfair Courtroom Decisions are DESTROYING AMERICA. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE, A FAILING NATION! Top stories from The Hill Trump, the leading candidate to become the 2024 GOP presidential nominee, has often spoken warmly of Putin and expressed a desire to have a closer relationship with Russia. He has faced widespread criticism from Democrats for his rhetoric, as well as some Republicans who view him as cozying up with dictators such as Putin. Trump previously cast doubt on the U.S. intelligence communitys assessment that Russia interfered with the 2016 election, and he recently suggested he would encourage Russia to attack NATO allies who were not contributing enough to defense spending. Navalny was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism, and in December was moved from a different prison to the highest-security level facility in the country near the Arctic Circle. The special regime penal colony prison in the town of Kharp, which is about 1,200 miles northeast of Moscow, is in a remote area known for its severe winters. Navalny has been imprisoned since January 2021, when he returned to Russia after recovering from a poisoning that he blamed on Putin, who has denied trying to kill Navalny with a nerve agent. Trump is facing 91 felony charges across four different investigations. He was indicted in New York City over an alleged hush money scheme to keep an affair quiet during the 2016 campaign. He was charged in Washington, D.C., for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election. He was indicted in Georgia for attempting to overturn the states 2020 election results. And he was charged in Florida over his handling of classified documents upon leaving office and refusal to return them. Trumps social media post on Monday drew backlash from some corners, including from Nikki Haley, his former ambassador to the United Nations and his lone rival in the GOP primary. Donald Trump could have condemned Vladimir Putin for being a murderous thug, Haley said in a statement. Trump could have praised Navalnys courage. Instead, he stole a page from liberals playbook, denouncing America and comparing our country to Russia. Updated at 11:28 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The US is investigating after an unmanned US drone crashed near Hodeidah in Yemen early Monday morning, two US officials told CNN. Its unclear if the Air Force MQ-9 Reaper, an unmanned drone primarily used for intelligence collection, simply crashed or was shot down. A spokesperson for the Iran-backed Houthi forces said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the drone was shot down with a suitable missile. It wouldnt be the first time the militant group was able to shoot down a US drone. The Houthis previously shot down a MQ-9 Reaper in November off the coast of Yemen. The US has continued its strikes against the Houthis inside Yemen for the groups ongoing attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. On Saturday, the US conducted five self-defense strikes on three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned surface vessel, and one unmanned underwater vessel in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, US Central Command said. The missiles and unmanned vessels were determined to present an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region, CENTCOM said in a post on X. The news of the MQ-9 crash comes as cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden was abandoned by its crew following an attack by the Houthis. The Houthi spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said on X that the attack on the Belize-flagged, UK-registered and Lebanese-operated cargo ship was a retaliation against American-British aggression in Yemen. A CENTCOM post on X later on Monday said that the bulk carrier, the MV Rubymar, was damaged after two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. One of the missiles struck the ship, CENTCOM said. The Rubymar issued a distress call and a coalition warship along with another merchant vessel responded, assisting the crew of the carrier. The crew was transported to a nearby port by the merchant vessel, the CENTCOM post said. The US and UK have carried out a number of joint strikes in Yemen, vowing to continue if the Houthis do not cease their attacks. This story has been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A beloved Air Force veteran with so much to live for was killed during a robbery in North Carolina, his girlfriend told news outlets. Alexander Thomas, 46, was working as a Family Dollar manager when officers said two people came into the store and shot him in the chest on Sunday, May 28. Thomas was found injured near a cash register and taken to a hospital, where he later died, the Goldsboro Police Department told the Goldsboro News-Argus. Thomas is remembered in news reports as a positive and charming person who worked hard to become a manager at the store. He had so much to live for, his girlfriend, Terra Althoff, told WNCN. He had so much going on in his life. Its not fair. Now, two people face murder charges in Thomas death. News outlets didnt list attorney information for the suspects, identified as 20-year-old Yiheim Quishown Fryar and 24-year-old Aaron Taiwan Coppedge. Family Dollar, which didnt immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment on May 30, shared a statement with ABC11, The News & Observers media partner. We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred at our Wayne Memorial Drive Family Dollar in Goldsboro this weekend, the statement said. We will continue to cooperate fully with local authorities on their investigation. As always, we are committed to ensuring a safe environment for our associates and customers. Thomas suffered from PTSD, but working for the Family Dollar helped change his life around and gave him something more to strive for, Althoff told WNCN. Shes now left in disbelief over his loss. Its not fair what happened to him, Althoff told WRAL. He didnt deserve this. After the robbery, Fryar and Coppedge were arrested, charged with murder and taken to the Wayne County jail, according to news outlets. Goldsboro, home to the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, is roughly 55 miles southeast of Raleigh. The citys police department didnt immediately share additional information with McClatchy News on May 30. Suspected thieves accidentally butt-dial 911 while robbing store, North Carolina cops say Friend robs man at knife point and leaves him on interstate, North Carolina cops say We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we believe in. Pricing and availability are subject to change. You can get these top-rated Hoka sneakers on major sale at Zappos right now A good pair of shoes can make a big difference in your life. Whether you wear them to run errands or run on the treadmill, the right sneakers will comfortably support your feet to help prevent injuries and pain. If you've ever struggled from foot pain, you know this to be true. That said, if you're in the market for a new pair of trainers, you should check out Zappos. Now through Feb. 19, Zappos is hosting its major 25th Birthday Sale and offering up to 70% off. There are over 11,700 pairs of shoes and clothing items marked down for women, men and kids. It's a lot to sort through! so we did the hard work for you and pulled out nine of the best sneakers you can nab from the sale. Some are for running, some are for walking, but all of them are as stylish as they are functional. Also good to know before you shop: Zappos always offers free shipping and returns. Zappos Hoka Mach 5 $112 $140 Save $28 If you've signed up for a running race this year, these may be the sneakers to help you reach your goals. The Hoka Mach 5 has a lower profile, offering a neutral stability and a low cushion, so your foot is closer to the ground, giving you an efficient push-off good for an everyday runner. They're also super lightweight at only 7 ounces! "These shoes changed my life," shared one impressed reviewer. "I was supposed to get an MRI to find out why I was having nerve pain [in my feet], but after wearing these, it just went away. I walk five to six miles a day, five days a week and it's like I'm walking on a bouncy cloud." $112 at Zappos Zappos Adidas Originals NMD_R1s $75 $150 Save $75 These shoes are 70% off! But that's not the only reason they're a great buy. They slip on, but have an adjustable strap closure so they fit snugly and securely on your foot. Adidas labels them as a running shoes, and gives them its signature Boost midsole cushioning, but they're stylish enough to wear all the time, anywhere you want. "So great for workouts and everyday wear. Comfortable like slippers," shared one happy shopper. $75 at Zappos Zappos Steve Madden Samarah $73 $100 Save $27 If you're looking for a stylish shoe to wear outside of the gym and you value comfort grab these puppies. These Steve Madden sneakers have a pretty knitted upper that hugs your foot and lets you slip them on with ease. They also have a platform-style sole, because, again, fashion! Get them in black or beige (or both). $73 at Zappos Zappos Skechers Summits Hands Free Slip-Ins $68 $75 Save $7 These Skechers are highly-rated for their comfort! Simply slip them on and go no lacing them up. More than 800 shoppers give the shoe a five-star rating, too. "I bought them on a Friday, and Saturday morning left for two weeks to Europe, wearing my brand new Sketchers Slip-ins for the first time. No break-in time," shared one five-star reviewer. "They were a breeze to use going through TSA screening easy off and on. I wore them for eight of the next 12 days, walking all over Budapest and Vienna in complete comfort. I will be buying another pair soon in a different color!" $68 at Zappos Zappos Brooks Dyad 11 $110 $130 Save $20 If you like to hit the pavement, Brooks' shoes may already be a staple in your closet. But they're also super comfortable for all-day wear! The Dyad 11 offers neutral support and plush cushioning while remaining lightweight. (FYI, sometimes cushioning makes a shoe heavy, but not here!) These shoes also received the American Podiatry Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, which recognizes products that promote good foot health. "I'm a nurse that works 12-hour shifts on my feet most of that time," explained one customer. "I had my knee replaced a year and a half ago. This is the first shoe I have worn that has given me support and comfort... My feet do not ache as much and my knee is not as achy at the end of the day since I started wearing these shoes." $110 at Zappos Zappos Adidas Running Puremotion Adapt $57 $70 Save $13 Slip on these sneakers and go! They have an elastic instead of laces for a comfortable, snug fit and a supportive heel for added stability. More so, they're made with Adidas' proprietary CloudFoam midsole which gives it extra cushioning. "I like these shoes," shared one satisfied shopper. "They stay fitted to your foot and don't become loose overtime. I also recommend breaking them in before using for a long walk/run because they are tight when you first put them on but stretch to your foot overtime. Great buy!" $57 at Zappos Zappos Dolce Vita Dolan $99 $150 Save $51 Style meets function yet again! These platform sneakers have a pretty knit upper and can give you a little extra lift, whether you wear them with jeans or leggings. While you can wear them year-round, they're especially great for warmer climates. Get them on sale and hold onto them for the spring or take them on your next tropical vacation. They're on sale in four colors, but this black and white woven version is the lowest price it's been in at least 30 days. $99 at Zappos Zappos Asics GEL-Nimbus 25 $105 $160 Save $55 Asics' Nimbus shoe is a classic! The original version debuted in the late 90s and while it's changed quite a bit over the last two decades, it's always delivered a highly cushioned, comfortable running experience. Of course, you can wear them beyond your treadmill, but if you are looking to put in miles, they're a solid buy. "This is the best running shoe on the market," shared one loyal reviewer. "I have bought four pairs this year. I alternate between them. I run more than 100 miles a month." $105 at Zappos Zappos New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 $113 $160 Save $47 Just looking at the plush "Fresh Foam X" sole of these sneakers, you know they're going to be comfy. "I was searching for a super comfortable, supportive and yet lightweight shoe for walking, and this shoe was recommended by my physical therapist," shared one pleased reviewer. "The New Balance Fresh Foam X are now my absolute favorite! The cushion alone is fabulous! I liked them so much I ordered a second color." Head's up: For the best fit, the brand suggests sizing down with this one. $113 at Zappos The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has a deep relationship with Iran and will continue to remain committed to these ties, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said. We have a deep relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we continue to be committed to these relations, Pashinyan said at a meeting with Armenian community representatives in Munich. But this is also one of the cases where not everything is clear. Our good relations with Iran cause tensions in some places, while our good relations with other countries cause tensions in Iran. Diane Willcox, vice president of marketing and communications at Midland Center for the Arts will retire in Aug. 2024. Provided by Midland Center for the Arts After almost 40 years of dedicated service in the arts industry, Diane Willcox, vice president of marketing and communications at Midland Center for the Arts, has announced her retirement, effective early August 2024. Diane's career spans various administrative roles in the performing arts, including general manager; director of marketing, communications, and development; and executive director. Joining Midland Center for the Arts in December 2019, Diane brought in experience from organizations such as The Old Globe Theatre, Broadway in San Diego, Wharton Center for the Arts at Michigan State University, and Broadway in Tucson. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Reflecting on her time at the Center, Diane said, "I came to Midland Center for the Arts excited about joining such a vibrant and complex organization. My admiration for the Center has only grown as we continued to serve the community through the pandemic and the floods of 2020. It has been a privilege to work with an amazingly talented and creative group of professionals. While I will miss working at the Center, I look forward to experiencing the Center as a guest and community member. As Diane transitions into retirement, Midland Center for the Arts is actively working with Grant Management Group to find a suitable replacement for her role. "We are immensely grateful for Diane's contributions to the Center and wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement," said Jon Loos, President and CEO of Midland Center. "We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and are confident in finding a qualified successor to build upon Diane's legacy." Diane plans to remain in Midland to spend more time with her family and looks forward to continuing her support of the arts as a patron and potential volunteer. As she concludes her tenure, Midland Center will embark on an exciting chapter for the organization as they look toward their upcoming renovations. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Following a well-cherished tradition, the Yerevan Brandy Company celebrated Book Giving Day on February 19. Each year, the company gives a new twist to the holiday; this year, in collaboration with Newmag Publishing house, it organized a literary contest open to all employees, the press service of the company said. The competition's results were announced during an awarding ceremony held at the ARARAT Museum of the Yerevan Brandy Company on February 19. Participants recorded remarkable results, with several securing top positions in the literary competition. Hasmik Yeganyan, Anahit Gasparyan, Svetlana Hambardzumyan, Madlena Khachatryan, Manvel Tumanyan, Nelly Ghazaryan, Sergey Ghaltakhchyan and Aleksander Davtyan won the prize places. The contest, comprising 15 questions, covered a wide range of topics including the literary works of authors from various countries and eras, as well as their influence on other art forms. One of the constituent parts of the contest was Armenia's rich history and culture, featuring several questions specifically focusing on how the country has been portrayed by renowned writers worldwide. "An idea will never evolve into a tradition without widespread enthusiasm and support. The tradition becomes a real Value through the people who share and follow it. I am thrilled to see the Book Giving Day has become another cherished tradition and shared moment of Conviviality at the Yerevan Brandy Company, marked by the team's keen participation and by impressive outcomes achieved," noted Serge Khachatryan, Chief Operating Officer of the Yerevan Brandy Company. We are delighted that the Yerevan Brandy Company celebrates Book Giving Day not by simply gifting each other books but also by showcasing rather a creative approach. This year was unique with its encouragement towards critical thinking. Indeed, we are pleasantly surprised by both active participation and in-depth knowledge of those who took the prizes," highlighted Artak Aleksanyan, Founder & CEO of Newmag publishing house. Managed service and cloud solutions provider Intelliworx has joined video device vendor Neat's partner program, adding its products into its own offerings. According to a statement from Intelliworx, the added product suite will benefit its clients on remote working solutions, claiming to provide an "unparalleled" experience. Shane Maher, Intelliworx managing director, said the MSP built up its relationship with Neat over the last year due to customer demand and staff feedback and is "really pleased to formalise the relationship". "Our customers in the financial services, not-for-profit and professional services industries love Neat's products as they create engaging and collaborative work environments for their increasingly remote workforces," he said. PM stressed the importance of ensuring that every citizen, or 'labharthi,' receives the benefits of government schemes Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 4th groundbreaking ceremony of UP Global Investors' Summit, in Lucknow, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. (PTI Photo) New Delhi/ Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 14,000 projects worth Rs 10 lakh crore on Monday. The unveiling took place during the fourth groundbreaking ceremony of the UP Global Investors Summit in Lucknow. He stressed the importance of ensuring that every citizen, or 'labharthi,' receives the benefits of government schemes, emphasising the principle of 'Modi's guarantee' in delivering essential services to all. The PM emphasised the emergence of an environment fostering trade, development, and trust, attributing the transformation to the collaborative efforts of the state government over the past seven years. During his address at the event, Prime Minister Modi pointed out that there has been a notable shift state's investment climate where red tape has been replaced by red carpet for investors. Pointing to the accomplishments of the double-engine government in Uttar Pradesh, Modi underscored the decrease in crime rates alongside the flourishing business culture. He lauded the state's remarkable achievements in various sectors, including the doubling of exports, advancements in electricity generation and transmission, and the development of extensive infrastructure such as expressways and international airports. In addition to applauding the utilisation of river waterways for enhanced connectivity, the Prime Minister took a veiled swipe at the Congress, criticising their delayed recognition of Bharat Ratna awardee B.R. Ambedkar. He underscored his government's commitment to honouring deserving individuals, citing the posthumous conferment of the Bharat Ratna on former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, a prominent figure in Uttar Pradesh's agricultural landscape. Modi reiterated the government's unwavering support for farmers, emphasising initiatives aimed at revolutionising agriculture and promoting natural farming practices. Further elucidating the government's commitment to equitable development, Modi highlighted the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, which has extended the reach of government schemes to countless individuals across Uttar Pradesh. He emphasised that the successful implementation of these schemes embodies the essence of true social justice and secularism. The Prime Minister also touched upon India's burgeoning reputation as a favourable investment destination, both domestically and internationally. He noted the unprecedented positivity towards India on the global stage and highlighted investors' confidence in the government's policies and stability. Attended by dignitaries including Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, as well as representatives from top global and Indian companies and foreign envoys, the event underscores the collaborative efforts aimed at fostering growth and development in the region. India's UNSC bid symbolises its global role, bridging diverse interests, fostering friendships, and advocating inclusive growth. During his recent visit to India, the UN General Assembly president affirmed what many global affairs analysts know to be true: that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) does not reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. Last year, a top Cabinet minister had, using a tongue-in-cheek analogy from industry, compared the UN to a company whose shareholders had changed, with the new shareholders wanting better management but the old guys refusing to let go. Once a hallowed institution, the UN is seen by many as losing its relevance in a world reeling from the human and economic costs of war. There is an urgent need for democratisation and expansion of the UNSC, with India being included as a permanent member. The UN Security Council is one of the six organs of the UN system with a mandate to protect international peace and security. Among examples of its peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations are missions in Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, and Bosnia, approving military interventions, and, in theory, issuing binding resolutions on member states. The Council was preceded by the League of Nations, founded in 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference at the end of the First World War, for maintaining inter-state harmony, financial stabilisation, rules related to treatment of prisoners of war and against human trafficking of women and children, etc. However, the League was criticised for its failures to prevent mass atrocities like Nazi crimes under Adolf Hitler, or to represent the colonised people and creating a diverse, representative international relations arena. That its successor, the UNSC, has still lagged behind at giving voice to the erstwhile colonised people is apparent in its composition. Despite its mandate of global governance, its 15-member body has five permanent members: the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China, who enjoy a veto power relating to UNSC resolutions. There is no permanent member country from Africa, Latin America or South Asia. Thus, the case for increasing general membership to more than 15, and to include India as a permanent member in the UNSC is very strong. India has been an important part of UN initiatives through the decades, playing a key role in international diplomacy and mediation. An old civilisation as well as a modern state, Indias Constitution demonstrates remarkable syncretism from its very inception, combining a global outlook with distinctly local features. Indias parliamentary system of governance was modelled after the British system, part three of the Constitution on the fundamental rights of individuals was inspired by the American Constitution, part four on the Directive Principles of State Policy by the Irish Constitution, the concurrent list by the Australian Constitution, etc. With a history of being invaded, colonised and racially exploited for centuries, it has much in common with other countries from the Global South with similar painful histories. It shares some cultural commonalities with its South Asian neighbours; forms of dress and address, celebration and blessing, languages facing the global domination of English, if not extinction. This links up with the concerns of a large global Indian diaspora, which has some shared experiences with other diasporic Asian communities and engagements with inclusivity and representation. At the same time, as the worlds largest democracy whose Army has never usurped power from democratically-elected governments, India aligns more with many Western democracies than with some of its subcontinental neighbours. India is the worlds fifth largest economy aiming to become the third largest in the coming years, with a growing private sector alongside the public sector, and consistent GDP growth of 7-8 per cent. While the developed East Asian economies of Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan are referred to as the Asian Tigers for their industrialisation and export-driven high economic growth, the time has come for Indias national animal, the tiger. India has been recognised as the third largest ecosystem for start-ups globally, with not just a unicorn boom but decacorn transitions already under way. These historical, geopolitical, and economic factors place India in the distinctive position of understanding and mediating between countries and blocs with diverse needs and agendas while fostering dependable friendships. This was also apparent from the G20 summit hosted by New Delhi, which I covered in a previous article and one of whose major successes was the long overdue inclusion of the African Union, alongside the European Union, under Indias leadership. Termed multi-alignment, this is Indias strength, not weakness, despite external pressures to opt for a more simplistic position. In published interactions with journalists, the external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar reiterates that India is non-Western and not anti-Western, an independent country that does not perceive itself primarily in alliance terms. In this sense, multi-alignment and strategic autonomy is not all that different from the active non-alignment model espoused by several nations in the Global South and veteran analysts of colour. As a tenet of diplomacy, it certainly draws upon Indias historical strengths. One challenge, on a practical level, is the aforementioned veto. France, the US, the UK and Russia may support Indias candidature, but this is not the case with China, unless Sino-Indian disputes can be resolved. Hence, India must also provide leadership to calls for democratising UN processes, replacing the current veto system by a simple majority votes in certain instances and a two-thirds majority vote for UNSC permanent membership deliberations. Of course, India is not yet a developed country. As a leading voice for the Global South, domestic social, educational, financial, and health policies to upskill youth, uplift the poorest sections of society, and provide opportunities for socio-economic mobility must continue, ensuring inclusive growth and sustainable development. White Tiger, Arvind Adigas Booker Prize-winning novel, traced Indias ascent through the rise of its protagonist Balram Halwai, whose entrepreneurial vision breaks caste boundaries. As important is the continuing inclusion of women in polity, society and organisations across sectors, with particular attention to womens safety and security, reducing gender-based violence and the facilitation of legal justice. With a resurgence of great power competition and hostilities, international pressure on India can be expected to mount. Yet a continuing commitment to its founding principle of democracy, and clearly stated points of agreement and disagreement in foreign policy, can strengthen Indias role as a force of good for promoting global peace and security. It is what the UNSC needs. The outrage over the death in custody of Putin's opponent should not make the world forget that the number of political prisoners in Hong Kong is on rise with Beijing insists on "non-interference in internal affairs". On the Beijing Spring online platform, a Chinese dissident draws parallels with the fate of Liu Xiaobo and Peng Ming who died in Chinese prisons. Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) This is Russias internal affair. I will not comment, said the Chinese Foreign Ministrys spokespersons Office in response to a question from AFP about Alexei Navalnys death in prison. Such a response is not unexpected given the no-limits friendship between Russia and China asserted just two years ago in Beijing by Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. But it is also a useful reminder that the treatment of political prisoners is "an internal affair" on which Beijing too does not tolerate intrusion. This is true for mainland China, where a Hubei resident, Mao Shanchun, was arrested after he tried to set up a Chinese section of Human Rights Watch, citing rights recognised by the constitution of the People's Republic of China, But it also applies to Hong Kong, where the fate of political prisoners is a major concern since the authorities cracked down on dissent following pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019. The best-known case is that of Jimmy Lai, the publisher of the Apple Daily newspaper, which was shut down in 2021. He is currently on trial in which every word or act he did is being used as evidence of "foreign conspiracy" under a national security law. Jimmy Lai, 76, has been in prison for more than three years. His son Sebastian has repeatedly raised concerns about his health, fearing that he might die behind bars. Lays fate is but the tip of the iceberg, as hundreds of Navalnys are currently languishing in Hong Kong jails 1,788 according to the latest figures (as of 8 February) by the Hong Kong Democracy Council. But the number keeps rising. Twenty-four people were jailed in the first weeks of this year, while 483 were in the whole of 2023, and 376 in 2022. Recently, Beijing Spring one of the best-known online platforms for Chinese dissidents in exile, directly compared Navalny's death to that of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, who died of illness in a Chinese jail in 2017, and Peng Ming, a Christian activist sentenced to life imprisonment who died in prison in Hubei in 2016. Russia does not have the same ubiquitous control over the people as China, reads the Beijing Spring article signed by Chen Weijian. But Putin's murder of Navalny is the same as the CCP's murder of imprisoned dissidents such as Liu Xiaobo and Peng Ming. In a Chinese society without elections, Xi Jinping claims that China's democracy is an effective democracy that is superior to that of the West. In Russia, Putin has assassinated and jailed opposition leaders, banned opposition figures from running for election by so-called legal means, and thus held elections without opponents, claiming to be a democracy. Yet, what is fake is always fake, and a disguise cannot hide the truth. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's plan is to get civil servants to pay into a non-government pension fund, an unpopular move with political risks among voters. Malaysia is not the only country in Southeast Asia facing hard decisions over retirement policies; few governments in the region are ready to deal with an ageing population. Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Malaysian government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has proposed to cut pensions of new civil servants, a move that many believe is needed to avoid bankruptcy, but which, according to some analysts, risks antagonising ethnic Malays who dominate public sector employment. The pensions of more than 900,000 employees who retire this year are expected to cost at least 32 billion ringgit (US$ 6.7 billion), a figure set to rise to 120 billion (US$ 25 billion) by 2040 if the proposed plan is not implemented. The scheme could come into force by the end of the year, once Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim gets cabinet approval to amend the constitution. Cutting pensions has been a hotly debated issue in Malaysia since the 1990s, experts say, and the ruling Pakatan Harapan alliance risks losing political support over it. In the 2022 elections, the alliance won only 11 per cent of the ethnic Malay vote, and a survey conducted in November 2023 shows that more than 80 per cent of Malaysians were dissatisfied with the prime minister's handling of economic issues. Currently, civil servants can opt for the government pension scheme, to which they do not contribute, or contribute to the Employee Provident Fund (EPF), the main retirement fund for private sector employees. According to the government's proposal, all civil servants hired after 1 February will have to make mandatory contributions to the EPF or other pension funds. Malaysia is not the only country in Southeast Asia facing difficult decisions about retirement policy. According to a study cited by Nikkei Asia, a news magazine that focuses on financial issues, only a quarter of the region's working-age population (15 to 64) has access to a government pension, an issue that is set to get worse as the population ages and labour shortages increase. Last month, for example, in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), local authorities announced that they expect a shortfall of 320,000 workers this year. If the trend holds, the number of Southeast Asian workers sent abroad will decrease in the coming years, particularly to Japan, home to about 520,000 Vietnamese and 230,000 Filipinos migrant workers. Although the ageing demographics have not yet reached Japanese or European values, signs point in the same direction. In Thailand, where 16 per cent of the population is already over 65 years, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that the countrys economy will grow at a much slower pace than in the past. Most Southeast Asian countries are unprepared to deal with the consequences of an ageing population, especially in terms of retirement. According to 2021 data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), less than 30 per cent of the working-age population in Indonesia and Vietnam has access to a government pension, a figure that is also below 60 per cent in Singapore, compared to an OECD average of 87 per cent. In addition, in many Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand and Malaysia, it is possible to retire as early as the age of 55. For Shotaro Kumagai of the Japan Research Institute, these countries, may see a sharp increase in the financial burden on governments and households in the future. by Vladimir Rozanskij A few days after Aliev's plebiscite re-election, Azerbaijani soldiers have opened fire accusing the Armenians of "provocation". Pasinyan responded to the ultimatums, while the prospects for a peace agreement receded. Baku's new claims on the Nakhicevan enclave. Yerevan (AsiaNews) - The peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan seem to remain deadlocked, despite promises and announcements from both sides, and new tensions are creating concern about a possible resumption of the conflict, following Baku's conquest of Nagorno Karabakh last September. Russian political scientist Arkadij Dubnov, a long-time advisor to the intelligence services of several countries, commented on the situation for Novosti Armenia, attempting to pinpoint the focal points of the Caucasian context. He observes that 'not a week has passed since the plebiscitary re-election of Ilham Aliev as president of Azerbaijan, that the contours of the new-old leader's policy have immediately been outlined', with the 'response operation' of Azerbaijani border soldiers against what was described as a 'provocation' by Armenians, initiating a shooting that killed four Armenians and seriously wounded one Azerbaijani. In Yerevan they tried to take time to understand what had actually happened, but from Baku 'they did not want to wait, giving the order to open fire'. According to Dubnov, this was not an isolated and random incident, but an 'absolutely serious escalation of the conflict', against the backdrop of Aliev's hardening of the conditions necessary for the signing of the peace agreement. Now the Azerbaijani president insists on rewriting Armenia's constitution, a very divisive and much debated issue among the Armenians themselves, claiming to exclude any formula or mention that could refer to Nagorno Karabakh. Although signs of readiness have come from Yerevan in this regard, to the extent of eliminating the Artsakh sector at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stern warnings and threats to 'use force if the demands are not met' continue to come from Baku. In Nikol Pasinyan's much-quoted interview with The Telegraph a few days ago, the Armenian premier recalled Aliev's ultimatums, stating that 'he said that if he sees a rearmament of Armenia he will start a military operation against us, he repeated his demands to open a corridor between Armenian territory and the Azerbaijani enclave of Nakhicevan, and also ruled out withdrawing his troops from our territory, stationed on the strategic heights, since in his opinion these occupied areas are necessary to keep the Armenians' intentions in check'. Pasinyan therefore believes that 'Azerbaijan is taking several steps back from what was previously agreed', while Armenia intends to claim the 'sovereign right of every independent country' to have a strong and efficient army. Aliev defines this aspiration of Yerevan as an 'expression of revanchism', and Dubnov is convinced that Baku's claim for total Armenian disarmament is 'simply absurd: post-war Armenia is not post-war Hitler's Germany, or imperial Japan after defeat, with the inevitable limitations on military force'. That is why 'the possibility of a new war in the South Caucasus again appears to be more than just a theoretical possibility', the expert concludes, 'and it is becoming increasingly clear why Aliev wanted to rush so much to hold early elections'. According to the Armenian Defence Ministry, the shooting started by the Azeris on 13 February against Armenian positions in the Nerkin Khanda district in the Siunyk region is only to be considered 'the beginning of a new military campaign by Baku', which it is not known how far it might go in the coming days. Stalled US aid for Ukraine underscores GOP's shift away from confronting Russia Republicans have been softening their stance on Russia ever since Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election following Russian hacking of his Democratic opponents Thai ex-Prime Minister Thaksin is free on parole, but can he restore his old political luster? Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released on parole from a Bangkok hospital where he spent six months serving time for corruption-related offenses 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. Women of Michigan Action Network (WOMAN) is organizing a rally Sunday, Feb. 18 in front of the Midland County Courthouse to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to U.S. funding of Israel's military operations against civilians there. "Women of Michigan Action Network and community partners invite all community members to join in a peaceful gathering in front of the Midland County Courthouse to advocate for a ceasefire and an end to U.S. funding of Israeli military operations against civilians in Gaza," states a release from WOMAN. "Israel, like all nations, has a right to defend itself; however, the Israeli military response is disproportionate to the Hamas attack and now is unconscionable, in violation of fundamental international human rights, and must stop." Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The novelties are in line for the popular Sandero and Sandero Stepway hatchbacks, the new Jogger crossover station wagon, and the base Logan sedan, all offering "their customers a little novelty and comfort." SUV The Dacia story the automaker , not the historic province began in 1966, but it's nothing to remember or write home about unless you're an avid fan of communist-era memorabilia. Instead, the most crucial element is the continued relationship between Dacia and Renault, which culminated 33 years later, in 1999, when the French group overtook the Romanian automaker.After that, the first product they launched was the original Logan or the so-called 5k automobile promised by the Renault leadership. Its price wasn't consistent with the promises, but everything else was spot-on, and the company started its ascension toward the normalcy of a European automobile producer. Twenty-five years later, Dacia is one of the most beloved brands on the Old Continent thanks to its no-frills approach to the automotive industry and some of its most popular models like the Sandero hatchback or the Duster crossover SUV The latter is all new and almost ready to roll across its intended markets with its third generation sporting the Renault-Nissan CMF-B architecture, a rugged, boxier, and adventurous design, a more prestigious and tech-savvy interior, plus gasoline-only engines in Europe, including an LPG-compatible unit, a mild-hybrid, and a full hybrid.However, Dacia is adamant that its Duster shouldn't take over entirely and has recently announced a slew of updates for its other models. The Logan is the best-selling car at home in Romania and third in Morocco; the Sandero is the second best-selling car in Europe in 2023 behind T esla's Model Y , while the fresh Jogger has already passed the 100k-delivery milestone and is the most popular non-C-segment nameplate on the Old Continent.Interestingly, Dacia has used the occasion of aligning to the latest Global Safety Regulation outlines (GSR II) for Europe to propose a bundle of upgrades for the Sandero, Sandero Stepway, Jogger, and Logan, including new wheel designs (two tones are available), a fresh Sandero Journey trim, additional body colors like Safari Beige (exclusive to Sandero Stepway) or Shale Grey plus Cedar Green, new decals, and a big tech upgrade for the Jogger. More precisely, its Hybrid 140 version now has the 7-inch digital instrument cluster from Duster III.As for the SGR II measures, the models available for order since April 2024 will feature new safety equipment like an Accident Event Data Recorder, Advanced emergency braking system (pedestrian & cyclist), Lane Departure Warning System, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic sign recognition with speed alert, Emergency Stop Signal, and more. There are also some new creature comforts like Rear Parking Assist or Light & Rain sensors plus USB-C ports. SUV The two brands just came off total sales of 1.3 million last year jumping 33% compared to 2022. As such, the company was bullish, hoping that Honda alone will top 1.3 million this year while Acura will add another 150k units. This strategy is supported by a slew of novelties, of course.Honda will start sales of the all-electric Prologueand also the CR-V Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCEV). The Civic lineup is up for a refresh, and Honda will also introduce the 2025 Civic Hybrid model alongside a restyled Odyssey minivan. Over at Acura, meanwhile, there are even more things to look forward to.The premium division will also start deliveries of the all-electric ZDX crossover SUV as Prologue's ritzier counterpart including in sporty Type S form . An all-new base crossover is coming this year alongside the Integra, along with an upgraded RDX plus a "significantly enhanced" MDX, the brand's best-selling model. The latter is getting the bulk of upgrades, with styling changes, Bang and Olufsen premium audio, a new tech interface with a touchscreen instead of a touchpad, plus the latest features for the AcuraWatch suite.However, after January's tally, it seems that only Honda is moving in the right direction with deliveries up 12.7% and Acura instead dropping 9%. The mainstream brand continues to post record after record with the electrified CR-V and Accord models, while Acura's only bright spot being the 50% rise of the RDX "premium sport crossover." Meanwhile, the popular MDX actually dropped over 30%.As such, it is no wonder that everyone believes that a refresh for the 2025 Acura MDX needs to come out from behind the curtain as soon as possible. Well, thanks to the imaginative realm of digital car content creators, it just did albeit from behind the CGI one. The Halo oto channel on YouTube provides fresh automotive info corroborated with their virtual designs; now, there are new CGI ideas about the upcoming MDX just in the nick of time.According to American Honda, the 2025 Acura MDX, which currently starts from $50,150 for the 2024MY ($68,450 if you want the MDX Type S), will get the most significant updates among mid-cycle facelifts coming out this year from the Japanese automaker. Hopefully, those will help it recapture its status as the brand's best-selling model with positive sales figures.Until then, do you think this unofficial rendering has captured the essence of the upcoming morphing? If they didn't, what do you think Acura should do to make the big MDX mid-size crossover SUV fashionable again? Photo: Instagram | maltesedesign_concept With a name inspired by the 600 from the 1950s and 1960s, the Fiat Multipla came out in 1998 as the Italian brand's answer to other compact minivans. It had two rows of three seats and was a bit shorter than the Bravo on which it was based. Nevertheless, due to clever packaging, which led to that controversial styling, it was more spacious inside and had superior cargo volume.Production lasted until 2010 at the Turin factory in Italy, and from 2008 to 2013, it was also made in China, where the now-bankrupt Zotye company sold it under different monikers and with familiar firepower, albeit there was an electric version, too, which didn't really catch the public's attention. The Multipla left the assembly line for good over one decade ago, and we hope it doesn't get a direct successor.Mind you, while a brand-new Fiat Multipla will likely never happen, not as a minivan anyway, as the Italian automaker is more interested in crossovers these days with the obvious electric twist, its revival has been rumored multiple times. We wouldnt hold our breath for a brand-new people carrier from Fiat, as this segment is not as popular as it used to be, as most new car buyers don't give a flying hoot about vehicles unless they have generous ground clearances.However, this model has been brought back to life by independent rendering artists, and this was the approach behind the one pictured in the gallery. The digital illustrations came from social media via maltesedesign_concept, who took to Instagram a few days ago to imagine what a hypothetical revival of the controversial Fiat Multipla would look like in the mid-2020s.The pixel manipulator managed to stay true to the real thing, as the virtual project looks like an evolution. It has a similar overall styling, albeit with fresh traits here and there, and if you're wondering what would lie beneath the skin of a modern-day Multipla, that would be an electric powertrain, with the battery pack mounted under the floor and the single motor likely driving the front wheels.As we already told you, Fiat does not intend to revive the Multipla, even if it has the right tools to make it happen. But do you think it would be a good idea to bring it back from the dead as a quirky minivan ? And would you really spend your money on it? Drop a line below and tell us what you think about it. Shooting a commercial with a brand-new car is time-consuming and requires a generous budget. Things get increasingly complicated and expensive when brands must hide a certain car from everyone. However, they can't avoid those expenses. Automakers have to provide the media and customers with perfect images showing all the good angles. Creating all those photos, B-roll videos, and the necessary visual materials for ads might become a lot easier and cheaper. Here's why. Photo: Tao Yuan on Unsplash A seismic shift in the making Photo: Alex Shuper on Unsplash Time is money Photo: Rootnot Creations on Unsplash Decisions, decisions Prompt: A movie trailer featuring the adventures of the 30 year old space man wearing a red wool knitted motorcycle helmet, blue sky, salt desert, cinematic style, shot on 35mm film, vivid colors. pic.twitter.com/0JzpwPUGPB OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 15, 2024 Introducing Sora, our text-to-video model. Sora can create videos of up to 60 seconds featuring highly detailed scenes, complex camera motion, and multiple characters with vibrant emotions. https://t.co/7j2JN27M3W Prompt: Beautiful, snowy pic.twitter.com/ruTEWn87vf OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 15, 2024 If you play around with investments, work with technology, or like to keep up with the latest trends, chances are you have heard about artificial intelligence (AI). Those two buzzwords were extensively used last year by almost every company that had a product or a service to launch or update. We even had an all-electric motorcycle with AI But the most popular AI thing was (and still is) a large language model (LLM) that can read what has been published on the vast internet and use what humans expressed to give you an answer. Simply put, it's a slightly more capable Google. But instead of having access to millions of results, you allow some very interesting software to give you a personalized summary.Of course, LLMs like Google's Bard or OpenAI's ChatGPT can do a bit more than just answer basic questions or double as chatbots. They help people do tedious tasks faster. LLMs have become a problem for universities, though. Students have been using these free services to avoid doing homework. That put academic bodies on high alert. Some teachers have even given up on written assignments. They now rely on oral tests to make sure that artificial intelligence isn't the one doing all the work.The end game of these deep learning algorithms isn't to replace search engines, become assistants to students or workers who have to create complicated Excel tables or archive all the information found online.No, what the companies behind them want to do (besides making money) is enable humans to work faster and more efficiently and help corporations spend less on employing hundreds or thousands of people. Fewer expenses translate into better profit margins, and that's what shareholders dream of at night.Besides that, LLMs should also evolve into feigned human brains. That's called artificial general intelligence (AGI). Platforms like ChatGPT or Bard aren't yet capable of thinking by themselves. They rely on what has already been said or video recorded. Once AGI is achieved, a computer should be able to do whatever you're telling it to do without needing years of studying to become an expert in a certain field. It'll give you a brilliant milkshake recipe, but also create the design for a jet engine or a solid-state battery in a matter of seconds.That's going to become a major problem for engineers, architects, artists, and many other professions once such a computer can be put in a humanoid robot that can move like a person. It sounds like we're living in the debut of a sci-fi era, but don't forget that Amazon is already using robots in some of its warehouses, Tesla is working to create the Optimus bot , and the New York Police Department is already using Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics' artificial headless dog. It's still early, but it's happening. Man-made machines that can do much more than just register and execute a command mindlessly on repeat are real.An undeniable proof that technology isn't here only to connect humans but also to serve them better and even replace some of us is OpenAI's latest text-to-video model. Yes, a tool can take your words and turn them into an unbelievably realistic motion picture. Its name is Sora.It can understand and simulate our world. That means it gets physics, times, different types of motion, weather, color, architecture, and so, so much more.A couple of years ago, I worked for a company that struck a deal with a German automaker to take care of the regional launch of a vehicle. Important, loyal customers and some media representatives were invited to see and test the car before it was publicly presented. The marque also requested some official footage to use on social media, so we had to create the right conditions for photographers and videographers to shoot in peace.The amount of work that went into making that event a success was unimaginable. It took months of preparation. Bringing the cars over, securing the right location, coordinating with law enforcement to close down a road on two separate occasions, making sure the guests signed all the non-disclosure agreements, verifying that nobody had anything to record with, and hiding the multiple cars from the curious public eye was not just tiring, but downright exhausting. It drained us.However, it worked out. There weren't any leaks or unhappy guests.But the cost of the whole thing was enormous. I can't recall the sum exactly, but it was deep into the six-figure territory.Now, imagine Sora can take whatever words you throw at it and create exactly what you desire in 4K. We're not too far off from that happening. We could have software that can spit out studio-quality motion pictures in a couple of years.Imagine you're Audi or BMW a few years from now. Why would you take the risk of having your unreleased car seen by someone who will spoil the surprise and ruin the excitement by posting it online for anyone to see? Remember that many YouTube channels are dedicated to spying on cars everywhere. People are spending hours near the gates of plants just to catch a glimpse of what automakers are trying to do in great secrecy.These services sound like death knells for people who know how to maneuver a camera and manipulate an image. Creating the right marketing material will require a small team of skilled people who know what to ask from AI, and that will be it. No more six-figure expenditures, no more signing all sorts of paperwork, no more coordination with multiple people.Photographers and videographers aren't the only ones who stand to lose customers because of this type of advanced software. There are companies out there that exist solely to sell stock footage. These entities and freelancers might have to find something else to do sooner rather than later.We are slowly losing the beautiful sound of high-performance cars. We might soon lose even more. A major change is in the works. You're thinking of getting your hands on a camper van. One solution is purchasing a used one. Today's article is meant to provide tips and tricks to guide you through the experience to ensure you make the best decision. Lower initial cost Less depreciation compared to new models Cheaper insurance Might not come with a warranty Possible hidden issues High maintenance costs Photo: Unsplash / Balkan Campers Step 1: Find the right seller or dealer Photo: Unsplash / Tobias Weinhold Photo: Unsplash / Trinity Nguyen Step 2: Inspect everything Photo: Unsplash / Leo Visions Fluid levels: oil, coolant, power steering, and brake fluid Timing Belt Hoses Brake pads and rotors Engine performance (start-up, idling, performance) Transmission performance Photo: Unsplash / Lee Atwood Step 3: Negotiate! Buying a camper van, regardless of whether it's used or new, is a significant investment. It can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience, but I'm here to make sure you check all the boxes before taking the leap. This way, you'll be ready to confidently hit the open road into your tiny home on wheels.This article is a continuation of a series I wrote about camper vans. First, I talked about camper van types and sizes to help you determine the exact model that best suits your wants and needs. My latest article discussed the ten things to consider before buying a camper van So, are you sure you want to purchase a used camper van? Before we go any further, let me quickly mentiont some pros and cons of buying used.If you're all clear regarding what type of van you want and have answered most of all the questions I listed in the previous article, you've already done half the job. However, it's equally important to make sure the unit you plan to buy is in good condition.Whether you like it or not, research is critical when buying camper vans. As a general rule, the more research you do, the better your chances of getting the best deal. Of course, that doesn't mean you have to go overboard and get stuck on research for a really long time without starting to take action.Before you start talking to any seller, you should have a budget set up. If you don't have the money to pay upfront, you must understand the financing options and figure out how much you're comfortable with paying. Dealerships often offer various financing plans, which will vary depending on your credit score, down payment amount, and the length of the loan term, as well as other factors.If you find to buy from a private seller, there's a chance they might accept payment over time. Don't assume that a private seller won't accept yes, there's a lower chance, but it's best to ask instead of assume.There are pros and cons when choosing between dealerships and private sellers. Let's go through some of them.You'll find countless camper van dealers, most offering good vehicles at fair prices. However, like in most industries, some are more interested in making a profit and less in making the customer happy.First, I suggest checking the website to get a feel for what sort of stock the dealer has and if it matches what you're searching for. Ideally, the company should be accredited by national trader associations. Moreover, leaving the internet aside, another excellent way to find a reputable dealer is by asking family, friends, and colleagues whom they recommend.Suppose you found a camper van you're interested in. Before going to check it out physically, do a vehicle history check by searching for the VIN. Of course, dealers do this themselves, but it never hurts to do your own checking as well.You can also check the van's mechanical history before visiting. For instance, in the UK, you can check the MoT (Ministry of Transport) history to get an idea of what work has been carried out and if the mileage corresponds to what is advertised. However, some countries, like the United States, don't have a scheduled system for vehicle testing.Is the camper van as described by the dealer? A good dealership won't hesitate to give you a full run-down of all the details regarding the van's condition, including its age, mileage, servicing, and more.Check that the dealership offers the complete van documentation before you sign anything. And don't make decisions based on promises, like the dealership saying they will (at some point) send you the service history or any other information. Make sure you've checked out everything there is to check out before signing a deal.Many of the things I mentioned above also apply to buying from a private seller. However, it's much riskier, but you also have the chance of getting a much better deal. You'll need a bit of luck, but there are many things you can do to make sure you increase your chances of getting a fantastic deal.It's completely normal to feel excited when preparing to buy a camper van however, don't let this excitement take over and make you take a bad deal. For instance, if the prices look too good to be true, it probably is. You might see some crazy good deals that require deposits there's a chance those deals come from scammers who will take your deposit and disappear.You often get no buyer's protection if you want to buy a camper van from a third-party marketplace. Of course, these platforms do their best to remove scams and ill-intended people, but they cannot guarantee the quality of what you're buying.As I said earlier, research is vital when dealing with an online advert from a private seller, make sure the van you're viewing is offered for the right price considering its make, model, condition, and age.Like with dealerships, check the vehicle identification number and the service history, if applicable. You don't want to end up buying a stolen or written-off vehicle.A promising sign is that you view the van at the seller's house, and the address matches the one on the vehicle's registration document. Often, an honest seller will meet you at their home rather than a car park.This tip may seem obvious, but check out the vehicle in daylight rather than at night. Even if you're very familiar with vans or cars in general, it doesn't hurt to have a second pair of eyes. What's more, you can also take the vehicle to a mechanic and pay them to check for any issues.Before purchase, ensure you have thoroughly inspected the vehicle's exterior, interior, and mechanical components. However, first of all, you have to ask two crucial questions: is the camper van used regularly? If not, how long has it been sitting for?Camper vans aren't designed to sit unused for months on end. Those that do are prone to all kinds of age-related chassis, suspension, and mechanical problems.Don't be fooled by a low number of miles/kilometers - a three-year-old camper van with 100,000 miles is a much better deal than a six-year-old one with 50,000 miles.Regarding the exterior, start by looking for any visible damage or rust spots on the van's body. Then, inspect all windows and doors to ensure they open and close correctly.Camper vans have been extensively modified to accommodate things like pop-top roofs, extra windows, ventilation, and more. That means more points where water can leak inside so check for any signs of water leakage around the windows and doors and the seals around any other modifications.Make sure all the exterior lights work as intended. What's more, don't be afraid to peek under the vehicle to check for rust or damage and whether there are any leaks from the engine or transmission fluids.Next, you should look inside check all the appliances and furniture to make sure they function as expected. Naturally, there will be some degree of wear and tear, but things should still work. As funny as it may sound, a good tip is to poke around all the nooks and crannies inside the camper take out drawers, look behind furniture, and check every accessible corner. What's more, give the rig's walls and roof a solid push to see how much they flex.The seller should be fine with this if they aren't hiding something. Furthermore, a flashlight would be good to have.Another important box to tick is for the electrical components, such as lighting fixtures, outlets, fans, etc. Furthermore, open all closets and cabinets and inspect for any signs of mold or mildew, which can indicate water damage. Mold can also grow if the closets and cabinets are warmer than the rest of the vehicle. However, you're probably dealing with severe water damage if there are any visible brown spots.The last critical part of the check is for everything under the hood. There are multiple things to inspect; here are some of them:One thing I advise is using all your senses to check the vehicle, and this applies to all parts of the rig. Don't just rely on your eyes for instance, let your nose be your guide. If the camper van smells musky, you might be dealing with mold. Moreover, when checking the oil, a burnt scent likely indicates an overheated engine, even if the oil looks clean.Make sure to check the wear of the tires, and don't forget about the spare one. Be wary of uneven wear it may be due to incorrect alignment or because of bent suspension components from potholes.Regardless if you're dealing with a dealership or a private seller, the more relevant questions you ask, the better. Don't hesitate to get every worry off your mind, even if that means spending more time asking away.Checking can only go so far. You should take your prospective camper van for a test drive and see how it performs. As with any test drive, take some time to do it let the engine get hot, stop it when it is, then start it again. Also, check the smoke color when you start the engine.Listen for any ringing, rattling, or abnormal sounds, not only from the engine but also from the suspension. Moreover, watch out for any slip from the clutch when dealing with manual transmissions or jerkiness in shifting with automatics. When you move the vehicle, check to see if any fluid stains are left on the ground.Utility systems, such as those for gas and water, are essential in camper vans. It's critical you check they work properly. Make sure the pipework is in good condition and the propane canister is housed securely. If you're in doubt, have a specialist check them.Most camper vans have water tanks one for freshwater and one for greywater or waste. Check the tanks for leaks and pipe fitments. Of course, you should also see the water system in operation if possible.And lastly, make sure the electrical system works. A good idea would be to check the waiting and how everything is arranged again, having a recognized specialist electrician check the system before buying the camper van is worth it. In the best case, poor wiring means the electrical system will not work. However, in the worst case, it can lead to a fire.If everything works out, it's time to make an offer. I cannot stress this enough don't be afraid to offer less than the seller asks, as sellers almost always factor in some room for negotiation.If you've checked out other similar vans, you should have a good idea of what they go for. When you agree on a sum, you can pay a small deposit or the total amount but get a receipt from the seller if they operate commercially.All in all, the key is to make a well-informed decision and stick to it. When it's all said and done, you'll be glad you took all this time to ensure you got the best deal. After that, it's time to enjoy your new camper van go out there and make some fantastic memories. Tesla is building an entire charging small town in Los Angeles, California. There will be a drive-in movie theater and a restaurant to keep customers entertained while charging their cars. A drone video shows how far the project is. Aerial footage shows walls going up at the huge Supercharger facility. Located in East Hollywood, the retro-futuristic-looking center is full of construction workers ramping up work to get it ready in time.The last time we saw videos from the facility, the place was not zooming with people and construction work. Tesla received approval to begin building in August 2023. First interior structures started going up in November, three months into the project. Elon Musk first mentioned the concept back in 2018, but official renderings were never made public. However, Tesla fans took the liberty to show their own vision of the future Supercharger station, based on Musk's description of the future place. The Milliways restaurant, which will be a circular structure, is taking shape, as the aerial footage depicts. The restaurant will be open 24 hours a day.The seating area is also taking shape, as visible in the drone-shot video. The center will include two movie screens, with movies being projected on two walls. Musk is planning to play short clips from the best movies of all time, of roughly 30 minutes, but also rock music from the 1950s and waiters riding on roller skates. Solar panels will be part of the plan.Back in 2018, Elon Musk stated that he was planning to build an old-school drive-in at one of the future Tesla Supercharger locations in LA. He was planning to have it operating by 2020, but we all know Musk when it comes to deadlines.The gap between the moment Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck in November 2019 and the moment it commenced deliveries in November 2023 is quite relevant. "It will be ready later this year," the Tesla CEO said in a post on X in August 2023. In February 2024, it doesn't look to be anywhere near completion.Musk was originally planning to build the facility in Santa Monica before finding the final location for it: 7001 West Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood, close to Lost Hills and Highway 46.People living in the area are worried about the chaos the center will cause on an already busy boulevard and the light that will surround it 24/7, forcing them to close the blinds at night, as reported by NBC Los Angeles in January.Once it is completed, the Supercharger station will be the world's largest of the kind. Until the Los Angeles Supercharger opens, the Harris Ranch Supercharger in Coalinga, California, is the largest. It includes 98 stalls. The second largest is the one in Quartzsite, Arizona, with 84.Right now, Tesla is operating over 2,700 active charging stations in the United States, with a total of over 3,000 in North America. Hispano Suiza is now treating us to a 12-second video teaser to show that the upcoming hypercar means business. The model features an exotic name, the Carmen Sagrera. kW kWh It is a name selected as a tribute to the history of the company. Sagrera is the Barcelona district where Hispano Suiza built the first large production facility, a move that allowed the brand to keep up with the demand.The factory currently occupies a surface of 50,000 square meters, following two expansions, and employs 1,800 people.Designed by Francesc Arenas, the brands Styling and Design Director, and based on the Carmen, launched in 2019, the Sagrera is going to sport a large rear wing made from carbon fiber, which is a clear statement that it means business.The all-electric Sagrera will drop as the third member of the Hispano Suiza family just in time to mark the brand's 120th anniversary. Due to be unveiled in mid-2024, the hypercar will come with a new battery pack with a capacity of 103, set to increase the driving range.The brand was founded by Damian Mateu, the fourth generation of the Suque Matey family, in 1904. He received assistance from his friend and business partner, engineer Marc Birkigt.The carmaker built more than 12,000 vehicles and 50,000 aircraft engines between 1904 and 1946. It vanished from the automotive world in the late 1960s and attempted to make a comeback in 2010, showing a model by an affiliated firm, Erwin Leo Himmel, at the Geneva Motor Show. But the production never commenced.They tried again in 2019, unveiling the Carmen at that year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show. Only 19 cars were built in two years in a very limited run. The model, with a name inspired by the granddaughter of one of the two co-founders of the brand, Hispano-Suiza Damian Meteu, came with 1,005 horsepower (1,019 metric horsepower).The Carmen Boulogne arrived in 2021 with a planned run of only five units for a total of 24. The model came with extra oomph (1,099 horsepower or 1,114 metric horsepower), provided by two extra motors added to the two standard ones and a visual makeover.The list of visual upgrades included copper inserts over an unpainted black carbon fiber body, which secured it a more aggressive styling.Both were equipped with an 80battery pack, providing the standard version with 249 miles (400 kilometers) of range. The first unit arrived in the United States in 2022.The Carmen Sagrera is also going to make it to the US , but the carmaker has never mentioned how many units will roll off the production line this time. But it surely will be a super limited run of exclusive automobiles. In the coming years, a nuclear power plant on the shores of Lake Michigan could become the first in the country to restart operations after shutting down. The Palisades plant in southwest Michigan could be revived by a $1.5 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy, Bloomberg reported. Federal officials have not yet confirmed the funding, but Dr. Kathryn Huff, assistant secretary in the agencys Office of Nuclear Energy, told Stateline that it would be exciting and historic to see the plant return to life. The potential federal investment comes as state leaders in Michigan and elsewhere have worked to preserve their nuclear power capacity. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer successfully pushed for $150 million in state funding last year to support the Palisades restart. The plant is owned by Florida-based Holtec International, which bought it in 2022 to decommission it. Reviving the plant is really significant to make sure we can meet our clean-energy goals, said Kara Cook, chief of staff with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. This is really important to us not only from a climate perspective, but also the economic impact on the region. As states seek to transition to carbon-free electricity, some leaders acknowledge their climate change goals may be out of reach if they cant keep their nuclear plants online. Nuclear has struggled to compete on cost with other power sources while also facing concerns about safety risks and radioactive waste but it provides 18% of the nations electricity. The closure of nuclear plants, some state officials fear, could lead to an expansion of fossil fuel-powered replacements, worsening the climate problem. Youre starting to see a lot of states transition to a position where theyre supportive of nuclear, said Todd Allen, chair of the Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences department at the University of Michigan. And compared to 30 years ago, the amount of federal support for nuclear is unbelievable. California also received a boost of federal money in an award finalized last month to keep open a nuclear plant run by Pacific Gas and Electric, known as PG&E. Other states, including Connecticut, Illinois and New Jersey, have passed legislation in recent years to provide subsidies for existing nuclear plants. Huff, the federal energy official, said U.S. nuclear production may need to reach 200 gigawatts roughly double the current capacity to provide clean, always-on power as less-constant solar and wind provide a growing share of the nations electricity. Last year, the Biden administration committed to an international pledge to triple nuclear capacity by 2050. Were still going to need a significant amount of nuclear to back that all up, she told Stateline. Keeping existing plants online is the easiest way to ensure nuclear power can back up renewables. Meanwhile, both red and blue states have taken steps to allow for the development of small modular reactors, an emerging technology that backers say can help to power rural areas or industrial operations without the demands of a large plant. Six states Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Montana, West Virginia and Wisconsin recently repealed bans on adding new nuclear power, in part to enable such reactors. While some environmental groups have embraced the nuclear investments, others have pointed to long-standing concerns about safety issues, citing infamous accidents such as those at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima. Opponents also note the long-term issue of radioactive waste storage, and in some cases assert that nuclear can stall the growth of renewables such as wind and solar. With the amount of money thats gone into this [Palisades] restart scheme already, you could develop brand-new renewable energy proposals that would be online in the same time frame producing more electricity, said Kevin Kamps, radioactive waste specialist at Beyond Nuclear, an environmental nonprofit that opposes nuclear energy. While more states have passed policies to give nuclear a boost, federal funding in Michigan and elsewhere could supercharge efforts to ensure plants stay open. The Department of Energy is distributing $6 billion from the federal infrastructure law to help save reactors that were slated for closure. The agency awarded funding to the California plant in the first round but has not yet announced awardees from the second round, although applications closed last May. The agency also is overseeing a loan program which reportedly will provide the Palisades funding to repower or repurpose energy infrastructure. The federal climate law passed in 2022 also opened tax credits for new and existing nuclear plants, designed to incentivize clean energy production in the same way existing credits support wind and solar. Since the passage of the tax credits, Huff said, federal regulators have seen an increased interest from plant operators pursuing license renewals to extend the operating life of their reactors. Meanwhile, the CHIPS and Science Act passed by Congress also includes funding for federal nuclear research, university programs, new research reactors, isotope production and advanced reactors. The federal support is providing huge stimulation to nuclear power while working in tandem with existing state efforts, said Christine Csizmadia, senior director of state governmental affairs and advocacy with the Nuclear Energy Institute, an industry trade association. Michigan reboot When Palisades closed amid financial struggles in 2022, it represented roughly 5% of Michigans electricity supply. That has been replaced largely with natural gas generation, Cook said. The expansion of fossil fuel-based power conflicts with legislation passed last year requiring the state to move to 100% clean energy by 2040. So when the plants new owner, Holtec International, announced that it was aiming to bringing the 800-megawatt plant back online, state leaders were on board. The company plans to add a pair of small modular reactors to the existing plant, bringing its capacity to 1,400 megawatts enough to power more than a million homes. Holtec did not respond to interview requests, but company spokesperson Nick Culp told Reuters the company expects the plant to have full power operation by the end of 2025. The $150 million in last years Michigan state budget to support the plants restart will help pay for fuel purchases and infrastructure upgrades, Cook said. Whitmer has requested an additional $150 million in this years budget to help bring Palisades online. This is really an all-hands-on-deck approach, said Cook, citing the hundreds of union jobs that could return to the region if the plant reopens. She said the state funding was critical to show both Holtec and federal officials that there was strong support in Michigan to save Palisades. Holtec has said it could employ about 520 people at the plant. States support In recent years, many states have provided financial support to struggling nuclear plants, made nuclear eligible for clean energy credits or repealed long-standing bans on the construction of new reactors. Weve seen this incredible uptick of nuclear energy legislation, said Csizmadia, with the nuclear trade association. Huff, the federal official, noted that several of the states that recently repealed bans on new nuclear power have many coal-dependent communities that could be left behind if their coal plants retire. Backers of nuclear, especially the emerging small modular reactor technology, believe old coal plants could be revived to put existing infrastructure to use in service of nuclear power and bring back high-wage jobs. Nuclear electricity production across the country has been relatively stagnant for two decades, with plants struggling to compete with lower-cost options such as natural gas. Construction of new reactors has almost completely stopped amid regulatory hurdles and spiking project costs. Opponents of nuclear point to the canceled projects, delays and cost overruns as proof that nuclear isnt viable. This is just throwing good money after bad, said Kamps, the anti-nuclear advocate. We stand horrified at the actions being taken by Congress and certain state governments. Kamps also cited previous nuclear disasters and warned of the risks of extending aging plants. But as states look to clean up their energy grids, some leaders say they cant afford to lose their nuclear power. A lot of people believe we can power California with renewables alone and batteries, said Carl Wurtz, executive director of Fission Transition, a pro-nuclear advocacy group. Were going to be tied to natural gas indefinitely if we try to do it that way. Wurtz was among the advocates who pushed California to extend the life of PG&Es Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, which had been scheduled to close in 2025. He and others argued that the loss of the plants 2,240 megawatts 9% of Californias electricity would force the state to import more power generated from fossil fuels. As with the Michigan plant, state leaders in California, including Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, successfully lobbied the feds for money to keep Diablo Canyon open. Last month, the Department of Energy finalized a $1.1 billion payout to extend the plants operations. That followed a vote from state regulators to push the plants shutdown date back to 2030. Supporters of nuclear say its a necessary complement to wind and solar because of the reliability it provides. We need baseload power that runs 24/7, said Lisa Marshall, vice president of the American Nuclear Society and assistant extension professor with the North Carolina State University Department of Nuclear Engineering. If were going to make [carbon-free electricity] happen, nuclear has to be part of that mix. The California plant is still awaiting the renewal of its license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. PG&E did not respond to an interview request. Mercedes-Benz USA has issued a recall concerning 12,191 vehicles that share the MRA I platform. The list begins with the E 450 All-Terrain, E 450, and E 53 versions of the 213-series Executive Class. The remainder comprises the CLS 450, CLS 53, GT 43, and the 53 series of the GT 4-Door Coupe. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA 4MATIC AMG Documents published by thereveal that vehicles produced for the 2021 through 2023 model years may feature a loose 48-volt ground cable. Suspect vehicles were assembled between October 21, 2021 and April 4, 2023. In case of a loose connection, increased electrical resistance in combination with high electrical currents may result in a fire.A manufacturing issue caused by a deviation in the vehicle assembly process, the aforementioned condition didn't lead to any fires, injuries, or worse. Merc's American division is aware of three field reports filed between September 2022 and December 2022. A change in the vehicle assembly process ensures that said condition can no longer occur from April 7, 2023 onwards. Considering that Merc took until February 2024 to recall potentially affected vehicles, what took them so long?As it happens, initial torque data from quality control testing indicated the right amount of torque for the ground connection's bolt. However, Mercedes continued to investigate the disparity between the field reports and its own data.Dealers have been instructed to check the bolt torque and if necessary retighten the bolt to the correct specification. Owners can expect Mercedes-branded letters to arrive by mail no later than April 9. Owners can easily determine whether their vehicles are recalled or not by entering the VIN on the's website or Mercedes' website.Of the nameplates mentioned above, Stuttgart's favorite son discontinued the E-based CLS due to the GT 4-Door Coupe. Its 213-series Executive Class was replaced by the 214 in 2023 for the 2024 model year. The sixth-generation Executive Class is based on the MRA II platform, which also underpins the C-Class, CLE-Class, and GLC.Revealed to mixed reception back in April 2023, the latest E-Class was priced for the US market in January 2024 at $62,300 for the E 350. Four- and six-cylinder mills will have to suffice, with all of them boasting 48-volt assistance.Not long now, the four-door sedan will be joined by the All-Terrain. Twinned with the T-Modell station wagon, the All-Terrain is essentially a wagon on stilts. Further differentiated from the T-Modell with black cladding, the All-Terrain still hasn't been priced in this part of the world. The previous generation, however, starts at $71,250 for the mild-hybrid turbo six-powered E 450 4MATIC.Regarding the GT 4-Door Coupe, which is actually a liftback with five doors, the German manufacturer advertises it under the Mercedes-brand exclusively despite the 43 and 53 series featuring non-AMG sixers. Only the 63 series including the plug-in hybrid S E Performance pack AMG engines. The powerplant in question is the M177, which Merc shares with Aston Martin For some reason, one nation, among all others, has been at the top of the RV and glamping game for as long as most people can remember, none other than Australia. Well, this time around, we take a closer look at how Condamine Campers does "minimalist." Photo: Condamine Campers Photo: Condamine Campers Photo: Condamine Campers Folks, the name Condamine Campers is bound to mean very little to you. If we consider that this manufacturer is a family-owned crew operating out of Australia, then you can understand why. However, the company owner, John Huth, has been building campers since 1999, and these days, they're crafting these babies with an array of hardware and software to optimize every inch of their units.That brings us to the Compact Camper (CC), the rather minimalist-looking machine we see in the image gallery. Be sure to really explore what Condamine has in store for us because things aren't really what they seem; this thing is explosive.Now, from the outside, the CC comes across as nothing more than a box on wheels, but underneath, we can see that this thing is equipped with a proven Cruisemaster trailing A-arm suspension with twin shocks for each wheel. In short, it's what you want Working our way up the unit, we encounter the shell, and in traditional Australian camper style, everything we need for a full outdoor life is present. From solar power to fresh water, a galley, and even a bedroom, it's all here and, surprisingly, selling for a starting price of $51,500 Australian, which is roughly $33,700. There is a catch, of course, but we'll discuss that shortly.To get an idea of what Condamine has achieved here, let's kick back for a few minutes and picture our lives with a CC. We can start things off with you driving down some highway, hauling this two-person unit behind you. Dry, it comes in with a weight of no more than 1,050 kg (2,314 lbs), so you'll have plenty of space for features , extras, and essentials like clothes and maybe even a toy or two.Driving along, you suddenly see some random road pop up, and since the CC is perfectly equipped to handle unpaved and even inexistent roads, you slow down, veer right, and looking in the rearview mirror, you realize that your CC is actually handling the road better than your truck.After a bit of trudging through sand, dust, hardpack, and even some riverbeds, you finally arrive at a place hidden from the world where the only sounds in the air are the local fauna. Take a moment to breathe in the fresh air, let the sun warm your skin, and look over at your significant other doing the same. Once you've recharged your batteries, it's time to check out the rest of the CC's magic.As you noticed in the image gallery, the CC is a pop-top camper, and the only interior space on the unit is that roof nest. It's here that you'll rest your bones after a long day, and that's about all you'll do here. So what is the rest of the CC's body for? This is where it gets really juicy.Each unit is designed in such a way as to accommodate all the essentials two people would ever need to live a full life off-grid. For example, we can spot a large storage bin at the front of the unit, where we find several features, including gas tanks, a water heater, and an outdoor shower.Moving our focus to the main body , the right side of the CC is reserved for large storage bays for tools, clothing, shoes, and even some inflatable watercraft like SUPs (standup paddleboards), but it's the left side that really grabbed my attention and one of the main reasons I chose to bring this unit to light.Along the unit's port side, Condamine went to town, installing not one, not two, but three slide-out drawers, and once they've been accessed, this camper nearly doubles its girth. It's at this stage that we'll be able to access features the likes of a cooktop, massive countertop, sink and tap, more countertop space, storage for dry goods, and finally, a fridge. Oh, and all that is friggin standard!A few other goods that Condamine Campers adds as standard include a Webasto diesel heater, two 90 l (24 gals) water tanks, and a rather beefy electrical setup. Victorn is behind the BMS; there are 240 Ah of battery power and 390 W of solar cells. What more could you want? Honestly, for this sort of price, few manufacturers can give you what we see here, and this is where that "catch" I mentioned comes up.As far as I could deduce, Condamine is only selling its units in Aussieland, which means that they're tuned only to Australian laws and road regulations. This means that the would-be owners from the rest of the world will encounter a few roadblocks if they ever try to bring one home. Just a little something-something to think about. It's been seven years since a University of Hawaii telescope spotted a strange object crossing our solar system. One-quarter mile (400 meters) long and maybe ten times as long as it is wide, thus unlike anything else we usually get to see around here, the object began fueling human imagination, with many of our kind hoping this was indeed the alien spacecraft they've been waiting for so long. Photo: NASA Photo: NASA It wasn't, and our kind was capable of finally determining it was just another piece of space rock. Ok, maybe not just another piece of space rock, as this thing, baptized Oumuamua, is now officially "the first confirmed object from another star to visit our solar system." That's right, it's not from around here, but instead comes from a place outside Sol, a location we'll probably never be capable of determining.Imagine just how exciting it would be for us to be capable of sending a spacecraft to the interstellar space object and snatching a sample of it for us to have a closer look at. What secrets could it hide? What wonders?We are very capable of sending spacecraft to celestial objects to do that. We've performed this feat several times already, most recently with the OSIRIS-Rex spacecraft and the Bennu asteroid.But that piece of rock was local, and we knew a lot about it already. Oumuamua is different. Unlike Bennu, it's not caught in an orbit, and at an average speed of 59,000 mph (95,000 kph), the window for a possible encounter with it is very short.As it stands, none of the current means of space propulsion are capable of allowing a spacecraft to reach the speeds it would need to approach such a passing interstellar object and catch up with it.And neither do some of the ones currently being researched. Solar sails, for instance, have the ability to send spacecraft very deep into space on long-duration missions, but they lack the ability to allow the hardware to make propulsive maneuvers in space.Spaceships powered by nuclear could be the solution, but they are for now very expensive to make, and may turn out to be too large for their own good.Over the years, NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program uncovered several means of alternative propulsion that may fit the requirements for a rendezvous with an interstellar space object. In 2021, for instance, someone proposed a radioisotope-electric-propulsion spacecraft.This year another proposal was accepted in Phase 1 of the NIAC program. Born from the mind of James Bickford from the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, it basically calls on using the momentum generated by the natural decay of a radioactive isotope to generate thrust.The scientist imagines something described as a thin film nuclear isotope engine- the Thin Film Isotope Nuclear Engine Rocket (TFINER). We're basically talking about thin sheets of radioactive isotope. How thin? Well, think about 10-micron thick, which is about the typical length of a bacterium.What kind of radioactive isotope? That would be Thorium-228. The stuff is known to have a half-life of 1.9 years, but more importantly, its decay chain generates extra alpha emissions, which on their own have a lifetime of anywhere between 300 nanoseconds and three days.The isotope engine would generate thrust "when one side of the thin film is coated with a ~50-micron thick absorber that captures forward emissions." Bickford says "multiple stages consisting of longer half-life isotopes can be combined to maximize the velocity over extended mission timelines."All of the above means, at least on paper, that the delta-V and lifetime of the spacecraft would be increased, without reducing thrust. The configuration would also allow active thrust vectoring and spacecraft maneuvers.As per the one behind this idea, 30 kilos (66 pounds) of radioisotope could be spread over an area of 250 square meters (2,690 square feet), which should allow a ship to reach a top speed of 150,000 mph (540,000 kph). That, of course, could be scaled down to serve whatever needs space explorers would have.With the above in mind, it's easy to imagine such a spacecraft reaching deep space relatively fast and catching up with pretty much all sorts of natural space objects.The scientist does not publicly provide any other numbers relating to a potential spaceship using this system, but NASA seems to have liked the idea enough to include it in this year's NIAC Phase 1.Granted, that doesn't mean a tangible product would result from this research, but it does paint the picture of countless possibilities at our disposal to advance our knowledge of space.Bickford sees the system being used not only to allow rendezvous with a passing interstellar object but also as a means of propulsion for multi-target observations at the solar gravitational focus.We'll keep an eye on this piece of technology just like we do with all other ideas of the NIAC program and update if anything worth mentioning happens. For several years now there has been talk over in Britain's (and the world's) aviation circles of a new kind of aircraft that could completely reshape what it means to operate a fleet of aircraft. It's a modular piece of flying machine that could form the basis of something its makers call a commercial air force - a fleet of aircraft that is free from the burdens of fleet management and fixed point capital expense with low return. Photo: Aeralis Photo: Aeralis The company that fuels this talk is called Aeralis, and we've talked about it on several occasions before here on autoevolution. Or, to be more precise, we had a look at its product, a jet that has the ability to morph into a different kind of aircraft depending on the needs of its operators.The idea behind the Aeralis jet is so simple one has to wonder how come no one has ever thought about it before: why not build a common platform and adapt that to whatever the needs of the moment are, instead of building several different aircraft to perform the roles?The platform currently being researched by the company is called Common Core Fuselage. On it, Aeralis plans to fit "a first-of-its-kind wing architecture" (comprising an inner and an outer wing) that should allow the plane to be reconfigured to play one of five different roles: Advanced Jet Trainer, Aggressor, Companion, ISTAR, and Tanking (there are indications some other roles are in the pipeline for the plane as well).The design of the wing should also allow high maneuverability regardless of speed, no matter the version. Also, all variants of the jet will use commercial off-the-shelf landing gear, allowing them to reach new levels of efficiency in terms of build and cost.The really interesting part about all this is that a change of role for the aircraft could be performed rather rapidly. In a bid to give us a clearer picture of that, Aeralis released last week a video detailing how this whole reconfiguration business will unfold.A huge hangar with six maintenance lines is shown. Airplanes come into the hangar through one of the hangar's doors, and depending on what work they need to be done, they position themselves over one of the six lines.Three of these lines are dedicated to reconfiguration. Say a jet of this kind lands as a reconnaissance single-seater, but needs to be converted into a two-seater trainer, or perhaps into a crewless drone: the hangar's dedicated lines are where the magic happens.In a nutshell, there are several operations Aeralis envisions as mandatory for a successful reconfiguration. First, the plane is washed and triaged. Then, the modules it no longer needs are removed, and the plane moves to the engine configuration bench.Then comes a rework of the wings and empennage, cockpit and mission suite, and, finally, the testing of the modifications made, including a visual inspection of the potentially new decals that have been added.The remaining three lines are tasked with the maintenance of the existing Aeralis fleet that does not need reconfiguration. That means anything from repairs to replacement of damaged parts is done here.You can get a sense of what all of the above means in the CGI video shown beneath this text. And it all looks pretty impressive, leaving us with one crucial question: how close to reality are the Aeralis jets?Back in November 2023 the company revealed which variant of the jet would be made first. It's the Advanced Jet Trainer, which in its first test configuration was named, with the help of a contest that saw no less than 800 ideas being submitted by Royal Air Force (RAF) cadets, the Phoenix.Why RAF cadets? The plane and its many incarnations are, first and foremost, intended to be military aircraft, with a great emphasis on training duties. It will, however, also be capable of supporting the installation of electronic warfare hardware and a full combat radar in its nose. It's unclear at this point what weapons it will be capable of carrying, if any.As for what will power the jet, things are not entirely clear at this point. We know for a fact the engines that will be used will be sourced from Rolls-Royce, but the exact model is not known.As for capabilities, nothing is certain at the time of writing. The Aeralis jet will most likely not be able to fly supersonic, but it will come pretty close to the speed of sound.The Aeralis idea seems too good to come true anytime soon, and for all intents and purposes it is. The company avoids saying anything about the date of the plane's first flight, leaving us to hope (and speculate) that we just might reach that point by the end of the current decade. Pashinian voiced the criticism at the end of a visit to Munich during which he attended an annual conference on international security and met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British intelligence chief Richard Moore. He cited a December 1991 declaration in which Russia, Ukraine, Armenia and other newly independent Soviet republics recognized each others Soviet-era borders. On the question of Ukraine, our position is that the Almaty declaration is the basis for recognition of our independence and territorial integrity, Pashinian told members of the Armenian community in the southern German city. Our logic is also valid in the case of Ukraine because that document applies to all of us. And if we demolish that, then we will also demolish everything. I said a long time ago that Armenia is not Russia's ally on the issue of Ukraine, and this is our sincere position, he said. Russia reacted cautiously to Pashinians remarks. Indeed, we have diametrically opposed points of view regarding what is happening in Ukraine and the conflict around Ukraine, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. This is not a secret, this is the well-known position of our Armenian friends. We do not agree with them on this and will persistently continue to explain that we are right. Armenian leaders were until now careful not to criticize Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine and subsequent annexation of more Ukrainian territory. Armenia has repeatedly abstained from UN General Assembly resolutions denouncing Moscows actions. Pashinians administration appears to have begun changing its stance on the conflict in Ukraine last year amid its mounting tensions with Moscow. Pashinian made a point of talking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a European Union summit in Spain last October. A couple of weeks later, the secretary of Armenias Security Council, Armen Grigorian, attended multilateral peace talks in Malta initiated by Ukraine and sponsored by Western powers. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the demonstrative anti-Russian gesture of official Yerevan. That did not stop Grigorian from participating in the next round of the talks held in Switzerland last month. Pashinian embarked on the apparent rapprochement with Ukraine despite the latters strong support for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In particular, Kyiv was quick to condemn the September 9 election by Karabakh lawmakers of the regions new president, saying that it is contrary to the rules and principles of international law. The election came ten days before the Azerbaijani military offensive that forced Karabakhs practically entire population to flee to Armenia. Our relations with Iran are deep and Armenia remains committed to those relations, Pashinian said during a weekend visit to Germany. But this is one of those cases where not everything is clear. Our good relations with Iran are causing tensions in some places, while our good relations with other countries are causing tensions in Iran, he added without elaborating. In recent months, Iranian leaders have repeatedly told their Armenian counterparts that Tehran strongly opposes the geopolitical presence of extra-regional countries in the South Caucasus. Irans President Ebrahim Raisi conveyed the same message to Armenias Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian as recently as on February 15. Any intervention of outsiders in regional disputes could only exacerbate, rather than resolve, them, Raisi said in a clear reference to the U.S. and the EU. This was construed by some Armenian commentators as a fresh warning to Yerevan which has been seeking closer security ties with the Western powers amid its unprecedented tensions with Russia. The latter has openly denounced Western efforts to broker an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal, saying that their main aim is to drive Moscow out of the region. Both Russia and Iran have criticized Armenia for hosting a U.S.-Armenian military exercise last September. The Islamic Republic is also believed to share Russian concerns about the EUs monitoring mission along Armenias border with Azerbaijan launched a year ago. Pashinian and his political team say they are diversifying Armenias traditional foreign and security policy in response to what they see Russias failure to meet its security commitments to its South Caucasus ally. Armenian opposition groups say Tehrans stance is another reason why Yerevan should exercise caution in its dealings with the West. They argue that unlike the West, Iran could intervene militarily to prevent Azerbaijan from opening an extraterritorial corridor to its Nakhichevan exclave through Syunik, the only Armenian region bordering the Islamic Republic. Iran regularly warns against attempts to strip it of the common border and transport links with Armenia. The deal requires the approval of the Bank of Georgias multiple shareholders and the Central Bank of Armenia. In a statement, the banks British-registered parent company, Bank of Georgia Group (BOGG), said it would significantly enhance the Group's presence and growth opportunities within a fast-growing and attractive market. "This transaction is a significant milestone for the Group and a new chapter in our strategic development, the BOGG chairman, Mel Carvill, was quoted as saying. Ameriabank has a well-regarded and experienced management team, and I am delighted that they will stay on after the transaction is closed, added Carvill. Ameriabank is one of Armenias largest banks with total assets worth $3.4 billion, compared with $11.7 billion held by the Bank of Georgia. Vardanyan owns, through a trust fund, almost 49 percent of Ameriabank, making him its biggest shareholder. The tycoon, who had made his fortune in Russia, briefly served as Karabakhs premier in late 2022 and early 2023. He and seven other former political and military leaders of Karabakh were arrested by Azerbaijani security services last September during the mass exodus of the regions ethnic Armenian population which followed an Azerbaijani military offensive. They remain imprisoned there on serious charges. Armenia has demanded their immediate release. Ruben Vardanyan has nothing to do with the possible sale of the bank, Mesrop Arakelian, an Armenian opposition figure linked to him, wrote on Facebook. Arakelian said takeover talks between BOGG and Ameriabank began in 2022. But he did not clarify whether Vardanyan approved the resulting acquisition of his bank. Ameriabank is the second Armenian bank which will likely change hands in the coming weeks or months. Two weeks ago, HSBC, Europes biggest bank, announced the sale of its Armenian subsidiary to Ardshinbank, the largest in Armenia. HSBC said the deal, also subject to Armenian regulatory approvals, stems from its strategy to redeploy capital from less strategic or low-connectivity businesses into higher-growth opportunities globally. Reuters reported last May that the British bank is considering a possible exit from as many as a dozen countries after earlier announcements about selling off parts or all of its activities in France, Canada, Russia and Greece. Established in 1996, HSBC Armenia is the only local commercial bank controlled by a major Western banking group. The 18 banks operating in Armenia nearly tripled their combined profits, to a record 253 billion drams ($626 million), in 2022 amid a dramatic increase in cash flows from Russia resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The figure reportedly fell by 9 percent in 2023. 19 February 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more President Ilham Aliyev was specially invited to the Munich Security Conference and had a sumptuous meeting with a number of leading people across the world organizations, including the West and Europe. In Munich, during numerous meetings, President Ilham Aliyev held meetings with representatives of the US State Department and the European Commission, as well as OSCE Secretary General Halga Mari. The important point was that this time, Azerbaijan was conducting talks completely outside the context of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, that is, on a kind of business level. As the head of state noted, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been resolved long ago. De facto peace reigns in Garabagh - and this, of course, was what Azerbaijan wanted for 30 years. At the Munich Security Conference, all eyes were on Azerbaijan. Because it is no coincidence that this year Azerbaijan is hosting such a grandiose and responsible event as COP29. Already this year, for the first time, the countries of the world will participate in an international event in the Republic of Azerbaijan, which has regained its full sovereignty. In addition, Azerbaijan's gas export to Europe and close cooperation remain unchanged on the agenda. Before that, despite the speeches with sanctions against Azerbaijan in the tense hall of PACE full of pro-Armenian politicians, the reality could not change anything. In general, Azerbaijan's participation in the Munich Security Conference and the meetings held once again show that Azerbaijan's foreign policy has a global character. The outlines of the foreign policy were voiced by our head of state at the inauguration ceremony. We are not asking anyone for anything. I have been the president for more than 20 years and so far I have not asked anyone for anything, because there was no need for that. We are a fully self-sufficient country. We support cooperation in a bilateral format and our foreign policy is designed for this equitable relations, respect for each other, good relations with each other and, as they say, non-interference in each other's affairs. These are our principles. We have dictated these principles and succeeded in having them accepted. This point in President Ilham Aliyev's speech once again showed its special importance in Munich. Because this is an independent, confident and successful foreign policy. Azerbaijan supports cooperation in bilateral format. Our foreign policy is based on the principles of equal relations, mutual respect, good relations, and non-interference in each other's affairs. If the foreign policy of Azerbaijan in the previous period was based on the solution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, new directions have been determined in the new period. After that, Azerbaijan will be more active in solving problems that concern the world. Azerbaijan, a strong country of the South Caucasus, will be at the forefront of the fight against Islamophobia, and will be next to the countries that defend against neo-colonialism. In a nutshell, Azerbaijan will defend its positions, will not back down, and will respond adequately to the steps taken against it. Because there is no doubt that the foreign policy of Azerbaijan is a clear and completely transparent policy. At the same time, the foreign policy of Azerbaijan is already a policy that goes beyond the borders of the region. Azerbaijan is already included in the category of countries considered to be a middle power in the world. This category includes countries like the UAE, Israel and others. As for Armenia, it seems necessary and unavoidable for official Yerevan to take more serious steps in the direction of normal and effective neighborly relations. In the South Caucasus, neither the Garabagh conflict nor the so-called separatism problems are left. Only following the principles of neighborliness, respecting borders and staying away from provocations are evaluated as the most adequate step within international law and Bakus key principles. At the same time, as President Ilham Aliyev noted, there is no need for third-party intervention in solving such internal issues for Azerbaijan. Because Armenia knows what to do, and this has been repeatedly stated by official Baku. We have resolved our problem. We have initiated the signing of a peace agreement with Armenia. We were the author of the five well-known principles. We also wrote the text of the peace agreement and sent it to the Armenian side. Now, if Armenia wants to comply with the norms of international law, this agreement will be signed. If he doesn't and if groundless claims continue to be made against us, this agreement will not be signed, but nothing will change for Azerbaijan. --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews Deputy Editor-in-Chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 10:39 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more There are two alternatives regarding the Zangazur Corridor, says Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu in an interview with the local news agency, Azernews reports. "It is a route of 43 kilometres. If there is a problem from the official Yerevan side, the Iranian route may emerge. Official Baku has contacts with Tehran in this regard. There are two alternatives, and both of them are currently on the table," the minister said. In addition, he said that Azerbaijan continues construction work. "A tender was held for Nakhchivan and our side. The restoration or reconstruction of the 106-kilometer road is the subject of negotiations." It should be noted that the minister expressed his hope that the Zangezur Corridor project of his country will be implemented within 5 years. "The Azerbaijani part of the Zangazur corridor from Baku to Horadiz is about to be completed. The length of the Turkish part of the corridor is 224 kilometres. In total, the process of creating this corridor will take 5 years. I think that we will complete all the work in 2028," the Turkish minister said. According to him, the Armenian part of the corridor is 43 kilometres long. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently sent positive messages about the Zangazur Corridor. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 15:00 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more The work done by the working group on "green energy space" in 2023 has been discussed in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Energy. Regular meeting of the "Green Energy Space" working group was held in a hybrid form in connection with the discussion of the draft annual report on the implementation of the "Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026" for 2023. At the meeting, Chairman of the working group, Deputy Minister of Energy Elnur Soltanov gave general information on the activities of the working group and brought to attention the issues on the agenda of the meeting. Deputy Chairman of the working group, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Analysis and Communication of Economic Reforms Ramil Huseyn presented the report and noted the achievements and challenges achieved within the framework of the activities. The meeting reviewed the directions of activities, indicators and the status of implementation of relevant measures within the framework of the set goals in the strategic document "green energy space". Natural gas and electricity supply, formation of regulatory environment in the energy sector, development of public-private partnership in the field of heat supply, research of offshore wind energy potential, expansion of opportunities for the use of geothermal and bioenergy, creation of an information system on green energy sources, integration of new generating capacities into the energy system, use of environmentally friendly vehicles, hydrogen production and energy supply, measures to ensure their effective implementation were discussed. Opinions of the working group members on the report were heard and recommendations were formulated, which should be taken into account when preparing subsequent reports. The Strategy document identifies measures to be implemented in the current year and tasks for their effective implementation. In addition to the Ministry of Energy and the Center for Analysis and Communication of Economic Reforms, the ministries of Economy, Ecology and Natural Resources, Agriculture, Digital Development and Transport, Finance, Emergency Situations, SOCAR, Central Bank, Azerbaijan Investment Holding, State Statistics Committee are members of the working group, State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, State Customs and National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Azersu OJSC, Melioration and Water Management OJSC, Azerenerji OJSC, Azerishig OJSC, Azeristiliktachizat OJSC. It should be noted that 8 working groups were established by the order of the Cabinet of Ministers dated June 12, 2023 to ensure full, timely and effective implementation of measures envisaged in the "Strategy of Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026" and coordination of activities of relevant state bodies. The "green energy space" working group also implements in this context the realization of the "green energy space" objective and coordination of activities of relevant state bodies. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz DETROIT (AP) A jury awarded $10 million to a Detroit-area man who spent nearly six years in prison for the killing of a 15-year-old girl before his conviction was thrown out at the request of prosecutors. The jury said Alexandre Ansari's constitutional rights were violated by a Detroit police detective who concealed evidence in the fatal shooting. The verdict, returned Thursday in federal court, restores some of Mr. Ansari's dignity and will allow him to recover from the horrendous experience of being wrongfully convicted of a heinous crime he did not commit, attorney Wolf Mueller said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mueller argued that police had crucial information about a different suspect, but it was not shared with the prosecutor or defense at the 2013 trial in Wayne County court. The information would have revealed that the fatal shooting of Ileana Cuevas and the wounding of two more people in 2012 was likely arranged by a heroin dealer upset over drug thefts, he said. A failure to disclose the information would be egregious," U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy III said earlier in the litigation. The detective had denied wrongdoing. But the prosecutor's office found that he feared for his family in Texas and Mexico if the drug dealer knew he was investigating him for murder, according to evidence in the case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 19 February 2024 16:16 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan`s Energy Minister, Parviz Shahbazov, has embarked on a visit to the United States of America, Azernews reports, citing Azertag. During the visit, Minister Shahbazov is scheduled to hold several meetings to discuss prospects for bilateral energy cooperation, projects implemented by Azerbaijan to ensure international energy security, and other related topics. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 16:33 (UTC+04:00) Fatime Letifova Read more In January 2024, Turkiye's export of ready-made clothing products to Azerbaijan decreased by 45.4 percent compared to the previous year and amounted to 4.7 million dollars, Azernews reports. Access to paid information is limited Find the plan that suits you best. 19 February 2024 16:22 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, Vice President for Communications and External Relations in the Caspian and Middle East regions of BP, said that the final investment decision on the construction of a 240 MW solar power plant, which BP will realise in Jabrail, is expected in the second half of this year, Azernews reports. According to the vice president, preparatory work is already being finalised. "The demining works are about to be completed. There are already final technical and commercial aspects related to the final investment decision that will be prepared". The BP representative emphasised that the foundation of the solar power plant will be laid this year after the final investment decision is made. It is worth noting that the initial cost of the solar power plant is estimated at $200 mln. Last year on June 3, the Ministry of Energy and BP signed an Executive Agreement on Cooperation in the evaluation and implementation of the hydropower plant project. The document includes the establishment of a green energy zone in the territories liberated from occupation, Azerbaijan's strategic decision to develop the renewable energy sector and a commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35% by 2030, as well as BP's goal of "net zero emissions" by 2050." was signed as part of the company's establishment strategy. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 12:45 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The Ganja State Philharmonic Hall has hosted the closing ceremony of the musical parade in honour of the great Azerbaijani composer, People's Artist of the USSR Gara Garayev. The event was held within the project "Cultural Heritage of the Nation" (Xalqn mdni srvti), initiated by the Honoured Artist Ramil Gasimov to promote Azerbaijan's classical music in the districts as well as to convey national and spiritual values and folk music to modern youth, Azernews reports. In his speech, Honoured Artist Ramil Gasimov stressed the importance of the musical parade in the country's cultural life. He expressed his gratitude to the event organisers and the project participants. Co-organized by the Ganja State Philharmonic Hall and the Ganja-Dashkesan District Department of Culture with the support of the Culture Ministry, the concert program united talented youth from children's music schools named after Ashiq Shamshir, Goygol's Khagani village, Samukh's Garayeri village, Sarkar's village of Samukh district,the city of Delimammadli, Gizilagajli, Safikur, Borsunlu, Duzgishlaq and Hangervend villages as well as the Goranboy Art Centre. Moreover, an exhibition of children's music and art schools was organised in the Ganja State Philharmonic Hall's Urban Centre. The event was followed by a gala concert that featured Gara Garayev's music pieces. Having synthesised Eastern and Western musical traditions, Garayev's music covers essentially all genres. At the age of eight, Garayev first entered the junior music school at the Azerbaijan State Conservatoire. Thanks to his exceptional musical talents, the composer studied simultaneously in two faculties at the conservatoire. His music teachers were Georgi Sharoyev, Leonid Rudolf, and the prominent Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibayli. In 1952, under the direction of the choreographer P. A. Gusev, Garayev's "Seven Beauties" ballet was staged at the Azerbaijani Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Based on Nizami Ganjavi's famous poem, "Seven Beauties", it became the first Azerbaijani ballet and opened a new chapter in the history of classical music in Azerbaijan. His ballet, "Path of Thunder", staged in 1958, was dedicated to racial conflicts in South Africa. In the same year, he wrote the score for the documentary film" A Story About the Oil Workers of the Caspian Sea", directed by Roman Karmen and set at the Oil Rocks. Through his life, Garayev wrote nearly 110 musical pieces, including ballets, operas, symphonic and chamber pieces, solos for piano, cantatas, songs, and marches, and rose to prominence not only in Azerbaijan but also worldwide. He brilliantly juxtaposed features of mugham with jazz, blues, African music, European counterpoint styles, and developments related to 20th-century Western music, such as the 12-tone technique. Gara Garayev's masterpieces are performed all over the world. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 10:06 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Ayhan Hajizadeh commented on Pashinyan's statements at the meeting with the Armenian community in Munich, Azernews reports. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry spokesman said that despite the fact that on the initiative of the German Chancellor the meeting between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia was held in a constructive and useful atmosphere, despite the calls for the normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations, border delimitation and peace treaty, the statements of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan directing the international community in the wrong direction are regrettable. "Regarding the Armenian Prime Minister's opinion that "Garabagh's right to self-determination is not supported by the international community," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Pashinyan seems to be saying that his claims to the territories of Azerbaijan are not unjustified, but only thoughtless actions that need to be continued because they are not supported by the international community: "this once again indirectly proves that the claims of the Armenian side still continue. In this regard, claims to our territorial integrity and sovereignty should be removed from the Constitution and legislative acts of Armenia. The opinion of the Prime Minister of Armenia also shows that the pressure of the international community on Armenia to restrain it from taking a position contrary to international law is important. As for the Armenian side's claim about Azerbaijan's alleged violation of the trilateral declaration, it is well known that it has no basis, that Armenia, contrary to its commitments, has not withdrawn its armed forces from the territory of Azerbaijan and has not fulfilled its obligation to open the lines of communication. The Armenian side should understand that the way to ensure peace and stability in the region is through the establishment of relations with neighboring countries on the basis of affirmation and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as direct constructive negotiations with Azerbaijan to establish peace". --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 11:19 (UTC+04:00) On the instructions of the Minister of Defence, regular events are held in the Azerbaijani Army for effective organisation of leisure, meaningful recreation, and education of servicemen, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry. In military units, all conditions have been created for servicemen, especially soldiers, to read classic and other literature and discuss the readings. Books collected during the "Soldier's Bookshelf" events organised by the Ministry of Defence were sent to all military units, including units stationed in mountainous areas with difficult terrain. Such events help to increase servicemen's desire to read books and organise effective and useful leisure time. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 17:57 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Baku's Icherisheher (Old City) has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Calendar 2024. Approximately 12 monuments included in the calendar were chosen from among 1,157 historical monuments of 168 countries on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Azernews reports. The Old City became the first location in Azerbaijan to be classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 2000, the Old City of Baku, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower, became the first location in Azerbaijan to be classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With its defensive fortresses, Icherisheher is a symbol of patriotism and a great source of national pride and dignity. All the buildings within the fortress walls of the Old City were of a defensive nature in terms of their tactical and strategic functions. Large squares and wide streets gradually narrowed and shrank into a geometric design. They fascinate Baku residents and the city's guests. Numerous unique monuments, including the Shirvanshahs Palace complex, mosques and minarets, the ruins of caravanserais, and bathhouses, make this place one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. As a UNESCO member, Azerbaijan has been actively engaged in promoting cultural diversity and heritage preservation. The country has been constantly participating in UNESCO programs since 1992. Through its efforts, Azerbaijan plays a significant role in UNESCO's mission to build peace, foster sustainable development, and foster intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 15:31 (UTC+04:00) An official welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has been held at the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Turkiye, Azernews reports. Accompanied by the cavalry, President Ilham Aliyev arrived at the residence of the Turkish President. A ceremonial guard of honor was arranged for the Azerbaijani President at the square outside the residence. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. State anthems of Azerbaijan and Turkiye were played accompanied by a gun salute in honor of the Azerbaijani President. The heads of state reviewed the guard of honor. President Ilham Aliyev saluted the ceremonial guard of honor. The chief of the guard of honor reported to the President of Azerbaijan. Turkish officials were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev, while members of the Azerbaijani delegation were introduced to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Azerbaijani and Turkish presidents then posed for photographs. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 14:58 (UTC+04:00) Paul A. Gosar, Member of Congress of the United States House of Representatives has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports. The letter reads: "His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear President Aliyev, I extend my sincere congratulations to you on your reelection as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani people have overwhelmingly and resoundingly delivered to you yet another mandate to lead the government. The people have placed their trust in you and have rewarded you for being a decisive and strong leader who puts Azerbaijan first. I also trust that you will continue the good work that you have been doing for Azerbaijan and in developing the relationship with the United States. Every country deserves a strong and competent leader who puts the interests of the people first and who is dedicated to peace and prosperity both at home and abroad. As you begin your new term, I hope our two nations will strengthen our economic and security cooperation. The bilateral relationship between our two countries is mutually beneficial and should continue to grow and strengthen. Once again, congratulations to you on your reelection. May God bless you and all Azerbaijanis, and may your new term see peace, prosperity and great success. Sincerely, Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. Member of Congress of the United States House of Representatives" --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 15:58 (UTC+04:00) Minister of Defense of the Italian Republic Guido Crosetto has congratulated Ilham Aliyev on his re-election as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in a post on his social media account, Azernews reports. Extending his best wishes to the Azerbaijani President for his new term, the minister said: Azerbaijan plays a central role in the Eurasian area. We will continue to develop collaboration following the path we have taken so far, also thanks to the strategic partnership that binds our countries. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz I mainly grew up in Gladwin, but have moved around living in other states and even in Japan for a time. I attended Mid Michigan Community College and Central Michigan University where I studied journalism, cultural anthropology and Japanese language and culture. I have won a list of Michigan Press Association awards in categories like investigative enterprise reporting, as well as other journalistic awards such as the Inland Press Association Newsroom Contest award for my contextual coverage of Great Lakes drownings, and was a top-20 winner of the Hearst Radio Competitions collegiate category. Prior to the News Advocate, I was the editor in chief and a reporter for the Gaylord Herald Times, a reporter for CMU Public Radio, a reporter for CM-Life newspaper and the Laker Current. 19 February 2024 11:42 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more Azerbaijan will start supplying around 275 million cubic metres of natural gas to Hungary via Turkiye in April, Azernews reports. This statement was made to Hungarys Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Peter Szijjarto. The move makes Hungary the first non-bordering recipient of Turkiye's natural gas exports. "We struck an agreement to deliver 275 million cubic metres of natural gas. Deliveries will begin on the first of April. In other words, for the first time, Turkey will supply gas to a non-bordering country. We are pleased to be the first country," Szijjarto said. Szijjarto hailed the long-standing friendship between his country and Turkiye, with each having an association with the Organisation of Turkic States, with Turkiye as a permanent member and Hungary as an observer. He noted that the recent changes in world politics and the global economy have stressed the importance of regional supply and transit routes and energy resources. With Turkiye's geopolitical prominence for gas transportation, Szijjarto said the TurkStream pipeline, which transports Russian gas to Turkiye along the 930-kilometer-long (580-mile) pipeline under the Black Sea, serves as the number one distribution route from Russia to Hungary. Last year, Budapest and Baku signed a political agreement, according to which the volume of Azerbaijani gas supplies to Hungary will increase to about 1 billion cubic metres. Earlier, the Hungarian energy company MVM CEEnergy and the Azerbaijani oil and gas company SOCAR signed an agreement to supply 100 million cubic metres of gas to Hungary by the end of 2023, with a possible increase to 2 billion cubic metres per year. Hungary attaches great importance to energy cooperation with Azerbaijan and always appreciates the important role played by our country in ensuring Europe's energy security. The friendly country supports the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project and has expressed interest in joining it. As a rule, the Hungarian side is represented at the ministerial level at the annual ministerial meetings of the Consultative Council of the CSDP. The relevant agreement on strategic partnership in the field of green energy between the governments of Azerbaijan, Hungary, Romania, and Georgia, signed in Bucharest on December 17 last year, plays an important role in energy cooperation between our countries. As a result of that agreement, efforts are being successfully continued towards the implementation of the project related to the construction of an underwater electricity cable that will pass through Georgia and the Black Sea in order to transfer "green energy" between the mentioned countries. It should be noted that the implementation of this project will play an important role in the expansion of electricity export opportunities between the region and European markets, as well as the diversification of Europe's energy security, especially thanks to the great wind energy potential in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. Azerbaijan and Hungary successfully cooperate within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (TDT) and other international organizations. Since 2018, the Representative Office of TDT has been operating in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, which is an observer in the Organisation of Turkic States and attaches great importance to the development of cooperative relations with the organisation. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a statement in 2018 that Hungarians consider themselves descendants of the Hun ruler Attila and that the Hungarian people are based on Hun-Turkish roots. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 09:45 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more Seyit Tunc, manager of advanced systems at ROKETSAN's Innovative Systems Department, said that Turkiye's defense industry continues to successfully develop laser-guided weapons, Azernews reports. "The ALKA directed energy weapon system of Turkish defense company Roketsan is a sample of products in line with the digital age," Seyit Tunc recalled that ALKA was developed under the guidance of the Defense Industry Directorate under the Turkish Presidential Administration. According to him, ALKA is a hybrid air defense system that utilizes electromagnetic and laser technologies to counter asymmetric threats. "ALKA is an innovative weapon system developed with the right artificial intelligence architecture," Tunc explained, quoted by Anadolu. He noted that the METE mini-missile is a small-sized laser-guided munition for air, sea and ground drones. According to him, METE is another innovative product of ROKETSAN. He noted that METE, which is the world's smallest missile, has a caliber of 40 mm and a length of 50 cm. Tunc added that the company is conducting research focused on artificial intelligence in order to take a leading position in the global market by developing competitive, easy-to-use and highly accurate products in line with the vision voiced by ROKETSAN CEO Murat Ikinji. Tunc emphasized that ROKETSAN has a team of highly qualified professionals working to achieve these goals. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 22:25 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The head of the Chinese Public Security Ministry Wang Xiaohong, at a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in Vienna on Sunday, called on American colleagues to ensure respect for the rights and dignity of Chinese citizens in the United States and refuse to include the republic in the list of the main sources of drugs for Americans, Azernews reports, citing the Xinhua news agency. Wang Xiaohong asked the American side to stop the unprovoked harassment and inspections of Chinese students to ensure fair entry and full dignity for Chinese citizens, take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic and consular institutions and personnel in the United States and lift visa restrictions for a number of Chinese personnel. Both sides held frank, in-depth, and constructive talks to implement the consensus reached at the meeting of heads of State in San Francisco in November 2023 to promote cooperation in the field of drug control and law enforcement. The heads of departments, the Chinese agency notes, have reached an agreement to maintain dialogue and cooperation in the field of drug control and law enforcement based on mutual respect, taking into account differences and mutually beneficial cooperation, pay attention to each other's concerns and generally contribute to the stable development of Sino-American relations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 21:45 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Swede Marcus Vandt, who had previously gone with three astronauts to the International Space Station, returned to his homeland just over a week after returning from the flight, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets. Vandt was greeted with a red carpet at Bromma Airport. "As soon as I got into the capsule, I felt like 'this is my element,'" Vandt said of the space mission at a press conference. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister of Education Mats Persson and Stockholm County Governor Anna Kinberg Batra were also among those present. After the press conference, Vandt handed the Prime Minister a framed Swedish flag that he had carried with him during the space flight. Since the Crew Dragon spacecraft landed on Earth, Vandt has had to undergo several medical tests and a training program in Cologne to re-adapt to Earth's gravity. On the space station, he participated in about 20 planned experiments, including one for Uppsala University to study the effects of weightlessness on stem cells. According to the Swedish Space Agency, the flight cost Sweden about $43 million. Initially, it was assumed that Vandt and other crew members would return to Earth in two weeks. However, due to bad weather, the trip had to be postponed several times. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 19:10 (UTC+04:00) Japan and Ukraine on Monday signed around 56 agreements in a range of fields including post-war recovery, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. The agreements were signed during the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo. Addressing the conference, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said fighting was still going on in Ukraine and that the situation is not easy, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported. Tokyo hosted the one-day conference as the Russia-Ukraine war completes two years this month. Some 130 officials as well as business representatives from the two sides attended the conference. Kishida, who visited Kyiv last year, stressed that promoting economic reconstruction in Ukraine is an investment for future. Japan is committed to strongly assisting such efforts with its public and private sectors working together, he said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said: The conference will be the next step for Japan and Ukraine to develop bilateral relations. By working together, the two countries can turn current challenges into an opportunity for growth and prosperity, he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy canceled his scheduled video address to the conference, with no reason provided, according to Tokyo-based Kyodo News. The two sides agreed to work in the areas including infrastructure rebuilding, demining, agricultural expansion, improvement of the humanitarian situation, development of biotechnology, industry and information technology, and governance enhancement. Tokyo and Kyiv are also working to eliminate double taxation. Besides Kishidas government is mulling to open an office in Kyiv to bolster business ties between the two countries. Japan has joined its Western allies in condemning Russia over its war on Ukraine and has sanctioned many Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 February 2024 18:40 (UTC+04:00) The Hungarian government refused a meeting with US senators in Budapest about Sweden's accession to NATO, according to media reports, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat senator for New Hampshire and co-Chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, expressed her disappointment in a news conference on Sunday over the move, the Budapest Times reported. She recalled that Hungary was the last NATO member to not ratify Sweden's membership. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban previously said that the parliament would ratify the bid in the spring session. The US delegation said they will submit a resolution to Congress to urge Hungary to ratify. Senators Thom Tillis and Chris Murphy are also part of the delegation. Hungary became the only NATO ally that has yet to approve Sweden's membership in the alliance after Turkish parliament ratified the Nordic country's application on Jan. 23. Admission of a new member requires the unanimous support of all NATO members. Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership in May 2022 following the start of Russia's war on Ukraine earlier that year. Finland joined the alliance as its 31st member in April 2023. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 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? Members of the Midland Public Schools board of education give final thoughts at the end of a past meeting at the administration center. Dan Chalk/Midland Daily News A slate of candidates for Midland Public Schools next superintendent will be presented to the districts Board of Education during a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the MPS Administration Center at 600 E. Carpenter. According to the agenda, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates will present the slate of candidates. Afterwards, the board will enter a closed session to review candidates. Then, certain candidates will be selected for interviews. At 7 p.m. is the board's regular meeting, where Associate Superintendent Brian Brutyn will present a data review to the board, and Board President Phil Rausch will give an update on the superintendent search thus far. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two items on the regular meeting agenda are for action. The administration will present a new textbook to adopt, titled Geometry with CalcChat and CalcView from Big Ideas Learning for two geometry classes. According to the agenda, the purchase is contingent on available funding as approved in the 2024-2025 budget. The second action item is a fiber optic cable replacement. It would replace cables that were installed in 1998 and 2001, and allow for modern speeds within our buildings now and for the next 25 years, according to the agenda. The lowest bidder was Master Electric, Inc. of Gladwin, at $167,710. The purchase would use Series III Bond funds. Opinion by: Observer Editorial Team Property owners will receive revaluation notices during the first quarter of 2025, within two or three months of the seating of a new Board of Beaufort County Commissioners elected in the November 2024 general election. Who is elected will determine how much your taxes will go up next year. You will hear a lot of talk about revenue neutral and some will say taxes cannot go up because of this. Not so. Determining what the comparative tax rate will be after the revaluation and what your actual taxes will be are two entirely different things. State law requires the comparative rate to be calculated to show what the tax rate would be to collect the same amount of taxes as the year before the revaluation. However, there is no law that says the amount of money we pay for taxes cannot increase. Taxes can be raised. Further confusing the issue is that Beaufort County is now OVER-taxing everyone. That is, they are collecting more taxes than the cost of running County Government and stashing the money in a slush fund that now has more than 34 million dollars in it. The majority of the present Board intends to waste this money on things like County owned rental housing, primary health care for some favored people, a park, more internet spending and other socialistic programs. John Rebholz and Randy Walker are two active members of the Beaufort County Affordable Housing Committee. If elected, they will continue to support these programs. There is an alternative. A Conservative Team of candidates is running in the March 5th primary elections. They propose to raise only the amount of money required to run government and, in addition, to reduce taxes for everyone by ten percent their first year in office. This will cost about 4 million dollars. The money is sitting there in that 34 million dollar slush fund. This would be a huge swing between the present tax and spend Board and a newly elected Board of conservatives. The members of the Conservative Team are: Tandy Dunn, Steve Carawan and Hood Richardson. Votes in the primary election for tax and spend candidates John Rebholz and Randy Walker surely guarantee higher taxes and a misused revaluation of your property. The Conservative Team promises to vote only for Republicans for Chairman and Vice Chairman. Republican RINO (Republican In Name Only), John Rebholz, has voted for five years for Democrat Jerry Langley to be Vice Chairman in exchange for Langley voting for RINO Fake Frankie Waters to be Chairman. These four then vote for each others bad ideas. This practice corrupts both the Republican and Democrat Parties. Sounds a lot like Washington, D. C. instead of Washington, N. C. The Conservative Team promises to stop growing Beaufort County government. More employees and more expenses are coming on the tax payer each year. There is very little oversight on this Fake Frankie Waters led Board. Notice that Commissioner meetings are getting shorter and shorter. Fake Frankie Waters, John Rebholz, and Randy Walker along with the two Democrats are making more and more decisions in the back room, without public notice or involvement. The Conservative Team promises to stop paying for CRT, LGBTQ and other woke programs in the public schools. If you want to change Beaufort County Government, you must change the people who are running government. That means voting for the Conservative Team. They are Steve Carawan, Tandy Dunn and Hood Richardson. The vast majority of the American electorate lacks basic knowledge of how their government works, according to a recent study conducted ahead of President's Day. More than 7 in 10 Americans failed a civic literacy quiz on topics like the three branches of government, the number of Supreme Court justices and other basic questions about how the U.S. government works, according to a new study published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The survey polled 2,000 registered voters on basic questions about Americans civics and found only 25% say they are "very confident" they could explain how our system of government works, while one-third didn't know the three branches of the federal government, about half couldn't correctly identify Congress as the branch that creates laws or name the number of members in the House of Representatives. "As we approach our semiquincentennial in 2026, this report amounts to a five-alarm fire drill for the civic health of the nation," Hilary Crow, head of the U.S. Chamber Foundations The Civic Trust, said in a press release. "While Americans across backgrounds value civic participation in theory, we are sorely lacking in the basic knowledge that translates values into informed, engaged citizenship." NATIONAL DEBATE ORG REJECTS ACCUSATION IT ELIMINATED DEBATE TOPIC FOR PC REASONS: PATENTLY FALSE "Put plainly, you can't fix what you don't understand," she added. "Without reversing these deficiencies in understanding how our government works, we are risking the long-term health of our civic culture and democracy itself." Interestingly, over 75% of adults in the U.S. view political division in the country and government as a major problem, but only 19% report significant political tensions at their jobs. In addition, respondents indicated an openness to businesses playing a role in supporting citizenship, with nearly half in support of workplaces, not government bodies, taking the primary role in defusing ideological divides and educating citizens on civics. The survey findings also indicated most people hold positive views of large and small businesses, with 82% in agreement that businesses can play an "important role" in bringing people together, with 93% indicating they would react positively if companies publicly tried "improving our country." "As the bonds holding our civic culture together fray, places of work stand out as sanctuaries where Americans still connect across differences," Crow said. "The data speak clearly people welcome employers help in ensuring politics don't infect these essential spaces." "With our social fabric strained, the business community is being called upon to be a thread that can knit us back together," Crow concluded. TEST SCORES IN CIVICS, HISTORY DECLINE FOR STUDENTS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC As a matter of the country's future, only 38% of respondents said they believe children today are prepared to fulfill their roles as informed, active citizens. Political commentator and podcast host Diane Canada, who helps suburban women become educated on topics and amplify their voices in politics, pointed to the American education system and the rise of Marxist ideology as a driving factor behind this trend. "If we compare the Greatest Generation, the Baby Boomers, and the GenX'ers to the Millennials, and GenZ'ers, there are clear distinctions between their civic knowledge, which has also greatly affected overall patriotism, and added greatly to this division," she told Fox News Digital. "With an intentional agenda to win young minds to the ideology of Marxism through CRT and DEI type programming, it would only make sense that the undoing of civil education and patriotism would have to follow," she added. "In Marxism, the state must have full authority, which goes against everything our country was founded on, so this had to be a boiling of the frog approach. Many people will say that CRT isn't in schools, but it seems the last two generations all got the same memo. So, if it didn't come out of the schools, where did it come from?" CIVICS TEACHER BLASTS SCHOOL DISTRICTS WEAKENING PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS, SAYS KIDS NEED HIGH STANDARDS Canada said she believes the slow implementation of the Marxist agenda over the last 50 years is now manifesting in various ways, especially the civic knowledge of the American youth. "The dumbing down of our public education system and the introduction of useless degrees that spout knowledge, but lack wisdom, is on full display," she said. "Civic knowledge has been reduced to ideological differences rooted in pure emotion. Their tactics have been well-executed while the GenX'ers and Baby Boomers simply assumed that their kids would receive the same education they did. This is one tough wake up call." Original source Forbes has named the 25 most philanthropic billionaires of 2024, with the year's 34 healthcare billionaires notably missing from the list. America's most generous giver of the year, Warren Buffet, has donated $56.7 billion over his lifetime, which amounts to about 30% of his net worth. In contrast, the Stryker family, one of healthcare's richest dynasties, has an estimated net worth of $15.9 billion. While no healthcare billionaires were named among the top donors, they are not completely missing from philanthropic efforts. Stryker heiress Ronda Stryker donated $100 million to Kalamazoo-based Western Michigan University in 2011, $20 million to Boston-based Harvard Medical School in 2016 and $30 million to Atlanta-based Spelman College in 2018. Her siblings, Pat and Jon, donated a combined $10 million to fund the nation's first memorial to the victims of racial terror lynchings in 2016. A California physician was convicted for his role in a scheme that defrauded Medicare of more than $2.8 million. While serving as medical director of several hospice companies from October 2014 to March 2016, John Thropay, MD, 74, fraudulently certified Medicare patients having terminal illnesses that the patients did not have so that he could bill Medicare for hospice services, according to a Feb. 16 news release from the Justice Department. In 2015, Dr. Thropay was listed as an attending provider for more hospice claims paid by Medicare than any other provider in the U.S. Dr. Thropay was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and four counts of healthcare fraud, according to the release. He is scheduled to be sentenced May 28 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. Cancer diagnoses in patients younger than 50 have seen a major jump in the last 20 years, and colon cancer is no exception. Gastrointestinal cancers are rising the fastest in young Americans, with colon cancer diagnoses among people younger than 55 increasing from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019, according to a report the American Cancer Society published in March. The report also identified a growing number of young people with more advanced stages of the disease. Here are nine things to know about the growing rate of GI cancers in the U.S.: 1. In 2021, an advisory panel lowered the recommended age for when people should begin colon cancer screenings from 50 to 45. 2. Researchers suspect more inactive lifestyles, ultra-processed foods and new toxins have raised cancer risks for younger people. 3. Experts told Becker's three things that the field of oncology needs to do to work on decreasing cancer rates: spreading awareness, integrating support services and balancing priorities. "Now, to see someone in their 20s and 30s, it doesn't wow us anymore," Nancy You, MD, a professor of colon and rectal surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, told Becker's. "Even when I was a fellow in 2008 at Mayo Clinic, we were already seeing young patients with colorectal cancer, and even then we were writing about the increased rates." 4. Findings from researchers at Cleveland Clinic have revealed that bacteria in tumors from patients with young-onset colorectal cancer are compositionally distinct. Among the younger cohort, researchers found unique tumor-related bacteria and that they were more likely to have left-sided, rectal and advanced stage tumors. 5. Colon and rectal cancer rates are expected to grow 8% among men and 7% among women in 2024, according to the American Cancer Society. 6. Overall cancer diagnosis rates among people younger than 50 have risen 13% since 2000, according to federal data. 7. Colon cancer is among the most common types of cancer diagnosed in both women and men, according to a February report from the American Cancer Society. 8. During a single week at Yale Medicine Colon & Rectal Surgery, physicians reported that the oldest patient they diagnosed with colon cancer was 35 and the youngest was 18. 9. Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City are working on a vaccine that targets a specific gene found in tumors known as KRAS. Early trials of the vaccine candidate have proven to be effective in 84% of patients who had pancreatic or colorectal cancers recur after their initial treatment. The Utah Senate is weighing a bill that would decrease the qualifications required to perform some laser eye procedures, according to NBC affiliate KSLTV. Senate Bill 210 would allow optometrists to perform procedures including a YAG laser capsulotomy and a selective laser trabeculoplasty. Optometrists would still not be permitted to perform LASIK and cataract surgeries. There are some ophthalmologists in the state who oppose the bill because they said optometrists may lack the training and competency to perform the surgeries. Some optometrists, however, said the bill would be beneficial for patients as it would expand access to care in Utah. In 2022, a similar bill was brought forward but was not passed. The bill is sponsored by Reps. James Dunnigan and Curtis Bramble and is on the Senate floor for consideration, the report said. Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital has received $40 million from the DeVos Family Foundation a gift that will support an expansion of the hospital's pediatric ICU and advance care at its new inpatient psychiatric unit. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based hospital plans to expand its pediatric ICU from 14 beds to 44, leaders said during a Feb. 19 press conference announcing the donation, according to local news outlets. Half of the gift ($20 million) will go toward a permanent endowment for the hospital's child and family life team, a group of nearly 40 professionals ranging from child life specialists to music and art therapists meant "to ensure that children and families have many of the comforts of home" while in the hospital, according to a news release. A portion of the gift will also support the hospital's Center for Nursing Career Development and staffing the hospital's new 12-bed medical psychiatry unit. Separately, the DeVos Family Foundation also donated $5 million to Mary Free Bed, a regional rehabilitation system. The gift will support the development of the Joan Secchia Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, which is slated to open in 2026 and would be Michigan's first freestanding children's rehabilitation facility. It's expected to serve up to 2,500 children a year. Another $5 million was donated to support the development of the Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health, which is also expected to open in 2026 and will offer inpatient and partial hospitalization, as well as outpatient care and behavioral health testing services for kids and teens across Michigan. A ransomware attack against Burlington,Vt.-based UVM Health Network in 2020 cost the system millions and disrupted patient care at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vyacheslav Penchukov, a Ukrainian national, pleaded guilty to leading the attack. Mr. Penchukov led a conspiracy to spread malware to collect and transmit personal data from organizations from 2018 to 2021, and one of the victims was the University of Vermont Medical Center, according to a Feb. 15 news release from the Justice Department. The University of Vermont Medical Center lost more than $30 million in the wake of the attack and spent millions more in recovery. The health system said the attack cost it $65 million. The hospital lost access to IT systems, phone systems, imaging and other capabilities during the attack and was unable to provide "critical patient services" for more than two weeks, according to the report. Its EHR was down for nearly a month. Mr. Penchukov was arrested in 2022 in Switzerland and extradited to the U.S. last year. He faces up to 20 years in prison, according to The New York Times. Bruce Murphy, MD, CEO of Little Rock-based Arkansas Heart Hospital, said low reimbursement rates have led to fewer than 50 employees being laid off since the beginning of the year, Arkansas Business reported Feb. 19. Dr. Murphy said the employees laid off were in lower-paying positions and the cuts have not affected patient outcomes. Arkansas Heart Hospital employs about 1,300 people. Dr. Murphy is urging the passage of legislation that would require health insurance companies to pay Arkansas hospitals at least the average base rate paid in the six bordering states, according to the report. "Arkansas has had the lowest rates in the nation for a long, long time," he said. "And if we want good healthcare, we're going to need to support our hospitals so that we can bring in the best and newest technology and continue to be able to hire the best doctors to come to Arkansas to work." In addition to layoffs, Arkansas Heart Hospital recently closed a clinic and plans to consolidate seven more by July, according to the report. Together, those moves will reduce its roster of community clinics from 23 to 15. Dr. Murphy said the satellite clinics usually meet only once or twice per month and they will be consolidated into larger nearby clinics. He also said that some service lines or departments may have to close and are being evaluated, according to the report. The implementation of AI in healthcare is evolving into a "high-stakes experiment," Politico reported Feb. 18. The news outlet reported that physicians are currently using unregulated artificial intelligence tools, including virtual assistants for note-taking and predictive software aiding in disease diagnosis and treatment. This is because regulation by the government for AI in healthcare has been sluggish due to extensive funding and staffing challenges encountered by agencies like the FDA. Consequently, this lack of regulation is turning AI deployment in healthcare into an experiment, Politico reported. "The cart is so far ahead of the horse, it's like how do we rein it back in without careening over the ravine?" John Ayers, PhD, associate professor at the University of California San Diego, told the news outlet. Right now, the FDA doesn't have the resources to monitor AI because the technology is always learning and can work differently in various situations, meaning the agency would have to monitor AI overtime as software changes. This kind of regulation doesn't match how the FDA usually does things, according to Politico. For example, unlike the FDA's approach to drug and medical device approval, where ongoing monitoring of their evolution is unnecessary, the dynamic nature of AI requires a distinct evaluation framework, according to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD. This "monumental task" doesn't fit the FDA's existing paradigm, according to Dr. Califf. But Dr. Califf is looking at another approach to how healthcare AI can be continuously monitored. This would include the creation of public-private assurance labs. According to Dr. Califf, these assurance labs would validate and monitor AI in healthcare and would be located within major universities or academic health centers. One health system who is leading the way in this is Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic. Mayo is working with a Microsoft-backed nonprofit called the Coalition for Health AI and is looking to create an assurance lab that will evaluate AI models prior to their deployment. "Organizations like the FDA recognize the needs for these labs," Brenton Hill, regulatory strategy and compliance manager of Mayo Clinic Platform, told Becker's. "We see this as something that is going to help with responsible AI." Midland resident Rick Brewer was recently named news director of WCMU Public Radio. Adam Miedema/Courtesy of WCMU Midland resident Rick Brewer has been named news director of WCMU Public Radio, starting Monday, Feb. 19. WCMU, 89.5 FM, is based in Mount Pleasant and owned by Central Michigan University and is a National Public Radio member station. Brewer replaces Amy Robinson, who was the news director for seven years before taking the same position last September at WKAR in East Lansing. Previously, Brewer worked as a general assignment reporter at WCMU for two years before moving to an interim news director role after Robinson's departure. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He described the new position as humbling. To get to lead a team that covers such a great big broadcast footprint is really exciting, Brewer said. There are so many stories and theres so many great people, and theres so many issues at hand today. Brewer doesnt come from a typical news background. He volunteered at radio stations before landing a paid position at WFIU in Bloomington, Indiana and later becoming a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I don't have a journalism degree, necessarily," he said. "It was just a trial by fire, if you will." From Iowa, he was hired by WCMU and moved to Midland with his wife. It was going to be originally six months in Midland, and then we were going to move to Mount Pleasant, he said. We were here for those six months, and I was like, I dont want to leave. While listeners will continue to hear what's going on in state government and daily statewide news, he also wants to highlight communities in the stations coverage area of 43 Michigan counties. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He also wants to work on more solutions journalism, where news issues are covered alongside the people working to solve them. There are a lot of people working towards fixing things, and there are a lot of people trying to make this world or our region a better place, he said. Those stories need to be highlighted. The role and size of information technology departments within health systems play a crucial role in shaping the organization's technological infrastructure. And despite a growing trend toward outsourcing IT functions, many health systems continue to maintain robust in-house teams. Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth, one of the 25 largest health systems by revenue, told Becker's that its IT department consists of more than 2,200 team members. "Our IT team has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to AdventHealths mission, which is reflected in our high retention and engagement," the organization said. "Our growth is connected to building operating efficiency and technology as we continue to improve the patient journey, ultimately driving whole person care." The health system also said it is investing generously in IT this year as a "strategic asset." Meanwhile, Renton, Wash.-based Providence's IT department spans across the globe. B.J. Moore, CIO of Providence, told Becker's its IT department is made up of approximately 3,000 caregivers in the U.S. and India. But when it comes to the IT budget, Mr. Moore told Becker's it is flat year over year, "returning to 2019 levels as a percent of revenue." Despite this, Providence is dedicating 5% of its fixed budget to generative artificial intelligence as it looks to "leverage this new wave of AI innovation," Mr. Moore said. Margins remain tight for most hospitals and health systems across the U.S., but they're still investing in technology to improve efficiency and support better patient care. C-suite executives are taking a critical eye to any technology spend, focusing on applications and partnerships that will support the clinical workforce, automate administrative tasks and expand access to care through virtual platforms. They're also looking upstream at opportunities to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to gather better insights into operational efficiency and patient care. Which investments yielded the best results in the last year? Eight health system leaders shared with Becker's the most needle-moving projects and initiatives from 2023. David Lubarsky, MD. CEO and Vice Chancellor of Human Health Sciences at UC Davis Health (Sacramento, Calif.): Last October, all six University of California Health locations joined forces to launch ValidAI - an open innovation collective for healthcare organizations of all sizes to learn from each other the science of validating, executing, and creating value from generative AI. In a few months, it has become the largest member-led collective in the U.S. focused on Generative AI with 50+ members. Generative AI is creating a problem of plenty, as now any high school student can build an algorithm, and healthcare organizations need to find what can provide the most value. This is even more pressing in today's environment where many health systems cannot just hire AI engineers like Google/Microsoft, or well-funded start-ups. Few organizations have the time, skill or resources to ride the coming tsunami wave of Generative AI, but working together we can learn how to use it to create value for our patients, clinicians, scientists and employees. J.P. Gallagher. President and CEO of Endeavor Health (Evanston, Ill.): Through natural language processing, we are tapping into the power of artificial intelligence to mine our data, identify social determinants of health and feed that information back to our clinical teams at the point of care. We know that social determinants of health are among the biggest factors driving better health outcomes and promoting wellness in our communities. At the same time, we traditionally have limited knowledge about what these uniquely are for our patients because the vast majority of our data is in the form of unstructured clinical notes and a significant amount of time spent with patients is focused on treating an acute problem. Having this powerful knowledge about what is needed to treat the whole patient also allows us to connect them with additional support in their community like those organizations that are supported by our community investment fund. We are also building on our leadership in personalized medicine with the introduction of Polygenic Risk Scores, which provides a window into patients' inherited risk of developing a broad range of conditions like cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Family history is an important indicator, but not everyone knows their family's medical history, and the information can be fragmented or incomplete. With the information provided through PRS testing, patients can be even more proactive about their healthcare through tailored screening, prevention and lifestyle changes. David Sylvan. Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer of University Hospitals (Cleveland); President of UH Ventures: Earlier last year UH invested in and integrated a technology designed to remove or minimize financial barriers to care. The company, Tel-Aviv based TailorMed, uses its proprietary technology suite to ingest all of the necessary data to investigate available benefits; stratify the financial risks, and in near real time facilitate electronic benefits verification as well as the quantification of projected out-of-pocket expenses for the patient. The software then matches the patients with any available assistance, which not only accelerates access to needed care, but our ability to recoup some of the associated expense load. Truly a win-win for our most vulnerable patients and our system. Brad Reimer. Chief Information Officer of Sanford Health (Sioux Falls, S.D.): At Sanford Health, we are investing in new technologies to address staffing shortages and create a more meaningful experience for our teams. For example, over the last year, we launched a 70-plus room AI-powered "smart hospital" pilot to reduce administrative burdens for our nursing staff, increase productivity and improve patient care quality. Not only is this pilot moving the needle in these important areas, but it has also sparked a conversation around innovation and technology at the bedside like we've never seen a win-win for our teams and our patients. Robert Calway. President and CEO of New England Life Care (Scarborough, Maine): We have been seeking opportunities to introduce artificial intelligence and robotic process automation applications to improve efficiency, quality, and productivity. We introduced an RPA process that automated the import of home infusion pharmacy orders from the hospital post-acute referral process. This improvement significantly reduced labor demands for the manual re-entry of previously faxed orders, dramatically reduced errors associated with transcription, thereby improving patient safety, and increased the productivity of staff who previously were responsible for this "mundane" but important activity. This innovation was a home run! Cyril Philip. Vice President of Digital Ventures of Bon Secours Mercy Health (Cincinnati): Bon Secours Mercy Health is harnessing the transformative power of Conversational AI to help patients navigate the healthcare system. In October 2023, we launched Catherine, a personal, digital healthcare assistant. Named after Catherine MacAuley, who founded the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin in 1831, this platform was created to bring their vision and proactive outreach to the modern era. In her initial pilot, Bon Secours Mercy Health chose to focus Catherines abilities on the dementia journey, providing support and aid to caregivers navigating this incurable illness. We are exploring expanding Catherine across additional health journeys in 2024, including MSK, cardiovascular, and health benefits navigation. James Forrester. Chief Transformation Officer and Chief Information Officer of University of Rochester Medical Center (N.Y.): The most needle moving innovation that we have rolled out at URMC in the past year is ambient digital scribe technology. We started with a small pilot in our orthopedics department that has proven successful. The technology makes a notable difference for providers both from provider satisfaction and productivity perspectives. The patient experience is enhanced by increasing the amount of time providers spend interacting with the patients. Our plans are to move into a broader pilot in other ambulatory settings with an expectation that this technology will advance and mature to support other members of the care team including nursing. We also expect the setting to expand beyond ambulatory medicine to include uses such as triage and patient discharge. Ronald Place, MD. President and CEO of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center (Sioux Falls, S.D.): In May of 2023, Avera launched virtual patient monitoring to assist our bedside care teams with individuals needing intense monitoring. In the first eight months of the program, virtual monitors redirected patients more than 11,000 times resulting in a 33% reduction in falls. Additionally, patients were virtually monitored for more than 51,000 hours, equating to more than 30 full time equivalent staff hours that would have been spent providing one-on-one observations. This pioneering technology uses artificial intelligence to establish a baseline and ultimately recoups time to focus on higher value work, leading to increased staff satisfaction while reducing falls. Health systems have varying priorities when choosing to promote a CEO from within, from clinical or financial experience to tenure length. Some roles, like the chief operating officer, have historically been considered natural seconds-in-line. But presidents, CFOs, chief medical officers and chief nursing officers might also find themselves in the top seat when a CEO retires or resigns. In June, Becker's sorted six months of internal promotions to learn which titles most commonly lead to "CEO." Chief operating officers were the most likely to take the helm by a landslide, followed by chief medical officers. That trend appears to be continuing into 2024 at least, in part. When Becker's sorted CEO appointments between December 2023 and February 2024, COOs were still the most common successors. But this time, they were closely followed by "CEO to CEO" promotions, as health systems reassigned chief executives to different projects and, in some cases, added dual responsibilities to their existing titles. The following internal CEO promotions have been recorded by Becker's since Dec. 1, 2023. Editor's notes: Some of these leaders held dual C-suite roles before their promotion to CEO. Their moves are listed under all applicable job titles. This is not an exhaustive list of CEO moves, and only accounts for internal promotions within a hospital or health system since Dec. 1, 2023. To submit one we've missed, email akayser@beckershealthcare.com. COO to CEO 11 appointments 1. Trevor Sawallish was promoted from COO to CEO of Robbinsdale, Minn.-based North Memorial Health. 2. Mary Casillas was promoted from COO to CEO of Hollister, Calif.-based Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. 3. Michael Garcia, RN, COO of Houston Methodist Hospital, was selected as the new CEO of Houston Methodist Sugar Land (Texas) Hospital. 4. Cullen Brown served as COO and ethics and compliance officer of Riverside (Calif.) Community Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare's Far West division, before he was named CEO of Kissimmee-based HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital. 5. Drew Waterman was promoted from COO to CEO of Grand Island (Neb.) Regional Medical Center, part of Lincoln, Neb.-based Bryan Health. 6. Adrienne Joseph, PhD was promoted from COO to CEO of Houston Methodist Baytown (Texas) Hospital. 7. Laurin St. Pe was named CEO of Singing River Health System in Ocean Springs, Miss., after serving as system chief operating officer and administrator for Singing River's Pascagoula (Miss.) Hospital and Gulfport (Miss.) Hospital. 8. Tonya Darner was appointed CEO of UP Health System-Marquette (Mich.) after serving as its chief operating officer. 9. Felicia Turnley was named CEO of Memorial Hospital Pembroke (Fla.). She most recently served as the chief operating officer of Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines, Fla. 10. John Gerhold was named CEO of HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital after serving as COO of HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in Gainesville. 11. Brian Helleland was named CEO of Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange (Calif.) and chief executive for the Orange County/High Desert service area, part of Renton, Wash.-based Providence's recently reorganized California South division. Previously, he served as chief executive at Providence St. Jude Medical Center, interim chief executive at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Calif., and COO of Providence South division. CEO to CEO 10 appointments 1. Deborah Weymouth was named president of Prospect Medical Holdings' Connecticut operations and CEO of Waterbury (Conn.) Health, in addition to her current role as CEO of Manchester-based Eastern Connecticut Health Network. In her expanded position, she will oversee all three of Prospect's hospitals involved in a pending sale to Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health. 2. Alan Verrill, MD, was named president and CEO of AdventHealth Shawnee Mission in Merriam, Kan. He currently holds the same title at the system's South Overland Park (Kan.) Hospital. 3. Drew Tyrer was transferred from the CEO role at Nashville, Tenn.-based TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center to the same position at Plantation, Fla.-based HCA Florida Westside Hospital. Both hospitals are members of Nashville-based HCA Healthcare's network. 4. Eleze Armstrong was named CEO of Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton, Calif. She previously served as CEO of Doctors Hospital of Manteca, Calif.,; both hospitals fall under the umbrella of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare. 5. Kenneth Rose was named president and CEO of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook (Ill.), after serving in the same role at Texas Health Hospital Mansfield. Texas Health Hospital Mansfield is operated as a joint venture between Arlington-based Texas Health Resources and Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth, while UChicago owns a controlling stake of the AdventHealth Bolingbrook facility. 6. Karl Keeler, chief executive of Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Calif., has taken an additional role as chief executive of the Providence San Fernando Valley Service Area. 7. Brent Burish was named CEO of HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital in addition to his role as CEO of HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital. 8. Brian Helleland was named CEO of Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange (Calif.) and chief executive for the Orange County/High Desert service area, part of Renton, Wash.-based Providence's recently reorganized California South division. Previously, he served as chief executive at Providence St. Jude Medical Center, interim chief executive at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Calif., and COO of Providence South division. 9. Joseph Stuczynski was named CEO of Memorial Hospital West. He most recently held the same position at Memorial Hospital Miramar (Fla.). 10. Stephen Demers was named CEO of Memorial Hospital Miramar after holding the same title at Memorial Hospital Pembroke (Fla.). Chief medical officer to CEO 4 appointments 1. Jim McGovern, MD, was named chief executive of PeaceHealth's Oregon network after serving as its chief medical officer. The system is based in Vancouver, Wash. 2. Donald Morrish, MD, was promoted from chief medical officer to CEO of New York City-based Episcopal Health Services. 3. David Lowry, MD, is succeeding Laura Easton as president and CEO of Lenoir, N.C.-based UNC Health Caldwell. He previously served as the system's chief medical officer. 4. James Leonard, DO, was promoted from market chief medical officer to CEO of Valparaiso, Ind.-based Northwest Health-Porter. President to CEO 2 appointments 1. John Nickens IV was named CEO of University Medical Center New Orleans, part of LCMC Health, in addition to his current role as president of the system's hospital services. 2. Patti VanDort was promoted from president to CEO of Holland (Mich.) Hospital. Non-chief clinical leadership roles to CEO 2 appointments 1. David Linehan, MD, was named CEO of the University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center, dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, and senior vice president for health sciences. A surgical oncologist, Dr. Linehan joined the university nearly a decade ago and retained his faculty positions associate director for clinical research at the university's Wilmot Cancer Institute and the Seymour I. Schwartz Professor in Surgery as he assumed the helm Feb. 1. 2. Theodore DeWeese, MD, was named CEO of Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine and dean of the John Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. DeWeese joined Johns Hopkins Hospital as a radiation oncology resident in 1991 and had most recently served as its vice dean of clinical affairs. CFO to CEO 1 appointment 1. Scott Tongate, CFO of Macon Community Hospital in Lafayette, Tenn., was promoted to CEO upon the retirement of Thomas Kidd. Chief nursing officer to CEO 1 appointment 1. Lisa Van Brunt, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer at Worland, Wyo.-based Washakie Medical Center, will become its CEO when Jay Stallings retires this spring. Four U.S. hospitals have been placed under immediate jeopardy warnings over the last 90 days, placing them at risk of losing federal funding from CMS. Immediate jeopardy status does not happen often. Typically, within one year, only 2.4% of citations issued by CMS to hospitals are immediate jeopardy situations. Here are the most recent hospitals or health systems that have been at risk of losing CMS funding since December 2023 due to noncompliance: Good Samaritan Medical Center, based in Brockton, Mass., was cited for immediate jeopardy, The Boston Globe reported Feb. 14, after reports of a patient collapsing and dying while waiting in the registration line at the emergency department. State health inspectors arrived at the Steward Health Care-owned hospital to investigate and found multiple cases of patients not receiving timely care due to staffing shortages. The hospital submitted a plan to fix the issue and the immediate jeopardy status was removed. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Cedar Avenue, a Penn Medicine hospital, was briefly placed in immediate jeopardy by state officials following the November death of a patient. The patient reportedly died after slumping over in a walker and sliding down a wall, then ultimately collapsed on the floor of HUP-Cedar's behavioral health unit. Workers did not immediately call a code blue or begin performing CPR until 10 minutes into the incident, a state investigation found. The state's report, published Dec. 26, does note that although the hospital implemented immediate corrective actions such as educating staff on code blue procedures and what to do in the event of a patient fall to address the situation, it continues to not be in compliance for the Condition of Participation for Patient Rights as well as for Nursing Services. Mission Hospital, based in Asheville, N.C., was cited with immediate jeopardy after three patient deaths. The CMS report said the hospital's leadership "failed to ensure a medical provider was responsible for monitoring and ensuring the delivery of care to patients" in the emergency department, and ensure care was provided according to policy. It also described deficiencies in other areas such as oncology where a patient received expired chemotherapy, and the behavior health unit where a child was given medication without authorization from a parent or guardian. CMS on Feb. 1 sent a letter to the hospital, notifying leadership that the facility is in immediate jeopardy and must take action to avert the loss of federal funding. CMS had set a Feb. 6 deadline for Mission Hospital to submit a plan of correction indicating how it will come back into compliance with regulations related to its governing body, emergency services, nursing services, patients' rights, quality assurance and laboratory services. Providence Milwaukie (Ore.) Hospital received an immediate jeopardy warning from CMS after a patient died Dec. 12 following discharge from the emergency department. Four hours after the patient entered the hospital, security guards called police to force him to leave. Officers expressed concern that he still needed medical treatment, but staff reportedly said he was "playing possum." Police handcuffed and wheeled the patient, Jean Descamps, into a police vehicle around 10:49 p.m. While waiting for the behavioral health staff to bring a wheelchair to the police vehicle, the officers found Mr. Descamps unresponsive and were unable to revive him. The hospital, which launched its internal investigation Dec. 12, submitted a corrective plan for the immediate jeopardy warning. The Oregon Health Authority has signaled approval of Providence's plan, but the federal CMS investigation continues. Two hospitals have shared plans to close or restructure their day care facilities over the last month. After entering a strategic partnership with Bright Horizons, an educational support services company, Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health is closing its center on Davenport Street in New Haven to consolidate it with day care services at its location on George Street, effective July 1. "All qualified teachers in good standing will be offered employment through Bright Horizons at their current hourly rate of pay," a spokesperson for Yale New Haven Health said in a statement shared with Becker's. Lutheran Health Network also shared plans to shutter its child care program on its Lutheran Hospital campus in Fort Wayne, Ind. The health system, also located in Fort Wayne, has kicked off a transitional period for the child care program that will continue until May 31. "We are supporting each affected employee and their family to make this transition and secure new child care arrangements," Lutheran Health Network said in a statement shared with The Journal Gazette. "We continually assess the programs we support, and this is one of those times when we need to redirect resources to other programs." Editor's note: This story was updated on Feb. 22 at 10:50 am CST. Cancer patients who are given the oral antibiotic vancomycin following stem cell transplants have greatly reduced rates of Clostridioides difficile infections, researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia found. However, their research also highlighted that taking the oral antibiotic also increased the presence of gram-negative bacteremia, which usually is treatable, but can lead to sepsis. For the study, the Fox Chase experts looked at the infection rates for 441 patients who had received stem cell treatments between March 2021 and May 2023 and divided the groups into half who received the antibiotic and half who did not. The C. diff infection rate of patients who received the antibiotic following their stem cell treatments was 4% less than that of the group who did not receive it. Though the results were positive, there is still not enough evidence to make the antibiotic part of a regular treatment guideline for oncology patients receiving stem cell treatments yet. Additional, larger studies will need to be conducted yielding similar results, according to the release. Oklahoma City-based OU Health paid $140,000 to settle allegations of violating recordkeeping laws in its pharmacy department, according to the Justice Department. The Drug Enforcement Administration accused OU Health Pharmacy-OU Health Physicians Building of accepting blank-signed DEA Form-222s between 2020 and 2022. The forms are used to order controlled substances in which a laboratory acts like a pharmacy as the "supplier" to track the medications and avoid diversions. The health system's pharmacy provides controlled substances to patients, and historically served controlled substances to OU Health physician clinics. Becker's has reached out to the system for comment and will update the story if more information becomes available. After 23 confirmed measles cases in a U.S. outbreak, emergency departments are retraining their employees, who might be unprepared for clinical diagnoses, ABC News reported Feb. 16. Measles used to be a common childhood disease, but its prevalence has declined since the invention of a vaccine in the 1960s. Medical students still learn about the disease in school, but most physicians have never dealt with it. At Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the six-state outbreak spurred leaders to educate staff about diagnosing a patient who presents fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a rash. "The vast majority of physicians in the emergency room that I work with [have] never seen measles before," Keri Cohn, MD, medical director of bioresponse and a pediatric emergency room physician at the hospital, told ABC News. "And that is something that we've had to really kind of remind people, 'This is how it presents; these are the things that you're looking for.'" Nicholas Cozzi, MD, EMS medical director at Chicago's Rush University Medical Center, said most contemporary emergency physicians need to be aware. "If we don't think of it, we're not going to diagnose it," Dr. Cozzi said. "If it's not on top of our mind, we're not going to consider it." Becker's has compiled a list of hospitals and health systems with the longest emergency department visit times using data from CMS' provider data catalog. The CDC tracks the overall median length of stay for ED patients as part of its "timely and effective care" measure set. The data was released Jan. 31 and covers ED visits recorded from April 2022 through March 2023. Measures in this dataset apply to all adults and children treated in hospitals paid under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System or the Outpatient Prospective Payment System. Learn more about the measures here. Nationwide, the median ED visit time was 162 minutes, up from 159 minutes in the 12-month period ending March 2022, CMS data shows. Below are 10 hospitals or health systems with the longest median ED visit times. Becker's also compiled wait times for the same period a year prior to understand how figures have changed. Note: CMS does not include hospitals' total ED volumes or case mix index in the dataset. For additional context, Becker's collected estimated annual ED volumes for all hospitals with the data publicly available on their websites. Six of the 10 organizations (bolded below) operate level 1 trauma centers. ED visit time (for 12-month period ending March 2023) Sample size Previous ED visit time (for 12-month period ending March 2022) Sample size Estimated annual ED volumes Delta Health System - The Medical Center (Greenville, Miss.) 744 minutes 173 patients 185 minutes 276 patients 31,000 Loma Linda (Calif.) University Medical Center 439 350 330 346 75,000 George Washington University Hospital (Washington, D.C.) 435 383 398 375 74,000 Duke University Hospital (Durham, N.C.) 412 324 349 360 70,000 Harris Health System (Houston) 410 446 374 666366 147,000 Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center (Rosedale, Md.) 399 298 364 355 61,000 Los Angeles General Medical Center 398 365 352 360 143,000 Grady Memorial Hospital (Atlanta) 396 392 375 407 135,000 St Joseph's Hospital Health Center (Syracuse, N.Y.) 395 346 341 309 70,000 Doctors' Center Bayamon (Bayamon, P.R.)* 392 944 370 891 -- *Data is based on a shorter time period than required, according to CMS. Editor's note: This article was updated Feb. 21 at 9:27 a.m. As of Feb. 16, the New York State Department of Health has cited 15 hospitals for violations of the state's clinical staffing law. Erin Clary, a spokesperson for the department, confirmed the number to Becker's but declined to comment further, "as these cases may be the subject of an ongoing investigation." She also declined to provide the names of the hospitals cited. The citations follow the state health department's adoption last June of a proposed regulation requiring hospitals to assign at least one nurse for every two patients in critical care units. The regulation was a result of rule-making necessitated by the addition of Section 2805-t to the Public Health Law under Chapter 155 of the Laws of 2021, state officials said at the time. It is part of a state law signed in 2021 mandating hospitals establish clinical staffing committees. Under Section 2805-t, hospitals are required to establish clinical staffing committees to create and submit minimum staffing plans to the state's health department. Those found in violation must submit a corrective action plan, which must be implemented upon state approval. Hospitals that don't comply could face a fine of up to $2,000 per citation and/or any other related civil penalties. Hospitals' staffing plans, which were posted in July 2022, are available here. Residents gather for a rally in Downtown Midland organized by Women of Michigan Action Network to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Ben Jodway/Midland Daily News Residents gather for a rally in Downtown Midland held by Women of Michigan Action Network to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The poster shows a 5-year-old girl who was recently killed in the war in Gaza. Ben Jodway/Midland Daily News Residents gather for a rally in Downtown Midland held by Women of Michigan Action Network to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Ben Jodway/Midland Daily News Despite the late winter chill, Women of Michigan Action Network held a rally that drew at least 50 people Sunday afternoon outside the Midland County Courthouse to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Three speakersEric Severson, Mohammed Naveed Khan and James Mercercondemned the Israeli airstrikes that have now killed over 25,000 Palestinians, and they also condemned the United States for funding the Israeli military's operations in the war. The current conflict began last Oct. 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack from Gaza into Israel and killed approximately 1,200 people, wounded approximately 1,600 people, and took 253 people hostage, some of whom are still being held. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As the death toll has mounted, WOMAN Leadership Team member Allison Wilcox said the war has started to weigh on the activist groups membership. Israel has every right to defend itself, but theyve gone past that point now, Wilcox said. Theyre killing civilians. We cant, anymore, support seeing our tax dollars used to commit humanitarian disaster, she added. The destruction of hospitals by Israeli airstrikes struck a chord with Rami Safadi. He works as a physician with McLaren Central Michigan, and seeing his fellow healthcare workers being killed was appalling to him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the World Health Organization, seven out of 24 hospitals remain open in northern Gaza. In southern Gaza, seven out of 12 remain partially functional. When Safadi goes to a hospital, he knows hes safe. The doctors going to hospitals in Gaza are heroes, he said. They are not only trying to help people who are injured with limited resources, they are afraid for their safety, he said. Hospitals should not be touchedThese are sacred places. A ceasefire would save lives on both sides, Safadi said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im not about politics, he said. This is a humane issue where we all should stand up together to stop this killing. Severson, minister at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland, called Israels actions exponentially more horrifying and in violation of international law. The regions cultural and political dynamics, both ancient and modern, are extremely complex, he said. I dont know what a solution looks like, but I do know the indiscriminate killing we have witnessed has got to stop. Severson emphasized the power of standing up for those who are oppressed through quotes from South African theologian and activist Desmond Tutu and American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He invited people to listen to their conscience and decide to speak out against violence. I invite you, I urge you, and I hope that you will speak out and help us all do the work necessary for a lasting peace, Severson said. At the closing of the rally, Mercer read his own poem, titled When Hind Called Please Come. The poem told the story of Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old girl in Gaza who was overheard during a call to emergency services after her familys car came under fire from Israeli forces. She was found dead along with her relatives a few weeks later. Advertisement Article continues below this ad State University of New York Upstate Medical University has tapped two "workplace violence coordinators" amid an increase in violence against healthcare workers. The Syracuse, N.Y.-based academic medical center has named Frank Ferrante and Gerald Santoferrara to the new positions on its Risk Management Team. In a Feb. 18 LinkedIn post, Kamrin Kucera, director of risk management at SUNY Upstate University Hospital, wrote that they "are working everyday on initiatives to support staff, optimize patient care, and mitigate risk for the organization." Scott Jessie, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer at SUNY Upstate Medical University, indicated that the role was created in response to rising dangers in the healthcare profession. "[Workplace violence] is at crisis levels in healthcare nationwide," Mr. Jessie wrote in a LinkedIn post. "[Healthcare workers] are 5x more likely to be injured by violence at work than other professions. On average 2 nurses are assaulted every hour across the country." The system's leadership team chose to be "proactive" by adding the workplace violence coordinators and a staff wellness social worker, per Mr. Jessie. SUNY Upstate Medical University has also partnered with the local police department and county district attorney's office to "take a strong stance against violence in healthcare." North Chesterfield-based OrthoVirginia is one of the largest orthopedic groups in the U.S., and the practice has big plans for 2024. Here are six things to know: 1. OrthoVirginia has 160 physicians. 2. The group has 37 locations throughout Virginia, according to its website. 3. OrthoVirginia was originally West End Orthopaedics. The practice grew through a series of mergers and was renamed to OrthoVirginia in 2011. 4. David Jesevar, MD, was named CEO of the practice in 2022. Other members of the executive leadership team include COO Barbie Hayes, Chief Human Resources Officer Laraine Warner, Chief Legal Officer Cory Bagby, Chief Information Officer Terri Ripley and Chief Quality and Patient Experience Officer Donna Kurek, MSN, RN. 5. OrthoVirginia is gearing up to open a facility in Midlothian, Va. It will cost $50 million and have 77,000 square feet. The location is expected to open in Fall. 6. Richmond's first augmented reality-assisted spine surgery was completed by Anup Gangavalli, MD, of OrthoVirginia, in March 2023. Ernest Braxton, MD, neurosurgeon at Vail (Colo.) Summit Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, has completed the first awake spine surgery in Nepal, according to a Feb. 16 report from the VailDaily. Dr. Braxton was inspired by colleague Richard Wohns, MD, who travels to Nepal every year with the Nepal Spine Foundation to teach local surgeons new, innovative surgical techniques. Dr. Wohns created the foundation to improve access to care through a collaboration with the Department of Neurosurgery at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. "One of the things Dr. Wohns thought might be of interest to the neurosurgeons in Nepal is doing the surgeries while the patient is awake and without general anesthesia," Dr. Braxton told the Daily. "The way the Nepalese hospitals are structured, everybody's in the hospital for several days after surgery, and from a cost and efficiency standpoint, the doctors were very interested in it. It's a very low-cost intervention that they can do right away. It's a safer operation, too, in that the patients are not exposed to general anesthesia." Dr. Braxton traveled to Nepal with his two physician assistants, Holley Spears, PA, and Laura Humen, PA. He was also joined by nurse Bri Snyder, RN, and equipment representative Matthew Merritt. He and his team went during Spine Week, where visiting surgeons spend time teaching local residents, fellows and surgeons. Dr. Braxton performed several surgeries during his time in Nepal, including one that was unscheduled after a construction worker fell at a job site. Spine surgeons and neurosurgeons sometimes have overlap in the type of care they offer. However their training paths are unique, along with having varying compensation. Heres what you need to know about the competing salaries. 1. Orthopedic spine surgeon positions offer salaries from $649,900 to $1.2 million, according to AMN Healthcare. The average salary is $975,820. 2. Physicians Thrive noted some orthopedic spine surgeons make even more. Surgeons on the 90th percentile make $1.4 million while those on the other end of the spectrum, the 10th percentile, make $468,787, according to MGMA. 3. Metropolitan areas with fewer than 250,000 people netted higher compensations for spine surgeons with a median salary of $882,502. Meanwhile more densely populated cities saw average salaries between $589,540 and $831,366. 4. Spine surgeons also earned around 7% more in multispecialty practices than single-specialty practices, according to MGMA. Those in physician-owned facilities earned about 5% more than spine surgeons in hospitals. 5. On average, neurosurgery pay is $788,313, according to Doximity's "2023 Physician Compensation Report." 6. Anchorage, Alaska; Saint Paul, Minn., and Minneapolis are the best cities for neurosurgeons, according to Zippia. Zippia ranked those cities based on average salary and job availability. The average pay for neurosurgeons in those cities is $581,950 in Anchorage; $403,144 in Saint Paul, and $403,760 in Minneapolis. 7. The top 10 cities for neurosurgeons also include Cleveland; Omaha, Neb.; Milwaukee; Detroit; Louisville, Ky.; Columbus, Ohio, and Lubbock, Texas, according to Zippia. 8. A survey from Neurosurgery Executives' Resource Value and Education Society found the average pay for private practice neurosurgeons was $889,000. Neurosurgeons working in hospitals earned an average $786,000. 9. Academic neurosurgeons had the lowest average pay with $647,000. It follows news that more people in Northern Ireland would vote to remain part of the UK in a border poll. According to the results of the latest Belfast Telegraph LucidTalk poll, around 49% of people would vote to stay in the UK, while 39% would choose Irish unity. The new Minister for the Economy said: There has been movement both in terms of support for the union, and in terms of either supporting the idea of a united Ireland or indeed potentially supporting a united Ireland over the last number of years. That dial has shifted significantly, and we havent even had a proper conversation yet in relation to what that would look like. For us the priority, is particularly for the Government in Dublin to form a structured conversation, to analyse and examine all of the issues that may come in terms of constitutional change, so that when people do and I believe that they will come to make a decision on that in the not so distant future, that people are fully informed of what that involves. The new Minister for the Economy also said that plans by Westminster to scrap a legal duty to protect an all-island economy would restrict economic growth and would create uncertainty. The Safeguarding the Union command paper, which preceded the DUPs return to Stormont, pledges to repeal a section of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 that places a legal onus on ministers to protect the all-island economy. Speaking after his Assembly address today, Conor Murphy said that the all-island economy has been growing regardless of the Governments actions. I can't understand for the life of me why they would want to legislate to restrict economic growth, said the Newry and Armagh MLA. I don't know if that benefits the DUP, it certainly doesn't benefit their supporters or people in the business community who want to see opportunities as a consequence of the trading arrangements we now have post-Brexit. I'm not sure what the British Government hoped to achieve by that. I don't think it serves any purpose other than to try and create more uncertainty, and what businesses need and they've been telling us very, very clearly, is certainty around trading arrangements. Speaking to the Assembly today and announcing the priorities for his department, the minister pledged to take full advantage of the all-Ireland economy and to use the Windsor Framework. People want to grow, they want to export into the south, they want to export into Europe, they want to take advantage of trading arrangements that we have, we need to assist them in doing that in the time ahead, he said after his Assembly address. The objectives in the Ministers vision for the economy include tackling productivity, creating good jobs and promoting regional balance. Speaking in the Assembly the Sinn Fein Minister said: Many workers and their families are denied a decent standard of living. We must change this by investing in affordable childcare and by strengthening trade unions, particularly in low-paid industries, he said. The minister also pledged to tackle regional imbalance by funding local economic strategies and prioritising projects that promote regional balance, such as the expansion of the Magee University campus. Also on the agenda for Mr Murphy was a pledge to tackle Northern Irelands historically low productivity, which currently is estimated to be 11% lower than in the UK and 40% lower than in the Republic. Productivity is a fundamental driver of overall living standards, said Mr Murphy. We can improve our productivity by using dual market access to grow domestic exports and attract highly productive investment. Investment in skills, research and development, and innovation will also drive better productivity. The ministers objective to invest in skills and education will be hampered by funding concerns and follows news that Belfast Met will be closing its east Belfast campus. The MLA said that funding would be a challenge but that his department would work with colleges and universities to provide support. He added that a key concern was the loss of European funding for education and skills which had not been replaced by Westminster. However, the minister's plan has already come under fire for falling short and not adopting formal targets for tackling regional inequalities by the SDLP. Leader of the opposition, Matthew OToole, said: While I welcome a focus on regional economic balance, productivity and on the development of the all-island economy, todays statement falls well short of what is required. Indeed, the minister seemed unable to outline one step that he would take to counter the divisive and misguided plan from the Tories to abolish its legal duties to an all-island economy. Consumers can make significant savings, writes Flavia Gouveia Research shows consumers could stand to make significant savings through the discounted prices and points offered by supermarket loyalty schemes For decades, supermarket loyalty schemes have been providing shoppers with a way to get some extra value on their weekly shop. Savvy shoppers probably have more than one loyalty card, but the once-familiar schemes have been overhauled in recent years, meaning consumers can understandably find it hard to keep up with the fast changing reward models on offer. The traditional loyalty scheme would allow shoppers to rack up points that they could then cash in for discounts. But the points-based system is falling out of favour, with new reward models emerging which prioritise upfront benefits like exclusive member prices and tailored. Some retailers are combining both systems, while some are honing in on the members club approach, ditching the points altogether. Tesco: Introduced in 1995, the Tesco Clubcard was the first nationwide supermarket loyalty scheme and it has come a long a way over the decades. The loyalty scheme still operates a point system, as well as offering a range of other perks to customers. Each point has a base value of 1p, meaning that 100 points are equivalent to 1. That means earning Clubcard points is equivalent to receiving 1% cashback on your shopping. Points have to be converted to vouchers before they can be spent in store, which requires a minimum of 150 points (1.50), and can only be swapped in multiples of 50. Shoppers can double the value of their Clubcard points by spending them with Tesco reward partners - which include Virgin Atlantic, Disney+ and the RAC. But in the last five years the grocery giant has introduced changes to the Tesco Clubcard, bringing extra perks to loyal customers. In 2019 Tesco launched their subscription model, Clubcard Plus. For 7.99 a month subscribers can get 10% off two in-store shops per month, 10% off Tesco brands such as F&F, and Double Data from Tesco Mobile. The supermarket also launched a loyalty pricing scheme through Clubcard prices, which gave members access to cheaper prices on selected goods. Sainsbury's: Sainsburys Nectar card loyalty scheme operates a similar model of rewards to the Clubcard. Members receive one Nectar point for each 1 spent in store and online, and one point for every litre of fuel purchased at Sainsburys fuel stations. At 0.5p per one point, Nectar points have a lower cash value than Clubcard points. As with Tesco, shoppers can spend the points accumulated in a number of ways including at Sainsbury stores, Argos or online at nectar.com. But unlike Tesco, points can be racked up through purchases with other retailers including Argos and eBay. After a relaunch in 2019, Nectar card holders began receiving offers and discounts which are tailored to their shopping habits. And in 2022 Sainsburys doubled down on the exclusive member rewards by introducing Nectar prices, which operate in a similar way to Clubcard prices. Co-op: While Tesco and Sainsburys continue to offer both point-based rewards and exclusive member offers, some retailers have chosen to focus only on the latter. Earlier this year the Co-Op announced that it would be exclusively focusing on exclusive member rewards, completely abandoning its previous system. Membership costs 1 and enables shoppers to access price reductions, exclusive deals and personalised offers. Lidl: Discount grocer Lidl has also introduced its own loyalty scheme which provides exclusive rewards and deals. Unlike other schemes, with Lidl Plus membership rewards and discounts are unlocked by accumulating points which are collected by shopping in store. And as well as earning rewards, members also get access to exclusive discount deals. Asda: Asda also launched their own loyalty scheme in 2022 which is based on a similar model as Asda, offering exclusive deals and rewards which are unlocked if certain targets are met. Supermarket loyalty schemes offer consumers a variety of ways to save money And whats the difference? The different models make straight comparisons difficult, but experts advise that the big savings still a matter of prices rather than perks and rewards. Loyalty pricing schemes in particular have been at the centre of recent controversy. The schemes offering exclusive and lower prices to members only have drawn some attention from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after claims by Which? that supermarkets were using tactics to make their loyalty discounts seem better than they actually are. The consumer watchdog says loyalty schemes incentivise shoppers to sign up, claiming they ensure customers are not paying more than they have to for their groceries, but on their own theyre not enough to justify changing your shopping habits. Ele Clark, Which? money editor, said: Our research shows consumers could stand to make significant savings through the discounted prices and points offered by supermarket loyalty schemes. "While people probably shouldnt change their shopping habits just for a loyalty scheme, it may be worth signing up to schemes offered by shops they already use if they are comfortable with the data requirements of their loyalty card. "To maximise the benefits of having a loyalty card, shoppers should keep an eye out for any chances to earn bonus points and carefully research member-only offers to make sure they genuinely offer value for money." A Lisburn-born singer whose music featured on Love Island last year was left feeling ecstatic again after the hit ITVs spin-off played his original song on its Valentines Day episode. Jordan Rawlings song, Can We Fall In Love? was played during Love Island: All Stars last Wednesday night. The ITV2 show slightly differs from the original format, in that it features a group of Islanders who have attempted to find love on the show and are doing it all over again with others in the same boat. Adam Maxted (31), a professional wrestler from Belfast, has also re-entered Casa Amor for the series, after first appearing on our screens in Love Island back in 2016. Jordans single Scars was played last March on the popular reality show, but he says he still always kept praying that his music career could be exposed more by the programme. Chantel & Jordan Christmas 2023 The Love Island team had seen my reaction video for when my song Scars got played last year and loved it, he explained. I reached out to them again with links to my songs and they said they love them, and that they could get played if they fit the scene! So, I didnt know with any certainty, I was just praying that theyd feature me its never guaranteed. But, the 24-year-old had a gut feeling that it could be featured on Valentines Day, as his songs are very intimate and love orientated. The young busker, who can also be found singing on the streets of Belfast, wrote his latest tune about his girlfriend Chantel Sarossy, who he has just spent his first Valentines Day with in-person, as they have always been in a long-distance relationship. I wrote this in the early stages of my relationship when I had trust issues, but learned to let my guard down and gave myself permission to let go and go all in, he told The Belfast Telegraph. Jordan added that spending Valentines Day with Chantel properly for the first time was made even more memorable as they watched All Stars and heard his song together. It was really special sharing that experience with her, and so rewarding as an independent artist getting on national TV. I often doubt myself so moments like this help me to believe in myself. Jordan Rawling Chantel is from Sweden and also encouraged her Co Down boyfriend to apply for Swedish Idol last year. He made it to the live shows as one of the final five contestants and is now working on upcoming music with producers in both the UK and the Nordic countries. My new song is called Oblivious. It will be released on March 8 and is about taking love for granted and not prioritising it, Jordan continued. In the past, I have let my goals and personal aspirations get in the way of making my relationship a priority. But, Im now in a place where I give love the energy it deserves my relationship with my girlfriend is one of the most important and fulfilling things in my life. You can follow Jordan on Instagram @jordan.rawling_music or search for him on Spotify and all streaming platforms Cillian Murphy in the press room after winning the Best Leading Actor award for Oppenheimer during the Bafta Film Awards 2024 (Ian West/PA) Bafta has said it is taking a security breach very seriously after a social media prankster gatecrashed the final acceptance speech for best film award. A man, believed to be a YouTuber, joined director Christopher Nolan and the Oppenheimer team on stage as they accepted the prestigious prize at the end of Sunday nights ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Dressed in a black suit and tie, the gatecrasher stood beside actor Cillian Murphy as Nolans wife and producer Emma Thomas delivered a speech on behalf of the team. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Bafta said in a statement: A social media prankster was removed by security last night after joining the winners of the final award on stage we are taking this very seriously, and dont wish to grant him any publicity by commenting further. The man may have initially evaded suspicion as he walked on to the stage as Thomas encouraged the rest of the Oppenheimer cast to join them, saying: Where are you? Come on, all of you. The epic biopic about J Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist described as the father of the atomic bomb, scored seven awards in total at the ceremony. British filmmaker Nolan picked up the best director award, his first Bafta following previous nominations for Inception and Dunkirk. Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas after winning the Best Film award for Oppenheimer (Ian West/PA) Irish star Murphy also landed his first Bafta for his titular role in the film while Robert Downey Jr won best supporting actor for his role as Lewis Strauss, head of the Atomic Energy Commission. During his speech, Murphy told Nolan: Thank you for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again. He said Oppenheimer was a colossally knotty character, adding: We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and its a privilege to be a part of this community with you all. The award show, which was hosted by Doctor Who star David Tennant, secured an average audience of 3 million with the show reaching 3.8 million viewers at its peak. An alleged kidnap and blackmail victim was left with extensive facial fractures after he was subjected to a prolonged and brutal assault, a court heard today. Newry Magistrates Court also heard the victim was kidnapped from his own home, doused with disinfectant and ordered to hand over 100,000 by the end of the week. Standing side by side in the court 44-year-old Padraig Gerard Casey and Connor Casey (39) confirmed they understood the three charges against them, all alleged to have been committed on February 17, this year. Padraig Casey, from the Drumalt Road in Cullyhanna and Connor Casey, from the Carrickbroad Road in Newry, are jointly charged with kidnapping the complainant, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and also with blackmail in that allegedly with menaces, they made unwarranted demands of give me 10,000 by the end of tonight and 90,000 by the end of the week. A police detective gave evidence that she believed she could connect the defendants to each of the charges and summarising the case District Judge Peter Magill outlined how, according to the police case, the complaint reported to police the two defendants and two other men he did not know subjected him to a prolonged assault at his home on the Carnally Road in Silverbridge. The judge said that having been repeatedly kicked and punched, he was forcibly put into a vehicle and taken to an unknown location where he was beaten again and doused with disinfectant. Following the report, police went to the victims home but initially, they were unable to find him and it was only later, as a result of an extensive search that officers located the victim and took him to Daisy Hill Hospital before he was then transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he is being treated for fractures to his eye sockets and cheekbones as well as other injuries. Named as two of the alleged assailants, the Caseys were arrested and taken into custody and after their arrest, the complaint made the further allegation that he had been blackmailed as well as beaten. Initially, the defendants refused to answer police questions but later on their solicitors provided statements denying the allegations and the constable told the court police had concerns about the risks of further offences and witness interference if the Caseys were granted bail. Defence counsel Kevin OHare, acting for both men, revealed that all three men are known to each other and further that Connor Casey has helped out on the complainants farm while he was in custody. Both men, he told the court, were married, worked on their family farm, had children to support and both could lodge 2,000 cash sureties, submitting they are not going to go anywhere next nor near the alleged victim. This is an extremely serious case, said District Judge Magill, adding that while the seriousness of a case was not a factor in deciding bail, the factual matrix of a case is and in that regard this man was subjected to a prolonged and brutal assault at his home and also at another place where he was doused in disinfectant. The judge said that with two alleged assailants still at large, he had concerns about the risk of witness interference so I am refusing bail. Remanding the pair into custody, he adjourned the case to March 13. The Midland police and fire departments respond to a vehicle crash on Oct. 12, 2022 in the area of South Saginaw Road and Rodd Street. Andrew Mullin/Midland Daily News The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department, compiled by reporter Tereasa Nims. Wednesday, Feb. 14 8:18 p.m. - Midland police responded to a drug violation and warrant arrest around Renee Drive and Sandow Road. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 7:53 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Porter Township residence regarding a 36-year-old woman who stated she was suicidal. They contacted the woman, who was taken to the MyMichigan Medical Center ER, where the deputies filled out a mental petition.While the deputies were at the ER, the woman assaulted four MMMC staff members. A report is being sent to the prosecutor for review. 7:35 p.m. - An 87-year-old womans car was dropped off in a neighbor's driveway after being repaired. The neighbor reported the vehicle, and the owner was contacted and picked up the vehicle. 5:40 p.m. - Midland police were called to a property damage crash at Joe Mann Blvd. and Elisenal Drive. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 5:07 p.m. - Midland police responded to a larceny in the 2500 block of Abbott Road. 2:38 p.m. - A 51-year-old man was arrested for a civil non-support warrant out of the Midland County District Court after a deputy had contact with the man at a Homer Township residence for an unrelated reason. The man was transported to the Midland County Jail. 9:16 a.m. - A deputy was dispatched to the area of E. Stewart and S. Grey roads in Midland Township for a two-vehicle crash. 8:26 a.m. - A deputy responded to Midland Township for a two-vehicle crash around E. Stewart and S. Grey roads. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 6:56 a.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Larkin Township residence for a report of an argument between a 31-year-old man and his 30-year-old wife. The two stated there was no assault and they were arguing about infidelity. The couple separated due to having to leave for work. 1:55 a.m. - Deputies were dispatched to the Midland County Jail regarding a 39-year-old male inmate having chest pain. The man was transported to MyMichigan Medical Center for treatment by EMS as deputies followed. The man was then turned over to jail staff at the hospital. A knife and baton were recovered from the Connswater River over two weeks after the murder of Ian Ogle, a court heard today. The father-of-two (45) was beaten and stabbed 11 times yards from his home in Cluan Place, east Belfast, at around 9.20pm on Sunday, January 27, 2019. As a trial into his murder entered its second week, a crime scene surveyor was called to give evidence. From the witness box, he confirmed that on Thursday, February 14, 2019, he attended an area of the river close to Mersey Street. The crime scene surveyor said that after being tasked to the area, he was informed about two items of interest: a knife and a baton. The witness said these items were in the river and he told Belfast Crown Court: I was able to see the items as the water was clear. He also confirmed there was a high density of housing in the area of east Belfast where the items were recovered. Its the Crowns case that the knife and baton were located around 25 metres from the then home of one of the men accused of murdering Mr Ogle. In January 2019, Robert Spiers lived in Mersey Street and, during a search of his home in the aftermath of the killing, a set of knives from Lidl was found to have one knife missing. The knife located from the river was the same type as the missing knife from the set. Spiers (41), now with an address at Millars Park in Dundonald, is one of three men standing trial for the murder of Mr Ogle. He has denied the charge, as has Glenn Rainey (37), whose address was given as Ballyhalbert Caravan Park, and Walter Alan Ervine (42), from Litchfield Street in Belfast. Two co-accused Jonathan Brown (38), from Whinney Hill in Dundonald, and Mark Sewell (45), of Glenmount Drive in Newtownabbey pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Ogle earlier this month and were handed life sentences. Also shown during todays sitting was CCTV footage recorded on various cameras in east Belfast. The footage, which includes the fatal attack at the entrance of Cluan Place, was shown to Mr Justice McFarland in the non-jury trial. The senior judge also viewed several pieces of footage taken from the Glider bus shelter on Templemore Avenue. This footage captured five men with their faces covered walking towards Cluan Place. The same camera also recorded the same men returning several minutes later. On the return footage, two of the group are running and two are walking, and whilst one of the group is carrying what the Crown say appears to be a knife, another appears to be holding a baton in his hand. The trial continues. A street drinker who assaulted a man days before he died in hospital has been fined 200. Belfast Magistrates Court heard Dylan Quaile, 29, struck out at Gareth Rynne in the city centre early on the morning of August 14, 2022. Mr Rynne, 39, was found slumped unconscious outside a nearby McDonalds restaurant several hours later. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, but his condition deteriorated and he died three days later. Quaile, of Boyhill Park in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, was initially arrested and questioned on suspicion of either his murder or manslaughter. However, he pleaded guilty today to a charge of common assault. Prosecutors said detectives carried out a trawl of CCTV footage in a bid to establish the victims movements before he was discovered at around 8am. Despite gaps in the footage, Mr Rynne and the defendant were seen together hours earlier on Callender Street, close to a storage point for Marks & Spencer cages. The prosecution case is that Dylan Quaile strikes out at Gareth Rynne in that recess area, a Crown lawyer said. You cant necessarily see the assault, but you can see an arm moving across and can then see Gareth Rynne going to the ground. The defendant leaves at that stage, and the injured party emerges a few moments later. Quaile was subsequently arrested and accepted being in the footage. He told police that he could not recall the incident due to a combination of heavy drinking and taking medication tablets. With detectives unable to account for Mr Rynnes subsequent movements, the court heard there is no established link between the assault and his death. Read more Co Armagh man accused of murdering three-year-old son remanded into custody after breaching bail conditions Defence solicitor Pearse McDermott acknowledged: This was a very tragic incident for the deceased and his family. He described his client as a street drinker and an acquaintance of Mr Rynne who had been in the victims company on the night of the incident. Mr MacDermott added: He accepts the assault, but there is no connection between that and the deceaseds ultimate death. Imposing a 200 fine on Quaile, District Judge John Rea offered his condolences to the victims family. He added: The offence itself is not significant enough to merit a custodial sentence. Algae on the surface of Lough Neagh at Ballyronan Marina (Liam McBurney/PA) The Stormont Agriculture and Environment Minister will meet Lord Shaftesbury later this week to discuss issues around Lough Neagh. Andrew Muir has pledged to take action after the huge freshwater lake in the centre of Northern Ireland was beset by noxious blooms of blue green algae last summer. Lough Neagh is the biggest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland, supplies 40% of Northern Irelands drinking water and sustains a major eel-fishing industry. Noxious blooms covered large parts of the lough across the summer, and also affected other waterways and beaches in the region. Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertiliser running off fields is believed to be a major contributory factor. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The spread of the invasive zebra mussel species is also understood to have played a role, as they have made the water clearer, allowing more sunlight to penetrate, stimulating more algal photosynthesis. Climate change is another factor cited, with the highest water temperature at Lough Neagh recorded last June. A cross departmental water quality steering group is currently drafting recommendations to tackle blue green algae in Lough Neagh. The Assembly has also heard calls for Lough Neagh to be taken into public ownership. During ministerial questions on Monday, Mr Muir said he is aware of issues associated with the ownership of Lough Neagh, adding he will meet Lord Shaftesbury, who owns the lough bed, this week. Itll be a frank and open meeting, he said. I will be very keen to see the outcome of the work that Lough Neagh Partnership are doing, theyve recently received National Lottery funding to facilitate a review in terms of the management and ownership of the lough. This is a twin-track approach in terms of my engagement with the current owner but also the future options associated with this. I will say, there are no quick wins associated with the issues with Lough Neagh and it is highly likely, and I think it is important that I put this on the record in the chamber here today, that the scenes we saw last year will occur this year. I think it is a damning indictment that this situation was allowed to unfold. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll asked Mr Muir if he will be demanding he return the lough to the people. Mr Muir said: The issue of ownership of the lough, if people think that is going to be the solution to the problems with Lough Neagh, theyre badly mistaken. There are big issues here that we need to address and we all will have to face up to some really hard decisions, and Ill be outlining those over the next number of weeks. Lets be clear, there are big hard decisions and also funding that is required to turn the situation around. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 29th January 2024 - DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson pictured at a press conference after his partys Executive meeting in County Down. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. The DUP has said the results of the first polling carried out since the return of Stormont is a demonstration that the party made the right decision to return to power-sharing. The party has insisted the LucidTalk poll, which showed a drop in support for the DUP as Jim Allisters TUV gained ground, is enough to provide the platform it needs for the months ahead. Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons party dropped four points in the latest survey, revealed in Belfast Telegraph on Saturday, falling to 24%. But the results did reveal a boost in popularity for Sir Jeffreys leadership, and support from the unionist community for new deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly. This comes despite her taking the position without an electoral mandate, having been co-opted by the party to take a seat in the Lagan Valley constituency. This snapshot demonstrates strong support for the decisions we have taken, the path we are on and indicates unionists want to see us leading from the front as we plan for the future, said North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett, adding that his party is now focused on delivering a statement result at the next general election. We look forward confidently to making the case over the coming months that our plan for a more confident Northern Ireland within the UK is delivering for everyone. The General Election will be the poll that matters when people will face a clear choice between supporting a confident, strong unionist party that stood its ground and delivered for Northern Ireland as opposed to those who have no plan and no record of delivering. The next UK general election must be held no later than January 28, 2025. While the DUPs support dropped, there was a rise for the TUV, up from 4% to 6%. And that trend, according to the TUV, is only going to continue. Even though this poll was taken at the height of all the propaganda surrounding the Donaldson Deal and while many of the realities were still concealed, while there were unchallenged dishonest claims that the Sea Border was gone and Northern Irelands place in the UK restored, DUP support fell while TUV grew, the party said. That trend will only continue when the realities of the deal emerge and the spin and deceit which has been deployed falls apart. The TUV remains positive despite a fall in Jim Allisters personal rating, which has dropped three points with just 20% of voters scoring him positively. UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler said the fact that around two-thirds of unionist voters supported the return of Stormont was a vindication of his partys consistent calls for devolution to be restored. If ever a position was vindicated after repeated criticism its this one, he said. Two years of boycott achieved very little that wasnt possible two years ago. Making Northern Ireland work needs to be the central vision for any unionist of pro-Northern Ireland politician, and indeed those who espouse to be an authority on unionism. The politics of ransom, veto and shredding of public service and public confidence does not serve to win the case for the Union. Only putting peoples lives and wellbeing first can do that the people are the Union. But the poll will still be concerning for party leader Doug Beattie, as just one in four unionists rated his leadership positively. As the unionist parties debate the pros and cons of the return of Stormont, Sinn Fein has increased its lead in the polls. On 31%, the partys support remained unchanged since the last poll in November 2023, and Michelle ONeill, now installed as First Minister, is the most popular leader in Northern Ireland by a considerable margin. Alliance remains the third largest party, although it is down two points to 14% while the LucidTalk poll for the Belfast Telegraph showed the UUP up two points to 10% and the SDLP is up one point to 7%. Aontu is up one point to 2%, while the Greens are down a point to 1% and People Before Profit are unchanged on 1%. Its the first snapshot in public opinion since the DUP returned to power-sharing earlier this month, ending a two-year boycott of the political institutions in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements. There was also a warning for Alliance Party leader Naomi Long. While her popularity among nationalist voters remains high (58% positive) she remains unpopular with unionists. Neither the Prime Minister nor the Secretary of State impress Northern Ireland voters, although both have seen a slight rise in their personal scores compared to six months ago. Rishi Sunak is up two points to 9% while Chris Heaton-Harris is up four points to 8%. Some 71% of respondents believe the Secretary of State is doing a poor job, with 70% saying the same of the Prime Minister. Polling was carried out online from 1pm on February 9 to 9pm on February 12, using the established LucidTalk Northern Ireland online opinion panel. Plans include a two-mile tunnel, to overhaul eight miles of the A303 (PA) Campaigners have lost a High Court challenge over renewed plans to build a road tunnel near Stonehenge. Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site (SSWHS) challenged Transport Secretary Mark Harpers backing of plans which include the two-mile tunnel, to overhaul eight miles of the A303. The previous go-ahead for the National Highways project was quashed by the High Court in July 2021 amid concern about the environmental impact on the site. But the Department for Transport (DfT) approved the tunnel, from Amesbury to Berwick Down in Wiltshire, for the second time, on July 14 last year. In December, the campaigners brought a bid to the High Court in London to challenge the decision to reapprove the plans. (PA Graphics) However, in a ruling on Monday, Mr Justice Holgate largely dismissed their claim, finding most parts of their case were unarguable. One part of the legal bid, over the DfTs approach to an environmental impact assessment, will be determined at a later date. In his 50-page ruling, Mr Justice Holgate said ministers had rightly focused on the relevant policies and that the campaigners evidence provides no basis for undermining that conclusion. During the hearing last year, David Wolfe KC, for SSWHS, said the Government gave unlawful consideration of alternatives to the project, adding that campaigners believed National Highways had provided fundamentally flawed information over these that failed to acknowledge the heritage harm and was based on a flawed analysis of likely traffic figures for the A303. However, James Strachan KC, for the DfT, said the Government concluded the project was consistent with the UKs obligations under the world heritage convention and that it would work with advisory bodies to minimise harm. Campaigners made a second High Court bid to block the controversial road project (Lucy North/PA) The Government has argued that the need for the scheme and its benefits outweighed the harms, including the less than substantial harm to heritage assets. National Highways has said its plan for the tunnel will remove the sight and sound of traffic passing the site and cut journey times. Then-transport secretary Grant Shapps first gave the green light to the project in November 2020, despite advice from Planning Inspectorate officials that it would cause permanent, irreversible harm to the area. The SSWHS alliance successfully challenged his decision in the High Court. After the ruling, David Bullock, National Highways project director for the A303 Stonehenge scheme, said: We welcome the High Courts decision and wait for conclusion of the legal proceedings. It is a positive step forward and would mean that at long last we can progress solving the issues of the A303 near Stonehenge. It represents decades of working with our stakeholders, heritage bodies and local communities to create the best possible solution. Downing Street has said the death of Alexei Navalny must be fully investigated (Moscow City Court via AP, File) The death of Alexei Navalny must be investigated fully and those responsible held to account, Downing Street has said. MPs are set to discuss the death of the jailed Russian opposition leader when they return to Parliament on Monday afternoon, as the Government weighs up its options for responding to the news. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has already signalled that there could be fresh sanctions against Russian officials, amid questions for Russian authorities over how Mr Navalny died and a mounting chorus of Western voices holding Vladimir Putin responsible. On Monday, Downing Street would not comment on possible future sanctions, but paid tribute to Mr Navalny and called for a full investigation. Meanwhile, his widow Yulia Navalnaya claimed his family is being blocked from seeing his body as Russian authorities sought to conceal that he was killed using nerve agent Novichok, which he accused the Kremlin of using to poison him in 2020. The Prime Ministers official spokesman told reporters: It is very clear that the Russian authorities saw him as a threat and that is why they imprisoned him on fabricated charges. The fact that the FSB (the Russian federal security service) poisoned him with a banned nerve agent and then sent him to an Arctic penal colony his death must be fully investigated, and all of those in the Russian regime must be held to account. Foreign Office minister Leo Docherty is due to make a statement in the Commons on Mr Navalnys death on Monday afternoon. Ms Navalnaya said her husband was poisoned by another of Putins Novichoks as she criticised the authorities for stalling the release of the body. After Mr Navalnys mother was denied access to a morgue where his body was believed to be, Ms Navalnaya accused the authorities of trying to conceal evidence. They are cowardly and meanly hiding his body, refusing to give it to his mother and lying miserably while waiting for the trace of another of Putins Novichoks to disappear, she said. The Kremlins most prominent critic, the 47-year-old was imprisoned in January 2021 after he returned to Russia from Germany where he was recuperating from a near-lethal poisoning with a nerve agent. He died in a penal colony on Friday, with Russias federal prison service saying he became unwell after a walk and lost consciousness. It remains unclear what response the Government and other allies may take against Mr Putin, with Moscow already facing heavy sanctions since the start of the war in Ukraine. At a briefing held by the think tank Chatham House, Mr Navalnys biographer, Ben Noble, said the West needed to provide more than thoughts and prayers in response to the dissidents death. He said: If the reaction is weak, then those political prisoners who are still alive in Russia will be in even more danger. He added: We should make sure that the bite is as bad as the bark. If Biden is going to say there will be devastating consequences if Navalny were to die in detention, now he has of course died, then that has to be followed up otherwise its just another case of an empty threat from the West that Putin will regard as another sign that the West just doesnt have the resolve to follow through on its promises. The row over Mr Navalnys death comes as Ukraine and its allies prepare to mark the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion. Experts at Chatham House warned that, with American support for Kyiv in question, 2024 could be the toughest year yet for Ukraine. Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, said shortages of munitions were having a direct and immediate impact on Ukraines ability to fight, and accused leaders in the UK and other Western nations of failing to take urgent action necessary to deter Russian aggression. He said: There is no evidence that the highest political level has understood the scale of the threat or tried to explain it to voters and the public who will have to approve the measures that need to be taken to avert it. If action comes too late to avoid disaster it will have been because of criminal complacency at the highest political level. It comes as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky struggles to convince Republicans in Washington to facilitate a major funding package for Kyiv. Lord Cameron has urged lawmakers to pass the 60 billion US dollar (47.6 billion) package. More than three in four teachers believe most pupils leave school without the key financial skills needed, a survey has suggested (Dominic Lipinski/PA) More than three in four teachers believe most pupils leave school without the key financial skills needed, a survey has suggested. An overwhelming majority of teachers in the UK think children should be taught about money before they start secondary school, according to a poll from the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS). Hundreds of thousands of young people could be leaving school each year financially unequipped, the Government-backed body has warned. A poll, of 1,012 teachers in the UK, carried out by YouGov, found 76% agreed that most young people leave school or college without the money skills they need for adulthood. More than one in four (26%) teachers believe financial education should start at nursery, while 44% said children aged between 5-7 should start learning about money and 19% said between ages 8-11 was best. The MaPS which is an arms-length body sponsored by Government is calling for financial education to begin early on in childrens lives. Money is on the curriculum usually as part of maths and numeracy, citizenship and personal development subjects in all four UK nations. But the age at which schools deliver it to young people can differ, the MaPS has said. The survey, carried out online in November, found that nearly all teachers (96%) said it was important that schools teach pupils about money. Hundreds of thousands of young people could be leaving school each year financially unequipped, leaving the UKs future financial wellbeing hanging in the balance (Danny Lawson/PA) Asked to list the reasons why students were leaving school or college without the money skills needed, nearly four in five (79%) teachers said other subjects took priority over financial education. Around a quarter said teaching staff did not have enough confidence or skills (25%), or they were not sure where to find the right support and resources (26%). The complexity of financial topics and products (20%), money being a sensitive topic (18%), and young people not being interested (15%) were the other key reasons listed by teachers. Lisa Davis, senior policy manager for children and young people at the MaPS, said: Teachers have a unique insight into young peoples lives and their message is clear; too many miss out on the money skills they need. This could mean that every year, hundreds of thousands exit the school gates for the last time completely unprepared for managing their finances. It leaves them less likely to understand financial products, save or talk about money. Theyre also more at risk of making poor financial decisions, leaving the UKs future financial wellbeing hanging in the balance. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: Although there are some elements of financial education on the curriculum already, there is widespread acknowledgement that this needs to go further. Its vital that young people are able to navigate the world safely and securely when they leave school or college, and having the skills needed to make good financial decisions is an important part of this. Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at school leaders union NAHT, said: Schools want to provide the children with a broad and balanced curriculum which prepares them for the opportunities and responsibilities of adulthood. Financial education is a vital part of that as it can help protect children from increasingly complex financial harms including gambling, scams, in-game purchases and online exploitation. Financial wellbeing is also important in supporting children and young peoples mental health. But it can already be challenging for schools to cover the National Curriculum and qualification specifications in the time available, and this is exacerbated by government policies and high stakes accountability measures focusing on particular subjects. A Government spokesperson said: High quality financial education is key to making sure young people have the knowledge and financial skills to make important decisions later in life. Financial literacy within citizenship is compulsory for 11 to 16-year-olds in the national curriculum, so young people are taught about the importance of personal budgeting, savings, money management and calculating interest. Being financially literate relies on a solid understanding of maths and we have reformed the curriculum and invested 100 million in the Maths Hubs programme. The Advanced British Standard will see all young people study maths and English to 18, giving them the essential skills they need to succeed. More than 72 hours after Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalnys death in an Arctic penal colony, former US president Donald Trump mentioned him by name for the first time in a post on his social media site that focused not on Mr Navalny, but his own legal woes. US President Joe Biden and other Western leaders have blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the 47-year-olds death, responding with anger and demands for answers. But Mr Trump made no mention of Mr Putin or Mr Navalnys family in the post on Monday morning but instead cast himself as a victim and continued to paint the US as a nation in decline. The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our Country, he wrote. Flowers and candles are laid around a photo of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny during a rally to commemorate him in Romes Piazza del Campidoglio city council square (Andrew Medichini/AP) It is a slow, steady progression, with CROOKED, Radical Left Politicians, Prosecutors, and Judges leading us down a path to destruction. Open Borders, Rigged Elections, and Grossly Unfair Courtroom Decisions are DESTROYING AMERICA. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE, A FAILING NATION! MAGA2024. A New York judge on Friday ordered Mr Trump to pay 355 million dollars (281.8 million) in penalties in a civil fraud trial, finding the former president had inflated his wealth for years, scheming to dupe banks, insurers and others. Mr Trump has also been criminally charged in four separate investigations, the first of which is scheduled to go to trial next month. Mr Trumps post drew immediate denunciation from his rivals, including Nikki Haley, his last remaining challenger in the Republican nominating contest, who has been stepping up her criticism of the former president heading into Saturdays South Carolina primary. Donald Trump could have condemned Vladimir Putin for being a murderous thug, she wrote. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Trump could have praised Navalnys courage. Instead, he stole a page from liberals playbook, denouncing America and comparing our country to Russia. On Monday morning in Sumter, she further accused Mr Trump of siding with a thug in Mr Putin, whom she called a dictator who killed his political opponents. Mr Bidens campaign posted on X, formerly Twitter, that after days of silence, Mr Trump finally responded by comparing Mr Navalny to himself in a deranged social media post. Mr Trump has been criticised for nearly a decade now for his refusal to denounce the Russian leader and his frequent complimentary statements. As president, Mr Trump drew outrage when he openly questioned his own intelligence agencies finding that Russia meddled in the 2016 US election to help him win, seeming to accept Mr Putins insistence that Moscows hands were clean. This month he again caused an uproar when he said he once warned a Nato ally that he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to countries in the alliance that do not spend enough on defence. Yulia Navalnaya, wife of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, at the European Council building in Brussels (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP) Mr Navalnys widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has accused Mr Putin of killing her husband in a remote prison and refusing to turn over his body as part of a cover-up. Russian authorities have said Mr Navalnys cause of death on Friday is still unknown and is the subject of a new investigation. Its findings are likely to be met with deep scepticism. Mr Trumps reference to Mr Navalnys sudden death was notable. Prison officials allegedly told Mr Navalnys mother when she arrived at the penal colony on Saturday that her son had perished from sudden death syndrome, Ivan Zhdanov, the director of Mr Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation, wrote on X. Mr Navalny had been imprisoned since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating from a nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin. Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on a residential building in Rafah, Gaza Strip (Hatem Ali/AP) The US has announced it will veto a call for Israel to lay down arms against the people of Palestine in an upcoming vote at the UN Security Council. The vote, tabled by Algeria and backed by 22 Arab nations, demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and is expected to take place on Tuesday. US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement that Washington has been working on a hostage deal for months that would bring at least a six-week period of calm to the region, from which we could then take the time and the steps to build a more enduring peace. President Joe Biden with US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield (right) (Andrew Harnik/AP) She said US President Joe Biden has had multiple calls over the last week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to push the deal forward. Though gaps remain, the key elements are on the table and it remains the best opportunity to reunite hostages with their families and enable a prolonged pause in fighting which would allow lifesaving aid to get to Palestinian civilians who desperately need it, Ms Thomas-Greenfield said. Qatar said on Saturday the talks have not been progressing as expected. Ms Thomas-Greenfield added the proposed Arab-backed resolution wouldnt achieve those outcomes and may run counter to US goals. For that reason, the United States does not support action on this draft resolution. Should it come up for a vote as drafted, it will not be adopted, she said. (PA Graphics) In addition to a ceasefire, the final Algerian draft reiterates the councils demands that Israel and Hamas scrupulously comply with international law, especially the protection of civilians, and rejects the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians. The draft, seen by the Associated Press, also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages taken by Hamas during their surprise October 7 attacks in southern Israel. Some 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken captive, with more than 100 still believed to be held in Gaza. The 22 Arab countries at the United Nations have been demanding a ceasefire for months as Israels military offensive in response to the Hamas attacks has intensified, with the number of Palestinians killed surpassing 28,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. UN officials report a quarter of the 2.3 million population are now facing starvation (Fatima Shbair/AP) The Arab Group chair this month, Tunisias UN ambassador Tarek Ladeb, told UN reporters last Wednesday that some 1.5 million Palestinians who sought safety in Gazas southern city of Rafah face a catastrophic scenario if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu goes ahead with a potential evacuation of civilians and military offensive in the area bordering Egypt. Mr Netanyahu ordered the military to come up with a plan for Rafahs evacuation, but Israel has not announced a timeline. The Algerian draft resolution also expresses grave concern over the dire and urgently deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and reiterates the councils call for unhindered humanitarian access throughout the territory. UN officials report a quarter of the 2.3 million population are now facing starvation. The Security Council has already adopted two resolutions concerning the situation in Gaza, with the US, Israels closest ally, abstaining from both. Its first resolution on November 15 called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in Gaza to address the escalating crisis for Palestinian civilians during Israels aerial and ground attacks. On December 22, the council adopted a watered-down resolution calling for immediately speeding aid deliveries to hungry and desperate civilians in Gaza, but without the original plea for an urgent suspension of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. It did call on Israel to create conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. The steps to sustainable cessation were not defined, but diplomats said it was the councils first reference to stopping fighting.] The Midland police and fire departments respond to a vehicle crash on Oct. 12, 2022 in the area of South Saginaw Road and Rodd Street. Andrew Mullin/Midland Daily News The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department, compiled by reporter Tereasa Nims. Sunday, Feb. 11 9:29 p.m. - Midland police responded to W. Sugnet and Dyckman roads for a driver with a suspended license and a minor in possession of alcohol. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 3:55 p.m. - A 63-year-old Hope Township man reported the theft of approximately $100 in property. There are no suspects. 3:08 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to an Ingersoll Township residence for a disorderly 14-year-old boy. The boy was calmed and was turned over to EMS for transport to the ER for an evaluation. 12:03 a.m. - A deputy was dispatched to a Jerome Township residence after a 50-year-old man reported that there were potentially people on his wooded property. The deputy found no suspects. Saturday, Feb. 10 Advertisement Article continues below this ad 10:54 p.m. - Deputies responded to a Homer Township residence for an altercation between a 28-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman. Neither party was injured, and both parties refused to separate for the night. 9:19 p.m. - Midland police were dispatched to a drug-related incident around E. Sugnet Road and Jefferson Avenue. 8:20 p.m. - A 62-year-old Midland man called 911 after the 77-year-old man he picked in up in Lee Township became confused about where he wanted to go. The deputy spoke with the 77-year-old man and transported him to a Greendale Township residence. No crime was committed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 6:22 p.m. - A deputy spoke with a 39-year-old Edenville Township man after he reported that unknown suspects were able to get his Cash App card information off an online game. The man did not lose any money. The deputy spoke to the man about how to prevent this from happening in the future. 6:19 p.m. - A 70-year-old Homer Township woman called 911 to speak with a deputy regarding an ongoing civil issue along with unauthorized credit card transactions. The deputy provided information to the woman regarding the civil matter. The woman reported that she had several unauthorized transactions on her credit card totaling $600. She working with her financial institution to correct the matter and did not need law enforcement assistance. 3:40 p.m. - A 52-year-old Mount Haley Township man came to the Law Enforcement Center to report an attempt to extort money via the internet. The man said an unknown person using Tik-Tok and Signal was attempting to get money from him after they exchanged photos. The man was advised how to file a complaint with Tik-Tok and Signal. The man was advised not to send any money, block the individual and then delete both of his accounts. The man was also educated on internet safety. 2:31 p.m. - A deputy was dispatched to a verbal argument between Lee Township neighbors, a 25-year-old man and a 62-year-old man, regarding loose dogs. The younger man was trespassed from the complainant's property. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 2:48 p.m. - A deputy was dispatched to a Jerome Township residence regarding a domestic assault. A report is being sent to the prosecutor for review after a 29-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman got into an altercation. The man left the residence prior to deputy's arrival. Contact was eventually made with both parties. The parties will remain separated pending the investigation. 12:48 p.m. - Deputies answered questions for a 21-year-old man regarding ongoing relationship issues. The man was referred to the courts regarding a personal protection order. 12:27 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township residence for a verbal domestic dispute. The two parties were separated upon arrival. The complainant wanted this incident documented. 9:23 a.m. - A deputy was dispatched to a Greendale Township location regarding a 77-year-old man standing in a 36-year-old mans driveway with a walker. Contact was made with the 77-year-old, who was transported to the ER by EMS and treated medically, and a mental health petition was completed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 3:40 a.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Larkin Township location regarding a subject walking in or near the road. Deputies contacted the 52-year-old man and found out he had a warrant out of Midland County's 75th District Court. He was arrested and lodged in the Midland County Jail. 2:45 a.m. - A deputy transported a 39-year-old Edenville Township man from Coleman to the Midland County Jail after he was arrested by Clare police on a Midland County Friend of the Court warrant. 12:17 a.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Midland Township park for a person heard crying. Deputies located a 23-year-old Midland woman and a 21-year-old Bay City woman, both highly intoxicated . The deputy transported both women back to their friend's Midland Township residence for the evening. Friday, Feb. 9 Advertisement Article continues below this ad 10:59 p.m. - A 34-year-old Midland woman requested a wellbeing check of her 11-year-old daughter after not being allowed to see her because she did not follow the proper procedure according to a court order. The deputy spoke with the 46-year-old guardian and the 11-year-old girl, and no concerns were observed or expressed. The deputy attempted to notify the mother of the outcome, but she did not answer the phone. 7:08 p.m. - A deputy spoke with a 46-year-old Lee Township woman regarding questions pertaining to a Midland County Friend of the Court parenting order after learning that a 34-year-old Midland woman may have violated the order. The deputy referred the 46-year-old to the Friend of the Court to determine if there was a change in the order or a violation of the order. 5:22 p.m. - A deputy was dispatched to a neighboring county jail to pick up and transport a 37-year-old man to the Midland County Jail on a Midland County warrant. 4:45 p.m. - Midland police responded to a domestic assault in the 5300 block of Dublin Avenue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 3:56 p.m. - Midland police were called for a larceny of a vehicle in the 2500 block of Abbott Road. 3:11 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a residence in Geneva Township for a wellbeing check on a 34-year-old man due to a 32-year-old woman possibly being at his residence in violation of a conditional bond. No one was home and contact was not made with the man. 2:27 p.m. - A deputy was dispatched to a roadway in Mount Haley Township for a snowmobile trailer that was blown over in the wind. The truck that was hauling the trailer sustained no damage. The trailer had minor damage. The trailer was uprighted and continued on its way. 1:03 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to contact a 21-year-old man who needed someone to talk to. The man was counseled and provided with resources. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 12:08 p.m. - Deputies received a report of objects dumped in a drainage ditch in Larkin Township. The complaint is under investigation. 11:03 a.m. - A Midland County Animal Control deputy received a call regarding a welfare concern for a dog at a home in Jerome Township. Contact was made with the dog owner, who was instructed to arrange a veterinary exam. Deputy will follow up with the dog owner to ensure compliance. 10:03 a.m. - Midland police were called to a malicious destruction of property complaint in the 2600 block of Abbott Road. 2:57 a.m. - A 42-year-old Coleman man called 911 for an unknown problem. Central Dispatch said they could not understand the man because of a speech impediment. A deputy spoke with the man's mother, who said he was all right and did not need assistance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 12:41 a.m. - Midland police responded to a drunken driver at E. Patrick Road and Waldo Avenue. The LucidTalk poll is the latest to show support for the Union The debate about a future border poll continues. When should we have one, and what way might Northern Ireland vote? Our latest LucidTalk survey provides some clues. It indicated that if a referendum was held today, 49% of Northern Ireland would vote to stay in the Union, while 39% would support a united Ireland. There is also a third, potentially key group, with 12% unsure or not intending to vote. Winning the hearts and minds of those voters could swing the final result either way. It is the latest poll to show support for the Union all others in recent years have put support at around the 50% mark, give or take a few points. These include the most recent poll from the ARINS project, which showed 51% support for the Union (Irish Times, December 2023). As any poll result can be within two or three points of another finding (i.e. the accepted margin of error) it is basically the same result. But the other 50% in the opinion polls does show some differences between the pro-Irish unity score and Don't Knows. So why is this? One key point is that polls dont offer a balanced choice between two options, both of which are equally known to the respondent. The pro-Union poll score represents support for the status quo i.e. what is known. But there are a great many questions about a united Ireland what its political structure would be, what way would it work, and so on. A united Ireland is the unknown, and therefore its not surprising that within the other 50%, opinion varies between Irish unity and Don't Knows'. This is why the campaign period is very important in constitutional referendums because if a border poll was called, both sides would have to clarify and detail their arguments much more clearly. The final result in referendums usually turns out to be significantly different from what the polls said at the start of the campaign. This happened in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, with the opinion polls changing significantly during the campaign. At one stage, one poll put Scotland leaving the Union in the lead, before the final 55%-45% win for remain. Regular elections are also becoming more campaign-dependent. When Theresa May called the 2017 general election, the Conservatives were 20% ahead in all the polls. But at the end of the campaign, marked by Mrs Mays U-turn on the so-called Dementia Tax, the polls had narrowed, and the actual result was a hung parliament. One other key factor that would apply in a border poll is turnout. It can be reasonably expected that a significant number of people who dont vote in normal Northern Ireland elections Assembly, Westminster etc would turn out for a border poll, and how they vote could be crucial. The latest LucidTalk findings show this non-voting group approximately splits two-to-one in favour of the Union. However, this result is very approximate, and should be viewed with caution, as there is a larger margin of error when researching non-voter attitudes. It should also be noted that pollsters are asking people to predict their views about a hypothetical event a poll that may occur at some unknown future date, way into the future. Commenting on poll questions covering hypothetical situations, Anthony Wells, Director of Political Research at world-leading poll company YouGov, said: As a general rule, you can only usefully ask people a polling question if they actually know the answer, and most of us arent actually very good at predicting how we will respond to hypothetical situations. He added: Polls measure current public opinion. They cant predict the future, and while you can ask respondents to predict their own future opinions, they arent necessarily very good at it. So, in reality, polls probably wont be able to get a more meaningful view on what Northern Ireland really thinks about its current constitutional status. That will only change if and when a poll date is set, a campaign is underway, and we start to get some answers to the questions about how a united Ireland would look. Yes, all current polls and surveys about the border issue are useful and give an approximate feel for current opinion. But be careful about reading too much into them at this stage. The actual results in a real live NI Border referendum could be very different. Bill White is Managing Director of Belfast polling and market research company LucidTalk. You can follow LucidTalk on Twitter: @LucidTalk. UFO stories abound in the media but scientists take a skeptical view One of the two 'alien corpses' revealed by the Mexican government last summer. Photo: Getty The question of whether humanity stands alone in the universe is one of the biggest questions there is. The existence of extra-terrestrial life is the topic of heated debate globally, with strong feelings on either side. Last year, ex-US navy personnel testified to congress that the United States possessed UFO materials. A supposed alien corpse revealed by the Mexican government was subject to ridicule online in September 2023. But what can science tell us? Is there life beyond earth? And if there is is it intelligent life? Can the evidence of UFOs and alien contact be trusted? Ciaran Dunbar is joined by astrobiology Professor David C. Catling, author of Astrobiology: a Very Short Introduction and Sunday World reporter Niall Feiritear, who has had an experience that has convinced him, to present the latest evidence. China has promised Palau economic benefits in exchange for the latter severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a letter the Palauan president wrote to an unnamed United States senator revealed. President Surangel Whipps Jr. wrote to the senator that China had offered to fill every hotel room in our tourism-based private sector and more if more are built, and pay U.S. $20 million a year for a call center. The letter asked for Congress approval for funds for economic assistance packages pledged to Palau, which alongside Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, come under the Compacts of Free Association with the U.S. COFA gives the U.S. military access to these allies maritime territory in the Pacific. The nations provide the U.S. strategic control of the sea and air between Hawaii and Asia, an area wider than continental United States, Whipps wrote. The longer the delay in approving the amendment to the national security supplemental appropriations bill, Whipps warned, the more it plays into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party and business leaders in Palau who want to accept the economic benefits, at the cost of shifting alliances, beginning with sacrificing Taiwan. Whipps letter was uploaded in a post on X Thursday by Cleo Paskal, a researcher at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank. The letter ended by calling the legislation critical for both of our democracies and a free and open Indo-Pacific. Screenshot of Whipps letter. [@CleoPaskal, X] Analysts pointed out that Chinas monetary diplomacy strategy focuses on poaching Taiwans allies, while its diplomatic offensive against Palau aims to break the U.S.s containment of Chinas defense lines, allowing its fleet to cross the second island chain and reach the U.S.s rear at any time. Taiwan response In her response on Friday, Rosalia Wu, secretary-general of Taiwans Democratic Progressive Party Legislative Yuan Caucus, said Palau and Taiwan have a firm friendship and Chinas money diplomacy may not be effective. Of course this is commonplace, and it is nothing new. China cant come up with any more attractive new tricks. But within Chinas internal affairs and domestic economy, we see many Chinese people are suffering, while China continues to spend huge sums of money to buy diplomacy, she said. Wu added that China may have offered favorable incentives to win diplomatic ties but there are many cases of Beijing being unable to realize these promises. Honduras, which shifted toward establishing ties with China, is a case in point. Honduras has lost more than 10,000 job opportunities and nearly U.S. $15 million in foreign exchange. China has bragged about procuring their white shrimp in bulk, but that was a check that didnt cash out. Long-term goal Chen Li-fu, president of the Taiwan Association of University Professors, said in an interview with Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews, that Chinas short-term goal is to break Taiwans ties with Palau. In the long term, it is to use these Pacific island countries as a springboard to break through the U.S.s blockade against Beijing. If it [China] goes to the South Pacific countries, it will directly cross Guam, which is equivalent to reaching the rear of the U.S. Jeff Liu, Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, said his government empathizes with Palaus plight of Chinas economic coercion and will continue to provide assistance. This photo taken on Nov. 21, 2018 shows armed police preparing to go on patrol outside their police station in the town of Wabag in the Papua New Guinea highlands province of Enga. At least two dozen people were killed in violence between rival tribes in Papua New Guineas volatile Enga province on the weekend, police said, sending shockwaves through the Pacific island country just a month after it was rocked by riots and looting in the capital. Engas police commander George Kakas said the violence involving several tribes in the highland provinces Wapenamanda district began on Sunday morning. Some 26 bodies had been recovered so far, including gunmen hired by the tribes, he told BenarNews on Monday. Ambulin, Itiokon tribesmen staged a massive counterattack and slaughtered enemy tribesmen in a killing spree, a police summary of events said. The Sikin, Kaekin tribes went to stage an attack on the Ambulin, Itiokon tribes but were caught off guard and were ambushed and killed. More bodies are still being retrieved. A video circulating online shows bloodied bodies being piled onto a police truck. Kakas said it showed the aftermath of the violence in the remote highlands province. It has surpassed past tribal fight killings, he said. The latest example of Papua New Guineas tenuous grip on stability coincides with the parliamentary oppositions attempt to get the legislature to vote on a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister James Marape. Papua New Guineas capital Port Moresby was engulfed by chaos on Jan. 10 after its police stopped work to protest a cut in the pay of government employees that was purportedly caused by a payroll system glitch. At least 16 people died during the looting and arson that caused a severe blow to an economy already failing to provide sufficient jobs and incomes. The oppositions efforts were deflated last week when government lawmakers unanimously supported a surprise motion of confidence in Marape. However it was quick to seize on the weekends violence as further evidence of the governments failure to ensure stability and improved living standards for Papua New Guineas estimated 12 million people. The country is experiencing serious law and order issuesits a war zone in some parts of the country, an opposition statement said. The total incompetence of the national government under Prime Minister James Marape in concentrating power in Waigani [the seat of government] and not empowering our provincial governments is causing an escalation in lawlessness, it said. Papua New Guinea is the most populous Pacific island country with an estimated 12 million people and endowed with significant mineral and other resources. But it has struggled to develop economically because of corruption, poor infrastructure, frequent tribal violence and deep inequality for women. It has one police officer for about every 1,800 people, nearly four times less than the level recommended by the United Nations to ensure law and order, according to a Griffith Asia Institute report released last year. The ratio of police to people has declined substantially in the past half century as Papua New Guineas population tripled. The country is increasingly the focus of China-United States rivalry for influence in the Pacific. It signed a wide-ranging defense cooperation agreement with the U.S. last year that could bolster the U.S. military presence in the region, but doesnt help the country address challenges such as tenuous law and order and grinding poverty. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High around 40F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Occasional snow showers. Low 28F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. The Midland police and fire departments respond to a vehicle crash on Oct. 12, 2022 in the area of South Saginaw Road and Rodd Street. Andrew Mullin/Midland Daily News The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department, compiled by reporter Tereasa Nims. 10:07 p.m. - Deputies responded to Greendale Township for a two-vehicle crash in the parking lot of a business. 10:07 p.m. - Deputies responded to a Coleman residence for a verbal dispute between a 34-year-old Coleman woman and her 32-year-old Isabella County ex-boyfriend. No assault was reported. The man was arrested for an unrelated Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police warrant and was turned over to a Tribal Officer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 7:42 p.m. - Midland police were dispatched to the 1700 block of W. Wackerly Road for a disorderly conduct complaint. 7:23 p.m. - Midland police were called to a private property hit-and-run crash in the 7300 block of Eastman Avenue. 5:43 p.m. - A deputy responded to a Lee Township roadway area for a rollover crash with two occupants pinned in. Deputies and firefighters assisted in freeing the occupants. There were no injuries, and a crash report was completed. 12:30 p.m. - A Midland County Animal Control deputy was dispatched to the Kroger in Midland regarding a stray dog. The dog was transported to the Humane Society of Midland County and later returned to the owner. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 12:43 p.m. - A deputy was dispatched to the area of N. Eastman Road near Hidden Meadows Drive for a one-vehicle crash. 10:37 a.m. - A deputy was dispatched to the area of N. Meridian Road near W. Star Road for the report of a one vehicle traffic crash. A crash report was completed. 10:07 a.m. - A deputy was dispatched to a Porter Township roadway for a vehicle slide-off. The deputy provided traffic control while the tow truck removed the vehicle from the ditch with no damage. 9:17 a.m. - Midland police were called to a hit-and-run crash at Isabella Street and Currie Parkway. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 8:40 a.m. - A deputy responded to a vehicle in the ditch in Larkin Township. The vehicle suffered no damage and no crash report was completed. 8:24 a.m. - A deputy received a delayed traffic complaint in Homer Township. A 24-year-old Midland woman failed to stop for red lights that were flashing on a school bus. The deputy spoke with the woman and she was informed of the traffic laws that must be followed involving school buses. 8:23 a.m. - Deputies responded to a crash report in Hope Township and a verbal warning was issued for violation of the basic speed limit and going too fast for conditions. 3:51 a.m. - A deputy was dispatched to meet Isabella County Sheriff's deputies to take custody of a 44-year-old man who had three civil bench warrants out of Midland County. The man was arrested and lodged in the Midland County Jail. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 2:37 a.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Larkin Township residence for a verbal dispute between a 45-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter. The parties were calm upon the deputies' arrival and agreed to continue being civil following the deputies' departure. 12:20 a.m. - A 50-year-old man was arrested by Mount Pleasant police on a Midland County warrant. The man was transported to Midland County Jail. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Some of the students at Egremont Elementary School said yoga helped them sleep better and feel more calm and focus. Committed to meeting students where they are, Bowling Green State University is being recognized for its quality and flexible online degree programs in U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Best Online Programs rankings. Through BGSU Online, several of the University's undergraduate and graduate degree programs climbed to higher rankings for 2024, taking top honors for the state of Ohio and in the nation. Overall, BGSU online bachelor degrees are ranked No. 2 in Ohio and No. 57 nationally, placing the University's programs in the top 20% in the country, highlighting a dedication to offering in-demand academic programs that meet workforce needs. As the No. 1 university in the Midwest for veterans and military students, the University's online bachelor's programs for veterans retained their No. 1 status statewide while improving to No. 39 nationally. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report ranked the BGSU Online MBA program No. 2 among public universities in Ohio and No. 76 in the nation for veterans. "These rankings underscore the University's commitment to providing students an accessible education of value, no matter where they are," said Dr. Joe B. Whitehead Jr., provost and senior vice president at BGSU. "Bolstered by quality and innovative faculty, BGSU Online degrees offer a flexible path for students to earn a comprehensive education that supports their careers and workforce needs and creates public good." Criminal justice In addition to earning high marks for undergraduate degrees, many of the University's online graduate programs garnered top spots for 2024, including the online master's in criminal justice, which ranks No. 2 in Ohio, No. 3 in the Midwest and No. 15 of any program nationally. The BGSU Master of Science in Criminal Justice prepares students for leadership positions in various law enforcement agencies and disciplines. The program's curriculum blends theory and research to inform effective responses and solutions to contemporary challenges facing the criminal justice system. The Midland police and fire departments respond to a vehicle crash on Oct. 12, 2022 in the area of South Saginaw Road and Rodd Street. Andrew Mullin/Midland Daily News The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department, compiled by reporter Tereasa Nims. Tuesday, Feb. 13 9:36 p.m. - Deputies conducted a traffic stop at a Jerome Township location for an improper license plate and cited the 28-year-old female driver. A copy of the report is being sent to the prosecutor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 7:39 p.m. - A Midland County Sheriff's patrol vehicle was damaged at the Law Enforcement Center. 7:28 p.m. - A deputy spoke with a 42-year-old Lee Township woman, who said her 17-year-old son was yelled at by their 44-year-old female neighbor for walking in her yard. The caller advised there is an ongoing issue with her neighbor yelling at her and her son for no reason. A deputy explained to the caller the process for obtaining a personal protection order. 4:57 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle at a property in Lee Township. They contacted the 40-year-old Lee Township property owner, who stated the vehicle left prior to the deputies' arrival without incident. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 2 p.m. - Midland police responded to N. Saginaw Road and W. Wheeler Street for a property damage crash. 11:32 a.m. - Deputies arrested a 26-year-old Lee Township man on a felony warrant. The man was lodged in the Midland County Jail. 11:11 a.m. - A deputy was dispatched to a Geneva Township residence to locate a 32-year-old woman for a wellbeing check for district court. The deputy spoke with a 34-year-old male resident, who advised that the woman was not there and he hadn't seen her in a while. 10:02 a.m. - Midland police responded to the 200 block of W. Ellsworth Street to assist the probation/parole departments. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 8:05 a.m. - The Midland County Sheriff's Office Investigations Division received a referral from the Department of Health & Human Services alleging that a 14-year-old child was slapped by a parent after charging at the parent during an argument. After investigation, however, no information was offered that showed this to be a criminal incident. It was instead found to be appropriate parental discipline. 4:47 a.m. - Deputies responded to a Larkin Township residence for a verbal argument between a 36-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man. Both parties denied any assault. The woman left the residence for the remainder of the night. No crime was committed. 12:56 a.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Homer Township residence after the 59-year-old homeowner reported a 30-year-old Jerome Township man was trespassing on his property. Deputies located the 30-year-old driving on a Homer Township roadway and conducted a traffic stop for moving violations. The 30-year-old was cited for multiple registration and license violations. A report was forwarded to the prosecutor for review. Tereasa Nims can be reached at Tereasa,Nims@hearstnp.com A Falcon music education alumnus has flown to the highest heights in the nations capital. Lt. Col. Ryan Nowlin 00, 04 assumed the baton as the 29th director of The Presidents Own U.S. Marine Band on Dec. 20, 2023. The directorship is the honor of a lifetime, Nowlin said. Its a stewardship of American musical and ceremonial history, which I approach with the utmost reverence and respect. The United States Marine Band's role is one of service through music to all - what could be more inspiring than that? Nowlin took over the helm from Col. Jason K. Fettig, who has held the position since 2014. Nowlin joined the Marine Band as staff arranger in 2010, then was appointed to assistant director and commissioned as first lieutenant in 2014. He rose to the rank of captain in 2016 and was named associate director of the band in January 2020. Before joining the U.S. Marine Band, Nowlin taught instrumental music for 10 years in Ohio, drawing on his music education preparation from BGSU. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. For further collaboration with customers and moving science forward in India Biocair, an award-winning global life science logistics expert, has announced the opening of its office in Bengaluru on February 13, the companys fourth office in India. Spread over 2500 square feet, Neha Naik, General Manager Biocair India, inaugurated the new office in the presence of customers and key partners. Biocair has a presence in the country since 2021 with its corporate office in Mumbai, and other locations in New Delhi and Chennai. Neha said The pharma business in India is worth about $50 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $100 billion by 2030 - we want to be part of this growing market. With an increasing customer base, Biocair Indias team of logistics experts provide 24/7 collection, delivery and support including weekends and holidays, with on-site training available. With the opening of the Bengaluru office, we are eagerly looking forward to further collaborating with our customers and moving science forward in India. Commenting about Biocairs unique partnership approach, Ms. Naik said Our local experts based in India assist with regulatory and documentation requirements for import/export. The result is a new offering that enables operational and supply chain excellence in the rapidly expanding Indian R&D and healthcare sectors. Biocair has built up a unique, client-centric approach by employing scientists in front-line logistics positions and assembling a team of best-in-class industry experts in quality, cold chain and regulatory compliance. As members of the many regulatory associations such as UK Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and The International Air Transport Association (IATA), and having certifications such as ISO 9001:2015 and wholesale dealer licence from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Biocair is extensively qualified to manage time and temperature-sensitive biopharma materials. Since 1986, Biocair has established a global reputation as a leading GDP logistics specialist within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and life sciences sectors. With around 550 colleagues worldwide providing specialist logistics services to more than 160 countries through a global network of partners, Biocair offices are located in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, USA, South Africa, China, Singapore and India. After hurling salacious allegations for months against Jes Staley in a federal lawsuit JPMorgan Chase had brought against its former executive, the bank decided last September to quietly settle the case without disclosing the terms. The bank sued Staley after it had been sued by victims of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and after it had been sued in a separate lawsuit by the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned a private island compound that was a frequent venue of Epsteins sex trafficking of minors. Lawyers for the U.S. Virgin Islands charged that JPMorgan Chase had actively participated in Epsteins sex-trafficking venture from 2006 until 2019. (Both cases were settled last year by the bank, with it paying a whopping $290 million to the victims and $75 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands.) The banks lawsuit against Staley appeared to be a damage control effort to redirect the medias attention to Staley and away from the man he reported to Jamie Dimon, the Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase who has survived a breathtaking array of criminal charges against the bank while he has sat at its helm. (See JPMorgans Board Made Jamie Dimon a Billionaire as the Bank Rigged Markets, Laundered Money, and Admitted to Five Felony Counts.) While evidence submitted to the court showed Staley was deeply involved with Epstein, the evidence is also overwhelming that more than a dozen other bank personnel, including top executives, facilitated Epsteins ability to keep his sex trafficking of minors scheme alive. A Memorandum of Law filed by the U.S. Virgin Islands made the following points: Even if participation requires active engagementthere is no genuine dispute that JPMorgan actively participated in Epsteins sex-trafficking venture from 2006 until 2019. The Court found allegations that the Bank allowed Epstein to use its accounts to send dozens of payments to then-known co-conspirators [redacted] provided excessive and unusual amounts of cash to Epstein; and structured cash withdrawals so that those withdrawals would not appear suspicious went well beyond merely providing their usual [banking] services to Jeffrey Epstein and his affiliated entities and were sufficient to allege active engagement. The U.S. Virgin Islands alerted the court to the unfathomable sums of hard cash that Epstein was able to take from the accounts he maintained at JPMorgan Chase without the bank filing the legally mandated Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The U.S. Virgin Islands tallied up the hard cash dispersals as follows: Between September 2003 and November 2013, or approximately ten years, JPMorgan handled more than $5 million in outgoing cash transactions for Epstein ignoring its own policy discouraging large cash withdrawals. The U.S. Virgin Islands attorneys cite to internal emails at JPMorgan Chase showing that employees at the bank were aware of Epsteins [c]ash withdrawals made in amounts for $40,000 to $80,000 several times a month while also being aware that Epstein paid his underage sexual assault victims in cash. On August 25 of last year, JPMorgan Chase filed a document with the court as part of a discovery demand showing that, in addition to Staley, 14 of its executives, private bankers and other staff had made visits to Epsteins private residences. One of those employees, Justin Nelson, visited Epsteins residences more times than Staley. Nelson was at Epsteins Manhattan mansion a key location of the sex trafficking operation 12 times and one time at Epsteins Zorro Ranch in New Mexico an additional location of the sex trafficking ring. Thats a total of 13 visits to the residence of a sex trafficker. Staleys visits to Epsteins residences tally up to 11, according to JPMorgans chart. (See pages 3, 4 and 5 at this link.) Eight of Nelsons visits to Epsteins residences occurred after 2013, the year that the bank claims it fired Epstein as a client. Disbursements from Epstein accounts were occurring long after 2013 according to court documents, raising questions about just when, or if, Epstein was terminated as a client from the Private Bank or the banks brokerage unit, J.P. Morgan Securities. Nelson was dually employed at both units. Notwithstanding this hard evidence of JPMorgan Chases culpability in the Epstein saga, on February 7 of this year months after the bank had quietly settled its case against Staley and the matter had disappeared from news headlines Bloomberg News inexplicably decided to put Staley and Epstein back in its headlines. (Paywall.) In an article written by Harry Wilson, Ava Benny-Morrison, and Jason Leopold, one sentence jumps out. It reads: The bank, which through Staley served Epstein as a client. The banks own chart, linked above in the ninth paragraph, shows that the following 14 individuals, in addition to Staley, were making visits to Epsteins private residences while employed at the bank: Paul Barrett (Managing Director, Private Bank); Mary Casey (Managing Director, Private Bank); John Duffy (CEO, Private Bank); Mary Erdoes (CEO, Asset & Wealth Management); David Frame (Global Chief Executive, Private Bank); Christopher French (Managing Director, Private Bank); Joanna Jagoda (Assistant General Counsel, Legal); Jeffrey Matusow (Managing Director, Private Bank); Thomas McGraw (Managing Director, Private Bank); Paul Morris (Banker, Private Bank); Justin Nelson (Managing Director, Private Bank); Carolyn Reers, Managing Director, Private Bank); James von Moltke (job title not provided by the bank). If Dimon is fearful of Staley providing evidence against the bank in the Epstein matter to the criminal division of the U.S. Department of Justice, it would have an incentive to continue to undermine Staleys credibility in the press. What was JPMorgan Chases incentive to keep such a clearly dangerous man as Epstein as a client? The U.S. Virgin Islands makes a very credible case that the bank was getting lots of profits both from trading in Epsteins own accounts as well as his referrals of rich clients to the bank. It tells the court in one filing: In 2003, Epstein was, by double, the top revenue generator in the Private Bank, and the source of Google co-founder Sergey Brin (one of the largest [relationships] in the Private Bank, of +$4BN), Glenn Dubin (billionaire founder of Highbridge), and many other ultra-wealthy clients and connections, which would come to include Bill Gates, Leon Black, Larry Summers, the Sultan of Dubai, Prince Andrew, Ehud Barak, Thomas Pritzker, Lord Peter Mandelson, and Prime Minister Netanyahu. And what would be the incentive for Bloomberg News to carry water for Jamie Dimon? Michael Bloomberg, the former Mayor of New York, is the majority owner of the publishing and data terminal empire that has, for years, published flattering articles about Jamie Dimon. In 2016, Michael Bloomberg even co-authored an opinion piece with Dimon. The same year, the New York Post reported that JPMorgan Chase was the second largest customer of Bloombergs data terminal business with 10,000 leases of Bloombergs terminals. At the time, the terminals cost around $21,000 each per lease, per year, or approximately $210 million being forked over by JPMorgan Chase to Michael Bloombergs company annually. Bloombergs data terminals are the cash cow of the company. During JPMorgan Chases London Whale scandal in 2012 and 2013, where the bank gambled with bank depositors money in its federally-insured bank by making exotic derivative trades in London and losing at least $6.2 billion, Michael Bloomberg was Mayor of New York City. Instead of condemning this outrageous risk-taking with federally-insured deposits, Mike Bloomberg was quoted in the Wall Street Journal calling Dimon a very smart, honest, great executive, adding The controls failed. Hell look at that and fix it. That statement appeared in May of 2012. The five felony counts brought by the Justice Department and admitted to by the bank, followed from 2014 to 2020. Mmm hmm. Via: Fox: World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has issued a new warning about the likelihood of Disease X breaking out, telling global world leaders it is a matter of when, not if a new pathogen and pandemic will strike. Tedros, who goes by his first name and is not a medical doctor, told attendees at the World Government Summit in Dubai earlier his week he gave a similar warning in 2018 that a pandemic was likely to hit, and he was proven right with the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus. Complaining that the world is still ill-prepared for a new pandemic, Tedros once again touted the urgent need for a global treaty to be agreed upon by May and dismissed suspicions of it being a WHO power grab as outlandish. He called the treaty mission critical for humanity. Possibly Related: Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones Heard Warnings from the FBI of Imminent Terrorist Attacks on the U.S. A significant legal challenge has been initiated against the Canadian federal government, targeting their controversial deployment of the Emergencies Act and freezing the bank accounts of civil liberties protesters in February 2022. This legal action, which also implicates Canadas principal financial institutions, police bodies, and various other entities, follows a pivotal judicial decision last month. A federal court judge had deemed the governments application of the Emergencies Act as a violation of Canadians Charter rights during the pandemic-related protests, labeling it an unlawful act. The plaintiffs, represented by Calgarys Loberg Ector law firm, filed their case in the Ontario Superior Court in Ottawa, citing the acts unreasonable use. They are seeking substantial financial redress, with claims for each plaintiff reaching up to $1.75 million. The lawsuit names Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, several of his cabinet ministers, and the top six Canadian banks as defendants. Related: Canadian Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland laughs when quizzed on freezing of citizens bank accounts Key allegations include violations of the Charter through various actions such as identifying individuals, divulging financial data, intruding on private property, and seizing financial assets like bank accounts and credit cards. The plaintiffs argue that the governments actions were driven by panic, political malice, and an intent to punish and intimidate Canadian citizens. Edward Cornell of Shediac Cape, N.B., prominently named first in the court document titled Edward Cornell et al v. Justin Trudeau et al, is among those affected. The Trudeau administration, maintaining their stance, immediately announced their intention to appeal the ruling, asserting that the acts use was necessary due to the national emergency posed by the Freedom Convoy. In defense of the governments actions, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, also named in the lawsuit, reiterated the perceived urgency and legality of their response at the time: We believed we were doing something necessary and something legal at the time, she stated. That continues to be my belief today. FILE - Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 22, 2022, at U.N. headquarters. At least 53 men were massacred in a major escalation of tribal violence in Papua New Guinea, Australian media reported Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. Tribal violence in the Enga region has intensified since elections in 2022 that maintained Prime Minister James Marape's administration. Julia Nikhinson/AP MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) A tribal clash in Papua New Guineas remote highlands in which at least 26 people were killed has put a growing internal security problem under the microscope in the strategically vital South Pacific island nation that has garnered closer military attention from the United States and China. The rival powers are increasingly keen to strike security pacts with the developing nation whose international significance has grown in tandem with China's increased regional influence. Here's a look at some key issues surrounding Papua New Guinea's internal security concerns: Advertisement Article continues below this ad PAPUA NEW GUINEA, THE COUNTRY Papua New Guinea is the most populous South Pacific island nation after Australia and was a colony of that near neighbor until independence in 1975. The government estimates Papua New Guineas population at around 10 million people, although a United Nations study, based on data including satellite photographs of roof tops, estimated in 2022 it could be as high as 17 million. An accurate census has not been held in the nation in decades. Its a diverse country rich in resources including gold, nickel and natural gas with more than 800 Indigenous languages. Most of the population scrapes by as subsistence farmers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad WHY IS THERE TRIBAL WARFARE? Civil unrest in the capital Port Moresby and Lae, the nations second most populous city, made headlines last month when at least 15 people were reportedly killed during rioting and looting in street protests over a public service pay dispute. But tribal warfare has a long history across the country and is becoming more lethal with an influx of illegal modern firearms in the highlands and increasing use of mercenary sharpshooters. Some villagers accuse security forces of taking bribes from tribal warlords to help defeat rivals who dont pay for protection. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The latest tribal battle occurred in gold-rich Enga province. Another hotspot for tribal violence is Hela province. Both are among resource-rich western areas of the country where tribal conflict has escalated in recent decades, said Paul Barker, executive director of the Port Moresby-based policy think tank Institute of National Affairs. Natural resources create jealousies and conflicts around how the wealth should be distributed, who was entitled to mining royalties and which landowners deserved compensation. Other traditional triggers for tribal conflict include accusations of sorcery following sudden deaths such as car wrecks and payback for casualties from previous tribal wars. WHY IS THE WORLD CONCERNED ABOUT PAPUA NEW GUINEA'S DOMESTIC SECURITY TURMOIL? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Joe Biden was to become the only sitting U.S. president to ever visit Papua New Guinea in May last year but cancelled at short notice to focus on debt limit talks in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken took Bidens place and signed a new security pact that sparked Papuan student protests over concerns that it undermined the country's sovereignty. Chinese President Xi Jinping had visited in 2018 when Port Moresby hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit. The United States and its influential ally in the region, Australia, have been rapidly building bridges with Papua New Guinea and its island neighbors in response to China signing a security pact with the Solomons Islands in 2022 that raised the prospects of a Chinese naval foothold being established in the South Pacific. China later failed in an ambitious attempt to get 10 Pacific island nations including Papua New Guinea, the Solomons nearest neighbor, to sign a sweeping deal covering everything from security to fisheries. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Australian and Papuan prime ministers signed a security pact in December that strengthened Australias place as the preferred security partner in the region. The main dividend for Papua New Guinea was the help Australia offered to address its internal security concerns by increasing the police force from 6,000 to 26,000 members and to support the court and prison systems. But Papua New Guineas Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko revealed last month that his government had begun early talks with China on its offer of policing assistance weeks after the street riots in Port Moresby and Lae. Papua New Guinea had previously said the United States and Australia were its preferred security partners while China would remain an economic partner. On Friday, Moscow authorities reported that outspoken Russian politician and Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has died in jail, leading to a giant uproar in western media and political circles. If you havent been following the news, just log in to your favorite social media application and type in Navalny in the search bar. You would think this level of attention in the west would warrant the news of some MLK-like figure being taken out by a western government. But no, this incident happened in a faraway Siberian prison. Navalny, who has for some time been *positioned* as a legitimate political alternative to Vladimir Putin, had been serving part of a three decade sentence in Russias "Polar Wolf" Arctic penal colony. Navalny was often portrayed in the headlines as the one man who was going to change the system within a historic great power nation. However, his campaigns were surrounded domestically by allegations of illegitimacy. There are some indications that he and his associates were attempting to sow a foreign-backed revolution in Russia. In addition to this, Navalny advocated for western-style liberalism in a nation where the citizenry supports an authoritarian governance model. The Navalny project never meshed with the general population, and thus he remained consistently very unpopular in Russia. Despite being accused of treason, he nonetheless was charged and convicted of a variety of non-espionage crimes in Russia, such as extremist activities, fraud, and embezzlement. According to the Levada Center, the most reputable public opinion polling organization inside of Russia, Navalny has never been popular in the country. In the most recent poll (from January of 2023) conducted on Mr. Navalny, only 9% of Russians said they agree with his political activities. Levada Center Outside of Russia, the western corporate media and political class has deified the late Navalny with all kinds of exaggerated labels, with many now insisting that Moscow got rid of him because he posed a threat to the political order within Russia. Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalnys death, President Biden said at a White House news conference on Friday. What has happened to Navalny is even more proof of Putins brutality. No one should be fooled. For over a decade, the western ruling class has dedicated considerable energy to trying to make a movement out of Navalny, without much success. As the surveys show, the concocted narrative of Navalny as a threatening anti-Putin political force was baseless and it remains baseless. It may remind some of the infamous Jamal Khashoggi murder, in which the Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist (who faced similar allegations of espionage and treason) ended up paying the ultimate price for attempting to foment an Islamic revolution against the monarchy in Riyadh. Similar to Navalny, Khashoggi was being weaponized as an instrument to bring forth political changes to the country where he was born. Like Navalny, Khashoggi was deeply unpopular in his home country. For Khashoggi, it was his attempts from abroad to revive radical Islamic doctrine (and destabilize the monarch) within a population that was moving in the direction of national revitalization and reform. Jamal Khashoggi was a jihadist, not a journalist JORDAN SCHACHTEL JULY 15, 2022 As usual, theres a lot of nonsense floating around the internet today. This time, its about the life and legacy of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi national and Washington Post columnist who was killed in 2018. With President Biden visiting Saudi Arabia today, the corporate press and pseudo human rights outfits are in overdrive attempting to ostracize and Just as with the Khashoggi murder (which is still brought up incredibly frequently in the press), Americans have the right to opt out of this incident too, as we have plenty of our own issues here. In the grand scheme of things, the death of Alexei Navalny is just not that important, and it has nothing to do with the present and future lives of people living in the United States. There are infinitely more consequential issues that impact our lives in America. Despite passing away in 2018, the Khashoggi Op still inundates the Western press The Russian government is well known for its intolerance for dissent, and it is well documented how Moscow treats political dissidents, usually resorting to both clandestine and overt violence to quash criticism. Although Navalny is indeed being used to advance a political agenda, The Kremlin is not the good guy in this story, as a wildly antithetical force to human freedom and dignity. Instead of prosecuting Navalny while upholding due process, Moscow engaged in state-approved savagery behind closed doors. For many decades, these violent hatchet operations have been the modus operandi of the Kremlin. Yes, the tragic death of Navalny has been turned into a political weapon, and the Biden Administration is also engaging in deeply illiberal behavior against Americans. But for all of our issues at home, celebrating authoritarian regimes abroad is not the answer to our domestic problems. As bad as some things seem in the United States, becoming a groveling brown-noser for morally bankrupt foreign regimes is never the answer. Putting that aside, its worth asking why exactly my fellow Americans are supposed to dedicate our energies to the tragic death or murder of a non-American man over 5,000 miles away from Americas eastern shores. Now that Navalny has been made into a martyr, we can expect the noise level to be dialed up even higher. But that doesnt mean all of that noise is worth our time. You can look, but dont touch! The State Department is so unhappy a newspaper published details about where its been spending your taxes, its threatened to only show a congressional committee its records in camera until it gets a better understanding of how the Committee will utilize this sensitive information. Essentially, Tony Blinken is threatening to take his transparency ball home unless details about what censorship programs hes sponsoring stop appearing in papers like the Washington Examiner: The State Department tells Congress, which controls its funding, that it will only disclose where it spent our money in camera A year ago the Examiner published Disinformation, Inc., a series by investigative reporter Gabe Kaminsky describing how the State Department was backing a UK-based agency that creates digital blacklists for disfavored media outlets. Your taxes helped fund the Global Disinformation Index, or GDI, which proudly touts among its services an Orwellian horror called the Dynamic Exclusion List, a digital time-out corner where at least 2,000 websites were put on blast as unsuitable for advertising, thus disrupting the ad-funded disinformation business model. The culprit was the Global Engagement Center, a little-known State Department entity created in Barack Obamas last year in office and a surprise focus of Twitter Files reporting. The GEC grew out of a counter-terrorism agency called the CSCC and has a mission to counter any messaging, foreign or domestic as it turns out, that they see as undermining or influencing the policies, security, or stability of the United States. The GEC-funded GDI rated ten conservative sites as most risky and put the Examiner on its exclusion list, while its ten sites rated at the lowest level of disinformation included Buzzfeed, which famously published the Steele Dossier knowing it contained errors and is now out of business. In an effort to find out what other ventures GEC was funding an absurd 36 of 39 2018 contractors were redacted even in an Inspector Generals report the House Small Business Committee wrote the State Department last June asking for basic information about where the publics money was being spent. State and GEC stalled until December 3 of last year, when it finally produced a partial list of recipients. Although House Republicans asked for an unredacted list of all GEC grant recipients and associated award numbers from 2019 through the current year, the list the Committee received was missing dozens of contractors, including some listed on USASpending.com. The Examiner and Kaminsky subsequently wrote an article slamming GEC for sending incomplete records of the censorship investigation, in the process including links to a snippet of the GECs contractors: In response to the outrage of this disclosure, the State Department sent its letter threatening in camera sessions until it gets a better understanding of how the Committee will use its sensitive information. Thats Beltway-ese for We wouldnt mind knowing the Examiners sources. About that: the State letter wrote that the Examiners records were reportedly obtained from the Committee, and included a footnote and a link to a Kaminsky story, implying that the Examiner reported that it got the records from the Committee. But the paper said nothing about the source of the documents, which as anyone whos ever covered these types of stories knows, could have come from any number of places. Its a small but revealing detail about current petulance levels at State. Anti-disinformation work is not exactly hypersonic missile construction. Theres no legitimate reason for it to be kept from the public, especially since its increasingly clear its programs target American media companies and American media consumers, seemingly in violation of the State Departments mission. The requested information is also not classified, making the delays and tantrums more ridiculous. There are simply too many agencies that have adopted the attitude that the entire federal government is one giant intelligence service, entitled to secret budgeting and an oversight-free existence. They need pushback on this score and have at last started to get it. Thanks in significant part to the Examiner as well as lawsuits by The Federalist, Daily Wire, and Consortium News, the latest National Defense Authorization Act included for the first time a provision banning the Pentagon from using any advertiser for recruitment that uses biased censorship entities like NewsGuard and GDI, as a congressional spokesperson put it in December. Well see how it pans out, but congress withholding money for domestic spy programs is at least a possible solution, now in play. Perhaps its time for the State Department to receive a similar wake-up call. If GEC wants to put conditions on disclosure, can we put conditions on paying taxes? SMH, SMH If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself. -George Orwell, 1984 In a classic case of life imitating dystopian sci-fi pulp fiction, the German Fourth Reich has announced big plans for so-called far-right extremist (which now means anyone not blindly obedient to government) elements of the population it oversees. This will evoke in many connoisseurs of pop culture remembrance of a little ditty from 2002 titled Minority Report, the plot of which is that the state has devised a convoluted method of detecting crime before it happens and therefore eliminated all murders in Washington, D.C. by 2054. Via Associated Press: Germanys top security official said Tuesday that she aims to make it easier to trace right-wing extremists financing and plans to set up an early recognition unit to detect far-right and foreign disinformation campaigns as early as possible. Interior Minister Nancy Faesers proposals follow large protests against the far right in Germany in recent weeks. They reflect growing concern after a report said extremists met to discuss deporting millions of immigrants, including some with German citizenship, and that some members of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, whose support has doubled since the countrys 2021 election, were present. Germanys domestic intelligence agency says the number of far-right extremists has been rising*. In 2022, it reached 38,800, with 14,000 of them considered potentially violent. The agencys head, Thomas Haldenwang, said the numbers are believed to have risen again last year. *Note that the governing authorities never seem to bother to investigate why so-called far-right extremism (again, a misnomer designed to smear, not describe) might be attractive to a growing swathe of Western populations as if, apropos of nothing, the previously well-heeled, domesticated, cosmopolitan, thoroughly liberalized German population suddenly decided to return to its Nazi roots because Something, something probably Russia, definitionally disinformation, or maybe the sleazy malinformation reared its ugly head. Related: Malinformation: The Newest Weapon in the Censorship Regimes Arsenal Naturally, it goes without saying that the trigger for far-right extremism is certainly not the glorious, culturally-enriching Diversity the EU has treated the serfs to for the past couple decades or so, or the coordinated destruction of the globalized economy on account of COVID, or the war waged against the food supply for Climate Change, or any number of other abuses perpetrated by the multinational corporate state. Related: Germany: Afghan Migrant Does a Diversity, Rapes Drunk Teenager on Subway Platform 'For Hours', Migrants Responsible For 69% of Violent Crime in France Ben Bartee, author of Broken English Teacher: Notes From Exile, is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff Substack. Also, keep tabs via Twitter. For hip Armageddon Prose t-shirts, hats, etc., peruse the merch store. Support always welcome via insta-tip jar. Dear Abby Tribune File Photo DEAR ABBY: I am engaged to an amazing guy. We have been together a little more than two years. During our first year, his family was great to me. They acted as if they liked me. However, things have changed. When my fiance and I are around them, they just wave and have little to say to me, if they say anything at all. They never call or text me; I'm always the one to do it first. Several times when I have texted, they haven't replied. My fiance is very supportive. He tells me things will get better and tries to make me feel better about it, but I'm starting to get the impression they don't like me. Also, I don't feel I have anything in common with his mother and sister, which makes me feel even more awkward. I have tried to be friendly and to nurture a relationship with them, but I'm getting no effort in return. If you have any advice, please share. UNLIKED IN KENTUCKY Advertisement Article continues below this ad DEAR UNLIKED: If you and your fiance have a good relationship, stop obsessing about his family. They may have made a fuss over you in the beginning because you were "new." Now a year has passed, and the novelty has worn off. I'm sorry your relationship with his family hasn't turned out to be what you envisioned it would be, but life can be like that. So take this step by step. Nurture the relationships you have with friends, other couples and your own family. Relax, enjoy the life you are building with the man you love and take your cues for dealing with your future in-laws from your fiance. He knows them better than we do. DEAR ABBY: My stepson, who had bipolar II, died by suicide a year and a half ago when we were away. We thought he was doing better, and his mom saw no reason to stay at our house while we were gone for a few days. The police told us he had made his decision and there was nothing we could have done. This was my husband's youngest, and he lived with us for 12 years. I grew quite fond of him, but I wasn't with him for the first 18 years of his life. I am still grieving, but my husband is grieving more. He had a heart attack five months to the day after his son's suicide and then open-heart surgery. As my friend said after visiting him yesterday, that's depression to the nth degree. He doesn't see the need for therapy, and he hates extra medication. What can I do? Advertisement Article continues below this ad CONCERNED FOR HIM IN TEXAS DEAR CONCERNED: Tell your husband you are still grieving the loss of your stepson and you know he is, too. Explain that you have a strong suspicion his recent heart attack may have been connected to the tragic loss of his son. His doctors should be put on notice if they don't already know the whole story. If your husband is adamant about not getting grief counseling, tell him YOU are joining a grief support group, and you NEED him to accompany you because you love him and don't want to lose him, too. IAF's C-17 Globemaster III during the Vayu Shakti 2024 exercise at Pokhran Range, in Jaisalmer district, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. A PTI Photo NEW DELHI (PTI): India has approved defence big-ticket acquisition projects worth Rs 84,560 crore that included procurement of mid-air refuellers, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, heavy weight-torpedoes, air defence radars and new generation anti-tank mines to bolster the combat prowess of the armed forces. Cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, almost all the procurement projects will be implemented with a broader framework of the government's focus on ensuring self-reliance in defence manufacturing, officials said. "In the true spirit of 'Aatmanirbharta', the approvals accorded on February 16 lay special emphasis on procurement of various equipment from Indian vendors," the defence ministry said last Friday. It said the acquisition will boost the capabilities of the armed forces and the Indian Coast Guard. Though the ministry did not share the number of mid-air refuellers being procured for the Indian Air Force, it is learnt that the approval is for purchasing six such tanker aircraft. "The DAC accorded AoN for procurement of flight refueller aircraft for enhancing the operational capabilities and reach of the Indian Air Force," the ministry said. It said the approval of necessity (AoN) or initial approval for procurement of medium range maritime reconnaissance and multi-mission maritime aircraft has been granted by the DAC for strengthening the surveillance and interdiction capabilities of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. It is learnt that 15 C-295 aircraft are being procured for the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard. The Indian Air Force is getting 56 C295 transport aircraft under a previously finalised deal worth Rs 21,935 crore. In September last year, the IAF received the delivery of the first C-295 aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space. "Further, to keep the Indian Naval ships one step ahead of the threats posed by the adversaries, the AoN under Buy (Indian) category has been accorded for procurement of active towed array Sonar having capabilities to operate at low frequencies and various depths for long range detections of adversary submarines," the ministry said in a statement. It said the AoN has also been accorded for procurement of heavy weight torpedoes for enhancing the attacking capabilities of Kalvari class submarines. "The AoN for sustainment support through Follow On Support (FOS) and Repair Replenishment support through Follow On Supply Support (FOSS) for 24 MH60R aircraft under foreign military sale route with the US government has also been accorded," it added. The DAC also approved procurement of a new generation of anti-tank mines having "seismic sensor" and provision of remote deactivation with additional safety features, the ministry said. "In order to enhance the operational efficiency and domination in the tactical battle area for engaging targets that are beyond visual line of sight by the mechanised forces, the AoN under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category has been accorded for procurement of canister launched anti-armour loiter munition system," it said. Another proposal to procure air defence tactical control radar was also approved by the high-level committee. "To strengthen the air defence systems, especially the capabilities to detect slow, small and low-flying targets as well as surveillance, detection and tracking of different targets, the AoN has been accorded for procurement of air defence tactical control radar under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category," the ministry said. The IDDM category means indigenously designed, developed and manufactured. The DAC also approved procurement software defined radios for the Coast Guard under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. "This will fulfill the requirement of the ICG for having a high-speed communication with secure networking capability for seamless information exchange between the ICG and the Indian Navy units," the ministry said. To promote procurement of advanced technologies from start-ups and MSMEs developed under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and Technology Development Fund schemes, the DAC has approved amendments in the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 with respect to benchmarking and cost computation, payment schedule, procurement quantity etc, it said. "This will provide the much-needed incentive along with a supportive business environment for the start-ups and MSMEs under iDEX and TDF schemes, truly in the spirit of 'Ease of Doing Business'," it said. A fire power demonstration during Vayu Shakti 2024 at Pokhran Range, in Jaisalmer district, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. A PTI Photo NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian Air Force has demonstrated its combat prowess in a massive day and night exercise featuring missiles, drones and over 120 aircraft including fighter jets and attack helicopters in Rajasthan's Pokhran desert, in a breathtaking display of its air power close to the frontier with Pakistan. The lAF also showcased its rising capabilities in rapid deployment of combat assets by airlifting weapons like M-777 ultra-light howitzers and other military platforms during the 'Vayu Shakti' exercise on Saturday. The mega air exercise came amid the lingering border row with China in eastern Ladakh. In keeping with the exercise's theme 'Lightning Strike from the Sky', frontline fighter jets including the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage-2000 and Tejas attacked and destroyed simulated enemy targets on ground and in the air with deadly precision. The attacks were delivered in multiple modes and directions, employing a variety of precision guided munitions as well as conventional bombs and rockets, the IAF said. Upholding lAF's firm commitment to 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', the indigenously built Tejas aircraft showcased its swing-role capability and destroyed an aerial target with a missile, followed by the engagement of a ground target with bombs. Keeping up with the technological advancements in the combat domain and the lessons learnt from recent conflicts, the lAF also displayed a long-range unmanned drone, which destroyed a simulated enemy radar site with pinpoint accuracy, the IAF said in a statement. An IAF Rafale jet also successfully engaged an aerial target with a beyond visual range air-to-air missile. The event began with three Chetak helicopters trooping the national flag and the Air Force ensign, flying past the grandstand with the national anthem playing in the background. It was followed by a perfectly timed 'Sonic Boom' created by a Rafale aircraft. Two Jaguar aircraft flying at low levels followed the Rafale, taking high fidelity reconnaissance images of the area. Combat support operations by transport aircraft included a containerised delivery system drop by a C-17 heavy-lift aircraft and an assault landing by a C-130J carrying IAF special forces, Garuds. The Apache attack helicopter demonstrated its firepower in this event for the first time, by engaging targets with air-to-ground guided missiles, while Mi-17 helicopters engaged ground targets with rockets. Joint operations included the IAF and Indian Army's weaponised version of the advanced light helicopters Mk-IV devastating simulated enemy targets using their rockets and swivel guns. As another first, IAF's Chinook helicopters demonstrated rapid deployment of combat assets by airlifting the Indian Army's M-777 Ultra-Light Howitzers in an underslung mode enabling prompt destruction of simulated enemy targets on ground. As the sun set on the horizon, Garuds inserted by Mi-17 helicopters carried out an 'Urban Intervention' demonstrating their prowess in anti-terror operations aimed at clearing hideouts of inimical elements. The indigenous air defence systems, Akash and SAMAR missile systems were also showcased, destroying multiple aerial targets. Night events displayed for the first time the capabilities of indigenous light combat helicopter 'Prachand' wherein it neutralised designated target with rockets. It was followed by a Jaguar and Su-30 MKI dropping heavy calibre and area weapons at night showcasing the strategic bombing capability of the lAF. Remotely piloted aircraft carried out the bomb damage assessment of all targets that was live streamed to the operations centre and to the audience. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan witnessed the exercise. The event also included a free fall drop by the Akashganga team and flare dispensing by C-130J by night. In the spirit of jointness, a tri-services band enthralled the audience with their tunes. During the display, approximately 50 tonnes of ordnance was dropped in a short span of two hours over an area of two square km. The event truly showcased IAF's offensive lethality and precision targeting capability. A proposed growth share scheme for Walls Construction is needed to retain key people in the business and to incentivise management to work towards financial targets, the Commercial Court has heard. The Irish building firm, which had a turnover of 472 million in 2022, says it has the requisite shareholder and company consent for its growth share scheme, which would see the next generation of management gain equity in the business with attached economic rights triggered if certain financial targets are met. Advertisement However, McSorley Investments Limited, which has a 20 per cent stake in the company behind Walls Construction Limited, issued High Court proceedings earlier this month over alleged fears its interests would be diluted and oppressed if the scheme proceeds. Tech firm work McSorley Investments was formed several years ago to hold Walls Construction Holding Limited (WCHL) shares that belong to members of the extended Wall family. WCHL wholly owns the shares in the construction firm, which was founded in 1950 by PJ Walls. Advertisement WCHL says it made an 18 million pre-tax profit in 2022. Recently, it completed a fit-out of Googles offices in the old Bolands Mills in Dublins docklands, and it was management contractor for LinkedIns new headquarters at Wilton Place, Dublin 2. Chief executive of Walls Construction, Eugene OShea, said in an affidavit that the growth share scheme was created to ensure appropriate succession management and future success of the business in circumstances where the current management is approaching retirement age. Advertisement The scheme involves issuing growth shares (having no rights until financial thresholds are achieved) representing 20 per cent of WCHL. It was designed so the next generation of managers is properly recognised and incentivised via a mechanism that aligns their interests with those of shareholders, he said. Deferred approval Mr OShea said the scheme was due to be approved at board meetings in late January and early February, but these were deferred to mid-February. Before the re-scheduled meeting could occur, he said, McSorley Investments issued its High Court proceedings seeking an injunction that would prevent WCHL and its directors from implementing the plan. McSorley Investments has since been assured the scheme will not be approved or implemented until its application for an injunction has been determined, said Mr OShea. Advertisement He, WCHL and several of its board of directors, who are the defendants in McSorley Investments action, believe the proposal is entirely in keeping with a 2015 agreement that lays out how WCHL should operate and how relations between investors and shareholders should be regulated. Advertisement This agreement, which arose out of a 2015 management buyout of Walls Construction, envisages shares being issued with the consent of the finance committee and a super majority (not less than 75 per cent) of investors, he said. This scheme has secured both such approvals, he said. The chief executive said the inability of the company to implement the share plan is now of significant urgency. The company, its directors and the proposed new participants in the scheme will be substantially prejudiced if it does not proceed, while the wider ability of the firm to conduct its business and trade will also be affected, he added. On Monday, the defendants successfully applied for the action against them to be admitted to the Commercial Court, which expedites cases. McSorley Investments consented to the case entering the list. However, the defendants senior counsel, Brian Kennedy, told the court the parties have agreed to try to resolve the matter via out-of-court mediation, which is due to begin tomorrow. Advertisement Mr Justice Denis McDonald said the case merits entry into the Commercial Court, given the value of WCHL. He said mediation is a sensible step for these proceedings, and he hopes it proves successful. In moving a preliminary application in its case earlier this month, McSorley Investments said it favours a management incentive scheme, but it should not be unfair to existing shareholders. It expressed concerns about the high volume of shares to be allotted and potential tax implications. In a sworn statement to the court, the founders son, also named PJ Walls, who is a director of McSorley Investments and WCHL, alleged the defendants are forcing a dilution of shareholding on McSorley Investments in a manner that is unfair and oppressive. However, he said the plaintiff believes a sensible resolution can be reached between the parties. Former solicitor Michael Lynn, who was found guilty of stealing just over 18 million from six financial institutions during the Celtic Tiger era, has been jailed for five-and-a-half years. Sentencing Lynn on Monday, Judge Martin Nolan set a sentence of 13 years and gave Lynn seven-and-a-half years credit for the time he spent in prison in Brazil. Advertisement Judge Nolan accepted that the time Lynn spent in prison in Brazil was onerous but he noted: To some degree he could have resolved his difficulties by agreeing to come home. Lynn and his wife, Brid Murphy, who was in court for the sentence, made no visible reaction when the sentence was handed down. Lynn (55) was found guilty by a jury of 10 of the 21 counts against him following a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial last year. Advertisement The jury was unable to agree on the remaining 11 counts before the court. It was the second trial in the case after the jury in his first trial, which ran for 16 weeks in 2022, was unable to agree on any verdicts. Advertisement Lynn, of Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co Wicklow, had pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23rd, 2006, and April 20th, 2007, when he was working as a solicitor and property developer. He has no previous convictions and has been in custody since he was convicted of the 10 counts just before Christmas. The court heard Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties in a situation where banks were unaware that other institutions were also providing finance. These properties included 'Glenlion', Lynn's 5.5 million home in Howth, and multiple investment properties. Advertisement The financial institutions Lynn was found guilty of stealing from were National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and Irish Nationwide Building Society. Lynn took the stand and told his trial that the banks were aware he had multiple loans on the same properties and that this was custom and practice among bankers in Celtic Tiger Ireland. He was extradited from Brazil in 2018 after spending four-and-a-half years in a hellhole prison there. In the first trial, Lynn told the jury the jail was essentially run by prisoners, and he witnessed the beheading of a young gay prisoner. As part of the extradition agreement with Brazil, Lynn asked to be given credit for the prison time he has already served. Advertisement The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the single count relating to Bank of Ireland alleging Lynn stole 2.7 million from that bank. It was also unable to reach verdicts on 10 counts relation to Irish Nationwide, from which Lynn was accused of stealing 7.4 million. He was convicted on a single count of stealing 508,000 from that institution. In relation to Irish Nationwide, Lynn claimed he signed a memo of understanding with bank chief Michael Fingleton in a Dublin hotel in 2006. He said the agreement involved Irish Nationwide providing funding for Lynn's apartment development in Portugal, with Mr Fingleton set to benefit personally from this arrangement. Mr Fingleton was not well enough to give evidence at trial, the jury was told. The remaining charges against Lynn were dropped on Monday. The Tanaiste has said a ground invasion in Rafah would be absolutely catastrophic as he called on the EU to review whether Israel is complying with human rights obligations in its trade agreement with the bloc. Speaking ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, Micheal Martin said everything possible must be done to pressure the Israeli government not to send the military into the area of south Gaza. Advertisement Mr Martin, who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs, told reporters in Brussels that Palestinian families are going through immense suffering in Rafah. He added: Weve over one and a half million people crowded into a very small corner of Gaza. Theyre weary, theyre exhausted from moving from the north to the centre and onto the south of Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Palestinians search for survivors after an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Al Zawayda, central Gaza Strip (AP) They have nowhere else to go. There are thousands of children who have been without school for months. The trauma that they have gone through is extraordinary. How could anyone contemplate adding to that trauma? That is beyond me, it is simply an inhumane act. Mr Martin also said that all hostages should be released, adding that it was unconscionable that they have been held for so long. Advertisement He added: Hamas should lay down its arms. What Hamas is doing is absolutely unacceptable and weve condemned Hamas activities from the beginning. Mr Martin said he would be arguing that the European Commission should be clear about restoring funding to the UN aid agency for Palestinians. Ireland recently pledged 20 million in support for UNRWA while expressing concern that the agencys major donors continued to suspend their funding. Advertisement Advertisement The aid agency, which provides essential services, including healthcare and education in Gaza, is facing an uncertain future after Israel alleged that 12 of its staff were involved in the October 7 attack, which led to key donors withdrawing their funding. Mr Martin said it was not possible to deliver medical and educational systems in Gaza without UNRWA. Advertisement He added that UNRWA was necessary for the distribution of vital supplies in the region now and in the aftermath of the conflict. Mr Martin also said Ireland would be reiterating its call for the Commission to review whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel trade agreement. He said it would be very challenging to convince other EU member states of Irelands position. Carey Mulligan led the charge on a glamorous red carpet at the EE Bafta Film Awards. Mulligan is nominated for the best actress award for her role in Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro, and wore a black strapless gown from French fashion house Dior. Advertisement Her stylist, Andrew Mukamal, posted pictures and sketches of the dress on his Instagram Stories, labelling it as Christian Dior 1951 suggesting Mulligan is either wearing the original dress from the 1950s or a modern recreation of it. Carey Mulligan (Ian West/PA) It would not be the first time Mulligan has been inspired by vintage fashion for the red carpet during the Golden Globes in early January she wore a recreation of a Schiaparelli dress dating back to 1949. Advertisement And Mulligan was not the only celebrity modelling high glamour at the Baftas. Advertisement Australian actress Cate Blanchett lived up to her reputation as a champion of sustainable fashion in a high-necked burgundy-coloured gown from Louis Vuitton made from deadstock material. Even her jewellery had an environmentally-friendly slant, and was made partly from the necklace she wore to last years Baftas. Advertisement Blanchetts stylist Elizabeth Stewart wrote on Instagram: The creation gives a second life to the pearls from Cates 2023 Bafta High Jewelry design, while the stones and materials have been sourced from five archival High Jewelry creations. As an ambassador for Louis Vuitton, it is no surprise that Poor Things actress Emma Stone chose an outfit from the French fashion house. Her pastel orange gown echoed the 18th-century costuming of her character Bella Baxter in Poor Things, with a brocade bodice and a puff asymmetric sleeve. Australian actress and producer Margot Robbie has spent a large part of the last year channelling the spirit of Barbie in her red carpet fashion, and the Baftas were no exception. Her pink and black Armani Prive gown was relatively pared-back, with hints of sparkle and black matching opera gloves. Rosamund Pike (Ian West/PA) Saltburn star Rosamund Pike heralded the coming of spring in her pastel blue Dior outfit. The ballet-inspired tulle gown had a full skirt that grazed her ankles, and was worn with a nude bodice and matching high heels. Advertisement Emma Corrin (Ian West/PA) Emma Corrin can always be relied upon for an experimental take on red carpet dressing for the Baftas, they wore a black long-sleeve crop top paired with a sheer black skirt and black short shorts over bright blue tights, paired with dramatic face netting. It drew upon one of the biggest trends in catwalk fashion right now: extremely short, underwear-style shorts. The outfit is by Miu Miu The Crown star has a long-standing relationship with the brand and has previously walked the Miu Miu runway at Milan Fashion Week. Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal (Ian West/PA) All Of Us Strangers co-stars Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott both delivered interesting interpretations of menswear for the Bafta red carpet. Mescal played around with tailoring in a wrap-style black jacket with white stitch detailing along the lapel, while Scott experimented with colour in an all-red ensemble, even down to his matching shoes. Phoebe Dynevor (Ian West/PA) Nominated for the EE Bafta Rising Star Award, Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor was joined on the red carpet by her mother, Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor. Phoebes outfit seemed to be inspired by Marilyn Monroe a simple white halterneck gown, worn with her hair slicked back into a chic bun. Yes, chef! EE Rising Star nominee Ayo Edebiri has arrived #EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/q5ieqH7PzE Advertisement BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 18, 2024 The Bear star Ayo Edebiri also nominated for the rising star award has emerged as a style star during this awards season, and for the Baftas she channelled old Hollywood glamour in a peach halterneck gown by Bottega Veneta, completing the look with a white feather stole and matching opera gloves. Naomi Campbell (Ian West/PA) In a surprise appearance on the Bafta red carpet, supermodel Naomi Campbell proved all-black does not have to be boring wearing a simple column gown underneath a layered tulle cape with a built-in hood, worn over a severe bob haircut. Sophie Ellis-Bextor (Ian West/PA) Set to perform Murder On The Dancefloor at the Baftas which appears in a scene of Emerald Fennells film Saltburn Sophie Ellis-Bextor tapped into the trend for Gothic glamour in a see-through black dress with statement sleeves from Italian label Antonio Riva. Fugitive aristocrat Constance Marten was advised by her partner to say their baby was the victim of cot death, after the child died in her arms as she slept, a court has heard. Marten (36) and Mark Gordon (49) went on the run with their daughter Victoria after their car burst into flames near Bolton in England last January. Advertisement A court in London has heard how they went on to sleep in a tent, in a bid to keep the baby, after Martens four other children were taken into care. When the couple were eventually arrested in Brighton, England, they initially refused to say where their child was or whether she was alive or dead. Last March 1st, Victorias remains were found in a Lidl supermarket bag inside a disused shed on an allotment. Advertisement Advertisement Body-worn camera image of the moment the body of baby Victoria was found (Met Police/PA) In the following police interviews, Marten gave an account of how Victoria had died six or seven days after the car fire. She told police that she had been extremely tired and had fallen asleep in a tent while holding Victoria under her jacket. When she woke up, Victoria had gone limp and did not respond to resuscitation attempts, the defendant said. Advertisement Marten said she did not seek help because the child was no longer alive. She said she wrapped the baby up and held her for hours before putting her in a bag. She said: Initially Mark and I were talking about what to do with the situation and I think, like two weeks after it happened, I was debating whether to hand myself in. Mark advised me to say it was a cot death and I was not holding her. Advertisement And he advised me to say that I lay her down and then when we woke up she was on her front and shes passed away. But that isnt what happened. So he may try to say that in order to protect me because he wants to protect my interests. Police body-worn image as Constance Marten was arrested in Brighton (Met Police/PA) Advertisement Marten told police she and Gordon were both distraught when Victoria died. Advertisement She said she felt shock, sadness, grief and anger that they had done so much to keep her and it ended really badly. The defendant said she left the bag containing Victorias body at the allotment when it became too heavy to carry. She covered the childs body in soil because of the smell, jurors heard. Marten told police she had planned to bury Victorias body and considered cremating her, but changed her mind. The defendant said that before the tragedy she had been elated to be with one of her children. She said: I was feeling fine. I was elated to be with her actually. To be with one of my children. With Mark, together and parenting. They had not intended to stay in a tent for long and the baby had warm blankets and clothes, she said. But Marten told officers that they found themselves between a rock and a hard place. We had limited cash. I knew that I couldnt access the bank because then the police would know where I was. She added: We were trying to figure out what to do in terms of getting a house, accessing money without the authorities finding out where we were. Marten and Gordon, of no fixed address, deny manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty and causing or allowing the death of a child. The trial continues. Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether Peoples Forum: The Prime Minister on GB News breached impartiality rules. The programme, which saw UK prime minister Rishi Sunak take questions from the public in a live Q&A in Co Durham on February 12th, has prompted about 500 complaints. Advertisement An Ofcom spokesperson said: We are investigating under rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the Broadcasting Code which provide additional due impartiality requirements for programmes dealing with matters of major political controversy and major matters relating to current public policy. We've opened a new due impartiality investigation into GB News. Read more: https://t.co/buM4DeeFMy pic.twitter.com/Hpzwme6SDV Ofcom (@Ofcom) February 19, 2024 Advertisement Specifically, rules 5.11 and 5.12 require that an appropriately wide range of significant views must be included and given due weight in such programmes, or in clearly linked and timely programmes. Advertisement During the broadcast, presenter Stephen Dixon said the questions to be asked by undecided voters had not been seen in advance by the UK prime minister or by GB News. Advertisement Downing Street has said Mr Sunak does not regret taking part in the broadcast. Asked about the watchdogs actions, his official spokesman told reporters: No. This is obviously a matter firstly for Ofcom, whos rightly an independent regulator. But obviously, as youll see regularly, the Prime Minister undertakes interviews from a range of broadcasters, outlets and other media. And media appearances such as the one he conducted last week are an important part of the democratic process. Advertisement GB News is currently being investigated by Ofcom for a number of other shows, including many over impartiality issues. Peoples Forum with the Prime Minister TONIGHT at 8pm @GBNEWS pic.twitter.com/kEf75EmcBZ Stephen Dixon (@StephenGBNews) February 12, 2024 Advertisement The issue of political figures such as Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and former Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson presenting topical programmes has also been contentious. Former UK pensions minister Esther McVey and backbencher Philip Davies have also been part of the GB News line-up, and former British culture secretary Nadine Dorries began hosting a programme on TalkTV before she quit as an MP. Labours shadow foreign secretary David Lammy also hosts a show on LBC. A man has appeared in court after Vietnamese migrants were discovered in the back of a van at an English ferry port. Anas Al Mustafa, of Heather Crescent, Swansea, Wales, is accused of assisting unlawful entry to the UK following the major response at Newhaven port on Friday. Advertisement Emergency services including ambulances, police and UK Border Force were in attendance at the scene and six people were taken to hospital on Friday. The 42-year-old handyman, aided by an Arabic interpreter, spoke to confirm his name and date of birth at Brighton Magistrates Court on Monday. The court heard from prosecutor David Holman that while on the ferry, seven Vietnamese nationals concealed in a van escaped by breaking through a wall. They were trying to get out of the vehicle while others from the outside were trying to break them out, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Holman added that four of the migrants were still in hospital, and one was in a critical condition. Ferry operator DFDS, which runs services between Newhaven and Dieppe in Normandy, northern France, confirmed on Friday that migrants were found on board the Seven Sisters vessel and said immediate medical attention was provided. Al Mustafa was remanded into custody and will appear at Lewes Crown Court for a plea hearing on March 18th. . . TO THE EDITOR: The past year of the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives has proven to be a failure for the nation. They passed less than 30 inconsequential bills, which is the worst legislative record in a century. Their biggest effort was firing their Speaker because he worked with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown and then stumbling for nearly a month to elect another. They narrowly avoided defaulting on the national debt, and they continue to punt on delivering a federal budget. What they have done is waste taxpayer dollars on a number of baseless investigations and culture war posturing to please their base. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They can't find any dirt on Joe Biden, so they're struggling to implicate him through his son without evidence. To appease Trump, they announced impeachment proceedings against Biden, but reluctantly admit they can't find an impeachable offense to base it on. Support for Ukraine is a national security bargain. For about 5% of our defense budget and with no US troops on the ground were successfully stopping Russian aggression. House Republicans stalled further aid to Ukraine claiming to need a border security deal first, but then wouldn't take yes for an answer. They tanked the bipartisan deal the Senate hammered out when Trump told them to manufacture an immigration 'crisis' he could fearmonger and fundraise on. Note that Trumps campaign was forced to fall back on immigration because the economy is doing well. GOP members of Congress have now put obedience to their presidential candidate whos trying to avoid felony trials ahead of national security interests at our border and abroad. The inability of far-right House Republicans to govern is a deliberate choice on their part not to compromise on anything, even when it benefits the nation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It now appears their real priorities are to demonstrate they can stop the government from functioning and to aid Trumps election campaign. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear 2024 will be any different, and ALL voters deserve better from elected officials. Consider that when you cast your ballot in November. CRAIG SILVIS Advertisement Article continues below this ad Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has brushed off growing calls to halt the military offensive in Gaza, vowing to finish the job as a colleague threatened to invade the southern city of Rafah if remaining Israeli hostages are not freed by Ramadan. Israels government has not publicly discussed a timeline for a ground offensive on Rafah, where more than half the enclaves 2.3 million Palestinians have sought refuge, but retired general Benny Gantz, part of Mr Netanyahus three-member war cabinet, represents an influential voice. Advertisement If by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area, Mr Gantz told a conference of Jewish American leaders. Ramadan, expected to begin on March 10, is historically a tense time in the region. Benny Gantz (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) Advertisement As ceasefire negotiations struggle after signs of progress in recent weeks, Mr Netanyahu has called demands by Gazas ruling Hamas militant group delusional. Advertisement The US, Israels top ally, says it still hopes to broker a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement, and envisions a wider resolution of the war sparked by Hamass October 7 attack in southern Israel. Washington also says it will veto another draft UN resolution calling for a ceasefire, with its UN ambassador warning against measures that could jeopardise the opportunity for an enduring resolution of hostilities. But Mr Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood, which the US calls a key element in a broader vision for normalisation of relations between Israel and regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia. His cabinet adopted a declaration on Sunday saying Israel categorically rejects international edicts on a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians and opposes any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Advertisement The international community overwhelmingly supports an independent Palestinian state as part of a future peace agreement, but Mr Netanyahus government is filled with hardliners who oppose Palestinian independence. Palestinians line up for food in Rafah (Fatima Shbair/AP) He wants Israel to achieve total victory over Hamas. In response to international concern over a Rafah offensive, he has said Palestinian civilians will be evacuated. Where they will go in largely devastated Gaza is not clear. Advertisement Advertisement The suggested timing for the offensive came as the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief said southern Gazas main medical centre, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, is not functional any more after Israeli forces raided it last week. Israeli strikes across Gaza continued, killing at least 18 people overnight into Sunday, according to medics and witnesses. A strike in Rafah killed six people, including a woman and three children, and another killed five in Khan Younis, the main target of the southern Gaza offensive in recent weeks. In Gaza City, which suffered widespread destruction early in the war, an air strike flattened a home, killing seven people, including three women, according to a relative. Advertisement Israels military rarely comments on individual strikes and blames civilian casualties on Hamas because the militants operate in dense residential areas. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a team was not allowed to enter Nasser Hospital on Friday or Saturday. He said about 200 patients remain, including 20 who need urgent referrals elsewhere. Nasser hospital in #Gaza is not functional anymore, after a weeklong siege followed by the ongoing raid. Both yesterday and the day before, the @WHO team was not permitted to enter the hospital to assess the conditions of the patients and critical medical needs, despite Advertisement Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 18, 2024 Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said at least 200 militants surrendered at the hospital. He also claimed that Hamas is defeated in Khan Younis and is largely leaderless in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry said 70 medical personnel were among those arrested, along with patients, leaving 150 patients without medical care. It said Israel refused to allow patients, including newborn babies, to be taken to other hospitals. The military says it is looking for the remains of hostages inside Nasser Hospital and does not target doctors or patients. The October 7 attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 were taken hostage. Militants still hold around 130 hostages, and a quarter of them are believed to be dead. Most of the others were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November. The war has killed at least 28,985 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. On Sunday it said 127 bodies were taken to hospitals in the past 24 hours. Around 80% of Gazas population have been displaced, and a quarter face starvation. Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority, said 123 aid trucks entered Gaza through Israels Kerem Shalom border crossing on Sunday and four trucks of cooking gas entered through the Rafah crossing with Egypt. That is well below the 500 trucks entering daily before the war. The Palestinian foreign minister has accused Israel of apartheid and urged the United Nations top court to declare that Israels occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state is illegal and must end immediately and unconditionally for any hope for a two-state future to survive. The remarks came at the opening of historic hearings at the UNs top court into the legality of Israels 57-year occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state. Advertisement The hearings are to last six days before the International Court of Justice. Mondays session started with foreign minister Riad Malki speaking as a representative of the Palestinians. Advertisement It follows a request submitted by the UN General Assembly for a non-binding advisory opinion into Israels policies in the occupied territories. Though the case opens at the courts Great Hall of Justice against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, it focuses instead on Israels open-ended control over the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip and annexed east Jerusalem. Advertisement I stand before you as 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of them children, are besieged and bombed, killed and maimed, starved and displaced, Mr Malki said. Advertisement More than 3.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem, are subjected to colonisation of their territory and racist violence that enables it. The United Nations enshrined in its charter the rights of all peoples to self-determination and pledged to rid the world of the gravest breaches of this right, namely colonialism and apartheid, Mr Mr Malki continued. Yet for decades, the Palestinian people have been denied this right and have endured both colonialism and apartheid. The Palestinians argue that Israel has violated the prohibition on territorial conquest by annexing large swathes of occupied land and the Palestinians right to self-determination, and has imposed a system of racial discrimination and apartheid. International law expert Paul Reichler, representing the Palestinians, told the court that the policies of Israels government are aligned to an unprecedented extent with the goals of the Israeli settler movement to expand long-term control over the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in practice to further integrate those areas within the territory of Israel. Advertisement We want to hear new words from the court, Omar Awadallah, the head of the UN organisations department in the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, said earlier. Advertisement Riad Malki, the Palestinian National Authoritys foreign minister, centre, gives a statement outside the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, on Monday (Peter Dejong/AP) Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Monday that Israel does not recognise the legitimacy of the hearings at the International Court of Justice about Israels occupation of Palestinian territories. Advertisement The discussion at The Hague is part of the Palestinian attempt to dictate the results of the political agreement without negotiations, he said. After the Palestinians address the court on Monday, an unprecedented 51 countries and three international organisations will speak. The court will likely take months to issue its opinion. Israel is not scheduled to speak during the hearings, but could submit a written statement. Yuval Shany, a law professor at Hebrew University and senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, said Israel will likely justify the ongoing occupation on security grounds, especially in the absence of a peace deal. It is likely to point to the October 7 attack in which Hamas-led militants from Gaza killed 1,200 people across southern Israel and took 250 hostages back to the territory. However, Palestinians and leading rights groups argue that the occupation goes far beyond defensive measures. They say it has morphed into an apartheid system, bolstered by settlement building on occupied lands, that gives Palestinians second-class status and is designed to maintain Jewish authority from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. Advertisement Israel rejects any accusation of apartheid. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war. The Palestinians seek all three areas for an independent state. Israel considers the West Bank to be disputed territory, whose future should be decided in negotiations. It has built 146 settlements across the West Bank, according to watchdog group Peace Now, many of which resemble fully developed suburbs and small towns. The settlements are home to more than 500,000 Jewish settlers, while around three million Palestinians live in the territory. Six days of hearings opened on Monday at the top United Nations court into the legality of Israels 57-year occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state (Peter Dejong/AP) Israel annexed east Jerusalem and considers the entire city to be its capital. An additional 200,000 Israelis live in settlements built in east Jerusalem that Israel considers to be neighbourhoods of its capital. Palestinian residents of the city face systematic discrimination, making it difficult for them to build new homes or expand existing ones. Israel withdrew all its soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005, but continued to control the territorys airspace, coastline and population registry. Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza when the Palestinian militant Hamas group seized power there in 2007. Advertisement The international community overwhelmingly considers the settlements to be illegal. Israels annexation of east Jerusalem, home to the citys most sensitive holy sites, is not internationally recognised. It is not the first time the court has been asked to give an advisory opinion on Israeli policies. In 2004, it said a separation barrier Israel built through east Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank was contrary to international law. It also called on Israel to immediately halt construction. Israel has ignored the ruling. Also, late last month, the court ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in its campaign in Gaza. The order came at a preliminary stage of a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide, a charge that Israel denied. South Africas governing party, the African National Congress, has long compared Israels policies in Gaza and the West Bank to the apartheid regime of white minority rule in South Africa, which restricted most black people to homelands before ending in 1994. The widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has vowed to continue his fight against the Kremlin, while authorities denied his mother access to a mortuary where his body is believed to be held after his death last week in an Arctic penal colony. With her voice cracking at times in a video posted on social media, Yulia Navalnaya accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of killing her husband in the remote prison and alleged that officials refusal to hand over the body to her mother-in-law was part of a cover-up. Advertisement Russian authorities said that the cause of Mr Navalnys death on Friday aged 47 is still unknown and the results of any investigation are likely to be questioned abroad. Many Western leaders have already said they hold Mr Putin responsible for the death. Advertisement Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, at a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP) Advertisement Mr Navalnys death has deprived the Russian opposition of its most well-known and inspiring politician less than a month before an election that is all but certain to give Mr Putin another six years in power. It dealt a devastating blow to many Russians, who had seen Mr Navalny as a rare hope for political change amid Mr Putins unrelenting crackdown on the opposition. Mr Navalny had been imprisoned since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from a nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin. He received three prison terms since his arrest, on a number of charges he had rejected as politically motivated. Advertisement They are cowardly and meanly hiding his body, refusing to give it to his mother and lying miserably while waiting for the trace of poison to disappear, Ms Navalnaya said, suggesting her husband might have been killed with a Novichok-style nerve agent. She urged Russians to rally behind her to share not only the grief and endless pain that has enveloped and gripped us, but also my rage. Advertisement Ms Navalnaya continued: The main thing that we can do for Alexei and ourselves is to keep fighting. We all need to get together in one strong fist and strike that mad regime. On Monday, Ivan Zhdanov, the director of Mr Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation, said Mr Navalnys body would not be given to his mother for 14 days while a chemical examination of it takes place, according to a Russian investigator. Advertisement The town of Kharp in the Yamalo-Nenetsk region of Russia, the location of the penal colony in which Alexei Navalny died (AP) Navalny spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said the Investigative Committee, the countrys top criminal investigation agency, informed Lyudmila Navalnaya that the official probe into the death had been extended. They lie, buy time for themselves and do not even hide it, Ms Yarmysh posted on X, formerly Twitter. Advertisement With authorities offering no more information on the death after the brief initial statement, many Russians speculated about what might have happened to Mr Navalny. Independent Russian outlets released reports attempting to shed light on his death. Some called into question the official narrative but their reports were not possible to verify. In Brussels on Monday, Mr Navalnys widow met European Union foreign ministers and other officials. Advertisement EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc was mulling sanctions against Russia and he also called for an independent international investigation into the causes of Mr Navalnys death. He said responsibility for Mr Navalnys death lies with Putin himself, but we can go down to the institutional structure of the penitentiary system in Russia, to impose asset freezes and travel bans. A woman lays flowers to pay last respects to Alexei Navalny at a monument near the Federal Security Service (FSB) building in Moscow (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP) US President Joe Biden said on Monday his administration is also considering imposing additional sanctions on Russia. Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski described Ms Navalnaya as very dignified, very composed, and urged his EU counterparts to act on Ms Navalnayas request that the bloc impose sanctions on more of Mr Putins backers, beyond the oligarchs and other senior Russian officials already being targeted. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the accusations from Western leaders as boorish and inadmissible. Those statements cant do any harm to the head of our state, but they certainly arent becoming for those who make them, Mr Peskov said in a call with reporters. Advertisement Ms Yarmysh said that Mr Navalnys 69-year-old mother and his lawyers were not allowed into the mortuary in Salekhard, the capital of the Arctic Yamalo-Nenets region, on Monday morning. The staff did not answer when they asked if the body was there, Ms Yarmysh said. Asked when Mr Navalnys body could be handed over to his family, Mr Peskov responded that the Kremlin was not involved in those proceedings, adding that the official probe was continuing in line with the law. Observers said that the law allows authorities to keep the body for a long time if the investigation is ongoing and block any requests for an independent forensic study. A municipal worker, on orders from the authorities, removes flowers brought by people to pay respects to Alexei Navalny from the Memorial to Victims of Political Repression in St Petersburg, Russia (Dmitri Lovetsky/AP) Mr Navalnys ally Ivan Zhdanov denounced the Russian authorities as lackeys and liars. Its clear what they are doing now covering up the traces of their crime, he wrote on Monday. Since Mr Navalnys death, nearly 400 people have been detained by police in Russia as they streamed to ad-hoc memorials and monuments to victims of political repression with flowers and candles to pay tribute to Mr Navalny, according to OVD-Info, a group that monitors political arrests. Advertisement The US and British ambassadors also mourned Mr Navalnys death at a memorial in Moscow. Authorities cordoned off some of the memorials across the country and were removing flowers at night, but they kept appearing. More than 50,000 people have submitted requests to the Russian government asking for Mr Navalnys remains to be handed over to his relatives, OVD-Info said. Russias Federal Penitentiary Service reported that Mr Navalny felt sick after a walk on Friday and became unconscious at the penal colony where he was being held. An ambulance arrived, but he could not be revived, the service said. Youths lay flowers in Moscow, Russia (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP) After the last verdict that handed him a 19-year term, Mr Navalny said he understood he was serving a life sentence, which is measured by the length of my life or the length of life of this regime. In her video statement, Ms Navalnaya said: By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me, half of my heart and half of my soul. But I still have the other half, and it tells me that I have no right to give up. I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny, she declared. The Taliban set unacceptable conditions for attending a UN-sponsored meeting about Afghanistan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday. Taliban demands included the exclusion of Afghan civil society members from the talks in Doha, Qatar, and treatment that amounted to official recognition of the Taliban as the countrys legitimate rulers, Mr Guterres said at the conclusion of a two-day meeting in Qatar. Advertisement The Taliban seized power in 2021, as US and Nato forces withdrew following two decades of war. No country recognises them as Afghanistans government, and the UN has said that recognition is almost impossible while bans on female education and employment remain in place. Advertisement The two-day meeting in Doha brought together member states and special envoys. But the Taliban did not attend because their demands had not been met. Advertisement I received a letter (from the Taliban) with a set of conditions to be present in this meeting that were not acceptable, Mr Guterres told a news conference. These conditions denied us the right to talk to other representatives of Afghan society and demanded a treatment that would, to a large extent, be similar to recognition. While he denied the Taliban absence was damaging the process, he said it would have been useful to discuss the meetings conclusions with them. Advertisement It did not happen today. It will happen in the near future. I think we will find a solution to allow for the participation of the Taliban. Taliban officials were not immediately available for comment. The biggest point of contention between the international community and the Taliban are the bans imposed on women and girls. The Taliban insist the bans are a domestic matter and reject criticism as outside interference, but Mr Guterres said meeting participants agreed it was essential to revoke the restrictions. Another is the appointment of a UN special envoy, which the Taliban oppose. Advertisement Mr Guterres said there needed to be clear consultations with the Taliban to have clarification of the envoys role and who it could be to make it attractive from their point of view. He said it was in the Talibans interests to be part of the consultations. The sudden death of Russian president Vladimir Putins most formidable antagonist has left an open wound in Russias political opposition. Alexei Navalny (47) was the Kremlins best-known critic at home and abroad. Before he died in a penal colony on Friday, the anti-corruption crusader, protest organiser and politician with an arch sense of humour became the subject of an award-winning documentary. His channels on YouTube had millions of subscribers. Advertisement Mr Navalny was also the first opposition leader in Russia to receive a lengthy prison sentence in recent years. There would be others, heralding a crackdown on dissent that became more punishing with the invasion of Ukraine. Alexei Navalny at the Foundation for Fighting Corruption office in Moscow, Russia, in December 2019 (AP) In the three years since Mr Navalny lost his freedom, multiple prominent dissidents were imprisoned, while others fled Russia under pressure. Advertisement Many of them nevertheless persisted in challenging Mr Putin organising abroad, pushing for sanctions on Russia, supporting like-minded Russians in exile or continuing to speak out from behind bars. Advertisement These are some of the key remaining figures: Navalnys core team Colleagues at the Anti-Corruption Foundation, which Mr Navalny founded in 2011 to expose political corruption, and his other close associates often had to work without him. Even before he was imprisoned in January 2021, Mr Navalny was subject to regular arrests and long jail stints. In 2020, he was poisoned with a nerve agent, spent 18 days in a coma and recuperated in Germany for weeks. His prison term included more than 300 days in isolation, with communication possible but difficult from a punishment cell. Advertisement Leonid Volkov, chief of staff for the 2018 presidential election for Alexei Navalnys campaign (Jean-Francois Badias/AP) His closest associates top strategist Leonid Volkov, head of investigations Maria Pevchikh, foundation director Ivan Zhdanov and spokesperson Kira Yarmysh also faced unrelenting pressure and prosecution in Russia. In recent years, all left the country and worked from abroad, providing political commentary and the foundations signature YouTube exposes of political corruption. Advertisement They kept pushing for Mr Navalnys release from prison, organised protests and mounted a campaign to undermine Mr Putins image in Russia ahead of a presidential election he is almost certain to win next month. Alexei Navalnys spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh (AP) Alexei was awesome, Mr Volkov wrote Sunday on X, formerly Twitter. He was a natural politician, very talented, very efficient. And from himself and from everyone around him, he demanded one thing: not to throw in the towel, not to give up, not to despair. This is what he wants from us now. His lifes work must prevail. Advertisement Vladimir Kara-Murza Advertisement Once a journalist and now a prominent opposition politician, British-Russian Vladimir Kara-Murza, 42, received the longest single sentence handed to a Kremlin critic in Putins Russia 25 years on charges of treason. He is serving the sentence in a Siberian penal colony and has been repeatedly placed in solitary confinement. Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza gestures standing in a glass cage in a Moscow court on July 31, 2023 (AP) Mr Kara-Murza was an associate of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, another fierce Putin critic who was assassinated near the Kremlin in 2015. A few years before that, Mr Kara-Murza and Mr Nemtsov lobbied for passage of the Magnitsky Act in the US. The law was a response to the prison death of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who had exposed a tax fraud scheme. It authorised Washington to impose sanctions on Russians deemed to be human rights violators. Mr Kara-Murza survived what he believes were attempts to poison him in 2015 and 2017 but kept returning to Russia despite concerns that it might be unsafe for him to do so. Since his April 2022 arrest, he has continued to speak out against Mr Putin and the war in Ukraine in multiple opinion columns and letters written from behind bars. His wife, Yevgenia, has also actively campaigned to secure freedom for him and other jailed Kremlin critics. Mikhail Khodorkovsky Advertisement Mikhail Khodorkovsky (60) is a former tycoon turned Russian opposition figure in exile. Mr Khodorkovsky spent a decade in prison in Russia on charges widely seen as political revenge for challenging Mr Putins rule in the early 2000s. He was released in 2013, shortly before Russia hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. A surprise pardon from Mr Putin on the eve of the Olympics was widely seen as an effort by the Kremlin to improve Russias image in the West. Russian regime critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky (Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via AP) Mr Khodorkovsky was flown to Germany and later settled in London. From exile, he launched Open Russia, an opposition group that ran its own news outlet, supported candidates in various elections, provided legal aid to defendants facing politically motivated prosecutions and had an educational platform. Open Russia and its activists the country faced constant pressure from the authorities; some were prosecuted in Russia, and one of its leaders, Andrei Pivovarov, is currently serving a four-year prison term. The group eventually shut down, but Mr Khodorkovsky continued his vocal criticism of the Kremlin. After Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago this week, he and other prominent Putin critics, including chess legend Garry Kasparov and former politician Dmitry Gudkov, formed the Antiwar Committee, a broad opposition alliance that opposes the invasion and seeks to undermine Mr Putin. Ilya Yashin Advertisement Ilya Yashin (40) refused to leave Russia despite the unprecedented pressure authorities applied to stifle dissent. He said that getting out of the country would undermine his value as a politician. Mr Yashin, an uncompromising member of a Moscow municipal council, was a vocal ally of Mr Navalny. He was eventually arrested in June 2022 and later sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for spreading false information about the Russian military, a criminal offence since March 2022. Russian opposition activist and former municipal deputy of the Krasnoselsky district Ilya Yashin (Yury Kochetkov/Pool via AP) The harsh sentence did not silence his sharp criticism of the Kremlin. Mr Yashins associates regularly update his social media pages with messages he relays from prison. His YouTube channel has more than 1.5 million subscribers. In a prison interview with The Associated Press in September 2022, Mr Yashin urged ordinary Russians to help spread the word, too. Demand for an alternative point of view has appeared in society, Mr Yashin told the AP in written answers from behind bars. Beauty and the Beast Lyric Theatre, QPAC Until May 19 The original French fairytale La Belle et la Bete (1757) was written to teach disempowered brides to tolerate their arranged marriages to often older and suspiciously hairy men. And there is something of an arranged marriage about your date with Beauty and the Beast, the musical. Its a Disney production in which every aspect every note, every dance step, every special effect, every stitch of costumery has been signed off on by the House of Mouse. From London to Lebanon, its the same show, and your obedience is taken as read. The show-stopping Be Our Guest production number from Beauty and the Beast. Credit: Daniel Boud And yet, only a theatre-going beast would find much to complain about with such an aural and visual extravaganza. Its a sumptuous gateau of a show, with extra fondant and ganache on the side youd be crazy not to simply sit back and be their willing guest. Advertisement Eating outBrisbane Adam Wolfers announced as group chef of Agnes, Same Same, Bianca One of the citys very best chefs has joined forces with one of its most celebrated restaurant groups. Matt Shea February 19, 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 Adam Wolfers has been announced as the new group chef of Anyday, the star hospitality group that owns and operates Agnes, Same Same, Bianca, Honto and Agnes Bakery. Wolfers is best known in Brisbane for his time as executive chef at celebrated Middle Eastern restaurant Gerards Bistro. He left Gerards in March last year and has been working in consultancy roles since, most notably for Simon Martins Flying Colours in West End. Adam Wolfers has been announced as the new group chef of Anyday, which operates Agnes, Same Same and Bianca, among others. Supplied Wolfers began his career in Sydney restaurants Est. and Marque before working at New Yorks WD-50 and three-Michelin-starred Quique Dacosta in Spain. Wolfers then worked with Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt on Monopole and Yellow in Sydney before going on to launch Etelek, a dining series inspired by his Jewish-Hungarian heritage that popped up at restaurants such as Ester, Casoni, Bar Brose, Lee Ho Fook, Paperbark and Sunda. Advertisement Super whatnow? Flying Colours by Super Whatnot crew brings new palette Wolfers says Anyday director, co-owner and chef Ben Williamson first reached out about the group chef position towards the end of last year. He basically came to me with a proposition that I couldnt refuse, Wolfers told this masthead on Monday. You dont really have those opportunities come too often in our line of work. There are few restaurant groups out there that have the infrastructure that these guys have. Theyre really passionate and forward focused they want to be the best, not just in Brisbane, but also in Australia, and thats something I really want to be a part of. They want to be the best, not just in Brisbane, but also in Australia, and thats something I really want to be a part of. Adam Wolfers Advertisement Wolfers and Williamson havent worked together previously, but the former succeeded the latter as executive chef at Gerards after Williamson put it on the map as one of Australias most exciting and progressive Middle Eastern restaurants. We have the same sort of vision, Wolfers said. We can both look at the same plate of food and realise whats missing. We can bounce off each other and we have a similar ethos in that sort of way. Brisbanes best restaurant openings of 2023 Said Williamson in a statement: Adam comes to us with a wealth of experience, both celebrated and broad-ranging. Were thrilled to be bringing him into the Anyday fold and have no doubt hell boost the culinary experience at all our venues. Wolfers began in the role on Monday last week. Advertisement This is a really good position for me to be in because I can work with the chefs in the different restaurants and bounce ideas around with them, Wolfers said. I feel Ive worked in multiple styles of restaurants over the years, and I have a diverse knowledge of systems and how [chefs] can be more efficient in the kitchen and create ideas. Im really excited to be working with this group of people, and they really look after their staff, which is the main thing. Advertisement When Harry Styles visited Melbournes Cibi for a green tea last year, the Japanese cafe and design store was inundated by his TikTok-obsessed fans. They kept coming months after Styles visit too, and Cibi eventually had to ban guests from shooting social media content on their phones. God help any Sydney restaurant, then, that Taylor Swift pops into this week. Time magazines person of the year played three back-to-back shows in Melbourne, kicking off February 16, before a four-night stint in Sydney from Friday. Having arrived in Sydney on Monday afternoon, Swift has four nights free for dinner in town, not to mention plenty of opportunities for lunch and cocktails. And if theres one thing the Good Food team knows all too well about Taylor Swift, its that she really, really likes going out for lunch. And cocktails. Photo: The internet is thick with lists detailing all the bars and restaurants Swift has visited in New York City over the past few years, but especially the past 12 months. Weve studied these lists, and through a comprehensive systematic review have identified the key trends of Swifts eating habits in Manhattan. Using this research, we believe we can predict where she will make an impromptu dining appearance while in Australia. This is highly scientific stuff. Notably, Swift isnt concerned with eating at any of the super-hip new places New York food critics are raving about. White-hot restaurants such as Sailor, Tatiana and Torrisi dont get a look in. There are very few omakase and tasting menus; even fewer steakhouses, yum cha sessions and burger joints (though she is partial to the occasional cheeseburger, and local chain Bettys fits the bill, given its a Folklore character and tune). Advertisement Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce step out for dinner in New York City in October. Getty Images But there is plenty of seafood, Italian, and a la carte sushi. Reliable celebrity-loved institutions such as Minetta Tavern, Waverly Inn and Emilios Ballato get a fair crack too. (Restaurateur Keith McNally even posted Swift and Phoebe Bridgers Minetta Tavern order on Instagram oysters, scallops, Dover sole and lobster vol-au-vents, if youre wondering.) As for bars, darker is better, preferably with martinis, a chic fit-out and semi-private rooms. So with all that in mind, here are our predictions of where Swift could (and should) eat in Sydney. The Baxter Inn has plenty of whisky on ice. Sahlan Hayes Advertisement The bar I knew from the first Old Fashioned we were cursed, sings Swift in Getaway Car. If she is indeed into Old Fashioneds, CBD whisky bar The Baxter Inn stirs a cracking version of the classic, and the lighting is appropriately low. Most of Baxters tables and booths are exposed to prying phone cameras, so if a getaway car and a swift exit is required, Crowns invite only members lounge Neat Peat seems like a safer bet for Swift and her entourage. (We strongly suspect theyll all be staying at Crown Towers.) Swift is not likely to be taking shots of Patron at 7am (per You Need to Calm Down), but she might sing under the El Primo Sanchezs Mirrorball ceiling. Steve Woodburn For a martini, Maybe Sammy near The Rocks is a destination for many global visitors, given its number 15 spot on The Worlds 50 Best Bars list. But this seems too obvious. Were putting our money on Swift taking over the semi-hidden La Prima bar inside Paddingtons El Primo Sanchez, opened by the Maybe Sammy team last year and specialising in tacos and tequila-fuelled dancing. The Good Food review of the Sydney restaurant Taylor Swift dined in Advertisement The Italian If we were card sharks, playing games, its equal odds for aMare Crowns two-hatted fine diner helmed by Lombardian chef Alessandro Pavoni or Woolloomooloo stalwart Otto Ristorante. Both are by the water and have a strong focus on seafood, plus private dining options and accommodating staff. For Italian food with a more contemporary, edgier edge, its hard to go past Albertos Lounge and Pellegrino 2000 in Surry Hills (update: she did!), although nearby Bastardo is another strong option. We wouldnt be too shocked to see Swift visit Beppis either. The old-school Darlinghurst charmer has been catering to A-listers from Keith Richards to Kerry Packer since 1956, and it never goes out of style. Swift can enjoy the salt air at Icebergs. Jennifer Soo Advertisement The icon Bondis Icebergs Dining Room and Bar is one of Nigella Lawsons favourite places in the world, the ocean views are incredible, and restaurateur Maurice Terzini knows how to show visiting celebrities a discreet and highly delicious time (Pharrell is also a fan.) We would be more surprised if Swift doesnt eat at Icebergs while shes here. Shes partial to a citrusy French Blonde cocktail, so the tableside sgroppino with lemon sorbet would be soothing between back-to-back shows. Will Travis Kelce join Swift for another Nobu date night? Louise Kennerley The sushi spot Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce were spotted at a Nobu in New York in December, and at the risk of this predictions list sounding like advertorial for Crown theres also an outpost of the glitzy Japanese restaurant chain at the Sydney casino. A Nobu visit seems likely, but if Swift is keen for raw fish and rice at one of our homegrown establishments, Kuro Bar and Dining, Sushi e and Cho Cho San all provide the kind of slick, modern Japanese menu she seems to go for. Advertisement The seafood restaurant Sydneys many omakase counters aside, there are no better places to eat Australian seafood than Neil Perrys Margaret (a name very similar to Swifts late grandmother Marjorie, who has a song named in her honour) in Double Bay and Saint Peter, Paddington. But the gun-barrel dining room of Josh and Julie Nilands Saint Peter is exposed to the street, and Margaret feels too high profile. (An under-the-radar visit to Intercontinental Double Bays plush cocktail bar seems more likely.) Cirrus at Barangaroo is the smarter idea to avoid paparazzi and get stuck into oysters, scallops and lobster, and were not dismissing a whole restaurant takeover at Catalina in Rose Bay. Hand-picked mud crab at Berts Bar and Brasserie, Newport. William Meppem The Wildest Dreams wildcard Theres every chance Swift will get out of this town, drive out of the city, away from the crowds, and shack up in a Whale Beach mansion with a private chef and helipad, just like Leo in Saint-Tropez. If so, it would be a shame not to book at least one lunch at Berts Bar and Brasserie in Newport the old-world hotel dining room and whole flounder seem right up Swifts alley. Advertisement Sewage sludge used to fertilise Australias farmlands is loaded with microplastic and is getting into the food chain, researchers warn. Scientists have taken a forensic look at the sludge left over when wastewater is treated at plants across the nation. The nutrient-rich waste product is called biosolids and most of the 349,000 tonnes produced each year is spread on agricultural land. But 146 samples from 13 treatment plants in NSW, South Australia and Queensland reveal it contains worrying levels of microplastic fibres and fragments so small theyre usually invisible to the naked eye. Loading Biosolids were found to contain between one and 17 kilograms of microplastic per tonne. We found every kilogram of biosolid contains between 11,000 and 150,000 microplastic particles, said Griffith Universitys Dr Shima Ziajahromi, who led the study. Fibres from synthetic clothing was the dominant type of microplastic found and abundances were notably higher during cold and wet seasons, probably because people are washing more items such as fleece blankets and clothes. Ziajahromi warned that without quick action, including mandatory microplastic filters on washing machines, the nation risks entrenching long-term contamination problems in food production hubs. Australian regulations control the amount of heavy metals, nutrients, pathogens and some emerging contaminants that are allowed in biosolids, she said. But theres currently no guideline for microplastics concentrations. AAP . . TO THE EDITOR: There is a troubling rise in promoting vigilante solutions rather than the rule of law. Terry Moore suggests that Crime control, like our border debacle, requires some common sense and the will to stop it both are lacking in many of our leaders. And that A simple solution is to put a sign on the front door that states, 'If you loot, we shoot.' Then, give employees access to 12-gauge, 18-inch barrel shotguns with non-lethal pepper gas rounds. The manager would have a similar weapon, but with number 3 buckshot in case anyone threatened the livelihood of their employees. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He promotes taking the law into employee hands which is a troubling refrain. He points to a situation where a good guy with a guy stopped a bad guy with a gun. This is far from a common sense approach to law enforcement. Three citizens who felt empowered to stop crime (even when no crime had been committed) hunted down and killed Ahmaud Arbery. Those three men were convicted of murder. We have seen even with the extensive training provided to law enforcement, can result in tragic deaths whether it was traffic stop or even when 376 good guys with guns did not prevent the death of 19 children and 2 teachers. Common sense tells me that giving employees (who generally get minimal training for their regular job) weapons and expecting them to perform as law enforcement is a recipe for disaster. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You can find too many instances where extensively trained professionals have made errors that have resulted in deaths and prosecution for their actions, and yet Mr. Moore is promoting much less stringent training as sufficient for store workers and church members. When did the party of the rule of law and Back the Blue change to take the law into your own hands? Mr. Moore then pivots to border security. He points to some of the issues at the border and puts all the blame on President Biden. He then quotes Senator John Kennedy, (the man who has promoted a conspiracy theory that coronavirus vaccines were developed to control people via microchips, and has endorsed the false notion that antidepressants are linked to school shootings) as a voice of reason. Mr. Moore fails to mention the bipartisan Senate bill that would have improved things at the border. The number of asylum-seeking immigrants entering the country would have been reduced by more than 80% over the last four months had the bipartisan border security legislation released over the weekend been in effect, according to Oklahoma Republican Senator James Lankford. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chuck Todd from NBC wrote In fact, this border deal would give the GOP about 80% of what it wanted and the Democrats about 20% and yet, that 80-20 split is still not good enough for the so-called governing wing of the GOP to vote for it. The New York Times reported A year ago they said, We need a change in the law, said Mr. Lankford, frustrated by his Republican colleagues who had been up in arms about the border situation only to suddenly reject the new legislation. Now the conversation is, Just kidding, we dont need a change in the law. We just need the president to use the laws they already have. That wasnt where we were before. The episode left Democrats amazed. Just gobsmacked, Senator Brian Schatz, Democrat of Hawaii, wrote on social media. Ive never seen anything like it. They literally demanded specific policy, got it, and then killed it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the former president called the bill a Death Wish for the Republican Party and he encouraged his supporters to kill the bill. He is the same person who said he hopes the economy will crash during the next 12 months. It would be nice to debate about what was good and bad for the country rather than for one politician. Mr. Moore seems to be promoting the current GOP trend. Dont like the outcome of a free and fair election, rile up supporters by knowingly, wrongly claiming the election was stolen (multitude of legal cases, GOP funded searches for voter fraud all found Trump lost). Think someone is violating the law? Take the law into your own hands (again there are a multitude of verifiable examples you can look up). We are still a democratic country with checks and balances and the rule of law. We should not go down the lawless road Mr. Moore seems to be promoting. I will end with the exact same question Mr. Moore asks Who would be dumb enough to cheer this insanity? When do we say, Enough? Advertisement Article continues below this ad BRIAN ZIMMERMAN A woman accused of murdering her seven-month-old baby boy has been committed to stand trial in a Brisbane court. Noemi Kondacs was charged with murder and torture after her arrest on the day Rhuan Immanuel Bosch died in November 2022. Reinhardt (Ryan) Bosch and his partner Noemi Kondacs will both stand trial for murder over their sons death. Credit: Facebook The torture charge against the 23-year-old was withdrawn by crown prosecutor Elise Adams in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. The charge was replaced with one count of failing to supply the necessities of life for the boy between April 11 and November 3, 2022. A police worker claims she repeatedly accessed the files of former schoolmates and extended family members out of sheer curiosity in a move that ultimately cost her career and a criminal conviction. Cristal Micallef held multiple roles within Victoria Police over several years, from an administrative position at Werribee police station in 2015 to her recent post as a project officer and executive support officer in the counter-terrorism command. Magistrate Carolyn Howe described Cristal Micallefs unauthorised access to police information as extremely serious. Credit: Paul Rovere Micallef expressly agreed to the forces conditions only to use its database that catalogues peoples interactions with Victoria Police with authorisation. However, she went on to use it to look at the records of former schoolmates, associates, extended family members and people she followed on TikTok, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard on Monday. Extra electric buses and a future stage 3 of the all-electric Brisbane Metro will expand into Brisbanes northside, if Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinners LNP team wins the March council elections. Schrinner will on Sunday announce a new electric charging station built on council-owned land at Fitzgibbon, near Carseldine, allowing electric buses to be charged in six minutes. The charging station would allow electric buses to be charged in six minutes. Schrinner said the new five-hectare electric charging station was essential for expanding the future Brisbane Metro North service to Brisbanes northside. It will also allow us to run fully electric, high-frequency Metro services into the northern suburbs from the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital, he said. Droughts have the potential to increase the spread of HIV for women living in rural parts of Africa, researchers at the University of Bristol have found. Droughts have the potential to increase the spread of HIV for women living in rural parts of Africa, researchers at the University of Bristol have found. In the study, published today in AIDS and Behavior, findings imply that drought triggers behavioural changes as people struggle to battle poverty and food insecurity through activities such as transactional sex. Due to climate change, droughts are likely to become increasingly common in the future, which could lead to higher instances of HIV transmission. Sub-Saharan Africa will be one of the regions most affected by climate change, with increasing risks of drought caused by changes in precipitation and limited water storage, as well as limited capacity and resources to support adaptation. Drought is an ongoing and worsening trend in sub-Saharan Africa, with the percentage of land experiencing severe drought increasing from around 5% to 15% since 1901. Lead author Dr Adam Trickey, based at Bristol Medical School, explained: "Women in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa who had recently been exposed to drought were more likely to acquire HIV than those who had not been exposed to drought. "That we found this among women in rural areas, but not women in urban areas or men in either rural or urban areas corroborates previous studies indicating that the mechanism through which drought may increase HIV risk is that drought pushes women who rely on farming for their livelihoods into sex work for money or food. "Even if these changes were small, the large number of people living with HIV in Africa and the large percentage experiencing drought means that the effect of droughts could still result in many people acquiring HIV in this situation, particularly when you consider that around 65% of Africa's population relies on subsistence farming." The research team combined data from five nationally-representative surveys of over 100,000 adults aged 15-59 that were carried out in 2016 in Eswatini, Lesotho, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. They linked these surveys to precipitation data and calculated whether each household was in an area that experienced less rainfall than usual in 2014-2016 compared with 1981-2016. This was used to define drought areas. They then used statistical models to calculate whether people who had been exposed to a drought were more likely to have recently acquired HIV than those who were not exposed. Further research is required to investigate the pathways that may link drought and HIV. This research was funded by the Wellcome Trust. Paper 'Investigating the associations between drought, poverty, high-risk sexual behaviours, and HIV incidence in Sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study' by Adam Trickey et al. in AIDS and Behavior [open access] Recently released ABS national population figures found that with an annual growth rate of 6.6%, the 75- to 79-year-old age group significantly out paces all other demographic cohorts, he said. Between now and 2030, the retirement industry requires 67,000 homes to be built to meet the existing levels of demand from older Australians. Of this amount, only 18,000 are currently planned. Rooney Mara Debuts Baby Bump, Expecting Second Child with Joaquin Phoenix (Photo: Elena Ternovaja/WikimediaCommons/CC-BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)) In a delightful revelation at the 74th Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, Rooney Mara, the acclaimed actress known for her role in "Carol," unveiled her pregnancy with her second child with partner Joaquin Phoenix, the Oscar-winning actor celebrated for his role in "Joker." Mara, 38, elegantly showcased her baby bump while donning a chic black strapless Givenchy gown, capturing the attention of photographers and attendees as she celebrated the premiere of her new film, "The Kitchen," as reported by Page Six. This announcement marks a new chapter for Mara and Phoenix, 49, who previously welcomed their first child, a son named River, in August 2020. The couple chose a poignant and heartfelt name for their son, honoring Phoenix's late brother, River Phoenix, whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 23 due to a drug overdose in 1993. A source close to the couple shared with Us Weekly in May 2021, "River has enhanced their lives more than they've ever imagined and has brought them closer together." The couple, known for their privacy, aims to provide River with a "normal, healthy upbringing," away from the relentless glare of the public eye. The story of Mara and Phoenix's relationship traces back to their collaboration on the set of Spike Jonze's film "Her," though it wasn't until their work together on "Mary Magdalene" that their romance blossomed. Phoenix, in a candid admission to Vanity Fair in October 2019, recounted his initial misconception that Mara "despised" him, only to later understand her shyness and mutual interest. "She's the only girl I ever looked up on the internet," Phoenix revealed, highlighting the depth of his affection. In July 2019, the couple announced their engagement, further solidifying their bond. Both Mara and Phoenix are staunch vegans, a lifestyle choice deeply ingrained in their personal and professional lives. Phoenix, who has been vocal about his veganism, even incorporating it into his Oscar acceptance speech, expressed his hopes for River to adopt veganism while emphasizing the importance of not imposing his beliefs on his son. Despite reaching out, representatives for Mara and Phoenix have not commented on the pregnancy news. However, the couple's commitment to their family and principles remains evident. In 2020, they voiced their concern for children separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, empathizing with the unimaginable pain of such a separation as new parents themselves. As Mara and Phoenix prepare to welcome their second child, their journey continues to resonate with many who admire their talent, activism, and dedication to privacy and family. The couple's evolving narrative, from their cinematic collaborations to their growing family, remains a testament to their shared values and enduring partnership. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers holds a semiconductor chip as he speaks prior to signing an executive order, aimed at addressing a global semiconductor chip shortage, in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 24, 2021. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters/File Photo/File Photo) In a strategic move aimed at reinforcing the United States' semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, the Biden administration announced a significant $1.5 billion grant to GlobalFoundries. This investment is part of a broader effort under the CHIPS and Science Act to enhance domestic supply chains and mitigate vulnerabilities exposed by recent global disruptions. GlobalFoundries, ranking as the third-largest contract chip manufacturer globally, plans to utilize this funding to erect a new production facility in Malta, New York, and extend its operations in Burlington, Vermont. The initiative, poised to stimulate a $12.5 billion aggregate investment across both states, promises to generate over 10,000 jobs within the next decade, offering fair wages and essential benefits, including childcare support. "The chips that GlobalFoundries will make in these new facilities are essential chips to our national security," emphasized Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, highlighting the critical role these semiconductors play in both defense and civilian applications. This funding marks the third such announcement by the government, reflecting a committed $39 billion program to rejuvenate the nation's semiconductor production landscape. "We're just getting started," Raimondo assured, indicating forthcoming awards aimed at bolstering the semiconductor sector. The collaboration between GlobalFoundries and General Motors, formalized on February 9, underscores the strategic importance of securing a stable U.S. chip supply for the automotive industry. This partnership aims to preclude the production halts experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic due to chip shortages, ensuring resilience in the face of supply chain challenges. The expansion in Malta is particularly notable for its focus on producing high-value chips currently not manufactured within the U.S., thereby filling a crucial gap in the domestic semiconductor ecosystem. Additionally, the Burlington facility's upgrade to manufacture next-generation gallium nitride on silicon semiconductors heralds a significant advancement in technologies critical for electric vehicles, power grids, and smartphones. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, instrumental in crafting the CHIPS and Science Act, lauded the initiative as pivotal for U.S. economic and national security. He drew parallels between the essential nature of semiconductors and fundamental resources like food, emphasizing the strategic imperative of insulating the nation from external disruptions akin to those witnessed during the coronavirus pandemic. Amidst a politically charged climate with the U.S. economy's health at the forefront of electoral debates, the Biden administration's investment in semiconductor manufacturing aligns with broader Democratic efforts to foster long-term economic growth through substantial infrastructural and technological investments. Schumer's remarks reflect a vision for a future-oriented America, poised to reap the benefits of these foundational investments in the coming decades, painting a picture of resilience and innovation at the heart of American industrial strategy. UB School of Management cited among Americas top three emerging entrepreneurship programs UB Students participate in an Innovation Sprint sponsored by UBs Startup and Innovation Collaboratory powered by Blackstone LaunchPad. Photo: Douglas Levere Its clear that word has spread about whats happening in Buffalo. Colleagues from across the country know that UB and Buffalo are growing hubs for building entrepreneurial skills and starting new companies. BUFFALO, N.Y. The University at Buffalo School of Management was selected as a finalist for the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE)s Model Emerging Entrepreneurship Program Award, adding to UBs growing reputation as a national leader in entrepreneurial education. UB was recognized alongside St. Louis University and Austin State University for its leadership in providing students with bold and innovative programs that provide evidence-based, creative, high-quality, sustainable and impactful courses and programs in entrepreneurship. Since the launch of the School of Managements entrepreneurship concentration and campus-wide minor in 2021, entrepreneurship enrollment has surged to include more than 500 students annually representing 60 majors across UB. In addition to USASBE, the program has earned national recognition from entities including VentureWell, the Deshpande Symposium, Princeton Review and Entrepreneur.com. The School of Managements academic offering exists alongside significant additional investments at UB from campus partners Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships (BEP) and Startup and Innovation Collaboratory (CoLab) powered by Blackstone LaunchPad. In the past year, BEP has partnered with more than 100 startups through its investment, mentoring, tax incentives and internship programs to create 80 new internship opportunities for students and add hundreds of jobs in the local economy. CoLab, meanwhile, opened a new space in the Student Union and engaged almost a third of UBs student body in its entrepreneurial program offerings. Demonstrating UBs national thought leadership in entrepreneurial education, Tom Murdock, clinical assistant professor of entrepreneurship in the UB School of Management, attended USASBEs Forging the Future annual meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, on January 13, and delivered a presentation on teaching customer discovery concepts to entrepreneurship students. Its clear that word has spread about whats happening in Buffalo, says Murdock. Colleagues from across the country know that UB and Buffalo are growing hubs for building entrepreneurial skills and starting new companies. Our aim is to equip students with the skills, knowledge and mindsets needed to thrive in todays dynamic entrepreneurial landscape, says Bob Neubert, director of entrepreneurship academic programs in the School of Management. This recognition by our peer universities validates the impact of our programs in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to economic development both locally and internationally. Founded in 1981, the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship is an inclusive community of educators, researchers, and entrepreneurs advancing entrepreneurship education through bold teaching, scholarship and practice. Membership is open to all, as is attendance at USASBEs hallmark annual conference. USASBE also publishes a peer-reviewed academic journal, Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy, and develops a variety of helpful resources and professional development opportunities for entrepreneurship educators as they create a positive impact. The Model Emerging Program Award honors colleges and universities with comprehensive, high-quality educational programs that successfully train future entrepreneurs. Blog Archive: Mar 2024 (90) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (156) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) Paytm, on Monday, replied with an earlier statement from last week saying it was providing information to the Enforcement Directorate and other authorities | Photo: Bloomberg An investigation into possible foreign exchange violations at Patym Payments bank by India's financial crime fighting agency has not yet found any breaches, a government source directly aware of the matter said on Monday. Last week, India's Enforcement Directorate announced the investigation into overseas transactions by Paytm Payments Bank, a unit of One 97 Communications, popularly known as Paytm. Paytm shares have plunged more than 50% since the Reserve Bank of India announced on Jan. 31 that Paytm Payments Bank could no longer accept new funds into its accounts or wallet. The rout has eroded around $3.1 billion in shareholders' wealth. The investigation has found some lapses related so-called know-your-customer rules that verify the profiles of users, said the source. But, the "Enforcement Directorate has not yet detected any foreign exchange management act violations by Paytm Payments Bank," the source said. There were also some issues with a suspicious transaction report not being generated by the bank, the source said, adding that the Enforcement Directorate is still ascertaining whether to bring charges for any potential violations. The Enforcement Directorate did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Paytm, on Monday, replied with an earlier statement from last week saying it was providing information to the Enforcement Directorate and other authorities. One 97 Communication shares rose by the exchange-allowed maximum of 5% for a second session on Monday, taking total gains to a little over 10% in two days. Paytm Payments Bank secured a 15-day extension for its wind-down to March 15 from the Reserve Bank of India on Friday. Also on Friday, Paytm said it signed on a new banking partner, Axis Bank, to try to keep some of its popular products running and survive its current crisis. Analysts at Bernstein said the deadline extension would help smoothly transfer Paytm Payments Bank accounts and said Paytm's merchants being able to use the company's QR codes, soundbox and card machines is a "major positive". Citi analysts expects more banking partnerships, like the one with Axis, calling them "significant positives for ongoing business". However, Citi kept its "sell" rating on the stock, while Bernstein maintained "outperform." Jefferies, however, said it would stop coverage of Paytm until news on regulatory actions "settles". Two brokerages have dropped coverage in the past month, according to LSEG data. Now 13 analysts cover Paytm, with five of them recommending selling the stock, compared with none for the past year. The overall average rating, however, is the equivalent of "hold", per LSEG data. The median price target on the stock has dropped 31% in the past month to 625 rupees. The stock is currently at 358.35 rupees. (Writing by Swati Bhat; Editing by Sonia Cheema, Rashmi Aich and Christian Schmollinger) An Indian Amy battle tank performs an operation demonstration during the DefExpo 20 in Lucknow. Photo: Bloomberg The Indian Army is set to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) this year for a project worth an estimated Rs 57,000 crore to produce 1,770 Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) in India, slated to replace the ageing Russian-origin T-72 tanks from 2030 onwards, according to a report by the Times of India (TOI). These FRCVs will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), drone integration, active protection systems, and enhanced situational awareness. They will also feature manned-unmanned teaming capability and seamless integration into network-centric warfare environments. The induction of FRCVs will occur in three phases, with each phase incorporating newer technologies to ensure maximum survivability, lethality, and agility. According to TOI, recent reports of extensive destruction of Russian tanks in the ongoing war with Ukraine were largely due to tactical shortcomings rather than inherent weaknesses in tank warfare. This includes deficiencies such as inadequate logistics support and a lack of integrated operational tactics involving infantry, artillery, electronic warfare, and air support. Instead, a tank's success in warfare requires a combination of mobility, firepower, and armoured protection. In addition to ongoing procurement and upgrade initiatives, the Army plans to induct the first batch of 118 indigenous Arjun Mark-1A tanks this year. These tanks come equipped with various upgrades to boost firepower, mobility, endurance, and protection. Furthermore, the Army is gearing up to deploy 354 indigenous light tanks for high-altitude warfare under Project Zorawar. These tanks, designed for superior performance in mountainous terrain, will complement existing tank capabilities, particularly in regions like eastern Ladakh. Meanwhile, several upgrade projects are underway to enhance the operational capabilities of existing tank fleets. This includes the installation of 1000-horsepower engines in T-72 tanks, along with advanced thermal sights, fire detection systems, and other enhancements. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday cautioned against concerted efforts to create a rift among religions and religious beliefs in the country. Instead of nurturing harmony, cooperation and coexistence between religions, such forces are consciously trying to create division between them, the CM said. He was speaking during the 75th birthday celebrations of Theodosius Marthoma Metropolitan, head of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church, here. "Today, there are deliberate attempts by people with vested interests to create enmity between various religions and religious beliefs," Vijayan said. Without naming any particular political party, outfit or individual, he further charged that some forces were capable enough to create a rift even among those who should stand united and create confusion in the society about whom or what should be opposed. In such situations, a humanitarian approach and interventions being made by personalities like Marthoma Metropolitan within the church and outside give hope to the society, the Chief Minister added. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday chaired a cabinet meeting held at Mantralaya in the state capital and gave necessary instructions for cow protection in the state during the meeting. "Often during the rainy season, incidents of cows sitting on main roads and highways come to light and the cattle also suffer accidents. A system is required so that cows are not seen on the streets and for this a decision will be taken to increase the amount and honorarium for Gaushalas (cow shelters). Arrangements will be ensured for cattle with the best management," CM Yadav said in the meeting. If a cow dies then arrangements should be made for proper respectable cremation. Besides, attention will be given to make samadhi (mausoleum) or other arrangements to ensure that the remains of the cattle are not insulted, the CM added. The Council of Ministers welcomed the instructions of the Chief Minister. The council of ministers said that the cooperation of social organisations should also be taken in this work. Following which the chief minister instructed the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department to make necessary preparations for the same. Minister Lakhan Patel said, "I will soon invite operators of cow shelters for a meeting and receive suggestions. CM Yadav gave instructions to organise the meeting this month itself. The CM said that city mayors and other public representatives should also be included in that meeting. Discussions were also held on better operation of cow sheds, control on the free movement of cows by cow herders, cooperation of the police and obtaining funds for infrastructure works from the central government in the cabinet meeting." Besides, ahead of the cabinet meeting the Council of Ministers expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the consecration of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya. CM Mohan Yadav said, "The Prime Minister deserves a special congratulations for the Pran Pratishthan of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya. Shri Ramchandra Bhoomi Trust has also played an important role so it also deserves congratulations. Everyone respects our justice system. This work of Pran Pratishtha is also an example of strong will power, which has come before us. Following approval from CDE, China This will enable the Company to export Metformin Hydrochloride in China Market. Metformin Hydrochloride is an antidiabetic drug which is used to manage the high blood sugar levels in diabetes patients. Powered by Capital Market - Live News Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals announced that the company's product Metformin Hydrochloride has been approved by Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), China. On Saturday Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi fighters claimed responsibility for an attack on an India-bound oil tanker Global oil benchmark Brent crude was little changed on Monday, hovering around $83 a barrel as festering demand concerns were offset by continuing conflict in the Middle East. Brent crude futures eased by 14 cents to $83.33 a barrel by 1243 GMT. The March contract for U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, which expires on Tuesday, was up 7 cents at $79.26 in tepid trade while the WTI April contract slipped 13 cents to $78.33. Front-month Brent and WTI futures last week gained about 1.5% and 3% respectively, reflecting increasing risk of Middle East conflict widening. Capping those gains was slowing demand forecasts from the International Energy Agency and a bigger than expected increase to U.S. producer prices in January, amplifying inflation concerns. "WTI and Brent eased on Monday morning as investors re-adjust to demand-side fears after a significant jump in U.S. producer price index numbers," Phillip Nova analyst Priyanka Sachdeva said in a note. Demand jitters were magnified on Friday when U.S. Federal Reserve policymakers signalled the need for "patience" over expectations of cuts to interest rates. Markets are also awaiting indications of the direction of demand from China after it returns from a week-long Lunar New Year holiday while Presidents' Day in the United States is set to keep trade relatively muted. The conflict in the Middle East continued over the weekend as Israeli raids put the Gaza Strip's second-largest hospital out of service. On Saturday Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi fighters claimed responsibility for an attack on an India-bound oil tanker. A British-registered cargo ship was deemed to be at risk of sinking in the Gulf of Aden on Monday after a Houthi attack. Another cargo ship, this time U.S.-owned, reported two missile attacks in the Gulf of Aden on Monday and called for military assistance. Houthi forces have carried out attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November in what they say is support of Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would be able to cover "most levels of disruption", ANZ Research analysts said in a note, citing spare capacity at an eight-year high of 6.4 million barrels of oil per day. (Reporting by Natalie Grover in London, Katya Golubkova in Tokyo and Emily Chow in SingaporeEditing by David Goodman) Mao said China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. China hopes to work with Pakistan to build on the traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation in various areas China on Monday urged Pakistan's polarised political parties to work together to uphold solidarity, maintain social stability and properly handle relevant issues as they struggled to form a coalition government following a fractured mandate in the elections. The February 8 general elections in cash-strapped Pakistan have been controversial with several serious allegations of widespread rigging to alter the results. Over 10 days after the voting, there was still no clarity on which party would form the government at the Centre. Though independent candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the maximum number of seats in Parliament, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have announced that they will form a coalition government after the elections resulted in a hung Parliament. Addressing a media briefing here, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, China noted that general elections in Pakistan are held in a generally steady and smooth manner and we offer our congratulations on this. As a close and friendly neighbour, China fully respects the choice of the Pakistani people, she said in response to questions on the outcome of the elections. Asked whether China, Pakistan's all-weather ally, is concerned about the political instability in Pakistan as the parties there struggled to form the government Mao said, "We hope and believe that relevant parties of Pakistan will uphold solidarity, maintain stability and properly handle relevant issues to jointly open up a brighter future for the development of the country. The political instability in Pakistan remained a cause of concern for China, which is investing heavily in the strategic $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) overriding India's objections as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Beijing is also bankrolling Pakistan, which is in the throes of an economic crisis, to maintain the balance of payments with periodic loans to maintain the requisite forex reserves. Mao said China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. China hopes to work with Pakistan to build on the traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation in various areas, and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era for the benefit of the people of the two countries. By Bloomberg News Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for pragmatic and forceful action to boost the nations confidence in the economy, underscoring the governments concern with a struggling recovery and stock rout. Li used a meeting of the State Council, Chinas cabinet, on Sunday to urge officials to do more things that are conductive to boosting confidence and expectations, and ensure policymaking and execution are consistent and stable, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Various departments should focus on solving practical problems faced by individuals and companies as the Lunar New Year holiday ends, Li said, adding that they need to win the trust of the people with real work and achievement. Xinhua didnt outline any specific steps. Chinese leaders are hunting for ways to jump-start the economy, which faces headwinds from a property slump, weak business confidence and persistent deflationary pressures. Authorities sought to stem the equities rout before the holiday, with state funds ratcheting up purchases, a slew of regulatory tweaks to reduce selling pressure and a surprise replacement of the securities regulator chief. A resurgence in travel over the break offered some early signs of consumer spending picking up. Chinese stocks recorded modest gains as markets reopened on Monday, indicating doubts run deep over the longer-term prospects of the economy. Investors are awaiting further support from Beijing, including a potential cut to banks benchmark lending rates on Tuesday. The State Council meeting also discussed a draft government work report, according to Xinhua. The official report containing key growth targets for 2024 will be announced at the annual legislative sessions in early March. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday pledged his country's long-term engagement in Ukraine's reconstruction, calling it a future investment, as Japan stressed its commitment to supporting the war-torn country ahead of the two-year anniversary of Russia's invasion. In his keynote speech at a conference Japan co-organized with the Ukrainian government and business organizations, Kishida said Japanese public and private cooperation will be a long-term partnership based on inclusivity, humanitarianism as well as technology and knowledge. More than 50 cooperation deals were signed by Japanese and Ukrainian government agencies and companies. Kishida stressed the importance of investment across industries for the future of that country's development and ensuring that the support caters to Ukraine's needs. Support for Ukraine's reconstruction is about investing in the future, Kishida said. The war in Ukraine is still going on at this very moment and the situation is not easy. The promotion of economic reconstruction, however, is not only an investment for the future of Ukraine but also investing in Japan and the whole globe. Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who heads headed his country's delegation of more than 100 people, expressed thanks for the encouragement and said that "today is the new start of cooperation between the two countries. He said Ukraine is not just rebuilding, we are generating new rules of the game, new approaches, he said. All eyes are on Ukraine, and dictators and potential invaders are also turning their eyes to see how Russia's violation of the international law is seen and how the world will react to it. About 300 people and 80 companies are to attend from the two countries, Japanese officials have said. The Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction is co-organized by the Japanese and Ukrainian governments, Japan's powerful business organization Keidanren, and Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO. The two sides issued a joint communique, stating Japan's long-term support in helping Ukraine achieve economic stability. The two countries also noted the importance of maintaining tough sanctions against Russia. Japan also announced the start of talks toward revising a bilateral investment pact and easing of travel restrictions for Japanese business visitors to Ukraine. Japan hopes the conference will build momentum for international support for Ukraine as the war drags on and attention has diverted to the Gaza situation. The conference is largely about reconstruction and investment in Ukraine, but it's also about Japan's national security. Kishida repeatedly said that Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow, and it is crucial for Japan to advocate its objection to Russia's invasion and to the one-sided change of the status quo by force. Its support for Ukraine comes amid fear of China's increasingly assertive military actions in the region. It is extremely important that we demonstrate our solidarity to Ukraine in our uniquely Japanese way, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters Friday. Japan's $12.1 billion contribution to Ukraine over the past two years is mostly financial and humanitarian as its military equipment provisions are limited to non-lethal weapons, and much smaller compared to $111 billion the United States has provided in weapons, equipment, humanitarian assistance. Japan's government has chosen seven target areas including removal of mines and debris; improvement of humanitarian and living conditions; farming; biochemical manufacturing; digital and information industry; infrastructure in power and transportation sectors; and anti-corruption measures. Japan, in cooperation with other Group of Seven members, hopes to link the Tokyo conference to a separate Ukraine reconstruction conference to be held in Germany in June. Three tankers with Russian Sokol oil that had been stranded at sea due to payment problems and Western sanctions have started to move towards China and India, data from Kpler and LSEG showed on Monday. The backlog of Sokol tankers has become the biggest disruptions to Russia's oil trade since the West imposed sanctions on Moscow over its military actions in Ukraine. More than 10 million barrels of Sokol have been floating in seaborne storage over the past three months due to payment difficulties and Western sanctions on shipping firms and vessels carrying the crude. The three vessels - NS Century, NS Commander and Nellis - that had been sitting at sea since November - have finally moved, according to the data and traders. Russian state oil major Rosneft - the main exporter of the Sokol grade - did not respond to Reuters queries on Sokol oil sales. NS Century and Nellis are carrying a combined 2.2 million barrels of Sokol to Chinese ports, according to data analytics firm Kpler. Both tankers are subject to fresh U.S. sanctions for breaching a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil. Two trading sources told Reuters the buyers were private Chinese refiners. The traders declined to be named as the information is not public and did not name the buyers. "China might be the solution to the problem (with Sokol sales) as at least two tankers that have been idling since November started moving towards Chinese territorial waters," Viktor Katona, head of crude analysis at Kpler, said. The Gabon-flagged tanker NS Commander, not subject to U.S. sanctions, with some 600,000 barrels of Sokol oil onboard was heading towards Jamnagar port in India, according to Kpler and LSEG data. Some 7.5 million barrels of Sokol remained stuck at sea as of Monday, according to Kpler, down from over 10 million barrels two weeks earlier. A protest march against the Talibans decision to force several residents to leave their homes in Kandahar. (Photo: AP/PTI) Kanni Wignaraja, the UN Assistant Secretary-General, has arrived in Afghanistan to delve into conversations regarding projects concerning women, including livelihood, empowerment, the provision of essential services, and participation in society, as reported by The Khaama Press. In an official post on X, the United Nations disclosed on February 16 that Wignaraja will partake in dialogues focusing on women's issues, encompassing livelihood, empowerment, access to essential services, and societal engagement. According to The Khaama Press, Wignaraja maintains her role as the Regional Director for Asia-Pacific at the UN Development Office. In addition to her scheduled agenda, she is set to engage with development partners and representatives from the private sector, signalling a comprehensive approach to addressing Afghanistan's challenges. The organization further specified that Wignaraja will convene with development partners and private company representatives during her visit, as per The Khaama Press. This initiative unfolds amidst repeated visits by UN officials to Afghanistan, aimed at bolstering women's rights and involvement in decision-making processes alongside de facto authorities to alleviate constraints. As diplomatic and multilateral endeavors intensify, the involvement of eminent figures such as Wignaraja, Amiri, and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammad accentuates the urgency and intricacy of Afghanistan's prevailing issues. This underscores the imperative for synchronized action and international community support. The visit underscores the UN's commitment to advancing women's rights and societal inclusion in Afghanistan, recognizing the pivotal role of collaborative efforts in navigating the country's complex landscape. The engagement of high-ranking UN officials reflects the organization's dedication to addressing Afghanistan's multifaceted challenges and fostering sustainable solutions through inclusive dialogue and partnership. Meanwhile in Doha, the second two-day meeting convened by the UN on Afghanistan is underway in the absence of Islamic Emirate representation. Hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, special representatives for Afghanistan of at least 20 countries have come together in Doha, Qatar, and are expected to discuss a number of issues behind closed doors. Discussions are also expected to take place about the appointment of a new UN special representative for Afghanistan; the review of the report of Feridon Sinirlioglu, the special coordinator of the UN; and human rights issues, especially women's rights. She said US President Joe Biden has had multiple calls over the last week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to push the deal forward | (Photo: PTI) The UN Security Council is expected to vote on Tuesday on an Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which the United States announced it will veto. Algeria, the Arab representative on the council, put the draft resolution in a final form that can be voted on. Council diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorised to speak publicly, said the vote will take place Tuesday morning. In addition to a ceasefire, the final Algerian draft, obtained by The Associated Press, reiterates council demands that Israel and Hamas scrupulously comply with international law, especially the protection of civilians, and rejects the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians. The draft also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages taken by Hamas during their surprise October 7 attacks in southern Israel. Some 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken captive, with over 100 still believed to be held in Gaza. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement that the United States has been working on a hostage deal for months that would bring at least six weeks of calm from which we could then take the time and the steps to build a more enduring peace. She said US President Joe Biden has had multiple calls over the last week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to push the deal forward. Though gaps remain, the key elements are on the table and it remains the best opportunity to reunite hostages with their families and enable a prolonged pause in fighting which would allow lifesaving aid to get to Palestinian civilians who desperately need it, Thomas-Greenfield said. Qatar said on Saturday the talks have not been progressing as expected. By contrast, the Arab-backed resolution wouldn't achieve those outcomes, and indeed, may run counter to them, she said. For that reason, the United States does not support action on this draft resolution. Should it come up for a vote as drafted, it will not be adopted. The 22 Arab countries at the United Nations have been demanding a ceasefire for months as Israel's military offensive in response to the Hamas attacks has intensified, with the number of Palestinians killed surpassing 28,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The Arab Group chair this month, Tunisia's UN Ambassador Tarek Ladeb, told UN reporters last Wednesday that some 1.5 million Palestinians who sought safety in Gaza's southern city of Rafah face a catastrophic scenario if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu goes ahead with a potential evacuation of civilians and military offensive in the area bordering Egypt. Netanyahu ordered the military to come up with a plan for Rafah's evacuation, but Israel hasn't announced a timeline. The Algeria draft resolution also expresses grave concern over the dire and urgently deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and reiterates the council's call for unhindered humanitarian access throughout the territory, where UN officials say a quarter of the 2.3 million population is facing starvation. The Security Council has adopted two resolutions on Gaza, with the US, Israel's closest ally, abstaining on both. Its first resolution on November 15 called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in Gaza to address the escalating crisis for Palestinian civilians during Israel's aerial and ground attacks. On December 22, the council adopted a watered-down resolution calling for immediately speeding aid deliveries to hungry and desperate civilians in Gaza, but without the original plea for an urgent suspension of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. It did call for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. The steps are not defined, but diplomats said it was the council's first reference to stopping fighting. Textron Aviation today announced the delivery of a new Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian turboprop to Malaysian property developer, Ikhasas Sdn Bhd, via its subsidiary company Oriental Sky Sdn Bhd. The aircraft, to be managed and operated by local charter operator Systematic Aviation Services (SAS), will be used for passenger transport between the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and a new waterfront resort on Perhentian islands, off the northern east coast of Malaysia. This will be the countrys first amphibious airplane operation in recent history after it gained necessary approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to launch domestic operations in 2024. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240216837400/en/ Oriental Skys Grand Caravan EX Amphibian (Photo: Business Wire) The Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company. Ikhasas group managing director, Ir. Tan Chee Kian, said, Seaplanes will be the most convenient way to reach the Perhentian Islands. Currently, it takes a time-consuming 6-hour road journey followed by a one-hour ferry ride from the port in Kuala Besut. With our 11-seater aircraft, travelers will benefit from time savings as it will transport passengers from Kuala Lumpur to land directly in the waters near the beachside resort. At the same time, we preserve the islands pristine environment and natural forests which would otherwise be felled for airport construction. We are honored for Grand Caravan EX Amphibian to be selected. The versatility and excellent operating economics make it the perfect partner for Ikhasas to develop sustainable tourism. The comfortable cabin, large windows for sightseeing, and floats allowing it to take off and land anywhere are ideal for their missions, said Tony Jones, vice president, International Sales (Asia-Pacific). Malaysia is also an important market to Textron Aviation. Our products lead the installed base and make up over 40% of the countrys general aviation aircraft. Our customers in Malaysia use our products for a variety of operations including VIP transport, tourism, as well as other special missions such as air ambulances, and skydiving. About the Cessna Grand Caravan EX The Cessna Caravan platform has seen more than 3,000 aircraft delivered that are certified in 100 countries with nearly 24 million flight hours amassed worldwide since the aircraft was introduced. Caravans fulfill roles for multiple missions, ranging from flight training to recreation, commuter airlines to VIP transport, cargo carriers and humanitarian missions. The Grand Caravan EX aircraft is known for its dependable and efficient performance by regional airlines, charter operators, cargo carriers and special missions operators worldwide. The aircraft offers an impressive output of 867 horsepower and a rate of climb of 1,275 feet per minute. Endless Special Missions Possibilities When government, military and commercial customers want airborne solutions for critical missions, they turn to Textron Aviation. The companys aviation solutions provide the high performance and flight characteristics required to address the unique challenges of special missions operations. With unparalleled quality, versatility and low operating costs, Textron Aviation products are chosen for air ambulance, ISR, utility transport, aerial survey, flight inspection, training and a number of other special operations. About Textron Aviation We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special missions, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable, productive and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com| defense.txtav.com| scorpion.txtav.com. About Textron Textron is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com. Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240216837400/en/ State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code 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... Prospects for the GCC industry ICR Research By Published 19 February 2024 The GCC regional economy is estimated to grow by one per cent in 2023 before picking up again to 3.6 and 3.7 per cent in 2024 and 2025, respectively, according to the World Bank Gulf Economic Update (GEU), published in November 2023. The report which spans the economies of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain states that the weaker performance in 2023 was driven primarily by lower oil sector activity, which is expected to contract by 3.9 per cent, reflecting successive OPEC+ production cuts and the global economic slowdown. The reduction will be compensated for by the non-oil sectors, which are expected to grow by 3.9 per cent in 2023 and 3.4 per cent in the medium-term supported by sustained private consumption, strategic fixed investments and accommodative fiscal policy. To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or Login Peruvian market expands 9% in January ICR Newsroom By 19 February 2024 Cement dispatches in Peru increased nine per cent to 1.016Mt in January 2024 when compared with 0.928Mt in January 2023, according to the Peruvian cement association, ASOCEM. Of this total, 0.938Mt was supplied by ASOCEM members. Cement production slipped one per cent YoY to 0.924Mt in January 2024 from 0.931Mt. Clinker production was down 12 per cent YoY to 0.857Mt in January from 0.969Mt. Cement exports fell by 31 per cent YoY to 10,000t in January 2024 from 15,000t while clinker exports saw a nine per cent decline to 33,000t from 36,000t in January 2023. Cement imports surged by 514 per cent YoY to 31,000t in January 2024 from 5000t in January 2023. Vietnam was the main supplier of imported cement, accounting for an 86 per cent share, while Chile imported 14 per cent of cement imports. In addition, 62,000t of clinker was imported in January 2024. South Korea imported 71 per cent of this total while Vietnam supplied 29 per cent. Published under State Rep. Patsy Hazlewood, R-Signal Mountain, last week signed the 2024-25 budget bill as chair of the House Finance Ways and Means Committee for the 113th Tennessee General Assembly. In her role as chair, Rep. Hazlewood will guide passage of a balanced state budget that builds on strategic investments and priorities. Tennessee continues to be among the most fiscally stable states in the nation with zero debt and one of the lowest tax burdens on individuals, said officials. I am proud of Tennessees long history of conservative, fiscally responsible budgeting, Rep. Hazlewood said. These sound policies have allowed us to continue making strategic investments in key areas throughout our state. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to ensure Tennessee and its economy remain prosperous in the years ahead. Governor Bill Lee on Feb. 5 presented his $52.6 billion budget proposal to members of the General Assembly during his sixth State of the State address. Key highlights of Governor Lees budget include more than $261 million in new funding for K-12 public schools and teacher pay raises along with beginning to provide school choice for families statewide. Other initiatives include a $410 million franchise tax cut to support the states economy, more than $200 million to expand state parks and natural areas, and other major investments in areas like public safety and rural health care. Rep. Hazlewood, along with other Republican leaders of the General Assembly, will review Governor Lees budget proposal and make their own recommendations in the coming weeks. Second Missionary Baptist Church invites the community to the 2024 Black History Luncheon under the theme, From Suffering to Hope. This years celebration features two history-making guest panelists, Dr. James Harris, distinguished professor of pastoral theology at Virginia Union University, and his son, Mr. Cameron Harris, associate professor of performing arts and Black Studies at California State University. This father/son duo promises to bring a unique and enlightening perspective to this years Black History celebration. Attendees have an opportunity to receive a number of culturally inspired door prizes! African attire is optional. Tickets for this years event are $10 each in advance by Wednesday, Feb/ 21. For more details, including ticket information, call the church office at 423 624-9097 weekdays after 9:30a.m. or email secretary@MySMBChurch.org. Rev. Ronald Harris is event chair and Dr. Ernest L. Reid, Jr., is senior pastor. SMBC is at 2305 E. 3rd Street in Chattanooga. Come and be blessed! The public does not benefit by having one person in a district scoop up multiple elected offices. Having differing people in elected positions creates great diversity in thoughts and views. Many people have been noticing a strategic hoarding of multiple elected offices by one person, which is riddled with conflicts of interest. Hoarding of power, or in many cases elected salaries by one person is bad for we the people. The bill was introduced with the following intent, Bill SB 1968/HB 2080 was introduced this year by Representative Dave Wright, R-Corryton, and Senator Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville. This bill prohibits an individual from holding an elected office of a local government from holding another elected office in Tennessee at the same time; expands the prohibition on a candidate qualifying or being nominated for more than one state office or county constitutional office to include any elected office in this state. This is a bill that is long past due. In our own Hamilton County districts elected double dippers abound. There are more situations of double dipping than I care to identify. We have a county commissioner that was appointed, who is also serving as a city council member. Then, we have a city council member that held onto her Hamilton County school board seat until it expired, when she should of resigned. Each of these elected were compensated in a double dipping political salary that equated to about $50,000 a year, plus retirement benefits. I view this situation as political greed for compensation for public service that should be free, or a collection of power in one person. There are many more examples. If the elected care our community, why do the they need a salary and retirement, which is contrary to turnover of elected office? No one should be holding an elected position until retirement. Many citizens would do the job effectively for no pay, for public good. I remember when there were no health insurance and retirement compensation associated with these local elected offices. It all started in the 1990s. Holding multiple offices only benefits the elected person, not the people. The bigger issues are conflicts of interest that abound in a person holding a city council office and county commissioner office, too much monarchy power. At the same time, the elected double dippers have knowingly reduced the sanctity of multiple viewpoints on situations from the people, and they make no apologies for creating an elected monopoly. It is a shame that legislation is required to explain how the double dippers are wrong. Apparently, they need education in ethics, and why the multiple elected offices benefit the public. Double dippers resign from your other elected offices, pick one office to serve in, and voluntarily do the right thing in the name of elected ethics. Why do yall have to be ordered in state legislation to see that truth of greed optics? To the state legislators, the approval of this bill is for the people, thank you. Bill SB 1968/HB 2080-Representative Dave Wright, R-Corryton, and Senator Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville Public Officials - As introduced, prohibits an individual holding an elected office of a local government from holding another elected office in this state at the same time; expands the prohibition on a candidate qualifying or being nominated for more than one state office or county constitutional office to include any elected office in this state. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 8. Be blessed yall. April Eidson * * * This new double dipping law in Tennessee seems like vindictive politics aimed at protecting political seats rather than the citizens. It's sickening to see laws being used for the wrong reasons. Look it up for yourself. They said out their own mouths that if Gloria ran against Blackburn they would announce this very document. It is not a coincidence one of the main people backing it is a republican from Knoxville where she is running as well, smh. And she (Johnson) is not trying to hold two spots at once she is running for the one she currently holds and against Ms. Blackburn which is not anything that (DeSantis) didn't just do in Florida. This is not about anything other than those two women. What a waste of taxpayer money and time. Another case of "if we cannot beat you, we make a bill." Christopher Cooper With the current standoff between the ruling royal throne sitters (and many others) over the costs and extent of the removal of the eyesore of the Southside it is time to make fun of the one profession that has been ranked No.2 (you know what is No. 1) in criticism since the beginning of time (cliche?). Attorneys, lawyers, shysters, silk stocking barristers, ambulance chasers etc. may be timely targets. In the Lawyer Joke Book (2001-Barnes and Noble Books), a 128 page compilation of creative expressions of love and affection towards the legal profession as perpetrated by author Sid Behrman with hundreds of jokes that will make non lawyers grin or laugh outright but will also make some pompous practitioners sulk and criticize the publication as offensive to the image of the craft it is difficult to select an initial list. However, with no end in sight for the availability of material the following quotes from individuals start the process: 1. Fonseca, an unscrupulous lawyer for a man arrested for murder, bribed a man on the jury to hold out for a verdict of manslaughter. The jury was out for a very long time, and finally they returned with a verdict of manslaughter. Fonseca rushed up to the juror. "Here's your money, he said. "I'm much obliged to you, my friend. Did you have a very hard time?" "Sure did," replied the man, "an awfully hard time. The other eleven wanted to acquit; 2. The young attorney finished his summation: "And if it please the court, if I am wrong in this, I have another argument that is equally conclusive; 3. "Sarah, you just gotta marry me," pleaded the young man. "I can't wait another year. Why, I know a real quick way to make a million bucks," he said, grasping his sweetheart's hand as they swung in the porch swing. "Oh? What?" "Become a corporate lawyer, and work part- time; 4. Two henpecked husbands were downing a few beers and elaborating on the miseries of married life. Frank looked over at his friend and sighed, "My wife should have been a lawyer. Every time we have an argument, she insists on appealing the decision to the higher court. Paul looked at him. You dont mean divorce court? Frank wearily shook his head. No. Her mother.; 5. "Your Honor," said the jury foreman solemnly, "we find that the man who stole the $20,000 is not guilty; 6. The law professor leaned over his lectern and addressed the eager young faces. "The U.S. is the number one country in the world in terms of the quantity of lawyers; we have more than anyone else. But we are facing a crisis," he warned. "If we don't start producing more criminals, some of the lawyers will have to go on welfare; 7. It was so cold one day last February that I saw a lawyer with his hands in his own pockets; 8. JK, a divorce lawyer, met a colleague of his in a bar after a long day. "I had a ninety-five-year-old couple in the office today asking for a divorce. I asked them why they waited so long. They told me they were waiting till the children were dead;" 9. Young attorney P-------- had been discoursing for nearly seven hours to a weary jury, and finally he completed his summation His opponent, a grizzled old veteran, arose and looked sweetly at the judge. "Your Honor, I will follow the example of my young friend here who has just finished, and submit the case without argument; 10.The trial was about to start; the defendant, jury, and lawyers were all assembled. Just then, one of the jury members raised her hand, and the judge motioned her to speak. "I'm afraid I cannot serve as a juror, Your Honor. One look at that man convinces me he is guilty." The judge sighed. "That's the district attorney, Mrs. A." (Perhaps the above will direct a little attention away from the serious slug fest over proposed development projects next to the Tennessee River!) * * * You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com Im making sure he, under legitimate efforts of our Constitution, does not become the next president again. (Joe Biden speaking in the WH, Nov. 9, 2022 about Trump). Nov. 15 Trump announced, then three days later, AG Garland appointed Special Counsel Jack Smith to investigate criminal wrongdoing by Donald Trump (Politico 11/18/24). From then on criminal and civil indictments piled on Trump. So are these the efforts Joe and his DOJ took?Back in Nov. 20, 2019, Biden said he wouldnt order his administration to investigate Donald Trump if he was elected president in 2020.Then this caveat, I would let them make their independent judgement (CNBC, Tucker Higgins 11/20/19). So like Russian Collusion, the insurance policy, or the letter from so-called intelligence officials warning Hunter Bidens laptop could be Russian disinformation, was there a plan brewing even back in 2019 to keep Trump from ever becoming president?With each prosecution including the defamation, the NY fraud case, the Alvin Bragg case and the Fulton County folly, they all pushed for trials in 2024, election year. Was that coincidence? At that high level of intrigue, little is left to coincidence. Damage control did occur when Joe talked off script, so fact chokers went to work to undue his spilling the beans. Joes words came from the WH.gov website, 11/9/22, 4:15 p.m.-WH Dining Room. They can spin it but they cant erase the appearance of misconduct.So if theres no spiders web between DC and some of those prosecuting Trump, why was the Fulton DAs boyfriend reimbursed $4,000 for two eight hour meetings at the WH (6/23 & 11/18/19/2022) which were listed as conf. w/WH counsel and interview with DC/White House? Why would a personal injury attorney confer with a WH counsel? An inexperienced prosecutor of Donald Trump would. And why is Matthew Colangelo, ex-DOJ official who also worked with NY AG on her prosecution of Trump, now on Alvin Braggs team? (NYTimes 12/5/22)Judicial Review sued under FOIA for the names of Special Counsel Jack Smiths 27 unidentified team members in hot pursuit of Trump over Jan. 6 and classified documents. It would be very revealing to see who they are after the Mueller farce, the Hunter Biden failed sweetheart deal and the cirque sordid in Fulton County. As of now we still have the right to know just how Biden is spending our tax dollars in making sure Trump doesnt become the next president.Ralph Miller The Tennessee Valley Authority announced Monday that Tim Fritch, a Transmission & Power Supply engineer with 19 years of service, has received the agencys highest engineering honor the Ike Zeringue Engineer of the Year award. TVA has one of the largest power grids in the nation. Mr. Fritch, an electrical engineer, serves as a TVA and industry lead on advancing synchrophasor technology for utilizing time-series data for diagnostics, analytics, and real-time event awareness to better understand and predict grid responses for local and wide area system disturbances. His accomplishments include several TVA cross-organizational teams to develop plans for implementation of synchrophasor devices, configuration standards, and applications for data utilization. He worked with universities, NERC, and DOE to analyze data from the Eastern Interconnection to understand natural and forced oscillation modes that exist across the grid which could jeopardize system reliability. TVA is recognized around the world as a great engineering organization, and we and our engineers have a rich history of solving some of the most complex challenges like power reliability and resiliency, said TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash. This year we recognize Tim, who exemplifies excellence in the engineering field. Tims leadership is critical to protecting our power grid as TVA delivers electricity to 10 million people across seven states. Tims innovative approach and leadership not only help ensure a stable power grid from oscillations, but also gives our region a competitive advantage as we generate electricity to power the regions growing economy while keeping TVAs power rates among the lowest in the nation, said Aaron Melda, TVA senior vice president, Transmission & Power Supply. The award is named for O.J. Ike Zeringue, a former TVA president, chief operating officer, and chief nuclear officer. Fritch is also one of the top 10 finalists for the Federal Engineer of the Year Award, which will be presented Feb. 23 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Mr. Fritch is a graduate of the Tennessee Technological University. He also served as chair, NERC Synchronized Measurement Working Group, and vice-chair, Synchronized Measurement Subcommittee, and led the NERC investigation for the 2022 Eastern Interconnection wide-area oscillation event and the efforts establishing consistent industry methodologies for analyzing events. Northside Neighborhood House is seeking donations of formal dresses and suits to stock Pop-Up Prom Shops which will be hosted in four of its 10 CommUNITY Schools throughout the upcoming weeks. The Pop-Up Prom Shops will showcase dresses and suits of various styles, sizes, and colors that students will be able to view, purchase, and take home their dresses during this in-school shopping experience. Donations can be made to any of the three NNH Thrift Store locations, at 209 Minor Street, 3605 Dayton Blvd., and 10161 Dayton Pike in Soddy Daisy. Northside Neighborhood Houses goal is to provide students with affordable, budget-friendly options while also encouraging the use of their in-school curriculum that promotes accountability and personal finance skills. The Northside Neighborhood House has been in operation since 1924, working to address the needs of individuals and families living north of the Tennessee River by providing a hand up through education and assistance. With offices located on the north shore, NNH operates 10 CommUNITY Schools, three thrift stores, and the Coffee Community Collective in Soddy Daisy. An international team has performed an attosecond-scale experiment at an X-ray free-electron laser on liquid water for the first time, and the results may change our interpretation of waters behaviour. The experiment team, led by scientist Linda Young from Argonne National Laboratory in the US, found an unusual signal when they examined liquid water using X-ray flashes that were timed a few hundred attoseconds (an attosecond is a billionth of a billionth of a second). A theory team led by Robin Santra, lead scientist at the research centre DESY and a professor at Universitat Hamburg in Germany, and Xiaosong Li, a professor at the University of Washington in the US, used quantum-mechanical techniques for the analysis. Based on the data of the new experiment, they found that a longstanding measurement of the structure of liquid water has been misinterpreted. The effects of this finding not only demonstrate the potential of attosecond research on condensed matter at X-ray lasers, which is so far unprecedented, but also may require a rethink on how a wide range of molecules beyond water, especially organic ones, are structured. The findings have been published in the journal Science. Water molecules are special in many ways their shape and the way their electrons are distributed means each H 2 O molecule has two electric poles. This polarity allows water to electrically attract to other water molecules and other similarly polar molecules. This attraction, called hydrogen bonding, and the structure among the molecules that the hydrogen bonds form is vital to understanding waters unique behaviour and how it reacts chemically, including in processes essential to life. Scientists can monitor such structuring using X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES). XES is a method in which a molecule is exposed to X-rays and then releases X-rays of its own that transmit information about the motion of the molecule and about its chemical bonds. In parallel, scientists have developed techniques using lasers to study phenomena beyond the capability of XES a field called attosecond science, for which in 2023 the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded. The Linda Young-led experimental team, which used the LCLS X-ray laser at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in the US, managed to use X-ray attosecond pulse pairs, with the pulses within the pair timed a few hundred attoseconds apart from one another, to find a signal in conflict with XES data, which have been interpreted as showing two structural motifs in water. For the first time attosecond X-ray laser pulses were used to investigate non-gaseous matter. To explain their odd result, Youngs team turned to theoretical physicists who could calculate and model what had happened. Santra, the head of the theory group at the Center for Free Electron Laser Science (CFEL) at DESY, considered a hypothesis in the theory community that hydrogen atoms in the water could be the deciding factor. When X-rays pass through water, the hydrogen atoms, which are very light, can start moving, Santra says. That motion could be what was picked up in the XES measurement, rather than two different structures being detected. Santras team produced a model to examine how the experiment progressed at the level of the electrons. In contrast to XES measurements, where X-rays would knock out a low-energy inner electron and a higher energy outer electron would replace it, causing the hydrogen atoms to move, the LCLS experiment led exactly to the reverse: causing an inner electron to move further out. The theoretical model of Santras team showed that this difference kept the hydrogen from moving, in addition to the attosecond timing being faster than any motion of the hydrogen. In effect, this worked as a switch to turn off the movement of the hydrogen atom, says Swarnendu Bhattacharyya, one of the first authors on the paper and a postdoc in Santras group. In principle, we cannot rule two structures out. However, they do not correspond to the two features seen in the XES measurement, says Santra. The motion of the hydrogen atoms in the water molecule generates this effect. Moreover, if such an effect provides a result in XES measurements that invites error, it could mean this fundamental tool in looking at the structure of molecules, might need to be re-evaluated. This would be particularly important for the future understanding of molecules rich in hydrogen including, crucially, hydrocarbons, comprising almost all molecules found in living things, almost all fuels we use, and chemicals vital to industry and everyday life. This experiment opens the door to attosecond X-ray laser science, says Santra. Until now, most attosecond science has taken place using optical lasers on gas samples. Using attosecond science techniques with optical lasers, this result would not have been possible. Now this team has shown a way to adapt attosecond techniques to condensed matter with much brighter light, and it has already revealed something potentially significant about our understanding of matter that with XES measurements we may not be getting the whole picture of matter as it exists in nature. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close A general view of the pool at the YMCA in North Beach in San Francisco. The YMCA of San Francisco is among the 25 nonprofits in the city with the largest city contracts. Nick Otto/Special to the Chronicle Chief executives who run major nonprofits that San Francisco relies on for vital services take home a wide array of compensation. While the average total pay among CEOs whose nonprofits held the citys 24 biggest contracts was $304,000 in the last fiscal year, the figures ranged from $149,000 to $762,000. The 24 nonprofits with the biggest contracts have received a total of $3.8 billion in active San Francisco contracts since July 2017, most of which fund several years of work. In just the 2022 fiscal year, they collectively brought in $3 billion in total revenue from all sources. The Chronicle used a city dataset to identify the 24 nonprofits with the largest total active contracts, many of which are for work on crucial issues such as homelessness, child care, housing, mental health and addiction treatment. Tax filings, accessed through ProPublicas Nonprofit Explorer, reveal compensation for the top executives of these organizations in the 2022 fiscal year. Compensation includes base pay, bonuses, retirement, deferred compensation and other nontaxable benefits. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Daniel Nissenbaum, CEO of the Low Income Investment Fund, made over $762,000, more than twice the average. LIIF has provided grants, affordable loans and technical assistance to San Francisco child care providers for decades. On the other end of the scale, James Bouquin of the Bayview Hunters Point Foundation for Community Improvement took home about $149,000 for the nonprofits work providing mental health, substance abuse and homeless services in the neighborhood. If the boards that set these executives pay followed state law, both leaders received just and reasonable compensation for their work as determined by the size of the organization, the difficulty of the work and what similar nonprofits pay their executives. Joan Harrington, a fellow at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, told the Chronicle that nonprofit executive pay is governed by state law to ensure the public benefit nonprofits receive from not paying taxes is used responsibly. Harrington emphasized that nonprofit CEOs absolutely deserve adequate compensation but adequate needs to be defined by carefully evaluating the complexity of the role. Nissenbaums $762,000 compensation made up 1.3% of the Low Income Investment Funds total revenue, which is $61.2 million. The average CEO on the Chronicles list takes home 0.7% of their organizations total revenue. According to LIIFs tax return, about $200,000 of his total pay was bonus and incentive compensation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad LIIF only has one contract with San Francisco, but its a big one. In July 2022, the city granted LIIF a two-year contract for $85.6 million to administer the citys child care facilities fund. According to a memo summarizing the contract, LIIF has provided assistance to San Francisco child care providers through the program since 1998. Nissenbaum came to LIIF from Goldman Sachs, where he was a managing director involved with community and small-business investment. Alison Romano, the highest-paid city employee, also has a background in finance that includes a Goldman Sachs leadership role. Shes the head of the San Francisco Employees Retirement System, but still made over $100,000 less than Nissenbaum. Harrington of the Markkula Center noted that competing for the most qualified candidates, who may earn much more in the private sector, creates an incentive for nonprofits to offer higher pay. But these factors shouldnt be the main focus when determining pay at a nonprofit. Instead, a salary that is just and reasonable should be set given the scale and location of the job and salaries at comparable organizations, ensuring donors money is used effectively. For these nonprofits, a significant chunk of their revenue is the $154.1 million they have earned on average from the city. Most of that money is intended to serve the citys most vulnerable populations: Over half of the nonprofits on the Chronicles list received at least one grant from San Franciscos Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. If an executives salary is really high, the public and donors should feel disturbed by that, Harrington said. In that case, their dollars are not going to the people theyre trying to help. Donors arent trying to help the CEO. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This 34-year-old man and his fiancee, Kate, 35, are marrying this October after being in a relationship for nearly three years. Hes thrilled for them to be able to take that next step and marry the love of his life. Not long ago, they began solidifying their guest list, and he told Kate that he was hoping they could invite Sara, his ex-girlfriend. He was in a relationship with Sara during their junior and senior years of high school, and they mutually broke up before they moved away to attend college. They had no hard feelings after the breakup, so theyve remained good friends to this day. Almost 9 years ago, Sara and her now-husband married, and he was invited to the wedding. When I told Kate I wanted to invite Sara, she told me no. I asked her why, and she said Sara was my ex and it would cause drama,' he said. In response, he countered that that idea was dumb, adding that Sara wouldnt start problems at their wedding. Then, Kate told him she was concerned that the focus would be on Sara because she was 7 months pregnant. He argued that all of the guests on his side already knew about Saras pregnancy, so it wouldnt be a big deal to them. After that, he pointed out that the only guests who dont know about Saras pregnancy are on Kates side, and they dont know Sara, so they most likely wouldnt talk to Sara anyway. During their discussion, he brought up the hypocrisy of Kate inviting her ex-boyfriend to the wedding. He didnt think this was fair, but Kate claimed that since her ex is male and his is female, it isnt the same scenario. I asked her what that meant. Kate said that we might have a drunk hookup together at the after-party because Im still attracted to her, he explained. Kates concern was unwarranted, and he told her so. He explained that he was marrying her, and Sara had been married for 9 years. Plus, he and Sara broke up nearly 16 years ago, and he doesnt have romantic feelings for her at all anymore and hasnt in a long time. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. In the modern workplace, sometimes, you are required to take on challenges that arent part of your job description. Thanks to one womans ability to adapt and think on her feet while on the job, six rare flamingo eggs were rescued. In her 10 years of flying, Amber, a flight attendant from Alaska Airlines, thought she had seen it all. However, she was thrown for a loop when she was asked to help save six rare Chilean flamingo eggs. It all started on a flight from Atlanta to Seattle in August 2023. A passenger rang the call button and made an urgent request for assistance in keeping some eggs warm. At first, Amber was taken aback by the passengers strange plea, but upon further inquiry, she realized the situation called for immediate action. The individual in need was a zoo official transporting rare flamingo eggs from Zoo Atlanta to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. The incubator that the eggs were being kept in for warmth had stopped working, and they needed another way to protect them. Amber quickly came up with a solution. She filled some rubber gloves with warm water and brought them to the zoo official, who placed them around the eggs. Other passengers seated nearby offered their coats and scarves to provide extra insulation. Throughout the flight, Amber and other crew members continually checked on the flamingo eggs and replaced the gloves as the water cooled down. The eggs made it off the plane without mishap. A few months later, Amber received a phone call from the Woodland Park Zoo asking her if she wanted to meet the baby flamingoes she had saved. She agreed, bringing her granddaughter Sunny along for the visit. At the zoo, Amber and Sunny were treated as honored guests and were offered an exclusive tour that included a meet and greet with the chicks. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Last week in Tehran, thousands rallied to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Islamic revolution that established Irans modern theocracy. Last October in London, 130 Iranian Christians gathered to worship and pray, and celebrated a quiet decision to establish an evangelical alliance. Time will tell which gathering was more consequential. In 1979, one month after the fall of the shah, 98 percent of Iranian citizens voted to approve a constitution installing an Islamic government. Four decades of religious authoritarianism later, an online poll indicated that only 16 percent of the population would vote for it again. An earlier survey, furthermore, found that only one-third of Irans population call themselves Shiite Muslims. More than half identified as either atheist, agnostic, no religion, vaguely spiritual, or Irans ancient Zoroastrian faith. Those responding Christian totaled almost a million. Thousands more Christians have fled persecution, taking refuge among the extensive Iranian diaspora in the West. Some have established ministries to evangelize among them, while others broadcast satellite TV programs, engage in remote discipleship efforts, or preside over a network of underground house churches. Many multitask, while few collaborateuntil now. At the London gathering, members from over 40 diaspora churches and ministries voted almost unanimously to partner together in an evangelical alliance. Further votes were taken to choose a seven-member steering committee to represent the whole, tasked to take a year to study and recommend best practices, as an additional 60 leaders observed proceedings online. Momentum had been building for years. Named the Iranian Leaders Forum (ILF), previous gatherings met in 2015 and 2018 until COVID-19 disrupted the triannual effort. While unity had been discussed previously in principle amid believers of different theological perspectives, 2023 represented the first practical step to formally establish it. But the first mention of an alliance quieted the room. Gathered leadersone-third of whom were femalehad been beaming with joy at the reunion with colleagues separated by time and space. Hints of lingering tensions were whispered in the hallways, but worship was loud and heartfelt; prayers were passionate and pleading. The ministries, however, were not used to cooperation, and many wondered what was intended. While a representative ILF steering committee planned the announcement of an alliance, it was not expected by most participants. Would such an alliance seek administrative control, establish a single denomination, or venture into politics? Over the course of the five-day conference, leaders addressed the uncertainties. The motivation came from Jesus prayer for unity, to strengthen the witness of the Iranian church and to allow for one Christian voice where consensus exists. Breakout groups put diverse ministries in communication about what would be acceptable to all. But the purpose, organizers assured, was to agree on the benefit of forming a network of mutual relationships and then to take the time necessary to figure out the details. A single denomination was ruled out, as was a political party. Currently under discussion is if membership will include only believing Protestants or if those of evangelical conviction in other denominations will also be welcomed. And while much of the house church movement is connected with gathered ministries, only God knows the full extent of the church within Iran. Participants gave CT their various recommendations for success: Avoid hierarchical structures and minimize administrative control. Craft a clear strategy and process for decision-making. Ensure election of capable and representative leadership. Facilitate communication channels appropriate for active ministries. Honor the theological and practical diversity of members. Be mindful of inherited cultural authoritarian patterns. Address the impact of Western money and denominational pressure. Discuss competition over resources and ministry duplication. Discern the role of women and non-Iranian participation. Time will tell if the overwhelming agreement will hold. But CT asked a selection of participants to contribute short biographies of their ministries, along with their hopes for what an Iranian evangelical alliance can accomplish. Listed in alphabetical order, prayers are requested for all involved: Mike Ansari, president of Heart4Iran: Born into a secular family in Irans southwestern city of Shirazbirthplace of the celebrated national poet HafezAnsari emigrated to the US in 1983 after living through the Islamic revolution and, as a seven-year-old, witnessing his cousins accidental death via a stray bullet. These events caused him to question his nominal faith, and when his mother experienced a profound transformation following her dream about Jesus, he joined her in becoming a Christian. But having missed the truth for so long, Ansari keeps focus on the post-resurrection experience at the Sea of Galilee in John 21:4the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. His prayer is to not lose sight of Gods leading in the effort to build lasting partnerships in fulfillment of the Great Commission. Uniting over 100 ministries in evangelism, discipleship, and Bible distribution, Heart4Iranfounded in 2006runs a 24/7 satellite TV broadcast that reaches Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. Ansari prays also that Gods spirit will set free millions of disillusioned Muslims and preside over peace and stability in Iran. Recalling Hafez, Ansari hopes that the arts might have a role to play. He founded FarsiPraise Ministries to train worship leaders for the underground church and archive its music while also producing 19 original albums. His mother was an early lyricist; Ansaria poet himselfarranged the melody. An evangelical alliance, he believes, will give a legitimacy to Christianity in Iran if they are able to keep a united front. Local and diaspora leaders, working together despite differences, will then be able to win recognition and inclusion of the church within Irans social and political arenas. Amir Bazmjou, founder and CEO of Torch Ministries: Born in Irans third-largest city of Isfahan, Bazmjou left Iran as a 19-year-old student in 1996 to continue his higher education in Germany in hope of pursuing entrepreneurial business opportunities. A few months later, he came to Christ through reading the Bible in Farsi and thereafter had a vision of a flaming torch lighting the way for other Iranians still in darkness. This image was later confirmed by his 2003 marriage to Rashin, daughter of the martyred Iranian pastor Hossein Soodmand, hanged in Irans second-largest city of Mashhad. Rashin was only 13 years old at the time, and as she grew in faith she was inspired to carry the torch of her fathers legacy. After years in Christian service, in 2017 they co-launched Torch Ministries, which works to strengthen and equip the church through media, discipleship, and leadership training, including counseling for believers traumatized by family or social oppression. Bazmjou is currently a PhD candidate in Christian theology at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. His favorite verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creationas it speaks to the unique role of God in moving people from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God. His prayer is that Jesus would reveal himself to more and more Iranians, who would one day have freedom to join the church and worship without persecution. Bazmjous hope for an evangelical alliance is the creation of unity amid a diversity of personal backgrounds and emphases of service. By establishing a sense of belonging among believers, a common identity will strengthen collaboration, partnership, and ministry accountability. And once formed, the alliance will have one voice to address the sociopolitical challenges in Iran and to combat the false teaching that can easily arise in a young and growing church. Mansour Borji, founder and director of Article18: Born in 1974 in Saqhez, a city in Irans Kurdistan province, Borji grew up in Tehran due to local armed conflicts in the region at that time. He shares his birthplace with Mahsa Amini, the young girl whose death in custody triggered the Woman, Life, Freedom nationwide protests. After coming to faith in 1992, Borji went to London five years later to study theology and later joined various Christian organizations to work in evangelism, pastoral ministry, and theological education. But in 2008 he founded Article18 to devote himself to advocacy on behalf of the persecuted church. His favorite verses are Romans 12:12this is your true and proper worship. The passage is holistic, speaking of the presentation of the body, the renewing of the mind, and the alignment of the will with Gods. It leads to a full transformation that then proceeds outward in love and service. And such is his prayer. Borji desires that the church will bear the Spirit of the Lord to preach good news to Irans poor, captive, and brokenhearted. Then, once clothed in salvation, it will help rebuild the nation, becoming a center of hope not only for Iran but the wider region as well. To do so requires unity, for which Jesus prayed. An alliance is therefore a necessity, Borji believes, not only to manage the challenges of ministry but also to leverage complementary experiences on behalf of a still-tiny Christian population. And if a common vision can be crafted, trust and mutual reliance will propel the church forward to innovate and adapt to ever-changing Iranian circumstances. Mehrdad Fatehi, founder and executive director of Pars Theological Centre: Born in 1960 in Irans northern tea-producing town of Lahijan, Fatehi came to Christ as a second-generation believer at the age of 11. Called to ministry during his university studies, in 1991 he moved to the UK with his wife to pursue theological studies, eventually graduating with a PhD in New Testament studies. But when Haik Hovsepian-Mehr and other leaders were martyred in Tehran in 1994, Fatehi decided to remain in exile. Beside his leading role in producing a modern Farsi translation of the Bible, he has authored three books and translated seven theological texts. These, alongside others, inform the interdenominational curriculum of Pars Theological Centres bachelors degree, which last year celebrated its first graduating class. As Fatehi ages, his biblical reflection turns to the Farsi translation of Romans 12:11do not let your zeal ever diminish; be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Believing this is a unique time in Irans history, he wants to remain fervent in ministry as he prays that God in his wisdom and grace will bring an end to 45 years of hard times. His nation is deeply traumatized, and the gospel of Jesus offers the healing necessary. An evangelical alliance, Fatehi believes, can strengthen the voice of believers in any future sociopolitical structures as it speaks prophetically for the oppressed. But it is also necessary in order to provide unity, identity, and synergy in service. And if it plays its role well, it will protect the orthodoxy and practice of a young church as it matures in the faith. Dariush Golbaghi, founder of SafeHouse Ministries: Born in 1979 after the Islamic revolution deposed the ruling shah, Golbaghi is from Irans fourth-largest city of Karaj, located just northwest of Tehran. Active in the oppositional student movement at the turn of the century, he and his wife fled the country in 2001, seeking freedom and a better life in Europe. Many of their friends and classmates had been arrested, and threats circled around them personally. They settled in the Netherlands but found that life became even more challenging until two separate but simultaneous encounters with Jesus in 2003. His own came through interaction with a Messianic Jew he was trying to convert to Islam. The verse shared in reply has since become his favoriteI am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Looking for the way in Islam, this was the first Bible passage he ever read, and it transformed his heart. The Way was Jesus himself, who he believes is the key to healing Jewish-Muslim relations worldwide. God then shifted Golbaghis life purpose from student activism to youth ministry. SafeHouse offers friendship, mentoring, and training to Iranian youth, both in Iran and the diaspora, so they can discover the gifts God has given them. Recognizing many are angry or in despair, his prayer is for God to give them the desperately needed hope with which they can change their society. An alliance can help. Providing youth and others with a sense of solidarity, Iranians can partner with human rights organizations to combat the restrictions on religious freedom. But no matter the effort, Golbaghi believes that an alliance will further collaboration across ministries, giving all a common purpose. Feridoon Mokhof, director of Korpu translation agency: Born in the Ardabil province of Iran bordering Azerbaijan, Mokhof became a Christian in 1974 as a university student and from 19821988 pastored in the Assemblies of God denomination. Arrested several times for evangelizing Muslims, he found opportunity to flee Iran with the death of Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989, eventually settling in the UK. A year later Mokhof began translating the Bible into his native Azeri language. And in 1995 he registered Korpuwhich means bridge in Azerias a translation agency that earlier this year finished the New Testament in 12 additional minority languages. The Iranian government oppresses these people groups, he said, and several members of his team have been detained on charges of disturbing national security. As such, the verse that provides him comfort is 2 Timothy 3:12everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. His prayer is not only for the security of local believers targeted by a hostile regime but also for the young Iranians connected to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement who have been arrested, tortured, and killed. The need for an evangelical alliance, Mokhof says, has been felt for a long time. Through the uniting of a broad representation of churches and ministries, the Christian voice can speak powerfully to the government, especially in such challenging times. Kamil Navai, senior pastor of Iranian Christian Church in Sunnyvale, California: Born in Tehran in 1953, Navai left Iran at the age of 23 to pursue graduate studies in San Jose, graduating in 1978 with a degree in civil engineering. One year later the revolution prevented his return to Iran, and it was the simple gospel sharing of an American Christian that led him to the Lord in 1987. Shortly thereafter, he began ministry as an evangelist and was one of four families to launch Iranian Christian Church (ICC), now with 200 people in attendance. He was ordained as an associate pastor in 2000 and became senior pastor in 2010. The verse that accompanied his salvation has held him steady since thenwhatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord (Col. 3:23). All must be done for Gods glory, Navai believes, as he leads the four-person pastoral team at ICC with his wife in a lacking nothing theology based on Psalm 23. Through inner healing and spiritual warfare, his prayer is that salvation and prosperity in Christ would come to Iran and Iranians around the world. An alliance would honor the prayer of Jesus for unity and unlock the blessings promised in Psalm 133, keeping the church from pride, jealousy, and the spirit of competition. The anointing that David speaks of will then bring life to ancient Elam, fulfilling Navais hope in the prophecy of Jeremiah 49that Gods throne would be established in modern-day Iran. Annahita Parsan, priest in the Church of Sweden: Born in 1962, Parsan lived an idyllic Iranian life with her husband and child until a tragic car accident left her a widow. After remarriage, her new husband became abusive. Unable to divorce him, when he got in trouble with the authorities in 1984 she fled Iran with him to Turkey. One year later she received her first Bible from door-to-door evangelists. She read it secretly and considered Jesus as someone she could pray to amid questions about why God had left her to suffer. In 1989 the local police intervened in their marriage, and Parsan found temporary refuge in a convent and marveled at the faith of the nuns. But it was only after relocating to Sweden that she gave her life to Jesus, when during a visit to Iran she called out to God when summoned to a tribunal over her original departure. Given mercy by the judge, she has followed Jesus since. Parsans story is told in her 2017 autobiography, Stranger No More: A Muslim Refugees Harrowing Escape, Miraculous Rescue, and the Quiet Call of Jesus. It includes the account of her own car accident in 2006 that reoriented her life toward ministry, promising God to thereafter serve. In 2012 she became ordained in the Church of Sweden. Inspired by the Great Commission, Parsan said she has assisted over 1,500 immigrant Muslims in finding the Lord. Her prayer request is freedom for Iran, the nation she loves, and that an evangelical alliance will help her people. Nathan Rostampour, trustee of the Southern Baptist Conventions International Mission Board: Born in Tehran in 1984, Rostampour became a Christian at age 17 when a recently converted relative led his whole family to Jesus. Over the next 10 years, he faithfully served the house church network, traveling abroad to return with training materials and theological studies not available in Iran. But in 2010 one of his fellow church leaders was arrested for his faith, and Rostampour left Iran for Turkey as a refugee two years later. By 2013 he was granted asylum in the US and has since obtained a doctorate degree in strategic leadership from Regent University. From the diaspora, he continues in ministry, mentoring young Iranian believers and teaching cross-cultural leadership and missions. He is a pastor at J. D. Greers Summit Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, and director of the Central Asian church-planting team. His favorite verse is the Great Commission in Matthew 28go and make disciples of all nationsas it reminds him of his first converted relatives faith, received from the testimony of a missionary to Iran. Rostampours current prayer is that Gods truth would overcome the many lies in his home country. An evangelical alliance will help, as it will unite the witness of the church in the Persian-speaking world, facilitating the sharing of resources and experiences. But it will also strengthen the Iranian Christian voice in the international community, especially necessary when individuals fall into persecution. Nahid Sepehri, executive director of the Iranian Bible Society in Diaspora: Born in Tehran, Sepehri was raised in a Christian family as her father accepted Jesus shortly after her birth. She received Jesus as her personal savior as a teenager in 1978, eventually marrying and engaging in local ministry with her husband, who is now pastor of an Iranian church in Seattle. Their relocation to the US came in 1997, fleeing with a one-year-old child following Sepehris imprisonment for evangelism. Since 2001 she has worked in Bible translation and distribution, and in 2015 she formed the Iranian Bible Society in Diaspora under the umbrella of the United Bible Societies. Currently shipping 300,000 Farsi Scriptures per year around the world, she is praying for the four-year plan that one million Iranians would obtain a Farsi Bible. Among Sepehris favorite verses is Jeremiah 31:3theLord has appeared to us from afar, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love. Resonating with her own story of faith and that of countless believers through her ministry, the passage has been a daily source of encouragement and hope in Gods continual faithfulness. But Sepehris prayers go beyond Iran to the trouble its government spreads abroadparticularly through Hamas in Gaza. She asks God to bring the leaders of Middle East nations to their senses, that they would seek peace rather than the escalation of war. Part of a Bible societys DNA, Sepehri said, is partnership with likeminded Christians from diverse backgrounds to equip the church. Since the bottom line is for people to meet the Lord Jesus Christ, she hopes an evangelical alliance will reflect similar collaboration with a collegial spirit. Hormoz Shariat, founder and president of Iran Alive Ministries: Born in Tehran in 1955, Shariat came to the United States in 1979 following the Islamic revolution and studied artificial intelligence at the University of Southern California. There he became a Christian through a comparative study of the Bible and Quran, and after graduating with a PhD, he continued research in his field until devoting himself to ministry in 1992. Now located in Dallas, Iran Alive was founded in 2000 and broadcasts gospel content into Persian-speaking nations, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. This year he is launching an initiative to reach the next generation, aiming for a spiritual revolution. A key verse for his ministry is Jeremiah 49:38I will set my throne in Elamwhich is in present-day Iran. He believes this is a prophecy that Iran will not only become a Christian nation but will send out missionaries to reach the Middle East and the entire world. His prayer is that the local church would grow spiritually to one day fulfill this vision. Despite their hunger for the Word of God, thousands of believers do not have a pastor or regular fellowship, as underground churches are few and dangerous to attend. Many leaders, furthermore, have not been properly equipped in teaching the Bible. But Shariat is encouraged by the creation of an evangelical alliance, because the task is too big for any one organization to handle alone. Balancing strengths and weaknessesevangelism versus discipleship, for examplemore will come to know the Lord as the church matures. And one day, when Iran becomes a free nation, an alliance can have a voice in society, perhaps even establishing a Christian university. Home Books Author shares journey of escaping cult leader's grip, finding healing and forgiveness through faith Growing up, Carrie Sheffield witnessed firsthand how religion can be used to justify evil. Her father, a Mormon cult leader, believed he was a prophet destined to become president. Eventually excommunicated from the LDS church, he continuously moved his wife and eight children around the country to avoid both religious and state authorities. Sheffields early life was spent on the move, living in various motorhomes, sheds and tents with her large family, attending 17 public schools and being homeschooled at times. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe It was, according to Sheffield, a childhood marked by extreme instability, abuse and spiritual manipulation. There was constant abuse by my father, telling us we're not worthy, telling us that we're evil, telling us also that he's a prophet and he's basically bringing salvation to America and saving our country from destruction, she told The Christian Post. We were on welfare. At one point, we actually had no food and were boiling water with grass from the city park and eating this grass broth. It was all done in the name of God, is what my father said. Eventually, two of my older brothers developed schizophrenia. When I was 17, the older of those two tried to rape me, he groped me, and it was just incredibly scary and psychologically damaging to me. And at that point, I knew I had to make a decision. After making the difficult decision to walk away from her past, Sheffield embarked on an exploration of personal growth. She threw off all notions of religion the heart position for me was hostile; I didnt know if there was a God, but if there was, He probably hated me and I felt the same way, she said and threw herself into work and schooling. She earned a full tuition scholarship to Harvard University for a master's degree in public policy and worked as an analyst for major Wall Street firms. I was making a ton of money compared to the nothing I had living in a motorhome, she said. Eventually, Sheffield launched a successful career in political journalism at outlets like Politico and The Hill, where she advocated for conservative values. Yet, despite her success, she was deeply unhappy and unfulfilled, struggling with suicide ideation, episodic depression and health issues that left her hospitalized on several occasions. And then, in 2016, the entire trajectory of Sheffields life shifted due to two unlikely forces: Donald Trump and science. A dedicated conservative, she found herself reevaluating her beliefs amid the political upheaval surrounding Trump's rise to presidency. "I just could not process that because, I said, I'm not worshiping this guy. I cannot. I can't worship somebody who says terrible things about women, who donated to his Democratic opponent, who has no track record of conservative policy," Sheffield recalled. I cannot have that be the ultimate purpose in my life. I can't have that be my reason for living. This political dissonance catalyzed her quest for something more enduring, steering her toward a church specifically, Redeemer Church in New York City, led by Tim Keller and ultimately igniting her interest in Christianity. It was Keller's work, particularly his book Counterfeit Gods, that provided Sheffield with a framework to understand the emptiness of idolizing temporal aspects of life in her case, money, power and political ideologies. "The reason why we worship them is because they're good. But once you move into that posture where it becomes your God and your religion, then it becomes toxic," she said. The pursuit of a deeper understanding of the world and her place within it led Sheffield to explore the scientific underpinnings of creation, marking the second major influence on her conversion. Studying metaphysics and the improbability of Earth's existence by chance alone, she said, prompted a profound sense of wonder in her, challenging her previously held beliefs anchored in human intellect alone. I had also worshiped at the altar of the human intellect, going to Harvard where I'm surrounded by agnostics and atheists, people who had never actually really grappled with faith just completely dismissed it outright, she said. And that's where I was. I just dismissed it outright. But when I was just stopped in my tracks it was almost like an investigative journalism project, and I love the book The Case for Christ, where [author Lee Strobel] does just that. Sheffield, who documents her transformative story in her book, Motorhome Prophecies: A Journey of Healing and Forgiveness, shared how her conversion to Christianity marked a turning point in her relationship with her father and her outlook on life. "It started with my Christian walk," Sheffield said, detailing how her faith journey led her to reconsider her stance on forgiveness. Inspired by the teachings of Billy Graham on honoring one's parents without necessarily obeying them when it contradicts God's will, Sheffield embarked on a process of reconciliation and forgiveness, despite the deep wounds of the past. I knew that to be angry at him ... that was not something that was bringing him honor," she said. A significant influence on Sheffield's journey was Anthony Thompson, a pastor who experienced unimaginable loss when his wife was murdered in the 2015 Charleston church shooting. Thompson's story of forgiveness toward the shooter and his book, Called to Forgive, she said, helped her understand forgiveness on a deeper level. "He helped me to go through that process," she said, emphasizing the impact of Thompson's forgiveness on her own path to healing. Still, Sheffield is the first to admit the journey to healing hasnt always been easy; even after getting baptized, she struggled with feelings of unworthiness and PTSD stemming from her childhood trauma. And though in a place of peace today, she continues the work of changing negative patterns of thought and behavior through a combination of prayer and therapy. She attends a Bible-believing, nondenominational church in the Washington, D.C., area, where she said shes found a supportive community that shares her values and beliefs and continues to work as a policy analyst. Its like a family here; I have a very full life, she said. I love what I do. I love being able to advocate for policies that I believe in. I love my church. Life's not perfect and it's a journey. But I would say overall, being able to share the love of God and letting people know that even if you've gone through hell, you can come through and be with God and He loves you. She voiced her concern over the growing secularization in society, particularly among younger generations, noting increasing suicide rates and mental health issues among young people. By sharing her story, Sheffield said, she wants to encourage the next generation that healing is possible and faith is transformative. The science is there, that people who go to church and regularly engage in religious practice there are fewer suicides, fewer alcoholic deaths, fewer drug overdoses for those who are engaged in these spiritual practices, she said. God saves, and my life is a testament to that. Home News 'Miracle': Christian man falsely accused of blasphemy released after accuser admits lying LAHORE, Pakistan In a rare move in Pakistan, police discharged a 72-year-old Christian from a blasphemy case after the complainant admitted she had falsely accused him, sources said. Younis Bhatti, known as Bhagat, had been arrested and charged with desecrating the Quran under Section 295-B of Pakistans blasphemy statutes, which carries a mandatory life sentence, in village 211-RB, Jaranwala Tehsil, Faisalabad District, Punjab Province, on Feb. 10. Sosan Fatima, a member of the Brethren house church founded by the Bhatti family, had accused him of forcing his way into her house when she was reading the Quran, assaulting her and tearing the Islamic scripture. In her complaint, Fatima also stated that Bhatti opposed the familys alleged conversion to Islam. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Bhatti had provided Fatima free housing on his land, and she had objected to his plans to divide her home with another needy Christian family. He said that after police heard his statement, officers brought Fatima and her husband to the station the next night and questioned them in his presence. He added that police also made efforts to record the statements of other area Christians. After some time, Fatima broke down and confessed that she had falsely accused me, Bhatti told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. She said that her husband and two other Christians had hatched this plan 10 days ago to stop me from dividing the property. Bhatti said police told him that they would remove his name from the First Information Report (FIR) but could not immediately release him due to the threat to his life. After the blasphemy allegations surfaced, announcements on mosque loudspeakers had incited more than 500 Muslims to protest, causing many area Christians to flee their homes. I cant thank God enough for rescuing me from this dangerous accusation, Bhatti said. Those who sought to implicate me in the fake case were instead booked under the same charges. This is how God works when you put your faith in Him fully. He also expressed his gratitude for the aid he received from a Christian rights organization. Fatima had told Khurrianwala Police that she and her husband, Samuel Masih, alias Amanat Ali, converted to Islam more than a year ago. Younis Bhatti said that his faith in Christ gave him the courage to face the false allegation boldly. Fatimas accusation was completely baseless. While its true that I had gone to her quarters on that day to discuss the matter of dividing the property, I did not step inside the premises, Bhatti told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Her husband was not at home at that time, and neighbors advised me to refrain from arguing with the woman in her husbands absence. Taking the advice, he went to a nearby village to meet a friend. I came to know about the issue a couple of hours later when someone informed me on the phone that Fatima had raised a clamor after I left, accusing me of desecrating the Quran, Bhatti said. He said the caller also told him that all Christian residents in the area had fled their homes after the announcements were made from mosque loudspeakers telling Muslims to gather and protest against the alleged blasphemy. I have always trusted the Lord with all my heart, and I knew He will not forsake me, Bhatti said. This faith encouraged me to return to my village instead of fleeing from the situation. When I reached there, I saw that around 500-600 Muslims were shouting slogans against me. He hid from the mob, fearing they would not hesitate to attack him, he said. I hid in a place where I could observe the situation discreetly and waited for Gods intervention, he said. I was continuously praying in my heart all this time. As soon as I saw the police arrive, I left my cover and ran towards them. I told them my name and said I wanted to surrender myself. Police escorted him out of the area amid the angry mob, he said. I came to know about Fatimas conversion claim when the police read out the FIR filed against me. I told them that I was innocent, and that there were eyewitnesses who would testify that no such incident had taken place at all, he said. Miracle Asher Sarfaraz, head of the group that provided legal aid to Bhatti, Christians True Spirit (CTS), said Bhattis discharge within two days was nothing short of a miracle. Its very rare for someone to win their freedom from this damning charge so quickly, he said. We laud the police for investigating the matter fairly and ensuring justice for the innocent Christian. Bhatti has reunited with his family, but we think it will not be safe for them to return to their home as yet. CTS was in constant contact with the relevant superintendent of police and shared their findings with him, he said. After the couple confessed to the conspiracy against Bhatti, the police official informed us on the phone that he was dropping the charge against the Christian, but that he would hand his custody to us as a safety measure, Sarfaraz said. Blasphemy suspects in Pakistan are usually held in custody until trial and appeals are exhausted, and blasphemy against Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, is punishable by death. Conviction often comes with little legal evidence. As a result, the blasphemy laws are often used as a weapon of revenge against both Muslims and non-Muslims to settle personal scores or to resolve disputes over money, property or business. In Pakistan, a mere allegation is enough to provoke a mob to riot and lynch those accused of blasphemy. At least 100 blasphemy accused have been extrajudicially killed from 1947 to 2023, according to various rights groups. Husbands escape Fatimas husband, Amanat Ali, escaped on Feb. 14 in spite of a crippled leg, Sarfaraz said. We were sitting at the police station when we came to know that Fatimas husband Amanat, who had a crippled leg, had escaped from police custody when they were being taken to prison, he said. The police stopped their van at a tea stall and were enjoying the hot drink when Amanat, who was not fettered, jumped off the van and fled from the scene. He added that officers had already handed Fatima to judicial custody at the womens jail, but due to lack of time they had not taken Amanat to jail and were bringing him back to the station. The policemen ran in different directions searching for him, but he vanished, Safaraz said. Police were able to arrest Amanat after some hours, but his daring escape landed the negligent officials in hot waters, he said. The SP has suspended the team and also ordered the registration of a case against them. Sarfaraz said that the police had also detained two Christians named by the couple as their co-conspirators. These two men were also named as witnesses in the FIR against Bhatti, but they are pleading innocence, he said. We are pursuing the matter for a fair investigation. On Aug. 16, 2023, violent Muslim mobs ransacked and burned multiple churches and homes in Jaranwala over allegations that two Christian brothers had desecrated the Quran and written blasphemous content. Police investigations have revealed that a Christian named Pervaiz Masih entrapped the two brothers in the case because he suspected that the younger one was having an affair with his wife. 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 Church of England urged to tackle problem of parishioners bullying clergy The Church of England is poised to address the escalating issue of parishioners bullying clergy, with proposals for legal sanctions and a new code of conduct on the agenda for the upcoming General Synod. The move follows numerous reports of vicars being aggressively forced out by congregants. The General Synod, the denomination's legislative body, will deliberate on measures to potentially ban parishioners who engage in such bullying behaviors, The Telegraph reported. These discussions are fueled by instances described as devastating and unacceptable, highlighting a toxic culture that has led to clergy vacancies that are difficult to fill. The proposed sanctions, supported by at least a hundred members of the General Synod, include disqualification from holding any church office and the introduction of a new code of conduct for Parochial Church Councils (PCC), aimed at curbing the aggressive and harmful behaviors reported, The Times of London said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The Archdeacon of Blackburn, the Venerable Mark Ireland, said it is necessary to address bullying within churches, pointing out the discrepancy where clergy, but not laypeople, can be penalized for such actions. He highlighted the widespread impact of bullying on mental and physical health, relationships, and the wider church community. If a churchwarden or lay officer is exercising controlling or bullying behavior it is not just the priest who is the victim the rest of the PCC and the congregation also experience the same behavior and are frightened to speak out or stand up to a person who is abusing their power or role, he was quoted as saying. Indeed there are some parishes which bishops are reluctant to recommend to prospective applicants, knowing that a series of previous incumbents have been hounded out of office, he added. Irelands call for action is backed by distressing accounts from clergy and their spouses, underscoring the urgent need for change. Examples of bullying behavior by parishioners include aggressive actions during meetings, involving slamming fists on tables and constantly interrupting others, alongside persistent harassment outside of these gatherings. Additionally, there are instances of making unfounded complaints about others, withholding resources or keys to hinder church activities, and a general normalization of such misconduct due to the absence of repercussions. The Rev. Sara Batts-Neale, representing the Chelmsford Diocese, also advocated for the new PCC code of conduct. She warned of the psychologically unsafe environments created by bullying behaviors, which detract from the denomination's mission and waste valuable time and resources. William Nye, the CofE's secretary-general, acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, emphasizing the need for a culture of mutual respect rather than punitive measures. Legislation is a blunt instrument and may have unintended consequences, resulting in situations being inflamed and escalated, and affected people resorting to counter-claims of bullying, Nye said, according to Church Times. Use of a formal process needs to be a last resort, as any process would be time-consuming and emotionally draining for all those involved. A punitive approach is not conducive to giving individuals [the] opportunity to become aware of the effect of their behavior, reflect on it, and learn to modify it. If the motion is passed, it may be worth establishing a group to consider the options for addressing bullying effectively, rather than only the legislation option of a discipline process akin to the Clergy Conduct Measure. The General Synod is scheduled to convene Feb. 23-27. Home News One-third of Christians arrested in Iran targeted for possessing multiple Bibles: report Christians in Iran faced a surge of arrests in 2023 as authorities appeared to target Bible distributors in particular, according to a new report from leading persecution monitoring organizations. One-third of those arrested possessed multiple copies of the Bible. The advocacy groups Article 18, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors and Middle East Concern released a 2024 joint annual report on Monday analyzing the various ways the Iranian regime targets religious communities, including Christians, subjecting them to arrests, fines, and floggings. "Despite a comparable number of Christians being arrested in 2023 as in previous years 166 arrests were documented in 2023, compared to 134 in 2022 fewer names and faces could be publicised," the report stated. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The arrests came in "waves," the report said. Authorities arrested a handful of people before June, increasing to over 100 arrests within three months over the summer and a "further rash of arrests during Christmas." As the report noted, few of those arrested agreed to publicize their cases, which led to an increased number of "faceless victims." "By the end of 2023, at least 17 of the Christians arrested during the summer had received prison sentences of between three months and five years, or non-custodial punishments such as fines, flogging, and in one case the community-service of digging graves, on charges of 'propaganda against the state,'" the report explained. Steve Dew-Jones, the news director for Article 18, a London-based organization that specializes in monitoring persecution in Iran, told The Christian Post he does not believe it's a coincidence that the arrests in 2023 took place in the months leading up to the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini. In 2022, protests erupted in Iran after the Islamic Republic's "morality police" arrested 22-year-old Mahsa Amini for wearing her hijab improperly. The young woman later died in custody after she was beaten to death. "We do believe it was deliberate," Dew-Jones told CP, noting that Christians who had recently been released from prison were instructed not to partake in any protests. "The regime has its methods for staying in power, and they're pretty ruthless." In Iran, conversion from Islam to Christianity is illegal, and anyone who is found to be a member of a house church can be charged with national security crimes and sentenced to long prison sentences, according to Open Doors' World Watch List. While traditional Christian communities, such as Armenian or Assyrian Christians, are more likely to be tolerated, they are often treated as "second-class citizens." Additionally, Iranians are not allowed to read the Bible in the nation's predominant language of Farsi or support Christian converts from Islam. When asked if things in Iran have become worse for Christians following Amini's death, the news director replied that this is a difficult question to answer. While he noted the numbers in the report for the most recent year are higher, Dew-Jones said this could be due to more arrests, or it could mean better documentation of arrests. The advocate stated that the level of persecution has been "fairly consistent" since 2009, which is when the regime subjected churches to increasingly restrictive controls. Dew-Jones noted that while things certainly do not appear to have improved for Christians since then, he cannot say for sure whether things have worsened. One of the trends highlighted in the report that the news director found the most surprising was the targeting of Bible distributors. He said the research found that over one-third of the arrests targeted individuals who possessed multiple copies of the Bible. "We documented quite a few of those cases over the years, but I hadn't ever assumed that it would account for as many as it did last year," he said. "So that was a surprise for me." Another section of the report analyzed how many Christians reported that they continued to face harassment and monitoring after their release from prison. One witness cited in the report said that an intelligence agent frequently watched their home, while others recalled receiving "distressing" phone calls from their interrogator. "For other Christians, the monitoring can be more subtle, such as through continuous surveillance of online activities," the report stated. "Several Christians have testified that during their interrogations, they were surprised to see piles of print-outs of personal emails or other telecommunications, which were later brought before the judge as evidence of their Christian activities." Other forms of discrimination cited in the report include denial of employment, new charges, or a reopened case, all of which the document noted "make[s] it increasingly difficult for Christians to remain in Iran." The advocacy groups included recommendations in their report for the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as actions for the international community to take to hold Iran accountable. For the government of Iran, the report recommends that it "release immediately and unconditionally Christians detained on charges related to their faith or religious activities." In addition, the advocacy groups instructed Iran to clarify "where Persian-speaking Christians may worship freely in their mother tongue, without fearing arrest and prosecution." The report urges the international community to hold Iran "accountable for failures to fulfill its obligations under international law." Countries that receive refugees are also encouraged "to expedite resettlement for Iranian Christians currently resident in Turkiye, where there is a high risk of refoulement." Sam Whiting has been a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle since 1988. He started as a feature writer in the People section, which was anchored by Herb Caen's column, and has written about people ever since. He is a general assignment reporter with a focus on writing feature-length obituaries. He lives in San Francisco and walks three miles a day on the steep city streets. He can be reached at swhiting@sfchronicle.com. Home News Michael Wear talks politics-sorting churches, Christian nationalism and if Biden will run a 'post-Christian' campaign RICHMOND, Va. Former Obama administration official Michael Wear spoke with The Christian Post about various issues connected to the current political climate in the United States, including his views on the term Christian nationalism and the role of churches in political discourse. The founder and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, Wear was the keynote speaker at an event held at the nondenominational Hill City Church on Thursday evening titled The Spirit of Our Politics. The event was named after Wears most recent book, released last month, titled The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Approximately 150 people attended the event, which was sponsored by three Richmond-based Christian groups: Needles Eye Ministries, For Richmond, and the Richmond Christian Leadership Initiative. Politics is causing great spiritual harm, and the big reason for that is that Americans, including many Christians, are going to politics to get their spiritual needs met, Wear told those gathered. Our politics is doing great harm materially and spiritually, and if that is to change, it is vital that we recognize the ways in which our politics is out. If we were a different kind of people, our politics would be different. I want to talk to you, this evening, about the space politics is taking up in your life. During his remarks, Wear spoke about politics-sorting churches, or congregations that intentionally seek out members and attendees who subscribe to their politics. When asked by CP how such churches can change their direction, Wear responded that different things are happening in different churches, as sometimes a church might be actively pursuing a strategy of attracting people on the basis of political views, and I am not sure my advice is going to be helpful there. Wear believes that we need to have a view of politics that is not over the Gospel or outside and irrelevant to the Gospel, but a view of politics that is within and under the Gospel. Jesus has to be at the center of our churches, and when Jesus is at the center, Jesus naturally attracts people of all kinds of views and backgrounds, he added. Democrats and a post-Christian campaign In 2018, at an event hosted by Georgetown University's Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, Wear criticized Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign for running a "post-Christian" campaign that didn't do enough to attract faith-based voters. I had heard from someone close to the Clinton campaign that one of their senior advisers boasted they would run the first post-Christian campaign, said Wear in 2018. That is a great strategy, except for the fact that 70 percent of Americans consider themselves to be Christian. Maybe that is aspirational from their perspective, but what kind of data-minded campaign looks at a country ... and says we are going to run the first post-Christian campaign? A losing one. When asked by CP if he believes President Joe Biden will also run a post-Christian campaign for reelection, Wear replied, I dont think Biden did in 2020, and well see what happens in 2024. Wear noted that the 2020 Biden campaign was operating in a world in which they were attentive to the role of religion in American life, while the 2016 Clinton campaign seem to have a proactive strategy that required ignoring religion. I will say, I think Biden had a significant improvement over Clintons support among Evangelicals. I think its always harder to sustain an improvement like that over reelection for a number of reasons, he continued. Christian nationalism Wear was asked by CP for his opinion about Christian nationalism, namely whether he believes it's a genuine political and spiritual threat to America or if it's just a derogatory term to malign conservative Christians. I think it depends on what Christian nationalism you are talking about, he said, adding that theres a range of definitions different people use. Christian nationalism is used by some to carry out the same political arguments that weve been having for the last 30-40 years, said Wear. But I do think that there is a way in which the term identifies what I think is a fairly marginal group that isnt even necessarily practicing Christianity, but they leverage religious symbols, rhetoric, to promote political violence, for instance, and its that that Im concerned about. Wear added that using the label Christian nationalism to describe people has become counterproductive, believing that the term has become so misused. I refuse to cede the label Christian to a movement that some advocates using the term want to place on people who would stand and clap when a politician says to them, I know Jesus teaches that love your enemies stuff, but dont try that in politics, said Wear. Im not going to call a group of people who stand up and clap for that that Jesus teachings dont hold up in real life Christian nationalists. There are other terms to use for that group. He went on to say that to the extent that Christian nationalism has to be rejected, the problem is not that its too Christian, its that its not Christian enough. Its not oriented towards the good of our neighbors, towards the good of our public, and therefore, its not Christian in its character, said Wear. When asked what he hoped attendees at Hill City took away from his speech, Wear said he wanted them to know that the kind of people we are has much to do with the kind of politics we have and that spiritual formation is essential to civic renewal. The way of Jesus is viable in public life, said Wear. We can trust Jesus. Home News MS Society forces 90-year-old volunteer to step down for misunderstanding trans pronouns The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is standing by its decision to dismiss a 90-year-old volunteer after she reportedly expressed confusion about her colleague signing emails with their pronouns, claiming that the woman violated its diversity, equity and inclusion guidelines. Fran Itkoff, a California resident, volunteered for the National MS Society for 60 years. Itkoffs late husband, who had MS, previously ran the Long Beach Lakewood MS support group, which she took over after he died. The National MS Society directed all media inquiries to a statement it released last Thursday, in which the organization outlined its mission of supporting people with MS, which includes creating a space that welcomes all. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The organization added that its self-help group leaders play a part in this by leading meetings for people with MS. Recently, a volunteer, Fran Itkoff, was asked to step away from her role because of statements that were viewed as not aligning with our policy of inclusion, the nonprofit stated. Fran has been a valued member of our volunteer team for more than 60 years. We believe that our staff acted with the best of intentions and did their best to navigate a challenging issue. As an organization, we are in a continued conversation about assuring that our diversity, equity and inclusion policies evolve in service of our mission, and will reach out to Fran in service of this goal, the statement concluded. In an interview earlier this month with Libs of Tiktoks Chaya Raichik, Itkoff shared her side of the story alongside her daughter, Elle Hamilton. According to Itkoff, a colleague asked her to use her pronouns, but the 90-year-old did not understand the request. I had seen it on a couple of letters that had come in after the persons name. But I didnt know what it meant, Itkoff told Raichik. So when I finally talked to her, I asked what it meant and she said that meant they were all-inclusive, which didnt make sense to me, she continued. Because it sounds like you are labeling for females, not males if you are just putting in she/her. Following the interaction, Itkoff received an email asking her to step down as a volunteer, according to a screenshot of the email shared during the Libs of TikTok interview. The National MS Society informed Itkoff that the nonprofit will no longer affiliate with the Lakewood/Long Beach Self-Help Group; however, the group is free to continue meeting independently from the organization. We appreciate your dedication and contribution as a Self-Help Group Leader with our organization. As we discussed earlier during a phone conversation, after a thorough review of our guidelines and standards, it has come to our attention that there has been a failure to abide by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion guidelines during your time as a volunteer, the email stated. Itkoff said she was shocked after she read the email, telling Raichik that she had to read it a few times to make sure it said what she thought. Itkoffs daughter accused the National MS Society of focusing too much on pronouns, adding that the organization has lost their focus on finding a cure for MS and helping the patients. Its sad that they are discriminating against her because MS doesnt discriminate. It can happen to anybody to get the disease, and yet they are discriminating against her just because she asked a question to explain what the pronouns were, Hamilton said, claiming that her elderly mother is not street savvy. Hamilton also stated that she found it ironic that the National MS Society claimed it is being inclusive when the organization is excluding a 90-year-old disabled woman, stressing that volunteering has been her mothers whole life. Home News Pastor charged with raping 14-year-old church elder's daughter; 4 accusers come forward The pastor of a California church for Central American immigrants has been arrested and is being held on $10 million dollars bond as a result of sexual abuse accusations against him from four victims who reported their claims to authorities. Fifty-three-year-old Pastor Victor Hernandez-Pineda has pleaded not guilty to 16 charges involving the sexual abuse of four victims in Contra Costa County Court on Jan. 17, according to KGO-TV's Dan Noyes. Prosecutors have charged him with 16 criminal counts, including several counts of forcible rape of a child under 14, forcible rape of a person over 14, lewd act upon child and child molestation. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Hernandez-Pineda is pastor of Iglesia Pentecostes Momiento De Gloria Church in Richmond in the East Bay area. Pablo Cifuentes, a senior official at the church, discovered that Hernandez-Pineda had sexually abused his daughter, Karen. Cifuentes told KGO in December that his 21-year-old daughter recently informed him and her mother that Hernandez-Pineda sexually abused her when she was 13. She alleges that the pastor told her that it was "God's will" for them to have sex. "He said that I was his 'friend.' He said that I was his 'right-hand man.' But, when I found out, he made me so angry," he said. Karen Ciuffuentes alleges that Hernandez-Pineda sexually abused her five times over a three-year span. She recalled the pastor would pose as a family member to take her out of school and bring her to hotels to abuse her sexually. In an interview with KGO, she recalls the first time he took her to a hotel near her school. "And at that moment, I told him that I didn't feel safe," she told KGO, adding that she resisted because he was married, much older and her pastor. "I didn't feel good and that we shouldn't do it. But, he made me do it." The 21-year-old hopes that Hernandez-Pineda goes to jail. "I don't feel safe. He could harm me because I'm asking for help," she said. "And he could find out and harm me. What he did was wrong. It's not right, and I want the police to act." "It changed my life totally mentally. I was dead. It killed me," Cifuentes added. "I did not think the same. My grades went down. I was angry with my parents at home. I acted out. I could not tell my parents anything. But, I was always worried." Cifuentes' mother, Sonia Gonzalez, told KGO that it was difficult for her to believe what her daughter told her about the sexual abuse. "It was difficult. My daughter was very small. I thought it was my fault for confiding in him. We went to that church searching for love, searching for help, and we found it. But, in the end, we were damaged," she said. The family has since left the church and doesn't plan to return. "When I found out from my daughter's lips what had happened to her, I felt like grabbing him and making him disappear. But, I also understood that doing it with my own hands would get me into trouble," Pablo Cifuentes said. Instead of retaliating, the father filed a report with the Richmond Police Department. However, he didn't hear back from the police, so he contacted Noyes and the KGO I-Team. Other victims have come forward with additional sexual assault claims against Hernandez-Pineda. Joseline Alvarez, 16, came forward claiming that she was touched in a sexual manner against her will in November when the pastor requested a private meeting with her in a room upstairs in the church. "He hugged me, like very tight, like he didn't like want to let me go. And then, he started like touching my thigh. And then after that, he got my hand and put it in his thigh," Alvarez said. She added that the pastor tried to kiss her, which made her feel uncomfortable, prompting her to leave the church building. "I just didn't know what to think because, like, he's a pastor; like, why would he do that to me?" she said. Alvarez's mother feels torn apart and has also left the church. "It worried me a lot because I felt that something worse was going to happen to her. I got angry. I got very upset because he is a pastor. That's not right what he did," the mother said. Hernandez-Pineda's church once averaged roughly 150 congregants on an average Sunday for his religious services. But with multiple sexual assault allegations, church attendance has dwindled. Home News St. Patrick's Cathedral conducts Mass of Reparation after trans activist funeral stokes outrage: 'Sacrilegious fiasco' The pastor of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City performed a Mass of Reparation over the weekend after a funeral for a trans activist prompted outrage from Catholics for its sacrilegious antics. More than 1,000 people packed the pews of the iconic midtown Manhattan cathedral last Thursday to celebrate the life of Cecilia Gentili, a trans-identifying man who was born in Argentina and lived in the U.S. illegally for a decade until being granted asylum in 2011 and becoming a citizen in 2022. Gentili died Feb. 6 at age 52. A former prostitute who was once was addicted to drugs and jailed at Rikers Island, Gentili appeared on TV, performed Off Broadway, and became a well-known advocate for the transgender community, sex workers, and HIV/AIDS patients, according to The New York Times. Gentili reportedly had a strained relationship with religion and identified as an atheist. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe According to footage of Gentili's funeral that circulated on social media, raucous applause erupted throughout the service as eulogists repeatedly referred to Gentili as "Saint Cecilia, mother of whores," cross-dressing actor Billy Porter sang a song by Whitney Houston, a reader prayed for transgender healthcare, and an attendee danced down around the casket and down the aisle. Father Edward Dougherty, who noted that the funeral drew an Easter-size audience, also used feminine pronouns to refer to Gentili and called him "our sister." The event prompted fierce backlash from conservative Catholic organizations. CatholicVote called the ceremony "unbelievable and sick" and "a mockery of the Christian faith. The Rev. Nicholas Gregoris of the Priestly Society of Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman condemned it as a "blasphemous & sacrilegious fiasco" that was "a deplorable desecration of Americas most famous Catholic Church." On Sunday, Catholic author and Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo blasted the antics at the funeral as a "catastrophe" for Catholics and "an outrage" that demands answers. "Not everybody can get married at St. Patrick's, or get a funeral at St. Patrick's," he said. "There are requirements." Noting how Canon Law forbids ecclesiastical funerals for "manifest sinners" whose funeral would cause "public scandal of the faithful," Arroyo said, "It's not 'come as you are.' This is not a Broadway theater. This is not a club. This is a house of worship, you must come on the terms of the Church." "FOR CATHOLICS, THIS IS A CATASTROPHE": A funeral for a self-proclaimed atheist trans activist was held at St. Patricks Cathedral in New York City. @RaymondArroyo sounds off the scandalous and sacrilegious behavior condemned by the New York archdiocese pic.twitter.com/MkkQfbqdfd The Big Weekend Show (@BigWeekendShow) February 19, 2024 Amid the outrage, Father Enrique Salvo said in a statement released by the Archdiocese of New York on Saturday that church leaders were unaware of Gentili's identity and how irreverent the service would be. "Thanks to so many who have let us know they share our outrage over the scandalous behavior at a funeral here at St. Patricks Cathedral earlier this week," Salvo wrote. "The Cathedral only knew that family and friends were requesting a funeral Mass for a Catholic, and had no idea our welcome and prayer would be degraded in such a sacrilegious and deceptive way." "That such a scandal occurred at 'Americas Parish Church' makes it worse; that it took place as Lent was beginning, the annual 40-day struggle with the forces of sin and darkness, is a potent reminder of how much we need the prayer, reparation, repentance, grace, and mercy to which this holy season invites us," Salvo continued. Salvo added that a Mass of Reparation had been performed in the cathedral Saturday at the direction of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who has not publicly commented on the situation. The funeral was organized by Ceyenne Doroshow, another trans-identifying man, who maintained that they kept Gentili's trans identity "under wraps" from the archdiocese, according to the Times. Doroshow said Gentili's family wanted a funeral in St. Patrick's because "it is an icon, just like [him]," and blasted the archdiocese for "hypocrisy and anti-trans hatred" in the wake of their statement. Gentili's funeral marks the second time in recent months a Mass of Reparation at a New York City church has made headlines. In November, Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn performed a Mass of Reparation to cleanse the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Williamsburg after pop star Sabrina Carpenter used it as the setting for a lewd, violent music video. The parish reportedly maintained to the diocese at the time that Carpenter's production company had been misleading about the content of the video they intended to film, but the diocese demoted its pastor and said "a review of the documents presented to the parish in advance of the production, while failing to depict the entirety of the scenes, clearly portray inappropriate behavior unsuitable for a church sanctuary." Home News State Dept. releases 'equity action plan,' promotes LGBT causes in foreign policy The U.S. Department of State has announced the various ways it will implement President Joe Biden's executive order tasking agencies to advance equity through the federal government, which includes "advancing gender equity and equality." The White House released a fact sheet Wednesday that outlined two of Biden's executive orders on equity, stating that "the Biden-Harris Administration is working to advance opportunity and make real the promise of America for everyone." One of the orders tasked federal and cabinet-level agencies with addressing "systemic racism in our Nation's policies and programs." Multiple agencies, including the State Department, have started releasing Equity Action Plans annually, and more than 65 small and independent agencies released plans in 2022. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a statement outlining its 2023 Equity Action Plan, adding that the department has worked to advance "equity" in foreign policy throughout the past year. "With today's release of the 2023 Equity Action Plan, the Department continues to implement these executive orders with five global strategic focus areas: pursuing diplomatic efforts to combat hate and protect inclusive democracy; advancing racial equity and justice; protecting LGBTQI+ persons; promoting respect for international disability rights; and advancing gender equity and equality," Blinken stated. "These strategic focus areas bolster the Department's enterprise-wide approach to integrating equity and inclusion operationally in foreign assistance; foreign policy development and implementation; public diplomacy; consular services; and procurement, contracts, and grants," the secretary of state continued. "Embedding equity in our work yields better outcomes for the American people," he added. "We will continue to work to break down barriers faced by marginalized and underserved populations." The U.S. Department of State did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment. According to the document outlining the department's 2023 Equity Plan, the agency tasks "equity principals" with advancing equity for certain marginalized populations. These equity principals are senior department officials appointed to lead U.S. foreign affairs efforts, according to the action plan. "The strategies target challenges and opportunities for specific communities, including compounded and intersectional discrimination experienced by individuals from multiple and overlapping marginalized groups," the document states. "Each Equity Principal's approach to implementing the Plan ensures authenticity and accountability through public participation, community engagement, and accessibility." The 2023 Equity Action Plan also highlighted the department's progress in advancing equity, including a U.S. mission to Catholic-majority Poland that consisted of leading as a "Likeminded Embassies Coordinator on LGBTQI+ issues as ally embassies to combat hate and promote an inclusive environment." According to a 2023 fact sheet, the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw organized meetings with diplomatic contacts to discuss LGBT rights and support the initiatives of LGBT organizations. In addition, the U.S. ambassador hosted an event that included representatives from national and local governments to highlight "the importance of tolerance and the contributions of the LGBTQI+ community to Poland's response to the Ukraine refugee crisis." The department's 2022 Equity Action Plan highlighted what it described as the "inclusion of equity" in foreign assistance programs, noting that the planned foreign investments for the fiscal year 2022 totaled $56.8 million spread across all geographic regions. "This complements existing tracking of programs and planned investments for other marginalized populations, such as Indigenous groups, LGBTQI+ communities, women and girls, persons with disabilities, children in adversity, young and emerging leaders, and religious Minorities," the 2022 Action Plan states. The 2022 plan also highlighted in the "Consular Services" section that the department started issuing "gender X" passport books for trans-identified individuals in April 2022. The department shared that it was working to allow the "X" selection on other passport and citizenship forms. "The highest priority of the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) is to protect the lives and serve the interests of U.S. citizens abroad. As such, the bureau is committed to providing more equitable and more accessible consular services to U.S. citizens," the line beneath the section heading stated. Home Opinion How do you know youre not wrong? Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who is a Somali-born, writer, activist, and former politician, used to be a Muslim. Then she was an atheist. Now she says she is a Christian. How does she know shes not wrong this time? Famed atheist Richard Dawkins thinks she is. On a recent podcast with The Cosmic Skeptic, Alex OConnor, entitled Religion is still Evil, Dawkins, who counts Ali a friend, said he concedes she genuinely believes her faith is true but that her belief is driven by certain motivations that cloud her intellectual inspection of Christianity. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe For her what really matters is the morality, the politics actually. I think, for her, Christianity is a bastion against something worse. For her, I think she wants a faith which will help people to stand up against worse faiths. Dawkins then goes on to say: Thats the wrong way to approach religion. What really matters about religion is whether its true. Hes right. Dawkins could be wrong about why Ali has embraced Christianity (she talks about her journey here), but hes correct about the only reason we should believe anything is because its true. Ok, sounds good, but how does Dawkins know hes not wrong about atheism (he says science directs him there)? How do I know Im not wrong about the Christian faith? There are a plethora of reasons why we can get turned around and hold false beliefs. Instincts and intuitions that can be incorrect; custom and tradition; whats called consensus gentium (content of the nations) meaning something that the world at large believes at the time. The big ones today are feeling, desire, preference, and pragmatism (if something seems to work it must be true). So, if we cant rely on those things (and we cant) and we dont want to be lazy like some who claim there is no evidence for when there usually is, what do we do? The area of study known as epistemology (how we know and how we know that we know) is massive and there are many tributaries of thought in the field, which can make it confusing. Well, luckily you have me and I have all the answers. Actually, I dont, and wont pretend that I do. However, I did come across a litmus-testing process a while back that still makes good sense to me, so lets see what you think; hopefully it will be of some help to you when it comes to qualifying in/out false beliefs. The worldview lie detector Edward John Carnell was one of those guys who was ahead of his time when critical thinking and the truth about religion were concerned. Earning Ph.D.s in both theology and philosophy from Harvard and Boston University, Carnell went on to write several books on apologetics and the philosophy of religion. Carnell developed a framework for filtering out false worldviews and religions that included what he called the Systematic Consistency test where something must be both logically consistent and be able to explain all the relevant facts via empirical adequacy. He went on to add existential relevancy to the structure to account for a complete worldview something the Germans call a Weltanschauung. His worldview lie detector kicks off with logical consistency that asks if the belief systems teachings logically cohere with one another or if they conflict in logical or rational ways. For example, Buddhism teaches that a person must rid oneself of desire, but dont you have to have a desire to rid yourself of desire? Empirical adequacy asks if the beliefs can be reasonably verified or falsified and if the arguments used to support or object to the belief system are intellectually valid. For instance, many non-theists say a supernatural creator cant exist because theres evil in the world, but even atheist Richard Dawkins says thats flawed thinking: The problem of evil, to me, shouldnt be a real problem because you just say, Well theres an evil god and so thats a lesser question. Lastly, you have existential relevancy which asks if the claims are existentially relevant and have answers for the core questions of life: Origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. This comes only after validating the first two because, as Carnell warns, a religion might alleviate peoples anxieties with counterfeit promises. So how does Christianity fare in Carnells framework? He concludes, [The] Christian hypothesis is true because without contradiction, it accounts for more empirical evidence axiological evidence psychological evidence ethical evidence with few difficulties than any other hypothesis. Of course, there are plenty who will disagree with him. While I think Carnells system has a lot of merit, Im the type of guy who tries to simplify things whenever possible. For me, I boil down the question of whether Im wrong about Christianity to one thing: Was Jesus wrong? Was Jesus wrong about who He was? Was He wrong about how we should live? Was the Nazarene Carpenter wrong about life and after death especially His own? Few, if any, historical documents have been vetted like Jesus biographies, so believing we have His words correctly captured as well as any other biographical figure in history is reasonable to assume (see my short presentation on the reasons why). And, as Ive said several times in the past, if you want to falsify Christianity and immediately send it to the ash heap, you only have to do one thing: produce the body of Jesus. But His enemies couldnt do that right after He died, and I dont expect anyone today will either. Call me crazy, but if Im going to look to trust someone about matters of origin, meaning, morality, and life after death, I cant think of anyone better than someone who talked about all that and then came back from the dead to prove His point. Whatever her initial motivations, Ayaan Hirsi Ali has made her way through the worldview maze and is now on solid ground where the truth about religion and everything else is concerned. Shes finally entered through that narrow gate that leads to life and has now become one of the few who have found it. And I know shes not wrong. Home Opinion Betrayed: How global prayer mov't can respond to leader sex abuse scandal Believers around the world are hurting right now, in particular charismatic believers involved in the global prayer movement. A key leader in that movement, a man known as a deeply devoted, godly believer, has credibly been accused of gross sexual misconduct, not once, but a number of times. How could this be? How could it be possible for someone to lead a double life on that scale, especially over the decades? This leads many to wonder if anyone can be trusted. Pastors who lead prayer ministries have reached out to me, telling me of the agonizing struggles some of their people are experiencing. Their very acts of worship and prayer seem tainted. Was any of it ever real? Or were they just fooling themselves all the time, thinking that they were making a spiritual impact when they were just singing to the walls and praying to the ceiling? The sense of upheaval is deep. Other leaders have shared with me the depth of personal pain they are experiencing and the overwhelming sense of grief theyre living with. This fallen leader was their friend. Others have expressed a feeling of spiritual schizophrenia. Their worlds have been turned upside down. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Many feel betrayed. Others feel used. All feel massive disappointment. How do they rebuild their lives without becoming cynical? How do they regain that sense of childlike faith and purity? And even though they themselves may not have committed the same sins; how do they escape the feeling of being polluted? How do we sort this out? Lets start with this profound statement from Paul: What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify Gods faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge (Romans 3:34). As devastating as our unfaithfulness can be, especially when we are spiritual leaders, our unfaithfulness does not nullify Gods faithfulness. Rather, it underscores it: Let God be true, and every human being a liar. Truth be told, as much as we may trust our closest family members or friends, there is an absolute, eternal trust that only God deserves. He alone is perfectly faithful, perfectly true, perfectly just, perfectly good, perfectly reliable. He alone has the power to bring His will to pass, and He alone is worthy of worship. Thats why we make a terrible mistake when we over-exalt people, fellow humans who themselves are flesh and blood. We can show respect and give honor. We can recognize those who have worked and served among us over the years, acknowledging the genuineness of their faith. But we can never make them into some kind of godlike beings, as if they were on an entirely different plane than we are. To do so is to deceive ourselves and to set ourselves up for disappointment. As for those whom we over-exalt, were not doing them any favors either. To repeat: Let God be true, and every human being a liar. The Bible tells us clearly that people will fail and fall, even some leaders. Of course, this does not excuse their sin or minimize their accountability. It simply reminds us that if our faith in God can be shaken because of human failure, then some of our faith was misplaced. Or can you really look Jesus in the eye, spiritually speaking, and say to Him, You failed me!? He would rightly say to you (and me), The only reason you have any faith is because Ive been helping you. And had I not carried you through your weakest and worst times, you would have fallen away a long time ago. And have I not had great mercy on you as well? Theres a reason that every one of us needs a Savior, that all of us need forgiveness, and that on the Day we stand before Him, our only boast will be in Him. Its also important to remember that the prayer movement, including the 24/7 prayer movement has been around for many centuries. The Lord may have used people over the centuries to help spark intercession or spread the fire of prayer. But He is the one who births and sustains these movements, and the worship that comes from our hearts and lips goes to Him and Him alone. Why on earth would the severe failings of a human being one of billions of people for whom Jesus died get in the way of our worship and praise? How has the Lord become any less worthy of praise and adoration? And can we really afford to pray less when the needs of the hour are so great? The fact is that God not only calls us to prayer and commands us to pray, but He actually appoints us to pray. He is the one who commissions us! To quote the Lords words directly, I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth (Isaiah 62:67). No person appointed you to pray. No church posted you as a watchman on the wall. No organization called you to worship. It is God Himself, the Creator of the universe, who gave you this sacred assignment, and it is to Him that your prayers and worship ascend. Therefore, Hebrews exhorts, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed (Hebrews 12:1213). Your faithful intercession in prayer is needed more than ever! By Gods grace, raise your voices once again. I know you are hurting. I know your world has been turned upside down. But there is only one way forward: on our faces and knees before Him, pouring out our hearts, sharing our disorientation and pain, and leaning on Him alone. He will get you through! Let the prayer of Jeremiah, who knew his share of spiritual agony, be yours today: Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise (Jeremiah 17:14). He remains worthy still. Home Opinion How should we respond to increase church attacks? Yet another church shooting on Sunday underscored the dangerous environment faced by Christians today, even in places once considered safe for Christianity. In this environment, church security consultant Tim Miller said on Washington Watch, churches need to take security seriously, as a matter of wisdom. For those who may not be aware, a 36-year-old Salvadoran woman entered Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas between services along with her seven-year-old son. She opened fire with an AR-15 rifle but was quickly taken down by off-duty police officers on the churchs security team. She died, her son was shot in the head and remains in critical condition, and one other person was injured. At this point in the investigation, Miller acknowledged, it is unclear whether the motive was psychological or political. The woman had a criminal record and history of mental illness. She might have been motivated by anti-Semitism (Palestine was written on her gun, and she recently divorced a man with Jewish family). She might also have been motivated by gender ideology (she sometimes used a male alias, and weve seen increasing incidents of violence perpetrated by LGBT-identifying people). Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Whatever the reason in this instance, the Lakewood Church shooting extends an increasing trend of attacks on churches. Last year, Family Research Council documented more than 500 attacks on American churches from 2018 through March 2023. We seem to be seeing more of these [incidents] in recent years, said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, host of Washington Watch, adding that they seemed to indicate an environment of hostility toward churches. In particular, We see hostility being directed at religious institutions that hold to traditional morality, Perkins pointed out, and thats coming from our own government. Luke recorded similar but more extreme circumstances, in which Saul sought and obtained the governments permission to imprison and kill followers of Jesus (Acts 9:1-2). Were seeing not only the frequency but the severity of these attacks continue, agreed Miller. All of us were raised in churches that you didnt even have to think about that. Given the unparalleled anti-Semitism now directed towards Jews, he said, it shouldnt surprise us that thats beginning to pivot now towards Christian communities. He compared the moment to the circumstances of Nehemiahs day, when the enemies of Gods people were very angry with them for rebuilding Jerusalems wall, and they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it (Nehemiah 4:7-8). Lakewood Churchs pastor, Joel Osteen, and his bestselling book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living Your Full Potential, are widely identified with an unorthodox brand of teaching called the prosperity gospel. He told The Associated Press in 2004 he wanted his services to uplift people. Theyve got to walk away saying, You know what, I feel better today. Osteens teachings have been criticized for watering down the Gospel message. Bethlehem Seminary Professor Dieudonne Tamfu called the prosperity gospel an idolatrous perversion of the Gospel according to which Jesus is a means to Gods full blessings, primarily of wealth, health, and might. Pastor Greg Gilbert critiquedYour Best Life Now as one more self-help manual focusing on the power of positive thinking. Wrote Gilbert, There is nothing Christian about this book There is no cross. There is no sin. There is no redemption or salvation or eternity. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul argued, But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed (Galatians 5:11). By circumcision, Paul meant a more culturally acceptable system of works-based self-righteousness. The offense of the cross refers to the fundamental Christian doctrine that the only way for man to be declared righteous is through faith in Jesus Christs sacrificial death for our sins. Pauls contention was that watering down the Gospel message would also remove the grounds for persecution. Yet Lakewood Churchs self-help heterodoxy proved no defense against the rising tide of church attacks. As the broader culture continues to secularize at an astonishing speed, the theological claims of Christianity are increasingly seen as not only implausible but as bigoted and dangerous, particularly in the area of sexual ethics, remarked David Closson, director of Family Research Councils Center for Biblical Worldview. In the cultural imagination of many people, the church is the last institution opposing much of the moral drift weve witnessed in the last quarter of a century. Christian church gatherings have been targets since the first century. Luke recorded that Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house [the first believers met from house to house, Acts 5:42], he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison (Acts 8:2). Saul, a.k.a. Paul, later admitted, I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities (Acts 26:10-11). In fact, Christians have faced intense seasons of persecution for nearly 2,000 years, right up to the present day. Although the church has been persecuted throughout its existence, the American church is certainly experiencing, in a more personal way, what many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have experienced for a long time, Closson explained. Jesus warned his disciples of increased persecution in John 15-16, Closson said. As Jesus told his followers, If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (John 15:18-19). The reality is, if we believe Scripture, its only going to get worse, noted Miller. If churches can expect to face increased hostility, persecution, and violence, then they should be prepared, argued Miller. Security is about being wise and prepared with a plan, he said. Proverbs says twice, The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it (Proverbs 22:3, 27:12). If the Church is a hospital, we want broken people to come, Miller urged. But we also want people to be safe in the process of coming. Miller drew two principles for church security from Nehemiah 4:9, And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. We pray to our God first and then we post a guard, he said. This approach acknowledges God as our shield and providential shepherd, and it also acknowledges that God often works through human means to achieve his purposes. Perkins added one more principle, found in the same chapter. We should not operate out of fear, he said. We have no reason to fear if we have prepared and taken the right precautions. Nehemiah encouraged the harried inhabitants of Jerusalem, Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes (Nehemiah 4:13). Church attacks may be on the rise, but remembering our great and awesome Lord should leave us no reason to fear. Originally published at The Washington Stand. Claims of 'Christian crackdown' are 'unfair', say police The Metropolitan Police has responded to accusations of a "Christian crackdown" by the Daily Mail after a confrontation between officers and a street preacher in London. Pastor Dwayne Lopez was preaching outside a shopping centre on Uxbridge High Street in west London when he was approached by five officers who told him that he may have committed a "hate crime" relating to "homophobia". He was then threatened with arrest unless he gave the officers his personal details. Speaking after the incident, footage of which was posted to YouTube, Pastor Lopez said that police were "harassing" street preachers. The Met has since issued a statement standing by the response of its officers. It said that videos on social media "rarely tell the full story, especially when they've been cut or edited to make a particular point". "In this case, officers from our Professional Standards Directorate have looked at all the body worn video footage available - more than 50 minutes of it," it said. "No misconduct was found. In fact, the officers involved were commended for their 'professional behaviour, their patience and their knowledge of the legislation' and for doing a good job in a potentially difficult situation." The Met also criticised media coverage of the incident and said it was "disappointing" that some of it had not met the test of being balanced and accurate. Singling out the Daily Mail, which had suggested a "Christian crackdown", the Met said this was "just not a fair way to describe officers responding to allegations of racist and homophobic remarks being shouted in the street". Tributes paid to Bishop of Buckingham after unexpected death Tributes have been paid to the Bishop of Buckingham, Alan Wilson, who died unexpectedly over the weekend. His passing was announced by the Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, who called him "a dear friend and colleague to many across the diocese". "Alan loved God and loved God's church with a rare passion. He was a bishop who prioritised the parishes and clergy in his care above everything else and served the people of Buckinghamshire with devotion over a long and demanding ministry," said Bishop Croft. Wilson was Bishop of Buckingham for over 20 years. He was a strong advocate in the Church of England for victims of abuse as well as LGBT equality. His death comes not long after starting a sabbatical that he had intended to use to plan for his retirement next year. Prayers were said for him and his family during the evensong service at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford on Sunday. "I will miss him as a friend and colleague. The Church has lost a wise, pastoral and prophetic bishop," Bishop Croft added. The Archdeacon of Buckingham, Guy Elsmore, who worked closely with Wilson, "Along with Alan's other colleagues and the clergy and lay people of Buckinghamshire, I am deeply saddened by this unexpected news. "We have lost a courageous, wise and exceptional pastoral leader and teacher. Alan's ministry was centred in people, in valuing every person he met and in the quest to expand the circle of the Church's love to embrace all. He will be deeply missed by us all." Tributes have been paid on social media. Lawyer Richard Scorer, who has represented many Church abuse victims, said, "Such devastating news and I'm struggling to take it in. Alan always spoke up for survivors. A wise, empathetic and witty friend. My thoughts are with all those who loved him." Former child protection lawyer Martin Sewell said Wilson "was the only CofE bishop fully trusted by the survivor community". "We must honour his memory by carrying on his work of living the love of Christ," he said. Conservative Anglican commentator Adrian Hilton said, "I am shocked and saddened to hear of the death of the Rt Rev'd Dr Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham. We had our theological and political differences over the years, but I also knew him as a man of great integrity and compassion who challenged power and corruption." 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. More specifically, Harrison says the program is meant to aid NCDIT in recruiting more diverse talent to its own ranks. Were hoping that the interns will turn into full-time employees, he says. NCDIT has a good shot at succeeding on that point. Drew Walker worked as a web development intern at NCDIT last summer, between his freshman and sophomore years. Drew Walker, North Carolina A&T Drew Walker / North Carolina A&T A computer science major at North Carolina A&T, Walker says he appreciated the opportunity to get professional experience in a role he plans to pursue after graduation. He says the experience helped him hone his skills and boost his resume, both of which helped him land an internship with another state agency. Furthermore, he says the NCDIT internship will help him when it comes to finding work after he graduates something he had hoped it would do when he applied. Walkers experience may benefit NCDIT and its recruitment objectives, too: Walker says hes open to working for the department as a permanent employee. If I graduated today, that would be my No. 1 option, he says. Building relationships The IT department at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is another employer that has partnered with HBCUs to improve the size and diversity of the IT workforce. Jo Abernathy, CIO, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC BCBSNC Understanding the historical lack of diverse representation in IT, we have been very intentional in creating partnerships and strategies to create a pipeline of diversified talent. We do this by engaging students beyond career fairs, through classroom industry presentations, networking, mentorship, externships/co-ops, internships, and strategic investments, says Blue Cross NC CIO Jo Abernathy. For example, Abernathys IT department partnered with the North Carolina Governors HBCU Internship Program to provide high-performing students an immersive professional experience with the IT team. The partnership has brought more than 10 summer interns from North Carolina HBCUs to the IT division since 2022, and it will bring in two HBCU students this coming summer. Abernathy says her IT department also invests in building relationships with schools through our HBCU Diversity Recruitment Action Team. This team is comprised of HBCU alumni and advocates who share their ideas, connections, and perspectives, acting as an extension of the talent team and represent Blue Cross NC at career events. HBCU students and alumni attend an intern social at the Durham Bulls game with Employee Network, AABEN. BCBSNC Internships as equalizer Jon White likewise sees significant value in building relationships, and in particular providing internships, saying that on-the-job experience for students is an equalizer. Theres nothing like gametime experience, he adds. White, a 2001 Morgan State University graduate with a bachelors in computer science, speaks from experience: He had two pivotal internships that propelled his professional career. Jon White, principal architect, Red Alpha Red Alpha White worked on a NASA-funded research project on computing technology that was a precursor to cloud computing. And he interned with Lockheed Martin, a global security and aerospace company, a role that gave him automation experience and helped him earn his security clearance (a critical credential for much of the technology work with the US government). White is now a principal architect at Red Alpha, a Maryland-based software technology and consulting firm bringing digital transformation to commercial and government clients, including the US Department of Defense. In this role, he is working to bring internship opportunities to his alma mater. White says he hopes such internships will create career-boosting opportunities for current and future Morgan students as well as recruit talent to his company. Morgan has excellent talent, and wed like to leverage that talent, he adds. I have no doubt we can staff up by going to Morgan, where there are students doing top-level software engineering. We want to make sure our company is not missing out on that talent. Multiple benefits to employers Other employers make similar remarks, saying that they are working to strengthen their ties with HBCUs to ensure their recruitment efforts create a pipeline of diverse talent. Jon Allen, director of professional services for industrials at AWS, which has a host of programs with HBCUs (including Morgan) and other minority-serving institutions (MCIs), says AWS has found that such efforts have benefits for students and employers. Jon Allen, director of professional services for industrials, AWS AWS Such programs do, indeed, help students develop real-world skills and cultivate professional contacts, he says. Employers, including AWS, likewise expand their list of potential employees, Allen says. In fact, AWS has found that its partnerships with HBCUs and MCIs expands its recruitment and retention efforts in several ways. First, the programs help AWS reach the students themselves. The programs, which include the HBCU Business Case Competition, also draw interest (and resumes) from alumni who learn about such programs and decide AWS could be a good place to bring their mid- to senior-level experience. At the same time, AWS has found that its existing employees are encouraged by the companys diversity efforts, so theyre energized and more likely to stay. Expanding opportunities Paul Wang, a professor and chairperson of computer science at Morgan, says the university has seen employer interest in partnering with HBCUs grow, giving students more opportunities for internships, mentorships, other professional experiences, and ultimately job offers. Paul Wang, computer science chair and professor, Morgan State University Morgan State University JP Morgan, Zillow, and AWS are among the employers that have established ties to Morgan as part of their outreach efforts to HBCUs. These open opportunities for students, Wang says, explaining that they build students confidence and their professional networks (which then tip them off to job openings or offer introductions to hiring managers). Students share that perspective. Teqwon Norman, a Morgan senior majoring in computer science, in spring 2022 took part in the Google Tech Exchange program, a semester-long virtual academic program for students from HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). Teqwon Norman, Morgan State University Morgan State University It was extremely challenging, it was taught by Google engineers, it had mentorship. Google gave you resources, they helped you when you struggled. There was a lot of things to keep you pushing ahead, he says. The experience helped him land a summer 2023 paid internship with Google, which has turned into a job with the company when he graduates this May. Norman says he and other Morgan students now spread the word about these opportunities, helping expand the pipeline of people interested in connecting with Google. Kyla Abraham, a Morgan junior also majoring in computer science, has a similar take on the value of her internships, saying they boosted her skills and connected her with employers. Abraham interned as a software engineer at Lincoln Financial Group, after first interacting with the company on the Morgan campus through a college-affiliated mentor and hackathon called codeLinc. Kyla Abraham, Morgan State University Morgan State University That internship then helped her land other positions, including her current job as a research assistant working on a robot. Still, she sees returning to Lincoln Financial as a possibility. Im still figuring out my path, but I know its going to be in computer science, and while I want to consider more [professional options] before I make my financial decision, it would also be great if I stay with Lincoln Financial, she says. Citing her own positive experience, Abraham now helps her peers make such connections: She is program manager for Morgan TechFest, a student-led event that includes bringing companies to campus to connect with students. Making internships impactful Although Abraham and Norman had positive experiences, Wang says internship programs are not all of equal value. He has seen some that offer little to no pay or that dont offer the learning, mentoring, and networking components that boost the students professional readiness. Internships with such deficits, Wang says, dont help students land jobs nor help companies recruit. Franklin Reed, TEKsystemss executive director of global DEI, agrees that the quality of programs matter for both student and employer success. Franklin Reed, executive director of global DEI, TEKsystems TEKsystems When done well, he says these programs and partnerships between employers and colleges and universities, particularly HBCUs, can create this bridge and this pipeline of more diverse talent. Officials at NCDIT agree, saying they thought through what they could offer students and how those efforts could bring returns to them in terms of improved workforce diversity. Its a great opportunity for the intern and for us, says Veena V. Shanmugham, a database and middleware manager at NCDIT. Shanmugham worked with her team and HR last spring to design an eight-week full-time job for the agencys HBCU internship program. Veena V. Shanmugham, database and middleware manager, NCDIT NCDIT We wanted to give the intern a real-world experience, and we wanted to make sure we spend time with them, Shanmugham says. That meant setting up a technical environment where the intern could work with the teams technology but not access protected data, she explains. It also meant training staff to engage with and mentor the intern, ensuring that the intern had a positive growth experience that would leave a good impression. As Shanmugham says: We want interns to be interested in coming back. Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele Aristeo Zambrano, a longtime Oakland business owner with a rich history advocating for better conditions for farmworkers, was shot and killed in his shop in February. Provided by Michael Dugger Bay City Alternators, at 8807 International Blvd. in Oakland, is in an area plagued by crime. Google Street View Aristeo Zambranos family worried constantly about his safety. For more than three decades, Zambrano ran an auto repair shop in a neighborhood plagued by frequent robberies and shootings. Zambrano, a 68-year-old farmworker turned business owner, was shot and killed while working at his shop, Bay City Alternators, on International Boulevard near 88th Avenue shortly before noon on Feb. 3. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police this week said the investigation was ongoing and would not comment on a possible motive or provide details. Zambranos family described him as calm, collected, reserved and generous. He was married and had three daughters and six grandchildren. He was always there to help you, said one of his daughters, Silvia Dugger, 48. Another one of his daughters, Maria Ayala, 41, added, He always had a way of calming me down. An immigrant from the state of Michoacan in western Mexico, Zambrano worked as a broccoli cutter in the Salinas Valley in the late 1970s and early 80s. He rose to be a leader in the United Farm Workers movement, helping fight for wage increases and other benefits. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I will always remember him as one of the best organizers, fighting for the rights of farmworkers, said Mario Bustamante, a former farmworker union leader. Marshall Ganz, a former union leader who organized Salinas Valley farmworkers, said Zambrano was dedicated to his role as labor leader. He was someone you could really count on, Ganz said. Zambrano was part of a group of union representatives who took Cesar Chavez to court in the early 1980s, accusing him of wrongly ousting them from their posts. A federal judge in San Jose ruled in favor of Zambrano and his fellow union representatives, although by then Zambrano had left. He moved to Oakland, where his parents lived, and learned to repair starters and alternators. He opened the shop 33 years ago with a business partner, who later sold Zambrano his share. Zambrano worked hard to keep his shop afloat and enjoyed his job, his family said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He found a lot of joy in being able to fix a problem, said Michael Dugger, Silvia Duggers husband. Ayala said she worried about her fathers safety as violence escalated in the area. The police area surrounding Zambranos shop saw a 10% rise in violent incidents last year compared to 2022, according to data. But Zambrano felt safe in his shop, Ayala said. He looked forward to retiring soon and wanted to visit Las Vegas for the first time, she said. Now, as family members struggled to process his death, the future of the shop is in limbo. Its not fair that he worked so hard all his life, Ayala said. He never hurt anyone. Michael Dugger called the shooter a coward for killing an elderly man. We hope they catch the perpetrator, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A week ago, the former Fox News host Tucker Carlsonwho had recently been in Russia interviewing (if thats the right word) President Vladimir Putin, touring around Moscow, and gushing over its quality of life and revolutionary coin-operated shopping cartsshowed up onstage at a conference in Dubai. After raving some more about Moscow, Carlson was asked why he hadnt pushed Putin on aspects of his authoritarian rule, including restrictions on speech, political assassinations, and the incarceration of Alexei Navalny, the most prominent Russian opposition leader. Carlson replied that these topics are amply covered by other US outlets, and added that, after interviewing various world leaders, he had come to the conclusion that leadership requires killing people. Sorry. Thats why I wouldnt want to be a leader. A few days later, prison officials in Russia said that Navalny had died in the Arctic prison camp where he had recently been held. The officials claimed that Navalny lost consciousness after taking a walk, but their account was (unsurprisingly) murky, and riddled with apparent contradictions. At first, some outside observers suggested that Navalny might not be dead at all; others suspected murder, in the immediate, active sense of the term. Mediazona, an independent Russian news site, found footage online that appeared to show a convoy of official vehicles transporting Navalnys body along an ice road to a nearby morgue, though the morgue claimed that the body wasnt there. This morning, Navalnys mother and lawyers tried to visit the facility but were turned away; meanwhile, officials reportedly told them that Navalnys death is still being investigated. Sources close to the Kremlin told Meduza, another independent news site, that they didnt believe Navalny was killed purposefully, but as a result of harsh conditions in the Arctic camp. One of the sources asked, Did you expect anything else? Meduzas sources said that they expected the story of Navalnys death to quickly peter out inside Russia, pointing out that many of his most vocal supporters are now in exile and that state media would massage the narrative of his death. After the news broke on Friday, some mourners did take to the streets to protest, or merely to lay flowers; a number of people were arrested, including at least three journalists. According to Steve Rosenberg, the BBCs Russia editor, some Russian newspapers this morning didnt mention Navalny at all. One that did relegated the story to a slot beneath items about bananas from Ecuador and Carlsons Moscow shopping trip. Across the West, by contrast, Navalnys death was huge news, and the reaction one of outrage (as Meduzas sources had also predicted). In the hours after it was announced, Yulia Navalnaya, Navalnys wife, addressed a major international security conference in Munich; she said that she didnt yet know whether to believe the news, but that if it were true, I want Putin and everyone around him, his friends and his government, to know that they will be held responsible for what they have done to our country, to my family, and to my husbandand that the day of reckoning will come very soon. In a video message from the White House, President Biden declared that whatever specifically had happened to Navalny, Putin and his thugs were doubtless to blame. In the press, tributes poured in, including from journalists who knew Navalny. On MSNBC, an emotional Mikhail Zygar, a journalist who had corresponded with Navalny in prison, called him a democratic superhero, one who always believed in human rights, free speech, and the possibility of fair justice despite the cynicism of modern-day Russia and Putins rule. Some of those paying tribute also showed how, in addition to being an opposition leader and Putin critic, Navalny was a journalist of sortseven if they (like Navalny himself while he was alive) didnt say so explicitly. The New Yorkers Masha Gessen wrote that, having once espoused an ethno-nationalist politics, Navalny found his agenda and his political voice in documenting corruptionestablishing his own online media out of frustration that journalists werent following his leads or undertaking investigations of their own, and in the process spawning an entire generation of independent Russian investigative media, many of which continue working in exile. For The Atlantics Anne Applebaum, Navalnys extraordinary gift was that he could take the dry facts of kleptocracythe numbers and statistics that usually bog down even the best financial journalistsand make them entertaining. In part, Putin killed him because of his ability to reach people with the truth, and because of his talent for breaking through the fog of propaganda that now blinds his countrymen, and some of ours as well. I first wrote about Navalnys journalism back in 2020, after he was poisoned. In the years prior to that, his Anti-Corruption Foundation had published compelling investigations exposing the shady financial maneuvers of figures tied to Putin, including an explosive story about Dmitry Medvedev, then the prime minister, that revolved around his purchase of a garish pair of Nike sneakers. Following his poisoning, Navalny and his foundation worked with journalists from the open-source investigative site Bellingcat and other outlets to expose the poisoners, culminating in an extraordinary phone call in which a Russian state agent blurted out details of the plot to Navalny, who was posing as a bureaucrat. The dramatic scene was captured on camera and later aired in Navalny, a documentary that further raised his international profile and went on to win an Oscar. Daniel Roher, the Canadian filmmaker who made the documentary, told the Wall Street Journal that when it came to the movie-worthy moment, Navalny knew exactly what he was doing. Sign up for CJR 's daily email In January 2021, Navalny, apparently fearing irrelevance in exile, returned to Russia, where he was immediately arrested. Days later, his foundation published a bombshell video investigation mapping out a luxurious Black Sea palacewith an on-site hookah lounge and adjacent oyster farmthat, Navalny and his team reported, was secretly built for Putin himself. The investigation helped catalyze significant protests against Putins rule (during which some demonstrators memorably hurled snowballs at police) and was quickly viewed tens of millions of times on YouTube; according to polling conducted a few weeks later by the independent Levada Center, a quarter of Russians claimed to have watched it. Putin apparently felt compelled to respond, telling a student at a Q&A that he hadnt had time to watch the whole thing and issuing a denial (that wasnt technically a denial). Later, state TV attempted to retaliate with a supposed expose of its own on the German villa where Navalny convalesced after his poisoning. As I wrote at the time, Navalnys palace story and various aspects of the reaction to it suggested that Putins control over Russias information environment might be weakening. (Even the student who asked Putin about the palace told him that young people these days get their news from the internet, not state TV.) Since then, of course, Putin has redoubled his efforts to clamp down on free speech and media. Navalny and his foundation have been among the victims. Later in 2021, officials declared the foundation an extremist group and moved to ban it; in 2022, the foundation was reconstituted as an international endeavor, which Russian authorities quickly branded as a foreign agent, then as undesirable (designations also applied to various journalists and media companies). The foundation continued to produce investigations from its headquarters in exile while Navalny remained behind bars inside Russia and the charges against him racked up. He continued to post on social media by handing notes to his lawyers, as well as using his appearances in court to get his political message across. Until Friday. The message will live on, as, it seems likely, will the investigations. This morning, Yulia Navalnaya addressed the world in a video posted to her husbands YouTube channel and vowed to continue his work. We know exactly why Putin killed Alexei three days ago. Well tell you about it soon, she said. And she vowed that she and Navalnys team would find out exactly who committed this crime and how, pledging to make their identities public. Categorizing Navalny as a journalist is not without its complications. As I noted in 2020, his relationship with Russias corps of independent journalists could be tense, even vituperative: they would sometimes accuse him of fast-and-loose reporting; he would sometimes accuse them of going soft on the Kremlin. Navalnys allies have stated explicitly that their investigative work is a means to political ends; as Roman Anin, the founder of the independent investigative site iStories, told the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Projects Ilya Lozovsky back in 2020, Navalnys investigators, while highly effective, dont follow journalistic standards and never try to listen to the other side. Many of Navalnys political stances, in particular his past ethno-nationalism, themselves demanded journalistic scrutiny. In an age when the lines between politics, advocacy, and journalism appear increasingly blurred, its tempting to police them ever tighterespecially given the cultural ascendancy of the Tucker Carlsons of the world. These lines, however, have always been blurry. If Navalny was never primarily a journalist, he undoubtedly committed important acts of journalism. Ultimatelyand particularly in a country whose rulers have waged a deadly, all-out assault on the truthgetting the truth out matters more than categorizing the truth-tellers. In 2020, Lozovsky wrote that while Navalny was best known outside Russia as an opposition leader, his journalism might be his most enduring legacy, whether or not he ever held office. We now know for sure that he wont ever hold office; talk of his legacy hassuddenly, tragicallybecome finalistic, even if its historical shape hasnt crystallized yet. When it does, the distinction between Navalnys political career and his journalism may look like no distinction at all, but complementary parts of a broader fight. As Semafors Ben Smith put it overnight, Navalny embodied the contemporary convergence of politics and media in that he was a fearless, optimistic patriot using digital media to expose grotesque corruption. Populists in the US media cosplay such roles, Smith added. But while they are building fandoms and speaking to Gulf investors, Navalny is dead in a prison colony. Carlson was flying away from Dubai when Navalnys death was announced. In a statement to the Mail, Carlson claimed that his comments on leaders need to kill people had had nothing to do with Navalny, and that he wasnt excusing murder. Its horrifying what happened to Navalny, Carlson said. The whole thing is barbaric and awful. No decent person would defend it. Other notable stories: Semafors Max Tani reports that pro-Israel groups in the US have been working in public and behind-the-scenes to discredit specific journalists seen as biased against Israel. Per Tani, one such group has singled out Louisa Loveluck, a correspondent at the Post, for particular criticism, compiling a dossier complaining about everything from her current reporting to her past tweets and participation in college activism against tuition fees in the UK in an effort to get her taken off the story of Israels war with Hamas. Politicos Jack Shafer interviewed Margot Susca, an academic and author of the new book Hedged: How Private Investment Funds Helped Destroy American Newspapers and Undermine Democracy. Susca said, of her books thesis, that she ultimately reveals an industry rocked less by external forces like lost ad revenue and more by ownership and management obsessed with profit and beholden to private fund interests that feel no responsibility toward journalism or the public it is meant to serve. James Poniewozik, the TV critic at the Times, explored how Donald Trump has turned his recent legal travails into a political reality showeven though the court proceedings themselves have rarely been televised. In the dock, Trump is a courtroom sketch, rendered in two shaky dimensions, with hooded eyes and a glum look, Poniewozik writes. But outside the court, he recasts himself as the defiant fighter. Appearing on camera at his own properties, arrayed in flags, he is in control. Politicos Rosie Gray dug into Field Ethos, an outdoorsy lifestyle media brand (with a quarterly magazine) that Trumps son Don Jr. launched in 2021. Trump Jr. described Field Ethos to Gray as a relatively apolitical passion project, but a deeper dive suggests that the campaign trail runs right through those journals, Gray writes. Its part of a bigger project thats been ongoing on the American right of building a conservative parallel economy and bringing the culture wars of politics to consumer habits. And Jessica Beresford, of the Financial Times, explored the thriving market for vintage fashion magazines as collectors items in the UK. The closure of titles in recent years, and a nostalgic reappraisal of print and the quality and values of yesteryear, have contributed to increased collectability, Beresford writes. Conor Masterson, the co-owner of a magazine archive called Elegantly Papered, described the vintage-magazine market as an accessible way of collecting great art. ICYMI: Can Legislation Save Journalism in California? Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. BAY VILLAGE, Ohio -- In the early 1800s, the Cahoons became the first white family to settle in Bay Village from Vermont, according to historic accounts. Joseph and Lydia Cahoon were, indeed, pioneers who came by wagon, along with five sons and three daughters, reaching the Western Reserve area on Oct. 10, 1810. The first thing they did to survive living close to Lake Erie -- after handling Indian treaties -- was to build a small cabin for basic shelter. Then, in 1813, they built a grist mill for food and a lumber mill that allowed them to build a more substantial home eight years later -- dubbed Rose Hill. Both structures still stand today. Barbara Comienski, a volunteer for the Bay Village Historical Society, spoke in character as Ida Maria Cahoon, unmarried granddaughter of Joseph and Lydia, at the historical societys Feb. 15 potluck at Bay Lodge. The attendees were pleased to see Comienski in historic dress and to hear the commentary of an important Bay resident from so long ago. Her comments included some humor: She opened her address as one who has traveled back from our community, visiting periodically after my demise. The real Ida was a teacher and wrote interesting books that can be found by searching books by ida cahoon - Search Images (bing.com). Ida Cahoon died from a cerebral hemorrhage in December 1917 at the age of 65. Rose Hill was then bequeathed to the city in 1917. It soon became the very first library in Bay Village. Read more from the West Shore Sun. LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- The Lakewood Public Library is currently honoring Vietnamese refugees by allowing their important stories to be told and their unique experiences to be shared. Vietnamese Refugees: Stories of Courage, Hope and Resilience, which appears now through April 30 at the Detroit Avenue main branch, features a series of programs and exhibits. CLEVELAND, Ohio Monday will be a pretty good day for people who dont have to work or go to school on Presidents Day. Forecasts from the National Weather Service show mostly sunny skies for Monday and calm winds. It will be a bit chilly, though, with highs staying in the upper 30s. It will remain clear overnight and temps will dip to the mid-20s. More sunshine is in the forecast for Tuesday and it will be warmer, with temps climbing into the mid-40s. Overnight lows will be around 32 degrees with clear skies. There is a 20% chance of showers Wednesday afternoon, but otherwise it will be partly sunny and mild, with highs in the low 50s. Rain chances increase to 60% overnight as clouds move into the region. Lows will be around 40 degrees. Temperatures will remain mild on Thursday as highs approach 50 degrees. It will be cloudy and theres a 50% chance of showers. Theres a 40% chance of rain before 2 a.m. Friday and temps will drop to just above freezing. Drier conditions return Friday but it will be chillier, with highs staying in the upper 30s and partly sunny skies. It will be mostly cloudy and cold overnight, with lows in the mid-20s. Expect similar conditions on Saturday partly sunny skies and highs in the upper 30s. Temps will climb back to the upper 40s Sunday with mostly sunny skies. Mondays sunrise: 7:17 a.m. Sunset: 6:05 p.m. Mayor London Breed announces her intention to place Proposition E on the ballot with Police Chief Bill Scott at Alamo Square in October. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle 2023 Crime is the undeniable driving force in San Francisco politics these days. The Chamber of Commerces annual CityBeat poll revealed that 69% of city residents feel that crime is worsening, even though data shows reported crimes were down 7% in 2023. Proposition E is Mayor London Breeds latest attempt to address this key voter concern. By far the most sweeping item on the March ballot, Prop. E would reduce reporting requirements when police use force, letting body camera footage replace written reports for certain kinds of incidents; it would allow police to install surveillance cameras without oversight and use drones with facial recognition technology; it would permit police to initiate car chases when they suspect someone has committed certain types of misdemeanors, not just a felony; and it would give the police chief the ability to require public meetings at all 10 police stations before the Police Commission can change department policies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its a hefty and confusing measure for voters. Lets go through it from the top: Taken at face value, increasing the departments ability to pursue vehicles sounds like a good idea. We dont want police standing by idly while suspected criminals get away. In an interview with the editorial board, Breed cited a recent North Beach robbery where police couldnt pursue the suspect even in the middle of the night when the streets were empty. The officer got there at three oclock in the morning, and they couldnt chase the person getting away from robbing a small business, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her measure, however, makes no such distinction between daytime and nighttime. That matters. Car chases are incredibly dangerous in a city as dense as San Francisco. Out of 150 pursuits by San Francisco police from 2018 to 2023, 38% resulted in a collision. Of those collisions, 15% resulted in at least one person getting hurt. Its also unclear if police officers even want the freedom to chase more cars, which puts them at risk, too. Police Chief Bill Scott refused our request to discuss the measure. But Louis Wong, a representative from the San Francisco Police Officers Association, told the editorial board that while he supports Prop. E overall: We cant chase certain cars. Were just too crowded. He suggested spike strips could better improve outcomes. Last year, the Police Commission approved the departments request to use strips preemptively by planting them around the scene of a robbery, for example, they could stop drivers from fleeing before a car chase even started. Surveillance is another key piece of Prop. E. The measure would permit drones with facial recognition technology to be used in vehicle pursuits and criminal investigations. Yet its also unclear if rank-and-file officers want facial recognition capabilities. Wong cited the value of using drones to locate suspects and keep officers safe during active pursuits. But he didnt see a need for technology beyond that. Its just to help us when were trying to find somebody. We agree. And theres no need for a ballot measure to give police this tool; the department already started the approval process with the city Committee on Information Technology to use drones in search-and-rescue situations, to monitor sideshows and in major critical incidents, among other scenarios. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Facial recognition technology, meanwhile, is problematic. A study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology found Black and Asian people to be 10 to 100 times more likely to be misidentified than white people. Despite limited application of the technology, several Black men have been falsely accused of crimes across the country following facial recognition matches. This is why new technology should be vetted through an oversight process, not by voters, who should not be expected to parse the nuances of surveillance safety. Prop. E also seeks to reduce the unwieldy piles of paperwork that waste the time of police officers. We support the idea that police should be on the streets, not bogged down in administrative tasks. The Police Officers Associations Wong told us it can take four hours just to file paperwork for a domestic violence incident, hampering response times. But of all arenas of police activity to streamline, use-of-force reporting should be at the bottom. Allowing body camera footage to replace paperwork doesnt make much sense. Even Wong noted that video footage is too open to interpretation. When you look at a picture, or you look at a video, everyone has a different opinion. Furthermore, paperwork provides transparency. Last year, the department released a report showing that during a six-month span, 44% of people who officers used force on were Black people, who are only 5% of the citys population. This information is critical to understanding where biases lie in the department. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice released a 68-page report analyzing the San Francisco Police Department. Among its recommendations was improving our use of force reporting to help inform policy and increase transparency. In a November letter to the Board of Supervisors Rules Committee, the Bar Association of San Francisco said any reduction in reporting contravenes the US DOJ recommendations in violation of the Citys agreement with the California Department of Justice. Finally, under the measure, the Police Department would have 90 days to review any changes the Police Commission puts forth and to solicit community feedback in meetings at each of its 10 police stations. The police chief would have the unilateral authority to waive this time-consuming input process. Breed, Wong and others say they believe the commission has created poorly thought-out policies that restrict police efficacy. Perhaps thats fair. But if the Police Commission needs reform, there needs to be rules to make it better. Bogging government bodies down in process instead of fixing their flaws is how San Francisco wound up with the overly complicated rules that created the citys housing crisis. About 36% of the office space in downtown San Francisco is vacant more than 30 million square feet. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2022 Vote yes on Proposition C and give office-to-residential conversions in San Francisco needed a financial shot in the arm. Im an architect and structural engineer, and I have designed adaptive reuse projects in San Francisco for over 30 years. Our clients say the economics of converting office buildings into housing dont always work, as the Chronicles Prop. C endorsement accurately depicted. Prop. Cs waiving of transfer taxes on the sales of buildings for conversion may not lead to a tipping point, but it is a step in the right direction for downtown San Francisco. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The pandemic didnt help matters, but the root cause of San Franciscos high office vacancy rate is a tech-fueled real estate monoculture. Wouldnt it be nice if Silicon Valley disruptors could supply the economic jet fuel our beautiful city so badly needs rather than dreaming about building a utopian fantasy community in Solano County? Charles Bloszies, San Francisco Kumar for Congress Regarding Endorsement: Only one candidate brings experience, ideas to California District 16 congressional race (Editorial, SFChronicle.com, Jan. 29): With all the promises coming from life-long career politicians running for Congress in District 16, it is a challenge to find the person who has actually walked the walk. Rishi Kumar is that person. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During his service on the Saratoga City Council, he organized neighborhood watch programs that lowered crime in the city. When San Jose Water proposed exorbitant rate increases to the Public Utilities Commission, Rishi appealed to residents in Saratoga and neighboring cities to voice their opposition and stopped those rate increases. Rishi worked tirelessly to hold the line on burdensome tax increases by insisting on optimization in city government. Last, but not least, he opened the lines of communication by setting up an email newsletter for residents. As a former mayor and council member in Saratoga, Ive worked with many elected leaders in the district. I can truthfully say: Rishi is not a career politician. Hes a tech executive who does not take contributions from special interests. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Please join me in voting for Rishi Kumar for representative in the 16th Congressional District. Stan Bogosian, former mayor, Saratoga RFK is right candidate Regarding What in the World Happened to Robert F. Kennedy Jr? (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 12): I found Jack Ohmans article to be an incoherent mischaracterization of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Ohman calls RFK Jr. a crank and a conspiracy nut. RFK Jr.s lifes work as a staunch defender of the public interest speaks for itself. Kennedy was named a Hero for the Planet by Time magazine in 1999 for helping restore the Hudson River and protect New York Citys water supply. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Throughout his career, Kennedy has fought against corporate greed and government corruption and for the health and safety of ordinary Americans. Most recently, he won a settlement for his cancer-ridden client against agricultural giant Monsanto. Ohman thinks RFK Jr. should have taken the traditional route of being a career politician. RFK Jr.s outsider status is a positive and a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, his willingness to stand up to powerful interests has earned him many enemies who want people to dismiss him as a serious candidate. However, his popularity shows that Americans are wise and discerning. When I look past the caricature, I see an intelligent, patriotic man and the right person to lead this nation at this critical time. Surabhi Konkar, Moraga Berkeley mayor a letdown Regarding Endorsement: Two candidates stand atop a talented field in East Bay California state Senate race (Editorial, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 15): Jesse Arreguin has been mayor of Berkeley for several years and before that served on the City Council. He has done nothing but betray those of us who supported him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Arreguin reneged on so many progressive promises and allied himself with corporate interests. He long ago stopped representing the people of Berkeley who helped him get elected. I have already voted for the most progressive candidate running for our state senate seat: Kathryn Lybarger. I hope many of my fellow citizens are doing the same. Entirely AI-generated songs are still a novelty, but producers and musicians are increasingly using artificial intelligence as a complement or an instrument of its own. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Hip-hop pioneer Nate Dogg once summarized his connection to his art with a four-word motto: My music and me. That simple phrase underscores the deep relationship between songwriters and their creations a process so personal there seemed little role for machines to play other than as electronic instruments producing new sounds or software helping with the grunt work of composition. That was before artificial intelligence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad AI is changing how musicians compose and play music in ways hard to imagine only a few years ago, opening new horizons for creative expression and challenging traditional conceptions of musicianship. Some programs work like a composers apprentice: refining a drum loop, fleshing out harmonies, or filling gaps in a melody based on what came before. Others can invent new music and sounds by digitally poring over thousands of existing songs and bringing forth something new. So far the technology hasnt disrupted the music business as profoundly as did the internet and streaming. Instead, it is complementing human creators and performers not putting them out of work, at least not yet. Cellist Yves Dhar appeared onstage next to a ghostly blue-green holographic version of himself, and the two riffed off each other. The hologram played an AI-generated score written ahead of time. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Vinay Parameswaran conducts the San Jose symphony during a rehearsal of Automation at the California Theatre in San Jose on Jan. 25. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Vinay Parameswaran conducts a rehearsal of Automation at the California Theatre in San Jose on Jan. 25. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Yves Dhar rehearses Automation with the San Jose symphony at the California Theatre. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Yves Dhar rehearses Automation with the San Jose symphony. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Yves Dhar rehearses Automation with the San Jose symphony. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle A notable example took place in January at Symphony San Jose. Cellist Yves Dhar played a piece called Automation by composer Adam Schoenberg that harnessed AI to illustrate the limits of both man and machine. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dhar sat onstage next to a ghostly blue-green holographic version of himself, and the two began playing off each other. The virtual Dhar played an AI-generated score derived from Schoenbergs compositions. The real Dhars playing crescendoed as he tried to match the AI program, called AGNES (Automatic Generator Network of Excellent Songs), while it played increasingly complex and eventually humanly impossible riffs. Although Dhar appears to battle his holographic self during the show, the AI-generated score the hologram plays was constructed ahead of time using an algorithm developed by Occidental College Professor Kathryn Leonard. She trained an AI model using Schoenbergs entire body of work, as well as a selection of his musical influences. I like to think of the computer as a collaborator and a creator on its own, Leonard said. It has a role in the creative process. It can push humans to create things they would not have created. Dhar and AGNES are scheduled to perform Automation again in New York City on May 15 at the MATA Festival, featuring the Experiential Orchestra led by James Blachly. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If used creatively, Dhar said, AI could push art forms forward. If used lazily, it could create a bunch of throwaway stuff. We just dont know. Yves Dhar rehearses Automation with conductor Vinay Parameswaran and Symphony San Jose on Jan. 25. The piece by composer Adam Schoenberg had portions generated by AI. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Closer to home, the San Francisco Symphony is scheduled to host an event in April featuring an emerging AI technology to accompany Beethovens Fur Elise as part of its SoundBox series, which is held in a warehouse-like space adjoining the main auditorium at Davies Concert Hall. SoundBox performances take place in a lounge atmosphere with couches and a bar and have featured experimental media for the past decade. For this event, a pianist plans to play the score, accompanied by a violin piece written by an AI program called the Anticipatory Music Transformer but played live by a human, said Carol Reiley, a roboticist and technologist who collaborates with the Symphony as a creative adviser. Were trying to find things that will totally match or complement the original piano score, instead of altering the original piece, Reiley said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The performances are expected to feature other musical pieces, like Claude Debussys Reverie (Daydream) played with lyrics created by ChatGPT and backed by AI-generated visuals. This will mark the first time the technology, which was developed at Stanford, will be used to generate music that is then played live by professional musicians. I tend towards appreciating the ways this technology can open things up to people, said John Thickstun, a Stanford researcher who was one of the inventors of the program. Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the SoundBox program Outre on March 25, 2016. Stefan Cohen Most generative AI, musical or otherwise, is trained to decide what to spit out next based on what came before, like driving by looking in the rearview mirror. Thickstuns program can look ahead as well. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trained on a library of more than 170,000 songs, the program can take a piece of music with a gap in the middle and continue a phrase or melody based on what preceded it, while syncing up with what comes after. It can also take an existing melody and fill in a harmony or an accompaniment based on what a composer has already conjured. My own personal motivation is more in the direction of people who are already musicians and composers, and facilitating the work that they do, Thickstun said, although his program still requires a knowledge of computer coding for now. The Bay Area-born and Grammy-winning electric cellist Dana Leong has also toyed with AI as a studio tool and applauded Reileys work, saying he hopes to see it evolve further. I would not only like to see a machine that can create breathtaking music, but one that can also perform the music, create a visual environment (holograms, dancing, shape changing) and collaborate with human artists, Leong said in an email. Leong has also used AI to create a multitrack song called iDragon that combines AI-generated sounds, digitally composed music and instrumental recording to create overlaid cello, synthesizers, horns and more. The music for San Francisco Ballets Mere Mortals was created entirely by a human composer, Sam Shepherd aka Floating Points, but the theme of the production was AI. Chris Hardy/San Francisco Ballet Artificial intelligence is also making its way into dance. The San Francisco Ballet kicked off its 2024 season with the premiere of Mere Mortals, a new work that played questions about AI off the ancient myths of Pandora and Prometheus. The performance included both analog and AI-generated images, and an original score by electronic musician Sam Shepherd, better known as Floating Points, who dabbles in AI-generated soundscapes. An encore run is set for April 18-24. Perhaps the most promising avenue for AI is in studio and session work. Alberto Farinas, owner of Animal Music Studios in Miami, which works mostly on audio for advertising, started looking into some of Googles AI tools when a client made an unusual request: A potato chip manufacturer hired Farinas studio to make a set of looped grooves, like guitar riffs and drum fills, to be remixed for an ad campaign. The clients, KFC and Ruffles, specialized in crunchy foods, so Farinas teamed with a programmer to use a Google AI model called Nsynth to combine the sounds of a potato chip crunching and cracking with a series of instrumental loops. It ended up making everything sound crunchier, Farinas said. Splicing in the chip sounds manually would have taken many hours, something the software can do almost instantaneously. I do think the pace of the technology is representing really profound creative opportunities in terms of letting people make music, or letting nonmusicians express themselves, said Chris Donahue, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University and a part-time researcher at Google on AI and music projects. Donahue previously worked on an AI music project at Google called SingSong, which allows people to sing into an app and have an AI program generate different lyrics in their voice. He has also worked on anticipatory programs similar to Thickstuns project. Google and its YouTube subsidiary have come out with other experimental music products. Those tools help artists create, making production simpler, such as allowing a hummed melody to be transmuted into a trumpet section. Built by Google DeepMinds AI lab, the so-called Lyria model can also do some of the continuation work that Thickstuns models excel at. Google collaborated with artists like Charli XCX, Charlie Puth and others to let them use the technology to make short tracks, using simple text prompts to create songs and voice samples. A Ukrainian soldier sits next to artillery shells await firing orders in the direction of Kreminna, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, on February 14, 2024. MUNICH After months of requests from Ukrainian officials, the Biden administration is working toward providing Ukraine with powerful new long-range ballistic missiles, according to two U.S. officials. Late last year, the U.S. began to supply Ukraine with Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, but so far it has provided only the older medium-range ATACMS. Now, the U.S. is leaning toward sending the longer-range version of the missile, the officials said, which would allow Ukraine to strike farther inside the Russian-held Crimean Peninsula. But U.S. funding for arms shipments to Ukraine remains uncertain because of opposition from former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress. Last week the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. But it's not clear whether or when the GOP-controlled House will vote on the measure or whether it would survive the vote. For months, pro-Trump Republicans have said they will approve U.S. military aid to Ukraine only if the Biden administration agrees to a package of GOP immigration and border security measures. Trump and his House and Senate allies this month rejected a bipartisan border security and immigration compromise negotiated by Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. Defense officials told NBC News that the U.S. has a limited inventory of ATACMS and that it is not likely to send them to Ukraine without money to replenish U.S. stockpiles. If Congress approves more funding for Ukraine, the U.S. could include the long-range ATACMS in one of the first packages of military aid paid for with that money, according to the two U.S. officials. The U.S. also has ammunition and artillery ready to send to Ukraine immediately if the funding is approved, the officials added. The officials did not rule out asking allies to provide the missiles to Ukraine, as well, and replenishing their ATACM stockpiles. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement, a Defense Department spokesperson said: "Without a supplemental [funding bill], we do not currently have a security assistance package to give to Ukraine. At the same time, I won't speculate on the contents of any future packages if a supplemental were to be passed. We will let you know if this changes and if we have a new package to announce." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he spent much of his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Munich on Saturday discussing Ukraine's need for longer-range weapons. "I just came here from a meeting with Secretary Blinken," Kuleba told a small group of reporters in Munich on Saturday. "I spent a very good part of the time arguing in favor of ATACMS," he said, explaining that Ukraine needs the version of the missile that can fly 300 kilometers, or more than 180 miles. "There is only one way to destroy Russian capabilities in Ukraine. It's to hit deep into the occupied territories, bypassing Russian radio electronic warfare and interceptors," he said, referring to long-range ATACMS. Kuleba called the systems "an important symbol" to Ukrainians. "If you want to hit behind the lines, disrupt their logistics and supplies, destroy their depots of ammunition, you can do it only with long-range missiles," he said. The Biden administration has resisted sending the long-range missiles over the past two years because officials worried Ukraine would use them to strike inside Crimea or Russia and cause Russian President Vladimir Putin to escalate the conflict. White House and Pentagon officials have expressed similar concerns about other weapons systems but have now decided to provide them to Ukraine. On Saturday, Kuleba also described an urgent need for more European weapons and assistance for Ukraine, saying many people in Europe are "still reluctant to understand the threat." "When a citizen of Europe reads in the news that Ukraine retreated from Avdiivka, he should realize one simple fact: Russia has got a few kilometers closer to his own home," Kuleba said. "Every advance Russia makes in Ukraine brings Russian weapons closer to the home of a middle-class European." Kuleba praised support from European allies but said they need to speed up production of weapons and ammunition for Ukraine. "It took Europeans too much time to start ramping up or waking up or dusting off their defense industries," he said. "We will pay with our lives throughout 2024 to give your defense industries time to ramp up production or new lines." Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a meeting in Beijing on October 18, 2023. Sergei Guneyev | Afp | Getty Images Munich, GERMANY The U.S. is considering slapping sanctions on Chinese companies it believes are helping Russia fuel its war in Ukraine, members of Congress told CNBC, marking the first direct apportioning of blame toward Beijing since the start of the war. Democratic Congressman Gerald Connolly, member of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Relations, on Saturday said that lawmakers were already considering such plans after similar measures were proposed last week by the European Union. The provisions would mark the first direct penalties against Beijing despite long-held Western suspicions over its support for Russia's military operations. "China has to understand that the same kinds of sanctions which are beginning to really take hold in Russia and are affecting Russian productivity, economic performance and quality of life, can also be applied to China," he told CNBC's Silvia Amaro on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference. "And frankly, China has a lot more to lose than Russia." watch now U.S. sanctions could severely hurt a Chinese economy already in the doldrums, after a slower-than-anticipated Covid-19 recovery and turbulence in its real estate sector. But such a step could also hurt the U.S., given the countries' trade interdependence, and this consideration has prompted caution from Washington in the past. Still, Connolly said that would not deter such penalties, which could come "very soon." "My hope is the very threat of it and the fact that the Europeans are really serious about this, which is a relatively recent development ought to clarify some thinking in Beijing, I hope," he said. "If broad sanctions were applied to China, it would really hit home. And their economic performance right now is already weak. So I would hope China would calculate carefully that there are consequences around the corner for supporting Russia's violence and depravity in Ukraine." Asked whether the U.S. is considering similar sanctions on China as those proposed by the EU, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin said Congress was currently looking into options with the Biden administration. "It's an area that we're looking at, and Congress is working with the administration as to how we can enforce the sanctions against Russia, and that will require greater cooperation of other countries." watch now CNBC reported last week that the European Union was preparing to impose sanctions on Chinese companies it believes are helping Russia circumvent Western penalties intended to curb its war in Ukraine. The proposals, which would form part of the bloc's 13th sanctions package since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, could be ready later this month to mark the war's second anniversary. The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said Monday that those plans had gained a new urgency in the wake of the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Friday. The plans come amid ongoing reports that Beijing is propping up Moscow's war economy. A September CNBC investigation found that Chinese firms are playing an critical role in boosting Russia's military capabilities, including via the trade of goods for use on the battlefield in Ukraine. A separate January report found that China has become key conduit in funnelling critical Western tech into Russia. China's foreign ministry and the U.S. National Security Council did not immediately respond to CNBC requests for comment. China restrictions a 'historic mistake' Activists at a "Look Down action" rally to stop deep sea mining, outside the European Parliament in Brussels on March 6, 2023. It's likely only a matter of time before scraping the ocean floor for valuable metals becomes a reality, according to the head of the International Seabed Authority, the U.N. regulator that oversees deep-sea mining. Michael Lodge, secretary-general of the ISA, told CNBC that global interest in deep-sea mining has climbed to levels not seen since the 1970s, with advocates clearly excited by the industry's potential role in the energy transition. "One of the main drivers of industrial interest is the potential to produce larger quantities of minerals at equivalent or lower cost to what can be produced on land," Lodge told CNBC via videoconference. "That's the commercial driver and certainly there is vast resource potential in seabed minerals. The question is whether they can in the end be produced economically," he added. "But the resource potential is absolutely there. This is clear. The technology is advanced, so it seems like it is possible. And at the same time, it is very clear also that demand for minerals is increasing exponentially and is only going to continue to increase." His comments come as the ISA prepares to recommence talks on deep-sea mining in Kingston, Jamaica next month. The seabed watchdog's forthcoming session will seek to iron out a regulatory framework that, if adopted, would give the go-ahead to deep-sea mining on a commercial scale. Established 30 years ago, the ISA regulates mining and related activities in an area that covers around 54% of the world's oceans. The group consists of 168 member states and the European Union. The U.S. is not a member of the ISA. The European Commission is set to fine Apple about 500 million euros ($539 million) over alleged breaches of EU competition law, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter. Brussels first launched an investigation into allegations that Apple hindered third-party music services on its devices and favored its own Apple Music service, after Spotify filed a formal complaint to regulators in 2019. In most regions, Apple's App Store rules prohibit companies such as Spotify from billing users for subscriptions directly within the app, making them instead use Apple's App Store billing service, which takes a cut of up to 30%. Brussels formally charged Apple in an anti-competitive probe in 2021, but narrowed the scope of the investigation last year, abandoning a charge of pushing developers to use its own in-app payment system. The latest version of the probe focused on whether Apple had restricted apps from informing users about cheaper subscription alternatives outside of its native App Store and thus violated EU competition laws. The findings of the investigation will lead to the Commission accusing Apple of abusing its powerful position and banning its "unfair trading conditions" regarding its music service subscription policies, sources told the FT. If imposed, the fine would be one of the most substantial financial penalties the EU has imposed on a major technology company. It follows a series of large contested fines against Google . While Apple has faced fines for antitrust behavior before such as the 1.1 billion penalty in France that was later reduced to 372 million on appeal this would mark its first such fine from Brussels. European markets were slightly higher Monday, off the back of largely positive sentiment last week. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index provisionally closed up 0.17%, rebounding slightly from a negative morning session. Mining stocks led losses, sinking 1%, while health care stocks were up 0.95%. Shares of Swiss software company Temenos were up 8.8% on Monday, rebounding from steep losses at the end of last week following a scathing report from short-seller Hindenburg Research. In Asia-Pacific overnight, stock markets in China rose as traders returned from the Lunar New Year holidays on Monday to upbeat travel data, while Hong Kong stocks fell. The People's Bank of China on Sunday held a key policy rate steady as expected, as markets reassessed when the U.S. Federal Reserve might start easing its monetary policy this year. U.S. markets are closed Monday for Presidents Day. The Iran-backed Houthi militant group on Sunday damaged a ship offshore Yemen, prompting its crew to abandon the vessel in the latest escalation of maritime tensions that have disrupted key trade routes in the Red Sea. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations said on social media they received a report of a vessel attack in the Bab el-Mandeb strait off Yemen's coast, adding that the crew had abandoned the ship. "Vessel at anchor and all crew are safe," the UKMTO said. Houthi militants later claimed the attack, with spokesperson Yahya Sare'e identifying the vessel as general cargo ship Rubymar and describing it as British. VesselFinder and MarineTraffic.com data indicate the ship sails under the flag of Belize. Houthi forces have previously said they are targeting Israeli, British and U.S. tankers exclusively, however they have been known to carry out hostilities toward other ships. The Rubymar was bound from Saudi port Ras al-Khair to Varna, Bulgaria, according to MarineTraffic.com data. "The ship suffered catastrophic damage and came to a complete halt," Houthi Spokesperson Sare'e said. "As a result of the extensive damage the ship suffered, it is now at risk of potential sinking in the Gulf of Aden. During the operation, we made sure that the ship's crew exited safely." CNBC was not able to independently verify the ship's status. Global maritime risk expert Ambrey Analytics told CNBC by email that the vessel was still afloat as of roughly 8 a.m. London time. "The partially laden vessel briefly slowed from ten to six knots and deviated course, and contacted the Djiboutian Navy, before returning to her previous course and speed," Ambrey Analytics said in a private note to clients, adding that it received "reports ahead of the incident of at least three missiles observed in flight towards the Bab el-Mandeb." Mounting attacks by the Houthis, which claim to support Palestinian civilians amid Israel's retaliatory military campaign against militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, have crippled marine traffic through the Red Sea, which accounts for roughly 12% of global maritime transit. Several shipping firms including Danish giant Maersk and oil companies have interrupted voyages through the Red Sea or rerouted vessels to take the longer and costlier route around the Cape of Good Hope. Trade of crude and oil products is especially vulnerable, given the number of key producers located in the Middle East. At 11:46 a.m. London time, the Ice Brent contract with April delivery was trading at $83.15 per barrel, down by 32 cents per barrel from Friday's settlement. The front-month March Nymex WTI contract was at $79.05, lower by 14 cents per barrel from the previous close price. The hostilities have also prompted armed exchanges between Houthis and British and American forces, which have previously struck at Yemeni targets in a bid to improve maritime security. Sare'e said that the Houthis on Sunday also shot down a U.S. drone in Hodeidah. The U.S. Central Command on Saturday carried out "five self-defense strikes" against three anti-ship cruise missiles, an underwater drone and a drone boat in Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen, saying the actions will "protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels." CNBC could not confirm either set of strikes. In a separate incident, Ambrey Analytics sent an alert informing it was on Monday made aware of an unnamed Greece-flagged, U.S.-owned bulk carrier calling for military assistance amid a "missile attack," east of Yemen's port city of Aden. CNBC could not verify the report. Megacap tech stocks aren't just powering the U.S. stock market they're also holding the world together. U.S. equities now comprise 70% of the MSCI World Index, the benchmark for large- and mid-cap companies across 23 developed markets. This level represents the largest country weight since the index's inception in 1986; and correspondingly, the lowest exposure to non-U.S. stocks. The top five largest-cap U.S. stocks Apple , Microsoft , Nvidia , Amazon and Meta account for nearly a fifth of the index. The MSCI World Index shifts regional and country weights based on broader economic trends. Japanese equities accounted for more than 40% of representation during the 1980s prior to the asset price bubble. In the early 2000s, European markets grew to more than a third of the index's weight due to strong economic growth. However, no single market has achieved such a high level of concentration as the U.S. market. To put this into perspective, "if you allocate $1 of your retirement account passively to URTH," the corresponding iShares ETF to the MSCI World index "70 cents goes into the US equities and 18 cents into the top 5 U.S. stocks," Goldman Sachs managing director Scott Rubner said in a note Feb. 12. The lack of diversification is risky because it makes the global market reliant upon company-specific factors. But for asset managers particularly those focused on delivering returns over a shorter time frame there aren't clear diversification alternatives that can deliver growth. High-concentration risks BCA Research chief investment strategist Peter Berezin said this concentration is reminiscent of instances that preceded steep market downturns. High levels of market concentration in the late 1920s to early 1930s, as well as 2000, coincided with a market top, he noted. Ironically, the stock market tends to rise during periods of increasing concentration, Berezin said, while noting that it's unclear whether concentration will further rise. "The market is kind of on dangerous ground right now," Berezin said. "The risk of something going wrong is quite elevated. So I think longer term investors should take what they're seeing now, with this megacap tech rally, as an indication that the party will probably be over by the end of this year." This massive tilt toward U.S. stocks over the rest of the world comes as major tech companies have seen shares rally on bets artificial intelligence will bolster profits. Nvidia was the clear winner of last year's AI-fueled rally, soaring more than 200%. Meta Platforms, Alphabet, Microsoft and Apple also saw sharp gains last year. Four of the five stocks in that group are higher year to date. NVDA GOOGL,META,MSFT,AAPL 1Y mountain Big Tech winners in past year "The premium they command is dangerous for us. As long as momentum is in the 'Magnificent Seven,' short-term portfolio performance is going to be hinged on the good and the bad of it." said Phillip Colmar, managing director and global strategist at MRB Partners, referring to the seven-largest U.S. stocks by market cap. "There is a risk in the late stages of these kinds of run-ups when everything is really frothy and euphoria is huge, that if you don't participate, you get canned." The strategist also highlighted the similarities of the current high-concentration rally to the dotcom bubble in the late 1990s, when many shorter-term investors who diversified away from tech in 1999 were wiped out just before the bubble burst in early 2000. To be sure, while high concentration generally isn't healthy for markets "there's a lot more active risk from not owning these names than there is from owning them because that's what's in the overall market," according to Mike Dickson, head of research and product development at Horizon Investments. "If you're an active manager, there's no way you're holding massive overweights to all of these names. And so it is definitely challenging from an active management perspective. But it doesn't necessarily mean it can't keep happening," Dickson said. Opportunities elsewhere Another contributing factor toward the lack of diversification is the repatriation of funds in overseas markets back to the U.S. In particular, the confidence crisis in China's stock market and geopolitical woes in Europe have dented sentiment in major overseas markets. Colmar, who recommends diversifying away from the U.S. market, highlighted Japan as a bright spot in Asia which is also one of Warren Buffett's top picks. Despite the latest economic growth showing the country slipped into a recession, Colmar said the country is a tactical buy. "I would like to see the domestic data sequentially improve. It would really support the case," Colmar said. "But I don't think it starts from there; I think it starts from a global trade cycle." Combined with a cheap Yen and government-aided domestic momentum, there may be potential that could be unlocked, he said. Japan's Nikkei 225 is up more than 14% in 2024, outpacing the S & P 500's 4.9% rise. Over the last 12 months, the Nikkei has rallied 39.3%. It's also trading near record levels not seen in more than 30 years. On the other hand, portfolio managers are mixed on the opportunity in European equities. Earnings across European companies are outperforming. Meanwhile, general pessimism toward the euro zone means that stocks are trading at a discount and creating an opportunity there, Colmar said. "In a world where you've got decent, underlying global growth, and maybe a higher bond yield environment, you want to be in place where you have earnings support and evaluations on your side," said the strategist. Berezin, however, remains more pessimistic on the euro zone's prospects. He advised investors to focus on sectors, rather than regions, when evaluating their allocations. Although European stocks are cheap across the board due to the region's few tech names, the tech it does have "is actually quite expensive," Berezin said, citing Dutch chipmaker ASML as an example. The Europe Stoxx 600 has risen only 2.6% year to date, underperforming the U.S. broad market index. Individual country indices are not faring much better. The British FTSE 100 is down 0.3% for the year, while the Spanish IBEX 35 is lower by more than 2%. While the Germany DAX , France CAC 40 are up around 2% and 3% each, they too are still underperforming the S & P 500. Equity markets have been having a pretty good year so far, with the S & P 500 benchmark closing above 5,000 for the first time last week. The rise in the index has raised some concerns over valuations, but Morgan Stanley's Andrew Slimmon has a more positive take on the recent market moves. "I think it is very encouraging because what it says is that earnings estimates for this year are not going down, and they're potentially, probably going higher. And that's important for the market," Slimmon, who's managing director and senior portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Friday. "I think it's going to be a good year for equities. But it's going to come with more volatility, which will scare the people that have succumbed to putting money back in the market. But for people looking for opportunities, I think you will have pullbacks in what to invest," he said. He named Microsoft , Ameriprise Financial and CRH as stocks he likes right now. Microsoft In the tech sector, Slimmon named Microsoft as his choice to play the AI boom. The company a member of the so-called "Magnificent Seven" along with Alphabet , Amazon , Apple , Meta , Nvidia and Tesla has a story that is "very easy to understand," he said. Opportunities for the stock include Copilot, an AI-powered feature for Microsoft 365, according to Slimmon. The monthly add-on cost per person is around $30. "If you look at their numbers in terms of their expectations of usage, they're very vague right now, they don't they don't give exact numbers. So I think that presents some upside to the company," he added. Over the last 12 months, shares in the tech giant are up around 56.5%. Of the 51 analysts covering the stock, 49 give it a buy or overweight rating with an average price target of $469.94, according to FactSet data. This gives it around 16.3% potential upside. Ameriprise Slimmon named finance firm Ameriprise as one of the "selective financial stocks exposed to capital markets or wealth/asset management" that he likes. Over the last 12 months, shares of the company are up around 13.2%. Of the 15 analysts covering the stock, eight give it a buy or overweight rating, six have hold ratings and 1 has a sell rating. The average price target for Ameriprise is $418.03, according to FactSet data, giving it potential upside of around 5.1%. CRH The portfolio manager also said he "likes infrastructure plays," and identified Irish building materials group CRH as a stock with potential. The Dublin-headquartered company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in September 2023, following a de-listing of its shares on the Euronext Dublin. Its shares are also traded on the London Stock Exchange. Slimmon noted that CRH "re-listed in the U.S. because they felt largely their valuation was at a such a discount to their competitors" and that the company could be included on the S & P 500 at some point later this year. CRH's market capitalization currently stands at over $50 billion. Over the last 12 months, shares of CRH are up around 64.3%. Of the 22 analysts covering the stock, 18 give it a buy rating with an average price of $80.63, according to FactSet data. This gives it around 4% upside potential. Munich, GERMANY Should we borrow from global markets as one combined entity and raise new debt together? That's the question hanging on the shoulders of EU officials as they promise to spend more on defense amid Russia's onslaught in Ukraine. This debate is not new and it is historically complex. For many years, EU nations that were traditionally more conservative over how they spend their money did not want to tap capital markets together with the rest of the bloc. They feared that ultimately their fiscal prudence would be jeopardized by other nations with looser ideas of how to spend cash. However, in 2020, the 27 members of the European Union decided that the best way to deal with the financial and extraordinary impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was to jointly raise debt. Now almost four years down the line, some EU officials are saying that what they did during the pandemic is a good blueprint to fund their new defense plans. But others disagree. "This is not the magic solution, but it could it could help actually to speed up and to expand our industrial capacity. And that is really what's at stake today," Alexander de Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium, told CNBC Friday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, about what raising new debt could mean for Europe's defense plans. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said in an interview with Bloomberg that joint bonds would be a good way to boost the bloc's defense capacities. But Germany's finance minister, Christian Lindner, was very clear during a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference this weekend: "In Brussels, it is kind [of] a spot to look for problems [and] to present always the same solution, mutualized debt." Weather models predict plentiful CAPE, convective available potential energy, for thunderstorms in Northern California on Monday. Baron/Lynx UPDATED FORECAST: Some downpours, thunder and flooding as Bay Area storm ebbs A far-reaching storm is forecast to bring a variety of impacts to California on Monday. The most unusual aspect is a risk of tornadoes in the Central Valley, including Yuba City, Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto. There is also a risk of severe wind gusts over 58 mph and large, quarter-sized hail. In the Bay Area, thunderstorms are not expected to be severe, but many hazards are still expected. Thunderstorms are expected to include downpours, and strong gusts and could drop occasional lightning strikes. A coastal waterspout is also possible. Breaking waves of 20 to 25 feet are expected at the coast. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Travel will be difficult to impossible in the Sierra Nevada due to temporary blizzard-like conditions caused by heavy rain and gusty winds. Central Valley: Tornado risk The Storm Prediction Center forecasts a slight risk, or 5% chance, of severe thunderstorms in the Central Valley on Monday, including a chance of tornadoes, quarter-sized hail and damaging wind gusts over 58 mph. The Storm Prediction Center forecasts a risk of tornadoes in the Central Valley on Monday, including Chico, Yuba City, Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto. Baron/Lynx The Storm Prediction Center defines the 5% risk as the probability of a tornado within 25 miles of a point. Slight risk severe thunderstorm forecasts are uncommon in California, last being issued in February 2015. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A unique combination of factors is forecast to combine for the risk of severe thunderstorms Monday. If all the ingredients come together at the right time, thunderstorms will evolve into supercells, and a tornado or two is possible. The best chance of supercells and tornadoes will be in the Central Valley on Monday afternoon between roughly Chico and Modesto. A supercell is a thunderstorm that turns into its own miniature weather system, spinning vertically in the atmosphere as it moves horizontally. Supercells produce a majority of violent tornadoes. In order for supercells to form, a combination of factors is necessary, including moisture, energy and wind shear, the changing of wind speed and direction in the atmosphere. Wind shear and moisture are two ingredients that are expected to be sufficient Monday, but just how much energy builds in the atmosphere depends on the temperature of the ground. If enough sunshine breaks through the clouds in the morning, temperatures will climb to the mid-60s in Sacramento, Modesto and Stockton, and storms will have plenty of energy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Think of a pot of ingredients on a stove. Unless the burner is turned on, the soup will not cook. The best chance of supercells and tornadoes will be from noon to 6 p.m., after temperatures climb into the 60s. Residents in the Central Valley should keep an eye on the skies, because clear morning skies will prime the atmosphere for turbulent afternoon weather. Severe weather alerts can also be turned on in system settings on smartphones. Bay Area: Flooding rain potential After Sunday nights thunderstorms, a brief break in rain is possible in the Bay Area on Monday morning, but thunderstorms are likely to return in the afternoon and continue into the night. Because precipitation will come mostly from hit-or-miss thunderstorms, rainfall totals will likely vary significantly. Thunderstorms could easily drop a half-inch of rain or more in a short period, but will be quick-moving and could end within an hour of starting. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rainfall amounts are expected to range from a half-inch to 2 inches for much of the Bay Area on Monday. However, there is a caveat. With a slow-moving low-pressure system just off the California coast, rain showers and thunderstorms could back build and impact the same areas for several hours in a row, dropping 2 to 3 inches of rain or more. Some weather models predict that moderate to heavy rain will persist for 6 to 12 hours in parts of the Bay Area on Monday. It is possible San Francisco winds up receiving 2 or more inches of rain from this persistent line of storms. Baron/Lynx The National Weather Service defines back-building as a thunderstorm in which new development takes place on the upwind side, such that the storm seems to remain stationary or propagate in a backward direction. Theres still a lot of uncertainty with where that line of storms is going to set up, said weather service meteorologist Sarah McCorkle. If youre in the Bay Area, theres a chance you could have heavy rain over you for many hours of the day, which could result in more dangerous flooding. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Weather Prediction Center forecasts a slight risk of flash flooding in much of California on Monday, and a moderate risk in the Transverse Ranges in Southern California. Baron/Lynx The Weather Prediction Center has noted the possibility of back-building in its excessive rainfall forecast, writing that the associated fronts therefore will also stall out, which looks most likely to occur over much of California. A slight risk of excessive rainfall capable of producing flash flooding is forecast for much of the Bay Area on Monday. In the Transverse Ranges in Southern California, there is a moderate risk of flash flooding. Winter storm warning In the Sierra Nevada, heavy snow is expected Monday, and whiteout conditions are possible along Interstate 80 over Donner Summit and Highway 50 over Echo Summit. A winter storm warning is in effect for the entire Sierra Nevada until 10 a.m. Wednesday for 1 to 2 feet of snow above 5,500 feet and gusts up to 55 mph. Up to 4 feet of snow could fall at the highest peaks. A winter storm warning is in effect in the Sierra Nevada until 10 a.m. Wednesday for 1 to 4 feet of snow and gusts up to 55 mph. Baron/Lynx The most widespread heavy snow is expected Monday morning, but heavy snow showers could continue all day. According to the weather service, the hazardous conditions could impact holiday weekend travel with snow covered roads, reduced visibility at times, chain controls and possible road closures. Coastal waves Another significant threat from Mondays storm will be large waves at the beaches, as the spinning storm churns up the ocean and pushes a swell to the coast. A high surf advisory is in effect until 4 a.m. Tuesday and will cause dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion, according to the weather service. A high surf advisory is in effect at the coast until 4 a.m. Tuesday for breaking waves up to 28 feet. Baron/Lynx This storm looks to be a little bit bigger than the (swell) we saw Saturday, McCorkle said. Breaking waves of 20 to 25 feet are possible for west-facing beaches. The weather service warns of localized waves up to 28 feet at the steepest beaches. The Singapore River and Merlion Park in the evening SINGAPORE Singapore's plan to invest more than $743 million into artificial intelligence over the next five years could strengthen its position as a global business and innovation hub, tech executives said. In his Budget speech on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Singapore will invest more than 1 billion Singapore dollars over the next five years to further boost the country's AI capabilities. "Surprisingly, nearly three-quarters of business leaders globally are ill-equipped for AI transformation, believing their preparations are limited by time, people, and money," said Nithin Chandra, managing partner of Southeast Asia at Kearney, a global management consulting firm. "This initiative will help ensure that businesses can capitalize on the opportunities afforded by technological advancements and capture new opportunities," said Chandra. As part of the investment, Singapore will work to ensure it can secure access to the advanced chips "that are so crucial to AI development and deployment," Wong said. Singapore will also work with leading companies here and around the world to set up AI centers of excellence to spur innovation, he added. "This will incentivize companies to adopt AI solutions, prioritize AI skills to keep their workforce competitive, and encourage strategic partnerships and knowledge sharing across the industry, thus spurring overall innovation," said Jonathon Dixon, vice president and managing director of APAC at Cloudflare , a global cloud services provider. Singapore workers are already the world's fastest when it comes to adopting AI skills, according to LinkedIn's Future of Work report released in August. "The increased focus and investment in AI capabilities, talent, and industry development is also exciting and important for Singapore to strengthen its position as a business and innovation hub," said Mao Gen Foo, head of Southeast Asia at American experience management company Qualtrics. Russian forces are consolidating their hold on Avdiivka after capturing the city at the weekend. Russian troops say they have now taken full control of the Donetsk city's chemical and coke plant. Russian news agency Tass, citing Russia's Defense Ministry, stated that Russian forces had now "completely liberated the coke plant in Avdiivka, the flags of the Russian Federation have been hoisted on the buildings of the enterprise." Russia's Defense Ministry said Sunday that some Ukrainian units were still entrenched at the plant, which used to be one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Ukrainian authorities said on Sunday that they've launched an investigation into the alleged shooting of unarmed Ukrainian prisoners of war in Avdiivka and the village of Vesele. In other news, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said on Monday that she would continue her husband's fight for a free Russia. Yulia Navalnaya called on supporters to maintain their opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Republican front-runner Donald Trump addressed Navalny's death with a post on Truth Social on Monday, breaking his silence after coming under fire for not commenting on the matter over the weekend. The post did not mention Putin or Russia, however. Children stand outside their tents at a camp set up for people displaced from Khan Yunis and areas north of Rafah, in the southern Gaza border city with Egypt on Feb. 15, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. The United States has proposed an alternative draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and opposing a major Israeli ground offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza, according to the text seen by Reuters on Monday. Washington has been averse to the word ceasefire in any U.N. action on the Israel-Hamas war, but the U.S. draft text echoes language that President Joe Biden said he used last week in conversations with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The U.S. draft text "determines that under current circumstances a major ground offensive into Rafah would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement including potentially into neighboring countries." Israel plans to storm Rafah, where more than 1 million of the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza have sought shelter, prompting international concern that such a move would sharply worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The draft U.S. resolution says such a move "would have serious implications for regional peace and security, and therefore underscores that such a major ground offensive should not proceed under current circumstances." It was not immediately clear when or if the draft resolution would be put to a vote in the 15-member council. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China to be adopted. The U.S. put forward the text after Algeria on Saturday requested the council vote on Tuesday on its draft resolution, which would demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield quickly signaled that it would be vetoed. Rejects buffer zone Algeria put forward an initial draft resolution more than two weeks ago. But Thomas-Greenfield said the text could jeopardize "sensitive negotiations" on hostages. The U.S., Egypt, Israel and Qatar are seeking to negotiate a pause in the war and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Washington traditionally shields its ally Israel from U.N. action and has twice vetoed council resolutions since Oct. 7. But it has also abstained twice, allowing the council to adopt resolutions that aimed to boost aid to Gaza and called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting. The draft U.S. text would condemn calls by some Israeli government ministers for Jewish settlers to move to Gaza and would reject any attempt at demographic or territorial change in Gaza that would violate international law. The resolution would also reject "any actions by any party that reduce the territory of Gaza, on a temporary or permanent basis, including through the establishment officially or unofficially of so-called buffer zones, as well as the widespread, systematic demolition of civilian infrastructure." Reuters reported in December that Israel told several Arab states that it wants to carve out a buffer zone inside Gaza's borders to prevent attacks as part of proposals for the enclave after the war ends. The war began when fighters from the Hamas militant group that runs Gaza attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. In retaliation, Israel launched a military assault on Gaza that health authorities say has killed more than 28,000 Palestinians with thousands more bodies feared lost amid the ruins. In December, more than three-quarters of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly voted to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry political weight, reflecting a global view on the war. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has long called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. U.N. aid chief Martin Griffith warned last week that military operations in Rafah "could lead to a slaughter." In this article XPEV 9868-HK Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT The Xpeng G9 SUV is on display during the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, April 18, 2023. VCG | Visual China Group | Getty Images Xpeng plans to hire 4,000 new people and invest in artificial intelligence technology, according to the company's CEO, who warned of intense competition in the electric vehicle space which could end in a "bloodbath." He Xiaopeng, the CEO of EV maker Xpeng, said in a letter to employees on Sunday, which was reviewed by CNBC, that the company will invest a total of 3.5 billion Chinese yuan ($486.2 million) in the research and development of artificial intelligence technology focused on "intelligent driving." Xpeng has a driver assistance system called Xpilot which allows its cars to carry out some functions semi-autonomously. The CEO also said Xpeng intends to launch around 30 new or upgraded cars over the next three years. This year, the firm will launch its first models in the price segment of over 300,000 yuan and at 150,000 yuan. After a tough start to last year, Xpeng's deliveries have picked up. Deliveries are the closest approximation to sales for carmakers. Xpeng, like other electric carmakers, has been battling in a price war in China which was sparked by Tesla. Meanwhile, China's economy has remained under pressure with consumers remaining cautious. Xiaopeng struck an optimistic tone saying the company has "bottomed out and charted a path that distinguishes" it from industry rivals. watch now Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd (DFPCL) on Monday (February 19) said it has entered into a long-term supply agreement for liquefied natural gas (LNG) with Equinor, an international energy company headquartered in Norway. Share Market Live NSE View All View All With this tie-up, Deepak Fertilisers strengthens its value chain with a long-term LNG contract to solidify its value chain from gas to ammonia to various downstream fertilisers, industrial chemicals and mining chemicals, according to a stock exchange filing. Equinor, which was earlier known as Statoil, is among the global leaders in the oil and gas sector, with a presence across 50 years and a market cap of $75 billion. The majority stake in the company is owned by the Norwegian government. The agreement signed by Irene Rummelhoff, Executive Vice President, Equinor; and Sailesh C. Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director of DFPCL, is one of the largest contracts signed by Equinor with a private sector company in India. This agreement is for annual supplies of up to 0.65 million tonnes over 15 years, beginning in 2026. The tie-up provides room for trading some LNG parcels in the growing LNG demands in India as well as accommodating DFPCLs growing captive needs. The LNG will be delivered to the west coast of India. DFPCL is at an advanced stage of tying up the re-gasification terminal with the gas pipeline grid connectivity to its plant's doorstep already in place. The LNG agreement also encourages the companies to further collaborate on petrochemicals feedstocks and strategic decarbonisation pathways in the future. Sailesh C. Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director of DFPCL, said, "This will put on a solid footing (the) Deepak Fertilisers value chain right from gas to ammonia to building block nitric acids to downstream fertilisers, mining chemicals and industrial chemicals, helping it to absorb global volatility as well as enhance overall margins." Equinor's Senior Vice President for Gas & Power Helge Haugane, said, "Ammonia is a key building block for the society, being crucial for agriculture and food security. Deepaks new ammonia plant will provide new, domestic fertiliser supply to India and we are proud to provide its feedstock in the form of natural gas. We look forward to further developing our relationship with Deepak on feedstocks and low-carbon initiatives in the future." Deepak Fertilisers shares were trading 5.1% up at 519.6% apiece at 3.10pm on February 20. Jailed former prime minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Monday said that the party-backed independent candidates, who won the February 8 elections, will join the Sunni Ittehad Council. The Sunni Ittehad Council is an alliance of Islamic political and religious parties in the Muslim-majority country which represents followers of the school of Sunni Islam. "Our candidates in the National Assembly, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies will join the Sunni Ittehad Council," Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said. Though independent candidates backed by the party won the maximum number of seats in Parliament, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have announced that they will form a coalition government after the February 8 elections resulted in a hung Parliament. The winning independent candidates had to join a party within 3 days after the notification of the results. The post-poll alliance by the PML-N and the PPP could mean that. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assanges fight to avoid facing spying charges in the United States may be nearing an end following a protracted legal saga in the UK that included seven years of self-exile inside a foreign embassy and five years in prison. Assange faces what could be his final court hearing in London next week as he tries to stop his extradition to the US The High Court has scheduled two days of arguments over whether Assange can ask an appeals court to block his transfer. If the court doesnt allow the appeal to go forward, he could be sent across the Atlantic. His wife says the decision is a matter of life and death for Assange, whose health has deteriorated during his time in custody. His life is at risk every single day he stays in prison, Stella Assange said Thursday. If hes extradited, he will die. Assange, 52, an Australian computer expert, has been indicted in the US on 18 charges over Wikileaks publication of hundreds of thousands of classified documents in 2010. Prosecutors say he conspired with US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He faces 17 counts of espionage and one charge of computer misuse. If convicted, his lawyers say he could receive a prison term of up to 175 years, though American authorities have said any sentence is likely to be much lower. Assange and his supporters argue he acted as a journalist to expose US military wrongdoing and is protected under press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. Among the files published by WikiLeaks was video of a 2007 Apache helicopter attack by American forces in Baghdad that killed 11 people, including two Reuters journalists. Julian has been indicted for receiving, possessing and communicating information to the public of evidence of war crimes committed by the US government, Stella Assange said. Reporting a crime is never a crime. US lawyers say Assange is guilty of trying to hack the Pentagon computer and that WikiLeaks publications created a grave and imminent risk to US intelligence sources in Afghanistan and Iraq. While the US criminal case against Assange was only unsealed in 2019, his freedom has been restricted for more than a dozen years. Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in 2012 and was granted political asylum after courts in England ruled he should be extradited to Sweden as part of a rape investigation in the Scandinavian country. He was arrested by British police after Ecuadors government withdrew his asylum status in 2019 and then jailed for skipping bail when he first took shelter inside the embassy. Although Sweden dropped its sex crimes investigation, Assange has remained in Londons high-security Belmarsh Prison while the extradition battle with the US continues. A judge in London initially blocked Assanges transfer to the US on the grounds he was likely to kill himself if held in harsh American prison conditions. But subsequent courts cleared the way for the move after US authorities provided assurances he wouldnt experience the severe treatment that his lawyers said would put his physical and mental health at risk. Stella Assange and her husbands supporters have criticized those assurances as being meaningless because they are conditional. If the London court rejects Assanges plea for a full appeal, he could be extradited to the US once British officials approve his removal. His legal team plans to appeal an adverse ruling to the European Court of Human Rights, but they fear he could possibly be transferred before the court in Strasbourg, France, could halt his removal. If he prevails at next weeks hearing, it would set the stage for an appeal process that is likely to further drag out the case. This procedure has been marked by prolonged and creeping time frames, Wikileaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said. We call it punishment through process. It is obviously a deliberate attempt to wear him down to punish him by taking this long. While the UK Supreme Court rejected Assanges petition, saying he didnt raise an arguable point of law, his wife said his new bid will raise several points that are grounds for appeal. Lawyers for Assange plan to argue he cant get a fair trial in the US, that a US-UK treaty prohibits extradition for political offenses and that the crime of espionage was not meant to apply to publishers. The drafters of the Espionage Act did not intend for publishers to fall within its ambit, Stella Assange wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Unchallenged expert evidence showed that receipt and publication of state secrets is routine, and that there was an unbroken practice of non-prosecution of publishers. The prosecution crosses a new legal frontier and breaks all legal precedents. Stella Assange said her husbands mental and physical health has declined dramatically and hes aged prematurely in prison. He experienced a mini-stroke in October 2021 and was so ill in December that he broke a rib coughing. I worry about him every time he gets sick, Stella Assange said. The mental toll is extreme. The couple, who got married at Belmarsh Prison almost two years ago, have two young sons, Gabriel and Max, who were conceived during Assanges stay in the embassy. The boys visit their father in prison every week, undergoing security checks that include being patted down by guards and sniffed by dogs, Stella Assange said. The couple is protective of the children, who havent been told why their father is behind bars, according to their mother. I dont think its fair on them to know whats really going on, she said as she choked up. They know exactly what a prison is. They know that the guards are stopping Julian from leaving the prison even though he wants to come home. Raul Lopez, a Public Works employees, clears a clogged drain at Franklin and Filbert on Tuesday after heavy afternoon rain pounded the city. Michael Cabanatuan / The Chronicle San Francisco saw nearly an inch per hour of rain Tuesday afternoon as a particularly intense wave of the multi-day storm system moved through, and thunderstorms boomed across downtown. A flash flood warning for the city expired at 4 p.m. Video from KRON4 News at the peak of the squall showed water appearing to gush upwards from drains in the street at Franklin and Green streets. The problems had subsided by 3:30 p.m., after the bands of heavy rain had passed into the East Bay. Live storm map: See where rain is hitting California and Bay Area Advertisement Article continues below this ad The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for San Francisco. Baron Lynx Weather The sun returned to San Francisco by late afternoon. The evening should hold a few scattered light to moderate showers. A flood advisory, one step below a warning, was issued until 7 p.m. for Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties, adding to flood advisories in Marin and Sonoma counties until 6 p.m. A flood warning, indicating current flood conditions, was extended through Tuesday for a portion of Sonoma County stretching from Guerneville to Rohnert Park. The storm chances will gradually diminish from west to east through the evening. San Franciscos one-hour rainfall total of 0.9 inches between 12:43 p.m. and 1:43 p.m. was a rare, 1-in-10 year event according to calculations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The thunderstorm turned into a mesoscale convective system with broad rotation meaning, in the words of the National Weather Service, a complex of thunderstorms which becomes organized on a scale larger than the individual thunderstorms, and normally persists for several hours or more. It's a weather setup more commonly seen in the Midwest. A vehicle drives through water at the corner of Eddy and Gough Streets in San Francisco on Tuesday, after intense rainfall pelted the city. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle Cars splash through a big puddle at Franklin and Filbert streets in San Francisco on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Nearly an inch of rain fell on San Francisco in an hour. Michael Cabanatuan / The Chronicle Two lightning strikes were detected over San Francisco, one at 12:53 p.m. and the other at 1 p.m., as a squall line of heavy rain moved through the Bay Area. Baron/Lynx Katrina Uzun points from an overlook near the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County on Monday. San Francisco was buffeted by rain and high winds on the Presidents Day holiday. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle Valeria Wigdor takes a selfie in the wind at an overlook near the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County on Monday. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle Cars make their way westbound on Highway 50 near Phillips (El Dorado County) on Monday. Max Whittaker/Special to The Chronicle High waves hammer the coastline at the Santa Cruz Lighthouse in Santa Cruz on Monday. Patrick Tehan/Special to the Chronicle Pedestrians walk in the rain in Sausalito on Monday. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle Trucker Bill Grow chains up on Highway 50 near Kyburz (El Dorado County) on Monday. Max Whittaker/Special to The Chronicle In San Francisco, intense rain events can overwhelm the citys unusual, combined stormwater and wastewater system, so that runoff with a small amount of sewage can in some cases back up through manhole covers or grates. It was not immediately clear if flooding in pockets of the city, such as the Hayes Valley area, had experienced this issue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A flood watch was in effect throughout the Bay Area and Central Coast until 10 a.m. Wednesday due to excessive rainfall, indicating that some creeks and streams could overtop their banks, the weather service said. Track the weather alerts that are active currently below: A pretty impressive and slow-moving line of thunderstorms (containing lightning, torrential downpours, and maybe some small hail) is now moving across the SF Bay Area, UCLA-affiliated climate and weather expert Daniel Swain posted on X shortly before 12:30 p.m. There could be waterspouts offshore, he wrote. The strongest thunderstorms could include small hail, gusty winds, occasional lightning and even a chance of a short-lived tornado, especially at the coast, in addition to waterspouts. As the sun starts to set after 4 p.m., the hail, lightning and waterspout threat will slowly subside, but additional heavy rainfall is possible through the evening. A few stray showers are possible Wednesday, but drier weather is expected to prevail by Thursday. As of Monday evening, 72-hour rainfall totals reached 2.6 inches in 24 hours on Mount Tamalpais; 3.3 inches in Santa Rosa; and 2.2 inches in Los Gatos. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Slippery roads led to fender-benders throughout the region, though power outages appeared limited. In the Sierra, more than a foot of snow had fallen at higher elevations by Monday afternoon, with forecasters anticipating another foot or more on the peaks. Chains were required on Interstate 80 Monday evening, and a winter storm warning remained in effect until mid-morning Wednesday. Chronicle staff writer Catherine Ho contributed to this report. Israelis welcomed the rescue Monday of two Gaza hostages, while fears of a looming ground incursion grew among more than a million Palestinians trapped in the war-ravaged territory's densely crowded far south. When grandparents are available to assist with young children, mothers are less prone to experiencing depression, reducing the likelihood of resorting to antidepressants. Analyzing 488,000 Finnish mothers, a recent study revealed that mothers with distant or elderly parents or in-laws had higher antidepressant usage. University of Helsinki's Niina Metsa-Simola noted that younger, healthy grandparents are more likely to provide support and childcare. Conversely, having elderly and frail grandparents may burden mothers further, as they may need to provide care instead of receiving support. The impact of depression was most profound among women who underwent separation during the study period, likely due to increased childcare needs and financial strain. Metsa-Simola suggested that intergenerational support is crucial, especially for single mothers. Despite Finland's robust welfare system, the study highlights the importance of family support for maternal mental health. However, the researchers lacked data on the frequency of grandparental involvement. This study underscores the significance of intergenerational support networks in alleviating maternal mental health issues. Postpartum depression and the role of a support system In 2022, postpartum depression or PPD was reported to affect 1 in 7 new mothers. It manifests as persistent feelings of sadness, fatigue, and detachment, often interfering with parental functioning and bonding with the newborn. Support from partners, family, friends, and healthcare professionals is instrumental in alleviating the burden of parenthood. Emotional support, practical assistance with childcare tasks and validation of parental experiences can all contribute to better mental health outcomes. Encouraging new parents to actively seek out and cultivate support networks is vital. This can involve joining parenting groups, attending support sessions, or engaging in online forums where experiences can be shared and advice exchanged. After the latest Curb Your Enthusiasm season started with Larry David getting arrested for offering a bottle of water to Leons Auntie Rae while she waited to vote in Georgia, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) nearly lost her damn mind. No 144 characters for MTG! In a lengthy rant that included histrionics about electric cars threatening to turn her state from the Bible Belt into the battery belt, she raged against the Curb machine: This weeks episode lied and painted GA conservatives and Trump supporters as racists and red necks and made fun of our good new law that stops the Stacey Abrams vote pandering machine and prevents voter fraud, she ranted. We in Georgia are fed up with disgusting Hollywood and their disgusting values and elite judgement in our state that is trying to turn GA blue! Unsurprisingly, the powers-that-be at Curb Your Enthusiasm were thrilled that Marjorie Taylor Greene did not like it. Executive producer Jeff Schaffer told Hollywood Reporter that he was very excited that that festering, bottle blonde, pustule dangling off the backside of the House of Representatives was unhappy with it. I love that she called us commies when shes denying aid to Ukraine. That would be the height of irony or cynicism, if she knew what those words meant. I guess all I can really say is, I wish we could show her our collective scrotum and make her go away. Advertisement While this weeks episode found Larry back in California, Taylor Greene will likely get more opportunities to shake her fists and scream at Hollywood. David still faces those charges back in MTGs home state of Georgia, a plotline that will no doubt be revisited in future episodes. In fact, a Curb trial could be a callback to the ill-received Seinfeld finale in which all the major characters appeared before a judge before getting tossed in the slammer. Does David dare to go there again? A trial could mean more appearances from Georgia icon and object of MTG scorn Stacey Abrams, who showed up in a Curb episode to praise Davids accidentally heroic actions. Larry David is about action, not words, she said earlier this season on a fictional Curb newscast. He saw an injustice and he did what he could to right it. And that's what we need today in America. One other thing Curb producers appear to need? More ways to outrage Marjorie Taylor Greene. Contact Energy performance demonstrates underlying business health; Focus on asset delivery [See table in attached announcement] Financial performance Contact Energy has reported net profit of $153m in 1H24 and operating earnings (EBITDAF) of $354m. Reported figures include a net provision release relating to the Ahuroa Gas Storage facility (AGS) onerous contract of $29m within EBITDAF ($19m within net profit after tax and interest). Excluding the provision release, underlying net profit was up 70% on 1H23 to $134m and EBITDAF was up 26% to $325m. The improved operating result was driven by closer alignment of channel pricing to the wholesale market and greater thermal efficiency, partially offset by lower hydro generation, reduced steam revenue following the closure of Te Rapa and one-off write-offs of $8m relating to damage to Peaker assets and the CRM system upgrade programme not continuing as originally planned. Hydro volatility characterised operating conditions throughout the period, with flow-on impacts to wholesale pricing from more thermal generation. Contact increased contracted sales volumes in anticipation of Tauhara coming online in 4Q 2023 and with the delay to 3Q 2024 applied some mitigations to meet this position. At the same time, Contact has executed well on its channel mix and pricing strategies. The result has been a demonstration of strength in our underlying performance, setting us up well for the year ahead and we now expect to deliver underlying EBITDAF of $620m in FY24, says Chief Executive Mike Fuge. Operating free cash flow of $187m was up 163% on the prior year on the improved operating result, relatively lower levels of working capital due to higher thermal generation and lower tax paid on FY23 profit, partially offset by accelerated stay in business capex. The Board declared an interim dividend of 14 cents per share, in line with 1H23. Demand Negotiations with Rio Tinto have been constructive and have re-enforced Contacts long-held view that the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) appears likely to stay. Contact is expecting a new agreement to be long-term, at a fair price materially above the current pricing, and including demand response (mitigating dry-year risk). A new long-term agreement would de-risk investment in new renewable generation, contribute to energy security and help to preserve an important export industry, supporting growth and decarbonisation of the New Zealand economy, said Mr Fuge. Renewable development Remediation works got underway at Contacts Tauhara geothermal development in November and re-construction of the steam separation plant is near complete. Tauhara is expected to come online in Q3 2024 at the initial design capacity of around 152MW (expecting 174MW from the first planned outage in 2025), and Te Huka 3 is on track to follow in Q4 2024. Im extremely proud of the team that has worked hard over the summer to get Tauhara back into the full swing of commissioning. Both Tauhara and Te Huka will join Contacts renewable generation fleet in 2024 and will add 1.9TWh per annum of baseload renewable output once full capacity is reached. Drilling, advanced steamfield design and tendering have progressed to prepare for a final investment decision in 2024 on GeoFuture, the replacement of Contacts 65-year-old Wairakei geothermal plant. Final investment decisions are also expected in 2024 on a 100MW North Island battery and the Kowhai Park solar development. These investments in new renewable technologies will contribute to security of supply as New Zealand decarbonises, said Mr Fuge. Decarbonising the portfolio Emissions intensity from thermal generation was down ~30% on 1H23 driven largely by the closure of Te Rapa on 30 June 2023. Portfolio decarbonisation is just one aspect of Contacts broader commitment to sustainability, which in December saw Contact win both the Sustainability Leadership award in the Deloitte Top 200 and move into the number one ranking of participating New Zealand companies in the DJSI Asia Pacific. Contact expects to decommission its combined cycle gas generation plant (TCC) at the end of 2024. A planned outage at TCC was brought forward and completed in December with additional operating hours approved. Contact has also worked to accelerate the return of its spare peaker engine and is expecting GT22 to be in service for winter 2024. Retail Retail electricity net price has improved in light of rising energy and pass-through costs. Total connections were up 20,000 on 1H23, driven primarily by broadband. Contact also expanded its telecommunication offering with the introduction of Contact Mobile and boosted its time of use offerings with the introduction of Good Weekends. Contact remains focused on supporting our customers in energy hardship through ERANZ, with offerings like ConnectMe and EnergyMate, and directly with community groups like Womens Refuge and Good Shepherd. Over the last twelve months Contact has provided in excess of one million dollars to directly support customers in energy hardship. Outlook Looking ahead, Mr Fuge said the next six months will see Contact reaching significant milestones in the delivery of its strategy to lead the decarbonisation of New Zealand. We are excited about the future. We have a clear strategy, strong balance sheet with supportive shareholders and stand ready to deliver on the opportunities in front of us to lead the decarbonisation of the New Zealand economy over the next decade. Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKC - APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER NWF - Chief Executive Officer Warren Koia Resignation March 18th Morning Report Pacific Edge Directors Give Notice of Retirement Meridian Energy monthly operating report for February 2024 Another unworkable farming rule bites the dust March 14th Morning Report TRU - Truscreen Additional Placement Government's employment relations priorities a welcome step in the right direction says EMA New Synlait & Nestle co-investment partnership A Russian advanced persistent threat (APT) actor has been using the cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Roundcube webmail servers to target critical government infrastructures in Europe, according to a research by Recorded Future. The threat group, known as Winter Vivern, was tracked as TAG-70 and was found conducting espionage campaigns targeting over 80 organizations, mainly in Georgia, Poland, and Ukraine. The latest TAG-70 activity ran between October and December 2023, (and) is reminiscent of other Russian-aligned threat groups such as BlueDelta (APT28) and Sandworm, which have targeted email solutions, including Roundcube, in previous campaigns, Insikt Group, the threat research arm of Recorded Future, said in a report. Insikt Group was also able to link the campaign to a previous Winter Vivern activity against Uzbekistan government mail servers, which it had reported in February 2023. Espionage using less critical mail server vulnerabilities Winter Vivern, also tracked as TA473 or UAC-0114, has been repeatedly found to effectively take advantage of medium-severity vulnerabilities. In this case, it used vulnerable Roundcube mail servers that allow a remote attacker to load arbitrary JavaScript code. Tracked as CVE-2023-5631, the vulnerability is a cross-site scripting flaw with a medium-severity CVSS score of 6.1. According to the report, the group conducts cyber-espionage campaigns to serve the interests of Belarus and Russia and has been active since at least December 2020. Previously in March 2023, the group had exploited a medium-severity Zimbra webmail flaw to target European government entities. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x563cfd2aad28)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x563cff4cfdb0)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x563cfd2aad28)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x563cff4cfdb0)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x563cff1b3f18)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x563cff4cfdb0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x563cff4cfdb0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x563cfd1c7068)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x563cff1e3528)') called at (eval 612) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x563cff1e3528)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 {p class=photo_caption}STAN HUDY/THE RECORDER{/p} {p class=photo_caption}In this Aug. 11, 2021 photo, a sign greets drivers at the corner of Van Epps Road and S. Main Street in Fultonville prior to a presentation that day by solar energy company ConnectGen during an open house at Eions Hideaway Pavilion at 212 Marys Lane in Fultonville about its plans throughout the Town of Glen.{/p} COLONIE Over the years, Tyler Desmond has seen many families visit his familys hotel in Colonie, including a father who began taking his daughter to the hotel every Valentines Day from when she was around four up until COVID. Theyd get all dressed up and we would set up a special table for them up by the pond, he said, and those are the kind of moments where you really enjoy what you do. Desmond, who is now general manager of Crowne Plaza Albany The Desmond Hotel, recalled the fond memory following a celebration of the hotels 50th anniversary Tuesday. John K. Desmond Jr., a Philadelphia native and Tylers grandfather, got the idea for opening a hotel in the area after visiting Albany for business and determining there was a need for a premier hotel. After driving around the Wolf Road area, he found a plot of land near Albany International Airport and decided that was where he would build a hotel, according to the hotels website. The hotel, originally called The American Inn, opened Jan. 3, 1974 as a joint venture with American Airlines. The hotel had 183 rooms, a large indoor courtyard called the Village Green, two restaurants the Green Tree Coffee House and the Tavern on the Green, as well as the Patroon Tavern Bar, according to the hotels website. Since then, the hotel has changed names several times and undergone expansion and renovation. Another 136 rooms, a ballroom, conference center, amphitheater, lodge and health club were all constructed in 1982 as part of a $4 million expansion project, according to the hotel website. By 1986, the hotel rebranded as the Desmond Americana after the partnership with American Airlines ended in 1975. That name lasted until 1992 when the hotel was renamed the The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center to reflect the growing need for places to hold meetings and conventions. The hotel remained under that name until 2018 when it became a InterContinental Hotel Group unbranded affiliate and was renamed The Desmond Hotel Albany, as the hotel looked to provide a loyalty program to customers. In 2021, the hotel underwent a two-year renovation and also became affiliated with the Crowne Plaza brand, incorporating some of its amenities like the Plaza Workspace and studio meeting room.. Mr. Ds Restaurant & Lounge was also added during the renovations to honor John K. Desmond Jr. Through it all, the company has worked to maintain the Shaker and colonial styling that were John K. Desmond Jr.'s passion. Helping oversee many of those changes was Michael Chain Sr., COO of Delta Holdings Inc., which operates public hotels and motels. John believed success would come from an enduring location, from an enduring building that we have here, [and] its very unique respect for customers and respect for your associates, Chain said. Colonie Town Supervisor Peter Crummey called the hotel a crown jewel of the area. The first thing people see when they head into our town after they leave the grounds of the airport is this facility right here, he said Tuesday. The Desmond has become the gateway to the Capital Region, the gateway to commerce and the gateway into our fair town of Colonie, and we are very fortunate. The hotel received three proclamations Tuesday for its continued commitment to the community, as well as the Empire Award from the state, which recognizes small businesses. Head of the Crowne Plaza Americas, Adam DeLange, said Crowne Plaza is looking forward to continuing to work with The Desmond in years to come. Tyler Desmond said the hotel has remained in the community because of the employees and the customers. Desmond said if his grandfather was still alive he would be very proud of what it is today. By the numbers $3.1 billion The amount of federal funding the company is expected to receive from an agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, with $1.5 billion coming from CHIPS and Science Act funding and $1.6 billion in loans. $575 million In New York State Green CHIPS tax credits. $60 million The amount GlobalFoundries needs to invest in workforce development as part of its agreement with New York state. $30 million Infrastructure investment from New York state. $25 million The maximum invested between Empire State Development and federal workforce development training and related activities. 385,000-square-feet The size of the new Malta manufacturing facility. 9,000 Construction jobs created over the next decade. 1,500 Manufacturing jobs with the company created. by Kazi Anwarul Masud RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE The world is full of problems that engulf both the North and the South parts. In the North, the world is inflicted by the Russian imbroglio compounded by the Russian invasion of Ukraine supported by the Western world, mainly the United States of America, by supplying Ukraine with arms and ammunition. This begs the question of whether the USA regardless of the number of nuclear weapons the two countries possess, considers Russia as a second-rate power and is convinced that Russia will not use nuclear weapons to bring about the end of humanity and of Russia itself. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have signed a new agreement at the Kremlin in Moscow. [Vladimir Astapkovich/Kremlin] EMERGENCE OF CHINA AS A WORLD POWER In the Southern part of the world, an emergent China is staking its claim to replace the suzerainty of the US and be the leader of the South. Xi-Jinpings China appears to be different from the one that Mao Tse Tung had once dreamt of and later changed his mind due to the Korean War. In March 2023 Cambridge University Press published Mao Zedong and the Taiwan Strait Crises which encapsulated the events of 2020, the world witnessed rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait as China launched gray-zone warfare and sent warplanes across the median line. The US followed suit by dispatching Navy warships to pass through the Taiwan Strait. The media was flooded with concerns about another Taiwan Strait crisis. People wondered if the Xi Jinping administration would invade Taiwan, as well as how the US would respond as events unfolded. Since his inauguration as President of the Peoples Republic of China in 2013, Xi Jinping has incorporated many of Mao Zedongs strategies into his own, often promoting himself as a great figure. For example, Xi created a Little Red Book, and made pilgrimages to Yanan. The current circumstances have reminded us much of the Taiwan Strait crises of 19541955 and 1958, in which Mao played a dominant role. However, looking back at both cases, Mao never intended to invade Taiwan (Formosa) nor fight against the US, and both crises ended through diplomatic compromise instead of war. In March 1949, Mao Tse Tung ordered his generals to add Taiwan to the list of strategic objectives to be captured. Previously, the strategy for 1949 had been to seek the liberation of nine provinces in China. After the dramatic series of battlefield victories, the list of provinces to seize by the end of the year was expanded to seventeen, including Taiwan. It would be good to remind leaders in Beijing of this fact and encourage them to look for peaceful solutions along those lines. Their current policies can only lead to conflict. ISRAELI GENOCIDE IN GAZA Another problem in the world is the alleged genocidal activities being carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces in occupied Palestine. In a recent article, the Washington Post reported that Israel appeared before the International Court of Justice in The Hague to face accusations it is committing genocide in Gaza in a case that could impact the trajectory of the war. South Africa, which brought the case, alleges that Israel is violating international law by committing and failing to prevent genocidal acts to destroy Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has rejected the allegations as has its most important ally, the United States. The ICJ case adds to international pressure on Israel to scale back or end its war against Hamas, which health officials in Gaza say has killed more than 23,000 people many of them women and children. The war also has rendered much of the enclave uninhabitable and pushed the population to the brink of famine. From recent reports, it becomes evident that Israel is determined to exterminate Palestinians from their homeland. Israeli Prime Minister and his right-wing government have made it clear that the two-state theory of free Palestine and Israel is not acceptable to them. Many critics have found it unacceptable Benjamin Netanyahus quotation of a prophet that after many years the Jews have returned to their homeland and for them to stay forever. CAN XI-JINPING PRACTICE WHAT HE PREACHES In January 2024 Xi- Jinping delivered an important speech at Chinese the Communist Party for resolutely winning the tough and protracted battle against corruption. He emphasized that emphasized that in the new journey of anti-corruption, the CCP must continue to make efforts and advance in depth in eradicating the soil and conditions that cause corruption problems. The general requirement would be to persist in promoting the policy of not being afraid of corruption, not being able to be corrupt, and not wanting to be corrupt, deepening the treatment of both symptoms and root causes, systematic treatment, constantly expanding the depth and breadth of the anti-corruption struggle, prescribing the right medicine, precise treatment, and taking multiple measures simultaneously to eliminate recurring old problems. Gradually reduce it to make it difficult for new problems to spread, and promote the normalization and long-term prevention and treatment of corruption problems. Xi Jinping pointed out that it would be necessary to strengthen the partys centralized and unified leadership in the fight against corruption. CCP committees at all levels must effectively strengthen leadership over the entire process of the anti-corruption struggle, resolutely support the investigation and handling of corruption cases, and work hard to rectify problems. EXTERNAL EXAMPLES MAY BE REPLICATED BY CHINA From reports by famous newspapers like THE GUARDIAN, it appears that Xi-Jinpings crusade against corruption is bearing fruit. But then the roots of corruption are so deep it is difficult to forecast what the ultimate results will be. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, for example. has reported that many seeking precedents for what might happen in China look to the Arab Spring movements or failed states elsewhere. But more appropriate are the experiences of the very few highly successful developing economies that formerly had autocratic political systems, such as South Korea and Taiwan. Its worth noting that in both Taiwan and South Korea, political liberalization began around the same time in the late 1980s, at the same purchasing power adjusted per capita income level of around $1315,000 and the same level of urbanization (70 percent), which triggered a sharp rise in the share of highvalue services in the economy. It is no coincidence that the emergence of a more knowledgebased economy generated the pressures for political liberalization. In these countries, the rise of a large and more sophisticated urban middle class made it more difficult for the state to handle social protests. Moreover, more globally connected services and IT-related activities made it increasingly difficult to control the flow of information because it was not only part of the clamor for free expression but also a necessity for economic progress. The process in China will not follow the norms of Westerntype democratic movements and its system is not the same as that of its East Asian neighbors. Thus the transition process in China will be driven by internal Party structures and will have its unique Chinaspecific characteristics. Kazi Anwarul Masud is a retired Bangladeshi diplomat. During his tenure, he worked in several countries as the ambassador of Bangladesh including Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea and Germany Housing has long been an issue close to my heart. Back in 1989, I started work at COPEC, a housing charity in Birmingham. And later I served as Labour's housing minister when we made massive progress in tackling rough sleeping. I was therefore delighted last year to be appointed to chair Midland Heart, one of the country's leading housing associations. In the intervening months, I have worked hard to support the organisation and so I was, naturally, shocked to learn on Friday that I had been suspended and now face being driven out permanently after a campaign organised by political opponents, extremists and an online mob driven by woke ideology. What was my offence? I made the mistake of calling Hamas a 'death cult of Islamist murderers and rapists' in a tweet nine days ago [Sat 10 Feb]. The word 'Islamists', it must be noted, refers not to Muslims in general but only to violent religious extremists who espouse a warped form of Islam. The term is used by the government, universities and think tanks. I have said repeatedly that the vast majority of Muslims are just as appalled by racism and extremism as anyone else, but political opponents and extremists have nonetheless accused me of 'Islamophobia'. Pro-Palestine protesters march through the streets of London last week Armed Palestinians storm through Gaza during the Israel Hamas war Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis town, southern Gaza Their campaign has led to a torrent of abuse and even threats. That's water off a duck's back to me, but Midland Heart received many such messages too. On Wednesday, I deleted the tweet to avoid further harassment of their staff but did not apologise as I had done nothing wrong and stand by my description of Hamas. But this was not enough for the Midland Heart board, which met without me, decided my position was untenable and then announced I had been suspended. I am so grateful to Housing Secretary Michael Gove and so many others for speaking up in my support. Like me and, no doubt, the public in general, they are aghast to see extremists and the hard-Left hounding people out of their jobs. It's worth looking at who has been behind the campaign to oust me. First, there is Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend), a hardline pressure group whose CEO signed a statement in support of the so-called 'armed resistance' of Hamas, arguing they should not be accused of terrorism and, inevitably, demanding Israel be 'dismantled'. They are so far outside the mainstream that the government refuses even to meet them. Then there is the hard-Left campaigner Gary Spedding, once deported from Israel over his involvement in violent protest in Belfast, who spearheaded attacks on me on social media. Also helping to focus minds was Lara Oyedele, a senior figure in housing, who disgracefully said: 'Imagine if someone else wrote this and replaced 'Islamist' with 'Jewish'!' as if being of the Jewish faith is equivalent to being a religious extremist. The most bizarre aspect of the saga involves the police who called late one night asking about my 'location and safety'. Naively, I thought they were worried about threats against me. How wrong I was. I was told later that they had received complaints about my tweet and had carried out an investigation but decided not to take any action against me! They informed me I would not be recorded as responsible for a 'non-crime hate incident' but that I would have been, had the rules not changed last year. What on earth is a non-crime hate incident and why are the police investigating the use of an established term like 'Islamist'? The public will be furious to discover time is wasted on this nonsense when only two per cent of rapes or four per cent of burglaries result in someone even being charged. I know rank-and-file coppers share their anger. We have to stop this nonsense. Extremists must be faced down, not appeased. Ministers must show leadership, the police need to concentrate on tackling real crimes, and serious organisations should not allow themselves to be hoodwinked by people with sinister or extremist agendas. Groups like Mend must be recognised by all mainstream political parties as the troublemakers that they are. Most important of all, we must all stand up for our democracy and freedom of speech. Promoting his new drama The Way, Michael Sheen has said that 'the people of Port Talbot have been let down' regarding redundancies at its steel plant. But he is wrong. Port Talbot is iconic to British industry and that's why the Government is investing so much to ensure we keep its steelworks for the next century at a time when the market says we should abandon it. China has flooded the global market with subsidised steel for decades and private companies across the world are struggling to make any profit from steel. The two largest steelworks in the UK, run by British Steel in Scunthorpe and Tata in Port Talbot, are losing between 1-1.5million a day. Some have suggested we let the companies go. But doing that would leave the Government with a bill running into billions to close down and clean up the sites. So this Government has decided to bring in one of the biggest industrial support packages in our history to secure a future for Port Talbot and create a regeneration plan. Michael Sheen (pictured) behind the scenes of his new show The Way The Way tells the story of the Driscoll family as they become involved in civil unrest in Port Talbot sparked by foreign investors taking over the steelworks leading to horrific work conditions for locals who rely on the industry for jobs Closing the old furnaces is ultimately a commercial decision for Tata, but the Government is playing our part by investing half a billion pounds in new, modern electric arc furnaces. These furnaces use materials sourced here in the UK, so we don't have to go elsewhere for iron ore and coking coal, which is what we have been doing for decades. Contrary to some claims, electric arc furnaces actually increase Britain's domestic resilience and make us less reliant on the likes of China. The Labour Party, despite running the Welsh government, have not lifted a finger to help in this process. They have been commenting about jobs lost during the transition, ignoring the tens of thousands of jobs saved at the steelworks and in the supply chain. They also never mention that their outlandish and uncosted promise to decarbonise the grid by 2030 would mean even more steel jobs lost, or tens of billions extra spent which would mean higher taxes. Electric furnaces require fewer workers than the current blast furnaces, which inevitably means some in Port Talbot will lose their jobs. However, the regeneration means many new jobs will be created in the future. We are delivering on the promise of jobs with a Transition Board, backed by 80million of funding from this Government. This Board will ensure those employees made redundant are properly supported throughout this process; that includes equipping people who want to take new jobs outside the steel industry with the training and skills they need. No one will be left behind. Closing the old furnaces is ultimately a commercial decision for Tata, but the Government is playing our part by investing half a billion pounds in new, modern electric arc furnaces, writes Kemi Badenoch (pictured) The site's transformation will help pull in large investment from modern industries such as offshore wind, bolstered by the Celtic Freeport green investment corridor, which aims to create thousands of new jobs across the whole of South Wales. I haven't seen Michael Sheen's drama yet, but I know how worried many in Britain are about deindustrialisation and losing so much of our heritage and capability. When the parent company was losing 1.5million a day and ready to abandon the plant, the alternative to the Government's swift action would have been waving goodbye to Tata Steel in Britain. I was never prepared to let that happen and I have promised that we will do all we can. We acted fast to save jobs and we are supporting all those affected. There is no change without challenge, but I'm proud of the plan we have put in place in partnership with Tata. It means Port Talbot will be ready for whatever the future holds. And it will help the steelworks finally move from loss to profit. A massive 97 per cent of children have mobile phones by the time they are 12. And the parents among us will know what that means for daily routines disrupting bedtime, making it harder to focus on homework and struggling for conversation around the dinner table. The problem spreads beyond the classroom kids are playing on their mobiles in the playground, when they should be socialising or kicking a ball around. It encourages solitude something I've seen first-hand on my many trips to schools: children arched over their phones on their own, rather than getting to know their classmates. I met my best friend at ten years old, a friendship that I cherish and has helped me appreciate the most important things in life family and friends. Bullying on the other hand, has always been a problem at school one that I take incredibly seriously. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan says the governments Online Safety Act will protect children from accessing harmful content Ms Keegan: 'A massive 97 per cent of children have mobile phones by the time they are 12' (Stock Image) This is on top of harmful content that children can access on social media such as misogynist, pornographic and lurid content that is highly unsuitable for children. Our Online Safety Act is in place and while its impact is yet to be felt, it will protect children from accessing this harmful content. We are working with regulators to force social media firms to prevent children seeing harmful content or face huge fines and even jail time. I'm announcing new guidance that gives headteachers across the country clear and consistent advice to crack down on kids using mobiles at school. Some schools in the UK have already banned them and the results speak for themselves. Where this has happened, schools have seen children concentrating, bullying falling and friendships blossoming. Naturally there will be some instances where phones must be allowed such as a child with diabetes who needs to check their glucose levels on an app. But the guidance puts in place a blueprint for headteachers to make the right decisions for their schools. Our children deserve a world-class education. So it's right that we take action urgently to ensure they are learning in the best environment possible and I expect headteachers to start to plan the ban from today. School years are some of the most precious and they pass us by in a blink of an eye. Children need to put down their phones, look up, and enjoy it while they can. When I was growing up in Liverpool in the 1960s, I was scared of the police. Back then, they were the true enforcers of law and order. It was not uncommon to see a young boy an expression of wide-eyed fear etched on his face being frogmarched home by a policeman, the back of his jumper in the officers grip, his feet barely touching the ground as he furiously pedalled the air. The copper would hammer on the boys front door and loudly inform his mother that he had been caught fighting, or some such; a confrontation that would send the rest of us skittering indoors with the speed of cockroaches exposed to daylight. The sight of these caped crusaders, walking in pairs, truncheons swinging by their sides, parading up and down our streets, was both and comforting. Blue-and-white panda cars would pass by the bottom of our road more often than the buses and, whenever I headed into town for a night out as a teenager, I left the house with my mothers words ringing in my ears: If you are ever in trouble, find the nearest policeman. Floral tributes laid in Clapham Common, London, in memory of Sarah Everard If I gave the same advice to my daughter today, she would think I had lost my mind. For while young people these days are also scared of the police, its for entirely different and disturbing reasons. The murder of Sarah Everard in south London in 2021 seriously rocked the trust young Londoners had in the Met police. Wayne Couzens, who killed Sarah Everard, was notorious among his fellow officers Sarah was violated and strangled by off-duty police officer Wayne Couzens, who was so notorious among his colleagues he was nicknamed the rapist. In another appalling incident, two Met officers were jailed after taking photographs of two sisters - Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46 - found stabbed to death in a London park in June 2020. They went on to share the images, some showing the bodies, in two WhatsApp groups, in which they referred to the victims as dead birds. Any notion that this incident shone a light only on the perverse actions of a rogue few was banished by the exclusive story on the front page of yesterdays Mail. It revealed that 'graphic' details of the injuries suffered by the three victims of the Nottingham stabbings last year Grace OMalley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates were not only shared on a police WhatsApp group but also forwarded to other officers. One of the investigators, PC Gell, even sent distasteful messages to his wife and friends. What kind of insensitive, brutal monster could behave like this? The revelations in a police gross misconduct hearing have inevitably inflicted fresh pain on the families who have lost their loved ones. No matter how much time passes, Grace and Barneys parents will struggle to end each day or wake each morning without thinking of their childrens tragic fate. As with so much that is wrong in our society today, messaging services such as WhatsApp and social media platforms like X have created an ugly culture of voyeurism. Images of the three victims of the Nottingham stabbings last year Grace OMalley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber were shared on a police WhatsApp group Both the cases I mentioned above came to light because they involved high-profile murders. But how many other police officers are sharing horribly inappropriate material on WhatsApp groups that we dont get to hear about? Contrast the actions of those police officers with the words spoken by Graces mother about her murdered daughter, the beautiful young woman who like her parents before her was training to be a doctor. Nottingham victim Ian Coates Have no hate in your hearts, she said, as she told us how beautiful Grace was, inside and out. Yet how can we not despise those men in uniform whom we trust to be the enforcers of right and wrong but who all too often behave as if they are above the law? Something has gone horrifically wrong with the way police officers are recruited. Brutes are permitted to join their ranks. There needs to be a root-and-branch review of the HR practices that allow men like these to be hired, while chief constables must acknowledge the scale of the problem and put measures in place to ensure that this is the last time a grieving family will be subjected to such heartache. Our uniformed police are the visible pillars of a safe, caring and civilised society. If they have lost their moral compass, something needs to change and fast. It brings us back to the age-old question: who guards the guards? When we cant trust the custodians of law and order, we find ourselves in a very dangerous place. Every once in a while along comes a story which sums up modern Britain in microcosm. Step forward Gabriela Rodriguez, an office cleaner sacked for stealing a leftover tuna sandwich. Ms Rodriguez is a 39-year-old single mother of two from Ecuador, who has been employed by a cleaning contractor in the City of London for the past two years. She is now suing for unfair dismissal after being fired from her 13-an-hour job following a complaint that she had taken client property . . . without authority or reasonable excuse. The details of the alleged theft of this discarded 1.50 Tesco sarnie need not detain us, although some versions claim that the filling was egg, not tuna. What nobody has bothered to ask is: why are we importing office cleaners from Ecuador when 9 million of our own people are sitting at home doing stuff-all and claiming sickness benefits? Ms Rodriguezs case has become something of a cause celebre, taken up by the United Voices of the World (UVW), a trades union established specifically to fight for the rights of foreign workers in Britain. Gabriela Rodriguez, 39, (pictured) was said to have been fired from her 13-an-hour job for the 'theft' of a leftover tuna sandwich which was due to be thrown away after a meeting Campaigners protesting Ms Rodriguez's sacking staged a march outside Devonshire's offices Speaking as someone who covered the labour movement for more than a decade, Id never previously heard of the United Voices of the World. But given that there are now 6.2 million workers from overseas employed here, I shouldnt be surprised to learn that the UVW is the biggest union in the country, outstripping the once mighty TGWU, or whatever it calls itself this week. Foreign nationals now comprise around one-fifth of the workforce, more than half the number of British citizens aged between 16 and 64 classed as economically inactive. According to the latest figures, 40 per cent of those eligible for work are either incapable or simply cant be bothered. For the record, Ive never had a problem with anyone who comes to Britain for a better life, provided they work hard and pay their taxes. Ms Rodriguez is just one of the six-million-plus immigrants filling largely menial jobs which British workers consider beneath them. It wasnt always thus. In the days when I covered the unions for Londons Evening Standard, the only people schlepping into town at the crack of dawn were evening paper hacks and assorted janitorial workers servicing offices in the City. When I commuted to Fleet Street from Essex, the train would start filling up at Stratford as it rattled through the East End. Most of the passengers being decanted at Liverpool Street were cleaners and maintenance staff employed in the Square Mile. This Happy Breed were celebrated in an ITV drama series called Mrs Thursday, played by Kathleen Harrison, a Cockney charlady who inherits a fortune from her grateful boss. Later, when I moved to North London, I would cadge a lift with my neighbour Bongo Pete, a part-time percussionist who considered Special Brew an acceptable breakfast beverage. Petes legendary thirst cost him his chosen profession as an insurance broker. But after he was made redundant in his late 40s, and rather than sit at home drinking himself into oblivion, he spotted a gap in the market and started a company sterilising telephones in the City. He soon had a successful business, but to the best of my knowledge most of his staff were local. None of them came from Ecuador, some 6,000 miles away as the crow flies. These days, Pete could quite easily have retired early and been shunted on to incapacity benefits until it was time to claim his old age pension. His Special Brew dependency could be written off as a disability, no questions asked. How did we end up with four out of ten working age people claiming benefits? There are more than a million vacancies waiting to be filled at any one time. We shouldnt have to import 1.2 million immigrants a year to make up the shortfall. Gabriela Rodriguez, a single mother of two from Ecuador, is now suing for unfair dismissal Thats the real headline, not the net migration figure which subtracts the number of British citizens and other temporary residents Getting Out of Dodge for good. Weve also managed to breed a generation of workshy millennial snowflakes, too frightened to leave the security of their bedrooms. Around 200,000 18-to-24-year-olds claim to be too ill to work because of mental health ishoos. The Covid lockdown and Rishi Sunaks Money For Nothing And Your Chips For Free furlough largesse institutionalised idleness. It was no surprise to read a report at the weekend claiming that Britain is facing an obesity epidemic because people working from home are piling on the pounds, stuffing their faces with Hobnobs and watching Bargain Hunt in their jimjams. Half the country now considers work an optional extra. Even those prepared to take a job believe it is their right to WFH for at least part of the week. No wonder productivity has plummeted. The City of London, like city centres across the country, is a virtual ghost town on Mondays and Fridays. Gabriela Rodriguez was probably one of the few people who bothered setting foot in that office on the day in question. Without Gabriela, and millions of others like her, the economy would collapse. The least we can do is give her a sandwich. Sian Jameson is a little breathless as she describes her first night of passion with her lover. 'He knew instinctively what I wanted and I didn't have to say or do anything,' says the 25-year-old from North London. 'He was very handsome, with beautiful hazel eyes and, as we made love, he stroked my body tenderly and I could feel the weight of him pressing down on me. 'His body felt incredibly light. The whole encounter lasted an hour and afterwards he whispered: "That was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced."' 'As we drifted off to sleep in one another's arms, a voice in my head kept asking: "Is this really happening?"' Sian had reason to question her experience. Because, incredibly, she claims that Robert was a 'ghost' an amorous apparition of an artist who had died more than 100 years ago. Sian Jameson, pictured, is breathless as she describes her first night of passion with a ghost 'Some people look at me as if I've gone mad. My family don't know anything about it, but then what woman feels comfortable discussing her love life with her parents anyway?' Her story sounds implausible, but over many centuries there are legends of spirits having sex with humans in Christian, Greek, Jewish and Celtic folklore dating back to 2400 BC. In modern cinema, Demi Moore got intimate with her dead partner played by Patrick Swayze, and in Ghostbusters, Dan Aykroyd's character was pleasured by a spectre. Aykroyd and celebrities including Charlie's Angel actress Lucy Liu and the late Anna Nicole Smith have described what they claim are real-life sexual encounters with apparitions. The phenomenon is called spectrophilia sexual attraction to ghosts. Modern science is quick to explain away all reports of it as simply very vivid dreams. Yet those who say they've had spooky amorous encounters swear they are not making it up. Indeed, in some cases, women claim they enjoy sex with spirits so much, they've given up on real men. Sian, a writer, artist and spiritualist, says her paranormal paramour began visiting her not long after she moved into a cottage in a remote part of Wales. She had split up from her boyfriend and was lonely, but insists the experience was not imaginary or stress-induced. 'Scientists may explain it away, but I'd just say they didn't experience what I experienced,' she says. 'A couple of days after our first encounter, Robert arrived and said it would be our last night together. I never asked why. I sobbed when I woke and Robert was no longer in my bed. I guess I had been falling in love. Though I had one other ghost lover after that, I haven't had sex with a ghost for over two years. 'I'm in a relationship with a living man who thinks my past experience was just a dream and finds it funny. But I recall my little fling with Robert fondly.' While it may stretch the boundaries of belief, Sian is not alone. Amethyst Realm, a 27-year-old 'spiritual guidance consultant' from Bristol, says an 'out of this world' relationship not only ended her engagement to her childhood sweetheart, but put her off living men forever. 'My first time with a ghost was around ten years ago,' she says. 'I was living with a boyfriend in Hereford and he travelled a lot for his job. I was lonely and noticed that items kept disappearing and then reappearing in our guest room. 'I thought I must be going mad, but then I became aware of a presence. I could feel it all around me and it was very comforting. 'About six months later, my boyfriend was away and I saw a heart drawn on the condensation in the window of the guest room. 'As I peered closer, I felt someone come up behind me, put their hands on my hips and breathe softly on my neck. It wasn't warm or cold, just a soft breath, but it felt lovely. 'It lasted two or three seconds, then faded. I couldn't see or hear anything, but I knew someone was there. I wasn't scared at all.' Like Demi Moore in the film Ghost, some women freely admit to having an affair with the super natural After a few weeks, Amethyst decided to explore further. 'I went to bed early in the guest room, wore a sexy negligee and lay there in the darkness. I felt a little mad and nervous. 'After an hour, nothing happened and I thought: "I've scared him off, I've been too keen."' But as she was falling asleep something happened. 'I felt a pressure all over my body as if a person was lying on top of me, but lighter and softer than a human. It was like nothing I'd ever experienced. 'I know how bizarre it sounds, but it felt real. It was different to having sex with a man and afterwards I slept better than I had done in years. When I woke up, I knew it hadn't been a dream. I didn't feel at all guilty about cheating because the whole thing felt so natural.' Amethyst claims she began an affair with her ghost. 'We'd have sex two or three times a day. We never spoke and I never even saw him, but we had a huge emotional connection.' But her relationship with her fiance began to suffer and finally ended when he nearly caught Amethyst and her ghost lover. 'He'd seen the shadow of a man through the curtains when he got home and came rushing in, shouting: "Where is he then?" 'He was circling the room looking for the other man. I felt I had to tell him the truth. 'My fiance ran out of the house there and then looking so pale and shocked. I've never seen him since. I was actually jealous that my ghost had made himself visible to him.' Amethyst says her relationship with her ghost lasted for three years before petering out. Since then, she says she's had 20 ghostly lovers and is more embarrassed about her tally, than the fact that her lovers were dead. So what do the scientists say? Are these women simply dreaming? Having hallucinations? Mentally ill? 'We need to avoid any kind of simplistic notion that anyone who has weird experiences is suffering from a mental illness,' says Christopher French, professor of psychology at Goldsmiths College, University of London, and co-author of Anomalistic Psychology: Exploring Paranormal Belief And Experience. 'What is generally accepted is that hallucinatory experiences are much more common in the non-clinical, totally well-functioning part of the population than was once appreciated. Anyone can have hallucinations particularly if you are stressed or sleep-deprived.' Professor French believes that most cases of 'sex with ghosts' can be explained easily. 'Sleep paralysis is common 20 to 40 per cent of people say they've experienced it and is the state between sleep and wakefulness when you realise you can't move. In a smaller percentage of the population, you get associated symptoms that can be very scary. One that's commonly reported is a sense of a presence something or someone in the room with you. Amethyst Realm, pictured, said she went to bed wearing racy underwear when she was ravished by a ghost 'You can also get hallucinations where you see dark shadows or monstrous figures, you can get auditory hallucinations you hear voices, footsteps and also tactile hallucinations. 'You can feel as if you're being held, you might feel as if someone is breathing on the back of your neck, you can feel as if you're being dragged out of the bed. 'During a normal night's sleep, you go through different stages and it's REM sleep that's associated with vivid dreams.' He adds: 'In normal REM sleep, the muscles of your body are actually paralysed, presumably to stop you acting out your dreams, but under certain conditions something goes slightly awry and your brain wakes up, but your body doesn't. 'Your body is paralysed, you can't move, but you can see you are in your bedroom and you have these weird dreams coming through. 'As part of the normal sleep cycle, men and women can become sexually aroused. 'That is normal and also happens during the REM stage. It's not surprising then that when you get these episodes of sleep paralysis, there could well be a sexual component there and arousal. 'Another common feature of sleep paralysis is pressure on the chest you feel as if there's something on top of you. Combine that with the sense of presence and sexual arousal and it's not surprising you will sometimes get cases of men and women who actually think they're having sex.' But Steve Parsons, author of Ghostology: The Art Of The Ghost Hunter, doubts this is the whole story. 'You'd have to be a fool to say that ghosts exist, but you'd also have to be a fool to say 100 per cent that they don't,' he says. 'I've been investigating the paranormal for 35 years and reports of sex with ghosts seem to be on the increase.' 'This may have something to do with the number of programmes about the paranormal on television and the celebrities who say it's happened to them. 'It may be down to the prevalence of social media ghosts can no longer be the rather dull white lady wandering down the hallway with her head under her arm. 'They have to be more threatening and physical to get an audience interested. Of course, we don't know what ghosts are.' For Ann Elizabeth, a 52-year-old charity worker from Lancashire, the sexual encounters with ghosts have provided comfort in times of heartbreak. 'At points of sadness in my life I've felt a strong presence,' she says. 'Kitchen utensils would go missing and appear in the living room. The ghosts were playing with me and assuring me I wasn't alone. 'At 43, after two divorces, I decided I needed a break from men, but not from sex. Mediums taught me how to become more intuitive and in tune with the paranormal. 'Lying in bed I wondered if I could summon a ghost to have sex with me. Closing my eyes, I envisioned a strong handsome man with big shoulders.' Minutes later, Ann says, she had a ghostly visitor. 'I kept my eyes closed throughout because I was worried I might scare him or ruin the moment if I opened them. Afterwards, I thanked the ghost and asked him to leave, which he dutifully did. I jumped out of bed with flushed cheeks and glowing skin and went about my day.' Professor Chris French says. 'If you believe in ghosts and have a vivid imagination, you'd imagine it was possible it was a ghost. 'Or it could be a hallucination or a false memory.' Ann is adamant her experiences were real. 'Over the next year I had sex with nine ghosts,' she says. 'I know they were different because I always asked for a different male form. I only wanted sex on my terms in the morning and in my bed. I never had to worry about STDs or him not calling me. 'But in 2009 I realised that I wanted to meet a real man, so I stopped the ghost sex. I met Jonathan in 2010. 'I told him about the ghost sex and he was understanding. He's spiritual, too. Jonathan proposed in 2011 and we moved to Italy two years ago. 'We feel the presence of ghosts frequently, but now that I have the love of my life, there's nothing more I need in the bedroom.' Additional reporting: HELEN CARROLL by Anwar A. Khan Language Movement began in 1948 and reached its climax in the killing of 21 February 1952 leading to establishment of Bangladesh in 1971. Ekushey February or Language Movement Day or Mother Language Movement Day is a glorious day for all the Bengali language people of the world including Bangladesh. We can speak Bengali language only for the martyrs, in exchange for their blood, we can speak in Bengali. Language Movement (Bhasha Andolon) of 1952 [File Photo] The basic tone and spirit of nation-building is reflected in the practice of language. How a land based on religion gradually turned into a secular country is the historical witness of the language movement of 1952. Eight language martyrs were killed on February 21, 1952 who were identified as Rafiquddin Ahmad, Abul Barkat, Abdul Jabbar, Abdus Salam, Shafiqur Rahman, Abdul Awal, Ahualullah and an unidentified boy. The language movement led to the realisation that the Bengalis constituted a separate nation. Their destiny lay not with Pakistan but elsewhere as an independent country. 21 February is the International Mother Language Day and in Bangladesh, the day is observed as National Martyrs Day since 1952. The day is marked with the martyrdom of valiant sons of Bangladesh for establishing Bangla as the state language of the then East Pakistan (present Bangladesh). It can be said that the significance of the language movement is not limited to the right to speak the mother tongue. It extends to the right to speak in all the languages of the world, as well as to express ones thoughts. Its significance is more extensive in the context of Bangladesh. A historical re-reading of the Bengali language movement (1948-1971) is necessary to understand how language organizes a nation and in turn can be the basis of a countrys independence. Language is not only speech, nor is speaking only an expression of language. Language expresses the thoughts and consciousness of the human mind. It can be said that the seeds of ethnicity and nationality lie in language. Language is the mirror of society. Therefore, apart from language, social issues (such as ethnicity, nationalism, freedom, non-communalism) are rooted in the language. The proof of this is the language movement of 1952. Language movement is not only about 21 February 1952. The events before and after 1952 must be understood in interrelated historical realities. The first example of the division of the country based on religion is the betrayal of the Bengali language by the ruling group of West Pakistan. The language movement of 1952 is a prime example of the Bengali nation being inherently non-communal. It can be said that the significance of the language movement is not limited to the right to speak the mother tongue. It extends to the right to speak in all the languages of the world, as well as to express ones thoughts. Its significance is more extensive in the context of Bangladesh. A historical re-reading of the Bengali language movement (1948-1971) is necessary to understand how language organizes a nation and in turn can be the basis of a countrys independence. The language movement started immediately after partition 1947 partition of India and Pakistan. Specifically, from the beginning of 1948, which culminated in 1952. Then in 1956 to move for related other demands and as a result, the independence movement of 1966 and the achievement of independence in 1971. That is, the impact of the language movement extended to the sentiments, perceptions, politics and independence of the Bengali public. Language movement in the immediate aftermath of partition Pakistanis views were felt in the adverse reality of the language movement in the immediate aftermath of partition. From there, the idea of a separate state was awakened in the then Bengali society. Bangladeshs independence was born from there. That is, the language movement was the beginning of the independence of Bangladesh. In the post-partition situation, the Bengali students realized that the chain of slavery could not be broken if the mother tongue and Bengali language could not be made the state language in the reality of Pakistans insular attitude towards East Bengal. All possibilities for liberation lie in the right to language. Therefore, the Bengali students were active in the language struggle for the ultimate liberation of the nation. The language movement started immediately after partition. Specifically, from the beginning of 1948, which culminated in 1952. Then in 1956 to move for related other demands and its result was independence movement in 1966 and independence in 1971. That is, the impact of the language movement extended to the sentiments, perceptions, politics and independence of the Bengali public. In short, East Bengal or East Pakistan became Bangladesh within two decades of the language movement. Therefore, its significance must be deeply understood through the forward and backward interrelated events and consequences. Soon after the religious partition of 1947, Pakistans negative attitude towards Bengalis began to emerge. Although divided on the basis of religion, their socio-political and racially discriminatory views were soon exposed. It is reflected in their indifference and deprivation towards the majority of Bengali Muslims in East Bengal. It was unexpected that Pakistans view of Pakistan as reckless and unrighteous would strike so mercilessly at the Bengali-speaking majority so quickly. Unfortunately, from the beginning of February 1948, discussions on the state language of Pakistan began. Muslim League leaders were in favor of making Urdu the state language. But the language of the majority of Pakistan (56 percent) is Bengali. Despite the logical demands, the conspiracy to exclude Bengali and make only Urdu the state language began. At one stage of the movement, the first Governor General of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, announced on March 19, 1948 at the Race Course Maidan in Dhaka Urdu will be the only state language of Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and many students who were present raised their hands in protest and said I dont accept it. In the convocation meeting of Dhaka University, Jinnah again said, Urdu will be the only state language. Immediately the students present shouted no, no, no. Jinnah remained silent for about five minutes. In this context, Bangabandhu mentioned in his unfinished autobiography I think this is the first time the students of Bengal protested his words to his face. Thereafter, Jinnah never said Urdu would be the only state language as long as he lived (2012, 99). In the meantime, the people of East Bengal began to lose confidence in the Muslim League due to various policies of discrimination including language. In response to the increasing situation of deprivation and exploitation by Pakistan in East Bengal, a new political party called Awami Muslim League was formed in 1949 under the leadership of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, which later became Awami League after being inspired by non-sectarian spirit. Non-sectarian ideas began to spread. The uncivilized Pakistani establishment branded Bengali language as rooted from Sanskrit or Hinduani language, not recognizing 56 percent of the Bengali people out of Pakistans total population despite it being our mother tongue etc. The discriminatory character of communal Pakistanis is clearly revealed everywhere. In the second half of the 1960s, communal consciousness was awakened in the ideology of non-communal leaders like Maulana Bhasani, Shaheed Suhrawardy, Sheikh Mujib and other non-communal leaders. Which resulted in the successful independence of 1971. So, it can be said that the language movement not only gave Bengalis the right to speak in their mother tongue, but also gave them a red-green flag an independent homeland for the Bengalis Bangladesh at the bay of blood in 1971. Anwar A. Khan is an independent political analyst based in Dhaka, Bangladesh who writes on politics, political and human-centred figures, current and international affairs Bella Thomson has been living a 'full and fun-packed life' thanks to the donation Waylon Pietz from Ontario donated his heart, kidney and bowel after an accident A mother who lost her four-year-old son in a tragic accident has said she feels 'blessed' after becoming close with the little girl who received his bowel in a transplant. Waylon Pietz from Petrolia, Ontario, donated his heart, kidneys and bowel to others in need after he died when a chest of drawers fell on top of him. After Waylon's death, his mother Madison, 25, spotted influencer Bella Thomson, 11, online and noticed she was undergoing a bowel transplant. After realising Bella lived nearby and reaching out to her mother, Kyla, 40, on Facebook, the pair worked out that the bowel was originally Waylon's. Thanks to Waylon's donation, Bella has been able to live a 'full and fun-packed life' and the families have also become good friends with the mother's texting daily. Four-year-old Waylon Pietz from Petrolia, Ontario, donated his heart, kidneys and bowel after a chest of drawers fell on him, leaving him on life support (pictured: Waylon and his mother Madison) After connecting on Facebook, Bella's mother, Kyla (both pictured right) and Madison were able to deduce that Bella had received Waylon's bowel Madison said: 'Waylon lives through Bella - it's very overwhelming. Elsewhere, his heart still beats in another child - I reached out to the other two organ recipients through letters on January 29. 'It's so rare to connect with any organ recipients, as legally the hospital can't immediately provide you with any details, so I feel very blessed.' Waylon's tragic accident happened on August 10, while he was being looked after by a babysitter. His mother arrived home from work to find a chest of drawers had fallen on her little boy. Waylon was rushed to the ICU at University Hospital, Ontario. but after four days Madison was faced with an excruciating choice. Although Waylon was still alive, medical professionals told the mother on August 14 she needed to make a choice as it was very unlikely the four-year-old would wake up. 'He had a heartbeat - I wasn't expecting that. I was waiting for them to call 'time of death', like you'd see on TV. But his body was still alive - he was just neurologically deceased,' Madison said. 'Organ donation was something I had to decide there-and-then - Waylon was autistic and non-verbal - he couldn't make his own decisions, even before the accident. 'There was a lot of paperwork. You sign all these papers, and it's a long waiting process. 'They'll tell you the names and genders of the recipients - but the names have to be kept confidential for two years. After doctors told Madison that it would be very unlikely that the four-year-old would wake up she decided to donate his organs - and now his bowel has allowed Bella to live a 'full and fun-packed life' Madison came across 'influencer' Bella (right), 11, on Facebook, sending a message to her mother Kyla that she believd her daughter received Waylon's (left) bowel. Ever since, the families have become good friends with the mother's texting daily Kyla instantly burst into tears after spotting the message from Madison, which said the bowel her daughter would be receiving may belong to Madison's late four-year-old boy She shared: 'There's a chance you'll never get to connect with your recipient family.' In only three days Waylon's organs were sent to recipients all over Canada - including his bowel which was donated to Bella, Bella had Hirschsprung's disease - a condition which impacts the large colon and affects a person's ability to digest food and was being treated at SickKids Hospital, Toronto. She also had severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and dwarfism, with doctors telling her mother, Kyla, that even a common cold could be fatal for the child. Kyla shared: 'Bella had a very harsh, very traumatic start to life. She spent two years in hospital without coming home. 'Within the first year alone, she had five bowel surgeries. But her immune system was so low, they couldn't continue. 'She was airlifted to so many hospitals, and eventually ended up at SickKids, where she was put on the bowel transplant list at seven years old. 'They told us she wouldn't survive the next five years.' On August 17, 2023, Bella underwent the life-saving bowel transplant during a 20-hour operation , while Kyla and husband Lyle Thomson, 37, anxiously waited. Kyla decided to look through her Facebook messages - after documenting Bella's experience online. Whilst scrolling through her phone she spotted a message from Madison, who told her she'd been following Bella's journey for months - and she believed she might be receiving Waylon's bowel. 'I'd been receiving letters from the anonymous recipient - I wouldn't usually just message a stranger on social media like this, but I felt an inexplicable connection,' Madison explained 'I told her I thought Bella might be receiving Waylon's bowel - as the family liaison lady told us bowel transplants are incredibly rare.' When Kyla saw the message from Madison, she instantly burst into tears, and the two mothers continued to stay in contact. Bella's transplant was a complete success, and six months later, she's 'thriving', according to her mother, Kyla. Bella had Hirschsprung's disease - a condition which impacts the large colon and affects a person's ability to digest food The little girl also had combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and dwarfism, with medical professionals saying even a common cold could be fatal for the child After spending the majority of her life in hospital the little girl is able to go on camping trips and is 'absolutely thriving' after her bowel transplant according to her mother She said: 'She used to need needle medication twice a day, and IV medication 20 times a day through her G-tube. 'Now, she takes five daily oral tablets - it's such a significant difference! I'm such a proud mum - she's absolutely thriving. Kyla added: 'We can take her on camping trips - something we've never been able to do because she spent her entire life in hospital.' The pair finally confirmed the donation by sending special stickers on the anonymised letters sent via the medical teams. 'I get to have this connection to Waylon, and I still watch Bella's videos all the time, and we text every day,' Madison said. Cat lovers flocked to the nation's biggest feline celebration in Kensington Olympia London over the weekend. London Cats Worldwide (LCWW) invited pet enthusiasts to Cat Extravaganza to celebrate their favourite furry companions on Saturday and Sunday in London. The International Cat Competition saw a gorgeous line-up of cats go head-to-head and compete for the ultimate prizes of Best Kitten, Best Cat, Best Alter and Best Household Pet. The beautiful felines strutted their stuff at the show stopping CatWalk and visitors were allowed to meet the adorable kitties and even pose for snaps with the pets. Visitors were able to learn all about the intelligent species and meet with local rescue charities to adopt and take home a new furry friend. Cat lovers flocked to the nation's biggest feline celebration in Olympia London over the weekend (pictured a Scottish Fold cat is held up by a judge at the Cat Extravaganza event) Meanwhile cat lovers were also able to shop for plenty of treats for their own adorable pets. The world's most beautiful felines including a ginger Scottish Fold, Sphynx and a black golden shaded British Shorthair cat were inspected by the judges for the Best Cat competition. London Cats Worldwide (LCWW) invited pet enthusiasts to Cat Extravaganza to celebrate their favourite furry companions on Saturday and Sunday in London. (pictured: A black golden shaded British Shorthair cat is admired by visitors) A Sphynx cat didn't enjoy having his ear stroked at the Cat Extravaganza event at Olympia in London An inquisitive Sphynx cat sat on the shoulder of his owner as he checked out some of the visiters A judge inspected a sweet ginger British Shorthair cat during the International Cat Competition Meanwhile a British Shorthair grey cat patiently sat as he was inspected by a judge for the competition A Siberian cat was admired by visitors as he was carried around the event by his owner An adorable Sphynx cat got a kiss from her owner at the Cat Extravaganza event yesterday Visitors were able to learn all about the intelligent species and meet with local rescue charities to adopt and take home a new furry friend A Bengal cat was displayed by his owner at the Cat Extravaganza event during an exhibition A cute ginger and white haired Bengal cat relaxed on a chair after a long day at the event A Sphynx cat was wrapped in a blanket and got a cuddle from their owner at the cat event Grufus a chocolate Suffolk cat got a cuddle from Phil Alexander at the Cat Extravaganza event A Persian cat was admired by many visitors at the event, with some snapping pics with her A white Persian cat was inspected by a judge at the Cat Extravaganza event at Olympia An inquisitive Sphynx cat observed passers by during the show t at Olympia in London on Sunday Bear the Bengal cat meowed as he was admired at the Cat Extravaganza event at Olympia A Sphynx cat sat their owners shoulder and watched passers by at the Cat Extravaganza Meghan Markle's former Suits costar has claimed that there was a 'really terrible and foul' smell in the air during her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. Rick Hoffman, who starred as Louis Marlowe Litt in the USA legal drama, went viral back in May 2018 - after pictures of him with a disgusted look on his face during Megan and Harry's ceremony took over the web. Now, the actor, 53, has opened up about what caused him to look so uncomfortable, alleging that his less-than-impressed expression was due to a horrific scent in the air. During a recent appearance on the Chicks in the Office podcast, Rick joked, 'If you type in my name in on Google you see [me] making that awful face.' Meghan Markle 's former Suits costar has claimed that there was a 'really terrible and foul' smell during her wedding to Prince Harry Rick Hoffman went viral back in 2018 - after pictures of him with a disgusted look on his face during Megan and Harry's ceremony took over the web. He's seen with Meghan in 2011 Now, the actor, 53, has opened up about what caused him to look so uncomfortable, alleging that it was due to a horrific scent in the air. He's seen at the wedding While discussing his expression, he explained that soon after he sat down he 'started to smell something really terrible and foul.' While at first he thought that somebody near him 'had terrible breath,' he eventually realized it was coming from 'more than one person.' 'I'm starting to get a little jittery because it's bothering me and I'm very sensitive when it comes to that,' he recalled. '[The ceremony] is an hour-and-a-half, and [the smell] is just constantly coming my way now. It's getting into my body.' Since he's 'so particular when it comes to hygiene,' Rick said he was worried people would think it was coming from him, so he asked his fellow Suits stars, 'Do you guys smell that?' 'And they're like, "No." So now I'm like literally by myself alone on an island and I'm just going, "Mother f**ker,"' he continued. 'And that's [the expression] they got [on camera that went viral].' Rick added that out of everyone in the show, Meghan was the one who would laugh at him the most for his 'issues' when it came to 'other people's hygiene.' 'She always knew and would always laugh about how I was so sensitive. It was just so ironic,' he concluded. Interestingly, Rick was not the only person at the wedding to have experienced issues with the smell inside St. George's Chapel - at least according to royal biographers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, who claimed in their book, Finding Freedom, that scent diffusers were used to mask the 'musty' smell inside the venue before the Sussexes' big day. During a recent appearance on the Chicks in the Office podcast, Rick joked, 'If you type in my name in on Google you see [me] making that awful face' While discussing his expression, he explained that soon after he sat down he 'started to smell something really terrible and foul' While at first he thought that somebody near him 'had terrible breath,' he eventually realized it was coming from 'more than one person.' Meghan and Harry are seen at the wedding After the nuptials in May 2018, royal sources had claimed that the odor of the 15th century chapel did not find favor with the soon-to-be Duchess of Sussex, and said she had insisted on masking it with air fresheners before her wedding guests arrived. It had been suggested initially that the Palace had declined her request to have Diptyque Baies diffusers used in the chapel - but Scobie and Durand wrote in their book that the products were in fact approved by the Palace before the ceremony took place. But clearly, the use of the high-end diffusers did not help to quell Rick's olfactory issues. Rick starred alongside the Duchess of Sussex from 2011 until she exited the series in 2017, following her engagement to Prince Harry. He continued on as Louis for two more seasons after her departure. Last summer, the legal drama unexpectedly became the most streamed show in the US for 12 weeks straight after it was added to Netflix. Since he's 'so particular when it comes to hygiene,' Rick said he was worried people would think it was coming from him, so he asked his fellow Suits stars, 'Do you guys smell that?' He's seen arriving at the wedding News hit the web last month that Suits was getting a brand new spin-off series, entitled Suits: LA. Set in the same world as the original show but with all new characters, the series will follow a former federal prosecutor from New York named Ted Black - played by Stephen Amell - who has reinvented himself by representing the most powerful clients in Los Angeles. 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.' Original Suits creator Aaron Korsh has returned to develop the new series, serving as writer and executive producer alongside David Bartis and Dog Liman for Hypnotic, and Gene Klein. Production is slated to start in Vancouver in late March, per Variety. 'And they're like, "No." So now I'm like literally by myself alone on an island,' he continued. 'And that's [the expression] they got [on camera that went viral]' Rick added that out of everyone in the show, Meghan was the one who would laugh at him the most for his 'issues' when it came to 'other people's hygiene' Last summer, the legal drama unexpectedly became the most streamed show in the US for 12 weeks straight after it was added to Netflix An insider told DailyMail.com earlier this month that Meghan will not be appearing in the new show, but that she did try and get her company Archewell involved in the production. '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 denied this vigorously however, and said that the company would never have been involved in a reboot. Many members of the original cast have reunited in recent months - but Meghan was noticeably absent from all of the get-togethers. Patrick J. Adams, Gina Torres, Sarah Rafferty, and Gabriel Macht were all spotted together on the red carpet of the Golden Globes in January. During the awards show, Gina made a shocking admission about her relationship with the Duchess during the event. News hit the web last month that Suits was getting a brand new spin-off series , entitled Suits: LA. It will star Stephen Amell (seen) Many of the original Suits stars reunited at the Golden Globes in January, including Patrick J. Adams, Gina Torres, Sarah Rafferty, and Gabriel Macht In addition, Gina, Sarah, and Rick came together for an E.l.f. Super Bowl commercial - but Meghan was noticeably absent from both of the get-togethers She admitted: 'We dont have her number. We just dont,' adding that the rest of the cast kept in touch via a WhatsApp group. In addition, Gina, Sarah, and Rick came together for an E.l.f. Super Bowl commercial. 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. Patrick and Gabriel also told The Hollywood Reporter that they've had 'zero communication' with their former co-star Meghan. 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 said at the time. 'So that could have something to do with it.' The King has encouraged Prince William to spend more time with his wife and young children - because he has 'years and years of royal duties' ahead, a royal expert has said. Speaking to HELLO!, author Ingrid Seward, who has just penned a book on the monarch's upbringing - called My Mother and I - explained that Charles, 75, has likely urged his heir, 42, to focus on his duties as a father while he still has the chance to. 'Charles always put duty first because that's what his mother did. And that's what Diana decided she wouldn't do,' she told the outlet. 'I think Charles has encouraged William to spend more time with the family and also said to William, "I don't want you to take on any royal duties until you absolutely have to" because you remember we criticised William the work-shy?' Ingrid added that this way Charles's way of saying: 'You don't have to do this, be with your young family. Enjoy it while you can. You've got years and years and years of royal duties to do.' The King has encouraged Prince William to spend more time with his wife and young children - because he has 'years and years of royal duties' ahead, a royal expert has said. William and Kate pictured with their children in December In past, royal experts have claimed that Charles was 'closer to the Queen Mother' as a young boy, as his largely absent monarch mother wasn't a 'comforting' figure during an apparently 'miserable childhood'. Speaking to ITV documentary Charles: Our King in 2022, royal author Catherine Mayer said: 'He grew up in an isolated world, I dubbed it "Planet Windsor". 'It operates on a slightly different set of rules to planet Earth. It looks and sounds like ours but it is very lonely. 'He was very young when his mother became Queen and the bond he had with his mother was never as strong as it might have been because she had a lot of duties.' The children lived on the top floor of Buckingham Palace at the time where there was a nursery wing and the Queen would visit her children. Meanwhile, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has also been praised for her hands-on nature as a mother. 'I live for my sons. I would be lost without them,' she once said. In November 1985, Diana had also remarked: 'Most importantly, [my role is] being a mother and a wife. That's what I try to achieve; whether I do is another thing, but I do try.' Speaking to HELLO! , author Ingrid Seward, who has just penned a book on the monarch's upbringing - called My Mother and I - explained that Charles, 75, has likely urged his heir, 42, to focus on his duties as a father while he still has the chance to In the summer, William appeared to be channeling his mother's nurturing nature as he attended the Wales - Argentina game with son George. He was dressed as a mini-me of William, with both wearing matching navy suits and red ties the latter seemingly a patriotic nod to the Welsh side. Afterwards, father and son duo met some of the Welsh rugby players to commiserate at their loss. Trooping the Colour has offered another series of echos down the years, with William's body language often seeming reminiscent of his late mother's. Whether she was in the public eye or in private, Princess Diana was often pictured holding Prince Harry and Prince William were young. And while William might not cuddle his children publicly as often as the late Princess of Wales did, he will never turn down the opportunity to comfort his children. The love between Diana and her sons was obvious in photos, as seen in a snapshot of the late Princess of Wales and William during a polo match in May 1987. William appears to be channeling his mother's nurturing nature. Pictured with his children last year The young royal is pictured holding tightly onto his mother's hand as she holds her hand on his forehead. George, who is second in line to the throne, stayed close to his father who rested his hands on George's shoulders during the traditional Easter Sunday Church service at St Georges Chapel in April, 2022. Meanwhile, William appeared ready for his royal duties last night, as he arrived at the BAFTAs in London. The Prince of Wales arrived solo for the award ceremony where he apologised for the Princess of Wales' absence as she continues to recover at their family home following her abdominal surgery. Pictured: Prince Harry, Prince William and their mother Princess Diana pictured in Majorca, Spain on 1987 Diana and Charles pictured with their sons - William's Housemaster Dr Andrew Gailey - when the Prince of Wales went to Eton The heir, who has been president of the EE British Academy Film Awards since 2010, was seen cheerfully posing for photos with members of the public as he walked down the red carpet. The Prince, who cut a sharp figure wearing his trademark navy velour suit jacket and dickie bow, went on to greet the award's organisers telling them 'I am sorry Catherine's not here, she does love the BAFTAs'. William, who has been focusing on his family following his wife's medical procedure and his father King Charles' shock cancer diagnosis, said he had not watched as many of the nominated films as usual admitting he's had 'other things on my mind'. The father-of-three added that he 'hopes to catch up' and will watch the films alongside his recovering wife. Film fanatics who had lined-up outside the Royal Festival Hall were pleased to here the Prince had watched Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer but were shocked to find out he was yet to watch Greta Gerwig's Barbie, starring Margot Robbie. 'I haven't seen Barbie yet,' the Prince admitted, with excited fans telling him 'You need to see it.' Once inside, the Prince took a seat next to Hollywood royalty Cate Blanchett as they prepared to watch the ceremony presented this year by David Tennant. The Prince opted for a velour navy blue dinner jacket, dickie bow and patent black brogues for the most glamorous night in the British film calendar A host of A-listers descended on London's South Bank this evening with Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh amongst those making a dazzling appearance. Tonight's awards marks the first high-profile royal engagement Prince William has made since his wife's major operation and father's diagnosis. Earlier this month he gave a speech at a London charity engagement raising funds for London's Air Ambulance Charity's new fleet of helicopters earlier this month. It was thought he might skip the ceremony, which he usually appears arm in arm with Kate, but the Prince was keen to continue with his duties and represent the Royal Family at the prestigious event. The Prince apologised for his wife's absence as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery. Pictured: Prince William and Kate Middleton pictured at the BAFTA awards in 2023 Kate had surgery on January 16 at the London clinic and has since returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be with her three children. Last night's ceremony marks the 77th annual award, with Nolan's atomic bomb biopic expected to be a big winner after receiving 13 nominations. Prince William has been a patron for 14 years with his wife first attending the event with her husband in 2017. At last years event, Kate Middleton opted for an Alexander McQueen one shoulder gown for the occasion, which she first wore to the event in 2019. For his outfit, William kept things classic and simple in a double-breasted black velvet tuxedo jacket. The future Queen of Belgium has been romantically linked to a 20-year-old student from Manchester after the pair met at Oxford University. Princess Elisabeth, 22, the eldest of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium's four children, studies History and Politics at Lincoln College. It is while at the university that she is thought to have met Nicholas Dodd, who reads History at the same college, according to Het Laatste Nieuws, a Dutch-language newspaper based in Antwerp, Belgium. The local publication, quoting an 'important source', claims 'ordinary' Nicholas and the Princess had an 'instant connection' after finding themselves in the same study group and developed a relationship that 'transcends friendship'. The report included a photograph said to be of the heir to the Belgium throne standing next to Nicholas at the Matriculation Ceremony at the University of Oxford in October 2021, the event that marks the students' formal admission to the school. The future Queen of Belgium has been romantically linked to a 20-year-old student from Manchester after the pair (thought to be pictured) met at Oxford University 'Nicholas Dodd is remarkably often mentioned in the English Oxford in one breath with our Crown Princess Elisabeth,' claimed the publication on Instagram. The royal, who goes by the name Elisabeth de Saxe-Coburg when at university and is fluent in Dutch, French, German and English, is destined to be the first Queen of her young nation. When asked about the rumours, the Royal Palace refused to comment, according to French-language, Belgium-based television station RTL. 'We do not react to rumours concerning the private lives of members of the royal family', a statement apparently read. Nicholas's family shut down the romantic speculation, with a Whitworth-based relative telling Manchester Evening News: 'No, that is false. 'They just go to the same college and study together. Just like all his other friends, I cant comment any further.' Nicholas has been described as an 'intelligent and studious young man', who appeared on the Rochdale Sixth Form College website after being accepted into Oxford University. He wrote: 'I applied to Oxford because I wanted the opportunity to study at a world-class university. Princess Elisabeth (pictured in October 2023), 22, the eldest of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium 's four children, studies History and Politics at Lincoln College A local media report on the claims included a photograph (pictured) said to be of the heir to the Belgium throne (pictured left) standing next to Nicholas (pictured right) at the Matriculation Ceremony at the University of Oxford in October 2021, the event that marks the students' formal admission to the school 'I felt I should apply because there was nothing to lose in trying! It was also worth it because the experience developed my analytical skills so even if my application failed, the skills I learned will still help me now and in approaching my work in the future. 'I would recommend applying to Oxbridge even if you have doubts in yourself. You have nothing to lose and if you dedicate some time to it then it will be a worthwhile experience in itself,' he added. Born on October 25, 2001, Princess Elisabeth is the eldest of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium's four children. When her father became King in 2013, Elisabeth became the heir to the throne and Duchess of Brabant. Elisabeth began attending royal engagements from a young age and was just nine when she delivered a speech at the opening of the Princess Elisabeth Children's Hospital. Princess Elisabeth in a new portrait released to celebrate her 22nd birthday Princess Elisabeth is the eldest of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium's four children When her father became King (pictured left) in 2013, Elisabeth became the heir to the Belgian throne and Duchess of Brabant Like a number of other European royals, including Princess Leonor of Spain and Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, Elisabeth attended Atlantic College in Wales before moving on to Oxford. Nicknamed 'Hippie Hogwarts', the school curriculum has included unusual activities such as Tai Chi and Tibetan literature. It has a remarkable cliff-top location in a 12th-century castle in the Vale of Glamorgan. Elisabeth enrolled on a 67,000, two-year course to study for her International Baccalaureate diploma at the school, which she has now completed. Before her two-year course in Wales, she attended the Dutch-speaking secondary school Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege in Brussels. The Princess also went to the Yale Young Global Scholars Program at Yale University. When Elisabeth ascends to the throne after her father, she will make history as she becomes Belgium's first ever Queen Alongside her training, in October 2021, the Princess began studying History and Politics at Lincoln College, Oxford She then completed a one-year course in social and military sciences at the Royal Military Academy which is said to teach in-depth about the four components of Belgian defence: Army, Air Force, Navy and Medical. Alongside her training, in October 2021, the Princess began studying History and Politics at Lincoln College, Oxford. Here, she rows for Lincoln College Boat Club under the name 'Elisabeth de Saxe-Coburg'. According to Belgian newspaper Le Soir, the princess completed a written entrance exam in history 'anonymously' so that her social status would not affect her marks. Elisabeth is believed to have chosen the course herself, in agreement with her parents, and reportedly consulted with graduates from various universities and made her decision based on what would be most useful to her in her role as queen later in life. An accomplished 21-year-old by any measure, the official royal website says Elisabeth enjoys walking in nature, reading and playing the piano although like all youngsters her age, writes the palace, her taste in music is varied. KSI has revealed real meaning of his group's name following backlash from fans From Millennials to Gen Z, the Sidemen have become something of a household name among young YouTube users as they have become a sensation on the platform. The collective have become so established that a Netflix documentary was released this month charting their success, as well as recording the highs and lows of their career. The Sidemen Story sees the seven British YouTubers take a look at their decade-long journey as pioneers on the platform, with boxer and musician KSI - real name Olajide William Olatunji - at the forefront. The list of members and their online-monikers are: Ethan Payne (Behzinga), Harry Lewis (W2S), Joshua Bradley (Zerkaa), Olajide "JJ" Olatunji (KSI), Simon Minter (Miniminter), Tobit "Tobi" Brown (TBJZL) and Vikram "Vik" Barn (Vikkstar123). However, The 100-minute documentary is only available on the streaming platform to UK and Irish subscribers, meaning large swathes of their 20 million-plus subscribers - many from the U.S. - are unable to watch. KSI made an appearance on the Jonathan Ross Show over the weekend - where he added further insight into the origins of the "Sidemen" name Sidemen have become so established that a Netflix documentary was released on February 14 charting their success, as well as recording the highs and lows of their career While they grew with a predominantly UK-based audience, the group has risen in popularity globally thanks to KSI's collaborations with overseas stars such as Logan Paul. Many are currently unable to watch the emotional retelling of the group's journey, with one American fan venting: 'Honestly sucks that it's only available in the UK. I'm from the states and am a big fan and was looking forward to this...' Meanwhile, amid backlash from fans around the world regarding the documentary's limited availability, KSI made an appearance on the Jonathan Ross Show over the weekend - where he added further insight into the origins of the group's name. Originally known as the Ultimate Sidemen, many theories have circulated as to what inspired the name. According to The Sun, the name refers to those who are behind the scenes - original member Simon started as a "sideman" to JJ (now known as KSI) by helping him record his videos. In a video, Simon explained: 'A sideman is basically someone's b***h who just follows them around. I was basically JJ's b***h that followed him around.' The Watford Observer, meanwhile, reported that the group's name originates from a social group created on the role-playing game Grand Theft Auto Online in October 2013 called "The Ultimate Sidemen." However, KSI, who was joined on the orange sofa by comedian Jack Whitehall, actress and writer Cush Jumbo, and popstar Paloma Faith on Saturday, cleared up the rumours and disclosed Jonathan Ross the true meaning behind the name. KSI clarified the origin of the name to Jonathan Ross, saying: 'We're kind of "sidemen"... to each other... if that makes sense' The list of members and their online-monikers are: Ethan Payne (Behzinga), Harry Lewis (W2S), Joshua Bradley (Zerkaa), Olajide "JJ" Olatunji (KSI), Simon Minter (Miniminter), Tobit "Tobi" Brown (TBJZL) and Vikram "Vik" Barn (Vikkstar123) Ross mused the mystery, and expressed his own thoughts on the name's origins, saying: 'I would've thought it would have been: They were the "sidemen" to somebody else.' KSI clarified, 'We're kind of "sidemen"... to each other... if that makes sense,' to which the audience and guests erupted in laughter - with even the Youtuber appearing confused by his own interpretation. In other news, KSI has revealed his cluster of expensive motors - with an extensive collective of luxury cars to rival that of a top athlete. The jewel in the Youtube sensation's crown is a custom-made 280,000 Lamborghini Aventador, coated in purple and orange paint, which he bought in 2014. He also owns a 65,000 Porsche 718 Boxster and has previously shown off a Porsche Cayenne, worth in the region of 60,000, in a series of Snapchat stories. The Sidemen Story is now available to stream on Netflix. Read more: Single woman goes on 50 first dates in hopes of finding a partner A group of Aussie friends have helped out a single mate by creating the 'perfect' Hinge profile voice note. Harry Fitzgerald, 31, from Perth, is looking for love and seven friends got creative to spike his number of potential matches with a 30-second pitch. Josh Garlepp, 34, thought of the idea to devise an intense yet hilarious housefire scene, which had to be recorded in real time as users can't upload pre-recorded voice memos. Two laptops, nine speakers, a ring light, keyboard, whiteboard and a toy baby were required and it was all carried out at home. Harry acted as though he was saving a baby from a burning home, all while sharing fun facts about himself. A TikTok video showed how it all came together and the end result left him with more than 100 messages. Josh Garlepp (left), Giorgio Savini (right) and five other Aussie friends got creative to make Harry Fitzgerald (centre) the best voice memo for Hinge Josh thought of the idea to devise an intense yet hilarious housefire scene, which had to be recorded in real time as uses can't upload pre-recorded voice memos The clever tactic was a hit with the ladies with one saying she was 'blown away' by the effort and another rating the voice prompt '10/10'. In the clip, Harry can be seen holding his phone in one hand and a speaker in the other then says: 'So a daily essential for me is having a dip in the ocean'. The next second his friend yells: 'Help! My baby's in that burning building! 'What? Where? OMG I'm on it!' Harry responds and jumps into action while his other mates operate the sound effects. 'It's so hot, like Italy because I love to travel.' The sound of flames and a cat can be heard in the background and Harry says: 'Aww a cat, I'm more of a dog person.' Even the crashing sound of a collapsing ceiling doesn't phase him because he described himself as a 'handyman' who will 'fit it later'. After rescuing the toy baby the friend said: 'Thank you, you're such a catch. To which Harry responds: 'You're welcome, cheers. Anyway, so I love getting outdoors...' As soon as the skit was flawlessly completed the group instantly celebrated and jumped up and down. As soon as the skit was flawlessly completed the group instantly celebrated and jumped up and down The clever tactic was a hit with the ladies with one saying she was 'blown away' by the effort and another rating the voice prompt '10/10' The end result left Harry with more than 100 messages Many wondered how long it took to create the flawless voice note The friends admitted they didn't expect the voice memo to do so well 'This is the most chaotic thing I've ever heard,' one more wrote The friends said they didn't expect the voice memo to do so well, but admitted it took a couple weeks to rake up the matches. 'Josh had recently been broken up with but always found voice memos hilarious on Hinge,' the friends told FEMAIL. 'While he wasn't dating Harry volunteered as tribute to give it a crack because we all found the idea funny.' And the responses spoke for themselves. 'Harry, I'm sure you get this a lot but honestly 10/10 voice prompt, blown away,' one woman wrote. 'This is way too good, I'm actually crying. How long did this take you?' another asked. 'I don't listen to many of the voice prompts, but I'm glad I listened to yours,' a third said. Someone else joked: 'Wait so you burnt down a building for Hinge?' 'I just want to acknowledge the effort that went into this,' another added. 'This is the most chaotic thing I've ever heard,' one more wrote. While the effort sparked an immediate reaction from women, Harry is still single - for now. Josh, Harry and their other mate Giorgio Savini also host the sporting podcast Kick It Forward. Hundreds are up in arms over a 'disappointing' appeal to revoke a popular beach's 'clothing optional' provision. Visitors have been able to leave their swimsuits at home when swimming or sunbathing at Tyagarah beach in Byron Bay since 1998 but NSW Parks and Wildlife Service (NWPS) have appealed to the council to strip the spot of its nudist status. More than 150 nudists took to the beach in their birthday suits on Sunday to protest the appeal donning handmade signs with slogans including 'Naturism Heals', 'Nude is Natural' and 'Nude is not Lewd'. Nude blogger and Tyagarah Beach regular Jessa O'Brien, 35, was at the protest and said she is 'deeply saddened and utterly disappointed' by the NWPS' 'very sudden' request to ban nudity in a letter to Byron Bay Shire Council. 'The lack of transparency on NSW NPWS' behalf and their omission of community consultation is unfair, undemocratic and unjust,' she said. Byron Bay residents are protesting an appeal made by the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service to revoke Tyagarah Beach's clothing optional status by April Nude blogger and Tyagarah Beach regular Jessa O'Brien (pictured) said she is 'deeply saddened and utterly disappointed' by the NWPS' 'very sudden' request to ban nudity 'I urge Council to propose a different course of action to NSW NPWS in which there is community consultation and a collaborative effort between themselves, Council and the naturist community.' She said she thinks the council is unaware how 'far-reaching' the implications of shutting down clothing-optional beaches can be. 'As a female especially, I have been on the receiving end of constantly feeling sexualised/objectified in societymostly when I am clothed, Ill have you know,' she said. 'On the contrary to what the general public (and even yourself) may assume, the irony is that I feel less sexualised/objectified at a clothing-optional beach when I am stark naked than I do when I am walking down the street with my clothes on. 'A clothing-optional beach was the first time I had this profound experience and realisation that nudity, in and of itself, is not inherently sexual.' Jessa also appeared on Sunrise on Monday morning in her fight to keep her favourite beach clothing optional saying the community was 'blindsided' by the request. 'We have no idea what the basis for this decision has actually been, that's the biggest thing, we just want in on the conversation,' she said. 'The lack of transparency on NSW NPWS' behalf and their omission of community consultation is unfair, undemocratic and unjust,' Jessa said 'It's a small, little 800m stretch of beach and for a lot of people, it's a lifestyle choice, that feels empowering and a lot of people get to meet like-minded people.' Jessa, who has been visiting Tyagarah clothing-optional beach for seven years, said closing the beach would be 'robbing' the community of 'the very rare and tangible opportunity to experience our bodies, and nudity, in a very wholesome and healing way'. 'In todays age of the internet and social media, our society needs these spaces and opportunities now more than ever,' she said. 'Revoking the clothing-optional status of Tyagarah not only disappoints the naturist community, but fails a wider portion of society and our communitys future generations.' A petition was started by Byron Naturists Inc. president Bradley Benham on February 11 to save Tyagarah Beach's clothing-optional status calling on NPWS to reverse its decision has gained almost 3,000 signatures. 'The Tyagarah clothing-optional beach has been a place of fun and freedom since it was created by community activism over 25 years ago. Thousands of people now enjoy this beach responsibly,' the petition reads. 'Closing the beach on such short notice and without public consultation or the offer of an alternate location is unfair. We object to this decision.' A petition was started by Byron Naturists Inc. president Bradley Benham on February 11 to save Tyagarah Beach's clothing-optional status has gained almost 3,000 signatures In a letter sent to Byron Shire Council late last year, NPWS executive director Deon Van Rensburg said the service does not support having a clothing optional beach with in Tyagarah Nature Reserve as it is 'inconsistent with values of the reserve that it manages'. NWPS also claimed that naturists were wandering off the designated beach area to also use dune and hind-dunes creating environmental issues. 'The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to identify alternative locations for the activity to take place,' the agenda said. Councillors will vote on the matter on Thursday February 22 and should the request be granted all signage and other official channels to remove advice that the beach is 'clothing-optional' to be removed by April 8 or even sooner. Those caught baring all at the beach could be slapped with a fine of up to $1,100. When asked why the request for clothing to be mandatory on the beach now after 26 years, why beach attire is related to the issue of people going up into the dunes and if alternative nude beaches are being scoped out, NPSW gave the FEMAIL the following statement. 'The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to identify alternative locations for the activity to take place,' a spokesperson said. 'A final decision on the clothing optional area has not been made.' As Australia gears up for the second leg of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Aussie fans have already started complaining about an 'annoying' act at the concerts. Taylor's sold-out Melbourne shows saw super fans around the world shriek in outrage about the surprise songs - but that's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to infuriating behaviour. Lee, from Victoria, recently started a debate about proper concert etiquette after a young fan kept her arms in the air for the entirety of the show. The woman's act blocked Lee's vision and kept her from being able to see Taylor perform at several points. 'Does this count as a ticket with restriction views?' she asked on TikTok, along with a clip. Aussie fans have started complaining about an 'annoying' act at Taylor Swift concerts Lee shared that she politely asked the woman to try and dance with her hands down because she couldn't see - but it didn't work. The super fan was upset because she spent hundreds on Eras Tour tickets and had been looking forward to the concert for months. However, many slammed her for criticising the other fan's 'normal' behaviour. 'Part of going to a concert is knowing almost no matter where you are, your view is going to be restricted most of the time,' one said. 'Even the front row isn't perfect because there are other people there. Arms are always going to be up and swaying - and the artists are going to go every where in case of blind spots,' another argued. A third said, 'I don't see anything restricting your view. I see someone having fun and an entitled person complaining about it.' Another Melbourne concert-goer weighed in: 'I loved the people getting involved, it was so fun. My whole area dance and jumped around the entire show. Was epic.' But others sided with Lee, disbelieving of the young woman's 'selfish' act. 'People need to learn concert etiquette. I understand that she's excited but we still need to be respectful of your surroundings. Manners!' one wrote. 'Listen, if I paid all that money and had someone constantly obstructing my view, I'd be upset. We're all there to have fun BUT you need to be respectful!' another echoed. 'You can dance and enjoy a concert without waving your arm all over the place the entire time,' a woman wrote. 'I have back issues, so I can't stand, or even sit for that matter for a long, YET I still want to be able to see the artist. Is that so wrong?' one asked. A Sydney woman was willing to fork out hundreds of dollars for someone to help her tail her boyfriend after she suspected he was having an affair. The woman, Adriana*, listed a job on Airtasker for $350, advertising her desperate need for reconnaissance. 'I need someone to drive me and a friend to Five Dock and sit in the car with us for a few hours so I can try and catch my cheating boyfriend,' she wrote. A Sydney woman recently shared that she was willing to fork out hundreds of dollars if someone could help her tail her unfaithful boyfriend The woman's desperate ask was advertised just before Valentine's Day The ad was posted just before Valentine's Day as a plea to catch her boyfriend in the act before the romantic holiday. It's not known if the operation was successful. Others have previously gone through their partner's phones or even asked their friends to 'honey trap' their boyfriends. But it clearly wasn't Adriana's style. The post went viral and was shared on several social media websites with many chipping in with their thoughts on the matter. 'The way I would do this for free,' one said. 'Wow, who would've thought of putting it on Airtasker! This is genius,' another wrote. But some didn't see the point of going through so much trouble and wasting $350. 'This never makes sense to me - if you don't trust him, just leave. The relationship is dead regardless of if he is cheating,' a woman said. Adriana listed a job on Airtasker for $350, advertising her need for reconnaissance Gabriella, a new mum, recently gave birth but was 'craving' Pistachio Papi and pledged $300 for whoever could pick up and deliver her a package of the cult food She's not the first to take to the platform for an unusual request. Popular Sydney cafe Son of a Baker hosted a weekend pop up last year featuring desserts and treats from Pistachio Papi, an online-only Aussie store for the nutty spread. Simone Minas, a barber from the city's Inner West, was willing to pay $200 to someone who was willing to acquire a pistachio croissant for her. Similarly Gabriella, a new mum, recently gave birth but was 'craving' Pistachio Papi and pledged $300 for whoever could pick up and deliver her a package of the cult food. 'It's not the first time people have turned to the local marketplace to help them get their hands on food they love, with similar tasks posted to get Lune Croissants and Cinnabons earlier this year at pop ups,' said Airtasker Founder and CEO Tim Fung. by Mahboob A. Khawaja The Nation Becomes a Victim of Futile Elections A nation already on the edge of socioeconomic and moral crises, and facing challenges to its political integrity, falls prey to authoritarian tyranny, political machinations, and enduring suffering. This is due to the fallacy of national elections being rigged by the very officials entrusted with ensuring fair and free ballot exercises on February 8-9. The elections are alleged to have been stolen from the masses rights and their constitutional exercise. The current political trajectory spells out a wave of chaos and mismanagement orchestrated by a few generals and a corrupt judiciary, shaping a dark future for both the present and future generations. Pakistan finds itself governed by a colonialist elite subservient to the Western world. Amidst evaporating truths, Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatta displayed rare courage and professional honesty by stepping forward to clarify to the public the facts surrounding the rigged national elections. Then-Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi watch Pakistan's Air Force fighter jets perform during the Pakistan Day parade in 2022 The Pakistani masses were outraged to learn of the rigging during the February 8-9 national elections in major cities, contested by leading political parties. At the February 17 press conference, Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatta (Rawalpindi Division), located near the Armed Forces Headquarters, admitted to the rigging. He stated, We converted the losers into winners, reversing margins of 70,000 votes in 13 national assembly seats, implicating the head of the election commission and the countrys top judge. The public disclosures highlighted the fraudulent involvement of Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa and CEC Sikander Sultan Raja in manipulating the election results. According to Pakistans Dawn News, Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatta admitted his deep involvement in serious crimes like mega election rigging in 2024, acknowledging that betraying the country does not allow him to sleep. He expressed solidarity with the cause of justice and the people, ultimately resigning from his executive position. Thousands of supporters of the PTI Party and independent activists demonstrated in major cities across Pakistan against the election rigging, aiming to undermine the present and future course of fair and free national elections. According to global news media, people from all walks of life gathered, expressing that their mandate had been stolen, and they opposed the efforts to install an illegitimate government into power. Observers noted multiple layers of a planned scheme to rig the elections. Pakistani commentator Saeed Malik cited Commissioner Chattas confession, implicating Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and CEC Sikander Sultan Raja. One wonders why national elections were held when generals and few judges of the Supreme Court sought to reinstate the corrupt Sharif brothers to political power. The military has produced leaders who have squandered the nations wealth, escaping justice through corruption and unfair legal systems. It is widely believed that the top military brass were directly involved in organizing fraudulent elections to keep Imran Khan and his PTI party out of power. False accusations and charges have been used to imprison Imran Khan and his party affiliates, ensuring a favorable outcome for the indicted Nawaz Sharif or his brother to form the next central government. The Ruling Elite Planned a Scheme of Rigged Elections Pakistan media reports suggest that the April 2022 ousting of elected PM Imran Khan was a conspiracy engineered by former Chief of the Army Staff General Javaid Bajwa. To prevent the PTI from participating, false legal cases have led to Imran Khan being sentenced to 10-14 years in jail. Vengeful generals aimed to keep Khan and the PTI out of power to avoid scrutiny of their actions against the nation. These generals, under Chief of Staff Assem Munir, seem disconnected from the nations needs, leading to catastrophic insecurity, mismanagement, and socioeconomic exploitation. Pakistan urgently requires systematic change, but a few generals and judges are part of the problem. If honesty and accountability hold any meaning, conscientious Pakistani masses should demand the resignation of Chief of the Army Staff General Assem Munir, Chief Justice Qazi Esa, CEC Sikandar Raja, and others involved in the fraudulent election scheme. If they fail to respond, they should be held accountable in a public court of justice. It is essential for them to realize the consequences of their actions and rectify the injustices inflicted upon Pakistans credibility and honor. Dr. Mahboob A. Khawaja specializes in international affairs-global security, peace and conflict resolution with keen interests in Islamic-Western comparative cultures and civilizations, and author of several publications including the latest: One Humanity and the Remaking of Global Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution, Germany A cancer-stricken grandmother unknowingly 'cheated death' for two decades after her husband hid her terminal prognosis. Rosie Gamp, from Edgware, London, died from a separate illness aged 90 in April 2021 and was completely unaware that doctors had dealt her a 'death sentence' in 1999. She knowingly signed up to trial a now-proven drug which halted her breast cancer, stopping the disease dead in its tracks and giving her extra years of precious life to watch her grandchildren grow up. But, as far as Rosie knew, her disease just 'never came back'. Even her family had no idea of her plight. Melvin, her husband of 67 years, only told them in a heartfelt eulogy at the funeral of his 'Jewish Princess', with the 95-year-old's staggering confession shocking the family. Explaining his hugely controversial decision to keep her prognosis a secret, Melvin insisted that it was the 'right' thing to do, telling MailOnline: 'I didnt think she could take it.' Melvin, aware that what he did could be considered as either the greatest act of love or biggest betrayal, admitted: 'I think I did the right thing.' But he acknowledged that his two children might not agree. Rosie Gamp with her husband Melvin, who set their 50th wedding anniversary as the goal for her survival. She lived to celebrate the day and then their 55th, 60th and finally 67th wedding anniversary Rosie knowingly signed up to trial a now-proven drug that halted her breast cancer, stopping the disease dead in its tracks and giving her extra years of precious life to watch her grandchildren grow up Explaining how he managed to keep his wife's prognosis a surprise, Melvin revealed that the surgeon rang the family's house phone intending to share the heartbreaking news directly with Rosie. Under medical guidelines, doctors should ask for consent before disclosing personal information about any patient including someone's spouse. Rosie, a shorthand typist, was diagnosed with breast cancer just one month earlier after alerting medics about a small lump under her right armpit which she felt while on holiday in Portugal. Recalling that life-changing call, Melvin, nicknamed Poppy, told MailOnline: 'I was in the kitchen when the phone rang. 'It was the surgeon with the devastating news that, although the op was successful, nine out of the 12 sample lymph nodes (glands close to the breast that can become riddled with cancer) were affected. 'There was nothing else he could do.' Devastatingly told Rosie had no choice but to start palliative care, Melvin, who used to work in pharmaceutical sales, added: 'I couldn't believe what I was hearing. 'It was a death sentence. I nearly collapsed.' Rosie and Melvin smile for the camera on their wedding day in June 1953. In 1999 Melvin was told the devastating news that his wife's cancer was terminal, with no other option but to place her under palliative care. But he decided to look for other options Stood right by Rosie at that exact moment, Melvin felt unable to hold a conversation and just whispered 'thank you' to the surgeon. When his wife asked who was on the phone, he replied truthfully. Yet Melvin lied and merely told his wife, whose four sisters were all struck down by cancer, that they did not yet have her results. It is not clear what stage of the disease Rosie had at the time and whether it had spread further than her lymph nodes, but there is no cure for stage four the most advanced kind. 'My head was spinning, but somehow or other, I tried to act as normally as possible', Melvin told MailOnline. 'She had so much suffering around her with her sisters and I think it was the right decision.' After her initial operation to remove the affected lymph nodes, Rosie had follow-up appointments yearly. Yet Melvin stresses she never knew she was close to death. 'Because of what happened with her sisters she was so relieved,' he said. 'They had their breasts removed and all these horrible things and Rosie thought they were going to operate on her breasts. 'She was so happy they didnt remove her breasts, but she didnt want to know much else.' He added: 'As far as she knew it just never came back, she was taking these tablets, and everything was fine. 'But she didnt know that everything at one stage wasnt fine at all.' Rosie was offered radiotherapy and chemotherapy following surgery to remove her lymph nodes after the call. But not knowing her cancer was terminal, Rosie refused chemo because she didn't wish to lose her hair before her grandson's bar mitzvah later that year. Instead, Melvin took her every day for a matter of weeks to Northwood's Bishops Wood Hospital for her to undergo radiotherapy, which is typically less brutal. With his mind still in a 'confused state', Melvin was determined to find a way to save his wife. Using a computer gifted as a birthday present, Melvin began researching medical trials across the world. Expecting to find one in the US or Japan, he was surprised to find one just a 30-minute drive away. Melvin believes his wife's 'bubbly' and 'vibrant' personality helped her live for another 21 years. Rosie is pictured shortly before passing away Middlesex Hospital's anastrozole experiment was spearheaded by Dr Jeffrey Tobias, a renowned breast cancer oncologist who Melvin said was 'respected like a god by his colleagues'. Trials have shown anastrozole, first approved for use in Britain in 2006, is even more effective than wonder drug tamoxifen and has fewer side effects. Anastrozole, branded as Arimidex, is a hormone therapy given to women who have been diagnosed with early breast cancer that is oestrogen-receptor positive. It can reduce the risk of it coming back. Women battling secondary breast cancer when it has spread to organs such as the lungs and liver are also nowadays given the 4p-a-day pill to halt the disease. It works by lowering the level of oestrogen, which feeds some tumours. Cutting off the disease's access to the hormone consequentially slows its growth. In the past few years, the NHS has also started to dole out the drug as a preventive. NHS officials announced in November that up to 290,000 women at risk of breast cancer would be offered anastrozole to drastically cut their chances of developing the disease. Dr Tobias, a Cancer Research UK board member and an author of international text books, agreed to include Rosie on his list of participants after her oncologist agreed to the trial. What is Anastrozole (Arimidex) and how does it work? Anastrozole, also known as Arimidex, is a type of hormone therapy given to women with breast cancer or at risk of getting it. It's used a treatment for early breast cancer to help reduce the risk of it coming back. The drug is also used to treat secondary breast cancer, to control the growth of the cancer. Women with a medium or high risk of developing cancer because of a family history might be given the drug. This is to reduce the risk of the cancer developing. But it is usually for women who are post menopausal. The tablets are usually taken once a day for up to five years. How does it work? Aridex lowers the level of oestrogen in the body by blocking a substance called aromatase. Because oestrogen helps some breast cancers to grow, lowering the level of oestrogen can help stop or slow down the growth of breast cancers. Side effects Common side effects that more than 10 per cent of people taking the drug experience include: Headaches, hot flushes and sweats, feeling sick, painful or stiff joints, a skin rash, tiredness, depression and bones loss. Source: Cancer Research UK Advertisement Rosie, still supposedly unaware of her terminal diagnosis, was taken under the wing of Dr Tobias straight away and started taking the medication. The trials in the late 90s had been so successful that they had been closed down prematurely. This meant Rosie was able to get a prescription for the drug soon after starting the trial, Melvin recalled. 'Arimidex started a whole chain of futuristic drugs that have saved millions of lives, including our Rosies,' Melvin said. Not knowing how long the drug would work, Melvin watched his wife 'like a hawk', looking out for any side effects, swellings or pains. 'The only problem was that yes, it worked, but for how long? A week, month, year? Was it a cure or only for a short-term delay? Every day after commencement of the new tablets was a hurdle,' he said. Although Melvin made sure Rosie took her medication, he explained it was 'hard' to get her to go to the GP. 'She never wanted to go to the GP because she feared they would take her straight to the hospital,' he said. 'I kept a lot from her, I wanted to keep her happy.' Melvin set her target for survival as their golden wedding anniversary and held his breath. Rosie lived to celebrate the day and then their 55th, 60th and finally 67th wedding anniversary, defying the cruel odds she was dealt thanks to anastrozole's cancer-defeating effects. 'She cheated death by 21 years, during which time she was able to celebrate,' Melvin said. 'At the eulogy when I said she lived another 21 years, everyone naturally was extremely surprised,' he added. 'They didn't know she was supposed to have died 21 years earlier. 'I think I did the right thing. I don't know if my children think I did the right thing, but I saved everyone a lot of hassle.' Recalling reading his eulogy, he said: 'Everyone was very upset, we've had so many deaths in the family from cancer.' Melvin believes her 'bubbly' and 'vibrant' personality helped her survive the extra years and praises Dr Tobias, now a professor at University College London Hospitals, for helping her get Arimidex. Anastrozole, branded today as Arimidex, is a hormone therapy given to women battling early breast cancer to reduce the risk of it coming back Melvin's grandson Oli Gamp remembers his family's 'shock' at hearing this story for the first time at a funeral. 'Many of us didnt know how to react or feel,' he told MailOnline. 'I think my dad almost wanted to be annoyed at Poppy. 'But the decision he took meant we all got to have another 21 years with her, giving us decades of incredible memories, moments of laughter and joy, all the family events she was able to attend and stories she was able to tell us. 'I think what he did - while incredibly risky - spoke to the unbelievable love he had for my grandma because he would have done anything to protect her and keep her safe. This was his way of doing that and it paid off.' Rosie died two years ago of kidney failure, after a series of complications following a broken femur. Melvin tracked down Professor Tobias before her funeral to thank him for his work that helped to save his wife's life. After sending a copy of his eulogy to Dr Tobias he responded to say it's nice to know that sometimes as a doctor you get things 'right' (referring to the successful Arimidex trial) and that his message took 'pride of place'. There are around 55,900 new breast cancer cases every year, according to Cancer Research UK. But more than 25 per cent of women will survive their cancer for five years or more after they are diagnosed. The couple met in 1951 when Melvin was just 22 and Rosie 21. Rosie originally started seeing his cousin Selwyn, who was more 'extroverted' than he was, Melvin admitted. 'I snatched her from my cousin. I had just passed my driving test and Rosie and her sister Betty had been to an all-night party,' Melvin said. 'I borrowed my dads car, with his permission, and I took them and my cousin out the next day. 'I took a fancy to Rosie. She was already with my cousin Selwyn, so he was not very happy.' The pair married two years later during the Queen's coronation week, in June 1953, arriving at a synagogue in 'posh cars with a chauffeur', which cost Melvin 2. Over a third of workers caring for a relative will be forced to quit their job or reduce their hours in the next year at a cost of 6 billion to taxpayers, a report has warned. The ground-breaking survey found that as many as 41 per cent of working-age carers are thinking of leaving the workplace, or reducing their hours, to look after their relative. An exodus of family carers from the workforce would cost the Treasury as much as 6.2 billion in lost taxes and extra benefits payments in 2024, the report said. Nearly 400,000 people left the workplace between 2021-22 to care for a relative, having been unable to balance the demands with work. An exodus of family carers from the workforce would cost the Treasury as much as 6.2 billion in lost taxes and extra benefits payments in 2024 (Stock Image) The report, titled 'Creating a Britain that Works and Cares', comes against a backdrop of a crisis in social care (Stock Image) The report, by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), warned that government targets to reduce economic inactivity would stall without better support for family carers. It would also put further strain on an already overstretched social care system, it said. Alongside the report, a survey carried out with Opinium found 65 per cent of family carers are out of work and almost 64 per cent of part-time workers would return to the workplace or increase their hours at work with the 'right support in place'. Their responses prompted the CSJ to make a series of recommendations to ease the burden on family carers. The policies included delivering ten hours of free home care, 2,000 in free adaptations to make homes more accessible and an increase in the earnings threshold for the carer's allowance, from 139 to 250 a week. Nearly 400,000 people left the workplace between 2021-22 to care for a relative, having been unable to balance the demands with work (Stock Image) The report's recommendations were praised by leading charities (Stock Image) Cristina Odone, head of the CSJ's family policy unit, said: 'No one should have to sacrifice their own welfare because they are looking after a member of their family. Yet by forcing family carers to choose between holding down a job and their caring responsibilities, this is precisely what our current social care system is doing.' Family carers contribute an estimated 162 billion worth of unpaid care a year, far more than the 26.9 billion contributed by the taxpayer. The report, titled 'Creating a Britain that Works and Cares', comes against a backdrop of a crisis in social care. Skills for Care, the body that gathers data on England's social care workforce, reported there were 152,000 vacant positions in its October 2023 update. There is uncertainty around the number of family carers previous NHS surveys have found 320,000 adult carers are known to councils in England, while the 2021 Census indicated there were five million adult carers in total in England. The report's recommendations were praised by leading charities. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK said: 'These findings are a wake-up call for policymakers to stop taking unpaid carers for granted and give them the support they need.' A government spokesman said: 'We've earmarked 327 million through our Better Care Fund this year to provide carers with advice and support, as well as short breaks and respite services. 'Under the Carer's Leave Act, eligible employees will be entitled to one week of unpaid leave per year. 'We are also making changes to Flexible Working legislation, which can provide people, including carers, with better access to flexible working arrangements.' READ MORE: Subtle warning signs YOU are lacking vitamins and minerals Niacin is added to 'fortified' food as common B vitamin and to lower cholesterol A vitamin added to cereals, bread and pasta might be linked to heart disease, a study found. Niacin, found in many breakfast cereals and other 'enriched' or 'fortified' products, is a common B vitamin previously recommended to lower cholesterol. But researchers found a chemical called 4PY, created when the body breaks down excess niacin, is strongly associated with heart attacks, strokes and cardiac conditions. Dr Stanley Hazen, of the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, said niacin could be a 'previously unrecognised yet significant contributor' to the development of cardiovascular disease. 'The main takeaway is not that we should cut out our entire intake of niacin [but] a discussion over whether a continued mandate of flour and cereal fortification with niacin could be warranted,' he said. According to the NHS, the recommended daily allowance of niacin is 16.5mg for men and 13.2mg for women. However, in their study, published in Nature Medicine, the researchers found one in four individuals was getting too much and had high levels of 4PY in their blood Niacin is found in many breakfast cereals, including Kellogg's Corn Flakes Weetabix also contains niacin, a common B vitamin previously recommended to lower cholesterol Revealed: The foods that contain niacin For decades, it has been a legal requirement to fortify all white flour sold in the UK with niacin. The amount that must be added 2.4mg per 100g was increased by the Government in 2022. Many breakfast cereals are 'fortified' with niacin: Kelloggs Corn Flakes: 13mg/100g Ready Brek contains 14mg/100g Weetabix: 14mg/100g Shreddies: 11mg/100g One tablet of Berocca, the popular daily multivitamin, contains 50mg. A single chicken breast, weighing around 150g, provides 12.3mg. One large potato, meanwhile, has around 4.2mg. Advertisement For decades, it has been a legal requirement to fortify all white flour sold in the UK with niacin. The amount that must be added 2.4mg per 100g was increased by the Government in 2022. Niacin deficiency can cause a potentially lethal condition called pellagra. Symptoms include inflamed skin, sores in the mouth, diarrhoea and even dementia. According to the NHS, the recommended daily allowance of niacin is 16.5mg for men and 13.2mg for women. However, in their study, published in Nature Medicine, the researchers found one in four individuals was getting too much and had high levels of 4PY in their blood. Dr Hazen said: 'Niacin's effects have always been somewhat of a paradox. 'Despite lowering cholesterol, the clinical benefits have always been less than anticipated. 'This led to the idea that excess niacin caused unclear adverse effects that partially counteracted the benefits of cholesterol-lowering. 'We believe our findings help explain this paradox. 'This illustrates why investigating residual cardiovascular risk is so critical; we learn so much more than what we set out to find.' For decades, it has been a legal requirement to fortify all white flour sold in the UK with niacin. As a result, Hovis's soft white medium loaf contains niacin Many breakfast cereals are 'fortified' with niacin. Corn Flakes contain 13mg per 100g meaning a 50g bowl contains neatly half your daily allowance. Similar amounts are found in Weetabix (14mg/100g) and Shreddies (11mg/100g). Many popular daily multivitamins contain around 50mg more than 300 per cent of a man's RDA. The study looked at blood samples and medical records from 503,325 individuals in the UK. It found those with higher 4PY levels were at higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiac disease. The increase in the amount of niacin added to flour was approved by the UK government in 2022 and is expected to come into effect later this year, once the formal process of notifying the World Trade Organisation and EU Commission has been completed. There is no mandatory requirement to fortify breakfast cereals with vitamins and minerals, but makers can voluntarily do this in line with government regulations. Its thought that everyones tolerance for niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, is slightly different. Dr Hazen said intake is like multiple taps pouring water into a bucket. Once the bucket is filled, it begins to spill over. The human body then needs to process the spill-over and produce other metabolites, including 4PY. Excess niacin can be expelled in the urine. Serious overdoses can also cause flushing and liver damage. Last night, Dr Hazen said it is impossible to know how much niacin is too much for individuals, but suggested that a home blood test could be developed to alert people with high 4PY levels. He said: Niacin deficiency is very rare today because the base of our food pyramid is filled with products that are fortified, whether it be flour, cereal, grains, rice or soy. Those with high levels of 4PY should cut back on the carbs and eat more protein and whole foods - more of a Mediterranean style diet. He said that niacin used to be prescribed in high doses to individuals with high cholesterol, adding: Even though it lowered cholesterol, it didnt lower the risk of heart attack or stroke. It raised the question, what else was niacin doing that counteracted the benefits? We think we have found the answer here. Covid vaccines have been linked to small increases in heart, blood, and neurological disorders, according to the largest global study of its kind. An international coalition of vaccine experts looked for 13 medical conditions among 99 million vaccine recipients across eight countries in order to identify higher rates of those conditions after receiving the shots. They confirmed that the shots made by Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca are linked to significantly higher risk of five medical conditions - including a nerve-wasting condition that leaves people struggling to walk or think. But the study also warned of several other disorders that they said warranted further investigation, including the links between a brain-swelling condition and Moderna's shot. Still, the team says the absolute risk of developing any one of the condition remains small. For instance, 13 billion doses of vaccines have been administered and there have only been 2,000 cases of all conditions. The researchers identified 12 conditions that could be linked to various Covid vaccines. Among the most troubling included inflammation of the heart muscle and brain swelling The shots were linked with an array of illnesses, but the risk was still relatively small Dr Harlan Krumholz, director of the Yale New Haven Hospital Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation and a lead investigator behind the study, said: Both things can be true. 'They can save millions of lives, and there can be a small number of people whove been adversely affected. Covid vaccines are estimated to have averted more than 19 million deaths worldwide, including three million in the US alone. Among their discoveries was a twofold increase in the risk of a neurological condition known as Guillain-Barre syndrome,an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the body's peripheral nervous system, leading to damage to the protective casing around nerve cells. The report said that of the 23 million AstraZeneca shots administered worldwide, they would have expected 76 cases of GBS - but 190 events were observed, accounting for a 2.9-fold increased risk. While it cannot be proven that the vaccine caused these events, there is some evidence the vaccine triggers the immune system to attack its own nerves. Meanwhile, the study also confirmed a threefold higher risk for a type of heart inflammation called myocarditis, though researchers did not give the number of expected cases versus actual cases. Myocarditis was seen most commonly in young men. It's believed to be related to immune response triggered my the mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna, which work by instructing cells to produce the same protein that sits atop the coronavirus. This prompts the immune system to produce antibodies against the spike protein, providing protection against Covid. In rare cases, this immune response may lead to inflammation in the heart muscle. Typically, the myocarditis instances have been relatively mild, leading to just 28 deaths. Additionally, both the first and fourth doses of the Moderna vaccine had between 1.7 and 2.6 times greater number of instances of pericarditis, an inflammation affecting the protective sac encasing the heart. They looked at more than 39 million Moderna vaccine doses administered. Like the link between mycarditis and the vaccines, links to pericarditis are still under investigation. It is believed to be caused by the same mechanism, an overactive immune response that attacks the thin sac-like membrane. There was a greater than 3.7 times risk of a condition called Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), which causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord that damages the protective covering of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, after the first dose of the Moderna vaccine. Seven instances of ADEM occurred following vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, surpassing the anticipated count of two cases. There were nearly 190 million shots considered in the study. The study also found that after getting the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, there were 1.9 and 3.9 times increased risks of transverse myelitis and ADEM, respectively. Bells palsy, which causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face, had an increased odds of 1.05 after a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. There was also a 1.3 to 1.4 times greater risk of having a seizure following the first and second doses of the Moderna vaccine, as well as the fourth dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Researchers in Israel spotted 2.7 extra cases of myocarditis per 100,000 people who were injected with the Pfizer vaccine, but this shot up to 11 additional cases for every 100,000 individuals who caught the virus The graph shows the number of extra cases of each adverse effect per 100,000 people after a Pfizer injection (grey bars) and a Covid infection (orange bars) Landmark study finds sudden cardiac deaths in sport fell over time UK cardiologists say the findings from the 'landmark' Swiss and US study should reassure people about the safety of the mRNA Covid vaccines and the risk of myocarditis. Advertisement The researchers added a major caveat to this finding: Chances of having a neurological event following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection were up to 617-fold higher than following COVID vaccination, suggesting that the benefits of vaccination substantially outweigh the risks. After a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, there was a 3.2-times-greater than expected risk of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST). The risks after the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and after the second dose were 1.49 and 1.25 times higher. CVST is a rare but serious condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in the large channels that drain blood from the brain and deliver it back to the heart after the AstraZeneca vaccine. In total, 21 events were expected, while 69 events were observed. Also after the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, there was a 1.07 times higher risk of thrombocytopenia, a condition characterized by a lower-than-normal number of platelets in the blood. After a third dose of ChAdOx1, the risk notably rose to 1.95. Their research was published in the journal Vaccine. Scientists fear a nearly 100 percent fatal 'zombie deer disease' could be evolving to infect humans. Chronic wasting disease, as it is otherwise known, is a contagious neurological condition which kills virtually every animal it infects and is spreading rapidly in deer populations across the US. The disease is caused by misfolded proteins - when proteins do not fold into the correct shape - called prions. After infection, prions travel throughout the central nervous system, leaving prion deposits in brain tissues and organs. Recent studies have shown that the prions have the ability to infect and multiply in human cells in lab conditions - which has raised the prospect of a spillover. It is thought that humans may contract the disease from eating infected venison, or via contact with contaminated soil and water. At least 32 states in America and parts of Canada have seen reports of a virus dubbed 'zombie deer disease' that could potentially spread to humans A biologist is pictured removing the lymph nodes from deer to test them for chronic wasting disease Research suggest it is possible that prions attached to elements of the environment may cause prion properties to be modified, including how infectious it is and the potential to infect other animal species or even humans. It may take more than a year for an infected animal to develop symptoms, which can include drastic weight loss, stumbling and listlessness. It is nicknamed 'zombie deer disease' because it causes parts of the brain to slowly degenerate to a spongy consistency and animals will drool and stare blankly before they die. There are no treatments or vaccines. The exact route of transmission is not fully understood, but it is thought that it is spread animal to animal by eating forage or water contaminated by infected feces or exposure to carcasses. Direct contact, including saliva, blood, urine and even antler velvet during annual shedding may also contribute to the transmission of the pathogen. Any deer that dies on a farm must be tested for chronic wasting disease. Because the disease is so contagious, if one animal test positive, the entire herd is considered infected. The condition is thought to only infect animals like deer, elk, reindeer, caribou and moose. It may take more than a year for an infected animal to develop symptoms In 2023, a group of 68 researchers from around the world started looking at what would happen if a human spillover did occur. Michael Osterholm, an expert in infectious disease at the University of Minnesota and a leading authority on chronic wasting disease, told KFF Health News: 'The bottom-line message is we are quite unprepared. 'If we saw a spillover right now, we would be in free fall. There are no contingency plans for what to do or how to follow up.' The team is preparing for a potential outbreak, examining lab capacity, diagnostics, surveillance and education and outreach. While it is thought that transmission could occur from humans eating infected meat, humans are already exposed to infected deer through hunting and eating. Tens of thousands of infected animals have been eaten by people over the last few years, and there have been no known cases of the disease in humans. Reports indicate that between 7,000 to 15,000 infected animals were eaten in 2017, and the number is predicted to increase 20 percent yearly. It is almost impossible to get rid of, as it survives high heat and disinfectants. The environmental persistence of the disease means that humans may also be exposed via contaminated soil and water. In September 2022, researchers from the University of Calgary published the first study showing that 'the barrier for chronic wasting disease prions to infect humans is not absolute and that there is an actual risk that it can transmit to humans.' Prion disease attack proteins in the brain, leading to clumps to form before death. Dr Sabine Gilch, associate professor and Canada Research Chair in Prion Disease Research at University of Calgary, said: 'From Mad Cow Disease [also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)] we know that prion diseases can jump the transmission barrier from animals to humans. 'During the BSE crisis, BSE was transmitted through contaminated meat or food products to humans and caused a new form of human prion disease, called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.' Chronic washing disease can infect more areas of an animal's body that other prion diseases such as mad cow, which means it could be more likely to spread to people who eat vension. Osterholm and his team have recently received more than $1.5 million in funding to study the possibility of chronic wasting disease passing to humans or domestic animals. Because deer are so important to indigenous people, numerous tribal groups in Minnesota are collaborating with experts to brainstorm how to manage the disease. Chronic wasting disease was initially discovered in 1967 in Colorado in captive deer, but has now been found in animals in at least 31 states, four Canadian provinces and four other foreign countries. Other prion diseases include mad cow disease, has killed over 200 humans, according to the FDA. Mad cow disease infected humans through people eating contaminated beef. Consumer experts at Which? highlight five new scams you may not know Scammers continue to ride roughshod over the law, targeting people with phone calls, text messages, emails, social media requests and even letters. Some are easy to spot from a mile off, with many of us having been contacted by a Nigerian prince in need of help reclaiming his lost inheritance, or received a poorly-worded email warning that at least 574 viruses have been detected on our PCs. However, the vast majority are not quite so easy to spot, and fraudsters are coming up with new ones all the time. According to research from Which? shared exclusively with This is Money, there are five new scams that people should keep a keen eye out for this year. One step ahead: Scammers are increasingly making use of technology to develop more complex methods of duping victims Which? consumer law expert Lisa Webb said: 'Consumers can stay on top of the tactics used by fraudsters by signing up to our scam alerts service - which highlights the latest frauds making the rounds. 'Responsibility should not fall solely on the shoulders of consumers. Tech platforms and the Government need to up their game and better prevent scammers reaching potential victims.' Spear phishing You may have heard of phishing scams, which see scammers send out bulk emails purporting to be from reputable businesses, including banks and Government bodies, with the hope that a handful of people will 'bite'. But fraudsters are now employing a more targeted approach known as 'spear phishing' according to Which? They are compromising victims' data and using that personal information to make targeted attacks, convincing them that they are the real organisation. These attacks use data that has previously been collected by scammers from mass data breaches, social media profiles or previous scams. The idea behind these scams is that the amount of research behind them will make victims believe that the email, text message or phone call must be legitimate. But real organisations rarely use cold calls to ask for sensitive information from their customers, so if you are unsure then hang up and call the company back on its official number. Warning: Spear phishing uses personal information to make targeted attacks Tapjacking Scammers can now hijack your smartphone screen, forcing you to perform actions on your phone without realising. Tapjacking works by showing an overlay on your phone screen which appears clickable. But in reality that is merely an image, which prevents you from seeing what you are actually tapping on. In a mobile game, for example, you may appear to be engaging with game elements, but in fact your clicks are making in-app purchases, or signing you up to a subscription via an invisible screen underneath the overlay. Which? recommends sticking to apps downloaded via sources such as the Apple App store or Google Play Store, and reading reviews before you start installing. Quishing Another phishing spin-off, quishing sees scammers utilising the QR code technology that we have all begun to take for granted following its mass prevalence in restaurants and bars during the Covid pandemic. Scammers use QR codes to lead victims to fake login pages, where they can take your details, or make you sign up to expensive subscriptions without realising. In some cases, these QR codes are sent via email, disguised as legitimate communications, often via previously compromised email addresses. But there have also been reports of false QR codes being stuck to parking meters, which take victims to fake apps which will then sign them up to costly subscriptions. AI and deepfake scams The meteoric rise of artificial intelligence over the past few years has shifted the landscape for scammers, allowing them to impersonate real voices and even faces. As AI continually improves, so to do the tools that scammers have at their disposal. These scams are being increasingly employed to spread misinformation, with scammers using AI or deepfake videos to impersonate reputable sources. In January, the Guardian found more than 100 deepfake videos of Rishi Sunak, which were linked to a mocked-up BBC News page which promoted a fake investment. With 2024 set to see a general election in the UK, it is possible that there will be a rise in AI and deep fake misinformation spreading on social media. According to Facebook and Instagram owner Meta, it will install labels to inform users if a video has been detected as AI. Online ads Last year, the Online Safety Bill was passed into law, but has not yet fully come into effect. The law will mean that large online platforms will become responsible for illegal content hosted on their site, including scam adverts. For now, however, there seems to have been little change according to Which? Telltale signs of scam adverts are offers that seem too good to be true - because they are - and links that don't match with the advert on display. For example, an advert could have been copied from an existing one, but the web address is bogus. The roar of Formula One car engines will blast out from Bahrains 20th Grand Prix in less than a fortnight. When F1 arrived in 2004, the Gulf country was catapulted into the public consciousness and the event set off a string of copycat attempts to replicate its sporting success. Neighbours including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have all set up their own races in a bid to muscle in on the sport and the way it acts as a showcase, attracting international investors. But with the 20th anniversary of its Grand Prix fast approaching, Bahrain is jostling for pole position in the burgeoning finance and tech sectors. In finance particularly, officials and business leaders are keen to talk up the countrys history as a bridge between east and west. Leading the race: Max Verstappen wins last years Bahrain Grand Prix. Formula One motor racing arrived in Bahrain in 2004 putting the Gulf country on the world stage The strategy bodes well for the UK which is considered a key destination for Bahraini investment cash and British banking giants are a dominant force in the countrys financial industry. As The Mail on Sunday revealed recently, the countrys 14.4billion sovereign wealth fund, the Mumtalakat, is planning to plough a wall of cash into the UK through a series of investments, including in the North of England. Mumtalakat already controls Woking-based racing car maker McLaren, where investors last month approved a restructuring that will make it easier to sign partnership deals. Mumtalakats chief executive Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa has declared he wants the fund to become an engine for deals and to expand internationally. Bahrain and the UK have deep and long-lasting ties. The country was a British protectorate for more than 100 years before it gained independence in 1971. The connections extend into business. London-based Standard Chartered was the first bank to set up shop in Bahrain in 1920 and helped establish it as a key financial centre in the region. The kingdom has tried hard to retain its strong links to the West. The island is playing host to the US Navys Fifth fleet as well as a Royal Navy support facility. It is also the only Gulf country formally part of the US-UK coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea following attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen in response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Sandwiched between oil-rich Saudi Arabia to the west and gas-rich Qatar to the south, Bahrain likes to play up its credentials as a trade and diplomatic link both between its fellow Gulf States and the world at large. Shifting focus: Bahrain central bank governor Khalid Humaidan A key trade port since antiquity, the island was for millennia known for its pearl fisheries and was one of the first Middle Eastern states to discover oil in 1932. But the kingdom knows the perils of relying too heavily on fossil fuels and began diversifying its economy in the late 1970s another example its niftiness in getting ahead of its Gulf neighbours. Liberalisation of the economy has been ramped up over the past two decades and was accelerated after the pandemic as Bahrains oil and gas reserves, which still account for a large chunk of government revenues, rapidly dwindle. Since that first Grand Prix, the economy has soared. National income has grown to more than 35billion in 2022 from under 8billion two decades prior. Key areas of interest these days are banking and tourism. The former received a boost in the 1970s and 1980s when the Lebanese civil war forced that countrys large financial sector to flee from Beirut to Bahrains capital Manama. Singapore, another small nation that rapidly developed off the back of its position on key trading routes, seems to be a template. Bahrains lucky geography could also help it become a hub for international data cables. A strategy to exploit developments in artificial intelligence is being drawn up, along with plans to use the desert plains as a location for the vast data centres that power cloud computing. The country has already seen success with the likes of Amazon establishing a data centre in the country while in 2021 Citigroup picked Bahrain as the location for its first global technology hub in the region. Khalid Humaidan, the former head of Bahrains Economic Development Board and now the governor of the countrys central bank, points out that its financial sector has overtaken oil and gas and is the largest contributor to the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) at 17.5 per cent. Currys which traces its history back 140 years to a bicycle repair business founded by Henry Curry has 28,000 staff and more than 800 stores across eight countries selling electrical goods and mobile phones. Its current incarnation stems from a merger ten years ago of Currys PC World with Carphone Warehouse. But it is worth just a fraction of the 3.8billion combined valuations of those companies at the time. Shares have fallen more than 50 per cent in the last two years alone. In its latest financial year to April 2023 it slumped to a 450million loss as revenues fell 6 per cent to 9.5billion. Trading centre: The skyline of Bahrain's capital Manama. Bahrain likes to play up its credentials as a trade and diplomatic link both between its fellow Gulf States and the world at large The companys most recent trading update showed a 3 per cent fall in sales over the crucial Christmas period though it did upgrade full-year profit guidance. And it pointed to growth in the use of credit enabling customers to buy now and pay later as well as repair services and its iD Mobile phone network. Meanwhile, Currys last year struck a deal to sell its Greek and Cypriot arm for 170million. And a recent report by analysts at Investec suggests that the growing service-related parts of the business, with millions of customers signed up, could deliver powerful profit tailwinds. They said the Currys care and repair operation could be worth as much as 667million alone, with the iD Mobile valued at 500million together far higher than the combined market capitalisation of the entire group. Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown, said: Its no secret that its been hard gong for Currys recently. Its been hit hard by cost-of-living headwinds as shoppers find the purchases of bigger ticket items hard to justify, particularly as many purchases were brought forward during the pandemic. However, its clear that the board believes its market valuation was due to its short-term challenges, and that brighter times are ahead for the company. Analysts at Peel Hunt raised the prospect of more UK retailers becoming takeover targets. Cheap valuations across the sector, especially for market leaders, mean we are likely to see much more M&A activity this year, they said. Overall, non-oil sectors account for nearly 80 per cent of the countrys GDP. This is in stark contrast to Saudi Arabia, which relies on oil sales for 40 per cent of its GDP while natural gas exports account for around 60 per cent of the GDP of Qatar. While oil and gas continues to be an important sector for Bahrains national economy, we have shifted our focus, Humaidan said. Beyond business, Bahrain is also keen to emphasise its status as a more liberal place to operate compared to its neighbours in a bid to encourage more global firms to set up shop and bring in their international workforce. Alcohol is legal and same-sex relationships have been permitted since 1976. This contrasts with Saudi Arabia, where both are strictly prohibited. The country is also aiming to dispel lingering concerns about its human rights record following a crackdown on protests in 2011 sparked by the Arab Spring wave of demonstrations that swept the Middle East. With the region once again facing a period of instability, Bahrain has a difficult balancing act to maintain if it is to stay ahead of the race. Advertisement She's now one of the most photographed women in the world but back in 1981 she made her debut to a much smaller fan base. Pictured in DailyMail.com photos, this is Meghan Markle shown as a newborn: cradled in the loving arms of her maternal grandmother Jeanette. A second photo shows her peering up at the camera, cozy in a black hoodie and bearing a striking resemblance to her own five-year-old son Archie at the same age. Speaking in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, the now Duchess of Sussex's cousin Shawn Johnson, 43, said: 'She was always really sweet. She was kind and she always had a star quality about her. 'She was infectious with just the way she was and really mature for her age. She was always really looking after us and making sure that we're all doing fine.' Childhood photos and Meghan Markle's cousin Shawn Johnson paint a portrait of a very happy family and upbringing that had the Duchess of Sussex at its center and saw her lavished with a private education and treated to luxury vacations. She is pictured above in her youth in an undated picture Among DailyMail.com's exclusive cache of photos are shots of the future Duchess of Sussex beaming on the beach alongside a childhood friend during a trip to Hawaii Another adorable baby photo shows Meghan peering up at the camera, cozy in a black hoodie (left) and bearing a striking resemblance to her own five-year-old son Archie (pictured right in 2019) at the same age Shawn is the son of Joseph Johnson, Markle's maternal uncle who died aged 72 of congestive heart failure in August 2021. Although the pair lost contact in their early twenties, Shawn says he hopes to get back in touch with his cousin who is currently estranged from everyone in her family with the exception of her mother Doria, husband, and children. Shawn Johnson is Meghan's cousin through her maternal uncle Joseph Johnson, who died aged 72 of congestive heart failure in 2021 Photos showing Markle interacting with her family as a child make the estrangement all the more baffling, particularly in the case of her father Thomas seen with his arms wrapped around her in one of DailyMail.com's exclusive photos. The pair have not spoken since her April 2018 wedding when the retired lighting director suffered a heart attack and canceled his plans to attend at the last minute. At the same time, he was exposed by the Mail on Sunday as having staged a series of paparazzi photos among them shots of him getting measured for a suit and jogging near his home in Rosarito, Mexico. Thomas, who has never met Prince Harry or his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet, has since become increasingly outspoken, desperately pleading with his daughter to let him see her, all to no avail. But during Markle's childhood, he was the axis on which her world turned along with her mother Doria. Shawn paints a portrait of a very happy family one that had Meghan at its center and saw her lavished with a private education and treated to luxury vacations in Hawaii, as well as a transatlantic trip to London where she was famously photographed outside Buckingham Palace with her childhood best friend Ninaki Priddy. Among DailyMail.com's cache of photos are shots of the future Duchess of Sussex beaming on the beach in Hawaii as well as enjoying a trip to Disneyland a far cry from the modest upbringing she claimed she had in a 2021 letter to Congress, where she described having worked from age 13 and having to 'make ends meet.' Unearthed photos shared with DailyMail.com show Meghan Markle as a newborn, cradled in the loving arms of her maternal grandmother Jeanette Meghan publicly fell out with her father Thomas Markle following her engagement to Prince Harry in 2018 and the two remain estranged, but family photos have illustrated a close father-daughter bond between them during her youth Meghan is currently estranged from nearly everyone in her family with the exception of her mother Doria (pictured in 2018), husband, and children In that missive, Meghan claimed her parents had struggled to afford a $4.99 Sizzler salad bar meal for her. But according to her cousin, she 'definitely had enough'. Shawn explained: 'I don't think any of us were really well off, but we had enough, and she definitely had enough. He added: 'Doria loved her a lot. We could see that, and we all loved her and we're happy that her life turned out the way it did for her.' Shawn, who lives in Merced, California, told DailyMail.com he hasn't seen his cousin in nearly two decades but remembers their joint childhoods being very happy. The embroiderer and graphic designer said: 'We used to go down there for all the holidays and go to Los Angeles and visit them. 'We'd be at my grandmother's house, and we'd all get together. We all had a pretty good childhood growing up. 'Meghan definitely helped make that childhood great she was a big part of it. It was really nice just going out there for the holidays, hanging out with her.' The proud cousin added: 'We just had that feeling she was going to do something amazing. Photos show Meghan was fortunate enough to enjoy family trips to Disneyland as a child Thomas Markle was exposed as having staged a series of paparazzi photos in the lead up to his daughter's royal wedding and has since become increasingly outspoken, desperately pleading with his daughter to let him see her, all to no avail Doria Ragland, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex attend the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards in May 2023 in New York City 'We didn't know what but we were still shocked by what she actually did.' He added: 'I have no bad memories, no anything of her having any weird attitude issues or anything like that. 'She was always just really, even later in the teenage years, she was really mature and kind of ahead of the curve.' Since fleeing the Royal Family in 2020 and setting up home with Prince Harry, 39, in Montecito, the couple have become increasingly controversial. First, in March 2021 came the infamous Oprah interview in which the pair first claimed one of the royal family had made racist comments about the color of an as yet unborn Archie's skin. Later the same year, Markle wrote the widely derided letter to Congress claiming to have endured a struggling childhood in stark contrast to DailyMail.com's photos showing her holidaying in Hawaii and enjoying trips to Disneyland as a child. A Netflix documentary aired in December 2022 caused yet more controversy with Markle seen making a mocking curtsey and taking potshots at the Prince and Princess of Wales. 2023 began with Harry's bitter memoir, Spare, which proved to be riddled with inaccuracies and full of salacious detail including his use of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream to heal his frostbitten penis. The couple have become increasingly controversial since leaving the UK and moving to California in 2020, beginning with their infamous 2021 sit-down with Oprah in which they spoke out against the Royal Family Harry and Meghan made a surprise appearance at the world premiere of Bob Marley: One Love last month That was followed by a mocking edition of South Park called 'The Worldwide Privacy Tour' and then, in May, widespread derision after the couple claimed to have been the victims of a 'high speed paparazzi car chase'. Their story rapidly fell apart with both the NYPD and Mayor Eric Adams casting doubt on their version of events, while photos showed them crammed into the back of a slow-moving taxi. Despite the controversy that follows his cousin, Shawn says he thinks some of the criticism has gone too far and says he is horrified by some of what he reads online. He said: 'Some of the stuff is just so harsh, and I know it's fake. You just try to chalk it up to internet culture, and that's just the way people are around celebrities. 'I've even seen [stories about me] - there's an article, it's not one of the popular stories, but this said that me and Meghan were dating or something like that. 'It's a picture where we were young at the time and she had just, I don't know, a little belly or whatever. We were just kids but there were people speculating on TikTok.' Shawn added: 'There was another story where she was doing some kind of charity work or whatever, and then people just said, oh, that's fake. 'Or she's just doing that for attention - she just can't do anything right whatsoever. I always remember her as the person who couldn't really do too much wrong it's so strange to see it switched up.' This is the inside of a rescue centre which has been dubbed XL Bully Island. Angus Council has launched a probe into Happas Canine Centre, near Dundee, after a flood of complaints that dogs have been mistreated there. Although 'XL Bully Island' already houses dogs, the owners of the 'dangerous' kennels - Jeremy Barron and Kerryanne Shaw - don't have the necessary licences. Despite this, Ms Shaw has posted on social media asking for volunteers to help renovate the kennels, offering 'bully kisses in return'. Photos showing the updates to the kennels show metal shutters in the dog pens Images and videos show the floors have been painted black and the walls are being painted bright blue as the centre prepares to open Pictured is the exterior of the Happas Canine Centre in 2023 Kerryanne Shaw, from Glasgow, owns the All Bullie Charity Rescue At least two XL Bully dogs are already at the site, with a third due to be rehomed. Ms Shaw, from Glasgow, owns the All Bullie Charity Rescue and received over 21,000 in donations to renovate the kennels as a designated XL Bully shelter. The 38-year-old initially refused to disclose the location due to receiving 'death threats', but MailOnline revealed the kennel in question is the Happas Canine Centre, located near Dundee. MailOnline interviewed those who left their beloved pets at the site who claim they returned with no tails, sores on their bodies and caked in 'faeces and urine' - many said their pet was like a 'different dog' upon collection. The GoFundMe page raised thousands of pounds to fix up the kennels in preparation to house the XL Bully dogs - but according to the owner Jeremy Barron's social media comments, the site just needs a 'lick of paint'. READ MORE - SNP were warned that Scotland would be a dumping ground for XL Bullies Advertisement When approached by MailOnline, he said 'there will always be disgruntled customers' and the 'allegations by internet trolls are unfounded'. The Angus Courier reported that there are already XL Bully breeds being kept at the centre, and Mr Barron and Ms Shaw insisted they were doing it 'by the book'. Posting to Facebook last week, Ms Shaw said: 'We're finally getting started on the kennels. 'We still need volunteers near Dundee to help with painting as that's a massive task. 'If you can spare some time to help the rescue dogs and get bully kisses in return? We also provide tea and coffee and snacks.' While most of the comments were supportive, a few commented that the pens still looked uninviting. One said: 'Shame there's no natural light for them ' while another added 'make it look less like a prison for dogs'. Reacting to the comments, Ms Shaw said: 'Turning off comments as too many people wanting to p*** on peoples cornflakes and I can be bothered. 'This is not the finished product we just thought we would update everyone on the work that has been done so far. While opinions are welcome, it's a bit disappointing people are trashing it without seeing the end result.' She said the site should be finished in the coming days and the silver shutter pictured will lead to an outside run for the dogs. Another owner left her beloved pooch in the kennel for two weeks and was shocked at the weight loss upon collecting her. Pictured is the dog before and after her stay The owner said her dog's claws were cut 'almost to the quick' A dog owner told MailOnline about her experience when she placed three dogs in the kennels in September 2023 and shared photos of their injuries (pictured are urine burns on her dog) Another local owner who put her two XL Bully dogs - a mother and a male pup - in April for a weekend said they came back smelling so bad she couldn't let them into her house Mr Barron's animal boarding licence ran out at the end of December and his renewal application hasn't yet been considered by the council. Meanwhile, a rehoming licence application from Ms Shaw won't be considered until March 28. According to the kennel's website, it currently has the capacity to house 56 dogs and 18 cats and includes a 'dedicated hydrotherapy pool area for dogs requiring help with injury rehabilitation.' READ MORE -Previously defiant XL Bully owner whose dogs mauled grandmother to death in front of his own son says he now SUPPORTS ban after previously saying 'nobody tells me what to do with my dogs' Advertisement Previously, photos of the site seen by MailOnline showed dogs believed to be Mr Barron's golden retrievers - of which he is a breeder - crammed into small crates indoors or kept in sparse outdoor cages. Other photos showed dirty bowls empty of food and water and floors covered in dog hair, dog waste and shredded paper. The kennels where the dogs are kept are shown in videos shared to Ms Shaw's Facebook of dogs from her rescue charity housed at the site, kept in sparse pens with concrete flooring. Dog owners who have housed their dogs there in the past also shared photos with MailOnline showing the condition of their pets when they were reunited. One photo shows an injured dog with bleeding legs after she stayed at the site. Other posts and reviews claim dogs were returned to them with fractured or missing tails and one person said her dog came back with a fractured toe after staying there for two days. A dog owner who asked to remain anonymous due to receiving threats online told MailOnline about her experience when she placed her dogs in the kennels for three weeks in September 2023 and shared photos of their injuries. Upon collecting her three-year-old male dog from the kennel, she 'immediately' took him to the vet, and claims he lost 2kg in the time he had stayed there. The GoFundMe set up by the All Bullie Charity rescue has received thousands of pounds Another dog owner who kennelled three dogs at the site for a week told MailOnline her dogs were 'thin and scared' after staying there and she suspected they hadn't been fed the special food she had provided for their allergies. She said: 'I had a work trip planned and our usual excellent kennel had to cancel our booking at the last minute. I managed to get our dogs in at Happas and we had no choice but to leave them there. 'Upon our return, we were told they weren't expecting us until the next day - which was not what we had arranged. 'They brought the dogs out and we were horrified. All three were soaking wet with urine and faeces. Our white bulldog was the worst, he was covered with dried faeces and diarrhoea. 'The other two were just as bad when they were examined. They were thin and scared. The smell was horrific, and they were hoarse from barking. 'After bathing them at home, feeding them and calming them down, we were furious.' Another owner left her beloved pooch in the kennel for two weeks and was shocked at the weight loss upon collecting her. Sharing photos of the difference in weight, she told MailOnline how she could feel 'her ribs and spine clearly' and the dog had lost 6kg in two weeks. The owner said: 'She couldn't get away quick enough - not like her at all. She was jumpy and a bag of nerves for months. 'When it's time to clip her nails it's like trying to restrain a terrified bull - she screeches and even bites. She's completely petrified.' A woman who left her golden retriever dog at the kennel for 10 days said her dog came home and 'just stared at me, shaking and foaming at the mouth'. A man who put four of his dogs in the kennel said one of them came back with a fractured tail and the rest had lost weight and suffered urine burns. He left his two terriers there - one of which was elderly with hip problems - along with two larger dogs. He asked for the large dogs to be kept in a separate kennel, as one was seven months old and too boisterous to be kept with the smaller ones. The GoFundMe page for the XL Bully shelter says the thousands of pounds donated will be spent on 'essential improvement and upgrades'. It reads: 'I run All Bullie Charity rescue - we are a bull breed specific charity and specialise in large bull breeds, many of whom are being targeted by the XL Bully ban. 'We have been given a fantastic opportunity to take over a kennels establishment in Scotland and move on site to work with our dogs daily. The 38-year-old refused to disclose the location due to receiving 'death threats' 'This will be a safe haven for our dogs who cannot be rehomed due to behaviour or risk of the ban coming into force in Scotland, as well as allowing us to personally assess and rehab dogs before placing them into homes. 'The kennel needs some essential improvement and upgrades, and we also need a static caravan for me to live in as well as my own dogs. 'We need to upgrade the shutter system, drainage and heating as well as clearing some ground to create large suitable paddocks for the dogs to enjoy some play time as well as more minor upgrades. 'Please consider donating and help us keep our beautiful dogs safe from euthanasia.' Speaking about the ban coming to Scotland, she said that if the plans for the centre do fall through, she will focus on helping families who want to keep their dog but cannot afford the exemption process or neutering. Mr Barron told MailOnline he is not under investigation by the council, and claims the local authority has two dogs residing with him. He said: 'Allegations by internet trolls are unfounded and yes I was reported to the council and SSPCA, who by duty have to follow up all complaints to them. This has been a few over the last few weeks and every time they have been here they have given me the all clear. 'There will always be disgruntled customers, especially when I have over 1500 bookings a year. I get very little complaints compared to the volume of dogs I have. 'Yes there was an incident where one dog lost a tail this year in a freak accident which happened when a dog pulled a tail though a small gap - a gap allowed for in legislation as less than the size prohibited. 'This was fully investigated by council and changes agreed to be installed over winter maintenance.' 'I have nothing to do with the charity wishing to use the kennels in the future. No lease is signed and won't be signed until the relevant licences have been granted by the council.' However, a spokesperson for Angus Council said: 'Angus Council has received a number of complaints with regards to a kennels business in the Forfar area and our Animal Health Officer has visited and inspected the premises along with colleagues from the SSPCA as part of an ongoing investigation.' The council said 'several visits' had been made to check on the progress of requested improvements, adding that 'further work is required'. It follows the tragic death of Esther Martin, who was mauled to death by two XL Bully dogs in front of her eleven-year-old screaming grandson at the beginning of the month. It is understood the terrified 68-year-old had issued a warning to her tattooed 'son-in-law' Ashley Warren, 39, but it is claimed the East London wannabe rapper fired back with a foul-mouthed rant: 'No one tells me what to do with my f***ing dogs.' New rules for XL bully dogs in England and Wales were introduced on December 31, after a spate of deadly attacks. The intention to make it illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange or abandon the dogs was first announced by Rishi Sunak on September 15, with the legislative statutory instruments laid in the Commons on October 31. However, it was not until January 11 that Humza Yousaf announced plans for a similar ban in Scotland. He claimed the action was needed because there had been 'a flow of XL bully dogs to Scotland' and criticised the UK Government for announcing its plans 'without any consultation with the Scottish Government'. Curbs will not come into force in Scotland until February 23, when it will be a criminal offence to breed, sell, abandon or give away an XL bully dog, with penalties of up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to 5,000. Streets across Britain are being plunged into darkness by cash-strapped councils aiming to save up to 1million a year and avoid bankruptcy. Dozens of local authorities have plans to dim street lights on main roads at night to cut costs, a move which safety groups have now warned could put women at 'serious risk'. Croydon London Borough Council aims to save up to 1 million a year by dimming their lights. Havering London Borough Council said it had no choice but to dim the brightness of 4,000 lights on its main roads between midnight and 5am. And Cornwall has decided to switch off around 35,000 lights, more than half of its supply, within the next few months as part of a cost cutting exercise. Havering admitted it had passed its 'toughest budget ever' with huge cuts amid a 32.5million deficit - projected to rise to 81.9million over the next four years. But the move was blasted by campaigners who say that it puts women at risk from predatory men who are emboldened by the dimmed lights. Streets across Britain are being plunged into darkness by cash-strapped councils aiming to save up to 1 million a year and avoid bankruptcy (file image) Dozens of local authorities have plans to dim street lights on main roads at night to cut costs, a move which safety groups have now warned could put women at 'serious risk' (file image) Among those making the move, Havering London Borough Council said this week that it had no choice but to dim the brightness of 4,000 lights on its main roads. Pictured: The entrance to Havering Town Hall at night Our Streets Now, a group which fights to end the public sexual harassment of women and girls, claimed the council was treating their safety as 'an afterthought'. 'We know from research, from our members, and from the experiences of women and girls up and down the country that low and no street lighting poses a risk to their safety', a spokesperson told The Telegraph. The council's leader, Ray Morgan, said however that he 'fully recognised the worries around safety' and that lights on residential roads would 'remain on full power and brightness'. Meanwhile, Croydon London Borough Council also aims to save up to 1 million a year by dimming their lights. The three times-bankrupt London borough introduced a new street lighting policy in which there is a 50 per cent reduction in lighting levels in residential streets and main traffic routes. This move is intended to reduce the council's use of energy by 33 per cent, consequently saving them around 967,000, they said. In Croydon, there are 23,500 street lights that can be adjusted from a central control room. A Croydon Council spokesperson said: 'The street lighting scheme started as a year-long trial in January 2022 and proved to be an environmentally and financially sustainable practice for the borough. 'Following the success of the pilot the variable lighting policy was adopted in March 2023, standardising the practise. The policy aims to maintain acceptable levels of lighting throughout the hours of darkness in our busy town centre and district centres, recognising that lighting can contribute to a reduction in the fear of crime. 'No enquiries or complaints specific to the change in light levels were received either within the pilot study period timeframe or upon the subsequent months thereafter. Crime statistics provided by our Culture and Community Safety team showed that during the variable light level trial there was no direct increase in street crimes taking place during 'night time' hours. 'Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for the Council and the variable lighting policy allows for changes in light levels if deemed appropriate.' After carrying out a trial last year, a report said that there were no complaints during the test, and no 'direct increase in street crimes'. Last year Cornwall Council announced plans to switch off 35,000 street lights in a bid to cut costs. Pictured: Street lights shining at night in the Cornwall seaside town of St Ives Women's safety campaigners have blasted the decision, saying it could put them at risk (file image) But the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which supports victims of stalking, said that while it lacks recent research, historical surveys showed that 'the majority of respondents perceive their personal safety to be more at risk in areas where dimming or switching off of streetlights occurs'. A spokesperson for the charity told MailOnline: 'What we would want to know is to what extent has the council consulted with local people about the proposed changes and how will they monitor the impact of the changes on people's feelings of, and actual, safety? 'In addition, we would emphasise that street lighting in any case is not the answer to tackling crime including violence against women and girls and we would urge the council to publish their wider plans to tackle this.' In South East England, Hampshire County Council spend approximately 4.2 million per year on street lighting. Since 2010 they have introduced various dimming measures, but they are now proposing to extend the time streetlights are switched off from midnight until 5am, as it looks to plug the gap of a budget blackhole of 132million. Doing this could save the County Council 500,000 each year, they said. Claire Hemmings, 54, is concerned about the plans to limit street lighting, as she worries about the safety of her 16 year old daughter, Loulou, after someone was recently attacked near their home. 'There's not very much lighting as it is,' she said. 'Cutting street lighting is ridiculous - awful. They should be looking into solar solutions.' In South East England, Hampshire County Council spend approximately 4.2 million per year on street lighting The Women's Centre Cornwall say Cornwall's decision to switch off more than half of its street lights could lead to women 'taking even more precautions then they are already forced to' Training nurse Natasha Evans, 35, said lighting has 'always been a problem' as a woman walking back in the dark. 'There are quite a lot of places I wouldn't walk at night,' she added. Also down south, Cornwall has decided to switch off around 35,000 lights, more than half of its supply, within the next few months as part of a cost cutting exercise. The Women's Centre Cornwall charity raised concerns about women's safety in public spaces after dark following the announcement, but emphasised the root of the problem was 'misogynistic beliefs held by perpetrators who harass and abuse women in public spaces'. According to the charity, national statistics show that the majority of women are at risk from men known to them, rather than from strangers in public spaces, stating 6 in 7 rapes against women across England & Wales are perpetrated by someone they know. A spokesperson for the charity said: 'The decision to turn off 35,000 street lights across Cornwall between midnight 5am could unfortunately lead women to take even more precautions than they are already forced to, however we would emphasise that the root of the problem is the misogynistic beliefs held by perpetrators who harass and abuse women in public spaces. 'We recently carried out a 'Walk My Walk' survey which showed only 6% of women respondents said that street lights would help them feel safer on the streets of Cornwall. The majority of women said we need to address the root cause of violence and abuse through education and cultural change.' A Florida woman who went missing in Spain two weeks ago had started using dating app Bumble in the months before she vanished, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. Investigators have tracked down at least two men that Ana Knezevich, 40, was chatting with before she was last seen outside her rented Madrid apartment on February 2. A day later close pals received 'bizarre' WhatsApp messages from the pretty Fort Lauderdale realtor, claiming that a 'wonderful' man had approached her in the street and they were spending the next few days together. They couldn't get through to her and do not believe the texts were written by Ana, who was officially declared missing on Monday February 5 when she failed to meet a friend to travel to Barcelona for a conference. Colombian-born Ana had been living in Spain on and off since last summer when her marriage to Serbian-American businessman David Knezevich, 35, hit the skids. Ana Knezevich, 40, was ready to move on from estranged husband David Knezevich and had begun using Bumble before she went missing in Madrid two weeks ago, friends have revealed The Florida realtor's best friend, Sanna Rameau told DailyMail.com that police have been in contact with 'several people' Ana had been speaking to on the dating app Sanna said she did not know whether Ana had been using the app for romantic dates or for its 'bff' feature to make new friends in Madrid The pair made several attempts to reconcile but Ana was ready to move on and was using Bumble, according to best friend Sanna Rameau, who traveled to Spain earlier this month to help look for her. She doesn't know whether the petite brunette was looking for romantic dates or just using the app in 'bff' mode to make new friends. 'I just know that police have been in contact with several people she was speaking with,' Sanna told DailyMail.com. 'I have met with one of them who tells me that they were not romantically involved, they were friends. 'I have been saying this whole time that we need to get into her phone and look at the platforms she was using. 'We need to look for any clues in there but we have not got that far yet.' Adding to the mystery, investigators checked surveillance cameras and found footage of a suspicious man in a motorcycle helmet skulking around Ana's building on Friday February 2. He was first seen waiting outside for two people to leave then slipping inside before the door could close at around 9:30pm. He then sprayed black paint on two cameras, one above the elevator and another on the entrance intercom, to obscure his movements. Spanish cops are yet to track the man down or make any arrests in Ana's disappearance, according to her brother Felipe Henao. Sanna and Ana's brother Felipe Henao revealed they received a series of bizarre text messages from her phone claiming she was going off with someone 'wonderful' she had met in the street Friends say Ana had been going through a 'tough' divorce from husband David Knezevich when she disappeared from her apartment while on vacation in Madrid on February 2 Ana's best friend Sanna Rameau said she asked David to help with the search but he has since fled to his native Serbia 'My mother is devastated,' he told DailyMail.com. 'I wish I had something new, I wish Ana was back already. 'I just hope someone with information comes forward to tell us what they know.' Ana and her partner of 13 years David, also known as Dusan, were yet to formally file for divorce. They ran a real estate business, owned as many as six properties, and tried several times to patch up their marriage before calling it quits in January, when she rang her family in tears to let them know. David indicated to close friend Sanna he would travel to Spain to help look for Ana but never arrived, she told DailyMail.com. 'The fact is that I went to Madrid to search for Ana. I asked for him to come and join me and search for her. 'But instead, he said that he had left Florida to go to Serbia. That's all I can say.' David did not respond to calls and WhatsApp messages and there was no response when DailyMail.com called at the estranged couple's $900,000 home, which boasts five bedrooms and a pool. Ana's Mercedes convertible was parked up on the drive, along with a Nissan and several motorcycles. Packages and mail were piling up outside. Colombian-born Ana had been living in Spain on and off since last summer when her marriage to Serbian-American businessman David, 35, broke down The couple got married in 2011 and moved to the south Florida city of Fort Lauderdale Ana and David's $900,000 home in Fot Lauderdale boasts five bedrooms and a pool 'They were a very frisky, cuddly couple, they seemed happy,' said neighbor Guy Hackman. 'David is a showy guy, a nice-looking dude. He would walk around with his shirt off. He looked kind of cocky.' Several locals told DailyMail.com they had seen Ana and David sunbathing naked on their roof in broad daylight. 'They would lay there naked catching the sun,' said one. 'It's Florida. They've been living here long enough to know there's no kids living right here. 'I've never even heard a raised voice come from that house. It's so sad, she's such a sweet girl.' The couple had been embroiled in a number of recent lawsuits, including a bank taking them to court last year for allegedly defaulting on a $399,000 mortgage. David was sued again last October for falling behind on a second, $435,000 mortgage, but both cases were dismissed. DailyMail.com can also reveal that David sought restraining orders against two men in 2018 claiming that they had stalked and threatened to murder him. The orders were dropped because David failed to show up at a hearing to decide whether they should be made permanent. Ana's supposed last message to Sanna at 2pm on Saturday February 3 said she had 'met someone wonderful.' Ana was officially declared missing on Monday February 5 when she failed to meet a friend to travel to Barcelona for a conference It went on: 'He has a summer house about 2h from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there. Signal is Spotty. I'll call you when I get back.' Another message elaborated: 'Yesterday after therapy I needed a walk and he approached me on the street!. Amazing connection. Like I never had before.' Neither she, nor Ana's anguished family, believe the missing woman authored the texts. Her WhatsApp account has been offline ever since. 'That wasn't Ana. She isn't impulsive or irresponsible. She doesn't take drugs or drink hard liquor,' Sanna said of her 'smart, adventurous' friend. She added, ominously: 'I immediately knew that something terrible had happened.' University students have tried to cancel a bookshop for selling literature on slavery and suicide, its owner has claimed. Tasha Berks has run Bookmark, a second hand bookshop in Falmouth, for over 20 years, but claims that 'woke' students have recently come in to her shop to 'check' if her collection is 'racist'. The 58-year-old blasted the Gen-zers for being blatantly rude to her when they come in, and for taking photos of books to then just buy them later online. She argued that the growth of Falmouth University is to blame for a number of issues in the area, because it has allowed the number of students it enrols each year to more than double since 2010. She told MailOnline: 'I've had students come in and tell me I can't have books on suicide and slavery on display. 'One boy was taking photos of a book, I said, 'I hope you're not just going to buy that cheaper online' but he said he was checking if it was racist.' 58-year-old Tasha Berks has owned Bookmark, a second hand bookshop in Falmouth, for over 20 years She claimed that ' woke ' students have recently come in to her shop to 'check' if her collection is 'racist' She said: 'As a trader I have never been more depressed because of the way young people are quite rude to me. 'It's not all of them most are nice people but I've had students come in and tell me I can't have books on suicide and slavery on display. 'One boy was taking photos of a book, I said, 'I hope you're not just going to buy that cheaper online' but he said he was checking if it was racist. 'The university has got too big, there are 7,000 students living in houses local people used to live in. 'It's a beautiful place and I can understand why they want to be here, but they don't understand working class fishermen and that's what this town was. 'In the last three or four years most of the people we used to see all the time have left. I wish more locals would come into town and we would see old friends again, but they stay away.' Falmouth in Cornwall has been voted the most depressing place to live in the UK by the satirical website iLiveHere General view of the harbour area. Ms Berks argued that the growth of Falmouth University is to blame for a number of issues in the area, as it has allowed the number of students it enrols each year to more than double since 2010 Locals also hit out at being labelled a 'cultural void' saying the town boasts numerous independent shops, art galleries and hosts annual oyster and sea shanty festivals. It comes after Falmouth was labelled as the most depressing place to live in Britain as furious locals blame second home owners for sucking the life out of the community. Falmouth came out top in an annual poll ahead of the likes of Alloa in Scotland, Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, and Crawley in West Sussex. Savage reviews on satirical website iLiveHere, where people leave honest and brutal assessments, branded the area as 'bland and boring' and said it had an air of 'soul-destroying mediocrity with a gaping cultural void'. Homes in the town - which has the third largest natural harbour in the world - sell on average for around 400,000, with celebrities such as Flog It!'s Paul Martin and novelist Joseph Conrad once calling the area home. Falmouth pipped serial winners Peterborough to the top spot by 27 votes with it being suggested by iLiveHere 'the power of social media and word of mouth is what propelled Falmouth' to number one. A 61-year-old nurse had to drag her 87-year-old disabled mother into the car to drive her to hospital and save her life when she had a stroke after being quoted a ten hour wait for an ambulance in Wales. Karen Woods says when she rang 999 she was told paramedics would be there in less than two hours - fitting within the four-and-a-half-hour window for stroke patients to receive the 'clot busting' thrombolysis medicine. However, after a one hour and 45 minute anxious wait at her home near Swansea holding her mother Doreen's hand, the ambulance had still not arrived, forcing Karen to ring again - when she was told the wait was now a further eight hours. To save her mother, the psychiatric nurse had to drag her into a wheelchair and carry her out of the house and into the car, with every movement causing immense pain to her mother's osteoarthritis-ridden body. 'If you ring an ambulance in Wales, nobody comes,' Karen told MailOnline. Karen Woods, 61, (left) with her mother Doreen, 87, who was told there would be a ten hour wait for an ambulance when her mother had stroke To save her mother, the psychiatric nurse had to drag her into a wheelchair and carry her out of the house and into the car Karen noticed her elderly mother was ill before she headed out on a shopping trip on Saturday morning on February 3. She said her mother's face and lips were completely white and she was shaking, with one side of her face drooped. The stroke left Doreen - a former teacher of more than two decades - blind and unable to speak and Karen knew she only had a short time to save her mother's life. But when she dialled 999 at 9.45am in desperate need for help, she was told an ambulance would not arrive for at least one hour and 45 minutes. Karen held onto her mother's hand throughout that time, waiting in hope paramedics would arrive. To add to the frustration two ambulances drove past her house with lights flashing, giving the stricken daughter false hope that life-saving aid was nearby. 'I was holding her hand and just told her 'the ambulance is coming, don't worry',' she said. 'I took her obs and they were horrendous, the blood pressure was horrendous. Everything about her was like she was going to die.' When the quoted time was up she called 999 again only to be astonishingly told the wait time had increased to eight hours. 'I didn't know what to do, I just wanted to cry and I don't do crying,' an emotional Karen said. Doreen (right) playing the slap bass at her wedding party. She had worked as teacher in Lincoln for more than two decades before falling into ill-health (Doreen pictured cuddling her granddaughter, Lily) Karen says the episode has seriously damaged her health and she is now 'one hundred times worse' 'My mother couldn't see, she was blind [because of the stroke] and I didn't know if she understood the situation or not. 'That doubled her fear and I'm sure she thought she was dying. 'I said [to the call handler] 'she's having a stroke you are practically condemning her to death'. 'She said 'it's not my fault' and I said 'I know, I understand it's the system but my mum is very likely to die or be brain damaged because 999 isn't working, is that the best you can do?'.' Her frightened mother uttered 'no help coming' - her first words while in the midst of the stroke - which broke Karen's heart. 'I could have cried my heart out as she tried so hard to speak the words and that's what she said,' Karen said. She knew if she sat and waited any longer her mother would more than likely die, so she dragged her 76kg (12 stone) mother into her wheelchair, and, with the help of her son, 'crammed' Doreen into the front seat of her Dacia Duster. Karen said: 'I don't know how we did it - it was hurting her and every movement she was crying out in pain. It was very barbaric.' After making the 20 minute driver to Morriston hospital, help arrived within minutes and Doreen was wheeled into the central hub for seriously ill people. Karen had to drag her mother Doreen into her Dachia Duster and make the 20 minute trip to Morriston hospital (pictured), in Swansea, in order to save her life The specialist stroke team was around Doreen like 'bees around nectar' and after a CT scan administered the life-saving thrombolysis medicine with just 15 minutes to spare until the four hour and 30 minute window elapsed. Within two hours she could speak and see again, but Karen says the episode has seriously damaged her health and she is now 'one hundred times worse'. She now suspects her mother is dying. 'You feel so powerless, I think that's the main feeling,' she said. 'Of absolute helplessness. You can't make a sensible decision, you can't make a lifesaving decision because it's taken out of your hands.' She added: 'She's been a mighty fine woman and to be so shabbily treated at the end of her life which should really be the bit where you are feeling secure. 'You've paid into the system all your life and you think if you ring 999 something will happen. That's the fundamental right really.' Karen later found out the the emergency services phoned her home while she was in hospital and told her daughter paramedics would not be arriving at all and it was best for her to take her mother herself. 'The system is broken, but the staff when you get in through the door are absolutely fantastic,' she said. 'It's absolutely horrendous. People are terrified to be ill or to have a car crash as they know there is no help, nothing is coming. Nobody is coming. 999 does nothing. '[Next time] I'll cram her in the car, I'll kick her in the car, I will strap her to the roof rack, I will get her to A&E myself. Honestly, I will strap her to a skateboard. 'I will never ever ring 999 again as it wasted one hour of 45 minutes of time when my mother could have been treated. Karen later found out the the emergency services phoned her home while she was in hospital and told her daughter paramedics would not be arriving at all (Stock image of ambulances outside the University hospital of Wales in Cardiff) 'It's a big pity after everything she has done and given that that the end of her life is full of fear that the one thing you rely on in times of really serious illness like that no longer exists to help you.' Katie Chappelle, associate director for Wales at the Stroke Association, said there needs to be a faster response for someone with a suspected stroke to give 'the best chance of survival'. 'Every minute wasted shortens the time window for stroke patients who could be receiving life changing treatments,' she said. Jason Killens, chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: 'We sincerely apologise to Mrs Woods and her family for their experience in their time of need. We understand how distressing and frustrating this must have been, and it in no ways represents the level of service we want to give, and patients have a right to expect. 'The NHS across the UK is under significant pressure as demand increases, putting pressure on our resources and our ability to respond to patients as promptly as we would like. 'These issues are well-documented across the country, and it is unfortunate when regrettably, we have to ask patients to make their own way to hospital because we have no ambulances available to respond in a timely manner. 'We will reach out to Mrs Woods as soon as possible to understand more about her experiences, to offer her and her family our apologies and the opportunity to formalise her concerns. 'Meanwhile, we are continuing to work closely with our Health Board partners to actively explore solutions to these complex system-wide issues, as the current situation is untenable for patients and staff across health and social care.' A Welsh government spokesperson said: 'We are sorry to hear of this experience which is not the level of service we expect. 'Despite record demand we have seen improvements in ambulance response times and handover performance in Wales this winter compared to last year. 'Nearly 400 extra ambulance staff have been recruited in three years and despite extreme budget pressures we are investing in new same day emergency care services and social care to improve patient flow and ambulance performance.' A professional abandoned mine explorer believes searchers made a major mistake in the hunt for missing mother Samantha Murphy. The mother-of-three was last seen leaving her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat, west of Melbourne, for a jog through Woowookarung Regional Park at about 7am on February 4. One major concern Ballarat locals have raised is that the park is littered with dangerous abandoned mineshafts from the gold rush. Some believe the mother could have fallen into one of the mines and been seriously injured. Despite this, local mineshaft explorer Raymond Shaw, from Victorian Historical Mine Shaft Chasers, told Daily Mail Australia there was little to no sign the search party had entered the shafts in Woowookarung Park. Ballarat mother-of-three Samantha Murphy (pictured) has been missing since she left her home for a jog on February 4 Professional abandoned mine explorer Raymond Shaw (pictured) claims he saw no sign searchers had inspected abandoned mineshafts in the area Mr Shaw and his wife travelled to the forest from Melbourne last Sunday to check 40 mineshafts in 15 locations for any sign of the missing mum. 'There wasn't any disturbance on the surface from emergency services looking for any items that belonged to the missing person in question,' Mr Shaw said. 'There was no signs of any bushes being moved. I did mention that to my wife at the time.' Mr Shaw explained the entrances of mineshafts are often surrounded, or sometimes covered, by foliage. Deeper mines could also be surrounded by 'mullock dumps', which are mounds created from the rock and soil dug from the ground to create a shaft. 'When I'm out doing surveys, shafts are always hidden underneath logs and lots of foliage,' Mr Shaw said. 'If you're walking through an historical site, as I've done many times, they could be spread around the surface for up to 100m away.' Mr Shaw said it has taken him several years to learn how to spot mineshafts in the bush. 'To the untrained eye in a mining district, the common man would walk on by,' he said. A major search operation combined resources from police, SES (pictured) and volunteers was 'scaled back' a little over a week ago Mr Shaw (pictured inside a mineshaft in Ballarat) and his wife travelled to Woowookarung Regional Park and searched 40 mineshafts but found no trace of Ms Murphy 'I can see where they've been and are because I look at the country as I'm walking, especially in the trees, it tells the story of the goldfields mysteries.' Police admit Ms Murphy's disappearance in 'suspicious' Mr Shaw previously told Daily Mail Australia he suspected Ms Murphy could have been attacked by someone living in nearby abandoned mine tunnels, called adits. He's met several people living in adits in other locations throughout Victoria. Following reports of a man harassing female searchers, he questioned whether there could be someone living in the abandoned mine system under Woowookarung. 'I went looking for him. I think he's living in the adit down by the creek,' Mr Shaw said. 'It's hidden in the bush. We didn't see anyone down there. There are a few adits down there, one has collapsed a bit.' He described other adit-dwellers he's previously met as 'weirdos who are nice, generally'. 'They will defend themselves, though,' he said. 'Most I've met have been inside the adits.' Ms Murphy's family have also voiced suspicions their loved one was attacked, possibly by a deranged stalker. Police last week changed the status of Ms Murphy's (pictured) disappearance to 'suspicious' 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 'It's just like she's gone off the face of the Earth. There's nothing,' Ms Murphy's aunt Janice Robson told Daily Mail Australia. 'I would say that somebody would have been watching her. I can't think it would be anything else.' Police last week changed the status of Ms Murphy's disappearance to 'suspicious'. Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told Radio 3AW on Wednesday that the search for Ms Murphy had reached a new stage. 'It's certainly unusual when we haven't been able to locate any trace of her or any other evidence within that period of time,' he said. 'It's suspicious, whether that means there's foul play involved, or not, I don't know, but obviously detectives are investigating a matter where a woman's been missing for a significant period of time.' Police visit the Murphy family's home Detectives from Victoria Police's Missing Persons Unit spent more than an hour at the Murphy family's property on Wednesday morning. The family property is at the centre of the investigation. It is the place where Ms Murphy was last seen on February 4, as she embarked on her morning jog. Part of the investigation - now dubbed Operation Primus - will see detectives trawl through Ms Murphy's computers and devices in the hope of finding clues. Ms Murphy's husband, Mick, continues to be supported by family members and is understood to be cooperating with the specialised unit, attached to Victoria Police's Homicide Squad. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Mr Murphy has any involvement in the disappearance of his wife. Ms Murphy's eldest daughter, Jess, and husband issued an emotional plea for their loved one to come home on the fifth day of her disappearance. Several volunteers continue to search for Ms Murphy but have been warned top travel in pairs following reports of a male harassing female searchers (pictured, Woowookarung Regional Park) Ballarat, including Woowookarung Regional Park, has several abandoned mineshafts (one pictured above) 'Mum's a really strong woman, and she's far too determined to give up this fight,' Jess tearfully told reporters. '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. 'And to tell you off for giving us so much stress. I love you.' Mr Murphy added: 'People just don't vanish into thin air. Someone's got to know something.' '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.' On Thursday, former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina was asked how often someone in a missing person's inner circle has something to do with their disappearance during an appearance on Sunrise. 'There's been cases involving family members, but there have been others equally that have involved opportunistic criminals that have abducted people - men and women and children,' he said. 'It is a matter of looking at all the aspects, who lives in the area, do we have other criminals in the area, has she been pulled into a house or gone on her own volition? 'These things need to be followed up and you go where the evidence takes you.' Police 'scale back' its search for Ms Murphy Ms Murphy left her home in Ballarat East to go for a 14km run early Sunday morning. However, her family became concerned after she failed to show up for their 11am brunch plans. Ms Murphy's eldest daughter, Jess (pictured), and husband, Mick, issued an emotional plea for their loved one to come home on the fifth day of her disappearance Ms Murphy's husband Mick (pictured) said: 'People just don't vanish into thin air - someone's got to know something' A major search operation combined resources from police, SES and volunteers to try and find her. While police scaled back its search effort, volunteers continued to coordinate searches in the Woowookarung Regional Park in hopes of finding the missing mother-of-three. Volunteers have been instructed to search in pairs and ensure they have adequate food and water with them. A blistering heatwave will continue to scorch parts of Australia while thousands were left without power as thunderstorms and heavy rain lashed swathes of the country. Temperatures will continue to soar in Western Australia after the state became the hottest place on earth on Sunday as the mercury reached 49.9C at Carnarvon Airport. Perth surpassed the record for the most number of consecutive days above 40C within a one month period with the city marking the sixth straight day of unpleasant conditions on Monday. The city's previous record was set in 1933 when four days of above 40C temperatures was reached with the record later matched in 1985 and 2016. Meanwhile parts of Australia's east coast are in for a drenching with showers and thunderstorms forecast for Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. Lightning strikes cut off power to at least 13,000 homes on Sydney's northern beaches while four people have been hospitalised. Dry and mostly cloudy conditions are predicted for Melbourne in a welcome reprieve after Victoria was battered by monstrous storms last week. Parts of Australia will continue to face another severe heatwave as the hot and humid conditions persist (pictured beachgoer) Lightning strikes cut off power to at least 13,000 homes on Sydney's northern beaches while four people have been hospitalised Sydney The NSW capital will reach a maximum of 27C with showers thunderstorms lashing the city on Monday. Ausgrid's outage tracker showed almost 13,400 houses are currently without power. Four people were hospitalised after taking shelter under a tree at the Royal Botanic Garden before it was struck by lightning. A 19-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were transferred to RPA Hospital while a 36-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman were taken to St Vincent's Hospital. Flash flooding has also been reported at Wyong, Tuggerah and Randwick. The harbour city is expected to remain mostly cloudy throughout the start of the week, however humid conditions are expected further down the line. Temperatures will reach tops of 31C on Thursday while tops of 32C are expected on Friday. Weatherzone senior meteorologist Brett Dutschke told Daily Mail Australia that wet weather is also likely to occur throughout the week. 'There's a chance of showers or a storm each day between now and Friday,' he said. 'Some storms have the potential to be severe'. The thunderstorms are expected to provide some relief from the sticky conditions that will hang around the city. A cool southerly change is likely to arrive with an 80 per cent chance of showers on Friday. Melbourne A cloudy start to the week is expected for Melbourne across Monday and Tuesday due to a cool change brought about by fresh southerly winds. The city is expected to bear the brunt of some warmer conditions with the mercury hitting tops of 35C on Thursday. Another cool change is expected to settle in later in the day due to northerly winds with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting wind gusts of up to 45km/h. Mr Dutschke said the cool change is expected to last from Friday through to the weekend with temperatures reaching tops of 23C on Sunday. Sydney is set to bear the brunt of showers and thunderstorms (pictured) which have been forecast for most of the week Brisbane Thunderstorms and showers will drench the capital of the Sunshine State with the wet weather conditions expected to last for most of the week. Mr Dutschke said humid conditions are also likely to settle further down the track, which he said was typical for the month of February in Brisbane. 'The warmth and humidity will peak [on] Thursday, Friday, Saturday,' he said. 'That's the period when humidity will be even more that what's typical for this time of year'. A dry change is expected to move in on Sunday tops of 34C expected on Saturday. Perth The BoM has issued a severe heatwave warning for central, western and southern parts of the state which is expected to last until Wednesday. Perth will hit tops of 43C on Monday with 40km/h wind gusts to take hold on what is set to be a mostly cloudy day. A sea breeze is likely to come through in the afternoon to create a cloudy rest of the day. Two schools in Perth's north, Cervantes Primary School and Jurien Bay District High School, closed their doors on Monday due to an increased risk of bushfires. While the heatwave is expected to persist across Perth on Tuesday a cool change is expected to come through by the middle of the day. A stronger cool change will move through on Wednesday providing some relief before temperatures quickly pick back up for the latter half of the week with strong wind gusts up to 30km/h expected. Tops of 36C are expected for Friday. Meanwhile ex-tropical cyclone Lincoln is moving west from the Top End towards the Kimberly in WA's north. The weather system is likely to reach waters north of the Pilbara on Wednesday. The BoM has forecast it will redevelop into a tropical cyclone on Thursday with heavy rainfall and damaging winds set to sweep across the area. Parts of WA were the hottest place on earth (pictured) over the weekend with temperatures reaching almost 50C Central, western, and southern parts of WA is in the grip of a severe heatwave that is expected to last until Wednesday Canberra A partly cloudy day is expected across the national capital for most of Monday with a high chance of showers. The wet weather is likely to persist until Thursday with tops of 27C on Wednesday. A cool and mostly dry weekend has been forecast. Adelaide Temperatures will reach tops of 35C on Monday and Tuesday before a cool change moves in. The warm weather is set to become cooler from Thursday with the weekend expected to be mostly dry. Parts of the east coast are set for unsettled weather conditions with a mix of hot and dry weather (pictured beachgoers) The warm weather will also be interrupted by showers and thunderstorms (pictured) Hobart A cloudy day is expected for Hobart for Tuesday and Wednesday before temperatures warm up on Thursday with tops of 33C. A cooler change is expected late on Thursday with wind gust up to 35km/h expected on Friday. The weekend is set to be mostly dry. Darwin Mr Dutschke said Darwin is looking at a mostly dry week but there are chances of showers and thunderstorms forecast for each day. Tops of 32 are expected for Monday with Friday to be the hottest day this week with temperatures reaching a maximum of 33C. 'The monsoon that had been over the Top End is weakening,' Mr Dutschke said. '[It will] be a little bit warmer than normal for this time of the year'. A watch and act alert has been issued for parts of the Northern Territory as ex-tropical cyclone Lincoln which is currently near Tennant Creek moves south west. Parts of the Stuart Highway was closed off to motorists due to flooding with drivers urged to avoid the area. The Gregory, north Tanami and the Barkly regions could face the threat of flash flooding with six-hourly rainfall totals up to 150mm expected. Michael Sheen's vision of a workers' uprising in South Wales is the most nakedly political drama screened on primetime British TV for 40 years. The Way, a three-part drama starting tonight on BBC1 at 9pm, depicts blood on the streets after an oppressive government sends in riot squads, then private security squads armed with automatic rifles, and finally the Army complete with helicopters to crush peaceful demonstrators. It is an open call to insurrection and a general strike, set around the steelworks of Port Talbot, where Sheen grew up. Nothing so clearly partisan has aired since Boys From The Blackstuff, Alan Bleasdale's depiction of recession Britain in 1982. That was also a BBC production but at least Auntie did not first broadcast it in an election year. In Sheen's dystopian vision, after the works are taken over by foreign investors, conditions become so horrific that one young worker slips and plunges into a vat of molten metal. The Way tells the story of the Driscoll family as they become involved in civil unrest in Port Talbot sparked by foreign investors taking over the steelworks leading to horrific work conditions for locals who rely on the industry for jobs Callum Scott Howells plays Owen Driscoll, the younger Driscoll sibling who is recovering from a drug addiction and suffers with mental health problems The town is reliant on these jobs, and many people are afraid to protest. One outspoken firebrand, a grandmother named Dee (Mali Harries) galvanises them with a speech at a union meeting, and a strike is called. Capitalism is the enemy, anarchy is the answer. Dee has to drag her family with her. Ex-husband Geoff (Steffan Rhodri) is a moderate who believes the workers can negotiate and find middle ground with their bosses (boo, shame!) Daughter Thea (Sophie Melville) is a policewoman (class traitor!) and son Owen (Callum Scott Howells) is a druggie who discovers the workers' struggle is something worth living for (sob!) The backlash, both from a draconian police force and from neo-Nazi thugs, is bone-crunching. One man who attempts to film the march on his phone is punched and dragged to the ground by coppers on their commander's order: 'You two! Take him out!' 'We are enforcing total lockdown,' declares the army chief. As foreign workers are bussed in, tear gas canisters fly and skulls are smashed with riot shields. One outspoken firebrand, a grandmother named Dee, played by Mali Harries, galvanises the workers with a speech at a union meeting, and a strike is called The oppressive government sends in riot squads, then private security squads armed with automatic rifles, and finally the Army complete with helicopters to crush peaceful demonstrators Sheen's Welsh nationalist politics are underlined when the local assembly member calls for 'borders within kingdoms', to a chorus of cheers Even gullible Geoff abandons compromise and grows a backbone, smashing a glass case in the museum to seize an ancient Welsh sword for the battle (there's a lot of that mythical Celtic imagery, what with the steelworks' eternal flame and what have you). Sheen himself, who co-created and directed the series, plays the ghost of a union hero from an earlier era. In a mealy-mouthed interview with the BBC, he denied this is a battle plan for the far Left. 'It is not like we're saying, 'This is what you should do,' by any means,' he claimed, 'but I have huge sympathy for the steelworkers.' The drama comes after, in real life, unions at Port Talbot's Tata Steel were told earlier this month that more than 1,900 jobs are at risk, with the phased closure of two blast furnaces. 'In no way is this a blueprint to how people should react,' Sheen said at the premiere screening last week, 'but you don't know, do you? I think inevitably this was going to be a political story.' The ultimate political villain is identified in an early scene at a four-year-old's birthday party, where children are given masks of horrifying politicians to wear. They sit on the sofa watching cartoons Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Boris Johnson and Kim Jong Un. But the most evil of this bunch is Maggie Thatcher. But by far the most evil of this bunch is Maggie Thatcher. Spotting the mask, Dee exclaims, 'Really! In this house?' 'Dont assume that everyone around you has your politics, Dee Driscoll!' retorts a granny. 'I wouldnt have bought my own house if it wasnt for her.' But Dee is having none of it. 'Well, we don't need to scare any other kids,' she sneers. The 'other kids' continue to wear their Putin and Trump masks. That mask is ripped from the child's face and hurled from patio doors, with a cry of, 'The enemy will out!' and is caught by the wind. Later, the mask hangs over the town, haunting the inhabitants. At that moment, a narrator reading a fairytale is reciting the words, 'Where queens cast spells that last forever...' Sheen's Welsh nationalist politics are underlined when the local assembly member calls for 'borders within kingdoms', to a chorus of cheers. When white supremacists storm in later, they wave the Union flag a hated symbol to those who want an independent Wales. This isn't a fantasy where the battles of the miners' strike are refought and this time the workers win. Instead, South Wales degenerates into a war zone and families are forced to flee through refugee escape routes. The message is unmistakable: Britain has failed to welcome illegal migrants with open arms. Now natural justice demands we should all suffer the same fate, and see how we like it. There ought to be an announcement at the end: 'If you have been affected by any of the issues shown in this programme, further information is available from the Socialist Workers Party.' Donald Trump's cognitive decline is 'more apparent' than Joe Biden's with 'slurred speech and gross, repeated errors' but both are concerning, a professor has warned. Politics professor Paul Quirk from the University of British Columbia assessed both the presidential front runners' cognitive functioning - after a series of gaffes raised questions about their fitness to hold office. He told Newsweek that 77-year-old Trump's cognitive deterioration is more obvious, but Biden's 'cognitive failure' could result in him refusing to relinquish control if needed during his second term. Both candidates have come under fire for mental slip-ups in recent weeks - Trump confused Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi, while a damning report described Biden, 81, as an 'elderly man with a limited memory.' Quirk said: 'From the standpoint of the campaign, Biden's age should be less of an issue than Trump's more apparent cognitive decline - displayed in slurred speech and gross, repeated errors in one campaign rally after another.' Professor Quirk warned that Biden could fail to recognize his own decline and refuse to step down as a result Trump's decline is 'more apparent' and a bigger issue for his campaign according to Professor Quirk Although Trump's decline is more obvious, Quirk said, Biden's is equally worrying: 'The legitimate concern about Biden's age is that by the end of a second term, he would be almost five years older than he is now. 'There is obvious potential for serious cognitive failure by then. 'And if it occurred, the real danger is that Biden would fail to recognize it, and refuse to let his vice president take over.' Quirk's assessment follows a series of slip-ups that have called both Trump and Biden's mental fitness into question. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice released its long-awaited investigation into Joe Biden 's mishandling of classified documents, delivering a damning assessment of the president's 'diminished faculties' and limited memory. Although the report did not recommend bringing charges against the 81-year-old, it provided a cascade of damaging findings about files found in Biden's garage as well as the president's fitness for office. In interviews with investigators, the report said Biden became muddled about the dates he was vice president and could not remember the year in which his son Beau died. The report said: '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?').' Professor Quirk assessed the cognitive functioning of both of the presidential front runners One of the reasons they decided not to press charges was because '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'. Earlier this month, Biden's staff struggled to explain why the president repeatedly referred to deceased European leaders as if they were still in power. He made another gaffe when he referred to French president Emmanuel Macron as Francois Mitterrand, the country's former leader. Mitterrand died 28 years ago. Then Biden mixed up late German leader Helmut Kohl with former Chancellor Angela Merkel. And in November, he bragged that he had a 'code to blow up the world' as he chatted about nuclear weapons on a visit to the world's largest windmill factory in Colorado. At the same visit, Biden called Trump a 'Congressman Trump.' Meanwhile Trump, speaking at a rally in Concord, New Hampshire ahead of the state's key primary election, repeatedly mistakenly referred to Nikki Haley being responsible for security during the US Capitol riot - rather than Nancy Pelosi. He said: 'By the way, they never report the crowd on January 6. You know Nikki Haley, Nikki Haley, Nikki Haley, you know, they do you know they destroyed all of the information, all of the evidence, everything, deleted and destroyed all of it. All of it.' Trump has also appeared to slur his words while giving speeches on the campaign trial. And he has seemed to mix-up Biden and Obama, repeatedly suggesting former Democratic President Barack Obama was still in office. Over the past few months he has referred to the 'Obama administration' in the present tense and to Obama as the 'current president' while on the campaign trail. Both Trump and Biden have tried to downplay the gaffes, insisting they are fine. After the Department of Justice report, Biden told the nation 'I know what the hell I am doing!' and insisted that 'my memory is fine.' Likewise, in January Trump told voters that he had taken a mental fitness test and 'aced it'. More than 8.5 in 10 American voters think President Joe Biden is too old for another term and only 62% feel the same about Trump But voters have not been convinced with a recent NBC poll finding a total of 62 percent of voters had major concerns about Biden's mental and physical health and 34 percent of voters had major concerns about Trump's. Likewise, the vast majority of American voters 86 percent said President Joe Biden, 81, is too old for another term in office, according to ABC News/Ipsos poll. And, 62 percent of respondents in the poll said that former President Trump, 77, is also too old for another White House term. Prof Quirk believes Democrats want Biden to step aside, but that there is no way to make him do it. He said: 'Many or even most senior Democrats might prefer that he step aside. 'But they don't have mechanisms for discussing the matter in confidence, arriving at a collective decision, and imposing it on Biden, other party members, and primary voters.' But he added the situation was not yet dire: 'At this stage, we have seen no clear evidence that Biden has had enough cognitive decline to compromise his performance as president. 'He has been, if anything, surprisingly effective in policy terms. The Special Counsel's report that called attention to Biden's 'memory problems' has been widely disparaged as a partisan hit job.' Conservative commentator Ann Coulter told HBO's Bill Maher that if the shooters at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl parade were white males, 'we'd know their identities by now.' Two teenagers have been charged as juveniles in connection the parade shooting, despite a prosecutor previously saying they would be accused as adults. Coulter told Maher and fellow guest commentator Van Jones on Real Time Friday night that the lack of public confirmation of the shooters' identities was a sure sign they weren't white men after Maher said 'we don't know.' 'We have some idea,' Coulter responded. 'If it were a white man shooting, wed know.' Although the suspects remain unidentified by authorities, images have been published by DailyMail.com. Conservative commentator Ann Coulter told HBO 's Bill Maher that if the shooters at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl parade were white males, 'we'd know their identities by now.' When Maher tried to remind Maher that their official identities remain uncertain, Coulter doubled down: 'Thats how we know its not a white man. I can tell you that much.' Maher then questioned Coulter as to whether they were 'suppressing that reporting' which the longtime conservative firebrand connected to the mass shooting in Nashville last year, which was committed by transgender man Aiden Hale. 'They wouldnt tell us about the, transgender woman that shot up the Christian school for, what, like a year? Oh, San Bernardino out here. Remember the crazy terrorist Muslims? Thats when I first noticed. Hm, theyre not telling us who it is. Its not a white male. The longer they go without telling you, its not a white male.' Maher did remind the audience that it is still not officially known but Coulter hit home her point one more time: 'We know.' 'We dont officially know. Okay, you know, you have special powers,' Maher joked. The Kansas City shooting suspects can be seen arguing in chilling footage taken moments before a gunfight killed one and injured 22 at the Chiefs Super Bowl parade. Footage taken on a fan's phone shows two of the juvenile suspects arguing in the background during a heated exchange with someone off camera. The suspect in a red hooded sweater is seen hastily pulling his backpack off as if he is reaching for something within it. While another teen lurks behind him, wearing a beige brown jacket and what appears to be a black bandana over his face, another is also seen wearing a black hoodie with a black satchel. Separate footage shows the suspect in the black hoodie leaving the scene with his hand caked in blood as he clutches his face. Coulter told Maher and fellow guest commentator Van Jones on Real Time Friday night that the lack of public identities of the shooters was a sure sign they weren't white men after Maher said 'we don't know' Maher then questioned Coulter as to whether they were 'suppressing that reporting' which the longtime conservative firebrand connected to the mass shooting in Nashville last year, which was committed by transgender man Aiden Hale One juvenile in a red hooded sweater is seen hastily pulling his backpack off him as if he is reaching for something within it Eye witnesses told the outlet that the teen with the satchel, seen here, had been shot in the face during the melee Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said earlier this week that investigators believed the shooting was triggered by a personal dispute. Eye witnesses told the outlet that the teen with the satchel had been shot in the face during the melee. One witness said on Friday that one of the suspects had been missing part of their jaw following the shooting on Wednesday. Navy veteran Tony Janssens told Fox News Digital how he bumped into some of the suspects as he was fleeing to safety after shots rang. '[One of the suspects] turns around and his jaw's been shot. He's basically missing his jaw, and he's freaking out,' Janssen said. 'He doesn't know what to do. He doesnt know what to do. And then his buddies are kind of scrambling. Theyre all like, dont know if they should keep running or help his buddy, since hes bleeding now.' Janssens was not sure if the suspect was a victim or one of the shooters, but he followed his military training and kept his eyes on the injured person. Other footage also shows the teen in the brown jacket being apprehended by bystanders at the parade following the shooting. Another teen, wearing a beige brown jacket and what appears to be a black bandana over his face, is also seen in the new footage One of the suspects, who was tackled by a hero bystander, is shown in handcuffs with police. The motive remains unclear Pictures show a rifle perched beside a backpack following the deadly shooting that claimed the life of one person on Wednesday People flee after shots were fired near the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII victory parade on February 14 The unknown man is seen in dramatic footage being shoved to the ground by heroic fans who chased him down. Father-of-two Trey Filter was seen tackling the man in the brown jacket along with Omaha resident Paul Contreras. Explaining how he managed to grab the suspected shooter, Trey said: 'I turn, I see a flash, and I think to myself I hope that is him. 'All I recall is barely seeing the guy and I couldn't believe I caught him, I remember thinking "man I hope that is him".' Contreras, who attended the event with his daughter Alyssa, was caught on film by his daughter as he launched himself at the suspect. 'One guy was hollering, saying, you know, Stop him catch him, tackle him, or whatever,"' Contreras recalled, as footage from others showed the actual tackle in real-time. 'And hes just barely running,' he went on. 'And out of nowhere I hear that guy hollering, so Im just like, OK, Im right here."' The dutiful dad continued: 'I didn't think about it. It's just a reaction. I didn't hesitate - just do it.' Trey and Casey Filter who had been watching the parade with their kids when the mayhem unfolded Joined by his daughter, 46-year-old Paul Contreras recalled the encounter, which 23-year-old Alyssa managed to capture on her phone as her dad jumped into action People flee after shots were fired near the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII victory parade On Friday it was announced that two teenagers had been charged as juveniles following the shooting. The suspects, who remain unidentified by authorities, are charged with gun-related offenses and resisting arrest, said The Jackson County Family Court division. 'It is anticipated that additional charges are expected in the future as the investigation by the Kansas City Police Department continues,' the Office of the Juvenile Officer said in a statement. Missouri law dictates that juvenile hearings are not open to the public. It's possible the suspects could be charged as adults if and when they are charged with a felony. A third juvenile initially believed to be involved has since been determined to not been connected to the shooting and was released. Chief Graves said on Friday: 'Our investigators have poured themselves into this investigation, and it continues. 'We will not relent until everyone who may have played a part in these crimes is apprehended so that they will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.' The slain woman was identified as Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a local radio host and a mother-of-two, seen here Flowers, signs and other items are gathered in front of Union Station on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri The shooting outside Union Station occurred despite the presence of more than 800 police officers who were in the building and surrounding area. The slain woman was identified as Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a local radio host and a mother-of-two. Lopez-Galvan, whose DJ name was 'Lisa G,' was an extrovert and devoted mother from a prominent Latino family in the area, said Rosa Izurieta and Martha Ramirez, two childhood friends who worked with her at a staffing company. The 22 people injured ranged between 8 and 47 years old, with half under 16. Eleven children were taken to a childrens hospital, nine of them with gunshot wounds. All but one child had been released by Friday, and that last person being treated was expected to recover. Eight gunshot victims were taken to another hospital Wednesday. Officials there said two were in critical condition Thursday and five had been discharged. Three of four people injured in the chaos after the shooting had been discharged. At a third hospital, a gunshot victim who was in critical condition was upgraded to serious condition, an official said Thursday afternoon. Four people injured after the shooting were treated there and released. Mobile phones will be banned in schools under guidance to be issued to headteachers today. The new rules back teachers in prohibiting phone use throughout the school day including at break times in a bid to minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms. While many schools already ban mobiles, ministers hope the guidance will ensure consistency across all schools. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said she wanted to give teachers the tools to 'take action to help improve behaviour and to allow them to do what they do best teach'. In England, it is currently up to individual heads to decide policies on mobile phones and whether they should be banned. The guidance, which is non-statutory, instructs headteachers on how to ban the use of phones not only during lessons but during break and lunch periods as well. Mobile phones will be banned in schools under guidance to be issued to headteachers today (Stock Image) The new rules back teachers in prohibiting phone use throughout the school day including at break times in a bid to minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms (Stock Image) It offers four different policies that schools can adopt to enforce it, including banning phones from the school premises, handing in phones on arrival at school, and keeping phones securely locked away at school. A fourth option allows pupils to keep hold of their phones, provided they are never used, seen or heard. Almost all children 97 per cent now have mobile phones by the age of 12, according to Ofcom. Last year, a UN report recommended smartphones should be banned from schools to improve learning and tackle classroom disruption and cyberbullying. Unesco, the UN's education agency, pointed to evidence linking excessive mobile phone use to reduced educational performance. Several studies have found links between phone use and poor mental health among children including anxiety, depression and low self-esteem and there are growing concerns that pupils are using mobiles to bully each other and for sexual harassment. Mrs Keegan has warned that the internet has taken bullying 'to new levels', with bullies able to 'prey on their victims in the safety of their own homes'. Last week, the mother of Brianna Ghey, 16, who was murdered by two teenagers from her school, one of whom had watched videos of torture online, and the father of Molly Russell, 14, who took her own life after viewing harmful material on social media, joined forces to combat online harm. Ministers have previously attempted to ban mobile phones in classrooms. Three years ago, then-education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson launched a call for evidence on managing behaviour in schools including the use of mobile phones. But the proposed ban was ditched by his successor, Nadhim Zahawi. The Mail revealed last October that Mrs Keegan was planning to order schools to outlaw smartphones. Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said last night: 'Growing up in today's digital world provides immense opportunities but this should not come at the expense of our children's wellbeing or education. That is why we have passed world-leading legislation to make the UK the safest place in the world for young people to be online. Today's announcement will support parents and educators further.' GILLIAN KEEGAN: Classrooms should be a sanctuary for children A massive 97 per cent of children have mobile phones by the time they are 12. And the parents among us will know what that means for daily routines disrupting bedtime, making it harder to focus on homework and struggling for conversation around the dinner table. The problem spreads beyond the classroom kids are playing on their mobiles in the playground, when they should be socialising or kicking a ball around. It encourages solitude something I've seen first-hand on my many trips to schools: children arched over their phones on their own, rather than getting to know their classmates. I met my best friend at ten years old, a friendship that I cherish and has helped me appreciate the most important things in life family and friends. Bullying on the other hand, has always been a problem at school one that I take incredibly seriously. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan says the governments Online Safety Act will protect children from accessing harmful content Ms Keegan: 'We are working with regulators to force social media firms to prevent children seeing harmful content or face huge fines and even jail time' (Stock Image) This is on top of harmful content that children can access on social media such as misogynist, pornographic and lurid content that is highly unsuitable for children. Our Online Safety Act is in place and while its impact is yet to be felt, it will protect children from accessing this harmful content. We are working with regulators to force social media firms to prevent children seeing harmful content or face huge fines and even jail time. I'm announcing new guidance that gives headteachers across the country clear and consistent advice to crack down on kids using mobiles at school. Some schools in the UK have already banned them and the results speak for themselves. Where this has happened, schools have seen children concentrating, bullying falling and friendships blossoming. Naturally there will be some instances where phones must be allowed such as a child with diabetes who needs to check their glucose levels on an app. But the guidance puts in place a blueprint for headteachers to make the right decisions for their schools. Our children deserve a world-class education. So it's right that we take action urgently to ensure they are learning in the best environment possible and I expect headteachers to start to plan the ban from today. School years are some of the most precious and they pass us by in a blink of an eye. Children need to put down their phones, look up, and enjoy it while they can. Two people who were shot dead in a dorm room at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs have been identified as 24-year-old Sam Knopp and 26-year-old Celie Rain Montgomery. Knopp and Montgomery were found with gunshot wounds to the head when police responded the shooting around 6am on Friday. It's unclear what their relation was. The 24-year-old victim, who was a senior at college, was remembered as a gifted musician who played the guitar. Montgomery did not attend the university. 'At this point in our investigation, this incident does not appear to be a murder-suicide and both deaths are being investigated as homicides,' Colorado Springs Police said. Sam Knopp, 24, was names as one of the victims of a shooting in a dorm at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs on Friday Sam Knopp with is pictured with his mother, Amy, in photo posted online The coroner's office will determine how they died, but each person was shot at least once in what appeared to be an 'isolated incident,' police spokesperson Ira Cronin said at a briefing. Sam was a senior studying music at the university and said to be a beloved member of the Visual and Performing Arts department. He was an accomplished guitar player and an extremely talented musician. Celie, who was a single mother-of-two young children, worked as a freelance copywriter specializing in health and wellness. A lockdown across campus lasted for about 90 minutes and later was isolated to Crestone House, a student apartment complex on campus, school spokesperson Chris Valentine said. A police officer stands outside a dorm in the Village at Alpine Valley housing on Friday as police investigate a shooting on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus Knopp, was a talented senior studying music at the university Shocked students look outside their dorm window in the Village at Alpine Valley housing When police officers got to the room, they found Knopp and Montgomery both dead, having been shot in the head. Following the lockdown, the campus about 70 miles south of Denver remained closed for the day. Knopp's mother, Amy, shared her concerns online just as the shooting was taking place. She wrote online: 'There were reports of an active shooter on campus at UCCS where our son, Sam, is a senior. At least one person is dead. 'I haven't heard from Sam. He lives in Alpine Village, where residents were told to shelter in place. The campus is in lockdown and is now closed today. 'PLEASE EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE BUT IT'S THE GODDAMNED GUNS! This hits way too close to home and it makes me want to vomit. All the 'thoughts and prayers' in the world mean nothing without action to back them up.' Sam Knopp is seen alongside his twin sister Ellie Sam, left, and his sister Ellie are pictured together in a family photo Once it became clear her son was one of the victims, there followed messages of condolence. 'I'm so sorry for your loss and praying so hard for you and your family,' wrote Brittany Craig. 'Amy my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My heart is broken my condolences,' said Diane Sigl. 'Im so sorry Amy, I am angry and heartbroken we lost Sam,' added Elsa Ge. So far, no suspects have been apprehended nor named in the active investigation. 'Given this case's active and fluid nature, additional information about those leads and any potential suspect details will not be released at this time,' a press release from the police department read. The police did note that the shooting was an isolated incident between people who knew one another and was not simply a random attack against the school or other students at the university. 'While acknowledging the difficulty of the situation and the withholding of information in the initial stages of the investigation, we owe it to the victims and their families to deliver accountability and justice for this horrific act,' police said. 'These are the third and fourth homicides in the City of Colorado Springs this year. At this time last year, there were two homicides.' The campus was also closed over the weekend but walk-in counseling was offered at the wellness center on both days, the university said. The university has said that classes will be cancelled on Monday but walk-in counseling will also be offered together with spaces on campus being open to offering food and support. A healing walk to honor the victims is scheduled for Monday on the UCCS campus at 2pm. Ruen ... Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan was arrested for a DUI in California on Saturday, just months after he served seven days in jail and was sentenced to 36 months of supervised probation for assaulting his ex-girlfriend. The actor, who played one of Tim Allen's sons on the blockbuster ABC sitcom from 1991 to 1999, has spent the last several years in legal trouble related to domestic violence. Bryan's latest alleged domestic violence incident came just a month after he claimed that his previous arrest in 2020 was a 'wake-up call' as he tries to rebuild his life. A spokesperson for the Riverside County Sheriff's Office said that at 2:36am Saturday, Bryan faced a traffic stop from deputies with the La Quinta Police Department after his vehicle was suspected of being involved in a recent traffic accident. He showed 'indications of impairment' when police interviewed him and he was arrested for driving under the influence, having committed prior offenses. Bryan, 42, was booked into John Benoit Detention Center at around 5am Saturday. He posted $50,000 in bail later that date, according to county prison records. Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan was arrested for a DUI in California on Saturday, just months after he served seven days in jail and was sentenced to 36 months of supervised probation for assaulting his ex-girlfriend. He is pictured in October 2023 His next court date is scheduled for April 23. In October, the actor plead guilty to felony assault in the fourth degree constituting domestic violence in an Oregon court. As part of a negotiated resolution, according to The Hollywood Reporter, a second count was dismissed, and rather than him spending '19 to 20 months' in Oregon Department of Corrections, he received a 'downward dispositional departure' to three years of supervised probation and just a week in jail. Bryan was also forced to 'abide by a set of conditions typical of domestic violence cases' that include 'no contact with the victim without the probation officer's approval, alcohol and substance abuse treatment, and no alcohol and drug use moving forward.' 'Mr. Bryan decided to accept this resolution and admit that he recklessly caused physical injury to his domestic partner to avoid further trauma to his family so they could move on and heal,' Lane County's Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Parosa said in a statement at the time. If he violates any conditions of his parole, the actor will have to serve '19 to 20 months of prison time that the court suspended under the deal.' While speaking about his client's guilty plea, Bryan's lawyer told The Wrap: 'He believes this is the manner he could best resolve this to avoid further trauma to his family.' Last summer, he was arrested for fourth-degree felony assault in Eugene, Oregon for getting physical with a woman, who was not named by authorities. Bryan's latest alleged domestic violence incident came just a month after he claimed that his previous arrest in 2020 was a 'wake-up call' as he tries to rebuild his life. Pictured: Bryan posing for a mugshot in October 2020 Glory days: Bryan had rose to national fame in the 1990s as the eldest child on Home Improvement, which also starred Tim Allen and future teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas Bryan was charged with a pair of felonies and a misdemeanor in connection with the July incident: assault, robbery and harassment. In October of 2020, Bryan was arrested on accusations he assaulted and strangled his fiancee Johnnie Faye Cartwright, and in February 2021, he entered guilty pleas to two misdemeanor domestic violence charges in connection with the incident. Cartwright, who got engaged to the actor in November of 2021, shares three young children with him: one-year-old daughter Kennedy, and five-month-old twins Parker and Sequoia. She told US Weekly in a statement in August: 'I ask everyone to please be respectful of our privacy for the sake of the children and our families so the healing process can begin.' 'I'll always want what's best for the father of my children,' Cartwright told the publication of Bryan, adding that 'trauma can bring struggles in many shapes and forms,' while giving her take on the reporting of the recent incident. 'It's a horrible situation that's going to be spun in so many ways,' she said. 'I've learned firsthand the truth will never align with what's been put out there.' The latest charge appears to indicate that he is accused of attacking someone who had previously obtained a domestic violence restraining order, though the alleged victim has not yet been named. Members of the Eugene Police Department told TMZ that police received a call about a physical altercation between and man and a woman at a local residence. 'Mr. Bryan decided to accept this resolution and admit that he recklessly caused physical injury to his domestic partner to avoid further trauma to his family so they could move on and heal,' Lane County's Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Parosa told THR in a statement (seen in 2016) Trying to stay afloat: After the show ended in 1999, Bryan turned to film roles and earned guest spots on television shows. He is pictured here on Home Improvement with Tim Allen However, once officers responded to the scene Bryan was nowhere to be found. They reportedly were able to track him down, though, and he was transported to the jail and booked on the felony assault charge. It remains unclear if his fiancee Cartwright, who was the target of his 2020 attack, was also the victim of the recent alleged altercation. The former child star claimed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that the physical altercation in October of that year started because his girlfriend at the time, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, was upset he was 'living a double life' and was still married even though he had announced his divorce two weeks earlier. He later plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of menacing and assault in the fourth degree and was sentenced to a three-year probation and attendance in a violence intervention program, and was ordered to have no further contact with the victim. Bryan said at the time he now tries to stay away from alcohol, and he and Cartwright were still together and were now raising their children. He rose to national fame in the 1990s as the eldest child on Home Improvement, which also starred Tim Allen and future teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas. After the show ended in 1999, Bryan turned to film roles and earned guest spots on television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Boston Public and Veronica Mars. More trouble: Bryan continues to face scrutiny for his role selling tokens for an ag-tech company that never materialized; seen in 2016 with his ex-wife Carly Matros Rightward turn: In recent years, he has become a conservative commentator on FOX News and The Daily Wire He then became an executive producer on independent films, and married his high school sweetheart Carly Matros in 2007. They would go on to have four children that they raised together in a multi-million dollar home in Newport Beach, California. The youngest, a son, was born in March 2019, joining three daughters including a set of twins. In more recent years, Bryan has made a name for himself as a conservative commentator on platforms like FOX News and The Daily Wire. In September 2020, Bryan announced he and Matros were getting a divorce and in a ridiculous twist he appeared to have plagiarized Armie Hammer's divorce announcement almost word for word. He now admits to The Hollywood Reporter: 'I was just in party freaking mode making movies, traveling, drinking. I wasn't living the way I was raised, you know what I mean? 'I was not being a faithful husband, and I was not being the best me,' he continued. 'I thought I would be able to go out and do whatever I wanted, have fun, come home and be a family man with my kids. That's not how the real world works.' Just 16 days after the divorce announcement, in October of 2020, Bryan was arrested in Oregon and charged with felony strangulation, fourth-degree assault, coercion, menacing, harassment and interference with making a police report. The most serious charges, including felony strangulation, were later dropped and he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors. Bryan rose to national fame in the 1990s as the eldest child on Home Improvement, which also starred Tim Allen and future teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas Bryan married his high school sweetheart Carly Matros in 2007. They divorced in 2020 He was also ordered by the court not to 'buy, possess or consume alcoholic beverages' or be in any place that sells or serves alcohol as its primary purpose. It was his second arrest of 2020, after being booked for DUI that May. He plead guilty in that case as well, and was sentenced to five years probation and 18 months in a multiple-offender alcohol program due to a record of other DUI arrests in 2004, 2007 and 2017. According to Oregon police records obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Cartwright claimed that on the night of the alleged assault, Bryan, with whom she had been in a 'sexually intimate' relationship for two years, woke her up demanding to know what happened to his cellphone charging cables. She alleged that he 'pulled her hair' and punched her in the face multiple times. The two then fell on a set of stairs, at which point, the police report says, Bryan 'grabbed Cartwright's neck with both hands and choked her' for about 45 seconds. Responding officers said they saw multiple injuries on Cartwright, who claimed Bryan became abusive a month earlier. But Bryan claimed Cartwright woke him up and bit him in the groin. He alleged that her injuries were self-inflicted in an effort to set him up because she 'wanted to ruin his career' after he said he wanted to break up and stop paying her rent. 'I heard her tell dispatch, 'This is the guy from Home Improvement. He's the famous guy,'' Bryan reportedly told officers on the scene. Bryan with former Home Improvement co-star Taryn Smith at a mini-reunion in 2018 Bryan with ex-girlfriend Johnnie Faye Cartwright, whom he was later accused of assaulting, and their child Looking back, he says the arrest 'got so blown out of proportion' by the media, and claims it was not as physical as the police report states. He explained that he and Cartwright began seeing each other when he was still married and there were times she would get upset over his 'double life.' And even though he announced his divorce, Bryan claimed the fight escalated that night because they had both 'been drinking too much. 'We didn't even really get that physical,' he said. 'We got really loud. We were screaming and because we were in a townhome that had [thin walls], everybody could hear.' He continued to say Cartwright 'was at the time just really upset about my situation.' And, he claimed, 'At the end of the day, [the police] throw a bunch of counts at you because they ultimately want you to plead something,' noting that cops nicknamed him 'Country Club Zach' and seemed to poke fun at his fame. 'I could've fought it... but that's more stress and drama,' Bryan explained. 'I got two misdemeanors and called it a day.' But he said he now thanks God for his arrest, describing it as a 'wake up call.' Bryan had said last year that his arrest in 2023 was a 'wake-up call' Home Improvement was considered one of the biggest sitcom hits of the 1990s 'I went through a situation that I'm pretty sure plenty of people across the globe experience with their partners, and that was a learning experience,' Bryan said. He acknowledged he 'definitely [has] an issue with drinking' but does not believe the term 'alcoholic' applies to him. 'Dude, I started drinking when I was 14,' he said. 'Back then I was going to nightclubs and they would just let me in because I was the kid from Home Improvement.' Now, he says, he tries to stay away from alcohol, explaining: 'I'm not going out and getting lit, and that takes away a lot of my problems.' He and Cartwright were still together prior to his latest arrest. In November 2021, just one year after his arrest, Bryan revealed that he and Cartwright were engaged to be married. Based on the timeline of his now private Instagram account, The Hollywood Reporter found, Cartwright was already pregnant with a girl at the time. He announced the birth on the social media platform in spring 2022. That November, Bryan also revealed that he and Cartwright were expecting twins, and she gave birth in May. A Coles worker is fighting for life in hospital after trying to stop an alleged thief from leaving the store without paying. The male shopper entered the self-service area at a Coles supermarket on Patrick Street, Blacktown, in Sydney's west just before 6.30pm on Sunday. The shopper was stopped by a male supermarket worker, 64, after allegedly trying to leave the store without paying for his items. However, the man pushed the employee, who fell backwards and struck his head on the floor. The Coles worker was treated by paramedics and was rushed to Westmead Hospital The Coles worker was treated by paramedics and was rushed to Westmead Hospital. His condition worsened, and he remains in a critical condition. Officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command have arrested a 25-year-old man at a home in neighbouring suburb Schofields over the incident. He was taken to Blacktown Police Station where he was charged with reckless grievous bodily harm and two counts of theft. He was refused bail to appear in Blacktown Local Court today. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available The parents of a 12-year-old boy who was tragically run over and killed by a car said they have forgiven the driver who was behind the wheel. Kye Duclos was walking home from school when he was run down at the intersection of Police Road and Hansworth Street in Mulgrave, Melbourne, at 4.30pm on Friday. His father Michael Duclos opened up on the moment he raced down to the scene with his wife and and saw the distraught driver. 'I gave them the briefest, 'I'm sorry this has happened'. It's not that person's fault,' he told 9News. Mr Duclos revealed his son had taken a selfie moments before he was mowed down by the car. Kye Duclos (pictured) was walking home from school when he was run down at the intersection of Police Road and Hansworth Street in Mulgrave, just after 4.30pm. Kye's parents were called to the scene where an off-duty mobile intensive care ambulance paramedic desperately tried to save their son. He described Kye as a 'ridiculously amazing kid' and his 'best mate'. 'It's the most devastating thing in the world to have happened,' he said. Kye's parents were called to the scene where an off-duty mobile intensive care ambulance paramedic desperately tried to save their son. 'I've lost my boy. I've lost the best mate a father could have ever wanted,' Mr Duclos said. He revealed in a Facebook post his son had been crossing the street during heavy traffic and that he was unable to see cars coming down one of the lanes. 'He crossed without the green pedestrian light and was unfortunately hit by a car,' he wrote. 'An off duty MICA paramedic was on the scene from the start and was able to perform CPR and keep him alive as he went into cardiac arrest.' The father said there were 'multiple' ambulances working on his son. 'Both Jess, myself and Isla were able to attend the scene in time and watch as the ambos worked on him and give him a kiss,' he said. The father said his son had scans to assess the extent of his head injuries after the child was airlifted to the Royal Children's Hospital. Kye went into cardiac arrest before dying in his parents' arms. Kye's father (pictured) shared his heartbreak on Facebook, revealing his son had been crossing during traffic and was unable to see the 'second lane' Kye (pictured) went into cardiac arrest before dying in his parents' arms after being airlifted to the Royal Children's Hospital A GoFundMe has been launched by the 12-year-old's aunts. The fundraising page said the family 'suffered a tragic loss' and Kye was their 'golden child.' 'His parents Michael and Jessie and his sister Isla's life will never be the same,' they wrote. 'To help them navigate the next few months we have set up a go fund me page to take away the financial burden and allow them to plan a funeral and take the time they need to heal and grieve.' Mr Duclos expressed his thanks for everyone who tried to help his son. 'The love everyone had for our little man was overwhelming to see,' he wrote. 'Jess and I's wishes are to be left to our grieving for as long as it takes. We love and appreciate you all but we need to take our time to come to terms with what happened. 'Our world will never be the same, we will forever miss our beautiful boy.' Kye's parents want to honour their son, who loved fishing and the outdoors, with a service in the place he loved the most. The driver involved has cooperated with police and no charges have been laid. Pirates of the Caribbean star Kevin McNally has been arrested over domestic violence claims and has been released on bail set at 40,000. Shortly before the 67-year-old actor was due to attend the world's biggest Dr Who fan convention in Los Angeles, he was detained by the police. McNally, who is married to actress Phyllis Logan, played Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean series - first mate to Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow. He has since been released on bail and is due in court next month, The Sun reported. The newspaper reported that his wife denied knowing about his arrest. Pirates of the Caribbean star Kevin McNally has been arrested over domestic violence claims and has been released on bail set at 40,000 McNally, who is married to actress Phyllis Logan, played Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean series - first mate to Johnny Depp 's Jack Sparrow His wife, Downton Abbey actress Phyllis Logan, denied knowledge of the arrest McNally, who shares a son with his actress wife, also appeared in Downton Abbey alongside his spouse, who played housekeeper Mrs Hughes. He was arrested early on Friday morning before he was expected at the 'Gallifrey One' fan convention in Los Angeles the next day. Organisers told the disappointed fans he would not be there for personal reasons. But LA police told The Sun that the actor was being held on suspicion of inflicting an injury that caused a traumatic condition on a victim who was his current or former spouse, cohabitant, or child's parent. In 2021, he defended Depp, 60, when he was accused of beating up ex-girlfriend Amber Heard. He said at the time: 'I've never seen a hint of a dark side to him. 'I see a great humanitarian and a beautiful human being. I don't see any impediment for him coming back and playing Jack Sparrow,' The Sun reported. MailOnline has contacted McNally's representatives for comment. Former Representative Liz Cheney warned there was a 'Putin wing' of the Republican party and said if Donald Trump was re-elected it could 'take over the West Wing of the White House'. Her remarks to CNN came after former president Trump refused to condemn Russia after the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and encouraged the Kremlin to attack NATO allies. Cheney said: 'We have to take seriously the extent to which youve now got a Putin-wing of the Republican Party. 'I believe the issue this election cycle is making sure that the Putin-wing of the Republican Party does not take over the West Wing of the White House.' Trump has come under fire for 'siding with' Russia after he failed to mention Russian president Vladimir Putin in his response to the death of Navalny - in sharp contrast to President Joe Biden who pinned the blame on 'Putin and his thugs'. Liz Cheney slammed former president Donald Trump for his failure to condemn Russia and Vladimir Putin Speaking on CNN, she warned that there is now a 'Putin wing' of the Republican party Navalny, 47, was the leader of the opposition to the Kremlin and was being held in a penal colony in the Arctic where he was found dead on Friday with many claiming he was 'murdered' by Vladimir Putin's regime. On Sunday, his body was found to show signs of bruising consistent with being held down while he suffered a seizure, raising fears that he was killed on the orders of Vladimir Putin. When Biden addressed his death, he said: 'Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalnys death. Putin is responsible. What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putins brutality. Nobody should be fooled.' Trump on the other hand did not even directly mention Navalny in his response and posted instead about his own criminal cases and political opponents. Cheney said: 'When you think about Donald Trump, for example, pledging retribution, what Vladimir Putin did to Navalny is what retribution looks like in a country where a leader is not subject to the rule of law.' Likewise Nikki Haley slammed Trump for what she labelled his 'bone-chilling' response to Navalny's death. The 2024 hopeful said Trump's silence on Navalny's death showed either the ex-president 'siding' with Putin or a sense of apathy toward a world leader killing their opponent. Trump didn't mention Putin in his response to Navalny's death and previously encouraged Russia to attack NATO allies Vladimir Putin (pictured) has been accused of signing off on his murder She told ABC News: 'It's actually pretty amazing that he won't acknowledge anything with Navalny. 'Either he sides with Putin and thinks it's cool that Putin killed one of his political opponents, or he just doesn't think it's that big of a deal,' she added. 'Either one of those is concerning. Either one of those is a problem. It comes after Trump received a slew of backlash for encouraging Putin to attack delinquent NATO ally countries. Trump told a crowd in Conway, South Carolina last weekend that if president again, he would not protect NATO allies against Russia if they don't pay their fair share toward the alliance. 'The president of a big country stood up and said 'if we don't pay, and we're attacked by Russia, will you protect us?' I said you didn't pay, you're delinquent? He said, 'yes, let's say that happened.' 'No, I would not protect you,' Trump said last Saturday. 'In fact I would encourage them [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want.' 'You gotta pay! You gotta pay your bills.' NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said his comment 'undermines all of our security, including that of the US, and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk.' Cheney said in the new interview: 'Hes basically made clear that under a Trump administration, the United States is unlikely to keep its NATO commitments.' Former UN Amb. Nikki Haley tore into former President Donald Trump for remaining silent on the death of Russian President Vladimir Putin's political rival and prisoner Alexei Navalny Haley has grown increasingly critical of Trump's soft-on-Russian stance and 'empowering' of Putin. Pictured: Trump and Putin speak during the APEC Leaders' Summit in Vietnam on November 11, 2017 She labelled his comments 'dangerous' and said they show 'a complete lack of understanding of Americas role in the world.' Cheney also did not rule out making a third-party run for president herself, but added that she would do 'whatever is necessary to defeat Donald Trump.' Haley also slammed his comments on NATO, saying: 'When you hear Donald Trump say in South Carolina a week ago that he would encourage Putin to invade our allies if they weren't pulling their weight. 'That's bone-chilling, because all he did in that one moment was empower Putin. 'And all he did in that moment was, he sided with a guy that kills his political opponents, he sided with a thug that arrests American journalists and holds them hostage, and he sided with a guy who wanted to make a point to the Russian people don't challenge me in the next election or this will happen to you too.' A Nationals senator under fire for drinking before slurring her words in Parliament had a bizarre image of a woman drowning in a glass of red wine as her Facebook profile picture. Deputy Nationals Leader Perin Davey denied being intoxicated when she stumbled over her words at a Senate committee hearing last week. A spokesman insisted that it was 'pathetic' to suggest she had drunken too much. But three days after that denial, Senator Davey admitted to Sky News that she had 'two glasses' of red wine at a party function hours before the meeting. Her profile picture on her private Facebook page up until midday on Monday was a woman inside a wine glass, drowning in red wine as it's poured from the bottle That picture had been prominently displayed on her profile for seven years before she suddenly replaced it on Monday afternoon Now Ms Davey has been the subject of a series of revelations - including that for the past seven years, Ms Davey's profile picture on her private Facebook page was an image showing a woman trapped inside a wine glass. The picture shows a woman cowering in the glass as red wine is poured from the bottle. The image was suddenly replaced it on Monday afternoon after questions to Ms Davey. It also emerged that Ms Davey is also a member of the taskforce creating a tough new alcohol policy for parliamentarians. And she also shared an update on the same social media account of a glass of red wine at a table, captioned: 'Happy Friday'. Ms Davey was also appointed co-chair of the voluntary Parliamentary Friends of Australian Spirits - which launched for the first time under her watch in 2021. As part of her role with that committee, she 'meets and interacts with Australian distilled spirits industry stakeholders... relating to supporting and growing Australia's distilled spirits sector'. In early February, she was gifted an Australian whisky advent calendar complete with 24 shots, tasting notes and information about the distilleries they're made in. 'So I know where to go for more,' she said. 'As Co-Chair of Parliamentary Friends of Australian Spirits, I couldn't think of a better present.' Daily Mail Australia has approached Ms Davey regarding how much time she dedicates to that role. Ms Davey often poses alongside glasses of wine, and was appointed co-chair of the voluntary Parliamentary Friends of Australian Spirits - which launched for the first time under her watch in 2021 In early February, she was gifted an Australian whisky advent calendar complete with 24 shots, tasting notes and information about the distilleries they're made in Perin Davey claims she wasn't drunk during this animated exchange Ms Davey is also a member of the taskforce forging a new alcohol policy for Parliament House. The draft policy - which is not yet in force but could have pinged Ms Davey if it had been - states 'alcohol or legal drug consumption should not adversely affect an individual's work performance or official conduct'. Politicians must 'ensure that they are fit for duty and free from impairment from alcohol or legal drugs'. Individuals who are found to have failed to comply could be subjected to disciplinary measures. Footage of Ms Davey during the meeting last Tuesday night has been widely shared and shows her slurring while speaking about arts funding during the Environment and Communications Estimates Committee meeting. 'The MPAs are still getting their funding which is good, cos they deserve it. Let me take nothing away. They, they absolutely, you know, this is, this is Australian culture,' Ms Davey rambled during her speech - prompting several people to ask what she was trying to say. 'When it comes to program funding, are we still having program funding, outside the four year model and outside the MPA model, are we still seeing program funding? 'Or, do we have, segregated out, the MPA you've got your funding, go and do your arts - we love you - and then small to mediums and others, and accepting others have four year funding and that helps with their core business model, but all of the rest of you fight against each other but they're no longer fighting against the MPAs.' Daily Mail Australia has approached Ms Davey regarding how much time she dedicates to that role When contacted by Daily Mail Australia during the week, a spokesperson for Ms Davey argued she had merely been displaying her passion for the arts On Friday - just days after she was drinking alcohol while working in Canberra on taxpayer dollars - she shared an update on the same social media account of a glass of red wine at a table, captioned: 'Happy Friday' When contacted by Daily Mail Australia during the week, a spokesperson for Ms Davey argued she had merely been displaying her passion for the arts. He said she was 'coherent throughout the hearing' and 'to equate this passion with being intoxicated is pathetic'. Despite having two glasses of wine in the middle of a work day, Ms Davey insists she was not drunk. Political commentator and Sky host Andrew Clennell said he finds it hard to believe Ms Davey only had two drinks. 'It's quite the pickle for the Nationals,' he said. 'Perin Davey has a preselection in a month, she's now likely to lose. After she loses that, presuming it occurs, she will probably lose the deputy leadership of the party and again a spilling of leadership positions is not an ideal situation for David Littleproud.' It comes at a time when the Nationals are already under intense scrutiny, after former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce was filmed on his back, cursing through his phone after a late night out in Canberra. Mr Littleproud stood by his leadership rival, suggesting he take 'personal leave' rather than demoting him off the frontbench. On Monday, Mr Joyce revealed he's 'given up alcohol for lent' after the incident. EXCLUSIVE The founder of a financial technology company who had a messy love affair with a female employee lost his 'wife, house, and job' as a result of the scandal, a court has heard. Former Wisr chief executive Anthony Nantes, 45, was sentenced at Waverley Local Court in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Monday after pleading guilty to stalking his mistress, 32, in Sydney between December 2022 and March 2023. The pair met at work and were in a secret relationship for two-and-a-half years before she threatened to tell his wife when things turned sour. Nantes subsequently bombarded her with messages - including more than 50 emails in one day - and turned up at her house, where he refused to leave, court documents said. Nantes bowed his head in court on Monday morning as his lawyer applied for the high-flying start-up founder's matter to be dealt with under mental health provisions. Anthony Nantes was accompanied to court by his estranged wife Cassi (above) Mr Nantes' estranged wife Cassi, father, and two male friends sat nearby to show their support. But Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge was not impressed with the mental health application, which was based on a psychiatric report showing he suffered panic disorder and substance abuse issues. 'Really?', she said, visibly taken aback by the application. 'This is just an awful incident.' Referring to the report, the lawyer said Nantes had told the psychologist that he acted the way he did because the female staffer had sent him texts demanding money. Ms Milledge asked whether the lawyer could provide the messages cited, but when he said he could not, she questioned why they were being noted as a sentencing consideration. 'At this stage, he's just saying it happened, but there is no proof of it. So I won't take it into consideration,' she said. The lawyer responded: 'Really the submission is that the behaviour, whist in anyway not excused, the written submissions explain what happened and how that impacted his mental health.' Ms Milledge said: 'He got himself into a terrible, terrible mess. Why wouldn't he feel that way?' The former high-flying start-up founder was released without a conviction from Waverley Local Court - with a magistrate finding he had got himself into a 'terrible mess' However, the lawyer continued to push that his mental health should be taken into consideration given 'the loss of his marriage, house, job - things out of his control'. But Ms Milledge disagreed, retorting:' What do you mean out of his control? He brought it on himself. They [those things] are collateral damage.' The court heard Nantes had a history of illicit drug use, including cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, as well as the use of Benzodiazepines and alcohol to get to sleep. In the report, it was noted Nantes could not remember an incident when he followed the staffer up the street after rocking up at her home, which he believes could have been due to the use of his prescription medication. The court heard Nantes also spent three weeks in a rehabilitation centre after his arrest and has not been taking drugs or drinking alcohol since his release (which was one of his bail conditions). Ms Milledge eventually objected the mental health application, arguing Nantes' mental health impairments did not seem to be a cause, but rather a product, of his actions. She also noted that it was a 'very, very scant' proposed treatment plan that 'made no mention of his use of substances'. 'He said that she was the one who initiated it, but Mr Nantes was highly functioning when the affair was initiated. He was able to make conscious decisions,' she said. The court heard Cassi and Nantes have since separated Nantes was supported in court by his father and friend (pictured) 'He had used cannabis, used cocaine every few months. He took benzodiazepines to help him manage anxiety. I think that's his problem. I refuse to deal with him under section 14.' However, Ms Milledge was sympathetic to the situation Nantes had found himself in and commended him for his efforts to get his life back on track. She sentenced him to a six month good behaviour bond with no conviction recorded. 'I don't sit here as somebody who has emerged from saintly sphere and judge you for having some affair. That's not what I'm here to do,' she said. 'It was a poor decision by you that has brought about catastrophic consequences. But we are all human and make mistakes. I certainly have. [But] how we handle them is a measure of us. 'I don't know what the future holds for you and your family, but I hope it works out for you. You're someone who made a mistake and shouldn't have to pay for that for the rest of your life. You have certainly paid a severe price for what happened. 'You are doing everything to fix your life, I see it as atonement, and I hope others see it like that as well.' After the hearing concluded, Nantes could be seen hugging his supporters in relief - his eyes red and teary behind his glasses. He declined to comment outside court. Struggling pet owners are relying on animal food banks to feed their animals amid the cost-of-living crisis. In the last two years, the price of pet food has increased by as much as 58 per cent. The RSPCA has said eight in 10 people find it hard to pay for their pets. The charity currently gives pet supplies to 160 regular food banks. In the last two years, the price of pet food has increased by as much as 58 per cent Its pet foodbank coordinator Alison Fletcher said: 'As animal lovers ourselves, we know how important it is to keep owners with their pets wherever possible. 'Keeping them together during difficult times benefits both the owners and the animals' wellbeing and also helps to tackle some of the strain on animal rescue centres.' The Blue Cross has already set up six dedicated pet foodbanks and scores more are run independently. One, in Waltham Forest, East London, has helped almost 400 animals and their owners in just a year. It was set up by a group of friends including Shelagh Savage, 70. Ms Savage told the Sunday Mirror: 'We all run missing pet groups so were aware of the need for people to get help to keep their animals. So many pets were being surrendered because people can't afford them.' The RSPCA has said eight in 10 people find it hard to pay for their pets. The charity currently gives pet supplies to 160 regular food banks The volunteers, who operate out of Tesco in Highams Park, also provide accessories such as leads, beds and toys. Among those using the service is Alex Sarney, 38, who said she has struggled to feed her dog Aiya since she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in May. Ms Sarney said: 'I haven't had to think about giving up Aiya and this has just alleviated so much stress, particularly with the cost of living. 'They're absolutely brilliant so many people are benefiting from it. It's done so sensitively so there is no shame in coming.' People can be referred to the service by the council, charity or foodbanks. Anne Hirst, who has volunteered in animal rescue for almost 20 years, set up a pet foodbank in York last year. The charity Blue Cross has pet foodbank donation stations in 450 Pets at Home stores across the country. A cleaner is suing a City law firm which earns 46million a year after she claims she was fired for eating a leftover sandwich. The single mother from Ecuador launched the claim after she worked for an agency that was contracted to London corporate law firm Devonshires. Representatives of the United Voices of the World union, which supports migrant workers, said she was sacked just before Christmas. Gabriela Rodriguez, 39, was said to have been fired from her 13-an-hour job for the 'theft' of a leftover tuna sandwich which was due to be thrown away after a meeting. So egregious was this 'crime', the firm contacted her company, Total Clean, to complain, resulting in her dissmisal according to a report on RollOnFriday. She was then let go for taking 'client property...without authority or reasonable excuse,' she told The Sun, and is now suing for unfair dismissal. Gabriela Rodriguez, 39, (pictured) was said to have been fired from her 13-an-hour job for the 'theft' of a leftover tuna sandwich which was due to be thrown away after a meeting The single mother from Ecuador launched the claim after she worked for an agency that was contracted to London corporate law firm Devonshires In a social media campaign, the United Voices of the World union said the value of the sandwich in question - which some sources claimed contained egg and not tuna - cost no more than 1.50. The union said on Facebook: 'Quick placard and banner making session today in preparation for our action next week in solidarity with Gabriela. 'Gabriela is an Ecuadorian single mother who after two years cleaning the offices of a corporate law firm was summarily sacked just before Christmas on grounds of "theft" - the "theft" in question being a 1.50 Tesco tuna sandwich that she ate which was left over from a lawyers' meeting, and was due to be discarded. 'Sacking cleaners on ridiculous grounds like this - treating them like the dirt they clean - is not uncommon though is always outrageous and in UVW we always fight back. 'We are taking the case to court but that takes time, and justice delayed is justice denied, so in the meantime we'll be doing what we do best and fighting back through direct action.' Signs made at a United Voices of the World union meeting ahead of protest action In a social media campaign, the United Voices of the World union said the value of the sandwich in question cost no more than 1.50 A spokesperson for the law firm told The Times they had not made a formal complaint and 'expressly told' the cleaning contractor to not take any action. In a statement to the newspaper, Total Clean said the action they took was 'to maintain the integrity of our workforce and service by ensuring we deal appropriately with any actions that undermine the hard work and reputation of our incredible team who conduct themselves impeccably'. It added: 'Trust and honesty is of paramount importance.' Delivery of billions of letters could be delayed under plans drawn up by Royal Mail to save up to 650million annually, it was revealed yesterday. Official letters including those for hospital appointments, fines and court documents would take longer to be delivered under a scheme to affect 'bulk mail'. Sources told the Sunday Times that Royal Mail was 'actively exploring' proposals to lengthen the time it has to deliver such letters to three days instead of two. The newspaper reported that talks had already started with hospitals, government agencies and large businesses about the scheme, which would need approval from the regulator Ofcom. Official letters including those for hospital appointments, fines and court documents would take longer to be delivered under a scheme to affect 'bulk mail' (File Image) The plan comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ruled out cutting postal rounds from six-days-a-week to just three (Stock Image) The plan comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ruled out cutting postal rounds from six-days-a-week to just three. Current rules mean that first-class post should arrive at its destination the next day and second-class items within three days. So-called bulk mail from public services and businesses - which makes up around 70 percent of all letters posted in the UK - is meant to be delivered within two days of posting. Some organisations have already opted for a cheaper five-day service. Changing that to three days could save Royal Mail between 150million and 650million, according to Ofcom. Royal Mail, which was privatised in 2013, recorded a 319million half-year loss in November and is under pressure to cut costs. It has been fined for failing to meet delivery targets. A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: 'Ofcom's report demonstrates that reform is urgently needed to protect the future of the one-price-goes-anywhere Universal Service. 'We are doing everything in our power to transform, but it is not sustainable to maintain a network built for 20billion letters when we are now only delivering seven billion. 'We are actively considering the options put forward in Ofcom's report, in discussion with our customers, employees and unions.' Paedophile pop star Gary Glitter has accepted he will die in prison after losing his latest parole hearing. The pervert, now 79, told his fellow inmates he fears he will not be released before the end of his sentence in 2031. Glitter - real name Paul Gadd - was released last year while he was half through a 16-year jail term for sexually abusing three schoolgirls during the height of his fame. But he was thrown back behind bars at HMP The Verne, Dorset, a month later after breaching the terms of his release, reportedly being caught surfing the dark web on a mobile phone while staying at a bail hostel. The predator has now resigned to dying behind bars after the Parole Board blocked his release earlier this month ruling that he is still a risk to the public. A source said: 'He still blames everyone for his situation, rather than accepting it's his fault.' Paedophile pop star Gary Glitter has accepted he will die in prison after losing his latest parole hearing. Pictured: A police handout of the pervert Glitter's fall from grace began in the late 1990s when he was convicted for possessing thousands of child abuse images and was jailed for four months in 1999. Pictured: Performing in 1974 Glitter - real name Paul Gadd - has resigned that he will likely die behind bars after his latest parole hearing was rejected 'Glitter is really down and moaning about his situation,' they told the Sun. 'He has said "I'm going to die in jail now," and is resigned to it. He would be almost 87 by the time his sentence ends and knows the effect being inside can have on your health.' While the sex offender could apply for parole once again those close to the situation added that it was 'likely to be refused as he hasn't changed.' Glitter was at the height of his fame when he preyed on his victims, who thought no-one would believe their claims because of his celebrity status. He attacked two girls, aged 12 and 13, after luring them backstage to his dressing room and isolating them from their mothers. His third victim was less than 10 years old when he crept into her bed and tried to rape her in 1975. The allegations only came to light nearly 40 years later when the star became the first person to be arrested under Operation Yewtree - an investigation launched by the Metropolitan Police in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal. Glitter's fall from grace began in the late 1990s when he was convicted for possessing thousands of child abuse images and was jailed for four months in 1999. In 2002, he was expelled from Cambodia amid reports of sex crime allegations, and in March 2006 he was convicted of sexually abusing two girls, aged ten and 11, in Vietnam and spent two and a half years in jail. Ahead of his latest parole hearing - that was refused two weeks ago - Glitter was accused of having a 'total lack of remorse' towards his victims. Gary Glitter in 2007 in Vietnam where he spent three years in prison for child abuse charges Paedophile Glitter was sent back to prison last year just a month after being spotted using a mobile phone at his bail hostel to allegedly access the dark web HMP The Verne in Portland, Dorset, where Glitter is serving his prison sentence Lawyers for one of Glitter's victims, who is suing the disgraced star for the abuse she suffered when she was 12-years-old, told the Parole Board he shows contempt for his victims. Richard Scorer, a lawyer from Slater and Gordon who represents the woman, said: 'Our client has brought a claim for damages against Glitter for the appalling sexual assaults which he committed on her when she was 12 years old. 'This case is proceeding through the High Court. Throughout the case Glitter has refused to co-operate at all and has ignored court orders, deliberately making the process more stressful and traumatic for our client. 'This behaviour demonstrates Glitter's total lack of remorse. We have made the Parole Board aware of his behaviour and they have confirmed that this information will be included in a report to the Parole Board panel ahead of the hearing. 'I hope the board take this matter very seriously as it is yet more evidence of Glitter's lack of remorse, and contempt for his victims.' The Parole Board decided on February 7 it would not be releasing Glitter from prison ruling that he remained a danger to society and a risk to children who he had a 'sexual interest in'. 'After considering the circumstances of his offending, the lack of progress made while in custody and on licence, and the other evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public,' the board said. 'Rather, the panel considered that Mr Gadd was appropriately located in custody where outstanding levels of risk could be addressed. He will be eligible for another parole review in due course.' The paedophile was found to have been looking at girls in leotards and short skirts in ballet shows and doing gymnastic exercises. Ministers have urged police to use 'robust' measures to protect MPs' homes from extremist activists. In a letter to chief constables, security minister Tom Tugendhat and policing minister Chris Philp cited the recent targeting by pro-Palestine activists of former defence minister Tobias Ellwood's home. They warned that the 'intimidation of democratically elected representatives is unacceptable' and would have a 'chilling effect' on Britain's politics. Protests took place outside the family home of Tory MP Tobias Ellwood earlier this month Tom Tugendhat (pictured) wrote a letter to chief constables urging 'robust' measures Their intervention also comes after Tory MP Mike Freer, who has pro-Israel views, announced he would stand down following a suspected arson attack on his office. And a Mail on Sunday investigation revealed yesterday that militant Just Stop Oil activists were plotting a sinister nationwide blitz to occupy MPs' houses and offices ahead of the general election. In the letter, Mr Tugendhat and Mr Philp said elected representatives must feel safe from fear and harassment in their homes. 'This will be an election year,' the letter states. 'That makes it all the more important that candidates, both locally and nationally, are free to make their arguments to our communities without fear. 'You have my full support in making robust use of all your powers to ensure that the security of our elected representatives is protected, and our democratic values upheld.' The letter reiterates that officers should use powers under section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to move protesters away from a residential dwelling to prevent harassment. More than 60 activists gathered at Mr Ellwood's home in Dorset last week. The heartbroken husband of missing mum-of-three Samantha Murphy has spoken out two weeks after his wife's disappearance. Ms Murphy, 51, left her home off Eureka Street in East Ballarat, north-west of Melbourne, to go for a run in Woowookarung Regional Park just after 7am on February 4 and has not been seen since. On Monday, her husband Mick Murphy issued a message to Australia. 'We want Sam home please,' he told 7News. Mr Murphy told the outlet his family are 'doing the best we can under the circumstances'. Samantha Murphy vanished without a trace on February 4 Samantha Murphy's husband Mick Murphy He had previously told people to speak up if they knew anything about the missing mother of three. 'People just don't vanish into thin air. Someone's got to know something,' he told reporters on Thursday. Last week, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said that the search for Ms Murphy had reached a new stage. 'It's certainly unusual when we haven't been able to locate any trace of her or any other evidence within that period of time,' he said. 'It's suspicious, whether that means there's foul play involved, or not, I don't know, but obviously detectives are investigating a matter where a woman's been missing for a significant period of time.' Detectives from Victoria Police's Missing Persons Unit attended the Murphy property on Wednesday morning. The detectives spent more than an hour inside before leaving. The East Ballarat property is at the centre of the investigation. It is the place where Ms Murphy was last seen on February 4, as she embarked on her morning jog. Part of the investigation - now dubbed Operation Primus - will see detectives trawl through Ms Murphy's computers and devices in the hope of finding clues. Ms Murphy's husband Mick, who continues to be supported by family members, is understood to be co-operating with the specialised unit, which is attached to Victoria Police's Homicide Squad. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Mr Murphy has anything to do with the disappearance of his wife whatsoever. The ground search for Ms Murphy has all but been abandoned Police released this image of Ms Murphy from the morning she vanished Last Thursday, her uncle and aunt, Allan and Janice Robson, told Daily Mail Australia they suspected their beloved niece had met with foul play. 'It's just like she's gone off the face of the Earth. There's nothing,' Mrs Robson said. 'I would say that somebody would have been watching her. I can't think it would be anything else.' Both are baffled by the mystery of her phone, saying she would not have ventured as far away from her home as the spot where police believe her mobile made its last 'ping' with a tower. State Emergency Services volunteers and police last week searched the bush in an area between the Canadian Plantation and Yankee Flat Road - about 15km from Ms Murphy's home - where they believe her phone was turned off. 'She would never switch that phone off... that phone was always hooked up,' Mr Robson said. Mrs Robson said police had not been forthcoming with any information about the investigation other than what is already known among the general public. 'Any information (the police) have they'll sit on it. They don't want to spook anyone,' Mr Robson said. Mr Robson said he asked his brother - Ms Murphy's father John Robson - if he knew of any reason why his daughter may have vanished, but he had no answers. Mr Robson said his niece was financially secure and pondered whether someone may have hurt her in a robbery gone wrong. 'Mick had so many cars he couldn't fit them in his garage,' he said. 'I don't think it's an opportunist,' Mrs Robson said. 'I think it's been someone who has been stalking her. Someone who she didn't even know was stalking her.' Mrs Robson suggested anyone who knew her niece knew she was a creature of habit when it came to exercise. 'She would routinely go for a run in the morning,' she said. 'She normally does 20km,' Mr Robson said. 'But she had to meet someone in Ballarat at 10am so she only did 10km.' The elderly couple said Ms Murphy was a clever and careful person who had the ability to defend herself if someone attempted to harm her. 'She would have put up a bloody good fight,' Allan said. 'And I think if she suspected something, I don't think she'd hang about. She was a runner. She would have got out of that area,' Mrs Robson said. The couple said Ms Murphy was familiar with the terrain and would have known if anyone unusual had been lurking about the routes she ran on in the days before she vanished. 'She's there that often, she would have came across something,' Mrs Robson said. With police effectively abandoning the search for Ms Murphy less than a week after it began, the pair fear they believe she is already dead. 'You'd think the (search) dogs would have been able to pick up her scent. That's what they do. They should have been able to pick up where she ran into that forest,' Mrs Robson said. Russian courts have sentenced hundreds of people detained at events where they laid flowers for Russian opposition leader and renowned Putin critic Alexei Navalny, who was found dead in prison earlier this week. Navalny, 47, fell unconscious and died on Friday after a walk at the remote Arctic penal colony where he was serving a three-decade sentence, the prison service said. His sudden death was a crushing blow to many Russians, who had pinned their hopes for the future on President Putin's fiercest foe. Mourners have left hundreds of flowers at the Solovetsky Stone monument in Moscow, with US ambassador Lynne Tracy and Britain's Nigel Casey among those seen paying their respects. More than 400 people have been detained in Russia while paying tribute to Navalny, who had remained vocal in his unrelenting criticism of the Kremlin even after surviving a nerve agent poisoning and receiving multiple prison terms. Details of rulings published by the city's court service over the weekend showed 154 people had been given jail time of up to 14 days for violating Russia's strict anti-protest laws. Rights groups and independent media outlets reported a handful of similar sentences in other cities across the country. There are still few details of why he died, but prison authorities have said he suffered 'sudden death syndrome'. However, Navalny's allies and many world leaders have blamed his death on Putin and his government. A woman leaves a tribute to Russian politician Alexi Navalny, near to the Russian Embassy in London on Sunday A woman is pictured in Berlin, Germany, laying down flowers in memory of Navalny A woman places a sign amongst flowers as a tribute in London on Sunday Hundreds of people in dozens of Russian cities have streamed to ad-hoc memorials and monuments to victims of political repressions with flowers and candles to pay tribute to Alexei Navalny. A mourner is pictured laying flowers on Saturday at the Solovetsky Stone in Moscow A man lays flowers to pay the last respect to Alexei Navalny at the monument, a large boulder from the Solovetsky islands, where the first camp of the Gulag political prison system was established, near the historical the Federal Security Service building in Moscow on Sunday Flowers and a picture are left as a tribute to Russian politician Alexi Navalny near the Russian Embassy in London on Sunday A woman lays flowers mourning Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's death near the memorial to political prisoners in Moscow, Russia on Saturday Hundreds of people in dozens of Russian cities have streamed to ad-hoc memorials and monuments to victims of political repressions with flowers and candles to pay tribute to Navalny. Police over the weekend arrested hundreds of Russians in dozens of cities who came to lay flowers and light candles in his honour at memorials to victims of Stalin-era repressions. Anti-Kremlin demonstrations or public shows of opposition to the regime are effectively illegal in Russia under strict military censorship rules and laws against unapproved rallies. Police and men in plain clothes patrolled sites in dozens of Russian cities where people had gathered to commemorate Navalny over the weekend. There were several reports of them removing the pop-up memorials overnight, and footage showed hooded men scooping up flowers into bin bags on a bridge next to the Kremlin where another leading Putin critic, Boris Nemtsov, was killed in 2015. The US Embassy in Moscow shared a photo on X of Ambassador Tracy visiting the memorial and issued a statement reading: 'Today at the Solovetsky Stone we mourn the death of Alexei Navalny and other victims of political repression in Russia. 'We extend our deepest condolences to Alexei Navalny's family, colleagues and supporters. His strength is an inspiring example. We honor his memory.' Britain's embassy shared a photo of Casey visiting the memorial on Saturday and called for a 'full and transparent investigation into Navalny's death.' The Foreign Office issued a statement saying: 'Alexei Navalny dedicated his life to exposing the corruption of the Russian system. 'The UK has summoned the Russian Embassy to make clear we hold the authorities responsible for his death. There must be a credible and transparent investigation.' In more than a dozen cities, police had detained 401 people by Saturday night, according to the OVD-Info rights group that tracks political arrests and provides legal aid. More than 200 arrests were made in St Petersburg, Russia's second largest city, the group said. The US Embassy in Moscow issued a statement reading: 'Today at the Solovetsky Stone we mourn the death of Alexei Navalny and other victims of political repression in Russia. 'We extend our deepest condolences to Alexei Navalny's family, colleagues and supporters. His strength is an inspiring example. We honor his memory' US ambassador Lynne Tracy lays flowers on Sunday to pay the last respect to Alexei Navalny at the monument, a large boulder from the Solovetsky islands, where the first camp of the Gulag political prison system was established Britain's embassy shared a photo of Ambassador Nigel Casey visiting the memorial on Saturday and called for a 'full and transparent investigation into Navalny's death' The Foreign Office said it summoned a representative of the Russian Embassy to 'make it clear that we hold the authorities responsible for his death' Prison authorities have said Navalny suffered 'sudden death syndrome'. However, his allies and many world leaders have blamed his death on Putin and his government. Pictured: Alexei Navalny is seen during the trial of his detention in March 2017 A photo of Alexei Navalny lies among flowers near the Wall of Grief monument in Moscow, Russia on Saturday More than 400 people have been detained in Russia while paying tribute to Navalny. Officers are pictured detaining a man near the Wall of Grief monument on Saturday Among those detained there was Grigory Mikhnov-Voitenko, a priest of the Apostolic Orthodox Church - a religious group independent of the Russian Orthodox Church - who announced plans on social media to hold a memorial service for Navalny and was arrested on Saturday morning outside his home. He was charged with organizing a rally and placed in a police holding cell, but was later taken to hospital after suffering a stroke, OVD-Info reported. Courts in St Petersburg have ordered 42 of those detained on Friday to serve from one to six days in jail, while nine others were fined, court officials said. In Moscow, at least six people were ordered to serve 15 days in jail, according to OVD-Info. One person was also jailed in the southern city of Krasnodar and two more in the city of Bryansk, the group said. The news of Navalny's death reverberated across the globe, with many accusing Putin of having him murdered. In an exchange with reporters shortly after a church service on Saturday, US President Joe Biden reiterated his stance that Putin is ultimately to blame for Navalny's death. Biden said: 'The fact of the matter is, Putin is responsible. Whether he ordered it, he's responsible for the circumstance. It's a reflection of who he is. It cannot be tolerated.' Police officers detain a woman with a placard reading "Murderers" during a gathering in memory of Alexei Navalny near the Wall of Grief monument on Saturday A woman holds a placard reading "Putin is the killer of Navalny" during a gathering in memory of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny near the Wall of Grief monument on Saturday Police officers detain a man during a gathering in memory of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny near the Wall of Grief monument on Saturday A woman sits by the Wall of Grief monument to the victims of political repressions, where people gather to honor the memory of Alexei Navalny in Moscow on Saturday Police officers detain a woman during a gathering in memory of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny near the Wall of Grief monument on Saturday Thousands of people across Russia on Saturday laid flowers at memorials of Stalin's political repressions in memory of Navalny. Pictured is a man laying flowers near the Wall of Grief monument in Moscow A woman prays after laying flowers to pay the last respect to Alexei Navalny at the Solovetsky Stone monument in Moscow on Sunday People lay flowers at the Wall of Grief monument in Moscow on Saturday Meanwhile, Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, published a picture of the couple on Instagram on Sunday in her first social media post since his death. The caption read simply: 'I love you.' Questions about the cause of death lingered on Sunday, and it remained unclear when the authorities would release his body to his family. Navalny's team said on Saturday that the politician was 'murdered' and accused the authorities of deliberately stalling the release of the body, with his mother and lawyers getting contradicting information from various institutions where they went in their quest to retrieve the body. 'They're driving us around in circles and covering their tracks,' Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said on Saturday. Navalny's closest ally and strategist Leonid Volkov added: 'Everything there is covered with cameras in the colony. Every step he took was filmed from all angles all these years. Each employee has a video recorder. In two days, there has been not a single video leaked or published. There is no room for uncertainty here.' A note handed to Navalny's mother said he died at 2.17pm local time on Friday, according to Yarmysh. Prison officials told his mother when she arrived at the colony on Saturday that her son had perished from 'sudden death syndrome', Ivan Zhdanov, the director of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, wrote on X. Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service reported Navalny felt sick after a walk on Friday and became unconscious at the colony, which is in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets region about 1,200 miles north-east of Moscow. An ambulance arrived but he could not be revived, the service said, adding his cause of death is still 'being established'. A woman who just put flowers in memory of Alexei Navalny, cries near the Wall of Grief monument in Moscow, Russia on Saturday A mourner cries near the Solovetsky stone at Lubyanka square on Saturday as she pays her respects to Alexei Navalny A photo of Alexei Navalny lies among flowers near the Wall of Grief monument on Saturday A woman put flowers in memory of Alexei Navalny at the Solovetsky stone at Lubyanka square on Saturday A woman lays flowers to pay the last respect to Alexei Navalny at the monument, a large boulder from the Solovetsky islands, on Sunday Navalny had been jailed since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin. He has received three prison terms since his arrest, on a number of charges he has rejected as politically motivated. After the last verdict that handed him a 19-year term, Navalny said he understood he was 'serving a life sentence, which is measured by the length of my life or the length of life of this regime'. Hours after Navalny's death was reported, his wife made a dramatic appearance at the Munich Security Conference. Navalnaya said she was unsure at the time if she could believe the news from official Russian sources, 'but if this is true, I want Putin and everyone around Putin, Putin's friends, his government to know that they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family and to my husband'. He said PM had 'surrounded himself with mediocrity' Ray Hadley has erupted at Anthony Albanese in a fiery rant which needed to be censored during his live radio broadcast. On Monday morning, the Radio 2GB host lashed out at Mr Albanese, claiming the Prime Minister had 'surrounded himself with mediocrity,' singling out three key ministers. Hadley dubbed each of them - Immigration Minister Andrew Giles, Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke - as 'Casanovas', 'because absolutely everything this mob touch they completely and utterly f**k up. 'That's what they do to the country,' he fumed. 'And if I sound frustrated, I am, I've sat through this before. 'I've been doing this for a long time, and I was here during the days of Labor from 2001 onwards. I saw it all unwind.' Hadley said it was 'laughable' Mr Giles had been appointed Immigration Minister given he had represented asylum seekers who tried to get to Australia on board the Norwegian freighter, the MV Tampa, in 2001. Giles has spoken about how his experience with the Tampa inspired him to pursue a career in politics - with Hadley drawing a line between that experience and recent boat arrivals in Australia's north-west. Ray Hadley has hit out at Mr Albanese and his Labor government in a furious spray on Monday Hadley claimed Labor's 'tinkering' with Operation Sovereign Borders had seen increased activity from Indonesian people smugglers. The shock jock also called out Mr Albanese's reaction to the news that the asylum seekers had arrived. On Friday afternoon, Mr Albanese fronted a press conference on the NSW Central Coast and the first question he was asked was about 30 more illegal immigrants landing, undetected, on a West Australian beach: 'Do you know anything about that?' His response: 'I've been travelling in the car, so I haven't been advised about that.' Hadley was not impressed: 'The person in charge of the country, the leader of the nation is unaware and not smart enough to smother it by saying look I'm taking advice on that.' 'Someone must have texted him and said look, 'We've got a problem, we've got 40-odd blokes landing off the northwest coast of Western Australia'.' 'It is just absolutely inexplicable, history dictates, it can't be argued - Labor governments are no good at protecting our borders. 'They love an illegal refugee because once they've let them in, they're voters for life. They've got the unions and illegal refugees making sure they stay in government.' The 2GB host accused Mr Albanese of being 'unaware' of Australia's border crisis He claimed people entering Australia illegally was almost a daily occurrence under Kevin Rudd's Labor government. 'Just like Kevin Rudd, Anthony Albanese got rid of the Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) which were a very important part of operation borders,' he said. 'And guess what here we go again, over and over.' Hadley then turned his attention to Energy Minister Chris Bowen, slamming a new emissions reduction plan introduced by the Albanese government this month. The rule has come under fire in the automobile industry for imposing carbon 'penalties' on certain car models under new 2025 CO2 targets. Owners of Australia's top-selling car in 2023, the Ford Ranger, will potentially find themselves paying an extra $6,150 because the impost, according to estimates compiled by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). Only estimates exist right now because Mr Bowen has yet to release the government's own modelling of how the changes will affect prices. The FCAI's estimates also suggest that the Toyota LandCruiser would be the car model hardest hit by the changes, incurring an extra $13,350 in penalties. The 2GB host criticised a new energy emissions plan introduced by Energy Minister Chris Bowen this month which will impose 'carbon penalties' on certain car models 'Then you've got the lunacy of Casanova Chris Bowen and his policy on combustion engines. They keep saying $1,000 a year you're going to save,' Hadley raged. 'Well I've spoken to a number of new car dealers over the weekend, and they've confirmed that Australians could pay up to $25,000 more for popular utes and SUVs, while many hybrid vehicles may cop a penalty of up to $5,000 in five years under Labor's emission efficiency proposal. 'Now I bought a hybrid because I think it's sensible to have a combustion engine and be powered by a battery as well - as opposed to a total battery powered engine. 'And all of a sudden you think you are doing the right thing - and now you're going to get slugged as well. 'Casanova Bowen says hang on, they'll save $1,000 a year for fuel. But under the analysis they've done the motoring industry the Ford Ranger will go up to between $11,350 and $18,000. 'A LandCruiser from Toyota would be penalised between $19,500 and $25,000. So to get your money back, Casanova, you've got to own the LandCruiser for 25 years to break even. That's break even, not to make a quid you imbecile.' Hadley said it was 'laughable' Andrew Giles (pictured) had been elected Immigration Minister At a press conference last week, Mr Bowen insisted that the availability of models will not be impacted by the new plan. 'It's not a restriction on what Australians can buy,' Mr Bowen said. 'You can still buy a ute, an SUV, whatever you like In countries with vehicle efficiency standards [like the US and New Zealand], utes and SUVs are often the top-selling car. That's up to Australians, but we'd like to see Australians have more choices within that.' The minister said that if Australia were to catch up to US standards by 2028 then the cost of cars would reduce by roughly $1,000 per year. The third minister Hadley singled out - Tony Burke - recently pushed through legislation that allows workers the 'right to disconnect' from bosses after hours. The government has rushed to introduce new laws removing criminal penalties for bosses, after the rules were pushed through on short notice. A pair of California brothers have pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States Postal Service (USPS) of over $2.3 million. Anwer Fareed Alam, 35, and Yousofzay Fahim Alam, 31, from Temecula submitted fake insurance claims for packages sent Priority Mail. The fraudulent activities continued for almost three years from October 2016 to May 2019 with more than 22,000 claims. The scam was simple enough. The brothers would post USPS Priority Mail packages and pay for $100 of insurance coverage for any potential loss or damage. Brothers Anwer Fareed Alam, 35, and Yousofzay Fahim Alam, 31, pleaded guilty to defrauding the USPS of over $2.3 million through fraudulent insurance claims The scam was simply enough: the brothers would post USPS Priority Mail packages and pay for $100 of insurance coverage for any potential loss or damage before making a false claim The insurance claim checks were mailed to various addresses in Temecula, including 15 different post office boxes based at two different post offices in the area. Pictured, one of the two post offices in Temecula They set up 15 PO Boxes split between Temecula's two post office, one of which is seen above But the contents of the packages were either empty or completely worthless - and Anwer Alam would send them to fictitious recipients addresses. Yousofzay Alam would then submit fake insurance claims through the USPS website. He would falsely assert how the packages contained items of greater value than their actual contents and then make up stories of the parcels either being lost or damaged during transit. In an attempt to add to the authenticity of the claims Yousofzay Alam would then include fabricated invoices together with photos of goods that were not actually present in the packages. The brothers would go further still by taking further measures to conceal their wrongdoing by using aliases and adopting fake business names, making it harder to trace the multitude of fraudulent insurance claims they filed. The case, investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General found that time the USPS received one of the brother's claim forms, the postal service paid out compensation in order to cover the men's alleged losses of up to $100 in value along with the original shipping costs. Louis DeJoy, 67, is currently serving as the 75th U.S. postmaster general United States District Judge Wesley L. Hsu scheduled a November 1 sentencing hearing for the Alam brothers, at which time each of them will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison The insurance claim checks were mailed to various addresses in Temecula, including the brothers' home and business addresses, as well as around 15 different post office boxes based at two different post offices. The brothers then paid their ill-gotten gains into their bank accounts. In once example, from November 2018, the Alam brothers received a check for $106.59 from a Priority Mail. The scam was so extensive the USPS paid out at least $2,367,033 from around 22,330 claims. The brothers who are both free on bond will both be sentenced in November with each brother facing a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The men have no documented prior felony convictions in the federal court system, according to records. Four people struck by lightening in Sydney storms A lightning strike during a savage storm tore a hole in the main runway at Sydney Airport, causing lengthy delays. The main runway was closed for 20 minutes while the hole was repaired by airfield crew. Aircraft passengers were told to expect delays of up to 60 minutes for departures and 20 minutes for arrivals, reported 9News. 'Unfortunately due to storm activity, there have been some flight delays, cancellations and diversions,' an airport spokesperson wrote on X/Twitter. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline. The wild weather has also sparked widespread chaos on the train network, including damaging equipment at Milsons Point. The T1 North Shore Line was shut down as a result with no trains running between North Sydney and Gordon. The T9 Northern will have significant delays during the evening as a result, which will also impact the T2 Inner West and T3 Bankstown Lines due to train flow. The delays caused heavily congested platforms at Wynyard, Town Hall and Central on Monday night. Sydney was lashed with heavy rain on Monday as a severe thunderstorm warning was issued The wild weather reportedly damaged a runway at Sydney Airport, causing lengthy delays (pictured) The deluge plunged the rail network in chaos just hours before the peak evening rush It comes after four people were struck by lightning near the Sydney Opera House as wild storms triggered a mass blackout, plunged Sydney's rail network into chaos and even delayed Taylor Swift's private jet. Two men and two women were rushed to hospital after being injured by lightning strikes while under a tree in the Botanic Gardens at about 12.45pm. A man in his late teens and a woman in her 20s have been taken to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. A man and woman aged in their 30s have been taken to St Vincent's Hospital. The city was hit with around 75,000 lightning strikes in three hours. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued across the Greater Sydney region, as many suburban areas face possible flash flooding. The wild weather plunged the rail network into chaos with many commuters advised to allow for extra travel time or to find alternative transport Hundreds were left stranded after trains stopped running from North Sydney to the city, while buses heading to the city were not stopping at North Sydney. Other train lines are advising customers that stops and platforms may change at short notice due to the severe weather conditions. A spokesperson for Transport for NSW said replacement buses had been ordered but had not yet arrived. Earlier, the storm delayed Taylor Swift's private plane by up to 30 minutes as the popstar flew from Melbourne to Sydney. Fans were seen sheltering under umbrellas as they arrive at Sydney Airport to welcome Taylor Swift Swift's jet was delayed by half an hour as the popstar arrived in Sydney on Monday (pictured: eager fans wait to snatch a glimpse of her at Sydney airport) The hitmaker was spotted boarding her private jet in Melbourne earlier in the day wearing a Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII Champs baseball cap in tribute to her boyfriend Travis Kelce (pictured) Swift and her team were seen departing Melbourne at about midday on Monday ahead of her next four-day run of shows in her Eras Tour in the Harbour City. The mega-star landed safely at 1.25pm. After landing, she is expected to be taken to a penthouse at Crown in Barangaroo. The pop superstar, 34, will perform four shows in Sydney from Friday before she heads off to Singapore. The Shake It Off hitmaker wore a dark mini skirt paired with a red T-shirt that revealed a glimpse of midriff for her flight. She paid tribute to her boyfriend Travis Kelce by wearing a Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII Champs baseball cap after his team's big win earlier this month. More than 13,000 homes and businesses in Sydney's northern suburbs lost power on Monday A Coles in Balgowlah is seen in total darkness after a major storm hit the city on Monday Swift was accompanied by her entourage as she climbed the stairs of her Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft, which boasts a double bed and fine dining cabin. More than 13,000 homes in the city's northern beaches lost power just before 1pm on Monday as heavy rain, strong winds and lightning lashed the city. Residents in Fairlight, Manly, Balgowlah, Balgowlah Heights, Seaforth, Manly Vale, Killarney Heights and Mosman were plunged into darkness are all impacted. Ausgrid estimated power would be returned to homes and businesses by 3pm. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones for much of NSW. The heaviest downpours were recorded in Kings Langley, in Sydneys north-west, which had 48mm of rain in an hour. A bikini model and actress who starred briefly in the hit horror film Wolf Creek is facing serious child sex abuse charges after she was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a teenage boy. Megan Skye Blancada, a young mum and model, appeared at Adelaide Magistrate Court on Monday charged with the sexual abuse of a boy under the age of 16 and possession of child exploitation material. Police alleged her offending occurred between July 30, 2021 and November 6, 2023, in Adelaide's outer north, court documents show. Megan Skye Blancada faced court in Adelaide on Monday where her lawyer said she would plead guilty to an unlawful sexual intercourse charge Megan Skye Blancada has shared several bikini fashion shoots to her social media pages In online profiles, Ms Blancada, 34, advertises herself as a fitness model and advertises her roles in films such as Hey Hey Its Esther and Wolf Creek. In a post from August 30, 2023, she shows off a Jadore dress and writes: 'Attending a red carpet event in Sydney definitely in a need of a dress from @dressforanight and they did not disappoint.' Ms Blancada claims to have modelled for Mitsubishi and Bank SA and is the author of a novel called Shadow Hunters: Shadows in the Wall. In her online profile, the Adelaide-born model also says she 'likes to keep her private life to herself while maintaining a low profile'. Ms Blancada declined to make a statement outside court Lawyer Andrew Graham, appearing for Ms Blancada, told Magistrate Simon Smart his client would make a guilty plea offer to the prosecution. 'My client will plead guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse and two indecent assaults,' he said. The police charged Ms Blancada with knowingly possessing child exploitation material after seizing her phone following her arrest in November. Negotiations between the defence and prosecution are continuing and Mr Smart adjourned Ms Blancada's case until May 1 for answer charges. Ms Blancada was dressed in a pressed white shirt and black pants for her appearance, with wavy blonde hair. She declined to make any statement after leaving court. Ms Blancada will return to court to answer the charges against in May. Former President Donald Trump has hailed a group of truckers planning to boycott New York after the $355 million fraud ruling against him as 'great patriots'. On Friday a trucker claimed there was a growing national movement of fellow drivers planning to refuse to deliver to New York City from Monday in support of Trump. After sharing DailyMail.com's article about the planned boycott, Trump posted on Truth Social: 'Such an honor to have so many Great Patriots on the side of freedom!' He added: 'Joe Bidens Unfair and Dangerous Weaponization of Law Enforcement is a serious threat to Democracy. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' The truckers claim they are taking action after the former president was ordered to pay a $355 million fine in a civil fraud verdict by a New York court. According to Ray, those he had spoken to had already alerted their bosses that as of Monday they would no longer conduct business in the Big Apple Trump took to Truth Social to praise the truckers A driver with the username Chicago1Ray, shared a video on X saying he had spoken to 'at least ten' colleagues who all agreed they would start refusing loads to the city on Monday. It wasn't clear how many truckers were involved, but after Trump hailed their plan on his Truth Social page, Chicago1Ray posted again, saying: 'Trump just posted my video and picture on his Truth Social account, pretty f***en cool... 'God Bless America. God bless Trump and God bless every Truck driver in this country.' He added later: 'I'm just one of the many millions of truckers who believe in God and love this Country. 'Truckers for Trump ain't just a slogan it's real.' According to Ray, those he had spoken to had already alerted their bosses about their plans. In the video, he said: 'I've been on the radio talking to drivers for the last hour, hour fifteen minutes. 'I've talked to at least ten drivers, they're going to start refusing loads in New York City starting Monday. 'I don't know how far across the country this is, or how many truckers are going to start denying loads to New York City. 'I tell you what, you f*** around and find out. We are tired of you leftists f***ing with Trump. Motherf***ers are getting tired of this s**t. Trump hailed the truckers as 'great patriots' and said it was an 'honor' to have them on his side 'Our bosses ain't gonna care about these loads, we will just go somewhere else. Do you know how f***ing hard it is to get into New York City with one of these? 'I don't wish nothing on nobody, but what I am hearing, this is real. We will see, leave Trump the f**k alone with the bulls***. It's election interference. 'I hate to say it, but truckers are for Trump. Ain't no motherf***ers are for Biden.' Since sharing the video, others have chimed in on the alleged boycott saying they supported the move. One person posted: 'Do it! Let us know how we can help! Youre NOT alone in this fight!' Another added: 'We can always rely on the trucker to restore some semblance of the right thing in response. 'Thank you from the many here on X for your courage to stand up to the Marxist leftists.' In the ruling on Friday Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump and his company to pay $355 million in penalties, finding he had lied about his wealth for years, to deceive banks, insurers and others by inflating his wealth on financial statements. He is also banned from being a director in a New York firm for three years. Speaking outside his Mar-a-lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump went on the offense and lashed out at Engoron and Attorney General Letitia James. Trump was ordered to pay $355 million by a New York City court for lying about his finances A massive convoy of truckers were seen making its way to migrant hotspots in a bid to shame the White House into tackling the worsening crisis The former President said: 'I paid approximately $300 million dollars in taxes as the migrants come in and take over New York, and they want me out. 'These are radical left democrats, they are lunatics. Its election interference.' The former president also said that the case had been brought by the DOJ and Biden and constituted election interference. Last month, a large MAGA truck convoy named the 'Army of God' traveled towards the southern border due to the ongoing crisis. They hoped the protest would draw further attention to record numbers of migrants crossing the southern border and into the US. Residents are outraged by the Queensland Government's push to rename a popular tourist destination out of respect to Indigenous traditional owners. The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) has proposed to change the name of Magnetic Island National Park to Yunbenun. The name - pronounced Yuhn-beh-nin - is the preferred label for the island by the Wulgurukaba or 'canoe people'. The government has only proposed to rename the national park, not the island itself, but residents are concerned it will only be a matter of time before that changes too. DESI has proposed to change the name of Magnetic Island National Park to Yunbenun (stock image) The concern comes after Fraser Island's traditional name, K'gari, was reinstated last year. Magnetic Island resident Mary Vernon told the Courier Mail that she anticipates a massive local backlash to renaming the tropical paradise. She said that while some people support the change, it's certainly not the majority. 'A lot of people are concerned about it because it's just a meaningless gesture really,' she said. 'I think people are also worried about where it might lead and the possibility of renaming the entire island. DESI released a statement saying they recognise the rich cultural history of the area. 'DESI has recently unveiled an updated management statement for the national park, which outlines strategic directions for conserving key natural social and cultural values of the World Heritage Area,' the statement read. Magnetic Island resident Mary Vernon told The Courier Mail that she anticipates a massive local backlash to the proposal (stock image) 'This includes Wulgurukaba cultural sites and places as well as the heritage-listed World War II fort complex, significant vine thickets and the iconic hoop pine of Magnetic Island.' The department will be accepting submissions from the public about the proposal until 5pm on April 19. In June, Fraser Island was officially renamed K'gari at the behest of the Butchulla people. Elders had long campaigned against the sand island being named after Captain James Fraser and his wife Eliza, who became shipwrecked on the island in 1836 along with 18 crew and passengers. Eliza Fraser survived while her husband and most others perished, and after returning to life in England she re-told stories of enslavement at the hands of barbarous and cannibalistic Aboriginal people on the island. MBABANE A legal aid officer stationed in Siteki, in the Lubombo Region has opened an office with the aim of helping people who cant afford a lawyer in their legal cases. Phakama Shili is a Senior Legal Aid Officer in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, championing the work of the recently established Legal Aid office in Eswatini. When speaking to the government communications team about his journey in the legal aid profession and what he intends to do, Shili said his role involved providing guidance and supervision to a team of legal aid officers, ensuring the efficient delivery of legal aid services and client support. I also review and assess complex legal cases, provide advice, and develop strategies to advocate for our clients rights. Additionally, I contribute to the administration of legal aid programmes, including budgeting and resource mobilisation, he said. He narrated that the Legal Aid Office was responsible for the coordination and provision of legal aid services in the country. He said legal aid played a pivotal role in improving the living conditions of the poor and marginalised by addressing their legal needs. With legal services often being prohibitively expensive, access to legal aid becomes essential for ensuring fair and equitable justice. By providing legal representation, legal education, alternative dispute resolution and advice, legal aid empowers individuals to navigate the complex legal system, safeguards their rights, and promotes their active participation in society. Essentially, legal aid will open doors to justice for those who cannot afford the services of a lawyer, he said. When asked what he loved about working in government, Shili said working in government had afforded him the privilege to serve the people of Eswatini. He said as a civil servant, his primary responsibility was to safeguard the welfare and prosperity of emaSwati in alignment with government policies. He mentioned that within the government context, it was crucial to adopt a proactive approach and diligently acquire the necessary knowledge and understanding to provide informed advice to superiors and effectively implement government policies. Fulfilment In essence, working for government revolves around ensuring the fulfilment of government commitments and upholding high standards of ethical behaviour to preserve and project a positive image of the country, he said. When asked what his biggest achievement was in the civil service journey, Shili said when reflecting on his journey, it was challenging to single out one particular achievement as many of the initiatives he had worked on had contributed to improving the lives of emaSwati. However, I take great pride in being one of the initial personnel appointed to the Secretariat of the Commission on Human Rights. In this capacity, I played a pivotal role in developing and implementing systems and procedures for the management and strategic resolution of human rights violations, he said. By establishing well-organised systems for handling complaints, Shili said he actively contributed to the effectiveness of the countrys mechanisms for promoting and protecting human rights. He also revealed that another notable accomplishment has been his involvement in establishing a multi-stakeholder forum for human rights actors. He said this forum, which he conceived and initiated, provided a platform for both government and non-state actors to monitor and evaluate progress in the implementation of the countrys human rights obligations. Since its establishment in 2022, this project has yielded significant results and serves as an essential mechanism for fostering collaboration and accountability among various stakeholders, he said. A drug-addicted young man who stole an Uber driver's car, threatened to kill him and then slammed the Toyota Kluger into oncoming traffic on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, bringing the city to a standstill in the process, has avoided prison. In the NSW District Court on Monday, Christopher Walker, 21, learned he wouldn't be jailed over the fiery crash, which nearly claimed his life and left one man in hospital for more than a month. He had pleaded guilty to assault with intent to take motor vehicle and dangerous driving occasioning actual bodily harm. The court heard Walker, who was 19 at the time, had taken ice on the morning of March 7, 2022, before approaching Uber driver Aetaz Farooq, who was fixing a punctured tyre on Sussex St in the city's CBD. 'You have a nice car, mate,' Walker told him before jumping in the driver's seat. Christopher Walker (pictured) has been spared jail after he caused a fiery crash on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 2022 The court was told Walker asked Mr Farooq to turn the car on, before snatching the keys off him in a struggle and pushing the Uber driver to the ground. 'Get the f..k away from the car or I'll kill you,' he said, according to court documents, before speeding away. Moments later, Walker sped on to the Sydney Harbour Bridge before his car careened into oncoming traffic, slamming into a Toyota HiAce van being driven by Andrew Cheng. Another car, a blue Honda CRV, tried to brake suddenly but slammed into the passenger side of the van in a three-car pile-up. The force of the crash flipped the stolen Toyota Kluger, which immediately caught fire, trapping Walker upside down, the court was told. Court documents revealed nearby motorists managed to free Walker and pull him through the window, having to move his body out of reach of the flames. The stolen vehicle burst into flames (pictured) after the SUV flipped over after it crashed into an oncoming van Walker drove the SUV into oncoming traffic on the Sydney Harbour Bridge (pictured) causing a multi-car pile up which led to one motorist suffering several injuries The court heard Mr Cheng suffered numerous injuries, had to undergo three surgeries and was kept in hospital for a month. Judge Justin Smith told the court he found Walker to be genuine and honest when he took to the witness stand and previously told the court he felt 'horrible'. Walker, who suffered a collapsed lung, spent six months in custody before being released into a rehabilitation centre. Judge Smith sentenced Walker to an aggregate prison sentence of two years and nine months, to be served in the community by way of an Intensive Corrections Order. Presidential candidate Nikki Haley vowed Sunday to pardon former President Donald Trump should she defeat him in the Republican Primary and then win against Democrat president Joe Biden in November. Despite trying to remain tough on the candidate as a primary opponent, Haley previously hinted that she would pardon Trump at a town hall prior to her third-place finish to Trump in the Iowa Caucuses. Just six days ahead of a possible do-or-die primary in her home state of South Carolina where Trump is heavily favored, she confirmed that if the former president is found guilty, she would pardon him to unify America. 'I would pardon Donald Trump because I think it's important for the country to move on,' she said at a town hall in South Carolina Sunday. Trump faces over a half dozen court cases related to election interference, the January 6 riots and falsifying business records. Presidential candidate Nikki Haley vowed Sunday to pardon former President Donald Trump should she defeat him in the Republican Primary and President Joe Biden in November 'We've got to leave the negativity and the baggage behind. I don't want this country divided any further. I don't think it's in the best interest for America to have an 80-year-old president sitting in jail and having everybody upset about it,' she added. She admitted that pardoning Trump wouldn't be 'a matter of innocence or guilt' because it 'means he would have already been found guilty' but said letting him free would be in the nation's best interest. 'I think this would be the time that we would need to move forward and get this out of the way,' she said. Haley, the former governor of South Carolina who served as Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, attempted to bring her foreign policy chops to the stage when she hammered Trump on his relationship to China. She called for a ban on China-owned TikTok and, while she acknowledged that President Biden should be ashamed of himself for posting on the platform ahead of the Super Bowl, Trump isn't good on the issue in her eyes, either. 'President Trump said he would ban TikTok, and when President Xi asked him not to, that fell to the wayside,' she said. 'We should have banned it from the beginning. It is incredibly dangerous.' Despite admitting that the Republican Party had not catered enough to young people and Gen Z, she said of their preferred social platform: 'America can't be the last country to ban TikTok.' Trump faces over a half dozen court cases related to election interference, the January 6 riots and falsifying business records Just six days ahead of a possible do-or-die primary in her home state of South Carolina where Trump is heavily favored, Haley confirmed at a town hall that if the former president is found guilty, she would pardon him to unify America Haley has often criticized the app's influence on Gen Z, saying that it has led them to see 'pro-Hamas' content in the wake of the terrorist attack on Israel last October. She also criticized what she sees as Trump's close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the wake of the death of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny last week. 'I think that's why it's so damaging when Trump said that he would choose Putin and actually encouraged to invade NATO allies, instead of standing with our allies,' she added. While there are civil cases among them, Trump faces the possibility of prison time if convicted in some of the cases. Haley, who served as Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, has previously said that the pardon would be in the vain of Gerald Ford's 1974 pardon of Richard Nixon. The ex-South Carolina governor lost the primary contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. In the race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, Trump has 63 delegates compared to Haley's 17. She is now looking to pick up more delegates in South Carolina next week banking on the fact that she was elected governor twice and is popular amongst Republicans in the Palmetto State. But polling shows Trump is still far ahead of Haley in South Carolina's primary election. The former Ambassador's campaign insisted she plans to stick in the running through at least Super Tuesday, where 15 different states will head to the polls in their respective primary elections. Monaco real estate billionaire Patrice Pastor has bought another historic multi-million dollar property in Carmel-by-the-Sea, leaving locals 'terrified' for the future of the Californian town. Pastor, 51, is known for his feud with Monaco's Prince Albert II - and for the very public falling out the two had in recent years. Through his company, Esperanza Carmel, Pastor has been buying up homes and businesses - including a $22 million Frank Lloyd Wright house - in the small town about 75 miles from San Jose since 2015. Pastor now owns more than a dozen properties according to SFGATE, with one anonymous third-generation local telling the outlet 'people are terrified' that they are 'handing over our town to one person whos doing what he wants to do.' The town - which has just 4,000 residents - was named the 'destination of the moment' by Vogue and is favored by celebrities including Brad Pitt, who bought a $40 million home there in 2022. Monaco real estate billionaire Patrice Pastor has bought over a dozen properties in the small town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Pastor reportedly bought a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Carmel for $22million - it is the only ocean front home by the architect Rocky Point is one of the development projects Pastor is working on Pastor's latest purchase was the historic $7.5million La Rambla building made up of two apartments and two commercial spaces. The white villa-style property has a large sunny courtyard with a water feature. In 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that Pastor bought renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright's only existing ocean front home for $22 million. The Carmel property was designed to look like a boat cutting through water. Lloyd Wright originally designed the house, also known as 'the cabin on the rocks,' for artist Della Walker around 1950. Pastor is also currently running three construction projects in the area, according to his property company's website. His largest project is the Ulrika Plaza new build development, which will be a 42,000 square foot mixed-use, retail and residential space. The site also lists the the JB Pastor Project which will be a 30,000 square foot mixed-use, retail and residential. He is also renovating the Rocky Point Project. The site says: 'Originally constructed in 1951, located on Highway 1 between Carmel and Big Sur, Rocky Point enjoys one of the best views in the world.' Pastor (left) and his wife (second left) in 2015 at the Monaco Foundation dinner in London with Marc Lecourt and his wife The Ulrika Plaza project is a 38,000 square foot mixed-use, retail and residential, new build development The JB Pastor project is a 30,000 square foot mixed-use, retail and residential, new build development - currently in the planning stage And he owns notable buildings including LAuberge Carmel Hotel, the Brown-Spaulding Building and the Eastwood Building. The concerned business owner told SFGATE that 'people are terrified'. They added: 'Whats going to happen as he spends so much money on the building, the property tax goes up and the rents go up and the only people who can afford it are chain stores? 'Whats going to happen to our mom-and-pop shops? Whats going to happen to our local feel?' They said that the small town is now split into four camps, those who are too afraid to speak up because they are financially tied to Pastor, those who don't speak up because they want to be financially tied to Pastor, those who do speak up and finally new residents who are 'blissfully unaware'. Prince Albert II and Pastor are reportedly in a feud The most recent property bought by Pastor is the La Rambla, a mixed residential and commercial property It has a sun terrace which could be used for outdoor restaurant seating or weddings But not everyone fears Pastor's involvement in the town. Real estate agent Tim Allen told SFGATE: 'I think the focus has been on "Oh my gosh, hes buying up everything!" But the reality is he owns very little compared to some families that have been here for a while. 'We need an influx. If hes restoring something in an area thats big or small, it shows that if people work together, as opposed to thinking someones right or wrong, then you can move everything in the right direction.' He added: 'I know Patrice, hes like family, and he loves Carmel, loves it. And what hes doing is good for our community.' Likewise, local conservation associations have expressed support of Pastors plans. Karyl Hall, who helped form the Carmel Preservation Association told local newspaper Carmel Pine Cone: 'We are the luckiest people in the world to have him (Pastor) come in. 'He cares about Carmel and cares that Carmel keep its character He has the money to come in and do what nobody else can do.' Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert Of Monaco after their wedding in 2011 The building has two apartments upstairs and two commercial spaces downstairs and sold for $7.5million Pastor is notorious for his feud with Monaco's crown prince which has been raging since 2021. In 2021, an email from Prince Albert II's press advisor to one of the Prince's close friends was shared on an anonymous website, LesDossiersDuRocher.com, which published incriminating evidence about Monaco's royal family. The email said: 'That octopus Pastor is everywhere! He has gotten his hooks into Monaco. He has gone mad, he has no limits!' Le Monde reported at the time: 'This supposed "octopus" appears to be multi-billionaire Patrice Pastor, a 49-year-old who for decades constructed and rented buildings and apartments for small fortunes. 'Proud and with no frills, he is an unmistakable character in Monaco. "I'm not a nice guy," he said. "I'm free, independent and I have money, so... Everything in the 'Dossiers du Rocher' is true, and everyone knows it! The truth is that I irritate them."' Meanwhile AirMail reported last year: 'Patrice Pastor has been described as the only man in Monaco more influential than its ruler.' It added: 'He is a canny, outspoken developer with statement glasses and leonine hair, who has long controlled Monacos property market and thus, in essence, most of Monaco itself.' Rivals describe him in the article as competitive, and say he wants 'to win contracts not for the money but to crush everyone.' A driver of a US-style pick-up truck has been panned over a massive parking fail at a shopping centre. The driver of the Ford F-250 took up two parking spaces at the outdoor carpark at a Coles store in southeast Melbourne. An amused shopper photographed the embarrassing park and shared an image of it to Facebook. 'Should have his own traffic control team riding around in him with the size of that rig,' they wrote. A motorist has reignited the debate into American style pick up trucks after the driver took up more than one parking bays (pictured) at a carpark The image showed part of the utility taking up two spaces as the vehicle was too big to fit into a single parking bay. Social media users were divided with some defending the driver. One argued the vehicle wouldn't have been able to fit into a single space as parking spots in Australia have not adopted to the size of the massive vehicles. 'Look, it's not their fault that the parks aren't big enough,' they wrote. 'If he tried to park within the lines he'd be wasting his time, [it's] logical to park this way to leave room. Take out 2 parks instead of 3 (sic),' another wrote. Others chimed in saying drivers don't need to be travelling around in 'huge trucks'. 'Why the hell do you need something this big?' one wrote. Dozens of Aussies have complained about the size of pick-up trucks as motorists remain deeply divided over the presence of the massive vehicles on Australian roads. Experts have voiced their opposition to the growing popularity. Julian O'Shea, who is a researcher in sustainable transport at Monash University, said these vehicles would force public parking spaces to be redesigned. 'The question becomes, how do we use this space?' he told Yahoo. 'If we want to make our carparks bigger, we get fewer of them, we lose space for bike lanes, we lose space for parks, we lose space for shops.' Mr O'Shea said the American style utes would disrupt traffic in heavily congested areas. Motorists said that drivers of the trucks don't have much choice other than to take up more parking spaces (pictured) as the size of parking bays in Australia are too small Aussie motorists remain deeply divided over the presence of US-style pick up trucks on Australian roads (pictured) with experts warning the vehicles cause more congestion Standards Australia, a not-for-profit group that oversees the development of internationally aligned road and infrastructure standards, has proposed the length of the standard parking space in Australia be increased. A spokesperson for Standards Australia told Daily Mail Australia their research showed that the length of parking spaces in Australia should be adjusted. 'Our research showed that there is a trend of Australians purchasing and driving bigger cars, which is why there was a need for the standard to be revised,' the spokesperson said. 'At this stage, were only looking at car park length and not width'. The current size for on-street and off-street parking is currently 2.4m by 5.4m. The popularity of American style pick up trucks has been steadily growing in Australia. Almost 800 large pick ups were sold across Australia in August 2023 representing close to a 50 per cent increase year-on-year in the sales growth of the vehicles last year. Despite the growth of the US-styled trucks, passenger vehicles such as sedans, hatchbacks and 4WD's remain the car of choice for tens of thousands of Aussie motorists. More than 20,000 medium-sized SUV's were sold during the same period. The Victorian police force has been rocked by its second suicide within weeks after an officer took his own life while on duty at a Melbourne station. The male officer was found dead at Glen Waverley police station, in the city's south-east, just after 12.30pm on Friday. The tragedy comes after officer Rowan Andrews, 38, was found dead at Laverton Railway Station, in the city's inner-west, during the early hours of January 12. He was not on duty at the time. Victoria Police said the exact circumstances surrounding the latest death are being investigated. But the death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner. The officer was found dead at Glen Waverley Police Station (pictured), in Melbourne's south-east, around midday on Friday Meanwhile, devastated friends have flocked online to pay tribute to the young male officer. In one touching post, a man urged others to be kinder to emergency services personnel as they have tough jobs protecting the community. 'Rest in peace young man,' he began. 'Police officers are human too but the sadness hits them a lot harder than [the] normal public as they deal with a lot of negativity in their usual work day. 'Just because they wear a uniform, doesn't mean they are bullet proof. If you're married to them or are in a relationship with them, then it becomes your responsibility that you understand and keep an eye on what they're going through. 'A gentle tap on the shoulder at the right time can make a difference between life and death. 'If you're going through something then please make sure that you talk, talk to someone.' For confidential support, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 A man and woman from Pueblo, Colorado, have been arrested after copsdiscovered the bodies of two young children who had not been seen alive in nearly six years. Corena Rose Minjarez, 36, was arrested on Friday and booked into a county jail, while her 35-year-old partner Jesus Dominguez was taken into custody on Saturday. Dominguez' two children - now identified as five-year-old Jesus Jr. and three-year-old Yesenia Dominguez - were last seen in the summer of 2018. The little girl's corpse was found encased in concrete inside a storage unit, and her brother's remains was found in a suitcase, in the trunk of a car, at a scrap yard. Police confirmed that Dominguez is the father of the two children found in the horrific circumstances, while Minjarez is his girlfriend but not their mother. Jesus Jr., last seen at the age of five, was found dead inside a suitcase in a scrap yard Yesenia Dominguez, last seen age three, was found encased in concrete inside a storage unit A Colorado man and woman - Jesus Dominguez, 35 (pictured right) Corena Rose Minjarez, 36 (pictured left) - were arrested after police after a grizzly discovery of two young children dead after they'd not been seen in nearly six years After July 2018, there has been 'no sign, no indication of these children,' Sgt. Franklyn Ortega with the Pueblo Police Department said just weeks ago. The first remains were found on January 20 when Kings Storage Unit was being cleaned out, as the rent on it had gone unpaid. The storage unit included a metal container filled with hardened concrete, and an investigation discovered the remnants of the girl, Ortega said. Two days later, it was confirmed they were the remains of the young girl and the process of identifying them began. On January 31, police in Pueblo interviewed the elder Dominguez, who was arrested for an outstanding warrant, and Minjarez. According to those interviews, police said the only lead they had received from them was that they could be in Phoenix, Arizona - but the suggestion led nowhere. On February 6, the investigation led police to a vehicle owned by Minjarez in a scrap yard, where they found a boy's remains in a suitcase in the trunk of the car, police said. By February 15, DNA testing showed the remains belonged to the two missing children. Police later admitted that they did not even know the children had gone missing until those tests. Both Dominguez and Minjarez have been charged with two counts each of murder and abuse of a corpse. The first remains were found on January 20 when Kings Storage Unit was being cleaned out, as the rent on it had gone unpaid The storage unit included a metal container filled with hardened concrete, and an investigation discovered the remnants of the girl, Ortega said On February 6, the investigation led police to a vehicle owned by Minjarez in a scrap yard, where they found a boy's remains in a suitcase in the trunk of the car, police said Despite this missing poster put on Facebook, police admitted they did not know the children had been missing until the remains were found Dominguez has an additional charge of theft of government benefits as well. Minjarez was arrested shortly after the arrest warrant was issued. Police said they found Dominguez Saturday in the 1100 block of Bonforte Blvd with the help of the community. Court records show both are being held on a $2 million bond, and hearings are scheduled for Wednesday. Available court records did not identify attorneys for Minjarez and Dominguez who could comment on their behalf. Pueblo is a city of about 110,000 about 45 miles south of Colorado Springs. EXCLUSIVE A cheating financial technology start-up boss's wife began to suspect his infidelity just six months into his two-and-a-half-year affair when she spotted his female staffer leaving their marital home, court documents reveal. Former Wisr chief executive Anthony Nantes, 45, was sentenced at Waverley Local Court in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Monday after pleading guilty to stalking his mistress, 32, in Sydney between December 2022 and March 2023. The pair met at work and were in a secret relationship for two-and-a-half years before she threatened to tell his wife when things turned sour. Nantes subsequently bombarded her with messages - including more than 50 emails in one day - and turned up at her house, where he refused to leave, court documents said. Nantes' lawyer submitted a psychiatric report to court on Monday as he applied for the high-flying start-up founder's matter to be dealt with under mental health provisions. According to the report, Nantes told his psychiatrist Dr Olav Nielssen that his wife started to suspect he was being unfaithful about six months into the affair when she returned home early one day and saw his mistress leaving their house. Anthony Nantes and his estranged wife Cassi, with whom he share three children, are pictured during happier times He told Mr Nielssen that after that incident, his relationship with his female staffer became 'traumatic and abusive'. 'He said that she repeatedly threatened to tell his wife about their continued contact and also to notify the board of the company, and used those threats to extort sums of money from him,' the report reads. 'He said that he paid [her] rent, transferred $10,000 worth of cryptocurrency for her, and spent thousands of dollars in the form of events and trips.' Nantes further told Mr Neilssen that the staffer's police report centred on events that took place in the four months leading up to March 2023 - however, the pair remained on good terms afterwards and even holidayed overseas together. 'They continued to see each other at work most days, and in June 2023, she flew to Italy to meet him and they were again intimate,' the report continued. 'However, he said that two days after she arrived, there was an argument about their future, during which he told her that he was going to confess to his wife and that he would not pay her any more money. 'He said that she used his credit card to pay for a flight home via Bali, and after she returned to Australia, she went to police.' Anthony Nantes was accompanied to court by his estranged wife Cassi (above) on Monday. The court heard the pair separated after the messy love affair came to light The report added that Nantes said he had 'literally hundreds of text messages and emails' showing that she had threatened him and demanded money. He also told Mr Nielssen that he had gone to the police to apply for an AVO to stop her from blackmailing him, but Nantes found out she had attended the police station the day before and when he attended he was arrested and charged. Nantes then spent eleven days in jail at Parklea Correctional Centre, in Sydney's northwest, before he was granted bail. However, Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge was not impressed with the mental health application and asked if Nantes' legal team could provide the text messages he cited as evidence. When his legal counsel said they could not, she said: 'At this stage, he's just saying it happened, but there is no proof of it. So I won't take it into consideration.' Nantes legal team had argued he should be sentenced under the Mental Health Act as he suffered from panic disorder and substance abuse issues which had been amplified by the saga. However, Ms Milledge was visibly taken aback by the application. 'He got himself into a terrible, terrible mess. Why wouldn't he feel that way?' she said. Anthony Nantes was accompanied to court by his estranged wife Cassi (above) on Monday The former high-flying start-up founder was released without a conviction from Waverley Local Court - with a magistrate finding he had got himself into a 'terrible mess' The lawyer said the changes to his mental health were relevant because the affair resulted in 'the loss of his marriage, house, job - things out of his control'. Ms Milledge replied: 'What do you mean out of his control? He brought it on himself. They [those things] are collateral damage.' The court heard also Nantes had a history of illicit drug use, including cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, as well as the use of Benzodiazepines and alcohol to get to sleep. In the report, it was noted Nantes could not remember an incident when he followed the staffer up the street after arriving at her home, which he believes could have been due to the use of his prescription medication. Nantes also spent three weeks in a rehabilitation centre after his arrest, the court heard, and has not been taking drugs or drinking alcohol since his release (which was one of his bail conditions). Ms Milledge eventually rejected the mental health application, arguing Nantes' mental health impairments did not seem to be the cause, but rather a product, of his actions. She also noted that it was a 'very, very scant' proposed treatment plan that 'made no mention of his use of substances'. The court heard Cassi and Nantes have since separated Nantes was supported in court by his father and friend (pictured) However, Ms Milledge was sympathetic to the situation Nantes had found himself in and commended him for his efforts to get his life back on track. She sentenced him to a six-month good behaviour bond with no conviction recorded. 'I don't sit here as somebody who has emerged from saintly sphere and judge you for having some affair. That's not what I'm here to do,' she said. 'It was a poor decision by you that has brought about catastrophic consequences. But we are all human and make mistakes. I certainly have. [But] how we handle them is a measure of us. 'I don't know what the future holds for you and your family, but I hope it works out for you. You're someone who made a mistake and shouldn't have to pay for that for the rest of your life. You have certainly paid a severe price for what happened. 'You are doing everything to fix your life, I see it as atonement, and I hope others see it like that as well.' Mr Nantes' estranged wife Cassi, his father, and two male friends were seated in court to show their support. After the hearing concluded, Nantes could be seen hugging his supporters in relief - his eyes teary and red behind his glasses. He declined to comment outside court. A Channel 7 television personality accused of a raft of assault and torture charges faces a delay in his case after a court was told a 'significant' amount of material, including text messages, remains outstanding. Multiple child abuse-related charges were first laid against the man and his partner in August 2023 by police, with the woman facing almost 80 charges including rape, indecent treatment of children under 16, torture and sexual assaults. Police allege the offences occurred between 2005 and 2020. The man is facing six counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm while armed/in company, two counts of common assault, one count of observations or recordings in breach of privacy and two counts of torture. Media have been prevented from identifying the pair - who appeared together on a prominent Channel 7 program - after the woman was granted a sweeping non-publication order by a magistrate over concerns about her capacity for self-harm from further media coverage. The man, who cannot be identified, had his case mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. Stock image of silhouette pictured On Monday, the man's case was briefly mentioned at Brisbane Magistrates Court. The court was told the man's lawyers had received a partial brief of evidence and required up to three weeks to review it and confirm their client's instructions. But police prosecutors said a 'significant' amount of material was still outstanding. 'Our office sent an email to the arresting officer on the 13th of February,' a prosecutor told Deputy Chief Magistrate Anthony Gett. 'There's the statement of a witness... some digital recordings of special witnesses I'm told, as well as screenshots of text messages.' Magistrate Gett granted a four-week adjournment in line with the prosecution's requests. The man's case will return to court on March 18 for mention. His bail was enlarged. The woman's case will be mentioned at Richlands Magistrates Court on Tuesday. She was initially charged with 36 offences relating to the alleged serious child abuse allegations, and police charged her with a further 38 offences on November 7 last year. Court documents seen by NCA NewsWire reveal those charges include further rape and child abuse charges spanning over several locations across Queensland dating back several years. In October last year, the woman was granted a non-publication order by Magistrate Aaron Simpson after he found she was at risk of harming herself, should further media coverage identify her. His ruling came after she attempted to self harm last month, according to court documents. Queensland legislation previously prevented media outlets from identifying people charged with a 'prescribed sexual offence' - including rape, attempted rape, assault with intent to commit rape, and sexual assault. Media have been prevented from identifying the pair, who appeared together on a prominent Channel 7 program. The Channel 7 logo is pictured Changes to the legislation on October 3 softened restrictions on identifying people charged with the aforementioned offences. Some of the more high profile cases identified as a result included Bruce Lehrmann, previously referred to as a 'high profile man' and Ashley Paul Griffith, a child care worker charged with a raft of abuse offences. Both of these cases are still before the courts and no pleas have been entered. Magistrate Simpson's ruling on the woman's identity was one of the first non-publication orders implemented after Queensland's new sexual offence identification laws were introduced. Breakthrough developments in the cold case disappearance of Revelle Balmain almost 30 years ago have led to the NSW Coroner opening a second inquest. Model Revelle, 22, was last seen in the Sydney suburb of Kingsford on November 5, 1994. A makeup bag, keys and a single shoe found on nearby streets were all that remained of her life. Ms Balmain worked as a model and dancer, but had also just started working as a prostitute to make ends meet. Her last known booking before she disappeared was with a client on McNair Avenue in Kingsford. After an anonymous tip-off and a mystery photograph, police uncovered a new person they believe is linked to the case and three 'premises of significance' were later raided. Revelle Balmain (pictured) was last seen in the Sydney suburb of Kingsford on November 5, 1994 and a make-up bag, keys and a single shoe found on nearby streets were all that remained of her life READ MORE: Cold case mystery of glamorous Sydney woman who disappeared without a trace in 1994 A missing person poster for Revelle Balmain is pictured Advertisement On Monday, NSW Deputy State Coroner Joan Baptie held a hearing to set down a second inquest to begin on April 29. The coroner heard that outstanding material in the police brief was expected to be served within a week. Magistrate Baptie was also told that an updated statement would be sought from the police officer in charge to be tendered in addition to his primary statement. A week has been set aside for the inquest. The previous coronial inquest in 1999 found Ms Balmain died at the hands of a person or persons unknown, with the matter referred to the unsolved homicide unit. No-one has ever been charged over Ms Balmain's disappearance. Ms Balmain only joined the escort agency she worked for, which was run by Jane King and her then husband Zoran Stanojevic, six weeks before she disappeared. Last year, Ms King claimed she had new information that Ms Balmain had been booked to meet Mr Stanojevic's Serbian friends later on the night she disappeared. There is no suggestion that Mr Stanojevic is being investigated by police. In December 2021, he was arrested on unrelated charges as police reinvestigated her disappearance. He was one of five men arrested in Sydney in relation to an alleged Serbian crime syndicate. The focus of initial investigations focused on Ms Balmain's last known client, Gavin Samer, who denied any involvement and claimed he dropped her at a nearby pub after his appointment. In 1999, the coroner found that Mr Samer 'certainly had the opportunity to kill Ms Balmain', but 'no plausible motive' ever emerged. Mr Samer has never been charged, and there is no suggestion police still consider him a suspect. A lawyer for Mr Samer dialled into the court hearing on Monday. In May 2021, a $1million reward for information about Revelle Balmain's disappearance was announced. Ms Balmain is pictured A makeup bag, keys and a single shoe found on nearby streets were all that remained of her life Ms Balmain's sister Suellen Simpson also joined the court hearing by videolink and watched the proceedings in silence, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Both of her parents died without ever knowing what happened to Revelle. 'For many years our family worked tirelessly to find out what happened to my sister but sadly both our mother and Revelle's father, Ivor, passed away without ever knowing what happened to their little girl,' Ms Simpson said in 2021. Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell and trike Force Aramac took over Ms Balmain's case in 2020. The following year, a $1million reward for information about her disappearance was announced. 'Revelle's family has been campaigning for justice for more than 26 years and strike force detectives are determined to finally find the answers they are seeking,' Insp Mr Bell said at the time. Several months later in July 2021, the strike force revealed that it had received new vital information, including a blurry photograph of a man wearing sunglasses and a white T-shirt sitting at a wooden table. Revelle Balmain's parents died without knowing what happened to the model ad dancer The photo was sent anonymously, but the man was later identified. Strike Force Aramac was trying to establish where he had been on the night Ms Balmain went missing. 'The new line of inquiry is we're looking at a person that was previously unknown to Revelle, (who) may have met her on the night of her disappearance,' Mr Bell said at the time. Ms King, who was Ms Balmain's former employer at the escort agency, said the $1million reward had come years too late and she feared the police had missed vital clues. She said Ms Balmain's 'posse', including two women from the agency and a doctor, had never been questioned. From Emma Stone's awkward camera blunder to a Ted Lasso star's 'cringe and woke' stand up and a bizarre BBC red carpet interview about Barry Keoghan's manhood, this year's BAFTAs had it all. Last night's prestigious awards at The Royal Festival Hall saw Oppenheimer take home seven awards, while it was also a successful night for Poor Things, which picked up five gongs. Former England captain David Beckham was among those who made an appearance at the star-studded spectacle but viewers were left fuming after he referred to football as 'soccer' at the British event. This year's ceremony saw David Tennant impressively make his debut as a BAFTA host while Michael J Fox, who is living with Parkinson's disease, moved viewers to tears as he came out on stage in a wheelchair but insisted on standing at the podium. In contrast, viewers 'switched off' after Ted Lasso's Nick Mohammed irked spectators with a high-pitched voice and a BBC reporter left Andrew Scott squirming when he asked him about Keoghan's naked scene at the end of Saltburn. Doctor Who star Tennant was a triumph, with his constant enthusiasm and brilliant humour proving infectious while he also stunned the crowd by bringing out Michael Sheen's pet dog with the suitably starry name of Bark Ruffalo. But his opening monologue also turned political as he appeared to joke about Donald Trump and the upcoming US election. Referencing Emma Stone's BAFTA winning film, Tennant said: 'Poor Things is nominated... When a child's brain is put in an adult's body and later this year one of those might be elected president.' When Stone went up on stage to accept her Best Actress award, she suffered an awkward moment when she bumped into the cameraman as she got up from her seat. Emma Stone had an awkward blunder when she bumped into the camera man after getting up to go on stage Viewers were left cringing at Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed after being irked by his stand-up routine Andrew Scott had to walk away from a BBC interviewer after he was quizzed about Barry Keoghan's manhood David Tennant impressed with his BAFTA hosting debut but his speech turned political and referenced Donald Trump THE BAFTA WINNERS AT A GLANCE Best Film - Oppenheimer Best Director - Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Supporting Actor - Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Leading Actor - Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Leading Actress - Emma Stone, Poor Things Supporting Actress - Da'vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Advertisement Fortunately, fellow Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham delighted crowds with a beautiful rendition of 'Time After Time' by Cyndi Lauper and Sophie Ellis-Bextor performed her 'Murder on the Dancefloor' hit which has had a resurgence. Tennant, who was following on from Richard E Grant's hosting last year, kicked off the awards with a Staged-style sketch, which aired during the Covid pandemic, about dog-sitting Sheen's pet. He brought some serious style to the occasion, sporting a total of three dramatic looks throughout the evening, including an embellished kilt and jacket combo. Viewers were treated to a Zoom-like call with Tennant's Staged and Good Omens co-star Sheen. The Doctor Who actor sat in his kitchen with a grey kilt hanging up in the background. The hilarious sketch featured Tennant's wife Georgia, American actor Stanley Tucci, Yesterday star Himesh Patel, Loki actor Tom Hiddleston and finally Dame Judi Dench. After the Zoom call, the ceremony began with Tennant entering the auditorium through the audience, wearing the kilt and holding Bark Ruffalo and other pet-related items including a blanket and a lead. Laughter was heard throughout the venue when Tennant notices Sheen sitting in the front row, and they argue about who should keep hold of the pet before Sheen relents and lets his co-star begin his hosting monologue dog-free. There were some touching moments during this year's ceremony - no more so than when Fox, who has battled Parkinson's since 1991, was helped to the podium to announce that Best Film had been awarded to Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. The Back To The Future film series star was described as a 'true legend of cinema' by Tennant, who introduced Fox on to the stage. Michael J Fox presents the Best Film Award to Oppenheimer David Tennant hosted the awards bash and was at one point joined by a white fluffy dog Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery After entering the stage in a wheelchair, Fox earned a hugely warm reception from stars including Margot Robbie, Bradley Cooper and Barry Keoghan. The legendary 80s film star was visibly touched by the reaction, as he supported himself on the podium to reveal the nominees and eventual winner. Presenting the prize, he said: 'Five films were nominated in this category tonight and all five have something in common. They are the best of what we do. 'No matter who you are or where you're from, these films can bring us together. 'There's a reason why they say movies are magic because movies can change your day. 'It can change your outlook. Sometimes it can change your life.' But viewers were left cringing Ted Lasso's Nick Mohammed, who portrayed his famous Mr. Swallow persona. Mohammed's alter-ego from Leeds, who has a comically high-pitched voice, arrived on roller skates in the middle of the ceremony. He introduced his character, which he has been portraying on stage and TV screens for over a decade, as a mix of British ice skaters 'Torvill and Dean and the crab from The Little Mermaid'. Saltburn star Barry Keoghan looked typically stylish in a dark green jacket and matching trousers Hannah Waddingham donned a chic navy, floral midi dress, teamed with clear heels Cillian Murphy accepts the Leading Actor Award for Oppenheimer The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host, as well as an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night He also cracked a joke about the Royal Family which BAFTA president Prince William was seen awkwardly chuckling along too. Mohammed joked that there would be an evacuation procedure in the event of an emergency during the show. He said there would be a strict order over who would be evacuated, 'starting with me'. He then joked: 'Then it's the BAFTA trophies, followed by winners, nominees, publicists, everyone else, influencers.' Although some saw the funny side, many viewers were left cringing. The camera cut to Prince William who was chuckling next to Cate Blanchett. Mohammed's Ted Lasso co-star Hannah Waddingham dedicated a cover of 'Time after Time' to all of the stars that have tragically passed away in film and TV. Reacting to the performance, one viewer wrote: 'Hannah Waddingham is just wonderful!' A second posted: 'Wow that performance from Hannah Waddingham made me emotional.' Sophie Ellis-Bextor performs iconic hit 'Murder on the Dancefloor' David Beckham presents the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer to Earth Mama Luther actor Idris Elba presents the Leading Actress Award Sophie Ellis-Bextor also stole the show with an impressive performance of her viral hit Murder on the Dancefloor - which had a resurgence following its appearance in Saltburn. Irish actor Barry Keoghan is seen dancing around the Saltburn mansion completely naked in a clip which went viral. BBC reporter Colin Paterson left viewers cringing when he asked Andrew Scott: 'Do you know Barry Keoghan well?' When he said he knew Keoghan, Paterson followed up with: 'Can I ask your reaction when you first saw the naked dance scene at the end of Saltburn?' As Scott pulled away from the reporter, Paterson again probed, asking: 'There is a lot of talk about the prosthetics' For the past year its been Barbie vs Oppenheimer, but last night Christopher Nolans big budget drama came out on top. The biopic of J Robert Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy, won seven awards including best film, best director and best actor while Barbie walked away empty-handed. US actress Emma Stone, 35, who wore a peach Louis Vuitton frock, came out on top in the best actress category, beating others including Barbie star Margot Robbie, 33, and Carey Mulligan, 38. Cillian Murphy, 47, picked up the award for best actor for his title role in Oppenheimer, beating the likes of Bradley Cooper and Barry Keoghan. Robert Downey Jr, 58, took home best supporting actor for Oppenheimer, which also won best cinematography, original score and editing. On February 18th, reporters learned from Hefei Xinqiao International Airport that during the 2024 Spring Festival holiday, Hefei Xinqiao International Airport handled nearly 350,000 passengers, a 70.8% increase compared to the 2023 Spring Festival holiday; it secured 2,554 flight operations, marking a 43.7% increase from the previous year's holiday period. The peak of passenger flow occurred on the sixth day of the first lunar month (February 15th), with 47,800 passengers arriving and departing that day, setting a new record for the highest single-day passenger throughput in the airports history. During the Spring Festival holiday, the majority of passengers at Hefei Xinqiao International Airport were traveling for family visits, tourism, and returning home from work. Throughout the holiday period, Hefei Xinqiao International Airport had ample aviation capacity prepared, with flights to destinations such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Kunming operating on an express schedule, averaging about 10 flights per day, fully meeting the travel needs of passengers. Regarding post-holiday ticket prices, Hefei Xinqiao International Airport had a sufficient supply of tickets for inbound and outbound flights, with stable and orderly pricing. Some airlines introduced discounted tickets. Currently, tickets for flights departing from Hefei Xinqiao International Airport to destinations like Guiyang, Taiyuan, and Shijiazhuang start from 280 yuan; flights to Guangzhou, Beijing Daxing, Chongqing, and Yantai start from 400 yuan. For some inbound flights, such as Guiyang to Hefei, prices start from 360 yuan, and from Chongqing and Chengdu Tianfu to Hefei from 460 yuan. As for international and regional flight ticket prices, one-way trips from Hefei to Singapore and Hong Kong start from 500 yuan, and to Macau from 400 yuan. All the above prices exclude taxes and fees. Flight schedules and ticket prices are subject to change, and the specifics should be verified through actual searches. Source: anhuinews.com MBABANE Law enforcement agencies are baffled by a new trend whereby sodomy cases are withdrawn by complainants under questionable circumstances. It should be noted though that sodomy is now classified as rape under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act 2018. Most of the survivors are either skeptical of reporting the abuse or later withdraw the cases, to prevent the prosecution of the suspects. Some of the identified reasons have been a lack of courage to deal with the shame and stigma attached to falling victim to such crimes of a sexual nature. Futhi Lushaba, the Principal Crown Counsel, under the Sexual Offences Unit, said it was for that reason that very few cases of this nature were being reported to the police for prosecution. She said they had come across cases of men reporting to have been sexually abused by other men, but classified all of them as rape. Lushaba said this kind of sexual abuse was still prevalent, but was referred to as indecent assault, under Common Law. This was before it was classified as rape in Section 3 of the SODV Act No.15 of 2018. Section 3 subsection (1) states that a person who rapes another commits an offence of rape and, for purposes of this Act, the offence of rape is committed either by a male or female person against another person. (2) For the purposes of this section, rape is defined as an unlawful sexual act with a person. (3) An unlawful sexual act for the purposes of this part constitutes a sexual act committed under any of the following circumstances; (a) In any coercive circumstance; (b) Under false pretences or by fraudulent means; (c) In respect of a person who is incapable in law of appreciating the nature of the sexual act; (d) Duress; (e) Psychological oppression; or (f) Fear of violence. Lushaba further said they had discovered that the survivors lacked moral support, which was why they did not report being abused. We have had such cases, but the survivors were afraid to come out due to various reasons. Some are afraid of being victimised or suffer stigma, said Lushaba. She further stated that due to the victims failure to report such cases, some experienced emotional and psychological harm. She pleaded with families and community members to report such cases. We encourage every member of the society to come forth to report rape cases, she said. On the question of cases being withdrawn even after being reported to the police, she said sometimes there was interference either by other relatives or the survivor was promised a certain amount of money. She further said some survivors withdrew such cases after receiving serious threats from the perpetrators. Despite all the reasons that might be brought by the as factors for withdrawing the charges, the prosecution does not entertain such a change of heart, she said. Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, when sought for statistics and answers to certain questions relating to rape cases of this nature, said a questionnaire must be directed to the acting national commissioner of police. The questionnaire was sent on Wednesday and a follow-up was made to Mnguni on Friday, but there was no response. On Friday morning, Mnguni said she was still waiting for the information and would forward it as soon as she received it. She later said she was working at Buhleni, far from the office and would forward the responses today. She had been asked on how many cases of this nature of rape (sodomy) had been reported from 2020 to 2024? Clarity was further sought from her on which age group was exposed the most to such rape and if the survivors felt free to report. She was also asked to share her thoughts on why the survivors were reluctant to report such kind of abuse to the police. A midnight motorcade that is suspected to have taken Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's corpse out of his Arctic prison has been caught on video - as his family were refused access to his body for the third day. A prison van believed to be carrying the corpse was seen in a convoy of prison vehicles and two highway patrol police cars. One car was unmarked - possibly an FSB security service escort. The convoy set off from the strict regime colony where Navalny was imprisoned in a temperature of minus 30C on the day of his death. Navalny, 47, is widely believed among his supporters and Western experts to have been murdered by Vladimir Putin's regime ahead of next month's Russian presidential election. Navalny's mother Lyudmila, 69, and lawyer arrived at the jail on Saturday morning seeking to collect the body, but were refused by staff. The late dissident's team this morning announced Lyudmila had been refused access to her son's body yet again, three days after he is said to have died, because the investigation into his death 'has been extended'. 'It is not known how long it will continue. The cause of death is still 'undetermined'. They're lying, playing for time and do not even hide it,' the spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said on X. Meanwhile, Ivan Zhdanov, head of Navalny's anti-corruption campaign, branded the Russian prison authorities 'unprincipled liars and lackeys' of Vladimir Putin, accusing them of playing for time to hide evidence of Navalny's murder. This photo taken from video released by Russian Federal Penitentiary Service shows Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on February 15, 2024. Shortly after Navalny's death was reported on Friday Feb. 16, 2024 Russian media have obtained footage of a midnight convoy of cars, including vehicles from the Federal Penitentiary Service, reportedly rushing the body of the late politician Alexei Navalny from the jail where he was pronounced dead to the regional capital of Salekhard in the early hours of February 17, 2024 This prison van is believed to have ferried Navalny's corpse out of the prison The late dissident's team this morning announced Lyudmila had been refused access to her son's body yet again, three days after he is said to have died Lyudmila Navalnaya (C), mother of Alexei Navalny, walks accompanied by lawyers after visiting the Investigative Committee in Salekhard, Yamalo-Nenets region, Russia, 19 February 2024 The late dissident's team this morning announced Lyudmila had been refused access to her son's body yet again, three days after he is said to have died A view shows the prosecutor's office of the Yamal-Nenets Region in the course of the case investigation of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's death, in the city of Salekhard, Russia, February 19, 2024 'Now the relatives are being told that the deadline for the preliminary check by the Investigative Committee has been extended,' said Zhdanov, 35. 'They blatantly lie that everything will be decided in an hour - ''we are interested in doing everything as soon as possible''. 'Unprincipled liars and lackeys. It's clear what they're doing now - cleaning up traces of their crime. 'They are waiting for the wave of hatred and rage towards them [over Navalny's death] to calm down,' Zhdanov concluded. In the security footage of the midnight motorcade, the Soviet-designed Federal Penitentiary Service van believed to be carrying Navalny is clearly seen flanked by an unmarked car and several police vehicles. The drive from the Polar Wolf jail in Kharp went first to Labytnangi, and then crossed the frozen Ob, the world's seventh longest river, to Salekhard, according to independent news outlet Mediazona which obtained the footage of the macabre journey. The journey across the thick ice may have ended at a hospital morgue, where paramedics revealed Navalny's body was covered in bruises, according to another news outlet, Novaya Gazeta Europe. But prison staff told Lyudmila and the lawyer that the body was at a different morgue. 'Navalny's mother and lawyer, who came to the colony in Kharp, were sent to the Salekhard [district] morgue,' said Mediazona. 'But there, they were told that they did not have the body of a politician.' Today Navalny's mother and lawyers were barred from a morgue in Salekhard as they sought to find his missing body. 'Early in the morning, Alexei's mother and lawyers arrived at the morgue,' said Navalny's press spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh. 'They are not allowed inside. 'One of the lawyers was literally pushed out. When asked whether Alexei's body was there, the employees did not answer.' van Zhdanov, head of Navalny's anti-corruption campaign, branded the Russian prison authorities 'unprincipled liars and lackeys' of Vladimir Putin The late dissident's team this morning announced Lyudmila had been refused access to her son's body yet again, three days after he is said to have died, because the investigation into his death 'has been extended' Today Navalny's mother and lawyers were barred from a morgue in Salekhard as they sought to find his missing body Mediazona said the surveillance camera footage they obtained 'confirms that Navalny's body was deliberately hidden from his family. 'Together with thousands of Russians, the editors of Mediazona demand that the politician's body be returned to his family.' The family has now been told checks are still underway to establish the cause of death, even though they had said he died of a 'blood clot' or 'sudden death syndrome'. The next shock for the family was the bruising claim. The wounds were consistent with a 'seizure', according to Novaya Gazeta Europe. A paramedic told how his ambulance colleagues found bruises on Navalny's body, which was under police guard in the morgue at Salekhard clinical hospital. 'Such damage occurs from convulsions,' said the paramedic. 'The person is convulsing, they are trying to restrain him, but the convulsions can be very strong, and that's why bruises appear.' Flowers and a photo of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny are placed near the Russian consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 People light candles in tribute to Alexiei Navalny in front of the Russian Consulate General in Krakow, Poland on February 18, 2024 People lay flowers and candles at a memorial on February 18, 2024 in front of the Russian embassy in Berlin, following the death of the Kremlin's most prominent critic Alexei Navalny In this photo provide by protest group Pussy Riot on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, Lyubov Sobol, exiled ally of opposition leader Alexei Navalny attends a demonstration in front of the Russian Embassy, in relation to the death of Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in Berlin FILE - Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, center, addresses supporters and journalists after arriving from Kirov at a railway station in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, July 20, 2013 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny stands inside a glass cell during a court hearing at the Babushkinsky district court in Moscow on February 20, 2021 There were also signs that jail medics had tried to resuscitate Navalny, because there were signs of 'chest compressions'. 'That is, they still tried to resuscitate him, and he died, most likely, from cardiac arrest. But why this stop happened, no one is saying anything yet.' There is no current confirmation of the whereabouts of his body The timing of Navalny's death - given as 14:17 local time on Friday - is also seen as suspicious. Evidence from an inmate suggests he died during the previous night. One theory is that the body or biomaterial may be taken to Moscow for a post-mortem. Over 46,000 people have signed a petition - started by Novaya Gazeta Europe - demanding Navalny's body is given to his family. Funerals are normally held on the third day after death but there is no sign the body will be released, which might allow the Navalny team to conduct their own analysis of the cause of death. They are all too aware that in 2020 an attempt was made by Putin's FSB secret service to assassinate Navalny by poisoning with a nerve agent. Wild footage has emerged of a motorist allegedly chasing three men while armed a knife after a terrifying road rage incident. The video filmed by a shocked bystander on the Gold Coast showed Daniel Steven Wesley May, 23, allegedly ramming his Toyota Corolla into a Mazda BT-50 ute before chasing after three men with a knife about 4.40pm on Saturday. The Southport man has since been arrested and remanded in custody, charged with multiple serious offences in relation to the alleged incident in Hollywell. The video began with two men running after and yelling at the black Toyota, allegedly driven by May, driving along Oxley Drive. The Toyota turned around and drove back along the wrong side of the road and towards the men before it mounted the median strip and allegedly rammed into a parked car. A 23-year-old man has been charged with a string of offences after allegedly chasing men with a knife after a road rage incident on the Gold Coast on Saturday (pictured) READ MORE: Terrifying moment incident almost ends in tragedy after Audi driver sent a motorbike rider flying Advertisement Three men approached the Toyota before a shirtless May jumped out of the vehicle and chased the men down the road allegedly armed with a knife. No one was injured during the incident. May was filmed getting back into his car and fleeing the scene. The incident was reported to police and following inquiries, arrested May at a home in the Logan suburb of Springwood south of Brisbane on Sunday. May was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, driving without a licence, endangering the safe use of a vehicle by throwing an object and being armed so as going to cause fear. He was refused bail and faced Southport Magistrates Court on Monday where his case was briefly mentioned. The matter was adjourned until March 12. May remains remanded in custody. May previously escaped conviction for a prior road rage incident in December after throwing a screwdriver and damaging another driver's car because of a 'a sh*t day at work'. Magistrate Sarah Thompson ordered May to complete 80 hours community service after pleading guilty to one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, wilful damage, and breaching bail. Israel has threatened to invade Gaza's Rafah by the start of Ramadan if Hamas does not return the remaining hostages in a dark ultimatum condemned by international observers. The United States and other governments, as well as the United Nations, have issued increasingly urgent appeals to Israel to call off its planned offensive on Rafah, where three-quarters of the displaced Palestinian population has fled. Some 1.2 million people are now taking shelter in sprawling tent encampments without access to adequate food, water or medicine in the city that used to be home to just 250,000. But the Israeli government says the city on the Egypt border is the last remaining stronghold in Gaza of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. 'The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know - if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, including the Rafah area,' Benny Gantz, a retired military chief of staff, told a conference of American Jewish leaders in Jerusalem on Sunday. 'Hamas has a choice. They can surrender, release the hostages and the civilians of Gaza can celebrate the feast of Ramadan,' added Gantz, a member of the three-person war cabinet. Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, is expected to begin around March 10. A view of destruction as the Palestinians try to continue their daily life amid Israeli attacks at the Jabalia Refugee Camp in Jabalia, Gaz on February 17, 2024 Search and rescue efforts continue to reach injured and killed Palestinians at the scene after Israeli forces hit and destroyed a residential building belongs to a Palestinian family in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on February 18, 2024 A Palestinian boy has his arm measured for malnutrition at a medical tent set up by MedGlobal in cooperation with UNICEF, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, February 14, 2024 Palestinians inspect a house hit by an Israeli strike, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip February 16, 2024 A view of destruction after Israeli attack on Deir Al-Balah, Gaza on February 17, 2024 A general view from the makeshift tents where Palestinian families taking shelter as Israel's air, land and sea attacks continue on the Gaza Strip A man is comforted by another man as people inspect the damage to their homes following Israeli air strikes on February 18, 2024 in Rafah, Gaza Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the annual Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations event in Jerusalem, 18 February 202 Gantz said the offensive will be carried out in coordination with American and Egyptian partners to 'minimise the civilian casualties as much as possible'. But where Palestinians can go after four months of war have flattened vast swathes of the Strip remains unclear. 'There's no safe place. Even the hospital is not safe,' Ahmad Mohammed Aburizq told reporters from the morgue of a Rafah hospital where mourners gathered around a loved one wrapped in a white body bag. 'That's my cousin - he was martyred in Al-Mawasi, in the ''safe area''. And my mother was martyred the day before.' For weeks, international mediators have sought to broker a truce-for-hostages deal that would pause fighting for six weeks. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has played down the possibility of an impending breakthrough, calling Hamas's demands 'delusional' and vowing his forces would achieve 'total victory'. Even if a deal is struck, he insists the campaign to eliminate Hamas from Gaza will not be completed until clearing Rafah. 'Deal or no deal, we have to finish the job to get total victory,' he said at the Jerusalem conference on Sunday. With international pressure piling on Israel, the UN's top court will open a week of hearings from Monday examining the legal consequences of the country's 57-year occupation of Palestinian territories. The hearings, requested by the UN General Assembly, are separate from South Africa's high-profile case alleging Israel is committing genocide in its current Gaza offensive. At the UN's Security Council, the United States signalled it would veto the latest UN draft resolution seeking an immediate ceasefire should it come to a vote this week. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the resolution would jeopardise the ongoing truce talks, as well as the broader aim of 'an enduring resolution of hostilities'. Western governments have increasingly pushed for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state to be part of that wider peace process, but Israel's government on Sunday unanimously adopted a declaration rejecting such recognition. 'After the terrible massacre of October 7, there can be no greater reward for terrorism than that and it will prevent any future peace settlement,' Netanyahu said. Hamas has meanwhile threatened to suspend its involvement in any ceasefire negotiations unless relief supplies reach Gaza's north, where aid agencies have warned of looming famine. A Palestinian woman, who took refuge in the city of Rafah, cooks a meal for dozens of hungry children People inspect the damage to their homes following Israeli air strikes on February 18, 2024 in Rafah People look on the rubble of destroyed houses following Israeli airstrike in Deir Al Balah town southern Gaza Strip, 17 February 2024 Palestinians inspect the collapsed building following an Israeli strike hit the house belonging to the Abu Nahal family in Rafah, Gaza on February 18, 2024 A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on February 18, 2024 An injured Palestinian man, who took refuge in the city of Rafah, is seen with crutches in front of the makeshift tents where Palestinian families are taking shelter A Palestinian woman, who took refuge in the city of Rafah, cooks bread on wood fire inside a makeshift tent as Israel's air, land and sea attacks continue on the Gaza Strip on February 18, 2024 in Rafah, Gaza Displaced Palestinian girls from Rafah walk play at their shelter in Deir Al Balah, southern Gaza Strip, 18 February 2024 On Sunday morning, dozens of Israelis blocked Gaza-bound aid trucks from entering through the Nitzana crossing with Egypt, AFP reporters and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said. Gazans say they are going so hungry they are grinding animal feed into flour. 'My children are starving, they wake up crying from hunger. Where do I get food for them?' a northern Gazan woman told AFP. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said nearly three in four people are drinking contaminated water. 'The speed of deterioration in Gaza is unprecedented,' it said. After a week-long siege, the largest hospital still functional in Gaza is no longer operational, according to the World Health Organization. At least 20 of the 200 patients still at the Nasser Hospital urgently require relocation to other facilities, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, adding that his organisation 'was not permitted to enter' the site. Seven patients, including a child, have died there since Friday due to power cuts, and '70 medical staff including intensive care doctors' have been arrested, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Israeli military spokesman Richard Hecht said diesel and oxygen supplies had been delivered on Saturday and a temporary generator was running. Israeli troops in Khan Yunis were still operating around the hospital on Sunday after the military said it had 'located additional weapons'. Israel has concentrated its military operations in Khan Yunis, just a few kilometres from Rafah and the hometown of Hamas's Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar, who is accused of orchestrating the October 7 attack. The Hamas assault that launched the war killed about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures. Militants also took about 250 hostages, 130 of whom remain in Gaza, including 30 presumed dead, according to Israel. Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed at least 28,985 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's health ministry. Teachers are being told to search pupils for mobile phones under a crackdown unveiled by Gillian Keegan today. The Education Secretary said the new guidance can 'change the norms' of children using mobiles at school. It sets out four options for 'bans', including insisting devices are left at home, teachers collecting them every morning, or having to keep them out of sight in bags. Heads are also urged to include devices as items that can be searched for under behaviour policies. But unions and Labour said the move in England would make no difference, as most schools have already taken action. Critics also argued that Ms Keegan should be focusing on the issue of children's access to harmful social media content. Mobile phones will be banned in schools under guidance to be issued to headteachers today (Stock Image) Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said the new guidance can 'change the norms' of children using mobiles at school Steve Chalke, founded of the Oasis academy chain, said Ms Keegan needed to focus on the social media issues raised by Brianna Ghey's mother Esther The new rules back teachers in prohibiting phone use throughout the school day including at break times in a bid to minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms (Stock Image) The new rules back teachers in prohibiting phone use throughout the school day including at break times in a bid to minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms. It says that 'headteachers can and should identify mobile and similar devices as something that may be searched for in their school behaviour policy'. While many schools already ban mobiles, ministers hope the guidance will ensure consistency across all schools. Ms Keegan said she wanted to give teachers the tools to 'take action to help improve behaviour and to allow them to do what they do best teach'. In a round of interviews, Ms Keegan told GB News: 'Many of the ones who have a ban today will say you can't take your phone out your bag, and if you take your phone out of your bag, then you'll get the phone confiscated and you'll get detention. Four models for school phone 'ban' NOT ON SCHOOL PREMISES Devices must be left at home or with parents. This policy provides a very simple boundary which is straightforward to enforce as any mobile phone found at school would be in breach of the policy. HANDED IN ON ARRIVAL If schools decide pupils need phones before and after school, staff can collect devices and then hand them back out at the end of the day. SECURE LOCKERS Pupils must store their phones in a secure locker, which they cannot access during the day. NO USE Pupils can keep hold of their mobile phones, but only on the strict condition they are not used, seen or heard during the day. Schools could insist that they are switched off entirely. Consequences for breaking the rules should be sufficiently tough to act as a deterrent. Advertisement 'Sometimes that is effective. What we're trying to do is change the norm in our schools, that phones are not acceptable in our schools. Some other countries have already done this, quite a few countries have already done this.' She added: 'There's been some calls recently for social media to be banned for younger people, for smartphones to be banned for younger people. This is a step that I can take, which is to set the social norm that phones are banned in schools. 'People will have a conversation, between parents and children as well, to say, 'look, if your school says it's no good for you in the day, then obviously it's right to limit it', though. That's something that I hope will just set new norms really.' But Steve Chalke, founded of the Oasis academy chain, said Ms Keegan needed to focus on the social media issues raised by Brianna Ghey's mother Esther. 'Instead of responding to Esther Ghey's call for a law to tackle the pressing issue of children's access to harmful mobile phone social media apps, the govt have chosen to give schools in England new guidance on the long non-existent issue of their use during the school day!' he posted on X. In England, it is currently up to individual heads to decide policies on mobile phones and whether they should be banned. The guidance, which is non-statutory, instructs headteachers on how to ban the use of phones not only during lessons but during break and lunch periods as well. It offers four different policies that schools can adopt to enforce it, including banning phones from the school premises, handing in phones on arrival at school, and keeping phones securely locked away at school. A fourth option allows pupils to keep hold of their phones, provided they are never used, seen or heard. Almost all children 97 per cent now have mobile phones by the age of 12, according to Ofcom. Last year, a UN report recommended smartphones should be banned from schools to improve learning and tackle classroom disruption and cyberbullying. Unesco, the UN's education agency, pointed to evidence linking excessive mobile phone use to reduced educational performance. Several studies have found links between phone use and poor mental health among children including anxiety, depression and low self-esteem and there are growing concerns that pupils are using mobiles to bully each other and for sexual harassment. Mrs Keegan has warned that the internet has taken bullying 'to new levels', with bullies able to 'prey on their victims in the safety of their own homes'. Last week, the mother of Brianna Ghey, 16, who was murdered by two teenagers from her school, one of whom had watched videos of torture online, and the father of Molly Russell, 14, who took her own life after viewing harmful material on social media, joined forces to combat online harm. Ministers have previously attempted to ban mobile phones in classrooms. Three years ago, then-education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson launched a call for evidence on managing behaviour in schools including the use of mobile phones. But the proposed ban was ditched by his successor, Nadhim Zahawi. The Mail revealed last October that Mrs Keegan was planning to order schools to outlaw smartphones. Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said last night: 'Growing up in today's digital world provides immense opportunities but this should not come at the expense of our children's wellbeing or education. That is why we have passed world-leading legislation to make the UK the safest place in the world for young people to be online. Today's announcement will support parents and educators further.' GILLIAN KEEGAN: Classrooms should be a sanctuary for children A massive 97 per cent of children have mobile phones by the time they are 12. And the parents among us will know what that means for daily routines disrupting bedtime, making it harder to focus on homework and struggling for conversation around the dinner table. The problem spreads beyond the classroom kids are playing on their mobiles in the playground, when they should be socialising or kicking a ball around. It encourages solitude something I've seen first-hand on my many trips to schools: children arched over their phones on their own, rather than getting to know their classmates. I met my best friend at ten years old, a friendship that I cherish and has helped me appreciate the most important things in life family and friends. Bullying on the other hand, has always been a problem at school one that I take incredibly seriously. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan says the governments Online Safety Act will protect children from accessing harmful content Ms Keegan: 'We are working with regulators to force social media firms to prevent children seeing harmful content or face huge fines and even jail time' (Stock Image) This is on top of harmful content that children can access on social media such as misogynist, pornographic and lurid content that is highly unsuitable for children. Our Online Safety Act is in place and while its impact is yet to be felt, it will protect children from accessing this harmful content. We are working with regulators to force social media firms to prevent children seeing harmful content or face huge fines and even jail time. I'm announcing new guidance that gives headteachers across the country clear and consistent advice to crack down on kids using mobiles at school. Some schools in the UK have already banned them and the results speak for themselves. Where this has happened, schools have seen children concentrating, bullying falling and friendships blossoming. Naturally there will be some instances where phones must be allowed such as a child with diabetes who needs to check their glucose levels on an app. But the guidance puts in place a blueprint for headteachers to make the right decisions for their schools. Our children deserve a world-class education. So it's right that we take action urgently to ensure they are learning in the best environment possible and I expect headteachers to start to plan the ban from today. School years are some of the most precious and they pass us by in a blink of an eye. Children need to put down their phones, look up, and enjoy it while they can. This is the shocking moment two Ukrainian soldiers are shot by a Russian fighter as they appeared to surrender while sitting in the front line trenches. Footage shows several soldiers in the trenches, with Ukrainian and Russian flags identifying each side, as they approach each other. Two soldiers, said to be Ukrainian, reportedly surrendered to the Russian fighter, who ruthlessly shot both of them several times as they were lying on the ground. The Ukrainian soldiers died from their injuries, according to local media reports. 'The Russians once again showed their attitude to international humanitarian law by shooting two Ukrainian prisoners of war,' the Ukrainian army said. The video, posted by the Ukrainian ground forces on social media platform Telegram, was reportedly taken at the front line near the town of Wesele, in the Donetsk region, on Sunday morning. Footage shows several soldiers in the trenches, with Ukrainian and Russian flags identifying each side, as they approach each other Captured by a drone flying overhead, the clip shows the two soldiers - marked as Ukrainian by the country's flag superimposed over the footage - running down a winding trench that cuts through a shell-scarred battlefield. But as they round a bend, they come face-to-face with a Russian soldier. In an apparent attempt to surrender, the Ukrainians sit down on the ground. However, the Russian solider (also marked by a flag) grabs hold of one of the men. Suddenly, smoke is seen bursting from his rifle as he shoots one of the Ukrainians from point-blank range, causing him to fall backwards. The Russian then takes a step back and - after a few seconds pause - opens fire on both men, shooting several rounds into their bodies which shake as they are hit. The footage ends with the Ukrainians lying still on the floor of the trench, and with the Russian soldier turning and walking away from their bodies. Kyiv has initiated a war crimes investigation following the reports of Russian troops shooting captured Ukrainian soldiers. The video of the shooting could not be independently verified. This comes after Ukraine withdrew troops from Avdiivka in eastern Donetsk due to manpower and ammunition shortages, marking Moscow's first significant territorial gain since May last year. Captured by a drone flying overhead, the clip (pictured) shows the two soldiers - marked as Ukrainian by the country's flag superimposed over the footage - running down a winding trench that cuts through a shell-scarred battlefield As the Ukrainian troops round a bend, they come face-to-face with a Russian soldier (left) The Russian then opens fire on the Ukrainian soldiers from point-blank range. Their bodies shake as they are struck with bullets, before lying still on the floor of the trench Russian forces on Monday claimed full control of the vast Soviet-era coke plant in Avdiivka. The country claims that some Ukrainian soldiers remain plant. Ukrainian forces reported repelling 14 Russian attacks near Lastochkyne, west of Avdiivka, with significant defences in place. The fall of Avdiivka is Russia's biggest gain since it captured the city of Bakhmut in May 2023, and comes almost two years to the day since President Vladimir Putin triggered a full-scale war by ordering the invasion of Ukraine. Russia's defence ministry said its troops had advanced about five miles in that part of the 620-mile front line, and that Russian troops were pressing forward after an deadly urban battle. Ukraine said it had withdrawn its soldiers to save troops from being fully surrounded after months of fierce fighting. Putin hailed the fall of Avdiivka as an important victory and congratulated Russian troops. 'The "Centre" grouping of troops, taking the offensive, took full control of the coke plant in Avdiivka,' Russia's defence ministry said in a statement alongside video showing a series of blasts in what appeared to be the plant. 'Russian flags were hoisted on the administrative buildings of the plant,' the ministry said. Russian state television showed blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flags being taken down in Avdiivka and Russia's white, blue and red tricolour flag raised, including over the coke plant. After the failure of Ukraine to pierce Russian lines last year, Moscow has been trying to grind down Ukrainian forces just as Kyiv ponders a major new mobilisation and President Volodymyr Zelensky appoints a new commander to run the war. This handout photograph taken and released by Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on December 29, 2023, shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recording a video address in front of a sign reading 'Avdiivka is Ukraine' Russia cast the Ukrainian withdrawal as rushed and chaotic, with some soldiers and weapons left behind. The Ukrainian military said there had been casualties but that the situation had stabilised somewhat after the retreat. Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the full-scale war after eight years of conflict in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian forces on the one side and pro-Russian Ukrainians and Russian proxies on the other. Avdiivka, which is called Avdeyevka by Russians, has endured a decade of conflict. It holds particular symbolism for Russia as it was briefly taken in 2014 by Moscow-backed separatists who seized a swathe of eastern Ukraine but was then recaptured by Ukrainian troops who built extensive fortifications. Avdiivka sits in the industrial Donbas region, nine miles north of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk. Before the war, the Soviet-era coke plant was one of Europe's biggest. On Saturday, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's armed forces, said his troops had moved back to more secure positions outside the town 'to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of servicemen'. Russia said on Saturday that its forces had inflicted a series of defeats on Ukrainian forces along the 620-mile front line. The West routinely gives estimates of Russian casualties in the war but rarely speaks about Ukrainian casualties which Moscow says are vast. Western intelligence assessments say hundreds of thousands of men on both sides have been killed or wounded in the war, with 400,000 Russian soldiers thought to have died. Meanwhile Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced at the Munich Security Conference that Denmark will donate all its artillery to Ukraine, citing other European countries holding surplus munitions. She emphasized the urgency expressed by Ukrainians for ammunition and artillery. Frederiksen highlighted Russia's destabilizing actions globally and the need to support Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict. The withdrawal follows months of fierce Russian attacks and marks the biggest change on the front lines since Moscow troops captured Bakhmut in May last year An aerial view of Avdiivka's destroyed buildings on February 15, 2023. Almost every building in the city has been damaged or destroyed, according to the Centre for Information Resilience A general view of smoke rising from the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant on February 15, 2023 in Avdiivka district, Ukraine A Ukrainian serviceman of the 82nd Separate Air Assault Brigade drives a Challenger 2 tank in an undisclosed location near frontline in Zaporizhzhia region, on February 12, 2024 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky urged not to ask Ukraine about the war's end but to question why Putin can still prolong it. He emphasized Ukraine's determination to reclaim its land and highlighted the potential for Russian President Vladimir Putin's defeat. The UK's Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, backs more sanctions on Russia, aiming to strengthen existing measures. He warns of Russia's ongoing threat to Europe for the foreseeable future. European intelligence has uncovered over 100 Kremlin documents, revealing a disinformation campaign aimed at undermining Zelensky. The campaign involved thousands of social media posts and fabricated articles, targeting Zelenskiy and his top army commander. German politician Ricarda Lang has rejected the idea of a peace deal with Russia, citing Putin's actions, including the recent death of Alexei Navalny, as evidence of his lack of interest in peace. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas brushed off a warrant issued by Russia for her arrest, calling it an intimidation tactic amid speculation about her potential EU role. She affirmed that such actions from Russia were expected, expressing no fear, and when asked about a future European role, she indicated it was not currently under consideration. Woolworths boss Brad Banducci walked out of a heated television interview after the supermarket giant's pricing practices were scrutinised. During an ABC Four Corners investigation, reporter Angus Grigg put it to Mr Banducci that Rod Sims, the former head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, had described Australia as having of the most concentrated supermarket industries in the world. Mr Banducci said 'that's not true' and attempted to argue that the industry was in fact 'an incredibly competitive market'. He also pointed out that Mr Sims is 'retired'. When Griggs asked the Woolworths head if he was 'impugning' Mr Sims' integrity, Mr Banducci asked: 'Can we take that out? Is that OK?' Woolworths boss Brad Banducci left an interview with ABC's Four Corners program where he was being grilled over its pricing practices Woolworths boss Brad Banducci (pictured) asked 'Can we take that out? Is that OK?', then seconds later said 'I think I'm done guys,' and then walked out of the interview READ MORE: Woolworths and Coles to front inquiry into 'price gouging' after millions of Aussies are hit with higher grocery bills A Woolworths shopfront is pictured Advertisement Grigg then said 'we're on the record, you've said it... let's just move on'. Seconds later, Mr Banducci said 'I think I'm done guys,' and walked out of the room. An astonished Grigg said: 'You're walking out? Really?' as someone came up to him and said 'We'll just have a break for a sec.' Mr Banducci eventually returned to continue the interview. 'Let's keep going,' Grigg said. Grigg later described Mr Banducci's mid-interview walkout as 'pretty startling'. 'I think it shows you really that there you have the boss off the largest supermarket chain in the country really unwilling to face too many questions and it shows how little scrutiny they've had over the years,' he said. Mr Banducci went on to say that Woolworths is 'very keen' to make sure it does not pass any further cost to their customers than required. 'When a supplier asks for a price increase, we would like to engage to make sure it's based on true cost increases, and we do that in the context of complying with the code.' Four Corners also revealed on Monday night how Woolworths' biggest rival Coles has been profiting from higher prices, despite repeatedly saying the supermarket was doing everything it could to keep grocery bills down. Leaked emails were shown which alleged that Coles received a one-off $25,000 payment from a supplier to partially cover a price increase, but then raised the price by the full amount anyway. The price increase of around 5 per cent that the supplier - which was not named by the ABC - sought to cover its increased costs was allegedly initially dismissed by Coles based on 'customer needs' and the 'competitive environment'. The Coles representative allegedly said the price increase would cost the company hundreds of thousands of dollars, and that if they still wanted to raise the price they would need to pay compensation to close this 'gap'. 'Now this gap is, truthfully, made up. There's no rhyme or logic behind it,' the source, who works for the multi-national supplier, said. Coles and Woolworths together control 65 per cent of Australia's grocery market. Julian Hilliard, who has spent 38 years in retail, including working for both Coles and Woolworths as a buyer said the supermarket giants rarely compete on price. 'I would probably say that if you did five shops in Woolworths and five shops in Coles you'd be a few cents difference maybe depending on the specials,' he said. Mr Sims, speaking about Coles and Woolworths, said: 'We have ... turned a blind eye, over a very long period of time, almost like boiling the frog over a very long time (and) they've just become bigger and bigger'. Coles CEO Leah Weckert was asked about there being a huge 'power imbalance' between it and its fruit and vegetable suppliers. She denied that was the case, saying 'we work closely with our suppliers because we know our suppliers have to be successful for us to be successful. 'Because we know fruit and vegetables are crucial for the big two (Coles and Woolworths). They're the first thing you see when you enter a store.' Daily Mail Australia contacted both Woolworths and Coles for further comment. A shop owner, who sold vapes to children and shifted black market tobacco, has been told to shut down his newsagents. And now the rogue faces a hefty fine after attempting to sell the lease just days after local officials ordered him to suspend business. The closure comes amid a Government crackdown on vapes which has included the proposed banning of disposable vapes and an end to the dizzying range of flavours on offer. Local investigators stepped in when staff at Liverpool One Newsagent were spotted selling vapes to children as well as running a counterfeit cigarettes empire. Liverpool City Council officials seized illegal goods during a visit to the store in Whitechapel, Liverpool, but repeatedly found shelves re-stocked on follow-up visits in the weeks that followed. Fahd Al-Hajj (pictured) has been told to shut his newsagent for two months after staff were repeatedly caught selling vapes to youths and running a black market tobacco operation The rogue owner then tried to sell Liverpool One Newsagent (pictured) to a fellow shopkeeper for the knockdown price of 5,500 Fahd Al-Hajj, who owned Liverpool One Newsagent, initially responded to warnings about the business by saying he had sacked staff who engaged in selling vapes to under-age buyers and who shifted counterfeit cigarettes. Michael Hearty, Public Protection Enforcement Officer with LCC, said that despite giving the 47-year-old notice of a meeting in June 2023 he found the shop filled with illicit goods. A closure notice was eventually issued on February 7 after multiple council visits. But just three days later Al-Hajj tried to sell the business lease at the knockdown price of 5,500 to Al El-Gadhy, 41, who also owns a family run shop in Crosby, Merseyside. It is thought that the landlord of the property was not made aware of the arrangement. Al-Hajj, speaking with the help of an interpreter, asked the council in court whether they were aware of 'how many teenagers' he was 'refusing to sell to every day'. He said: 'It was a staff mistake, out of my knowledge. 'Some of them have been punished, some of them been fired. 'I am already following the process by training the staff. NHS Digital data shows the number of children who are current vapers has soared in recent years, jumping from 6 per cent in 2018 to 9 per cent in 2021 'I just want to ask whether the council know how many teenagers we are refusing to sell to every day. Do they have any idea? 'I have now sold the shop so I have nothing further to talk about. 'I am already tired and exhausted.' Father-of-two El-Gadhy said that he 'was in the mosque praying' when he heard about the 'vapes malarky'. He added that leases in Liverpool city centre normally go for more than 30,000 so the deal Al-Hajj offered was a 'steal'. 'I have seen Mr Al-Hajj at the mosque before, mostly on Fridays,' he said. 'We are in the Yemeni community. Your browser does not support iframes. 'He is not my best friend but I see him every Friday praying. 'I have no social relations with him outside of the mosque. 'I have been in shops my whole life and it will just be me and my son who will be working there. 'I won't be selling vapes. Vapes are off the menu.' Despite El-Gadhy insisting he would run the newsagent 'properly', District Judge Tim Boswell ordered its closure for two months at Sefton magistrates court. He said: 'The concerns are that the sale to Mr El-Gadhy seems to have happened extremely quickly from discussions on Friday to instructing the accountant and completing the paperwork on the Saturday. 'I am concerned about how legally robust this sale process. 'The reality of the agreement is Mr Al-Hajj still retains some form of interest in the property and it is possible Mr Al-Hajj would continue to have some involvement in the premises and were Mr Al-Hajj still in charge of the shop he is unlikely to stop what was going on. 'Therefore there is every chance of this behaviour continuing and every chance Mr Al-Hajj will continue to have an involvement. 'The order is necessary to prevent the behaviour from continuing.' NHS Digital data, based on the smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England survey for the year 2021, showed 30 per cent of children in Yorkshire and the Humber have used a vape Despite insisting he did not know the shop was facing closure for up to three months and that he believed the closure order would only apply to Al Hajj rather than the shop itself, El-Gadhy now faces having to paying 2,000 a month in rent whilst the shop remains closed. READ MORE: Second by second, the exact effect of vaping compared to cigarettes on the body after every puff Advertisement Samuel Watson, a barrister for Liverpool City Council, said: 'This is a long-standing problem of sales of vapes that do not conform with regulations and tobacco and cigarettes that have not gone through customs and also the sale of those products to people under the age of 18. 'The operations going on at these premises do not relate to one single person but are a wider issue in the premises. 'It is not just one person, it is the staff and the council says the order is necessary to prevent that from continuing.' Disposable vapes are set to be banned in recent Government action to limit the use of the addictive products amid stats showing that a quarter of children had tried the nicotine-filled items. Vapes' popularity among young people has been branded an 'epidemic' with a lack of knowledge abut the long-term health impacts causing concern among officials. Scientists have raised concerns about the lack of knowledge about the impacts of vapes on the young people who smoke them but it is clear that nicotine is addictive and raises blood pressure A range of exotic flavours, as well as colourful branding and convenience of use, are thought to be behind the rise of the gadgets. E-cigs are also set to be limited to a handful of flavours, sold in plain, tobacco-style packaging and displayed out of sight of kids under the ambitious plans. It will mean the end of bubblegum 'clouds' and predatory packaging designed to make vapes look like highlighter pens. New 'on the spot' fines will be brought in for shops illegally selling vapes to children, under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan. Experts, perhaps unsurprisingly, wish the Government had taken action to combat the problem sooner. Yet, the actions are undoubtedly welcomed. Imperial College London's Professor Andrew Bush, one of the UK's most renowned paediatric respirologists, told MailOnline he is '100 per cent' behind the plans. One in 10 Estonian's now vape regularly each month, cementing its position as the e-cigarette capital of the world, fresh data revealed this week. Published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) a forum of 37 countries with market-based economies founded in 1961 it also found just four countries rank higher than the UK MailOnline has been told that e-cigarette use is so rife in schools there has been an increase in fire engine callouts because so many pupils are vaping in toilets. Teenagers told this website they suffer regular coughing fits and have to use inhalers to breathe properly after just a year of regular e-cigarette use 'I wish it had come in earlier, and I wish we were not waiting to the end of the year, but certainly good to hear this announcement,' he said. While acknowledging some of the concerns regarding how the ban could hit adults wanting to give up smoking, Professor Bush said they came second to stopping 'out of control' childhood vaping. 'The interests of children and young people must be paramount,' he said. 'Childhood vaping is out of control, and something must be done.' The Met Office map shows flood warnings across the country with as wet weather is forecast to lash Brits with more showers on the way, before temperatures drop this week. While temperatures are expected to stay mild for February, heavy rain and gusty winds is expected to batter parts of Britain over the coming days, following a washout weekend. The Environment agency has warned that homes could be flooded over the next five days as rivers are expected to swell under surging water levels due to the heavy downpour. Travel disruption is also expected to cause chaos for drivers as roads and surrounding land are submerged under water. The Met Office has forecast heavy blustery showers as a band of rain is expected to spread southeastwards through the day tomorrow. A yellow warning for rain has been issued by the met office, as heavy rain is forecast to spread across Wales and southwest England from early on Wednesday morning. Rainfall amounts will widely reach 15-25 mm, with as much as 50-70 mm over higher ground. With saturated ground in places, this is likely to lead to some disruption with the forecaster warning that spray and flooding on roads will make journey times longer, causing travel misery. Power supplies are also expected to be affected by the wet weather, with homes and businesses being affected. From Wednesday through to the end of the week, some parts can expect to be battered by unsettled outbreaks of rain or showers, with accompanying winds. Temperatures are also expected to drop, becoming closer to average as the week progresses. There are currently 52 flood warnings and 217 flood alerts dotted around the UK, mostly affecting the east and south of England, as well as the Midlands From Wednesday through to the end of the week, some parts can expect to be battered by unsettled outbreaks of rain or showers, with accompanying winds Aerial pictures show flooding around the town of St Ives in Cambridgeshire on Monday morning after the River Great Ouse burst its banks after the heavy rain over the weekend Fields remain flooded in the market town of St Ives in Cambridgeshire today after the River Great Ouse burst its banks Meadows in St Ives were still underwater this morning after the Environment Agency issued flood warnings and flood alerts across England today Intense rainfall this weekend saw rivers burst their banks, roads cut off in villages and damage caused to homes and businesses There are currently 52 flood warnings and 217 flood alerts dotted around the UK, mostly affecting the east and south of England, as well as the Midlands, as rivers are expected to burst their banks this week. Low lying land near Bristol Avon has been flagged to be amid areas most affected by flooding, particularly around properties at the Bullpit in Bradford on Avon. The agency has warned locals to consider putting their flood plans into action, and to avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses, urging residents to not attempt to walk or drive through flood water. Dorchester, West Stafford, Bockhampton, Lewell, Tincleton, Pallington, Waddock, Moreton, Wool and East Stoke are also affected by high river levels due to heavy rainfall. This comes as intense rainfall this weekend saw rivers burst their banks, roads cut off in villages and damage caused to homes and businesses. Locals in affected regions have been urged not to drive through floodwater this week The agency has warned locals to consider putting their flood plans into action, and to avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses While Brits enjoyed a break in the weather with some sunny spells on Sunday afternoon, Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell warned it will be followed by the 'next area of rain', with heavy rain set to fall in northwest England and Wales today. But after this week saw one month's rain fall within less than 24 hours, more than 50 flood warnings remain in place for England, meaning flooding is expected, with 20 flood alerts in force for Wales, meaning flooding is possible. Between 3pm Saturday and 8am Sunday there was 72mm of rainfall in White Barrow, Devon, 52mm in Priddy, Somerset, and 48mm in Croeserw, West Glamorgan. Villages such as Croscombe, Somerset, had seen the local rivers burst their banks yesterday morning, flooding homes and businesses and causing widespread disruption. Nearly two years have passed since the roar of Russian tank engines and the scream of fighter aircraft shattered the tranquility of Ukrainian streets on that fateful day of February 24, 2022. Once vibrant thoroughfares bustling with the rhythm of daily life were shattered by the brutality of the first major armed conflict in Europe since the end of World War II. The Russian forces attacked from three sides, using missiles, airstrikes and ground troops to overwhelm the Ukrainian army and occupy large parts of the country, displacing millions from their homes and sparking a humanitarian crisis in the process. As Russian missiles and kamikaze drones pounded cities and towns across the country, brand new apartment blocks were reduced to rubble and quiet village roads were transformed into dystopian hellscapes. From the capital Kyiv and second city Kharkiv, where warning sirens blare out and buildings pounded by incessant shelling lie in ruins, to the small towns of Borodyanka and Bucha, where civilian corpses lie rotting in shallow graves, the following images capture the scale and horror of the war. They also show the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people, who continue to cling to freedom and dignity in the face of Moscow's aggression. Despite the overwhelming odds, the Ukrainian army and volunteers have fought back against the invaders, using Western-supplied weapons and ammunition to great effect. But the war is far from over, and as the conflict rumbles toward its third year it remains to be seen whether Ukraine can survive and recover from the devastating assault. Here, MailOnline showcases in a series of shocking images the stark reality of the conflict and how it has irrevocably altered the fabric of Ukrainian society. Slide me General view of the damaged local city hall of Kharkiv on March 1, 2022, destroyed as a result of Russian troop shelling (Right) and people walk past the same city hall, in Kharkiv on February 6, 2024 (Left) Slide me Rescuers stand in front of a apartment building partially destroyed by a missile strike in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on July 6, 2023 (Right) and a photograph taken on February 10, 2024, showing reconstruction of the house that was partially destroyed (Left) Slide me A Ukrainian policeman bending over bodies laid on the ground and covered with tarpaulin after a rocket attack killed at least 35 people on April 8, 2022 at a train station in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, that was being used for civilian evacuations (Right) and a man standing next to a food stall at the same spot on January 25, 2024 (Left) Slide me Ukrainian soldiers carry the coffins of Andriy Vertiev and Serhiy Evtushenko, Ukrainian servicemen, killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv, on May 25, 2022 (Left) and a photograph taken on February 8, 2024, showing the graves of Ukrainian soldiers at the same cemetery (Right) Slide me A photograph taken on March 13, 2022 showing anti-tank obstacles displayed in a street of Odessa (Right) and people walking across the same street in Odesa, on February 9, 2024 (Left) Slide me Police experts examine a crater after a missile strike in a village near Lviv, on November 16, 2022 (Right) and a man walking on a road at the same spot in Lviv, on February 10, 2024 (left) Slide me An unidentified soldier's body lying near a burning Russian Armoured personnel carrier during fighting with the Ukrainian armed forces in Kharkiv, on February 27, 2022 (Right) and cars driving on the same road on February 8, 2024 (Left) Slide me Priests praying by body bags at a mass grave in the grounds surrounding the St Andrew church in Bucha, on April 7, 2022 (Right) and a woman clearing snow at the place of the same mass grave on February 10, 2024 (Left) Slide me People walk past destroyed buildings in the town of Borodianka, northwest of Kyiv, on April 4, 2022 (Right) and a woman walking on street at the same location on February 8, 2024 (Left) Slide me A resident standing next to a sandbag barricade in Odessa on March 13, 2022 (Left) and people walking across the same street on February 9, 2024 (Right) Slide me A car driving down a street with no lighting in Lviv during a blackout, on December 18, 2022 (Right) and a car driving down the same street on February 6, 2024 (Left) Slide me Evacuees housed in the Les Kurbas Theater in Lviv on February 28, 2022 (Left) and spectators watching a play at the theatre on February 9, 2024 (Right) Slide me People wait for a train to Poland at the railway station in Lviv on February 26, 2022 (Left) and people walk on the same platform on February 6, 2024 (Right) Slide me Freshly dug graves at the cemetery in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv region, on October 7, 2023, two days after a Russian strike killed at least 50 people at a shop and cafe in an eastern Ukrainian village (Left) and a photograph taken on January 23, 2024 showing the same place at the cemetery (Right) Kemi Badenoch has accused the former chairman of the Post Office of lying in a deepening row over payments to sub-postmasters falsely accused of criminality in the Horizon scandal. The Business Secretary furiously denounced Henry Staunton on X last night over claims he made in a newspaper interview about his time in the role. Mr Staunton, who took up the role in December 2022 following nine years as chairman of WH Smith, suggested that Whitehall wanted to hold back compensation payments for those affected, to help the Tories ahead of the election. He also said that when Ms Badenoch sacked him in the wake of anger over the scandal she told him: 'Well, someone's got to take the rap for this.' But last night the combative minister - a leading candidate to be the next Tory leader - accused him of putting across 'made up anecdotes and a series of falsehoods'. A minister is expected to address MPs in the Commons on the issue this afternoon, amid calls for the government to release documents relating to the payout. The Business Secretary furiously denounced Henry Staunton on X last night, accusing him of a 'lies' in an interview with the Sunday Times. Mr Staunton, who took up the role in December 2022 following nine years as chairman of WH Smith, suggested that Whitehall wanted to hold back compensation payments for those affected, ahead of the election. Ms Badenoch will address MPs on the issue this afternoon following her weekend social media attack, in which she accused him of 'disgraceful misrepresentation' of the reasons he was ousted. More than 700 branch managers were prosecuted by the Post Office between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their shops. Hundreds of sub-postmasters and subpostmistresses are still awaiting compensation despite the Government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for 600,000 payouts. Mr Staunton, who was sacked by the Business Secretary last month, used the interview with the Sunday Times to suggest that the alleged request was linked to concerns about the cost of compensation heading into the election. He also told the paper that Ms Badenoch told him that 'someone's got to take the rap' for the Horizon scandal and that he discovered his sacking following a phone call from Sky News. The claims prompted an immediate and strongly worded denial from the Government, with Ms Badenoch also using social media to accuse the former chairman Mr Staunton, who took up the role in December 2022 following nine years as chairman of WH Smith, had told the newspaper: 'Early on, I was told by a fairly senior person to stall on spend on compensation and on the replacement of Horizon and to limp, in quotation marks - I did a file note on it - limp into the election. 'It was not an anti-postmaster thing, it was just straight financials. I didn't ask, because I said 'I'm having no part of it - I'm not here to limp into the election, it's not the right thing to do by postmasters'. 'The word 'limp' gives you a snapshot of where they were.' Ms Badenoch, in a lengthy post on X, said the comments were a 'disgraceful misrepresentation of my conversation with him and the reasons for his dismissal. 'Henry Staunton had a lack of grip getting justice for postmasters. The serious concerns over his conduct were the reasons I asked him to step down. 'That he chose to run to the media with made up anecdotes and a series of falsehoods, confirms I made the correct decision.' She said her call with Mr Staunton 'was with officials' who took a 'complete record'. 'He has given an interview full of lies about our conversation during his dismissal. 'The details will emerge soon enough as I won't let the matter rest here, but will be discussing with (government) lawyers,' she said. Ms Badenoch is expected to make a Commons statement about the matter on Monday. The scandal has been pushed into the public eye by a major ITV drama into the long legal fight by sub-postmasters to get justice. But many, including leading campaigner Alan Bates, have complained about unnecessary delays to victims in receiving compensation. Home Office minister Michael Tomlinson on Sunday also firmly denied Mr Staunton's claim. And a Government spokesman said: 'We utterly refute these allegations. 'The Government has sped up compensation to victims and consistently encouraged postmasters to come forward with their claims. 'To suggest any actions or conversations happened to the contrary is incorrect. In fact, upon appointment, Mr Staunton was set concrete objectives, in writing, to focus on reaching settlements with claimants - clear evidence of the Government's intent. 'The Secretary of State asked Henry Staunton to step down as chairman of the Post Office because a change in leadership was needed.' Liberal Democrat Treasury spokeswoman Sarah Olney said: 'The government must be fully transparent and publish any documents relating to these extremely serious allegations. It would be an utter disgrace if ministers and officials had decided to stall justice and compensation for the victims of the Horizon scandal for political reasons. 'Ministers have been dragging their feet over getting victims swift and fair compensation for far too long. Political game playing should have absolutely no role in trying to right this wrong, we need to get the victims of this scandal the justice and compensation they deserve.' The Post Office and the UK Government Investments (UKGI) body also rejected any suggestion that either organisation had opposed a blanket exoneration for sub-postmasters, after other claims by Mr Staunton to the newspaper. A spokesman said: 'Post Office is very aware of the terrible impact from this appalling scandal and miscarriage of justice. 'We refute both the assertions put to us and the words and phrases allegedly used, and are focused on supporting the Government's plans for faster justice and redress for victims, as well as helping the inquiry get to the truth of what happened. 'In no sense did Post Office seek to persuade Government against mass exoneration, we remain firmly committed to supporting faster justice and redress for victims.' A UKGI spokesman said: 'We strongly refute the claims levelled by Mr Staunton, both in the facts presented and the suggestions made as to UKGI's overall role.' MBABANE In a recording that made rounds on social media yesterday, Apostle Justice has reacted to the pictures published by the Times SUNDAY, where His Majesty King Mswati III is shaking hands and sharing a light moment with South African Businessman Dave Van Niekerk. In the recording, the man of the cloth says over 1 000 emaSwati lost their investments amounting to over E340 million at Ecsponent. Van Niekerk was never a director in Ecsponent but had an interest in businesses linked to Ecsponent. In fact, the matter is now pending in court, where one of the investors, Likhwane, is intending to institute court proceedings to recover over E63 million investment in Ecsponent. Dlamini said he was expecting one of two things to unfold after the meeting between the King and the businessman, mainly touching on emaSwati receiving their investment. I hope that the feedback we will get after the meeting borders around two things and it will bring the much-needed closure to the people who lost their monies in the investment company, he said. Dlamini said he was addressing the matter because some of the emaSwati who lost their monies were members of his church, some of whom were currently languishing in hospitals owing to the situation. Kings Office Director of Communications Percy Simelane said they were not privy to the visit by the businessman in question and wanted to believe that it was private. Simelane said it should be the duty of the courts to find him guilty or not guilty. We doubt if he came here to appear before the King for his alleged deeds. Our experience is that the King has embraced an open-door policy, but he knows pretty well when not to commit. The proof of wisdom is the desire to listen to everyone, even suspects, he said. Van Niekerk, speaking after his meeting with the King, said he was impressed by His Majestys astuteness and quick wit. I dont really want to share the details, because it is not my place to do so, but we discussed a few legal matters and we looked at some future opportunities, but I really enjoyed my meeting with His Majesty and the hospitality extended by his palace team, Van Nierkerk said. He also stated that he wanted many emaSwati who invested in Ecsponent to get their money back and that he was of the view that the company should be put under curatorship. Wes Streeting today admitted Labour is taking a 'lot of criticism' from Muslim voters over Gaza - as he dodged on whether Labour will back calls for an immediate ceasefire. The shadow health secretary acknowledged the anger of activists at Keir Starmer's response to the October 7 Hamas massacre and ensuing conflict. In a round of interviews, Mr Streeting said he 'understood' how strongly people felt and slammed Israel for 'going too far' in its military action. But he refused to say whether Labour MPs will be told to support an SNP motion demanding an immediate ceasefire in a vote on Wednesday. The comments come as Sir Keir struggles to contain divisions over the Israel-Gaza conflict - which saw him disown the party's Rochdale by-election candidate last week. He devoted a section of his speech to the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow yesterday to the crisis, saying he wanted a 'permanent' ceasefire. But Scottish Labour members voted to back the SNP motion, and the leader north of the border Anas Sarwar described the text as 'perfectly reasonable'. Wes Streeting acknowledged the anger of activists at Keir Starmer's response to the October 7 Hamas massacre and ensuing conflict Smoke rises over northern Gaza during an Israeli military operation yesterday Sir Keir devoted a section of his speech to the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow yesterday to the crisis, saying he wanted a 'permanent' ceasefire Mr Streeting told Times Radio: 'I know that we've taken a lot of criticism within the Muslim community certainly, but also more broadly.' He added: 'I am not the only person in this country who has shed tears looking at images of the bodies of children and innocent civilians coming out of Gaza. 'So I understand why people are vocal in calling for a ceasefire.' What does the SNP motion on Gaza say? 'That this House calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel; notes with shock and distress that the death toll has now risen beyond 28,000, the vast majority of whom were women and children; further notes that there are currently 1.5million Palestinians sheltering in Rafah, 610,000 of whom are children; also notes that they have nowhere else to go; condemns any military assault on what is now the largest refugee camp in the world; further calls for the immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas and an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people; and recognises that the only way to stop the slaughter of innocent civilians is to press for a ceasefire now.' Advertisement Mr Streeting added: 'There is often a difference in the register and the language of the movements of protest and the efforts of diplomatic heavy lifting and backchannels.' Mr Streeting said Israel's actions in Gaza had gone 'beyond reasonable self-defence'. The shadow health secretary told Sky News: 'We want to see a ceasefire, of course we do. 'And we have been increasingly concerned, as the wider international community has been, with the disproportionate loss of civilian life in Gaza. 'Israel has a responsibility to get its hostages back, every country in the world has a right to defend itself. 'But I think what we have seen are actions that go beyond reasonable self-defence and also call into question whether Israel has broken international law. 'The ICJ (International Court of Justice) are now investigating and we take all of that seriously.' Asked whether he thought Israel had 'gone too fast', Mr Streeting replied: 'I think, objectively, yes, Israel has gone too far. And we have seen that with a disproportionate loss of innocent civilian life.' Mr Streeting said Labour was 'considering' its options on whether to back an SNP-led vote on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He told TalkTV: 'We'll see what the final motion looks like. We're considering our own options on this we all want to see a ceasefire. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn confirmed this morning that he will push the issue to a vote on Wednesday 'We've seen an intolerable loss of innocent civilian life during the course of this war.' He added: 'But we're not going to be pushed around by protesters, and we're not going to be told what to say by our opponents in Parliament either.' Mr Streeting said international leaders engaged with Labour at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend on the basis that the party 'could be in government later this year'. The shadow health secretary said: 'We are now at a really dangerous tipping point in relation to Rafah where the crossing is with Egypt, where there is a real risk of innocent Palestinians being pushed out of Gaza into the desert. 'That would be an intolerable escalation.' In his speech yesterday, Sir Keir warned Benjamin Netanyahu not to extend Israel's military offensive to Rafah, as he stressed the need for a two-state solution. 'Any ceasefire cannot be one-sided. It must stop all acts of violence on both sides and it must lead to a genuine peace process,' he said. 'The offensive threatened on Rafah, a place where one-and-a-half million people are now cramped together in unimaginable conditions with nowhere else for them to go. 'This cannot become a new theatre of war. That offensive cannot happen. Even in these most terrible of circumstances, a two-state solution must be back on the table.' Sir Keir said everyone wanted to see 'a return of all the hostages taken on October 7th, an end to the killing of innocent Palestinians, a huge scaling up of humanitarian relief and an end to the fighting'. 'Not just for now, not just for a pause, but permanently. A ceasefire that lasts. That is what must happen now. The fighting must stop now,' he said. The text of the SNP motion states: 'That this House calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel; notes with shock and distress that the death toll has now risen beyond 28,000, the vast majority of whom were women and children; further notes that there are currently 1.5million Palestinians sheltering in Rafah, 610,000 of whom are children; also notes that they have nowhere else to go; condemns any military assault on what is now the largest refugee camp in the world; further calls for the immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas and an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people; and recognises that the only way to stop the slaughter of innocent civilians is to press for a ceasefire now.' Two Oporto stores have closed their doors after falling foul of the Australian Tax Office. The restaurants, in Newtown and Darling Harbour in Sydney, are run by franchises that collapsed into liquidation on Friday after the ATO demanded the payment of back taxes they owed. Jevnt Pty Ltd and Pymz Pty Ltd - which run the Newtown and Darling Harbour locations - owe a combined debt of between $400,000 and $500,000. Two Oporto stores have closed their doors after falling foul of the Australian Tax Office (file picture) Their director Ming Zhong had been issued with a director penalty notice by the ATO, ordering him to pay the debt within 21 days or fall into liquidation, news.com.au reported. The Newtown chicken shop did not open on Friday. The Darling Harbour restaurant has been shut since the Harbourside Shopping Centre closed for redevelopment in January 2023. Around 20 staff are believed to work at the Newtown store. There are more than 190 Oporto restaurants across Australia. The chain specialises in Portuguese-style chicken and was founded by Portuguese-Australian Antonio Cerqueira in Bondi in 1986. This is the shocking moment a brazen pickpocket tried to steal a woman's purse near London's Oxford Street. Video shows the woman catching up with her victim as she walks down a street near the shopping district. As she gets close she then tries to unzip the woman's backpack - causing the shocked victim to turn around. She then steps to the side of the pavement to let her go past. A witness who filmed the incident said: 'She attempted to take a purse from the bag. But the victim felt it. I advised the victim to report it to the police. Oxford Street is crawling with pickpockets.' It comes as the rate of pickpocketing in London rises, with Westminster the borough with the most recorded incidents in the past year. The crook working together with another female is seen following the victim down the pavement As they get close to her one of them tries to unzip her backpack But luckily the tourist victim notices and turns around in shock Pedestrians walk in the winter sunshine down Oxford Street in central London on February 16 READ MORE: Are you a target? Expert pickpocket shows just how easy it is to steal mobile phones from unsuspecting victims as he chats to them in the street Advertisement Westminster had a staggering 20,871, with Camden second at 5,301, and Southwark third at 4,287. Kensington & Chelsea came fourth on 2,962, Islington fifth with 2,820 and Harrington sixth on 3,160. The theft comes after a similar video captured two well-dressed women pickpocketing from a shopper's bag in the middle of a crowded Piccadilly Circus at Christmas time. The Met Police has been approached for comment. In April a pickpocket prevention expert, Lee Thompson, told MailOnline the ways to spot a pickpocket that all people should look out for. He said: 'If there is a gang of people getting off and on the train or watching people... be vigilant. 'If someone is standing very close to you, be wary that they might be digitally pickpocketing you by drawing out your information.' Other things to look out for include thieves trying to 'distract' their victims at cash points 'by dropping coins' on the floor as their target puts in their PIN code. 'The person will snatch your card so be aware of your surroundings. 'Never go to the hole in the wall, always walk into your bank and take out cash that way,' he added. People should also be wary of potential thieves using scooters, bikes or mopeds to carry out snatch and grabs - and the spotters on the street who will be looking to target future victims. The Met Police has been approached for comment. A Chinese lawyer who married a 93-year-old millionaire widower 11 months before his death has denied 'dumping her husband in the cheapest possible grave' after taking all his money. Wealthy pensioner Robert Harrington died in May 2020 just months after marrying his carer Guixiang Qin. Mrs Qin, a trained lawyer from China, is being sued by Mr Harrington's daughter Jill Langley after being accused of exerting undue influence on him in order to pocket his fortune. Lawyers for Mrs Qin deny the allegations, insisting Mr Harrington left everything to her because he 'wanted to look after her'. A court heard how Mrs Qin met the 'generous, cute and humorous' Mr Harrington after he put an advert in a newspaper offering free Christmas dinner in 2018 in return for company. She moved into his home in Kings Lynn, Norfolk the month after they met and married soon afterwards. Mr Harrington changed his will two months before his death to cut out his only child Ms Langley, 70, and leave his estimated 1million estate to his new bride. Lawyers for Ms Langley presented bank statements at Central London County Court which they claimed showed how Mrs Qin 'took nearly every penny' Mr Harrington had between October 2018 and May 2020. She denied this, telling the court she met him while responding to a Christmas ad. Mrs Qin also denied 'dumping' her widow 'in the cheapest possible grave' after his death. Guixiang Qin walking outside Central London County Court. She denies claims that she exerted undue influence on her widow to get his money This picture shows Robert Harrington with two children before his death. The wealthy widow married Mrs Qin in 2019 Mr Harrington's daughter Jill Langley arriving at Central London County Court Mrs Qin told the court she originally came to the UK to study for a law MBA and had no need for cash. She met Mr Harrington after responding to a newspaper advert he had posted offering 'free food and drink over Christmas' in return for company, she told Recorder Robert McAllister. She ended up making contact with him in the New Year, she said, and soon after he took her on an outing to the seaside. 'We had fish and chips and I paid for it,' she said, commenting: 'For me he was just a very gentle person - a gentleman'. Mrs Langley's barrister, James McKean, said the courtship seemed a 'whirlwind romance', adding: 'So this relationship developed extremely fast?' 'Yes,' she replied. 'What did you see in him when you met him?' asked Mr McKean, continuing: 'He told you at that first meeting that he had three cars didn't he?' - suggesting that Mr Harrington had 'bragged' to her about his cars and 'told you that he was a millionaire'. 'No,' she countered. 'He didn't tell me that.' The barrister highlighted bank statements, which he claimed showed that between October 2018 to May 2020 Mr Harrington had been virtually cleaned out by Mrs Qin. 'From October 2018 to May 2020, you took nearly every penny he had didn't you?' he put to her. Mrs Qin replied: 'No, and in October 2018 I didn't even go to his home. I had not met him yet.' Mr McKean claimed the grave bought for Mr Harrington was shoddy and has been poorly maintained since his death, while Mrs Qin revealed that she paid 640 for the gravestone. 'You only spent 640 because you had taken all the other money,' the barrister suggested. She told the court: 'When Mr Harrington was still alive I talked about this with him and he told me not to be extravagant about this'. Mrs Langley's barrister said: 'All Mr Harrington was for you was an opportunity to make money. Once you had got all his money, you dumped him in the cheapest possible grave - that's right, isn't it?' 'No,' Mrs Qin insisted, denying the barrister's suggestion that she hadn't 'even bothered to maintain the grave properly'. Mr Harrington's daughter, Mrs Langley, is also claiming that her stepmother ignored her father's wish that he should be buried alongside his late wife of 66 years, who had died in 2018. But Mrs Qin said Mr Harrington was interred separately from his first wife because: 'he said he loved me and would rather be buried near me'. Mr McKean accused her of 'taking advantage of him to enter into a predatory marriage', adding that she later 'pressured or persuaded your husband to make that will'. Mrs Qin denied the claims against her, insisting: 'Robert loved me very much and I loved him too'. Speaking through a translator, she told the court she 'never asked for his money' and loved her husband for his sense of humour and passion for singing and dancing around the home. Mr Harrington's home in Gayton Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk Labelling the wealthy ex-butcher 'adorable' she said she told Mr Harrington she didn't need his cash, although she would notice that he had paid money into her account. 'So many times he told me that he would give me money, but I didn't ask for it, I told him that I didn't need it,' she told the judge. 'I knew he was a special and great person and also that (he) was very generous to everyone, and also he was very cute and humorous and when at leisure he would sing and watch TV.' She said she had been beguiled by Mr Harrington's charm, adding that the pensioner had also taught her to cook traditional household recipes such as roast chicken, and his favourite ham and beef dishes. 'He was very into music and loved singing and dancing, sometimes when we were watching TV he would sing to me. He knew every song there was on TV, and he told me his childhood story,' she said. Mrs Langley's barrister challenged Mrs Qin about her claims that she only met her future husband in January 2019, suggesting they had met in 2018 or 2017, when she allegedly took on work as a paid carer for Mr Harrington's then wife, Eileen. 'You were that carer, weren't you?' the barrister asked, but Mrs Qin denied this, saying: 'I wasn't there'. She explained that after seeing Mr Harrington's newspaper advert 'inviting people over for lunch' in late 2018 they had initially chatted over the phone before she met him face-to-face in early 2019. The pair were chatting on the phone around Christmas 2018 when she realised how lonely he was and decided to meet up with him, the court heard. 'I promised that I would go to visit him because I felt that he was feeling very low at that point.' Mrs Langley's barrister suggested that, between 2018 and 2020, over 350,000 was transferred from Mr Harrington's account to Mrs Qin's, which she flatly denied. She told the judge: 'At the start, he didn't pay me and I didn't ask him for money. After a few months, he just gave me money because he didn't allow me to work.' She was referred to one 5,000 payment in March 2019, which she explained went towards her wedding ring. 'He proposed to me two or three times,' she told the court. Mrs Qin denies all the allegations regarding the will and told the court, 'his mind was all clear', and that four solicitors were involved in the process of making the will in May 2020. The judge has now reserved his decision in the case, to be given at a later date. Police are hunting the man who filmed himself laughing as he chased a terrified wolf down a slope where it then ran into a safety net as it tried to flee. The images, filmed by the as-yet-unnamed skier himself on the Pampeago ski slopes in Val di Fiemme, in northern Italy's Trentino province, show him thundering down a slope at speed when the wolf suddenly comes into view. The animal us running as fast as it possibly can, but the skier is faster, and he eventually catches up with it, causing it to change direction at the last second and run straight into the safety netting at the bottom of the piste as the footage ends. The images made waves after being shared online, with Paolo Scarian, a wolf enthusiast and an expert on the packs of Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa, immediately notifying the local foresters of the man's abuse of the animal, according to local media. The person who filmed the footage risks years in prison, with a complaint also reportedly being filed by the Italian National Animal Protection Agency and the Trento Prosecutor's Office. Police are hunting the man who filmed himself laughing as he chased a terrified wolf down a slope where it then ran into a safety net as it tried to flee The wolf was seen losing its footing and crashing into a net on the ski slope Now investigators, looking into allegations of animal abuse and killing of animals, are set to go to the scene in a bid to determine if the animal was injured and, if so, whether it died as a result of the incident. Local media said that if convicted of animal cruelty, the skier risks three to 18 months in prison and a fine ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 (4,271 to 25,628). And if the animal died as a result of an injury sustained during the impact with the safety netting, the skier reportedly risks being found guilty of killing animals. This crime comes with a potential prison sentence ranging from four to 24 months. The investigation is ongoing. A church reverend has come under fire for preaching an alleged misogynistic Handmaid's Tale-style sermon calling for all women to 'submit to their husbands as it's God's will'. Reverend Chris Demetriou, a pastor at Rosyth Baptist Church in Fife, Scotland, preached a sermon called 'Submit and Love'. In the sermon, delivered on January 28 this year, Revered Demetriou says: 'A wife 'should submit to her husbands leadership' because 'that's the Lord's pattern for us'. Quoting from the Old Testament, he adds: 'The Lord Jesus is the head of the church, so the husband is the head of his wife. 'It means that the Lord has given the husband a particular responsibility for leadership in that marriage.' Reverend Chris Demetriou (pictured above centre with wife Julie), a pastor at Rosyth Baptist Church, preached a sermon called 'Submit and Love' He goes on: 'Men and women are equal but not the same. 'God created male and female to compliment each other. In marriage, the husband has been given responsibility for leadership.' Demetriou stresses that if a wife thinks her husband is making a mistake, she 'is to express why, as she is looking out for him' and to 'look to persuade him'. He goes onto say that while a 'should listen to his wife', it is 'his responsibility to lead'. The sermon ends with a prayer by Demetriou who hopes 'that we will let our husbands lead'. The National Secular Society (NSS) claimed the sermon was 'misogynistic, discriminatory against women and perpetuates sexist tropes'. The NSS, which has been campaigning against bodies with potentially harmful religious views becoming charities, has urged the Scottish Charity regulator to investigate the church. Rosyth Baptist Church (pictured above) is registered with the Scottish Charities Regulator The sermon, called 'Submit and Love', was first published on January 28th this year According to the Daily Record, Reverend Demetriou's church is a registered as a charity with the 'purpose of the advancement of religion.' NSS campaigns officer Alejandro Sanchez said: 'Mr Demetriou's vision of a world of female subservience is straight out of The Handmaid's Tale. 'It is misogyny like this that underpins the abuse and coercive control of women, which the Scottish government says it is committed to ending.' 'In return for generous tax breaks, charities are meant to provide a public benefit and not cause likely detriment or harm. 'If 'the advancement of religion' enables charities to promote misogyny with impunity, it should be removed from the register of charitable purposes.' The NSS argued that the sermons encourage 'coercive and controlling' behaviour which is against the law under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018. Guidance from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator OSCR said registered charities must actively provide benefits, and may fail the charity test if it causes 'likely detriment or harm'. But a spokesperson said: 'OSCR cannot intervene in the activities of religious charities seeking to promote their religious beliefs unless their activities have the clear and direct effect of harming others or otherwise breach the law.' Rev Demetriou have been asked to comment. By the time Vladimir Putin divorced his long-suffering wife Lyudmila Shkrebneva in 2013, he'd already been rumoured to have enjoyed two extramarital affairs - and fathered at least one secret child. Former cleaning lady Svetlana Krigonovikh, now 48, first aroused suspicion in the early 2000s when she suddenly moved into a penthouse apartment in St. Petersburg and became a multi-millionaire almost overnight with shares in Russia's national bank and ownership of a striptease nightclub. Her 20-year-old daughter, Luiza Rozova, is widely believed to be Putin's lovechild. And for well over a decade, the Kremlin chief has been linked to the now 40-year-old Alina Kabaeva - a gold medal-winning Olympian described by the Maxim photographer who shot her nude as being 'full of sex'. But apparently an Olympic gymnast mistress isn't enough to satisfy the Russian President, who at the grand old age of 71 is now said to have scored yet another elite - and younger - undercover lover. Ekaterina 'Katya' Mizulina, 39, is the latest high-flying Russian to have taken Putin's fancy, according to Russian opposition Telegram channels that reported the pair have 'grown close'. Now, with speculation abound the Russian President has traded Kabaeva in for a younger model, MailOnline takes a look at the woman who might just be the new Mrs Putin. Ekaterina 'Katya' Mizulina, 39, is the latest high-flying Russian to have taken Putin's fancy, according to several Russian Telegram channels that reported the pair have 'grown close' Ekaterina 'Katya' Mizulina (pictured), 39, is the dictator's 'morality guardian' as the head of Russia 's Safe Internet League The 39-year-old is the daughter of pro-Putin senator Yelena Mizulina and Professor Mikhail Mizulin, a Moscow-based philosopher and academic Svetlana Krigonovikh, now 48, first aroused suspicion of an affair with Putin in the early 2000s when she suddenly moved into a penthouse apartment in St. Petersburg and became a multi-millionaire almost overnight Elizaveta Krivonogikh, also known as Luiza Rozova, is said to be Putin's third child For well over a decade, the Kremlin chief has been linked to the now 40-year-old Alina Kabaeva - a gold medal-winning Olympian described by the Maxim photographer who shot her nude as being 'full of sex' Ekaterina Mikhailovna Mizulina, known as 'Katya', was marked out for a high-flying public career from an early age. The daughter of pro-Putin senator Yelena Mizulina and Professor Mikhail Mizulin, a Moscow-based philosopher and academic, Katya followed the path of so many Russian elites and was sent to London to earn a prestigious education. She graduated from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London in 2004, and set about building a persona as a philanthropist, scooping a series of prominent positions at Russian charity organisations. But she rocketed into the public eye in 2017, when she was appointed director of Russia's Safe Internet League and quickly became a leading figure in Moscow's censorship efforts. That organisation, into which the ultranationalist oligarch Konstantin Malofeev pours untold sums of money, is officially dedicated to protecting young internet users from potentially harmful content such as graphic violence and pornography. But in reality, Mizulina has assumed a key role in an outfit which limits internet user's freedoms and cracks down on any content deemed to challenge the Kremlin's official narratives. Although the Safe Internet League has no official power like state bodies Roskomnadzor - Russia's federal mass-media and communications regulator - several musicians, social media influencers and anti-war activists have run afoul of Mizulina. They have been forced to flee the country, or issue public apologies and censor their content to align with 'traditional values'. 'Not all of the League's requests are automatically acted upon by law enforcement officials - but if the goals of both parties align in an individual case, administrative and criminal charges can follow,' a lawyer from digital rights NGO Roskomsvoboda told independent Russian outlet Nastoyashchee Vremya. 'They have connections with the FSB, and they can influence various cases.' The Safe Internet League is now subject to sanctions by the European Union, such is its sway with Russian authorities. Late last year, Mizulina was involved in punishing several Russian stars who attended a 'nearly naked' party at a nightclub in Moscow late last year, which is said to have enraged the Russian President at a time of war. 'To hold such events at a time when our guys are dying in the (Ukrainian) special military operation and many children are losing their fathers is cynical,' Mizulina declared in the aftermath of the party. 'Our soldiers on the front line are definitely not fighting for this. Rapper Nikolai 'Vacio' Vasilyev, who covered his manhood with nothing but a sock, was sentenced to a month in prison, slapped with a fine and ordered to attend a military enlistment office. Meanwhile, party organiser Anastasia 'Nastya' Ivleeva is now facing up to five years in jail after her tax affairs were suddenly investigated. She also lost a lucrative sponsorship deal as one of the faces of Russian mobile phone operator MTS. And earlier this month, Mizulina made headlines when she declared the Russian government would 'most likely' ban virtual private networks (VPNs) - an invaluable tool used by Russian citizens to browse the internet free of the state-imposed controls. 'Moral guardian' Ekaterina Mizulina, head of Russia's Safe Internet League Mizulina graduated from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London in 2004 Svetlana Krivonogikh, a striptease club owner and multimillionaire in St Petersburg, is said to have been Putin's first mistress and is believed to have given birth to one of his children Putin (left) is the long time partner of Olympic gold-medal winning rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva (right), 40 Russian rapper Vacio, 25, (left) stands alongside presenter and social media star Nastya Ivleeva (right) who organised the nearly nude party. Both are now facing serious charges, with Vacio reportedly being sent to a military enlistment office At the time of writing, speculation that Putin has taken a fancy to Mizulina is just that. The pair have not been pictured together and Putin is believed to have fathered several children with Kabaeva, who is said to reside in one of the President's many opulent hideaways. Their alleged relationship has been widely reported by independent Russian media for years, with the Kremlin chief and the gymnast having been pictured together on many occasions. Kabaeva herself has given several coy and cryptic interviews about her love for an unnamed man - who sounds suspiciously like Putin - and has been gifted highly prestigious positions, including chairwoman of the National Media Group which is described on its website as Russia's largest private media holding company. But there is a high likelihood that Putin and Mizulina would've crossed paths, given her mother's position in Russian politics as a pro-Kremlin senator and her father's notoriety as a professor at the state-funded Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Both Mizulina's parents are subject to sanctions for their links to the Kremlin, and Mizulina herself is believed to have a raft of contacts to the FSB security service, given her role as a leading member of the Safe Internet League. Russian human rights campaigner Olga Romanova, an expert in the prison system in which opposition leader Alexei Navalny died on Friday, told Ukraine's Channel 24: 'Katya Mizulina is completely to Putin's taste. 'This ''Barbie *****'' type has always suited him very well.' Romanov likened Mizulina to a younger Krivonogikh, the first woman to have allegedly tempted Putin away from his ex-wife. '[Putin is] 71 years old, let's not be ageist,' she said. 'In general, the man is in full bloom, why not? And Katya Mizulina, she is 39... let's not forget, she is also for ''traditional values'' - just like Alina Kabaeva.' Reform UK could make the difference between a massive Labour majority and a hung Parliament at the general election, new analysis has shown. According to modelling by the Labour Together think tank, the fortunes of the Nigel Farage-backed party may prove key to how many seats Labour wins. They warned a 'few small shifts in voters' views' could narrow Sir Keir Starmer's chances of seizing full control of the House of Commons. And a collapse in support for Reform 'could change the picture entirely', the Labour-backing think tank warned, adding: 'There is no room for complacency.' They set out three possible outcomes of the general election, which ranged from a huge 192-seat Labour majority to Sir Keir being left 14 seats short of outright power. Sir Keir Starmer has been warned a 'few small shifts in voters' views' could narrow Labour's chances of seizing full control of the House of Commons Labour Together pointed to how their latest opinion poll, conducted by YouGov, gave Labour a 20-point lead over the Tories. This would hand Sir Keir a 192-seat majority But, in the think tank's 'realistic projection' of Labour's performance at the general election, the party would win 364 seats with a Commons majority of 78 Labour Together also modelled what might happen if Reform's vote collapsed. This resulted in a hung Parliament, with Labour as the largest party with 312 seats but 14 short of a majority Reform, founded by ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage, have polled around 10 per cent in recent weeks and performed well in last week's by-elections in Wellingborough and Kingswood Labour Together pointed to how their latest opinion poll, conducted by YouGov earlier this month, gave Labour a 20-point lead over the Tories. If there were a general election tomorrow, this would see a huge 192-seat majority win for Sir Keir to compare with the party's landslide victory under Sir Tony Blair in 1997. But Labour Together said this was an 'unlikely' outcome as they highlighted the share of voters (17 per cent) who are currently undecided. 'In most elections, these voters return to the party they voted for the last time around,' the think tank said. Reform have polled around 10 per cent in recent weeks and performed well in last week's by-elections in Wellingborough and Kingswood. But Labour Together said the strength of support for the party - which was founded by Mr Farage - 'feels questionable given past experience of upstart parties (like UKIP) who have underperformed their poll position at the ballot box'. They also suggested the support of some of those voters who have switched to Labour from the Tories could yet be 'soft-switchers'. In what it termed a 'realistic projection' of Labour's performance at the general election, Labour Together modelled what might happen if many 'don't knows' returned to the party they supported last time around. They also analysed what might happen if those whose support for either Labour or Reform is close to their level of support for the Tories - known as 'wavering switchers' - went back to the Conservatives. The think tank found, in this scenario, Labour's lead over the Tories would be reduced to 13 points, which would give Labour 364 seats at a general election, with a Commons majority of 78. In a second possible scenario, Labour Together explored what would happen if Reform's vote collapsed before a general election. This could be 'either because Rishi Sunak delivers on his promises on immigration, because Reform's own fortunes fall dramatically, or perhaps they choose not to stand against the Conservatives (as their predecessor, the Brexit Party, did in 2019),' they suggested. Labour Together found such a scenario would result in a 'dramatic narrowing of the vote' with Labour's lead over the Tories cut to four points (40 per cent to 36 per cent). This would see Britain plunged into a hung Parliament, with Labour as the largest party with 312 seats but 14 seats short of a majority. 'While this is not a likely scenario, it shows the importance of Reform's vote, and the cost to Labour of a Reform collapse,' the think tank said. 'While the data still all points to a Labour victory, we also set out the case for caution. A few small shifts in voter behaviour could shrink Labour's lead significantly. 'A more dramatic change, such as the collapse of Reform, could wipe out the prospect of a majority entirely. 'However wide the poll leads might look today, a Labour majority is far from certain.' Josh Williams, Labour Together's director of strategy, said: 'There is a long way to go between now and the election and, as the old saying goes, there can be many a slip between cup and lip. 'Labour's lead is undoubtedly wide, a tribute to the extraordinary transformation in the party's fortunes under Keir Starmer. 'But, a few small shifts in voters' views and a would-be majority narrows. 'A collapse in the resurgent Reform party, just like UKIP and the Brexit Party before them, could change the picture entirely. There is no room for complacency.' Apple is facing a 427million EU anti-trust fine for blocking iPhone apps from telling users about cheaper music services after Spotify lashed out at the tech giant's software changes. The fine, which is expected to be announced next month according to sources close to the investigation, is the result of a year-long probe by the European Commission initiated after Spotify raised a complaint back in 2019, the Financial Times reports. Spotify claimed that it had to raise its subscription prices from 9.99 to 12.99 per month due to Apple's billing rules - while Apple launched its own music streaming service for 9.99 per month. Companies like Spotify are prohibited in most regions from billing customers for subscriptions within their apps on Apple devices. Instead, iPhone users have to use the Apple App Store billing service, which takes a cut of up to 30 per cent. But in 2021, the EU charged Apple with anti-competitive behaviour over the company's 'anti-steering' requirements, which prevent developers from informing users of cheaper alternatives to pay and therefore reportedly breach the EU's abuse of dominance rules. To appease the commission, Apple announced changes to its software last month that would 'give developers choice' to advertise cheaper subscriptions elsewhere, but companies would still have to pay Apple a commission to do so. Spotify was not pleased with these changes and called them a 'complete and total farce' and said the changes were 'just for show'. Apple is facing a 427million EU anti-trust fine for blocking iPhone apps from telling users about cheaper music services as Spotify lashes out at the tech giant's software changes (file image) Spotify claimed that it had to raise its subscription prices from 9.99 to 12.99 per month due to Apple's billing rules - while Apple launched its own music streaming service for 9.99 per month (file image) The commission is expected to rule that Apple's actions are going against the EU's competition rules and ban the company from preventing music services like Spotify from advertising cheaper alternatives outside the App Store, according to the FT. Apple was previously engaged in a legal battle in the US with Fortnite developer Epic Games over the same practice of not letting developers advertise cheaper ways to pay while charging a commission for these services company's can't avoid. The expected ruling would be the first time Apple is fined for anti-trust infringements, but the company previously having to pay a 317million fine in France for alleged anti-competitive behaviour. The European Commission declined to comment on this. MailOnline also contacted Apple and Spotify for comment. In 2017, the commission fined Google 2billion (2.42billion euros) for breaching EU anti-trust rules. Brussels said Google had abused its market dominance as a search engine by giving an illegal advantage to another Google product, its comparison shopping service. The crux of the issue was the monopoly Google garnered within the Android app marketplace and the advertising advantage this provided the company. The EU conducted a three-year investigation into Google which found the company was using its Android operating system to marginalise rivals. The commission also charged Google with shutting-out competitors by forcing major phone manufacturers including South Korea's Samsung and China's Huawei to pre-install its search engine and Google Chrome browser. Google is able to run advertisements inside applications pre-installed with the Android mobile operating system - something rivals are not permitted to do. This comes after the EU's landmark content law came into force for all companies on Saturday after previously only applying to the world's largest platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, since last year. When the European Union proposed the law in 2020, the objective was simple: to tame the Wild West online, where Brussels felt companies were not doing enough to block illegal content or acting sufficiently to protect consumers. Brussels has already bared its teeth, showing the tech titans that it means business. In 2017, the commission fined Google 2.42billion euros for breaching EU antitrust rules. Brussels said Google had abused its market dominance as a search engine by giving an illegal advantage to another Google product, its comparison shopping service (file image) There have been a wave of probes launched by the European Commission to quiz the largest platforms on how they are addressing an array of concerns from consumer protection to children's activity online. So far, the EU has launched formal infringement proceedings against tech billionaire Elon Musk's X, formerly Twitter, over 'illegal content and disinformation'. Punishment for violations of the law will be harsh. Those that breach the rules could be fined up to six percent of their global annual turnover, or even banned in the EU for serious and repeated violations. But beyond the prospect of fines, Alexandre de Streel of the think tank Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE), said the law aimed ultimately to change the culture of digital firms. 'The [law] is a gradual system, everything is not going to change in one minute and not on February 17,' he said. 'The goal isn't to impose fines, it's that platforms change their practices.' Keeping an eye on firms will be a duty split between the commission, with its team of more than 120 experts, and EU states. As an example of their new obligations, platforms that offer shopping services must act swiftly to stop the sale of counterfeit products and block repeat fraudsters. The EU also prohibits targeted advertising for children and seeks to make it easier for users to report illegal content, complain and seek compensation for rule breaches. The commission will supervise the largest platforms but states will need to set up 'digital services coordinators' to monitor the smaller firms. Firms with fewer than 50 staff and a turnover of less than 8.5million will be exempted from the most burdensome rules. The law entered into force in August for 'very large' platforms owned by Google's Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, TikTok parent ByteDance, Facebook owner Meta and Microsoft. The EU believes these platforms must do more since their size and reach means they have greater responsibilities to address the higher risks to users. The 22 platforms facing more stringent rules include booking.com, Google Search, Instagram, Snapchat and X as well as three major porn platforms. They are obliged to be more transparent, giving access to researchers to scrutinise the platforms as well as publishing yearly risk assessments at their own cost. A wristwatch which stopped when the United States dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945 is set to fetch at least $20,000 (16,000) at auction. The melted timepiece's hands are frozen at 8.15am, the moment that the bomb - named Little Boy - that had been dropped from B-29 Bomber Enola Gay detonated. The devastating attack on the city in the south-west of Japan in August 1945 caused the deaths of up to 130,000 Japanese men, women and children. According to the seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, the watch was recovered by a British soldier who had been sent to Hiroshima to help provide emergency supplies and oversee reconstruction efforts. The watch is being sold following the publicity generated by Christopher Nolan's film Oppenheimer, which won seven BAFTAs - including best film and best director - last night. It tells the life story of troubled scientist Robert J Oppenheimer, who led the development of the atom bomb at Los Alamos in New Mexico. A wristwatch which stopped when the United States dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945 is set to fetch at least $20,000 (16,000) at auction The devastating attack on the city in August 1945 caused the deaths of up to 130,000 Japanese men, women and children The watch first came up for sale in 2015 in England. It was bought by the current owner. It was found amidst the ruins of Hiroshima's Prefectural Promotion Hall. It is being sold via US auction house RR Auction, which is based in Amherst, New Hampshire. The online bidding, which has so far pushed the price to $18,700 (14,800), ends on February 23. Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction, said: 'Auctioning artifacts like these is not just about the items themselves; it's about preserving the stories they carry and ensuring that the lessons of history are not forgotten. 'This wristwatch, for instance, marks the exact moment in time that history changed forever.' It was found amidst the ruins of Hiroshima's Prefectural Promotion Hall The watch is being sold via US auction house RR Auction, which is based in Amherst, New Hampshire It was later estimated that 70 per cent of Hiroshima's buildings were destroyed. At least 70,000 people were killed in the immediate moments after the bomb exploded, with more deaths coming later The watch is being sold following the publicity generated by Christopher Nolan's film Oppenheimer , which won seven BAFTAs - including best film and best director - last night. It tells the life story of troubled scientist Robert J Oppenheimer, who led the development of the atom bomb at Los Alamos in New Mexico The bomb, named Little Boy, was dropped by the crew (pictured) of the B-29 bomber named Enola Gay and was the first atomic weapon used in warfare after successful tests carried out by the US The 'mushroom' cloud that rose into the air after the detonation of the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima is seen above Enola Gay is seen landing after its infamous mission to drop a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945 In the research programme that was named the Manhatten Project, the US beat Nazi Germany and Japan to developing the atomic bomb. The first test was carried out in New Mexico in July 1945. After the moment of detonation, Oppenheimer quoted from the Hindu scriptures, saying: 'I am become death, destroyer of worlds.' The US then opted to use the technology on Japan after the country's leaders refused to surrender following Nazi Germany's defeat in May 1945. The crew of Enola Gay carried out their mission to bomb Hiroshima August 6. The bomb was detonated at an altitude of 1,750 feet and destroyed an area of approximately 4.7 square miles. It was later estimated that 70 per cent of Hiroshima's buildings were destroyed. At least 70,000 people were killed in the immediate moments after the bomb exploded, with more deaths coming later. Three days later, the US dropped a second atomic weapon - Fat Man - on the city of Nagasaki. It was an act that took at least 40,000 more lives and forced the Japanese to finally surrender, ending the Second World War. The bomb was detonated at an altitude of 1,750 feet and destroyed an area of approximately 4.7 square miles. Above: The aftermath of the attack Truman responded nonchalantly, saying: 'Never mind. It'll come out in the wash.' He later told his aides that Oppenheimer 'a cry-baby scientist', adding: 'I don't ever want to see that son of a bitch in this office ever again.' Oppenheimer left Los Alamos in early October 1945 feeling an intense sense of guilt. Meeting President Harry Truman in the Oval Office, he told him: 'I feel I have blood on my hands.' Truman responded nonchalantly, saying: 'Never mind. It'll come out in the wash.' He later told his aides that Oppenheimer 'a cry-baby scientist', adding: 'I don't ever want to see that son of a bitch in this office ever again.' MBABANE State-owned enterprises (SOEs) have been accused of attempting to cushion their finances by charging exorbitant fees for tender documents. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in particular, claim that SOEs are milking them dry by charging exorbitant tender fees, and have since called for government to intervene by regulating the fees. The indigenous businesses accused SOEs of raking in thousands of cash from advertising tenders, which called on the bidders to pay for a tender document. It has been observed that SOEs charge between E500 to E2 500 non-refundable tender fees. The business owners said these fees took from the little they had and this was one of the stumbling blocks faced by SMEs. This has been viewed as a practice to swindle local businesses. They noted that there was a lot that went through applying for SOE tenders, hence the fees needed to be controlled. One supplier of cleaning materials and lubricants mentioned that last year, the tender fee was E500 but this year the application of the same tender was E750 with a local parastatal. The businessman said before, they paid way lesser fees yet the parastatals printed the tender documents. They mentioned that SOEs no longer printed tender documents as they were available on the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA) website. Before the documents were made available online, the company had to print them. Surprisingly, we now download the documents and print them out ourselves, but still be expected to pay non-refundable tender fees and they are becoming more expensive every year, said another government supplier. He said the reason they believed SOEs were using tenders to make cash was because some tenders were issued and after the deadline, the company would announce that the tender had been cancelled. After the cancellation of the tender, we are never refunded, hence we strongly believe that SOEs are swindling us through tenders, said the entrepreneur. Others accused parastatals of deliberately dividing one tender into three categories just to collect more application fees. They said the tender fees needed to be scrapped, because these SOEs were no longer printing these documents or there should be, standard price not exceeding E400. Regulated Tender fees for parastatals needed to be regulated just like government tenders. Government tender applications are charged at E300, the businessman said. The businesses alleged that SOEs had become slick about the tendering process. They recounted how they had found a way of creating different tenders for one single product, so that they could make money from the application fees. To explain their point, they made an example of electronics and hardware. It was alleged that there were cases where a company would need an information communication technology system, but, instead of issuing one tender, they would divide the tender into at least three different tenders. They would issue a tender for laptops and collect money on it. Then issue a tender for printers and another tender for cartridges. The businesses accused ESPPRA of not being vigilant on such. They highlighted that just a few weeks ago, ESPPRA launched a Standard Pricing Catalogue for commonly used items under public procurement. The catalogue was said to reduce overpricing of commonly used items within the sector. The suppliers said the very same prices in the catalogue dated back to 2022, and some parastatals were using those prices on top of the tender fees. Questions were sent to ESPPRA and its mother ministry, the Ministry of Finance, but they had not responded at the time the report was compiled. The Ministry this Finances Communications Officer, Setsabile Dlamini, referred questions to ESPPRA. I think ESPPRA is the right entity to reply on this because it deals directly with SOEs, she said. A questionnaire was sent to ESPPRA office, but it was also not responded to on the basis that the Chief Executive Officer Vusi Matsebula, was out of the country. This is not the first time the issue of tender fees has been brought up. Last year, during the Ministry of Finance budget debate at Senate, former Senator Sylvia Mthethwa cornered Minister Neal Rijkenberg about the regulation of tender fees. She said tender fees were understandable in the past because SOEs gave out tender booklets which were costly to print and package. These days, then senator said, the tenders were issued by ESPPRA, with one original copy and duplicates. What are we doing to the business community; are we encouraging business or we are destroying them? she asked. The former senator said she was of the view that the tendering process was not above board and pleaded with the minister to intervene. Suffered The erstwhile senator said already, businesses had suffered immensely because of COVID-19. She said the manner in which parastatals were carrying on, they were worsening the situation, because they had not gone back to the level they were operating at before. Mthethwa said she was of the view that someone, somewhere, was not doing his or her job, because emaSwati were not given a suitable environment to be successful in business. In response, Rijkenberg stated that they were working on various systems that would take away the tender pain in the local business community. The minister said they had been working on an e-procurement system with the regulator, which would also sort out the mismanagement of funds that were often exposed by the auditor general in his report. He said they were benchmarking this system against the Rwandan system. Once the system is up and running, businesses will be conducting tendering through it and will take off the tender pain, he said. Almost a year later, the ministry, with ESPPRA, is still working on developing the online tendering system. The agency was established by the Public Procurement Act of 2011 and is entrusted with ensuring transparency and accountability in public procurement while maintaining appropriate confidentiality of information, achieving economic efficiency and maximum competition to ensure value for money in the use of public funds, promoting more diverse private sector participation through fair and non-discriminatory treatment of tenders. According to a 2020 report on the contribution of public procurement to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), public procurement contributed 22.6 of the GDP, which was equivale Lord Cameron has warned Argentina that British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is 'not up for discussion' amid renewed claims by Buenos Aires. The Foreign Secretary arrived in the Atlantic archipelago today in a high-profile demonstration that they are a 'valued part of the British family' 42 years after the two countries went to war. Eccentric Argentinian President Javier Milei, who met Lord Cameron last month, has called for the South Atlantic islands to be handed over and likened them to Hong Kong, which was handed back to China in 1997. However, The Falklands have never been part of Argentina, and ahead of the first visit by a foreign secretary since 1994, Lord Cameron stressed: 'The Falkland Islands are a valued part of the British family, and we are clear that as long as they want to remain part of the family, the issue of sovereignty will not be up for discussion.' After their meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Foreign Office said the pair had a 'warm and cordial meeting' and on the issue of the Falklands 'they would agree to disagree, and do so politely'. The Foreign Secretary arrived in the Atlantic archipelago today in a high-profile demonstration that they are a 'valued part of the British family' 42 years after the two countries went to war. The Foreign Secretary will arrive in the Atlantic archipelago today in a high-profile demonstration that they are a 'valued part of the British family' 42 years after the two countries went to war. Eccentric Argentinian President Javier Milei, who met Lord Cameron last month, has called for the South Atlantic islands to be handed over and likened them to Hong Kong, which was handed back to China in 1997. Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the Falklands, which are known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina. They are around 8,000 miles from Britain and 300 miles from mainland Argentina, and were the subject of a bloody conflict in 1982. The war claimed the lives of 255 British servicemen, three islanders and 649 Argentinian personnel. In a 2013 referendum, the islanders voted overwhelmingly to retain their status as a UK overseas territory. After arriving on the Falkland Islands today, Lord Cameron was flown by helicopter to some of the key battle sites from the 1982 war. He visited San Carlos, nicknamed 'bomb alley' due to the sustained aerial attacks faced by British warships as they protected the landing site used by troops to mount a ground offensive against the invading Argentinians. In bright sunshine Lord Cameron chatted to local residents before laying a wreath at the memorial to those who lost their lives. He inspected the graves in the cemetery, including that of Victoria Cross recipient Lt Col H Jones. At Goose Green, Lord Cameron visited the museum and spoke to local residents at the community hall. During the 1982 war, islanders were detained in the building until the Argentine forces were defeated at the Battle of Goose Green. The battle came at a heavy cost, with 18 British soldiers killed including Lt Col H Jones. Writing in the community hall visitors' book, Lord Cameron said: 'Thank you for keeping their memory alive.' Lord Cameron is also due to meet leaders of the Falkland Islands government during a visit to the capital Stanley and other sites around the overseas territory. He will also visit environmental projects and see some of the penguins that depend on the vital island habitats. On Tuesday he will head to Paraguay, the first time a British foreign secretary has travelled to the South American nation. The Foreign Secretary is then due to attend a meeting of G20 counterparts - including Russia's Sergei Lavrov - in Brazil on Wednesday. Russia's actions in Ukraine will also be the subject of a United Nations session in New York later in the week which Lord Cameron will attend. This is the letter sent by a hard-hearted boss sacking a cleaner for eating a leftover tuna sandwich. Single mother Gabriela Rodriguez was fired after she munched on the 1.50 Tesco sandwich left out on a discarded platter for workers at a City law firm. Now she is claiming for unfair dismissal against the cleaning firm which employed her. Ms Rodriguez, 39, from Ecuador launched her unfair dismissal claim after she worked for Total Clean, which was contracted to top corporate law firm Devonshires. Boss Graham Petersen wrote to Ms Rodriguez, following a disciplinary hearing on November 23. Gabriela Rodriguez, 39, was said to have been fired from her 13-an-hour job for the 'theft' of a leftover tuna sandwich which was due to be thrown away after a meeting Total Clean operations director Graham Petersen said he had weighed up whether a lesser sanction than sacking might be 'appropriate' but decided against it Copy of the letter sent to Gabriela Rodriguez in November last year by Graham Peterson Campaigners protested Ms Rodriguez's sacking, marching outside Devonshire's offices Following an investigation, Ms Rodriguez was told by Mr Petersen: 'At the hearing your explanation was that you found a sandwich in the kitchen near the end of your shift and took it without giving it a second thought. 'You stated that previously the client had left food in the kitchen and offered it out, so you thought it was fine. Total Clean operations director Graham Petersen wrote to Gabriela following a disciplinary hearing on November 23 'I considered your explanation to be unsatisfactory because you confirmed that no one had offered you the food in the kitchen but decided to take it anyway. 'I have decided that your conduct has resulted in a fundamental breach of your contractual terms which irrevocably destroys the trust and confidence necessary to continue the employment relationship.' He said he had weighed up whether a lesser sanction than sacking might be 'appropriate', but decided against it and concluded: 'You are therefore dismissed with immediate effect from Total Clean. You are not entitled to notice or pay in lieu of notice.' The grassroots UVW Union for migrant workers said in an appeal letter on Ms Rodriguez's behalf: 'There were various full trays of leftover sandwiches that had been laid out for staff to eat. 'Gabriela understood she was also allowed to eat this food. 'It is so incredibly far beyond the realms of reasonableness and comprehension to dismiss an employee for eating a leftover tuna and cucumber sandwich. 'We now understand that the privilege of eating leftover sandwiches perhaps does not extend to the outsourced migrant workforce in the building.' Campaigners protested Gabriela's sacking, marching outside Devonshire's offices armed with 100 cans of tuna and 300 sandwiches. 'They held placards reading 'Sacked for a Sandwich?' and 'We are not the dirt - we clean', and gave out leaflets which read: 'I ate a leftover tuna sandwich and got sacked!'. Ms Rodriguez, who lives in north London, does not speak English and relied on her job to support her daughter, ten. Supporters said she had worked for the company for two years with an 'impeccable record'. UVW general secretary Petros Elia added: 'Cleaners are routinely dismissed on trivial and, we argue, discriminatory, grounds like this every day around the country. 'Many describe feeling treated like the dirt they clean, and Gabriela is one of them. Gabriela Rodriguez is claiming for unfair dismissal against the cleaning firm which employed her 'She was dismissed by Total Clean but the law firm should not have complained in the first place. 'They wouldn't have complained were it anyone else who had eaten a sandwich - and definitely not if it was a lawyer.' Total Clean, which last year posted profits of 1.6m, sent Ms Rodriguez a dismissal letter accusing her of 'theft' after she 'removed food for a client's special event'. According to supporters, Ms Rodriguez appealed her dismissal but Total Clean refused to reinstate her. 'The union is now helping Gabriela take legal action alleging unfair dismissal and discrimination. In a statement, Total Clean accused UVW and Gabriela of 'misleading and inaccurate information' but declined to specify. But the company added: 'It is important to us to maintain the integrity of our workforce and service by ensuring we deal appropriately with any actions that undermine the hard work and reputation of our incredible team who conduct themselves impeccably. 'Trust and honesty is of paramount importance. 'All steps taken have been in accordance with UK employment law following the proper investigative and disciplinary process. We will be making no further comment on the matter.' Devonshires, whose hose highest-paid member received 1.68 million in 2023, said it had not asked Total Clean to take action. In a social media campaign, the United Voices of the World union said the value of the sandwich in question cost no more than 1.50 A spokesman said: 'Devonshires did not make a formal complaint against Gabriela and expressly told Total Clean not to take any against her. 'Total Clean carried out their own investigation and the decision to dismiss Gabriela was taken without any input or influence from Devonshires whatsoever. 'This is a private matter between Total Clean and Gabriela but we have made clear to Total Clean that we would not object, as we never have done, to Gabriela attending and working on our premises if Total Clean changes its position.' Devonshires focuses on cases including forensic recovery and contentious insolvency, situations of bankruptcy and company liquidations. It was in Florida in 1990 that Michael J Fox woke up in his hotel suite with a ferocious hangover and something that turned out to be infinitely worse. As the Hollywood star put a hand over his face to block the sunlight streaming in through a window, he noticed that his little finger was twitching and he couldnt stop it. The trembling was a message from the future, he said in a documentary film he made last year. The famously chirpy star of Back To The Future cannot resist making quips, even about the terrible condition Parkinsons disease that he has been battling for more than half his life. The Canadian-American actors battle with this degenerative and incurable affliction in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years was movingly brought home last night when he made a surprise appearance at the Baftas to present the Best Film award. Michael J Fox with Christopher Lloyd in Back To The Future Part II, which came out in 1989 Fox, 62, who rarely makes public appearances nowadays, came on stage in a wheelchair but then insisted on standing up at the podium to present the award to Oppenheimer. Bafta host David Tennant described him as a true legend of cinema. Audience members gasped as he made his first appearance at the UK awards for more than 30 years. Many viewers said they found it so emotive that they wept. Fox founded the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research in 2000 and it has reportedly so far raised at least 1.6billion to tackle a condition that affects around 128,000 people in England alone. Joined by Tracy Pollan, his actress wife of 36 years, he was also there because Still: A Michael J Fox Movie, a 2023 film about his life with the disease, was nominated for best documentary, but lost out to the Ukrainian war film 20 Days In Mariupol. Foxs documentary certainly makes for arresting viewing about a tragically debilitating condition that, thanks to his fame, has got far more attention and research funding. Fox was boyishly handsome Marty McFly in the Back To The Future trilogy films that made him the biggest star in Hollywood His decline is all the more shocking given all we remember of his glory years in the 1980s as skateboarding, wisecracking, boyishly handsome Marty McFly in the Back To The Future trilogy films that made him the biggest star in Hollywood. His life now couldnt be further away from his self-assured off-screen persona back then. In place of the workaholic, egotistical star who often came across as rather too pleased with himself is a deeply thoughtful and humble middle-aged man who now takes nothing for granted. In place of the actor who loved to charge around on screen is a man who wobbles dangerously after only a few yards. Every step now is a frigging math problem, so I take it slow, he said and that was four years ago in 2020. As revealed in Still, from the moment he shakily puts toothpaste on his toothbrush each morning in his apartment on Central Park in Manhattan, his day is dominated by his condition. Its most obvious to others when he is walking, frequently lurching out of control, losing his balance and falling over especially if he doesnt remember the advice of a therapist walking alongside him to stop and reset. Another frequent injunction from his therapist is to slow down, both physically and mentally, which the naturally impatient and driven star clearly finds a challenge. He once described the disease as the gradual paring away of my physical self. Michael J Fox received a standing ovation from the stars in attendance at the 2024 British Academy Film Awards as he took to the stage in a wheelchair His Parkinsons also curtails the instinctive joker in him when he thinks of a punchline he desperately wants to say, he often cannot get out the words in time. Throughout the day he takes regular doses of dopamine, a neurotransmitter usually made by the body that is used by the nervous system to send messages between nerve cells and which is lacking in people suffering from Parkinsons. When it starts to run out, he gets what he calls his Parkinsonian mask he freezes, both physically and facially and struggles to smile or show any expression. Meanwhile, a side effect of Foxs medication is dyskinesia, or involuntary movements and tics. Fox says that is far preferable to the alternative, which involves symptoms such as confusing his words so speech becomes hard and finding it very difficult to sit still in one place. Like other Parkinsons sufferers, he falls over frequently and often badly, sometimes breaking bones and needing surgery. Once the metal pins put in a broken hand became infected and he almost had to have a finger amputated. On another occasion he slipped and fell over, damaging his upper arm so severely it required 19 screws. In 2018, Fox needed surgery to remove a tumour on his spine. It was unrelated to the Parkinsons but his recovery was made so much harder by the tremors and balance issues caused by the disease. Fox was recently described as personifying grace under pressure. Hes naturally a positive person - of the four books hes written since being diagnosed with Parkinsons in 1991 when he was just 29, two have optimist in the title and another is titled Lucky Man: A Memoir. He used to describe Parkinsons as a gift, albeit one that keeps on taking, but says it has changed his life for the better in some ways. For a start, he credited it with stopping his drinking, which in turn saved his marriage. Many fellow Parkinsons sufferers say they have been inspired by his optimism and his candour. Fox credits much of his longevity to his wife, Tracy Pollan, pictured, who he married in 1988 Bafta guests give the veteran actor a standing ovation at the annual awards night However, he knows his condition is deteriorating. My world is getting smaller, he said in Still. I love my mind and the place it takes me and I just dont want that to get cut short. And in an interview last November, he said: Positivity is really sincere and I really feel it, and its genuine, but its hard fought and its hard won. Although it tends to strike older people, Parkinsons kills most patients within 20 years of diagnosis. He credits much of his longevity to his wife, Tracy, who he married in 1988, and who, when he told her of his Parkinsons diagnosis, whispered to him: For better or for worse. He says she has never left his side although he would understand if she did. We knew the bus was coming and we knew it was going to hit, he said in November. At any time, she would have been forgiven to say: Im just going to step out. But she didnt do that. One thing Mrs Fox hasnt done is to feel sorry for him. If you pity me its never going to get to me, Fox says in Still. Im not pathetic Im a tough son of a bitch. Im a cockroach and Ive been through a lot of stuff. A clip from Still, which is on release in selected cinemas and goes out on Apple TV in May He has certainly had his challenges over the years. A hyperactive child who could never be still, he was born on a military base and later raised in British Columbia. Fox was not only short but looked much younger than his age. Bullied at school, he went to drama classes and discovered that in acting, the fact that he looked years younger than his actual age could be a huge advantage. Dropping out of high school at 17 and intent on becoming rich and famous, he moved to Hollywood. After three years struggling to get decent roles he was about to give up when he got a part on a US TV sitcom, Family Ties. That provided a springboard to the Back To The Future franchise and the first film, made in 1985, turned him into a superstar overnight. It was on Family Ties that he met his future wife, Tracy, who played his characters love interest. He said he fell in love with her on set when unlike everyone else who was in awe of his stardom and tolerated his brattish behaviour she rounded on him angrily after he made an obnoxious comment about the way her breath smelled. The promotional image for Still, a documentary about Michael J Fox's battle with Parkinson's They married in 1988 and, by his own admission, she rapidly became a single mother as he continued to work relentlessly. When Fox was diagnosed with Parkinsons, initially he couldnt accept that in his late 20s he had a disease normally associated with much older people. For years he took the pills and managed to keep it secret from everyone outside his family, even as the pressure pushed him into alcoholism and depression. (The disease had nothing to do with his hard partying Hollywood lifestyle and is instead believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as pesticides and pollution.) In 1998, after its symptoms became obvious in his acting work, he finally announced publicly he had the disease. The following year he chose not to take his medication before testifying to a Senate committee about the disease, saying that the congressmen needed to see what the condition was like for themselves. Its clear his wife continues to keep his feet on the ground and that her no-nonsense attitude has been passed on to their children they have four: Sam, 34; twin daughters Aquinnah and Schuyler, 29; and 22-year-old Esme. When Im with my family, theres no sentimental line with them, he says. Theres no Poor baby. I feel so bad for you. That would be the worst thing they could do to me. In Still, as he sits in the kitchen, his right hand shaking uncontrollably, the family tease him mercilessly for the bizarre emails he sends them using word-recognition software to turn his strangulated speech into the written word. Foxs condition is inevitably worsening over time and he has admitted his once fierce optimism is not so strong any more. But what hasnt changed, he insists, is his determination not to become an object of pity. Fox reportedly made only one condition before he allowed the documentary makers to chronicle his life for Still there couldnt be any treacly music playing in the background. Certainly none was needed at the Baftas last night when he sat down to the sound of deafening applause. A freight train has narrowly avoided a deadly catastrophe after a truck sped across a railway crossing, with the driver seemingly unaware they were seconds from almost certain death. Shocking footage from inside the freight train showed the B-double truck driving over the tracks moments before the 1,800m long train approached in WA's Goldfields Esperance region on Saturday. The train driver managed to avert disaster when they slammed on the brakes after they realised that the truck wasn't going to stop in time. Their quick thinking prevented a 'serious collision' as the rear-end of the truck barely missed the front of the train. Rail freight operator Aurizon released the terrifying footage in hope that the close call will help prevent deaths and increase the vigilance of road users at rail crossings. A train very narrowly avoided a catastrophe on Saturday when a truck (pictured) sped across a railway crossing, with the driver seemingly unaware they were seconds from almost certain death READ MORE: Heavy vehicle driver charged over train collision that killed two people in South Australia Two train drivers were killed in a horror truck collision (pictured) Advertisement 'Train crew at one of our Western Australian depots requested Aurizon release to the community this near-miss video footage, taken from the front of a locomotive on Saturday lunchtime in the Goldfields Esperance region,' a statement read. 'Seconds separate our crew from a serious collision. Our train drivers hope the video will help raise awareness with motorists and heavy vehicle operators of the need for vigilance when using these regional crossings.' The rail operator added that the latest incident followed a series of near misses and collisions at level crossings for Australian freight rail companies. This included the tragic incident on New Year's Eve when two industry colleagues from Pacific National were killed in a level crossing collision with a truck in South Australia. Aurizon has since spoke with the trucking company involved in the near-miss. 'We are very appreciative of their efforts in raising the incident with the driver and with their employees more generally. The more we can do the better,' the company added. Aurizon also acknowledged that many factors contributed to level crossing incidents. 'Collectively, we must step up efforts and investment to improve safety for our train crew and for the general community. 'This includes the rail and road industries, all levels of government, enforcement and road safety agencies, and the general community.' The freight train driver managed to avert disaster when they slammed on the brakes after seeing that the road train (pictured) wasn't going to stop The dramatic footage of the terrifying close call has since gone viral online. 'Driver of truck has to be held accountable! Nice fine and loss of licence.. people don't understand how this kind of negligence can affect train crew,' one viewer commented. Another added: 'Time for jail time for trucking company officials for serious incidents along with driver.' A third wrote: 'There are lights on that crossing. They should be charged for failure to stop as directed.' Children waiting to watch a cartoon about ducks were left sobbing in the cinema aisles after they were shown a horror film trailer where students are murdered over Christmas. Youngsters had settled down to watch U-rated Migration about a family of mallards migrating to Jamaica at the Vue cinema in Eastleigh, Hampshire, when the trailer for 15-rated 2019 horror flick Black Christmas began to play and showed someone being stabbed with an icicle. Panicked parents dashed out of auditorium to find staff to turn off the gory clip, but many were left having to console their horrified children. Vue cinema has apologised for the mishap which has left some youngsters mentally scarred and having nightmares. Jeana Palmer took her children Molly, 11, and Isaac, 10, to watch the animated film on February 8. Youngsters had settled in to watch U-rated Migration about a family of mallards migrating to Jamaica at the Vue cinema in Eastleigh, Hampshire But a trailer for 15-rated 2019 horror flick Black Christmas began to play and showed someone being stabbed with an icicle The 36-year-old was left 'disgusted and on edge' after the 2019 horror film trailer played. She said: 'As soon as the music turned, I knew it was inappropriate. 'My son found it really upsetting and has continued to see certain images from the film at bedtime and is suffering with sleep. 'The film itself was quite innocent but because of the trailer beforehand he was scared of parts of the film that otherwise he would never have been scared of.' She added: 'I wouldn't have minded if the film had a higher age rating, but it was a U, so it wasn't appropriate in the slightest and there was one child as young as four in the cinema.' The trailer for Black Christmas features multiple acts of violence - including someone being stabbed with an icicle, as well as a second person being stabbed in the back with a kitchen knife. It also includes an implied neck break as well as sharp jump scares. Ms Palmer noted that when she raised the issue with the cinema's manager - first when the trailer was playing and again after the film had finished - she claims she was met with a 'lack of empathy'. She said: 'I, along with a couple of other parents, spoke to the manager just wanting to get a justification for what happened but he was very vague and defensive. 'Apparently, he'd received emails that this had happened at more than one venue and said it was out of his control. Panicked parents rushed out of the Vue cinema's auditorium and asked staff to turn off the trailer (Pictured: Vue cinema in Eastleigh, Hampshire) The trailer for Black Christmas features multiple acts of violence - including someone being stabbed with an icicle, as well as a second person being stabbed in the back with a kitchen knife 'We were later offered free tickets by the head office, but it doesn't seem like a good response to a complaint.' A spokesperson for Vue said: 'Due to a technical scheduling error from a provider, a non-planned film trailer was shown ahead of a small number of Migration screenings on February 8. 'As soon as we became aware, the trailer was immediately removed across all screenings. 'We are working with the film distributor to make sure this does not happen again, and we apologise to the affected customers.' A US-owned cargo ship has reported a missile strike off the coast of Yemen this morning. No crew were injured in the strike, which came a day after a British cargo ship was forced to evacuate in a similar hit. The security firm Ambrey reported the strike on Monday morning. It remains unclear who owns the vessel, that was 93 nautical miles east of Aden in Yemen at the time. Ambrey described the vessel as a Greek-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier bound for Aden, Yemen, from Argentina. Those details, combined with ship-tracking data, identified the vessel as the Sea Champion. Its managers could not be immediately reached. Both Ambrey and UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) said the vessel and its crew - including five Greek members - were safe and proceeding to the next port of call. The strike is the latest in a series of attacks against Western ships in the region where Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue to attack vessels in the Red Sea to protest the West's support of Israel in the war against Hamas in Gaza. The UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a report of an incident 35 nautical miles south of Al Mukha in Yemen on Sunday night. An explosion in close proximity to the vessel had resulted in damage, but all crew are safe and 'authorities are investigating' The Iran-backed Houthis also claimed they shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, something not immediately acknowledged by US forces in the region. However, the Houthis have downed US drones before. It comes just hours after a UK-registered cargo ship was attacked off the coast of Yemen on Sunday night, in what has been called the Houthis' most damaging assaults yet. The crew of the British-registered cargo ship, which comes in at 171.6m long and 27m wide, was forced to 'abandon the vessel' following the attack, though the UKMTO said yesterday that all crew are safe and 'authorities are investigating.' The ship targeted in the Houthi attack on Sunday reported sustaining damage after 'an explosion in close proximity to the vessel,' the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported. Yemen's Houthi followers lift mock drones during a protest staged against the Israeli still war on the Gaza Strip The private security firm Ambrey reported the British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo ship had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates. Ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.com analyzed by The Associated Press identified the vessel targeted as the Rubymar. Its Beirut-based manager could not be reached for comment. The Houthis later also identified the ship as the Rubymar. Ambrey described the ship as being partially laden with cargo, but it wasnt immediately clear what it had been carrying. The ship had turned off its Automatic Identification System tracker while in the Persian Gulf early this month. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched repeated drone and missile attacks against international commercial shipping in the Red Sea since mid-November, saying it is acting in solidarity with Palestine as Israel wages war on Hamas. The UK and the US have carried out joint airstrikes against the Houthis in recent weeks in order to stop attacks on commercial shipping. Since November, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait over Israel's offensive in Gaza. They have often targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperilling shipping in a key route for trade among Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The attacks have prompted several companies to halt Red Sea journeys and opt for a longer and more expensive route around Africa. The Houthis fired naval missiles at the British ship 'LYCAVITOS' in the Gulf of Aden last Thursday. The group said it will continue to enforce a 'blockade on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas until a ceasefire is achieved and a siege is lifted in the Gaza Strip'. Meanwhile, spiraling shipping costs triggered by the Houthi rebel attacks on vessels in the Red Sea could mean that Britons could face severe price rises and shortages on major household items like white goods, sofas, garden furniture and barbecues this summer. The price of global shipping containers jumped by more than 300 per cent from November 2023 to January this year as a result of the chaos. A 'hippy crack' dealer who was caught with Christmas party bags containing laughing gas alongside balloons and candy canes has been jailed for 35 months in what is believed to be the first conviction of its type in the UK. Thomas Salton, 30, was found with about 60 small nitrous oxide canisters, 48 one-gram bags of ketamine and 39,000 cash when officers pulled his Range Rover over on December 1. A further 408 nitrous oxide canisters and 965 grams of ketamine were later found at a property Salton was renting 10 miles from his home. Police said that Salton was in midst of a plan to supply a Christmas party with these drugs. Among the seized items was a 'naughty and nice' list of customers who wanted party bags with drugs in and those who did not. Those on the naughty list would receive a gift bags with drugs and be required to sign a non-closure document. At Basildon Crown Court today, the drug dealer was sentenced to 35 months in jail in a landmark conviction - the first since the class C drug was outlawed. 'Hippy crack' laughing gas dealer Thomas Salton has been jailed for 35 months in what is the first conviction of its type in the UK The CPS released images of the party bags that Salton was selling which contained laughing gas alongside balloons and candy canes Salton had admitted possession with intent to supply controlled drugs at Class B and C at the same court on January 8. He denied possession with intent to supply a controlled drug at Class A, instead admitting to a simple possession charge. Salton also admitted possessing criminal property. DS Stephen Robson said: 'Our investigation placed Salton in the midst of large-scale supply to customers within the party scene in Essex. He was found to be holding large quantities of Class B and Class C drugs separated for supply purposes. 'Our later enquiries at his business lockup demonstrated the preparation behind this operation, with large quantities of illicit drugs stored for later packaging and supply in smaller quantities. 'This was clearly an organised operation, with Salton even going to the lengths of drafting a non-disclosure agreement for his customers to sign. 'This level of detail and organisation provided us with exactly the evidence we needed to prove his role in an illicit drug supply operation. It is perhaps easy for people to think that consuming these drugs at a party is harmless. 'In reality it is this market which lies behind the serious violence and exploitation of vulnerable people which goes hand-in-hand with illegal drug supply.' Last November, nitrous oxide was classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Under the legislation, users could face up to two years in prison for possession, while those convicted of supply could face up to 14 years. Last November, nitrous oxide was classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (file image) Alex Hinds, a prosecutor for CPS East of England, said: 'The evidence against Thomas Salton was overwhelming and this case is an example of all parts of the justice system working together to get drugs and those who sell them off the streets. 'The change in the law coupled with the actions of the police has allowed the CPS to present the strongest case in court and put Thomas Salton out of business and into prison. 'Nitrous oxide is a dangerous drug and hopefully this first conviction will deter those thinking of buying or selling it.' An American man today admitted to charges of murder and rape after he allegedly pushed two US tourists down a ravine, fatally injuring one of them near Germany's 'Cinderella' castle last year. On Monday, Troy Bohling, 31, also admitted to charges of attempted murder and possession of child porn at the start of his trial in Germany. He was not named locally because of the country's privacy laws. The attack happened on June 14 last year near the Marienbruecke, a bridge over a gorge that offers a view of Neuschwanstein castle, said to be the inspiration for the ones in Disney's Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella movies. Prosecutors say the defendant met the two female tourists, Eva Liu and Kelsey Chang, aged 21 and 22, by chance on a hiking path and lured them off the trail. He attacked Liu first, attempting to undress and rape her, before pushing her companion off of a slope with a 165ft drop, which caused her significant injuries. During the course of the investigation, authorities found that Bohling's laptop and cellphone contained child pornography. Pictured: Troy Bohling and his sister. Bohling admitted to the charges at the start of his trial Bohling has been charged with the murder of 21-year-old Eva Liu (left). He is also charged with the attempted murder of her 22-year-old friend Kelsey Chang (right) Built in the 19th century by King Lugwig II, Neuschwanstein castle is one of the most visited sites in Germany, attracting over a million visitors a year Bohling being led into the courtroom at the regional court in Kempten, Southern Germany, on February 19 The attack happened on June 14 last year near the Marienbruecke, a bridge over a gorge close to the castle that offers a view of Neuschwanstein castle Bohling (second from left) in a family photo with his brother Trevor, his sister Toni and his mother Mary Defendants in the German legal system do not formally enter pleas to charges. 'The defendant has committed an unfathomable crime,' defense lawyer Philip Mueller said in a statement. Bohling confirmed that his lawyer's statement was correct but did not answer any questions. A verdict in the case is expected in March. Authorities say the women didn't know the man before they met near Neuschwanstein. The suspect was arrested shortly after the attack. Prosecutors say Bohling met by chance the two female tourists, Eva Liu and Kelsey Chang, aged 21 and 22, on a hiking path and lured them off the trail Liu, from Naperville, Illinois and Chang, from Bloomington, Illinois, were on a European trip of a lifetime, having graduated University of Illinois. The two recent graduates met Bohling as they visited the Neuschwanstein castle. When Chang tried to help her, a scuffle ensued, with Bohling allegedly pushing her down a steep slope. She fell about 165 feet and sustained a head injury, bruises and grazes but survived. The suspect, from Lincoln Park, Michigan, then allegedly strangled Liu until she was unconscious and raped her, prosecutors said, before pushing her down the slope as well. When mountain rescue workers found the two women, Chang was injured but able to talk. The rape victim was seriously injured and taken by helicopter to hospital, where she died later that night as a result of her injuries. Other tourists witnessed the assault and later filmed Bohling as he was led away in handcuffs by police. Bohling photographed and filmed key scenes of the crime, German daily Bild reports. The rescue operation and his subsequent arrest took place in front of hundreds of tourists, according to the publication. Bohling lived with his brother Trevor in a single-story house about 20 minutes from Detroit. Neighbors described him as 'quiet' and not very friendly and said the brothers were often away for long periods of time. They assumed the pair worked in oil fields. The brothers mostly stayed inside, only being seen outside to 'walk their cat on a leash in the garden', the neighbor added. 'The family is weird. Troy would never look you down in the eye when he came and went. 'I'm shocked what he's been accused of, I'm scared he may have done stuff here and no one has figured it out yet.' In June, Mary Bohling, his mother, told Bild: 'My son is not in Germany at all. We have to find out what happened we won't comment.' Bohling attended Allen Park High School near Detroit, with former classmates describing him as a rather shy and inconspicuous boy who played in the school band and had a girlfriend. Another person who only knew him briefly said that the alleged killer spent a lot of time playing the role-playing game 'Dungeons and Dragons' in the library in his hometown of Allen Park. A former friend of the alleged killer, who he had spent several summers in a camp with, said he was 'introverted' and 'a little peculiar,' but ultimately friendly. He said doing something like the attack in Germany would be unlike 'the Troy he knew ten years ago'. Court records show that in 2016 he faced a charge of embezzlement, but there was no prosecution and the matter was dropped. Alexei Navalny shared letters laced with dark humor, religious references, and grim insights into prison life with gulag survivor Natan Sharansky in the year before he died, it has been revealed. Navalny, 47, who was the strongest domestic political force opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin, exchanged deeply personal memos with Israel's former deputy prime minister Sharansky, 76, in March and April 2023. In his first note, he wrote 'I hope I am the last to endure this', just less than a year before he was allegedly fatally poisoned with Novichok at a penal colony known as the 'Polar Wolf' in Siberia on February 16, 2024. Sharansky was held in a Moscow labor camp for nine years from 1978 after being denied permission to leave what was then the Soviet Union for Israel, and the two bonded over how little has changed in the brutal Russian prison system since. Their historic friendship - memorialized in the letters obtained by The Free Press - was sparked by Navalny's revelation that he read Sharansky's memoir, Fear No Evil, in the gulag where he died. Alexei Navalny shared letters laced with dark humor, religious references and grim insights into prison life with a former gulag survivor, Natan Sharansky, in the year before he died, their newly-published notes reveal Former deputy prime minister for Israel Sharansky, 76, was held in a Moscow labor camp for nine years from 1978 after being denied permission to leave what was then the Soviet Union for Israel A general view of a church (R) for the prisoners of the IK-3 penal colony, where Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny served his jail term and where he died, in Kharp settlement near Salekhard, Yamal-Nenets Region, Russia They were strangers when Navalny began the correspondence - penning his first letter to Sharansky on April 3 from IK-6 'Melekhovo,' - a facility around 155 miles east of Moscow known for the abuse and torture of inmates. Sharansky was held at the same colony for a time, and Navalny joked 'I am not sure if you have retained warm memories of it' in his opening letter. 'Now there will probably be a plaque saying "Natan Sharansky was held here"', he added. 'Please forgive the intrusion and a letter from a stranger, but I believe it's permissible in author-reader relations.' Navalny thanked Sharansky for his book because 'it has helped me a lot' while enduring unimaginable conditions. 'I understand that I am not the first, but I really want to become the last, or at least one of the last, of those who are forced to endure this,' he wrote. Navalny said Fear No Evil gave him 'hope' because of the 'similarity between the two systems - the Soviet Union and Putin's Russia' which exposed 'the hypocrisy that serves as the very basis of their essence'. He said this 'guarantees an equally inevitable collapse' of Putin's regime like the fall of the USSR in 1991. The book also prompted an unexpected laugh from the prisoner. 'I was laughing when I was reading the passage where you wrote, I was penalized with a series of 15 days at SHIZO, and then, as an offender who broke prison rules, they sent me to the PKT for 6 months." 'I was amused by the fact that neither the essence of the system nor the pattern of its acts has changed.' Alexei and Yulia met while on holiday in Turkey Sharansky wrote back the same day from Jerusalem, saying he 'experienced a kind of shock receiving a letter from you' and referring addressing Navalny as 'dear esteemed Aleksei'. 'The thought itself that it came directly from SHIZO, where you have already spent 128 days, excites in a way that an old man would be excited, receiving a letter from his 'alma mater,' the university where he spent many years of his youth,' Sharansky wrote. He noted that Vladimir Kara-Murza, another jailed dissident who remains behind bars today, has also written to him about how the book still served as a guide to Russian prison today. 'My misfortune has brought about this silver lining,' he said. Describing himself as 'an admirer' of Navalny, Sharansky said: 'Aleksei, you are not just a dissidentyou are a dissident with a style! 'My horror over your poisoning changed to amazement and exhilaration when you started your own independent investigation.' 'I wish to youno matter how hard it may be physicallyto maintain your inner freedom,' he added. Russian foreign minister Yevgeny Primakov, left, and Israeli Cabinet Minister Natan Sharansky shake hands before talks in Moscow, Tuesday March 3, 1998 Natan Sharansky in 1999. Sharansky was jailed while campaigning for the rights of Jews to emigrate to Israel. He was sentenced over a fabricated charge of spying for the Americans, and spent nine years enduring torture and solitary confinement in Siberian prison 'In prison I discovered that in addition to the law of universal gravitation of particles there is also a law of universal gravitation of souls. By remaining a free person in prison, you, Aleksei, influence the souls of millions of people worldwide.' Sharansky was jailed while campaigning for the rights of Jews to emigrate to Israel. He was sentenced over a fabricated charge of spying for the Americans, and spent nine years enduring torture and solitary confinement in Siberian prison. He noted that he was writing to Navalny the day before Passover - 'the celebration of the liberation of the Jews from Egyptian slavery 3,500 years ago' - and signed off his letter to the jailed activist with 'hugs'. Navalny wrote back four days later saying he was so overjoyed to receive a response from the author that he cried. 'I was so touched that I had to hide my tears from my cellmates,' Navalny wrote. 'And this is the second time you do it to me! In the last page of Fear No Evil, where you write forgive my being a little late, it is of course impossible not to start crying. Vladimir Putin has been accused of orchestrating Alexei Navalny's death It was most recently reported that Navalny died of 'sudden death syndrome', but no details were given to back this claim up 'In your alma mater everything is as it was. Traditions are honored. On Friday evening, they let me out of the SHIZO, today on MondayI got another 15 days. Everything according to Ecclesiastes: what was, will be. 'But I continue to believe that we will correct it and one day in Russia there will be what was not. And will not be what was.' Sharansky responded 10 days later, on April 17, saying he was grateful his letters were reaching Navalny. He signed off with a chilling comment: 'Judging by all of your time in SHIZO, you will soon beat all of my records. I hope you dont succeed in this.' Navalny died less than a year later, with his widow Yulia saying he was poisoned with Novichok. In a video message, Yulia Navalnya, 47, said: 'Vladimir Putin killed my husband.' Holding back tears, she pledged to carry on her husband's work and fight for a free Russia with the help of its citizens. Navalnaya accused the Russian authorities of hiding Navalny's body and of waiting for traces of the Novichok nerve agent to disappear from his body. Navalny - April 3, 2023 Dearest Natan, Aleksei Navalny here. Hello from Vladimirskaya Oblast, although I am not sure if you have retained warm memories of it. I am now in penal colony IK-6 Melekhovo, but from the Vladimirskaya prison they are writing to me that a cell is being prepared for me there. So I will likely find myself in the same facility that you were in. Only now there will probably be a plaque saying Natan Sharansky was held here. Please forgive the intrusion and a letter from a stranger, but I believe its permissible in author-reader relations. I am writing as a reader. I have just read your book, Fear No Evil, while I was held in the PKT.1 And now I am writing from SHIZO2 it will be 128 days in total. I was laughing when I was reading the passage where you wrote, I was penalized with a series of 15 days at SHIZO, and then, as an offender who broke prison rules, they sent me to the PKT for 6 months. I was amused by the fact that neither the essence of the system nor the pattern of its acts has changed. I want to thank you for this book as it has helped me a lot and continues to help. Yes, I am at SHIZO now, but when reading about your 400 days spent in the punishment cell on decreased food rations, one understands that there are people who pay much higher prices for their convictions. I look at the postcards sent to you by Avital3, all the words have been blacked out. Then I go to court where they try to convince me that burning the letters that were sent to me is legal. After all, there was a code embedded in them. I understand that I am not the first, but I really want to become the last, or at least one of the last, of those who are forced to endure this. Your book gives hope because the similarity between the two systemsthe Soviet Union and Putins Russiatheir ideological resemblance, the hypocrisy that serves as the very basis of their essence, and the continuity from the former to the latterall this guarantees an equally inevitable collapse. Like the one we witnessed.4 The most important thing is to arrive at the correct conclusions, so that this state of lies and hypocrisy does not enter a new cycle. In the preface of the 1991 edition you write that dissidents in prisons have kept the virus of freedom and it is important to prevent the KGB from inventing a vaccine against it. Alas, they have invented it. But in the current situation, it is not them who are to blame, but us, who naively thought that there was no going back to the old ways. And for the sake of good, its okay to rig elections a little bit here, or influence the courts a little bit there, and stifle the press a bit over here. These little things, and the belief that it is possible to modernize authoritarianism, are the ingredients of this vaccine. Nonetheless, the virus of freedom is far from being eradicated. It is no longer tens or hundreds as before, but tens and hundreds of thousands who are not scared to speak out for freedom and against the war5, despite the threats. Hundreds of them are in prisons, but I am confident that they will not be broken and they will not give up. And many of them draw strength and inspiration from your story and your legacy. I am definitely one of them. My thanks to you. Here, I copied it for myself from the book: LShana Habaah BYerushalayim.6 Yours, Aleksei Advertisement Sharansky - April 3, 2023 Dear esteemed Aleksei, I experienced a kind of shock receiving a letter from you. The thought itself that it came directly from SHIZO, where you have already spent 128 days, excites in a way that an old man would be excited, receiving a letter from his alma mater, the university where he spent many years of his youth. I respond to you not only as an author to reader, but also as your admirer. As an author to reader: When I was writing my book Fear No Evil right after my release in February 1986, almost all of my friends and comrades-in-arms were either incarcerated in gulags or in a battle. So I envisioned this book not only as a memoir, but also a sort of textbook or manual for how to behave in a confrontation with the KGB. But by the time it was published in Russian, the USSR was already collapsing. Therefore, over the years, the book was interpreted more and more as a historical novel about the dark middle ages. And nowthe idiots dream has come true! First Volodya Kara-Murza and now you have written to me about how this book works in a Russian prison today. My misfortune has brought about this silver lining. And nowas an admirer: Aleksei, you are not just a dissidentyou are a dissident with a style! My horror over your poisoning changed to amazement and exhilaration when you started your own independent investigation. I was very angered by the question of a certain European correspondent the day after your return to Russia. Why did he return? We all knew that he would be arrested in the airportdoes he not understand such simple things? My answer was pretty rude: Youre the one who doesnt understand something. If you think that his goal is survivalthen you are right. But his true concern is the fate of his peopleand he is telling them: I am not afraid and you should not be afraid either. I wish to youno matter how hard it may be physicallyto maintain your inner freedom. In prison I discovered that in addition to the law of universal gravitation of particles there is also a law of universal gravitation of souls. By remaining a free person in prison, you, Aleksei, influence the souls of millions of people worldwide. Aleksei, it is truly sad that the past can return so quickly and so easily. Volodya Bukovsky once insisted, after the fall of the USSR, that communism must be put on trial. But there were few who supported this ideaafter all, the free world won without a bullet being firedwhy return to the past? I hope now, after all these shots have been fired, it is clear why that was necessary then, and why it will be necessary tomorrow. X X X By the way, I write to you the day before Passoverthe celebration of the liberation of the Jews from Egyptian slavery 3,500 years ago. That is the start of our freedom and our history as a people. On this evening, Jews from around the world sit at the holiday table and read the words: Today we are slavestomorrow, free people. Today we are herenext year, in Jerusalem. On this day I am sitting at the celebratory meal wearing a kippah, which was made 40 years ago, out of my footcloth, by my cellmatea Ukrainian inmate in the Chistopol prison. Thats how twisted everything in this world is! I wish to you, Aleksei, and to all of Russia, an Exodus as soon as possible. Hugs, Natan Sharansky Advertisement Navalny - April 7, 2023 Dear Natan, This is just a short little note to say a huge thank you for your response. I was so touched that I had to hide my tears from my cellmates. And this is the second time you do it to me! In the last page of Fear No Evil, where you write forgive my being a little late, it is of course impossible not to start crying8. In your alma mater everything is as it was. Traditions are honored. On Friday evening, they let me out of the SHIZO, today on MondayI got another 15 days. Everything according to Ecclesiastes: what was, will be. But I continue to believe that we will correct it and one day in Russia there will be what was not. And will not be what was. And after all, where else to spend Holy Week, if not in SHIZO! A huge thank you again. Hugs, A. Advertisement Ofcom is investigating GB News over a live programme featuring Rishi Sunak after around 500 people complained about a lack of impartiality. The broadcast regulator has started a probe into last week's People's Forum: The Prime Minister, in which he took questions from the public. It said it was looking into the event in Co Durham on February 12 over whether 'an appropriately wide range of significant views' had been aired. No10 defended the PM's participation in the programme this morning, with his spokesman saying it was an 'important part of the democratic process'. The broadcast regulator has started a probe into last week's People's Forum: The Prime Minister, in which he took questions from the public It said it was examining whether 'an appropriately wide range of significant views' had been aired During the broadcast, presenter Stephen Dixon said the questions to be asked by undecided voters had not been seen in advance by the Prime Minister or by GB News. An Ofcom spokesman said: 'We are investigating under rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the Broadcasting Code which provide additional due impartiality requirements for programmes dealing with matters of major political controversy and major matters relating to current public policy. 'Specifically, rules 5.11 and 5.12 require that an appropriately wide range of significant views must be included and given due weight in such programmes, or in clearly linked and timely programmes.' The Prime Minister faced a live TV grilling from voters on issues ranging from the NHS to his Rwanda plan. An audience member, who suffered serious side effects from the vaccine, used the opportunity to tell Mr Sunak to see the 'pain, trauma and regret' in his eyes. He was also asked why traditional voters should back his party and not the Nigel Farage-linked Reform UK He told one questioner he could 'completely appreciate your frustration'. 'It's been a tough couple of years,' he said. 'When we go through the things that we've been through as a country, energy bills more than doubling again, (but) starting to come down, the economic strain that's put on all your family budgets, the impact of Covid on NHS backlogs waiting for appointments, all of those things are real things that will cause you and everyone else an enormous amount of frustration. 'I can completely understand that, but I think fundamentally, what you want and what I want are the same.' The question and answer session was part of a 'people's forum' run by GB News with the station gathering a cross-section of voters in County Durham. Mr Sunak defended his tenure heading into a general election later this year, as he addressed a roomful of voters. Switching between attacking Labour and defending the Tories' record, he warned 'undecided voters' that choosing to vote Labour will be going 'back to square one'. Asked about the watchdog's actions, Mr Sunak's spokesman told reporters: 'This is obviously a matter firstly for Ofcom, who's rightly an independent regulator. 'But obviously, as you'll see regularly, the Prime Minister undertakes interviews from a range of broadcasters, outlets and other media. 'And media appearances such as the one he conducted last week are an important part of the democratic process.' GB News is being investigated by Ofcom for a number of other shows, including many over impartiality issues. The issue of political figures such as Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and former Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson presenting topical programmes has also been contentious. Former pensions minister Esther McVey and backbencher Philip Davies are also presenters on GB News, and former culture secretary Nadine Dorries began hosting a programme on TalkTV before she quit as an MP. Labour's shadow foreign secretary David Lammy also hosts a show on LBC. NYAKENI Some residents of Nyakeni are up in arms as each homestead has been ordered to contribute E500 towards the construction of a modern E3.4 million umphakatsi for their new chief. Nyakeni is a chiefdom located about 20 kilometres from Manzini (north-east) and it is under Kukhanyeni Constituency in the Manzini Region. The chiefdom, which did not have a chief for a while, is now under the leadership of Chief Jokovu, who was installed and blessed by Their Majesties in the last quarter of 2022. The chiefdom has over 1 200 homesteads. The chief is part of the community leaders who joined the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) during its recent recruitment exercise. Currently, he is attending a military-related course out of the country. Disgruntled According to some of the disgruntled residents of Nyakeni, between October and November 2023, they were called to a community meeting at the royal kraal and were informed that since they had a new chief, they needed to build a home (royal kraal) for him as culturally, he could not use the one which was used by his late father. They said they were told that there was a select committee put in place, specifically for the project, and according to its analysis; each homestead should contribute E500 towards the construction of the umphakatsi. They said the order was that they were expected to have all paid the money by the end of April 2024. The announcement was made in the absence of the chief, as he is out of the country attending a work-related course, which they said made them wonder if he was aware of the development or not, the sources said. The aggrieved residents said the announcement was met with mixed feelings from the community members and some of them raised their concerns during the very same meeting, but were purportedly not given a clear response. They said their concern was that some, if not most of them, would not afford the amount considering the economic situation of the country, which, just like other countries of the world, was hit hard by the outbreak of COVID-19. They claimed that the political unrest in 2021 also affected the economy. Most of us are struggling even to pay school fees for our children. On top of that, we have child-headed families and homes headed by elderly people, who take care of their orphaned grandchildren, said the aggrieved residents. Some of them argued that they were recently informed that government was working towards upgrading the gravel road from Lugaganeni to Luve into a tar road. They said it was a norm that if there was such a development in a community, the contractor also engaged the authorities on what developmental project, it could do to assist the community. Therefore, they said surely the contractor would assist in the construction of the umphakatsi. On top of that, they claimed that they were informed that there were some partners who had been approached to assist them in this community project. Kunetinini teNkhosi leticeliwe kutsi titosita kulomsebenti, they said in vernacular. They said even though some of them raised their concerns about the matter during the community meeting at the royal kraal, a certain group had started paying the money. For those who have not paid, the aggrieved residents said they were clear on what lay ahead. They said the manner in which the inner council operated, those who would not pay the money would not get assistance or service from the royal kraal, such as letters and stamp, among others. To those who require any assistance of service from the royal kraal, they will be ordered to pay the E500 first before being assisted, the insiders claimed. Operations This, they said, was because even now, they paid E100 annually for the operations of the umphakatsi, but if a homestead had not paid it, the family members would not get services from the royal kraal. So, they (inner council or the committee) might say this will not happen, but as community members, we know where it is going, they said. One of the affected community members said recently, he wanted a letter from the royal kraal to take to the Social Welfare Department for her child to get scholarship, but the inner council refused to give her until she paid the E100. Again, another issue which they said was a concern to them, was that when a son in a family wanted to build a home in the fields with his wife, he was supposed to pay E5 000, yet the land had already been allocated to the family through kukhonta (customary way of acquiring land - Eswatini Nation Land). Anthony Albanese has been slammed as a 'liar' who can't be trusted after he signed a journalist's arm vowing not to change Western Australia's GST allocation. The Prime Minister's stunt came during his visit to Perth, where a newspaper front page on Monday called on him to promise not to overturn a 2018 deal which gave the state a far higher GST return than it previously had. A 'tattoo' promise later written on journalist Dylan Caporn's arm at a press conference only served as a reminder of Labor's recent backflip on a election promise not to change the stage three tax cuts. Federal Liberal senator Michaelia Cash urged fellow West Australians to question the Prime Minister's pledge after already making a 'litany of broken promises'. 'There's a liar in the Lodge and his name is Anthony Albanese,' Ms Cash told Sky News Australia on Monday night. Anthony Albanese caused a stir at a press conference on Monday when he signed a journalist's arm vowing not to change Western Australia 's GST allocation READ MORE: Aussies give their verdict on Anthony Albanese's broken promise on tax cuts in new survey Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured with his fiancee Jodie Haydon Advertisement 'Quite frankly, I don't believe a thing this man says, he will change his mind if it is politically convenient. 'It's so simple and that just happens to be the track record of Anthony Albanese in government as Prime Minister of our country.' Caporn is a former Labor staffer, according to Sky News political editor Andrew Clennell The West Australian deputy chief of staff's own X account says he previously worked in politics but doesn't state which party he worked for. Clennell suggested it may all have been a stitch up as Mr Albanese probably knows Caporn. But collusion didn't look likely when the journalist asked the Prime Minister at a press conference to sign the West Australian's front page. Mr Albanese instead offered to ink the pledge to not change WA's share of GST revenue on Caporn's arm. The Prime Minister wrote in blue marker: 'NO CHANGE TO WA GST' and signed it 'Albo'. A chuffed Caporn later tweeted: 'Can confirm: WAs GST deal locked in on my right arm. Not confirmed: tattoo parlour date.' Journalist Dylan Caporn posted a photo on X of his arm which was signed by Anthony Albanese with a vow not to change WA's GST rate Liberal senator Hollie Hughes also questioned Mr Albanese's credibility when it comes to promises about tax. 'I guess it's lucky no journo got tattooed "no change to stage three tax cuts",' Ms Hughes said. 'The Prime Minister was caught out lying to the Australian people over 100 times over stage three tax cuts. 'I hope that pen is not permanent because you can't trust anything this Prime Minister says.' The GST changes brought in by the previous federal Coalition government are very valuable to WA, having more than doubled its share from getting to keep around 30 per cent of what it raised to 70 per cent. On Monday, Mr Albanese said his broken promise on the stage three tax cuts was 'not an easy decision' and his vow on WA's GST should be believed. Not everyone was a fan of the Prime Minister's tattoo 'stunt' after he recently broken an election promise on tax cuts The stage three backflip 'was the right decision, done for the right reasons, at the right time,' he said. 'I went to the National Press Club and said, I have changed my mind for economic policy reasons about the tax cuts. 'Peter Dutton changed his mind because of political reasons.' As reporters bombarded Mr Albanese with questions on how his promise on tax differed to his GST pledge, he said there were no economic circumstances that would make him change his mind this time. The scene is a familiar one: three oclock in the morning, the baby wakes for yet another feed. Exhausted mum drags herself out of bed and soothes her crying infant at the breast. She looks enviously at her sleeping male partner as he snores contentedly, and feels a surge of irritation. How unfair it is that he cant share this particular load, she thinks. And yet the latest row in the world of transgender politics might make her think twice. Last year trans woman Mika Minio-Paluello, who was born male but now identifies as a woman, posted a picture appearing to show her breastfeeding her baby on a bus Because an NHS Trust says drug-induced milk from transgender women who were born male is as good for babies as a mothers breast milk. A leaked letter from the medical director of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, published this week, describes both as human milk and says that they are the ideal food for infants. The letter was sent on behalf of the Trusts chief executive in response to a support groups complaint about gender policies. Last year, trans woman Mika Minio-Paluello - who was born male but identifies as a woman - posted a picture appearing to show her breastfeeding her baby on a bus, with the accompanying message Trans women can breastfeed. Feminists were outraged. Labour MP Rosie Duffield said: Babies cant be used as guinea pigs for someone elses lifestyle choice. When a man has not and cannot grow a baby, why on earth are we pandering to this? Who does it benefit? Not the children. We wouldnt do any other medical experiments on babies. Breast milk made by a babys biological mother is tailor-made for that baby. Have women been doing this wrong all along, the frazzled mum might well wonder. So whats the truth? Can a biological male really breastfeed a baby by producing milk from their nipples? The complex answer is yes and no. By using a regimen known as the Newman-Goldfarb protocol, originally developed in 2000 for adoptive mothers, the body can be tricked into lactating even if its male. It works by mimicking the hormonal changes that take place naturally in the body of a woman who has just given birth, and involves several weeks of regularly using a pump to stimulate the breast, taking a combination of contraceptive hormones and the anti-nausea drug domperidone, which increases levels of the milk-producing hormone prolactin. But if that sounds simple, it really isnt. For a start, domperidone is banned in the US over concerns it causes heart problems. The NHS sometimes offers it to breastfeeding women who are struggling with low milk supply, as long as neither mother nor baby has any heart issues, and with clear instructions to report any changes in the babys behaviour. It should be used, says guidance, only for a short time. (Minio-Paluello says she breastfed her child for a few weeks.) Minio-Paluello appeared as a case study in a piece on ITV News at Ten about the cost-of-living crisis Whats more, its not at all clear what else is in a trans womans milk. Since trans women are likely to be taking other prescription drugs as part of their transition, such as anti-androgens to lower their production of testosterone, and oestrogen and progesterone to help them create a less masculine appearance, critics say the milk is potentially unsafe for a newborn, or at the very least should be rigorously tested. Feminists mutter darkly about yet more double standards from the medical establishment women, after all, are told to avoid aspirin while breastfeeding and to abstain even from the odd glass of wine because no one knows how much gets through to the milk. Until very recently, of course, the idea of a small baby being nursed by a biological male would have been regarded as quite bizarre, and the truth is there is very little research into male milk. Numbers are hard to come by there are a dozen recorded cases of induced lactation in those born male, with numbers thought to be rising over the past two years. In 2020, 34 per cent of health professionals attending an event on transgender health said they had met trans women who expressed an interest in inducing lactation. Nearly 91 per cent of them thought there was a need for specialised medical protocols for trans women who want to breastfeed. One study said the composition of the fluid produced by male breasts after engaging in the Newman-Goldfarb protocol was roughly similar to that of female milk, but its thought unlikely that males are able to produce enough to exclusively feed a baby. (There has been one documented case of a trans woman feeding a baby exclusively from birth, but at six weeks they had to supplement with formula.) For now, say feminists and, of course, it feels absurd to write this a small baby being nursed by a male is essentially participating in an experiment. We simply dont have the studies, Professor Jenny Gamble, who is a midwifery expert at Coventry University, told me. Ultimately, we need to shift the focus of the question and ask why this practice is happening in the first place. What are the benefits to the baby, or the birth mother? Like so much of the debate around trans issues, however, its harder than it sounds to raise these questions. I have been a breastfeeding, birthing and motherhood specialist for more than a decade, and have three books and a podcast on the subject. This is my patch and I know the professionals who work in it well. Yet because people who raise doubts about trans women inducing lactation are immediately accused of transphobia, it is almost impossible to find experts willing to comment on the issue. I cannot have my name attached to this it could cost me my registration, several have told me. Many breastfeeding professionals have already been threatened with disciplinary action or ejected from social media groups for raising concerns. Large numbers belong to secret WhatsApp or Facebook groups but cannot publicly state their views. If I get kicked out of my organisation, ultimately it is mums and their babies who will suffer, one told me. So, for now, I have to stay silent. Some scientists seem positive. A paper in The Journal of Human Lactation earlier this year stated that: For transgender women . . . on oestrogen-based, gender-affirming hormone therapy, the ability to nourish their infants through production of their own milk may be a profoundly gender-affirming experience. What many experts say in private, however, seems utterly uncontroversial to most of us that female breast milk is a miraculous biological substance with properties the male equivalent cant replicate. Breast milk, after all, is a live substance, which adapts to a babys needs with remarkable precision. Many of us will know about colostrum, the liquid gold that is produced in the earliest days of breastfeeding. Its packed with antibodies, antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients in much higher quantities than in breast milk. Colostrum production has never been observed in males. Around three days after birth, a womans milk then comes in but changes constantly for about two weeks, until it becomes established as mature breast milk. After that, it continues to change, often very subtly, according to a babys needs. If the baby sucks for a short time, they get a more watery, thirst-quenching milk, known as foremilk. If they keep sucking, they will get hindmilk, which is richer and higher in calories. Breast milk also changes as the baby grows, perfectly tailoring itself to their age and development. Premature babies milk being specifically higher in fat, calories and protein, while milk for older babies is richer in immunity-boosting qualities. In fact, we are constantly discovering mind-blowing ways in which this remarkable liquid serves a newborn. When a mother kisses her baby, for example, she samples pathogens on their face which then travel to her lymphatic system and cause antibodies to be created, which the baby receives through her milk. Its also thought that there is a complex feedback loop between the babys saliva and the mothers nipple, which informs the breast about the babys health needs, again causing antibodies to increase if they have a virus, for example. Milk produced by females is a real-time immune system factory. There is no evidence that induced lactation in males can do any of these things. Its not always easy for new mothers to breastfeed, of course. Yet help from the NHS and independent organisations is already stretched thin, and many professionals tell me they are baffled and infuriated by resources being spent on promoting the idea of males trying to lactate when so many women are struggling to find adequate support. The pro-breastfeeding group La Leche League, for example, devotes lengthy space on its website to the issue. About 85 per cent of mothers start breastfeeding in the UK, but that drops by about 50 per cent in the first six weeks, with as many as nine out of ten saying they didnt want to stop but couldnt find the help, one woman, who did not want to be named but who is involved in breastfeeding education, told me. All of our focus should be on working to change those numbers it is farcical that we are even talking about lactation in men. Much of the discussion around nursing by trans women has been focused on how its possible, what the liquid is exactly, and whether or not it is safe. These are all interesting questions, but they fail to address the true issue: why is it necessary? Trans women claim that the experience of nursing is gender-affirming. In other words, it makes them feel more female. But affirming an adults feelings is not the point of breastfeeding. As much as a mum may wish at 3am that men could breastfeed, too, it seems that the male body just isnt built to nourish and support a child in this way. It feels extraordinary to have to say it, but long-term breastfeeding really is something special that only female people can do. It seems to me that going to great lengths to induce a small amount of milk in a male body does nothing to serve either women, or the person who should be at the centre of any breastfeeding experience the baby. Russia claims to have successfully 'intercepted' a British Banshee Jet-80 kamikaze drone and obtained its secrets. The country's FSB security service claimed to have overridden its flight plan as it was on a mission, and landed the UAV. 'After a controlled landing of the drone, explosives experts neutralised the warhead weighing 7 kilograms,' said the Kremlin's official newspaper outlet Rossiyskaya Gazeta. 'Experts studied the electronic content of the UAV and determined that it was aimed at a large civil infrastructure facility in Mariupol.' No specific details were given about the 'decoding' and the precise target, if any, nor how it was intercepted. Russia claims to have successfully 'intercepted' a British Banshee Jet-80 kamikaze jet drone and obtained its secrets, releasing pictures of the flying device (pictured) No specific details were given about the 'decoding' and the precise target, if any, nor how it was intercepted The FSB security service claim to have overridden the flight plan of the Banshee drone as it was on a mission, and landed the UAV The Banshee drones are capable of flying at 400mph with a range of 60 miles Denis Pushilin, Putin-appointed head of the occupied Donetsk region of Ukraine, said: 'The Russian FSB Directorate for the DPR [Donetsk People's republic], with units of the military commandant's office and the National Guard, in the Novoazovsky district intercepted a British Banshee Jet-80 kamikaze jet drone.' He accused 'Western terrorists, along with their Ukrainian accomplices' of seeking to 'organise a monstrous terrorist attack and blame Russia for everything'. Pushilin said: 'Against the backdrop of a major defeat of the Ukrainian armed forces in Avdiivka, the Kyiv regime is making any attempt to destabilise the situation in the republic [occupied region]. 'Thanks to the coordinated work of our special services, we were able to prevent a large-scale terrorist attack with human casualties.' The Banshee drones are capable of flying at 400mph with a range of 60 miles. They can fly at up to 30,000ft. They are normally intended as aerial target drones simulating threats during military drills. It is unclear if Ukraine has repurposed the Banshee Jet-80 into kamikaze strike drones, as the Russian claims suggest. Another theory is that they were used to detect Russian air defences and the plane had come down close to the frontline and this is how Putin's forces obtained it. There is no sign of damage from Russian air defences. Claims that Russian had downed the drone came days after the UK said it would supply thousands of drones to Ukraine. Speaking on Thursday, defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the UK will jointly lead a major drone capability coalition with Latvia that will include the provision of first-person view (FPV) and sea drones. The UK's latest support for Ukraine comes as Kyiv moved to a defensive posture amid critical shortages on the battlefield. Sea drones are small, unmanned vessels that can be used for clearing mines, carrying out surveillance or detonating enemy ships. Ukraine's military released footage on Wednesday which appeared to show a Ukrainian sea drone destroying a Russian landing ship in the Black Sea. FPV drones are used to locate enemy positions, armoured vehicles, and ships using low-quality cameras before targeting them with explosive ordnance. The Ministry of Defence said these drones have 'proven highly effective'. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said their meals are 'fresh' and 'appetising' A woman was left furious after her elderly father was served a 'disgusting' lunch in hospital. A photo of the revolting meal was posted on social media by the woman, known only as Lara, showing a plate of four measly potatoes with an unappetising slice of turkey sat in a puddle of watery gravy. Lara's poorly father was handed the plate of food while receiving treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has insisted that it is committed to providing 'fresh, healthy and appetising' meals but admitted that this plate of food had 'fallen below the standards'. Lara branded the hospital meal a 'disgrace' and made an emotional post online that was met with support from thousands of social media users. A photo of the revolting meal was posted on social media showing a plate of four measly potatoes with an unappetising slice of turkey sat in a puddle of watery gravy An image shared online of the lunch depicts a blue tray with a simple white plate that contains the lacklustre dinner. The four potatoes look reasonably cooked, but the slice of turkey looks off-putting with several varieties of colour on the meat. The entire meal sits in a puddle of orange-tinged gravy, that resembles juice more than the thick sauce it is supposed to be. Lara wrote: 'This is the lunch served up to my father in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Glasgow today, an absolute disgrace. Disgusting.' Her post received over 27,000 likes with more than 5,300 comments from social media users who were left riled by the standard of food being offered to patients in Scottish hospitals. Lara branded the hospital meal - which is outsourced by the NHS to a private company - a 'disgrace' One user said that the meal ought to be served at Holyrood in order to spark change Astonishingly, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said they served food that was 'fresh, healthy and appetising' One said: 'Need to serve that at Holyrood before anything will happen, our politicians are totally oblivious to what is actually happening on the ground, how can that help to make someone well.' Another added: 'That's shocking, outsourcing was the biggest mistake ever, I hope your dad gets well soon.' Speaking today, a spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: 'NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is committed to serving fresh, healthy and appetising food to all our patients, and all meals served at our hospitals are prepared in-house to meet strict nutritional standards. 'However, on this occasion, the food we have served has fallen below the standards we set ourselves, and which patients should be able to expect, and we apologise to the patient involved and their family. 'We would encourage anyone who would like to discuss their meals to get in touch with our catering team who can quickly resolve any issues'. One of Britain's most dangerous terrorists who left to join a jihadist organisation during the Syrian Civil War and intended to die in battle as a martyr will be freed from prison, MailOnline can reveal. Mohammed Nahin Ahmed and his childhood friend Yusuf Zubair Sarwar were both locked up in 2014 and branded 'dangerous' by the trial judge after pleading guilty of joining a jihadi group in Syria. The two men, then both 22, travelled to the war-torn Middle Eastern country in May 2013 to join an al-Qaeda-linked terror group that was fighting Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Ahmed and Sarwar later pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in preparation of terrorism acts contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act and were jailed for around 13 years. MailOnline can now exclusively reveal that Ahmed is set to be freed from jail after being given the green light by the Parole Board. It is understood that the move could be made in just days. Sarwar was released from jail on licence after a Parole Board hearing in April 2022. He was required to serve two-thirds of his custodial sentence before being considered for release. A police handout of Mohammed Nahin Ahmed's mugshot from 2014 Mohammed Nahin Ahmed pointing an AK-47 at a camera Ahmed and co-conspirator Yusuf Zabair Sarwar said they were travelling to Turkey on a university trip (pictured at Heathrow) but they then went on to Syria Traces of military-grade explosives, including TNT and nitroglycerine, were found on their clothes when they returned to the UK in January 2014. They had joined a militant group called Kataib al-Muhajireen (KaM). Shocking photos both showing them armed with guns emerged as part of the case after they spent eight months in Syria. They left Britain claiming to be going on a University trip to Turkey but went to Syria instead. Police were waiting for their return after their families tipped off police. Sarwar's mother, Majida, who thought her son had gone on holiday to Turkey, handed police a note he had left her in which he said he had gone 'to do jihad'. At the time of their sentencing, judge Michael Topolski said: 'They willingly, enthusiastically and with a great deal of purpose, persistence and determination embarked on a course intended to commit acts of terrorism.' The judge added: 'The consequences for them are dramatic and distressing for the families concerned. 'It is with no enthusiasm that the court sentences young men to significant terms of imprisonment. 'A grave crime has been committed. The sentence in each is an extended sentence of 17 years and eight months.' A police handout of Yusuf Zubair Sarwar, who was released from jail nine years into a 12-year sentence last year Yusuf Zubair Sarwar (pictured) and his childhood friend Mohammed Nahin Ahmed were both jailed in 2014 Tory MP Nigel Mills said: 'This is a worrying situation. He's clearly one of the most dangerous terrorists in the country and the thought he has been directed a release is disturbing.' A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Mohammed Nahin Ahmed following an oral hearing. 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. 'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. 'Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. 'It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.' A father jumped in after his son when he fell into a river to try and save him, police confirmed today, as officers searching for him vowed: 'We will bring him home.' The parent followed the two-year-old into the River Soar in Leicestershire in an attempt to rescue him on Sunday evening, officers said this afternoon. Police using a drone and specialist divers have today stepped up their search for the toddler missing since falling into the river near Aylestone at 5pm last night. The family member, said by locals to be the boy's father, was taken to hospital as a 'precautionary measure' after going into the water to try to save him but has now been discharged. Leicestershire Police's assistant chief constable Michaela Kerr said they were still searching for the boy, having extended the range of the river being covered, and were supporting the family. Specialist divers are part of the rescue efforts in the River Soar, Leicestershire Rising tides and flooding which could hamper the operation have been reported Leicestershire Police's assistant chief constable Michaela Kerr has vowed their 'absolute priority' is to find the two-year-old boy who fell into the river on Sunday evening The assistant chief constable revealed a family member went into the water trying to save him Specialist divers into action while back-up officers and resources have arrived from other forces including Lincolnshire Police, Nottinghamshire Police and London's Metropolitan Police. Ms Kerr told a news conference at the scene this afternoon: 'We're confident we will find him - we're doing everything we possibly can. 'For the family, our commitment is absolutely to make sure we bring their little boy home. 'We've got all the specialist resources we would possibly want, I think, in a case like this. Our absolute priority is to find that little boy.' She confirmed that man taken to hospital last night as a 'precautionary measure' was a family member who went into the water trying to rescue the boy, adding that he had now been discharged. She said: 'The child was with a family member at the time he went into the water. 'We do know one person went into the River Soar to try to get the child but sadly we still haven't been able to find the child.' She confirmed that person was a family member, subsequently taken to hospital and now discharged. She did not name the boy though said the family was 'local' to the area. A drone was seen in the air as part of search efforts on Sunday night, with police and fire crews calling off their search at about 9.30pm though officers remained close to the scene overnight, ready to act on any new information. Flooding and rising tides in the area have intensified concerns for the youngster in Leicester Officers were hunting for a two-year-old boy who went into the River Soar at 5pm on Sunday Leicestershire Police revealed they were stepping up their hunt for the missing toddler Police and fire crews called off their hunt for the child at about 9.30pm yesterday but have begun again this morning The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for the Upper Soar catchment area The search is taking place in the River Soar near Aylestone Meadows Local Nature Reserve The search resumed today, with a Leicestershire Police spokeswoman telling MailOnline: 'There are rising water levels in the area, and flooding, and we're going to be bringing in additional resources today to assist with that.' The Environment Agency has issued a yellow flood warning for the Upper Soar catchment area, which means flooding is considered 'possible'. Today's search operation has included two Tactical Support Unit boats. A police helicopter was seen searching the river at about 5.40pm yesterday, later replaced with a drone. The helicopter then returned at 6.40pm after refuelling and was lighting up the search area. The road between Braunstone Lane East and Middleton Street remained closed. Local man Adam, who did not want to give his surname, was with his daughter on their bikes nearby. He told the BBC: 'We usually ride along the river by Aylestone Meadows but the police told us not to go tonight when we went down there. The parents must be absolutely beside themselves.' Aylestone ward councillor Nigel Porter today told LeicestershireLive: 'I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear this news. Our thoughts in Aylestone are with the little boys family at this difficult time.' Tactical Support Unit boats have been sent into action while officers have entered the river too The search operation continues on the River Soar in Leicester after a two-year-old boy fell in Police are concerned about rising water levels in the area and flooding as they carry on search Leicestershire Police says the toddler's family is being supported while searches continue While the boy remained missing, a man was taken to hospital as a 'precautionary measure' More resources were sent to the scene near Aylestone and Braunstone on Monday morning Officers have concerns about rising water levels in the area potentially hampering efforts Police had launched the major search operation on Sunday evening shortly after 5pm A police helicopter was sighted searching the river in Braunstone, Leicestershire, at about 5.40pm on Sunday - later replaced with a drone The helicopter returned at 6.40pm after refuelling and was seen lighting up the search area Police have said the search was resuming on Monday morning, with additional resources The force said that 'despite the best efforts of those at the scene', the toddler has not been found - while also confirming a man has been taken to hospital as a precaution A statement released by the police last night said: 'Earlier this evening (Sunday 18 February) officers were called to the River Soar in Leicester after reports of a child falling into the water. 'The child, a two-year-old boy, was with family when he fell into the river, sadly despite the best efforts of those at the scene at the time the child was not located. 'Emergency services attended the scene just after 5pm and a search and rescue operation began in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane. 'A man was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. 'The childs family are being supported by specialist officers and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time. 'We have had a number of offers of support to assist with the search and would kindly ask that people do not attend the scene due to rising water levels and safety risks. 'If anyone has any information or comes across anything that may assist officers, they are asked to contact us immediately. 'Specialist teams are on standby to respond to any information received.' A spokesperson for the fire and rescue service said: 'This is a police-led incident. We can confirm we were alerted at 17:05 and still have water rescue teams at the scene.' A Secret Service agent now stands at the bottom of the stairs to Air Force One as an extra precaution in case President Joe Biden, 81, falls again. Some of the most minute details of Biden's routine have come under scrutiny in recent months, including his routine to get on and off his aircraft amid a series of stumbles. Following a series of stumbles, Biden over the last year started taking the shorter stairs on the under belly of Air Force One, rather than ascending and descending the more grand and much longer staircase traditionally used to board the presidential Boeing 747. The physical stumbles are accompanied by a rise in verbal gaffes, bringing into question his mental fitness for office. A huge 86 percent of voters in a poll released earlier in February don't think the oldest in U.S. history is fit for another White House term despite Biden running virtually unopposed for the Democratic nomination. A Secret Service agent (pictured left) now stands at the bottom of the steps of Air Force One as added precaution in case President Joe Biden takes a tumble again Biden has fallen on the steps of Air Force One several times, prompting frequent use of the shorter, underbelly staircase over the last year. Pictured: Biden falls to his knees after slipping three times whne climbing the stairs of Air Force One on March 18, 2021 It comes after Special Counsel Robert Hur's report was released this month and revealed through interviews with Biden that he observed the president's 'poor memory' and 'diminished faculties in advancing age.' A New York Times report acknowledged the addition of a Secret Service agent joining the members of the military gathered at the bottom of Air Force One steps while Biden boards and disembarks the aircraft in an extra level of precaution for the trip-prone president. Biden's entire life in office has come under careful management in the leadup to the 2024 presidential election. His gait has become halting after Biden refused to wear an orthopedic boot after fracturing his foot likely leading to some of the stumbles and missteps during his presidency. Doctors have determined he is healthy, but have said his gait remains 'stiff' and it could get worse as time goes on. Just two months after Biden was inaugurated, concerns emerged over his trip hazard. Biden looks back at a sandbag as he is helped up from the ground after he fell on the stage at the Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 1, 2023 Two Air Force and one Secret Service agent are seen waiting for Biden at the bottom of the shorter set of stairs leading to the lower entrance of Air Force One In March 2021, Biden, who was 78 at the time, stumbled up the stairs when boarding Air Force One. When steadying himself to continue up the stairs he lost his footing two more times, falling to his knees before successfully making it to the top. The White House blamed the wind that day but the stumble would soon become routine for Biden. In May 2022, Biden slipped when entering Air Force One. He did not hit the ground this time. Then just a month later Biden had an embarrassing moment when he fell off his bike during a ride with wife Jill while at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The president was coming to a stop to speak with a group of reporters when he toppled sideways to the ground, remaining there for 10 seconds before he was helped to his feet by the Secret Service. The excuse from the White House this time was that Biden's foot became caught on a pedal when he was trying to dismount. Biden ended a visit to Europe in February 2023 by nearly falling to the steps of Air Force One again when ascending the staircase. He used his hands on the steps to steady himself and avoid completely falling. One of the worst falls happened after he delivered a commencement speech at the Air Force Academy in Colorado in June 2023. The president tripped over a sandbag when walking on stage and fell to the ground. Secret Service and other bystanders were needed to help Biden back to his feet. This is the man accused of attempting to smuggle a group of Vietnamese migrants into the UK in the back of a lorry. Anas Al Mustafa, 42, was arrested after several migrants had to be freed from the vehicle at Newhaven ferry port, East Sussex on Friday. The migrants were freed after the security staff allegedly broke down a false wall in the back of the van that had been concealing them. The migrants could be heard banging on the van wall and were heard by ferry staff and freed. All seven of the migrants were taken to hospital. Four of them are still in hospital with one migrant in a critical condition. Anas Al Mustafa, 42, was arrested after several migrants had to be freed from the vehicle at Newhaven ferry port Al Mustafa, of Heather Crescent in Swansea, appeared before magistrates in Brighton charged with assisting illegal entry to the UK today The scene at Newhaven ferry port after migrants have been found in the back of a lorry on Friday The incident happened on Friday morning as the 'Seven Sisters' ferry travelling between Dieppe in Normandy and Newhaven docked in the East Sussex port. Several police vehicles, ambulances and Border Force rushed to the scene in a full-scale emergency response. The migrants were treated by paramedics and given oxygen at the scene before they were taken to hospital. Ferry operator DFDS, which runs services between Newhaven and Dieppe in France, confirmed the migrants were found on board the vessel and had been given 'immediate' medical attention. Today Al Mustafa, of Heather Crescent in Swansea, appeared before magistrates in Brighton charged with assisting illegal entry to the UK. The handyman, who wore grey jogging bottoms and a grey top, spoke through an Arabic interpreter to confirm his name, date of birth and his address. The handyman, who wore grey jogging bottoms and a grey top, spoke through an Arabic interpreter to confirm his name, date of birth and his address He was accused of conspiring to illegally bring a number of Vietnamese migrants into the UK concealed in the back of a vehicle. David Holman, prosecuting, said: 'The van the defendant was responsible for was driven onto the ferry and whilst still on the ferry seven people began banging on the van.' He said ferry staff helped to break into the van and freed the occupants who were then treated. Mr Holman said all seven were taken to hospital where four of them remain with one in a critical condition. The court heard Al Mustafa came to the UK on a visa after marrying a Greek woman and was given permanent residency in 2017. District Judge Amanda Kelly remanded Al Mustafa into custody and committed the case to the crown court. He will appear at Lewes Crown Court on March 18. An exiled Iranian protester who was attacked by a pro-Palestine mob after holding up a sign condemning Hamas has slammed the Metropolitan Police for forcibly moving him along and confiscating his placard. Niyak Ghorbani, 37, had bottles, sticks, clods of earth and other objects thrown at him by the crowd in central London after he bravely held up a sign asking if people agreed that Hamas was a terrorist organisation (as deemed by the UK government). He said that the UK is in 'serious danger' if police are allowed to support Hamas sympathisers against law-abiding protesters such as him. Shocking footage shared on social media showed the anti-Hamas protester being attacked, with some members of the crowd attempting to hit him with planks of wood. Yet when the police moved in it was IT professional Ghorbani who was taken away, rather than the people who had clearly assaulted and threatened him. He told MailOnline in an exclusive interview: 'I protested because the people of Iran have suffered for years from Hamas and similar terrorist groups. Exiled Iranian protester Niyak Ghorbani (pictured) said the UK is in 'serious danger' if police are allowed to support Hamas sympathisers against law-abiding protesters such as him He was seen being led away by police officers a short time later after rolling up his placard The lone protester was seen holding a sign saying: 'Please don't attack me! Do you agree; Hamas is terrorist organisation, yes or yes?' 'I left Germany after about eight years because I didn't have personal security. I thought England was safe, but unfortunately England is in serious danger and the government and people need to know this. 'Imagine being cursed at, assaulted with flagpoles, attempted harm with sticks, dust thrown at you, water bottles thrown, attempts to harass you, and the police standing by their side at that moment!' 'Then the officers came towards me telling me to remove my placard from their sight! 'When I tell the police that I'm also a citizen and have the right to express my opinion, they respond by accusing me of attacking them! 'I simply said Hamas is a terrorist organisation! Then they told me I had to pick up the placard and leave, otherwise I will be arrested! 'I feel that in the future, fear of expressing opinions will dominate our lives in England if we don't take action! I have been fighting against the Islamic Republic for years. 'The police should justify their use of force. What I wrote on the placard is a fact and accords with the law in England, yet the police violently confiscated my placard. 'I was only standing in the park and Hamas supporters had surrounded me, but the police forced me to leave the scene and warned me that if I returned, I would be arrested -- for what? 'I think the police do not know that they can arrest terrorist supporters in such situations, and this is really terrifying!' Mr Ghorbani (pictured), 37, had bottles, sticks, clods of earth and other objects thrown at him by the crowd in central London He told MailOnline: 'I simply said Hamas is a terrorist organisation! Then they told me I had to pick up the placard and leave, otherwise I will be arrested!' A police officer is seen speaking to the exiled Iranian activist as the march makes its way past him Security officers were seen speaking to the crowd in a bid to calm the situation as tensions rose when they saw the sign Pro-Palestinian protesters attempt to calm down a fellow demonstrator who threw soil at the man Mr Ghorbani said he was threatened with arrest if he returned to the area Mr Ghorbani bravely held up a sign asking if people agreed that Hamas was a terrorist organisation (as deemed by the UK government) The placard drew a furious response from some pro-Palestine activists who threw objects at him and attempted to strike him and snatch the placard. Other were seen shouting 'w****r', while chants of 'Free, Free Palestine' were aimed towards him. Some protesters were seen urging those infuriated by the sign to walk away, while two security personnel were seen trying to calm tensions. A Met Police spokesperson said: 'We've reviewed all the bodyworn video of this 11 minute incident. 'While the wording on the man's sign was an accurate reflection of the law in relation to Hamas, it was also apparent he was there to provoke a reaction from the passing crowd. 'The priority for officers was to de-escalate the situation to keep everyone safe and the most proportionate way to do that was to ask the man to move away from the protest. 'Ten minutes passed with officers repeatedly asking him to move further away and eventually minimal force was used to get him to do so.' Thousands of people marched on the Israeli Embassy in London in a gathering on Saturday, with the Met Police confirming on Saturday night it had arrested 12 people for a string of alleged offences following the protest. A man appears to argue with police as the procession turns unruly at Hyde Park Corner Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn takes part in Saturday's pro-Palestine march in central London A woman was arrested after being spotted with a cardboard sign stating 'Long Live The Intifada' The woman was apprehended after allegedly waving a banner in support of a banned organisation She was led away from the procession by officers and bundled into a police vehicle Other marchers, some of them children, carried placards declaring 'I thought Hitler was dead' and 'Turns out killing kids is okay, I'm scared for my life' A mass of slogans and placards could be seen along Park Lane, with demonstrators demanding an end to the siege of Gaza One woman arrested for holding a sign saying 'Long Live the Intifada', while there were also arrests on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and assaulting emergency workers. The force said the 'overwhelming majority' of people who took part were peaceful and acted lawfully during the march, which was organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in protest at the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Protesters met at the south of Park Lane, holding banners calling for a 'ceasefire now' and chanting 'free, free Palestine', before leaving for designated place near the Israeli embassy where speeches were made. Among the speakers was former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Palestinian ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot, who both called for 'justice' for the Palestinian people. Organisers had said before the demonstration that they expected between 200,000 and 250,000 people to attend. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker complained about the administration's handling of the migrant crisis Prominent Democrats are pulling Vice President Kamala Harris aside to express their growing concerns about President Joe Biden and his 2024 campaign. When Harris hosted a group Democratic governors at her home in Washington, DC, earlier this month, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pointedly criticized the way that the campaign was talking about abortion, according to a report from CNN. The complaining continued, as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker raised concerns about the migrant crisis and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore expressed concerns about how the campaign was failing to reach young voters. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke to Vice President Kamala Harris about abortion rights Top Democrat governors complained to Vice President Kamala Harris about the direction of the campaign Whitmer's complaints were particularly stinging as Harris has made abortion rights her top issue as she hits the campaign trail. The criticism looked like a direct shot at Harris as Whitmer was also on the short list for Biden's running mate in 2020. Biden favored Whitmer but ultimately selected Harris as advisors insisted that he choose a black woman on the ticket. Harris has also fielded complaints from Rep. Debbie Dingle (D-MI) about Biden's approach to the war in Gaza hurting his support with Arab Americans. The Vice President also recently hosted a group of male black Democrats to help reach black men on the campaign trail. US Vice President Kamala Harris Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., Cliff Albright, the executive director of the Black Lives Matter fund, and several black mayors were invited to her home to discuss the administration's difficulties ahead on the election. The group had a lot of criticisms of the campaign that they shared with Harris. As the issue of Biden's age grows, Harris has tried to step into the vacuum and signal confidence as the president's number two. Last week, Harris traveled to the Munich Security Conference to reassure European leaders that the United States continued to support Ukraine and NATO, while also expressing criticisms of Israel's war in Gaza. The vice president told the Wall Street Journal earlier this month she was 'ready to serve' as president and that there was 'no question about that' despite her own low approval ratings. An NBC poll conducted in January revealed that 53% of voters view her negatively. Only 28% of voters view her positively. The UAEs Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uzbekistan, to drive the adoption of Falcon LLMs and Falcon-powered solutions. Signed with Uzbekistans Ministry of Digital Technologies of on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2024, the MoU aims to leverage the technical expertise of ATRC and its subsidiaries for the seamless integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across Uzbekistans technological infrastructure and government services. Under the terms of the agreement, Uzbekistan will explore and support the use of Falcon within its digital ecosystem across diverse use cases. Furthermore, Uzbekistan will encourage organisations and entities to join the recently announced Falcon Foundation and contribute to the advancement of open-source Falcon models. The partnership marks a significant stride in exporting Falcons capability at a state level beyond the Middle East, laying the groundwork for global collaborative initiatives that will define the future of technological innovation. Global partnerships Shahab Issa Abu Shahab, Director General of ATRC, said: The signing of this agreement underscores ATRC's steadfast dedication to forging global partnerships in the realm of AI. Collaborating closely with the government of Uzbekistan, we look forward to supporting the wider adoption of Falcon's pioneering solutions across diverse organisations within the country." Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, said: We are pleased to join forces with ATRC, in encouraging innovation as we integrate the state-of-the-art Falcon AI models into Uzbekistans technological infrastructure and government services. Our joint efforts are poised to fast-track innovation and help us overcome digital barriers to achieve our potential. Powerful language model Falcon LLM, a world-leading open-source AI model, is part of the Falcon series of powerful large language models developed by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), ATRCs applied research arm. ATRC and its commercialisation arm VentureOne launched a pioneering AI company AI71 in November 2023 to deliver specialised AI models for clients both companies and countries, while giving them the option of decentralised data ownership. Both TII and AI71 offer vital channels for the deployment of the Falcon series of LLMs.--TradeArabia News Service Sadiq Khan has been criticised for ignoring requests to put a statue of Queen Elizabeth on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth display. Instead of a monument to the late monarch, the Mayor of London has called on the public to vote out of a selection of artists' designs. These include a rocket ship ice cream van, a black cat and a sweet potato among others out of a choice of seven in an exhibition. However, Mr Khan's decision to resist putting the Queen on the fourth plinth has been met with some disagreement. ANTELOPE by Samson Kambalu. The current sculpture on the plinth is a recreation of a 1914 photograph of a Baptist preacher John Chilembwe and European missionary John Chorley SWEET POTATOES AND YAMS ARE NOT THE SAME by Veronica Ryan THE SMILE YOU SEND RETURNS TO YOU by Chila Kumari Singh Burman featuring an ice cream truck A petition has been launched by The Royalists calling to 'honour' the Queen with a statue on the iconic landmark. In a post on X, TheRoyalistsUK said: 'The Royalists have today launched a petition to honour the life and legacy of our late Queen with a statue on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth.' It has over 250 signatures and others have taken to social media to express their desire to see the Queen in a statue. Another user posted: 'Let's have a statue of the wonderful Late Queen on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square. Pls retweet if you agree.' Mr Kahn posted his support of the different options available for the plinth and said: 'Proud to support the Fourth Plinth art exhibition in Trafalgar Square 'Since 1998, this initiative has showcased world-class artwork, adding to London's dynamic cultural scene. Excited to see what new exhibits will be next to grace this iconic space.' The government and Royal Household have established The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee to help develop a national memorial for the late Queen. This has been set up to make sure there is a 'fitting memorial' for Queen Elizabeth, who was Britain's longest ever serving monarch. It is expected to report recommendations to the Prime Minister and the King in 2026. A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: 'The Mayor wants to ensure we have a fitting memorial to our longest serving monarch. 'He supports the creation of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, which is being supported by the Royal Household and chaired by the former Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II. 'The Mayor stands ready to support the recommendations of the committee, whatever they are.' Proud to support the Fourth Plinth art exhibition in Trafalgar Square Since 1998, this initiative has showcased world-class artwork, adding to London's dynamic cultural scene. Excited to see what new exhibits will be next to grace this iconic space. pic.twitter.com/BbWbUDxM7l Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) February 19, 2024 The Royalists have today launched a petition to honour the life and legacy of our late Queen with a statue on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth. Please sign the petition here: https://t.co/zGSsAW3Hzv pic.twitter.com/dtMsk6P8zp The Royalists (@TheRoyalistsUK) February 19, 2024 Previous selections have been branded as 'woke and wacky' and baffled the public including a giant dollop of whipped cream topped with a cherry, a fly and a drone which were chosen in 2020. Currently, a sculpture recreating a 1914 photograph of Baptist preacher John Chilembwe and European missionary John Chorley stands on the north-west plinth. But seven ideas for a replacement also include a bird's nest and a bronze sculpture of a woman's head - with the winners announced next month. Since 1999, a different sculpture has stood on the famous north-west pedestal in a tradition which has been notoriously successful in making Londoners bristle with contempt. On Monday, the prize unveiled the seven contenders for the two next Fourth Plinths, which will be displayed from 2026 and 2028. Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth could be home to artworks including an enormous sweet potato and a rocketship ice cream van. The north-west pedestal has been home to art commissions for more than 25 years, with internationally renowned artists including Sir Antony Gormley and Dame Rachel Whiteread among previous exhibitors. A life-sized person on a horse cast in slime-green resin, a golden bronze sculpture of a woman whose features have been amalgamated and a black cat are also among the shortlisted ideas. BELIEVE IN DISCONTENT by Ruth Ewan features a large black cat HORNERO by Gabriel Chaile'. The submission is a celebration of the behaviour of the Rufous Hornero bird, a national emblem of Argentina LADY IN BLUE by Tschabalala Self. It pays homage to a young, metropolitan woman of colour ANCIENT FEELINGS by Thomas Price. The giant golden bronze sculpture depicts a fictional woman whose features have been taken from a wide range of historic sources UNTITLED by Andra Ursuta. The artwork is a life-sized person on a horse covered in a shroud and cast in a slime-green resin Shortlisted artists for the Fourth Plinth Commission 2024: Gabriel Chaile, Ruth Ewan, Thomas J Price, Veronica Ryan OBE, Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE and Tschabalala Self The artists... Gabriel Chaile Gabriel Chaile with his submission, Hornero The artist from Tucuman, Argentina, has made a name for himself using references ranging from Pre-Columbian cultures to Conceptualism in his sculptures. Ruth Ewan Ruth Ewan beside her sculpture, Believe in Discontent The Scottish artist based in Glasgow is known for focusing on projects involving social movements and protests. Thomas J Price Thomas J Price with his artwork, Ancient Feelings The British sculptor is known for his stop-motion animations and bronze sculptures of contemporary figures. Veronica Ryan OBE Veronica Ryan looks at Sweet Potatoes and Yams on display The Montserrat-born sculptor meticulously creates handcrafted work using a wide variety of materials and won the Turner Prize for her 'really poetic' work in 2022. Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE Burman stands by her artwork The Smile You Send Returns to You Born in Liverpool, the artist is celebrated for her radical feminist work which examines representation, gender and cultural identity across a wide range of mediums. Tschabalala Self US artist Tschabalala Self walks past her art piece, Lady in Blue The American artist uses painting, printmaking and sculpture to explore ideas surrounding Black female figures. Andra Ursuta The Romanian-American sculptor is best known for her nihilistic portrayal of the human condition - exploring themes linked to patriotism, violence against women and the 'expulsion of ethnic groups'. Advertisement Artists Liverpool-born Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Argentinian Gabriel Chaile, Scottish Ruth Ewan, London-born Thomas J Price, Montserrat-born Veronica Ryan, American Tschabalala Self and Romanian Andra Ursuta are the artists up for the honour. The proposal by Turner-prize winner Ryan, is called Sweet Potatoes and Yams are Not the Same. It consists of a sweet potato island, building on Ryan's practice of using everyday objects, particularly foods. The potato has travelled all around the world and is meant to represent the global conversations that happen in Trafalgar Square. In The Smile You Send Returns to You, Burman, who describes herself as a Punjabi Liverpudlian, shows her regular motif, her father's ice cream van The Rocket, at the centre of the sculpture and his voyage to the UK from India. Meanwhile, Price's proposal is for a golden bronze sculpture that shows a fictional woman, amalgamated from a wide range of historic sources called Ancient Feelings. Meanwhile, Ewan's Believe In Discontent takes its title from suffragist Charlotte Despard, who addressed crowds in Trafalgar Square, and is modelled on a mass-produced ornament of a black cat, referencing the way the women's rights campaigners were portrayed by the media at the time. Other shortlisted works include Chaile's celebration of the behaviour of the Rufous Hornero bird, a national emblem of Argentina, Self's bronze work that pays homage to a young, metropolitan woman of colour and Ursuta's hollow, life-sized person on a horse covered in a shroud and cast in a slime-green resin. The winning sculptures will follow Samson Kambalu's sculpture, called Antelope, of the preacher John Chilembwe, who was killed in an anti-colonialist uprising in what was then Nyasaland, now Malawi. The next sculpture on the plinth which was chosen two years ago is Improntas (Imprints) by Teresa Margolles, which will be installed this September until 2026. Improntas (Imprints) features casts of the faces of 850 transgender people from London and around the world. The 'life masks' will be arranged around the plinth in the form of a Tzompantli, a skull rack from Mesoamerican civilisations. Margolles' work was championed by trans activists who launched a fevered social media campaign urging followers to vote for the sculpture. But the works have been met a backlash from critics, opining that the choices represent 'Sadiq Khan's woke and wacky London'. Elsewhere, a giant swirl of a replica whipped cream topped with a cherry, a fly and a drone was displayed in 2020. The sculpture, titled The End, was created by Heather Phillipson. Ekow Eshun, chairman of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, said: 'On behalf of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, I would like to thank the artists for taking the time to consider this unique commission so carefully. 'There is an incredible group of works on show today, and we look forward to hearing the public's thoughts on these proposals.' The Fourth Plinth is funded by the Mayor of London with support from Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Justine Simons, deputy mayor for culture, creative industries and 24-hour London team, said: 'The Fourth Plinth is renowned across the globe for bringing world-class contemporary art to the heart of London. 'I'm delighted that our shortlisted artists have provided such thought-provoking pieces. 'For 25 years, the sculptures on the Fourth Plinth have sparked interest and debate, bringing out the art critic in everybody. I've no doubt that these proposals will continue that fantastic tradition.' The first work to occupy the Fourth Plinth, Ecce Homo by British artist Mark Wallinger, was unveiled as a contemporary life-size figure of Christ in 1999. The two winning works will be announced in March 2024. IMPRONTAS by Teresa Margolles. The sculpture will be displayed in 2024, and features casts of the faces of 850 transgender people from London and around the world A Minnesota school district will allow parents to withdraw their children from LGBTQ lessons after six Somali Muslim families threatened to sue when books discussing gender identity where introduced to their elementary school classroom. St. Louis Park Public Schools granted the opt-out requests in January and February after parents complained at a school board meeting in October there was not a process in place for them to exempt their students from reading LGBTQ material. Several Somali mothers spoke at a school board meeting on October 24 claiming books that are against their religious beliefs were introduced to the children without their knowledge. One mother, who identified herself as Ilhan, said a group of third-grade students were taught books discussing gender identity and families with two fathers. 'These books were introduced to our children without our knowledge or consent leaving us with no recourse to opt them out despite our sincere religious objection,' she said. Several Somali mothers spoke at a St. Louis Park school board meeting on October 24 claiming LGBTQ books that go against their religious beliefs were introduced to the children without their knowledge and demanded their children be exempt During the October meeting, school board member Sarah Davis, who is married to a woman, spoke out. 'I'm thinking about my child. I'm thinking about what it would feel like for him if I said that having a book about a concept of two dads - he has two moms -is troubling. The idea that my wife and I exist, that our family exists, is not controversial,' she said One mother said a group of third-grade students were taught books discussing gender identity and families with two fathers. The legal notices from First Liberty were sent to Aquila Elementary School (pictured) 'We wholeheartedly respect the importance of affirming LGBTQ identities, but we are troubled by the way these books are being presented to our children. 'The manner in which these subjects are taught appears to exceed the boundaries of affirmation, urging every child to delve into their own understanding of gender and sexuality. This approach, we believe, directly conflicts with our deeply held religious beliefs,' Ilhan said. The books Ilhan mentioned include Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio, which is a story about how two fathers adopted their son and My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart, which is about a boy who likes princesses and fairies and learns from his father that everyone has a shadow that they sometimes feel they need to hide. A third book mentioned is Ho'onani: Hula Warrior by Heather Gale, which is based on a true story about a young girl in Hawaii who dreams of leading the boys-only hula troupe at her school. During the October meeting, school board member Sarah Davis, who is married to a woman, spoke out about the demands. 'I'm thinking about my child. I'm thinking about what it would feel like for him if I said that having a book about a concept of two dads - he has two moms -is troubling. The idea that my wife and I exist, that our family exists, is not controversial,' she said. Legal organizations First Liberty Institute and True North Legal got involved in November and sent a letter to the school district claiming denials of the opt-outs violated the First Amendment and state law. State law in Minnesota requires school, to have procedures in place for parents to review instruction material. If the parent objects, the district has to make 'reasonable' arraignment for alternative instruction. Three weeks after the group sent the letter, the school district created an 'Alternative Learning Procedure' that allowed parents to opt out of lessons that go against their beliefs. First Liberty Institute and True North Legal sent a second letter claiming the opt-out procedure needed to be streamlined and was too invasive as written. The six families submitted opt-out requests without detailing their religious beliefs, which were granted in January and February. Ho'onani: Hula Warrior by Heather Gale is based on a true story about a young girl in Hawaii who dreams of leading the boys-only hula troupe at her school My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart is about a boy who likes princesses and fairies and learns from his father that everyone has a shadow that they sometimes feel they need to hide Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio is a story about how two fathers adopted their son One of the mothers, Fatuma Irshat said, 'We believe that we have a sacred obligation to teach the principles of our faith to our children without being undermined by the schools.' Another parent, Hodan Hassan, said, 'We came to America because of its rich heritage of protecting religious liberty and the opportunity to raise our children in a place where they have access to success.' 'We were shocked that our children were being taught material that violates our beliefs, but were grateful that the school has granted our opt-out requests.' St. Louis Park Public Schools said they are proud of their diverse literacy program and will not make changes to its curriculum or the review process. 'I want to assure you that there are no plans to make any changes to our curriculum in response to recent concerns,' Interim Superintendent Dr. Kate Maguire said. 'St. Louis Park Public Schools has always complied with the state law regarding parents' statutory right to opt out of instructional materials, and we will continue to do so.' The new regulations only apply to lesson instruction, and not classroom discussions. The discussions are not subject to review or opt-outs, the district contends. 'Opt-outs based on representation of protected classes do not uphold our values of creating safe and inclusive learning and working environments in our schools. However, because it is required within state law, any change would need to happen with the involvement of state lawmakers,' the district said. On social media some have criticized the decision to approve the opt-outs as hypocritical to parents of other faiths. 'Somali Muslim parents allowed to opt their kids out of LGBTQ curriculum in Minnesota public schools.... So does this mean white parents can do the same without getting hate,' Kasey Lynae said on Twitter. The Minnesota Parents Alliance said, 'ANY parent can opt their children out of ANY content that is objectionable for ANY reason. There is nothing special or unique about the recent case involving Somali Muslim families in SLP.' 'The district was uncooperative (not uncommon) and these families needed legal representation to help them assert their rights. The same law applies to parents of every background and belief.' Truckers who support Donald Trump claim their proposed New York City delivery boycott over his $355 million fraud trial verdict could paralyze the city. 'It could shut New York City down,' Jennifer Hernandez, a trucker who supports the boycott, told NewsNation National Correspondent Dray Clark on the channel's Morning in America on Monday. 'If New York loses...just 10 percent of the trucks going there, their prices are skyrocket on everything, from milk to eggs to any type of goods that the consumer needs,' she added. It's not yet clear how widespread support for the proposed boycott is, and what impact it might have on deliveries to the city. The truckers claim they are taking action after the former president was ordered to pay a $355 million fine in a civil fraud verdict by a New York court that found his company falsely inflated asset valuations to obtain more favorable loan terms. 'It could shut New York City down,' Jennifer Hernandez, a trucker who supports the delivery boycott, told NewsNation in an interview on Monday Traffic is seen on the George Washington Bridge connecting New Jersey and Manhattan in a file photo. It's unclear what impact the proposed boycott will actually have on shipping The New York Mayor's Office, New York Association of Convenience Stores, and New York-based National Supermarkets Association did not immediately respond to requests for comment from DailyMail.com on Monday morning. Prior proposed trucker boycotts have had mixed results. Last July, a proposed one-day trucker boycott in Florida over a strict new immigration law fizzled out, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Many truckers do not own their own trucks, and those who do may be under financial pressure to take whatever jobs are available, the outlet noted. But in late 2021, a trucker boycott of Colorado got results. In that case, truckers were furious over a 110-year prison sentence for a truck driver who was involved in a crash that killed four people. Colorado Governor Jared Polis reduced the driver's sentence to 10 years after a millions signed a petition and outcry on the issue from celebrities including Kim Kardashian. In New York, Trump has praised the planned trucker boycott, posting on Truth Social: 'Such an honor to have so many Great Patriots on the side of freedom!' He added: 'Joe Biden s Unfair and Dangerous Weaponization of Law Enforcement is a serious threat to Democracy. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' Another driver with the username Chicago1Ray, shared a video on X saying he had spoken to 'at least ten' colleagues who all agreed they would start refusing loads to the city on Monday. A group of truckers supporting former President Donald Trump are threatening to boycott deliveries to New York City following the $355 million fraud case ruling against Trump. More: https://t.co/mKobsm3IyK #MorningInAmerica pic.twitter.com/5fSvPxgym7 NewsNation (@NewsNation) February 19, 2024 Truckers who support Donald Trump claim their proposed New York City delivery boycott over his $355 million fraud trial verdict could paralyze the city It wasn't clear how many truckers were involved, but after Trump hailed their plan on his Truth Social page, Chicago1Ray posted again, saying: 'Trump just posted my video and picture on his Truth Social account, pretty f***en cool... Since Chicago1Ray shared the video, others have chimed in on the alleged boycott saying they supported the move. One person posted: 'Do it! Let us know how we can help! Youre NOT alone in this fight!' Another added: 'We can always rely on the trucker to restore some semblance of the right thing in response. 'Thank you from the many here on X for your courage to stand up to the Marxist leftists.' In the ruling on Friday Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump and his company to pay $355 million in penalties, finding he had lied about his wealth for years, to deceive banks, insurers and others by inflating his wealth on financial statements. He is also banned from being a director in a New York firm for three years. Speaking outside his Mar-a-lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump went on the offense and lashed out at Engoron and Attorney General Letitia James. Violent crime is up by 16.6 percent since 2019, according to FBI data, but last year's statistics indicate an improvement since police spending was increased The city's homicide rate exploded after police spending was cut by $15m in 2020 after calls to 'defund the police' during protests over George Floyd's murder Crime rates have declined in Portland, Oregon, after city leaders reversed cuts to the police budget Crime rates have declined in Portland, Oregon, after city leaders reversed cuts to the police budget Spiraling crime in Portland is finally coming under control - after city leaders reversed radical cuts to police budgets. The total number of crimes in the city last year was down markedly on 2022, when homicides hit record highs and violent offenses also surged. The sharp rise in crime started in 2020 when the city took steps to defund the police following protests over George Floyd's murder. Portland City Council voted to approve $15 million in reductions to the police bureau and 84 sworn staff positions were cut. The Oregon city's homicide rate exploded from 36 in 2019 to 85 last year, which followed a record 97 homicides in 2022, according to Portland Police Bureau data. Violent crime rates also increased significantly since 2019, according to separate FBI statistics. City leaders were later forced to U-turn and reinstate some funding after crime surged and other key indicators like police response times also suffered. Since then, the increase in crime has slowed and the rate of some offenses has declined. A graph reveals homicide in Portland has surged since the city cut police budgets in 2020 Overall crimes fell in 2023 after city leaders reversed cuts to the police budget The city has also declared a state of emergency over an explosion in the use of fentanyl There were 9,747 offenses against the person in 2023, compared with 10,206 the previous year. Homicides and sex offenses both declined in the period. Crimes against property, such as burglary and larceny, also fell from a total of 60,029 in 2023 to 52,337 in 2023, contributing to an overall decline in all offenses. In November 2021, little more than a year after police budgets were cut, Mayor Ted Wheeler acknowledged 'many Portlanders no longer feel safe' and the city council voted to increase police spending by $5.2 million. Wheeler followed up last year with a proposal to add another $5 million to hire a further 43 officers, a process which could take at least two years to complete. Portland's police budget for the 2023-24 financial year is $256 million, compared with around $224 million for the year 2021-22. The decline in crimes last year indicates safety in the city has improved since a reversal to the radical defund the police policies. Crime stats reveal that until 2019, Portland's homicide rate was consistently below 30 per year. But rates increased sharply to as many as three times that amount across the following three years. Data published by the FBI last October also reveals the city's violent crime rate increased 16.6 percent since 2019, with rises in rape, homicide and burglary. Portland experienced some of the most frequent and violent BLM protests and riots after Floyd's death at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Progressive politicians across the country reallocated police funds into social programs. But the consequence in Portland and other cities, including San Francisco, was a sharp rise in lawlessness and a similarly harmful increase in police response times. As city leaders have worked to reverse police cuts, homicides fell slightly to 85 last year, which is still nearly four times higher than average pre-covid rate. Police response times have also got steadily worse since 2021. In January of that year, the average response time to a high-priority call was 11.5 minutes. By July 2023, it reach 23.7 minutes. Portland also recently declared a state of emergency over a fentanyl crisis in the city, where drug overdose death have also spiraled out of control. A recent poll found majority of Portland voters would move to another town if given the opportunity amid widespread unhappiness about safety in the city. The poll, commissioned by the Portland Police Union, found that almost two-thirds of people believe the city is 'on the wrong track' and 68 percent say it is 'losing what made it special.' Some 74 percent are worried that either they or their family members will be victims of crime in the city and 87 percent are dissatisfied with the state of public safety. Roughly 70 percent said the city needs more police officers and nearly 80 percent said crime has increased in Portland. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler acknowledged that 'many Portlanders no longer feel safe' after crime spiked following cuts to the city's police budgets Portland officials cut millions from its police budgets in June 2020 following the Black Lives Matter protests and the growing 'defund the police' movement Mayor Ted Wheeler has insisted that crime in most categories has declined in recent months. 'This city has been through a lot of trauma,' he said. 'My message to people who are disillusioned are two-fold. 'First, I hear you and I empathize with your frustration with what the city has been through. 'I would also encourage you to stick around, because the tide has already turned.' There were 71,216 offenses committed between October 2022 and October 2023, including 96 homicides, 544 sex offenses, 25,233 larceny offenses and 1,352 robberies. Between October 2019 and October 2020, there were 66,038 offenses committed, which included 54 homicides, 640 sex offences, 25,623 larceny offenses and 1,105 robberies. Ulloa is facing her third drug-related offense - she was arrested twice for trafficking drugs in 2022 The 28-year-old nearly flashed her cleavage while wearing a low-cut bra following her apprehension for drug possession A MS-13 gang member has gone viral for her busty mugshot following her arrest for drug trafficking in Honduras - with some even offering to post her bail. Heidy Ulloa, 28, was arrested during an operation in San Pedro Sula on Friday, the National Police said in a statement. Cops confiscated 120 bags which allegedly containing cocaine and another 20 transparent bags reportedly packed with crack and six bags filled with marijuana. Authorities also seized two cellphones and 900 lempiras ($32). Ulloa, who is also known as 'La Garra' (The Claw), had also been arrested on drug trafficking charges two times during a span of three months in 2022. Heidy Ulluoa attracted the attention of social media users after her mugshot went viral following her arrest for drug trafficking in Honduras last Thursday Honduras's National Police confiscated 146 bags containing cocaine, crack and marijuana and two cellphones 'This operation highlights the continuous commitment of the National Police in the fight against drug trafficking, contributing to the preservation of public health and safety in the country,' the police said. But her racy mugshot, which shows her surrounded by two police officers and wearing a low-cut bra, captured the attention of social media users. 'How cute is your top,' Mary Calix commented on X. Others pardoned Ulloa and volunteered her a get out of jail free card. 'I forgave her,' a user named Carlos wrote. 'How much is the bond?' Franklin Gomez inquired. 'Someone knows how much the bail is,' Yahir Rivera asked. 'I hope she comes out,' Yasmin Rodriguez chimed in. A police officer claimed to be present when Ulloa was arrested and gushed over her looks while hoping that she turns her life around following her third arrest. 'She is so beautiful,' he wrote on Instagram. 'I had the opportunity to spend time with her yesterday when she was stopped and sadly she has chosen the wrong path.' 'But hopefully she will manage to correct those bad deeds,' he continued. 'Because she is so beautiful that it is not worth her wasting her life this way.' Others on social media slammed Honduras' judicial system for releasing Ulloa after her previous arrests for drug possession and wondered if she would be even in the streets if El Salvador President Nayib Bukele was in power - his administration has arrested more than 75,000 people as part of it war against gangs. 'We need a Bukele to remove all this (garbage),' Floren Bonilla declared. 'Tomorrow she will be free due to lack of evidence,' Mike Flores claimed. 'If she was in El Salvador, oh man.' A global poll of attitudes to geopolitical risks highlights the deep divides in American society, with Democrats saying extreme weather and forest fires are the biggest threat to the nation, while Republicans say it is China or Iran, and Independents cite the danger of cyber attacks. The huge survey of 12,000 people was conducted for the Munich Security Conference, the annual gathering of security officials. And exclusive analysis of the data for DailyMail.com reveals that Americans uniquely among the 11 countries surveyed cannot even agree on what gives them nightmares. So for Democrats it is extreme weather, then climate change in general and then the destruction of natural habitats. Data from a survey of risk perception conducted for the Munich Security Conference reveal deep divides in the US over what keeps people awake at night So while Democrats see the danger of extreme weather and forest fires as most worrying, In contrast Republicans rank the growing threat from China as the number one worry, then Iran and then the danger of an economic crisis. And for Independents, the top concernfrom a ranking that includes scores for severity, imminence, trajectory, and their country's preparednessis cyber attacks, followed by political polarization, and Russia. The data are contained in the 2024 Munich Security Index, published by Kekst CNC, a global strategic communications consultancy. 'In most countries we asked the questions in, views were mostly aligned on what the major risks facing their population were,' said James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners, which carried out the survey. 'America is the exception. When it comes to perceptions of risk, it is three countries: Republicans, Democrats, and everyone in between.' It illustrates the difficulty Republican and Democratic candidates face in an election year, when their focus can alienate the swing voters they need to win over. The surveyed polled 12,000 people in G7 nations, as well as Brazil, India, China, and South Africa (the BRICS nations, without Russia), plus a limited survey in Ukraine. It is conducted every year to rank risks and to set the agenda for the Munich Security Conference, which was held at the weekend, bringing together the world's most senior national security experts. It asked respondents to rank 32 potential threats. Meanwhile, Independents saw cyber attacks and political polarization as most worrying The results show the challenges facing Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the 2024 election, as they compete for a highly polarized electorate Blazes scorched 42.7 million acres of land in Canada due to out of control fires across Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Nova Scotia last year The result was the nation's smokiest summer. Fire-related air pollution nearly doubled in the United States in 2023 following the worst wildfires in Canadian history A general view of smoke rising from the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant on February 15, 2023 in Avdiivka district, Ukraine. The survey found that Russia is considered less of a threat this year compared with previous surveys for the Munich Security Conference And the findings revealed that China and Russia are considered less of a threat now than a year ago, while concerns have shifted to less traditional issues such as radical Islam and mass migration. Respondents all around the world showed rising concern about environmental threats and about mass migration as a result of war or climate change. However, the U.S. remains something of an outlier on the environment, powered by Republican skepticism. Although environmental issues were a top-three worry for all 10 other nations, they barely made the U.S. top ten. Overall, Americans cited cyber-attacks as their top worry, followed by political polarization and China. The results also showed a disconnect between Western nations, where respondents were generally pessimistic about wealth and security during the next 10 years, and the emerging economies, where people said they believed they would become better off in the next decade. This is the moment a large XL bully-type dog which injured three people and attacked a Collie is shot dead by police. A 'dangerously out of control' dog was reported to have been shot six times by armed officers after attempts to restrain it in East Kilbride had failed on Sunday. Local officers tried to get it under control but had to call in armed police as the dog could not be safely restrained. Three people suffered minor injuries before the dog was killed. Distressing video footage shared on social media showed armed police at a property and captured the shooting of the animal, the Scottish Sun earlier reported. In footage posted on Facebook seen by MailOnline, six shots can be heard as well as sounds of a dog yelping. Police Scotland have confirmed that an 18-year-old woman will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with offences relating to the Dangerous Dog Act. One Facebook user wrote: 'The video has made me feel sick absolutely disgusting what they have done your screams will always haunt me. You didnt deserve to suffer like that boy.' Shots can be heard before sounds of a dog yelping in this footage posted online One witness claimed 'there was nothing that would have calmed that dog down' Another writing about the incident on Facebook said she lives on the street where it happened and witnessed 'a lot'. 'Hearing and witnessing the shots and the dog were horrific but I think this was their last option,' she said, adding 'there was nothing that would have calmed that dog down.' An investigation is now under way to confirm what breed it was. A referral has also been made to the police investigation authority because a firearm was discharged. A Police Scotland spokesperson today told MailOnline: 'Around 10.25am on Sunday, 18 February, police were called to a report of a large bulldog-type dog attacking a Collie dog on Mannering, East Kilbride. 'Local officers attended and attempted to restrain the dog which was dangerously out of control. 'Armed officers subsequently attended and the dog was shot dead by police. 'Three people reported receiving minor injuries during this incident. From Friday, February 23 all owners of XL Bullies in Scotland must make sure their dog wears a muzzle and is kept on a lead at all times in public (stock image) 'Enquiries are ongoing to establish the breed of dog and there will be a continued police presence in the area while enquiries continue. 'As with any firearm discharge, the circumstances of the incident will be referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC). Read more: Three people hurt as huge XL bully dog goes on rampage Advertisement 'An 18-year-old woman will be reported to the PF in connection with offences relating to the Dangerous Dog Act.' From this Friday, all owners of XL bullies in Scotland must make sure their dog wears a muzzle and is kept on a lead at all times in public. It will also be against the law to breed, sell, exchange, gift, advertise or abandon an XL bully, or allow it to stray. In August, it will become an offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate. Scotland brought its ban into force later than in England and Wales, raising concerns that the animals were being brought over the Border to be rehomed. Siobhian Brown, Scotland's minister for victims and community safety, said: 'With new safeguards for XL bully dogs coming into force in just a few days it's vital that owners get ready and prepare from them now. 'Whilst dog attacks remain a rare occurrence, where they do occur, they can have devastating consequences which is why safeguards must be introduced. 'We are doing so whilst ensuring we promote and support responsible ownership, and public safety as effectively as possible. 'The new regulations aim to protect public safety and are being introduced as a consequence of similar XL bully controls brought in by the UK Government, which created an unacceptable risk of dogs being moved to Scotland from England and Wales.' Boston activists have urged the city to lavish $15 billion in reparations to black residents, stoking fears of a potential strain on resources amid cuts for cops and veterans in this year's budget. Rev Kevin Peterson, of the Boston People's Reparations Commission, launched the appeal this weekend, saying the city was 'built on slavery' and should now 'pay back' black residents. The sum includes $5 billion in direct cash payments to black Bostonians, a $5 billion investment in new financial institutions and $5 billion to fight crime and improve schools for black kids, the commission says. Critics of reparations say they're unfair and costly the $15 billion is nearly four times the $4.2 billion that Boston City Council voted to cover all services last June. Rev Kevin Peterson says Boston officials must 'fully commit to writing checks' despite shift in public opinion The self-styled Boston People's Reparations Commission wants $5 billion to flow straight into the pockets of black Bostonians That involved trimming budgets for cops and veterans, and city tax revenues only appear to be shrinking. But Peterson, also the founder of the New Democracy Coalition, says officials must 'fully commit to writing checks' to compensate black Bostonians as part of a broader reparations package. Poll Do you support a federal reparation policy directed at the descendants of slaves? Yes No Not sure Do you support a federal reparation policy directed at the descendants of slaves? Yes 316 votes No 10476 votes Not sure 48 votes Now share your opinion 'The wealth of this city was built on slavery,' said Peterson. 'The city is responsible to pay back the wealth they extracted free of charge from other human beings who died at some point in the labor for this city.' Activists would not settle for 'meaningless rhetoric about equity and diversity in some future time,' he added. Money should flow into the pockets of black residents and build 'new institutions in our community,' he added. Peterson is a leading racial justice activist in Massachusetts, including in the campaign to last year rename Faneuil Hall, a popular tourist site that is named after a wealthy merchant who owned and traded slaves. Peterson speaks as a campaigner the city created its official Reparations Task Force in 2022, which last met on February 6. The group is working on a research paper about slavery in Boston; and is set to make recommendations to Mayor Michelle Wu this summer. City council members only managed to pass this year's budget by cutting funding to police Rev Peterson, right, made headlines with his push to rename Faneuil Hall, a popular tourist site that is named after a wealthy merchant who owned and traded slaves Peterson's request for massive payments comes at a tough time for the national reparations movement. Cities and counties across the country launched racial justice task forces at the height of Black Lives Matter protests after the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020. But attitudes have changed and officials are withdrawing support for policies that are broadly unpopular especially among the non-black taxpayers who would have to pay for them. California's black lawmakers last month backtracked on plans to pay $1.2 million to each resident. They introduced a package of 14 reparations bills that made no mention of cash reparations. Instead, they called for the state to apologize for its role in slavery, to ban involuntary servitude in prisons and to return property officials had unfairly seized from black families. Much like cash-strapped California, Boston would struggle to meet Peterson's demand. Boston's budget for Fiscal Year 2024 is $4.28 billion. City officials only kept it that low by trimming Boston Police Department by nearly $31 million, according to the Boston Herald. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is set to receive the official task force's reparations recommendations this summer Morris Griffin, of Los Angeles, speaks during the public comment portion of the reparations task force meeting in Sacramento, California Meanwhile, the veterans' office budget was slashed by $900,000. Boston is set to lose more than $1 billion in tax revenue over the next five years thanks to tumbling market values for office buildings in the wake of the pandemic, Tufts University researchers warned this month. Supporters of reparations say it's time for America to repay its black residents for the injustices of the historic Transatlantic slave trade, Jim Crow segregation and inequalities that persist to this day. From there, it gets tricky. There is no agreed framework for what a scheme would look like. Ideas range from cash payouts to scholarships, land giveaways, business startup loans, housing grants, or statues and street names. Critics say that payouts to selected black people will inevitably stoke divisions between winners and losers, and raise questions about why American Indians and others don't get their own handouts. While popular among black Americans, the other groups who would foot the tax bill are less keen. Tatishe Nteta, director of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Poll, says support for reparations has cratered from its peak of support among 38 percent of voters after the killing of Floyd. 'Support for a federal reparations program has declined by 4 percent among all Americans,' said Nteta 'Democrats, liberals and African Americans all have exhibited steep declines in their level of support for the program since 2021.' Advocates of reparations in New York, California, Massachusetts and elsewhere 'may no longer have a rising tide of public support for reparations behind them,' she said this month. Joe Biden's bid to woo Gen Z voters by joining TikTok appears to be failing, with young platform users slamming the president for failing Palestinians, as six-in-ten young adults say they aren't sure if they'll vote in November. Biden's campaign team debuted the '@bidenhq' account earlier this month, captioning its first video 'lol hey guys' and using the 'Dark Brandon' meme of the president with red glowing eyes to appeal to younger users. The reaction has been lackluster. The account has only attracted 160,000 followers, and users have bombarded the Democratic president with posts slamming his handling of Israel's ongoing military assault on Gaza. Meanwhile, new polling by Axios-Generation Lab shows that fully 58 percent of voters between the ages of 18 and 34 covering Gen Z adults and younger millennials aren't sure if they'll even vote in November. TikTok creator Uduak Nkanga says the Democrats' message does not resonate with younger voters in 2024 The TikTok '@bidenhq' account uses the 'Dark Brandon' meme of the president with red glowing eyes, to mock right-wing conspiracy theorists That's vital for Biden, who needs younger voters to turn out and repeat the formula that helped him in 2020 defeat former president Donald Trump, a Republican, in the expected rematch in November. Biden's team on Sunday released a TikTok post criticizing Trump. Few viewers reacted to the content, instead focussing on Biden's failure to deter Israel from expanding its ground offensive in the southern city of Rafah. 'MY EYES ARE ON RRRRAAAAFAAAAAH,' posted one user. Another wrote: 'Hand of Raaaafaaaaaah' and urged the president to 'RESIGN.' Young TikTokers have also posted their own videos criticizing Biden for being too pro-Israel and other concerns, such as not living up to his promises to forgive student loan debts. 'If you think Georgia is going to show up for Biden the way they did in 2020, you're sleeping under a rock,' posted TikTok creator Uduak Nkanga. 'This whole concept of gaslighting people into voting for Biden cos he's better than Trump, it's far gone.' TikTok pundit Drew Parker slammed the Democrats for an election choice that was '2020 all over again.' TikTokers have plastered Joe Biden's account with calls to save Palestinians from Israel's military offensive Fully 58 percent of younger voters are not sure if they will vote in November 'Y'all had two f*****g years to figure out a candidate to go up against Trump, and you're still landing on Biden.' Those users expressed a sense of fatigue with Biden and political partisanship that could impact the outcome in November. According to Axios pollsters, younger voters are 'stuck in a political Groundhog Day.' Those who became first eligible to vote in 2016 have only ever seen three viable candidates on their presidential ballots Biden, Trump, and the 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. The nationwide survey of more than 1,000 young adult voters earlier this month found that fully 58 percent were not sure whether they would vote in November. That included 30 percent who said that there was 'no chance' or that they would 'probably not' vote. Only 42 percent of respondents said they would definitely cast a ballot. When asked what issue mattered most to them, 39 percent said the economy was front and center, making it the leading response. Others cited abortion, climate change, guns, student debt and immigration. Biden's 2024 campaign aims to rekindle the record high turnout from young people that helped lift him to victory in the last election. TikTok pundit Drew Parker slammed the Democrats for an election that was '2020 all over again.' Nearly four-in-ten younger voters cited the economy as a top concern this election year Around 50 percent of that bloc voted in 2020, according to Tufts University research. Among them, nearly two thirds of voters between the ages of 18 to 24 cast ballots for the Democratic president. Most worryingly for the Biden 2024 team, some surveys have even found the president is trailing Trump among younger voters. Biden's embrace of TikTok was controversial from the outset, as the app is banned on most US government devices over security concerns. The president's TikTok account is not run by Biden himself, but by campaign staffers. The president signed legislation in 2022 blocking most federal government devices from using TikTok. Several states have also adopted similar measures. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle want the app, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance to be banned in the US over concerns that Beijing can access user data. Still, it remains popular with young Americans. A British Army sergeant accused of bigamy after he married a second woman in Kenya when he had not yet divorced his first wife today insisted he 'didn't understand what was happening' because the ceremony was conducted in Swahili. Sgt Noa Dravikula had separated from his first wife but was not officially divorced when he tied the knot with a second woman in a Sharia ceremony, a court martial has been told. The 42-year-old soldier had been deployed to Nanyuki, to the north of Nairobi, when he 'started a relationship' with Kenyan woman Kuki Wason. Prosecutors allege the couple enjoyed an Islamic marriage ceremony, called a nikah, in in October 2021 - which meant he was committing bigamy. However, Sgt Dravikula insists he 'didn't understand what was happening' because the marriage service was in the African language of Swahili, which he does not speak. The marriage came to the Army's attention when Sgt Dravikula expressed his 'wish' to bring Ms Wason back to the UK with him. At a hearing in Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, Sgt Dravikula denied one count of bigamy. Sergeant Noa Dravikula outside Bulford Military Court The 42-year-old soldier had been deployed to Nanyuki, to the north of Nairobi, when he 'started a relationship' with Kenyan woman Kuki Wason At Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, he denies one count of bigamy British law states couples can marry if they're both aged 18 or over and are free to marry, if they're single, widowed or divorced, or if they were in a civil partnership which has been dissolved. Prosecutor Flight Lieutenant Charlotte Adams told the court Sgt Dravikula married his first wife in June 2011 in a Methodist church in Fiji. The court heard Sgt Dravikula's first wife, with whom he shares a child, had initiated divorce proceedings after their separation in March 2017. However, the divorce had not yet been finalised and so they were not officially separated. Flt Lt Adams said: 'He then proceeded to marry a second individual, Kuki Wason, on October 29, 2021, whilst married to his first wife. In doing do he committed bigamy.' Flt Lt Adams told Bulford Military Court the sergeant struck up a relationship with Ms Wason while deployed at a base in her homeland. 'He was deployed to British Army Training Unit in Kenya,' Flt Lt Adams said. 'Whilst there, he started a relationship with Kuki Wason. On October 29, 2021, a Sharia Law marriage ceremony called a nikah took place - this was a legal, recognised marriage ceremony. The marriage ceremony was a valid Kenyan marriage ceremony and in doing so he has committed bigamy whilst his first wife was still alive and not divorced.' The court heard the ceremony was overseen by a priest at the home of the mother of the bride, with two witnesses present but was conducted in Swahili. Several months later, in February 2022, a 'heavily pregnant' Ms Wason went with her mother to register her marriage to Sgt Dravikula, despite his absence. The court heard Sgt Dravikula's claims he had 'no knowledge' of what had happened because the service was conducted in Swahili Flt Lt Adams also said: 'On the marriage certificate, [Sgt Dravikula] said he was divorced but that was not accurate.' She said this came to the attention' of the Army when Sgt Dravikula tried to record his next of kin as Kuki Wason and referred to her as 'his wife'. 'It was then flagged there was no divorce from his first wife and he admitted he was not actually divorced and wished to bring his second wife to the UK,' Flt Lt Adams said. The court heard Sgt Dravikula's claims he had 'no knowledge' of what had happened because the service was conducted in Swahili and therefore 'didn't understand what was happening'. '[Sgt Dravikula] sated he didn't know and any marriage that was conducted was a deception to him,' Flt Lt Adams added. In the UK a nikah is only considered a legally valid marriage if it takes place at a registered venue. Otherwise, couples need to register their marriage through a further civil ceremony in order to enjoy the legal benefits and security of marriage. The court heard from a marriage officer who explained Islamic marriage was different in Kenya. He said their wedding certificate 'shows they got married'. Sgt Dravikula denies bigamy. The trial, which is expected to last two days, continues. The Oman government has allocated RO15 million ($38 million) for artificial intelligence (AI) projects for 2025 under a new growth strategy, reported Times of Oman. The announcement was made at a key forum in Muscat organised by the Ministry of Economy, in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, which brought together Omani companies specialised in the field of AI and all government agencies, it stated. The forum titled, Artificial Intelligence Economics Initiative 2024 in Muscat, is aimed at maximising in-country value (ICV) and providing a platform for companies to display their innovative solutions in various sectors, in an effort to achieve cooperation between the government and private sectors. Dr Said bin Mohammed Al Saqri, Minister of Economy, revealed that the ministrys approval of the OMR15 million development budget for 2025 will earmark OMR10 million for government agencies and OMR5 million for the governorates. This forum comes out of the belief in the necessity of urging national efforts to keep pace with this global rapid development in technologies and to prepare the economy to be more flexible, responsive to changes, and more capable of investing in opportunities, which pushes the Sultanate of Oman to be a leader in AI and future technologies. Al Saqri explained that the 10th five-year development plan (2021-2025) has attached an importance to AI for its role in economic growth. The same plan has also underlined in its goal related to stimulating economic activity the need to encourage the contribution of small and medium enterprises in innovation activities, the knowledge economy, AI, and specialised markets. The plan also approved the priority of information and communications technology by amplifying the contribution of the digital economy to the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2040 to about 10%. The forum also included a review of the projects approved within the Artificial Intelligence Economics Initiative, with a focus on their social, developmental and economic impacts, and highlighting the capabilities of Omani companies in the AI field. A discussion session was held between government agencies and companies to explore the possibilities of cooperation and utilize local expertise in improving government projects and initiatives related to AI. During the forum, the winning projects of the initiative were announced. A single mom who was shot in a University of Colorado dorm room along with a male student has been pictured for the first time since the double homicide. Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, was identified along with Sam Knopp, 24, after police found them with gunshot wounds to the head around 6am on Friday. It's unclear what their relation was. Montgomery's LinkedIn indicates she was a 'freelance health and wellness copywriter in the holistic wellness space' who worked at Pueblo Community College until 2019. A relative also described her as a single 'mom of two daughters' aged five and seven in a heartbreaking Facebook post responding to her death. The killer, who has not been named and is believed to be still on the loose, was most likely known to the victims as police described it as an 'isolated incident'. Celie Rain Montgomery (pictured), 26, was identified along with Sam Knopp, 24, after what police believe was a double murder last week Sam Knopp, 24, was names as one of the victims of a shooting in a dorm at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs on Friday Sam Knopp with is pictured with his mother, Amy, in photo posted online Colorado Springs PD has not divulged any information about the shooter. The department said the incident is under investigation. 'At this point in our investigation, this incident does not appear to be a murder-suicide and both deaths are being investigated as homicides,' Colorado Springs PD said. The coroner's office will determine how they died, but each person was shot at least once in what appeared to be an 'isolated incident,' police spokesperson Ira Cronin said at a briefing. The 24-year-old victim, who was a senior at college, was remembered as a gifted musician who played the guitar. Montgomery did not attend the university. Sam was a senior studying music at the university and said to be a beloved member of the Visual and Performing Arts department. He was an accomplished guitar player and an extremely talented musician. Celie, who was a single mother-of-two young children, worked as a freelance copywriter specializing in health and wellness. A lockdown across campus lasted for about 90 minutes and later was isolated to Crestone House, a student apartment complex on campus, school spokesperson Chris Valentine said. A police officer stands outside a dorm in the Village at Alpine Valley housing on Friday as police investigate a shooting on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus Knopp, was a talented senior studying music at the university Shocked students look outside their dorm window in the Village at Alpine Valley housing When police officers got to the room, they found Knopp and Montgomery both dead, having been shot in the head. Following the lockdown, the campus about 70 miles south of Denver remained closed for the day. Knopp's mother, Amy, shared her concerns online just as the shooting was taking place. She wrote online: 'There were reports of an active shooter on campus at UCCS where our son, Sam, is a senior. At least one person is dead. 'I haven't heard from Sam. He lives in Alpine Village, where residents were told to shelter in place. The campus is in lockdown and is now closed today. 'PLEASE EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE BUT IT'S THE GODDAMNED GUNS! This hits way too close to home and it makes me want to vomit. All the 'thoughts and prayers' in the world mean nothing without action to back them up.' Once it became clear her son was one of the victims, there followed messages of condolence. 'I'm so sorry for your loss and praying so hard for you and your family,' wrote Brittany Craig. 'Amy my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My heart is broken my condolences,' said Diane Sigl. 'Im so sorry Amy, I am angry and heartbroken we lost Sam,' added Elsa Ge. Sam Knopp is seen alongside his twin sister Ellie Sam, left, and his sister Ellie are pictured together in a family photo So far, no suspects have been apprehended nor named in the active investigation. 'Given this case's active and fluid nature, additional information about those leads and any potential suspect details will not be released at this time,' a press release from the police department read. The police did note that the shooting was an isolated incident between people who knew one another and was not simply a random attack against the school or other students at the university. 'While acknowledging the difficulty of the situation and the withholding of information in the initial stages of the investigation, we owe it to the victims and their families to deliver accountability and justice for this horrific act,' police said. 'These are the third and fourth homicides in the City of Colorado Springs this year. At this time last year, there were two homicides.' The campus was also closed over the weekend but walk-in counseling was offered at the wellness center on both days, the university said. The university has said that classes will be cancelled on Monday but walk-in counseling will also be offered together with spaces on campus being open to offering food and support. A healing walk to honor the victims is scheduled for Monday on the UCCS campus at 2pm. A 15-year-old girl died and her sister sustained injuries when they fell into a dry well after they were set upon by some raging monkeys in India. Sapna and her sister Sadhna, 19, plunged down the well in the Nai Nagla locality of Uttar Pradesh two days ago when they were working on the terrace of their home. After the horrific ordeal, they were taken to the hospital by locals. Sapna passed away during treatment, while Sadhna remains in critical condition, the Times of India reports. Station house officer of Sadar Kotwali police station, Vijay Kumar, said: 'The girl's family didn't file any complaint, and were not keen on the postmortem. Officials were informed about the incident.' Their father, Shiv Kumar, an e-rickshaw driver, said: 'The administration should capture the monkeys.' After the savage attack, Spana and her sister Sadhna, 19, were taken to the hospital by locals. Sapna passed away during treatment, while Sadhna remains in critical condition, according to a report In November, a 10-year-old boy was mercilessly killed by a monkey after it tore his intestines out in an attack that took place near a temple in India. Police said the boy, who was identified as Dipak Thakor, was killed by a 'notorious gang' of monkeys while he and his friends were playing near a temple in Salki, a small village in the western state of Gujarat. Dipak and his friends were attacked, and a monkey managed to dig its claws into him, before killing him. Though he was taken to hospital, he tragically passed away before doctors were able to treat him. 'His intestine was ripped out in the attack. He rushed to his house and was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival,' an official told local media. The official added that this was the third attack by the monkey gang that week alone. In March last year, 70-year-old woman died in southern India after being attacked by a pack of rampaging monkeys while on her way to the bathroom. Chataraboina Narsavva was at home in her village in the state of Telangana's Kamareddy district when the the aggressive creatures pounced on her. The pensioner, who lived with her daughter in Ramareddy village, was alone at the time of the attack. Her daughter, who had been away for a wedding, later rushed her mother to hospital, where she died from her injuries. Rather than being mauled by the animals, police said that Narsavva slipped and hit her head on the floor, the Times of India reported. She sustained the injuries which she later died from as she tried to escape the mob of monkeys, according to a local police inspector. A supermarket worker is fighting for life after being shoved to the ground and hitting his head next to the self-service checkouts. The 64-year-old was working at the store in Blacktown in Sydney on Sunday when he was attacked at about 6.30pm. The man who allegedly pushed him then fled the store with stolen goods and boarded a train at Schofields Railway Station. A supermarket worker is fighting for life after being shoved to the ground and hitting his head next to the self-service checkouts (file picture) The worker was treated at the scene by paramedics and was taken to Westmead Hospital, where his condition deteriorated. He is now in a critical condition. A 25-year-old man was arrested at a home in Scholfields at about 1.30pm on Monday. He was charged with causing reckless grievous bodily harm and two counts of larceny. He was refused bail to appear in Blacktown Local Court on Tuesday. Runaway aristocrat Constance Marten told police that she tried to 'resuscitate' the newborn baby she is accused of killing and wanted to give her a 'proper burial', a court was told. Marten, 36, and her partner Mark Gordon, 49, are accused of causing the death of baby Victoria by living in a tent 'off grid' in the middle of winter so she would not be taken away from them by social services. A placenta was found in a burnt-out car on a Manchester motorway on January 5 2023 sparking a huge police hunt as the couple traversed the country trying to find an escape route from the UK, the Old Bailey has heard. When the couple were eventually arrested in Brighton, East Sussex, last February, they initially refused to say where their child was or whether she was alive or dead. But on March 1 last year, Victoria's remains were found in a Lidl supermarket bag covered in rubbish inside a disused shed on an allotment after she allegedly froze to death. Marten told police she fell asleep with Victoria in her arms when she woke up the baby was dead. But prosecutors argue the baby died weeks later after being exposed to the cold weather. In a police interview played to the jury today, Marten said: 'I tried to resuscitate her... I tried to breathe in her mouth and pump her chest. And there was no response. So I wrapped her in a scarf and cradled her for a few minutes. I didn't know what to do.' Later on in the interview, the aristocrat revealed why the baby was in a bag, telling police: 'I wanted to give her a proper burial so we carried her with us not knowing what to do.' Constance Marten (left), 36, and Mark Gordon (right), 49, are accused of causing the death of baby Victoria In footage shown during the trial, Marten is seen keeping the baby under her coat before unzipping it and exposing her in east London on January 7 Jurors were shown little Victoria's face (centre) for the first time last month as her parents Constance Marten (right) and Mark Gordon (left) sat inside a kebab shop The fugitive aristocrat also said she was advised by Gordon to say their baby was the victim of 'cot death' after the child died in her arms as she slept. Follow every detail of the case on The Mail's acclaimed podcast The Trial The Trial takes listeners behind the headlines and into the courtrooms of some of the biggest criminal cases in the world. The first series, 'The Trial of Lucy Letby' received more than 13million downloads. Season two focused on the murder of Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old teacher from Ireland. Season three followed the case of the murder of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old teenager. Season four will follow the evidence as the jury hears it in twice weekly reports from The Daily Mail's news reporter, Jack Hardy, and broadcast journalist, Caroline Cheetham. They will take you into the courtroom to bring you the details as the evidence unfolds, to examine key moments and to carry out exclusive interviews with detectives, victims, and experts. Advertisement Marten told police how the couple had been staying outside in the countryside and that she was keeping Victoria warm in her jacket. 'I was holding her and hugging her and I was extremely tired, I hadn't slept in probably two days, we'd just arrived there I fell asleep with her in my jacket,' she told the court. Marten began to cry as she told the police officers what happened. She continued: 'When I woke up I was like crouched over her like that, holding her and she wasn't moving when I woke up. I don't know how long I'd been asleep. 'I saw she wasn't moving and her lips had gone blue. And, yeah, I don't know how long we slept, and it was just so tired, I don't know.' She then claims she tried to resuscitate Victoria who had gone ''limp' but the baby did not respond. Crying in the interview, Marten said: 'I don't know how it happened.' She was then offered a tissue and told to take her time. She told officers they had been sleeping in a tent. The mother said: 'We had lots of warm blankets and things and obviously the baby had her things, she had lots of warm clothes. But we weren't intending to live in a tent for a long period of time.' Marten said that they had limited cash and knew she couldn't access her bank because the 'police would know where I was. 'In fact that's how they found us the first time we used our credit card was the night that we got caught, she added. The baby's mother said they were trying to find a property but didn't want to alert the authorities to where they were. She said she did not know the exact location of where they had been staying but it was 'somewhere in the forest.' When asked why she fell asleep, she said: 'I was just exhausted, we'd been running trying to find somewhere to pitch a tent that was remote and I hadn't slept in a long time.' She said Gordon was not in the tent when she fell asleep but was there when they tried to resuscitate Victoria. When asked why she didn't get help, she said Victoria was 'definitely dead'. 'Did you have a mobile to ring 999?' the officer asked. Constance Marten (pictured) and her partner have been accused of killing Victoria by taking her on the run in January last year to prevent her from being taken away by social services A pictures shows the inside of the couple's burnt out car. The baby's placenta was found in the vehicle, the Old Bailey heard An image dated January 5, 2023 from the Metropolitan Police of Mark Gordon and Constance Marten's burning Peugeot 206 on the M61, which was played in court during their trial 'Um, yeah I think we had one phone, but I mean she wasn't alive. She was completely limp. I don't know how long she'd been dead for. There's nothing a hospital really could do.' Weeping, she continued: 'I held onto her for a few hours, hugging her. I think Mark was telling that I had to let go because it's not good to hold her like that because it probably would be good for my state of mind. 'So I wrapped her up in a scarf and then I think we put her in a bag, I didn't know what to do after that. Marten said: 'We were distraught. We were both very distraught and a bit traumatised. The heartbreaking moment the body of a missing newborn girl was found inside a Lidl supermarket bag has been shown at the trial of aristocrat Constance Marten A police officer at the disused shed where the baby's body was tragically discovered Last week, the defendants sat in the Old Bailey dock as police bodyworn video was played of the moment baby Victoria was finally found on the afternoon of March 1, 2023. 'We didn't really move from that area for a few days, and then I think we got a bus to somewhere near Brighton. 'I mean I've been debating what to do basically. Not knowing what to, I don't know whether to bury her in the forest. 'I did get a spade at one point from the allotment, I was going to bury her here but then I didn't have the strength to bury that far deep because I hadn't eaten for so long and also we wanted to have a proper burial. 'I knew that at some point someone was going to ask where the baby was and I wanted an autopsy done. The full inventory of the Lidl bag was read out in court - 1) KM everyday white medium bread 2) Heras fairy cakes 3&4) Walkers paprika 5) ES chocolate chip cake twin 6) Sunpat peanut butter 8) Jacks wild cheddar slices 14) Terry's chocolate orange 15) Swizzels MNNS chews 16) Fruitella juicy chews 17) Rowntrees fruit pastels 23) Steroplast washproof plasters 24) Heinz salad cream 25) Fanta orange 26) Jacks carrots 28) Misc vegetables 37) MISC non-vat The full inventory of the Lidl bag was read out in court - 10) Jacks raspberry Jam 13) Cadbury wholenut chocolate 18) Classic chocolate ice cream The full inventory of the Lidl bag was read out in court - 21) Sliced turkey breast 29) I can't believe it's not butter 34) Snax cheese and onion 35) Delphi Tzatzki dip 36) MISC non-VAT 38) MISC vegetables 40) MISC vegetables 42) Mr Freeze X 5 The full inventory of the Lidl bag was read out in court - 4) Walkers paprika 9) Kumala Zenith Chenin 27) MISC non-VAT 30) SAXA salt table mini 33) Heinz baked beans 39) Heavy duty clear forks 41) MISC vegetables 'So I was worried that if I was to bury her in the woods, potentially an animal could find her and potentially do something to her limbs so I didn't want that to happen. 'And I wanted to give her a proper burial so, we carried her with us, not knowing what to do. I mean she's got soil on top of her, like in the bag and obviously the bag got extremely heavy, I don't know why her body did that because I think she's quite light but it's been quite difficult to carry around. It's extremely heavy to carry.' The officer asked: 'What were you eventually going to do with Victoria?' Marten replied: 'Um probably bury her. Well I want her to have a gravestone, potentially like a stone angel next to her with her name on it.' She said Gordon was the father of all her children and that they had kept Victoria's birth secret from everyone else. She said: 'It got to the point where she became really heavy, the bag became too heavy to carry, I don't know why I haven't looked at the body or neither has Mark but it just became excessively heavy.' Asked where Gordon was when Victoria died, she said: 'I'm not going to comment on that. You'll have to ask him.' Marten's solicitor then asked for a break. When they returned to the interview Marten told the police Gordon was not there. Body-worn camera footage shows the moment detectives confronted Marten Police repeatedly ask Constance Marten 'where is your child?' in the footage after she and Gordon were tracked down A sketch of Marten (left) and Gordon with a dock officer at the Old Bailey in March 2023 She said: 'Yeah, obviously Mark and I have been doing lots of discussing about the situation and what to do and what not to do. 'Mark was present, he fell asleep also in the tent but I have told him, because I want to protect him, to say that he wasn't there and that's because obviously he's my husband. I told him to say that he wasn't there. 'Mark and I were talking about what to do with the situation and I think like two weeks after it happened, I was debating about whether to hand myself in and Mark advised me to say that it was cot death, and that I wasn't holding her. 'And he advised me to say that I lay her down and then when we woke up she was on her front and she'd passed away. 'But that isn't what happened so, he may try to say that in order to protect me, that's because he wants to protect my interests. So he's told me to say that she wasn't in my jacket.' Marten appeared in court today wearing a white blouse and purple scarf. Gordon was not in court today. Marten's mother Virginie de Selliers also attended court. The wealthy family lived at Dorset estate Crichel House during Marten's youth and her grandmother was a playmate of Princess Margaret and goddaughter to the Queen Mother. Marten and Gordon deny manslaughter by gross negligence, concealment of the birth of a child, cruelty to a person under 16 and perverting the course of justice. They also deny causing or allowing the death of a child. The trial continues. Bono honored late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny at a U2 show at the Las Vegas Sphere over the weekend. The U2 front man, 63, led the crowd at Saturday's show of the band's residency in chanting Navalny's name following his mysterious death in a Siberian prison. 'Apparently Putin would never, ever say [Navalny's] name. So I thought tonight, the people who believe in freedom must say his name. Not just remember it, but say it,' an impassioned Bono told the crowd at the Sphere. Before performing Crowded House's Don't Dream It's Over, Bono also voiced his support for the people of Ukraine and his opposition to Vladimir Putin. 'Next week it'll be two years since Putin invaded and tried to destroy the hard-won freedoms [of the Ukrainian people] Bono said. Bono honored late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny at at US show at the Las Vegas Sphere over the weekend The details of Navalny's death remain unclear as of Monday, with Russian officials saying his body will not be released for 14 days #U2 frontman Bono chanted Alexei #Navalny's name with the audience during his concert in Las Vegas "Putin would never ever say his name. So I thought tonight people who believe in freedom must say his name. Not just remember it, but say it." pic.twitter.com/lWwTwOs8Tw NEXTA (@nexta_tv) February 18, 2024 'Next it'll be Poland, next it'll be Lithuania, East Germany... who knows where this man will or won't go. 'To these people freedom is not just a word in a song. For these people freedom is the most important word in the world so important that Ukrainians are fighting and dying for it. And it's so important that Alexei Navalny chose to give his up.' Bono was referencing Navalny's decision to go back to Russia knowing he would be arrested and sent to Siberia upon landing over his fierce opposition to tyrant Putin. The details of Navalny's death remain unclear as of Monday, with a Navalny spokesman saying his body will not be released for 14 days. The news sparked shock and anger around the globe, with world leaders and commentators quickly pointing the finger at the Kremlin. Navalny was 'brutally murdered by the Kremlin,' Latvia's president declared, while Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said it was 'obvious' Putin had ordered the dissident's killing. President Joe Biden, on his part, blamed Putin for Navalny's death, telling the press he was both 'not surprised' and also 'outraged' to hear that the 47-year-old Russian opposition leader had died - and was looking into ways to respond. As Putin's fiercest foe, Navalny crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests - drawing the merciless retribution of the Kremlin. Before performing Crowded House's Don't Dream It's Over, Bono also voiced his support for the people of Ukraine and his opposition to Vladimir Putin As Putin's fiercest foe, Navalny crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests - drawing the merciless retribution of the Kremlin He once survived an assassination attempt involving the Novichok nerve agent, but returned to his homeland upon his recovery, despite knowing he would be arrested. Ever since, he had been serving time on extremism charges after being sentenced to 19 years behind bars, and in December was moved from a prison in central Russia to a 'special regime' penal colony known as 'Polar Wolf' above the Arctic Circle. He was last seen via video link during a court hearing on Thursday. Dressed in black prison uniform, he appeared to be in good spirits - his trademark humor back on show. 'Your Honor, I will send you my personal account number so that you can use your huge salary as a federal judge to ''warm up'' my personal account, because I am running out of money,' he said. Navalny's mother Lyudmila said she had seen her son in the prison colony on Monday. At the time, she said: 'He was alive, healthy, cheerful.' But the Federal Prison Service said in a statement today that Navalny felt unwell after a walk and lost consciousness. An ambulance arrived to try to save him, to no avail. Bellingcat journalist Christo Grozev - an ally of Navalany who has followed his trial closely, said: 'I have no doubt that the death of Alexei Navalny is not natural. 'Even propagandist Russian channels, linked to the special services, called this a political assassination. Who are we to doubt their own words?' The Monaco mogul has tightened his grip on the historic Californian village after snapping up yet another iconic building The tightening grip exerted on a historic California village by a multi-billionaire property magnate dubbed 'The Octopus' has been laid out for the first time. Monaco real estate titan Patrice Pastor has bought up at least 15 iconic properties in the seaside village of Carmel, leaving locals 'terrified they are handing over our town to one person who's doing what he wants to do.' His $7.5million purchase of the La Rambla building last month is the latest in a series of deals landed by the 51-year-old since he and his company Esperanza Carmel set their sights on the village ten years ago. Police were called after a fist-fight broke out between a small business owner and a village administrator in October after Pastor demanded permission to override planning laws so he could move a historic wall. And locals fear that soaring prices will drive them out of a village where the population has already fallen from 3,700 to 3,200 since 2010. 'What's going to happen as he spends so much money on the building, the property tax goes up and the rents go up and the only people who can afford it are chain stores?' one business owner told SFGATE. Billionaire property developer Patrice Pastor has been dubbed 'The Octopus' in his native Monaco, and left locals terrified of his ambitions in the Californian village of Carmel His $7.5million purchase of the La Rambla building last month is the latest in a series of deals landed by the 51-year-old 'What's going to happen to our mom-and-pop shops? What's going to happen to our local feel?' Pastor who is a fourth-generation property magnate is notorious for his feud with Monaco's crown prince which has been raging since 2021. In 2021, an email from Prince Albert II's press advisor to one of the Prince's close friends was shared on an anonymous website, LesDossiersDuRocher.com, which published incriminating evidence about Monaco's royal family. The email said: 'That octopus Pastor is everywhere! He has gotten his hooks into Monaco. He has gone mad, he has no limits!' Le Monde reported at the time: 'This supposed 'octopus' appears to be multi-billionaire Patrice Pastor, a 49-year-old who for decades constructed and rented buildings and apartments for small fortunes. 'Proud and with no frills, he is an unmistakable character in Monaco. 'I'm not a nice guy,' he said. 'I'm free, independent and I have money, so... Everything in the 'Dossiers du Rocher' is true, and everyone knows it! The truth is that I irritate them.'' The village in Monterey County has long been a favorite hangout for Hollywood's elite and was famously presided over by Clint Eastwood as mayor in the 1980s. Brad Pitt bought a $40 million home there in 2022 and other residents have included Michael Nesmith, Doris Day, Betty White and James Ellroy. He paid $4.2m in 2018 for the Der Ling Building on Ocean Ave between Dolores and Lincoln He bought renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright's only ocean front home for $22 million The $9 million Ulrika Plaza project will create 9,000 square feet of retail space The Rocky Point project on Highway 1 between Carmel and Big Sur Pastor (left) and his wife (second left) in 2015 at the Monaco Foundation dinner in London with Marc Lecourt and his wife Pastor has fought a long-running feed with Monaco's Prince Albert, seen here at his wedding to Princess Charlene in 2011 The tycoon paid $13.9 million for the LAuberge Carmel Hotel on Monte Verde Street But Eastwood's former Hogs Head bar and the building it once housed are now part of the Pastor empire along with more than a dozen other iconic properties. In 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that Pastor bought renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright's only existing ocean front home for $22 million. His largest project is the Ulrika Plaza new build development, which will be a 42,000 square foot mixed-use, retail and residential space. The JB Pastor Project which will be a 30,000 square foot mixed-use, retail and residential. He is also renovating the Rocky Point Project. His website says: 'Originally constructed in 1951, located on Highway 1 between Carmel and Big Sur, Rocky Point enjoys one of the best views in the world.' Other notable buildings including L'Auberge Carmel Hotel, the Brown-Spaulding Building and Forge in the Forest. In all he is thought to have spent nearly $100 million on properties in the village 75 miles south of San Jose. But he has his supporters including the Carmel Preservation Association and real estate agent Tim Allen. 'I think the focus has been on 'Oh my gosh, he's buying up everything!' But the reality is he owns very little compared to some families that have been here for a while,' Allen told SFGate. 'We need an influx. If he's restoring something in an area that's big or small, it shows that if people work together, as opposed to thinking someone's right or wrong, then you can move everything in the right direction.' He added: 'I know Patrice, he's like family, and he loves Carmel, loves it. And what he's doing is good for our community.' The village left an indelible impression on the Monegasque mogul when he first came as a child and he now visits 'three or four times a year', according to company representative Christopher Mitchell. 'He knew that he would one day come to live here,' he added. The luxury Carmel Beach Hotel is one of the few within walking distance of the beach The Forge in the Forest is an 8,000 square foot restaurant in downtown Carmel The Eastwood Building once once owned by movie star Clint Eastwood and rumored to be the reason he ran for Mayor of Carmel in 1986 The Hogs Breath bar was also previously owned by the Hollywood great But some residents recently took a trip to see at the family's work in Monaco where his father Victor Pastor was for decades 'essentially the developer-in-chief for the entire principality'. One came back describing it as looking like a 'concrete beehive.' 'Now is the time to stand up,' he added. 'If not now, then we're going to look and feel incredibly different in five years.' South Carolina is the fourth and final early presidential primary state and is holding its election on Saturday with doubt over whether Nikki Haley will continue to campaign with a poor showing in her home state. Frontrunner Donald Trump's campaign continues to say that Haley is the 'best surrogate' for President Joe Biden and Democrats because they claim she promotes a more leftist agenda. Some Republicans who wanted a different nominee this year claim that Democrats want Trump to win the GOP primary because they think Biden could beat him in a 2024 rematch. And Haley's campaign agrees with this assessment. 'Democrats want nothing more than for Donald Trump to be the nominee because they know they will beat him in November,' Haley's spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas told Axios. And Trump spokesman Steven Cheung replied to that comment with: 'It's not a coincidence that she's their best surrogate.' The strategy is underscored by the Democrats shifting to employing Haley's own words to attack her competitor. Donald Trump's team says that competitor Nikki Haley is the 'best' surrogate for President Joe Biden's reelection campaign as Democrats starting using her words against the ex-president in their attacks 'I'm running against him because I don't think he should be president,' Haley said during an interview with Jonathan Karl on ABC's This Week on Sunday morning. She added: 'The last thing on my mind is who I'm going to support. The only thing on my mind is how we're going to win this.' The Biden-Harris 2024 campaign blasted out video of Haley's comments from the ABC interview specifically her criticism of Trump over his remarks recently regarding Russia and President Vladimir Putin. 'When you hear Donald Trump say in South Carolina a week ago that he would encourage Putin to invade our allies if they weren't pulling their weight. That's bone-chilling, because all he did in that one moment was empower Putin,' Haley said. Haley and Trump are in crunch time leading up to the South Carolina primary election and the former president is still 33 percent ahead of his once-UN Ambassador, according to a FiveThirtyEight polling average in the Palmetto State. Trump is arriving in Greenville, South Carolina on Tuesday afternoon for a town hall with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, which will air later that evening. He will then return to the state later in the week before Saturday's primary election. Meanwhile, Haley has been all over her home state, where she was governor from 2011-2017 before Trump tapped her to become his Ambassador to the United Nations a post where she remained for nearly two years. Haley is Trump's only remaining primary competitor besides extreme longshot businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley, who despite barely making any waves has remained in the running. Meanwhile, Trump surrogate Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is also speaking out against Haley's campaign. The South Carolina native claimed that Haley, once an ally, is becoming 'desperate' after her son Nalin, 22, called Scott 'Senator Judas' for backing Trump's candidacy. Scott was once in the 2024 race along with Haley and Trump. He dropped out in November, later endorsed Trump and became a top surrogate for him in South Carolina. Haley also increased her criticism of Trump after the former president brought up her husband during a rally this month, questioning why he is not on the campaign trail. Major Michael Haley is currently deployed to Africa with the Army National Guard. But former Amb. Haley's two children Nalin and Rena, 26, have joined her in campaigning in early primary states in the last few months. Police have revealed an enormous knife they found on the same day as a teenage boy was stabbed to death in the latest bloody attack on London's streets. Met officers had been patrolling Portobello Market when they spotted a man carrying the large serrated knife. Officers arrested the man, and the potentially devastating weapon was taken off the streets. It has since been displayed in a shocking picture shared by the Kensington & Chelsea branch of the force. The discovery was made hours before the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old boy in east London. Met officers had been patrolling Portobello Market when they spotted a man carrying the large serrated knife. The Kensington & Chelsea branch of the force shared a picture of the knife Police and paramedics were called to Hackney Road in Shoreditch, near the junction with Cremer Street, at about 10.50pm on Saturday. The victim was found with stab injuries and died at the scene. A 17-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder, police said on Monday. Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway of the Metropolitan Police, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said on Sunday: 'My thoughts are with the family of the young person who has tragically lost his life. 'I can assure them that we will be relentless in seeking to identify whoever was responsible for this murder. Forensic officers seen investigating near the scene of the stabbing on Hackney Road on Sunday 'Cordons are in place in Hackney Road for forensic examination of the scene and we have launched what will be an extremely thorough investigation, supported by specialists from across the Met.' The teenager is the second to be stabbed to death in the capital so far this year. A total of 21 teenagers were killed in London last year, up from 14 the year before. A mother who stole 15,000 in savings from her vulnerable autistic son and splashed the cash on herself was branded 'despicable' by a judge, but has avoided jail. Cheryl Lynes, 47, pilfered money set aside for her son's therapeutic activities and holiday and instead spent it on 'taxis and shopping', the court heard. The funds had been saved up by a foster carer who had looked after Lynes' son before he went into assisted living accommodation. He has severe communication difficulties, suffers with autism, and lacks the capacity to manage his own money, prosecutor Rose Burns told the court. Lynes, from Portland, Dorset, admitted a charge of fraud by abuse of position when she appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday. The judge, branding her 'despicable', sentenced Lynes to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years. Cheryl Lynes, pictured leaving Bournemouth Crown Court, stole 15,000 in savings from her vulnerable autistic son and splashed the cash on herself. The court heard that the 47-year-old spent money earmarked for her son's therapeutic activities and holiday on 'taxis and shopping' Lynes, pictured leaving the court, took charge of her son's finances when he first moved into assisted living in Bournemouth at the age of 18. She withdrew between 14,000 and 15,000 from her son's account from 2017 to 2020 before a social worker became suspicious of her spending and contacted the police Lynes took charge of her son's finances when he first moved into assisted living in Bournemouth at the age of 18. She withdrew between 14,000 and 15,000 from her son's account from 2017 to 2020 before a social worker became suspicious of her spending and contacted the police. Christopher Pix, defending, told the court this was 'highly unsophisticated fraud', noting his client had 'limited intelligence'. He added: 'She's of good character and she's not, for example, a professional fraudster. 'This is a lady who is incredibly remorseful and accepts responsibility.' Mr Pix also noted Lynes experienced an 'incredibly sad childhood' in foster care, and 'has not had an easy life' since. He said she was heavily in debt and could not repay the ill-gotten funds. Lynes (pictured) admitted a charge of fraud by abuse of position when she appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday. The judge, branding her 'despicable', sentenced Lynes to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years Addressing the defendant, Judge Robert Pawson said: 'Your son is extremely vulnerable, and you took advantage of that over the course of about two or three years. 'You, in effect, stole 15,000 from him. You took 15,000, or thereabouts, of his money and spent it on who knows, shopping? 'I noticed one of the things you spent money on was taxis - a total waste of money. 'I'm afraid there is only one word for what you did, and it's contemptible. Most members of the public would go further to say its despicable. 'I have no doubt that you targeted your son because of his vulnerability. It's almost unbelievable that any parent in your circumstances would do that.' BAFTA organisers are facing serious security questions after a YouTube prankster walked on stage with the cast of Oppenheimer last night when they accepted the award for best picture. Lizwani wore a dark suit and black tie can be seen dashing onto the stage to join Cillian Murphy, Christopher Nolan, and Michael J Fox who handed out the award. He gave a sly smirk as he stood behind producer Emma Thomas while she gave her acceptance speech. Lizwani, who has been documenting the experience on his Instagram stories, claimed police had confiscated some of his footage from the awards. But a Met Police spokesperson said the force was not aware of the incident. The BAFTAs said he had been removed by security and they are 'taking this very seriously'. A spokesman said in a statement: 'A social media prankster was removed by security last night after joining the winners of the final award on stage we are taking this very seriously, and don't wish to grant him any publicity by commenting further.' Lizwani has 8,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel and 5,000 TikTok followers where he posts videos of his exploits sneaking into award ceremonies and events. YouTube prankster Lizwani (marked in red circle) dashed onto the Bafta stage last night in London as the Oppenheimer cast Lizwani gave a sly smile as he stood behind producer Emma Thomas while she gave her acceptance speech Cameras captured the moment Lizwani dashed onto the BAFTAs stage last night just seconds after producer Thomas encouraged the rest of the Oppenheimer team to join the group. 'Where are you? Come on, all of you!' she asked. The prankster, who was not sat with the Oppenheimer team in the auditorium, then appeared on stage. He stood next to Murphy during Thomas' acceptance speech. Murphy appeared to give him a skeptical look as the speech ended. Lizwani was apprehended by security and removed from the event. It is unclear how he first gained access to the awards ceremony. The prankster later posted a screen shot of himself during the BBC broadcast on his Instagram stories and wrote: 'Here's me and Cian Murphy receiving our award.' In a series of posts, Lizwani teased the release of the 'full video' which he says is 'coming out soon'. It is unclear what footage he plans to share with the world, but Lizwani alleges he has a 'lot'. He has also claimed that officers 'took bare' of some of his videos, but police are unaware of any such incident. When MailOnline questioned the BAFTAs about Lizwani's alleged confiscated video, a spokesperson referred us to their previous statement which said officials are taking the incident 'very seriously' and 'dont wish to grant him any publicity by commenting further'. Lizwani later posted a screen shot of himself during the BBC broadcast on his Instagram stories and wrote: 'Here's me and Cian Murphy receiving our award' The prankster has been promoting a release of the 'full video' from the BAFTAs, which he says is 'coming out soon' Lizwani, who has been documenting the experience on his Instagram stories, claimed police had confiscated some of his footage from the awards. But a Met Police spokesperson said the force was not aware of the incident Lizwani has a history of sneaking into high profile events. In 2022, he gatecrashed the Brit Awards at the O2 arena in London by putting on a chef's hat and apron to pose as a fake cook and sneak in through the VIP entrance. He walked into the VIP area where he chatted with YouTuber KSI and ended up on ITV after sitting at a table behind comedian Mo Gilligan. He then headed to an afterparty and was photographed with Arsenal football star Bukayo Saka. Lizwani also travelled to Paris that year where he dressed in mechanics overalls to sneak into the side door and gatecrash the FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony. He was caught by security on that occasion and chucked out of the building. The prankster also crashed the British Fashion Awards in 2021 and the MOBO Awards that same year. In 2022, Lizwai gatecrashed the Brit Awards at the O2 arena in London by putting on a chef's hat and apron to pose as a fake cook and sneak in through the VIP entrance. He is pictured at the awards show Lizwani travelled to Paris in 2022 where he dressed in mechanics overalls to sneak into the side door and gatecrash the FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony. He is pictured at the event Additionally, his YouTube videos detail how he has allegedly snuck into numerous sporting events - including the boxing match between Deji Olatunji and Alex Wassabi at Wembley last year. He was seen celebrating in the ring after a match. It appears that Lizwani has been crashing events for at least five years. His oldest video, dated September 2018, details how he snuck into a Waterford vs Tottenham football match. He also crashed the Soccer Aid game in 2021, a charity match that was held at Manchester Stadium and raised over 38million in aid for UNICEF. MailOnline has approached Lizwani for comment via email. New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the proceedings of the Lok Sabha Privileges committee against the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and three other officials of the State of West Bengal who contended that 'Parliamentary Privileges will not extend to political activities and that this act was beyond their jurisdiction.' A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud took up the case on an urgent basis and as an interim measure stayed the Privileges Committees proceedings against Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika IAS (Chief Secretary of WB), Sharad Kumar Dwivedi IAS (District Magistrate, North 24 Parganas District), Rajeev Kumar IPS (WB DGP), Dr. Hossain Mehedi Rehman IPS (Superintendent of Police, Basirhat, North 24 Parganas District) and Partha Ghosh (Additional SP, Basirhat, North 24 Parganas District). The matter pertains to a complaint filed by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar over alleged mistreatment against him during the protests at Sandeshkhali region on February 13 and 14. Dr.Majumdar sent his complaint to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on February 15, and in a swift move proceedings were initiated by the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee against the officials, and summonses were issued for their appearance before the committee for today (February 19). Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, approached the Supreme Court to stay the proceedings of the Privileges committee against the officials. Kapil Sibal stated that the officials have been asked to appear before the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee at 10.30 AM today. The bench took it up the matter as the first item at 10.30 AM after the petitioners sought an urgent hearing. The senior lawyers said that Dr.Majumdar and BJP supporters gathered at the region where a curfew under Section 144 CrPC was imposed in the Sandeshkhali region, and they violated the curfew. The senior lawyer submitted that the complaint of Dr. Majumdar of police atrocities is false as videos showing that the party workers attacked the police officials. The legal point raised by the petitioners is that the Parliamentary Privileges will not extend to political activities and the Lok Sabha Secretariat has acted beyond its jurisdiction by issuing notices to the officials. They submitted that the officials like the Chief Secretary, DGP and the District Magistrate were not even present at the venue. "Privileges are available to a member only when he is obstructed while discharging his duties as a Member of Parliament while he is attending the house. Privilege is not available when he is not performing any Parliamentary duties. It is not available for a political activity,' Sibal said. You go there (Sandeshkhali), violate a 144 order, and then you complain that it is a breach of privilege!" Sibal submitted. "Privileges are meant to protect your work as a Parliamentarian. Otherwise, there will be a breach of privileges in every case, nobody can be arrested." Singhvi added. CJI asked, "Breach of privileges is because they allege that the Member of Parliament got injured?". To this Singhvi replied, "Video shows that he jumps on the bonnet of a police car. His colleagues in the BJP pull him. He is taken to the hospital by the police." Singhvi referred to the Supreme Court's 2020 order staying the summons issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat to a Jharkhand SP on a breach of privileges complaint. The bench, while issuing notice returnable within 4 weeks on the writ petition, stayed the further proceedings of the notice issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat against the State Officials. "There shall be a stay of further proceedings in pursuance of the Office Memoranda dated 15 February 2024 ", the Court stated in the order. The Supreme Court's judgment in the Raja Rampal case was also cited. "In any case, privileges can't apply to political activities," submitted Sibal. Senior Advocate Devasish Bharukha, appearing for the Lok Sabha Secretariat, informed the bench that the officials have not been summoned as "accused" and that the notice was meant only to ascertain facts and get evidence. The Speaker referred the complaint of Dr.Majumdar to the Privileges Committee as per the rules, the counsel informed. "Once the Privileges Committee gets a notice, it calls people who might be relevant for oral evidence. That is the first stage. This is the first sitting. This is a threshold stage," Bharukha submitted. Singhvi said that Parliamentary Privileges will not extend to political activities and that this act was an issue of inherent lack of jurisdiction. The Lok Sabha Secretariat has acted beyond its jurisdiction by issuing notices to the officials. The petition was filed in the Lok Sabha alleging that there was a lathicharge against Dr.Majumdar and that the police vehicle was deliberately started when he was on its bonnet, which resulted in his fall. He further alleged that the police deliberately delayed giving proper medical treatment to him. UNI SNG CS1413 President Joe Biden slammed Republicans on Monday for not approving more aid for Ukraine and said he hoped the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny would spur them into action. The Senate passed a $95 billion aid package that includes funds for Ukraine, but House Speaker Mike Johnson is refusing to bring it up for a vote and is demanding a meeting with Biden. 'Sure I'd be happy to meet with him, if he has anything to say,' the president said as he returned to the White House after a weekend in Delaware. The issue has taken on added intensity in recent days after one of President Vladimir Putin's leading critics died in a Russian prison. Biden was asked by reporters whether Republicans had blood on their hands if they did not pass the bill. President Joe Biden (right) said he was willing to meet House Speaker Mike Johnson, 'If he has anything to say,' as Republicans continue to block a fresh aid package for Ukraine The need to act has only intensified after leading Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny died in a prison on Friday. Flowers are laid in his memory near the Russian embassy in Paris 'I wouldn't use that term, but they're making a big mistake by not responding,' he said. 'The way they're walking away from the threat of Russia, they way they're walking away from NATO. The way they're walking away from meeting our obligations. It's just shocking ... 'I've never seen anything like it.' Former President Donald Trump last week triggered outrage and alarm among US allies by suggesting he would not be willing to defend NATO members who did not meet spending commitments. He even suggested he would encourage attacks on them. On Monday, Trump finally responded to the death of Navalny, but only to compare himself with the courageous Russian dissident. 'The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our country,' Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. 'It is a slow, steady progression, with crooked, radical left politicians, prosecutors, and judges leading us down a path to destruction.' Biden also said he was considering imposing fresh sanctions on Russia for Navalny's death. 'We already have sanctions, but we are considering additional sanctions, yes,' he said. Biden talked to reporters as he returned to the White House on Monday morning Biden said he was considering additional sanctions on Russia for the death of Navalny An aerial view of Avdiivka's destroyed buildings on February 15, 2023. Almost every building in the city has been damaged or destroyed, according to the Centre for Information Resilience. Ukraine abandoned the city on Saturday under intense Russian pressure Republicans broadly argue that the war in Ukraine is unwinnable. So why send more money? Ahead of the Senate vote last week, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson described Putin as 'evil,' before concluding: 'Vladimir Putin will not lose this war.' In the meantime, Ukraine continues to appeal for more help. Its forces were forced to retreat from the captured town of Avdiivka, a strategic hub in the east of the country. The White House said that was due to a lack of ammunition, which it blamed on the congressional logjam. 'This morning, Ukraines military was forced to withdraw from Avdiivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russias first notable gains in months,' it said after Biden called Ukraine's Volodomyr Zelensky. Hotels have been used as a stop-gap measure to provide shelter to hundreds Massachusetts has $116M in contracts to house migrants through June New documents show the rising public cost of sheltering migrants in Massachusetts, as the state grapples with a strain on its emergency shelter system. The state has 17 contracts totaling $116 million to house migrant families through June, including a no-bid $10 million contract for a company providing meals, CBS News Boston reported, citing documents obtained by the outlet. In some cases, the state is paying hotels $64 per person each day for meals, including $16 for breakfast, $17 for lunch and $31 for dinner. Last August, Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey declared a state of emergency, saying the state had more than 20,000 migrants in its shelter system. Capacity overruns have necessitated the use of hotels for emergency shelter, but earlier this month the state opened a new temporary facility with 400 beds in Boston's Melnea Cass Recreational Center. Earlier this month the state opened a new temporary facility with 400 beds in Boston's Melnea Cass Recreational Center In some cases, the state is paying hotels $64 per person each day for meals, including $16 for breakfast, $17 for lunch and $31 for dinner Officials are yet to explain why the price of meals is so high Massachusetts has 17 contracts totaling $116 million to house migrants through June, including in hotels such as this one, as the state deals with an influx of migrants Capacity overruns have necessitated the use of hotels like the one above for emergency shelter, but earlier this month the state opened a new temporary facility with 400 beds It followed reports that migrants were being forced to sleep on cots at Logan Airport, underscoring the humanitarian crisis and strain on the state's resources. Similar to New York, Massachusetts has a longstanding Right to Shelter law mandating that the state provide emergency shelter to families in desperate need. The law requires emergency shelter to include basic cooking facilities, and if it does not, as in the case of some hotels, the state has to step in and contract for food to be delivered. CBS affiliate WBZ found that one catering vendor, Spinelli Ravioli Manufacturing Company in East Boston, was awarded a $10 million six-month no-bid contract to provide and deliver meals. 'As an approved state vendor, Spinelli's was contacted at the onset of the crisis,' the company told WBZ. 'We are not the exclusive meal vendor and do not have a guaranteed contract, or financial agreement, beyond this initial emergency period,' the statement added. 'We are currently in the bid process for an enduring contract and are looking forward to continue to aid the State and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to reach their goals.' A spokesperson for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com on Monday morning. Migrants are seen sleeping out in Boston's Logan Airport, in the international terminal The situation has become so dire that some families are stepping up and opening their homes to migrant families struggling to find housing. Jessica and Colin Stokes told CBS News Boston that when they called the state to offer to host, a family of four appeared at their door less than an hour later. The family the Stokes took in had been sleeping at the Logan Airport before the offer came through. Jessica said the family have been 'lovely.' 'They are so appreciative. It has been wonderful,' she told CBS News Boston. The Stokes' story comes as Massachusetts' newest emergency shelter at the Cass Recreational Center in Roxbury reached its capacity of 400 people in just a week. The establishment of the shelter displaced, among other groups, the Boston United Track and Cross Country Club, which caters to children from some of Boston's poorest neighborhoods. City officials are keeping their eyes peeled for the next building they can seize and transform into a shelter for migrants. Some are eyeing an office in Boston's Seaport, but others say the facility is inadequate. Last August, Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey declared a state of emergency, saying the state had more than 20,000 migrants in its shelter system Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn said: 'Having a site with no running water, no showers, to me, would be a non-starter.' Jessica said her sympathy is with officials like Flynn, but she's disheartened that there aren't better municipal systems in place to deal with the heavy flow of unexpected visitors. 'Just the dysfunction is really disheartening and I know that really well-intentioned people are working as hard as they can, it's a state of emergency. But it is distressing to see the volume,' she said. The couple said they hope to make the case for other families to offer up their homes to help the migrants, as they have. Brazilian actress Kamylla Rosa jokingly messaged her mother that she would not be coming home moments before she was struck by a car and killed while changing a wheel on a highway, it has been revealed. The 22-year-old, who also did modeling work, stopped with two friends on the shoulder of a road in the central city of Piracanjuba last Tuesday night when was she run over. The Military Police said one of Rosa's friends was driving the vehicle and noticed a problem with one of the front wheels. They pulled over and discovered the wheel was missing several screws. Rosa stepped out of the car to fix the wheel when she was hit by a motorist, who fled the scene. No arrests had been reported as of Monday. Brazilian actress and model Kamylla Rosa, 22, was killed by a motorist after she was run over while changing a wheel last Tuesday in the central city of Piracanjuba The Military Police said the driver of the vehicle spotted a problem with the front tires moments before Brazilian actress Kamylla Rosa tried to fix it and was hit by a vehicle, which stopped before fleeing the scene Rosa's friend, Bruno Souza, told TV Anhanguera the driver 'looked back and fled when he saw what he had done.' Brazilian news outlet Metropoles reported Rosa had sent her mother, Ana Rosa, a voice message joking she was not going return to the family home in Goiania that evening. 'Who said I'm going home? Who gave you this information,' Rosa said. 'I'll be in Goiania. I gave you the information that I am going to be in Goiania. I didn't give you the information that I'm going to be home.' Rosa was on her way back from Caldas Novas, where she had attended a carnival with her friends. The driver ran over the actress and also clipped another young woman who was next to her. Rosa was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics, the other woman suffered minor injuries. Rosa was laid to rest on Thursday. Rosa messaged her mother joking that she was not going to be returning home moments before she was struck and killed by a car while fixing a damaged tire Rosa had plans of launching her own advertising firm with a friend Rosa was laid to rest on Thursday Friends posted tributes to the actress and model online after her death. 'Losing her for me is a void that I will never be able to fill with anything,' one friend stated 'Every time I remember you, I will remember your joy and light and now you will rejoice the angels,' her friend Leticia Souza said. Her last Instagram post, on February 4, featured two photos of herself sitting a restaurant table and highlighted the network's importance. 'Instagram is not just a social network it is a diary full of memories that make up the stages of our life,' Rosa wrote. 'With a simple swipe of our fingers, we can embark on a journey through time, remembering places, moments and people we have met, each stage of our journey. Years to come, ever post will be a window to remember the past.' Aside from acting and modeling, Rosa worked creating advertising campaigns for social media companies and was in the process of launching her own firm, her friend, Laura Teixeira, revealed in a social media tribute. 'We FINISHED organizing our processes for our long-awaited agency,' Teixeira said. Friend, did I say enough that I loved you? My God, what pain I'm feeling.' Another friend, Ana Abreu, said Rosa had dreams of landing a role on a TV Globo series. 'She was a model, an advertising and social media student and had the dream of being an artist,' Abreu said. 'Losing her for me is a void that I will never be able to fill with anything.' Kemi Badenoch accused the former Post Office chairman of seeking revenge on ministers for sacking him today amid a furious row over Horizon compensation payments to sub-postmasters. The Business Secretary went in two-footed on Henry Staunton in the Commons this afternoon over 'patently untrue' allegations he made in a newspaper interview yesterday. Mr Staunton, who took up the role in December 2022 following nine years as chairman of WH Smith, suggested that Whitehall wanted to hold back compensation payments for those affected, to help the Tories ahead of the election. He also said that when Ms Badenoch sacked him in the wake of anger over the scandal she told him: 'Well, someone's got to take the rap for this.' Mr Badenoch went on the attack last night, accusing Mr Staunton of 'lies', and continued her offensive this afternoon, saying there was 'no evidence whatsoever' to back up his allegations. She accused him of choosing to 'spread a series of falsehoods, provide made up anecdotes to journalists and leak discussions held in confidence', adding: 'All of this merely confirms in my mind that I made the correct decision in dismissing him.' The Business Secretary went in two-footed on Henry Staunton in the Commons this afternoon over 'patently untrue' allegations he made in a newspaper interview yesterday. Mr Staunton, who took up the role in December 2022 following nine years as chairman of WH Smith, suggested that Whitehall wanted to hold back compensation payments for those affected, ahead of the election. Ms Badenoch will address MPs on the issue this afternoon following her weekend social media attack, in which she accused him of 'disgraceful misrepresentation' of the reasons he was ousted. She added that a formal investigation had been launched into allegations made regarding Henry Staunton's conduct. She told MPs: 'Mr Staunton claimed that I told him that someone's got to take the rap for the Horizon scandal and that was the reason for his dismissal. That was not the reason at all. 'I dismissed him because there were serious concerns about his behaviour as chair, including those raised from other directors on the board. My department found significant governance issues, for example, with the recruitment of a new senior independence director to the Post Office board... 'I should also inform the House that while he was in post a formal investigation was launched into allegations made regarding Mr Staunton's conduct. This included serious matters such as bullying. Concerns were brought to my department's attention about Mr Staunton's willingness to co-operate with that investigation.' More than 700 branch managers were prosecuted by the Post Office between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their shops. Hundreds of sub-postmasters and subpostmistresses are still awaiting compensation despite the Government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for 600,000 payouts. Mr Staunton, who was sacked by the Business Secretary last month, used the interview with the Sunday Times to suggest that the alleged request was linked to concerns about the cost of compensation heading into the election. He also told the paper that Ms Badenoch told him that 'someone's got to take the rap' for the Horizon scandal and that he discovered his sacking following a phone call from Sky News. The claims prompted an immediate and strongly worded denial from the Government, with Ms Badenoch also using social media to accuse the former chairman Mr Staunton, who took up the role in December 2022 following nine years as chairman of WH Smith, had told the newspaper: 'Early on, I was told by a fairly senior person to stall on spend on compensation and on the replacement of Horizon and to limp, in quotation marks - I did a file note on it - limp into the election. 'It was not an anti-postmaster thing, it was just straight financials. I didn't ask, because I said 'I'm having no part of it - I'm not here to limp into the election, it's not the right thing to do by postmasters'. 'The word 'limp' gives you a snapshot of where they were.' Ms Badenoch, in a lengthy post on X, said the comments were a 'disgraceful misrepresentation of my conversation with him and the reasons for his dismissal. 'Henry Staunton had a lack of grip getting justice for postmasters. The serious concerns over his conduct were the reasons I asked him to step down. 'That he chose to run to the media with made up anecdotes and a series of falsehoods, confirms I made the correct decision.' She said her call with Mr Staunton 'was with officials' who took a 'complete record'. 'He has given an interview full of lies about our conversation during his dismissal. 'The details will emerge soon enough as I won't let the matter rest here, but will be discussing with (government) lawyers,' she said. Ms Badenoch is expected to make a Commons statement about the matter on Monday. Tonight Mr Staunton thoroughly refuted the series of what he said were 'astonishing claims' made by Ms Badenoch. He said that he stood by his claim that a senior civil servant had told him to effectively stall compensation payments to Horizon victims to help the government 'limp into the election'. With regards to the allegations of bullying behaviour, Mr Staunton's representatives said this was the first time 'such allegations have been mentioned' adding that he was unaware of 'any aspects of his conduct' that might have led to such a claim. 'They were certainly not raised by the Secretary of State at any stage and certainly not during the conversation which led to Mr Staunton's dismissal,' a spokesperson added. 'Such behaviour would in any case be totally out of character.' Mr Staunton added: 'It was in the interests of the business as well as being fair for the postmasters that there was faster progress on exoneration and that compensation for wrongly convicted postmasters was more generous, but we didn't see any real movement until after the Mister Bates programme. 'We will leave it to others to come to the conclusion as to why that was the case.' The scandal has been pushed into the public eye by a major ITV drama into the long legal fight by sub-postmasters to get justice. But many, including leading campaigner Alan Bates, have complained about unnecessary delays to victims in receiving compensation. Ministers must ensure claims the Government had looked to stall Horizon compensation payments are 'shown to be false in no uncertain terms', Labour has said. Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told the Commons: 'I firmly agree that the revelations in the Sunday Times at the weekend could not be more serious. In particular, the claim that the Post Office was instructed to go slow on compensation payments to subpostmasters in order to push the financial liability into the next Parliament, if true, would be a further outrageous insult to a scandal that has already rocked faith in the fairness of the British state. 'It cannot be allowed to stand if it is the case, and if it is not it must be shown to be false in no uncertain terms. 'Yet we do now have two completely contrasting accounts, one from the chairman of the Post Office, and one from the Secretary of State, and only one of these accounts can be the truth.' Mr Reynolds asked if the minister would 'categorically state that the Post Office was at no point told to delay compensation payments' by the Government and to state there were no suggestions such a delay 'would be of benefit of the Treasury'. The Labour frontbencher also called for ministers to publish all relevant correspondence between different Government departments, and the Post Office. The Post Office and the UK Government Investments (UKGI) body also rejected any suggestion that either organisation had opposed a blanket exoneration for sub-postmasters, after other claims by Mr Staunton to the newspaper. A spokesman said: 'Post Office is very aware of the terrible impact from this appalling scandal and miscarriage of justice. 'We refute both the assertions put to us and the words and phrases allegedly used, and are focused on supporting the Government's plans for faster justice and redress for victims, as well as helping the inquiry get to the truth of what happened. 'In no sense did Post Office seek to persuade Government against mass exoneration, we remain firmly committed to supporting faster justice and redress for victims.' A UKGI spokesman said: 'We strongly refute the claims levelled by Mr Staunton, both in the facts presented and the suggestions made as to UKGI's overall role.' A Pizza Hut worker in Wisconsin killed his manager in the restaurant's kitchen in order to steal a $7,000 inheritance from him, according to police. Kavonn Ingram, 31, allegedly shot dead 55-year-old Alex Stengel and slashed his throat at the pizza chain's kitchen on February 5, before dragging his body outside and throwing it in a garbage can. Police were alerted to the gruesome finding at the dumpster behind the South Milwaukee eatery two days later, and followed the trail of blood back to the Pizza Hut's kitchen. Investigators say Stengel had cashed a $7,000 inheritance check in the days before his murder and had showed off the cash to co-workers, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Ingram was arrested a few days after the body was discovered and charged with murder, hiding a corpse, armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon. Kavonn Ingram, 31, allegedly shot dead 55-year-old Alex Stengel and slashed his throat at the pizza chain's kitchen on February 5, according to police Investigators say Stengel had cashed a $7,000 inheritance check in the days before his murder and had showed off the cash to co-workers Cops at the restaurant where a trail of blood lead them to a dumpster where Ingram allegedly dumped the body Police believe he wrapped Stengel in a garbage bag after killing him and then wheeled him outside to the dumpster area. Stengel's wallet and phone had also been taken when his body was found. Security surveillance reportedly captured a suspect dressed in black dragging a garbage can from the Pizza Hut to the dumpster. The suspect appeared to be struggling with the weight of what was in the bag, according to police. Detectives said the majority of the restaurant appeared dirty except for a section of the kitchen that looked like it had been cleaned recently, per a criminal complaint. The metal doors also appeared to have been cleaned. Police also said they found what looked like bloody handprints on the handle of a closet. Ingram allegedly clocked out for Stengel after the murder in an attempt to cover up the crime, according to police. The Pizza Hut's regional manager told police that she had received a text from Stengel's phone saying he was not feeling well and was clocking out early. Ingram in orange prison overalls during a court appearance Cops at the scene of the gruesome murder in Milwaukee People have been leaving flowers at the Pizza Hutt where Stengel was murdered, as shows on his sister Pamela's Facebook post, pictured above The restaurant's records show Stengel clocked in and 9.30am on February 5 and opened the cash register at 10.09am - which was strange because there had not been a sell, according to the regional manager. Stengel clocked out at 10.50am - about 25 minutes after a suspect was seen dragging the trash can DailyMail.com has reached out to Pizza Hut for comment on this story. This is the moment a 'hippy crack' drug dealer was caught transporting 'party bags' filled with cannisters of laughing gas, balloons and ketamine in the boot of his Range Rover. Thomas Salton, 30, from Brentwood in Essex, insisted he just had Christmas presents in his car when they pulled him over in December only to find 60 small canisters, 48 one-gram bags of the Class A drug ketamine, and 39,000 in cash. Hidden underneath wrapping paper and candy canes, officers also found a 'naughty and nice' list with those customers in the 'naughty' list set to be handed the drug-filled gift bags. A further 408 nitrous oxide cannisters and 965 grams of ketamine were later found at a property Salton was renting 10 miles from his home. Today, in a landmark case, Salton became the first person in the UK to be jailed for possessing nitrous oxide since it was banned by the Government in November 2023. He was sentenced to 35 months behind bars at Basildon Crown Court this afternoon. 'Hippy crack' laughing gas dealer Thomas Salton has been jailed for 35 months in what is the first conviction of its type in the UK Officers caught the drug dealer transporting 'party bags' filled with cannisters of laughing gas, balloons and ketamine in the boot of his Range Rover Inside the 'party bags' containing canisters of laughing gas A photo issued by the Crown Prosecution Service of 'party bags' containing canisters of laughing gas Salton insisted he just had Christmas presents in his car when they pulled him over in December only to find 60 small canisters, 48 one-gram bags of ketamine and 39,000 in cash (pictured is cash seized) Footage shown to court revealed the moment that Salton was caught red handewd and subsequently arrested. The drug dealer appeared nervous and agitated when he was caught behind the wheel of a Range Rover on December 1 in Basildon, Essex. Officers are seen asking Salton what was in the car warning 'honesty is the 'best policy' but the drug dealer insisted it was just 'Christmas presents'. Footage shows the police men rifling through Salton's car boot, lifting up bags of gift wrapping and Amazon boxes only to find individual gift boxes containing cannisters of nitrous oxide, balloons and bags of ketamine. Salton was then lead to a police officer's car where he was arrested on suspicion of intent to provide Class A drugs. Police said that Salton was in midst of a plan to supply a Christmas party with these drugs. Among the seized items was a 'naughty and nice' list of customers who wanted party bags with drugs in and those who did not. Those on the naughty list would receive a gift bags with drugs and be required to sign a non-closure document. In court today, Salton admitted possession with intent to supply controlled drugs at Class B and C at the same court on January 8. Hidden underneath wrapping paper and candy canes, officers also found a 'naughty and nice' list with those customers in the 'naughty' list set to be handed the drug-filled gift bags Last November, nitrous oxide was classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (file image) Officers are seen asking Salton what was in the car warning 'honesty is the 'best policy' but the drug dealer insisted it was just 'Christmas presents' He denied possession with intent to supply a controlled drug at Class A, instead admitting to a simple possession charge. Salton also admitted possessing criminal property. Detective Sergeant Stephen Robson said: 'Our investigation placed Salton in the midst of large-scale supply to customers within the party scene in Essex. He was found to be holding large quantities of Class B and Class C drugs separated for supply purposes. 'Our later enquiries at his business lockup demonstrated the preparation behind this operation, with large quantities of illicit drugs stored for later packaging and supply in smaller quantities. 'This was clearly an organised operation, with Salton even going to the lengths of drafting a non-disclosure agreement for his customers to sign. 'This level of detail and organisation provided us with exactly the evidence we needed to prove his role in an illicit drug supply operation. It is perhaps easy for people to think that consuming these drugs at a party is harmless. 'In reality it is this market which lies behind the serious violence and exploitation of vulnerable people which goes hand-in-hand with illegal drug supply.' The CPS released images of the party bags that Salton was selling which contained laughing gas alongside balloons and candy canes Last November, nitrous oxide was classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Under the legislation, users could face up to two years in prison for possession, while those convicted of supply could face up to 14 years. Alex Hinds, a prosecutor for CPS East of England, said: 'The evidence against Thomas Salton was overwhelming and this case is an example of all parts of the justice system working together to get drugs and those who sell them off the streets. 'The change in the law coupled with the actions of the police has allowed the CPS to present the strongest case in court and put Thomas Salton out of business and into prison. 'Nitrous oxide is a dangerous drug and hopefully this first conviction will deter those thinking of buying or selling it.' After biting into the burger, he immediately knew something was wrong, and was starting to have an anaphylactic reaction, and took himself to the hospital A 28-year-old diner has sued McDonald's over an errant slice of cheese in his Big Mac that he claims nearly killed him. Charles Olsen, who has a severe milk allergy, said he placed his 'usual' order at the Manhattan restaurant that included 'no American cheese' on his burger. He said that nothing was unusual about the Door Dash order when it arrived until he bit into the burger, and immediately knew something was wrong and started having an anaphylactic reaction. 'When I felt my throat close up and it became difficult to breath, I actually thought I might not make it,' he told The New York Post. Olsen, who was with his girlfriend, Alexandra DiBenedetto, during the February 2021 ordeal, feared that if they waited for an ambulance it may be too late, so they jumped into an Uber and went straight to the emergency room. He said he was moments away from being intubated, but the life-saving drug cocktail of epinephrine, steroids and Benadryl saved him. Earlier this month, Olsen, of Rockland County, NY, filed a lawsuit against McDonald's. His lawyer Jory Lange, told DailyMail.com that they are at the beginning stages of litigation. Pictured: Charles Olsen, 28, who has a severe milk allergy, said he placed his 'usual' order at McDonald's that included 'no American cheese' on his burger A screen shot of the February 2021 McDonald's order that was placed where Olsen indicates 'no American cheese' on his Big Mac, that is featured in the court documens A photo of Mickey D's burger loaded with toppings and a sesame bun The McDonald's at 355 Eighth Avenue where the order was placed has since closed, Lange said. In the lawsuit, obtained by DailyMail.com, a copy of Olsen's order is shown which includes the $9.08 Big Mac Meal he place, which includes a Sprite, a medium french fries and the burger with 'no cheese.' The McDonald's aficionado said that his order was one of dozens he has placed prior to the terrifying incident. The lawsuit states that he 'assumed it was like every other time I had eaten there before,' until he got very sick. 'His throat began to itch and swell. He felt a burning sensation throughout his body,' as per the complaint. 'He looked at his girlfriend, Alexandra, and coughed, "There's milk in this!"' The suit further alleges that Olsen was struggling to breathe and his body broke out in hives. His girlfriend said watching her boyfriend's severe reaction was 'absolutely awful,' as per the Post. 'It just kept getting scarier as the reaction progressed,' she said. According to the lawsuit, Olsen said that he wanted to hold restaurants responsible for the ingredients they put in their meals. He claims that McDonalds gave had no allergy or cross-contamination warning when the order was place, as per the suit. 'I've had to go through my entire life having to tiptoe around menus, dealing with staff that doesn't know how to handle food allergies, and so on,' he said in a statement via his lawyers. Olsen's attorney, that specializes in food safety, told DailyMail.com that cases like Olsen's are not uncommon. He said he represents the families of several people who died after a restaurant served them food with undisclosed allergens. 'Every day, all across the country, restaurant customers are rushed to the emergency room, hospitalized, or worse after restaurants serve them food with undisclosed allergens.' Lange added: 'Thank goodness that Charles survived. This traumatic event could have become a terrible tragedy.' McDonald's declined to comment when DailyMail.com reached out for a statement, but said the owner of the franchise was taking Olsen's claims 'seriously,' as per The Post. 'Allergies should be such a simple thing to be able to cater to as an establishment. There's no reason why it can't be clearly listed, options aren't included when making an order to indicate allergies, and the staff properly trained to handle such a simple thing. 'There has been progress made thankfully, but it is not enough. No one should have to fear for their health when they're just trying to eat a meal.' Lange said that restaurants need to better listen to their customers, warning food allergies are a 'life or death issue.' Despite the suit, Olsen still admits to eating from the fast food chain, but will only order a plain burger. But, said, he 'no longer trusts McDonald's to follow any specifics such as not including cheese,' as per the news outlet. 'Now I just order their fries and a plain burger, with nothing on it. Just the patty and bun,' he said. 'I just can't take the risk that it'll happen again.' A spokesman for McDonald's said: 'Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers. We take every complaint seriously and are actively reviewing these claims.' An asylum seeker who was in charge of a home-built boat that sank in the English Channel has been convicted of manslaughter. Ibrahima Bah killed four other migrants while seeking passage from France to the UK on December 14 2022. Bah, from Senegal, was found guilty of their manslaughter by a majority jury verdict and of facilitating illegal entry to the UK at Canterbury Crown Court. During the trial, the jury was told the home-built, low-quality inflatable boat should have had no more than 20 people on board. But it tried to carry at least 43 people across the English Channel that night. While the majority of travellers paid thousands of euros to smugglers for a spot in the overcrowded vessel, prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said it appears Bah did not pay for his journey because he piloted the dingy, therefore owing his fellow passengers a 'duty of care'. But Mr Atkinson said Bah was not trained or licensed to lead the voyage and there was insufficient safety equipment such as life jackets and no flares or radio on board. Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Ibrahima Bah, 19, at Folkestone Magistrates' Court Kent Police was called to Dover to assist HM Coastguard following a report A multi-agency search and rescue operation was carried out, resulting in 39 people being safely brought to shore Mr Atkinson said: 'He, as the pilot, owed to the passengers of that small and vulnerable boat for their safety during the crossing that he had agreed to make. 'He was aware that the boat was overcrowded, lacking in safety equipment and, as it took in water, that it was increasingly unseaworthy.' READ MORE - More than 100 migrants cross the English Channel despite thick fog as French authorities claim they stopped 132 more attempting to make the journey Advertisement The court heard that when the boat got into trouble a number of migrants inside the boat described water reaching their knees within 30 minutes of leaving the French coast. Mr Atkinson said: 'Despite these increasing and obvious problems, the defendant continued to head into UK waters.' The jury heard that a crew on a UK fishing boat called the Arcturus came across the sinking boat and tried to rescue the passengers, with help from the RNLI, air ambulance and UK Border Force. A total of 39 survivors were brought to shore in the port of Dover. The exact number of migrants who drowned is unknown as it appears at least one migrant's body was not recovered, Mr Atkinson said. Three of four of the people who died were known only as unknown male persons, while one man was named Hajratullah Ahmadi. The exact number of migrants who drowned is unknown as it appears at least one migrant's body was not recovered. (File Photo) During the trial, one asylum seeker, Amrullah Ahmadzai, described how everyone on the boat was screaming and trying to call for help on their mobile phones during the journey, before being rescued by the fishing boat. He described how the skipper tried to steer the dinghy towards the fishing vessel to help the passengers, and was shouting at everyone 'calm down, I'm going to take you there'. The court heard from witnesses that before the voyage the group of migrants were transported in three cars to the shoreline, organised by Kurdish agents. The smugglers also brought the boat in a car and got the passengers to help pump it up. Another traveller, Ghanam Gul Ahmadzai, said the smugglers were 'cruel' to the migrants, sometimes beating them up to pump the dingy. Giving evidence in court, Bah said that smugglers beat him up and threatened to kill him when he refused to pilot the boat. The defendant told jurors he agreed to pilot the boat before he had seen it, in exchange for free travel for himself and his friend. But when he saw the boat after it was inflated on the beach, he changed his mind because it was too small for the number of people travelling. Mr Atkinson said Bah was not telling the truth about being forced to pilot the boat, and that he was changing his story as to why he did not want to drive the vessel. At Canterbury Crown Court, he told jurors he agreed to pilot the boat before he had seen it, in exchange for free travel for himself and his friend The court heard that it was Bah's dream to come to the UK to claim asylum, and he had left Senegal in 2019. He told police, when he arrived in the UK, that he had travelled from Senegal to Mali, Algeria and then Libya, before going by boat to Italy using smugglers. He had previously worked on fishing boats in Senegal, sometimes helping with fishing and steering the boat, and assisted in piloting the boat from Libya to Italy. READ MORE - Asylum seeker accused of the manslaughter of four migrants who drowned in English Channel tells court that smugglers 'would have killed me' if he refused to pilot vessel Advertisement 'Any reasonable person would have recognised that by piloting such an ill-equipped and overloaded boat in such dangerous circumstances, there was an obvious risk of serious harm to the passengers. As a result of Bah's actions, four men tragically lost their lives in the Channel that night. Our thoughts remain with their families.' After the trial, Libby Clark from the CPS said: 'Bah claimed that he had sailed boats before and, as a result, received free passage, whereas everyone else on the boat had paid thousands of Euros to make the tragic journey. 'The boat he piloted was never designed to undertake a crossing in the world's busiest shipping lane and would have been all but invisible to other ships. Navigation was carried out with just mobile phones, as there were no other navigational aids available. 'There is no evidence to suggest that Bah had any training in piloting a boat like this or keeping people safe and, as the pilot, he assumed responsibility for ensuring the safety of his fellow passengers. 'Any reasonable person would have recognised that by piloting such an ill-equipped and overloaded boat in such dangerous circumstances, there was an obvious risk of serious harm to the passengers. As a result of Bah's actions, four men tragically lost their lives in the Channel that night. Our thoughts remain with their families.' Bah will be sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday February 23. Former president Donald Trump has a whopping 71-point lead on fellow Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley in Texas, a sign of the Republican presidential frontrunner's surging momentum as the two slug it out ahead of South Carolina's make-or-break primary. According to the University of Texas poll, Trump has 80 percent support among Republican primary voters in Texas while Haley has just 9 percent. Trump keeps his gigantic lead in the state primary across every category including gender, age, education and location. His advantage in the Lone Star State comes ahead of the Texas primary on March 5, better known as Super Tuesday, when millions of voters across 16 states will head to the polls to cast ballots in the Republican presidential primary. Haley has vowed to stay in the race through Super Tuesday despite facing what appears to be an increasingly insurmountable primary challenge against the former president. She has set her sights on Texas which holds an open primary meaning any voter can cast a ballot regardless of party affiliation. Haley could potentially receive support from crossover independent and Democrat voters even Trump holds a lock on the GOP. Nikki Haley campaigning in San Antonio, Texas on February 16. The state holds its primary on Super Tuesday, March 5, along with 15 other states Former President Trump at a campaign event in Michigan on February 17. The state holds its primary on February 27, just days after voters in South Carolina head to the polls Haley took a campaign swing through Texas last week with stops in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio where she held rallies and several fundraisers to tap into the Texas donors' deep pockets. On the campaign trail, she blasted the former president, arguing he is to blame for a series of down ballot Republican losses since he took office. She warned chaos follows Trump, and the country cannot survive another four years. She has also made the case that she is the better candidate to take on President Biden in the general election, but the new polling out of Texas paints a different picture. In a general election matchup, the University of Texas poll found Trump would beat Biden 48 percent to 41 percent in the Lone Star State. If the race was between Biden and Haley, however, Biden would win Texas by nine points. Before Trump and Haley even get to Super Tuesday, they will face off in Haley's home state of South Carolina on Saturday where recent polls have shown Trump with a double digit lead over the former governor. Haley at a campaign stop in South Carolina on February 18. She has been trailing Trump by double digits in South Carolina in recent polls despite serving as governor of the state from 2011 to 2017 Trump speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate after a judge order he pay more than $350 million in a civil fraud case. Haley has taken aim at the former president over his multiple legal battles As the race in South Carolina heads into high gear the attacks between the GOP presidential hopefuls has gotten even uglier. Over the weekend, Haley appeared on TV where she slammed Trump for his recent comments on Russia and Putin, saying on ABC's This Week, Trump 'sided with a guy that kills his political opponents, he sided with thug that arrests American journalists and holds them hostage.' Haley also criticized Trump for his ongoing legal battles after the former president was ordered on Friday pay nearly $355 million in his civil fraud case. The president's legal team has vowed to appeal the decision. Trump is also facing 91 felony charges in four criminal cases. Haley warned Trump will spend more time in a courtroom this year than on the campaign trail. The Trump campaign responded to her attacks by accusing Haley of being weak on immigration, loving China and warning she will raise taxes. From South Carolina, the race heads to Michigan where both parties will be holding presidential primaries on March 27. It's the final early contest before large swaths of the country get to vote on Super Tuesday. President Joe Biden's great-great grandfather got released from a southern island prison during the Civil War after an intervention by a sympathetic senator and a presidential pardon by Abraham Lincoln, newly uncovered records reveal. Moses J. Robinette, Biden's relative on his father's side, grew up in western Maryland and got hired by the Army as a veterinary surgeon in 1862 or 1863, despite lacking specific schooling in the trade, according to newly unearthed records from the National Archives, scholar David Gerleman wrote in the Washington Post. His qualifications for the role were 'unstated,' Gerleman wrote, but that was unexceptional during a time when the U.S. lacked many veterinary schools. The role would take Biden's relative to an Army encampment in Virginia, where a fight with another civilian military employee would land him in prison after a military courtmarshal. Robinette whose surname is the president's middle name appears to have had a hot streak, and potentially a taste for alcohol (The president himself has flashed his anger at targets from a special counsel to Donald Trump, and does not drink). Pardon me: President Joe Biden's great-great grandfather got a pardon after being convicted by a military court after drawing his pocket knife during a fight Robinette was also a backer of the Union, despite living and working in Maryland and Virginia where loyalties were mixed in the run-up to the Civil War. Records that survive to this day tell of how he got in a scuffle after a Brigade wagon commander named John J. Alexander 'overheard Robinette saying something about him to the female cook and rushed into the mess shanty to demand an explanation,' according to the account. 'Tempers flared, expletives followed, and Robinette drew his pocketknife. A brief scuffle left Alexander bleeding from several cuts before camp watchmen arrived to arrest Robinette,' writes Gerleman. The event set in motion the distant relative of the future president's confinement at a military prison in Fort Jefferson off the coast of modern day Florida on the Dry Tortugas islands. The president's ancestor was charged with inciting a 'dangerous quarrel' after becoming intoxicated, and using the knife as a weapon with 'attempt to kill.' He was able to beat that later charge during his military trial, but got convicted of the others. Moses Robinette was set to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas islands off what is now Florida Pardon power: 'Pardon for unexecuted part of punishment,' President Abraham Lincoln wrote, wiping away the remaining sentence for Biden's ancestor Sen. Waitman T. Willey, a former Whig who became one of West Virginia's first senators after the state was admitted into the Union, passed on the pardon application after officers vouched for Robinette's character Hard time: Robinette spent a few months at the island prison before Lincoln's pardon cut short his sentence Although his temper may have flared in the argument, he was willing to let bygones be bygones, saying that 'whatever I have done was done in self defence, that I had no malice towards Mr. Alexander before or since. He grabbed me and possibly might have injured me seriously had I not resorted to the means that I did.' It's all new information about a branch in a family tree that the president discusses less often than the Finnegans and other Irish ancestors. In an episode that his ancestor Biden would recognize from his 36 years in the Senate and term in the White House, Robinette's conviction set in motion a lobbying campaign that ultimately freed him. It started with a plea by Army officers who vouched that he was acting in self defense, with a measure of old fashioned Washington spin. The quarrel amounted to a cut 'with a Penknife a Teamster much his superior in strength and Size, all under the impulse of the excitement of the moment', they wrote. They were political allies as well, noting that Robinette had been 'ardent, and Influential in opposing Traitors and their schemes to destroy the Government.' That got a favorable hearing from Waitman T. Willey, one of the first two senators from the new state of West Virginia after it was was carved out from Virginia and brought into the Union in 1863. That eventually got the matter in front of Lincoln who issued a brief 'Pardon for unexecuted part of punishment,' signed, 'A. Lincoln' on Sep. 1, 1864. The War Department then freed him. Christopher Nolan has won the Director BAFTA for his atomic bomb saga 'Oppenheimer'. The 53-year-old filmmaker - whose movie was nominated for a whopping 13 awards at Sunday's (02.18.24) EE BAFTA Film Awards - won the top prize ahead of Andrew Haigh for 'All of Us Strangers', 'Anatomy of a Fall's Justine Triet, 'The Holdovers' director Alexander Payne, 'Maestro' filmmaker Bradley Cooper and 'The Zone of Interest's Jonathan Glazer. When Christopher received his award, 'Oppenheimer' was leading the way with five awards, including a Supporting Actor gong for Robert Downey Jr. Robert Downey Jr and DaVine Joy Randolph also won the Supporting Actor and Actress awards. Referring to 'Oppenheimer' director Nolan, Downey Jr said: "Recently that dude suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility." DaVine Joy Randolph won the Supporting Actress award for 'The Holdovers' and said: "'Thank you for trusting me with this beautiful character. "Being able to wear this beautiful gown, standing on the stage in London, is not a responsibility I take lightly." She also thanked her co-star Paul Giamatti and said she cries every time she says his name. She went on: "I'm proud to call you a friend and thank you for never wavering." Comedy drama 'American Fiction' won Adapted Screenplay over 'All of Us Strangers', 'Oppenheimer', 'Poor Things' and 'The Zone of Interest'. American writer and former Gawker journalist Cord Jefferson collected the award. Prince William attended solo as his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales continues to recuperate at home following a "planned abdominal surgery". Earlier, French legal drama 'Anatomy Of A Fall' won the Original Screenplay gong and co-writer and director Triet, collected the award. She said: "The last time I was in London, a woman said to me: 'After I saw your movie I called my ex and told him to see it to understand why I dumped him'. Someone else said 'Did you put a mic in my kitchen?'" Pointing to her co-writer and partner Arthur Harari, she added: "I would like to make a statement tonight: it's a fiction and we are reasonably fine." A 'hero' Russian military pilot who flew his Mi-8 helicopter over the frontline to defect to Ukraine has found dead in Spain amid reports in Moscow that his body was 'riddled with bullets'. Captain Maksim Kuzminov, 28, fled Russia with the help of Ukrainian intelligence services and accused Vladimir Putin of 'genocide' following his daring escape last summer. Ukrainian GUR military intelligence confirmed today that the pilot - a known target of Russian death squads - had died in Spain, but gave no further details about the circumstances surrounding his death. It comes after Spanish authorities said a Ukrainian man aged 33 had been shot dead inside a garage in Villajoyosa, near Alicante, on Tuesday afternoon. Sources close to the inquiry said the man had received nearly a dozen gunshot wounds. A burnt-out car believed to have been linked to the shooting was subsequently found nearby. Almost a week later, a sudden flurry of reports from pro-Putin media in Russia have strongly suggested that Kuzminov was the victim in the Spanish shooting. Responding to the reports, investigators in Spain said today that they are looking into whether the victim, who has not been named, may have been using a false identity. Captain Maksim Kuzminov, 28, fled Russia with the help of Ukrainian intelligence services Spanish authorities said a Ukrainian man aged 33 had been shot dead inside a garage in Villajoyosa, near Alicante, on Tuesday afternoon The Russian military pilot flew his Mi-8 helicopter over the frontline to defect to Ukraine Reports of the mysterious death have emerged days after Putin critic Alexei Navalny died in an Arctic penal colony. His widow today claimed her husband was poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok, and blamed the Russian president for his death. State media previously reported that Putin's military intelligence service had orders to go to any length to 'eliminate' Kuzminov, who has been labelled a traitor in his homeland. There have now been claims in Russia that the war critic had kept in contact with people from his former life, which may have led the Russian authorities to him. State news agency TASS reported: 'Maxim Kuzminov, a pilot who hijacked a Russian military helicopter in 2023, has reportedly been found dead in Spain, a number of Spanish military outlets said.' Another Kremlin-obedient outlet Mash said there were reports that 'the body of Maxim Kuzminov was seen by a local resident on February 13 - it was riddled with bullets.' The outlet also claimed the defector had 'behaved inappropriately, shouted and constantly chattered drunkenly about his past and present life.' Pro-Putin outlet Shot reported: 'Pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who hijacked a Russian military helicopter, was found dead in Spain. They shot him 12 times and then ran over him in a car.' It later amended its story to say he was 'allegedly found dead'. Russian media channels have also piled blame on Ukraine for the defector's death, without providing evidence. TASS alleged that 'Ukrainian intelligence agencies could have eliminated [Kuzimov] as an inconvenient witness'. In October, soon after his dramatic defection, there were public death threats against Kuzminov in Russia, with suggestions that Putin's secret services would find and kill him for an ultimate betrayal. Kuzminov's wife and family were believed to have been taken out of Russia before he defected Anonymous Spetsnaz special forces officers from Russia's GRU were last year shown on Moscow state TV making clear an 'order' had been given to liquidate Kuzminov. State-run Rossiya 1 channel's Vesti Nedeli channel told viewers in a chilling broadcast: 'The order [to kill Captain Kuzminov] was received, its execution is a matter of time.' One Spetsnaz officer said: 'We'll find the man and punish him for betraying his brothers to the fullest extent of our country's law.' A second officer said: 'He will not live' Kuzminov's wife and family were believed to have been taken out of Russia before he defected. It was not known why he was in Spain. In Spain, a Civil Guard spokesman said today: 'On Tuesday last week a man appeared dead in Villajoyosa with several gunshot wounds. 'In the course of the investigation that is being carried out, it has been learned that the identity that person was using could be false and belong to another person. 'The Civil Guard is still trying to confirm this.' After his defection, Kuzminov riled the Kremlin by urging other Russians to follow his example and defect to Ukraine. He was also accused of being responsible for the death of two crew members who died when he defected. There have been claims in Russia that Kuzminov, labelled a traitor in his homeland, had kept in contact with people from his former life (pictured with his mother Inna Kuzminova) After defecting, Kuzminov became a propaganda trophy for Ukraine. He stated there were no Nazis in Ukraine - a regular Putin assertion - and accused the dictator of 'genocide' of both Ukrainians and Russians by conducting the war. In a documentary on his audacious flight and surrender, he said: 'I realised I was near the border. 'So I gave my location, said let's give it a shot I had made my final decision... I flew at extremely low altitude in radio silent mode.' He said: '[I defected because] I am very offended by what is happening now. 'Murder, tears, blood. Just people killing each other 'What is happening now is just genocide of the Ukrainian people, both Ukrainian and Russian. 'The basis of my action is not to contribute to these crimes.' In an interview broadcast by Ukraine's authorities, Kuzimov said: 'I contacted representatives of Ukrainian intelligence, explained my situation, to which they offered this option "Come on, we guarantee your safety, guarantee new documents, guarantee monetary compensation, a reward".' He was reportedly promised 400,000 to defect to Ukraine with Russian military equipment. President Joe Biden was spotted wearing a very sturdy pair of sneakers Monday as his aides are taking every precaution to keep the president from falling down on camera again. The president was spotted exiting Marine One Monday wearing a pair of sturdy all-black sneakers with a wide thick sole together with his blue suit. The new executive kicks appear to be Hoka 'Transport' sneakers, which typically retail for $150. President Joe Biden arrives at the White House President Joe Biden, right, and first lady Jill Biden arrive at the White House Hoka promotes the 'Transport' brand sneakers as the 'intersection of lifestyle and performance' with a 'commuter friendly style' that are 'designed with a city dweller in mind.' The Hoka shoe company was founded in France but the global headquarters now is located in the United States. They primarily manufacture their shoes in Vietnam and China. Online reviewers praise the shoes for being 'super comfortable' despite their clunky appearance and 'easy to get on and off.' Biden displayed his new shoes just hours after former President Donald Trump personally unveiled three sets of TRUMP branded sneakers at Sneaker Con on Saturday. One pair, the 'Never Surrender' model is sparkling gold and accented with red, white, and blue and retails for $399. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump holds gold Trump sneakers at Sneaker Con Philadelphia Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump holds gold Trump sneakers President Joe Biden approaches the press It's not the first time that President Biden has caused a stir with his footwear choice Last Summer, the president was spotted wearing a pair of sneakers to board Air Force One on a trip to a NATO summit. The president wore a pair of slip-on Skechers without socks, prompting photographers to take notice. Biden began wearing sneakers more often after he tripped on a sand bag and fell sprawling on stage during an Air Force Academy commencement ceremony in 2023. Democrats fear Biden is just one bad fall away from a serious injury that could put the future of his presidency in jeopardy. The president's allies have urged him to walk shorter distances while on camera and also endorsed the idea of wearing more comfortable shoes to make his appearance seem less stiff and to stabilize him as he walks. Biden also started using the short staircase to board Air Force One, and has a military aide waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs to monitor his entry and exit. President Joe Biden boards Air Force One President Joe Biden, at left on stairs, and first lady Jill Biden, right, board Air Force One at Philadelphia International Airport The president fractured his foot shortly after the 2020 presidential election, as he was forced to wear an orthopedic boot for several days. At the time, Biden said he had exited the shower and tripped over a rug when he was pulling his dog's tail. Since then, Biden's gait has become more halting and stiff. Biden also refused to wear an orthopedic boot for a lengthy period of time, according to the New York Times, likely having an effect on his posture. Biden's physical stumbles and missteps only add to questions about his age as a growing number of Americans question whether he should be running for reelection. A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll shows that 86% of Americans beleive Biden is too old for another term. Russian investigators will not hand over the body of dead Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny for 14 days, his team have revealed, after his widow claimed he had been poisoned by Novichok. Yulia Navalnaya has accused the Russian authorities of hiding Navalny's body in order to wait for traces of the nerve agent to disappear. And today, Ivan Zhdanov, the director of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, said that Navalny's body would not be given to his mother for 14 days while a chemical examination takes place. Navalny spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said the Investigative Committee, the country's top criminal investigation agency, informed Lyudmila Navalnaya that the official probe into the death had been extended. 'They lie, buy time for themselves and do not even hide it,' Yarmysh posted on X. Russian investigators will not hand over the body of dead Russian opposition leader Alexi Navalny for 14 days, his team have revealed Vladimir Putin has been accused of orchestrating Alexei Navalny's death Yulia Navalnaya has accused the Russian authorities of hiding Navalny's body in order to wait for traces of the nerve agent to disappear It comes after Navalnaya met with EU chiefs in Brussels today hours after releasing a video in which she blamed Vladimir Putin for her husband's death in prison and accused the Kremlin of hiding his body. Yulia Navalnaya addressed foreign ministers from the EU's 27 nations in Brussels after vowing to carry on her husband's fight against the Russian president's vicelike grip on Russia. European diplomats said that she reiterated her determination to keep up the struggle and called on the bloc to do more to target Putin's circle - drawing a standing ovation from the room. She also warned against striking any deals with the Russian leader or hoping that he would change, they said. Hours earlier, Navalnaya had posted a striking video message on X in which she called on her husband's supporters to keep fighting against the Kremlin's oppression to construct a 'peaceful, happy, beautiful Russia that Alexei envisioned'. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote on X: 'We expressed the EU's deepest condolences to Yulia Navalnaya. Vladimir Putin and his regime will be held accountable for the death of Alexei Navalny. 'As Yulia said, Putin is not Russia. Russia is not Putin. We will continue our support to Russia's civil society and independent media.' Meanwhile, it was business as usual for Putin, who was seen smirking as he held a meeting at the Kremlin with Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed governor of Sevastopol in occupied Crimea. Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya meets Belgian Foreign minister Lahbib (not pictured) after an Informal gathering of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU Smiling Vladimir Putin pictured during 19 February 2024 meeting with the Governor of Sevastopol in the occupied Crimea Mikhail Razvozhayev In a video message, Yulia Navalnya, 47, (pictured) said: 'Vladimir Putin killed my husband.' Navalny's death was announced on Friday afternoon Alexei and Yulia met while on holiday in Turkey Earlier today in a heartfelt video message Navalnya, 47, said: 'Vladimir Putin killed my husband.' Holding back tears, she pledged to carry on her husband's work and fight for a free Russia with the help of its citizens. 'I want to live in a free Russia, I want to build a free Russia,' she said the video message entitled 'I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny'. Navalnaya accused the Russian authorities of hiding Navalny's body and of waiting for traces of the Novichok nerve agent to disappear from his body. 'Three days ago, Vladimir Putin killed my husband Alexei Navalny. Putin killed the father of my children. 'Putin took away the most precious I had in my life - my most dear and the most loved man. 'But Putin also took Navalny away from you, somewhere in a [penal] colony in the Far North, beyond the Arctic Circle, in eternal winter. 'Putin didn't just kill a man called Alexei Navalny. Together with him, Putin wanted to kill our hopes, our freedom, our future. To destroy and nullify it. 'The best evidence that Russia can be different, that we are strong, brave, that we believe and desperately fight and want to live differently.' 'By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me - half of my heart and half of my soul,' Navalnaya said. 'But I still have the other half, and it tells me that I have no right to give up. I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny, continue to fight for our country.' 'I urge you to stand next to me,' she said. 'I ask you to share the rage with me. Rage, anger, hatred towards those who dared to kill our future.' 'I address you with the words of Alexei, which I strongly believe: 'There's no shame in doing a little. There is shame in doing nothing. There is shame in allowing yourself to be intimidated.' 'Russia - the free, peaceful, happy, beautiful Russia of the future about which my husband dreamed... I want to live in that Russia. I want mine and Alexei's children to live in that Russia. 'I want to build that with you, that which Alexei Navalny set forth. It is only this way - and there is no other way - that the senseless death he suffered will not be in vain. 'Fight, and don't give up. I am not afraid - and you will not fear anything.' Leading Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya takes part in a meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers in Brussels Lyudmila Navalnaya, the mother of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and his lawyer Alexei Tsvetkov walk out of an office of the Investigative Committee's regional department in the city of Salekhard Just two minutes after the time Navalny was reported to have died - 2.17pm - Russia's prison service put out a statement revealing his passing Navalny's allies say they know why her husband was killed and would soon reveal the details, including the names of the people involved in his murder. The Kremlin has denied involvement in his death. Navalny's mother, Lyudmila, has been unable to recover his body since his death on Friday. A close legal aide to the dissident, Kira Yarmysh, said Lyudmila, who was today seen at a regional office of Russia's Investigative Committee, was told by authorities that his body would only be handed over following a full post-mortem examination. The prison service has been accused of delaying the return of his body. She was reportedly told that an initial post-mortem was inconclusive, and that a second one needed to be undertaken. And today, Russian investigators told his family they will not hand over Navalny's body to his relatives for 14 days 'until a chemical examination is completed,' said Ivan Zhdanov, head of the dead politician's anti-corruption campaign. Lyudmila was initially told that his body had been taken to the town of Salekhard, near the penal colony he was being held in, but when she arrived the morgue was closed. Last night, CCTV footage that is believed to have shown a midnight motorcade made up of prison vehicles and two highway patrol cars that took Navalny's corpse from the Polar Wolf prison was leaked. Since reports of his death were published, his family and allies have accused the Kremlin of deliberately hiding his body This handout photo published by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on his instagram account, shows himself and his wife Yulia, posing for a photo in a hospital in Berlin, Germany In the security footage of the midnight motorcade, the Soviet-designed Federal Penitentiary Service van believed to be carrying Navalny is clearly seen flanked by an unmarked car and several police vehicles. The drive from the Polar Wolf jail in Kharp went first to Labytnangi, and then crossed the frozen Ob, the world's seventh longest river, to Salekhard, according to independent news outlet Mediazona which obtained the footage of the macabre journey. The journey across the thick ice may have ended at a hospital morgue, where paramedics revealed Navalny's body was covered in bruises, according to another news outlet, Novaya Gazeta Europe. Russia's prison service announced Navalny's death on Friday. It was most recently reported that Navalny died of 'sudden death syndrome', but no details were given to back this claim up. Just two minutes after the time Navalny was reported to have died - 2.17pm - Russia's prison service put out a statement revealing his passing. Four minutes after this, a Telegram channel controlled by the Kremlin claimed he had died of a blood clot, and just seven minutes later Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, was talking to the media about it. Since reports of his death were published, his family and allies have accused the Kremlin of deliberately hiding his body. Independent outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe yesterday reported that Navalny's body shows signs of bruising that were caused by being held down while he suffered a seizure. It was most recently reported that Navalny died of 'sudden death syndrome', but no details were given to back this claim up Police officers detain a woman during a gathering in memory of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny near the Wall of Grief monument to the victims of political repressions in Moscow Women with red carnations arrive to lay flowers for late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at the 'Wall of Grief' monument The news outlet spoke to a paramedic in the Salekhard ambulance service, close to the IK-3 penal colony, also known as 'Polar Wolf', in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenetsk region about 1,200 miles northeast of Moscow, where Navalny was being held. Paramedics found bruises on Navalny's body, which is now under police guard in a morgue at Salekhard district clinical hospital, according to the independent news outlet. 'Usually the bodies of people who die in prison are taken straight to the Bureau of Forensic Medicine on Glazkova Street, but in this case it was taken to the clinical hospital for some reason,' the anonymous paramedic told the outlet. 'As an experienced paramedic, I can say that the injuries described by those who saw them appeared to be from convulsions. 'If a person is convulsing and others try to hold him down but the convulsions are very strong, then bruising appears. They also said he had a bruise on his chest the kind that comes from indirect cardiac massage. 'So they did try to resuscitate him, and he probably died of cardiac arrest,' the paramedic said, adding: 'But nobody is saying anything about why he had a cardiac arrest.' Yesterday, the British and American ambassadors to Russia laid flowers at a memorial to Navalny set up in Moscow, as hundreds of Russian citizens have been arrested for paying tribute to the dead dissident. US ambassador Lynne Tracy and Britain's Nigel Casey both paid their respects to Navalny at the Solovetsky Stone monument in Moscow, which was created to pay tribute to the victims of political repression. The stone is made with a large boulder from the Solovetsky islands, where the first camp of the Gulag political prison system was established, and can be found near the historical the Federal Security Service building in Moscow. A single mother who was sacked from her cleaning job for taking a leftover tuna sandwich from a law firm kitchen says she suffered 'unfair and inhumane' treatment. Gabriela Rodriguez, 39, was axed by contractor Total Clean after helping herself to the 1.50 Tesco sandwich on a discarded platter for workers at City law firm Devonshires. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, she revealed how she had been left in tears and depressed at the decision to oust her and the way it was done. Ecuadorian-born Gabriela, who moved to the UK from Spain a decade ago with her 10-year-old child Nicole, said: 'I'm still so angry about the way I've been treated. 'I've been accused of theft when all I did was eat a small sandwich that was probably going to end up in the bin. A single mother who was sacked from her cleaning job for taking a leftover tuna sandwich from a law firm kitchen says she suffered 'unfair and inhumane' treatment Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, she revealed how she had been left in tears and depressed at the decision to oust her and the way it was done Single mother Gabriela Rodriguez, 39, was axed by contractor Total Clean after helping herself to the 1.50 Tesco sandwich on a discarded platter for workers at City law firm Devonshires Ms Rodriguez's colleagues have demonstrated outside the central London HQ of solicitors Devonshires, where top lawyers earn 1.68 million a year, with cans of tuna and banners saying: 'Sacked for a sandwich?' and 'We are not the dirt, we clean.' 'I put it in the fridge to have after my shift ended, because the sandwiches were left in the kitchen for other staff when ground-floor meetings finished, and I understood I had the right to eat it as someone who worked in the building. 'There must have been around five trays with left-over food, including crisps and sandwiches, and I only took one small one with tuna and cucumber inside. 'It would have been around 2.30pm, so lunch-time was virtually over, and almost certainly the sandwich I ate and most of the others on the trays would have ended up being thrown away.' She added: 'The way they got rid of me was horrible. 'A week went by without anyone saying anything, and then about 15 minutes before the end of my shift when I was at the Devonshires building, a Total Clean manager and the company's Human Resources manager came in and told me I was being suspended without pay and and had to hand in my pass and leave immediately. 'They told me it was because I had taken a sandwich without permission and I couldn't believe it. 'I went back home and I spent the rest of the day in a state of total shock. I felt so upset and offended. 'There were a lot of tears and days when I had no appetite. That and the worry of not knowing how I'd cope financially because I'm a single mum bringing up a young daughter on just the one salary.' In a social media campaign, the United Voices of the World union said the value of the sandwich in question cost no more than 1.50 Copy of the letter sent to Ms Rodriguez in November last year by Graham Peterson Total Clean operations director Graham Petersen said he had weighed up whether a lesser sanction than sacking might be 'appropriate' Ms Rodriguez is claiming unfair dismissal against the cleaning firm which employed her with the help of the grassroots UVW Union for migrant workers which she is a member of. Today MailOnline published the letter sent by hard-hearted Total Clean boss Graham Petersen confirming her sacking following her appeal and a November 23 2023 disciplinary hearing held over Zoom after the sandwich incident nine days earlier. The letter stated: 'At the hearing your explanation was that you found a sandwich in the kitchen near the end of your shift and took it without a second thought. 'You stated that previously the client had left food in the kitchen and offered it out, so you thought it was fine. 'I considered your explanation to be unsatisfactory because you confirmed that no one had offered you the food in the kitchen but decided to take it anyway. 'I have decided that your conduct has resulted in a fundamental breach of your contractual terms which irrevocably destroys the trust and confidence necessary to continue the employment relationship.' Ms Rodriguez's colleagues have demonstrated outside the central London HQ of solicitors Devonshires, where top lawyers earn 1.68 million a year, with cans of tuna and banners saying: 'Sacked for a sandwich?' and 'We are not the dirt, we clean.' Signs made at a United Voices of the World union meeting ahead of protest action A UVW Union spokesman insisted today: 'Gabriela understood she was also allowed to eat this food. 'It is so incredibly far beyond the realms of reasonableness and comprehension to dismiss an employee for eating a leftover tuna and cucumber sandwich. 'We now understand that the privilege of eating leftover sandwiches perhaps does not extend to the outsourced migrant workforce in the building.' Ms Rodriguez told MailOnline: 'No-one else was in the kitchen at the time and no-one said anything to me so I'm still not sure if I've been filmed on CCTV. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE - Revealed: The letter cleaning boss sent to single mother on 13-an-hour when he fired her for eating a leftover 1.50 tuna sandwich she had found in City law firm meeting room Advertisement 'Although Devonshires are now saying they didn't complain and are happy to have me back on their premises, the Total Clean manager who came to the building just before my shift ended and told me to hand in my pass said it was because the building manager from the law firm had complained and accused me of stealing a sandwich. 'It was mortifying for me to be accused of theft. I consider my treatment was unfair and denigrating. 'I'm a very conscientious person who's always tried to do their job to the highest standards possible and I'd never had any previous complaints from anyone I'd worked with. 'About 1,000 of the 1,700 I received after tax while I was still at Total Clean and working as a sub-contractor in Devonshires and Stradivarius where I was a supervisor, went on the rent on the one-bed flat I share with my daughter. 'Getting by each month on the rest of my salary with a young child to look after was never easy and I had to fall back on the little savings I had and help from family when I was fired. 'It was just before Christmas and I started to panic about what I'd do and how I'd cope. 'Luckily I got good references from people I've met and worked with in the years I've been living in the UK and I've now got a new job as a full-time production worker in a clothes factory and am very happy there.' She added: 'I wouldn't want to return to Total Clean even if they did admit they were wrong and offer me my job back. 'I received the letter Graham Petersen sent me confirming my dismissal just after I'd finished my lunch and the words and the tone of it caused me indigestion. 'I'm no thief and I'm no trade union militant which is the other thing I've been called. 'I'm an honest single mum trying her best to earn a decent living doing what I consider to be very honourable professions. 'I'm happy my union is helping me fight my dismissal from Total Clean. Too many people say nothing and put up with mistreatment out of fear. 'Enough is enough. I'm talking out now and am refusing to stay silent because I did nothing wrong.' Two Louisiana cousins aged 10 and 12 have been charged with murder for beating a three-year-old girl to death while their moms were out gambling at a casino. Terica Scott and Dineshia Yates, both 26, have been booked after leaving eight kids ranging in age from 11 months to 12 years old home alone in Baton Rouge, according to WAFB. Yates' daughter Blessing Buckles suffered a brain bleed after the attack by the juvenile suspects - who are Scott's son, 10, and her nephew, 12. East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office said they responded to a call about Blessing being unconscious at Scott's home on O'Neal lane in the Louisiana capital on February 12. Deputies said a child made the call at around 3.45pm and there were no adults in the house when they arrived. Scott and Yates pulled up in the driveway shortly after. Two Louisiana boys aged just 10 and 12 have beaten three-year-old Blessing Buckles (pictured) to death in a horrific attack while their moms were gambling at a casino Terica Scott (pictured) said she was aware that her nephew had a history of violence towards other children Dineshia Yates (pictured) said she had seen bruises on at least one of her daughters after they were left alone with the boy but she 'ignored her children's pleas for help', according to arrest records. She is the mother of Blessing Buckles The pair admitted that all eight children had been left home alone for several hours while they were out gambling at the casino, police said. Scott also said she was aware that her nephew had a history of violence towards other children. Yates said she had seen bruises on at least one of her daughters after they were left alone with the boy but she 'ignored her children's pleas for help', according to arrest records seen by WAFB. Scott and Yates were each charged with principal to simple battery and principal to second-degree murder over Blessing's death. The two boys responsible for the attack were also arrested and charged with one count each of battery and second-degree murder. Blessing did not die straight away - EMTs tried to resuscitate her at the home before transporting to her to the hospital in a critical condition. She succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead two days later, on February 14. Blessing suffered a brain bleed and bruising to her face and body likely to have been caused by blunt force trauma, authorities said. At the time of her death, Yates and her children had been staying with Scott and her family, and they admitted to police that they regularly left all eight juveniles home alone to go gambling. Scott was charged with murder in 2021 for allegedly shooting a woman to death, but she was never indicted by a grand jury. (Pictured: her booking photo in this case) Pictured: the house where the brutal attack took place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana The pair are close friends but not related, and they both have criminal records. Yates was previously arrested for stealing clothes from a Walmart and belongings from a home in 2017, according to WBRZ. She also reportedly launched a brick through the windshield of another woman's car in 2020. Scott was charged with murder in 2021 for allegedly shooting a woman to death, but she was never indicted by a grand jury. She was also charged with arson in 2023 for allegedly setting fire to a car outside someone's home. Witnesses said Scott tampered with security cameras to try to avoid detection, according to a WBRZ report from the time. Her booking photo for the murder case shows her from the chest up with bare shoulders and her hair tied back. A heart-shaped tattoo is visible in the middle of her chest. 'A case like this is devastating,' Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said in a statement following the recent arrests. 'My heart breaks for this child lost too soon, and I pray for the others involved. Please call law enforcement immediately if you are ever aware of abuse, neglect or desertion of children.' Three grieving families have thanked an amateur sleuth for discovering the likely resting place of their loved ones after 41 years - armed with nothing more than a makeshift sonar and his own common sense. Police were baffled when William Clifton, 30, David McMicken, 24, and Michael Norman, 32, vanished after driving away from a North Carolina bar just before Christmas in 1982. But dive team leader Jason Souhrada stuck a cheap sonar to a four-foot boogie board after realizing that no-one had ever checked Jack's Creek, a largely inaccessible pond on their route home. 'I got inspired by YouTubers that searched multiple times in that town and could not find them,' Souhrada told Fox News. 'I noticed what looked like an upside-down car, but wasn't sure, being this was my first time finding anything.' Bill Clifton, David McMicken, and Michael Norman were last seen in a bar in Chocowinity on December 10, 1982 Forty-one years later the vehicle they were in was found just four miles away in a creek Little remained of the 1975 Chevrolet Camaro but the VIN was intact Encouraged by fellow divers he went back to take more scans before handing his findings to local police. They finally sent divers in and discovered a car with the same VIN number as that which disappeared - along with human remains. Formal identification has yet to take place but the families of the three young friends have little doubt that the social media fan from nearby Myrtle Beach has finally solved the mystery that defeated the authorities for decades. 'Without Jason Souhrada's sacrifice, taking time away from his family to help ours, we wouldn't have this potential chance for closure,' Clifton's daughter Lea Rose told Fox. Amateur sleuth Jason Souhrada appears to have cracked the mystery that baffled authorities for decades with a cheap sonar strapped to a boogie board 'This has reopened wounds, initiating the grieving process anew for three families. Despite the pain, there's a slight relief in finally having some answers.' The creek in the town of Washington is just four miles from the Chocowinity bar that the three men left in a 1975 Chevrolet Camaro. 'I do remember the night my dad went missing,' Rose said. 'My mom, my dad, my sister, and I went to go see Santa Claus. We went and saw Christmas lights before we went home, and then, of course, he went out that night to spend time with his friends and never came home.' Souhrada took a look at maps of the area after stumbling across reports online. 'I questioned why they did not search this body of water and realized they couldn't access it with regular boats,' he said. 'I decided to build my sonar boat, as I don't have a real boat, nor have a place to keep one,' he explained. 'A real boat would've been far more expensive. Plus, I only wanted to scan retention ponds and other areas real boats aren't allowed or can't access. 'Tons of missing people are found in retention ponds.' Washington Chief of Police Phil Rollinson was impressed enough by his findings to order Sidney Dive Team Captain John Scott Rose Jr into the water. 'I found the vehicle after about 45 minutes of searching,' he said. 'The vehicle was in such bad shape that when I put my hands on it, it was hard for me to determine that it was even an automotive. 'Maybe it was a lawnmower or something. 'It seemed real small to me, but then I realized that it was small mainly because there was nothing left of it but the chassis and the axles and the motor.' Recovering the rusted remains was a priority but first they had to drain four million gallons of water from the creek to allow them access. The car's VIN was spotted after the chassis was retrieved, and human remains were found both inside the car and in the drained creek. 'Based on what I've seen and what we're looking at now I'm confident that, yes, it is the individuals from 1982,' Chief Rollinson said. 'DNA testing will take some time, but the forensic anthropologist that was here was pretty confident that we would be able to get a DNA sample from the remains that were recovered.' Developments in sonar and mapping technology have encouraged a developing cottage industry of amateur sleuths to examine missing persons cases that have lain dormant for years. More than four million gallons of water had to be drained from Jack's Creek before the fragile remains could be safely recovered Mike Sullivan of Sunshine State Sonar has found the bodies of more than a dozen missing people in cars submerged in Florida's 85,000 waterways. And it has given hope to bereaved families who thought they would never find out what became of their missing loved ones. 'I feel like I am in a dream of sorts,' Clifton's other daughter ReAnne Mayo said. 'I never thought to prepare myself had we found them. 'For years, I may have been watching the sunset near the creek with my father nearby and never knew it.' This is the shocking moment a woman launches a foul-mouthed tirade at a black passenger on the London Underground - before blaming a 'spiked drink' for her racist behaviour. Janice Wilding, 49 from Lambeth, south London, was 'surprised' when she saw the appalling video, a court heard today, and pinned her actions on a laced drink. The shocking footage, captured on December 4 2022 on the Jubilee line, shows Wilding violently yelling at a black passenger. Disgusted commuters can be seen holding Wilding back as she rants at the unsuspecting woman. She can be heard saying: 'Don't f***ing bring my mother into it. Because I'll rip you apart b***. 'I will rip you apart. Because you're black and you think you're big innit. Shut your f***ing mouth'. This is the shocking moment Janice Wilding launches a foul-mouthed tirade at a black passenger on the London Underground The shocking footage, captured on December 4 2022 on the Jubilee line, shows Wilding violently yelling at a black passenger before being escorted off the train As she continues on her tirade, other passengers can be seen gathering around her to hold her back, pleading: 'Please get off the train'. The defence is met with hostility, as Wilding yells at them: 'Get your f***ing hands off of me. She's a f***ing n****'. One woman then successfully escorts Wilding off the train, as she continues to yell expletives from across the carriage. The video, taken by witness Anyusha Rose, was shown to police following the incident. After being reviewed, officers recognised Wilding from an incident at a hotel earlier the same day and she was arrested in January 2023, Inner London Crown Court heard. Witness Ms Rose recalled being on a 'fairly busy' carriage where 'clearly drunk' Wilding called other passengers 'boring' for not joining her songs then threatened to put them on YouTube, said prosecutor Edmund Blackman. One woman was 'particularly uncomfortable' with being filmed and tried to grab Wilding's phone when she pointed it at her, triggering a wave of racist abuse. Wilding said to the Black woman 'Where the f**k you come from?' and 'Go back to Africa, you don't belong here'. When the victim got up to move away, Wilding lunged at her and threw a punch but missed. Another passenger intervened and blocked the route, but Wilding carried on trying to hit her whilst screaming more abuse, the court was told. 'Go back to Africa... Black c***... Bring it on you think you're hard because you're Black,' said Mr Blackman, and used the N-word. Wilding leaving Inner London Crown Court today Eventually Wilding's chaperone pulled her off the train at West Hampstead, bringing the attack to an end. When Ms Rose asked the victim if she wanted to speak to police, she told her 'What's the point? Nothing will be done'. After Wilding was identified and arrested, she was charged by postal requisition nine months later for one count of racially aggravated fear of violence by words. She pleaded guilty in December last year. Judge Nigel Peters KC said it was 'fortunate for justice' Ms Rose had recorded the attack and shared the video as a public service, then criticised the delay in bringing a charge. Defence counsel Simeon Wallis said his client was 'genuinely remorseful' and wanted to apologise to the victim. Mr Wallis also claimed the outburst may have been due to 'a combination of medication and alcohol', due to Wilding's use of anti-psychotics, and put forward Wilding's claim that her drink had been spiked. 'Plainly Ms Wilding was surprised from what she saw in the video. Based on the stranger behaviour from other parts of the video she formed the view she had been spiked,' Mr Wallis said. 'She was not drinking for the first time. She has never reacted to drink in this way before.' Judge Peters, apparently speaking from sober experience, said it was common to find passengers who have 'had a few' on the night Tube. But he said people should be able to use the service without abuse, and warned 'things might have got worse' if Wilding was not dragged off the train by her partner. 'You decided to get annoyed when people got upset at your behaviour. Then you issued the most vile language imaginable... People must be entitled to do what they do, whatever with their telephone or staring into space, without this sort of conduct and racist language,' said Judge Peters. Slapping her with a 12 month community order and 100 hours of unpaid work, Judge Peters added: 'Unpaid work was designed for people like you.' Twin girls who died in a horror highway smash had been described as 'sunshine souls' by loved ones before their lives were tragically cut short. Sisters Macey and Riley, both seven, died when the Toyota Camry they were travelling in ploughed into a tree about halfway between Perth and Kalgoorlie. The girls' mother Rachel van Oyen, 31, had been at the wheel when the vehicle came off the Great Eastern Highway in Carrabin at about 11am on Sunday. The twins, who were both wearing seatbelts, were pronounced dead at the scene while their mother was rushed to Merredin Hospital. Merredin local Mark Beadle, whose daughter knew the twins, asked his community to pray for Ms van Oyen's recovery and for her little girls. 'I don't know how to pray for them, obviously for Rachel to recover but beyond that I feel the need for prayer,' he told the West Australian. 'It seems so enormous. It is helpful that people are praying with us.' Twin sisters Macey and Riley, both seven, died when the Toyota Camry they were travelling in ploughed into a tree about halfway between Perth and Kalgoorlie The girls' mother Rachel van Oyen, 31, had been at the wheel when the vehicle came off the Great Eastern Highway in Carrabin at about 11am on Sunday It's understood the trio had been visiting family members in Kalgoorie and were on their way home to Perth when they crashed. The girls' grandmother described them as 'sunshine souls' in a 2020 Facebook post. She lovingly described her grand-daughters as 'gorgeous, funny, cheeky, magical little twins who 'bring so much joy to their entire family. Detective Senior Sergeant Adam Matson from the major crash squad told media on Monday investigations into the 'devastating' crash were ongoing. He said detectives were yet to talk to Ms van Oyen, who was discharged from Merredin Hospital after only a few hours on Sunday. 'The loss of any life on WA roads is an absolute tragedy but to lose the lives of two young seven-year-old girls in the one instance is extremely heartbreaking,' he said. 'This crash and the death of two young girls will have a long-lasting impact on the family, friends and the broader community.' The girls' mother Rachel van Oyen, 31, had been at the wheel when the vehicle came off the Great Eastern Highway (pictured) in Carrabin at about 11am on Sunday WA Premier Roger Cook spoke of the dangers of Western Australia's highway network while sending his support to the family. 'Obviously, WA has a vast highway. And we as a state are more dependent upon vehicle transport than any other state, and vehicles travelling over many distances. So by its very nature, it's dangerous,' he said. The accident shut down the Great Eastern Highway for hours on Sunday, blocking an important road through the Wheatbelt region. Police earlier appealed for anyone with information or footage to come forward. Hawaii's governor wants to impose a $25 'climate fee' on tourists, saying the funds collected would be used to protect the state's beaches and prevent wildfires. Governor Josh Green, a Democrat, last month introduced a bill that would impose the flat fee upon check-in at hotels or vacation rentals, projecting it will raise about $68 million annually. 'It's a very small price to pay to preserve paradise,' Green told the Wall Street Journal, saying the new tax would fund a state fire marshal, new fire breaks to protect vulnerable communities, and disaster insurance. Hawaii, home to 1.5 million residents, welcomed 9.5 million visitors last year, but the state's economy is struggling to bounce back from the deadly Lahaina wildfires last year. Supporters of the climate tax say it is needed to help cover the damage visitors wreak on the state's fragile ecosystem. Hawaii Governor Josh Green wants to impose a $25 'climate fee' on tourists, saying the funds collected would be used to protect the state's beaches and protect against wildfire Hawaii, home to 1.5 million residents, welcomed 9.5 million visitors last year, and tourism is vital to the state's economy (file photo) But hoteliers and others dependent on tourism say the new fees will discourage visitors. The bill, HB2406, is currently working its way through committee in the state's legislature. Passage is not assured. Last year, a similar proposal to levy a $50 fee on tourists for access to state parks and beaches failed in the final hours of the legislative session. After that measure, known as a 'visitor impact' or 'green' fee, failed, the governor rebranded his new proposal as a 'climate' fee on tourists. Legislators are also considering an alternative measure to raise the state's hotel tax, which is already among the highest in the nation. Hawaii is not the only tourist hotspot to consider or impose a climate fee on visitors. Hoteliers and others dependent on tourism say the new fees will discourage visitors, even as Hawaii struggles to bounce back economically from the deadly Lahaina wildfires last year Since 2019, New Zealand has charged international visitors a flat fee of about $21 to pay for conservation projects and infrastructure. This year Greece introduced a new 'climate crisis resilience fee' that replaces the previous hotel tax in the country. The fee varies by season and hotel class, ranging from $0.55 for one-star hotels in the off season to about $11 for five-star hotels in peak season. It follows historic natural disasters in Greece last summer, including record rainfall and deadly flooding, and a massive heat wave that caused wildfires. A father who sent off a passport application to the Home Office for his baby daughter was shocked to receive her defaced birth certificate in the post. Her parents sent the application two weeks ago with their six-month-old baby's birth certificate to the Home Office. But today, her birth certificate was returned ripped, with the word 'Israel' scribbled out. The group Campaign Against Antisemitism is now asking the Home Office to investigate. Home Secretary James Cleverly posted on X: 'I have asked my officials to investigate this urgently and will see that appropriate action is taken'. A father who sent off a passport application to the Home Office for his baby daughter was shocked to receive her defaced birth certificate in the post Home Secretary James Cleverly posted on X: 'I have asked my officials to investigate this urgently and will see that appropriate action is taken' A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'This is completely unacceptable. 'When sending off a passport application to the Home Office, the last thing one should ever expect is to have their child's birth certificate returned, torn, with their child's place of birth scribbled out, just because it is the Jewish state. 'We are assisting the parents, who are understandably very concerned about this incident. We are also asking the Home Office to investigate how this happened. 'The Home Office has responsibility for law enforcement and the security of the Jewish community and the wider public. 'Confidence in the authorities among British Jews is at painfully low levels and must be restored.' The group Campaign Against Antisemitism is now asking the Home Office to investigate Home Secretary James Cleverly is urging officials to investigate 'urgently' After a photo of the defaced birth certificate was posted online, social media users were furious. One said: 'Horrendous anti-semitism' while another described it as 'appalling'. MailOnline has contacted the Home Office for comment. After months of deadlock, the Italian government on Monday announced a temporary state takeover of a troubled steel mill majority-owned by steel giant ArcelorMittal. "In coming days", the government will appoint commissioners "with specific expertise in the steel sector" to take control of the former Ilva steel plant, said a government statement. The former Ilva steel plant in the southern city of Taranto, in which the state already has a minority stake, is on the edge of bankruptcy, with over three billion euros ($3.2 billion) in debt. It is unable to pay most of its suppliers, nor settle its gas and electricity bills. Under the terms of emergency administration, the government will appoint administrators to prepare a restructuring, while seeking new investors, sources close to the matter had previously said. The state investment agency Invitalia on Sunday called on the government to begin takeover procedures after ArcelorMittal refused to inject fresh funds. ArcelorMittal responded that it was "surprised and disappointed" to learn from Italian media that Invitalia had called for the special administration, as it had not mentioned doing so during an emergency board meeting Sunday. "This is an egregious breach of the investment agreement", it said in a statement to Invitalia, a copy of which was seen by AFP. ArcelorMittal has said it participated in good faith discussions to support the Taranto mill or to arrange for an orderly exit from ownership, and "we reject your attempt to blame us for their unsatisfactory outcome and to absolve yourselves and the Italian government for the failure of our public-private partnership." ArcelorMittal owns a 62 percent stake in the steel mill and the Italian state the remaining 38 percent. The government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and ArcelorMittal have been trading accusations for weeks over who is to blame for a breakdown in talks on the plant's future. From the moment that ArcelorMittal "doesn't have the intention to invest in the company, I believe that the country is justified in reappropriating the fruit of its labour and the sacrifices of entire generations", Economic Development Minister Adolfo Urso said Sunday. Trade unions were invited to a Monday meeting during where the government announced its decision about the mill's fate. The government considers the steel mill to be strategic for the country and wants to keep it operating to safeguard about 10,700 jobs. Among potential investors cited in Italian media is Ukraine's Metinvest, which has been hunting for new production facilities since Russian forces seized the Azovstal mill in Mariupol in May 2022. Also reportedly interested are Italian steel firm Arvedi and Vulcan Green Steel, a subsidiary of Jindal Steel and Power, which bid unsuccessfully for the Taranto mill in 2017. ArcelorMittal acquired the Taranto mill in 2018 after the Italian government put it under extraordinary administration in 2015 following financial and legal problems. Creditors, also invited to Monday's meeting, have bad memories of the mill's previous spell in administration, with over 150 million euros in debts left unpaid according to their estimates. bh/rl/giv/tw The Culture Secretary has slammed calls to add trigger warnings to Shakespeare's plays warning that works of fiction should not be 'whitewashed'. It comes amid increasing calls for warnings to be put ahead of some of Britain's most renowned plays and pieces of literature. In recent years theatre audiences have been warned of violence, abuse, bereavement, loud noises and even references to smoking. Lucy Frazer said: 'If you go to see Macbeth, you pretty much know before you're going in that it's going to contain uncomfortable issues.' The MP warned that audiences should not be treated like children adding: 'I think we should treat people who go to the in an adult way.' The Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has slammed calls to add trigger warnings to Shakespeare's plays warning that works of fiction should not be 'whitewashed' Ralph Fiennes, who is currently starring in Shakespeare's Macbeth, recently called for the end to trigger warnings Referring to the decision to remove offensive language from Roald Dahl's children's books and Ian Fleming's James Bond series, Ms Frazer told The Sun: 'I do not think our literature should be whitewashed. 'It's really important that when you read something we're not overprotecting the public.' Last week actor Ralph Fiennes called to end trigger warnings at threatres suggesting that some audiences had become 'too soft'. He told BBC's Laura Kuenssberg: 'We didn't used to have trigger warnings. 'There are very disturbing scenes in Macbeth, terrible murders and things, but I think the impact of theatre is that you should be shocked and you should be disturbed. 'I don't think you should be prepared for these things and when I was young we never had trigger warnings before a show.' The actor added that he would get rid of trigger warnings but would keep notifications about strobe lighting, and other props that could damage a person's health, in place. 'Shakespeare's plays are full of murder and full of horror, and as a young student and lover of the threatre I never experienced trigger warnings like oh by the way in King Lea Gloucester's going to have his eyes pulled out,' he said. Ralph Fiennes (pictured on the BBC last Sunday) has called to end trigger warnings at threatres suggesting that audiences have 'gone too soft' The Harry Potter star, 60, who is currently starring in Macbeth has called for the excessive warnings to be axed 'Theatre needs to be alive and in the present. It's the shock, it's the unexpected, that's what makes the theatre so exciting.' The actor, known for The English Patient, Schindler's List and The Grand Budapest Hotel, is currently starring in an immersive touring production of Macbeth. Last year, Sir McKellen blasted trigger warnings after he ridiculed the signs at his own play Frank and Percy at The Other Palace in London. A warning has been placed on the theatre's website saying the show contains strong language, sexual references and discussions of bereavement and cancer. The 84-year-old said: 'Outside theatres and in the lobbies, including this one, the audience is warned "there is a loud noise and at one point, there are flashing lights", "there is reference to smoking", "there is reference to bereavement".' He added: 'I think it's ludicrous, myself, yes, absolutely. I quite like to be surprised by loud noises and outrageous behaviour on stage.' Bosses of the London's world-renowned Globe threatre were slammed in 2022 after they provided warnings ahead of Shakespeare's centuries-old play Julies Ceasar. The Roman dictator was famously stabbed to death inside the halls of Rome's senate which is a scene that features in the modern production of Shakespeare's classic. Last year, Sir McKellen blasted trigger warnings after he ridiculed the signs at his own play Frank and Percy at The Other Palace in London Actor Christopher Biggins blasted the Globe for proving trigger warnings ahead of Julius Ceasar Bosses of the London's world-renowned Globe threatre were slammed in 2022 after they provided warnings ahead of Shakespeare's centuries-old play Julies Ceasar But the Globe - which is on the site of the Bard's original playhouse - alerts the audience before performances that the show will contain 'stage blood and weapons including knives.' It warned: 'Content guidance: Depictions of war, self-harm and suicide, stage blood and weapons including knives.' Actor Christopher Biggins blasted the theatre: 'Do we have to have signs for everything under the sun. It's a joke. What they are trying to do is insulting to the mentality of theatre-goers.' Former minister Ann Widdecombe added: 'You don't go to see Romeo and Juliet if you want a light-hearted evening.' Yet the Globe has not been deterred by criticism of its pre-performance notifications. Last month those watching Antony and Cleopatra on the Thames-side threatre were warned that the play would show discrimination to black women. A trigger warning on its website says the play features 'misogynoir references' a combination of 'misogyny' and 'noir'. A 25-year-old man has been arrested over the murders of a single mother and a student who were gunned down in a Colorado college dorm last week. Nicholas Jordan, from Detroit, is accused of shooting Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, and Sam Knopp, 24, on Friday at Crestone House on the UCCS campus. Colorado Springs Police Department said he was detained at Cliff Point Circle East in the city at 8.37am on Monday. A booking photograph for Jordan has not yet been released. 'Investigative efforts continue to indicate this was an isolated incident between individuals who were known to one another and not a random attack against the school or other students at the university,' the department said. Montgomery was a single mother to two daughters aged five and seven, according to a Facebook post by a heartbroken relative responding to her death, while Knopp was a gifted music student. It's unclear what their relation was. Celie Rain Montgomery (pictured), 26, was identified along with Sam Knopp, 24, after what police believe was a double murder last week Sam Knopp, 24, was names as one of the victims of a shooting in a dorm at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs on Friday Sam Knopp with is pictured with his mother, Amy, in photo posted online Jordan is being held at the El Paso County Jail charged with two counts of murder in the first degree. He was booked after members of Colorado Springs PD's Motor Vehicle Theft Unit located him in a vehicle on Monday morning, police said. 'At this point in our investigation, this incident does not appear to be a murder-suicide and both deaths are being investigated as homicides,' the department said previously. The coroner's office will determine how they died, but each person was shot at least once in what appeared to be an 'isolated incident,' police spokesperson Ira Cronin said at a briefing. Knopp, was a senior studying music at the university and said to be a beloved member of the Visual and Performing Arts department. He was an accomplished guitar player and an extremely talented musician. Meanwhile, Montgomery worked as a freelance copywriter specializing in health and wellness. She was not a student at the university. A lockdown across campus lasted for about 90 minutes and later was isolated to Crestone House, a student apartment complex on campus, school spokesperson Chris Valentine said. A police officer stands outside a dorm in the Village at Alpine Valley housing on Friday as police investigate a shooting on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus Knopp, was a talented senior studying music at the university Shocked students look outside their dorm window in the Village at Alpine Valley housing When police officers got to the room at around 6am Friday, they found Knopp and Montgomery both dead, having been shot in the head. Following the lockdown, the campus about 70 miles south of Denver remained closed for the day. Knopp's mother, Amy, shared her concerns online just as the shooting was taking place. 'There were reports of an active shooter on campus at UCCS where our son, Sam, is a senior. At least one person is dead,' she wrote. 'I haven't heard from Sam. He lives in Alpine Village, where residents were told to shelter in place. The campus is in lockdown and is now closed today. 'PLEASE EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE BUT IT'S THE GODDAMNED GUNS! This hits way too close to home and it makes me want to vomit. All the 'thoughts and prayers' in the world mean nothing without action to back them up.' Once it became clear her son was one of the victims, there followed messages of condolence. 'I'm so sorry for your loss and praying so hard for you and your family,' wrote Brittany Craig. 'Amy my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My heart is broken my condolences,' said Diane Sigl. 'Im so sorry Amy, I am angry and heartbroken we lost Sam,' added Elsa Ge. Sam Knopp is seen alongside his twin sister Ellie Sam, left, and his sister Ellie are pictured together in a family photo 'Given this case's active and fluid nature, additional information about those leads and any potential suspect details will not be released at this time,' a press release from the police department read. 'While acknowledging the difficulty of the situation and the withholding of information in the initial stages of the investigation, we owe it to the victims and their families to deliver accountability and justice for this horrific act,' police said. 'These are the third and fourth homicides in the City of Colorado Springs this year. At this time last year, there were two homicides.' The campus was also closed over the weekend but walk-in counseling was offered at the wellness center on both days, the university said. The university has said that classes will be cancelled on Monday but walk-in counseling will also be offered together with spaces on campus being open to offering food and support. The U.S. military is currently diverting money meant for operations in Europe and Africa to assist Ukraine, and could soon run out of funds for its operations in those parts of the world if Congress does not act soon. The U.S. is currently siphoning hundreds of millions of dollars to support Ukraine amid an impasse in Congress. Since the start of this fiscal year, October 2023, the Army has spent over $430 million on Ukraine-related operations, including training Ukrainian troops, transporting weapons and deploying U.S. troops to Europe. The Army's Europe and Africa Command has about $3 billion left to cover its operating costs that are expected to amount to $5 billion in 2024, one senior Army official told CNN - and could run out of money by May. A Ukrainian soldier takes his position on the frontline near Klishchiivka the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 19, 2024 A Ukrainian soldier of the 'Tsunami' regiment fires artillery in the direction of Bakhmut, as the Russia-Ukraine war continues in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on February 19, 2024 'If we don't get a base budget, if we don't get Ukraine supplemental [funding package], if the government shuts down, if we get nothing else and nothing changes from todaywe will run out of [operations and maintenance] funding in May,' the official told the publication. For months lawmakers have looked for a way to pass a supplemental funding package to get money to Ukraine, but appetite for funding its war against Russia has waned on Capitol Hill. Soon the Army will have to arbitrage funding, with Army Secretary Christine Wormuth telling CNN she expects they will have to 'rob Peter to pay Paul.' 'Every incremental dollar I have, it's very important where I put that dollar. And I'm constantly choosing between, do we put it on barracks? Do I put it on enlistment incentives? Do I put it on exercises? Do I put it on modernization? I don't have spare cash to be just sort of donating some of that,' Wormuth, the service's civilian leader tasked with budgeting, told CNN. 'This was money that we anticipated to be replenished, obviously, by the supplemental,' she added, reiterating the need for congressional action. 'We would cease to exist,' if funds are not allocated from elsewhere within the Army's budget, one official said. While US funding for Ukraine has run dry, training for Ukrainian troops has continued because it's been deemed mission critical by the president. The U.S. is currently training about 1,500 Ukrainian troops in Germany and is training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 fighter aircraft at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona. Last week the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package that includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, and $4.83 for partners in the Indo-Pacific. It also would provide $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, Ukraine and other conflict zones around the globe. US Army soldiers in Poland on feb 21, deployed as part of a rotation of forces to Poland to support multinational training and operations and deter adversaries in the European theater But House Speaker Mike Johnson has declared that package dead on arrival in the lower chamber, absent any border security provisions. The issue has taken on added intensity in recent days after one of President Vladimir Putin's leading critics, Alexei Navalny, died in a Russian prison. Former President Donald Trump last week triggered outrage and alarm among US allies by suggesting he would not be willing to defend NATO members who did not meet spending commitments. He even suggested he would encourage attacks on them. Biden tore into House Republicans who remain obstinately opposed to aid on Monday. 'The way they're walking away from the threat of Russia, they way they're walking away from NATO. The way they're walking away from meeting our obligations. It's just shocking.' 'I've never seen anything like it.' Republicans broadly argue that the war in Ukraine is unwinnable and there is no off ramp in sight. Ahead of the Senate vote last week, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson described Putin as 'evil,' before concluding: 'Vladimir Putin will not lose this war.' In the meantime, Ukraine continues to appeal for more help. Its forces were forced to retreat from the captured town of Avdiivka, a strategic hub in the east of the country. The White House said that was due to a lack of ammunition, which it blamed on the congressional logjam. 'This morning, Ukraines military was forced to withdraw from Avdiivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russias first notable gains in months,' it said after Biden called Ukraine's Volodomyr Zelensky. The FBI has launched an investigation into Napa Valley's most famous wineries and subpoenaed documents related to 40 high-profile individuals. Billionaire and former part owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Craig Hall and his wife Kathryn Walt Hall, the onetime US ambassador to Austria, were among those named in the legal documents, along with their winery, Hall Hundred Acre. Other people who were named in the documents were Dave Phinney, the entrepreneur who created the wine brand Prisoner, and Chuck Wagner, the owner of Caymus Vineyards. The reason for the investigation is still unknown, but many of the vintners and wineries named in the subpoena have direct links to Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Pedroza has long been entangled in land controversies and though he has not been listed or charged, the subpoenas included the names of people and companies that completed the Atlas Peak land deal, including the supervisor's father-in-law, the Napa Valley Register reported. The FBI has launched an investigation into Napa Valley's most famous wineries and subpoenaed documents related to 40 high-profile individuals. Pictured: Hall Hundred Acre Winery Billionaire and former part owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Craig Hall and his wife Kathryn Walt Hall, the onetime US ambassador to Austria, were among those named in the legal documents, along with their winery, Hall Hundred Acre DailyMail.com contacted the FBI for more information on the federal investigation but did not receive a response. In response to the investigation, Wagner told the San Francisco Chronicle he was 'mad as hell' that his name was listed. 'I'm baffled. It's (about) the county, they shouldn't be naming individuals- unless I've done something wrong that I don't know about,' Wagner added. The subpoena ordered a representative of the county to appear before a federal grand jury in San Francisco on Wednesday with 'any and all documents' related to those who were named. Napa County's deputy county executive communications officer, Holly Dawson, said that the county doesn't 'know anything more than what's in the subpoena.' Dawson added the county will provide the requested documents and that no one is expected to testify. Kathryn Hall said that she knew there was an 'ongoing investigation' but that she was unaware of the 'scope or details' and that it would 'inappropriate for us to speculate.' Kathryn and Craig own five certified organic wineries in Helena and Rutherford, Napa Valley. They have not been accused of any wrongdoings. Craig purchased an ownership interest in the Dallas Cowboys in 1984 and has gone on to create the Hall Group, a family of assorted companies from wineries, to financial buildings and art. Kathryn served as the former US Ambassador to Austria from 1997 to 2001 under then-President Bill Clinton, and has gone on to work as an attorney. According to the winery's website, the couple are 'lifelong art collectors' that enjoy sharing their love of art and wine to the world. Chuck Wagner, the owner of Caymus Vineyard, was also named in the subpoena. 'I'm baffled. It's (about) the county, they shouldn't be naming individuals- unless I've done something wrong that I don't know about,' Wagner said Wagner, Phinney and Hall are all top donors of Pedroza's, who have donated large amounts of money to the supervisor's campaigns. It is unclear if this is related to the investigation Pedroza was caught up in a messy land battle that involved the Walt Ranch, a piece of land that was set to become a vineyard, but the plan failed last year. The Hall's purchased the Walt Ranch in 2005 for $8million with similar plans to build a vineyard on it. In 2022, a resident, Beth Nelson, found out that Pedroza's father-in-law had acquired a stake in property near Walt Ranch. Pedroza voted in favor of the ranch, but did not disclose his father's stake. Others have claimed that Pedroza and his family could have financially benefited from the vineyard and worried that it's placement would hike up the prices of nearby properties. His father-in-law, Esteban Llamas, is listed on the subpoena, along with Vinedos AP, LLC, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Pedroza, who is not named in the subpoenas, told the Napa Valley Register: 'I encourage the county, as it always does, to cooperate fully with all other branches of federal and state government.' 'There is no reason here to do otherwise,' he added. Grant Long, the owner of Revierie and Aonair in Helena, California, was also listed in the subpoena and said that the news 'came as quite a big surprise' to him. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Wagner, Phinney and Hall are all top donors of Pedroza's, who have donated large amounts of money to the supervisor's campaigns. It is unclear if this is related to the investigation. The documents requested in the subpoena included permits, plans, contracts and correspondence that date to January 1, 2016- the year Pedroza was first elected to Napa County's Board of Supervisors. Other business owners such James Peter Read, who previously owned the Grocery Outlet, and three of his other businesses were listed in the subpoenas. Records revealed that Read's Circle R. Ranch, LLC has donated at least $9,900 to Pedroza's campaigns as well. The current federal subpoena is one of three that wine country has recently received, according to records. The Napa Valley Register reported that the county was subpoenaed for records that dealt with its waste management services and new development to the Napa County Airport. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes is the latest New Yorker to slam the NYPD over its dance team. 'How many school music programs got defunded for this,' asked the Democratic Socialist as she shared a clip of the dance crew on X on Monday. While the team was created in 2022, it sparked backlash over the weekend after making an appearance on local television. The seven-officer team's very public promotion comes as New Yorkers worry about the city's ongoing migrant crisis and a recent wave of crime connected to asylum seekers. Still, some of AOC's own critics took her post as an opportunity to slam her and her progressive politics. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes is the latest New Yorker to slam the NYPD over its dance team While the team was created in 2022, it sparked backlash over the weekend after making an appearance on local television One comment read: 'How many school buildings were shut down for migrants @AOC?' Another said: 'Isnt this the type of police that you like, the ones who dont actually enforce laws' Others found common ground with the controversial congresswoman after her tweet taking aim at the dance crew. One X user said: 'This is the kind of defund the police that I think we could both agree on.' The dance team members are apparently aware of the backlash, with team vice president Lauren Pagan defending the initiative. 'I'm just answering 911 jobs all day, all day, all day out of roll call until it's time to go home,' she said. 'Music is amazing. And when I get to sit here and just listen even if it's the same song over and over, it's a nice place to be. Everybody here loves to dance. They love being here.' Martinez said the club was designed to provide officers with a place to 'express themselves creatively.' 'We have a dance team because the mental health kind of takes a toll while doing this job,' she explained. The dance troop's recent appearance on local media comes as highly-publicized instances of migrant crime have drawn attention and theft continues to rage. More than 160,000 migrants have arrived in the city since the spring of 2022 and the crisis is only deepening as they continue to be bussed from Texas where record numbers are pouring over the border. In one of the most viral incidents of the past month, three NYPD officers were pummeled by a group of migrant men in Times Square and left with minor injuries. In another case, a 15-year-old Venezuelan migrant opened fire at a sneaker store during an attempted shoplifting. He was arrested and charged as an adult after the bullet struck a Brazilian tourist and he continued to shoot at police while fleeing. More than 170,000 migrants have landed in the city since the spring of 2022. That number is only rising as Texas Governor Greg Abbot continues to bus people up north in retaliation of the federal government's border policy. Appearing on 'Good Day New York' in January, Mayor Eric Adams estimated between 2,500 and 4,000 new arrivals each week. However, the NYPD touted decreases across several major crime indexes in January. Murder fell by 25 percent; rape by 24.4 percent; burglary by 19.8 percent; grand larceny auto by 3.8 percent; and felony assault by 1.5 percent. In addition, arrests for all major crimes citywide increased 5.7 percent year over year. But statistics for other types of theft-related crime saw an increase - robbery rose 5.4 percent while grand larceny saw a 0.4 percent uptick last month. The department attributed the increase to 'organized pickpocket teams' and so-called 'lush workers' targeting drunk or sleeping victims in the subway. QUESTION Did Humphry Davy administer laughing gas to the audience at his lectures? Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) was a celebrated chemist and inventor. He was the first person to describe the properties of nitrous oxide, which is still extensively used in anaesthesia. However, last year it became a Class C drug for its recreational misuse. Davy and his friends used the gas as a stimulant, resulting in euphoria and heightened imagination. He personally coined the term 'laughing gas'. One of his friends was Samuel Taylor Coleridge, an eminent poet of the romantic movement and author of The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, who inhaled the gas with Davy and commented on the subsequent euphoria. He reported that while he was inhaling the gas, 'towards the last, I could not avoid, nor indeed felt any wish to avoid, beating the ground with my feet; and after the mouth-piece was removed, I remained for a few seconds motionless, in great extacy [sic]'. Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) was a celebrated chemist and inventor He was the first person to describe the properties of nitrous oxide, which is still extensively used in anaesthesia Davy was an early member of the Pneumatic Institution in Bristol, which was formed to exploit the newly discovered respiratory gases in medical practice. Davy was also one of the first professors to lecture at the Royal Institution in London. His lectures there were legendary; not only was he supremely eloquent but women thronged to them, keen to see the handsome chemist. When Davy lectured on respiration, those who wished to breathe nitrous oxide after the lecture were invited to do so. The spectators were most amused by the antics of the experimenters. On June 20, 1801, one man was so transported and 'so reluctant to leave heaven and earth' that the 'breathing-bag' had to be forcibly removed from him. Such was the spectacle of 'laughing gas' that, shortly after Davy's death, Dr Thomas Thompson complained that Davy's discovery of the gas had made him more celebrated than all the merit of his subsequent achievements. These were considerable. A great champion of the scientific method, Davy discovered the elements sodium, potassium and calcium, and he was the first person to isolate magnesium, boron and barium. He invented an early form of battery, and delivered lectures on tanning, geology and agricultural chemistry. Davy, of course, also saved many lives by developing the miners' safety lamp. Richard Wilson, Cardiff. QUESTION Why were estate cars so-called? Why were they once referred to as 'shooting brakes'? A brake in the 19th century was a light carriage used for breaking-in horses to carriage work the spellings 'break' and 'brake' were interchangeable at the time and the latter stuck. These vehicles were modified to carry luggage and were known as a 'luggage-brake' or 'station waggon', the latter reflecting the purpose of transporting people and luggage between country estates and railway stations. A brake in the 19th century was a light carriage used for breaking-in horses to carriage work The 'shooting brake' was used on country estates. It had seats for the shooters, gun racks and room for dogs, guns, lunch, etc. These vehicles were generally found only on gentlemen's estates; 'estate car' was used when makers of motorised versions sought a wider market. Marc Danielson, Bridport, Dorset. QUESTION What caused the Great Sheep Panic of 1888? Nobody knows for sure what triggered this remarkable event of November 3, 1888, in Oxfordshire. A 1921 investigation for the journal Nature suggested it was a group panic caused by a profoundly dark night, punctuated with lightning. In a letter to the editor of the Hardwicke's Science-Gossip magazine, two local farmers described the incident: 'At a time as near eight o'clock as possible, the tens of thousands of sheep folded in the large sheep-breeding districts north, east and west of Reading were taken with a sudden fright, jumping their hurdles, escaping from the elds and running hither and thither; in fact, there must for some time have been a perfect stampede. 'Early on Sunday morning, the shepherds found the animals under hedges and in the roads, panting as if they had been terror-stricken. Sheep have an intense instinct to gather together in flocks 'The extent of the occurrence may be judged when we mention that every large farmer from Wallingford on the one hand, to Twyford on the other, has reported that his sheep were similarly frightened, and it is also noteworthy that, with two or three exceptions, the hill-country north of the Thames seems to have been principally affected.' Tomorrow's Questions... Q: Did the myxoma virus exist naturally in rabbit populations before it was artificially introduced? Linda M. Stanfield, Pudsey, W. Yorks. Q: Has a dog ever saved the life of a famous person from history? Yvette Linehan, Grantham, Lincs. Q: Did Hitler leave a will? Dave Whitehead, Macclesfield, Cheshire. Advertisement Remarkably, five years later, on December 4, 1893, a similar panic occurred in the northern and middle parts of Oxfordshire, extending into adjoining parts of the counties of Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Berkshire. Sheep have an intense instinct to gather together in flocks. They sense that there is strength in numbers, and running in a large, tight group away from a predator can help prevent any of their number from getting caught. Ornithologist and naturalist Oliver Vernon Aplin was fascinated by the occurrence and concluded in his 1921 Nature article that 'a thick and heavy darkness' such that 'a man could not see his own hand' caused by an 'extraordinary black cloud travelling from north-west to south-east, which appeared to be rolling along the ground' along with bursts of 'flashing lightning' had spooked the animals en masse. It does seem remarkable that this would happen to multiple flocks at once. Local farmers speculated that there must have been an earth tremor in the night, although no specific one was recorded. An extraterrestrial encounter has been posited by the more imaginative. Mrs S. Hurley, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. Is there a question to which you want to know the answer? Or do you know the answer to a question here? Write to: Charles Legge, Answers To Correspondents, Daily Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY; or email charles.legge@dailymail.co.uk. A selection is published, but we're unable to enter into individual correspondence The tipping point came in 2016 after Donald Trump's election as president The average price per square foot for condominiums in the iconic Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue has declined by 49 percent since 2012, an analysis found The values of condos in Manhattan high rises emblazoned with the Trump name have tumbled while those in like-for-like properties without the name have risen Condos in upscale Manhattan apartment blocks emblazoned with the Trump name have tumbled in value since the former president was elected in 2016, an analysis has found. Luxury residential units in iconic properties including Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue have seen declines of up to 49 percent in their cost per square foot across the past decade. The reductions in value were sharpest after Donald Trump's election. Before then, properties bearing the Trump brand typically traded at a premium compared to like-for-like counterparts in other buildings. The analysis also reveals that condos in former Trump buildings have increased in value since his name was removed - including at one block where the ex-president's name was ripped off after a petition by residents. Iconic properties including Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue have seen declines of up to 49 percent in the price per square foot of their luxury residential units across the past decade The findings come after a New York judge ordered Trump to pay $355 million over claims he lied about his wealth - including the value of his properties - to secure better loan deals The findings come after a New York judge ordered Trump to pay $355 million in penalties over claims he lied about his wealth - including the value of his properties - to secure better loan deals. The judge also barred the president from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation for three years. Data on the underperformance of Trump condos in New York showed that months before his election, such properties fetched a one percent premium compared with other similar units, according to the New York Times analysis. Following his election, the units started fetching about four percent less than their counterparts. The prices of condos in Trump properties also took a bigger hit during covid, when rents in New York tumbled, and have failed to recover as well as others. Values have also recovered faster at properties which removed the Trump logo. The study found that the average price per square foot of a condo in Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue has declined by 49 percent since 2013. The average price per square foot of a condo in a Trump building in New York today is slightly more than $1,500, compared with a little over $1,750 in non-Trump properties. Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh, a professor of real estate at Columbia University, said: 'This analysis cleanly identifies that it is the Trump brand that is responsible for the value deterioration. 'Removing the Trump name from the building removes the loss associated with the name.' The review found that across the seven Trump buildings in Manhattan, condo values dropped by 23 percent between 2013 and 2023, according to CityRealty. The average price per square foot of a condo in a Trump building in New York today is slightly more than $1,500, compared with a little over $1,750 in non-Trump properties. Pictured: The Trump Building at 40 Wall St Condos in four buildings which removed the Trump name saw values rise by nine percent from 2013 to 2023. Pictured: the Trump name is removed from a building at Riverside Boulevard An apartment block in the Upper West Side after Trump's name was removed following his election as president in 2016 Condos in four buildings which removed the Trump name saw values rise by nine percent across the same period, while the market as a whole in Manhattan was up eight percent. Eric Trump, the former president's son and head of the Trump Organization, told the New York Times: 'Data can be manipulated to tell any story you want, but the fact remains that our buildings sell for the highest prices per square foot of any properties in the world. That is undeniable. 'This year alone, Trump International Hotel & Tower New York closed on a $17 million unit, exceeding the prices at Time Warner, Essex House and the most prestigious properties in the city.' The Trump name became synonymous with prestige and luxury during the 1980s and 1990s - and buildings under the brand's umbrella prominently feature the name in gold-plated lettering. Trump began leasing out his name for use on buildings which his company hadn't build. In 2016 shortly after Trump's election, his name was removed from several apartment buildings in Manhattan's Upper West Side after a petition by residents. The buildings, which weren't owned by Trump, were renamed 140, 160 and 180 Riverside Boulevard. At least 12 alleged cartel members were killed by the Mexican army in a shootout near the border with the United States, according to officials. The soldiers were on patrol in the municipality of Miguel Aleman, along the Texas border, when they were attacked by 'armed civilians hiding in the bush,' Tamaulipas state's security agency said in a statement published on X. The agency did not respond to questions about whether any soldiers were killed or injured in the Sunday shootout. The gunmen who attacked the soldiers were alleged members of a drug cartel, AFP reported. Officials said they seized 12 long weapons, cartridges and magazines of various calibers. Members of the National Guard in the border city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas state, Mexico At least 12 gunmen were killed by the Mexican army in a shootout in Mexico near the border with the United States, according to officials. Border patrol agents stand before the Rio Grande river and a suburb of the Mexican city of Ciudad Miguel Aleman The state of Tamaulipas has various organized crime groups, whose main activities include human smuggling and drug trafficking. A smuggler prepares to transport young migrants towards the United States from the bank of the Rio Grande river in Ciudad Miguel Aleman The state of Tamaulipas has various organized crime groups, whose main activities include human smuggling and drug trafficking, authorities say. The army reportedly used drones and a helicopter in the operation. No additional information has been released, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of Monday. Last September a gang of armed men attacked a convoy of vehicles that were crossing to Roma, Texas, from Miguel Aleman, injuring three people, including Americans. The State Department issued a Do Not Travel alert for Tamaulipas last year. Last month Mexican marines detained one of the top leaders of the Gulf drug cartel, the gang that kidnapped four Americans and killed two of them in March 2023. The four Americans crossed into the border city of Matamoros from Texas so that one of them could have cosmetic surgery. They were fired on in downtown Matamoros and then loaded into a pickup truck. Americans Zindell Brown and Shaeed Woodard died in the attack; Eric Williams and Latavia McGee survived. Most of them had grown up together in the small town of Lake City, South Carolina. A Mexican woman, Areli Pablo Servando, 33, was also killed, apparently by a stray bullet. A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a teenager was stabbed to death in east London. The victim, also aged 17, was fatally injured shortly before 11pm on Saturday night in Shoreditch. Police and ambulance staff rushed to save the boy, but he suffered multiple wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. The attack took place on the busy Hackney Road near to Hoxton station, with police saying they have already spoken to witnesses and urging more to come forward. Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke said: 'A family has been left devastated following the tragic death of yet another young man on our streets. Forensic officers seen investigating near the scene of the stabbing on Hackney Road on Sunday A 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death on Hackney Road (pictured) in Shoreditch on Saturday Police said there would be additional patrols in Shoreditch following the attack on Saturday Pictured: Forensic workers at the scene on Sunday 'We have been working tirelessly to establish what happened and find whoever is responsible for this shocking attack. 'While we have already spoken to a number of people, the incident took place on a busy road and we know there will have been others in the area at the time who are yet to come forward. 'I would ask those individuals to make contact and tell us what you saw.' The victim has not yet been formally identified but his family has been told. A post-mortem examination will take place on Wednesday. A student, 22, whose flat overlooks the scene, told the Evening Standard: 'I heard desperate screaming and some male voices shouting. It was horrible. 'I can't get the noises out of my head, it was obvious someone had been badly hurt. I only moved in last month it's really affected me.' Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting reference CAD 7553/17Feb, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online. Police searching for a two-year-old boy who fell into a river want to get in touch with a dog walker who was in the area at the time the toddler was swept away. Specialist divers continued to search overnight, as the police confirmed the toddler's father has been discharged from hospital. The young boy was with his family when he fell into the River Soar near Aylestone in Leicestershire on Sunday evening. His father jumped in after the toddler to try and save him, police confirmed, as officers searching for him vowed: 'We will bring him home.' He was taken to hospital that night as a precaution but has since been discharged. Police using a drone and specialist divers stepped up their search yesterday, and continued to look for the boy overnight. Sergeant Chris Haines, who is leading the search operation, said: 'Underwater dive teams are doing extensive searches, which they are continuing at present.' He added that searches will continue 'over the next couple of days'. Specialist divers will continue to search overnight for a two-year-old boy who fell into a river, as the police confirm the toddler's father has been discharged from hospital. Pictured are search teams scouring the river yesterday The young boy was with his family when he fell into the River Soar near Aylestone. Pictured are search teams on the river yesterday His father jumped in after the toddler to try and save him, police confirmed, as officers searching for him vowed: 'We will bring him home.' Pictured is the scene yesterday Specialist divers are part of the rescue efforts in the River Soar, Leicestershire Rising water levels pictured on the River Soar near Aylestone Meadows, Aylestone, Leicester Last night, police said they are aware that a dog and owner were walking along the river's footpath at around 5pm and urged the walker to get in touch. The force also asked members of the public who have spoken with officers nearby to contact them so they can check the details given. Specialist divers into action while back-up officers and resources have arrived from other forces including Lincolnshire Police, Nottinghamshire Police and London's Metropolitan Police. Leicestershire Police's assistant chief constable Michaela Kerr said they were still searching for the boy, having extended the range of the river being covered, and were supporting the family. Ms Kerr told a news conference at the scene yesterday afternoon: 'We're confident we will find him - we're doing everything we possibly can. 'For the family, our commitment is absolutely to make sure we bring their little boy home. 'We've got all the specialist resources we would possibly want, I think, in a case like this. Our absolute priority is to find that little boy.' She said: 'The child was with a family member at the time he went into the water. 'We do know one person went into the River Soar to try to get the child but sadly we still haven't been able to find the child.' She confirmed that person was a family member, subsequently taken to hospital and now discharged. Leicestershire Police's assistant chief constable Michaela Kerr has vowed their 'absolute priority' is to find the two-year-old boy who fell into the river on Sunday evening The assistant chief constable revealed a family member went into the water trying to save him The search is taking place in the River Soar near Aylestone Meadows Local Nature Reserve Rising tides and flooding which could hamper the operation have been reported She did not name the boy though said the family was 'local' to the area. A drone was seen in the air as part of search efforts on Sunday night, with police and fire crews calling off their search at about 9.30pm though officers remained close to the scene overnight, ready to act on any new information. A long-standing resident whose home overlooks Aylestone Meadows said flooding from the River Soar in recent weeks had left parts of the nature reserve in a treacherous state. She said a helicopter had initially flown over the area for around an hour after reports that a two-year-old child had fallen in the river. The resident, who did not wish to be named, told reporters: 'It seemed to be there for a long time hovering. 'It felt as if it was above my house. The lights were on and it didn't move for about an hour or so.' The woman, who walks regularly in the area, said a nearby canal and the river sometimes 'go into one' during peak flooding periods. 'It's fast-flowing,' she said of current conditions. 'It's been quite bad. 'It's devastating to think how they (family members) must be feeling.' Flooding and rising tides in the area have intensified concerns for the youngster in Leicester Officers were hunting for a two-year-old boy who went into the River Soar at 5pm on Sunday Leicestershire Police revealed they were stepping up their hunt for the missing toddler Police and fire crews called off their hunt for the child at about 9.30pm yesterday but have begun again this morning The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for the Upper Soar catchment area The search resumed yesterday and continued overnight, with a Leicestershire Police spokeswoman telling MailOnline: 'There are rising water levels in the area, and flooding, and we're going to be bringing in additional resources today to assist with that.' The Environment Agency has issued a yellow flood warning for the Upper Soar catchment area, which means flooding is considered 'possible'. Yesterday's search operation has included two Tactical Support Unit boats. A police helicopter was seen searching the river at about 5.40pm on Sunday, later replaced with a drone. The helicopter then returned at 6.40pm after refuelling and was lighting up the search area. The road between Braunstone Lane East and Middleton Street remained closed. Local man Adam, who did not want to give his surname, was with his daughter on their bikes nearby. He told the BBC: 'We usually ride along the river by Aylestone Meadows but the police told us not to go tonight when we went down there. The parents must be absolutely beside themselves.' Aylestone ward councillor Nigel Porter today told LeicestershireLive: 'I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear this news. Our thoughts in Aylestone are with the little boy's family at this difficult time.' Tactical Support Unit boats have been sent into action while officers have entered the river too The search operation continues on the River Soar in Leicester after a two-year-old boy fell in Police are concerned about rising water in the area and flooding as they carry on searching Leicestershire Police says the toddler's family is being supported while searches continue While the boy remained missing, a man was taken to hospital as a 'precautionary measure' More resources were sent to the scene near Aylestone and Braunstone on Monday morning Officers have concerns about rising water levels in the area potentially hampering efforts Police had launched the major search operation on Sunday evening shortly after 5pm A police helicopter was sighted searching the river in Braunstone, Leicestershire, at about 5.40pm on Sunday - later replaced with a drone The helicopter returned at 6.40pm after refuelling and was seen lighting up the search area Police have said the search was resuming on Monday morning, with additional resources The force said that 'despite the best efforts of those at the scene', the toddler has not been found - while also confirming a man has been taken to hospital as a precaution A statement released by the police said: 'Earlier this evening (Sunday 18 February) officers were called to the River Soar in Leicester after reports of a child falling into the water. 'The child, a two-year-old boy, was with family when he fell into the river, sadly despite the best efforts of those at the scene at the time the child was not located. 'Emergency services attended the scene just after 5pm and a search and rescue operation began in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane. 'A man was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. 'The child's family are being supported by specialist officers and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time. 'We have had a number of offers of support to assist with the search and would kindly ask that people do not attend the scene due to rising water levels and safety risks. 'If anyone has any information or comes across anything that may assist officers, they are asked to contact us immediately. 'Specialist teams are on standby to respond to any information received.' A spokesperson for the fire and rescue service said: 'This is a police-led incident. We can confirm we were alerted at 17:05 and still have water rescue teams at the scene.' If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit A young girl has been airlifted to hospital after falling from a window above a Caffe Nero in Kent. Emergency services were called to the scene at the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells on Friday afternoon after the child, thought to be a young girl, 'plunged' from the upstairs window. The child fell approximately 15ft (4.5m) and was conscious at the scene, South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) said. The victim was then treated by ambulance crews before being airlifted to hospital in London. A witness told KentOnline: 'There's two floors on top of Caffe Nero and we have no idea what window it was from. 'I just heard a lady scream with fear and then a little girl laying in the floor screaming and crying.' A young girl was airlifted to hospital after falling from a window above a Caffe Nero in Kent Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's (TWBC) Environmental health team has since served a prohibition notice preventing customers or members of the public from accessing the upstairs seating area of the Caffe Nero branch. The local authority has launched a full investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for TWBC said: 'We were very upset to hear about this incident and our thoughts are with the child and their family. We wish the child a full and speedy recovery. 'On Friday afternoon after we were notified about the incident, members of the Council's Environmental Health team visited the premises and served a Health and Safety Prohibition Notice prohibiting access to the upstairs seating area by customers and/or members of the public; this remains in place. 'Under the Council's health and safety enforcement responsibilities we are continuing a full and thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident.' South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) confirmed it was called to reports of a child falling from a height. A spokesperson said: 'I can confirm that SECAmb was called to reports of a child falling from height in Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, at approximately 2.25pm on Friday (16 February). 'Ambulance crews attended the scene and were joined at the scene by Air Ambulance Charity Kent, Surrey, Sussex. 'The child was assessed and treated before being airlifted to hospital in London for further checks.' A spokesperson for Royal Victoria Place offered their 'best wishes' to the family of the child. They confirmed the lease of the premises is held by Caffe Nero and said they are unable to comment further, as a result. The spokesperson said: 'The safety of our visitors, colleagues and retailers is the utmost priority. 'We are saddened to learn of the terrible incident at Caffe Nero on Grosvenor Road and send our best wishes for a positive outcome for the family.' A spokesperson for Caffe Nero said: 'We understand from the police the little girl suffered minor injuries, which we are very pleased to hear. We wish her a full and speedy recovery and will help with any investigation.' The North Sea oil and gas industry faces existential threats from numerous sources, not least Humza Yousafs SNP Government and its Green partners. That made it all the more surprising when the First Minister yesterday claimed he shared the real anger of those who fear for the future of this pivotal industry. He said there was no justice in a transition that throws workers of the North-East on the scrap heap, and pledged that the Nationalists will not let the region go the way of our coal and mining towns under Thatcher. First Minister Humza Yousaf delivers a speech on the future of Scotland's Energy Sector Mr Yousaf said 100,000 jobs were at risk as he condemned Labours planned windfall tax on energy profits but he failed to mention the grave threat posed by the SNP, which not so long ago demanded a faster acceleration of the move away from fossil fuels. Together with its Marxist allies in the Green Party, the SNP has railed against oil and gas, opposing the development of new oilfields at every turn, but now seeks to present itself, implausibly, as the industrys champion and protector. The waters were muddied further when Mr Yousaf said he believed Labours plans were aggressive despite the fact that he supports the principle of a windfall tax, almost as if he wants to have his cake and eat it, hedging his bets as the general election looms. Absurd Labour plans to end a tax loophole which allows companies to avoid paying if they reinvest profits, leading to warnings from energy industry chiefs that tens of thousands of jobs could be lost as a result. Mr Yousaf also objected to Labours plan to use the cash raised to pay for nuclear energy power plants in England. Its an absurd spectacle: two parties which have gone to war with a crucial sector are intent on blaming each other for plotting its destruction, a pantomime that should fool no one. And its even more ludicrous when you consider the context that the most important issues for Scotland and the UK are national security and energy security. Yet the SNP and Labour the party most likely to replace it at the next Scottish election in 2026, if the polls are accurate behave as if neither are priorities. Both appear to be hell-bent on undermining oil and gas, while the SNP is resolutely anti-nuclear both in terms of energy production and defence. Russias invasion of Ukraine helped to send domestic utility bills into the stratosphere as Putin restricted the supply of Russian gas to the European market. European gas prices soared by more than 200 per cent and coal prices increased by more than 100 per cent, creating a record rise in global energy prices and an unavoidable increase in the cost of living, given that we use gas both to generate electricity and to heat the majority of our 28million homes. To shore up the UKs resilience, and ensure that we wont be held to ransom by despots ever again, Claire Coutinho, the UK Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, has outlined a plan to quadruple nuclear capacity by 2050 a radical move that is (of course) vehemently opposed by the SNP. The UK Government is holding talks with EDF to take control of land at a site in Lancashire as part of plans to roll out mini-nuclear power stations. Britains first small nuclear plants are due to be awarded contracts this summer after six designs, including one from Rolls-Royce, were selected to compete for up to 20billion in taxpayer funding. Scotland has one remaining active nuclear power plant at Torness in East Lothian and it is slated to close by 2028. Threats After that, there will still be nuclear in the energy mix here but it will be generated south of the Border because planning powers are devolved to Holyrood, meaning the SNP Government is able to block projects it opposes, including all involving nuclear power. Thanks to the partys bone-headed anti-nuclear stance, which refuses to acknowledge the cold hard reality of the multiple threats faced by the UK and indeed the Western world Scotland is likely to be frozen out of the nuclear revival, and the economic dividends it will create. Is anyone in the SNP or among its Green partners keeping up with events overseas, or are they too preoccupied with cooking up the next preposterous plan for heat pump installation, or a latte levy on single-use coffee cups? They might have missed a speech by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps last month when he said we are moving from a post-war to a pre-war world. He identified Russia, China, North Korea and Iran as belligerent autocratic states which, alongside their proxies such as the Houthis in Yemen, are currently threatening Britain and more broadly the Wests interests. Putins predecessor and key ally Dmitry Medvedev has warned that the Kremlin would fire nuclear missiles on London, Washington, Berlin and Kyiv if Russia was forced to give up the swathes of Ukraine it has seized. Chillingly, Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian security council, raised the prospect of a global war with Western countries using the entire strategic arsenal of our state. Admiral Rob Bauer, a senior Nato official, has said countries needed to build capacity to produce weapons to sustain a lengthy conflict, while governments should be talking to their citizens about mobilisation, more reservists and even conscription. Against this bleak backdrop, the UKs nuclear deterrent, and its ongoing 31billion modernisation programme, are more indispensable now than ever. Yet the SNP maintains its bitter opposition to Trident, urging the UK Government to stop frittering away money on it. The partys defence spokesman, Martin Docherty-Hughes, said last month that Trident submarines would be removed from Faslane on the Clyde, as soon as it was safe to do so, if Scotland were to be torn out of the UK, as his party proposes. Barmy Referring to the Black Sea base in now occupied Crimea, which Russia kept after the collapse of the Soviet Union, he said the SNP would not accept the Sevastopolisation of Faslane. This is frankly barmy talk; the politics of the student union at a time of crisis when cool heads and realpolitik are required. But then the SNP has always struggled to get its head round military matters. In 2022, Nicola Sturgeon was roundly condemned after claiming a Ukraine no-fly zone should be considered. Military strategists said it would lead to the West having to shoot down Russian planes, possibly sparking nuclear war and, as Colonel Tim Collins warned at the time, potentially even heralding the extinction of life on Earth. The world is becoming ever-more dangerous but its clear that some of our leaders and those who aspire to lead are hopelessly unequal to the challenge of keeping us safe. Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary has slammed a New York court's $355 million civil fraud verdict against Donald Trump, saying the ruling will drive business out of the state. 'Just leaving the whole Trump thing out of it, and seeing what occurred here, I'm no different than any other investor, I'm shocked at this,' O'Leary told Fox Business on Monday. 'I can't even understand or fathom the decision at all. There's no rationale for it,' added O'Leary, an entrepreneur and television personality. O'Leary argued that the verdict would speed the flight of business away from New York and toward more business-friendly and lower tax states. 'New York was already a loser state, like California is a loser state. There are many losers states because of policy, high taxes on competitive regulation,' he said. 'I would never invest in New York now. And I'm not the only person saying that.' Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary has slammed a New York court's $355 million civil fraud verdict against Donald Trump, saying the ruling will drive business out of the state On Friday, a judge in New York ordered Trump to pay $355 million after concluding he had lied about his wealth for years to obtain more favorable loan terms On Friday, a judge in New York ordered Trump to pay $355 million after concluding he had lied about his wealth for years, scheming to dupe banks, insurers and others by inflating his wealth on financial statements. Trump has vowed to appeal and fulminated that the ruling is 'a lawless and unconstitutional atrocity that sets fire to our laws like no one has ever seen in this country before.' O'Leary argued that the verdict would discourage business development in the state, citing his own experience developing data centers as an example. 'I can't go to New York. So I'm going to Oklahoma, North Dakota, West Virginia,' he said. 'I'm talking about like a $4 billion dollar data center not at chance I would put that in New York, zero probability, never.' 'Do you think any foreign institution or any private equity firm or any pension fund would touch New York? No. And that's why New Yorker should be concerned,' added O'Leary. 'It's not just the existing businesses that are fleeing out to Texas and Florida. What about new money like this?' he continued. 'You've got to start thinking about this in the context of winners and losers. New York is a mega loser state,' he said. New York Judge Arthur Engoron ruled Friday in a 92-page order that Trump must pay the stunning $355 million penalty Judge Arthur Engoron ruled Friday in a 92-page order that Trump must pay the stunning $355 million penalty in a ruling where he blasted the former president for a 'complete lack of contrition and remorse'. The payments will exceed $450 with interest, and come after another court ordered Trump to pay $83 million to E. Jean Caroll after a jury found him liable for defamation. Trump has testified that he had more than $400 million in cash, but there are questions about his ability to raise the funds from his real estate empire. Although he is appealing the ruling, Trump will have to soon deposit the full penalty as a bond in order to avoid fines or asset seizures. Trump's lawyer Alina Habba said Monday he will be able to post the bond while the appeals process plays out, amid intense speculation on how he will raise the cash. 'I would never get in to anything privileged,' Habba told Fox News on Monday. 'I can tell you what the rules are. Within 30 days, even if we choose to appeal this, we have to post the bond, which is the full amount and then some. We will be prepared to do that,' she said. Trump's challenge will be to secure the bond even at a time when Engoron put control of his company in the hands of an additional independent monitor, and prohibited him from running any company in New York State for a period of three years. Former President Donald Trump's former allies turned fierce critics Michael Cohen and John Bolton sounded the alarms that the Republican presidential frontrunner is vulnerable after Trump was slapped with a massive penalty in his civil fraud case. The former president was ordered to pay nearly $355 million on Friday which could amount to $450 million with interest. He was also barred from doing business in New York for three years. The verdict comes on top of a jury last month ordering Trump pay $83.3 million in damages to E Jean Carroll bringing the total in that case to $88.3 million in penalties. Trump's legal team has vowed to appeal, but should the former president have to pay up, it is not clear that he has enough cash without having to sell off assets to settle his debts. Bolton called his former boss's mounting legal turned financial troubles one of the reasons Trump is not fit for office as he seeks a second term in the White House. 'He is consumed by these troubles, his family is consumed by them, and I think foreigners will try to take advantage of it one way or another,' Bolton said in response to a question on MSNBC's Inside with Jen Psaki on Sunday. 'They may be doing it already,' he added. Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton warned foreigners will try to take advantage of Trump's legal troubles after the former president was ordered to pay more than $350 million in the civil fraud case Trump's former fixer turned critic Michael Cohen warned the former president is 'financially cash strapped' and is 'for sale' Bolton served as Trump's National Security Adviser from 2018 to 2019 before becoming one of his greatest critics. He believes the verdicts will result in Trump having to liquidate some of his properties to get the money to pay his legal debts. Trump has said in a deposition he has roughly $400 million in cash. Bolton was not the only ally-turned-enemy of the former president to warn the Republican presidential frontrunner is vulnerable. 'You have the head of one of our two major parties that's financially cash strapped,' Michael Cohen said on MSNBC. 'We need to be very careful about him as a potential president because he's for sale.' Cohen said Trump needs to figure out where he is going to raise $500 million over a short period of time and 'needs to be watched.' Cohen, who once served as Trump's personal lawyer and fixer, called the former president 'totally compromised.' Former President Trump has vowed to appeal the $350 million verdict calling both the judge and New York AG 'corrupt' Trump lawyer Alina Habba said her client will post bond after New York Judge Arthur Engoron ordered him to pay $354 million following his fraud trial Trump has railed against the more than $350 million civil fraud verdict claiming there was no fraud and the case was a complete and total sham. He also went after the judge in the case and his legal team has stated they would appeal. Trump has previously blasted both Bolton and Cohen as liars as they turned on him. Trump's Republican allies have called the verdict in the civil fraud case politically motivated and said Trump is the victim. But the former president's legal battles this year are only just getting started even as he campaigns for the country's highest office. The president is also facing 91 criminal charges. His first criminal trial is slated to begin next month in New York over the hush money payments to porn start Stormy Daniels. Five Argentine tourists were killed after their SUV crashed into a parked van and killed its driver on a highway that links two Mexican resort towns. Quintana Roo State Secretary Cristina Torres said the group was on its way to do some sightseeing near Tulum and Playa del Carmen on Sunday when the driver lost control of the speeding vehicle. The SUV skidded into the opposite lane and slammed into the van, that was stationed on the highway shoulder near the Palladium Hotel. The Argentine victims were identified as Hernan Sibella; Maximiliano Liviano; Silvia Diaz; Geronimo Amengual and Nahuel Lopez and pronounced dead on the scene. Firefighters inspect the SUV that was carrying the five Argentine tourists who were killed on a highway linking Playa del Carmen and Tulum on Sunday. The SUV crashed into a parked van and killed its driver Silvia Diaz (left) and her boyfriend Geronimo Amengual (right), both Argentine nationals, were among the five tourists from the South American country who were killed in the crash Maximiliano Laviano was among five Argentine tourists killed in a crash that also left dead the driver of a Mexican van their SUV crashed into on a highway in Mexico Gruesome video footage showed several of the bodies lying over the wrecked SUB and others trapped inside. Two occupants, whose names have not been released, were injured and rushed to a local medical facility, where they remained hospitalized and in critical condition. The driver of the van, Freddy Quijano, was airlifted to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. A dashcam video showed Quijano having lunch inside the vehicle moments before he was killed. Argentine tourist Nahuel Lopez had been staying in Playa del Carmen for a year The driver of the van, Freddy Quijano, was airlifted to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. The Quintana Roo state prosecutor's office said that preliminary investigations indicated the crash was caused by inclement weather in the area. 'It can be determined one of the drivers lost control of the vehicle, invading the opposite lane, provoking the accident,' the attorney general's office said in a statement. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador instructed Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa to initiate efforts to help the families repatriate the remains of their loved ones. 'Our Argentine brothers and one Mexican lost their lives in this accident,' Lopez Obrador said. 'I want the people of Argentina to know that we are attending to those who unfortunately lost their lives.' Paramedics lift one of the victims involved in the two-vehicle crash that left six people dead, including five Argentine tourists, on a Playa del Carmen-Tulum highway on Sunday One two surviving Argentine tourists injured in the crash lies on a stretcher after he was removed from the SUV wreckage moments after it crashed into a parked van Argentine news outlet Todo Noticias reported Lopez had previously visited Isla Mujeres in 2022 and had been staying in Playa del Carmen for over a year. Lopez's girlfriend, Macarena Hernandez, paid tribute to him with a series of heartfelt posts on her Instagram Story while asking friends and followers to donate money to help his family fly his body back to Argentina. 'I love you with my soul. I will carry you with me forever, Hernandez's caption read in one of the posts. The heartbroken model shared a video that featured some of the couple's special moments. 'Thank you for teaching me what love is,' she said. 'Thank you for having been part of my life, and I know that you will stay with me forever.' Amengual and Diaz dated and had been staying in Playa de Carmen, where Diaz worked as a ballerina and acrobat . 'One year already living in the Caribbean. Grateful to Mexico,' Diaz's last post on December 12, 2023 read. 'Always accompanied by my love Geronimo.' A bird that emits a smell of rotting meat could be on its way to Britain thanks to climate change. But the hoopoe's vile aroma is already here available to sniff at an exhibition in London. Native to Africa and southern Europe, the bird has dramatic pink feathers on its head and has striking black and white wings. However, its unique appearance is overshadowed by a foul-smelling liquid secreted from the bird's tail glands said to be reminiscent of the back of a bin lorry. The hoopoe bird's vile scent of rotting meat comes from a liquid that is secreted from its tail glands Native to Africa and southern Europe, the bird has dramatic pink feathers on its head and has striking black and white wings Due to global warming, scientists believe the hoopoe may set up home on British shores, with scores of sightings being reported every year Due to global warming, scientists believe the hoopoe may set up home on British shores, with scores of sightings being reported every year. Until then its sour scent, used to deter predators, can be found at the Natural History Museum show Birds: Brilliant & Bizarre. Curator Joanne Cooper said her team had worked with a company to create a synthetic oil resembling the odour 'very closely'. The exhibition opens on May 24. Texas antique dealers struggled to believe their eyes when surveillance footage revealed a shopper in a kilt furtively inserting display items up his bottom before returning them to the shelves. Word spread quickly through the business community in Spring after the heavily-built man was first spotted at The Antique Gallery of Houston on February 8. 'I had to watch it a couple of times to be sure I knew what I was looking at,' Gallery manager Susan Golden told Fox 26 'I've seen quite a few things here, but not that.' Mitchell C Vest, 60, was arrested on February 15 and charged with one count of criminal mischief for his treatment of items including a makeup brush, a 'Rrestoration hardware piece', an antique bottle opener and a 'tobacco tent can.' Police are still looking for a female companion who appeared to accompany him. Mitchell C Vest, 60, was allegedly seen loitering for hours in antique stores across the area and sticking items up his bottom before returning them to the shelf He was arrested on February 15 and charged with one count of criminal mischief 'I had to watch it a couple of times to be sure I knew what I was looking at,' said Gallery manager Susan Golden Golden said the man had been seen on several previous occasions at the 85,000-square-foot shop, often loitering for hours without making any purchases. She called police on February 10 after seeing him take the makeup brush and hardware piece, 'shove both items up his anus, then return the items to the shelf'. Later that day he appeared at the nearby Curiosity Shop doing the same thing with the bottle opener and tent can. 'Both Complainants advised they had to throw away the items that were used in this incident due to feces (being) on them,' an affidavit states. 'Both provided the video surveillance of the incidents, and both wished to pursue charges.' After his description was circulated, horrified dealers as far away as Galveston and Tomball realized he had also been in their shops. By February 15 deputies had received calls from 'multiple concerned citizens' about the man who they said was 'observed selecting items from multiple vendors and placing the selected items in his rectum'. 'The male was then observed removing the items and placing them back on the shelves,' Constable Mark Herman of the Haris County Police Department reported. 'During further investigation, Constable Investigators were able to positively identify the male as Mitchell Vest. Vest seemed aware of the security camera and continued his antics Police are still looking for a female companion who appeared to accompany him Later that day he appeared at the nearby Curiosity Shop doing the same thing with the bottle opener and tent can After his description was circulated, horrified dealers as far away as Galveston and Tomball realized he had also been in their shops 'Due to the loss of multiple antique items that had to be disposed, Constable Deputies obtained a warrant for his arrest for the offense of criminal mischief. 'Deputies with Constable Mark Herman's Special Operations Unit then located and apprehended Mitchell Vest for his Criminal Mischief warrant. Vest had his bond set at $100. The shops estimate the damage he cost at $74 in the Curiosity Shop and $130 at the Antique Gallery. 'I was just really in shock,' Golden said. 'I just didn't really know what to say or think.' The Tennessee woman discovered dead in the backseat of a submerged police patrol has been identified as 35-year-old Tabitha Smith. Meigs County Sheriff's Deputy Robert 'RJ' Leonard had arrested Smith on Wednesday evening after he responded to a report of a man and a woman fighting on a bridge at around 10 p.m Wednesday. It was the new deputy's first arrest ever. The two were later found after the patrol car went into a local pond. Smith, who was called Tabby by her friends, leaves behind a husband and two children, reported WVLT. 'She had a heart of gold, and despite any struggles and troubles she had, she was a great person,' said her friend Emilie Neusel. 'I hope they remember her by her name. Tabby Smith. And I hope she's remembered by more than the girl in the back seat.' The Tennessee woman discovered dead in the backseat of a submerged police patrol has been identified as 35-year-old Tabitha Smith Robert 'RJ' Leonard (pictured left with wife), a deputy with the Meigs County Sheriff's Office, made a chilling call to dispatch on Wednesday evening, saying 'water,' and subsequently lost communication with the office Smith's remains was discovered dead in the backseat of a submerged police patrol, shortly before the body of the missing deputy was recovered from the river Her friend Sheena Mchome said, 'She was a happy person, outgoing, she loved life.' 'I could not imagine being trapped and knowing my life was going to end.' Leonard, made a final call to his dispatch on Wednesday evening, saying 'water,' before losing all communication with the office. On Thursday, his patrol car was extracted from the Tennessee River, and Smith's body was recovered. Leonard's body was found hours later near the location where the cruiser was removed, as reported by the sheriff's office. 'There was a whole lot of mud. There is a body in the backseat of the car covered by a lot of mud. A lot of mud on the front seat, but [there's] no body in the front seat,' Meigs County District Attorney Russell Johnson said. The deputy graduated from the training academy in December last year and joined the force since then. 'Deputy Leonard had only been here for a couple of months, but he had become a part our family,' Chief Deputy Brian Malone said in tears. 'It's a hard time for us here. It's something that we don't ever deal with here in Meigs County,' he added. Shortly after 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Leonard made a radio communication to dispatch, telling them he was driving to the county jail with a suspect. Ten minutes later, communication with the deputy became broken, and he didn't respond to a status check. Almost at the same time, Leonard texted his wife saying, 'arrest,' and his wife responded, 'that's great.' On Thursday, a patrol car was extracted from the Tennessee River, and a body believed to be that of the arrestee was recovered. 'Deputy Leonard had only been here for a couple of months but he had become a part our family,' Chief Deputy Brian Malone said in tears 'We know that his phone did not evidently receive that text,' Johnson said. In his final radio call, Leonard said 'water,' a word that authorities had to use 'special techniques' to decipher later. 'Dispatch couldn't tell what he was saying,' Johnson said. 'We think he was saying, 'Water.'' A satellite tracking of his vehicle and a location sharing app on his photo led the officers to Blythe Ferry Road near the Tennessee River. 'They triangulated the last position of his phone and the Life360 that his wife has attached to his phone, and it appears that they're almost in the same location,' Johnson said. On Thursday morning, a vehicle filled with mud was located in the Tennessee River. It was upside down with wheels up, and the driver-side window was down. Agencies across the state are still investigating the incident, but Johnson said the deputy appeared to be texting and talking on the radio while driving in a treacherous road. 'They are not well lit. They are not well marked. They are narrow. If he's not paying attention, he could hit that water pretty quick,' Johnson said. The deputy graduated from the training academy in December last year and joined the force since then The devastating incident has left Leonard's wife and children in anguish, as his wife shared in a social media post 'We're operating under the theory that it was an accident - he missed his turn, he wasn't familiar, and he was doing other things that may have caused him to go into the water,' Johnson said. Chief Deputy Malone stated that this isn't the first crash in the area, noting a previous incident in December where a woman survived after driving her car into the water. The devastating incident has left Leonard's wife and children in anguish, as his wife shared in a social media post. 'Our lives are forever changed. Please just keep praying. Pray harder than you ever have before. My heart is breaking for my kids, and I am just an absolute wreck. I will start reaching out when I can pull it together. 'For now, all I can do is cry. We love you forever RJ. 17 years isn't long enough with you,' she wrote. The SAS blocked Afghans who fought alongside them from seeking refuge in the UK amid fears of an attempted war crimes cover up. Leaked documents reveal soldiers had their applications for relocation rejected by the Special Forces despite having compelling evidence of serving with the British military. Members of the Afghan Special Forces units CF 333 and ATF 444 dubbed the Triples fought alongside the SAS in some of the most dangerous campaigns of the conflict. Some had reportedly complained about witnessing alleged war crimes committed by the UK elite regiment. Hundreds who were eligible under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (Arap) scheme have been left behind, with many being beaten, tortured or killed by the Taliban. Members of the Afghan Special Forces units CF 333 and ATF 444 dubbed the Triples fought alongside the SAS in some of the most dangerous campaigns of the conflict (File image) Armed Forces minister James Heappey has announced a review of 2,000 applications after admitting the process behind some rejections was 'not robust'. A leaked Standard Operating Procedures document shows that since at least 2023 all Triples applications which met a basic threshold were sent to Special Forces for approval or denial. The papers, obtained by investigative newsroom Lighthouse Reports and shared with the BBC's Panorama, reveal that if the SAS rejected sponsorship, the application was automatically blocked. Panorama has also seen leaked internal Ministry of Defence emails describing civil servants being unable to challenge these rejections. It gave the regiment power over applications at a time when a public inquiry was investigating claims of SAS war crimes. A former SAS officer told the BBC: 'At best it's not appropriate, at worst it looks like they're trying to cover their tracks.' Leaked documents reveal soldiers had their applications for relocation rejected by the Special Forces (stock image) If the Triples were in the UK they could be asked by the inquiry to provide potentially damning evidence. Lawyers for Triples members said there appeared to be a recent 'blanket policy' of blocking applications. The MoD said all final decision are made by Arap caseworkers and require ministerial approval. The Mail's Betrayal of the Brave campaign fights for Afghans who risked their lives beside UK forces to be granted sanctuary in Britain. Go deeper into the trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon with the Mail's acclaimed podcast The Trial. Click here or find it on Spotify or Apple A fugitive aristocrat accused of causing her baby's death had her other children taken away after her partner was 'blamed' for her falling from a window, a court heard. Constance Marten, 36, told detectives she believed social services had intervened after a family court blamed her co-defendant Mark Gordon, 49, for the 'accident'. The couple are on trial at the Old Bailey over the death of their baby daughter Victoria after they spent more than two months on the run in freezing temperatures. In footage of her police interview played to jurors, Marten said: 'I had an accident and the family court were blaming Mark for it, absolutely no evidence, so that's why my children were taken, and... I'm of the opinion that they used that as an excuse.' She added: 'I had a fall from a window. There were no bruises on me, no signs of domestic violence so how they came to that conclusion [was] quite phenomenal to be honest.' Aristocrat Constance Marten had her other children taken away after her partner was 'blamed' for her falling from a window, a court heard Marten , 36, told detectives she believed social services had intervened after a family court blamed her co-defendant Mark Gordon, 49, for the 'accident' A sketch of Marten (left) and Gordon with a dock officer at the Old Bailey in March 2023 She continued: 'I was furious by it, because our children suffered massively.' She continued: 'You have to have evidence to take people's kids away, you can't take people's kids away on speculation.' Marten revealed she believed her family hired private investigators to snoop on her because her grandmother left her 'quite a bit of money' in trust after her death. She added: 'They [my family] were involved with social services for years trying to get involved with my children, so someone in social services called them and potentially the police, I don't know.' Marten also revealed in her interview that she and Gordon had been married in a ceremony in Peru seven years ago, but the marriage was not legally binding in Britain. Marten, whose family has links to the Royal Family, said she and her 'soulmate' Gordon had been together for eight or nine years after meeting in a shop in London. In footage shown during the trial, Marten is seen keeping the baby under her coat before unzipping it and exposing her in east London on January 7 Jurors were shown little Victoria's face (centre) for the first time last month as her parents Constance Marten (right) and Mark Gordon (left) sat inside a kebab shop A pictures shows the inside of the couple's burnt out car. The baby's placenta was found in the vehicle, the Old Bailey heard The heartbreaking moment the body of a missing newborn girl was found inside a Lidl supermarket bag has been shown at the trial of aristocrat Constance Marten She added: '[We've] got lots of similarities so, same perspectives on life, things like that.' Follow every detail of the case on The Mail's acclaimed podcast The Trial The Trial takes listeners behind the headlines and into the courtrooms of some of the biggest criminal cases in the world. The first series, 'The Trial of Lucy Letby' received more than 13million downloads. Season two focused on the murder of Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old teacher from Ireland. Season three followed the case of the murder of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old teenager. Season four will follow the evidence as the jury hears it in twice weekly reports from The Daily Mail's news reporter, Jack Hardy, and broadcast journalist, Caroline Cheetham. They will take you into the courtroom to bring you the details as the evidence unfolds, to examine key moments and to carry out exclusive interviews with detectives, victims, and experts. Advertisement She told officers that after Victoria's death, Gordon had advised her to tell the authorities she had died of 'cot death.' 'Mark advised me to say it was a cot death and I was not holding her,' she said in interview. 'And he advised me to say that I lay her down and then when we woke up she was on her front and she's passed away. 'But that isn't what happened.' The couple were at the centre of a massive search operation last year, after a placenta was discovered in the couple's burnt-out car on a motorway near Bolton. The pair were arrested in Brighton on February 27. Victoria's body was found on March 1 buried under leaves and soil in a Lidl bag for life hidden in an allotment shed in the town. Marten wiped away tears as jurors were shown footage of her describing to detectives the moment she woke to find Victoria unresponsive with blue lips in the tent and unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate her. 'I woke Mark up, or was he awake, I don't remember,' she said. 'I think he was asleep, and I told him that she wasn't moving, he didn't believe me. I told him baby I really don't think she's alive and he didn't accept it.' She said the couple took it in turns to try CPR on the baby, adding: 'When I was breathing in her mouth she, I don't know what it was but it was like a, like a bubbly noise, like water was in there or something. 'I don't know, it's just what it sounded like. Mark tried to resuscitate, we both tried. And nothing happened.' Marten had claimed she had given birth in Cumbria on Christmas Eve and the baby had died in the Harwich area around January 8. The defendants deny the manslaughter of baby Victoria by gross negligence between January 4 and February 27 last year. They also deny perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty and causing or allowing the death of a child. The trial continues. SHANGHAI, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai's two airports saw surging numbers of inbound and outbound passengers around the Spring Festival this year, Shanghai Customs said on Sunday. In the nine days from Chinese New Year's Eve to Saturday, the city's Pudong and Hongqiao airports handled about 860,000 inbound and outbound passengers, 5.5 times more than during the Spring Festival holiday last year, according to the customs office. Shanghai Pudong International Airport handled about 90,000 inbound and outbound passengers each day, experiencing a peak of 94,000 on Friday. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport handled approximately 77,000 inbound and outbound air travelers in the first Spring Festival travel rush since it resumed international flights and flights to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Boosted by a visa-free travel agreement between China and Singapore, Shanghai Pudong International Airport handled a total of 29,000 inbound Singaporean passengers and outbound Chinese passengers heading for Singapore, 12.4 times more than in the same period last year. Fruit-picking robots could slash the need for migrant labour, Rishi Sunak will tell farmers today. Addressing the National Farmers' Union conference, the Prime Minister will unveil a 220 million fund to help deploy new technology to help boost productivity in the agriculture sector. A government source said the cash could include money for robots and drones to help pick crops like apples and asparagus. 'We want to ensure farmers can access new equipment, including kit which increases automation to reduce reliance on overseas workers,' the source said. The 220 million 'future focused technology fund' is part of a wider package of farm grants which will be worth around 427 million this year. The PM will pledge to 'never take our food security for granted' and tells farmers that the government is 'by their side' (Stock Image) Fruit-picking robots could slash the need for migrant labour , Rishi Sunak will tell farmers today (Stock Image) The PM will pledge to 'never take our food security for granted' and tells farmers that the government is 'by their side'. His speech comes in the wake of polling which found Labour had narrowly overtaken the Tories among countryside voters, who also felt neither main party understood rural communities. Farmers have been dealing with the impacts of soaring costs of inputs including fuel and fertiliser since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, along with the move to a new post-Brexit regime of farming payments that focus on sustainable agriculture. Mr Sunak is thought to be the first prime minister to address the NFU conference since Gordon Brown. His enthusiasm for winning back the rural vote was underlined yesterday when it emerged that he had moved the weekly Cabinet meeting from its usual Tuesday morning slot in order to attend today's event in Birmingham. Last year the Government was represented by the then environment secretary Therese Coffey who was heckled by farmers after arguing that shortages of some items on supermarket shelves were not a sign of 'market failure'. In his speech today, the PM will acknowledge that farmers have faced a turbulent period, with soaring energy and fertiliser prices coming on top of the departure from the EU's common agricultural system. 'While the importance of farmers will never change - farming is going through its biggest change in a generation,' he will say. 'And as farmers do so, this government will be by their side.' He will add: 'While thanks to you we enjoy good quality food all year round, global events - including Russia's invasion of Ukraine - have put food security back at the top of the agenda. 'We'll never take our food security for granted.' Up to 55,000 migrant workers were issued with temporary visas to work in agricultural last year, many of them in the crop-picking and food processing sectors. Ministers believe that technology could reduce the need for migrant labour over time, helping to cut overall immigration levels. Some firms have developed drones that can pick crops like apples, but a government source said take-up had been slow, with only the largest farms able to make it pay. A government study found that so-called 'autonomous selective harvesting' could produce 'high labour savings', but warned it was unlikely to be available on a commercial basis until at least 2030 without government support. 'High-risk' aircraft are landing in Britain without security checks in a major new immigration scandal, the Mail can reveal today. The borders watchdog warned of 'dangerous' failings at a prominent London airport which potentially allowed thousands of passengers to evade passport controls. Home Office data provided to Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Neal, showed the UK Border Force failed to check the occupants of hundreds of private jets arriving at just one airport last year. The debacle means gangsters, illegal immigrants, trafficking victims and even extremists may have entered the UK without even rudimentary scrutiny. Mr Neal voiced concerns the problem may be duplicated at other airports which handle private and chartered aircraft. Gangsters, illegal immigrants, trafficking victims and even extremists may have entered the UK without even rudimentary scrutiny (stock image) The completed report was sent to Home Secretary James Cleverly last week Passengers aboard such flights, known as 'general aviation', who are not met by Border Force, are allowed to leave the airport with no further checks. Border Force officers are supposed to check 100 per cent of general aviation flights which they have classified as 'high-risk'. But last year, just 21 per cent were inspected by immigration officers at London City airport, Mr Neal told the Mail. It handled 1,305 general aviation flights in all last year, with 687 categorised as high-risk, he said. Only 144 of those were checked by Border Force, and 543 about ten a week underwent no passport inspections at all, according to figures provided to him by Border Force last month. The remainder of general aviation flights are classified as 'low-risk' with 30 per cent supposed to be checked, according to guidelines. But last year just 9.7 per cent of those into London City, in the east of the capital, were inspected by officers, the watchdog found during a routine inspection. The Home Office last night 'categorically rejected' the breakdown between high-risk and low-risk flights. However, it was unable to provide revised data and said there had been a 'recording issue' with the figures it had given the watchdog. Unchecked flights are thought to include some from terrorism and extremism hotspots in the Middle East and Africa, as well as flights at risk of organised crime from across Europe. 'This is a scandal, and incredibly dangerous for this country's border security,' Mr Neal said. 'There should now be a rapid independent inspection of general aviation across the country.' He said the lapse risked organised criminals being able to bring gang members and contraband into this country. It also heightened the risk of people smuggling, including children and sex trafficking. It was unknown whether foreign nationals with no right to enter the UK were aboard some of the unscrutinised flights, Mr Neal said. Although an aircraft's manifest declares the number of passengers it is supposedly bringing to the UK, there is a fear that additional passengers could have been aboard some flights, and entered the country without passport controls, he added. Mr Neal who leaves his post next month said he had decided to go public because of the 'massive public interest'. The process of recruiting his successor, which is likely to take up to nine months, has not yet been launched by the Home Office. A former career soldier who was appointed Provost Marshal (Army) and commanded the 1st Military Police Brigade from 2016 until 2019, Mr Neal said: 'I've been involved in protecting this country all my working life. Mr Neal voiced concerns the problem may be duplicated at other airports which handle private and chartered aircraft (stock image) 'It would untenable to see this scandal go unaddressed until the end of the year. There will be no-one in this position to investigate whether these serious problems at London City airport are prevalent at other airports around the country.' The problems were uncovered at a spot inspection at London City by Mr Neal's team just over two weeks ago. His completed report was sent to Home Secretary James Cleverly last week. A Home Office spokesman said: 'The Home Office categorically rejects these claims. Mr Neal's report into general aviation border checks at London City airport was submitted last week and underwent fact checking, as is standard practice. We made Mr Neal aware of a specific issue with the recording of data at London City airport, which meant that a large proportion of flights recorded as high-risk should have been re-classified as low-risk. 'It is disappointing that Mr Neal has chosen to put misleading data into the public domain. 'The Home Office's priority is to deliver a safe and secure border and we will never compromise on this.' A source close to Mr Cleverly said: 'It is very disappointing that Mr Neal should do this after meeting the new Home Office ministerial team not long ago, and knowing his term was nearly over, being told by officials he could reapply in an open and transparent process to do the job in the future. Why he should now choose instead to share information he was told was incorrect is a great shame.' A Labour spokesman said: 'The Home Secretary's failure to enforce proper checks on our borders is a total scandal.' Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has announced she will be stepping down from her role. Ms Carroll revealed the news at a press conference on Tuesday saying she would be walking away from the job on March 1 - months before her five-year contract was due to end on July 8. 'After almost 10 years at the top of two amazing organisations, this morning, I have advised the minister that I will not seek an extension to my contract as commissioner,' she said. The news comes after a tumultuous week for the commissioner who has faced pressure after standing down a senior Gold Coast police officer on February 8. It was claimed the officer helped catch armed offenders by authorising police to ram a stolen car on February 1. Speculation of Ms Carroll stepping down emerged on Monday after it was revealed she had texted media organisations she was 'seriously considering' her options. Ms Carroll said she had held discussions with her family about stepping down at the start of the year and planned to speak to the minister in two weeks time. She said she brought the matter forward in light of the 'heightened speculation and commentary'. Queensland's first female police commissioner and the first female in the top job, Katarina Carroll (pictured) is 'considering her options' 'It truly has been an honour and a privilege to not only serve as a police officer, but to lead an organisation of more than 17,000 amazing staff,' she said on Tuesday. 'You have, Queenslanders, the most amazing police force. 'It has been the most incredible and rewarding journey I could have asked for.' Ms Carroll expressed her appreciation for her career and the heights she reached. 'I certainly wouldn't have predicted that a young woman living in Hot Springs in Far North Queensland from Croatian immigrants would make her way through the ranks to be appointed as Commissioner of Police,' she said. Ms Carroll thanked her 'wonderful husband, Michael' and children Martine and Connor for their 'unwavering support' throughout her impressive career. The commissioner also said the top job had days she wished never happened. 'Two days as commissioner were by far the darkest - June 26, 2021 - when we lost Senior Constable Dave Masters while on duty,' she said. Senior Constable Masters, 53, was hit and killed while trying to stop a suspected stolen car on the Bruce Highway near Deception Bay, north of Brisbane at 3am. 'And December 12, 2022 - the events at Wieambilla - where Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were killed,' she said. Officers Matthew Arnold, Rachel McCrow, Keeley Brough and Randall Kirk entered the bush property at about 4.30pm on Monday and were greeted with a hail of bullets. Arnold and McCrow were killed 'execution' style at point-blank range. 'They were heart-wrenching moments that rocked our blue family.' Ms Carroll texted media outlets Monday saying she is 'considering her options'. 'I have not had formal discussions with the Minister yet. Those conversations will start soon and I may not ask for an extension to my contract,' she said. 'I have been from G20 to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service over 11 years at the highest level. I am seriously considering my options and one is not asking for an extension.' However, an hour before the text, Ms Carroll issued a statement saying discussions around her contract would start in 'due course'. 'Until those discussions happen, I remain firmly focused on tackling crime from every angle to keep our community safe,' she said. Ms Carroll's $650,000 a year, five-year contract is set to expire on July 8. She has been in the top role since July 2019. Queensland's 20th police commissioner began her successful police career working in general duties in 1983 before becoming a detective in the drug squad. Ms Carroll also worked in crime operations and ethical standards. The Commissioner accepted the role of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner in December 2014. Ms Carroll was then offered her current position five years later. The police commissioner said Queensland Police have processed an additional 10,000 people in 2023 compared to 2022 (pictured stock of Queensland Police) The top cop said she has always been open about the challenges and pressures frontline officers face. 'I will always provide frank and fearless advice to government and as commissioner I will continue advocating for additional resources, system improvements and the support police need to keep Queensland safe,' she said. Ms Carroll said Queensland Police processed an extra 10,000 people through watch houses in 2023 compared to 2022 due to proactive high visibility police operations targeting youth crime. The commissioner said Queensland Police were committed to reducing youth crime through strong enforcement and bail compliance activities. High visibility policing and intervention and prevention programs are also used. Police Minister Mark Ryan said he would support Ms Carroll seeking an extension to her contract. The father of one of three people killed in the Nottingham stabbings has written to the county's chief constable to express 'disgust' after it emerged descriptions of their injuries were shared in a police WhatsApp group. A gross misconduct hearing was told the 'distasteful' information concerning victims Grace O'Malley Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was sent into the group by an unidentified officer. The message was then forwarded by PC Matthew Gell to his wife and another person outside of the Nottinghamshire force, after the pair asked about the unfolding situation in Nottingham city centre last June. Last night Grace's father, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, said he had written to Nottinghamshire Chief Constable Kate Meynall to express his 'disgust' at the conduct of her officers. A gross misconduct hearing was told the 'distasteful' information concerning victims Grace O'Malley Kumar (pictured, left) and Barnaby Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was sent into the group by an unidentified officer The message was then forwarded by PC Matthew Gell to his wife and another person outside of the Nottinghamshire force, after the pair asked about the unfolding situation in Nottingham city centre last June. Pictured: Barnaby Webber Dr Kumar, from Woodford Green, east London, added: 'I have additionally asked that she provide me with detail of what was contained within the messages that were sent. I am also disappointed that she has not taken any opportunity to make contact to discuss this data breach and express her apologies. Being a mother herself, I thought she would have more empathy.' His daughter, her friend Barnaby and Mr Coates were victims of the paranoid schizophrenic Valdo Calocane, 32, who admitted manslaughter over the killings and was given a hospital order. PC Gell was handed a final written warning after being found guilty of gross misconduct last month. He had 'trawled' police systems for Calocane's custody records despite no real involvement in the investigation. Another ten police staff also accessed the file without good reason. The force said a second officer awaits a misconduct hearing, and a third has been sacked. PC Gell was handed a final written warning after being found guilty of gross misconduct last month. He had 'trawled' police systems for Calocane's custody records despite no real involvement in the investigation. Pictured: Ian Coates James Coates, one of Mr Coates' three sons, said he only found out about the WhatsApp group after the misconduct hearing which the families were not notified about. He added: 'This is another failure.We have been let down and lost faith in Nottinghamshire Police.' Yesterday, as it was announced a review into the Crown Prosecution Service's handling of the Calocane case was being widened, the Nottinghamshire force faced more questions about how many officers were in the group and if any of them reported the offending message. The bereaved families will hold an online meeting with Attorney General Victoria Prentis today and expect to be told whether Calocane's sentence of a hospital order after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility will be referred to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient. Deputy Chief Constable Steve Cooper said the force took action against one message posted to the group which he said contained 'crude and distasteful' language. Another officer was 'subject to management intervention'. Shocking images and video taken in California this weekend show Chinese migrants lined up at the border town of Jacumba and telling reporters shamelessly how they're here to 'take the money'. Dozens and dozens, possibly up to hundreds of migrants, crossed the international boundary, according to Griff Jenkins of Fox News, who recorded the footage. 'This is one of the largest groups of Chinese I have ever come across and there were [...] two groups at the same time crossing in Jacumba, CA,' the correspondent tweeted last week. Two large groups of migrants, a new phenomenon seen at the border, arrived in Jacumba, California on Feb. 15, as witnessed by Fox News Dozens of Chinese migrants showed up at one time, as a there has been a recent surge in migrants from China arriving at the US-Mexico border More than 150 Chinese nationals a day are sneaking into the US illegally since October, according to startling new US Customs and Border Protection statistics When asked why he'd come to America, one young man from Guangzhou replied: 'To take the money' Others arriving in Jacumba had come from Turkey and Syria. Border Patrol Agents previously warned Washington lawmakers that it is impossible for them to vet everyone who enters the country because the numbers are so out of control More than 150 Chinese nationals a day have been sneaking into the US illegally since October, according to startling US Customs and Border Protection statistics. The 2023 fiscal year reportedly saw over 37,000 Chinese migrants encountered at the border - with a staggering 20,000 more since October, when the 2024 fiscal year began. The Chinese surge is part of a historic and overwhelming wave of migrants across the Southern Border of the country since 2021. The US is seeing more migrants - and from more countries - than ever before, federal data shows. NEW: This Chinese migrant tells me why he illegally crossed into the U.S. in Jacumba, CA - to take the money adding he wants a job @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/mFBKnRfWRp Griff Jenkins (@GriffJenkins) February 17, 2024 Chinese nationals now make up the fastest-growing faction of illegal border crossers into the US, with over 20,000 apprehended since October CBP sources said the number of total migrant crossings since October has soared past one million, compared to the same time frame last year at 923,446 An asylum seeking migrant from China holds up his passport and paperwork as he is photographed by a U.S. Border Patrol in December 2023 The high success rate of Chinese asylum claims is a long-standing trend, but it has come under the spotlight following a spike in illegal crossings by Chinese migrants last year The migrants are headed to the west coast because that's may be their final destination, Border Congressman Tony Gonzales (R, Texas) told DailyMail.com. 'As I've spoken to different agencies about why some communities (groups of migrants) go one place and others go another, one: it depends on what cartel controls that pipeline,' Gonzales explained. 'It's very clear that the Sinaloa Cartel is the one controlling that operation and sending Chinese more towards the California corridor...California/Arizona corridor that they control. That's half of the equation. 'The other half is where is the population going to go. Where are the large populations of Asian Americans tend to be-- in California, New York is another area, but that West Coast area is a big population center for them.' The Chinese arrivals have raised concern with elected officials about why the citizens for a US foe are coming here in increasing numbers. More successful asylum claims in the US are made by Chinese migrants than any other nationality, according to government data 'It's tough to put everybody in the same box: that they're all tourist, they're all coming all gang members, they're all bad actors,' the Republican added. 'At the same time, you can't say they're all coming here for opportunity and fleeing Xi's repressive regime. 'This is once again, why is its so important that we allow zero people to come over illegally, and any of these people seeking asylum, they get their cases heard immediately. 'Regardless of what ethnicity or what country you're coming from, you get your day in court and if you don't qualify, you get deported back to China, Venezuela or wherever the hell you came from.' It's been floating above our planet for nearly 30 years. But a satellite operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) is finally set to crash back down to Earth this week. ERS-2, which blasted off from French Guiana in 1995, weighs just over 5,000lbs about the same as an adult rhinoceros. ESA estimates it will reenter Earth's atmosphere at 11:14 GMT (12:14 CET) on Wednesday (February 21). While experts have no idea where it will land, ESA says that the annual risk of a human being even just injured by space debris is around one in 100 billion. Artist illustration of the European Remote Sensing 2 (ERS-2) satellite in space. It's finally returning to Earth after ending operations more than a decade ago Image of ERS-2 captured from space by HEO - an Australian company with an office in the UK - taken by other satellites between January 14 and February 3. It shows ERS-2 as it rotates on its journey back to Earth. The UK agency say they have been shared with ESA to help in their tracking ERS-2's re-entry 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 ESA said there is a level of uncertainty in its reentry prediction of 15 hours. This means it could reenter 15 hours either side of 11:14 GMT on Wednesday although 11:14 GMT is the agency's best guess. 'This uncertainty is due primarily to the influence of unpredictable solar activity, which affects the density of Earths atmosphere and therefore the drag experienced by the satellite,' it said in a statement. ESA said it is monitoring the satellite 'very closely' along with international partners and is providing regular updates on a dedicated webpage. The ERS-2 satellite was launched on April 21, 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). At the time, 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. 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 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. Illustrated timeline of European Remote Sensing 2 (ERS-2) satellite's mission provided by the ESA, which estimates it will reenter Earth's atmosphere at 11:14 GMT (12:14 CET) on Wednesday (February 21) This was ERS-2's final image captured while above Rome, Italy, July 4, 2011. Shortly after, manoeuvres began to deorbit the veteran satellite. Flight operations ended September 5, 2011 '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. If you've ever flicked through a charity shop's bargain box of records, it might be hard to imagine that old vinyl could be worth serious cash. But there are still some die-hard collectors willing to splash out for a rare copy of their favourite albums. For the rarest of the rare, some obsessives have even paid millions to complete their collections. And, it could be good news if you are a Beatles fan since their albums dominate the list of the most valuable records. So, as vinyl scales reach their highest levels since the 1990s, it might be time to get those old boxes down from the attic to see if you are sat on any black gold. Physical media might be considered obsolete by some but to collectors these unique records are worth a fortune Top 10 most expensive albums of all time Wu-Tang Clan : Once Upon a Time in Shaolin - $2 million (1.58m) and $4 million (3.17m) Bob Dylan : Blowin' in the Wind - $1.77 million (1.48m) John Lennon & Yoko Ono : Double Fantasy - $850,000 (674,000) The Beatles : White Album - $790,000 (626,000) Elvis Presley : My Happiness $300,000 (237,729) The Beatles : Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - $290,500 (230,000) The Quarry Men : That'll Be The Day/In Spite of All the Danger $250,000 (200,000) The Beatles : Yesterday & Today - $125,000 - (99,050) The Beatles : 'Til There Was You' (10 acetate) - $97,800 (77,500) Aphex Twin : Caustic Window (test pressing) - $46,300 (36,700) Advertisement 1. Wu-Tang Clan: Once upon a time in Shaolin Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, by rap-collective Wu-Tang Clan, is an album so rare that it has almost taken on a mythical status within the world of collectors. Created in 2015 as a protest against the devaluation of music in the digital world, only one physical copy was ever created. The album became the most expensive piece of music ever when it was sold to disgraced pharmaceutical speculator Martin Shkreli for $2 million (1.58m). In addition to its massive sale price, the album caught international attention for the unusual clauses included in the contract. The owner of this record may not make any digital copies of the album until 2103 or play it for profit. Additionally, the contract was rumoured to include a clause that allowed any current member of the Wu-Tang Clan or actor Bill Murray to steal the record back without legal repercussions. However, the sale was dragged into controversy when Shkreli hiked the price of the anti-infective agent Daraprim by 5,455 per cent. When Shkreli was sentenced to seven years in jail and $7.4 million (5.86m) in fines for securities fraud the album was seized by the US Government. Bizarrely, this actually resulted in Wu-Tang Clan breaking their own record after the US government sold the album to a cryptocurrency collective called PleasrDAO for $4 million (3.17m) worth of cryptocurrency. Only one copy of Wu-Tang Clan's Once upon a time in Shaolin was ever produced and was sold to Martin Shkreli for $2 million (1.58m) 2. Bob Dylan: Blowin' in the Wind Once again, in the world of ultra-valuable records, exclusivity is the surest formula for a massive price. In 2022, Bob Dylan sold a new one-of-a-kind recording of his classic hit 'Blowin' in the Wind' for $1.77 million (1.48 million) at Christie's auction house. The re-recording features new vocals from Dylan nearly 60 years on from the single's original release and the backing of a full band. Only one of these recordings was ever made and its creators likened its sale to that of a painting or piece of fine art. Unlike conventional vinyl records which are pressed into vinyl from a master, this recording is recorded directly onto acetate. Although prized for its sound quality, acetate is normally too delicate to make records from. However, this record uses a sapphire and quartz gradient coating like that used on the International Space Station to protect it from wear. In 2022 Bob Dylan recorded a new version of Blowin' in the Wind which was pressed into acrylic and sold as a one-of-a-kind piece for $1.77 million (1.48 million) 3. John Lennon & Yoko Ono: Double Fantasy Unfortunately, some collector items have a far more morbid history. A signed copy of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1980 album Double Fantasy sold for a staggering $150,000 (119,000) in 1990. The record then sold again for $850,000 (674,000) to a private collector in 2010. It was even reported that the record was listed for sale in 2017 for between $1.2m and $1.5m (950,000 and 1.2m) but it is not clear if the sale ever went ahead. The reason for this record's incredible value is that it was signed by Lennon for his killer Mark Chapman only hours before he was shot dead. Lennon and Ono signed the album for Chapman as they left their building in New York on December 8, 1980. The crazed fan stashed the album behind a plant pot before returning to kill Lennon only hours later. The album was found by a passerby and passed to the police as it still contained forensic evidence from Chapman. The police returned it to the member of the public some years later who eventually sold it on. This copy of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy, which sold for $850,000 (674,000), was signed by Lennon for his killer only hours before his death 4. The Beatles: White Album The Beatles' self-titled ninth album, better known as the White Album, was an instant classic when it was released in 1968. Yet it was the unusual album design choice that also secured its position as the record collectors' album of choice. Each of the albums was individually stamped with a unique serial number, with the first four numbered editions being given to each of the members of the Beatles. In 2015 Ringo Starr was the first to sell his own personal copy, auctioning off the record in the US for $790,000 (620,000). Ringo Starr sold his own numbered copy of the Beatles' White album (pictured) for $790,000 (620,000) in 2015 5. Elvis Presley: My Happiness My Happiness is a true relic of rock and roll history. Made at Sun Records in 1953, when Elvis was just 18, this was the first record that he ever recorded. Having paid $4 (3) for the recording session, the young Elvis took the acetate record to his friend Ed Leek's house to listen to it on their record player. The record was left at Ed's house where it was passed down to his niece who put it up for sale in 2015. On what would have been Elvis' 80th birthday a mysterious buyer paid $300,000 (237,729) for the unique recording. It only later emerged that the mysterious buyer was none other than Jack White of the White Stripes who issued a faithful reproduction of Elvis' original recording through Third Man records. Versions of this reissue are still available and include every pop and scratch that Elvis would have heard over 70 years ago. My Happiness was the first record Elvis Presley ever recorded. The original acetate recording was sold to Jack White of the White Stripes for $300,000 (237,729). White used the original to re-issue a faithful reproduction (pictured) 6. The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Another classic Beatles album makes the list of the most valuable records. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, released in 1967, is often considered to be one of the band's finest works and is an important landmark in the history of progressive music. With its iconic album cover, original pressings of this classic are highly sought after and regularly fetch hundreds of pounds at auction, while mono copies with the black Parlophone label can easily fetch thousands. However, as with so many collectables, the addition of signatures can massively increase the value. The Beatles' avid fans take this to new heights and, in 2013, an American buyer paid a whopping $290,500 (230,000) for a copy signed by all four members of the band. Copies of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band can still fetch a high price, particularly the rare mono recordings. One record signed by all four members of the band even sold for $290,500 (230,000) 7. The Quarry Men: That'll Be The Day/In Spite of All the Danger If you thought that this entry was a break from Beatles then you would be mistaken. The Quarry Men was founded in 1965 by John Lennon and several of his school friends but soon grew to include Paul McCartney and George Harrison. When the band turned more towards rock and roll many of the original members left and soon evolved into the Beatles. While they never had much success beyond the local scene the group did produce one amateur recording. The band recorded a cover of Buddy Holly's That'll Be the Day and an original song, In Spite of All the Danger, written by McCartney and Harrison. Believed to be Britain's rarest record, the original acetate has been valued at $250,000 (200,000). The record was sold by a former band member in 1981 who produced 20-25 private pressings which have never appeared for sale. A relatively unknown recording by John Lennon and Paul McCartney when they were playing under the name The Quarrymen is valued at $250,000 (200,000) Valuable records you might have at home 1. Rolling Stones: Hot Rocks (alternative take version) Some versions of the record have an alternative take of Brown Sugar and Wild Horses. Look for the date 11-18-71 on Side Four. 2. Led Zeplin - Led Zeplin II (Hot Mix) Early versions of the album have a louder mix which was later re-mastered to be quieter. Look for the initials RL on the edge of the record. 3. The Beatles - Yesterday and Today (second state) Early versions had an album cover that was deemed too offensive. Thousands were recalled and had a new cover pasted over the top. Look for a 'Black V' in the bottom right. Advertisement 8. The Beatles: Yesterday & Today Another Beatles album makes the list, but this time for a slightly unusual reason. The album 'Yesterday and Today' is not considered one of the band's best, but it is highly prized by collectors. The reason is that early pressings of the album featured a bizarre photograph of the band members covered in raw meat and dismembered dolls. The vision of photographer Robert Whitaker was not appreciated by record executives and the album was soon pulled from the shelves, beof being reissued with a far tamer cover. However, a few of these 'Butcher Cover' versions did slip through the cracks and are now extremely valuable. In February 2013 a sealed mint condition copy of the album sold for $125,000 (99,050) at auction. But, even if you don't have the butcher cover your record might be worth something. Many of the records that were pulled simply had the new art pasted over the top to save money. These hidden butcher covers are recognisable thanks to a 'dark pyramid' of Ringo's hair which can just be made out on some copies. If you have one of these 'second state' albums in good condition this could easily be worth thousands today. The extremely rare 'Butcher Cover' version of The Beatles' Yesterday and Today sells for outrageous prices. One mint, sealed edition sold for $125,000 (99,050) at auction 9. The Beatles: 'Til There Was You (10 acetate) The final Beatles album to make the cut was once called the 'Holy Grail' for Beatles collectors. This 10-inch acetate recording of 'Til There Was You may well be the record that launched the Beatles because it was created as a demo for EMI who would release their biggest hits. The test disk still bears the handwriting of the manager Brian Epstein and one of the track names 'Hello Little Girl' is misspelled on the vinyl as 'Hullo Little Girl'. The record was actually found in the attic of Les Maguire who said it had somehow come into his possession during his time playing keyboard for Gerry and the Pacemakers. Mr Maquire sold the record to a private buyer in March 2016 for $97,800 (77,500). This may be the record that launched The Beatles. A test pressing of 'Til There Was You was given to EMI as a demo for the band. It was sold in 2016 for $97,800 (77,500) 10. Aphex Twin: Caustic Window While most of the records on this list were made before the 1970s, this latest record was only recorded in 1994. Caustic Window is an album by electronic producer Aphex Twin which was considered to be lost. However, the album had actually made its way to the test pressing phase, meaning that one copy of the album existed. This test pressing was snapped up at auction in 2014 by 'Notch' the creator of Minecraft for $46,300 (36,700). Wood is a greener alternative to aluminium which pollutes the atmosphere Carpenters might be just as important as engineers to the future of space travel as scientists prepare to launch the world's first wooden satellite. Japanese scientists have swapped aluminium for timber in a new satellite design planned to launch this summer. The satellite, named Lignosat, will be made of Magnolia wood and will be about the size of a mug. And, while it might not sound futuristic, using wood might help the space industry cut out harmful pollution. If successful, the microsatellite could allow researchers to branch out to more eco-friendly building materials. Japanese scientists plan to branch out from traditional materials to use wood in a new satellite to be launched this summer Lignosat will essentially be a small wooden box with solar panels on the outside and electronic equipment on the inside. It will either launch on an Orbital Sciences Cygnus supply ship to the ISS or a similar mission aboard a SpaceX Dragon later in the year. Once in orbit, Lignosat will operate for about six months before being allowed to burn up in the atmosphere. The researchers plan to include a number of experiments onboard designed to see how well wood holds up to the harsh conditions of space. In low-Earth orbit, satellites experience temperatures ranging from -85F (65C) to +257F (125C) depending on their altitude and exposure to the sun. The worry is that the wooden panels in the satellite might warp or crack as the temperature shifts. However, early research showed that wood kept in space-like conditions in the lab showed no measurable mass loss, signs of decay, or damage. Encouraged by these results, the researchers sent samples of different kinds of wood up to the International Space Station where they were held in space for almost a year. Once again, the wood showed very little sign of decay even after being exposed to extreme temperatures for twice the intended operating period of the satellite. Samples of wood sent to the ISS (pictured) were exposed to space for an entire year but showed no significant signs of damage or decay Koji Murata, head of the project attributed this to the fact there is no oxygen or living creatures in space that could decompose the wood. 'Wood's ability to withstand these conditions astounded us,' Mr Murata told the Observer. After reviewing the results of the ISS tests, the scientists decided to make the final satellite from Magnolia wood. In comparison to other woods tested, such as the Japanese Cherry tree, Magnolia proved to be the ideal wood for creating a satellite. In a statement, Kyoto University wrote Magnolia showed 'high workability, dimensional stability, and overall strength.' As well as bearing some beautiful flowers, scientists found that magnolia (pictured) is the perfect wood for making satellites being both strong and easy to work Mr Murata adds: 'One of the missions of the satellite is to measure the deformation of the wooden structure in space. 'Wood is durable and stable in one direction but may be prone to dimensional changes and cracking in the other direction.' But, in addition to being stronger than you might expect, wood actually has some surprising advantages over metals. Wood does not block electromagnetic radiation, including the radio waves that are used to communicate with satellites in orbit. This means that wooden satellites can keep all their antenna and radio equipment on the inside, simplifying their design and making them more robust. However, the advantage that the scientists are most interested in is wood's eco-friendly properties. There are believed to be 10,590 satellites in orbit as of September last year, with around 8,800 still functioning. This growing mass of space clutter is only anticipated to get worse in the coming years as estimates suggest another 2,500 satellites will launch every year between now and 2031. There are now thousands of satellites and pieces of junk in orbit which risk adding polluting aluminium particles to the atmosphere. This image shows the levels of space junk in low-Earth orbit All of this adds up to an approximate 11,000 tonnes of space junk racing around above our heads. And, while this is a problem in itself, another issue presents itself when these satellites leave orbit. Takao Doi, a Japanese astronaut and engineer from Kyoto University who is working on the project, says: 'All the satellites which re-enter the Earth's atmosphere burn and create tiny alumina particles, which will float in the upper atmosphere for many years. 'Eventually, it will affect the environment of the Earth,' Mr Doi told the BBC. Research from the University of British Columbia found that when satellites burn up the aluminium left behind severely damages the ozone layer. The ozone layer is a blanket of gas that envelopes the planet, blocking out harmful radiation from the sun and limiting the amount of sunlight that reaches the ground. To avoid damaging this protective barrier any further, engineers hope that wooden satellites will provide a sustainable alternative. Rather than producing harmful particles, wooden satellites like Lignosat disappear in a puff of smoke, leaving behind nothing more than biodegradable ash. US company wants to 'de-extinct' the dodo over 350 years after it was wiped out It's one of the most famous extinct animals of all time, ruthlessly hunted to extinction by humans in just a few decades. Now, scientists are edging closer to bringing the famous dodo back to its original home of Mauritius, the island east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. US startup Colossal Biosciences, based in Dallas, Texas, is using stem cell technology and genome editing to create a modern approximation of the species. At a cost of over $225 million (180 million), it is 'de-extincting' the dodo more than 350 years after it was wiped out from Mauritius by European explorers. And Colossal Biosciences isn't stopping there - it also wants to bring back the extinct woolly mammoth and Tasmanian tiger. Scientists are using stem cell technology to bring back the extinct species - more than 350 years after it was wiped out Most people believe that the dodo was a fat, ungainly bird, but as it has been extinct since the late 1600s, nobody really knows exactly what the dodo looked like READ MORE: This company plans to bring the woolly mammoth back from EXTINCTION Colossal Biosciences was founded in 2021 by entrepreneurs Ben Lamm (left) and George Church (right) Advertisement Colossal Biosciences has partnered with The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation to find a suitable location for the first flock of dodos once they've been grown in the lab. Before it was wiped out in the 17th century, the flightless bird was endemic to the forests of the island. 'The dodo, a bird intimately woven in the DNA of Mauritius, is also sadly iconic for the role mankind played in its extinction,' said Vikash Tatayah, director of conservation at Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. 'It also symbolises efforts to prevent species extinctions. 'We are so grateful for Colossal's technologies and the promise to return this iconic species, extinct since the 1680s, to its native environment.' In preparation for releasing the regenerated dodos into the wild, the two partners will collaborate on the 'restoration of ecosystems' through invasive species removal, revegetation, and community awareness efforts. Scientists have already achieved the monumental feat of sequencing the full genome of the extinct species, from bone specimens and other fragments. The next step is to gene-edit the skin cell of a close living relative, which in the dodo's case is the Nicobar pigeon, so that its genome matches that of the extinct bird. The aim is to make the genome match that of the extinct bird's, or get as close to it as possible, with the help of gene editing tool Crispr-Cas9. This is a technique that can 'cut and paste' small sections of DNA, meaning scientists can delete or edit certain genes so that they more accurately represent the animal they are looking to recreate. This genetically-altered cell then has to be used to create an embryo in the same way as Dolly the Sheep in 1996 and brought to term in a living surrogate mother. Scientists hope that the chick that hatches will resemble something between the Nicobar pigeon and the dodo. They're aiming for the first lab-grown dodo to be born within this decade. Scientists want to bring the dodo home to Mauritius, the island east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean The Nicobar pigeon (pictured) is the closest living relative of the dodo, found on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India The dodo gets its name from the Portuguese word for 'fool', after colonialists mocked its apparent lack of fear of human hunters Dodo: Basic facts Scientific name: Raphus cucullatus Height: Three feet Weight: 23-39lbs Range: Mauritius (Indian Ocean) Habitat: Forests Status: Extinct Advertisement The dodo, discovered by Europeans in 1598, was a flightless bird that lived on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. The dodo gets its name from the Portuguese word for 'fool', after colonialists mocked its apparent lack of fear of human hunters. It also became prey for cats, dogs and pigs that had been brought with sailors exploring the Indian Ocean. Because the species lived in isolation on Mauritius for hundreds of years, the bird was fearless, and its inability to fly made it easy prey. Its last confirmed sighting was in 1662 after Dutch sailors first spotted the species just 64 years earlier in 1598. Most people believe that the dodo was a fat, ungainly bird, but as it has been extinct since the late 1600s, nobody really knows exactly what the dodo looked like. Oxford University Museum of Natural History is home to the only surviving remains of dodo soft tissue that exists anywhere in the world. Scientists said the 'Oxford dodo' was blasted in the back of the head with a shotgun. Pictured, part of the 'Oxford dodo' - the only surviving remains of dodo soft tissue that exists anywhere in the world READ MORE The real-life Jurassic Park: Inside the ambitious plans to bring back dodos, Tasmanian tigers and woolly mammoths MailOnline looks at the ambitious idea - including how and when they might happen Advertisement There's also a dodo skull in the University of Copenhagen Zoological Museum, and an upper jaw in the National Museum, Prague. Now, these scarce fragments exist as a 'symbol of man-caused extinction', according to Colossal Biosciences. 'The dodo is a prime example of a species that became extinct because we people made it impossible for them to survive in their native habitat,' said Professor Beth Shapiro, lead paleogeneticist at the company. 'Having focused on genetic advancements in ancient DNA for my entire career and as the first to fully sequence the dodo's genome, I am thrilled to collaborate with Colossal and the people of Mauritius on the de-extinction and eventual re-wilding of the dodo. 'I particularly look forward to furthering genetic rescue tools focused on birds and avian conservation.' Professor Shapiro admitted that it will not be easy to recreate a 'living, breathing, actual animal' in the form of the 3ft (one metre) tall bird. It was her team that sequenced the bird's entire genome for the first time in March 2022, having spent years struggling to find well enough preserved DNA. 'Mammals are simpler,' said Professor Shapiro, of the University of California, Santa Cruz. 'If I have a cell and it's living in a dish in the lab and I edit it so that it has a bit of dodo DNA, how do I then transform that cell into a whole living, breathing, actual animal? However, the expert leading the dodo de-extinction project paleogeneticist Beth Shapiro (pictured left) cautioned that it would not be easy to recreate a 'living, breathing, actual animal' in the form of the flightless bird. Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal is right 'The way we can do this is to clone it, the same approach that was used to create Dolly the Sheep. 'But we don't know how to do that with birds because of the intricacies of their reproductive pathways.' She added: 'So there needs to be another approach for birds and this is one really fundamental technological hurdle in de-extinction. 'There are groups working on different approaches for doing that and I have little doubt that we are going to get there but it is an additional hurdle for birds that we don't have for mammals.' Other experts have questioned whether the new creation would really be a dodo at all. 'There is nobody around to teach the dodo how to be a dodo,' Mikkel Sinding, a paleogeneticist at the University of Copenhagen, told Scientific American. 'You can genome edit the hell out of something and say you have remade a species, but is it really the species?' Visitors could be forgiven for thinking it's a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. For the abandoned citadel of Guermassa in Tunisia sits in an otherworldly landscape redolent of the environs of Star Wars' Tatooine. This is not a coincidence: nearby Tataouine city - the capital of the Tataouine Governate - provided the architectural inspiration for Luke Skywalker's home planet, if not the shooting location (that's Matmata, in the north east). Guermassa itself is the name of one of Tatooine's moons in the space saga. Researching the site is complicated by the fact that knowledge of the fictional celestial body is much greater than its terrestrial - and indeed real - counterpart. Though this kind of fortified village, with its golden clay walls, is common in the Tataouine region of Tunisia, Guermassa is a uniquely spectacular example - and largely ignored by tourists. They're missing out. The abandoned citadel of Guermassa is located in Tunisia's Tataouine region - a lunar-like landscape redolent of the otherworldly environs of Star Wars' Tatooine Guermassa is the name of one of Tatooine's moons in the Star Wars saga. Researching the site is complicated by the fact that knowledge of the fictional celestial body is much greater than its terrestrial - and indeed real - counterpart Though this kind of fortified village, with its golden clay walls, is common in Tataouine, Guermassa is a uniquely spectacular example - and largely ignored by tourists The stronghold, an outpost of the semi-nomadic Amazigh tribe and currently under consideration to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage site, crowns a ridge of the Dahar Mountains, majestic - yet since the 1970s, neglected. From a distance, it is barely distinguishable from its rocky flanks, as pictures show. It's comprised of dwellings carved into and built from the surrounding rock, with views stretching from Tataouine to Jebil National Park in the east. A sprawling site, Guermassa garlands the mountain summit it's built on like a coral reef, then cascades over the ridgeline and down the slopes of a neighbouring mountain - a labyrinthine tumble of honeycomb streets, multistory houses, grain stores, caves and religious shrines. The stronghold, an outpost of the semi-nomadic Amazigh tribe and currently under consideration to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage site, crowns a ridge of the Dahar Mountains, majestic - yet since the 1970s, neglected Guermassa is a labyrinthine tumble of honeycomb streets, multistory houses, grain stores, caves and religious shrines WHY DOES GUERMASSA STAND ABANDONED? Habib Bourguiba became Tunisia's first president in 1956 after the country won independence from French colonial rule. An affirmed secularist, Bourguibas was determined to modernise the nation, introducing educational reforms, agricultural policies and freedoms for woman (one UAE publication called him 'a thoroughly modern autocrat'). Part of his initiative involved building modern dwellings to rehouse Amazigh from their more traditional homes - some argue to dilute the Amazigh population and integrate them into Arab communities to avoid an uprising. The allure of these modern developments was strong: running water, electricity, schools, hospitals and paved roads. Consequently, by the 1970s, Guermassa was abandoned. The odd possession left by former inhabitants can still be seen, apparently - empty olive oil jars, boxes of tea, painted palm wood doors. Some find the effect to be eerie - these vestiges of abandoned existence standing as a Pompeii wrought of progress. For Oscar, however, Guermassa is a place of wonder - 'one of my absolute favourite sites in the entire country' - a testament to the industry, invention and art of the Amazigh people. Advertisement Its history tells of a fascinating, resourceful people. The ksar - 'desert castle' - used to operate as a meeting point for the Amazigh. They stored their harvests there, safe from marauding horsemen, in ghorfas (store rooms), dug into the ground for natural refrigeration from the ferocious heat. The community built this craggy bronze beehive atop a mountain to allow a clear vantage of potential Arab invaders. Oscar Scafidi, a British-Italian travel writer and presenter of YouTube channel ScafidiTravels, visited Guermassa as part of a wider tour of Tataouine Governorate in Tunisia's south. He told MailOnline Travel: 'Guermassa is in the same mould as [nearby] Chenini or Douiret, but with far fewer visitors, which makes it a unique experience to visit. You are very likely to have the place to yourself if you come up here. 'The village stretches almost 1.5km along a ridgeline of the Dahar Mountains. This Amazigh hilltop settlement was built in the 7th or 8th centuries AD around the Zaouia (shrine) of Sidi Hamza the son of a mythical holy man (Sidi Ibrahim) who was originally from Kairouan.' Oscar here refers to the original settlement, though archaeologists estimate the current ghorfa of Guermassa was built in the 12th century, to keep grain, dates and oil safe. The Amazigh excavated their grain stores from softer rock in the hillside, leaving harder rock in place as reinforcement to create floors and ceilings. The abodes were built atop them, cordoned into areas according to function - cooking, sleeping. Each house has its own fenced-in courtyard, while distinct pathways connect all the dwellings in the village. The village itself is in a state of ruin, though Oscar notes some restoration has been carried out to preserve select buildings - notably the freshly painted mosque and path to the village. And though the building interiors are dilapidated, most of the structures themselves show little sign of erosion, despite the fierce Saharan sun. Oscar said: 'The ruined multistory structures, some with their original doorways still in place, are fascinating to walk around. Guermassa is comprised of dwellings carved into and built from the surrounding rock, with views stretching from Tataouine to Jebil National Park in the east The Mosque, which has been freshly painted. Travel writer Oscar Scafidi describes the stronghold as one of his favourite spots in Tunisia 'Just outside is a weathered graveyard,' says Oscar, 'where ancient human remains can be seen, exposed to the elements' THE AMAZIGH The Amazigh - sometimes referred to as Berbers - are an indigenous people across North Africa. 'Berber' has pejorative connotations, assigned to them by the conquering Arabs and is derived from the Greek word Barbaroi - barbarian. By contrast, Amazigh means 'free man' in their native language, Tamazight, and connotes being free from the dominion of invading forces. In an effort to evade persecution from successive invaders, the Tunisian Amazigh took to the mountain ranges and developed abodes to help them survive in unfavorable, even hostile, natural environments. Their troglodytic villages, built into caves along mountainsides or dug into the soil to be under ground, allowed them to escape the harsh heat. Today, the Amazigh comprise two per cent of the Tunisian population. Advertisement 'There is a turquoise-and-white shrine featuring Arabic inscriptions and handprints on the interior. 'Just outside is a weathered graveyard where ancient human remains can be seen, exposed to the elements.' Although there are no nearby dar (homes repurposed as hotels, similar to Moroccan riads) it is easy to reach Guermassa via car. Oscar told MailOnline Travel: 'It is easily accessible via a good-quality road that links nearby Tataouine town to Ghomrassen. Chenini is less than 8km to the south, with Douiret only 14km away. With a local guide, you can actually trek between these three amazing Amazigh hilltop settlements. 'The Tunisian-owned ecotourism group Destination Dahar has put together a 200km (124-mile) multi-day hiking route through the Dahar Mountain chain called La Grande Traverse du Dahar, which takes in some of the most amazing sites in this part of the country. 'You can even camp up here and wake up to an incredible sunrise over the desert, but be sure to bring all your own supplies!' Oscar adds that Guermassa is a place of wonder - 'one of my absolute favourite sites in the entire country' - a testament to the industry, invention and art of the Amazigh people. Video courtesy of Oscar Scafidi, a British-Italian travel writer who has lived, worked and travelled across 30 African countries. He is the author of the Bradt Guides to Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia. Scafidi has also written a travel narrative, Kayak the Kwanza, about his Guinness World Record-setting source-to-sea navigation of Angolas longest river, the Kwanza, a journey of over 1,300km (807 miles). Oscar told MailOnline Travel: 'Guermassa is in the same mould as [nearby] Chenini or Douiret, but with far fewer visitors, which makes it a unique experience to visit' Though abandoned, Guermassa stands as a testament to the industry, invention and art of the Amazigh people The buildings have not succumbed to erosion, despite the arid heat of the Sahara AJ Odudu put on a sizzling display as she flashed her underwear in a sheer Rebecca Vallance gown at the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co. BAFTAs 2024 afterparty in London on Sunday. The presenter, 36, dazzled in a skin-tight dress adorned with hundreds of silver gems as she posed up a storm at the A-list bash to celebrate fashion and film, hosted at private members' club Annabel's in London's Berkeley Square. AJ was joined at the luxury afterparty by the likes of Florence Pugh, Jameela Jamil, and Cara Delevingne. British Vogue's Head of Editorial Content, Chioma Nnadi, model Cara Delevingne, actor and director Emerald Fennell, and actors Ayo Edebiri and Emily Blunt, hosted the seventh annual bash for Nnadi's first event in her new role at the fashion bible. TV star AJ reunited with Big Brother co-host Will Best who flashed some chest hair in his loose-fitting black suit. AJ Odudu put on a sizzling display as she flashed her underwear in a sheer Rebecca Vallance gown at the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co. BAFTAs 2024 afterparty in London on Sunday The presenter, 36, dazzled in a skin-tight dress as she posed up a storm at the A-list bash to celebrate fashion and film, hosted at private members' club Annabel's in Berkeley Square AJ and Will, 38, will begin hosting series 23 of Celebrity Big Brother, its first series since 2018, on March 4. Lasting only 19 days, series 23 will be the programme's shortest series in almost two decades, following series three's 28 days. CBB is only a matter of days away yet the line-up has yet to be revealed. However, a former The X Factor judge is rumoured to be taking part. It comes after the pair hosted the civilian version's successful 2023 series 20 comeback, with the series also last airing in 2018. Series 20 was the shortest Big Brother series in the programme's almost 24-year run and was won by Jordan Sangha. AJ did not attend the BAFTA ceremony itself which returned on Sunday, hosted by David Tennant with an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. AJ did not attend the BAFTA ceremony itself which returned on Sunday, hosted by David Tennant with an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. It also had the most nominations with 13. Not too far behind was surreal black comedy Poor Things which enjoyed 11 nominations and five wins. The wins included Best Actress for Emma Stone's turn as protagonist Bella Baxter, Best Costume Design, and Best Make Up & Hair. Meanwhile, Da'Vine Joy Randolph crowned victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for her part in The Holdovers as she continues her march to Oscars glory. Next up, Director Jonathan Glazer and producer James Wilson's The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film. Wilson told the audience they were 'stunned' the film had won three awards during the ceremony, and while it was shot in Poland, the team who made it was assembled from the UK. The night kicked off with French legal drama Anatomy Of A Fall winning the Original Screenplay award after premiering in Cannes back in May. Collecting the award, co-writer and director Justine Triet, said: 'The last time I I was in London, a woman said to me: 'After I saw your movie I called my ex and told him to see it to understand why I dumped him.' 'Someone else said 'Did you put a mic in my kitchen?' Gesturing to her co-writer and partner Arthur Harari, Triet said 'I would like to make a statement tonight: it's a fiction and we are reasonably fine.' Harari referred to the plot of the courtroom drama when he joked that he had recently found himself near a window in an attic. He added: 'I want this room as my witness, if something happens to me, I loved insulating that attic and I'm quite happy tonight.' TV star AJ reunited with Big Brother co-host Will Best who flashed some chest hair in his loose-fitting black suit Robert Downey Jr. looked spiffy on the BAFTAs red carpet on Sunday evening as he was joined by his wife of 18 years, Susan Downey. The longtime couple were cheerful as they coordinated in black and gray looks for the star-studded evening, which was held in London. The 58-year-old Oppenheimer star wore a subtly patterned light gray suit with a button-up black shirt underneath. His look included a tailcoat jacket with a silver-toned, star-shaped brooch pinned on one side. The New York City-bred entertainer wore a pair of rectangular, black eyeglasses. Robert Downey Jr. looked spiffy on the BAFTAs red carpet on Sunday evening as he was joined by his wife Susan Downey The longtime couple were cheerful as they coordinated in black and gray looks for the star-studded evening, which was held in London His look included a tailcoat jacket with a silver-toned, star-shaped brooch pinned on one side. Robert made his wife laugh with his lighthearted antics His trousers were high-waisted and his getup was rounded out with a pair of heeled black boots. He looked typically handsome with a clean-shaven face and his crop of brown hair cut above his ears. For her part, Susan looked incredible in a long-sleeved, figure-hugging black gown with a plunging neckline. She bared her cleavage in the look, which featured a thick, silver, rope trim around the deep collar. The film producer, who married Downey Jr. in 2005, parted her light brown hair down the middle and slicked the sides behind her ears. She complemented her look with a pair of silvery, bulbous, teardrop earrings. Susan flashed her megawatt smile as she flaunted a face of flattering makeup that included a glossy mauve lip stain. And she showed off a simple, short, light-colored manicure and donned multiple rings. His trousers were high-waisted and his getup was rounded out with a pair of heeled black boots The star happily waved to fans as he and his wife arrived The event took place in London, England on Sunday evening Oppenheimer won Best Film and swept the board in the major categories at The Royal Festival Hall in England. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan Robert was animated throughout the evening He briefly removed his eyeglasses while posing for a picture Oppenheimer won Best Film and swept the board in the major categories at The Royal Festival Hall in England. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Murphy, 47 who plays the titular role in Nolan's atomic bomb saga picked up the major prize, triumphing over Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Barry Keoghan for Saltburn and Teo Yoo for Past Lives. Accepting the trophy, he said: 'Oh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much BAFTA.' He paid tribute to 'the most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood: Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, thank you for seeing something in me that I probably didn't see in myself.' L-R Hoyte van Hoytema, Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. The New York City-bred entertainer switched his eyeglasses as he read from a note Downey Jr. collected a BAFTA for his role as Lewis Strauss in the Hollywood blockbuster Downey Jr. accepts the Supporting Actor Award for Oppenheimer The actor playfully winked and gave a thumbs-up as he approached the stage The Irish actor said to Nolan: 'Thank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again.' Nolan also acknowledged his 'fellow nominees and my Oppenhomies', adding: 'I know it's a cliche to say, but I'm in awe of you.' He said that J. Robert Oppenheimer was a 'colossally knotty character,' adding, 'We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and it's a privilege to be a part of this community with you all. Downey Jr. collected a BAFTA for his role as Lewis Strauss in the Hollywood blockbuster, which has swept the board throughout the 2024 awards season. Fans of Matthew Perry were outraged when he was left off the memoriam list at the 77th EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday. The Friends star was found dead in his hot tub towards the end of October at the age of 54 but despite his illustrious career in film after finding fame as Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom, he was not included in the tribute at the annual awards ceremony. Viewers were left furious at the lack of mention, as one fumed: 'I love the BAFTAs so much right. I watch it religiously every year. 'But to not include Matthew Perry in the in Memoriam is actually shocking' Another said: 'Shame on you @BAFTA for not acknowledging @MatthewPerry #BAFTA2024' Fans of Matthew Perry were outraged when he was left off the memoriam list at the 77th EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday The list paid tribute to a host of film actors who have passed away within the last year Another user claimed that the BAFTA organisers had 'forgotten' to include the 'great' actor in their list. Following his rise to fame on the 1990s sitcom alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc, he starred in a host of Hollywood films including The Whole Nine Yards and Birds of America. In 2009, he starred alongside Zac Efron in 17 Again in what became his final cinematic appearance. One fan suggested to another that the tragic star is more likely to be featured at the television awards later this year because of his signature role. But in their reply, the fan protested that the Hollywood star was still a 'huge name' in cinema. However, shortly afterwards, a spokesperson confirmed that Matthew would indeed be remembered during the next ceremony. A spokesman said: 'I can confirm he will be remembered in our forthcoming Television Awards'. During Sunday's ceremony, stars to be remembered included late Harry Potter star Sir Michael Gambon, rock and roll legend Tina Turner and actress-turned MP Glenda Jackson. Matthew played the older version of the lead character in 17 Again opposite High School Musical star Zac Efron (left, pictured in 2009) But he was best known for starring as Chandler Bing on Friends (picture with Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston , David Schwimmer , Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow) Matthew - who battled with drugs and alcohol addiction for years before his death - was last during the 2024 Emmy Awards' In Memoriam segment. Charlie Puth sung the 2015 song he's featured on with Wiz Khalifa entitled I'll See You Again, which was written as a tribute to the late Paul Walker and featured on the soundtrack of Furious 7. Puth was joined by The War and Treaty for this In Memoriam rendition, though they had quite the surprise up their sleeve. Towards the end of the song, they suddenly broke into a more soulful rendition of the Friends theme song I'll Be There For You by The Rembrandts - after Jennifer Aniston urged fans to celebrate his life at the Critics Choice Awards. Cara Delevingne looked sensational in a racy black midi dress as she attended the British Vogue And Tiffany & Co. BAFTAs after party at Annabel's on Sunday. The model, 31, commanded attention as she went braless under the sleeveless plunging semi-sheer dazzling number. She elevated her frame in a pair of black towering heels and left her long blonde tresses loose. The actress posed up a storm at the star-studded event as she was joined by Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Lewis cut a smart figure in a black ensemble complete with a long coat while Anna looked glamorous in a black and white striped dress and sunglasses. Cara Delevingne looked sensational in a racy black midi dress as she attended the British Vogue And Tiffany & Co. BAFTAs after party at Annabel's on Sunday The model, 31, commanded attention as she went braless under the sleeveless plunging semi-sheer dazzling number During the ceremony Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Murphy, 47 - who plays the titular role in Nolan's atomic bomb saga - picked up the prize at the prestigious awards ceremony. He triumphed against Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Barry Keoghan for Saltburn and Teo Yoo for Past Lives. Accepting the trophy, he said: 'Oh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much BAFTA.' He paid tribute to 'the most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood: Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, thank you for seeing something in me that I probably didn't see in myself.' The actress posed up a storm at the star-studded event as she was joined by Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour Lewis cut a smart figure in a black ensemble complete with a long coat while Anna looked glamorous in a black and white striped dress and sunglasses Cara and Anna were seen chatting away at the event The Irish actor said to Nolan: 'Thank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again.' Nolan also acknowledged his 'fellow nominees and my Oppenhomies', adding: 'I know it's a cliche to say, but I'm in awe of you.' He said J Robert Oppenheimer was a 'colossally knotty character', adding: 'We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and it's a privilege to be a part of this community with you all. Downey Jr, 58, also collected a BAFTA for his role as Lewis Strauss in the Hollywood blockbuster, which has swept the board during the 2024 awards season. He admitted he owes the award to Nolan, producer Emma Thomas and leading man Murphy, as well as 'British influence'. Gesturing to Nolan, he said: 'Recently that dude suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility.' Downey Jr's win set a new record for the longest gap between wins by any performer as it comes 31 years after his previous BAFTA, for the 1993 film Chaplin. The previous record was 27 years, set by Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2021 when he won the award for best actor for The Father, nearly three decades after his 1994 win for Shadowlands. Nolan won the Best Director BAFTA for Oppenheimer, his epic tale of how the nuclear bomb was created. During the ceremony Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall - pictured Cillian Murphy accepting the Leading Actor Award for Oppenheimer Robert Downey Jr. accepts the Supporting Actor Award for Oppenheimer Eleanor Tomlinson was among the arrivals at the star-studded Vogue BAFTA after-party at at Annabel's private members club in London on Sunday. The actress, 31, opted for the sleek number to attend the British Vogue And Tiffany & Co. Celebrate Fashion And Film Party following the film awards. The mini dress featured wrap detailing around the shoulders and she completed the look with a pair of opaque tights and elegant heels. The Couple Next Door actress opted for a natural makeup look left her flame-hued locks to flow freely around her shoulders. Eleanor showed off her toned legs as posed confidently against a floral backdrop at the glamorous do, which played host to the cream of the showbiz circuit. Eleanor Tomlinson was among the arrivals at the star-studded Vogue BAFTA after-party at at Annabel's private members club in London on Sunday The actress, 31, opted for the sleek number to attend the British Vogue And Tiffany & Co. Celebrate Fashion And Film Party following the film awards At the party, Dua Lipa looked stunning in a sheer black lace dress as she attended the event fresh from presenting an award at the biggest night in film. Elsewhere Queen's Gambit actress Anya Taylor-Joy, 27, flaunted her toned abs in a gold bralet which she teamed with a beige silk skirt. She wore matching heels and gave a pop of colour to her makeup look with a dark pink lip. Kaia Gerber, Anna Wintour, Rochelle Humes and AJ Odudu were among other stars attending the afterparty. Meanwhile model Cara Delevingne, 31, took the plunge in a daring silver gown as she posed up a storm. She boosted her height with strappy black heels and wore her honey tresses in loose waves over her shoulders. Sophie Ellis-Bextor dazzled in an emerald green number complete with striking bright makeup. She attended the do just hours after she performed her viral hit Murder on the Dancefloor, which was used in smash hit film Saltburn. At the party, Dua Lipa looked stunning in a sheer black lace dress as she attended the event fresh from presenting an award at the biggest night in film Sophie Ellis-Bextor dazzled in a shimmering green number just hours after she performed Murder on the Dancefloor Rosie Hungtington-Whiteley flashed her endless legs in a semi-sheer maxi skirt Oppenheimer has won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on Sunday. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. It's been a roller coaster ride for Married At First Sight producers trying to get a same-sex couple to the altar. Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart are set to say 'I do' on Monday night in what is meant to be a big moment for the series. However sources tell Daily Mail Australia behind-the-scenes drama has threatened to overshadow their special day. Perth hairdresser Stephen, 26, and Michael, 34, have found themselves at the centre of a narrative that's less fairytale. The experiment took an unexpected turn when Michael's first partner Simon made a sudden exit from the show and Stephen was quickly brought in to fill the void. It's been a roller coaster ride for Married At First Sight producers trying to get a same-sex couple to the altar . Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart are set to say 'I do' on Monday night in what is meant to be a big moment for the series This last-minute change has cast doubt on the authenticity of their connection, with Stephen reportedly feeling like an afterthought for the show's diversity agenda. 'The entire situation has been a strain on Stephen. He didn't anticipate becoming part of the show under such rushed and uncertain circumstances,' a source told Daily Mail Australia. 'Stephen felt like the producers completely overlooked his preferences and just paired him with Michael as a convenient solution. The experiment took an unexpected turn when Michael's first partner, Simon, (pictured) made a sudden exit from the show 'Stephen was struggling with being thrown into the deep end. He didn't sign up to be a last minute groom.' As the show's producers pushed for a storyline that would break new ground, they may have pushed Stephen to his limits. 'It's one thing to be part of a groundbreaking moment on television, but it's another to feel like you're just a pawn in a larger game,' the friend said. This last-minute change has cast doubt on the authenticity of their connection, with Stephen (pictured) reportedly feeling like an afterthought for the show's diversity agenda 'Stephen felt like the producers completely overlooked his preferences and just paired him with Michael as a convenient solution,' a source told Daily Mail Australia 'Runaway groom' Simon breaks his silence Despite filming his backstories and attending the bucks' party, Michael's first groom Simon almost 'derailed' the series after getting cold feet and fleeing the country. Breaking his silence in October, Simon told Daily Mail Australia: 'MAFS wasn't what I thought I wanted at this point in my life, that's all.' Expressing his remorse, he added, 'I just felt bad for whoever they set me up with. I did initially leave, but they managed to coax me back... I gotta look out for myself.' Breaking his silence in October, Simon told Daily Mail Australia: 'MAFS wasn't what I thought I wanted at this point in my life, that's all' At the time, one production insider explained: 'It's complete and utter chaos! Simon leaving was a blindside. 'Everyone's been running around like headless chickens trying to salvage the situation.' In a last-ditch effort to save his storyline, producers paired Simon's intended 'husband' Michael with Stephen and introduced the couple as mid-season intruders. Barbie, Killers Of The Flower Moon and Saltburn were all left empty handed at the 2024 British Academy Film Awards following Sunday's glitzy ceremony. The record-breaking blockbuster, directed by Greta Gerwig, was the highest-grossing film of 2023, but despite a string of nominations, failed to win a single one. Star Margot Robbie lost out on the Leading Actress prize to Poor Things' Emma Stone, while the screenplay by director Greta and her husband Noah Baumbach lost out to courtroom drama Anatomy Of A Fall, by Justine Triet and Arthur Harari. Ryan Gosling's Ken was defeated in the Supporting Actor category by Robert Downey Jr for Oppenheimer. Gerwig was a conspicuous absence from the directing contenders when the nominees were announced. Barbie, Killers Of The Flower Moon and Saltburn were all left empty handed at the 2024 British Academy Film Awards following Sunday's ceremony (Margot Robbie is pictured) The record-breaking blockbuster, directed by Greta Gerwig, was the highest-grossing film of 2023, but despite a string of nominations, failed to win a single one Killers Of The Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese's western crime epic, also left with nothing, despite nods for Best Film, Best Supporting Actor for Robert De Niro and a number of technical categories. Maestro also headed home without a win, despite nods for Leading Actor (Bradley Cooper), Supporting Actress (Carey Mulligan), Director (Bradley Cooper) and Original Screenplay. Meanwhile Saltburn failed to translate its viral success into awards gold. The film about a student at Oxford who becomes enthralled by a wealthier classmate and spends a summer at his sprawling estate, has become an internet sensation. But sadly it failed to land a single award, despite nods for Outstanding British Film, Leading Actor Barry Keoghan, Supporting Actress Rosamund Pike, Supporting Actor Jacob Elordi and the film's score. However, the film did get a moment in the spotlight, thanks to a performance of Murder On The Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The song, released 22 years ago, had a scene-stealing moment in the final stages of the film and has since re-entered the charts. Ellis-Bextor was joined by a team of dancers in sequins as she took to the stage in a dramatic black and orange gown with a full skirt as she performed the disco hit. Meanwhile Saltburn failed to translate its viral success into awards gold, missing out on a single prize despite a string of nods (star Barry Keoghan is pictured) THE BAFTA WINNERS AT A GLANCE Best Film - Oppenheimer Best Director - Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Supporting Actor - Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Leading Actor - Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Leading Actress - Emma Stone, Poor Things Supporting Actress - Da'vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Advertisement However, the film did get a moment in the spotlight, thanks to a performance of Murder On The Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor Killers Of The Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese 's western crime epic, also left with nothing, despite nods for Best Film, Best Supporting Actor Maestro also headed home without a win, despite nods for Leading Actor (Bradley Cooper), Supporting Actress (Carey Mulligan), Director (Bradley Cooper) and Original Screenplay Oppenheimer proved to be the big winner on the night, earning seven gongs including Best Film, Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr and Director for Christopher Nolan. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, as Emma Stone collected the Best Actress gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. After Oppenheimer was awarded Best Film, director Christopher Nolan and his wife Emma Thomas, who also produced the blockbuster, took to the stage. Emma described her husband, as 'inspired and inspiring' and 'brilliant', adding that he was 'often infuriating and always right.' 'I am incredibly grateful to him for letting me come along for this ride,' she said. Emma also paid tribute to their 16-year-old son Magnus, saying: 'Your dad and I are the luckiest people in the world but our greatest fortune is being parents to you, Flora, Oliver and Rory.' Cillian, 47, - who plays the titular role in Christopher Nolan's atomic bomb saga - picked up the Leading Actor prize at the prestigious British awards ceremony. He triumphed against Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Barry Keoghan for Saltburn and Teo Yoo for Past Lives. Robert, 58, collected a BAFTA for his role as Lewis Strauss in Hollywood blockbuster Oppenheimer, which has swept the board during awards season. Robert's win set a new record for the longest gap between wins by any performer. His award, for the film Oppenheimer, comes 31 years after his previous BAFTA, for the 1993 film Chaplin. Nolan won the Best Director BAFTA for Oppenheimer, his epic tale of how the nuclear bomb was created. Nolan has previously lost out despite numerous commercial successes such as Inception and The Dark Knight, the UK-born filmmaker won out against Jonathan Glazer [The Zone of Interest], Justine Triet [Anatomy of a Fall], Alexander Payne [The Holdovers], Bradley Cooper [Maestro] and Andrew Haigh [All of Us Strangers]. Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, as Emma Stone collected the gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. Meanwhile, Da'Vine Joy Randolph crowned victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for her part in The Holdovers as she continues her march to Oscars glory. Next up, Director Jonathan Glazer and producer James Wilson's The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film. The night kicked off with French legal drama Anatomy Of A Fall winning the Original Screenplay award after premiering in Cannes back in May. Next up, Poor Things has won the BAFTA for special visual effects. Following this, drama film Earth Mama was honoured with the BAFTA outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer, presented by David Beckham. The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for a film not in the English language. The BAFTA for Casting was awarded to Susan Shopmaker for private school-set The Holdovers, while the editing award has gone to Jennifer Lame for Second World War biopic Oppenheimer. Comedy drama American Fiction won Best Adapted Screenplay. The Documentary BAFTA went to 20 Days In Mariupol, which highlights the work of Associated Press journalists in the besieged Ukrainian city during the Russian invasion. Composer Ludwig Goransson won the BAFTA for Original Score for Oppenheimer while Johnnie Burn and Tarn Willers scooped the honour for best sound for Holocaust film The Zone Of Interest. The BAFTA for Production Design went to Shona Heath, James Price and Zsuzsa Mihalek for surreal comedy Poor Things, about a woman who is reanimated and begins a new life. It was a night of huge success for Oppenheimer, with Cillian Murphy (left) awarded the Leading Actor prize, while Emma Stone won Leading Actress for Poor Things (right) Oppenheimer frontman Christopher Nolan was awarded the Director honour for his work on the acclaimed biopic The period blockbuster was also awarded Best Film, boosting the film's Oscars prospects It was previously announced the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema would go to programmer and archivist June Givanni, founder of the Pan African Film Archive, who collected the prize during the ceremony from Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh. Northern Ireland actor James Martin, from Oscar-winning film An Irish Goodbye, presented the British short film Bafta to Yasmin Afifi and Elizabeth Rufai for Jellyfish And Lobster, a tale about care home residents. Poor Things won two more BAFTAs for best costume design, and make-up and hair. Samantha Morton collected the BAFTA Fellowship from producer David Heyman, who she worked with on Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. There were tributes from her Minority Report co-star Tom Cruise, as well as collaborators Susan Lynch, Molly Windsor and Daniel Mays, while Heyman described her as a 'rare breed and true artist'. The BAFTA Rising Star award was won by Mia Mckenna-Bruce following a public vote. The star of coming-of-age film How To Have Sex appeared emotional on stage as she thanked her family and her 'beautiful baby boy'. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley turned heads in a sexy black outfit as she posed at the British Vogue And Tiffany & Co. BAFTAs afterparty at Annabel's on Sunday. The model, 36, looked incredible in a black high necked long sleeved bodysuit, which she teamed with a racy sheer polka dot maxi skirt. She put on a leggy display in the eye catching number, which boasted a dramatic furry train that cascaded behind her as she posed for pictures. Rosie accessorised by adding a glamorous dazzling silver necklace, layering a number of silver bracelets and flashing her huge diamond engagement ring. Leaving her long blonde tresses in soft waves, the beauty applied a stunning palette of makeup for the evening. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley turned heads in a sexy black outfit as she posed at the British Vogue And Tiffany & Co. BAFTAs afterparty at Annabel's on Sunday The model, 36, looked incredible in a black high necked long sleeved bodysuit, which she teamed with a racy sheer polka dot maxi skirt THE BAFTA WINNERS AT A GLANCE Best Film - Oppenheimer Best Director - Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Supporting Actor - Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Leading Actor - Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Leading Actress - Emma Stone, Poor Things Supporting Actress - Da'vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Advertisement During the ceremony Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Murphy, 47 - who plays the titular role in Nolan's atomic bomb saga - picked up the prize at the prestigious awards ceremony. He triumphed against Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Barry Keoghan for Saltburn and Teo Yoo for Past Lives. Accepting the trophy, he said: 'Oh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much BAFTA.' He paid tribute to 'the most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood: Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, thank you for seeing something in me that I probably didn't see in myself.' She put on a leggy display in the eye catching number, which boasted a dramatic furry train that cascaded behind her as she posed for pictures Leaving her long blonde tresses in soft waves, the beauty applied a stunning palette of makeup for the evening The Irish actor said to Nolan: 'Thank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again.' Nolan also acknowledged his 'fellow nominees and my Oppenhomies', adding: 'I know it's a cliche to say, but I'm in awe of you.' He said J Robert Oppenheimer was a 'colossally knotty character', adding: 'We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and it's a privilege to be a part of this community with you all. Downey Jr, 58, also collected a BAFTA for his role as Lewis Strauss in the Hollywood blockbuster, which has swept the board during the 2024 awards season. He admitted he owes the award to Nolan, producer Emma Thomas and leading man Murphy, as well as 'British influence'. Gesturing to Nolan, he said: 'Recently that dude suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility.' Downey Jr's win set a new record for the longest gap between wins by any performer as it comes 31 years after his previous BAFTA, for the 1993 film Chaplin. The previous record was 27 years, set by Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2021 when he won the award for best actor for The Father, nearly three decades after his 1994 win for Shadowlands. Nolan won the Best Director BAFTA for Oppenheimer, his epic tale of how the nuclear bomb was created. During the ceremony Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall - pictured Cillian Murphy accepting the Leading Actor Award for Oppenheimer Poppy Delevingne showed off her incredible figure at the British Vogue x Tiffany and Co BAFTAs after party in a black ruffled two-piece ensemble. The model, 37, attended the party at Annabel's private members club in London to celebrate film and fashion alongside her sister Cara Delevingne. Poppy looked sensational in a strappy black sequined bralet, which she paired with an extravagant ruffled skirt, complete with a dramatic train. She finished off the striking look with a pair of jewelled heels and wore her blonde tresses swept behind her ears, exposing chunky silver Tiffany & Co hoop earrings. The model kept her make-up natural by wearing a nude lipstick and a simple cat-eye eyeliner look. Poppy Delevingne showed off her incredible figure at the British Vogue x Tiffany and Co BAFTAs after party in a black ruffled two-piece ensemble The socialite and model, 37, attended the star-studded party - held by British Vogue and Tiffany & Co to celebrate film and fashion Poppy's sister model and actress Cara, 31, took the plunge in a daring silver gown with stud detailing as she posed up a storm. She boosted her height with strappy black heels and wore her honey tresses in loose waves over her shoulders while opting for glowing makeup. Elsewhere at the after party actress Anya Taylor-Joy, 27, flaunted her toned abs in a gold bralet which she teamed with a beige silk skirt. She wore matching heels and gave a pop of colour to her makeup look with a dark pink lip. Rosie Huntington Whiteley, 36, put on a racy display in a sheer polka dot skirt which she wore with a simple roll neck jumper and pointy heels. Kaia Gerber, Anna Wintour, Rochelle Humes and AJ Odudu were among other stars attending the afterparty. During the ceremony Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. Poppy looked sensational as she sported a strappy black sequined bralet, which she paired with an extravagant ruffled skirt complete with a train She finished off the striking look with a pair of jewelled heels and wore her blonde tresses swept behind her ears exposing chunky silver hoop earrings Meanwhile model Cara, 31, took the plunge in a daring silver gown as she posed up a storm at the party She boosted her height with strappy black heels and wore her honey tresses in loose waves over her shoulders THE BAFTA WINNERS AT A GLANCE Best Film - Oppenheimer Best Director - Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Supporting Actor - Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Leading Actor - Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Leading Actress - Emma Stone, Poor Things Supporting Actress - Da'vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Advertisement The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Murphy, 47 - who plays the titular role in Nolan's atomic bomb saga - picked up the prize at the prestigious awards ceremony. He triumphed against Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Barry Keoghan for Saltburn and Teo Yoo for Past Lives. Accepting the trophy, he said: 'Oh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much BAFTA.' He paid tribute to 'the most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood: Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, thank you for seeing something in me that I probably didn't see in myself.' The Irish actor said to Nolan: 'Thank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again.' Nolan also acknowledged his 'fellow nominees and my Oppenhomies', adding: 'I know it's a cliche to say, but I'm in awe of you.' Anya Taylor-Joy made sure to turn heads in her skimpy outfit as she posed up a storm for the cameras at the afterparty Dua Lipa turned heads in the strappy number that had a feather trim and revealed her gorgeous curves He said J Robert Oppenheimer was a 'colossally knotty character', adding: 'We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and it's a privilege to be a part of this community with you all. Downey Jr, 58, also collected a BAFTA for his role as Lewis Strauss in the Hollywood blockbuster, which has swept the board during the 2024 awards season. He admitted he owes the award to Nolan, producer Emma Thomas and leading man Murphy, as well as 'British influence'. Gesturing to Nolan, he said: 'Recently that dude suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility.' Downey Jr's win set a new record for the longest gap between wins by any performer as it comes 31 years after his previous BAFTA, for the 1993 film Chaplin. The previous record was 27 years, set by Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2021 when he won the award for best actor for The Father, nearly three decades after his 1994 win for Shadowlands. Nolan won the Best Director BAFTA for Oppenheimer, his epic tale of how the nuclear bomb was created. Coronation Street's Bill Roache has reportedly tried selling one of his properties to clear his six-figure tax bill, as he faces going bankrupt for the second time. The actor, 91, had been given until January to make his payment in full, but a prospective buyer for the property pulled out, according to court documents obtained by The Sun. The court had not been told by last month and so is pressing ahead with the action, meaning Bill could still face bankruptcy. Bill, who owns a mortgage-free home worth 900,000 in Cheshire, tried to sell a property to repay his debt to HMRC, but no further details about the site have been revealed. MailOnline has contacted a representative for Bill Roache for comment. Coronation Street 's Bill Roache has reportedly tried selling one of his properties to clear his six-figure tax bill, as he faces going bankrupt for the second time The actor had been given until January to make his payment in full, but a prospective buyer for the property pulled out (pictured in character as Ken Barlow) Bill, who has played Ken Barlow on Corrie since 1960, entered an agreement in 2018 to clear a 588,015.18 debt owed, but has only paid 41,666.65 so far. Friends from Bill's spiritual group previously claimed he is 'doing fine' as he 'faces bankruptcy' for a second time, according to The Mirror. At a Stride for Truth group meeting on Friday night, one member said they were '100% supporting' Bill. The organisation, which strives for world peace and enlightenment, meets in a room above a foot clinic in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. Stride for Truth's Facebook reads: 'The ultimate vision and plan is true and everlasting world peace. A new world order shall be established and a new collective consciousness created. 'This new order and new Earth will be love centric. Strength shall return to the human heart and no longer shall lies, deceit, greed and wickedness thrive. The truth shall set us free.' Bill, who is now the highest-paid member of the cast, earning around 250k a year, 'owes the taxman nearly 550,000'. The Sun have published his six-figure debt, just weeks after it was revealed he's facing bankruptcy for a second time. Bill, who has played Ken Barlow on Corrie since 1960, entered an agreement in 2018 to clear a 588,015.18 debt owed, but has only paid 41,666.65 so far Bill initially owed 588,015.18 and entered a 2018 agreement to clear it, but the High Court papers obtained by the publication claim he has only paid 41,666.65. He had until last month to pay the full amount of 546,348.53, and now faces a High Court battle in March. Bill's interest payments come to 14,699, while he also faces late-payment fines of more than 8,000, which are both included in the total. It comes after HMRC said it does 'not comment on individual cases', but a spokesperson told The Mirror: 'We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts, and do everything we can to help those who engage with us to get out of debt, such as offering instalment plans. 'We only petition for bankruptcy as a last resort.' A spokesperson for Coronation Street told the publication: 'We're really sorry to hear of Bill's financial situation. Bill has an ongoing contract with Coronation Street and remains a much-loved member of the cast.' Papers were lodged against the father-of-five at London's High Court on Tuesday, and details of the cause of the tax debt remained confidential. At the end of the nineties Bill ended up bankrupt following a libel battle with The Sun for calling him 'boring Ken Barlow'. He won the case but was judged to have wasted court time with the law suit and was awarded only 50,000, the amount the paper had offered him to settle out of court. He was left with huge legal bills which he compounded with the decision to sue his lawyers over the case, landing him in up to 600,000 of debt. It was reported in December last year that Bill has signed on to star in Coronation Street for another 12 months, marking his 63rd year on the soap. The actor, 91, has played Ken Barlow on the ITV soap since it debuted back in 1960 when he was paid 70 a week. He had until last month to pay the full amount of 546,348.53, and now faces a High Court battle in March He holds the world record for the longest-serving TV actor in a continuous role and is even listed in the Guinness World Records (pictured on soap with Anne Reid in 1963) Last December, Bill was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) by King Charles for his services to acting following more than 60 years on Corrie He holds the world record for the longest-serving TV actor in a continuous role and is even listed in the Guinness World Records. Bill previously said he wanted to still be on the soap at 100 years old. Last year he told The Mirror: 'Someone said to me, 'Look, Bill, you're in the Guinness Book of Records, you've got the MBE, you've been in Coronation Street for over 60 years, what else is there?' 'I said to him, 'I would like to be the first centenarian who is still cast in an ongoing drama'. That's my aim, to be 100 and still working on Coronation Street.' 'While they want me and while I can do it I'll continue to do it.' Bill has also said: 'People will say when are you retiring? Are you going to take a break? But then what happens? 'Whilst I can do it, and whilst they will have me, I have no intention of retiring. I am so fortunate to work for an organisation that is happy to have me.' Last December, Bill was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) by King Charles for his services to acting following more than 60 years on Corrie. Bill, who was previously awarded an MBE, revealed the hilarious reaction of King Charles, who playfully asked: 'Not still working are you?' In May 2022, Bill revealed he nearly quit the soap to pursue his dream of appearing in Westerns alongside the likes of Clint Eastwood . He admitted he first aspired to star in films when he launched his career as an actor, telling the Sunday People: 'When I started out I wanted to be in films, particularly I wanted to be in Westerns. 'There was a time in the middle of my career, when I was in my 40s, I thought if ever I'm going to get out and do something else, now is the time. 'But I only thought about it. I never actually did it. I realised I'm really proud of Coronation Street, lucky to be in it.' Rochelle Humes looked incredible as she attended the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co afterparty at Annabel's in London on Sunday night. The TV personality, 34, oozed confidence in her stylish green ensemble as she rubbed shoulders with Hollywood A-listers. Rochelle's look featured a skin-tight leather top and silky skirt which boasted a thigh-high split to show off her long toned legs. She completed the outfit with oversized leather coat and added extra height to her frame with a pair of pointed stilettos. Earlier in the evening Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories during the swanky ceremony. Rochelle Humes, 34, looked incredible as she attended the Vogue BAFTAs afterparty at Annabel's in London on Sunday night The TV personality oozed confidence in her stylish green ensemble as she rubbed shoulders with Hollywood A-Listers The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Murphy, 47 - who plays the titular role in Nolan's atomic bomb saga - picked up the prize at the prestigious British awards ceremony. He triumphed against Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Barry Keoghan for Saltburn and Teo Yoo for Past Lives. Accepting the trophy he said: 'Oh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much BAFTA.' He paid tribute to 'the most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood: Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, thank you for seeing something in me that I probably didn't see in myself.' The Irish actor said to Nolan: 'Thank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again.' Nolan also acknowledged his 'fellow nominees and my Oppenhomies', adding: 'I know it's a cliche to say, but I'm in awe of you.' Rochelle's look featured a skin-tight leather top and silky skirt which boasted a thigh-high split to show off her long toned legs THE BAFTA WINNERS AT A GLANCE Best Film - Oppenheimer Best Director - Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Supporting Actor - Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Leading Actor - Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Leading Actress - Emma Stone, Poor Things Supporting Actress - Da'vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Advertisement He said J Robert Oppenheimer was a 'colossally knotty character', adding: 'We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and it's a privilege to be a part of this community with you all Downey Jr, 58, also collected a BAFTA for his role as Lewis Strauss in the Hollywood blockbuster, which has swept the board during the 2024 awards season. He admitted he owes the award to Nolan, producer Emma Thomas and leading man Murphy, as well as 'British influence'. Gesturing to Nolan, he said: 'Recently that dude suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility.' Downey Jr's win set a new record for the longest gap between wins by any performer as it comes 31 years after his previous BAFTA, for the 1993 film Chaplin. The previous record was 27 years, set by Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2021 when he won the award for best actor for The Father, nearly three decades after his 1994 win for Shadowlands. Nolan won the Best Director BAFTA for Oppenheimer, his epic tale of how the nuclear bomb was created. Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories during the swanky ceremony (Cillian Murphy with Best Actor Oscar) Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things (Emma Stone pictured with Best Actress Award for Poor Things) Before accepting the award from actor Hugh Grant, Nolan hugged Murphy. Nolan joked that his brother 'beat him up here' by being in a chorus of a production 40 years ago. Nolan has previously lost out despite numerous commercial successes such as Inception and The Dark Knight, the UK-born filmmaker won out against Jonathan Glazer [The Zone of Interest], Justine Triet [Anatomy of a Fall], Alexander Payne [The Holdovers], Bradley Cooper [Maestro] and Andrew Haigh [All of Us Strangers]. He paid tribute to Murphy and added to those who backed the film: 'Thank you for taking on something dark'. The director also acknowledged the efforts of nuclear disarmament organisations to bring peace. Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. Emily Blunt cut a chic figure as she attended the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co afterparty at celeb hotspot Annabel's in London on Sunday. The Oppenheimer star, 40, flaunted her toned abs in a plunging white bralette which displayed her ample cleavage and was adorned with quirky feathers. Emily completed the enemble with cropped black blazer and a figure-hugging maxi skirt as she joined a whole host of fellow A-listers at the swanky event. She accessorised with simple earrings as well as sparkling brooches on her lapel and a gold love heart buckle at her svelte waist. And she carried an MCM Himmel Sequin Shoulder Bag. Emily, who had been nominated for Best Actress, took to the award show's red carpet earlier in the evening in a jaw-dropping gown. Emily Blunt, 40, cut a chic figure as she attended the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co afterparty at celeb hotspot Annabel's in London on Sunday The Oppenheimer star flaunted her toned abs in a plunging white bralette which displayed her ample cleavage and was adorned with quirky feathers She was a vision of beauty in a the glamorous beaded frock with cut outs along the waist that showed off her lithe figure. The glamorous garment was adorned with gems and clung to her hourglass curves, flaring out into a fishtail hem. She completed the look with a diamond and ruby necklace paired with matching earrings. Despite missing out on a gong, her movie Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories during the swanky ceremony. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Murphy, 47 - who plays the titular role in Nolan's atomic bomb saga - picked up the prize at the prestigious British awards ceremony. He triumphed against Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Barry Keoghan for Saltburn and Teo Yoo for Past Lives. Emily, who had been nominated for Best Actress, took to award show's red carpet earlier in the evening in a jaw-dropping gown She was a vision of beauty in a the glamorous beaded frock with cut outs along the waist that showed off her lithe figure THE BAFTA WINNERS AT A GLANCE Best Film - Oppenheimer Best Director - Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Supporting Actor - Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Leading Actor - Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Leading Actress - Emma Stone, Poor Things Supporting Actress - Da'vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Advertisement Accepting the trophy he said: 'Oh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much BAFTA.' He paid tribute to 'the most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood: Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, thank you for seeing something in me that I probably didn't see in myself.' The Irish actor said to Nolan: 'Thank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again.' Nolan also acknowledged his 'fellow nominees and my Oppenhomies', adding: 'I know it's a cliche to say, but I'm in awe of you.' He said J Robert Oppenheimer was a 'colossally knotty character', adding: 'We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and it's a privilege to be a part of this community with you all Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories during the swanky ceremony (Cillian Murphy with Best Actor Oscar) Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things (Emma Stone pictured with Best Actress Award for Poor Things) Downey Jr, 58, also collected a BAFTA for his role as Lewis Strauss in the Hollywood blockbuster, which has swept the board during the 2024 awards season. He admitted he owes the award to Nolan, producer Emma Thomas and leading man Murphy, as well as 'British influence'. Gesturing to Nolan, he said: 'Recently that dude suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility.' Downey Jr's win set a new record for the longest gap between wins by any performer as it comes 31 years after his previous BAFTA, for the 1993 film Chaplin. Florence Pugh was out to celebrate with her Oppenheimer co-stars as she headed to a glitzy after party following the 2024 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday. The actress, 28, changed out of her black gown into a daring white lace dress as she arrived for the party at London's Nomad Hotel after the Christopher Nolan biopic swept the board with seven wins. Florence showed off impressive pins in a daring white gown with a dramatic lace trim, teamed with a matching feathered stole. The star's plunging dress showcased every inch of her incredible figure as she joined her co-star Robert Downey Jr at the party. After his Supporting Actor win, Robert was also in high spirits as he made his way into the party. Florence Pugh was out to celebrate with her Oppenheimer co-stars as she headed to a glitzy after party following the 2024 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday The actress changed out of her black gown into a daring white lace dress as she arrived for the party at London's Nomad Hotel Despite sporting a smart black shirt under his grey suit for the ceremony, Robert swapped it for a Sex Pistols T-shirt as he headed to the bash. Oppenheimer proved to be the big winner on the night, earning seven gongs including Best Film, Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr and Director for Christopher Nolan. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, as Emma Stone collected the Best Actress gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. Cillian, 47, - who plays the titular role in Christopher Nolan's atomic bomb saga - picked up the Leading Actor prize at the prestigious British awards ceremony. He triumphed against Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Barry Keoghan for Saltburn and Teo Yoo for Past Lives. Robert, 58, collected a BAFTA for his role as Lewis Strauss in Hollywood blockbuster Oppenheimer, which has swept the board during awards season. Earlier in the evening, Florence stunned as she arrived for the ceremony in an eye-catching black gown with silver corseted detailing After his Supporting Actor win, Robert was also in high spirits as he made his way into the party, having swapped his black shirt for a Sex Pistols graphic T-shirt THE BAFTA WINNERS AT A GLANCE Best Film - Oppenheimer Best Director - Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Supporting Actor - Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Leading Actor - Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Leading Actress - Emma Stone, Poor Things Supporting Actress - Da'vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Advertisement Robert's win set a new record for the longest gap between wins by any performer. His award, for the film Oppenheimer, comes 31 years after his previous BAFTA, for the 1993 film Chaplin. Nolan won the Best Director BAFTA for Oppenheimer, his epic tale of how the nuclear bomb was created. Nolan has previously lost out despite numerous commercial successes such as Inception and The Dark Knight, the UK-born filmmaker won out against Jonathan Glazer [The Zone of Interest], Justine Triet [Anatomy of a Fall], Alexander Payne [The Holdovers], Bradley Cooper [Maestro] and Andrew Haigh [All of Us Strangers]. Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, as Emma Stone collected the gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. Meanwhile, Da'Vine Joy Randolph crowned victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for her part in The Holdovers as she continues her march to Oscars glory. Next up, Director Jonathan Glazer and producer James Wilson's The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film. The night kicked off with French legal drama Anatomy Of A Fall winning the Original Screenplay award after premiering in Cannes back in May. Next up, Poor Things has won the BAFTA for special visual effects. Following this, drama film Earth Mama was honoured with the BAFTA outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer, presented by David Beckham. The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for a film not in the English language. The BAFTA for Casting was awarded to Susan Shopmaker for private school-set The Holdovers, while the editing award has gone to Jennifer Lame for Second World War biopic Oppenheimer. Comedy drama American Fiction won Best Adapted Screenplay. The Documentary BAFTA went to 20 Days In Mariupol, which highlights the work of Associated Press journalists in the besieged Ukrainian city during the Russian invasion. Composer Ludwig Goransson won the BAFTA for Original Score for Oppenheimer while Johnnie Burn and Tarn Willers scooped the honour for best sound for Holocaust film The Zone Of Interest. The BAFTA for Production Design went to Shona Heath, James Price and Zsuzsa Mihalek for surreal comedy Poor Things, about a woman who is reanimated and begins a new life. It was previously announced the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema would go to programmer and archivist June Givanni, founder of the Pan African Film Archive, who collected the prize during the ceremony from Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh. Northern Ireland actor James Martin, from Oscar-winning film An Irish Goodbye, presented the British short film Bafta to Yasmin Afifi and Elizabeth Rufai for Jellyfish And Lobster, a tale about care home residents. Poor Things won two more BAFTAs for best costume design, and make-up and hair. Samantha Morton collected the BAFTA Fellowship from producer David Heyman, who she worked with on Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. The BAFTA Rising Star award was won by Mia Mckenna-Bruce following a public vote. The star of coming-of-age film How To Have Sex appeared emotional on stage as she thanked her family and her 'beautiful baby boy'. Married At First Sight's Michael Felix finally got his happy ending as he walked down the aisle as an intruder groom on Monday night's show. The episode saw two new couples tie the knot in lavish ceremonies in Sydney. First up was same-sex couple Michael, who was originally set to enter the show as an original cast member, but was left devastated when his match Simon Flocco did a runner at the last minute despite attending the group bucks party. He was later paired with Perth-based hairdresser Stephen Stewart. The attraction was clear from the start as the newly paired couple bantered and flirted their way through the ceremony. Married At First Sight's Michael Felix finally got his happy ending as he walked down the aisle as an intruder groom on Monday night's show He tied the knot with Perth-based hairdresser Stephen Stewart (pictured) Even the couple's family and friends marvelled over their obvious connection. Meanwhile, runaway groom Simon has gone into hiding. The 39-year-old marketing manager has deactivated all of his social media accounts amid fears his secret life will be exposed. The attraction was clear from the start as the newly paired couple bantered and flirted their way through the ceremony Even the couple's family and friends marvelled over their obvious connection Simon removed all traces of his online presence after the show teased 'a groom had done a runner'. Sources close to the Adelaide-based groom, claimed Simon was 'worried' his personal life and the real reason he quit the show would be exposed. 'Simon was not coping with all the interest and hype about about him being involved in the show,' an insider told Daily Mail Australia. Michael was left devastated when his match Simon Flocco did a runner at the last minute despite attending the group bucks party The 39-year-old marketing manager, who abruptly quit the show after one day of filming, has deactivated all of his social media accounts amid fears his secret life will be exposed 'He honestly was led to believe that he was not part of this mess, so it was a real shock for him when he found out he was part of the cast.' The source also sensationally claimed Simon's biggest worry was people would work out that he rekindled things with his ex-boyfriend Stefan and that was part of the reason he left the show. 'Things were never really off with them and when Simon left the show he called him up and they decided to spontaneously travel Europe together,' they said. Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Simon removed all traces of his online presence following Monday's premiere, which teased 'a groom has done a runner' Daily Mail Australia also revealed the jilted groom refused to hand over his Instagram account to Channel Nine so they can monitor his account while the show played out on TV. Sources close to Simon said he was 'utterly gobsmacked' he was included in the show's official line up. 'Simon thought he was completely out of the picture. Seeing that photoshopped image was a real shocker for him,' an insider said. Sources close to the Adelaide-based groom claimed hat Simon was 'worried' that his personal life and the real reason he quit the show would be exposed The insider also sensationally claimed Simon's biggest worry was that people would work out that rekindled things with his ex-boyfriend Stefan When prodded for a comment, Simon's responded: 'Why am I even in the line-up? I suppose they'd do anything for ratings, right?' Initially he had consented to let Nine handle his Instagram when he signed up for the show, but in a defiant change of heart he's decided to sever all ties with the show. Close friends say he's 'mentally checked out' and are aggrieved he's being dragged back into the chaos. Despite filming his backstories and attending the bucks' party, Simon almost 'derailed' the series after getting cold feet and fleeing the country. Breaking his silence back in October, Simon told Daily Mail Australia: 'MAFS wasn't what I thought I wanted at this point in my life, that's all.' Expressing his remorse, he added, 'I just felt bad for whoever they set me up with. I did initially leave, but they managed to coax me back... I gotta look out for myself.' At the time, one production insider explained: 'It's complete and utter chaos! Simon leaving was a blindside. 'Everyone's been running around like headless chickens trying to salvage the situation.' In a last-ditch effort to save his storyline, producers paired Michael with Stephen and they were introduced as mid-season intruders. Jodi Gordon has been spotted with the same mystery man she was seen spending time with back in January during an outing in Sydney's Double Bay on Friday. The former Home and Away star, 39, appeared smitten as the pair visited a local cafe. The actress ensured all eyes were on her as she went braless in a long sleeve silky black dress shirt and figure-hugging leggings. The Queensland-born star completed her outfit with black knee-high boots and accessorised with a Bottega Veneta handbag. The stunner's brunette hair was styled perfectly straight and she wore a light layer of of makeup to accentuate her striking facial features. Jodi Gordon was spotted with the same mystery man she was seen spending time with back in January during an outing in Sydney 's Double Bay on Friday The former Home and Away star, 39, appeared smitten as the pair visited a local cafe Jodi could not wipe the smile off her face as she stayed close to her hunky male companion, who rocked a smart-casual look in a black polo top and jeans. They gazed adoringly at each other as they strolled through the ritzy suburb. Jodi was spotted with the same man at the end of January when the pair enjoyed a beach day in the eastern suburbs, She has not publicly dated anyone since parting ways with investment banker Sebastian Blackler in 2021. The actress ensured all eyes were on her as she went braless in a long sleeve silky black dress shirt and figure-hugging leggings The Queensland-born star completed her outfit with jet-black knee-high boots and accessorised with a Bottega Veneta handbag They gazed adoringly at each other as they strolled through the ritzy suburb Jodi could not wipe the smile off her face as she stayed close to her hunky male companion, who rocked a smart-casual look in a black polo top and jeans Over the weekend Jodi's ex-husband Braith Anasta was praised for putting his differences aside with his former spouse as they attended their nine-year-old daughter Aleeia's baptism over the weekend. The NRL star, 42, shared a gallery of photos to Instagram capturing the former couple posing alongside their daughter at the ceremony. The proud parents were all-smiles and looked every inch the friendly exes for the milestone occasion. The stunner's brunette hair was styled perfectly straight and she wore a light layer of of makeup to accentuate her striking facial features Gordon has not publicly dated anyone since parting ways with investment banker Sebastian Blackler in 2021 Another picture showed a beaming Braith also posing with Aleeia and his younger daughter Gigi, six, whom he shares with his ex-fiancee Rachael Lee. Braith captioned the gallery with some heartfelt words: 'She's got a beautiful soul with a heart of gold. She's a special one, this one. Jodi and Braith were married from 2012 to 2015 and welcomed Aleeia in 2014. The friends looked to be having the time of their lives on the outing They stayed close to each other throughout the day The 77th BAFTA Awards saw the best and biggest names in film descend upon the The Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday. The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host, with an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the ceremony. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. Yet it wasn't just the winners that made the headlines as there were plenty of emotional, hilarious, and incredible moments on stage as the stars celebrated the best films of 2023. Now MailOnline takes a look back at the top viral moments of the 2024 BAFTAs. Michael J Fox received a standing ovation from the stars in attendance at the 2024 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, as he took to the stage in a wheelchair Michael J Fox's standing ovation Michael J Fox received a standing ovation from Hollywood's biggest stars at the 2024 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, as he took to the stage in a wheelchair to present Best Film to Oppenheimer. The actor, 62, who has battled Parkinson's since 1991, was helped to the podium to announce that Best Film had been awarded to Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, one of seven gongs for the epic. After entering the stage in a wheelchair, Michael earned a hugely warm reception from stars including Margot Robbie , Bradley Cooper and Barry Keoghan, who were in attendance at London's Royal Festival Hall. The legendary 80s film star was visibly touched by the reaction, as he supported himself on the podium to reveal the nominees and eventual winner. Michael was just 29 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, and went public with the information in 1998 . In 2023, the star released an Apple TV+ documentary about his career and living with the devastating disease, which earned him a BAFTA nomination. While Michael did present the final award of the night, he was also in attendance after his documentary Still: A Michael J Fox Story received a nod for Documentary. The actor who has battled Parkinson's since 1991, was helped to the podium to announce that Best Film had been awarded to Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer Sophie Ellis-Bextor rip-roaring performance Sophie Ellis-Bextor delivered a showstopping performance of her iconic Noughties hit Murder On The Dancefloor at the Awards. The hitmaker's song soared back into the charts last year after it featured in Emerald Fennell's acclaimed film Saltburn. As Sophie took to the stage during the ceremony at London's Royal Festival Hall, she wowed in a dramatic black and orange puffball gown. The star's look boasted a black netted skirt with an orange overlay, and a plunging corset top. Sophie's song featured in Saltburn's viral closing moments, which saw Barry Keoghan's character dance naked around the Saltburn mansion. Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Sophie admitted that recreating Barry's naked dance 'may be a bit much' for the awards. When asked about Keoghan re-doing it, Ellis-Bextor told the PA news agency on the red carpet: 'It might be a bit much for him first thing but we have had a moment together already... 'I was lucky enough to meet all the Saltburn cast back in November in LA at the premiere, so it'd be nice to see them again because I think what they've achieved with the film is wonderful so I just want to toast that.' Sophie Ellis-Bextor delivered a showstopping performance of her iconic Noughties hit Murder On The Dancefloor at the Awards Ryan Gosling's VERY cheeky wink The 2024 British Academy Film Awards saw an amusing exchange between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone as she took to the stage during Sunday's ceremony. The star was awarded the Leading Actress prize for her performance in Poor Things, and while making her way to the podium, Ryan winked at her. The pair previously starred together in La La Land and Crazy, Stupid Love, and were both nominated at this year's ceremony, Ryan for his performance in Barbie, and Emma for Poor Things. Fans of the actors were happy to see them supporting each other on the big night. 'Sebastian applauding Mia Dolan actually,' wrote one on X, mentioning Ryan and Emma's characters from La La Land. Another mentioned 2017, which was when La La Land took over the awards season: 'This award season has such 2017 vibes with these two.' The 2024 British Academy Film Awards saw an amusing exchange between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone as she took to the stage during Sunday's ceremony Samantha Morton's impassioned speech Samantha Morton accepted the British film academy's highest honour - the Bafta fellowship - and dedicated it to children in care. The English actress and director, 46, collected the prestigious award from producer David Heyman, who she worked with on Fantastic Beasts. Samantha was emotional as she accepted the fellowship on Sunday at the ceremony, and hailed the win as 'nothing short of a miracle'. The star, who grew up in foster care, used her acceptance speech to pay tribute to Ken Loach's 1969 film Kes - which she said left her 'forever changed'. 'Seeing poverty and people like me on the screen, I recognised myself - representation matters,' Samantha said. Ahead of her acceptance, a clip played which was filled with tributes from her Minority Report co-star Tom Cruise , as well as collaborators Susan Lynch, Molly Windsor and Daniel Mays. Producer David described her as a 'rare breed and true artist'. 'This is nothing short of a miracle,' Samantha said during her acceptance speech. 'When I first saw Ken Loach's Kes on a huge telly that was wheeled into my classroom I was forever changed.' Samantha said she would tell her younger self: 'You matter, don't give up, the stories we tell, they have the power to change people's lives. 'Film changed my life, it transformed me and it led me here today.' She added: 'I dedicate this award to every child in care, or who has been in care, who is suffering or didn't survive.' Samantha received the award in recognition of her contribution to British cinema over the course of her career. Samantha Morton accepted the British film academy's highest honour - the Bafta fellowship - and dedicated it to children in care at the ceremony Oppenheimer sweeps the board Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. Murphy, 47 - who plays the titular role in Nolan's atomic bomb saga - picked up the prize at the prestigious awards ceremony. He triumphed against Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Barry Keoghan for Saltburn and Teo Yoo for Past Lives. Accepting the trophy, he said: 'Oh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much BAFTA.' He paid tribute to 'the most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood: Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, thank you for seeing something in me that I probably didn't see in myself.' The Irish actor said to Nolan: 'Thank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again.' Nolan also acknowledged his 'fellow nominees and my Oppenhomies', adding: 'I know it's a cliche to say, but I'm in awe of you.' Fans were thrilled the film was recognised so much at the ceremony, with one penning on X: 'All roads lead to Oppenheimer, best film ever made!' Another said: 'The BAFTAs belongs to Oppenheimer. Truly well-deserved', with one adding: 'So glad to see #Oppenheimer do so well at the #BAFTAs!' Cillian Murphy accepts the Leading Actor Award for Oppenheimer Cillian, Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven and Emma Thomas accept Best Film Award Ted Lasso star's 'epic fail' BAFTA viewers were left 'switching off' their televisions over a Ted Lasso star's cringe 'epic fail'. Nick Mohammed took to the stage with his Mr Swallow act, however, not everyone was impressed. Nick's alter-ego from Leeds, whom the actor has been portraying on stage and TV screens for over a decade, arrived on roller skates in the middle of the star-studded event. After the 'unfunny' performance, one fan fumed on X: 'Who signed this off as funny. It's cringe and uncomfortable #BAFTAs.' Another wrote: 'Omg it was so bad! Beyond cringe and so unfunny! Literally what was the point?! #BAFTAs.' Someone added: 'I had to turn over. I just couldn't. #BAFTAs.' Viewers were left 'switching off' their televisions over a Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed's cringe 'epic fail' Viewers fume as David Beckham refers to 'soccer' instead of 'football' The BAFTAs 2024 viewers fumed as David Beckham referred to 'soccer' instead of 'football' as he presented a gong. The former sporting star, 48, looked dapper on the stage as he gave out an award and used the American phrasing. He looked smart at the event as he posed on the red carpet earlier in the night in a black suit and crisp white shirt. Reacting to his use of 'soccer', one viewer wrote on Twitter : 'that might be true in football, or soccer-' DAVID BECKHAM YOU ARE ON THE BAFTAS DON'T YOU DARE PANDER TO THE AMERICANS!!!' A second wrote: 'David Beckham calling football soccer at a British awards show.' A third said: 'David Beckham it's a British awards show, you don't need to mention soccer #EEBAFTAs.' A fourth said: 'david beckham saying football or soccer?' Another penned: 'Don't say soccer, Dave. Pandering to the Americans #DavidBeckham #BAFTAs.' The BAFTAs 2024 viewers fumed as David Beckham referred to 'soccer' instead of 'football' as he presented a gong on Sunday Emma Stone had an awkward moment when she collected her Best Actress award Emma Stone suffers awkward blunder Emma Stone had an awkward moment when she collected her Best Actress award at the BAFTAs. The Hollywood star, 35, took home the top prize for her role as Bella Baxter in the sci-fi comedy Poor Things but bumped into the cameraman as she leapt out of her seat when her name was announced. The Cruella star could be seen gesturing at the camera before making her way up to the stage to collect her prize. After finally collecting her award, Emma made sure to thank her mother Krista for believing in her dreams. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have thrilled Brisbane locals by taking a trip to vegan cafe Dicki's Ascot. The reality TV star, 44, and the blink-182 drummer, 48, were spotted leaving the hotspot hand-in-hand on Monday afternoon. Barker carried a container of takeaway from the establishment as the couple strolled. The All The Small Things hitmaker went with a casual cool look in black shorts and T-shirt. He covered up in a patch-adorned black bomber jacket. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have thrilled Brisbane locals by taking a trip to vegan cafe Dicki's Ascot The reality TV star, 44, and the blink-182 drummer, 48, were spotted leaving the hotspot hand-in-hand on Monday afternoon On his feet, Barker wore a pair of Vans sneakers and socks. He complete the rockstar look with a black beanie that covered his heavily tattooed head. Kourtney also went for a lowkey look in black leggings and top. Barker carried a container of takeaway from the establishment as the couple strolled The All The Small Things hitmaker went with a casual cool look in black shorts and T-shirt Over the dark ensemble she covered up with a tan trench coat and rounded out the look with dark sneakers shades and a black New York Yankees cap. In a Monday social media post, Kourtney and Travis posed with Dicki's owner Justine Zulueta. The business owner captioned the post, 'I mean, I love my job.' Speaking about the A-list encounter with the Courier Mail, Zulueta said, 'We had a bit of a chat and they were really friendly.' He covered up in a patch-adorned black bomber jacket On his feet, Barker wore a pair of Vans sneakers and socks He complete the rockstar look with a black beanie that covered his heavily tattooed head 'You can tell their relationship is so genuine, they were so softly spoken and really nice to each other,' she added. Later, the couple paid a visit to Charlie's Raw Squeeze at Greenslopes for smoothies. Kourtney is in Australia with her kids Penelope, 11, and Reign, nine, both of whom she shares with her ex Scott Disick. Kourtney also went for a lowkey look in black leggings and top Over the dark ensemble she covered up with a tan trench coat and rounded out the look with dark sneakers shades and a black New York Yankees cap In a Monday social media post, Kourtney and Travis posed with Dicki's owner Justine Zulueta Their eldest son, Mason, 13, did not join his mother and stepfather for the trip. The Kardashians star recently welcomed a baby boy, Rocky, three months, with Travis. While Travis travelled to Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne with his bandmates Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus, Kourtney remained in Sydney with her children. The band will perform their Brisbane shows before returning to Sydney and Melbourne for newly-added dates at the end of the month. She's the Married At First Sight bride who's not backward in coming forward and expressing her opinions. And Lauren Dunn certainly wasn't shy when she hit Perth's famous Cottesloe Beach with a friend on Sunday. Lauren ensured all eyes were on her when she slipped off her denim cut-offs and revealed a skimpy, white G-string bikini that could barely contain her amply assets. The reality TV star accessorised her look with dainty statement earrings, a delicate necklace and a simple bangle. She completed her look with a simple green cap to protect her famous visage, and carried her belongings in a Louis Vuitton tote. She's the Married At First Sight bride who's not backward in coming forward and expressing her opinions. And Lauren Dunn certainly wasn't shy when she hit Perth's famous Cottesloe Beach with a friend on Sunday. Pictured Lauren ensured all eyes were on her in a skimpy, white G-string bikini that could barely contain her amply assets The reality TV star accessorised her look with dainty statement earrings, a delicate necklace and a simple bangle She allowed her natural beauty to shine through on the day, opting to go makeup free Lauren allowed her natural beauty to shine through on the day, opting to go makeup free. At one stage, Lauren's bikini threatened to expose her cleavage as she stepped out of the surf. The leggy beauty was quick to protect her modesty, as a scuba diver lurked in the distance. At one stage, Lauren's bikini threatened to expose her cleavage as she stepped out of the surf The leggy beauty was quick to protect her modesty, as a scuba diver lurked in the distance Lauren made sure to drain her locks fee of the salty seawater Lauren's bikini top could barely cover her busty display She slipped off her denim cut-offs and revealed a skimpy G-string bikini She put on a cheeky display as she showed off her peachy derriere Lauren's blonde locks cascaded down her back on the day Lauren shock her towel free of sand before drying off Lauren showed off her delicate tattoos on the beach She carried her belongings in a Louis Vuitton tote The Channel Nine star enjoyed a coffee between dips Lauren's exposed bottom turned heads on the beach Her beach day comes after she and partner Jono McCullough spilled the beans on the drama that unfolded behind the scenes during the show's first dinner party The couple revealed that the cast received a stern warning from producers for being too mundane, prompting a whirlwind of drama that viewers saw on screen 'Everyone was having an awesome time and then we got a stern talking to that we needed to be real and honest,' Jono told Daily Mail Australia Lauren agreed with Jono, noting the initial pleasantries quickly gave way to a more intense and compelling dialogue among the cast. Lauren Dunn beach day comes after she and partner Jono McCullough spilled the beans on the drama that unfolded behind the scenes during the show's first dinner party. The couple revealed that the cast received a stern warning from producers for being too mundane, prompting a whirlwind of drama that viewers saw on screen. 'Everyone was having an awesome time and then we got a stern talking to that we needed to be real and honest,' Jono told Daily Mail Australia. 'Soon everyone just starts unleashing, so expect some sparks to fly.' Lauren agreed with Jono, noting the initial pleasantries quickly gave way to a more intense and compelling dialogue among the cast. She was honoured with the EE BAFTA Rising Star award during Sunday's glitzy ceremony after a public vote. And Mia McKenna-Bruce ensured she celebrated her win in style as she headed to the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co. celebrate Fashion and Film party at Annabels. The 26-year-old star of coming-of-age film How To Have Sex looked in high spirits as she made her way into the bash in a little black dress that showed off her incredible legs. The halterneck garment was adorned with glittering embellishment and also offered a look at her toned arms. Mia added to the look with a pair of diamond earrings and gave her petite frame a boost with a pair of peeptoe heels. Mia McKenna-Bruce partied the night away after her EE BAFTA Rising Star Award win as she headed to the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co. celebrate Fashion and Film party at Annabels Mia's BAFTA win earlier in the night was a result of a public vote. She appeared emotional on stage as she thanked her family and her 'beautiful baby boy'. Mia that she hopes her little sisters, who do not think 'I'm cool', will change their mind after her win. The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, including Emma Stone collecting the Best Actress gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. Meanwhile, Da'Vine Joy Randolph crowned victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for her part in The Holdovers as she continues her march to Oscars glory. The 26-year-old star of coming-of-age film How To Have Sex looked in high spirits as she made her way into the bash in a little black dress that showed off her incredible legs Next up, Director Jonathan Glazer and producer James Wilson's The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film. The night kicked off with French legal drama Anatomy Of A Fall winning the Original Screenplay award after premiering in Cannes back in May. Poor Things won the BAFTA for special visual effects. Following this, drama film Earth Mama was honoured with the BAFTA outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer, presented by David Beckham. The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for a film not in the English language. The BAFTA for Casting was awarded to Susan Shopmaker for private school-set The Holdovers, while the editing award has gone to Jennifer Lame for Second World War biopic Oppenheimer. Comedy drama American Fiction won Best Adapted Screenplay. The Boy And The Heron won the Best Animated Film Bafta. Mia was no doubt in the mood to party after her big win, which was the result of a public vote Mia was overcome with emotion as she accepted the award earlier in the evening as she thanked her family and her 'beautiful baby boy' Mia has won rave reviews for her breakout role in coming-of-age drama How To Have Sex The Documentary BAFTA went to 20 Days In Mariupol, which highlights the work of Associated Press journalists in the besieged Ukrainian city during the Russian invasion. The BAFTA for Production Design went to Shona Heath, James Price and Zsuzsa Mihalek for surreal comedy Poor Things, about a woman who is reanimated and begins a new life. It was previously announced the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema would go to programmer and archivist June Givanni, founder of the Pan African Film Archive, who collected the prize during the ceremony from Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh. Samantha Morton collected the BAFTA Fellowship from producer David Heyman, who she worked with on Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. The BAFTA Rising Star award was won by Mia Mckenna-Bruce following a public vote. Margot Robbie, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone and Florence Pugh were among the star-studded arrivals earlier in the evening on the glitzy red carpet. Daisy Edgar-Jones looked smitten with boyfriend Ben Seed as they cosied up at Netflix's 2024 BAFTA Awards after-party at Chiltern Firehouse on Sunday. The couple, who have been dating since the summer, cosied up to one another as they posed for a series of snaps together at the bash. Daisy, 25, wowed in a plunging mini dress that showed off her incredible figure with its daring neckline and thigh-skimming hem. The mint green garment was adorned with glittering silver embellishment that complemented her chunky earrings and myriad of rings. She completed the ensemble with a burgundy cross body bag and pointed toe heels in the same hue. Daisy Edgar-Jones looked smitten with boyfriend Ben Seed as they cosied up at Netflix 's 2024 BAFTA Awards after-party at Chiltern Firehouse on Sunday Ben matched his jumper to his partner's accessories, layering up with a smart grey blazer. The photographer is no stranger to a high profile relationship, having previously dated The Queen's Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy. He split up with the blonde beauty ahead of her beating Daisy to the best actress gong at the Golden Globes in 2021. Meanwhile, Daisy split from Tom Varey in late 2020 after two years of dating. The Normal People actress is said to be on 'cloud nine' after embarking on a relationship with Ben, who goes by the artist name Pip. A source told The Sun: 'Daisy and Pip got together earlier this year and have become inseparable. 'They have both had some free time this summer and love hanging out in Broadway Market in East London, just going to bars and spending time together. 'Theres a real spark there and they are excited about finding each other. Theyve already met one anothers friends and she is on cloud nine.' Daisy, 25, wowed in a plunging mini dress that showed off her incredible figure with its daring neckline and thigh-skimming hem THE BAFTA WINNERS AT A GLANCE Best Film - Oppenheimer Best Director - Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Supporting Actor - Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Leading Actor - Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Leading Actress - Emma Stone, Poor Things Supporting Actress - Da'vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Advertisement The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, including Emma Stone collecting the Best Actress gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. Meanwhile, Da'Vine Joy Randolph crowned victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for her part in The Holdovers as she continues her march to Oscars glory. Next up, Director Jonathan Glazer and producer James Wilson's The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film. The night kicked off with French legal drama Anatomy Of A Fall winning the Original Screenplay award after premiering in Cannes back in May. Poor Things won the BAFTA for special visual effects. The couple, who have been dating since the summer, also attended the EE BAFTA Film Awards but Ben skipped the red carpet Following this, drama film Earth Mama was honoured with the BAFTA outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer, presented by David Beckham. The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for a film not in the English language. The BAFTA for Casting was awarded to Susan Shopmaker for private school-set The Holdovers, while the editing award has gone to Jennifer Lame for Second World War biopic Oppenheimer. Comedy drama American Fiction won Best Adapted Screenplay. The Boy And The Heron won the Best Animated Film Bafta. The Documentary BAFTA went to 20 Days In Mariupol, which highlights the work of Associated Press journalists in the besieged Ukrainian city during the Russian invasion. The BAFTA for Production Design went to Shona Heath, James Price and Zsuzsa Mihalek for surreal comedy Poor Things, about a woman who is reanimated and begins a new life. It was previously announced the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema would go to programmer and archivist June Givanni, founder of the Pan African Film Archive, who collected the prize during the ceremony from Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh. Samantha Morton collected the BAFTA Fellowship from producer David Heyman, who she worked with on Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. The BAFTA Rising Star award was won by Mia Mckenna-Bruce following a public vote. Margot Robbie, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone and Florence Pugh were among the star-studded arrivals earlier in the evening on the glitzy red carpet. by Claire Chambers Soon after the pandemic commenced its global humbling in March 2020, I took on a humbling of my own in the form of learning Hindi. Trying to speak a new language makes most adults feel vulnerable. There is little to hold onto, so the unfamiliar language feels slippery, even treacherous. Compared to ones easy intimacy with the mother tongue, second language acquisition entails surrendering to a shaky command of the foreign language for years, if not forever. They say languages learnt after a certain age will always be spoken with an accent. But oh well, embrace the accent! Experts put themselves in the uncomfortable position of becoming beginners again. Most adults learn languages for one of two reasons: to make a living, or to slip into another community. However, my own motivations doubled back on each other, embracing both of these rationales. When it comes to making a living, I have been teaching and researching South Asian literature in English for twenty years. In doing so, Ive lived in India and Pakistan for a total of sixteen months, and picked up some words from Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto along the way. But I had no confidence and, to be frank, no grammar. So, when activities ground to a halt in the first lockdown, it seemed like a good time to embark on a linguistic journey. Physical travel to the subcontinent had become impossible. With even my fifty-mile daily commute knocked out I was faced, like everyone, with a yawning expanse of time to fill. Many people turned to language learning at this time. And I had the vague idea that learning a South Asian language would help my research. At the very least, it would be something to do. As for slipping into another community, I must admit I often feel a bit trapped in my own country. Although there are many things (and of course people) in Britain that I love, Ive always felt aslant from Britishness. Especially since Brexit, I have a sense that the nation doesnt name me. Indeed, I am one of about half a million people who applied for, and in my case were given, Irish citizenship following the EU referendum of 2016. Hindi, I thought, would help improve my domestic situation and mitigate the monolingual bias in my research. I was hoping to find a community abroad, and to infuse my daily life in northern England with a tincture of the subcontinents rich diversity. If it is possible to feel homesick for a foreign country, then I am homesick for two. I feel nostalgic for a South Asian life I didnt lead. And I yearn to fly to those neighbours and rivals Pakistan and India whose landscapes and peoples often populate my dreams. I had been good at languages as a child, studying German to AS level and French to both A- and S-level. But its completely different learning a language as an adult compared with at school. However much online community-building you try to do, as an adult youre basically on your own with the language. For another thing, Hindi is difficult for many Westerners, despite being Englishs distant cousin in the Indo-European language family. It is highly gendered, like many European tongues but unlike English. In common with German, it is a Subject-Object-Verb or SOV language. Accordingly, I found myself struggling once more with (to SVO ears) the way the action seems delayed until the end of the sentence or at least the grammatical clause. Most dauntingly, Hindi uses the beautiful but on first glance strange writing system of Devanagari. And not only had I become more or less monolingual since letting languages slide after leaving school, but I have always been monographic, as it were. Knowing only one alphabet, there was a big part of me that considered myself incapable of performing the intellectual feat of moving outside the Latin script. When Romeo is asked in Shakespeares play if he can read, he jokes, Ay, if I know the letters and the language. These were my only stumbling blocks too! But one Mexican language teacher told me empoweringly that since a human has created the script, a human can read it. I also found I went through a silent period. This is a normal and productive but soul-destroying phase in adult language acquisition. Ordinarily eloquent people are struck dumb by their lack of vocabulary and slow adjustment to the grammar of the target language. Katherine Russell Rich, an author whose work I will discuss in more detail in my next blog post, expresses this experience vividly: I was a companion with one active verb tense, a language ed student tearing forward on one gear. The talk would rev, then Id screech through an intersection, then wed all fall quiet again. I hated the silences, reminders of how powerless I was, though had I only known, silent was exactly how I needed to be then. If you take a child, six or seven, and put them in France, the child will go through a silent period, says Martha Young-Scholten, a professor of second language acquisition studies at Newcastle University in England. They wont use the target language, then suddenly, after several months, theyll open their mouths and start speaking fluently, and everyones amazed. Adults and teenagers often struggle against doing this. They think they have to try right away. But listening without speaking is important. Only months later did I find that the dread silences had allowed words to set. As Rich intimates, although their progress may feel glacially slow during this period, learners are making progress nonetheless. With that said, she may be over-egging it. Recent research suggests that the silent period may be a myth. At the very least, fatalistic assumptions about the inevitability of muteness will be counter-productive. But for my part there certainly were months or maybe a year when I was uncharacteristically quiet and awkwardly self-conscious about my linguistic ineptitude. Amid all this self-doubt and confusion, the Japanese Zen Buddhist idea of Shoshin, or beginners mind, proved helpful to me. This idea suggests that the more expert and technically skilled a person is, the less creative they may become. Immersed in a field, their mind can get institutionalized, and interesting pathways are then closed off. Becoming a newly-hatched student again entails the asking of basic but meaningful first-principle questions in a way that can be illuminating. Even for specialists, if problems arise and they cant see the wood for the trees, it may be worthwhile to step back and see the situation from a beginners mind. Thats one reason why I enjoy teaching so much. It enables a way of looking at an intellectual issue from a fresh perspective, with an openness to whatever may happen. And while Im not sure my Hindi will ever be good enough to feed into my research, the language is already percolating into my teaching. If nothing else, the experience of the last few years has helped me develop greater insight into my students and the challenges they face. Anyway, as far as Hindi was concerned, my mind was that of a true beginner! And so on 24 March 2020 I started Duolingos course. I know the precise date because the apps streak feature tells me I have practised for an unbroken 979 days since then. Thats the thing about Duolingo. Its Hindi course may be lamentably short, consisting of just two units, but its addictive as hell. In just four lessons at the start of Unit 1, it teaches the Devanagari script in an elegant and fun way. Sidenote: admittedly I had to keep repeating these four alphabet lessons for six months, as Im a slow (if dogged) learner. Before too long, I had exhausted the courses riches. In pursuit of new content, I flipped things around and started the longer course. Ostensibly I was studying English, but doing it through the medium of Hindi meant I picked up further vocabulary and turns of phrase. Finally, I spent time with just the first four script-based lessons of Arabic in Duolingo. I did this in order to try and master (mistress?) Hindis more Arabicized and Persianized sister language of Urdu which language I will explore in a future blog post. These days I just practise old lessons on Duolingo, while having added to my repertoire some other apps like Mango, Ling, Clozemaster, and ReadAlong Google. Whats more, Duolingo creates some semblance of the community of learners that schoolchildren have in abundance but adult learners woefully lack. Through Duolingo Events (which used to be free, but seem to have gotten uniformly expensive in recent times), I made some valued friends. I met that visionary Mexican polyglot I mentioned earlier. He teaches free classes in Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, and Mayan through the English medium on another social media platform called Discord. In addition, he knows Spanish, Persian, and Greek among other languages: its staggering! I also met diasporic Indians, not just from the UK and US but Trinidad, Suriname, and Mauritius. To list some final examples, I have met Buddhists based in India; south Indians keen to improve skills in their nations official language; the spouses of Indians scattered all around the world; and Bangladeshis who know Hindi through Bollywood. Despite loving Duolingos gamification, it has to be said that no app, not even one offering group lessons, will truly teach you a language. After about six months, I therefore signed up with my first and most wonderful teacher, Babita Craig from Babitas School of Hindi. Since my starry-eyed taster class, Babita and I have done Zoom lessons twice a week on average. Its remarkable to realize that we still havent met in 3D, since by now she is my friend as well as my instructor. Hailing from Mussoorie in Indias northern Uttarakhand state, Babita has roughly a decades experience in language tuition from her work at Mussoories famous Landour Language School. As in the Super Mario Bros game, Babita opened for me a treasure box to reveal the linguistic power-up that is understanding postpositions. With my background in German I had been puzzling over Hindis grammar, fruitlessly trying to work out its case system. Babita has given me many other gifts, but explaining the way postpositions inflect the nouns that come before them was the key that unlocked the greatest bounty. Babitas teaching methods include (but are not limited to) rigorous grammar drills. I remember how slow I used to be and how much these drills would make me sweat. Im still more hesitant in my speaking than I would like, and I make too many mistakes. Yet, nowadays I enjoy sampling Hindis seemingly limitless array of grammatical constructions. And the drills have been foundational for my understanding of how the grammar works and for habit formation. Another resource Im grateful for every day is Hindi University (not to be confused with a real university of the same name in West Bengal). The organization was set up in 2011 by Ashutosh Ashu ji Agrawal. Ashu ji is a resident of Washington DC and the author of the book Pingu Learns Hindi. At once passionate and patient, he offers an hour-long class each Sunday to a global community of learners via YouTube and Facebook Live. Out of this has developed an incredibly lively WhatsApp group, a real-world support network, and practice sessions generously arranged each week by active members of the group. As these resources helped advance my comprehension, an interesting discovery was how quickly my faltering attempts at Hindi pushed out from my brain any French or German I still retained from back in the day. I would be trying to think of the simplest French vocabulary words like his, her, or their and all I could think of was uska or /, apna or /, and unka or /. In the end I had to google for the embarrassing reminder that the French pronouns are son, sa, ses and leur(s). My younger self would have laughed at this new me. Then I did a bit of light research. Linguists think the mother tongue is fundamentally untouchable. Children learn languages like ducklings imprinting on whomever they encounter in their early days. Like the baby duck with its mum, no amount of immersion in a different linguistic context can displace the mother tongue from the mind. As for the previous second language of many adults trying to acquire a new tongue, though, this kind of memory blank regularly happens. Its like the new language shoves the other to the background, psycholinguist Ellen Bialystok told Katherine Russell Rich. Its possible to overstate the extent to which languages interfere with each other in this way. Perhaps the phenomenon mostly occurs at an early stage, while trying to acquire very basic words, like pronouns. At such times I think the brain has to prioritize in the way just described. Later on the languages learn to coexist with each other and I certainly dont mean to put people off from learning more than one language at a time! Something similar apparently happens to bilingual people. Not that Ill ever know first-hand what bilingualism feels like. But I supervise a final-year PhD student from Pakistan who is equally at home in English as with her home language of Urdu. During the chit-chat before one supervision, I was telling this student, Sauleha Kamal, about my lexical adventures. I expressed my frustration that Hindi only holds about seventy percent of its words in common with Urdu, the language I had originally wanted to study. In this regard, I mentioned , and asked her for the equivalent Urdu word for politics since rajneeti seemed too Sanskrit-sounding. Despite her fluency and almost preternatural intelligence, Sauleha had a brain melt similar to my own French fail. It was only later that the Urdu word for politics, siyaasat or (from Persian) came back to her. She thought this was because she wasnt accustomed to using South Asian languages with her English professor. Later we talked on Twitter about this incident. She told me she had read that the bilingual brain practises something called language suppression to resolve language conflict. This means it subdues the non-target language depending on the context. Therefore, language selection is different when a bilingual person is speaking to someone who is fluent in the same languages, someone who is only fluent in one, and so on. Everything from visual cues to the interlocutors comfort level and knowledge goes into the bilingual brains unconscious calculation. Salman Rushdies narrator from his third novel Shame famously states: It is generally believed that something is always lost in translation; I cling to the notion that something can also be gained. The acquisition of a new tongue is a huge gain one that is already immeasurable to me, fewer than three years into my endeavour. But this gain also involves losses: of old second languages, and perhaps too of the previously unquestioning intimacy with the mother tongue. What have I learned from all this? So much. And yet another humbling comes with knowing there is still so, so much Hindi to learn. Im also conscious that my blog post is too long, and yet Ive barely given a sense of the texture and character of this endlessly fascinating language. So next time I will move from beginners mind to the intermediate middle ground, zeroing in on the languages uniqueness and how it is altering my worldview. Then for the final piece of what I envisage as a trilogy (though I have a bad habit of letting things get out of hand!), I plan to write about beginning all over again with Urdu. If you too can bear to start anew and dont have better things to do now were told the pandemic is over, join me for the second and third staging posts on my three-part journey through Hindustani. Nicola Adams and her girlfriend Ella Baig looked smitten as they arrived at the Universal Pictures BAFTAs party at The Nomad Hotel, on Sunday evening. The boxer, 41, who welcomed her son with the model in July 2022, enjoyed a date night at the star-studded afterparty. Nicola looked trendy in a graphic white shirt which was adorned with black handwriting stitched on it. She teamed her look with black trousers and chunky platform boots as she led the way for her and Ella into the event. Meanwhile, Ella cut a glamorous display in a strapless lace mini dress and elevated her height with black strappy court heels. Nicola Adams, 41, and her girlfriend Ella Baig looked smitten as they arrived at the Universal Pictures BAFTAs party at The Nomad Hotel, on Sunday evening The boxer, 41, who welcomed her son with the model in July 2022, enjoyed a date night at the star-studded afterparty The couple, who have been together for four years, conceived after their fourth round of IVF, having started their fertility treatment in 2019. And looking happier than ever, the duo stepped out hand-in-hand for the celebrity-filled bash. The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, including Emma Stone collecting the Best Actress gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. Nicola looked trendy in a graphic white shirt which was adorned with black handwriting stitched on it Meanwhile, Ella cut a glamorous display in a strapless lace mini dress and elevated her height with black strappy court heels Looking happier than ever, the loved-up duo stepped out hand-in-hand for the celebrity-filled bash The couple, who have been together for four years, conceived after their fourth round of IVF, having started their fertility treatment in 2019 Meanwhile, Da'Vine Joy Randolph crowned victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for her part in The Holdovers as she continues her march to Oscars glory. Next up, Director Jonathan Glazer and producer James Wilson's The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film. The night kicked off with French legal drama Anatomy Of A Fall winning the Original Screenplay award after premiering in Cannes back in May. Poor Things won the BAFTA for special visual effects. Following this, drama film Earth Mama was honoured with the BAFTA outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer, presented by David Beckham. The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for a film not in the English language. The BAFTA for Casting was awarded to Susan Shopmaker for private school-set The Holdovers, while the editing award has gone to Jennifer Lame for Second World War biopic Oppenheimer. Comedy drama American Fiction won Best Adapted Screenplay. The Boy And The Heron won the Best Animated Film Bafta. Meg Bellamy looked worlds away from her The Crown character Kate Middleton as she attended the star-studded British Vogue and Tiffany & Co BAFTAs afterparty at Annabel's in London on Sunday night. The actress, 21, displayed her toned figure as she put on a very leggy display in a dazzling one-sleeved black gown with a soaring thigh-high split while leaving the private members' club in Berkeley Square. The Netflix star boosted her height in a pair of black satin high heels and sported a new hairdo, with her brunette locks chopped into a stylish bob. Meg joined A-listers at the swanky afterparty to celebrate fashion and film, where guests were welcomed with Laurent Perrier champagne, Patron Tequila, Grey Goose Vodka and Cygnet 22 Gin. The evening included a surprise performance by ShyGirl and SG Lewis where guests in attendance also received an exclusive release of a song from ShyGirls upcoming album Club Shy. Meg Bellamy looked worlds away from her The Crown character Kate Middleton as she attended the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co BAFTAs afterparty at Annabel's on Sunday The actress, 21, displayed her toned figure as she put on a very leggy display in a dazzling gown with a thigh-high split while leaving the private members' club in Berkeley Square The Netflix star boosted her height in a pair of black satin high heels and sported a new hairdo, with her brunette locks chopped into a stylish bob British Vogue's Head of Editorial Content, Chioma Nnadi, model Cara Delevingne, actor and director Emerald Fennell, and actors Ayo Edebiri and Emily Blunt, hosted the seventh annual bash for Nnadi's first event in her new role at the fashion bible. Earlier in the evening, Meg graced the red carpet as she attended at the 77th EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Festival Hall. The Kate Middleton star had the opportunity to mingle with real royals on the red carpet, as Prince William, who is the president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, was in attendance. However, Meg will didn't have the opportunity to meet the real life Kate herself, as the Princess of Wales had to skip the event as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery. Prince William made a solo appearance, in his first high-profile royal engagement since his wife's operation last month. Last year, he attended the ceremony along with Princess Kate, where they met award-winners Cate Blanchett, Austin Butler and Emma Mackey. Kate had surgery on January 16 at the London Clinic and has since returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be with their three children. The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Meg joined A-listers at the afterparty to celebrate fashion and film, where guests were treated to Laurent Perrier champagne, Patron Tequila, Grey Goose Vodka and Cygnet 22 Gin She sported a new hairdo, with her brunette locks chopped into a stylish bob Earlier in the evening, Meg graced the red carpet as she attended at the 77th EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Festival Hall (pictured) Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, including Emma Stone collecting the Best Actress gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. Meanwhile, Da'Vine Joy Randolph crowned victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for her part in The Holdovers as she continues her march to Oscars glory. Next up, Director Jonathan Glazer and producer James Wilson's The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film. The night kicked off with French legal drama Anatomy Of A Fall winning the Original Screenplay award after premiering in Cannes back in May. Poor Things won the BAFTA for special visual effects. Following this, drama film Earth Mama was honoured with the BAFTA outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer, presented by David Beckham. The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for a film not in the English language. The BAFTA for Casting was awarded to Susan Shopmaker for private school-set The Holdovers, while the editing award has gone to Jennifer Lame for Second World War biopic Oppenheimer. Comedy drama American Fiction won Best Adapted Screenplay. The Boy And The Heron won the Best Animated Film Bafta. The Documentary BAFTA went to 20 Days In Mariupol, which highlights the work of Associated Press journalists in the besieged Ukrainian city during the Russian invasion. The BAFTA for Production Design went to Shona Heath, James Price and Zsuzsa Mihalek for surreal comedy Poor Things, about a woman who is reanimated and begins a new life. The actress is known for her role as Kate Middleton in Netflix's The Crown (pictured) Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery It was previously announced the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema would go to programmer and archivist June Givanni, founder of the Pan African Film Archive, who collected the prize during the ceremony from Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh. Samantha Morton collected the BAFTA Fellowship from producer David Heyman, who she worked with on Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. The BAFTA Rising Star award was won by Mia Mckenna-Bruce following a public vote. Margot Robbie, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone and Florence Pugh were among the star-studded arrivals earlier in the evening on the glitzy red carpet. Stacey Solomon and her husband Joe Swash enjoyed a family road trip to Scotland on their brand new 70,000 campervan during half term. The Loose Women presenter, 34, took to Instagram on Monday to share a sweet photo with their children Zachary, 15, Leighton, 11, Rex, three, Rose, two, and Belle, one. After Joe, 42, splashed out on the new motor as a surprise, the family enjoyed an adventure around Loch Ness. Alongside the doting picture of her close-nit family, Stacey captioned her post: 'On The Craziest Adventure Ever. 5 kids, 1 me, 1 Joe Swash & a caravan. I fell asleep somewhere in Essex & woke up looking for the Loch Ness monster. 'Joes never been happier. Day one has been all about Inverness, and it is BEAUTIFUL. I dont know what I imagined travelling like this would be. Although it is hard with such little ones, its magical. Stacey Solomon, 34, and her husband Joe Swash, 42, enjoyed a family road trip to Scotland on their brand new 70,000 campervan during half term The Loose Women presenter took to Instagram on Monday to share a sweet photo with their children Zachary, 15, Leighton, 11, Rex, three, Rose, two, and Belle, one 'And I dont think Ive ever felt so free. And off the grid. I feel Like we can go anywhere & do anything. 'Its special. I dont say this lightly Joe was right. Happy Sunday Everyone. Lots of love from all of us!' The TV personality shares Zachary and Leighton with her previous partners, while Joe also shares a son Harry, 15, with his ex Emma Sophocleous. Stacey and Joe share their three children Rex, Rose and Belle. The mother-of-five joked that Joe 'was right' for buying the campervan, despite him making the huge purchase to 'spite' her, after she scolded him for being 'out of order'. It comes after Joe was seen driving his new purchase down the driveway of his and Stacey's 2million home, before even discussing the new motor with Stacey before he made the purchase. 'OMFG note to self,' Stacey captioned the clip. 'Never underestimate Joe's ability to make something happen just to spite me.' The new van comes complete with a bunk bed, small dining area and an extra bed above the driver's seat, as well as a microwave, a wardrobe and plenty of storage. After Joe splashed out on the new motor as a surprise, the family enjoyed an adventure around Loch Ness The mother-of-five joked that Joe 'was right' for buying the campervan, despite him making the huge purchase to 'spite' her, after she scolded him for being 'out of order' In the first clip, Stacey was heard saying: 'Oh dear. Is he joking?' She then shared a follow up post where her and Joe's children Rex and Rose could be seen inside the campervan. 'You are out of order,' Stacey said, scolding her husband for the purchase. The children stood excitedly by their father as he piped back 'Come on! The kids love me!' 'What the hell,' Stacey replied. 'Oh my god Joe. Are you not scared at all?' to which he said: 'Why would I be scared, the adventure of a lifetime.' Going into more detail about the campervan, Stacey captioned the clip: 'He's so happy with himself. 'Honestly it will be an adventure & I'm excited for the kids. OMG I'm genuinely scared.' It comes after Stacey and Joe looked every inch the happy couple as they enjoyed a romantic date night on Valentine's Day. Samantha then shared a follow up post where her and Joe's children Rex and Rose could be seen inside the campervan Letting her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders, the former X Factor star added to her look with a silver necklace Stacey looked nothing short of sensational for the evening as she slipped into a sparkly pink mini dress with a low-cut neckline. Letting her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders, the former X Factor star added to her look with a silver necklace. Joe, 42, kept it casual for the date as he wore a black T-shirt with matching slim-fitting jeans and a belt. Holding hands with her partner, Stacey looked on cloud nine as he leaned in and gave her a kiss. The couple were surrounded by a bouquet of pink and red roses along with several heart-shaped balloons. But in an update on her Stories Stacey admitted their big night out was not going to plan. 'I am already regretting making this night happen,' she joked. 'Joe's tipsy and my feet hurt, we haven't even left.' He was born as Australia's richest baby - the heir to a massive $4.5billion fortune. But Jackson Lloyd Packer - son of billionaire businessman James - has no plans to kick back and relax. Many believe Jackson will take over the Packer dynasty of newspapers, casinos and enormous wealth. But for now, the humble teen says he just wants to 'help'. Just 14 years old, Jackson is following in his mother Erica's footsteps by becoming a UNICEF ambassador. Jackson Packer (pictured with mum Erica) will one day take over the family dynasty. But right now he just wants to help others less fortunate The teen travelled war torn Moldova to help children living in refugee camps and has spent time volunteering in early learning centres in one of Europe's poorest countries. 'I definitely want to help out ... I've had so much growing up and I'm so thankful for that,' Jackson told A Current Affair. 'These kids have been stripped to have nothing and it's just better if we can, you know, all share what we have and make life easier for these kids going through an incredibly hard time.' Jackson's volunteer work is a far cry from his life and upbringing alongside his sisters Indigo and Emmanuelle in Los Angeles. He admitted travelling to Moldova has significantly broadened his perspective. 'It's definitely shown and broadened my scope of things because you see all these children who have been like displaced and they've had to run away,' Jackson said. 'You see those camps and those children and they're still smiling. They're still playing. And it really shows how, not only is it the little things that count, but it shows how some things that we obsess over, that we shouldn't really care about, aren't that important. 'Even though we have come from a privileged upbringing ... I've been able to see so much more and such a broader perspective.' Jackson Packer (pictured with his parents and sisters) is just like any other teenage boy Jackson Packer and his mother Erica travelled to Moldova to work with children living in refugee camps. Picture: Nine Erica Packer, Jackson's mother, first had the idea to take Jackson to Moldova and said it was important to her that her three children understand the responsibility that comes with wealth. 'Australia as a country is very privileged - our family in particular is very privileged,' Erica said. 'It's really important to me that the kids grow up really understanding the responsibility that they have. Outside of his charitable work, Jackson admitted he is just like any other 14-year-old, spending his spare time building Lego and jigsaw puzzles. Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott posed for playful photos at Netflix's BAFTAs afterparty at Chiltern Firehouse, on Sunday evening. Fans fawned over the 'endearing' friendship between the pair during their giggling red carpet reunion at the prestigious ceremony earlier in the day. In photographs taken at the star-studded afterparty, the All Of Us Strangers co-stars had their arms around each others' shoulders, while Paul cupped Andrew's face with his hand. The talented Irishmen also smiled happily as they partied the night away with Emma Stone, Ayo Edebiri and fellow Irish star Alison Olivier. While at the BAFTAs, Andrew and Paul took to the stage to present an award, but it was they themselves who were met with one of the loudest cheers of the night. Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott posed for playful photos at Netflix 's BAFTAs afterparty at Chiltern Firehouse, on Sunday evening Fans fawned over the 'endearing' friendship between the pair during their giggling red carpet reunion at the prestigious ceremony earlier in the day The dapper Irishmen were suited and booted in snazzy outfits for the star-studded occasion Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans of the acting duo gushed over their reunion at the BAFTAs. One person tweeted: 'I love paul mescal. i also love paul mescal and andrew scott together, giggling and kicking my feet as i watch the baftas.' 'Oh to be in love with paul mescal and andrew scott,' wrote another while someone else admitted: 'Well Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott are just too endearing #EEBAFTAs.' 'Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott really are adored universally arent they #BAFTAs,' added one fan while another tweeted: 'OK, watching #BAFTAs and Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal seem like the coolest!' Over on Instagram, on fan account Paul Mescal Pics, followers were delighted with photos and videos of them together on the BAFTAs red carpet. One person gushed: 'I love that they are always laughing when theyre together.' Another fondly confessed: 'I cant handle them and theyre always laughing like when a teacher sits you next to your best friend.' In photographs taken at the star-studded afterparty, the All Of Us Strangers co-stars had their arms around each others' shoulders, while Paul cupped Andrew's face with his hand The talented Irishmen also smiled happily as they partied the night away with Ayo Edebiri and fellow Irish star Alison Olivier They also enjoyed some time with Leading Actress winner Emma Stone Andrew and Paul looked delighted to be at the BAFTAs together While posing together on the red carpet, the duo couldn't keep their composure While at the BAFTAs, Andrew and Paul took to the stage to present an award, but tt was they themselves who were met with one of the loudest cheers of the night Earlier in the night, the biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, including Emma Stone collecting the Best Actress gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. Meanwhile, Da'Vine Joy Randolph crowned victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for her part in The Holdovers as she continues her march to Oscars glory. Next up, Director Jonathan Glazer and producer James Wilson's The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans of the duo gushed over their BAFTAs reunion The night kicked off with French legal drama Anatomy Of A Fall winning the Original Screenplay award after premiering in Cannes back in May. Poor Things won the BAFTA for special visual effects. Following this, drama film Earth Mama was honoured with the BAFTA outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer, presented by David Beckham. The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for a film not in the English language. The BAFTA for Casting was awarded to Susan Shopmaker for private school-set The Holdovers, while the editing award has gone to Jennifer Lame for Second World War biopic Oppenheimer. Comedy drama American Fiction won Best Adapted Screenplay, while The Boy And The Heron won Best Animated Film. The Documentary BAFTA went to 20 Days In Mariupol, which highlights the work of Associated Press journalists in the besieged Ukrainian city during the Russian invasion. The BAFTA for Production Design went to Shona Heath, James Price and Zsuzsa Mihalek for surreal comedy Poor Things, about a woman who is reanimated and begins a new life. Over on Instagram, on fan account Paul Mescal Pics, followers were delighted with photos and videos of them together on the BAFTAs red carpet It was previously announced the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema would go to programmer and archivist June Givanni, founder of the Pan African Film Archive, who collected the prize during the ceremony from Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh. Samantha Morton collected the BAFTA Fellowship from producer David Heyman, who she worked with on Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. The BAFTA Rising Star award was won by Mia Mckenna-Bruce following a public vote. Isabel Lucas was all smiles when she was spotted at Perth Airport on Sunday. The former Home and Away star cut a casual figure in a linen concoction draped over what appeared to be a black body suit. Isabel added to the voluminous look with an oversized scarf which she wore twisted around her neck. The 39-year-old completed her ensemble with leather look black slides and a matching shoulder bag to carry her valuables. The Water Diviner actress wore her caramel locks straight on the day, and opted to highlight her famous features with a light dusting of makeup. Isabel Lucas was all smiles when she was spotted at Perth Airport on Sunday. Pictured The former Home and Away star cut a casual figure in a linen concoction draped over what appeared to be a black body suit Isabel added to the voluminous look with an oversized scarf which she wore twisted around her neck In 2023 Isabel discussed her decision to skip the jab, admitting she knew it was 'highly likely I wont work for years if I share this'. Speaking to Stellar magazine, the star said that she had 'several' vaccines when she was growing up, but chose not to get vaccinated against Covid. 'For me, I appreciate, what might be right for you may not be right for me, but its not right that either of us are being stripped of the freedom to choose,' she explained. 'Our relationship with our body is very personal and its deeply complex and so are our choices, and were claiming to engage in conversations about inclusion and diversity you know, gender, religion, sexuality, race without allowing our beliefs or observations to be acknowledged,' she continued. The 39-year-old completed her ensemble with leather look black slides and a matching shoulder bag to carry her valuables The Water Diviner actress wore her caramel locks straight on the day, and opted to highlight her famous features with a light dusting of makeup In 2023 Isabel discussed her decision to skip the jab, admitting she knew it was 'highly likely I wont work for years if I share this'. Speaking to Stellar magazine, the star said that she had 'several' vaccines when she was growing up, but chose not to get vaccinated against Covid 'The diversity of choice is yet to be included, in my experience.' In November 2021, Isabel said that she was 'pro-choice' when it came to the Covid vaccine. She later clarified her remarks on Instagram, saying she has 'concerns around "mandatory" vaccination, not vaccination itself'. At the time, the star joined hundreds of people at a rally to protest Australia's Covid-19 vaccine mandates at the New South Wales-Queensland border. Jourdan Dunn set pulses racing in a very daring jumpsuit as she attended the star-studded British Vogue and Tiffany & Co BAFTAs afterparty at Annabel's in London on Sunday night. The model, 33, turned up the heat in a risque black number slashed to the navel as she posed up a storm at the private members' club in Berkeley Square. Jourdan added inches to her frame with classy black stiletto heels and accessorised with dazzling diamond earrings. The fashion icon ensured she had all eyes on her in the sultry outfit and winked into the camera lens while making her way to the swanky bash. The lavish afterparty saw A-listers celebrating fashion and film, where guests were welcomed with Laurent Perrier champagne, Patron Tequila, Grey Goose Vodka and Cygnet 22 Gin. Jourdan Dunn set pulses racing in a very daring jumpsuit as she attended the star-studded British Vogue and Tiffany & Co BAFTAs afterparty at Annabel's in London on Sunday night The model, 33, turned up the heat in a risque black number slashed to the navel as she posed up a storm at the private members' club in Berkeley Square The evening included a surprise performance by ShyGirl and SG Lewis where guests in attendance also received an exclusive release of a song from ShyGirls upcoming album Club Shy. British Vogue's Head of Editorial Content, Chioma Nnadi, model Cara Delevingne, actor and director Emerald Fennell, and actors Ayo Edebiri and Emily Blunt, hosted the seventh annual bash for Nnadi's first event in her new role at the fashion bible. The biggest night in British film returned on Sunday with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, including Emma Stone collecting the Best Actress gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. Jourdan added inches to her frame with classy black stiletto heels and accessorised with dazzling diamond earrings The lavish afterparty saw A-listers celebrating fashion and film, where guests were welcomed with Laurent Perrier champagne, Patron Tequila, Grey Goose Vodka and Cygnet 22 Gin Meanwhile, Da'Vine Joy Randolph crowned victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for her part in The Holdovers as she continues her march to Oscars glory. Next up, Director Jonathan Glazer and producer James Wilson's The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film. The night kicked off with French legal drama Anatomy Of A Fall winning the Original Screenplay award after premiering in Cannes back in May. Poor Things won the BAFTA for special visual effects. Following this, drama film Earth Mama was honoured with the BAFTA outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer, presented by David Beckham. The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for a film not in the English language. The BAFTA for Casting was awarded to Susan Shopmaker for private school-set The Holdovers, while the editing award has gone to Jennifer Lame for Second World War biopic Oppenheimer. Comedy drama American Fiction won Best Adapted Screenplay. The Boy And The Heron won the Best Animated Film Bafta. The Documentary BAFTA went to 20 Days In Mariupol, which highlights the work of Associated Press journalists in the besieged Ukrainian city during the Russian invasion. The BAFTA for Production Design went to Shona Heath, James Price and Zsuzsa Mihalek for surreal comedy Poor Things, about a woman who is reanimated and begins a new life. It was previously announced the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema would go to programmer and archivist June Givanni, founder of the Pan African Film Archive, who collected the prize during the ceremony from Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh. Samantha Morton collected the BAFTA Fellowship from producer David Heyman, who she worked with on Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. The BAFTA Rising Star award was won by Mia Mckenna-Bruce following a public vote. Margot Robbie, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone and Florence Pugh were among the star-studded arrivals earlier in the evening on the glitzy red carpet. Jourdan added some inches to her tall frame with classy black stiletto, while her short locks flaunted the dazzling diamond earrings Josie Gibson debuted a new strawberry blonde hairdo while making her This Morning return, on Monday. The former Big Brother winner looked incredible with her gorgeous new tresses, which she unveiled on social media the night before. She stunned in a long sleeved marble print top and a slim fit pair of black trousers, which she teamed with pointed white heels. Josie was back on the ITV Daytime show alongside Craig Doyle, after posting about 'drama' and 'disrespect' as she was snubbed for Cat Deeley. On Friday, Cat, 47, and Ben Shephard, 49, were unveiled as the new permanent hosts of This Morning. They are set to make their debut next month, following the exit of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Josie Gibson, 39, made her This Morning return on Monday after being snubbed for the permanent anchor role in favour of Cat Deeley, 47 She stunned in a long sleeved marble print top and a slim fit pair of black trousers, which she teamed with pointed white heels The former Big Brother star unveiled her gorgeous new locks on social media the night before Last month Josie spoke about speculation over her whereabouts after fans wondered if had she quit the show. She shared to Instagram: 'Alreeet lovers, Just to confirm, I have not left This Morning. 'I keep getting asked why I've left, so I thought it's easier to clear up the rumour mill on here. I am eternally grateful for all your love and support and I can not thank you enough.' However, during her time away from This Morning, Josie posted a number of cryptic posts, including some thoughts about taking space away from 'drama'. She posted a quote on her Instagram Story that read: 'The older you get the more you choose calm over conflict and distance over disrespect. 'Drama becomes intolerant to you and your peace becomes your ultimate priority. You start surrounding yourself with people who are good for your mental health, heart and soul.' Shortly after uploading the post, the mum-of-one quickly deleted the quote from her page. A source told OK!: 'Josie wears her heart on her sleeve and sometimes does things - like post on her social media - as a knee-jerk reaction without thinking. Then she thinks about it afterwards. 'She was likely hoping that she'd come out of the jungle and be the automatic choice for the top job at This Morning after Holly left. But ITV are still trying people out. Josie is turning her back on the drama and the This Morning hurt from Holly leaving.' During her time away from This Morning, Josie posted a number of cryptic posts to social media, including some thoughts about taking space away from 'drama'. On Friday, This Morning unveiled their new permanent presenters, Cat and Ben Shephard, 49 The pair were locked in talks for some months following the exit of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield (pictured last February) Last month, insiders revealed Cat and Ben had scooped the coveted roles of permanent hosts in the wake of stalwart stars Holly and Phil leaving. It was alleged that Cat wanted Rylan Clark as a co-host rather than Ben and will 'not receive special treatment' to permit her Monday to Thursday role on This Morning and continue her 344k-a season role on the American dance show. Sources revealed: 'Cat will not get any special treatment... She will absolutely not be given time off to film the next series of So You Think You Can Dance. So she has to make that decision, it's one or the other, end of.' Cat is said to have 'really wanted the job' but had concerns over her husband Patrick Kielty's commitments in Ireland and how they would juggle the jobs. The insider continued: 'Cat told friends that she wanted the job, if 'she could make it work.' However, she also feared that Patrick's commitments in Ireland made things very tricky for her to take the job. She also really, really wanted to do it with Rylan.' Veruca Salt has shared heartbreaking images from the funeral of her baby boy Cash. A montage video from the celebration of the little boy's life was shared to the influencer's TikTok account on Monday evening. Images of a weeping Veruca, 25, and floating black and white balloons were underscored by Taylor Swift's track Long Live. Salt, whose real name is Kimberley Summer Hartley, captioned the video: 'I'll miss him forever. Everything I do will always be for him'. Six-week-old Cash died in his sleep earlier this month. Her followers weighed in with supportive comments. Veruca Salt has shared heartbreaking images from the funeral of her infant son Cash. Both pictured A montage video from the celebration of the baby boy's life was shared to the influencer's TikTok account on Monday evening 'Oh Veruca, if I could take off even just minutes of my life to give you more time with him, I would in a heartbeat,' wrote one. 'Have not gone a day without thinking about you and baby Cash,' added another. Salt posted another video on Sunday revealing that Cash's body was 'back in his room for a few days before his funeral'. 'I know ur worried about me but my baby is back in his room for a few days before his funeral and Ill be spending time with him instead of being online, thank u,' Veruca wrote. It comes after a report in the Courier-Mail that detectives are looking into the baby's sleeping arrangements before his death. Images of a weeping Veruca and floating black and white balloons were underscored by Taylor Swift's track Long Live Veruca, whose real name is Kimberley Summer Hartley, shared the sad news on Instagram earlier this month In response to a Daily Mail Australia query, Queensland Police said: 'Police are preparing a report for the Coroner. What aspects of the death form part of that report are a matter for the State Coroner, and it would be unusual for any particular aspect to be highlighted.' The social media star revealed in a heartbreaking Instagram post earlier this month that her six-week-old son had 'died in his sleep' the previous morning. Her social media accounts have been flooded with condolence messages after she announced Cash's death in an Instagram post in early February. 'It is with a heavy heart that I'm writing this. My baby died in his sleep on Monday morning,' she wrote. 'I don't know what happened, he is having an autopsy this week but it is unlikely that I'll ever have an answer. 'I'm just saying this because people are still commenting on my TikToks saying how happy I look with him and 'just wait for the toddler stage' and stuff, and I really can't take it anymore. I'm really sorry.' Queensland Police said initial inquiries indicate the death was not suspicious. If you need someone to talk to, you can can contact Lifeline for crisis support on 13 11 14 Tilly Whitfeld is no stranger to pouring her well-honed physique into a bikini. But the Big Brother star tested the limits of design on Monday when she modelled a very revealing set of swimmers, sharing the image to Instagram. Tilly risked a major wardrobe malfunction in the hot pink two piece which could barely contain her ample assets. Her bikini bottoms also dared to bare more than she bargained for as she posed for the mirror selfie. The reality star captioned the image with a brand shout out, and several playful emojis. Tilly Whitfeld is no stranger to pouring her well-honed physique into a bikini. But the Big Brother tested the limits of design on Monday when she modelled a very revealing set of swimmers, and shared the image to Instagram. Pictured Tilly's racy display comes after she shared confronting footage of a painful rash alongside a video detailing how it had spread all over her body. 'I got implants five weeks ago and ever since I have had this rash. I've gone to the dermatologist and hospital and done two different steroids,' she began. 'It just clears and then comes straight back. I would be grateful for any advice.' Tilly then called on her fans to help her come up with a solution to eliminate the breakout. Tilly's racy display comes after she shared confronting footage of a painful rash alongside a video detailing how it had spread all over her body 'I feel like TikTok is better than any GP at this point. I'm itching and it is spreading completely down my body.' According to the Australian Government's Therapeutic Goods Administration, a post-surgery rash can sometimes develop due to the body adjusting to the implants. It is highly recommended that sufferers contact a qualified doctor for treatment rather than ask for medical advice over social media. 'I got implants five weeks ago and ever since I have had this rash. I've gone to the dermatologist and hospital and done two different steroids,' she began. 'It just clears and then comes straight back. I would be grateful for any advice' This is not the first time Tilly has had problems with beauty treatments gone wrong. In June 2021, she admitted she'd deliberately injected her own skin with lead-based ink resulting in a self-inflicted disfigurement. Speaking with The New York Times about her newfound infamy, the reality TV star said 'the main response has been that I'm stupid, and, yeah, I agree.' Whitfield's profile blew up after she was left hospitalised with horrific facial injuries from a freckle hack she copied on TikTok. Admitting she'd already spent more than $12,000 trying to fix the damage to her skin, the blonde beauty told NYT she went ahead with the dangerous, self-performed cosmetic surgery because 'it didnt hurt at all'. However in the aftermath, Tilly temporarily lost vision in one eye from the self-administered acupuncture, performed with needles dipped in tattoo ink containing high levels of lead. Tilly also revealed how an at-home acupuncture treatment went terribly wrong, leaving her with horrible facial injuries. Tilly then called on her fans to help her come up with a solution to eliminate the breakout by Claire Chambers In my last blog post I wrote about starting to learn the Hindi language during the pandemic. I embarked on this linguistic journey partly from a sense I didnt fit into my own culture or, equally, that English culture wasnt the right fit for me. The sociologist Edward Shils wrote in 1961 about pre-Second World War visitors returning to their South Asian lands after a long time in Britain only to feel a lostness at home and homesickness for a foreign country. This is something I can recognize, albeit in the opposite direction. As I became an intermediate learner, it felt as though my progress was glacially slow. In the early stage, every new word is a milestone. Yet once a solid linguistic framework already exists, forward momentum may be hard to discern. The learner can no longer see the yardsticks measuring progress as easily as they could at the outset. The beginner may have a blithe innocence about the size of their task. However, the more you know, the more you realize you dont know. I read somewhere, on the Berlitz website perhaps, that it takes five years to learn a language. It depends on what you mean by learn. Almost three years in by now, I would question that cheery five-year prognosis. I am caught in the middle of a process that feels never-ending. At the start I hadnt apprehended I would be setting myself up for lifelong learning. I do now! Second language acquisition requires patience, dedication, and a willingness to challenge yourself and make mistakes. Yet a price cant be put on the rewards of being able to communicate and connect with others in their own language. And we dont often moan about losing our fitness if we stop exercising or getting dirty if we neglect our personal hygiene tasks. There is still a long way to go before Id be considered fluent in Hindi. The intermediate level is often regarded as the most difficult stage of language learning. Ive experienced so many plateaus that it feels as though two tectonic plates have smashed together in my head. I already have a good practice regimen, but know Ill need to work smarter in order to reach an advanced level. Some days it goes quite well. On others I hear wrong word after wrong word coming out of my mouth, powerless to stop them. Or I hit all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order. Its important not to forget that this sort of thing happens in the first language too. Everyone has days of feeling less articulate than usual tongue-tied or hesitant, unable to find a bon mot. Were just more likely to turn it inwards when it comes to a second language. I thought of Malcolm Gladwells famous maxim about it taking 10,000 hours to get good at something. Remembering this, I listened to an abridged translation of Gladwells book Outliers: The Story of Success on GIGL (Great Ideas, Great Life). Then, on a similar platform called Kuku FM I found a related volume he wrote entitled The Tipping Point. GIGL and Kuku FM are apps offering audiobooks in Hindi. Many of their books belong to the self-help genre, like my personal bugbear Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I loathe Robert Kiyosakis ubiquitous volume based solely on its patronizing title and the neoliberal, anti-education summary. Besides this nemesis, I recommend other lowbrow audiobooks as ideal for intermediate learning. What might enrage you for its misleading certainty in the mother tongue has a soothing simplicity in a second language. Meanwhile, a widely available podcast entitled Learning Hindi on the Go focuses on conveying grammatical quirks and explaining cultural nuances. Listening to your second language is a great intermediate tip I can give you. Passive exposure to the language each day regardless of whether the source is highbrow or bakwas aids in making its cadences, pronunciation, and lexicon familiar. Despite enjoying Gladwells books (as far as I could understand them in their Hindi renditions), I soon found that the author has been critiqued. Counter-research says its not only about putting the hours in but also working with a good teacher. Id agree with this correction, particularly because Ive encountered quite a few amateur tutors whose only qualification is that theyre native speakers. A sound educationalist sends you on the right path, but the wrong one can lead you astray. I also half-remembered a compound word from my days learning German: Sitzfleisch. In my head, this is an instruction: Sit on your meat! The more hours you put in, the more youll get out of what youre doing. To be precise, the noun means backside or iron butt! The portmanteau comprises part of sitzen (to sit) and Fleisch (meat). The phrase kein Sitzfleisch haben translates as to have no staying power. There is thus a lot to be said for being present: putting bum on seat, so to speak. Without a fuss, make the language part of your everyday routine. To switch metaphors, Somali novelist Nuruddin Farah has said: Languages are like knives you use them; if you dont sharpen them well enough, they get rusty, and like blunt instruments, they dont serve you well. Even as you make countless errors, youre still sharpening your knife for better enjoyment of your Sitzfleisch. Language learning isnt only about work. Over time, it becomes fun, pleasure, and compulsion. For the Bengali-American novelist Jhumpa Lahiri, learning Italian is about the desire to speak it every day, to plunge into a new idiom, to encounter new people and a new culture. Plunge is just the right giddily littoral verb, so its no surprise that they call intensive linguistic study immersion. I had to joyfully drown myself; to be willing to make mistakes, take risks, and ultimately be baptised and reborn. Like Lahiri, I now judge a day to be unsatisfactory if I cant use my new language. I seek every opportunity, forcing the dhakghar-wali (postmistress) at our local GPO to chat to me in Hindi even though shes happier in her mother tongue of Punjabi. Im downcast when the waiting staff in The Star of India speak Bengali and only have a few recognizable phrases drawn from Star TVs Bollywood offerings. Slowly I was finding the Hindi Subject-Object-Verb word order becoming more natural. Plus, an enabling feature of contemporary Hindi is that if you dont know a word, inserting the English term into the appropriate part of a sentence often works equally well. Ill talk more about this phenomenon of Hinglish in a future blog post (I told you last time I was likely to get carried away with this and related topics!). As for reading, I was starting to see why flashcards are such a popular method for teaching children literacy. Repeatedly seeing the shape of words in a new script is helpful for capturing them in the minds eye. In his book Fluent Forever, Gabriel Wyner argues that a computerized version of flashcards known as spaced repetition systems (SRSs) is one of three secret weapons to long-term language success for adults. SRSs are flash cards on steroids, he writes, going on to argue that they supercharge memorization. Inspired, I asked one of my Gen-Z sons for help using Anki. He had used the free software while revising for GCSEs, and I now turned it towards nailing postpositional phrases. (Wyners other two trump cards are practising pronunciation first, and ditching translation so that you achieve complete engrossment in the target language. I take all three with a pinch of salt, but Wyners perspective is refreshingly clear and opinionated.) In The Murder at the Vicarage, Agatha Christie writes about reading a word without having to spell it out. A child cant do that because it has had so little experience. A grown-up person knows the word because theyve seen it often before. Christies Miss Marple draws an analogy between grown-up reading and a detectives powers of intuition. But the comparison cuts both ways. Sleuth-like, the more reading I did, the easier it was to decipher Devanagari. Left to my own devices, I wouldnt read enough Hindi. This is due to my natural indolence and because even a few pages of Devanagari still tends to give me a headache. Thats why Ive found regular Zoom reading groups so enabling during this intermediate stage. My ambition before too long is to read at least some of Geetanjali Shrees International Booker-winning Ret Samadhi (Tomb of Sand) with a few friends from around the world who are at a similar level. Although it is quite hard to master, once memorized Hindis alphabet is phonetic and has none of Englishs pesky exceptions to trip you up. Devanagari has been described by Elizabeth Chatterjee as resembling the laundry of a big-boned family: thick square sleeves, starched collars and blocky socks, all dangling from the washing line in familiar left to right fashion. The historians comic portrayal nicely indicates the way Hindis letters seem to hang off the upper horizontal line known as shirorekha. This alphabet is wildly attractive, though to my mind not quite as beautiful as the swoops and swirls of Urdus Nastaliq script. My favourite Hindi letter is kh, , whose plump body and sharp beak somehow reminds me of Twitters bird logo, but facing the other way. That said, of the forty-eight letters, theres a bevy of pretty ones to choose from. I am also fond of symmetrical k, , perky as a smart moustache. Theres an allure to austere n, , looking down its snout at the unwary learner. Laidback ch, , with its ghungharali curliness, has an exuberance making it hard to forget. Sidebar: my colleague, the erudite polyglot James Williams, tells me that the form of Devanagari used for Sanskrit has a whole letter that doesnt actually exist anywhere in the ancient language. Sanskrit grammarians had to include this for phonetic completeness. It is , the long form of vocalic l. On the other hand, among the common letters I felt resentment for s (), m (), and bh (), as towards errant triplets tricking me into confusion through their similarities. Twins (v) and (b) are a pain in the Sitzfleisch too. Why couldnt they look more different? I bemoaned until I voyaged into Urdu, which Ill write about in detail next time. If Perso-Arabic is unsurpassably handsome as calligraphy, Devanagari has a more diverse and interesting character set. There are fewer letters in Hindi that are basically variations on the same letterforms (as in Urdus , , and so forth). More generous were and , the first letters Duolingo taught me. I called the pair three-I and three-I-I while learning that they make the sounds a and aa respectively. The d, , was kindly too, looking as it does so much like the English lowercase character it shares a sound with. is good in this way, looking just like the right hand side of the capital R (as exploited so nicely by the rupee symbol, ). always feels like a J. Moreover, and P are clearly mirror images, with their backs to each other. Its strange the kind of personal relationships one develops with symbols, humanizing them or turning them into hieroglyphs. Next, let me give you a flavour of the distinctiveness of spoken Hindustani and some of the ways it is remaking my world. In my last essay I noted that this is a gendered language. Now I need to really labour the point. Hindi takes genders to an extreme, with even infinitive verbs being inflected as masculine or feminine in some situations. Determining the gender of inanimate objects in Hindi is an intractable challenge that has puzzled learners through the ages. A student shared a tale with me about their Hindi teacher, a mother of two, who was stumped when asked for tips and tricks. The teacher tried in vain to find a pattern amongst everyday objects. She had to admit defeat and concede that it just takes practice. But heres the thing. The teacher shared that her little daughter, growing up with an older brother, had picked up the habit of using masculine pronouns and terms of address for herself. She had to be taught out of the practice, as it was making adults laugh at her. Apparently imitation in this way is a process that a lot of younger children with siblings of the opposite gender undergo. It is a comical reminder that even native speakers make mistakes. More than that, language is always evolving. It will therefore be interesting to see what happens to Hindi this century as gender non-binary pronouns become normalized and increasingly popular around the globe. My feminist self was quite pleased to find bhukamp (earthquake), toofan (storm), korona virus (Covid-19), and some other destructive forces of nature being gendered as masculine. Languages like Hindi and English (angrezi) are automatically feminine, which I found quite positive. In many Indo-European languages, the feminine gender is allocated to abstract concepts. No such simple rule applies to Hindi, where for example the common suffix -pan, meaning -ness or -hood (as in bachpan, childhood or akelapan, loneliness) renders the noun masculine. However, many other negative nouns like barh (flood) and aapda (disaster, calamity) are gendered feminine. In truth, there might be good feminist reasons for wanting some badass fierce things, like floods and other disasters, to be feminine so that the gender isnt only associated with soft appealing words. With that being said, some of the female members of Hindi University rightly complain about the feminine associations given to the half a dozen or so words that exist in Hindustani to denote a problem or difficulty. (What a lot of words for the same negative thing, when it can be tricky to explain the subtleties of positive emotions and qualities in Hindi.) The femininity of this plethora of problem words is consistent, no matter whether the nouns roots come from Persian, Arabic, or Sanskrit. Pareshani, mushkil, samasya, kathinta, and dikkat. It seems that the age-old association of woman with trouble and strife is alive and well in Hindi gendering. There is also an inherent sexism in other ways. For instance, masculine is always the default if gender isnt known or a postposition or ne blocks the grammatical subject. Man is the standard; woman is a deviation from the norm. Whats more, I was taught to talk about my husband in the plural for respect, as in Ve daktar hain, They are a doctor. When I found out they only had to use the singular pronoun for me, I chose to exert videshi or foreigners privilege and refuse this convention to pluralize him. Ones more than enough. An unusual feature is that Hindi assigns genders to English words. Ive already hinted that even a new word like coronavirus is quickly given a gender, in this case masculine. To take older examples, computer is masculine but bus is feminine. While the gendering of absorbed terms may be arbitrary, it is also relational and holds true for the whole of Indias Hindi belt. The infiltration of English words into Hindi tells quite the story of violent colonialism. Small wonder that when translating Mahasweta Devis Imaginary Maps from Bengali into English the renowned postcolonial theorist Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak chose to italicize these loanwords, which include policeman, officer, and jail. This not only had the effect of domesticating Bengali while foreignizing English, but also drew attention to Englishs acquisitive and disciplinary infiltration into the South Asian subcontinent. In her Translators Note to Geetanjali Shrees Tomb of Sand, Daisy Rockwell discusses the process of transforming the lyrical soundscape of Hindi into English. Rockwell writes that Shree: relishes the sound of words, and how they echo one another, frequently showcasing their dhwania word that she points in the course of the novel is among the hardest to translate. But lets try. Dhwani is an echo, a vibration, a resonance. It is alliteration and assonance. Dhwani could be deliberate and playful, as in double entendre and punning, an accidental mishmash of sameness, or a mystical reverberation. Geetanjali often makes word choices that prioritize dhwani over dictionary meaning. Wordplay takes on a life of its own in many passages and sometimes even drives the narrative. Not only Shree but also Hindi-speakers more broadly strive for creativity in the sound of words and how they complement each another. A ludic enjoyment of languages musicality above and beyond meaning leads to the delightful badinage that is encoded within Hindi. The language is known for its repetition and echo words. This last is a technique of rhyming or putting together words that sound similar. Examples include: milta jilta (this phrase itself meaning similar!), aas pass (nearby), and khana wana (food). These words are used for emphasis, and sometimes (but not always) they have meaning. For instance, choti bari cheeze means small and big things, while the half-rhyme of bhul chuk indicates a mistake or some silly things Ive done. New echo words are invented by individuals or carried over into other languages than Hindi. I remember a sleepover party from childhood when a diasporic friends mother used English to satirize us teenage girls for our obsession with love-shove. Such echoes can produce pathos bathos and nudge sentences to end in a silly or serious way. Translating these words to English can be slippery. The daft ones often start with w, like chai wai (tea), pani wani (water), and coffee-woffee. Repetition is deployed to describe extremes: how great things are or how bad, as with bade bade (very big) or choti choti baate (tiny things). Some echo words are formed by repeating participles, like chalte chalte, which imparts the sense of constantly doing something. This wordplay is my favourite aspect of Hindi; it makes for comedy, for poetry, for sheer lexical exultation. Compared with individualistic English, in Hindi you often dont do or have things but instead they befall you. Liking, knowledge, and memories all come to you in Hindi (Mujhe pasand aya, and so on). To quote Chatterjee again, in this context we humans are mere ants facing a powerful and hostile world/our passions/loose bowels. You dont drop a cup; the cup has fallen. You didnt break your arm. Why would you do that? It was broken. You dont have a car; instead, the car is near you, in your proximity. Lateness happens to you. Its not your fault! In my early intermediate phase I used to bristle when teachers would chide me for using hai or is with main or I. Main hoon, theyd trill: I am. Thinking about how often I had to use hai/is with mujhe/to me, Ive concluded this wasnt my fault either. The mistake came fully-formed to me from Hindi. I have spent my entire academic career writing on students work: Dont overuse the passive voice. It allows you to evade specificity. Instead, pin down who did what to whom. Hindi teaches something different. My new friend and fellow 3QD writer Leanne Ogasawara emailed me about how English, her mother tongue, compares to her second language, Japanese: Linguists might say that using the passive voice does not really change the way a person goes through the world, but somehow I felt for me it did . . . Another way to say this is that when I first came home from Japan and heard people speaking in English, all I heard was I want, I like, I feel, and also expressions which seemed full of blame. Someone did something to someone. . . Now, I dont notice so much, but I still wonder if these linguistic ideas dont affect our worldview . . . We have cut off ourselves from notions of Providence, but the truth is: so much is out of our control and things really do happen to us! I love the passive construction . . . I love the conditional even more, but in creative writing in America at least it is a big no-no. Nothing is qualified and it makes you feel so atomized in English. For me, part of the pure joy of Japanese was getting outside my preconceived notions. Leannes musing on the passive voice and conditional forms in language paints a vivid picture of the transformative power of a new language, revealing how it can shape our perceptions of the world and liberate us from tired conventions. As I continue to learn and grow in my knowledge of Hindi, Im grateful for the opportunity to step outside my culture and deepen my understanding of this fascinating tongue. Im excited to see where my journey will take me next and determined to keep striving towards fluency in Hindi. Maybe one day Ill find myself in a strong enough position to write you a blog about being an advanced learner. I am not passively caught in the middle. Instead I am here, in the middle of the language, having caught something. Whether a contagion or a ball, you can decide. All Ill say on the matter is howzat! It's been a series of shock recouplings, tense arguments and snakey challenges and ahead of Monday night's Love Island final fans have been sharing their winning predictions. For the first time in the show's history, five couples have made it to the final after Arabella Chi and Adam Maxted were dumped from the villa during Sunday's episode. Taking to Twitter fans shared their predictions as they all agreed that there was one clear winner for the All Star series, Molly Smith and Tom Clare. While Molly began the series coupled up with her ex of three and a half years, Callum Jones, since coupling up with Tom she hasn't looked back and the pair seem to be a firm favourite with fans. Despite rumours that Molly and Callum would rekindle their relationship, the two have instead established a firm friendship post break up. Love Island fans have claimed there is a clear winning couple in the villa as they took to social media on Monday with predictions ahead of tonight's final Taking to Twitter fans shared their predictions as they all agreed that there was one clear winner for the All Star series, Molly Smith and Tom Clare Meanwhile Callum and Jess Gale and Sophie Piper and Josh Ritchie seem to be splitting the votes for second place. Sophie and Josh have been coupled up since Sophie's arrival in the villa and Jess and Callum have been getting on well ever since Georgia Steel ditched Callum to pursue things once again with Toby Aromolaran. Unsurprisingly Anton Danyluk and Georgia Harrison are predicted to come last in the rankings after their relationship took a rocky turn in the past week. And BetMGM UKs odds suggest viewers aren't too far off with their predictions as they revealed Callum and Jess are favourites to win at 13/20, closely followed by Molly and Tom at 11/10. Despite Georgia and Anton's troubles, it is Georgia S and Toby who have the lowest odds at 33/1. Love Island fans were left fuming as 'fake couple' Georgia Harrison and Anton Danyluk narrowly missed being dumped from the All Stars villa on Sunday. During the latest episode of the ITV2 show, former Islanders dramatically returned to the South African villa to vote individually for 'which couple they would like to dump'. With the fate in the hands of the ex islanders it was newest couple Arabella and Adam who were immediately dumped from the villa leaving fans shocked. While Molly began the series coupled up with her ex of three and a half years, Callum Jones, since coupling up with Tom she hasn't looked back and the pair seem to be a firm favourite with fans Meanwhile Callum Jones and Jess Gale and Sophie Piper and Josh Ritchie seem to be splitting the votes for second place Unsurprisingly Anton Danyluk and Georgia Harrison are predicted to come last in the rankings after their relationship took a rocky turn in the past week For the first time in the show's history, five couples have made it to the final after Arabella Chi and Adam Maxted were dumped from the villa during Sunday's episode, and fans took to Twitter to place their predictions As the stars gathered around the fire pit, Mitch Taylor, Chris Taylor, Kaz Kamwi, Tyler Cruickshank, Casey O'gorman all voted for Georgia H and Anton to be dumped While Eve Gale, Demi Jones, Liberty Poole, Hannah Elizabeth, Joanna Chimonides, Joe Garratt all voted for Arabella and Adam due to them only coupling up recently. Georgia and Anton have clashed multiple times throughout their villa journey, with other islanders accusing the relationship of being fake and one sided. Meanwhile fans were left devastated when Molly and Callum confirmed they would never rekindle their romance during Friday's episode. Viewers had hoped the couple would get back together having entered the villa last month after splitting following a three-and-a-half year relationship in September last year. The couple appeared to have found closure during their time living together in South Africa and fans of the show had hoped Molly and Callum would realise see a future for themselves together. During a chat about the current status of their relationship, Callum told Molly: 'If I could take anything from this, it's that we've actually got a friendship now because on the outside we didn't have that.' He added: 'I'm happy that you've found Tom. He makes you happy.' Despite Georgia and Anton's troubles, it is Georgia S and Toby who have the lowest odds at 33/1 according to BetMGM Past islanders Eve Gale , Demi Jones , Liberty Poole , Hannah Elizabeth , Joanna Chimonides, Joe Garratt all voted for Arabella and Adam to be dumped due to them only coupling up recently After Molly told him she was happy he'd found Jess, he said: 'I'm enjoying it. We would never have come to this on the outside. I feel like I'm i a good place.' The pair they shook hands at the end of their conversation and refused to make eye contact with each other as they joked people may read into it. Fans of the show took to social media to express their sadness at the prospect of Molly and Callum not getting back together. One person wrote on Twitter: 'Im still convinced Molly and Callum are going to get back together.. Im rooting for it till the very end.' Someone else wrote: 'Molly and Callum shaking hands, end of an era.' While someone else shared: 'If molly and Callum arent back together by the end of the series just cancel love island altogether.' Beyonce's father Matthew Knowles turned on the charm as he flirted with Josie Gibson during Monday's episode of This Morning. Matthew, 72, joined Craig Doyle and Josie in the studio to discuss launching a new music scholarship at the London College of Contemporary Music. Opening the interview, Mathew told Josie he remembered previously meeting her: 'I'll just say I remember Josie from back in the day and she was surprised that I remember her!' Speaking about his daughter's success and how it is 'important' to have a 'great look' as a musician, he went on to compliment Josie by saying: 'It is very important, with females, their image. Look at you, look at this wonderful image'. Matthew made Josie blush and she said at the end of the conversation: 'Thank you for recognising me after all these years,' with Matthew cheekily responding: 'Of course how could I forget those blue eyes!' Beyonce's father Matthew Knowles turned on the charm as he flirted with Josie Gibson during Monday's episode of This Morning Opening the interview, Mathew told Josie he remembered previously meeting her: 'I'll just say I remember Josie from back in the day and she was surprised that I remember her!' Elsewhere, Craig asked Matthew if he was the one that had inspired Beyonce's impressive work ethic. He explained: 'Yeah, it was but you can't have those work ethics unless you have the passion because they coexist together. 'So, you find someone who is extremely passionate about what they do. They organically have these work ethics, because passion is what fuels success.' On keeping his kids focused during their teen years, Mathew revealed his tactic for making sure boys weren't a distraction: 'Well, you know, I've worked with a lot of girl groups, and a lot of females the boys can become a problem. 'But you know, when I first met them [the guys] - I would squeeze their hands so hard and look them in the eye. They'd be like, 'He's crazy!'' Opening up on when he realised Beyonce and Solange could be stars, Mathew said: 'Well they were young. I mean, if you look at the great ones, even Taylor Swift, they were six, seven, eight years old. Even Michael Jackson, they were very young when they felt this fire and passion. 'It wasn't about what I wanted our kids to be, it was what their passion was. And so, the role of a parent is just to support your kids with their passion, give them the tools, not for you to decide what they want to be.' Telling Josie and Craig how proud he is of both Beyonce and Solange's success, Mathew explained: 'I pinch myself. Again, to see what they've accomplished. You know, Solange and Beyonce are the only female siblings that had a number one record in the history of music in the same year. You know, Beyonce has the most Grammys of any artist.' He continued: 'I just pinch myself, being very proud to see how hard they work and how they give back. Most people ask me, 'What are you most proud of?' I'm most proud that Beyonce and Solange, Kelly lived with us most of her young life, they're just good people. That's what makes me proud, that they're just good people.' Matthew made Josie blush and she said at the end of the conversation: 'Thank you for recognising me after all these years,' with Matthew cheekily responding: 'Of course how could I forget those blue eyes!' Matthew, 72, joined Craig Doyle and Josie in the studio to discuss launching a new music scholarship at the London College of Contemporary Music Telling Josie and Craig how proud he is of both Beyonce and Solange's success, Mathew explained: 'I pinch myself. Again, to see what they've accomplished.' Josie debuted a new strawberry blonde hairdo while making her This Morning return, on Monday. The former Big Brother winner looked incredible with her gorgeous new tresses, which she unveiled on social media the night before. She stunned in a long sleeved marble print top and a slim fit pair of black trousers, which she teamed with pointed white heels. Josie was back on the ITV Daytime show alongside Craig Doyle, after posting about 'drama' and 'disrespect' as she was snubbed for Cat Deeley . On Friday, Cat, 47, and Ben Shephard, 49, were unveiled as the new permanent hosts of This Morning . They are set to make their debut next month, f ollowing the exit of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Last month Josie spoke about speculation over her whereabouts after fans wondered if had she quit the show. She shared to Instagram: 'Alreeet lovers, Just to confirm, I have not left This Morning. 'I keep getting asked why I've left, so I thought it's easier to clear up the rumour mill on here. I am eternally grateful for all your love and support and I can not thank you enough.' However, during her time away from This Morning, Josie posted a number of cryptic posts, including some thoughts about taking space away from 'drama'. She posted a quote on her Instagram Story that read: 'The older you get the more you choose calm over conflict and distance over disrespect. 'Drama becomes intolerant to you and your peace becomes your ultimate priority. You start surrounding yourself with people who are good for your mental health, heart and soul.' Shortly after uploading the post, the mum-of-one quickly deleted the quote from her page. A source told OK! : 'Josie wears her heart on her sleeve and sometimes does things - like post on her social media - as a knee-jerk reaction without thinking. Then she thinks about it afterwards. 'She was likely hoping that she'd come out of the jungle and be the automatic choice for the top job at This Morning after Holly left. But ITV are still trying people out. Josie is turning her back on the drama and the This Morning hurt from Holly leaving.' Josie debuted a new strawberry blonde hairdo while making her This Morning return, on Monday The pair were locked in talks for some months following the exit of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield (pictured last February) Last month, insiders revealed Cat and Ben had scooped the coveted roles of permanent hosts in the wake of stalwart stars Holly and Phil leaving. It was alleged that Cat wanted Rylan Clark as a co-host rather than Ben and will 'not receive special treatment' to permit her Monday to Thursday role on This Morning and continue her 344k-a season role on the American dance show. Sources revealed: 'Cat will not get any special treatment... She will absolutely not be given time off to film the next series of So You Think You Can Dance. So she has to make that decision, it's one or the other, end of.' Cat is said to have 'really wanted the job' but had concerns over her husband Patrick Kielty's commitments in Ireland and how they would juggle the jobs. The insider continued: 'Cat told friends that she wanted the job, if 'she could make it work.' However, she also feared that Patrick's commitments in Ireland made things very tricky for her to take the job. She also really, really wanted to do it with Rylan.' This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 & ITVX Gemma Collins was seen without her engagement ring on as she stepped out to run errands in Essex on Monday. The former TOWIE star, 43, and her boyfriend Rami Hawash confirmed they had gotten engaged last week, after the businessman popped the question for the third time during their idyllic Maldives getaway. Gemma opted out of wearing her dazzling '200,000' as she was spotted for the first time since her engagement. The TV personality cut a casual display as she slipped into a black gym wear set and a padded gilet, teamed with stylish white trainers. Gemma and Rami looked more than loved-up as they enjoyed a day of shopping with her nephew Hayden. Gemma Collins, 43, was seen without her engagement ring on as she stepped out to run errands in Essex on Monday The former TOWIE star and her boyfriend Rami Hawash confirmed they had gotten engaged last week, after the businessman popped the question for the third time during their idyllic Maldives getaway The MailOnline revealed Gemma's engagement ring is worth in excess of a staggering 200,000. The reality star had been enjoying a five star stay on the tropical island when Rami decided to propose on the beach after a romantic meal. Alexandra Michell Gemologist at Prestige Pawnbrokers of Channel 4s Posh Pawn estimates Rami spent in excess of 200,000 on the pear-shaped diamond cluster ring. She told MailOnline: 'Gemma Collins eye-catching pear-shaped diamond cluster ring has made its debut online on the announcement of her engagement.' The expert added: 'The substantial 4ct diamond is nestled in a white gold or platinum claw setting and is enveloped by a row of round brilliant diamonds. 'The band is also adorned with round brilliant diamonds on the shoulders either side. Pear-shaped diamonds are often associated with love and happiness, as the outline represents a tear of joy. It is also thought to symbolise individuality, glamour, and empowerment. 'This cut has been around for many centuries, and the tapered silhouette will elongate the finger, giving the wearer an elegant look, whilst keeping the sparkle of a round brilliant. 'This impressive ring is likely to have had a purchase price in excess of 200,000. Gemma opted out of wearing her dazzling '200,000' as she was spotted for the first time since her engagement Gemma and Rami looked more than loved-up as they enjoyed a day of shopping with her nephew Hayden (right) The TV personality cut a casual display as she slipped into a black gym wear set and a padded gilet, teamed with stylish white trainers Gemma splashed out on some new clothes as she roamed around the shops in Essex with her beloved son Rami Jewellers have estimated the staggering price of Gemma Collins' engagement ring Alexandra Michell Gemologist at Prestige Pawnbrokers of Channel 4s Posh Pawn estimates Rami spent in excess of 200,000 Rami had set up an outdoor seating area and flown out hundreds of roses so petals could cover the sands where they were sitting, with the ring in a shell. 'Rami popped the question again in the Maldives, and Gemma had no idea it was coming, she was so shocked,' a source told The Sun. 'She is absolutely thrilled and she cant believe it is finally happening. She didn't know what was happening until a huge platter of cakes came out and as Gemma started eating her mango dessert, Rami surprised her and said, "look at that". 'He had lit up, "Will You Marry Me?" on the sand.' Gemma has known Rami for over ten years. She met the businessman in 2011. Rami had originally proposed by placing the ring in a Christmas pudding in 2013 when they first start dating. Four weeks later however, Gemma had called off the engagement. But the pair then reunited during lockdown, seven years after breaking off their original engagement. Rami had originally proposed by placing the ring in a Christmas pudding in 2013 when they first start dating Rami had set up an outdoor seating area and flown out hundreds of roses so petals could cover the sands where they were sitting, with the ring in a shell The former TOWIE star had been enjoying a five star stay on the tropical island Rami has son Tristan, six, from a previous relationship and Gemma has spoken openly of her hopes to have her own child Gemma revealed in November she has begun a fertility journey in the hopes of having her first child with Rami, who has a son, six, from a previous relationship. The former TOWIE star has suffered three heartbreaking miscarriages and has been open about her struggles to fall pregnant in recent years. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline about her family plans, she revealed she was pleased to hear that Tana Ramsay had welcomed her sixth child at the age of 49, because it gave her hope that she, too, could conceive in her 40s. She said: 'The Tana Ramsay news was the greatest thing to wake up to. Incredible. 'It really made me think positively about my future and kind of took the pressure off. I don't think anyone knew she was pregnant, so it was a lovely surprise, but I got butterflies in my stomach when I saw it. 'This is amazing news for me. I'm starting my fertility journey within the next couple of weeks. I'm going to a clinic so watch these cards and get ready for me, honey.' Also in the interview, Gemma said she was in 'no rush' to tie the knot after previously jetting abroad to look at various wedding venues. When asked about her wedding plans, she said: 'For me, there's just no rush! I love J-Lo, her and Ben tied the knot at 50, they were ready to settle down and put their comfy slippers on, so I'm not probably going to do anything like that until I'm a bit older really. Gemma has known Rami for over ten years. She met the businessman in 2011 (pictured in 2013) 'There's no rush! You're a long time married, you're a b****y long time married, and I kind of feel like marriage is sadly - and it is sad - it's a bit old hack now. 'When you see people going through divorces and all that comes with it, you're like hell no! I do not want that, I can't bear admin anyway, I couldn't be bothered to do the paperwork. So I'm just postponing it as long as possible.' Gemma went on to say that marriage was not a 'priority' for her right now. Admitting she has not yet picked a wedding venue, she continued: 'It could be Claridge's, it could be Italy, who knows! 'It could be in the middle of the forest, who knows! I'm just cool and happy as we are at the minute... It's just not a priority for me at the minute.' Amanda Holden has revealed her parents are starring in Happy Valley star James Norton's new Cornwall-based TV drama. On Monday's Heart Breakfast, James was a guest alongside his Bob Marley: One Love co-star Kingsley Ben-Adir to speak about their roles in the biopic. But during the conversation with hosts Amanda and Jamie Theakston, the Britain's Got Talent judge, 53, revealed to James that her parents were supporting actors as a hobby. As they discussed his upcoming thriller Playing Nice, Amanda said: 'Well, starring in that film alongside you, you wouldn't have known, were my parents because they are supporting artists as a hobby. 'Wow, which scene?' James asked, before Amanda replied 'Oh crikey, I'll ask them. I'll ask my mum,' before revealed she had worked on Doc Martin and Poldark. Amanda Holden, (left), revealed her parents are starring'in Happy Valley star James Norton's, (second from right) new Cornwall-based TV drama when he and Kingsley Ben-Adir appeared on Heart Breakfast on Monday The Britain's Got Talent judge, 53, told James that her parents (seen with her in July 2003,) were supporting actors as a hobby Radio co-host Jamie, 53, joked: 'Whats it like sharing a scene with Amandas mum and dad?' James, 38, then revealed he gets his own parents on every job he does, including his father as an extra. Jamie asked if he bagged a job on Happy Valley. 'He was in Happy Valley,' James said. 'Every series, his first one was in series one but he turned up and he was meant to be a guy just walking a dog and then Sally Wainwright says "Actually, I think you could just be a bit of drunk if you have a plastic bag full of beer".' James added: 'Hes not an actor so he's looked at me with terror in his eyes, he spent the lunch time just walking around my trailer practising his drunk walk.' James is making Playing Nice, a four part ITV drama about parents who discover that their children were accidentally switched at birth. The actor is an executive producer of that show via his own company, Rabbit Track Productions. On Sunday, it was reported James had joined celebrity dating app Raya after his surprise break-up from ex fiance Imogen Poots. James and the actress, 34, went their separate ways before Christmas, with their split being announced last week. As they discussed his upcoming thriller Playing Nice, Amanda said: 'Well, starring in that film alongside you, you wouldn't have known, were my parents because they are supporting artists as a hobby' James was a guest alongside his Bob Marley: One Love co-star Kingsley Ben-Adir to speak about their roles in the biopic It seems that James is hoping to move on, as it has been reported the actor has created a profile on celebrity dating app Raya (pictured on Friday) The couple had been together for six years, before decided to call time on their relationship after 'growing apart'. And it seems that James is hoping to move on, as it has been reported the actor has created a profile on celebrity dating app Raya. Raya is a private membership community that started out as a dating app, but has since become a platform for networking and social discovery. According to The Sun, James' profile states he is an actor based in London but grew up in York, and is full of a slew of broody black-and-white snaps. One handsome selfie shows the hunk sporting artfully tousled hair, while gazing pensively off camera. The publication reports that James has also included a shirtless shot of himself and opted for John Prine's romantic 1999 track In Spite Of Ourselves as his theme tune. The Happy Valley star, 38, and the actress, 34, went their separate ways before Christmas, with their split being announced last week (pictured in March 2023) The couple had been together for six years, before decided to call time on their relationship after 'growing apart' (pictured February last year) Despite splitting late last year, the pair decided to keep their break-up on the down low, with a source close to the pair telling MailOnline: 'Imogen, for whatever reason, didn't want people to know.' The 'free-spirited' actress previously spoke about how she 'wasn't ready to slow down' as she wanted to travel the world. However, James has been open with his hopes of wanting a family and admitted three years ago that his 'broody barometer is kicking off'. Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden airs weekdays from 6am to 10am, as well as on Global Player. BAFTA bosses have explained why Matthew Perry was left out of the ceremony's annual memoriam list. Furious fans were quick to pick up on his 'obvious' absent from the list during the 77th EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday. The Friends star was found dead in his hot tub towards the end of October at the age of 54 but despite his illustrious career in film after finding fame as Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom, he was not included in the tribute at the annual awards ceremony. After viewers slammed the organisers for leaving Matthew out of the list, bosses have now insisted he will be remembered in the forthcoming BAFTAs in May. In a statement, officials said: 'We confirm he will be honoured in our forthcoming BAFTA television awards in May, and on the in memoriam section on our website.' BAFTA bosses have explained why Matthew Perry was left out of the ceremony's annual memoriam list Furious fans were quick to pick up on his 'obvious' absent from the list during the 77th EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday Viewers were left raging at the lack of mention, as one fumed: 'I love the BAFTAs so much right. I watch it religiously every year. 'But to not include Matthew Perry in the in Memoriam is actually shocking' 'Shame on you @BAFTA for not acknowledging @MatthewPerry #BAFTA2024' Another user claimed that the BAFTA organisers had 'forgotten' to include the 'great' actor in their list. Following his rise to fame on the 1990s sitcom alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc, he starred in a host of Hollywood films including The Whole Nine Yards and Birds of America. In 2009, he starred alongside Zac Efron in 17 Again in what became his final cinematic appearance. One fan suggested to another that the tragic star is more likely to be featured at the television awards later this year because of his signature role. But in their reply, the fan protested that the Hollywood star was still a 'huge name' in cinema. The list paid tribute to a host of film actors who have passed away within the last year The Friends star was found dead in his hot tub towards the end of October at the age of 54 but despite his illustrious career in film after finding fame as Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom, he was not included in the tribute at the annual awards ceremony After viewers slammed the organisers for leaving Matthew out of the list, bosses have now insisted he will be remembered in the forthcoming BAFTAs in May In a statement, officials said: 'We confirm he will be honoured in our forthcoming BAFTA television awards in May, and on the in memoriam section on our website' Viewers were left raging at the lack of mention, as one fumed: 'I love the BAFTAs so much right. I watch it religiously every year' During Sunday's ceremony, stars to be remembered included late Harry Potter star Sir Michael Gambon, rock and roll legend Tina Turner and actress-turned MP Glenda Jackson. Matthew - who battled with drugs and alcohol addiction for years before his death - was last during the 2024 Emmy Awards' In Memoriam segment. Charlie Puth sung the 2015 song he's featured on with Wiz Khalifa entitled I'll See You Again, which was written as a tribute to the late Paul Walker and featured on the soundtrack of Furious 7. Puth was joined by The War and Treaty for this In Memoriam rendition, though they had quite the surprise up their sleeve. Towards the end of the song, they suddenly broke into a more soulful rendition of the Friends theme song I'll Be There For You by The Rembrandts - after Jennifer Aniston urged fans to celebrate his life at the Critics Choice Awards. Matthew played the older version of the lead character in 17 Again opposite High School Musical star Zac Efron (left, pictured in 2009) But he was best known for starring as Chandler Bing on Friends (picture with Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston , David Schwimmer , Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow) It was a memorable night jam-packed with glitz and glamour as the most talented stars in the business gathered for the BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday. However it seems one photo in particular from the evening has taken the world by storm as fans went wild after Ayo Edibiri and Sophie Wilde met Prince William. Standing alongside Phoebe Dyvenor and Mia Mckenna-Bruce, the two actresses, seemed overcome with emotion as they shook hands with royalty. As Prince William burst out laughing Ayo, 28, looked completely shocked as she failed to hide the surprise on her face. Meanwhile Sophie looked like she was on the verge of tears as she stood chatting to the Prince of Wales. Fans went wild as they reacted to Ayo Edibiri's panicked surprise while Sophie Wilde seemed close to tears as the pair meet Prince William at the BAFTA's on Sunday evening (pictured Prince William, Phoebe Dynevor, Ayo Edebiri, Sophie Wilde and Mia McKenna-Bruce L-R) Standing alongside Phoebe Dyvenor and Mia Mckenna-Bruce, the two actresses, seemed overcome with emotion as they shook hands with royalty Taking to Twitter fans went wild for the snap as one account shared the snap with the caption: 'I am simply begging you all to look at this photo of Ayo Edebiri meeting Prince William at the #BAFTAs'. As fans pondered what could have caused such reactions one asked: 'What are the girls scared of?' while another asked: 'why are their reactions like that, tho?' Another joked: 'Their reactions are sending me,' and another teased: 'They were stunned by his royal aura'. Another penned: 'They all look alarmed'. Wondering what Prince William said, one commented: 'Prince was funny I think,' and another speculated: 'I wanna know what he said so badly the reactions omggg'. Another joked: 'I think the prince just told his favourite joke his grandfather told him.' While another teased: 'He seems like the kind to laugh at his own joke before hes even finished telling it, and it isnt even good. So cringe.' Referencing the time Ayo gave a shout out to Ireland while accepting a Critics Choice Awards for best actress in comedy, another wrote: 'That Irish traditional suspicious look Ayo is giving when meeting the British royals.' Taking to Twitter fans went wild for the snap as one account shared the snap with the caption: 'I am simply begging you all to look at this photo of Ayo Edebiri meeting Prince William at the #BAFTAs' As fans pondered what could have caused such reactions one asked: 'What are the girls scared of?' while another asked: 'why are their reactions like that, tho?' Wondering what Prince William said, one commented: 'Prince was funny I think' Other fans commented on Phoebe's forced looking smile as they asked: 'is she being held hostage?????!?!!?' Speaking to the actresses Prince William made a gaffe after saying Mia's movie looked like it was 'a lot of fun', despite not having seen it. Mia won the award for EE Rising Star for her role in the drama How To Have Sex - which ends with her character being raped. The star, 26, won the prize after her performance as Tara, a virgin who goes on holiday with friends to Greek island Malia where she is raped by a fellow tourist. The actress said she hoped the film would improve society's 'conversation we've been having around consent' and help 'people talk about situations they've been through'. William greeted the Rising Star nominees by telling her: 'I haven't yet watched your film - I think it looked like you had a lot of fun all the way through. Mia, 26, won BAFTA's Rising Star award after widespread praise for her role in the coming-of-age movie How To Have Sex The Prince opted for a velour navy blue dinner jacket, dickie bow and patent black brogues for the most glamorous night in the British film calendar Mia, pictured as Tara in the award-winning movie How To Have Sex which sees her character ultimately realise she was raped by a fellow holiday-maker The father-of-three, 41, shook hands with Mia and her fellow nominees - The Bear's Ayo Edebiri, Phoebe Dynevor and Sophie Wilde - while admitting he had not watched any of their movies. He said on entering the backstage area: 'The category was so strong, all of you - it was like who is going to pull this off? 'It was incredible. It was very close between all of you.' After McKenna-Bruce urged him to watch How To Have Sex, he replied: 'I've got a lot of films to catch up on. 'Normally I get quite ahead of the awards ceremony, I get to see quite a few of them. I haven't managed to get that many through. Georgia Tennant showed solidarity for transgender rights on Sunday night, as she watched her husband David host the 77th EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall. The actress, 39, was ever the supportive wife as she arrived on the red carpet with David, 52, in a glamorous gold pleated gown. She later took to her Instagram to share a loved-up photo of the couple after David's hosting duties were done, writing: 'That's a wrap'. On Georgia's wrist she could be seen sporting a temporary tattoo and she shared a second photo to show the inspirational ink up close. She threw up a peace sign while showing the powerful tattoo read: 'Trans rights are human rights'. Georgia Tennant showed solidarity for transgender rights on Sunday night, as she watched her husband David host the 77th EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall The actress, 39, was ever the supportive wife as she arrived on the red carpet with David, 52, in a glamorous gold pleated gown She later took to her Instagram to show a temporary tattoo she had worn for the event that read: 'Trans rights are human rights' Both Georgia and David have long been allies of the LGBTQ+ community, with David being seen wearing trans ally pins during several TV appearances. Last July, the Doctor Who star shares a heartfelt Pride message on the Reasons To Be Cheerful podcast, and voiced his dedication to 'fight that fight' for equality. He said: 'Do you know whats making me cheerful at the moment? Its Pride month the fact that Pride month [exists] and is flourishing and is something thats happening at a time when the world seems to be getting, in some corners, worryingly intolerant and weirdly backward.' During the press launch for Good Omens, David wore a shirt that read: 'Leave trans kids alone, you absolute freaks'. It comes after he proved to be a hit with viewers following his debut as BAFTA Film Awards host at The Royal Festival Hall on Sunday evening. The star, who took over the reigns from last year's host Richard E Grant, has been widely praised for his presenting skills on social media. David brought some serious style to the occasion, sporting a total of three dramatic looks throughout the evening, including an embellished kilt and jacket combo. He kicked off the night with an unusual co-host, Michael Sheen's pet dog with the suitably starry name of Bark Ruffalo. Both Georgia and David have long been allies of the LGBTQ + community, with David seen wearing trans ally pins during several TV appearances David proved to be a hit with viewers following his debut as BAFTA Film Awards host at The Royal Festival Hall on Sunday evening David kicked off the night with an unusual co-host, Michael Sheen 's pet dog with the suitably starry name of Bark Ruffalo The Scottish actor began the awards with a Staged-style sketch, which aired during the Covid pandemic, about dog-sitting Michael's pet, Bark Ruffalo. Fans revealed they loved the comedy sketch between David, Michael and Bark Ruffalo, taking to Twitter to share their appreciation online. They said: 'No way has David Tennant come to the BAFTAs with his dog David and Michael Sheen already stole the show with this adorable dog.' 'David Tennant steals the show at BAFTAs with his dog David and Michael Sheen lmao.' 'David holding Michael's dog!? Can't have David Tennant host the BAFTAs without some kind of silly shenanigans with Michael.' Other viewers more broadly praised his hosting debut and demanded that David be picked to 'host every awards ceremony' in the future. They said: 'Are we all in agreement that David Tennant killed the hosting gig for the BAFTAs?' Other viewers more broadly praised his hosting debut and demanded that David be picked to 'host every awards ceremony' in the future 'Yeah, can David Tennant host the EE BAFTAs every year?' 'Can David Tennant host everything? Preferably in a kilt. With Michael Sheen? Thanks.' 'It was better than all the awards ceremonies this year because the host, David Tennant, was great. David can present all the award ceremonies. None of us will say no to this.' 'David Tennant interacting with fellow actors in a way that is ACTUALLY funny, like let this man host everything pls.' The four-legged star who captured the heart of best actress winner Emma Stone and millions of others at last nights BAFTA Film Awards can be revealed as Lilliput the Maltese terrier. Playing the part of Michael Sheens dog -given the unlikely name Bark Ruffalo - Lilli, a canine showbiz veteran, pulled off her starring role with aplomb, and set social media alight. As the ceremony began, she was in a five-minute Staged-style sketch with host David Tennant, in which the Scottish actor made out he agreed to dog-sit for Michael Sheen before he realised it clashed with his BAFTA appearance. After unsuccessfully begging various A-Listers including Tom Hiddleston and Dame Judi Dench to take Bark off his hands, David then made his live entrance to the Royal Festival Hall laden down with the dog, its basket, bowl and toys. On his way to the stage, he offered the dog to Emma Stone, who looked keen to help, but David turned away, saying no, not with that dress. The four-legged star who captured Emma Stone's heart and millions of others at the BAFTA's on Sunday evening identity has been revealed as Lilliput the Maltese terrier On his way to the stage, he offered the dog to Emma Stone, who looked keen to help, but David turned away, saying no, not with that dress Then he spotted owner Michael Sheen at the front and handed him back the dog before the ceremony began. Paula Stewart, boss of The Animal Talent agency, told MailOnline that Lillis big break came when BAFTA asked if she had a dog on her books who could cope with the pressure. It had to be Lilli, said Paula. Shes a bit of a diva, but when the lights go up, shes a total pro. Lillis CV boasts commercials for Louis Vuitton and Tesco and promotional events for Walt Disney Films Patrick and the Call of the Wild. Shes done a photoshoot with the Pet Shop boys and social media collaborations with Crufts and Warner Bros. But this was without doubt her biggest role to date. The first hurdle was getting her into the auditorium, where dogs are banned. She also needed accreditation for which she had to provide some form of identity, such as driving licence.' We used her pet passport, said Paula, and the crew were obviously told in advance to expect a dog. We are certain shes the only dog ever to appear at the BAFTAs. Suitably, the dogs performer pass bills her as Megastar. Playing the part of Michael Sheen s dog -given the unlikely name Bark Ruffalo - Lilli, a canine showbiz veteran, pulled off her starring role with aplomb, and set social media alight Lilliput's first hurdle was getting into the auditorium, where dogs are banned. She also needed accreditation for which she had to provide some form of identity, such as driving licence' Remarkably, pre-recorded scenes with David where Lilli was decked out as a courier pretending to fool security and dodge the no-dogs rule, were only shot on Saturday, the day before the actual ceremony THE BAFTA WINNERS AT A GLANCE Best Film - Oppenheimer Best Director - Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Supporting Actor - Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Leading Actor - Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Leading Actress - Emma Stone, Poor Things Supporting Actress - Da'vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Advertisement Remarkably, pre-recorded scenes with David where Lilli was decked out as a courier pretending to fool security and dodge the no-dogs rule, were only shot on Saturday, the day before the actual ceremony. The dog started modelling nine years ago, after being spotted on the streets of Hampstead for a Good Housekeeping shoot. Her owner, Marianne De Fiouw, 46, never intended for her to become a star, but after being head-hunted, Lilliput loved the camera so much, she never stopped posing. Now Lilliput has her own Instagram account with nearly 230,000 followers and she regularly posts from her glamorous photoshoots and TV locations. So convincing was Lilliput as Michael Sheens dog that fans asked his wife Anna Lundberg online if it was true. She replied on X/Twiter: I wish! She is not with a tearful emoji. The BAFTA sketch began with a Zoom-like call between David and Sheen, which showed the Doctor Who actor sat in his kitchen with a grey kilt hanging up in the background. David starts the call with Sheen immediately saying: I dont have time for pleasantries David, some of us are big in America. The Welsh actor attempts to confirm if he can drop off his new pet, Bark Ruffalo, paying homage to Poor Things and Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo, on Sunday morning, to which David replies he cannot. I dont want any of your excuses, David, you promised, Michael says, adding: And I cant leave him with the neighbour because he peed in their kitchen. Lilliput's appearance sent social media into a frenzy I dont want any of your excuses, David, you promised, Michael says in the sketch, adding: And I cant leave him with the neighbour because he peed in their kitchen (Michael Sheen and his wife Anna Lundberg at the ceremony) So convincing was Lilliput as Michael Sheens dog that fans asked his wife Anna Lundberg online if it was true, to which Anna replied that she sadly is not David's wife, Georgia, then walks into frame, where she says sarcastically: Whereas we are desperate for him to pee in our kitchen? Michael ends the call asking David to sort out the issue, before the Scottish actor proceeds to frantically message fellow celebrities to find a dog-sitter. American actor Stanley Tucci joins the Zoom call and initially agrees to the favour, but quickly ridicules David for believing him to be serious. And the Bafta for catching on very quickly goes to, Stanley says deadpan while pointing at David. David then calls Yesterday actor Himesh Patel who pretends his video is frozen until someone walks past in the background. When David points this out, Himesh lets out a sigh, and says: Look, I know youre just calling because you want something, before pretending his screen has frozen again. The next port-of-call David calls is Loki star Tom Hiddleston who asks the actor for his new pitch. The pitch is dog sitting for Michael Sheen, David says. Tom appears impressed and replied: Wow. OK, yeah, interesting. So were going for, life? Funny? Tom talks enthusiastically about potentially creating a film about Michael's dog-sitting situation, while David looks on confused. The dog started modelling nine years ago, after being spotted on the streets of Hampstead for a Good Housekeeping shoot. Now she has her own Instagram account with nearly 230,000 followers and regularly posts from her glamorous photoshoots and TV locations Lillis CV boasts commercials for Louis Vuitton and Tesco and promotional events for Walt Disney Films Patrick and the Call of the Wild Did your agent tell you I wanted to talk to you about a film? David asks. Obviously. Unless youre actually calling me to dog sit for Michael Sheen, Hiddleston says with dawning realisation. The screen switches to show Dame Judi Dench who disappointedly tells David: I thought you were going to be that beautiful Michael Sheen. Asked if she could look after Bark Ruffalo, Dame Judi says: He pees everywhere, and anyway, I should be watching the Bafta film awards with a big glass of Champagne. Dame Judi asks about the kilt in the background, to which David replies: Wait and see. When David notices Sheen sitting in the front row, they argue about who should keep hold of the pet before Sheen relents and lets his co-star begin his hosting monologue dog-free. Once on the stage David told the audience that the dog was actually played by motion-capture star Andy Serkis, who famously starred as Gollum in the Lord of the Rings and Caesar in the Rise of the Planet of the Apes. When shortly afterwards, Andy himself came to the stage to present an award, he provoked howls of laughter when he opened with: Playing Bark Ruffalo was for me a career highlight. Many of you will know him from the Dogfather trilogy, less so from his powerful performances in Bone of Interest and Paw Things. But, more importantly, fearlessly he took on the studios when they tried to scan him in order to use his likeness and voice in perpetuity for a one-off doggie treat, but I dogress Tom Sandoval's cheating scandal may have proved explosive for those caught in the crossfire - but James Kennedy has revealed it turned the cast of Vanderpump Rules into reality TV A-listers. James, 32, admitted that it was difficult to film the latest season of the hit Bravo show without being bombarded by fans in public due to its skyrocketing popularity - which has also boosted his music career. 'The fans have been crazy,' he told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'Walking down the street you'd see guys now [fist pumping], "Oi, oi, oi! James!" I never got that three years ago from Vanderpump Rules fans, you know?' 'So yeah, it's really funny and great to see. Some people can't even help themselves. They have to run up and tell me their life story and how they got into [Vanderpump Rules]. I just think it's so funny,' he added. Vanderpump Rules star James Kennedy (pictured) has revealed how the fame and popularity of his castmates has skyrocketed since Tom Sandoval's cheating scandal last year James admitted that it was difficult to film the latest season of Vanderpump Rules without being bombarded by fans in public due to the show's newfound popularity The Vanderpump Rules cheating scandal dominated the headlines last year after it emerged that Tome had been cheating on his girlfriend of nine years, Ariana Madix (pictured in 2022) In addition to landing his own Las Vegas residency at LIV Nightclub, the renowned DJ also revealed how his weekly DJ set at Lisa Vanderpump's SUR restaurant became one of the hottest tickets in West Hollywood. 'See You Next Tuesday at SUR was never busier,' he gushed. 'I mean, lines out the door from like half a mile. It was always at capacity. People coming in screaming, it was a lot of fun. 'I've been DJing too on my off days, so the crowds have been incredible all across America, Canada. I'm gonna be touring in Mexico next month so I'm very excited.' The Vanderpump Rules cheating scandal - dubbed 'Scandoval' - dominated the headlines last year after it emerged that Tom had been cheating on Ariana Madix, his girlfriend of nine years, with their friend and costar Raquel Leviss. Since the scandal was exposed, Ariana has gone on to rake in six figures from endorsement deals, as well as TV and acting jobs, merchandise sales, and even enjoyed a stint on Broadway playing Roxie Hart in Chicago. Another fortunate byproduct of Tom cheating has been James' sobriety. He explained that due to his jam-packed schedule as one of the industry's hottest celebrity DJs, he has no intention of sabotaging his booming bank balance by getting drunk. 'I'm just dialed in,' he said. 'I've really been given such a gift with the DJ gigs, this Vegas residency. Just so many great opportunities. And I'm on like four or five planes a week. It would be impossible to do it hungover.' Tom had an affair with Ariana's friend and costar Rachel 'Raquel' Leviss (pictured) The 32-year-old now has a thriving music career as a DJ and has even landed his own residency in Las Vegas Following the scandal, Rachel decided to walk away from the reality TV juggernaut, citing her mental health and going as far as changing her name from Raquel back to her birthname, Rachel. The 28-year-old now hosts her own podcast called Rachel Goes Rogue, where she recaps episodes of Vanderpump Rules and spills the tea on her illicit affair with Tom. When asked if he thought Rachel had made the right decision to leave the hit series, James was uncharacteristically diplomatic. 'You know, everyone comes up with their own decisions,' he said cautiously. 'I respect everyone's decisions in what they do. 'I don't really have an opinion on it, honestly. I've got an opinion on mine - I love to come back. This is my life. I don't really start something without finishing it, I'll just say that.' James also promised that Rachel's absence hasn't quelled the drama on the new season - which kicked off on January 30 - but also admitted that he's keen for viewers to move past 'Scandoval.' Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules is currently airing on Bravo and Peacock in the US and Hayu in Australia Rachel walked away from Vanderpump Rules last year to launch her own podcast 'The drama's still high,' he promised. 'Everyone is still running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I feel like [next season] would be an even better season than last year because we were still trying to overcome this umbrella of Scandoval. 'And now I feel like, even Tom's doing his own thing, everyone's kind of moved on in the group. So I feel like once the viewers can do that, and that will probably happen after witnessing [this season], cos it is a spectacular season' he continued. 'I'm excited to watch it because it's my life and this has been the growth. It's all led to this moment - not that this is anywhere near the end.' Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules is currently available on Peacock and Bravo in the US and Hayu in Australia. Newly-engaged Gemma Collins looked as glamorous as ever as she headed to Parliament to campaign against Beagle cruelty on Monday afternoon. The former TOWIE star, 43, - who got engaged to her partner Rami Hawash last week - was joined by her close pals Jedward (John and Edward Grimes). The trio headed to central London to support The Camp Beagle protest against testing on dogs. The organisation states online: '24/7 protest Camp outside the gates of MBR Acres, breeders of puppies to sell to labs.' She looked as dolled up as ever for the protest, wearing a black dress that was cinched in at the waist and had silver detailing. Newly-engaged Gemma Collins looked as glamorous as ever as she headed to Parliament to campaign against Beagle cruelty on Monday afternoon Gemma had headed to central London to support The Camp Beagle protest against testing on dogs The former TOWIE star, 43, - who got engaged to her partner Rami Hawash last week - was joined by her close pals Jedward (John and Edward Grimes) at the event She completed her look with nude heels and toted a quilted Chanel bag while sporting a perfect blonde blow dry. Gemma was seen taking to the microphone at the event as she gave an impassioned speech about helping animals. Jedward were seen by her side supporting her and took pictures and videos of her at the event. It comes after earlier in the day Gemma was seen without her engagement ring on as she stepped out to run errands in Essex on Monday. Gemma and Rami confirmed they had gotten engaged last week, after the businessman popped the question for the third time during their idyllic Maldives getaway. Gemma opted out of wearing her dazzling '200,000' as she was spotted for the first time since her engagement. The TV personality cut a casual display as she slipped into a black gym wear set and a padded gilet, teamed with stylish white trainers. Gemma and Rami looked more than loved-up as they enjoyed a day of shopping with her nephew Hayden. The organisation states online: '24/7 protest Camp outside the gates of MBR Acres, breeders of puppies to sell to labs' She looked as dolled up as ever for the protest, wearing a black dress that was cinched in at the waist and had silver detailing She completed her look with nude heels and toted a quilted Chanel bag while sporting a perfect blonde blow dry Gemma was seen taking to the microphone at the event as she gave an impassioned speech about helping animals, before heading home She was getting fully involved in all the action Some cute beagles were also there too She made sure to have her voice heard She held a sign with a powerful message on it Love Island's Faye Winter was also there to show her support The MailOnline revealed Gemma's engagement ring is worth in excess of a staggering 200,000. The reality star had been enjoying a five star stay on the tropical island when Rami decided to propose on the beach after a romantic meal. Alexandra Michell Gemologist at Prestige Pawnbrokers of Channel 4s Posh Pawn estimates Rami spent in excess of 200,000 on the pear-shaped diamond cluster ring. She told MailOnline: 'Gemma Collins eye-catching pear-shaped diamond cluster ring has made its debut online on the announcement of her engagement.' The expert added: 'The substantial 4ct diamond is nestled in a white gold or platinum claw setting and is enveloped by a row of round brilliant diamonds. 'The band is also adorned with round brilliant diamonds on the shoulders either side. Pear-shaped diamonds are often associated with love and happiness, as the outline represents a tear of joy. It is also thought to symbolize individuality, glamour, and empowerment. 'This cut has been around for many centuries, and the tapered silhouette will elongate the finger, giving the wearer an elegant look, whilst keeping the sparkle of a round brilliant. 'This impressive ring is likely to have had a purchase price in excess of 200,000.' Rami had set up an outdoor seating area and flown out hundreds of roses so petals could cover the sands where they were sitting, with the ring in a shell. 'Rami popped the question again in the Maldives, and Gemma had no idea it was coming, she was so shocked,' a source told The Sun. 'She is absolutely thrilled and she cant believe it is finally happening. She didn't know what was happening until a huge platter of cakes came out and as Gemma started eating her mango dessert, Rami surprised her and said, "look at that". 'He had lit up, "Will You Marry Me?" on the sand.' Gemma has known Rami for over ten years. She met the businessman in 2011. Rami had originally proposed by placing the ring in a Christmas pudding in 2013 when they first start dating. Four weeks later however, Gemma had called off the engagement. But the pair then reunited during lockdown, seven years after breaking off their original engagement. Gemma revealed in November she has begun a fertility journey in the hopes of having her first child with Rami, who has a son, six, from a previous relationship. The former TOWIE star has suffered three heartbreaking miscarriages and has been open about her struggles to fall pregnant in recent years. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline about her family plans, she revealed she was pleased to hear that Tana Ramsay had welcomed her sixth child at the age of 49, because it gave her hope that she, too, could conceive in her 40s. She said: 'The Tana Ramsay news was the greatest thing to wake up to. Incredible. 'It really made me think positively about my future and kind of took the pressure off. I don't think anyone knew she was pregnant, so it was a lovely surprise, but I got butterflies in my stomach when I saw it. 'This is amazing news for me. I'm starting my fertility journey within the next couple of weeks. I'm going to a clinic so watch these cards and get ready for me, honey.' Also in the interview, Gemma said she was in 'no rush' to tie the knot after previously jetting abroad to look at various wedding venues. When asked about her wedding plans, she said: 'For me, there's just no rush! I love J-Lo, her and Ben tied the knot at 50, they were ready to settle down and put their comfy slippers on, so I'm not probably going to do anything like that until I'm a bit older really. 'There's no rush! You're a long time married, you're a b****y long time married, and I kind of feel like marriage is sadly - and it is sad - it's a bit old hack now. Jedward were seen by her side supporting her and took pictures and videos of her at the event in London She headed into the building that was guarded by a policeman The MailOnline revealed Gemma's engagement ring is worth in excess of a staggering 200,000 'When you see people going through divorces and all that comes with it, you're like hell no! I do not want that, I can't bear admin anyway, I couldn't be bothered to do the paperwork. So I'm just postponing it as long as possible.' Gemma went on to say that marriage was not a 'priority' for her right now. Admitting she has not yet picked a wedding venue, she continued: 'It could be Claridge's, it could be Italy, who knows! 'It could be in the middle of the forest, who knows! I'm just cool and happy as we are at the minute... It's just not a priority for me at the minute.' by Nils Peterson This is what Abraham Lincoln said. Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this congress and this administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation. We, even we here, hold the power and bear the responsibility. [Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862] The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves and then we will save our country. [Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862] It is the eternal struggle between two principles, right and wrong, throughout the world. It is the same spirit that says you toil and work and earn bread, and Ill eat it. No matter in what shape it comes, whether from the mouth of a king who seeks to bestride the people of his own nation, and live by the fruit of their labor, or from one race of men as an apology for enslaving another race, it is the same tyrannical principle. [Lincoln-Douglas debates, 15 October 1858] As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy. [from a handwritten note] And from a modern editorial, Patriotism without criticism has no head; criticism without patriotism has no heart. Lincoln was capable of understanding both the greatness and the limits of Thomas Jefferson and the founders and still come out at the end embracing the American experiment for giving liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world for all future time. And so should we. [Editorial. NYTimes, 7/4/15] Aaron Copland in his fine Lincoln Portrait uses the Lincoln texts quoted above. Give yourself a present. Listen to a recording. Theres a fine one with Copland conducting and William Warfield reading the text. The Canoe of State I begin with a joke that went around years ago. A woman floating in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered it when she saw a man floating in a boat below and called out, Excuse me can you help? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago but I dont know where I am. The man looked at his portable GPS and replied, Youre in a hot air balloon approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea level. You are 31 degrees 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees 49.09 minutes west longitude. She rolled her eyes and said You must be a Democrat. I am, replied the man, How did you know? Well, she answered everything you told me is technically correct but I have no idea what to make of your information and Im still lost. Frankly, youve not been much help to me. The man smiled and responded, You must be a Republican I am, replied the balloonist.How did you know? Well, you dont know where you are or where youre going. Youve risen to where you are from large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep and you expect me to solve your problem. Youre in exactly the same position you were in before we met but somehow now its my fault. A joke but much truth on both sides. How to keep sane in these parlous times. Thats a serious question with so much darkness in the present and possibly in the future. Hard to realize there are two sides. Hard. Hard. I used to go to a dream workshop. At one session a woman shared a dream in which she found herself caught in someone elses story and couldnt get out. Once, she even got away and started to live a different life in a different place, but that too was part of the others story and her escape had been scripted. A truly terrifying dream. At the end I commented that the dream is like the current political situation. Each of us is terrified of having to live in the others story. I know I am. Think of abortion for instance. Basically there are two stories about what an embryo is: it is a human and therefore has a soul from the moment of conception the other that the cells must do a lot of multiplying and organizing and getting together before one can consider it ensouled. Which story is dominant may depend on what part of the country you live in and how you are able to live in it. Of course the idea of soul is another story and when that story is added to the story of my story is right because God said it, the difficulty rises. Yet heres a touch of sanity from one of my favorite poets, Tomas Transtromer. He is in Africa: I am welcomed aboard a canoe of the darkest wood. It is extremely unsteady, even when I crouch on my heels. The act of balance. If the heart is on the left, lean the head slightly to the right, keep your pockets empty, make no big gesturesleave all the rhetoric behind. Thats it: rhetoric is impossible here. The canoe skims over the water. Well, my heart is on the left, do I need to lean my head a little to the right? Not easy advice, and Im not sure how, but I keep coming back to it in my thinking. And what about rhetoric? how does one counterbalance the weight of a false rhetoric? Accurate talk does not seem the right answer. I shared the joke and some of these ideas years ago in a letter to friends before Trump came on the scene. But now how to balance his great weight and keep the canoe afloat. Thats the question of our day. It is scary to think that we sail in not the ship of state, but a canoe of state. A canoe that requires such careful balance because it is so tippable. Is there any possible way of finding balance, now that there are so many who want to tip the canoe, yes and who keep casting rhetorical stones to sink it? Millie Bobby Brown's birthday got off to a casual start. The actress, who turned 20-years-old on Monday, went on a coffee run with her fiance Jake Bongiovi in New York City. The couple, who picked up a pooch from a Florida animal shelter so it could be placed in a forever home through Millie's rescue Joey's friends, held hands as they took a quiet stroll through Manhattan. The Stranger Things star had on a navy blue sweater with pink, yellow and green stripes over a navy blue T-shirt. She also had on what appeared to be patchwork pajama pants in various plaid designs, with skull and flame graphics on them, and black sneakers. Millie Bobby Brown 's birthday got off to a casual start. The actress, who turned 20 on Monday, went on a coffee run with her fiance Jake Bongiovi in New York The Enola Holmes star was makeup free and wore her light brown hair in a loose bun, and accessorized with hoop earrings. Jake, 21, bundled up in a light brown quilted jacket over a pair of tan cargo pants. The Sweethearts actor, who is the son of rocker Jon Bon Jovi, 61, wore a multi-toned sweater beneath his jacket and completed the look with white sneakers. It appeared both Millie and Jake preferred an iced coffee in spite of Manhattan's chilly 38-degree temperatures. Fans were quick to head to social media where they wished the Godzilla: King of Monsters star a happy birthday. 'Happy birthday Millie I love you very much you are a great actress I hope you have a good time on this special day for you,' wrote one ardent admirer. 'Happy birthday Mills! May your life always be illuminated by happiness and may each new day bring with it infinite possibilities of love and success,' wished another. Many more wishes were expected to be bestowed on Millie during the day and into the night as she marked the big 2-0 with family and friends. Millie stepped out in a navy blue sweater and what appeared to be patchwork pajama pants in various plaid designs, with skull and flame graphics. Jake, 21, bundled up in a light brown quilted jacket over a pair of tan cargo pants The couple met via Instagram and went official with their relationship in March 2022. They got engaged just over a year later in April 2023 Millie and Jake first met via what is becoming a quite common mode of matchmaking. 'We met on Instagram, and we were friends for a bit, and then, what can I say?' the Emmy nominee said, according to Elle. The pair went official in a big way, appearing on the red carpet at the EE British Academy Film Awards 2022 in London in March of that year. They got engaged in April 2023. The busy actress has several projects in her queue, including Damsel, which will be released March 8 on Netflix. The busy actress has several projects in her queue, including Damsel. She stars as Elodie, a young woman who is tricked into marrying a prince, only to be sacrificed to a dragon as part of an ancient tradition Once she recovers from the betrayal, the young bride fights for her life and if she survives, to end the fatal practice. Damsel will be released on Netflix March 8 She stars as Elodie, a young woman who is tricked into marrying a prince, only to be sacrificed to a dragon as part of an ancient tradition. Once she recovers from the betrayal, the young bride fights for her life and if she survives, to end the fatal practice. Angela Bassett and Robin Wright co-star in this high octane fairy tale, along with acclaimed British actor Ray Winstone. 'Ok what in the Enola Holmes meets Eleven meets Game of Thrones meets Snow White is this I CAN NOT WAIT THIS LOOKS FANTASTIC' commented one excited fan. 'Millie Bobby Brown, Angela Bassett, Robin Wright AAAND Nick Robinson COUNT ME IN.' Paris Hilton reveals she celebrated her 43rd birthday on Saturday by embarking on a getaway with her husband, Carter Reum, 43 and their son Phoenix, one. The socialite documented her trip in several photos and videos that were shared on her Instagram Story on Sunday. In her first shot, the reality television powerhouse - who recently held a lavish birthday party for her son - was seen while stepping into a private plane, which had been decorated with several balloons. Hilton went on to share a pair of snaps that showed her cradling Phoenix after the plane had climbed to cruising altitude. The entrepreneur stayed comfortable while wearing a fuzzy black jacket and a pair of leopard-print leggings during her birthday trip. Paris Hilton commemorated her 43rd birthday, which fell on Saturday, by embarking on a getaway with her husband, Carter Reum, 43 and their son Phoenix, one Her little boy wore a Burberry outfit as he sat on the private plane The social media figure covered up her gorgeous blonde locks with a patterned bucket hat and completed her look with a pair of chic sunglasses. Hilton was also presented with several cupcakes that had been brought onto the plane in commemoration of her special day. The socialite went on to share a sweet snap that showed her standing next to Reum while he spoke to their son prior to takeoff. Absent from the reality television personality's photos and videos was her baby daughter London, three months. She shared a photo of snowy mountains which suggested she went on a ski vacation. Hilton and Reum, who began dating in 2019, started their family with the arrival of Phoenix, who was born via surrogate in January of 2021. The happy couple went on to hold a star-studded wedding ceremony the following month, and they surprised many when they announced that London, who was also delivered with the help of a surrogate, had been born that November. The social media figure opened up about motherhood during an interview with Romper, where she revealed that she was pleased to have such calm children. 'I feel so lucky because all my other friends who have kids are like, "I'm up all night. They're crying all night." My babies, they're just so calm, so chill,' she said. The socialite went on to share a sweet snap that showed her standing next to Reum while he spoke to their son prior to takeoff In her first shot, the reality television powerhouse - who recently held a lavish birthday party for her son - was seen while stepping into a private plane, which had been decorated with several balloons Hilton was also presented with several cupcakes that had been brought onto the plane in commemoration of her special day Hilton held on tight to her boy as he wore Nike sneakers in black and white Hilton also spoke about why she chose to keep the news about her children withheld from the public until their respective arrivals. 'My life has been so public, so out there. I didn't want my son coming into this world with any negative energy,' she said. The reality television personality then stated that she was pleased to have been able to control the narrative around her kids' arrivals. 'I'm really happy I did it that way, just for Carter and I to have that journey together without the outside world chirping in,' she said. Arabella Chi has slammed two of her Love Island All Stars pals after she was brutally dumped from the South African villa on Sunday night. Former Islanders returned to the villa and voted for who they thought were the least compatible and the couple with the most votes had to leave the villa immediately. Arabella was left fuming as she and partner Adam Maxted were voted for six times - with even her 'genuine friends' choosing to dump her. Defending her couple while stood around the fire pit, Arabella said that even though Adam had only been in the villa a week it felt like she'd known him forever. The model broke her silence on The Morning After podcast and took a huge swipe at her co-stars who she believed were her friends. Arabella Chi has slammed two of her Love Island All Stars pals after she was brutally dumped from the South African villa on Sunday night Former Islanders returned to the villa and voted for who they thought were the least compatible and the couple with the most votes had to leave the villa immediately She said: 'It was a savage dumping from previous Islanders, [Adam] didn't spend a lot of time with them especially with people coming in and out, they were not very good valid reasons. 'I'll be honest a couple of them Hannah and Joanna took me by surprise. 'I had built very good friendships with them, if they were my genuine friends surely they would be happy that I had found the guy I had been waiting for.' Adam added: 'We know we had a stronger connection than some of the other Islanders in there.' Kicking off the voting, Mitchell Taylor voted to send home Georgia Harrison and Anton Danyluk, claiming they are 'game players and are going for the prize money.' Meanwhile, Demi Jones revealed she wanted to send home Arabella and Adam because she felt others were 'more deserving' of their place. Chris also voted for Georgia H and Anton, while Kaz Kamwi agreed and sadi that she had been left 'questioning their connection'. Dropping a bombshell in the Molly and Callum saga, Luis Morrison revealed he thought that Molly Smith and Tom Clare's connection was 'one-sided' as he voted to send them packing. Arabella was left fuming as she and partner Adam Maxted were voted for six times - with even her 'genuine friends' choosing to dump her The model broke her silence on The Morning After podcast and took a huge swipe at her co-stars who she believed were her friends She said: 'It was a savage dumping from previous Islanders, I'll be honest a couple of them Hannah and Joanna (pictured) took me by surprise She continued: 'I had built very good friendships with them (Hannah pictured and Joanna), if they were my genuine friends surely they would be happy that I had found the guy I had been waiting for' Tom, who has already been rattled by allegations that there is still a connection between his partner Molly and her ex-boyfriend Callum, asked Luis what he meant. Luis confirmed that he believes there is still something between them after watching the series play out on TV after leaving the villa. Liberty Poole and Hannah Louise also voted for Arabella and Adam, with Hannah saying: 'There are strong relationships in here and she is a friend of mine but i have to pick someone.' Tyler Cruickshank and Casey O'Gorman also voted for Georgia H and Anton. Jake Cornish admitted that he thought Georgia Steel and Toby Aromolaran were the weakest couple, as he gave them their only vote. Finally, Joanna Chimonides, Eve Gale and Joe Garrett all voted for Arabella and Adam, ultimately sending them home just one day before the final. During Monday night's final the islanders are in for a shock as they receive a visit from a huge pop star. Ella Henderson is set to enter the villa for a fun-filled performance as the finalists are treated to a VIP All Stars pool party. It comes ahead of Monday night's final where the islanders are in for a shock as they receive a visit from huge pop star Ella Henderson Waking up to their final day in the Love Island Villa, the finalists receive a surprise text. Georgia S reads: 'Finalists, get ready to make a splash as you're invited to a VIP All Stars pool party #GlamAndGlisten #TooPoolForSchool' Strutting into the villa, Ella Henderson puts on an all star performance, surprising the Islanders with performances of her hits REACT, Ghost and new single Alibi. The vibes are high as the Islanders enjoy a pool party like no other. For the first time Love Island history, five couples are set to battle it out to be crowned series champion Molly Smith and Tom Clare are the favourites to win the competition and the chance to take home 50,000. Katie Price has reportedly introduced her new boyfriend - Married at First Sight's JJ Slater - to some of her children as the couple's romance heats up. The former glamour model, 45, confirmed her romance with John Joe, 31, earlier this month as they stepped out in public together for the first time. Katie has five children - Harvey, 21, Junior, 18, Princess, 16, Jett, nine, and Bunny, eight. It appears her and JJ have taken their relationship to the next level with the reality star being introduced to Jett and Bunny, according to The Sun. Katie and JJ jetted off on a romantic Bulgarian ski trip, of which they exclusively shared snaps with MailOnline on Friday. Katie Price has introduced her new man, Married at First Sight's JJ Slater, to her five children as the pair's romance heats up Katie has five children - Harvey, 21, Junior, 18, Princess, 16, nine-year-old Jett and eight-year-old Bunny A source said: 'Katie's already introduced JJ to her youngest kids. It's so important to her that he gets along with them as they're a huge part of her life. 'They've been talking for a while but it seems like it's already getting serious.' MailOnline have reached out to representatives for comment. Katie hit the slopes in in a colourful snow suit last week, while JJ opted for a grey padded jacket and trousers for the couple's first trip together. However Katie's ex Carl Woods, 35, who had been in an on/off relationship with Katie since 2021, shared a screenshot of a text he claimed was from Katie, sent shortly before her trip. The single X appeared to be a kiss, with a confused Carl replying: 'A kiss, you fry my brain'. Earlier this month Katie made a dig at her 'underserving' exes amid her recent confirmed split from Carl. Katie had spoken of marrying and starting a family with Carl many times in recent years but she announced she had split from him as she took to social media while seeing the New Year in with her pal Kerry Katona. Taking to her Instagram story, the post read: 'Girl, look at you. Everything that's happened in your life, you've handled it like a boss. Katie and JJ jetted off on a romantic Bulgarian ski trip, of which they exclusively shared snaps with MailOnline on Friday Katie hit the slopes in in a colourful snow suit last week, while JJ opted for a grey padded jacket and trousers for the couple's first trip together Katie and Carl were in a turbulent relationship since July 2020, they were last seen together on December 21 before confirming their split 'You work hard, you are strong, you are ambitious, you are resilient. You are genuine and loyal. 'Anyone who doesn't value what you bring to the table, doesn't deserve you. You are a Queen.' As well as her recent split from Carl after the pair's on-off relationship, Katie also has three ex-husbands, Peter Andre, Alex Reid and Kieran Hayler. Yet despite her post, Katie seems to be moving on with new flame JJ as they got up close and personal while heading for a meal at IRMAS Restaurant in Southend on Sea on the beachfront. The duo looked every inch the happy couple as they walked arm in arm, with Katie flashing her tattooed stomach in a crop top and combat trousers. Carl, 35, who had been in an on/off relationship with Katie since 2021, shared a screenshot of a text he claimed was from Katie, sent shortly before her trip JJ's co-star ex Ella Morgan blasted Katie for 'breaking girl code' by hooking up with the star as sources close to Ella, 29, say the reality star, who is transgender , is furious and feels 'betrayed' as she had become good friends with Katie JJ could not stop beaming as he strutted along with the showbiz veteran, following the shocking news that his co-star ex Ella Morgan blasted Katie for 'breaking girl code' by hooking up with the star. After pictures emerged of the Katie and JJ looking close, sources close to Ella, 29, say the reality star, who is transgender, is furious and feels 'betrayed' as she had become good friends with Katie. Insiders told The Sun: 'Ella is fuming and feels really betrayed by Katie for talking to her ex JJ. Ella and Katie have become friends over recent months... 'So it surprised her that Katie would do that. She doesn't have any feelings for JJ, she's just livid that Katie went behind her back and broke girl code.' Dame Esther Rantzen has revealed her dream final supper after admitting she is considering assisted suicide. The Childline founder, 83, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer last year, and has since revealed she has joined the assisted-dying clinic Dignitas in Switzerland. She has now told how she would love to enjoy some caviar and drink champagne as a final meal. Dame Esther added that despite it making her feel sick in the past as she is allergic to champagne, she would love to consume both as there would be no worry over the consequences. She told LBC Radio on Monday: 'I'd like to fly off to Zurich with my nearest and dearest. Have a fantastic dinner the night before. Dame Esther Rantzen has revealed her dream final supper after admitting she is considering assisted suicide The Childline founder, 83, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer last year, and has since revealed she has joined the assisted-dying clinic Dignitas in Switzerland 'I'd love caviar, if possible, and the fact that it doesn't always agree with me doesn't matter, does it? 'I could even have champagne, which I'm deeply allergic to. Then the next day, go to this rather unappealing place where they do it.' Sharing more details of her final plans, she continued: 'Listen to a favourite piece of music, say goodbye to everybody. Tell them to cheer up. 'I'm meeting my late husband, my departed dog and my mother at the pearly gates. Hold up my hand for an injection or open my mouth for a rather disgusting medication.' 'I've got an amazing family and a group of friends and colleagues. So I'd like to say goodbye fairly gracefully, as much as I can muster, and then go, that's what I'd like.' As one of the most prominent women on television between 1970 and 1995, Dame Esther has long been a campaigner for women on television too. Speaking to the Radio Times on Tuesday, she lashed out that older women are 'invisible' on television and only have themselves to blame. 'However, even today, older women are still invisible on television,' she said. She has now told how she would love to enjoy some caviar and drink champagne as a final meal It comes after last week Dame Esther 's daughter Rebecca broke down in tears during an emotional appearance on Loose Women while discussing her mother's cancer diagnosis 'And it's not just men who dump them. 'Women themselves are just as much to blame for discriminating against wrinkles. Just look at all the Botox and fillers women on screen have to invest in. 'If she's over 60 and presents a show, which is rare enough, what woman on TV these days is allowed to look her age? Only Professor Dame Mary Beard?' The veteran presenter said she doesn't think she would have been as successful as she has been if she had started her career any later. 'I've said that if I had embarked on my career a few generations later, I might not have been successful because I wasn't nearly pretty enough,' she said. 'Today, the expectation to look a certain way -tall, skinny, streaky blonde - is improving. The fact that Alison Hammond is flavour of the month proves that talent and personality can prevail. And Claudia Winkleman's fringe does its bit for emancipation, too.' It comes after last week Dame Esther's daughter Rebecca broke down in tears during an emotional appearance on Loose Women while discussing her mother's cancer diagnosis. Rebecca broke down as she watched an emotional video montage of Esther, admitting her diagnosis is the news 'no one wants to hear.' She added that she was 'a little surprised' by Esther's decision to join Dignitas, but she has 'chosen how she wants to live.' Rebecca said: 'It's the news that no one ever wants to hear. Mum doesn't usually break her promises and she promised to live forever so she's quite embarrassed that she's had to go back on that.' 'But how does anyone ever feel when a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness? It's confusing, it's bamboozling. 'They use all these words, you just want them to tell you what's going to happen and when, really directly and really succinctly and nobody does, because they pad around it carefully and you just want them to say, ''This is what you have and this is how long it'll take''.' 'You just want someone to say this is what you have and this is how long it will take but they can't.' Discussing Esther's decision to join Dignitas, Rebecca told the panel: 'Probably the same time as you! It was a little surprising. 'She likes surprising us and keeping us on our toes. I mean I've always known about how she feels about death and dying, she's done a lot of work around it. 'She's done documentaries, she's done newspaper articles and books so we've always known that the last thing she wants is for our memories of her to be replaced with a traumatic death. 'A traumatic death involves a patient in pain, so if she's in pain, why would she want to live any longer? If she's not getting anything from life and obviously you can live with a certain amount of pain and some people are brilliantly stoical.' 'But she's always said, ''I love my life the way I am''. ''I love who I am''... she doesn't say that, she's very modest but she is who she is. She is this super-dooper brain. 'I know I'm biased but she's so bright and so brilliant that the last thing she'd want is to become something else in her last moments.' Sharing an update on how Dame Esther is doing, Rebecca explained: 'Fortunately, she is doing ok. We don't know what is going to happen next, we only know what happened in the last scan and the last scan is always a bit out of date and then you go and meet the oncologist and he asks mum, ''How are you doing?'' and she says, ''I don't know, that's why I'm here''.' Describing her mum, Rebecca said: 'My brother said, living with mum is like living next to a volcano. 'You just never know when it's going to explode so you know, just put on your hat for lava.' Dame Esther also recorded a exclusive for Loose Women, which was played during Rebecca's interview, in which she said: 'I don't know if I'll live long enough to see this debated in parliament but if you do agree with me, please, please make your views known to your MP and for those that disagree - maybe on religious principles or maybe because they're professionally absorbed in palliative care and believe that this goes against what they practice in medicine - can I just say, all we ask for is the choice. 'That's all we're asking for, we don't want to impose our views on you but we do want the choice ourselves.' Agreeing that her mother 'wants to spark a debate' on the topic, Rebecca said: 'Yes, the fact that she isn't allowed to choose how she dies, doesn't make any sense to any of us. 'She's chosen how she wants to live and she's been a bit of a force of nature in that sense so it makes sense in a way that this is the debate that's coming to the forefront of our family. 'She's watching now, which is making me really nervous because I feel like I'm putting words in her mouth and you should never do that with Mum!' Is Assisted Suicide illegal in Britain? Under the Suicide Act 1961, anyone helping or encouraging someone to take their own life in England or Wales can be prosecuted and jailed for up to 14 years if found guilty of an offence. Section two of the act states that a person commits an offence if they carry out an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person, and the act was intended to encourage or assist suicide or an attempt at suicide. In 2015 MPs including former prime minister David Cameron rejected a Bill to legalize assisted dying. Opposition to changing the law has come from faith groups, campaigners who say disabled people may feel pressured to end their lives and campaigners who fear assisted dying would become a business. Advertisement Discussing the laws around assisted dying in the United Kingdom, Rebecca commented: 'This is the awful thing about outsourcing death to Switzerland, you have to go before you're ready because you have to be signed off by two doctors so you're not quite at the stage that you would choose and you have to go alone, because anyone that goes with you, comes back to prosecution. 'The worst time in your life, I'm experiencing the worst thing ever, which is the loss of my mum. I'm very lucky to have her, but then I'd have to go through a court case and prove that I didn't murder her.' Kaye also asked Rebecca if she can 'understand the objections and concerns of those that do not agree' to which Rebecca replied: 'I absolutely understand that there are a few evil people who would take advantage of it, to do whatever it was they wanted to, to get hold of someone else's assets and to end somebody's life before they have chosen to. 'It's not reinventing the wheel, it works and exists in other countries. It works in Canada, so we could take those rulings and adapt them for this country.' Rebecca added: 'Yes, absolutely protect the vulnerable but someone like mum, who has made her opinions very clear - what's to debate?' In a final message from mother to daughter, Dame Esther Rantzen was heard telling Rebecca: 'I am incredibly proud of Rebecca for all kinds of reasons, she is a terrific mother, a terrific daughter, she's a terrific journalist and I am absolutely thrilled that she is taking on the presidential role at Childline. 'I felt very [inaudible] because I am not able to do what I used to do, which is go in and be a volunteer counsellor on the phone and visit the various Childline bases and meet our staff and volunteers and she's going to do all of that and it's such an important role. I know she'll do it brilliantly and I know she'll love doing it. Becca, I am extremely proud of you.' Rebecca responded to the message saying: 'I don't feel I could do anything at all in relation to how brilliant she's been but I just want to do my best.' In December, Esther revealed she has joined assisted-dying clinic Dignitas in Switzerland and will consider going there to end her life should her next scan show she is getting worse. Dame Esther has also reignited the debate over assisted-dying after calling for national debate on the subject, saying people deserve 'the choice' over how they pass away. She previously revealed she had not expected to spend this Christmas with her family after being diagnosed with cancer, but a 'miracle' drug had given her additional time with her loved ones. Writing in her column for The Mirror, her daughter Rebecca, 43, explained: 'It's not often that you know beforehand it will be the last time you will dish out turkey and pull crackers at the table with your mother, but that's what this year has been for us. 'She thought she would be dead in spring, but a miraculous drug has meant that we have another Christmas with her, a wonder we couldn't have imagined possible when she was diagnosed in January. I was determined to make the most of it.' Rebecca continued: 'I couldn't relax. I was too aware every moment was a precious treasure. I felt I needed to hold on to each minute so tightly I was probably exhausting to be around.' She explained how despite initially stressing about the 'trickling away time' she managed to finally 'relax' and find contentment in making memories. She revealed how Dame Esther made wonderful memories with her grandchildren - teaching two how to play solitaire and being taught in return how to do a sudoku puzzle - before singing karaoke late into the day. Rebecca added that the was 'filled with so much love that our memories will last' and said she was holding out hope for 'another Christmas miracle' by having her mother with them next year. She previously said she fears she could be accused of murder if she helps her seriously ill mother travel to Dignitas. However, Dame Esther admitted such a decision would put her family and friends in a difficult position as they could be prosecuted should they decide to join her. Rebecca told TalkTV: 'It's impossible, isn't it, because I can't even say to you, I would support my mum on her journey to Dignitas because if I said that, that's legally murky. 'Obviously, in my head, I would have thought that I would never let her go alone to somewhere like that, but I'm a busy working mum. I can't leave my children to pop off to jail while she's buzzing off to Switzerland. 'The fact is only three people a year get prosecuted. But the actual process of going through a court case at what is the worst time of my life so far. 'You know, mum is my person. I do not want to live without her. I will have to live without her and please, please don't make it worse for me by accusing me of murdering her and making me go through what would be a terrifying legal process.' Dame Esther has called for a free vote on assisted dying as it's 'important that the law catches up with what the country wants'. Speaking on the current illegal status of assisted dying in the UK she pleaded: 'This cruelty must stop.' She continued: 'The current law was intended to protect the vulnerable, to stop them being pressured into suicide. 'And of course precautions are vital. But bad cases make bad laws, and in trying to prevent crime the law at the moment denies us the most valuable freedom of all, the freedom to choose when to end our own suffering.' She said she will find out in a few weeks if a new medication she has been taking is 'performing its miracle' or if it has 'given up'. Asked about the current rules on assisted dying, Ms Wilcox said: 'Why would it be a problem to set up regulation around this? 'We have regulation around everything. I've been trying to adopt a dog and the forms and licenses and things that go through that is ridiculous. 'So death and birth are possibly the most important moments in your life. 'My death, I want it to be exactly how I want it to be and I think coming together, making a law, making structures, making regulation that respects my opinion on my body and my death for everybody is the only sane way. 'It would stop the money-makers who want to make money from people's death and frankly if you're going to give someone a good death, make some money out of it as long as you're helping them. 'I have to say, Dignitas does not look like a very lovely place. I would much rather have diamonds and champagnes and a hot bathtub, and it doesn't look like they supply that, and I think mum would too. We both model ourselves on Dame Joan Collins who is fabulous.' Ms Wilcox had earlier told ITV's Good Morning Britain how her mother, who has also worked as a broadcaster for several years, 'doesn't care what anyone else says' as she prepares to join her family for what tragically could be her last Christmas. Rebecca broke down as she watched an emotional video montage of Esther, admitting her diagnosis is the news 'no one wants to hear' (seen together in 2017) 'It's horrific and she always promised us she would live forever. She's not usually one to break her promises so we're a little upset about that. 'I would personally want to ground her plane if she was going to fly to Zurich but I know it's her decision. I just don't ever want her to go.' Ms Wilcox also spoke of the heartbreak of watching her father, Desmond, endure a slow and painful death as he battled heart disease, adding: 'That's what mum wants to avoid.' Dame Esther said that if 'nothing's working' she might 'buzz off to Zurich' in Switzerland but realises this would put her family and friends in a difficult position as they could be prosecuted should they decide to join her. Ashlee Simpson got very candid about her 2004 appearance on Saturday Night Live when her song Pieces of Me was blowing up on the radio. The Ashlee Simpson Show alum, 39, sat down to make her podcast debut on Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson, 42, and her co-host Olivia Allen. At the 45 minute mark of the show Ashlee who sat in the front row at Christian Siriano's show during New York Fashion Week told the story of how she ran through her rehearsal on the day before the live broadcast with no issues, but when she woke up the next day she had no voice at all. 'One of the things I've wanted to say that I've never talked about or said this but learning as a woman, when you say no or as an artist or a human or whatever, that day I said "I will not go on, I don't care. I can't speak."' She said she was writing it down to hand to the label executive and they forced her to perform anyway, causing Ashlee to say 'My band has never practiced this, this is not going to go well.' Ashlee Simpson got very candid about her 2004 appearance on Saturday Night Live in 2004 when her song Pieces of Me was blowing up on the radio The Ashlee Simpson Show alum, 39, sat down to make her podcast debut on Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson , 42, and her co-host Olivia Allen That performance became an embarrassing moment for the beautiful redhead as she was roundly mocked online for her performance. Ashlee went to a doctor that day and revealed: 'I had two nodules beating against each other' on her vocal cords that caused her the loss of her voice. But Ashlee learned from that moment to stand up for herself and not accept a no in a situation like the SNL issue was, calling it humbling and something she learned and grew from. The Melrose Place star had her friends Stephanie and Lauren with her on the podcast and revealed they were in New York City with her at the time of her SNL appearance and all three stayed in the same hotel room. 'As her friends, we couldn't understand the impact that day would have on her.' Her friends shared a story of going to a deli the next day and while the Iraq war was the biggest news story of the day, they found many news shows talking about and mocking Ashlee's lip syncing performance. 'Having to find at a young age the strength to say I am good at this and I will keep fighting,' Ashlee said in reflection before ending the sentence with a thoughtful look on her face as she relived the memories 20 years later. Ashlee also shared the story of her second appearance on SNL: 'I went back to SNL with my second album and I can't find it anywhere. I've searched and searched for that performance.' 'I was really nervous when I was on there and I just can't find it anywhere,' she explained. At the 45 minute mark of the show she told the story of how she ran through her rehearsal on the day before the live broadcast with no issues, but when she woke up the next day she had no voice at all Ashlee learned from that moment to stand up for herself and not accept a no in a situation like the SNL issue was, calling it humbling and something she learned and grew from 'One of the things I've wanted to say that I've never talked about or said this but learning as a woman, when you say no or as an artist or a human or whatever, that day I said "I will not go on, I don't care. I can't speak"' She said she was writing it down to hand to the label executive and they forced her to perform anyway, causing Ashlee to say 'My band has never practiced this, this is not going to go well' 'Having to find at a young age the strength to say I am good at this and I will keep fighting,' Ashlee said in reflection before ending the sentence with a thoughtful look on her face as she relived the memories 20 years later But in the end the first SNL debacle and her second nerve-wracking appearance on the show taught her some valuable lessons. 'It taught me humility, it taught me so much about myself and my own personal strength. 'I think the most important thing is if you believe in yourself, it taught me how at a young age how to get back up and go again.' The hosts and Ashlee's friends want to start a petition to get Ashlee back on Saturday Night Live. He sadly missed out on a Leading Actor gong at Sunday's BAFTAs. And Barry Keoghan brushed off his recent awards snub to join a slew of stars at the Burberry show during London Fashion Week on Monday. The actor, 31, continued to show off his snazzy sense of style in a sharp camel co-ord teamed with a cream high-necked jumper as he arrived for the runway event. Barry's look consisted of a biker-inspired jacket teamed with matching trousers, layered under his chunky knit polo neck jumper. Despite landing a nomination for Leading Actor for his role in Saltburn, Barry missed out on the prize to Oppenheimer's Cillian Murphy. Barry Keoghan showed off his snazzy sense of style in a sharp camel co-ord as he brushed off his BAFTAs snub to head to London Fashion Week's Burberry show The actor donned a sharp camel co-ord teamed with a cream high-necked jumper as he arrived for the runway event Saltburn failed to translate its viral success into awards gold. The film about a student at Oxford who becomes enthralled by a wealthier classmate and spends a summer at his sprawling estate, has become an internet sensation. But sadly it failed to land a single award, despite nods for Outstanding British Film, Leading Actor Barry Keoghan, Supporting Actress Rosamund Pike, Supporting Actor Jacob Elordi and the film's score. However, the film did get a moment in the spotlight, thanks to a performance of Murder On The Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The song, released 22 years ago, had a scene-stealing moment in the final stages of the film and has since re-entered the charts. Ellis-Bextor was joined by a team of dancers in sequins as she took to the stage in a dramatic black and orange gown with a full skirt as she performed the disco hit. Oppenheimer proved to be the big winner on the night, earning seven gongs including Best Film, Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr and Director for Christopher Nolan. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Barry's look consisted of a biker-inspired jacket teamed with matching trousers, layered under his chunky knit polo neck jumper Despite landing a nomination for Leading Actor for his role in Saltburn, Barry missed out on the prize to Oppenheimer 's Cillian Murphy This year's London Fashion Week kicked off on Friday and ends on Tuesday Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, as Emma Stone collected the Best Actress gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. Cillian - who plays the titular role in Nolan's atomic bomb saga - picked up the prize at the prestigious awards ceremony. He triumphed against Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Barry Keoghan for Saltburn and Teo Yoo for Past Lives. Accepting the trophy, he said: 'Oh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much BAFTA.' He paid tribute to 'the most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood: Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, thank you for seeing something in me that I probably didn't see in myself.' The Irish actor said to Nolan: 'Thank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again.' Nolan also acknowledged his 'fellow nominees and my Oppenhomies', adding: 'I know it's a cliche to say, but I'm in awe of you.' He said J Robert Oppenheimer was a 'colossally knotty character', adding: 'We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and it's a privilege to be a part of this community with you all. Downey Jr, 58, also collected a BAFTA for his role as Lewis Strauss in the Hollywood blockbuster, which has swept the board during the 2024 awards season. This year's London Fashion Week kicked off on Friday and ends on Tuesday. Breathtaking Rating: Killer Crocs with Steve Backshall Rating: Before the next pandemic strikes, can we please make sure our hospitals are fully stocked with extra beds, masks, oxygen supplies and fixed camera rigs. Lurching between close-ups and chasing through wards, the handheld photography on Breathtaking (ITV) was enough to bring on symptoms of dizziness and nausea. Director Craig Viveiros intended to convey the frantic urgency and sense of rising panic as the first wave of Covid-19 struck Britain in March 2020. But the technique of filming the hospital scenes as if we were in a war zone, with the picture spinning and diving, soon became an irritating gimmick. If you could follow the story without succumbing to migraine, this was the best of the pandemic dramas yet screened. We've seen the Left rush to make political capital from the mishandled crisis, including Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson in a flaccid prosthetic disguise so misshapen, it looked like he'd left it by accident on his car dashboard during a heatwave. ITV's new drama Breathtaking delves into life in hospitals during the pandemic This version, co-written by Line Of Duty's Jed Mercurio and based on a book by Dr Rachel Clarke, used news footage and archive audio from Covid press conferences to chart the progress of the disease from the earliest cases to full lockdown. If you still suffer acid reflux at the sight of Matt Hancock, Breathtaking is guaranteed to have you doubled over. The emphasis here, though, is less on rights and wrongs of the government response, more on the avoidable chaos caused by the total lack of readiness within the NHS. The multiple layers of bureaucracy act like a clingfilm straitjacket, trapping hospital staff and leaving them helpless. Everyone can see the problems and no one can cut away the restrictions. It begins with a shortage of respirator masks and those that are available have been designed for men with big noses and broad jaws, so that female staff might as well hold a top hat over their faces. Staff who request better kit are told, 'If you really want one, you can get one on Amazon. They're about 300 quid.' By the end of the first hour, there are ambulances queuing round the block and paramedics under orders not to resuscitate the patients on board because they lack the requisite personal protective equipment [PE]. Masks are being sourced from builders' merchants and vets. Joanne Froggatt is the sole star among an excellent cast of mostly unknowns. She plays Dr Abbey Henderson, a consultant who cannot fathom how administrators and managers will allow people to die, rather than disregard rigid protocols handed down by civil servants at Public Health England. Dr Abbey Henderson, played by Downton Abbey star Joanna Froggatt, fights back tears as she declares the patient dead before walking back to her Covid ward, as an acute medicine consultant Tonight's opener, called Containment, covers the three critical weeks leading up to the original March 2020 lockdown During the episode Dr Abbey sees one man, 80 years old with a heart condition, on a gurney in a store cupboard 'I don't think they're making up guidelines on the spot,' scoffs one executive. 'This is their lane. We need to have faith in their ability to assess the epidemiological landscape.' We're reminded that the NHS was already in crisis before the pandemic, with patients on stretchers in corridors and crowded into waiting rooms. Dr Abbey sees one man, 80 years old with a heart condition, on a gurney in a store cupboard. 'Can we please stop using that bloody cupboard?' she tells her junior. It's a system already at breaking point, where staff are expected to use their ingenuity while managers still insist everything is done by the book a two-tier system where reality and pretence operate in tandem. When nurses realise they are not going to be issued with proper PPE, they begin cutting up plastic binbags and wearing them as aprons. In the most upsetting scenes, one nurse called Divina (Georgia Goodman) begins showing signs of Covid and is sent home after caring for patients who according to the guidelines cannot have the disease because they have not recently travelled abroad. When we next see her, she is being stretchered onto a ward before being taken to intensive care and put into an induced coma so she can be intubated. We watch her go from good health to the brink of death, in a flurry of images. There are strong implications that the absence of effective precautions meant the virus was spread from hospitals into public spaces by accident. Dr Abbey does everything she can wearing a mask on buses, showering as soon as she gets home, even closing her car door with an elbow instead of her bare hand. But everything we now know about how virulent the disease is makes these attempts look futile. With the three episodes running on consecutive nights, this promises to be an increasingly distressing account of the most uncertain and frightening few weeks in recent British history. It's impossible for one drama to convey everything that was going on entire industries facing sudden collapse, millions of families coping with the closure of schools, millions more unable to see loved ones in care homes, the toll on mental health and all the seismic disruption of lockdown. It will be a long time before we come to terms with the full nightmare. This drama, by depicting medical and bureaucratic battles on the Covid front line, and not merely indulging in cheap political point-scoring, is a step in the right direction. Steve Backshall went in search of Killer Crocs (Ch5) in South Africa's Ndumo Game Reserve Steve Backshaw explores the Crocworld Conservation Centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Backshall with Henry who is over 120 years old, making him the oldest living croc in the world The landscape was equally deadly as Steve Backshall went in search of Killer Crocs (Ch5) in South Africa's Ndumo Game Reserve. On his hands and knees, he ventured into the 'kill zone' on the edge of a river, looking for 20ft Nile crocodiles weighing more than a quarter of a ton. He also got close enough to help carry one captive animal onto a truck. 'It's like trying to lift a grand piano,' he grunted, 'except it's alive, and it's got teeth.' We were given a spectacular viewpoint by outstanding drone images, soaring over the basking crocs that looked, from high above, like the little lizards you might spot in the English countryside. The drone also picked up the boat of a poacher, trawling with nets and snares to catch crocodiles for the illegal meat, medicine and fashion markets croc skin fetches high prices, as does oil from their fatty tissue. Steve's camera crew were able to direct rangers to the poachers' hideout, and their equipment was seized. It was a small victory in an ongoing war. Sarah Jessica Parker's son James was seen with his father Matthew Broderick in a new portrait shared to Instagram on Monday. The 21-year-old college student is the same height as his 61-year-old veteran actor dad which was made clear as they posed side-by-side while outdoors on a lush green lawn. Also pictured was Sarah as she leaned on her spouse with whom she has been working with on stage in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite. It is very rare for James to post images of his family. In addition to James, Matthew and Sarah share 14-year-old twin girls Marion and Tabitha, but they were not seen in the new images. The photos were taken during a 31st birthday celebration for James' friend Brian Og Caball. Sarah Jessica Parker 's son James was seen with his father Matthew Broderick in a new portrait shared to Instagram on Monday. The 21-year-old is the same height as his 61-year-old veteran actor dad as they are seen outdoors Also pictured was Sarah as she leaned on her spouse with whom she has been working with on stage with Plaza Suite. It is very rare for James to post images of his family. In addition to James, Matthew and Sarah share 14-year-old twin girls Marion and Tabitha, but they were not seen One of the last times Sarah and Matthew posed with all three of their children on a red carpet was in December 2022. They were seen at the star-studded world premiere of Some Like It Hot on Broadway. The actress - who is on the series And Just Like That... - wore a long white trench coat over a stylish dark blue dress, glittering underneath the bright lights of the red carpet. She accessorized with several thick pearl necklaces, and she walked in bright white high heels. Her husband and Ferris Bueller's Day Off star kept it simple in a blue, plaid blazer over a black turtleneck. They stood next to their three children who were all dressed up for the big night out. James, who attends Brown University, wore a suave black suit and while Marion and Tabitha wore stylish dresses underneath cozy coats. The photos were taken during a 31st birthday celebration for James' friend Brian Og Caball James also shared this photo of a hedgehog crossing sign; these signs are often found in England The power couple, who have been married for almost 30 years, mostly kept their children out of the spotlight but occasionally bring them along to red carpet events now they are older. In November, Parker said she is too busy to think about combatting the ageing process. The actress admitted she has no idea what standard practice is when it comes to looking younger and is 'confused' as to why it is such a topic of interest for women. One of the last times Sarah and Matthew posed with all three of their children on a red carpet was in December 2022. They were seen at the star-studded world premiere of Some Like It Hot on Broadway She told Britain's Hello magazine: 'I don't know what else you're supposed to do! I'm so confused as to why this is such an interesting topic for so many people. ' I'm confounded by the fact that men my age are never asked this question. I don't ponder it, except when I'm asked about it. 'We wake up and we've got a million things going on - you've just got to get on with your day. 'You can do all sorts of things that can make you feel better, but I just think, am I going to do something radical and everyone is going to be like: 'She looks weird now??' The power couple spotted on the opening of Plaza Suite in New York City in 2022 The stars seen in character on stage for the famed Neil Simon play The Sex and the City star went on to add that as a performer, she uses her face to communicate with the audience. And while she believes others can do what they want when it comes to combatting age, it is not a 'focus' of her life. 'I'm an actor, so I'm meant to be communicating emotion with my face,' said Parker. 'It's not in condemnation of anyone else doing what they want; it's just not for me. 'People should do what they want to do. But the ageing process isn't a focus of my life.' Taylor Swift has sent her private jet to Hawaii from Sydney amid reports she is flying her NFL star beau Travis Kelce to Australia to join her on her Eras Tour. The megastar, 34, jetted into Sydney from Melbourne on Monday afternoon and is staying at Crown's presidential villa (pictured) in Barangaroo. On Tuesday morning, her private jet once again took to the skies on a flight bound for Honolulu, while Swift stayed back in Sydney. The flight from Sydney to Honolulu is usually around 10 hours on a commercial flight, however Swift's luxurious Bombardier Global 6000 is designed to fly faster than a conventional aircraft. Kelce was last spotted in Kansas City, but is thought to be flying to Los Angeles via a private jet, quite possibly to catch a connecting flight to Hawaii. Taylor Swift has sent her private jet to Hawaii from Sydney amid reports she is flying her NRL star beau Travis Kelce to Australia to join her on her Eras Tour If he does fly to Australia, he will land just in time to watch Swift perform at Sydney's Accor Stadium later this week. Swift's jet makes for a far more luxurious flight than Kelce would experience flying commercial, as the aircraft boasts a which a double bed and fine dining cabin. Kelce dropped a huge hint that he could head Down Under on this week's episode of his New Heights podcast, claiming that he would 'venture to an island real soon' with the best ones being 'south' of the US. On Tuesday morning, her private jet once again took to the skies on a flight bound for Honolulu, while Swift stayed back in Sydney Kelce was last spotted in Kansas City, but is thought to be flying to Los Angeles via private jet, quite possibly to catch a connecting flight to Hawaii.(Pictured: Swift and Kelce in New York, October 2023) Flight radar shows Taylor's private jet flying to Honolulu He added that next week's podcast is a pre-recorded guest episode which he is not featured in, which led fans to believe he would join his girlfriend in Sydney from February 23 and maybe travel with her to Singapore for her shows in the first week of March. Rumours are also heating up that Swift and Kelce will enjoy enjoy a romantic holiday together in Queensland during their time Down Under. Swift is set to perform four shows in Sydney from Friday, February 23 to Monday February 26. The Shake It Of hitmaker landed just in Sydney at about 1.30pm on Monday after her flight was delayed 30 minutes due to the severe thunderstorms. Taylor is set to perform four shows in Sydney from Friday, February 23 to Monday February 26 The star is believed to be staying at Crown's presidential villa in Sydney's Barangaroo Crown Sydney's presidential villa is situated on the 88th floor of Crown Towers Sydney and typically costs AUD $25,000 per night The 800sqm residence is split over two levels and boasts unparalleled views over the Sydney harbour The second floor includes a spectacular master bedroom by Claire Chambers I have already written columns for 3 Quarks Daily about starting Hindi language-learning early in the Covid-19 pandemic, continuing to intermediate level as things opened up, and then learning Urdu alongside Hindi once Covid became less of a problem. However, as is suggested by the post-2020 timestamp of my linguistic odyssey, I am internet ki bachi, a child of the internet. At least at the beginning, I was confined to my house using apps and working with online language tutors during successive lockdowns. As a consequence, I started to become passable in reading, listening, speaking, and writing on my keyboard with the help of a plug-in but I could not write by hand. In the final instalment of my previous trilogy, the blog post concerning Urdu, I discussed my hesitancy about handwriting. Finding myself reasonably proficient in constructing emails and short documents on the computer, learning Urdu calligraphy seemed unnecessarily burdensome on my mental capacity. Theres no familial need for me to produce handwritten notes, so I thought this competence wasnt worth cultivating. However, Leanne Ogasawara in particular encouraged me to think again. Leanne argued that the craftmanship of handwriting establishes a deeper and more personal link with the target language. Relatedly, it also has links to memorization: perhaps its something to do with muscle memory. I revised for all my A-Level exams by writing notes by hand and, ever since, if I really want to remember something, forming the words with a pen gives me the best chance of doing so. Anyway, Leanne spoke passionately about how writing in Japanese unlocked new insights for her, and shared her experience of reading Jing Tsus book, Kingdom of Characters: The Language Revolution that Made China Modern about the Chinese written word. My own reading of this book gave me this wonderful description of surrendering to another tongue: I had to leave Chinese behind in order to immerse myself in English and know it from the inside. I never had to think so hard in dogmatic ways in Chinese to arrive at sense-making. The two language worlds did not accord; they clashed. Chinese had a prior claim to every experience that was expressive, intuitive, and creative to me, while English felt like a corrective device that straightened and twisted me to fit a new mold. It was not enough to just master writing, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. To think in English, I had to breathe and live a worldview that was expressed and constructed in that language. This is resonant of how one has to temporarily jettison old ways of thinking to learn a language. True, HindiUrdu have more in common with English than Chinese does. Even so, if there are losses in relinquishing familiarity and fluency in ones native tongue, the gain of understanding and internalizing the target language from the inside in linguistic and cultural assimilation can be immeasurable. Despite Leannes wise counsel, I was at first resolute about my lazy stance that in the year of our Lord 2023 there was no pressing need for the level-up of forming letters with a pen. It was towards the middle of last year, though, that I began to waver. For one thing, if I want to sit for exams like GCSE or A level (and I do), then it slowly dawned on me that writing by hand would be necessary. Id assumed because I knew the Devanagari and Nastaliq scripts quite intimately by this point, it should have been easy enough to form the letters if I only tried. Not so! The few early and unsupervised attempts I made to write simple words with pen and paper in Hindi or Urdu ended in shame-faced failure. I realized that my reading was very passive. When I tried proactively to construct the letters from memory, my mind would draw a blank about what most, if not all, of them looked like. As with many academics, Ive always been more of a reading learner than a visual or kinesthetic one. That was when the plan to do a language-learning homestay in South Asia first began to formulate in my mind. I initially thought of staying with an Urdu-speaking family in the city of Lucknow in Indias northern Uttar Pradesh province. The metropolis was certainly the right choice for me because of its storied history, cultural syncretism, and the high reputation its denizens have for their courtly language use. But in the end, personal contacts meant I resided with a friends Lucknow-based parents, who happen to be Hindi speakers. This was actually great, since in my view Devanagari is harder to write in than Nastaliq. Thats because, as Ive argued before, Urdu features a reduced number of letters compared to Hindi, with many being variations of the same letterforms. For instance, Urdu deploys variations like and , among other letter groups. Its all about whether the nuqte or diacritics are above or below the line, which is admittedly confusing enough. But Devanagari includes no such patterns, so it was good to be learning from native speakers of Hindi. I know my subjective position that Urdu writing is easier than Hindi might strike some readers as odd. I should say that I find reading Hindi a more straightforward task than right-to-left Urdu. But with writing in Devanagari, there is so much to think about, not least anticipating the short (choti e) matra which comes before the letter whereas one pronounces it afterwards. I know most Urdu letters have four forms (isolated, initial, medial, and final) and that it can be hard to judge the slant each time, or where to place letters: above or below the line. I just go for a sort of squared-off naskh along the line, rather than aiming for a hanging or suspended script. Having said that, Im not claimng my writing is legible. Indeed, one of my teachers says Im very bad at forming shoshe, the little downward strokes on which diacritical marks are supposed to sit. But maybe because I only had a week of amnay-samnay, ruu-ba-ruu, or face-to-face Hindi handwriting compared to the month of Urdu Ill talk about shortly, I am going to stand by my controversial opinion. My time in Lucknow was also a great stay because the couple I lived with for a week were so kind to me. I had known the three of us would speak together in Hindi a lot, as I had been told that this couple were (wrongly, in my view) unconfident in their English. But what was even better was that the mother steered me towards writing Devanagari by hand. This woman, Anjali, had been a nursery school teacher when her own daughter (my young friend) was small. She accordingly had oceans of patience to pour on the childlike although middle-aged writer in front of her. Learning languages starting from the beginning is infantilizing. Somehow struggling awkwardly to form the letters with a pen is a necessary part of this artless experience: you would be denying yourself something not to have it. Anjali would sit with me for a few hours each day going through the Hindi (varnamala or alphabet). The (varna) part of the word refers to letters or characters in a script. It represents individual phonetic units or symbols used in writing. More evocatively, the (mala) part means a string or garland. In this context, it symbolizes a series or sequence of items threaded together in a specific order. As such, (varnamala) can be understood as a necklace of characters, representing the organized sequence of letters in an alphabet or script. Arre wah, beautiful! Anjali certainly led me to festoon myself with these letters, teaching me their pronunciation (though my accent is incorrigibly terrible), their ordering sequence, and the logic behind them. Coming home from work each day, her husband, who is only a few years older than me, would smile with avuncular pride at my progress. Over the week, he started to bring me childrens books about the letters and matras to help push me on. These included those handwriting workbooks where you can trace over dotted lettering to practice, which are superb for building muscle memory in the early stages. Inspired by this trip, a few months later I went searching for a local Urdu teacher in my hometown of Leeds in northern England. Handwriting is so hard to learn online; its the one tactile skill that doesnt really translate for a digital world, try though I have. I remember some frustrating sessions when I would take pictures of my writing and send them by WhatsApp to a teacher in Pakistan before waiting for his feedback. This was time-consuming and inadequate, despite his expertise as an instructor, so I knew that having someone close by would be much more satisfactory. I found a young woman who had moved to Britain from West Punjab a few years earlier to get married. Now we meet every week at her house to concentrate on getting my writing up to scratch for the Edexcel GCSE in Urdu I have decided to take this summer. (Im not convinced I will pass, though. Yesterday I was writing mere foundation level essays in Urdu and finding it really hard. The papers are set up in such a way that I get asked what my school is like (!) and how I celebrated last Eid. My teacher here in Karachi said, Just tell them youre going to write about Christmas, so that is what I did for this practice session! Meanwhile, the school essay was pure fiction.) One ingenious idea I came up with was to use the glorious Rekhta website, with its treasure trove of stories and poems, to flip between Hindi and Urdu. In order to practise Hindi writing, I could select the Nastaliq setting at the top of the page and try to transcribe the Urdu words into Devanagari. And vice versa for Urdu, of course. I consider this a useful tip for those wanting to learn the two languages at the same time. It obviates the need for a teacher, since at the click of a button you can move into the other language and mark your own work. Friends had affirmed that writing leads to a more hands-on approach to the second language, and now I could see they were right. I discovered that this process not only enhanced my understanding of these sister languages but also fuelled my fascination to such an extent that my subconscious mind began to spin fantasies of crafting the elusive characters. I became deeply engrossed in the process, to the point where I would regularly dream about forming the letters. My fixation on mastering the scripts revealed a stark contrast between my proficiency in English spelling and my challenges with the unfamiliar letters of Hindi and Urdu. Whereas Im usually a stickler for spelling in English, Im hopeless at remembering which letters form particular words in both Hindi and Urdu. In Urdu, knowing when or (kh), or (t), and ,, or (s) was required were particular roadblocks. In Hindi, it was which sh ( or ) and the matras signalling vowels between letters that I found especially hard to gauge. Next I plotted a longer South Asian sojourn. After encountering visa complications for my intended trip to both Pakistan and India, I found myself joyfully stuck for a whole month in Karachi with a British friend employed by the UN. Because of her monolingualism, my immersion experience wasnt as consistent as a homestay. That said, I got to speak a lot more Urdu than usual with her household staff, as well as workers in the surrounding service industry. To enrich my language capabilities further, I enlisted the tutorship of a fantastic Urdu teacher, Idrees Kasbati from SUN Tutors Academy, who visited every day except at the weekend for two-hour sessions at our house. Despite the apparent setback of not making it to India, the unexpected turn of staying rooted in the single city of Karachi has proven to be very beneficial for both my language-learning journey and overall wellbeing. It was an educational opportunity conversing in Urdu with the housekeeper and his family while my English-speaking friend was away on one of her many work trips. The five-year-old girl of the family provided engaging stream-of-consciousness soliloquies, touching on topics ranging from pets and cousins to a wedding in the village and her school life. One memorable moment arose when she expressed her feelings about my friends cats, remarking, Noodle Pickle se ghussa hai kyunke Main orange hoon aur tum bhi orange ho (Noodle is upset with Pickle because I am orange and so are you). Trust a primary school pupil to understand the sibling rivalry of two ginger toms! Fortunately, my role mainly involved nodding and offering affirmative phrases like Haan, Accha?, and Ye sahi baat hai, sparing me the need to fully comprehend the idiomatic chatter of this whip-smart young girl. Working with infants is thought to be a uniquely facilitative training, because young children just witter at you, unbothered whether you understand them or not. Returning to Pakistan for the first time since the pandemic, this time armed with language, felt like getting glasses with a sharper prescription or activating noise-cancellation on headphones. Every detail became clearer and my confidence increased. Things not only came into sharper focus for me in South Asia but also in encounters within the British diaspora after learning Hindi-Urdu. I think people who never learn the language miss so many details. Im motivated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivaks stirring summons: if you are interested in talking about the other, and/or in making a claim to be the other, it is crucial to learn other languages. This new vision held true right from finding my way out of Jinnah International Airport via an exit sign emblazoned with Bahar jane ke rasta (literally The way for going outside) to navigating the Nastaliq signage-sprouting streets. My phones camera captured moments, from snapshots of the Beach Luxury Hotels toilet (Bare meherbani wash basin mein paaon nahin dhonen Please do not wash your feet in the wash basin) to the sign spied in a tailors shop (Machinon ki service ka kaam tasali bakhsh kiya jata hai. Chiffon, cotton, jersey, malai lawn ki home service ki jati hai Machine servicing done to your satisfaction. Home service for chiffon, cotton, jersey, malai lawn). Each sign is a yardstick attesting to how far my comprehension has travelled. Amid the chaotic contradictions of the streets, a Queen Elizabeth II memorial mural, created when she died in 2022 and painted in vibrant truck art style, caught my eye under a dusty overpass an incongruous homage blending cultures. Alongside, Palestine and Kashmir solidarity posters spoke of the enormity of global issues. As we sped past, I glimpsed political posters, some adorned with an elaborate Arabicized Urdu font, representing diverse ideologies MQM, PPP, and those of various religious parties each a testament to the complex alphabet soup of Pakistani politics. I indulged in local culture, purchasing sweatshirts featuring Urdu calligraphy and changing my phones language setting from Hindi to Urdu for a more complete linguistic submersion. Soon stumped by the buttons being on the wrong side, and chastened by having accidentally turned my WhatsApp profile picture into a random photo from my phones camera roll, before too long I turned back to left-to-right Devanagari to avoid further mishaps. Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle, bheed-bhaad, or amad-o-raft, the act of reading felt more private and seductive than ever. I forged new connections to the written word, from studying for GCSE to pondering the finer details of Urdu. I experienced a tongue-tied reticence in my worry over using Hindi words like pati for husband or shauhar, parivar for family or khandaan, and sundar for beautiful or khubsurat. But the soft power of Bollywood means that these words are easily understood, even if I sometimes sound like a BJP-wali. More than that, I was relieved to find my timidity mirrored by a shop vendor I met, who was embarrassed over what he called his tooti phuti (broken) English. Literally this means broken, and figuratively it is messed up, but at the time I confused it for the tutti frutti ice cream flavour! I witnessed jugaad or life-hack innovations, such as a man walking his dog from a motorcycle or a shower tray repurposed as a storm drain cover, which highlighted the resilience and creativity engrained in everyday life here. Perhaps the best example, though, is Murree Sapphire Gin. The Murree Brewery, which operates on the edges of Pakistans strict law around alcohol prohibition for Muslims, wanted to make a gin that looked like Bombay Sapphire. Finding the iconic blue glass too expensive to manufacture, they simply coloured the gin itself a striking azure hue! I saw two professional-looking female cyclists in lycra pedalling furiously along a fume-choked dual carriageway, while some impoverished people slept on concrete in the dusty roads central reservation. A whimsical sight was a goat wandering down the same traffic separator clad in a mans Fair Isle cardigan to keep the animal warm in Karachis winter. These are a few of the idiosyncracies that make Pakistan unforgettable. Just as the becardiganned goat points to the eccentric yet resilient spirit of this country, my stay has beckoned me towards the strange but enduring mystery of language. An oceanic submersion is gained by surrendering to its depths. Handwriting, I now appreciate, is jugaad that helps with language acquisition. At the same time, its more than a life hack. Writing by hand is something that cannot easily be hacked. It is a sophisticated language practice which is hard to reproduce by algorithms or artificial intelligence. It makes demands on us of discipline, ingenuity, artistry, and above all humanity. Pakistan and India, homes of the languages of my heart, have so much to teach the world about all of these things. Bobby Brazier proved he's a man of many talents as he stormed the Holzweiler runway at London Fashion Week on Sunday. The actor turned Strictly Come Dancing finalist, 20, reminded his fans he is a triple threat as an actor, dancer and model as he effortlessly modelled Holzweiler's Autumn/Winter collection. The star was dressed in an unbuttoned black shirt covered with a large brown scarf and a huge black padded jacket. And he didn't look a hair out of place as he walked confidently alongside professional runway models during the show. It comes after he attended the first day of LFW as a spectator with socialite and fellow model friend Delphi Primrose. Bobby Brazier, 20, proved he's a man of many talents as he stormed the Holzweiler runway at London Fashion Week on Sunday The actor turned Strictly Come Dancing finalist reminded us he is a triple threat as he effortlessly modelled Holzweiler's Autumn/Winter collection The star was dressed in an unbuttoned black shirt covered with a large brown scarf and a huge black padded jacket Bobby and Delphi, also 20, journeyed around London on the Friday, attending a total of three shows. They watched models walk for Mark Fast, Edward Crutchley, and Sinead O'Dwyer. During their show-hopping they rubbed shoulders with Laura Whitmore, Lottie Moss, and Lottie Tomlinson. Bobby has been modelling for years and is currently signed to Unsigned Models who also represent Helena Christensen and her ex Norman Reedus. It comes after Bobby and Strictly co-star Ellie Leach broke their silence on their rumoured romance, after weeks of speculation that they are dating. Bobby, 20, was asked about his feelings towards the actress, 22, and praised her as 'beautiful and amazing', while avoiding denying the romance rumours. Speaking to The Sun, the EastEnders star gushed: 'Ellie is a sweetheart, look at hershes beautiful, shes amazing, shes good at what she does. Shes a good dancer. She is a lovely lovely friend of mine.' When grilled on whether he could see them becoming more than just friends, he teased: 'I dont know youll have to see what she says.' And he didn't look a hair out of place as he walked confidently alongside professional runway models during the show It comes after Bobby and Strictly co-star Ellie Leach, 22, (pictured) broke their silence on their rumoured romance, after weeks of speculation that they are dating Speculation about Ellie and Bobby began in early January when insiders reported they had become close performing Strictly Come Dancing Live!, which concluded on February 11 Bobby also refused to confirm if he intended on starting a relationship, quickly changing the topic to his career. He said: 'UmmmIve got some things to do. Ive got career things to do, Ive got personal things to do, Ive got Godly things to do. Im going back to EastEnders. Ive missed them so much.' Meanwhile, Ellie also avoided explicitly confirming or denying a relationship with Bobby, telling the publication: 'Were all on tour together, its been really nice to actually spend time with each other. 'During the show, youre with your partner all the time really and you dont really get to see any of the other pros or the celebrities. 'So on tour we have really bonded and it does feel like a big family. Its been so much fun.' Ellie finished. The actress won Strictly 2023 with Vito Coppola, who joined her on tour. Speculation about Ellie and Bobby began in early January when insiders reported they had become close performing Strictly Come Dancing Live! The pair are said to be in a secret romance and have enjoyed a 'string of dates' while touring the country. Bobby, Ellie, and the rest of the Strictly crew concluded the tour on February 11. Hugh Grant and wife Anna Eberstein put on a loved-up display as they enjoyed a date night at the British Vogue & Tiffany & Co. BAFTAs afterparty on Sunday night. The actor, 63, looked dashing in a tuxedo, while Swedish producer Anna, 41, turned heads in a multi-coloured zig-zag minidress. Anna matched her outfit with a pair of nude heels as the couple left the star-studded party hosted at private members' club Annabel's in London's Berkley Square. Hugh let loose at the A-list bash to celebrate fashion and film, removing his bow tie and unbuttoning his smart white shirt - though he left it tucked in. Hugh and Anna were joined at the annual BAFTA afterparty by the likes of Dua Lipa and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Hugh Grant, 63, and wife Anna Eberstein, 41, put on a loved-up display as they enjoyed a date night at the British Vogue & Tiffany & Co. BAFTAs afterparty on Sunday night The actor looked dashing in a tuxedo, while Swedish producer Anna turned heads in a multi-coloured zig-zag minidress Anna matched her outfit with a pair of nude heels as the couple left the star-studded party hosted at private members' club Annabel's in London's Berkley Square British Vogue's Head of Editorial Content, Chioma Nnadi, model Cara Delevingne, actor and director Emerald Fennell, and actors Ayo Edebiri and Emily Blunt, hosted the seventh annual bash for Nnadi's first event in her new role at the fashion bible. Last nominated for a BAFTA in 2018, Hugh was on hand to present Christopher Nolan with his first-ever BAFTA for Oppenheimer earlier in the evening. While announcing the award at the ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall, Hugh hilariously channelled his Oompa Loompa persona from the 2023 Wonka film. He sang: 'Oompa Loompa doompety dong/ Most of these films were frankly too long. Oompa Loompa doompety dah/ But for some reason the nominees are' The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host and an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night. Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month's abdominal surgery. Oppenheimer won Best Film as well as sweeping the board in the major categories at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. The epic biographical thriller led the wins with seven gongs, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan. It had the most nominations with 13. Hugh let loose at the A-list bash to celebrate fashion and film, removing his bow tie and unbuttoning his smart white shirt - though he left it tucked in Hugh and Anna made a red carpet appearance earlier in the evening as they attended the 2024 BAFTAs at the Royal Festival Hall alongside the great and good of British film Oppenheimer swept up in the big name categories, but it was closely followed by the surreal black comedy Poor Things. It marked five awards for the film, including Emma Stone collecting the Best Actress gong for her turn as Bella Baxter. Meanwhile, Da'Vine Joy Randolph crowned victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for her part in The Holdovers as she continues her march to Oscars glory. Next up, Director Jonathan Glazer and producer James Wilson's The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film. The night kicked off with French legal drama Anatomy Of A Fall winning the Original Screenplay award after premiering in Cannes back in May. Poor Things won the BAFTA for special visual effects. Following this, drama film Earth Mama was honoured with the BAFTA outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer, presented by David Beckham. The Zone Of Interest won the BAFTA for a film not in the English language. The BAFTA for Casting was awarded to Susan Shopmaker for private school-set The Holdovers, while the editing award has gone to Jennifer Lame for Second World War biopic Oppenheimer. Comedy drama American Fiction won Best Adapted Screenplay. The Boy And The Heron won the Best Animated Film Bafta. The Documentary BAFTA went to 20 Days In Mariupol, which highlights the work of Associated Press journalists in the besieged Ukrainian city during the Russian invasion. The BAFTA for Production Design went to Shona Heath, James Price and Zsuzsa Mihalek for surreal comedy Poor Things, about a woman who is reanimated and begins a new life. It was previously announced the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema would go to programmer and archivist June Givanni, founder of the Pan African Film Archive, who collected the prize during the ceremony from Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh. Samantha Morton collected the BAFTA Fellowship from producer David Heyman, who she worked with on Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. The BAFTA Rising Star award was won by Mia Mckenna-Bruce following a public vote. Margot Robbie, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone and Florence Pugh were among the star-studded arrivals earlier in the evening on the glitzy red carpet. Last nominated for a BAFTA in 2018, Hugh was on hand to present Christopher Nolan with his first-ever BAFTA for Oppenheimer earlier in the evening While announcing the award at the ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall, Hugh hilariously channelled his Oompa Loompa persona from the 2023 Wonka film Hugh last won a BAFTA in 1995 for cult classic Four Wedding And A Funeral, and has been nominated three times since. He and Anna have been married since 2018 and share three children together: a son, John, born in 2012 and daughters born in 2015 and 2018 - neither of whom have been publicly named. Hugh has a further two children: Tabitha, 12, and Felix, 11, with ex-girlfriend Tinglan Hong, a Chinese actress. The actor will star in a star-studded ensemble film coming out in May, Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story, alongside Melissa McCarthy and James Marsden. Hugh is currently filming horror thriller film Heretic and his political satire comedy series The Regime is in post-production. Amber Turner led the sun-kissed TOWIE 2024 cast on Sunday as they posed in their swimwear on a luxury trip to Bali. The braless star, 30, who joined the TOWIE cast in 2017, looked incredible in a rainbow-coloured dress which skimmed her cleavage and was held in place with starfish-themed jewellery. She flaunted her tiny waist and washboard abs in the swimwear, wearing a matching tiny bikini brief underneath. Amber was joined by newcomer Elma Pazar, a Love Island finalist, and Chloe Meadows, who joined the cast in 2015. The cast are filming series 33 of the reality show, which launched in 2010, though series 32 is still yet to air. Braless Amber Turner barely covered her modesty in a cleavage-skimming cut-out rainbow dress as she led the TOWIE cast on luxury trip to Bali over the weekend Amber was joined by newcomer Elma Pazar, (pictured). She is a Love Island finalist, who stunned in a peach bikini and matching heels Chloe Meadows, who joined the cast in 2015, wore a classic white string bikini and wrapped a thin scarf around her waist It was day two for the cast in the Indonesian province, where they are staying in a five-star hotel. Courtney Green, Saffron Lempriere, Danni Imbert and Ella Rae Wise and boys Dan Edgar, Jordan Brook, Roman Hackett, James 'Diags' Bennewith, and Harry Derbidge completed the Bali cast. Dan, 33, looked cool and breezy on a walk in an open white short-sleeved T-shirt and a snazzy pair of black and white trunks. Jordan, 29, opted for a classic look - slightly long black shorts and black sandals - as she stretched his arms on his head. Back at the hotel, Roman and Dani got cosy and enjoyed a chat with Roman in the pool and Dani - wearing a gorgeous turquoise bikini and the same stunning starfish earrings as Amber. Saffron and Diags had fun in the water as Saffron climbed on top of a soaked Diags, frightened of what was about to come. Diags toppled over and he and Saffron both fell backwards into the water, Saffron screaming and both making a big splash. No sooner had Diags dried off than he got back in - but stayed out of trouble by floating on a pink flamingo and sipping on a drink. Roman then gave the rest of the cast an eyeful when he leaped on Dan's shoulders - his thin peach trunks leaving little to the imagination. Meanwhile, (L-R) Chloe Meadows, Amber Turner, Elma Pazar, and Courtney Green were having civilised fun, chatting on the beach furniture. Dan Edgar, 33, looked cool and breezy in an open white short-sleeved T-shirt and a snazzy pair of black and white shorts He then met up with Diags, 32, (left) and Roman who all sport open shirts, Diags's black and Roman's green Jordan, 29, opted for a classic look - slightly long black shorts and black Birkenstock sandals - as she stretched his arms on his head Back at the hotel, Roman and Dani got cosy and enjoyed a chat with Roman in the pool and Dani - wearing a gorgeous turquoise bikini and the same stunning starfish earrings as Amber Saffron and Diags had fun in the water as Saffron climbed on top of a soaked Diags, frightened of what was about to come Diags toppled over and he and Saffron both fell backwards into the water, Saffron screaming and both making a big splash No sooner had Diags dried off than he got back in - but stayed out of trouble by floating on a pink flamingo and sipping on a drink Roman then gave the rest of the cast an eyeful when he leaped on Dan's shoulders - his peach trunks leaving little to the imagination Meanwhile, (L-R) Chloe Meadows, Amber Turner, Elma Pazar, and Courtney Green were having civilised fun, chatting on the beach furniture In December, ITV announced that TOWIE, narrated by Denise Van Outen, would release two series in 2024. A source told the publication: 'TOWIE is back for two new seasons and producers are going all out. They are splashing the cash by sending the cast away to Bali for a glamorous trip in February. 'It is the most exotic place they've ever experienced to date and is a huge treat for the lucky stars who get booked to go.' ITV promised that the two new series would see 'unexpected alliances'. And fans are in for a treat as OG Lauren Goodger previously announced she would be making a return after an 11-year absence. The influencer, 37, revealed she planned to return to the reality show in February and has already started thinking about potential storylines. It's all good news for fans who though the show was all but over given series 30's mere 125,000 views - a drop of almost 500,000 from the previous series. Canada's main airline must pay compensation after an AI chatbot convinced a customer to buy a full-price ticket by promising a discount. Jake Moffatt bought an Air Canada ticket to go to the funeral of his grandmother. He was helped by a chatbot, which told him he could get some of his money back under the airline's bereavement policy so long as he applied within 90 days of travel. So he bought tickets from Vancouver to Toronto for about $590, and then a few days later paid $630 to return. But when he requested some money back, Air Canada said the chatbot was wrong - and it would only consider requests made before travel. Air Canada was ordered to pay Jake Moffatt $483 plus $27 in interest and about $93 in fees after he was forced to take the airline to court when it refused to refund money that a chatbot had promised him Tribunal member Christopher Rivers called Air Canada's response a 'remarkable submission' Air Canada was criticsied by the tribunal for trying to claim its chatbot was responsible for its own actions and was a separate legal entity Moffats grandmother died on November 11 2022 - and that day we visited the Air Canada website and asked the chatbot about bereavement fares. The chatbot told him he could get a refund toreduce the amount he would end up paying Moffatt showed them a screenshot of the chatbot's advice but the company said it had used 'misleading advice' So Moffatt sued for the difference - and won at the Civil Resolution Tribunal of British Columbia in Canada. But not before Air Canada bosses dug in their heels - and sent what tribunal member Christopher Rivers called a 'remarkable submission'. Bosses at the airline claimed the chatbot was 'responsible for its own actions' and was a separate legal entity. They said that the correct information was in the small print on the airline's website. 'While a chatbot has an interactive component, it is still just a part of Air Canada's website,' tribunal member Christopher Rivers wrote in his decision. 'It should be obvious to Air Canada that it is responsible for all the information on its website. It makes no difference whether the information comes from a static page or a chatbot.' Moffat's grandmother died on November 11 2022 - and that day we visited the Air Canada website and asked the chatbot about bereavement fees. The chatbot responded: 'If you need to travel immediately or have already travelled and would like to submit your ticket for a reduced bereavement rate, kindly do so within 90 days of the date your ticket was issued by completing our Ticket Refund Application form,' He booked the flights on the back of the promise of a partial refund. On November 17, he applied for a refund and sent off his grandmother's death certificate - chasing the airline for a reply over the next few months. In February 2023, the airline told him the chatbot was wrong - and that he would not get a refund. DailyMail.com mocked up this image to show what Moffatt was told by the Air Canada chatbot - which he took screengrabs of, according to court documents below Moffatt took screengrabs of what the Air Canada chatbot told him - described here in the ruling by the Civil Resolution Tribunal of British Columbia Air Canada offers reduced fares for those travelling at the last-minute due to a bereavement. But these must be agreed in advance. A chatbot told Moffatt he could buy flights and then apply for a refuned up to 90 days later According to the decision, Moffatt said he would not have bought the tickets if he had to pay the full fare. He felt he should have paid about $565, but actually paid $1,220. Rivers ordered Air Canada to pay Moffatt $483 to cover the promised refund. The airline also had to pay $27 in interest and about $93 in fees. In the ruling, he wrote: 'Moffatt says, and I accept, that they relied upon the chatbot to provide accurate information. I find that was reasonable in the circumstances. 'There is no reason why Mr. Moffatt should know that one section of Air Canada's webpage is accurate, and another is not.' In the comments section under a version of the story by the Washington Post, readers criticised Air Canada. One wrote: 'Air Canada's refusal to take ownership of its own Chatbot is a really stupid move, but completely typical of its disdain for its customers and its willingness to confuse, deceive and over-charge them. 'Truly amazing. Air Canadas argument is so crazy - Air Canada put the chat bot on their web site! Such bad PR as well.' Another wrote: 'Commenters seem to have missed the point.T urns out that SkyNet is more compassionate than Air Canada While Costco may be famous for its $1.50 hot dog and soda deal and $5 rotisserie chicken, an expert shopper has revealed the groceries which are not good value at the store. Between the undisputed bargains, there are some items which simply do not offer the best deals, argues food writer Su-Jit Lin, especially if you do not have to buy in bulk. 'Not everything is cheaper by the ounce or pound here, and if you live in a small household or alone with your dog as I do, your price per unit skyrockets when you simply can't make it through the bulk buys fast enough to avoid spoilage,' she wrote in Eating Well. Shoppers may be better off buying some items at a local supermarket, rather than at the big box store, which charges between $60 and $120 a year for membership. Here are the seven products which do not offer the best bang for your buck at Costco, according to Lin. Between the undisputed bargains, there are some items which simply do not offer the best deals, argues food writer Su-Jit Lin Milk Milk is among the items which Lin argues are not necessarily cheaper to purchase at Costco 'Picking up a gallon of conventional dairy milk might seem like an easy convenience while you're there,' she wrote, 'but a quick comparison shows you can actually shave nearly half a dollar on a gallon of milk by getting it elsewhere.' She explains that while a gallon of milk is $4 at Costco, it is typically $3 or less at Lidl, Aldi or Target. Plus, for those who do not need a entire gallon, half-gallon options can sometimes be a better deal per ounce, she explains, especially if they are on sale. Kroger, for example, often has a half-gallon on sale for $1.29, she added. Sandwich bread Stores such as Publix and Kroger offer cheaper deals for sandwich bread, Lin said Two loaves of soft sandwich bread at Costco will set you back between $5 and $7. But depending on which brand you choose, you may be overpaying, Lin warned. 'Supermarkets like Publix and Kroger often offer "buy one, get one" specials on premium brands like Pepperidge Farm, Sara Lee, Nature's Own and Arnold, which brings the price down to as little as $2.15 a loaf in my Atlanta suburb,' she wrote. Plus, you do not always have to buy two loaves to get the half-off deal she added. Bagged salad kits Family-sized bagged salad kits at Costco may not be the best value, Lin argues At around $7 to $9 for a super-sized family kit, it often tallies up to be the same price per serving, warned Lin. 'I've been noticing brands like Taylor Farms, Fresh Express, EatSmart, Dole and more on sale at Kroger, Publix, Sprouts and Lidl for anywhere between $2.75 to $3.50 a kit,' she wrote. 'And when you can purchase the smaller sizes individually, you get to enjoy a wider variety of salads.' Raw chicken While the rotisserie chicken may be famously affordable, the same can not be said for raw chicken, Lin argues Alongside the famously affordable rotisserie chicken, the salmon and steak at Costco are also good quality, said Lin. But when it comes to raw chicken, it is 'always a pass', she said. That is because although the store offers breast or thighs for around $3 a pound, some supermarkets offer better deals. 'I've bought large family packs of chicken breasts for as low as $1.79 a pound at major supermarkets, and chicken leg quarters in a bag are often a bargain for as little as 59 cents a pound at major supermarkets and Walmart,' she wrote. Herbs and spices Dried herbs and spices lose their potency over time, so may not be good bang for your buck Lin argues that dried herbs and spices lose their potency over time, so an enormous tub of crushed red pepper, granulated garlic, nutmeg or Old Bay seasoning is unlikely to be necessary for most households. Canned soup Try buying soup at your local supermarket instead to get better value, said Lin While it can be tempting to stock up on soup at Costco, Lin said, you might actually be better off doing so at your local supermarket when it goes on sale. She wrote: 'Name-brand condensed soup is typically only a dollar a can on sale and even less when you buy store brands. Meanwhile, the unit price is as much as a quarter more each at Costco. 'For heartier soups, Costco sells eight-packs for a little under $2 a can, but they often go on sale elsewhere at a price of three for $5, sometimes even less.' Cereal Cereal is among the everyday items which Lin argues are not necessarily cheaper to purchase at Costco 'When you look at regular prices of popular cereals at grocery stores, it's easy to get sticker shock and feel that $7 to $14 for two oversized bags of it at Costco might be reasonable,' Lin wrote. But, she argues, most of the major cereals are made by General Mills, Kellogg's and Post, which supermarkets usually alternate putting on sale. Plus, these manufacturers often put out digital coupons, which may even end up offering you triple savings. The retailer is reportedly weighing up a potential increase in membership fees It comes as Costco weighs up a potential increase in membership fees - amid the departure of the company's longtime finance boss. Richard Galanti is set to step down on March 15 and will be succeeded by his counterpart at Kroger's, Gary Millerchip. Experts warn Millerchip is likely to have to field questions about a much-anticipated hike in membership fees - which are a bulk driver of profits for the retailer. There have been a total of seven membership fee hikes since Costco's founding in 1983 - each time by $5. On average hikes take place once every five years or so. Costco's long-time finance chief Richard Galanti is stepping down after nearly 40 years in the role The longest period over which the annual membership fee has remained unchanged was between 1983 and 1992. Current fees have not changed since 2017 - so analysts expect a hike is likely this year. 'While we've gone a little longer than the average increase, we feel we certainly have driven more value to the membership,' Galanti told analysts in December said. 'I'll use my standby answer, my answer is it's a question of when, not if. But at this juncture, we feel pretty good about what we're doing.' Tata Group companies Air India and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) plan to invest Rs 2,300 crore in Karnataka in multiple projects which will provide employment to about 1,650 people, an official statement here on Monday said. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil were among those present at an MoU signing ceremony regarding this. Patil said Air India plans to establish an airframe Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Bengaluru International Airport with an investment plan of Rs 1,300 Crore which is likely to employ 1,200 people. This will be the first-of-its-kind facility in India and will open doors for a full-scale MRO, Patil claimed. Air India will also create an aviation hub at Bengaluru Airport which will increase the economic activity and air traffic through Bengaluru, he added. According to a National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) study, the hub creation will increase the passengers handled at the airport by eight MPPA (Million Passengers Per Annum) thus giving direct and indirect employment opportunities to 25,000 to 26,000 people due to a boost in business activity, support staff and tourism in Karnataka, an official statement said. TASL is planning to set up three projects with a total investment of Rs 1,030 crore -- Passenger to Freighter Aircraft Conversion facility (Rs 420 crore), a gun manufacturing facility (Rs 310 crore) and Aerospace and Defence Research and Development in Karnataka (Rs 300 crore). These projects would generate direct employment for 450 people, it said. TASL plans to source more than 50 per cent of its 13,000 parts from Karnataka for its gun manufacturing facility, which is estimated to provide employment to 2,000-3,000 people in 300-350 small and medium enterprises, the statement added. "All these projects are first-of-its-kind in India and will be located at Bengaluru International Airport and Kolar and will further strengthen the Aerospace and Defence ecosystem of Karnataka," the statement said. Noting that such projects require streamlined support from the government in terms of clearances, approvals and interventions, Patil assured that they will give their complete backing to resolve any challenges pertaining to their implementation. Both the Indian and Italian Governments must address the systemic flaws in the visa application process When the Internet era started in the 20th century in the world, the people of the world were very happy that with the advent of the Internet era, development would be faster because the work would be done quickly with the facility of computers and the Internet. It was understood that the Internet would prove to be a boon to the entire world. It is understood that everything has two aspects (one positive and the other negative). Keeping this fact in front, the internet facility also has two aspects. The first thing is that all these worldly people are not yet fully educated about the Internet. That is why they have to depend on other consultants and agents. Then those agents charge exorbitant amounts of money to get the job done. The second thing is that the employees of the concerned company/department are arbitrarily collecting thousands of rupees from the people through agents under the guise of the Internet. Even in this free facility provided by the government, the agents succeeded in getting a thief-hole. Even when governments run such facilities, they are not thoroughly checked later. Through this article, I want to draw the attention of the Governments of India and Italy that if Indians want to go to Italy with any type of Italian visa (tourist visa, work visa, or family visa etc.) after the sponsor papers issued by the Italian government, An appointment has to be taken to deposit papers and pay the visa fee etc. at the Italian Embassy. Earlier the appointments were getting over the phone from Mumbai Centre. Thereafter, it was shifted to email. But these days, it is being taken from the website (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita/book-an-appointment). The work of visa paper collection & fee etc. has been awarded to VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd Company by the Italian Embassy. On checking this website repeatedly, it shows that no slots are available at this moment; please keep checking the site regularly. Hence, educated men like us also cannot get appointments through this site and the validity of the sponsor papers is lost. If one contacts an agent/consultant during the validity of the papers, they charge a hefty amount (Rs. Twenty-five thousand to Eighty thousand) and provide the appointment. Many agents are roaming around near the VFS centres located in Elante Mall Chandigarh and Shivaji Stadium New Delhi, who demand a huge amount from the people to provide the appointments. Such agents have opened their shops in all the cities of India. It is worth considering that a computer and internet-literate person on repeated visits to the above website finds that no slot (appointment time) is available, and keeps checking the site continuously. But, the agents are succeeding. It is important to mention here that under the rules of Italy, there is also a facility if the validity of one's sponsor papers is going to expire in 15 days, then at the (VFS Italy) centre in Delhi. You can go and deposit your papers and visa fees etc. directly without any appointment. But, it is not that easy as a visa application form is also filled along with other documents, which not everyone can fill. The help of an agent is also required to fill that form. Agents demand 5000 to 9000 rupees just for filling out a one-page form. If someone goes to their centre in Delhi with their complete documents in the last 15 days, they ask for other documents from them which are not required according to the rules. In this way, the papers submitted directly in the last 15 days do not get a visa. It is written in the reply letter that the visa has been refused due to the non-attachment of necessary documents. Then one has to take advice from an agent and then they say that the visa is denied only if the appointment does not get through them. Finally, I would like to write that if the Italian Government wants to continue the process of making appointments on the Internet site instead of phone or email, then it should also give appointments to the common people so that the additional burden of the agent's money does not fall on the people. The governments of India and Italy need to pay attention to this issue. (The writer is a renowned author and broadcaster, views are personal) Western involvement in conflicts like Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of waning efforts and increasing apathy amidst grim realities American conservative journalist Tucker Carlson demonstrated somewhat compelling journalism in his recent interview with Russian President Putin, despite facing severe criticism from proponents of weapons and ideological bravado for Ukraine. In the face of such opposition, Carlson courageously unveiled the hypocrisy surrounding freedom of expression and other noble ethics purportedly championed by Western values, revealing them to be nothing but a hollow dream. During his discourse at the World Government Summit in Dubai this week, subsequent to his interview with Putin, Carlson astutely highlighted a crucial analogy, likening superpowers to responsible fathers. Just as a father intervenes to halt his children's squabbles, irrespective of the underlying causes, so too should a superpower prioritise peacekeeping over political posturing. Regrettably, the prevailing sentiment among US political elites, along with their most trusted friends in Europe, seems indifferent to advocating true power in the global arena. Despite the contentious nature of the interview, it provided a vital platform for gaining authentic insight into the conflict in Ukraine from the Russian perspective. Putin, appearing rational and contemplative, articulated his stance with a measure of credibility. While some of his claims may have raised eyebrows, his demeanour served to underscore the legitimacy of his position to the American audience. Recognising his role as a patriot working in the interest of Russia, we must interpret his assertions within this context, recognising his commitment to his nation's welfare. However, as noted by geopolitical forecaster George Friedman, Putin's rhetoric serves a strategic purpose, aimed at influencing both domestic and international audiences. His communication strategy prioritises persuasion over absolute truth, leveraging carefully crafted narratives to exert pressure on other governments. In the wake of Russia's military operations in Ukraine, it becomes increasingly evident that mere factional unification without a mutually acceptable mediator is a futile endeavour. The West, regrettably, has yet to grasp the underlying causes of the conflict, opting instead to pursue narrow political agendas. Resorting to sanctions as the primary tool against Putin reflects a myopic approach devoid of meaningful intervention strategies. Can we truly cite any instance where sanctions have catalysed positive change? On the contrary, they inflict untold suffering on innocent populations without addressing socio-economic issues, perpetuating human suffering rather than alleviating it. In our recent history, we've witnessed the ebb and flow of nations, with empires rising and falling, borders shifting, and new countries emerging. Yet, amid this dynamic landscape, Ukraine finds itself ensnared in yet another tragic chapter-a story of sovereignty threatened and division looming. Two years after Vladimir Putin authorised a so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine, ostensibly for the purpose of "demilitarisation and denazification," we're witnessing the grim spectre of partition casting its shadow over this once-sovereign nation. Nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory now lies under Russian occupation, with pro-Russian enclaves clamouring for separation from the central government. What began as an ill-fated offensive has now unravelled into a labyrinth of internal discord, epitomised by the dismissal of esteemed General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, further deepening the nation's woes. In an essay purportedly penned by Zaluzhnyi for international audiences, a resounding sentiment echoed: Ukraine's destiny rested firmly within its own grasp. However, this powerful assertion was swiftly eclipsed by President Zelensky's decision to remove him from his position. Zelensky, lacking a military background, now shoulders the weighty burden of command. His selection underscores the precarious balancing act he must navigate-treading through a landscape marred by political turbulence and grappling with dwindling resources that empower private interests. The imminent question for Ukraine is: How long can Zelensky effectively balance the administrative and military dynamics in his favour, and what lies on the horizon after him? Meanwhile, on the front lines, the Russian advance continues unabated, with Ukrainian defences buckling under relentless pressure. Cities like Avdiivka teeter on the brink of collapse, their strategic significance magnifying the stakes of the conflict. Ukrainian soldiers, facing overwhelming odds, resort to desperate measures, booby-trapping their own strongholds before retreat. Ukraine's plight serves as a poignant reflection of conflicts that have entangled the West in recent decades, leaving behind indelible scars and haunting legacies for generations to come. Across continents and through the annals of time, from the sun-scorched deserts of Africa to the rugged terrain of the Balkans, the echoes of past conflicts reverberate, reminding us of the enduring human cost of war. Consider, for instance, the partition of Sudan in 2011-a momentous event hailed as a triumph of self-determination. Yet, beneath the veneer of newfound independence lies a fractured reality, where South Sudan remains ensnared in the throes of internal strife and humanitarian crises, while Sudan grapples with its own internal challenges. The legacy of the Second Sudanese Civil War, with its staggering death toll numbering in the millions, serves as a blunt illustration of the profound trauma inflicted by conflict. Similarly, the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s unleashed a maelstrom of violence and upheaval, shattering lives and communities across the region. Beyond the well-documented conflicts in Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo, lesser-known tragedies unfolded in the shadows- from the blood-soaked battlefields of Slovenia to the plight of ethnic minorities in newly formed states. Western powers intervened, offering aid and mediation, yet the toll of civilian casualties continued to mount, leaving behind a trail of shattered dreams and fractured identities. The partition of British India in 1947 stands as a graphic depiction of the human toll exacted by geopolitical upheaval. While much attention has been rightfully directed towards the massive violence and displacement that accompanied the creation of India and Pakistan, lesser-known are the stories of communities along the eastern borders, such as Bengal and Punjab, which also bore the brunt of turmoil and mass population movements. Influenced by Western colonial powers, particularly Britain, the partition was a product of colonial policies and decisions that left a devastating legacy of communal violence, resulting in hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of civilian deaths. Similarly, the division of Korea into North and South following the Korean War exemplifies the enduring legacy of Western interference in Cold War dynamics. While the war and subsequent division are well-documented, lesser-discussed are the ongoing experiences of separated Korean families and the persistent efforts for reconciliation between the two Koreas. Western powers, particularly the United States, played a pivotal role in shaping the division, with Cold War ideologies driving their support for South Korea. The conflict inflicted significant civilian casualties, with millions of lives lost amidst the crossfire of global power struggles. These instances expose the intricate interplay of geopolitics, colonial legacies, and the often overlooked internal dynamics that shape the destinies of nations. Amidst this complex web of influence, it's glaringly evident how interventions by the West frequently serve self-serving agendas, devoid of genuine comprehension of ground realities. Two years after the war, the spectre of Ukraine's division looms ever larger, threatening to plunge the nation into the abyss of full-scale civil wars. The scars of history, compounded by external interventions and internal divisions, have brought Ukraine to the brink of fracture, leaving countless communities torn apart and countless lives hanging in the balance. The urgency of the hour cannot be overstated-finding a pathway to a ceasefire and initiating meaningful peace negotiations is not merely a moral imperative but a pressing necessity for the preservation of human lives and the safeguarding of Ukraine's future. Amidst this grim reality, the history of Western involvement in conflicts like Ukraine stands as a sobering reminder. While certain interest groups may pay lip service to Ukraine's plight, their underlying motives often prioritise self-interest over the genuine welfare of the Ukrainian people. In this pivotal juncture, the international community must transcend petty politics and self-serving agendas, uniting behind a shared commitment to peace and stability in Ukraine. When actions diverge from rhetoric, it's imperative to speak truth to power. Without authentic solidarity, trust remains elusive-an all too familiar sentiment in today's world. (The writer is a Sri Lankan journalist, Views are personal) by Tim Sommers Global migration has been remarkably stable for decades. Despite that, media coverage of immigration tends to give the opposite impression. In the US, for example, theres always a crisis at the border. But if there is a real crisis its not about the number of immigrants coming into the US relative to population. The percentage of the US population born outside the US is on the rise now, but it has never gone below 5% or above that 15%. The US does have more immigrants than any other country by a wide margin and the rate of immigration has been trending up since the 1970s. But the percentage of immigrants living in the US relative to population (14%) is similar to the number living in similar countries like Canada (20%) and Australia (33%). And then theres this from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office: In our projections, the deficit issmaller than it was last year because economic output is greater, partly as a result of more people working. The labor force in 2033 is larger by 5.2 million people, mostly because of higher net immigration. As a result of those changes in the labor force, we estimate that, from 2023 to 2034, GDP will be greater by about $7 trillion and revenues will be greater by about $1 trillion than they would have been otherwise. In a recent book, How Migration Really Works, Dutch sociologist Hans de Haas argues that the real immigration crisis is political and arises from what he calls the paradox of immigration. The problem is that there are three demands always in play in immigration debates. (i) We cant reduce peoples rights to work or settle at the risk of disrupting the smooth running of the economy. (ii) We have a moral obligation to respect the rights of immigrants, including officially unauthorized immigrants, to fair and humane treatment. (iii) We should respect, or at least cant resist, the political will of the majority of citizens who oppose immigration. The problem is we can do any two of these, but not all three. Simultaneous pressure from both the left and the right has reduced the Western political approach to immigration to, Haas argues, bold acts of political showmanship that conceal the true nature of immigration policies. In the U.S., as Duncan Black puts it, immigration is an issue completely untethered from whatever the reality of it is, and people mostly dont care until conservative media/politicians are telling them to care and then they get enragedThey arent mad about immigration, they are mad about what they see on television. One small contribution that ethics might make to this political morass is to examine our moral obligation to allow immigration or not. I wont say anything about specific border policies or the treatment of immigrants though I assume that all people have certain claims to respect and fair treatment under all circumstances. Nor will I examine any further empirical claims in any detail. I will simply lay out three types of arguments for three types of views: the conventional view, the open borders view, and the nonideal view. The conventional view says from an ethical point of view nations have broad discretion in immigration policies. Its morally permissible to admit or refuse whomever. Hence, people typically endorse admitting adult immigrants with useful skills or (more circumspectly) workers willing to work at more demanding jobs and/or for lower pay. Michael Walzer is perhaps the most well-known defender of this view. To oversimply, he argues that like a club, a neighborhood, or a family, members of a state have a right to admit or refuse whomever they like. I find the claim that, morally speaking, a club or a neighborhood can exclude anyone for any reason, morally dubious. And I dont find the idea that a nation state as vast and varied as the US can profitably thought of as a family credible. Heres a couple of arguments I think are better. The state is justified by people tacitly consenting to it and its function, therefore, is to act in the interest of its consenters. People from other states have not consented to, and are not covered by, the protections of the state to which they wish to immigrate. Heres a version of that argument specifically aimed at liberal democracies. In a free society the government has to justify its use of coercive power to citizens. The most basic way it does this is by ceding to everyone certain basic rights, liberties, and freedoms. One of those freedoms is freedom of movement, which means a liberal state has an obligation to allow its citizens to emigrate. But since it does not owe the same obligation to noncitizens it has no reciprocal duty to allow noncitizens to immigrate. Theres also what philosophers call the special-obligations argument against more open borders. This argument says we have a special obligation to fellow citizens negatively impacted by the immigration of low-skilled workers that we dont have to the immigrants. I wont take this up since it is an empirical question (and the empirical basis for it appears to be mostly false). The open borders approach is not an argument that there should be no limits on immigration under any circumstance, rather it is based on the claim that states have at least a prima facia duty to admit all immigrants unless and until it threatens the stability or prosperity of the state. Generically, the main argument is that whatever reason we give for why citizens have rights relative to their particular country of birth, there is a symmetrical reason that they are owed those rights by every country including the right to emigrate. For example, Joseph Carens makes an argument based on John Rawls theory that the correct principles of justice are the ones that people would agree to from an original position behind a veil of ignorance. That veil excludes us from knowledge of our skills, talents, race, gender, religion, and social class and asks us what we would then agree to. The idea of the veil is to eliminate anything morally arbitrary that ought not to be a consideration in choosing principles of justice. Rawls, like all liberals (classical liberals, conservatives, New Deal liberals, and libertarians) argues the first principle of justice is the protection of basic liberties. But isnt what country you are born in also morally arbitrary in pretty much the same way that gender, class, or race? Rawls developed his theory by considering a closed state and would not necessarily favor this argument. But Carens says that since societies arent closed, we should have the same rights wherever we are from, including the right to emigrate. The nonideal approach is based on the idea that we need not appeal to basic principles of justice to justify immigration. Affluent, liberal democratic societies are morally obligated to admit needy immigrants as a response to global injustices, such as poverty, war, and human rights violations. Liberal states have much broader duties to admit immigrants than the conventional position implies, without needing to defend open borders per se, on the nonideal view. For example, individuals may have a right to move to some state where their basic rights can be secured, if not necessarily the specific state of their choice. Here are some other nonideal arguments. The global poverty argument, contends that affluent states should maintain open borders because migration is an effective way of mitigating global poverty. This argument rests on two claims. One is that members of affluent societies have some obligation to mitigate global poverty and the other is that policies favoring open borders are a means for fulfilling these obligations, at least sometimes. A second type of argument maintains that affluent societies are obligated to transfer some of their wealth to poor societies based on principles of global distributive justice. Some argue further that affluent societies are obligated to transfer some of their wealth to poorer societies because these affluent societies are at least partly responsible for that poverty. Finally, some argue, that while traditional aid is frequently wasted through inefficient administration or diverted by corrupt elites, opportunities for immigration would directly benefit those who do. One big objection to all these nonideal arguments is that the number of needy persons in the world 700 million (almost 10%) far exceeds the number of immigrants that affluent countries could possibly absorb and even open borders would leave much poverty unmitigated. Theres a lot to consider here. And, as with so many practical ethical issues, theres some chance that the ethical issues will simply be overwhelmed by the empirical ones. Hopefully though, at least thinking about the relevant kinds of reasoning can contribute to bringing some order to the ethical side of the debate. Post Script on Terminology Fair warning. Theres another meaning (other than de Haas) sometimes given to the phrase the paradox of immigration. The other paradox is that recent immigrants often outperform more established immigrants on a number of health, education, and conduct or crime-related outcomes, despite the numerous barriers they face. There is some controversy about this, but the point is widely noted. As the ruling BJP and other parties grapple with the fallout of the Supreme Court ruling on Electoral Bonds, it may have far-reaching implications for Indian democracy Indian elections are intricate and complex events that involve millions of voters and multiple political parties. These parties rely heavily on contributions from individuals and corporations to finance their campaigns, as funding is crucial. A lot of black money also circulates during elections. When Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India in 2014, he promised to prevent using illegal money in politics. Three years later, in 2017, he introduced Electoral Bonds that he claimed would increase transparency in political funding. However, some people challenged the secrecy clause and violation of fundamental rights in Court. Recently, the Supreme Court declared anonymous political donations to be invalid. This decision could make it difficult for their campaigns before the 2024 elections. The Apex Court ruled that "Electoral Bonds" violate citizens' right to access Government information and violate Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. "Information about the funding of political parties is essential for effectively exercising the choice of voting," Chief Justice Chandrachud stressed, emphasising the importance of open governance. The Government-owned State Bank of India has been ordered to stop issuing these bonds and provide details to the Election Commission of India. A group of five judges made this decision. This is not good news for most parties, particularly the ruling BJP. Besides the BJP, some other political parties also benefited from the bonds. Judges examined whether the Electoral Bond scheme broke constitutional rules, stopped voters from getting vital information, allowed secret donations while protecting donors' privacy, and threatened democratic processes. Previously, political parties were required to disclose the identities of donors who contributed more than 20,000 rupees. However, electoral bonds allow political parties to report the money received without revealing the donors' identities. These bonds have a range of 1,000 to 10 million rupees. People must know if political funding is transparent or not. One of the main criticisms is that it's hard to trace where the money comes from when buying these bonds, making it challenging to identify the source of the funds. According to recent ADR data, from 2017 and 2022, the total amount donated by corporations during this period was `3,299.85 crore. The BJP received the most significant share of this amount, with a total of `3,299.85. The Congress party received `406.45 crore, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) received `109.5 crore, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) received `29.1 crore, and the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) received `49.7 crore through Electoral Bonds. ADR's report claims that withholding information about political contributions is unreasonable. Taxpayers should know where political parties get their funding. The lack of transparency raises accountability questions. Taxpayers' money is spent printing bonds, and SBI profits from their sales. It claims that taxpayers have the right to know where political parties get their funding. The need for more transparency raises doubts about accountability. Taxpayers' money is used to print bonds, and SBI profits from their sale are deemed unfair. The public and opposition parties must be aware of the source of these donations, although the Government can access donor details from SBI. In Parliament, the Government disregarded warnings from major central agencies and opposition Members of Parliament and launched the Electoral Bond Scheme. The Bonds bill was passed as a money bill. Earlier, the Ministry of Law emphasised that the bond scheme should comply with the Representation of Peoples Act 1951. The ECI also opposed it. The Election Commission has registered 2,858 political parties, but only a tiny percentage, just 2.17%, are currently recognised. Some parties may never participate in elections, while others may be involved in money laundering activities. During the 2019 elections, political parties received a record-breaking amount of `2,760.20 crore in anonymous donations through Electoral Bonds. This was the highest amount received in 2017-18 and 2018-19. From 2017-18 to 2020-21, 19 political parties redeemed Electoral Bonds worth approximately `6.5 thousand crores. The spending on the last six Lok Sabha elections increased almost six-fold, from `9,000 to over `55,000 crore in 2019. From 2018 to March 2022, the BJP received 57% of donations, while Congress only got 10%. It is expected that the Government would honour the highest Court's ruling, unlike on earlier occasions. The Court has delivered its verdict, and now it must be put into action. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reservations about donor confidentiality and retrospective disclosure. They claim that the court order will not affect their chances in the upcoming April-May elections as they aim to secure a third term for PM Modi. To prevent the influence of money in elections in the future, we need regulations for donations, spending limits, public funding, and disclosure. The Government is exploring options for Electoral reform. We have many reports that can help us make better decisions, so we need to look at them again. We must make changes to improve the election system. (The writer is a popular columnist; views are personal) Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the BJPs national convention on Sunday passed resolutions including one on the Ram temple in Ayodhya, asserting that this indicated the establishment of Ram Rajya in India for the next 1,000 years, amid chants of Jai Shri Ram on the second and final day of the partys national convention. The resolution noted that the temple where a grand consecration ceremony took place last month, has become a temple of national consciousness and will play a decisive role in fulfilling the resolutions adopted in building a Viksit Bharat.The construction of a grand and divine temple of Lord Shri Ram at his birthplace in the ancient holy city of Ayodhya is a historic and glorious achievement for the country. This heralds the establishment of Ram Rajya in India for the next 1,000 years with the beginning of a new Kalachakra, the resolution said. This convention of the BJP heartily congratulates the leadership of the prime minister (Narendra Modi) for successfully conducting the consecration of Lord Ram, it added.The resolution noted that the Ram temple is a symbol of Indias vision, philosophy and path. Shri Ram temple has truly become a temple of national consciousness, it said and added that every Indian was happy to see the divine consecration of Lord Shri Ram. On January 22, a new idol of Lord Ram was consecrated at the temple in a consecration ceremony led by Prime Minister Modi. Lakhs of people watched the pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony on television in their homes and neighbourhood temples, becoming part of the historic event. The resolution said that Lord Ram, Sita and the Ramayana are present in every aspect of Indian civilisation and culture.Even in the original copy of the Constitution of India, on the section of fundamental rights, the picture of Lord Shri Ram, Mother Sita and Lakshman ji after returning to Ayodhya after the victory is a proof of the fact that Lord Shri Ram is the source of inspiration for the fundamental rights, it said. The resolution said that the idea of Ram Rajya was also in the heart of Bapu Mahatma Gandhi. He used to say that the idea of Ram Rajya is the idea of true democracy. Following the ideals of Lord Shri Ram, the prime minister has implemented the spirit of Ram Rajya in the true sense by establishing good governance in the country, it added. The values that Lord Ram instilled in his words and thoughts are the inspiration for Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and the basis of Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas, the resolution said. Under the leadership of the prime minister, Indias unity and solidarity have received the power of public participation. He has raised the morale of the nation with his policies and leadership. Indian cultural, spiritual and historical pride has been restored in the last 10 years, it said.This convention congratulates Prime Minister Modi for making the shared power of heritage and development the identity of new India through his determined efforts and thanks the prime minister for making the whole of India experience the magic of Ram, it added. The second resolution BJP Desh Ki Aasha, Vipaksh Ki Hatasha , , proposed by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah mainly focused on the oppositions INDIA bloc and it was seconded by Union Minister Arjun Munda. In the seven-page political proposal, the BJP has alleged that Congress is the mother of instability; Congress is synonymous with bitterness, cunningness, and strategy, strange combination of the INDIA bloc, anti-poor Congress; Congress immersed in corruption; the divisive politics of Congress; attacks on Indian culture; and opposition of every progressive step by Congress. Congresss insult to the countrys constitutional institutions and scientists, Congresss immature and irresponsible politics, and the politics of violence and anarchy by INDIA bloc ensure the downfall of Congress. Congress and most of its allies included in the INDIA bloc have been united in the politics of anarchy and violence in the country. Recently, shocking incidents have come to light in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal. The TMC has been continuously trying to suppress the voice of the public by targeting BJP workers in West Bengal.There have been many incidents of murder and violence against BJP workers by the CPI, CPM, and their allies in Kerala, the resolution read. The country still remembers the kind of jungle rule established by Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar. Tribal women, farmers, and common people have had to endure many types of harassment and torture wherever they are in the country. In the name of movement, efforts are made by divisive elements to create an environment of anarchy. Wherever, in the name of movement, efforts are made to create an environment of anarchy by divisive elements in the country, Congress and its allies reach there first to add fuel to the fire. We pledge to continue our struggle against this type of negative politics, it said. It was formed only to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi; hence, the alliance has no theoretical or ideological basis. The various parties involved in it contest elections against each other, and in many states, they oppose each other. In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party contests against Congress, while in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress and Congress party contest against each other, it added. Chhattisgarh prepares Bill to regulate conversion Raipur: Chhattisgarh is preparing to introduce a Bill to regulate religious conversion. The Bill will be presented in the Chhattisgarh Assembly in the coming days, said sources. While the draft is complete, sources said some amendments may be made before its final presentation in the Vidhan Sabha. Under the proposed legislation, individuals wishing to convert to another religion will be required to fill out a form with personal details at least 60 days in advance and submit it to the District Magistrate. The District Magistrate will then request the police to assess the individuals real intention, reason, and purpose for conversion. Similarly, the person performing the conversion ceremony will also need to fill out a form at least a month in advance. Jharkhand gives go ahead for caste based survey Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren has given the go-ahead for a caste-based survey in the State on the lines of the recent exercise in neighbouring Bihar, a senior official said on Sunday. Soren has directed the personnel department to prepare a draft and place it before the Cabinet for approval. If everything goes according to plan, the exercise will begin after the Lok Sabha elections, the official said. Jiski Jitni Sankhya Bhari, Uski Utni Hissedari (bigger the population, bigger the share). Jharkhand is ready, the CM posted on X, indicating the survey. US vows to veto UN Gaza ceasefire call United Nations: The UN Security Council is expected to vote on Tuesday on an Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which the United States announced it will veto. Algeria, the Arab representative on the council, put the draft resolution in a final form that can be voted on. Council diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly, said the vote will take place Tuesday morning. Shivajis life inspires generations, says PM New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the Maratha empire founder Shivaji on his birth anniversary on Monday. Tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti. A visionary leader, fearless warrior, protector of culture and embodiment of good governance, his life inspires generations, he said on X. Modi has often lauded Shivaji for his military and administrative genius. More AIIMS planned across India New Delhi: After dedicating the Jammu AIIMS to the public on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate five new AIIMS each at Rajkot, Mangalagiri, Bathinda, Raebareli, and Kalyani to the nation on February 25 from Rajkot at an event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, urged BJP cadres to dedicate the next 100 days to reaching out to new voters and securing their confidence as the party aims to win 400 seats in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Today is February 18, and the youth who have reached the age of 18 in this era will vote in the countrys 18th Lok Sabha election. In the next 100 days, you need to connect with every new voter, reach every beneficiary, every section, every community, and every person who believes in every religion. We need to gain the trust of everyone, Modi said, addressing the second day of the partys national convention at Bharat Mandampam, Pragati Maidan. In his 65-minute speech, Modi emphasised that he is not seeking a third term to enjoy power but to work for the nation. If I had thought of my home, it would not have been possible to build homes for crores of people, he said. He highlighted the achievements of the past 10 years, including unblemished governance and lifting 25 crore people out of poverty, as significant feats. Now the countrys dream and resolve will be bigger. Our dream and resolution are that we have to make Viksit Bharat, and the next 5 years will play an important role in it. In the next 5 years, we have to take a giant leap towards Viksit Bharat, he said. Modi said the nation must now dream big and make significant resolutions to make India a developed country by 2047. The first imperative is to ensure the return of the BJP to power in strong numbers, said the Prime Minister, adding that the dreams of crores of women, poor, and youths are his dreams. We rid the country of mega scams and terror attacks, and made efforts to improve living standards of the poor and the middle class, the Prime Minister said. A senior leader once told me I had done enough as PM and CM, I should rest. But I am working for rashtraniti, not rajneeti, he said. The Prime Minister said he lives by the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and takes inspiration from him. I am not someone who lives for his own happiness. I am advocating for a third term for the BJP not for political gains, but for the benefit of India. My efforts are dedicated to the people of India. The dreams of Indians are my commitments, Modi said. Modi said he is already getting invitations from foreign countries for July, August and September visits, weeks before the general elections. He said the invitations show the world knows that the BJP will form a government at the Centre for the third time. He said he is the first Prime Minister to raise the issue of toilets and speaks about dignity for women from the Red Fort. The BJP is bringing together the power of youths, women, farmers and the youth in building a Viksit Bharat, Modi said. We asked those who were not acknowledged by anyone, and not just that, we have also worshipped them, he said. In the times to come, there will be plenty of opportunities for our mothers, sisters and daughters, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister discussed several initiatives aimed at women empowerment, including programmes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Lakhpati Didis, Self Help Groups, maternity leave policies and Mudra loans to name a few. Modi underscored how the last 10 years have been marked by bold decisions and groundbreaking resolutions. He said, Issues that lingered for centuries... we showed the courage to resolve them. By constructing the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, we put an end to a wait of 5 centuries. In Pavagadh, Gujarat, the Dharma Dhwaja has been unfurled after 500 years. After 7 decades, we opened the Kartarpur Corridor. After a wait of 7 decades, the nation was freed from Article 370. Furthermore, he said, Approximately 6 decades later, the new form of Rajpath, the Kartavya Path emerged. Finally, after 4 decades, the demand for One Rank One Pension was fulfilled. After 3 decades, the country got a new National Education Policy. The need for a new Parliament building, felt for decades, was finally fulfilled by us. Every BJP karyakarta is fortunate to be a part of such numerous accomplishments. Stressing on how a youth-driven India is setting ambitious goals for itself and achieving them today, Modi said, We are working to host the Youth Olympics in India in 2029 and the Olympic Games in 2036. By 2030, we are working towards the target of Net Zero for our railways. Instead of 2030, we will achieve the goal of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol five years ahead of our target date. India is also formulating policies to achieve the Net Zero target by 2070. This means that in the coming years, our country will witness countless green job opportunities. Highlighting the Congresss track record of being a source of instability, dynasty politics, corruption, and appeasement, Modi said the Congress lacks a development agenda and a roadmap for the future, and its current actions show a divisive approach based on language or region. Launching a scathing attack on the Congress for not fighting on ideological issues, he said, The Congress is so demoralised that it has lost the courage for ideological and intellectual Opposition. Therefore, resorting to insults, false accusations against Modi has become their sole agenda. ...Today, the Opposition leaders are also raising slogans of NDA sarkar 400 paar. To take NDA to 400, BJP will have to cross the mark of 370 (seats), he said. Modi slammed the Opposition, particularly the Congress, saying it lacked the courage to take on the BJP ideologically or on the basis of principles. During his address, he turned emotional and paid his tributes to Jain seer Muni Vidyasagar who breathed his last on Sunday. He said, Today, I want to pay tribute to Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj. After getting information about his death, everyone is deeply saddened. For me, this is a personal loss. I got to meet him and take guidance from him a lot of times. The last time I visited him, I was not aware that I would not be able to have his darshan ever again... The fourth round of talks between the three Union Ministers Piyush Goel, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai and farmer representatives on Sunday, according to sources, made headway, and both sides are believed to form a committee with maximum participation from the protesters for further negotiations on the crisis. Till the reports were being filed, the meeting was underway at a hotel in Chandigarh, and sources said in the last two hours of the meeting, the atmosphere was friendly. Sources said the farmers representatives, however, had decided not to budge from their demand, while the Government side decided not to come under undue pressure, and a middle path had to be worked upon. The meeting was amid hundreds of farmers putting up at Shambhu and Khanauri at Haryana Punjab borders. The two sides Ministers and farmer leaders had met earlier on February 8, 12, and 15, but talks remained inconclusive. The meeting started at 8.30 pm and continued until late at night, filing the report. Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda and Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal went to a hotel where Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma and Director-General of Police Gaurav Yadav were present. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also joined the meeting. The farmer leaders who attended the meeting include Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sarwan Singh Pandher, Surjit Singh Phul, Jaswinder Singh Longowal, Satnam Singh Bargarian, Amarjeet Singh Mohri, Abhimanyu Kohar, Ramandeep Singh Mann, Gurdas Singh Lakadwal, Kurbur Shanta Kumar, Maninder Singh, Malkeet Singh, Sukhdev Singh Bhoj, and Onkar Singh. Ahead of the farmers meeting with three Union ministers, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Sunday said the Centre should not dilly-dally and accept the demands of farmers before the model code of conduct comes into force. The situation at the Delhi-Haryana borders remained by and large peaceful while tension prevailed at the two border points - Shambhu and Khanauri. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha also decided to gherao the residences of BJP leaders in Punjab for three days starting from Tuesday. Balbir Singh Rajewal, a leader of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of various farmer unions, said they will stage protests in front of the residences of Punjab BJP leaders, including MPs, MLAs, and district presidents, from Tuesday to Thursday. We want to tell the Government that it should avoid the policy of dilly-dallying, Dallewal told reporters at the Shambhu border point. If the Government thinks it will continue to hold meetings till the code of conduct is imposed, and then say it cannot do anything as the code is in force... Farmers are not going to return, he said. The Government should find a solution to our demands before the code of conduct comes into force, Dallewal said. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday ordered that the suspension of internet services has been extended in certain areas of some Punjab districts, including Patiala, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib, till February 24. Earlier, internet services were suspended from February 12 to 16 in view of the farmers Delhi Chalo march. According to the Ministrys February 16 order, internet services will remain suspended in areas falling under Shambhu, Julkan, Passian, Patran, Shatrana, Samana, Ghanaur, Devigarh, and Balbhera police stations in Patiala; Lalru police station in Mohali; Sangat police station in Bathinda; Killianwali police station in Muktsar; Sardulgarh and Boha police stations in Mansa; and Khanauri, Moonak, Lehra, Sunam, and Chajli police stations in Sangrur; and areas under Fatehgarh Sahib police station. The Centre used its special powers under the Telegraph Act of 1885 to suspend internet services in these areas of Punjab. In exercise of the power conferred by section 7 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 read with Sub-rule 1 of Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017, and in the interest of maintaining public safety and averting public emergency, it is necessary and expedient to order, the temporary suspension of internet services from 00:00 hrs on February 17, 2024, to 23:59 hrs on February 24, 2024, in the following areas, the order read. Renowned Jain seer Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj breathed his last on Sunday at Chandragiri Teerth in Dongargarh in Chhattisgarhs Rajnandgaon district after undertaking sallekhna. Sallekhna is a Jain religious practice involving voluntary fasting unto death for spiritual purification, a statement from the teerth said. Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj attained Samadhi through Sallekhna at Chandragiri teerth at 2:35 am, the statement said. Maharaj was staying on the teerth in Dongargarh for the last six months and was unwell from the last few days. For the last three days, he was observing sallekhna, a religious practice of voluntarily fasting to death, and had quit intake of food and liquids. According to Jainism, it is a vow taken for spiritual purification, the statement said. A procession will be taken out at 1 pm on Sunday for people to pay tribute to the departed seer and the final rites will be held in Chandragiri teerth, it added. Ahead of the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Dongargarh, a popular pilgrimage spot, and met Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj on November 5 and took his blessings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of a top religious figure of Jains, and said he will be remembered by the coming generations for his invaluable contributions to society. In a post on X, Modi said, My thoughts and prayers are with the countless devotees of Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji. He will be remembered by the coming generations for his invaluable contributions to society, especially his efforts towards spiritual awakening among people, his work towards poverty alleviation, healthcare, education and more. I had the honour of receiving his blessings for years. I can never forget my visit to the Chandragiri Jain Mandir in Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh late last year. That time, I had spent time with Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji and also received his blessings, the Prime Minister said. In his condolence message, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, Received the the news of the world revered and national seer Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Mahamuniraj jis samadhi at Chandragiri Teerth in Dongargarh. Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj, who enriched the country and the world including Chhattisgarh with his dynamic knowledge, will be remembered for ages for his exemplary works for the country and society, sacrifice and penance. I bow down to the feet of Acharya Shri Vidyasagar ji, he added. A day before the Supreme Court was scheduled to hear a plea alleging irregularities in the recently held mayoral polls in Chandigarh, BJP leader Manoj Sonkar resigned as Chandigarh mayor and three AAP councillors joined the saffron party on Sunday. Observing that horse-trading is taking place, the Supreme Court on Monday said it would peruse on Tuesday the ballot papers of the Chandigarh mayoral polls and the entire video-recording of the counting day, and directed the registrar general of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to depute a judicial officer to bring the records safely to Delhi. Sonkar submitted his resignation to the municipal commissioner, informed Chandigarh BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra. The three AAP councillors switching sides to the BJP is set to tip the scales in favour of the BJP whenever fresh mayoral polls are held. Prior to the AAP councillors shifting loyalty, the BJP had 14 councillors in the 35-member Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and the AAP had 13. Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher, who is a BJP member, has voting rights as an ex-officio member of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. The Congress has seven councillors and the Shiromani Akali Dal has one. The BJP had swept the January 30 Chandigarh mayoral polls in a setback to the Congress-AAP alliance that alleged tampering with ballot papers by the presiding officer. Sonkar had defeated the AAPs Kuldeep Kumar for the mayors post, polling 16 votes against his rivals 12. Eight votes were declared invalid. Kumar had later moved the Supreme Court. However, Sonkar resigned from the post subsequently. Kuldeep Kumar, one of the AAP councillors, has moved the top court challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that has refused to grant any interim relief to the party, which is seeking fresh mayoral polls in Chandigarh. AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that BJP leader Manoj Sonkars resignation as Chandigarh mayor shows that they won the elections by using unfair means. If the mayor has resigned then it is very obvious that something is suspicious there. It clearly shows that they won the elections by unfair means. This is how they win other elections; if they dont, they buy leaders from the winning party. How will a democratic country function if elections are won unfairly? They (BJP) should let the party that won the elections run the government, said Kejriwal. The Congress targeted the BJP, alleging that the entire election episode had exposed it before the public. Everyone saw what they did. Everyone watched the video of how the presiding officer declared eight votes invalid for mayors post, said Chandigarh Congress president HS Lucky. The top court, on February 5, rapped Returning Officer Anil Masih, who conducted the mayoral polls, observing that it was obvious that he had defaced the ballot papers and that he should be prosecuted, adding that his action amounted to murder and a mockery of democracy. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud directed the Chandigarh administration on Monday to provide security to the judicial officer, to be appointed by the high court, to ensure the safety of the officer and the records. We ourselves will look at the records at 2 pm, the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said. Horse-trading taking place, the CJI said while declining a plea that the case on the mayoral polls be heard on some other day instead of Tuesday. Masih appeared before the bench in pursuance of the apex courts direction and was quizzed by the judges over the alleged tampering of certain ballot papers. Replying to the judges questions, Masih said he did put the X mark on eight already defaced ballot papers and accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors of creating a ruckus and trying to snatch away the ballot papers. He said that due to this, he was looking at the CCTV camera at the counting centre. Earlier, the top court had come down heavily on the returning officer, observing that it was obvious that he had defaced the ballot papers and that he should be prosecuted. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has directed airlines to ensure that all passengers baggage is delivered within 30 minutes of a flight landing at an airport. In a communique sent to six airlines Air India, IndiGo, Akasa, SpiceJet, Vistara, Air India Express Connect, and Air India Express on February 16, the BCAS asked the airlines to implement the necessary measures to ensure timely baggage delivery by February 26. However, BCAS has directed the airlines to ensure that the mandated levels are achieved at all airports they serve, it said. This directive follows concerns about the punctuality of baggage delivery and the receipt of complaints through social media and other channels, where passengers reported being victimised by late baggage delivery after landing at the airport. These concerns are outlined in the Service Quality Requirements of the Operation, Management, and Delivery Agreement (OMDA). The OMDA mandates stipulate that the first bag should arrive at the belt within 10 minutes of engine shutdown, with the last bag arriving within 30 minutes. In an extensive survey conducted across the nations six major airports, BCAS scrutinised the operations of seven airlines and analysed over 3,600 flight movements along with their baggage delivery processes. According to regulations, airlines are required to ensure the delivery of passengers baggage within a timeframe of 10 to 30 minutes following the aircrafts engine shutdown. The review revealed that while performance has improved, it still falls short of the mandated standards. BCAS monitored the arrival of baggage at the belts of six major airports in January 2024 under the instructions of Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Several regular air passengers have expressed frustration with the prolonged wait to collect their baggage after a long-haul flight, describing it as a tiresome exercise. As per regulations, airlines are required to ensure the delivery of passengers baggage within a timeframe of 10 to 30 minutes following the aircrafts engine shutdown. Since the beginning of the review exercise, the performance of all airlines has been monitored on a weekly basis and has improved but is not in line with the mandates. The mandates require the first baggage to arrive at the baggage belt within 10 minutes of shutting off the aircraft engine and the last bag within 30 minutes of the same, the statement said. The BCAS has set a deadline of 10 days for airlines to implement the required measures, with a target date of February 26, 2024. Failure to comply with these directives may result in further regulatory action, a MoCA official said. The move by BCAS underscores the importance of enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency within the aviation industry. By prioritising timely baggage delivery, airlines can enhance customer satisfaction and uphold the highest standards of service excellence. A three-day multimedia exhibition Viksit Bharat-Viksit Haryana, which was organized under the aegis of the Haryanas Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture Department concluded at Majra Bhalkhi village of Rewari district on Sunday. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Rewari on February 16. The governments official spokesperson said that the exhibition was aimed to familiarize the general public with the developmental initiatives and schemes of both the Central and State Governments. The government-led exhibition made a lasting impact on the attendees. Residents of Rewari and neighbouring areas found immense value in engaging with the Viksit Bharat -Viksit Haryana exhibition, added the spokesperson. The spokesperson said that the exhibition showcased two models each of the upcoming 22nd All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to be built in Majra-Bhalkhi village and the Gurugram Metro. Visitors expressed great interest in these displays. Additionally, a designated selfie point attracted considerable attention, with attendees eager to capture moments from the exhibition. Through 11 LED screens, attendees were educated about various public welfare schemes implemented by institutions like AIIMS, Gurugram Metro, Indian Railways, as well as by the Government of India and Haryana Government. People gained valuable insights into the vision of a Viksit Bharat-Viksit Haryana during the exhibition. Particularly, the event effectively raised awareness among youth, women, and school students. The exhibition served as an accessible platform for explaining the public welfare schemes of both the Central and State Governments in a comprehensible manner, he added. Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena and Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on Sunday inaugurated two All-Women Police Posts at Khan Market and Shraddhanand Marg in the citys central area. I am very happy with this historic step by the Delhi Police. Today, we inaugurated two All-Women Police Posts (AWPPs), Saxena said and added that more such posts are needed in Delhi. Women victims will now be able to tell their problems freely to women officers and the force will immediately ensure a resolution, he added. Saxena said he asked the Delhi Police to establish AWPPs after its all-womens team was adjudged as the best marching contingent at this years Republic Day parade. At present, women account for 15.17 per cent in the Delhi Police and we remain committed to increasing the strength of women in the police force to 33 per cent as soon as possible, following the vision of Naari Shakti, he said. The Delhi Police has already begun the process of direct recruitment, Saxena added. After inauguration, Saxena also monitored the posts functioning. In a statement later, the Delhi Police said these AWPPs are equipped with all necessary gadgets and trained personnel. Khan Market known for its cosmopolitan ambiance, bustling atmosphere and international appeal attracts a diverse demographic, including foreign visitors, it said. It hosts a myriad of restaurants, shops and residences. With a substantial influx of foreign delegates, VVIPs and tourists, the market plays a pivotal role in showcasing the vibrancy of New Delhi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) M Harsha Vardhan said. Sub-inspector Puja Saini has been posted as in-charge of the Khan Market post. She will be supported by nine women officers. The Khan Market post was established in 2016 and it has been central to maintaining law and order, Vardhan said. The post at Shraddhanand Marg aims to facilitate women complainants by ensuring women police officers presence. Representatives of the Khan Market RWA (Residents Welfare Association) were present during the inauguration. Bokaro General Hospital (BGH) marked a historic milestone by hosting its first Annual DNB Conference on February 18, 2024, exclusively tailored for the dedicated Doctors of National Board (DNB) undergoing specialized training. The conference, a pioneering initiative, garnered widespread acclaim for its contribution to advancing medical knowledge and clinical practice. In a groundbreaking virtual address, Atanu Bhowmick, the esteemed Director in-charge of Rourkela Steel Plant and Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), extended his heartfelt wishes for the success of the conference, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping the future of medical professionals. The event received further prestige with the presence of B K Tiwari, Executive Director (Works) of BSL SAIL, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, underscoring the significance of this momentous gathering. Led by the leadership of Dr. B.B Karunamay, Chief Medical Officer of BGH, the conference unfolded a plethora of insights through captivating guest lectures delivered by distinguished specialists from across India. These eminent speakers, renowned for their expertise in various medical disciplines, shared the latest advancements and breakthroughs, enriching the attendees with invaluable knowledge and updates in medical science. A highlight of the event was the presentation of 11 scientific research papers by the dynamic DNB doctors of BGH, spanning multiple specialties. Their contributions not only showcased the hospital's commitment to fostering research and innovation but also underscored the collective effort towards enhancing clinical practices and treatment methodologies. The spirited deliberations and exchanges witnessed during the conference served as a catalyst for elevating the clinical acumen and approach methods of DNB trainees at BGH. The event's resounding success not only reaffirms BGH's commitment to excellence in medical education but also sets a precedent for future endeavors in advancing healthcare delivery. The Municipal Corporation has made an announcement to vacate the slum in front of Bhadbhada in Bhopal, residents have been given 3 days' time till February 19. Due to this, former CM Digvijay Singh came to meet the affected families on Sunday. He said that the government should not evict the families without making any alternative arrangements. There has been a population of poor laborers in this colony for 100 years. Here Hindus and Muslims live together. Here water flows from below the bridge and people living above it. There was never water in the colony. There is no land even in drowning and Kaliyasot has been formed so when the gates are opened the water comes out. Even if it has to be removed, it should not be removed with some alternative arrangement. A humane approach should be adopted in this regard. Digvijay Singh was also accompanied by former minister PC Sharma and former city president Monu Saxena. It is known that this case is scheduled to be heard in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on March 12. Digvijay Singh said that we respect the decision given by the NGT judge, but the government also needs to understand the human aspect of it. He needs to be respected. I will talk to the Deputy Secretary about this. And if necessary, we will also go before the tribunal. They should get adequate compensation. Then we can request their removal. Electricity and water supply here has been cut off for two days. This is very wrong. We stand with the poor laborers in this regard. Former minister PC Sharma said that this pond is artificial. Water came into it later. All the big officers' colonies are built on the banks of the pond. If permission can be given to build them, then it is very wrong to remove the 500 year old villages situated on the banks of the pond. The administration needs to adopt a sensitive attitude on this. As Punjabs farmers continued their protest for the sixth consecutive day, hopes for a resolution soared as farmer leaders engaged in the fourth round of discussions with the three Union Ministers and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday evening in Chandigarh. The talks, taking place amidst growing support from other farmer unions, particularly centered around the demand for enacting an Ordinance to legally guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. The meeting, scheduled to start at 5:30, commenced with about three-hour delay at around 8:15 pm. Prior to the meeting, the Ministers held discussions with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at the Taj Hotel. Union Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, along with Chief Minister Mann, are present in the meeting with 14 farmer leaders representing various unions. The representatives, including Sarvan Singh Pandher from the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Jagjit Singh Dallewal from BKU Ekta (Sidhupur), expressed optimism ahead of the dialogue, underscoring the importance of the Central Government's response to their demands. Before delving into discussions, a moment of silence was observed to honour the memory of Gian Singh, a farmer from Gurdaspur, who succumbed to a heart attack amidst the ongoing protests at Shambhu border. As the talks started, the primary focus revolved around the demand for legislation guaranteeing MSP, with farmer leaders insisting on concrete measures to address agricultural concerns. The Union Government proposed the formation of a time-bound committee to address the issue, which remains a contentious point in the negotiations. The meeting comes a day after the Punjab farm union leaders had demanded that the Centre should bring an ordinance to provide minimum support price (MSP) guarantee to the farmers. Before the meeting, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said: We have sent them our demands and a detailed discussion has been held on every issue during the three rounds of talks (between government and farmers). They (central government) now need to take a decision. The ball is in their court and the whole country is looking towards them. Farmer leader Jagjeet Singh Dallewal also emphasized the need for the government to address their demands before the implementation of the electoral code of conduct. He urged the government to refrain from procrastination tactics and instead focus on resolving the issues at hand. We want to tell the government that it should avoid the policy of dilly-dallyingIf the government thinks it will continue to hold meetings till the code of conduct is imposed, and then say it cannot do anything as the code is in force...farmers are not going to return, said Dallewal. The Government should find a solution to our demands before the code of conduct comes into force, he insisted. And in case the central ministers fail to offer a satisfactory resolution on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) issue, farmers are prepared to march to Delhi. The previous rounds of talks between farmers and central ministers were largely inconclusive, with the government failing to address key demands such as the guarantee of MSP and the repeal of the contentious agricultural laws. Farmer leaders expressed frustration over the government's lack of decisive action, highlighting the urgency of their demands. As talks are underway between farmers and central ministers, all eyes are on the outcome of today's meeting. With tensions running high and expectations soaring, the need for a comprehensive resolution to the farmers' grievances has never been more pressing. Meanwhile, the day witnessed widespread solidarity from farmer unions across Punjab and Haryana, with renewed vigour injected into the Dilli Chalo movement that commenced on February 13. Protesters maintained their presence at the Punjab-Haryana border points, particularly at Shambhu and Khanauri, reaffirming their commitment to the cause. The Punjab unit of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Sunday announced plans to picket the residences of BJP officials, MPs, and MLAs from February 20 to 22, irrespective of the meetings outcome. Additionally, BKU Ugrahan temporarily suspended ongoing dharnas, aiming to resume on February 20, while staging demonstrations outside the residences of prominent political figures. The demand for MSP legislation echoed across various political spheres, with Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu pledging support to the farmers' cause. Farmer representatives reiterated the urgency of enacting an Ordinance to safeguard farmers' interests, emphasizing the government's responsibility in addressing the longstanding grievances of the agricultural community. The ongoing dialogue marks the fourth round of discussions between farmer leaders and Union Ministers, following previous rounds on February 8, 12, and 15. With tensions running high and expectations mounting, Chief Minister Mann urged both parties to prioritize resolution over prolonged conflict, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. As negotiations continue, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar expressed cautious optimism, urging protesters to avoid politicization of the issue while remaining hopeful for a breakthrough. With the Union Ministers approaching the talks with a spirit of reconciliation, there remains anticipation for tangible progress in addressing the farmers' concerns. The agitation at the Punjab-Haryana border points has garnered significant attention, drawing support from various quarters across the country. As farmers persist in their demands for legislative guarantees of MSP and other agricultural reforms, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on the ongoing negotiations and the potential implications for the future of Indian agriculture. Internet Suspension Extended in Punjab Despite CM's Protest Chandigarh: Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday extended the temporary suspension of internet services to seven districts in Punjab until midnight of February 24, despite strong opposition from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding the Centres unilateral decision. Initially enforced from February 12 to 16 in anticipation of the farmers Delhi Chalo march, the internet shutdown will now continue in specific areas of Patiala, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, and other districts. The order encompasses the jurisdiction of 20 police stations, affecting essential communication services for the residents. Areas falling under various police stations including Shambhu, Julkan, Passian, Patran, and others in Patiala, Lalru in Mohali, Sangat in Bathinda, and several others are affected by the extension. The decision was made using special powers granted under the Telegraph Act of 1885, citing public safety and emergency concerns. Punjab Chief Minister had vehemently opposed the internet shutdown during the previous meeting with the Union Ministers and farmer leaders on February 15 in Chandigarh. However, the MHA proceeded with its decision, ignoring the State Government's objections. Simultaneously, the Haryana Government has also suspended mobile internet services and bulk SMS in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, and other districts, further exacerbating communication challenges for residents. In a significant development, Diloo Vipin Parikh, Director of Mithila Motors, has been appointed as the new President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Jamshedpur Chapter. The decision was made during the Annual General Meeting of CII Zonal Council held on February 16. Ravindra Kulkarni, the Plant Head of Tata Motors Jamshedpur, was concurrently appointed as the Vice President in the same meeting. This transition follows the footsteps of the outgoing Zonal Chairman and TRF MD, Umesh Singh. Ujjal Chakraborty, the CII Jharkhand State Chairman, emphasized the role of MSME for Jamshedpur's development during the meeting. He stressed the need for collaboration with the administration in fostering industrial and trade growth. Diloo Vipin Parikh, a seasoned professional with three decades of experience in the automobile industry, is not only a dealer of Tata Motors commercial vehicles but also deals with Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. A Loyola alumnus, Parikh is associated with various organizations, including the Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) and the Dealer Advisory Committee. He has received numerous excellence awards from Tata Motors, Economic Times Now, and CNBC TV 18. Meanwhile, Ravindra Kulkarni, Tata Motors Plant Head, brings over thirty years of diverse experience to his role. Joining Tata Motors in 1994, he has played a pivotal role in manufacturing, kaizen, and new product introduction of pickups. Kulkarni's expertise lies in Manufacturing and Planning, Lean Manufacturing, and Kaizen. Under his leadership, the Jamshedpur plant has witnessed business transformation, making it profitable. In a picturesque scene straight out of a winter postcard, Atal Tunnel in Rohtang was enveloped in a fresh layer of snow as heavy snowfall graced the region. A captivating video on the social media showcased enthusiastic tourists seizing the moment, capturing memories amidst the enchanting winter wonderland. This spectacle follows a weather advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), predicting adverse weather conditions for parts of Himachal Pradesh, including heavy rain, snow, thunderstorms, hail, and gusty winds on Sunday and Monday. The IMDs forecast pinpointed key districts such as Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Shimla, Mandi, Lahaul, and Spiti for the likelihood of heavy snowfall at isolated locations on February 18 and 19. Heavy rain/snow and thunderstorm accompanied with hail, gusty wind speed 40-50 kmph and lighting (possible) at isolated places, said the Weather Department, underscoring the severity of the anticipated weather phenomenon. Contrary to the prevailing dry weather conditions on Saturday, where daytime temperatures experienced a modest rise, the advent of snowfall has ushered in a mesmerizing transformation across the region. While Una recorded a high temperature of 27 degree Celsius, Bilaspur and Sundernagar witnessed highs of 26 degrees and 24.9 degrees Celsius, respectively. The scarcity of precipitation, a departure from the typical winter scenario, has been palpable throughout Himachal Pradesh. From January 1 to February 17, the hill state grappled with a significant rainfall deficit, receiving only 68.2 mm of average rainfall compared to the normal 142.2 mm during the same period, marking a deficit of 52 percent. This precipitation shortfall has cast its shadow across the state, impacting all districts barring Mandi. Lahaul and Spiti district bore the brunt of the shortfall, encountering an 83 percent deficit in winter rainfall, while Hamirpur experienced a 15 percent deficit. Stating that the Medical Colleges in Bhiwani and Yamunanagar districts will soon be inaugurated, Haryana Home, Health and Family Welfare Minister Anil Vij on Sunday said that Haryana is the first state in the country to map the need-based health facilities in the State so that health facilities can be made available to the people according to their needs. The current budget of the Health Department is Rs 9,647 crore, which will be increased in the next budget, said Vij, while interacting with the media persons at Haryana Bhawan in New Delhi. Vij said that Haryana has become a role model in the field of health. The Central Government has praised Haryanas several schemes, and in this line, mapping has been done for health-related facilities in the state to provide health facilities. Previously, health facilities were provided based on demand, but I want health facilities to be made available to the people based on need. In this regard, documents related to health mapping have been prepared and examined, he said. The Health Minister said that through this mapping, gaps in various facilities or requirements have been identified in the field of health development for the future. It shows on the computer the deficiencies in terms of doctors, staff, buildings, equipment, etc, which is very helpful from a development perspective. Answering a question about the functioning of the Health Department, Vij said that significant improvements have been made in the functioning of the Health Department during the present state government's tenure. In 2014, the total budget of the Health Department was Rs 1, 696 crore, and today this budget is approximately Rs 9, 647 crore. Vij further said: We are planning to increase this budget further in the next budget and have submitted plans accordingly. Additionally, the State Government is establishing medical colleges in each district, and the medical colleges in Bhiwani and Yamunanagar districts will be inaugurated soon. Regarding health facilities, Vij, while questioning the working style of previous opposition governments, said that they did not look beyond Delhi and did not promote development outside Delhi. There was only one AIIMS in Delhi, and people from all over the country used to come here for treatment, facing difficulties. On the establishment of AIIMS in Rewari, he praised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for working on opening one AIIMS in every state. The 22nd AIIMS in Haryana is a significant gift, and it will soon be operational, the health minister added. /A Chinook helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) executed a precautionary landing in Dhadrian village of Sangrur district on Sunday, citing a technical snag. The incident occurred during a routine flying sortie, raising concerns about the operational capability of the heavy-lift helicopters that play a crucial role in strategic airlift and humanitarian efforts. The officials said that the helicopter was on a routine flying sortie and landed in an open field. IAF officials reassured that both the crew and the helicopter remained unharmed during the precautionary landing. A technical team has been dispatched to the landing site to assess the situation and conduct necessary repairs. The exact reason behind the technical snag leading to the precautionary landing is yet to be determined. An enquiry by the IAF has been initiated to investigate the incident thoroughly and ascertain the cause of the technical malfunction. The Chinook CH-47F (I) helicopter belongs to the 126 Helicopter Unit, known as Featherweights, based in Chandigarh. This unit was responsible for the induction of Chinooks into the IAF in March 2019. The emergency landing marks a significant event, potentially being the first of its kind for this helicopter in India. In 2022, the US Army grounded its Chinook fleet due to engine fires, leading to concerns regarding the safety of these helicopters. However, Boeings India chief, Salil Hupte, stated that the Chinooks operated by the Indian Air Force do not exhibit similar issues, emphasizing that there is no impact on the helicopters operated by the Indian forces. Boeing, the manufacturer of Chinook helicopters, is expected to provide details to the Indian Air Force about the reasons behind the grounding of the US Army's Chinook fleet. IAFs Chinook fleet is strategically based in Chandigarh for operations in the northern region and in Assam to address the northeastern areas. The Chinook CH-47F (I) helicopters were formally inducted into the force in 2019 at the Indian Air Force station in Chandigarh, with the remaining 11 delivered the following year. These heavy-lift helicopters feature a tandem-rotor design, making them well-suited for transporting troops, heavy cargo, tanks, relief aid, and artillery in underslung operations. The tandem rotor design enhances stability, control, and performance in challenging conditions, such as high altitudes. Boeing boasts that the Chinook is the only helicopter in its class capable of reaching a service ceiling of 20,000 feet. The IAF had signed a contract with Boeing Limited in September 2015 for the acquisition of 15 Chinook helicopters. These helicopters were deemed crucial for the modernization of the IAFs helicopter fleet. The CH-47F (I) Chinook helicopters are equipped with a fully integrated digital cockpit management system, advanced cargo handling capabilities, and an electronic warfare suite. Boeing completed the delivery of all 15 CH-47F (I) Chinook helicopters to the IAF in 2020. One squadron is stationed in Chandigarh, primarily catering to the operational needs of the Army in Ladakh, while another squadron is based in Mohanbari, Assam. Indore police commissioner Rakesh Gupta directed crime branch to adopt zero tolerance towards drugs smuggling. DCP Indore Crime Branch Nimish Agrawal has formed different police teams led by ADCP Rajesh Dandotiya. Under "Operation Prahar", illegal drug smuggler arrested in joint action of Crime Branch Indore and Police Station Tukoganj. The accused used to smuggle illegal drugs in Indore and surrounding areas. Illegal drugs (cocaine) 95 grams and (opium) 1.5 kg (international market value more than Rs. 1 crore) and 1 without serial number bullet bike was recovered from the possession of the accused. The accused used to supply cocaine and opium to youth and persons with criminal tendencies in Indore city. The Crime Branch team is continuously taking effective action by secretly collecting intelligence regarding the people involved in the buying and selling of illegal drugs and their activities. Meanwhile, in the joint action of Informer Crime Branch and Police Station Tukoganj, while checking at Rajkumar Bridge intersection, two suspicious persons were stopped on a bullet motorcycle without number and after searching, a large quantity of cocaine and opium was found with both of them. The accused are Omkar son of Chandrakant Shelke age 18 years. Indore, near Shivaji Nagar Bhaguji Ustad Akhara, and Kunal son of Rajendra Suryavanshi age 20 years Indore near Shivaji Nagar Baguji Akhara. While searching the accused as per rules on the spot, illegal drugs (cocaine 95 grams and opium 1.5 kg) whose value in the international market is more than Rs 1 crore and 1 bullet motorcycle were seized, crime section 8/18,21 NDPS act was registered against the accused at police station Tukoganj. Tukoganj police station is taking advance legal action including interrogating the accused in connection with illegal drug trafficking. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has assigned Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Vice-Chancellor Mahesh Verma the additional charge of the Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU), according to an official order. The announcement came after Raj Niwas officials said Saxena had ordered the removal of DPSRU Vice-Chancellor Ramesh Goyal in connection with an alleged scam in recruiting faculty members at the university during 2017-2019. They said Saxena has also approved the removal of Professor Harvinder Popli, the universitys registrar, and written to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for a probe by an external agency into the alleged scam. The Chancellor, DPSRU/Lt. Governor, Delhi, is pleased to assign the additional charge of the post of Vice Chancellor of Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU) to Prof. Mahesh Verma, Vice Chancellor, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) with immediate effect till regular Vice Chancellor of DPSRU is appointed, the order issued by the Delhi government on Saturday read. No extra remuneration will be paid to Prof. Mahesh Verma for this additional assignment, it added. The LG, who is the chancellor of the DPSRU, has given his nod to filing an FIR against Goyal and six other officers named in a report by the three-member enquiry committee for their alleged involvement. Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri launched a scathing attack on the Kejriwal Government for not implementing the welfare schemes of the Centre. Speaking on the proposal presented by Home Minister Amit Shah in BJP national convention BJP is the countrys hope, he said the people of the entire country are taking advantage of the welfare schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, but Arvind Kejriwals Delhi Government is depriving the people of the benefits of those schemes due to narrow politics. Be it the Ayushman Bharat scheme in which the poor get free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh, or the PM Vishwakarma scheme in which manual workers such as tailors, potters, blacksmiths, cobblers, barbers and masons etc. are given free loan up to Rs 3 lakh, the people of Delhi are not availing the benefits of the schemes, he said. Bidhuri said under the PM Awas Yojana, 4 crore were being provided houses across the country, whereas lakhs of people in Delhi do not have a roof over their heads. Similarly, he said, the farmers of Delhi are deprived of the benefits of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme or the subsidy scheme on agricultural equipment. Bidhuri thanked Prime Minister Modi for the projects worth crores of rupees given to beautify the capital Delhi. He requested the Central Government to investigate the scams worth thousands of crores of rupees committed by the Aam Aadmi Party government of Delhi and provide justice to the people. Bidhuri , speaking in the presence of Prime Minister Modi, said that on one hand the Kejriwal government has committed scams worth thousands of crores of rupees which include liquor scam, jal board scam, Sheeshmahal scam, DTC scam etc., on the other hand Modi government by giving projects worth crores of rupees to Delhi is making peoples lives easier and simpler. These include National War Memorial, Police War Memorial, Police Headquarters, Kartavya Path, worlds largest eco park, third ring road, highways , flyovers, underpasses and one and a half km Tunnel worth Rs 75 thousand crore are also included. He said we also thank the prime minister on behalf of people of Delhi for providing free ration every month to 73 thousand poor people of Delhi, help of Rs 10,000 for the rehabilitation of street vendors, cooking gas connections to thousands of women under Ujjwala scheme and ownership rights of their houses to lakhs of people living in the slums of Delhi. In a significant breakthrough, the Punjab Excise and Taxation Department, in collaboration with the Fatehgarh Sahib Police, has apprehended a GST fraudster accused of falsely claiming Input Tax Credit (ITC) amounting to Rs 3.65 crore. Sharing the details of major development, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday disclosed that the accused, identified as Deepak Sharma, son of Surinder Pal Sharma, had been served a show-cause notice by the Deputy Commissioner State Tax, Ludhiana, on January 25, 2023, under section 74 of the Act, confronting him about the ingenuine ITC claimed. However, despite repeated notices, Sharma neither paid the tax nor provided any response. Consequently, an order was passed by the adjudicating authority on June 13, 2023, under the same Act, demanding a total of Rs 11.75 crore, including Rs 4.45 crore as interest and Rs 3.65 crore as a penalty. Further investigation by the Tax Investigation Unit (TIU) and Sales Tax Officers revealed that Sharma had submitted a forged GST Registration Certificate to a bank, resulting in the freezing of his account by the bank upon the request of the Sales Tax Officer, Fatehgarh Sahib. A recovery notice of Rs 26 lakhs has been issued to the said bank. In a coordinated operation, a special task force constituted by the SGST Department, aided by meticulous intelligence, conducted simultaneous raids alongside the Fatehgarh Sahib police at multiple locations associated with the accused. The authorities are in the process of identifying and pursuing all entities involved in this fraud, an FIR has been registered, and further investigations are underway to determine the total extent of the fraud and recover the evaded taxes. Finance Commissioner (Taxation)-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Partap emphasized the Department's efforts in utilizing data analytic software to identify and crack down on those involved in generating fake ITC. He assured strict action against such fraudulent activities. The Finance Minister lauded the collaborative efforts of various agencies and the determination of the Punjab Government to combat GST fraud. He reiterated the Governments firm stance against tax evasion and warned perpetrators of the full consequences of their actions. The historic Red Fort complex, which was closed for visitors about a week ago due to security reasons in view of a farmers march, has been reopened, official sources said on Sunday. The iconic Mughal-era monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in old Delhi, was suddenly sealed late Monday night due to security reasons. It was reopened a couple of days ago, a source at the Archeological Survey of India told PTI. However, the Red Fort is regularly closed for visitors on Mondays, so they will not get entry inside the complex on February 19. The site was temporarily closed amid a massive deployment of police and paramilitary forces in central Delhi in view of the farmers Delhi Chalo march. Sources said no order has been officially issued for reopening of the site, adding, it was closed in accordance with police instructions and accordingly reopened. Thousands of farmers are staying put at the Shambhu and Khanauri points of the Punjab-Haryana border with layers of barricades and a large number of security personnel halting their march to the national capital. Besides loan waiver and a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), farmers of the Delhi Chalo agitation, which entered its sixth day on Sunday, are also demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, and withdrawal of police cases. There was no report of any confrontation between the protesters and Haryana security personnel on Saturday. The farmer leaders have asked the protesters to maintain calm at the borders. Close on the heels of Samajwadi Party national general secretary Swami Prasad Maurya resigning over discrimination , the main opposition party in Uttar Pradesh suffered another setback on Sunday as senior leader Saleem Sherwani quit the post of partys national general secretary. Muslims are feeling neglected and are steadily losing faith in the party, Sherwani said in a letter addressed to party chief Akhilesh Yadav. However, the five-time MP will continue to remain a member of the party. It seems that all is not well within the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh as senior party office-bearers continue to resign just months before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This development follows days after SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya submitted his resignation from the post of general secretary of the party. In the letter addressed to party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Sherwani said that Muslims were feeling continuously neglected, and no Muslim was sent to the Rajya Sabha either. The SP leader said that Muslims were in search of a true leader, and I believe that while being in the Samajwadi Party, I cannot bring much change in the condition of Muslims. I have been consistently discussing the situation of Muslims with you for some time now. I have always tried to convey that Muslims are feeling neglected and are continuously losing their faith in the party. There is a growing distance between them and the party, and they are in search of a true leader. The party should not underestimate their support. The sentiment among Muslims is increasing that no one in the secular platform is willing to address their legitimate issues, Sherwani said, I have repeatedly requested a Rajya Sabha seat for the Muslim community according to the partys tradition. Although my name was not considered, there was not a single Muslim candidate among the candidates announced by the party. The way you have distributed tickets for the Rajya Sabha shows that you yourself do not give importance to the PDA (Pichhada, Dalit, Alpsankhyak). This raises the question of how you are different from the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), he said. The attempt to form a strong opposition alliance is proving to be futile. No one seems to take it seriously. It appears that the opposition is more interested in fighting each other rather than combating the wrong policies of the ruling party. Now, secularism has become a facade. In India, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Muslims have never demanded anything beyond their rights to live with equality, dignity and security. However, this demand also seems significant to the party. The party has no response to our demand. Therefore, I believe that with my current situation in the Samajwadi Party, I cannot bring any change to the situation of my community, he added. On resigning from the post, Sherwani said, My separation from the party did not happen today. This happened when the members name for the Rajya Sabha election was announced... I thought that the topic, the issue on which we are fighting elections, our party is not at all following that motto, so why should we remain in the party... No one is serious about the INDIA alliance... The motive with which the INDIA alliance was formed is not being fulfilled. Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the unified voice of protesting farmer organizations, on Sunday announced a Black Flag protest slated for February 21 against the Members of Parliament affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). With tensions running high, the SKM has also declared plans to besiege the residences of BJP leaders in Punjab for an intense three-day protest starting Tuesday. Their objective: to apply relentless pressure on the Centre to meet farmers demands, foremost among them being a legally binding assurance of minimum support prices for agricultural produce. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, several farmer outfits aligned with the cause have thrown their weight behind the Delhi Chalo movement initiated by the SKM (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. However, the path to Delhi has been fraught with obstacles, as security forces intercepted the march at the Shambhu and Khanauri points along Punjabs border with Haryana, triggering confrontations that underscore the simmering discontent among farmers. SKM an umbrella organization representing various farmer groups has taken the pivotal decision during a crucial meeting led by farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal at Ludhiana. A total of 37 participating organizations formed strategies, with Rajewal declaring a statewide toll plaza shutdown in Punjab until February 22. The ongoing confrontation at the Shambhu and Khanauri points on Punjab-Haryana border, where security forces have obstructed farmers en route to Delhi, has intensified the urgency for collective action. Shedding light on the critical developments, Rajewal clarified during discussions that the farmer outfits under the SKM umbrella would not proceed to the borders in protest. Instead, they resolved to intensify the movement by encircling the residences of BJP leaders across Punjab, extending the protest to toll plazas for a three-day period. In areas without toll plazas or BJP leaders, farmers plan to stage demonstrations outside administrative offices. The strategy outlines a roadmap for future actions, with a crucial meeting of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha scheduled for February 21. During the meeting, the SKM aimed to garner support from all farmer organizations across the nation to amplify their campaign. Key demands include the enactment of laws guaranteeing MSP, the withdrawal of false cases against farmers, justice for the perpetrators of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, and the implementation of the government-sponsored crop insurance scheme. Amidst these deliberations, BKU (Ekya-Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan highlighted the challenges faced by traders, emphasizing that their goods were stranded in Punjab due to the ongoing agitation. However, he clarified that it was not the farmers but the government that halted the trains. Ugrahan stressed the need for the government to acknowledge and address the farmers demands, pointing out the difficulties faced by the youth of Punjab, including those planning international travel. Urging for unity, Ugrahan emphasized that the demand for MSP was substantial and required the participation of all farmer organizations across the country. He suggested that the collaboration of various farmer groups was necessary to stage a collective march to Delhi. While acknowledging the efforts of some groups in initiating the march, he urged the rest of the united farmer front to stand resolute in their support for the cause. Black flag protest against all NDA MPs on Feb 22 Residences of Punjab BJP leaders to be gheraoed on Feb 20, 21, 22 All toll plazas in Punjab to be made toll-free for three No other farmers group from Punjab to march to borders as of now In case theres no toll plazas or BJP leaders, farmers to stage protests outside administrative offices SKM to meet again on Feb 21 Imrana, who had allegedly placed a Rs 50,000-order to Javed Sheikh for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs), was arrested from her residence by a joint police team of Special Task Force (STF) and the district police in Muzaffarnagar district on Saturday evening. According to an official communique of the STF released here on Sunday evening, 45-year-old Imrana is the wife of a man named Azad. She is a resident of Banti Khera village in the Shamli district and works as an occultist. She is also known as Imrana Baba. Imrana has been living in Prempuri with her family members for a long time and has an extensive network because of her work. On February 16, the STF unit in Meerut arrested Javed Sheikh of Mimlana Road and recovered four time bombs from him. He disclosed that Imrana had asked him to make the bombs in exchange for Rs 50,000, and had paid Rs 10,000 in advance. The police were searching for Imrana since then. It is alleged that Imrana was planning to create unrest in India in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). In addition to radicalising individuals, she was reportedly instrumental in the production and distribution of bombs. She recently placed orders to make time bombs that were to be detonated to cause fear throughout the nation. Imrana was handed over to the Kotwali police where she was questioned by the STF team for two hours. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) team from Delhi will also interrogate her. Imranas daughter, Rukhsar, alleged that they had turned Imrana over to the police. Meanwhile, there is a growing whiff of a terrorist conspiracy. According to reports, the fresh order of bombs was intended to be utilised after the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) before the Lok Sabha elections. Furthermore, she had ordered over 200 explosives in 2013 during the violence in Muzaffarnagar, and distributed them during the riots. Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh said that Imrana would be interrogated to further know about the outfits and people behind her and their nefarious objectives. STF Assistant Superintendent of Police Brijesh Singh said that Imrana had been in contact with Zarif Ahmed, the father of Javed Sheikh since 2009. He is employed as a hakim, a Muslim doctor who treats patients using conventional remedies. He had provided Imrana with medication for her sickness and has been connected to her ever since. Imrana had asked for two explosives from Javed Shaikh even in 2009, one of which was detonated while the other was dropped into the river Kaali. Imrana got in touch with Javed Sheikh and told him to prepare 55 bombs, some of which were used during 2013 riots. The others were stored at her house for several days and later dumped into the river Kali. Imrana kept four bombs inside her place in case there was another similar incident. Haryana Police on Sunday arrested two smugglers with 361 kg 550 grams of cannabis, worth Rs one 1 crore approximately. The team of Palwal Anti-Narcotics Cell nabbed the two accused. Cell in-charge Sub-Inspector Ajit Nagar said that a team led by Sub-Inspector Shahid Ahmed deployed with CIA Palwal, was present at Chandhat Chowk to check drug activities when they received information from a special informer that two smugglers were coming from Aligarh in a closed body container with cannabis in vehicle number HR38V-2089 and would go towards Palwal. Based on the information, the team started a blockade on Aligarh-Palwal road in front of Chandhat police station. After about an hour, a said canter appeared, about which information was given by the informer. Seeing the blockade, the smugglers tried to escape but the police nabbed both the driver, a resident of Lahrawadi village under Punhana police station, and the owner of the vehicle, a resident of Mohammadpur under police station Pingwan, district Mewat (Nuh). Nagar added that on searching the canter, 16 bags of cannabis were found. On weighing, 361 kilograms and 550 grams of cannabis leaves were found, whose market value is said to be around Rs one crore, he said. A case has been registered against both the accused and further investigation has been started. The two accused will be taken on police remand and the illegal drug trafficking racket will be busted. Other accused involved will also be arrested soon. National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma on Monday accused the West Bengal government of suppressing the voice of a large number of women in Sandeshkhali where protests were held against alleged atrocities by ruling TMC leaders. During the day, she led a delegation of the commission to the area and said her visit was to instill confidence in women there so that many of them come out and start speaking their mind. The NCW chairperson alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government was trying to "suppress the voice of women so that the truth would not come out". "I am in Sandeshkhali for the entire day to hear from women. But the culprit must be arrested. Once (Shajahan) Shiekh is arrested, I believe more women will come out with their complaints. We have to instill confidence in them. I will talk to the police," Sharma told reporters soon after reaching the area. A large number of women in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district had accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of "land-grab and sexually assaulting" them under coercion. Shajahan has been absconding after a mob, allegedly affiliated to him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a ration scam on January 5. Sharma's visit comes after a two-member team of the commission took stock of the situation in the area last week and submitted a report. The NCW chairperson also alleged that neither the district magistrate nor the superintendent of police were present there to meet her. "The administration and the police are not listening to complaints of women and they do not do anything. Only one woman has come out and registered her statement before a magistrate. We want more women to come in the front... Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has never allowed her officers to meet teams of central officers as she is trying to hide the truth... But the truth will come out," Sharma said. Last week, two members of NCW visited the area and submitted a report revealing a "troubling pattern of negligence and complicity" by the state government and law enforcement officials. "We want to talk to the victims and will then meet the West Bengal governor and then the President in New Delhi. If one incident takes place, it is shameful," Sharma said. She alleged that the TMC government was "not allowing the state administration to cooperate" with central agencies. As the situation in Sandeshkhali gradually returns to normalcy following a week of protests against TMC-led atrocities on villagers and sexual harassment of women, the police have been maintaining a strong vigil in the area. The TMC, however, dubbed the visit by NCW as "politically motivated". "The NCW is quick to visit West Bengal. But has never shown similar promptness in visiting BJP-ruled states," TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal did not appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Monday for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy matter, with his party terming the summons as "illegal". The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) should wait for the court's decision instead of repeatedly sending summonses to Kejriwal. Kejriwal has been summoned six times by the ED. The agency had earlier this month approached a city court after Kejriwal skipped its multiple summonses related to the case. Kejriwal told reporters at the Delhi Assembly that reply to the ED were being given as per the law. "We are replying as per the law. Now, ED has filed a case in the court and they should wait for the decision of the court before issuing any fresh summons," he said. On Saturday, the Rouse Avenue court had granted exemption to Kejriwal from personal appearance for the day in connection with the complaint filed by the central agency. The application moved by Kejriwal's counsel stated that the Budget Session of the Delhi assembly has commenced on February 15 and shall continue till the first week of March. He will physically appear before the court on the next date of hearing on March 16, it said. The AAP leadership, including Kejriwal, has been alleging that the BJP wanted to arrest him to topple his government in Delhi and finish the party. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva claimed that even the court has admitted that the ED summonses to Kejriwal were legal and he should cooperate in the probe. "Its contempt of court if Kejriwal is terming the ED summonses illegal despite the court's observation. The Delhi chief minister is not ready to accept that scam has been done in the excise policy. The probe agencies are doing their job and he will also be behind the bars like Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh," Sachdeva said. AAP leaders Sisodia and Singh apart from communications in-charge of the party Vijay Nair have been arrested in this case by the ED till now. ED sources said the agency is expected to issue fresh summons to Kejriwal for questioning in the excise policy case. It is alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge repeatedly refuted by the AAP. The policy was scrapped after Delhi LG V K Saxena in July, 2022, recommended a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and lapses in its implementation. After the CBI, the ED also registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the matter. Union minister Smriti Irani on Monday claimed that deserted streets welcomed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi when he arrived here as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and dared him to contest from Amethi alone in the Lok Sabha elections. Both Gandhi and Irani were in the Amethi parliamentary constituency, where the BJP leader had in 2019 humbled Gandhi who is now the MP from Kerala's Wayanad. "Rahul Gandhi considered Amethi as the centre of power but did not provide service, that is why he was welcomed by the deserted streets of Amethi. Congress workers who welcomed Rahul Gandhi did not participate in his yatra due to which the Congress had to call workers from Sultanpur and Pratapgarh," Irani told mediapersons. "Amethi's former MP insulted the people of Amethi in Wayanad. Amethi was distressed due to this. Ram Lalla's invitation was rejected by him and his family. Amethi is distressed due to this also," she said, adding, "I dare him (Rahul) to contest from Amethi alone in the Lok Sabha elections." Gandhi had represented Congress bastion Amethi in the Lok Sabha for 15 years before he was defeated by Irani in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress leader, however, won from Wayanad, the second seat he contested in the elections. Referring to this, Irani said Amethi decided to bring a change in 2019 and sent the Gandhi family away. "This is the reason why this family has now also fled from Raebareli ahead of the 2024 polls," the Union minister said. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who has represented the Raebareli parliamentary seat since 2004, recently announced that she will not be contesting the Lok Sabha polls this year due to health and age issues. On the chances of Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav attending the Nyay Yatra, Irani said, "Why would any leader support someone who himself needs support?" Yadav Monday said his party will not participate in the Nyay Yatra till seat-sharing with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh is finalised. The SP chief had earlier said he would join the march in Raebareli. Irani further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to increase the business capacity of Amethi through the establishment of small units. "An investment of Rs 6,253 crore has been made in Amethi, 662 projects have started. The Coca-Cola factory established in Ramganj Trishundi, Amethi, is the largest in South Asia. The biggest enterprise is the country's largest hatchery and poultry feed established in Amethi," she added. Passenger traffic between the mainland and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions reached a record high during the ongoing Spring Festival holiday, according to official statistics. More than 144,000 passenger trips were made on the mainland section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on Tuesday, marking the busiest day for the section since the massive bridge opened in late 2018, said the border inspection station on the mainland side. The travelers were carried by more than 18,000 buses and cars, which was a record for the most vehicles handled by any Chinese border port in one day, said the inspection station, which is located in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, in a news release on Wednesday. On Monday, the station recorded more than 130,000 trips - higher than any single previous day. The travel peaks represented ever-increasing enthusiasm about intercity travel in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area during the Chinese Lunar New Year period. Most people in the Greater Bay Area speak Cantonese and share the same social customs, consumption preferences and culinary habits. In recent years, thanks to the rapid growth of the service sector on the mainland, many Hong Kong and Macao residents have become used to spending their holidays or shopping in mainland cities. Moreover, all restrictions on cross-border travel have been gradually abolished since the beginning of 2023, leading to the resumption of large-scale commuting between the mainland and the two special administrative regions. All of these factors have contributed to the record-high travel between the two sides during the holiday period. From Saturday to Tuesday, nearly 60,000 buses and cars went through the Zhuhai inspection station, with most of them owned by Hong Kong or Macao residents, according to Zhou Wei, an officer at the station. He told China Central Television that a lot of people from Hong Kong "are fond of driving to mainland cities" for the Spring Festival holiday. For many mainland holiday travelers, crossing via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has also become an attraction. Li Jianquan, a resident of Zhengzhou, Henan province, told CCTV that he drove his family from Zhengzhou to Zhuhai, and from there the family joined a local tour group and visited Hong Kong and Macao. "The bridge makes it easier for traveling to Hong Kong and Macao. Besides, seeing the bridge itself from the tour bus is indeed a nice experience for us," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the Maratha empire founder Shivaji on his birth anniversary on Monday. "Tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti. A visionary leader, fearless warrior, protector of culture and embodiment of good governance, his life inspires generations," he said on X. Modi has often lauded Shivaji for his military and administrative genius and had invoked the much-admired Maratha king in his speech at the BJP convention on Sunday as well. Born in 1630, Shivaji fought the reigning Muslim kings of his time, including the Mughals, to carve out his kingdom which went to become one of the most powerful empires in the years to come. He is praised not only for his military skills but also administrative acumen. Supporters of Pakistans jailed former prime minister Imran Khans party have clashed with police in various cities across the country as they staged protests against alleged rigging in the general elections held on February 8. In Lahore, supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gathered outside the Lahore Press Club and the partys Jail Road office on Saturday to register their protest, the Dawn newspaper reported on Sunday. The protesters chanted slogans, demanding the restoration of their stolen mandate. They called for rectified results based on the vote count as per Form 45, prepared at polling stations under the watch of political parties polling agents. PTI-backed candidate for NA-128, Salman Akram Raja, was arrested and taken to Racecourse Police Station. He was later released, the report said. Video clips circulating on social media showed policemen dragging the lawyer as he participated in the protest outside PTIs office on Jail Road. Ali Ijaz Buttar, another PTI candidate, was also arrested, along with elderly men, women and a child. In many cities of Punjab, police arrived at the protest site even before the demonstrators had gathered and arrested several party leaders, candidates, workers and supporters. They dragged elderly men and women. PTI workers and supporters, who had gathered on the call of party founder Imran Khan, chanted slogans and demanded the restoration of their stolen mandate, the Dawn report said. If police stop protesters, stay peaceful and stage a sit-in there, he wrote in a post on X. In Karachi, hundreds of PTI workers and supporters gathered outside the Election Commission of Pakistans Sindh office in the citys Saddar area. The protesters chanted slogans against the alleged rigging and demanded the judiciary and state institutions to intervene and fix the flaws in the results. The charged crowd, including women and children, carried party flags and danced to the tunes of party songs. They claimed that the mandate of Karachi was stolen on Feb 8 and that it could lead to disastrous repercussions, like damaging the democracy and affecting the parliamentary system. The partys Sindh chapter president, Haleem Adil Sheikh, and other senior leaders addressed the demonstration and vowed to keep raising their voices against the rigged elections. In Peshawar and other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI workers, including the newly elected lawmakers, staged rallies. Jefferies Financial Group restated their buy rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY Free Report) in a report published on Friday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has a GBX 59 ($0.75) price target on the financial services providers stock. LLOY has been the topic of several other reports. Barclays cut their price objective on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 67 ($0.85) to GBX 65 ($0.82) and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Lloyds Banking Group to a market perform rating and set a GBX 50 ($0.63) price objective on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Morgan Stanley raised Lloyds Banking Group to an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an underweight rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 57.33 ($0.72). Get Lloyds Banking Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Banking Group Trading Up 3.9 % Insider Buying and Selling Shares of LLOY opened at GBX 43.20 ($0.55) on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of 27.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 480.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.23. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is GBX 44.71 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 43.41. Lloyds Banking Group has a twelve month low of GBX 39.42 ($0.50) and a twelve month high of GBX 52.94 ($0.67). In other news, insider William Chalmers purchased 142,680 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 18th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 47 ($0.59) per share, for a total transaction of 67,059.60 ($84,692.60). Insiders own 0.23% of the companys stock. About Lloyds Banking Group (Get Free Report) Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions, and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal and small business customers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Lloyds Banking Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lloyds Banking Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Estabrook Capital Management lessened its stake in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A Free Report) by 14.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,200 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 200 shares during the period. Estabrook Capital Managements holdings in Agilent Technologies were worth $134,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in Agilent Technologies by 1.1% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 31,853,176 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $3,830,344,000 after purchasing an additional 349,651 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Agilent Technologies by 1.1% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,531,170 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $3,246,209,000 after buying an additional 261,435 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of Agilent Technologies by 2.0% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 13,214,595 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,591,990,000 after buying an additional 253,729 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its holdings in shares of Agilent Technologies by 0.4% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 11,076,270 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,238,549,000 after buying an additional 39,030 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Agilent Technologies by 2.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,378,218 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $765,009,000 after buying an additional 174,439 shares in the last quarter. Get Agilent Technologies alerts: Agilent Technologies Price Performance Shares of Agilent Technologies stock traded up $0.09 on Monday, reaching $134.84. 1,066,800 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,411,151. The firm has a market cap of $39.51 billion, a PE ratio of 32.03, a P/E/G ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.97 and a current ratio of 2.61. The firms 50 day moving average is $133.72 and its 200-day moving average is $122.29. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a one year low of $96.80 and a one year high of $148.94. Analysts Set New Price Targets Agilent Technologies ( NYSE:A Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 20th. The medical research company reported $1.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $1.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.67 billion. Agilent Technologies had a net margin of 18.15% and a return on equity of 28.24%. The firms revenue was down 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.53 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.48 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of brokerages recently weighed in on A. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $100.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. UBS Group lowered shares of Agilent Technologies from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $163.00 to $125.00 in a report on Friday, November 17th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $160.00 to $145.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. They issued an outperform rating and a $140.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of Agilent Technologies from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Friday, December 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Agilent Technologies presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $137.44. Read Our Latest Report on A Insider Buying and Selling at Agilent Technologies In other Agilent Technologies news, CEO Michael R. Mcmullen sold 62,467 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total value of $8,120,710.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 306,206 shares in the company, valued at approximately $39,806,780. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Michael R. Mcmullen sold 2,751 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total transaction of $357,630.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 306,206 shares in the company, valued at $39,806,780. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Michael R. Mcmullen sold 62,467 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total transaction of $8,120,710.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 306,206 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,806,780. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 95,929 shares of company stock worth $12,730,599. Agilent Technologies Profile (Free Report) Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; and vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Agilent Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agilent Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alan B Lancz & Associates Inc. purchased a new position in Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 1,996 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $240,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of PSX. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new stake in shares of Phillips 66 in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in Phillips 66 in the second quarter valued at about $30,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its stake in Phillips 66 by 134.8% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 263 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Phillips 66 during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in Phillips 66 by 82.1% during the 3rd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 306 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.83% of the companys stock. Get Phillips 66 alerts: Phillips 66 Stock Performance PSX traded down $2.56 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $143.81. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,690,000 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,258,906. Phillips 66 has a fifty-two week low of $89.74 and a fifty-two week high of $149.52. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.27 billion, a PE ratio of 9.30, a PEG ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $136.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $123.35. Phillips 66 Dividend Announcement Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th will be given a $1.05 dividend. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.92%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 16th. Phillips 66s dividend payout ratio is currently 27.15%. Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. TD Cowen upped their price target on Phillips 66 from $134.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. upgraded shares of Phillips 66 from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $115.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Phillips 66 from $151.00 to $163.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Phillips 66 from $132.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised Phillips 66 from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $146.00 target price for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $138.21. Read Our Latest Analysis on Phillips 66 Insider Activity at Phillips 66 In related news, EVP Richard G. Harbison sold 21,934 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.27, for a total value of $3,208,286.18. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,941 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,648,120.07. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Richard G. Harbison sold 21,934 shares of Phillips 66 stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.27, for a total transaction of $3,208,286.18. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,941 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,648,120.07. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Kevin J. Mitchell sold 31,700 shares of Phillips 66 stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.21, for a total value of $4,127,657.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 103,351 shares in the company, valued at $13,457,333.71. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 63,587 shares of company stock worth $8,671,094 in the last three months. 4.57% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Phillips 66 (Free Report) Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Phillips 66 Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phillips 66 and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alan B Lancz & Associates Inc. raised its holdings in Sempra (NYSE:SRE Free Report) by 95.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 8,300 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 4,050 shares during the period. Alan B Lancz & Associates Inc.s holdings in Sempra were worth $565,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. PrairieView Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Sempra by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. PrairieView Partners LLC now owns 376 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 188 shares during the period. Optimum Investment Advisors grew its stake in shares of Sempra by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors now owns 380 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 190 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Sempra by 119.9% in the 3rd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 398 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 217 shares during the period. Monetary Management Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Sempra by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Monetary Management Group Inc. now owns 400 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, Essex Investment Management Co. LLC grew its stake in shares of Sempra by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 390 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 195 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.83% of the companys stock. Get Sempra alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 34,190 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.83, for a total value of $2,421,677.70. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2 shares in the company, valued at approximately $141.66. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock. Sempra Stock Down 0.0 % Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Shares of SRE traded down $0.01 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $70.49. The stock had a trading volume of 2,274,400 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,709,161. Sempra has a 1-year low of $63.75 and a 1-year high of $80.15. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $73.19 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $71.71. The company has a market cap of $44.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.30, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.61 and a quick ratio of 0.55. A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Sempra from $76.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Sempra from $75.00 to $73.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. StockNews.com cut shares of Sempra from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, February 10th. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Sempra from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $76.00 to $84.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Sempra from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $78.00 to $86.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Sempra has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $81.83. View Our Latest Research Report on SRE About Sempra (Free Report) Sempra operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Gas Company, Sempra Texas Utilities, and Sempra Infrastructure. The San Diego Gas & Electric Company segment provides to San Diego and southern Orange counties; and natural gas service to San Diego County. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Sempra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sempra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Atlas FRM LLC trimmed its stake in WestRock (NYSE:WRK Free Report) by 22.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,100,000 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 600,000 shares during the quarter. WestRock accounts for 12.4% of Atlas FRM LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding. Atlas FRM LLC owned about 0.82% of WestRock worth $75,180,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Aigen Investment Management LP purchased a new position in WestRock in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $369,000. FMR LLC raised its stake in shares of WestRock by 140.3% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,173,923 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $77,826,000 after purchasing an additional 1,269,375 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of WestRock by 4.9% during the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 52,481 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,879,000 after purchasing an additional 2,443 shares in the last quarter. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WestRock during the third quarter valued at $8,500,000. Finally, Rafferty Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in WestRock by 11.5% in the 3rd quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC now owns 19,087 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $683,000 after buying an additional 1,970 shares in the last quarter. 85.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get WestRock alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at WestRock In other news, insider Vicki L. Lostetter sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.77, for a total value of $149,695.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 92,117 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,939,844.09. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.49% of the companys stock. WestRock Trading Up 0.9 % Shares of WRK stock traded up $0.40 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $43.71. 1,652,100 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,201,482. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. WestRock has a 12 month low of $26.84 and a 12 month high of $43.86. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $41.59 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $37.81. WestRock (NYSE:WRK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The basic materials company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.35 by ($0.15). WestRock had a negative net margin of 8.58% and a positive return on equity of 6.87%. The company had revenue of $4.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.79 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.55 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that WestRock will post 1.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. WestRock Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.3025 per share. This represents a $1.21 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 8th. WestRocks payout ratio is -18.01%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Seaport Res Ptn cut shares of WestRock from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Wells Fargo & Company restated an equal weight rating and issued a $45.00 target price (up previously from $42.00) on shares of WestRock in a report on Thursday, January 11th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of WestRock in a research note on Monday, February 12th. They set a hold rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $42.00 price target on shares of WestRock in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Argus raised WestRock from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, WestRock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $39.43. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on WRK About WestRock (Free Report) WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, Global Paper, and Distribution. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for WestRock (NYSE:WRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for WestRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WestRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC increased its position in AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV Free Report) by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 88,976 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 587 shares during the quarter. Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLCs holdings in AbbVie were worth $13,263,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in AbbVie by 89,097.0% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 29,203,106 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,719,514,000 after buying an additional 29,170,366 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in AbbVie during the 4th quarter valued at about $3,033,348,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in AbbVie by 29,922.3% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 6,032,374 shares of the companys stock valued at $899,186,000 after buying an additional 6,012,281 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in AbbVie by 17.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 31,571,750 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,102,311,000 after buying an additional 4,785,277 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in AbbVie by 426.5% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 4,652,122 shares of the companys stock valued at $754,155,000 after buying an additional 3,768,579 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.86% of the companys stock. Get AbbVie alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ABBV has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Raymond James lifted their price target on AbbVie from $181.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on AbbVie from $187.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded AbbVie from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $173.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, December 11th. HSBC downgraded AbbVie from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their price target for the company from $167.00 to $156.00 in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on AbbVie from $193.00 to $196.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $175.36. Insider Activity In related news, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 2,912 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.72, for a total value of $450,544.64. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 55,903 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,649,312.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock. AbbVie Trading Up 0.5 % ABBV stock traded up $0.90 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $177.49. The company had a trading volume of 6,689,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,450,448. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.59. AbbVie Inc. has a 52 week low of $130.96 and a 52 week high of $178.92. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $162.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $152.21. The stock has a market cap of $319.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 65.01, a PEG ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.57. AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The company reported $2.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.03. AbbVie had a return on equity of 154.73% and a net margin of 8.95%. The firm had revenue of $14.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.02 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.60 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. AbbVie Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.55 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.49%. AbbVies dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 227.11%. About AbbVie (Free Report) AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABBV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AbbVie Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AbbVie and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bison Wealth LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 20,555 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,774,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 7.9% in the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 71,189 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,792,000 after acquiring an additional 5,200 shares during the period. Curtis Advisory Group LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 60.9% in the 2nd quarter. Curtis Advisory Group LLC now owns 11,633 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,110,000 after acquiring an additional 4,402 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 3,110,935 shares of the companys stock valued at $296,877,000 after acquiring an additional 100,616 shares during the period. Choreo LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 8.8% during the third quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 84,603 shares of the companys stock worth $7,301,000 after purchasing an additional 6,863 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $23,278,000. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Stock Up 0.1 % Shares of EFG traded up $0.10 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $99.93. 363,044 shares of the companys stock were exchanged. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a 52 week low of $67.58 and a 52 week high of $85.81. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $96.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $91.68. The firm has a market cap of $13.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.89. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandes Investment Partners LP raised its stake in shares of WPP plc (NYSE:WPP Free Report) by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 383,698 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 6,837 shares during the quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP owned 0.18% of WPP worth $17,105,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of WPP. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in WPP by 187.0% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 617 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 402 shares during the period. CWM LLC boosted its stake in shares of WPP by 85.1% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 583 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 268 shares during the period. Nemes Rush Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of WPP in the second quarter worth $38,000. Advisory Services Network LLC increased its stake in shares of WPP by 166.8% in the first quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 675 shares of the business services providers stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 422 shares during the period. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in WPP by 54.0% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 973 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 341 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 4.34% of the companys stock. Get WPP alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded WPP from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. StockNews.com downgraded WPP from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 30th. Finally, UBS Group cut shares of WPP from a buy rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, WPP presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $46.00. WPP Price Performance Shares of WPP stock traded up $0.42 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $49.12. 71,100 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 133,500. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $47.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $46.49. WPP plc has a 12-month low of $41.13 and a 12-month high of $64.07. About WPP (Free Report) WPP plc, a creative transformation company, provides communications, experience, commerce, and technology services in North America, the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Global Integrated Agencies, Public Relations, and Specialist Agencies. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for WPP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WPP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) by 4.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 723,265 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after buying an additional 32,966 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLCs holdings in Canadian Natural Resources were worth $46,772,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mission Wealth Management LP grew its position in Canadian Natural Resources by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 4,796 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $310,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its position in Canadian Natural Resources by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 8,432 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $523,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the period. Rothschild Investment LLC IL grew its position in Canadian Natural Resources by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC IL now owns 14,926 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $965,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Clarius Group LLC grew its position in Canadian Natural Resources by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Clarius Group LLC now owns 5,310 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $299,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares during the period. Finally, Stokes Family Office LLC grew its position in Canadian Natural Resources by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC now owns 10,387 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $672,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.88% of the companys stock. Get Canadian Natural Resources alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CNQ has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from $101.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Canadian Natural Resources from $95.00 to $96.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $94.00. Canadian Natural Resources Stock Performance Shares of NYSE CNQ traded up $0.20 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $63.12. 1,869,600 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,099,679. The firm has a market capitalization of $67.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.23 and a beta of 1.53. Canadian Natural Resources Limited has a 52 week low of $48.81 and a 52 week high of $68.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $63.68 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $63.86. Canadian Natural Resources Profile (Free Report) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CNQ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ Free Report) (TSE:CNQ). Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report) by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 1,890,494 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 23,285 shares during the period. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLCs holdings in Delta Air Lines were worth $69,948,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Capital World Investors grew its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 3.9% during the second quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 26,563,427 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,262,825,000 after purchasing an additional 995,107 shares during the period. Perigon Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 10.4% during the third quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,329 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $382,000 after purchasing an additional 969 shares during the period. Shelton Capital Management bought a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the second quarter valued at about $244,000. Apollon Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 104.2% during the second quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,712 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $747,000 after purchasing an additional 8,019 shares during the period. Finally, Cozad Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 150.3% during the third quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc. now owns 178,080 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $6,589,000 after purchasing an additional 106,940 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.29% of the companys stock. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CEO Edward H. Bastian sold 71,840 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.20, for a total transaction of $2,816,128.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 428,768 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,807,705.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In DAL has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. TheStreet raised Delta Air Lines from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. StockNews.com raised Delta Air Lines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Delta Air Lines has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $55.54. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on DAL Delta Air Lines Price Performance Shares of NYSE:DAL traded down $0.88 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $40.12. The stock had a trading volume of 7,674,100 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,499,258. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The company has a market cap of $25.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.42. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 1 year low of $30.60 and a 1 year high of $49.81. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $40.10 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.65. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The transportation company reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $14.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.55 billion. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 46.35% and a net margin of 7.94%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.48 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 6.57 EPS for the current fiscal year. Delta Air Lines Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.00%. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio is 5.59%. About Delta Air Lines (Free Report) Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Free Report) by 8.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 148,885 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 11,915 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC owned 0.05% of Deere & Company worth $56,186,000 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. Hodges Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Deere & Company by 4.0% in the second quarter. Hodges Capital Management Inc. now owns 8,895 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,225,000 after buying an additional 341 shares during the period. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. raised its position in Deere & Company by 7.6% during the second quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 53,191 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $21,552,000 after acquiring an additional 3,776 shares in the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its position in Deere & Company by 5.6% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 135,091 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $54,775,000 after acquiring an additional 7,182 shares in the last quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board raised its position in Deere & Company by 6.9% during the third quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 14,002 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $5,284,000 after acquiring an additional 900 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gratus Capital LLC raised its position in Deere & Company by 4.1% during the second quarter. Gratus Capital LLC now owns 2,982 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,208,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.27% of the companys stock. Get Deere & Company alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Deere & Company from $380.00 to $385.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Deere & Company from $450.00 to $435.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Canaccord Genuity Group decreased their price objective on shares of Deere & Company from $400.00 to $375.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 27th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Deere & Company from $435.00 to $425.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price target on shares of Deere & Company from $438.00 to $396.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 24th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $432.74. Deere & Company Stock Performance Deere & Company stock traded down $3.98 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $360.68. The stock had a trading volume of 2,274,300 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,494,139. Deere & Company has a 12 month low of $345.55 and a 12 month high of $450.00. The firms 50-day moving average price is $388.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $388.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $101.08 billion, a PE ratio of 10.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.81, a current ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81. Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The industrial products company reported $6.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.19 by $1.04. Deere & Company had a return on equity of 44.60% and a net margin of 16.38%. The business had revenue of $10.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.30 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $6.55 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Deere & Company will post 28.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Deere & Company Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 29th were issued a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.63%. This is an increase from Deere & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 28th. Deere & Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 17.12%. Deere & Company Profile (Free Report) Deere & Company engages in the manufacture and distribution of various equipment worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Production and Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Production and Precision Agriculture segment provides large and medium tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters and loaders, harvesting front-end equipment, pull-behind scrapers, and tillage and seeding equipment, as well as application equipment, including sprayers and nutrient management, and soil preparation machinery for grain growers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Deere & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deere & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN Free Report) by 4.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 876,633 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 35,376 shares during the period. Global Payments comprises 0.9% of Brandywine Global Investment Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC owned about 0.34% of Global Payments worth $101,155,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. State Street Corp raised its position in Global Payments by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,819,457 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,138,638,000 after purchasing an additional 134,403 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its position in Global Payments by 40.7% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 9,346,779 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,078,525,000 after purchasing an additional 2,703,434 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Global Payments by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,510,433 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $541,457,000 after purchasing an additional 64,912 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners raised its position in Global Payments by 40.5% during the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 5,142,771 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $591,613,000 after purchasing an additional 1,481,714 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in Global Payments by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,936,859 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $486,379,000 after purchasing an additional 140,481 shares in the last quarter. 85.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Global Payments alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on GPN shares. BTIG Research initiated coverage on Global Payments in a research report on Monday, November 20th. They set a buy rating and a $135.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Global Payments from $154.00 to $172.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. StockNews.com downgraded Global Payments from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday. B. Riley lifted their price target on Global Payments from $180.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their price target on Global Payments from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and twenty have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $151.15. Global Payments Price Performance Shares of GPN stock traded down $3.63 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $134.19. The company had a trading volume of 1,795,800 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,968,027. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 0.99. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $130.76 and a 200-day moving average of $122.29. The company has a market capitalization of $34.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.50, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.00. Global Payments Inc. has a 12-month low of $94.05 and a 12-month high of $141.77. Global Payments (NYSE:GPN Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The business services provider reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.64 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $2.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.18 billion. Global Payments had a return on equity of 11.44% and a net margin of 10.22%. The businesss revenue was up 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.30 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Global Payments Inc. will post 10.98 earnings per share for the current year. Global Payments Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.75%. Global Paymentss payout ratio is 26.46%. About Global Payments (Free Report) Global Payments Inc provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through three segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions, and Consumer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GPN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Global Payments Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Payments and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the twelve ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $100.00. DUK has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. KeyCorp lifted their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $106.00 to $107.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Duke Energy from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from $101.00 to $113.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Evercore ISI raised shares of Duke Energy from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from $90.00 to $108.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $103.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Get Duke Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Duke Energy Insider Buying and Selling at Duke Energy Hedge Funds Weigh In On Duke Energy In other Duke Energy news, EVP Louis E. Renjel sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.57, for a total value of $277,710.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,213 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,315,697.41. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. CKW Financial Group acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Private Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. O Dell Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN boosted its position in shares of Duke Energy by 200.0% in the 2nd quarter. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN now owns 312 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. 63.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Duke Energy Price Performance Duke Energy stock opened at $91.88 on Monday. Duke Energy has a 52-week low of $83.06 and a 52-week high of $100.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.88, a PEG ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $96.14 and a 200-day simple moving average of $92.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.53 by ($0.02). Duke Energy had a return on equity of 8.93% and a net margin of 9.78%. The firm had revenue of $7.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.24 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.11 earnings per share. Duke Energys revenue for the quarter was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Duke Energy will post 5.97 EPS for the current fiscal year. Duke Energy Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be paid a $1.025 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $4.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.46%. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 115.49%. About Duke Energy (Get 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Duke Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duke Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET Free Report) had its price target reduced by UBS Group from $23.00 to $22.00 in a research report report published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the pipeline companys stock. Energy Transfer Stock Performance NYSE ET opened at $14.55 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $45.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.35 and a beta of 1.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $13.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $13.65. Energy Transfer has a 1-year low of $11.45 and a 1-year high of $14.65. Get Energy Transfer alerts: Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The pipeline company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.08. Energy Transfer had a return on equity of 12.42% and a net margin of 4.85%. The company had revenue of $20.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.46 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.34 EPS. Energy Transfers revenue was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Energy Transfer will post 1.29 EPS for the current year. Energy Transfer Increases Dividend Hedge Funds Weigh In On Energy Transfer The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 7th will be given a dividend of $0.315 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 6th. This is an increase from Energy Transfers previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.66%. Energy Transfers payout ratio is currently 115.60%. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in Energy Transfer by 4.6% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 79,889 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $894,000 after purchasing an additional 3,501 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its stake in Energy Transfer by 0.6% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 424,932 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $4,755,000 after purchasing an additional 2,403 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its stake in Energy Transfer by 13.7% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 260,824 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $2,919,000 after purchasing an additional 31,407 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in Energy Transfer by 7.3% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 159,249 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $1,782,000 after purchasing an additional 10,856 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Energy Transfer by 43.0% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 192,394 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $2,153,000 after purchasing an additional 57,880 shares during the last quarter. 33.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Energy Transfer (Get Free Report) Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates approximately 11,600 miles of natural gas transportation pipeline, and three natural gas storage facilities in Texas and two natural gas storage facilities located in the state of Texas and Oklahoma; and 19,945 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Energy Transfer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Energy Transfer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc. lessened its position in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 44,748 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 1,108 shares during the quarter. Chevron comprises 1.0% of Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest position. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc.s holdings in Chevron were worth $7,259,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of CVX. Windsor Advisory Group LLC increased its stake in Chevron by 24.0% during the 3rd quarter. Windsor Advisory Group LLC now owns 3,720 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $627,000 after purchasing an additional 720 shares in the last quarter. Dechtman Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Chevron in the 2nd quarter valued at $648,000. Altrius Capital Management Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Chevron by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Altrius Capital Management Inc now owns 21,333 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,597,000 after acquiring an additional 434 shares during the last quarter. Tsfg LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Chevron by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. Tsfg LLC now owns 3,473 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $586,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Berkeley Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Chevron by 13.1% in the 2nd quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 14,333 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,255,000 after acquiring an additional 1,661 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.87% of the companys stock. Get Chevron alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have recently commented on CVX shares. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Chevron from $175.00 to $169.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Chevron from $194.00 to $185.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Chevron from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and reduced their target price for the company from $184.00 to $182.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Raymond James reduced their target price on shares of Chevron from $200.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Chevron from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Chevron currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $180.95. Chevron Stock Performance Shares of Chevron stock traded up $0.17 during trading on Monday, reaching $154.63. The companys stock had a trading volume of 7,570,200 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,885,027. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The firm has a market cap of $291.90 billion, a PE ratio of 13.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $148.79 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $154.18. Chevron Co. has a fifty-two week low of $139.62 and a fifty-two week high of $172.88. Chevron (NYSE:CVX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $3.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.19 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $47.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $50.93 billion. Chevron had a net margin of 10.63% and a return on equity of 15.24%. Chevrons revenue was down 16.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.09 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Chevron Co. will post 13.03 EPS for the current year. Chevron Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be paid a $1.63 dividend. This is a boost from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 15th. Chevrons payout ratio is currently 57.39%. Chevron Profile (Free Report) Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its stake in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report) by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 240,768 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 9,426 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLCs holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $166,570,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in W.W. Grainger by 7.2% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,372,006 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,447,721,000 after acquiring an additional 294,558 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its stake in W.W. Grainger by 17.2% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,396,928 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $966,451,000 after purchasing an additional 204,507 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its stake in W.W. Grainger by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,074,055 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $846,989,000 after purchasing an additional 5,744 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in W.W. Grainger by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,054,372 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $829,498,000 after purchasing an additional 27,222 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in W.W. Grainger by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 679,030 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $535,476,000 after purchasing an additional 2,661 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.24% of the companys stock. Get W.W. Grainger alerts: W.W. Grainger Trading Down 0.8 % GWW traded down $7.89 on Monday, hitting $935.80. The company had a trading volume of 176,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 265,827. The firm has a market cap of $46.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.84, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.13. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 1 year low of $625.97 and a 1 year high of $978.95. The companys fifty day moving average price is $866.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $778.66. The company has a current ratio of 2.88, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. W.W. Grainger Announces Dividend W.W. Grainger ( NYSE:GWW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The industrial products company reported $8.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.05 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $4 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.04 billion. W.W. Grainger had a net margin of 11.10% and a return on equity of 56.54%. W.W. Graingers revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $7.14 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 39.24 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Monday, February 12th will be issued a $1.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 9th. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.80%. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.55%. Insider Activity at W.W. Grainger In other W.W. Grainger news, VP Laurie R. Thomson sold 250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $801.50, for a total transaction of $200,375.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 911 shares in the company, valued at $730,166.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other W.W. Grainger news, VP Laurie R. Thomson sold 250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $801.50, for a total transaction of $200,375.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 911 shares in the company, valued at $730,166.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Donald G. Macpherson sold 2,478 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $788.68, for a total transaction of $1,954,349.04. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 90,145 shares in the company, valued at $71,095,558.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 5,850 shares of company stock worth $5,121,311. Company insiders own 9.90% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have issued reports on GWW shares. Stephens lifted their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $775.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. StockNews.com raised shares of W.W. Grainger from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $825.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $800.00 to $925.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their price target on shares of W.W. Grainger from $800.00 to $930.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, W.W. Grainger has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $842.22. Read Our Latest Report on W.W. Grainger W.W. Grainger Company Profile (Free Report) W.W. Grainger, Inc distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services in the United States, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety and security supplies, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance supplies, and metalworking and hand tools. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GWW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for W.W. Grainger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for W.W. Grainger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bison Wealth LLC raised its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Free Report) by 797.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,285 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 7,362 shares during the quarter. Bison Wealth LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $2,204,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. PAX Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 11.7% in the 3rd quarter. PAX Financial Group LLC now owns 19,026 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $5,061,000 after buying an additional 1,987 shares during the period. Polen Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 133.8% in the 3rd quarter. Polen Capital Management LLC now owns 299,494 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $79,662,000 after buying an additional 171,395 shares during the period. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC now owns 107,737 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $28,712,000 after buying an additional 1,278 shares during the period. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC grew its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 264.9% in the 3rd quarter. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 15,457 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,117,000 after buying an additional 11,221 shares during the period. Finally, Clearstead Advisors LLC grew its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 12.6% in the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 10,303 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,740,000 after buying an additional 1,150 shares during the period. Get iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:IWF traded down $2.05 during trading on Monday, reaching $325.62. 1,135,500 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,624,627. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a 12-month low of $221.56 and a 12-month high of $330.56. The firm has a market cap of $83.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.14 and a beta of 1.08. The firms 50-day moving average price is $309.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $288.03. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Profile iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment returns that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 1000 index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nierenberg Investment Management Company Inc. reduced its position in KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 30,610 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 2,070 shares during the quarter. KBR comprises approximately 1.3% of Nierenberg Investment Management Company Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position. Nierenberg Investment Management Company Inc.s holdings in KBR were worth $1,804,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Hsbc Holdings PLC lifted its stake in shares of KBR by 169.8% during the third quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 196,991 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $11,634,000 after buying an additional 123,966 shares during the period. South Street Advisors LLC increased its stake in KBR by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. South Street Advisors LLC now owns 218,579 shares of the construction companys stock worth $12,883,000 after buying an additional 2,326 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in KBR by 60.5% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 121,848 shares of the construction companys stock worth $7,182,000 after buying an additional 45,921 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in shares of KBR in the 3rd quarter worth about $224,000. Finally, Atika Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of KBR by 277.0% in the 3rd quarter. Atika Capital Management LLC now owns 230,000 shares of the construction companys stock worth $13,556,000 after purchasing an additional 169,000 shares during the last quarter. Get KBR alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have recently commented on KBR. StockNews.com lowered shares of KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 3rd. KeyCorp started coverage on KBR in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set an overweight rating and a $63.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on KBR from $75.00 to $66.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Citigroup boosted their price objective on KBR from $62.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price objective on KBR from $65.00 to $63.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $67.71. KBR Price Performance KBR traded up $0.12 during trading on Monday, reaching $55.29. The stock had a trading volume of 2,012,700 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,256,267. KBR, Inc. has a 1-year low of $49.37 and a 1-year high of $65.87. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $53.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $56.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -34.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. About KBR (Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Martin Currie Ltd. boosted its holdings in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (NYSE:TLK Free Report) by 4.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 864,673 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 37,268 shares during the quarter. Martin Currie Ltd.s holdings in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk were worth $20,839,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. grew its position in shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 11.1% in the 2nd quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. now owns 22,080 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $589,000 after buying an additional 2,200 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 4.5% in the second quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 23,004 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $614,000 after acquiring an additional 985 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its position in shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 12.9% in the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 82,230 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,982,000 after buying an additional 9,416 shares in the last quarter. Profund Advisors LLC raised its position in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 19.1% during the second quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 10,744 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $287,000 after purchasing an additional 1,725 shares during the period. Finally, O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 41.1% during the second quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 124,481 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,320,000 after buying an additional 36,266 shares during the last quarter. Get Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Price Performance Shares of TLK stock traded up $0.56 on Monday, reaching $26.61. The company had a trading volume of 183,400 shares, compared to its average volume of 178,779. The company has a 50-day moving average of $25.56 and a 200-day moving average of $24.50. Perusahaan Perseroan has a 12 month low of $21.67 and a 12 month high of $29.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.72. About Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (Free Report) Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk provides information and communications technology, and telecommunications network services worldwide. The company operates through mobile, consumer, enterprise, Wholesale and International Business, and Other segments. The Mobile segment offers mobile voice, SMS, value added services, and mobile broadband services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (NYSE:TLK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK Free Report) by 33.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 69,974 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 34,823 shares during the period. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs holdings in Graphic Packaging were worth $1,559,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Aigen Investment Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Graphic Packaging during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $385,000. FMR LLC raised its position in Graphic Packaging by 67.2% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 10,133,955 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $225,785,000 after purchasing an additional 4,074,508 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Graphic Packaging by 74.8% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 730,163 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $16,268,000 after purchasing an additional 312,441 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Graphic Packaging in the 3rd quarter valued at $534,000. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Graphic Packaging in the 3rd quarter valued at $233,000. 99.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Graphic Packaging alerts: Graphic Packaging Price Performance NYSE GPK traded down $0.20 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $24.67. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,403,200 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,897,942. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.16, a P/E/G ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 0.84. Graphic Packaging Holding has a 1-year low of $20.07 and a 1-year high of $27.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 0.46. The companys 50-day moving average is $25.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $23.15. Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.62%. Graphic Packagings payout ratio is 18.10%. GPK has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Bank of America upgraded Graphic Packaging from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. Raymond James downgraded Graphic Packaging from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, November 27th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Graphic Packaging from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Graphic Packaging presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $27.00. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Graphic Packaging About Graphic Packaging (Free Report) Graphic Packaging Holding Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based packaging solutions to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies. It operates through three segments: Paperboard Mills, Americas Paperboard Packaging, and Europe Paperboard Packaging. The company offers coated unbleached kraft (CUK), coated recycled paperboard (CRB), and solid bleached sulfate paperboard (SBS) to various paperboard packaging converters and brokers; and paperboard packaging products, such as folding cartons, cups, lids, and food containers primarily to consumer packaged goods, quick-service restaurants, and foodservice companies; and barrier packaging products that protect against moisture, hot and cold temperature, grease, oil, oxygen, sunlight, insects, and other potential product-damaging factors. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GPK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Graphic Packaging Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Graphic Packaging and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 110.6% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 28,266 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 14,845 shares during the period. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $2,571,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Jennison Associates LLC boosted its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.3% during the third quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 23,419,405 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,129,761,000 after purchasing an additional 11,727,507 shares in the last quarter. Polen Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the third quarter valued at approximately $718,995,000. FMR LLC boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 122.7% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 12,077,501 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,098,328,000 after buying an additional 6,654,614 shares during the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 91.7% in the 3rd quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 9,097,808 shares of the companys stock valued at $827,354,000 after purchasing an additional 4,350,862 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 1,514.6% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 3,785,560 shares of the companys stock valued at $602,435,000 after purchasing an additional 3,551,104 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 6.41% of the companys stock. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently issued reports on NVO. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They set an overweight rating and a $120.00 price objective on the stock. TD Cowen raised their price target on Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $140.00 price objective on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, UBS Group assumed coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $121.25. Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Up 1.9 % Shares of NVO traded up $2.26 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $124.01. 6,609,400 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,996,321. The stock has a market capitalization of $556.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The firms fifty day moving average is $107.96 and its 200-day moving average is $88.66. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 1 year low of $67.66 and a 1 year high of $124.64. Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, March 25th will be paid a $0.664 dividend. This is a positive change from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. This represents a yield of 0.9%. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.92%. Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile (Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S, a healthcare company, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products worldwide. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity care, and Rare Disease. The Diabetes and Obesity care segment provides products in the areas of insulins, GLP-1 and related delivery systems, oral antidiabetic products, obesity, glucagon, needles, and other chronic diseases. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning. Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $90.00 price objective on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Scorpio Tankers from $85.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Scorpio Tankers from $89.00 to $91.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $74.00. Get Scorpio Tankers alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Scorpio Tankers Scorpio Tankers Stock Down 1.2 % NYSE STNG opened at $69.52 on Thursday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $64.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $57.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Scorpio Tankers has a 52 week low of $40.34 and a 52 week high of $72.89. The company has a market capitalization of $3.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.99 and a beta of 0.22. Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The shipping company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.62 by $0.13. Scorpio Tankers had a return on equity of 22.86% and a net margin of 40.78%. The firm had revenue of $336.30 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $335.70 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $4.24 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 31.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Scorpio Tankers will post 12.07 earnings per share for the current year. Scorpio Tankers Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.30%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. This is a boost from Scorpio Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Scorpio Tankerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14.08%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Scorpio Tankers Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. grew its holdings in Scorpio Tankers by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 22,685 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $1,379,000 after buying an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its position in Scorpio Tankers by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 13,338 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $811,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. U S Global Investors Inc. raised its position in Scorpio Tankers by 14.5% during the 4th quarter. U S Global Investors Inc. now owns 1,741 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $106,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its position in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 14,972 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $707,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 35.2% in the 1st quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 964 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 251 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.82% of the companys stock. Scorpio Tankers Company Profile (Get Free Report) Scorpio Tankers Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products in the shipping markets worldwide. As of March 23, 2023, its fleet consisted of 113 owned, finance leased, or bareboat chartered-in tankers, including 39 LR2, 60 MR, and 14 Handymax with a weighted average age of approximately 7.2 years. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Scorpio Tankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Scorpio Tankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stokes Family Office LLC lifted its stake in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS Free Report) by 29.4% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 6,452 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,464 shares during the period. Stokes Family Office LLCs holdings in Novartis were worth $657,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of NVS. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in shares of Novartis by 18.3% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,556,539 shares of the companys stock worth $136,587,000 after purchasing an additional 240,710 shares in the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management increased its stake in Novartis by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 4,869 shares of the companys stock worth $427,000 after buying an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in Novartis by 42.4% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 10,996 shares of the companys stock worth $965,000 after buying an additional 3,272 shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Novartis by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 95,477 shares of the companys stock worth $8,379,000 after buying an additional 4,122 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its stake in Novartis by 22.8% in the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 3,528 shares of the companys stock worth $309,000 after buying an additional 655 shares in the last quarter. 7.00% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Novartis alerts: Novartis Trading Up 0.6 % Shares of Novartis stock opened at $100.19 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $212.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.95, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.56. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $103.04 and a 200-day moving average price of $100.13. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. Novartis AG has a twelve month low of $79.98 and a twelve month high of $108.78. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Novartis ( NYSE:NVS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The company reported $1.53 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.64 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $11.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.69 billion. Novartis had a net margin of 29.83% and a return on equity of 29.90%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.51 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Novartis AG will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of brokerages have issued reports on NVS. HSBC lowered Novartis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 18th. StockNews.com began coverage on Novartis in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Novartis in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an equal weight rating and a $114.00 price target for the company. Get Our Latest Stock Report on NVS Novartis Company Profile (Free Report) Novartis AG researches, develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. It offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novartis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novartis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stokes Family Office LLC increased its holdings in Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM Free Report) by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,358 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 119 shares during the quarter. Stokes Family Office LLCs holdings in Waste Management were worth $1,122,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Waste Management by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 18,113,191 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,141,190,000 after acquiring an additional 121,055 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in Waste Management by 30.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 7,370,481 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,156,281,000 after purchasing an additional 1,718,449 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Waste Management by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,291,991 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,260,920,000 after purchasing an additional 268,736 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its stake in Waste Management by 16.9% during the 3rd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 5,366,017 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $827,815,000 after purchasing an additional 776,491 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Waste Management by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 5,112,019 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $801,972,000 after purchasing an additional 160,466 shares in the last quarter. 78.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Waste Management alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of Waste Management from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. HSBC downgraded shares of Waste Management from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $210.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Thursday. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Waste Management from $215.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Waste Management in a report on Monday, November 27th. They set an equal weight rating and a $175.00 price target on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Waste Management from $184.00 to $196.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Waste Management presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $197.57. Insider Buying and Selling at Waste Management In related news, SVP Tara J. Hemmer sold 10,048 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.19, for a total value of $1,720,117.12. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 49,099 shares in the company, valued at $8,405,257.81. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Waste Management news, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 9,550 shares of Waste Management stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.00, for a total transaction of $1,690,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 162,388 shares of the companys stock, valued at $28,742,676. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Tara J. Hemmer sold 10,048 shares of Waste Management stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.19, for a total transaction of $1,720,117.12. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 49,099 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,405,257.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 36,720 shares of company stock valued at $6,613,888 over the last 90 days. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Waste Management Price Performance Shares of NYSE:WM opened at $201.54 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.30, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.86. Waste Management, Inc. has a 1-year low of $148.31 and a 1-year high of $202.69. The company has a market capitalization of $80.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.61, a P/E/G ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.70. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $182.96 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $169.41. Waste Management (NYSE:WM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 12th. The business services provider reported $1.74 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.53 by $0.21. Waste Management had a net margin of 11.28% and a return on equity of 36.51%. The business had revenue of $5.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.19 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Waste Management, Inc. will post 6.8 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Waste Management (Free Report) Waste Management, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of environmental solutions to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in the United States and Canada. It offers collection services, including picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility (MRF), or disposal site; and owns and operates transfer stations, as well as owns, develops, and operates landfill facilities that produce landfill gas used as renewable natural gas for generating electricity. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Waste Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Waste Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TFB Advisors LLC reduced its position in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report) by 17.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,876 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 804 shares during the period. TFB Advisors LLCs holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $222,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of NEE. Wimmer Associates 1 LLC raised its holdings in NextEra Energy by 3.6% during the first quarter. Wimmer Associates 1 LLC now owns 3,935 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $305,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Kolinsky Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in NextEra Energy by 2.1% during the first quarter. Kolinsky Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,669 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $514,000 after buying an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Baldwin Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in NextEra Energy by 0.4% during the first quarter. Baldwin Investment Management LLC now owns 35,437 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,731,000 after buying an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. McAdam LLC raised its holdings in NextEra Energy by 5.3% during the second quarter. McAdam LLC now owns 3,134 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $233,000 after buying an additional 157 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC raised its holdings in NextEra Energy by 0.9% during the second quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 18,224 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,310,000 after buying an additional 157 shares in the last quarter. 76.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get NextEra Energy alerts: NextEra Energy Price Performance NYSE NEE traded down $0.24 during trading on Monday, reaching $57.03. 9,943,500 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 10,566,164. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.55. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $59.39 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $60.43. The company has a market cap of $117.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.52. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 1-year low of $47.15 and a 1-year high of $79.78. NextEra Energy Increases Dividend NextEra Energy ( NYSE:NEE Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $6.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.72 billion. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 11.73% and a net margin of 26.00%. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.51 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.44 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be issued a $0.515 dividend. This is an increase from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.61%. NextEra Energys payout ratio is presently 51.80%. Insider Transactions at NextEra Energy In other NextEra Energy news, Director Nicole S. Arnaboldi bought 8,500 shares of NextEra Energy stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $59.59 per share, with a total value of $506,515.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 11,523 shares of the companys stock, valued at $686,655.57. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.18% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades NEE has been the topic of several recent research reports. Citigroup initiated coverage on NextEra Energy in a report on Friday, December 8th. They set a buy rating and a $69.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on NextEra Energy from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $74.00 price objective on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Seaport Res Ptn lowered NextEra Energy from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded NextEra Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, NextEra Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $71.85. View Our Latest Stock Report on NextEra Energy NextEra Energy Profile (Free Report) NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and natural gas facilities. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NEE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report). 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Click here now to learn how to collect the next BIG dividend Even if your company already has an established customer base locally, there is still lots of potential to grow your sales and profits by expanding your reach to Europe. Increasing sales from Northern Ireland to markets outside the region is one of the most effective ways to stimulate the local economy and achieve business growth. In fact, businesses that sell outside Northern Ireland are proven to be more innovative, productive, and resilient. Invest Northern Ireland can help kick-start your exporting journey, however, before you begin it is important to have a clear understanding of your potential market. Heres a snapshot of the opportunities presented by trading in Europe. 500M+ Consumers: Tap into the EU with over 500 million consumers 14.5 Trillion Market: Unlock opportunities in a market valued at 14.5 trillion* Export Success: NI exports to Europe from Northern Ireland totalled 9.1 billion in 2022 Largest Trading Bloc: Access the worlds largest trading bloc across 27 countries Dual-Market Access: NIs unique position offers dual market-market access to both Great Britain and the EU Exporting is a strategic decision that requires commitment and planning. Along with determining whether you have the required resources, you also need to think about whether your product or service is appropriate for each target market. However, it's not as hard as you would imagine to take the initial step in exporting to Europe. Invest NI can offer guidance, and support programmes to help you get export ready. We can also help with market scoping, lead generation, identifying partners, distribution channels and logistics, and more. Complete the Export Health Check at investni.com/export to assess your businesss export readiness and receive a tailored report detailing your journey, next steps, practical tips, templates, and support available. You can also request a call back from an Advisor to assist you on your exporting journey. * Source for EUs 14.5 trillion market: https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/key-facts-and-figures/economy_en A high-level delegation from the Ancient Order of the Hibernians (AOH) in the United States has visited Derry. Speaking to Derry News, Martin Galvin, the US Freedom For All Ireland AOH chairman said the group comprised AOH national president Danny OConnell and vice president Sean Pender, and 30 people from various different states across the US. The delegation was in the city last week to present funding to various groups. He said: We are giving out about $150,000 in grants to various organisations, including the Bogside Artists, the Bloody Sunday families, and the Martin McGuinness Peace Foundation in Derry, as well as groups including Relatives for Justice, cross community groups and various other groups that apply to us. The AOH delegation will also be having political meetings around the British Governments Legacy Act and the United Ireland Referendum. We are very much involved in opposition to the Legacy Act. We applaud the fact that the Irish Government brought the case against Britain to Europe, said Mr Galvin. We are actually meeting with families. We are meeting with solicitors. We are meeting with Irish Government officials. America played a very important part in supporting the Irish Government in its fight against the Legacy Act and we want to continue that support now as the case now goes to Europe. However, although our key focus is on Legacy, we are increasingly meeting with groups like Irelands Future who want to start talking about the Referendum to get the process by which we can unite Ireland. As soon as the Legacy Act was mooted, we opposed it. There was high level opposition across the United States. We lobbied the Irish Government at that time to oppose it which it did. We also had meetings in the Dail a couple of years ago with various officials and when the Good Friday Committee came out to the US, we brought them into meetings with American senators and congressmen. Our Chair at that time argued that if Britain passed the Legacy Bill, the AOH was going to call on the Irish Attorney General to bring an inter-state case. While the Irish Governments anti-Legacy Act case continues in Europe, the AOH in the United States is focusing more on securing a unity referendum. Mr Galvin said achieving the unity referendum required a number of things to happen. We are hoping in America we can do things, for example, try to have the American Government push to make Britain state the criteria where it will give a referendum. We are always concerned it will move the goalposts or it wont set the goalposts. There is a term about a Nelsonian Eye - just turning a blind eye to the proof there should be a referendum. In America we were leaders on the issue of legacy. We want to continue to be leaders on the issue of legacy - supporting when the case goes to Europe - but we also want to begin to talk about getting the unity referendum, which would unite Derry with the rest of Ireland. We are meeting with groups like Irelands Future. We are talking about the prospect. We are trying to lobby. We are beginning to talk to different political parties about pushing for it. Mr Galvin voiced his opinion that a referendum on Irish unity could not be something pushed by one political party. We have got to have all of the parties in the South, together with the SDLP - all the Nationalist parties - pushing it, he said. We are only going to get a referendum if we have all hands on deck and we are only going to win a referendum if we have all hands on deck. Irish America and the AOH has always been part of that message and we are going to continue to be. In terms of the new Executive, we think it is welcome to see somebody from Sinn Fein or a Nationalist First Minister at this time, even though the two positions are equivalent. We welcome the fact as it is another indication of movement towards support which can bring us a referendum, if the British recognise, which can bring us a united Ireland. The constitutional objective of the AOH is for a free and united Ireland. It was like that when we were established in the 1830s and it is like that now. We measure everything by that and we are hopeful an Executive led by a Nationalist, led by a member of Sinn Fein, is a big step in that direction. We are confident the Good Friday Agreement does provide a way to go forward. We are going to try to reach a United Ireland and we are working very hard to get that referendum to get Ireland united. That is our goal. That is what the AOH has always stood for. And thats what we are hoping to see in my lifetime. An interactive mobile discovery centre designed to help visitors unearth the heat beneath their feet is set to visit a town near you this year as it embarks on a geothermal energy information roadshow across Northern Ireland. The GeoEnergy Discovery Centre is a key part of the GeoEnergy NI project being delivered by the Department for the Economy (DfE), with scientific support from the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI). Designed to help schools, families, businesses, and community groups discover the power and potential of geothermal energy as a renewable energy source, the centre is packed full of educational resources, including interactive experiences such as Virtual Reality (VR) technology. The distinctive trailer is setting off on its first road trip shortly with stops planned at the Giants Causeway Visitor Centre, which is already heated by geothermal energy, Coleraine and Derr in February. The centre will be open to the public and group bookings during this time, as well as visiting Northern Ireland Science Festival events and local schools. This is the first phase of the information roadshow and it will pop up at other locations around Northern Ireland throughout the year. Launched last October, the GeoEnergy Discovery Centre has initially been based on the Stormont Estate in Belfast and is proving popular with schools, businesses and members of the public with over 1,500 visitors so far. The Stormont Estate is one of the locations the GeoEnergy NI project is testing the potential for shallow geothermal energy, while deep geothermal potential is being tested at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprises Greenmount Campus near Antrim. Ryan White, Director of Heat, Buildings and Climate Change at the Department for the Economy said: This geothermal energy information roadshow is the first of its kind in the UK and showcases the Department for the Economys commitment to unlocking Northern Irelands geothermal potential. "Geothermal energy can play an important role in how we decarbonise our energy sector in pursuit of net zero carbon targets by 2050. The GeoEnergy Discovery Centre provides guests with an immersive, interactive educational and fun experience. As well as the Virtual Reality technology, visitors can speak to the projects knowledgeable Geo Ambassadors, take part in geothermal experiments and handle rocks from below the Earths surface. We look forward to welcoming new guests to the centre on this first phase of our geothermal information roadshow which we believe will play an important role in enhancing the publics awareness and understanding of geothermal as a reliable, low carbon, renewable energy resource. Free to visit, the GeoEnergy Discovery Centre will be open from 10am-4pm at the Diamond, Coleraine Town Centre on Thursday 22nd February and the Foyle Arena, Derry on Saturday 24th February 2024. Visit GeoEnergyNI.org/Geothermal-Roadshow for more information or to register interest for a group booking. Local businesses are being encouraged to help grow and develop the local hospitality industry by supporting the work of the LegenDerry Food Network. This week the Networks new committee set out its plans for the year ahead, strengthening the LegenDerry brand and identifying new opportunities for local food and drink businesses. The Network is made up of local businesses who work with key stakeholders including Derry City and Strabane District Council, Visit Derry, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland, to enhance and promote the local food offering for visitors and locals alike. The network is open to businesses within the Derry and Strabane Council area which have a commercial interest in any aspect of the local food and drink supply chain. Members can draw on the expertise of leading industry figures through business support and training, as well as engaging with an annual networking programme and taking part in local events. Co-Chair of the network, Emily McCorkell, said the committee hoped to proactively grow its membership throughout 2024, along with a number of other key objectives. The LegenDerry Food Network is committed to strengthening the profile of the Derry City and Strabane District as an exciting food destination, she explained. We also want our members benefit from the range of support services on offer, including training, networking, events and marketing. Businesses can share ideas and learn from like-minded professionals committed to creating new offerings, products, experiences and services. I would love to see more support for the sector from the wider business community. By working together we can build a vibrant and sustainable industry that really benefits the overall economy. Tourism Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Jennifer ODonnell, revealed more about the wider aims of the LegenDerry Food Network: The committee is stepping up its activities to build on the Food and Drink Strategy for the council area and we hope to promote more collaboration to develop the food tourism experience here. A vibrant and innovative food industry is a major draw for visitors as well as quality produce, which we have in abundance. This in turn benefits our hotels, our restaurants and our traders, so it really is an incentive to work together to create new opportunities to showcase our food offering. I hope to see more businesses bringing their expertise, creativity and talent to the network in the coming months. Among the priorities for the next year is working with local stakeholders to ensure the LegenDerry Food offer is on offer at all local events and to grow the annual Love LegenDerry food month in February. Awareness raising is also a primary focus and the network will work on developing a proactive campaign to drive visitors to the area. You can find out more about the LegenDerry Food Network at legenderryfood.com Former Moville parish priest Fr George McLaughlin acted as a rock that people turned to when the community was struck by the Carrickatine tragedy, mourners at his funeral have been told. Fr McLaughlin died on Saturday at the age of 92. He had been living in Greencastle where he had retired after serving as parish priest of Moville for 20 years. The Buncrana-born priest was ordained by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid in St Patricks College, Maynooth in June 1956 and served the priesthood for 67 years. Fr McLaughlin's first parish was in Belfast before moving back to the Derry Diocese to serve in Strabane. In 1958 Fr McLaughlin was transferred to the Long Tower parish where he stayed until the following year before being transferred to St Marys Church in Creggan when it opened. During his time in Creggan, he was among the clergy who attended to the dead and dying on Bloody Sunday and was a celebrant at the funerals. In 1978 Father George moved to the Derry city parish of St Patricks in Pennyburn, where he spent nine years. He then returned to his native Inishowen, to begin the role of parish priest in Moville, serving in that role between 1987 and 2007, before retiring to Greencastle. In 2016 Fr McLaughlin celebrated his 60th anniversary of his ordination with a Mass in St Pius X Church, Moville. In his homily at the requiem Mass at St Pius X Church on Monday, which was concelebrated with Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown and Moville parish priest Fr Eddie Gallagher, Monsignor Andrew Dolan said Fr McLaughlin was regarded as a priest who took care of his people and treated them very evenly. Monsignor Dolan said Fr McLaughlin was called upon to be the rock that people could turn to following the sinking of the Carrickatine, the Greencastle fishing boat which went down with the loss of its six crew in 1995. It was something that remained with Fr George for a long time, he said. Monsignor Dolan described Fr Mclaughlin as the man who had time for everything and everybody. He was in many ways larger than life itself and lived life to the full for as long as he was able. Recalling Fr McLaughins time in Creggan, where he spent 19 years, Monsignor Dolan said he established a strong bond with people in the area because he walked the streets, knocked on doors, visited people and blessed their new homes. During his time in Derry Fr McLaughlin was detained by the British army for two nights and came under gunfire while carrying the dead body of a young man that had been shot by the army. No preparation, no training for the priesthood could ever prepare a man for that type of mission, Monsignor Dolan said. Bishop McKeown told the congregation that Fr McLaughlin was a member of a generation of priests who served in Northern Ireland and tried to build a sustainable future amidst endless strife and sad news. The son of the late Winifred and John McLaughlin, Buncrana, Fr McLaughlin was predeceased by his brothers, Charlie, Edward, William, John, Paddy and Neil. He is survived by his brother Andy, his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill has not yet formally responded to a request that she make a commitment to not resign. Opposition leader Matthew OToole wrote to Ms ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly asking for a commitment from both to not resign, a move which would effectively collapse the Assembly. The Assembly was recently restored after two years of suspension following the resignation of former first minister Paul Givan (DUP). Before that, devolved government was suspended from 2017 to 2020 following the resignation of then deputy first minister Martin McGuinness (Sinn Fein). Today I again asked the First Minister to confirm she will not resign her office and collapse Government. Despite saying the DUP was boycott was utterly contemptible she declined to say she wouldnt use the veto herself. The SDLP opposition will keep pursuing reform. pic.twitter.com/rlBxjEAyGx Matthew O'Toole (@MatthewOToole2) February 19, 2024 Mr OToole raised the letter he wrote to Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly during questions for the First Minister at the Assembly on Monday. First Minister, this isnt a stunt. Weve talked today about a whole range of urgent priorities for the people of Northern Ireland. In order to deliver those we need to have institutions. So will you now commit to not resigning your office for the remainder of this mandate? Ms ONeill responded: Im here because I want to be. Im here in the Executive Office, part of the Executive because I want to be and because I want to serve all of the people. Thats the mandate in which we were all elected to serve. She went on: We received your letter. We will respond to you in writing but I cant say that this is much bigger than the office of the Executive Office, because what youre referring to is actually fundamental change, and I think the best place for that is in the political space and I think the Assembly and the Executive Review Committee is probably the best place for that should be taken forward. HIGHLIGHTS You can now make UPI payments at Eiffel Tower. Sri Lanka and Mauritius now supports UPI services. Nepal has been also added in the list of countries with UPI availability. We all stress about this one thing while going abroad, which is converting rupees into other currencies. Well, it seems like this extra work has been resolved for some countries. India has partnered with seven countries that will accept UPI payments now. Basically, you can visit the Eiffel Tower by making payments with your UPI app. Yes, this would make your vacations a lot more easier as you can convert rupees into local currency with a few clicks. Now, let me tell you where you can make UPI payments outside of India. Countries where UPI is available France (Paris) The UPI is now available at the most famous spot of the city of love, Paris. You can now make UPI payments at Eiffel Tower. Indias NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) has signed an agreement with Frances Lyra Network on February 2. Sri Lanka and Mauritius Sri Lanka and Mauritius are also in the list. On February 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined a virtual ceremony with high commands of both countries. Not only we can make digital payments in Mauritius, but Mauritian citizens can also make their IPS payments in India now. IPS is Instant Payment System in Maurituus, which is similar to our UPI. Also read: Zomato UPI lets you pay without leaving app: Its very convenient UAE This is one of the first countries that started accepting UPI. Indias NPCI shook hands with Mashreq Bank of UAE in April, 2022. You can make digital payments in UAE through Neopay terminals for P2M (payments to merchants). Singapore An Indian citizen can make UPI payments in Singapore, but only to a Singaporean PayNow user. Furthemore, the sender and reciever must be ust be a part of participating banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs). Also read: Google Pay lets you activate UPI using Aadhaar: Heres how it works Bhutan Bhutan is the first country to adopt digital cross-border payments via UPI. Users can make payments in Bhutan by using BHIM app. The country adoped UPI back in 2021. Nepal Nepal has been also added in the list of countries with UPI availability. India has signed an MoU with Nepal to announce these digital payment services in the country. HIGHLIGHTS The teaser of the Galaxy F15 5G is live on the Flipkart app with a coming soon message. The teaser revealed the phone's triple camera arrangement. The Galaxy F15 5G is expected to come in three colours: Black, Pink, and a Gradient finish. Samsung is gearing up to launch its first F-series smartphone in 2024. The Galaxy F-series is set to expand with the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy F15 5G. Recently, the Galaxy F15 5G smartphone was spotted on the companys official support website for India. Now, the tech giant has teased the upcoming handset on Flipkart. According to Gizmochina, the teaser of the Galaxy F15 5G is now live on the Flipkart app with a coming soon message. However, its important to note that we were not able to find that teaser. Also read: Samsung Galaxy F15 5G support page goes live on official site, India launch seems imminent Credit: Gizmochina The teaser revealed the phones triple camera arrangement, a design found in many Samsung devices. However, beyond this, no additional details are revealed in the teaser. Also read: Samsung Galaxy M15 5G & F15 5G could launch in India soon: Heres what to expect Credit: Gizmochina Tipster Mukul Sharma recently shared real-life images of the Samsung Galaxy F15 5G on X, showing three colour variants of the smartphone: Black, Pink and Green. [Exclusive] This is the Samsung Galaxy F15 5G (all three colour options). The phone will launch soon in India via Flipkart. * 4 generation of updates first in this segment * 6000mAh battery * Expected price: Under 15k Will share more details ASAP.#samsung #SamsungGalaxyF155G pic.twitter.com/1qdjCbnJOt Mukul Sharma (@stufflistings) February 17, 2024 The tipster revealed that the smartphone could pack a 6000mAh battery and will likely be eligible for up to four generations of OS updates. As far as the price is concerned, the Galaxy F15 5G is expected to fall below 15,000 in India. The Galaxy F15 5G was also recently spotted on Geekbench which revealed that the device could be equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset. There is speculation that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy F15 5G is expected to share similar specs with the Galaxy A15 5G. Lets take a look at the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G smartphone. The Galaxy A15 5G features a 6.5-inch display with 90Hz refresh rate, Full HD+ resolution and 800 nits peak brightness. The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC paired with Mali G57-MP2 GPU. For photography, A15 5G houses a 50MP primary rear camera. On the front, it has a 13MP camera. Also, the Galaxy A15 5G packs a 5000mAh battery with 25W fast charging support. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Taiwanese companies powering game-changing two-wheeler: a conversation with Damon Motors CTO Derek Dorresteyn Damon Motors, the company transforming electric motorcycles that redefine riding with its award-winning HyperSport, plans to manufacture "well over 50% of the components" for its motorcycles in Taiwan. Damon Motors CTO Derek Dorresteyn revealed that NXP invited the company to showcase its new HyperFighter electric motorcycle at CES 2024. However, the Canadian company also met with their supply chain partners, and "at least one of them was a Taiwan-based company, a very large one," said Dorresteyn. Faith in Taiwan's excellence Talking to DIGITIMES Asia, Dorresteyn revealed that Damon Motors "strongly believes in the capabilities of Taiwanese companies to supply us with very high-quality, very high-performance, and competitively priced products. There's so much technical and manufacturing know-how in Taiwan." Damon Motors already announced a partnership with Sinbon Electronics, which the Canadian firm is bullish on, and recently announced a strategic partnership with E-One Moli Energy Corp. (Molicel) in January 2024. Damon Motors and recent tests were conducted using Molicel batteries to power the HyperSport motorcycle against a top-of-the-line internal combustion engine motorcycle. The company believes that "to be the future of anything, you've got to be better than the past," as the Molicel-equipped HyperSport performed quite favorably while not having any advanced rider aids turned on during the tests. According to Dorresteyn, the rider aids will be included in the final product as the company is still testing what will eventually be delivered to the market. The company's CTO stated, "With the rider aids, it's potentially going to be a landmark moment in the history of motorcycles." Credit: Damon Motors CES 2024 and AI Damon Motors was invited to showcase the Damon Hyperfighter at the NXP booth during CES 2024 and highlighted the NXP content within the newly-announced electric motorcycle. The company took advantage of this great opportunity and the significant traffic at the booth to meet with current and potential customers and connect with supply chain partners. With this year's theme being "AI," Damon Motors' first iteration of its advanced warning system, "Co-Pilot," will not feature on-board AI computing. However, Dorresteyn told DIGITIMES Asia that future generations will include the feature as they are very excited about the prospects of using AI to enhance motorcycle safety. Origins Introducing the company, Damon Motors was co-founded by Jay Giraud and Dom Kwong, and the idea originated when Giraud was on a trip to Indonesia, where dependence on two-wheeled vehicles is much higher than in North American countries. "I was aware that the motorcycle industry is the 2nd worst emitter of greenhouse gas emissions, and was also aware that riding motorcycles is far more dangerous than driving cars. I had a vision that I could rival existing gas-driven motorcycles that ultimately offer no safety features with an electric option that prioritizes safety." Damon Motors was formed in 2017 and now has over 90 million global orders as they work to put the innovative two-wheeler into production. Damon Motors' CTO Derek Dorresteyn joined the company in 2019 and led the development of the innovative HyperDrive powertrain, but previously founded Alta Motors and built off-road electronic performance motorcycles. According to Dorresteyn, Alta Motors also featured a Taiwanese supply chain for its components and manufactured some street-legal motorcycles. Alta's Redshift gained notoriety for being the first production electric motorcycle to challenge and beat internal combustion motorcycles in professional competition. Credit: Damon Motors Future plans and going racing With over 50% of the components being manufactured in Taiwan, Dorresteyn did not rule out using the country as a hub to market its products in Asia. The CTO stated that Damon Motors is "pretty happy with the performance of our Taiwanese supply partners" and noted that the company has generated significant interest within the country due to its ties with local companies. However, most of the interest in Damon Motors' products is coming from North America and Western Europe, according to Dorresteyn. The company plans to initially sell its products in North America and anticipates selling them to Western Europe in the future. With other companies such as Energica and Ducati supplying electric motorcycles to race in competitions such as MotoE and MotoAmerica, Damon Motors is excited about the prospects of competing in motorsport. As a former racer, Dorresteyn stated that the company looks forward to MotoE opening up to allow multiple manufacturers to race against each other in the same category, "We definitely want to go racing at some point." Credit: Damon Motors The appointment of Goretti Sheridan as the new Garda Chief Superintendent in Donegal has been officially confirmed. Her promotion was formally confirmed by An Garda Siochana on Monday morning. Having been a Superintendent in the Letterkenny Garda Division, the Rathmullan native is now the top Garda in the county with Donegal now operating as a stand-alone Garda division. Currently a superintendent based at Letterkenny Garda Station, the Rathmullan native will be unveiled as Donegals leading Garda within the next few days. Last January, she was appointed to replace the retired Superintendent Michael Finan in Letterkenny. Previously, she served as an Inspector in Letterkenny, where she was stationed since 2013, until her promotion to the rank of Superintendent in 2019. Superintendent Sheridan joined the force in 1993.She served in Castlerea and the Sligo District before succeeding Superintendent Eugene McGovern in Buncrana in October, 2020 prior to being transferred back to Letterkenny. The daughter of Claire and the late Patsy Sheridan, Superintendent Sheridan also holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) focused in Criminology from Dublin Institute of Technology. There had been plans to amalgamate the Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim divisions with Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken overseeing all three since the retirement of Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn in late 2022. A proposal to amalgamate Donegal into a three-county Division with Sligo and Leitrim was shelved following a review by senior Gardai. The review was requested by the Garda Commissioner and conducted by an Assistant Commissioner, the Garda Senior Leadership Team has decided to re-configure the composition of certain three-county Divisions under the Garda Operating Model. Senior Gardai in Donegal, as well as the Donegal Public Participation Network (PPN), who represent 653 community groups across the county, had urged the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, to keep Donegal as a stand-alone Division. A Garda spokesperson said: The Garda Operating Model is being introduced as part of A Policing Service for the Future, which is the implementation plan based on the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. This model is recommended by the both the Commission of the Future of Policing in Ireland and the Garda Inspectorate. The restructure reflects international best practice as well as the realities of modern day policing in Ireland, the changing nature of crime and population trends. It included restructuring at national, regional and local levels to provide a greater focus on community policed based on local needs. The new model introduces major changes to the structures of An Garda Siochana by providing a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. It will particularly enhance the investigation of crime through the delivery of a greater range of specialised services in local areas, such as the investigation of sexual crime, domestic violence, cyber-crime, and economic crime. Irish star Cillian Murphy who has won acclaim for his dark, brooding roles and his piercing blue eyes has picked up his first Bafta as he was named best actor for his role in Oppenheimer. Born in Cork in 1976, his breakthrough role came in 2002 with the Danny Boyle film 28 Days Later, playing a bicycle courier who awakens from a coma to discover the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society. He showed his darker side as a domestic terrorist in the 2005 thriller Red Eye, and also had turns in Breakfast On Pluto, the Irish war drama The Wind That Shakes The Barley and science fiction thriller Sunshine, which reunited him with Boyle. He first collaborated with director Christopher Nolan in 2005, as Scarecrow in Batman Begins, a role he reprised in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. He also appeared in Nolans films Inception and Dunkirk but it is his work with Nolan on Oppenheimer, playing father of the atomic bomb, J Robert Oppenheimer, that has brought him the most critical acclaim. The film is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer, written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin. The film chronicles his studies, his career, his direction of the Manhattan Project during the Second World War, and his eventual fall from grace after his 1954 security hearing. Murphy was immediately touted as a potential Oscar winner for his performance as the conflicted theoretical physicist, and he has said of the man he played: Were all living in Oppenheimers world now. Were all living in the nuclear age that he created. He has since won a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice award and is nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award and an Oscar. Murphys only other film Bafta nomination was in 2007, when he was included in the rising star category. Speaking backstage after collecting his prize, he said he was a really, really proud Irishman. He added: I have to say that, of course. And it means a lot to me to be Irish. He joked: I dont know what else to say. Should I sing a rebel song? Reflecting on his win, the actor added: Its a little overwhelming its kind of mind-blowing. Im thrilled and a little shocked. On the small screen, Murphy won legions of fans for his performance as gangster Tommy Shelby in the BBC drama Peaky Blinders, which debuted in 2013 and for which he has been nominated for a TV Bafta. He plays the leader of a Birmingham crime family in the aftermath of the First World War. Murphy is married to the artist Yvonne McGuinness and the couple share two children, Malachy and Aran. Collecting his prize at the Baftas, he described the trio as his best friends. A Limerick community is rallying to help 7-year-old Noah Twomey battle with leukaemia. The little boy was diagnosed with leukaemia just before Christmas. Since then, Noah has been undergoing painful treatments. His parents, Robert and Linda Twomey, and their family saw their world turned upside down after one phone call. Three heart stopping words about their 7-year-old son Noah was anyone's worst nightmare - Noah has Leukaemia. This call came 2 weeks before Christmas. The family should have been getting ready for Santa and his reindeer but instead they were finding themselves in hospital wards, in total shock, disbelief, and devastated for their little boy," the family explained. Before undergoing treatment, Noah used to play GAA with bundles of energy. Now, he is battling for his life. Their world was now a harsh reality about chemotherapy. For Noah, instead of his next training session or match for his beloved Croom GAA or Croom FC he was now on a journey of painful treatments of chemotherapy, blood transfusion, lumbar punctures and bone marrow aspirations. Robert and Linda have been informed it will take 2 to 3 years for Noah to be fully recovered from T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia after treatments. Noah has always battled hard on the field with bundles of energy and lots of pride. Now his battle is for his life," the family added. Recently, Noah was in Crumlin where he suffered from "unexpected complications" with his liver and kidneys, due to the severity of the chemotherapy. "We the extended Twomey and O'Connell family feel powerless and are hoping to raise significant funds for this resilient family. The reality is Robert and Linda are both self-employed with their household income reduced so they can be with Noah and care for him in Dublin," said the family on GoFundMe. "Not all superheros wear capes, but sometimes superheros live in the hearts of small kids fighting big battles." You can donate to the fundraiser here. RTEs director-general has defended his decision to give an exit package to Rory Coveney, saying the national broadcaster could have been ordered to pay double the amount if the former strategy director had taken a wrongful dismissal case. Kevin Bakhurst said there were absolutely no grounds to sack Mr Coveney, who was described as the driving force behind an ill-fated musical which lost the organisation 2.2 million euro. Mr Coveney, the brother of enterprise minister Simon Coveney, received a package when he resigned and his role was made redundant in July last year the same week Mr Bakhurst took the helm. Mr Bakhurst said RTE expects to recoup the cost of the payment to Mr Coveney by July this year, leading to speculation the payment was approximately one years salary, or about 200,000 euro. Mr Bakhurst described Toy Show The Musical, which went ahead without formal board approval, as a disaster, but said: Its not all down to Rory Coveney. He added: It was not enough on its own to fire him over. So if you cant fire someone in a semi-state, you have to find another way of exiting them from the organisation in a way that provides value to licence-fee payers. Mr Bakhurst would not comment on the exact figure provided to Mr Coveney, but suggested that the organisation could potentially have paid out double what was given if Mr Coveney had taken a wrongful dismissal case with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), which the director-general said was typically about two years pay. He said the amount paid out was also considerably less than Mr Coveney would have received under an RTE voluntary exit programme. He told RTEs Drivetime: Were not in America, you cant just fire people willy nilly with no repercussions. You know, had I gone down that route, RTE would have a liability, which is substantially more than what we ended up paying. Mr Bakhurst also claimed on Monday that he had previously told reporters last year that Mr Coveney was given an exit payment. When asked at the time if Mr Coveney had received an exit fee going out the door, Mr Bakhurst told reporters on his first day in the job that there was no ex gratia payment and added that it was not fair to talk about individuals. He said: He didnt get a payment going out the door but he is entitled as other people are to statutory-level payments when they leave an organisation. Recalling the comment on Monday, Mr Bakhurst said that statutory was a technical term and that what he actually meant was that Mr Coveney had been given an appropriate fee based on his 16 years at the organisation and compared to what he would receive at the WRC. Mr Bakhurst also confirmed that former chief financial officer Richard Collins was given a payment to leave the organisation, after independent mediation which included a confidentiality clause. The director-general has come under fresh scrutiny about the payouts and confidentiality agreements. Labour senator Marie Sherlock said there had been a convenient retrofitting of the truth and the public were led to believe that Mr Coveney resigned of his own volition. Mr Bakhurst told reporters on Monday that he stands by everything he has done since he took the top job at the embattled national broadcaster. Asked whether he would resign, he said No, absolutely not. I stand entirely by what Ive done about trying to move the organisation forward with a new leadership team and make payments which are in the best interest and the best value for RTE. It was also recently disclosed that, before Mr Bakhursts tenure, a 450,000-euro exit package was given to former RTE chief financial officer Breda OKeefe, without the knowledge of the full executive board. Fine Gael TD and member of the Oireachtas media committee Alan Dillon said the details of all exit packages of all executives dating back to 2016 should be published. Speaking after summoning Mr Bakhurst, and chairwoman of the RTE board Siun Ni Raghallaigh, to her department on Monday, Media Minister Catherine Martin said she asked them to explore all options to provide further transparency. This included requesting individuals involved to waive their rights under confidentiality agreements. Asked if Mr Bakhurst should resign, she said: I think Kevin is the best person to be as DG in RTE. I think he has implemented substantial reform and has a body of work to do now, and a strategic vision, and following through on reform needed. Mr Bakhurst has said he is seeking updated advice on how far we can push transparency on exit packages, given obligations regarding GDPR, Irish employment law and the individual rights of every RTE employee. Mr Bakhurst said it may well be part of the discussion to ask former executives to waive confidentiality agreements relating to their exit packages. However, he said it would undermine future trust in the organisation if it decided to walk away from mediated legal agreements. He added: Ive never in my whole career been asked to break the law and I dont think its a great idea to start doing that now. He also said confidentiality agreements are standard in mediation processes and can result in cost savings. When I came into the job there was enormous pressure on me to bring new leadership to this organisation. And the only way to exit people from semi-states and thats not just RTE, its any semi-state you have to have really strong grounds to fire somebody and if you dont have that grounds, you have to find a negotiated settlement. Ms Martin said confidentiality agreements should be avoided in any future severance arrangements at RTE and that caps on exit payments should be introduced. The minister also said RTE had committed to a reform which would require board approval for future exit packages. She would not provide a figure on what the cap on exit payments should be, but said it should be at the higher level and packages should not be extraordinary. Elsewhere, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said he was open to working with Ms Martin on the workable proposal to cap exit payments at RTE. The Government will publish two reports commissioned by Ms Martin on the governance of RTE this month. The Family Addiction Support Network (FASN) in conjunction with Dundalk Credit Union says it is delighted to support Fiona Sheelin in her ongoing self-development as a Peer Led Family Support Facilitator. Fiona has recently been accepted into the Certificate in Fundamentals of Understanding and Responding to Domestic Abuse NFQ Level 8 DKIT. Fionas learning will be a huge benefit to the local community and FASN as an organisation. Dundalk Credit Union says it is very proud to sponsor this training for Fiona as it is an accredited program and the first of its kind to be developed in Ireland. It was developed in collaboration with key individuals from a range of stakeholder groups including, Womens Aid, Dundalk; Drogheda Womens & Children Refuge Centre; Probation Service; Department of Social Work; Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; Department of Midwifery, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. In addition to the stakeholder groups represented on the course development team, guidance was also sought from An Garda Siochana. Domestic abuse occurs in every culture, country, and age group affecting individuals from all socioeconomic, educational, and religious backgrounds. Despite this, many who encounter it in the course of their work struggle to know how to respond. Domestic abuse can include physical, sexual, and psychological control by one partner over another. This course aims to support learners in the development of an appropriate level of knowledge, skill, and understanding to enable them to appropriately recognise and respond to domestic abuse. If you are affected by domestic violence or a loved ones substance misuse, please contact: TEL: FASN 042 935 5251 Email: info.fasn@gmail.com - TEL: Womens Aid Helpline 042 933 3234 Changes in the way Special Education Teacher (SET) hours are calculated for primary schools will have a negative effect on students, Dundalk TD Ruairi O Murchu has said. The Sinn Fein TD was one of three deputies who raised the issue of SET hours during a Topical Issue debate with Minister of State Josepha Madigan last week in Leinster House. Deputy O Murchu said: I happened to meet representatives of Scoil Mhuire na nGael in this House and they said they initially thought they may lose the equivalent of two teaching positions and they will definitely lose one. Fiona Mhic Chonchoille of Scoil Naomh Lorcan, Omeath says special education teachers were at their wits end. She says: The new model is based on academic results and does not take into account [complex needs]. The Department will say it is up to the principal to give out SET hours but they do not have enough hours allocated so they either help the children with special or additional needs or they just help those children below the tenth percentile with maths and English. The new model has not enough hours allocated for both. We are hearing about increased numbers (of teachers) but we are not seeing it. We are talking about kids with complex needs who at this point in time might be scoring highly in maths and English, but if they do not get the supports on the basis of their complex needs, as other speakers have said, they will be forced into special schools. We need to look at these anomalies and deal with this. Minister Madigan said there had been sufficient engagement ahead of the changes and denied there would be cuts to special education hours in schools. She said: I must refute the assertion that has been made to me on numerous occasions that there was no engagement or insufficient or improper engagement. Thirty meetings have been held as part of this development process and 12 of those consultation sessions were held with education partners. A review process is available. This new model provides a solid foundation for a roadmap of continuous enhancement over the coming years. No complex needs hours have been removed from the model. The hours have been reapportioned as an indicator of educational need. Complex needs are measured in two ways. First, those students who are performing at the lower levels in standardised tests that indicate the greatest level of need for additional learning support and, second, the pupils with more complex needs and who have been exempted are given the highest weighting within the model. But Deputy O Murchu said: We could all name parents and multiple schools who think they will be detrimentally affected by the hours that they require to provide the supports for children with special educational needs. On the basis of what the INTO and others have said, and even the information we have put forward, we must look at these cases from the point of view of not being able to deliver and that children will not get the resources they require. We need to have flexibility, particularly when dealing with children with complex needs who are being failed across the board. All eligible young voters have been urged to register to ensure to ensure they can participate in upcoming referenda. The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has made the call ahead of the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming referendums on Tuesday February 20. Two referenda are to be held on March 8 to amend Irelands Constitution. The first plebiscite is on whether the Constitution should be changed to extend the definition of family beyond only those based on marriage to include durable relationships. The second is on whether to delete a reference to the role and duties of women in the home and replace it with a new article placing an obligation on the State to strive to support the provision of care by families. Paul Gordon, NYCIs director of policy and advocacy, said young people represent almost one in five of those of voting age in Ireland. Irelands youth population is growing, and there are over 730,000 young people aged 18 to 29 eligible to register to vote in Ireland. This represents almost 1 in 5 of those of voting age in Ireland, he said. With significant elections and referendums on the horizon in 2024, young people are part of a cohort that could prove hugely influential. Its important to ensure no young person misses the opportunity to participate. With the advent of online voter registration, engaging in the electoral process has never been more straightforward. For those unsure whether they are registered or not, the NYCI advises that they check online at www.checktheregister.ie. For those not yet registered, the process can now be completed online at the same site. You will need to provide your PPSN, date of birth and Eircode. The NYCI provides further information and FAQs for first-time voters on youth.ie/vote. ITS not surprising that Ninny (Nellie) Long celebrated and thoroughly enjoyed her 100th birthday with family and friends earlier this month. The chatty, perky lady from Killeagh has a happy disposition and has lived an interesting and fulfilled life, pouring love on other people as she grew old. There is another reason Ninny has lived to a ripe old age. I had a great husband, she says. It was love at first sight. The love between Ninny and Micky was a match made in heaven. Micky was marvellous, says Ninny, her bright eyes gleaming remembering the love of her life. He was a one-off. And he was a great dad, chimes in Ninnys daughter, Claire. Ninny was born in Barrys Cove, near Knockdown, Co Cork, on February 4, 1924. The place has gone with the tide, she says it was on the edge of a cliff. You could fall onto the rocks if you werent careful. She has lived a simple, happy life. There were five of us. My brother Richard died age 21 of TB, says Ninny. We all lived in one room until we built a house in Knockadoon. My father was a fisherman and we walked three miles to school in Kilmacdonagh together, come rain or hail, and three miles to Mass too. Times were different then. In school, the poorer children sat at the back of the classroom while the well-off sat at the front. And in church the women and the men often sat on opposite sides of the church, with the children in front of the mother. Thats the way it was. Ninny Long with her daughter, Claire, who was born in the UK. Ninny and her husband Mickey brought their children home so they would be educated in Ireland Ninny, always industrious, worked at home as a young girl before she was employed by McGuanes drapery store in Youghal. I looked after the children, Joe, Olive and Maura, she says. Olive was deaf and dumb, and Maura couldnt walk. Tragically, Joe, who became a priest, was killed by a bus in Castlemartyr coming from Cork. Ninny, a people person, a giver and a carer, bonded with her young charges. I was very fond of them, and I spent 13 years with the family. When Ninnys sister, Hanny, got married at Ballymacoda Church, Ninny spotted Micky across a crowded room. I was bridesmaid and Micky was the best man, says Ninny. It was a whirlwind romance. We courted for nine weeks and then we got married in St Peter and Pauls Church, Cork, says Ninny. Pastures new beckoned and she and Micky, armed with true love, dreams and ambitions, travelled to the UK. Micky was very hard-working, says Ninny. He was only six years old when his mother died. He worked as a farm labourer for the same family for years. Claire and Aidan were born in the UK, and we made the decision to return to Ireland for the childrens education. While the grass was green at home in East Cork, the grass back in the UK at the time seemed greener. Fate took a hand when a relation of the Lees Millais family in Wiltshire requested Ninny to have an interview with them with a view to looking after their children, David, Johanna, Colin, Patrick and Fiona. They were good years, says Ninny. Claire ended up working with the same family and they are coming next week to visit me. They were always very good to me. The Lees Millais family knew from the get-go that they had found a gem in Ninny. This remarkable lady has led a charmed life. For my 80th birthday, myself and Claire were given the present of a Mediterranean cruise! We had a lovely time. For her 100th birthday, Ninny received a personal letter together with a cheque for 2,540 from President Higgins. She was also the recipient of undivided attention and jubilation from family, friends and extended family from near and far, all in party mode when she celebrated the landmark. The icing decorations on top of my cake displayed all my hobbies, says Ninny. While the grass may often appear greener on the other side, the expanse of green fields miles from anywhere, where the Lees Millais family lived in England, could be a lonely station. It was a lonely place to live, admits Ninny. She was homeward bound, and not one to let the grass grow under her feet; very soon she was embraced by another family who fell on their feet. The Hickey family were like my own family, says Ninny. Fiona, Aoife, Conor and Aine availed of Ninnys love, her warmth, her wisdom and her wonderful talents. They treasured her. Ninny has always been a magnificent friend, says Fiona Hickey (King). She is an angel. A gift from heaven above. She is my Ninny, the Ninny that I love. Love always surrounded Ninny. Ninny looked after all four of us when we were small, says Aine. She came in 1980 and finished in 2010. It was a two-way street paved with love and care. We always looked after her as she has no relatives here, says Aine. Ninny Long is a life-long baker and says: I never bought bread Ninny lived the Good Life. She has been to many five-star hotels for afternoon tea with us, as well as to Castlemartyr Resort, Fota, Adare Manor, Dromoland Castle and The Kingsley to name but a few! Ninny was always game ball to head off for a treat. She loved going for coffee once a week with me, and sometimes with my mam, Liz, says Aine. She loved Carewswood, Ballymaloe Cafe, Ballyseedy, Clarenbridge, Garryvoe Hotel and Kilkenny Design Cafe. Ninny always had good taste. She loved cappuccinos! says Aine. Fiona Hickey, who created Ninnys pet name recalls Ninnys delicious suppers. I remember she cooked delicious sausages, onion and mash! says Fiona. Ninny was a dab hand at everything. She mended my teddy-bear, says Fiona. She made lovely picnic teas, she made the fire, and she made our beds. What else does Fiona remember about Ninny, the master of all trades? I remember she always had great devotion to St Anthony, says Fiona. While Ninny was fortunate to live a fulfilled life filled with love and luck, she also knew sad times. I lost Micky way too young, she says. I looked after him and he died at home. Our son Aidan died age 21 from cancer. I used to lie down on the floor beside his bed. Ninny, a lady with resolve and resilience, bounced back and got on with life. I was always a knitter and a baker, says Ninny, who lived independently until recently, even cooking her own Christmas dinner - roast duck. I never bought bread, she says. What else did she never do? I never wore make-up or lipstick, except for the day of my wedding, says Ninny, whose skin is as soft as a babys cheek. I couldnt afford it. And I never went to the hairdresser. She was blessed with dark, natural, curly hair. I never drank or smoked, adds Ninny. I ate three meals a day, and never ate after 6pm. And I dont have a sweet tooth. Here at Youghal and District Nursing Home in Gortroe, she shows me her latest project. Im knitting a scarf for St Patricks Day, says Ninny. I always have one on the go. Ninny, with great DNA, was always on the go. Whenever Claire rang me from England, Id tell her I was busy pottering around. A giver and a doer, Ninny says hard work is the secret to a long life. Hard work and a good husband goes a long way, she says. My own dad was a kind man. Ninny, like her late husband, a one-off, is one of a kind. I do word searches and I say up to five rosaries every morning. She does something else that keeps her mind sharp. I recite my times tables and count from 100 backwards, she says. Ninny, who has had a great innings and a meaningful life, has obviously found the best way to find happiness. Its making others happy, she says. Ninnys indomitable spirit never ages. It stays forever young. MUSICALS with a strong story appeal to Christine Scarry, who is directing MTU Cork School of Music students in a jukebox musical featuring the sounds of ska band Madness at the Everyman from February 21-24. This production of Our House from the BA (Hons) students in musical theatre is set in the 1980s in the Camden Town area of London. It tells the story of Joe Casey who, on the night of his 16th birthday, takes Sarah, the girl of his dreams, out on their first date. Trying to impress her, he breaks into a building site to show her the view and to share his ambitions with her. This son of a neer do well father and an Irish mother wants to succeed in life. Onto the scene the police arrive however. Students at rehearsals. There is that moment to make the decision to do the right thing or the wrong thing, says Christine. Its a thunderbolt moment. Joe splits into good Joe and bad Joe. He has the option of giving himself up and taking the consequences, or running off. The whole show is pivoted on moments where we see the character making the good and the bad decision. Overall, the show has the tone of Blood Brothers. It has a really serious core but its actually very funny as well. The lead role is played by Paul Morey-Stout, with Sarah played by Zoe Moynihan. Pauls role is incredibly demanding. He barely leaves the stage. There is a supporting cast of nine with strong principal roles and lots of other cameos. Christine describes the musical as a slice of real life. It has both sadness and humour in it. Written by Tim Firth and Gary Barlow, the musical is more than 20 years old. I think it stands up very well. Theres the whole rebelliousness of teenagers. Its my first time doing this show and I love it. It has lots of depth as well as all the fun elements. This is just the second year of the BA students in musical theatre at MTU Cork School of Music staging a production at the Everyman. Students preparing for Our House, The Madness Musical at the Everyman from February 21-24. I was delighted to direct last years graduating students in The Addams Family, says Christine. What about jobs for graduates of the musical theatre degree? She says: While some will go straight into the business of performance, others will go into the production side. And some will go on to study further. Theres the need to get an agent and actually create work. While the West End may seem like Mecca for graduates of musical theatre, Christine points out that there are also great work opportunities in Europe. The MTU Cork School of Music is part of the European Musical Theatre Network. As part of that, Christine, a colleague of hers and seven students are going to Madrid shortly to work on a production of Blood Wedding by Lorca. The Network is a fabulous initiative. We are the only English speaking musical theatre college to be represented in it. There are some really good employment prospects in Europe so that graduates need not only look at whats available across the pond. Language is not a problem as most musical theatre is in English. We actually have quite a large number of international students on the course. A goal of the faculty is to encourage our students to create work as musical theatre in Ireland is under-represented professionally. We would love to see musical theatre grow and get more support from the Arts Council and other bodies. Our students of musical theatre work incredibly hard and their level of skills are second to none. They have great rigour and discipline. There is a strong practical element to the course. The students build a professional portfolio which deals with agents, auditions, tax and other business skills. And there is the opportunity to do electives on the way which might support their journey. Rehearsals for the show. Some students, who have an understanding of stage management, might decide thats the way they want to go. Theyre not just getting an academic or theoretical approach. Theres also that side of what the real world is like and preparing them for that. Its the best faculty in the country with an incredible staff, many of which are high-achieving industry practitioners. A freelance director and lecturer, Christine is from Dublin but based in Kilkenny, from where she commutes to Cork to teach acting and directing part-time, at the MTU Cork School of Music. She studied at the old College of Music on Chatham Row and has a Masters degree from Dublin City University. Christines early career saw her acting and singing professionally for years. I kind of fell into directing and discovered that I really enjoyed swimming in that pool. Its very satisfying. It means I have more agency in my life. While Christine also directs straight plays, she prefers musical theatre because you can bring so much more to it. I treat musicals like plays, anyway. They just happen to have music. Christine describes herself as a diehard Sondheim fan and she runs an annual Stephen Sondheim festival in Kilkenny. With very little professional musical theatre in Ireland, Christine says there is a fantastic opportunity for students who are making that their profession. They have the platform in Cork to do it at the Everyman which is such a great venue. Our House is a professional production in every way other than the fact the cast are students. The rehearsals are run along professional lines. We have a fabulous creative team with David Hayes as our musical irector. He is probably the best in the country. Our incredible choreographer is Therese OSullivan. It sounds like a dream team. For tickets, see https://everymancork.com/events/our-house/ Cork actor Cillian Murphy has won the Bafta for best actor for playing theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolans epic biopic Oppenheimer. Murphy faced competition from fellow Irishman Barry Keoghan, who took on the role of a student at Oxford in high-society thriller Saltburn, and Canadian actor Ryan Gosling for blockbuster success Barbie. Accepting the trophy Murphy said: Oh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much Bafta. He paid tribute to the most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood: Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, thank you for seeing something in me that I probably didnt see in myself. He said to Nolan: Thank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again. He also acknowledged his fellow nominees and my Oppenhomies, adding: I know its a cliche to say, but Im in awe of you. He said J Robert Oppenheimer, known as the father of the atomic bomb, was a colossally knotty character, adding: We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and its a privilege to be a part of this community with you all. Cillian has become the first Irish-born actor to win Best Actor in a Leading Role in Bafta's 77-year history. Oppenheimer was also named best film. Robert Downey Jr won the best supporting actor Bafta for his role as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer. Collecting the gong, he joked he was going to tell the story of the entirety of my life in 20 seconds. Cillian Murphy in the press room after winning the Best Leading Actor award for Oppenheimer during the Bafta Film Awards 2024, at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire Gesturing to director Christopher Nolan, he said: Recently that dude suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility. He said he owes the award to Nolan, producer Emma Thomas and star Cillian Murphy, as well as British influence. Christopher Nolan won the best director Bafta for Oppenheimer, his epic tale of how the nuclear bomb was created. Before accepting the award from actor Hugh Grant, Nolan hugged Cillian Murphy. Nolan joked that his brother beat him up here by being in a chorus of a production 40 years ago. He paid tribute to Murphy and added to those who backed the film: Thank you for taking on something dark. The director also acknowledged the efforts of nuclear disarmament organisations to bring peace. Oppenheimer also won a number of other award including the cinematography Bafta. Murphy walked the red carpet earlier in the evening at the Royal Festival Hall in London wearing a dark outfit. The Bafta film awards was hosted by Scottish actor David Tennant and featured performances by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Hannah Waddingham. PROFESSOR Niamh Hourigan has been selected as the Labour Partys candidate for the upcoming European elections in the Ireland South constituency. Prof Hourigan expressed her gratitude at the selection convention in the Metropole Hotel in Cork this afternoon. I am honoured and proud to be here today. I worked in UCC for 16 years so this is home turf for me, she said. Corks Tadgh Quill-Manley was selected as the substitute candidate, and said that the EU election will serve as a referendum on issues such as housing, employment, agriculture, health, and social care. If elected, Prof Hourigans three priorities will be to fight for a just transition to a greener economy, introduce a European plan for affordable housing, and protect Irish neutrality. We witnessed the consequences of last years flooding, which had a devastating impact here in Cork, she said. She called for climate measures which leave no one behind, saying it was vital that farmers were able to make a living. We can see the challenges, we want to take cars off the road and use public transport, but there is no direct train line between Cork and Limerick, the two largest cities in Ireland South, she said. Labour is the only Irish party aligned with the Social and Democratic party, the second-largest group in the EU, so Ireland has had no voice in this group since 2014, she said. Labour leader Ivana Bacik congratulated both candidates. Its always lovely to be back in the city and county where I spent most of my childhood, she said. She described Prof Hourigan as a passionate and principled political activist. We are looking to ensure, for the first time in 10 years, an Irish voice in the party of European socialists, who can deliver the changes that are needed. Highlighting a recent protest by delivery drivers in Cork, Ms Bacik said: The platform workers legislation that would have given them rights was blocked before Christmas by a coalition of right and centre-right parties. Labour is committed to countering the message of the far right, she said. It is happening across the country, when candidates visit peoples doors, people concerned about immigration, repeating back tropes and disinformation they have heard from the far right on social media. Cork's Cillian Murphy, who played the title role of J Robert Oppenheimer the American physicist who helped develop the atomic bomb, was named best actor at the Baftas at the weekend becoming the first-ever Irish winner of this award. This years Bafta film awards delivered a string of historic firsts. Robert Downey Jr set a new record for the longest gap between wins by an actor. His award for best supporting actor, for his role as Lewis Strauss in the biographical drama Oppenheimer, came 31 years after his previous Bafta in 1993, for the film Chaplin. Cillian Murphy poses with the Leading Actor Award in the. Photo by Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images. The previous record was 27 years, set by Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2021 when he won the award for best actor for The Father, nearly three decades after his 1994 win for Shadowlands. History was also made with the award for best animation, which went to The Boy And The Heron the first time a Japanese film has won this category. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan was named best director for Oppenheimer. It was the third time he was nominated for the award. He was first nominated for a Bafta back in 2011, for the film Inception, but failed to win. The same happened in 2018, when he was nominated for Dunkirk, but again walked away with nothing. This year he finally triumphed. Oppenheimers total number of Bafta wins, seven, was just two short of equalling the all-time record of nine, set by Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid in 1971. Both Oppenheimer (13 nominations) and Poor Things (11) had a chance to equal or beat this record. Oppenheimer scooped seven awards with Poor Things gaining five. 'Oh boy, holy moly, thank you' Accepting the trophy on Sunday night, Murphy said: Oh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much Bafta. He paid tribute to the most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood: Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, thank you for seeing something in me that I probably didnt see in myself. The Irish actor said to Nolan: Thank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again. He also acknowledged his fellow nominees and my Oppenhomies, adding: I know its a cliche to say, but Im in awe of you. He said J Robert Oppenheimer, known as the father of the atomic bomb, was a colossally knotty character, adding: We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and its a privilege to be a part of this community with you all. Murphy was immediately touted as a potential Oscar winner for his performance as the conflicted theoretical physicist, and he has said of the man he played: Were all living in Oppenheimers world now. Were all living in the nuclear age that he created. He has since won a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice award and is nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award and an Oscar. Murphys only other film Bafta nomination was in 2007 when he was included in the rising star category. 'Really, really proud Irishman' Speaking backstage after collecting his prize, he said he was a really, really proud Irishman. He added: I have to say that, of course. And it means a lot to me to be Irish. He joked: I dont know what else to say. Should I sing a rebel song? Reflecting on his win, the actor added: Its a little overwhelming its kind of mind-blowing. Im thrilled and a little shocked. FAILURE to pay 60,000 of VAT returns from 2013 to 2016 resulted in an engineering company being convicted and fined 5,000, and a director getting an 18-month suspended sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Friday. Jonathan Cummins, director JPAC Engineering Ltd. of Cork Road, Fermoy, County Cork, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of creating incorrect tax returns and failing to remit the correct VAT 10 times as well. The losses of Vat revenue of 60,000 and 20,000 in interest have now been paid in full by the defendant. Identical guilty pleas to the 20 charges were entered on behalf of JPAC Engineering Ltd and there were additional pleas of guilty by the company, on four counts of making incorrect corporate tax returns. Catherine Bambrick, investigating officer of the Revenue Commissioners, testified that the matter came to light when a discrepancy was noticed between invoices from a company doing business with JPAC and the invoices from JPAC in respect of this work. The two sets of invoices did not match up, Ms Bambrick said. Following an initial audit, the matter was escalated and an investigation commenced. Ms Bambrick told prosecution barrister Imelda Kelly that the Vat shortfall across the four years, from May 2013 to August 2016, totalled 60,000. In terms of the loss of 60,000, Mr Cummins has paid that in full. 20,000 interest has also been paid. Mr Cummins co-operated with the investigation, he paid back the amount in full, he admitted he was responsible, and he entered the guilty plea early, Ms Bambrick said. Defence barrister Tom Power said of Mr Cummins, He is now up to date and fully tax compliant. He had never been in any difficulty with Revenue before. He has done everything he can to put it right, he has rehabilitated and adjusted his behaviour, he has come up with the money and accepted responsibility in relation to the matters. Judge Helen Boyle imposed the suspended sentence on Jonathan Cummins and the fine of 5,000 on the company. Referring to the offences, the judge said, This required a bit of effort, creating incorrect invoices, moving money between accounts, writing cheques to make it look like the amounts were the same it was sustained and deliberate over a period of time. However, the judge noted the mitigating factors put forward by Mr Power BL also. KRISPY Kreme has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala in a bid to overturn Cork City Council's decision to refuse permission for its location on the citys main street. The American doughnut chain opened the outlet at 42 Patrick St, previously Porter newsagents, last April to much fanfare. Seven months later, Krispy Kreme Ireland Ltd lodged a planning application with Cork City Council seeking planning permission and retention planning permission for the retention of change of use from previous retail to cafe with internal seating for sale of food and drinks for consumption within and off the premises as well as seeking retention of the existing shopfront and signage. A description of the plans said the proposed development would also include all associated internal ancillary works necessary to facilitate the development. Plans refused However, last month planners in Cork City Council refused planning permission. In its reasoning, city council said that the existing cafe use is contrary to certain objectives of the City Development Plan relating to the prime retail function of the city centre. The council said the existing development is therefore contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Additionally, the local authority said that, having regard to the policies in the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 relating to new development in Architectural Conservation Areas, it is considered that the shopfront treatment and signage associated with the existing development is contrary to an objective in the 2022-2028 plan. The existing development, by reason of inappropriate design and elevation treatment, results in a visual discordant treatment of the elevations of the building in the context of the existing streetscape and character of the Architectural Conservation Area, the council said. The existing development sets an undesirable precedent in the area and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Appeal Now, a first-party appeal has been lodged in a bid to see that decision overruled. The appeal document contends that Krispy Kreme on Patrick St is compliant with the objectives of the development plan relating to the city centre as it provides customers with baked goods, available to purchase and consume away from the premises. It is highlighted that the unit is operating in the same manner as a retail unit supporting the function of the Core Retail Area, and does not fall into a restricted use category. In this regard, we would respectfully ask the Board to overturn the Planning Authority's decision to refuse permission and grant permission for the subject development, the appeal continues. In relation to the signage, the appeal asserts that it has not impacted negatively on the public realm, and is not visually contrary to the surrounding shopfronts. The Krispy Kreme signage and shopfront is similar to that of the previous retail unit which occupied the site, 'Porter'. The signage has remained white in colour, with the logo remaining on the right hand side, it states. The case is due to be decided by mid-June. Youghal Active Retirement Association and Youghal Credit Union, in conjunction with Lions Clubs Ireland, have come together for a new community initiative. The organisations will officially launch the Message in a Bottle (MIAB) campaign at The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal on Thursday, February 29 at 11am. MIAB bottles, which contain an information form detailing personal information, allergies, physical challenges, medications and emergency contact details, will be made available to people the community. The form is to be filled out and placed back in the bottle which is then placed in the fridge. The bottle also contains two green cross stickers that should be placed on the main entrance door and fridge door in the home. Should an incident occur the emergency services who enter will know to look for the bottle in the fridge and treat the patient accordingly. Frank Down, YARA said We believe message in a bottle is such a great initiative and want to encourage everyone in our community to come to our launch on the 29th of February, learn about MIAM and take a bottle home." Patrick Heaphy, Youghal Credit Union added "We would love to see all those who are vulnerable in our community have a message in a bottle in their fridge so that should an accident occur, emergency services will be able to treat them in the best possible time saving way. The MIAB bottles will be available at the launch event and afterwards in all branches of Youghal Credit Union. See: www.youghalcu.ie/MIAB A TEENAGER who with no previous convictions of any kind spent most of his time on computers in his bedroom and ended up downloading hundreds of child abuse images and now he has been jailed for one year. John Lane of Dermot Hurley Estate, Youghal, County Cork, was sentenced to two years with the last year suspended by Judge Colin Daly at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. John Lane was only 17 years old when his crime was detected on July 14 2021. He pleaded guilty to being in possession of over 2,500 images and 39 videos. Detective Garda Rachel McGrath said the defendant is now 20 years old and had no previous convictions before the downloaded material was discovered and none since. Many of the images were in the animated format of anime and many more were of real children. They included images and videos in the most serious category of children and sexual acts, and in the second category of naked children. He spends most of his time in his bedroom interacting online. He did not come to attention previously and has not come to garda attention after this, Det. Garda McGrath said. Defence barrister Patrick ORiordan said the young man had gained insight into his offending behaviour and realised that he had contributed to the harming of children by accessing child abuse images. He told the probation officer he was glad he was apprehended by the gardai, Mr ORiordan said. Judge Daly said, It is completely abhorrent type of material and causes harm to vulnerable young children for his own sexual gratification. The judge said he was reducing the headline sentence to one of two years and then said mitigating factors such as his previous good character and not coming to further negative attention reduced the sentence further. The judge suspended the second year of a two-year sentence on condition that Mr Lane, who is now 20, would attend the Safer Lives treatment programme on his release from prison. A Cork born Bishop of Los Angeles who was murdered a year ago has been remembered at an anniversary mass as being a special person who embraced immigrants, the poor, the marginalised, gang bangers, the ill, the drunk and homeless and those considered lost and forgotten. Bishop David OConnell of Glanmire in Co Cork was found dead on February 18, 2023. A church deacon who went to his home in Hacienda Heights, about 30km east of downtown LA, after he failed to turn up for a meeting, made the grim discovery. The 69-year-old had been shot dead. Admired Bishop Dave, as he was affectionately known, was much admired for his peace making efforts during the LA riots in 1992. The late Bishop was also an advocate for immigrants. Fr Tony Astudillo paid tribute to Bishop OConnell at a memorial mass in St Lorenzo Ruiz church, in Walnut, in California, over the weekend. Fr Astudillo said that the late Bishop was an extraordinary advocate for social and racial justice. This man of the cloth also fought against gun violence. When six people were killed in a month in his parish neighbourhood, he mobilised nine thousand families not just to pray but to take action. Yet gun violence ultimately stole him away from the community. He said that fact that such a peaceful man lost his life in a violent act was almost impossible to conceive. He used public ministry to advocate for social and racial justice. The pain [of his loss] is [still] palpable among those who knew and loved him. Missed Meanwhile, LA Archbishop Jose Gomez told a Catholic event over the weekend that Bishop OConnell was very much missed in the Diocese. He was a beautiful man, with a shepherds heart. I know he is looking down on us this weekend from heaven, and he is smiling. I know he is praying for all of us and the work we do to share the love of Jesus in our world today. A second mass in memory of Bishop OConnell will be held next Saturday at the San Gabriel Mission, in San Gabriel, California. Following his death, three days of remembrance took place in Los Angeles which culminated in a funeral mass attended by nearly 5,000 people at the Cathedral of the Our Lady of the Angels. His remains were interred in a crypt in the Cathedral. An exhibit honouring the life and legacy of Bishop OConnell was subsequently opened at the Cathedral. Pope Francis appointed David OConnell Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angles in June of 2015. He studied for the priesthood at the former All Hallows College in Dublin before he was ordained to serve in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1979. A handyman in his 60s was previously charged with the murder of Bishop OConnell. Carlos Medina of Torrance in LA County previously pleaded not guilty to one felony count of murder. He was arraigned at Foltz Criminal Justice Centre in downtown LA in February of last year. He has also been charged with with allegedly using a firearm during the commission of an offence. If convicted he faces 35 years to life in prison. He will appear before a Los Angeles court again next month. KINSALE business owners are calling for increased council workers and on-the-spot fines for dog fouling. The issue has sparked an ongoing discussion and regular commentary from locals, creating tension between dog owners and business owners. Jill Brennan, owner of Kinsale-based jewellery store Stone Mad Gallery, said: I am truly dismayed walking through town, I cannot believe the funding isnt there to hire more council workers. We need to start issuing fines, and we need to get council people that can clean the footpaths. Dirty Everyone will tell you that the town looks dull and dirty, she said. The issue of continued littering and dog fouling has vastly increased since the pandemic, Jill said. I think in the last four years it has increased, its just everywhere, she added. Fine Gael representative for Cork South West, councillor Kevin Murphy said the matter had already been raised at the last Municipal District meeting in January. We need to get our best foot forward and try and get as much funding as we can into Kinsale, Mr Murphy said. Weve lost a substantial amount of the Kinsale council workforce over the years, about five or six members have retired, and those people have not been replaced. We are very short in numbers. At this stage, we have had no commitment from the chief executive. We certainly do need an injection of funds and additional staff. There is only one person on the ground, and he has taken on a lot more than he should be doing. Information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act last month revealed that Cork County Council issued 86 litter fines and six dog fouling fines in the first 10 months of 2023. Data The data also showed Cork County Council collected 8,250 in litter fine payments in the same period. Calls were made recently for CCTV draft codes of practice to be published, to allow local authorities in Cork and across Ireland to tackle issues such as dog fouling and illegal dumping. The Government is yet to sign off on the final codes of practice that would allow local authorities to use CCTV and other technologies to detect and tackle illegal dumping, more than a year after an act on the topic was brought into law. The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 provides for the GDPR-compliant use of a range of technologies such as CCTV for waste enforcement purposes, while protecting the privacy rights of citizens. Cork County Council was contacted for comment. Kenneth Fox A cyclist has died following a collision in Kinsealy in Dublin. The man in his 40s was brought to Beaumont Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. The incident involving the bike and a car happened on the Malahide Road shortly before 9.30am on Sunday morning. Gardai said no other injuries were reported from the incident. The road has been closed to facilitate a forensic examination. Any witnesses to the collision have been asked to come forward. Rebecca Black, PA RTE's most senior staff are expected to meet Minister for the Media Catherine Martin amid heightened public speculation over exit packages for senior executives. Ms Martin is to meet director general Kevin Bakhurst and the chair of the RTE board, Siun Ni Raghallaigh, at her department on Monday morning. Mr Bakhurst commented on Saturday on the exit arrangements for four former executives: director of commercial Geraldine OLeary, director of legal affairs Paula Mullooly, director of strategy Rory Coveney and chief financial officer Richard Collins. Catherine Martin (Brian Lawless/PA) Saying he had been restricted by legal advice, Mr Bakhurst said Ms OLeary retired from RTE and did not receive an exit payment while Ms Mullooly left to pursue another opportunity and also received no exit payment. He added that Mr Coveney had agreed he should stand down, his role became redundant, and an exit payment was offered by RTE and accepted, while Mr Collins left by mutual agreement with a binding confidentiality clause that was agreed to by both sides and in the interest of fairness and respect cannot be breached. On Sunday, Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney said he did not know what package his brother Rory had received. Questioned at a Fine Gael selection convention for the Dublin constituency for the European elections, Mr Coveney refused to comment. He went on to indicate he did not know what his brother received. Mr Coveney said he is not participating in discussions at Cabinet about RTE or making public comment on it. Simon Coveney (Brian Lawless/PA) Tanaiste Micheal Martin earlier called for transparency from RTE. As a general principle, where any organisation has been funded by the public via the licence fee in this case and taxpayers money, there should be full transparency in terms of salaries and packages more generally, he told RTE Radios This Week programme. RTE needs to build up trust with the people in respect of how it is governed, its governance and its administration, and I think the new director-general is doing everything he possibly can to do that. But as a general principle, I do believe that salaries and so forth, and indeed packages, should be fully transparent. The indications are that he has certainly been constrained in these specific cases. Mr Martin said the decision around funding of public services media is to be taken before this summer. He also said it is sensible that the Government awaits two reports commissioned by Ms Martin on the governance of RTE. Micheal Martin (Niall Carson/PA) However, he said the TV licence is likely to remain a significant source of revenue for the national broadcaster in 2024 and 2025. The three party leaders are agreed with the Minister that we do need to resolve this in terms of the model, but then it will take time, so the licence fee will be a significant revenue earner for RTE, certainly in 2024, and I will even hazard a guess into 2025 until a new system has bedded down, he said. We would hope to get a decision made this year, hopefully before the summer recess, but then itll take time, I would envisage, to work that system through and to have it fully up and running. There are different perspectives on this, thats natural. I take a particularly fundamentalist view on the editorial independence piece and the separation of media from being too dependent on any given government support at any given time. I just think we need to put in guard rails because the new funding arrangements are not just about RTE, but other stations, local and national and print media too. Speaking after attending the Munich Security Council, Mr Martin added: All were hearing here, networking with other countries, meeting tech companies, its all about election manipulation, its all about social media and the degree to which misinformation and disinformation can really prevail. This is very key to the survival of our democracy. So weve got to get it right, and weve got to get the fundamentals right, in terms of how we structure it, and a new funding arrangement. Grainne Ni Aodha, PA A man and woman have appeared in court charged with firearm and ammunition offences, after a pistol was found in a car and a sub-machine gun was found hidden under the stairs of a home in Dublin. On Friday, gardai stopped a car on the Old Navan Road and found a pistol and ammunition. They arrested a man and a woman and carried out follow-up searches on Friday, seizing two more firearms, including a sub-machine gun, a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition. Sarah Jane Byrne (35), with an address in Drimnagh, and Jamie Moss (21), with an address in east Ballyfermot, appeared at Blanchardstown court on Monday. Byrne was charged with possession of a 7.62 x 25mm Tokarev calibre sub-machinegun, a 12 gauge over and under configuration sawn-off Beretta shotgun, 27 rounds of ammunition for a 9mm Luger, a 9mm Makarov semi-automatic pistol and Makarov, Sellier and Bellot ammunition. Byrne appeared in court wearing a black tracksuit. Detective Garda Mark Ferris told the court that after Ms Byrnes arrest on Friday, a residence was searched under a warrant, and a sub-machine gun, a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition for a machine gun were found hidden under the stairs of the house. Moss, who appeared in court wearing a grey and navy tracksuit, was charged with possession of a 9mm Makarov semi-automatic pistol and a round of Makarov, Sellier and Bellot ammunition. Detective Garda Sean Kelly told Blanchardstown court that a grey Ford Focus was stopped by gardai on Friday, and that a loaded pistol wrapped in a plastic bag and scarf was found. Moss was arrested and a full investigation began, he told the court. Gardai objected to bail being granted in both cases, but Judge David McHugh granted them under strict bail conditions, which included signing on daily at a Garda station, surrendering passports, and staying out of the Dublin 15 area, except for court appearances. All three seized firearms and ammunition are being analysed by the ballistics section of the Garda National Technical Bureau. Ken Foxe A county council warned a hotel that ended up the subject of an arson attack was isolated with little access to public transport, healthcare, or schools. In internal discussions, Galway County Council said that while the property was in a beautiful location, it was rural without any links to bus routes. The local authority also said they needed to check the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill for fire compliance issues and that the Fire Service would carry out a report on fire safety at the building. The property was subsequently set ablaze in one of a number of attacks on buildings believed to be earmarked for housing international protection applicants. Formal discussions over its use began on December 12th when the Department of Children and Equality contacted Galway County Council asking if they had any information that might be relevant to its use. An internal council email read: I have contacted both Planning and Fire. In terms of local knowledge, this property is in a beautiful location. However, it is rural; there are no links to public transport; the nearest being in Rosscahill, 1.2kms from the property. The nearest shop would be either in Oughterard (8.2kms or Moycullen 8.7kms). To my knowledge, the local school is full, as is the nearest health centre in Oughterard. In other discussions, the local authority also raised significant issues around a lack of school places in the area. However, one email seemed to think whatever information they passed onto the Department of Children and Equality was unlikely to be heeded. A message between colleagues said: Do you want to reply to [them]? As I think the quicker it issues, the better, even though [redacted] feedback would not inspire you with any confidence in it being regarded. It went on to detail extreme challenges in finding school places for children, including Ukrainian kids that had arrived in the area at the start of the school year. The email said: There are no primary school places available - the local school is full, and many classes (particularly early years) are already overbooked for next year. Efforts have been made to secure primary school places in another primary school in Rosscahill and in Oughterard, but they have failed. It said there were similar challenges around secondary schools with waiting lists already in operation and the only places available in Clifden, which had no suitable transport option available. The email said: As a result of the above issues, there are still Ukrainian children in the Roscahill/Oughterard area who have been accommodated since September where all efforts to find school places have failed due to capacity and transport issues. These issues have been brought to the attention of the Department of Education and there are serious concerns regarding any further placements in the Roscahill/Oughterard areas. However, a briefing note from the department subsequently confirmed that the premises would be for adult males, with an initial contract for one year, and a full-time staff and security presence. In other records, Galway County Council said they had no enforcement file on the property, but that fire services did want to carry out an inspection. One message said: Fire Service have issues with that building in terms of fire safety and compliance they will issue a full report on Monday. However, late that Saturday, just before that report was due to be finalised, the building was the subject of an arson attack by extremist anti-immigration protesters. Asked about the records, a spokesperson for Galway County Council said they did not wish to provide a comment. BEIJING -- Following the opening of online registration for the second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) to be held later this year, more than 90 Chinese and overseas companies have already signed letters of intent to exhibit at the event, according to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). The council, also the event's host, said that during the first phase of overseas roadshows, promotional activities for the second CISCE were recently held in countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Mauritius, Ethiopia, and Egypt. It said it will continue to organize various promotional activities and invite both Chinese and foreign companies, as well as professional buyers, to attend the 2024 CISCE. According to the host, the second CISCE will be held from Nov 26 to 30 this year. Five major segments for the clean energy, smart automobile, digital technology, health and life, and green agriculture sectors will be set up, along with a supply chain services exhibition area. During the expo, special forums will be organized, while investment promotions, business matchmaking events and new product launches will also be held. The CISCE is an open international platform that integrates the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, connects small, medium and large enterprises, promotes collaboration between industry, academia and research, and facilitates interactions between Chinese and foreign enterprises. More than 500 Chinese and international enterprises took part in the first CISCE that concluded on Dec 2, 2023 in Beijing. More than 200 cooperation agreements and letters of intent were signed at the event to the tune of over 150 billion yuan ($21 billion), according to data from the expo's website. Nintendo's "Switch 2" was widely expected to arrive sometime this year, but a new rumor is putting that timeline into question. Now, the company is telling publishers that the next-gen console is slated for release in the first quarter of 2025, according to VGC, Eurogamer and other sources. That would line up with the release of the original Switch, which was announced in October 2016 but came out in March 2017. Publishers were reportedly briefed recently on the launch date change from late 2024 to early 2025. Several sources said they were working on Switch 2 games with releases planned for early 2025. One key title could be the long-delayed Metroid Prime 4, which is still on Nintendo's release schedule but has no specific date attached. Earlier this month, Nintendo slightly bumped its fiscal 2024 Switch sales forecast from 15 million to 15.5 million, compared to 18 million and 23 million in 2022 and 2021. Nintendo's stock slid today based on the release delay rumors, according to Reuters. Not much is known about the future device, including the name. Rumors suggest it will have backward compatibility with Switch, along with 4K capabilities and visual quality similar to that of the PS5 and Series X. In any case, this year is bound to be a busy one for the company if the new console does launch in Q1 2025, it'll likely be announced at a Nintendo Direct showcase later this year. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testified on Thursday in a hearing regarding attempts by a co-defendant of Donald Trump's to have her removed from the Georgia election interference case. The challenge stems from allegations of an office romance. After over three hours of testimony from prosecutor Nathan Wade about their relationship, Willis, 53, took the stand in Atlanta. She testified for about two hours before the court adjourned. The hearing is set to resume on Friday. RELATED: Donald Trump Slams Nikki Haley In Super Bowl LVIII Ad After She Denied Social Security Claims Michael Roman's attorneys, among the 19 defendants charged with subverting Georgia's 2020 presidential election, filed a motion for their removal, citing a romantic relationship. Trump, 77, reportedly supports the motion, claiming financial benefits. During separate testimonies on Thursday, Willis and prosecutor Wade affirmed that their relationship had concluded before the indictment. Willis mentioned that Wade was not her initial choice to prosecute the election interference case. While being questioned by Michael Roman's attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, Willis expressed that requests, such as flight records for trips taken with Wade, were perceived as intrusive. RELATED: Did Trump Lie About MMA That He Claims Made Taylor Swift 'So Much Money'? "I object to you getting records. You've been intrusive into people's personal lives," Willis stated. "You're confused. You think I'm on trial. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. I'm not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial." Social media echoed support for Willis's assertive statement, with one user writing, "You're definitely confused ma'am... she's not on trial." Additional comments rallied behind Willis, urging her to "STAND YOUR GROUND" and warning that those challenging her are "messing with the wrong lady!" Pippa Middleton's latest vacation photos showed how a 40-year-old mom of three could still rock a bikini. A day before Valentine's Day, Pippa, her husband James Matthews and their three children -- Arthur, 5, Grace, 2, and Rose, 1 -- were spotted vacationing in St. Barts. They stayed at Eden Rock, the pricey hotel of Matthews' parents, per Page Six. During their vacation, the younger sister of Kate Middleton was photographed wearing a bright green bikini, which showcased her toned physique. According to the Royal Fashion Police on Instagram, the British socialite wore a $340 bikini top and bottom from Vix Paula Hermanny Brasil, which she paired with 289 (~$364) Jimmy Choo sunglasses. Seeing a compilation of her bikini-clad photos, some netizens commented on Pippa's physique and choice of beach outfit. "I'd love a copy of her diet and exercise regimen, just to look at. I doubt I'd have the willpower to actually do it," one user quipped. "Pippa works out super hard and is also genetic goals," commented a second netizen. "Excellent! [I] love the pop of color," said a third user. Pippa Middleton rocks red bikini months after giving birth. pic.twitter.com/uPlEkGRaOA helloallcoverage (@helloallcovrage) February 16, 2023 Interestingly, this was not the first time Pippa was photographed wearing a two-piece. In February 2023, just five months after giving birth to their third child Rose, Princess Catherine's sister was snapped rocking a red bikini while on vacation. In the photos that circulated online, the mom of three was seen walking alongside her husband while carrying a little blue pail. Meanwhile, in a "rare interview" with Cosmopolitan in 2021, Pippa shared details about how she managed to stay physically fit as a mom. She revealed that her love for running helped her stay in shape despite having such a busy day-to-day, as well as clear her thoughts in times of stress. "Running and sport, in general, has been a constant light in my life," she said. She also disclosed that looking after her son helped maintain her weight since she and her child loved exploring the great outdoors. "Being active with my two and a half year old son in the park or playground, transporting him on the back of my bike and buggy running when he was a baby have been ways in which I have been able to include outdoor exercise whilst being a hands-on mummy," she shared at the time. Sunday, February 18, 2024 Running away from menace is a natural human instinct. For the past two years, as the war in Ukraine has raged on, apologists for Putin have repeatedly said that Ukraine invited trouble onto itself by having the audacity to express interest in joining NATO. They wholeheartedly agree with Putins argument that if Ukraine were to join the alliance, it would jeopardize Russias security. Never mind the fact that Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, three countries that border Russia, have all been NATO members since 2004 and nothing has happened to Russia. There was never any indication from anywhere that any NATO member had any interest in attacking Russia. But even if someone had any such designs on Moscow, wouldnt it be arrogant for Putin to demand that Ukraine serve as a buffer between Russia and NATO? When and where did the sovereign nation of Ukraine sign up to serve as a shield for Russia? The thing we hear over and over from the apologists is that America did not allow the Soviet Union to station nuclear weapons in Cuba in 1962, and therefore NATO should not be on Russias doorstep either. No matter how much the world has changed since certain events occurred, these people remain stuck in history. And they suffer from America-does-it-too syndrome. Whenever some autocrat somewhere perpetrates some evil act, their apologists try their hardest to find some wrong that America did in the past and use it to justify their favorite despots current misdeeds. That is such an unprincipled way of looking at the world. The announcement on Friday that the prominent Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, had died inside a penal colony in Siberia at the age of 47, should help clarify for the Putin apologists what Ukraine has been fighting for. That is, if that crowd will ever be open to fact-based reasoning. Ukrainians have always known what Putin is capable of, and they are willing to fight till the last man to make sure they dont ever have to live under his thumb. If he can do this to his compatriot Navalny, the Ukrainians can only imagine the cruel treatment he would subject them to if he were to have total control over their lives. I lived under a tyrannical regime in Ghana for about three years in my early twenties. It was a terrifying period, with government operatives carrying out extrajudicial killings. Everyone, from businesspeople to academics, hunkered down. Even for a young, then apolitical person like me, the tension that hung in the air constantly was quite palpable. That was the environment I left in 1985 to attend college in the Soviet Union. I sensed almost immediately after I arrived in Moscow that I had simply changed places. The Soviets lived in fear as much as Ghanaians did then. Quite fortunately for me, as a young foreign student, I was of no interest to the Soviet political establishment so I could breathe free most of the time. But my Soviet classmates and the many friends I had in the country were not so lucky. As they went about their daily lives, I watched them with great sympathy because of my prior life under despotic rule. Unsurprisingly, the free and open nature of American society instantly appealed to me when I arrived here in early 1992. Within a couple of years, I had become convinced that I wanted America to be my permanent home. I renounced my Ghanaian citizenship and became an American, and have never looked back. Judging by the distance between Ghana and the U.S., the step I took was a lot more drastic than anything the Ukrainians are trying to do today. They live right on NATOs doorstep. For over two decades, they have watched with envy as their neighbors, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and the Baltic states, who have broken free of Russian domination, have enjoyed freedom and prosperity. How could anyone justify this attempt by an external power to deny Ukrainians the chance to live in freedom? From the comfort of their ivory towers, some American academics from the realist school have used the sphere-of-influence argument to express sympathy for Putins actions. Because they were born in a free country and are lucky to have never suffered any forms of oppression, it is not too surprising to see them hold this worldview. What is shocking to me is the large number of Africans who cheer on what Russia is doing in Ukraine. They openly subscribe to the notion that major powers have some entitlement to determine the destiny of everyone in their neighborhoods. That is rather bizarre reasoning. Pretty much every African lives or grew up in a country that was once colonized by an external power. The Africans who loudly blame Ukraine for precipitating the war happen to be the same people who attribute everything that currently ails their continent to colonialism. Even when some ailment clearly results from their own actions today, these people engage in all kinds of self-contortions to find ways to pin the blame on some white ghost. By their weird logic, perhaps some of these Africans should be asked whether they think that the British, French, Belgians, Portuguese and other European powers that colonized nations on the continent were also operating under the sphere-of-influence theory. If what entitles a nation to such a sphere is military power, then proximity shouldnt really matter. Any powerful nation could just go round the world and conquer weaker ones and plunder their resources at will. Since Navalnys death, many people, including me, have wondered why he put himself in such mortal danger by returning to Russia from Germany three years ago. As I thought about it, it occurred to me that the same could indeed have been asked about Martin Luther King Jr. and Medgar Evers. Those two Black American civil rights icons could have stayed passive, just as most of us often do, to save their skins. But at times some people feel that they need to pay the ultimate price in order to bring to view the sheer evil in this world that the rest of us fail to see because we are in deep slumber. May the sacrifice of the brave and noble Alexei Navalny do for ordinary Russians what that of Dr. King and Medgar Evers did for Black Americansand indeed Americans generally. And may Ukraine win its fight against this giant menace. Monday, February 19, 2024 Introduction "Morning Joe" on Sunday morning 2-18-24 listed the following video quotes by Trump about Russian dictator Putin: October 5, 2013 "I think he has done really a smart job of outsmarting our country." November 9, 2013 Trump given highest civilian award from Russia as he holds Miss Universe Pageant in Moscow. Meets with Oligarchs afterward as he becomes enthralled with Russia. Ten trips were made to try and get a Trump Moscow hotel. March 6, 2014 "Putin even sent me a present, a beautiful present, with a beautiful note." April 17, 2014 "We just left Moscow, he could not have been nicer." "You have to give him credit." "They're really hot stuff." July 16, 2015 "I think I get along really well with Vladimir Putin." September 16, 2015 "He's running his country and at least he's a leader unlike what we have in this country." Host: he kills journalists that don't agree with him. "Our country does plenty of killing also Joe." February 17, 2016 "He called me a genius. Donald Trump is a genius and he's going to be the leader of the party and he's going to be the leader of the world. He said some good stuff about me." July 27, 2016 "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you are able to find the thirty thousand emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily." Encourages more illegal hacking. July 16, 2018 Helsinki "Dan Coates came to me and said I think it's Russia. President Putin he just said it's not Russia. I don't think there's any reason why it would be." Trump calls this the Russia hoax. July 28, 2019 Reporter: Mr. President, will you tell Russia not to meddle in the 2020 Election? "Don't meddle in the election, Vladimir. Don't meddle in the election." They smiled. February 22, 2022 "Putin is now saying it's independence, a large section of Ukraine. How smart is that. He's going to go in and be a peacekeeper. You got to say that's pretty savvy." February 24, 2022 "Putin is smart. Of course he's smart. The real problem is that our leaders are dumb." Trump says Putin's Ukraine invasion is "brilliant." December 16, 2022 "Vladimir Putin of Russia says that Biden's, and this is a quote, politically motivated persecution of his political rival is very good for Russia because it shows the rottenness of the American political system." (Navalny?) February 15, 2024 "One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, well sir, if we don't pay and we are attacked by Russia, will you protect us? I said: You didn't pay, you're delinquent. He says, yes, let's say that happened. Trump: I say no. I will not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay; you pay your bill." (NATO is not a protection racket.) Current Comment Republicans have lost independence of thought as they sabotage NATO, Ukraine, and the border, hoping to blame Biden. The border solution does not take away the issue, contrary to Trump appeasement thinking (remember 1938 appeasement failed). Trump still can blame Biden for 8 million over border in first three years, and can threaten 10 million deportations. Partial solution can be blocked to hurt Biden and America, but the issue remains regardless. Only the goal of chaos is the way for clueless MAGA Republicans. The MAGA Republicans are the gang that can't shoot straight led by a gangster style fool who knows next to nothing about government or democracy and grifts whenever he can, especially fundraising and getting favors from his autocratic buddies. Reagan is rolling over in his grave, as Trump goes isolationist. Stages of Empire: https://www.academia.edu/5415354/STAGES_of_EMPIRE_Twelve_15_ppt_3_p_2007 Please cite this work as follows: Reuschlein, Robert. (2024, February 19), "Putin Praise Trump Quotes" Madison, WI, Real Economy Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.expertclick.com/NewsRelease/Putin-Praise-Trump-Quotes,2024302504.aspx Dr. Peace, Professor Robert Reuschlein, Real Economy Institute, Nobel Peace Prize nominee 2016-2024 with growing interest from the deciding Norwegians. A consistently growing pattern shows intense interest in my work on my expertclick.com website; daily "hard looks" per year went from 2 to 3 to 48 to 128 to 200 to 322 to 346 to 349 by the October 6th, 2023 Nobel Peace Prize announcement time. Contact: bobreuschlein@gmail.com Info: www.realeconomy.com Monday, February 19, 2024 In an era where technology shapes the way we manage our ?nances, Arti?cial Intelligence (AI) has become a powerful tool. However, as we entrust AI with our ?nancial decisions, its crucial to explore the challenges it presents. In this article, well delve into the issues associated with relying on AI for ?nancial choices, providing insights into potential pitfalls and offering resources to stay informed. Lets navigate the landscape where innovation meets ?nancial responsibility. AI has revolutionized the ?nancial landscape, offering algorithms and machine learning to analyze vast amounts of data swiftly. From investment strategies to budgeting apps, AI promises e?ciency and precision. However, this convenience comes with its own set of challenges that demand our attention. Challenges with AI in Financial Decisions: Lack of Emotional Intelligence: AI lacks the emotional intelligence humans bring to ?nancial decisions. It may struggle to understand nuanced situations or consider the emotional aspects of money management. Overreliance on Historical Data: AI relies heavily on historical data for predictions. In rapidly changing ?nancial landscapes, historical trends may not always accurately re?ect future market conditions. Algorithmic Bias: Algorithms may inadvertently perpetuate biases present in historical data, leading to unfair outcomes or reinforcing existing inequalities. Security and Privacy Concerns: The use of AI raises concerns about data security and privacy. Users need assurance that their ?nancial information is protected from unauthorized access or misuse. Resources for Understanding AI in Finance: AI in Finance: Opportunities and Challenges (World Economic Forum): The World Economic Forum provides insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with AI in the ?nancial sector, offering a comprehensive overview. NISTs Guide to AI in Finance: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers a guide outlining key considerations and best practices when implementing AI in ?nance. AI Ethics in Finance (IEEE): The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) explores the ethical implications of AI in ?nance in their article. Empowering Financial Decision-Making: Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest advancements and challenges in AI. Platforms like MIT Technology Review and Harvard Business Review regularly feature articles on AI in ?nance. Diversify Information Sources: Seek insights from a variety of sources to avoid potential biases. Diversifying your information intake can help you make well-informed decisions. Engage with AI Ethical Frameworks: Familiarize yourself with ethical frameworks governing AI. Organizations like the Ethics and Governance of AI Initiative offer resources to understand and contribute to the ethical use of AI. How has AI in?uenced your ?nancial decisions, and what considerations do you prioritize when using AI-powered tools? Join the conversation and lets explore diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities AI presents in managing our ?nances. What steps have you taken to ensure responsible and informed ?nancial decision-making in the age of AI? Yulia Navalnaya on Monday vowed to continue her husband Alexei Navalny's fight after his death in a Russian prison last week, for which she blamed the Kremlin. She spoke as the Kremlin said it had no details about his death, while his mother Lyudmila was denied access to his body for a third day. Navalnaya's address came shortly before she met EU foreign ministers in Brussels, where she had been invited after the death of her husband triggered Western outrage. "I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny. I will continue to fight for the freedom of our country," Navalnaya said. "And I call on you to stand by me." Navalnaya, an economist, stood by her husband as he galvanised mass protests in Russia, flying him out of the country when he was poisoned before defiantly returning to Moscow with him in 2021, knowing he would be jailed. The announcement she will replace Navalny is a momentous and unpredictable turn for Russia's exiled and beleaguered opposition, left leaderless after Navalny's death. Russia will hold a presidential election on March 15-17 in which Putin has no real challengers, with most the opposition exiled, behind bars or dead. "Vladimir Putin killed my husband Alexei Navalny," Navalnaya said on his Youtube channel, adding he died "after three years of torment and torture." "Putin took from me the most valuable thing that I had, the closest and most loved person. But Putin also took Navalny from you," the 47-year-old said. - 'Outright lie and mockery' - Russia's prison service said on Friday that Navalny had died "after a walk" in the IK-3 prison colony in the Arctic Yamal region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to say how Putin -- who has not commented on the death -- reacted to his main opponent dying. He also said the Kremlin had no results from an investigation into the death. "At the moment, the results of the investigation have not been released, they are unknown," Peskov said. He decried Western statements blaming the Kremlin for Navalny's end as "absolutely unacceptable." Navalny's team however accused Russian authorities of trying to cover up "murder". "Investigators told Alexei's mother and lawyers that they are not handing over the body and in the next 14 days they will conduct a chemical analysis, an investigation," Navalny spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said in a YouTube broadcast. "I'll say it again: Navalny's body is being hidden to hide the traces of the murder. This 14-day 'chemical analysis' is an outright lie and mockery," she said in a subsequent statement on social media site X, the former Twitter. Navalny's allies said his mother Lyudmila was on Monday again denied access to a morgue in the Russian Far North for a third day in a row. - 'One for all' - Navalny had continued even from behind bars to call on Russians to fight the government, calling on them "not to be afraid." Across Russia, mourners have laid flowers in memory of Navalny at monuments to victims of Soviet-era repression and hundreds of people have been detained. In Moscow, AFP reporters saw a steady stream of people bring flowers to two monuments on Monday. At one known as the "Wall of Grief", a woman stood and cried, with a heavy police presence nearby. "One for all," read a note left by mourners, quoting a slogan Navalny often used at protests. Another monument close to the headquarters of Russia's security service was visited by French ambassador to Moscow Pierre Levy. Outside Russia, Russian emigres held vigils in European cities. In Kazakhstan -- another country where many Russians fled -- Russian rock legend Yuri Shevchuk performed a song in honour of Navalny on Sunday. "Alexei Navalny who spoke to us, Russians, about freedom and who reminded us all that we could be free in the best sense of the word," Shevchuk told a crowd, according to Russian independent media. - Additional sanctions - In Washington, US President Joe Biden said he was studying more sanctions against Moscow. "We already have sanctions, but we are considering additional sanctions, yes," said Biden, who has already directly blamed Putin and his "thugs" for Navalny's death. Several European countries including Spain and Germany have summoned Russian diplomats, and the EU called for an independent "international investigation" into the Kremlin foe's death. Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pledged to hold Putin to account for Navalny's death after meeting his widow. The EU has already imposed heavy sanctions on Moscow, including on Putin, over the invasion of Ukraine. Officials concede it will be difficult to take significant further action. The EU in a statement called for an independent "international investigation" into the Kremlin foe's death and threatened sanctions. bur/gv On Jan. 26, President Joe Biden took an aggressive step forward in his war on American energy by halting the permitting of new liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminals. This action has massive global implications, as TPPFs Mark Mills laid out when the decision was publicly announced. It also has the added benefit for the president of attacking primarily Texas and Louisiana, red states that account for the bulk of U.S. LNG exports. This decision comes on the heels of Texas taking steps to secure its border with Mexico, putting the state directly at odds with the administrationonce again. But the presidents politically motivated actions will reverberate far beyond Americas natural gas producing regions. By locking global supply and demand imbalances in place for longer, this decision will send billions of dollars to foreign producers and raise the cost of energy globally. Any short-term drop in domestic prices will ultimately be negated by reductions in future domestic production. If this decision doesnt help Americans and hurts our allies, why do it? Politics, of course, primarily appeasing the radical green cartel that forms a key part of the presidents base, and, perhaps to the surprise of a casual observer, rent-seeking industries looking to hoard short-term supply. President Biden's environmental extremism means our allies will become more reliant on our adversaries. For context, 87% of US LNG exports went primarily to U.S. allies in Europe and Asia. The Biden administration blunting Americas ability to participate on the world energy stage creates a vacuum that will undoubtedly be filled by the other major natural gas exporting countriesRussia, Qatar, and Iranwho are certainly not friends of the U.S. Bear in mind that the Department of Energy (DOE) has never denied an LNG export application, for environmental reasons or otherwise, and rejected a petition to do so just six months ago. President Biden could be pushing for more U.S. LNG exports, because the U.S. produces natural gas more responsibly and with fewer emissions than any LNG exporting country save Australia. However, despite the obvious fact that domestic gas has been a major driver of U.S. GHG emissions reductions and air quality improvements, the green cartels are trying to make the case that LNG exports will not do the same for other countries. Also, serious questions surround the administration's legal authority to issue such an all-encompassing, job-killing freeze in energy exports. Congress has not authorized the DOE to take such drastic actions, which would have implications both inside and outside our borders. It is also absurd that the Natural Gas Act, a relic of 1930s-era policymaking, gives the DOE power to deny imports and exports, outside the bounds of trade agreements. States need to take the administration to the courts over this decision, and fortunately, many are already expressing a willingness to do so. This LNG export ban may be the most strong-armed, authoritative action against American energy producers taken by an administration that has become known for such transgressions. Luckily, Congress is already working to reverse this massive mistake by advancing a bipartisan bill, Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act. Its notable when President Bidens anti-energy policies become so extreme that they elicit condemnations from members of his own party. By rolling back this executive action and ensuring the president cannot have unilateral control over vital energy production and exports, Congress would take a significant step to secure American energy leadership now and for years to come. Matt Eagan is the Director of Federal Affairs at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. As an individual deeply connected to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, Ive found it increasingly challenging to witness the collective amnesia that seems to have settled over America regarding Russias war in Ukraine. The initial shock of the 2022 invasion has faded, replaced by the ebb and flow of other news stories. I understand why this is happening. Our attention is a finite resource. We literally cant process every crisis in our lives and around the world. However, what is happening in Ukraine is not just another crisis its a threat to the very essence of the free world. I cant forget about Ukraine, and I wont forget Ukraine. With help for Ukraine dwindling, I have returned to a familiar routine. Similar to two years ago when Russia launched the full-scale invasion, every evening, I say a prayer for my friends and family in Ukraine. Each morning, as I check messages and review the latest news from Ukraine, Im confronted with the harsh reality of war. I cant help but wonder about the lives lost, the brave volunteers, and the dedicated soldiers defending not only Ukraine but the principles that underpin the free world. I also think about my kids. I dont want my children fighting a bloody war against the current iteration of the Axis forces. If there is something that I can do right now to speak out against evil and to combat injustice, I will do everything that I can to uphold the values that have become precious to me as a Ukrainian-American. If we turn a blind eye to the suffering in Ukraine, and if Ukraine is not properly resourced to stop Russian aggression, this war will inevitably expand. It will reach the Baltic States, sweep across Europe, and extend its tentacles beyond. Sooner or later, there will come a time when we can no longer ignore the consequences of our inaction, and well be forced to pay the price, perhaps with the blood of our loved ones. Dont be naive. The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are not a barrier that is large enough to insulate us from unrestrained evil. Geographical distance from the war against Ukraine is insufficient to shield us from the ripple effects of injustice. Someone once said that suffering is inevitable; we either suffer intentionally because of the discipline we choose, or we suffer the pain of regret. I think about this in the context of whats happening in Ukraine. We can make difficult and disciplined decisions now to give Ukraine everything it needs to win this war or we can pay the price later. Personally, I dont have access to government funding or weapons, but I have a voice and a network of friends. My desire is to grow that network and amplify the voices of those who are suffering. My work in Ukraine continues to expose me to the ongoing terrors of war, but Ive also been able to witness the courage and sacrifice of ordinary human beings. Brave Ukrainians are showing us every day that we dont have to capitulate to terrorists. We are stronger together. We can stand up for the values that define the free world, and we can push back against the darkness. Ukrainians are fighting for their sovereignty, but theyre also fighting for our common values and they need our ongoing help. While organized governments have their roles to play, my experience lies in the private and nonprofit sectors. I've witnessed civilians, businesses, and nonprofit organizations achieve remarkable feats against all odds in Ukraine. Last winter in Ukraine, I saw multiple U.S. and U.K.-based organizations partner with local Ukrainian organizations to serve internally displaced people. Thousands of people received food packets and Christmas presents for their children. The rolling electricity blackouts could not extinguish the joy that we all shared. My connection to Ukraine is not just rooted in my birthplace; its an acknowledgment of the transformative power of serving others. The more time and energy I invest in aiding those in Ukraine, the more passionate I become about justice in my local community and the more attuned I am to the global pain that surrounds us. Every time that I have visited Ukraine over the last two years, I have learned more about resilience and courage from Ukrainian volunteers like Matias, Tatyana, Davyd, and Sergii. They have drastically altered their (and their families) lives to serve those in need and to provide critical resources to the frontlines of the war. If the United States abandons Ukraine now, there will be a severe cost in the future. Putins Russia, a terrorist state, will grow stronger, and other global bullies will be emboldened. If Ukraine doesnt have the necessary resources to halt Russias aggression, our children and grandchildren may one day find themselves sacrificing their lives for the cause of freedom. History will judge us harshly if we forsake our integrity and fail to take decisive action. This realization has fueled my efforts with The Renewal Initiative, which calls for individuals and communities worldwide to unite against injustice and to shape a future grounded in dignity and hope. Our senators have voted to support Ukraine. Now its time for the House of Representatives to do the right thing and to continue providing U.S. aid to Ukraine. Regardless of the decisions that are made about military aid, we the people have a role to play. Dont allow current political scandals or Russian misinformation campaigns to drown out the voices of those enduring unimaginable devastation. Join the renewal now and help to forge the future we desire for our loved ones today. Topline: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission received $15,837 from a federal grant while claiming an individual volunteer worked up to 66 hours in a single day, according to a Feb. 2 report from the U.S. Department of the Interiors Inspector General. Key facts: The DOIs U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides grants to state agencies to restore and maintain fish habitats. The Fish and Wildlife Service reimburses states for 75% of the costs related to fish habitat projects. States must cover the other 25%, either with actual cash or with an equivalent item such as hours of labor. Waste of the Day 2.19.24 From 2019 to 2021, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission claimed that their volunteers worked 16,436 hours to help cover the states 25% share of federal grants. But the Inspector General found that Nebraska incorrectly reported the number of volunteer hours. Three instructors for an Aquatic Education Program each claimed to have worked an impossible amount of time, with one instructor logging 66 hours in a single day. Another volunteer did not log any hours for themself, yet documents presented to the federal government for reimbursement said the volunteer worked for 20 hours. The Inspector General questioned 219 hours in total from several volunteers, which Nebraska claimed were worth $5,279 toward the states share of grant funding. Nebraska was then awarded triple that money from the federal government for those hours. The report only reviewed about 10% of volunteer hours, so there could be more undiscovered errors. The Inspector General did not indicate whether the discrepancy was a genuine mistake or indicative of fraud. Background: The Nebraska parks department was also giving some of its employees high pay. The department paid out 20 six-figure salaries in the 2019-2021 period covered in the IG report, according to records at OpenTheBooks.com. Director James Douglass salary reached up to $169,000 in 2021; Nebraskas governor made just $105,000 that year. Supporting quote: The Nebraska parks department disagreed that the 66-hour workdays were excessive, since they included preparation time. Over the course of this program, the project leader and our volunteers have put on multiple clinics and events. When planning an event with over 150 participants and multiple volunteers, it is our experience that planning occurs for multiple months in advance, Federal Aid Administrator Tammy Snyder wrote in her response to the IG. Summary: One has to admire Nebraskas passion for conserving wild fish habitats; it must take incredible effort to work more than 24 hours in a single day. The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com Actor and Dorset farmer Martin Clunes has been appointed as the new chancellor of Hartpury University and Hartpury College. Mr Clunes will serve as the honorary head of both specialist educational institutions, representing Hartpury in a ceremonial and ambassadorial capacity. The appointment marks an important milestone for the Gloucestershire university and college that offers land-based undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. One of Britains most well-known actors, Mr Clunes has starred in popular series and films including Doc Martin, Shakespeare in Love, and Men Behaving Badly. He also runs a 130-acre livestock farm. Speaking about the appointment, he said: Im deeply honoured to be appointed as the inaugural Chancellor of Hartpury University and Hartpury College. "I look forward to sharing many of my passions and interests with like-minded students, staff, governors and alumni and am excited to share in their numerous success stories. I also look forward to advocating for the university and colleges many impressive achievements, helping to champion and support Hartpury at an exciting time in its 75-year history. Professor Andy Collop, vice-chancellor of Hartpury added: We are delighted that Martin will become our first Chancellor and look forward to him playing a pivotal supporting role in the growth and evolution of Hartpury University and Hartpury College. Martins commitment and experience in the equestrian, agricultural, animal and countryside realms align particularly well to Hartpurys own values and specialisms. "I have no doubt that hell contribute to Hartpurys rich heritage and help to inspire staff and students alike. British farmers have been hit by additional fertiliser costs of 1.45 billion since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the second anniversary of which is this week. Fertiliser prices spiralled ahead of and following the invasion, hitting unprecedented highs in summer 2022, new analysis published today (19 February) shows. The price of gas soared because of the Russian invasion and gas is heavily used in the production of many fertilisers. Prices for ammonium nitrate, the main fertiliser used by British farmers hit 870 per tonne in September 2022, compared to an average price per tonne of 217 in 2020. Based on an analysis of monthly fertiliser price and usage data, the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) has calculated that farmers spent around 1.42 billion on fertiliser in 2022, and 964m in 2023. Compared to the 470m spent in 2020 the last year of normal prices before the gas price crisis this means that farmers have spent an estimated 1.45 billion more on fertiliser since February 2022 than they would if gas and fertiliser prices had remained at pre-crisis levels. Tom Lancaster, land analyst at ECIU said: Farmer protests are in the news, and one of the commonly cited reasons is the price they are having to pay to grow their crops and feed their animals. "Farmers have been paying a gas price penalty on fertiliser, and the bad news is that seems set to continue into 2024." Although fertiliser prices have come down from the peak of 2022, they have plateaued at 50% above pre-crisis levels since May 2023. If this higher price is maintained throughout 2024, farmers are projected to spend 755m on fertiliser this year, 285m or 60% more than they would have spent in 2020. With gas prices projected to remain high for the rest of the decade, it is likely that higher costs are here to stay. The high gas price was cited as the main reason for the closure of the UKs largest ammonia plant at Billingham last year, leaving the UK dependent on imports for the main raw material used in chemical fertilisers. According to ECIU, the governments new green farming schemes that incentivise soil health should help to reduce the UKs need for and dependence on foreign fertiliser imports. In England, Defras new green farming schemes offer payments to farmers for legume fallows, cover crops and herbal leys, all intended to improve soil health and fertility. In turn, these measures can reduce farmers reliance on expensive chemical fertilisers, replacing volatile imported nutrients with home grown fertility from healthy soils. Mr Lancaster added: Farmers have been hit hard as fertiliser costs soared, so schemes that reduce dependence on these chemicals can help to boost the UKs food security. "These schemes also help farmers to invest in hedgerows and trees that protect fields and livestock from extreme weather that is worsening with climate change, again protecting yields and improving productivity. Danny Masterson has moved prison - again. Danny Masterson has moved prisons again The 'That 70s' show actor - who was sentenced last September to 30 years to life behind bars after being found guilty of raping two women 20 years ago - was transferred from North Kern State Prison to Corcoran State Prison in California on 29 January but after less than two weeks at the high security facility, he has been relocated again to Californias Mens Colony in San Luis Obispo, Deadline reports. Masterson was moved over the last week due to concern for "the inmate's well-being" while he was at Corcoran, which is best known for having housed notorious cult leader Charles Manson for the two decades before his death in 2017. The Men's Colony is a medium and minimum-security facility, and according to a description on the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations website, inmates have the opportunity to take advantage of increased academic and career/technical education, as well as self-improvement programmes including: cognitive behaviour therapy programmes, substance abuse education, criminal thinking, anger management and family relationships." Last month, Masterson was denied bail while he appeals his case over concerns he has "every incentive to flee". Los Angeles Superior Court judge Charlaine F. Olmedo wrote: If defendants conviction and sentence are upheld on appeal, he will likely remain in custody for decades and perhaps the rest of his life. In light of the fact that defendant has no wife to go home to, defendant now has every incentive to flee and little reason to return to state prison to serve out the remainder of his lengthy sentence should his appeal be unsuccessful." The decision to deny bail comes as he has appealed against his rape conviction. His attorneys had said last month: "Defendant requests that this Court grant bail on appeal, and offers to comply with any relevant terms and conditions imposed by the Court that enable him to be an at-home parent and financial provider for his family, including house arrest and/or participation in an electronic monitoring program administered by the probation department." They argued that he possessed a "lack of dangerousness" and wouldn't be a flight risk, claiming they now had "extensive exculpatory evidence that was not presented to the jury". Zachery Ty Bryan has been arrested for an alleged DUI. Zachery Ty Bryan was arrested over the weekend The 42-year-old actor - who is best known for playing Brad Taylor on the ABC sitcom 'Home Improvement' - was arrested in the early hours of Saturday (17.02.24) morning in La Quinta, California. The TV star was arrested for an alleged DUI, as well as a misdemeanour for alleged contempt of court. His bail was set at $50,000, plus an additional $15,000 fee for the misdemeanour. Bryan was released on the same day as his arrest and he's been given a court date of April 23. Bryan has faced a number of legal cases in recent years. But in 2023, the actor argued that an incident that led to his domestic violence arrest got blown out of proportion. The former child star agreed to take a deal and plead guilty to menacing and fourth-degree assault in February 2021 after a row with partner Johnnie Faye Cartwright in 2020. Speaking about the bust-up, he told The Hollywood Reporter: "We got really loud. We were screaming and because we were in a town home that had (thin walls) everybody could hear. "At the end of the day, (police) throw a bunch of counts at you because they ultimately want you to plead to something. I couldve fought it but thats more stress and drama." Johnnie Faye Cartwright, Bryan's partner, also voiced her support for the actor. She previously told Us Weekly: "Trauma can bring struggles in many shapes and forms. Its a horrible situation thats going to be spun in so many ways. Ive learned firsthand the truth will never align with whats been put out there." 'Oppenheimer' was the big winner at the 2024 EE BAFTAs, with seven awards. Oppenheimer big winner at BAFTAs with seven awards The historical saga - based on the life of American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer - was nominated for a total of 13 awards and was triumphant in seven categories at the ceremony on Sunday (18.02.24). Christopher Nolan's movie - starring Cillian Murphy - won Best Film, Leading Actor for Murphy, Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr, Best Director for Nolan, along with Original Score, Cinematography and Editing. Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Poor Things also had a successful night, with Emma Stone picking up the Leading Actress gong and the film enjoyed wins in the Costume Design, Production Design, Make-up and Hair and Special Visual Effects categories. 'The Zone of Interest' won Outstanding British Film, Film Not In The English Language and Sound. And, 'The Holdovers' won two awards, Supporting Actress for Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Casting. The EE BAFTA Rising Star Award (voted for by the public) went to Mia Mckenna-Bruce, while Sophie Morton received the BAFTA Fellowship and gave an emotional speech. The actress - who spent her childhood in foster care and residential homes - said: "This is nothing short of a miracle. When I first saw Ken Loach's 'Kes' on a huge telly that was wheeled into my classroom I was forever changed. "Seeing poverty and people like me on the screen, I recognised myself - representation matters." "[I would tell my younger self] You matter, don't give up, the stories we tell, they have the power to change people's lives. "Film changed my life, it transformed me and it led me here today. I dedicate this award to every child in care, or who has been in care and who didn't survive." The awards were hosted by David Tennant and took place at London's Royal Festival Hall. BAFTA President Prince William was in attendance. 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards winners: Best Film: 'Oppenheimer' Outstanding British Film: 'The Zone of Interest' Leading Actress: Emma Stone 'Poor Things' Leading Actor: Cillian Murphy 'Oppenheimer' Supporting Actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph 'The Holdovers' Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr 'Oppenheimer' Director: 'Oppenheimer' - Christopher Nolan Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer: 'Earth Mama' Film Not in the English Language: 'The Zone of Interest' Documentary: '20 Days In Mariupol' Animated film: 'The Boy and the Heron' Original Screenplay: 'Anatomy of a Fall' Adapted Screenplay: 'American Fiction' EE BAFTA Rising Star Award (voted for by the public): Mia Mckenna-Bruce Original Score: 'Oppenheimer' Casting: 'The Holdovers' Cinematography: 'Oppenheimer' Costume Design: 'Poor Things' Editing: 'Oppenheimer' Production Design: 'Poor Things' Make-up and Hair: 'Poor Things' Sound: 'The Zone of Interest' Special Visual Effects: 'Poor Things' British Short Film: 'Jellyfish and Lobster' British Short Animation: 'Crab Day' The Kinks star Ray Davies says the Internet has "pulled together" his broken relationship with brother Dave Davies. Ray Davies says he is in touch with his brother Dave - but only online The brothers formed the band together back in the 1960s but their musical career was marred by their fights and bitter feuds over the years which eventually drove them apart - they now live on different continents with Ray, 79, remaining in his native London and Dave, 77, living in the US but the frontman says they do communicate online. In an interview with The Times newspaper, Ray explained: "Well, he lives in New Jersey and I live in north London, but the Internet pulls us together. The band though, it's like family. You argue a lot and you fight, but you love each other really. It was always us against the world." He went on to insist that although the brothers are in contact, fans shouldn't expect any sort of Kinks reunion. Ray added: "As for recording again, as for performing again? We'll never be the Kinks we were, but we never really break up." The brothers' feuding became famous and they were involved in a notorious spat during Dave's 50th birthday party with Ray snatching his cake, throwing it on the floor and stamping on it. When asked about the cake incident in 2017, Dave told the Daily Mail newspaper: "It is true. I think he probably paid for the cake, too, but that was Ray all over. Hed want me to have something like that - but then he couldnt bear to see me with it." Dave went on to insist he thinks the root of their problem dates back to their childhood and it's best for them not to be in the same room together. He added to the publication: "I love him. He loves me, but when were in the same room, it doesnt work. Its worse when other people are around - when others are there Ray needs to perform, he needs to be the centre of attention. "I like to say Ray was only happy for the first three years of his life - until I came along. But hes still my brother." Samantha Morton dedicated her BAFTA Fellowship award to "every child in care, or who has been in care and who didn't survive." Samantha Morton dedicates BAFTA Fellowship to 'every child in care' The 46-year-old actress - who spent her childhood in foster care and residential homes - collected her award from producer David Heyman, who she worked with on 'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' at Sunday's EE BAFTAs ceremony. In an emotional speech, she said: "This is nothing short of a miracle. When I first saw Ken Loach's 'Kes' on a huge telly that was wheeled into my classroom I was forever changed. "Seeing poverty and people like me on the screen, I recognised myself - representation matters." "[I would tell my younger self] You matter, don't give up, the stories we tell, they have the power to change people's lives. "Film changed my life, it transformed me and it led me here today. I dedicate this award to every child in care, or who has been in care and who didn't survive." Samantha received tributes from her 'Minority Report' co-star Tom Cruise, along with collaborators Susan Lynch, Molly Windsor and Daniel Mays. Samantha received the award in recognition of her contribution to British cinema over the course of her career. Anna Higgs, Chair of BAFTAs Film Committee, previously said: "Samantha Morton is a mesmerising storyteller with incredible range. She has made an extraordinary impact on the British film industry consistently shining a light on complex characters and championing underrepresented stories. "On-and-off screen, she always works to break down societal barriers and change the make-up of the screen industries for the better - often against great odds. "Samantha is hugely respected by her peers in Britain and Hollywood alike for her versatility, talent and passion for the craft of acting, and we are delighted to be honouring her exceptional body of work at the EE BAFTA Film Awards next week." Samantha follows in the footsteps of previous honourees to have received BAFTA's highest award including Sir Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, Dame Judi Dench, Martin Scorsese and Dame Helen Mirren. TWO HOLLYWOOD greats, Emmy award-winning Greta Scacchi (White Mischief, Bodies) and Emmy nominated Bryan Brown (Cocktail), team up in the hugely entertaining Darby and Joan. This warm and witty mystery series follows two unlikely strangers whose lives unexpectedly collide and embark on the adventure of a lifetime as they hit the Australian open roads for a sunny sleuthing escapade. Darby and Joan This Acorn TV Original made waves on its premiere and now, following its recent run on UKTV Drama and with a second series on the horizon, is set for its DVD and digital release on 26 February 2024, courtesy of Acorn Media International. Retired Australian homicide detective Jack Darby (Brown) has taken to the open road, with his dog Diesel, to flee his past, while recently widowed English nurse Joan Kirkhope (Scacchi) is on a reluctant pilgrimage to find answers about her husbands mysterious death. They couldnt be more different the low-key, ruggedly charming Aussie and the tightly wound yet warm, witty and determined Englishwoman so when their paths collide in the middle of the Australian outback, its no surprise that the two try to avoid one another. But fate has other plans and its not long before this chalk-and-cheese duo find themselves drawn into a series of unexpected mystery and adventure. As they travel unseen, breathtaking areas of the continent from isolated, sweeping coastlines to small communities in the Outback the mismatched twosome quickly learn that the most intriguing puzzle they face is each other... In a landscape where everyone seems to be hunting for something, will this pair of grey nomads find what theyre looking for and what other surprises does fate have in store for them? With refreshing and loveable leads, spectacular scenery and a dash of mystery this heartwarming series is calling to be discovered this February. Book a trip with Darby and Joan for an epic adventure like no other. Special features include: A making of featurette. Title: Darby and Joan Series 1 DVD Cat.No: AV3748 Cert: 12 Release Date: 26 February 2024 RRP: 27.99 Running Time: 360 mins. Also available to download and keep from 26 February 2024 Competition Prize Provider Aim Publicity To celebrate the release of Darby and Joan we are offering the chance to win the DVD of Series 1. To be in with a chance to win the prize simpley answer the below question then complete and submit the attached entry form. Question: What is the name Jack Darby's dog? A. Paraffin B. Diesel C. Petrol Good Luck by Matt Shine for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on Closing Date : 28th February 2024 China's trade in goods yielded a substantial surplus of $608 billion last year, marking the second-highest level on record, as per data released by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. The country's foreign exchange regulator revealed that China's current account surplus reached $264.2 billion in 2023. Maintaining a healthy balance, the current account surplus-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio stood at 1.5 per cent, deemed reasonable by the administration. China's goods trade achieved a $608 billion surplus in 2023, the 2nd highest on record, according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. The current account surplus hit $264.2 billion, with a 1.5 per cent surplus-to-GDP ratio, considered reasonable. This growth is credited to ongoing economic recovery, leading to quarter-by-quarter trade expansion. The robust surplus can be attributed to the quarter-by-quarter expansion of China's foreign trade, propelled by the ongoing economic recovery trend, Chinese media reports quoted administrations spokesperson Wang Chunying as saying. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD) Bangladeshs gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an estimated 6.07 per cent in the first quarter (Q1, July-September) of the current fiscal (FY24), while real growth in the last fiscal stood at 5.78 per cent in the final count, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. The last fiscals figure was lower than official projection. Bangladesh's GDP grew at an estimated 6.07 per cent in Q1 FY24 (July-September), while real FY23 growth stood at 5.78 per cent in the final count, official statistics show. Growth in Q4 FY23 was 6.24 per cent, much lower year on year. The industrial sector recorded a fall in quarterly growth to 9.67 per cent in Q1 FY24 from Q4 FY23 figure of 11.41 per cent. The FY23 last quarter saw a growth of 6.24 per cent, much lower year on year (YoY). The Q1 FY23 GDP growth was 8.76 per cent, according to domestic media reports. The release of quarterly GDP data followed the government's decision taken in November 2020 and later advised by the International Monetary Fund. The industrial sector recorded a fall in quarterly growth to 9.67 per cent in Q1 FY24 from Q4 FY23 figure of 11.41 per cent. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Prices for US imports as well as exports each rose by 0.8 per cent in January this year following a 0.7-per cent decline in the previous month, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS). It was the first one-month increase since September 2023 and the largest monthly advance since the index rose by 2.9 per cent in March 2022. Prices for US imports as well as exports each rose by 0.8 per cent in January after a 0.7-per cent fall in December, official data show. Higher prices for both non-fuel and fuel imports contributed to the overall increase. Despite the January rise, import prices fell by 1.3 per cent over the past year and have not risen on a 12-month basis since January 2023 Higher prices for both non-fuel and fuel imports contributed to the overall increase. Prices for non-fuel imports rose by 0.7 per cent in January, after being unchanged in December. Despite the January increase, US import prices fell by 1.3 per cent over the past year and have not risen on a 12-month basis since January 2023, a BLS release said. Consumer goods prices rose by 1.1 per cent in January, the largest monthly increase since the one-month per cent change series was first published in January 1989. The price index for non-agricultural exports rose by 0.9 per cent in January, the first monthly advance since September last year. Prices for imports from China dropped by 0.3 per cent in January, the largest one-month decline since July 2023. The price index for imports from China last increased on a monthly basis in October 2022. Import prices from China fell 2.9 per cent from January 2023 to January 2024. In contrast, prices for imports from Japan rose by 1.1 per cent in January, after edging down by 0.1 per cent in December. The January increase was the largest monthly advance for the index since a 1.2-per cent rise in November 1998. Import prices from Japan increased 1.4 per cent over the past year. The price index for imports from Canada declined by 0.2 per cent in January following decreases of 3.7 per cent in December and 3.3 per cent in November. Prices for imports from Canada fell by 9 per cent for the year ended January. Import prices from the European Union advanced 1 per cent in January and prices for imports from Mexico rose 1.3 per cent over the same period. Export prices to China fell 0.9 per cent in January, the largest one-month drop since a 1.7-per cent decline in June 2023. The price index for exports to China decreased by 3.4 per cent over the past 12 months. Prices for exports to Japan fell by 0.7 per cent in January following a 0.1-per cent advance the previous month. Export prices to Japan declined by 7.9 per cent over the past year. The price index for exports to Canada decreased by 0.5 per cent in January, the largest monthly drop since May 2023. Prices for exports to Canada fell by 0.9 per cent for the year ended January. In contrast, export prices to the European Union increased by 1.8 per cent in January and prices for exports to Mexico advanced by 0.7 per cent over the same period. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) At midnight of February 19 KST, BIGHIT Music announced that BTS member J-hope will release another special solo album, Hope on the Street Vol., in March.Along with the album, the agency will also drop a new six-part docuseries of the same name which will be released on March 28.Hope on the Street will highlight J-hope's early life and passion for dancing as he embarks on a new chapter in his 12-year career. The show follows his journey back to his roots as a dancer and incorporates elements of a travel program. Joined by his previous dance teacher, Boogaloo Kin, a renowned popping champion, J-hope travels to Osaka, Seoul, Paris, New York, and Gwangju, where he encounters talented street dancers who inspire him.The official announcement by BIGHIT MUSIC states, "HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1 is a special album featuring a total of six tracks and will be released alongside HOPE ON THE STREET, a docuseries that trails j-hopes dance journey."Hope on the Street Vol. will be released on March 29 at 1 pm KST. Vijay's 'GOAT' Raises Excitement Among Fans: Actor Vijay, also known as Thalapathy Vijay among his fans, made a pivotal move in his career by announcing his foray into politics and revealing the name of his new political party on February 2nd. While currently engaged in the filming of 'The Greatest of All Time' (GOAT), directed by Venkat Prabhu, Vijay has affirmed that this movie marks his penultimate cinematic venture, with 'Thalapathy 69' set to be his ultimate acting pursuit. Vijay's previous film, "Leo," hit theatres on October 19, 2023, marking his second collaboration with director Lokesh Kanagaraj following the success of their first project together, "Master." While "Leo" generated significant anticipation among fans, it received mixed reviews upon release. In response to the mixed reception of "Leo," Vijay teamed up with Venkat Prabhu for his next project. Known for his versatility in directing films across various genres in Tamil cinema, Venkat Prabhu's recent release, "Custody," did not meet expectations. Shooting for 'GOAT' has been in progress for several months, generating anticipation among Vijay's fans. The latest update about 'GOAT' reveals intriguing details about the film. Abyukta's Role in Vijay's 'GOAT' Sparks Curiosity In 'GOAT,' Vijay will be showcasing his versatility by portraying two distinct characters, reportedly one with negative shades, and displaying both youthful and aged appearances. Adding to the excitement, reports suggest that Abyukta, the daughter of renowned cinematographer Manikandan, will be playing a crucial role in the film, playing Vijay's younger sister. Abyukta, a talented Bharatanatyam dancer and model, has piqued the interest of netizens since news of her involvement in 'GOAT' surfaced. Previously, there were speculations about actress Ivana taking up the role, but due to prior commitments, she had to decline the offer, leading to Abyukta's casting. Apart from Vijay and Abyukta, the ensemble cast of 'GOAT' boasts prominent names such as Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Sneha, Laila, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Parvati Nair, Mohan, Jayaram, Ajmal Ameer, Yogi Babu, VTV Ganesh, Vaibhav, Premgi Amaren, Aravind Akash, Ajay Raj, and Ganja Karuppu, among others. As filming progresses, the buzz surrounding 'GOAT' continues to grow, with fans eagerly awaiting further updates on this highly anticipated project. Stay tuned for more insights into Vijay's dual-role venture and the cinematic experience expected from 'GOAT.' Latest lease with international textile company Josef Witt GmbH (Witt) totals 15,721 sqm Signed tenants at CTPark Weiden include Sirl Interaktive Logistik, MSA Motor Sport Accessoires and INOTECH Kunststofftechnik The comprehensive redevelopment of the 53,000 sqm brownfield site includes extensive refurbishment with partial new warehouse construction and installation of photovoltaics Start of construction is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024, with completion and operation anticipated in the third quarter of 2024 Regulatory News: CTP, Europe's largest listed developer, owner, and manager of industrial and logistics properties by gross lettable area (GLA), has fully leased CTPark Weiden with its latest tenant Josef Witt GmbH (Witt), an international textile trading company based in Weiden. At CTPark Weiden, Witt has leased a modern dispatch warehouse including a photovoltaic system in a newly built warehouse. Witt will use approx. 12,500 sqm of warehouse space, 221 sqm of office space and approx. 3,000 sqm of mezzanine space in the newly revitalized CTPark. The 83,000 sqm site at Dr.-Kilian-Strae 12 in Weiden in der Oberpfalz has been owned by CTP since spring 2023. The planned redevelopment includes a comprehensive refurbishment of the existing buildings which provide a rental space of around 45,000 sqm (logistics space 43,000 sqm, office space 2,000 sqm and ancillary space). The size of the external warehouse is 8,000 sqm. Anticipated rental income for CTPark Weiden park is around 3.1 million per annum. Kerstin Harms-Sudarma, Head of Division, Josef Witt GmbH said: "We are delighted to have found a reliable partner in CTP. A decisive factor in our decision in favour of CTPark Weiden was the possibility of centering our storage space at the Weiden site and thus reducing our internal transport routes. CTP's innovative sustainable approach for the redevelopment of the existing buildings at the site convinced us and we are very pleased to be making use of the refurbished brownfield site." In addition to Witt, two local companies, MSA Motor Sport Accessoires GmbH and INOTECH Kunststofftechnik GmbH, have signed leases at CTPark Weiden and Sirl Interaktive Logistik GmbH has taken a lease at the redeveloped park from which to base Heineken's new distribution centre in Germany. Sirl Interaktive Logistik has leased a total area of around 28,000 sqm (17,036 sqm warehouse, 2,264 sqm mezzanine, 8,000 sqm outdoor warehouse, 708 sqm office at CTPark Weiden, MSA Motor Sport Accessoires uses a total of around 5,700 sqm (4,353 sqm warehouse, 1,320 sqm mezzanine, 25 sqm office) and INOTECH Kunststofftechnik rents a total of around 2,000 sqm (1,997 sqm warehouse, 10 car parking spaces). Alexander Hund, Managing Director Construction Development, CTP Germany, said "We are very pleased to have fully let our new park in Weiden well ahead of its completion a great reflection of CTP's track record in delivering outstanding ecosystems which boast a multitude of infrastructure and building types to cater to diverse industry needs. Our latest signing with Josef Witt GmbH confirms the strength of our redevelopment approach at CTPark Weiden as well as the continuing demand for high quality long-term rental space in the region." CTP began renovation of the brownfield site in the third quarter of 2023, during which 10,500 sqm was demolished. Construction is due to start in the first quarter of 2024, with completion and operation scheduled for the third quarter of 2024. ABOUT CTP CTP is the largest listed owner, developer and manager of logistics and industrial real estate in terms of gross leasable area, with 11.2 million sq m. GLA in 10 countries (as of 30 September 2023). The company certifies all new buildings under BREEAM at 'very good' or above and has achieved a negligible-risk ESG rating from Sustainalytics, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability. For more information, please visit: www.ctp.eu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240218223678/en/ Contacts: CONTACT DETAILS FOR ANALYST AND INVESTOR ENQUIRIES: Maarten Otte, Head of Investor Relations Mobile: +420 730 197 500 Email: maarten.otte@ctp.eu CONTACT DETAILS FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Patryk Statkiewicz, Group Head of Marketing PR Mobile: +31 (0) 629 596 119 Email: patryk.statkiewicz@ctp.eu SEC Newgate Sara Champness/James Carnegie Mobile: +44 (0)7962 387 949 Email: CTP@SECNewgate.co.uk EQS Newswire / 19/02/2024 / 09:08 MSK NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, 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 CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF AIFC MAR. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS THE SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED TRASACTION. FOR MORE INFORMATION SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE SHAREHOLDER CIRCULAR PUBLISHED TODAY (THE "CIRCULAR") AS A WHOLE AND IN ITS ENTIRETY. UNLESS OTHERWISE DEFINED HEREIN, CAPITALISED TERMS WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS DEFINED IN THE CIRCULAR. Polymetal International plc Proposed divestment of Polymetal Group's Russian business and notice of General Meeting Polymetal International plc ("Polymetal", the "Company" or the "Group") announces today that it has entered into contracts for the divestment of its Russian business for an effective total consideration of approximately US$3.69 billion (the "Transaction"). Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including shareholder approval. "The Board, the Special Committee and the management team of the Group are set to deliver on our commitment to restore shareholder value and re-set Polymetal's strategy by selling the Russian business of the Group. A quick, transparent, and sanctions-compliant exit under the terms of the proposed Transaction serves the interests of all stakeholders. The completion of the divestment will allow the Group to de-risk the Company's business, deliver stable cash flows and pursue new investment opportunities. The Board recommends shareholders to vote for the proposed resolution", said Vitaly Nesis, Group CEO. The Transaction will result in the Company focusing on its operations in Kazakhstan. If approved by Shareholders, it will both enable appropriate valuation of the Company's Kazakhstan assets and ensure de-risking and de-leveraging of the Group's operations in Kazakhstan (the "Polymetal Retained Group"). On 16 February 2024, US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control ("OFAC") confirmed to the Company that it would not impose sanctions on non-US persons, including Polymetal, for participating in or facilitating the Transaction. Completion is subject to certain conditions precedent, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and shareholder approval. The Company anticipates that Completion will occur by the end of March 2024. Key terms The Transaction will be effected through a sale of 100 per cent. of the share capital of JSC Polymetal ("Polymetal Russia") to JSC Mangazeya Plus (the "Purchaser"). The Transaction values the Russian business at approximately US$3.69 billion [1] including third-party debt and intra-group arrangements detailed in the Circular. In particular, the effective total consideration will comprise: total gross cash proceeds of approximately US$1,479 million (before tax), represented by: an aggregate dividend of approximately US$1,429 million (before tax) paid by Polymetal Russia to the Company prior to Completion, of which US$278 million [2] (before tax) will be retained by the Company for its general corporate purposes and approximately US$1,151 million [3] (before tax) will be used by the Company to repay, and fully discharge, the Intra-group Debt and related interest owed to Polymetal Russia; and US$50 million [4] in cash paid by the Purchaser to the Company upon Completion, and approximately US$2,210 million of net debt [5] retained by Polymetal Russia with a corresponding de-consolidation from the Company's consolidated balance sheet. All payments under the Transaction will be in Russian roubles through non-sanctioned financial institutions. Based on the above, the net after-tax cash proceeds from the Transaction receivable by the Polymetal Retained Group are expected to be US$300 million. It is the Board's intention to use the proceeds to finance the Ertis POX development project and to improve the Company's liquidity profile. The Transaction with the Purchaser includes several important provisions that go a long way to meet the Company's goals of achieving a quick, clean and sanctions-compliant exit from its Russian operations in a manner which assures the commercial efficiency of processing Kyzyl concentrate into gold dore bars. In particular: The agreement includes provisions for the continued use of the Amursk POX processing facility (a subsidiary of Polymetal Russia) to treat Kyzyl refractory concentrate (the "Tolling Agreement") until the Ertis POX in Kazakhstan is on-line. The Special Committee continues to engage with the U.S. Department of State and OFAC to seek assurance that the continuing Tolling Agreement does not create a risk of US secondary sanctions for the Polymetal Retained Group. The Company has provided the Purchaser with title and capacity warranties only, thus minimizing any exposure to potential warranty claims. The Transaction Agreements comply, and performance thereof will comply, with all Sanctions Laws and Russian Sanctions, and the Purchaser is not subject to any sanctions. The Transaction values Polymetal Russia at 5.3x EV/EBITDA based on Adjusted EBITDA of Polymetal Russia for the 12 months ended 30 June 2023 (US$694 million) and at 3.6x based on estimated FY 2023 Adjusted EBITDA (approximately US$1.0 billion [6] ). Rationale for the Transaction The Board considers that the Transaction presents the most viable opportunity for the Group to restore shareholder value by removing or substantially mitigating critical political, legal, financial and operational risks to the Polymetal Retained Group. The announcement of the Transaction is the result of a review initiated by the Board following the commencement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The Board promptly and firmly committed to divest Polymetal's Russian operations. This commitment became urgent following the Designation of Polymetal Russia in May 2023. The Board, together with the Special Committee (which was established to ensure full and comprehensive compliance with US sanctions and to develop appropriate responses) and external legal counsel, undertook a strategic process to review all possible options in respect of Polymetal Russia in order to restore value for Polymetal shareholders and de-risk its ongoing operations. The Board believes the current structure of the Group continues to expose the Company to unacceptable levels of risk associated with its Russian operations and risks full destruction of value of Polymetal Russia to Shareholders. The main considerations on which the Board has focused include: material risk of nationalization or other form of property expropriation of Polymetal Russia by the Russian Government; material risk of disruption of the Tolling Agreement given the loss of managerial control and operational oversight over Polymetal Russia; material risk of claims by Polymetal Russia against the Group for full settlement of the Intra-group Debt; the restricted ability of the Company to access international finance markets and to maintain relationships with service providers and customers; and the restricted ability to pursue corporate actions for the benefit of Shareholders. Furthermore, for so long as the Designation is in force and the Company has material exposure to Russia, the Polymetal Group will continue to be closely associated with a US-sanctioned entity and be exposed to continuing sanctions risk. This prevents the appropriate valuation of the Company's Kazakhstani assets by the market, while depressing liquidity and causing regulatory obstacles for Shareholders. Therefore, the expedited divestment, as contemplated by the Transaction, is essential for: de-risking the ongoing operations and restoring the Company's access to international financial markets; restoring and preserving shareholder value, including the elimination of discounts that are applied in the international capital markets to 'Russia-related businesses' and resuming dividends payments, if the Board considers it appropriate in the future; and freeing the funds to pursue further growth opportunities and unlocking Western counterparty engagements necessary to procure for, engineer and finance the construction of the Ertis POX project in Kazakhstan. Due to the extreme difficulty and related uncertainty of executing any alternative transaction, and the very material risk that the current structure poses to the Group, the Board, with the support of the Special Committee, considers that the Company's divestment of Polymetal Russia, as proposed by the terms of the Transaction, presents Shareholders with the preferred outcome to preserve value within the Polymetal Retained Group. The Board and the Special Committee each considers that the Transaction and the passing of the Resolution are in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders taken as a whole. Accordingly, the Board recommends that Shareholders, to the extent they are able to do so, vote in favour of the Resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting. The Purchaser The Purchaser is JSC Mangazeya Plus, an entity established for the purpose of the Transaction by Mangazeya Mining. Mangazeya Mining LLC is a Russian precious metals miner operating in the Zabaikalye territory since 2011, and is a subsidiary of Mangazeya Group owned by Sergey Yanchukov. Mangazeya Mining owns a portfolio of development projects with a total resource base of over 12.9 Moz of gold. As at the date of this announcement, and so far as the Company is aware based on due diligence, neither the Purchaser nor the founder and owner have been designated under EU, UK, US Sanctions Laws or Russian Sanctions. Polymetal Retained Group post-completion If Completion occurs, the Polymetal Retained Group will remain the second largest gold producer in Kazakhstan with a headcount of over 3,000, a main listing on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) and a secondary listing on Moscow Exchange (MOEX). It will comprise the following producing assets with the total Ore Reserve base estimated at 11.3 Moz of GE @ 3.3 g/t average grade, each located in Kazakhstan: Kyzyl: this consists of the Bakyrchik open-pit mine and flotation plant. Underground mining is expected to begin from 2030; Varvara hub: this consists of the Varvara and Komarovskoye open-pit mine, the Baksy deposit and the Varvara processing plant; and Ertis POX project: a new POX facility that will be built in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan, and, if approved by the Board in the second half of 2024, launched in 2028. In 2023, the Polymetal Retained Group's production was 486 Koz of GE and generated US$0.9 billion in external revenue. The Company expects a Net Cash position of the Polymetal Retained Group of approximately US$130 million immediately following Completion, compared to a Net Debt position of US$171 million and US$2.4 billion of the Polymetal Retained Group and the Group (including Polymetal Russia), respectively, as of 31 December 2023 [7] . After Completion, the Polymetal Retained Group will focus on strong cash flow generation and a strong balance sheet allowing it to pursue growth opportunities in Kazakhstan and selected Central Asian countries. Polymetal Retained Group is expected to invest over US$1 billion in projects, infrastructure, and exploration in Kazakhstan over the next five years, including, most notably, the Ertis POX facility. Once finalised, the Ertis POX project will ensure the independence of Polymetal's refractory gold production capabilities from the Amursk POX processing facility of Polymetal Russia, while creating valuable economic opportunities for Kazakhstan. General Meeting Despite the Company not being obliged to seek shareholder approval under the AIFC MAR rules or any applicable regulatory requirements applicable to the Polymetal Group, the Company continues to strive to achieve the highest levels of corporate governance and the Board considers that shareholder engagement, including on major transactions, is a key element of that. Therefore, exceptionally, the Company has prepared a circular for Shareholders. The Transaction is conditional upon the resolution being passed by a simple majority of Shareholders who (being entitled to do so) vote in person or by proxy at the General Meeting. The General Meeting will be held at 11:00 a.m. (Astana Time) on Thursday 7 March 2024 at Turkestan Room, AIFC Center, 55/18 Mangilik EL avenue, block C 3.3, Astana, Kazakhstan. Voting will commence shortly after publication of this announcement. Further details of the ways to vote and Notice of General Meeting can be found in the Circular. The vote of Shareholders is important. If the Resolution is not passed, the Transaction will not go ahead and the current structure of the Polymetal Group will be retained. Shareholders' attention is drawn in particular to the risk factors set out in Part II (Risk Factors) of the Circular published by the Company. Shareholders are advised to consult their own legal advisers on compliance with sanctions to which they may be subject or of which they may be unaware as to the application of such sanctions in connection with the Transaction. In particular, to ensure compliance with US sanctions, Shareholders who are US persons should not exercise their vote in respect of the Resolution. Shareholder Circular The Circular describes the background to, and reasons for, the Transaction, and explains why the Board, with the support of the Special Committee, considers the Transaction to be in the best interests of the Company and Shareholders as a whole and recommends that Shareholders, to the extent they are able to do so, vote in favour of the Resolution. Shareholders are urged to read the Circular as a whole and its entirety. A copy of this announcement and the Circular are available at the Company's website: https://www.polymetalinternational.com/en/investors-and-media/shareholder-centre/general-meetings/ . Transaction timetable Announcement of the Transaction and publication of this Circular 19 February 2024 Latest time and date for receipt of Voting Instructions for the General Meeting 11 a.m. on 5 March 2024 General Meeting 11 a.m. on 7 March 2024 Announcement of results of General Meeting 7 March 2024 Expected date for Completion End of March 2024 Longstop Date for Completion 30 April 2024 The above times refer to Astana time. The above times and/or dates may be subject to change by the Company and in the event of any such change, the revised times and/or dates will be notified to Shareholders by an announcement through the Company website or as otherwise may be required under the AIFC Laws and the AIX Business Rules. Analyst & Investor Briefing The Company will be hosting an Analyst and Investor Briefing webcast today at 15:00 Astana time (9:00 am London time). At the event, Vitaly Nesis, Group CEO, and Maxim Nazimok, CFO, will further discuss the proposed divestment of Polymetal Russia. To join the webcast please follow the link: https://streamstudio.world-television.com/CCUIv3/login.aspx?ticket=1451-2739-39090&target=en Webcast participants will be able to ask questions via live chat. A recording of the event will be available at the webcast link above and on the Company's website soon after the event. Enquiries Investor Relations Media FTI Consulting Evgeny Monakhov +44 20 7887 1475 (UK) Kirill Kuznetsov Alikhan Bissengali +7 7172 47 66 55 (Kazakhstan) ir@polymetalinternational.com Yerkin Uderbay +7 7172 47 66 55 (Kazakhstan) media@polymetal.kz Leonid Fink Viktor Pomichal +44 20 3727 1000 (UK) FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this release. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "targets", "believes", "expects", "aims", "intends", "will", "may", "anticipates", "would", "could" or "should" or similar expressions or, in each case their negative or other variations or by discussion of strategies, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements all include matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the company's control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the company's present and future business strategies and the environment in which the company will operate in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. There are many factors that could cause the company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. [1] The effective total consideration is set out in US dollars for presentational purposes. Amounts comprised within the valuation are based on currency exchange rates and outstanding loan and cash balances of Polymetal Russia as of 31 December 2023. Actual amounts will be determined as of the actual settlement date, prior to Completion and depend on, among other factors, currency exchange rates as of that date. [2] The dividend expressed in is payable in RUB based on the RUB equivalent of US$278 million. [3] The intra-group indebtedness is set out in US dollars for presentational purposes using the exchange rate and outstanding intra-group loan balance as of 31 December 2023. The actual intra-group loan balance including accrued interest, which comprises currencies other than US dollars, will be determined as of the actual settlement date, prior to Completion and payable in Russian roubles at the then applicable exchange rate with the dividend paid at the corresponding amount on an after-tax basis. [4] The cash consideration is payable in Russian roubles based on the Russian roubles equivalent of US$50 million. [5] The net debt of Polymetal Russia is presented in USD for indicative purposes based on currency exchange rates and the net debt of Polymetal Russia as of 31 December 2023. Actual amounts will be determined as at Completion and depend on, among other factors, the currency exchange rates as of that date. [6] Unaudited management accounts. [7] Based on unaudited management accounts. File: Polymetal International plc: Proposed divestment of Polymetal Group's Russian business and notice of General Meeting 19/02/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com PanGenomic Health Inc - PanGenomic Health Announces Withdrawal from AQSE PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, February 19 PanGenomic Health Announces Withdrawal from AQSE Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 19 February 2024 - PanGenomic Health Inc. ("PanGenomic Health" or the "Company") (CSE: NARA) (AQSE: NARA) announces its intention to withdraw the Company's Class A Common Shares ("Shares") from the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market ("AQSE"). Pursuant to the AQSE Access Rulebook, the Company is required to give 20 business days' notice of its intention to withdraw from trading on AQSE. Therefore, trading in the Shares will cease at 4:30 pm, UK time, on 15 March 2024. The Shares will continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol, "NARA", and the Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Munich Stock Exchanges under the symbol, "LL30". The directors of the Company have taken this decision in light of the limited trading of the Shares on the Access Market segment of AQSE since the Company's admission to the AQSE. This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR. The directors of PanGenomic Health take responsibility for this announcement. About PanGenomic Health PanGenomic Health is a precision health company that has developed a self-care digital platform to deliver personalized, evidence-based information about natural treatments. The Company's initial focus is to support mental health. Registered as a British Columbia benefit company, PanGenomic Health's mission is to promote and improve the health and wellness of people and society by providing a technology platform that identifies plant-based solutions tailored to the health profile of each individual. For more information, please contact: Jerry Lai, Investor Relations Novum Securities Limited, AQSE Corporate Adviser PanGenomic Health Inc. David Coffman/ George Duxberry +1 778 743 4642 +44 (0)207 399 9400 ir@pangenomic.com This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements", including statements respecting the services to be provided by PanGenomic Health and the consideration to be paid to PanGenomic Health. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "would", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. Although PanGenomic Health believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because PanGenomic Health can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this News Release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in PanGenomic Health's disclosure documents which can be found under PanGenomic Health's profile on www.sedarplus.ca. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Regulatory News: Air Liquide (Paris:AI) announces an investment of over 50 million euros to build a new innovative plant in Singapore and revamp its existing facilities in Malta (New York, U.S.), supplying high purity nitrogen to GlobalFoundries (GF). These Air Liquide projects will enable GlobalFoundries to benefit from higher energy efficiencies. To bring significant energy efficiencies to GlobalFoundries, Air Liquide's new plant in Singapore is leveraging the Group's proprietary state-of-the-art designs, reducing the amount of electricity needed. The new plant isexpected to be operational by 2026 Additionally, Air Liquide has renewed its partnership to supply high purity gases to GlobalFoundries' existing units at its Malta, New York site over the next 15 years. In this context, the units in New York will be upgraded via energy efficiency projects in order to support the site's efficiency and sustainability needs over this period. Together, these projects will enable GlobalFoundries to further reduce its overall carbon footprint. This collaboration is part of Air Liquide's long-lasting partnership with GlobalFoundries, to support their growth in major semiconductor hubs, as illustrated by their cooperation in Dresden, Germany. The semiconductor industry is rapidly evolving, with increasing demand for more energy-efficient semiconductor chips and Air Liquide is scaling up investments in major semiconductor hubs to support its customer's presence in key markets such as smart mobile devices, automotive, IoT and data centers. Armelle Levieux, member of Air Liquide's Executive Committee overseeing Electronics activities, stated: "Our journey with GlobalFoundries started more than 20 years ago and these contract extensions are further reinforcing our strategic partnership. To meet the specific needs of our electronics customers, we develop innovative solutions that bring both efficiencies and sustainability benefits. Combined with our strategic presence, close to our customers in major semiconductor hubs, our comprehensive portfolio of products and services enables us to address the technological challenges of the semiconductor industry while leveraging opportunities arising from the market's structural growth." Roberto Avallone, Head of Global Facilities and Capacity Planning at GlobalFoundries, stated: "Environmental sustainability is imperative to our business as we continue to meet the demand for GF-manufactured essential chips. Our strong collaboration with Air Liquide is a part of our global manufacturing expansion strategy in Singapore, U.S. and Germany, and we look forward to adopting more innovative solutions that further decarbonize our operations in line with our global Journey to Zero Carbon strategy." Announced in August 2021, GF's Journey to Zero Carbon Goal aims first to reduce the company's total greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030, despite a significant planned growth of its global manufacturing capacity. Air Liquide Electronics Generating 2,558 million in revenue in 2022 the Electronics business line of Air Liquide is a world reference in designing, manufacturing and supplying ultra high purity gases and advanced materials for this industry. The Electronics business line of Air Liquide is a long-term partner providing innovative and sustainable solutions to the semiconductors, photovoltaics and flat-panel displays markets. More than 4,600 employees worldwide are dedicated to providing the working agility and reliability our customers need. www.electronics-airliquide.com ____________________________ A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 73 countries with approximately 67,100 employees and serves more than 3.9 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the company's activities since its creation in 1902. Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquide's strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transition-particularly with hydrogen-and takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies. Air Liquide's revenue amounted to more than 29.9 billion euros in 2022. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50, FTSE4Good and DJSI Europe indexes. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240218435285/en/ Contacts: Corporate Communications media@airliquide.com Investor Relations IRTeam@airliquide.com GURUGRAM, India, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vietnam's complex NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) fertilizer market is flourishing, driven by the country's burgeoning agricultural sector and increasing focus on sustainable farming practices. Ken Research's "Vietnam Complex NPK Fertilizer Market Outlook" report predicts a promising 6.4% CAGR, translating to a substantial $2.7 billion market size by 2027. This press release delves into the key drivers, challenges, and exciting prospects shaping this dynamic landscape. Market Overview: Nourishing Growth, Cultivating Sustainability Beyond simply providing essential nutrients for crops, complex NPK fertilizers play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and supporting the livelihoods of millions of Vietnamese farmers. In 2022, the market reached a size of $2.0 billion, and it's on track for robust growth, fueled by: Expanding Agricultural Sector: Rising population and increasing demand for food drive the need for higher crop yields, boosting fertilizer demand. Rising population and increasing demand for food drive the need for higher crop yields, boosting fertilizer demand. Government Initiatives: Government programs promoting precision agriculture and sustainable practices stimulate demand for specialized NPK fertilizers. Government programs promoting precision agriculture and sustainable practices stimulate demand for specialized NPK fertilizers. Shifting Crop Patterns: Growing focus on high-value crops like fruits and vegetables necessitates tailored NPK blends for optimal growth. Growing focus on high-value crops like fruits and vegetables necessitates tailored NPK blends for optimal growth. Rising Rural Incomes: Increasing disposable incomes enable farmers to invest in better quality fertilizers, improving crop yields and profitability. Interested to Know More about this Report, Request a Free Sample Report Market Segmentation: Diverse Needs, Tailored Solutions The report dives into the various segments of the Vietnamese complex NPK fertilizer market, offering a comprehensive view: Product Type: NPK fertilizers with balanced nutrient ratios dominate (60%), followed by specialty blends with micronutrients (20%) and controlled-release fertilizers (20%). Specific crop needs drive product choices. NPK fertilizers with balanced nutrient ratios dominate (60%), followed by specialty blends with micronutrients (20%) and controlled-release fertilizers (20%). Specific crop needs drive product choices. Application Method: Foliar application is gaining traction (30%), followed by soil application (70%). Convenience and targeted nutrient delivery influence preferences. Foliar application is gaining traction (30%), followed by soil application (70%). Convenience and targeted nutrient delivery influence preferences. Distribution Channel: Direct sales to farmers hold the largest share (50%), followed by distributors (30%) and retail stores (20%). Distribution networks evolve with changing preferences. Competitive Landscape: Local & Global Players Cultivate Partnerships The market features a mix of established local players, regional leaders, and multinational corporations: Local Champions: Phu My Fertilizer, DAP Vinachem, and HAIPHONG Fertilizer Joint Stock Company offer local expertise and established distribution networks. Phu My Fertilizer, DAP Vinachem, and HAIPHONG Fertilizer Joint Stock Company offer local expertise and established distribution networks. Regional Leaders: Indorama Chemicals (Thailand) and Petronas Chemicals Group (Malaysia) bring regional experience and diverse product portfolios. Indorama Chemicals (Thailand) and Petronas Chemicals Group (Malaysia) bring regional experience and diverse product portfolios. Global Titans: Yara International (Norway), The Mosaic Company (US), and K+S Aktiengesellschaft (Germany) provide international best practices and advanced technologies. Challenges: Weathering the Storms for a Bountiful Future Despite the promising outlook, some challenges need to be addressed: Fluctuating Raw Material Prices: Dependence on imported raw materials exposes the market to price volatility, impacting production costs and fertilizer affordability. Dependence on imported raw materials exposes the market to price volatility, impacting production costs and fertilizer affordability. Counterfeit Products: The presence of counterfeit fertilizers can harm crop yields, reduce farmer profits, and erode trust in legitimate players. The presence of counterfeit fertilizers can harm crop yields, reduce farmer profits, and erode trust in legitimate players. Limited Soil Testing: Insufficient soil testing practices hinder farmers from using the optimal NPK blend, potentially leading to over-fertilization and environmental damage. Insufficient soil testing practices hinder farmers from using the optimal NPK blend, potentially leading to over-fertilization and environmental damage. Lack of Knowledge & Training: Educating farmers about sustainable fertilizer practices and balanced nutrient management is crucial for long-term soil health and yield optimization. Visit this Link :- Request for custom report Future Outlook: A Sustainable, Efficient, and Knowledge-Driven Ecosystem The Vietnamese complex NPK fertilizer market is poised for continued growth, driven by several exciting factors: Focus on Precision Agriculture: Adoption of smart farming technologies like soil sensors and data analytics will enable tailored fertilizer application and reduced waste. Adoption of smart farming technologies like soil sensors and data analytics will enable tailored fertilizer application and reduced waste. Bio-Based & Organic Fertilizers: Growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives will encourage the development and adoption of sustainable fertilizer options. Growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives will encourage the development and adoption of sustainable fertilizer options. Contract Farming & Consolidation: Contract farming models and consolidation among farmers can create bargaining power and improve access to high-quality fertilizers. Contract farming models and consolidation among farmers can create bargaining power and improve access to high-quality fertilizers. Government Partnerships & Education: Public-private partnerships and farmer education programs can promote sustainable practices and responsible fertilizer use. Key Takeaways for Stakeholders: This report offers valuable insights for various stakeholders in the Vietnamese complex NPK fertilizer market, including: Fertilizer Producers: Investing in innovative and sustainable products, strengthening distribution networks, and collaborating with research institutions. Investing in innovative and sustainable products, strengthening distribution networks, and collaborating with research institutions. Investors: Identifying high-growth segments like bio-based fertilizers and precision agriculture solutions. Identifying high-growth segments like bio-based fertilizers and precision agriculture solutions. Policymakers: Implementing policies to stabilize raw material prices, combat counterfeiting, and promote soil testing and farmer education. Implementing policies to stabilize raw material prices, combat counterfeiting, and promote soil testing and farmer education. Farmers: Adopting sustainable practices, utilizing soil testing, and seeking knowledge about balanced nutrient management for optimal crop yields. Conclusion: Vietnam's complex NPK fertilizer market stands on the cusp of a transformative journey, promising to nourish growth, cultivate sustainability, and empower millions of farmers. By overcoming challenges like raw material price volatility and limited knowledge, the sector can unlock its full potential and ensure food security for a growing nation. Through collaborative efforts, a commitment to sustainable practices, and a focus on farmer education, the Vietnamese complex NPK fertilizer market can truly bloom into a vibrant ecosystem that nourishes the land, enriches lives, and secures a bountiful future for all. Request free 30 minutes analyst call Taxonomy Vietnam Complex Fertilizer Market Segmentation By Form of fertilizer Granulated Blended By Type of fertilizer Two Nutrients Three Nutrients By Grade of fertilizers 16-16-8 20-20-15 14-14-14 15-15-15 16-16-16 17-7-17 V type 20-10-5 (highest nitrogen) Others By Type of crops Cereals Fruits & Vegetables Oilseeds Others By Region North Central South For More Insights On Market Intelligence, Refer To The Link Below: - Vietnam Complex (NPK) Fertilizer Market Related Reports by Ken Research: - US Biostimulants Market Outlook to 2029 Segment by Form (Amino Acids, Fulvic Acid, Humic Acid, Protein Hydrolysates, Seaweed Extracts) and By Application Type (Foliar Treatment, Soil Treatment, and Seed Treatment), and By Region (North, East, West, and South) The US Bio-stimulants market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13% from 2022 to 2029 with increasing demand for sustainable agriculture, an upsurge in the demand for seaweed as raw material, high agriculture production worldwide, and others. The US Bio-stimulants market is growing at a significant rate despite all the challenges. Australia Crop Protection Market Outlook to 2027F By Origin (synthetic, bio-based), By Type (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, molluscicides and others), By Application (grains and cereals, pulses and oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, commercial crops, and others) According to Ken Research estimates, the Australia Crop Protection Market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of ~% in the period of 2022-2027F, owing to the increase in demand for bio-pesticides and the adoption of herbicide-resistant crops by farmers. Crops, like wheat, barley, sugarcane, canola, cotton, vegetables, and fruits, are largely grown in Australia and are major users of pesticides. Oman Crop Protection Market Outlook 2027F driven by government regulations & technological innovations According to Ken Research estimates, the Oman Crop Protection Market which grew at a CAGR of ~% from 2017-2022 & is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of ~% from 2023-2027F owing to government regulations, ban on usage of synthetic pesticide & increasing demand for agricultural productivity. Advent of new agricultural technologies & increasing population growth rate with rise in calorie intake per capita has not only fuelled the overall demand for food grains but has also resulted in an increase in the demand for agricultural pesticides. Nigeria Crop Protection Market Outlook to 2027F Segmented by Type (Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides, others) and Bio-pesticides (Bio-chemical pesticides, Microbial Pesticides, others)) by Crop Type (Cereal, Vegetable and Forage Crops) According to Ken Research estimates, the Nigeria Crop Protection Market - which grew from approximately USD ~ Bn in 2017 to approximately USD ~ Bn in 2022 - is forecasted to grow further into a USD ~ Bn opportunity by 2027F, owing to more natural resources in the country and the high agronomic knowledge on tropical conditions. Follow Us - LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Contact Us:- Ken Research Private Limited Ankur Gupta, Director Strategy and Growth Ankur@kenresearch.com +91-9015378249 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1954972/3782349/Ken_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/vietnam-complex-npk-fertilizer-market-blooms-2-7-billion-harvest-by-2027-fueled-by-growth--sustainability-ken-research-302064915.html West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) launches the West Midlands Global Growth Programme - a free package of support for European technology companies looking to make their mark in the region. Programme to be delivered in partnership with Bruntwood SciTech, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park and the University of Warwick Science Park, significantly expanding on WMGC's existing investor support offering. WMGC inviting applications from eligible European businesses, with 40 spaces available for 2024. BIRMINGHAM, England, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The West Midlands' official investment promotion agency has launched its 2024 Global Growth Programme - a unique, nine-month package of free market entry support, providing European companies with a springboard to success in the region. Developed by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), the programme aims to boost investment in the West Midlands from overseas tech businesses through access to the ultimate suite of support, designed to accelerate their growth journey at the heart of the UK. Through new partnerships with Bruntwood SciTech - the UK's largest dedicated property platform serving the growth of the nation's knowledge economy, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park and the University of Warwick Science Park, the programme significantly expands on WMGC's previous support offering for new investors. The West Midlands Global Growth Programme has been designed to address the key challenges faced by ambitious, innovative companies at every stage of development - from scale-ups to large corporates - when entering the UK market for the first time. Its free package of support includes sponsored innovation centre workspace, access to sector specific programmes and bespoke professional services assistance, covering areas such as UK subsidiary set-up, introductions to local networks, UK VISA assistance and marketing amplification. Building on the overwhelming success of the pilot programme, which was based at Bruntwood SciTech's Innovation Birmingham campus and focused on supporting international tech companies, the 2024 Global Growth Programme will be delivered across a larger network of landing hubs. Five hubs located across Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry create an expanded offering with tailored support for a broader range of sectors, including Digital Tech, Health Tech, Clean Tech and Future Mobility. European companies that have successfully expanded into the UK as a result of the Global Growth Programme include Poland-based Scanthesun, Diagu, and Alcomm; Finland-based Cimcorp Oy and Turkey-based Sade Labs, Kollestee, Biyomod and Agiliom Technology Services Limited. During the 2022/23 financial year, the West Midlands achieved record FDI results. The region saw the greatest growth in FDI projects in the UK, surpassing London and outstripping the country's average by fivefold.?Following the recently agreed Deeper Devolution Deal, the region's drive to attract more FDI into the region will be supported by WMGC's co-development of an international strategy, along with the UK Government's Department for Business and Trade. With only 40 places available on the West Midlands Global Growth Programme for 2024, WMGC is now accepting applications. Businesses can find out whether they're eligible to apply and register their interest here. Neil Rami, Chief Executive at the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), said: "To date, our Global Growth Programme has proven a resounding success, helping a number of international companies to kickstart their growth journeys in the West Midlands. The launch of the Global Growth Programme 2024, which is bigger and better than ever before, will enable us to use our best-in-class expertise to support businesses across a wider range of sectors, from new hubs right across the region. We look forward to working with this year's cohort to help them reach new heights, strengthening the West Midlands' world-class innovation ecosystem." Sabarinath C. Nair, CEO at Skillveri, said: "With our target customers spread widely across England and Scotland, it made perfect sense to position ourselves in the West Midlands - right at the heart of the UK. As well as being extremely well connected to other major UK cities by road and rail, Birmingham was a much more cost-competitive option than the likes of London. "Being part of the West Midlands Global Growth Programme gave us a real head-start on our UK growth journey. In particular, having access to free desk space at Innovation Birmingham - where we had dedicated consultancy and networking opportunities on our doorstep - has helped us to hit the ground running and thrive in the region from day one." Kai-Tse Lin, Co-Founder at Bellwether Industries, said: "The West Midlands' unique combination of an established manufacturing heritage and world-class strengths in emerging technologies made it the obvious location for us to test and scale our innovative eVTOL solutions. "The best thing about being part of the West Midlands Global Growth Programme was having around-the-clock access to bespoke consultancy, from our base at Bruntwood SciTech's innovation hub. These conversations enabled us to quickly add value to our business model by identifying partnership and networking opportunities in the local ecosystem. In particular, a key highlight of the Programme was being invited to attend the Future Mobility event at Commonwealth Games business conference, UK House, where we made valuable connections with local universities and key players in the global Clean Tech industry." Notes to editors: West Midlands Growth Company The West Midlands Growth Company helps the region make its mark nationally and internationally. Its primary purpose is to attract investment, jobs, visitors and businesses to the West Midlands. The West Midlands Growth Company focuses on the WMCA geography of Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, and the Black Country. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2340524/West_Midlands_Growth_Company_1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/best-in-class-uk-market-entry-support-programme-opens-for-applications-302064289.html Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2024) - In a grand revelation, ClickDealer, powered by DMS, has been announced as an attendee of Affiliate World Dubai 2024. Riding on the back of a stellar growth curve in the past year, the company is all set to present its flagship offerings, including Customer Direct Group, which incorporates MyHomeQuote. The latter represents a complimentary online service providing homeowners with competitive quotations from contractors across all U.S. states. ClickDealer is exhibiting at Affiliate World Global 2024 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8871/198416_real_7b15bc0d-bf97-47d2-a84b-e0881a775c26.jpg With over 5,500 expected attendees from 170+ affiliate networks spanning 110+ countries, the two-day Affiliate World Global conference will carve out an exclusive platform for top-rated affiliate marketers and e-commerce gurus on the 28-29th of February 2024. This highly anticipated event will feature 35+ speakers, 120+ advertisers, and 40+ primary traffic sources, making it an epicenter for data-driven insights, market analysis, and significant partnerships. Affiliate World Dubai 2024 provides marquee-level access to the most sharp-witted marketers and traffic source account managers in the niche. Participants can seize ample opportunities for networking and gaining valuable insights. They can expect advanced lessons in modern marketing with over 35 live sessions and panels covering hot topics like Meta Ads, Native Ads, Search Arbitrage, and more. Plus, a two-day expo with 300 exhibitors will throw light on the latest tools and technologies transforming the industry. Affiliate World Dubai is a dynamic conference with limited availability and high demand. It offers prospective media buyers, SEO specialists, and like-minded enthusiasts an opportunity to boost their affiliate marketing game. The 2-day exhibition, speeches, and networking events will culminate in the beautiful setting at Bla Bla Dubai. Thus, melding business and pleasure, conferees can enjoy breathtaking sea views while soaking in collective industry wisdom in a refreshing social context. About the company: ClickDealer, powered by DMS, is a global marketing agency offering comprehensive and cost-effective advertising services. Its in-house platform is made to streamline and simplify the daily grind for anyone running CPA campaigns, making more room for creativity and experimentation. Its main objective is to make performance marketing more straightforward and individualized. Contact Info: Email: info@clickdealer.com Organization: ClickDealer Phone: +31 (0) 202404459 Website: https://www.clickdealer.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198416 SOURCE: PRNews OU TOKYO, Feb 19, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701), a leading global IT and network transformation services provider, announced today that it will enhance the NEC Value Added Network Solution Suite by adding open enterprise network solutions to its portfolio, including AI-enabled network and security solutions to accelerate businesses' digital transformation (DX) and enable telecom monetization. Moreover, in collaboration with its strategic global partners, NEC will provide holistic network solutions and services - including award-winning telecom B2B/enterprise network solutions - to support businesses in achieving sustainable growth through innovation.Currently, the business landscape is marked by an unprecedented transition from traditional non-automated workstyles to digitalized ones, and enterprises must harness the possibilities of digital and artificial intelligence to gain an edge. As part of this, they must transform their networks by improving capacity, security, and operational efficiency. However, infrastructure transformation is not easy since each business has unique objectives, requiring corresponding infrastructure adjustments. For example, businesses must determine whether to use public or hybrid clouds, or whether to utilize centralized or edge architecture.To meet the emerging challenges of enterprises, NEC has added open enterprise network solutions to its Value Added Network Solution Suite portfolio, which is helping businesses to optimize their ROI through best-of-breed solutions and trusted advanced services that meet diverse enterprise needs. These services are offered by NEC Transport Network Centers of Excellence in EMEA, LATAM and APAC, which enhance customer experiences in their regions and collectively boast over 500 engineers worldwide, whose best practices provide a wide range of services, from business planning consultation and engineering services, to managed services offering integrated support for enterprise success.With a trusted service record, the NEC Value Added Network Solution Suite has already been successfully deployed by global Tier-1 Telecoms. With this new enhancement for enterprise network solutions, NEC is poised to further accelerate support for digital transformation in the era beyond 5G, building on its expertise, and delivering innovative solutions and services for the unique challenges of modern businesses.Supporting Quotes"Adtran is proud to be part of NEC's Enterprise Digital Innovation initiative with our innovative open networking solutions. Supporting the enterprise market is part of our DNA and we believe that our long and successful track record in that space will help NEC to achieve its goals. Automation of network operations is becoming a key requirement for staying competitive in the market. Our AI-driven network management solutions will help NEC to support automation transformation for their customers. We are also very happy to contribute our open optical solutions and market leading synchronization products to NEC Transport Network Centers of Excellence," said Stephan Neidlinger, Vice President, Global Business Development, Adtran."We are pleased to collaborate with NEC, an Infinera global alliance partner, to deliver best-in-class open optical solutions that enable enterprises to harness the benefit of artificial intelligence with improved efficiency and sustainability. Our robust suite of datacenter interconnect solutions helps enterprises cost-efficiently connect their distributed datacenters, a differentiated offering delivered jointly with NEC's Center of Excellence," said Lorraine Twigg, Global Vice President, Channel Partners, Infinera."Networking that focuses end-to-end on consistent, reliable user experiences by leveraging true AI innovation delivers digital transformation and business value for the enterprise. Juniper's new windowAI-Native Networking Platform provides the assurance that every connection is more reliable, measurable and secure for any user, device, application or asset in the cloud-first ecosystem. As a long-standing global technology partner of NEC, it is exciting to extend our COE collaboration into the enterprise space with this unique technology," said Thomas Desrues, Vice President, Strategic Alliances, Juniper Networks."NEC recognizes that digital transformation (DX) is fundamental to a business' sustainable growth. Leveraging decades of experience in networking accumulated through the telecom business, NEC enables network transformations for enterprises, leading to success in the era of artificial intelligence," said Masayuki Kayahara, General Manager, Service Provider Solutions Department, NEC Corporation.About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of "Orchestrating a brighter world." NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.Source: NEC CorporationCopyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Part of Abu Dhabi's Hub71, The Cloud secures $12 million in Series B funding, with MENA Moonshots among the new investors, reflecting broad market confidence Strategic acquisition of KBOX adds 200 locations in the UK to The Cloud's global portfolio, purchased for an undisclosed amount, signaling a strategic move into the European market with expansion planned in the UK, Lithuania, Belgium, and the Netherlands Founder & Chairman Georges Karam, alongside strategic investors, positions The Cloud as a disruptor in the food tech sector, aiming for a dual listing in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh by 2027 with a target of 8,000 locations DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cloud, a Hub71 food tech startup, has announced the successful first close of its $12 million Series B funding round out of a total $30 million it is raising. The funding round saw participation from a new investor, MENA Moonshots, showcasing confidence in The Cloud's ambitions to innovate and expand. This milestone, coupled with debt financing from Aluna Partners, and the strategic acquisition of the UK-based food tech startup KBOX, marks a significant stride for The Cloud, founded by Georges Karam, towards redefining the virtual dining landscape in the GCC and Europe. With a vision deeply rooted in leveraging in-house technology to disrupt the food industry, The Cloud's acquisition of KBOX strategically expands its global footprint by 200 locations in the UK. This move underlines the company's commitment to driving innovation and asserting leadership in the food tech sector, setting the stage for rapid expansion across the UK and other strategic European markets such as Lithuania, Belgium, and Netherlands. The Series B funding, a balanced mix of equity and debt, is a testament to The Cloud's business model and its vision. Having initially raised $10 million in the Series A funding, this round brings The Cloud's total funds raised to $22 million, which highlights the company's capacity to attract strategic partners like MENA Moonshots. The investments extend beyond capital, providing invaluable expertise and access to networks as The Cloud ambitiously eyes new markets and innovative dining solutions. Georges Karam, Founder & Chairman of The Cloud, shared his enthusiasm for the new developments, stating: "Our Series B funding and the acquisition of KBOX cement our role as disruptors in the global food tech sector. With a cumulative $22 million raised to date, we're not only eyeing new markets but are set on increasing our market share in existing territories. Our in-house developed technology and strategy for further acquisitions underscore our belief in the industry's consolidation and our commitment to scaling strong homegrown brands internationally. Looking forward, we continue to actively eye more strategic acquisitions while also seeking to raise further capital." Stefano Sciacca, Managing Director at Aluna Partners, said, "The online food delivery market is a mega trend that is here to stay. We believe that The Cloud will gain significant market share in the UK market through the acquisition of KBOX. Having looked at many food tech business models, we believe The Cloud is emerging as a global market leader and are excited to support such a fast-growing venture." The additional capital from the Series B funding will be instrumental in accelerating growth, with a significant portion earmarked for international expansion, enhancing operational capabilities, and further developing The Cloud's proprietary technology platform. With a presence in 7 countries and 91 cities, and ambitions to reach 8,000 locations by the end of 2027, The Cloud is on track for a dual listing in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, marking a new era of growth for the virtual chain in the EMEA region. As the company advances on this growth trajectory, it remains committed to its mission of transforming the global dining experience, empowering restaurateurs, and setting new benchmarks for quality and innovation in the food tech industry. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2342500/The_Cloud.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2342501/The_Cloud_2.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-cloud-secures-12-million-in-series-b-funding-acquires-leading-uk-food-tech-startup-kbox-aiming-for-expansion-in-europe-302064949.html BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 5G enables connectivity of everything. Since it was put into commercial use four years ago, 5G has redefined communications for billions of individual users, tens of millions of households, and a myriad of industries. Having firmly established itself as the foundation for the digital economy, the large-scale commercialization of 5G networks in recent years has promoted the upgrade of new services and scenarios, which in turn, has posed higher requirements on the network. Mercifully, 5.5G Intelligent Core has arrived at this juncture to overcome such higher network requirements. 5.5G moves one-step ahead of 5G by enabling the intelligent connectivity of everything. Since 5.5G came to the stage about two years ago, the technologies, ecosystems, and standards around it have been continuously blossoming. As the technical value and potential of 5.5G Intelligent Core is as clear as the light of day, all industry stakeholders believe that 2024 will witness the debut of commercial 5.5G. 5.5G Intelligent Core, at the center of 5.5G, is poised to enable interactive calling, 10 Gbps speeds, and experience-based operations, paving the way for the development of immersive and interactive services. 5.5G Intelligent Core helps carriers better monetize networks through service intelligence, network intelligence, and O&M Intelligence. In terms of service intelligence, Huawei has made a head start with New Calling, which has been proven commercially viable in China. Under a "1+3+N" open network architecture, New Calling leverages the computing capabilities and bandwidth resources on the network side and introduces cutting-edge technologies, such as those related to intelligence. In this way, New Calling transforms conventional audio and video calling into ultra-HD, interactive, and intelligent communications, delivering a brand-new experience to individual users and also helping enterprises reduce costs and improve efficiency. In 2023, a Chinese carrier deployed a New Calling network, which can serve up to 50 million users across China. After the network was launched, the carrier saw an exponential growth of New Calling users, with one of its regional branches alone attracting as many as 20,000 users per day. In addition to New Calling, the InteractVideo solution also injects intelligence into home media services. For network intelligence, Huawei has combined the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) centric intelligence plane of the core network with intrinsic intelligence of other core network NFs. This, in coordination with the next-generation gateway, has realized ubiquitous 10 Gbps speeds and experience-based operations. With network intelligence, the core network can sense and evaluate user experiences in real time, and dynamically adjust network capabilities to optimize experiences. In this way, network resources can be utilized more efficiently, and services can be better monetized based on differentiated experiences. All of this has been proven feasible in China with services including live streaming, cloud gaming, and online conferencing. Furthermore, the eUPF has been introduced, with its intelligence lying in flow forwarding and scheduling, making not only 10 Gbps possible, but also offering users an ultimate and unforgettable experience. As for O&M intelligence, innovative technologies such as automatic orchestration, network-related foundation models, and digital twin have been introduced for agile delivery and high network resilience. Huawei's ADN solution is built on top of this. In 2023, the ADN solution had been applied at China Mobile, stc in Saudi Arabia, and AIS in Thailand, gaining strong industry recognition and scooping numerous awards from Glotel and TM Forum. MWC 2024 will run from February 26 to 29 in Barcelona, Spain. At this year's MWC, Huawei will release innovative products and solutions related to the 5.5G Intelligent Core. Huawei calls on all industry partners to join hands, to define and foster a sustainable 5.5G ecosystem. Together, let's fast-track the development and commercialization of 5.5G Intelligent Core and advance into an intelligent world. CONTACT: liuhao@huawei.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2342466/image.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mwc-2024--5-5g-intelligent-core-empowers-carrier-business-302064952.html MARYVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / In a significant testament to its unyielding commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, Skiers Choice brand Supra Boats has once again been honored with the coveted Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award for 2023 by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). This year's accolade marks an unparalleled achievement for Supra Boats, as it continues to build on its impressive streak of recognitions, further reinforcing its status as a leader in the marine industry. Supra 19th CSI Award The NMMA CSI Award, a hallmark of industry excellence, is presented annually to boat and engine manufacturers who consistently achieve high ratings from their customers across various parameters including product quality, dealership service, and overall customer satisfaction. This recognition is based on comprehensive surveys conducted among customers who have purchased a new boat or engine in the past year, underscoring the award's significance as a direct reflection of consumer trust and satisfaction. With this latest award, Supra Boats not only celebrates its 19th consecutive CSI honor but also reaffirms its position as the top wakeboat brand in its segment. Such consistent recognition over the years is a clear indicator of Supra Boats' dedication to excellence and its unwavering focus on delivering an exceptional boating experience to its customers. Chris Crysdale, VP of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service at Supra Boats, expressed his pride in the company's achievements, stating, "Receiving the NMMA CSI Award for the 19th consecutive year is a remarkable honor that reflects our continuous effort to exceed the expectations of our customers. We are committed to innovation, quality, and customer service, and this award is a testament to our team's dedication to maintaining the highest standards in everything we do." Supra Boats, produced by Skier's Choice, a marine manufacturing leader, is renowned for its high-performance, stylish, and comfortable towboats. Based in Maryville, Tennessee, Skier's Choice employs hundreds of highly skilled experts and craftspeople who contribute to creating the ultimate boating experience for customers worldwide. As Supra Boats looks to the future, it remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation and customer service, striving to set new benchmarks in the boating industry. This latest CSI Award serves as a beacon of Supra Boats' enduring legacy and its promise to deliver unparalleled boating adventures. For more information about Supra Boats and their award-winning line of products, visit Supra Boats Website. About Supra Boats Supra Boats, a leading name in the wakeboat industry, is celebrated for its innovation, performance, and luxury. Manufactured by Skier's Choice, Supra Boats is committed to delivering superior quality and an unmatched boating experience. About NMMA The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading trade organization for the North American recreational boating industry. NMMA represents boat, marine engine, and accessory manufacturers, dedicated to advocating for the boating industry and promoting the boating lifestyle. Contact Information Skiers Choice Moomba Boats Company 865-983-9924 SOURCE: Skiers Choice View the original press release on newswire.com. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2024) - Orex Minerals Inc. (TSXV: REX) (OTCQB: ORMNF) is pleased to announce that the company is presenting a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services on February 27th, 2024 at 2:00 PM ET. We invite our shareholders, and all interested parties to register for the webinar and participate in the live Q&A session at the end of the presentation moderated by Red Cloud. The replay will be emailed out to all webinar registrants proceeding the event and will also be available on the Red Cloud website. For more information and to register: https://redcloudfs.com/rcwebinar-vipr-5/. Orex Minerals Inc. announces the Valenciana Project. Please join Ben Whiting, CEO of Orex Minerals, for a discussion about Orex's new project in Zacatecas, Mexico, in the heart of the Mexican Silver Trend. Commodities to be covered: Gold, Silver About Orex Minerals Inc. Orex Minerals Inc. (TSXV: REX) (OTCQB: ORMNF) is a Canadian-based junior mineral exploration company with an impressive portfolio of large gold and silver exploration projects on prominent mineral trends in Mexico (Valenciana, Coneto and Sandra Projects), and Canada (Jumping Josephine Gold Project). Each project has strong merits of its own. Packaging them together increases the chance of Orex making the next big resource discovery. About Red Cloud Securities Inc. Red Cloud Securities Inc. is an IIROC-regulated investment dealer focused on providing a full range of brokerage services to all investor types focused in the junior resource sector. Our services include Investment Banking, Research, Institutional and Retail Trading, Institutional Sales, and Retail Investment Advisory services. About Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. is a globally focused capital markets advisory firm that provides a full range of executive strategy, media, marketing, and corporate access services. Our breadth of services combines with our significant knowledge of the junior mining industry combine for unique product offering. The company was founded by capital markets professionals with extensive experience in the junior mining industry. For further information: Orex Minerals Inc. Ben Whiting President, CEO & Director 4036049646 info@orexminerals.com For additional information contact marketing@redcloudfs.com or visit: www.redcloudfs.com www.facebook.com/RedCloudFinancialServices www.twitter.com/RedCloudFS www.linkedin.com/company/red-cloud-financial-services-inc www.youtube.com/c/RedCloudFinancialServicesInc www.instagram.com/redcloudfs SOURCE: Red Cloud Financial Services Results of the first Viva Technology & Wavestone barometer conducted by OpinionWay in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States Business leaders express solid trust in new technologies, with a trust score of 86/100 96% consider the adoption of new technologies to be crucial to their company's competitiveness consider the adoption of new technologies to be crucial to their company's competitiveness 72% of them have an opinion that has evolved positively over the course of the year of them have an opinion that has evolved positively over the course of the year 93% believe that major technological innovations are one of the solutions to today's challenges (combating the climate crisis and its consequences, fighting misinformation, supporting the education system, improving global health...) believe that major technological innovations are one of the solutions to today's challenges (combating the climate crisis and its consequences, fighting misinformation, supporting the education system, improving global health...) 63% identify AI as the most promising technology for the future of their business identify AI as the most promising technology for the future of their business 85% of companies will be increasing their investment in new technologies over the next 12 months of companies will be increasing their investment in new technologies over the next 12 months 94% recommend a career in the technology sector recommend a career in the technology sector French executives have a more mixed overall view of the competitiveness of their country's technology ecosystem, compared to their German, British and American counterparts PARIS, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 9 out of 10 executives (96%) consider the integration of new technologies to be a fundamental factor in ensuring their company's competitiveness. Technology continues to play a leading role in companies, with AI moving front and center, according to 63% of the decision-makers surveyed. In fact, 88% of them intend to invest in AI by 2024. After AI, the technologies drawing the most attention from executives are Cloud computing (49%) and Cybersecurity (40%). 93% of business leaders see technology as an ally in tackling major human challenges. Specifically, technological progress is expected above all to simplify access to information and combat disinformation (44%); support the challenges facing the educational system (43%); and help combat pandemics and the climate crisis (39% and 37% respectively). While it can do a lot of good, technological progress is also accompanied by worrying risks. Nevertheless, against this backdrop of uncertainty, business leaders feel confident (92%) and demonstrate a solid understanding of technology and cybersecurity issues (85%), although minor discrepancies remain in France and Germany. Download the full report by following this link. Contact: vivatech@publicisconsultants.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2342591/VivaTech_Event.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2342587/VIVA_TECHNOLOGY_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/business-leaders-embrace-new-technologies-to-boost-competitiveness-and-tackle-todays-biggest-challenges-302065031.html NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / GoDaddy Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library Tell us a little bit about yourself and role. My name is Olivia and I am a Quality Analyst I for the Care Team. I'm originally from Kenya but I have been living in Arizona for the past ten years. What real-life problems does your team solve? My team supports different projects that focus on feedback and problem solving within Care. For example, we created the WOW experience. This is a dynamic customer interaction process that equips all Guides with a structured approach to delivering unparalleled customer service. Whether you're in sales, support, or any customer-facing role, this process is designed to elevate the customer's journey with us. What project has been the most rewarding throughout your career journey? The most rewarding project was creating the five pillars of the WOW experience for our Care Guides. I joined GoDaddy as an Inbound Sales Guide, and struggled my way through learning new products, tech support, and finding opportunities to sell. We created the WOW experience with new Guides in mind, to give them a road map to help them navigate through tech. You are actively involved in a multitude of organizations here at GoDaddy. Can you share the impact this has had on your experience? I joined GoDaddy in 2020 when the company had transitioned to work from home. It was definitely strange that I was working for this big organization, but I did not know anyone outside of my team of six. The extrovert in me was itching to meet some work friends to socialize as well as find career advancement opportunities. I came across a Level UP event that our Employee Resource Group, Black in Tech (GDBIT), was hosting. This event aimed to help with career advancement. After attending the event, I became an active member of GDBIT and eventually joined the GDBIT Core Team. Being a part of this organization has helped me have a healthier and more enjoyable day-to-day work environment. It has created a sense of belonging! Whether I'm doing volunteer work or hosting GDBIT game night, you will always see a smile on my face. What's your motto or personal mantra? "I'm brave. I'm justice. I can make a difference. I'm resilient." I make my son say these words every day before he leaves for school. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I'm a travel junkie. I left my country right after high school. I lived in the United Kingdom for two months and then moved to Dubai to become a Flight Attendant. Even after leaving the airline industry, I never stopped traveling. If the airlines offered retirement packages like cruise ships do, I would sign up! What is most meaningful about Black History Month to you? Black History Month is a time when we recognize, honor and celebrate the lives and achievements of African Americans who have made transformational impacts on society. What do you want your colleagues, neighbors and friends to take away from Black History Month? I would encourage my colleagues, neighbors and friends to educate themselves - learn about Black history, visit a Black history museum, or read a book by a Black author. Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You're more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us. Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter TikTok Career Page View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: GoDaddy Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: GoDaddy View the original press release on accesswire.com LONDON, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 18, 2024 with support from BE OPEN the 2nd International Conference on Sustainability: Developments & Innovations started at Prince Sultan University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a spectacular opening ceremony. The 2024 conference and exhibition focus on the best engineering practices employed in achieving sustainable development goals, and strive to connect talented people with decision-makers and limitless opportunities. ICSDI 2024 invites visitors on a transformative journey across six pivotal tracks: Sustainable Construction and Resilient Infrastructure, Sustainable Manufacturing and Industrial Ecology, Innovations in Renewable Energy, Future Cities, Sustainable Built Environment Design, and Policies for Achieving SDGs. Along with presentations on challenging tasks, innovative projects and latest research, ICSDI 2024 is offering lectures, workshops and panel discussions that feature an array of distinguished speakers. Representatives of the Saudi Ministries of Energy, Investment, representatives of the UNDP structures, Saudi and international environmental authorities, business, institutions deeply involved in sustainability, innovation, and environmental causes. On February 21st, BE OPEN Director Gennady Terebkov will speak at the panel discussion dedicated to the role of international organizations in promoting sustainability aspects about the achievements and ambition of the foundation's SDG-focused competition programme. His fellow-panelists will be the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr. Margaret Jones Williams, Managing Director for Horvath Middle East Patrick Braunschweig and May Barber, LEED Green Associate Architect. BE OPEN will strongly advocate inclusion of sustainability programs into curriculums of universities worldwide, as well as encourage students to build their own awareness and personally contribute to sustainability causes. Founder of BE OPEN Elena Baturina explains the reasons behind BE OPEN's SDG-themed programme: "Everyone is needed to reach the ambitious targets set by the UN's SDG programme - the creativity, knowhow, technology and financial resources from all of humanity. BE OPEN's programme strives to help educate wider audiences that sustainable future is dependent on all of us, yet I am convinced that the younger generation today is a more responsible and aware one. I see incredible commitment, responsiveness and audacity in how they approach whatever problems we ask them to tackle." BE OPEN is a global initiative to foster creativity and innovation, a thinktank whose mission is to promote people and ideas today to build solutions for tomorrow. It is a cultural and social initiative supported by international philanthropist and businessperson Elena Baturina. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2342590/BE_OPEN_Elena_Baturina.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/be-open-supports-the-2nd-international-conference-on-sustainability-in-riyadh-302065117.html Regulatory News: Gecina (Paris:GFC): The Universal Registration Document for 2023 was filed with the French securities regulator (Autorite des marches financiers, AMF) on February 16, 2024. It may be consulted on or downloaded from the following internet sites: Gecina (www.gecina.fr), in the section Investors Publications and press releases Financial reports and universal registration documents; - AMF (www.amf-france.org). It is also available free of charge to the public on request: by mail: Gecina 16, rue des Capucines, 75002 Paris, France; - by email: actionnaire@gecina.fr; - by telephone: 0 800 800 976 (toll-free number only available in France). The following documents are included in the Universal Registration Document: the annual financial report for 2023; - the 2023 integrated report - the Board of Directors' report on corporate governance; - the statutory auditors' reports; - information on the statutory auditors' fees. About Gecina A specialist in centrality and uses, Gecina operates innovative and sustainable living spaces. The real estate investment company owns, manages and develops a unique portfolio in the heart of central areas of the Paris Region, covering more than 1.2 million sq.m of offices and more than 9,000 housing units, almost three-quarters of which are located in Paris City or in Neuilly-sur-Seine. This portfolio is valued at 17.1 billion euros at end-2023. Gecina has firmly established its focus on innovation and its human approach at the heart of its strategy to create value and deliver on its purpose: "Empowering shared human experiences at the heart of our sustainable spaces". For our 100,000 clients, this ambition is supported by our client-centric brand YouFirst. It is also positioned at the heart of UtilesEnsemble, our program setting out our solidarity-based commitments to the environment, to people and to the quality of life in cities. Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60 and CAC 40 ESG indices. Gecina is also recognized as one of the top-performing companies in its industry by leading sustainability benchmarks and rankings (GRESB, Sustainalytics, MSCI, ISS-ESG and CDP). www.gecina.fr View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240219551743/en/ Contacts: GECINA Financial communications Samuel Henry-Diesbach Tel: 33 (0)1 40 40 52 22 samuelhenry-diesbach@gecina.fr Virginie Sterling Tel: 33 (0)1 40 40 62 48 virginiesterling@gecina.fr Press relations Glenn Domingues Tel: 33 (0)1 40 40 63 86 glenndomingues@gecina.fr Armelle Miclo Tel.: 33 (0)1 40 40 51 98 armellemiclo@gecina.fr SPRINGFIELD, OH / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / All-In Nutritionals founder and CEO Lindsey Duncan, CN, ND, raises the question, "Why would a natural supplement company come out with a water purification showerhead?" Duncan said there is a clear, driving factor backed by logic and evidence. "Many people may know the potential dangers of drinking some unfiltered tap water, but most are unaware that this threat may extend into our showers. All-In is committed to providing whole health solutions. This is not confined to just supplements. We feel the quality of our shower water is not an issue that can be ignored." A study by Consumer Reports in 2021 supports Duncan's statement. CR analyzed water supplies in 120 locations in the United States and found that in 118, the water had significantly high levels of lead, arsenic or a class of dangerous synthetic compounds known as PFAS, per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called "forever chemicals." These chemicals have been linked to distinct types of cancers, cognitive delays in children, and many other health issues. "This is simply not okay," said Duncan. "If these harmful toxins make their way into our drinking water, then obviously, they make their way into our showers because it is the same system. When showering in toxic, chemical-laden water, we not only absorb these chemicals through our skin, but we also breathe them into our lungs. Over time, this is extremely harmful to our health. If we do not want to drink toxic water, then naturally, we should not want to absorb or breathe it." During a short 10-minute shower, you may absorb water into your skin, along with the chlorine in it. When drinking water, your body can filter out some of the chlorine, fluoride, and other disinfecting chemicals, but this may not be the case when it is absorbed through our skin and/or inhaled, according to All-In Nutritionals. Duncan says there is a solution to this ever-present, serious issue, and it comes in the form of All-In's proprietary, ionic, mineral showerhead. The showerhead filters and eliminates nearly all toxins, heavy metals, bacteria, and chemicals from water. Natural, bioactive minerals, stones, and ceramics are used in this 14-phase filtration system that can be attached to any existing showerhead outlet. "We not only have figured out a way to remove all the unwanted contaminants from our shower water, but we have also created a system that adds benefit. This showerhead alkalinizes water, mineralizes water, increases circulation, can dramatically increase water pressure, and helps to soften your skin and hair. In short, we've taken out all the bad, and added in a lot of good, and done it for an incredibly reasonable price," said Duncan. Duncan explained that one of the 14 phase systems of the showerhead is Vitamin C. "Most people already know the benefits of Vitamin C on their hair, skin, and overall health. This is just one example of the many incredible benefits we have put into this product." All-In's showerhead is different than anything currently on the market. "There has been a significant increase in whole house and water purification systems lately," Duncan said. "It should not take a tragedy like the one in Flint, Michigan, or recently, the tragedy in East Palestine, Ohio, to make people realize water purification is a must. At All-In Nutritionals, we are very confident that we offer a product that will not only overdeliver but that will completely change the shower experience for our customers." He went on to say, "Other shower purification units use only three or four purification stones and those are often the less expensive stones such as anion stone, ceramic, or tourmaline. While these are great for basic water purification, they do not go as far as we do with a unique 14-phase stone filtration process. In addition, as an added benefit, we add a cotton PP filter. This filter removes all sediment that may have built up in our water tanks, pipes, wells, older homes, and more." "When we say we are warriors for the consumer, we truly mean it. We are dedicated to whole health wellness, and this includes the purification of our shower water," Duncan said. Currently, the All-In showerhead can be purchased at a discounted price of $48.50 instead of the regular price of $60.75. About All-In Nutritionals Founded and created by Master Formulator, Herbalist, Doctor of Naturopathy, and Certified Nutritionist, Lindsey Duncan, All-In Nutritionals is the leading provider of all-natural, pure, clinically studied and ingredient-tested supplements to aid people in nourishing, balancing, cleansing, and supporting the human body. All-In Nutritionals uses organic, wild-harvested, non-GMO ingredients that are grown and harvested in their natural state and are masterfully formulated for both long-term and short-term success. All products are manufactured in All-In Nutritionals' pristine and FDA-registered manufacturing facility. Contact Information Ellie Flores Manager of Domestic & International Sales ellieflores@allinnutritionals.com 937-471-4801 SOURCE: All-In Nutritionals View the original press release on newswire.com. BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, February 19 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 19 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: 19 February 2024 19 February 2024 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 20,000 60,292 Lowest price per share 357.5 356.5 Highest price per share 357.5 357.5 Trading venue JPSI LSE Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 20,000 60,292 Weighted average price per day per trading venue: 357.5000 357.2134 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 364,878,900 Sterling Shares 8,725,960 Sterling Shares 29,762,912 Dollar Shares Nil Dollar Shares From 19 February 2024, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 559,374,533. 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 Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, February 19 For immediate release 19 February 2024 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 119,796 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 856.26 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 32,578,875; 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 192,412,428. The figure of 192,412,428 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 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. HORIZONTE PROVIDES UPDATED CAPEX AND SCHEDULE ESTIMATE HIGHLIGHTS: Horizonte announces preliminary Cost-to-Complete estimate and achievable schedule for Araguaia Line 1 Estimate prepared by specialized mining construction and engineering firm G Mining Services Graham Crew appointed as interim Chief Operating Officer (iCOO) Actively engaging existing and new potential investors on a full financing solution LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / Horizonte Minerals Plc (AIM:HZM)(TSX:HZM) ("Horizonte" or the "Company") announces the preliminary results of a review of the Cost-to-Complete ("CTC") estimate and schedule for its 100%-owned Araguaia Nickel Project ("Araguaia" or "the Project"). The preliminary results of the review indicate that the estimated capital required to complete the construction of Araguaia, commission the project and deliver first metal is approximately US$454 million. As a result, the Estimate at Completion ("EAC") currently stands at US$1,004 million, approximately 87% higher than the previously disclosed capex budget of US$537 million (prior to October 2023). The Company anticipates achieving mechanical completion in Q1 2026. G Mining Services ("GMS"), a specialized mining construction and engineering firm, were engaged by the Company to undertake the review process, delivering the re-estimated CTC and achievable schedule estimates. GMS is currently constructing the Tocantinzinho gold project located in Para state and have notable accomplishments in the successful construction of other mining projects including Lundin Gold's Fruta del Norte Project in Ecuador, Newmont Mining's Merian Mine in Suriname and IAMGOLD's Greenstone project in Ontario. The Company will continue to work closely with its major shareholders and senior lenders on a full funding solution, targeted for Q2 2024. As part of these conversations and given the increase in the CTC estimate, discussions to restructure the Company's debt facilities are being held in conjunction with actively engaging existing and new potential investors. The Company notes that additional interim funding will be required to implement such full funding solution. Interim CEO Karim Nasr commented, "Since our last update, a significant volume of work has been completed to develop a new Project Execution Plan, develop a realistic mine plan and business plan, all while continuing to proactively engage with the Company's cornerstone shareholders, senior lenders, vendors and contractors as well as the community and local authorities. "While the new Cost-to-Complete is higher than previously announced by the company, it is now built on solid methodologies, which is a testament to the hard work undertaken to date by the whole Horizonte team. The Company is pleased to partner with G Mining Services, who have a track record of success in the region and are currently building the Tocantinzinho project with G Mining Ventures in Para state. The Company is now in a position to properly assess its ability to finance and complete the Araguaia Nickel Project (Line 1) and bring it into production. "It is important to note that while completing the Cost-to-Complete estimate is a significant milestone, resuming and completing construction activities at Araguaia are still subject to the successful completion of a full financing solution, which the company will seek to develop in the coming weeks, but with no guarantee of success. Further, the CTC estimate is the capital required to complete the construction of Araguaia, commission the project and deliver first metal. The final financing amount will be higher and will depend on a variety of factors including discussions with Senior Lenders, suppliers, cornerstone investors and other third parties." BASIS OF COST TO COMPLETE ("CTC") ESTIMATE Based on the work to date, a total of around 4.7 million work-hours are required to finish construction of Araguaia Line 1. The current optimized plan assumes a smaller workforce which drives a revised construction schedule of approximately 18 months. The EAC currently stands at US$1,004 million, of which a total of US$479 million has been spent up to the end of 2023, US$52 million is outstanding to trade creditors, US$15 million for critical activities during the slowdown period and US$4 million pre-first metal mining costs, resulting in a CTC of US$454 million. The capex estimate includes all the direct and indirect costs, local taxes and duties and US$54 million contingency deemed to be required to complete the construction of Line 1, commission the project and deliver first metal. This estimate is based on the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) Class 3 standard, with an accuracy range between -10% and +30%, of the final project cost. The Company intends to work with GMS over the refinancing period to refine this to a control estimate, AACE Class 1 with an accuracy range of -3% to +15%. The costs for these items have been derived from vendor quotes for the equipment and materials. The capex estimate is after tax, including growth and contingency and excluding escalation. The CTC excludes the owner's costs incurred during the slow-down phase between 10 November 2023 and June 2024, which are being funded with current cash and the aforementioned additional interim funding requirement. The CTC also excludes working capital, capitalized ramp-up costs and financing costs which will be included in the full funding solution. SCHEDULE ESTIMATE The project schedule has been re-estimated by GMS following a complete review of the quantities remaining, the procurement packages and logistics, and re-estimation of the work-hours required to complete construction and commissioning. GMS have been working with key equipment suppliers including Hatch Ltd and FLSmidth to fully assess the remaining work. The current project schedule estimate anticipates approximately 18 months of construction from re-mobilisation to the projected first metal date. Remobilisation is currently planned for Q3-2024 with a first metal date of Q1-2026, subject to successful refinancing and restart decision. One of the key inputs for the new schedule was the productivity assumptions that drive the estimated progress for the principal project workstreams. GMS provided updated productivity figures based on their experience at the Tocantinzinho gold project located in Para state, Brazil and therefore has recent, first-hand experience of achievable productivity rates for the main trades. Further, as part of the review exercise, the Company reviewed the production ramp-up schedule and associated working capital and capitalized operating costs requirements. The original schedule assumed a 12-month ramp up to nameplate capacity; while achievable, this was considered to be a best-case scenario and has since been replaced by a more conservative 18-month ramp-up. PROJECT EXECUTION PLAN GMS have also re-developed the Project Execution Plan (PEP) as a self-perform model as employed at Tocantinzinho and other projects GMS have been involved in. Under this model the Company will directly employ the owner's team and construction employees with expertise and support from GMS. GMS employees brought into the project will be seconded directly to Araguaia Nickel Project with objectives, salaries and any incentives set and paid by the Company. The benefits of this model include a simplified management structure, a reduction in the number of contractors and consultants, and full alignment of the owner's team and construction team. Specialist contractors and OEMs will continue to be critically important partners in the project execution. SENIOR MANAGEMENT CHANGES Maryse Belanger, interim Chief Operating Officer ("COO") of the Company will step down as COO effective 21 February 2024, following a period of handover to Graham Crew, who is appointed as new interim COO. The Company wishes to thank Mrs. Belanger for her invaluable assistance in this challenging period. Mr Crew was Chief Technical Officer of La Mancha Resource Capital LLP ("La Mancha"), which advises La Mancha Resource Fund SCSp, one of the Company's major shareholders. Mr Crew has been on a period of secondment to the Company in recent months having stepped down from his day-to-day executive role within La Mancha. He was previously a Non-executive Director at Golden Star Resources Limited before becoming Chief Operating Officer. He has extensive operational experience in Australia, Africa and Asia and was previously Operations Manager for La Mancha Resources Australia, including the development and construction and ramp up of the Mungari processing facility, prior to the divestment of those assets to Evolution Mining. He began his career with Western Mining Corporation at Olympic Dam and Leinster Nickel Operations. He holds a B.Eng (Mining Engineering) from the West Australian School of Mines, is a Member of the Australian institute of Corporate Directors and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy. Completion of construction activities at Araguaia will be subject to successful completion of a full financing solution in 2024. There can be no certainty at this stage that the full financing solution will be achieved and further updates will be provided in due course. This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014, as retained in the UK pursuant to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. For further information, visit www.horizonteminerals.com or contact: Horizonte Minerals plc Patrick Chambers (Head of IR) info@horizonteminerals.com +44 (0) 203 356 2901 Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) Ross Allister David McKeown Bhavesh Patel +44 (0) 20 7418 8900 BMO (Joint Broker) Thomas Rider Pascal Lussier Duquette Andrew Cameron +44 (0) 20 7236 1010 Barclays (Joint Broker) Philip Lindop Richard Bassingthwaighte +44 (0) 20 7623 2323 ABOUT HORIZONTE MINERALS Horizonte Minerals Plc (AIM/TSX: HZM) is developing two 100%-owned, Tier 1 projects in Para state, Brazil - the Araguaia Nickel Project and the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt Project. Both projects are high-grade, low-cost, with low carbon emission intensities and are scalable. Araguaia is under construction and when fully ramped up with both Line 1 and Line 2, is forecast to produce 29,000 tonnes of nickel per year. Vermelho is at feasibility study stage. Horizonte's combined production profile of over 60,000 tonnes of nickel per year positions the Company as a globally significant nickel producer. Horizonte's top three shareholders are La Mancha Investments S.a r.l., Glencore Plc and Orion Mine Finance. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the ability of the Company to complete any planned acquisition of equipment, statements with respect to the potential of the Company's current or future property mineral projects; the ability of the Company to complete a positive feasibility study regarding the second RKEF line at Araguaia on time, or at all, the ability of the Company to complete a positive feasibility study regarding the Vermelho Project on time, or at all, the success of exploration and mining activities; cost and timing of future exploration, production and development; the costs and timing for delivery of the equipment to be purchased, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves and the ability of the Company to achieve its goals in respect of growing its mineral resources; the realization of mineral resource and reserve estimates and achieving production in accordance with the Company's potential production profile or at all. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks related to: the inability of the Company to complete any planned acquisition of equipment on time or at all, the ability of the Company to complete a positive feasibility study regarding the implementation of a second RKEF line at Araguaia on the timeline contemplated or at all, the ability of the Company to complete a positive feasibility study regarding the Vermelho Project on the timeline contemplated or at all, exploration and mining risks, competition from competitors with greater capital; the Company's lack of experience with respect to development-stage mining operations; fluctuations in metal prices; uninsured risks; environmental and other regulatory requirements; exploration, mining and other licences; the Company's future payment obligations; potential disputes with respect to the Company's title to, and the area of, its mining concessions; the Company's dependence on its ability to obtain sufficient financing in the future; the Company's dependence on its relationships with third parties; the Company's joint ventures; the potential of currency fluctuations and political or economic instability in countries in which the Company operates; currency exchange fluctuations; the Company's ability to manage its growth effectively; the trading market for the ordinary shares of the Company; uncertainty with respect to the Company's plans to continue to develop its operations and new projects; the Company's dependence on key personnel; possible conflicts of interest of directors and officers of the Company, and various risks associated with the legal and regulatory framework within which the Company operates, together with the risks identified and disclosed in the Company's disclosure record available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, including without limitation, the annual information form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the Araguaia and Vermelho Technical Reports available on the Company's website https://horizonteminerals.com/. 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 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. 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: Horizonte Minerals PLC View the original press release on accesswire.com MARYVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / Moomba Boats has proudly received the prestigious Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award for 2023 from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) for the 19th straight year. This recognition is a testament to Skier's Choice brand Moomba Boats' enduring commitment to not only providing exceptional value but also ensuring customer satisfaction and trust, further solidifying its position as a pivotal player in the marine market. The NMMA CSI Award, recognized as a benchmark for consumer satisfaction and product excellence, is annually awarded to boat and engine manufacturers that consistently receive high ratings from their customers in areas such as product quality, dealership service, and overall satisfaction. This award is particularly significant as it reflects the opinions of customers who have purchased a new boat or engine in the past year, highlighting the direct impact of manufacturer efforts on consumer experience. Securing the CSI Award demonstrates Moomba Boats' continuous dedication to quality and innovation, paired with a focus on making watersports and boating a no Worries Experience. Moomba Boats has been at the forefront of their segment in the boating industry, offering high-performance boats that embody the spirit of fun and versatility without compromising on quality or performance. Manufactured by Skier's Choice and headquartered in Maryville, Tennessee, Moomba Boats employs a team of skilled professionals dedicated to crafting boats that meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. Moomba's commitment to innovation, customer service, and creating value-driven boats has not only defined its legacy but also ensures it continues to lead in making boating enjoyable and affordable for families and watersports enthusiasts alike. For more information about Moomba Boats and their award-winning range of products, please visit the Moomba Boats website. About Moomba Boats Moomba Boats has been a pioneer in the boating industry since the early 1990s, committed to delivering high-quality, fun, and accessible boats. With a rich history of innovation and a focus on value, Moomba Boats offers a diverse lineup of boats designed for watersports enthusiasts and families looking for performance, versatility, and affordability. Celebrated for its customer-centric approach and dedication to excellence, Moomba Boats continues to make waves in the industry by providing unforgettable boating experiences. About NMMA The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the premier trade organization for the North American recreational boating industry, representing manufacturers of boats, marine engines, and accessories. Dedicated to the advocacy and promotion of the boating lifestyle, NMMA plays a critical role in industry standards, safety, and growth. Contact Information Skier's Choice Moomba Boats Company 865-983-9924 Related Files moomba-boats-logo-white-web.png SOURCE: Skier's Choice View the original press release on newswire.com. TUCSON, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / O'Rielly Chevrolet is pleased to announce that March 18, 2024, will mark the 100th anniversary of its founding and 100 years of providing retail automotive sales and service to customers in Tucson and Southern Arizona. Since its establishment by Frank O'Rielly in 1924, O'Rielly Chevrolet has remained a family-owned business, employing hundreds of employees and serving tens of thousands of customers over the years. O'Rielly Chevrolet is one of the oldest and largest Chevrolet dealerships in the country and has become deeply intertwined with the fabric of Southern Arizona. This Centennial Celebration marks a signi?cant milestone in the dealership's history and places the company among a small group of local businesses, including El Charro and Garcia's Cleaners, that have remained family-owned and served the Tucson community for more than 100 years. "Remembering our history keeps us grounded in the present and highly motivated to remain on the leading edge of automotive retail, which is evolving more quickly than ever," says Rob Draper, O'Rielly Chevrolet's Dealer Principal and General Manager. "Our journey isn't just about selling cars and trucks; it's about supporting our employees and their families and our larger family of customers who have done business with us over the course of a century. When we say 'Giving you more since 1924,' we're speaking of our commitment to our customers and our community." To commemorate this historic milestone, O'Rielly Chevrolet is hosting a public celebration on March 23, 2024. The event is open to all, as an opportunity for the community to meet the dedicated team behind O'Rielly Chevrolet's success and partake in the celebration of 100 years of service and commitment. O'Rielly Chevrolet extends a warm invitation to all of Tucson and Southern Arizona to join in this landmark celebration. It's a celebration of the dealership's enduring legacy and a party to thank all of O'Rielly Chevrolet's employees and customers, past and present, and the community as a whole, who have supported the company through the decades and been the drivers of its success. About O'Rielly Chevrolet Founded by Frank O'Rielly in 1924, O'Rielly Chevrolet is a family-owned Chevrolet dealership serving Tucson and Southern Arizona. Managed for more than 50 years by Frank's son Buck O'Rielly, and currently operated by Buck's son-in-law Rob Draper, O'Rielly is one of the oldest and largest Chevrolet dealerships in the nation. Known as a leader of innovation in retail automotive and for its exceptional customer service, extensive inventory, and deep community ties, O'Rielly Chevrolet is more than a car dealership - it's a part of Tucson's history. Media Contact: Roy Lee Head of Marketing, O'Rielly Chevrolet rlee@orielly.com End of Release 6160 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85711 | 520.829.3876 | rlee@orielly.com O'Rielly Chevrolet Tucson | Used Car Dealerships Tucson, Arizona (orielly.com) SOURCE: O'Rielly Chevrolet View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2024) - COMMB (the Canadian Out-of-Home Marketing and Measurement Bureau) announces the return of the Canadian Out-of-Home Awards for 2024. This prestigious event will take place on May 30th at Mademoiselle on King Street West in Toronto with evolved submission categories, new industry judges, immersive activations, delicious food and beverages. The Canadian Out-of-Home Awards celebrate Out-of-Home (OOH) creativity, innovative use of data and location, and utilizing the media for community-based initiatives. The inaugural Canadian Out-of-Home Awards in 2023 attracted over 400 attendees, primarily from brands and media agencies to creative agencies and media owners. This year's gala will garner increased visibility to the Canadian out-of-home industry, bolstered by an expanded partnership with BNN Bloomberg and support from COMMB, including 4 new members since January 2024: Canada Billboards, Sanford Outdoor, Vieta Technologies, and Panopoly. The Canadian Out-of-Home Awards Elizabeth Crisante, the Canadian Out-of-Home Gala Executive Producer, describes what's expected for the Canadian Out-of-Home Awards for 2024. "Set against the backdrop of our nation's dynamic public spaces, the event will spotlight the innovative achievements that have reshaped the advertising landscape over the past year. As pioneers in utilizing public spaces, we have successfully reinvigorated the essence of these spaces, dominating them with unparalleled creativity. Our gala aims to celebrate and honor the industry's ability to captivate audiences, turning outdoor spaces into canvases for unforgettable brand narratives. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the exceptional talents and achievements that exemplify the spirit of creativity within Canada's out-of-home advertising industry at the Canadian Out-of-Home Awards Gala of 2024." Amanda Dorenberg, President of COMMB adds her excitement about the gala ahead, "The Canadian Out-of-Home Awards is our industry's special night for recognition and inspiration, highlighting the brightest ideas and most innovative campaigns in our dynamic medium. That's why this year's theme is all about celebrating the innovation and creativity that thrive among us. With new categories and esteemed judges added to the mix, we are shining a light on the incredible work that bridges brands with the public in truly meaningful ways. I can't wait to see everyone gather at Mademoiselle, where we'll celebrate not just last year's achievements but also the exciting future we're building together." Following the inaugural year's success, the 2024 Canadian Out-of-Home Awards open up exclusive sponsorship opportunities for COMMB members, offering significant visibility. Members looking to contribute and achieve recognition in this celebration of advertising excellence are encouraged to reach out to the COMMB team. Submit your 2023 campaigns here for the Canadian Out-of-Home Awards gala 2024. About COMMB COMMB is the national organization for the Canadian OOH industry comprised of advertisers, advertising agencies and OOH companies. COMMB is responsible for developing and verifying audience measurement methodologies, providing audience data and planning resources, marketing and communications, government relations and member services. www.commb.ca For more information, please contact: Elizabeth Crisante The Canadian Out-of-Home Gala Executive Producer ecrisante@commb.ca To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198463 SOURCE: We Feature You PR Inc. CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) supports the decision by the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) to grant accelerated approval to lifileucel (Amtagvi, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.), a tumor-derived autologous T cell immunotherapy, for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma previously treated with a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor. AMTAGVI is the first and the only one-time, individualized T cell therapy to receive FDA approval for a solid tumor cancer. The proposed mechanism for AMTAGVI offers a new cell therapy approach that deploys patient-specific T cells called TIL cells. When cancer is detected, the immune system creates TIL cells to locate, attack, and destroy cancer. TIL cells recognize distinctive tumor markers on the cell surface of each person's cancer. When cancer develops and prevails, the body's natural TIL cells can no longer perform their intended function to fight cancer 1. Safety and efficacy were evaluated in a global, multicenter, multicohort, open-label, single-arm trial in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who had previously been treated with at least one systemic therapy, including a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 mutation-positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor. Accelerated approval is intended to facilitate and expedite development and review of new drugs to address unmet medical need in the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition 2. Each year, approximately 8,000 people in the U.S. die from melanoma. Until now, there have been no FDA-approved treatment options for patients with advanced melanoma whose disease progressed following initial treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor and, if appropriate, targeted therapy 1. ASTCT invests in research through grants and awards, mentorship for new investigators and congressional advocacy for National Institutes of Health funding. ASTCT is encouraged by the FDA's announcement for melanoma treatment as the transplantation and cell therapy field continues to be at the forefront of innovation and investigation of CAR-T and TIL cell therapies. The transplantation and cellular therapy community will gather during the 2024 Tandem Meetings of ASTCT and CIBMTR, Feb. 21-24, 2024, in San Antonio, to discuss advancements in the field. Representatives from the FDA will be presenting on Saturday, February 24, to share insights on 2023 and 2024 approvals, including AMTAGVI. "Advancements in CAR-T and TIL cell therapies create a promising future for patients who suffer from solid tumors and have the potential to be lifesaving for patients," says Miguel-Angel Perales, MD, ASTCT President. "I look forward to our discussion with the FDA during the 2024 Tandem Meetings, as this is a significant announcement for our field and will encourage more research and funding in cell therapy to treat solid tumors." More information is available on the Tandem Meetings website. Press can access free registration to participate. 1 Iovance's AMTAGVI (lifileucel) Receives U.S. FDA Accelerated Approval for Advanced Melanoma 2 https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-grants-accelerated-approval-lifileucel-unresectable-or-metastatic-melanoma Contact Information Jennifer Kasowicz ASTCT Marketing Director jkasowicz@astct.org (312) 673-4970 SOURCE: American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy View the original press release on newswire.com. HOUSTON and LONDON, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) today announced changes to its executive committee, effective March 1, 2024. Kimberly (Kim) Foley will assume the role of executive vice president, Global Olefins & Polyolefins (O&P), Refining and Supply Chain, and Aaron Ledet has been promoted to the role of executive vice president, Intermediates and Derivatives (I&D). Ledet will join the company's executive committee. These changes follow the departure of Ken Lane, former executive vice president Global O&P, who is leaving the company to pursue another opportunity. Foley has been executive vice president of Global I&D, Refining and Supply Chain since October 2022. She previously served as senior vice president, Global Engineering, Turnarounds and Health, Safety and Environment for LyondellBasell. She has more than 35 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, including leadership positions in Manufacturing, Strategic Planning, Finance and Supply Chain. Ledet has been senior vice president of O&P Americas since October 2022, with manufacturing and commercial responsibility for the O&P Americas segment as well as responsibility for developing future options for the Houston refining operation. He previously served as vice president, Olefins & Feedstocks and has held a variety of leadership roles in the Advanced Polymer Solutions (APS) business segment, I&D, and global supply chain, both in the United States and Europe. "Kim has done an exceptional job leading our I&D and refining businesses, delivering historically high results, and I am thrilled she will continue to execute on our strategy as the global head of O&P, Refining and Supply Chain. Aaron has done a fantastic job leading the O&P Americas business in a challenging environment and has a broad range of leadership experience in each of our strategic business units. I am excited to see him advance the I&D business moving forward," said Peter Vanacker, chief executive officer. "These changes illustrate a successful succession planning process and our ability to retain and promote key talent within our organization," commented Vanacker. "I know these two executives will bring relentless focus on growing and upgrading our core and will continue to live out our company's commitments and values every day. I want to personally thank Ken for his contributions during his tenure and wish him well in future endeavors." About LyondellBasell We are LyondellBasell - a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors and society. As one of the world's largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit www.lyondellbasell.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/558633/LyondellBasell_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lyondellbasell-announces-executive-committee-changes-302065071.html After Matthew, who died in October last year at the age of 54, did not appear during the tribute set to a special arrangement of Cyndi Laupers Time After Time performed by Ted Lassos Hannah Waddingham social media users were quick to criticise the decision Fans of late actor Matthew Perry expressed their disappointment after he was not included in the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards In Memoriam segment. Due to this, BAFTA faced backlash on social media After Matthew, who died in October last year at the age of 54, did not appear during the tribute set to a special arrangement of Cyndi Laupers Time After Time performed by Ted Lassos Hannah Waddingham social media users were quick to criticise the decision, as per PEOPLE. Advertisement Taking to X, people called out BAFTA for the perceived omission, which one dubbed bad form alongside a GIF of Matthews Friends character, Chandler Bing, saying, You cant make this stuff up. #Matthewperry why wasnt he mentioned in he baftas????? a user wrote. Another person wrote, #BAFTA what happened to Matthew Perry in your memoriam. I know hes famous for TV Friends, but he did films too - shocking mistake BAFTA has now responded to the social media backlash. Responding to Matthews absence from the tribute, a spokesperson for BAFTA tells PEOPLE, I can confirm Matthew Perry will be remembered in our forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards. On X, BAFTA echoed this statement, writing, Matthew Perry will be remembered in this years TV Awards ceremony, and shared the link to the academys online tribute to the actor, reported PEOPLE. Advertisement Matthew died Saturday, October 28, at his Los Angeles home. His cause of death was later determined to be due to acute effects of ketamine, with other contributing factors. The actor was recently included in the In Memoriam segment during the 2023 Emmy Awards last month. Matthews image was shown as Charlie Puth performed his 2015 hit, See You Again, transitioned into the Friends theme song, Ill Be There for You, as per PEOPLE. Advertisement Jennifer Aniston , Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer each posted heartfelt notes about Matthew Perry, who died Oct. 28, on Instagram. The posts on Tuesday and Wednesday were accompanied by photos from the Friends set. In the last couple weeks, Ive been pouring over our texts to one another. Laughing and crying then laughing again, Aniston posted Wednesday, sharing a text message where Perry sent her photo of a script reading session where Perry made her laugh. Advertisement Oh boy this one has cut deep Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that Ive never experienced before, Anistons post read. With added inputs from agencies Bollywood actress Esha Deol and her businessman husband Bharat Takhtani recently announced their separation, amid rumours of a rift between the couple. In a statement issued earlier this month, it was confirmed that the couple has decided to end their marriage after 12 long years. While the information has led to a lot of speculations about the reasons behind their separation and also about the familys reaction to it, Esha Deol recently made her first public appearance. Advertisement In a video going viral on social media, Esha can be seen at the Mumbai airport, surrounded by the paparazzi asking her to pose for pictures. While the actress willingly obliged the media and posed for them, she also spoke to the media personnel as they enquired about her whereabouts. Main theek hoon. Aap log kaese ho (I am good. How are you all?), the actress said. Advertisement Before entering the terminal building, Esha once again waved to the media with a smile on her face. She was dressed in a white crop paired with blue jeans, white shoes, and a hat. Esha Deol , Bharat Takhtani separation In a statement issued earlier in February, the couple announced their separation. We have mutually & amicably decided to part ways. Through this shift in our lives, the best interests and welfare of our two children is and will be of utmost importance to us. We would appreciate that our privacy is respected throughout. Thank you, Esha Deol & Bharat Takhtani, the statement read; however, the reason is still unknown. Advertisement A few days after the statement came out, reports suggested that Eshas mother, the veteran actress Hema Malini supports her daughter in the decision and doesnt intend to meddle in her personal matters. Besides that, Hema Malini also revealed Eshas plans to join politics in the future. In an interaction with ABP News, the veteran actress on being asked about whether her daughters are interested in politics, said, They will join if they want. Esha is very interested in it, she loves doing it. In the next few years, if she is interested, she will definitely. Ashwin Ramaswami is the first Gen Z Indian-American to run for a state or federal legislature in the US. The 24-year-old, who has his roots in Tamil Nadu, is focusing on education, jobs healthcare and reproductive rights during his campaign. A Democrat, he is running for the state senate in District 48 of Georgia The Indian-American diaspora is a dominant force in the United States. From politics, big businesses, and academics, the desis are everywhere. The American elections are no different. While some have pulled out of the presidential race ( Vivek Ramasawamy ), others like Nikki Haley are going strong. But right now grabbing headlines is 24-year-old Ashwin Ramaswami and his campaign for the Georgia state senate. Advertisement The Democrat is the first Indian-American from Gen Z to run for a state or federal legislature in the United States. This is an indication that a new breed of young politicians is emerging from the community. Who is Ashwin Ramaswami? Ramaswamis parents immigrated to the US from Tamil Nadu in 1990, making him a second-generation Indian-American. His mother is from Chennai and his father is from Coimbatore. They work in the Information Technology sector. The young desi attended Georgia Tech, Stanford University and Georgetown University Law Center and has degrees in computer science and law. He has worked in areas of election security, technology law, and policy research. The youth is proud of his Indian roots and has a great interest in philosophy. He has also learned about epics like Mahabharata and Ramayan and read the Bhagavad Gita. Advertisement Ive always grown up with Indian culture and also American culture growing up as well. Im a Hindu. Ive been very interested in Indian culture philosophy my whole life, he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. He learned Sanskrit when in college, where he ended up reading a lot of ancient Indian texts. His interest in the Upanishads grew. He is also a yoga practitioner. My whole life Ive been very involved in yoga and meditation and now also teaching Baal Vihara to younger students, Ramaswami said. Advertisement The Gen Z candidate takes pride in his heritage and family background and he is always thinking about those values that were bringing to the table as well. Ashwin Ramaswami with his family. His parents moved to the US from Tamil Nadu in 1990. Image courtesy: ashwinforgeorgia.com How did he start working with the government? Ramaswami has worked with nonprofits, startups, and small businesses to use technology for the public interest and create jobs. Advertisement As a civil servant, he worked at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on cybersecurity and election security, working with state and local election offices to secure the 2020 and 2022 elections. He also worked as a legal fellow in the Georgia Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division. I did my undergraduate at Stanford in computer science. I worked a lot on startups at work, but I soon realised that we need more tech people in the federal government, which is why I joined the federal government and started working on election security and cybersecurity starting in 2020, he said. Advertisement What are his plans for Georgia? Born and brought up in Georgia, he wants to work for the people of District 48, the Senate seat. Im running for (Georgia) State Senate to give back to my community. I want to make sure that everyone has the same opportunities I had growing up, Ramaswami told PTI in a recent interview. Advertisement The Indian-American is up against Shawn Still, an incumbent who was indicted this fall alongside former US president Donald Trump in an alleged election interference case. Ashwin Ramaswami is hoping to replace incumbent Republican Shawn Still, who was indicted with former President Donald Trump for the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. Image courtesy: ashwinforgeorgia.com As a lifelong resident of this district, I understand the challenges we face and opportunities we have for growth. I am committed to bringing inclusive, informed, and forward-thinking leadership to our State Senate, Ramaswami told Gwinnett Daily Post, a local newspaper. Advertisement We deserve representation that reflects our values, responsible stewardship of our tax dollars, and someone who works tirelessly for the betterment of every community memberunlike Shawn Stills extremism and pending criminal charges while in office, reflecting his self-interest and unethical behaviour unfitting of a public servant. The time for change is now, and thats why Im running for State Senate in the 48th, he said. Advertisement The Zoomer said that he wanted more people to have access to quality education, jobs and the economy, healthcare and reproductive rights. all these issues that matter to us. Thats why Ive been running. It is Ramaswamis age that grabs eyeballs. He claims that his generation is very politically aware. We very much see the news, we see all these things happening, and we want to ensure a good future for ourselves. But I think one problem we face is we dont have the resources or ability to actually go and make a difference in the sense that its really hard for people my age to get elected because the election process skews towards people who are wealthier and older. Advertisement So thats one big problem. I hope to show by being successful at this age that we can have that kind of a voice and we can work for everyone regardless of background, he asserted. The Genz candidate wants to make education and healthcare more accessible. Image courtesy: ashwinforgeorgia.com When asked about the impact of his age on the poll campaign, Ramaswami told The Stanford Daily in an interview that he has been learning a lot. Youre able to talk to so many people, learn so much about what people are facing and be able to be a voice for others. Its really about bridging that gap. Advertisement So, of course, Im talking to people my age who are excited theres someone like them representing them, but then Im talking a lot to people from other generations who have the resources that [Gen Z candidates> need to succeed but also understand we need new voices. The most important thing is your integrity and competence, he concluded. Advertisement If the 24-year-old wins, he will create history. He will become the first Indian American and Gen Z member of the Georgia state senate. And Ramaswami looks ready. With inputs from agencies Thailands former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the Southeast Asian nations most controversial politician for more than two decades, was released on parole early Sunday. How will this change the countrys political landscape? Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who returned from more than a decade of self-imposed exile to serve a prison sentence for misdeeds committed while in office last year, has been granted parole and was released this weekend. File photo/AP Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailands former prime minister and a highly controversial figure in Southeast Asian politics for more than two decades, was released on parole on Sunday. After six months in a Bangkok hospital, he was granted parole for corruption-related charges. Thaksin, who had returned from over a decade of self-imposed exile to serve a prison sentence, was accompanied by his daughters Paetongtarn and Pinthongta, as he exited the Police General Hospital. His release represents a significant change in Thailands political landscape. Advertisement But, can he restore his old political lustre? Thailands Thaksin goes free The telecoms billionaire was toppled in a 2006 coup but voluntarily returned from self-exile to Thailand in August last year and reported to prison to begin serving an eight-year sentence. Critics charged that the 74-year-old Thaksins early release reeked of a deal that short-circuited justice for political reasons. Current Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a leading member of the ruling Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai party, expressed congratulations to his predecessor. Thaksin was seen wearing a neck brace, a sling on his right arm and a surgical mask inside one of the cars in a convoy that left the Police General Hospital just before sunrise. He was accompanied by his two daughters on his way to his residence in western Bangkok. Advertisement Thaksin is still believed to wield huge influence, and will still maneuverer for sure, he will conduct the music behind the scenes, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Bangkoks Chulalongkorn University, said. But Pheu Thai has less power than they used to and well have to see how he does it. Advertisement Wanli Sappradit, 77, holds up a picture of herself with Thailands former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra outside his family compound after he arrives from a police hospital after being granted parole, in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters After his return from exile, Thaksin was moved almost immediately to the hospital on grounds of ill health and about a week later, King Maha Vajiralongkorn reduced his sentence to a single year. The former leader had won unprecedented electoral support but also influential enemies among Thailands traditional royalist ruling class during his time in office from 2001 to 2006. Advertisement He was accused of corruption and abuse of power as well as disrespect for the monarchy when the military overthrew him in 2006. Thailands conservative elite, including the army, regarded his popularity and brash populist politics as a threat to the royal institution, which they see as a linchpin of Thai society. Advertisement Questions about his political future Even after his ouster, Thaksins supporters and opponents continued their struggle for power with violent street fighting, election battles, confrontations in the courts and another coup in 2014 that ousted a government that had been formed by Thaksins sister. Last years elections brought change when the progressive Move Forward party unexpectedly finished first, the first time since 2001 that a Thaksin-backed party failed to top the polls. Move Forwards proposals for reforms to the monarchy and the military resonated with large numbers of younger voters, weary of the army-backed governments that had held power since a 2014 coup. Advertisement Move Forward was stymied when the military-appointed Senate refused to approve its candidate for prime minister, paving the way for Pheu Thai to form a coalition government including parties linked with the military. Pheu Thai also softened its longstanding anti-military line and reform proposals it promised during the election campaign. Thaksin was accused of corruption and abuse of power as well as disrespect for the monarchy when the military overthrew him in 2006. File image/AP Critics charged the deal included a soft landing for Thaksin upon his return last year. Advertisement In one sense, Thaksin going home to his family is an end to a personal and political journey that began with the 2006 coup when Thailands most popular prime minister was ousted, Kevin Hewison, a professor emeritus at the University of North Carolina and a veteran Thai studies scholar, told The Associated Press. Advertisement He said the deal to bring him home and allow his Pheu Thai Party to lead a coalition government with military-backed parties shows how the progressive politics of Thailands younger generation and the electorally successful Move Forward Party have left Thaksin and Pheu Thai behind. Move Forward, which now leads the parliamentary Opposition, issued a statement Sunday reflecting widespread suspicion that Thaksin had received a sweetheart deal because of the political influence he can still wield. The circumstances raised questions over whether he benefited from double standards in the justice system, it said. Advertisement At the same time, it acknowledged that Thaksins ouster was unfair and undemocratic. Thaksin has insisted that his prosecution in the courts was politically motivated. Legal challenges remain Thaksin will still have to report to parole officers every month for the remainder of his sentence and will have a travel restriction, but he is not required to wear an ankle monitor due to his age and health conditions, officials have said. Advertisement He is not yet clear of all legal challenges. Thai officials said earlier this month that they have reopened an investigation into allegations of defaming the monarchy made against Thaksin almost nine years ago. If the Office of the Attorney General decides to indict him, Thaksin could be detained again. His youngest daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who recently became Pheu Thai party chief, on Sunday afternoon posted a photo on her Instagram account of Thaksin sitting in shorts by a swimming pool, still wearing a neck brace and a sling on his arm. Advertisement After not breathing air and seeing the sun on the outside for 180 days, and not being back to this house for 17 years Dad came to sit outside like this. He sat there for quite some time. #finallyhome she wrote, adding a heart emoji at the end. With inputs from AP The Centres fourth round of talks with the protesting farmers has yielded some positive results. The government has proposed the buying of pulses, maize, and cotton crops by agencies at minimum support prices for five years. The farmers have put the march on hold and said they would discuss the proposal in their forums in the coming two days Farmers listen to a leader at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border during their 'Delhi Chalo' protest, near Patiala district, Sunday, 18 February 2024. PTI Thousands of farmers are camping at the Punjab-Haryana border, with layers of barricades erected to halt their Delhi Chalo march to the National Capital. The agitating farmers from Punjab have raised various demands, including an ordinance on ensuring legal guarantees for MSPs and loan waivers. On Sunday evening, Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai reached the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh, Sector 26, for the fourth round of talks with the farmers representatives. Advertisement Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who batted for a legal MSP for crops, had also joined the meeting, which began at 8.15 pm and ended at around 1 am on Monday. During the meeting, the Centre proposed some ideas, following which the farmers put their march on hold, general secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee Sarwan Singh Pandher told the reporters. What did the government propose? According to PTI, the panel of three Union ministers has proposed the buying of pulses, maize, and cotton crops by government agencies at minimum support prices for five years. Cooperative societies like the NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will enter into a contract with those farmers who grow tur dal, urad dal, masoor dal or maize for buying their crop at MSP for the next five years, said Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Advertisement There will be no limit on the quantity (purchased) and a portal will be developed for this, he added. It will save Punjabs farming, improve the groundwater table, and save the land from getting barren, which is already under stress, Goyal said. Goyal said the innovative and out-of-the-box ideas came up during the discussions, and the farmer leaders would decide on the governments proposal by Monday morning. Advertisement The Centre has also proposed that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) will buy cotton from farmers at an MSP for five years through a legal agreement, reported ANI. #WATCH | Chandigarh: Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "...The Cotton Corporation of India will enter a 5-year legal agreement with farmers to buy the crop at MSP..." pic.twitter.com/8tWRptrZE8 ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024 Advertisement The farmers pointed out that they want to diversify into maize crops but want to avoid suffering losses when the prices drop below the MSP, he said. Advertisement Talking about the steps taken by the Narendra Modi government regarding the farm sector, Goyal said from 2014 to 2024, the government procured crops worth Rs 18 lakh crore at MSP, while between 2004 and 2014, crops worth only Rs 5.50 lakh crore were procured at the assured price. What are the farmers saying? Advertisement Farmer leaders, after a meeting with the ministers here on Sunday, said they would discuss the governments proposal in their forums in the coming two days and, thereafter, decide the next course of action. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, We will discuss in our forums on 19-20 February and take the opinion of experts regarding it and accordingly take a decision. Advertisement Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher with others addresses the media during the ongoing farmers protest over various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops, at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border, in Patiala district, Saturday, 17 February 2024. PTI A discussion on loan waivers and other demands is pending, and hope that these will be resolved by Tuesday, Pandher said, as per PTI. He added that the Delhi Chalo march is currently on hold, but will resume at 11 am on 21 February if all the issues are not resolved. How many meetings have been held so far? Advertisement The union ministers and farmer leaders had met earlier on 8, 12, and 15 February but the talks remained inconclusive. The previous meeting resulted in an agreement to repeal the Electricity Act, 2020, compensate farmers killed in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, and withdraw cases against farmers during the farmers movement. Three requests, however, could not be agreed upon: the implementation of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations, the enactment of a law guaranteeing an MSP for all crops, and farmers loan waiver. Advertisement Following a second round of meetings that lasted more than five hours last Monday, Pandher had said, We do not think the government is serious about any of our demands. We do not think they want to fulfil our demands. What are the farmers demanding? Protesting farmers from Punjab have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the states border with Haryana since 13 February when their Delhi Chalo march was halted by police. Advertisement Security personnel guard at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border during farmers Delhi Chalo protest, near Patiala district. PTI The call for the march was given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) to press their demands. Besides a legal guarantee of MSP, the farmers are demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases, justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21. Advertisement Meanwhile, the suspension of internet services has been extended in certain areas in some Punjab districts, including Patiala, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib, until 24 February on the orders of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier, internet services were suspended from 12 to 16 February given the farmers march. The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) continued to hold protests at toll plazas in Punjab for the second consecutive day, forcing authorities not to charge a toll tax.At the Ladhowal plaza in Ludhiana, farmers shouted slogans against the Centre and the Haryana government. The Haryana government on Saturday also extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts until 19 February. Will there be another meeting? On the possibility of another meeting with the farmers, Goyal said if they take a decision on Monday, the government will proceed to hold discussions on the same lines as he urged the farmers to call off their protest. However, he underlined that the other demands of the farmers were deep and policy-driven, and it was not possible to find a resolution without an in-depth discussion. Elections are coming, a new government will be formed discussions on such issues will continue, he said. With inputs from PTI From PM Narendra Modis hectic schedule in Uttar Pradesh to the largest multilateral naval exercise called MILAN-2024, heres what you should expect from the world of news Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Uttar Pradesh today. He will lay the foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham Temple and launch 14,000 projects. File image/PTI Its Monday and its the start of a brand new week. Theres a whole lot expected to happen today (19 February). Want to know what? Heres our guide to the big news-making events today. PM Modi to launch UP projects worth 10 lakh crore Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Uttar Pradesh today and he has a busy schedule there. He will begin his visit by laying the foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham Temple in Sambhal district. Advertisement Later in the day, the PM will launch 14,000 projects across Uttar Pradesh worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore at the Ground Breaking Ceremony in Lucknow. About 3,500 investors and guests from India and abroad will also be in attendance at the event. Rahul Gandhis march in Amethi Speaking of Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will enter Amethi on Monday around 3 pm. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will also accompany Rahul in Amethi, the party said. Rahuls Nyay Yatra will enter Amethi border from Rampur Khas assembly constituency of Pratapgarh district, said Anil Singh, media coordinator of Congress Amethi district unit. Notably, Rahul Gandhi is a three-time Lok Sabha MP from Amethi. Union minister Smriti Irani is the sitting MP from Amethi constituency. The INS Vikrant and Vikramaditya, and nearly 50 aircraft, including MiG 29K and P8I, will participate in the naval exercise, MILAN-2024. File image/PTI Naval exercise MILAN-2024 to begin from today Advertisement Warships are set to converge in Visakhapatnam from various nations for the largest multilateral naval exercise called MILAN-2024. The exercise, which began in 1995, will commence from today until 27 February and have participating from over 50 countries. From the Indian Navy, nearly 20 ships, including aircraft carriers Vikrant and Vikramaditya, and nearly 50 aircraft, including MiG 29K and P8I, will participate in the event. Advertisement SC to hear Sharad Pawars plea on ECs NCP order The Supreme Court will hear a plea of Sharad Pawar challenging an Election Commission order recognising the Ajit Pawar-led faction as the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and KV Viswanathan is likely to hear Sharad Pawars plea. Advertisement Pawar had sought urgent hearing in view of the 15 February order of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. Narwekar held that the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar was the real NCP and that the anti-defection provisions in the Constitution cannot be used to stifle internal dissent. Prior to this, the poll panel announced on 6 February that the Ajit Pawar faction is the real NCP and also allotted the partys clock symbol to the group. Advertisement ED calls Arvind Kejriwal in excise case Will he or wont he, thats the question. The Enforcement Directorate has issued a summon to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, asking him to appear before it today in connection with its investigation into a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22. Advertisement This is the sixth time that Kejriwal has been issued summons in connection with the case. He has skipped five previous summons on 2 November and 22 December last year, and on 3 January, 18 January, and 2 February calling them illegal and politically motivated. TMCs Mahua Moitra has been summoned by the ED to appear before them today for questioning in the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) contravention case. File image/PTI Mahua Moitra summoned by ED in FEMA case Advertisement Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra has also been summoned by the ED to appear before them today for questioning in the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) contravention case. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had accused Moitra of targeting the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha questions, allegedly at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts. He further accused her of compromising national security for monetary gains. Advertisement In December, on this issue, the TMC leader was expelled from the Lok Sabha over the issue. Moitra has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that she is being targeted for questioning the deals of the Adani Group. ICJ to hold hearing on Israels policies in Palestinian Territories The International Court of Justice, the United Nations top court, will from today hold hearings on the legal consequences of Israels occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967, with an unprecedented 52 countries expected to give evidence. Advertisement Nations including the United States, Russia, and China will address judges in a weeklong session at the Peace Palace in The Hague, seat of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). While any ICJ opinion would be non-binding, it comes amid mounting international legal pressure on Israel over the war in Gaza sparked by the brutal 7 October Hamas attacks. Advertisement The hearings are separate from a high-profile case brought by South Africa alleging that Israel is committing genocidal acts during the current Gaza offensive. In Indias maritime history, there have been four aircraft carriers. While the first three came from the UK and Russia, the fourth, INS Vikrant (IAC-1) was designed and built in India, marking a significant milestone in the countrys commitment to aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the commissioning of INS Vikrant into the Indian Navy. The PM had said that it was a significant step of the central government towards self-reliance in the defence sector. Image Courtesy: @narendramodi/X Indias defence manufacturing capabilities have progressed significantly in recent years; one could say there has been a sea change in the nations abilities. And it is thanks to this progress that in September 2022, India commissioned the first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant. At the time of commissioning the vessel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, Vikrant is not just a warship. This is a testament to the hard work, talent, influence and commitment of India in the 21st century. If the goals are distant, the journeys are long, the ocean and the challenges are endless then Indias answer is Vikrant. The incomparable Amrit of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is Vikrant. Vikrant is a unique reflection of India becoming self-reliant. Advertisement With INS Vikrant, India joined the league of capable of making huge aircraft carriers, only behind the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, China and Russia. We take a closer look at India rich history of aircraft carriers and how they have served the nation effectively. The Vikrant era The requirement of an aircraft carrier by the Indian Navy was felt ever since her initial years. And it was this requirement that saw INS Vikrant being launched on 22 September 1945 as Hercules. However, its construction was stalled and was completed when India purchased it from Britain in 1957. As per an Indian Express report, INS Vikrant was commissioned on 4 March 1961 with Captain P S Mahindroo as her first CO. In the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, INS Vikrant played a stellar role despite many doubts that were raised about its seaworthiness ahead of the battle. As Captain Hiranandani later recalled telling Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda: During the 1965 war, Vikrant was sitting in Bombay Harbour and did not go out to sea. If the same thing happened in 1971, Vikrant would be called a white elephant and naval aviation would be written off. Vikrant had to be seen operational if we didnt fly an aircraft. Advertisement As per reports, in just 10 days, over 300 strike sorties were flown from Vikrant. The warship had exceeded expectations. On 4 March 1961, the INS Vikrant was commissioned into the Indian Navy in its first avataar. Image Courtesy: PIB As one record said that the INS Vikrant helped in preventing reinforcement of Pakistani forces from the sea, leading to the birth of Bangladesh. In the following years, the war vessel underwent major re-hauling. However, after years of wear and tear, INS Vikrant was decommissioned in 1997. It served as a museum and was patronised by thousands of curious people, especially youth and students, as she lay anchored off Mumbai Harbour. Advertisement Maintenance and upkeep costs became overwhelming and after many hiccups and legal battles, she was finally sold as scrap for Rs 60 crore to IB Commercials Pvt Ltd in November 2014 after a glorious history of 71 years. Workers use metal cutters to dismantle the parts of decommissioned Indian Navy Ship INS Vikrant at a ship breaking yard in Mumbai. File image/Reuters The INS Viraat INS Viraat was originally commissioned by the British Royal Navy as HMS Hermes on 18 November 1959. She served as the flagship of the Royal Navys task force during the Falklands War in 1982. She was decommissioned in 1985. Hermes was thereafter towed from Portsmouth Dockyard to Devonport Dockyard to be refitted and sold to India for $465 million. Advertisement The aircraft carrier was then commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 May 1987. The conventional Centaur class aircraft carrier, whose name meant giant in Sanskrit, had a staff of 1,500 members on board. Its motto was (in Sanskrit) Jalamev Yasya Balmev Tasya (One who controls the sea is all powerful). Advertisement The INS Viraat was 227 metres long and 49 metres wide and had a full load displacement of 28,700 tonnes. Crew members of INS Viraat, Indias aircraft carrier, salute as the presidential yacht passes them in waters off Mumbai. The INS Viraat was 227 metres long and 49 metres wide and had a full load displacement of 28,700 tonnes. File image/Reuters INS Viraat first saw action in in Operation Jupiter in 1989 during the Indo-Sri Lanka strife by sending peacekeeping forces to Sri Lanka, post which she was affiliated with the Garhwal Rifles and Scouts of the Indian Army in 1990. Advertisement INS Viraat also played a substantial role in blockading Pakistani ports, primarily the Karachi port as part of 1999s Operation Vijay. Viraat then saw action in Operation Parakram that took place in 2001-2002, following the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament. Nicknamed the Grand Old Lady, this ship has participated in various international joint exercises like in Malabar with the US Navy, Varuna with the French Navy, Naseem-ul-Bahr with the Omani Navy, and was an important part of the annual Theatre Level Operation Exercise (TROPEX) in 2014. Advertisement The illustrious era of the INS Viraat came to an end when it was decommissioned by the Indian Navy in March 2017. At the time of its decommissioning in March 2017, the Navy had said, Under the Indian Flag, the ship has clocked more than 22,622 flying hours by various aircraft and spent nearly 2252 days at sea sailing across 5,88,287 nautical miles or 10,94,215 kilometres. This implies that Viraat has spent seven years at sea, circumnavigating the globe 27 times. Since her inception, she has had a total of 80,715 hours of boilers running. INS Viraat had been commanded by 22 captains since 1987. Advertisement Children wave to Indias oldest and longest serving aircraft carrier of Indian Navy INS Viraat, as it sets sail from Kochi on Sunday for Mumbai where it will be decommisioned. File image/PTI In September 2020, it was towed to Alang in Gujarat where it was broken down and sold as scrap. Earlier, there had been plans and even some movements by the state governments of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh governments towards preserving the historic carrier and converting it into a museum. There were also crowdfunding efforts towards the same goal, which were unsuccessful. Advertisement However, after not receiving any concrete bid towards preservation, the Centre decided to auction the ship to be broken and sold as scrap. Ahoy there, INS Vikramaditya In November 2013, the INS Vikramaditya, Russias refurbished Admiral Gorshkov, was commissioned into the Indian Navy. Launched in the early 1980s, the carrier, which was originally named as Baku, served the Soviet Navy from 1987 to 1991. The vessel was decommissioned in 1996, after spending four years with the Russian Navy as a carrier named as Admiral Gorshkov. Since then, the government of India had started negotiations with Russia to acquire Admiral Gorshkov. Advertisement And, in the year 2004, a very important naval accord was struck between long time military allies India and Russia to make the aircraft carrier part of the Indian Navy. Mumbai: The INS Vikramaditya during the Navy week celebrations in Mumbai on Friday. File image/PTI With a displacement of 45,000 tonnes, the warship is capable of carrying over 30 aircraft and helicopters. Featuring a total of 22 decks, the carrier has the capacity to accommodate more than 1,600 personnel on board, including officers and sailors. Advertisement Today, she is considered as a force to reckon with in the Indian Ocean Region. INS Vikramaditya is also the first ever warship to have an ATM on board. The vessel houses an ATM, which is operating through a satellite link, of State Bank of India to save time and resources. In June 2016, INS Vikramaditya reportedly met with an accident while undergoing a scheduled major refit at Karwar naval base. A sailor and a civilian worker was killed due to a toxic gas leak that happened during maintenance work in the Sewage Treatment Plant compartment of the warship. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on board the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. File image/PTI The rebirth of INS Vikrant While India can boast of having three Indian aircraft carriers, it was only in 2022 that the country designed and built its own aircraft carrier the INS Vikrant . Built at a cost of Rs 19,500 crore or $2.5 billion, the INS Vikrant is 262-metre-long and 62-metre-wide with a displacement of over 40,000 tonnes. Analysts have also praised the vessel for its potential firepower. The aircraft carrier has the capacity of operating 30 aircraft comprising of MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy). INS Vikrant being berthed at the newly constructed Aircraft Carrier pier, in Karwar, Saturday. pti It is powered by four gas turbine engines and can attain a top speed of 32 mph (52 kph) with a range of 8,600 miles (13,890 kilometres). And following the success of the INS Vikrant, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar in September last year announced that the Navy is looking at a repeat order for an Indigenous Aircraft Carrier. We are working for a third aircraft carrier which will be a repeat of the INS Vikrant. There is a lot of expertise that has been generated in terms of building an aircraft carrier. We are looking at having an IAC, a follow-on I would say, a repeat order being made. We are preparing a case for it, Admiral Kumar had then said. If you are a defence geek, then Firstpost has you covered. Tune into Firstpost Defence summit on 24 February at 3 pm. You can register at www.firstpostdefencesummit.com With inputs from agencies Russias flag has been raised in the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka after Ukrainian forces made a hasty retreat. The capture of the city is significant for Vladimir Putins men whose last biggest gain was the fall of Bakhmut in May 2023 A Ukrainian official takes cover in front of a burning building that was hit in a Russian airstrike in Avdiivka, Ukraine. File image/AP Its Day 726 of the Russia-Ukraine war and Vladimir Putin is a happy man. Happy, because his troops have achieved an important victory the capture of the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. On Sunday (18 February), Russian troops raised the flag in several parts of the eastern town of Avdiivka after Ukrainian forces beat a hasty retreat from the ruins of a town theyve been defending for a decade. Advertisement The fall of Avdiivka to Moscow is the countrys biggest win since capturing the city of Bakhmut in May last year and comes almost two years to the day since President Vladimir Putin triggered a full-scale war by ordering the invasion of Ukraine. Earlier on Saturday, Ukraine had ordered the complete withdrawal from the city, after being unable to fend off the Russian assault. Based on the operational situation around Avdiivka, in order to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of servicemen, I decided to withdraw our units from the city and move to defence on more favourable lines, General Oleksandr Syrsky, Ukraines top military commander, said in a statement. Confirming the same, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian commanders had decided to retreat from the besieged city in the face of relentless meat wave attacks by Russian troops. As Moscow claims a significant win, we take a closer look at why the fall of Avdiivka matters in this war. The city of Avdiivka Advertisement The city of Avdiivka, also known as Avdeyevka by Russians, is situated around 15 miles from the Russian-occupied region of Donetsk and is a part of Ukrainian territory that Moscow has been trying to capture through direct and proxy assaults. The city had a pre-war population of around 32,000. However, authorities say that today that number is less than 1,000, with most of them living in cellars and basements. According to Ukrainian officials, not a single building in the city remains intact. Advertisement Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelenskyy takes a video in front of a road sign with the words Avdiivka this is Ukraine, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, as he visits the frontline town of Avdiivka. File image/Reuters Incidentally, the city was home to a coke plant that was one of Europes top producers before the war. Russia and Ukraine have been fighting over Avdiivka for years. In 2014, pro-Russian separatists invaded and briefly captured the city, only for Ukrainian forces to take it back and fortify it. A major uptick in violence in 2017 created a humanitarian crisis in the city, shrinking its population to just a few thousands. Advertisement The battle for Avdiivka While both sides have been fighting for the city, the big offensive against Avdiivka began in October last year, with Putins troops launching several battalions against the edges of the city and shelling the area day and night. It was only in January that Russia was able to breach the citys borders and break into the residential areas. According to a New York Times report, Russia used its scorched-earth tactics , bombing the place to ruins, and then sending in wave after wave of troops in assaults that left thousands of dead and wounded, according to military experts. In fact, analysts noted that Russias battle in Avdiivka was extracting a huge human toll. Last November, British military intelligence said the fighting had contributed to some of the highest Russian casualty rates of the war so far. A member of Ukraines 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade had told Radio Liberty, Every day there are new fresh forces, regardless of the weather, regardless of anything of losses. No matter what, they keep crawling literally over the bodies of their own. Advertisement Local residents say goodbye to their neighbour as she leaves her home in war-hit Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine. AP And in recent days, Russias attacks had stepped up significantly, with Moscow carrying out air strikes with targeting assistance from special forces, and using artillery, drones, helicopters and tanks as well as infantry. The Washington Post citing The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank, said Russian forces launched large numbers of glide bombs at parts of the city. The Russian ability to conduct these mass strikes for several days in the most active part of the front line suggests that Ukrainian forces were not able to deny them access to the airspace around Avdiivka, the ISW wrote. Russian forces likely leveraged this temporary localised air superiority to facilitate the capture of much of the settlement. Advertisement And on Saturday, the Ukrainian army chief realising the men were in danger, called for their retreat, saying that he had acted to preserve the lives and health of servicemen, stabilise the situation and move troops to more favourable defence lines. Following their triumph of Avdiivka, Russias defence ministry spokesperson, Major General Igor Konashenkov said measures were being taken to completely clear the town of militants. Moreover, Russian media showed Ukrainian flags being removed and the installation of Russias white, blue and red tricolour being raised. Advertisement #Breaking : The Russian army is completing the occupation of the Ukraine city of Avdiivka. There was a battle there for many months , and here, Russia is hoisting its flag over one of the tallest buildings in the city . This is bad news for Biden and Europe. #Russia #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/o9IZt7xqBs Wkbar57 (@kbar57) February 18, 2024 Advertisement Following its retreat, Zelenskyy, who was present at the Munich Security Conference , said: The ability to save our people is the most important task for us. In order to avoid being surrounded, it was decided to withdraw to other lines. Members of Ukraines National Guard Omega Special Purpose fire a SPG-9 anti-tank grenade launcher toward Russian troops in the front line town of Avdiivka, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine. Reuters Significance of Avdiivka The fall of Avdiivka to Russia is a strategic and symbolic blow to the Ukrainian forces. Avdiivka was a stronghold of Ukrainian defences in the Donetsk region, protecting several key Ukrainian military positions farther west and putting the nearby Russian-controlled city of Donetsk under constant threat. Advertisement The fall of Avdiivka creates an opening for Russia. It would give Russian forces a step forward towards the strategic city of Pokrovsk, a logistical hub for the Ukrainian army. That would also bring them a small step closer to their goal of capturing the entire Donetsk region, which the Kremlin claims to have annexed but does not fully control. Advertisement The win also serves as a huge boost for Russian morale and demoralise Ukrainian forces. As Mykola Bielieskov of the National Institute for Strategic Studies, was quoted as saying that taking Avdiivka would not decisively tip the situation in Moscows favour but would make the situation more tenable for occupied Donetsk as a major Russian logistics hub. A Ukrainian soldier walks in Avdiivka, the site of heavy battles with Russian troops in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. AP The win in Avdiivka is also important for Putin ahead of the elections in March. The win cements his stature as a powerful leader and also gives credence to Putins unending war in Ukraine. As New York Times wrote the win could become a bragging point for President Vladimir Putin of Russia, as he seeks a fifth presidential term . It remains to be seen how the Ukrainian Army, now undermanned and starved of ammunition, will react to the fall and also defend other towns in the face of unending Russian assaults. As for the allies of Ukraine, this does not bode well as Kyiv will put more pressure for arms and ammunition. Zelenskyy has already pushed for countries to give Ukraine longer-range weapons and more air defence systems. Unfortunately, keeping Ukraine in the artificial deficit of weapons, particularly in the deficit of artillery and long-range capabilities, allows Putin to adapt to the current intensity of the war, Zelenskyy said in Germany. The self-weakening of democracy over time undermines our joint results. With inputs from agencies Sandeshkhali in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district has made headlines in the recent past and the man at the centre of it all is TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan. From a driver to perhaps the most powerful man in the area, his rise to the top has been remarkable. However, it is also marred with allegations of extortion and land grab The island of Sandeshkhali in the Sundarbans of West Bengals North 24 Parganas district wasnt a well-known place. Until now. For the past week or so, it has been on edge over allegations of harassment and exploitation by local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders. The issue has also emerged as a major flashpoint between the TMC and the Opposition, namely the BJP. Advertisement Amid the allegations and counter-allegations, there is one man who stands at the centre of it all Sheikh Shahjahan, who is currently absconding from the authorities. But who is Sheikh Shahjahan? What power does he wield in Sandeshkhali? And how has he found himself at the centre of this controversy? We get you all the answers. The rise of Sheikh Shahjahan Shahjahan is a TMC leader, wielding great power and influence in Sandeshkhali . He is presently the TMC president of Sandeshkhali unit and for many, he holds more power and popularity than the MLA or MP of the area. But it wasnt always like this. Shahjahan, also known as Bhai, has had an incredible journey. He started off in 1999 as a trekker driver, who doubled as a conductor at times, and also worked as a vegetable vendor at the local market. Advertisement Not much is known of his family or his education. Even his nomination papers for the panchayat polls reveal a vacant slot in the column for education qualifications. It was thanks to his uncle, Moslem Sheikh, a local Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader, that Shahjahan got a break in politics. Sheikh gave Shahjahan his first breakthrough, and the ambitious nephew started looking after the local fish trade. Advertisement A TMC leader was quoted as telling Times of India, Shahjahan quit his drivers job. He turned into a goon, controlling local bheris and dealing in vested land. Soon, he grew into a prominent figure in North 24 Parganas. He, along with his uncle, had such a strong hold on the area that even when Left lost back-to-back elections from 2009, they continued to remain in office in his part of North 24 Parganas. Advertisement Notices being pasted after ED officers raid at TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikhs home at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district. PTI He also began attaining popularity in the area, as he set out to carve his own identity. With the money he was able to make, he helped out locals during their time of need. Be it a wedding or helping parents pay for their childrens education, Shahjahan became the go-to man. In fact, he also employed hundreds of young men in his syndicate, buying them mobiles and motorcycles. Advertisement In 2013, he switched sides and joined the TMC, and aligned himself with the now-arrested Jyotipriya Mullick. In 2018, Sheikh became famous as the deputy head of the Sarberia Agarhati gram panchayat. His younger brothers are also active TMC workers and manage his businesses. Today, he is often approached by locals to resolve conflicts, family disputes as well as land disagreements. Advertisement A local TMC leader, quoted by news agency PTI, said that Shahjahan holds respect and fear in the area. To some, he is a messiah; to his detractors, he is a terror. He carries a Robin Hood image in the area. Wealth and crimes of Sheikh Shahjahan As the years passed by, Shahjahan has accumulated wealth of untold proportions. As per an NDTV report, he has three palatial houses. In fact, his nomination papers for panchayat polls show that he owns 17 cars, 43 bighas of land and jewellery worth Rs 2 crore and an annual income of nearly Rs 20 lakh. Advertisement However, locals have said that his land ownings are much more than what he claims in his documents. Moreover, some even allege, as per an NDTV report, that his aides collect a cut from every fish trader in the area. But Shahjahans rise to the top also seen him embroiled in criminal cases. The police have registered several cases against him from extortion to assault to even murder. Some reports have also stated that he runs an illegal cross-border trade. In 2020, he was accused of double murder of two BJP leaders. Advertisement Several residents have also complained of him and his aides of land grabbing. Moreover, he forced villagers to give up their wages and welfare payments. But despite the many criminal cases against him, he has played an important role in curbing child trafficking, earning recognition for his efforts in making Sarberia Agarhati gram panchayat a Child-Friendly Gram Panchayat in 2019. Advertisement West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose interacts with women protestors at Sandeshkhali block, in North 24 Parganas district. PTI The current row The current controversy in Sandeshkhali began last month when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) reached his residence in connection with the probe into the alleged ration scam. Realising hes in hiding, villagers, including women, of Sandeshkhali have found courage to speak out against the many crimes of Shahjahan and his aides Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar. Advertisement The ensuing stir has caught the attention of the country. Governor CV Ananda Bose and National Commission for Women members have visited the area. However, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has pointed fingers at the BJP, claiming that the turmoil was the result of the BJP. The police have so far arrested 18 people including local TMC leader Shibaprasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar in connection with the incidents of violence at Sandeshkhali. They have also added sections of gangrape and attempted murder against three of the prime accused, one of whom is still absconding. Advertisement Banerjee also said that she would be sending her officers to Sandeshkhali who would talk to the locals there to find out if the complaints were genuine. With inputs from agencies Yulia Navalnaya, Alexei Navalnys wife, stood by his side as he challenged President Vladimir Putins rule for more than a decade Navalnaya had stood by her fearless husband as he galvanised mass protests in Russia, flying him out of the country as he lay in a coma after a poisoning and defiantly returning to Moscow with him. File image/Reuters I Love You. Yulia Navalnaya, Alexei Navalnys wife, posted on Instagram on Sunday, hours after the news of her husbands death was made public. She also shared a picture of the two together, with their heads touching as they watched a performance of some kind. Yulia also made her first appearance at the Munich Security Conference. Solemn and tearful Yulia stated that if Alexei Navalnys death is confirmed, Russian president Vladimir Putin and his associates will not go unpunished. Advertisement She expressed scepticism about the news of her husbands death because it came from Russian government sources, and urged the international community to stand strong against Putin. I want to call on the world community, she said as reported by New York Times, everyone in this room and people around the world to come together to defeat this evil, defeat this horrible regime that is now in Russia. On the other hand, on Sunday, several Russian media outlets reported that Alexei Navalnys body was discovered covered in bruises hours after it went missing from the Salekhard mortuary, reports India Today. According to the Russian newspaper, Novaya Gazeta Europe, the 47-year-old Vladimir Putin critic did not have a post-mortem performed. This comes days after Russias prison authorities announced Navalnys death on Friday. Advertisement Alexeis stoic partner Yulia Navalnaya had not seen her husband Alexei in two years when she spoke at the Munich Security Conference after news broke that he had died in his Arctic prison. With tears in her eyes, Navalnaya by her husbands side as he challenged President Vladimir Putins rule for more than a decade took a deep breath. Advertisement If this is true, then I want Putin and all his entourage, Putins friends and his government to know: they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family, to my husband. And this day will come very soon, the 47-year-old said, her hair in a tight bun as always. Advertisement Navalnaya had stood by her fearless husband as he galvanised mass protests in Russia, flying him out of the country as he lay in a coma after a poisoning and defiantly returning to Moscow with him. Yulia Navalnaya expressed scepticism about the news of her husbands death because it came from Russian government sources, and urged the international community to stand strong against Putin. Reuters She has since clung on to the hope that she would see him again even as he was given 19 years in prison and sent to the harshest possible prison. Advertisement I hope and I believe that I will see Alexei free. There is nothing impossible when you are in love, she told Der Spiegel last year. As his fight against the Kremlin became ever more daring, Navalny would say he could not make it without his wife. His last message to the outside world was a Valentines Day note to her: I feel that you are with me every second. Advertisement In her first social media post after her husbands death, she shared a photo of him kissing her forehead. The caption read: I love you. The couple often shared photographs of their family life with their children. Their love story inspired Navalnys followers. Advertisement It presented a stark contrast to Putin, who keeps his personal life in utter secrecy. Navalnaya has always insisted she is primarily a mother and a wife uninterested in going into politics, resisting calls to take on a more active political role even when her husband was a free man. But many are now left wondering if there is anyone else to unite a leaderless and exiled Opposition. Advertisement I had to get him out The Munich speech was not the first time Navalnaya showed stoicism. In summer 2020, she watched her husband almost die when he was poisoned in Siberia by what doctors said was a Soviet nerve agent. She then managed to get him out of the country as he lay in a coma with local doctors refusing to let him go with the help of a German charity. Advertisement Every moment when we were there, I thought I had to get him out, Navalnaya told Russian filmmaker and blogger Yuri Dud in an interview during her husbands recovery in Germany. She said state doctors in Siberia were trying to drag out the process for him to either die or for the nerve agent not to be traceable. Advertisement Yulia Navalnaya, wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, attends the Munich Security Conference (MSC), on the day it was announced that Alexei Navalny is dead, by the prison service of the Yamalo-Nenets region where he had been serving his sentence, in Munich, Germany. Reuters Five months later, she was just as defiant when the couple flew back to Moscow, knowing it would land him in jail.Waiter, bring us some vodka, were flying home, Navalnaya said in a video sitting next to Alexei on the plane, copying a scene from a Russian cult film. The couple were separated at passport control upon landing, the last time she saw her husband free. Advertisement They briefly embraced before police took him away and she was greeted at the airport to chants of Yulia!. Darkest things Navalnaya has described her life since as letters, letters, letters, saying she tried to write to her husband every day. The two met on holiday in Turkey, with both saying they fell in love immediately. Navalnaya gave up a job in banking to raise the couples children as Alexeis political career took off. As he recovered from the poisoning in Germany, Navalny joked that his wifes views were more radical than his. When you are not a politician but you see the darkest things against your family then, of course, it radicalises you, he said in the interview with Dud. Since Navalny was imprisoned, Navalnaya has said she would not follow the path of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who became Belaruss Opposition leader after her husband was jailed. The pair symbolically hugged in Munich after Navalnys death. Yulia Navalnaya is becoming a political figure whether she wants it or not, Russian political commentator Tatiana Stanovaya said on social media the day Navalny died. With inputs from AFP Three days after his death, the body of Alexei Navalny has not been handed over to his family. A report in Novaya Gazeta Europe, an independent news outlet, says that the corpse is at a morgue of a hospital in the city of Salekhard, which is an hour away from the prison where the Putin critic died. The body had bruises on it The death of Alexei Navalny, Russias most famous opposition leader, came as a shock but was not unexpected. Many of Russian president Vladimir Putins critics and enemies have had mysterious deaths . Navalnys case is no different. On Friday, Navalny fell unconscious and died after a walk at the Polar Wolf Arctic penal colony where he was serving a three-decade sentence, authorities said. A release from the prison service stated that all the necessary resuscitation measures were carried out but did not yield positive results. Emergency doctors confirmed the death of the convict, it said. Advertisement But was Navalny ailing? What killed him? And where is his body? Three days on, the questions remain unanswered. How did Alexei Navalny die? The news of Nalanys death grabbed headlines after a release from the prison service was shared on X by former deputy minister at the Ukrainian ministry of internal affairs Anton Yuriyovych Gerashchenko. On 16.02.2024 in the correctional colony number 3, convict Navalny A.A. has felt unwell after a walk, and has lost consciousness almost immediately. The medical workers of the institution have arrived at once, an emergency medical brigade was summoned, they wrote, said the post. The cause of his death is unclear. Aleksey Navalny has died in prison - Russian Federal Penitentiary Service. They wrote: "On 16.02.2024 in the correctional colony number 3, convict Navalny A.A. has felt unwell after a walk, and has lost consciousness almost immediately. The medical workers of the pic.twitter.com/mkkPBYQUdC Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) February 16, 2024 Advertisement After the news was made public, Navalnys lawyer Leonid Solovyev told Novaya Gazeta Europe, an independent media outlet, that he had visited the opposition leader on Wednesday (14 February) and everything was all right then. It was on Saturday that Navalnys team confirmed that he had died. His spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said that his mother had been notified. The mother and lawyer of the Putin critic flew to the penal colony on Saturday where the Kremlin critic was being held to receive official confirmation of his death. The mother was told that Nalavny was struck down by sudden death syndrome and that his body would not be handed over to the family until an investigation was completed, his team said. Advertisement Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny speaks to the media in front of security officers standing guard at the Foundation for Fighting Corruption office in Moscow. The sudden death of Alexei Navalny, the fiercest foe of Russias president Vladimir Putin, has left the Russian opposition with an open wound. File image/AP Sudden death syndrome is a vague term for different cardiac syndromes that cause sudden cardiac arrest and death, reports NDTV. Alexey Navalny was murdered. His death occurred on February 16 at 2:17 p.m. local time, according to the official message to Alexeys mother, Yarmysh said in a post on social media. We demand that Alexey Navalnys body be handed over to his family immediately. Advertisement Where is Navalnys body? According to a report in Novaya Gazeta Europe, the corpse is in the morgue of the Salekhard District Clinical Hospital. No autopsy was performed on it until Saturday. Navalnys body was taken to the town of Labytnangi, 36 kilometres away from the penal colony where he died. However, sources say that the body was later on Friday transferred to the District Clinical Hospital in the regional capital of Salekhard, the report said. Advertisement A paramedic in the Salekhard ambulance service was quoted by Novaya Gazeta Europe as saying that bodies are usually taken to the Bureau of Forensic Medicine but in Navalnys case it was taken to the clinical hospital. A view of the entrance of the prison colony in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenetsk region about 1,900 kilometres (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow, Russia. Alexei Navalny, the fiercest foe of Russian president Vladimir Putin who crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests, died in prison on Friday. AP They drove him to the morgue, brought him in, and then stationed two policemen in front of the door. They might as well have put up a sign saying something mysterious is going on here! Of course, everyone wanted to know what had happened, what all the secrecy was about and whether they were trying to hide something serious, the paramedic said. Advertisement Confusion prevailed. Some said that specialists would arrive from Moscow but others reportedly that doctors had refused to perform an autopsy on Navalnys body. The source told Novaya Gazeta Europe that the death was not of criminal nature, a term used to indicate that no firearms were involved. According to the paramedic, he was told that Navalnys body showed signs of bruising, although the bruises did not appear from beatings. The opposition leader must have been alive for bruising to appear. Advertisement As an experienced paramedic, I can say that the injuries described by those who saw them appeared to be from convulsions. If a person is convulsing and others try to hold him down but the convulsions are very strong, then bruising appears. They also said he had a bruise on his chest the kind that comes from indirect cardiac massage, he told Novaya Gazeta Europe. Advertisement The paramedic said that attempts were made to resuscitate the Putin critic and he probably died of cardiac arrest. But nobody is saying anything about why he had a cardiac arrest, he said. A young woman lays flowers to pay the last respect to Alexei Navalny at the monument, a large boulder from the Solovetsky islands, where the first camp of the Gulag political prison system was established, near the historical Federal Security Service (FSB, Soviet KGB successor) building in Moscow, Russia. AP Why has Navalnys body not been handed over to his family? For the mother of Alexei Navalny, the journey to recover her sons body has been trying. Advertisement On Saturday, Lyudmila Navalnaya , 69, travelled to Navalnys prison in the town of Kharp in the Yamalo-Nenets region, some 1,900 kilometres northeast of Moscow with his team. Prison employees told her that they did not have her sons body. They said it had been taken to the nearby city of Salekhard, a little over an hours drive away, as part of a probe into his death, according to a report in The Associated Press (AP). Advertisement When Lyudmila arrived in Salekhard with one of Navalnys lawyers, however, they found that the morgue was closed, Navalnys team wrote on their Telegram channel. When the lawyer called the morgue, they were told that the politicians body was not there either. Lyudmila Navalnaya, mother of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny attends the opposition rally in support of her son in Moscow, Russia. File image/AP Lyudmila headed directly to Salekhards Investigative Committee office, where she was told that the cause of her sons death had, in fact, not yet been established, said Navalnys spokesperson. Officials told Lyudmila that the politicians relatives would not receive his body until they had completed additional examinations. Advertisement Its obvious that they are lying and doing everything they can to avoid handing over the body, Yarmysh wrote on X after Lyudmila visited the Investigative Committee office. Navalnys colleagues at the Anti-Corruption Foundation accused the Russian authorities of a cover-up. Also read: How Alexei Navalnys death puts an end to politics in Russia Two unscheduled flights from Moscow landed at Salekhard possibly with autopsy specialists. Russia observers said that state autopsy specialists may have been flown in so that they could deliver a death certificate that pleases the Kremlin, according to a report in The Telegraph UK. As world leaders blame the Kremlin for the death, it remains to be seen what happens next in this sad tale. _With inputs from agencies _ South Koreas government, which says the country is staring at a shortfall of 15,000 doctors by 2025, wants to increase admissions in medical schools from 3,000 per year to 5,000 per year. But doctors oppose this and say there are far more pressing issues such as raising medical fees, reducing the burden of large teaching hospitals and incentivising doctors to practice essential healthcare Trainee doctors in South Korea are resigning in droves. Monday witnessed surgeries and other procedures at the countrys five largest hospitals being delayed after en masse resignations from trainee doctors though the countrys healthcare system remains unscathed thus far. This comes after the Korea Intern Resident Association in an emergency meeting last week decided to take collective action. Advertisement But what do we know about the walkout? And why are trainee doctors striking? Lets take a closer look: What do we know? According to Time Magazine, Park Dan, head of the Korea Intern Resident Association on Facebook on Friday, warned that doctors at major institutions such as Seoul National University Hospital would submit their resignation letters on Monday and walk off work on Tuesday. As many as 2,700 trainees, who comprise just over a third of doctors at hospitals, could walk out. There are fears that the strike could widen and over 12,000 senior doctors could also join in. At the heart of the story is the number of admissions to medical schools. Advertisement While around 3,000 students enter medical school every year, the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol wants to raise that number to around 5,000 from 2025. As per Time Magazine, the cap has remained steady since 2006. The government has a sound reason for this. Though South Korea has about 140,000 professional doctors, the government points out that of all developed nations, South Korea has among the fewest doctors relative to size of the populace. Time Magazine quoted data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development as showing that the country has just 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people. Advertisement Greece, by comparison, has 6.3 doctors per 1,000 people. By 2035, South Korea is projected to face a shortfall of 15,000 doctors. The government wants to add 10,000 doctors to the rolls by that year. South Korea also has one of the worlds lowest birth rates and has been grappling with shortages of doctors in some key professions, including obstetrics and paediatrics, and in rural regions outside the greater capital area. Advertisement Doctors stage a rally against the governments medical policy near the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday. AP The plan also aims to ensure there are enough doctors practising outside large cities and expand legal protection for the profession against malpractice suits and prosecution. Seouls Asan Medical Center said that a number of interns and resident doctors there submitted resignation letters and that it was trying to reschedule planned surgeries and other medical treatments for some patients. Advertisement Seouls Severance Hospital said some of its trainee doctors also handed in resignation letters and suggested it could rearrange surgery schedules as well. South Korean media reported that hundreds of trainee doctors at other hospitals have already submitted their resignation letters. Media reports say some hospitals have canceled or put off planned cancer surgeries, child births and other procedures in which trainee doctors assist senior doctors during surgeries. Advertisement The Health Ministry said it was trying to find how many of the total trainee doctors at the five hospitals estimated at about 2,700 in local media submitted their resignations. What do doctors groups say? But doctors groups argue that there are other more pressing issues to deal with like raising medical fees for example. Advertisement Others claim the number of doctors going up dramatically could result in doctors having to compete with each other, give rise to unnecessary medical treatments and burden to the public health insurance. They also say the plan will not address the overburdening of large teaching hospitals and a lack of incentives for doctors to practice in essential healthcare services such as paediatrics, obstetrics and emergency medicine. Advertisement The Korea Medical Association, which represents doctors, said it plans to hold rallies in support of the trainee doctors but hasnt determined whether to join their walkouts. If the government wants doctors to work for the crucial sectors like obstetrics or paediatrics, they should build legal safety net and increase medical fee first so that the doctors in those sectors wouldnt feel pressured to be sued over accidents or be burdened by heavy workloads, said Joo Sooho, former president of Korea Medical Association. Advertisement Doctors have successfully resisted several government attempts to increase the number of students in past years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics say doctors are mainly concerned the reform could erode their salaries and social status. What is the government saying? Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo expressed deep worries and regrets over the trainee doctors action. Park, citing a medical law, said the government ordered them to continue their jobs. Under South Korean medical laws, doctors, who are considered essential workers, are forbidden from undertaking mass work stoppages. Advertisement Theres also a political angle to consider. The development comes as parliamentary elections are slated to be held in April. Time Magazine quoted a poll showing the public is in favour of the governments plan. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, second from right, presides over a meeting of ministers at the government complex in Seoul, South Korea, Monday. AP The Gallup Korea poll on Friday showed 76 per cent of respondents approving, while just 16 per cent did not. Advertisement Yoons personal approval also has increased from 29 per cent two weeks ago to 33 per cent. In an editorial published Thursday, the Korea JoongAng Daily newspaper said a strike by doctors would attract little public support. Earlier Monday, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the government will take steps to prevent the trainee doctors action from undermining the care of emergency patients. He said that more than 400 emergency medical treatment centers across South Korea will stay o.pen around the clock. He said the government will deploy military doctors if the situation worsens. Han on Sunday had pleaded ith doctors not to take peoples lives hostage. Han said if doctors leave their jobs or take actions that cause a vacuum in healthcare, the damage will fall on the public. This is something that takes the lives and health of the people hostage and must not happen, Han said in a statement, referring to the planned mass resignation of trainee doctors. While the government plans to meet with doctors groups to address their concerns, it has no intentions to adjust the scale and timing of the medical student increase, Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said during a briefing Thursday. I implore trainee doctors to not turn their backs on patients, he said, adding the government would be inspecting hospitals to check whether doctors had joined the strike. The police warned they could arrest key instigators of the work stoppages. Park said the plan was necessary in South Koreas fast-ageing society, with doctors set to be overwhelmed with exponential demand down the road if the current quota remained. Hospitals are already having hard time finding doctors now, and problems of accessing medical service in time have occurred repeatedly, Park added. The health ministry said 715 trainee doctors have submitted their resignation as of Friday. It has issued a back-to-work order, warning that refusing to comply will result in punishment. The Korean Medical Association slammed the government. It called the governments threats of legal action were akin to a witch hunt and claiming the plan would create a Cuban-style socialist medical system. With inputs from agencies Since January, asbestos has been discovered at nearly three dozen sites in Sydney including five schools. While the government has said the situation is contained, experts say it takes a long time for diseases from asbestos exposure to develop as long as 15 to 30 years The toxic material has been found in parks, railway substations, hospitals, and now even schools. Asbestos is seemingly everywhere in Sydney. The toxic material has been found in parks, railway substations, hospitals, and now even schools. Nearly three dozen sites across the city have tested positive for bonded asbestos. But how bad is the problem? And why are schools in danger? Lets take a closer look: What is asbestos? First, lets take a closer look at asbestos. Advertisement According to the healthlinkbc.ca, asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral fibres. It is found in rock. Asbestos, which is white in colour, was used to build homes and offices for years. It became popular in late 19th century as a way to reinforce cement and for fire-proofing. While asbestos usually posed little to no health risks, this is not the case for exposure to asbestos fibres. Asbestos has been banned in much of the world after research discovered found that the inhalation of asbestos fibres could cause lung inflammation and cancer. According to WebMD, part of the problem is that asbestos fibres are too small for the human eye to spot and very easy to breathe in. These can lodge in a human beings lungs resulting in scarring and inflammation. This can also cause Lung cancer Mesothelioma The risk factors for asbestos include history of illnesses, amount of asbestos, duration of exposure and type of fibres. Those who smoke and who have had pre-existing lung diseases face a greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. Advertisement How bad is the problem? According to The Guardian, asbestos was widely used in Australia before being banned in the 1990s. In New South Wales, loose fibre asbestos was used in parts of home roof insulations in the 1960s and 1970s. Australia only entirely banned asbestos in 2003. Advertisement An asbestos contamination was discovered in January when the toxic material was found in a playground in Sydney, the capital of New South Wales. As per The New York Times, the discovery was made after a child brought some mulch home from Rozelle Parklands. The parents, who spotted what seemed to be asbestos, had the mulch examined. The positive result sent authorities into a flurry of action. Subsequent investigations spotted it in recycled mulch near the park, built above an underground road interchange. Advertisement On Saturday, authorities said asbestos has been discovered in more places in Sydney, including housing estates, as the New South Wales government continued a weeks-long scramble to remove the toxic material from mulch used in public areas. Since then, in what is the biggest investigation by the states Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in decades, nearly three dozen city sites have returned positive results for bonded asbestos. Advertisement As per ABC, asbestos has also been found in and around five schools. Asbestos has been banned in much of the world after research discovered found that the inhalation of asbestos fibres could cause lung inflammation and cancer. This includes St Lukes Catholic College in Marsden Park where estimated 30 cubic metres of asbestos-contaminated mulch is set to be removed. The school has around 2,000 students. My understanding of that school is that there was something like 30 cubic metres of mulch that was provided, Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar told the website. Advertisement So thats quite an extensive amount and its quite widespread throughout the school, and that was difficult to cordon off and contain. According to The Guardian, the students in the school will learn from home as the area is cleared of asbestos. The EPA said new sites where asbestos had been detected were a public school and park in the citys north, and two residential estates under construction in Sydneys south-west. The University of Sydney had also been identified as potentially tainted and would be tested this weekend, it said. Advertisement EPA head Tony Chappel said a concert by pop superstar Taylor Swift set to take place next weekend in the citys west would go ahead. Government has ensured any necessary resources for remediation should they be required are in place and we can make sure that site is in the clear for the Taylor Swift event, Chappel said in Sydney. Advertisement According to The New York Times, that venue has been since declared asbestos-free. Authorities have cordoned off areas in several contaminated Sydney parks, forcing the cancellation of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day event scheduled for Sunday, which usually draws tens of thousands of revellers, after traces of asbestos were found around the venue. Advertisement Transport projects, a primary school, a warehouse and a hospital have also been confirmed as contaminated. Since 10 January, the EPA says it has taken almost 300 samples citywide, with 10 percent testing positive for asbestos. In response, the New South Wales government has set up a dedicated asbestos task force to give more resources and support to the EPA as it investigates the widening contamination. Advertisement The government has also attempted to calm the situation. Theres 12 so far that weve worked with, across 3,000 schools in this state, Dizdar told ABC. From my angle as secretary of education, it has been quite contained. Advertisement Much of the mulch has been supplied by Greenlife Resource Recovery, as per The Guardian. The company has said it is not liable for the mulch being contaminated and that it has multiple rounds of testing from independent laboratories to prove it. Greenlife is confident mulch leaving our facility is free of asbestos contamination, the company said in a statement as per ABC. Chappel was quoted as saying that all lines of inquiry were being undertaken. Its certainly unhelpful at this point for anyone to attribute blame, he warned on Sunday. This is a complex supply chain and the investigation is ongoing. When weve concluded, we will release the full report to the public as well as any potential court processes that follow. But experts say asbestos fibres are bad news. Once the fibres get into that lining they create cancer that is quite volatile, that doesnt respond to normal treatments for cancer, Peter Tighe, the independent chair of the Asbestos Industry Research Institute told The Gurdian. Diagnosing it is no mean feat either. Were not sure whether there is a genetic disposition to it, and to diagnose it properly, when someone does have it, is a very invasive procedure, Tighe said. Tighe added that its really difficult to do much about it, other than to record the fact that youve been exposed and make people aware of it. It also takes a long time for diseases from asbestos to develop as long as 15 to 30 years after exposure. With inputs from agencies The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has issued a stern warning to the top seven airlines, including Air India, asking them to ensure the delivery of passengers baggage within 10 to 30 minutes. The move aims to reduce congestion at airports and make space for new arrivals. What is the wait time at other big airports around the world? The authority has reportedly given 10 days to implement the new regulations, with a target date of 26 February 2024. Freepik/Representative Image Prolonged wait time at the baggage conveyor belt to get the luggage is one of the most tiresome aspects of air travel. Due to the delays in baggage deliveries at airports in India, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the security wing of the Civil Aviation Ministry, has issued a stern warning to the top seven airlines, asking them to streamline their baggage handling procedures or face strict action. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. The warning letter In a letter dated 16 February, the BCAS pointed out errors by top airlines in obeying rules. According to ANI, the new regulations by the BCAS say, The airlines are required to ensure the delivery of passengers baggage within a timeframe of 10 to 30 minutes as per the Service Quality Requirements of Operatiion, Management and Delivery Agreement (OMDA). The authority has reportedly given 10 days to implement the new regulations, with a target date of 26 February 2024. Strict action will be taken against those who will fail to comply with orders. The warning letter has been sent to IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa, Air India Express Connect, Vistara, and Air India Express. Advertisement The airlines have been given final warning in the form of the letter written on Friday. If an airline still continues to delay the process of delivering the baggage, the ministry will be forced to take action against it, Hindustan Times quoted an official as saying. Travellers push trolleys with their luggage at the departure area of Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Reuters Notably, the move comes after the Civil Aviation security wing studied the time taken by airlines to clear the passengers from the arrival hails of six major airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chennai, since January this year. Advertisement The move to ensure baggage delivery on time, will not only clear the passengers faster, making space for the others arriving into the hall, but will also help in the security of the airport, a government official said, as per the report. Since the beginning of the review exercise, the performance of all airlines is being monitored on a weekly basis, which has improved but are not as per the mandates, HT quoted the official as saying. However, BCAS has directed the airlines to ensure that the mandated levels are achieved in all airports where they fly. Advertisement According to News18, the Aviation Ministrys BCAS also initiated the monitoring exercise at the beginning of this year, ensuring no passengers have to deal with baggage delivery on belts. Also read: What is skiplagging, the new air travel hack that airlines hate? Airport congestion at airports From Mumbai to Delhi airports, congestion at airports has been a major concern in India in the past year. Advertisement To address the problem, the government has introduced various measures, especially after December 2022, when Delhi and Mumbai airports witnessed a sudden spike in passenger footfall, impacting many flyers who missed their flights. In June 2023, the Delhi airport launched the Self-Baggage Drope (SBD) facility at Terminal 3 of the airport, as per the Economic Times. The passenger-friendly initiative aimed to streamline the baggage drop-off process, reduce the wait time for passengers by approximately 15-20 minutes and further enhance the overall airport experience. Advertisement Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has been working on strategic improvements, such as an increase in departure gates, the introduction of new technologies for faster security clearance, Digi Yatra, increase in manpower at airports. The minister even removed a few lounges and commercial areas at the airports to create space for passenger movements. Space allocations for commercial activities are planned on the principle of to be on the way and not in the way to ensure smooth and natural flow of passengers, he said in December last year, as per HT. Advertisement The situation at other airports around the world At Dubai International (DXB) departure passport control, the average waiting time was less than five minutes for over 96 per cent passengers in 2022, according to Khaleej Times. For arrivals, the average waiting time at passport control queues was less than 13 minutes for over 95 per cent of passengers. Advertisement DXBs baggage handling system processed a total of 62.2 million bags in 2022, with a success rate of 99.8 per cent. In terms of baggage delivery on arrival, 92 per cent of all baggage was delivered within 45 minutes to our customers. The baggage volume in 2022 represents 86.2 per cent of the 2019 baggage volume at DXB, the airport operator said. Advertisement According to PlanetWare, the average wait time across all US airports is about 10 minutes, and on average, 81 per cent of all American flights have been reported on time since 2014. Passengers visiting airports in Connecticut (2.8 minutes) and Mississippi (3.4 minutes) can expect little to no wait time, the report said. On the other hand, the John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City has an average security wait time of around 23 minutes and a passport control wait time of about 25 minutes, as per the Readers Digest article published in August 2023. Advertisement Initiatives for seamless travel According to a report by Nikkei Asia, Japan is setting up electronic terminals at country airports to process both immigration and customs information. The move aims to shorten the time needed to enter the country to as little as one minute. The programme will begin later this year at Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Kansai International Airport in Osaka. Advertisement Notably, the development comes at a time when the Asian country is witnessing a rise in number of foreign tourists after it lifted the COVID-19 travel restrictions. As the technology grows in popularity, biometric passport clearance is a growing trend at most airports. The biometric Smart Gates tunnels, which employ facial recognition to authenticate travellers IDs in as little as five seconds, were launched in 2018 at Dubai International Airport. As the number of air travellers is projected to keep growing globally, Singapore also announced plans to introduce automated immigration clearance starting this year, which will allow passengers to depart the city-state without passports. Biometric technology, along with facial recognition software, is already in use to some extent in Changi Airport at automated lanes at immigration checkpoints, according to CNN. But the upcoming changes will reduce the need for passengers to repeatedly present their travel documents at touch points and allow for more seamless and convenient processing. Facial recognition technology is already in use in some capacity at airports around the world, including those at Hong Kong International Airport, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Indira Gandhi International in Delhi, London Heathrow, and Paris Charles de Gaulle. According to Euro News, in October last year, Finland became the first country to test digital travel documents. The country launched the trial in partnership with Finnair, the Finnish police, and airport operator Finavia. Earlier this year, the UK Home Office also revealed plans to equip airports with new, high-tech e-gates that feature advanced facial recognition technology. The new e-gates will go through trials later this year. The government anticipates that this new technology will raise Britains border to the level of other developed countries, including Dubai, which employ facial recognition for 50 different nationalities. The aim, according to UK Border Force director-general Phil Douglas, is to establish an intelligent border that makes use of much more frictionless facial recognition than we currently do. With inputs from agencies A Bangladesh visa centre is set to come up in Silchar soon after demand of residents from the three districts of Assams Barak Valley, said Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner in Guwahati on Monday A Bangladesh visa centre is set to come up in Silchar soon after demand of residents from the three districts of Assams Barak Valley, said Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner in Guwahati on Monday. Ruhul Amin highlighted the significant demand for Bangladesh visas from Barak Valley, which comprises Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi districts. Advertisement Consequently, it has been decided to establish a visa center in Silchar, the headquarters of Cachar district, PTI quoted Amin as saying. While the exact opening date is yet to be determined, Amin assured that it will be finalised soon. The centre will process applications and issue visas for travel to Bangladesh. Moreover, Amin mentioned that theres a proposal under consideration to initiate a border market at Harinagar part II of Katigorah, with hopes for a favorable outcome in the near future. The market was proposed to be set up on 500 bighas of land on the bank of the Surma river at Katigorah in Cachar district. Advertisement The Bangladesh government was considering opening two such markets to establish goodwill and coordination among the people living in the border areas of the two countries, he said. Our government always emphasises on maintaining a good relationship with India, Amin added. With inputs from agencies He has become Bhagoda number one. He has something to hide as the mastermind of the liquor scamThe court says that the summons are proper and you should go and attend these summons. But even then you are calling the summons illegal, said BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla Minutes after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) declared that Arvind Kejriwal will not appear before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy, the BJP on Monday attacked the Delhi Chief Minister saying that he has something to hide as the mastermind of the scam and labelled him a Bhagoda number one. Advertisement In a video message, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, He has become Bhagoda number one. He has something to hide as the mastermind of the liquor scamThe court says that the summons are proper and you should go and attend these summons. But even then you are calling the summons illegal. #WATCH | On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal skipping the 6th ED summon, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla says, "He has become 'Bhagoda' number one. He has something to hide as the mastermind of the liquor scam...The court says that the summons are proper and you should go https://t.co/yBjtzzKRBV pic.twitter.com/k3RWzcVvFF ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024 Advertisement Poonawalla said that even the Congress has questioned the role of Delhi Chief Minister in the Delhi liquor case. Advertisement In fact, even the Congress party has said that in the liquor scam, you have a lot of questions to answer. So are they also doing vindictive and vendetta politics? If there is nothing to hide. You must present yourself before the agency, added Poonawalla. Terming the agencys sixth summons to its national convener as illegal, AAP on Monday said that the ED should wait for the courts decision instead of repeatedly sending summons to Kejriwal. Advertisement The ED had approached a city court after Kejriwal skipped multiple summons. On Saturday, the court had granted exemption to Kejriwal from personal appearance for the day in connection with the complaint filed by the central agency. The application moved by Kejriwals counsel stated that the Budget Session of the Delhi assembly has commenced on 15 February and shall continue till the first week of March. Advertisement He will physically appear before the court on the next date of hearing on 16 March, it said. With inputs from agencies Pleased to host EU Ambassadors in New Delhi today afternoon. Shared impressions from Munich Security Conference. Thanked them for their contribution in enhancing Indias relationship with their nations. Good discussion on India-EU ties as well as regional and global issues, Jaishankar wrote on X External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with EU Ambassadors in New Delhi on Monday. Image Courtesy: @DrSJaishankar External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met EU Ambassadors in New Delhi and had good discussions on India-EU ties as well as regional and global issues. Taking to X, Jaishankar said, Pleased to host EU Ambassadors in New Delhi today afternoon. Shared impressions from Munich Security Conference. Thanked them for their contribution in enhancing Indias relationship with their nations. Good discussion on India-EU ties as well as regional and global issues. Advertisement EAM Dr S Jaishankar tweets, "Pleased to host EU Ambassadors in New Delhi today afternoon. Shared impressions from Munich Security Conference. Thanked them for their contribution in enhancing Indias relationship with their nations. Good discussion on India-EU ties as well as pic.twitter.com/TVWAENdXqK ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024 Jaishankar recently attended the Munich Security Conference which commenced on February 16 in the German capital and concluded on Sunday. Advertisement He met his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Norway, Portugal, Poland and Belgium, and discussed bilateral ties and global matters like the situation in West Asia and reformed multilateralism. Jaishankar also met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the conference, their first meeting in more than six months. Video footage from the Munich Security Conference showed Jaishankar and Wang having a brief chat on the sidelines of the prestigious event. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Monday commended the Indian industrys contribution to achieving self-reliance in the Defence sector by 2047 as he inaugurated the Nibe Defence and Aerospace Limiteds manufacturing plant in Maharashtras Pune Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Monday commended the Indian industrys contribution to achieving self-reliance in the Defence sector by 2047 as he inaugurated the manufacturing plant of Nibe Defence and Aerospace Limited in Maharashtras Pune. A very substantial capability that has been built in a very short time So this is a tremendous capability for Atmanirbharta. If you want to make defence equipment in the country, then you need the equipment, the machines, ANI quoted Admiral R Hari Kumar as saying. Advertisement This is a fully automated facility and it will make a substantial difference in the ability to make weapon-grade equipment for ships, airframes, weapon systems on board ships or submarines, torpedo tubes and anything that requires very high precision, he added. #WATCH | Pune: On the inauguration of a manufacturing plant in Nibe Defence And Airspace Limited, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar says, "On the occasion of the birth celebration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, what an auspicious day to inaugurate a facility like this which is pic.twitter.com/H0ebZ4tsUr ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024 Nibe Industries, a prominent medium- and small-scale enterprise in the defence sector, has actively engaged in various projects. Their endeavors include the development of canisters for vertical missile launchers, road-mobile launchers for missile systems, and launchers for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system. Advertisement The Naval Chief reiterated the forces commitment to the national leadership of being fully self-reliant in the years to come. We have committed to our national leadership that till 2047 tuck, we will become Atma Nirbhar, and for that, we require the help of industry, he said. Earlier, speaking to ANI Kumar, said the Indian Navy is going to carry out major operations involving the fleets of both of its aircraft carriers off the West coast in the next ten days. Advertisement He said both aircraft carriers, including the INS Vikramaditya and made-in-India INS Vikrant, would be present in Vishakhapatnam during the Exercise Milan but the twin carrier operations would be seen only after 10 days. Both the carriers are going to be there for Exercise Milan. However, the operationalisation of the carriers, the integration to the fleet and participation of the fleet is going to happen in ten days, the Navy chief said. Advertisement He further said on completion of Exercise Milan, The carriers as well as the escort ships will all go to the western seaboard. We are going to integrate them. The tempo of operation is quite high in the western seaboard right now because 10 of our ships are deployed for anti-drone measures and another 3-4 ships are deployed for anti-piracy operations, which is unprecedented. This wasnt the case earlier, the Navy chief said. Advertisement The 2024 edition of the Indian Navys (IN) Multilateral Naval Exercise (MILAN) will be hosted in Visakhapatnam from February 19 to 27. The exercise will include a variety of exercises, including seamanship drills, tactical manoeuvres, and simulations of complex operational scenarios. The theme for 2024 is Camaraderie Cohesion Collaboration. The MILAN exercise is a biennial event that has been held since 1995, except for 2001, 2005, 2016, and 2020. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Throughout the annals of time, ancient seers and saints, dwelling serenely along the banks of the Sapt Sindhu (Seven Rivers), embarked on a profound journey of intuitive realization. In their contemplative moments, they unravelled the eternal spiritual truths (satya) and envisioned the foundational principles orchestrating the universeprinciples known as dharma. This enduring and fundamental essence, encapsulated within the term Sanatana Dharma, stands as the majestic cornerstone of Indian civilisation, conveyed through a myriad of oral traditions and textual legacies. Hindu studies, therefore, becomes the soulful exploration of these opulent oral and textual traditionsan endeavour akin to unravelling the intricate branches of a vibrant, living tree that embodies Indian culture, philosophy, rituals and spirituality. Advertisement Akhand Bharat and Farther India, as mentioned by French scholar George Coedes, are two different geo-political concepts, united by the influence of Indian culture (including Hindu Dharma); while the former is substantially coterminous with what we call South Asia, the latter includes what is called the Indosphere in Asia, which geographically consists of Vietnam, excluding Northern Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and the Malay states. Hindu settlements existed in Armenia, which became the first country in the world to declare Christianity as its state religion, as mentioned by Indo-Armenian historian Mesrovb Jacob Seth, and in a 3,300-year-old inscription of a treaty between Hittite King Suppiluliuma I and Mittanni King Shattiwaza, found in Bogazkoy Turkiye, deities Indra and Varuna are invoked as divine witnesses. Hindus worshipped in the Ateshgah of Baku in Azerbaijan with Sikhs and Zoroastrians. Hindu heritage is found in different parts of the world. Through the discipline of Hindu Studies, students will learn about this heritage and hopefully work for its preservation. French Orientalist Sylvain Levi wrote in his book Llnde civilisatrice: Apergu historique (Paris, 1938) that India gave her mythology to her neighbours who went to teach it to the whole world. Mother of law and philosophy, she gave to three-quarters of Asia a god, a religion, a doctrine, and an art. She carried her sacred language, her literature, and her institutions into Indonesia, to the limits of the known world, and from there they spread back to Madagascar and perhaps to the coast of Africa, where the present flow of Indian immigrants seems to follow the faint traces of the past." Indian diplomats and foreign policy consultants well versed in Hindu studies will increase their strategic value for India and, in turn, the soft power of India in the global corridors of power by bringing an Indic perspective inspired by Hindu thought into discussions worldwide, which is highly essential when India aspires to become a World Power. Advertisement Among the rich tapestry of worldviews, Hindu studies emerge as a beacon, offering intense insights that resonate across time and space. The relevance of Hindu studies for todays youth lies not only in preserving cultural heritage but also in fostering wisdom, compassion, and a holistic understanding of life. Tolerance and coexistence are important parts of the wider Hindu worldview. Adherents of this religion, which is internally so diverse with a spectrum of views from theistic (Bhakti) to atheistic (Lokayata) within its ambit, have readily accepted diversity outside of it too. In India, the birthplace of Hindu civilization, Jews did not and still do not face anti-Semitism; Zoroastrians found refuge after their once-mighty empire was obliterated by the Arabs; and several sects of Islam found a peaceful home. Hindu Studies will help the younger generation of Indians learn about the culture that promoted such a tolerant worldview and help them fulfil their fundamental duties mentioned in Article 51A (e) and Article 51A (f) which will promote communal harmony in a country as diverse as India. Advertisement Several prestigious Western institutions, such as Oxford University, the University of Cambridge, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, have long incorporated courses focused on Hindu studies. While Bharat, with its Hindu majority, has introduced the subject relatively late in educational institutions. Today, the subject aligns with the progressive provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Under the NEP, students can explore Hindu studies alongside contemporary subjects like computer science, data analytics, commerce, and political science as minors. There is a need to frame a comprehensive programme that aims to elucidate Hinduism through the exploration of ancient Indian literary references, delving into subjects like Gyan Mimamsa, Tatva Mimamsa, Dharma-karma, art skills, society, culture, and more. Advertisement Hinduism is a way of life; introducing the youth to Hindu studies provides them with a unique lens to explore universal themes such as the nature of existence, the pursuit of knowledge, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. It was this way of life that attracted the Greek Heliodoros ambassador of King Antialcidas Nikephoros to describe himself as a Bhagavata of Vishnu Vasudeva and for participants from different parts of the world in the first Parliament of the Worlds Religions in Chicago on 11 September, 1893, to give a standing ovation for two minutes after Swami Vivekananda had completed his speech. These teachings go beyond religious boundaries, offering a timeless perspective that transcends cultural contexts. Advertisement The study of Hinduism serves as a gateway to appreciating Bharats rich cultural and historical tapestry. As the world increasingly looks towards Bharat for its economic, scientific, and cultural contributions, a nuanced understanding of Hinduism becomes pivotal for fostering cross-cultural collaborations and partnerships. In the pursuit of encouraging Hindu studies, the aim is to delve into the reservoir of wisdom surrounding Hindu dharma and its spiritual heritage. This endeavour seeks to unveil the essence of spiritual Hindu literature, unravelling its foundational tenets. The exploration encompasses both prominent and lesser-known texts, accompanied by pivotal commentaries. Furthermore, it accentuates the pertinence of Hindu studies in the dynamic tapestry of the modern world, acknowledging its relevance in the evolving global paradigm. Advertisement Arunansh B Goswami is an advocate in Supreme Court of India and a historian. Sumit Kaushik is a PhD candidate at OP Jindal Global University and a social impact consultant. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Advertisement Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . From protecting the global commons to throwing its weight around to push away outsiders, a more capable Navy is throwing the gauntlet at China A lot of words have recently been written/spoken about Indias naval prowess. The Red Sea crisis, triggered by Houthi anti-ship missiles and Somali pirates targeting commercial ships plying around the Middle East, has created shipping disruptions, harmed global trade and hampered the critical sea lanes of communications. In this backdrop, Indias high-profile role as the constable of the Indian Ocean, its ability to carry out the grunt work to ensure freedom of the seas, and its function as the first responder to maritime disasters show New Delhi is ready to pull its weight as the net security provider in the Indo-Pacific. Advertisement And yet Indias actions go much beyond just stewardship of maritime security. A series of calculated steps, a visibly confident and expanding naval presence, and an increasingly forward-leaning posture send an unmistakable message of Indias great power ambitions and willingness to push back against bullying from China. India is signalling its rise as a bona fide maritime power. And this surefootedness, backed by a steady rise in capacity and an increasing appetite for burden-sharing, is flowing from the very top. With the British and American fleet getting sucked into the Red Sea crisis where Houthi rebels have wreaked havoc on maritime cargo with missiles and drones, there has been a sudden and severe rise in piracy in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Terrorists and raiders operating from Somalia are taking merchant traffic hostage, subjecting vessels to attacks, hijacking and harassment. Advertisement According to some estimates, since 1 December, pirates have caused 17 instances of disruption. These attacks have acted as force multipliers to the string of assaults on merchant traffic by Yemeni rebels that initially targeted Israel-flagged vessels but later expanded their scope to launch indiscriminate missiles and drones on freight passing through the narrow waters of the Red Sea, causing at least 18 shipping lines to either stop or reroute traffic and halve container movement in Suez Canal. Advertisement Regardless of whether the pirates are in cahoots with the Yemeni rebels or acting as opportunists to benefit from the security vacuum, the recent spurt in attacks have goaded into action the Indian Navy, which has refused to join the US-led fleet in the Red Sea while dispatching a number of warships to its western coastline in the vast stretch of area between north and central Arabian Sea to the Gulf of Aden, along with deploying drones and patrol aircraft for enhanced surveillance. Advertisement According to Reuters, Indias unprecedented naval deployment for anti-piracy operations includes at least 12 vessels, among which two frontline warships are stationed at the Gulf of Aden, and the taskforce has so far investigated more than 250 commercial ships and small boats in the last two months, boarding more than 40. Advertisement Compared to the constricted waters of the Red Sea, India patrols a significantly bigger nautical area to safeguard mercantile traffic be it Indian or of any other flag. As Harsh V Pant and Kartik Bommakanti of ORF write in Business Standard, The region in which Indias surface vessels are currently deployed to combat piracy has a surface area of 2.5 million square nautical miles, making it very daunting to patrol for any single navy. However, the current deployment indicates there is greater capacity within the IN (Indian Navy) and an understanding of how to execute complex anti-piracy operations effectively, expeditiously and even bloodlessly over a wide expanse of water. Advertisement The massive deployment is paying off. On 5 January, for instance, the Indian Navy rescued all 21 crew members, including 15 Indians on board MV Lila Norfolk bulk carrier headed for Bahrain less than a day after it had received a report that the Liberian-flagged vessel had been hijacked about 460 nautical miles off Somalia. Advertisement A few days later, on 18 January, INS Visakhapatnam, undertaking anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress call by Marshal Island-flagged bulk carrier MV Genco Picardy that was bombed by a drone south of Port Aden. Specialists from the Indian Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal team boarded the vessel, brought the fire under control, and rescued 22 crew members including nine Indians. There were zero casualties, and the ship was cleared for transit. Advertisement The spate of attacks continued with INS Visakhapatnam again pressed into service to respond to a distress call from a British oil tanker in the Red Sea, MV Merlin Luanda, that was aflame after being struck by a Houthi missile on 26 January. A team from the guided-missile destroyer embarked on the vessel, doused the fire after a six-hour battle and rescued 22 Indians and 1 Bangladeshi crew on board. Advertisement In late January, patrol vessel INS Sumitra carried out twin back-to-back rescue missions east of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. In the first instance on January 28, armed Somali pirates had taken control of Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Iman and 17-member Iranian crew were held hostage. According to a statement by the Indian Navy, following the SOPs and coercive posturing, the vessel and her crew were safely rescued. Advertisement The following day, INS Sumitra carried out yet another successful anti-piracy operation off the East Coast of Somalia, rescuing FV Al Naeemi and her crew of 19 Pakistani nationals who were held captive by 11 Somali pirates. On 2 February, INS Sharda liberated FV Omari, an Iranian-flagged vessel, from seven Somali pirates who had taken the crew (11 Iranian and 8 Pakistani nationals) as hostage. Confirmatory boarding and sanitization later, the vessel and the crew were rescued. Advertisement There are several reasons why India is undertaking such painstaking yet necessary constabulary work to keep the briny main free from hijacking, coercion and terrorism. One is obviously Indias self-image as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean and the larger Indian Ocean Region where it seeks to portray itself as a reliable, efficient and empathetic power. As Indias external affairs minister S Jaishankar said at an event last month, I feel today that Indias greater capability, our own influence and our reputation today warrant that we actually help out in difficult situations, adding that India will not be considered a responsible country if bad things were happening in its neighbourhood. Theres also considerable self-interest involved. The Suez Canal is vital Indias crude imports. Around 10 per cent of the worlds seaborne oil trade passes through the canal (by extension the Red Sea) and it is the main thoroughfare for Russian tankers to send oil to China and India. With merchant ships getting walloped by Yemeni rebels, traffic is being rerouted through the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea, and that in turn is pushing up the cost of fuel for India which imports over 80 per cent of its oil and gas needs. Shipments from Russia that are undertaking the long detour around Africa are already making Russian crude a more expensive option for India. The tankers that are still taking their chances through the Red Sea route are bearing the brunt. On Friday, an India-bound Panamanian-flagged tanker that had taken off from Russias port city of Novorossiysk on January 24 and was due to discharge in Paradip, Odisha, was struck by a Houthi missile in the Red Sea. M/T Pollux was hit on its port side and suffered minor damages. According to a Reuters report, the attack on M/T Pollux near the port of Mokha, off Yemen, caused another vessel nearby to alter the course. Indias Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, on Wednesday said Houthi attacks are a big concern for us while describing the logic of Indias massive deployment to maintain maritime security in the region. Indias uneasiness is obvious. The Red Sea crisis, according to an analysis from Morgan Stanley, is upending supply chains since 30 per cent of global container trade transit through the Suez Canal. That, in turn, is increasing shipping costs, causing the prices of some routes particularly from Asia to Europe to surge nearly five-fold. While shipping costs skyrocket, Indian exporters are feeling the pinch. ET Auto , quoting an Indian exporter, reports that Europe freight that was $400-600 per container before the crisis has now rocketed to $4,000-6,000, a rise of almost 600 per cent, impacting 70-80% of exports in home textiles. Along with commercial interests that need to be safeguarded, however, Indias massive naval deployment also has sound strategic logic. Worth noting that India while has unleashed a flotilla unprecedented in scale and strength to tackle piracy and hijacking in Gulf of Aden and in the northern and western Arabian Sea, it has simultaneously refused to be a part of the US-led multinational task force against Houthi rebels who are believed to be backed by Iran. On the fact of it, this decision makes little sense. Last December, tankers MV Chem Pluto and MV Sai Baba, both headed for India, came under attack from drones believed to have been fired from Iran. New Delhi launched a probe and vowed strict action but refrained from taking any names. If Iran indeed was behind the drone strikes, Indias move to stay away from the US-led multilateral initiative seems even more curious. Instead, Indias foreign minister Jaishankar went to Tehran in January, and after a meeting with his counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian, at a joint presser said attacks in the vicinity of India are a matter of great concern and has a direct bearing on Indias energy and economic interests. He stressed that this fraught situation is not to the benefit of any party and this must be clearly recognized. Evidently, India believes in quiet diplomatic efforts instead of joining a coalition that has explicitly anti-Iran posture. This persistent effort to create options and expand space is a theme that informs Indias statecraft. This takes us to yet another reason behind Indias autonomous patrolling of the high waters with a dominating naval presence. The anti-piracy deployment carries zero geopolitical risk and high rewards. It is in consonance with Indias self-image of strategically autonomous power that is reliable and takes its responsibilities seriously. And yet, beyond the anti-piracy constabulary work and securing of economic interests, Indias forward-leaning naval posture has a much bigger objective facing up to Chinas naval might and present itself as a hegemon in the Indian Ocean that brooks the encroachment of no extraregional power. In effect, what we are witnessing now with the flexing of naval might in the international waters is Indias transition from freerider that rode on America-supplied maritime security to a regional strongman, as James Holmes writes in National Interest, that has the intention and the ability to fund a true blue water navy capable of force projection far ashore. This transition has been necessitated by Chinas steady inroad into Indias backyard with a navy that is three times as large, and extension of geopolitical and economic influence through infrastructure and investment deals that enmeshes smaller economies of Sri Lanka or Maldives into debt traps. As China goes looking for more naval bases and make port calls in Maldives or Sri Lanka, India needs to reorient its strategic priorities to maintain a balance of power in the highly competitive dynamic. There is ample evidence to suggest that India is moving in that direction. Its anti-piracy deployment is already being noticed in Beijing where it is seen as muscle flexing. New Delhi is reportedly planning to set up a naval base at Minicoy Islands and upgrade the air strip at Agatti, according to Hindustan Times. This move should be seen in conjunction with plans to construct a dual use airfield at Minicoy Islands that would be capable of operating both fighter jets and commercial aircraft and upgradation of air base at Campbell Bay in Nicobar Islands that will project force in Indian Ocean Region as IAF fighters will be able to cover the entire Arabian Sea up to East Africa using mid-air refuelers, as Hindustan Times had reported in January. In this backdrop, now consider Indias stated decision to purchase 31 armed MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from the US, and the recent move by Rajnath Singh-headed Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) to approve the acquisition of six mid-air refuellers, heavy weight torpedoes, medium range maritime reconnaissance and multi-mission aircraft at a cost of Rs 84,560 crore that would strengthen the surveillance and interdiction capabilities of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) over the countrys vast maritime area, according to a defence ministry statement . India is also aiming to rapidly build up its naval fleet that right now boasts of 140 warships with 68 hulls worth Rs 2 lakh crore on order. The Indian Navy has two operational aircraft carriers, wants a third aircraft carrier , three nuclear-powered submarines and six diesel-electric conventional submarines and plans are afoot to reach a target of 155-160 warships in the next six years and around 175, if not 200, by 2035 along with a concomitant increase in the number of fighters, aircraft, helicopters and drones, as Times of India had reported last year. The interesting thing about this buildup and an upward curve in projection of force-level is a visible increase in Indias confidence, capacity and leadership that in some telling is directly attributable to signaling from the very top. Foreign Policy magazine quotes Yogesh Joshi, an expert on Indo-Pacific policy at the National University of Singapore, as saying that the political commitment from the Narendra Modi government has given new impetus to the kind of forward-leaning posture Indian admirals had sought for decades and the direction and clarity of purpose coming from the top is driving this extension of Indias security stance all over the Indian Ocean. It isnt a coincidence that the Indian Navys capabilities and force projection went on steroids from around 2017 and since 2018, the navy has been operating a maritime security-information-sharing hub that receives real-time intelligence on vessel movements via radar stations scattered across Indian Ocean nations, as Wall Street Journal has observed. From protecting the global commons, safeguarding the SLOCs, attempting to assume a wider responsibility in Indian Ocean Region to throwing its weight around to push away outsiders in its backyard, the Navy seems to have shaken off its reflexive defensiveness and an abundance of self-moderation to adopt a more robust posture. The credit for this transformation should go to Modi, the man at the helm. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . While Apple has not previously faced fines for antitrust violations from Brussels, it encountered a 1.1 billion penalty in France in 2020 for alleged anti-competitive conduct, later reduced to 372 million upon appeal While Apple has not previously faced fines for antitrust violations from Brussels, it encountered a 1.1 billion penalty in France in 2020 for alleged anti-competitive conduct, later reduced to 372 million upon appeal After a lengthy investigation, Brussels is set to levy its first fine against tech giant Apple, amounting to approximately 500 million, for purportedly breaching EU regulations regarding access to its music streaming services. This landmark decision marks the culmination of a European Commission antitrust inquiry scrutinizing whether Apple exploited its platform to favour its own services over competitors. Advertisement The investigation, sparked by a formal complaint from music-streaming app Spotify in 2019, focuses on whether Apple obstructed apps from informing iPhone users about cheaper alternatives for accessing music subscriptions outside of the App Store. Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that the Commission will denounce Apples actions as unlawful and contrary to the EUs competition enforcement rules, aiming to promote fair competition within the single market. Accusations against Apple include abusing its dominant market position and enforcing anti-competitive trade practices on rivals, with the EU labelling its terms as unfair trading conditions. This penalty stands as one of the most significant financial sanctions imposed by the EU on major tech firms, following a series of fines totalling around 8 billion against Google, currently under legal contestation. Advertisement While Apple has not previously faced fines for antitrust violations from Brussels, it encountered a 1.1 billion penalty in France in 2020 for alleged anti-competitive conduct, later reduced to 372 million upon appeal. The EUs latest action against Apple reignites the ongoing clash between Brussels and Big Tech, particularly amid efforts to ensure compliance with new regulations designed to foster competition and support smaller tech players. Advertisement Under the Digital Markets Act, designated gatekeeper companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google are mandated to adhere to stricter rules, facilitating information sharing with competitors. Concerns persist regarding the pace of competition enabled by these rules, although Brussels emphasizes that such transformations necessitate time. Brussels formally charged Apple in the antitrust probe in 2021, subsequently narrowing the investigations focus last year and dropping a charge related to compelling developers to use its in-app payment system. Advertisement Despite Apples recent adjustments to its iOS mobile software, App Store, and Safari browser in response to Brussels pressures, Spotify remains critical, denouncing Apples compliance efforts as inadequate. In a separate antitrust inquiry, Brussels is engaging with Apples rivals concerning concessions made by the tech giant to address concerns regarding access to its Apple Pay mobile system by financial groups. Advertisement The precise timing of the Commissions announcement remains uncertain, although sources affirm that it will not alter the trajectory of the ongoing antitrust investigation. Apple, with the option to appeal to EU courts, declined to comment on the impending ruling, referencing a statement from a year prior where it expressed readiness to address concerns while advocating for competition. Advertisement In its response, Apple highlighted the instrumental role of the App Store in Spotifys success across Europe, expressing hope for the European Commission to cease its pursuit of what it deems a meritless complaint. (With inputs from agencies) Despite laying people off by the thousands, Google is ready to give some employees a hike of 300% or more, just so that they dont join a competitor. Google recently offered a substantial hike to an employee in their Search division, to dissuade them from joining an AI startup Despite laying people off by the thousands, Google is ready to give some employees a hike of 300% or more, just so that they don't join a competitor. Google recently offered a substantial hike to an employee in their Search division, to dissuade them from joining an AI startup In a recent episode of the Big Technology Podcast, Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, shed some light on the extreme measures that some major tech companies are taking to stop employees from joining other tech companies. He gave the example of Google, who are indulging in some bizarre behaviour to retain their workforce. Advertisement Srinivas shared a striking anecdote wherein Google proposed a staggering 300% salary hike to dissuade an employee from considering a position at Perplexity AI. The individual in question belonged to Googles search team and was not directly affiliated with its AI division. Nevertheless, Google deemed it imperative to substantially augment the employees compensation package to prevent their departure. Srinivas, an alumnus of IIT-Madras, expressed astonishment at Googles willingness to escalate the offer to such an extent. In addition to addressing retention strategies, Srinivas delved into the prevalent issue of layoffs within the tech sector. He underscored the ambiguity surrounding the criteria employed by companies in selecting employees for dismissal. According to his insights, there appears to be a trend towards targeting high-salaried individuals whose contributions may not commensurately align with productivity. Advertisement Notably, Srinivas highlighted a shift within companies like Google towards closely scrutinizing output relative to compensation, particularly emphasizing the potential impact of prolonged vacations on operational efficiency. Googles recent announcement of layoffs in January further underscores this trend. Approximately 1,000 employees across various sectors, including hardware, central engineering, and Google Assistant teams, found themselves impacted by the latest wave of job cuts. Advertisement However, Google is providing affected individuals with the opportunity to apply for alternative positions within the company. Those unable to secure alternative roles by April will be required to exit the company. This recent round of layoffs follows a similar move by Google in January of the previous year, where a significant workforce reduction of 12,000 employees was enacted. Advertisement The tech industry as a whole is witnessing a surge in layoff activities in 2024, marking a period of significant restructuring and realignment within major corporations. (With inputs from agencies) Former employees of X who were based out of Africa have finally been given their severances after almost a year of laid off. The severances comes as part of a settlement after several fired employees threatened legal action Former employees of X who were based out of Africa have finally been given their severances after almost a year of laid off. The severances comes as part of a settlement after several fired employees threatened legal action In a long-awaited resolution, X, formerly known as Twitter, has reached a settlement with the staff it terminated from its African headquarters over a year ago, as per a report by the BBC. The majority of these employees, based in Accra, Ghana, were abruptly dismissed in November 2022, despite having only recently joined the company. Threats of legal action loomed as the terminated staff accused X of reneging on promised redundancy payments. While the company has remained silent on the matter, it had previously claimed to have compensated former employees in full. Advertisement Elon Musk, who assumed control of X in 2022, instigated a widespread downsizing effort, resulting in the dismissal of over 6,000 employees globally. Musk cited daily losses exceeding $4 million as the rationale behind this move. The African contingent, comprising fewer than 20 individuals, had recently relocated to Xs new office in Accra following an extended period of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Agency Seven Seven, the legal representative of the terminated staff, confirmed the successful negotiation of redundancy settlements and repatriation expenses for foreign employees. However, the exact amount of compensation remains undisclosed. Carla Olympio from Agency Seven Seven expressed the relief of the staff at finally receiving their dues, allowing them to move forward from the ordeal. Advertisement Last year, affected employees spoke out about the adverse impact of Xs actions on their mental health and financial well-being. They recounted being promised an additional month of pay upon termination, only to find themselves immediately locked out of their accounts with no further salary disbursements. The protracted battle for compensation left many employees, including those who had relocated from neighbouring countries like Nigeria, stranded in Ghana alongside their families. Advertisement In a rare interview last April, Musk disclosed that Xs workforce had been reduced to 1,500 employees from nearly 8,000 prior to his acquisition of the company. Despite Musks public assertion that laid-off employees were entitled to three months severance pay, the African office staff refuted receiving such compensation. Negotiations between X and the terminated African staff reportedly commenced following media coverage of the situation. Advertisement This settlement follows a series of legal challenges for X, including a lawsuit filed by former employees in a California court alleging the companys failure to honour promised severance packages amounting to at least $500 million. City officials identified the slain officers as Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27. Adam Finseth, 40, a firefighter and paramedic for the city since 2019, also was killed A police vehicle with what appears to be bullet pockmarks on its windshield is parked near the scene where two police officers and a first responder were shot and killed in Burnsville, Minn. AP Two police officers and a firefighter who was giving medical attention to one of the injured were killed on Sunday when a guy armed with numerous firearms and a lot of ammunition opened fire on them from inside a suburban Minneapolis home crowded with kids, according to authorities. The shooting in Burnsville, Minnesota, occurred in a neighbourhood of two-story homes surrounded by trees, injuring a third officer. According to authorities, the shooting suspect passed away as well. Advertisement Superintendent Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension stated that there was a gunfight and that investigators were still putting the pieces together of what he called a terrible day. According to Evans, the firefighterwho doubles as a paramedicwas shot while tending to an injured police. He told a news conference the paramedic was a part of a SWAT team that had been called to a domestic situation at the home. Inside, an armed man had barricaded himself with his family, including seven children ranging in age from 2 to 15, Evans said. He said negotiations lasted for hours before the suspect opened fire. He wasnt specific on the exact amount of time, but the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association said the standoff lasted four hours before a SWAT team entered the home. Advertisement Evans said the suspect had several guns and large amounts of ammunition and shot at the police officers from multiple positions within the home, including the upper and lower floors. Evans said at least one officer was shot inside the home. We still dont know the exact exchange of gunfire that occurred, Evans said. Certainly several officers did return fire. Advertisement He said that around 8 a.m. the suspect was found dead and the family and children were released from the home. None of them were hurt. City officials identified the slain officers as Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27. Adam Finseth, 40, a firefighter and paramedic for the city since 2019, also was killed. Advertisement Elmstrand, a member of the departments mobile command staff, joined the department in 2017. Ruge was hired in 2020 and was part of the departments crisis negotiations team and was a physical evidence officer. Another police officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, was injured and being treated at a hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries, the city said. Advertisement As the bodies of the dead left a hospital, officers saluted, before they were taken in a convoy to the medical examiners office. Medical staff watched in scrubs. Were hurting, said Police Chief Tanya Schwartz. Today, three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community. They are heroes. Neighbors were startled awake by loud pops about an hour before sunrise. Advertisement Alicia McCullum said she and her family dropped to the floor, uncertain whether the noise was gunshots. She and her husband peered out of their sunroom and saw squad cars and a phalanx of police officers. I didnt think it was a gunshot at first, but then we opened the windows and we saw police everywhere and police hiding in our neighbors yards, said McCullum, who lives two houses down from the source of the commotion. Advertisement Then there were three more gunshots, she said. It was like a bunch of fireworks. Thats when she and her husband and two children sought safety in a bathroom and dropped to the floor. They prayed. McCullum said she was relieved to see a woman and children escorted out of their home. Were so thankful for those police officers that risked their lives to save those kids, McCullum said.And my heart goes out to that mother. Advertisement Fire Chief BJ Jungmann said the community was grieving and asked for privacy for the families. None of the relatives of the officers or the firefighter immediately returned phone messages from The Associated Press seeking comment. Evans said the medical examiner would identify the suspect and said autopsies were planned for Monday. There was no indication the home had been a source of troubles in the past. Advertisement There have not been many calls for service at all, Evans said. As the investigation unfolded, the neighborhood was ringed with police cars to keep reporters and the public away. A police armored vehicle had bullet damage to its windshield, and Evans confirmed it sustained the damage in the gunfight. Police scanner recordings on Broadcastify.com capture a rattled man saying, I need any ambulance, as he struggled to catch his breath. Someone later could be heard talking about three being loaded into ambulances, uttering the word critical. Advertisement As news spread, other law enforcement agencies immediately began posting messages of condolence on social media, including images of badges with blue bars through them. It is a mark of solidarity in mourning. In times like these, it is essential to come together as a community and support one another through the uncertainty and grief, said Marty Kelly, the sheriff in neighboring Goodhue County. Advertisement Flags also were lowered to half-staff, with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz urging urged those who walked past them to take a moment and think about the first responders who lost their lives. Minnesota mourns with you, he said. The state stands ready to assist in any way possible. Dozens of people gathered in front of Burnsville City Hall on Sunday night for a candlelit vigil to remember the victims. Several uniformed officers from other departments also attended, included many from St. Paul. A fire truck and police car were in front of the building. The police vehicle had bouquets of flowers on the hood and handwritten signs tucked under the windshield, one of which read: We are praying for you. Those gathered joined together in prayer and sang Amazing Grace. Right now is a time to grieve, to come together and grieve our communitys loss, and to support the families, said U.S. Rep. Angie Craig. I cant imagine the pain that youre all going through, Craig continued, but what I can say is that to all our officers out there, the paramedics, our firefighters, thank you for what you do. The crowd applauded. Its an important community, said area resident Kris Martin, and we feel very saddened by what happened. Burnsville, a city of around 64,000, is located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of downtown Minneapolis. The Singapore Airshow is a biennial affair and is the biggest such event in Asia. The show is attended by the worlds leading civilian as well as military aircraft manufacturers The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-manufactured ALH Dhruv, which the Sarang team operates, is featuring in the show for the first time. PTI file India is ready to shine at the Singapore Airshow 2024 that kicks off on Feb. 20 with a heart-throbbing display of its Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv. The Singapore Airshow is a biennial affair and is the biggest such event in Asia. The show is attended by the worlds leading civilian as well as military aircraft manufacturers. Advertisement The Indian contingent arrived in Singapore on Feb. 12. The Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted its first practice display on Feb. 18. The team is operating from the Changi airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The Singapore Airshow is scheduled to commence on Feb. 20. The airshow features a variety of display teams from across the globe. The show also features leading aircraft and systems manufacturers and operators showcasing their products. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-manufactured ALH Dhruv, which the Sarang team operates, is featuring in the show for the first time. The first international display for the Sarang team, however, happened to be at Singapore for the Asian Aerospace Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre back in 2004. The Sarang team is performing a four-chopper display for the audience at the Singapore Airshow this year. Advertisement The display is designed to highlight the ALH Dhruvs agility and manoeuvrability, as well as the high degree of skills of the IAF pilots flying these machines. The indigenously manufactured ALH and its advanced variants are operated by all the military services of India. The successful induction and operational utilisation of this platform is one of the glowing success stories of self-reliance or Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector. The province of Nuristan, which shares a border with Pakistan, hugs the southern edge of the Hindu Kush mountain range and is primarily covered with forested mountains Overnight on Sunday, an avalanche raced through the village of Nakre in the Tatin valley of Nuristan, covering houses in debris and snow Image Courtesy Reuters Following widespread widespread snowfall, a provincial official in the eastern Afghan province of Nuristan said on Monday that an avalanche had killed at least six people and trapped thirty more. It is still snowing. Rescue efforts are under way and the number of dead may increase, provincial head of information and culture Jamiullah Hashimi told AFP. Advertisement Overnight on Sunday, an avalanche raced through the village of Nakre in the Tatin valley of Nuristan, covering houses in debris and snow. Hashimi said that about 20 residences were completely demolished or severely damaged. The province of Nuristan, which shares a border with Pakistan, hugs the southern edge of the Hindu Kush mountain range and is primarily covered with forested mountains. Although Afghanistan is used to severe winters, this years snowfall was delayed in several areas. Many farmers in a nation strongly dependent on agriculture have been forced to postpone planting due to the abnormally low level of rain. Afghanistan is among the poorest nations on earth; it has seen decades of conflict, is prone to natural disasters, and is at risk from extreme weather brought on by climate change. The report claimed that all 141 passengers were from sub-Saharan Africa and that they had probably left Mauritania, Moroccos southern neighbor and the main entry point for migrants trying to reach Spains Canary Islands, more than a week ago With a surge in migration from West Africa to Spains Canary Islands since the years beginning, the Moroccan navy reported that it had stopped 141 individuals trying to cross the Atlantic. In a statement released on Sunday, Moroccos Royal Armed Forces claimed that they had successfully rescued every person on a boat off the coast of the Western Sahara, a disputed region that Morocco has ruled over since 1975. Advertisement The report claimed that all 141 passengers were from sub-Saharan Africa and that they had probably left Mauritania, Moroccos southern neighbor and the main entry point for migrants trying to reach Spains Canary Islands, more than a week ago. The interception was the largest that Moroccan authorities have reported this year. The Canary Islands are roughly 62 miles (100 km) from Moroccos Atlantic coast but pirogues - the wooden vessels migrants often use to cross - often launch from as far south as Gambia, from where the journey can take up to 10 days, according to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime. Spains Interior Ministry reported 11,704 migrants had arrived to the Canaries as of Feb 15 - more than a sixfold increase from a year earlier. The majority have departed from Mauritania, which recently signed a 210 million euro agreement with the European Union that included funding for migration patrolling and humanitarian aid. Advertisement With inputs from The Associated Press In addition to giving Moscow its first major triumph in almost a year, the gains have given Ukrainians in areas like Selydove, which might become the next target, an excruciating choice: leave now or hope their beleaguered army can save them This photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service shows an aerial view of the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant, eastern Ukraine. Russian forces have taken complete control of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP Olena Obodets raced to the east Ukrainian hospital just after a Russian missile had ripped through its maternity wing last week, causing scores of patients to be hastily evacuated in the dark of night. She dabbed at her eyes with tissue as she described watching the hospitals collapsed roof and structure catch fire, days after the hit in the village of Selydove that claimed the lives of a 36-year-old pregnant lady, a mother and her nine-year-old son. Advertisement Tears. Nightmare. Fear, she said. The neighbouring damaged industrial city of Avdiivka, located 30 kilometres (20 miles) east, was taken over by Vladimir Putins soldiers last week as a result of a months-long Russian offensive, of which the shelling was only one tragedy. In addition to giving Moscow its first major triumph in almost a year, the gains have given Ukrainians in areas like Selydove, which might become the next target, an excruciating choice: leave now or hope their beleaguered army can save them. Im hearing a lot of people in the town talking about whether theyre going to evacuate or not, the 42-year-old told AFP, the acrid smell of charred concrete hanging in the winter air, mixing with dull thuds of distant artillery. People are afraid. My daughter asks me every day every day to evacuate, but I tell her the time hasnt yet come, said Obedets, who has worked at the hospital for eight years. Advertisement Evacuate the dead The police force, which includes officers who were had to escape cities that Russia had previously taken, faces the difficult task of evacuating citizens from more perilous area as the combat approaches. The areas police spokesperson, Oleksandra Gavrylko, 31, claimed that more people are being evacuated from civilian areas like Selydove as a result of the recent attacks and Russian advances, though she could not provide specific numbers. Advertisement However, she pointed out that the crucial time to evacuate Avidiivka and the other hamlets had already passed a year ago, a sobering reality that their current work has brought to light. More often now we evacuate killed civilians, she told AFP in a basement police station in the region. We transport the bodies of dead civilians so that their relatives can bury them. Advertisement Next to a Soviet-era World War II memorial in Selydove, a trickle of people were returning to smouldering homes hit an hour before the hospital to salvage belongings. A panicked mother hauling bags of belongings from her damaged flat said she would remain. Her daughter told AFP that she wanted to leave. Advertisement Nearby, state prosecutor Olena Osadcha, 40, who had earlier fled from the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, said authorities had given her the option of keeping her job in the city of Dnipro further west. Its not safe Yeah, well be leaving. We just havent found a place yet. Of course, I dont want to go to Dnipro. Its not safe there either, she said. Advertisement A sushi restaurant re-opened in Selydove this month, pointing to the determination of some residents to remain however bad it gets. The 46-year-old director of the ruined hospital, Oleg Kiyashko, said that after the latest strikes, nearly two-dozen staff of the 350 that had remained until now announced they were leaving for safety. Advertisement AFP saw staff carrying shopping bags of usable medical supplies from the hospital, stepping over shattered glass and strips of bent metal, while municipal workers boarded shattered windows. Were all thinking about where it would be better. But if the situation requires us to be here today, then we are here. Im not going anywhere for now, Kiyashko said during an interview, interrupted by the thump of a close strike. Advertisement Several kilometres from Avdiivka, near the village of Progres, Ukrainian troops were digging fresh defensive lines that Russian forces will now be tasked with breaking through. Columns of armoured vehicles had sped past the village hours earlier. The last shop in the village, located on Victory Street, was selling off stock and preparing to close, hours after its windows were blown out by shelling. Advertisement There will be no one here Tearful staff and its owner were mulling if they would re-open at all, given the uptick in shelling and steady exit of shoppers some of whom had previously fled Avdiivka. When it gets really bad, you know, there will be no people here. No one will buy food, shop owner Dmytro Dymytrov, 40, said. Advertisement Outside, 66-year-old pensioner Viktor was packing his bicycle with as many bottles of fresh water as it could hold. He was nonchalant about the thuds of artillery nearby but conceded they were getting more frequent and louder. My neighbours went to Dnipro, he explained, over rounds of incoming and outgoing artillery fire, but Ive got nowhere to go. Advertisement Gavrylko, the police spokeswomen, said the elderly like Viktor were the hardest to persuade to leave. They want to die on their own land. A Belize-flagged British vessel, the Rubymar cargo ship was in transit through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, came under Houthi attack, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said The cargo ship attacked by Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in the Gulf of Aden is at risk of sinking, the groups military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said on Monday. A Belize-flagged British vessel, the Rubymar cargo ship was in transit through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, came under Houthi attack, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. Advertisement The crew, however, are reportedly safe with members present at the ship abandoning the vessel as soon as the strike occurred. The vessel has sustained catastrophic damages. The ship suffered catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt, Houthi Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said. During the operation, we made sure that the ships crew exited safely, he added. Since mid-November, the Houthi rebels in Yemen have repeatedly attacked international commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait with drones and missiles, claiming to be acting in solidarity with the Palestinian people as Israel fights Hamas in Gaza. The attacks have prompted several companies to halt Red Sea journeys and opt for a longer and more expensive route around Africa, and US and British warplanes have carried out retaliatory strikes across Yemen. Regulators, legislators, and some airline executives have criticised Boeing for its manufacturing practices following the Jan. 5 incident on an Alaska Air (ALK.N), opens new tab flight, which raised more general concerns The head of the worlds biggest airline trade body has come out to support Boeing. Boeings CEO Dave Calhoun is the right person to lead the company out of its latest safety crisis, after a panel blew out of a 737 MAX 9 plane in flight last month, the trade body said Monday-Reuters Advertisement Regulators, legislators, and some airline executives have criticised Boeing for its manufacturing practices following the Jan. 5 incident on an Alaska Air (ALK.N), opens new tab flight, which raised more general concerns. While some in the industry were upset about the blow-out, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General Willie Walsh, Calhoun and his leadership team had done well to accept responsibility and make a commitment to finding solutions. Boeing are taking the right measures. I think theyve responded much, much better to this than other events, Walsh told Reuters on the sidelines of an industry summit in Singapore. Ive heard people say you need a change in leadership. I disagree Im confident that he (Calhoun) will fix it. Walsh said he didnt expect Boeings safety problems to result in airlines ordering fewer of the manufacturers planes or prompt passengers to avoid booking tickets with airlines that use the 737 MAX 9 aircraft. Advertisement Walsh was speaking a day before the start of the Singapore Airshow, Asias largest aviation event, where there is a buzz around the first trip outside Chinese territory for Chinas homegrown passenger jet, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of Chinas (COMAC) narrow-body C919. The C919, which is only certified in China where four are in operation, staged a fly-by in Singapore on Sunday. Walsh said he expected the C919 would mostly be used for the large Chinese domestic market and it could take decades before China was able to produce a jet capable of competing with Boeing and Airbus on the international stage. Advertisement Its impressive and its going to be interesting to see but I think it will be a bit of time before they can be seen as credible competitors, he said. For months, the global aviation industry has been struggling with severe supply chain disruptions, as a post-pandemic travel boom after COVID-era layoffs and shutdowns caused delays to everything from engines to windscreens. Advertisement Walsh said the supply chain situation was unprecedented but slowly improving. Its better today than it was this time last year, but its still a major problem. With inputs from Reuters The Eiffel Tower, one of the worlds top tourist attractions, was closed Monday after staff went on strike to protest against the way the monument is managed financially, according to a report This marks the second strike at the Eiffel Tower in two months. The Eiffel Tower, one of the worlds top tourist attractions, was closed Monday after staff went on strike, according to a report. The strike, which was called to protest over the way the monument is managed financially, could be extended, AFP quoted unions as saying. SETE, the operator of the tower, announced on its website that visits to the monument will face disruptions on Monday. Advertisement It recommended that ticket holders verify its website for updates before arrival or consider postponing their visit. Additionally, e-ticket holders were advised to monitor their email for further instructions. This marks the second strike at the Eiffel Tower in two months, citing the same reason. Critics, including unions, have voiced concerns over SETEs business model, alleging it relies on inflated projections of future visitor counts while underestimating construction expenses. The Eiffel Tower, Pariss iconic landmark, typically welcomes nearly seven million visitors annually, with approximately three-quarters of them being international tourists, as per its website. Visitor figures plummeted during the Covid pandemic due to closures and travel limitations but rebounded to 5.9 million in 2022. Anticipated visitor numbers are set to surge this summer as Paris hosts the Olympic Games. Advertisement In a joint statement, the CGT and FO unions called on the city of Paris to be reasonable with their financial demands to ensure the survival of the monument and the company operating it. With inputs from agencies The High Court would be hearing arguments across two days on whether Assange can move an appeals court to thwart his extradition. The catch is, if he fails to convince the court to allow his appeal, he would be sent to the US Having endured seven years of self-exile inside a foreign embassy and five years in prison, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assanges lengthy legal battle in the UK to avoid facing spying charges in the US might be coming to an end as he could be appearing in his final court hearing in London next week. Advertisement Assange is trying to stop his extradition to the US, where he is staring at 175 years in jail if found guilty of espionage. The High Court would be hearing arguments across two days on whether Assange can move an appeals court to thwart his extradition. The catch is, if he fails to convince the court to allow his appeal, he would be sent to the US. His wife was quoted as saying that Assanges health is failing, and that the decision was a life and death question. His life is at risk every single day he stays in prison, Stella Assange said. If hes extradited, he will die. Charges Against Assange Australian computer expert, Assange, now 52, has been accused in the US on 18 charges over alleged publication of hundreds of thousands of classified documents in 2010. Advertisement Prosecutors claim Assange joined hands with US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer, releasing secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He faces 17 counts of espionage and one charge of computer misuse. Dubbed as the doyen of free speech and fearless journalism, Assanges supporters celebrate him for exposing wrongdoing by the US military. Advertisement Among the files published by WikiLeaks was video of a 2007 Apache helicopter attack by American forces in Baghdad that killed 11 people, including two Reuters journalists. Julian has been indicted for receiving, possessing and communicating information to the public of evidence of war crimes committed by the U.S. government, Stella Assange said. Advertisement Reporting a crime is never a crime. Long Legal Road While the U.S. criminal case against Assange was only unsealed in 2019, his freedom has been restricted for more than a dozen years. Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in 2012 and was granted political asylum after courts in England ruled he should be extradited to Sweden as part of a rape investigation in the Scandinavian country. Advertisement He was arrested by British police after Ecuadors government withdrew his asylum status in 2019 and then jailed for skipping bail when he first took shelter inside the embassy. Although Sweden dropped its sex crimes investigation, Assange has remained in Londons high-security Belmarsh Prison while the extradition battle with the U.S. continues. Advertisement A judge in London initially blocked Assanges transfer to the US on the grounds he was likely to kill himself if held in harsh American prison conditions. But subsequent courts cleared the way for the move after US authorities provided assurances he wouldnt experience the severe treatment that his lawyers said would put his physical and mental health at risk. Advertisement Stella Assange and her husbands supporters have criticized those assurances as being meaningless because they are conditional. What if? If the London court rejects Assanges plea for a full appeal, he could be extradited to the U.S. once British officials approve his removal. His legal team plans to appeal an adverse ruling to the European Court of Human Rights, but they fear he could possibly be transferred before the court in Strasbourg, France, could halt his removal. Advertisement If he prevails at next weeks hearing, it would set the stage for an appeal process that is likely to further drag out the case. This procedure has been marked by prolonged and creeping time frames, Wikileaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said. We call it punishment through process. It is obviously a deliberate attempt to wear him down to punish him by taking this long. Mayors, who are traditionally among the most popular political leaders in France, are under attack like never before. Opposition to immigration is a driving factor, spearheaded by tiny extreme-right parties that are frequently supported by national leaders Some of the threatening letters to Jean-Yves Rolland, mayor of Callac. AP The mayor of a small resort town on the Atlantic coast of France resigned, closed his medical practice and moved away after his house and two cars were set on fire. The arson followed months of death threats over plans to relocate a refugee center near a school. More than 150 miles (240 kilometers) to the north, trouble visited another mayor when he decided to take in a handful of refugee families. The aim was to fill job vacancies in the village; instead, he received a torrent of abuse. One threat read: I hope, Mr. Mayor, that your wife will be raped, your daughter will be raped, and your grandchildren sodomized. Advertisement They were not isolated instances. Mayors, who are traditionally among the most popular political leaders in France, are under attack like never before. Opposition to immigration is a driving factor, spearheaded by tiny extreme-right parties that are frequently supported by national leaders. While comparable protests have taken place in other European nations such as Germany, Sweden, Italy, and Spain, the response against mayors in France is particularly striking. The French have always valued state institutions. A small-town mayor reflects the principles of the French Republic, which date back to the Revolution of 1789. In recent years, French mayors have faced more than just street rallies and hostile public meetings. They involve violence and deception, and foreign agitators frequently amplify local demonstrations. In France, like elsewhere in Europe, national identity has become a war cry for far-right political groups. They promote the idea that foreigners are stealing the riches of the nation through state handouts and that they will ultimately upend Frances traditional way of life. Advertisement Frances internal security agency, the DGSI, is increasingly worried about fringe movements and their potential for violence, both on the far right and the far left. Far right groups became more active after deadly attacks by Islamic extremists in 2015-2016. One of their goals is to precipitate a clash over those viewed as outsiders, then-DGSI chief Nicolas Lerner said in a rare interview with Le Monde last year. Advertisement The normalization of a recourse to violence, and the temptation to want to impose ideas through fear or intimidation, is a grave danger to our democracies, he said. The violent views of the radical right in the U.S. have spread to Europe and been amplified through social media, said Lerner. Topics debated by political parties, like migration, tend to channel energy, he said. Advertisement Far right on the rise The French far right first made its mark in 1984, when the National Front of Jean-Marie Le Pen won 10 seats in the European Parliament. But the nation gasped when Le Pen, a Holocaust denier, reached a runoff in the 2002 presidential election against the incumbent, Jacques Chirac. Advertisement Parties on the left and right combined to keep Le Pen from power then. But today the party of his daughter, Marine, has 88 deputies in Parliament. She plans to make her fourth bid for the presidency in 2027, after twice reaching the runoff against President Emmanuel Macron. A new party, Reconquete (Reconquest), has staked out a position even further to the right, calling for zero immigration. Its vice president, Marion Marechal, Marine Le Pens niece, is the lead candidate in elections for the European Parliament in June. Advertisement Reconquetes ambitions go further than just a protest movement, said Jean-Yves Camus, a leading expert on the far right. Beyond those anti-migrant demonstrations there is a real political project, which is confronting the state, he said. While there is no tradition of suspicion of a deep state in France, Reconquetes founder, Eric Zemmour, has emulated former U.S. President Donald Trump, taking aim at elites and predicting the collapse of French society. Advertisement Zemmour, a French nationalist, has no personal connection to extremist groups, Camus said. But he says, If these people want to join me and my party, they can be useful. Reconquete is also leading a campaign against the educational system with an agenda to end what it calls the great indoctrination. It runs a pressure group, called Vigilant Parents, that tries to keep schools from teaching about topics it deems inappropriate, such as LGBTQ rights, and encourages people to snitch on teachers who do. Advertisement Many on the far right, including Zemmour, subscribe to the great replacement theory, the false claim that native populations of Western countries are being overrun by non-white immigrants, notably Muslims, who will one day erase Christian civilization and its values. Trouble in Callac The far right claimed victory in January 2023, when Mayor Jean-Yves Rolland of Callac gave up his plan to house seven to 10 refugee families in his town in Brittany, in northwest France. His goal had been to help fill local jobs and inject dynamism into the isolated enclave with a shrinking population. Advertisement For months, demonstrators from near and far, some from Reconquete, converged on the village of 2,200 people. They were clearly threatening democracy, Rolland said, dumping a pile of written threats on his desk in the town hall. One referred to migrants as Dealers, Rapists, Aggressors who should be returned to Africa. Another showed a patron saint of France, the Archangel Michael, trampling on a Quran and chasing Islams Prophet Mohammed out of France with a pitchfork. Advertisement The use of disinformation, including troll factories that generate swarms of emails targeting an individual, is a hallmark of extreme-right groups. Rolland said he received hundreds of angry emails that mysteriously passed through the Czech Republic. Some carried spurious contact details, complicating investigators efforts to locate the senders, he said. In the end, those contesting came from outside terrible extremist groups, Rolland said. Advertisement Mayors house on fire Mayor Yannick Morez of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins was awakened in the night on March 22 of last year to find flames lapping at the front of his home while his family slept. His cars were completely destroyed by fire. Asylum seekers had been in the town since 2016, but a plan to house them near a school triggered protests that children would be at risk. As in Callac, some of the demonstrators were local, but out-of-towners seized on the opportunity to promote their anti-migrant cause, whether in person or via online campaigning. Morez resigned and moved away, but his successor as mayor, Dorothee Pacaud stood firm, and the relocation project went ahead. Months later, the town remains tense; it went into full lockdown for a low-key immigration conference last fall. An elected official, a mayor, a deputy mayor, that represents democracy. To use methods like that, what happened in Callac, its unacceptable, Pacaud said. French mayors faced another brief challenge last year: Six nights of nationwide rioting over the police killing of a 17-year-old with North African roots. Unusually, the unrest stretched beyond metropolitan areas and reached provincial towns too, super-charged by messages shared by teenagers on TikTok. A mass police deployment brought the violence to a halt. But the campaigns are continuing, and have touched other towns, too. And another source of tension is brewing. In recent weeks, French farmers have mounted protests across the country, demanding better pay and less red tape, especially from the EU. The farmers are the embodiment of la France profonde, the very essence of what makes France French, that the far right claims to represent. Activists are seizing the opportunity. Small groups of extremists, some members sporting brass knuckles, showed up at one farmers demonstration last month in the southern city of Montpellier. With elections for the European Parliament coming up in June, the protests are an opportunity for the far right to sow discontent with mainstream politics and a warning of the possibility of more disruption to come. Israeli officials said on January 21 that the Israeli cabinet had authorized a plan to hold tax monies intended for the Gaza Strip in Norway rather than having them transferred to the PA As per the agreement reached between Israeli and Palestinian authorities, Norway would act as a middleman in retaining the money that Israel has been withholding since October 7 Image Courtesy Reuters According to the Norwegian government on Sunday, Norway has decided to assist in facilitating the transfer of tax revenues that were frozen and designated for the Palestinian Authority (PA) and were collected by Israel. This will provide the Western-backed organization with much-needed funding. In accordance with temporary peace agreements made in the 1990s, Israels finance ministry pays taxes to the PA each month on behalf of the Palestinian people. Advertisement The temporary scheme will play a crucial role in preventing the Palestinian Authority from collapsing financially, the Norwegian government said in a statement. As per the agreement reached between Israeli and Palestinian authorities, Norway would act as a middleman in retaining the money that Israel has been withholding since October 7. The Palestinian Authority is then willing to accept the other funds, the statement added. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the PA exercises little self-rule; its survival depends on its ability to access the money. The United States and other Western nations want the PA to be involved in Gaza Strip management in the event that the war ends. Israel announced on November 2 that it would move forward with transferring tax revenue to the PA in the West Bank, but that it would withhold cash intended for Gaza, which is governed by Hamas but where the PA assists in paying public sector salaries, medical expenses, and social assistance programs. Advertisement However, the PA stated on November 6 that it would accept no conditions that would keep it from paying its employees and that it demanded the money in full. About 30% of its money is thought to be allocated to Gaza. Israeli officials said on January 21 that the Israeli cabinet had authorized a plan to hold tax monies intended for the Gaza Strip in Norway rather than having them transferred to the PA. Advertisement (With agency inputs) A Hamas official based in Qatar said the group estimated it had lost 6,000 fighters during the four-month-old conflict, half the 12,000 Israel says it has killed Israeli soldiers fire during an operation against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in a location given as Gaza in this handout image released on 16 November, 2023. IDF/REUTERS Six thousand versus 235, is the latest casualty figure for Hamas and Israel Defense Forces (IDF), respectively, as has been confirmed by the two sides, discounting unverified claims. The war between Hamas and Israel shows no signs of abating as the latter said it will keep pushing the envelope for another 6-8 weeks in its bid to demolish Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza and the last bastion of the terror organisation, before scaling ops down to targeted strikes. Advertisement A Hamas official based in Qatar told Reuters that the group estimated it had lost 6,000 fighters during the four-month-old conflict, half the 12,000 Israel says it has killed. Gazas ruling group can keep fighting and is prepared for a long war in Rafah and Gaza, said the official, who requested anonymity. Netanyahus options are difficult and ours are too. He can occupy Gaza but Hamas is still standing and fighting. He hasnt achieved his goals to kill the Hamas leadership or annihilate Hamas, he added. Hamas sparked the war on Oct. 7 last year when its fighters burst out of the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages. Israel since then has unleashed a reign of incessant attacks and ground invasion in the Strip. According to Hamas claims, over 28,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict so far. Advertisement Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, however, said that IDF were planning operations in Rafah targeting Hamas fighters, command centres and tunnels, though gave no timeline for the campaign. He stressed that extraordinary measures were being taken to avoid civilian casualties. There were 24 regional battalions in Gaza we have dismantled 18 of them, he told a media briefing. Now, Rafah is the next Hamas centre of gravity. Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, referred to Navalny as a symbol of a free and democratic Russia on Friday. All rights reserved. The opposition leader, 47, passed away in a prison colony while serving his sentence In response to the passing of Russias most well-known dissident leader, Alexey Navalny, the German Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned the Russian ambassador to Germany, a spokesperson said. Today in Berlin, there will be a corresponding meeting with the Russian ambassador, Kathrin Deschauer informed reporters. She went on to say that the inhumane prison conditions and the politically motivated proceedings against Navalny and other opposition figures demonstrated how brutally the Russian justice system acts against dissidents. Advertisement Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, referred to Navalny as a symbol of a free and democratic Russia on Friday. All rights reserved. The opposition leader, 47, passed away in a prison colony while serving his sentence, the Russian Penitentiary Service said on Friday. In a statement, it was stated that Navalny passed out following a stroll in the colonys Arctic Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. The circumstances surrounding Navalnys death were investigated by Russian authorities through a number of inspections. Navalny received poisoning treatment in a Berlin hospital prior to his arrest in January 2021. Russia was accused of poisoning Navalny and Western nations, an accusation the Kremlin refutes. He was given a 19-year prison sentence for extremism and other offenses later in August 2021. He had already been imprisoned for fraud for eleven years and five months. Advertisement (with inputs from Reuters) Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday claimed that Hamass leadership outside Gaza is seeking to replace Yahya Sinwar as Hamass units in Khan Younis have been dismantled and an offensive in Rafah looms Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday claimed that Hamass leadership outside Gaza is seeking to replace Yahya Sinwar as Hamass units in Khan Younis have been dismantled and an offensive in Rafah looms. According to a Times of Israel report, Sinwar, along with Hamass military chief Mohammad Deif and his deputy Marwan Issa, remains beyond the reach of security forces. Sinwar has purportedly lost contact with Hamass leadership abroad since late January, raising doubts about his involvement in ongoing hostage negotiations, added the report. Advertisement Hamas does not trust its commanders this is a very, very noticeable thing, Times of Israel quoted Gallant as saying following an assessment with the head of the Israel Defenve Forces Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman. Hamas-Gaza is MIA, there is no one to talk to among leadership on the ground, he said, claiming that Hamas leadership abroad was looking for new leaders in Gaza. That means there is a tender [in Hamas> for who will run Gaza, he said. In Khan Younis, Gallant said that approximately 200 terror suspects surrendered to troops at Nasser Hospital, with dozens more surrendering at Al-Amal Hospital. He interpreted this as a sign of Hamas losing its fighting spirit. People armed with RPGs, weapons, and guns came to the moment of truth and did not fight. This indicates something of their understanding of the power differential, that they understood their fate was to surrender or die there is no third option, Times of Israel quoted Gallant as saying. Advertisement Gallant said Hamass Khan Younis Brigade had been defeated and does not function as a military entity in any way. Hamas is left with marginal [forces> in the central camps and with the Rafah Brigade, and what stands between them and a complete collapse as a military system is a decision by the IDF, he said. Advertisement There is no one here to come to their aid, no Iranians, no international aid, Gallant said, vowing that the army would dismantle the remaining six Hamas battalions two in central Gaza and four in Rafah. We have no right to stop as long as there are 134 hostages held by Hamas, he added. Advertisement Also Sunday, the IDF said special forces operating at Nasser Hospital had located vehicles used by Hamas terrorists who participated in the October 7 onslaught, as well as Israeli-owned cars stolen during the massacre. The operation at Nasser Hospital, which began Thursday, is being carried out by the Commando Brigade, Navys Shayetet 13, Shin Bet agents, and other special forces. Advertisement The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted on 7 October when the terror group launched a devastating assault on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of 253 individuals. In retaliation, Israel initiated a military campaign to secure the hostages release and dismantle Hamas authority in Gaza. According to the Gaza health ministry, which is under Hamas control, the conflict has claimed the lives of 28,985 individuals in the territory. Advertisement These statistics lack independent verification and fail to differentiate between Hamas militants and civilians. They also encompass Palestinians killed due to misfired rockets by terror groups. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim responsibility for the deaths of nearly 11,000 Hamas members in Gaza and around 1,000 terrorists within Israel on October 7. Advertisement The conflict has precipitated a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, displacing a majority of the population and subjecting them to the threat of famine. More than half of the 2.3 million Palestinians in the Strip have sought refuge in Rafah, the southernmost city where IDF ground forces are active. Responding to international apprehension regarding the fate of Rafahs residents, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured that evacuations would precede any ground offensive in the area. However, it remains unclear where these displaced individuals will find sanctuary. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong informed Prime Minister Viktor Orban last week that China expects to strengthen law enforcement and security relationships with Hungary as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations In a rare meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, China promised to help Hungary, a longstanding strategic ally, on matters of public security, beyond commercial and investment connections, at a time when NATO is finding it difficult to spread its network throughout Europe. Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong informed Orban last week that China expects to strengthen law enforcement and security relationships with Hungary as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Advertisement Wang expressed his hope that these initiatives in areas like fighting terrorism and transnational crimes will serve as a new highlight of bilateral relations while on a visit to Budapest. They would also include security and law enforcement capacity building as part of President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to connect China to the rest of the globe through commerce and infrastructural linkages. Wang also visited with Interior Minister Sandor Pinter and signed contracts on law enforcement and security cooperation, Xinhua said on Sunday, but did not elaborate. Chinas security promise comes as Hungary, a Russian ally, has tried to reduce its reliance on Western nations over the last decade under Orban, lately resisting efforts to allow NATOs expansion in Europe. Advertisement Hungary is the only NATO member state that has not approved Swedens bid to join the security organisation. China has been critical of NATO, especially after the bloc said last year that Beijing had challenged its interests, security and values with its ambitions and coercive policies. Chinese state media have called NATO a grave challenge to global peace and stability. Advertisement The security pact with Hungary represents a diplomatic win for China in the European Union, as the bloc weighs its ties with the worlds second-largest economy over differences on human rights, trade imbalances and Russias invasion of Ukraine. The central European countrys growing affinity to Beijing has already put a wedge in the EUs collective front. Advertisement On several occasions, Hungary has stood aside or opposed EU positions critical of China on issues such as human rights, and welcomed Chinese investments despite the EUs call for members to align relations with China in line with those of the bloc. Hungary is home to Huawei Technologies largest logistics and manufacturing base outside China, despite European Commission warnings that the telecom giant poses a risk to EU security. Advertisement Since 2016, Huawei has partnered with Shanghai-based artificial intelligence firm Yitu Technology to work on solutions for smart cities to enhance public safety and policing with the use of AI and surveillance. Hungary will soon host Chinese carmaker BYDs first European factory. The two countries agreed this month to replace the troops by May. India says they provide help with humanitarian aid and medical evacuations using aircraft it has provided Even as relations deteriorated due to the demands of the newly elected Maldivian President, Mohamed Muizzu, for Indian forces to withdraw from his nation, India increased its development support to the Maldives with projects picking up steam last year. India and China have courted the country of the Indian Ocean, which has historically been close to its neighbour India but has recently shifted its allegiance to China under Muizzu, as global powers compete for influence in the Indo-Pacific area. Advertisement According to an Indian official and official records, New Delhi has allocated about 4 billion rupees ($93 million)or nearly double that amountfor projects in the Maldives this fiscal year, which concludes in March. That comes despite strained ties since Muizzu rode to office in October pledging to end the countrys India First policy and ensure it removed nearly 80 Indian troops. Despite the roadblock, development co-operation has not changed or stopped, said an Indian official aware of the matter, who added that New Delhi had a two-fold engagement strategy for Male. Rather, the pace of the projects is faster, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributing the swifter pace to Indias increased allocations this fiscal year. Advertisement Muizzus office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The efforts include a $500-million project for roads and bridges around Male, and two airports worth nearly $130 million each in the archipelagos distant islands, supported through a line of credit from India. Muizzu made a state visit to Beijing last month but has yet to visit India. Advertisement The two countries agreed this month to replace the troops by May. India says they provide help with humanitarian aid and medical evacuations using aircraft it has provided. Indian budget documents presented to parliament on Feb. 1 show that New Delhi spent 1.83 billion rupees in fiscal 2022-23, which went up to 7.71 billion this year, a figure that is second only to neighbouring Bhutan, where India spent 24 billion. Advertisement India has set aside 6 billion rupees in initial allocation for the Maldivian projects next year. But Males closer engagement with Beijing saw it recently allow a Chinese research vessel to dock at its port, despite New Delhis concerns that information gathered by such ships can be used by Chinas military for deployment in Indias backyard. Advertisement The presence of extra-regional powers that impact the security of the Indian Ocean region is a red line for us, the official said, referring to China. You can do anything for intelligence while I shall do nothing against espionage? 10:42, February 18, 2024 By China's Ministry of State Security ( Global Times You can do anything for intelligence while I shall do nothing against espionage? At present, the China-US relationship is at a critical stage of stabilization and improvement. Communication in diplomatic, economic, military and other fields between the two countries is gradually expanding. Bilateral cooperation in drug control and artificial intelligence exchanges are also in full swing. While China and the United States are actively implementing the San Francisco Vision, William Burns, the director of CIA, in a recent article on Foreign Affairs titled Spycraft and Statecraft, said that CIA has committed substantially more resources toward China-related intelligence collection, operations and analysis around the world, more than doubling the percentage of its overall budget focused on China over just the last two years. CIA is hiring and training more Mandarin speakers, expanding the confrontation against China to every corner of the agency. As a matter of fact, it is not the first time the director of CIA which is the largest spy agency across the globe has made such outrageous statements or "freely admitted its guilt". In recent years, the USA, on the one hand, started intelligence wars, sparing no efforts to step up its espionage against China and, on the other hand, "brought suit against its victims", scandalously smearing China's justifiable defense and trying to misrepresent the Counterespionage Law of PRC as an "evil law". It is nothing but that "one may steal a horse while another may not look over the hedge" or another typical case of hegemonic, domineering, and bullying practices of the USA. Firstly, targeting China, redoubling intelligence gathering against China. As early as his CIA Director confirmation hearing held in February, 2021, Burns claimed that "out competing China will be key to America's national security in the decades ahead". Once in office, he couldn't wait to make China "a priority task", committing more resources toward China-related intelligence collection. In October, 2021, adhering to a Cold-War mindset, CIA built the China Mission Center, the only CIA organization structure named after a country, so as to use its approach toward USSR in its China mission. In July, 2023, Burns even "boasted" in public on the Aspen Security Forum that CIA had made great progress in rebuilding its intelligence network in China. For a period of time , Chinese national security departments have always been ready to take actions against overseas spy agencies threatening the national security of China. For one thing, relevant departments have recently cracked a number of espionage cases including the case of John Shing-Wan Leung, a "medal-winning spy" working for the USA. For another, more efforts have been made to promote the rule of law in respect of the counterespionage work. For instance, the comprehensive revision of the Counterespionage Law, especially the addition of the Chapter, "Security Protection", facilitates China's counterespionage work in the spirit of the rule of law and helps create an even better environment for development. Secondly, blaming others for their own mistakes, smearing the revision of the Counterespionage Law. In April, 2019, Mike Pompeo, former CIA Director, said during a speech that "...We lied, we cheated, we stole. We had entire training courses...", a blatant confession of the despicable practices of CIA. In recent years, CIA not only stepped up its intelligence collection against China but also "brought suit against its victims" by smearing, fabricating charges or using overseas media so as to "fan the flames" or to "whip up public opinions" against China. For instance, it cooked up such false or preposterous narratives that Chinas revision of the Counterespionage Law leads to "generalizing national security", "undermining the business environment", "detaining foreign nationals arbitrarily" or "coercive gathering of enterprise data". In effect, this article by Director Burns might have given the "reason" why it was necessary for China to revise the Law and intensify its counterespionage efforts. A lie told a thousand times remains a lie. In order to clarify the facts and dispel misgiving or misunderstanding, Chinese legislature and law enforcement agencies have been keeping up the good work in publishing a number of articles which elaborates the background, content as well as the practical needs of the law revision. For a better understanding of the new Counterespionage Law, the National People's Congress website has published the English version of the law. In response to the concerns and smear around the revision, the Ministry of State Security of PRC has published more than twenty articles or cases related to the law revision on its official WeChat account. Upon the enactment of the new law, the Ministry of Commerce of PRC promptly met with and introduced the newly revised law to enterprise representatives of the United States, Japan and South Korea and other China's major trade partners so that they may have a better understanding of the law and, in return, have a greater sense of security and confidence in their investment in China. Finally, the truth is evident, China's consistent stand and the law itself are the best response. In recent years, under the guidance of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China has launched a series of initiatives including the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. All these initiatives manifested China's stand and wisdom in terms of promoting common development, safeguarding peace and stability and advancing the progress of human civilizations. The revision of the Counterespionage Law of PRC in 2023, a reasonable move to follow the common practice across the world, fully demonstrates the security concepts that China advocates: Being discreet in setting the boundaries of national security, the revised law aims to decisively crack down upon espionage. it offers a clear-cut distinction between a lawful act and espionage. It does not target normal business activities, scientific cooperation or academic communication. It does not seek anything like the American-style "generalization of the national security" or abuse of "unilateral sanctions". it clarifies justifiable and long-arm jurisdiction. It strongly opposes abuse of jurisdiction based on any connected factors taken for granted. It does not seek anything like the American-style rule of "minimum contacts" that impairs the judicial sovereignty of other countries. it reasonably distinguishes an unlawful act from a crime. According to the types and damage degree of espionage activities, it stipulates administrative liabilities and criminal ones respectively. It does not seek anything like the "uniform criminal punishment" in the U.S.Economic Espionage Act. it endeavors to protect rather than steal data. It promulgates strict regulations on the situations where law enforcement departments may access relevant data as well as the range and protection of such data. It does not seek anything like stealing data of other countries or impairing the data sovereignty via domestic laws like the USA Patriot Act and the CLOUD Act. it safeguards rather than violates human rights. It upholds fair and civilized law enforcement rather than selective law enforcement. It opposes the selective law enforcement in the style of "judging by people's preferences". It does not seek anything like the wanton interrogation through the American-style "secondary inspection" or undermining normal nongovernmental exchanges. Although each country has its reasonable national security concerns, the security of one state shall never be at the cost of the insecurity of another state. Now that CIA has repeatedly vowed to rebuild its intelligence networks in China so as to gather more China-related intelligence, China has no choice but to use legal means to guard against and crack down on espionage activities. Only in this way can we create a sound and safe working and living environment for those who are really peace-loving and willing to invest in China. This article is taken from the official WeChat account of the China's Ministry of Public Security. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) The draft U.S. resolution says such a move would have serious implications for regional peace and security, and therefore underscores that such a major ground offensive should not proceed under current circumstances. Firefighters extinguish fire at a destroyed warehouse, attacked by Israeli, strikes at an industrial district, in the southern coastal town of Ghazieh, Lebanon, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.- AP The United States has put forward an alternative draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), aiming to emphasise the bodys endorsement for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza at the earliest feasible opportunity, according to the text seen by Reuters on Monday. While historically hesitant to use the term ceasefire in U.N. resolutions concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict, the U.S. draft aligns closely with the language used by President Joe Biden during recent discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Advertisement Additionally, the U.S. draft resolution acknowledges that, given the current circumstances a significant ground offensive into Rafah could lead to further civilian casualties and displacement potentially affecting neighbouring countries. Israel plans to storm Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than 1 million Palestinians have sought shelter, prompting international concern that such a move would sharply worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The draft U.S. resolution says such a move would have serious implications for regional peace and security, and therefore underscores that such a major ground offensive should not proceed under current circumstances. It was not immediately clear when or if the draft resolution would be put to a vote in the 15-member council. Advertisement The U.S. put forward the text after Algeria on Saturday requested the council vote on Tuesday on its draft resolution, which would demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield quickly signalled that it would be vetoed. Washington traditionally shields its ally Israel from U.N. action and has already twice vetoed council resolutions since Oct. 7. But it has also abstained twice, allowing the council to adopt resolutions that aimed to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza and called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting. Advertisement The U.S., Egypt, Israel and Qatar are seeking to negotiate a pause in the war and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Algeria put forward an initial draft resolution more than two weeks ago. But Thomas-Greenfield said the text could jeopardize the sensitive negotiations on the hostages. The Gaza war began when fighters from the Hamas militant group that runs Gaza attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. In retaliation, Israel launched a military assault on Gaza that health authorities say has killed more than 28,000 Palestinians with thousands more bodies feared lost amid the ruins. Advertisement With inputs from Reuters. Lula said that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinian civilians in the Strip, adding that the only historical equivalent was when Hitler decided to kill the Jews, according to a report President Lula da Silva of Brazil drew parallels between Israels current operation in Gaza and the historic Holocaust inflicted upon the Palestinian people, drawing sharp response from Tel Aviv denouncing his remarks as shameful. According to a Times of Israel report, Lula said that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinian civilians in the Strip, adding that the only historical equivalent was when Hitler decided to kill the Jews. Advertisement Whats happening in the Gaza Strip isnt a war, its a genocide, Times of Israel report quoted Lula as saying to reporters in Addis Ababa, where he was attending an African Union summit. Its not a war of soldiers against soldiers. Its a war between a highly prepared army and women and children, he added. Lula went on to assert that what is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people hasnt happened at any other moment in history except one: When Hitler decided to kill the Jews. Israel responded with outrage to Lulas comments, calling them shameful and saying the countrys ambassador would be summoned for a stern reprimand. Advertisement Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said the Brazilian leader had crossed a red line. The words of the President of Brazil are shameful and alarming, Times of Israel quoted Netanyahu as saying in a statement. This is a trivialization of the Holocaust and an attempt to harm the Jewish people and Israels right to defend itself, Netanyahu said. Israel is fighting for its defence and securing its future until complete victory and it does so while upholding international law. Advertisement Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called the comments shameful and grave. No one will harm Israels right to defend itself, he said. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said Lulas comments show ignorance and antisemitism and that Israel was broken-hearted and shocked by the massacre of its citizens on October 7. I wonder what Lula would have said if a terrorist organization had harmed Brazil that way, he added. Shame. Advertisement Israels war with Hamas broke out on October 7, after Hamas carried out an unprecedented terror attack on Israels south, killing around 1,200 people, and kidnapping over 250 people amid acts of brutality including sexual violence. Meanwhile, Israel has said that civilian casualties are the result of combatants operating from behind the cover of innocents. It has stressed it makes efforts to minimize the deaths of Gazan civilians, the Times of Israel reported. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Trapped between the two sworn enemies are more than a million Palestinian civilians crammed into the city on the Egyptian border, with nowhere left to run, after fleeing Israeli attacks that have laid waste to much of the enclave Palestinians gather near a crater at the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters According to four people familiar with the plan, Israel plans to keep up full-scale military operations in Gaza for a further six to eight weeks as it gets ready to launch a land invasion of Rafah, the city located in the southernmost part of the enclave. Two Israeli and two regional officials who asked to remain anonymous so they could speak freely said that military chiefs believe they can seriously harm Hamas remaining capabilities in that time, opening the door for a shift to a lower-intensity phase of targeted airstrikes and special forces operations. Advertisement According to Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official and negotiator in the first and second Palestinian intifadas (uprisings) in the 1980s and 2000s, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government is unlikely to heed international criticism and cancel a ground assault on Rafah. Rafah is the last bastion of Hamas control and there remain battalions in Rafah which Israel must dismantle to achieve its goals in this war, he added. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Friday that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were planning operations in Rafah targeting Hamas fighters, command centres and tunnels, though gave no timeline for the campaign. He stressed that extraordinary measures were being taken to avoid civilian casualties. There were 24 regional battalions in Gaza we have dismantled 18 of them, he told a media briefing. Now, Rafah is the next Hamas centre of gravity. Advertisement World leaders fear a humanitarian catastrophe. Trapped between the two sworn enemies are more than a million Palestinian civilians crammed into the city on the Egyptian border, with nowhere left to run, after fleeing Israeli attacks that have laid waste to much of the enclave. In a past week of high diplomatic tension, US President Joe Biden phoned the Israeli leader twice to warn him against launching a military operation in Rafah without a credible plan to ensure the safety of civilians. Netanyahu himself said civilians would be allowed to leave the battle zone before the offensive, even as he vowed complete victory. Advertisement The IDF hasnt explained how it will move more than a million people within the ruins of the enclave. According to one Israeli security source and an international aid official, who asked not to be identified, Gazans could be screened to weed out any Hamas fighters before being sent northwards. A separate Israeli source said Israel could also build a floating jetty north of Rafah to enable international aid and hospital ships to arrive by sea. Advertisement Nonetheless, an Israeli defence official said Palestinians wouldnt be allowed to return to north Gaza en masse, leaving scrubland around Rafah as an option for makeshift tent cities. The regional officials also said it wouldnt be safe to move a large number of people into a northern zone with no power and running water which hasnt been cleared of unexploded ordinance. Advertisement Washington is sceptical Israel has made sufficient preparations for a secure civilian evacuation, several officials familiar with the conversations between the two governments said. Biden said on Friday he didnt expect a massive Israeli ground invasion to happen soon. Furthermore, according to Hamas, the total victory promised by Netanyahu wont be quick or easy. Advertisement A Hamas official based in Qatar told Reuters that the group estimated it had lost 6,000 fighters during the four-month-old conflict, half the 12,000 Israel says it has killed. Gazas ruling group can keep fighting and is prepared for a long war in Rafah and Gaza, said the official, who requested anonymity. Advertisement Netanyahus options are difficult and ours are too. He can occupy Gaza but Hamas is still standing and fighting. He hasnt achieved his goals to kill the Hamas leadership or annihilate Hamas, he added. No empty space in Rafah Hamas triggered the conflict on Oct. 7 last year when its fighters burst out of the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages. The surprise attack prompted a massive retaliatory Israeli bombardment and ground invasion that have killed more than 28,000 Palestinians. Advertisement Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble by Israel. Fighting continues in the southern city of Khan Younis, with sporadic clashes still breaking out in northern areas supposedly cleared. More than 85% of Gazas 2.3 million inhabitants have been left homeless. Most of the displaced have sought shelter in Rafah, which had a pre-war population of about 300,000. Advertisement There is no empty space in Rafah, over a million and half people are here. Does the world know that? A slaughter is going to take place if the tanks enter, said Emad Joudat, 55, who fled there with his family early in the war from Gaza City, where he ran a furniture business. Advertisement I am in charge of a big family, said the father-of-five, who lives in a tent city with no food or water in Rafah. I feel helpless because dont know where to go with them if Israel launches an invasion. Egypt has sealed off its border to the enclave. Cairo has framed its opposition to the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza as part of wider Arab rejection of any repeat of the Nakba, or catastrophe, when 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes during the 1948 war that accompanied Israels creation. Advertisement Egypt is nonetheless preparing an area at the border that could accommodate Palestinians, as a contingency should an Israeli offensive into Rafah prompt an exodus across the frontier, three security sources in Egypt told Reuters, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. The Egyptian government denied making any such preparations. Israeli Defense Minister Gallant said Israel had no intention of evacuating Palestinian civilians to Egypt. Pledge to sacred victims Melamed, the former Israeli intelligence official and negotiator, said the only potential delay to the Israeli assault on Rafah could come should Hamas give ground in hostage negotiations and hand over the prisoners it took on Oct. 7. Even that would only delay the advance on Rafah unless it is coupled with the demilitarization of the city and surrender of the Hamas battalions there, he added. A senior regional security official said Israel believed some Hamas commanders and hostages were in Rafah. This month, after weeks of negotiations, Hamas proposed a ceasefire of 4-1/2 months during which it would free all Israeli hostages, Israel would withdraw its troops from Gaza and an agreement would be reached on an end to the war. Netanyahu rejected the offer as delusional. A new round of talks involving America, Egypt, Israel and Qatar on a truce ended without a breakthrough in Cairo on Tuesday. Senior American officials see securing a deal to release the remaining hostages in exchange for an extended pause in the conflict as the best path to creating space for broader talks, the US sources said. Yet theyre concerned such a deal may not materialise in coming weeks and war will continue into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in March and April, which could intensify global criticism of Israels campaign, they added. An overarching agreement to end the conflict appears remote. Any attempt to form a post-war government in Gaza could only succeed if it has Hamas approval, according to several sources in the region, including from the militant group and the Palestinian Authority, which was pushed out of Gaza by Hamas in 2007. Yet something has to give. Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas. And the groups leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, will fight to the death rather than surrender or go into exile, according to Hamas and regional officials. Israel also remains opposed to any deal involving a permanent ceasefire or a Palestinian state, despite US pressure and international outcry over civilian suffering in Gaza and the lack of progress to a lasting peace solution. Since October, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made five visits to the region. Last month, the State Department said Washington was actively pursuing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel and exploring options with partners in the region. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron also told lawmakers that Britain and its allies will look at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations. Israel, the US and Britain havent formally recognised Palestine, unlike nearly 140 other U.N. nations. Yet for Netanyahu and many other Israeli officials, talk of a two-state solution amounts to a betrayal of the people killed on Oct. 7. I say clearly to anyone still stuck in October 6: We will never lend a hand to the creation of a Palestinian state, Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar said on social media last month. This is our pledge to the sacred murder victims. Italian police have apprehended a group of six suspected robbers, all in their 60s and 70s, well-known in Romes criminal circles for their persistence in carrying out armed burglaries at post offices throughout the city Italian police have apprehended a group of six suspected robbers, all in their 60s and 70s, well-known in Romes criminal circles for their persistence in carrying out armed burglaries at post offices throughout the city. According to The Guardian report, the ringleaders of the gang were identified as 70-year-old Italo De Witt, alias the German, who gained notoriety in the mid-1990s following a sophisticated bank heist near the Spanish Steps, and a 75-year-old individual who served as the lookout. Advertisement One of the accomplices, aged 68, purportedly took on the primary role of executing the robberies, while a 66-year-old was tasked with acquiring replicas of the backdoor keys to the targeted post offices. Additionally, two masons in their early 50s were implicated in drilling holes in the walls of some locations, often working overnight or on weekends to facilitate the thieves entry, added the report. The gang stands accused of stealing nearly 200,000 (171,000) from a post office in the San Giovanni district in May last year. During the incident, two members armed with guns entered through the back door and menaced an employee who was loading the ATM. According to the report, citing La Repubblica, another planned robbery was scuppered because the 66-year-old gang member was having incontinence issues and needed an operation on his prostate. Advertisement The series of heists, all captured on camera, concluded after the failed burglary of a post office in the Don Bosco area. The six individuals involved were apprehended and faced charges of armed robbery. These purported robbers were identified as familiar faces within the criminal circles of the Italian capital. In 1995, De Witt, dressed elegantly, seized 15 bank employees as hostages by infiltrating a branch of Credito Italiano during their lunch break, using duplicated keys, and brandishing a firearm. He departed with a sum of 210 million lira. Advertisement With inputs from agencies IDF said it has recovered boxes of medicines bearing the names of Israeli hostages from the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis which were sent by their families Hamas continues to use civilians as human shields in the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. The healthcare facility, which was raided by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), left the soldiers amazed when they saw hundreds of terrorists of the Palestinian group posing as medical staff to evade being attacked and nabbed. Advertisement IDF and ISA forces also apprehended hundreds of terrorists and other suspects who were hiding in the Nasser Hospital, some posing as medical staff, the Israeli forces said in a post on X. A report by The Jerusalem Post quoted the IDF Spokespersons Unit saying hundreds of terrorists and suspected terrorists, including those who were part of the 7 October attack, have been arrested from Nasser Hospital. Did Hamas turn Nasser Hospital into a base? The IDF said inside the hospital they found a large cache of arms and ammunition, most of which were hidden, and a vehicle used by Hamas terrorists to conduct the October 7 attack. They also found a vehicle stolen from Kibbutz Nit Oz on the hospital premises. Advertisement large quantities of weapons and a vehicle belonging to Kibbutz Nir Ozall found in the Nasser Hospital, the IDF said. Hamas held on medicines sent for hostages Israeli forces have recovered boxes of medicines bearing the names of Israeli hostages from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis which were sent by their families. Advertisement The IDF said the medicines were sent by the families of the hostages who prepared the list of what their loved ones, held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, needed. Our forces located medicines specifically designated for the Israeli hostages in Gaza, large quantities of weapons and a vehicle belonging to Kibbutz Nir Ozall found in the Nasser Hospital. While Hamas continues to use civilians as human shields in the hospital, the IDF has pic.twitter.com/k2mO1Fpn7N Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 18, 2024 Advertisement As per a report by Channel 12 news, these medicines were shipped in November via unnamed European countries. They entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing via Egypt but were still not handed over to their intended recipients. Advertisement On 7 October, as many as 253 people were taken hostage by Hamas after the Palestinian terrorist organisation carried out a devastating attack on southern Israel. Over half the hostages remain in captivity. Many of them are elderly men, suffering from chronic conditions, and the delivery of medication was essential. The Israeli forces entered the Nasser Hospital on Thursday (15 February) acting upon credible intelligence that Hamas held hostages in the facility and there may even be bodies of those held captive in the building. Advertisement The IDF said its operation did not affect the healthcare facilities that were being provided to patients as none undergoing treatment as well as medical staff were evacuated. Also, oxygen tanks and fuel for electricity were provided to the hospital. With inputs from agencies The Tripoli security directorate said the 10 people had been killed by an unidentified armed group late on Saturday night and included two members of the Stabilisation Support Apparatus, one of the biggest and most prominent forces in Tripoli. The United Nations mission in Libya has called for an investigation into the shooting deaths of 10 individuals in a neighbourhood of Tripoli. According to city security chiefs, among the victims were two members of a powerful armed faction. In a statement shared on social media, the U.N. emphasised the importance of authorities taking action to prevent any actions that could escalate tensions and lead to further violence. Advertisement Since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011, Libya has experienced persistent unrest and division. The country split in 2014, with rival factions seizing control of different regions. While major hostilities have paused since a ceasefire in 2020, various groups still exert influence over different government and security institutions. Flashes of conflict have repeatedly flared in Tripoli since 2020, with brief bursts of conflict between rival groups, sometimes linked to the countrys wider political contest over ultimate control of government. The Tripoli security directorate said the 10 people had been killed by an unidentified armed group late on Saturday night and included two members of the Stabilisation Support Apparatus, one of the biggest and most prominent forces in Tripoli. The SSA mourned two of its members in a Facebook post, saying they had been struck by the hand of treachery without giving further details of the incident. The Tripoli security directorate said the public prosecution had already launched an investigation and all bodies had been handed over for forensic examination. Advertisement This incident highlights concerns repeatedly raised by (the U.N. envoy to Libya) about the serious risks posed by rivalries between security actors that continue to threaten the fragile security in Tripoli, the U.N. mission said. Diplomacy to resolve Libyas conflict has focused on holding elections to replace governing bodies that were last elected a decade or more ago, but political factions have not agreed on how a vote might take place. Advertisement With inputs from Reuters. Maldives Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed accused the opposition of attempting to illegally overthrow President Mohamed Muizzus government within the first 100 days of his presidency. The minister made these remarks on Sunday while accompanying President Muizzu on his inaugural visit to Addu, the second-largest urban area in the Maldives by population. Advertisement President Muizzu, who is perceived as pro-China, defeated the incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who had close ties with India in the presidential runoff held in September last year. Minister Saeed claimed that the government is facing challenges from both internal and external sources and is being bombarded with relentless misinformation and baseless rumours. He emphasized that the administration would not allow any attempts to overthrow it unless they were willing to resort to extreme measures, stating, we will not allow them to do so unless they cut every vein in our throats. These remarks were reported by The Edition. He said that it is the responsibility of the Opposition to hold the government accountable. However, he said, it is not part of holding a government accountable to attempt to create obstacles for and overthrow a government elected by the people just as it has begun, in a manner that will ultimately cause the most harm to the people themselves. Advertisement They have turned this into a game, it is of great concern that they have gone to the point where they are discussing impeaching a President elected by the people of this country, he said. They cannot illegally overthrow this government, God willing. They cannot turn this into a sort of twisted game and impeach the President, God willing. They can only do so by first cutting every nerve in our throats, God willing. There is no other way of achieving that, Shaheem asserted. Advertisement The countrys main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which holds a majority in Parliament, last month wanted to submit a motion to impeach President Muizzu. However, Muizzu got a respite after the Supreme Court earlier this month ordered the suspension of a recent amendment to Parliaments standing orders that had made it easier for the opposition lawmakers to impeach the president and the vice president, On January 24, calling India the most long-standing ally, the MDP and the Democrats expressed concern about the Muizzu governments anti-India stance. Advertisement Meanwhile, the MDP seemed unimpressed with Muizzus Presidential Address and claimed that most of the points made in President Muizzus speech were things that had already been initiated by the previous government led by the party. On the Presidents estimation that 2 billion tourists will be welcomed to the country this year, MDPs Parliamentary Group (PG) Leader Mohamed Rasheed Hussain dismissed this administrations role in the achievement. Advertisement He claimed that this increase in tourist arrivals is not the result of the three months the Muizzu administration has been in power, but rather the cumulative work of the previous government throughout and since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was the MDP government that signed agreements to establish the National Health Laboratory and provide resources to ascertain the quality of medication. Drone delivery of medication was also introduced by the MDP government, he said. Advertisement Hussain alleged that although the Constitution stipulates that the status of the country must be clearly and truthfully shared in the Presidential Address, President Muizzu had not done so. He alleged that the President had given false information and confusing rhetoric regarding events of the recent past and the economic status. He said that despite the previous government having compiled and published a debt repayment plan for 2025-2026, President Muizzu failed to even mention in his Presidential Address if this government had a serious plan regarding debt repayment. Advertisement He accused the President of deceiving the public by having earlier claimed that he would run a transparent administration and said that even the Finance Ministrys website has stopped publishing details that it previously used to update regularly. He went on to say that although Muizzu won the presidency by pledging to remove the Indian military personnel from the country, no mention of it had been made in the Presidential Address. He claimed that this is proof that there are, in fact, no armed foreign military personnel in the Maldives as they previously claimed. Advertisement With inputs from PTI. The security department of the northern border state of Tamaulipas said late Sunday the confrontation took place in the township of Miguel Aleman, across the border from Roma, Texas. Mexican soldiers killed at least 12 gunmen in a shootout near the border with the United States. According to a statement released by Tamaulipas states security agency and published on X, soldiers were conducting a patrol in the municipality of Miguel Aleman, located along the Texas border, when they came under attack by armed civilians. Twelve rifles were also seized at the scene. Advertisement The security department of the northern border state of Tamaulipas said late Sunday the confrontation took place in the township of Miguel Aleman, across the border from Roma, Texas. The security department released no additional details on the attack on the soldiers and no group immediately claimed responsibility. The Mexican army said it did not yet have any information on the shootout. Miguel Aleman has long been the scene of turf battles and violence involving the old Zetas cartel, now known as the Cartel of the Northeast, and the Gulf cartel. With inputs from agencies. The firefight happened as troops were policing the Miguel Aleman municipality near the US border, according to a social media post from Tamaulipas police spokeswoman Mexican military on patrol killed 12 gunmen in a skirmish in Tamaulipas, according to the states administration, which has been plagued by organised crime-related violence. The firefight happened as troops were policing the Miguel Aleman municipality near the US border, according to a social media post from Tamaulipas police spokeswoman. Around 2:00 PM (2000 GMT), it stated that employees of the Secretariat of National Defence (Sedena) were attacked by armed civilians who were hiding in the bush. Advertisement The clash left 12 assailants dead, and soldiers seized 12 guns and an array of ammunition, it added. According to state government authorities, the 12 assailants, who were accused drug cartel members, were slain in the event, which also involved the use of drones and a helicopter by the military. Tamaulipas, located near the United States border, is one of the states most affected by organised crime-related violence. It is the location of ongoing confrontations between gangs competing for lucrative drug trafficking routes. Four US citizens, two of whom ultimately died, were arrested at gunpoint after crossing the border into Tamaulipas state in a minivan in March of last year. Since the start of a controversial military anti-drug assault in 2006, Mexico has recorded over 420,000 killings and 110,000 disappearances, the majority of which have been linked to criminal gangs. Palestinian Authority foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki on Monday said that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and has enforced a policy of apartheid against Palestinians for years, and that allowing this to continue is unacceptable Riyad Al-Maliki, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority, right, and Riyad Mansour, representative of the Palestinian National Authority at the UN, second right, wait for the United Nations' highest court to open historic hearings in The Hague, Netherlands, on Monday. AP Palestinian Authority foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki on Monday said that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and has enforced a policy of apartheid against Palestinians for years, and that allowing this to continue is unacceptable. It is a moral and legal obligation to bring it to a prompt end, The Guardian quoted al-Maliki as saying while addressing the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Advertisement He said Palestine was not a land without a people and it had been subject to a decision made thousands of miles away over a hundred years ago referring to the Balfour Declaration. He said that for decades Palestinians have been denied the right to self-determination. The court is now hearing argument from the Palestinian legal team about why it should find the case admissible and why the court has jurisdiction to rule on it. Opened his statement in The Hague, al-Maliki told the International Court of Justice he is proud to be representing Palestine, and that his appearance comes as 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of them children, are besieged and bombed, killed and maimed, starved and displaced. There is a genocide happening in Gaza and that occupation of Israel should come to an unconditional end, The Guardian quoted al-Maliki as saying. Advertisement Al-Maliki said there are more than 3.5 million Palestinians subjected to colonisation of their territory and the racist violence that enables it in the Israeli-occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem. 1.7 million Palestinians in Israel are treated as second-class citizens in their ancestral land, he added. In 2022, the UN General Assembly asked the court for an advisory, or non-binding, opinion on the occupation. Advertisement The hearings will be held until 26 February, after that the judges are expected to take several months to deliberate before issuing an advisory opinion. While Israel has ignored such opinions in the past, it could increase political pressure over its ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed about 29,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, since Oct.7. Advertisement Among countries scheduled to participate in the hearings are the United States - Israels strongest supporter, China, Russia, South Africa and Egypt. Israel will not, although it has sent written observations. The hearings are part of a Palestinian push to get international legal institutions to examine Israels conduct, which has become more urgent since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas in Israel, which killed 1,200 people, and Israels military response. Advertisement They also come amid mounting concerns about an Israeli ground offensive against the Gaza city of Rafah, a last refuge for more than a million Palestinians after they fled to the south of the enclave to avoid Israeli assaults. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem - areas of historic Palestine which the Palestinians want for a state - in the 1967 war. It withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but, along with neighbouring Egypt, still controls its borders. Advertisement It is the second time the U.N. General Assembly has asked the ICJ, also known as the World Court, for an advisory opinion related to the occupied Palestinian territory. In July 2004, the court found that Israels separation wall in the West Bank violated international law and should be dismantled, though it still stands to this day. Advertisement With inputs from agencies People gather outside the Russian embassy, following the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. REUTERS. The death of Russian President Vladimir Putins arch-rival Alexei Navalny under mysterious circumstances in one of the most notorious Arctic prisonshis mother denied access to body, the whereabouts of which remain shroudedhas put European Union (EU) on the edge. The bloc is considering the development in continuum with the Ukraine war. Lets have an army Advertisement At the EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels, Belgiums Hadja Lahbib called upon her counterparts to develop an army to prevent Putins dictatorship from coming closer to the EU borders. Its been almost two years since Russia attacked Ukraine, trying to subjugate, to invade this country hungry for democracy and freedom, just like Putins fiercest opponent, Alexei Navalny, who died this weekend, Lahbib said. Here too, we must become aware of what is at stake today. If Ukraine is invaded, if Russia manages to expand, it is a dictatorship that will expand and move a little closer to the European Union. It is essential, Lahbib said, we develop a defence capacity together, that we also develop an army, not only to defend our territory, but also our values. Advertisement Putin is a murderer Margus Tsahkna, Estonias foreign minister, called Vladimir Putin a murderer while making a case for further assistance to Ukraine in arms and ammunition. Putin is a murderer. He has murdered one person who fought for freedom for democracy and this is exactly why we have to keep going. Ive been asked many times during the last couple of days what our response is [to Navalnys death> but the best response and most clear response would be this: finally do our job. Advertisement Aid to Ukraine Lithuanias foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis castigated his counterparts for not doing enough for Ukraine to enable the latter to fight Russia that wielded a 6:1 advantage in terms of ammunition. He said while EU had spent two years discussing as help rolled in to Ukraine bit by bit, it was a miracle that Ukraine had lasted so far. Advertisement Navalnys Death Sparks More Sanctions Germanys foreign minister announced Berlin will host a reconstruction summit for Ukraine in June. Annalena Baerbock said EU would soon roll out the 13th round of sanctions against Russia which would be informed by Navalnys death. She also hoped that Hungary would join the sanctions. Arriving at the foreign ministers summit in Brussels, she promised the EU would continue to support the democracy in Russia for which Alexei Navalny had fought. Advertisement Alexei Navalny had to pay with his life. Our thoughts are not only with with his family, with the many, many courageous people around Alexei Navalny who stand up for freedom in Russia, but we will also be here today with Yulia Navalny here in Brussels today, because the spirit of freedom can never be silenced forever. Advertisement Russia Lambasts West Russia rejected the Wests reaction to Alexei Navalnys death as absolutely unacceptable. The Kremlins spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters: These statements, of course, cannot cause any damage to our head of our state. Peskov said Russia was already probing Navalnys death according to the law of the land. After more than three years in prison, the 47-year-old opposition leader passed away in an Arctic prison on Friday, sparking outcry and condemnation from Western politicians as well as his followers People lay flowers paying the last respect to Alexei Navalny at the monument, a large boulder from the Solovetsky islands, where the first camp of the Gulag political prison system was established, near the historical the Federal Security Service (FSB, Soviet KGB successor) building in the background, in Moscow, Russia. AP As Russian courts sentenced hundreds of people caught during ceremonies honouring the Kremlin critic, EU authorities confirmed that Alexei Navalnys widow will visit European foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday. After more than three years in prison, the 47-year-old opposition leader passed away in an Arctic prison on Friday, sparking outcry and condemnation from Western politicians as well as his followers. Advertisement Josep Borrell, the head of EU foreign policy, said that Yulia Navalnaya would be welcomed to the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU on Monday. EU Ministers will send a strong message of support to freedom fighters in Russia and honour Navalnys memory, he added on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday. Being the most well-known opposition figure in Russia, Navalny gained a large following by opposing corruption under President Vladimir Putin. Having not seen her husband in two years, Navalnaya claimed she held Putin personally accountable in the hours that followed the news of his death. In her words, unite and defeat this evil, terrifying regime was what the international community needed to do. Navalnayas remarks will make us feel the threat that weighs on Russian citizens and on every region of our Europe, according to Italys Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, where violence, brutality, and war have been shamefully and irresponsibly returned. Advertisement Mourners jailed Russian authorities have suppressed memorials and tributes to Navalny and courts have jailed dozens of mourners. Rights groups say police have detained more than 400 people at gatherings paying tribute to the opposition figure. In Saint Petersburg alone, courts handed short jail terms to 154 people detained at events commemorating Navalny in violation of Russias anti-protest laws, according to details of rulings published by the citys court service over the weekend. Advertisement Rights groups and independent media outlets reported a handful of similar sentences in other cities across the country. Anti-Kremlin demonstrations or public shows of opposition to the regime are effectively illegal in Russia under strict military censorship rules and laws against unapproved rallies. In Moscow, the US ambassador visited a makeshift shrine to Navalny at the Solovetsky Stone on Sunday, a monument to political repression that has become a major site of tributes for Navalny. Advertisement At a separate makeshift memorial known as the Wall of Grief, a bronze monument to Soviet-era repression, police had set up fences in a bid to ward off mourners. Several dozen police officers could be seen standing nearby, but some people were allowed to enter through the fence and lay flowers, an AFP reporter saw. Advertisement Lula urges caution While many Western European leaders have directly or indirectly blamed Putin for Navalnys death, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva cautioned against rushing to judgement. Speaking to reporters in Addis Ababa, where he was attending an African Union summit, Lula said it was important to avoid speculation and await the results of an autopsy. Advertisement If you judge now and say I-dont-know-who ordered the killing and it wasnt them, afterwards you have to apologise. Why the rush to accuse? Navalny could have been sick or had a health problem, said Lula, warning against trivialising accusations of murder. Lula has faced criticism for being soft on Putin, his fellow leader in the BRICS group which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa but was recently expanded to include several other emerging powers. Advertisement The Brazilian president has been critical of the US and European responses to Russias invasion of Ukraine, saying Kyiv shares the blame for the conflict and refusing to join international sanctions on Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Western leaders on Friday of absolutely unacceptable and hysterical reactions to Navalnys death. In several cities around Europe, Navalny supporters continued to pay tribute to him Sunday. Advertisement In Germany, people laid flowers and candles at a memorial in front of the Russian embassy in Berlin. In Romania, a similar tribute appeared outside the Russian embassy in Bucharest. In a YouTube video, Navalny spokesperson Kira Yarymsh stated, Investigators informed Alexeis mother and lawyers that they are not handing over the body and that they will conduct a chemical analysis, an investigation within the next 14 days Alexei Navalnys body will be held by Russian investigators for at least two weeks so they can examine it, his spokesperson said on Monday, calling the move a ruse by the government. Supporters of Navalny have been incensed by the authorities alleged attempts to conceal his murder since Russia announced his death on Friday and his mother has not been allowed to see the body. Advertisement In a YouTube video, Navalny spokesperson Kira Yarymsh stated, Investigators informed Alexeis mother and lawyers that they are not handing over the body and that they will conduct a chemical analysis, an investigation within the next 14 days. For at least two weeks they will do some kind of inspection, she said. Ill say it again: Navalnys body is being hidden to hide the traces of the murder. This 14-day chemical analysis is an outright lie and mockery, she said in a subsequent statement on social media site X, the former Twitter. Navalnys mother, Lyudmila, flew to the Arctic prison colony where her son was being held on Saturday, but has been blocked from accessing the morgue where she was told his body was. Advertisement Earlier Monday, the Kremlin said an investigation into Navalnys death was ongoing and that there were no results as of yet. President Vladimir Putins spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin would not decide what happens to the body or when it is released. Navalnys wife, Yulia Navalnaya, said on Monday: Putin killed my husband. Advertisement The opposition leaders spokesperson said she expected authorities to hold Navalnys body beyond the 14-day period. Yarymsh and Yulia Navalnaya drew comparisons with what happened in 2020, when Navalny fell seriously ill while on a flight to Moscow, and doctors tried to block him being evacuated to Europe for specialist treatment. Yulia Navalnaya eventually secured his release, taking her husband on a medical plane to Germany where tests revealed he had been poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent. Advertisement With inputs from AFP Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, a senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, stated on Sunday that the party was calling for the creation of a judicial committee to look into the allegations of rigged election results and to make the findings public The PTI claimed that attempts were made to prevent the party from participating in politics when a large number of people turned out to vote in response to the demand of Imran Khan, the 71-year-old leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Image Courtesy Reuters The party of imprisoned former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan on Sunday called for the creation of a judicial panel to look into a senior bureaucrats claim that vote manipulation occurred within the electoral body and the upper judiciary. Liaquat Ali Chattha, the commissioner for Rawalpindi, claimed on Saturday that the candidates who were losing the polls were made to win in the city. He said, prior to his resignation, that thirteen Rawalpindi contestants had been arbitrarily named the victors. Advertisement His words coincided with the start of statewide rallies by the imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party against the purported manipulation and theft of its mandate in the February 8 elections. I am taking responsibility for all this wrongdoing and telling you that the chief election commissioner and the chief justice are also completely involved in this, Liaquat Ali Chattha said. After accepting responsibility for the falsification of poll results, Liaquat Ali Chattha resigned from his position. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, a senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, stated on Sunday that the party was calling for the creation of a judicial committee to look into the allegations of rigged election results and to make the findings public. Advertisement Liaquat Ali Chatthas claims, according to Gohar Ali Khan, validated what the party had been stating all along. This is the first time a commissioner is raising his voice according to his conscience. He said that he made sure candidates who lost were made to win while those who won were made to lose. This corroborates what we have been saying, he said. Advertisement That is why the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf demands that a judicial commission be formed and an inquiry be conducted. And not just an inquiry, but those [involved> should be made to join the inquiry, he said, adding that the report of such an inquiry should also be shared with the people. Gohar Ali Khan added that Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isas resignation was not being demanded by the party. Advertisement He claimed that attempts were made to prevent the party from participating in politics when a large number of people turned out to vote in response to the demand of Imran Khan, the 71-year-old leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. We had won 180 seats in the National Assembly, 42 seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly, 115 in Punjab, 16 in Sindh, and four in Balochistan assembly, he said. Advertisement Gohar Ali Khan said that three seats were still owed to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, of which one had already been awarded in Balochistan. In Sindh, we did not get a single seat, they are all due. In Punjab, around 50 seats are due, he said. Omar Ayub Khan, the partys prime minister candidate, stated during the news conference that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf would create administrations in both the federal and provincial levels. The pattern of recent negotiations for a framework ceasefire agreement for the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza was described as not very promising by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani over the weekend As a new attempt to drag out the Gaza war, conflict mediator Qatar on Monday denounced remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he asked the Gulf state to put pressure on Hamas to free Israeli hostages. The pattern of recent negotiations for a framework ceasefire agreement for the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza was described as not very promising by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani over the weekend. Advertisement The Israeli Prime Ministers recent statements in which he calls on Qatar to pressure Hamas into releasing the (Israeli) hostages are nothing but a new attempt by him to delay and prolong the war for reasons that have become clear to everyone, Qatars foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari posted in a statement on social media platform X. It was unclear what comments from Netanyahu the Qatari statement was referring to. Sheik Mohammed, who is also foreign minister, said on Saturday he could not give details of talks but as with past deals there were two elements: humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the number of Palestinians to be released for Israeli hostages. Advertisement With inputs from Reuters Large portions of Yemen are controlled by the Houthis, who claim that since November, their strikes, which are in support of the Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is waging a brutal war against Hamas in retribution for the latters attack on October 7, have targeted Israeli-affiliated boats Saad al-Kaabi, Qatars Minister of Energy, demanded on Monday that there be a truce in Gaza in order to put an end to the unrest in the Red Sea, which has disturbed the transportation of hydrocarbons along the crucial route. The root of the problem in the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels have attacked commercial boats, according to the ministerwho also serves as CEO of state-owned hydrocarbon firm QatarEnergyis the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Advertisement Hopefully there is a ceasefire soon that will stop that so that the economic impact on the entire world stops, he told a news conference at a ground breaking ceremony for a mega petrochemical plant on Qatars northeast coast. Large portions of Yemen are controlled by the Houthis, who claim that since November, their strikes, which are in support of the Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is waging a brutal war against Hamas in retribution for the latters attack on October 7, have targeted Israeli-affiliated boats. To avoid the Red Sea, a number of businesses, notably QatarEnergy, have decided to reroute their ships hundreds of kilometres (miles) around the southernmost point of Africa. Its going to add cost, its going to add time, and its also good to add constraint on actual deliveries, Kaabi said, referring to the diversions. Advertisement It may not be felt in (the) short term, but if its long term, then it will actually hamper movement if you take a full year, the net volume that actually is transferred, he added. In December the United States announced a maritime security initiative, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to protect shipping in the area. Advertisement Repeated strikes on Houthi targets by the United States and Britain have failed to halt the rebel attacks. The Italian towboat skipper, Asso 28, was found guilty by the Court of Cassation after he saved 101 migrants from a rubber dinghy in 2018 and sent them back to Libya Rescuers get ready to search for survivors in the aftermath of a deadly migrant shipwreck in Steccato di Cutro near Crotone, Italy. Reuters File Human rights organisations and charities applauded the verdict by Italys highest appeals court, which determined that it is illegal to deport sea migrants back to Libya. The Italian towboat skipper, Asso 28, was found guilty by the Court of Cassation after he saved 101 migrants from a rubber dinghy in 2018 and sent them back to Libya. Advertisement According to the court, the rescue happened in international waters 105 kilometres off the coast of Libya. It further stated that among the migrants were children and pregnant women. The captain, whose identity was withheld from the court for privacy concerns, received a one-year prison sentence for the offences of abandoning minors or those who were incapable of supporting themselves, as well as for disembarking and leaving people behind. He is unlikely to go to prison, however, as in the Italian system jail terms of under four years are not normally served behind bars. The ruling is final, upholding earlier decisions by two lower courts. It was filed on Feb. 1, but was publicised by Italian media over the weekend. Reuters obtained a copy of it on Sunday. Advertisement Italy and other European governments have taken an increasingly hard line on immigration in recent years, amid a swell in support for right-wing parties that want strict curbs on sea arrivals from North Africa. The Libya to Italy crossing is one of the most-used sea migration routes. Now there is also a judicial precedent that confirms what we have been saying for years: Libya is not a safe country, the Mediterranea Saving Humans migrant rescue group said on X. Advertisement The Italian office of Amnesty International also hailed the verdict, and criticised the government for cooperating with Libyan authorities on migration. Pushing people back to Libya and collaborating with the so-called (Libyan) coast guard conflicts with the duty to bring rescued people to a safe place, it said. Under international humanitarian law, migrants cannot be forcibly returned to countries where they risk serious ill-treatment, and widespread migrant abuse has been extensively documented in Libya. Advertisement Back in 2018, the conduct the Asso 28 had attracted the attention of U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, which expressed concern for a possible violation of international law. In Papua New Guinea, Highland tribes have been engaged in bloody conflicts for millennia, but the introduction of automatic weapons has increased the lethality of battles and intensified the cycle of bloodshed The highlands of Papua New Guinea have long been the site of ongoing tribal conflict, with multiple mass killings in recent years Image Courtesy AFP A total of 64 bloodied bodies have been found by the local police in the highlands of Papua New Guinea on Monday. The victims were discovered amid bitter gun battles between rival tribes. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Samson Kua, the remains were discovered during what appears to have been an ambush in the early hours of February 18. Advertisement We believe there are still some bodies out there in the bush, he told AFP. The tragedy happened 600 kilometers northwest of Port Moresby, the nations capital, close to the town of Wabag. Graphic images and videos that claimed to be taken at the site were given to the police. They displayed victims that were bloodied and naked, both stacked up on a flatbed truck and left by the side of the road. It is believed that the episode has something to do with a battle between the tribes of Kaekin, Ambulin, and Sikin. In Papua New Guinea, highland tribes have been engaged in bloody conflicts for millennia, but the introduction of automatic weapons has increased the lethality of battles and intensified the cycle of bloodshed. Advertisement According to Kua, the shooters had employed a vast arsenal of weapons, including pump-action shotguns, homemade firearms, SLR, AK-47, M4, AR15, and M16 rifles. There are reports of combat continuing in a nearby isolated rural location. The highlands of Papua New Guinea have long been the site of ongoing tribal conflict, with multiple mass killings in recent years. Advertisement With limited success, the government of Papua New Guinea has attempted a number of tactics to curb the violence, including amnesties, mediation, and suppression. About one hundred military personnel had been sent to the region, but their influence has been little and the security agencies are still outnumbered and outgunned. Clansmen often conduct ambushes or raids in retaliation for earlier attacks, leading to the killings, which frequently occur in isolated villages. Advertisement In the past, targets among the civilian population have included youngsters and expectant mothers. The victims of these frequently incredibly gruesome crimes are burned, disfigured, machete-hacked, or otherwise tortured. In private, police personnel lament that they lack the resources to carry out their duties and that they are paid so poorly that some of the weapons that tribesmen end up with are police-issued. Advertisement On February 19, opponents of the administration of Prime Minister James Marape demanded the resignation of the forces commissioner and the deployment of more police. Since 1980, the population of Papua New Guinea has more than doubled, putting increased pressure on the countrys resources and land while escalating tribal conflicts. (With agency inputs) The Chinese administration has repeatedly blamed America for harassing students at the US border, adding that a number of Chinese students are denied entry into the country The Chinese Public Minister called on the US Homeland Security to 'ensure that Chinese citizens enjoy fair entry treatment and full dignity.' AP file Chinas public security minister has urged the US Homeland Security to stop harassing Chinese students entering the country. In a meeting held in Vienna, Wang Xiaohong urged Alejandro Mayorkas to stop harassing and checking Chinese students for no apparent reason, Chinese state news media Xinhua said. What did the two sides discuss? The Chinese Public Minister called on the US Homeland Security to ensure that Chinese citizens enjoy fair entry treatment and full dignity. Advertisement A statement published by the US says that the meeting between Wang and Mayorkas was a candid and constructive discussion on the steps needed to combat the spread of precursor chemicals. Wang also urged for the rectification of a US decision to place China on a list of major countries transiting or producing narcotics. The United States has always blamed Beijing for being complicit in the trade of fentanyl, a drug that is much more deadly than heroin and is responsible for killing over 70,000 people a year in the US. Last month in Beijing, US and Chinese officials agreed to cooperate to curb the production of ingredients to make fentanyl, known as precursor chemicals. Advertisement China blames US for harassing students The Chinese administration has repeatedly blamed America for harassing students at the US border, adding that a number of Chinese students are denied entry into the country. Last month, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin claimed that the US border authority officials constantly mistreated students with valid travel documents and visas. Advertisement In recent months, tens of Chinese personnel travelling to the US, including overseas Chinese students, have been forced to return to China each month, he said. Wenbin added, This is typically selective and discriminatory and amounts to political law enforcement. China is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes it. The foreign ministry has also urged the US to cancel a Trump-era order that prevents postgraduate students and researchers from China allegedly linked with the Chinese army from entering the US. In Mexico City on Sunday, thousands of people dressed in pink flocked to the the citys main plaza roaring get Lopez out. Others carried signs reading the power of the people is greater than the people in power Demonstratrors take part in a march organized by citizen organizations demanding that electoral autonomy be respected in the upcoming general elections in downtown Mexico City. AP Tens of thousands of demonstrators dressed in pink marched across cities in Mexico and abroad on Sunday in what they described as a march for democracy against the countrys ruling party ahead of the June 2 elections. The day that front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum filed as a candidate for the ruling party Morena, the opposition parties in Mexico called for protests calling for free and fair elections in the Latin American country and denounced corruption. Government estimates place the number of demonstrators against the leader at about 90,000. Advertisement Sheinbaum is mostly viewed as Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors successor, a well-liked populist politician in Mexico. Hes adored by many voters who say he bucked the countrys elite parties from power in 2018 and represents the working class. But the 70-year-old president has also been accused of making moves that endanger the countrys democracy. Last year, the leader slashed funding for the countrys electoral agency, the National Electoral Institute, and weakened oversight of campaign spending, something INEs head said could wind up poisoning democracy itself. The agencys color, pink, has been used as a symbol by demonstrators. Lopez Obrador has also attacked journalists in hours-long press briefings, has frequently attacked Mexicos judiciary and claimed judges are part of a conservative conspiracy against his administration. In Mexico City on Sunday, thousands of people dressed in pink flocked to the the citys main plaza roaring get Lopez out. Others carried signs reading the power of the people is greater than the people in power. Advertisement Gabriel Ozuna, 61, said she and her family came from Baja California state, and were participating in the march not just to support democratic institution, but also to protest attacks on candidates by drug cartels, especially in local elections. We know our democracy is in danger. What we want to do is defend it and keep defending it, Ozuna said. Advertisement Among the opposition organizations marching were National Civic Front, Yes for Mexico, Citizen Power, Civil Society Mexico, UNE Mexico and United for Mexico. Democracy doesnt solve lack of water, it doesnt solve hunger, it doesnt solve a lot of things. But without democracy you cant solve anything, said Enrique de la Madrid Cordero, a prominent politician from the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, in a video posted to social media calling for people to join the protests. Advertisement The PRI held uninterrupted power in Mexico for more than 70 years. Marches were organized in a hundred cities across the country, and in other cities in the United States and Spain. Still, the president remains highly popular and opinion polls indicate his ally Sheinbaum appears set to coast easily into the presidency. Advertisement Lopez Obrador repeatedly dismissed the protests, telling reporters Friday that his critics dont care about democracy and are organizing the march to return the corrupt to power. Following the massive demonstration, the leader continued to rail on critics, and said there would be no electoral fraud in the election and that he had not intervened in democratic processes. Advertisement Its their democracy the democracy of the corrupt. What we want is there to be democracy of the people. We dont want power without the people. Theyre the ones that establish an anti-democracy with electoral fraud, Lopez Obrador. Thailands attorney general has now allowed further investigation into claims the 74-year-old broke the royal defamation law in comments he made in South Korea in 2015, the attorneys office spokesman told a press conference Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who last year returned from more than a decade of self-imposed exile to serve a prison sentence for misdeeds committed while in office, has been granted parole and could be released this weekend, the countrys justice minister announced. File image/AP One day after the tycoon was given parole in a separate fraud case, Thai prosecutors announced on Monday that they will investigate if former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had broken a royal defamation legislation. The former Manchester City owner is one of the most divisive figures in modern Thai history. Millions of rural people love him for his populist policies, while the royalist and pro-military elite despises him. Advertisement He was released on parole on Sunday, six months into an eight-year term for corruption and bribery. After a remarkable 15-year self-imposed exile, he returned to the nation and was arrested in August of last year. Thailands attorney general has now allowed further investigation into claims the 74-year-old broke the royal defamation law in comments he made in South Korea in 2015, the attorneys office spokesman told a press conference. In April, prosecutors want Thaksin to appear so they can either declare they are bringing charges against him or request further time to finish their investigation. The director of the attorney generals offices criminal division stated that Thaksin spoke in a scarcely audible voice while in a wheelchair during a meeting there. Bail was imposed at 500,000 baht ($13,900). Advertisement The nations lese-majeste legislation, which carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence for each violation, is designed to shield the monarch, a respected and somewhat divine figure in Thai society, from insults. After a military takeover in 2006 removed Thaksin from office as prime minister, he was returned to the kingdom in August and was found guilty of eight years of bribery and abuse of authority. Advertisement But his prison term was cut to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and on Sunday he was released on parole early on the basis of his health and old age. The department of corrections confirmed his release on parole, but the exact details of his freedom are unclear. He may be subject to monitoring possibly with an ankle tag and restrictions on his right to travel. Myanmars junta has sentenced three brigadier generals to death after they surrendered with hundreds of troops relinquishing control of a strategic town on the Chinese border to ethnic minority fighters last month, military sources revealed on Monday Myanmars junta has sentenced three brigadier generals to death after they surrendered with hundreds of troops relinquishing control of a strategic town on the Chinese border to ethnic minority fighters last month, military sources revealed on Monday. Three brigadier generals including the commander of Laukkai town were given the death sentence, AFP quoted a military source as saying on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorised to talk to the media. Advertisement Another military source confirmed the sentencing. In January, a significant event unfolded as hundreds of troops in Laukkai, located in northern Shan state, surrendered to the Three Brotherhood Alliance after enduring months of conflict. This surrender marked one of the militarys most significant setbacks in decades and drew uncommon public criticism from its own supporters. The junta, grappling with fierce opposition since its 2021 coup, faced scrutiny following this incident. After surrendering, the officers and their troops were permitted to depart the area. Despite inquiries, neither of the two sources contacted by AFP provided details regarding the timing of the verdict. However, a military spokesperson told AFP last month that the three brigadier generals were under military custody. In accordance with Myanmars military law, unauthorised departure from a post carries the potential penalty of death. Advertisement Attempts to reach a junta spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful, the AFP report said. With inputs from agencies Although Israel has previously disregarded these viewpoints, it may increase political pressure due to its continuing conflict in Gaza, which since October 7 has claimed the lives of around 29,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials The hearings are a component of the Palestinian movement to force international legal organizations to look into Israel's actions Image Courtesy Reuters More than 50 states are scheduled to address the judges during the first day of the United Nations High Courts hearings on the legal ramifications of Israels occupation of Palestinian territory, which begins on Monday. In the legal procedures at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki will make the initial speech. Advertisement The court was invited to provide an advisory, or non-binding, opinion on the occupation by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022. Although Israel has previously disregarded these viewpoints, it may increase political pressure due to its continuing conflict in Gaza, which since October 7 has claimed the lives of around 29,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. China, Russia, South Africa, Egypt, and the United States, which is Israels biggest ally, are among the nations that have been invited to attend the hearings. Israel has sent written observations, but it will not. The hearings are a component of the Palestinian movement to force international legal organizations to look into Israels actions. This movement has gained urgency in the wake of the 1,200-person Hamas attack on October 7 and Israels military response. Advertisement They also coincide with growing apprehensions regarding an Israeli ground invasion against Rafah in Gaza, the final haven for over a million Palestinians who fled to the south of the territory to escape Israeli attacks. During the 1967 war, Israel took control of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, which are parts of historic Palestine that the Palestinians desire to become a state. Although it left Gaza in 2005, it still maintains border control with Egypt, its neighbor. Advertisement The International Court of Justice, or World Court, has been asked by the United Nations General Assembly for an advisory opinion regarding the occupied Palestinian territories twice times. Although it remains in place today, the court declared in July 2004 that Israels separation wall in the West Bank breached international law and ought to be taken down. Advertisement Judges are now tasked with reviewing Israels occupation, settlement and annexationincluding measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures. Israel has significantly increased Jewish settlements in the West Bank since 1967; the Palestinians claim that this conduct jeopardizes the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. In a move that most nations do not recognize, it has also annexed East Jerusalem. Advertisement The 15-judge panel of the ICJ was also requested by the General Assembly to provide advice on how those practices and policies affect the legal status of the occupation and what legal ramifications result for all nations and the UN from this status. The World Court genocide lawsuit that South Africa brought against Israel for allegedly violating the 1948 Genocide Convention in Gaza is unrelated to the advisory opinion process. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave Israel an order to stop crimes of genocide in Gaza by the end of January. Advertisement As to the ICJ, the advisory opinions ruling would have great legal weight and moral authority, but it would not be legally binding. (With agency inputs) Concerns surrounding the prevalence of smartphones among students, with 97% reported to possess one by age 12 according to Ofcom data, extend beyond mere distraction to include issues such as bullying and exposure to harmful content Government officials in the United Kingdom have officially announced their intentions to put a complete ban on the use of mobile phones in schools, unveiling detailed guidelines for headteachers, which some unions have noted reflect existing practices already widely adopted. As per reports, while some school administrators view the Department for Educations (DfE) initiative positively, recognising its potential to enhance student welfare despite potential parental resistance, the guidelines remain non-binding. They offer schools flexibility in implementing the ban, ranging from requiring students to leave their phones at home to storing them in inaccessible lockers while on school premises. Advertisement Concerns surrounding the prevalence of smartphones among students, with 97% reported to possess one by age 12 according to Ofcom data, extend beyond mere distraction to include issues such as bullying and exposure to harmful content. In support of the ban, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan emphasised the importance of fostering a conducive learning environment, while noting the need for consistent messaging across educational institutions. Beyond school premises, broader societal concerns persist regarding childrens unrestricted access to potentially harmful online content. Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, advocates for stricter regulations on tech companies and calls for tailored phone products for those under 16 to mitigate exposure to harmful material. While the DfE guidance stresses the importance of clear communication with students and parental involvement in enforcing the ban, some education leaders argue that the measures are unnecessary, citing existing school policies that already address mobile phone usage during the school day. Advertisement Despite differing opinions, there are success stories from schools like Passmores Academy in Essex, where a recent ban on mobile phones has yielded positive results, relieving students of social pressures and garnering support from both parents and students alike. Since mid-November, the Houthi rebels in Yemen has repeatedly attacked international commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait with drones and missiles, claiming to be acting in solidarity with the Palestinian people as Israel fights Hamas in Gaza The ship was reportedly traveling north from Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates to Varna, Bulgaria, when the attack took place Image Courtesy Reuters An open hatch general cargo ship, which is operated by Lebanese nationals and is registered under the flag of Belize, reported being attacked in Bab al-Mandab Strait on Sunday, according to a warning note released by British maritime security company Ambrey. The ship was reportedly traveling north from Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates to Varna, Bulgaria, when the attack took place. Advertisement The partially laden vessel briefly slowed from ten to six knots and deviated course, and contacted the Djiboutian Navy, before returning to her previous course and speed, the note read. The incident has been reported to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, which is located 35 nautical miles south of Al Mukha, Yemen. Since mid-November, the Houthi rebels in Yemen has repeatedly attacked international commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait with drones and missiles, claiming to be acting in solidarity with the Palestinian people as Israel fights Hamas in Gaza. Mediazona along with BBC Russia has added the names of 1,194 Russian soldiers to the list of casualties. The list is now up-to-date since it was last updated in early February The names of over 44,000 Russian soldiers who have been killed on the battlefield since the start of the war in February 2022 have been identified by a Russian independent media outlet called Mediazona. Mediazona along with BBC Russia has added the names of 1,194 Russian soldiers to the list of casualties. The list is now up-to-date since it was last updated in early February. Advertisement However, the journalists involved in making the list note that the actual figure of the number of Russian soldiers might be considerably higher. The information has been collated by studying obituaries, social media posts by relatives, news in the media as well as reports by local authorities. In the list, the names of 15 military personnel holding the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel and higher have been added. Since Russia launched its all-out offensive against Ukraine in February 2022, the country has lost 3,100 officers with the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel or higher. The highest-ranked military official who has been killed in combat to date remains Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, Russias deputy commander of the Southern Military District. How many Ukrainian soldiers have been killed? Advertisement As of November 2023, nearly 25,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died on the battlefield, putting the total tally at more than 30,000. Writing in the Ukrainian journal Tyzhden, historian Yaroslav Tynchenko and volunteer Herman Shapovalenko said Shapovalenkos Book of Memory project had confirmed 24,500 combat and non-combat deaths using open sources, according to a report by Reuters. The real figure was likely higher, they added, noting that many of the 15,000 troops listed as missing were likely dead. Meanwhile, a report in August 2023 by the New York Times, citing anonymous U.S. officials, put the Ukrainian death toll at close to 70,000. HSBC said in June 2022 that it had agreed to sell a 100% stake in the unit, HSBC Bank (RR) LLC, to Expobank. Moscow has steadily tightened restrictions on foreign asset sales since then, with banks requiring Putins approval for any deal. Paving the way for the British lender to extricate itself from the Russian market after months of negotiations following the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved on Monday for HSBC to sell its Russian unit to privately-owned Expobank, Expobank, which is owned by Russian entrepreneur Igor Kim, had been engaged in advanced discussions to acquire HSBCs business. However, these negotiations were impacted by the Kremlins decision to tighten control over the departure of foreign firms from the banking and energy sectors in August 2022. The approval for the acquisition was recently published in a decree on the countrys legal database. Advertisement HSBC said in June 2022 that it had agreed to sell a 100% stake in the unit, HSBC Bank (RR) LLC, to Expobank. Moscow has steadily tightened restrictions on foreign asset sales since then, with banks requiring Putins approval for any deal. HSBC and Expobank did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment. Mondays order said it was allowing Expobank to acquire 100% of the unit, owned by HSBC Europe BV. The order cited an Aug. 5, 2022 decree signed by Putin, which banned investors from unfriendly countries - those that have sanctioned Russia over its actions in Ukraine - from selling shares in key energy projects and banks. That decree gave Putin the power to issue special waivers in certain cases for deals to go ahead. Advertisement HSBC, Europes biggest bank, whose global business spans China and the United States, said in September it would halt commercial payments by business customers to and from Russia and Belarus, with sanctions making it increasingly challenging to operate there. Expobank was sanctioned by the United States in December, as part of wide-ranging restrictions aimed at throttling Moscows energy and financial sectors in the wake of Russia despatching its army to Ukraine in February 2022. Advertisement The US Treasury said in December it was imposing sanctions on Expobank for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy. The impact of those sanctions on the deal remains to be seen. Putins approval is no guarantee of a successful deal. Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo secured Putins approval to sell or dispose of its assets in Russia in September 2023, but has not yet managed to finalise a transaction. Advertisement With inputs from Reuters. The European Union is on the verge of imposing its inaugural antitrust penalty on Apple, accompanied by a prohibition on App Store regulations that hinder competition, as per the Financial Times. The anticipated fine, estimated at about 500 million ($539 million), is slated for announcement in the coming month, reports the FT, citing undisclosed sources. Apple could face a fine of up to 10% of its global annual revenue. Spotifys Complaint on App Store Policies This development stems from an extensive inquiry triggered by Spotifys grievance, alleging Apples bias towards its own music service, Apple Music, through App Store policies. The investigation scrutinizes whether Apple impeded apps from informing iPhone users about cost-effective alternatives for music subscriptions beyond the App Store. It was instigated subsequent to a formal complaint filed by the music-streaming app Spotify to regulators in 2019. EUs Allegations and Consequences Insiders familiar with the matter revealed that the Commission will declare Apples actions unlawful, contravening the blocs regulations aimed at fostering competition in the single market. The Commission plans to proscribe Apples practice of inhibiting music services from enabling users outside the App Store to switch to more economical options. Brussels will accuse Apple of leveraging its dominant position and enforcing anticompetitive trading practices against competitors, branding the tech giants terms as unfair trading conditions. Significant Regulatory Enforcement This move marks one of the most substantial financial sanctions imposed by the EU on major tech corporations. Google has faced a series of fines totaling approximately 8 billion over several years, currently under dispute in courts. While Apple has not previously been fined for antitrust transgressions by Brussels, it faced a 1.1 billion fine in France in 2020 for alleged anti-competitive conduct, later reduced to 372 million following an appeal. Implications and Future Outlook The EUs forthcoming action against Apple reignites the conflict between Brussels and Apple, particularly amid the enforcement of new regulations aimed at fostering competition and empowering smaller tech rivals. The Digital Markets Act mandates gatekeepers like Apple, Amazon, and Google to adhere to stricter regulations, fostering competition by enabling rivals to share information about their services. However, concerns persist regarding the pace of competition enhancement, despite Brussels asserting that these changes require time. Source WikiMedia Commons LEFT: This 1900 model steam-propelled Locomobile was one of the most popular turn-of-the century automobiles. It was the first to be advertised in the Denver Post by a Denver auto dealer, and the first to reach the summit of Pikes Peak. An AFP photographer reported the sound of at least two successive strikes in Ghaziyeh, one targeting a hangar close to the main coastal highway, with dark smoke billowing across the area 24h Operational Update: IDF Troops Strike Hamas Terrorist Infrastructure in Joint Ground and Aerial Operations IDF Press Release February 16, 2024 16.02.24 IDF , Media Center Throughout Gaza, the IAF struck numerous Hamas terrorist targets including operational command centers, military structures, launch posts, and additional targets. Furthermore, several terrorist targets were struck from the air to assist ground troops in Gaza. In southern Gaza, IDF troops continue to conduct targeted operations on terrorist targets. The troops eliminated several terrorists over the past day. During combat, IDF troops identified two terrorists via a drone. One of the terrorists opened fire at the drone and the two terrorists were eliminated. The troops also exposed and neutralized an explosive device that was planted in an area in which they operated. Additionally, in Khan Yunis, IDF troops eliminated 12 terrorists during encounters. In central Gaza, IDF troops eliminated several terrorists during the past day. During one of the operations, IAF forces identified a terrorist cell in proximity to IDF ground troops. The terrorist cell was struck and several terrorists were eliminated. In northern Gaza, IDF troops directed an aircraft, which struck several Hamas terrorist targets. During the strikes, a subordinate of the commander of the Sabra Battalion was killed. Moreover, an aircraft struck three Hamas terrorists who were located inside a vehicle. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Feb. 16 Summary of Red Sea Activities U.S. Central Command Press Release | Feb. 17, 2024 USCENTCOM Feb. 17, 2024 Release Number 20240217 - 01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. - From 1:15 p.m. (Sanaa time), Feb. 16, to 1 a.m., Feb 17, four anti-ship ballistic missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Red Sea. It is assessed that three of the missiles were launched towards commercial vessel MT Pollux, a Panamanian-flagged, Denmark-owned, Panamanian-registered vessel. There were no reported injuries or damage from MT Pollux or any other ship in the area. Additionally, between the hours of 1:40 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., CENTCOM successfully conducted two self-defense strikes against one mobile anti-ship cruise missile and one mobile unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Yemen. CENTCOM identified the mobile missile and USV in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined it presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement of like-minded Foreign Ministers of the FFP network Germany Federal Foreign Office 17.02.2024 - Press release Today at the Munich Security Conference 2024, we, the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Mongolia, the Netherlands and Romania express our deepest concerns about the ongoing human rights violations of women and girls in Afghanistan, and urge the de facto authorities to put an end to systematic gender persecution, which could amount to crimes against humanity. This includes the recent wave of detentions of women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban. We demand their immediate release and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the fundamental rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. Since our last meeting at the Munich Security Conference in 2023, the Taliban have not made any progress on the protection of human rights in Afghanistan, particularly the fundamental rights of women and girls in all their diversity, quite the contrary: The Taliban are responsible for one of the most dire and appalling human rights situations worldwide. By eliminating half of the Afghan population from public life and political decision-making, they put the very future of Afghanistan into jeopardy: Bans on secondary and university education for girls and women as well as bans on women working in NGOs and UN-organizations are striking examples for systematic and systemic discrimination. Strict rules, which violate the freedom of movement of women and exclude women and girls from public spaces, arbitrary detentions of women and cases of forced marriage, are a blatant denial of basic rights of women and girls. We call on the de facto authorities to fully comply with international law, in particular human rights law, safeguard the fundamental rights of all Afghans, including ethnic and religious minorities, and revoke all decisions that restrict the fundamental rights of women and girls in a manner unparalleled worldwide. In particular, we call on the Taliban to allow Afghan girls to pursue secondary education in accordance with international standards. The international community must continue to focus its attention on the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. It must reinforce its efforts to use the legal instruments at its disposal in their support, to end violations of international law including the provisions of international conventions to which Afghanistan is a party. We recognize the need to address multiple challenges involving the State of Afghanistan and the wider region, e.g. the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking. We underline the international community's joint understanding that the adherence to Afghanistan's international obligations by the de facto authorities, especially pertaining to human rights, remains one of the central pre-requisites for the reintegration of the State of Afghanistan into the international system. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA, CCG defend sovereign security, maritime rights in South China Sea during holidays over provocations from Philippine, US Global Times PLA, CCG defend sovereign security, maritime rights in South China Sea during holidays By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Feb 17, 2024 06:19 PM Facing provocations from the Philippines and the US during the Spring Festival holidays, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the China Coast Guard (CCG) did not let their guards down, took effective measures, and firmly defended China's sovereign security and maritime rights in the South China Sea, experts said on Saturday. In a statement issued on February 9, the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the PLA Southern Theater Command said it had organized naval and air forces to conduct a routine patrol in waters of the South China Sea on the day. While the PLA Southern Theater Command did not elaborate on the background of its statement, the Reuters reported that the Philippines and the US on the same day conducted their third joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea since November 2023, amid the Philippines' repeated provocations over China's islands and reefs in the region. The PLA Southern Theater Command said its troops had maintained high alert at all times in order to firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests. Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on February 9 that the PLA Southern Theater Command's announcement of its operation served as a warning to certain countries that bear ill intentions and are attempting to take advantage of the Spring Festival - China's traditional holidays. No matter what occasion it is, the PLA will not let its guard down, and will respond to any situations that might occur on China's doorstep, Zhang said. The same readiness applies to the CCG, observers said. From February 2 to 9, the Philippine Coast Guard Ship 9701 repeatedly trespassed into the waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) ignoring verbal warnings from the CCG, and the CCG took route control and repelling measures in accordance with the law, CCG spokesperson Gan Yu said in a statement issued on February 11, stressing that the CCG's on-site operations were professional and up to standard. Then on Thursday, Ship 3005 of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources trespassed into the waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao, and the CCG again took similar measures after verbal warnings went ignored, Gan said in a statement on the day. In both cases, Gan reiterated that China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters, and the CCG consistently conducts law enforcement activities in waters under China's jurisdiction, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that the Philippines intentionally stirred up troubles during China's Spring Festival holidays, but the CCG's law enforcement activities did not let the Philippines achieve its goals. The Philippines' moves only further reduced mutual trust, sabotaged the political atmosphere, and even impacted the Chinese general public's views on the Philippines, Ding said. On Wednesday, the Philippines' Senate approved an amendment that would allow the Philippine government to lay claim to "any man-made feature that falls within its exclusive economic zone," including at least three Chinese reefs in the Nansha Islands, Newsweek reported on Thursday. Instigated and supported by the US, the Philippines has continually made provocations against China in the South China Sea since 2023, with the Philippines aiming to permanently seize Chinese islands and reefs, throwing mud at China over its legitimate law enforcement activities, and the US aiming to contain China's development and reinforcing its military encirclement on China at the southern section of the first island chain, military experts reached by the Global Times said on Saturday. As a force from outside of the region, the US is sabotaging peace and stability in the South China Sea for its own interests, at the cost of the interests of all countries within the region, including the Philippines, experts pointed out. China is taking forceful measures to safeguard its rights, but it is also making efforts through various other means to encourage the Philippines to return to the right track of dialogue in managing disputes and avoiding escalations, experts said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, UK carry out fresh strikes on Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The United States and the UK have carried out fresh attacks against Yemeni targets, local media reported. Yemen's Al-Masirah TV reported on Saturday that the airstrikes hit a region in the western province of Al-Hudaydah There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The UK and the UK launched airstrikes on Yemen on January 11 to confront what they called threats posed to international shipping in the wake of Yemeni attacks in the Red Sea. Yemen has rejected their claim, saying that its operations have only targeted Israeli-linked ships with the aim of pressuring the regime to stop its genocide in Gaza. Yemen has described the US-UK airstrikes as a blatant act of aggression against its territory, and have recently hit several British and American vessels in response. The Arab country has pledged to continue its attacks until the Israeli war on Gaza as well as the US-led aggression on Yemeni soil come to an end. 9341**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah hits Israeli military bases in fresh strikes IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah says it has targeted Israeli military outposts in the occupied territories in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In a brief statement on Saturday, Hezbollah said its fighters hit the Israeli army's Branit barracks using a Falaq-1 (Dusk-1) rocket. It added that the targets within the outpost were directly hit. In another statement, Hezbollah said that two other Israeli military bases in the occupied Shebaa Farms were "directly and precisely" targeted. Israeli warplanes also carried out a number of airstrikes against villages in southern Lebanon. The new exchanges came three days after the Israeli regime launched a series of missile attacks into southern Lebanon, killing at least 10 civilians. Hezbollah said that three of its members were also killed in the Israeli aggression on Wednesday. Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces have exchanged fire along the border almost every day since early October, when the Zionist regime began its genocidal war against Gaza. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah warned on Tuesday that if the Israeli regime widened the conflict, the resistance would do the same. He also said that Hezbollah would only cease its strikes when the Israeli aggression stops in Gaza. Tens of thousands of Israeli settlers living near Lebanon's border have evacuated for fear of reprisal attacks by the resistance. 4353** NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Resistance against Zionist regime remains steadfast: Hezbollah IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Deputy Secretary General of Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement Sheikh Naim Qassem has said that the resistance remains steadfast and continues to fight to inflict heavy losses on the Zionist regime. He stressed that there is no way but to continue armed resistance against the Israeli regime's oppression in the Palestinian territories and other areas, Beirut-based Al-Manar TV network reported on Saturday. Qassem further noted that the armed resistance, when accompanied with faith and preparedness for sacrifice, will emerge victorious and lead to "an independent Middle East without the existence of the Zionist regime". The senior Hezbollah official said that the October 7 Palestinian Al-Aqsa Operation revealed the weakness of the Zionist regime and pawed the ground for its final annihilation. He added that this regime kills civilians and children and does not have the power to fight with resistance fighters. On Friday, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah referred to recent Zionist attacks at civilian targets in Lebanon's Nabatieh and al-Sawaneh, pledging to revenge on the battlefield. Nasrallah said that by killing the civilians, the Zionist enemy intends to impose more pressure on the Resistance to stop its measures, while stressing that the Zionists have to pay for the bloods of women and children. 9341**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli regime is to blame for lack of progress in truce talks: Hamas IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The head of the political bureau of Palestine's Hamas Resistance Movement holds the Israeli regime responsible for a lack of progress in negotiations to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Ismail Haniyeh said Hamas "will not accept anything less than a complete cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of the occupation army from Gaza, and lifting of the oppressive siege." The Hamas leader added that winning the release of all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails is a goal in the talks. Hamas has acted reasonably in the negotiations, Haniyeh asserted. "We will deploy all tools available to put an end to the bloodbath that the enemy has started against our defenseless nation," he said. The Israeli regime insists that Hamas still holds 134 Israeli captives it took during the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation on October 7. Palestinian sources, meanwhile, say at least 8,800 Palestinians are languishing in Israeli jails, most of them without a charge. In late November, a 7-day ceasefire deal saw more than 100 Israeli captives freed in exchange for about 240 Palestinian prisoners. However, fighting resumed on December 1, and Hamas has since asserted that the only way it would release the rest of the Israeli captives is for the Zionist regime to stop its aggression on Gaza and free all Palestinian prisoners. 4353**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iron Dome in Safed failed against Lebanese resistance attacks IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Iron Dome in Safed, northern occupied Palestine, has failed against the attacks of the Lebanese resistance. According to a Saturday report from Raialyoum, the inefficiency of the Zionist regime's air interception system in countering the Hezbollah missiles in Safed and its hitting a military base and killing a Zionist soldier has severely questioned the Israeli army. Eleven 122mm rockets were fired from south Lebanon and the air radar system observed the passage of some rockets over Al Matla town and Qiryat Shemona, it added. The aerial system must cover important areas and these mistakes should not be allowed, Raialyoum quoted Israeli officials as saying. It is not known whether the adverse weather conditions or technical problems caused the missile not to be fired for interception, but this missile should not have hit the base and killed a soldier, it noted. The Iron Dome system fired interceptor missiles, but one of the Hezbollah missiles escaped from the system hit the base, and targeted a soldier who was going to the shelter. 9376**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen targets British oil tanker in Red Sea IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A tanker with links to the UK was on fire for several hours in the Gulf of Aden after being hit by a missile fired Yemeni Army, the spokesman for the Armed Forces of Yemen has announced. According to Al Jazeera news television network, Brigadier General Yahya Saree made the remarks in a statement on Saturday. "The naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a targeting operation against a British oil ship (Pollux) in the Red Sea with a large number of appropriate naval missiles, and the strikes were accurate and direct," the statement adds. "Yemeni Armed Forces persist with their military operations, enforcing a blockade on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas until a ceasefire is achieved and a siege is lifted in the Gaza Strip." "The Yemeni armed forces will not hesitate to implement and expand their military operations in defense of beloved Yemen and in confirmation of continued practical solidarity with the Palestinian people." The Yemeni army has targeted dozens of Israeli-owned and Israeli-bound ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait in support of the resistance of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. 6125**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli regime launches missile attack on northern Palestine IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Media outlets have reported a heavy missile attack launched by the Zionist regime on Kiryat Shmona in northern occupied Palestine. Following the attack, alarms were sounded in parts of occupied northern Palestine, Arab media source reported late on Friday. In reaction to Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant's threat, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has highlighted Hezbollah's significant missile capabilities, extending from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat. Following the onset of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm on October 7, 2023, Lebanon's Hezbollah movement kicked off operations against Israelis to keep the enemies engaged in northern Palestinian territories and help lessen pressures on the Palestinian resistance movement. 7129**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli media take Nasrallah warning seriously, say he's honest about Hezbollah missile power IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli media believe that the latest threat by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to target Israeli positions in response to the regime's killing of Lebanese civilians is real and the resistance leader is telling the truth about the movement's missile power. During a speech on Friday, Nasrallah said that Israel will pay a price "in blood" for killing Lebanese civilians, warning the regime that Hezbollah has a massive missile power that would allow it to strike Israeli targets from "Kiryat Shmona" all the way to "Eilat", Beirut-based Al Mayadeen news network reported the same day. The Hezbollah chief issued the stern warning after separate Israeli airstrikes killed at least 13 civilians in southern Lebanon on Wednesday and Friday. Now, Israeli media, according to Al Mayadeen, have described Nasrallah's threat as real and said that he is telling truth about Hezbollah's missile power. The regime's media also reported that roads had been closed in the north of the occupied territories following Nasrallah's warning, and referred to what they called the ineptitude of the Israeli regime's military in the face of the Lebanese resistance movement. In a related development also happening on Friday, Hezbollah launched missile attacks on several locations in the northern part of the Israeli-occupied territories. There was no immediate report of casualties in those attacks. The Lebanese resistance movement and the Israeli regime have already been engaged in clashes at Lebanon's southern border ever since the Gaza war broke out in early October. Hezbollah says it aims to provide support to Palestinian resistance fighters battling Israeli forces in Gaza. 4194**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No ground assault on Rafah in near future: Report IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Zionist regime will not conduct a ground assault on Rafah in the near future given the disagreements between the officials of the regime, according to Lebanese news television channel Al Mayadeen. In a report on Friday night, Al Mayadeen said disagreements have intensified among the political and military authorities of Tel Aviv regarding the ground invasion of Rafah due to the pressures of the international community and even the occupying regime's allies. It came after US President Joe Biden warned Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu against military aggression against Rafah. A White House statement said that in their phone call, Biden "reiterated his view that a military operation should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the civilians in Rafah." Egypt has also warned that any ground assault on Rafah would have "disastrous consequences" and that the Zionist regime's plan to force the Palestinians out of their land would threaten the 40-year-old Camp David peace accord between Cairo and Tel Aviv. Other countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, Ireland, Belgium and South Korea, have also warned that the occupying regime's planned operation would have a "devastating" impact on the Palestinians taking refuge in the area. 4354**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli military sites, settlements under Gaza Resistance's fire ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 17 February 2024 / 09:43 134 days into the war, the Palestinian Resistance continues to confront the Israeli ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. Tehran -ISNA- Palestinian Resistance factions are engaged in fierce battles against the Israeli occupation forces, particularly in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement, shelled the city of "Ashkelon" and Gaza Envelope settlements with rocket barrages in response to the Israeli occupation's crimes against the Palestinian people. The Al-Quds Brigades also announced carrying out precision artillery and missile strikes on an Israeli military supply line and gathering, east of Khan Younis. In the same area, the Al-Mujahideen Brigades fighters targeted Israeli occupation forces' gatherings with mortar shells. The Brigades shared footage of its operations against the Israeli occupation forces' positions and gatherings in the advancing axes in Khan Younis, using mortar shells and short-range rockets. On its part, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades announced that its Resistance fighters engaged in fierce confrontations with Israeli occupation troops and military vehicles in the advancing axes in Khan Younis, using appropriate weapons. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades also shelled a gathering point of Israeli occupation soldiers and their military vehicles with mortar shells in the advancing axes in the east and center of Khan Younis. In addition, the Brigades shelled the city of "Ashkelon" and the "Zikim" Israeli military site intensively with KN-103 rockets. The military spokesperson for the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Abu Jihad, confirmed that the Brigades carried out 16 combat missions in the past days, involving fierce gun battles and shelling of Israeli military gatherings with mortar shells and short-range rockets. According to Abu Jihad, the Resistance fighters also targeted Israeli military vehicles with RP-G shells and Asef devices in advancing axes inside the Gaza Strip, resulting in casualties and injuries among the raiding Israeli occupation forces. The spokesperson of the Al Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, affirmed on Friday that the "Al Aqsa Storm Operation marked the beginning of the end of the longest occupation in modern history, and will be a turning point in our nation's history." End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian, Saudi foreign ministers discuss developments in Gaza, Rafah ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 17 February 2024 / 09:43 In a telephone conversation on Friday Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan held talks over the latest efforts aimed at expanding bilateral ties as well as some regional and international developments especially those of the Gaza Strip and Rafah. Tehran-ISNA- Amirabdollahian pointed to the continuation of the Israeli regime's crimes against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and the threats and actions of the regime against the Rafah region, which houses more than 1,300,000 Palestinian refugees. He explained the complicated situation in northern Gaza as well and underlined the necessity of dealing with these threats and concerns. Amirabdollahian said that what is unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank is being carried out with the full cooperation of the United States, adding that the atrocities in Rafah are being done with the green light of the White House. Amirabdollahian said Iran does not view war as a solution, but in the absence of an immediate political solution, the negative impacts of the continuation of the Israeli regime's genocide on the security and stability of the region would be inevitable. Referring to the regional consultations and his recent telephone conversation, including the one with the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Iranian foreign minister said it's necessary to hold an emergency meeting of foreign ministers of this organization on the issue of Gaza. Amirabdollahian and bin Farhan then highlighted the regional and international conditions and problems the Muslim world especially Palestine are grappling with and emphasized the need for a strategic view in the relations between Tehran and Riyadh. Amirabdollahian also asked about the reason for the delay in solving the problem of the flight of Iranian Umrah pilgrims at a time when Iran and Saudi Arabia are expanding their relations while pointing to the recent constructive talks by an Iranian military delegation during a visit to Riyadh. The Saudi foreign minister stressed that there is no political consideration regarding the presence of Iranian pilgrims in Umrah ceremonies. The technical problem at Saudi's aviation organization will be soon resolved. Bin Farhan expressed hope that the journey of Iranian Umrah pilgrims to Mecca and Medina will resume. The top Saudi diplomat welcomed Amirabdollahian's proposal to hold an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the OIC member states in order to stop the Israeli regime's genocide in Gaza and the West Bank, and it was decided that the two sides hold further consultations with other foreign ministers. Bin Farhan criticized the indifference of the Zionist regime's prime minister to global calls to stop the war and even defying the positions and pressure of the supporters of this regime. The foreign ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia underscored the need to increase cooperation between Tehran and Riyadh in various economic and commercial fields, especially between the private sectors of the two countries, within the framework of international law. The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia noted that it's important both sides keep being in touch and continue their consultations. End item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nasrallah: Israel to pay with blood for civilian deaths ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 17 February 2024 / 09:35 The Israeli occupation would pay with blood for its killing of civilians in southern Lebanon, as this is a sensitive issue for the Resistance and a red line that was crossed, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said during a speech to commemorate the fallen leaders of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon. Tehran -ISNA- "The aggression on Nabatieh and al-Sawaneh is a momentous development in the ongoing confrontation because it targeted civilians," he underlined, stressing that the Israeli occupation killed civilians intentionally. "The enemy will pay with blood for its shedding of our women and children's blood in Nabatieh and Al-Sawaneh," he stressed. "Civilians are a sensitive issue, and the enemy must understand that it has gone too far if it gets to killing our civilians," the Lebanese Resistance leader affirmed, noting that the occupation deliberately killed civilians to force the Resistance to halt its operations, as "all the pressures exerted since October 7 had the goal of shutting down the southern front." "Bombing 'Kiryat Shmona' with dozens of Katyusha rockets and several Falaq missiles is a preliminary response," Sayyed Nasrallah underlined. The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah continued on Thursday targeting Israeli military sites and settlements in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the Palestinian Resistance, as well as in response to the Israeli occupation's attacks on Lebanese villages and civilian homes in southern Lebanon. The Islamic Resistance issued a brief statement announcing that its fighters targeted the Israeli settlement of "Kiryat Shmona" with dozens of Katyusha rockets as an initial response to the massacres in Nabatieh and Al-Sawaneh. Furthermore, the fighters of the resistance targeted the Samaqa site with missiles, with several direct hits confirmed. The Islamic Resistance also declared that its fighters, using suitable weapons, attacked espionage equipment at the Marj, al-Raheb, and Al-Naqoura locations in addition to the Ruweisat Al-Alam site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms. While lamenting the loss of civilian life, Sayyed Nasrallah went on to underline that military casualties were a natural part of any battle of liberation. "We are at the heart of a battle that spans over 100km, and the martyrdom of Resistance fighters is part of this battle," he said. As he went on to vow that the Resistance would retaliate against the Israeli occupation, he said the response to the massacre in southern Lebanon "must be an escalation in jihadist work on the battlefront," warning the Israeli occupation that the Resistance has a massive missile power that would allow it to strike Israeli targets from "Kiryat Shmona" all the way to "Eilat". Capitulation is not an option Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addressed the minority calling for the Resistance to halt its operations and allow for the continuation of the bloodshed in Gaza, saying capitulation "bears a great, devastating cost that could even become existential." "Capitulation means subservience and humiliation, and it will allow for violations of our elders, our youth, our women, and our property," he explained. In a similar vein and in light of the Arab and Islamic worlds allowing Gaza to be violated as they stood idle, Sayyed Nasrallah asked: "Is it not humiliating and a symbol of weakness that entire states ruling over 2 billion Muslims are unable to administer medicine and food to the people of Gaza?" Speaking further on internal Lebanese issues, he pledged that the Resistance's arms "are not to be used for altering the Lebanese political regime or constitution and imposing a sectarian status quo in the country." Moreover, he said the Resistance's arms "are to protect Lebanon, and the land borders are demarcated; the only way any negotiations take place will be on the basis of exiting our Lebanese soil." "The US is preventing the Lebanese Army from having adequate arms and missiles for defending Lebanon and deterring any aggression on it," he added. US to blame for the bloodshed If an investigation is opened into October 7, Sayyed Nasrallah said, "the basis for the moral and legal pretexts Netanyahu and Biden are using for their goal of destroying Hamas will collapse." "Many people have fallen for the historic Israeli false narrative regarding October 7, including countries that claim to be friendly with Hamas," he said. "The Palestinian Resistance has been subjected since October 7 to the worst humiliation and smear campaigns any Resistance movement has been subjected to in our contemporary history." "The worst case of hypocrisy witnessed by the world today is the stance of the US administration regarding what is going on in Gaza," he further said, noting that if Washington were to stop arming the Israeli occupation, "the war on Gaza will stop whether Netanyahu wills it or not." "The United States is more insistent than "Israel" on the destruction of Hamas," Sayyed Nasrallah added, holding the US responsible for "every drop of blood in the region, while Israeli officials are mere tools used in this bloodshed." "[Israeli Security Minister Yoav] Gallant has nearly gone mad," he jokingly said about the Israeli official. "He's talking about [striking] 50km [deep into Lebanon] and [striking] Beirut. It appears that he forgot that the Resistance - he might be [having a mental breakdown] and he forgot, although we have addressed this several times - has major precision missile capabilities." Resistance sole option "The Resistance in Lebanon and Palestine broke Israeli deterrence and destroyed its image while shifting the balance of power by establishing a deterrent," he added. The Israeli occupation's goal of the siege on Gaza prior to October 7, was to kill all of Gaza silently while the world stood idle. "The goal of the Israeli occupation is to expel all the people of the West Bank to Jordan, the people of Gaza to Egypt, and the people of the occupied Palestinian territories to Lebanon," he underlined. "It is our responsibility to prevent the displacement of Palestinians, which requires a major confrontation," he added. "No matter how much we praise it, we will not be able to describe the legendary Resistance in Gaza and the historic resilience of the people of Gaza," Sayyed Nasrallah said, commending all Gazans for their steadfastness. Further stressing that the Lebanese Resistance was acting in solidarity with the people of Palestine, he said: "The Israelis and Americans did not think that the Resistance in Lebanon would have the bravery or the will to launch a front in support of Gaza." "Our goal in the Axis of Resistance as peoples, states, and Resistance fighters was and will remain the defeat of the enemy," he said. "The enemy's defeat is by foiling its plans," he further stressed. "The goal of the Axis of Resistance is inflicting the largest amount of losses on the enemy during this battle to force it to withdraw," he explained. Finally, commenting on the ongoing negotiations between the Palestinian Resistance and the Israeli occupation, Sayyed Nasrallah said, "The parties involved in political negotiations are the Palestinian Resistance factions that delegated Hamas, and we have no hand in the ongoing talks." End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by PM Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister's Office The 37th Government 17.02.2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem: "Citizens of Israel, At the start of my remarks, I would like to send condolences to the families of those who were murdered in the abhorrent terrorist attack yesterday at Re'em Junction. I would also like to send my best wishes for a complete recovery to the wounded. This attack reminds us that the whole country is on the frontline. The murderers come not just from Gaza and they want to kill us all. We are committed to fighting them and restoring the security and quiet to the south, the north and the entire country. This victory is within reach and we will achieve it thanks to your marvelous resilience, citizens of Israel, and thanks to the amazing bravery of our fighters. This evening I would like to tell you about this bravery. I recently visited the rehabilitation departments at Hadassah and Sheba hospitals. I met very brave fighters there. They moved me to tears. One of them lost both of his legs from the thighs down. He looked me in the eye and told me: 'Mr. Prime Minister, we must continue. Continue to the end.' I heard those same exact words from all of the heroes in the rehabilitation wards. One without a hand, another without a leg, and some even without both legs. Without exception, they all told me: 'We must continue to the end, until victory, until Hamas is eliminated.' Some of them even added: 'When we are rehabilitated, we will go back to fighting our enemies, because only victory will ensure the existence of our state.' Citizens of Israel, I say, and you know, we have an amazing generation; we owe them much. Thanks to them, we will continue to fight until we achieve all of the goals of the war. This week, in a brilliant operation by the National Counter Terrorism Unit, the ISA and the IDF, we freed two additional hostages and returned them to the embrace of their families. In real time, I anxiously watched the brave fighters as they actually prepared to break into the terrorists' lair. I was in the operations room at 01:40; this was the decisive moment, the moment in which the distance between success and failure is a hair's breadth. Within seconds I heard on the radio: 'The diamonds are in our hands.' We all sighed with relief and there was great joy. Despite the great risk, I approved this complex operation, because I believe in our fighters. I believe in their professionalism, determination and heroism. When I met with them the next day, I embraced them and told them: 'There are none like you. You are the best fighters in the world. The people of Israel are proud of you.' The essence of our policy to release the hostages is strong military pressure and very tough negotiating. We have thereby freed 112 hostages up to now and this is how we will continue to act until we release all of them. The negotiations require a strong stand. I must tell you, citizens of Israel, that up to this very moment, Hamas's demands have been delusional and signify only one thing: The defeat of Israel. Clearly, we will not agree to them. But when Hamas drops these delusional demands we will be able to move forward. I want to tell you and the hostages' families: Not for a moment have we forgotten our obligation to return all of the hostages. I would like to say an important word to the displaced in both the south and the north: The Government of Israel is committed to returning you securely to your homes. In the south, we are close to achieving the goal. In the north, we will do this diplomatically or militarily. Total victory in the south is a clear and sharp message to all of our enemies, near and far, one which will also restore the security to all parts of the country. On the way to achieving it, I regret that we are paying a very dear price. Heroic fighters fell this week as well, among them battalion commander Lt.-Col. Netanel Alkobi, the father of five children. Netanel's father Albert eulogized him at his funeral and said: 'The people of Israel live - this is no mere slogan. The sons of the generation of victory have gone to fight a brutal enemy. In their deaths, they have commanded us to live in the Land of Israel free of enemies.' From here I say to Albert and all citizens of Israel, we will not stop until we defeat the brutal enemy that Netanel and his heroic friends gave their lives to defeat. We are closing in on Hamas in the terrorist capital of Khan Yunis. We recently reached places that the enemy never imagined we would reach. We have destroyed most of Hamas's battalions and will not stop until we have destroyed them all. This is a necessary condition for achieving total victory and we will not relent on it. We will pursue the arch-murderers, the heads of Hamas, who are fleeing from tunnel to tunnel underground. The day is not far away when they will have nowhere to hide. We will settle accounts with them. It is only a question of time. On Thursday I spoke with US President Joe Biden. I speak with world leaders every day. I tell them decisively: Israel will fight until we achieve total victory. And indeed, this includes action in Rafah, of course after we allow the civilians found in the combat zones to evacuate to safe areas. Whoever wants to prevent us from operating in Rafah is telling us in effect to lose the war. I will not allow this. The diplomatic campaign that I am leading, along with my colleagues, has allowed us unprecedented freedom of military action for five months, which has not happened in Israel's wars. I want to tell you, this is not self-evident. We are achieving this thanks to your support, citizens of Israel. We will not surrender to any pressure. We will not surrender, because we are a people of heroes. We will not surrender because we are a people that desires life. We will not surrender because we must, must, defeat the evil. Neither will we surrender to international diktat regarding a future arrangement with the Palestinians. I made it clear to the Cabinet and I reiterate it to the world this evening: An arrangement will be achieved only by direct negotiations between the parties, without pre-conditions. Under my leadership, Israel will continue to strongly oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. And when do they want to give such unilateral recognition? After the terrible massacre of October 7. There can be no greater and unprecedented prize to terrorism, which will also prevent any future peace agreement. Citizens of Israel, we are on the way to victory. Our fighters demand it. The wounded demand it. The bereaved families demand it and the vast majority of the people demand it. In order to achieve victory, we need one thing - unity, not momentary unity but genuine unity. When I met with our heroic fighters in the hospital rehabilitation departments, I saw this unity in all its glory. I was deeply moved. I felt uplifted in a way that is hard to describe. I embraced these heroes; I was moved. But a short time later, this uplifted spirit was replaced by bitter disappointment. After I left the hospital, another visitor arrived. He turned to an Israeli hero, Noam Ben-Shloush, an IDF Golani Brigade fighter who lost a leg in combat. Instead of supporting Noam, he preached at him: 'How dare you meet with the Prime Minister?' Noam stood up on his one leg and shouted at him: 'Who are you that you talk about a rift? You are making the rift!' I embrace Noam and salute him and his friends, our heroes. I would like to say to you all: Don't listen to those who are trying to cause rifts among us. They are a small minority which does not represent the decisive majority of the citizens of Israel. A majority of the people want one thing: Unity for victory. This unity exists inside the APC's and the tanks, and on the battlefields between Gaza and Rafah; it exists in all parts of the people and the country. Together we will fight, and - with G-d's help - together we will win." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President invites the Netherlands to contribute to air defense President of the Republic of Lithuania February 17, 2024 On Saturday, President Gitanas Nauseda met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. The President and the Dutch Prime Minister discussed regional security issues, support for Ukraine, and preparations for the NATO Summit in Washington. Gitanas Nauseda thanked the Head of the Government of the Netherlands for his country's contribution to the security of Lithuania and the entire NATO's eastern flank, as well as for the troops deployed in our country as part of the forward presence. The President stressed the need to further strengthen the deterrence and forward defense of NATO's eastern flank by effectively implementing the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. Gitanas Nauseda invited the Netherlands to contribute to the implementation of the rotational air defense model in Lithuania. "We currently allocate 2.75% of our GDP to defense and we will further increase this commitment in the near future. We are actively working with Germany to implement the decision to permanently station a German brigade in Lithuania. Investment in defense is the only way to ensure a lasting and sustainable peace. Deterrence is the best and lowest cost defense," the President spoke at the meeting. Gitanas Nauseda also stressed the need to mobilize the full support of the allies for Ukraine. According to the Head of State, the forthcoming NATO Summit in Washington needs to demonstrate the progress made since the Vilnius Summit in strengthening collective security. This, the President said, should include Ukraine's progress towards NATO membership and Sweden's accession to NATO. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Munich Security Conference panel discussion, "In it to Win it: the Future of Ukraine and Transatlantic Security" NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 17 Feb. 2024 (As delivered) Christiane Amanpour For you Secretary General, NATO has said, and actually key Defence Ministers from the frontline countries, have said that you are concerned for the first time. This wasn't the case last year, that within three to five years even, Putin could test the resolve of a NATO country. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg We can never take peace for granted, but I think it is important to convey that we don't see any imminent threat against any NATO Ally. The world has become more dangerous, but NATO has become stronger. And the purpose of NATO is to prevent war, is to ensure that there is no room in Moscow for any miscalculation about NATO's readiness and resolve to protect all Allies. And to make it clear that an attack on one Ally will trigger the response from the whole Alliance. And as long as we convey that message, clearly to Moscow, no Ally will be attacked. So our deterrence remains credible and therefore we don't see any military threat against any NATO Ally. Christiane Amanpour Can I ask you to pick up on the progress that NATO nations are making in what you're all demanding for more defence spending? NATO Secretary General In 2014, NATO made the very important decision, triggered by Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and also NATO Allies after years of reducing defence spending, we had to start to increase defence spending. And that was at the NATO Summit in Wales. I remember I was there. And I thought this was just another pledge by politicians and I made that international meeting and [thought] not so much was going to happen. The reality is that a lot has happened because since then, all NATO Allies have increased defence spending. This year, we expect 18 Allies to meet the 2% guideline, spend 2% of GDP on defence. That's up from three [Allies] in 2014. That's a significant increase, meaning that in total European Allies and Canada have added 600 billion [dollars] extra for defence. And those Allies which are not yet at 2% have plans in place to be there very soon. So there is an enormous difference and the European Allies have really stepped up because they realise that there is need to invest in high-end capabilities, have more readiness of our forces. And NATO has implemented the biggest reinforcements on collective defence in generations with battlegroups, combat troops in the eastern part of the Alliance for the first time in our history, with high readiness, more forces, and now total new defence plans. So I'm not saying everything is fine. I agree that Europeans have to do even more, but they're really on track to something which is demonstrating a commitment of all Allies that need to stand together. Christiane Amanpour Can you today be certain that NATO can defeat Russia, if it comes to that? All we're hearing is that you're not ramped up enough. You don't have enough to do what you need to do in Ukraine, much less if you were to confront Russia, and you've said that if he steps on your territory, every single inch will be defended. NATO Secretary General NATO is the strongest military power in the world today. We represent 50% roughly of the world's total military might. And militarily, we are stronger than Russia. But at the same time, I think the war in Ukraine has demonstrated that there are some serious gaps. For instance, when it comes to sustainment, it's one thing to have all the advanced weapons systems, but they need spare parts, they need maintenance, and obviously they need ammunition. And in the beginning of the war in Ukraine, we depleted our stocks, but now they are running quite low. So now we are focusing extremely, on how to ramp up production. We have some good news. There are new factories being set up. Production has increased but there's an urgent need to do more. So yes, I think we all have learned some serious lessons about warfare and also for NATO from the war in Ukraine. Then of course, I was speaking about burden sharing. Europeans have more to do when it comes to total defence spending. But actually, when you look at support for Ukraine, European Allies and Canada have provided more support to Ukraine in total than United States. Of course, the United States have done a lot, in particular in constant military support to Ukraine. But the problem now is of course, the lack of decision in the US Congress means that the flow from the US has gone down. And that has a direct impact on the frontline in Ukraine. So of course, it's not about making the right decision, but it's about making the right decision early as quickly as possible because it's urgent. Every week we wait means that there will be more people killed on the frontline in Ukraine. So it's not for me to give advice on how to pass legislation through the US Congress. But what I can say is the vital and urgent need for the US to decide on a package for Ukraine because they need that support. And we have a burden sharing between Europe, Canada and the United States. Now it's for the US to deliver what they promised. Question I'm [inaudible] Finland, Former Minister Sanna Marin's government. It's clear that Europe needs a credible and strong deterrence looking at Ukraine and beyond. Chancellor Scholz pointed out earlier this morning. Do you think that we can achieve that by conventional means only? Or is it timely to discuss the European nuclear weapon as it is being discussed currently in Germany? What are the expectations especially across the Atlantic? NATO Secretary General NATO has a well-established nuclear deterrent. It has worked for decades. It's something the United States does together with European Allies. We have agreed command and control. We have exercises. We have doctrines and it's actually something we do together as NATO. And I think that any questioning of that deterrent will only undermine NATO in a time when we really need credible deterrence. So of course we have US nuclear power. We have France and UK. But the idea of developing some kind of parallel joint nuclear deterrent among some NATO Allies, not including the United States and presumably not the UK either, that's not helpful and it will only undermine a nuclear deterrent that's worked well for many, many years. Question And thank you very much Tobias Ellwood, United Kingdom Parliament, former foreign minister. Senator [Ricketts] I understand this is the biggest delegation for the United States, for generations to come to Munich and that's really good to see. I hope the message goes back that part of Europe is on fire. The lines on the map are being redrawn. And we are absolutely baffled as to how this has been tied in with what's going on the Mexican border. My question, if I may, is to do a standardisation of NATO rounds. Because if you take a Howitzer from United States, and you put it with the munitions from Estonia, as Ukraine found, it won't work. And we need to be building more artillery pieces and shells as well. But until we standardise this equipment, it simply won't happen. Surely that must be a priority for NATO. NATO Secretary General Yes, absolutely. And the good news is that, again, we have learned some very serious lessons from the war in Ukraine. It's not only Estonian Howitzers or ammunition from USA doesn't work together. It's also, we have a joint Dutch-German brigade where they discovered exactly the same. So we have too many examples where Allies have made some small changes in NATO standards partly, I guess, to protect their own industry. And this doesn't work. So therefore, we have done a lot in NATO to actually reinforce and to implement the agreed NATO standards. This will reduce costs and it will ensure interoperability and also that weapons and ammunitions are interchangeable. Christiane Amanpour Question to both of you actually, because you've been using China more and more in your arguments to US lawmakers. And others have told us that they're watching. You know, Iran is watching, China's watching. Everybody's watching what happens on the battlefield of Ukraine. And others have suggested that there is actually a new axis of anti-American nations, Iran, North Korea, you know, Russia joining to really challenge the United States. I'd like to hear your view on that. And then your answer on that. NATO Secretary General I think we have to remember that just a few days before the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine back in 2022, President Putin went to Beijing and he signed an agreement with President Xi where they promised each other a partnership without any limits. And what we see is that China and Russia are coming closer and closer. So of course, if President Putin wins in Ukraine, it's not only challenging for the Ukrainians, but it sends a message not only to Putin, but also to Xi that when they use military force, they get what they want. So what happens in Ukraine today can happen in Taiwan tomorrow. And therefore, I strongly believe that it's a good deal for the United States to support Ukraine. It's not charity, it's an investment in their own security. Because it makes it less likely that Xi uses force for instance, against Taiwan, but also because by spending a fraction of the US defence budget together with European Allies, we have enabled the Ukrainians to destroy a substantial part of the Russian fighting power. So this is actually in our interest to ensure that Putin doesn't win. Not least because we are concerned about what China may learn if he wins in Ukraine. So therefore, it's urgent that the US makes a decision on continuing support to Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ignoring humanitarian repercussions, Netanyahu vows to roll into Rafah Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 10:46 PM Ignoring vociferous warnings about the pending humanitarian repercussions, the Israeli regime's prime minister vows to carry out a ground invasion against the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, which is packed with hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees. Speaking in a televised news conference on Saturday, Benjamin Netanyahu said critics calling for the regime not to mount military action against the southern Gaza city were effectively telling Tel Aviv to "lose the war." Nearly 29,000 Palestinians, mostly women, children, and adolescents, have already died in the genocidal war that the regime launched against Gaza on October 7, 2023 following an operation staged by the coastal sliver's resistance groups, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm. Last week, Netanyahu ordered the Israeli military to evacuate civilians from Rafah ahead of a planned ground operation. The city has come to host some 1.5 million Palestinians, who have fled there from the ravages of the warfare. Aid organizations say Rafah's evacuation will be nearly impossible, given the scale of devastation elsewhere in Gaza and the huge number of people who have been trapped in the besieged area. Also on Saturday, Netanyahu said the regime would invade Rafah even if it reached a deal with the Gaza Strip-based resistance movement of Hamas on the release of those, who were taken captive during Operation al-Aqsa Storm. "Even if we achieve it, we will enter Rafah," he said. Earlier in the day, six humanitarian and human rights organizations, including Oxfam, ActionAid, War Child, and the Danish Refugee Council, jointly condemned Israeli forces' ceaseless attacks against Gaza, calling on Tel Aviv to stop what they described as "collective punishment" of the Palestinians. They also warned about the dire consequences of an imminent Israeli attack on Rafah. "If Israel launches its proposed ground offensive, thousands more civilians will be killed and the current trickle of humanitarian aid risks coming to a complete halt. If this military plan is not stopped immediately, the consequences will be catastrophic," the groups said in a statement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Navy baffled by new sea threat from Yemen Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 5:43 PM Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) operated and controlled by Yemen's army have become a new nightmare for US Navy forces stationed in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, a commander says. "That's one of the most scary scenarios, to have a bomb-laden, unmanned surface vessel that can go in pretty fast speeds," Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, commander of US Carrier Strike Group Two, told the Associated Press. Miguez said the US does not have enough intelligence to cope with Yemeni USVs and that the threat could be extremely lethal in some circumstances. "And if you're not immediately on scene, it can get ugly extremely quick," he told the Associated Press. The comments come amid continued confrontation between the Yemenis and a US-led coalition of maritime forces in regional waters off Yemen. The confrontation began in mid-October after the Yemenis started to hit ships linked to Israel in a bid to force the regime to stop its aggression against the people in Gaza. Yemen's attacks expanded later after the US and Britain carried out strikes from air and sea on sites hosting the Arab country's missile and drone capabilities. The Yemenis said on Saturday that they had used "a large number of appropriate naval missiles" to launch accurate and direct attacks on the Britain-linked oil ship Pollux in the Red Sea. The US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed the attacks by the Yemenis late on Friday on Pollux, described as a Panamanian-flagged, Denmark-owned, Panamanian-registered vessel. The US State Department also said the ship had loaded oil from Russia and was due to discharge in India in late February. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China: Palestinian statehood key to end world's 'longest-lasting injustice' Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 5:37 PM China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi says much more needs to be done for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, which is the only solution to the world's "longest-lasting injustice." "Generations of the Palestinian people have been displaced, unable to return to their home until this day. This is the longest-lasting injustice in our world," the minister said at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday. Pointing to the current circumstances in Gaza amid Israel's hostilities, the Chinese minister underscored the need to target the root cause of the conflict for the establishment of peace in the region. Wang called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The minister voiced deep concern over the killing of Palestinian civilians in the besieged territory since October 7, and said it was unacceptable for such a situation to continue in the 21st century. "We should call for proper settlement of the question of Palestine, which has been lingering on for more than 70 years," Wang said. The minister said China was a factor for stability even in difficult issues given its mediatory role in a whole series of conflicts. Wang said the ongoing hostilities in Gaza is to blame for the tensions in the Red Sea. Beijing publicly urges all parties not to harass commercial ships in the Red Sea, the minister said, emphasizing the need to take action in accordance with international law and a mandate from the UN Security Council. Yemen has been conducting missile and drone operations against Israeli vessels, those heading for the occupied territories' ports, and the British and American warships that have been dispatched to the Red Sea to confront the Yemeni strikes. The strikes have been seeking to pressure the Israeli regime into stopping an October 7, 2023-present Washington- and London-backed war against the coastal sliver. More than 28,800 Palestinians, mostly women, children, and adolescents, have died in the Israeli hostilities war so far. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, UK strike Yemen's main oil export terminal in Hudaydah Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 5:35 PM The United States and Britain have launched a new round of airstrikes on Yemen's strategic western province of Hudaydah, targeting the country's main oil export terminal. Yemen's official Saba news agency, citing a security source speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that the airstrikes hit the Port of Ras Isa. No further details were immediately available. The airstrike came only a few hours after the spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces said the country's naval units had carried out a qualitative operation in the Red Sea, striking a British oil tanker. Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a televised speech broadcast live from the Yemeni capital Sana'a that the military had launched a large number of naval missiles at Pollux tanker. He said the Arab nation's naval units will continue attacks in the Red Sea and the Arab Sea against Israeli-linked ships until the regime halts its aggression in Gaza and lifts its tight siege. The United States and Britain have been carrying out such strikes on Yemen since Washington and its allies offered the Tel Aviv regime unqualified support and said Yemeni forces bear the consequences of attacks against Israeli-owned ships or merchant vessels heading to the occupied territories. Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. The Yemeni Armed Forces have said they won't stop retaliatory strikes. The maritime attacks have forced some of the world's biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli war on Gaza: International groups warn of 'catastrophic' Rafah assault Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 5:25 PM International aid and rights groups have expressed grave concerns about the "catastrophic" consequences of an imminent Israeli attack on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip amid the months-long genocidal war against Palestinians trapped in the besieged territory. Six humanitarian and human rights organizations including Oxfam, Amnesty International, ActionAid, War Child, the Danish Refugee Council, and Handicap International jointly condemned the Israeli regime forces' ceaseless attacks from air, land, and sea, calling on Tel Aviv to stop what they described as "collective punishment" of the Palestinians. The Israeli regime's relentless bombing of Gaza has forced the hapless residents to flee towards the southern town of Rafah, bordering Egypt. Now the Israeli military is carrying out airstrikes on the border city and is preparing to launch a ground invasion. "We are appalled by the harrowing developments in Rafah, Gaza's most populated area where 1.5 million people are sheltering as their last resort - over half a million of them children," the joint statement said. "If Israel launches its proposed ground offensive, thousands more civilians will be killed and the current trickle of humanitarian aid risks coming to a complete halt. If this military plan is not stopped immediately, the consequences will be catastrophic," the statement added. In addition to international organizations and aid groups, the Israeli regime's threat to enter Rafah has been nearly universally criticized by world leaders, the international community, and Tel Aviv's allies, as well. They have unanimously called on the Zionist regime to refrain from the seemingly looming large-scale military land attack planned against the Palestinians gathered in Rafah which hosts UN humanitarian efforts. The Israeli regime's so-called prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, claims the ground invasion is a necessary move for the total eradication of the Palestinian Hamas resistance fighters. "We will fight until complete victory and this includes a powerful action also in Rafah," Netanyahu wrote on X. "The EU asks Israel not to take military action in Rafah that would worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian situation," said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in a tweet on X. "All civilians must be protected in line with international humanitarian law." Meanwhile, around 1.5 million displaced Palestinians are in dire humanitarian conditions in Rafah seeking food and shelter. The Israeli regime has repeatedly pummeled the area with numerous airstrikes, killing scores more of the Palestinians trapped in Gaza, already suffering from acute shortages of food and water. According to reports, the death toll in Gaza increased to 28,775 whereas more than 68,500 people were injured in the Israeli attacks. In related news, Egypt is constructing a walled enclosure along its border with Gaza, sparking concerns over potential Palestinian displacement as Israel considers expanding its offensive into Rafah. Satellite imagery confirms the wall around Rafah, prompting fears of a refugee crisis in Egypt's Sinai peninsula. UN officials have expressed concerns about the possible flow of refugees into Egypt and preparations for managing the potential refugee influxes are already underway. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNRWA chief says Israel aims to destroy UN agency in Gaza Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 3:00 PM The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says Israel is waging a concerted campaign aimed at destroying the main UN agency in the besieged Gaza Strip. Speaking to the Swiss newspaper group Tamedia, Philippe Lazzarini said there has been a long-term political goal behind the idea of destroying UNRWA. He said that "it is believed that if the aid agency is abolished, the status of the Palestinian refugees will be resolved once and for all -- and with it, the right of return." "Just look at the number of actions Israel is taking against UNRWA." He said more than 150 UNRWA installations have been hit since the regime launched its devastating war on the Gaza Strip in early October. The UN agency confirmed on Friday that a total number of 158 employees have been killed by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Lazzarini also cited the regime's orders for contractors at the port of Ashdod to "stop handling certain food deliveries for UNRWA." He said "All these demands come from" Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv has called for Lazzarini to step down following claims that 12 of UNRWA's employees were suspected of involvement in the Hamas Operation al-Aqsa Storm against the regime on Oct. 7. Lazzarini said the regime was alone in calling for him to quit and there was "no reason" to comply with the call "especially since my resignation would not improve the situation at UNRWA." "The criticisms are not concerned with me personally, but with the organization as a whole. The calls for resignation are part of the campaign to destroy UNRWA." The regime's allegations against UNRWA have prompted more than 10 donor countries, including the United States, Germany, the European Union, Canada, and Japan to suspend financial support. The funding from these countries makes up the bulk of all funding received by the UN agency. UNRWA said being cut off in this way means the agency will run out of money altogether within weeks. Nearly the entire population of Gaza now relies on UNRWA for basics including food, water, and hygiene supplies. Since the regime started its war on Gaza in early October, 1.9 million people - 85 percent of Gaza's population - have been internally displaced. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah: No option but armed resistance to fight off Israeli aggression Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 2:16 PM There is no option but armed struggle to fight off the open aggression Israel is exercising in the occupied Palestinian territories and elsewhere in West Asia, says a high-ranking official with the Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah. "When armed struggle has its roots in ethics and faith and its adherents are willing to make sacrifices, it will emerge triumphant, God willing," Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Saturday during a ceremony in the western village of Ghobeiry in commemoration of the fallen commanders and members of the resistance group. Sheikh Qassem said his fellow resistance fighters are attempting to liberate mankind. "Such freedom will come by through sacrifices and out of altruism. We will eventually witness an independent Middle East with the Zionist regime wiped off its face." The Hezbollah official said the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Strom by Gaza-based resistance factions exposed the frailty and weakness of the Zionist regime, and drove it closer to downfall. "Israel, at the apex of its self-proclaimed prowess, murders civilians and children and is unable to confront resistance fighters. This behavior is indicative of its debacle. "After more than four months, the Axis of Resistance is still steadfast and fighting to inflict painful losses upon the Zionist enemy's ranks," Sheikh Qassem stated. Hezbollah's precision strike targets Israeli military outpost Later on Saturday, Hezbollah fighters struck an Israeli military outpost in the occupied territories. Hezbollah continues such operations in solidarity with the Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. The movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the regime continues its onslaught on Gaza. The Lebanese resistance group said in a brief statement it had used a Falaq-1 (Dusk-1) rocket to directly pound Branit barracks. Israeli warplanes also carried out a string of airstrikes against the outskirts of Ramyeh, Bayt Lif and Ayta ash-Sha'b villages in southern Lebanon. The regime launched its devastating hostilities in the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. The Israeli military has been also carrying out attacks against the Lebanese territory since then. Israel has killed more than 28,800 people, most of them women and children, in Gaza. Nearly 70,000 people have also been injured. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel responsible for lack of progress in ceasefire talks: Hamas chief Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 1:36 PM The head of the political bureau of Hamas has blamed the Israeli regime for the lack of progress in achieving a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, as the occupying regime is going on with its relentless bombardments of the besieged territory. Ismail Haniyeh made the remarks in a statement on Saturday, after talks on a prisoner exchange and a truce deal reached an impasse. "The resistance will not be satisfied with anything less than a complete cessation of aggression, the withdrawal of the occupying army from Gaza, and the lifting of the oppressive siege," Haniyeh said. He further noted that Hamas will act responsibly in negotiations and will not ignore the sacrifices and achievements of the resistance, stressing that establishing a prisoner exchange deal under which old prisoners will be released is one of the goals of the negotiations. The Hamas chief also emphasized that the resistance group will use all means to stop the Israeli regime's bloodshed against the defenseless Palestinian nation. Multi-party negotiations on hammering out a truce agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime reportedly failed to yield any results. The American news website Axios cited an unnamed Israeli official as saying that the talks involving the United States, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar on a ceasefire deal, which also included an agreement on the release of captives, ended "without a breakthrough" on Tuesday. Citing Egyptian officials, the Wall Street Journal also said the Israeli delegation had departed the Egyptian capital "without closing any of the major gaps in the negotiations." A senior Egyptian official said that despite the Israeli delegation's departure, the negotiations were "positive" and would continue for three more days. A Hamas official was reported as saying that the resistance movement was waiting for the outcome of the Cairo meeting, but was "open to discussing any initiative that achieves an end to aggression and war." Israel waged the brutal war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out a historic operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. So far, the usurping regime has killed over 28,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 68,146 others. About 130 of the 250 Israeli captives taken by Hamas during the October 7 operation are still in Gaza after a provisional truce deal in December saw the exchange of prisoners between the two sides. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US to rush weapons to Israel amid planned invasion of Rafah: Report Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 11:12 AM The administration of US President Joe Biden is reportedly preparing to send "tens of millions of dollars" worth of bombs and weapons to Israel in continuation of Washington's untrammeled support for the occupying regime's months-long war on Gaza. Citing unnamed US officials, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the proposed arms delivery includes MK-82 bombs and KMU-572 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), which add precision guidance to bombs, and FMU-139 bomb fuses. The report cited an assessment of the proposed arms transfer drafted by the US embassy in the occupied al-Quds as claiming that the Israeli regime had requested "rapid acquisition of these items for the defense of Israel against continued and emerging regional threats." The proposed delivery is still being internally reviewed by the Biden administration, the American journal added, citing a US official, who said the details of the proposal could change before the White House notifies congressional committee leaders who would need to approve the transfer. Since December 2023, Washington has twice skipped congressional review of weapons sale to Israel as the regime's brutal aggression against Palestinians in Gaza lingers on for more than four months with some 100,000 casualties. According to the US journal, Biden has provided roughly 21,000 precision-guided munitions to Israel since the start of the war last October. The report said the remaining weapons are enough to sustain 19 weeks of bombing Gaza but that would shrink to days if Tel Aviv also launches a full assault on Lebanon, from which the regime has come under harsh retaliatory attack by the Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah. The arms transfer comes as Biden claimed on Friday to have been repeatedly pushing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a "temporary ceasefire" in Gaza. In defiance of widespread international calls, the Israeli regime has insisted on an imminent launch of a ground invasion of Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip with an estimated 1.4 million of the enclave's 2.3 million population that has been forcibly displaced over the past four months. More than 28,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and over 68,000 others injured since the Israeli regime launched its US-backed onslaught on Gaza on October 7, 2023. The United States, Israel's biggest ally, has provided Israel with a raft of arms and ammunition since the initiation of the Gaza war and also vetoed UN Security Council resolutions that called on the regime to cease its aggression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Feb. 16: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 9:35 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 29,000 Palestinians so far, including at least 12,000 children, 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 Friday, February 16, are as follows: Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Feb. 16: Targeted an Israeli troop carrier with an Al-Yassin-105 shell in the Al-Qarara area, north of Khan Younis city. An attack on another troop carrier followed it. Detonated three booby-trapped tunnels among Israeli soldiers in the Al-Qarara area, north of Khan Younis city, causing many casualties. Targeted an Israeli military Merkava tank and D9 military bulldozer with Al-Yassin-105 shells in the Al-Qarara area, north of Khan Younis city. Detonated building housing Israeli soldiers that had been booby-trapped in the Al-Satar area, north of Khan Younis city. Engaged in clashes with Israeli soldiers aboard military vehicles in Khan Younis city. Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades' operations on Feb. 16: Bombed the Israeli-occupied city of Asqalan and the Zikim military site with a KN-103 rocket salvo. Targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their machinery with standard 60mm mortar shells east of the Beit Hanoun axis. Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with appropriate weapons in the city of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Feb. 16: Bombed the gatherings and positions of Israeli regime forces on the axes of advance in the city of Khan Younis with mortar shells and short-range rockets. Bombed gatherings of Israeli forces east of Khan Younis city with several mortar shells. Saraya Al-Quds' operations on Feb. 16: Bombed the Israeli-occupied city of Asqalan and the settlements surrounding the Gaza Strip with a barrage of rockets in response to the Israeli attacks against Palestinians. Targeted "Dotan" military checkpoint west of Jenin city in the occupied West Bank with heavy barrages of live bullets, confirming damage and injuries. Al-Asifah Forces' operations on Feb. 16: Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles using machine guns and anti-tank shells in central, western and southern parts of Khan Younis city. Hezbollah's operations on Feb. 16: Eastern sector: At around 15:50 local time, the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in Shebaa was targeted with missiles. At around 16:00 local time, the Zibdin site in Shebaa was targeted with missiles. Western sector: At around 15:15 local time, the Al-Malikiyah site was targeted with a Burkan missile. At around 16:10 local time, Israeli soldiers stationed at the Ramia site were targeted with appropriate weapons. At around 16:30 local time, a deployment of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Doviev Barracks was targeted with missiles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen says targeted British oil tanker in Red Sea with 'direct' missile hit Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 8:14 AM Yemen says its naval units have targeted with missiles a British oil tanker in the Red Sea in retaliation for the recent US-UK aggression against the Arab country. Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a video statement on Saturday that the retaliatory strikes hit British oil ship Pollux in the Red Sea. He said the attack, which was carried out "with a large number of appropriate naval missiles" in the strategic waterway, was "accurate and direct." Praising the attack as a "triumph" for Palestinians, Saree underscored the continuation of military operations in the Red and Arabian Seas against Israeli shipping until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted. "Yemeni Armed Forces persist with their military operations, enforcing a blockade on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas until a ceasefire is achieved and a siege is lifted in the Gaza Strip," the spokesman said. "The Yemeni armed forces will not hesitate to implement and expand their military operations in defense of beloved Yemen and in confirmation of continued practical solidarity with the Palestinian people," he added. Earlier in the day, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said an incident involving a ship in the Red Sea occurred 72 nautical miles (133 km) northwest of the port of Mokha in Yemen. The ship transiting the Yemeni port "was attacked by a missile and reports an explosion in close proximity," the agency said, adding that military authorities were responding. The Yemeni Armed Forces also fired missiles at a British ship passing through the Gulf of Aden on Thursday and scored a "direct hit" in their latest operation in solidarity with the Palestinians. Yemen's armed forces have been targeting Israeli ships and those bound for Israeli ports since November in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza which has been subject to five months of ferocious airstrikes and a ground invasion. The Yemeni operations have prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, which normally carries about 12 percent of global maritime trade. The Yemeni army says only Israeli, US and British ships are targeted, stating that other countries can rest assured of the safety of their cargoes. Yemen not to give in to US policies: Ansarullah Mohammed Abdul-Salam, spokesman for Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement, said on Friday that Sana'a would not surrender to the US hegemonic policies in the West Asia region and would press ahead with its retaliatory strikes on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea in support of Palestinians. Abdul-Salam made the statement in a post on his X social media account after the administration of US President Joe Biden returned Yemen's Ansarullah to a so-called list of "terrorist" groups and imposed harsh sanctions on the popular resistance movement. The US State Department said the move aimed to cut off funding and weapons to Ansarullah over the movement's attacks on Israeli-owned and -bound vessels in the vital Red Sea shipping lanes in support of Gazans. Abdul-Salam said Washington aims to harm Yemen to support Israel and encourage the regime to continue its genocidal war against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, underlining that Yemen will not retreat from its "principled, moral and humanitarian" stance on supporting Gaza. "The US is the one encouraging, supporting, and backing global terrorism by supporting Israel, coming to our shores, and encroaching on our territories, while we did not go to its beaches and coasts," he said on X. "Although the US may have become accustomed to the submissiveness of a number of regimes to their arrogant and terrorist policies, this would not be the case with Yemen," he added. "Yemen will continue to support Gaza by all available means, and will continue to prevent Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine until the Israeli aggression stops and the siege on Gaza is lifted." More than 28,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and over 68,000 others injured since the Israeli regime launched its US-backed onslaught on Gaza on October 7, 2023. The United States, Israel's biggest ally, has provided Israel with a raft of arms and ammunition since the initiation of the Gaza war and also vetoed UN Security Council resolutions that called on the regime to cease its aggression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken, Scholz Meet Leaders Of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Vow To Support Peace Efforts By RFE/RL's Armenian Service and, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service February 17, 2024 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met separately with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the German leader saying the bitter Caucasus rivals had agreed to resolve their differences "without new violence." "Germany and Europe stand ready to do everything in their power to support the peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Scholz said after meeting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on February 17. "I reaffirmed this in my talks with both countries. It's a good thing that both sides have pledged to resolve open issues without new violence," he added. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Blinken met with Aliyev and that the two "discussed efforts to achieve a durable peace agreement" between the Armenia and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani state-run Azertag news agency quoted Aliyev as saying that Baku "remains committed to the peace process. The conclusion of a peace treaty in the near future meets the country's national interests." The State Department said Blinken also met with Pashinian "to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and U.S. support for efforts to reach a durable and dignified peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan." "Secretary Blinken noted our ongoing efforts to support Armenia's vision for a prosperous and democratic future for its people, as well as U.S. support for Armenia's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity," a statement added. Long-standing tensions between the two countries have soared since Azerbaijan retook the Armenian-populated breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh following a lightning-fast military strike in September 2023. The meeting with Scholz comes days after the latest flare-up of violence along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border -- the first major escalation in months. In that incident, the Armenian Defense Ministry said four Armenian soldiers were shot dead and one wounded by Azerbaijani fire early on February 13 at one of the southern sections of their border. Azerbaijan's State Border Service said its forces had "completely destroyed" an Armenian border post during a "revenge operation" after Baku accused Armenian troops of opening fire on February 12 in the direction of Azerbaijani positions in the Zangelan district, claiming that one Azerbaijani border guard was wounded. Following the Scholz meeting, Nazeli Baghdasarian, a spokeswoman for the Armenian prime minister's office, confirmed that a three-party session involving the Armenian, Azerbaijani, and German leaders took place. "The process of regulating Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and steps to ensure peace and stability in the region were discussed," she said. "An agreement has been made to continue the work on the peace treaty." Azertag confirmed the meeting took place and that Scholz had reiterated his support for the peace process The Azerbaijani news agency APA reported that Scholz left the meeting room about an hour after the start of the negotiations and they continued in a bilateral format. APA said Aliyev and Pashinian instructed their foreign ministers, who also attended the meeting, to "continue negotiations" on the peace treaty and the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Azerbaijan had for months refused to hold further Western-mediated talks with Armenia, accusing the European Union and the United States of pro-Armenian bias and seeking direct contacts between the two sides. "We don't need mediators to normalize relations with Yerevan," Aliyev said on February 13, adding that the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict "should be removed from the international agenda." Yerevan, meanwhile, has insisted on continued Western mediation -- which has also been strongly criticized by Russia. Armenia accused Baku of walking away from understandings reached by Aliyev and Pashinian during their earlier encounters organized by the EU. On February 14, Pashinian claimed that the Azerbaijani leadership was pursuing a "policy of military coercion" in an effort to extract more Armenian concessions. He said it could be planning to launch a "full-scale war against Armenia." The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry dismissed the claim. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-azaerbaijan- pashinian-aliyev-meeting-scholz/32823878.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armenian Ex-Minister Under House Arrest After Corruption Indictment By Naira Bulghadarian February 17, 2024 Former Armenian Economy Minister Vahan Kerobian was put under house arrest on February 16, one day after he was indicted in an ongoing corruption investigation. Kerobian denied accusations of abuse of power and said he will appeal against the court's decision to put him under house arrest. He told journalists in the courtroom that he was not allowed to comment on details of the high-profile criminal case. The accusations stem from a procurement tender organized by the Economy Ministry last year. Another Armenian court in June invalidated the ministry's decision to declare a major software company, Synergy International Systems, the winner of the tender. The decision followed a lawsuit filed by another bidder that had set a much lower price for its services. Armenia's Investigative Committee said late on February 15 that Kerobian and four other ministry officials -- all of whom were charged with abuse of power -- rigged the tender in a bid to grant a $1 million procurement contract to Synergy by illegally disqualifying Harmonia, another tech company, and ensure Synergy's victory in the tender "at any cost." The statement added that the officials planned on granting the procurement contract to Synergy even after the ministry reluctantly declared Harmonia the winner of the tender in August. It did not accuse them of bribery or give any reasons for the preferential treatment allegedly enjoyed by Synergy. Kerobian openly defended his subordinates before resigning on February 14. During a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian last week, he complained that the criminal proceedings had "paralyzed the work of the entire state system." Kerobian was formally relieved of his duties a few hours after announcing his resignation. In a statement, he said that he disagreed with Pashinian and had wanted to step down on numerous occasions during his more-than-three-year tenure. He did not elaborate. Kerobian on February 16 confirmed media reports that the chief of Pashinian's staff, Arayik Harutiunian, told him to resign shortly before he posted his resignation statement on Facebook. He claimed that Harutiunian gave no reason for the recommendation. "During these 3-plus years, I have worked with an unrelenting devotion, filled with love for every citizen of Armenia," he said on Facebook. "I have been decisive, honest and dedicated to the homeland." The ex-minister also said that he did not think the charges brought against him were politically motivated. Some Armenian commentators have suggested that Pashinian ordered this and another corruption probe involving another ministry official in hopes of boosting his falling approval ratings. Kerobian, 47, was appointed economy minister in November 2020 in the wake of Armenia's disastrous war with Azerbaijan. He was until then the chief executive of a food-delivery company that he set up with his wife and a friend. He also previously managed an Armenian supermarket chain that went bankrupt before being purchased and rebranded by other investors. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-minister-corruption- indictment/32823817.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Prepares to Supply Weapons to Israel Despite Calls for Ceasefire - Report Sputnik News 20240217 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The administration of US President Joe Biden is preparing to deliver a batch of weapons to Israel, including bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits and bomb fuses, despite US calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the situation. The amount of weapons to be supplied is worth tens of millions of dollars, the sources said. On Friday, Biden said he had raised with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the need for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza to allow for the withdrawal of the remaining hostages, adding that he did not expect Israel to attempt a large-scale ground offensive while this initiative was being considered. On October 7, 2023, 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. At least 28,775 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 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Escalation of Hostilities in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson February 17, 2024 The United States strongly condemns the worsening violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) caused by the actions of the Rwanda-backed, U.S.- and UN-sanctioned M23 armed group, including its recent incursions into the town of Sake. This escalation has increased the risk to millions of people already exposed to human rights abuses including displacement, deprivation, and attacks. We call on M23 to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from its current positions around Sake and Goma and in accordance with the Luanda and Nairobi processes. The United States condemns Rwanda's support for the M23 armed group and calls on Rwanda to immediately withdraw all Rwanda Defense Force personnel from the DRC and remove its surface-to-air missile systems, which threaten the lives of civilians, UN and other regional peacekeepers, humanitarian actors, and commercial flights in eastern DRC. It is essential that all states respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and hold accountable all actors for human rights abuses in the conflict in eastern DRC. We call on the government of the DRC to continue to support confidence building measures, including ceasing cooperation with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group named as a "negative force" by regional bodies and the government of the DRC, and which exposes the civilian population to risk. We continue to support regional diplomatic efforts that promote de-escalation and create the conditions for lasting peace in DRC and we call on all sides to participate constructively in reaching a negotiated solution. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, And Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar At the Munich Security Conference US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Bayerischer Hof Munich, Germany February 17, 2024 MODERATOR: (In progress) for Germany. Welcome. (Applause.) Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the U.S. (Applause.) Nice to have you. And Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Republic of India. Minister. (Applause.) I hope that based on the topic of the session that you will not all agree with each other and we can have some sparks. We have about 43 minutes, and I will prepare your questions because I'll ask a few questions and then I'll turn to the audience. Minister Baerbock, I'm going to start with you. Germany's national security strategy calls for expanding global partnerships and is quite open about the multipolarity of the world today. How do you go about it at a time when there are so many divisions, and particularly when increasingly we feel the Global South and the Western world are not on the same page? FOREIGN MINISTER BAERBOCK: Well, first of all, good afternoon. Very good to have this important session with my dear colleagues. In a nutshell, it's more important than ever. Because we are not naive: Obviously, there are ruthless actors who don't want to - to drub up the title of our panel - negotiate the slice of the pie, but they want to rob the whole bakery. And having that in mind, I believe it's even more important than ever that those who are at the table negotiating about the slices of the pie stay there, first of all, resolute, respectfully, and also reflective. And this is the core also of our national security strategy, which we have drafted as the German government, making very clear in the light of this ruthless war of aggression against Ukraine that we are resolute in defending international law. It's the best protection for everybody around the world. So there is no question about negotiating whether Ukraine has right of self-defense or not. We all agreed not only - I don't like that word, but "Western" actors - we all agreed in our Charter of the United Nations there is the right of self-defense, and we all agreed on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Having said that, obviously we have to be respectful that especially within Ukraine - and I think this is the lesson we have learned, and it was very important to speak to partners like India and so many around the world - Brazil, South Africa - we have to be respectful that obviously, in this moment when we said we need the whole international security, others asked some questions, like: Where have you been when we needed you? Or asked some question, so actually what does it mean for the future? Do you also stand with us? And this is, I would say, maybe something you in the attitude - at least from our foreign politics from Europe to say, okay, we cannot take for granted that everybody just agrees with our European or transatlantic vision. And the third part, I think it's the most easy, but it's the strongest asset for democracies. The strength of democracy, in my point of view, is that we can be self-reflective and self-critical. So asking in a moment when others - for example, war of aggression - were not saying automatically, okay, we support you, not saying why don't you get it, but asking ourself why they cannot support us. And I think this is the critical part but the most powerful part, and at least, again, in our national security strategy we try to do it, talking about, for example, our colonialism past. Understanding why South Africa was mentioning the whole time their ties with Russia in the Apartheid regime. And being self-critical and saying, oh, yeah, not all democracies have stood back in time at their side, and taking that as something where we said, yes, we might have made a mistake in the past, but we cannot change the past; we can only change the future together. I think this is the strength of multilateralism, and we see around the world the majority believes in it. MODERATOR: Do you find that increasingly people are questioning more when it comes to - let's stick to Ukraine and we'll get to Gaza in a minute. But on Ukraine, are people coming around to your point of view or are they distancing themselves more? FOREIGN MINISTER BAERBOCK: Well, to see it over the least three years, I mean, we have seen the 142 voting in the General Assembly, so it is a majority of states. Because most of the countries in the world, like mine - we're not the biggest country in the world; we don't have the biggest military means. And this is for most of the countries: They know that the Charter of the United Nations, the rule of law is their life insurance. So we see this big majority there when you see also the support. Many have traveled - and I think this is really important to give always the question of war of aggression a human face. It was not that we convinced some other actors in the world by saying now you have to stand with that, but when a delegation traveled to Kyiv - and not only Kyiv, to Bucha, to Irpin - when they spoke, like we did, to the parents of those where their child had been kidnapped by Russia, then we give this ideation a human face, and that's all about. And this is why it's so important to not only talk about state, but we talk about the people, talk about also the question of the rule of law in front of the International Criminal Court, for example, bringing crimes against humanity in front of the court. And there we see again the majority of the states is pushing for that one. MODERATOR: Secretary Blinken, there is a - there is a feeling that - it's more than a feeling, it's what we see on - happening on the ground, that the U.S.-China tensions are leading to greater fragmentation and that you're almost competing for alliances: who's our ally? And we see this within the UN, in various UN institutions, but we just see it all around the globe. To what extent do you feel that you are challenged in your travels around the world on the fundamental questions? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first, it's wonderful to be with my friends, wonderful to be back in Munich at the Security Conference, known among all of us as speed dating for diplomats. (Laughter.) But we've done a couple of things, and I'll come quickly to your question. From the start of this administration, we've made an investment, a reinvestment, in our alliances, in our partnerships, and in the multilateral system. We've reinvested, we've re-engaged, we've tried to rejuvenate, we've even reimagined. And the reason for that is simple: it's because it's in our interest to do it. Not a single one of the challenges that we have to face and that are so important to the interests of the American people can we effectively deal with alone, as powerful and as resourceful as we are. And so across the board, we've seen our comparative advantage as having a strong network of voluntary alliances, voluntary partnerships. And if you're not at the table in the international system, you're going to be on the menu. So it was very important for us to re-engage multilaterally, and we've done that. When it comes to strategic competition - and there's no doubt that we have one with China - there are a few things to be said. First, we have an obligation to manage that relationship responsibly, and I think that's something that we hear from countries around the world, and it's clearly in our interest to do so, and that's exactly what President Biden is doing. And when it comes to other countries, the point is not to say to country X, Y, or Z, "You have to choose;" the point is to offer a good choice. And if we can do that - and I believe we can and we have and will continue - then I think the choice becomes fairly self-evident. Over the last six or seven months, we have engaged in a sustainable way with China. I just met my counterpart Wang Yi here in Munich, but that follows a series of meetings, notably and most importantly President Biden and President Xi, and I think we've brought greater stability to the relationship, not moving away from or ignoring the fact that, yes, we have a competition, there are areas where we are contesting each other, but there are also areas where we can and should cooperate because it's in our interest to do that. One of the best examples of that is the agreement reached with China on fentanyl. The single largest - the number one killer, number one killer of Americans aged 18 to 49 is the synthetic opioid, fentanyl. Now we have meaningful cooperation from and with China on fentanyl. That's going to make a difference in the lives of Americans. MODERATOR: And do you think it is sustainable to have cooperation on - in some areas, climate being one of them, but to have a strategic competition - the strategic competition that defines geopolitics today and that will go on for a very long time? Do you think that that is sustainable that both sides sort of can find rules of engagement? This is where we compete and this is where we cooperate? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Some fundamentals haven't changed. Countries will act in their self-interest. Where we have to compete, we will. Where we have to contest, we will. Where it makes sense to cooperate, we will. And I think you can do all of the above at the same time. But there's something else that's, I think, changed, and it goes back to the first part of the question. The very fact that we've re-engaged and rejuvenated as well as reimagined some of our alliances and partnerships, along with the investments that we've made at home in the United States - the investments we've made in our infrastructure, the investments we've made in science and technology and chips, the building blocks of the 21st century economy, the investments we've made in climate technology - you put those two things together: investments at home, much greater alignment with partners and allies across the board in Europe, in the Indo-Pacific, in Asia on how to approach a question as complicated as relations with China - that puts us in a position of much greater strength in dealing with all of the challenges that we have to deal with. MODERATOR: Minister Jaishankar, India has more of a multiple-choice mindset. Is - would that be - would that be right? From nonalignment to - I think you may have called it or somebody else called it "all-alignment." So you can pick and choose alliances, but you can also pick and choose topics. On Russia, for example, you still buy Russian oil. Is that okay with your counterpart from the U.S.? Everything is - your relationship is fine? You can do whatever you want whenever you want? (Laughter.) FOREIGN MINISTER JAISHANKAR: Okay. First of all MODERATOR: I mean, you're sitting next to each other, so FOREIGN MINISTER JAISHANKAR: No, no. First of all, delighted to be here, and I couldn't find a better set of people to be with on the stage. So thank you for whoever put us on together. Your question: Do we have multiple options? The answer is yes. Is that a problem? Why should it be a problem? If I'm smart enough to have multiple options, you should be admiring me, you shouldn't be criticizing me. (Laughter and applause.) Now, is that a problem for other people? I don't think so. I don't think so, certainly in this case and in that case. Because, look, we try to explain what are the different pulls and pressures which countries have. And it's very hard to have a unidimensional relationship. Now, again, different countries and different relationships have different histories. If I were to look, say, between the U.S. and Germany, it is rooted - there's an alliance nature to it; there's a certain history on which that relationship is grounded. In our case it's very different. So I don't want you to even inadvertently give the impression that we are purely and unsentimentally transactional. We are not. We get along with people. We believe in things, we share things, we agree on some things. But there are times when you're located in different places, have different levels of development, different experiences - all of that gets into it. So life is complicated. Life is differentiated. And I think it's very important today not to reduce the entire complexity of our world into very sweeping propositions. I think that era is today behind us. So I agree very much with what Tony said, which is good partners provide choices. Smart partners take some of those choices. But sometimes there will be choices on which you say, well, I think I'll pass up on that one. MODERATOR: It's a very good point, which brings me to the BRICS and the rise of middle powers, because that is one of the shifts that we see today. To what extent do you think that that is a challenge to the West, or maybe that can be sort of the bridge, especially in a world where we will see continued competition between the U.S. and China? And I'm going to ask Minister Jaishankar first and - but I'd love for both of you to comment as well. FOREIGN MINISTER JAISHANKAR: Yeah, I thought maybe the BRICS one you wanted the U.S. to SECRETARY BLINKEN: After you, Jai, please. (Laughter.) FOREIGN MINISTER JAISHANKAR: But look, again, I think it's important to go back to how it began. The BRICS started in an era where Western dominance was very strong. The premier gathering of the world was the G7, and you had a number of significant powers in the world who felt that, well, they were not part of the G7 but maybe they also brought value to the table by sitting and discussing with others. So in a sense you had a collection of these countries. It was originally four; South Africa joined later. And if you look at it, it's a very interesting group because it's geographically as disparate as it can be. Yet it is bound by the fact that these discussions we've had over a decade and a half have been very useful for all of us. Now, like any product, you test it in the market at some point. We tested it last year and asked people, so how many of you want to join BRICS? And we got almost 30 countries who were willing to join BRICS. So clearly, if 30 countries saw value in it, there must be something good we have done. So I think it's important today to make a distinction between being non-West and anti-West. I would certainly characterize India as a country which is non-West, but which has an extremely strong relationship with Western countries getting better by the day. Not everybody else necessarily in that grouping might qualify for that description. But the contribution the BRICS has made - if one looks at the G7 and how it evolved into the G20, I think in a way those additional 13 members who came into this bigger grouping, five of them are BRICS members. The fact that there was another group which was meeting regularly and discussing and debating I think certainly was an input into the expansion of the G7 into the G20. So I think we did a service to the world. MODERATOR: Yeah. Secretary Blinken? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I'm tempted to say what my friend said and leave it at that. Look, the - what we don't need to do and what we're not doing is trying to somehow design the world into rigid blocks. Each and every one of the issues that we have to deal with, and deal with in the interests of the American people, may have different collections and coalitions of countries that are focused on it, that bring certain experiences, certain capacities, and I think about it as variable geometry. We're putting together a puzzle with collections of countries, and not just countries, organizations of different sizes and different shapes to deal with a given problem. As Jai said, we have - and of course the fact that the relationship between our countries, I would argue, is the strongest it's ever been, it makes no difference that India happens to be a leading member of BRICS. We're a leading member of the G7. We have the G20 and we have a multiplicity of things that we're doing together every single day in different ways of organizing ourselves. India and the United States working together in AUKUS, working together - I mean, excuse me, in the Quad, working together in a variety of other fora. All of this goes to the point that the complexity and the multiplicity of the challenges that we have demands that we find different ways to work together, and this shouldn't be done on an exclusive basis. Look, our default, of course, is to work in the first instance with fellow democracies. That's only normal and natural. But we are not only willing, we are actively working with any country that wants to solve a particular problem and wants to do so within the context of a rules-based order. That's the way we approach things. MODERATOR: Speaking of a rule-based order, major powers today are criticized for sort of upholding the rule-based order and upholding values in certain areas but not in others, and a lot of people around the world - and particularly in the Global South but I would say not only in the Global South; even within our Western democracies - are confused. They look at what's happening in Gaza and at the intensity of the killing, and they ask: Where are human rights? Where are these Western values? I'm sure you're having here today and yesterday a lot of similar discussions, Minister Baerbock. FOREIGN MINISTER BAERBOCK: Yes, and they are so productive because many of them are not only speed dating, but behind closed doors, very trustfully. And I think the most important job for those who believe in a rules-based international order, be it politicians, be it journalists, be it citizens, is to not be pushed into this speed dating, into this black-and-white world in all of our bubbles. Because easily - and this is a double-standard question, yeah - if you only look - and you mentioned the situation in Gaza. If I only see the whole time on YouTube what's happening in Gaza, and I do that every second day - every day I cannot stand it because otherwise I couldn't get out of my bed anymore - yeah, your reality is obviously - the only thing what we can and have to do right now is to go in a total ceasefire to rescue these innocent children dying there every day. Yeah? So, and you're 100 percent right by that. But the question is to really come to this reality is to force myself - not myself, but all these persons who are saying this is the moral right thing to do - to then also ask: So how do we come to that? And this is then when some might ask: So why you, German foreign minister, didn't call for immediate ceasefire the last - months ago? Because I also looked at the other side, at the other YouTube videos, at the other bubbles, yeah, where we saw, I saw for days after the 7th of October - I didn't only see it, I spoke to the father whose wife and two little girls had been kidnapped by terrorists from Hamas. I saw the video where women have been not only raped, but murdered afterwards. And in that moment for me it was clear, again, that we can also not only relate to the past saying, okay, we know how negotiations about - with terrorists are working. Because if you saw that video and if you were ready to see this woman suffering there, you understand that this is not only a military logic. Because those people who are doing this, raping a woman and killing her afterwards, they don't want to exchange soldiers for political prisoners. They enjoy slaughtering women. I'm saying that because I think this is really important, bringing it down to the people. Because then you understand in this kind of situation, how do we come now to a ceasefire? That the release of hostages, the release of these women is crucial because otherwise we can never save the children in Gaza. So this comes all back to what my dear colleague Jaishankar has said. If we are not capable of stepping out of right or wrong, yes or no, black or white, we will in this world of dilemmas never do what our job - I would say the three of us here - is: to do all the best to rescue people. And this is why we have been working so intensively for those partners, Arab partners, in the last three months to see how we can come together for the most important point right now: freeing the hostages, having a humanitarian pause to bring in humanitarian support into Gaza, and not stopping even though the headlines are there every day: You cannot fix it anyhow. I think the biggest favor for those who do not care for human rights and the international order is that we are giving up and that we are not being ready to look at these different topics from our different side. And this is why - at least for me; I would say for all the three of us - use our competences, use our channels we are having. And there again diversity is beneficial. If we are not all the same, but if we are trying to solve this horrible war in the Middle East from our different perspectives, then we can also bring security both for the people in Israel and the people in Gaza. SECRETARY BLINKEN: I have to say I fully subscribe - (applause) - fully subscribe to everything that Annalena said. And I think as people in positions, for a brief period of time, of responsibility, but also, and maybe foremost, as human beings - as mothers, fathers, children, brothers, and sisters - we're intensely driven to try to prevent or stop human suffering, including the suffering of men, women, and children in Gaza. The question is how to do it most effectively and how to take account of the incredible complexity that Annalena just outlined so well. But there's another element to this that we have a responsibility to do something about. The greatest poison in our common well is dehumanization. And we see that in all directions. And if you lose sight of the humanity of someone else, then your heart is hardened to a point where anything is acceptable and anything is possible. Part of our responsibility is to do what we can to push back, to avoid, to call out dehumanization wherever it's coming from, in whatever direction. Because if we can't get at that, it's very hard, if not impossible, to do other things. MODERATOR: One other criticism that I think I'm sure you hear a lot is U.S. policy has, of course, shifted in the last couple of months, but yet you want the fighting to stop, but there is no sign whatsoever that you're not willing to send weapons to Israel, for example. So that also confuses people. When they look at the rhetoric versus the action, what would you say to that? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first, we're committed to Israel's security. That's been clear from day one. It remains clear. And we understand and support the proposition that Israel has to find ways to make sure that what happened on October 7th never happens again. (Applause.) So we start there. But we've also said - and not only said, we've acted on the proposition - that, of course, the way Israel does that matters profoundly. The way it does it in terms of trying to ensure greater protection for civilians who are caught in a crossfire of Hamas's making. That's absolutely essential. Making sure that people in need get the assistance they need. We are working on this every single day. And as we've seen this evolve over the last four months, things have happened as a result of our engagement, our intervention, that I would say probably would not have happened, almost certainly wouldn't have happened without it. But it's not enough; it's insufficient. And that's why we're at it almost, literally, 24 hours a day. FOREIGN MINISTER BAERBOCK: May I add one thing on that? MODERATOR: What is - yes, sure. FOREIGN MINISTER BAERBOCK: Because for the full picture - and this is what we are discussing, and this is a good thing. In these horrible times, I'm always trying to see the glimpse of hope at the horizon. The good thing is that over the last three months, yeah, all these discussions were helpful in a way. First we didn't have any humanitarian support; now we have at least a few trucks - not enough trucks. But also from the other understanding - and this is why I totally agree with the security guarantees for Israel - you cannot just say we need a ceasefire and the Israeli government, the IDF has to stop, and then we just wait and see what happens through the regrouping of Hamas. No, we have to give an answer to both legitimate security concerns. So our part of discussion is, for example, in the north, yeah? If people go back to the north, how do we as an international community secure that Hamas is not regrouping there, using, misusing against civilians as human protection shield? And this is also part of our common international security response. (Applause.) MODERATOR: Minister Jaishankar, what is the view from India? What would you - if you had some advice for your colleagues, what would you be - what would you tell them? FOREIGN MINISTER JAISHANKAR: Well, I don't have advice for my colleagues, though I - particularly, I think all of us follow the enormous efforts which Tony is putting in right now. But look, the way we look at it, there are different dimensions, different elements to this. Number one, we must be clear that what happened on October 7th was terrorism. No caveats, no justification, no explanation. It was terrorism. Number two, as Israel responds, it is important that Israel should be - should have been very mindful of civilian casualties, that it has an obligation to observe international humanitarian law. Number three, the return of hostages is today imperative. Number four, there is a need for a humanitarian corridor, a sustainable humanitarian corridor to provide relief. And eventually, there has to be a permanent fix, a long-term fix, otherwise we're going to see a recurrence. And I think today, suddenly - India has long believed in a two-state solution; we have maintained that position for many decades. And I think today, many more countries in the world today feel not just that a two-state solution is necessary, but it is more urgent than it was before. MODERATOR: Let me take a couple of questions. I think there is a gentleman there, and then there and there. Okay, three. Let's take - let's take all three questions. Actually, we'll take four questions very quickly. PARTICIPANT: Four is here? MODERATOR: Yes, four is there. QUESTION: Nathalie Tocci, Rome. A question - in fact, both to Secretary Blinken and to Foreign Minister Baerbock. I mean, the logic of the argument of being somewhat reticent on pushing for a ceasefire, as far as I understand, is basically that of saying, well, one needs to make sure that what happened on the 7th of October does not happen again. And so the question that I ask you is, do you think that what is happening now, what has happened over the last four months, will actually reduce the chances of what happened on the 7th of October happening again? Will it actually make Israel more secure or not? MODERATOR: Okay, so there is FOREIGN MINISTER BAERBOCK: And I (inaudible). MODERATOR: Okay, so I thought that question was that side, but okay. QUESTION: Okay, thank you very much. Oleksiy Goncharenko, a member of the parliament of Ukraine. Secretary Blinken, you said those who are not at the table are in the menu. Ukraine was at the table in Budapest when we voluntarily gave up our nuclear weaponry. Now we are in the menu. So the question is, what is the way for us? We are confronted with a nuclear power. Either we will become a member of NATO Alliance with a nuclear power or we should restore our nuclear status. I don't see any other option. What option do you prefer and what you will answer on this? Thank you very much. MODERATOR: Okay. There's a question here, question there, and then we'll do one round. Would that be okay? PARTICIPANT: Do you want me to get MODERATOR: Yes, I mean, I have said - yeah, here we go. QUESTION: Thank you. My name is Shafik Gabr, from Egypt. My question is to Secretary Blinken. You've invested an incredible amount of time trying to bring a settlement in the issue of Gaza, and at the very same time we all feel in the region that things can spill over in a very dramatic way. Especially, there are many excuses of why not to have a solution, but to do things step by step. That is not going to work. So my question to you is, sir, why, with all the countries, including the United States, including the UK, just what Cameron has just said, proclaiming a two-state solution is not something the United States puts on the floor now and be able to achieve that? MODERATOR: Okay, thank you. Thank you. Finally, there's a question there, and then I'm afraid QUESTION: I have a loud voice; I don't need a microphone. Hello, my name is Masih Alinejad. I'm an Iranian troublemaker for mullahs, and I have a simple question. We cannot talk about global security by forgetting about Iran, by burying the human rights abuses under the carpet. I am here today with a woman who was in the front line of last year's uprising. She was shot in her eye; she lost her eyes because of the Revolutionary Guards. So my question is very clear: How we can reach to peace and security in the world without designating the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, which the United States of America did that - thanks - but why the allies are not following the United States? The democratic countries are not as united as autocracy, because Islamic Republic is helping Putin, is helping Hamas, all the proxies in Yemen. So as we see, unfortunately, dictators are more united than democratic countries. Do you have any common strategy to isolate Islamic Repulbic and address Khamenei and his gang of killers the way that you address Putin? Thank you so much. MODERATOR: Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) All three of you, you can pick the question you want to answer. I know one was directed - a couple were directed at Secretary Blinken. So maybe SECRETARY BLINKEN: Want me to start? MODERATOR: Maybe you start. Yeah. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good. So to the question, is Israel more secure now after - four months after October 7th, I think the answer is, in the near term, in the immediate, yes it is, in terms of dealing with the immediate threat, the horrific terrorist group that attacked it in the most unimaginable ways on October 7th. Is it more secure for the long term? That's a different question. Because the fundamental question we have to ask ourselves is - and Jai mentioned this - how do we make sure that the cycle one way or another doesn't repeat itself, whether it's a year from now, five years from now, or 10 years from now? I think there's an extraordinary opportunity before Israel in the months ahead to actually once and for all end that cycle. And it's because there are some new facts that didn't exist before when there were efforts to make peace between Israelis and Palestinians, starting with the fact that virtually every Arab country now genuinely wants to integrate Israel into the region, to normalize relations if they haven't already done so, to provide security assurances and commitments so that Israel can feel more safe and more secure. At the same time, there are genuine efforts underway led by Arab countries to reform, revitalize, revamp the Palestinian Authority so that it can be more effective in representing the interests of the Palestinian people and could be a better partner for Israel in that future. And there's also, I think, the imperative that Jai mentioned that's more urgent than ever: to proceed to a Palestinian state, one that also ensures the security of Israel and makes the necessary commitments to do so. If you put all of that together, you have an integrated region where people are actually working together for the common good, a region in which Israel is secure in ways that it's never been before, and where the number one threat to its security as well as the security of many of us - just alluded to in the last question, Iran - is isolated along with all of its proxies. That future, that path is there, it's clear, it's hard, it's complicated, but it's real. The alternative is an endless repetition of the cycle that we've seen year after year, decade after decade, generation after generation. It's incumbent upon all of us who have relationships with and responsibility for different countries in the region, things that we bring to the table ourselves, to make the hard decisions, do the difficult things to actually make that path clear, real, and one that - whose attraction is overwhelmingly powerful. I think the more we're able to do that and the more we distinguish between that path and the alternative, the greater the chance we'll actually see movement in that direction. I'll say just very quickly on Ukraine, I think you've heard throughout this conference, including by the fact that we have an extraordinary delegation from the United States Congress here - Republicans, Democrats, Senate, House - that there is enduring support for Ukraine, and that's not just from the United States, it's from country after country in Europe and well beyond, for a whole variety of reasons, starting of course with the aggression that the Ukrainians have suffered, but also because that aggression has gone to the very principles at the heart of the international system that each of us has a stake in preserving, and that's not going away. So there's a tremendous determination on the part of dozens of countries to do two things. First, to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to deal in the immediate with the ongoing Russian aggression; but second, to put Ukraine on a path where increasingly in the months and years to come it's able to stand strongly on its own two feet militarily, economically, and democratically. That is the strongest possible rebuke to Putin. It's the strongest possible rebuke to all those who would seek to undermine Ukraine. And I'll just conclude with this: The real lesson to be drawn from what we've seen - including, as you rightly said, Russia tearing up and then spitting on the Budapest Memorandum, among many, many other agreements - is that this aggression against Ukraine has been an absolute strategic debacle for Vladimir Putin and for Russia. Russia is weaker militarily, it's weaker economically, it's weaker diplomatically. Europe has ended its energy dependence on Russia in the space of two years. Ukrainians are more united than they've ever been, including against Russia, which was not the case certainly in 2014 - not desirable, but it's the result of Russia's actions - and certainly since 2022. We have the NATO Alliance, a defensive Alliance with no intent of ever attacking Russia, only there to defend its members, that is now stronger and larger. All of this a result of actions that Russia has taken, precipitating the very things it said it wanted to prevent. So I think as those lessons are digested, not to mention the horrific losses that Russia has suffered as a result of Vladimir Putin throwing its young men into a meatgrinder of his own making, I think the more those lessons are digested, the more you're going to see that this is not repeated. But that requires all of us to maintain the solidarity that we've demonstrated with Ukraine, a solidarity that is important not just for Ukraine, but for all of us. The stakes couldn't be higher. So my belief, again, listening to everyone here over the last couple of days, talking to our members of Congress who are with us, is that not only is that support there, it will be sustained, and Ukraine will succeed. MODERATOR: Thank you, Secretary. Minister Baerbock. FOREIGN MINISTER BAERBOCK: Well, I guess the question from Iran was for us. So the question was, why do you not follow the example and list them as terrorists, in a terrorist sanction regime, the Revolutionary Guard? We have discussed it quite often, but the quick answer is because I'm defending rule of law, trying without any double standards. And our legal situation in the European Union - and you can like it or not, but this is how - in which context we are working - in our European legal system, we have a sanction system for listing under terrorism if terrorism occurs in another country, especially in the European Union. It was after the attacks on the U.S. on the 9th of September. So we need a legal ground to list them. So far, we do not have the evidence and proof that there have been these terrorist attacks in the European Union. There were different cases. It's a different legal system in the U.S. But - and this is important for me because I hear this argument again and again - this is not because we shy away with regard to the Revolutionary Guard or the crimes against women, youth, civil society, its own population. No. We use the instruments we are having as a European Union to defend human rights. And we set up for the first time in history of the European Union a sanction systems because of human rights violation. And for me this is even stronger. In the past, it was the same with Daesh and the crimes against Yezidi women, yeah? They have been brought to court not slaughtering women, not saying these are the worst sexual violence crimes you commit, but under terrorism. I think this is wrong. We have to name the crimes, and the crime is targeted directly to women, directly to human rights. We say we sanction you because of what you have done to you shooting in your eyes, killing your friends, killing your sisters. And it's the same effect. And this it comes all down to me - for me, politics, it's not about symbolic action. It's about what matters for the people. And under the sanction system, human rights sanctions from the EU, Revolutionary Guard - we named them - cannot enter the European Union. We have frozen their assets. So the result is exactly the same what the U.S. has done under the terrorist sanction system. So if you're asking, do we act as a result in the same way? Yes, we do, but we call it human rights sanction system because these are the worst human rights violations you can see. And this comes also back to the other question about symbolic politics or what matters in reality. We would have been at a total different stage if, after the 7th of October - this was a question from Italy - after the 7th of October, we could have had a common resolution. We were in Cairo at the so-called peace summit together with different countries, many Arab partners, and also from the European Union. We tried to fix a text where we would say, okay, after these horrible crimes of the 7th of October, there could be the momentum now for whatever generations have dreamt of: a two-state solution pathway. But in order to do that, we have to guarantee that the 7th of October never happens again to Israel and we have to guarantee that Palestinians have the security to live in peace and security for them. Unfortunately, those meeting there together, not everybody was ready to name the 7th of October what it was: a terrorist attack from Hamas on Israeli people. And this is why we passed this momentum. I regret it, but this is how life is. So now again we have to work again if we now, after four months where we see that the current situation only brings misery for everybody, if we can regroup again. And this is why what we have described before, for us it's so important to work together as European Union, as the U.S., with Arab partners to find what we need: guarantees that Israelis can live forever in security; that the 7th of October can never happen again; and the same counts for Palestinian people - it has to be an irreversible path towards a two-state solution. And this is our job which we have to do right now, and we can only do it together with the different partners. Neither the U.S., definitely not Germany, but also not one Arab country alone can go this path. We have to group and unite together for the peace in the Middle East. (Applause.) MODERATOR: Inshallah, as they would say in the Middle East. One FOREIGN MINISTER JAISHANKAR: So I'll just take a minute. MODERATOR: One minute, yes. FOREIGN MINISTER JAISHANKAR: I think a very large number of countries, especially of the Global South, believe that terrorism shouldn't be countenanced or justified. But they equally strongly believe that a two-state solution should not be delayed. These are not choices. These are both musts. And unless we are able to address both these issues, we are not going to really solve the problem. MODERATOR: Well, thank you all. I know that we've gone over time, so apologies for that. And thank you to the audience. (Applause.) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Calls with Northern Ireland First Minister O'Neill, deputy First Minister Little-Pengelly, and Democratic Unionist Party leader Donaldson US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson February 17, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, and Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson. The Secretary congratulated the First Minister and deputy First Minister on their appointments and welcomed the restoration of the power-sharing government at Stormont. The Secretary encouraged the leaders to work collaboratively to deliver prosperity for the people of Northern Ireland and to model cooperative power-sharing for the world to see. The Secretary affirmed the U.S. commitment to Northern Ireland's future and to preserving the gains of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement for all. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Azerbaijani President Aliyev US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson February 17, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. The Secretary emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Azerbaijan bilateral relationship and highlighted the United States' support for a successful COP29 in Baku in November. Secretary Blinken and President Aliyev discussed efforts to achieve a durable peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Secretary reiterated U.S. support for a successful conclusion of those efforts, building on previous negotiations. The Secretary raised the importance of Azerbaijan adhering to its international commitments and obligations regarding human rights. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson February 17, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and U.S. support for efforts to reach a durable and dignified peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Secretary Blinken noted our ongoing efforts to support Armenia's vision for a prosperous and democratic future for its people, as well as U.S. support for Armenia's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SECNAV Del Toro Delivers Principal Address at USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) Commissioning US Navy Coronado, Calif. Speech by Carlos Del Toro Date Published 17 February 2024 Good morning, San Diego. First, let me start off by thanking the chaplain, for providing us all perfect weather. You know, Sergeant Major thanking me for allowing him to speak today, as if somehow that was not going to be an option. But I will assure you that this is the last time that I speak behind the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, as well as the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Thank you both for your extraordinary, impactful words for all of you here today. It is a great honor for me to be your 78th Secretary of the Navy, in service all the men and women who serve in our Navy and our Marine Corps today. Before I begin my speech, let me just simply say, "courage under fire." Every American today here at this ceremony, across this great land that we call America has to be proud of the men and women who serve in our Navy in our Marine Corps. Because if we honor the Sergeant Major for everything he did, throughout those seven days and throughout his entire life, we have to recognize that he served as an inspiration to the over 40,000 Marines that are deployed today around the globe. One third of our fleet is underway. And in the Red Sea over the last 90 days, our Sailors and our Marines have acted bravely with courage under fire, the way that I think started to major would have wanted them to do. So, I'm extremely proud of each and every one of them. You should be as well. And I thank, on behalf of the President, Secretary of Defense, and myself, all of you, the American people. I encourage you to continue supporting these brave men and women. And I encourage you all to reach out to your own members in the House of Representatives and ask them to pass the supplementals that are necessary over the next few weeks to keep the government open, to keep all these brave men and women employed and supporting the way they deserve to be, as well as our fellow brothers and sisters in Ukraine, who are so bravely today fighting for democracy, not just for themselves, but for all of us around the world - so that democracy will always remain free everywhere. Thank you. It's great to be here in Coronado at the commissioning of our fleet's newest expeditionary sea base USS John L. Canley. I'll tell you that when this ship was first being thought of nearly 30 years ago, I wasn't necessarily the biggest fan of it. I will tell you that over these past 20 years I have become the biggest fan of these expeditionary sea base ships. So, to you David - you know that I built a ship of our own in a shipyard down south and lived in a shipyard for a year and a half - this is hard work. And there's not enough ways to thank your workers here at NASSCO for the spectacular job that they've done. So, to all the shipyard workers, thank you so very much. I extend, again, a warm welcome to our show sponsor Sgt. Maj. Canley's daughter, Miss Patricia Sargent, as well. As you know, according to Navy tradition, the shift sponsor spirit and presence guides and sailors and Marines and the merchant mariners that live and work and fight on board these great ships, and I am confident from all that I know about your father and yourself and his grandparents, that you all will be spectacular sponsors and maid of honor for the brave men and women who serve on this ship. I would like to also welcome the rest of Sergeant Major Canley's familyincluding Ms. Viktoria Sargent, his sister Annie, and all of his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews here with us today. It is wonderful to be with you all. Welcome to our distinguished guests as well, including Mr. Carver, General Dunford. Sir, your leadership of our military service when you served in our Marine Corps, when you served as Commandant, was truly spectacular. Thank you, Sir. To those from Sgt. Maj. Canley's Marines Corps company during the Vietnam WarAlpha Company who were able to join us today: thank you for your presence, selfless service to our country, and protection of the freedoms we hold most dear. Vietnam Veterans are particularly important to me. I came here and as a Cuban American refugee, and my first home was in a rat-infested tenement building on 42nd Street between 11th and 12th Avenue in New York City. My first memory of Vietnam when I was only four or five years old, actually, was this endless line of soldiers who stood across the street on 42nd Street. And although I was too young to fully comprehend and understood what it was that they were doing there with their satchels, they always seem to be just waiting on the behind as Marines know how to do sometimes, right? But it was when I became older and when I became Secretary - just a couple of months ago, I asked my historian to actually look into that. Why was it that those soldiers were waiting in line? They were waiting in line to go to Vietnam on troop ships just like this, as they had before during Korea and World War Two. That was my first understanding of what it meant to go to war. And throughout my life, I have vowed to honor their service, first by joining that service myself, obviously, serving 22 years; by visiting Hue twice as well too and seeing firsthand the struggles that they actually went through. And not just to pay them tribute as we do here today, but to learn the lessons of what they went through, of what you went through and to vow to apply those lessons so that our men and women today and service in uniform - whether it be the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Army Air Force - will never again have to struggle in a similar fashion. So, thank you. Thank you to all of you who served in Vietnam. Captain Mays and Master Captain Hanbury, you are the two luckiest people on the face of the earth today because you get to command this great ship. I kmow what that's all about. It's an extraordinary experience. As (Sgt. Maj. Canley) told you, take care of your troops. That's what matters most. And finally, to the crew of USS John L. Canley, the rest of our Navy team, and our partners in industry, thank for your unwavering support. As was said, behind me is 784 feet of warfighting steel, named after an incredible warfighter. Sgt. Maj. Canley's philosophy was, "If today's my day, then come get me." And as you heard today, he certainly embodied that philosophy. This ship is a United States Shipa warfighting ship, which may called to sail into harm's way one day. USS John L. Canley increases the capability of our Navy, Marine Corps, our Military Sealift Team, strengthening our maritime dominance in an uncertain time when the world looks to the United States, more so than ever, for guidance, strength, and leadership. And we must deliver that to the rest of the world. I want to take this time to talk about the importance of sharing stories, as well, especially the incredible stories of those such as Sgt. Maj. John Canley, who represent the very best of America. Black History Month, of course, is an opportunity to tell these stories and pay tribute to the contributions of African-American service members and civilians who selflessly dedicated their lives to this nation, courageously so. While the legacy of African-American service members in the sea services spans centuries, their stories often went untold, and they did not receive the recognition they often deserved. This was certainly the case with Robert B. Smalls and Charles J. French - for whom I named a cruiser and destroyrer. This was also the case for Sgt. Maj. Canley, who was originally awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions at Hue City. Thankfully, following an Alpha Company reunion many years later, his fellow Marine and friend John Ligato embarked on a journey to ensure his humble leader received the credit he so deserved. The process of upgrading his award was arduous with seemingly insurmountable administrative hurdles and miles of bureaucratic red tape, but in 2018, 50 years after the Battle of Hue City, Sgt. Maj. John L. Canley received the Medal of Honor. And he became the first African-American service member to receive the Medal of Honor while still living. We, as Americans, have the unique opportunity to tell these stories of Robert Smalls, Charles French, and now John L. Canley and an obligation to learn from them - because we can only grow as a nation and as a fighting force by learning from our history. Ultimately, our Navy and our Marine Corps and our nation are made stronger by our diversitydiversity of background, of experience, and of thoughtwhich ensures our ability to out-think, outpace, and out-maneuver our adversaries - forever remains strong. Just as history matters, representation matters too. African-Americans make up over 16% of our Navy and over 10% of our Marine Corps. It is imperative that future generations see themselves in our sea servicesthat they see a man from Caledonia, Arkansas grow up to become a war heroor a woman from Rochester, New York become the first female Chief of Naval Operationsor an immigrant from Cuba-American to become Secretary of the Navy - because the next Medal of Honor recipient or CNO or SECNAV might be in this audience today. As the world's problems grow increasingly more complex and stability more uncertain, we need to tap into America's most precious resource all it's peopleto solve the issues of the future. And if any of you who have served before, want to come back into the service or any of you young men and women want to join the service, come see me after the ceremony. In fact, how about standing up right now and I'll issue you the oath of office. I'll be happy to do so. Now, I know that some of the spouses of some of you veterans want you to come back to the service too. We can accommodate you as well too. Now, the impact of Sgt. Maj. Canley's legacy will indeed extend far beyond Black History Month. It is my firm belief that USS John L. Canley will serve as an inspiration to all who follow in her wake. It is my sincere hope that for those who come aboard this ship - those in the United States Navy, the Marine Corps, Military Sealift Command - when they cross that bow, they're also challenged to live up to the unwavering devotion to duty that this ship's namesake. And a special tribute to our Merchant mariners. More Merchant mariners died in World War Two than anyone else. And today I'm proud that our United States Navy and Marine Corps is out there, protecting not only life members and the life of those innocent Merchant mariners from all over the world. We have a responsibility to protect them. I have no doubt that throughout his service, USS John L. Canley will display "courage under fire." Ladies and Gentlemen, today is a truly wonderful and historic day. USS John L. Canley is joining the Fleet and will fearlessly sail as a part of the world's finest Navy - the world's most powerful Navy and Marine Corps. Don't let anybody ever tell you anything differently. I wish you fair winds and following seas, especially the courageous men and women who serve onboard this ship. May God bless each and every one of you and your families and the United States of America. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SECNAV Del Toro Honors John L. Canley at Ship Commissioning US Navy - Press Release 17 February 2024 The U.S. Navy commissioned Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) in Coronado, Calif., Feb. 17. During the ceremony, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro discussed the importance of sharing the incredible stories of Navy heritage, such as Sgt. Maj. John L. Canley, the namesake of ESB 6. "While the legacy of African American service members in the sea services spans centuries, their stories often went untold, and they often did not receive the recognition they deserved," said Secretary Del Toro. "This was the case for Sgt. Maj. Canley, who was originally awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions at Hue City." Born Dec. 20, 1937, in Caledonia, Ark., then-Gunnery Sergeant Canley served as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 1968. As outlined in Canley's Medal of Honor citation, Company A fought off multiple vicious attacks as it rapidly moved along the highway toward Hue City to relieve friendly forces that were surrounded by enemy forces. Despite being wounded in these engagements, Gunnery Sergeant Canley repeatedly rushed across fire-swept terrain to carry his wounded Marines to safety. After his commanding officer was severely wounded, Gunnery Sergeant Canley took command and led the company into Hue City. He led attacks against multiple enemy fortified positions while routinely braving enemy fire to carry wounded Marines to safety. He moved into the open to draw fire, located the enemy, eliminated the threat, and expanded the company's hold on the building room by room. On Feb. 6, during a fierce firefight at a hospital compound, Gunnery Sergeant Canley twice scaled a wall in full view of the enemy to carry wounded Marines to safety. Following an Alpha Company reunion many years later, Canley's fellow Marine and friend John Ligato embarked on a journey to ensure his humble leader received the credit he deserved. Canley was awarded the Medal of Honor 50 years after his actions during the Battle of Hue City, becoming the first African-American service member to receive the Medal of Honor while still living. "We, as Americans, have the unique opportunity to tell these stories and an obligation to learn from them," said Secretary Del Toro. "We can only grow as a nation and as a fighting force by learning from our history. Ultimately, the strength of our maritime team is in our diversity - diversity of background, of experience, and of thought - which ensures our ability to out-think, outpace, and out-maneuver our adversaries." Sgt. Maj. Canley passed away in Bend, Oregon on May 11, 2022, but his legacy will live on through USS John L. Canley, serving as an inspiration to all who follow behind her wake. "It is imperative that future generations see themselves in our sea services - that they see a man from Caledonia, Arkansas grow up to become a war hero - or a woman from Rochester, New York become the first female Chief of Naval Operations - or an immigrant from Cuba become Secretary of the Navy," said Secretary Del Toro. "As the world's problems grow increasingly more complex and stability more uncertain, we need to tap into American's most precious resourceit's peopleto solve the issues of the future." Read Secretary Del Toro's full remarks online. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban Refuse to Attend UN Conference on Afghanistan By Sarah Zaman February 17, 2024 The Afghan Taliban have decided not to participate in a U.N.-sponsored conference on Afghanistan in Qatar's capital Doha. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will host a two-day gathering beginning Sunday in Doha, where member states and special envoys to Afghanistan will discuss engagement with the Taliban. In a statement issued Saturday evening on social media platform X, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a delegation would attend only if the Taliban were accepted as the single official representative of Afghanistan. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified to the U.N. that if the Islamic Emirate is to participate as the sole official representative of Afghanistan ... then participation would be beneficial. Else, ineffectual participation by the Emirate due to non-progress in this area was deemed unbeneficial," the ministry said. The Taliban use the term Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, or IEA, for their administration. The United Nations has invited Afghan civil society members, as well as groups opposed to the Taliban, to meet with special envoys for Afghanistan. "There will be a meeting with the Taliban, but there will also be a meeting of envoys with civil society, including women's groups, because it's important that the voices of Afghan women be heard very loud and clear," Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general said in the daily press briefing Friday. His remarks came prior to the Taliban's refusal to attend. Expressing opposition to the inclusion of non-Taliban voices, the foreign ministry said it was possible to achieve progress in talks "if the U.N. takes stock of current realities, rebuffs influence and pressure of a few parties." The statement released just hours before the conference begins put an end to days of confusion about whether the de facto rulers of Afghanistan would attend. Earlier, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's office had quoted him telling the Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov that de facto rulers had "shared our views on the possible participation." "If there is an opportunity for high-level meaningful consultations between IEA and [the] U.N. regarding all issues of Afghanistan, and the IEA is able to duly fulfill its responsibility as the representative of Afghanistan, then the Doha meeting would be a good opportunity." Doha conference The conference in Doha is the second U.N.-led international dialogue on Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021 after the end of a 20-year war with the U.S. and its allies. While the Taliban were not invited to the first global assembly in May 2023, the U.N. was seeking the group's presence this time. "An important aspect of the event is the intention to provide the opportunity for the special envoys to meet collectively with Afghan stakeholders, including representatives of the de facto authorities and Afghan civil society participants, including women," Dujarric told VOA earlier this week. Along with discussing how the international community should engage with the Taliban and addressing the plight of Afghan women and girls who are barred from studying and working the conference is expected to discuss the appointment of a special U.N. envoy for Afghanistan. The Taliban oppose such an appointment. Recognition issue Despite controlling Afghanistan for more than two years, the Taliban have failed in their bid for official recognition. The U.N. has refused to grant the group Afghanistan's seat at the world body. While many countries have embassies in Kabul and foreign officials engage regularly with Taliban representatives, only China has accepted an Afghan ambassador and sent its envoy to Kabul. However, Beijing insists it has not officially recognized the Taliban government. The international community demands that to be recognized, the Taliban must form an inclusive government and lift the ban on women's education and work. The Taliban foreign ministry statement issued Saturday rejected efforts to push the group to soften its stance. "If repetition of failed 20-year experimentation is discarded, and a realistic and pragmatic approach is adopted over unilateral impositions, accusations and pressurization, then progress can also be made in bilateral relations with other parties." VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this story. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Somalia Says Ethiopia Tried to Block Its President From AU Summit By Mohamed Olad Hassan February 17, 2024 Somalia has condemned what it calls "a provocative attempt by the Ethiopian government," claiming that Ethiopian security forces tried to block Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud from accessing the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, a government statement said Saturday. "The Federal Republic of Somalia strongly condemns the provocative attempt by the Ethiopian government to obstruct the delegation of the Somali President from attending the 2024 African Union Summit in Addis Ababa," said the statement released by the Somali National News Agency SONNA. "This action breaches all diplomatic and international protocols and, most critically, the established traditions of the African Union. This behavior adds to the growing list of erratic actions by the Ethiopian government in recent times," said the statement. Ethiopia hosts the African Union headquarters, and Mohamud leading a delegation from the Somalia government went there to attend the AU summit at a time when both countries already are at odds over a controversial maritime pact between Ethiopia and Somaliland. "Given that Ethiopia hosts the African Union headquarters, its leadership and government have an obligation to treat all African leaders equally," the Somali government statement said. "Hosting the AU is both an honor and a privilege for Ethiopia; however, if its government fails to uphold this honor and responsibility with the necessary decorum, it may be necessary for the African Union to reevaluate the location of its headquarters," the statement added. Mogadishu described the incident as "outrageous conduct" and called for a full investigation by the pan-African body. "While we denounce Ethiopia's unwarranted action, we also call upon the AU to urgently conduct a credible and independent investigation to this outrageous conduct in line with the protocols of the union," the statement said. "This morning when I prepared myself to come and attend the closed session of the summit, the Ethiopian security blocked my way," Mohamud told reporters, after later gaining entry to the venue for the meeting. He said he had tried again with another head of state, Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, but they were also blocked from the AU headquarters, a claim challenged by Ethiopia. "A soldier with a gun stood in front of us and denied us access to this facility," he said. Agence France-Presse has reported that Ethiopia insisted Mohamud was warmly welcomed and said the Somali delegation was blocked when its security detail tried to enter a venue with weapons. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's spokeswoman, Billene Seyoum, told AFP that Ethiopia had "warmly welcomed" Mohamud and accorded him the full honors of visiting heads of state and governments to the summit. She said the Somali delegation had declined the security offered by Ethiopia and tried to enter a venue with their weapons. "As host country, the government of Ethiopia is responsible for the security of all heads of state and government while in the country," Seyoum said. "The Somali delegation security attempted to enter the AUC [African Union Commission] premises with weapons, which was blocked off by AUC security." Somalia has accused Ethiopia of violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity over the January 1 memorandum of understanding with Somaliland that declared independence in 1991 in a move not recognized by the international community. Under the maritime deal, Somaliland agreed to lease 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of its coast for 50 years to Ethiopia, which wants to set up a naval base and a commercial port on the coast. In return, Somaliland a former British protectorate has said Ethiopia would give it formal recognition, assertions not confirmed by Addis Ababa. Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa and one of the largest landlocked nations in the world, was cut off from the coast after Eritrea seceded and declared independence in 1993 following a three-decade-long war. Addis Ababa had maintained access to a port in Eritrea until the two countries went to war in 1998-2000, and since then, Ethiopia has sent most of its sea trade through Djibouti. While Somaliland is largely stable, Somalia has witnessed decades of civil war and a bloody Islamist insurgency by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militant group. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indonesia's Prabowo Likely to Keep Close Ties With China By Peh Hong Lim February 17, 2024 Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, once a fierce critic of China, has emerged as the likely winner of Indonesia's presidential election. His presumed victory, analysts say, is unlikely to lead to any major shifts in the Southeast Asian nation's relations with Beijing. However, concerns about work safety and environmental pollution linked to Chinese investments, as well as Beijing's claims in the South China Sea, could test the stability of the relationship. While President Joko Widodo was in office, China became Indonesia's largest trading partner, tapping into its rich resources. Jokowi, as he is often called, has urged China to bring even more capital to Indonesia, which has become a key participant in its Belt and Road Initiative. Beijing has invested billions supporting major infrastructure construction in Indonesia, including the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway, which opened in October, and Cirata, Southeast Asia's largest floating solar power project, which went completely online last year. "I don't think there will be a dramatic change in relations with China," Faisal Nurdin Idris, a lecturer at the department of international relations at UIN Jakarta, told VOA Mandarin Service. "Jokowi has built a strong relationship economically with China." During his previous run for president in 2019, Prabowo tried to turn Jokowi's warm relations with China against him, seizing on public anger against Beijing with suggestions that Chinese workers were stealing local jobs. But in more recent speeches, Prabowo has expressed a desire to have good relations with the U.S. and China at the same time. Speaking at a forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta in November, he noted that Washington played a historic role in pressuring the Netherlands to recognize Indonesian sovereignty in the 1940s and praised China's economic accomplishments. Despite their benefits to development, China's investments in Indonesia have also come with controversy. Teuku Rezasyah, associate professor in international relations at Padjadjaran University, said Indonesia has previously reported several accidents at Chinese-owned factories and environmental pollution incidents that have raised dissatisfaction among locals. He said this is a problem that Prabowo must carefully consider before taking office. Otherwise, even if the government welcomes Chinese investment with open arms, it may cause local environmental and social problems, and improper handling could trigger anti-China sentiment. "Some Chinese investment came too quickly to Indonesia. Often, it was a political decision," Teuku said. "Demonstrations came in Morowali because the people found that the investment would not benefit them." At the end of last year, an explosion occurred at one of the Chinese-financed nickel processing plants in Indonesia's Morowali Industrial Park and killed 21 people. The incident became the third fatal event at a Chinese-owned nickel smelter in Central Sulawesi that year, and hundreds of Indonesian workers protested at the factory. Police this week named two Chinese citizens as suspects. Prabowo is aware of the problems at some investment projects, and he has from now until he is sworn in in late October to come up with solutions, Teuku said. In addition to Chinese investment, how Prabowo will handle the sovereignty issues between Indonesia and China in the future will also be key to watch. Like several of its Southeast Asian neighbors, Indonesia disputes China's claim to most of the South China Sea, including part of Indonesia's internationally recognized exclusive economic zone. However, the dispute has not involved confrontations such as those between the Philippines or Vietnam and China. Yohanes Sulaiman, associate professor in international relations at Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani, Cimahi, Indonesia, said that if Beijing continues its military expansion in the South China Sea, Prabowo may respond aggressively. "His response will depend on what China does," he said. "If China is using water guns and water cannons like it did in the Philippines, you can expect an equally forceful response from Indonesia, unlike Joko Widodo. If there are too many controversies, then you can expect, above all, that we are kind of escalating." Faisal Nurdin Idris believes that Prabowo may first discuss South China Sea issues with other ASEAN countries that also have sovereignty disputes with China in hopes that the countries can take a united stand against Beijing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines provokes with 'combined tactics' while China voices for restraint over S.China Sea Global Times By Wang Qi Published: Feb 18, 2024 06:55 PM The Philippines once again provoked China over disputes in the South China Sea on the last day of the Chinese New Year holidays. While attempting to illegally intrude into waters near China's Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) under the pretext of "sending supplies" to fishermen, Manila also groundlessly smeared Beijing for using cyanide to destroy the fishing area. Chinese experts said Sunday that the Philippines is trying to create more waves among international public opinion to press China through its "combined tactics," but it could not cover up its real purpose of fabricating lies and taking China's islands and reefs as its own. The Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday accused China Coast Guard (CCG) ships of "dangerous" maneuvers as the CCG has blocked a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen near China's Huangyan Dao, according to an AFP report. According to AFP, their journalists and reporters from other media were on board the Philippines' BRP Datu Tamblot for the three-day round trip. Also on Saturday, BFAR said that Chinese fisherfolk have been using "the deadly chemical compound cyanide" to prevent Filipino fishing boats from fishing in the area by damaging the waters near Huangyan Dao. Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that the latest move suggests that the Philippines is trying more "combined tactics" to provoke and resist China's law enforcement in Chinese territorial waters. "This is not the first time that the Philippines has brought journalists from Western media to intrude into China's territorial waters, with the purpose of creating a greater impact in international public opinion and put more pressure on China," Chen said. "These media reports were basically in accordance with the Philippine official preference or guidance, which distorted China's legitimate and proper actions." In the narrative of an AFP report, Beijing's professional operation to safeguard its sovereignty becomes "harassment" to "prevent Filipino fishermen from reaching a lagoon where fish are more plentiful." The Philippines was suggesting that China is interfering with the livelihoods of its fishermen, but the fact is that there were no meteorological disasters and the fishermen were not facing humanitarian problems, and there are almost no other countries where fishermen rely on the government for supplies, Chen said. The Philippines's real purpose is to break into the lagoon of Huangyan Dao, and further take actual control of the Chinese island, he said. Once the Philippine vessel enters the lagoon of Huangyan Dao, it will further escalate tensions, which could lead to a repeat of the incident in 2012, Chen said, noting that the CCG's operation is a control and preventive measure to avoid escalating the situation. The fabricated use of cyanide is another untenable lie, analysts said. Cyanide is a very toxic chemical, and once used, Chinese fishermen will also have no fish to catch, said Chen, noting that Manila's real purpose of making such a lie is to lay the groundwork for a possible environmental lawsuit in the South China Sea filed by the Philippines in the future, which is also part of the combined tactics. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday stated China's stance on South China Sea disputes during his speech at the Munich Security Conference 2024. He said the South China Sea islands have always been China's territory, but in the 1960s and 1970s, some neighboring countries occupied some islands and reefs of China's Nansha Islands, resulting in the existing disputes. "China has exercised restraint and proposed that issues should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, rather than the willful use of force like some major powers," said the top Chinese diplomat. The channels for dialogue and consultation between China and the Philippines are unimpeded, said Chen, "as long as there is sufficient sincerity and willingness, especially for the Manila side, it is realistic and has a solid foundation for the two sides to manage differences through dialogue." Meanwhile, the expert noted that the Philippine coast guard has close and deep ties with US forces, which means a possible disagreement between Manila's foreign affairs authorities and their coast guard. Although channels to manage differences remain open, whether these are effective largely depends on policy coordination between domestic departments in the Philippines. But now it seems that the Marcos government has less control over the various branches of government than under the Duterte government, Chen said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway assists in scheme for crucial financial transfers from Israel to Palestine Government of Norway Press release | Date: 18/02/2024 Norway is facilitating an arrangement that will enable the Palestinian Authority to receive clearance revenues that Israel collects on its behalf. In the wake of the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7 October, the situation between the parties has been deadlocked. The temporary scheme will play a crucial role in preventing the Palestinian Authority from collapsing financially. 'With our assistance to this solution, the Palestinian Authority will be able to pay salaries, thus making it possible to continue to provide essential services to the Palestinian population, keep schools open, and ensure that health workers are paid. This is critical to promoting stability in the region and for the Palestinian Authority to have legitimacy among its people,' said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre. The Palestinian Authority's economic situation has become even more precarious since 7 October. There have been reports of an imminent financial collapse. One of the reasons is that Israel has withheld some of the clearance revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, due to the war in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority has refused to accept all transfers unless Israel changes its decision. The impasse has gone on for several months. 'Norway has worked closely with Israeli and Palestinian officials for many weeks to help resolve this issue. Together we have agreed on a temporary solution in which Norway will serve as an intermediary for holding the portions of the clearance revenues taxe that Israel has withheld since 7 October. The Palestinian Authority is then willing to accept the other funds. The Palestinian Authority has welcomed this arrangement and appreciates the effort to find a temporary solution in this extraordinary situation. I am pleased Norway can assist the parties in this way,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. The technical aspects of administering the funds have been agreed between Norway and Israel and were devised with the Palestinian Authority's full understanding and support. The portion of the revenues that Israel will transfer to Norway will remain in a Norwegian account until the parties agree whether Norway may release the funds to the Palestinian Authority. As chair of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), the international donor group for Palestine, Norway is working with the Palestinian Authority as well as other donors and partners in the effort to reform and strengthen Palestinian institutions. 'Ensuring that the Palestinian Authority does not collapse and can provide essential services to the population is vital to safeguarding the very existence of the Authority, promoting a political process and realising a future two-state solution,' said Mr Eide. Facts about Palestinian customs and tax revenues Under the Paris Protocol (a 1994 agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization), Israel collects Palestinian clearance revenues on behalf of the Palestinian Authority and transfers the funds to the Authority. These revenues account for about 65 % of the Palestinian Authority's income. After 7 October, the Israeli Security Cabinet decided that part of the Palestinian clearance revenues would not be transferred to the Palestinian Authority in order to prevent payments to Hamas. The Palestinian Authority has responded by opposing all transfers from Israel unless Israel changes its decision. The situation has therefore been deadlocked in recent months. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah pounds several Israeli regime targets IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has carried out several military operations against Zionist regime targets. According to Beirut-based Al Mayadeen news network, Hezbollah conducted attacks on a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the al-Baghdadi base with missiles in northern occupied Palestine on Sunday. In another statement, Hezbollah announced that its forces targeted Zionists in the settlement of Shomera and the northern al-Tihat area of occupied Palestine with appropriate weapons. Hezbollah also said in a later statement that its fighters targeted a building where Israeli soldiers were stationed in the settlement of Yir'on. According to Al Jazeera, two missiles were fired from southern Lebanon towards the "Zabdin" barracks in the occupied Shebaa Farms as well. The official Lebanese news agency meanwhile reported that Israeli fighter jets attacked a house in the "Yaroun" district, but there were no casualties. Hezbollah and the Israeli regime have been trading near daily cross-border fire since the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and the ground offensive began in October. Hezbollah says its operations are meant to support Gaza's resistance. 3266**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran: Afghan security a shared regional issue IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's special envoy to Afghanistan Hassan Kazemi-Qomi has stressed that Afghan security and a process which can ensure security, stability and welfare for the Afghan people is a common issue for regional countries. Writing on his personal account on X on Sunday, the Iranian envoy said he and his counterparts from China, Pakistan and Russia had met in Doha, Qatar earlier in the day. He noted that the regional contact committee is a very important and influential process, also underlining that the Afghan security and a process which can ensure security, stability and welfare for the Afghan people is a shared issue for these countries. In an earlier meeting with Suhail Shaheen, the head of Taliban's Political Office in Qatar, Qomi stressed that defending the interests of the Afghan people, regardless of the politics, is the foundation of Tehran's diplomacy. A two-day meeting on Afghanistan's situation hosted by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres opened in Doha on Sunday. Special envoys to Afghanistan were present at the meeting, but no Taliban representative was in attendance. 9341**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Settlers scared of Hezbollah attacks: Local Israeli official IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The head of Margaliot settlement in northern Israeli-occupied territories has acknowledged that Israeli settlers hide behind walls out of fears of missile and drone attacks by Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement. According to Al Ahed news website, Israeli sources say the situation is turbulent in the northern occupied territories of Palestine as a result of the Lebanese resistance's retaliatory strikes. Eitan Davidi, head of the council of Margaliot settlement, told Israel's Channel 13 that settlers residing in this settlement cannot normally commute due to the chaotic situation. He underlined that settlers themselves manage the municipal responsibilities in the Margaliot, and there is no presence of the cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the northern areas. Israel makes all-out efforts to avoid full-scale war with Lebanon, he claimed, urging the cabinet in Tel Aviv to pave the ground for the safe return of settlers to their settlements. However, some Israeli media outlets reported that Hezbollah succeeded in creating a security belt in the northern occupied territories, which caused the abandonment of settlements in these areas. Haaretz newspaper reported that the war in the northern Palestinian land has not stopped, and the eruption of a full-scale confrontation is possible. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen to hit any target available to its forces: Envoy IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The ambassador for Yemen's National Salvation Government in Tehran Ebrahim Al-Dailami has said that the Arab country will hit any target within its reach in response to the US and UK aggression on Yemen. In an exclusive interview with IRNA published on Sunday, Dailami said that when Yemen sees oppression against the Palestinians it cannot be indifferent because of its moral, human and religious responsibilities . Our role in this time is not limited to military or security operations, the people of Yemen hold rallies every week in support of the Palestinians, and the Yemeni government has approved the law of banning the imports of US and Israeli goods into Yemen, he added. The diplomat termed the Yemeni army a powerful force, adding that the Yemen's navy has high capabilities in dealing with threats. Dailami said the Yemeni people and Yemeni military have gained great experiences during 8 years of fighting the Saudi-US aggression on the country, adding that Yemen is primarily a maritime country and the length of its coast reaches over 2,500 kilometers, making it strong in terms of naval power. He emphasized that militarization of the Red Sea by US and UK forces is not in the interest of European countries, saying that the Yemenis will increase the anti-Israel operations to pressure the Zionist regime to stop its aggression on Gaza. This diplomat warned all the countries about the consequences of having relations with the Zionist regime, adding that Israel is an aggressive and oppressive regime that targets the entire Arab and Islamic nation. 6125**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen warns US, UK warned against spreading conflict IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Ali al-Qahoum, a top official of Yemen's ruling Ansarullah movement has warned the United States and Britain that their aggression on the Arab country can spread the regional conflict further. According to Al-Mayadeen, Qahoum pointed to what he called the insistence of the US and the UK on their continued aggression, a reference to recent aerial attacks launched on the Yemeni soil. Washington and London and already been deplored for misusing a UN security council resolution 2722 that was approved to protect the Red Sea not to launch strikes on any country. The Yemeni army has for long accused the United States and some of its western allies of trying to protect Israel's maritime interest while maintaining silence on the regime's genocide in the Gaza Strip. The Yemeni army, in support of the resistance of the Palestinian nation has targeted several Israeli ships or ships bound for the occupied territories in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. It has vowed to keep attacking those ships unless the Zionist regime stops its deadly aggression against the Palestinians and ends its blockade on the Gaza Strip. The Yemeni army has repeatedly said that all ships except Israelis are free to said through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Recently, the Yemeni armed forces have also targeted American and British vessels in the Red Sea in response to the two countries' strikes on Yemen in breach of its sovereignty. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel targets southern Lebanon with drone IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli military has carried out yet another attack on southern Lebanon using a drone amid growing tensions between the Zionist regime and Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement. According to the Palestinian news agency Shehab, a Zionist drone fired 2 missiles at al-Tarsh neighborhood, located in the southwest of Mays al-Jabal town in southern Lebanon in the arly hours of Sunday. There were no immediate reports of possible casualties or damage. The attack took place just hours after Hezbollah announced retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli targets in the occupied Palestinian territories. "Resistance fighters, in support of the Palestinian nation in the Gaza Strip, their courageous and honorable resistance, targeted the Samaqah base in the occupied Shabaa farm with missile", a Hezbollah statement confirmed. In another statement, the movement announced targeting the Dahira base with several missiles. Hezbollah had vowed to retaliate after Israel targeted residential areas last week, killing and injuring a number of civilians. Over the past four months, with the onset of Israel's bloodshed and genocide in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon's Hezbollah has targeted the regime's military positions in the north of the occupied territories, killing a number of Zionist soldiers and forcing thousands of settlers to leave the areas 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Enormous challenges to distribute aid in Gaza: UN IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 New York, IRNA -- An official working for of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations announced that providing aid to the people of Gaza faces major challenges due to various reasons, including the limited number aid trucks entering the strip. "Currently, there is only one route through Rafah from Egypt, and it is not enough to meet the needs of the Palestinians in Gaza," IRNA correspondent quoted Abdul Hakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa as saying on Saturday. He added that there is a very complicated process to deliver food [to Gaza] because of the limited clearance despite trucks are lined up at the border crossing. The FAO official also highlighted "enormous challenges" the UN food agency has been facing with limited aid trucks entering and moving inside Gaza. "Northern Gaza is still difficult to access and distribution there is not available due to the lack of infrastructure and proper warehouses where food can be stored", Elwaer pointed. The human rights groups and UN agencies have also repeatedly warned that incessant Israeli bombing and shilling of Gaza hamper aid delivery or even does not allow medics to reach the people in need of help. Since the onset of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, the regime's warplanes and artillery have targeted and destroyed critical infrastructures there turning residential buildings, warehouse, schools, religious places into the rubble. The Zionist regime launched its war on the pretext of a surprise operation called "Al-Aqsa Storm" by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas over the regime's decades of brutalities against the Palestinian nation. The Gaza Ministry of Health announced on Saturday that the number of martyrs in Gaza since the beginning of the Israeli war has reached 28 thousand 858 while the number of wounded has reached 68 thousand 677 people. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More die as Israeli warplanes keep pounding Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- 10 more Palestinians are martyred on Saturday night in the Israeli bombing of areas in the center and south of the Gaza Strip. According to Palestine news agency Sama, three Palestinians were killed after the regime's warplanes hit an apartment building in the central city of Deir al-Balah. Seven Palestinians, including three children and a woman, were martyred in a separate bombing of an area north of Rafah, located in southern Gaza, where according to the United Nations, almost 1.5 million Palestinians have taken refuge. Reports say that Israeli jets earlier also pounded the Yabna camp in Rafah. Earlier on Saturday, Palestinian sources announced that 66 Palestinians lost their lives and dozens injured in the attacks on the south and center of the Gaza Strip. Rafah and another southern city Khan Yunis have become focal points of Israeli attacks in recent weeks amid the regime's threats that it will launch an all-out ground assault on Rafah. Several countries, including Israel's key allies have warned of grave consequences of any ground assault on Rafah. Meanwhile, the Gaza health ministry announced that the overall death toll from the Israel onslaught since October 7 is now closer to 28,900. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AU leaders condemn Israeli attacks on Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- African Union leaders in their meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday slammed the Israeli regime for its ongoing massacre of Palestinians and demanded an immediate end to the war on the besieged Gaza Strip. During their speeches, African leaders, including Moussa Faki, the head of the African Union Commission, and Ghazali Osmani, the president of the Comoros and the former head of the African Union, called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, according to the TART news website. "We strongly condemn the brutal Israeli attacks on the people of Gaza, which are unprecedented in the history of mankind", Faki emphasized while announcing the solidarity of the African Union countries with the Palestinian people. Osmani, in his speech to the bloc leaders, while praising South Africa's genocide complaint against the Zionist regime in the International Court of Justice, expressed sorrow over the brutalities the people of Gaza continue to face. "Unfortunately, the Israeli army keeps committing crimes and genocide in Gaza before our eyes," he warned. Emphasizing that the international community cannot close its eyes to the crimes being committed in Gaza, Osmani noted that these crimes will disastrous consequences even for the rest of the world. During the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government, President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ghazouani, was elected as the new chairman of the bloc for 2024. African leaders have overwhelmingly stood firmly behind Palestinians and their cause since the creation of the Zionist regime in Occupied Palestine. They have also openly censured the regime for spilling the blood of innocent and defenseless Palestinians in the Gaza Strip for over the last four months. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister's Office-Finance Ministry Joint Announcement Israel - Prime Minister's Office The 37th Government 18.02.2024 Agreement was reached regarding the return of the residents of the Western Negev and Sderot, at a meeting between area council heads and the Finance Minister, the Finance Ministry Director General, the Prime Minister's Office Director General and the Director General of the Tekuma Authority. At a meeting at the Finance Ministry, agreement was reached on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's outline for the return of the residents of Sderot and the communities of the Western Negev. According to the timetable that will be approved with the IDF, the return will be possible as of 1 March 2024. Those who choose to remain in hotels will be able to stay there until 7 July 2024. Under the outline, acclimation grants will be provided, for example: Individual - NIS 15,480 Couple - Approximately NIS 30,960 Couple + child - NIS 38,700 Couple + two children - Approximately NIS 46,400 It was agreed that under the grant outline, the level would be determined according to the date of return and the needs stemming from the length of the acclimation period. A detailed decision will be submitted for Government approval forthwith. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by PM Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister's Office The 37th Government 18.02.2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening: "By comparing Israel's war in Gaza against Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization, to the Holocaust, President da Silva has disgraced the memory of the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis and demonized the Jewish state like the most virulent anti-Semite. He should be ashamed of himself. " NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister's Office Announcement Israel - Prime Minister's Office The 37th Government 18.02.2024 The Israeli Government has unanimously approved a declaratory decision regarding Israel's opposition to international diktats. The text of the final statement: 1. Israel utterly rejects international diktats regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians. A settlement, if it is to be reached, will come about solely through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions. 2. Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Such recognition in the wake of the October 7th massacre would be a massive and unprecedented reward to terrorism and would prevent any future peace settlement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S.-led airstrikes hit Houthi targets after reported fresh attack on ship in Red Sea People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:03, February 18, 2024 SANAA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Warplanes of the U.S.-British coalition launched multiple airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Friday, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. The strikes targeted Houthi camps in three districts, including the northern districts of Al-Zuhrah and Alluheyah, and Bait al-Faqih district, to the south of the port city, said the television without providing details on any casualties. Earlier in the day, a British maritime security agency reported a new missile attack on a commercial vessel near Yemen's port city of Hodeidah, the second attack in less than 24 hours. "The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency received a report of an incident in the vicinity of 70 nautical miles north west of al-Mukha (south of Yemen's Hodeidah port city). The master reports the vessel was attacked by a missile and reports an explosion in close proximity," the UKMTO said in a statement on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "The military authorities are responding," it said, noting that the vessel and crew were reported safe. On Thursday, the Houthis also launched a missile attack on what they described as a British commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden. The Houthi group has vowed to continue launching missile attacks on Israel-linked vessels, as well as U.S. and British ships, in a move to show its solidarity with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) fighting Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip since last October. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address France, Jordan call for two-state solution to Gaza conflict People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:09, February 18, 2024 PARIS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron and King Abdullah II of Jordan on Friday called for a two-state solution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. "The only viable solution to meet the security needs of the Israeli people and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people is the effective implementation of the two-state solution," Macron said at a joint press conference in Paris with King Abdullah II. "The recognition of a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France," Macron said. "We owe it to the Palestinians, whose aspirations have been trampled for too long. We owe it to the Israelis, who have lived through the greatest anti-Semitic massacre of our century. We owe it to a region that aspires to escape promoters of chaos and sowers of revenge." Macron insisted that an Israeli military offensive at Rafah would result in "an unprecedented humanitarian disaster and would be a turning point" for the conflicts in Gaza. "I share the fears of Jordan and Egypt of a forced and massive displacement of the population. This would be another serious violation of international law and a major risk of regional escalation," he said, reiterating that the absolute priority is "to obtain an agreement on a ceasefire" in Gaza. Meanwhile, King Abdullah II said the two countries are working together to "put an end to this war and to deal with this humanitarian catastrophe." "We need to find a political solution that leads to peace, based on the creation of two states. This is the only way to guarantee peace and security for the Palestinians, for Israel, and for the region," he underlined. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two-state solution for lasting peace highlighted in Munich People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:41, February 18, 2024 MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Top international organizations and government officials called for a permanent settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the ongoing 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC), saying that only the two-state solution can make the region achieve lasting security. Addressing the conference at its opening ceremony on Friday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for peace and better global order, highlighting the two-state solution to the crisis. He said that the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and a humanitarian ceasefire are the only way to massively scale up aid delivery in Gaza, and thus will lay the foundation for concrete and irreversible steps towards a two-state solution. Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, expressed strong concern over the humanitarian situation and the wider consequences for the region. He emphasized the need to lower regional tensions and promote international efforts towards a two-state solution. During a meeting here with Guterres, Borrell also underlined the need for increased EU cooperation with the UN in striving towards a two-state solution. In his address at the conference, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also supported the two-state solution, saying that is the key for both Israel and Palestine to get out of the conflict and have a peaceful future. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said at a penal discussion that eventually, there has to be a permanent fix, a long-term fix to the conflict, otherwise "we're going to see a recurrence." "India has long believed in a two-state solution. We have maintained that position for many decades. And I think today many more countries in the world feel that not just the two-state solution is necessary, but it is more urgent than it was before," he said. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told the audience at the MSC that he was firmly convinced that the only pathway towards security and stability for everyone in the region is through a Palestinian state. Addressing a panel discussion on the Middle East situation, Faisal said that the greater the consensus in the international community on the two-state solution, the closer the world will get to it. "We agree that the two-state solution is the right solution. And it's now time to put all of our efforts into making that happen," he stressed, adding that "we cannot hold the future of our region, the future of our generations hostage to politics or ideology, and we must push to move forward." Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said at the panel discussion that part of the reasons behind the failure of talks on the two-state solution in the past was the lack of political will. "I think we are totally committed and convinced that this is the only solution, a viable solution that can bring the region out of this cycle of violence and create normal conditions for everyone to prosper and to live in peace," he said. Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that what's happening now represents "a wake-up call" that the situation was not sustainable and "we need to step up and to look at a better future for the people in the region." The two-state solution guarantees an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jailed former Thai PM Thaksin released on parole People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:40, February 18, 2024 BANGKOK, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole on Sunday, six months after his return to the country from self-exile. Xinhua reporters observed that a car carrying Thaksin leaving a police hospital in Bangkok at 6:06 a.m. local time on Sunday, where he received medical treatment and served six months of his one-year prison sentence. According to the country's Justice Ministry, the 74-year-old former prime minister is among the 930 inmates approved for parole this month. He is eligible for parole as he is over 70 years old and suffers from a serious illness. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran lauds African Union statement, says it helps end Israeli onslaught on Gaza Strip Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 10:10 PM Iran has hailed a recent statement issued by the African Union (AU), which called for an end to the Israeli regime's military aggression and crimes against the Palestinian people in the besieged Gaza Strip. The statement was issued at the 37th African Union Summit in Ethiopia's capital city of Addis Ababa on Saturday, with AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki strongly condemning the Israeli savagery and indiscriminate attacks on Gaza. "Rest assured, we strongly condemn these attacks that are unprecedented in the history of mankind," Faki said. "We want to reassure you of our solidarity with the people of Palestine," he added, while accusing Israel of having "exterminated" Gaza's inhabitants. Speaking on Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani voiced the country's "categorical support" for the statement. "The Islamic Republic of Iran declares its categorical support for the contents of this statement, which show commitment of the Union, as well as African leaders and nations to valuable humanitarian ideals regarding Palestine," Kan'ani said. He added that Iran has no doubt that continued adoption of such principled and humane positions by the African states, as well as "many other countries and nations around the world in support of the oppressed Palestinian nation will tighten the grip on the Zionist warmongers and criminals, and their supporters." The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman emphasized that such stances will also "pave the way for the cessation of the [Israeli] onslaught on Gaza and the [occupied] West Bank, and will alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people." His comments came on the 135th day of the Israeli regime's all-out military aggression against Gaza. Close to 29,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have lost their lives so far during Israel's genocidal war, which began following Operation al-Aqsa Storm by Gaza-based resistance movements. Earlier on Sunday, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas similarly praised the AU's statement, saying, "We hope it would translate into practical steps from all friendly African countries in a way that contributes to stopping the aggression and war of extermination against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip." Hamas also called for severance of all relations with the regime and establishment of an independent Palestinian state. "We call for severing of all ties with the criminal Zionist entity, and supporting the struggle of our Palestinian people until they achieve their legitimate national rights, most notably the establishment of the Palestinian State" with al-Quds as its capital, Hamas stated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas lauds African Union statement, calls for cutting ties with Israel Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 6:53 PM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has praised a recent statement by the African Union (AU) that calls for an immediate end to Israel's savage hostilities in the besieged Gaza Strip. The statement was issued in the 37th African Union Summit in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, on Saturday, with the AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki condemning the Israeli aggression as "unprecedented in the history of mankind." Hamas said the AU statement called "for an end to the aggression against our people, the policy of collective punishment, the crime of genocide, the lifting of the siege, and compliance with the decisions of the International Court of Justice regarding the Gaza Strip." Praising the summit held on the 134th day of the Israeli campaign, Hamas said, "We hope it will translate into practical steps from all friendly African countries in a way that contributes to stopping the aggression and war of extermination against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip." The Gaza-based resistance movement also demanded the severance of relations with Israel and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. "We call for severing of all ties with the criminal Zionist entity, and supporting the struggle of our Palestinian people until they achieve their legitimate national rights, most notably the establishment of the Palestinian State with Jerusalem [al-Quds] as its capital," Hamas stated. Israel ignited its bloody war machine on October 7 after Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out a historic operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. So far, the occupying regime has killed over 28,800 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured about 70,000 others. The Tel Aviv regime has imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Brazil's president: Israel committing 'genocide' against Palestinians Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 5:05 PM Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has condemned Israel's brutal war in the Gaza Strip, saying the occupying regime is committing "genocide" against Palestinians in the besieged territory, while comparing Tel Aviv's atrocities to Adolf Hitler's actions against Jews. Lula made the remarks during a collective interview in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa on Sunday, where he was attending an African Union summit. "What's happening in the Gaza Strip isn't a war, it's a genocide," Lula said, adding, "It's not a war of soldiers against soldiers. It's a war between a highly prepared army and women and children." "What's happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people hasn't happened at any other moment in history. Actually, it has happened: when Hitler decided to kill the Jews," he said. Lula further criticized the United States' decision to suspend contributions to the United Nations Agency for Assistance to Palestine Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA) after Israel alleged that some of the agency's staff had participated in the resistance group's attack in early October last year. "What is the size of the solidarity heart of those people who are not selling that in the Gaza Strip, there is not a war, but a genocide?", Lula said. "Oh, there is something wrong with an institution that collects money, hurry up, it's wrong. But do not suspend humanitarian aid for people who have been trying to build their state for many decades," he added. Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has reacted to Lula's harsh comments, saying he will summon Brazil's ambassador for a reprimand over the Brazilian president's criticism of Israel's conduct in Gaza. "No would will compromise Israel's right to defend itself," Katz said in a post on X, adding that Brazil's envoy would be summoned on Monday. Israel waged the brutal war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out a historic operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. So far, the occupying regime has killed nearly 29,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured about 70,000 others. The Tel Aviv regime has imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Main hospital in Gaza's Khan Younis no longer functioning after a weeks-long Israeli siege Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 4:38 PM The Gaza Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) say the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza's Khan Younis is no longer functioning after a weeks-long siege and repeated raids by Israeli forces. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said on Sunday that the Israeli military had blocked the organization's access to the hospital since Friday. The WHO team was to assess the conditions of the patients and critical medical needs. Tedros is warning about the loss of life at the hospital, which he says is now housing some 200 patients. These include at least 20 people with an urgent need for referral to other hospitals. "There are still about 200 patients in the hospital. At least 20 need to be urgently referred to other hospitals to receive health care; medical referral is every patient's right," he said in a post on X, adding that "the cost of delays will be paid by patients' lives." Gaza's Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra Ashraf al-Qudra also said on Sunday that "there are only four medical staffers currently caring for patients" inside the hospital. Al-Qudra earlier said Israel's military forces had turned the hospital in southern Gaza into a military barracks. The spokesman noted that Israeli forces also detained a large number of medical staff inside the hospital. The Israeli forces placed medical personnel for long hours in the maternity building while they were handcuffed, beat them and stripped them of their clothes. "The Israeli forces arrested the intensive care doctor, and there is no doctor to follow up on critical cases," the spokesman said He also said that the Israeli forces arrested dozens of patients who could not move while they were on treatment beds. They were placed on army beds, placed in trucks, and taken to an unknown destination, putting their lives in danger. Electricity has been cut off from Nasser Medical Complex for 3 days, which has led to the cessation of oxygen for patients. The cessation of oxygen has led to the death of 7 patients so far, and we fear the death of dozens of serious cases. Three women, including a doctor, gave birth in Nasser Medical Complex in unsafe and compelling circumstances, lacking water, food, electricity, and hygiene. In the past few days, Israeli soldiers had raided the hospital, where displaced Palestinians were also sheltering. Regime forces raided the facility on Thursday. On Friday, an aid convoy led by the United Nations was detained for seven hours and prevented from reaching the hospital. Meanwhile, al-Amal Hospital, the only other major medical facility still operational in Khan Younis, continues to be a target of Israeli attacks. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Sunday said Israeli forces targeted the third floor of the hospital with artillery fire. Healthcare situation in Gaza is beyond critical: IFRC chief Meanwhile, Jagan Chapagain, the secretary-general and CEO of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said that the healthcare situation in Gaza is beyond critical and the gap between needs and support available is widening. He also said that due to the situation, many vulnerable people are lacking essential medical services. "Civilian population in Gaza have suffered enough, and healthcare stands as one of the last remaining beacons of hope," Chapagain said on X. He added: "I remind all parties that the right to access healthcare must be upheld even in times of conflict. Once again, I call for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian workers so they can continue their life-saving work." The Israeli military has expanded its siege on Khan Younis and its medical facilities as it pushed further south into Rafah on the border with Egypt. A collection of organizations, including local NGOs working with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), say that the expansion of Israeli military ground operations in Rafah risks cutting the lifeline of humanitarian assistance to displaced Palestinians. In a statement on X, the agency's partners said that in collaboration with the World Kitchen, they had managed to provide 1,700 people in the Nuseirat camp with hot meals but warned that "there is not enough food" for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israeli raids have killed nearly 130 people in Gaza since Saturday. Nearly 29,000 Palestinians have been killed and about one and a half million displaced in the Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip since October 7. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghanistan's security shared concern of regional countries: Iran envoy Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 3:39 PM The Afghan people's security, stability and welfare are the matters of concern shared by the countries in the region, says a senior Iranian official. Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the Iranian president's special envoy on Afghanistan affairs, made the comment in a post on X on Sunday, following a meeting with his Russian, Chinese and Pakistani counterparts Zamir Kabulov, Yue Xiaoyong and Asif Ali Khan Durrani, respectively, in the Qatari capital, Doha. Kazemi Qomi said the regional contact committee has played a principally effective role in the developments pertaining to Afghanistan's security and stability. A two-day UN-convened meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan started in Doha on February 18 to discuss Resolution 2679, which has to do with a "commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hosts the Doha session on Afghanistan, which marks the second such UN-organized gathering in less than a year. Taliban leaders are not attending the meeting as they were not invited to the session of May 2023. In a Sunday meeting with Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Taliban political office in Doha, Kazemi Qomi said defending the people of Afghanistan is a centerpiece to Tehran's diplomacy. He said the peoples of the two neighboring countries have cooperated in various fields, not least religion and culture. In another post on Saturday, the Iranian envoy said he held "explicit but very constructive" talks with the Special Representative of the European Union for Afghanistan (EUSE), Tomas Niklasson. "If Europe wants to help the Afghan people, it should not take humanitarian aid as hostage for its regional relations," Kazemi Qomi told the European diplomat. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni forces will hit any US, UK target within firing range: Envoy Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 11:25 AM The Yemeni ambassador to Iran says his country's armed forces will strike any American and British targets "within firing range" in response to their recent acts of aggression on Yemen's soil. Ibrahim Mohammad al-Deilami made the statement in remarks published by IRNA on Sunday while elaborating on Yemen's naval operations against Israeli shipping in the Red Sea in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as the occupying regime's war on the besieged territory has entered its fifth month. The military operations by the Yemeni Armed Forces and the popular Ansarullah resistance movement have caused serious economic losses for Israel, prompting the United States and the UK to launch strikes on Yemeni provinces in response to Yemen's pro-Palestine operations. "The actions of the Yemeni people and army are a natural response in line with supporting the oppressed and preventing oppression as this is the position of every person who has a high sense of responsibility and it is not appropriate for the Arab and Muslim people to be indifferent in this matter and not take any action," Deilami said He noted, "We believe that the Zionist regime cannot bear more losses as the losses in the economic, military and moral levels have weakened the regime." "Yemen has duties to continue to fulfill our duties in support of the Palestinian people until the end of the aggression and lifting of the blockade imposed on the Palestinian people." The ambassador pointed to Yemen's repeated stance that the US and UK aggression will not go unanswered, saying, "The operations that we are conducting with all our might against the goals and interests of the US and Britain in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea are part of these responses. Now we are engaged in an all-out conflict with them we will strike every enemy target within firing range." Deilami censured the militarization of the Red Sea by the US and UK and said the move was "not in the interest of European countries." He added, "Many EU countries do not agree with the US policies as shipping companies active in the export of goods in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea know that only Israeli ships or ships going to occupied territories are targeted." Yemen's Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a video statement on Saturday that the country's naval units had targeted with missiles a British oil tanker in the Red Sea in retaliation for the recent US-UK aggression against Yemen. Praising the attack as a "triumph" for Palestinians, Saree underscored the continuation of military operations in the Red and Arabian Seas against Israeli shipping until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted. The Yemeni Armed Forces also fired missiles at a British ship passing through the Gulf of Aden on Thursday and scored a "direct hit" in their latest operation in solidarity with the Palestinians. Yemen's armed forces have been targeting Israeli ships and those bound for Israeli ports since November in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza which has been subject to five months of ferocious airstrikes and a ground invasion. More than 28,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and over 68,000 others injured since the Israeli regime launched its US-backed onslaught on Gaza on October 7, 2023. The Yemeni operations have prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, which normally carries about 12 percent of global maritime trade. The Yemeni army says only Israeli, US and British ships are targeted, stating that other countries can rest assured of the safety of their cargoes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Feb. 17: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 10:27 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 29,000 Palestinians so far, including at least 12,000 children, 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 Saturday, February 17, are as follows: Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades' operations on Feb. 17: Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli soldiers and their vehicles using machine guns and anti-tank shells in a combat axis in the center of Khan Younis city. Seized Israeli military equipment after engaging in clashes with them in a house west of Khan Younis city. In a joint operation with the Saraya Al-Quds bombed a command and control position of the enemy army in the center of Khan Younis with 120mm mortar shells. Bombarded the Israeli army's gatherings and equipment in the northern Gaza sector with 120mm mortar shells. Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces at the advance axes in Khan Younis city with various weapons and RPG shells. Targeted an Israeli military quadcopter drone and seized it in the Beit Hanoun axis. Bombed the gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their machinery with 60mm standard mortar shells east of the Beit Hanoun axis. Bombed the city of Asqalan and the "Zikim" military site with a barrage of KN-103 rockets. In a joint operation with the National Resistance Brigades, launched a barrage of rockets at the Israeli military supply line in the southern axis of Gaza City. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Feb. 17: Targeted Israeli forces east of Khan Younis city with several short-range rockets. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Feb. 17: Shelled positions of Israeli soldiers and vehicles in various fronts of Khan Younis city with a barrage of mortar shells. Saraya Al-Quds' operations on Feb. 17: Bombed the gatherings of Israeli soldiers and vehicles in the city of Khan Younis with a barrage of mortar shells. Al-Asifah Forces' operations on Feb. 17: Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles using machine guns and anti-tank shells in central, western and southern parts of Khan Younis city. In a joint operation with Saraya Al-Quds, bombed gatherings of enemy soldiers and vehicles in the northern Gaza Strip with a barrage of mortar shells. Hezbollah's operations on Feb. 17: Targeted the Branit base with Falaq-1 rockets, resulting in direct hits. Targeted the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site of the Israeli military in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with rockets, resulting in direct hits. Targeted the Al-Samaqa site of the Israeli military in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with rockets, resulting in direct hits. Targeted an Israeli soldiers' gathering in the vicinity of the Al-Dahira site with rockets, resulting in direct hits. Targeted Israeli military's spy equipment at the Birkat Risha site with appropriate weapons, resulting in direct hits. Targeted the Ramia site with appropriate weapons, resulting in direct hits. Yemeni military's operations on Feb. 17: Targeted the British oil tanker "Pollux" in the Red Sea with a significant number of anti-ship missiles, achieving accurate and direct hits. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Algeria pushes for UNSC resolution on Gaza truce; US vows to veto it Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 9:23 AM Algeria requested the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to vote on a draft resolution that demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, a move the United States - a council veto power - has pledged to veto. According to diplomatic sources quoted by media, the 15-member body is likely to vote on Tuesday on the resolution sought by Algeria demanding an "immediate" truce in Gaza. Algeria put forward an initial draft resolution more than two weeks ago. The draft resolution rejects "the forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population" and demands "all parties to comply with international law" and calls for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip. It also calls for the full implementation of the provisional measures announced by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in late January, in the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel. US vows to veto UNSC resolution However, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield issued a statement on Saturday saying that the current draft of the UNSC resolution "will not be adopted." "The United States does not support action on this draft resolution. Should it come up for a vote as drafted, it will not be adopted," Thomas-Greenfield said. Thomas-Greenfield claimed that the text could jeopardize "sensitive negotiations" aimed at brokering a pause in the war. Her comments come as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that a new deal "does not appear very close." Talks between the US, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar are on to seek a pause in the war and the release of captives held by Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in Gaza. A UN Security Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, China, or Russia, to be adopted. Washington traditionally shields its ally Israel from UN action and has already twice vetoed council action since October 7 after Israel unleashed the war on the besieged territory, killing close to 29,000 Palestinians as intense bombardment from air, land, and sea continues. The administration of US president Joe Biden is reportedly preparing to send "tens of millions of dollars" worth of bombs and weapons to Israel in continuation of Washington's untrammeled support for the occupying regime's months-long war on Gaza, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The report said the remaining weapons are enough to sustain 19 weeks of bombing Gaza but that would shrink to days if Tel Aviv also launches a full assault on Lebanon, from which the regime has come under harsh retaliatory attack by the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah. Israel also plans to storm Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than 1 million displaced Palestinians have sought refuge, prompting international concern that such a move would sharply worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "The situation in Gaza is an appalling indictment of the deadlock in global relations," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Munich Security Conference on Friday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli military, intelligence bodies admit Hamas will survive onslaught on Gaza Strip Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 9:04 AM Israeli military and intelligence institutions have warned the regime's top-ranking authorities that the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement will survive the unrelenting ground and air strikes against the besieged Gaza Strip. A document circulated from Israeli military leaders to senior politicians states that "authentic support remains" for Hamas among Gazans, according to a report published by the Hebrew-language Keshet 12 television channel. The document, put together by the Israeli army's research division, also warned that "Gaza will become an area in deep crisis", given the lack of plan for the "day after" war. The document was reportedly presented on Monday to leading Israeli officials following a week of senior military and intelligence talks about the findings, Keshet 12 noted. Ilana Dayan, an investigative journalist at the broadcaster, said that the "bottom line" of the document was that the Hamas movement would inevitably survive Israel's offensive. The report comes as Israel prepares a ground offensive on Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah. The UN special rapporteur on Palestine has slammed Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's pledge to push on with the assault. "Rafah stands as the last line of Palestinian existence in Gaza, amidst the relentless anguish faced by the people trapped therein," Francesa Albanese wrote on X. "How can we possibly allow another Nakba? Have we really lost our minds?" According to diplomatic sources quoted by the AFP news agency, the UN Security Council is set to put to vote a new resolution put forth by Algeria that demands an "immediate" truce in Gaza. The latest version of the text "demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire that must be respected by all parties", the agency said. It also "rejects forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population", and it "demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages", AFP reported. Earlier, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield issued a statement responding to reports that Algeria plans to put the resolution to a vote on Tuesday. "Should it come up for a vote as drafted, it will not be adopted," Thomas-Greenfield said. The US has previously used its veto to prevent the UN Security Council from passing resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Meanwhile, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has reiterated his country's "categorical rejection of the displacement of Palestinians to Egypt in any shape or form". During a phone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, the two leaders agreed on the need to "stop the bloodshed" in the Gaza Strip and discussed advancing the establishment of an independent sovereign Palestinian state, a statement by the Egyptian presidency read. Israel has been waging the war against Gaza since October 7, 2023, when the coastal sliver's resistance groups staged an operation, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupied territories. Nearly 29,000 Palestinians, mostly women, children, and adolescents, have been killed so far as a result of the brutal military onslaught. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu is 'still playing games' on Gaza truce talks: Hamas official Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 7:11 AM A senior Hamas official says Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "still playing games" on negotiations aimed at hammering out a ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian resistance group and the occupying regime in the Gaza Strip. Osama Hamdan, a Lebanon-based Hamas official, made the remarks on Saturday, two days after Netanyahu refused to send a delegation to the Egyptian capital Cairo for talks on a potential deal with Hamas. "The main point of disagreement is Netanyahu and his games," Hamdan told Qatar-based Al Jazeera television network. "He is trying not to have any arrangements or agreements. That is clear." He further noted that Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh had expressed a "positive position" towards the truce discussions and "willingness" to achieve a Gaza ceasefire. Israel waged a genocidal war on besieged Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. However, more than four months into the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve its objectives of "destroying Hamas" and finding Israeli captives despite killing 28,858 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 68,667 others. Israel says 130 captives remain in Gaza not all of them alive after 105 civilians were released during a week-long humanitarian ceasefire in late November. Netanyahu has come under pressure to resign over his handling of the aggression against Gaza and his failure to secure the release of all Israeli captives. Israelis hold anti-regime protests Also on Saturday, thousands of Israeli protesters called for Netanyahu's removal from power, early elections and the release of captives in Tel Aviv, al-Quds, Haifa, Be'er Sheva and Caesarea. In Tel Aviv, the demonstrators broke through a human barrier of policemen, sparking a confrontation. At the city's so-called Hostages Square, multiple speakers cesured Netanyahu's decision not to send a delegation to Cairo. They also chanted "shame, shame, shame," at Netanyahu's cabinet. In al-Quds, the rally began outside the residence of Israeli president Isaac Herzog and continued on to Netanyahu's official residence. "What right do the prime minister and the war cabinet have to not send a representative to Cairo?" asked Rubi Chen, the father of Itay Chen, an Israeli soldier who is held captive in Gaza. Ron Besin, who was displaced following Hamas' October 7 operation, addressed Netanyahu, saying, "As long as you are prime minister, we have no hope, no chance to restore the border communities." "We're calling from here to dissolve this bad government and go to elections now," Besin added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US-UK airstrikes on Yemen will only complicate regional crisis: Ansarullah Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 6:24 AM Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement has strongly condemned the United States and Britain over repeated airstrikes on positions in the Arab country, cautioning against further escalation of conflict in the West Asia region. Ali al-Qahoum, a member of Ansarullah's political bureau, said on Saturday night that the insistence of Washington and London to press ahead with their acts of aggression against Yemen at the behest of the Tel Aviv regime will inevitably boomerang on themselves, and will definitely fan the flames of the regional crisis. The remarks came as US and UK forces had launched a new wave of attacks against Yemen, whose Armed Forces have been targeting Israeli interests in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians, earlier in the day. Yemen's official Saba news agency, citing a security source speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that three aerial assaults struck the al-Katheeb neighborhood in the strategic Red Sea port city of Hudaydah, while another targeted the al-Taif coastal area in the Durayhimi district. A US-British airstrike hit targets in the al-Jah area of the Bayt al-Faqih district as well. Moreover, the United States and the United Kingdom carried out an airstrike against a major oil export terminal in Yemen's Hudaydah province. An unnamed security source said the attack hit the Port of Ras Isa. No further details were immediately available. The United States and Britain have been carrying out such strikes on Yemen since Washington and its allies offered the Tel Aviv regime unqualified support and said Yemeni forces bear the consequences of attacks against Israeli-owned ships or merchant vessels heading to the occupied territories. Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. The Yemeni Armed Forces have said they won't stop retaliatory strikes. The maritime attacks have forced some of the world's biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel turns Gaza hospital into 'military base': Health ministry Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 3:24 AM Amid the ongoing genocidal Israeli war against the Gaza Strip, the regime's forces have reportedly turned the largest functioning hospital in the coastal sliver into a "military base." "Occupation forces detained a large number of medical staff members inside Nasser Medical Complex, which they (the forces) turned into a military base," Gaza's health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said on Saturday. The troops raided the hospital, which is located in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, on Thursday, attacking hundreds of displaced Palestinians, who were seeking shelter inside the facility from the ravages of the Israeli military campaign. The Israeli military has claimed that it was hunting for Palestinian fighters inside the hospital, and had so far arrested 100 suspects. The military has been using the claim to attack and lay sieges on Gaza's hospitals ever since October 7, 2023, when it began the war against the territory in response to an operation staged by its resistance movements. Nearly 29,000 Palestinians, mostly women, children, and adolescents, have died so far as a result of the brutal military onslaught. Also on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to carry out a ground invasion against the nearby southern Gaza city of Rafah, which is packed with hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees. Netanyahu said critics calling for the regime not to mount military action against the city were effectively telling Tel Aviv to "lose the war." Last week, Netanyahu ordered the Israeli military to evacuate civilians from Rafah ahead of a planned ground operation. The city has come to host some 1.5 million Palestinians, who have fled there from the warfare. Aid organizations say Rafah's evacuation will be nearly impossible, given the scale of devastation elsewhere in Gaza and the huge number of people who have been trapped in the besieged area. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address International Envoys Discuss Afghan Engagement In Doha; Taliban Rejects Invite By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi February 18, 2024 Special envoys from more than two dozen countries gathered in the Qatari capital to discuss the "evolving situation" in Afghanistan and possible international engagement since the Taliban's takeover of the country in mid-2021, organizers of the UN-led event said on February 18. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held closed-door sessions with the representatives of several nations and organizations on the first day of the two-day meetings in Doha sponsored by the UN's Department of Political Affairs and Peacebuilding (DPPA). No details of the meetings were immediately released. Organizers said participants from 25 countries and groups would include those from "Afghanistan, the wider region, and beyond." "Other regional organizations working actively on Afghanistan such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization" would be there, a statement said. The DPPA said the "de facto authorities" from Afghanistan had been invited, but the Taliban's Foreign Ministry on February 17 said that due to the nonacceptance of its demands, it did not consider participation in the Doha meeting to be fruitful, expressing anger over the planned appearance of non-Taliban Afghan representatives at the sessions. The Taliban has long had a representative office in Qatar. Reports in the Afghan media said Lotfollah Najafizadeh on behalf of civil activists and Mahbubeh Siraj, Mitra Mehran, and Shah Gul Rezaee representing Afghan women's rights groups were participating. The DPPA said the current session would "take place in the context of Security Council resolution 2721 (2023), which encourages member states to consider increasing international engagement in the country, with the objective of a 'clear end state of an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbors, fully reintegrated into the international community, and meeting international obligations.'" In an interview with RFE/RL, Nicholas Kay, a former British diplomat and NATO representative in Afghanistan, said he is not optimistic about the situation in the war-torn country as its Taliban leaders continue to restrict rights and freedoms, especially for females. Kay, NATO's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan in 2018-20, said he sees little potential for change in Afghanistan in the near future with the Taliban holding a tight grip on society. "I think it's tough days ahead for Afghans, unfortunately," he told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi ahead the Doha sessions. "I wish I could be more optimistic," he said. The gathering is the second such meeting organized by the UN in the past year following a session in May 2023. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-doha- envoys/32824546.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former Envoy Gives Pessimistic Assessment Of Taliban As Crucial UN Meeting Opens By Mustafa Sarwar February 18, 2024 A former British diplomat and NATO representative in Afghanistan says he is not optimistic about the situation in the war-torn country as its Taliban leaders continue to restrict rights and freedoms, especially for females. In an interview with RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, Sir Nicholas Kay, NATO's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan between 2018 and 2020, said he saw little potential for change in Afghanistan in the near future with the Taliban holding a tight grip on society. "I think it's tough days ahead for Afghans, unfortunately," he told Radio Azadi ahead of a major UN meeting on Afghanistan that began in Doha on February 18. "I wish I could be more optimistic." Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, the extremist Islamist group has banned education and work for women in most sectors. Afghans have lost most fundamental rights and many face Taliban retribution and oppression. The country's aid-dependent economy has shrunk dramatically as natural disasters, climate change, and forced returns of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries have worsened the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Kay says that reforming or diluting the Taliban's hard-line policies will be "a long, hard process," because the group is committed to its ideology and way of governing. "I don't see any immediate openings in terms of granting more human rights, civil and political rights to Afghans," he said. Kay, however, said he didn't expect the international community to abandon the country, with continued aid likely to flow to alleviate the suffering of Afghans. "It is nobody's interest to see the Afghan state collapse and its institutions collapse," he said. "So, a degree of cooperation and support will continue." International diplomacy concerning Afghanistan is intensifying. The United Nations has invited the Taliban to the two-day international conference on Afghanistan that began in the Qatari capital, Doha, on February 18. Hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, special envoys of member states and regional organizations will discuss international engagement with the Taliban and the potential appointment of a UN special envoy tasked with promoting reconciliation among Afghans. Kay said that if the meeting achieves consensus over appointing a UN special envoy, it will be "good progress." However, the Taliban government is staunchly opposed to the appointment of a high-profile UN envoy. It argues that the UN presence under Roza Otunbaeva, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Afghanistan, who heads the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), is enough. "A lot will depend on whether the Taliban attend the meeting in Doha," Kay said. The Taliban claims that its internationally unrecognized government has restored peace by establishing a central authority, thus there's no need for an inclusive government. Meanwhile, Kay said he saw the Taliban as being "an awful long way" from accepting that its government is not inclusive and that its treatment of girls and women "is a crime against humanity" and "a form of gender apartheid." "As long as that persists, then I fail to see that there will be a normalization of relations between the international community and the Taliban." Written by Abubakar Siddique based on reporting by Mustafa Sarwar Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-kay- interview-taliban-doha/32824771.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Munich, Strong Rhetoric And Lack Of Action, With Bad News In Between By Rikard Jozwiak February 18, 2024 MUNICH, Germany-- If the Munich Security Conference last year felt optimistic, with Ukraine not only capable of resisting Russia's full-scale invasion of the country but also pushing back, with budding hopes that the summer offensive of 2023 would be a roaring success, this year's event in the Bavarian capital felt like the polar opposite. Taking place over the weekend of February 16-18, the conference, often billed as the world's leading forum for debating international security policy, was supposed to bask in the glory of its 60th edition. Instead, it seemed as if the bad news never stopped. All the talk leading up to the event was about a recent comment by Donald Trump, the front-runner for the U.S. Republican presidential nomination, who questioned defending NATO allies who failed to spend enough on defense from a potential Russian invasion. This, combined with the inability of the U.S. House Representatives to pass a $60 billion Ukraine aid package and instead go into recess till the end of the month, made people at the conference loudly question whether Washington was still committed to both Ukraine and transatlantic relations in general. But this was just the start. More And More Bad News During the same weekend, Ukraine announced the strategic withdrawal of its troops from Avdiyivka, a city it had defended from Russian attacks for months. And then, on the first day of the gathering, news emerged that Russia's foremost opposition politician, Aleksei Navalny, had died in a Siberian prison. The Kremlin opponent's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, was present in Munich. Just hours after the news broke, she took the main stage at the conference and, in the most poignant moment of the entire weekend, laid the blame on the Russian president: "[Vladimir] Putin and everyone around him, his friends and the government, to know that they will be held accountable for what they did to our country, to my family and my husband," before adding "that day will come soon." From then on, it felt that most of the panel discussions, roundtables, and chit-chat in the corridors of the venue really circled around the two persons who weren't present: Putin and Trump. So it was left to the people actually present in Germany to put on a brave face, starting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who noted dryly with a not-so-subtle hint at the U.S. Congress that "dictators don't go on vacation." Possibly aiming at those who want Kyiv to negotiate with Moscow, he added, "Don't ask Ukraine when the war is over; ask yourselves why Putin can continue." He then outlined a number of things that the West could do to help Ukraine -- most of which won't be delivered any time soon. Take, for example, Western sanctions on the Russian nuclear industry, which Zelenskiy said he hoped for. While the EU is poised to impose more sanctions on the Kremlin in the coming days, it will be a rather symbolic package without hitting Russian economic sectors. Or take the confiscation of frozen Russian assets in the West, which he also alluded to. While work is under way in the EU to use some of the proceeds of those frozen funds to help Ukraine, it is unlikely to move much beyond that. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, whose country holds the majority of Russian assets in the bloc, told the Munich crowd that his country cannot "do it on its own" and that a G7 framework was necessary. An EU official told me afterwards that there wasn't much appetite in the group of leading industrial nations for this now. Zelenskiy was asked about Ukrainian NATO membership, with the military alliance holding a key summit in July in Washington, but even he admitted that not all members were ready to extend such an invitation -- something that Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in a separate discussion hammered home matter-of-factly: "As long as war is raging, Ukraine cannot become a member of NATO. We cannot overpromise." Instead, Kyiv will focus on signing so-called "security pacts" with key Western allies, which essentially means assurances of a steady stream of arms in the future. Zelenskiy came to Munich directly after inking such deals in both Berlin and Paris. A Ukrainian official told me that pacts with France and Germany were worth billions, but they will be "staggered," meaning that they won't cover the immediate military aid Kyiv is craving right now. When German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was asked if Germany was ready to provide Ukraine with the long-range Taurus cruise missile, he was simply noncommittal, saying that the "right moment was needed." Eying Across the Atlantic So what about the specter of a Trump presidency next year? Zelenskiy simply responded that he would take him to the front lines and show that the war was real. Rutte berated the crowd, arguing that "we should stop moaning and whining about Trump" and that "we have to work with whoever is on the dance floor," while EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell simply noted that "I am happy underneath the American (security) umbrella, but the umbrella might not be open all the time." The crowd of U.S. politicians in Bavaria, especially Democrats, were understandably less enthusiastic about a return of Trump. Hillary Clinton, who was defeated by him in the 2016 presidential race, warned at a side event organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation to take Trump "literally and seriously" and continued, "He will be an absolute authoritarian leader if given the chance to be so." U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, with his recent NATO comments clearly in mind, noted: "Imagine we went easy on Putin, let alone encouraged him. History offered a clue: if we stand by, they will keep going. And in the case of Putin that means all of Europe will be threatened." The problem appeared to be that while everyone seemed to agree that Russia might continue to attack other European countries in the near future if successful in Ukraine, concrete action on the ground tells a different story. Part of it seems to be that the general public in the West doesn't appear to take the threat from Moscow seriously. The Munich Security Report (perhaps aptly this year titled Lose-Lose?), published in the days before the conference, notes that the perceived threat from Russia has abated compared to last year, when respondents in five out of seven G7 countries saw the Kremlin as the No. 1 threat. This year it was only No. 2. Interestingly, German citizens now only see Russia as the seventh-greatest concern, and Italians see it as the 12th. The trick then by politicians, especially in Europe, is how to try to "sell" the need to help Ukraine to what appears to be an increasingly skeptical audience. It's Just Business And here, a new strategy may be emerging: use the war in Ukraine as a pure business opportunity. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke about the need to "expand the transatlantic industrial base" to refill arms stocks in the alliance and to send stuff to Ukraine, saying this would mean highly skilled jobs. Being in Munich, after all, he pointed to the building of a new high-tech production line in Bavaria to produce Patriot missiles as an obvious example. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was even more open in her sales pitch, saying that she, in early March, would propose a new military-industrial strategy for the bloc in which more money would be invested and joint procurement between European countries would be encouraged by offering "off-take agreements," meaning that there will be an advanced commitment to buy even if the product isn't ready yet. More importantly, she pointed out that "we want a return on our taxes" -- essentially saying that the good jobs must be in Europe, even though not necessarily provided by EU companies. She added that the move is fully aligned with NATO and that Ukraine will be integrated into the bloc's defense program. When I later asked an EU official why this is happening only now, two years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I got the sad but telling reply: "The truth is that Europeans didn't expect the war to last so long, maybe just a few weeks, so why build a factory? But now there is a sense that this is an opportunity." This also goes quite some way in explaining why Europe is struggling to provide Ukraine with ammunition now. The EU optimistically pledged in March last year to deliver 1 million 155mm artillery shells to the country in a year. Nearly 12 months later, the bloc has provided 524,000 rounds and now promises to reach 1.1 million by the end of this year instead. But there is more "EU spin" on the story, with one senior EU official briefing journalists off the record that there was a difference between donating and selling and that the abovementioned figure is just donating. And while some insisted that Europe had already provided Ukraine with its stocks and was currently "scraping the bottom of the barrel," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rather bluntly told conference-goers, "Sorry to say, but there is still ammunition in our stocks in Europe." That in itself is, however, not the end of the process, as various European countries have tinkered with standards in recent decades so that there isn't any uniform 155mm shell that fits the artillery -- perhaps most amusingly summed up by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who said that "politicians tick the box and get credit when there is agreement to send something to Ukraine but on the ground it becomes a massive technical problem to send the right ammo to the right cannon." And outside the merry diplomatic speed-dating at the Munich Security Conference, a Ukrainian official described the situation on the front line as absolutely dire, with the army shooting "with nothing," meaning less than 2,000 rounds per day compared to Russia's 10,000. The predicted result of this is losing more Ukrainian soldiers and eventually more territory. It was quite telling that Zelenskiy, when asked by the audience at the conference about the possibility of lowering the draft age from the current 27, elegantly dodged the question. And this was, in many ways, how the Munich Security Conference this year shaped up -- high in rhetoric but lacking in concrete news and outcomes. While everyone spoke affectionately and emotionally about the loss of Navalny, pointing the finger solidly at the Kremlin, quite a few leaders quickly dismissed the need to punish Russia with new sanctions over the event. At least some believed that his tragic fate would spur U.S. lawmakers into passing the Ukraine supplement -- with some optimistically suggesting a vote will soon reach the floor -- but only in March, after the recess, naturally. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/munich-blog- navalny-ukraine-bad-news/32824859.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthis Launch 3 Missiles Towards Danish Merchant Ship in Red Sea - CENTCOM Sputnik News 20240218 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Four anti-ship missiles were fired from areas controlled by the Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, in Yemen, with at least three of them targeting Danish merchant ship MT Pollux in the Red Sea, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Saturday. "Four anti-ship ballistic missiles launched from Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Red Sea. It is assessed that at least three of the missiles were launched towards commercial vessel MT Pollux, a Panamanian-flagged, Denmark-owned, Panamanian-registered vessel. There were no reported injuries or damage from MT Pollux or any other ship in the area," the command said in a statement. At the same time, US forces launched on Friday self-defense strikes against one anti-ship cruise missile and one mobile unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Yemeni waters, the statement added. "CENTCOM identified the mobile missile and USV in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined it presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region," the statement read. The Ansar Allah movement, 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, saying that they do not interfere with freedom of navigation in the region. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Another British ship targeted in Red Sea: Report IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 19, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- One more British ship has reportedly been come under attack in the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea. A UK-based maritime security firm, Ambrey, published the new incident in the Red Sea in the early hours of Monday but did not mention the details. There is also no claim of responsibility either from the Yemeni army or elsewhere in the region. The reported attack comes amid growing tensions over the joint aggression by the United States and Britain against Yemen. On Saturday, the spokesman for Yemen's armed forces confirmed targeting a British oil tanker off the country's west coast in the Red Sea. "A number of rockets were fired on the vessel and the target was appropriately hit", Yahya Saree told in a live broadcast. Saree also reiterated Yemen's pledge to keep targeting Israeli-owned vessels or any other ships heading to Israeli ports in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Yemeni army says its anti-Israeli operations will continue until the regime stops its attacks on Gaza and ends its blockade on the coastal strip. US-UK aggression Meanwhile, US Central Command in West Asia known as CENTCOM said on Sunday night that it targeted the areas controlled by Yemen's Ansarullah movement. CENTCOM'S website claimed that the US military carried out five attacks in "self-defense" on areas of Yemen and said three anti-ship cruise missiles and an unmanned submarine were hit. Repeated attacks on the Yemeni soil has sparked condemnation, with some countries calling the strikes a breach of UN Security resolution passed last month in order to the Red sea maritime. The Yemeni army has for long accused the United States and some of its western allies of trying to protect Israel's maritime interest while maintaining silence on the regime's genocide in the Gaza Strip. Yemen's armed forces have repeatedly emphasized that navigation in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea is free for other ships and they enjoy full security except those linked to the Israeli regime. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel to restrict Muslim access to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 19, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has reportedly agreed to a plan to put a curb on Palestinians entering into Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. The plan was presented by Minister of Internal Security of the Israeli regime Itamar Ben-Gvir and was approved by Netanyahu, Al Jazeera cited a news from the Zionist regime's Channel 13. The Netanyahu administration will make an official decision on this issue in the coming days, the broadcaster however claimed. The far-right extremist politician and a member of the coalition cabinet presented the controversial plan against Al-Aqsa Mosque despite warnings from Israel's internal spy agency; Shin Bet that such decision could cause more "dangerous" disruption than the eruption of tensions in East Jerusalem al-Quds. With less than a month before the arrival of Ramadan, the Zionist media revealed that Ben-Gvir asked Netanyahu's cabinet to allow only people over 70 years old living in the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds and the 1948 territories to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month. According to this plan, residents of other parts of the occupied West Bank cannot be able to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest site. Since the beginning of Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, the regime's forces have restricted Palestinian Muslims' access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, particularly on Fridays. Last Friday, despite Israeli restrictions, approximately 25,000 people were able to enter the mosque to perform Friday prayers for the first time in more than 4 months. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli occupation main problem of region: Jordan FM IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 19, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi on Sunday called the Israeli occupation the main problem of the region, adding that the Zionist regime is neither looking for the exchange of prisoners nor intending to end the war on the Gaza Strip. "Some people think that Hamas is a problem, while the occupation is the only and main problem of the region," the Al-Mayadeen network quoted Safadi as saying. Remarks from the top Jordanian diplomat followed an Israeli newspaper report that the agreement between the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas and Israel regarding the exchange of prisoners will be finalized before the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan. Several foreign diplomats who were present in the negotiations for the exchange of prisoners asked to remain anonymous, Haaretz reported, adding that the exchange of prisoners and the cessation of hostilities will take 6 weeks. These sources however told Haaretz that the Israeli regime prefers to buy time to reach an agreement before it can complete the military operation in Khan Yunis or perhaps extend it to Rafah, another southern city of Gaza. This is while the same newspaper quoted Zionist sources as saying that the two sides are still far from the main issues of the negotiations. Conflicting media reports came after the heads of US and Israeli spy agencies as well as Qatari and Egyptian representatives met in Cairo to resume discussions on a framework of proposal hammered out in the Paris meeting last month. The Cairo talks, however, ended inconclusively without a breakthrough. Hamas had previously disclosed details of the response to the proposals regarding the potential cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and the process of exchanging prisoners. On Saturday, Ismail Haniyeh, the political bureau chief of Hamas accused the Israeli regime of lacking a will to agree to a ceasefire deal. He said that the movement would not settle for anything less than a full cessation of Israeli aggression, the withdrawal of forces from Gaza and the lifting of the blockade on the territory. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Operation Iron Swords - Day 134 - 18 February 2024 Human suffering continues in the Gaza Strip due to the sharp decline in aid transit. Israeli obstacles and demonstrations organized by the families of Israeli prisoners have worsened the situation. Earlier, a leading source in the Hamas movement said, "Negotiations cannot be held while hunger is devouring the Palestinian people." The source added that Hamas intends to suspend negotiations with Israel until aid and relief enter the northern Gaza Strip. Religious messianism has been and continues to be an extremely powerful force in world history and that many of the external conflicts related to Jews and Israel can only be understood by appreciation of their messianic roots. Similarly, much antisemitism, and conversely love of Jews, have messianic underpinnings. "Iran, Hamas, the P.A., the Houthis and Hezbollah are united against Israel for religious, not political reasons. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is primarily religious, not political. Admittedly, the Palestinians and their supporters have successfully persuaded much of the world that this is a political conflict... The genocidal goals of fundamentalist Islam were first expressed in then-Palestine by the Mufti of Jerusalem Amin al-Husseini, who in 1920 organized the first Arab riots against Jewish immigration to British Mandatory Palestine.... As the Nazis spokesman to the Muslim world, Husseini was instrumental in organizing the planned genocide of the Palestinian Jews.... Iran and its proteges Hezbollah and the Houthis are seeking to bring about [the return from occultation of] the twelfth imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, [who] will remain hidden until the End of Days... Israels existence is a challenge to this messianic ideology." according to Dr. Arnold Slyper, author of the newly-released book The Struggle for Utopia: A History of Jewish, Christian and Islamic Messianism. The Jewish People Policy Institutes monthly Israeli Society Index shows that the Israeli public would clearly prioritize toppling Hamas over returning the hostages. If the choice were between ousting Hamas and returning the hostages, 47% of Israeli Jews would choose to oust Hamas, 25% to return the hostages. There is heated debate in Israel over which of the two goals takes precedence; the debate itself includes many tactical aspects about which decision makers do not necessarily agree (e.g., whether additional military pressure would increase or decrease the chances of returning the hostages, whether there would be a realistic chance of renewing the fighting after a lengthy pause for the sake of a hostage deal, and more). Only the secular are evenly divided between preferring the return of the hostages and preferring the ouster of Hamas. The strongest preference by far among Masortim (traditionalist), Datiim (religious), and Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews is the ouster of Hamas. Among Religious Zionist Party voters, two-thirds of these voters chose ousting Hamas, while a third chose cant answer. None chose the return of the hostages. Confidence that Israel will win the war has fallen since October by 20%; only slightly more than half of Jewish respondents are currently confident of victory. The share of Jews who place high trust in the government (very or somewhat high) dropped from 38% to 34% over the last month. Among Israeli Arabs, only 16% place high trust in the government. Most coalition supporters (66%) want elections at their scheduled time (in 2026), while more than half of opposition voters want elections to occur within the next three months (55%). A very significant rise in the share of Arab Israelis who feel that many or most Jewish Israelis are politically extremist (62%). Among secular Jews, the dominant sentiment regarding the ultra-Orthodox (Haredim), settlers, and religious Jews (Datiim) is anger. Ten percent express hatred toward Haredim and settlers. A major subset of traditionalist (Masorti), Religious (Dati), and Haredi Jews (about a quarter of the respondents) express feelings of anger and hatred toward Tel Avivim (the primarily secular and liberal residents of Tel Aviv). As expected, the opinions of Jews regarding Arab extremism are strongly influenced by political outlook and religiosity level. Among the secular, 35% feel that many Arabs are politically extreme, while 72% of Datiim and 88% of Haredim hold that view. Among those who vote for the Jewish opposition parties, 23% feel that many Arabs are extremist, but among those who vote for the Jewish coalition parties, the share is 74%. Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) Monthly Israeli Society Index, released January 15, 2024, founds Israelis and the American government are on a collision course. Only 5% of Jewish Israelis agreed with the American proposal: Palestinian Authority control in Gaza along with others. 44% of the Israeli public believes that Israel should open a second front against Hezbollah as soon as possible. 36% of Jews in Israel believe that Israeli control over the entire Gaza Strip should be established, and 26% support the reconstruction of the Gush Katif settlements. Initial data from the Jauary Monthly Israeli Society Index predicted a possible full-on clash between the majority of Israelis and the policy advanced by the U.S. administration. In the Gaza context, there is a noticeable gap compared to the American position; 36% of Israeli Jews believe that Israeli should take control of the entire territory, and 26% advocate reconstruction of the Gush Katif settlements. Only 5% (!) of Jews in Israel agree with the American proposal Palestinian Authority control in Gaza. The survey indicates that a significant percentage of Israeli Jews (44%) believe that Israel should open a second front against Hezbollah as soon as possible. This contrasts with the governments attempts to prevent a wider confrontation with Hezbollah (the Arab position is different:44% of Israeli Arabs prefer an internationally supported agreement to resolve the crisis in the north). 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. Internal Israeli disputes regarding the position on the entry of Muslim worshipers from the occupied West Bank into the Holy Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan have come to light. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said, "The police proposed deploying a permanent force in Al-Aqsa Mosque Square during the month of Ramadan, with the aim of immediately dealing with what it described as 'incitement campaigns', or raising the flags of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ). The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that the proposal was not accepted by the Israeli Internal Security Agency ( Shin Bet ), which recommended that worshipers enter without restrictions, for fear of escalation in occupied East Jerusalem . This comes after the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, called for a complete ban on the entry of Palestinians from the West Bank into the Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan, while Arab citizens are allowed to enter starting at the age of 70. On the other hand, the police position indicates allowing entry to the Jewish community starting at the age of 60, and from the age of 45 for Arab citizens. The Shin Bets position indicates that entry is allowed from the age of 45, with no restrictions on Arab citizens. Israeli media reported that the security establishment warned that Ben Gvir's policy would lead to provoking sectors that are already under control. The Israeli government was scheduled to discuss the security policy for the entry of Palestinians from the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem into Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan. Israeli Channel 12 quoted sources yesterday as saying that a political battle was taking place behind the scenes before the security policy in this regard was discussed. A high-ranking Israeli source who participated in the discussion about restricting Palestinians access to the Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan said after the decision was taken, that the month of Ramadan could lead to an explosion. Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper quoted the source as saying: Ramadan could lead to an explosion. What Ben Gvir wants are crazy things that could set fire to the Judea and Samaria Strip (the Israeli name for the West Bank). He added: "There is a prime minister here who does not understand the magnitude of the event." Israeli Channel 13 revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the proposal of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to restrict the entry of Palestinians from inside and Jerusalem to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan. The channel added that it is expected that an official final decision will be taken in this regard within the next few days. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that the proposal was not accepted by the Israeli army and the Israeli Internal Security Service ( Shin Bet ), for fear of escalation in Jerusalem and the West Bank and the occurrence of unrest between Palestinians inside and the Israeli police. The Shin Bet and the army proposed allowing Palestinians aged 45 and over to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque, while the police proposed allowing only those over 60 years of age to enter. The broadcasting authority added that the police proposed deploying a permanent force in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan, with the aim of immediately dealing with what it described as "incitement campaigns", or raising the flags of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ). Military affairs correspondent for the Israeli Channel 12, Nir Dvori, quoted army commanders warning of the explosion of the situation in the West Bank, which is expected to reach its peak with the advent of the month of Ramadan, and that if this happens, it is possible to transfer forces from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank or re-call soldiers. Reserves who were discharged. Dafouri stressed the need to prevent the outbreak of violence that might result from what is happening in Al-Aqsa Mosque, pointing out that one of the reasons for the Hamas attack on October 7 was the violation of the sanctity of the holy places by Israeli officials, in reference to Ben Gvir entering Al-Aqsa Mosque. These warnings came after Ben Gvir called on Friday for a complete ban on the entry of Palestinians from the West Bank into Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. Since the beginning of the devastating Israeli war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, Israel has limited Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa Mosque - especially on Friday - in parallel with the escalation of incursions carried out by its forces in the West Bank. The specialist in Al-Aqsa Mosque affairs, Nasser Hadmi, said that the current reality in the region imposes a dangerous situation on the occupation, and there is more than one factor that can affect this, most importantly the decisions of the occupation government regarding the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and the city of Jerusalem in general. He added - in exclusive statements to Al Jazeera Net - that the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and everything related to it has become a major trigger for the situation in the region, and we should not forget that the Gaza war and the attack carried out by the occupation authorities today on the Gaza Strip was primarily caused by the attack on the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, so it was named this... The confrontation is the Al-Aqsa flood. He pointed out that there are security factors related to the fear of things erupting in the West Bank if its people, who used to come to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque every year, even in small numbers or large ages, are prevented, especially since it is currently boiling and extremely tense despite all the incursions carried out by the authorities. The occupation, which in turn increased the existing state of tension and explosion. He also pointed to political factors that the occupation authorities fear that the circle of conflict will expand significantly as a result of any wrong decision, as it becomes difficult for many Arab governments and regimes surrounding the occupying state to control their people, especially Jordan, which has custodianship of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and all the holy sites in the city. Jerusalem. Nasser Al-Hidmi did not ignore ideological factors, in the context, as in the occupation government today there are many hawks who cling to the ideology that Jews have the full right to be in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, just as Muslims do, and that the occupation government is the first and last controller of what is happening in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque. Therefore, we see that this ideology will push towards extremism. He added, "If we take into account that what Hamas did in the Al-Aqsa flood was for the sake of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, the occupation government claims that it was able to break Hamas' nose and that it is in control of matters. Therefore, it cannot submit to Hamas' conditions and threats, and this will increase the state of challenge before the authorities." Occupation". Nasser Hadmi explained the psychological factors of Ben Ghafir, who sees himself as the greatest protector of the rights of Jews in Al-Aqsa Mosque personally, and far from even ideology. He challenges the Palestinians in general and Hamas in particular, which is why he stormed Al-Aqsa as a minister in the occupying state, and caused many confrontations. . Hedmi concludes that all of these factors lead to the decision being very difficult, as there are fears on one side and ambitions on the other. I believe that the occupation authorities will be forced to take strict measures regarding prayer in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, which will push towards confrontation, and I am certain that the people of the West Bank and the people of the Palestinian interior will triumph for their mosque, and for their right to pray, which foretells very dangerous confrontations. Since the beginning of the devastating Israeli war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, Israel has greatly limited Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa Mosque in parallel with the escalation of incursions carried out by its forces in the West Bank. About 25,000 Palestinians performed Friday prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque the day before yesterday, which is the largest number of worshipers the mosque has witnessed since the beginning of the war. The Supreme Follow-up Committee for the Arab masses within the Green Line in Israel said, The restrictions on our Arab masses from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan are a declaration of Israeli war against us. The follow-up committee warned the Arab public of the Israeli war governments intention to accept the requests of the Arab settler minister, Itamar Ben Gvir (the Israeli Minister of National Security), to impose restrictions on the entry of Muslims from internal Palestinians and Palestinians from Jerusalem to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque during the blessed month of Ramadan, after... Imposing severe restrictions on the Palestinians of the West Bank, and of course banning the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip, in light of the ongoing war of genocide against our people. The committee added: The holy month of Ramadan is a month of worship and piety, but the racist mentality that dominates the Israeli government has made it a month of provocations, threats, oppression, and deprivation of freedom of worship for the people of the homeland, the holy sites, the first two Qiblahs, and the third of the Two Holy Mosques, stressing that these conditions requested by Ben Gvir, His Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approves of it, according to what is published in the media. It is a declaration of all-out war against us, and it is a prelude to the emptying of the Holy Mosque in order for the settlers to take control of Al-Aqsa Mosque in preparation for its demolition, according to what the settlers and extremists in general have sought over the years. Muhammad Baraka, head of the Supreme Follow-up Committee, told the Arab masses: This decision will never pass, neither here nor in the world. Attempts to empty Al-Aqsa will fail, and with them the plans of these people will fail, calling on the international community and the Arab and Islamic countries to work to stop this dangerous escalation alongside The war of genocide in Gaza. In response to the decision to prevent Muslim citizens from praying at Al-Aqsa during the month of Ramadan, Knesset Member Walid from Raim (Mansour Abbass party) said: Netanyahu has once again surrendered to Ben Gvir. This is another dangerous and racist decision that could add unnecessary fuel to the fire of violence. He added: The instigator Ben Gvir wants to set a fire in Jerusalem. Instead of putting an end to it and preserving the freedom of worship and prayer for Muslim citizens during the holy month of Ramadan, Netanyahu is cooperating with him, and I call on all the responsible parties in the government, led by Ministers Galant, Gantz, and Eisenkot, To move to cancel the shameful decision, the consequences of which may be difficult for all of us. War Termination Hamas threatened to suspend its participation in the ceasefire negotiations unless urgent aid was brought into the northern Gaza Strip, as relief agencies warned of a looming famine as Israel prepares to invade the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip with the aim of "destroying" Hamas. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said that the negotiations that took place during the past few days to reach a framework agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza are not very promising. Al Thani considered that reaching a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza should not be conditional on an agreement on the release of the hostages. He added during the Munich Security Conference, "This is the dilemma we have fallen into, and unfortunately many countries have misused it, which is that in order to reach a ceasefire, it is necessary to reach an agreement on the hostages. This should not be conditional." Al Thani said, "I think we can reach an agreement very soon. But the tone that prevailed in the past few days was really not very promising." Speaking in English, he added, "We will always remain optimistic and we will always maintain pressure." He continued, saying: "I cannot go into the details of the negotiations, but I believe that if we can address the humanitarian package within the agreement, we will be able to overcome the obstacles." The Prime Minister of Qatar stressed that "time is not on our side and the matter will be very dangerous for the entire region as the situation develops in Rafah." The Israeli Cabinet approved a statement rejecting any unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, amid reports the Biden administration is considering such a move. In light of remarks that have been heard recently in the international community about an attempt to unilaterally force a Palestinian state on Israel, today I submit for government approval a declarative decision on the issue. I am certain that it will receive very broad support, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the beginning of Sundays weekly Cabinet meeting. His office subsequently released the text of the statement: 1. Israel utterly rejects international diktats regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians. A settlement, if it is to be reached, will come about solely through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions. 2. Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Such recognition in the wake of the October 7th massacre would be a massive and unprecedented reward to terrorism and would prevent any future peace settlement. According to Ynet, Netanyahu coordinated the statement with War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz and Cabinet Minister Gideon Saar. Energy Minister Eli Cohen, who was foreign minister until last month, told Army Radio that if the price of expanding [the Abraham Accords] is a Palestinian state, then Ill give up on the peace agreements. "Israel must be secure. This means that Israel must be responsible for defending itself, and there cannot be a militarized Palestinian state. At the same time, if the normalization conversation with Saudi Arabia is to be achieved, there must be an over the horizon process that includes a vision for a demilitarized Palestinian state." US Ambassador Jack Lew said, addressing the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations annual mission in Jerusalem. Member of Knesset Benny Gantz, a key figure in Israels War Cabinet, the head of the National Unity party, and a former defense minister and IDF chief of staff, articulated a detailed strategy for Israels engagement with Gaza, focusing on achieving long-term peace and stability. In a pivotal address to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem, Gantz outlined a phased approach to resolving the situation. Gantzs strategy involves an immediate military victory over Hamas, recognized as a terrorist organization by Israel, the US, and the EU, followed by the establishment of a civilian administration in Gaza led by Palestinians not affiliated with the terrorist organization. This administration would be supported by an international coalition aimed at the regions development over the next decade. The Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, warned against dragging the Palestinians into what he called empty negotiations, in light of the talk about a future Palestinian state that was rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Earlier, the Israeli government unanimously approved a draft resolution not to recognize a unilateral Palestinian state, and Netanyahu said that Israel rejects international dictates related to this file. This came in the context of Netanyahu's response to what the United States and European countries announced that they were considering recognizing an independent Palestinian state, in a proactive step that would pave the way for the implementation of the two-state solution . Al-Barghouti asked - in his interview with the program Gaza... Whats next? Regarding the content of this future state, he warned against the model of the Oslo Accords , where he said, May God not let us enter this calamity again. He believed that Oslo's biggest sin was that it signed without stopping settlement. He added, "We will not be dragged into negotiations that are empty of substance and will not lead to results again." Regarding the Israeli governments refusal to recognize a unilateral Palestinian state, Barghouti wondered whether the American administration would take punitive measures against Israel and put pressure on it, or is the story of the Palestinian state an illusion to justify Israeli normalization with the Arab environment? Professor of political science at An-Najah University and expert on Israeli affairs, Dr. Raed Nairat, was not surprised by the rejection of the establishment of a Palestinian state by the Netanyahu government, who has repeatedly declared his rejection of this state, and confirmed in his book A Place Under the Sun that he does not recognize the existence of the Palestinian people as a culture and identity. Nairat pointed out that there was a state of marriage between right-wing thought and Zionism, which led to the rejection of the Palestinian presence, pointing out that there were statements that explicitly said that the solution was to displace, exile, or kill the Palestinians. Even the Palestinian National Authority, despite its weakness, the Israelis are not satisfied with it because it constitutes the title of sovereignty for the Palestinians. As for the former US State Department official, Dr. William Lawrence, he acknowledged that the administration of President Joe Biden is not putting enough pressure on the Israeli government, stressing that Netanyahus statements regarding the Palestinian state are not welcome to his country. In what was considered optimistic about a change in the Israeli position, the American guest said that Netanyahu announced in 2008 that he accepted the establishment of a Palestinian state despite declaring his rejection of it in his book. While stressing the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza , Lawrence believed that negotiations to establish a Palestinian state could be based on the Oslo model, which can be revived, saying that the Palestinians have the right to live in dignity, and that the presidents administration must press to achieve this. Regarding the proposal of Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to restrict the entry of Palestinians inside Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan, the programs guests unanimously agreed that this proposal - which Netanyahu approved, according to what was reported on Israeli Channel 13 - would lead to aggravation of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. The professor of political science at An-Najah University spoke about the Israeli policy towards the city of Jerusalem, where it is making attempts to Judaize and exploiting the post-October 7, 2023 situation in order to intensify its attempts. The head of the Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, stressed that the resistance will not accept anything less than a complete cessation of aggression, the occupations withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the lifting of the siege, and the provision of shelter for the displaced. Haniyeh added that the movement deals with the ongoing negotiations in a positive spirit and with high responsibility and will not neglect the sacrifices of the Palestinian people and the achievements of their resistance, holding the Israeli occupation responsible for maneuvering and procrastination in the issue of truce negotiations and prisoner exchange. On the other hand, Israeli Army Radio reported, quoting Education Minister Yoav Kish, that the failure of the delegation concerned with the detainee negotiations to travel does not mean that nothing will happen. The Israeli minister added that there are ongoing talks, but as long as Hamas adheres to its demands, it is impossible to advance them. He said that military pressure will continue, because this is the only effective thing that will lead to reaching an agreement, as he put it. In turn, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that work is continuing with Qatar, Egypt and Israel to reach a final agreement on the prisoners, and that this is now possible. Algeria called on the UN Security Council to meet Tuesday to vote on a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip , but the specter of an American veto awaits the Algerian draft resolution. Diplomatic sources reported that the UN Security Council will vote on a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons in the Gaza Strip, at the request of Algeria. Algeria launched consultations on the draft resolution following the International Court of Justices decision at the end of last January, in which it called on Israel to prevent any possible act of genocide in Gaza. According to the latest version of the Algerian draft resolution; The Security Council calls for "an immediate ceasefire on humanitarian grounds, respected by all parties." The draft resolution also rejects the "forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population" and calls for an end to this "violation of international law." Diplomatic sources at the United Nations said that Algeria requested that the Security Council vote Tuesday on the text in its current form. But the American delegate to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said that Washington does not support taking action on this draft resolution, and if it is put to a vote in its current form, it will not be adopted. In her statement in early February, Greenfield saw Algerias initiative to issue a new resolution as a threat to undermine the ongoing negotiations between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) with American-Egyptian-Qatari mediation. To establish a new truce that includes the release of Israeli detainees in Gaza, and Palestinian prisoners imprisoned in Israel. The American delegate added that the UN Security Council must "ensure that any action it takes in the coming days leads to increased pressure on Hamas, so that it accepts the proposal on the table." On the Palestinian side, the Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, said, We believe that the time has come for the Security Council to adopt a resolution on a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons. It is noteworthy that the American administration ignored all the pressure exerted by the international community, and used its veto power to thwart draft resolutions calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, in October, and then at the beginning of last December. Israeli writer Gideon Levy called on the world to firmly and clearly present an unequivocal option to reach peace between the Palestinians and Israel , indicating that the world must ask Tel Aviv to choose between sanctions or ending the occupation, and between settlements or international support, lands or weapons, A democratic or Jewish state, apartheid , or ending Zionism. Levy said in an article in the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" that now is the appropriate time for the United States and the international community to decide whether they want to continue the endless cycle of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, or put an end to it? He wondered whether America would continue to arm Israel and then regret the excessive use of these weapons, or was it finally ready to take real steps, for the first time in its history, to change reality? Above all, will Israel's most brutal attacks on Gaza become the most senseless of all attacks? Or was the opportunity that came in its wake not to be missed, for a change? The writer stressed that there is no point in appealing to Israel, adding that the current government, and the government that is likely to replace it, do not have and will never have the intention, courage, or ability to bring about change. He explained that the government expected to succeed Netanyahu's current government may be led by Benny Gantz , Gadi Eisenkot , or Yair Lapid , saying that it is painfully futile, as none of them believes in the existence of a Palestinian state equal in its sovereign status and rights vis-a-vis Israel. He mocked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who spoke of his rejection of what he called "coercive moves" on the American talks on establishing a Palestinian state, saying that he was the man who did everything in his power to thwart the negotiations, and used coercion as a policy towards the Palestinians. He added that Netanyahu called for a "non-coercive" solution similar to the Dayton Accords. The writer responded that Dayton was a coercive, incomplete agreement reached in Bosnia and Herzegovina that put an end to one of the cruelest wars and, contrary to all expectations, lasted for 29 years. Levy continued to say that the world should not let the opportunity pass; Because he is the one who will have to rebuild the ruins of the Gaza Strip with his money, and he is the one whose stability is being undermined by the Israeli occupation. He pointed out that the world agrees that the occupation is bad for it, but it has never raised a finger to end it, and now, an opportunity has arisen to do so. Israels weakness and dependence on others after this war must be exploited for Israels benefit as well. Levy criticized the rounds of talks, which he described as useless, conducted by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken , and the statements of US President Joe Biden , which he described as thorny, stressing that the two lead nowhere, and called on Biden to take action. He praised the statements of European Union foreign policy official Josep Borrell, describing his words as easy and true from which people could learn something, and conveying what Borrell said to Biden that if he believes that many people are being killed, you should provide less weapons to Israel. Internal pressure has increased on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a prisoner exchange agreement with the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), and this coincided with the movements threat to withdraw from the negotiations unless urgent aid is brought into the northern Gaza Strip . Israel has witnessed demonstrations by families of Israeli detainees in Gaza, during which they demanded the head of the Israeli trade unions to announce a strike and paralyze the economy until a prisoner exchange agreement is reached. The families urged the War Council to reach an immediate exchange deal that would guarantee the return of all detainees, and accused Netanyahu of ignoring the families and not listening to them, and affirmed their rejection of his decision to freeze the Cairo negotiations regarding reaching a prisoner exchange deal. The American newspaper "The Washington Post" quoted an Israeli source as saying that Netanyahu's rejection of Hamas's demands does not mean that he prevents the negotiators from engaging in the talks and working behind the scenes to reach an exchange deal. For its part, Israeli Army Radio quoted Education Minister Yoav Kish as saying that the failure of the delegation concerned with the prisoner exchange negotiations to travel to Cairo does not necessarily mean anything, adding that the negotiations are continuing. Kish pointed out that as long as Hamas adheres to its demands, it is impossible to advance negotiations, referring to the movements demands to end the aggression and withdraw Israeli army soldiers from the Gaza Strip. This week, negotiations took place in Cairo in which mediators from Egypt, the United States, and Qatar participated to reach a truce agreement and the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Hamas threatened to suspend its participation in the negotiations unless urgent aid was brought into the northern Gaza Strip, as relief agencies warned of a looming famine. A leading Hamas source told Agence France-Presse, "The movement intends to suspend negotiations until aid is brought into northern Gaza. Negotiations cannot be held while hunger is devouring the Palestinian people." The head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, had previously held Israel responsible for the maneuvering and procrastination in the truce negotiations and prisoner exchange. Haniyeh said that the movement dealt in a positive spirit and with high responsibility with the mediators in order to stop the aggression and end the unjust siege on the Gaza Strip, and stressed that the resistance will not accept anything less than a complete cessation of aggression, withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, lifting the unjust siege on it, and providing shelter for the displaced and homeless. Haniyeh stressed that it is not possible to skip over achieving a prisoner exchange deal under which veteran prisoners and those with high sentences will be released. Operational Update US Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner said that Israel has achieved only very little success in clearing and securing the Gaza Strip tunnels. CNN quoted Warner as saying that what Israel dealt with was only a small part of the length of the tunnels, estimated at 500 kilometers. At the end of January, the Wall Street Journal - citing American and Israeli officials - said that about 80% of the tunnels of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) in the Gaza Strip were still intact after weeks of attempts to destroy them by Israel. Officials from the United States and Israel estimate that between 20% and 40% of Hamas' tunnels have been damaged or rendered inoperable, most of them in northern Gaza. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that the army was surprised by the size of the tunnel network built by the Palestinian resistance in Gaza, which exceeded the estimates of military commanders in Israel by about 600%. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant claimed that "the Hamas leadership abroad is looking for an alternative to Sinwar after losing contact with him." In an assessment of the situation in the Southern Command, Gallant claimed: The Khan Yunis Battalion is disintegrated and does not function as a military entity in any way. He added: "Hamas remains with a margin in the center camps and with the Rafah Brigade and is in complete military collapse," he said. Gallant noted that Hamas' "station" in Gaza is "out of service," meaning that contact with them has been cut off. As part of the negotiations to reach a ceasefire agreement and a prisoner exchange deal, Israeli Channel 12 reported earlier that the head of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, is insisting on his demands during the Cairo negotiations, and that there are no indications of reaching a compromise. Israeli War Council Minister Benny Gantz said that the fighting in the Gaza Strip will continue during the month of Ramadan, and will expand to the city of Rafah , south of the Strip, if the detainees are not returned. This came during the opening of the annual conference of heads of Jewish organizations in America, in Jerusalem , according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. Gantz considered that "after October 7, unilateral measures, such as recognition of the Palestinian state, are no longer the path to regional stability and political settlements," he said. He added, The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know if by Ramadan our hostages [ed : not "our kidnappers"] are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, to include the Rafah area, Gantz said. He continued, "We will do this in a coordinated manner, and we will allow the evacuation of citizens during discussion with our American and Egyptian partners to avoid harming uninvolved citizens." Gantz said, "But to those who say the price is too high, I say clearly that Hamas has a choice. They can surrender, release the kidnapped people, and thus the people of Gaza will be able to celebrate the month of Ramadan." He added, "We will continue to fight, in any scenario, until we achieve our goals." Regarding his vision for the next day in Gaza after the war, Gantz said, That will happen after at least a year, and we need to start building something new, a civilian government that cannot be Hamas, or Israel. He added, "I assume that these factions must be Palestinian factions not linked to Hamas. In any case, in the near future in Gaza, the question is not who will rule in terms of security, because it will be us." Occupation aircraft launched fire belts in the middle of the Gaza Strip , specifically in the city of Deir al-Balah and the town of al-Zawaida. While the center of gravity of operations remains west of Khan Yunis, the Israeli bombardment of Rafah varied with artillery in the east and military aircraft in the centre. Commenting on the events, military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi said that the border city of Rafah with Egypt is still outside the framework of ground battles, but the recent fire dams indicate future ground operations. During his analysis of Al Jazeera, Al-Duwairi shows that the approach of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - which calls for continued military pressure on the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) in the hope of forcing it to make concessions - has the loudest voice and greatest presence in Israel , in the face of the other approach, which calls for avoiding... Ground battle in Rafah. But the strategic expert goes on to say that the Chief of Staff of the occupation army, Herzi Halevy, set limits before implementing the Rafah operation, including the necessity of full coordination with Egypt, as well as implementing an operation prior to the ground operation. What is meant here is the voluntary evacuation and displacement towards the areas of Gush Katif and Al-Mawasi in the south of the Gaza Strip, where there was a limited response from the displaced, with the majority insisting on remaining in Rafah despite the dangers. Al-Duwairi added that the Israeli scenario at the time was to proceed with forced displacement. At the conclusion of his analysis, the military expert concluded that all attempts call for stopping the war as we approach the month of Ramadan 1445 AH - which astronomically corresponds to March 11 - but based on Netanyahus statements, it is not expected that there will be a stop before the holy month. The IDF reported fighters of the commando formation, the fleet of 13 Shin Bet forces and other special forces operating under the 98th division operated last weekend in the area of the 'Nazar' hospital. Before entering the hospital complex, the forces fought complex battles in the area, including face-to-face battles, terrorist fortifications and rocket fire at them from within the hospital complex, as published on January 14, 2024. So far, hundreds of terrorists and other terror suspects who were hiding in the hospital have been arrested. Among the detainees, there are terrorists who participated in the massacre on October 7th, who are connected to the abductees and who are significant operatives in the terrorist organization Hamas. The arrested terrorists and suspects were transferred for further investigation by the security forces. In the hospital, the fighters found many weapons, some of which were found hidden in a vehicle used by the Hamas terrorists to carry out the Shiv'a attack in October. Also, a vehicle belonging to Kibbutz Nir Oz that was apparently stolen was found in the hospital area. During the operation of the IDF forces in the hospital, boxes of medicine were found with the names of Israeli abductees on them. The packages of medicine that were located were closed and were not delivered to the abductees. The IDF continues to invest all efforts, operational and intelligence, to return the abductees, and will not let up until the mission is completed. The entry into the hospital occurred after an early warning to stop the terrorist activity in the hospital and the scans were carried out while making sure to continue the ongoing management of the hospital, without harming the patients and the medical staff and in accordance with the values ??of the IDF and international law. "The commando and the 13th Sheyat Unit simply formed together on the Nasser Hospital compound," declared the commander of a platoon of fighters in the 13th Sheyat, Lt. Col. During the combat, which was surgical and precise, many Hamas terrorists were arrested. The IDF will continue as long as necessary to defeat the terrorist organization Hamas and bring about its destruction." "We arrived here at the Nasser compound," said the commander of the Aguz unit, Lt. Col. M., "we found here both an enemy, an army, and medicine for the abductees - which did not reach them, and they remained here completely packed." The fighters of the 5515 Mobility Unit operating under Division 98 specialize in fast and covert mobility in a variety of tools deep into enemy territory, in cooperation with ground and air forces. During the fighting, mounted medical evacuation and rescue teams consisting of the soldiers of the Mobility Unit and the soldiers of Unit 669, provide quick and professional treatment to the wounded. So far, about 230 medical evacuations have been carried out under fire in the territory of the Gaza Strip. Also, the unit participates in dozens of special activities that take place in the Strip. The forces of Division 98 continued to operate in the west of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip and in the last day they raided terrorist infrastructures, eliminated terrorists and located many weapons in the area. The fighters of the 7th Brigade Combat Team located weapons and in the last day eliminated about 20 terrorists in the area of the city of Khan Yunis by firing tanks. In addition, we directed Air Force aircraft that attacked and eliminated terrorists in the area. The forces raided military buildings and found weapons including explosives and a number of RPG missiles intended for use against our forces. The soldiers of the commando formation continued to operate in the 'Nasser' hospital and in the areas adjacent to it and located weapons of war. The fighters of the combat team of the paratrooper brigade eliminated a number of terrorists, located safes and confiscated weapons in a military structure of the terrorist organization Hamas. The fire center of the 98th Division in cooperation with the Air Force carried out a series of attacks in Khan Yunis that included the elimination of about 15 terrorists, among them six terrorists who came out of a terrorist infrastructure and the destruction of a weapons warehouse. In the center of the strip, the battle team of the Nahal Brigade eliminated over ten terrorists throughout the last day. In one of the activities, the brigade fire complex in cooperation with the Air Force identified a squad of terrorists loading weapons on a cart and moving in the sector of the forces, which directed a manned aircraft from a distance that attacked and eliminated a number of terrorists. The Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" said that National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and officials in his office granted licenses to carry weapons to workers in the media field in Israel. The newspaper reported that Ben Gvir and officials in his office had granted 14,000 weapons licenses without oversight since the Al- Aqsa Flood operation on October 7, and that Ben Gvirs advisor personally approved hundreds of applications, some of which were submitted by media figures, to obtain a weapons license. Adding that the Israeli Attorney General's Office is currently considering opening a criminal investigation into this case. Ben Gvir facilitated the procedures for obtaining licenses to carry weapons for Israelis in the wake of the Al-Aqsa flood, and many Israelis appeared walking around with weapons in public places. It is noteworthy that the Israeli Ministry of National Security rushed after the Al-Aqsa Flood operation to cancel the restrictive conditions, expand the minimum conditions for issuing a license to carry weapons, grant facilities for issuing them, and shorten the period for examining applications. The Parliamentary Security Committee had approved - in the first week of the war on Gaza - the regulations that expand the conditions and criteria for obtaining a license to carry weapons, as well as the population eligible for the licenses, which were prepared by Ben Gvir. The security forces killed a senior wanted man in Tulkarm in the Menashe division. A senior Hamas official was arrested and three wanted for the activities of the forces in Judea and Samaria. The raids and arrests continue in the cities and camps of the West Bank as part of a broad Israeli escalation since the resistance launched the Battle of Al- Aqsa Flood on the seventh of last October. Confrontations continued between Palestinian youth and the Israeli occupation forces in the Shuafat Camp, north of occupied Jerusalem , following the Kiryat Malachi operation carried out by a resident of the camp, while settler attacks on villages and towns were renewed throughout the West Bank. Medical sources reported that a young Palestinian man was injured by bullets from the occupation forces, who stormed the Shuafat camp, yesterday, Saturday, for the second day in a row, following the shooting attack carried out by Sheikh Fadi Jamjoom in Kiryat Malachi, east of Ashdod, where he killed two Israelis and wounded 4 others, before his martyrdom. The occupation army deployed its forces in several neighborhoods in the camp, which led to the outbreak of confrontations, and the Shuafat checkpoint was closed to the movement of residents. In the same context, the occupation forces stormed, for the second time, a funeral home held in Hebron for the martyr Fadi Jamjoum, destroyed its contents, set it on fire, and evacuated the place. They also warned the Palestinians against opening the funeral home again. Meanwhile, the occupation forces continued raids and arrests throughout the West Bank during the night. Al Jazeera's correspondent said that the occupation forces stormed the Balata camp, east of the city of Nablus , and also stormed the village of Bil'in, west of Ramallah, where they raided a house and arrested a young man. The occupation forces also stormed the villages of Al-Majd and Beit Al-Rush, west of the city of Dura, south of Hebron Governorate. They conducted patrols in the area and raided citizens homes. They also fired sound bombs and poison gas before withdrawing from the place. The occupation soldiers also stormed the town of Al-Samou, south of Hebron, and raided several homes and confiscated a number of vehicles. Al-Samu' witnesses frequent raids, and it is the town where the occupation confiscated the largest number of vehicles in the Hebron Governorate recently. Settlers' attacks on Palestinians were renewed, as a group of them attacked the town of Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah, during the night. The settlers attacked the property of residents in the town, burned a car, and wrote racist slogans against Arabs on the walls. Earlier on Saturday, settlers from the Avigal settlement attacked Palestinian sheep shepherds in the village of Al-Mufaqara in the Masafer Yatta area, south of Hebron, and beat them. Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that a child was injured as a result of being stoned. He was transferred to Yatta Governmental Hospital to receive treatment, and his brother also suffered bruises. Settlers' attacks in all their forms have escalated, including the construction of settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank coinciding with the war on Gaza, as the occupation army provides protection for the settlers during their repeated attacks on the Palestinians. The commander of the Northern Command, Major General Uri Gordin met during the weekend with the security coordinators of the northern settlements. for further details. Fighter jets attacked Hezbollah terrorist infrastructures in the Yaron area. In addition, the IDF forces fired artillery to remove a threat in the Alma a-Sha'ab area and the a-Dahira area. Lebanese Hezbollah announced that it launched 8 attacks on Israeli gatherings and sites off the Lebanese border, while the occupation aircraft launched air strikes on various areas in southern Lebanon, amid reports that the party had seized control of an Israeli march. Hezbollah said that its fighters targeted occupation soldiers in the Evin Menachem settlement, killing and wounding them. They also targeted another gathering of soldiers in Horsh Ramim, and achieved a direct hit. The Lebanese party also twice bombed gatherings of Israeli soldiers in Shumira, the Al-Baghdadi site, the Tahit triangle, and the Al-Samaqa site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms, confirming that casualties were reported. Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that missiles were fired from southern Lebanon towards the Al-Samaqa site and the Zibdin barracks, in the occupied Shebaa Farms. He also attacked with a "Burkan" missile the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in the occupied Shebaa Farms. The newspaper "Israel Today" reported that a tourist building was damaged in Kibbutz (agricultural settlement) Yaro'an in the Upper Galilee, northeastern Israel, as a result of the fall of an anti-tank missile launched from Lebanon. The newspaper also indicated estimates that Hezbollah took control of a march belonging to the Metula town council on the Lebanese border and transported it to Lebanon. Israeli warplanes and drones launched a series of raids on the towns of Aitaroun and Yaroun in the Bint Jbeil district and the vicinity of Al-Adisa, targeting several homes, which led to their destruction. The official Lebanese News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes launched an air strike targeting the Abu al-Laban neighborhood in the town of Aita al-Shaab, in the coastal district of Tyre. It explained that an Israeli drone bombed Tallet Al-Awaida near the town of Kafr Kila, Marjayoun district, with a missile. Israeli War Council Minister Benny Gantz said, What happened in Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip, which no longer exists after the war, could happen anywhere in Lebanon. The head of the state camp, Benny Gantz, was asked at the annual meeting of the Conference of Presidents of Jewish Organizations in America about a possible war on the northern border with Hezbollah, and he replied: Nasrallah (Lebanese Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah) looks at Gaza and understands that what What happened in Beit Hanoun, which no longer existed after the war, could happen anywhere in Lebanon. According to him, If we have to use more forces, we are able to do so, and Lebanon will feel the price of war, which is what we do not want, but if there is no choice, it will happen, and I hope it will not happen. Last Friday, Nasrallah said in response to the Israeli threat to target Beirut: The resistance in Lebanon has capabilities that the enemy is unaware of... its hand extends from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat, adding: We cannot tolerate the issue of harming civilians... the enemy must understand that it is gone. This goes far, and his goal, by killing civilians, is to pressure the party to stop. He continued: The screams of the settlers of the north are getting louder day after day, and the resistance has increased its presence on the front, and the response will be to escalate the military operations on the front, and he must wait for that and expect that, adding: Your killing of our women and children will increase our faith, strength, and presence on the front, as happened yesterday with the targeting of Kiryat Shmona. And this is a preliminary response, he continued: Our women and children who were killed will pay the enemy a price for shedding their blood in blood... I will not specify or detail... Rather, we will leave it to the field... This blood will have a price in blood, and let the enemy make sure that he cannot harm civilians. The British Maritime Trade Authority said that it had received a report of an incident 35 nautical miles south of Mokha in Yemen. The authority said in a statement: The British Maritime Trade Authority received a report of an incident 35 nautical miles south of Mokha, Yemen. The statement added: The captain reported that an explosion occurred near the ship, which led to damage, noting that the main reports indicate that all crew members are fine, while military authorities are investigating. The statement added: We advise ships to cross with caution and to report any suspicious activity. The US Central Command announced that it had carried out 5 interception strikes against anti-ship cruise missiles and drone boats in Yemen. Ansar Allah movement confirmed that the American and Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip will expand the circle of conflict in the region. The United States announced that it had carried out five new strikes on targets that posed an imminent threat in areas under Houthi control in Yemen. The US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement published on the Mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, an unmanned underwater vessel (UUV), and an unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Houthi-controlled and Iranian-backed areas of Yemen. The statement noted, "This is the first notable use by the Houthis of an unmanned underwater vehicle since the attacks began on October 23." Central Command added that it had determined that these targets represent an imminent threat to US Navy ships and commercial vessels in the region. Centcom considered that these measures will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for the US Navy and commercial ships. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie said on Sunday that China must play a role in keeping the Red Sea safe for trade movement because "Chinese ships are also at risk." She explained in an interview that she informed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a bilateral meeting yesterday, Saturday, that Beijing must "help influence the Houthis to keep the Red Sea open." In statements to Reuters during the last day of the Munich Security Conference, Jolie said: This is in Chinas interest as an exporting country. China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, announced that the UN Security Council did not grant any country the right to use force against Yemen. He also stressed that the ongoing escalation and military actions of some countries against Yemen have exacerbated the situation in the Red Sea region. Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyansky, also confirmed earlier that Western strikes on Yemen violate international law, and the right to self-defense does not apply to protecting shipping. 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. Bystanders Israel is waging a coordinated campaign aimed at destroying the organization and the idea that Palestinians are refugees and have the right to return one day, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said. The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, accused Israel in an interview with a Swiss newspaper of having a long-term political goal of eliminating UNRWA, which was established more than 70 years ago to help Palestinians fleeing or who were forced to flee their homes in the 1948 war that Surrounded by the establishment of Israel. Lazzarini added: At this moment, we are dealing with an expanded and focused Israeli campaign aimed at destroying UNRWA. He pointed out that Israel seems to believe that "if the agency is eliminated, the issue of the status of Palestinian refugees will be resolved once and for all, and with it the right of return." The fate of Palestinian refugees and their descendants was a major point of contention between Israelis and Palestinians in previous peace negotiations that failed more than a decade ago, with Israel rejecting Palestinian demands to allow the refugees' descendants to return to what is now Israel, arguing that would eliminate the Jewish majority. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued new allegations against UNRWA, saying that Israeli intelligence had important indications that more than 30 additional employees of the agency participated in the October 7 attack, and claimed that nearly 1,500 employees, or 12% of The agency's workforce was either members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad, and more than 230 of them were in the armed wings of the two groups. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry responded to a question asked of him by former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni about the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) and the Palestinian consensus. Shoukrys statements came during a dialogue session entitled Towards Stability and Peace in the Middle East, within the activities of the Munich Security Conference February 17, 2024. Munich Security Conference , yesterday, Saturday, February 17, 2024, where he spoke about the impossibility of peace in the presence of Hamas, saying that the Hamas movement was outside the majority acceptable to the people and the Palestinian Authority, pointing out their refusal to give up support for violence and recognize Israel. Shukri added, "There must be accountability for empowering Hamas in Gaza, and its financing in the Strip, to reinforce the division between the movement and the mainstream of other Palestinian peacemaking entities, whether the Authority or the PLO." But former Egyptian Minister of Investment Yehia Hamed confirmed on the X platform that Hamas and the resistance movement are the Palestinian, Arab and Islamic consensus for every free and patriotic person. But Sameh Shukri is of modest competence and he and those he represents are outside the popular consensus. A research paper entitled Egypt and Gaza: Before and After October 7 believes that the current war on Gaza has weakened the Egyptian role and raised many questions about Cairos position on the new situation, most of which remain unanswered. The paper prepared by Egyptian researcher Naglaa Makkawi says that Cairo is required to reevaluate its vision and relationship with the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) if it wants to maintain its influence in any future regional arrangements. Makkawi identifies the main issues in Egypts relationship with Gaza, in light of the current war, in the closure and opening of the Rafah crossing and the danger of deporting Gazans to Sinai, and in the relationship with Hamas on the one hand and the relationship between Egypt and Israel on the other hand, in addition to Egyptian mediation between Hamas and Israel and Cairos position in regional arrangements. Which emerged after the October 7 attack. The research paper issued by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies monitors the development of the relationship up and down under three Egyptian presidents, until it achieved relative stability despite mutual suspicion. The paper recalls that the borders of Egypt and Gaza are the internationally recognized borders between Palestine and Egypt from the era of the British Mandate, and that while the Gaza Strip did not appear in its current form until after the 1948 war, the borders of the Gaza Strip and Israel were not determined by a political agreement, but rather by the Israeli-Egyptian wars and the subsequent ceasefire agreements. fire. The border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip is 14 kilometers long, making Egypt the only Arab country bordering it and its only outlet to the world. The researcher notes that Egypt did not annex Gaza and did not claim sovereignty over it, and entrusted its administration to an Egyptian general until its Israeli occupation in 1967, noting that local geopolitical factors, security considerations, and the system of alliances of Arab countries in the region made Cairo the main influence in the Gaza Strip in the Palestinian context. To understand the questions related to the relationship between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, the researcher suggests returning to three main events that shaped Cairos policy in Gaza and the Palestinian issue in general, which are: The 1956 War: When Israel occupied the Gaza Strip, which was then under Egyptian control, one of the pretexts was the activity of the guerrillas inside Israeli territory, noting that the guerrilla units were established on an Egyptian initiative and under the control of Egyptian intelligence officer Mustafa Hafez. The 1967 War: which removed Gaza from Egyptian control and created a new reality. Before 1967, the Nasserist regime treated Palestine as a part of the Arab nation that was important to the Egyptian nation. In this context, it played a fundamental role in the formation of the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964. The 1978 Camp David Agreement: which took Egypt out of the circle of confrontation with Israel and shaped the features of its foreign policy, linking it to American and Israeli interests and strategies, so that the Palestinian issue was reduced from that date to a mere sector and the West Bank, and the ambition was limited to declaring a state on the borders occupied in 1967. According to the author, the PLO integrated into the new Arab order and actively sought peace arrangements similar to the Egyptian-Israeli agreement, which was the Oslo Accords. But what was applicable to Egypt does not apply to the Palestinian file. Israel sought to remove Egypt from the circle of confrontation in order to isolate the Palestinians and grant them self-rule without sovereignty over the land, so that the organization fell into the trap and paved the way for Arab countries to sign normalization agreements, the engine of which accelerated until the October 7 attack. First past. According to the study, Egypt under the rule of President Hosni Mubarak maintained its position as a major force guaranteeing stability in the region, which made achieving an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement at the heart of its foreign policy, when the PLO was the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Even after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 and the internal Palestinian conflict deteriorated, Egypt was keen to maintain its influence on many issues, especially Palestinian reconciliation, and although it supported the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, it kept channels of communication open with the resistance factions led by Hamas. Egypt also maintained for years two pressure cards in managing the relationship with Gaza and the controlling forces there, namely: Rafah crossing: which remained a tool in the hands of Cairo. Its closure and opening reflects the extent of the improvement or deterioration of its relationship with Hamas, and it also remains a tool for pressure on the movement to accept a settlement or stop the escalation, to the satisfaction of Israel, which was effectively imposing its will and controlling the crossing. Tunnels: Egypt allowed the Palestinians to dig them between the Palestinian Rafah and the Egyptian Rafah under the eyes of the intelligence services led by the former head of the Egyptian Intelligence Service, Omar Suleiman. Although the tunnels were mainly used to bring goods and supplies to the residents of Gaza, they were also used to smuggle weapons to the resistance factions with the knowledge of the Egyptian authorities. The research paper points out that Egypt's turning a blind eye to tunnel activity was not evidence of support for the factions or a security failure, but rather for reasons including easing the pressure of the siege on the Strip so that it would not have to deal with an explosive situation that would harm its security. In addition, it allows arms smuggling to remain under the watchful eye of its intelligence services and gives it an additional pressure tool against Hamas in a way that serves its national security in the context of its role as defined by the Camp David Accords, a role that was severely shaken after the January 2011 revolution. The revolution had a great positive role on the sector, which began to breathe freely and its doors were opened to the outside world. In the first Israeli attack on it after the revolution, Egypt also played a mediating role and successfully sponsored a ceasefire, with a transition from hostility to Hamas to fair mediation. With the advent of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi , the Egyptian authorities considered the Hamas movement an extension of the Muslim Brotherhood and were hostile to it. The clash reached its peak in the period between 2014-2015, when the Egyptian state harnessed all its tools to demonize Hamas, which was portrayed as involved in the Brotherhoods internal conflict with the regime in Egypt, and the demonization reached the point of declaring it a terrorist organization. Two overlapping decisions were taken within the military and operational framework, the first of which was to establish a buffer zone on the border with the Gaza Strip, and the second to destroy the tunnels used to transport goods to the residents of the besieged Gaza Strip. The Egyptian campaign to destroy the tunnels began in August 2012, as part of Operation Saqr 2 against terrorist organizations in Sinai after the killing of 16 Egyptian soldiers in an attack in Rafah. It intensified in 2014, with the aim of completely destroying them, and one of the means of achieving this was flooding them with water. Sea and sewerage. Thus, by the end of 2015, the Egyptian army destroyed more than two thousand tunnels, in a campaign that was accompanied by the evacuation of Rafah residents to other areas under the pretext of preventing weapons smuggling and the crossing of militants into Sinai, and was also accompanied by a reduction in the working days and hours of the crossing (which, for example, was closed for 344 days in 2015) and the cancellation of facilitating measures approved therein. after the Revolution. However, despite this, Egypt continued to insist on being the only mediator between Israel and Hamas, as demonstrated by the 2014 war, and Egyptian-Israeli cooperation had intensified on security matters, especially around Sinai, and the source of this was Israels support for Sisi, whose regime received military and intelligence aid, which had continued to intensify since 2013. During and after the war on the tunnels. The study notes that Al-Sisi publicly acknowledged this security cooperation in 2019 and classified it in the category of war on terrorism, describing it as the closest of its kind since the establishment of Israel. Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz even said explicitly that Al-Sisi flooded the tunnels in 2016 at our request and because of the pressure we exerted. ". The writer confirmed that Egypt knew with certainty that weapons entered Gaza and did not leave it and that there was no cooperation between Hamas and the Islamic State against it, and that the claim of the existence of this relationship was used to justify the regimes policy against the Gaza Strip and Hamas. But the researcher believes that President Sisi, after his success in defeating his opponents, including the Brotherhood, was forced to rearrange the relationship with Hamas, under the influence of Egyptian national security considerations, to begin another stage. Although mutual suspicion ruled this new phase, Hamas did its best to improve the relationship and avoid a conflict that would harm the interest of the movement, whose representatives intensified visits to Egypt beginning in March 2016, culminating in the confidence-building steps that Hamas took in the following month. That year, when it installed - at Egyptian request - 60 military sites on the border with Egypt, and strengthened its security deployment to enhance monitoring of infiltrators. The relatively calm relationship continued until the Al-Aqsa Flood operation , which surprised Egypt, just as it was surprised by the violence of the Israeli aggression, to find itself facing dilemmas, the first of which was the Rafah crossing and its management. Although the Egyptian side of the crossing was supposed to be under Egyptian sovereignty, its management was completely transferred to the control of Israel, which also controls the quality and quantity of humanitarian aid entering the Strip. Egypt surrendered to Israel in the crossing issue, even if it tried to justify its laxity with its legal and international obligations, thereby losing - according to the author - a pressure and negotiation card that it had used against Hamas in the past. The second dilemma is the Israeli proposal to deport the Gazans to Sinai. American and Israeli pressure appeared on the Egyptian president from the beginning to open Sinai to the Gazans. The author believes that the Egyptian position on this issue is not decisive enough despite the declared positions of President Sisi and his regime, but she also believes that the Egyptian army strongly rejects this proposal, because it believes that it will plunge the country into conflict with Israel and threaten the peace agreement with it. The fluctuation of Egyptian positions can be understood in the context of the Camp David Accords, which since the 1970s has governed Cairos policy in the Palestinian file and the development of this policy in the Gaza Strip within the framework of American positions and interests and the regional partnership with Israel. Based on this, its positions in the current war are mainly governed by the consideration of maintaining relations with Israel. Israel and the United States. The study concludes that the current war against the Gaza Strip revealed the need for Egypt to use a number of pressure cards in its hand, which could contribute to strengthening its Arab and regional influence, and even determine its position in any future arrangements. Brazilian President Lula da Silva accused Israel of committing "genocide" in the Gaza Strip , likening what it is doing there to the "Holocaust" during World War II , while Israel described those statements as shameful and summoned its Brazilian ambassador. The Brazilian President told reporters in Addis Ababa, where he attended an African Union summit , that what is happening in the Gaza Strip is not a war, it is genocide, adding, It is not a war of soldiers against soldiers, it is a war between a highly prepared army and women and children. The Brazilian president added that this "did not happen at any other stage in history," before adding, "In fact, it had already happened when Hitler decided to kill the Jews." This is one of the harshest statements made by the Brazilian President regarding the Israeli war on Gaza and the occupations confrontations in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian resistance factions since its outbreak on October 7 last year. Angry Israeli reactions quickly followed, denouncing the Brazilian President's statements. The Israeli Prime Minister described the Brazilian President's statements as "shameful and dangerous." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, Comparing Israel to the Holocaust and Hitler is crossing a red line, and that Israel is fighting to defend itself and secure its future, respecting international law until complete victory is achieved. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid also considered the Brazilian president's statements "disgraceful, anti-Semitic, and indicative of ignorance." European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Sunday that the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) cannot be eliminated because it is an idea, stressing that the conditions in the West Bank are the real obstacle to the two-state solution. Borrell added - during his speech at the Munich Security Conference - that the only alternative is to make Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace, and that this will not be achieved by military means alone. The European official stressed that the situation in the West Bank occupied by Israel constitutes a major obstacle to reaching a sustainable solution that establishes peace between Israel and the Palestinians, saying, "The West Bank is witnessing boiling... We may be on the verge of a bigger explosion." Borrell explained that the European Union must "support the Arab Initiative" which stipulates the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, pointing out, "We must end the war in Gaza, but no one has talked much about the West Bank." Borrell's statements come in the wake of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of a plan for international recognition of a Palestinian state, reports of such an initiative reported by the Washington Post, and talk - according to the American newspaper - that the administration of President Joe Biden and a small group of Arab countries are working to "prepare a comprehensive plan for sustainable peace between... Israel and the Palestinians. For his part, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi denied that the presence of Hamas was the problem in the Middle East. Speaking at a discussion session during the Munich Security Conference, the Jordanian minister stressed that the only problem in the region is the existence of an occupation that must end in the Palestinian territories. And there is no prospect of ending the occupation. During a dialogue session within the Munich Security Conference, Ayman Al-Safadi called for an end to war crimes in Gaza, stressing that there is no justification for destroying the lives of two million Palestinians in the besieged Strip. Al-Safadi continued: If we want peace, the path is the two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state living next to Israel, stressing that Israel cannot guarantee its security without guaranteeing the security of the Palestinians. He continued: "We have to put things in their correct context, and the problem with Israeli policy is that Israel does not want to recognize the right of the Palestinian people to exist," noting that "the current Israeli government does not want a deal regarding the detainees and does not want to end the war." The Jordanian Foreign Minister added: "The Israeli government ignored all possible political solutions to the conflict in the Middle East and destroyed hospitals and infrastructure in Gaza," adding that "Gaza was a besieged prison before the seventh of last October." Al-Safadi stressed that the forced displacement of Palestinians is unacceptable and is a violation of international law and a war crime, adding: We cannot all enjoy peace until the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights to establish their state and obtain their freedom and dignity. In turn, Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh stressed that the Palestinian Authority does not have a partner with whom it can engage in dialogue in Israel. Shtayyeh said - speaking at the Munich conference - We must move from talking about two states to establishing two states. Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina also said that Jerusalem and Palestine hold the key to the solution, and they shape the future and stability of the region. Abu Rudeina stressed that without the State of Palestine obtaining full membership in the United Nations and embodying its independence on Palestinian land with East Jerusalem as its capital, the region will remain on fire, in constant conflict and endless wars. Abu Rudeina added that the war of extermination against the people of the Gaza Strip, the daily incursions into the West Bank, the policy of killing and execution, settler terrorism, the attempts to liquidate the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA ) , and to impose restrictions on those praying during the month of Ramadan, are all failed Israeli attempts to prevent... It brings nothing but destruction, violence and instability. Axis of Resistance An Iranian deputy foreign minister highlighted Tehrans strategy for throwing the US out of the region, saying it needs collective efforts and stronger ties among the neighbors. Speaking to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on Sunday, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Baqeri said Irans main foreign policy agenda is de-escalation of tensions among the neighboring and regional states. By strengthening quite strategic and deep-rooted bonds with the neighbors, we are definitely resolved to create a stable region with concerted cooperation and collective security, he added. Describing the eviction of the US forces from the region as the Iranian administrations strategic decision, Baqeri said brotherly and friendly ties among the neighboring countries are needed in order for the expulsion of Americans from the region. Iran wont allow the outsiders to drive a wedge between Iran and certain neighbors, he said. The Palestinian Authority for Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Affairs expressed real fear for the life of the prisoner Marwan Barghouthi, a member of the Central Committee of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement ( Fatah ) . The Commission pointed to Israeli incitement against him, which coincided with his repeated transfer between solitary confinement prisons. The head of the commission, Qaddoura Fares, said that the repeated transfers of Barghouti to solitary confinement - while lawyers are still prevented from visiting him - raise real fears for his life. Fares added that this transfer is accompanied by direct and continuous incitement against it in the Israeli media. He stated that the administration of the Occupation Prisons Service transferred Barghouti from solitary confinement in Rimonim Prison (central Israel) to solitary confinement in Ramla Prison (central). A statement by the Palestinian factions called on the Palestinian people to be patient, steadfast, armed with awareness and unity of ranks, and to strengthen the internal front, to confront Israeli attempts to incite strife and divisions. The statement was issued by the Gathering of Palestinian National and Islamic Forces in Gaza , which includes all Palestinian factions, and spoke of "Israel's attempts to spread chaos and chaos, threaten national unity and provoke divisions in the Gaza Strip." The factions said that the Israeli occupation is trying to "stir up strife and divisions through suspicious calls outside the national ranks, which come upon us at a stage in which we are most in need of unity in confronting the enemy, which does not differentiate between anyone and does not fight a specific party or faction." They added, "The occupation is targeting our people and our cause, and the evidence of this is what the leaders of the Nazi occupation clearly state, rejecting all solutions and proposals to end this war, and their public refusal to give our people the minimum of their inalienable rights, despite the demands of the whole world to do so." The factions called on the people of Gaza to "be patient, steadfast, arm yourself with awareness and unity of ranks, strengthen its internal front, and block all attempts at tampering by the fifth column, as a free service to the enemies of our people, the killers of children and women." They stressed that "unity of ranks is a necessity and everyone: individuals, families, forces, movements and elites, must work with all resolve and determination to protect the internal front, stand behind the resistance and support the demands of the Palestinian people represented by ending and stopping the war of genocide, withdrawing the Zionist occupation forces from the entire territory of the Gaza Strip, and ending The siege, and stopping all forms of violations and aggression in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. The Director-General of the HAMAS Government Information Office in the Gaza Strip , Ismail Al-Thawabta, warned that Israels implementation of its threat to storm the city of Rafah heralds the occurrence of a disaster and massacre that could leave tens of thousands martyred and wounded, noting that 50% of the Strips population currently resides in the border city. Al-Thawabta said - in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Net - that Israel is practicing a deliberate starvation policy against the population of the Gaza Strip in general, and in the Gaza and North governorates in particular. He stated that the occupation uses " genocide " policies to impose a policy of displacing Gazans abroad, and that the aid entering the Gaza Strip does not exceed 2% of the citizens' needs. Al-Thawabta added that the information available to him indicates that the occupation arrested approximately 2,600 Palestinians during the war, living in tragic conditions, while the occupation executed more than 137 detainees. The government official estimated the sector's direct losses at about $15 billion, without taking into account indirect losses. "The occupation has a premeditated intention and clear threats to attack and invade Rafah Governorate (south of the Gaza Strip), which includes more than 1,400,000 citizens, the majority of whom are displaced from other governorates. This heralds the occurrence of a global catastrophe and massacre that may leave tens of thousands martyred and wounded, according to our expectations.... There are 600,000 citizens remaining in the Gaza and North Gaza governorates (25% of the population of the Gaza Strip), and there are currently more than 500,000 citizens in the Central Governorate, which is considered a second center for the current displacement, representing 21% of the population of the Gaza Strip. There are still 100,000 citizens in Khan Yunis Governorate, which is subject to invasion and mass killing, representing 4% of the population of the Gaza Strip. " Allied for Democracy Those who currently support the establishment of a Palestinian state among Israelis do not exceed 25%, and those who agree to its establishment agree to a form of state that the Palestinians cannot accept, according to Dr. Leon Hadar, contributing editor at the National Interest website and senior researcher at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia. The Israeli "Peace Now" movement estimates that more than 700,000 settlers reside in West Bank settlements, including East Jerusalem. The American academic stated that if the administration of US President Joe Biden wants to involve the Israelis in its diplomatic initiatives, it must reduce its diplomatic ambitions and focus its efforts on reaching an agreement to end the Israeli war on Gaza only instead of the two-state solution and the urgent departure of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . Hada explained that reaching an agreement to end the war on Gaza is very difficult, and that Israeli-Palestinian peace will not be achieved even if Netanyahu leaves office tomorrow. He said that Netanyahu's stepping down from power is not difficult, and there is a long list of reasons that make him resign from his position and retire from political life, starting with the 2019 indictment on charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud, but his absence from the scene will not herald peace. He explained that some in Israel and many in Washington see Netanyahu as the main obstacle to a diplomatic solution and ending the war in Gaza, which, according to Biden and his aides, must be based on the so-called two-state solution and include the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Hadar expressed his belief that the shock of the attack by the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) shifted Israeli positions towards rejecting the idea of an independent Palestinian state, and brought the majority closer to the right and largely to Netanyahu regarding the continued Israeli military control over Gaza and the rest of the occupied Arab territories. Hadar noted "Netanyahu suggested in the past that he would be willing to accept the Palestinian state that he described in a 2009 speech at Bar-Ilan University, under conditions that no Palestinian leader could ever accept: not just de-militarization and Israeli security control over airspace but also an Israeli capital in an undivided Jerusalem." Hadar commented by saying that most Israelis, with the exception of right-wing extremists and left-leaning peace supporters, today agree with Netanyahus vision for a Palestinian state, as does Benny Gantz, who is seen as the main successor to Netanyahu. He opposes the annexation of the West Bank and Gaza, but he also opposes any solution under which a Palestinian entity is not fully demilitarized and stands with a united Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The writer quoted the "Times of Israel" as saying that Gantz, as well as Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and even opposition leader Yair Lapid, expressed their annoyance at the renewed rhetoric of the administration of US President Joe Biden regarding the need for a two-state solution since the outbreak of the war, and specifically urged it to refrain from speaking out. We publicly announced the two-state solution after the attack of last October 7. Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said that Israel would prefer not to reach peace agreements with Palestinian factions, if they would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Cohen spoke in an interview with the Israeli Channel 14, which is affiliated with the settlers and the extreme right. The interview came after the US administrations announcement of moving a plan to recognize the establishment of a Palestinian state, and the statements of Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who said that Israel has an exceptional opportunity to normalize relations with Arab countries. In response, Cohen said, If the expansion of the peace agreements is conditional on the establishment of a Palestinian state, and if it is the proposed option, we will give up on expanding the peace agreements. The Israeli minister justified his position by saying, "The first goal is to ensure the national security of the State of Israel, and a Palestinian state poses a threat to the security of Israel. We have seen these leaders who recommended to us the establishment of a state for the Palestinians and Gaza would turn into Singapore, and the result was the establishment of a state for Hamas." The Israeli minister directed criticism at the leaders of Arab and Islamic countries who are pushing for the establishment of a Palestinian state, saying, "I have not seen any Arab or Islamic country calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state willing to absorb Palestinian refugees, and now they are giving us advice to solve the Palestinian problem at Israel's expense." The Israeli minister concluded by saying, "We heard different opinions, we saw the facts... This is good, but we confirm that we have no intentions to establish a Palestinian state. Perhaps some circles and parties in Israel, due to political and electoral considerations, are talking about a state for the Palestinians. A Palestinian state will not be established. Enough is enough." In addition to the United States, European countries announced that they were considering recognizing an independent Palestinian state, in a proactive step that would pave the way for the implementation of the two-state solution , but this was met with rejection from the highest political levels in Israel. In previous statements, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his rejection of the establishment of a Palestinian state, and said that Israel would not give up its full security control over the West Bank. In turn, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that he would not agree in any way to a two-state solution, and considered that the Palestinian state constitutes an existential threat to the State of Israel, as was proven on the seventh of last October, in reference to the Al-Aqsa Flood operation. For his part, Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir said that the world wants to give the Palestinians a state and that this will not happen, while Diaspora Minister Amichai Shekli stressed that Israel must resist the American plan and threaten unilateral steps, such as canceling the Oslo Accords. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's talk of "total victory" coincides with a propaganda campaign he is leading against the families of prisoners, describing him as the worst official in Israel's history. The newspaper added in an analytical article by writer Yossi Verter that while officials are working seriously on the issue of the prisoner release deal, the Prime Minister is undermining the process to please his extreme right-wing base, to the point that when you ask those close to Netanyahu what he wants from the negotiations, they answer, We do not know what. Which he wants." The article described Benjamin Netanyahu as the "worst leader" in the history of Israel and one of the worst leaders in the history of all nations, explaining that the issue of negotiations to release prisoners highlighted his experience in directing the positions of supporters. The writer mentioned that this week he asked some people involved in communications regarding the prisoner deal what Netanyahu wanted, and their answer was all, We have no idea. He also asked them: Is the strict image in which the Prime Minister appears and presents his positions intended to help move forward towards an agreement or to ensure that an agreement is not reached? They repeated the same answer, We have no idea. The writer explained that if this deception had been practiced against the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), it would have been reasonable, but it is clear that Netanyahu is hiding his intention from his senior partners, including the two ministers in the war council, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot , who saved him by allying with him. Now he works behind their backs. He added that those close to Gantz and Eisenkot - in private meetings - strongly criticize Netanyahu, and one of them was quoted as saying that instead of maintaining secrecy regarding the talks to release Israeli prisoners, he opens up about it during press conferences, and even the Egyptians, who play an important role in the talks. They are subjected to insults from Smotrich, an ally of Netanyahu. Yossi said that the prime minister "acts like a politician conducting election campaigns, and not like a statesman seeking the public good." What matters to him is preserving his 64-seat bloc, while hundreds of soldiers risk their lives in order to release a hostage or two, he said. Writer. He revealed that he asked a member of the National Unity Party about the reason for Gantz staying with Netanyahu, and he replied that leaving now means letting him drive the ship however he wanted, noting that major issues have not yet been resolved, including the prisoner deal and the issue of Rafah and the northern Gaza Strip. Gantz and Eisenkot confirmed that they will leave the government if Netanyahu rejects - for political reasons - the prisoner deal that prominent security leaders advise accepting if it agrees with the broad lines they recommended. Yossi Verter quoted a source familiar with the talks as saying, Things are going well, and added that Netanyahu is so afraid of his partners that he has not issued a statement on the progress made in the talks. The head of the Histadrut (Israel's main labor union) Arnon Bar-David said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is responsible for the failure that caused the October 7 attack , and he must resign, vowing to join the protests against the government. The Israeli media quoted Bar-David as saying during a conference in the city of Beersheba on Saturday that this government brought a disaster upon us, calling for setting a date for holding elections and installing a new prime minister within a year. The Israeli union leader said that he spoke with Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to adjust the budget and adapt to the war situation, including closing unnecessary government offices, but they did not take his proposal into consideration, he said. Bar-David warned that the Histadrut - which could disrupt a large part of the Israeli economy - may join demonstrations and anti-government movements if Netanyahu tries to cling to power. For their part, the families of the Israeli prisoners detained in the Gaza Strip called on the head of the Histadrut to organize a strike to paralyze the economy, until an agreement is reached to exchange prisoners with the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ). On Saturday, thousands of Israelis demonstrated in several cities to demand that Netanyahus government step down, hold early elections, and return prisoners detained in Gaza, while police arrested a number of demonstrators in front of Netanyahus home in Caesarea. Thousands of Israelis closed the street leading to the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, demanding that the Prime Minister conclude a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. The police threatened to use force and arrest protesters in Tel Aviv if the streets continued to be closed. The US envoy for humanitarian issues in the Middle East, David Satterfield, said that Israel has not provided specific evidence that the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) has stolen United Nations aid entering the Gaza Strip . This came in a rare public criticism of Israel, according to what the Associated Press reported. The American agency quoted Satterfield as saying, "We are working with the Israeli government and the Israeli army to find out what solutions can be found here (in Gaza), because everyone wants to see continued assistance." In statements to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Friday, the American envoy indicated that with the killing of Palestinian police officers, who were guarding a UN aid convoy in the city of Rafah , following the Israeli strikes earlier this month, criminal gangs began increasingly targeting the convoys. He explained that the Israeli assassinations of Gaza police commanders, who guarded aid truck convoys, made it practically impossible to distribute goods safely. Satterfield stressed that chaos and regular Israeli protests at crossing points by those who oppose the entry of aid into Gaza have also disrupted the delivery and distribution process. The American ABC network quoted sources as saying that the US State Department had received warnings from its diplomats in the Middle East about growing hostility towards Washington, due to the US position on the war on Gaza and its absolute support for Israel. The network explained that the warnings received by the US State Department prompted a meeting with intelligence agencies to evaluate the repercussions, and noted that one of the cables issued by the Washington Embassy in Morocco confirmed that the US adm Russo-Ukraine War - 18 February 2024 - Day 724 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 15 February 2024, Russian pro-war commentators reported that the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Viktor Sokolov, had been removed from his post. Drawing similarities with his predecessor, Igor Osipov, this is highly likely to be a result of Ukraine's success in sinking various ships under his command. Sokolov's leadership style may have also played a role in his dismissal. Although not confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defence, Solokov has likely been replaced by his now former deputy, Vice Admiral Sergei Pinchuk as acting commander until an internal investigation of the 15 February 2024 sinking of the Ropucha-class Caesar Kunikov landing ship is concluded. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of February 18, there were 56x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 3x missile and 33x air strikes, carried out 64x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, Russian attacks resulted in killed and wounded civilians. Residential private and apartment buildings as well as critical infrastructure were destroyed and damaged. Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Vil'khuvatka (Kharkiv oblast). Around 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Starosillya (Chernihiv oblast), Seredyna-Buda, Fotovyzh, Znob-Trubchevs'ka (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan', Luk'yantsi, Hatyshche, Mykolaivka (Kharkiv oblast). Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Petropavlivka and Borova (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Kyslivka, Kotlyarivka (Kharkiv oblast). Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x assaults near Terny and southeast of Vyimka (Donetsk oblast). In that area the adversary made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Makiivka, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, Tors'ke, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, New York (Donetsk oblast). Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x attacks in the vicinities of Lastochkyne and Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). On top of that, the Russian occupiers launched air strike in the vicinities of Zhelanne, Orlivka, Semenivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Lastochkyne, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that Russian forces made 12x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Paraskoviivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Novopavlivka axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x attacks in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike near Mala Tokmachka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Chervone, Bilohir'ya Novodanylivka, P'yatykhatky (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. During the day, Russian forces made 14x attempts to assault positions of Ukrainian troops. The settlements of Zolota Balka, Inhulets', Fedorivka, Ivanivka, Tyahynka, Tokarivka, Krynky (Kherson oblast), and the city of Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast) came under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Russian forces also shelled the vicinities of Krynky, Tomyna Balka, Inhulets' and Ivanivka with MLRS strikes. During the day of February 18, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 4x concentrations of Russian troops. On top of that, in the eastern sector, Ukrainian Air Force units destroyed 1x Su-34 fighter-bomber. The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x command posts, 1x ammunition depot of the Russian invaders. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that on 17 February, during offensive operations, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have completely liberated Avdeevka (Donetsk People's Republic) and advanced to a depth of 8.6 kilometres. The total area of the liberated territory was 31.75 square kilometres. The enemy losses were more than 1,500 troops. In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have actively defeated 14th and 66th mechanised brigades of the AFU close to Sinkovka, Petropavlovka, and Ivanovka (Kharkov region). The enemy losses were up to 40 servicemen, one tank, three armoured personnel carriers, and three pickup trucks. In addition, during counter-battery warfare, one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system, two D-20 howitzers, two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one D-30 howitzer. In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have defeated 63rd mechanised and 25th airborne brigades of the AFU near Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic). The enemy losses were up to 100 troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, and four motor vehicles. In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have improved Russian positions along the front line and defeated manpower and hardware of 42nd, 93rd mechanised, and 81st airmobile brigades of the AFU close to Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Krasnoye, and Kleshcheevka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses were up to 400 troops, two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, four armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, Msta-B, D-20 and D-30 howitzers, as well as one Strela-10 surface-to-air missile system. In South Donetsk direction, as a result of active operations by units of the Vostok Group of Forces, units of the AFU 58th Infantry Brigade and the 127th Brigade of the Territorial Defence of Ukraine have been defeated near Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses were more than 190 troops, two tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles. In the course of counter-battery warfare, one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system, two British-manufactured FH-70 howitzers, two Msta-B howitzers, and one Rapira anti-tank gun have been hit. In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have taken more favourable positions and defeated enemy manpower and hardware close to Rabotino, Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region), Lvovo, and Tyaginka (Kherson region). The enemy losses were up to 70 servicemen, one infantry fighting vehicle, and three motor vehicles. One U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, and one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radar station have been destroyed. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have hit the control point of the 31st Mechanised Brigade of the AFU near Zhelannoye (Donetsk People's Republic), fuel and ammunition depots, as well as manpower and military hardware in 128 areas. Air defence facilities have shot down four projectiles launched by HIMARS MLRS. In addition, 105 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been hit close to Ivanovka (Kharkov region), Kremennaya, Kalinovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Styla, Semigorye, and Verkhnetoretskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Lyubimovka, Chervonogorka, and Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region). In total, 571 airplanes and 266 helicopters, 12,723 unmanned aerial vehicles, 470 air defence missile systems, 15,098 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,222 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,091 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,801 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran to put domestic satellites into GEO in next 10 years: Minister IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Iranian telecoms ministry has targeted the launch of home-grown satellites into Geostationary Orbit (GEO) during the next 10 years. Issa Zarepour, the minister of telecoms, informed IRNA of the news on Sunday. The national satellites will be positioned in the GEO at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers by Iranian-developed satellite carriers, Zarepour added to his remarks. He went on to say that Iran has conducted 11 launches, encompassing research, orbital, suborbital, and operational missions, during the past two years and could place the satellites successfully in orbit. Furthermore, Iran possesses the capability to deploy satellites into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the minister underlined, adding that the country is actively pursuing this goal, particularly with regards to the heavy and semi-heavy satellites. After the current Iranian government took office in August 2021, it resumed discussions on space-related matters after a 10-year hiatus. 1483**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran plans to put homegrown satellites into GEOs within 10 years: Minister Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 11:20 AM Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Issa Zarepour says the country plans to send domestically-developed satellites into geostationary equatorial orbits (GEOs) onboard homegrown launch vehicles within the next ten years. Speaking in an interview with the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Sunday, Zarepour pointed to unfulfilled space projects from the previous Iranian administrations, stating that the fate of a number of indigenously-manufactured and foreign-built satellites that were set to be launched into space remains unknown. He went on to note that the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) has seriously followed up on the matter, emphasizing that independence and progress in the aerospace sector are of paramount significance to the incumbent Iranian administration. "Over the past two years, we have carried out a total of 11 research, orbital, sub-orbital and operational launches, and managed to successfully put our satellites into orbit," the Iranian telecoms minister noted. He underscored that Iran is still at the threshold of the space technology, stating that the Islamic Republic can send light satellites into low Earth orbits (LEOs), and plans to place semi-heavy and heavy satellites in the orbits in the near future. "We are now back on the fast track of developing the country's space industry, and the trend will continue," Zarepour said. He highlighted that his ministry has drawn up a 10-year vision plan for the aerospace sector. "Sending Iranian satellites into space onboard homegrown launch vehicles, and their placement in geostationary equatorial orbits (GEOs) - nearly 36,000 kilometers in altitude above Earth's equator - has been envisaged in the Vision Plan," Zarepour said. Addressing a ceremony in the capital Tehran on February 3 in commemoration of the National Space Technology Day, President Ebrahim Raeisi said Iran is now among the world's top 10 countries in the field of aerospace technology. He said Iran's progress in aerospace was a realization of the "we can" motto, and a definite sign of turning sanctions and threats into opportunities. The president also hailed the launch of homegrown research satellites into low Earth orbits (LEOs) and said Iranian scientists are presenting noteworthy innovations, achievements and products at the same time that enemies are trying to foster a sense of despair by means of their mainstream media. Raeisi said the Iranian nation is after establishing a strong presence in space and will succeed against all odds. Late last month, Iran successfully sent homegrown Mahda research satellite, along with two research cargos, to space onboard the domestically developed and manufactured Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite launch vehicle (SLV). Mahda reportedly weighs 32 kilograms and its primary task is to test the satellite-related subsystems, verify the function of Simorgh SLV in dispensing space cargos, and evaluate the performance of new designs and the reliability of indigenous technologies in space. Earlier, the Aerospace Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) had successfully put Soraya satellite into an orbit 750 kilometers above Earth in 11 minutes. The research satellite, manufactured by the ISA, was launched with a Qaem-100 space launch vehicle (SLV). Qaem-100 is a three-stage SLV with solid fuel developed by the IRGC Aerospace Force. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press conference - Newcastle Transcript Saturday 17 February 2024 Newcastle Prime Minister Anthony Albanese The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Prime Minister of Australia Sharon Claydon MP Member for Newcastle SHARON CLAYDON MP, MEMBER FOR NEWCASTLE: All right, that is brilliant. So that is the big welcome to Newcastle siren, Prime Minister, East End Boardriders have got the show underway. So delighted to have you back to Newcastle, and just this morning having an opportunity to meet with so many Novocastrians, from all different kinds of professions, who stand to benefit from the reconsideration of the stage three tax cuts. I've got to tell you, it has been a hoot to have so many conversations, you know, with so many people that have great appreciation really, that the Government has listened, has listened to, you know, the pain that some people have been experienced in terms of cost and living pressures. And this has been a really welcome relief. So handing straight across to you Prime Minister, a long-time friend of Newcastle, and it's just fabulous to have you back. ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, thanks very much, Sharon. And it is great to be back in Newcastle. Can I thank the hundreds of people who came to the Hunter Nexus dinner last night at Newcastle Town Hall. It was members of the Hunter business community, the academic community, people came from Muswellbrook, from Singleton, right throughout the region, talking about the great future that this great region has, as our economy transforms, this is an era of opportunity for the Hunter. And just like when the Hunter sees the opportunities that were there, when in the late 90s the steelworks closed, many people wrote off this great city, but no one in this city did anything but become more determined, and more, more conscious of the need to diversify the economy, to create jobs, to create a new economy here in the Hunter. And they did that. In the coming decades again, that can happen. This region is really well positioned to benefit from the changes in our economy. And last night, what I got out of that event was the sense of optimism that was there from business, from investors, from the University, from TAFE sector, from others here in Hunter, and I do want to thank the Hunter Business Community in particular for hosting us there yesterday evening. Now, this morning, we've been talking, just near here, with local constituents, about the impact of Labor's cost of living tax cuts, because they will make an enormous difference for people here in the Hunter. We want every taxpayer to receive a tax cut, not just some. And under Labor's plan, people will earn more, and they'll get to keep more of what they earn. Peter Dutton wants people to work longer for less. That's a great divide in Australian politics at the moment. Now this morning, we met David, an account manager from Lambton - he'll be $1,300 better off from July one. Sarah - Sarah from Waratah, a working mum, she told me she's worked it all out dollar for dollar - $2,868 better off. Working hard to make ends meet, this will make an enormous difference. And the other difference it will make, is people who will now be encouraged to go back and work part time, or work an extra day. All those people, and we met two family groups this morning as well as singles, who will benefit as well. Those family groups, as the mums return to work, will return to work for an extra day, and will keep more of what they earn, making an enormous difference to those family budgets. It was so pleasing to meet people here in Newcastle, for whom our tax cuts are welcomed, because they will make that difference. Now, this wasn't an easy decision that the Government made. It was the right decision, done for the right reasons, at the right time. And every worker who I meet, who expresses gratitude for the Government being prepared to take a different position to benefit them, particularly low and middle income earners, it gives me great heart that we have done the right thing. And that's what we're elected to do, to make the tough decisions, not the easy ones, so my Government's been prepared to do that. We're happy to take questions. JOURNALIST: Mr. Albanese, what can you tell us about the boat of asylum seekers that arrived off of WA yesterday? PRIME MINISTER: I have spoken with the Minister, Claire O'Neil, but I've also spoken with the Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force Operations on Sovereign Borders, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, and I've been fully briefed on what's occurred. We don't talk about the detail of operational matters, but I'm very comfortable that the Operation Sovereign Borders has been put in place. It's the same system that operated before. And we will make announcements about what has occurred there through Operation Sovereign Borders, imminently, when that occurs. JOURNALIST: Are you worried that people are exploiting the NZYQ decision to entice people to take the dangerous journey to Australia? PRIME MINISTER: Well, we - our position on Operation Sovereign Borders is very clear, and people who attempt to arrive here by boat will not settle here. Our position is clear. And, I do say for people in public life to have a look at the very clear, strong and unequivocal message sent by Rear Admiral Sonter last night in the very clear statement that he made. We do not seek to politicise national security issues. And it is unfortunate when any politician seeks to do so. And I'd ask them to have a look at the clear statements that were made by the Chief of Operation Sovereign Borders. JOURNALIST: Just on that, the Opposition Leader says people smugglers, quote: "pick out a weak leader." What's your response to that? PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think that says more about him than anything else. The clear statement by the leader of the Operation Sovereign Borders operations, is very clear, that was made last night. JOURNALIST: Mr. Albanese is Defence looking to offload prime real estate to fund military acquisitions and the updating of bases? PRIME MINISTER: No, we are operating very clearly in accordance with the Defence Review that took place. When we have surplus land of course, from time to time, that will be dealt with, in order to build housing, as one of the things that we need to do with public land in general whether it's Commonwealth or State land. So, we are very confident that we have got the Defence Strategic Review, it provides a roadmap going forward, and that's what we're operating from. JOURNALIST: Mr. Albanese there was sad news here in Newcastle this week, that Groovin the Moo Regional Music Festival was cancelled. It's the second festival to be cancelled here in Newcastle. What can your Government potentially do to support regional music and music festivals? PRIME MINISTER: Well, if you look at what we've done, as part of our review, and our support for the arts sector, we're creating Music Australia. My Government thinks that people's quality of life is about, the economy first and second, and their standard of living, but we recognise as well that culture and creative activity is an important component of leading a fulfilling life. And that's why, under Tony Burke you're seeing a massive change from the Government. We support live music, we support events, we support the creation of the structures through Music Australia. I did see that and of course Groovin the Moo was also a, it's a regional festival that goes to Canberra, and I know that people in Canberra, now my home, were really regretting it. I did note when I came into Newcastle, the billboard still there with Alice in Wonderland, leading what was a pretty handy line-up, I must say, of artists there. So I think that will be disappointing. But we do have an incredible live music scene here in Australia. And I think the quality of artists coming up through the ranks is just extraordinary. The new albums from G Flip and Angie McMahon, I recommend both of them to anyone watching this interview. They are sensational. And I think that for young people as well, these music festivals are an opportunity for people to get together, enjoy each other's company, and meet a whole range of people they wouldn't meet otherwise. And there are of course festivals aimed not just at young people, but the Byron Bay Blues Festival and others as well. We have a fantastic live music scene in this country. I think it is rivalling the music scene that I was lucky enough to come from the generation of Oils and Chisels and INXS and others, seeing them at local pubs. But I think now, it's different through these music festivals. But I want to see them continue and to be held wherever possible. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you're here to speak about tax changes and obviously cost of living. Newcastle has a massive, it's a massive university town, will there be any consideration on freezing indexation to help with student loans? PRIME MINISTER: We think, one of the things I spoke about last night at Newcastle University is that Newcastle University has a nation leading system of having essentially fee free courses in order to attract students. And over the years, something like 50,000 people have gone through Newcastle University. One of those is someone called Jodie Haydon, who I'm close to, as you might have noticed over the last week, a graduate of Newcastle University. So I'm very conscious about the fantastic role that Newcastle Uni plays here as a driver of the economy as well, not just in terms of students, but the work that it does in research, the work that it does in collaboration with the mining sector and with industry, is so important for this town. And additional to that, the campus down there at Ourimbah is where we launched our policy for Fee Free TAFE - 300,000 Australians last year began courses for free through TAFE. That's made an incredible difference to them as individuals, but tell you what it'll do, it'll make a big difference to our economy as well. Because people in the care sector, aged care, child care, as well as our carpenters, our plumbers, our electricians, have all been given those apprenticeships, given those starts, and they've done it free of charge. An enormous difference, and we have an additional 300,000 places beginning this year, JOURNALIST: Who do you hold responsible for Alexei Navalny's death? PRIME MINISTER: Well, this is of course, a tragedy. And Australia is shocked and saddened by the news of Alexei Navalny's death, and we hold Vladimir Putin and the Russian regime responsible for this death in prison. Vladimir Putin is an authoritarian, and we have a divide in the world between authoritarian regimes and democracies. Just to our north, we've seen the greatest democratic exercise on a single day in human history, with the election of a new president of Indonesia on February 14. And it stands in stark contrast, we cannot take democracy for granted we need to cherish it and nurture it. And we need to call out the behaviour of authoritarians like Vladimir Putin. Thanks very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia to participate in Exercise Milan 24 Issued by Defence Media 18 February 2024 Australia will continue to deepen its relationships with India and like-minded regional partners this month by participating in Exercise Milan 24. Hosted by India from 19-27 February in the port city of Visakhapatnam and the adjacent Bay of Bengal, Exercise Milan 24 will bring together approximately 50 nations and around 20 international vessels and aircraft from across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Exercise Milan 24 is a key element in the Australian Defence Force's first regional presence deployment for 2024 and the first large-scale multilateral exercise on the Navy's calendar for the year. The Australian Defence Force will be represented by the Commander of the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Chris Smith, AM, CSM, RAN, and HMAS Warramunga, with an embarkedMH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which is currently conducting an Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment. Pursuing the theme 'Camaraderie, Cohesion, Collaboration', Exercise Milan 24 will feature a six-day harbour phase offering knowledge sharing, leadership engagement and a table top exercise along with a street parade and cultural exchanges. The four-day sea phase will comprise advanced maritime training including anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare exercises along with large force maritime manoeuvres. Australia's Joint Force Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Jonathan Ley, said the exercise was important for building international relationships, professional development and for Warramunga's crew to practise operating at sea as part of a large multilateral fleet. "Exercise Milan is an important biennial training activity for the Indo-Pacific region and valuable for advancing Australia's place as an Indian Ocean neighbour," Commodore Ley said. "Our participation in Exercise Milan 24 will help deepen Australia's navy-to-navy relationship with India, provide opportunities for naval leaders to contemplate shared security challenges and enhance mutual understanding among the navies of like-minded nations. "I am very grateful to the Indian Navy for the opportunity to again join the growing number of participants in 2024." Milan 24 will be the twelfth edition of India's biennial flagship exercise, which began with just four nations in 1995. Australia has been a participant since 2003. Australia's participation in Exercise Milan 2024 follows its hosting of Indian-owned Exercise Malabar for the first time in 2023, which drew together naval forces from India, Japan, the United States and Australia for exercises in Sydney and the seas off the NSW coast. HMAS Warramunga departed for its current three-month regional presence deployment in late January and will participate in several exercises, cooperative activities and joint patrols with partner navies along with regional port visits. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press conference - Perth Transcript Sunday 18 February 2024 Perth Prime Minister Anthony Albanese The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Prime Minister of Australia Senator Varun Ghosh Senator for Western Australia VARUN GHOSH, SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Well, welcome to Hyde Park. My name is Varun Ghosh, I'm the newest Senator for Western Australia. We're very happy to give a warm welcome to the Prime Minister, to this lovely group of West Australian workers and members of the community to talk about Labor's tax cuts, Albo's tax cuts here in Western Australia today. ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much, Varun. And it's fantastic that you've been elected as Western Australia's newest Senator, and I congratulate you mate, you will make an enormous contribution and already your connections with the community are evident here today. Because today, I have been given a very warm welcome here in WA, I've got to say. Warm in heat, but warm also, because of the policies that we are putting forward in the interests of working people. Under our tax cuts, every single taxpayer will get a tax cut, all 13.6 million of them, not just some. And for retail workers, so many people who work at Woolworths or Coles or work in the retail industry, they earn $45,000 or less. They will now get a tax cut, they were not going to get a single dollar under Peter Dutton's plan that goes back to Scott Morrison's tax cuts of five years ago, that would have left people behind. Average workers will get some double of the tax cuts they were going to get, so we think this is an important reform. We went around and we listened to people about the cost of living pressures, which are there. This is a direct way, by having the same amount of tax cuts worth $107 billion over the forward estimates, but making sure they're distributed in a much better way. This will ensure that retail workers don't get left behind, and certainly today, the families here in Hyde Park have appreciated the fact that Labor has been prepared to not make an easy decision, but make the right decision, for the right reasons, at the right time. Labor wants people to earn more and to keep more of what they earn. The Coalition want people to work longer for less, which is why, not only did they say they'd fight our tax cuts, they said they'd overturn them. And they, of course, have also opposed our industrial relations reforms, which just say sensibly, that people shouldn't be on the clock 24 hours a day without being compensated for it. Happy to take some questions. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, are you feeling the heat over the recent arrivals on the weekend of 39 boat people? PRIME MINISTER: Look, these issues have been resolved. Operation Sovereign Borders is in place and has dealt with this issue, as we said that it would. I don't comment on operational matters, and I note that the head of Operation Sovereign Borders, Rear Admiral Sonter, has made his views very, very clear about the appropriateness or otherwise of some of the comments that have been made in recent days. I had discussions with the Rear Admiral yesterday and again this morning, or today, as well. And these issues have been resolved. JOURNALIST: Have you been briefed on whether they've accounted for all the people off that boat or whether they, is there any operation going on to still find if there are any other people off that boat who haven't been found? PRIME MINISTER: Yes, I have been briefed. I got briefed today. We don't comment on operational matters, but it's been resolved in a consistent way, as we said it would. It's only Peter Dutton who, for reasons that he needs to explain, is trying to send a different message to people smugglers. What we're doing is saying Operation Sovereign Borders is in place. If you arrive here by boat, you will not be settled here. JOURNALIST: Is the level of surveillance under your Government of our borders the same as when the Coalition was in government? PRIME MINISTER: Well, people were wandering around beaches in Queensland under the former Government. That occurred for a period of time. We have indeed, cuts were made to operations under the former Government. What we've done is put in place appropriate measures, and they've been successful, and the operation has taken place, as we said it would. JOURNALIST: Kimberley and the Pilbara are very important to Australia's economy. The Premier, Roger Cook, and the Shadow Minister, Andrew Hastie, both said today that it just highlights how porous those borders are and how lightly defended they are. PRIME MINISTER: We have appropriate measures in place, and we have an appropriate response in place. And that's been demonstrated by the events this weekend. JOURNALIST: Rita Saffioti said a government who changed WA's GST deal or dropped WA's GST share would lose every seat in WA. How do you feel about that comment? And do you agree that the political reality means our GST share is safe? PRIME MINISTER: Well we've put in place security for your GST share, to make sure WA gets delivered what it's entitled to. We put those measures in place, we not only put those measures in place, we put in place all the measures for every State and Territory, and finalised that arrangement with the Premiers, including Premier Cook, last December. So it's very clear, our position and that security, which I must say was not left there by the former Government. We've made sure, through the National Cabinet process, that that security is there. JOURNALIST: Is there a greater need for a bigger personnel presence - Army, Navy, Air Force - in that coastal region of Western Australia? PRIME MINISTER: We have appropriate measures in place, we continue to monitor and continue to assess what is required at all times, at all times. We don't we don't comment on operational matters. We have, from time to time - under the former Government issues occurred. What we've done here is deal with it expeditiously, clearly, decisively, and in an appropriate manner. JOURNALIST: But a little wooden boat beat our defences. PRIME MINISTER: We have we have dealt with these issues appropriately, decisively, clearly, and in a way that leaves no doubt. The only person who's out there on a cheer squad is Peter Dutton, and he needs to explain how he thinks that the comments that he has made, talking Australia down, are appropriate. JOURNALIST: Donald Trump recently said he would encourage Putin to invade NATO allies in Europe. What would be your message to him and to Republicans blocking aid to Ukraine in light of the murder of Alexei Navalny? PRIME MINISTER: I'm not going to comment on internal US politics, that's a matter for the people in the United States. I will say about Alexei, and the treatment of him, that we hold Vladimir Putin responsible. This has been an appalling atrocity. This is a brave man who has stood up for democratic values and human rights in Russia, in his country. And his treatment is just beyond the pale, and we hold Vladimir Putin responsible for that. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, what reassurances can you provide that adequate resources are being put into Australia's borders? PRIME MINISTER: Well, they're there. The arrangements are in place. We continue to provide support as appropriate. The only cuts that have been made were the ones made by the former Government. JOURNALIST: Are you worried about the seeming falling interest or lack of support for Ukraine in the fallout of a major battle with the Russians, when they were about to be overrun, and blamed the lack of ammunition and lack of support. Are you concerned about the world losing interest in Ukraine? PRIME MINISTER: Well, I announced $50 million of additional support on Thursday for the people of Ukraine. This is a struggle not just for the people of Ukraine. This is a struggle on behalf of all those who support the international rule of law, all those who want to see national sovereignty be respected, all those who want to see borders respected. And the people of Ukraine have been courageous in their fight against a much larger army and military. They have shown extraordinary bravery and courage. And Australia stands with Ukraine, will continue to provide support, and just this week, we announced the additional $50 million of support. JOURNALIST: How confident are you that the Federal Government can save WA's nickel industry? PRIME MINISTER: I am quite confident because I've seen how important this industry is. I visited with the Japanese Prime Minister, the facilities down there Kwinana, during his bilateral visit. What we know is that nickel will be a critical mineral going forward. It's critical for batteries and for other sources as the global economy shifts, as we are seeing, to clean energy. What we have done on Friday is to list it as a critical mineral - that will open up the industry for further support. And indeed, my Cabinet is also giving consideration - I've had two discussions with Premier Cook, Premier Cook will come and be invited to the Cabinet meeting we're having here in Perth, the third Cabinet meeting we have had in Western Australia since my Government was elected. And we are looking towards smart, targeted, time limited support. This is a short term issue for what is, in the long term, a very critical industry for Australia. Thank you. JOURNALIST: Senator, do you agree that Labor would lose every seat in WA if it went back on our GST deal? SENATOR GHOSH: I'm not going to comment on the prospects of the next federal election at this point in time, but what I can say definitively is that Labor is committed to keeping the current share of the GST to the next election and beyond. PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Training proves ship is ready for anything By Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring 19 February 2024 Before HMAS Warramunga commenced Australia's first 2024 Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment, Commanding Officer Commander Jennifer Graham put her crew through rigorous training to ensure they were 'fully mission capable'. Training began in earnest soon after the Anzac-class frigate sailed from its home port of Fleet Base East, Sydney, in late January, and continued while traversing heavy seas in the Great Australian Bight. After a logistics visit to Fleet Base West in HMAS Stirling provided a brief reprieve, the ship's company was further tested in Navy's Western Australian Exercise Area in the Indian Ocean off the Western Australian coast. Training covered all aspects of modern warship operations, from core maritime skills such as navigation, manoeuvring, man-overboard drills and small-boat operations using the ship's two rigid hull inflatable boats, through to helicopter operations, underway replenishment, firefighting, damage control, small-arms practice, engineering incident response and warfare drills at 'action stations' - the ship's highest state of alert. After months of training and pre-departure preparations, Commander Graham said she was confident in her crew's abilities and readiness. "Having enjoyed the Christmas and New Year break before we departed, the transit around Australia provided an ideal opportunity to bring the team back up to speed and prepare for the deployment ahead," Commander Graham said. Commander Graham said the crew enjoyed the chance to train with sister ship, HMAS Stuart, as it returned to sea for the first time since completing the Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program. "Regardless of the mission, whenever an Australian warship leaves Australian waters it must be mission capable and ready for anything ... and Warramunga certainly is," Commander Graham said. And the hard work has already been paying off. Sincecommencing the regional presence deployment, Warramunga has operated in company with United States Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force warships in the South China Sea, visited Singapore and is preparing for further engagements with regional partners in a range of maritime warfare exercises and cooperative activities. Regional presence deployments demonstrate Australia's commitment to, and engagement with, the region. The deployments play a vital role in Australia's long-term security and prosperity by protecting Australia's interests, preserving a rules-based order, enhancing cooperation and relationships with regional partners and allies, and developing capability and interoperability. The current regional presence deployment will be completed in late April. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wang meets Blinken, calls for sound, steady, sustainable development of ties Global Times Meeting marks another effort to manage disputes, stabilize ties and prepare for higher-level interactions By Zhao Yusha and Leng Shumei Published: Feb 17, 2024 06:03 PM During a meeting on Friday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the ongoing Munich Security Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a sound, steady and sustainable development of China-US ties. Chinese experts noted that as risks of both bilateral and international conflicts are on the rise, Wang's meeting with Blinken marks another round of efforts between China and the US in managing disputes, stabilizing ties and de-risking; it also paves way for more frequent and higher-level meetings between the two countries. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the most important task for both sides currently is to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state to make the "San Francisco vision" a reality, so as to promote a sound, steady and sustainable development of bilateral relations. To this end, the two sides should adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation and actively explore the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other, Wang noted. The US side should view China's development objectively and rationally, and adopt a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and implement President Biden's commitments into concrete actions, Wang added. During the meeting, the two sides had candid, substantive and constructive discussions, according to Xinhua News Agecy. The important signal being conveyed is the need to manage and stabilize the relationship between the two sides, while also exchanging views on major regional and global issues, so as to prevent overall global security from being completely undermined, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Saturday. Another signal from Wang's conversation with Blinken is to maintain the momentum of high-level meetings between the two countries, laying the groundwork for more frequent and higher-level interactions between officials in the future, according to Li. A handout of the meeting between Wang and Blinken published by the US State Department said that both sides recognized the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between the two countries across a range of strategic issues, including consultations and high-level meetings in key areas in the coming months. China and the US have continued to build momentum for interactions in various fields after the meeting of the two heads of state in San Francisco. However, the US sincerity toward improving ties with China has been widely questioned by Chinese experts. Li said the US has never abandoned its two-faced approach to China - seeking engagement with China while strengthening competition and keeping up provocations on certain issues, especially the South China Sea issue and the Taiwan question. During his meeting with Blinken, Wang stressed that that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China's territory, which is the true status quo of the Taiwan question. He noted that what is trying to change the status quo are the "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and the connivance and support of external forces. If the US genuinely hopes for stability across the Taiwan Straits, it should abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiquAs, and carry out its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," Wang said. Speaking with the Global Times on Wednesday, Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, who is currently attending the Munich Security Conference, said that although the risk of conflicts for China and the US in the South China Sea is rising, both sides are trying to avoid such conflicts as it would be catastrophic for the world to bear. He warned that if the US is not willing to follow the current rules and keeps provoking on the South China Sea issue, such conflicts will be very likely in the future. Li said Wang's emphasis on the Taiwan question is also to warn the US not to fan the flames on this question, as neither side wants the Taiwan question to become a new crisis in the Asia-Pacific region. Both sides are aware that Taiwan's newly elected regional leader Lai Ching-te will indeed inject a great deal of uncertainty into cross-Straits relations. On the Taiwan question, experts pointed out that Lai's inauguration speech in May is worth noting. Wu said the US is also pressuring the island of Taiwan at various levels, so they won't go across the red line and give the Chinese central government more reasons to expedite the process of national reunification. Taiwan cannot act as it wishes and must take into account the pressure from the US, said Wu. Wang and Blinken also agreed to continue promoting dialogue and consultation on foreign policies, Asia-Pacific affairs, maritime affairs and artificial intelligence, and maintain communication between the two militaries. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Korean Peninsula and other regional hot spot issues, and agreed to maintain contact between the two sides' special envoys for the Korean Peninsula affairs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA Air Force trains J-20 pilots at elite combat unit Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Feb 17, 2024 05:12 PM The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force is using an elite combat unit to train J-20 pilots amid deliveries of the stealth fighter jet to multiple units, a move experts said on Saturday will contribute to the fast generation of new combat capabilities which require pilots to not only fight, but also command. As the first combat unit to commission J-20 fighter jets, the Wang Hai Air Group has verified and explored multiple capabilities of the aircraft in air combat, including creating the precedence of commencing combat missions under extreme weather conditions, China Central Television (CCTV) reported earlier this week. The J-20 is China's latest domestically developed stealth fighter jet with complex combat systems involving multiple fields of study, and it was the Wang Hai Air Group's responsibility to explore how to convert the aircraft's new potentials into combat capabilities, CCTV said. "[The J-20] is not only a fighter jet, but also a node of aerial command, so we should not train the pilots to become just combatants, we should train them to also be aerial commanders," Lieutenant Colonel Yang Juncheng of the Wang Hai Air Group said in the CCTV report footage. After having equipped all of its pilots with J-20s, the Wang Hai Air Group established a system to train J-20 pilots. It has also helped many other units to train their personnel to fly and operate J-20s, becoming a talent reserve base of the PLA Air Force in terms of new aircraft training, CCTV reported. As early as September 2022, the PLA Air Force announced that more and more J-20s were being commissioned, and the stealth aircraft had been delivered to all Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern and Central theater commands, CCTV reported at the time. A large number of J-20s have likely been delivered since then, and many more will be built in the years to come, so it is important that the PLA Air Force has enough pilots that can handle the country's most powerful fighter jet, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Saturday. Unlike the previous generation of multi-role fighter jets that focus on fighting, intercepting, attacking and tactical bombing, the J-20 has been given a new role, namely the early warning and control function, thanks to its advanced sensors, computing systems and avionics, the expert said. This new role demands new capabilities from the pilots, and requires more intensive training, the expert said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's top diplomat meets Blinken at the request of the US side: Chinese FM official Global Times By Global Times Published: Feb 18, 2024 01:11 PM At the request of the US side, China's top diplomat Wang Yi met with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, according to an official from the Chinese Foreign Ministry who attended the meeting. During the meeting, which lasted for one hour and 40 minutes, the two sides exchanged views on China-US relations and international and regional issues of common interest. According to the official, the two sides exchanged views on the implementation of the outcomes of the meeting between the two heads of state in San Francisco. They fully affirmed the positive progress made in recent months in the fields of diplomacy, the economy and trade, drug control, military, culture, and artificial intelligence, and discussed the planning of high-level exchanges and dialogue and cooperation in various fields in the next stage. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, expressed China's solemn position on issues such as Taiwan question, economic and trade and cooperation on technology, demanding that the US side refrain from taking actions that are inconsistent with the spirit of the San Francisco meeting and contradict the commitments made by US President Joe Biden. Blinken emphasized that the meeting between the two heads of state in San Francisco was positive and significant, and has made tangible progress in stabilizing the bilateral relationship. The US side welcomes the positive momentum of implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state and will continue to work toward developing a healthy economic and trade relationship with China and promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Regarding the Taiwan question, Blinken reiterated the US' position, stating that the US is committed to the one-China policy, does not support "Taiwan independence," and does not seek to use the Taiwan question as a tool to contain China. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on issues such as Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Regarding the Ukraine issue, Wang pointed out that China is neither a creator nor a party to the conflict, and has been calling for dialogue to resolve the issue since the second day of the conflict. China does not accept baseless accusations and pressure from the US, Wang said. On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Wang urged the US to reflect on its policy toward North Korea and take action to respond to North Korea's legitimate security concerns. Both sides agreed to communicate through special envoys on Korean Peninsula affairs. Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Wang pointed out that Palestine has not yet achieved its legitimate national rights and the establishment of an independent state. This is the root cause and core of all issues. The US should effectively promote a ceasefire and the "two-state solution." This is what major countries, including China and the US, should do, he noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA Navy's eighth Type 055 large destroyer achieves operational capability with training in South China Sea Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Feb 18, 2024 05:22 PM The eighth Type 055 large destroyer of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has achieved operational capability, it was announced in a recent exercise in the South China Sea, marking all eight warships of this class now currently in service are now ready for deployment, experts said on Sunday. During the Spring Festival holidays, the Type 055 large destroyers Xianyang and Yan'an affiliated with the navy of the PLA Southern Theater Command embarked on a combat readiness training mission in an undisclosed area in the South China Sea, China Central Television (CCTV) reported over the past week. During the exercise, the Xianyang was tasked to independently counter mock aerial targets, while the Yan'an conducted mock missile strikes against suspected maritime targets, CCTV reported. "When I first saw the Xianyang, it was just an empty shell in the shipyard. I have witnessed with my own eyes its delivery, tests, trials and commissioning. Now, after the full-course training program over the past year, we have basically achieved operational capability," Chen Fashun, a crew member on the Xianyang, said in the CCTV report. The commissioning of the Xianyang, the eighth and the latest Type 055 large destroyer of the PLA Navy, was announced in April 2023. With the Xianyang achieving operational capability, all eight Type 055 large destroyers now currently in service with the PLA Navy are now ready for combat, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday. Having a displacement of more than 12,000 tons, the Type 055 is widely believed to be one of the world's most powerful classes of multirole warship thanks to its high firepower of 112-cell vertical launch system capable of hosting air defense, anti-ship, anti-submarine and land attack missiles, as well as the outstanding situational awareness granted by its advanced radars, sensors and data link systems integrated into its mast, analysts said, citing openly available information. Type 055 large destroyers can escort aircraft carriers or lead a group of warships in far sea operations, experts said, noting that the warships will play significant roles in safeguarding China's sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and development interests. Observers speculated that China would likely build and commission more Type 055 large destroyers. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Legislation to safeguard national security conforms to international practice: Hong Kong legal profession People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:57, February 18, 2024 HONG KONG, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Jan. 30 commenced a month-long public consultation on the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, with the legal profession in Hong Kong saying that the legislation to safeguard national security conforms to international practice and is "necessary" and "should be done as soon as possible." Gu Minkang, a professor of the Education University of Hong Kong, said that almost all countries in the world attach importance to national security legislation, as it is related to the survival of a country and must be protected by special laws. As a special administrative region of China, Hong Kong has the constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security. Gu, also vice chairman of Hong Kong Basic Law Education Association, stressed that the legislation of Article 23 is the key to improving national security legislation, and it must be guided by the overall national security concept and fully fill the loopholes in national security. He said that through the legislation of Article 23, Hong Kong can integrate local laws and regulations on national security, absorb new international regulations on national security crimes, and build a complete legal system for safeguarding national security. Only in this way can Hong Kong gain confidence and freedom, develop its economy and maintain long-term prosperity and stability. Why is it necessary to legislate for Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law when the national security law in Hong Kong already exists? In this regard, Ian Chu, a barrister a governor of local think tank Path of Democracy, explained that although the national security law in Hong Kong has brought stability to the society, but in order to consolidate national security in an all-round way, it needs to be complementary to the legislation of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law. Chu believed that with the legislation of Article 23, Hong Kong's work in safeguarding national security will be more effective. Since national security is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's development, the national security law in Hong Kong and Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law need to work together to make Hong Kong's international status rock-solid. Hong Kong should seize the opportunity to do the legislation, so as to safeguard national security and allow Hong Kong people to live a stable life and Hong Kong can soar again. Ronny Tong, an official member of the Executive Council of the HKSAR, also a senior counsel, said that there is no contradiction between national security and public interest, because there is no public interest in the world that endangers national security. If it is against national security, it is not in the public interest. Tong said that Hong Kong is a pluralistic society, and the exchange of information is quite open and smooth. Therefore, as long as people do not do anything that violates or endangers national security, all information can flow freely. Willy Fu, a law professor in Hong Kong, said that the enactment of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law adds some crimes according to the actual situation, which is a forward-looking and will provide important support for the maintenance of good governance and long-term peace and stability in Hong Kong. Fu believed that the legislation of Article 23 and the national security law in Hong Kong are compatible and complementary, and can jointly build a strong wall of national security and plug legal loopholes. In particular, amending some existing laws, converting some common law crimes into statutory laws and providing extra-territorial effects, will give no foothold to the anti-China forces, which will do all good but not harm to Hong Kong. Cheung Kwok-kwan, deputy secretary for justice of the HKSAR government, said that the legislation of Article 23 is not intended to lower the threshold of conviction. The prosecution must still prove beyond reasonable doubt that a defendant has committed a crime and has intent to commit a crime before the court can convict the defendant. The public need not to worry about inadvertently violating the law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPRK: Ten Years After the UN Commission of Inquiry Final Report US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson February 17, 2024 Today marks the 10th anniversary of the release of the final report of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the human rights situation in the DPRK. The groundbreaking report provided compelling evidence of widespread, systematic, and grave human rights violations by the DPRK government, and reflected the international community's consensus view that the human rights situation in the DPRK was among the worst in the world. A decade later, reports indicate that the situation in the DPRK has only worsened. Kim Jong Un continues to exploit his citizens including through mass mobilizations and the monopolization of food distribution, in support of the DPRK's unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. We call on the DPRK to initiate a reform process to implement the recommendations of the 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry and to respect human rights. We also urge the international community to take immediate action to address the egregious human rights situation in the DPRK and for Member States to respect the principle of nonrefoulement. Promoting respect for human rights and human dignity in the DPRK remains a top priority for the U.S. government. We remain committed to shining a spotlight on human rights abuses and violations, promoting accountability for those responsible for them, and increasing access to independent information inside the DPRK. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Head of WPK Delegation Meets Russian Party Leader Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Su Gil, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chief secretary of the Pyongyang Municipal Committee of the WPK who is heading the WPK delegation on a visit to Russia, Friday met with Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev, president of the United Russia Party. He courteously conveyed the warm greetings of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un to Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev. Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev expressed deep thanks to Kim Jong Un for sending a WPK delegation to the international meeting hosted by the United Russia Party and asked Kim Su Gil to convey the sincerest greetings of Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and himself to Kim Jong Un . Present on the occasion were members of the WPK delegation, the DPRK ambassador to Russia, the secretary of the General Council of the United Russia Party, the vice-chairperson of the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of Russia and a vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Meanwhile, during the meeting, the WPK delegation met with the head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and delegations of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Party of Socialists in the Republic of Moldova, the Party of Belaya Rusi and the Union Solidarity and Development Party of Myanmar and others respectively. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs SAjournA US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson February 17, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs StAphane SAjournA on the margins of the Munich Security Conference to discuss shared global interests. The Secretary and Foreign Minister SAjournA discussed the importance of preventing the conflict in Gaza from spreading, including avoiding escalation in Lebanon, and the need to deter illegal attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthis. They also discussed steadfast support for Ukraine as it continues to defend against Russia's brutal aggression. In addition, Secretary Blinken and Minister SAjournA discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington and our crucial relationship as NATO Allies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with Chancellor Scholz of Germany February 17, 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris met today with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany in Munich, underscoring the strength of the transatlantic relationship in addressing global challenges. The Vice President expressed appreciation for Germany's exemplary contributions to Ukraine's self-defense and for the Chancellor's personal leadership to advance robust European and international support for Ukraine's economic stability. The leaders noted reports of the death of Alexey Navalny, which underscores Russia's brutality and the need to continue aiding Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression. The leaders also reiterated their commitment to close coordination on both countries' approaches to managing competition with the People's Republic of China. # # # NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IAF CONDUCTS 'EXERCISE - VAYU SHAKTI-24' IN RAJASTHAN India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 17 FEB 2024 7:32PM by PIB Delhi Pokhran range near Jaisalmer reverberated with thunderous explosions and applause, on 17 February 2024, as the Indian Air Force showcased its offensive capabilities through an enthralling and formidable display of its firepower. Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event began with three Chetak helicopters trooping the National Flag and the Air Force ensign, flying past the grand stand with the National Anthem playing in the background. This was followed by a perfectly timed 'Sonic Boom' created by a Rafale aircraft. Two Jaguar aircraft flying at low levels followed the Rafale, taking high fidelity reconnaissance images of the area. In keeping with this year's theme of the Exercise, 'Lightning Strike from the Sky', over 120 aircraft displayed the lAF's offensive capabilities by day as well as by night. Fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force including the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Tejas and Hawk attacked and destroyed simulated enemy targets on ground and in the air with deadly precision. These attacks were delivered in multiple modes and directions, employing a variety of Precision Guided Munitions as well as conventional bombs and rockets. Upholding lAF's firm commitment to 'AtmaNirbhar Bharat', the indigenously built Tejas aircraft showcased its swing-role capability and destroyed an aerial target with a missile, followed by the engagement of a ground target with bombs. Keeping up with the technological advancements in combat domain and the lessons learnt from recent conflicts, the lAF also displayed a long-range unmanned drone, which destroyed a simulated enemy radar site, with pinpoint accuracy. An IAF Rafale also successfully engaged an aerial target with a beyond visual range air-to-air missile. Combat support operations by transport aircraft included a Containerised Delivery System drop by a C-17 heavy-lift aircraft and an assault landing by a C-130J carrying IAF Special Forces, Garuds. The Apache attack helicopter demonstrated its firepower in this event for the first time, by engaging targets with Air to Ground guided missiles, while Mi-17 helicopters engaged ground targets with rockets. Joint operations included the IAF and Indian Army's weaponised version of the Advanced Light Helicopters Mk-IV devastating simulated enemy targets using their rockets and swivel guns. As another first, IAF Chinook helicopters demonstrated rapid deployment of combat assets by airlifting the Indian Army's M-777 Ultra-Light Howitzers in an underslung mode enabling prompt destruction of simulated enemy targets on ground. As the sun set on the horizon, Garuds inserted by Mi-17 helicopters carried out an 'Urban Intervention' demonstrating their prowess in anti-terror/insurgency operations aimed at clearing hideouts of inimical elements. The indigenous Air Defence Systems, Akash and SAMAR missile systems were also showcased, destroying multiple aerial targets. Night events displayed for the first time the capabilities of indigenous Light Combat Helicopter 'Prachand' wherein it neutralised designated target with rockets. This was followed by a Jaguar and Su-30 MKI dropping heavy calibre and area weapons at night showcasing the strategic bombing capability of the lAF. Remotely Piloted Aircraft carried out the bomb damage assessment of all targets that was live streamed to the operations centre and to the audience. The event also included a free fall drop by the Akashganga team and flare dispensing by C-130J by night. In the spirit of jointness, a Tri-service band enthralled the audience with their tunes. During the display, approximately 50 tonnes of ordnance was dropped in a short span of two hours over an area of two square km. The event truly showcased IAFs offensive lethality and precision targeting capability. *** ABB/IN/IS (Release ID: 2006811) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India approves $10 billion military buying spree in pivot to West Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 7:39 AM India's defense ministry has approved the procurement of 15 maritime patrol aircraft from Airbus and six air-refuel aircraft The initial approval, known as Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), was granted for the procurement of medium-range maritime reconnaissance and multi-mission aircraft for both the Navy and the Coast Guard. The aircraft Airbus C-295 will be built in Spain and India under collaboration between Airbus & India's TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). "India formalized the acquisition of 56 Airbus C-295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force (IAF) legacy AVRO fleet," Airbus said in a statement. "All detailed parts for the C-295 will be manufactured in India under exacting Airbus quality standards," said Jorge Tamarit Degenhardt, VP, the vice president and head of Airbus Defense and Space's C295 India Program. "As per the approval, Airbus Defense and Space is working with TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to produce detailed parts and sub-assemblies at various locations in India," Airbus said. "Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in 'fly-away' condition from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain. The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled" in India by TATA. The Defense Acquisition Council, the Indian defense ministry's top body for arms acquisition, also approved the purchase of flight re-fueling aircraft for "enhancing the operational capabilities and reach" of the air force, a statement said on Friday. Contenders for re-fuellers are Airbus with its A330 multi-role tanker transport & Boeing with its KC-46 Pegasus. The defense ministry on Friday approved projects worth 845.6 billion rupees ($10.19 billion), ranging from long-range cruise missiles, anti-tank loiter munitions, sonar, radars and torpedoes. The project the Indian Air Force (IAF) had been looking forward to since long has failed twice in the past to finish off the procurement despite this being seen as a critical project. Last year, India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Israel's Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last year to transform commercial aircraft, specifically the Boeing 767, into versatile multi-mission tanker transport (MMTT) aircraft within India. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Azarakhsh, Arman air defense systems destroy targets in shortest time: Minister IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani has said that the newly unveiled Azarakhsh and Arman air defense systems can destroy their targets within the shortest time period and distance. The minister made the comment on Saturday as he attended the unveiling ceremony of the Arman anti-ballistic missile system and Azarakhsh low-altitude air defense system, both developed by experts of the Iranian Defense Ministry. Ashtiani described the new systems as a great achievement in Iran's defense industry, saying that his ministry has made all of its efforts to meet the requirements of the defense sector, and supply equipment and weapons required by the armed forces. The Arman anti-ballistic missile system has a medium range and high altitude, which can detect targets at a 180-kilometer distance and destroy them in 120 km, he explained, adding that the system gets prepared for its operation in less than 3 minutes and boosts the country's air defense. Regarding the Azarakhsh air defense system, the minister said that it has a short range and has been developed to protect crucial centers against drones and small aircraft. Azarakhsh can be placed on various vehicles and is capable of conducting operations both in the day and at night, he said. It acts promptly thanks to using an advanced three-dimensional radar system as well as optic search and advanced seekers, and can destroy its targets in the shortest possible time, the minister noted. 4194**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sources say Israeli regime conducted sabotage attacks in Iran: NYT IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The New York Times quoted some sources as saying that the Israeli regime was behind recent attacks on major gas pipelines in Iran. The American newspaper reported on February 16 that recent covert attacks on two natural gas pipelines in Iran, which disrupted the flow of natural gas for cooking and heat appliances, were sabotage attacks by proxies of the regime. The daily's report is based on information received from two Western officials and a military strategist close to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). The newspaper described the sabotage as a notable shift in the long-running clashes between the Israeli regime and Iran. It reported that the Tel Aviv regime has a long history of targeting military and nuclear sites as well as scientists and commanders, while Iranian authorities emphasize that the regime's elements have carried out terrorist attacks and targeted civilians inside the country. The NYT pointed to recent terrorist attacks on a ceremony in Kerman, which left around 100 martyrs. However, the newspaper also quoted some officials and analysts stipulating that blowing up energy infrastructure marks an escalation in the covert hostility and it seems to open a new frontier. A Western source described the attack as a symbolic strike, which was fairly easy for Iran to repair, the report said. According to the NYT, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declined to comment on the issue. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran nets two terrorists behind attack on Sistan and Baluchestan police headquarters Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 6:22 AM Iran's security forces have arrested two terrorists involved in a terrorist attack last December on the Rask county's police headquarters in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. Spokesman for the Iranian police Brigadier General Saeed Montazer-al-Mahdi stated that the individuals have been identified as members of the Pakistan-based Jaish al-Adl terrorist group, which has claimed responsibility for the attack. They were captured in one of the counties of Sistan and Baluchestan province following the police forces' technical and intelligence monitoring, he added, without specifying the date of the detentions. Montazer-al-Mahdi further noted that four other terrorists had been detained over the past weeks for involvement in the same attack. Late on January 16, two major strongholds of the so-called Jaish al-Adl terrorist group in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan were precisely struck and completely wiped out by a salvo of missiles as well as a squadron of combat drones. The bases were specifically targeted and successfully demolished in the Koh-e-Sabz area of the province, which is known to be among the main bastions of Jaish al-Adl terrorists. Jaish al-Adl is a notorious terrorist group with headquarters in Pakistan, and has been involved in numerous terror attacks against Iran. Back on December 15 last year, the group claimed responsibility for the assault on Rask County's police headquarters. Alireza Marhamati, deputy provincial governor in security and political affairs, said at the time that 11 police forces, including officers and conscripts, were killed in the attack. Majid Mirahmadi, deputy interior minister for security and police affairs, also said the terrorists attacked the police post from several directions and later ambushed reinforcements deployed to the location. He said two of the terrorists were killed and one of them was injured and arrested in hours-long clashes, while the rest escaped. Six police forces were injured during the exchange of fire, he said. The attack, which occurred around midnight, was one of the deadliest in years for the region sitting close to Iran's border with Afghanistan and Pakistan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel was behind attacks on major gas pipelines in Iran: New York Times Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 2:08 AM Israel carried out covert attacks on two major natural gas pipelines inside Iran this week, according to a report by The New York Times. Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji said on Wednesday that a "terrorist sabotage" attack had targeted two main gas transmission pipelines in the country's southwestern province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari as well as the southern province of Fars, causing a massive explosion and a subsequent fire. The attacks disrupted the flow of heat and cooking gas to provinces with millions of people. The New York Times citing two Western officials and a military strategist reported on Friday that the attacks had been carried out by Israel. "The enemy's plan was to completely disrupt the flow of gas in winter to several main cities and provinces in our country," Iran's oil minister told Iranian media on Friday. Owji said that the goal of the attack was to damage Iran's energy infrastructure and stir domestic discontent. Saeed Aqli, head of dispatching operations at the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), also said that the act of terror struck the transmission lines in Borujen County in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. He added that a crisis management session had been convened shortly afterwards, with the Iranian oil minister, deputy oil ministers as well as senior security officials in attendance. Aqli further noted that firefighting brigades could extinguish the blaze within hours and the work on repairing the transmission lines was underway. The terrorist attack on Iran's major gas transmission lines came as anti-Iran media outlets had been suggesting assaults on the Iranian energy sector over the past few months, and some US senators had even called for the bombing of Iran's oil and gas infrastructure. Last year, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham suggested the US should threaten Iranian oil infrastructure if the conflict between Israel and Palestinian resistance group Hamas continued to escalate. "If there is an escalation in this conflict, if hostages start getting killed, if Hezbollah in the north attacks Israel in strength, we should tell Iran we will destroy your oil refineries and your oil infrastructure," Graham said. "We will put you out of business. Without money coming from Iran and weapons coming from the Iranians, Hamas will be nothing. Hezbollah will be nothing," Graham asserted. Iran has asserted, on numerous occasions, that the regional resistance groups act independently and do not take orders or receive finances from the Islamic Republic. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Several More Baha'is Jailed In Iran As Crackdown Continues By RFE/RL's Radio Farda February 17, 2024 Iran's judiciary has handed down lengthy sentences to several members of the Baha'i community, the country's largest non-Muslim group, the latest in a series of acts by the government against the faith's followers. Keyvan Rahimian, a psychologist and Baha'i follower, was sentenced to a total of nine years in prison by Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court, according to an Instagram page associated with Rahimian. It added that the sentence was split between five years for alleged "educational and/or promotional activities contrary to or undermining the sacred Shari'a of Islam," and an additional four years for "assembly and collusion." Rahimian was arrested in July 2023 and he has been detained in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since then. Meanwhile, Mina Karami, another Baha'i follower, was arrested on February 14 by security agencies on the streets of the southern Iranian city of Shiraz. She was subsequently transferred to Adel-Abad prison in Shiraz to commence a five-year sentence previously handed down in September 2022 for similar charges of undermining Islamic Shari'a through educational activities. Karami had been temporarily released on bail in early 2022 but now faces additional penalties, including a cash fine and a decade-long deprivation of social rights. Another Baha'i follower, Noushin Misbah, voluntarily presented herself to the local prosecutor's office this week to begin serving a one-year prison term. She was then taken to Vakilabad prison in Mashhad. Baha'i leaders have accused Iranian authorities of attempting to "systematically marginalize" its followers and deprive its members of their basic rights. Since the Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 1979, hundreds of Baha'is have been arrested and jailed for their beliefs. At least 200 have been executed or were arrested and never heard from again. Thousands more have been banned from receiving higher education or had their property confiscated, while vandals often desecrate Baha'i cemeteries. Baha'i officials also point to the arrests and reports of ongoing detentions and the unclear status of other Baha'i followers, such as Iman Rashidi and Yekta Fahandezh, whose situations remain unresolved after more than two months in custody. The Islamic Republic of Iran does not recognize the Baha'i faith, and authorities have frequently targeted its followers, labeling them as "spies and enemies." This has led to a series of harsh penalties, including death sentences, arrests, and prohibitions on education and employment, highlighting a continuing trend of religious persecution in the country. International human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned Iran's treatment of Baha'is, calling for an end to the discrimination and for the upholding of religious freedoms as per international standards. There are some 300,000 Baha'i adherents in Iran and an estimated 5 million worldwide. In a religious fatwa issued in 2018, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei forbade contact, including business dealings, with the followers of the faith. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-bahais- arrests-prison/32823824.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran pursuing 'strategic interaction' with neighbors: Deputy FM IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani has said that the Islamic Republic has good ties with its neighbors thanks to policies of President Ebrahim Raisi's administration that pursues "a strategic interaction" with the neighboring countries. "The interaction the government has with the neighboring countries, which is based on decisions made by the Islamic system, is strategic. We have good ties with our neighbors expect for one. We have good relations with Azerbaijan in the north, and with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait in the south; with Turkiye and Iraq in the west, and with Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east", Bagheri Kani said on Sunday at a national TV program. The foreign ministry official also said that Iran's policy towards its neighbors is based on dAtente, adding that the Islamic Republic "will not allow foreigners to misuse potential gaps" between the country and its neighbors. "Through strengthening deep-rooted and strategic bonds with the neighboring countries, we have the strong determination to create a stable region that enjoys collective cooperation and security so that grounds are prepared for the withdrawal of the US from the region", Bagheri Kani said, referring to a viewpoint of Supreme Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei who believes that the US presence in the region is the main cause of regional tensions. We should have "brotherly and friendly" relations with our neighbors in order for the US withdrawal from the region to happen, the deputy FM said, adding that "this is a strategic decision by the Iranian government." Bagheri Kani also spoke about the upcoming elections in Iran, saying that a strong turnout sends the message to enemies that the Iranian people care about the independence of their country and intend to maintain it as they have done in the past decades after the 1979 Islamic revolution. 4194**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Israeli President Herzog US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson February 17, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Munich. The Secretary reaffirmed Israel's right to ensure the terrorist attacks of October 7 can never be repeated. Secretary Blinken and President Herzog discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and achieve a humanitarian pause that would help enable the increased flow of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Secretary Blinken reiterated that the United States could not support a military ground operation in Rafah without a credible and implementable plan for ensuring the safety of the more than one million people sheltering there. Secretary Blinken emphasized the need for all parties to take feasible measures to protect civilian lives and prevent the conflict from expanding. The Secretary underscored the U.S. commitment to lasting peace in the region, including through the establishment of a Palestinian state with security guaranteed for Israel. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran slams US Senate for passing $14bn aid package to Israel IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has slammed the US Senate for passing a bill that allows the provision of more than $14 billion worth of aid to the Israeli regime amid its ongoing aggression on Palestinians in Gaza. Kanaani said on his page on the X on Sunday that the aid package adopted by the US Senate earlier this week was a reward for Israel's incessant crimes in Gaza. "The U.S. Senate's approval of a $14 billion aid package to the #Zionist regime, funded by American taxpayers, signifies that figures such as (Israeli PM Benjamin) Netanyahu, alongside other executioners in the unequal #Gaza conflict, will be rewarded with a daily sum of one hundred million dollars from the #UnitedStates for massacring innocent Palestinian civilians," he said. The spokesman added that only corrupt systems like the US government are able to "squander money for the merciless massacre of innocents." The US Senate approved an aid bill worth $95.3 billion on February 15 which includes $14.1 billion in what it describes as security assistance for the Israeli regime. The bill came despite growing international calls for a halt to an Israeli aggression on Gaza which has killed nearly 29,000 people since it started in early October. 4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rifts deepen in Israeli war cabinet: Report IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 19, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli media reports suggest that the crack is widening in the regime's war cabinet, with some members saying they are not part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's alliance. Benny Gantz, a member of the regime's war cabinet on Sunday rejected Netanyahu's claim that they are allies. "We are not your allies; this is neither an alliance nor a government", Gantz responded to Netanyahu's claim quoted by the Zionist media and cited by the Palestine Alyoum news website. According to reports, differences have intensified in the recent meeting of the war cabinet where Yoav Gallant, the current minister of military affairs also attacked Netanyahu over his policies related to the Gaza war and prisoner exchange. "The prime minister has violated the security system that resulted in the occurrence of mistakes", Gallant underlined. Meanwhile. Netanyahu tried to water down the issue and claimed that his administration remained united "to achieve a massive victory", without mentioning the growing division. This is while; Israeli media reported earlier that Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot had even threatened Netanyahu to dissolve the war council. Soon after October 7, Netanyahu formed an emergency war cabinet by extending the Israeli governing coalition to a number of former senior military officers, drawn from the ranks of the opposition. One of them was Benny Gantz, a former minister of military affairs, who swiftly demanded Netanyahu retract his controversial post while showing full support to the army and the Shin Bet, Israel's domestic spy agency. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Symbol of Myanmar's democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi's house set for March auction Experts say the property will never sell at a court-ordered starting price of US$90 million. By RFA Burmese 2024.02.18 -- Many Burmese consider it a symbol of the country's democracy movement, where Aung San Suu Kyi lived under house arrest for almost 15 years. They recall her giving political speeches from behind its fence. Granted freedom in 2010, Suu Kyi received U.S. President Barack Obama, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the compound. In March, the historic lakeside home and its two acres of land in the heart of Yangon will be auctioned at a starting price of more than 300 billion kyats, or about US$90 million - a figure observers say no one will pay. Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, or NUG - former civilian leaders now in exile or hiding - has vowed to take legal action against anyone who might purchase the compound, saying it should be protected as a place of cultural heritage. The NUG accused the junta of selling the house as part of a vendetta against Suu Kyi, the head of the deposed National League for Democracy and the country's former de facto leader whose government the military overthrew in a February 2021 coup. Under the law, Suu Kyi has the right to purchase the home at the reserve price before it goes to auction. But Suu Kyi, 78, is now in prison, sentenced by the junta to 33 years on 19 charges. That was later reduced to 27 years. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was initially put in solitary confinement in Yangon's Insein Prison, but it's not clear where she is currently being held. Last month, her son Kim Aris, who lives in the United Kingdom, received a letter from her - the first public communication from her since late 2022. Aris didn't have much to say about her health based on the letter, but she is believed to be suffering from medical and dental problems. A Yangon based lawyer who, like others interviewed for this report, declined to be named due to security concerns, told RFA that if Suu Kyi refuses to purchase the home and it goes to auction, the junta is unlikely to find a bidder. "The floor price for the auction is very high, but this is not a house owned by an ordinary citizen," he said. "Since it is a part of the historical heritage of the country, it will be very difficult for anyone to buy this grand residence, so it has little chance for success at auction." The lawyer said that if the reserve price is not met, the court will proceed with the sale of the property on the open market in accordance with the law. Family dispute The lakeside home was awarded to Suu Kyi's mother, Khin Kyi, after her father, independence activist Gen. Aung San was assassinated in 1947. But ownership of the historic property has long been disputed by Suu Kyi and her elder brother Aung San Oo. On Aug. 22, 2022, the junta-controlled Union Supreme Court declared the house would be auctioned under Aung San Oo's appeal. In mid-January, a source close to the Kamayut District Court told RFA Burmese that an order had been issued allowing the junta to sell the property at an auction set for March 20. In recent days, an auction order issued by the Kamayut court was posted at the residence at No. 54, University Avenue in Yangon's Bahan township, confirming the date and reserve price. Similar notices later appeared at the court and revenue offices of regional and district levels. A real estate agent told RFA that the reserve price is "too high" compared to other properties on the township's Inya Lake that offer similar scenic views. "One exception is that the house is situated in a good location," he said. "However, no one will buy it because of the high price and the fact that it is a significant landmark." However the auction plays out, the NUG is adamant that the property shouldn't be sold to a private owner. "This land and house belonged to national leader Bogyoke Aung San and his wife Khin Kyi. The property is related to the current State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi," said NUG Prime Minister's Office spokesperson Nay Phone Latt, using an honorific to refer to the independence leader. "The NUG has already declared it as an interim national heritage site, and has clearly stated that those who sell and buy the property, and those who are involved in trying to privatize it, will be prosecuted in accordance with the law." Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Munich: The martyr's death of Navalny symbolises the monstrous nature of the Russian regime Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17.02.2024 Today 16 February, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany, and commenting on the death of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny, said it proved the monstrous nature of the Russian regime. "Navalny dedicated his life to uncovering the true nature of Putin's regime and fighting it," Tsahkna said. "Navalny could assume what kind of a fate awaited him in Russia; yet he still returned there. Now he has died as a martyr." At the side events of the conference, speaking about Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Tsahkna said that Russia must suffer as a result of its aggression and one way to achieve this is to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine. "The use of force must lead to economic hardship, isolation, and eventually shameful defeat," Tsahkna said. "Using frozen Russian assets helps to achieve a turning point in the war and bring Russia's defeat closer." At the meetings, Tsahkna presented the draft law submitted by the government of Estonia to the Riigikogu that would allow the use of frozen Russian assets as an advance payment to help Ukraine. The minister said we must not be afraid to take any steps that would contribute to Russia's defeat. "Putin is playing on the fear of a nuclear disaster," Tsahkna noted. "However, if Ukraine loses this war, we will find ourselves in a world without security, prosperity and freedoms, and similarly, this is nothing short of a disaster." At his meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, Tsahkna said that Ukraine's victory is achieved with the long-term commitment of Allies and partners. "If every member of the Ramstein coalition allocated 0.25% of their GDP annually for Ukraine's military aid, Ukraine would win this war within a few years," Tsahkna said, outlining Estonia's strategy for victory. Tsahkna noted that while Russia is not posing an immediate threat to NATO countries, assessments show that after the end of the full-scale war, Russia is able to restore its military power within three to five years. This is why Europe must reinforce its defence and deterrence capabilities and increase defence spending. On the sidelines of the conference, Tsahkna met with the Foreign Minister of Peru Javier GonzAlez-Olaechea Franco, the Foreign Minister of Iraq Fuad Hussein, Chief Executive Officer of the American Jewish Committee Ted Deutch, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Amy Pope, Vice-President of the European Commission VAra JourovA and Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Robert Floyd. Before the security conference, Foreign Minister Tsahkna attended a breakfast meeting with representatives of the Parliament of Bavaria; talks focused on security, and possibilities for bilateral cooperation between Estonia and Bavaria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Alexey Navalny has died: prison service ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 17 February 2024 / 09:43 Jailed Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny has died, the prison service of the Yamalo-Nenets Region, where he had been serving his sentence, reported on Friday afternoon. Tehran -ISNA- The 47-year-old began to feel unwell after a walk, and lost consciousness, according to a statement. Russian media outlets have indicated that doctors pronounced Navalny dead after 2pm local time. "All the necessary resuscitation measures were carried out, but they failed to achieve a positive result," the authorities outlined. The cause of death is being established. However, according to an RT Russian service source, the opposition figure had a blood clot. Navalny was jailed in early 2021, over a long-standing fraud case involving French retailer Yves Rocher. The previous summer he attracted major international attention after an alleged poisoning in Siberia, which led to his transfer to Germany. Upon returning, he was sentenced to the first of several prison terms. Initially, he was placed in a high-security facility in Vladimir Region. In 2023 he was sentenced to 19 years "special regime" for "extremism." Late last year he was transferred to the 'Polar Wolf' colony in Yamalo-Nenets, located 40km above the Arctic Circle. The Kremlin said that President Vladimir Putin has been informed of Navalny's death. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred questions to the Federal Penitentiary Service, adding that the cause was currently unclear. Navalny's lawyer, Leonid Solovyov refused to comment, but explained that his client had held a meeting on Wednesday. "Everything was normal then," he insisted. Navalny joined a court session via videolink on Thursday, TASS reported, citing the court press service. A former Russian nationalist activist, Navalny first came to attention as one of the leaders of the "Russian march," a far-right rally previously held annually. He subsequently took a prominent role in the liberal-driven 2011-12 protests in Russia, which centered on Moscow's Bolotnaya square. In 2013, he won 27% of the vote in a Moscow mayoral election. Later, he established a broader movement - which produced reports on alleged corruption - and attempted to take part in the 2018 presidential contest. Navalny, a native of Moscow, was married, with two children. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At the Munich Security Conference, the President proposed a strategy to contain Russia President of the Republic of Lithuania February 17, 2024 President Gitanas NausAda is attending the Munich Security Conference. On Saturday, the Head of State addressed the discussion "Flank-Tastic? Mapping NATO's Eastern Deterrence and Defense". In the debate, the President stressed that we are living in an extremely complex geopolitical period, when Russia is destroying the rule-based international order, using military aggression against sovereign states, committing genocide, and threatening with nuclear war. According to the Head of State, Vladimir Putin will not give up his imperialist ambitions and his main objective is to seize territories by means of brutal military force and to increase Russia's influence in the world. The unprovoked and illegal war that Russia has started in Ukraine is just another proof of this. The Lithuanian leader stressed that Russia actively uses propaganda and disinformation, employs corruption schemes and uses nuclear blackmail to achieve its goals. According to the Lithuanian leader, Putin will not stop unless he is forced to do so. In his speech, Gitanas NausAda outlined his view on the strategy of active containment of Russia, which is necessary for the Western world to curb Russia's imperialist ambitions and to ensure long-term and sustainable peace in the world. "First of all, Russia has to be isolated in the international arena. No shaking hands with a murderer who kills his political opponents. Yes to Putin's trial in the Hague. Secondly, we need to invest as much as possible in our defense. NATO must be stronger than ever. Thirdly, we must derail the Kremlin regime's economic capacity to finance the war," the Lithuanian leader spoke. President Gitanas NausAda stressed that there can be no cooperation with the aggressor country in any area, from technology to culture. In his speech, the Head of State also pointed out the need to strengthen NATO's eastern flank. The President underlined that NATO's eastern flank is the Alliance's front line that protects freedom, democracy and a peaceful future for the whole of Europe, and must therefore be particularly strong. Deterrence is the most reliable and cheapest way to avoid military conflict. It is important to increase defense spending beyond the minimum 2% and to boost the defense industry as soon as possible. "We must have a brigade-sized permanently stationed allied forces in the Baltic States and strengthen the region's air defense. The allocation of the necessary capabilities and regular allied military exercises are a prerequisite for the effective implementation of defense plans," President Gitanas NausAda added. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Aleksei Navalny, Dogged Anti-Corruption Crusader And Outspoken Kremlin Foe, Dies In Prison By Robert Coalson February 17, 2024 When Aleksei Navalny left a Moscow jail in August 2019 after serving 30 days for encouraging protests, the Russian opposition leader delivered the kind of message he had pushed relentlessly for a decade, earning himself a reputation as the most vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin. "The lies and falsifications are not enough," he told a group of reporters in his usual fast clip. "They have to arrest dozens, beat hundreds, and raid organizations." "This regime will come to seriously regret what it has done," he said. Navalny, a longtime anti-corruption fighter and Russia's most prominent opposition politician for over a decade, died in prison on February 16, the local branch of the Federal Penitentiary Service said. He was 47. Navalny had been sent in December to IK-3, a harsh prison known as Polar Wolf in the Yamalo-Nenets District settlement of Kharp, north of the Arctic Circle. He was serving a 19-year sentence on an extremism conviction that he and his supporters say was politically motivated revenge for his anti-Kremlin activism. The penitentiary service said in a statement that Navalny felt unwell after a walk and subsequently lost consciousness. An ambulance arrived to try to revive him but he died, the statement added.. On February 17, Navalny's family and close associates confirmed his death and demanded his body be handed over. Navalny had been behind bars since January 2021, when he was arrested upon returning to Russia after recovering abroad from a nerve-agent poisoning that he said was a state-sponsored assassination attempt carried out by Russian security agents and approved by Putin. A lawyer by training, Navalny was a charismatic and sharp-witted politician who was shaped by the Internet and the street and used both mediums in his unrelenting and often innovative campaign against Putin's increasingly undemocratic government. Despite carrying the baggage of an uncomfortable early dalliance with Russian nationalism and statements deemed racist by many, he rose to transcend easy labels through a singular and seemingly indefatigable focus on official corruption and an insistence on peaceful, legal methods to oppose the Kremlin. Navalny rose to national prominence as he became one of the leaders of major anti-government protests in 2011, when his viral blog posts exposing graft fueled public anger in the build-up to that year's parliamentary elections. He called on voters to cast their ballots against the "party of crooks and thieves" in power, a term he coined to describe the ruling United Russia party that was immortalized in the opposition lexicon. The opposition movement gained more steam when Putin made the controversial decision to seek a third presidential term in the 2012 election. Tens of thousands of people attended protests between the December 2011 parliamentary vote, which was marred by widespread evidence of fraud, and Putin's inauguration in May 2012. Soon, Navalny expanded his muckraking campaign to launch the Anti-Corruption Foundation and a YouTube channel where he uploaded slick videos to a growing subscriber base, shedding light on the illicit activities of officials in Putin's government and inner circle. In 2017, the foundation's probe into then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's wealth, which garnered tens of millions of views, became a catalyst for a wave of mass rallies that erupted across Russia that March. Navalny's personal charisma and social-media-savvy style quickly gained him a mass following, even though he was all but ignored by state media. For many years, Putin was unable or unwilling to pronounce Navalny's name aloud. But his early anti-immigrant comments, including YouTube videos in which he likened Central Asian labor migrants to harmful tooth cavities and residents of Russia's Muslim-majority North Caucasus to cockroaches, continued to dog him throughout his career, and some in opposition politics -- particularly in non-ethnic-Russian movements -- kept their distance from him. The nationalist tone of Navalny's early career and equivocal statements about Crimea following Russia's occupation of the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula in 2014 raised hackles among many in Ukraine, and his vehement condemnation of the full-scale invasion launched by Putin in 2022 did little to improve his reputation there. Navalny's rise was also impeded by Putin's growing authoritarianism and efforts to stamp out the opposition movement Navalny spearheaded, including the introduction of laws drastically reducing the scope for street protest and punishing Russians who voiced public criticism of the authorities. Some of Navalny's aides and allies fled Russia amid threats; others quit politics. Navalny remained in Russia and continued to expose graft, despite constant harassment of himself and his family by pro-government trolls, a concerted propaganda campaign to discredit and stigmatize him, frequent arrests and searches, and a seemingly endless string of criminal cases and other moves aimed at cowing him into submission. In 2017, during a visit to the Siberian city of Barnaul, an unknown assailant doused him with a bright green liquid, causing a chemical burn that damaged his vision. Several days later, he appeared -- his face stained green -- in a YouTube video where he promised nothing would keep him from shining light on corruption. "All I want to say is this: The Kremlin may think I'm not going to record videos with a green face, but I will -- it'll get me even more views," he said. "This definitely won't stop me." In 2019, while in detention yet again for leading an unauthorized protest, Navalny was hospitalized with what his doctor said was a "severe allergic reaction." Navalny and his aides suspected it was a case of deliberate poisoning. The incident was never resolved despite widespread calls for an official investigation. Navalny was used to spending time behind bars. In the years after he gained prominence, and until his near-fatal poisoning in August 2020, he was jailed at least a dozen times, spending hundreds of days locked up on charges he insisted were fabricated to cut short his efforts to incite protest. In 2013, he faced the threat of lengthy incarceration when he was sentenced to five years in prison in a fraud trial that was widely viewed as retaliation for his political activity. Amid protests, the authorities suspended the sentence and released Navalny, a stunning reversal that analysts and allies said was driven by the Kremlin's fear of turning him into a martyr and stoking mass demonstrations. Navalny received a suspended sentence again in 2014, after a trial in a separate case that he also contended was politically motivated. But his brother Oleg, who was not involved in politics, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison. Navalny said his brother's incarceration made his battle with the Kremlin personal, fueling an anger that redoubled his commitment. Around this time, many in Russia began to consider him a viable challenger to Putin, a former KGB officer who has stood at Russia's helm since 2000. "Many think that Navalny is not a serious candidate for the Kremlin," opposition politician Leonid Gozman wrote in Vedomosti in 2015. "That's probably what Jaruzelski thought about Walesa, or South Africa's leaders about Mandela, or Kerensky about Lenin." Navalny sought to meet those expectations and tried to challenge Putin in the 2018 presidential election, establishing a network of campaign offices across the country. But he was barred from running due to his criminal convictions, and the campaign teams were reorganized into regional branches of his anti-corruption NGO, working to shed light on illicit activity at the local level. In the summer of 2019, Navalny backed a group of opposition figures seeking to participate in elections to the Moscow city assembly. Their exclusion from the vote led to weeks of protest in Moscow met by a sweeping clampdown that culminated in lengthy prison sentences for a number of activists and law enforcement raids of Navalny's regional offices. But that experience prompted Navalny and his team to seek new ways to break Putin's stranglehold on power and to launch a campaign dubbed Smart Voting, aimed at shattering the United Russia monopoly by concentrating the protest vote on rival candidates considered most likely to defeat its candidates. In an interview in the spring of 2020, Navalny told RFE/RL's Russian Service the coronavirus pandemic and the government's handling of it was accelerating a fall in Putin's popularity and creating opportunities for the opposition. "Just look at the government's ratings," he said. "We see their unprecedented decline, a decline that will continue. The government cannot do anything about it." Several months later, Navalny collapsed on board a flight to Moscow from Tomsk, where he was visiting local supporters. The plane was diverted to the city of Omsk, where his staffers learned that he had been poisoned. After pleading with the authorities for two days, his wife Yulia Navalnaya and Navalny's aides succeeded in securing his transfer for treatment in Berlin, where German experts determined he had been poisoned by a Novichok-type nerve agent. Open-source investigators Bellingcat issued findings that Navalny had been the target of an assassination attempt by a team of Federal Security Service (FSB) operatives. Navalny spent almost five months recuperating and working on a major investigation into a $1.36 billion Black Sea palace that he alleged ultimately belonged to Putin. That investigation was released upon Navalny's return to Moscow on January 17, 2021, when he was arrested upon arrival at Sheremetyevo airport. His decision to return to Russia was controversial, with some lauding his courage and others questioning his surrender to seemingly inevitable imprisonment. Russia was rocked by two consecutive weekends of mass protests for Navalny's release that led to thousands of arrests, but Navalny was nevertheless sentenced to two years and eight months in prison on February 2 for breaking the rules of the parole imposed during his fraud trial. "However much [Putin] tries to portray himself as a geopolitician, a great world leader, he resents me because he'll go down in history as a poisoner," Navalny said in a blistering speech from his defendant's cage. "The main goal of this trial is to scare a huge number of people. That's how it works. They jail one person to scare millions." Navalny was sent to a strict-regime prison in the Vladimir region east of Moscow. Almost immediately he and his associates began complaining of a "deliberate campaign" to undermine his health. Having been designated an escape risk, he was awakened hourly every night and was denied access to his doctor. He said he had crippling back pain and had all but lost the use of his right leg. He was hospitalized during a hunger strike in April 2023, abandoning the protest on the advice of his doctors. During his years in prison, officials repeatedly punished him for trivial alleged infractions. For his part, he used his legal expertise to clog the system with outlandish requests, publishing the stilted official rejections he received. At the same time, the government continued to file charges against him and to add time to his prison term. In March 2022, he was given a nine-year prison term for contempt of court and corruption. In June 2021, his Anti-Corruption Foundation and other organizations tied to him were officially banned as "extremist" by the Russian government. As a result, more of his associates fled Russia or faced harsh criminal prosecution. In August 2023, Navalny was handed a 19-year sentence in a "special-regime" prison - the harshest category -- after being convicted of inciting and financing "extremist activity." He denounced the sentence as "Stalinist." Nonetheless, throughout his imprisonment and at his numerous trials, he steadfastly insisted he was not afraid and urged Russians also to overcome their fear of Putin's repression. Long in progress, the Kremlin's clampdown on dissent escalated with Navalny's arrest in January 2021. The authorities turned the screws even tighter a little over a year later, when Russia launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In a social-media post on the first anniversary of the unprovoked attack, Navalny said Putin "has unleashed an unjust war of aggression" and dismissed Putin's justifications as "ridiculous pretexts." He said that "tens of thousands of innocent Ukrainians have been murdered" and that "war crimes have been committed." He called for the restoration of Ukraine's internationally recognized 1991 borders and for Russia to "look for acceptable ways to compensate for the damage done to Ukraine." "We will have to reimburse Ukraine for all the damage caused by Putin's aggression," he concluded. "We have hit rock bottom." Many in Ukraine remained wary or critical of Navalny, distrusting his public comments on the war and doubting his dedication to Ukrainian sovereignty. He was widely praised in the West, however. In October 2021, he was awarded the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for his relentless fight against "the corruption of Vladimir Putin's regime." "This cost him his liberty and nearly his life," then-European Parliament head David Sassoli said. Navalny is survived by his wife and their two children, Dasha and Zakhar. Former RFE/RL correspondent Matthew Luxmoore contributed to this report Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia- navalny-obituary/32822588.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navalny's Death Confirmed, But Officials Refuse To Release Body Pending 'Investigation' By RFE/RL's Russian Service and Current Time February 17, 2024 Aleksei Navalny's family and close associates have confirmed the Russian opposition politician's death in an Arctic prison and have demanded his body be handed over, but officials have refused to release it, telling his lawyers and mother that an "investigation" of the causes would only be completed next week. "Aleksei's lawyer and his mother have arrived at the morgue in Salekhard," Navalny spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh wrote on X, referring to the capital of the region of Yamalo-Nenets, where Navalny's prison is located. "It's closed. However, the [prison] has assured them it's working and Navalny's body is there. The lawyer called the phone number which was on the door. He was told he was the seventh caller today. Aleksei's body is not in the morgue," she added. Yarmysh then said in a new message: "An hour ago, the lawyers were told that the check was completed and no crime had been found. They literally lie every time, drive in circles and cover their tracks." But in a third message, she said, "Now the Investigative Committee directly says that until the check is completed, Aleksei's body will not be given to relatives." Navalny associate Ivan Zhdanov, who currently resides abroad, said that Navalny's mother was told her son had died of a cardiac-arrest illness. "When the lawyer and Aleksei's mother arrived at the colony this morning, they were told that the cause of Navalny's death was sudden death syndrome," Zhdanov said. Navalny's mother, Lyudmila, who traveled to the Yamalo-Nenets region some 1,900 kilometers northeast of Moscow, was earlier informed that the Kremlin critic died at the "Arctic Wolf" prison on February 16 at 2:17 p.m. local time, according to Yarmish. Vadim Prokhorov, a lawyer who has represented Russian human rights activists, told Current Time that "what is happening is not accidental." "The Russian authorities will do everything not to turn over the body in time or certainly not to conduct a forensic medical examination," Prokhorov told Current Time, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. The penitentiary service said in a statement on February 16 that Navalny felt unwell after a walk and subsequently lost consciousness. An ambulance arrived to try to revive him but he died, the statement added. Navalny, a longtime anti-corruption fighter and Russia's most-prominent opposition politician for over a decade, was 47. His death sparked an immediate outpouring of grief among many Russians, while leaders around the world condenmed the death of Vladimir Putin's staunchest critic, blaming the Russian president directly for the death. Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers meeting in Munich on the sidelines of a security conference held a minute's silence for Navalny on February 17. The G7 consists of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States. In a joint statement released by Italy, the ministers expressed their "outrage at the death in detention of Aleksei Navalny, unjustly sentenced for legitimate political activities and his fight against corruption." Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that "for his ideas and his fight for freedom and against corruption in Russia, Navalny was in fact led to his death." "Russia must shed light on his death and stop the unacceptable repression of political dissent," he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the death of Navalny showed that it is impossible to see Putin as a legitimate leader. "Putin kills whoever he wants, be it an opposition leader or anyone who seems like a target to him," Zelenskiy told the Munich Security Conference on February 17. Yale history professor Timothy Snyder, an expert on Central and Eastern Europe, told RFE/RL in Munich that Navalny will be remembered as someone who sacrificed his life for his country. "Putin wants to be remembered as a ruler of Russia. But Navalny will be remembered in a different way because Navalny died for his country rather than for killing other people." "He tried to show that other things are possible [in Russia] and we'll never know what kind of leader he would have been," he added. Navalny's vision for change in Russia will be kept alive by his team, his spokeswoman Yarmysh said. "We lost our leader, but we didn't lose our ideas and our beliefs," Yarmysh told Reuters via Zoom, speaking from an undisclosed location. Navalny's death was a "very sad day" for Russia, and must lead to international action, the wife of a former Russian agent killed by radiation poisoning said on February 17. Marina Litvinenko, whose husband Aleksandr died of radiation poisoning in 2006, three weeks after drinking tea laced with polonium at a meeting with Russian agents at a London hotel, told AFP she had sympathy for Navalny's wife, Yulia. The Kremlin, which Navalny said was behind a poison attack that almost killed him in 2020, has angrily denied it played any role in Navalny's death and rejected the "absolutely rabid" reaction of Western leaders. Inside Russia, people continued to mourn the death of the anti-corruption crusader despite official media paying little attention to his death and efforts to remove any tributes to him. At least 340 people have been detained in 30 cities and towns in Russia on February 16 and 17 after they came to pay tribute, include laying flowers, to the memory of Navalny, according to OVD-Info, a group that monitors political repression in Russia. On February 17, police blocked access to a memorial in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk and detained several people there as well as in another Siberian city, Surgut, OVD-Info said. In Moscow, people came to lay flowers at the "Wall of Sorrow" memorial on the avenue named after Soviet physicist and dissent Andrei Sakharov on February 17. Riot police immediately moved in and more than 15 people were arrested, the Sota news outlet reported. In St. Petersburg, an Orthodox priest was detained on February 17 after he announced he would hold a memorial service for Navalny. Grigory Mikhnov-Vaitenko was detained near his home as he was going to the Solovetsky Stone memorial dedicated to Soviet victims of political repression. He was remanded in custody and was to be presented to a judge on February 19, the site 24liveblog.com reported. However, a memorial service was performed by a different Orthodox priest at the site, in the presence of several people, some of whom were detained after the service was completed. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-navalny-death- confirmed-/32823714.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mixed Reaction To Navalny's Death In Moscow While Europeans Gather To Mourn Kremlin Critic By RFE/RL's Russian Service February 17, 2024 The death of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny in a Russian prison on February 16 led to an outpouring of grief across Europe, but in Moscow the reaction was more mixed, with some people calling him brave and others saying he won't be missed. As reports spread on February 16 that the opposition politician had died, RFE/RL's Russian Service asked residents of the Russian capital for their reactions. "I think he was a very brave and honest man. He was the only one to do things we are afraid to do -- [to] do the right things. He paid for this with his life. This is horrible and unfair," one young woman said. Her positive reflection contrasted with that of and older man who said he was "probably both a good and a bad man," depending on one's point of view. "I don't find him interesting, nor his fate. I think that everyone who is against Russia is guilty, even if they are right," the man told RFE/RL. An older woman with tears rolling down her cheeks said she was very sad. "He fought for us! My dear boy," the woman said. Other Russians said they had not followed his case since he was jailed and he won't be missed, while yet another opinion was that he was partly to blame for his death because he returned to Russia after being poisoned in an incident that Navalny himself believed Putin ordered. "It was his choice to fight until the very end. The people who supported him and his ideas should probably keep fighting," said a bespectacled middle-age man, while a younger man said he'll be remembered for what he did. Meanwhile, Russians living abroad and citizens of many European Union countries gathered to express their sorrow over Navalny's death and anger at Russian President Vladimir Putin. In Serbia hundreds of Russians and others lit candles and laid flowers outside the Russian Embassy in Belgrade, capital of the fellow Slavic country that is the home of tens of thousands of Russians who moved to Serbia since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago. Hundreds gathered in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, which has also seen a huge influx of Russians since the invasion. Some held banners calling Putin a "killer" and demanding accountability. Up to 300 people attended a similar rally in Georgia's third-largest city, Batumi. A crowd of 500 to 600 people gathered in Berlin, according to police estimates. Some chanted "Putin to the Hague," referring to the international criminal court investigating war crimes in Ukraine. Police used barriers to close off the road between the Russian Embassy and the crowd. "Aleksei Navalny is the leader of the Russian opposition and we always kept hope in his name," a Russian man who gave his name only as Ilya was quoted by Reuters as saying. Protesters placed flowers and candles by a portrait of Navalny in Lithuania, which is home to a sizeable community of Russian emigres. "He was always with us, so it is all surreal," Lyusya Shtein, 26, a Pussy Riot activist who has lived in Vilnius since leaving Russia in 2022, was quoted by Reuters as saying. "None of us yet understand what happened." Protesters also assembled in the Armenian capital of Yerevan after Russian authorities announced that Navalny fell unconscious and died after a walk at the Arctic prison where he was serving a lengthy sentence. Crowds of protesters also rallied in London and Paris, as well as the capitals of Latvia, Bulgaria, and Estonia. Groups also gathered in Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Geneva, and The Hague, Reuters reported. Images of the 47-year-old were left alongside bouquets of flowers outside the Russian Embassy in London. More than 100 protesters stood outside the embassy holding placards that called Putin a war criminal. Near the Russian Embassy in Paris, where around 100 protesters gathered, Natalia Morozov said Navalny had been a symbol of hope. "It's hard for me to express my emotions, because I'm really shaken," Morozov told Reuters. "Now we no longer have hope for the beautiful Russia of the future." Outside Europe, hundreds rallied in Israel at the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv chanting "Russia without Putin!" and "Russia will be free!" And in New York City a vigil was held outside the Russian consulate. "I really believe that he's the one and he can lead Russia to a better future," said Violetta Soboleva, a Russian studying for her doctorate who she had volunteered for Navalny's presidential campaign in 2017. "And now we've lost this future forever, and there is nothing we can do about it anymore, for right now." With reporting by Reuters, AP, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-protests-reactions- navalny-death/32823669.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Floral Tributes To Navalny Removed Overnight As More Than 100 Reportedly Arrested By RFE/RL's Russian Service February 17, 2024 Groups of unidentified people removed flowers and other tributes for opposition politician Aleksei Navalny from Russian cities under the watch of the police overnight on February 17, social-media videos showed, as more than 100 people were arrested across Russia for laying flowers in Navalny's memory in various spots, according to monitoring group OVD-Info. Meanwhile, police blocked access early on February 17 to a memorial in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, where several people who had gathered to remember Navalny were arrested. Arrests were made in another Siberian city, Surgut, OVD-Info said. In Ulyanovsk, people in civilian clothes immediately removed flowers from a memorial and photographed those who brought the bouquets. People from Omsk and Kazan also wrote that monuments in the city had been cordoned off. OVD-Info said 56 people were taken into custody in various districts of St. Petersburg, where police dispersed a gathering. A photographer with Novaya gazeta and a correspondent for RusNews were among those detained. Another 15 were arrested in Nizhny Novgorod, and 11 were detained in Moscow, OVD-Info said on its website, where it is keeping a running total that includes the names of the people detained. Seven other cities --Taganrog, Bryansk, Krasnodar, Tver, Rostov-on-Don, Murmansk, and Belgorod -- reported single-digit detentions, OVD-Info said. In Moscow, police were on duty at a stone monument on Lubyanka Square to the victims of political repression. According to Kommersant, at least 1,000 people came to the memorial to lay flowers and leave written tributes to Navalny. A spontaneous memorial also appeared near the house in the Moscow district of Maryino in which Navalny lived before his arrest. After the news of Navalny's death was made public, spontaneous memorials also took place in Ulyanovsk, Novosibirsk, and Kirov, according to the news outlet Astra. People in Tomsk, Kazan, Izhevsk, Pskov, and Perm also came out to mark Navalny's death. There was at least one arrest in Minsk. SOTA reports that Dmitry Kuchuk, leader of the liquidated Green party, was detained while trying to lay flowers at a memorial to Navalny outside the Russian Embassy. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-navalny-memorials- detentions/32823616.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defying Authorities, Russians Pay Tribute To Navalny; Hundreds Detained By RFE/RL February 18, 2024 Russians continued to pay tribute to Aleksei Navalny on February 18, laying flowers at ad hoc memorials and defying the authorities, who detained more than 400 people in at least 36 cities at gatherings for the late opposition leader over the past three days. In the cities of Novosibirsk and Tomsk, authorities cordoned off memorial sites where people were laying flowers and candles to honor Navalny, while police tried to disperse activists from an impromptu Navalny memorial in Voronezh. Navalny, a longtime anti-corruption fighter and the fiercest political foe of President Vladimir Putin, died in an Arctic prison on February 16. Navalny, 47, fell unconscious and died after a walk at the "Polar Wolf" prison, the prison service said. He was serving a 19-year sentence on an extremism conviction that he and his supporters say was politically motivated revenge for his anti-Kremlin activism. Online news channel Verstka reported that spontaneous memorials to Navalny had appeared in at least 140 cities across Russia. Russian police detained 401 people across the country on February 17, according to the OVD-Info rights group, which tracks political arrests and provides legal aid. It marked the largest wave of arrests at political events in Russia since September 2022, when more than 1,300 people were detained at demonstrations against a "partial mobilization" of reservists for Putin's war in Ukraine. Courts swiftly ordered dozens of those detained on February 16 to serve short jail terms, while several others were fined, officials said late on February 17. In St. Petersburg, court rulings showed that as of late February 18, at least 154 people in that city alone had been given jail sentences of up to 14 days, AFP reported. Most arrests were made in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, OVD-Info said, adding that more than 200 people were detained in St. Petersburg by late on February 18. Among those detained in St. Petersburg was Grigory Mikhnov-Voitenko, a priest of the Apostolic Orthodox Church who called on social media for a memorial service for Navalny. He was charged with organizing a rally, but was later hospitalized with a stroke, OVD-Info reported. In Moscow, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, on February 18 visited the Solovetsky Stone, a monument to political repression that has become a major site of tributes for Navalny. "Today at the Solovetsky Stone we mourn the death of Aleksei Navalny and other victims of political repression in Russia," the U.S. Embassy in Moscow said on social media. "We extend our deepest condolences to Aleksei Navalny's family, colleagues, and supporters. His strength is an inspiring example. We honor his memory," it said. In a bid to ward off mourners, the Moscow police had set up fences at a separate makeshift memorial known as the Wall of Grief, a bronze monument to Soviet-era repression. The news outlet SOTA reported that in Luhansk, an eastern Ukrainian city now under Russian control, residents laid flowers in Navalny's honor at a monument commemorating the victims of the Soviet leader Josef Stalin. Navalny was seen by many Russians as their best hope for change in their country after years of spiraling state oppression and perceived corruption. Navalny's family and close associates have confirmed his death in prison and have demanded his body be handed over, but authorities have refused to release it, telling his lawyers and mother that an "investigation" of the causes would only be completed next week. Systema, RFE/RL's Russian investigative unit, has reported that medical care has been repeatedly denied to inmates at the prison where Navalny was being held. The Russian prison service said doctors rushed to treat Navalny when he lost consciousness on February 16. But court documents and other open-source information examined by RFE/RL reveal that inmates have repeatedly taken legal action to try to receive the care they need. The Latvian-based independent Russian-language newspaper Novaya.gazeta Europe reported Navalny's body was being held at the district morgue in the northern Siberian town of Salekhard and showed signs of bruises. "Such injuries appear from convulsions," the publication quoted an unnamed medical worker as saying. "A person convulses, they try to hold him, and the convulsions can be very strong, so bruises appear." The medical worker said that traces of indirect heart massage were found on his chest, indicating possible efforts to resuscitate him. The report couldn't be independently verified. Leaders around the world condemned the death of Putin's staunchest critic, blaming the Russian president directly for the death. Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow, is planning to visit Brussels on February 19 to meet with EU foreign ministers, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. "EU Ministers will send a strong message of support to freedom fighters in Russia and honour the memory of Aleksei," Borrell wrote on X, formerly Twitter. With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-navalny- mourning-arrests/32824593.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navalny's Death Reverberates Around the World By VOA News February 18, 2024 U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy visited a makeshift shrine to Alexey Navalny in Moscow Sunday, to pay tribute to the late Russian opposition leader, who died at a remote Arctic penal colony Friday. "Today at the Solovetsky Stone we mourn the death of Alexey Navalny and other victims of political repression in Russia. We extend our deepest condolences to Alexey Navalny's family, colleagues and supporters. His strength is an inspiring example. We honor his memory," the U.S. Embassy in Moscow said in a statement on social media X. The U.S. ambassador was pictured saying flowers in front of the Solovetsky Stone in Moscow, a memorial against political repression that has become a major site of tributes for Navalny. At a separate makeshift memorial known as the "Wall of Grief," a Moscow bronze monument dedicated to Soviet-era repression, police have set up fences in a bid to ward off mourners. Several dozen police officers were seen standing nearby, but some people were allowed to enter through the fence and lay flowers according to an AFP reporter on the scene. Russian authorities are suppressing tributes and vigils to the late opposition leader. Rights groups say police have detained hundreds of people streaming to ad hoc memorials and monuments in dozens of Russian cities to mourn the late politician. Dozens of those detained have been sentenced with up to 15 days in prison while others were fined, court officials said Saturday. "I love you," Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, posted on social media Sunday, beside a picture of them together. The post on Instagram showed a picture of their heads touching as they watched a performance of some kind. The sudden death of Navalny, 47, has dealt a crushing blow to many Russians who had pinned their hopes for the future on President Vladimir Putin's fiercest foe. Navalny remained vocal in his unrelenting criticism of the Kremlin even after surviving nerve agent poisoning and receiving multiple prison terms. After the last verdict that handed him a 19-year term, Navalny said he understood he was "serving a life sentence, which is measured by the length of my life or the length of life of this regime." The news of Navalny's death came a month before a presidential election in Russia that is widely expected to give Putin another six years in power and has reverberated around the globe. Western leaders led by U.S. President Joe Biden paid tribute to Navalny's courage and, without citing evidence, accused Putin of being responsible for his death. Britain said there would be consequences for Russia. During an interview on ABC's This Week, Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley put the blame on Navalny's death squarely on the Russian president and called the late opposition leader "a hero." "He was fighting corruption, he was fighting what Putin does. And what did Putin do? He killed him. Just like he does all his political opponents," she said, adding, "This goes back to the fact that we need to remind the American people that Vladimir Putin is not our friend. Vladimir Putin is not cool.... This is not someone we can trust." Haley called, "bone chilling," presidential hopeful Donald Trump's comments at a rally in South Carolina last week that, as she put it, "He would encourage Putin to invade our allies if they weren't pulling their weight." So far Trump has not commented directly about the death of the Russian opposition leader. The Kremlin called the West's reaction unacceptable and "absolutely rabid." Putin has not commented yet on Navalny's death. Questions about the cause of his death lingered Sunday. Navalny's team said Saturday that the politician was "murdered" and accused the authorities of deliberately stalling the release of the body. Navalny's mother and lawyers are receiving contradicting information from various institutions that they went to in their quest to retrieve Navalny's body. "They're driving us around in circles and covering their tracks," Navalny's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said Saturday. "Everything there is covered with cameras in the colony. Every step he took was filmed from all angles all these years. Each employee has a video recorder. In two days, there has been not a single video leaked or published. There is no room for uncertainty here," Navalny's closest ally and strategist, Leonid Volkov, said Sunday. Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service reported that Navalny felt sick after a walk Friday and became unconscious at the penal colony in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets region about 1,900 kilometers northeast of Moscow. An ambulance arrived, but he couldn't be revived, the service said, adding that the cause of death is still "being established." Hours after Navalny's death was reported, Yulia Navalnaya made a dramatic appearance at the Munich Security Conference. Navalnaya said she was unsure if she could believe the news from official Russian sources, "but if this is true, I want Putin and everyone around Putin, Putin's friends, his government to know that they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family and to my husband." Navalnaya urged the international community to fight Putin's "horrific regime." Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli regime carries out attacks on Syria IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 17, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Tel Aviv regime conducted fresh rocket and artillery strikes on some areas in Syria. According to Lebanon's Al Mayadeen TV network, Wadi al Yarmouk in the western suburbs of Daraa Governorate was hit in an Israeli artillery attack. A few hours ago, the regime also targeted southern areas of the occupied Golan Heights with rockets. The Syrian capital city Damascus had also been attacked by the Israeli regime's warplanes and missiles on several occasions. The Syrian government wrote letters of complaint to the United Nations and the UN Security Council, condemning such attacks and calling for the halt of these aggressions. Despite the fact that the Israeli regime has conducted air strikes on Damascus and other areas in Syria, these attacks have been mostly repelled by Syria's air defense system. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Feb. 17, 2024 ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/02/17 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Friday to Saturday, Feb. 16-17 2.PLA activitiesis 7 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan's military revives NBC gas chamber training for new conscripts ROC Central News Agency 02/18/2024 04:17 PM Taipei, Feb. 18 (CNA) A group of military conscripts were given nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) training in a gas chamber Saturday for the first time in more than a decade, a consequence of Taiwan's compulsory military service being restored to a full year. During the training session on Cheng Kung Lin Base in Taichung, held to familiarize soldiers with gas masks, the new conscripts were first taught how to properly wear their masks, the Military News Agency said in an article published Sunday. After military instructors checked each conscript to make sure their masks were on properly, the conscripts were asked to enter the chamber -- about the size of classroom -- one after another in their protective gear and gather around a burner emitting tear gas. The goal was for the conscripts to gain confidence in their NBC protective equipment and also experience how the tear gas would affect their exposed skin before exiting the space, the report said. Military instructors then invited a group of conscripts to go back into the chamber without their masks to understand what dealing with tear gas without protection would be like, it said. These volunteers left the chamber with their eyes filled with tears and coughing sounds, and were instructed to use cool water to avoid further irritation. According to the Ministry of National Defense (MND), the gas chamber training was standard practice for all conscripts during boot camp until compulsory military service was shortened to four months in 2013. With the reimposition of the one-year military service program that began on Jan. 1, 2024, the MND reintroduced the gas chamber drill, and the conscripts in Taichung were the first doing a year of military service to face this type of training in Taiwan in 11 years. The extension of military service to a full year applies to conscripts who were born on or after Jan. 1, 2005. Those born before that date still only need to perform four months of military service. The decision to lengthen the period of compulsory military service for Taiwanese men was aimed at strengthening Taiwan's combat readiness in the face of threats from China, according to Taiwan's government. Other steps have taken on that front, including updating training regimens, providing conscripts with new helmets and bulletproof vests, and purchasing new mortars, cannons and machine guns. The one-year of compulsory service will consist of eight weeks of boot camp and then an assignment with a designated unit in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Information, Communications and Electronic Force, Military Police, Political Warfare Bureau, or Medical Affairs Bureau, based on each individual's skills, according to the MND. Currently, Taiwan's military is mainly a volunteer force of around 215,000 people, with conscripts serving in a supporting role. As of 2021, there were 160,000 voluntary military personnel in Taiwan's armed forces. (By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China using 'gray zone' tactics after deadly Kinmen boat case: Experts ROC Central News Agency 02/18/2024 09:01 PM Taipei, Feb. 18 (CNA) China's claim that the waters between Taiwan's Kinmen archipelago and China's Xiamen are not a restricted area after a case near Kinmen that left two Chinese fishermen dead is an example of Beijing employing "gray zone" tactics to ratchet up pressure against Taipei, experts said Sunday. Shen Ming-shih (Za), a research fellow at the National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), told CNA on Sunday that the once-held tacit understanding between China and Taiwan that the waters around Kinmen, Matsu, and other outlying islands are "restricted" or "prohibited" appeared to be broken. "Restricted" or "prohibited" waters refer to maritime areas controlled by Taiwan which, under Taiwanese law, it has the right to defend if Chinese vessels enter. The contention has arisen after a speedboat from China's Fujian province capsized Wednesday off the coast of Kinmen during a chase by Taiwanese authorities, resulting in two fatalities. Shen cited an announcement made by China's Taiwan Affairs Office on Saturday that stated "fishermen on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have been operating in traditional fishing areas around Xiamen-Kinmen since ancient times, and there is no such thing as 'prohibited or restricted waters.'" Shen said the announcement was equivalent to China's previous declaration that there was no strait median line and was intended to double down on its claim that waters around Kinmen and Matsu are its internal territorial waters. Beijing was also trying to dismiss the issue of Chinese fishing boats illegally harvesting fish in Taiwan's waters, Shen said. He added that Beijing's actions could be an attempt to legitimize future gray zone tactics or military action. Meanwhile, Yu Tsung-chi (aaaY), the former dean of Fu Hsing Kang College of National Defense University, told CNA on Sunday that China's refusal to acknowledge the "restricted" or "prohibited" waters around Taiwan was evidence of its lack of respect for the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. He questioned how Chinese fishing vessels had previously been seized or driven away if there was no such thing as "restricted" or "prohibited" waters. China is manipulating the incident, Yu said, adding that Beijing has no choice but to adopt a hardline approach towards Taiwan due to the slew of internal and external challenges it is facing. In response to Beijing's bolstering of its territorial claim, Yu said Taiwan should internationalize the issue. He suggested that Coast Guard authorities release images of the speedboat being driven away from waters near Kinmen as evidence of how the authorities' actions were rational and law-abiding. The government could also seek support from neighboring countries and jointly condemn the Chinese Communist Party for resorting to maritime gray zone tactics, Yu added. (By Lee Ya-wen and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan rejects China's criticisms following deadly Kinmen boat chase ROC Central News Agency 02/18/2024 06:06 PM Taipei, Feb. 18 (CNA) Taiwan will continue to enforce the law in waters it controls, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Sunday as it rejected Beijing's ongoing criticism of the Taiwanese Coast Guard's handling of a case near Kinmen that left two Chinese fishermen dead. The MAC, Taiwan's top government agency in charge of cross-Taiwan Strait affairs, said in a statement that the government will continue "to enforce the law" in waters it controls based on the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. Under the law, Taiwanese authorities may take any defensive action necessary if a Chinese vessel enters "restricted" or "prohibited" waters controlled by Taiwan, the MAC said. The MAC was justifying the Taiwan Coast Guard's chase of a Chinese speedboat that trespassed within 1.1 nautical miles of the eastern coast of the Island of Kinmen on Feb. 14, which resulted in the capsizing of the boat. All four men on the boat fell overboard and were picked up by the Coast Guard. Two of them were taken to the hospital but were pronounced dead after efforts to resuscitate them failed. Later that day, Zhu Fenglian (), a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), issued a statement that strongly condemned Taiwan over the death of the two Chinese nationals. On Feb. 15, the MAC responded by calling the incident regrettable, but said an investigation indicated that Taiwanese officers had acted lawfully, and it urged China to take effective actions to restrict illegal activities by its nationals in Taiwan's waters. The TAO on Saturday, however, denied the concept of "prohibited or restricted areas," arguing that fishermen from both sides of the strait have traditionally operated in the waters around Xiamen and Kinmen, which are separated by a distance of less than 10 kilometers. Taiwan should release both the boat and the two Chinese nationals as soon as possible, the TAO said, adding that "China reserves the right to take further measures, and Taiwan will bear all consequences." Earlier Sunday, China's Coast Guard further announced that it will "enhance its maritime law enforcement capabilities and increase regular patrols in the waters around Xiamen and Kinmen." At present, the prohibited zone around the main islands of Kinmen and Little Kinmen extends about halfway to the Chinese coast to the north and northeast, up to about four kilometers to the east, and about eight kilometers to the south. The Chinese boat was detected within the prohibited area east of Kinmen, and sped away after it refused the Taiwan Coast Guard's request to board the ship. Following Beijing's latest move, the Kinmen County Government, the Kinmen Fishermen's Association and opposition Kuomintang lawmaker Jessica Chen (), who represents Kinmen, all expressed concern and urged local fishermen to exercise caution while operating at sea. Chen also called on the central government to authorize the local governments in the Kinmen and Matsu islands to engage in direct negotiations with China on economic issues, such as fishing rights, to avoid misunderstandings. (By Hung Hsueh-kuang, Tang Pei-chun and Lee Hsin-Yin) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPP urged to release detained boat and crew, properly handle mainland fishermen's death Global Times Fujian Coast Guard to strengthen its maritime law enforcement By Liu Xin Published: Feb 18, 2024 03:53 PM The violent eviction of Chinese mainland fishing boats by Taiwan authorities, resulting in the deaths of two fishermen, has caused strong indignation in the mainland, and Taiwan authorities have been urged to release the detained boat and crew and properly handle the incident before it further damages cross-Straits relations. China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said in a statement on Sunday that the Fujian Coast Guard will strengthen its maritime law enforcement and carry out regular law enforcement patrols in the waters between Xiamen and Kinmen. This is to further maintain the order of operations in the relevant sea areas and ensure the safety of fishermen's lives and property, said the spokesperson. The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council firmly supports the China Coast Guard's regular patrols in the waters of Xiamen and Kinmen, spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said on Sunday. A fishing boat from Fujian was chased by Taiwan authorities in waters near Kinmen on February 14, causing all four people on board to fall into the water. Two of them died. On Saturday night, Zhu said in a statement that fishermen from across the Taiwan Straits have traditionally operated in the waters of Xiamen and Kinmen, and there is no such thing as "prohibition or restriction of waters." The spokesperson urged Taiwan authorities to release the boat and crew as soon as possible, carry out follow-up work, investigate the truth of the matter, and seriously deal with those responsible, in order to give an explanation to the families of the deceased and compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. The mainland side reserves the right to take further measures, and the Taiwan side will bear all the consequences, Zhu said. Soon after the incident, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council released the first statement on February 14, condemning the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan for using various pretexts to forcibly seize mainland fishing boats and treating mainland fishermen in a rough and dangerous manner, which is the main reason for this horrible incident. The incident cast a shadow over cross-Straits relations during the Spring Festival. However, Taiwan's "mainland affairs council" claimed that "the law enforcement process was not improper," a statement which has been criticized by people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Chiu Yi, a commentator in Taiwan, criticized Taiwan island's regional leader Tsai Ing-wen and deputy leader Lai Ching-te for their "irresponsible and cold-blooded attitude" toward the incident. Chiu said the statement of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council noted there is no such thing as "prohibition or restriction of waters" and there is no problem if Fujian fishing boats "cross the border to fish." The arrest by the Taiwan coast guard is illegal, said Chiu, urging the Tsai authorities to apologize immediately and promise to properly hand the incident. Moreover, the relevant personnel should be prosecuted by mainland juridical authorities for illegally ramming the mainland fishing boat, detaining the boat, and causing the death of two fishermen, Chiu said. He noted that related departments in the Taiwan island should release the detained boat and people and compensate the fisherman. The families of the deceased fishermen should also be compensated. The incident reflects the DPP authorities' hostile attitude toward the mainland. The mainland has always treated Taiwan compatriots with goodwill and offered assistance to fishermen from the island, which provides a comparison to the Taiwan authorities' attitude toward fishermen from the mainland, Zhang Wensheng, deputy dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, told the Global Times. Zhang noted that both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one China, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory. The mainland has never accepted any "restriction waters" unilaterally designated by the Taiwan authorities. Following the incident, some residents on the Taiwan island also expressed concern that it may impact cross-Straits relations and criticized the DPP authorities for failing to communicate with the mainland. Zhu, the spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, also said in the statement on Saturday that the mainland side has always treated Taiwan compatriots with goodwill, but it will never tolerate the actions of the Taiwan side that disregard the safety of the mainland fishermen's lives and property. Analysts noted that the possibility of the mainland taking countermeasures in response to the DPP authorities' misconduct in related waters cannot be ruled out. Aside from strengthening patrols in the Xiamen and Kinmen waters, related departments may take measures to target Taiwan coast guard vessels. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mainland spokesperson urges swift release of fishermen detained by Taiwan after fatal fishing boat expulsion People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:06, February 18, 2024 BEIJING, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Saturday urged Taiwan authorities to release the mainland fishermen who were forcibly detained after a fatal expulsion of a mainland fishing boat. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks concerning the incident that took place on Wednesday afternoon, in which the fishing boat from the southeastern Fujian Province was expelled in the waters of Kinmen area. The incident led to all four aboard falling into the sea, two of whom died. Zhu noted that the incident sparked widespread outrage on the mainland, and severely hurt the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, Zhu reiterated. She added that since ancient times, fishermen from both sides of the Strait have been operating in the traditional fishery zones of the Strait. There has never been such a thing as "off-limit" or "restricted" waters in the zones, said Zhu. The mainland always has goodwill towards Taiwan compatriots, but will not tolerate Taiwan authorities' negligence of the lives and property of mainland fishermen, said the spokesperson. She urged Taiwan authorities to release the detained fishermen and fishing boat at an early date. She added that the mainland reserves the right to take further measures, the consequences of which shall be borne by the Taiwan side. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Feb. 18, 2024 ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/02/18 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1. Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Saturday to Sunday , Feb. 17-18 2.PLA activitiesis 7 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of the call between President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak European Commission Read-out 18 February 2024 Brussels On February 18, from 13:30, President of the Commission von der Leyen spoke with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The two leaders welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations on a new working arrangement between UK agencies and Frontex, which will be formalized in the coming days, as part of wider cooperation between the UK and EU on crack down on illegal migration. The two leaders also shared the view that the situation in Ukraine requires full attention. The President informed the PM about the conclusions of the European Council, which had agreed on 50 billion euros in financial support for Ukraine. Both leader stressed the EU's and the UK's shared commitment to peace and security in Europe. Both leaders shared their concern about the risk of a possible escalation and regionalization of the conflict between Israel and Hamas as a result of Hamas' attack on Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza. The protection of civilian lives must be a priority. The hostages must be released unconditionally. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with EU Commission President Von der Leyen: 18 February 2024 The Prime Minister spoke to European Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen, this afternoon. 18 February 2024 The Prime Minister spoke to European Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen, this afternoon. Ahead of the second anniversary of Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, they underscored the importance of providing continuing support to the Ukrainian people. The Prime Minister welcomed the recent announcement that the EU will provide a50 billion support to Ukraine, and outlined the work the UK is doing through our security cooperation agreement. The Prime Minister and President Von der Leyen expressed their outrage at the death of Alexei Navalny, and underscored the utmost importance of holding those responsible within the Russian system to account. The Prime Minister updated President Von der Leyen on his recent conversations with the Israeli Prime Minister and the King of Jordan about the situation in Israel and Gaza. The Prime Minister and President Von der Leyen agreed on the paramount importance of significantly more aid reaching people who desperately need it in Gaza, and expressed their deep concern about the loss of civilian life occurring there. The leaders also agreed on the importance of freedom of navigation and condemned the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. They welcomed efforts such as Prosperity Guardian and Operation Aspides to restore stability and keep people safe. The leaders welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations on a new working arrangement between UK agencies and Frontex, which should be formalised in the coming days, as part of wider cooperation between the UK and EU on tackling illegal migration. The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Justice Department Transfers Approximately $500,000 in Forfeited Russian Funds to Estonia for Benefit of Ukraine Saturday, February 17, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Estonia to Support Ukraine Using Funds Forfeited by United States After Interception of Sophisticated Military-Grade Machinery Bound for Russia; Defendant in Scheme Separately Pleads Guilty Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and Estonian Secretary General TAnis Saar announced today at the Munich Security Conference the transfer of nearly $500,000 in forfeited Russian funds for the purpose of providing aid to Ukraine. The funds were forfeited by the United States following the breakup of an illegal procurement network attempting to import into Russia a high-precision, U.S.-origin machine tool with uses in the defense and nuclear proliferation sectors. Additionally, on Wednesday, Feb. 14, a citizen of Latvia charged criminally in connection with the procurement scheme pleaded guilty to violating U.S. export laws and regulations. This transfer is the first of its kind from the United States to a foreign ally for the express purpose of assisting Ukraine, and the second time the Justice Department's Task Force KleptoCapture has made confiscated Russian assets available for Ukraineahaving provided $5.4 million in forfeited funds last year to the State Department for the support of Ukrainian war veterans. The confiscated funds are being transferred to Estonia since under current authorities, the facts of this case do not allow for a direct transfer to Ukraine. Estonia will use the funds for a project to expedite damage assessments and critical repairs to the Ukrainian electrical distribution and transmission system, which have been purposefully targeted by Russian forces. "Today's announcement demonstrates the unwavering resolve of the United States and our Estonian partners to cut off President Putin's access to the western technologies he relies on to wage an illegal war against Ukraine," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, who signed the transfer agreement on behalf of the United States. "This step for justice and restoration blazes a new trail toward combating Russia's ongoing brutality. The Department of Justice will continue pursuing creative solutions to ensure the Ukrainian people can respond and rebuild." "Preventing cross-border crime has been and will be an even greater priority in the future," said Secretary General TAnis Saar of the Estonian Ministry of Justice."Effective prosecution of sanctioned crimes is a very important part of this. In my opinion, this agreement provides additional motivation to deal with sanctions violations even more. The reason is very simple, the goal here is not only to detect, prosecute and ensure justice, but to direct illegal income to the victim, i.e. Ukraine. I hope that this will become the new normality for sanctioned crimes in other countries in the future." "Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Department of Justice, together with its U.S. and overseas partners, has leveraged every tool available to cut off the Kremlin from the resources it needs to prosecute its war of aggression. These efforts are yielding results," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "Today, we demonstrate once again our commitment to holding Russia to account and to aiding the people of Ukraine as they bravely resist and rebuild." "I commend the investigators who prevented this sensitive piece of Connecticut-manufactured equipment from crossing the Russian border, and our team of prosecutors who are not only bringing the individuals and entities involved to justice but have worked to seize and forfeit the funds involved in its purchase," said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. "We thank our law enforcement partners and the Government of the Republic of Estonia for helping us achieve our mission to chase down the assets of those who violate our laws and to ensure proper compensation to their victims." "This agreement between the United States and Estonia not only reinforces our strong partnership, it fortifies the commitments of both countries to stand up to Russian aggression," said Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). "This transfer stems from a joint investigation into the attempted illegal shipment of military materials to aid the Russian war against Ukraine. HSI will continue to ensure the safety of the homeland of this great nation, and when necessary, that of our allies." "The Putin regime has purposefully targeted critical and civil infrastructure in Ukraine to weaken morale, cripple the Ukrainian economy, and use winter as a weapon of war. The funds we are providing to Estonia today will be used to dramatically reduce the time needed to evaluate and prioritize urgent repairs to Ukraine's electrical infrastructure, all in effort to literally keep the lights on," said Task Force KleptoCapture Co-Director Michael Khoo. This action demonstrates that the Department and its international partners will seek and develop novel solutions to ensure that the profits of Russian criminal networks are redirected for the support of the Ukrainian people. The agreement with Estonia showcases the joint commitments of the United States and Estonia to both enforce the export control regimes that deprive the Russian war machine of critical technologies and supplies and use the confiscated criminal proceeds to sustain Ukraine as it resists illegal Russian aggression. In March 2023, an investigation into the attempted smuggling of a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia resulted in the forfeiture of $484,696, representing funds wired into the United States to purchase the item. The item, known as a jig grinder, is a high-precision grinding machine system that requires a license for export or reexport to Russia because of its applications in nuclear proliferation and defense programs. The jig grinder was intercepted before it could reach Russia. In addition to the forfeiture, U.S. authorities, with the active support of the Estonian Prosecutor General's Office and the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, charged multiple individuals and companies who were part of the smuggling network. The transfer of the forfeited funds to Estonia is in recognition of the crucial assistance received from the Estonian authorities. Among those criminally charged in the smuggling case, Latvian national Vadims Ananics, 47, was arrested in Latvia on Oct. 18, 2022, and pleaded guilty earlier this week in federal court in Connecticut. Ananics admitted to his role in the scheme to violate U.S. export laws and regulations by attempting to smuggle a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia. According to court documents and statements made in court, Ananics was the general manager of CNC Weld, a Latvia-based corporation. Beginning in 2018, Ananics conspired with others, including individuals in Russia and a Russia-based company, to violate U.S. export laws and regulations to smuggle a 500 Series CPWZ Precision jig grinder that was manufactured in Connecticut to Russia. In August 2019, to finalize the purchase of the jig grinder, Ananics and others traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he informed the sellers that the jig grinder was being purchased for the benefit of CNC Weld. Only after the jig grinder was exported from the United States did Ananics inform the sellers that CNC Weld was not the end user. Ananics pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. U.S. authorities, working with Latvian authorities, intercepted the jig grinder in Riga, Latvia, before it was to be shipped to Russia. In March 2023, $484,696 in funds involved in the purchase of the jig grinder were subsequently forfeited. In turn, Estonia has, in consultation with the United States, agreed to use the transferred funds to finance a drone-based program to assess the damage Russian aggression has done to Ukraine's electrical distribution and transmission infrastructure. In April 2023, an additional a312,192.44 (approximately $342,000) was ordered forfeited as part of a criminal sentence imposed on one of the shell companies involved in the jig-grinder smuggling network. The funds are currently held in Latvia pending final enforcement of the U.S. forfeiture order. HSI Field Offices in New Haven, Connecticut; Portland Oregon; and the Hague, Netherlands; the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Export Enforcement in Boston; and the FBI handled the investigation. In addition to the assistance by Estonian authorities, the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Latvia, the Latvian Tax and Customs Police, and the Latvian State Police provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Konstantin Lantsman, Stephanie Levick, and David Nelson for the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorneys Brendan Geary and Matthew Anzaldi of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are handling the investigation and the Ananics prosecution. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance. The international sharing agreement was prepared with the support of the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Treasury Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture, and the State Department. The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department's Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia's unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department's tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression. Topics: Asset Forfeiture Foreign Corruption National Security Components: Criminal - Office of International Affairs Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) Office of the Deputy Attorney General USAO - Connecticut Press Release Number: 24-192 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco Delivers Remarks on Signing of International Sharing Agreement with Estonia for Benefit of Ukraine Saturday, February 17, 2024 Location Munich Germany Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Today, Secretary General Saar and I will sign an agreement to use funds confiscated from Russian crimes to support the people of Ukraine, as they continue to bravely defend themselves against Russian aggression. With this agreement, the United States will transfer nearly half a million dollars to Estonia - money that was secured via the Department of Justice's Task Force KleptoCapture. Estonia, in turn, will pass the funds on to Ukraine. Our Task Force confiscated these funds from an illicit procurement network that exported a high-precision machine tool known as a "jig grinder" from the United States. The network attempted to smuggle the jig grinder into Russia, but it was intercepted on the way. This piece of equipment can help develop dangerous weapons used for defense and nuclear proliferation activities. And today, it's out of Russian hands. We are transferring the confiscated funds to our Estonian partners - for the benefit of Ukraine - because in this case, our current authorities do not allow for a direct transfer to Ukraine. While our authorities evolve, one thing remains constant - our commitment to standing with the people of Ukraine. We launched Task Force KleptoCapture just days after Russia's unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine - the Task Force is focused on going after the ill-gotten gains of those who prop up Russia's war machine. In connection with the seizure of the jig grinder and forfeiture of these funds, we charged six individuals with export control violations and money laundering crimes. That includes a citizen of Latvia who pleaded guilty to charges in U.S. federal court just a few days ago. Task Force KleptoCapture's mandate is not only to prosecute those who violate our sanctions and export control laws to support Russian aggression; the Task Force is also determined to seize criminal profits and to use those assets to support Ukraine. As outlined in the agreement, Estonia will deploy these transferred funds to launch a project designed to more rapidly and efficiently assess damage done to Ukraine's electrical transmission and distribution systems. This is an incremental step toward justice and restoration. But it is a necessary step. And it blazes a new trail towards combatting Russia's ongoing brutality. The Department of Justice will continue pursuing creative solutions to ensure the Ukrainian people can respond and rebuild. Dollar by dollar. House by house. Town by town. And that includes working with Congress to expand our ability to transfer forfeited assets to Ukraine. But I want to be clear: we are not waiting for Congress. The Justice Department will use its existing authorities to support Ukraine's response. And we will not let up. Task Force KleptoCapture has arrested numerous facilitators of Russian aggression and initiated multiple forfeiture actions against hundreds of millions of dollars tied to Russian oligarchs and other illicit procurement networks - and many more actors and assets are under investigation. Our Estonian colleagues share a commitment to this critical mission. The investigation of this network and the successful forfeiture were made possible with the support of Estonian law enforcement. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our law enforcement partners in Estonia and elsewhere to pursue justice for the people of Ukraine. I would like to conclude by thanking those who made today's announcement possible. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut and the Justice Department's National Security Division and investigated by agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, the FBI, and the IRS. Let me also thank our Latvian law enforcement partners who, like the Estonians, provided invaluable assistance to the investigation and prosecution of this case. Global efforts to push back against Russia require global partnership. Today's agreement is that partnership in action. Thank you. Speaker: Lisa O. Monaco, Deputy Attorney General Topic: National Security Component: Office of the Deputy Attorney General NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonia and USA sign a historic agreement on directing confiscated profits into helping Ukraine Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17.02.2024 Today, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attended the signing of a cooperation agreement between Estonia and the USA on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, aimed at helping to rebuild Ukraine's electricity infrastructure with confiscated proceeds of crimes. The agreement signed between the Estonian Ministry of Justice and the US Department of Justice directs nearly a500 000 into rebuilding Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The project will be managed by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV). "Our wish is to ensure long-term and systematic assistance to Ukraine," Tsahkna said at the signing. "Russia continues to destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure and with this agreement, the United States and Estonia will help to restore this infrastructure and ensure its operations by using the profits of a company that tried to violate the sanctions imposed against Russia." "This way, we are offsetting the damages of the aggression by using the profits of a company that attempted to contribute to Russia's aggression," Tsahkna added. He noted that today was proof of the fact that the sanctions imposed against Russia were working and international cooperation on preventing the circumvention of sanctions was bearing fruit. Tsahkna emphasised that we must make quick progress with helping Ukraine by using the frozen assets of Russia and of individuals who contributed to the aggression. "Today's agreement is just one example of what we can and should do to help Ukraine to victory - we have so much more to give. European Union and G7 countries already hold nearly a300 billion worth of frozen Russian assets. We have proven that these assets are directly linked to Russia's atrocities in Ukraine. Now it is time for actions instead of words. It must go into offsetting the destruction caused in Ukraine." "The message to Russia is clear. There will be no flexibility or returning to business as usual before Ukraine has won and the damage caused to Ukraine has been compensated," Tsahkna emphasised. In March 2023, the US Department of Justice confiscated $484 969 worth of proceeds of crime related to a smuggling case involving an attempt to sell a jig grinder to Russia, which is prohibited without a relevant licence because it is used in nuclear proliferation and defence programmes. The grinder did not arrive in Russia as a result of the investigation. In addition confiscating the grinder, US authorities, with active support from Estonia's Prosecutor's Office and Tax and Customs Board, charged several individuals and companies that were part of the smuggling network. The crime was discovered in the United States but it involved a company registered in Estonia. Further information is available here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-transfers-approximately-500000-forfeited-russian-funds-estonia-benefit NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's security pacts with France and Germany serve as political commitment: experts Global Times By Chen Qingqing Published: Feb 17, 2024 09:04 PM After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky secured security pacts with France and Germany, as concerns over funding from the US grow, the Ukrainian military announced the withdrawal of troops from the strategic stronghold of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region. Experts believe that there is no need to over-interpret the strategic significance of the Ukrainian military's withdrawal even though the capture of Avdiivka by Russian forces has political significance, especially as the Russia-Ukraine conflict approaches its two-year mark. Meanwhile, as long as Ukraine is not a NATO member, France and Germany will not be obligated to fulfill collective defense mechanisms for the country despite it having secured security agreements with these two European powers, experts said. Therefore, these security agreements are more of a political commitment, but may not necessarily be practically operational. Ukrainian troops withdrew from Avdiivka, Ukraine's new army chief said in the early hours of Saturday, paving the way for Russia's biggest advance since May 2023 when it captured the city of Bakhmut, Reuters reported on Saturday. The withdrawal, announced as Ukraine faces acute shortages of ammunition with US military aid delayed for months in Congress, aimed to save troops from being fully surrounded by Russian forces after months of fierce fighting, according to Reuters. While the Biden administration has been struggling to push its assistance to Ukraine through the Congress, Zelensky made a "whirlwind trip" through Berlin and Paris on Friday to seek support from European countries, with the security pacts hailed as a "historical step." "Signing security pacts with France and Germany - two important countries in Europe - set a precedent, which potentially encourages other European countries to follow suit and strengthen cooperation with Ukraine," Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Saturday. However, these security agreements do not equate to Ukraine joining NATO and benefiting from the so-called collective defense mechanism. In essence, they aim to continue strengthening military assistance to Ukraine, which is crucial for the Ukrainians at this stage, Song noted. "From a long-term perspective, these countries will also avoid direct military conflicts with Russia and prevent Ukraine from joining NATO." The agreement between Ukraine and France includes a French aid pledge for up to 3 billion euro ($3.23 billion) for 2024, following 1.7 billion euro in 2022 and 2.1 billion euro in 2023. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Berlin was providing another 1.1 billion euro ($1.2 billion) package of military aid, including 36 howitzers, 120,000 rounds of artillery ammunition and two more air-defense systems, according to media reports. Meanwhile, the EU is set to disburse an initial 4.5 billion euro to Ukraine as soon as in the first half of March to help cover the country's urgent budget needs, Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis. "Europe faces a dilemma in aiding Ukraine: Providing assistance requires significant financial commitment, and there is considerable opposition within Europe; however, refraining from giving aid would completely undermine years of political correctness," Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Saturday. Europe will still provide assistance to Ukraine, but the extent and speed of aid will be reduced. The previously approved 50 billion euro aid package may not be implemented as quickly as anticipated, Cui noted. Cui also noted that the security agreements signed between Ukraine and the major European powers are non-binding and carry no obligation or responsibility. "Regardless of how the situation unfolds in the future, the European powers will not be dragged into conflicts. Zelensky has gained the support of the European powers he desired, achieving a win-win situation with a document that holds little substance," Cui said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian forces withdraw from Avdiivka ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 17 February 2024 / 09:39 General Aleksandr Syrsky has ordered the move from Avdiivka to "more favorable lines". Tehran-ISNA- Ukrainian troops have been ordered to leave the city of Avdeevka, Kiev's newly-appointed commander-in-chief has said, claiming the decision was intended to preserve the "lives and health" of soldiers following months of desperate attempts to hold on to the frontline town near Russia's Donetsk. General Aleksandr Syrsky announced the pull-out in a statement shared on social media in the early hours of Saturday morning, arguing that the withdrawal was part of "measures to stabilize the situation and maintain our positions." "Based on the operational situation around Avdiivka, in order to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of servicemen, I decided to withdraw our units from the city and move to defense on more favorable lines," he said. The order follows reports that Ukrainian troops in the area were almost fully surrounded and faced near-constant attacks in recent days, with one local commander saying fighting in the area was "several times more hellish than the hottest battles of this phase of the war." He was referring to the earlier struggle over the city of Artyomovsk (also known as Bakhmut in Ukraine), which fell to Russian troops last year following a lengthy siege. The decision to leave Avdiivkacame less than 24 hours after the head of Ukrainian forces in the southern part of Russia's Donetsk and Zaporozhye Regions, Aleksandr Tarnavsky, claimed that the situation in the city was "difficult but under control" on Friday. Tarnavsky confirmed the withdrawal on Saturday morning, calling it "the only correct solution" while claiming that all troops had pulled back to "pre-prepared positions," where they would dig in for defensive operations. Earlier this week, the deputy head of the 3rd Assault Brigade - a Western-armed formation consisting of many fighters from the neo-Nazi Azov regiment - said parts of his unit sent into Avdiivkaas reinforcements had been encircled, describing the situation as critical. The Washington Post reported around the same time that Kiev's forces had already been forced to pull back from the city, citing Ukrainian military sources. The paper added that a total collapse of Ukrainian positions around Avdiivkawas "just a matter of time." End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Zelensky criticizes West over 'artificial deficit of weapons' Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 4:15 PM Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the West for what he described as an "artificial deficit of weapons". Zelensky, on Saturday, warned Kiev's US-led Western allies that "keeping Ukraine in the artificial deficit of weapons, particularly in deficit of artillery and long-range capabilities, allows [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to adapt to the current intensity of the war." Zelensky, who signed separate 10-year bilateral security agreements with France and Germany on Friday, urged Kiev's allies to increase their shipments of military supplies amid ammunition shortages and the recent withdrawal from the embattled city of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast. He said the Kiev forces were forced to withdraw from the heavily battered city for fear of death as the Russian troops were encircling it. Since Russia launched its special military operation in Donbas in February 2022, Zelensky has been making efforts to shore up more and more support from Kiev's allies. Kiev sees its increased shortage of weapons and munition linked to the far-right Republicans in US Congress who see the Ukraine war as a failed effort and want the White House to stop asking for more military shipments to Kiev. If "Ukraine is left alone, Russia will destroy us," the president said in a CNN interview after his speech at the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC) at the Bayerischer Hof hotel in Munich, Germany. In the interview, Zelensky was also asked about the potential return of former US President Donald Trump to the White House. He said that Trump had been invited to Ukraine. "If Trump (comes) to Ukraine, I am ready to go with him to the front line." Zelensky said last month that Trump would be warmly received in Kiev under one condition: the former US president must demonstrate his ability to end the war with Russia within 24 hours, as he has promised. Trump has said repeatedly his primary goal regarding the war would be to secure a ceasefire in 24 hours, but he has not specified on what terms it would potentially be. Meanwhile, the Europeans have appealed to the US Congress in recent days to approve a package that includes aid for Ukraine, a $60 billion allotment that would go largely to US defense entities to manufacture missiles, munitions, and other military hardware that are being sent to the battlefields in Ukraine. The package faces resistance from far-right House Republicans. Trump has rallied against continued support for Ukraine, citing the NATO-led proxy war against Russia as a liability for Washington as Kiev has the potential to "drop us like a dog." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian troops leave key town of Avdiivka as Russia advances Iran Press TV Saturday, 17 February 2024 8:45 AM Ukrainian troops have pulled out of the key town of Avdiivka amid the war with Russia, making it Moscow's most significant territorial gain since they seized the eastern city of Bakhmut last May. The development was announced by Ukraine's new military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on Saturday, stating that troops were pulled out in order to avoid being encircled by Russian forces. "I decided to withdraw our units from the city and switch to defense on more favorable lines," Syrskyi said on Facebook. "Our soldiers performed their military duty with dignity, did everything possible to destroy the best Russian military units, and inflicted significant losses on the enemy." This marked Syrskyi's first major decision since his appointment on February 8. He said he made the decision to preserve the lives of soldiers and prevent their encirclement. Russian forces have been trying to advance on the town since October and have managed to surround it on three sides. The withdrawal is the biggest symbolic victory for Russia ahead of the second anniversary of its "special military operation" in Ukraine. The decision has been made amid Ukraine's ammunition shortages, with a $60 billion US military aid package held up in Washington since last year by congressional wrangling. General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, who commands the Avdiivka area, said of the withdrawal: "In a situation where the enemy is advancing over the corpses of their own soldiers with a ten-to-one shelling advantage, under constant bombardment, this is the only right decision." "Encirclement was prevented, personnel were withdrawn, and our soldiers took up defense at the designated lines," he posted on Telegram. Before issuing orders to pull out of Avdiivka, Tarnavsky on Friday said several Ukrainian soldiers had been captured by Russian forces. The fall of Avdiivka comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is on a tour of Europe to secure desperately needed military aid. Ukraine said on Friday that fierce fighting was raging on in Avdiivka. "Fierce battles are taking place within the city," Tarnavskyi, a Ukrainian general in the east, said on social media on Friday. "Our troops are using all available forces and means to restrain the enemy," he said, adding, "New positions have been prepared and powerful fortifications continue to be prepared, taking into account all possible scenarios." In addition, Ukraine's Third Assault Brigade said on Thursday the situation in the city was "unstable and threatening." Russia launched the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Western countries have responded by backing Ukraine with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such a flow of weapons to Kiev will only prolong the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navalny's Death May Not Hasten Approval Of U.S. Aid For Ukraine By Todd Prince February 17, 2024 As reports of Kremlin opponent Aleksei Navalny's death in a harsh Arctic prison swept around the world, U.S. President Joe Biden once again called on Congress to pass a long-stalled $60 billion aid package that is crucial to Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion. For the past four months, a group of Republicans in the House of Representatives has been holding up the aid, mostly money for weapons and other military support, while pressing Democrats and the White House for major immigration reforms and more funding for the U.S. border with Mexico. Russian authorities said Navalny died after feeling ill and losing consciousness at the remote strict-regime prison north of the Arctic Circle where he was sent in December to serve a 19-year sentence on an extremism conviction that he and his supporters say was Kremlin revenge for his activism. For many in the West, his death -- after more than three years in custody in conditions his associates likened with torture -- underscored the threat that President Vladimir Putin and his government pose to his own country and others including Ukraine, where Russia's full-scale invasion hits the two-year mark on February 24. "This tragedy reminds us of the stakes of this moment. We have to provide the funding so Ukraine can keep defending itself against Putin's vicious onslaughts and war crimes," Biden, who said that "Putin is responsible" for Navalny's death, told reporters on February 16. "The failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten," Biden said. But several U.S. analysts and advocates of aid to Ukraine say Navalny's death is unlikely to have a substantial effect on the fate of the aid package, which was passed by the Senate on February 8 but faces an uncertain future in the House. "Even though this should be something that moves members of the House to counter Russia by supporting Ukraine, the death of Navalny, unfortunately, won't be a factor when it comes to voting on the bill or another piece of legislation that would provide financial assistance to Ukraine," said Daniel Vajdich, president of Yorktown Solutions, a Washington-based firm that lobbies on behalf of Ukraine. The House broke for a two-week recess on February 16 without taking up the latest version of the $95 billion bill -- which also includes funding for Israel, Taiwan, and humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank -- meaning that any aid legislation could not pass until the beginning of March at the earliest. In a statement the same day, House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican-Louisiana) blamed Putin for Navalny's death and said the United States and its partners must use "every means available to cut off Putin's ability to fund his unprovoked war in Ukraine." But he has suggested that the lower chamber would take its time with any aid legislation, leaving it unclear when he might bring the current bill to a vote -- if ever. "The Republican-led House will not be jammed or forced into passing a foreign-aid bill," Johnson said on February 14. The United States has been the biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, allocating more than $44 billion for weapons and equipment. However, the Biden administration has been unable to distribute any additional aid since late December amid Republican opposition to the proposed package. The lack of additional military support and uncertainty over whether it will ever come is reducing Ukraine's capacity to defend itself, forcing Ukrainian troops to conserve ammunition. Analysts say Russia has taken advantage of Ukraine's predicament by launching consistent attacks along the front in the east. Many believe Putin wants a significant battlefield victory ahead of the tightly controlled March 15-17 election that is set to hand him a new six-yar term -- and he appears to have gotten it. Ukraine announced in the early morning hours of February 17 that it was withdrawing its forces from Avdiyivka, a destroyed city it had been fiercely defending since October. The withdrawal represents Russia's first major victory since May 2023. Andrij Dobriansky, director of communications for the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, a diaspora umbrella group advocating for aid, says he believes that neither Navalny's death nor the fall of Avdiyivka will prompt the Republicans holding it up in the House to move on the matter. Navalny's death may be out of the headlines by the time House lawmakers return to Washington, he said. "Right now, the people who want aid to go to Ukraine can't find a good-faith partner from the side that's blocking the bill," he added. Amid twists and turns in Congress that have reflected deep divides between Democrats and Republicans as well as rifts within the Republican Party, the Biden administration's efforts to secure new aid for Ukraine have been stymied since August. In October, Biden proposed a $118 billion spending bill that included Ukraine aid as well as funding for the U.S. border and immigration reform. On February 6, Republicans in the Senate killed that bill amid pressure from former President Donald Trump, the leading candidate for the party's nomination in the November 2024 election. The current $95 billion package does not include the border and immigration element. With its fate in the balance, analysts say Johnson is under immense pressure from the Republican Party's right wing, which could attempt to oust him if he brings the bill to the floor in its current form. In his statement following reports of Navalny's death, Johnson indicated a desire to find a compromise aid bill that could satisfy more members of his party. "As Congress debates the best path forward to support Ukraine, the United States, and our partners, must be using every means available to cut off Putin's ability to fund his unprovoked war in Ukraine and aggression against the Baltic states," he said. John Herbst, U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 2003-06 and now an analyst at the Washington-based Atlantic Council, says there is speculation that Johnson is planning to write his own aid and immigration bill. The two-week recess would potentially give his team time to work on it. Johnson may be looking to bring a bill to the floor that substitutes some aid with loans, Yorktown Solutions analyst Vajdich says. Trump said earlier this week that he supported loans to Ukraine. Replacing aid with loans might be a largely cosmetic change in the long run, because Russia's invasion has so devastated Ukraine's economy that Kyiv might never be able to pay back the loans. Vajdich suggests that could be a face-saving way for Republicans to approve new military support for Ukraine. "If that's what makes the bill palatable for Johnson and Republicans to be able to claim a win in the context of Ukraine assistance, so be it," he said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-navalny-us-aid- weapons/32823897.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CHIZ SAYS EXPEDITIOUS SIGNING OF 4 EDUC LAWS BY PBBM TO BOOST HIGHER LEARNING IN PHL Senator Chiz Escudero thanked President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for the expeditious signing of four laws meant to boost the education sector, including the establishment of another medical school in Northern Luzon. "I thank President Marcos for his expeditious action on our bills. Malaking bagay ang mga bagong batas na naipasa upang patuloy natin na mapalakas ang sistema ng edukasyon sa bansa," said Escudero, who chairs the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education. The four laws signed by the President on Feb. 15 covered four state-run higher educational institutions, namely, Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and the Bulacan State University (BulSu). Under Republic Act (RA) 11978 the DMMMSU is now allowed to establish a College of Medicine at the university's La Union Campus in the municipality of Agoo. It will primarily offer a Doctor of Medicine program, including an Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine Program. The program will consist of basic science and clinical courses using a learner-centered, competency-based and community-oriented approach to develop "a corps of professional physicians to strengthen the healthcare system of the country." RA 11977 established the PSAU Campus in the town of Floridablanca, with a mandate to offer short-term, technical-vocational, undergraduate and graduate courses while RA 11979 converted the PUP campus in Paranaque City into a regular campus that will offer short-term, technical-vocational, undergraduate and graduate courses within its areas of competency and specialization. Both the PUP Paranaque City Campus and the PSAU Floridablanca Campus will be headed by an administrator to be appointed by the universities' respective boards. Meanwhile, RA 11980 revised the university charter of BulSu to expand the institution's curricular offerings and the composition and powers of its governing board and encouraging the specialization of its constituent units. EU's Borrell Says Bloc Will Keep Aid, Artillery Shells Flowing To Ukraine By Rikard Jozwiak February 18, 2024 MUNICH, Germany -- Josep Borrell, the European Union's top diplomat, says the 27-member bloc has provided a "continuous flow" of aid to Ukraine in its nearly two-year battle against the Russian invasion, but he acknowledged that in war "it is never enough" and that assistance -- especially in the form of artillery shells -- will continue to be sent to Kyiv. In an interview on February 18 with RFE/RL, Borrell said that the EU last year provided 28 billion euros ($32 billion) in aid to Ukraine and so far this year has committed 20 billion euros ($21.6 billion) in assistance. "We have to do more, I know. It is never enough when you fight on war. It is never enough," he said on the sidelines of the annual Munich Security Conference. "But don't tell me that we are not doing [enough] every day. We do a lot. [There is] a continuous flow, a very intense flow of our ammunition going to Ukraine. "And we have my personal commitment and [the commitment of] the member states to continue the supply," he added. "Ukraine needs more. Ukraine needs more," he continued. Borrell, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and a former Spanish politician and diplomat, said that "it will come, it will come," speaking of badly needed additional ammunition supplies for Ukraine, especially promised artillery shells. "We are producing. We have increased 40 percent the capacity of our production -- 40 percent more," he said. "We were on a very low level [of arms and ammunition production] when the war started, and we are ramping up our production capacity." "I know it is not enough, you will tell me 1.1 million [artillery shells] is not enough. But our industry is selling the weapons to the Ukrainian armed forces. And I have been calling every day [on] member states to go and ask for more orders from the European defense industries. So, we continue doing as much as we can." In late January, Borrell acknowledged that the EU would fall far short of its target of sending 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine by March, saying that about half was delivered by that deadline and that the rest would be sent by the end of the year. Kyiv has long complained that a shortage of ammunition is hampering its forces' ability to strike back at Russian military strikes. On February 17, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged his Western partners to deliver more weapons and ammunition to Kyiv. The remarks in Munich came on the heels of his decision to pull his outgunned and outmanned forces out of the embattled eastern city of Avdiyivka in the face of the latest Russia onslaught there. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-borrell-eu-assistance- shells/32824833.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dutch PM 'Cautiously Optimistic' Military Aid For Ukraine Coming 'Soon' By Zoriana Stepanenko February 17, 2024 Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the front-runner to be the next secretary-general of NATO, has said EU countries are "working with our partners all over the globe" to meet Ukraine's military needs, especially supplying Kyiv with ammunition and air-defense systems. "I was just speaking with [Ukrainian President] Volodymyr Zelenskiy and I think these are the two main priorities," Rutte said in an interview with RFE/RL on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on February 17. Addressing the global security conference earlier, Zelenskiy urged allies to plug an "artificial" shortage of weapons that is giving Russian forces the upper hand on the battlefield and said stalled U.S. aid was crucial. Ukraine faces acute shortages of ammunition and U.S. military aid has been delayed for months in Congress. "Unfortunately, keeping Ukraine in an artificial deficit of weapons, particularly in deficit of artillery and long-range capabilities, allows [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to adapt to the current intensity of the war," Zelenskiy said. Asked about the delayed U.S. aid after a bilateral meeting with Zelenskiy, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, denounced "political gamesmanship" in Congress that has no place in such matters. Republicans have insisted for months that any additional U.S. aid to Ukraine, and Israel, must also address concerns about border security. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, the front-runner 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. "We should stop moaning and whining and nagging about Trump," Rutte told the security gathering on February 17. "We do not spend more on defense or ramp up ammunitions production because Trump might come back." Talk of a potential European nuclear deterrent that would not involve the United States is "not helpful," he told the conference. And it "would only undermine NATO in a time when we really need credible deterrence." Speaking to RFE/RL, Rutte, who unexpectedly announced his departure from Dutch politics in July, said he was "cautiously optimistic" that U.S. military aid to Ukraine would be delivered soon. Rutte said any delays by EU countries to deliver weapon supplies to Ukraine was due to the fact that they, along with Ukraine, "are all democracies." "And sometimes these issues take a bit of time.... And now I know that there are still new discussions on new weapons systems. I think decisions can be made fairly soon," Rutte explained. Rutte also said Dutch plans to transfer to Ukraine U.S.-made F-16 fighter were "basically on schedule." "We hope to transfer them as soon as possible. Twenty-four of them, maybe more, but at least 24. We are working together with the Danes and others. So, things are progressing now," Rutte told RFE/RL. Asked about alleged signals from the Kremlin that Russia could be ready for talks with Ukraine, Rutte said that decision rested solely with Kyiv. "There's only one person who can ever decide to enter into peace negotiations with Russia. And that man is still the legally elected president of Ukraine," Rutte said, referring to Zelenskiy. "And what we're doing at this moment is to help him to make sure all your brave men and women in Ukraine, the military and all the citizens, [are able] to free that country from the Russians. And the only one, again, who can decide on peace negotiations is Zelenskiy. Nobody else," Rutte added. Rutte also commented on the death of Aleksei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who died at a remote Arctic prison on February 16. Navalny's spokeswoman confirmed on February 17 that Navalny had died and said he was "murdered," but it was unclear where his body was as his family and friends searched for answers. "Aleksei Navalny is one person so brave, so enormous, impressive as he was, that this one person was a threat to the Russian state. That means how weak they are and how insecure they are about our own role and position," Rutte said. Navalny's death at age 47 has deprived the Russian opposition of its most well-known and inspiring politician less than a month before an election that will give Putin another six years in power. Asked whether Russia and Putin, whom Western leaders have blamed for Navalny's death, could face further Western sanctions, Rutte was not hopeful. "I don't think it will in itself lead to extra sanctions," Rutte said, noting the EU was already preparing a 13th package of sanctions against Russia that it hopes to pass by February 24. "New sanctions packages are important, but making sure that we close the loopholes in the existing packages is also important," Rutte said. Rutte has emerged as a leading candidate to succeed NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, who plans to step down in October after 10 years at the helm. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-rutte-aid-russia- navalny/32823948.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskiy Urges West To Step Up Weapons Deliveries In Face Of Avdiyivka Pullout By RFE/RL February 17, 2024 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged his Western partners to deliver more weapons and ammunition to Kyiv, with the remarks coming on the heels of his decision to pull his outgunned and outmanned forces out of the embattled eastern city of Avdiyivka in the face of the latest Russian onslaught there. "It's important for us to save the lives of our people, that's our main objective. We're saving the lives of our soldiers," Zelenskiy said at the Munich Security Conference on February 17. "Russia has not seized anything [following the Ukrainian withdrawal]. They just destroy," Zelenskiy said, adding that Ukrainian defenders were outmanned 7-1 by the Russian invaders in Avdiyivka. Russia's Defense Ministry late on February 17 claimed that its forces had taken "full control" of Avdiyivka, saying it had been "a powerful defensive hub of the Ukrainian armed forces." In a news conference with Zelenskiy, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated Washington's vow to back Kyiv in its battle against the Russian invasion for "as long as it takes" and said the U.S. government would push for Moscow to pay damages to Ukraine following the end of the war. "We will continue in our efforts to secure a just and lasting peace," she said. "We will work to make sure Russia pays damages to Ukraine." Earlier on February 17, Ukraine's commander in chief , Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskiy, announced his forces were withdrawing from Avdiyivka after four months of a brutal battle with Russian soldiers. "Ukrainians have proven that we can force Russia to retreat," Zelenskiy said, adding that "our actions are limited only by the sufficiency and length of the range of our strength.... The Avdiyivka situation proves this." Ukraine, which is heavily dependent on economic and military aid from its Western allies and especially from the United States, has been facing an increasingly acute shortage of ammunition and military equipment as U.S. Republican lawmakers squabble over a $61 billion military and economic aid package for Kyiv. In a phone call with Zelenskiy, President Joe Biden reassured his Ukrainian counterpart of U.S. backing while saying that U.S. congressional "inaction" had contributed to Ukraine's battlefield setback. "This morning, Ukraine's military was forced to withdraw from Avdiyivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russia's first notable gains in months," the White House said in a statement. "President Biden emphasized the need for Congress to urgently pass the national security supplemental funding bill to resupply Ukrainian forces [and] reaffirmed the strong bipartisan support in the U.S. government and among the American people for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to imposing costs on the Russian government to hold it accountable for its actions," it added. Zelenskiy, who is redoubling efforts to garner more military, political, and economic support for Ukraine to stave off Russia's unprovoked invasion that is nearing the two-year mark, again urged Ukraine's Western allies to speed up heavy weapons and ammunition deliveries. "Keeping Ukraine in artificial deficits of weapons, particularly in deficits of artillery and long-range capabilities, allows Putin to adapt to the current intensity of the war," he said. In response to a question from the media on whether it would be good for Zelenskiy to invite former U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine, "If Mr. Trump, if he will come, I am ready even to go with him to the front line," he said. "I invite him publicly, but it depends on his wishes, of course. We are ready." Trump, who is the current front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, has repeatedly expressed scepticism about further U.S. support for Ukraine. Speaking separately at the Munich forum, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the U.S. delay in unlocking the aid for Ukraine has a direct impact on the front line situation. "Every week we wait means that there will be more people killed on the front line in Ukraine," he said. Prior to her meeting with Zelenskiy, the U.S. vice president, a Democrat, on February 16 warned that failure by the Republican-led House to authorize further aid for Ukraine would amount to a "gift" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Addressing the Munich forum, Harris told Ukraine's European allies, "You have made clear that Europe will stand with Ukraine and I will make clear, President Joe Biden and I stand with Ukraine." Harris later said Biden's administration stood ready to support Ukraine for "as long as it takes" and would push for Russia to pay damages to Ukraine following the end of the war. "We will continue in our efforts to secure a just and lasting peace. We will work to make sure Russia pays damages to Ukraine," she said at a joint news conference with Zelenskiy on February 17. Zelenskiy traveled to Munich a day after he signed key security agreements with France and Germany. The Ukrainian leader said the agreements signed with Germany and France would give "an impulse to the United States" to approve the critical $61 billion aid package. But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, when asked earlier on February 17 in Munich whether his government would supply long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, sidestepped the question, saying only that German decisions would be made at the right time. Speaking on the margins of the Munich Security Conference on February 17, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized fellow supporters of Ukraine for being too slow and hesitant to supply the embattled country with the weapons it needs. The international community made costly mistakes in responding to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Frederiksen said, and too little is still being done to deliver the weapons that Ukraine needs. Frederiksen urged other European countries to send weapons and ammunition from existing stocks to Ukraine while also investing more in building up Europe's capacity to produce weapons. Also in Munich, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Ukraine would eventually become a member of the European Union and also of NATO, but it can't join the Western military alliance while it remains in a military conflict with Russia. "The message to Russia is very clear: Ukraine will be a member of the European Union, and then we are working to have Ukraine as a member of NATO," Tajani said. But he insisted that NATO membership wasn't possible while Ukraine is in a war with Russia. "We need to be very prudent," as having a NATO member that is at war with Russia would mean "World War III." Outside the meeting halls, supporters of Ukraine rallied in Munich's Odeonplatz to call for an end to the Russian invasion, with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko attending. Other rallies also took place, including a demonstration calling for Western leaders to speak out against the fundamentalist Islamic government of Iran, which has been accused of human rights violations, most recenty with brutal crackdowns on antigovernment protests. With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-avdiyivka-withdrawal- syrskiy/32823629.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Troops Take Full Control of City of Avdeyevka - Shoigu Reports to Putin Sputnik News 20240217 Sergei Shoigu reported to Vladimir Putin, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, on the complete taking of Avdeyevka under control by the troops of the Battlegroup Tsentr under the command of Colonel-General Mordvichev, the Russian Defense Ministry said. As a result of the capture of Avdeyevka from Ukrainian nationalists, an area of 31.75 square kilometers has been liberated, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported. Over the past 24 hours, Ukraine lost over 1,500 servicemen in the battles for Avdeyevka, the ministry added. The Battlegroup Tsentr forces continue offensive operations to further liberate the Donetsk People's Republic from the Ukrainian nationalists, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. The liberation of Avdeyevka has made it possible to move the front line away from Donetsk and significantly secure it from terrorist attacks by the Kiev regime. Measures are currently being taken to finally clear Avdeyevka of militants and block Ukrainian units, the ministry stated. Few scattered formations of Ukrainian militants managed to leave Avdeyevka in a hurry, abandoning weapons and equipment. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Russian military on its success in Avdeyevka, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "Putin in the Kremlin listened to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's report on the liberation of Avdeyevka. The president congratulated our military and fighters on such an important victory, on such a success," Peskov said. Putin, in a telegram to Tsentr Battlegroup commander Colonel-General Mordvichev, expressed his gratitude for the bravery of the troops he led in the liberation of Avdeyevka, the Russian Defense Ministry said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Pulls Troops Out of Avdeyevka, But Not to 'Save Lives' - Moscow Sputnik News 20240217 Commenting on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the city of Avdeyevka, Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Saturday that the decision was made to "save people's lives." Kiev decided to withdraw troops from Avdeyevka not to "save lives" but because it can only fight for money, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on her Telegram channel. "No, that's not the reason. But because Zelensky and his gang know how to "fight" only for big money that goes straight into their pockets, and only against civilians," she wrote in response to Volodymyr Zelensky's comments. Everything else is irrelevant for the Kiev regime, Zakharova concluded. Earlier in the day, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky announced the decision to withdraw troops from Avdeyevka. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the city of Avdeyevka on Saturday, saying that the decision was made in order to save the lives of soldiers. The withdrawal of Ukrainian forces comes as a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, proposed by the White House, remains deadlocked in Congress. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Forces Chaotically Fleeing From Avdeyevka - DPR Official Sputnik News 20240217 Earlier in the day, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky announced the decision to withdraw troops from Avdeyevka. Ukrainian troops are chaotically leaving their positions in Avdeyevka, abandoning the wounded - it is a flight, adviser to the head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Yan Gagin told Sputnik. "Yes, in fact, Avdeyevka is being abandoned by units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, we notice that they are coming out, coming out scattered. So it's not as Syrsky wrote that they are leaving, nothing like that. What is happening now is an escape," Gagin said. On Friday night, Syrsky announced the decision to withdraw Ukrainian units from Avdeyevka and the transition to defense. The Ukrainian Armed Forces said earlier that the situation for Ukrainian troops in the Avdeyevka area is critical, worse than in Artemovsk (Bakhmut), which Kiev lost in May 2023. "Everyone is saving their own life. There are a lot of abandoned wounded [soldiers], they [Ukrainians] leave the wounded behind, our fighters give them medical care. There are units, individual fighters, equipment, yes, they are actually escaping. There are a lot of forgotten units, small and large, that are resisting, that are surrendering," he said. Gagin stressed that it is premature to talk about Avdeyevka coming under Russian control, as it is necessary to wait for an official report from the Russian Defense Ministry. "The enemy is fleeing because they are afraid of staying in the cauldron to die. There is local resistance, there is resistance of small units and small scattered groups, which most of the time have no communication with each other," Gagin added. Avdeyevka is a northern suburb of the city of Donetsk and served as a powerful fortified area for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Air Defenses Down 33 Ukrainian Drones Over 5 Regions Overnight - MoD Sputnik News 20240217 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 33 Ukrainian drones over the regions of Kaluga, Voronezh, Bryansk, Belgorod and Kursk overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. "Tonight, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using 33 aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles on facilities on Russia's territory was stopped. On-duty air defense systems intercepted and destroyed over the territories of Belgorod (four drones), Voronezh (four drones), Kursk (one drone), Bryansk (18 drones) and Kaluga (six drones) regions," 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. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Withdraws Units From Avdeyevka - Commander-in-Chief Orders Sputnik News 20240217 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Armed Forces of Ukraine Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky announced the decision to withdraw units from the city of Avdeyevka. "Based on the operational situation around Avdeyevka... I decided to withdraw our units from the city and move to defense," Syrsky wrote on Facebook*. Ukrainian news agency UNIAN, citing the commander of Ukrainian Armed Forces group Tavria, Alexander Tarnavsky, reported that Ukrainian troops had already left Avdeyevka. A senior US defense official said Friday that Ukrainian troops in Avdeyevka are experiencing a critical lack of ammunition that could be a harbinger of the collapse of this defensive line to advancing Russian forces. Avdeyevka is a northern suburb of the city of Donetsk; it was a powerful fortified area of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. *Facebook belongs to Meta which is banned in Russia as an extremist organization. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson February 17, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba today on the margins of the Munich Security Conference in Germany. The two discussed ongoing efforts to support Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression and Ukraine's critical air defense needs as Russia continues its aerial attacks against economic hubs and civilian infrastructure. The Secretary emphasized U.S. commitment to Ukraine's recovery efforts and support for Ukraine's future in Euro-Atlantic institutions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andriy Yermak held a meeting of the International Task Force on Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine in Munich President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 23:20 On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and NATO Secretary General in 2009-2014 Anders Fogh Rasmussen held a meeting of the International Task Force on Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine. The event was also attended by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, co-chair of the Alliance 90/The Greens Omid Nouripour (Germany), and former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker. Andriy Yermak noted that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was a direct consequence of the fact that our country was not allowed to join NATO over the past two decades. "Ukraine needs NATO, but the Alliance also needs Ukraine. And it needs it as soon as possible. Uncertainty on this issue will allow Russia to justify the continuation of the war. Inviting Ukraine would be a signal of determination from NATO allies. It would send a strong signal to Putin that the threat of further military aggression will not prevent Ukraine from joining NATO. This would remove the main justification for Russia to continue the war," he said. The Head of the Presidential Office noted that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is part of Moscow's broader strategy to undermine the European security order. "Success in Ukraine will inspire Putin to further aggression. Impunity breeds new crimes," added Andriy Yermak. At the same time, he said, our country has demonstrated on the battlefield that it can be a valuable asset to the collective security system. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have gained unique combat experience, and the Ukrainian defense industry has great potential and is developing rapidly. According to him, helping Ukraine defend itself and prevent further aggression contributes to strengthening European security in general, which is why the International Task Force on Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine was established on the instructions of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaking to the media after the meeting of the International Task Force in Munich, Andriy Yermak noted that the Kyiv Security Compact developed by the previous Task Force became the basis for the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine adopted by the leaders of the G7 at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. In furtherance of these arrangements, our country has already signed three bilateral agreements on security commitments with the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. Work is underway on relevant documents with other countries. The Head of the President's Office expressed his belief that over the past two years, the Ukrainian people have demonstrated that they are capable of winning this war, but partners should support Ukraine and provide the necessary assistance. "Everything that needs to happen must happen in time. This is a historic moment, it will be a historic anniversary summit in Washington. And it is absolutely right, as Mr. Rasmussen said, this is indeed our goal - an invitation to join NATO, because Ukraine needs NATO and NATO needs Ukraine," emphasized Andriy Yermak. The Head of the President's Office emphasized that a sufficient amount of weapons and ammunition should be provided to Ukraine, and our country will defend not only itself, but also peace in Europe. "Because Putin's invasion of Ukraine is only part of his strategy. Rest assured, he already knows his next target. And if someone talks about some kind of aggravation for us, Ukrainians, it sounds a little strange, because the situation in Ukraine, where millions of people live in a state of war, cannot be aggravated further," said Andriy Yermak. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, for his part, added that over the past two years, partners have provided Ukraine with unprecedented assistance and support, including arms supplies, but given Russia's power, this is not enough, and assistance needs to be increased. "We have to do much more. The first step should be the immediate lifting of all restrictions on arms supplies. We must supply the Ukrainians not just with what is needed, but with the maximum amount possible. Germany must provide Taurus missiles, the United States must provide long-range weapons. We must deliver fighter jets, drones, and everything else that Ukrainians need as soon as possible. We have done enough so far for Ukraine to survive. What we must do now is to provide what Ukraine needs to win. This should be a strategy of victory," Anders Fogh Rasmussen is convinced. The former NATO Secretary General added that he believes it is time to invite Ukraine to join NATO, and the International Task Force will work on arguments that will convince the allies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President met with the President of the Czech Republic in Munich President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 22:01 On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel. The Head of State thanked the Czech leader, the government and the people of the Czech Republic for their comprehensive support of Ukraine in countering the Russian invasion. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Petr Pavel reviewed the current needs of Ukrainian troops on the battlefield, in particular, for artillery systems and ammunition. The heads of state also paid considerable attention to the issues of defense support for Ukraine, enhancing cooperation between the two countries' defense industries and joint arms production. The Czech Republic's active role in cooperation with other allies to supply defense products for Ukraine's needs was noted. Volodymyr Zelenskyy highly appreciated the support of the Ukrainian Peace Formula by the Czech Republic. The interlocutors discussed Ukraine's progress toward EU membership and expectations from the Washington NATO Summit. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President of Ukraine had a phone call with U.S. President Joseph Biden President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 21:52 On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with U.S. President Joseph Biden. The leaders discussed the current situation on the battlefield, in particular the situation in the area of Avdiivka, Donetsk region. Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Joseph Biden for his continuous support of Ukraine and Ukrainians over the course of two years of repelling a full-scale Russian invasion. The interlocutors emphasized the importance of the U.S. Congress passing a bill on supplemental funding for the Ukrainian Defense Forces as soon as possible. "I am glad I can rely on the full support of the American President. We also believe in the wise decision of the U.S. Congress," the Head of State emphasized. The parties emphasized the need to ensure that Russia bears full responsibility for its aggressive actions. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States and every American for supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "Supporting Ukraine means supporting democracy and freedom. We must protect these values together," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Munich, the Head of State met with the delegation of the U.S. House of Representatives President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 21:39 On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a delegation of members of the U.S. House of Representatives from the Republican and Democratic parties. The event was attended by: Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Mike Turner (Republican Party), House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Honorable Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (Democratic Party), members of the House of Representatives from the Republican Party Joe Wilson, Brett Guthrie, Ann Wagner, Neal Dunn, Brian Fitzpatrick, Claudia Tenney and from the Democratic Party - Gerald Connolly, Adam Smith, Gregory Meeks, Jim Himes, Brendan Boyle, Donald Norcross, Jason Crow, Mikie Sherrill, Veronica Escobar. The Head of State thanked all Americans, U.S. President Joseph Biden and both parties of the Congress for supporting Ukraine. "We are grateful for the comprehensive military and financial assistance. We are also grateful for the shelter and warm attitude towards our citizens who were forced to leave their homes because of this bloody invasion of Putin," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President expressed hope that the House of Representatives would adopt the decisions ensuring further necessary U.S. support for Ukraine in countering Russia's full-scale aggression. "We count on you, and I hope for positive results. Because we must win this war. And we must do it in unity, having protected our common values," the Head of State emphasized. The participants discussed the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine and the capabilities of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Special attention was paid to the development of defense industries. The President spoke, in particular, about progress in the production of drones. He expressed hope that American businesses would participate in localizing the production of drones, air defense systems, artillery systems, and ammunition in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also informed the members of the House of Representatives about the economic situation in Ukraine. In particular, he noted that last year's GDP growth was 5%. Among other things, this was driven by the strengthening of air defense with the help of the United States, as greater protection of cities encourages Ukrainians to return home from abroad, which stimulates the growth of our country's economy. The Head of State also spoke about measures taken by Ukraine to ensure the functioning of the "grain corridor" in the Black Sea to export significant volumes of agricultural products to different countries of the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the new President of Guatemala President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 18:47 On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Guatemala Bernardo ArAvalo, who recently took office after winning the election. The Head of State expressed gratitude for Guatemala's unwavering support for Ukraine since the first days of Russia's full-scale aggression. "We are grateful to your country and society for supporting Ukraine, our sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is important for us to have strong bilateral relations with Guatemala," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President of Ukraine noted the participation of Guatemala in the meeting of national security and foreign policy advisors on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and invited Bernardo ArAvalo to participate in the inaugural Global Peace Summit at the level of heads of state. "We are interested in the broadest possible representation of the countries of the world at this important summit," the Head of State emphasized. The President of Ukraine informed his counterpart of ensuring the operation of the "grain corridor" despite all Russia's attempts to obstruct free navigation in the Black Sea. The heads of state also discussed the possibility of building a network of grain hubs to ensure the export of Ukrainian agricultural products and global food security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President of Ukraine met with the President-elect of Finland in Munich President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 18:15 In the framework of the Munich Security Conference, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President-elect of Finland Alexander Stubb. Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the interlocutor on winning the election and thanked for his clear stance on condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine. "We are extremely grateful to your country and your people for the unwavering support and warm attitude towards Ukraine and Ukrainians. You have been with us since the first days of the full-scale war," the Head of State noted. The President of Ukraine informed Alexander Stubb about the current situation at the front and the urgent defense needs of the Ukrainian army. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of maintaining Finland's support for Ukraine on its path to NATO and the European Union. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President had a meeting with the U.S. Senate delegation in Munich President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 18:06 On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the U.S. Senate delegation, comprising senators from the Democratic and Republican parties. The Head of State expressed gratitude for the bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine in the U.S. Congress. He noted that Ukraine counts on continued U.S. leadership in the defense of freedom and upholding democracy in Europe and around the world. "We are grateful to the President of the United States and both parties for your decisions, support and assistance. You make the necessary decisions at critical moments. We count on the United States, on all Americans. We are glad that you are with us - on the right side," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. He emphasized the importance of the recent decision of the Senate in support of the bill providing for the allocation of $60 billion in aid to Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed the senators about Ukraine's priority defense needs, including additional artillery systems and ammunition, long-range weapons, electronic warfare, and strengthening air defense. The Head of State also spoke about the steps taken by Ukraine to counter Russia's attempts to undermine free navigation and unimpeded food exports through the Black Sea. The President thanked for the initiatives that limit the resources of the Russian aggressor state to wage war against Ukraine and for the steps taken by the United States to create a legislative mechanism for the confiscation of frozen Russian sovereign assets to rebuild our country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President after meeting with the U.S. Vice President in Munich: The key issue now is preservation of principled American support for Ukraine President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 16:55 In the framework of the Munich Security Conference, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris. The Head of State expressed gratitude to the interlocutor for respecting the Ukrainian people and warriors, and for the vital support and leadership of the United States that helped our country rally the world and withstand Russian attacks. "We must continue to stand together - Ukraine and America, all our partners. We must further contribute to the much-needed security, achieve joint results, increase the resilience of our resistance to Russian aggression, and prove to Putin every day that his hatred of people and freedom will never defeat our unity - the unity of the free world," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during the meeting with journalists following the negotiations with Kamala Harris in Munich. According to the President, the main topics of today's conversation were security and resilience. "Of course, the key issue for us now is to preserve the principled American support. Ukraine and all our warriors need and look forward to a positive vote on the support package. I am grateful to everyone who realizes how much depends on this one vote," the Head of State said. The interlocutors also discussed continued cooperation with the United States and other partners to bolster Ukraine's air defense. "Each Patriot system not only saves hundreds and thousands of lives, but also allows our cities and thus our economy to work normally," the President said and added that air defense is a key component of strengthening the economic independence of our country. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also informed Kamala Harris about the situation at the front and the capabilities and prospects of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, provided they receive sufficient support. He told the U.S. Vice President about Ukraine's ongoing transformation and the preparation of the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. The interlocutors also discussed the restoration of justice and further pressure on Vladimir Putin and his regime in all areas. "In particular, this year we have to ensure the confiscation and use of Russian assets to protect against Russian terror. Putin does not value human lives, and does not understand or observe any rules. The only things that matter to Putin are money and power. We need a strong decision that will confiscate Russia's frozen assets. And we need further full-scale sanctions pressure on Russia to limit Putin's ability to finance this war," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized. The Head of State noted the proximity of views between Ukraine and the United States on fundamental issues and thanked the American people, President Joseph Biden, both parties and chambers of Congress for their vital support. For her part, Kamala Harris assured of further support for Ukraine. "We must demonstrate to aggressors like Putin that one cannot seize foreign land with impunity," she said. According to the Vice President of the United States, there is bipartisan support for Ukraine in both houses of the U.S. Congress, and President Joseph Biden's team will continue its work to provide the resources Ukraine needs to succeed. "We will further support your efforts to achieve peace on fair terms. We adhere to the principle that Russia will pay for what it has done, for what it has committed. And we will see Ukraine emerge from this war as a free, democratic and independent country," Kamala Harris emphasized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with Mark Rutte in Munich President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 15:12 In the framework of the Munich Security Conference, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte. The Head of State thanked the Kingdom of the Netherlands and personally Mark Rutte for the firm and significant support for Ukraine during the full-scale invasion of Russia. Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed his interlocutor in detail about the situation at the front. He noted the defense assistance of the Netherlands in the amount of more than a2 billion envisaged for Ukraine this year, as well as contributions to the European Peace Fund, humanitarian aid and support for projects to rebuild our country. The two sides discussed further defense support for Ukraine, the need for air defense and artillery. They also discussed the activities of the international aviation coalition, the important role of the Netherlands in training Ukrainian pilots in Romania and transferring F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The President of Ukraine noted the successful work of the teams of the two countries on the draft bilateral security agreement based on the G7 Vilnius Declaration. The leaders also discussed the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and preparations for the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Rutte paid special attention to Ukraine's integration into NATO. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 14:51 In Munich, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina Wazed. The Head of State thanked the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, particularly within the UN, and emphasized the importance of Bangladesh's support for Ukrainian initiatives. Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the Prime Minister about Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression, the situation on the battlefield and the Ukrainian vision of a just peace based on the Ukrainian Peace Formula. The President invited the People's Republic of Bangladesh to join the implementation of the Formula and take part in the inaugural Global Peace Summit. Separately, the Head of State informed his interlocutor about Ukraine's efforts to create an alternative "grain corridor" in the Black Sea and prevent Russia's attempts to undermine peaceful navigation in the Black Sea region. The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh also discussed the prospects of establishing cooperation in trade and economic sphere, in particular, the supply of Ukrainian agricultural products to this country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President of Ukraine had a meeting with the President of Azerbaijan in Munich President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 14:11 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. The Head of State congratulated his interlocutor on winning the recent early presidential elections in Azerbaijan and expressed confidence in further strengthening of Ukraine-Azerbaijan relations. "We really appreciate the warm relations between our states and our societies," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The Presidents emphasized the unwavering mutual support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, energy, humanitarian and other areas. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted Azerbaijan's assistance in ensuring the reliable functioning of Ukraine's energy system. He also thanked Ilham Aliyev for the implementation of projects to rebuild the city of Irpin and expressed hope for Azerbaijan's further contribution to Ukraine's economic recovery. The leaders discussed possible joint economic projects, particularly in the energy sector. Specifically, they discussed the possible use of Ukrainian gas storage facilities. The interlocutors coordinated future joint efforts. Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Ilham Aliyev about preparations for the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President at the Munich Security Conference: Withdrawal from Avdiivka allowed to save lives of Ukrainian warriors President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 13:49 The decision to withdraw Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka, Donetsk region, where our defenders have been holding back Russian attacks for several months, is logical and fair, as it will save Ukrainian lives until the necessary weapons arrive. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his participation in the Ukraine in the World panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference. "We are preserving our people, our warriors, because this is what defense is all about," the Head of State said. The President noted that the Ukrainian military withdrew from Avdiivka to other positions to avoid being surrounded, but it cannot be said that Russia seized our territories. "This does not mean that people have withdrawn for kilometers and Russia has captured something. It hasn't captured anything. We have to understand: Russia has been trying to do something in the east for two years of war. They have simply destroyed a few villages and towns, but most importantly, they have destroyed our lives," Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained. The Head of State emphasized that Russia used all available types of weapons and lost tens of thousands of its soldiers in the battles near Avdiivka. "Depleting their army - I believe that our military is constantly fulfilling this task. Saving our lives is also, in my opinion, the right decision. Then there will be recovery, they will wait for the proper weapons, which were simply insufficient," the President noted. At the same time, he emphasized that Ukraine is in dire need of artillery and long-range weapons and counts on the help of partners in this matter. In addition, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it is important to gain an advantage over the enemy in the sky. The Head of State noted that the supply of air defense systems would enable Ukraine to unblock the skies and help our warriors move forward. "We are grateful to our partners - we have started receiving air defense systems: Patriot, IRIS-T, NASAMS. I am grateful. They are not enough to move forward quickly. But the solution is very simple: people return to the places where we have air defense systems and boost the economy of a city," the President said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also emphasized that Ukraine is developing the production of drones. "We will surprise them this year with drone systems and electronic warfare systems, which will be positive for us and negative for Russia. These are our domestic technologies. This is a parallel path that we are pursuing while waiting for assistance from our partners," the Head of State said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the Prime Minister of Denmark in Munich President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 13:10 As part of his participation in the Munich Security Conference, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen. The Head of State thanked Denmark for its constant leadership in assisting Ukraine and highly appreciated the 14 packages of defense support provided by Denmark. The parties coordinated the final steps in the preparation of a bilateral security agreement based on the G7 Vilnius Declaration and discussed possible dates for signing. The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Denmark paid special attention to further defense support for our country, bilateral cooperation and cooperation with other countries to provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons. They also discussed the involvement of Denmark and Danish companies in the joint production of drones. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Mette Frederiksen for her assistance in promoting the Ukrainian Peace Formula. The leaders discussed preparations for the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, emphasizing the importance of broad representation of countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We will do everything to bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership - Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 13:00 Ukraine's primary objective is to become a NATO member, and our country will do everything to move closer to membership in the Alliance and strengthen relations with its allies, especially in security and armaments. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his participation in the Ukraine in the World panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference. "What do we expect from the Alliance? The Vilnius Summit was important. We have started working. We have the Council, which is a real practical platform for discussion and assistance," the Head of State said, answering the questions of the panelists. Also, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, the G7 discussed and adopted a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, which was joined by about 30 countries. And bilateral agreements on security commitments for Ukraine have already been signed with three states. So, as the President noted, the NATO Summit in Vilnius has yielded a positive result for our country. "Specific weapons, specific money, specific deadlines. I think this is important," he added. As for the invitation to join the Alliance, the Head of State emphasized that this is Ukraine's primary objective. "Our goal is to be a member of NATO. I believe that we deserve it. We will do everything to bring Ukraine closer to the Alliance," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. He noted that inviting Ukraine to join NATO is an allied decision, and not all leaders support it yet. Therefore, work will continue in this direction. "In any case, we expect to strengthen our relations, especially in terms of weapons. To be honest, arms packages, air defense packages are probably the most important thing for us today. Especially from those states that are hesitant to invite us to NATO," the President of Ukraine said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Do not ask Ukraine when the war will end. Ask yourself - why Putin is still able to continue it - speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference President of Ukraine 17 February 2024 - 12:45 February 24th could have marked the end of the world as we all know it. A world of rules. Rules that are meant to protect life. Our resistance, with the support of our partners, has put on hold the destruction of this system - a rules-based world order. 2024 must become a time for a full restoration of a rules-based world order. Ladies and gentlemen! It is not the rules that define the world's life that should remain in the past, but rather such Russia that doesn't respect the rules should remain in the past. And we can ensure this. Not just by doing something. But by doing everything necessary. The Conference today represents different parts of the world and many nations. Among us, there is no one for whom the ongoing war in Europe does not pose a threat. This war defines more than just the place of Ukraine or entire Europe in the world. This is Russia's war against any rules at all. But how long will the world let Russia be like this? This is the main question today. The longer this Russian aggression against the rules-based world order continues, the greater are the changes it provokes. Perhaps, people will have to live in a world where local wars will not remain local - any outbreak of a war risks turning into a global catastrophe. Perhaps, the weaponization of food or migration will break existing regional balances and undermine many political systems - not only in Europe but also in the Middle East. In Africa. In the Americas. Perhaps, Europe is facing times when the question of invoking Article 5 of the NATO treaty will not be a question for Washington at all but rather for European capitals. There are hundreds of such "perhaps". On February 23, 2022 none of them existed. Now they are a part of reality. And what do we lack in this reality? Security. Neither for the largest nor for the smallest state. We must make security a reality again. Ladies and gentlemen! Are you ready to leave behind everything you value in life in the world of yesterday? Ukrainians will not do it! This is our response. The year of 2024 demands your response - from everyone in the world. If we do not act now, Putin will manage to make the next years catastrophic for other nations as well. Intelligence communities are aware of this. Ukraine has already shattered myths with which Russia tried to cloud reality and which the world, unfortunately, believed. The myth that Russia could capture another country in a few days or weeks whenever it wants. Ukrainians have been holding for 724 days. 724 days! Would you have believed 725 days ago that this was even possible? We have demolished another insane Russian myth about Ukraine as supposedly "not a real country." And it was in Russia that a massive mutiny began, leading to the capture of cities, internal fights, and an armed march on Moscow. This is a typical sign of a not a real state. We have ruined the myth that Russian weapons supposedly have some advantage over Western ones. In reality, Russia is worse in all respects. That's why for the first time in Russian history, Putin bowed to Iran and North Korea for help. There was a myth that Europe is too weak to defend itself. Instead, Europe has become a global force overcoming dependencies on Russia. Europe now demonstrates that our community deserves to be called Euro-Atlantic. There are two coasts. Nearly 80 years of preventing a continental war in Europe relied on the strength of the American coast. Now we see that the European coast can also be the force that prevents chaos. Every defense coalition we have created proves this. Every security agreement we have signed implements it. We already have such an agreement with the UK. And I am grateful for the security agreement with Germany that we signed with Olaf in Berlin a day before. We signed a security agreement between Ukraine and France with Emmanuel in Paris. And this is just the beginning of implementing agreements based on the G7's security declaration. We were told for a long time - go to Putin so that he would allow the restoration of cargo movement in the Black Sea. In our Black Sea. But we did it without Putin. More than twenty-three million tons of cargo have been transported through the Black Sea and the Ukrainian export corridor. Since the beginning of this year, there is already normal shipment of goods to China, Spain, Egypt, TArkiye, Italy, Pakistan, the Netherlands, Tunisia, Libya, and others. Some claimed that there is no effective defense against Russian missiles. We know for sure, all of us, - with "Patriots" and some other Western air defense systems, any Russian missile can be shot down. And if there are enough air defense systems in Ukraine, we will be able to bring home millions of Ukrainians, millions of our people, millions of our refugees. And thank you for your attitude in all your countries to our people. Thank you very much! But I hope they will come back. We will do everything for this. And, of course, our economy will be able to regain independence from external support. Ukrainians have proven that we can force Russia to retreat and that we are capable of restoring the rules. And with this, we leave absolutely nothing of the key Russian myth - the myth that Ukraine supposedly cannot win this war. We can get our land back. And Putin can lose. And this has already happened more than once on the battlefield. Our actions are limited only by the sufficiency and length of the range of our strength - by what does not depend on us. And Andiivka situation proves this exactly. Dear friends! Unfortunately, keeping Ukraine in artificial deficits of weapons, particularly in deficits of artillery and long-range capabilities, allows Putin to adapt to the current intensity of the war. This self-weakening of democracy over time undermines our joint results. Russia has only one specific military advantage at this time, namely - the complete devaluation of human life. Constant Russian "meat assaults" prove this. International tolerance of the lack of rule of law in Russia after 1991 and Putin's policy of controlled poverty have led to the fact that human life is worthless for the Russian state. In addition to this, Putin's years of self-isolation and his impunity have led to his complete degradation. Absolutely. He now openly justifies Hitler, absolving him of responsibility for World War II. He has made the genocide of our people just an ordinary part of his policy. Putin kills whoever he wants, be it an opposition leader or anyone else who seems as a target exactly to him. After the murder of Alexei Navalny, it's absurd to perceive Putin as a supposedly legitimate head of the Russian state. He is a thug who maintains power through corruption and violence. Coming to his so-called "inauguration", shaking his hand, considering him an equal means to disdain the very nature of political power. One may have different attitudes towards international institutions, but the International Criminal Court's warrant for Putin's arrest for kidnapping and forced deportation of children from Ukraine clearly demonstrates where Putin's so-called "career" should end. He has only two options ahead - to be in the dock in The Hague, or to be killed by one of his accomplices who are now killing for him. Destroying the source of wars and destabilization is our key task. It is fair. First. We all must do not something, but everything possible to defeat the aggressor. Please, everyone remember that dictators do not go on vacation. Hatred knows no pause. Enemy artillery does not fall silent due to procedural issues. Warriors standing against the aggressor need sufficient strength. Second. We should not fear Putin's defeat. Putin is a threat to all free nations. And yes, for those who still haven't heard - Putin is the monster who invaded Ukraine and killed thousands and thousands of people and kidnapped and deported at least tens of thousands of Ukrainian children. But that's not all. Putin butchered Chechens and Syrians; invaded Georgia; ordered the execution of his opponents both outside the walls of the Kremlin and in the heart of London and Berlin; and yes, just yesterday he tried to send us all a clear message as the Munich Security Conference opened - Putin murdered another opposition leader. So, please, let's not fear Putin's defeat and the destruction of his regime. Let's instead - work together to destroy what he stands for. It is his fate to lose, not the fate of the rules-based world order to vanish. a If we don't defeat Putin now, it won't eventually matter who is the president of Russia. Because every new Russian dictator will remember how to maintain power by annexing the lands of other peoples, killing opponents, and destroying the world order. If this happens Europe and Central Asia and the whole world will be a very dark place. Third. We must close all loopholes in the sanctions against Russia. And there should be no sectors of the Russian economy involved in its aggression that are still free from sanctions. This particularly relates to the nuclear sector. Also, Russian assets that are already frozen should be confiscated. And we need to go further - find, freeze, and securely pacify every dollar accumulated by Putin and his friends. Fourth. Evil will never prevail if the forces of good are united and act together. History has proven it many times - when empires of evil and tyranny, which seemed eternal, crumbled right in front of our eyes. And this increased the space of freedom in the world. And the bolder and more active America was - along with the others on the right side of history - the more successful freedom was. The world would have long been divided among the dreams of a few dictatorships, if it was not for the American dream, which always left enough space for people's dreams. Major decisions happening in unity of the whole world including the US. And finally, fifth. Putin must be deprived of any ability to manipulate anyone in the world to constrain the activity of others. The world has a document that defines the basic rules of co-existence of nations - the Charter of the UN. Russia disregards it. Ukraine has offered the world a Peace Formula, based on the principles and norms of the UN Charter. We have managed to unite representatives of all parts of the world to work on the Peace Formula and to develop details regarding the organization of the first Global Peace Summit. The summit is planned in Switzerland. And there the world must decide how to restore the full strength of the rule-based world order, almost destroyed by Russia. Please, do not ask Ukraine when the war will end. Ask yourself - why is Putin still able to continue it? I thank you very much for the invitation. Thank you for your attention and for every expression of support for our state, our people, our children! Please - be grateful to our warriors. And may our world, based on rules, never become the world of yesterday. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskyy Hopes US Congress Will Approve Delayed Ukraine Aid By VOA News February 17, 2024 During a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope that the U.S. Congress would make a "wise decision" in approving a delayed large aid package for Ukraine. "We discussed the current front-line situation. I am grateful to have President Biden's full support," Zelenskyy wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I also believe that the U.S. Congress will make a wise decision." Zelenskyy is in Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference. Zelenskyy warned allies Saturday that low ammunition supplies could give Russia breathing room to regroup against Ukraine, highlighting the need for artillery and long-range weapons after his military chief announced he was withdrawing troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka. During his address at the Munich Security Conference, an annual gathering of security and foreign policy officials, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is back on the defensive against Russia in the nearly 2-year-old war, due to an "artificial deficit" of arms for Ukraine. "We're just waiting for weapons that we're short of," he said, pointing to a lack of long-range armaments. "Ukrainians have proven that we can force Russia to retreat," Zelenskyy said. "We can get our land back, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin can lose, and this has already happened more than once on the battlefield." After a meeting with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Ukrainian president and Harris held a joint news conference in Munich. "It is in the strategic interest of the United States to continue our support," said Harris. Zelenskyy echoed Harris's comments that the aid package for Ukraine stuck in Congress "is vital" to Ukraine's war effort, and he stressed that Kyiv is counting on the U.S. to remain a "strategic partner." Also at the conference, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the delay in approval of the Ukraine aid package by the U.S. Congress has a direct impact on Ukraine's defense. "Every week we wait means that there will be more people killed on the front line in Ukraine," he said. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, whose country directly borders Russia, said, "If America isolates itself, it eventually is going to cost you more," warning that if "aggression pays off somewhere, it serves as an invitation to use it elsewhere, jeopardizing global security." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose country is Ukraine's second-biggest military supplier after the U.S., renewed his call for other European countries to step up with more deliveries, and pointed to America's military aid since the war began. Avdiivka seized Putin congratulated Russian troops and their commander Saturday on the capture of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. "The head of state congratulated Russian soldiers on this success, an important victory," the Kremlin website said. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu presented the Russian president with a report on the capture of the city. He told the Kremlin that Russian forces were working to clear final pockets of resistance at the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant, officials said in a statement. Videos on social media Saturday appeared to show soldiers raising the Russian flag over one of the plant's buildings. Reacting to the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the southeastern city of Avdiivka, Zelenskyy said that the retreat ordered by Ukrainian commander Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi was "a correct decision" emphasizing the priority of saving Ukrainian soldiers' lives. He also suggested that Russia has achieved little, however, adding that it has been attacking Avdiivka "with all the power that they had" since October and lost thousands of soldiers. "That's what Russia has achieved. It's a depletion of their army." Syrskyi, Ukraine's commander-in-chief, posted Friday on Facebook that the troops were moved "to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of service personnel." Capturing the eastern city is seen as key to Moscow's aim of securing full control of the two provinces that make up the industrial Donbas region and could hand Putin, who recently underlined its significance, a battlefield victory as he seeks reelection next month. During a White House press briefing Friday, Biden stressed the significance of continuing U.S. military support for Ukraine against Russia and noted that though a bipartisan Senate voted in favor of funding Ukraine's war against Russia, the House of Representatives has not yet done so. "History is watching the House of Representatives. That failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten," he said. "The clock is ticking. And this has to happen. We have to help now. You know, we have to realize what we're dealing with," Biden added. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of President Biden's Call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine February 17, 2024 President Biden called President Zelenskyy today to underscore the United States' commitment to continue supporting Ukraine ahead of the two year anniversary of Russia's brutal invasion. This morning, Ukraine's military was forced to withdraw from Avdiivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russia's first notable gains in months. President Biden emphasized the need for Congress to urgently pass the national security supplemental funding bill to resupply Ukrainian forces. President Biden reaffirmed the strong bipartisan support in the U.S. government and among the American people for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to imposing costs on the Russian government to hold it accountable for its actions. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by Vice President Harris and President Zelenskyy of Ukraine in Joint Press Conference | Munich, Germany February 17, 2024 Commerzbank Munich, Germany 2:07 P.M. CEST VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: Good afternoon, everyone. President Zelenskyy, it was my honor to meet with you again. This is our fifth meeting, by my count. And our first meeting was here almost exactly two years ago. I want to thank you for all that you have done and all that you are as a leader. You and I have had many conversations. And it is my honor to say, as part of a public conversation, that you have been an extraordinarily courageous leader and have shown you commitment to the Ukrainian people and to democratic principles, including the most important a one of the most important a which is the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity. So, it is good to see you again. I was in Munich and have been here to talk about where we stand currently in terms of our relationship to the Ukrainian people and our unyielding commitment, on behalf of the United States, to the Ukrainian people and to their sovereignty, to their freedom. Five years a five a two years ago when I was here, it was to foreshadow the Russian playbook for the world and to outline the steps the United States, along with our allies and partners, would take in response to their aggression. And I shared with the President then a President Zelenskyy a that the United States stands with Ukraine, and we have been proud to stand with Ukraine over the last two years. And President Joe Biden and I will continue to stand with Ukraine, as I said yesterday and as we say every day. Yesterday, we received reports that Aleksey Navalny died in Russia. I met with his wife, Yulia, yesterday, and expressed my outrage and sorrow. In this fight and a I will say that Aleksey Navalny has been a brave leader who stood up against corruption and autocracy, and he stood up for the truth. The reports of his death are further proof of Putin's brutality. It reminds us why our support for Ukraine is so important, because Ukraine is fighting back heroically against Putin's continued brutality. In Munich two years ago, many thought Kyiv would fall in a matter of days. Yet, thanks to the skill and bravery of the people of Ukraine and the support of the 50-nation coalition the United States has led, Kyiv stands free and strong. President Zelenskyy, that is a testament, as I have said, to your extraordinary leadership and the determination of the people of Ukraine and their willingness to fight for their homes and their homeland, for their freedom and their independence. In this fight, Ukraine has achieved significant success against an adversary on an imperialistic quest to subjugate your nation a an adversary with an economy 10 times larger than Ukraine, a population 3 times larger, and a military that once ranked as the second best in the world. You have stood strong in the face of Russia's advances and countered its aerial assaults. You have regained half the territory Russia controlled at the start of this conflict. You have inflicted major damage on Russia's fleet in the Black Sea and maintained the flow of grain to world markets. You have kept heat and electricity on in the face of incon- a unconscionable attacks on civilian infrastructure. And you have made a range of reforms that will help accelerate Ukraine's integration with the West. Because of our collective strength, this war has been an utter failure for Putin. President Zelenskyy, the stakes of your fight remain high for your country and for the entire world. And it is in the strategic interest of the United States to continue our support. International rules and norms are on the line, including the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. History shows us: If we allow an aggressor like Putin to take land with impunity, they keep going. The other would-be aggressors then become emboldened. On this trip to Munich, I have worked with our allies and partners to ensure we stay united and strong in support of Ukraine. Today, President Zelenskyy, you and I had a productive conversation about ongoing support from the United States and the international community, and we spoke of our support for Ukraine on the battlefield. As I said yesterday, you have the support of bipartisan majorities in both houses of the United States Congress. So, as we move forward, the President and I a President Biden and I will continue to work to secure the resources and weapons that you need to succeed. We also will continue to support your efforts to secure a just and lasting peace. We will work to make sure Russia pays damages to Ukraine. And ultimately, we want to see Ukraine emerge from this war as a nation that is free, democratic, and independent. President Zelenskyy, as President Joe Biden and have a and I have made clear, we will be with you for as long as it takes. I thank you again. And thanks a PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Thank you so much. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: Thank you. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: (As interpreted.) Thank you so much, esteemed Madam Vice President, esteemed members of the delegation, dear journalists. I'm glad to have this meeting with Madam Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. Thank you so much, Kamala. It is quite natural that main topics of our conversations were security and resilience a security that we, together, build, restore, Ukraine and the United States, by all signs of our cooperation and resilience that we, together, build up when we preserve unity and help each other. I am grateful to Madam Vice President for attention and for your words and for your respect to our nation and for the respect that you have expressed during our meeting to our people, to our warriors, to Ukrainians. Thank you so much for that. And I'm thankful for the vital support and leadership of the United States of America, who helped to unite the world and to stand off against Russian strikes. We shall be together in the future, Ukraine and the United States. And all world a all our partners, we shall continue to build up our security, achieve joint results to increase our resilience against Russian aggression, and each day prove to Putin that his hatred towards people, hatred towards freedom will never prevail over our unity, unity of the free world. Of course, the key issue for us now is the preservation of principle American support. Ukraine and all our warriors need and await of the respective positive vote regarding the assistance package. And I thank to everybody who understands how much depends on this single voting procedure. We have today discussed with Madam Vice President about how significant results were already achieved because of our joint work with the U.S. with partners a in particular, regarding air defenses. American Patriots are the a are the best life-preservation means of people against Russian terror, and each Patriot not only saves hundreds and thousands of lives, but also allows our cities to function normally and therefore our economy. One of Ukrainian goals this year is economic growth. Last year, we have had plus 5 percent GDP. This year, we would need a corresponding growth rate in order to build up more of Ukrainians' economic independence. The issue of air defense in this regard is the main thing. I have informed Madam Vice President regarding the current situation on the battlefield about our capabilities and perspectives upon the conditions of needed support levels. I have also briefed about a about the ongoing transformation of our state, in particular about decisions that can build up our resilience. We have also discussed the preparation of the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland on the level of leaders. One more principal topic is justice a justice of the further pressure on Putin and his regime in all directions. In particular, this year, we need to ensure the confiscation and usage of Russian assets for the sake of protection against Russia's terror. Putin does not value lives of people. He does not understand and does not respect any rules. The only thing that is important for Putin is money and power. We need a strong decision that would confiscate frozen Russia's assets. We would need further full-scale pressure with sanctions on Russia in order to constrain Putin's capabilities to finance this war. I'm glad to praise the proximity of our views on a on absolutely principal issues. Madam Vice President, I'm grateful to you for our conversation. I thank to all American people. I am extremely thankful to Mr. President Biden, to both parties, and both houses in Congress for the vital support. And I'm sure that, together, we can stop Russia. We must stop. Thank you for your attention. Glory to Ukraine. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: We will take questions now from the press. Cleve Wootson of the Washington Post. Q Madam Vice President, hello. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: Hello. Q You've spoken about enduring American support for Ukraine and other conflicts this weekend. But this political situation at home, including your own, is anything but uncertain, with President Biden facing poor polling numbers, questions about his age. What skepticism have you faced here about U.S. support in your meetings? And what have you said to try to allay them? And, to President Zelenskyy a PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Can you turn on the microphone? Q Is it not on? PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: No, it's not on. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: Is the interpretation happening? INTERPRETER: Unfortunately, the interpretation is not happening as the a we cannot hear the speaker. PARTICIPANT: The translator didn't hear you. Can you re-ask? Q I can certainly re-ask. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Please take this one. It was working. Sorry, I don't hear. Q No problem. Want me to ask the question to you again, Madam Vice President? VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: No, I got it. Q Okay. And to President Zelenskyy. Let's pull up my question. The U.S. Congress so far has not approved more military aid for you. Without that aid, does your country have a path to victory? And is the lack of funding a betrayal because President Biden has promised that he would be with you until the very end? VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: I'll start. As I made very clear yesterday, the issue of supporting Ukraine and where the United States stands on that issue is integral to who we are as the United States of America. We have historically and currently stand as a global leader on certain fundamental democratic principles, including the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity. We stand with our friends. Our membership in NATO has been a role that is about a commitment to our allies based on shared principles of what it means to abide by democratic principles that have historically ensured stability and security for those participating in this partnership. As I made very clear yesterday, when we talk about the role of America, as it relates to our support for Ukraine, we must be unwavering and we cannot play political games. Political gamesmanship has no role to play in what is fundamentally about the significance of standing with an ally as it endures an unprovoked aggression. Politics should play no role in standing for the fact that Vladimir Putin, through his leadership of Russia, has shown himself to be fundamentally hostile to democratic principles, not to mention what we learned about in the last 24 hours in terms of the killing of Navalny. So, this is about where we stand as a nation. And as it relates to the supplemental, we have been clear, the President and I, both in private conversations with members of the United States Congress and in public. We are clear and certain that for the majority in both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, there is bipartisan support for this approach. There is bipartisan support for what America is and what we stand for. And we are unwavering. And that has nothing to do with an election cycle. It has to do with who we are and what kind of country we want to be: one that stands with our friends. President Zelenskyy. PRESIDENT ZELENSKKY: Thank you so much. (As interpreted.) Thank you for this question. We are counting on this positive decision of the Congress. For us, this package is vital. We do not currently look into alternatives because we're counting on the United States as a as our partner a strategic partner a that this partner will remain strategic partner. If we're speaking about the alternative, then this means that it will be not our strategic partner. That's why I'm not looking into such alternative. And we also did not look into such alternatives strategically and politically. Is this package a way to victory? No, this would not be enough because our path to victory is people, the morality of Ukrainian warrior, of people. The assistance packages, sanctions of the partners a that is a big Allied work a and not quarterly work, but on a daily basis. And that's why it is so important. But it will definitely a this package is a a definitely way forward. And that is a fact. But it would be not victory yet. But moving forward is much, much better than stagnation on the battlefield. Do I believe that this is a betrayal? No, because I do not think that our strategic partner can allow itself to not support Ukraine. This a I do not see the opportunity for strategic partners to take such stance. We see challenges a electoral, internal, political. I do not want to comment on those because that a those are internal processes in the U.S. and of the people of the United States. But I count that the Allied stance will remain. Q (As interpreted.) Greetings. Nina Kolomiiets, Inter channel. I have a question to Madam Vice President and to Mr. President. We see how difficult it is for the Congress to deal with the assistance to Ukraine. Could you could you please elaborate on why such vital issue to us has been so postponed and whether the United States has a plan B shall the House of Representatives not confirm the assistance package to Ukraine? And also, the question regarding the signature of Ukraine with bilateral security agreements a firstly, with Great Britain; yesterday, with France and Germany. I have a question when the agreement on cooperation in security field will be signed between Ukraine and the United States of America. Perhaps there are already preliminary negotiations on this topic. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: There is only plan A, which is to ensure that Ukraine receives what it needs. I will emphasize that an indication of where we can and, frankly, must be is that there is bipartisan support in both of our houses of Congress, on the Senate side and the House of Representatives. And it is my full belief that were the supplemental package and security package to make it to the floor of the House of Representatives, that it would actually pass. I also believe that there is consensus across party lines in the United States Congress that recognizes the a the brutal nature of Moscow's aggression, and that there must be a response that includes standing by our friends and supporting those who fight against that aggression. And I do believe there is consensus within the United States Congress that the American leadership, elected leaders in the United States Congress must be unified in their opposition to Russia's aggression, as indicated over the course of the last two-plus years and the last 24 hours. And I do believe also there is consensus within the United States Congress that we must use everything that is available to us to support Ukraine in its fight to become and to maintain itself as an independent and democratic nation. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Thank you for the question. As regards the security guarantees, right? So, regarding the security guarantees, yes, our teams are working. We have held, already, two negotiation rounds, and I'm sure that we will have very powerful document with our partners. However, we have agreed upon that we all need to focus on what is needed right now. That's why we focus on the work with Congress of the United States. And afterwards, we will move on to security guarantees. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: Thank you, all. Thank you. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Thank you so much. END 2:28 P.M. CEST NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine February 17, 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris met today with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine in Munich, Germany to discuss Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russian aggression. The Vice President emphasized the Administration's continued efforts to ensure passage of the President's national security supplemental funding bill, and reaffirmed the strong bipartisan support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the U.S. government and among the American people. The Vice President welcomed Ukraine's progress on its path of Euro-Atlantic integration, and encouraged continued work to counter corruption and strengthen Ukraine's democratic institutions, which will give confidence to investors and enable Ukraine's rapid recovery and reconstruction when Russia ceases its unlawful aggression. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China committed to possible peace talks as Ukraine crisis drags 2 years Global Times By Yang Sheng Published: Feb 18, 2024 11:10 PM As the Russia-Ukraine conflict, breaking out two years ago, has caused casualties and resulted in serious damages to both sides up to today, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) that China has stayed committed to promoting peace talks on the Ukraine issue and will not give up as long as there is a glimmer of hope. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks on Saturday during a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on the sidelines of the MSC. China insists on resolving hot spot issues through political means and keeps promoting peace talks, refrains from adding fuel to the fire or taking advantage of the situation, and refrains from selling lethal weapons to conflict areas or parties, Wang said. Wang also reiterated China's stance when answering questions about the Ukraine crisis following his keynote speech during the "China in the World" session at the MSC on Saturday. Chinese analysts said on Sunday that over the past two years, China has always played a neutral and responsible role without bias and prejudice to help the conflicting parties to seek common ground and avoid escalation, which is totally different from the US-led West's adding fuel to the flames. On the battlefield, Russia on Saturday realized full control of Avdiivka after months of grinding battles in the stronghold that had been held by Ukraine. This gives Moscow the advantage to decide whether to attack other regions or just defend the territories under its control, according to observers. Many Western analysts are also aware of the changes and are increasingly doubtful about the necessity and effectiveness of expensive military aid to Ukraine, some attendees to the MSC told the Global Times. To promote peace talks At the MSC, when asked about China's views on the Budapest Memorandum and China's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Wang said China is not a signatory to the Budapest Memorandum, but has recognized it through a government statement. China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to the crisis, yet China neither stood idle nor took advantage of the crisis. "Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be abided by, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported. This is China's official position and fundamental principle on the Ukraine issue," Wang stressed. China has stayed committed to promoting peace talks and played a positive role in efforts to restore peace. The earlier the peace talks resume, the less damage for all sides, said Wang. MSC attendee Cui Hongjian, a professor with the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Sunday that Western countries have always had unrealistic expectations and demands of China over the Ukraine crisis. For instance, they want China to stand with them to sanction Russia. To urge China to do so, they downplay China's constructive role in facilitating dialogue. "Some Western attendees always complain that the role that China has played is not enough and they hope that China can reduce its trade with Russia," Cui said. Such views are unhelpful to the solution of the crisis, and if China sides with the West, it would have a huge negative impact on the global strategic balance and stability, experts said. China is the only permanent member of the UN Security Council that can still have communication with and is being listened to by both Moscow and Kiev, and such a role is extremely important for mediation, experts noted. Some Western attendees, such as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, hype the narrative that "China and Russia are forming an alliance to challenge the West" and they have tried to link the Ukraine crisis with the Taiwan question, "out of the hegemonic interest of the US," Cui said, "But fortunately, they are not the mainstream," Cui concluded on the basis of his conversations with European attendees at the MSC. Change in battlefield Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has informed President Vladimir Putin that the town of Avdiivka near Donetsk has been taken under full control, TASS reported on Saturday. The New York Times (NYT) reported on Saturday that Ukraine ordered the complete withdrawal from the decimated city of Avdiivka before dawn on Saturday, "surrendering a position that had been a military stronghold for the better part of a decade, in the face of withering Russian assault." The NYT report also said some Ukrainian military personnel expressed concern privately in interviews that the call to withdraw had come too late, or posted on social media of their dangerous and chaotic retreats. Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert and media commentator, told the Global Times on Sunday that "the battle of Avdiivka showed that Ukraine does not have enough troops and firepower to defend the stronghold, while Russia has enough resources to launch attacks from different directions." As Russia is trying to expand its advantage step by step, Ukraine is being confronted with more and more difficult fights, said experts. Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Sunday that the victory in Avdiivka will help Putin to secure a victory in the upcoming election. "With the town in its hands, Russia is poised to continue attacks, change to defensive posture, or even unilaterally declare the end of its special military operation." Cui Heng said. But experts noted that no matter what happens in the battlefield, China's stance of promoting dialogue and creating conditions for peace talks will not change. But to what extent peace talks can take place also depends on how many further interruptions the US-led West may make, they said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin lauds Russian servicemen for capture of Ukraine's Avdiivka Iran Press TV Sunday, 18 February 2024 6:00 AM Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated the country's servicemen for the capture of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, according to the Kremlin. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu presented Putin with a report on the capture of the city, Kremlin said on Saturday. "The head of state congratulated Russian soldiers on this success, an important victory," it added. Russian news agencies quoted a telegram that Putin sent to the commander of the "center" group of forces in Ukraine, Colonel-General Andrei Mordvichev. "For outstanding military activity, I express my gratitude to all troops under your direction who took part in battles for Avdiivka," Putin was quoted as saying. The Russian troops had been engaged in sustained attacks on Avdiivka since mid-October. Ukrainian troops, last week, evacuated the key frontline city of Avdiivka, making it Moscow's most important territorial gain for Russian troops since they captured the city of Bakhmut last May. The city had been briefly held by pro-Russian groups in 2014 when they liberated large chunks of Donbas; however, it was later seized by Ukrainian forces. Analysts said the troops' victory will likely provide a morale boost for Russia ahead of the upcoming presidential election in March, where Putin is tipped to win a fifth term in office. The victory is also seen as an important factor in securing Moscow's grip on the regional center of Donetsk, about 20km to the east, which has been held by Russian and pro-Russian forces since 2014. The Russian troops began their special military operation in eastern Ukraine on February 24, 2022. In response, US-led Western countries supported the anti-Moscow Kiev regime with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities. Russia has repeatedly warned the West that flooding Ukraine with weapons and munitions will only prolong the conflict, not stopping the Russian troops from reaching their military objective in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow Looks To Extend Avdiyivka Gains, As Ukraine Accuses Russia Of Shooting POWs By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service February 18, 2024 KYIV -- Russian forces appear to be consolidating their gains in and around the captured eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiyivka following Ukraine's withdrawal, while Kyiv accused the Kremlin's troops of shooting eight prisoners of war, posting a video shot from the air purporting to show one incident. Dmytro Lykhoviy, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military in the Donetsk region, on February 18 said Russian troops had launched strikes west of Avdiyivka as they seek to capture more territory from Ukrainian forces reportedly suffering from ammunition shortages that allowed the Kremlin to claim its first major victory in more than a year. Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskiy, commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces, a day earlier announced the withdrawal of Ukrainian units from Avdiyivka, saying it was done "to avoid encirclement and preserve the life and health of servicemen" amid calls from Kyiv to Western parnters for more ammunition. "The enemy is trying to actively develop its offensive," Lykhoviy told Ukrainian TV on February 18. "But our considerable forces are entrenched there." Ukraine's military said it had repelled 14 Russian assaults on a village about 2 kilometers north of Avdiyivka. Russian President Vladimir Putin -- seeking to claim a major victory as the February 24 anniversary of the 2022 invasion approaches -- on February 17 congratulated troops on the capture of Avdiyivka, calling it an "important victory." Meanwhile, Ukraine's army accused Russian forces of shooting eight prisoners of war in Avdiyivka and the nearby village of Vesele. A grainy video showed what officials said were two Ukrainian soldiers in a Russian trench being grabbed by what they said was a Russian soldier, who appears to shoot them several times at close range. The authenticity of the video could not be verified, nor was the location known. Ukrainian authorities said they had opened a war crimes investigation after reports of the shooting emerged. "An investigation into the shootings of unarmed Ukrainian prisoners of war in Avdiyivka and Vesele has been launched," the Donetsk region prosecutor's office said on Telegram. Earlier, Ukrainian officials said at least three people were killed in Russian drone and missile strikes in eastern Ukraine over the past 24 hours, adding that Ukrainian troops repelled a Russian offensive in the southern front. Two bodies have been recovered from the rubble of a residential building in the city of Kramatorsk that was struck by a missile overnight, said Vadym Filashkin, the military governor of the Donetsk region. The search-and-rescue operation continued at the site, he wrote on Telegram. At least one person was killed, and five wounded in an attack on a two-story apartment building in the neighboring Kharkiv region, according to Oleh Synyehubov, the head of the provincial military administration. Eighty-two combat clashes took place between the invading Russian Army and Ukrainian troops over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian military reported on its daily update. Ukrainian forces "defeated yesterday's Russian offensive in the Zaporizhzhya sector," destroying 18 armored vehicles and forcing Russian troops to retreat "to their previous positions," the bulletin said. The Russian military launched 13 missile and 104 air strikes, and carried out 169 attacks from rocket salvo systems over the past day, targeting the positions of Ukrainian troops as well as residential areas, it said. Russia also launched 14 Shahed combat drones, 12 of which were destroyed before reaching their target. A missile was also intercepted, and a Russian fighter jet was shot down, Ukraine's air force said. The attacks caused extensive damage both to private buildings and industrial facilities. A school was in ruins in the city of Slovyansk, and volunteers were searching the site for possible victims and trapped people there, officials said. There were no immediate comments from Russian authorities. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia- drones-intercepted/32824522.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Russian Defence Ministry 18.02.2024 The units of the Tsentr Group of Forces under the command of Colonel General Andrei Mordvichyov have taken full control of Avdeevka (Donetsk People's Republic), which was a powerful defensive node of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As a result of offensive actions, an area of about 32 square kilometres has been liberated from the Ukrainian nationalists. The enemy losses in the fighting for Avdeevka, over the past 24 hours, were more than 1,500 servicemen. Under the continuous fire of the Russian troops, only some scattered formations of Ukrainian militants managed to leave Avdeevka in a hurry, abandoning their weapons and military hardware. The order of the AFU Commander-in-Chief Syrsky to abandon the city was issued only a day after the Ukrainian troops began their uncontrolled escaping from Avdeevka. At present, measures are being taken to finally clear the city of militants, block Ukrainian units that left the city and settled at the Avdeevka Coke Plant. The liberation of Avdeevka has made it possible to move the front line away from Donetsk, thereby making it significantly safer from terrorist attacks by the Kiev criminal regime. Information about the advance of Russian troops was not made public until the enemy was completely defeated and the city was taken under control. The troops of the Tsentr Group of Forces continue offensive operations for the further liberation of the Donetsk People's Republic from the Ukrainian nationalists. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Lacks Funding to Produce Ammunition Supply for Ukraine - Borrell Sputnik News 20240218 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union has sufficient production capacities to supply Ukraine with ammunition, but the bloc is lacking funding, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Sunday. "It is clear that classical gun ammunition is something that is very much important. [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy talked about it. And we have to do more and quicker on that. And that is not because we lack capacity, what we lack is funding," Borell said on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. EU foreign policy head said that defense manufacturers needed new production orders, adding that the Ukraine conflict's future would depend on unmanned aerial vehicles and artificial intelligence technologies. At the same time, Borrell noted that the EU "too often hesitated" to supply new types of weapons to Kiev and the situation on the battlefield might have been developing differently if the bloc's actions were "more decisive." Western countries 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 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin Reports on Progress of Avdeyevka Liberation Operation Sputnik News 20240218 The Russian armed forces have taken full control of the city of Avdeyevka, a northern suburb of Donetsk, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov briefed President Vladimir Putin three times on the progress of the operation to liberate Avdeyevka on February 17, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Putin heard the first report that the operation was nearing completion at 4 am Moscow time (1 am GMT), and at 11 am Moscow time (8 am GMT) the military commanders reported that it had been fully completed, Peskov said. "At that moment, the mass escape of the enemy from Avdeyevka, the abandonment of fighting positions had already begun," he said. It took Russian soldiers a few more hours to start clearing the city, the spokesman added. By the afternoon, he noted, Shoigu and Gerasimov had reported that the operation had been fully completed and that "our troops have taken full control of the city." Putin then congratulated the Russian military on its success and important victory. Avdeyevka is a northern suburb of Donetsk that has been contested since the beginning of the special operation. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Everything Happening in Ukrainian Direction Matter of Life, Death for Russia - Putin Sputnik News 20240218 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Everything that is happening in the Ukrainian direction is a matter of life and death for Russia, it is the fate of the country, whereas for the West it is only a matter of their tactical position, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. "I think that for ourselves, and even more so for listeners and viewers abroad, it is important to understand the course of our thoughts, to understand our condition, to understand how sensitive and important this is for our country a everything that is happening in the Ukrainian direction. For them [the West], this is an improvement in their tactical position. While for us it is fate, it is a matter of life and death," Putin said, commenting on the historical part of his recent interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson. Last week, Putin sat down for an interview with Carlson, discussing the Ukraine conflict, the Nord Stream sabotage, Russia-NATO relations, artificial intelligence, and other topics. The interview has attracted huge interest around the world. The video has been viewed 202 million times on X. On YouTube, the video has been viewed over 17.4 million times. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Military Says It Downed 12 Russian Drones, a Missile and a Plane By VOA News February 18, 2024 Ukraine downed 12 Shahed drones, an Su-34 fighter-bomber and a Kh-59 missile Sunday morning, according to its air force. The plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine, while the drones and the missile were downed in Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad, and Dnipro oblasts. Also Sunday, the air force said that Russia has lost 402,430 troops in Ukraine since the conflict began in February 2022. On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in speaking by telephone with U.S. President Joe Biden, said he expressed his hope that the U.S. Congress would make a "wise decision" in approving a delayed large aid package for Ukraine. "We discussed the current front-line situation. I am grateful to have President Biden's full support," Zelenskyy wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I also believe that the U.S. Congress will make a wise decision." Zelenskyy is in Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference. Zelenskyy warned allies Saturday that low ammunition supplies could give Russia breathing room to regroup against Ukraine, highlighting the need for artillery and long-range weapons after his military chief announced he was withdrawing troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka. During his address at the Munich Security Conference, an annual gathering of security and foreign policy officials, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is back on the defensive against Russia in the nearly 2-year-old war, due to an "artificial deficit" of arms for Ukraine. "We're just waiting for weapons that we're short of," he said, pointing to a lack of long-range armaments. "Ukrainians have proven that we can force Russia to retreat," Zelenskyy said. "We can get our land back, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin can lose, and this has already happened more than once on the battlefield." After a meeting with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Ukrainian president and Harris held a joint news conference in Munich. "It is in the strategic interest of the United States to continue our support," said Harris. Zelenskyy echoed Harris's comments that the aid package for Ukraine stuck in Congress "is vital" to Ukraine's war effort, and he stressed that Kyiv is counting on the U.S. to remain a "strategic partner." Also at the conference, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the delay in approval of the Ukraine aid package by the U.S. Congress has a direct impact on Ukraine's defense. "Every week we wait means that there will be more people killed on the front line in Ukraine," he said. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, whose country directly borders Russia, said, "If America isolates itself, it eventually is going to cost you more," warning that if "aggression pays off somewhere, it serves as an invitation to use it elsewhere, jeopardizing global security." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose country is Ukraine's second-biggest military supplier after the U.S., renewed his call for other European countries to step up with more deliveries, and pointed to America's military aid since the war began. Avdiivka seized Putin congratulated Russian troops and their commander Saturday on the capture of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. "The head of state congratulated Russian soldiers on this success, an important victory," the Kremlin website said. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu presented the Russian president with a report on the capture of the city. He told the Kremlin that Russian forces were working to clear final pockets of resistance at the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant, officials said in a statement. A woman mourns the victims of a missile strike in the town of Panteleimonovka in a Russian-controlled part of Donetsk region, Feb. 17, 2024. Videos on social media Saturday appeared to show soldiers raising the Russian flag over one of the plant's buildings. Reacting to the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the southeastern city of Avdiivka, Zelenskyy said that the retreat ordered by Ukrainian commander Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi was "a correct decision" emphasizing the priority of saving Ukrainian soldiers' lives. He also suggested that Russia has achieved little, however, adding that it has been attacking Avdiivka "with all the power that they had" since October and lost thousands of soldiers. "That's what Russia has achieved. It's a depletion of their army." Syrskyi, Ukraine's commander-in-chief, posted Friday on Facebook that the troops were moved "to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of service personnel." Capturing the eastern city is seen as key to Moscow's aim of securing full control of the two provinces that make up the industrial Donbas region and could hand Putin, who recently underlined its significance, a battlefield victory as he seeks reelection next month. During a White House press briefing Friday, Biden stressed the significance of continuing U.S. military support for Ukraine against Russia and noted that though a bipartisan Senate voted in favor of funding Ukraine's war against Russia, the House of Representatives has not yet done so. "History is watching the House of Representatives. That failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten," he said. "The clock is ticking. And this has to happen. We have to help now. You know, we have to realize what we're dealing with," Biden added. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China committed to promoting peace talks on Ukraine issue: top diplomat Global Times By Global Times Published: Feb 19, 2024 12:37 AM China has stayed committed to promoting peace talks on the Ukraine issue and will not give up as long as there is a glimmer of hope, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, at the latter's request, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) on Saturday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, elaborated on China's position on the Ukraine issue. China insists on resolving hot spot issues through political means and keeps promoting peace talks. It refrains from adding fuel to the fire or taking advantage of the situation, and refrains from selling lethal weapons to conflict areas or parties, Wang said. China will continue to play a constructive role to promote a ceasefire and cessation of violence, as well as efforts to restore peace, Wang noted. China and Ukraine have been strategic partners for many years, and the two peoples have a traditional friendship. Regardless of how the international situation changes, China hopes that China-Ukraine relations can develop normally and continue to benefit the people of both countries, Wang said. China once again thanks Ukraine for its help in the emergency evacuation of Chinese nationals, Wang noted. Ukraine is willing to maintain friendly exchanges with China and promote further development of Ukraine-China relations, Kuleba said, adding that China has significant influence in global affairs. Ukraine highly appreciates China's release of a position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Ukraine hopes that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace. Ukraine is willing to strengthen communication with China's special envoy on Eurasian affairs, the Ukrainian foreign minister said. Wang elaborated on China's position on the Ukraine crisis when answering questions following his keynote speech during the "China in the World" session at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to the crisis, yet China neither stood idle nor took advantage of the crisis, said Wang. China has stayed committed to promoting peace talks and played a positive role in efforts to restore peace. The earlier peace talks resume, the less damage for all sides, said Wang. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEWARK, Del, Feb. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global zero liquid discharge system market is anticipated to reach a valuation of US$ 7.9 billion in 2024, driven by focus on sustainable development. The trend is expected to create new opportunities for the market, leading to a projected CAGR of 8.7% between 2024 and 2034, and reaching a total valuation of approximately US$ 18.1 billion by 2034. The market is witnessing global expansion, with technology providers and solution vendors exploring new geographical markets and expanding their presence. Emerging economies, in particular, present significant growth opportunities due to increasing industrialization and environmental regulations. Request For Sample Report: Elevate Your Industry Intelligence with Actionable Insights https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-19010 Public private partnerships and government funding programs support the implementation of zero liquid discharge projects, especially in developing countries where financial resources may be limited. Collaboration between government agencies, private companies, and not for profit organizations accelerates the adoption of zero liquid discharge systems and promotes sustainable water management practices. Increasing investment in water infrastructure projects, driven by urbanization, population growth, and aging infrastructure, creates opportunities for zero liquid discharge system providers. Governments and private investors are allocating funds towards upgrading and expanding water treatment facilities, which may include the adoption of these technologies. Key Takeaways from the Market Study Global zero liquid discharge system market was valued at US$ 7.1 billion in 2023. was valued at in 2023. From 2019 to 2023, the market demand expanded at a CAGR of 11.2%. The market in Japan is expected to expand at a CAGR of 10.2% through 2034. through 2034. By technology, the thermal based segment to account for a CAGR of 8.5% through 2034. through 2034. The absolute dollar growth of the market is projected to reach a value of US$ 10.2 billion during the forecast period. during the forecast period. The market in the United Kingdom is expected to expand at a CAGR of 10.0% through 2034. The rise of zero liquid discharge as a service model allows industries to outsource their water treatment processes to specialized service providers. ZLDaaS providers offer customized solutions, including design, installation, operation, and maintenance of these systems, enabling industries to focus on their core operations, Says Nikhil Kaitwade, Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc. Report Scope: Attribute Details Estimated Market Size in 2024 US$ 7.9 billion Projected Market Valuation in 2034 US$ 18.1 billion Value-based CAGR 2024 to 2034 8.7 % Forecast Period 2024 to 2034 Historical Data Available for 2019 to 2023 Market Analysis Value in US$ billion Key Regions Covered North America Latin America Western Europe Eastern Europe South Asia and Pacific East Asia The Middle East & Africa Key Market Segments Covered Technology End User Industry Region Key Countries Profiled The United States Canada Brazil Mexico Germany France France Spain Italy Russia Poland Czech Republic Romania India Bangladesh Australia New Zealand China Japan South Korea GCC countries South Africa Israel Key Companies Profiled ALFA LAVAL AQUARION AG Aquatech International LLC Evoqua Water Technologies LLC GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft H2O GmbH IDE Water Technologies. Mitsubishi Power Ltd Praj Industries SafBon Water Technology. Company Portfolio Aquatech International LLC offers innovative zero liquid discharge solutions that integrate membrane based processes, thermal evaporation, and crystallization technologies. Their zero liquid discharge systems are designed to treat a wide range of industrial wastewater streams, providing clients with cost effective and sustainable alternatives for water management and disposal. Evoqua Water Technologies LLC provides advanced zero liquid discharge systems designed to minimize wastewater discharge and maximize water reuse. Their comprehensive portfolio includes membrane based filtration systems, brine concentrators, and thermal evaporators, enabling clients to achieve regulatory compliance and reduce environmental impact. Elevate Your Business Strategy! Purchase the Report for Market-Driven Insights https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/19010 More Valuable Insights Available Future Market Insights offers an unbiased analysis of the global zero liquid discharge system market, providing historical data for 2019 to 2023 and forecast statistics from 2024 to 2034. To understand opportunities in the zero liquid discharge system market, the market is segmented on the basis of technology (thermal based, membrane based), and end user industry (power, oil and gas, metallurgy and mining, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceutical, other end user industries), across seven major regions (North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia & Pacific, East Asia, and Middle East & Africa (MEA)). Segmentation Analysis of the Zero Liquid Discharge System Market Technology: Thermal Based Membrane Based End-User Industry: Power Oil and Gas Metallurgy and Mining Chemicals and Petrochemicals Pharmaceutical Other End User Industries Authored By: 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 Future Market Insights, Inc. Extensive Coverage in Industrial Automation Domain: Africas Zero Liquid Discharge System Market Size: Global market is anticipated at US$ 29.2 million in 2022. Demand is likely to remain high for zero liquid discharge systems during the assessment period. This is due to the rapid development of the industrial sector garnering US$ 53.1 million in 2033. Global Conveyor System Market Overview: The anticipated size of the global market in 2022 was US$ 5.6 billion and is estimated to reach US$ 6.4 billion in 2023. Market for global conveyor systems is important for the continuous transportation of items from one place to another via the usage of many commercial and industrial facilities. Merchandizing Freezers Market Review: Worldwide Market is expected to be worth US$ 2.2 billion in 2023. Future Market Insights reports say that the market will expand at a projected to grow at CAGR of 3.7% between 2023 and 2033. Industrial Wireless Broken Signal Solutions Market Forecast: The Global market share is projected to reach US$ 7,901.1 Million in 2032. Paper and Plastic Film Capacitors Market Share: The global market is poised to surpass US$ 2.7 billion by 2023, surging at a remarkable CAGR of 5.4% through 2033 to reach US$ 4.5 billion. Mechanical Seals Market Demand: The market is anticipated to be valued at US$ 3.3 billion in 2023, forecast a CAGR of 4.1% to be valued at US$ 5.0 billion from 2023 to 2033. Automated Bending Machine Market Trends: This Global Market is likely to record a strong CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. The market is currently valued at US$ 2.17 Billion in 2022 and is likely to reach US$ 3.37 Billion by 2032. Machine Tool Touch Probe Market Analysis: The Market share is estimated to gain a revenue of US$ 637.30 million in 2023. Our IA domain experts opine that this market providers can expect an average CAGR of 3.5% through 2033. Industrial Rotary Table Market Keytrends: The Global market size reached US$ 705.6 million in 2018. Demand for Industrial Rotary Tables recorded Y-o-Y growth of 3.1% in 2022, and thus, the Global market is expected to reach US$ 825.6 million in 2023. Over the projection period (2023 to 2033). Convection Ovens Market Growth: The global market size is expected to be valued at US$ 3.8 billion in 2023. Increasing demand for energy-efficient appliances bolsters the overall scope for the market, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% between 2023 and 2033, totaling around US$ 5.7 billion by 2033. About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI is the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 5,000 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries. 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 Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com LinkedIn| Twitter| Blogs | YouTube Dublin, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Cordless Power Tools Market - Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Cordless Power Tools Market was worth $14.41 Billion in 2022 and is forecast to grow to $26.29 Billion in 2028, registering a CAGR of 7.5%. The global cordless power tools market is illustrated by low market intensity with high competition. The present scenario leads vendors to alter and improve their unique value propositions to achieve a strong market presence. Currently, the industry is moderately fragmented and is dominated by vendors. The presence of differentiated global and regional vendors characterizes the market. As international players increase their market footprint, regional vendors will likely increase difficulty competing with these global players. The rivalry is solely based on durability, technology, services, price, and customization. The major vendors in the global cordless power tools market include Stanley Black & Decker, Techtronic Industries, Robert Bosch, Makita, and Hilti. Further, vendors must develop new technologies and remain abreast with upcoming innovations to have a competitive advantage. Many international players are expected to expand their reach worldwide during the forecast period to gain more market share, especially in the fast-developing countries in APAC and Latin America. Market Opportunities & Trends Rising Demand for Industrial Heat Guns Increased Prominence of Asian Manufacturing Industry 4.0 and Smart Precision Manufacturing Market Growth Enablers Advances in Li-Ion Batteries Growth in DIY Activities Growth in Use of Fasteners Market Restraints Low-Cost Labor in Developing Economies Fluctuation in Raw Materials Pricing High End-user Variability MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Advances in Li-ion Batteries The increasing need for extended battery life has driven significant advancements to enhance backup capacity. These developments have brought about remarkable improvements in the performance and efficiency of Li-ion batteries, encompassing enhancements in energy density, charging speed, cycle durability, safety, and stability. While the transition to Li-ion batteries may incur an additional cost ranging from 10% to 49%, the preference for these efficient Li-ion batteries is steadily growing, particularly for applications in electric vehicles (EVs) and electronic communication devices. At present, the cordless power tools market mainly uses Li-ion batteries in their tools, giving tough competition to NiCd batteries. Moreover, Li-ion batteries have less harmful environmental effects from the advantages in storing aspects. Increased Prominence of Asian Manufacturing Since the first industrial revolution in the late 18th century, a few European countries and the United States have exerted significant control over the manufacturing sector. These nations have traditionally held considerable influence over essential global resources, positioning them advantageously to promote industrial development and lead the way in innovation through advancements in manufacturing technologies, materials, and solutions for end-users. Notably, some of the world's largest automotive, aerospace, and defense manufacturers are increasingly localizing their production activities in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region while sharing technology. INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS Fluctuations in Raw Materials Pricing The primary expense in power tool production arises from raw materials, which account for the most considerable portion of costs. These raw material expenses typically make up approximately 50% to 60% of the total production cost for these items. The prices of essential raw materials utilized in power tool manufacturing, including steel, plastic, rubber, fasteners, and batteries, have exhibited significant fluctuations in recent years. This instability in raw material prices poses a substantial risk to manufacturers' profit margins in the cordless power tools market. Furthermore, other operational costs, such as labor wages, are also experiencing a noticeable upward trend. SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS INSIGHTS BY TOOL TYPE The global cordless power tools market by tool type is segmented as drilling and fastening, sawing and cutting, demolition, material removal, and routing tools. The drilling and fastening tool type held the most significant segmental share in 2022. The most common cordless power tools are drilling and fastening tools such as drills, impact wrenches, impact drivers, screwdrivers, and nut runners. The sawing and cutting tools segment is the second-largest segment; the higher share of the segment is favored because these tools are mostly used for wooden and metal works that need precision cutting. They are also used in DIY activities as most vendors offer user-friendly cutting tools, such as jigsaws, for home improvement and wood-crafting. Segmentation by Tool Type Drilling and Fastening Tools Sawing and Cutting Tools Demolition Tools Material Removal Tools Routing Tools Others Segmentation by Drilling and Fastening Tools Drills Impact Drivers Impact Wrenches Screwdrivers & Nut Runners Segmentation by Sawing and Cutting Tools Circular Saws Reciprocating Saws Band Saws Jigsaws Shears and Nibblers Segmentation by Demolition Tools Demolition Hammers Rotary Hammers Hammer Drills Segmentation by Material Removal Tools Sanders Grinders Segmentation by Routing Tools Segmentation by Others Layout Tools & Laser Tools Dust Extractors Heat and Glue Guns INSIGHTS BY CATEGORY The mass category segment dominated the global cordless power tools market in 2022. Mass cordless power tools are mainly used to clean and maintain moderate-sized homes or yards. The segment is projected to grow significantly during the forecast period due to high customer preference. INSIGHTS BY END-USER The industrial end-user segment emerged as the leading source of revenue in the global cordless power tools market in 2022, and this pattern is expected to persist over the projected period. Hand tools are extensively used across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, energy, construction, shipbuilding, etc. Within this spectrum, the construction sector takes the lead in generating revenue, driven by the region's increasing construction and renovation endeavors. Following closely behind is the automotive industry, which specializes in the assembly precision components. Drilling and fastening tools are the major tools for tightening fasteners, engine mounting, and other joint works. Sanders and angle grinders are used for smoothening and polishing the vehicle parts and chassis. With the global electric vehicles market growing at 60% annually, expansion and increased production facilities can increase demand for cordless power tools, especially in fastening tools, routing, and the material removal tools segment. GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS North America held the most significant global cordless power tools market share, valued at over USD 6 billion in 2022. The region is projected to uphold its leading position throughout the forecast period, primarily driven by revenue generated in the United States. North America boasts a multitude of significant industries, encompassing automotive, construction, aerospace, electronics, and packaging, among others. Particularly noteworthy is the North American automotive sector, which hosts the world's largest population of electric vehicles, a response to the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products. Key Company Profiles Stanley Black & Decker Robert Bosch Techtronic Industries Company Makita Hilti Other Prominent Vendors Atlas Copco Apex Tool Group Ingersoll Rand Snap-on Koki Holdings Emerson Panasonic Fortive Positec CHERVON FEIN FERM AIMCO Uryu Seisaku INTERSKOL Festool Kyocera CS Unitec Dynabrade Husqvarna STIHL Blount International AEG Wagner Group The Steinel Company Hitachi-Koki Master Appliance Corp Dongcheng Tools Seekone Genesis FERM Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 572 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $14.41 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $26.29 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.5% Regions Covered Global For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fil8r About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment New Delhi, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Astute Analytica, the global Smart Lock Market is projected to reach a total valuation of US$ 15.42 billion by 2032, up from US$ 6.33 billion in 2023. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032. The smart lock industry is evolving rapidly, fueled by strategic partnerships between legacy lock manufacturers and technology powerhouses. Products are getting smaller and more feature-rich, like August's Wi-Fi Smart Lock with its DoorSense technology. Companies like Schlage are pushing boundaries the Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt offers compatibility with Apple Home Key, letting users unlock their door using only their iPhone. Privacy and security are paramount in this landscape, with greater emphasis on advanced encryption and authentication measures to address consumer concerns a valid point, considering 65% of consumers remain wary of smart device security. As per Astute Analytica, major players like Kwikset prioritize affordability alongside capability, and companies like Level make discreet design their strength. This diverse range of product choices fuels further adoption. Interestingly, smart locks are becoming a standard fixture in connected home systems, with integration into platforms like Google Home and Amazon Alexa offering unprecedented convenience. Requet a sample copy of the Report @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/smart-lock-market The future looks bright for the industry. Landlords and building managers increasingly see the benefits of keyless entry, which could drive adoption in the lucrative rental and apartment sector. The Matter smart home standard holds promise, potentially allowing smart locks to function seamlessly across different ecosystems. Expect future lock products to get even 'smarter,' potentially harnessing AI for face recognition, proactive security alerts, and personalized automation. Current and Future Outlook of Global Smart Lock Market is Bright Currently, demand is strongest in North America due to its tech-forward consumer base and well-established smart home market. The Asia-Pacific region promises huge potential with its focus on smart cities and new construction. Surveys highlight homeowner interest, with 76% indicating a desire for smart home devices like smart locks. Security remains the primary purchase motivator, followed closely by convenience, and this sentiment aligns with impressive CAGR of nearly 10.4% projected for the global smart lock market through 2032. While residential use leads the charge, commercial adoption is picking up. Notably, fingerprint-based smart locks are seeing the fastest growth within the industry. Adoption isn't solely about futuristic features nearly 40% of smart lock owners cite using theirs to remotely unlock doors for friends and family, and over half appreciate the increased peace of mind. With smart locks integrating smoothly into the majority of existing smart home systems, it's clear they hold a secure place in the connected future of homes. Key Findings in the Global Smart Lock Market Market Forecast (2032) US$ 15.42 Billion CAGR 10.4% Largest Region (2023) North America (34.5%) By Lock Mechanism Deadbolts (35.7%) By Application Residential (36.8%) By Technology Smart Card (38.4%) Top Trends Smartphones and wearables are replacing traditional keys due to Bluetooth/NFC/Wi-Fi enabled unlocking. Smart locks are becoming a core component of smart home ecosystems, enabling voice control and automation. New smart locks emphasize discreet design or mimic traditional styles for wider appeal. Top Drivers Consumers seek better protection than traditional locks, driving demand for advanced smart lock features. The ease of remote locking/unlocking, temporary access, and monitoring attracts busy homeowners. The proliferation of smart home devices fuels demand for connected security solutions like smart locks. Top Challenges High-profile smart lock vulnerabilities highlight the need for strong security measures and consumer trust-building. Ensuring seamless compatibility across different smart home ecosystems and devices can be complex. Smart locks tend to be more expensive than traditional locks, potentially putting off price-sensitive consumers. North America and Europe are Major Smart Lock Market: Collectively Contribute More than 62% Revenue Share North America and Europe confidently hold their positions as frontrunners in the smart lock industry. This dominance attributed to socioeconomic factors and a technology-ready environment. In addition, consumers across Europe and North America have higher disposable income, thus fueling investments in latest technology like smart home upgrades. They also tend to have a greater appetite for innovation and technological adoption, further contributing to the rapid adoption of new concepts like smart locks. Moreover, established smart home ecosystems with industry leaders like Google and Amazon offer seamless integration points and foster broader smart lock demand. Crucially, a heightened desire for enhanced security drives consumers away from traditional solutions and towards the advanced features promised by smart locks. Importantly, reliable high-speed internet and established wireless networks within these regions form the necessary backbone for these connected security devices. These fundamentals and favorable consumer behavior create a market environment that appeals to large-scale investors and manufactures in the smart lock market. North America was the top smart lock market in 2023 with revenue share of over 34.5%, and projections indicate over 40 million North American households will use smart home tech by 2025. In the UK, a significant portion of renters expresses willingness to pay more for properties featuring smart solutions. Furthermore, European electronic lock sales (including a substantial smart lock portion) stood at an impressive USD 2.65 billion in 2023, reflecting an established market. Interestingly, smart lock sales growth outpaced traditional locks in North America in 2023, says analysts at Astute Analytica. Convenience plays a key role, with 74% of US homeowners seeing it as a major benefit. Europe witnesses increasing device spending per household alongside significant venture capital investment - all signaling continued smart lock market growth and dynamism. If you are looking for a region-specific or country-specific report, please submit your query @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ask-for-customization/smart-lock-market Biometric enabled Smart Lock are Gaining Popularity, Despite Smart Card Being Popular Choie Biometric-enabled smart locks are seeing a surge in popularity across the global smart lock market, driven by their superior security, unmatched convenience, and the intrinsic appeal of cutting-edge technology. Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro (fingerprint), Lockly Vision (fingerprint and video doorbell combo), eufy Security Smart Lock Touch & WiFi (fingerprint and keypad), and Gate Labs Smart Deadbolt (facial recognition) are some of the most popular smart locks enabled with biometrics in the global market. While smart cards still hold a place for those wanting better security than traditional keys, they have some fundamental limitations that biometrics can easily overcome. Cards, even with advanced security features, can be misplaced, stolen, or copied in fact, Astute Analyticas research indicates that lost or stolen cards were linked to a staggering 39% of smart card system breaches. Biometrics, like fingerprints, facial features, or voice patterns, elegantly solve this problem. These identifiers are truly unique to each individual, eliminating the possibility of unauthorized duplication. Furthermore, anyone who's ever searched for their keys while juggling bags can instantly appreciate the hassle-free nature of biometric smart locks. It's no surprise then that roughly 70% of users report finding fingerprint locks more convenient and satisfying compared to other access methods. Beyond these core benefits, biometric locks are becoming increasingly reliable and affordable. Better algorithms and powerful sensors now lead to far more accurate authentication, drastically reducing any frustration or misreads. This rising dependability builds consumer trust, which is vital when people are securing their homes. Top 5 Players Capture More than 40% Market Share of Global Smart Lock Market The top 5 players in the smart lock market Assa Abloy AB, Allegion plc, Carrier Global Corporation, Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc, and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, hold their leadership positions through a potent combination of legacy advantages, broad product offerings, and strong market outreach. Their backgrounds as traditional lock manufacturers translate into deep industry knowledge, brand recognition, and proven distribution networks. Moreover, these industry giants offer comprehensive smart lock portfolios catering to a wide range of consumersfrom homeowners seeking smart replacements for standard locks to enterprise clients requiring multi-unit access control solutions. Strategic partnerships within existing smart home ecosystems (Google, Amazon, Apple) are crucial, facilitating easy adoption and boosting appeal for tech-savvy users. They continually tap into new market potential through investments in cutting-edge smart lock features and strategic acquisition of smaller, innovative companies. Assa Abloy AB stands out, leveraging its ownership of popular brands like Yale and August to target diverse price points and consumer needs. Its emphasis on secure and reliable solutions speaks to a core user concern. On the other hand, Allegion PLC distinguishes itself with a significant focus on the commercial and enterprise sectors and expertise derived from its ownership of the Schlage brand. To broaden their reach further, leaders in the smart lock market capitalize on targeted marketing, online presence, diverse product lines, and partnerships with retailers and integrators. This blend of brand building, product diversification, and seamless technology integration underpins their dominance within the competitive global smart lock landscape. Some of the Key Players Are: Allegion plc ASSA ABLOY AB Aventsecurity Cansec Systems Ltd. GANTNER Electronic GmbH Haven Lock, Inc. Master Lock Company LLC MIWA Lock Co. Mul-T-Lock Okidokeys Onity, Inc. Salto Systems S.L. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. SDS Smart Locks SentriLock Shenzhen Vians Electric Lock Co., Ltd. Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. UniKey Technologies Inc. Weiser Wyze Labs, Inc. Other Prominent Players Key Segmentation: By Lock Mechanism: Deadbolts Lever Handles Padlocks Other Locks Knob locks Rim/mortise locks Rim latch locks By Technology: Keypad Smart Card Biometric Wireless (includes Smartphone/ App based) Bluetooth Wi-Fi Others Z-wave ZigBee Thread NFC By Application: Commercial Retail stores and malls Hospitality Corporate Healthcare Industrial Oil & gas Manufacturing Energy & power Transportation Logistics Others Residential Condominium Individual houses Government Institution Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa (MEA) South America Request a Report Methodology @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-methodology/smart-lock-market For further details or to explore our comprehensive industry reports, we invite you to connect with our dedicated team. Please reach out to us at sales@astuteanalytica.com for personalized assistance. About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us. Contact us: Vipin Singh BSI Business Park, H-15,Sector-63, Noida- 201301- India Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) Email: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ Paris, France, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sustainability organization, We Take Part (WTP) has launched an equity crowdfunding campaign aimed at offering Greentech startups financing options. The online platform is targeting Greentech companies that are ready to adopt sustainable operational methods to limit their gas emissions and ensure a positive impact on their environment. We Take Part says it is also focused on helping such organizations access financing to grow while preserving the climate. Founder and CEO of We Take Part, Shaila Sahai says that the company hopes to be the first French equity crowdfunding platform exclusively dedicated to Greentech companies. She adds that We Take Part also prioritizes sustainability as a criterion for companies looking to fundraise on the platform. Shaila Sahai, Founder and CEO and Founder of We Take Part We believe in the power of collective effort. We believe in the power of crowdfunding as an effective tool for business growth. We also believe that something can still be done to manage climate change. We know that if the companies succeed, weve also succeeded; therefore, it's a win-win for everyone. Our focus on achieving a green economy is our greatest driving force and we are determined to improve the integration of economic, social, and governance (ESG) practices in startups while reducing their negative impact on the environment, Shaila believes. The sustainable finance expert mentions that WTP will focus on transparency in the execution of this project. She explains that the platform will not only give clients opportunities to invest in Greentech, but adds that We Take Part will empower funded companies to maintain an overall positive impact throughout the investment lifecycle. We Take Part is an equity crowdfunding platform exclusively dedicated to Greentech companies Shaila lists the sectors targeted for funding in the Greentech sector as agritech, sustainable fashion tech, sustainable mobility, and sustainable energy solutions. She celebrates the emergence of the construction tech sector, which she believes will create a number of new sustainable options for the construction industry. We are passionate about providing access to impact investment for all. One of our objectives is to contribute very actively to the transformation of the traditional economy. So, we want to accelerate alternative solutions for industries that emit the most greenhouse gasses. We are focusing so much on tech because it is the fastest emerging market at the moment, and also because virtually every new innovation is built with tech. We feel a sense of responsibility to help them take the sustainability route because we know that it is better to address the issue at the source, rather than trying to manage its negative impacts on our climate, she emphasizes. Shaila pledges We Take Parts unwavering willingness to keep working with Greentech companies to help them thrive. She believes that this platform will serve as a veritable tool in accelerating solutions that protect the environment and address climate change. Media Contact: Name: Alexia Uri Email: contact@wetakepart.com Attachment HARLINGEN, Texas, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Ameer Hassan, a luminary in the field of neurology and neuroendovascular medicine, announces the inception of the Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship for Medical Students. This distinguished scholarship, with a one-time award of $5000, aims to recognize and support aspiring medical professionals who demonstrate exceptional promise and dedication to advancing the realms of neurology, vascular neurology, neuroendovascular surgery, and healthcare innovation. The Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship for Medical Students is a testament to Dr. Hassan's enduring commitment to fostering excellence, innovation, and compassionate care within the medical community. Through this initiative, Dr. Hassan seeks to empower the next generation of medical leaders to pioneer groundbreaking advancements in stroke treatment and patient care. Applicants for the Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship for Medical Students must meet stringent criteria reflective of Dr. Hassan's unwavering standards for excellence. Eligible candidates must be currently enrolled in a medical school program or possess aspirations to pursue a career in medicine. Academic excellence, a profound passion for neurology and healthcare, innovative thinking, and a clear vision for contributing to advancements in stroke treatment and patient care are prerequisites for consideration. The scholarship application process includes submitting a compelling essay that delves into the applicant's medical journey, highlighting the pivotal moments that ignited their passion for neurology and healthcare. In their essay, applicants are encouraged to envision the future of medicine through their eyes, articulating how they plan to pioneer change and elevate patient care with compassion, innovation, and academic brilliance. The deadline to apply for the Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship for Medical Students is November 15, 2024. Applicants are required to submit their essays to apply@drameerhassanscholarship.com by the application deadline. The winner of the scholarship will be announced on December 15, 2024. About Dr. Ameer Hassan Dr. Ameer Hassan, the visionary behind this prestigious scholarship, is renowned for his exceptional contributions to the field of neurology and neuroendovascular medicine. As the head of the Neuroscience Department and director of Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology and Clinical Neuroscience Research at Valley Baptist Medical Center, Dr. Hassan's leadership has propelled the field forward, earning him recognition as a triple board-certified expert in neurology, vascular neurology, and neuroendovascular surgery. Driven by a passion for interventional neurology, Dr. Ameer Hassan has dedicated himself to pushing boundaries and embracing innovation in stroke treatment. His extensive research contributions, with over 250 published papers, reflect his commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes. As a professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dr. Ameer Hassan's influence shapes the minds of future medical professionals. Beyond his clinical practice and educational endeavors, Dr. Hassan's philanthropic initiatives, including the Hassan Family Health Foundation and the Stroke Research and Education Foundation, underscore his dedication to serving communities in need. His leadership roles, including President of the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN), highlight his influence in shaping the future of neuroendovascular medicine. About Mrs. Summer Hassan Mrs. Summer Hassan, the current President of the Stroke Research and Education Foundation, brings a wealth of experience to the scholarship initiative. Joining the foundation as Chief Executive Officer in 2017, Mrs. Hassan has a background as a software engineer and has held leadership and management roles in large organizations in Dubai. Her extensive experience in Information Technology, Sales, Marketing Consulting, and Planning Performance, along with her tertiary qualifications, including a BA in Business Studies and a postgraduate degree in Network Engineering, enriches the scholarship's mission. Much of Mrs. Summer Hassan's consulting work over the last decade has been in management and finance consulting, and her active interest in stroke causes and prevention has led to the creation of the Stroke Research & Education Foundation to support the local community in the Rio Grande Valley. Her role in providing direction and guidance to the Board showcases her commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes. The Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship for Medical Students represents an unparalleled opportunity for aspiring medical professionals to embark on a transformative journey towards excellence, innovation, and compassionate patient care. Dr. Hassan's enduring legacy continues to inspire and empower medical professionals worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on the field of neurology and neuroendovascular medicine. For more information about the Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship for Medical Students and to submit an application, please visit https://drameerhassanscholarship.com. Marks the largest acquisition in LLYC's history while creating the firms second-largest geographic market Aligns with LLYCs Strategic Plan and its commitment to invest up to 40 million for inorganic growth investments in key markets LLYC is expected to rank in the top 25 PR agencies in the U.S.1 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. and MADRID, Spain, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LLYC (BME:LLYC), a global Corporate Affairs and Marketing consulting firm, today announced the acquisition of Lambert Global, a strategic communications firm that specializes in public relations, investor relations, and integrated marketing. Founded in 1998, Lambert Global pioneered the integrated PR and IR agency model, and has enjoyed 25 years of uninterrupted growth. The acquisition represents the largest in LLYCs history and aligns with its Strategic Plan, expanding its footprint in the U.S. and positioning itself as a relevant player in the biggest market in the world. The transaction will triple the Companys size in the U.S. where it will become LLYC's second largest market after Spain. The acquisition is expected to result in revenues of $35.1 million (approx. 32,5 million), EBITDA of $9.7 million (approx. 9 million), and an enhanced presence across the United States for LLYC USA. LLYC will leverage a team of nearly 130 professionals across the country to provide an offering of products and services based on creativity, influence, and innovation that enhance and protect the value of its clients businesses, turning every day into an opportunity to grow their brands. Under the terms of the agreement, LLYC is acquiring an initial 70 percent stake in the company for a price based on EBITDA performance in the next two years. There has been a payment of $18.2 million (16,8 million) of the final price in advance. _______________ 1 ODwyers Top PR Firms 2023 . All Lambert partners will join LLYC, including Chairman and CEO Jeff Lambert, who is also Global Chair of the worlds largest partnerships of independent agencies, PROI Worldwide, and President Mike Houston, who previously led Lamberts largest practice in Investor Relations and Capital Markets. Jeff Lambert will join LLYC's Global Executive Committee, while Mike Houston and Jeff Lambert will both join the U.S. Executive Committee. Now operating as Lambert by LLYC, Lambert will create value-added synergies with the Companys entire international network. Lamberts headquarters is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The agency also has talent hubs in Detroit, New York City, St. Louis, and Phoenix, creating a perfect match with LLYCs presence in Miami, Washington D.C., New York, and San Diego. "LLYC has been operating in the United States for ten years and has always considered it a crucial growth market," said Alejandro Romero, Partner and Global CEO of LLYC. "With the acquisition of Lambert, the company has taken a significant step towards becoming a leading consulting firm in the country. This acquisition expands LLYC's presence from coast to coast. Lambert is a perfect partner, and its integrated communications platform is an ideal fit for LLYC's philosophy, enabling the company to make the quantitative leap it has been seeking. Francisco Sanchez-Rivas, Chairman of the LLYC Board of Directors and Head of M&A, congratulated both teams on the deal completion and pointed out that, Jose Antonio Llorentes vision, LLYCs founder, who recently passed away, included the U.S. market and Lambert specifically as key elements in the LLYC growth strategy. He would be very proud of this milestone. I founded Lambert as the first integrated PR and IR firm, and we applied this shareholder-value approach to our clients and their campaigns to drive differentiation and growth for 25 straight years, said Jeffrey Lambert, founder, Chairman and CEO. As we expanded through acquisitions into new geographies and broader marketing services, and through innovations like shareholder loyalty platform TiiCKER , we were looking for the next peak to ascend and found it with LLYC, an international player and public company with the same entrepreneurial roots, underdog mentality, and tenacious will to win. Weve partnered with a like-minded agency that shares our commitment to business impact, aggressive growth plans in digital and M&A, and aim for market leadership in every country and community we serve. Its a puzzle-piece fit with our capital markets strength and their prominence in Latin America, and together, we will bring our clients an expanded range of marketing, communications, and investor relations resources, all with the same great level of service and business understanding they have come to expect from Lambert. We will also jointly create more opportunities for our teams, concluded Lambert. The acquisition of Lambert is part of LLYC's ambitious plan to double in size over the next three years through selective acquisitions. To this end, the consulting firm has undertaken a targeted acquisition plan of companies operating in key areas (creativity, innovation, and technology) or strategic markets (Spain, United States, Mexico and Brazil). Lambert represents LLYC's third and largest U.S. acquisition, following EDF Communications (2015) and BAM (2023). LLYC operates from 21 locations in 12 countries worldwide and is considered one of the leading global communications companies, according to PR Week and PRovoke rankings. Since 2020, the firm has doubled in size and recurring EBITDA. Last year, operating revenues grew by 14% to 83.1 million. In this transaction, LLYC was advised by the Greenberg Traurig, P.A. team led by Antonio Pena and Henry Roque. Lambert was advised by the Warner Norcross + Judd LLP team led by Michael Jones. ABOUT LAMBERT Founded in 1998, Lambert invented the PR and IR integrated agency model, posting 25 years of continuous growth attributed to the firms laser focus on strategic communications and bottom-line results for its clients. The award-winning national agency is a top-40 PR and top-10 IR firm with top-5 specialties in automotive and mobility, aerospace and defense and M&A/private equity, alongside robust practice areas in consumer brands, healthcare, education, and tourism and hospitality. The firms reach spans five major talent hubs, including Grand Rapids, Detroit, New York City, St. Louis and Phoenix, with clients coast to coast and in five countries. Lambert is a founding partner of TiiCKER, the first and largest shareholder loyalty, marketing, and perks platform. Lamberts Founder and Chairman Jeff Lambert is the global board chair of PROI Worldwide, the worlds largest and most diverse partnership of PR firms, and was named 2021 Ally of the Year, the top diversity award in public relations issued by Diversity Action Alliance. ABOUT LLYC LLYC (BME:LLYC) is a global Corporate Affairs and Marketing consulting firm that partners with its clients in creativity, influence, and innovation to enhance and protect the value of their businesses, turning every day into an opportunity to grow their brands. Founded in 1995, LLYC is present in Argentina, Brazil (Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro), Brussels, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Spain (Madrid and Barcelona), the United States (Miami, New York, San Diego and Washington, DC), Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal and the Dominican Republic. In 2023, LLYC's operating revenues exceeded 83,1 million euros. LLYC is ranked as one of the 40 largest communications companies worldwide, according to PRWeek and PRovoke. LLYC was named the Top Communications Consultant in Europe at the 2022 PRWeek Global Awards and Communications Consultant of the Year in Latin America in 2023 by PRovoke. Contact for journalists: Michelle Olson molson@lambert.com M. 602.390.0879 lambert.com Sandra Ramos sandra.ramos@llyc.global T. +1 786 590 1000 llyc.global A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c37f94fb-0e9b-4dfc-8c83-9b0b57c97fc3 Dublin, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Bariatric Surgery Devices Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2031 - By Product, Technology, Grade, Application, End-user, Region: (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global bariatric surgery devices market is poised for significant growth during the period 2024-2031. The market is expected to surge from US$ 2.2 Billion in 2024 to US$ 3 Billion by 2031, driven by a range of factors and recent developments. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the bariatric surgery devices market, as elective surgeries were postponed or canceled to accommodate the urgent needs of COVID-19 patients. However, efforts to combat the virus and increasing investments in infrastructure and surgery scheduling are contributing to a resurgence in demand for bariatric surgery devices. Market Dynamics Factors Contributing to Growth: The growing prevalence of morbid obesity worldwide, including childhood obesity, is a significant driver for bariatric surgery devices. The rise in chronic diseases associated with obesity is also fueling market growth. Furthermore, the availability of skilled bariatric surgeons is boosting the adoption of these devices. The growing prevalence of morbid obesity worldwide, including childhood obesity, is a significant driver for bariatric surgery devices. The rise in chronic diseases associated with obesity is also fueling market growth. Furthermore, the availability of skilled bariatric surgeons is boosting the adoption of these devices. Key Challenges: Increased product recalls and the cost of bariatric surgeries are among the primary obstacles to market growth. Post-surgical complications, such as infection and gastrointestinal issues, hinder the adoption of bariatric surgery devices. Segmentation Outlook: The bariatric surgery devices market is segmented by type, procedure, and region. Minimally invasive surgical devices, stapling devices, energy/vessel sealing devices, suturing devices, accessories, and non-invasive surgical devices constitute the types of devices in the market. The minimally invasive surgical devices segment is expected to have a CAGR of 3.5% through 2031, driven by the rising prevalence of obesity and the demand for fewer incisions. Regional Analysis: The regional analysis of the Bariatric Surgery Devices Market reveals significant trends and growth prospects in key regions. In North America, the market is expected to see substantial revenue growth due to the region's increasing obese population. The United States, in particular, is anticipated to experience steady growth with a notable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). The prevalence of obesity in the United States, projected to remain high, is contributing to a rise in chronic diseases among adults. Furthermore, the United States has a comparatively higher acceptance rate for surgical weight-loss procedures, which is a driving factor for the bariatric surgery devices market. Increased awareness of obesity management and the presence of prominent medical device companies in the region are also contributing to market growth. In the Asia Pacific region, growth is expected to be steady, with countries like China and Japan showing promising potential. Factors such as a growing teenage and adult population, a rising incidence of comorbidities like diabetes, an uptick in bariatric procedures, and government initiatives to combat obesity are expected to drive the expansion of the bariatric surgery devices market in this region. Market Segmentation By Type Minimally Invasive Surgical Stapling Devices Energy/Vessel Sealing Device Suturing Devices Accessories Non-Invasive Surgical Devices By Procedure Sleeve Gastrectomy Gastric Bypass Revision Bariatric Surgery Non-Invasive Bariatric Surgery Adjustable Gastric Banding Mini-gastric Bypass Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch By Region North America Latin America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa Companies Profiled Ethicon Medtronic Intuitive Surgical Apollo Endosurgery ReShape Lifesciences Aspire Bariatrics Mediflex Surgical Products Spatz FGIA Cousin Biotech For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xqhm7c 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. Newark, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 6.9 billion E-fuel market will reach USD 104.2 billion by 2033. Electrofuel, or e-fuel, is a synthetic fuel made using a process known as power-to-liquid (PtL) from renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. With this cutting-edge technology, renewable electricity is electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide to create liquid fuel. With e-fuel emerging as a crucial route to achieving net-zero emissions, the global energy landscape is undergoing a revolutionary transition that is predicted to promote the expansion of the e-fuel business. Many major factors are propelling the e-fuels market's expansion. First, the rise of e-fuels as a workable alternative result from the global upsurge in sustainability initiatives that strongly emphasise reducing carbon emissions. The e-fuel market is being driven by the simultaneous transformation of e-fuel production, improvement of efficiency, and reduction of prices due to technological improvements, particularly in power-to-liquid processes. The main factors influencing the market acceptance of e-fuels are their compatibility with current infrastructure and capacity to meet long-haul transportation demands. Request Sample Copy of E-fuel Market Research Report: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/sample-request/14044 Europe will account for the largest market size during the forecast period. The Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), which required the use of e-fuels, such as e-diesel and e-kerosene, in the transportation sector, is one of the supportive government policies driving this market expansion in the region. Germany is actively promoting the growth of e-fuel production and consumption by investing in the research and development of renewable fuels. For example, as part of the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, the German government declared in May 2022 that it would invest USD 12.5 billion to encourage renewable energies in India. The ethanol segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 1.58 billion. The ethanol segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 1.58 billion. Numerous international government programmes and laws have been implemented to boost ethanol production. For instance, the US encourages the use and production of renewable ethanol through the fuel blending regulations of the Renewable Fuel Standard Programme. The liquid segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 3.93 billion. The liquid segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 3.93 billion. The extensive usage of liquid e-fuels, which don't necessitate major changes to existing configurations, to power vehicles, generators, and industrial operations is expected to drive the segment's growth. The hydrogen technology (electrolysis) segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 3.10 billion. The hydrogen technology (electrolysis) segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 3.10 billion. This fast-advancing technology produces hydrogen without releasing carbon dioxide using nuclear and renewable energy sources. Two examples of hydrogen electrolysis technologies used to create sustainable fuels are alkaline electrolyzers and polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM). Get a Complete TOC of Global E-fuel Market Report 2023-2033 at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/report/e-fuel-market-14044 Market Dynamics: Drivers: Increasing demand for cleaner fuels The need for cleaner fuel substitutes is rising because governments worldwide enforce more stringent laws to cut carbon emissions. For example, by 2030, the European Union wants to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 55% from 1990 levels. As a result, there has been a major push towards e-fuels and renewable energy as alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. Restraint: High cost of production The cost of producing e-fuels is higher than conventional fossil fuels, which may limit the market's expansion. However, production costs are anticipated to drop as technology develops and manufacturing techniques become more effective. For instance, the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that the cost of generating e-fuels will drop by as much as 90% by 2050. Opportunity: Advancement in technologies New technologies are always being developed to lower prices and increase the efficiency of e-fuel production, which is why the e-fuel sector is always changing. For instance, Audi has created a method that uses renewable energy sources to create e-fuels from carbon dioxide and water. This technique, known as e-diesel, might greatly reduce the transportation sector's carbon emissions. Have a query before purchasing this report: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/buying-inquiry/14044 Some of the major players operating in the E-fuel market are: Ballard Power Systems, Inc. Clean Fuels Alliance America E-Fuel Corporation Hexagon Agility Norsk e-Fuel AS Archer Daniels Midland Co. Ceres Power Holding Plc Climeworks AG eFuel Pacific Limited Neste Key Segments cover in the market: By Product: E-Gasoline Hydrogen E-Methane E-Diesel Ethanol E-Kerosene E-Methanol Others By State: Gas Liquid By Technology: Reverse-Water-Gas-Shift (RWGS) Fischer-Tropsch Hydrogen Technology (Electrolysis) Purchase this report (Price 4700 USD for a single-user license) at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/buy-now/14044/single About the report: The global E-fuel market is analysed based on value (USD billion). All the segments have been analyzed on a worldwide, regional, and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each part. The report offers an in-depth analysis of driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining critical insight into the market. The study includes Porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material 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' requirement 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: http://www.thebrainyinsights.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osino Resources Corp. (TSX:OSI.V) (NSX:OSN) (FSE:RSR1) (OTCQX:OSIIF) ("Osino" or the "Company") announces that it has received a proposal from a foreign-based mining company for the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (the Common Shares) and all of the issued and outstanding securities convertible into Common Shares for cash consideration of C$1.90 for each Common Share by way of a plan of arrangement (the New Offer). The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has unanimously determined, after consultation with its financial and legal advisors, and based upon the unanimous recommendation of the special committee of the Board, that the New Offer constitutes a "Superior Proposal" in accordance with the terms of the arrangement agreement between the Company and Dundee Precious Metals Inc. ("DPM") dated December 17, 2023, (the "DPM Arrangement Agreement"). Superior Proposal Key Terms Pursuant to the terms of the New Offer, the Company's shareholders would receive cash consideration of C$1.90 for each Common Share, valuing Osino at approximately C$368 million. The New Offer contemplates that the offeror (the Offeror) will provide the Company with a loan comprising of (i) US$10 million facility concurrently with the execution of the arrangement agreement to enable the continued, fast-tracked development of the Twin Hills gold project and to fund other liquidity needs of the Company and (ii) an advance in an amount equal to the termination fee payable by the Company in the event of a termination of the DPM Arrangement Agreement as a result of the New Offer (the "New Facility"). The New Facility will be convertible into Common Shares at C$1.39 per Common Share (i) at the Offerors option at any time; and (ii) in the event the reverse termination fee is payable by the Offeror. Based on the closing price of the DPM common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange as of February 16, 2024, the Superior Proposal represents a premium of approximately 32% to the implied value of the consideration offered pursuant to the DPM Arrangement Agreement and approximately 68% premium to the unaffected share price one trading day prior to announcement of the DPM Arrangement Agreement. Except for the consideration being offered and certain buyer-specific regulatory closing conditions, the arrangement agreement that would be entered into with the Offeror is substantially the same as the DPM Arrangement Agreement. Commensurate with the increase in consideration, the proposed arrangement agreement with the Offeror provides for an increase in the termination fee to US$9.55 million, which is payable in certain circumstances by the Company to the Offeror and the repayment of amounts owing under the New Facility. The proposed arrangement agreement with the Offeror also includes a reverse termination fee in the amount of US$9.55 million which is payable by the Offeror to the Company in certain specified circumstances. DPM Response In accordance with the DPM Arrangement Agreement, the Company notified DPM today that, among other matters, it considers the New Offer to be a Superior Proposal under the DPM Arrangement Agreement and that the five business day matching period commenced, during which DPM has the right, but not the obligation, to propose to amend the terms of the DPM Arrangement Agreement in order for the New Offer to cease to be a Superior Proposal. Following delivery of the notice, the Company received notice from DPM advising that DPM will not propose to amend the terms of the DPM Arrangement Agreement in light of the Superior Proposal. The Offeror and the Company have confirmed their readiness and intention to execute the proposed arrangement agreement promptly following a termination of the DPM Arrangement Agreement. The Company is in the process of settling logistical matters including payment of the termination fee to DPM in anticipation of the termination of the DPM Arrangement Agreement in accordance with its terms. Further details regarding the DPM Arrangement Agreement and the Superior Proposal will be provided once available in due course. Upcoming Special Meeting of Securityholders In the event the DPM Arrangement Agreement is terminated, the Company will provide notice to securityholders of the cancellation of the special meeting of securityholders (currently scheduled for March 1, 2024). In the event the proposed arrangement agreement is executed, the Company will provide a new date and time on which a special meeting is expected to be held in connection with the Superior Proposal, including information as to the timing of the delivery of new meeting materials to securityholders in connection therewith and the filing of the new meeting materials on SEDAR+. This news release does not constitute a change of recommendation regarding the offer by DPM under the DPM Arrangement Agreement. Advisors and Counsel BMO Capital Markets and Treadstone Resource Partners are acting as financial advisors to Osino and its Board of Directors and Eight Capital is acting as financial advisor to the special committee of the Board. Stikeman Elliott LLP is acting as Osinos legal advisor. About Osino Resources Corp. Osino is a Canadian gold exploration and development company focused on the fast-tracked development of our wholly owned, Twin Hills Gold Project in central Namibia. Since its grassroots discovery by Osino in August 2019 the Company has completed more than 250,000m of drilling and has completed a suite of specialist technical studies culminating in the recently published Twin Hills Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") dated effective June 12, 2023. The DFS describes a technically simple and economically robust open-pit gold operation with a 13-year mine life and average annual gold production of over 169,000oz per annum. Osino has a commanding ground position of over 8,000km2 located within Namibia's prospective Damara sedimentary mineral belt, mostly in proximity to and along strike of the producing Navachab and Otjikoto Gold Mines. The Company is actively exploring a range of gold prospects and targets along the belt by utilizing a portfolio approach geared towards discovery, targeting gold mineralization that fits the broad orogenic gold model. Our projects are favourably located in central and northern Namibia and are within easy reach from Namibia's capital city, Windhoek. By virtue of its location, the Twin Hills project benefits significantly from Namibia's well-established infrastructure with paved highways, railway, power and water in close proximity. Namibia is mining-friendly and lauded as one of the continent's most politically and socially stable jurisdictions. Qualified Persons Statement David Underwood, BSc. (Hons) is Vice President Exploration of the Company and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release and is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Pr. Sci. Nat. No.400323/11) and a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Further details are available on the Company's website at https://osinoresources.com and under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Heye Daun, President and CEO Contact Information Osino Resources Corp. Yaron Conforti +1-604-687-2038 yconforti@osinoresources.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. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements and information with respect to the New Offer and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby; the execution of a definitive agreement with the Offeror in connection with the New Offer; the termination of the DPM Arrangement Agreement; and the timing of the special meeting of securityholders. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such 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. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Three F1 drivers hail sprint format tweaks for 2024 Three Formula 1 drivers have applauded the tweaks made to the controversial 'sprint' weekend format for 2024. Start, United States GP 2023 Red Bull At the most recent meeting in London of the F1 Commission, it was agreed that improvements will be made to the schedule relevant to the six sprint weekends this year - in China, Miami, Austria, Austin, Brazil and Qatar. One change is a re-ordering of the track sessions, with sprint qualifying to now take place on Friday, ahead of the sprint race early on Saturdays. Main qualifying will then take place after the sprint on Saturday. But arguably just as significant are changes to the parc ferme rules, allowing teams to make changes to car setup after the first day of the schedule. I like the changes, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz told motorsport-total.com. "I believe the driver and team should be able to make changes to the car if it is not performing as it should. I'd like more changes, but it's a step in the right direction. World champion Max Verstappen has been the staunchest opponent of the format to date, but he agrees that the changes to the sprints for 2024 are at least more logical . It's a little better, he said. "Sometimes you could make a mistake with the setup and your race weekend was down the drain because you couldn't make changes. On the other hand, these (sprint) races and even victories in them still don't bring me much pleasure. But this at least helps. Alpine's Pierre Gasly, meanwhile, thinks the 2024 tweaks are in fact a big development". Before this, you'd end up having brilliant minds banned on Friday afternoons from being able to do anything for the rest of the weekend, he said. Nothing's teaser campaign for its upcoming Phone (2a) is currently at full steam ahead of the phone's official unveiling on March 5. Today, Nothing CEO Carl Pei has outright stated that the Phone (2a) will not be powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 7200 SoC, contradicting countless rumors we've heard over the past few weeks. The teaser post on X is embedded above. We gather that Nothing will announce the chipset on February 20 at 10 am London time, so in just a few short hours. That leaves us a little bit of time to speculate. So what do you think it will be? SPOILER ALERTNot the Dimensity 7200 https://t.co/XYJNuuYxeo Carl Bhai (@getpeid) February 19, 2024 For what it's worth, some people on X are betting on a "Dimensity 7200 Ultra" or some other "customized" chipset - these seem to be all the rage in certain echelons of the smartphone world for some brands. Let's see if Nothing is one to also basically rebrand a chip in order to make its phone feel special. Hopefully not, but this wouldn't be out of the question. Anyway, the Nothing Phone (2a) has also been rumored to sport a 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED screen, 8/12GB of RAM, 128/256GB of storage, two 50 MP cameras on the rear (one main, one ultrawide), and support for 45W charging. Pricing is rumored at 349 for the 8/128GB model and 399 for the 12/256GB iteration. This week Google expanded the Gemini mobile app to Latin America, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Canada. If youre not in those regions but want to try out Gemini, you can sideload the app on your Android device. We can confirm Gemini works as intended in Europe with Google Assistant language set to US English. Do note that once you install and set up Gemini, it will replace your Google Assistant. The iPhone 16 Pro series could bring bigger batteries and up to 2TB of storage. Adding to the rumored bigger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays of the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, 2024's iPhones look solid. Nothing officially announced the Phone (2a) is coming on the 5 of March, and we have an expected price - 349 for an 8/128GB model, and 399 for a 12/256GB unit. Google Gemini mobile app expands to more regions Latin America, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Canada are the latest regions to get official support for Gemini. In an uncharacteristic move, Samsung announced that it's working on a software update that will add a vividness slider to the Galaxy S24 phones, as well as a subset of camera improvements. It's unusual because the update itself is yet to start rolling to users, but rather announced that it's coming later in February. Android 15 Developer Preview 1 coming tomorrow A developer confirmed the release date on the AOSP page. Samsung Galaxy A55 and A35 repairability scores emerge The upcoming Galaxy A devices will be slightly easier to repair than their predecessors. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra will have a special edition with a titanium frame. Renders of the device show an almost unchanged design to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, though some speculate that the display will be flatter. Either way, a discount code suggested that the phone is coming to Europe in March. A bill meant to make it easier for parents and students to see sanitation and safety violations at public schools is a step closer to becoming law after advancing at Mondays legislative session. Also advancing was a bill seeking to increase the amount of solar panel power production that businesses can be subsidized for, and another one that would mandate local schools to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, among others. Sen. Jesse Lujans Bill 48-37 would mandate that inspection reports detailing everything from plumbing and toilet facilities to safety and the number of certified instructors at a school be posted on the Guam Department of Education website, or another dedicated webpage. Schools would also have to post a physical copy of reports in a conspicuous place near the main office of the campus, following an amendment from Sen. Joe San Agustin. Such reports would show whether the school failed an inspection, or if some parts of the school have been condemned. Though lawmakers still have to vote on whether to pass Bill 48-37, all 15 senators agreed to be added on as sponsors during debate Monday. After years without a graded sanitation inspection, GDOE is rushing to get long dilapidated schools that were further damaged by Typhoon Mawar to pass inspections before the start of the next school year. Parents are often left oblivious to the dire and unsanitary conditions at local public schools, Lujan told colleagues, unless poor conditions end up in media reports. That practice was unacceptable, he said, and it would not be burdensome to require GDOE to post such reports online. San Agustin amended the measure to require the physical posting of reports on campus, stating that not everyone would be looking online. I believe that needs to be posted out on this, on the school, when parents are driving up so that everybody knows what the status of the schools are. And so then maybe the (Parent Teacher Organization), and everybody else will participate, he said. Although GDOEs website does have a Sanitation Inspection Status link on its homepage, clicking on the link did not lead to a listing of school inspection reports on Monday. School inspection reports can be found on the Department of Public Health and Social Services website, though several menus have to be navigated through to find the list of reports. Net metering Also advancing Monday was Sen. William Parkinsons Bill 142-37, which would allow non-residential customers generating renewable energy to expand the amount of money they can get through the Guam Power Authoritys net-metering program. On Guam, almost all renewable energy is solar. The program lets customers sell any excess energy they produce back to GPA, for a credit against their power bill. The program is limited to 100 kilowatt systems, but Parkinsons bill would allow non-residential systems up to 500 kw to participate. But Sen. Sabina Perez raised concern over the measure, noting that GPA was losing money on the net metering program, and that expanding the program could cause customers without solar panels to end up paying for those that are in the net metering program. GPA buys solar energy back from generators at full power rate, meaning that they cant make any money selling the energy back to other customers. The utility has testified that most of those that participate in the program dont have a battery either, and still end up relying on GPA power at night, without paying their part for maintenance costs. Parkinson said the utility has resorted to emotional blackmail whenever lawmakers attempted to pass legislation that would save customers money. Perez amended the measure to require that customers with over 250 kw of power generation get at least a one hour backup, to prevent them from suddenly shutting down a GPA circuit if cloud cover cuts off solar energy. Bill 142-37 advanced to the voting file without objection. Other measures advancing Monday include: The deadline to submit a request for proposal to move forward with the rebuilding of Simon Sanchez High School in Yigo has been pushed back again, this time to Feb. 27. The previous extended deadline was Feb. 19 and the original deadline was Feb. 5. According to an announcement from the Department of Public Works, a mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Feb. 21 at the Yigo compound. The RFP submission is for professional construction management services for the school construction. Because the Yigo campus remains closed, Simon Sanchez High students have been in double session with John F. Kennedy High School in Tamuning. Public Works Director Vince Arriola in December told lawmakers a construction manager was needed to oversee the construction of Simon Sanchez High because DPW does not have the staff to oversee the various technical pieces of the construction, from structural to mechanical and electrical work. DPW is in charge of the procurement of the construction management services. A cost reduction analysis will also be done by whoever the government hires to handle the campus reconstruction. Designs are done on a new home for the northern students; however, Arriola said it would be irresponsible for a project of this magnitude to move forward without a construction manager. DPW under Arriola was handed back the mission of building Simon Sanchez High in July 2023, following a change in the law. The job was previously under the purview of the Guam Department of Education, starting in 2018, under the Calvo administration. DPW is looking for a qualified firm that will act as the representative for DPW in administering the construction contract and includes responsibility for managing and coordinating the construction phase of the project, the RFP states. The term of the contract will be three years and can be extended to an additional two-year period upon DPW providing written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days prior to the end of the initial term. GovGuam has been authorized to finance the design and construction of a new Simon Sanchez High campus since 2013. A former attorney at the Office of the Attorney General is demanding a written apology from the agency and a retraction of initial grievance findings of professional negligence in an ongoing hearing before the Civil Service Commission. Attorney Jordan Pauluhn, who is now the in-house counsel for the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, received a reprimand from the AGs office on March 14, 2023. The reprimand cited professional negligence or professional lapse during a March 7 meeting with Attorney General Douglas Moylan, Chief Deputy Attorney General Joseph Guthrie, and the late Deputy Attorney General Frank Gumataotao. It was related to a motion to vacate injunction in a federal court case. The AGs office document indicated that Pauluhns advice to the attorney general during the March 7 meeting resulted in the District Court of Guam admonishing the Office of the Attorney General. However, Pauluhn stated in his grievance appeal that the AGs claim is unsupported by the evidence and is frivolous. Pauluhn filed an initial grievance on March 15 regarding his reprimand, then filed Steps 2 and 3 grievances on March 20 and 30, respectively, demanding to withdraw the reprimand and issue a written apology. After the Step 3 Grievance Committee conducted an evidentiary hearing and reviewed documents on April 21, the attorney general ordered to remove the March 14 reprimand letter on Pauluhns records on April 25. Pauluhn accepted the order to withdraw the reprimand from Step 3, but he was not satisfied with the resolution, and it was not accompanied by a written apology, hence hes seeking for Steps 4 and 5 grievances before the Civil Service Commission. But the AG dismissed Pauluhns Steps 4 and 5 grievance filings. Management contends that this is not a grievance as defined under Chapter 12, as Employee cannot prove that he was directly affected in the performance of his official duties or that he received prejudicial, unfair, arbitrary, or capricious treatment in his working conditions or work relationships, according to the AGs office document. Denied access to witness testimony Initially, the grievance committee unanimously recommended in my favor, even going so far as to saying that even if everything that the Attorney General says is true, it doesnt constitute professional negligence. Then inexplicably, several days later, the vote changed to three to one, Pauluhn told members of the Civil Service Commission during a Feb. 13 hearing. Graham Botha, Deputy AG for the Civil Division, clarified that its managements prerogative to determine which advice to follow from the committee. The Attorney General or any appointing authority, any grievance committee would make a recommendation to the appointing authority. Appointing authority then is free to accept, reject or, or impartial, accept the recommendation, then move forward with the decision, which then moves to step four, step five as needed, Botha said. Pauluhn said he was not given access to the interviews done during the evidentiary hearing to support the findings on Step 3. On top of the fact that the record doesnt even support the findings in this case, Im left with a denial of due process where I cannot and have not until today been able to get an independent review of the allegations against me, Pauluhn said. Pauluhn stated that witness testimony must be accessible to the employee in a form in which it was received or in a form in which the employee can review it, but the additional testimonies in Step 3 were not made available to him. Im entitled to clear my name and set the record straight because there are long-term collateral consequences of this baseless claim of professional negligence against me, added Pauluhn. Pauluhn stated that initially, attorney Rob Weinberg was assigned to handle the district court case, but Guthrie subsequently approached him and Assistant Attorney General Marianne Woluschuck to take over the case. So Jordan told Joe (Guthrie) that he should wait until the other party has filed his opposition, too, and then we can (reply) to both of them in the same memo, said Woluschuck. Guthrie said Pauluhns advice on his first consultation with him was different from his advice during the March 7 meeting. What happened was that Mr. Pauluhn had advised me one thing on March 3rd, and then when we had our meeting at March 7th, he (advised) the other way, said Guthrie. He said Pauluhn is an extremely talented lawyer who has a near-photographic memory. Guthrie argued Pauluhns failure to mention the rule regarding the court case during their meeting indicates professional negligence, given his special ability. He didnt express any opposition, which really surprised me, like I said earlier, he earlier advised me that we need not file on March 7th because we didnt want to tip our hand to the attorneys for the gynecologists as to what our arguments were, said Guthrie. This is a mistake. Its a mistake. And we relied on Mr. Pauluhn and the result was a mistake for which we were built by the district court judge, and thats pretty much the long and short of it. We relied on his advice, it turned out to be faulty, its just that simple, he added. The grievance hearing will continue on Thursday. The Guam Department of Education is inviting K-12 teachers for a two-day Service-Learning Summit on Feb. 23 and 24. With the theme, Local Place-based Education as Stepping Stones to Service Learning, teachers will learn concepts and methods to teach about Guams natural environment and how they connect with service-learning projects. Teachers will network with local agencies and community organizations that provide service-learning opportunities and/or resources to implement place-based education, according to GDOE. The first day of the summit will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Guams School of Business and Public Administration Building. It will cover topics such as updates on the endangered fanihi (Mariana fruit bat) from an expert and digital media resources from Nihi Indigenous Media. Attendees will also watch a UAV (drone) demonstration and how its used for local conservation. The following days session will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Guam National Wildlife Refuge at Ritidian, where teachers will explore student opportunities for service-learning and outdoor activities to implement place-based curriculum. The summit is in collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, AAFB Fruit Bat Monitoring Program, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas, and the Guam Service-Learning Summit Committee. Interested participants can obtain one graduate credit for $20. Course registration and payment will be on-site. For more course credit information, contact Cellini Higa (cjhiga@gdoe.net), Sylvia Calvo (stcalvo@gdoe.net), or call (671) 300-1357/1388. For more information, contact Marybelle Quinata at marybelle_quinata@fws.gov or call (671) 355- 5096/483-6084. The Thai Thai Healthy Cuisine restaurant in Tamuning where police said a woman was shot during a robbery on Feb. 14, 2024. The woman died from her injuries two days later. The Guam Power Authority is seeking the Federal Emergency Management Agencys help in funding the project to move island power lines underground and harden the electrical grid, estimated at $6.4 billion. GPA remains optimistic about FEMAs support for the project, after GPA General Manager John Benavente and FEMA Administrator Dianne Criswell sat down to discuss the project, according to a release from the utility. Criswell, the top official for FEMA in the nation, and members of her team, went to GPA headquarters in Mangilao during Criswells stopover on Guam earlier this month. Also involved in the discussion were Guam Waterworks Authority General Manager Miguel Bordallo, and FEMA Region 9 Administrator Robert Fenton, who has oversight of Guam and much of the West Coast at the federal agency. Challenges faced after last years Typhoon Mawar were the topic of discussion, GPA stated. It took nearly two months for GPA crews to get island power restored to 99% after Mawar struck last May, and GPA is also looking to harden the grid against the possibility of manmade threats given Guams position as a key military outpost in the region. Benavente has estimated it would take between 10 and 15 years to move power lines fully underground, if funding can be found. Because of our location in the world and our history of extreme weather, we remain focused on strengthening our power system for the people of Guam. FEMA recognizes that taking this next step to place power lines underground will positively affect future recovery efforts after natural disasters, Benavente said in a statement Monday. The utility will continue discussions with FEMA about GPAs One Guam Comprehensive Resiliency Plan, he said. The bulk of the estimated cost to harden the power grid will be converting power distribution systems to a fully underground system, at $4.025 billion, according to a release from the utility. Moving transmission lines underground and putting power substations indoors will cost an estimated $833 million, while hardening critical systems near schools, medical facilities, water reservoirs and other sites will cost an estimated $813 million. Finally, it will take $730 million to perform other infrastructure upgrades, like getting energy storage batteries and putting standby generators into concrete housings. Benavente has told lawmakers GPA will also seek funding from the Department of the Defense for the underground power project, besides asking for FEMAs help. Post-Mawar damages at $39.6M In the short term, GPA is asking FEMA to reimburse them for the $39.6 million that Mawar cost the power authority. A cost breakdown includes: $33 million for damages to utility infrastructure, restoration labor, and mutual aid, or assistance GPA got from other organizations during recovery $6.4 million for pre-typhoon preparation, equipment, fuel and labor $100,000 for buildings, equipment, and vehicles GPA has already submitted the total costs and is working to provide FEMA documents necessary for reimbursement, which will come back at an estimated 90%, according to the utilitys release. As of last November, Mawar reportedly cost GovGuam at least $367 million, though the final tally will likely be higher, the PDN reported previously. The Guam Police Department on Monday arrested two individuals in connection with a Feb. 14 Tamuning robbery shooting that claimed the life of Sumittra Lairopi, a wife and mother of three children. Domingo C. Mendiola was identified as a suspect in the shooting that left Lairopi dead from her injuries two days later, GPD said. The victim was robbed and shot while leaving Thai Thai Healthy Cuisine restaurant in Tamuning after having a Valentines Day dinner with friends. Mendiola was located and brought in for questioning and detectives with GPDs Criminal Investigation Section have sufficient probable cause to arrest Mendiola on suspicion of: Aggravated murder Conspiracy Aggravated assault Robbery Reckless conduct Use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony Discharge of a firearm Guilt by complicity Criminal facilitation Theft of a motor vehicle Destroying evidence According to GPD, Mendiola has a slew of prior arrests and offenses, including theft, assault, family violence, criminal mischief, burglary and robbery from 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2022. Girlfriend arrested Mendiolas girlfriend, Jenna Rose Calinagan Manibusan, provided him with substantial aid in planning and facilitating the commission of his crimes, GPD stated in a release. She was arrested on suspicion of guilt by complicity, conspiracy and criminal facilitation. Both Mendiola and Manibusan were confined to the Department of Corrections. Manibusan has priors for being involved in other cases, but specific information wasnt immediately available from GPD. Other suspects involved in the case have not been arrested and the case remains open and under investigation. Please note that due to the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation, certain details may be limited to protect the integrity of the case, the police release states. Police briefing During a Monday morning press conference, Chief of Police Stephen Ignacio said multiple suspects in the Feb. 14 deadly robbery shooting were in police custody. On the night of the incident, Lairopi, 53, of Dededo, just had dinner with other individuals at Thai Thai Healthy Cuisine restaurant to celebrate Valentines Day, the chief of police said. On her way out of the restaurant along with another female, two males approached her and robbed her of her vehicle, the police chief said. The suspects also robbed her of her personal belongings, a release from GPD states. The police chief said during the course of the robbery, Lairopi was shot with a firearm. She was transported to Guam Memorial Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries two days later, on Feb. 16. Over the following days, officers worked diligently in investigating the robbery. Vehicle of interest At the scene of the robbery, there was a vehicle of interest that was located through information sharing among the law enforcement community, he said. The owner of the vehicle was brought in for questioning and over the course of the weekend, the investigation continued, he said. On Sunday night, police were able to get a break in the case and on Monday morning, GPD had several individuals in custody being questioned regarding the investigation, Ignacio said. Ignacio said police didnt provide as much information to the public after the initial announcement of the robbery because they didnt want to jeopardize the investigation. We held on to the information that we had to see where it would lead us to, he said. The chief of police said in his 36 years at GPD, they have not offered any reward money for any investigation. A decision to offer an award in the Korean tourist shooting in January was based on the Guam Visitors Bureau, and GPD had nothing to do with that, he added. We do not have any money to offer a reward. I know that Crime Stoppers did push out that they were offering a reward in this investigation, Ignacio said. He said it is unfortunate that such violent crimes happen in the community, but the department is dedicated to ensuring the safety of the island and thats why it uses all its available resources to close cases as quickly as possible, he said. Condemnation Earlier on Monday morning, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero issued a statement condemning what she described as a senseless act of violence, referring to the fatal robbery shooting. The senseless act of violence that resulted in the loss of a beloved member of our community is truly devastating, the governor said in a statement. I have been in direct communication with the victims husband and, on behalf of the people of Guam, have conveyed our deepest condolences to him and their children during this heartbreaking time. As a community, we stand united in condemning this horrific act and reaffirming our commitment to bring those responsible to justice. Its the second deadly robbery shooting on Guam this year. The first victim was a Korean tourist whose death immediately sparked calls for justice, a $50,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest, and GovGuam indicated right away that its using all available resources to bring the suspects to justice. Theyre located within days. Adelup on Monday said GPD is aggressively pursuing all viable leads in this matter, and every available law enforcement resource at government disposal is being brought to bear. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to call (671) 485-8615/6/7 or submit their tip to Guam Crime Stoppers at guam.crimestoppersweb.com. A day after being released in an assault and theft case, a Talo'fo'fo man was arrested after being accused in another assault. Del. James Moylan on Monday announced hes preparing to introduce a bill that would direct a federal study to assess the feasibility and financial effects of expanding Medicare coverage in the Philippines. The intent is to eventually permit Medicare portability for Guam residents who desire to use healthcare benefits without any restrictions in the Philippines. Moylans bill, which he plans to introduce Tuesday, seeks to direct the U.S. comptroller general to conduct a study that would assess the feasibility and financial effects of expanding coverage under the Medicare program to items and services furnished in the Philippines. If enacted, Moylans Philippine Medicare Portability Study Act would require a study that would be inclusive of the cost savings for the Medicare program if expansion to the Philippines were authorized for a 10-year period between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2034. This would include services and items, inclusive of prescription medication. The commissioned study would also outline the legislative and administrative change requirements to extend the portability. There are tens of thousands of U.S. citizens who are either retired or will be retired in the near future, and desire to relocate to the Philippines to enjoy their golden years, and this includes many here in Guam. However, there are concerns with the limitations of their Medicare coverage, despite investing in this program for years, Moylan said in a statement. Moylan said several residents who are retirees or soon to retire have shared their concerns, since an assurance of reliable health coverage is paramount in their relocation plans. We are attempting a monumental change to a major federal program, and while we know how important this issue is to many in our community, a study is not only essential, but it is a key vehicle in moving this issue forward, Moylan added. The delegate noted that hes in discussions with other member offices whose districts have a sizeable percentage of their constituency who would benefit from Medicare Portability to join in on this endeavor. Likewise, this is an issue I will work on with the Philippines Friendship Caucus, which I co-lead, along with other caucuses we are a part of, to ensure we secure as many endorsements as possible, Moylan said. Our office is also in discussions with the office of the Philippines Senate President as this will require a collaborative effort, and we look forward to the support of the local government. He added that this is not an issue which will be resolved overnight. Rather, it is a lengthy process, and we are certain we will face many obstacles along the way, but we need to start somewhere, he said. This measure is the start, and we look forward to the discussions. A student at Ordot Chalan Pago Elementary School received minor scratches and bruising after a newly installed light fixture cover fell out of the ceiling Monday, the Guam Department of Education confirmed. An electrical contractor was working to replace lights over the last two weeks at the school, and may not have secured the light cover, according to a statement from Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School Principal Tricia Moylan. The incident prompted the school to ask their contractor to check all light covers around the campus, and an inspection was ongoing as of Monday afternoon, she said. Seimans and J&B were contracted to install the lights, according to GDOE public information officer Tess Reyes-Burrier. According to the report from the school nurse, minor scratch and bruising but was not limping while walking and had full range of motion. The nurse contacted his mother and explained the situation to her. The child expressed his wish to remain in school and his mother agreed to let him do so, Moylan said. The scratch was reportedly about 1 inch long. The damaged light cover was removed and the rest of the light covers in the classroom were inspected after the incident, according to Moylan. Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes wrote Moylan and GDOE Superintendent Kenneth Erik Swanson over the incident on Monday, after she received a distressing call from the parent of the child, a 5th-grade student. The vice speaker requested that an investigation of the incident be conducted, and that a report of the findings be passed along to her. Muna Barnes described the falling object as a light fixture, though legislative oversight chairman Sen. Chris Barnett told the Pacific Daily News he was informed by the students parent and Swanson it was a plastic diffuser covering a newly installed light. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero is pushing for a political status plebiscite but wants to be sure that the definition of native inhabitants of Guam in determining who would be eligible to vote wouldnt be considered again as proxy for race and therefore unconstitutional. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in July 2019 issued a ruling that essentially says Guam cannot hold the political status plebiscite authorized by local law in 1997 because it is illegally race-based. Now, the governor is turning to Attorney General Douglas Moylan for help. She wrote a Feb. 19 letter to Moylan, asking whether the Office of the Attorney General can draft a definition of Native Inhabitants of Guam that will fulfill the mandate of the local law but also not violate the Constitution, with the goal of allowing the expenditure of government of Guam funds to conduct the election. Moylan on Monday night said because the governor requested his opinion, he will endeavor to work diligently towards assisting her. The non-binding plebiscite vote, which by local law is only for native inhabitants of Guam, would allow eligible voters to state their preference for the islands future political relationship with the United States. The options are statehood, independence or free association. Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States. But the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said the Guam plebiscite law includes an impermissible racial classification, which violates voting rights guaranteed by the 15th Amendment. Decolonization The governor, the chairwoman of the Commission on Decolonization, said shes committed to pursuing and facilitating a political status plebiscite as mandated by Guam law to help the people of Guam actualize their political destiny. The commission, she said, has discussed a number of options on how to go about it, taking into consideration the Ninth Circuit decision. The options include pursuing legislative action to amend the existing plebiscite law, advocating for U.S. federal executive action and congressional legislation, and conducting a plebiscite via a non-governmental organization, or NGO. When reviewing all of the possible options, the Commission continues to encounter obstacles in identifying the most feasible course of action that works within the confines of the ruling in Davis v. Guam, the governor wrote in her letter to the AG. The difficulty, she said, is defining Native Inhabitants of Guam relative to voter eligibility so that the condition is not seen by the courts as a proxy for race, and therefore, an impermissible classification in violation of the 15th Amendment. Leon Guerrero said this would result in the same constitutional issues Guam contended with in the Davis case. In the alternative In her Monday letter, the governor asked Moylan that if a definition of Native Inhabitants of Guam as requested cannot be crafted, can a non-governmental agency or NGO that receives no government money conduct its own election using the current definition of Native Inhabitants of Guam without violating the Constitution? The governor asked whether such activity by an NGO qualifies as state action or as a decision on a public issue for 15th Amendment purposes, as discussed in the case, Davis v Guam. Moylan on Monday night said the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has over the years provided legal parameters on how Guam can approach this important issue. Hawaii and the American Indian Nation serve as the most recent examples on how territories have legally navigated their peoples through moving from a distinct culture within the U.S. government to becoming a part of the U.S., he said. Guam needs to work within the U.S. legal framework to be recognized by Congress and have laws passed that allow us to voice our will for political determination, Moylan said. Our local Legislature has time and again proven to not be properly empowered to act alone within the framework of what it means to be a territory. The attorney general said Guam needs to have Congress pass those laws giving Guam the power to conduct a vote, decide who can vote in that political question election, how that vote would occur, and allow the expenditures of public funds in fulfilling that end. This is not a new question, and much time and money has been wasted by local officials by not following the established legal framework in deciding our future, Moylan told the Pacific Daily News. I look forward (to) working with the Governor, Guam Legislature and U.S. Delegate on helping our People decide how to approach this political issue with the U.S. Congress. The Davis case Yigo resident Arnold Dave Davis, who doesnt meet the legal definition of native inhabitant, filed a federal lawsuit in 2011 after the Guam Election Commission rejected his attempt to register for the plebiscite. Davis argued the plebiscite law discriminates against non-CHamorus. GovGuam said the plebiscite is for a federally created class of persons and is racially neutral. U.S. District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in March 2017 ruled in Davis favor and banned GovGuam from holding a plebiscite that limits voters to native inhabitants of Guam. GovGuam appealed Tydingco-Gatewoods ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which heard oral arguments in 2018 in Hawaii and then issued a ruling in 2019. The islands plebiscite law includes an impermissible racial classification, which violates voting rights guaranteed by the 15th Amendment, the Ninth Circuit judges stated. The Riverbend neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans is harboring a delicious secret. Tucked away in an unassuming gray cottage on Hampson Street is a delightful new eatery, boasting a menu full of local Louisiana favorites and thrifty specials. Mother of Pearl is one of those catch-me-if-you-can restaurants: Theyre only open three days a week, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Friday. Happy Hour is every day from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., hosting some extremely reasonable miniplates: a charcuterie board for $6, a deep-fried shrimp spread toast with Thai coconut peanut sauce for $7, and glasses of sauvignon blanc for just $5. My friend and I wandered in with no reservation and took a seat along the wall, where cool marble tabletops and gold and gray accents evoke the restaurants namesake. The dining room only holds half a dozen tables, and guests have a full view into the kitchen, where just one hardworking chef seemed to be in charge of the entire nights cooking. The dining room of Mother of Pearl offers casual seating, bar stools and cozy tabletops.Emily Topping If they were understaffed, I didnt notice. The minicharcuterie plate arrived with a generous chunk of creamy blue cheese, a stack of smoky, fat-ribboned River Bear cured salami and pickled pears drizzled in local honey. Im not complaining, but that cube of cheese alone at Whole Foods would have cost more than $6. We ordered a plate of oysters on the half shell cold and bright, served with a Sazerac mignonette and perfectly sour celery kimchi and a bowl of steamed mustard greens, which satisfied my love of all things salt and soy. The real star of the show, however, was the Short Rib au Poivre. Tender braised beef fell off the bone like butter, and after devouring the roasted potatoes, I found myself attacking the plate with a spoon to scoop one more drop of the creamy peppercorn demi-glace. Creamy blue cheese, salami and pickled pears make up the charcuterie plate.Emily Topping Oysters on the half shell pair with soy-drizzled tender greens.Emily Topping Brandy braised short ribs are served with smoked carrot puree and crispy potatoes.Emily Topping As far as the drink menu goes, Im on a post-Mardi Gras cleanse but our server was more than happy to make an elevated Shirley Temple. (Call me in a month or so and Ill report back on the cocktails.) I did notice a few menu items were no longer available (pickled pears replaced the fried saltines on the charcuterie board, and neither the burrata salad nor shrimp toast were in stock), but the plates we did receive were incredible. My main question for Mother of Pearl is why it feels so hidden: The restaurant seems to have no social media presence, save for its parent catering company, and is only open 12 hours a week. But you wont catch me complaining about a lack of marketing. For now, consider Mother of Pearl your own hidden gem. Haiti - News : Zapping... Jeremie : Access to the airport completely blocked Sunday February 18, 2024 in the morning, on the eve of the reopening of schools in Jeremie, after more than a month of closure due to anti-Government demonstrations, unidentified individuals erected an imposing barricade in Jeremie on the main road which prevents the passage of all vehicles and blocks access to the airport. This barricade also cuts Jeremie from all road communication with Bonbon and the Apricots. A mini-bus machine-gunned, at least 9 dead Sunday February 18, 2024, in the afternoon, in Morne a Cabrit, members of the "400 Mawozo" gang (according to witnesses) riddled with bullets a minibus which shuttles between Port-au-Prince and Mirebalais. The provisional non-official toll is heavy, the driver and 9 other passengers were reportedly killed and an unknown number of other passengers were injured and rushed to hospital. 3 trucks attacked and set on fire Saturday February 17, 2024, the Association of Owners and Drivers of Haiti (APCH) informs us that bandits from Savien (Dept. Artibonite), attacked and burned 3 trucks from the Belladere Transport Union. The drivers had time to flee while other people were killed according to testimonies... Did you know ? Did you know that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID-Haiti) equips five partner Haitian agricultural universities with virtual classrooms ? Through a partnership with Kansas State University, USAID is developing Haiti's agricultural sector for economic growth and climate change resilience. Students from the American University of Notre Dame in Les Cayes, the American University of the Caribbean in Les Cayes, the Henri Christophe de Limonade Campus in Cap-Haitien, the Universite Chretienne du Nord in Limbe and the Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine in Port-au-Prince are taking or will take these courses virtually. 30% of Haitian women and girls victims of violence Friday February 16, 2024, a workshop was held in Petion-ville on the issue of violence against women and girls in Haiti, an initiative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in partnership with the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, thanks to the financial support of the Norwegian Embassy. Maria Isabel Salvador, Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) denounces that 30% of Haitian women and girls aged 15 to 49 are victims of acts of violence in Haiti. According to Maria Isabel Salvador, this workshop will make it possible to compile and strengthen the number of complaints made against the attackers. HL/ HaitiLibre Interns and residents at five major hospitals in Seoul announced plans for their en masse resignation by Monday to protest the Yoon Suk-yeol administrations decision to raise the cap on medical college admissions. Meanwhile, the administration reiterated its position that the expansion in the number of medical students can no longer be delayed. As of Friday, a total of 715 interns and residents at 23 hospitals nationwide had submitted their resignation notices, although none of the hospitals had yet accepted them. In a statement on the collective action by physicians issued on Sunday at the central government complex in Seoul, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stressed, The increase in medical college admission caps can no longer be delayed. Health care reforms cannot succeed unless an absolute number of physicians can be ensured, he warned. Hans remarks reiterated the administrations position calling for an increase of the maximum number of medical college admissions nationwide by 2,000 per year for a five-year period beginning with the 2025 academic years entrance examination. Responding to arguments from some in the medical community that the increase will reduce the quality of medical education, Han said, The administration will commit its full energy to providing support to increase the number of professors by subject and ensure the substance of essential health care and practical education. 16 . Commissioners select former Great Falls Realtor association CEO Terry Thompson as Montanas newest non-elected overseer of local elections by Alex Sakariassen Montana Free Press Commissioners in Cascade County Thursday named Terry Thompson as the countys new election administrator, settling a key question raised after the commission relieved Clerk and Recorder Sandra Merchant of her electoral duties in December. Thompson, former CEO of the Great Falls Association of Realtors, was one of four applicants interviewed last week by the countys three Republican commissioners, Joe Briggs, Rae Grulkowski and James Larson. After rating each of the candidates based on their responses and qualifications, the commission briefly debated between two: Thompson and former 16-year Democratic Clerk and Recorder Rina Moore, who lost the 2022 election to Merchant. Prior to the motion to appoint Thompson as the countys new election overseer at a county salary of $69,000 Briggs took a moment to acknowledge the challenge he and other commissioners faced in narrowing their choice. We had four quality candidates, and Im very gratified for that, Briggs said. That makes the decision a little tougher. Larson and Grulkowski echoed Briggs assessment, with Grulkowski expressing appreciation for the communitys patience and voicing her desire to have things calm down ahead of a busy election year. Over the past year, election administration has become an increasingly divisive issue among voters in Cascade County. Merchants tenure through 2023 generated widespread criticism and allegations of ballot-related mishaps and mishandled elections. Merchant and her supporters staunchly refuted those claims and accused Briggs and Larson of undermining the will of voters in stripping her of the duties they elected her to perform. Grulkowski, a constant defender of Merchants, has continued to lament the resolution that transferred those duties to a commission-appointed administrator a resolution she voted against. The community back-and-forth continued to manifest Thursday as public commenters weighed in on Thompsons appointment. Jane Weber, a 2024 Democratic legislative candidate and member of the citizen-led Election Protection Committee, said she was concerned about Thompsons lack of experience running local elections, particularly given the tight timeline of this years electoral calendar. School elections in Cascade County are slated for early May, and military ballots for the June 4 primary must be mailed starting April 17. If there was an experienced staff in the election office, Id be less concerned, Weber said. But there is not experienced staff in the election office, as was exhibited in past elections in 2023. Selecting someone with absolutely no experience in elections really concerns me. Great Falls resident Deb Chibroski challenged Webers assertions regarding experience in the Cascade County Elections Office, arguing that Merchants staff had been holding the fort down during this unfortunate series of events and were immediately put under trial by fire when she took office last year. Chibroski told commissioners she had full confidence that if elections staff are left to do their jobs, the elections will go off without a hitch. Other commenters similarly praised the commissions selection, describing Thompson, who has held several civic offices, as the most nonpartisan candidate in the running and echoing hopes that the countys election administration disputes will finally end. Voters and county officials alike have been candid about the stakes involved in Cascade Countys election administration debate. Cascade is a well-known swing county in statewide elections and has shifted politically to the right in recent years, electing no Democratic candidates for legislative seats in either of the past two election cycles. With Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester facing a stiff reelection challenge from Republican Tim Sheehy this year, Montana and Cascade County are likely to be the focus of national attention. As Briggs has indicated this year, his greatest fear is that any election administration issues could generate problems for the county, including potential litigation. https://montanafreepress.org/2024/02/16/cascade-county-names-new-election-administrator . Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen was among the many Republicans to attend this year's Blaine and Hill County Lincoln-Reagan Dinner Sunday, where she talked about her candidacy for the eastern district of Montana's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The seat is currently held by Rep. Matt Rosendale who was originally going to be the keynote speaker at the dinner but canceled along with Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte. Rosendale filed to run for Montana's Senate seat held by Jon Tester, but dropped out, after less than a week, after former President Donald Trump endorsed his primary opponent Tim Sheehy, who also had the support of Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Rosendale has not filed to run for the seat again as of deadline this morning, but many Republicans running in the primary, including Arntzen have said that they would only run if Rosendale decided to challenge Tester. When asked if she would stay in the race if Rosendale files, an Arntzen press spokesperson said he would need to check with her, but she is "all in" on this race. Trump's return to the presidency is her number one priority Arntzen said in an interview after Sunday's dinner, touting his economic and social policies. "I'm all in on President Trump," she said. She said the federal government should be removing regulations on agriculture producers and small businesses, which is what they need more than direct assistance. As for other policy priorities, she said, the surge of migrants at the U.S. southern border, which she repeatedly called "an invasion" is the number one issue facing the country. She claimed that there are more "illegals" at the border than mothers giving birth in the U.S. and that their presence is "changing the dynamics of who our country is." Arntzen said the federal government needs to drastically cut its spending, especially on bureaucratic matters, and one unnecessary expense stood out to her; the U.S. Department of Education, which she said needs to be either reduced in scale or eliminated entirely. She said students need to be supported and their parents need to have more say in the curriculum, and that subjects like climate change should not be discussed by the department of education at all. Parents need to be actively listened to by schools, she said, and the federal government needs to honor states' rights. She also said schools need to be supported in their efforts to curb suicidal ideation in students, and for educators to acknowledge them and their challenges as unique, but not to call them victims. "They need to be recognized, not told that they're victims, but to be recognized," she said. "If we can do that in our public school systems or community, our families are going to be stronger." Arntzen said educators are not mental health care providers, but they need to be supportive in what capacity they can. She said there is a crisis of hopelessness among young people and students, and schools need to do all they can to address it. As for other government agencies, Arntzen said she wants to move the various department headquarters out of Washington and around the country which she claimed would increase diversity and local accountability. Press Release February 19, 2024 After 35 years New legislated wage hike in the offing - Jinggoy A BILL mandating a P100 daily pay increase for minimum wage earners, estimated to be around 4.2 million nationwide, has been approved by the Senate on third and final reading. "Let it be said that this august chamber is responsive to the needs of our kababayans, especially on the back of rising cost of living and soaring prices of basic commodities. Thus, the Senate has proposed to hike the daily minimum wage rate by P100 for workers in the private sector," said Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor. Under this measure, all minimum wage earners in the private sector in the entire country, whether agricultural or non-agricultural, are entitled to the increase. The last legislated wage hike that was implemented in the country dates back to 1989 with the enactment of Republic Act No. 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act, which effectively declared that wages would be set on a regional basis by the regional wage boards. While cynics say that implementing the proposed law could adversely impact on businesses and impede economic growth, Estrada defended that a flourishing economy relies on the vitality of its workforce, who are considered the lifeblood of enterprises. "At dapat nating pangalagaan at unahin ang interes ng ating mga manggagawa," the labor advocate pointed out. "Let us not underestimate the ripple effect of the Senate's collective action. A higher minimum wage does not only impact the lives of those directly affected but reverberates throughout our communities, stimulating local economies, and ensuring that people would have more money in their pockets to meet their basic needs," said Estrada. The bill received 20 affirmative votes and zero negative votes. Umentong P100 para sa minimum wage earners pasado na sa Senado - Jinggoy PASADO na sa Senado sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa ang panukalang batas na magbibigay sa tinatayang 4.2 milyon na minimum wage earners sa bansa ng karagdagang P100 sa kanilang arawang sahod. Sa kanyang manifestation, sinabi ni Senador Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Labor, na ang pag-apruba ng Senate Bill No. 2534 ay pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mga manggagawa sa gitna ng tumataas na halaga ng pamumuhay at presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin. Sa ilalim ng panukalang ito, lahat ng minimum wage earners sa pribadong sektor sa buong bansa, nasa agrikultural man o non-agricultural na sektor, ay saklaw sa P100 na arawang dagdag-sahod. Ang huling legislated wage hike na naipatupad sa bansa ay noong 1989 sa bisa ng Republic Act No. 6727 o ang Wage Rationalization Act, na nagsasaad na ang mga sahod ay itatakda sa rehiyonal na batayan ng regional wage boards. Kinontra ni Estrada ang mga sumasalungat sa panukalang batas na nagsasabi na magkakaroon ito ng negatibong epekto sa mga negosyo at makakahadlang sa paglago ng ekonomiya. Sinabi ni Estrada na ang paglago ng ekonomiya ng bansa ay nakasalalay sa umuunlad na estado ng mga manggagawa na itinuturing na lifeblood ng mga negosyo sa bansa. "At dapat nating pangalagaan at unahin ang interes ng ating mga manggagawa," sabi ng mambabatas na tagapagtaguyod ng kapakanan ng mga manggagawa. "Huwag nating balewalain ang epekto ng kolektibong aksyon ng Senado. Ang mas mataas na minimum wage ay nakakaapekto hindi lamang sa mga manggagawa kundi maging sa ating mga komunidad. Pinapasigla rin nito ang lokal na ekonomiya at tinitiyak na ang ating mga kababayan ay magkakaroon ng pangtustos sa kanilang mga pangunahing pangangailangan," ani Estrada. Ang panukalang batas ay nakatanggap ng dalawampung paborableng boto at zero na negatibong boto. Among the Republican figures in Havre for the Blaine and Hill County Lincoln-Reagan Dinner Sunday evening was congressional candidate Joel Krautter, who touted himself as a voice of reason that could help bring a sense of stability to Washington. Krautter, a former Sidney legislator, now an attorney in Billings, said the U.S. is incredibly divided at the moment, and he hopes to be one of many new leaders on the federal level who can restore some normalcy to an increasingly chaotic Congress. He said this division has had a terrible cascading effect, which has led to a gridlock that is not only polarizing the country, but preventing basic problems from being addressed. "We're so divided, there is so much anger and I think people (in Washington) are focusing on wanting to blame other people for those problems and kicking the can down the road instead of doing the hard work of solving those problems," he said. Krautter said he wants to serve in the same vein as Republicans like the late Sen. John McCain, who were able to work with others they didn't necessarily agree with to get legislation passed and maintain the normal operating procedures of Congress which he said is increasingly under threat. This division and chaos has manifested itself a number of ways, he said, but perhaps most notably with the situation at the U.S. southern border. Krautter said he wants the Biden administration to do all it can to secure the border through executive order, but he realizes that can only go so far and Congress needs to find a solution. He said he's hopeful some kind of agreement will be reached, at least in the short term, because this is an issue that can't be allowed to sit unaddressed for years, having seen the state of the border for himself recently. The chaos he aims to combat, he said, has also affected basic things like the government staying open, with Congress operating on continuing resolutions rather than actually setting a budget and getting appropriations bills passed. In his experience as a legislator, he said, he rarely got everything he wanted, and the nation's multi-trillion dollar deficit needs to be addressed urgently, but political divisions are preventing any real progress on this from being made. He said there are really important things that need to get done, like a new Farm Bill for agriculture producers in Montana. One thing that may help things along, he said, is creating rules to ensure single-issue bills, so that legislation can succeed or fail on its own merits instead of containing so many issues it becomes impossible for anyone to agree on it. Krautter said he's lived in both rural and urban settings so he thinks he can effectively understand and represent the issues of both populations. He said he wants to be an advocate for small businesses which make up so much of the state's economy as well. As for his campaign and the upcoming elections, he said, he thinks the primary is more pivotal than the general election, as he's confident Republicans will win regardless. He said he met with some voters earlier that day at Triple Dog Brewing Company, and while it was a small gathering it was clear that there was enthusiasm for his message and he's glad to have gotten some time to talk with individual voters on the Hi-Line. Krautter said he fully intends to stay in the race if Rep. Matt Rosendale decides to run for reelection, which he hasn't yet. Ming Cabrera, a Democratic candidate for the eastern district of Montana seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, stumped in Havre Sunday evening, talking about his position on a number of issues and why he believes he's the best candidate for the job that now has nine people running for it. Cabrera, a retired pharmaceutical representative and prominent Billings Democrat, said he will be a representative of Montana's middle class in Washington, an advocate for access to public lands and public education, and for the freedom of women to make their own choices about their reproductive health care. He said Democrats have had major victories on the economic front for people for the average person, and they need to do a better job of pointing out that they are responsible for how good people's wages are. He said Republicans are taking credit for new jobs and economic growth that are largely the result of liberal policies and victories in Washington, and they need to start telling people that. Cabrera voiced his support for the Keystone XL Pipeline which he said would bring jobs to the state. He said he also wants to support a Farm Bill that will work for agriculture producers and their communities, especially in eastern Montana, which he knows very well. He said Republicans like former President Donald Trump may give subsidies to producers to try to keep them as political allies, but will undercut them with exorbitant tariffs the moment they have the opportunity, while Democrats actually care. Cabrera said Democrats are leading the charge on establishing country of origin labeling and increasing transparency in the meatpacking industry, which is vital for producers to get a fair shake in the market. Beyond the agriculture community, he said, Democrats are also working to improve high-speed internet access to rural areas, as well. As for his priority issues in Congress, he said, public education is one of the biggest issues for him. "Public education is the great equalizer," he said. Cabrera said Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen is a potential opponent in the general election and her time overseeing that office has been a mess. He said she primarily represents the interests of the rich and would not be right for Montana. He said education is a big part of why he became successful and it needs to be supported instead of setting up charter schools that would operate without proper standards or oversight. He also talked about access to public land, which he said Republicans are increasingly willing to sell off or close access to, which he thinks is a huge detriment to the state. "Keep public lands in public hands," he said. Cabrera also talked about women's health care, and the increasingly aggressive stance of Republicans who seek to ban procedures like abortion, sometimes regardless of circumstances. As someone with a background in medicine and as a devout Catholic, he said, the view many conservative politicians express about when life begins is based neither in science nor Christian scripture, and is far more complicated than they admit. He said he has his own feelings on abortion, but he's not in a position to judge people making decisions about their own bodies. Nor, he said, is he in the position to judge people for who they want to marry. While women's health care was a big issue for him, he said, there are plenty of problems in the health care industry in general that need to be addressed, including Medicare. He said Medicare should be able to negotiate prices on medicine just like private insurance, and should be reimbursed more for treatment of conditions like chronic bronchitis. Cabrera said his primary opponent, Kevin Hamm, is a good man and he won't speak ill of him, but he does consider himself to be the better candidate. He said he has a proven track record of working across the aisle to secure economic victories for Billings and he knows the issues better. He said he's confident that he will win the primary and that the bigger fight will be the general election, which is when he will need serious support. He claimed that there are no voters that are 100 percent behind Trump and his movement, but most of the Republicans running are devout followers, and their extreme positions are creating an opening Democrats need to take this seat. MSU News Service BOZEMAN Montana State University Extensions Pesticide Education Program and participating MSU Extension offices will offer multiple introductory training opportunities for pesticide applicators in February and March. Initial private applicator trainings Initial private applicator trainings are seven-hour trainings for individuals to learn more about pesticides while qualifying for a Montana private applicator license. A private applicator license allows individuals to apply restricted-use pesticides on land they own, rent or lease to grow an agricultural commodity. Homeowners and non-licensed applicators who wish to learn more about pesticides are also welcome, as are recertifying private applicators. Each program covers integrated pest management; pesticides in the environment; safety and toxicity; pesticide law; calibration of spray equipment; the private applicator license and how to read a pesticide product label. An ungraded exam will also be required if individuals wish to obtain a private applicator license. Event details Fees listed below cover the cost of the event and materials only. Those pursuing a private applicator license must also pay a license fee to the Montana Department of Agriculture, which varies by district. Applicators seeking recertification may attend initial private applicator trainings for credits as listed below. Initial private applicator trainings will be held as follows: Wednesday, Feb. 28: Choteau. Teton County Courthouse Annex, 19 Main Ave. S. Registration is encouraged by Feb. 26, and walk-ins are welcome. To register, contact Jamie Smith at 406-466-2491 or [email protected]. Cost is $20 for those attending for a license and is free if attending for credits or education only. Lunch is provided. Three pesticide applicator credits will be offered in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Tuesday, March 5: Culbertson. Dry Prairie Rural Water, 5808 Montana Highway 16. Registration is encouraged by March 1, and walk-ins are welcome. To register, contact Wendy Becker at 406-787-5312 or [email protected]. Free to attend. Lunch will be provided. Three pesticide applicator credits will be offered in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Wednesday, March 6: Glendive. Yellowstone River Inn, 1903 N. Merrill Ave. Registration is encouraged by March 1. To register, contact Gabby Sexton at 406-377-4277 or [email protected]. Cost is $20 for those attending for a license and $10 for others. Lunch will be provided. Pesticide applicator credits are to be announced. Tuesday, March 12: Ronan. Ronan Community Center meeting room, 300 Third Ave. NW. Registration is encouraged by March 8, and walk-ins are welcome. To register, contact Taylor Mullen at 406-676-4271 or [email protected]. Cost is $50, and lunch will be provided. Pesticide applicator credits are to be announced. Wednesday, March 20: Thompson Falls. Thompson Falls Rural Fire Department, 1811 Main St. Registration is required by March 12. Registration may be made online or by contacting Wendy Carr at 406-827-6934 or [email protected]. Cost is $40, and lunch will be provided. Six pesticide applicator credits will be offered for attendance. Thursday, March 21: Kalispell. Hampton Inn, 1140 U.S. Highway 2 W. Registration is required by March 12. Registration may be made online or by contacting Mackenzie Dey at 406-758-5553 or [email protected]. Cost is $40, and lunch will be provided. Six pesticide applicator credits will be offered for attendance. Additional information about MSU Extensions initial private applicator trainings, including agendas and start and end times for each location, is available at montana.edu/extension/pesticides/events. Additional pesticide education questions may be directed to Cecil Tharp, pesticide education specialist, at 406-994-5067 or [email protected]. A recent study from the University of Helsinki has unveiled that neurological disorders significantly elevate the risk of divorce among couples in the Nordic countries, with the highest risk observed in couples where both partners are diagnosed with such conditions. The research, which tracked over 2.8 million married individuals aged 30 to 64 from Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, found that 12% of these couples divorced within a ten-year follow-up period. Interestingly, the study revealed that the husband's illness increases the divorce risk at least as much as the wife's, regardless of the couple's education level. Over the course of the study, more than one-fifth of the couples experienced a neurological disorder, determined through specialist healthcare visits. Combined data from all countries showed that the risk of divorce after a wife's diagnosis was 1.21 times higher, and 1.27 times higher following a husband's diagnosis, compared to couples without such health issues. If both spouses were diagnosed with a neurological condition, the risk of divorce rose to 1.38 times higher, marking these differences as significant. According to Niina Metsa-Simola, a university lecturer in demography at the University of Helsinki, the findings indicate that couples facing illness require additional support, even in the well-established welfare states of the Nordic region. The study also explored how income explains the link between illness and divorce risk, finding that this was only significant in Sweden. Metsa-Simola explains that in Sweden, access to specialist care is easier, but income drops more during short illness periods compared to the other countries studied. Traditionally, men's illness was thought to increase divorce risk more significantly due to their larger financial contribution to the family. However, the study found that in Sweden, the sick spouse's gender did not impact the risk of divorce. Particularly in Finland, a man's illness raised the risk of divorce more when he had a lower education level than his wife, a trend not observed in the other countries. This could be attributed to Finland's larger gender pay gap and gendered division of parental leave, highlighting the man's role as the family's breadwinner. Denmark showed a unique pattern where a husband's illness resulted in a 1.4 times higher risk of divorce, compared to a 1.2 times increase following a wife's illness. This discrepancy might be influenced by the lower detection of neurological disorders in Danish couples compared to the other countries. The most common diagnosis among men was organic sleep disorders, particularly prevalent in Finland and Norway. The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, suggests that diseases like MS, which can cause significant functional impairment, seem to increase the risk of divorce more following the husband's diagnosis. This finding was especially pronounced in Denmark. Lack of detailed diagnostic information in Sweden and limitations in assessing functional capacity and disease severity in registry-based research were noted as constraints. Metsa-Simola emphasizes the importance of further exploring how functional capacity relates to the risk of divorce, suggesting that it could shed light on the mechanisms linking illness to marital dissolution. HT Statistics Finland has released preliminary data revealing that the city's population stood at 674,963 at the end of 2023, marking an increase of 10,935 from the previous year and the first increase of over 10,000 since the 1960s. THE POPULATION of Helsinki grew last year close to the record-pace witnessed during the suburban expansion of the 1960s. The City of Helsinki noted in a press release last week that if the preliminary data are confirmed this spring, it would be a new record for population growth since the 1940s, with the exception of 1965, when the eastern neighbourhood of Vuosaari was added to Helsinki. In the 2000s, the city has added on average fewer than 5,000 people to its population on an annual basis. The Finnish capital was also a significant driver of population growth nationally, accounting for roughly a quarter of the population growth recorded in Finland in 2023. In relative terms, though, its population grew by 1.6 per cent year-on-year, below the growth rates recorded in Espoo (2.9%), Tampere (2.4%) and Vantaa (1.9%). The City of Helsinki highlighted that its population growth is attributable largely to migration gains from overseas, especially in the form of work-based immigration. The preliminary data indicate that the city gained around 8,500 new residents last year from international migration and 2,050 new residents from internal migration. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has reported that Filipino, Russian and Indian nationals applied for the most work-based residence permits in Finland in 2023. The number of both births and deaths decreased in Helsinki in 2023. While the city recorded only 6,100 births the second lowest total in the 2000s the number of deaths increased by 200 from an already elevated level to 5,719. The population increased by far the most in the 3049-year-old age group but declined slightly in both the 06-year-old and 5074-year-old age groups, according to the preliminary data. A geographical examination, in turn, shows that population growth was fast particularly in neighbourhoods where the number of residential units has increased in recent years. Pohjois-Pasila, for example, saw its population surge by as much as 1,200 and Jatkasaari, Kalasatama and Sompasaari each by about 500. Aleksi Teivainen HT My time as chairperson has been unique and challenging, she was quoted saying at a news conference by Helsingin Sanomat. Ive got so much from the Centre. Everything Ive known how to give back, Ive given back. ANNIKA SAARIKKO on Thursday announced she will not seek another term as chairperson of the Centre Party. Saarikko, a 40-year-old fourth-term Member of Parliament from Southwest Finland, was elected to lead the agrarian centre-right party in the second half of 2020. The Centre will select its next chairperson at a party conference organised in Jyvaskyla in June. She revealed at the news conference that she is expecting her third child, adding that the pregnancy was not the decisive factor behind the decision itself, simply its timing. If everything goes well, our family will have its third child in July, she said. Ill go on family leave from parliamentary work at the end of this spring term. The former minister of finance said she hopes the position will appeal to as many party members as possible, with the party conference hopefully turning into a competition that allows the party to examine its stance and ways of working. She declined to comment further on her successor, pledging to support whoever wins the backing of the party conference. Olli Rehns result in the presidential election sent a strong message about the importance of patience and provinces, she argued. Saarikko has held the reigns of a party that has struggled in both opinion polls and elections. She outlined at the beginning of her tenure that the party intends to at least match the 17.5-per-cent share of votes it won in 2017 in the 2021 municipal elections. While the party fell well short of the target, its 14.9-per-cent share of the vote is high in light of its current situation. Since 2021, the Finns Party has overtaken the Centre as the dominant party in many small and medium-sized rural municipalities. Support for the Centre has hovered around the 10-per-cent mark in polls commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat since October 2022, landing at 10.1 per cent in the one published in January. Its fall has been exceptional, given it triumphed in the 2015 parliamentary elections with a vote share of 21.1 per cent. The Centre has also held the premiership longer than any other party in the 2000s, wrote Teemu Luukka, a political journalist at Helsingin Sanomat. Saarikko on Thursday said her tenure has included both failures and successes. If you measure my tenure only in terms of popular support, I didnt meet the expectations. I do think, though, that some pieces have now fallen into place, she asserted. I faced the highly unusual coronavirus pandemic and its decisions, Russias war of aggression and its effects on Finland, duties of the minister of finance, and a change in the Centres long-term foreign policy stance in favour of Nato membership, she catalogued. Aleksi Teivainen HT The process, initiated by a UN General Assembly resolution in December 2022, seeks an advisory opinion from the court on the legality of Israel's policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories and their effects on other states and the UN itself. The International Court of Justice commenced hearings today, February 19th, to deliberate on the legal ramifications of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. Amnesty International has called for an immediate cessation of Israel's "brutal occupation" of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, which has persisted since 1967. Amnesty International's Secretary-General, Agnes Callamard, highlighted the dire situation in the occupied Gaza Strip, where there is an imminent risk of genocide. The organization criticized the international community for allowing Israel's alleged international crimes in Palestinian territories to go unpunished for too long, underlining the catastrophic consequences in Gaza. The occupation, according to Amnesty, flagrantly violates international law, which stipulates that occupation should be temporary and administered in the interest of the occupied population. Israel's actions, including the illegal annexation of East Jerusalem and expansion of settlements in the West Bank, demonstrate an intent for permanent occupation, benefiting the occupying state and its citizens against the principles of international law. Callamard further stated that the occupation of Palestinian territories is one of the longest and deadliest military occupations in history, involving widespread and systematic human rights violations and cementing an apartheid system against Palestinians. Ending the occupation would mean restoring Palestinian rights, lifting the harsh blockade on Gaza, and dismantling Israeli settlements, allowing Palestinians to move freely within their territories. This would reduce human suffering and end widespread human rights abuses. The hearings, attended by over 50 states along with the African Union, the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, will take place from February 19th to 26th in The Hague, with the court's advisory opinion expected later this year. Palestinians living under occupation face numerous human rights abuses enabled by Israel's oppressive system. Even before the recent escalation of conflict, Gazans have suffered from military attacks and a years-long blockade, with Amnesty International documenting repeated illegal attacks by Israel, some of which may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the West Bank, Palestinians encounter excessive force, illegal executions, arbitrary arrests, home demolitions, land confiscation, and restrictions on basic rights and freedoms. "Living under Israel's harsh occupation for 56 years, Palestinians have been subjected to systematic discrimination. Israeli authorities control every aspect of their lives, infringing on their rights to movement, livelihood, education, and a dignified quality of life," Callamard remarked, urging all states to reassess their relations with Israel to ensure they do not support the maintenance of the occupation or the apartheid system. HT A HENLEY charity which aims to make boating accessible to all is celebrating its 15th anniversary. The Rivertime Boat Trust has taken more than 25,000 disabled or disadvantaged passengers and their carers on trips on the River Thames since it was founded in 2006. Rivertime, a unique boat which was specially designed to accommodate passengers with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities, is moored at the River & Rowing Museum jetty between April and October. Twice a day during the summer season, it takes up to 12 people from special educational needs and disability schools, care homes, local charities or families where a member has a disability on trips so that they can benefit from the therapeutic effects of being on the water and learn about the river and its functions. The charity was set up by Simon Davis and his late wife Pat, who was made an MBE for her work with the charity in 2015. Mr Davis, who grew up swimming and punting on the river in Marlow and now lives in Henley, said: My wife and I had 15 boats on charter on the Thames and we sold them to Jonny Hobbs and his father. A little later on Jonny said to my wife, I cant get people who are disabled on to big boats, which was understandable. She came home and said: Simon, were going to build a boat for the disabled, and I said: Yes, dear, as the good husbands do. The couple needed to raise 165,000 to design and build a custom-made boat which would be fully accessible. It was an expensive thing to build but we raised the money, which was exciting, said Mr Davis. In those days we made a phone call. Now you have to do computers and I dont do all that. We had to phone people up and say: I want some cash, please. There wasnt really a problem because we were determined. We never thought wed fail. One of the things in life is if you take something on and you feel you want to do it, its about confidence and being a bit assertive, frankly, and determined. You can do anything. Rivertime was designed by Andrew Wolstenholme, a celebrated marine architect, and Paul Wagstaffe, then vice-president of the Inland Waterways Association, with a ramp, hydraulic wheelchair lift, large disabled toilet and sliding roof. It was constructed on the Norfolk Broads and after successfully undergoing sea trials it was transported by road to Bushnells Marine Services boatyard in Wargrave, where it was officially launched in 2007 with Poirot actor David Suchet present. The first passenger outing took place the following summer under skipper Lucy Herbert, who remains the charitys sole employee. She is the third generation of her family to work on the river and had previously been a relief lock-keeper. Fifteen years on, she is still at the helm and also manages the bookings calendar, carries out routine maintenance and manages the charitys team of 30 volunteers. The trust received early recognition of its work when, only six years after its launch, it was awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to volunteer groups in the UK. Since then, it has continued to evolve the services and activities that it offers passengers. In 2014, it partnered with Bisham Abbey Sailing and Navigation School to launch the Accessible Boat Club. The club gives people with disabilities and special needs hands-on experience with a variety of watercraft, including a specially designed wheelyboat for wheelchair users and bell boats, twin-hulled open canoes. More than 2,500 disabled children and adults have taken part in accessible boating from Bisham Abbey. Building on the success of the club, the first Rivertime accessible regatta was held in 2017 and opened by Princess Anne. A second regatta took place the following year. Mr Davis said: I started the regatta for the disabled because somebody rang me up and said, Can you help us? I said, Well, what do you want to do? He said, Well, a regatta for the disabled. That has gone on for 10 years now and Im a trustee. One thing tends to lead to another and you must be prepared to do it and cant just say, Well, weve done this and arent we clever but What comes next and whats the need? Some people just run these things and say, Well, heres the boat. I think we do it rather differently and we have some very effective and capable people helping us, which is good news. Over the years, the charity has worked with the River & Rowing Museum to support education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. This was initiated in 2013 when former museum director Paul Mainds suggested a museum on Thames to supplement what the museum could offer to SEND students and to extend the range of activities the trust offered on river trips. In 2019, the trust was awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom accreditation, allowing children from SEND settings to benefit from formal learning while they are on board Rivertime. In September last year, a joint educational partnership between the two organisations was launched by Princess Anne when she visited Henley. The Princess was shown the museums newly refurbished classroom and travelled on Rivertime with children who were experimenting with models showing how locks work and digital displays showing how tributaries are formed. The programme will be rolled out when the boat is back on the water in April. Chris Barrett, the charitys chairman of trustees, says the activities offered through the educational partnership are unique. He said: The idea is to take a lot of those, what I call experiments, the actual demonstrations, on to the boat. Nobody else in the country does that and Her Royal Highness was really supportive of what were doing and wanting to see that develop and be replicated and all the rest of it. Weve been working jolly hard on this. Its really important because its unique and theyll get a high level of education on the boat going forward. Mr Barrett met Mr Davis through his role as a chairman of trustees of the Berkshire Community Foundation. When Mr Davis was looking to step down seven years ago, he invited him to take over the day-to-day management of the charity. Mr Davis no longer takes an active role and instead describes himself as the CIO, or chief interference officer. The two men are committed to seeing the trust grow and want to see its success replicated across the country. Mr Barrett said: We both ran businesses in our careers so know the one thing you cant do is stand still. You can go backwards, you can go forward, but you cant stand still. Were going forwards and that means new initiatives. As Simon says, were trying to punch again above our weight. The pair are keen to recruit new volunteers and trustees to help the charity to expand, particularly those with expertise in marketing, human resources or business management. However big the organisation becomes, Mr Davis is determined to retain its original ethos, minimising visible controls and keeping the human relationships that are at its core. He said: We dont do the ordinary, we do the extraordinary and make it work. Weve kept the atmosphere, the culture. We try to avoid too many visible controls, though its all very carefully controlled, of course, with people who run the boat. We train the crew properly, we organise them properly. I think we make it a human exercise. Were not a normal charity, thank God, and I hope we never change. Our culture is about the people and the caring and this is what Chris does. Its brilliant, the smiles of the people coming off the boat. They are smiling and some can hardly walk and some can hardly talk, and the carers are just wonderful. If you look at it from the outside, its inspiring. Anyone interested in becoming involved, should call Mr Davis on (01491) 571257 or email at simondavis257@gmail.com CAROLINE Newton has been selected as the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the Henley and Thame constituency. She was chosen at a meeting of Oxfordshire Conservatives at Henley town hall on Saturday, which was attended by more than 100 party members. Ms Newton, 54, from Britwell Salome, near Watlington, will be looking to succeed sitting Conservative MP John Howell at the general election, which is widely expected to be held this autumn. Mr Howell, who has represented Henley in Parliament since 2008, announced in April that he would not be seeking re-election. Ms Newton was selected ahead of investment banker Lucy Demery, former serviceman Lincoln Jopp and Meg Powell-Chandler, a senior aide to ministers. She was a district councillor from 2017 to 2023 and a county councillor from 2012 to 2014. She has also chaired South Oxfordshire Conservative Association. Ms Newton was also special adviser to the prime minister for seven months in 2022 and read history at Cambridge. She told the Henley Standard: I am absolutely delighted and quite humbled, I am very conscious of the work that we have got to do because we are going to have to start this election campaign very soon. Any election that you are in you must assume that you are not going to win it. I knew that I was a strong candidate but I also knew that the other candidates are good. I live here so I know this constituency relatively well, but there is always more stuff than ever and there are always people that you need to speak to and causes that I would really like to support. I am going to be working really hard to get out to all the villages and towns, to met as many members as I can and also meet many members of the public who arent yet thinking of voting. Ms Newton celebrated by going to the Relais Henley hotel in Hart Street. She said: I have always been passionate about this constituency I call home, and particularly about supporting our environment, local businesses, and the most vulnerable people in our community. I look forward to meeting more residents across Henley and Thame over the coming months to hear what matters most to them; and to make my case for being their new representative in Parliament. Andrew Collins, who chairs the Henley and Thame Conservative Association, said: Caroline is a fantastic local campaigner, who will bring a strong background and wealth of experience to the role. We are all looking forward to working with her and know that she will be a great champion for all residents across the new Henley and Thame constituency. A full report will appear in this weeks Henley Standard, out on Friday. LORRAINE Kelly was so happy about her debut novel being compared to the work of the late author Maeve Binchy that it reduced her to tears. The television presenter and broadcasters book, The Island Swimmer, is a feelgood story set in Orkneys, an archipelago off the north-east coast of her native Scotland, which she loves. Lorraine, 64, will be in conversation with Steve Jones about the novel at a Henley Literary Festival pop-up event on Tuesday. One reviewer called the story warm and wise and dubbed the writer a Scottish Maeve Binchy. Maeve Binchy is my idol, says Lorraine, who lives near Bourne End with her husband, Steve Smith. Do you know, I didnt think I could love Tom Hanks more than I love him because hes one of the nicest people you could ever meet, but he was at a book festival and was asked who his favourite author is and he said, Maeve Binchy. You know, when people ask you that, you always think, Oh god, Id better say Tolstoy or something so that I can appear intellectual and terribly terribly but he said what I would say, he said Maeve. I just loved him because Binchy is the absolute, ultimate storyteller. Her books are beautiful and you learn so much from them. You learn about the characters but you learn about yourself when youre reading her books, like she puts a mirror up to you. Shes just wonderful. Obviously, shes no longer with us but I was lucky enough to interview her and she was absolutely everything you would expect, so it was a delight. Not only that but she sent me a little note to say thanks very much for the interview, which I framed and have on my wall because I love her so much. So when somebody said that I was just like her, I just cried. I just couldnt believe it. It was like, Oh my god, thats it. I dont need to do anything else. Ive reached the apex, thats it. The Island Swimmer follows the character of Evie, who is originally from Orkney. When her father falls ill, she returns to her family home on the island, which she left in her teens, vowing never to return. Something in her childhood caused her to fall out with her sister, Liv, who is less than pleased to see her back. While clearing out her fathers house for sale, Evie gets to know a group of cold-water swimmers, including an old friend, Freya. The therapeutic effects of the sea and new friendships help Evie to delve into her past, solve old mysteries and shake up her family. Lorraine and Steve recently attended the official book launch on the island. She says: It was lovely. I mean, Orkney is almost like a character in the book. Its stunning, it really is beautiful. Its a place that I love and I feel very comfortable there. Theres so much to do and to see. I mean, weve been going since the Eighties and we still havent seen everything. We havent been to every single wee island, we havent explored everywhere but we go every year and we do something different every year. All the islands are very different in Orkney, theyve all got their own sort of special magic. Its so picturesque and magical, its absolutely gorgeous. Last year, I was out shopping in the main street in Kirkwall and this van came around the corner with all these amazing girls on it and they were all covered in treacle and feathers and it was for a bride-to-be. Thats called a blackening. They said to me, Jump on, so I jumped on and joined in the celebrations. It was fantastic. Lorraines years of listening to television guests, talking to people from all walks of life and writing magazine columns helped her form the characters in the book. All the people that Ive interviewed over the years, thats actually really helped me because you get a sort of insight into what is called the human condition, you really do. You meet all different people, famous, non-famous, you know, good people, bad people, all different types of people. So, although theres part of me that wishes Id done this before, maybe sort of coming up to 65 is the right time, you know? Originally from Glasgow, Lorraine lived in Cookham Dean and Broughty Ferry, Dundee, before moving to Bourne End with Steve and daughter Rosie seven years ago. She and Rosie, 29, have appeared together on Celebrity Gogglebox. She says: Were so lucky where we are, its such a lovely area. Weve got all these different walks and I think that kept us all sane during covid as we got to take our doggies out for a walk. Weve been doing the Thames Walk in little bits, all out of sequence, and were going to try to do a lot more of that this year. Its a great part of the world. Lorraine will also be writing a follow-up novel as she has a two-book deal with her publisher. I feel as if Im not finished with these characters, she says. I got a lot of inspiration just being back up in Orkney anyway but its up to the readers. I mean, so far, the reviews have been lovely and Im just really heartened by that. As long as the readers enjoy the book and they put it down thinking, Ah, that was a good story and Id like to know more about these characters and I would also quite like to visit Orkney, then my work here is done. Lorraine Kelly will be in conversation with Steve Jones at Christ Church in Reading Road, Henley, on Tuesday (February 20) from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets cost 15 adults, or 22.50 to include a copy of The Island Swimmer. For more details and to buy tickets, visit www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk In 2011, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee won a landslide victory in the West Bengal assembly elections to end 34 years of uninterrupted CPM-led Left Front rule. A key promise of the TMC then was poriborton (change). The change Banerjee promised was not just a change of government but also a change of the toxic political culture, produced by a self-serving nexus of party cadres and government machinery. Protests in Singur and Nandigram over land acquisition led to a groundswell against the CPM organisation and later, the government, in the 2010s. Land acquisition may have been the immediate trigger, but underlining the protests then was anger against the party government that had refused to let people breathe, and voice their discontent against party cadres and policies. The ongoing protests in Sandeshkhali, a village in North 24 Parganas, suggest that the plot has not changed in West Bengal politics even though the cast has. Sandeshkhali is a throwback to the past when the party in office thought it could ignore public anger and back tainted leaders. Chief minister Banerjee needs to uphold the rule of law and ensure that the state machinery implements the law impartially and is seen to be doing so. It has not helped that the state police are unable to apprehend Sheikh Shahjahan, a TMC leader, on the run in an alleged ration scam. The violence in Sandeshkhali started when a mob attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who were raiding Shahjahans residence on January 5. Since then, allegations of land grab and sexual harassment, including child abuse, have been levelled against Shahjahan and his aides. State police were late to act on the charges while the TMC accused the BJP and the Left-Congress leadership as well as the state governor, CV Ananda Bose, of politicising the case. On Saturday, gang rape charges were finally and belatedly filed against TMC leaders named in the case following intense pressure from the ground and the Opposition. Violence has been a leitmotif of politics in West Bengal since the late 1960s. The Congress and the CPM used it to suppress political opposition. In office, the TMC has followed the same template, using its presence in government to influence all aspects of civic life and the political process, to monopolise power and control public institutions. Sandeshkhali suggests that the people have had enough; it is a warning the TMC needs to heed, especially with national elections around the corner. Board Exams 2024 News Live Updates: Class 10th and 12th final examinations of various state and central education boards are underway. The Council For the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) is conducting the Indian School Certificate (ISC) Mathematics paper today, February 19. Jharkhand Academic Council's (JAC) Geology, Business Studies, Psychology papers will also take place today....Read More Also read: CBSE 10th, 12th board exam 2024 live updates Also read: BSEB Bihar board Matric exam 2024 live updates In Maharashtra, board exams will begin tomorrow for HSC or Class 12 students. CISCE's ICSE or Class 10 final examinations will also begin tomorrow. Follow this live blog for all the latest news and updates on board exams across the country. Janhvi Kapoor has been having a good run in Bollywood and with her first Telugu film, Devara, with Jr NTR proceeding briskly, things are only looking up for her. The latest news is that she has been signed on for Tamil star Suriyas Hindi film with director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. This was also confirmed by her father Boney Kapoor during an interaction with YouTube channel iDream Media. (Also read: Boney Kapoor confirms Janhvi Kapoor has been roped in for Ram Charan's next) Janhvi Kapoor may be seen opposite Suriya in Karna. What Boney Kapoor said? Boney said, My daughter has already shot for a film with Jr NTR. Shes loving every bit of the day she spends on sets here. Soon, she will start a film with Ram Charan too. These two boys are doing very well. She has been watching a lot of Telugu films, and she feels blessed to work with them. Hopefully, the films will work, and she will get more work. She will also act with Suriya soon. My wife (Sridevi) acted in multiple languages, I hope my daughter does the same. What is the film? Suriya had shifted to Mumbai a few years back and his wife actor Jyotika also started her second innings in Hindi cinema. He was in talks with director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for Karna based on the Mahabharata and it was confirmed late last year he would play the lead role. Now, it looks like Janhvi has also signed on as the leading lady. This movie is said to be mounted on a lavish scale and will be released in two parts. Suriya is busy currently busy with his magnum opus Kanguva and his next project with Sudha Kongara. Karna is likely to go on floors towards the end of 2024. Janhvi will be seen next in Devara with Jr NTR. Saif Ali Khan plays the antagonist in the movie. It will release in October this year after an eight-month delay was recently announced. Filmmaker Boney Kapoor put an end to all speculation and confirmed in a recent interview that Janhvi Kapoor has indeed signed her second Telugu project. He told iDream Media that the actor will share the screen with Ram Charan soon in his upcoming project with Uppena director Buchi Babu Sana. (Also Read: Janhvi Kapoor apologises to sister Khushi on Instagram: Im sorry I fought with you) Janhvi Kapoor will share the screen with Ram Charan in Buchi Babu Sana's next(Instagram) She feels blessed Janhvi is currently shooting for Koratala Sivas Devara with Jr NTR. Talking about it and her upcoming Telugu projects, Boney said, My daughter has already shot for a film with Jr NTR. Shes loving every bit of the day she spends on sets here. Soon, she will start a film with Ram Charan too. These two boys are doing very well. She has been watching a lot of Telugu films, and she feels blessed to work with them. Hopefully, the films will work, and she will get more work. She will also act with Suriya soon. My wife (Sridevi) acted in multiple languages, I hope my daughter does the same. I wanted to buy a house in Hyderabad Boney has shot numerous projects in Hyderabad and he spoke of how much the city has changed through the years. He also revealed that he once wanted to buy a home here for Sridevi but he no longer has the heart to. Ive shot 12 of my films in Hyderabad, back then it was a growing city. When I came back after a few years, the whole city had changed. I used to drive myself around, now I need someone local to guide me. I wanted to buy a house in Hyderabad for my wife because she worked a lot here. I remember we used to relish a lot of Andhra khaana (food) whenever we were here. Now, I dont have the heart to, he said. Upcoming work Apart from her Telugu projects with Jr NTR and Ram Charan and the Tamil film with Suriya, Janhvi will be seen in Mr and Mrs Mahi and Ulajh in Hindi. The makers of Ram Charans next are yet to make an official announcement. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place A senior Chhattisgarh minister declared last week standing outside the state assembly that the state government was planning to bring an anti-conversion law during that session. The minister did not specify the clauses of the proposed bill. However, officials in the government aware of the development said the government can bring the Chhattisgarh Dharma Swatantra Adhiniyam (Amendment) bill, 2006, which was put on hold by the several governors on multiple occasions in the past. In 2006, when the United Progressive Alliance was in power at the Centre, the bill was not sent back to the state after the Presidents approval. After multiple rejections and holding back of the bill, the Governor had sent the bill forward to the President for his assent. The President asked for some queries and that bill was put on hold. The reply was sent and it is expected that the same bill will be tabled with some changes, a senior IAS officer, who did not wish to be named, said. Experts believe that the amendment bill that is passed by the legislature has not lapsed, but after the Presidents assent, can become an act. Article 200 provides three options to the Governor either give assent or withhold assent or reserve the bill for the President's assent. Article 201 states that the President may provide assent or withhold the assent by either asking the Governor to reject and send back the bill to the House or to send the bill to the House with a message. In the present case, the President exercised the option of sending the bill back with certain questions. As soon as the President gives assent, it will become an Act, said Abhinav K Shukla, assistant professor of Hidayatullah National Law University. A senior Chhattisgarh official who asked to remain anonymous, said that exact details of the bill are unknown, and is yet to be discussed by the cabinet. In 2006, objections were raised over the issue of return to the original religion. The main objection raised was what if a tribal person did not know the ancestral religion. In that case, if he converted to Hinduism and claimed that he/she reverted to an original religion, what would the proof of that be, the officer explained. The officer further said that conversions in tribal areas are from Hinduism to Christianity. The Union government then stated that as forceful conversions and will be subjected to restrictions/ prior intimation and permissions, the return to original religion conversions will be absolutely exempted from prosecution, said the officer. What is the existing act? The Madhya Pradesh Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 1968 was adopted by Chhattisgarh when it came into existence in 2000. The Act prohibits conversion from one religion to another by the use of force or allurement or by fraudulent means and for matters incidental. Conversion implies renouncing ones religion and adopting another. Force implies a show of force or a threat of injury of any kind including the threat of divine displeasure or social ex-communication. The act further defined fraud as misrepresentation or any other fraudulent contrivance. The Act stated that no person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religious faith to another by the use of force or by allurement or by any fraudulent means nor shall any person abet any such conversion. To do so would invite a punishment of imprisonment up to a year or a fine of up to 5,000. In the case of a minor, a woman or a person belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, the punishment shall be imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to 10,000. The Act stated that anyone who converted any person from one religious faith to another either by performing the ceremony necessary for such conversion as a religious priest or by taking part directly or indirectly in such ceremony shall, within such period after the ceremony as may be prescribed, was required to send an intimation to the district magistrate of the region in which the ceremony took place. Any violation of this rule was punishable with imprisonment of up to a year or with fine of up to 1000. Any offence committed under this act was cognizable and had to be investigated by an officer above the rank of inspector. What was the amendment bill of 2006? Chhattisgarh Dharma Swantantraya Adhiniyam, 2006 was passed by the Raman Singh-led government. It stated that the return to a persons ancestors religion or their own original religion cannot be construed as conversion. The then BJP government claimed that conversion by use of force, allurement or by fraudulent means was common in Chhattisgarh, especially in the tribal areas. Thus, deterrent provisions in the existing Chhattisgarh Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 1968 were necessary, the bill stated. The bill also increased the punishment of the offence making it punishable to up to three years or with fine of up to 20,000 or both. Whoever intends to convert any person from one religious faith to another either by performing himself the ceremony necessary for such conversion as a religious priest or by taking part directly or indirectly in such ceremony, shall apply for permission at least thirty days before the intended date of such conversion, to the District Magistrate in whose jurisdiction the ceremony is intended to be performed, in such form, as may be prescribed, the amendment read, seeking that any intimation of conversion take place before it happened, rather than after. Furthermore, the amendment allowed the district magistrate the power to refuse permission. The District Magistrate shall, after inquiry, by an order, permit or refuse to permit any person to convert, any person, from one religious faith to another and such permission shall be valid for two months from the date of its order, it stated. Any person aggrieved by the order passed by the magistrate may appeal, within thirty days from the date of the order to the district judge whose decision shall be final, the amendment read. It further clarified that no civil court shall entertain any suit or proceeding against any decision made or order passed by any officer or authority under the law or any rule made thereunder. No person accused of an offence punishable under this Act shall be released on bail or on his own bond unless the public prosecutor has been given an opportunity to oppose the application for such release, it stated. The issue of religious conversion has been a contention for decades. In 1963, the then Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief MS Golwalkar inaugurated the permanent office of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. The ashram itself was established in Jashpur, in what is now Chhattisgarh, in 1952. By 1993, BJP leader Dilip Singh Judeo, began a ghar vapsi campaign, in which he held mass programmes for Christians to rejoin the Hindu faith. Judeo died in 2013, and his son Prabal Pratap Singh Judeo, who is secretary of the Chhattisgarh BJP unit, continues this work. While striking down the Electoral Bonds Scheme last week, the Supreme Courts constitution bench suggested reverting to an existing electoral trust mechanism that allows for pooling of sums of money from different entities and leaves it upon the trusts management to decide where the money goes thus putting some distance between the political organisation and the donor. The objective of curbing black money in electoral financing can be achieved through electoral trusts, the judges held. The nature and source of funding for political parties have for decades been a matter of close scrutiny over the implications money could have on the democratic process and the very lawmakers who determine policy. This is best captured in how these regulations have evolved in India. Independence to 1970s Political parties traditionally relied on private donations and membership dues for financing, while corporate contributions were legal but subject to restrictions, requiring disclosure in company accounts. Black money became prevalent due to the high taxation regime and the protectionist policy framework instituted in the 1950s. Some of this black money was funnelled back to political parties and candidates for favourable policy decisions, a paper titled Reforming Indias party financing and election expenditure laws published in 2012 stated. The paper was co-authored by Professor E Sridharan, academic director at the University of Pennsylvanias Institute for the Advanced Study of India and professor MV Rajeev Gowda, Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore. The authors, who studied the evolution of electoral financing, pointed out that the Santhanam Committee (1964) and the Wanchoo Committee (1971) were the first to highlight the influence of illicit funds on political decision-making. In response, then prime minister Indira Gandhi banned corporate donations in 1968. However, in 1979, political parties were exempted from income and wealth taxes provided they filed annual returns, including audited accounts, listed donations of 10,000 and above, and disclosed the identities of such donors. From 1980s to 1990s An amendment to the Companies Act in 1985, through Section 293A, once again allowed corporate donations but with conditions. Companies could donate a maximum of 5% of their average net profit over the previous three years subject to approval by their board of directors, and disclosure was needed in the profit and loss account statements in audited annual reports. In 1990, the Dinesh Goswami Committee recommended limited state funding (fuel charges for campaigning, rental charges for microphones, etc) for campaign expenses and advocated for a ban on corporate donations to political parties, leaving a gap in campaign finance. In 1993, the Confederation of Indian Industry proposed tax-deductible corporate contributions and state funding of elections. In 1996, the Supreme Court mandated political parties to file returns, ensuring transparency in party finance. Two years later, the Indrajit Gupta Committee on State Funding of Elections recommended partial state funding for campaign-related expenses (including supplies like petrol, diesel, and paper for election literature), but proposed denying state funding to parties failing to maintain audited accounts and IT returns. Additionally, it suggested creating separate election funds, funded by Central and state governments, although most state governments expressed their inability to contribute. However, the committee did not address corporate donations to political parties. In the 2000s The Election and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Act of September 2003, enacted by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, made company and individual contributions to political parties fully tax-deductible under Sections 80GGB and 80GGC of the Income Tax Act. It raised the threshold of mandatory disclosure of donations to over 20,000 from 10,000. Even if a political party got a very large sum of money in cash from a corporation, they could just break it down into smaller denominations using creative accounting and not reveal the donor, said RTI activist Anjali Bharadwaj. In 2013, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government brought a scheme to allow electoral trusts to be created under Section 25 of the Companies Act. Trusts allowed political contributions by pooling funds of donations made by multiple entities, thereby allowing for a distance between the funder and the party they donated to. Electoral trusts allow corporates to donate without engaging directly with the parties and also get a tax exemption on their donation. However, electoral trusts are transparent in the sense that we know which companies are donating to them, said Professor Sanjay Kumar of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS). The Supreme Court has struck down electoral bonds, citing that the harm they cause outweighs their benefits, as they allow for complete anonymity in political funding. If the objective is to ensure transparency and curb black money, political parties should be banned from accepting or spending cash, with all donations made through transparent banking channels. If companies want to be anonymous then an alternative to electoral bonds could be electoral trusts, which offer some anonymity to donors in terms of which party they are donating to while still promoting transparency, Bhardwaj said. Between the 2013-14 and 2022-23 financial years (April 1-March 31 period in respective years), 2,603.3 crore was contributed to political parties via various electoral trusts. Between the years 2013-14 and 2016-17, the total amount of political donations through electoral trusts amounted to 637.54 crore. By comparison, between the financial years of 2017-18 the first year under electoral bonds donations and 2022-23, electoral bonds worth 11,984.91 crore were encashed. However, the NDA government, which introduced this scheme as a money bill in 2017, was clear that it would ensure transparency. The then finance minister Arun Jaitley made a case for electoral bonds in a 2018 Facebook post titled, Why electoral bonds are necessary (later disseminated by the Press Information Bureau), stating: A major step was taken during the first NDA Government led by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Income Tax Act was amended to include a provision that donations made to political parties would be treated as expenditure and would thus give a tax advantage to the donor... The law was further amended during the UPA government to provide for pass through electoral trusts so that the donors would park their money with the electoral trusts, which in turn would distribute the same to various political parties. Both these reforms taken together resulted in only a small fraction of the donations coming in the form of cheques, he wrote. Shortly after the bill was cleared, giving the legal basis for the electoral scheme (which was notified in January 2018), the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms moved the Supreme Court against the bonds. The SC referred the pleas against the scheme to a five-judge Constitution bench in October 2023 and the battle reached a conclusion on Thursday when the bench ruled the scheme and related amendments unconstitutional. In the short term, SC has said that parties have to disclose the donations of the last six years. I think the ruling party will appeal against that as it will be tough to give a review so quickly before the current election. We have to wait and see to what extent the donations will be disclosed, Sridharan said. Going back to cash donations will be negative but bonds are totally non-transparent, Sridharan added. They (government) will have to bring about a completely new system, something which is transparent and accountable. Views about Indian agriculture are polarised. On one extreme are a bunch of farmers organisations demanding that the government bring in a law to offer guaranteed minimum support prices (MSP) for all crops in the country. We have previously discussed in detail why such a view is flawed. But there also exists another extreme viewpoint. The crux of this view is that government interventions, mostly with an eye to keep food prices from going up, are the biggest reason for the predicament of the Indian farmers. The best way to guarantee the well-being of Indian farmers, these commentators argue, is for the state to discontinue all interventions in the food market. Will such a policy really work wonders for farm incomes? A look at relevant statistics does not support such blanket arguments. An improvement in agricultural incomes requires farmers to be organised into cooperatives so that they can increase their bargaining power in both input and output markets,(AFP FILE) There is a growing governance malaise in the world. The United States (US) and China the two growth engines of the world, accounting for over 40% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are gripped by disparate but seemingly unresolvable governance challenges with major consequences for the global economy and world order. Everyone comments on the extreme level of polarisation in the US that is now poisoning the countrys social fabric. People see the other as an enemy. Television channels serve different belief segments, and social media accentuates and propagates divisive rhetoric. Extreme and false views designed to stoke hate are commonplace. In fact, truth itself is under attack. Facts are contested. In the past, different sides had different narratives around facts, now the fact itself is contested. Half the population does not believe Joe Biden won the US presidential elections in 2020 despite multiple court verdicts confirming his victory. Many people are not sure that Capitol Hill was attacked by unruly mobs on January 6, 2021. A lie is defined in relation to a truth. However, when the truth itself is contested, what is a lie then? If the truth itself is challenged, then the integrity of institutions required in a democracy for governance faces a major credibility challenge. When the US Supreme Court opines on some of the cases against former president Donald Trump, the judgments, for large parts of the population, will not be acceptable because they dont accept the facts on which these are based. The basic edifice on which social contracts are anchored does not hold any more. When this occurs within the global hegemon, then the rules-based order comes under major stress. The global democratic governance model is damaged, with all its allied consequences. China is facing a more typical governance challenge characteristic of authoritarian regimes under stress. All authoritarian regimes control the dissemination of data and information. China has a unique authoritarian system, having institutionalised a peaceful transfer of power every 10 years. Within the sacerdotal of the Communist Party, there was sharp contestation for power. But to the lay population, this was opaque and not disruptive. Competitive power centres allowed information to flow up to the party leadership. Much has changed under Xi Jinping. He took decisive steps to concentrate power, purged rivals on corruption grounds, and introduced stronger controls on civil society to silence any dissent. The purge extended beyond political rivals and included CEOs of technology companies and even film stars. He challenged Americas hegemony with the Belt and Road Initiative. He sought primacy in the Pacific with a muscular foreign policy, putting China at odds with Japan, Australia, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam, and isolating the country. He has now breached the 10-year limit and has arrogated all powers to himself. He has miscalculated by overestimating Chinese strength and American weakness. The ensuing backlash in terms of tariff walls, bans on Chinese goods and products, and western companies shifting away from China has been consequential. Its export-led manufacturing economy has been hit. While globalisation and interlinked supply chains continue, there is a dependence anathema in the western block, and many countries are encouraging their companies to unwind their China dependence. To add to this, Covid was very poorly handled and caused a sharp slowdown in the countrys economy and serious hardship to its people. Authoritarian regimes cannot share such bad news internally. So, China has started suppressing data on youth unemployment, among other things, and now, the credibility of the GDP number itself is suspect. When data on core metrics like GDP growth are not believable, investment decisions are affected. Thereafter, typically, even the information that reaches the top political leadership is massaged. Everyone hides bad news (the typical problem of killing-the-messenger syndrome). This starts impeding economic decisions as they are made on flawed data. The system clamps down, the economy starts to falter, and controls increase. This is when capital and talent start fleeing the country, and the dynamism of the economy gets affected. Thereafter, industrialists close to the regime, who can influence decisions, benefit while the general population suffers. There are three obvious implications of this twin governance challenge to the world. The first is the moral authority of the US on the global stage gets weaker, reducing its soft power despite a robust economy. The legitimacy of its vital institutions comes under attack, damaging its ability to be an effective spokesperson for liberal values and a rules-based order. Second, the actions in China provide a licence to a growing group of authoritarian regimes (Russia, Iran, and North Korea) to close ranks and feel emboldened to suppress democratic institutions. The third issue is the impact on the global economy. China's slowing down is not helpful for the global economy. Even today, China accounts for 17% of the global GDP, 13% of consumption and 31% of manufacturing. The rest of the world would like the country to play by global rules buy more, subsidise and dump less. Yet it does not want the Chinese economy to slow down and stutter. German automakers, French luxury companies, and many others are heavily dependent on the China market. The US and the rest find their supply chains still pass through China. China has also built up a dominant position in producing many vital products and has a dominant position in mining rare materials. All this is at risk and the reset will take time, slowing global economic growth. While India is among the better placed countries in this global governance turmoil, it is not unaffected. Most at jeopardy is the Indian motto of satyameva jayate (truth alone triumphs). Globally, truth has not faced such a strong attack. Janmejaya Sinha is chairman, BCG India. The views expressed are personal In international politics, diplomacy and the military are inextricably linked. There is no consensus, however, on the precise boundaries separating the military and foreign policy domains. For instance, should the depth and extent of foreign military cooperation be decided by diplomats or military professionals? Ideally, this is a deliberative process, but, as with matters pertaining to different bureaucracies, there is always some tension. Many American diplomats deride the outsized role of the Pentagon in the United States (US)s foreign policy. Indias story reflects its tradition of strong civilian control over the military diplomats, for better and for worse, have been firmly in the driving seat. But with growing capabilities and interests, we need to reconsider the current terms of the partnership between the military and our diplomats. Ironically, recent policy measures of redeployment of military attaches may end up narrowing the scope of the militarys overseas engagements. The militarys main point of contact for its overseas engagements is through the office of the defence attache. Since Independence, India has progressively increased the number of defence attaches posted worldwide. Currently, there are around 64 military officers, and supporting enlisted staff, assigned to about 55 military missions. The number of staff posted at these missions, and their service affiliations, divulge the revealed preferences of its military and foreign engagements. For instance, until very recently, India had 10 officers posted to its mission in Moscow, indicative of its military-technical exchange and its Cold War-era reliance on Russian platforms. Moreover, indicative of the leading component of its bilateral engagement, the three services have divided up their responsibilities. For instance, naval officers serve as defence attaches to Sri Lanka, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, and Japan, among others, whereas Army officers are posted to countries like Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea, and Italy, and air force officers to countries like Brazil, Egypt and Israel. Recently, the strength of military officers posted to different missions was rationalised. Citing the need to enhance defence exports and engagement with other countries, officers and their supporting staff were reduced and redeployed from some missions to others. Hence, the number posted in Russia was cut from 10 to seven, in France from three to two and, quite surprisingly, in the United Kingdom (UK), from three to one. The officers were removed altogether from countries like Chile and Sudan, among others. For the first time ever, officers were posted in countries such as Spain, Djibouti, Philippines, Tanzania and Poland. This was perhaps necessary to fill voids and explore opportunities for defence trade. However, the reduction inevitably decreases the capabilities of these missions. Such tinkering also reveals a piecemeal approach to this issue. Instead, the government should think more creatively about defence diplomacy. First, there is a strong case to be made to drastically increase the number of such military missions worldwide. The number of Indian military attaches abroad stands at 64 currently, with unconfirmed reports that this may rise to 70. This is grossly inadequate for the expanding arc of Indias interests and engagements. In contrast, China has military attaches in over 110 countries, with varying numbers of officers posted in each. The UK has around 145 attaches whereas the US has a much larger number. To be sure, all three are resource-rich countries and so these numbers should be considered aspirational rather than absolute. Second, and perhaps more importantly, the government should stop thinking of military attaches as mere procurement officers posted to further technical and defence trade. Instead, military attaches have other equally critical functions, such as influencing and interacting with the host country and with other members of the diplomatic community, gathering intelligence, and projecting perspectives. To be sure, these are intangibles and bureaucrats abhor unquantifiable outcomes. Nonetheless, military attaches should be essential to any diplomatic strategy. They are even more important as a potential channel of engagement in the Global South, where the military is a prominent political actor. Third, the military itself needs to rethink its policy on posting attaches. So far, it posts career officers, which is a great exposure and learning curve for such officers. However, this also prevents an in-depth knowledge and continuing regional expertise among the officers. To address this, the military may consider creating a separate stream, akin to the US foreign area officers, for individuals inclined towards such a career. It may be best, therefore, to have a mix of careerists and area specialists. Unfortunately, however, the military seems stuck in desultory debates about inter-services allocations of attaches. Eventually, military attaches are best utilised if they are adequately empowered. In fact, current service rules, relics of a bygone era, prohibit officers from interacting with foreigners. The ministry of external affairs also needs to shed a gatekeeping attitude towards military diplomacy. There are ambassadors and high commissioners who confidently engage and utilise the services of the military. Equally, there are others who keep the military at a distance. Indias interests are best served with a partnership between these two equals confidently projecting and protecting our countrys interests. Anit Mukherjee is a senior lecturer at the India Institute at Kings College London. The views expressed are personal Unofficial results of the Indonesian elections indicate that Prabowo Subianto will become the next president of the country. A second round of voting may not be needed to decide the winner. Prabowo was the opponent of the current president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in the previous election but was made the minister of defence by the latter. Jokowi intended to create a conducive environment for governance by incorporating his opponent into the government. Prabowo was a former military general and his closeness with the armed forces might have been a consideration. However, the relationship between Jokowi and Prabowo became too close. Jokowis 37-year-old son, Gibran, is Prabowos running mate (vice-president nominee). Hence, there is a perception that Jokowi is supporting this team. Jokowis own party had put up a candidate (and there was a third candidate too who was somewhat independent but got the support of a few religious movements). Jokowi seems to have ditched his own party due to his sons political ambitions. Gibrans nomination as Prabowos running mate was not a smooth decision. He was underaged for the position based on the current law, but the constitutional court decided in his favour. One of the judges who is part of this decision is a relative of Jokowi, and there are allegations that the judicial process was compromised. Jokowi continues to be a popular leader. But he has exhausted the cap on the number of presidential terms in the country. His popularity should have helped his party to retain power, but it is helping the Opposition leader due to the controversial decision related to his son. Many ordinary people voted for Prabowo due to their support for Jokowi. His son also enjoys a certain level of approval, probably due to his fathers record in politics. A minority view is that democracy could possibly regress as an outcome of this election. The country saw an advancement of democracy during the last few decades after the end of the dictatorship. Jokowis emergence can be seen as a manifestation of the decline of elite-capture. However, Prabowo has a controversial past. He was married into the family of Suharto, the dictator, and he was discharged from the military due to possible human rights violations. There were allegations of his links to the kidnapping and killing of politicians opposed to Suharto, but he was not proven guilty. Hence, a number of commentators see a possible return of authoritarian tendencies in the country as Prabowo takes charge, even as he tries to project himself as a leader of all people. Given Gibrans relatively young age and his fathers popularity, there is an apprehension that Indonesia is moving towards another period of dynastic politics. The children of elite rulers have played an important role in Indonesias politics in the past. This is continuing in the case of Jokowi, though he was probably the first from an ordinary family to become president. Jokowis shift from his own party may erode popular support for it. The third candidate, despite his education and other credentials, polled merely 20% of the votes. All this could weaken competitive democracy in Indonesia. Indonesia is an important player in the global economy for a number of reasons. It is also the only country in the region which is close to both the US and China (and can possibly play the role of a link between them). It has rich deposits of metals and elements critical for the manufacturing of electric vehicles. It is also the fourth most populous nation, and given its youth bulge, its demographic dividend may be reflected in global economic choices. Jokowi successfully projected political stability, and this attracted foreign investors. He also ushered in certain improvements in the lives of people. The good thing about the Prabowo-Gibran win is that Jokowis policies could continue. This may alleviate the anxieties of international investors and other players. Though there are overlapping concerns and no major disagreements between India and Indonesia, the relationship between these two countries has not flourished. These are geographically close to each other (as Indonesias Banda Aceh province is just 200 kms away from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands), with shared concerns on the happenings in the Indian Ocean. Indonesias relationship with China is driven more by economic considerations and is also shaped by the presence of a sizeable Chinese population in the country. The hope is the new regime is able to balance between both interests. The recent elections demonstrate a trend wherein a few individuals (not their parties) dominate politics. There are similarities in this regard between India and Indonesia. V Santhakumar is a professor at Azim Premji University. The views expressed are personal Farmers in certain parts of the country are restive once again. They have started marching towards Delhi to exert pressure on the Union government through sit-ins. They claim the government has not kept the promises it made to them. However, one question arises: If farmers are present throughout the country, why is their agitation not nationwide? Ill try to explain this in a bit, but first, let us first talk about a similar situation in Europe. Farmers from several European countries recently drove their tractors into major cities there. They blockaded highways and attempted to halt the operation of ports. Governments in France, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Spain all succumbed to the protests. Farmers were angry owing to the policies of their respective governments, and they believed they were being treated unfairly. Resource-rich France and Germany swiftly agreed to some of the farmers demands. France reinstated cuts to fuel subsidies and scrapped the law that restricted pesticide use. Germany has also announced similar measures. The European Union has put forward numerous proposals on the use of fertilisers and pesticides that farmers believe are not in their best interests. They have also been assured that the policy would be reassessed. Can European farmers be compared with those in Punjab and Haryana? The circumstances are certainly different, but there are similarities as well. Agriculture in India needs a new vision and strategy, and not just ad hoc interventions. It will now have to adapt to changing circumstances. Agriculture has shaped our society and culture for centuries, but farmers have always been under stress. They continue to worry over the decreasing size of land holdings, increasing water scarcity, and land becoming progressively infertile. Has the government turned a blind eye to their problems, forcing them to obstruct road and railway traffic? In the 2019 interim budget, the Union government resolved to grant farming households 6,000 each year from the treasury. Similarly, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the government began providing free foodgrain and edible oil every month to the needy. These schemes have since continued, and are regarded as a great aid in the villages of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Bihar, which I have visited. The central and state governments also operate numerous social programmes for children of farmers and agricultural labourers and for women involved in farming. The needy benefit from direct cash transfers to farmer accounts. Not just that, this class is also entitled to several other agricultural concessions. It does not require any great insight to discern the positive impact these have had on the rural economy. If this is the case, why are farmer and farm worker suicide rates climbing year after year? According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, 11,290 persons associated with agriculture died by suicide in 2022. Of these, 5,027 were farmers, while 6,083 worked on farms as labourers. This year, such deaths have grown by 3.75% over last year. These are worrying figures, to be sure, but not everyone who is experiencing bad luck is associated with agriculture. In data from 2022, 170,921 suicides were reported to the NCRB. Of these, 11.6% were self-employed, 11.6% were housewives, 9.6% were unemployed, 9.2% were employed, and 7.6% were students. Another 26% were daily wage workers. Farmers ranked seventh on this list. But a suicide is a suicide. The entire social and economic system must be held accountable for this, but the solution takes resources, time, and patience. Another issue also needs to be discussed here. It is commonly stated that the agriculture sector contributed more than half of Indias gross domestic product (GDP) when the country gained Independence in 1947. In 2022-23, this became just 15%. This figure is sometimes presented as a reflection of the deteriorating situation in agriculture, despite the fact that in rapidly developing countries, industry, trade, and service sectors are expanding significantly. Had this not occurred, agricultures small percentage of the total GDP of the richest countries in the world the United States and Germany would not have continued to remain at just 1%. Are the demands made by the protesting farmers unjustified? No. They have their own grief and suffering. We have to look at these. But it is impossible to overlook the fact that other sections of the population also require government assistance just as much, if not more, as the figures here make evident. Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. The views expressed are personal THE TACTICS of Valery Zaluzhny, the overall commander of Ukraines armed forces, will be studied by military historians. But the fate of the country rests upon the shoulders of other men further down the chain of command, tooamong them Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky, who leads the countrys ground forces. Who is he, and how is he likely to prosecute Ukraines war effort? General Syrsky was born in 1965 in Vladimir, then in the Soviet Union, now in Russia. He has lived in Ukraine since the 1980s. Like most people of his age in Ukraines armed forces he trained at the Higher Military Command School in Moscow, the Soviet Unions equivalent of Americas West Point, alongside peers who are now Russian commanders. Before becoming head of Ukraines land forces in 2019 he was the ground commander for operations in the east of the country and played a prominent role in the war that began in 2014 with Russias invasion of Crimea. He was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, which is given for exceptional duty in defence of state sovereignty and state security. Colleagues describe the general as ascetic, with an addiction to thegym. He is said to be an obsessive planner. Some Western analysts say that his battle tactics reflect his hierarchical Soviet training. However, his operational flexibility differentiates his approach from that of Russian generals. He preaches NATO principles of decentralised command, learned during a stint in Brussels in 2013, where he met representatives of the alliance to discuss how to modernise Ukraines forces. He emphasises the importance of hybrid warfare. He prioritises his troops morale: every day he reads messages from hundreds of soldiers and he regularly visits them in the field. You must feel the spirit of the army, he says. In July 2021 General Zaluzhny, who is eight years younger than General Syrsky and was then under his command, was promoted over his senior to lead Ukraines armed forces. After the invasion, General Zaluzhny became so popular that allies of Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, worried that he could pose a political threat. Last summer some insiders argued that General Syrsky should replace him. The ground commander may agree. Cracks of disunity have worried Western military officials. Publicly at least the generals say that they trust each other completely. In an interview with The Economist in December General Syrsky insisted: The army is outside of politics. Many of Ukraines victories since the Russian invasion in February 2022 can be attributed to General Syrsky. That month, as Vladimir Putins troops massed on the border, the general ordered military hardware to be moved off bases, so the kit would not be destroyed by airstrikes in the event of war. While Mr Zelensky was playing down the risk of an attack on the capital, Kyiv, General Syrsky was preparing for one. Two rings of defence were constructed around the city, and its borders were divided between generals who were authorised to make tactical decisions. When Kyiv came under threat in March 2022 a dam on the Irpin river was blown up to flood the Russian positions and destroy their pontoon bridge in order to prevent them from approaching the city. The invaders retreated. (The destruction of the Kakhova dam on the Dnieper river on June 6th this year, believed to have been carried out by Russia, caused much wider devastation and will make it harder for Ukrainian troops to move eastward.) In April 2022 General Syrsky was made a Hero of Ukraine, the countrys highest honour. In July he planned and executed a successful operation to push Russian troops far enough away from the city of Kharkiv so their artillery could no longer reach it. After that, life in Ukraines second city became a lot more tolerable. In September Ukraines shock counter-offensive broke through Russian lines nearby. It was General Syrsky who raised the Ukrainian flag in the liberated town of Balakliya. More recently he led the defence of Bakhmut. American military strategists argued that spending so much effort to defend a strategically insignificant town made little sense. But keeping the Russians physically and psychologically committed to a battle of attrition for such a meagre prize may have been a masterstroke. Many more of those will be needed for Ukraine to make gains during the counter-offensive that began on June 5th. With 12 offensive brigades at its disposal, and a front of more than 1,000km along which to operate, Ukraine cannot afford to spread itself too thinly. General Syrskys brilliance faces a momentous challenge. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com The new Google "Talk to a Live Rep" feature is now being tested by the American software giant. This innovation was spotted by numerous users, who shared what they saw on X (formerly called Twitter). They said that the new Talk to a Live Representative is quite similar to Google Pixel's "Hold for Me" feature, which is exclusive to the tech firm's Android smartphones. Thanks to the arrival of the new Talk to a Live Representative, Google users who don't have a Google Pixel smartphone can now take advantage of a new feature that will call a company and wait for an available rep on their behalf. New Google Feature Calls Business, Waits for Available Representative on Your Behalf! According to Tech Crunch's latest report, the new Google Talk to a Live Rep feature is currently available in the United States. However, only selected users who joined Search Labs can access it. Those who are able to access it said that the new Talk to a Live Rep is available on the Google app for both Android and iOS, as well as Chrome on PCs. Although this new Google feature has many similarities to Google Pixel's Hold for Me, tech enthusiasts said that it has one advantage over the latter. Unlike the Hold for Me, the new Talk to a Live Rep feature allows Google's systems to navigate the user's phone tree. It will be the one calling the user back when a customer representative is already available on the line. This is more effective compared to the Hold for Me feature, which can only be activated once a user is already on hold and waiting for a customer service representative to answer. Read Also: Google Upgrades Bard AI's YouTube Extension To Better Answer Questions About Videos How to Access Google Talk to a Live Rep Feature The new Google Talk to a Live Rep feature is accessible by searching for the company's customer support number via Google Search. After that, a "Request a Call" button will appear. However, this will only happen if Google's new feature supports the company. Google said that supported businesses include telcos, retailers, insurance providers, U.S. airlines, and other service companies. But there's a chance that this could expand in the future. What's great about the new Talk to a Live Rep feature is that it will send SMS messages first to update you on the call's progress before calling you, as reported by The Verge. Related Article: Google Chrome Update: Browser Gains New Features, Including Generative AI NASA is opening up the doors of opportunity as it seeks four people to undertake a Mars simulation program that would last for one year. While the space agency is not yet able to send anyone to the Red Planet directly, the simulated habitat would allow them to gain more information about the endeavor. The Friday announcement also noted that NASA will be paying for the entirety of the program. NASA's Mars Simulation The space agency said that it is looking for healthy adults who have science degrees or have military or piloting experience. The Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) is running a series of one-year "missions." These missions involve volunteers who can act as astronauts would in space, as the space agency calls them analog astronauts, and live inside a 3D-printed habitat located in Houston, Texas. The simulated habitat stretches 1,700 square feet and is called the Mars Dune Alpha and mimics habitats that NASA may one day build on Mars to house astronauts. The program's first four-person crew has been living in the simulated habitat since last July, as per Business Insider. The space agency's reports on the crew's progress suggest what the job is actually like and features growing vegetables, simulating "Marswalks" in a sandbox, overseeing science experiments like the ones that are done on the International Space Station (ISS), and following a strict exercise regimen. Now, NASA is looking for applicants for its second CHAPEA mission, which is set to start in the spring of next year. The space agency said that it is looking for "healthy, motivated U.S. citizens or permanent residents" who are aged 30 to 55, who are proficient in English, and who do not smoke. Similar to space-faring astronauts, NASA wants the CHAPEA volunteers to have a master's degree in a STEM field, with either two years of experience in that particular field or 1,000 hours of jet piloting. Read Also: Historic Discovery: Scientists Identify Water Molecules on Asteroids for the First Time What To Expect The space agency is planning a total of three of the "ground-based missions" that would be conducted inside the simulated habitat. In a release, NASA said that as the first CHAPEA crew is more than halfway through their year-long mission, they are using research gained through the simulation to help inform crew health and performance support during Mars expeditions, according to USA Today. In a statement on its website, NASA said that life in Mars Dune Alpha will resemble the expected experience for people living in a future Mars surface habitat. It added that the layout of the 3D printed area was designed to provide separate areas for living and working. In applying for the simulation, applicants must fill out NASA's lengthy questionnaire, which includes parts such as, "Are you willing to have no communication outside of your crew without a minimum time delay of 20 minutes for extended periods (up to one year)?" While the requirements for the simulated habitat are somewhat extensive, the CHAPEA missions are vital for NASA's Artemis plans to establish a permanent human presence on the Red Planet as well as on the moon, said Popular Science. Related Article: Valentine's Day Scrub: Intuitive Machines Moon Lander Launch Postponed to Feb. 15 Judge declares mistrial on Friday in the murder case involving former Ohio sheriff's deputy Jason Meade's alleged killing of Casey Goodson Jr., a Black man. The final mistrial decision was made after the jury that was handling the case could not agree on a verdict against the defendant and Judge David Young had already twice declared a mistrial. The development ends tumultuous proceedings that saw four jurors dismissed from the case. Judge Declares Mistrial The former deputy was charged with murder and reckless homicide over the killing of a Black man in Columbus in December 2020. The former Ohio sheriff's deputy was said to have shot Goodson Jr. six times, including five times in the back, as the 23-year-old Black man tried to enter his grandmother's home. Young already declared a mistrial on Friday morning but retracted the decision a few minutes later and commended the jurors for their hard work. Then, jurors came to Young again to say that they could not agree and he instructed them to keep trying, as per the Associated Press. The judge then declared a final mistrial about two hours after that discussion, where jurors, some of whom were crying, said that they were deadlocked. Young will soon meet with prosecutors and defense lawyers in the near future to decide on how to proceed with the murder case. An attorney for the Goodson family, Sean Walton, said that while there was indeed a mistrial, there were still jurors who clearly considered all the evidence and thought Meade was guilty. He added that some of the jurors felt that the defendant was responsible for the unjustifiable killing of Goodson Jr. Walton added that the nearly four years since the killing have been a "rollercoaster of extremes" for the family of Goodson Jr. On the other hand, Meade's attorney, Mark Collins, expressed his gratitude for how hard the jurors worked in the case to be "as fair and impartial as possible," noting that he and his client are "ready to go," if a second trial is set. Read Also: Former Meta Employee Identified as Prime Suspect in Tragic Triple Murder-Suicide Murder of Casey Goodson Jr. Special prosecutors have not yet officially determined whether or not they will retry the former Ohio sheriff's deputy. However, a second trial is not without precedent as former Columbus police officer Andrew Mithcell underwent two trials before a jury acquitted him of murder and voluntary manslaughter in the August 2018 killing of 23-year-old Donna Dalton Castleberry, according to the Columbus Dispatch. After the end of the latest trial, Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack's office issued a statement, saying that its thoughts were with Goodson's family. The statement noted that a decision to retry the case will be made by the special prosecutors after they have reviewed their case. The all-white jury that failed to reach a verdict against Meade comprised nine women and three men. Walton addressed that issue as it pertains to the case, saying that a white former law enforcement officer and a deceased Black man. The attorney said that a lot of people who encounter the justice system do not have a jury of their peers. He added that people cannot afford to take work off for weeks, noting that if they need childcare, there will not be a diverse jury, said ABC6. Related Article: Police Apprehend 2 Juveniles in Connection to Super Bowl Celebration Shooting Recently, Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) claimed that Russia has been purchasing Elon Musk's Starlink terminals and using them for war operations. GUR revealed this information after acquiring an audio intercept of two Russian soldiers, who were allegedly buying Starlink internet terminals from Arab providers. Elon Musk quickly denied the allegations made by the Ukrainian government, saying that Russia can't possibly use his Starlink terminals since the space-based broadband firm doesn't do business with the Russian military or its government. But, Ukrainian military spy chief Kyrylo Budanov rejected the billionaire's explanations. Here's what the Ukrainian official said. Ukraine Spy Chief Gives Detailed Explanation How Russia Uses Starlink Terminals Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said that Russian troops are using thousands of Starlink internet terminals, which are being purchased from Ukraine through Russian firms. "It's an open market," said the Ukrainian military spy chief via Business Insider. Budanov explained that the Russian military is able to buy these internet terminals from Russian private firms that disguise purchases for personal usage. After that, they will ship Elon Musk's Starlink terminals to Kremlin through neighboring countries. This means that the Russian government isn't receiving them as military items. However, what Budanov shared isn't verified by independent sources. But, if what the Ukrainian military official says is true, then the Russian military can use Starlink terminals to enable communications between front-line troops, as well as assist their drone launches and other military activities. Related Article: US Judge Orders Elon Musk to Testify for 3rd Time in SEC's Twitter Probe What Elon Musk Claims According to CNBC's previous report, Elon Musk defended his broadband company, saying that a number of fake news claiming that SpaceX sells Starlink terminals to the Russian military are spreading. He said that to their knowledge, they haven't seen direct or indirect Starlink purchases made by Russia. However, the tech executive's explanations were rejected by GUR spokesperson Andriy Yusov. "Yes, there have been recorded cases of use of these devices by the Russian occupiers. This is starting to take on a systemic nature," he explained. As of press time, Elon Musk hasn't released a new explanation to defend himself and his company against the latest accusations made by the Ukrainian military spy chief. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry decided to stay quiet regarding the Starlink allegations. Related Article: Ukraine Accuses Russia of Buying Starlink for War Operations; Elon Musk Denies Kyiv's Claims U.S. President Joe Biden promised the American public that there was no nuclear threat to the United States. POTUS made his remarks amid the growing concerns regarding Russia's space-based weapon. Recently, a senior House Republican claimed that the Russian government has a space-based weapon that's armed with a nuclear weapon to target satellites. The American official issued warnings regarding a "serious national security threat" against the U.S. But, Joe Biden reassured that this isn't true. Here's what he said. Joe Biden Promises There's No Nuclear Threat To US During his speech at the White House, U.S. President Joe Biden was asked if he was concerned about the Russian space-based weapon with anti-satellite capabilities. He confidently answered that there's no nuclear threat to the U.S. even though the Kremlin is considering using an anti-satellite capability. "First of all, there is no nuclear threat to the people of America or anywhere else in the world with what Russia is doing at the moment, No. 1," said Joe Biden via NBC News. "No. 2, anything they're doing or they will do relates to satellites in space and damaging those satellites potentially," added the American president. Biden also provided a third reason, saying that there's no evidence that the Russian government made a decision to go forward with anything in space either. Joe Biden's remarks regarding the Russian space-based nuclear weapon came after Jake Sullivan commented about it as well. Read Also: NATO Chief Issues Stark Warning on Global Peace Amid Rising Russian Threats' Should US Be Concerned About Russia's Space-Based Weapon? White House spokesman John Kirby denied confirming that the space-based technology of Russia is a nuclear weapon that is designed to take down satellites or conduct interferences, as reported by BBC News. Aside from John Kirby, other experts who specialize in international space relations and warfare also claim that there's nothing to worry about. One of them is Dr. Bleddyn Bowen of the University of Leicester. "It's so vague and cryptic, it could be a number of different things. [But] no matter what they are, none of them are a big deal, to be honest. Everyone needs to calm down about this," explained Dr. Bowen. "They did this in the 1960s and in the 1970s and found out it's not actually very useful, and it's very expensive," he argued. Aside from these, other experts said that using space-based nuclear weapons also have drawbacks. One of these is being vulnerable to attacks from other nations. Read Also: White House Confirms Knowledge of Russian Anti-satellite Weapon Aspirations, but Stops Short of Panic A Minneapolis man faces charges for purportedly assisting and instructing ISIS terrorists in Somalia, as well as threatening an attack on New York City, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ) statement released on Friday. Harafa Hussein Abdi, 41, has been apprehended in Africa and brought back to the US for a court appearance before a federal judge in Manhattan, New York, scheduled for Friday, according to a declaration from the department, as per Fox News. US Citizen Arrested for ISIS Links Police authorities have captured Abdi, a naturalized US. citizen born in Somalia in 1982, for his alleged ties to the notorious terrorist organization ISIS. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen from the Justice Department's National Security Division mentioned that Abdi traveled from his country to join ISIS, received fighter training, and played a part in propagating the group's harmful views through propaganda. During his training with ISIS fighters in Somalia, Abdi allegedly brandished an AK-47 and, as per US Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York, even threatened to carry out attacks against civilians in New York City. Security services discovered messages from Abdi containing a photograph of him holding the assault rifle, providing crucial evidence against him. It has been revealed that Abdi played a role in ISIS' 'media' wing, where he participated in filming footage intended for distribution by a pro-ISIS media outlet. Furthermore, he is accused of encouraging others to execute similar attacks, as depicted in unsealed audio clips where he rapped about shooting and bombing individuals in New York. In a disturbing audio clip, Abdi reportedly made threats about causing harm in New York City. The criminal complaint provides a detailed account of how he used social media to promote and incite acts of terror against the United States, according to Daily Mail. Read Also: Landmark Verdict Delivered: Donald Trump's Civil Fraud Trial Concludes Busy Week in Court Ex-ISIS Recruit Arrested for Threats Against NYC Abdi, who moved from Minnesota to Somalia in 2015, joined a group of ISIS fighters at a training camp. Over the following two years, he not only received weapons training but also actively participated in the group's media activities, including the production of a recruiting video distributed by a pro-ISIS outlet. The criminal complaint quotes lyrics from a 2017 audio clip where Abdi allegedly rapped about inflicting violence in New York City. "We going to carry on jihad; fly through America on our way to shoot New York up. They trying to shut this thing. We ain't going. We going to come blow New York up," he reportedly declared. Abdi's connection with ISIS came to a turbulent decision in 2017 due to his strained relationship with the group's leaders. Initially detained by the group, he successfully fled and journeyed to East Africa, where security authorities apprehended him. After being apprehended by US authorities, Abdi admitted, in an FBI interrogation, to enrolling in the training camp in Somalia. He is now facing charges, including conspiring to provide and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, as well as conspiring to receive and receiving military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization. The gravity of the charges against Abdi carries the potential for a significant prison term, with the most serious charges holding a possible 20-year sentence. This situation brings up concerns regarding the recruitment and actions of people associated with extremist organizations, establishing the continuous work of authorities to prevent and avoid acts of terrorism within the United States, AP News reported. Related Article: World Leaders React to Alexei Navalny Death: Outrage, Concern, Skepticism Among International Tone US President Joe Biden expressed his strong belief that the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was a direct result of actions taken by Putin and his associates. Russian officials stated that Navalny felt unwell after a walk at the penal colony in Siberia, eventually losing awareness and passing away, as per to Fox News. Biden Condemns Alexei Navalny's Death Navalny, 47, who had previously survived poisoning, is said to have passed away in an Arctic Circle maximum-security prison, according to Russian state media. Biden shared his lack of surprise and outrage regarding Navalny's death, emphasizing that it is a direct result of Putin and his associates' actions. "We're looking at a whole number of options," Biden declared regarding the US response, emphasizing the need for Congress to approve security funding for Ukraine in the face of what he termed Putin's "vicious onslaught and war crimes." The Kremlin, however, denied any involvement in Navalny's demise, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding situation. As President Biden mourns Navalny's death, he is concurrently grappling with resistance from the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to approve $60 billion in security funding for Ukraine. This impasse comes amid Putin's ongoing invasion and war in Ukraine, which Biden characterizes as a critical moment with high stakes. House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, have balked at the foreign aid bill, insisting it include measures related to securing the US-Mexico border. Biden, visibly frustrated, criticized House Republicans for adjourning for a two-week recess without approving the foreign aid bill, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and its historical consequences. He warned that failure to support Ukraine at this juncture "will never be forgotten," according to USA Today. Read Also: World Leaders React to Alexei Navalny Death: Outrage, Concern, Skepticism Among International Tone Alexei Navalny's Sudden Death Navalny's death prompted Biden to commend the late opposition leader for bravely standing up to corruption and violence, even in the face of persecution. The President hailed Navalny's commitment to truth and his unwavering belief in his country, Russia. Speaker Mike Johnson recognized Navalny's death as an example of Putin's propensity to silence critics but did not promise to schedule a vote on the Ukraine funding package. He identified the worth of using all possible methods to limit Putin's funding of the ongoing conflict. Former President Donald Trump, who has long admired Putin, chose not to make a direct statement about Navalny's death. Still, he used his social media platform to critique Biden's leadership, linking global suffering and devastation to the current administration. Meanwhile, Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, issued a stern warning to Putin and his associates, asserting that they would not go unpunished for their actions against her husband and their country. UK security minister Tom Tugendhat echoed accusations against the Kremlin, alleging that Navalny was murdered to silence him. The circumstances surrounding Navalny's death remain under investigation, as prison authorities state the reason is yet to be established, Independent reported. Related Article: Controversial US Funding: $1 Million for Risky Bird Flu Research with Chinese Collaboration Ana Maria Knezevic travelled from South Florida to Spain in December to take a break. According to her family and friends, the American citizen who hails from Colombia has been dealing with a difficult divorce from her Serbian partner. However, her trip also provided an opportunity to discover unfamiliar destinations. Then, she disappeared two weeks ago, shortly after a man in a motorcycle helmet disabled the security cameras at her Madrid apartment building by spray painting the lenses. Ana Knezevic's Disappearance The following day, two friends each got text messages in different languages from the 40-year-old's phone, informing them that she was leaving for a few days with a man she had recently met, as per ABC News. Ana Knezevic vanished from her apartment rental in Spain at the beginning of February, leaving authorities and her loved ones baffled. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance have taken a sinister turn with the emergence of mysterious text messages and a shadowy figure caught on security footage. Authorities revealed that a man, concealed by a motorcycle helmet, was captured on grainy footage disabling security cameras at Knezevic's apartment shortly after her disappearance. The incident raised immediate concerns about the nature of her vanishing act. The following day, Knezevic's closest friends received suspicious text messages from her cell phone. The messages, written in both English and Spanish, claimed that she had entered into a whirlwind romance and decided to embark on a spontaneous getaway with her newfound boyfriend. Sanna Rameau, a friend of Knezevic, expressed disbelief at the content of the messages, stating that the emotional tone and style did not align with Ana's typical communication. Rameau emphasized that her 40-year-old friend would never engage in such unsafe and erratic behavior. The situation is further complicated by historical details. Ana and their partner, David Knezevic, had been married for 13 years before choosing to separate. The divorce proceedings have been described as contentious, with significant financial interests at play. The couple is the owner of EOX Technology Solutions Inc., a business located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and they have several properties, one of which is currently in foreclosure,according to Fox News. Read Also: World Leaders React to Alexei Navalny Death: Outrage, Concern, Skepticism Among International Tone Ana Maria Knezevic's Nasty Divorce Ana's brother, Juan Henao, disclosed the tense nature of the divorce, emphasizing the significant amount of money at stake. David Knezevic's current whereabouts are unknown, adding a layer of mystery to the unfolding situation. Despite the potential financial motives, Rameau denies any indication from Ana that she feared her husband or experienced abuse. Authorities in Madrid and Fort Lauderdale have been alerted about Knezevic's disappearance, prompting investigations on both sides of the Atlantic. The Spain Missing Persons Association has circulated Ana Knezevic's photograph in the nation's capital, but as of now, there have been no leads. The US State Department and Madrid police have yet to provide comments on the ongoing investigation. Rameau and another friend noted the peculiarities in the text messages, with the English message lacking Ana's typical emotional style and the Spanish one appearing to be translated mechanically. The friends reported the disappearance to the police after failed attempts to contact Ana. A twist emerged in the police investigations as it came out that the security cameras at Knezevic's apartment had been interfered with. An unidentified individual wearing a helmet was observed tampering with the cameras, intensifying the air of suspicion surrounding the situation. As Ana's family and friends anxiously await news, the international attention garnered by the case is hoped to prioritize finding answers and locating Ana Knezevic. Desperation and uncertainty surround the investigation as loved ones seek a reason for her mysterious disappearance, CNN News reported. Related Article: Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale Drops Senate Bid After Donald Trump Endorses Rival Tim Sheehy A woman in Pennsylvania who held a position in the legal system allegedly shot her former partner while he was sleeping over the weekend, according to police who have now pressed charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault. According to an arrest affidavit by Susquehanna Township Police, tests revealed that Magisterial District Judge Sonya M. McKnight, 57, had gunshot residue on her hands one hour after Michael McCoy was shot in the bed of his home in the Harrisburg area early Saturday, as per Fox News. Pennsylvania Magistrate Judge Charged in Shooting Case Magisterial District Judge Sonya M. McKnight, 57, is facing attempted murder charges following an incident involving Michael McCoy, 54, in the Harrisburg area. The arrest affidavit reveals that McKnight had gunshot residue on her hands merely an hour after McCoy was shot in his home. McCoy, now blind in his right eye, had made multiple attempts to compel McKnight to vacate his residence after ending their year-long relationship. On the fateful night of February 9, McCoy returned home to find McKnight on the couch in pajamas. When he informed her of his intention to seek help from her mother to facilitate her departure, McCoy noted a shift in McKnight's demeanor, as if she finally grasped the end of their relationship. Later that night, McCoy woke up in intense pain, having been shot in the right eye and the bullet exiting from the left side. McKnight, present at the scene and later at the hospital, maintained that McCoy did not shoot himself. When McKnight contacted emergency services, she stated that she had been sleeping and heard McCoy yelling, without providing any further details about the situation, according to The Independent. Read Also: Illegal Border Crossings, Long a GOP Battlecry, Could Help Democrats in Elections Sonya McKnight's Shooting Case However, doorbell videos from neighboring homes contradicted McKnight's assertion that she remained at home that night. Detectives discovered the gun used in the shooting was registered to McKnight, and both parties affirmed that no one else was present during the incident. McKnight, who had been suspended without pay in mid-November by the Court of Judicial Discipline due to misconduct allegations, now faces attempted murder charges. The Judicial Conduct Board had previously accused her of violating judicial probation in a case related to a 2020 traffic stop involving her son. This arrest comes in the aftermath of McKnight being cleared of charges in 2019 for shooting her ex-husband, Enoch McKnight. Despite their pending divorce, Enoch visited her home to assist with moving furniture and was shot in the hand and groin. Investigators ruled the incident as self-defense following a series of domestic disputes between the former couple. The murder case has been transferred to Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack because of a conflict of interest noted by the Dauphin County district attorney's office. Meanwhile, McKnight is currently being held in Dauphin County Prison with bail set at $300,000, and her legal representation has not been shown yet. The ongoing legal scenario further complicates McKnight's already tumultuous time as a judge, Daily Mail reported. Related Article: Singapore Budget 2024: Deputy PM Wong Announces Household Cash Subsidies, Vouchers, AI Investments Former US President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to Philadelphia over the weekend to announce the launch of his signature shoe line as a stopover before his scheduled trip to Michigan for a campaign rally. His visit on Saturday (Feb.17) to what could be considered "the greatest sneaker show on earth" has been greeted with mixed and emotional reactions from those in the audience, Fox News Digital reported. The crowd's reaction ranged from cheers for Trump to booing him during his speech. He spoke for roughly 10 minutes, appearing alongside a pair of gold custom Trump-branded shoes now being sold in limited supply for $399 a pair. "There's a lot of emotion in this room," he quipped during his speech. They have lines going all around the block. They've never seen anything like this one." Trump's Shoe Line Trump confessed that he wanted to create a shoe line "for a long time"specifically, 13 yearsand he had a team of designers who worked on the project. He also noted that the "influencers" have been "very positive" about the new shoes, which were available for pre-order and were being created by CIC Ventures, the same firm making the Trump trading cards. "They love it, and they love what we've done," he added as he flashed the shoes to the audience. "That's the real deal." Trump told those in the audience that the most important thing they can do is vote and vowed to "turn this country around fast." Trump's appearance in purple-state Pennsylvania came a day after he was barred from operating his business in New York for three years and was found liable for over $350 million in damages in the civil fraud case brought against him, his family, and the Trump Organization by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Read Also: Suspended Pennsylvania Magistrate Judge Charged After Shooting Ex-Boyfriend in Head Mixed Reception Prior to Trump's appearance at the annual event, Sneaker Con faced backlash from Trump critics for allowing him a venue to offer remarks. The organizers later said that the criticism came from a statement shared on social media, but they have turned off the comments for the post on social media. "Sneaker Con's mission is to support and promote sneaker culture through our worldwide live events and digital platforms," the statement read. "We are thankful and appreciative of the sneaker community, and recognize individuals who generate awareness and authentic sneaker related engagement towards our community." Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden's campaign team mocked Trump's Sneaker Con appearance. "Donald Trump showing up to hawk bootleg Off-Whites is the closest he'll get to any Air Force Ones ever again for the rest of his life," said Biden-Harris 2024 communication director Michael Tyler. Related Article: Landmark Verdict Delivered: Donald Trump's Civil Fraud Trial Concludes Busy Week in Court Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was imprisoned last year immediately after he returned from a 15-year self-imposed exile, was released on parole on Sunday, local time, Feb. 18. Thaksin's lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, told Reuters that his client completed parole proceedings and had formally been released. The 74-year-old former prime minister was seen leaving the hospital in a black Mercedes van early Sunday, wearing a green shirt and with his arm in a sling, sitting beside his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn, who currently leads the ruling Pheu Thai Party. "Thaksin has arrived home, hope he will have good health," she wrote in an Instagram post, showing an image of her in the vehicle with her father. Read Also: Peace Between Thai Government and Muslim Separatists in Reach After Decades of Fighting Thaksin Seeks Retirement Thaksin, an influential billionaire toppled from power by a royalist military coup in 2006, was freed from the hospital detention six months into a sentence for abuse of power and conflicts of interest, which was commuted from eight years to a single one by the country's monarch, King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Previously, it was reported that Thaksin was eligible for parole due to his age, health condition, and time served, and had been detained in the hospital for health reasons. He insists that he has retired from politics. Related Article: Thailand: Ex-PM Thaksin to be Freed After Being Granted Parole Request More than 400 individuals have been detained in Russia for participating in demonstrations following the passing of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who died while in a Russian penal colony. One of those currently in custody is Father Grigory Mikhnov-Vaitenko, who intended to conduct a memorial service in St. Petersberg to honor Navalny, as per to Rolling Stone. Alexei Navalny's Death Sparks Global Outcry Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, 47, passed away on Friday after falling unconscious during a walk at the "Polar Wolf" Arctic penal colony. The news of his death has triggered an outpouring of grief among his supporters globally and condemnation from world leaders. Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year sentence. Over the weekend, the OVD-Info protest monitoring group reported that 401 people were detained at events in various cities, including 74 in Saint Petersburg and 49 in Moscow. Spontaneous memorials sprung up across urban areas, with individuals taken into custody in 36 cities, according to OVD-Info. The group recorded arrests in various smaller Russian cities, including Belgorod, Vorkuta, Nizhny Novgorod, Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don, and Tver. OVD-Info identified the possibility for additional detainees beyond the reported numbers, explaining that they only release names based on trustworthy sources. In Moscow, flowers and candles laid for Navalny were removed overnight, leaving only a few dozen roses and carnations at the monument to victims of Soviet repression. Similar scenes unfolded in other cities as videos and photos on social media depicted the removal of flowers from monuments dedicated to Soviet-era repression victims. Protests are deemed illegal in Russia under strict anti-dissent laws, and authorities warned against attending any mass rally. Memorials on significant sites, like the bridge where Boris Nemtsov was shot dead in 2015, also witnessed the removal of flowers overnight, according to Al Jazeera. Read Also: Ukraine Refuses Elon Musk's Claim as Military Spy Chief Explains Why Russia Can Use Thousands of Starlink Terminals Navalny's Death Unlikely to Affect Election Outcome Navalny's death, less than a month before the presidential election, is not expected to significantly impact the results, according to Alexey Muraviev, professor of strategic studies at Curtin University. Muraviev suggested that Navalny's influence on Russian politics was limited, but his death could affect Putin's efforts to engage with the West, drawing attention to his repressive regime. World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, European Council President Charles Michel, and Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong, expressed their condolences and held the Russian government responsible for Navalny's treatment and death. Navalny, who had been jailed since January 2021, faced multiple convictions he claimed were politically motivated, receiving a 19-year sentence for extremism. His wife, Yulia Navalnaya, warned that those responsible for her husband's fate would bear the consequences. As international reactions poured in, the Kremlin labeled Western leaders' responses as "absolutely unacceptable" and "hysterical," while China declined to comment, describing it as Russia's internal affair. Navalny's death has stirred emotions worldwide, with his supporters mourning the loss of a symbol of hope for change and democracy. As investigations unfold, the global community watches closely, questioning the circumstances surrounding Navalny's demise and the implications it may have on Russia's political landscape, USA Todayreported. Related Article: World Leaders React to Alexei Navalny Death: Outrage, Concern, Skepticism Among International Tone Taiwan strongly supported its coast guard's actions in response to a deadly incident with a Chinese speedboat near a key Taiwanese island. Two people on the Chinese vessel died when their boat overturned while trying to escape a Taiwanese coast guard ship, as per Big News Network. China Deploys Coast Guard Amid Tensions In response to heightened tensions in the waters near Kinmen, China has taken decisive action by deploying additional coast guard vessels off the southern coast of Xiamen. The move, strategically announced by Gan Yu, spokesperson for the Chinese Coast Guard's Fujian division, is positioned as a step to fortify maritime law enforcement in the region. The residents of Kinmen have expressed growing apprehension about the environmental and economic ramifications stemming from the increased maritime activities. Concerns over the impact on local fishing livelihoods have become prominent as the waters witness a surge in Chinese vessels, including sand dredgers and fishing boats. Last Wednesday, a tragic incident occurred resulting in the deaths of two fishermen as the Taiwanese Coast Guard confronted a Chinese fishing boat for entering a restricted area claimed by Taiwan. After the search, the boat overturned, drowning two of the fishermen and capturing two more, according to Taiwanese officials. In the aftermath, China swiftly condemned the incident, directing blame at Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and vehemently contesting the existence of any designated "restricted" waters in the area. In response, Taiwan initiated a thorough investigation into the incident and established communication channels with Chinese authorities through its Mainland Affairs Council, according to Express. Read Also: Joe Biden Promises There's No Nuclear Threat To US Amid Russia Space-Based Weapon Concerns China Issues Warning to Taiwan Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, issued a stern warning on Sunday, hinting at further unspecified measures. "The Mainland reserves the right to take further action, and all the consequences will be borne by Taiwan," cautioned Zhu Fenglian, intensifying concerns about a potential escalation in the conflict. The historical and political rift between China and Taiwan, dating back to the 1949 civil war, forms the backdrop of the longstanding tensions. While Taiwan asserts its status as a separate entity, China adamantly considers the island an integral part of its territory, leaving the region in a delicate geopolitical balance. The increasing frequency of Chinese vessels in the waters near Kinmen has led to rising discontent among the island's residents. Complaints range from the disruptive noise and sound pollution generated by the vessels to economic losses suffered by the local fishing community. Wednesday's unfortunate incident, resulting in the death of Chinese fishermen, is exceptional despite the heightened Chinese activity in the waters around Kinmen. Located closer to China than Taiwan's main island, Kinmen has become a focal point, with China asserting claims over the entirety of self-ruled Taiwan. As the international community closely monitors the evolving situation, concerns persist about the potential for military force being employed by Beijing to achieve its reunification goals, thereby heightening regional instability, Voice of America reported. Related Article: Ukraine Refuses Elon Musk's Claim as Military Spy Chief Explains Why Russia Can Use Thousands of Starlink Terminals A strong supporter of Vladimir Putin sent a warning on Sunday that Russia would initiate a catastrophic event by targeting cities like Washington and London with nuclear weapons if Moscow is compelled to relinquish Ukrainian territory it currently controls, as per reports. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council, issued a warning stating that the US and its allies would face severe consequences if Russia is compelled to withdraw, as per New York Post. Medvedev Warns of Total War Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of the Russian Security Council, has issued a serious warning regarding the possible outcomes of trying to push Russia back to its 1991 borders, set after the Soviet Union's dissolution. Medvedev issued a strong warning that such actions could result in a large-scale conflict with Western nations, potentially involving nuclear weapons. Addressing the matter, Medvedev asserted, "Attempts to return Russia to the borders of 1991 will lead to only one thing: towards a global war with Western countries using the entire strategic arsenal of our state." He emphasized that key international cities, including Kyiv, Berlin, London, and Washington, could become targets for hypersonic nuclear missiles. Medvedev urged the West, particularly Kyiv, to reconsider their stance on Russia's territorial claims, suggesting that it would be better to return disputed territories to Russia before irreversible consequences unfold. Referring to the ongoing conflict in Avdiivka, he warned of potential maximal losses for the enemy if such territories were not willingly returned. Expressing disdain for Western leaders opposing President Putin, Medvedev labeled British and German defense ministers Grant Shapps and Boris Pistorius as "snotty Anglo-American fosterlings" on his Telegram channel. He accused them of hindering a Russian victory in the war and warned that their proposed actions could lead to the "direct and irreversible collapse of present-day Russia," according to Mirror. Read Also: Cause of Death Unknown: Alexei Navalny, Russian Opposition Figure, Dies in Prison Dismisses Hesitation in Nuclear Response Medvedev strongly contested the idea that the Russian leadership would hesitate to use nuclear weapons in the face of such threats, stating, "The West should not think that in such a scenario the leadership of Russia will tremble in its hand when pushing the nuclear button." Communicating the importance of the situation, Medvedev noted the possible impact of Russia's collapse, warning that it would have far more devastating effects than even a prolonged war. The speaker clarified the risk of a global conflict if there were continued attempts to change the borders of Russia, which could have devastating consequences for many people and the nation's future. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began almost two years ago, has witnessed frequent nuclear threats from top Russian officials, including President Putin. Russia currently boasts the world's largest nuclear arsenal, with 5,889 nuclear warheads, surpassing the United States' arsenal of 5,244 warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists. Together, the US and Russia account for 89 percent of the world's total inventory of nuclear weapons, Newsweek reported. Related Article: Munich Security Conference Underway; US VP Harris Among World Leaders Attending A Gallatin, Tennessee elementary school involving a science experiment with dry ice led to 18 students and a teacher being sent to the hospital on Friday morning, as reported by district officials. Dr. Scott Langford, the director of Sumner County Schools, shared a video on social media announcing that a student activity group from outside the school worked with third graders at Vena Stuart Elementary School to do science experiments, as per Fox News. Health Concerns Arise After School Science Experiment A group of third-grade students at Vena Stuart Elementary in Gallatin experienced health issues after participating in a science experiment, according to a spokesperson from Sumner County Schools. The incident occurred about 30 miles northeast of Nashville. The students were engaged in the experiment with an external presenter, whose identity and affiliation have not been disclosed. Following the experiment, multiple students reported feeling unwell, prompting the school administration to take swift action. When the school called Sumner County Emergency Services out of caution, all eighteen pupils and their instructor were sent right away to a local hospital for assessment. The experiment's nature and the symptoms the students experienced were not specified in the initial reports. According to the latest updates, everyone involved, including the students and their teacher, is said to be in stable and good condition. Parents of the affected students were promptly notified of the incident. Emergency services, including Gallatin Fire, conducted an assessment of the classroom where the experiment occurred, taking measures to ensure the safety of the students and staff. The fire department also assisted in ventilating the room. Authorities from Sumner County Schools and the Gallatin Fire Department have yet to provide official comments on the incident. USA TODAY has reached out to both entities for further information, according to USA Today. Read Also: Hong Kong Customs Detain 7 Suspects Involved in $1.8 Billion Money Laundering Scandal School Confirms Student Health Meanwhile, Sumner County Schools' Director, Scott Langford, addressed the situation in a video posted on social media. Langford confirmed that several children became nauseous during the experiment, prompting the school administrators to call emergency responders. The decision to transport the students and their teacher to the hospital was taken as a precautionary measure. The school later released a statement asserting that everyone transported to the hospital was in good condition. Langford expressed gratitude for the rapid response from both school administration and emergency responders, emphasizing their swift actions in ensuring the safety of the students. Fire crews continued their involvement by assessing and ventilating the room where the science experiment took place, further underscoring the commitment to securing the well-being of all individuals involved. The community is waiting for further details about the experiment and the steps taken to avoid incidents like this in the future from Sumner County Schools and the Gallatin Fire Department as investigations progress, AP News reported. Related Article: Biden Pushes Netanyahu To Consider Ceasefire, Warns To Protect Civilians as Rafah Invasion Looms The police association reported that a suspect has been killed in an attack in Minnesota, which resulted in the deaths of 2 officers and a first responder. Minnesota, a heavily armed man opened fire on police officers responding to a domestic situation on Sunday. The assailant, barricaded inside a residence with his family, engaged in a prolonged standoff that resulted in the deaths of two officers and a firefighter providing medical aid, as per ABC News. Officers, Firefighter Dead in Residential Incident The crime took place in a residential area with houses lined with trees. An armed person, along with seven children aged 2 to 15, refused to cooperate with police for several hours. A police response was required at the location, with a SWAT team and a paramedic-firefighter arriving to handle the domestic situation. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans reported that an exchange of gunfire ensued, leading to the tragic deaths of officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, 40. Another officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is undergoing treatment. The suspect, armed with multiple guns and ample ammunition, fired from different positions within the residence, creating a challenging situation for the responding officers. Negotiations persisted for an unspecified duration before the SWAT team entered the home, bringing the standoff to an end. Police Chief Tanya Schwartz recognized the sacrifices made by the slain policemen and fireman in her condolence message following the unfortunate occurrence. Fire Chief BJ Jungmann stressed the importance of privacy for the grieving families, highlighting the significant impact on the community, according to AP News. Read Also: Bass Stolen 50 Years Ago Recovered for Paul McCartney Condolences Extended as Minnesota Agency As the bodies of the deceased were transported from the hospital to the medical examiner's office, a somber salute from fellow officers marked their departure. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed condolences, stating, "My heart is with their families today, and the entire State of Minnesota stands with Burnsville." Law enforcement agencies, including the Law Enforcement Labor Services representing Burnsville Police Department, extended condolences, highlighting the inherent risks officers face daily. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation into the incident, with details still emerging. The statewide agency, known for aiding smaller law enforcement entities, is set to provide more information as the inquiry progresses. Democratic Rep. Angie Craig offered federal resources, emphasizing the gravity of the situation as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those protecting communities. Burnsville, a city of approximately 64,000 residents located south of Minneapolis, now grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, PBS News reported. Related Article: Taylor Swift's Heartfelt $100,000 Donation Eases Grief for Family of Radio DJ Killed in Super Bowl Parade Shooting Tribal violence in Papua New Guinea resulted in the deaths of dozens of people following an ambush that resulted from a dispute in the region. Officials said that at least 64 people have died during an ambush in the area's remote Highlands region. A national police spokesman said that the victims were found to have been shot dead during a tribal dispute in the Enga province in an incident that occurred over the weekend. Tribal Violence in Papua New Guinea The Highlands region where the violence occurred has long struggled with such encounters but the latest killings are believed to be the worst in the last few years. The influx of illegal firearms has made clashes in the region have made clashes more deadly and has also fueled a cycle of violence. Law enforcement officials said they started collecting bodies at the scene near the town of Wabag, which is located roughly 600 kilometers northwest of the capital Port Moresby. In a statement, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Acting Supt. George Kakas said that the incident marks the largest killing that he has seen in Enga so far and maybe in all of the Highlands, as per BBC. He added that they were all devastated by the horrific incident, noting that they were also mentally stressed out because it was difficult to comprehend. Law enforcement officers received graphic videos and photographs purporting to be from the scene, which featured bodies loaded onto a truck. Read Also: Thailand: Ex-PM Thaksin Released on Parole-Is He Really Retiring from Politics? Rising tribal disputes, which have often occurred over the distribution of land and wealth, have led to a three-month lockdown in Enga last July. During that time, police imposed a curfew and travel restrictions. In August 2023, the violence in the region made international headlines after graphic footage involving three dead men circulated online. Gov. Peter Ipatas said that there have been signs that fighting was about to break out again ahead of the ambush in the Highlands region. Ambushing Neighboring Tribes A tribe, along with their allies and mercenaries, were on their way to attack a neighboring tribe when they became the victims of an ambush. Kakas said that officials were still counting "those who were shot, injured, and ran off into the bushes," according to the Associated Press. Papua New Guinea is a diverse, developing nation with a population of roughly 10 million people with 800 languages in a strategically important part of the South Pacific. The region has faced difficulty with its internal security as China, the United States, and Australia seek closer security ties. In a statement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that his government was ready to assist Papua New Guinea. The region is Australia's nearest neighbor and the largest single recipient of Australian foreign aid. Law enforcement authorities have been trying to stop the supply of firearms and ammunition in the region, which authorities said was supercharging the deadly violence. Officials also believe that the latest tribal violence involves the same groups that killed more than 60 people last year. Ipatas said that from a provincial perspective, they knew that the fight was going to take place and they alerted security forces last week. This was to make sure that they took appropriate action to ensure that the incident did not occur, said ABC.net. Related Article: WHO Says Gaza's Last Main Hospital 'Completely Out of Service' After Israeli Raids Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan is moving against United States President Joe Biden by urging her fellow left-wing party members to vote "uncommitted" in the Michigan primary. The development comes as the Democratic president is facing mounting pressure over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East. Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman to serve in U.S. Congress, said that they feel entirely neglected and unseen by the government. Voting Uncommitted in the Michigan Primary Her remarks were made in a video posted on Saturday on X, formerly known as Twitter, by the group Listen to Michigan. The president is struggling with growing discontent within his party amid cries of "Genocide Joe" and "ceasefire now" follow him wherever he goes on his campaign trail. Michigan is home to one of the country's largest populations of Arab Americans and Muslims. Furthermore, there is growing concern among Democratic lawmakers that alienating that key group could hurt the president in a battleground state considered crucial to his 2020 presidential victory, as per CNN. Tlaib is a liberal firebrand representing parts of Detroit and the city's suburbs. She previously accused the president of supporting a Palestinian "genocide." She also warned Americans will be able to remember how Biden responded to the Israel-Hamas war when he runs for re-election. Read Also: President Biden Accuses Putin of Responsibility in Navalny's Death, Denounces 'Brutality' In a video posted in November, Tlaib told President Biden that the American people are not with him on this one, adding, "We will remember in 2024." The Listen to Michigan campaign currently has more than 30 Michigan officials who have already pledged to vote uncommitted in the state's presidential primary scheduled on Feb. 27, 2024, amid calls for Biden to support a ceasefire. The Michigan representative also said in the video posted on Saturday that it is crucial to create a voting bloc. Administration officials recently met with Arab American leaders in the state earlier this month. They tried to quell uproar from critical parts of the president's coalition over his support for Israel in its war and his reluctance to call for a ceasefire publicly. Joe Biden's Handling of the Israel-Hamas War Thousands of Arab Americans feel personal pain and grief as the death toll in Gaza surpassed 28,000 Palestinians. According to USA Today, this is one reason why so many people in this demographic are vowing to see President Biden be defeated in the November general election. While the president has described the Palestinian lives lost as a tragedy and condemned Israel's response last week as "over the top," he has further infuriated Arab Americans by resisting demands to call for an immediate ceasefire. Biden has also raised doubts about the Palestinian death toll in Gaza. Michigan Rep. Tlaib's video criticism of Biden and call to other Democrats received mixed responses in the political world. Former Ohio Democratic state Sen. Nina Turney tweeted that Arab Americans do not want their tax dollars funding efforts to kill their family members. On the other hand, the conservative group Republicans Against posted on X, asking who among Democrats would run against the congresswoman ahead of her running for re-election later this year, said The Guardian. Related Article: Fake Wisconsin Trump Elector Says He Was Tricked in Signing False Documents in 2020 Election In a significant escalation of tensions in the Red Sea region, the United States military has conducted the first-ever strikes on a Houthi unmanned underwater vessel (UUV). The strikes were part of five self-defense operations carried out by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Saturday, as confirmed by CENTCOM on Sunday. Houthi's First-Observed Use of Unmanned Underwater Vessel The series of strikes, occurring between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time on Saturday, targeted various threats posed by the Houthi rebels, including three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and an unmanned surface vessel. CENTCOM asserted that these actions were necessary to counter imminent threats posed to US Navy ships and merchant vessels navigating through the region. "This is the first observed Houthi use of an unmanned underwater vessel since attacks in the Red Sea region started in October," stated CENTCOM. The move marks a strategic shift for the Houthis, who have been increasingly aggressive in targeting international shipping passing through the Red Sea, citing opposition to the Israel-Hamas conflict as justification. Mick Mulroy, a former Pentagon official and C.I.A. officer, highlighted the potential difficulties in countering such unmanned vessels, suggesting they could overwhelm a ship's defenses if deployed alongside other weapons systems. "Unmanned surface and subsurface vessels are likely more difficult to detect and destroy than aerial drones and anti-ship missiles," Mulroy said. "If all of these weapons systems were used against one target, it could overwhelm the ship's defenses." Read Also: US Coast Guard Foils Weapon Shipment to Houthi Militants in Arabian Sea Disruptions in the Red Sea Trade Route Prompts Economic Concerns The Houthis' targeting of ships passing through the Red Sea has led to disruptions in one of the world's most crucial maritime trade routes, prompting concerns about potential impacts on global commerce. Major shipping and oil companies have suspended transit through the area due to safety concerns, exacerbating fears of economic repercussions. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of US Central Command, emphasized the significance of keeping vital waterways open, stating in an interview with CBS' '60 Minutes' that "15% of global trade flows exactly through the Red Sea." He underscored the United States' commitment to maintaining the free flow of commerce in strategic maritime routes. The US and its allies have been actively responding to Houthi attacks in the region. In December, the Biden administration established a multinational maritime security force in response to missile and drone attacks on ships. Additionally, the US and the United Kingdom have conducted retaliatory strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen to deter further aggression. As tensions continue to simmer in the Red Sea region, the international community remains on edge, wary of the potential for further escalation and its implications for global trade and security. The US military's response underscores the seriousness of the situation and the importance of safeguarding maritime interests in the face of evolving threats. Related Article: Houthi Leader Threatens to Target Italy if It Joins US-led Naval Coalition Against Yemen The United Nations top court is set to hold hearings on Monday over Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories as tensions run high over Jerusalem's war in the Gaza Strip. The hearings will last for six days before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the session on Monday started with Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad al-Maliki speaking as a representative of Palestinians. Israel's Occupation of Palestinian Territories The historic hearings come following a request that the UN General Assembly submitted for a non-binding advisory opinion into Israel's policies in the occupied territories. While the case opens at the UN top court's Great Hall of Justice against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict, its focus is on Jerusalem's open-ended control over the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and annexed east Jerusalem. In a statement, the head of the UN organizations department in the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, Omar Awadallah, said that they want to hear new words from the court. After the Palestinians address the court on Monday, 51 nations as well as three international organizations will speak, as per the Associated Press. A law professor at Hebrew University and senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute said that Israel will likely justify the ongoing occupation on security grounds, particularly in the absence of a peace deal. The Middle Eastern country is expected to point to the Oct. 7, 2023, attack made by the Hamas militant group that killed roughly 1,200 people and resulted in more than 200 people being taken hostage. Read Also: Israel Gives Deadline for Rafah Offensive; Gantz Warns of Action if Hostages Not Freed by March 10 On the other hand, Palestinians and leading rights groups argue that the occupation goes far beyond defensive measures. They claim that it has transformed into an apartheid system, which is bolstered by settlement building on occupied lands, that gives Palestinians second-class status. They said it was also designed to maintain Jewish hegemony from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. The Israeli government rejected all of the accusations of apartheid related to the situation. UN Top Court Holds Historic Hearings The judges handling the case are expected to take several months to deliberate on the issue before issuing an advisory opinion. While Israel has ignored such opinions in the past, it could increase political pressure on the Middle Eastern country's ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, according to Reuters. The countries that are set to participate in the hearings include the United States, which is Israel's strongest supporter, China, Russia, South Africa, and Egypt. The hearings are part of efforts by Palestinians to get international legal institutions to examine Israel's conduct. Furthermore, they also come amid mounting concerns regarding an Israeli ground offensive against Rafah, a city in Gaza, which is considered to be a last refuge for more than 1 million Palestinians. This is because they have been forced to flee to the south of the enclave to avoid Israeli assaults. Since 1967, Israeli authorities have illegally occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Between 1967 and 2005, Israel also directly occupied Gaza, and since 2007, it has imposed a land, sea, and air blockade on the coastal enclave. It is responsible for deciding what food, water, medicines, fuel, construction materials, and other commodities can go into Gaza. Additionally, Israel has the authority to stop their flow whenever it wants, said Aljazeera. Related Article: Support for Ukraine: Danish Prime Minister Says Copenhagen Prepared to Send 'Entire Artillery' to Kyiv With this previous weekend's Munich Security Conference wrapped up, its delegates left some concerns regarding Ukraine unanswered. This is partially due to the death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, but it was also because of the Fall of Avdiivka. According to German public broadcaster DW, Navalny's death would set the tone for all three days of the 60th year of what observers call the "Davos of Defense" despite efforts by organizers to maintain a more diverse focus on other crises worldwide. Delegates Discuss Russia, Ukraine, Putin, Trump One of the pressing topics other than Navalny's death was how to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump. Regarding Putin, conference attendees were dealing not only with Navalny's death - which US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris claimed as an assassination - but also the Russian capture of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka over the weekend. As for Trump and the Republican Party, they were blocking a vital aid package worth $60 billion for Ukraine put forward by Biden, citing issues and concerns in the southern US border with Mexico as a more immediate crisis to deal with. During her visit to Munich, Harris stressed that she and Biden were still trying to get a majority in the US House of Representatives, which the GOP currently has a majority. The bill regarding a new defense package was only passed in the US Senate. "The stakes of your fight remain high for your country and for the entire world," Harris told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the sidelines of the conference. "It is in the strategic interest of the United States to continue our support." In Munich, I met with the US Senate delegation and informed senators about Ukraine's priority defense needs, which include additional artillery systems and ammunition, long-range weapons, electronic warfare equipment, and air defense. I am grateful to the United States Congress pic.twitter.com/Hsc6vJ7MHz Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) February 17, 2024 Zelenskiy also met with a delegation of US senators in Munich, stressing to them that his country was dependent on new weapons and ammunition from Washington, specifically "additional artillery systems..., long-range weapons, electronic warfare equipment, and air defense." Read Also: World Leaders React to Alexei Navalny Death: Outrage, Concern, Skepticism Among International Tone GOP Senator, Dutch PM Insist Europe Should Beef Itself Up On the other hand, Ohio senator J.D. Vance (R) said that the problem with Ukraine was that there was "no clear end point." He further argued that the US would not be able to produce as many weapons as would be needed either in war or as a deterrent, given the many conflicts in the world, including Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and "potentially, a contingency in East Asia." However, outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte insisted that there was no point in focusing only on the problems of US aid to Ukraine, as Europe's defense industry should increase its production for its armies and for Ukraine. Of all the debates and talks at the weekend's MSC, Navalny sounded most decisive about the necessity of aiding Ukraine and rearming Europe to deter Russia, a necessity also stressed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Related Article: Munich Security Conference Underway; US VP Harris Among World Leaders Attending As Avdiivka changed hands from Ukraine to Russia over the weekend, multiple reports and sources say that Russian forces suffered their highest daily losses of the year in taking the city. Newsweek reported that, as Russian bloggers counted the personnel casualties of the Battle of Avdiivka, Kyiv's latest estimates on Monday (February 19) showed that Russia lost 1,240 troops, taking the total since the start of the full-scale invasion two years ago to 403,720. Russia also lost a significant number of armored vehicles as they advanced into Avdiivka. The figures were the highest since December 13 last year, when Ukraine said Russia lost 1,300 troops and not far short of the biggest daily toll of the war recorded last October at 1,380. However, Ukraine did not release its casualty numbers, and its estimate of Russian losses varies from other tallies. Senior Pentagon officials also said last week that about 315,000 Russian troops had either been killed or injured, but such figures are yet to be independently verified. Read Also: Support for Ukraine: Danish Prime Minister Says Copenhagen Prepared to Send 'Entire Artillery' to Kyiv Avdiivka a Russian Pyrrhic Victory? Meanwhile, open-source research, independent Russian media outlet Mediazona, and the BBC's Russian service confirmed on February 15 the names of over 44,000 Russian soldiers who had been killed in the war. The figures draw on publicly available information such as obituaries, relatives' posts, regional media news, and local authorities reports. The outlets said that the actual number is significantly higher. Its latest number was 1,194 more than its last update at the start of February and included an additional 15 military personnel with ranks from lieutenant colonel and higher. Kremlin military bloggers have since posted about considerable losses in its push for Avdiivka, which is located in the Donetsk region. "Z-Russians on Telegram are now talking about their losses in the Battle of Avdiivka," Ukrainian journalist Ilia Ponomarenko wrote on C, formerly Twitter. "Allegedly, it's 16,000 men as 'irreplaceable losses' (e.g., all fatalities + all severely wounded that will never be back to ranks again)." If verified, Ponomarenko added, the four-month Battle of Avdiivka could surpass the official death toll of the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, which stood at 15,000. Related Article: Ukraine Launches Probe into Alleged Executions by Russian Forces in Avdiivka The Hamas-run Gazan health ministry said on Monday (February 19) that over 29,000 Palestinians have been killed inside the strip ever since Hamas's October 7 attack in southern Israel. However, this would not deter the Israeli government, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was adamant about achieving what he claimed as "total victory" against the terror group governing Gaza since its withdrawal from the territory in 2005, even if it meant pushing through the southernmost town of Rafah on the Egyptian border. The ministry said that 107 bodies were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours, but it does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties. Read Also: Top United Nations Court to Hold Hearings Over Israel's Occupation of Palestinian Territories Gantz to Hamas: Free Israeli Hostages Before Ramadan, Or Else... Over the weekend, Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz warned that the offensive would expand to Rafah if the hostages were not freed by the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which was expected to begin by around March 10. Ramadan, iconic for its strict dawn-to-dusk fasting, has often been a time of heightened tensions in the region as it almost encompasses the Jewish Passover and the Christian Passiontide or Holy Week, the Associated Press reported. Israel claimed that it was developing plans to evacuate civilians from Rafah. Still, it was not clear where they would go as they had been hemmed in by Israeli troops in the north and the tightly guarded Rafah border crossing into Egypt in the south. Plans for another truce, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, appeared to have stalled in recent days, contrary to earlier reports of it progressing. To make matters worse, Egyptian officials have warned Israel that an influx of Palestinians into their territory could threaten its peace treaty with Israel. Related Article: Israel Gives Deadline for Rafah Offensive; Gantz Warns of Action if Hostages Not Freed by March 10 Marriott International (www.Marriott.com) announced a signed agreement with Morogoro Mishama Company that will introduce Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts to the shores of Zanzibar in 2025. To support the growing demand for premium hospitality accommodations in Tanzania, Le Meridien Zanzibar Resort will feature 75 guestrooms as well as the brand's glamourous, signature programming and experiences that will help guests discover the culture, coordinates and cuisine of the destination. Anticipated to feature 75 contemporary guest rooms and villas, Le Meridien Zanzibar Resort will offer uninterrupted Indian Ocean beach vistas and embrace the brand's commitment to creating immersive experiences that will help guests explore a destination in style. Plans for the resort include a specialty restaurant, an open-air bar, and an array of recreational facilities such as a fitness center, swimming pool, spa, kids club and lagoon. Upon opening, the property will embody the essence of Le Meridien, inviting guests to 'Savour the Good Life' through its signature programming - all of which is inspired by the brand's rich European heritage. The resort will be situated in Bwejuu, which is on the Eastern coast of Zanzibar Island. Morogoro Mishama Company, a part of Delaware Investment Limited, specializes in the development of luxury hotels across the African continent. Morogoro Mishama Company and Marriott International will collaborate with ALEPH Hospitality, known for its expertise in managing upscale accommodations across diverse destinations, as the third-party operator for the franchised property. Hotel website Hyatt Hotels Corporation has officially opened the doors of Hyatt Place Makassar, marking the entry of the Hyatt Place brand into Indonesia. This new addition to the Hyatt family is set to provide guests with the brand's signature intuitive design, casual atmosphere, and practical amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings. Located strategically on Sudirman Street, Hyatt Place Makassar is integrated with the high-end 31 Sudirman Suite apartments, positioning it near the city's bustling business district, renowned tourist attractions, and culinary and shopping districts. Yanita Supardjan, General Manager of Hyatt Place Makassar, expressed excitement about the hotel's opening, highlighting its contribution to Makassar's economic growth and the unique experience it offers to both business and leisure travelers. The hotel boasts 145 spacious guestrooms with smartly designed social spaces, a Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper, and separate areas for work and sleep, catering to the needs of today's multitasking traveler. Guests at Hyatt Place Makassar can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a complimentary breakfast with hot and cold items, The Market for grab-and-go meals, The Placery for specialty beverages and cocktails, flexible meeting and event spaces, and a 24-hour fitness center. Owned by PT Indonesia Paradise Property and PT Rifai Maju Properti, Hyatt Place Makassar joins a prestigious portfolio of properties, including Grand Hyatt Jakarta and Plaza Indonesia. Hotel website TIME Hotels, renowned for its management expertise and headquartered in the UAE, has officially launched its latest venture, the TIME Ruba Hotel & Suites, in Makkah. This opening is poised to enhance the city's hospitality offerings, providing guests with an unparalleled mix of luxury, comfort, and cultural immersion. Strategically located near the Holy Haram, the TIME Ruba Hotel & Suites introduces 770 elegantly crafted rooms and suites that combine contemporary design with classic elegance. The hotel ensures a memorable stay for guests through advanced amenities and a dedication to exceptional comfort. Beyond accommodation, the TIME Ruba Hotel & Suites promises a diverse range of premium facilities. The Mountain View Restaurant offers a gastronomic exploration of local and international dishes, while the PowerZone fitness center and Pool Waves Lounge provide perfect relaxation spots. Additionally, the Al Safa meeting room caters to business needs with its modern technology and expert event planning services. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO of TIME Hotels Management, shared his enthusiasm about the expansion, emphasizing the strategic importance of Saudi Arabia in the company's growth plans. He anticipates that TIME Ruba Hotel & Suites will become a premier choice for travelers, significantly contributing to Saudi Arabia's tourism industry. Hotel website Colin McClean has been appointed the General Manager of QT Wellington. McClean brings more than 18 years' experience in the country's hotel industry, excelling in commercial strategy and operational acumen. Reflected in his emphatic leadership style, McClean has exceptionally high employee engagement with team development and success, some of his most prized accomplishments to date. Under Colin's leadership, his properties have received recognition for Best Marketed Establishment, Best Luxury Hotel and Best Hotel at NZ Hospitality Awards for Excellence. Prior to joining EVT, McClean established his career in hospitality in roles across global brands such as Accor and SkyCity, throughout New Zealand, with extensive hotel opening and hotel transformation experience. QT Auckland welcomes Jodi Brown as General Manager. As an award-winning hotelier with a wealth of experience in the luxury hotel and hospitality industry, Brown brings a breadth of knowledge, expertise and leadership to her next QT appointment. Joining from the helm of QT Wellington and the Museum Apartment Hotel, Jodi began her career with EVT, launching her diverse and successful career in hotels and hospitality. As General Manager, she led a 12-month full-scale refurbishment and rebrand at Atura Hotel Albury, before holding notable leadership roles at QT Sydney, Eos by SkyCity Adelaide, and SkyCity Hospitality, overseeing conference and events as well as signature restaurants. Imagine a luxury hotel where front desk staff greet you warmly, housekeepers meticulously prepare your room, and servers delight you with their attentive service. Now imagine the opposite: a hotel where staff seem unhappy in their roles and indifferent to your needs. The contrast is stark, and it underscores a fundamental truth about hospitality employee engagement and customer experience are powerfully intertwined. At its core, hospitality is a people business. From check-in to check-out, guests rely on staff to deliver service excellence and shape their perception of a hotel or brand. In this article, well explore the vital connection between engaged employees and satisfied customers in hospitality, and well examine how organizations that invest in their people reap the rewards through enhanced reputation, loyalty, and commercial success. Key takeaways In the hospitality industry, where customer experience hinges on human interactions, employee engagement is inseparably tied to service delivery and commercial success. Satisfied staff deliver better service quality and fuel brand growth, while disengaged workers damage experiences and loyalty. Investing in workplace culture, communication, development, and demonstrating staff are valued nurtures engagement. Hospitality organizations that prioritize employee experience reap the rewards with happier guests, enhanced reputation, lower turnover, greater innovation, and a competitive edge powered by their people. Employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction go hand-in-hand as key drivers of organizational excellence. Creating a memorable guest experience: The power of engaged employees In hospitality, customer perception is reality. Guests rely on employees to deliver the core service and shape their experience at every touchpoint. An engaged, enthusiastic staff leads to satisfied guests who trust the brand, return frequently, and recommend it to others. Conversely, unsatisfied employees are less productive, and they project negativity that detracts from the customer journey and damages loyalty. In fact, recent studies show that disengaged employees are 18% more likely to make mistakes and may cost organizations up to 34% of their annual salary due to decreased productivity. Moreover, employee workgroups that have low engagement levels experience a 25% higher rate of absenteeism and 62% more accidents, leading to increased operational costs. As the face of the organization, employees make or break brand reputation through service quality. Their interactions determine whether guests feel welcomed and valued, ultimately shaping the customer experience. Engaged employees are value makers as they take pride in their work, have a pleasant disposition, and go the extra mile, while disengaged staff seem indifferent and inconvenienced, which harms service, customer loyalty, and overall brand image and reputation. Additionally, engaged employees can also provide insights into improving customer satisfaction, as they directly receive guest feedback. By involving staff in customer experience (CX) improvement initiatives, hotels gain invaluable perspectives and solutions from the frontlines. Factors driving employee satisfaction in hospitality What workplace elements affect staff morale, satisfaction, and engagement in hospitality? Key factors range from company culture to compensation, shaping how employees view their roles and organization. Workplace culture and environment A healthy, inclusive culture where staff feel welcomed, valued, and heard fosters engagement. The physical environment also matters - office layouts, adequate supplies and equipment, and spaces that enable collaboration or relaxation during breaks. Training and development Ongoing learning opportunities allow staff to gain new skills, advance their careers, and feel that the organization is investing in their growth. This can involve internal mentorships, external conferences, tuition reimbursement, and more. Empowerment and recognition Employees want to feel their work has meaning and impact. Recognizing contributions publicly or privately also boosts morale. Empowering staff to resolve guest issues promptly fuels engagement. At Starwood Hotels, aligning incentives to guest satisfaction metrics boosted employee empowerment when they created a guest experience index for GMs that integrates employee experience and guest satisfaction in the reward structure. Leadership and communication Supportive leadership and open communication foster trust and community. Town halls, surveys, an open-door policy, and transparent discussions of company goals keep staff informed and engaged. Hotels find that increased collaboration and communication between departments is strongly correlated to reduced customer complaints. Compensation and benefits Competitive and fair compensation demonstrates the organization values its people. Robust benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and flexibility policies also impact engagement. Work-life balance Hospitality involves high demands, long hours, and attentiveness to guest needs 24/7. Organizations that promote reasonable workloads, flexibility, and respect for personal life nourish staff morale outside of work as well. Empowering employees : Effective strategies for boosting morale in hospitality organizations With multiple factors impacting staff morale, how can hospitality organizations effectively nurture engagement? Key strategies include: Foster open communication and feedback Create channels for staff to voice suggestions, concerns, or questions. Conduct regular surveys to gauge satisfaction. Encourage managers to actively listen, seek input, and share company news. Provide growth opportunities Offer cross-training to build skills laterally. Enable staff to develop expertise through mentorships, classes, certifications, and tuition assistance. Make promotions and career progress schemes transparent and accessible. Celebrate achievements and recognize them Spotlight employee accomplishments in newsletters or meetings. Send thank you notes, gestures, and gift cards for excellent service.; Tie rewards to guest satisfaction metrics when appropriate. Promote collaboration and inclusivity Build connections between departments through mixers, committees, and volunteering. Ensure diversity, prevent harassment, and make all staff feel welcomed and valued. Example: Marriott's Serve Our World value fosters inclusion via volunteering, fundraising and community engagement. Enable work-life balance Be flexible about shift swaps and schedules when possible. Offer programs like onsite childcare, employee assistance, and stress management. Respect days off approved for religious holidays or cultural traditions. Example: Partnering with nurseries, IHG provides employees access to discounted childcare services to provide financial support and flexibility for working parents. Offer competitive benefits and compensation Benchmark pay and benefits routinely to attract and retain talent. Consider perks like retirement contributions, insurance, transportation stipends, onsite amenities, and discretionary bonuses. Example: Hilton offers tuition-free education to employees seeking to upskill and up to $5,250/year for undergraduate programs. Show employees they are valued Recognize work anniversaries, learn about staffs passions, and check in on wellbeing. Invest in office enhancements suggested by employees to create a better working (and living) space. Make staffing levels sustainable for an optimal work environment, instead of cutting corners. The crucial role of staff satisfaction in driving success for hospitality brands The crucial role of staff satisfaction in driving success for hospitality brands Seeing how employee sentiment impacts the guest experience, the bottom line is clear: employee engagement is critical to commercial success in hospitality. Happier staff means happier guests. Engaged employees provide better service quality, while disengaged workers damage experiences. High morale drives up guest satisfaction, loyalty, likelihood to recommend, and brand preference. Its not surprising that a 5% increase in employee engagement leads to a 3% increase in customer loyalty growth. In the digital era, delighted guests boost ratings and reviews, increasing search visibility and reputation. Poor reviews from unsatisfying stays conversely deter bookings and tarnish brand image. Customer satisfaction scores were shown to rise 1.3 points for every 1-star increase in an employers Glassdoor rating - meaning customer and employee satisfaction are positively and clearly linked. Beyond customer metrics, engagement nurtures innovation and productivity among teams. Workers can bring a wealth of creative ideas in an open and collaborative environment where contributions are encouraged to help the organization continually improve. Employees are also more invested in success when engaged, benefiting operations and profitability. Companies with high employee engagement have 23% greater profitability, according to Gallup. Reduced turnover saves substantial hiring and training costs. Experienced staff also deliver service more consistently as longevity builds expertise, on the other hand, new workers mean retraining and service hiccups. According to The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell, replacing just one typical front-line employee costs hospitality businesses about $5,864 on average. Ultimately, in the hospitality industry, where human interactions make or break brands, employee engagement is inextricably tied to the bottom line. The most successful, industry-leading global hotel chains recognize this, making workplace culture and satisfaction strategic priorities to retain a competitive advantage. About EHL Group EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector. With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com EHL Hospitality Business School Communications Department +41 21 785 1354 EHL View source Whitbread PLC, the UKs largest hotel business and owner of Premier Inn, has purchased a consented hotel development site on the edge of Manchesters Northern Quarter from Premcor. The acquisition on Rochdale Road, which has planning permission for a 229-bedroom hotel set over ten storeys, is part of Whitbreads strategy of reconfiguring its network of hotels in Manchester city centre. With the purchase now complete, Whitbread is anticipated to appoint GMI Construction Group to build the hotel for its Premier Inn brand with construction work expected to commence in summer 2024. Paul Smith, Property Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, said: Whitbread is a long-standing investor in Manchester with six popular Premier Inn hotels across the city centre and many more across the city region. In line with our perfect portfolio investment strategy, we are in the process of reconfiguring our network of hotels across central Manchester to ensure we have the right number of bedrooms in the right parts of the city centre for our guests. Our investment in the Rochdale Road development site brings another 229-bedrooms into our secured development pipeline in a part of the city centre we wish to expand our presence. The location ticks all the boxes for our guests and with Whitbreads direct involvement in the scheme, we can guarantee the development will now proceed at pace. Whitbread intends to implement the planning consent for the hotel building which will feature a mix of Premier Inns standard bedrooms and enhanced Premier Plus rooms. An integrated restaurant, bar and check-in area will occupy the ground floor. Whitbreads most recent development activity in central Manchester has been to the south and west of the city centre. In May 2021 the company opened a 157-bedroom Premier Inn hotel at Princess Street which paved the way for the redevelopment of its Manchester City Centre (Deansgate Locks) hotel a short distance away which served the same catchment. Planning consent was successfully secured at this location to create a purpose-built student accommodation development for more than 1,000 students and a 13-storey office building. Demolition of the former hotel is currently underway. About Whitbread PLC Whitbread PLC is the owner of Premier Inn and restaurant brands including Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table, Bar + Block, Whitbread Inns and Cookhouse + Pub. From booking to bed, Premier Inn is here to help its guests rest easy. Whether it's a choice of 80,000 rooms across 800+ hotels, beds guests won't want to leave, tasty food, flexible rates or friendly team members who genuinely care, these are just some of the reasons Premier Inn is one of the most-loved hotels in the UK and beyond. Outside of the UK, Whitbread's expansion plans are focused on Germany. It opened its first hotel in Frankfurt in 2016 and has an open and committed pipeline of 73 hotels and over 13,500 rooms in H1 FY22. Whitbread is committed to being a force for good in the communities in which it operates. It's sustainability programme, "Force for Good' is focused on enabling people to live and work well and is built around three pillars of Opportunity, Community and Responsibility. Whitbread PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE. Louvre Hotels Group, the second-largest player in the hotel industry in France and Europe, with flagship brands such as Campanile, Kyriad and Premiere Classe, is implementing a strategic plan aiming, by 2028, to position each of its brands among the top 3 performing ones in the segments and countries where the group operates. With an unprecedented investment plan, the group will renovate 80% of its hotels. Through a new brand strategy, the designs have been completely revamped to enhance flexibility, thereby increasing development opportunies. This plan will also bolster services offered to franchisees by creating a service platform, redesigning the purchasing platform and loyalty program, as well as optmizing IT systems and e-commerce tools. With an unprecedented investment plan, the group will renovate 80% of its hotels. Through a new brand strategy, the designs have been completely revamped to enhance exibility, thereby increasing development opportunities. This plan will also bolster services oered to franchisees by creating a service platform, redesigning the purchasing platform and loyalty program, as well as optimizing IT systems and e-commerce tools. This strategic direction is structured in 3 phases: By 2025, managing, defining and implementing the new plan and business model as well as redefining the fundamentals of each brand, Between 2026 and 2027, boosting organic growth, In 2028, exploring additional opportunities. The group has redefined its brands structure to build a strong and relevant brands portfolio, focusing on both concepts and experiences. The aim is to rank the brands among the top 3 of their segment and countries where they operate in. The new architecture also provides greater exibility while optimizing costs, transforming the brands into conversion brands, thus atracting new investors and franchisees. This plan was developed around leading brands in the economy and midscale segments: Premiere Classe, Kyriad Direct, Kyriad, Campanile, and Kyriad Prestige. Rounding out this architecture are the Groups two hybrid brands, Hosho and Tulip Hotels et Residences, as well as Golden Tulip, with a more upscale positioning. Campanile, a agship and historically significant brand within the Group, is strengthening its position in the midscale segment to make every stay a memorable moment of sharing and conviviality. To deliver this promise, the designs have been completely revised, while remaining adaptable to provide exibility and full control over renovation costs. From the reception area to the rooms, including common spaces and exteriors, new warm, modern, and comfortable environments have been created. The dining experience, a cornerstone of Campaniles identity, has been rethought with memorable elements inspired by traditional French cuisine. Two of the most recent brands, Hosho and Tulip Hotels & Residences, represent hybrid and innovative concepts that cater to the evolving accommodation preferences of consumers: Hosho is a next-generation hostel model, firmly positioned in the budget segment, offering a product that combines traditional rooms with dormitories accommodating up to 8 people, Tulip Hotel & Residences is a new design-oriented midscale brand that provides both traditional rooms and a long-stay accommodation approach with studios and apartments. Some key comfort elements, such as bedding or showers, have been developed to bring greater clarity to the promise of each brand and their new positioning. Customers will find these brilliant basics in all group establishments, consistently elevating the brands above the standards of their category. The goal is to have 80% of the establishments implementing the brilliant basics by summer 2025. A major renovation plan to gain market share The Group will roll out an extensive hotel renovation plan featuring new, adaptable, modern, and distinctive designs and concepts tailored to each hotel. The objective is to renovate 80% of the hotels by 2028. Furthermore, while updating these properties, the investments will standardize the hotel portfolio and reinforce the Groups position in the midscale segment. Meanwhile, Louvre Hotels Group will continue to strengthen its presence in its key markets, where it is already firmly established with strong and popular brands: In France, the groups historical market, development ambitions are reinforced with the signing of over 200 new hotels between 2024 et 2028, In China, 265 hotels will open between 2024 and 2028, adding nearly 40 000 additional rooms, thereby reaching a total of 500 operating in the country, In India, 50 new hotels will be established, reaching nearly 200 establishments, thereby consolidating the groups leadership position in the Indian midscale segment, And the rest of the world, over 120 hotels will open in the next 5 years. A strategic plan that focuses on investors and franchisees To refocus on its investors and franchisees, Louvre Hotels Group will implement new tools and services ensuring better profitability and efficiency, aiming to gain market share while optimizing the operational model and costs. A platform encompassing all services offered by the group to its franchisees will be launched in 2024. Designed to bring agility, flexibility, and simplicity while further streamlining the franchisor-franchisee. relationship, this platform will offer various customizable services tailored to the needs of each hotel. It will provide opportunities for additional revenue for the group. Services available will include technical and design assistance to support investors in hotel renovations, revenue optimization and pricing services, as well as a revamped purchasing platform for enhanced efficiency. Additionally, digital management and reservation tools (such as CRS or PMS) will be optimized to facilitate the daily hotel operations while ensuring greater profitability for partners. All these innovations serve as growth drivers and productivity enhancers for the network hotels, further strengthening Louvre Hotels Groups leadership in the midscale market in France and internationally. It is a great pride for the entire company to announce this 5-year strategic plan that the teams have worked on extensively. I have been extremely impressed by their commitment and dedication in building this plan alongside the executive committee. Today, Louvre Hotels Group enters a new phase, and with the support of our shareholder, Jin Jiang Hotel, we are determined and mobilized to execute it and together build the future of Louvre Hotels Group. Federico J. Gonzalez, CEO of Louvre Hotels Group About Louvre Hotels Group Louvre Hotels Group is a major player in the global hospitality industry, with a portfolio that now includes over 1,700 hotels in 70 countries. It has a full hotel offering, spanning 1 star to 5 stars, with the brands: Premiere Classe, Hosho, Kyriad Direct, Kyriad, Campanile, Kyriad Prestige, Tulip, Golden Tulip et Royal Tulip the 5 brands of the Sarovar network in India and the French Group Hotels & Preference. Louvre Hotels Group is a subsidiary of Jin Jiang International Holdings Co., Ltd., the 2nd hospitality group in the world. The Louvre Hotels Group is a major player in the worldwide hotel industry, whose portfolio today includes over 1500 hotels in 54 countries. It offers a range of hotel stays from 1 to 5 stars, with the historical brands of the Louvre Hotels Group: Royal Tulip, Golden Tulip, Campanile, Tulip Residences, Kyriad, Kyriad Direct, Tulip Inn, and Premiere Classe; the five brands of the Sarovar network in India; the Hotels et Preference Group, as well as the Chinese brand Metropolo. The group also has a distribution agreement with the Barriere Group. The Louvre Hotels Group is an affiliate of Jin Jiang International Holdings, Co, Ltd., the 2nd largest hotel group in the world. Le Meridien Zanzibar Resort Le Meridien Zanzibar Resort Le Meridien Zanzibar Resort Le Meridien Zanzibar Resort Marriott International announced a signed agreement with Morogoro Mishama Company that will introduce Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts to the shores of Zanzibar in 2025. Le Meridien Zanzibar Resort will feature 75 guestrooms. "Zanzibar continues to grow as a sought-after leisure destination and we are committed to continuing to support the overall growth of the tourism sector in Tanzania," said Karim Cheltout, Regional Vice President Development, Africa, Marriott International "Le Meridien's contemporary design, captivating spaces and chic, signature programming will be an ideal fit for the island, and we look forward to working with Morogoro Mishama Company to open this project by the end of the year." Anticipated to feature 75 guest rooms and villas, Le Meridien Zanzibar Resort will offer uninterrupted Indian Ocean beach vistas. Plans for the resort include a specialty restaurant, an open-air bar, and an array of recreational facilities such as a fitness center, swimming pool, spa, kids club and lagoon. Upon opening, the property will embody the essence of Le Meridien, inviting guests to 'Savour the Good Life' through its signature programming all of which is inspired by the brand's rich European heritage. The resort will be situated in Bwejuu, which is on the Eastern coast of Zanzibar Island. We are thrilled to announce our second collaboration with Marriott International in the region by bringing Le Meridien Zanzibar Resort to fruition. This milestone underscores our continued commitment to enhancing Tanzania's hospitality landscape and reinforcing Zanzibar's appeal as a premier leisure destination to visitors across the world, said Rishen Patel, Managing Director, Morogoro Mishama Company. Morogoro Mishama Company, a part of Delaware Investment Limited, specializes in the development of luxury hotels across the African continent. Morogoro Mishama Company and Marriott International will collaborate with ALEPH Hospitality, known for its expertise in managing upscale accommodations across diverse destinations, as the third-party operator for the franchised property. We are very excited to be entrusted with the operations of Le Meridien Zanzibar Resort, said Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality. This stunning, modern resort will be an incredible addition to the hospitality offering in Zanzibar, which has seen a surge in growth with international tourism arrivals surpassing a record one million mark just last month. Chicago, IL (60637) Today Generally cloudy. A few flurries are possible. High near 40F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 29F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Annual W.E.B. Du Bois Event Celebration at Bard College at Simon's Rock GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Bard College at Simon's Rock presents the 27th annual W.E.B. DuBois Memorial Event entitled "A Celebration of Soul with Ursula Rucker" on March 11 at 7:00 p.m. Historically presented as a lecture, this year, the event will be a celebration. This event was rescheduled. This event is part of the Town of Great Barrington's W.E.B. Du Bois Legacy Festival. According to a press release: The community is invited to enjoy an evening of cultural celebration, music, and soul. Poet, recording artist, activist, teacher and revolutionary, Ursula Rucker, is a certified veteran of the global music and poetry scene. A skilled writer and dynamic performer, Rucker's rich and textured voice is one of the world's great, living instruments. For nearly 3 decades, Rucker has used her fiery prose and invigorating imagery to excite and inspire listeners around worldwide. Her solo albums are brimming with power and wide-ranging musical diversity and she has built an equally impressive catalog as a collaborator. Rucker can be heard on dance floors across the world, as the voice of many House and Dance music classics. She has toured with her live performance memoir, My Father's Daughter, which she describes as "90 minutes of self-truth and discovery." She was a 2018 recipient of the prestigious fellowship from the Pew Center for Arts & Change. In 2020, she released "big/small poems for pockets, a chapbook of haikus." In 2021, Ursula collaborated with artist Vince Fraser on his exhibit Ase Afro Frequencies which debuted at Artechouse Miami and was recognized as Best Art Exhibit 2021 by TimeOut Miami. At the close of 2022, Ursula had the distinct honor of being selected for the Philadelphia Cultural Treasures Fellowship, recognizing her continued commitment to the advancement of art, and artist advocacy, and an endorsement from her community that her legacy is essential to the cultural fabric of Philadelphia. Whether she's on the stage, in print, or on record, Ursula Rucker is an artistic force of nature. Established in 1996, the annual W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Lecture at Simon's Rock is given each year by a distinguished individual whose own achievements carry on the legacy of Du Bois. Recent visitors include Pamela Larde, Shana Russell, Keeanga Yamahtta-Taylor, David Levering Lewis, Lorene Cary, John Edgar Wideman, Sonia Sanchez, and Penelope Andrews. The Lecture is one of many ways Simon's Rock draws inspiration from Du Bois. "A Celebration of Soul with Ursula Rucker" will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday, February 19, in the McConnell Theater at the Daniel Arts Center on the Bard College at Simon's Rock campus. The event is free and open to the public. Great Barrington Select Board member Leigh Davis on Friday announces her run for the House seat being vacated by state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli. PreviousNext Great Barrington Select Board Member Running for 3rd District Seat Leigh Davis says housing is her No. 1 priority having seen personally and professionally how instability in housing affects people, businesses and communities. GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Leigh Davis launched her run for the State House from the steps of Town Hall in Friday surrounded by supporters holding campaign signs. The area deserves someone who will constantly show up and advocate for the community, the vice chair of the Select Board said. She pledged to be that person. "This has been my mission for the past 15 years since I landed here with my three children from Ireland," Davis said. "I'm running for this office because I care. I'm running because I want to make a difference. I'm running because I want things to be better. And I'm willing to put the work in. I'm running because you're here today and I'm here today and we're in this together." Davis is the second Democrat to announce their candidacy; Stockbridge Select Board member Patrick White stated his intentions last week to run for the 3rd Berkshire seat. Longtime state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli earlier this month said he would not pursue a 12th term representing the largely South County district. Davis is the communications and community engagement director for Construct, the largest affordable housing nonprofit in Southern Berkshire. Her No. 1 priority is housing because the housing crisis is affecting everyone, she said, from businesses that cannot find staff, seniors who cannot afford their homes, health-care providers who are forced to cut back on essential services, and youth who are losing hope. "It disproportionately impacts people of color. People on low income, people with disabilities and most importantly, it impacts our communities. Housing is supposed to bring people together, not tear us apart," she said. Davis listed the problems contributing to the housing crisis such as "skyrocketing rents, evictions, Airbnbs, nimbyism, restrictive zoning codes, redlining investors out bidding first time homebuyers, the list goes on. "It's time to take back our communities and our neighborhoods." It is these issues that drove Davis to visit the State House twice, and to wait nine hours to testify before the Joint Committee on Revenue and the Joint Committee on Housing. "It might sound too much but I showed up and I represented the Berkshires and I'll continue to show up," she said. "One of my other priorities, if I were to be elected, is to make some noise at the State House. I want to fight for better representation for Western Mass." She wants to ensure that the area gets its fair share in state funds so that the Berkshires can address its rural needs, such as investing in workforce development, broadband, and transportation. "We need to do a better job at improving regional efficiencies. We need all towns to share the burden and get better at working together," she said. "We need to find a better way to coordinate our resources, our strategies, our actions. We need to be smarter with taxpayers money. Working for these causes, needs listening and working with others." The first job of a legislator is to listen, she said, which is exactly what she plans to do and is looking forward to doing for the next six months. Davis emphasized she does not know everything and that to make an impact the community needs to work together. "I look forward to meeting the residents in Dalton and learning more about the police detail fund that they've been discussing for 20 years, and supporting the residents in Lee to keep [General Electric's] toxic material waste off their streets, and sitting down with the Mount Washington leaders to see what it took to get broadband in their town without a municipal light plan," she said. She first served on the town's Finance Committee beginning in 2015 and was elected to the Select Board in 2019. She has volunteered with and held leadership positions in numerous organizations since moving back to the states from Ireland in 2009, such as HospiceCare of the Berkshires, Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation, the W.E.B. Du Bois Legacy Committee, Great Barrington Community Preservation Committee, Lake Mansfield Improvement Task Force. She said she has overcome a lot of struggles from supporting a family as a single mother and experienced racism. "I'm biracial. My father's black. So, they went through a lot as a biracial couple in Washington, D.C. When they bought our house in Washington, two families moved off our street because my father is Black," she told iBerkshires. She said she has always worked hard, whether it was during her career as a film editor in Hollywood, professor in Ireland, business owner, marketing coordinator, and all the hats she has worn throughout her life. "I have such a different life experiences and I've been through a lot. It has not been easy. So, there's been a lot of pain and a lot of work. So, I really appreciate what people go through and I've definitely struggled," she said. "I qualify for the housing I advocate for so I know what it's like. I know what it's like not to have stable housing. I mean, thank goodness, I'm stable now but it's a struggle. It's a struggle to pay the bills." Davis commended the work of Pignatelli over the last two decades. "He has stepped up and served us with integrity and with grace. He's focused on the problems that made a difference to residents while taking a stand on some tough issues at the State House," she said. "For this I am grateful his commitment to our community has inspired me to run and he's left some big shoes to fill. I hope I'm fortunate enough to fill them. So, I'm asking for your vote in the primary in September." Jessica Rufo, center, has opened Dorothy's on North Street, an expansion of her popular Dottie's Coffeeshop. With her are bartender Alyssa Baisley and bar and events manager Auron Stark Dottie and Dorothy's now occupy three storefronts. The former Mission was renovated to give Dottie's a swankier and sparklier nightlife addition. Jessica Rufo opened Dottie's in 2007 and named it after her grandmother. Family is prominent in the coffee shop. PreviousNext Dottie's Coffee Lounge Expands into Mission Server Victoria Mason with some of Dorothy's shareable platters. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Dottie's Coffee Lounge has grown and evolved over the decade to become a staple of North Street. Its newest "accessory" is an expansion into the former Mission restaurant that closed in October 2022. The adjacent space, now named Dorothy's, was renovated to connect to the coffeehouse and expand on the "welcoming and interesting" vibe that patrons love about Dottie's but also combine it with a "louder," "swanky" "sparkly" nightlife, owner Jessica Rufo said. "I think that Dorothy's will continue the Dottie's tradition in bringing people together, making them feel comfortable, making connections, making friends, and building relationships with ourselves and others," Rufo said. "I mean, I think we're all just so disconnected and I know that this space is going to awaken the parts of people that have been asleep for a while." The restaurant has drinks, shareable platters and will have live performances every night during dinner services. The performances are curated by bar and events manager Auron Stark. The platter will have a different theme every couple of weeks. Maybe it'll be Italian, maybe it'll be sushi, they're going to have fun with it, Rufo said. During the first couple of weeks, Dorothy's rolled out a Mediterranean theme. "You'll receive a platter of vegetables, greens, sauces, spreads, dips, [and] choose your protein. Our homemade focaccia is there to sort of entertain you before your protein comes and you can dive in that way," Rufo said. "So, no one's ever going to be sitting around being hangry here like you get this giant plate of food to eat and share and I just freakin love that. I just love, love, love this concept for everyone. I think it's for everyone." They hope the changing platter theme will keep customers engaged and the staff excited about what they are serving, she said. "We want people to be able to come and have different experiences all the time that's our job to keep our customers engaged and curious and interested. I mean, we're serving one option, so it's our job to make sure it stays interesting and alive and playful and all that stuff," Rufo said. Rufo said chef Amber Maisano has an amazing and sturdy kitchen presence with an eye toward the need for fresh whole foods. "The universe just popped her in our lap and we are so grateful I just could not have found anyone better to do this job," she said. Dottie's first expanded about 10 years ago into what was formerly a barber shop and turned it into an art gallery space. It now occupies three of the four storefronts of the building at the corner of North and Maplewood streets. That first addition gave the coffee shop a lot more empty wall space that needed to be filled. Rufo had a friend of hers curate the art in that room for a percentage of the sales for a number of years. Another local artist, Richard Britell, took over the position of the shop's art curator about seven years ago. "He's amazing. He is a local artist. He had a gallery in South County and has lots of relationships with artists in the area and beyond and he has just made us look good. So, we love him," Rufo said. When Rufo opened the coffee shop in 2007, with the help from her grandparents, she wanted to bring New York City-style coffee to the community and show how "dynamic and interesting coffee is." She was very "precious with coffee," she said, selling one size and without flavors. Over time she realized she is not here to educate people; she is there to give the people what they want, she said. Soon flavors such as peanut butter mocha started to appear on the menu per requests from patrons. The coffee is not the only thing patrons influenced they also had a hand in the decor. Rufo decorated with donated and Goodwill furniture and items to create an "eclectic, hodgepodge." "People would come in and be like, 'I have this table that I think would be great for you' and people would just bring us stuff because it was clear that we were open to all different styles and stuff. So, over the years, we have grown and changed but the baseline of really everything we do, as far as the environment that we create, is we want it to be comfortable for everyone," Rufo said. "That's sort of what makes Dottie's a really magical place is that everyone who walks through the store feels like they belong here." The shop has family pictures on the walls and an altar for loved ones who have passed. Between 2013 and 2019, Rufo lost four family members she was closest to most. "I have a very big and complicated family but they are me and I am them and it's important to me to remember that, to remind people that they came from somewhere that whether it's painful or joyful, like we're all the same," she said. Both the shop and restaurant are named after her late grandmother Dorothy "Dottie" Rufo, who passed away in 2019. Naming the space after her grandmother was a way to show her gratitude for her grandparents' help, plus she liked the way "Dottie's" sounded. "The past four years, I've lost, like every person that means anything to me, with the exception of my mother, who thankfully is still alive, but it's been really hard to imagine moving on without these people. And bringing them along with me in the space is helpful," Rufo said. "What I've learned about grief after all this loss, is every single person is carrying around a piece of grief with them and I think we hide that and we don't acknowledge that and that's what ends up being sickness in our bodies and all that stuff. "So, it really just comes down to intention. You know, and in wanting to bring my ancestors forward with me and wanting to make people feel less alone." Lanesborough FinCom Resigning Over Town Not Following Absentee Bylaw LANESBOROUGH, Mass. Finance Committee Chair Jodi-Lee Szczepaniak-Locke shared parting words with the Select Board last Monday after informing the board she would resign after the 2025 budget is resolved. "I believe in truth and honesty and a lot of you know me and you've known me for years and that's what I think is the most important thing," she said. "So you all can have at this. I am done and I wish you all the best of luck but it's not worth it. It's not worth it to me to participate in this anymore." Szczepaniak-Locke recently announced that she would be resigning to the committee. Her decision came from an attendance issue with a member of the committee not being resolved. She has asked that the absences be considered vacated positions and under the town's bylaw but town counsel's opinion is that the bylaw can't be invoked because these elected not appointed positions. "Ive been very strong in my role as chairperson for the Finance Committee. I've turned my head towards many things, including when I joined the Finance Committee I was told by the town manager at that time, that was his role, to find a dress to wear instead of my surgical scrubs because the meetings were televised and I should look prettier," she said. "And at that same meeting, I was told a doctor joke with reference to the male genitalia and they all thought that was funny but I didn't bring that forward. I didn't think I needed to. I'm a pretty strong person but recently my ethics were questioned and that I take seriously. I am a mother raising two young children in this town and I am a respected health care professional in this community and that's too important." It was revealed that town counsel had advised the board not to follow the bylaw that states if there are more than six unexcused absences within a consecutive 12-month period, the next step is to notify the member that they are considered to have vacated the position. "Our read of the bylaw is that this is within legal remit to be able to do this. Our town counsel very strongly cautioned against that. He said his interpretation of the Massachusetts General law said the bylaw did not extend to elected members," Town Administrator Gina Dario explained. "I would not think that that bylaw was legal in the sense that an elected member could be removed from their seat without a recall provision in our bylaws." She added that she hasn't been able to find the history of how the bylaw was put forward and the follow-up would be to determine whether or not there needs to be an amendment. Town counsel did say that if it was an appointed position, it could be upheld. She feels it is important that residents know there are elected members of the committee who are not able to be fully present and that this could pose a "significant" problem throughout budget season. One member had nine absences last year and several meetings had to be rescheduled due to not having a quorum when there was business to take care of. The Finance Committee has five members elected on a rotating basis for three-year terms. Its main job is to make studied recommendations on all town financial matters and to prepare a budget for the annual town meeting. "I did come here in regards to the Finance Committee attendance issue to utilize you all as a board in an advisory capacity and to put a bylaw into action," Szczepaniak-Locke said at last week's meeting. "It is a town bylaw solely related to the Finance Committee. It's not related to any other elected committee. It's attached to the Finance Committee by law. It was not a bylaw that we, the current committee, put into action. It was there before I started. The member in question provided three different reasons for missing nine meetings in a row. Again, I wasn't seeking permission from the Select Board. The process was clearly stated within the bylaw." She is opposed to not complying with the bylaw and is embarrassed by the situation. "It feels right to resign from the mediocrity that I feel this town government has turned into. We have bylaws and we're supposed to follow them and if we continue to turn our heads up then what do we have? I'm embarrassed," she said. "I think that we have rules and we're supposed to follow them." Press Release February 19, 2024 Legarda bats for minimum wage increase Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda expressed her support for a bill increasing the daily minimum wage by P100 in the private sector to uplift families from poverty. The four-term senator co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill 2534, which Senate passed on second reading. "It is high time we increase the minimum wage across the board in the private sector to alleviate the financial strain on families," said Legarda during her co-sponsorship speech. "By ensuring that families earn a fair wage, we can address concerns about basic necessities. This will enable families to enjoy more fulfilling and stable lives. This is a matter of economic justice and basic human dignity," she added. The minimum wage of all workers in the private sector, whether agricultural or non-agricultural, shall be increased by P100 a day upon the effectivity of the law. Any employer found to have violated the law, if passed, will be fined between P25,000 to P100,000, or imprisonment between 2-4 years, as well as awarding back pay. Per the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), a Filipino family of five would need at least P13,797 a month or P460 a day to make ends meet. "By increasing the minimum wage, there is a chance to lift individuals out of poverty. There is a chance for them to be more productive, to pay more taxes, to spend more in our economy, and to be able to live a life that they deserve," asserted Legarda. The senator added that workers cannot be ignored and must be protected at all costs as they carry the country's economy. The last time a legislated national wage hike in the Philippines was carried out was in 1989 through Republic Act 6727, or the Wage Rationalization Act, which raised the national minimum wage from P64 to P89. After the enactment of laws such as RA 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, which lowered the corporate income tax rate, it is now time to prioritize the workers' welfare. "We cannot ignore the plight of our workers. They are the ones carrying this economy, and we must protect them at all costs. We must not tolerate inequality and poverty. This is why we must pass this measure," Legarda concluded. With the upcoming premiere of the highly anticipated film Madame Web, fans of Sonys Spider-Man Universe can expect freebies and surprises online and at participating Lenovo Experience Stores and authorized resellers around the metro. Columbia Pictures Madame Web opens exclusively in cinemas February 14, 2024, taking viewers on an action-packed journey following the origin story of one of Marvel Publishing's most enigmatic heroines. The suspenseful superhero thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who may have clairvoyant abilities. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women destined for powerful futures...if they can all survive a deadly present. To celebrate the theatrical release, Lenovo customers will be treated to various freebies upon purchase of participating Windows 11 devices. Take home some Madame Web merch or a brand-new monitor With over thirty participating devices in the promo, customers will have no problem choosing between the Lenovo IdeaPad, Yoga, Legion, and LOQ series to find the right device that caters to their needs. From February 1 to March 27, 2024, customers will be entitled to a corresponding freebie for every purchase of a participating device; with a Madame Web x Lenovo Cap, Lenovo D20-30 Monitor, and Lenovo L22E-40 Monitor up for grabs. Participating devices all come with Windows 11s Copilot feature, for maximum AI-powered productivity and efficiency. With Copilot at hand, users can get answers to questions, solutions to problems, and guidance on their next move as if they had Madame Webs clairvoyance themselves. Select stores including the Lenovo Experience Store in SM Megamall, Legion Store SM North EDSA, and Legion Store SM Makati will also host in-store activities where customers can play for additional prizes. A tarot reader will be present from Fridays to Sundays in-store from February 16 for customers to get a glimpse of their own futures for free. Give in to your spider-senses and head on to promotions.lenovo.com for the full mechanics and complete list of participating products. For more information, follow Lenovo Philippines on Facebook. Global cybersecurity company Kaspersky is urging Filipinos to be wary of careless plugging of USBs to their computers unless they have been scanned following the release of data that 36.80% of users in the Philippines were attacked by local threats from January to December 2023. Local threats are malware spread through removable media such as flash drives, even CDs and DVDs and other "offline" methods. Worms and file viruses account for the majority of incidents. The Philippines ranks third in Southeast Asia with the most number of users attacked by local threats, according to the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN). The country trails behind Vietnam (53.30%) and Indonesia (41.10%). KSN is a complex distributed infrastructure dedicated to processing cybersecurity-related data streams from millions of voluntary participants around the world. KSN data is collected from Kaspersky customers here who have installed the companys cybersecurity software on their computers and voluntarily shared information with the firm. Globally, the Philippines placed 76th in Kaspersky's KSN report in 2023. It was 72nd in 2022 and 70th in 2021. Since 2019, the country's overall percentage of Kaspersky users attacked by local threats ranged from 42% to 51%. Throughout 2023, Kaspersky solutions detected and blocked a total of 22,731,157 local threats. The top ten most attacked countries in 2023 are from Central Asia, Africa, and South Asia. Thumb drives are so nifty! Over time, it has become smaller in size, yet its capacity has tremendously increased that we can now store large files like videos and multiple copies of them on a single drive. They can even last up to 10 years or more now, so quality has also evolved drastically. There's no doubt that even with cloud storage now available, I think USBs are going to stick around for a long time, said Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky. But USBs are a boon to everyone who uses them, cybercriminals included, and a bane for those unaware that such offline hardware could cause a catastrophe. We need to understand that cyberattacks don't come solely from the internet. Attackers are finding ways to get to your devices, like with the use of these seemingly plain removable media, which we could prevent with proper USB hygiene, added Yeo. According to Kaspersky, secure USB drive manufacturers are following the FIPS 140 certification standard that involves a cryptographic security disclosure and validation process. But some encrypted USB drives pass certification and are still vulnerable to attackssometimes even the easy ones. The danger levels of USBs are currently classified in three (3) categories: Serendipitous: Open to an opportunistic attacker with minimal resourcesbasically, at this level you find a person who may have found or stolen a drive and is eager to get their hands on the information it possibly contains. Open to an opportunistic attacker with minimal resourcesbasically, at this level you find a person who may have found or stolen a drive and is eager to get their hands on the information it possibly contains. Professional: Available to attackers with resources, albeit limited ones. Mostly, attackers at this level are interested in gathering large amounts of information; and Available to attackers with resources, albeit limited ones. Mostly, attackers at this level are interested in gathering large amounts of information; and State-sponsored: Requires attackers with plenty of resources. Usually, attackers are after specific data, and keys that are worth a large investment. Below are some helpful tips from Kaspersky experts to keep your USB sticks clean and your computers, safe: 1. Configure your OS to avoid running anything from USBs. If an attacker leaves an infected USB card in your office and you pick one up and plug into your computer, you need to make sure your antivirus software is set up to prevent the opening and running of any infected files. If you're using Kaspersky Premium, the software will perform an auto-scan of your USB stick the moment you plug it in. After scanning, it will give you the option to repair or it will alert you if a threat is detected. 2. Update your OS. When your OS offers you a patch update, download it. Patches are released to improve upon imperfections and vulnerabilities within your software and neglecting to keep up with the latest versions could make you susceptible to viruses. In the case of USB malware, make sure your OS is patched against AutoRun exploits so again, your system is not automatically running anything from your removable devices. 3. Don't copy executable files. Executable files can cause your computer to perform tasks that have been assigned by encoded instructions. You can imagine the danger of copying this type of file from an unknown source so it's best to avoid doing so altogether. We recommend downloading all software directly from official, trusted sites only. 4. Keep your drives separate. On top of making sure you're only using USB drives given to you by trusted sources, you should also make sure that you aren't using them to mix business with pleasure. Its safest to keep your work and personal information separate from one another, especially if your USB sticks are being used by multiple people in your home or office. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Jodie Foster has revealed that a free diver had to swim down and rescue her after she shot a dramatic drowning sequence for True Detective: Night Country. Foster, 61, plays Alaskan Detective Liz Danvers in the series, which aired its finale this weekend. While speaking to GQ , Foster was asked about filming a scene in which Danvers falls through broken ice into the sea. That was the scariest day, Foster told the magazine. They built a tank. My boots were weighted, my parka was weighted, everything was weighted, because I had to drop. It was completely dark and I couldnt wear contact lenses, so I couldnt see. Everything, except for one small area [of the surface] was closed, so I couldnt figure out how to get to the top. And, because I was weighted, I couldnt, even if I tried. Once they cut, a free diver had to come and rescue me and bring me to the surface because I couldnt find it. It was panic-inducing. This series was the fourth instalment in the True Detective franchise. Jodie Foster as Liz Danvers in True Detective: Night Country (HBO) In a four-star review of the show, The Independents television critic Nick Hilton wrote: In the word cloud of adjectives used to describe Jodie Foster over the course of her career, I suspect that cold and icy would be quite large so, shes perfectly cast here. Reis brings more fragility and humanity to her side of the detective duo. Kali Reis plays Alaska state trooper Evangeline Navarro on the show, and the former world champion boxer recently told The Independent that working with two-time Academy Award winner Foster was like training in a gym full of champs. Im not walking into a gym to be the big dog; I want to be the worst one in the room so I can get better, she said, adding of Foster: She doesnt take anything too seriously if she screws up, she screws up, and shes so generous with her knowledge, her time, her ideas. Shes an amazing person. True Detective: Night Country creator Issa Lopez recently explained the reason behind the series callbacks and references to the shows acclaimed season one, which starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. Lopez told The Independent: Its very important to me to say the world where Dora Lange died in 2007 in Louisiana is the exact same world where the scientists disappear in 2024. So how do you establish those realities? Just to say, This is the same world. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A trade union representing workers at 11 major Indian ports says it will refuse to operate shipments carrying weapons to Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza, days after reports emerged that Indian-made drones are being shipped to Tel Aviv. The Water Transport Workers Federation of India said in a statement that it has decided to refuse to load or unload weaponised cargoes from Israel or any other country which could handle military equipment for war in Palestine. We the Port workers, part of labour unions would always stand against the war and killing [of] innocent people like women and children, a statement by the union said. The union represents more than 3,500 workers at 11 government-owned ports in India. "Women and children have been blown to pieces in the war. Parents were unable to recognise their children killed in bombings that were exploding everywhere," the statement added. Israel has continued its ground invasion of the Gaza Strip after vowing to eradicate Hamas following the groups terror attack on southern Israel on 7 October, in which some 1,200 Israelis died and hundreds of civilians were taken hostage. More than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed in the four-month war since, the Gaza health ministry said on Monday, as hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians have been pushed to the brink of starvation and much of the Strips civilian infrastructure has been destroyed. In an interview with the Middle East Eye, T Narendra Rao, general secretary of the Water Transport Workers Federation of India, said they will boycott handling of any vessel carrying arms or ammunitions or weaponised cargo to Israel. At this stage the move is largely a symbolic measure to express solidarity with the Palestinians as, he said, the unions workers have yet to be involved in any weapons shipments to Israel since the Gaza war began. The boycott comes after The Independent previously reported that an apparel manufacturing firm in India decided to halt further orders to make Israeli police uniforms on humanitarian grounds. Palestinians mourn over their relatives killed in the Israeli bombardments of the Gaza Strip at Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The trade union is an affiliate of the World Federation of Trade Unions, a global body, and it was inspired to take this measure at a recent meeting in Athens where a number of union representatives expressed solidarity with Palestinians dying in the war. We decided them that we would do our bit and not handle any weapon-laden cargo, which will go onto assist Israel to kill more women and children as we are seeing and reading every day in the news, the union told Indian news website The Wire. Palestinians chant Islamic slogans while carry the bodies of children killed in the Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip in front of the morgue at Al Aqsa hospital (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) It comes days after it was reported that the Israeli army received 20 Indian-made Hermes 900 drones that have been used on the besieged strip. A source at Adani Group, which runs 12 ports across several states, told The Wire that the drones were supplied to Israel. The deal has not been acknowledged publicly by India or Israel, which share close relations, despite India being among the international allies of Tel Aviv that have called for a two-state solution to the war. India has also been actively recruiting and training a migrant labour workforce to be sent to Israel to replace Palestinian workers, amid an acute shortage during the war. Recruitment drives are going on across Indian cities to recruit 10,000 to 20,000 workers for Israel in the coming months. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Japan is hosting a conference for Japanese and Ukrainian officials to discuss reconstruction of Ukraine just ahead of the two-year anniversary of Russias invasion, while the US and other Western countries are still focusing on military aid for the battlefield. Hundreds of senior officials and executives are attending the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo. AP explains the event, its purpose, who's attending and the projects being discussed. Who are attending? The conference is co-organized by the Japanese and Ukrainian governments, Japans powerful business organization Keidanren, and the Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO. Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is heading his countrys delegation of more than 100 government and corporate officials, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy planned a video message. First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko and Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Minister Ruslan Strilets are attending. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is leading Japan's side, joined by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Economy and Trade and Industry Minister Ken Saito, and Keidanren chair Masakazu Tokura, among many others. About 100 officials from Japanese companies, the majority of them startups but from also leading companies like Kawasaki Heavy Industry, farming equipment makers Yanmar Holdings and Kubota Co., and telecoms company Rakuten Symphony also are attending. Why now? Japan hopes the conference will help build support for Ukraine as the war drags on after two years, at a time when attention has been diverted to the situation in Gaza. Officials in Tokyo say the global community should unite in supporting Ukraine to show that using force against other countries will not be tolerated. (via REUTERS) Why is Japan doing this? The conference is largely about reconstruction and investment in Ukraine that could put Japan ahead of the curve. Its also about Japans national security. Kishida has repeatedly said Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow. Japan has staunchly opposed Russias invasion, viewing it as a one-sided change of the status-quo by force. It is concerned about Chinas increasingly assertive military actions in the region. Japan has earned a strong reputation for economic and development cooperation under its post-World War II pacifist policy that commits it to never using force against other nations. Tokyo has eased that restraint to build up a military deterrence against China, but its support for Ukraine has largely been for humanitarian assistance. It has limited its supplies of military equipment to non-lethal weapons. Japans $12.1 billion contribution to Ukraine over the past two years is much smaller than the $111 billion that the United States and other Western nations have provided in weapons, equipment and humanitarian assistance. The government hopes to facilitate private sector investment while minimizing risks of business operations in Ukraine. Having risen from the ashes of devastation from World War II and from the damage caused by major earthquakes and other disasters, Japan believes it has a special role to play in aiding Ukraine's rebuilding. What kinds of deals are being discussed? The Ukrainian side has expressed high expectations for Japanese companies expertise in technology and Japans experience in postwar and disaster reconstruction, officials say. Ukraines reconstruction also will mean future investment and business opportunities for startups, who are the majority of those attending the conference. (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) The Japanese government has chosen seven target areas including removal of mines and debris; improvement of humanitarian and living conditions; farming; biochemical manufacturing; digital and information industries; infrastructure for power generation and transportation and anti-corruption measures. A Tokyo-based bridge-builder, Komai Haltec, is working on a deal to supply small wind power generation facilities as backup power for Ukraines state gas operator. Sumitomo Trading and Kawasaki Heavy Industry are reportedly considering working on reconstruction of Ukrainian gas pipelines. Rakuten Symphony signed a cooperation deal in August with Veon, a Ukrainian information company in 5G and other communication services. Japanese startups include one that has developed radar-mounted landmine removal equipment and another one that provides optimized farming by analyzing soil components by satellite imagery. What will happen at the conference? In his keynote speech at the opening session Monday, Kishida stressed the importance of investment across industries for the future of Ukraines development and of providing support suitable for the country. The two sides will issue a joint communique and dozens of memorandums of cooperation on the reconstruction will be announced. Attendants are to attend two other sessions one on economy, another on women, peace and security. British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown was preparing for her work day as usual when her phone started lighting up with WhatsApp messages. Oh my goodness, I am so sorry, read one text. The 64-year-old investigative journalist was as shocked as anyone to read that she had been sentenced in absentia to two years in prison by a Malaysian court, sparking a flurry of messages of support from her alarmed friends, colleagues and family. She was convicted of defaming the countrys former queen, Sultanah Nur Zahirah, in her book The Sarawak Report The Inside Story of the 1MDB Expose. Once online, she found out about the ruling in local Malay news reports. She used Googles translation services to figure out what was happening. It was a surprise, she tells The Independent. No one told me there was going to be a trial. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A financial columnist for New York Magazine has gone viral after she admitted to being scammed out of $50,000 from someone posing as a CIA agent. Charlotte Cowles, a writer living in New York City, recently shared how she was conned into thinking she was the victim of identity theft in an essay published in The Cut on 15 February. The first-person essay, titled The Day I Put $50,000 in a Shoe Box and Handed It to a Stranger, has since sparked much discourse online about scams. Cowles began by explaining that she received a phone call from an Amazon customer service agent, who said there was fraud on her account. While Cowles didnt notice any unusual activity on her Amazon account, she said she was connected to an investigator allegedly from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) who knew her Social Security number, her Brooklyn address, and the names of her family members and two-year-old son. The man, who said his name was Calvin Mitchell, told Cowles that she was in imminent danger with 22 bank accounts, nine vehicles, and four properties registered to her name. He also claimed that her bank accounts were used to wire more than $3m overseas, and there were warrants out for her arrest linked to cybercrimes, money laundering, and drug trafficking. The scammer convinced her not to tell anyone about their conversation, including her husband, over fears he was behind her identity theft. He transferred her to someone purporting to be a CIA agent named Michael Sarano, who instructed Cowles to withdraw $50,000 from her bank account so they could freeze her assets. She was told to put the cash in a shoe box, tape it shut and label it with her name, case number, address, a locker number he had read out to her, and her signature before texting a picture of the box to him. When an undercover CIA agent arrived outside her Brooklyn home that evening, she put the shoe box filled with $50,000 cash in the back seat of the SUV. The alleged CIA agent then texted Cowles a photo of a Treasury check made out to her for $50,000, saying that a hard copy of the check would be hand-delivered to her in the morning. When she tried to set up an appointment with the Social Security office to receive a new Social Security number, a woman told her over the phone that Michael [was] busy and he will call [her] in the morning. Upon realising that she was the victim of a scam, Cowles told the woman: You are lying to me. Michael was lying. You just took my money and Im never getting it back. I felt violated, unreliable; I couldnt trust myself, Cowles wrote. I considered keeping the whole thing a secret. I worried it would harm my professional reputation. I still do. She added: If I had to pinpoint a moment that made me think my scammers were legitimate, it was probably when they read me my Social Security number. Since it was published on 15 February, Cowles essay has received much attention online. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, many users debated whether its easy or difficult to fall for a scam. NBC reporter Kat Tenbarge defended Cowles from critics, emphasising how emotions can run high in the midst of a scam. Everyone who reads this thinks they would never fall for a scam like this, but the truth is you would, Tenbarge wrote on X. You just have no idea how you will react when your emotions are toyed with to this level. Everyone is capable of being abused, manipulated, and scammed. Some people used it as an opportunity to teach others about the warning signs of a scam, like one person who posted: THE FTC DOES NOT DEAL WITH FRAUD OR HAVE BADGE NUMBERS. Theres no gentle way to say this but I feel like it might be cool to teach people scam avoidance and instill in them that it CAN be prevented more instead of this it can happen to anyone thing that sometimes veers into helpless coddling, another user pointed out. Others simply explained they wouldnt fall victim to a scam because they have no money, or would never answer calls from an unknown number. One reason the $50,000 scam wouldnt work on me is because I dont have $50,000, said one person, while another user said: Shocked to discover how many of yall are still picking up phone calls from numbers you dont recognise in 2024. In 2022, the FTC found that young adults - including Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Zers ages 18 to 59 - were 34 per cent more likely than older adults to report losing money to fraud. Most recently, US adults lost a record $10bn to fraudsters in 2023, according to the FTC. These types of scams related to investments, business decisions, romance, and government service. In fact, scams mimicking government officials and services - such as the one in Cowles story - grew 15 per cent from 2022 to 2023. The Independent has contacted Cowles for comment. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Living Well email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A political commentator discovered his secret family after a home DNA test matched him with three local and living half-siblings of his late mother. Peter Stefanovic, 58, a high profile lawyer from Buckinghamshire whose political commentary has gone viral in recent years, was not expecting to discover any new family members when he and his late mother, Aileen, did a DNA home test to learn more about their Scandinavian and Finnish origins. Aileen passed away in February 2021, a few months before her test results came back to reveal she matched with three half-siblings, one of whom lives just 20 minutes away from her childhood home in Welling, Kent. The shocking discovery also revealed the identify of her father, John McRory, an Irish soldier who had been stationed in the area during the 1930s. While Aileen, who died at the age of 86, never knew her fathers name and was unaware of the existence of her three half-siblings, Peter has now met up with his new family at a hotel in Rochester on January 27 2024, including his mothers half-sister, Victoria Cox, 86, and half-brothers, Ashley and Graham McRory. Peter knew very little about his grandfather, John McRory, only that he had been an Irish soldier (Collect/PA Real Life) (PA) Peter said: When we all came together that evening, there was a sense of trepidation because we didnt know how everyone was going to react to each other. When my wife and I walked into the hotel bar where we had arranged to meet on that Saturday night, we were greeted with this overwhelming feeling of love and affection. That old saying, that blood is thicker than water, I did not really understand what it meant until that night. Ive suddenly got a whole new family that I never knew I had, and its really quite extraordinary. It looks like that when my grandad had these flings with my mother and Victorias mother, that he was already married. I was told that my grandad was a very charming man with the ladies, which would explain how he got away with it. The new found family agreed to meet in-person for the first time at a hotel in Rochester on January 27, 2024 (PA) Peter knew very little about his grandfather, John McRory only that he had been an Irish soldier. But this all changed when Peter decided to do a home DNA test with MyHeritage in 2018, to find out more about his background. He was shocked to discover that a significant portion of his genetic makeup came from Scandinavia and Finland. Wanting to know more, he suggested his mother, Aileen, also take a home test which confirmed his Nordic heritage. When we did her test she was a staggering 44.6% Scandinavian, Peter explained. Aileen, who died at the age of 86, never knew her father's name and was unaware of the existence of her three half-siblings (Collect/PA Real Life) (PA) Sadly, Aileen passed away shortly afterwards without ever finding out who her father was. My mum sadly died three years ago never knowing who her father was, he said. When we embarked on the DNA testing it never crossed anyones mind that we would find her father, my grandfather. Its only through the miracle of DNA testing that it happened. Several months after his mothers death, Peter was notified that his mothers DNA had been matched with 86-year-old Victoria Cox. It turned out to be Aileens half sister, who was born in 1937 in Gravesend, Kent, just 20 minutes away from her childhood home in Welling. It is such a shame that neither of them knew the other existed, said Peter. Victoria had never known her biological father either, and was told the same story, that he had been an Irish solider. There was a shared sense of loss between my mum and Victoria because neither of them knew who their father was, said Peter. They were both told the same story, that he was Irish and a soldier, but no name, no address, nothing else. He would have remained a mystery had the DNA test not been matched with two other half-siblings, Ashley and Graham McRory. They knew nothing about Victoria and my mum, said Peter. But the way in which they have just welcomed these two families who they knew nothing about with open arms was so touching. Peter with his wife Anu and daughter Emily (Collect/PA Real Life) (PA) Their father, John McRory, was an Irish citizen and had been stationed around Kent during the early 1930s. Peter has since found documents which suggest his grandfather John was born in 1913 and served in the Royal Ulster Rifles. It also tallies with what Peter had been told about his grandmother, Elsie Baldwins fleeting relationship. My great aunt said that my grandma had always been a rather quiet and sullen child, so you can imagine, there was a huge wave of shock in the family when they discovered that she was pregnant, said Peter. I was told that my great grandad went to see this guy and asked what his intentions were, to which he replied that he was already married and then disappeared. When you think about the time, early 1930s, it was pretty extreme behaviour, but apparently he was a very charming man with the ladies. The new found family agreed to meet in-person for the first time at a hotel in Rochester at the end of last month. There was this instant connection. Peters wife, Anu, 59, who was one of his mothers carers before she passed away, was shocked by the resemblance between Aileen and her half sister. Many of Peters new family members recognised him from his media presence, with some even following him on Twitter. Ive been known for many years as someone who has challenged the Government on a number of issues and its just one of those things, where if you say something that resonates with people, they just start following you. Peter said him and his wife were treated like any other family member and welcomed with open arms. The couple, who now lives in Northamptonshire, plan on attending Victorias 87th birthday in May and speak with their new family on a regular basis. We have been messaging each other, practically every day, said Peter. It almost feels as though we have always known each other. To find out more about MyHeritage home DNA tests visit: www.myheritage.com/dna For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A woman remains in police custody after police revealed a 10-month-old baby was among the three children found dead at a home in Bristol on Sunday. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed on Monday morning that the victims were a seven-year-old boy, a three-year-old girl, and a 10-month-old boy. Officers attended a concern for welfare call in Blaise Walk, in Sea Mills, at around 12.40am and discovered three young children inside the property. They were pronounced dead a short time later. Ch Insp Hayward-Melen confirmed the ages of the three children who died during a briefing on Monday morning (PA) The 42-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently being treated in hospital for injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening. The woman is believed to be a Sudanese national and to have lived at the address with her husband - although its understood he wasnt at the home at the time of the incident. The force will today make a formal referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on the case. Its understood it is over contact made with the family. The home is a semi-detached property located in a quiet residential street in Sea Mills, which is located on the banks of the River Avon around four miles north west of Bristol city centre. Speaking from the scene to reporters, Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said: Id like to start by saying this is a terrible and deeply distressing tragedy in which three young children have lost their lives. Our thoughts are very much with the childrens loved ones who are going through an horrendous ordeal. We were first called by a member of the public who was concerned for the welfare of the occupants early on Sunday. Officers arrived at about 12.40am and found three children whose lives could not be saved. She added: Formal identification has not yet taken place, but we believe the victims are a boy aged seven, a girl of three and a 10-month-old boy. Their next of kin have been informed and are being given all the help and support they need by specialist family liaison officers. The death of the three children has sent shockwaves through the local community. A forensic tent in the garden of one of the properties in Blaise Walk in Sea Mills (PA) Sea Mills Primary School announced it would be closed on Monday morning and reopen at 1.30pm. Sea Mills Play Group also said it would not open on Monday. In a statement, the playgroup said: Due to the tragic events in our community today, playgroup will be cancelled tomorrow morning. Our hearts go out to the family and their friends, neighbours, school friends and wider community. Churches have been also providing support. On Sunday night, one held a vigil, while several more are open today for people to come in and discuss any concerns they have. Ch Insp Hayward-Melen said: Weve been humbled by the community response to this tragedy. At a time of great sadness and disbelief, weve seen spontaneous acts of care and support. Within hours of the incident occurring, a local church was opened up for people to gather and mourn. Police at the scene in Blaise Walk on Sunday night (PA Wire) This is what being in a community is all about and wed like to thank all those who continue to offer this important and selfless service. The death of such young children is a great shock to the whole community and this incident has had a profound and deep impact on all of us in the police. Well be making sure all those involved in the response and the subsequent investigation are given any welfare support they may need. A woman, who did not wish to be named, described the arrested woman as lovely. She said the family had two boys, aged around eight and six months, and a girl aged around four. She was so happy when she had that little boy, she said. We were so happy for her, we came round and gave gifts. She was really gentle, really lovely. She always had a smile on her face. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An asylum seeker who piloted an unseaworthy boat where four passengers drowned in the English Channel has been found guilty of manslaughter. Ibrahima Bah, who is over 18, killed four other migrants while seeking passage from France to the UK on December 14 2022. Bah, from Senegal, was found guilty by the jury by a majority of 10 to 2 of four counts of manslaughter and was found guilty unanimously of facilitating illegal entry to the UK following a retrial at Canterbury Crown Court. During the trial, jurors were told the home-built, low-quality inflatable should have had no more than 20 people on board but, in fact, tried to carry at least 43 people across the English Channel that night. While the majority of travellers paid thousands of euros to smugglers for a spot in the overcrowded vessel, prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said it appears Bah did not pay for his journey because he piloted the dingy, therefore owing his fellow passengers a duty of care. But Mr Atkinson said Bah was not trained or licensed to lead the voyage and there was insufficient safety equipment such as life jackets and no flares or radio on board. File photo of small boat crossing in August (Getty Images) He was aware that the boat was overcrowded, lacking in safety equipment and, as it took in water, that it was increasingly unseaworthy. The court heard that when the boat got into trouble a number of migrants inside the boat described water reaching their knees within 30 minutes of leaving the French coast. Mr Atkinson said: Despite these increasing and obvious problems, the defendant continued to head into UK waters. The jury heard that a crew on a UK fishing boat called the Arcturus came across the sinking boat and tried to rescue the passengers, with help from the RNLI, air ambulance and UK Border Force. The boat in which four passengers drowned in the English Channel (PA) A total of 39 survivors were brought to shore in the port of Dover. The exact number of migrants who drowned is unknown as it appears at least one migrants body was not recovered, Mr Atkinson said. Three of four of the people who died were known only as unknown male persons, while one man was named Hajratullah Ahmadi. During the trial, one asylum seeker, Amrullah Ahmadzai, described how everyone on the boat was screaming and trying to call for help on their mobile phones during the journey, before being rescued by the fishing boat. Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Ibrahima Bah (Elizabeth Cook/PA) (PA Archive) He described how the skipper tried to steer the dinghy towards the fishing vessel to help the passengers, and was shouting at everyone calm down, Im going to take you there. The court heard from witnesses that before the voyage the group of migrants were transported in three cars to the shoreline, organised by Kurdish agents. The smugglers also brought the boat in a car and got the passengers to help pump it up. Another traveller, Ghanam Gul Ahmadzai, said the smugglers were cruel to the migrants, sometimes beating them up to pump the dingy. Giving evidence in court, Bah said that smugglers beat him up and threatened to kill him when he refused to pilot the boat. The defendant told jurors he agreed to pilot the boat before he had seen it, in exchange for free travel for himself and his friend. But when he saw the boat after it was inflated on the beach, he changed his mind because it was too small for the number of people travelling. Mr Atkinson said Bah was not telling the truth about being forced to pilot the boat, and that he was changing his story as to why he did not want to drive the vessel. The court heard that it was Bahs dream to come to the UK to claim asylum, and he had left Senegal in 2019. He told police, when he arrived in the UK, that he had travelled from Senegal to Mali, Algeria and then Libya, before going by boat to Italy using smugglers. He had previously worked on fishing boats in Senegal, sometimes helping with fishing and steering the boat, and assisted in piloting the boat from Libya to Italy. Bah will be sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday February 23. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A drug dealer caught with party bags containing canisters of laughing gas has become the first person to be jailed for possessing the drug since it was outlawed, the Crown Prosecution Service said. Thomas Salton, 30, from Brentwood in Essex, had gift boxes for customers which included the nitrous oxide, banned by the Government in November 2023, along with ketamine, balloons and candy canes. A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Salton was found with 60 small canisters of the Class C drug, 48 one-gram bags of ketamine and 39,000 in cash when police pulled over his Range Rover on December 1 last year. Also, in the car was a naughty and nice list of customers, with gift bags for those on the naughty list, the CPS said. A further 408 nitrous oxide cannisters and 965 grams of ketamine were later found at a property Salton was renting 10 miles from his home. The CPS spokesman said Salton was sentenced to 35 months in prison at Basildon Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to possessing nitrous oxide with intent to supply at a hearing last month. He also admitted possessing ketamine with intent to supply, possession of a class A drug and possessing criminal property, in relation to the cash, according to the CPS. Alex Hinds, a prosecutor for CPS East of England, said: The evidence against Thomas Salton was overwhelming and this case is an example of all parts of the justice system working together to get drugs and those who sell them off the streets. The change in the law coupled with the actions of the police has allowed the CPS to present the strongest case in court and put Thomas Salton out of business and into prison. Nitrous oxide is a dangerous drug and hopefully this first conviction will deter those thinking of buying or selling it. Nitrous oxide, nicknamed hippy crack, was made a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 last November, as part of the Governments anti-social behaviour action plan. This means possession of nitrous oxide, where a person intends to wrongfully inhale it for a psychoactive effect, is now an offence and dealers could face up to 14 years behind bars. It is still possible to use the gas for legitimate reasons, such as catering, pain relief during labour or in model rockets. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tributes have been paid to three children found dead in their home in Bristol. Brothers Fares Bash, aged seven, and nine-month-old Mohammed Bash have been named by police along with sister Joury Bash, aged three. The three were found dead at their semi-detached home in the northeast of the city. A 42-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery in the early hours of Sunday morning. She is being treated in hospital due to injuries, which are said not to be life threatening. Fares Bash has been named as the eldest of the children to have been found dead at the house in Sea Mills, Bristol (Facebook) Avon and Somerset Police were called to the home in Blaise Walk, Sea Mills, after a member of the public called with concerns for the welfare of those inside. On Monday morning, at a briefing at the taped-off street, Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said the death of the children had caused great shock to the whole community. And at Sea Mills Methodist Church, members of the citys Sudanese community came together to share the news and remember the children. Sadiq Issak was among them. He said: Its a really sad day for everyone in the community. What we can do is to get together and show our support for those impacted. We all knew them well, so its hard for us right now - you just feel awful about the children. Joury Bash was named as the three-year-old child who died (Facebook) Salwa Bashar lives three miles away in Horfield but knew the family well. The NHS worker told The Independent: They were very happy children, very bubbly, especially the eldest child who acts like an adult. He was a remarkable boy, not just an ordinary boy he was amazing, intelligent, always trying to help you out, always asking if you were OK. Hes so young but hes like an adult and hes very curious about everything, trying to figure everything out. Mohammed Bash was named locally as the 10-month-old baby who died (Maha Haroun) Im really sad hes gone. I said to the mother: One day this boy will be something else, hes not going to be just a normal boy. Hes going to be a really important person. And now... I dont know, I wake up yesterday morning and Im told hes gone. At a nearby park, Ahmed Egal was with his son who was a friend of Fares. He said: The children were all so lovely. Wed see them around here often and Id often speak to the mother as she spoke Arabic like me. I also knew the father. We worked together at Royal Mail, he also seemed like a nice person. Everyone in our community is in shock today. Hamida Adam was outside the church with her child on Monday morning. She knows the mother well and said the family had visited a trampoline park called AirHop Bristol during the recent half-term holiday. She said: She was a perfect mother, a very good carer of her kids and looked after them very well. When I close my eyes I see her with her beautiful children. We just want answers on what happened. Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen issues an update after three children were found dead at a property in Sea Mills (PA) The Independent understands that the father was not in the house at the time of the incident. Avon and Somerset Police are making a formal referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on the case. An IOPC spokesperson said it had been informed of police contact with the family earlier this month. The home is a semi-detached property in a quiet residential street in Sea Mills, four miles northwest of Bristol city centre. On Monday morning, both Sea Mills Primary School and Sea Mills Community Playgroup closed as a result of the tragedy. Salwa Bashar paid tribute to the three children, calling the eldest boy remarkable (The Independent) Ch Insp Hayward-Melen said forensic post-mortem examinations were taking place to establish the causes of the three deaths. Formal identification had not yet taken place, but the next of kin was being given support by specialist family liaison officers. The officer added: Its important to stress we are treating this as an isolated incident and we dont believe there to be any ongoing risk to the wider community. Weve been humbled by the community response to this tragedy. At a time of great sadness and disbelief, weve seen spontaneous acts of care and support. This is what being in a community is all about and wed like to thank all those who continue to offer this important and selfless service. She added: I know people will be eager to have answers, but the major crime investigation team are in the very early stages of what will be a highly sensitive, complex and thorough investigation, and it will take time to establish all the facts. We anticipate well need to carry out further enquiries at the scene for the rest of the week and there will be some cordons in place while we do this. Darren Jones, MP for Bristol North West, said: Im deeply saddened by this tragic news from Sea Mills. My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of the children, and my thanks go to our emergency services who responded. Avon and Somerset Police will remain in the area but consider this to be an isolated incident. Local councillor Henry Michallat said: My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the children at this sad and difficult time. I thank emergency service personnel who have responded. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A murder investigation has been launched after 21 year-old woman was found dead at a home in east London. Teddi Baker, 21, was discovered in Limehouse the morning after a brawl involving six people in a nearby alleyway and pronounced dead soon after. Police have yet to reveal the cause of death and are awaiting the results of a post-mortem. A woman, aged in her 20s, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and released on police bail to return at a later date. The Met is now appealing for witnesses to the 7 February fight, that they believe Ms Baker was involved in, to come forward. Have you been affected by this incident? Email barney.davis,ind@independent.co.uk A Scotland Yard spokesman: We were called by London Ambulance Service to a residential address in Stainsby Road, E14 at 08:26hrs on Thursday, 8 February following reports that a 21-year-old woman had been found unconscious. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Her next of kin are being supported by specialist officers. The fight broke out in Dod Street near an alleyway that leads to Limehouse Cut canal between 10pm and 12.30am on Wednesday, 7 February. The brawl was not reported to police. DI Sufia Matin of Tower Hamlets CID said: This was an extremely tragic incident and we must investigate it thoroughly to understand exactly what has happened leading up to Teddis death. We are urging anyone who has any information or who may have witnessed a fight in the Dod Street area of Limehouse/Poplar during the times stated, to contact us immediately. We owe it to Teddi and her family to find out what happened and you could hold vital information we may need. Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or via X @MetCC quoting CAD 1469/08FEB24. Alternatively you can contact us anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The UK has condemned a reckless attack by Yemens Houthi rebels on a UK-registered cargo ship, with coalition vessels already on the scene. Current reports suggest there are no casualties after the MV Rubymar came under a missile attack from the militant group off Yemens coast, according to the Government. None of the 24-person crew, who were forced to abandon the vessel as it took on water but were rescued by a Djibouti-bound Singapore-flagged container ship, are UK or US nationals, it is understood. We condemn this reckless attack by the Houthis against the MV Rubymar Government spokesperson Earlier, a Houthi military spokesperson said the Rubymar sustained catastrophic damage and is at risk of sinking in the Gulf of Aden. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said he would make a judgment based on the reality on the ground when asked if more Royal Navy ships should be sent to the Red Sea. A Government spokesperson said: We condemn this reckless attack by the Houthis against the MV Rubymar, a Belize-flagged cargo ship. Current reports suggest no casualties. Nearby coalition vessels are already on the scene and HMS Richmond continues to patrol in the Red Sea to help protect commercial shipping. We have been clear that any attacks on commercial shipping are completely unacceptable and that the UK and our allies reserve the right to respond appropriately. The ship is believed to be Lebanese-operated and UK-registered, and was travelling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden when it was targeted. Mr Shapps told the Commons ministers will always look at whats happening in the Red Sea. I have been there to see, to meet the crews myself, and will make a judgment based on the reality on the ground. We do know, and we welcome now the input from a conglomeration of EU countries who are coming to join Prosperity Guardian as well. He was referring to the launch of a naval mission by the European Union on Monday to help protect shipping against attacks in the Red Sea. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree earlier said in a statement posted to social media site X: The ship suffered catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt. As a result of the extensive damage the ship suffered, it is now at risk of potential sinking in the Gulf of Aden. He added that the crew were safe. The Iran-backed Houthis also claimed to have shot down a US drone in the port city of Hodeidah. The UKs Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Sunday said it had received a report of an incident 35 nautical miles south of Al Mukha, a town on Yemens Red Sea coast. The ship, which it did not identify, was damaged after an explosion in close proximity to the vessel, UKMTO said, adding that authorities are investigating. Military authorities report crew have abandoned the vessel. Vessel at anchor and all crew are safe. The Prime Ministers spokesman said on Monday: Clearly we condemn any attacks by the Houthis against commercial civilian ships As the PM has said, we will not hesitate to act to protect freedom of navigation and lives at sea. Separately on Monday, the UKMTO and security firm Ambrey said another vessel, a Greek-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier, had come under attack in the Gulf of Aden, with the crew reported to be safe. The UK and the US have carried out joint air strikes against Houthi rebels in recent weeks in order to stop attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Since November, the Iran-backed militants have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea in what they say is an effort to support Palestinians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. They have often targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperilling shipping in a key route for trade between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The dangers have forced many vessels to divert around the southern tip of Africa instead of using the Suez Canal, increasing costs and lengthening delivery times. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man in his 30s has died after an Audi crashed into stationary cars on a street in Birmingham. The victim was a passenger in a stationary car when the crash happened in Soho Road at around 8.20pm on Sunday. Footage online appears to show an Audi speeding into the back of traffic, causing damage to several cars. The man in his 30s was pronounced dead at the scene and two other people were injured, West Midlands Police said on Monday. A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was taken to hospital for treatment. Detectives said he will be questioned after being discharged from hospital. A West Midlands Police spokesman said: Weve made an arrest after a man has sadly died following a collision in Soho Road, Birmingham, last night. An Audi hit a number of vehicles at around 8.20pm. A passenger in a stationary vehicle, aged in his 30s, sustained serious injuries and tragically died. Two other people were taken to hospital to be treated for injuries. He added: Weve secured some CCTV and dash cam footage but remain keen to hear from anyone with information who can assist our investigation. A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said they treated three patients at the scene. She added: The first was a man who was a passenger in one of the cars. He had sustained life threatening injuries and received advanced life support and advanced trauma care from ambulance staff at the scene. Unfortunately, nothing more could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased at the scene. A woman from one of the cars was assessed and had sustained potentially serious injuries. She received treatment at the scene before being conveyed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment. A man who was the driver of one of the cars was assessed by ambulance staff and had sustained injuries which were not believed to be life threatening. He was conveyed to Sandwell District Hospital for further assessment. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, posted a statement on Facebook: I wont share it, but I know many of you will have seen the horrific footage of a road collision on Soho Road last night. We now know an innocent man has lost his life - yet another needless death in Birmingham because of dangerous driving. My thoughts are with the victims family and everyone affected in the community by this tragedy. I also hope those injured make a full recovery. Dangerous driving is a scourge on our society, and in order to tackle it we need to use every tool available to us. He added: Road safety is a priority across the whole West Midlands and this incident is a reminder that we need all partners - including Birmingham City Council - to play their full part. Now is the time to double down on our road safety responsibilities, not step away. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The British Museum has been dragged into a fresh row over the Elgin Marbles after models strutted down a runway next to the contested masterpieces. The London Fashion Week event, attended by actor Lily James and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, saw pieces from designer Erdem Moralioglus Autumn/Winter 2024 collection shown off in front of the artefacts originally taken by Lord Elgin from the Acropolis in Greece. Outraged Greek minister of culture Lina Mendoni said Saturdays runway proves that the museum has zero respect for the statues, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, and they should be returned to their country of origin. Lily James was a guest at the Erdem Moralioglus Autumn/Winter 2024 collection (Getty ) By organising a fashion show in the halls where the Parthenon Sculptures are exhibited, the British Museum, once again, proves its zero respect for the masterpieces of Pheidias, she said in a statement. The directors of the British Museum trivialise and insult not only the monument but also the universal values that it transmits. Models walk the runway in the finale at the ERDEM show during London Fashion Week (Getty ) Dr Mendoni added: The conditions of display and storage of the sculptures, at the Duveen Gallery, are constantly deteriorating. It is time for the stolen and abused sculptural masterpieces to shine in the Attic light. Sources at the museum defended the show, telling the Telegraph that fashion giant Dior held a photo shoot at the Athens landmark the Acropolis in 2021. The Elgin Marbles on display at the British Museum (Matthew Fearn/PA) (PA) Greece has long demanded the return of the historic works, which were removed by Lord Elgin from occupied Athens in the early 19th century when he was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Part of the friezes that adorned the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple on the Acropolis, the Elgin Marbles have been displayed at the British Museum in London for more than 200 years. Most of the remaining sculptures are in a purpose-built museum in Athens. Rishi Sunak sparked a diplomatic row with Greece after refusing to meet its prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, when he compared the artefacts removal to cutting the Mona Lisa in half. Lord Frost, who previously served as chief Brexit negotiator, told parliament in November: I do think that Lord Elgins actions possibly were a little murky, but I do think nevertheless our legal case is good. I also think its not the point. The point is what we do now rather than what happened in the past. I have never personally been so convinced by the moral, artistic and cultural arguments for the position we take. I think the Parthenon Marbles are a special situation and we should try and find a special solution. Cautioning against a loan to Athens which keeps the issue and the arguments alive, he pressed for a permanent settlement with the formation of a new Anglo-Greek cultural partnership to the benefit of both nations. He added: They arent just random museum exhibits. For as long as they are not seen as a whole they are less than the sum of their parts. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Hundreds of angry walkers will take part in the largest mass trespass in a generation to protest being shut out of thousands of beauty spots. The trespass, planned for Vixen Tor in Devon on 24 February, will cross a section of private land to get to a piece of land that has a right of access but that currently no-one can get to without trespassing. Campaign group the Right to Roam said there were around 2,500 of these access islands in England where the public have a right to roam, but no legal right to get to them - many of these sites can only be accessed by trespassing. It is said to be the biggest mass trespass since protesters descended on Kinder Scout over 90 years ago, which made way for establishing right-to-roam legislation. The issue has arisen because of the way Englands partial right to roam was created. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) gave people a right to roam over certain landscape types mountains, moorland, heathland, downland and commons covering some 8 per cent of England. These landscape types are known as access land. But many of these landscapes are highly fragmented much of Englands downland, for example, was ploughed up for agriculture after the Second World War. This means that in some situations, access islands are stranded within a sea of other landscape types where the public has no legal right to walk. Over the border in Scotland, access islands do not exist with walkers able to roam freely, campaigners added. Lewis Winks, from the Right to Roam group, said: The absurdity of access islands is a clear example of why our current system of access rights in England is broken. Often people dont know where they have a right to go in the countryside. According to the organisation the majority of the English countryside is out of bounds for most of its population. 92% of the countryside and 97% of rivers are off limits to the public ((Alamy/PA)) Victoria Vyvyan, the Country Land and Business Association president, told the BBC: Nobody is forced to trespass. It is a choice and millions of acres of land are publicly accessible without the need to do so. Instead, she says the government should help farmers and land managers implement infrastructure to ease land access. Stuart Cox, known as the Peak District Viking posted on Facebook: Utterly ridiculous in this day and age. We should be able to roam where we want. It works in Scandinavia and Scotland so why not here? The trespass will start at the wall that separates open access and private land and attendees have been invited to creatively imagine how they will travel to the island. Performers and musicians will be bringing a large boat to symbolically sail to the island, while participants have been asked to think of creative ways they will travel. Throughout the emphasis will be on drawing attention to the absurdity of access islands. Mr Winks added: Its ridiculous that the public have to trespass to reach these fragments of land where they have a legal right to roam all because of our piecemeal approach to access in this country. There are no access islands in Scotland, however, which created a default right of access to most land and water in 2003, to be exercised responsibly and subject to sensible exemptions and rules. With political parties pledging to increase access to nature in England its vital they learn from the mistakes of the past, and look instead to follow successful examples like Scotland. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Campaigners have lost a High Court challenge over renewed plans to build a road tunnel near Stonehenge. Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site (SSWHS) challenged Transport Secretary Mark Harpers backing of plans which include the two-mile tunnel, to overhaul eight miles of the A303. The previous go-ahead for the National Highways project was quashed by the High Court in July 2021 amid concern about the environmental impact on the site. But the Department for Transport (DfT) approved the tunnel, from Amesbury to Berwick Down in Wiltshire, for the second time, on July 14 last year. In December, the campaigners brought a bid to the High Court in London to challenge the decision to reapprove the plans. However, in a ruling on Monday, Mr Justice Holgate largely dismissed their claim, finding most parts of their case were unarguable. Traffic passes along the busy A303 that currently runs besides the ancient neolithic monument (Getty) One part of the legal bid, over the DfTs approach to an environmental impact assessment, will be determined at a later date. In his 50-page ruling, Mr Justice Holgate said ministers had rightly focused on the relevant policies and that the campaigners evidence provides no basis for undermining that conclusion. During the hearing last year, David Wolfe KC, for SSWHS, said the Government gave unlawful consideration of alternatives to the project, adding that campaigners believed National Highways had provided fundamentally flawed information over these that failed to acknowledge the heritage harm and was based on a flawed analysis of likely traffic figures for the A303. However, James Strachan KC, for the DfT, said the Government concluded the project was consistent with the UKs obligations under the world heritage convention and that it would work with advisory bodies to minimise harm. The Government has argued that the need for the scheme and its benefits outweighed the harms, including the less than substantial harm to heritage assets. National Highways has said its plan for the tunnel will remove the sight and sound of traffic passing the site and cut journey times. Then-transport secretary Grant Shapps first gave the green light to the project in November 2020, despite advice from Planning Inspectorate officials that it would cause permanent, irreversible harm to the area. The SSWHS alliance successfully challenged his decision in the High Court. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} UK special forces have frustrated efforts by Afghan troops to gain sanctuary in Britain despite the fact that some of the Afghan soldiers could be witnesses to crimes allegedly committed by British units. Hundreds of Afghan special forces soldiers who served in two elite units known as the Triples have had their applications to come to the UK rejected by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) with some subjected to murder and torture at the hands of the Taliban after being refused help. In a joint investigation, The Independent revealed numerous cases of former Afghan soldiers who had been denied relocation to the UK even though they had extensive evidence of their work alongside British forces. Veterans minister Johnny Mercer has reportedly raised concerns about why UK special forces are allowed to play a part in deciding which Afghan Triples come to the UK while an investigation is ongoing into crimes committed by the SAS in Afghanistan. Some Afghan members of the unit Commando Force 333 were partnered with the SAS during the period that is being investigated. An internal government document shows that any application to the Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap) scheme from a Triples member must be approved by the UK special forces (UKSF). Afghan Triples soldiers, such as the one pictured here, have been wrongly rejected for resettlement by the UK Ministry of Defence (Supplied) According to sources within the MoD, the UKSF had been refusing to engage with the process, thus not approving many cases, leading to what were effectively blanket rejections. It is understood that bosses at the MoD felt that it would be too hard to help the Triples come to the UK because the UKSF were failing to cooperate. The MoD has denied that any blanket decisions were made and said that flawed decisions led to Afghans being wrongly turned away. But they insisted that UK Special Forces did not make the final decisions on eligibility for the Arap scheme. Ministers have pledged to review some 2,000 applications by those who served in Afghan specialist units. The Independent has previously reported that questions were asked by officials working for the independent inquiry relating to Afghanistan, which is investigating alleged war crimes committed by the UKSF in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013, over their unwillingness to approve Triples cases for UK resettlement. Independent inquiry officials were particularly interested in the Triples units because they may be able to provide testimony that is relevant to the inquiry, sources said. Britain owes debt to Afghan special forces, shadow minister says Afghan members of Commando Force 333 were partnered with the SAS during the relevant years of the inquiry. Now former members of the SAS have told the BBC that the power the UKSF have over Triples relocation to the UK represents a conflict of interest. One former UK special forces officer said: Its a clear conflict of interest. At a time when certain actions by UK special forces are under investigation by a public inquiry, their headquarters also had the power to prevent former Afghan special forces colleagues and potential witnesses to these actions from getting safely to the UK. Another former officer said: At best its not appropriate; at worst it looks like theyre trying to cover their tracks. BBC Panorama also reported that MoD civil servants felt unable to challenge rejections made by the UKSF, even when there was a strong case that an Afghan soldier should be resettled in the UK. Two former Triples members, whose pleas for sanctuary were rejected in 2023, told the broadcaster they had witnessed what appeared to them to be war crimes committed by the UKSF. The Times has also reported that veterans affairs minister Johnny Mercer wrote a letter to deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden raising concerns as to why the UKSF were allowed to play a part in deciding which Afghan Triples came to the UK. Mr Mercer is due to appear before the independent inquiry relating to Afghanistan on Tuesday, making him the first minister to do so. An MoD spokesperson said: We are conducting an independent, case-by-case review of all applications from former members of Afghan specialist units, which includes applications from the Triples. This review will consider all available evidence, including that provided by third parties. The review is being carried out by independent staff who have not previously worked on these applications. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Schools in England have been told they should ban pupils from using mobile phones and start searching students for the devices. Ministers want children to be barred from using devices on breaks as well as in class. In new guidance, they say headteachers can and should identify mobile phones as something that may be searched for as part of their school behaviour policy. However, the guidance is non-statutory, meaning it is up to individual heads to decide their own policies and whether or not phones should be banned. One union branded the move a non-policy for a non-problem, arguing that most schools already ban phones during school hours. Unveiling the guidance, education secretary Gillian Keegan said schools were places for children to learn and mobile phones are, at a minimum, an unwanted distraction in the classroom. She said she was giving teachers the tools to improve behaviour and to do what they do best teach. The guidance warns that, in some schools, the use of mobile phones remains a daily battle. It tells teachers that ministers believe all schools should prohibit the use of mobile phones throughout the school day not only during lessons but break and lunchtimes as well. New government guidance says headteachers can and should identify mobile phones ... as something that may be searched for as part of their school behaviour policy (PA) The government argues that removing mobile phones can help children and young people spend more time being active and socialising face to face with their peers, which will help their mental health. In a foreword to the document, Ms Keegan said it would provide clarity and consistency for teachers and that there is currently a large variation in how different schools are managing the use of mobile phones. It suggests four ways school can ban mobiles. These include a rule of no mobiles on the school premises; that phones must be handed in on arrival; that they must be kept in a secure location, which the pupil does not access to, or that pupils can keep possession of their devices as long as they are never used, seen or heard with strict consequences for breaches. However, it also notes some circumstances where pupils with medical conditions should use a phone, including those with diabetes who might use an app to monitor their glucose. The new guidance was hailed as a significant step by Ms Keegan, who originally pledged to bring forward reforms banning mobile phone use in schools at last Octobers Tory conference. Tom Bennett, who advises the Department for Education on behaviour, said: Many schools already have some kind of policy on phones, but this guidance provides a clear steer for everyone, including parents, about whats right and whats not for the wellbeing of the child. The government pointed to recent official data that showed that nearly one in three 29 per cent secondary school pupils said mobile phones had been used when they were not supposed to be. But the Association of School and College Leaders general secretary Geoff Barton said that the compulsive use of devices was not happening in schools but while children are out of school. He said: Most schools already forbid the use of mobile phones during the school day or allow their use only in limited and stipulated circumstances. We have lost count of the number of times that ministers have now announced a crackdown on mobile phones in schools. It is a non-policy for a non-problem. The government would be far better off putting its energies into bringing to heel the online platforms via which children are able to access disturbing and extreme content. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sir Keir Starmer is under growing pressure to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as left-wing organisation Momentum relaunches a mass email campaign targeting MPs ahead of a crunch Commons vote this week. The grassroots group is planning a lobbying blitz, encouraging people to call on Labour MPs to back the SNPs amendment demanding an immediate ceasefire. The issue, to be debated on Wednesday, has become one of the greatest challenges for the Labour leader and comes three months after a third of his MPs rebelled against the party whip over a similar call. Momentum supporters flooded Labour MPs with more than 5,000 emails in November, and the group is urging people to do the same this week. The campaign comes just days after Scottish Labours conference unanimously backed an immediate ceasefire, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar declaring himself proud of the vote and calling the SNPs amendment perfectly reasonable. Scottish Labour MPs have been warned to back a Westminster ceasefire vote after conference backed a motion on ending the conflict (PA Wire) Speaking at the conference, Sir Keir endorsed a permanent ending of hostilities in Gaza, but stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said Labour was considering whether to back the SNP amendment. Speaking to Talk TV, he said Labour would see what the final motion looked like but added that the party would not be pushed around by protesters or political opponents. In November, when the party resisted calls for a permanent ceasefire, 10 frontbenchers resigned their roles, while 56 Labour MPs around a third of the party voted against the whip. Jess Phillips resigned her shadow cabinet position to back the amendment, stating: I am taking a position with my heart, my head, and my constituents. Since then, the Palestinian death toll has risen to nearly 30,000, including more than 10,000 children, according to official figures from Palestines Hamas-run health ministry. Last month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israels war on Gaza could plausibly constitute a genocide, and ordered the country to take necessary precautionary action. The Israel/Hamas conflict has spilled over into the UKs domestic politics as protesters demand the government back an immediate ceasefire in the region (PA Wire) The UN special rapporteur on the occupied territories, Francesca Albanese, has said that Israel appears to be in breach of the orders issued by the ICJ requiring it to take immediate steps to protect Palestinians rights. The conflict in Gaza has split the Labour Party and caused some Muslim voters to withdraw their support. More than 50 Labour councillors have resigned from the party over Sir Keirs stance on Gaza, with the party losing its majority on four councils. A YouGov poll has shown that two-thirds (66 per cent) of the public back an immediate ceasefire, including more than 80 per cent of Labour voters. Prominent Labour figures including Sadiq Khan, Andy Burnham and Mr Sarwar have all backed an immediate ceasefire, alongside Labours affiliated trade unions, the TUC, and numerous Labour councils. Momentum is encouraging its members to pressure these MPs to vote with their conscience and back the SNP amendment. Some Labour MPs have already come out in support of the amendment. Beth Winter, the MP for Cynon Valley, said on Twitter/X that the party must support an immediate ceasefire. I agree with Anas Sarwar, she said. The ceasefire motion before parliament is positive. We cant afford two political parties having a go at each other when what matters is the lives of people in Israel and Palestine. We must support an immediate ceasefire. Mary Foy, the MP for Durham, has also called for a ceasefire. Posting on X, she announced that she wouldnt be able to vote for the amendment on Wednesday because she had suffered a bereavement, but that she had every intention of participating in the opposition day debate on Wednesday and voting for an immediate ceasefire. Hilary Schan, the co-chair of Momentum, said it was vital that every Labour MP votes for an immediate end of the bloodshed on Wednesday. Every day we witness more horrific atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza and it has to stop. Simply put, that means an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israels brutal war. With the government continuing to give cover to Israel, its vital that every Labour MP votes for an immediate end to the bloodshed when given a choice on Wednesday, she said. She added: We must use every avenue to exert pressure for peace. History will not look kindly on those who fail to do the right thing. Labour has been approached for comment. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunaks appearance on GB News has been put under investigation by the broadcast watchdog after receiving hundreds of complaints. Ofcom said the so-called Peoples Forum garnered around 500 complaints and it was investigating the show under its impartiality rules. The rules state that broadcasters must present news shows with due accuracy and impartiality. Ofcom pointed to provisions in the broadcasting code requiring outlets to ensure an appropriately wide range of significant views must be included and given due weight in such programmes. Rishi Sunak during GB Newss Peoples Forum earlier this month (PA) The show, Peoples Forum: The Prime Minister, was broadcast on GB News last Monday and saw Mr Sunak quizzed over the NHS, his Rwanda asylum plan and why right-wing voters should back the Tories. Facing a cross-section of voters in County Durham, one audience member pressed him on why traditional Tory voters should back his party over the Nigel Farage-founded Reform UK. The 60-minute question and answer session took a similar format to the PM Connect events Mr Sunak has held around the country. The SNPs John Nicolson, a member of parliaments culture committee, said he was glad to see Ofcom investigating the event. He said: Im glad to see Ofcom investigate GB News again for another flagrant breach of the Ofcom impartiality rules. However Im not at all convinced that GB News cares much about Ofcom or takes the regulator seriously. GB News is currently being investigated by Ofcom for a number of other shows, including many over impartiality issues. The issue of political figures such as Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and current Conservative deputy chair Lee Anderson presenting topical programmes has also been contentious. Former pensions minister Esther McVey and backbencher Philip Davies are also presenters on GB News, and former culture secretary Nadine Dorries began hosting a programme on TalkTV before she quit as an MP. Labours shadow foreign secretary David Lammy also hosts a show on LBC. Mr Sunaks official spokesperson said the PM did not regret taking part in the programme and said it is a matter for Ofcom, which is rightly an independent regulator. The prime minister undertakes interviews from a range of broadcasters, outlets and other media, the spokesperson said. He added: Media appearances such as the one he conducted last week are an important part of the democratic process. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A student has been arrested over the murders of two people in a University of Colorado at Colorado Springs dormitory on Friday, police announced in a news release. Nicholas Jordan, 25, of Detroit, Michigan was taken into custody by officials with the Colorado Springs Police Department around 8.37am MST on Monday. He is to be booked into the El Paso County Jail on two counts of first-degree murder. Hes currently being held in jail on $1m bail. His first court date is on Tuesday at 1.30pm MST. Jenna Press, a spokesperson for the university, said that Mr Jordan was enrolled at the institution at the time of the shooting. A warrant was issued for Mr Jordan on the evening of the incident but officials were unable to located him until Monday, when he was found in a vehicle by the citys motor vehicle theft unit. A tactical team responded to the location and took him into custody without incident. A booking photo for Mr Jordan will be released once hes processed into the jail system, police said in a news release. Investigative efforts continue to indicate this was an isolated incident between individuals who were known to one another and not a random attack against the school or other students at the university, the police department said in a statement. Based on police information, officials responded to the university around 5am MST on Friday after receiving a call about shots fired in a campus dorm room. When they arrived, they discovered the bodies of 26-year-old Celie Rain Montgomery of Pueblo, Colorado and 24-year-old Samuel Knopp of Parker, Colorado in Crestone House, one of the universitys dorm buildings. Both of victims had at least one gunshot wound each. Mr Knopp was a senior studying music at the university, while Ms Montgomery was a freelance health and wellness copywriter. Officials have not released a manner of death for the pair but said that would be determined by the local coroners office. It remains unclear what the relationship was between Mr Knopp and Ms Montgomery. Police previously said theyd ruled out a murder-suicide in an earlier news release, while stating that theyre investigating the deaths as homicides. Its thought that the suspect in connection with the murders might have been known to the victims. The incident forced the institution into a lockdown amid reports of an active shooter. On Monday, the university decided to cancel all classes and moved to hold a day of healing. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The mother of slain five-year-old Harmony Montgomery has asked a New Hampshire court to declare the little girl legally dead years after her father allegedly murdered her in a fit of rage. Crystal Sorey filed the petition in late January, just days before Adam Montgomerys second-degree murder trial kicked off in Manchester. Montgomery, 34, has conceded on two lesser charges of abuse of a corpse and falsifying information in the death of his daughter. According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, Ms Sorey intends to file a wrongful death lawsuit for Harmonys killing. A probate court has scheduled a hearing for March to hear arguments on the matter. Whenever there is a request to open an estate for someone presumed dead, they have to have a hearing, Ms Soreys attorney Sheliah Kaufold told the Union Leader. Its a notice to the public to say if you dont think she is dead, or you dont think this person should be in charge of the estate, this is your opportunity to come forward and state your piece. Ms Sorey requested that the process be expedited, citing concerns about the statute of limitations of six years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. According to prosecutors and witnesses in Montgomerys trial, he beat Harmony to death after she had a bathroom accident in his car on 19 December 2019. At the time, Harmony, Montgomery, his estranged wife Kayla Montgomery and the couples two infant sons were living out of the car. The family had been evicted from their home around Thanksgiving 2019. The states case has largely hinged on testimony by Kayla Montgomery, as well as DNA evidence of the horrific ways in which Montgomery worked to destroy Harmonys remains before disposing of what was left of the little girl at an unknown location in March 2020. The defence has sought to argue that Harmony actually died in the care of her stepmother and that Montgomery only went along with plans to conceal the body to protect his family. Harmonys remains have never been found. Judge Amy Messer said last week that deliberation could be expected by the end of this week. Close Adam Montgomery convicted of second-degree murder of daughter Harmony The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. Close Witness describes moment he tackled man at Kansas City Chiefs rally The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Two juveniles have been charged in connection to Wednesdays shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade. The juveniles are currently detained in secure detention at the Juvenile Detention Center on gun related and resisting arrest charges, the Jackson County Family Court Division said in a statement. It is anticipated that additional charges are expected in the future as the investigation by the Kansas City Police Department continues. Officials have yet to release the suspects names. Of the 22 people who suffered gunshot injuries during the shooting, more than half of the victims are under the age of 16, police said. The victims ranged in age from eight to 47 years old. The deceased has been identified as local DJ and mother-of-two, Elizabeth Lopez-Galvan. A GoFundMe started by the family of Ms Lopez-Galvan raised more than $190,000 with Taylor Swift donating most of the proceeds. On the official GoFundMe page, the top donator remains to be Ms Swift, who attended the Super Bowl to cheer on her boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. Ms Swift donated $50,000 twice to the familys fundraiser and sent her deepest sympathies and condolences. On Saturday, Childrens Mercy hospital announced that all 12 shooting patients were released. A patient at another hospital remains in critical condition. The same day, more than 100 people gathered in Kansas City for gun safety group Moms Demand Actions rally calling to end gun violence. Local officials, including Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, were also in attendance, according to KSHB. Im angry, Im frustrated, volunteer Tara Bennett told the outlet. Im frustrated because I know there are things that can be done, we just have to have the courage to do them. Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca also shared his experience at Wednesdays shooting. He said he was with his daughter. She said, Daddy this is a drill right? This is a drill? Mr Abarca recalled his daughter asking him. I said, Yes, it is, because in that moment I needed her to act like it was a drill. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} It was nearly 2am when multiple Minnesota police officers parked their cruisers close to a home on 33rd Avenue in Burnsville. The call that summoned them to the home was a domestic dispute that had reportedly spiraled into a barricaded suspect situation. Seven children were reportedly inside the home at the time, their ages ranging from two to 15-years-old. As is typical when a suspect barricades themselves or others in a home, law enforcement officials try to negotiate with them to reach a peaceful resolution. Of course, a peaceful resolution is not always achieved this situation being one of those times. In fact, by the time the sun rose in Burnsville, two police officers, a paramedic, and the suspect were all dead. The shooting Police in Burnsville reportedly spent hours negotiating with the male suspect inside the home, according to USA Today. By 8am the gunfire had stopped, and police confirmed the suspect had died. All of the children inside the home were escorted out unharmed. What exactly happened after the emergency responders arrived on the scene and how three as well as the suspect ended up dead remains unclear. Scene of the shooting in Minnesota (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Drew Evans, the superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that at least one of the first responders was killed inside the home. The suspect reportedly fired shots from both the ground floor and the upper floor of the home during the exchange of gunfire. The victims Two Burnsville police officers and a firefighter working in an EMT capacity at the scene were shot and killed during the incident. Paul Elmstrand, 27, joined Burnsville's police department in August 2017 as a community officer and was promoted two years later. He eventually joined the department's mobile command staff, its peer team, honour guard, and its filed training unit, CNN reported. Elmstrand's wife, Cindy Elmstrand-Castruita, said she learned in a text message that he had been killed. She recalled seeing a message expressing sympathy and remorse for what she must be going through, and then looking out her window to see a squad car outside her home. I looked out my bedroom window and saw a squad car out there, she told CBS News. I knew. That's when I knew he was gone. She said her husband loved his job and described him as a hero. He was the most generous, loving, patient person I've ever known, Ms Elmstrand-Castruita said. He could have a conversation with anyone and make them feel seen. He would drop everything to help someone who was in need, whether it be family, friend or someone on the street. Matthew Ruge, 27, was also killed. Mr Ruge joined the police department in 2020, and served on its crisis negotiations team and worked as a physical evidence officer. He was remembered by a neighbour as a man who was all about doing nice things for people, including spending time with her while her father was dying. Unfortunately, his life was cut way too short, the neighbour, Robin Gwaltney told local outlet KARE, because he was a first-rate person. The third victim was Adam Finseth, 40. He was working as a Burnsville firefighter-paramedic on the night of the shooting and was assigned to a SWAT team deployed to the home. He was reportedly shot and killed while attempting to assist one of the wounded police officers. He had been working as a paramedic since 2019. Were hurting. Today three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community, Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz said during a news conference on Sunday. They are heroes. Officers Shot Minnesota (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Our police officers and our fire-paramedics they come to work every day. They do it willingly. They know they might have to give up their life for their partners, for someone else. They know they have to give up their life sometimes, and they do it anyways, she added during a vigil on Sunday. Adam Medicott, a Burnsville police officer, was also wounded in the shooting. He was treated at a local hospital with non-life-threatening wounds and is expected to recover. A vigil was held on Sunday evening at Burnsville City Hall to remember the victims. Governor Tim Walz also ordered flags to be flown at half-mast beginning on Monday at sunrise. We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our first responders make each and every day, Mr Walz said in a statement. Today, the families of these public servants received the call they knew was possible but hoped would never come. My heart is with those grieving families the State of Minnesota stands ready to support in any way we can. The suspect There are currently few details about the suspect involved in the shooting. What is known is that the suspect had several guns and a large amount of ammunition stored at his home, according to Mr Evans. The suspect had died at the home but it is unclear if he was killed by police or if he died by other means. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man in Washington DC has filed a lawsuit against the Powerball lottery after he was refused a $340m jackpot despite his ticket matching the winning combination shown on the lottery website. John Cheeks purchased a Powerball lottery ticket on 6 January, using a combination of numbers of personal importance including family birthdates. Mr Cheeks said he did not see the live draw the next day but saw his numbers listed as the winning combination when he checked the Powerball website the next day. I got a little excited, but I didnt shout, I didnt scream. I just politely called a friend. I took a picture as he recommended, and that was it. I went to sleep, he told NBC in an interview. But to his shock, when he went to the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) the next day to redeem his ticket, his claim was denied. The OLG says the number shown on the Powerball website was part of a test run, and did not match the true winning combination drawn live on 7 January. As a result the ticket did not show up as a winner when presented at the OLG. Mr Cheeks said he was told by a staff member to throw his ticket in a bin by the lottery office in DC, but instead he kept it in a safe deposit box and contacted a lawyer. Powerball lottery tickets are displayed 4 October 2023, in Surfside, Florida (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Hey, this ticket is no good. Just throw it in the trash can, Mr Cheeks said, recalling the exchange at the office. And I gave him a stern look. I said, In the trash can? Oh yeah, just throw it away. Youre not gonna get paid. Theres a trash can right there. Other defendants named in the lawsuit were the Multi-State Lottery Association and game contractor Taoti Enterprises. Defendants made a false representation, when they announced a different winning number, two or more days after the announcement of the winning Powerball number on January 7, 2023 thru Janaury 9, 2023 and alleged system error, the lawsuit said. Brittany Bailey, the project manager at Taoti, said in a court declaration that the companys quality assurance team was conducting tests on a task related to adjusting the time zones on the Powerball website from Coordinated Universal Time to Eastern Standard Time. The quality assurance team accidentally posted a test Powerball number on the website at 12.09pm that day. They were supposed to be running the test in a development environment but accidentally shared the sample number live. She said the test numbers were not the same combination that was drawn by the Powerball lottery in 7 January. However, Mr Cheeks lawyer Richard Evans has argued that he has not seen evidence to support the claim made by Powerballs contractor. Even if a mistake was made, the question becomes: What do you do about that? He said a precedent has been set in a similar case last year when the Iowa Lottery posted the wrong combination online, acknowledging a human reporting error. But it allowed the temporary winners to keep their prizes, which were from $4 to $200. A mistake was admitted to by a contractor and they paid the winnings out, Mr Evans said. The Independent has reached out to the Powerball for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A female stingray in a North Carolina aquarium is pregnant even though there are no males in her tank. The mysterious pregnancy has become the subject of widespread fascination, with many wondering how the round stingray, named Charlotte, came to be pregnant. The unique thing about Charlotte is we dont have a male ray, Brenda Ramer, executive director of the Aquarium & Shark Lab in Hendersonville, said in a video on Facebook. Aquarium staff believe Charlottes seemingly immaculate conception is the result of parthenogenesis, a rare form of asexual reproduction observed in some animals, including fish, birds, insects, and amphibians. Charlotte was found covered in shark bites a sign of mating in sharks which initially led some to speculate that a shark was the father, and Charlottes baby would be a shark-stingray hybrid. But Kady Lyons, a research scientist at the Georgia Aquarium, told the Associated Press this sort of interspecies copulation is not biologically possible. We should set the record straight that there arent some shark-ray shenanigans happening here, Lyons said. Even so, Charlottes pregnancy is no less remarkable she is the only known case of her species to become pregnant by parthenogenesis, Lyons said. We dont know why it happens, Lyons said. Just that its kind of this really neat phenomenon that they seem to be able to do. Charlotte is expecting three or four pups, and is expected to give birth in about a week. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg has bought a website address referencing former president Donald Trumps new sneaker brand and turned it into an anti-gun violence website with the ability to call lawmakers to advocate for legislation. Mr Hogg, who is now the president of Leaders We Deserve, an organisation dedicated to electing young candidates to Congress, made the announcement on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday. I just bought shoptrumpsneakers.com the activist wrote. I have redirected you to a page to call your member of Congress. The twist is the person who makes the call is a victim of gun violence whose voice has been re-created with AI to call for gun safety. Mr Trump launched a series of sneakers ranging from $199 to $399 to help him raise funds for his legal expenses. The more costly shoe named The Never Surrender High-Tops, a pair of gold-coloured sneakers with a black T emblazoned on the tongue, have sold out. Some buyers are attempting to resell them for thousands of dollars, per Mr Trumps Truth Social page. It comes after the former president launched his-and-her Victory 47 perfume and cologne, with a gold stopper shaped like a quiffed head. The former president started promoting the shoes on Sunday at Sneaker Con, a footwear convention in Philadelphia, just days after a judge in a New York civil fraud case ordered him to pay $350m plus interest for conspiring to manipulate his net worth. He was previously ordered to pay $83.3m to E Jean Carroll after he repeatedly defamed her by lying about his sexual assault of her in the 1990s. David Hogg speaks at a gun safety rally in North Carolina in 2023 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Mr Trump has not addressed Mr Hoggs site publicly but has continued to advertise the sneakers. After launching the site, the anti-gun violence activist later wrote, Not going to lie, pretty proud of this. Thanks to my tech savvy friends who helped. The website has been used to send 58,362 calls since its launch. Visitors to the website can listen to the generated voices of six gun violence victims, enter their zip codes and then send their selected recording to a politician of their choice. According to the website, 43,036 gun violence deaths occurred in 2023. So far this year, almost 5,000 people have died from gun violence. In February 2018, 17 people were killed and 17 others were injured after a former student opened gunfire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. After the incident, Mr Hogg went on to become an anti-gun violence activist and a co-founder of March for Our Lives, a student led organisation that advocates for gun control legislation. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has finally commented on the death of Russian opposition figurehead Alexei Navalny to draw a self-serving and unlikely comparison with his own legal plight. Rather than blame Russian President Vladimir Putin for the highly suspicious death of Navalny in an Arctic prison camp on Friday, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination wrote on Truth Social: The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our Country. It is a slow, steady progression, with CROOKED, Radical Left Politicians, Prosecutors, and Judges leading us down a path to destruction. Open Borders, Rigged Elections, and Grossly Unfair Courtroom Decisions are DESTROYING AMERICA. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE, A FAILING NATION! MAGA2024. The former American president is vying for a return to the White House with four criminal indictments and 91 felony charges hanging over his head. On the same day as Navalnys death, he was also ordered by a judge in New York to pay more than $350m in damages in a civil fraud trial. Mr Trump has denied wrongdoing on every count and has persistently and angrily insisted on social media and at his rallies that the cases against him are part of a giant conspiracy being orchestrated by President Joe Biden and his many enemies to stop him securing a belated second term in the Oval Office come November. The candidate has failed to produce any evidence to substantiate his baseless claims of endemic corruption, but that has not stopped him using his court dates as opportunities for grandstanding, self-promotion and lucrative campaign fundraising. Mr Trump appears to have succeeded, so far, in convincing his army of loyal supporters that he is genuinely being persecuted by President Bidens administration, rather than simply facing the inevitable legal consequences of his actions a narrative he mounted after his defeat in the 2020 election, which resulted in the failed insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. Alexei Navalny (AP) His self-serving comments using Navalnys death to paint himself as a victim come three days after the news broke with the former president coming under fire for failing to address the matter sooner. By contrast, Mr Biden called a press conference on Friday morning where he paid an emotional tribute to Navalny, saying that he bravely stood up to the corruption, the violence and all the bad things that Putins government was doing. In response, Putin had him poisoned. He had him arrested and prosecuted for fabricated crimes [then]... sent to prison and held in isolation, the president continued, adding that it was kind of amazing that Navalny kept up his criticism of the dictator from behind bars. Even in prison, he was a powerful voice for the truth. On Navalnys brave decision to return to Russia after he was poisoned on a domestic flight in August 2020 and taken to Germany for treatment, Mr Biden said that the activist knew all too well what was likely to happen to him but did it anyway, because he believed so deeply in his country and Russia. He concluded: Make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Navalnys death. What happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putins brutality. Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken also joined world leaders in paying respects to the imprisoned dissident while attending the Munich Security Conference on Friday, stating unequivocally: Russia is responsible. Mr Trumps last remaining rival for the Republican nomination, his own former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, also put out a statement on Friday blasting the former presidents failure to speak out, saying her opponent continues to side with Vladimir Putin a man who kills his political opponents, holds American journalists hostage, and has never hidden his desire to destroy America. Trump continues to side with Putin over our allies and our military service members, she added. Earlier in the week, Mr Trump came under fire after he threatened to let Russia do whatever the hell they want to any of Americas Nato allies that fail to pay defence contributions to the military alliance, should he return to the White House. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} On Saturday, former president Donald Trump will attend the Conservative Political Action Conference just outside of Washington, DC right before he hops over to the South Carolina primary, where he will almost certainly declare victory. His address to the conservative faithful at CPAC largely comprising snake oil salesmen, College Republican chapters looking for a fun weekend in DC, and the most dieheard conservative activists out there will serve as a sort of homecoming. Trump first addressed the conference in 2011. Doing so began his tease of running for the 2012 Republican nomination, during which he promoted the racist conspiracy theories that Barack Obama was not born in the United States and that he somehow did not deserve to have graduated from Columbia University or Harvard. Trump ultimately elected not to run that year, but his CPAC appearance marked a turning point. The reality television host from New York who spent much of his adult life as a Democrat would become the standard bearer of the Republican Party just five years later, in 2016. In 2021, Trump gave his first major speech after leaving the White House and, more notably, after January 6 riot at CPAC, in his adopted home state of Florida. The fact that the gathered attendees welcomed him so resoundingly showed the party would stick with him rather than purge him and move on. Indeed, Trump will be the dominant theme at this years CPAC. Former officials in his administration such as Steve Bannon, Sebastian Gorka and Ben Carson will speak, as well more Trumpish elected officials such as Senators JD Vance of Ohio and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. MAGA acolytes such as failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and also-ran presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will also be there. In a sign of how much Trump has transformed the GOP, Ramaswamy, who has said Ukraine is not a paragon of democracy, will speak at the dinner named for Ronald Reagan, the president who supported a robust opposition to Russia and who called the Soviet Union an evil empire. This comes a week after a majority of Republicans voted against a foreign aid package that would have assisted Ukraine and House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to put the bill to the floor. This contrasts greatly with last years CPAC, when the event at least tried to have a pretense of being neutral. Nikki Haley, clearly not a favourite among the MAGA faithful, addressed the crowd back then, as did former secretary of state Mike Pompeo. In a preview of his tepid approach to running for president, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did not speak. This time around, CPAC is going whole hog. The conference endorsed Trump shortly before he began his march through Iowa and New Hampshire. The 45th president is no longer a featured attraction of CPAC; he is the main attraction. The same goes for his conquest in South Carolina. Every survey shows Trump decimating Haley, and hes received the endorsement of the states Republican Senators Lindsey Graham who once called Trump a jackass and Tim Scott whom Haley appointed to the Senate more than a decade ago to fill a vacancy as well as the states governor Henry McMaster. Haleys loss will come despite the fact the Palmetto State elected her governor twice and she governed as a fairly consistent conservative. That may be why Haley has traversed around her home state, but also to Super Tuesday states such as California and Texas, in hopes of keeping her campaign alive. But a Trump victory in South Carolina would ultimately deny her the ability to make the case that she can challenge Trump. All of this means that there will be no room for anyone else in the Republican Party in the forseeable future. In the past, runners-up in Republican primaries often would have a path to win the nomination in the next contest, as was the case with John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. But Haley and DeSantis, for that matter will likely not have a shot. Both of them deigned to cross Trump, and in todays GOP, that means your career is dead in the water. CPAC has for years been a showcase for up-and-coming talent within the party. In 2011, a hotshot young conservative lawyer called Ted Cruz served as Trumps hype man right before he took the stage (few could have guessed that Cruz and Trump would end up engaged in a blood feud by 2016.) No more will that showcasing of up-and-coming conservative talent happen. The 24-hour Trump show means that conservatism and fealty to the former president are one-and-the-same and no opposition will be allowed. And ironically, that will lock out future presidential hopefuls like Trump once was. This article was amended on 20 February 2024. It previously referred to Vivek Ramaswamy as having said that Ukraine is not a democracy, but this was inaccurate. He had said Ukraine was not a paragon of democracy. Close Donald Trump warns of a 'bloodbath' in US if he isn't elected as president again Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former president Donald Trump is once again facing criticism over his use of inflammatory rhetoric after he declared at a campaign rally in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday evening: If I dont get elected its going to be a bloodbath for the country. The Republican presidential challenger used the phrase as part of a dire economic forecast for the American auto industry but was swiftly rebuked by the White House over its wider implications, with spokespeople for Joe Biden accusing him of endorsing political violence particularly given that the candidate had also bemoaned the fate of the J6 hostages at the same event. The luxury real estate mogul has since hit back on Truth Social, claiming the media is only pretending to be shocked by his choice of words. Mr Trump gave an interview to Fox News journalist Howard Kurtz over the weekend in which he again attacked the late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for making jokes at his expense, doubled-down on comparing migrants to vermin and on his call to terminate parts of the US Constitution and floated the prospect of supporting a 16-week national abortion ban in an overt appeal to the Christian right. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump isnt just the first current or former president in US history to ever face criminal charges. Now, he is making history in another way. According to a new poll, Mr Trump has now been labelled as the worst president that the United States has ever seen. The third instalment of the Presidental Greatness Project, by University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus and Coastal Carolina University political science professor Justin Vaughn, asked academics to rank each of the 45 people who have served as president all the way from George Washington to Joe Biden. The survey is based on 154 responses from scholars across multiple disciplines, all of whom, in some way or another, engage in presidential politics through their work. Previous surveys were released in 2015 and 2018, with respondents this year asked to rank all those who have served time as president on a scale 0-100 with 0 being failure and 100 being great. Mr Trump ranked in the very last place, scoring just 10.9/100 the same spot he occupied in the previous survey (he was not included in the first survey, which was conducted during Barack Obamas presidency). He was also awarded most polarising president in the poll. Meanwhile, Abraham Lincoln stood at the top of the presidential rankings, as the countrys greatest president, with an average score of 93.9/100. Franklin D. Roosevelt came in at number two, followed by the nations first president, George Washington. Fourth place went to Theodore Roosevelt and fifth to Thomas Jefferson. Respondents were able to disclose their own political leanings, which produced an interesting insight into how the presidents fared between differing parties. Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Michigan (AP) Unfortunately for Mr Trump, the Republican scholars did not help his low ranking, as he still came out in 41st place out of 45 among Republicans only. Among Democrat scholars, he placed 45th. President Joe Biden meanwhile was ranked at number 13 by Democrats and at a low 30 by Republicans. Mr Rottinghaus and Mr Vaughn said that Mr Bidens ranking may have been influenced by him being viewed as Mr Trumps greatest blocker. Bidens most important achievements may be that he rescued the presidency from Trump, resumed a more traditional style of presidential leadership and is gearing up to keep the office out of his predecessors hands this fall, they wrote in an article for the Los Angeles Times. Mr Vaughn told Newsweek that the surveys capture a snapshot in time, showing how views can evolve about a certain leader. While none of the academics have first-hand awareness of a Lincoln presidency, all respondents of course have a pretty good idea of what Mr Trumps term and now Mr Bidens delivered. Current president Joe Biden ranked 14th among the 45 presidents (AFP via Getty Images) Despite this, it is not impossible for presidents in recent memory to change rankings. For example, Mr Obama has risen nine places since the first survey, from 16th in 2015 to 7th place in 2024. Likewise, Andrew Jackson, who served as president from 1829 to 1837, fell in the rankings by 12 places despite his time in office being almost 200 years ago. The surveys press release suggests that Jackson suffered greatly in the poll due to increased focus on his dismal record on Native Americans. Academics do lean left, but that hasnt changed since our previous surveys. What these results suggest is not just an added emphasis on a presidents political affiliation, but also the emergence of a presidents fealty to political and institutional norms as a criterion for what makes a president great to the scholars who study them, Mr Vaughn and Mr Rottinghaus told the Los Angeles Times. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Upon the news of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalnys death, House Speaker Mike Johnson denounced Vladimir Putin. As Congress debates the best path forward to support Ukraine, the United States and our partners must be using every means available to cut off Putins ability to fund his unprovoked war in Ukraine and aggression against the Baltic states, he said in a statement. Of course, Johnsons words would hold much more weight if he had actually put through the aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan that the Senate passed on the floor of the House of Representatives. Indeed, as the Senate labored late into the night on Monday and into the wee hours of Tuesday to pass that aid bill, Johnson summarily killed the bill because it did not address immigration at the US-Mexico border. This came after Johnson and the rest of House Republican leadership blew up a bipartisan agreement that would have included aggressive restrictions to immigration in exchange for aid to Israel and Ukraine. Johnson, like most of the Republican Party, did so in the service of Donald Trump after he came out in opposition to the deal despite the fact it would give him sweeping authority to deport migrants if he became president again. Despite his tough words, Johnson a political neophyte only elected to the House in 2016, who became Speaker after three other candidates for the job faltered before him has elected to appeal only to the most extreme elements of the GOP conference. After the Senate passed its aid package, Johnson didnt spend Tuesday dispatching Republicans to come up with a counter offer to Democrats. Nor did he spend the day trying to come up with a way to keep the government open, since it runs out of money next month. Rather, he spent it holding a second vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, something that will do next to nothing to address immigration and has no chance of passing in a Senate controlled by the Democrats. Johnson did this in the service of appeasing Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, the right-wing conspiracy theorist and Trump ally from Georgia, who is also an ardent opponent of funding for Ukraine. But he seems to know that holding an impeachment with little merit will be seen with distaste by most of America. Instead of walking back to his office on Tuesday after the vote, he avoided reporters by exiting the floor from the area where Democrats usually exit. That allowed him to avoid journalists keen to ask him questions. He has proven far less chatty with reporters than his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy. Johnson had plenty of words when I eventually caught him, saying Mayorkas deserved to be impeached. But when I asked him about Trump recalling a story where he told a Nato head of state he would encourage Russia to do whatever it wanted, he said, Not going to comment about that, before leaving. The fact he refused to cross the person largely responsible for him being Speaker shows how unserious he is. In contrast, everyone in the Senate from Rand Paul to Mitt Romney criticized Trumps Nato remarks. Marjorie Taylor Greene has pledged that if aid to Ukraine goes to the floor of the House, she will file a motion to vacate the chair of Johnson. This comes despite the fact that many in Johnsons conference want to support Ukraine and most Democrats would vote to help pass a bill doing so. The only way for Johnson to survive if he were to put support for Ukraine on the floor would be for Democrats to bail him out and vote present or no on any motion to vacate. Thats unlikely for an archconservative like him. Republican leaders have cowered in fear of the far-right flank of their conference before. In 2013, John Boehner refused to put an immigration reform bill on the floor of the House because he feared the Tea Party wing of the House GOP. Kevin McCarthy cynically lied on national television that President Trump won this election and voted to overturn the 2020 election results, even after the January 6 riot. But now, the shrinking courage of Republican elites dont just risk the ability of Congress to function or even the health of American democracy. Johnsons abdication of his duties risks the entire international order and American leaderships place in it. Should Ukraine fall and Putin begin to march through Nato countries which would require American troops to mobilize the blood will be on Johnsons hands as much as Ukrainians blood are on Putins. Navalny was willing to take on Vladimir Putin and risk his life. Johnson is so afraid of losing his speakership that he caves to Marjorie Taylor Greene. Recommended For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At least 26 people have been killed in the latest outbreak of deadly tribal violence in the remote Highlands region of Papua New Guinea. The violence between two tribal groups and their allies began on Sunday in the Wapenamanda district of the Enga province in what one police officer described as the largest flare-up of violence the region has seen. Dead bodies were recovered from the roadside, grasslands and hills and more are expected to be found in the bush, according to ABC. The death toll was revised down by police from an earlier figure of 64, although local media reports continued to include higher numbers of both combatants and local civilians killed. Police confirmed fighting was ongoing between Ambulin tribes and their allies and Skikin tribes with their allies. Papua New Guinea, which is home to 800 distinct ethnic groups, has a long history of tribal violence over issues ranging from land and wealth disputes to historical animosities. Internal security has become a major challenge for the government and attracted international attention as China, Australia and the US seek closer ties. Police started collecting dead bodies after the fighting began at 4am local time Sunday around the town of Wabag, roughly 600km northwest of the capital Port Moresby. "This is by far the largest [killing] Ive seen in Enga, maybe in all of Highlands as well," said George Kakas, a senior police officer, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). "Were all devastated, were all mentally stressed out. Its really hard to comprehend." Graphic photos and videos showed dead bodies, some of them stripped, lying on the side of the road and piled up on the truck. Local newspaper the Post-Courier said a stench has filled the area and the work to recover bodies was progressing slowly. "These tribesmen have been killed all over the countryside, all over the bush," Mr Kakas told ABC. Police said the tribals were using high-powered guns, such as AK47, M16 and M4 rifles as well as homemade firearms. Papua New Guinea government lawyer Oliver Nobetau said more lives could be lost in retaliation for the massacre and warned the police resources are not enough to deal with violence that was on such a massive scale. Tribal violence is something that happens commonly, but never to this scale, Mr Nobetau added. Tribal violence is something that is prevalent and the government with its limited resources will try to deploy the police wherever they can to try to curb the security issues, he said. Governor of Enga Peter Ipatas said there had been warnings that tribal fighting was about to erupt. "From a provincial perspective, we knew this fight was going to be on and we (alerted) the security forces last week to make sure they took appropriate action to ensure this didnt occur," Mr Ipatas told ABC. He described the violence as a "very, very sad occasion for us in the province and its a bad thing for the country. In the capital, opposition party members demanded prime minister James Marapes administration take urgent action and deploy additional troops in the area. We call on the government to immediately establish where the guns and bullets are coming from to fuel this senseless violence, they said in a statement, according to the Post-Courier. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said they were ready to assist Papua New Guinea, which is Australias nearest neighbour and the largest single recipient of Australian foreign aid. "That is very disturbing the news that has come out of Papua New Guinea," Mr Albanese said. "We remain available to provide whatever support we can in a practical way, of course, to help our friends in PNG. The tribal violence has escalated in the Enga region following the 2022 elections, which saw Mr Marape maintaining power. Elections in Papua New Guinea have historically been marred by allegations of cheating and procedural irregularities, often serving as catalysts for widespread violence across the nation. In August last year, more than 150 people were killed in the Highlands and graphic visuals showed men tied up and being dragged behind a truck as onlookers cheered. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A tribal clash in Papua New Guineas remote highlands in which more than 20 people were shot dead on Sunday has put a growing internal security problem under the microscope in the strategically vital South Pacific island nation that has garnered closer military attention from the United States and China. The rival powers are increasingly keen to striking security pacts with the developing nation whose international significance has grown in tandem with Chinas increased regional influence. The violence between two tribal groups and their allies began on Sunday in the Wapenamanda district of the Enga province in what one police officer described as the largest flare-up of violence the region has seen. Dead bodies were recovered from the roadside, grasslands and hills and more are expected to be found in the bush, according to ABC. The death toll was revised down by police from an earlier figure of 64, although local media reports continued to include higher numbers of both combatants and local civilians killed. Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Police confirmed fighting was ongoing between Ambulin tribes and their allies and Skikin tribes with their allies. Heres a look at some key issues surrounding Papua New Guineas internal security concerns: A history of Papya New Guinea Papua New Guinea is the most populous South Pacific island nation after Australia and was a colony of that near neighbor until independence in 1975. The government estimates Papua New Guineas population at around 10 million people, although a United Nations study, based on data including satellite photographs of roof tops, estimated in 2022 it could be as high as 17 million. An accurate census has not been held in the nation in decades. Its a diverse country rich in resources including gold, nickel and natural gas with more than 800 Indigenous languages. Most of the population scrapes by as subsistence farmers. Why is there tribe wars? Civil unrest in the capital Port Moresby and Lae, the nations second most populous city, made headlines last month when at least 15 people were reportedly killed during rioting and looting in street protests over a public service pay dispute. But tribal warfare has a long history across the country and is becoming more lethal with an influx of illegal modern firearms in the highlands and increasing use of mercenary sharpshooters. Some villagers accuse security forces of taking bribes from tribal warlords to help defeat rivals who dont pay for protection. The latest tribal battle occurred in gold-rich Enga province. Another hotspot for tribal violence is Hela province. Both are among resource-rich western areas of the country where tribal conflict has escalated in recent decades, said Paul Barker, executive director of the Port Moresby-based policy think tank Institute of National Affairs. Natural resources create jealousies and conflicts around how the wealth should be distributed, who was entitled to mining royalties and which landowners deserved compensation. Other traditional triggers for tribal conflict include accusations of sorcery following sudden deaths such as car wrecks and payback for casualties from previous tribal wars. Why is the world now taking notice? Joe Biden was to become the only sitting US president to ever visit Papua New Guinea in May last year but cancelled at short notice to focus on debt limit talks in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken took Bidens place and signed a new security pact that sparked Papuan student protests over concerns that it undermined the countrys sovereignty. Chinese President Xi Jinping had visited in 2018 when Port Moresby hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit.T he United States and its influential ally in the region, Australia, have been rapidly building bridges with Papua New Guinea and its island neighbors in response to China signing a security pact with the Solomons Islands in 2022 that raised the prospects of a Chinese naval foothold being established in the South Pacific. China later failed in an ambitious attempt to get 10 Pacific island nations including Papua New Guinea, the Solomons nearest neighbor, to sign a sweeping deal covering everything from security to fisheries. Australian and Papuan prime ministers signed a security pact in December that strengthened Australias place as the preferred security partner in the region. The main dividend for Papua New Guinea was the help Australia offered to address its internal security concerns by increasing the police force from 6,000 to 26,000 members and to support the court and prison systems. But Papua New Guineas Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko revealed last month that his government had begun early talks with China on its offer of policing assistance weeks after the street riots in Port Moresby and Lae. Papua New Guinea had previously said the United States and Australia were its preferred security partners while China would remain an economic partner. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Critics like Alexei Navalny need support from the West against the monster Vladimir Putin, Alexander Litvinenkos widow has said. Marina Litvinenko's husband, a prominent Putin critic and Russian defector, died in 2006 after becoming violently ill in London having been poisoned with radioactive polonium-210. A British inquiry found that Russian agents had killed Mr Litvinenko, probably with Putins approval, but the Kremlin denied any involvement. He is among the many Kremlin political critics, turncoat spies and investigative journalists who have been killed or assaulted in a variety of ways over the years. Critics like Alexei Navalny need support from the West against the monster Vladimir Putin, Alexander Litvinenkos widow has said (Getty) Russia's prison agency announced on Friday that 47-year-old Navalny had died in the Arctic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism. His death sparked accusations around the world that he had been killed, which have been fiercely rejected by the Kremlin. Ms Litvinenko branded Putin a monster and called on the West to help Russian opposition figures who are still alive. She told Sky News: I am more thinking about people living in Russia, they have more dangerous lives, but they are still working on the outside. They are in need of support, and we are living here in the West, we need to support these people in Russia. We need to do everything to save the lives of these people, otherwise Putins regime will achieve its result. Russia's prison agency announced on Friday that Alexei Navalny had died in the Arctic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism (AP) Ms Litvinenko told of her shock and anger upon hearing the news of Mr Navalnys death, and accused Putin of killing the most prominent politician and the hope of a new Russia. Stating that she had no doubt who could be responsible for Mr Navalnys death, she said: You can't expect anything else from Putin. Mr Navalnys team accused authorities of deliberately hiding his body to cover traces of what they claim is a clear act of murder, while many world leaders blamed Putin and his government for the Russian opposition leaders death. Mr Navalny's spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said that the Investigative Committee, the country's top criminal investigation agency, informed his mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, that the cause of her son's death remained unknown and that the official probe had been extended. "They lie, buy time for themselves and do not even hide it," Ms Yarmysh posted on X, formerly Twitter. Alexander Litvinenko, a prominent Putin critic, died in 2006 after becoming violently ill in London having drunk tea laced with radioactive polonium-210 (Copyright 2002 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) She added that Mr Navalnys mother and lawyers were on Monday morning denied access to the morgue in Salekhard where his body was believed to be kept. The staff did not answer when they asked if the body was there, Yarmysh said. Mr Navalny's death has deprived the Russian opposition of its most well-known and inspiring politician less than a month before an election that is all but certain to give Putin another six years in power. It dealt a devastating blow to many Russians, who had seen Navalny as a hope for political change following his unrelenting criticism of the Kremlin. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ana Maria Knezevic traveled from South Florida to Spain in December to get away for a while. Her family and friends say the American originally from Colombia has been going through a nasty divorce from her husband, but the trip was also a chance to explore new places. Then, she vanished two weeks ago, shortly after a man wearing a motorcycle helmet disabled the security cameras at her Madrid apartment building by spray painting the lenses. The next day, two friends received separate text messages one in English, one in Spanish from the 40-year-old's phone saying she was running off for a few days with a man she had just met. She wouldnt do this ... it is very unsafe and crazy behavior. She wouldnt do that. She wouldnt do that, said Sanna Rameau, the friend who got the English text. It was written, she said, in an emotionless style that wasn't Ana's. The Spanish message was so flat it appeared to have been written in English and run through Google Translate, she said. It just didnt make sense," Rameau told The Associated Press. A banner of a Colombian-born American missing woman Ana Maria Knezevich Henao, 40, is displayed on a streetlight in Madrid (Manu Fernandez) She's also tiny smaller than the 4-feet-11-inches tall (1.5 meters) listed on her driver's license, Rameau said. I can lift her up with one arm and carry her away," the friend said. Police in Madrid and Fort Lauderdale were notified, launching investigations on each side of the Atlantic. Both agencies are being closed mouthed about where the search stands, with each declining comment. The American embassy in Madrid also declined comment. Spains Missing Persons Association has posted Knezevic's photograph around the nation's capital, but has not received any responses, spokesman Joaquin Amills said. David and Ana Knezevic have been married for 13 years and own EOX Technology Solutions Inc., which does computer support for South Florida businesses. Records show they also own a home and two other Fort Lauderdale properties, one of those currently under foreclosure. Anas brother, Juan Henao, called the divorce nasty in an interview with a Fort Lauderdale detective, a report shows. This undated image provided by Sanna Rameau, shows paint obscuring a buildings security camera where Ana was staying There is a substantial amount of money on the line to be split up between the two and David is not happy about it, the report says. David Knezevic's current whereabouts are unknown. Henao told the detective he believes his brother-in-law traveled to his home country of Serbia in January. After Ana disappeared, Henao texted David to ask if he knew her whereabouts. He replied Whats up? before telling Henao that Ana was missing, which he already knew. "Nothing else besides that," Henao said. In a short phone interview, Henao said he hopes the international attention will make finding Ana a top police priority. Lets just keep pushing and see if that will get them to do more to help us find my sister, he said. No one answered the door Thursday at the Knezevics' Fort Lauderdale home, where the mailbox is overflowing and the cars are covered in dirt and dust. No one answered the phone at their company, and David Knezevic did not respond to emails and a voicemail. Rameau said Ana never mentioned fearing her husband or that he was abusive. She never said to me that she felt in danger, said Rameau. Ana chose an apartment in Madrid's wealthy and fashionable Salamanca quarter, traveled with Rameau in Austria in January, and planned to see a Spanish friend in Barcelona on Feb. 5 before reuniting with Rameau in Madrid starting Feb. 8. But on Feb. 2 at about 9:30 p.m., the helmet-wearing man disabled the apartment complex's security cameras something no one searching for Ana knew for almost a week. She had a normal phone call with a friend about a half hour later. Neighbors said they last saw her about that time. The next day, Rameau became alarmed when she got a text from Ana's phone. I met someone wonderful!! He has a summer house 2H (hours) from Madrid," it read. "We are going there now and I will spend a few days there. Signal is spotty. Ill call you when I get back. That was followed a minute later by a second text: Yesterday after therapy I needed a walk and he approached me on the street! Amazing connection. Like I never had. This undated image provided by Sanna Rameau, shows Ana Maria Knezevic, right, and Rameau The Spanish friend got similar texts, the ones that appeared to have been translated by computer. Rameau said there is no chance she would run off with a stranger, and never told her friend that night she had met someone. Rameau and the Spanish friend contacted police after she didn't respond to their increasingly frantic calls and texts. Firefighters went to her apartment for a wellness check, looked inside and found nothing amiss, Rameau said. Madrid police said they would investigate if she didn't show up for her Barcelona trip. When she didn't, detectives asked a Spanish judge for permission to search her phone records and apartment, but absent strong evidence of a crime, they were denied. Rameau and the Spanish friend then went to her building on Feb. 8, and learned from a clerk about the helmeted man painting the cameras. They alerted police. Now, Ana's family and friends wait for news. Im just desperate to find answers," Rameau said. "Im just desperate to find a reason for who could have done this. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An anarchist group has claimed responsibility for last weeks attempted bomb attack against a senior judge in Greece, raising fears of a resurgence of violence by radical militants. Explosives experts defused the parcel bomb that was placed at a courthouse in the northern city of Thessaloniki and addressed to the judge. In an online post, a previously unheard of group, called Armed Response, claimed responsibility for the attempted attack. It named the judge it had targeted and vowed to step up attacks against the judiciary in solidarity with jailed fellow militants. Just as easily as the parcel bomb reached her office, our bullets can find their target, the statement said. Greece has a decades-old history of attacks by anarchist and far-left militant groups, ranging from small arson attacks, to bombings and assassinations. Relatively few attacks have occurred in recent years, but several have taken place over the past few weeks. Earlier this month, a bomb exploded in central Athens outside the labor ministry, causing no injuries. Riot police clash with students during a demonstration in Greece (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) It followed a warning call by a group calling itself Revolutionary Class Self-Defense.In December, a bomb that failed to detonate was placed outside a police facility in Athens. In December last year the national riot police headquarters were targeted with a bomb that was defused before it could explode, as police union members protested increasing violence against officers in the force. Authorities had been alerted after an anonymous caller warned a newspaper that the bomb would explode in 45 minutes and described where it had been planted. That gave bomb disposal experts time to find and defuse the device. The bomb had been left in a copse near the riot police headquarters outside the city center and close to a university campus, police said. There was no claim of responsibility. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Alexei Navalny, a thorn in the side of the Kremlin and Russias most prominent political dissident, has died in prison at the age of 47. Navalny, a fierce critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, had been sentenced to 19 years in a penal colony around 40 miles of the Arctic Circle in charges widely thought to be politically motivated. The 47-year-old felt unwell after a walk at the jail and lost consciousness. An ambulance arrived to try to rehabilitate him, but he died, according to prison authorities. Navalny was moved from his former prison in the Vladimir region of central Russia in December to the special regime penal colony the highest security level of prisons in Russia. The political agitator has been behind bars since January 2021 when Navalny had been behind bars since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin. Before his arrest, he campaigned against official corruption, organized major anti-Kremlin protests and ran for public office. Here's a look at Navalnys life, political activism and the charges he has faced through the years: 1976 4 June 4 Navalny is born in a western part of the Moscow region. 1997 Graduates from Russias RUDN university, where he majored in law; earns a degree in economics in 2001 while working as a lawyer. 2004 Forms a movement against rampant overdevelopment in Moscow, according to his campaign website. Police officers detain Alexeo Navalny, at Moscow's Pushkinskaya Square, on March 5, 2012 (AFP via Getty Images) 2008 Gains notoriety for alleging corruption in state-run corporations, such as gas giant Gazprom and oil behemoth Rosneft, through his blogs and other posts. 2010 Founds RosPil, an anti-corruption project run by a team of lawyers that analyzes spending of state agencies and companies, exposing violations and contesting them in court. 2011 December- Participates in mass protests sparked by reports of widespread rigging of Russias parliamentary election, and is arrested and jailed for 15 days for defying a government official. 2012 March - Following Mr Putins reelection and inauguration, mass protests break out in Moscow and elsewhere. Navalny accuses key figures, including then-Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov and Chechnyas strongman leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, of corruption. July - Russias Investigative Committee charges Navalny with embezzlement involving Kirovles, a state-owned timber company in the Kirov region, while acting as an adviser to the local governor. Navalny rejects the allegations as politically motivated. December The Investigative Committee launches another probe into alleged embezzlement at a Navalny-linked Russian subsidiary of Yves Rocher, a French cosmetics company. Navalny again says the allegations are politically motivated. Navalny appears via a video link from the Arctic penal colony where he would later die (AP) 2013 Navalny runs for mayor in Moscow a move the authorities not only allow but encourage in an attempt to put a veneer of democracy on the race that is designed to boost the profile of the incumbent, Sergei Sobyanin. July - A court in Kirov convicts Navalny of embezzlement in the Kirovles case, sentencing him to five years in prison. The prosecution petitions to release Navalny from custody pending his appeal, and he resumes his campaign. September Official results show Navalny finishes second in the mayors race behind Sobyanin, with 27% of the vote, after a successful electoral and fundraising campaign collecting an unprecedented 97.3 million rubles ($2.9 million) from individual supporters. October A court hands Navalny a suspended sentence in the Kirovles case. February 2014 Navalny is placed under house arrest in connection with the Yves Rocher case and banned from using the internet. His blog continues to be updated regularly, presumably by his team, detailing alleged corruption by various Russian officials. December Navalny and his brother, Oleg, are found guilty of fraud in the Yves Rocher case. Navalny receives a 3 -year suspended sentence, while his brother is handed a prison term. Both appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. 2015 December Navalnys Foundation for Fighting Corruption releases its first long-form video a YouTube documentary called Chaika, which means seagull in Russian but is also the last name of then-Prosecutor General Yury Chaika. The 44-minute video accuses him of corruption and alleged ties to a notorious criminal group and has piled up 26 million views on YouTube. Chaika and other Russian officials deny the accusations. 2016 February The European Court of Human Rights rules that Russia violated Navalnys right to a fair trial in the Kirovles case, ordering the government to pay his legal costs and damages. November Russias Supreme Court overturns Navalnys sentence and sends the case back to the original court in the city of Kirov for review. December Navalny announces he will run in Russias 2018 presidential election. Navalny and his wife Yulia attend a hearing at the Lublinsky district court in Moscow, Russia, April 23, 2015 (REUTERS) 2017 February The Kirov court retries Navalny and upholds his five-year suspended sentence from 2013. March Navalny releases a YouTube documentary accusing then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of corruption, getting over 7 million views in its first week. A series of anti-graft protests across Russia draw tens of thousands and there are mass arrests. Navalny tours the country to open campaign offices, holds big rallies and is jailed repeatedly for unauthorized demonstrations. 27 April Unidentified assailants throw a green disinfectant in his face, damaging his right eye. He blames the attack on the Kremlin. October The European Court of Human Rights finds Navalnys fraud conviction in the Yves Rocher case to be arbitrary and manifestly unreasonable. December Russias Central Electoral Commission bars him from running for president over his conviction in the Kirovles case, a move condemned by the EU as casting serious doubt on the election. 2019 July Members of Navalnys team, along with other opposition activists, are barred from running for Moscow city council, sparking protests that are violently dispersed, with thousands arrested. Navalnys team responds by promoting the Smart Voting strategy, encouraging the election of any candidate except those from the Kremlins United Russia party. The strategy works, with the party losing its majority. 2020 Navalny seeks to deploy the Smart Voting strategy during regional elections in September and tours Siberia as part of the effort. 20 August On a flight from the city of Tomsk, where he was working with local activists, Navalny falls ill and the plane makes an emergency landing in nearby Omsk. Hospitalized in a coma, Navalnys team suspects he was poisoned. 22 August A comatose Navalny is flown to a hospital in Berlin. 24 August German authorities confirm Navalny was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent. After he recovers, he blames the Kremlin, an accusation denied by Russian officials. Navalny was a fierce critic of Vladimir Putin (AP) 2021 17 January After five months in Germany, Navalny is arrested upon his return to Russia, with authorities alleging his recuperation abroad violated the terms of his suspended sentence in the Yves Rocher case. His arrest triggers some of the biggest protests in Russia in years. Thousands are arrested. 2 February A Moscow court orders Navalny to serve 2 years in prison for his parole violation. While in prison, Navalny stages a three-week hunger strike to protest a lack of medical treatment and sleep deprivation. June A Moscow court outlaws Navalnys Foundation for Fighting Corruption and about 40 regional offices as extremist, shutting down his political network. Close associates and team members face prosecution and leave Russia under pressure. Navalny maintains contact with his lawyers and team from prison, and they update his social media accounts. 2022 24 February Russia invades Ukraine. Navalny condemns the war in social media posts from prison and during his court appearances. 22 March Navalny is sentenced to an additional nine-year term for embezzlement and contempt of court in a case his supporters rejected as fabricated. He is transferred to a maximum-security prison in Russias western Vladimir region. July Navalnys team announces the relaunch of the Anti-Corruption Foundation as an international organization with an advisory board including Francis Fukuyama, Anne Applebaum, and the European Parliament member and former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. Navalny continues to file lawsuits in prison and tries to form a labor union in the facility. In response, penitentiary officials start regularly placing him in solitary confinement over purported disciplinary violations such as failing to properly button his garment or to wash his face at a specified time. Navalny (second left) as he listens to his verdict over a series of extremism charges at the IK-6 penal colony (AFP via Getty Images) 2023 Over 400 Russian doctors sign an open letter to Mr Putin, urging an end to what it calls abuse of Navalny, following reports that he was denied basic medication after getting the flu. His team expresses concern about his health, saying in April he had acute stomach pain and suspected he was being slowly poisoned. 12 March Navalny, a film about the attempt on the opposition leaders life, wins the Oscar for best documentary feature. 26 April Appearing on a videolink from prison during a hearing, Navalny says he was facing new extremism and terrorism charges that could keep him behind bars for the rest of his life. He adds sardonically that the charges imply that Im conducting terror attacks while sitting in prison. 19 June The trial begins in a make-shift courtroom in the Penal Colony No. 6 where Navalny is being held. Soon after it starts, the judge closes the trial for the public and the media despite Navalnys demand to keep it open. 20 July The prosecution in its closing arguments asks the court to sentence Navalny to 20 years in prison, the politician's team reports. Navalny says in a subsequent statement that he expects his sentence to be huge a Stalinist term, referring to the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. 4 August - Navalny is sentenced to 19 years in prison for extremism. He was accused by the Russian authorities of creating an extremist community, financing extremist activities and a number of other crimes. According to a message on Telegram, he said: I am serving a life sentence. Where life is measured by the duration of my life or the life of this regime. The number from verdict is not for me. It is for you. December - Navalny was transferred this month to a penal colony north of the Arctic Circle. His lawyer said Russian authorities wanted to isolate Navalny ahead of Russias March presidential election. Navalny pictured in hospital in 2020 (Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP) 2024 9 January - Navalny sarcastically heaped praise on the polar conditions at the prison north of the Arctic Circle where he was moved to shortly before Christmas. In a post on the Telegram messaging app Navalny said he had been put in a punishment cell for his attitude as soon as he left quarantine at the so-called Polar Wolf prison colony. He said that walking for half an hour in those temperatures you manage to grow a new nose, new ears and new fingers. 11 January - Navalny appeared before a Supreme Court judge by video link on Thursday to argue for the right to longer meal breaks and access to more books in prison. Wearing a black prison uniform and standing behind bars in a small, bare room, Navalny, 47, appeared gaunt but spoke animatedly, at length and without notes. 17 January - From his penal camp Navalny, said that Putins state would one day crumble along with the post-Soviet elite which he cast as venal, power-hungry and duplicitous. Lies, lies and nothing but lies. It will collapse and crumble. Putins state is not viable. One day we will look at his place and he wont be there. 23 January - Navalny was placed in solitary confinement for 10 days for incorrectly introducing himself to a guard, his spokesperson said. 16 February - Russias prison agency has said that imprisoned opposition leader Navalny has died. He was 47. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Alexei Navalnys widow Yulia has accused Vladimir Putin of poisoning her husband with novichok and hiding his body until traces of the nerve agent are unable to be detected. In a powerful video address, her voice cracking with emotion at points, Yulia Navalnaya vowed soon to expose those she believes are responsible for her husbands death and pledged to continue her husbands work fighting back against the iron grip Mr Putin has had on Russia for more than two decades. She called on Russians to rally behind her, to share not only the grief and endless pain that has enveloped and gripped us, but also my rage following the death of the Russian presidents most prominent critic. Calling Putin and the Russian authorities cowardly, Ms Navalnaya spoke with anger about what had taken place: My husband was unbreakable. And thats precisely why Putin killed him. Shamefully, cowardly, without ever daring to look him in the eye or just say his name. And just as shamefully and cowardly, they are now hiding his body, not showing it to his mother, not giving it back, and pathetically lying and waiting for traces of another Putin novichok to disappear. We know exactly why Putin killed Alexei three days ago, Ms Navalnaya said. We will tell you about it soon. We will definitely find out who exactly carried out this crime, and how exactly. We will name the names and show the faces. Navalny was given life-saving treatment in Germany in 2020 after he was poisoned with novichok. He blamed the Kremlin for that attack. It was the same nerve agent that had been used to target the former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury in 2018. Navalny returned to Russia in 2021 following his treatment and was immediately arrested. He faced multiple charges that his supporters and much of the international community believed were trumped up in an effort to silence him. He was serving his latest sentence, of 19 years, in an Arctic penal colony having been moved there late last year. He had kept up the pressure on the Kremlin from inside jail, ahead of a presidential election due to take place in March. There is little doubt that Mr Putin will be re-elected, but Ms Navalnaya said that the work to change Russia must go on. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, with his wife Yulia, right, daughter Daria, and son Zakha in 2019 (AP) I want to live in a free Russia, I want to build a free Russia, Ms Navalnaya said in her video message, which was titled I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny. By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me half of my heart and half of my soul. But I still have the other half, and it tells me that I have no right to give up, she said. I urge you to stand next to me, said Ms Navalnaya, who last saw her husband in person two years ago. All these years I have been by Alexeis side... But today I want to be by your side, because I know that you have lost as much as I have. Ms Navalnaya lives in an undisclosed location outside Russia, aiming to protect the two children she shared with her late husband. She has not said whether she is considering returning to Russia, where prosecution would likely await. Putin killed the father of my children. Putin took away the most precious thing I had, the closest person to me, and the person I loved most in the world, she said. It is still unclear what exactly has happened to Navalnys body. Hours after the video address by Ms Navalnaya, Navalnys spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, said Russian investigators had told his family and his lawyers that they would not release his body for at least two more weeks. Some kind of chemical examination will be conducted with it for another 14 days, Ms Yarmysh said. Navalnys mother, Lyudmila, and his lawyer visited the morgue in Salekhard, the capital of the Arctic Yamalo-Nenets region, on Saturday and were told it was closed. At the time, Navalnys spokesperson claimed that the Russian authorities were deliberately withholding his body in order to cover traces of his murder. Vladimir Putin has been blamed for Navalnys sudden death (AFP via Getty) On Monday, Ms Yarmysh said that Navalnys 69-year-old mother and his lawyers had not been allowed into the morgue that morning. The staff didnt answer when they asked if the body was there, she added. On Sunday, Russian independent opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta, citing an unnamed source, claimed that Navalnys body had been delivered to the Salekhard District Clinical Hospital and had been seen with bruises. But neither the Russian authorities nor Navalnys team have spoken about the condition of the body. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in Navalnys death, and the Russian authorities have told his team that they will not release his body until investigations into his death are complete. When asked how Mr Putin had reacted to news of Navalnys death, the Russian presidents spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: I have nothing to add. Ms Navalnayas video appeal was not reported by state media in Russia. More than 50,000 people have submitted requests to the Russian government asking for the politicians remains to be handed over to his relatives, the prominent rights group OVD-Info has said. Hundreds of people in Russia have been detained for trying to pay their respects to Navalny at vigils across the country. Ms Navalnaya also met with EU foreign ministers in Brussels, as a number of countries called for sanctions in response to Navalnys death. Never forget Russia is not Putin and Putin is not Russia, Ms Navalnaya said, calling on the EU and the West to do more to target Putins circle. The EUs top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said: Vladimir Putin and his regime will be held accountable for the death of Alexei Navalny. He suggested that Russian prison officials linked to Navalnys death could be added to the list of those who are subject to asset freezes and travel bans. Germany, Lithuania and Sweden were among the EU countries calling for specific new penalties against Russia. The German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said she hoped the 27-nation EU would agree on the package of sanctions soon. EU officials say that could happen on Wednesday. We have seen the brutal force with which the Russian president represses his own citizens who take to the streets to demonstrate for freedom or write about it in newspapers, she said. We will propose new sanctions in light of the death of Alexei Navalny. In the UK, foreign office minister Leo Docherty told parliament that it is right to describe Navalnys killing as a murder, and that the government is working at pace to hold those responsible to account. The Russian authorities must urgently confirm the location of his body to his family. And allow them access to it, he added. US president Joe Biden said later on Monday that his administration is also considering imposing additional sanctions on Russia. I know it seems that it is no longer possible [to continue the struggle], Ms Navalnaya said in her video address. But we need more. To gather all together in one strong fist and hit this crazed regime with it Putin, his friends, bandits in uniform, thieves and murderers who crippled our country. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An American man on Monday admitted to charges of murder and rape after he allegedly pushed two U.S. women down a ravine, fatally injuring one of them near Germany's Neuschwanstein castle last year. The 31-year-old defendant admitted to the charges during the start of his trial, the German news agency dpa reported. Defendants in the German legal system do not formally enter pleas to charges. The defendant has committed an unfathomable crime, defense lawyer Philip Mueller said in a statement. The defendant, whose name hasnt been released in line with German privacy rules, confirmed that his lawyers statement was correct but did not answer any questions. The defendant is charged with murder, rape with fatal consequences, attempted murder and possession of child pornography. Murder charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison in Germany. The attack happened on June 14 last year near the Marienbruecke, a bridge over a gorge close to the castle that offers a view of Neuschwanstein, one of Germanys most famous tourist attractions. A 31-year-old American man accused of murder is led into the courtroom at the regional court in Kempten, Southern Germany (AP) Prosecutors say the defendant met by chance the two female tourists, aged 21 and 22, on a hiking path and lured them off the trail. They said in a statement that he apparently first forced the younger woman to the ground and tried to undress her. When the elder woman tried to help her, a scuffle ensued and the suspect allegedly pushed her down a steep slope. She fell about 50 meters (165 feet) and sustained a head injury, bruises and grazes but survived. The suspect then allegedly strangled the younger woman until she was unconscious and raped her, prosecutors said, before pushing her down the slope as well. She died. The bridge over Neuschwanstein Castle (REUTERS) Prosecutors said they secured a laptop and cellphones from the suspect containing child sexual abuse material. Authorities say the women didnt know the man before they met near Neuschwanstein. The suspect was arrested shortly after the attack. A verdict is expected to be announced in mid-March at the earliest. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Eleven Ukrainian children taken to Russian-controlled territory will be reunited with their families in Ukraine in a deal negotiated by Qatar. This is the third and largest group of children that Qatar has helped return to their families in Ukraine as it positions itself as a key mediator, not just in the Middle East, but in other major conflicts across the world. Several of the children, who are aged between two and 16 years old, have special medical needs and require medical assistance, Qatari officials said on Monday. Ukrainian officials say that more than 19,000 Ukrainian children have been illegally taken to Russian-occupied territory or to Russia itself since Russian president Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. So far, just under 400 have been returned home, while the whereabouts of many others remain unknown. Russias childrens rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova has said in televised interviews that Moscow has evacuated as many as 700,000 Ukrainian children to Russia, and that many have been adopted by Russian families. Ms Lvova-Belova and President Putin are both subject to International Criminal Court arrest warrants for the unlawful deportation of children. The 11 children Qatar is helping bring back to Ukraine on Monday are being hosted at the Qatari embassy in Moscow as they wait to be escorted back to their families. For over six months, Qatar has been working closely with its Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, making progress on the reunification initiative but also looking for ways to build trust in other areas, said Lolwah al-Khater, Qatars minister of state for international cooperation. She added that Doha now has a firmly established mechanism in place to bring children home safely. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky visits the frontline positions of Ukrainian troops in northeastern Ukraine. The war is about to enter its third year (Ukrainian presidential press service/AFP via Getty) This initiative reinforces Qatars position that dialogue is the only way to build understanding, even between adversaries. We will continue to mediate between the two sides as long as it is requested, with the hope that it can eventually lead to a de-escalation in the conflict. The 11 children ended up in Russian-controlled territory for different reasons, as Russias invasion of Ukraine tore through some of their hometowns. Two of the youngest, aged just five and six, were living in a care home for children with disabilities at the start of the war, and were taken by Russian officials during the offensive to a facility in Russian-controlled Crimea. A 10-year-old and two teenagers ended up on their own in Russian-controlled parts of the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions when their mothers died last year. They are now being reunited with their wider families who are in Ukraine. The family of another teenage boy were killed as they tried to evacuate from Luhansk in the east. The 16-year-old will be reunited with his aunt in Ukraine. A 14-year-old boy is expected to be reunited with his mother, who was a Ukrainian prisoner-of-war in 2022 but has since been released. The youngest are twins aged just two years old, who were placed in a childrens home in Russian-occupied territory by their parents, who were struggling financially. Their uncle, who is in Ukraine, has since taken custody of them. Qatari minister Ms Khater said it was heartwarming to see the children safely reunited with their families in Ukraine, and pledged to continue to mediate for as long as it is requested. A Qatari official said Qatar had received a request from Ukraine to assist in bringing the children home, and that the Gulf country was committed to the safe return of children to Ukraine. There was no immediate comment from the Ukrainian side. But Ukrainian senior officials, including the first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, have said in past interviews with The Independent that they were working on international cooperation with third countries to help retrieve the children, and that they believed the removal of children to Russia was part of a deliberate attempt to erase Ukrainian culture and identity. Ukrainian officials have said they have evidence that some of the children are taken to re-education camps to learn the Russian language along with Russian culture and history. The Independent uncovered evidence of children with disabilities being given Russian passports. Last summer, Ms Zelenska told The Independent that she believed the illegal transfer of children was one of the most terrible and most disgusting crimes of this war. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukraine's military has said its troops have taken up new defensive positions in the east after retreating from the captured key town of Avdiivka, and were repelling Russian attempts to develop the offensive thrust. Russia took full control of devastated Avdiivka after Kyivs troops withdrew over the weekend, handing the Kremlin its biggest battlefield advance since capturing the city of Bakhmut in May. Avdiivkas fall was the clearest sign the tide of the war has turned in Russias favour as Kyiv struggles to regenerate manpower and US Republicans scupper attempts to rearm Washingtons ally, which is battling a much larger and better-armed foe. The Ukrainian military has established itself on new lines of defence and is successfully repelling attempts by the Russian invaders to develop an offensive, Brigadier-General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi wrote on Telegram. Russian forces were regrouping and searching for pockets of resistance in Avdiivka, while attacking near the occupied eastern town of Mariinka and near to a Kyiv-held southeastern village, Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy said. The capture of Avdiivka pushes Ukrainian forces further from the Russian-held bastion city of Donetsk, an important logistics hub used by Moscow to support its operations across partially occupied eastern Ukraine, known as the Donbas. Serhiy Zgurets, director of the Kyiv-based Defence Express consultancy, predicted Russian forces would try to straighten out the frontline around Mariinka and launch a fresh push around the town of Vuhledar, which is held by Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky visits wounded soldiers (via Reuters) Mr Zgurets said Moscow forces had around 80,000 troops deployed around Bakhmut and a further 40,000 troops around Avdiivka and would likely try to push towards the town of Chasiv Yar. Russian president Vladimir Putin has described the capture of Avdiivka as an important victory, and Moscow has said Kyivs pullback was chaotic and rushed, with some soldiers and weapons left behind. The withdrawal was prompted by the threat of an enemy breakthrough that would have cut all supply routes for the grouping in the eastern part of the Avdiivka, Mr Zgurets said, adding that he believed the pullback was well executed. Some troops from Ukraine's Third Assault Brigade, which was rushed into the town to reinforce Kyivs troops last week, were completely surrounded at one point, but managed to break out, their deputy commander, Maksym Zhoryn, said. Pavel Mogila, commander of an armoured unit in a Russian militia force fighting for Ukraine, said they helped evacuate forces from the city using three vehicles. We were standing in the Lastochkyne area. If the Russians had neared the road, taken the tree lines around it, then that would have been it, the road would have been blockaded and Avdiivka fully surrounded. Andrii Taran, a commander in the 110th Brigade, said Russia had exhausted the defenders with constant attacks by small groups of three or four soldiers, while bombing with guided aerial bombs. Oleh Zhdanov, a Kyiv-based military analyst, said: Russia will most likely try to seize as much territory as possible in the near future, especially within the borders of those territories that Putin has declared to be Russian. Moscow unilaterally declared it had annexed the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in 2022 despite not fully controlling any of them. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky visited the northeastern part of the frontline and met troops fighting against invading forces. He reportedly paid a visit to the command post of the brigade that defends Kupiansk, a target of intensified Russian assault since mid-autumn. The town was liberated by Ukrainian forces in 2022 following its initial occupation by Russian troops after their full-scale invasion. Ukraines military also said it had shot down two more Russian warplanes used to drop highly destructive guided aerial bombs on Kyivs troops, army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said. The planes were an Su-34 fighter-bomber and an Su-35 fighter, but the location they were destroyed was not disclosed. At the weekend, Ukraine said it shot down three Russian Su-34s and one Su-35 in eastern skies. In just three days, the enemy lost six aircraft, Oleksandr Pavliuk said. US president Joe Biden said on Monday he is willing to meet with House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson to discuss a funding bill for Ukraines war against Russia, saying that Republicans are making a mistake by opposing the aid package. The Senate in a bipartisan vote earlier this month passed a $95bn (75bn) aid package that includes funds for Ukraine, but Mr Johnson so far has declined even to bring it up for a vote on the floor of the House, which Republicans control by a 219-212 margin. He has been demanding a meeting with Mr Biden. Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Vatican has been trying for years to debunk the idea that its vaunted archives are full of secrets: it has opened up the files of controversial Second World War-era Pope Pius XII to scholars, and changed the official name to remove the word secret from the title of the archive. But myth and mystery have persisted until now. The long-time prefect of what is now named the Vatican Apostolic Archive, Bishop Sergio Pagano, is spilling the beans for the first time, revealing some of the secrets he has uncovered in the 45 years he has worked in one of the worlds most important, and unusual, repositories of documents. In a new book-length interview titled Secretum, to be published on Tuesday, Pagano divulges some of the unknown, lesser-known and behind-the-scenes details of well-known sagas of the Holy See and its relations with the outside world over the past 12 centuries. In conversations over the course of a year with Italian journalist Massimo Franco, Pagano delves into everything from Napoleons sacking of the archive in 1810 to the Galileo affair and the peculiar conclave the assembly of cardinals to elect a pope of 1922 that was financed by last-minute donations from US Catholics. Its the first time, and it will also be the last, because Im about to leave, Pagano, 75, says in an interview in his archive office, ahead of his expected retirement later this year. Pope Leo XIII first opened the archive to scholars in 1881, after it had been used exclusively to serve the pope and preserve documentation of the papacies, ecumenical councils and Vatican offices dating from the 8th century. With 85km (53 miles) of shelving, much of it underground in a two-storey, fireproof, reinforced concrete bunker, the archive also houses documentation from Vatican embassies around the globe as well as specific collections from aristocratic families and religious orders. While often the source of Dan Brown-esque conspiracies, it functions much as any national or private archive: researchers request permission to visit and then request specific documents to review in dedicated reading rooms. Tom Hanks in the 2006 film adaptation of Dan Browns novel The Da Vinci Code (Sony Pictures Releasing) Pagano keeps a close eye on them from a giant television screen perched at the side of his desk, which provides a live, closed-circuit feed from the reading rooms downstairs. Most recently, scholars have been flocking to the archive to read through the documents of the pontificate of Pope Pius XII, the wartime pope who has been criticised for not having spoken out enough about the Holocaust. Pope Francis ordered the documents of his pontificate opened ahead of schedule, in 2020, so scholars could finally have the full picture of the papacy. The Vatican has long defended Pius, saying he used quiet diplomacy to save lives and that he didnt speak out publicly about Nazi crimes because he feared retaliation, including against the Vatican itself. Pope Francis presides over the canonisation of a new Argentinian saint (AP) Pagano is no apologist for Pius, and stands out among Vatican hierarchs for his willingness to call out Piuss silence. Specifically, Pagano says he cannot square Piuss continued reluctance to publicly condemn Nazi atrocities even after the war ended. During the war we know that the pope made a choice: he could not and would not speak. He was convinced that an even worse massacre would have happened, Pagano says. After the war, I would have expected a word more for all these people who went to the gas chambers. Pagano attributes Piuss post-war silence to his concerns about the creation of a Jewish state. The Vatican had a long tradition of supporting the Palestinian people and was anxious about the fate of Christian religious sites in the Holy Land if the territories were turned over to the newly created state of Israel. Any word from Pius about the Holocaust even after the war could have been read in political terms as a support for the foundation of a new state, says Pagano. In the book, Pagano doesnt hold back about his disdain for the incomplete research behind Piuss sainthood cause, which is now apparently on hold as scholars dissect the newly available documentation. Pagano, who will retire later this year, poses in his office at the Vatican (AP) The two Jesuit researchers who compiled Piuss sainthood dossier, the late Revs Peter Gumpel and Paolo Molinari, relied only on the partial, 11-volume compilation of the papacys documents that was published in 1965, Pagano reveals. Neither Father Gumpel nor Father Molinari ever set foot in the Apostolic Archive, he says in the book. He says he believes Piuss sainthood cause should have waited until the full archive of the pontificate was catalogued and available, and scholars had had time to draw conclusions. Written documents must weigh heavily on the life of a servant of God; you cant ignore the archives, Pagano told Franco, the journalist. But the postulation by the Jesuits wanted to bypass it. Aside from the well-known stories of Vatican intrigue, the book also reveals some novelties, including the origins of the important financial relationship between the US Church and the Vatican that continues today and dates back to the 1922 conclave. Pagano says that after Pope Benedict XV died, the camerlengo the cardinal in charge of the papal treasury and accounts went to his safe and discovered it was literally empty. There wasnt a paper, banknote or coin. It turns out Benedict wasnt terribly responsible fiscally, and left the Holy See somewhat in the red when he died on 22 January of that year. Papal coffers were always used to fund the conclave to elect a new pope, meaning the Holy See was in a cash crunch at a time when Europe was still reeling financially from the First World War. The book, for the first time, reproduces the encrypted telegrams in which the Vatican secretary of state asked his ambassador in Washington to urgently wire what you have in the safe so that the vote could take place. According to the telegrams, the Vatican embassy sent what US churches had collected from the American faithful, down to the cents $210,400.09 allowing the vote that eventually elected Pope Pius XI. Pagano reflected in the glass that protects an original 1530 letter requesting an annulment be granted for the marriage of King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon (AP) Pagano suggests that Franciss 2019 decision to remove the word secret from the archives title and rename it the Vatican Apostolic Archive was perhaps another financial nod to the wealthy US Church a rebranding to remove any negative connotations and thus encourage potential donations, primarily via Treasures of History, a new US-based foundation that supports the archive. At the end of the interview, Pagano proudly shows visitors one of the archives prized possessions, which he keeps in an otherwise nondescript wooden armoire near the entrance of his office. There, behind plate glass and illuminated with special lights, is the original 1530 letter from British nobles urging Pope Clement VII to grant King Henry VIII an annulment for his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. As is well known, the pope refused and the king went ahead and got married, breaking with Rome. You can say that here we are at the birth of the Anglican Church, Pagano says as he holds up a light-tipped pointer to show off the red wax seals of some of the signatories. Pagano delights in revealing how the document survived: when Napoleon Bonaparte famously seized the Vatican archives in 1810 and carted them off to Paris, Paganos predecessor as chief archivist rolled up the 1530 letter and hid it inside a secret drawer in a chair in the archive antechamber. The French never found it, Pagano says proudly, keenly aware that an archivists main job is to preserve the archive. Associated Press For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A missile attack by Yemens Houthi rebels damaged a UK-registered ship travelling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, forcing the crew to abandon the ship. The attack on the ship came as the US military acknowledged that it had conducted new airstrikes targeting the rebels, including one that targeted the first Houthi underwater drone seen since the rebels began launching their attacks on shipping in November. On Monday the EU launched a naval mission to help protect cargo ships in the Red Sea. The ship targeted in the Houthi attack on Sunday reported that it had sustained damage after an explosion in close proximity to the vessel, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported. Military authorities report crew have abandoned the vessel, UKMTO said. Vessel at anchor and all crew are safe. Houthi fighters march during a rally of support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip (AP) Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, issued a statement claiming the attack, saying the vessel was now at risk of potentially sinking. The ship suffered catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt, he said. During the operation, we made sure that the ships crew exited safely. The Iran-backed Houthis also claimed they had shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, but this was not immediately acknowledged by US forces in the region. The private security firm Ambrey reported that the British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo ship involved in the attack had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates. Ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.com identified the vessel targeted as the Rubymar. Its Beirut-based manager could not immediately be reached for comment. The Houthis later also identified the ship as the Rubymar. A Houthi fighter holds a machine gun in front of scout team members carrying Yemeni and Palestinian flags (Getty) Ambrey described the ship as being partially laden with cargo, but the nature of what it was carrying was not clear. The ship had turned off its automatic identification system (AIS) tracker while in the Persian Gulf early this month. Later on Monday, the UKMTO and Ambrey said a second vessel had come under attack in the Gulf of Aden. Ambrey described the vessel as a Greek-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier bound for Aden in Yemen, carrying grain from Argentina. The same ship then came under attack again later in the day. Those details, combined with ship-tracking data, identified the vessel as the Sea Champion. Its managers could not immediately be reached. The Houthis did not claim the attack straight away, though it often takes the rebels several hours to acknowledge one of their assaults. Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters in protest at Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. They have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, putting in danger shipping on a key route for trade between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Those vessels have included at least one with cargo for Iran, the Houthis main benefactor. Meanwhile, the US militarys Central Command reported it had carried out five airstrikes against Houthi military equipment. The strikes targeted mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, an explosive-carrying drone boat, and an unmanned underwater vessel, Central Command said, adding: This is the first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began in October 23. The EUs naval mission to help protect cargo ships from the attacks by the rebels, which continue to threaten maritime traffic, hamper trade and drive up prices, is dubbed Aspides, from the Greek word for shield. Students stand under a Palestinian flag during a rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people, at Sanaa University, in Sanaa, Yemen, on 14 February (EPA) The mission will be run out of Larissa in central Greece home to the Hellenic air force as well as a Nato headquarters under the command of Commodore Vasilios Griparis. The EU mission will not take part in any military strikes and will operate only at sea. Within its defensive mandate, the operation will provide maritime situational awareness, accompany vessels, and protect them against possible multi-domain attacks at sea, EU headquarters said in a statement after the blocs foreign ministers had endorsed the mission. The entire global economy is being hit. Its not just European ships that are repeatedly jeopardised by Houthi missiles in the Red Sea, but the entire international shipping industry, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said in Brussels. She said that apart from protecting European ships, the mission makes it clear that we as an international community stand together in the face of attacks; terrorist attacks on the freedom of the sea lanes. Germany is contributing a frigate to the mission, as is Belgium. Associated Press For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The last major hospital in southern Gaza has ceased to function, the UN has said, in the wake of a raid by Israeli forces on Thursday. Medics inside Nasser hospital, in Khan Younis, have previously told The Independent about the intense fighting around the complex. The latest blow to Gazas devastated healthcare sector came as Israel prepares for an assault of the southernmost city of Rafah, home now to more than a million Palestinians, many of them having fled other areas of the strip. It is a move that the international community, including Israels biggest ally the United States, has warned would create enormous human suffering. The head of the UNs World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said: Nasser hospital in Gaza is not functional anymore, after a week-long siege followed by the ongoing raid. Both yesterday and the day before, the WHO team was not permitted to enter the hospital to assess the conditions of the patients and critical medical needs, despite reaching the hospital compound to deliver fuel alongside partners, he said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. There are still about 200 patients in the hospital. At least 20 need to be urgently referred to other hospitals to receive healthcare; medical referral is every patients right. The Israeli military said its special forces were operating in and around Nasser hospital, and had killed dozens of Palestinian militants and seized a large amount of weapons in fighting across Gaza over the past day. It has consistently accused Hamas of hiding in hospitals and using civilians as shields. accusations denied by hospital staff The military claimed in a statement that hundreds of militants were hiding in Nasser hospital and some had posed as medical staff. It released images of weapons it said were found along with medications that were transferred from Israel and intended for the more than 100 hostages abducted from Israel and being held by Hamas. The packages of medicine that were found were sealed and had not been transferred to the hostages, the military said. Hamas dismissed the allegations. Nasser hospital was still sheltering scores of patients suffering from war wounds and from the worsening health crisis in Gaza, but there was no power and not enough staff to treat them all, the spokesperson for the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, Ashraf al-Qidra, said. Its gone completely out of service. There are only four medical teams 25 staff currently caring for patients inside the facility, he told Reuters. The Israeli military said the raid occurred without harming patients and medical staff, and in accordance with international law. Mr Qidra said water supply to the hospital had halted because generators had been out of action for three days, sewage was flooding emergency rooms and the remaining staff had no way of treating intensive care patients. A lack of oxygen supplies also a result of having no power had caused the deaths of at least seven patients, he said. The Israeli offensive inside Gaza started in response to a bloody Hamas attack inside Israel during which around 1,100 people were killed and 240 others taken hostage shows no sign of abating. Palestinian health authorities say around 29,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in an aerial bombardment and ground campaign, backed by a blockade. Israels assault on Gaza began in the north and has moved south, with many know ending up in Rafah, the Gaza-Egypt border town which is the only crossing not controlled by Israel. Israeli planes carried out attacks on two areas in Rafah on Sunday, including an empty building near the border with Egypt, local residents and Hamas media officials said. The second of the two strikes hit an open space where displaced people were sheltering, killing six people, local medics said. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure to get the remaining hostages released, on Saturday pledged to push on with the military campaign. Mr Netanyahu has rejected internationally-backed attempts to negotiate a ceasefire as Arab and Western countries call for a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the creation of a Palestinian state in the occupied West Bank and Gaza alongside Israel. The US, Qatar and Egypt have spent weeks trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release, but theres a wide gap between Israel and Hamas demands. Qatar said over the weekend that the talks have not been progressing as expected. Mr Netanyahus war cabinet on Sunday formalised its opposition to what it called the unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Israel will launch a ground offensive in the southern city of Rafah if hostages are not released by the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, war cabinet member Benny Gantz warned on Sunday. The statement comes as prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu brushed off growing international calls to halt Israels military offensive in Gaza. "If by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area," Mr Gantz, a former prime minister and part of Mr Netanyahus three-member war cabinet, told a conference of Jewish American leaders. We will do so in a coordinated manner, facilitating the evacuation of civilians in dialogue with our American and Egyptian partners to minimise civilian casualties, the former IDF chief of staff and defence minister was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel. To those saying the price [of an offensive] is too high, I say this very clearly: Hamas has a choice they can surrender, release the hostages, and the citizens of Gaza will be able to celebrate the holy holiday of Ramadan, he said. The holy month of Ramadan begins on 10 March. Israels government has not publicly discussed a timeline for a ground offensive on Rafah, where more than half the enclaves 2.3 million Palestinians have sought refuge, but is facing mounting pressure to agree a ceasefire in the conflict that began with Hamass 7 October attack on southern Israel that killed some 1,200 people. The suggested timing for the Rafah offensive came as the World Health Organisation chief said southern Gazas main medical centre, Nasser Hospital, "is not functional anymore" after Israeli forces raided it in Khan Younis last week. Israeli strikes across Gaza continued, killing at least 18 people overnight into Sunday, according to medics and witnesses. A strike in Rafah killed six people, including a woman and three children, and another killed five in Khan Younis, the main target of the southern Gaza offensive in recent weeks. "All those who were martyred were those whom the Jews asked to move to safe places," a bystander after the Rafah strike, Ahmad Abu Rezeq, told the Associated Press. In Gaza City, which suffered widespread destruction early in the war, an airstrike flattened a home, killing seven people, including three women, according to relative Sayed al-Afifi. The US, Israels top ally, still hopes to broker a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement despite talks slowing in recent days. The US also says it will veto another draft UN resolution calling for a ceasefire, with its UN ambassador warning against measures that could jeopardise "the opportunity for an enduring resolution of hostilities. The vote, tabled by Algeria and backed by 22 Arab nations, demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and is expected to take place on Tuesday. US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement that Washington has been working on a hostage deal for months that would bring at least a six-week period of calm to the region, "from which we could then take the time and the steps to build a more enduring peace". She said US president Joe Biden has had multiple calls over the last week with the Israeli prime minister and the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to push the deal forward. But Mr Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood, which the US calls a key element in a broader vision for normalisation of relations between Israel and regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia. His cabinet adopted a declaration Sunday saying Israel "categorically rejects international edicts on a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians" and opposes any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Additional reporting by agencies Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Perpetual sunshine, golden swathes and free-flowing bottles of Etensel beer, Death in Paradise injects a virtual dose of vitamin D into gloomy UK winters and its bound to inspire your wanderlust. Thankfully, the balmy backdrop of Saint Marie island, though fictional in name, is a real-life slice of the Caribbean open for holidaymakers to top up their tans, don some flippers and kick back with a cocktail on a serious winter sun getaway. With series 13 of the crime comedy currently running in the Sunday 9pm slot, here are the filming locations behind almost 100 episodes of the British-French crime comedy. Saint Marie island, though fictional in name, is a real-life slice of the Caribbean (BBC / Red Planet / Amelia Troubridge) Where is Death in Paradise filmed? Since it first aired in 2011, the six islands of Guadeloupe a French archipelago in the Lesser Antilles have been the stage for the paradise filming destination of the hit BBC show. Situated between Dominica and Antigua in the eastern Caribbean Sea, the dreamy scenery terracotta roofs, traditional churches and a blanket of wafting palms you see on screen are primarily filmed on butterfly-shaped Guadeloupes Basse-Terre island, specifically on its north west coast. Basse-Terre and Terre-de-Haut set the scene for Death in Paradise (Getty Images/iStockphoto) What filming locations can you visit? Deshaies, a vibrant fishing village on Basse-Terre island, doubles as the shows fictional seaside setting of St Honore, with Death in Paradise location tours running in peak season for super fans looking to find more than just sun on Guadeloupe. Scenes at Catherine Bordeys the barmaid-turned-mayor mother of OG detective Camille Bordey beachfront bar and frequent haunt for the fictional crime team, though originally shot at Le Kaz restaurant further inland, are now filmed at Le Madras cajun and creole restaurant on Rue de La Vague Bleue promenade. Visit Catherines Bar yourself for a menu of fresh seafood and frosty daiquiris. Catherines Bar films in Le Madras restaurant on the Deshaies seafront (BBC / Red Planet / Amelia Troubridge) As for the shows dramatic Honore Police station and the centre of most episodes, the Presbytery attached to the church of St Peter and St Paul in Deshaies sets the scene. Elsewhere the shows legendary shack, currently home to bumbling British detective DI Neville Parker played by Ralf Little, is constructed each season on Anse de la Perle Beach and The Langley Fort Royal Hotel, where the cast stays from December to May, has also invited the cameras in for a murder or two over the years. How can I get there? Deshaies doubles as the shows fictional seaside setting of St Honore (Getty Images/iStockphoto) It takes two flights via Paris, France to get to Pointe-a-Pitre Airport, the main air hub in Guadeloupe. Vueling Airlines return flights start from 540. From there its just a 50-minute drive to Deshaies to live out your Death in Paradise dreams murder, betrayal and chaos excluded. Death in Paradise continues its 13th season this Sunday at 9pm on BBC1. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Greece simply seems built for holidays. With its treasure trove of beaches, informal, family-embracing culture and dazzling summer sunshine, it rarely disappoints. A large, sprawling nation, it comprises 110,496 square kilometres of (largely underrated and under-visited) mainland, plus 227 inhabited islands not to mention thousands more uninhabited islets. You could go back dozens of times and barely scratch the surface especially if, like most Grecophiles, you find one place that suits you perfectly and end up going back. When tourists think of the mainland, they usually picture Athens one of Europes great culture capitals, with millennia-old ruins peppered around smart or hip neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, Greek islands conjures a travel-brochure image of sugar-cube houses and dramatic, charcoal-grey cliffs, a look thats specific to the Cycladic islands. Other island groups have a different feel, many richer in dense pine forests or golden-sand beaches, though youll find classic Greek cuisine and warm hospitality all over. Heres where to start. Best for history buffs: Athens Athens is awash with historical ruins (Lucy Thackray) Greeces handsome capital is a must-do city break that works at any time of year but if you go from May to October, youll also find ferries from its Piraeus port, making it easy to tack on a beach or nature break. Read more: How to spend a day in Piraeus, Athens rejuvenated seaside neighbourhood Most of the ancient Greek sites are based on and around the Acropolis Hill, so for very short breaks you should base yourself in central Monastiraki and Plaka so you can sightsee straight from your doorstep. If you have a bit more time to play with, you might want to stay in cooler Psyrri or Pangrati, where hole-in-the-wall restaurants and craft beer bars nudge up against concept stores and pavement cafes. Or Kolonaki, the upmarket Knightsbridge of Athens, where youll find the ritziest hotels. Best time for weather Outside of July and August to avoid soaring temperatures breezy March and still-toasty October are loveliest. Cheapest time to go Winter, when flights are still running and few tourists are in town. In October, return flights start at around 80 return; in January that almost halves to around 45. Dodge the crowds November, January and February have the lowest hotel room rates and thinnest crowds. Best for glamour: Santorini Santorini deserves its glamorous rep (Lucy Thackray) This Cycladic icon is no secret ever since the jet-set (and Instagram) found it, this has become the island that launched a thousand selfies. But when you go, you see why: the part-sunken edge of a long-dormant volcano rim, the islands western (caldera) side plunges down into the sea in a photogenic fashion. Uniformly pretty Cycladic-style hotels and houses are speckled along its tops, many with illuminated plunge pools and ribbons of hot-pink bougainvillea. Stay around Oia and Imerovigli, taking a sunset yacht cruise around the coast, and youll feel like youre starring in a movie. Elsewhere on the island, affordable accommodation exists near flatter, black volcanic beaches and pretty hilltop towns; but if youre here for Santorinis unique looks, you want the caldera coast. Its not family friendly, due to the plunging cliffs and millions of steps connecting buildings. And everything here from hotel rooms to dinners and drinks is pricier than elsewhere in Greece. Cheapest choice? No way. Worth the cash? Absolutely. Best time for weather September think highs of 25C by day, and a sea warmed up by months of summer heat. Cheapest time to go This is a holiday island, so most places shut up shop outside of spring, summer and autumn. Within that period, youll get some of the best rates in April and October. Dodge the crowds In April, compromise on chillier evenings and the odd bit of drizzle for a chance alone with the best caldera views. May is also pleasantly quiet. Best for families: Corfu Delfin Blu hotel in Corfu (Lucy Thackray) The buzzword here is ease: not only does Corfu have the shortest flight time from the UK, but young families will also love the logical tourist scene. Fly into its east-coast airport, connected to hotels by a well-paved coast road, served by plentiful taxis. Most resorts are within half-an-hours drive, with more secluded villas and lesser-known hotels slightly further away on the north and northeast coast. Many of the best-known hotels nail being both both chic and family friendly (try the Marbella, Ikos or Grecotel groups), with many more that are simply affordable and welcoming. A sprinkling of adults-only finds are a hit with couples. Though the tourist scene is accessible, tried and tested, this huge, forested island is also perfect for hiring a car and exploring. Visit the pretty old port, Corfu Town, the sand-fringed north and west coast, and hop on a boat to Paxos island. Best time for weather June to August has that blazing hot, bucket-and-spade weather youre dreaming of. Cheapest time to go May is still warm and breezy, with highs in the low 20s weeks at self-catering apartment holidays come in at 500pp per week, rising to more like 800pp by mid July. Dodge the crowds Go for a more active holiday in Feb-March or late October-November; in the latter, youll find few tourists, but locals still swimming in the summer-warmed sea. Best for foodies: Crete Youll find typical tavernas all over Greece (Lucy Thackray) This island is a giant it would take around five hours to drive nonstop from one end to the other so even if youve seen one beach town or region, theres far more to explore. But one thing youll find all over is exceptional food: Crete has a long farming tradition and a huge respect for produce, seasonality and provenance. It also has its own styles of salad, local cheeses and is a major producer of olive oil. Elsewhere in Greece, the most fashionable restaurants are often inspired by Cretan cuisine. You fly into one of two north-coast airports: Chania towards the west and Heraklion towards the east. Theyre more than two hours apart, so make sure you book the best for your accommodation. The joy of a big isle like this is choice and diversity: there are affordable, family-friendly beach towns, stylish port cities, ancient archaeological sites and secret-feeling coves only reached by boat. The trade-off? A fair bit of research and planning. Best time for weather June to August for peak summer sun, but Crete also remains balmy into September great news for adults-only parties seeking peace and quiet. Cheapest time to go April is a sweet spot you can bag a week in a five-star beach hotel from 730pp, rising to 1,100pp in June. Daytime temperatures will be around 17-21C maximum. Dodge the crowds It empties out from cooler November to March, when there are still plenty of active pursuits, foodie experiences and ancient sites to entertain you. Best for solos: Kefalonia Assos town, Kefalonia (Lucy Thackray) While Crete is similarly backpacker and solo-travel friendly (with a rare-for-Greece bus network), Kefalonia has some of the most diverse landscapes, with historic towns, showstopping beaches and a huge range of places to stay. This sprawling Ionian island also has a bus route or two, allowing you, for just a few euros, to strike out from the smart port of Argostoli (near the airport) for pretty little coastal towns such as Assos, Fiskardo and Poros many of which have boats onward to smaller islands. Ferries to nearby islands such as Lefkada and Ithaca can cost as little as 10 or 15 each way. This network of affordable apartments, distinctive stops and transport options really lends itself to spontaneity and hopping around. Its also one of Greeces most photogenic islands: think pastel-coloured houses, plunging cliffs with mountain goats, shimmering sea caves and unspoiled beaches. Take a copy of Captain Corellis Mandolin (which is set here) to get a feel for the history. Best time for weather Unsurprisingly, most-popular June to August gets the best weather; those who can travel outside school holidays will bag the best deals. Cheapest time to go Direct flights from the UK tend to run between May and September. Of those months, youll find the best deals in early June and late September. Dodge the crowds Like Crete, you can fly via Athens to reach Kefalonia off-season: go in October to find lingering highs of 24C, plus warm, swimmable waters with few tourists. Best for off-the-beaten-track: The Peloponnese Mystras in the Peloponnese (Getty Images) Though theres been a trickle of tourism to this underrated slice of the mainland for decades, its only recently registered on the mainstream holiday scene. This hand-shaped peninsula just southwest of Athens has pine-scented mountains, ancient, crumbling monasteries, remote villages and lovely sandy beaches, especially along the central Mani Peninsula and Cape Malea. Youll need a car to explore this rugged region, which has wonders such as Mystras, a 13th-century Byzantine city close to the historic warrior state of Sparta; the archaeological site of Mycenae; the Unesco-listed amphitheatre at Epidaurus; and the honeycomb-hued citadel of Monemvasia. There are remote spa retreats and cute coastal towns to chill at en route. Best time for weather May and September, outside of peak summer bookings, each get plenty of sunshine and highs in the mid-to-high 20s. Avoid December, the wettest month here. Cheapest time to go Direct flights to gateway airport Kalamata run May-Oct (though you can drive from Athens). Go in October for the best bargains on both flights and room rates. Dodge the crowds In April, just before direct flights kick in. Youll find delightful sunshine and up to 21C in the daytime perfect for hiking around and exploring the sights. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} After 20 months of rail strikes and weeks of weather-related disruption, passengers on the East Coast main line face another challenge: midweek engineering work. A digital signalling project at the southern end of the line linking the capital with Yorkshire, northeast England and Scotland is keeping London Kings Cross out of long-distance action until Wednesday. Some journey times are being doubled. For example, an afternoon departure from York to London on Monday requires changes at Peterborough, Cambridge and Tottenham Hale on the London Underground, taking almost four hours. Going places? Kings Cross station in London, the terminus for the East Coast main line, is closed on Monday and Tuesday, 20-21 February 2024 (PA Wire) LNER rail replacement buses are in operation between Peterborough and Bedford, where travellers can connect with East Midlands Railway services to and from London St Pancras. The one-way fare for the 40-mile bus trip alone is 45. Other journeys require multiple changes. A Monday afternoon trip from London to Newcastle requires a change at Potters Bar in Hertfordshire for a rail replacement bus to Hitchin, and further changes at St Neots, Huntingdon and Peterborough. The fare for the seven-hour journey is 193; cheaper and less-complicated options are available for later departures. It appears that many travellers are switching to air. British Airways is selling seats for its 70-minute flight from Newcastle to London Heathrow for 656 one way on Monday and Tuesday evening. In the opposite direction Heathrow to Newcastle the last aircraft seat on Monday is selling at 651 one way on BAs website. Fares on the five departures on Tuesday start at 328 one way. Network Rail says scheduling the engineering work from Saturday to Tuesday has a lower impact than Thursday to Sunday or Friday to Monday. A spokesperson for the infrastructure provider said: The large-scale nature and importance of this work has meant we have needed to carry it out over a continuous four-day period. We know this involves a significant amount of disruption to customers and our industry partnership planned it carefully using passenger journey data to ensure it chose the time with least impact. The timing was chosen as it is February half term in the locations where the work is taking place, traditionally a quieter time for travel. LNER says its busiest days are Thursday, Friday and Saturday; Sunday to Wednesday are quieter. Network Rail predicts that once digital signalling is in place, there will be less lineside equipment to maintain, and consequently less engineering-related disruption in future. The project is also impacting commuters in the London area. Jenny Saunders, customer services director at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: We are very sorry for the disruption this will cause our Great Northern and Thameslink customers. We are encouraging customers to travel later in the week if they can. In particular, wed urge people to work from home on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 February if possible, to keep replacement bus services free for key workers. Network Rail is closing other rail routes on weekdays notably the main line between Leeds and Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, which is closed at Brighouse from Monday 19 to Friday 23 February. Train diversions are enabling trans-Pennine services to continue, with longer journey times. Next month, the line through Dorset from Dorchester to Weymouth will be closed from Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 March. Network Rails Chris Denham said: Network Rails regions work closely with operators and communities to find the right time for engineering work, taking into account factors such as major events and making sure we dont do work on diversionary routes at the same time. That can mean different things in different parts of the country, particularly in areas which may have more weekend traffic than weekdays or where half term falls on different dates. We can also do work in week-long blocks, which reduces the impact of our work on passengers for the rest of the year. Theres still no right time to do the work, but by doing it, we can keep the railway running reliably the rest of the year. Industrial action at LNER by train drivers belonging to the Aslef union resumes on Thursday 29 February, in the shape of an overtime ban. A strike will take place on Friday 1 March. More than 300 people were detained in Russia after paying respects to prominent Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny, whose death was announced by prison authorities on Friday (16 February), a rights group reported. The 47-year-old had been serving a prison sentence in an Arctic penal colony. On Friday and Saturday, hundreds of people in Russian cities went to memorials and monuments to victims of political repression, bringing flowers and candles to pay tribute to the opposition leader. By Sunday police had detained 366 people in 39 cities, the OVD-Info rights group said. European Council president, Charles Michel, met with the widow of Alexei Navalny in Brussels on Monday 19 February, where she is also due to meet EU Foreign Affairs Ministers. Yulia Navalnaya vowed to continue her late husbands fight against the Kremlin while authorities denied his mother access to a morgue where Mr Navalnys body is believed to be held after his death last week at an Arctic penal colony. Russian authorities said that the cause for his death on Friday at age 47 is still unknown. Mr Navalny had been jailed since January 2021, when he returned to Russia after recuperating in Germany from poisoning with a Novichok-type nerve agent that he blamed on the Kremlin. The mother of Alexei Navalny was denied access to the morgue where her sons body is believed to be kept. Lyudmila Navalnaya, wearing a mask, was seen leaving the morgue on Monday, 19 February. Navalnys spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday. Alexeys mother and his lawyers arrived at the morgue early in the morning. They were not allowed to go in. One of the lawyers was literally pushed out. When the staff was asked if Alexeys body was there, they did not answer. U2 frontman Bono paid tribute to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny during the bands concert in Las Vegas. The 60-year-old urged the Las Vegas Sphere crowd to join him in chanting Navalnys name on Saturday (17 February), following his death. The 47-year-old, a fierce critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, died in a Siberian prison after falling unwell last week, Russian prison authorities said. Addressing concert-goers on Saturday, Bono said: Apparently Putin would never, ever say his name. So I thought tonight, the people who believe in freedom must say his name. Not just remember it, but say it. A Florida man fleeing authorities was caught tossing a gun off a bridge and into a river in the middle of a high-speed chase on 14 February. A helicopter video from the Tampa Police Department when the driver threw items out of the car and into the Hillsborough River, one of which the police later confirmed to be a rifle. The video shows the driver pulling over after he tossed the rifle out of the car window, which landed in the road. The suspect then gets out, throws it into the river, and continues fleeing police. The departments dive team recovered the rifle which was roughly 18 feet deep in the river. The suspect was charged with several felonies, including tampering with physical evidence. Police in Gaza opened fire on Friday 16 February after a crowd charged toward an aid truck coming through the Rafah crossing with Egypt. Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the local crossings authority, said one person was killed. Videos circulating on social media, which have been verified by AP, showed people running and climbing a truck with aid, taking white bags and running away, while fire and smoke were rising in a small building near the crossing point. Israel has alleged repeatedly that Hamas is diverting aid, including fuel, after it enters Gaza. Their claim is denied by UN aid agencies. Gillian Keegan has defended new guidance intended to stop the use of mobile phones during the school day. Many schools already prohibit the use of devices in the classroom and the education secretary was challenged on the suggestion that the government is just repeating guidance when headteachers have bigger problems on their hands. We do know that many schools have mobile phone bans in place but they are not consistent, Ms Keegan said during an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Monday 19 February. It is a change. Ms Keegan added that schools welcome guidance from the Department of Education. Presidential candidate Nikki Haley has vowed to pardon former US President Donald Trump should she defeat him in the Republican Primary and win against Joe Biden in November. Speaking at a town hall in South Carolina on Sunday (18 February), Haley confirmed that if the former president is found guilty, she would pardon him to unify America. She said: Weve got to leave the negativity and the baggage behind. I dont want this country divided any further. I dont think its in the best interest for America to have an 80-year-old president sitting in jail and having everybody upset about it. Trump faces several court cases related to election interference, the January 6 riots, and falsifying business records. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his military to plan the evacuation of Palestinian civilians from the Gazan city of Rafah, on the border with Egypts Sinai desert. The same order is to attack the city, where over a million displaced Palestinians live many of them starving and homeless. Those afflicted people have nowhere else to go, because nowhere in Gaza is safe. Remember Hind Rajab, the six-year-old girl killed in January by Israeli tank fire when fleeing Gaza City? The medics in an ambulance sent to rescue her Yusuf al-Zeino and Ahmed Al-Madhoun were killed trying to reach Hind. Those names matter. They were people, not numbers. They were innocent. Many more innocent civilians will die if Israel carries out an assault on Rafah. On 26 January, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) imposed provisional measures on Israel, having found that there is a plausible case under the 1948 Genocide Convention and ordered Israel to ensure its forces do not commit such acts. One of the measures states: DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs has said that he does not view the site as strategic. Photo: Gerry Mooney Fingal County Council, which is deciding on a planning application by the DAA to lift a cap on passenger numbers at Dublin Airport, has asked for more information on what impact the proposed 25pc increase would have on climate change. Environmental critics of the proposal have claimed extra passenger numbers at the airport risks a huge increase in emissions. Joe OBrien, a local Green Party TD, has lodged a formal objection against the application. In a request for 85 items of further information from the DAA, the council asked that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report on the impact of going from 32m passengers a year to 40m be revised and updated to include more evidence, detail and clarity in relation to greenhouse gas emissions. Among the specific details being sought by planners is why additional flights arriving to Dublin Airport as a result of the passenger increase are not being factored into the aviation emissions assessment, or further justification should be provided for why only departing flights have been included. The council also says: The aviation emissions assessment should be updated to include additional emissions from private jets, or provide further justification for why they have been excluded from the assessment. DAA has been asked to show the annual emissions increase for each year up until 2050 for full transparency on the expected emissions increase over the lifetime of the proposed development. The council wants clarity, too, on how emissions from the construction of 11 new infrastructural projects has been calculated. Kenny Jacobs, the chief executive of the DAA, has claimed there will be a close to minimal change in emissions from the extra 8m passengers a year. The airport operator says its goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 51pc by year 2030, and to be net-zero by 2050. It has promised to invest 400m over the next four years on a series of sustainability projects if its planning application is approved. In making its request for the 85 extra items, Fingal County Council notes there is missing information, incorrect cross-referencing and typographical errors in the EIAR. Among the other points it asks the DAA to address are: whether its plan clashes with Metrolink, as the National Transport Authority has raised concerns that elements of the proposed development appear to be in direct conflict with the rail line alignment and a ventilation tunnel; whether the architectural design has disparate and somewhat incoherent project elements that do not..consider the development of the airport as a single entity. Critics of the proposal say some of it is poorly considered from an aesthetic or experiential perspective; concerns about whether the transport needs of the extra 8m a year passengers are being met, which should be presented in the form of a complete standalone Traffic Impact Assessment. comprehensive extra surveys on the impact on nature, such as on winter birds, watercourses, habitats and bats. DAA now has six months to respond to the request. Kevin Cullinane, a spokesman, said: As fully expected, Fingal County Council has asked for additional information regarding aspects of daas Infrastructure Application for Dublin Airport - the largest planning application ever lodged in the State. "DAA welcomes the opportunity to provide this additional information, which the team will now work to provide, ensuring the continued progress of our application, which would enable the vital expansion of Dublin Airport, through the planning system. The bank said most of the funds will be spent on social and affordable units. Photo: via Getty Images Bank of Ireland is to make an additional 750m available for housing developers by 2026. It will bring the banks total available funding for the sector to 2.5bn. The vast bulk of the additional funding, some 600m, will be directed towards social and affordable housing units, according to the bank. That will more than double the funding for such projects to 1bn. The bank said the 40pc extra funding for housing developments will help support the construction of 25,000 units from houses to small and large-scale apartment projects. Gavin Kelly, the chief executive of Bank of Irelands corporate and commercial banking division, said the greatest challenge facing Irish society right now is housing. The simple fact is we need more, he said. Our ambition is to play an even bigger role in meeting this challenge by investing more of our capital to drive more supply. About 32,000 homes were built in Ireland last year, with a similar amount likely to be constructed in 2024. But there are still not enough units to satisfy demand, and affordability remains a key issue for potential buyers. While theres a serious mismatch between supply and demand, we also need greater diversity in housing to support the evolving needs to our population, Mr Kelly said. He said thats why Bank of Ireland has decided to more than double the amount of finance it is making available for social and affordable housing construction. He added that the bank is currently funding projects across the country and is looking for more to finance. By reinvesting our profit back into the Irish economy, we have more available funds to support more shovel-ready projects, big and small, to help deliver our future housing needs, according to Mr Kelly. The lack of housing affordable or otherwise has the capacity to hamper economic growth. It stifles labour market growth via immigration and can also deter foreign direct investment. The American Chamber of Commerce Ireland recently said that nearly 40pc of US multinationals operating here cited housing as the top concern. There are about 900 US companies in Ireland directly employing almost 200,000 people, the Chamber said. Move expected to add competition to the market, but has raised eyebrows Most lenders want a mortgage paid off by the time the homeowner reaches 70. A new player in the market is shaking things up. Photo: Getty New lender MoCo is prepared to issue mortgages that people can pay off until the age of 80. Most lenders have credit policies that mean they want the mortgage paid off by the time the homeowner reaches the age of 70. MoCo, which is owned by Austrian bank Bawag, is expected to add some much-needed competition in the home-loans market here, which is dominated by AIB and Bank of Ireland. It insisted it is acting prudently in offering mortgages to older borrowers. Last month it launched its first home loans in this market, including a five-year fixed rate, starting from 4.5pc, which is lower than the main banks. But its move to issue lending criteria to brokers that permits mortgage terms that will mean some borrowers still paying off the loan up to the age of 80 has raised eyebrows. Its credit policy states: Max term of up to 35 years. Max terms to applicant age of 80. Adviser Mark Coan of online finance guide MoneySherpa.ie said there is increasing demand for mortgage terms that run later in life due to people buying houses later in life and people living for longer. Lenders have responded to this shift by lifting the hard age cut-offs previously in place, moving Ireland more into line with the approach seen in other markets, Mr Coan said. However, this doesnt mean open season for later-life mortgages. Older applicants still have to show they have the ability to repay for the whole mortgage term. Today's News in 90 Seconds - February 19th If the term runs past the typical pension age, this usually means showing that the applicants pension arrangements are sufficient to cover repayments, Mr Coan said. Asked if it was not irresponsible to let people pay a mortgage until the age of 80, long after the official retirement age, a spokesperson for MoCo said: MoCos credit policy provides for a maximum age of 80 at the end of the mortgage term. Where a borrower is expected to be in retirement during any part of the mortgage term, an enhanced individual assessment will be carried out, with a prudent approach taken in relation to ongoing income and affordability in retirement, including review of documentation from the borrowers qualified financial advisor where applicable. Last year, Leitrim-based Avant Money was ordered to pay more than 8,000 to a man whose broker said he could not apply for a mortgage switch with the financial institution because he was over 70. The Workplace Relations Commission was told that when the man complained directly to the lender about the refusal, its head of mortgage operations told him its policy does not extend to offering a mortgage to applicants over 70 and that was its final response. The tribunal upheld Michael Lanes complaint of ageist discrimination under the Equal Status Act 2000 against Avantcard DAC, trading as Avant Money. Meanwhile, Avant Money has not commented on a broker update it sent out that states single mortgage applicants must have an income of at least 80,000. It is understood the lender has advised brokers that it will now be applying a stronger criteria when reviewing applications where all of the following apply: the application is for a higher loan to value, an income of less than 80,000, and where net disposable income is below a reasonable threshold. The social media giant said that the move was the result of a reorganisation within the business and would affect hundreds of staff at the Dublin-based office The European Commission said it is investigating if TikTok has fallen foul of the Digital Services Act. Photo: Dado Ruvic Hundreds of TikTok workers look set to lose their jobs in Ireland, or be reassigned within the company, after a global reorganisation of the companys work processes. The move will affect the social media giants training and quality teams, many of which are based in Dublin. Staff affected currently work with TikToks moderators. TikTok employs around 3,000 people at its Dublin headquarters. The move comes on the same day that the European Commission announced a new investigation into child safety at TikTok. TikTok is the latest tech giant to shed jobs in Ireland so far this year, after hundreds of roles have been eliminated in a series of reorganisation and downsizing rounds. "As we continue to deliver on our unwavering commitment to safeguard the TikTok community, we're undertaking a redesign of our training and quality team that will enable us to further enhance our quality assurance processes, a spokesperson said. Our priority is supporting affected employees through this transition to minimise the impact of the changes. Ireland remains a hugely important base for us and we're continuing to hire for roles across our business here." The company says that it expects the majority of the workers to be offered alternative posts within the company, and that TikToks moderation efforts would not be affected. Meanwhile, EU industry chief Thierry Breton today said that the European Commission had launched an investigation into whether TikTok owned by Chinese company ByteDance breached online content rules aimed at protecting children and ensuring transparent advertising. Today's News in 90 Seconds - February 19th Mr Breton said he took the decision after analysing the short-video app's risk assessment report and its replies to requests for information. "Today we open an investigation into TikTok over suspected breach of transparency and obligations to protect minors, said Mr Breton on X, adding that the proble would examine addictive design and screen time limits, rabbit hole effect, age verification and default privacy settings. The European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which applies to all online platforms since February 17, requires in particular very large online platforms and search engines to do more to tackle illegal online content and risks to public security. TikTok could face fines of up to 6pc of its global turnover if found guilty of breaching DSA rules. TikTok said it would continue to work with experts and the industry to keep young people on its platform safe and that it looked forward to explaining this work in detail to the European Commission. Tesco Mobile Ireland recorded a 1.8m fall in its pre-tax profit despite an increase in revenue to over 87m. The company, which is the largest Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in the country, recorded a pre-tax profit of over 8.6m in 2023, down from 10.4m the previous year. In the directors report accompanying the results, Tesco Mobile blamed the 17.4pc fall in profit on payroll costs associated with 11 new stores, additional wholesale services costs due to base size and usage and one-off costs linked to a strategic review. According to the report, Tesco Mobile has a 7.8pc share of the Irish market. The company said it had 435,000 customers in 2023, up from 418,000 the previous year, split between 344,000 prepay and 91,000 bill pay. In a section examining risks, the company said there continues to be a growing level of sophistication and scale of targeted cyber attacks. Tesco Mobiles strategy to minimise the risk associated with cyber security focuses on leak prevention, early detection and cyber attack prevention. It also has programmes to support staff with training and communications. A spokeswoman for Tesco Mobile said the business was pleased overall with its trading performance for the period and had achieved its business objectives. These included growing the customer base, opening new stores and investing in the core technology infrastructure. MVNOs are third-party companies that lease telephone and data spectrum from major carriers such as Vodafone, Eir, and Three for resale. Other MVMOs in the Irish market include An Post Mobile, GoMo and Virgin Mobile. In March 2022 Sky announced it would launch a mobile service in Ireland as an MVNO in 2023. However, earlier this year, it said the plan had been delayed to the second half of 2024. Junior minister Anne Rabbitte has said she has full confidence that a funding crisis at St John of God Community Services will be resolved with the HSE. The organisation provides services for 8,000 people with an intellectual disability and mental health issues and last week said it would be forced to transfer to the HSE following a failure to conclude a funding agreement that would ensure financial sustainability. The HSE said is was shocked and disappointed at the announcement while HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster pointed to the annual 200m assistance the health service gives to St John of Gods. He urged the organisation to remove the anxiety for families and continue their engagement safe in the knowledge they have more than enough money and assurance to avoid such an immediate action. Junior Minister Anne Rabbitte, with responsibility for disability, told RTEs Morning Ireland that the issue has caused anxiety for families. She said intense communication occurred between the Department of Health, the HSE and St John of Gods this weekend and there is a desire to find a resolution that will allow the organisation to continue providing services. Ms Rabbitte said she is hopeful that a solution will be found as there is an ongoing commitment from the HSE to address the deficit and continue funding the financial sustainability of the organisation. Minister of State for Disability services Anne Rabbitte. "The lack of communication and engagement has caused a lot of upset and anxiousness to staff, to families and most importantly to the service user. She expects a meeting will take place between the HSE and the board of the organisation today or tomorrow on foot of communications this weekend. Ms Rabbitte said the HSE and the Department put in place a sustainable impact assessment with funding that would ensure the operation and provision of services at the organisation since 2020 and would attempt to address the deficit. She said this funding ensured it has broken even for the last four years. She said this assessment is not yet published and is currently dependant on an agreement between the HSE and St John of Gods. The Disability Action Plan was done on December 14, that talks about the multi-annual funding and that has the whole of governments support so there is more that just the Department of Health talking to St John of Gods, she said. Today's News in 90 Seconds - February 19th She said it is not the only organisation in the country that has a deficit. "To be very fair to them, they entered into what we call the SIA back four years ago to come to a sustainable place so that families dont feel that were coming to brinkmanship every couple of years with providers. Ms Rabbitte said there was not adequate funding for the organisation up to four year ago due to a changing and unmet need, but the HSE has since committed to funding. If it was to come to pass [that the organisation would have to cease operations] and I would be hopeful it should not come to pass they are Section 38, the same as the HSE, so the transition for staff should be seamless. There should be no loss of staff or anything. The service needs to provided. "I do believe that there should be good proper communications with the unions of the staff as well. Ms Rabbitte said she has full confidence that there will be a positive conclusion to the matter. Students will have to study the films as part of their English syllabus Greta Gerwigs blockbuster Barbie movie will be on the Leaving Cert English syllabus by 2026. In a move sure to raise eyebrows and perhaps spark controversy, students will have to watch and study last years blockbuster starring Margot Robbie, which took a record 9,934,064 in box-office receipts at Irish cinemas. However, its not a repeat of Barbenheimer, since there is no place for Christopher Nolans homage to J Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, which starred Cillian Murphy and was released at the same time. Instead, Barbie will be joined by The Banshees of Inisherin on the syllabus. The Indo Daily - 2023 News Wrap: Barbie and Oppenheimer The Department of Education is publishing its list of selected novels, films, poems and plays that are required to be studied for the Leaving Cert English exam in June 2026. And the feminist message of Barbie, confounding the Kens of this world, will be one of the areas for exploration. Students will have to compare various aspects of the film with other movies such as Martin McDonaghs The Banshees of Inisherin. So it will be a case of blonde hair and best friends versus bloody fingers and souring friendships. Students will be asked to examine rival social contexts and the relationships between various characters. New books added to the reading list include The Best We Could Do, the graphic novel by Thi Bui about a familys journey from war-torn Vietnam to America, and Lessons in Chemistry, a novel by Bonnie Garmus about a pharmacist who becomes a cooking-show host. New plays pupils will have to sink their teeth into include Dracula, the stage adaptation of Dublin-born Bram Stokers classic horror novel. Students will still have to study Shakespeare if doing higher-level English, but it is optional at ordinary level. The Shakespeare play for Leaving Cert 2026 will be Macbeth, replacing King Lear. The poetry list includes works from the likes of WB Yeats, Seamus Heaney, Eilean Ni Chuilleanain and Paula Meehan. Many of the works on the list are already being studied for the 2025 Leaving Cert including Sive by John B Keane, now playing at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, and The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The list of prescribed texts is due to be published in a circular by the Department of Education this week. They are chosen by a working group of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Child (9) was in car when gardai recovered loaded firearm from vehicle, court told, as man and woman charged The court heard that the car was driven by and registered to Jamie Moss while his co-accused Sarah-Jane Byrne was in the passenger seat and a nine-year-old child was in the rear Jamie Moss pictured leaving Blanchardstown District Court this afternoon. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin Robin Schiller Mon 19 Feb 2024 at 14:33 A nine-year-old child was in a car when gardai recovered a loaded firearm from the vehicle in a garda operation, a court has heard. There were dozens of CCTV cameras, but no clue where she is disappearance of Jean Tighe four years ago was plagued by confusion from the start Man who sexually assaulted woman and tried to drag her back to hotel room after corridor chase is jailed Insp Hunt said Bah chased the woman through the hotel shouting: Get back in b***h. Mamadou Alpha Bah pictured at Naas Circuit Court Sonya McLean Mon 19 Feb 2024 at 22:13 A man who chased a naked woman through a corridor in a Dublin hotel having just pinned her down to a bed, threatened her and sexually assaulted her, has been jailed for six years. A shoplifter who stole clothes from a Penneys has been jailed for a month and banned from entering all Dublin branches of the store for five years. Leah O'Meara (15) who died following a tragic collision at Rearcross, near Nenagh, on Thursday evening. Source: Facebook Teenager Leah OMeara, who was killed in a tragic two-car crash in Tipperary on Thursday evening, will be laid to rest next week. The 15-year-old, from Holycross, Thurles, was travelling as a passenger in one of the cars, with three other occupants on the R503 at Rearcross, near Nenagh when it collided with another car just after 6.45pm. Ms OMeara was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services. The three other occupants of that car a man in his 20s, a woman in her 20s, and a girl in her mid-teens and the woman driver of the second car were transported by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick for assessment. Their injuries are considered to be non-life-threatening. A notice on RIP.ie reads: Reposing at her home on Monday from 4pm to 7pm. Removal on Tuesday Morning to Bothar Na Naomh Church, Thurles to arrive at 9.30 am for Requiem Mass at 10am. Interment in St. Patricks Cemetery, Thurles afterwards. Leah O'Meara (15) who died following a tragic collision at Rearcross, near Nenagh, on Thursday evening. Source: Facebook Katie OMeara paid tribute to her beautiful sister following the news of her tragic death. I love you so much unconditionally baby girl, she wrote on Facebook. Adding: I still just cant believe this is after happening to me, what am I meant to do now. How can I move forward without you, you where my whole world and more. Cllr Sean Ryan, Cathaoirleach for the Thurles Municipal District told the Irish Independent that the entire community is in shock following the collision, with a huge veil of sadness hanging over the town of Thurles. He offered his sincere condolences to Ms OMearas mother and father, Mike and Lisa, on the death of their daughter Leah, who he said was a very popular young girl in Thurles. Cllr Ryan said her tragic death is beyond comprehension and is extremely sad. These things are extremely tragic, particularly the loss of a child to any family. There has (sic) been a lot of accidents in the area and we lost four young people in Clonmel a few months ago. Now this on top of it. There has been huge sadness in the area, especially when children die, he said, following the death of Ms OMeara, who was a third-year student in Colaiste Mhuire Co-Ed in Thurles. He stressed that the entire community is pulling together for Ms OMearas family who they all know very well and are thinking of them at this time. Ms OMearas death bring to 25 the number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Additionally, anyone with camera footage (including dashcam) from the area at the time is requested to provide it to gardai. Anyone with information is asked to contact Nenagh Garda Station at 067 50450, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Hannah Meshkat (6), from Galway, was being treated at Temple Street Hospital in Dublin. Photo: PA A little girl who died nine days after being seriously injured in a car crash on a busy motorway has been named locally. Hannah Meshkat (6) from Galway was rushed to hospital earlier this month following the single-car crash on the M6, but was pronounced dead in hospital on Saturday. Her death comes as a cyclist was fatally injured in north Dublin yesterday morning while a young man was seriously injured following a hit-and-run near the city centre hours earlier. On February 8, emergency services were alerted to a serious road crash in Westmeath on the M6 eastbound between Tyrellspass and Rochfortbridge. Three people were in the vehicle at the time including Hannah Meshkat as well as the driver aged in his 40s, and a nine-year-old boy. While the driver and boy were not seriously injured, Hannah was rushed to hospital in Dublin. She was receiving treatment at Childrens Health Ireland in Temple Street, but was pronounced dead on Saturday. Gardai in Mullingar are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to the crash to contact them while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing. In a separate crash yesterday morning a cyclist was seriously injured following a collision with a car on the Malahide Road in Kinsealy at around 9.30am. The cyclist, a male aged in his 40s, was rushed to Beaumont Hospital with serious injuries but he was later pronounced dead. A garda spokesperson said that no injuries were reported to other people involved. The Malahide Road at Kinsealy was yesterday sealed off to allow for Garda Forensic Collision Investigators to carry out examinations. Investigating gardai in Coolock are appealing for anyone who may have camera footage, including dash-cams, and who was travelling in the area between 9am and 9.30am to make that footage available. Detectives in the south-inner city are also investigating a hit-and-run near Heuston Station which left a young man with serious injuries. The male pedestrian, aged in his 20s, was found on St Johns Road West after being hit by a car. The driver of the vehicle left the scene. Investigators were yesterday canvassing the area for CCTV footage in an effort to identify the driver and car involved in the crash. A garda spokesperson said that the injured man was taken to St Jamess Hospital nearby where he is being treated for serious injuries. The scene close to the train station was also sealed-off to allow local scenes of crime officers to carry out a forensic examination. The spokesperson added: Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has any relevant information to come forward and assist with the investigation. Those with camera footage (including dash cam) of the location at the time are asked to make this available to investigating gardai. Anyone with information is asked to contact Kilmainham garda station at 01 6669700, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station. RTE chief said station could have been on the hook for double the amount paid to Rory Coveney had he taken an unfair dismissal case Kevin Bakhurst insists he wont resign as cap on exit payments to be considered RTE director-general Kevin Bakhurst has said there was absolutely no grounds to sack Rory Coveney, as he defended the decision to provide the former strategy director with an exit payment upon his resignation. Mr Coveney was described as the driving force behind Toy Show The Musical, which accrued more than 2.2 million in losses for the national broadcaster. Mr Bakhurst said the musical was a disaster, but added: Its not all down to Rory Coveney. He added: It was not enough on its own to fire him over. So, if you cant fire someone in a semi-state, you have to find another way of exiting them from the organisation in a way that provides value to licence fee payers. Mr Bakhurst would not comment on the exact figure provided to Mr Coveney, but suggested that the organisation could potentially have paid out double what was given if he had taken a wrongful dismissal case with the Workplace Relations Commission, which the director-general said was typically around two years pay. He said the amount paid out was also considerably less than what Mr Coveney would have received under an RTE voluntary exit programme. Before I started at RTE, Rory came to me and we were discussing the events that had happened and Toy Show the Musical, and Rory came to me and said he didnt think it was sustainable that he should stay in the role. After that conversation, it was then a conversation on what terms he should leave. He had been there 16 years, so there were absolutely no grounds to sack Rory on. There was always the option for him to go to the WRC, to take the case if he wanted to, for wrongful dismissal, however, we agreed on a sum and Rory never pushed on any more money beyond that. He confirmed that he former director of strategy was never asked to leave the station without an exit package. Mr Bakhurst admitted that Toy Show the Musical was a disaster but that it wasnt all down to Mr Coveney. I was looking at this in the context of a 16-year career. Its not all down to Rory Coveney, but it was not enough to fire him over. I thought it was fair that RTE made a fair settlement for him to leave. He got less than the amount he would be entitled to if he went to the WRC. In addition, Mr Bakhurst confirmed to RTEs Drivetime radio programme that former chief financial officer Richard Collins was given a payment to leave the broadcaster, but said he could not provide the figure. He said that asking Mr Collins to waive his confidentiality agreement may be part of the discussion he has with Mr Collins. What I can say is, again, there was a process with Richard. He and I had a discussion. I was of the view that I needed to refresh my leadership team, he was of the view that he wanted to stay here, he told RTEs Drivetime programme. In the end, we both agreed that it would be best to go through a mediated legal process. Mr Bakhurst said a confidentiality clause is standard in mediation processes. Its common practice, its not something RTE has dreamt up. Ive seen it many times in my career, he said. Mr Bakhurst said he will ensure that fairness is met while taking legal advice. I tried to use the most cost-effective tools that I could to change personnel, he said. The law is pretty clear at the moment about not revealing some of the stuff and its quite unusual for me to be put in a position where Im actually being asked by elected officials to break the law. Mr Bakhurst added however that that is not what he believes Media Minister Catherine Martin has asked him to do. Earlier, the RTE boss insisted he would absolutely not resign over exit payments made to staff who left RTE. Rory Coveney got a payment in the region of 200,000. RTE chairperson Siun Ni Raghallaigh and director general Kevin Bakhurst arrive for a meeting with Media Minister Catherine Martin. Photo: Gerry Mooney Mr Bakhurst and RTE Board Chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh met Minister Catherine Martin today at her department. I stand entirely behind what I have done in trying to move the organisation forward with a new leadership team and make payments which are in the best interests and best value for RTE, he said. When asked about a possible cap on future exit payments, he said it would be something well look at. He said it was a good, constructive long meeting. Mr Bakhurst said he reassured the minister about RTEs commitment to maximum transparency around the information which can be released on exit payments. Were taking legal advice, we spoke to external lawyers this morning about how far we can push transparency and what we can or what we cant say and theyre going to look at that and issue advice in the next couple of days. He said RTE has to respect the law and be mindful of all employees rights. Once we have that advice, well be in a position to say more about it. Confidentially agreements should be avoided if at all possible in any future exit payments at RTE and a cap on these payments should be introduced, Media Minister Catherine Martin said, speaking after her meeting with Mr Bakhurst. She said Mr Bakhurst has committed to fully examine these proposals. The minister said she urged him to examine all possible options in bringing more transparency around exit payments paid out to top executives. She said this is a critical juncture for the broadcaster. Catherine Martin expresses her concern and frustration at how RTE exit revelations are affecting broadcaster Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chair Brian Stanley said the national broadcaster should publish a list of all former executives who received payments upon their departure from the organisation, including the amounts and justification for those packages. Were posts extinguished? Was it redundancy? Was it a type of redundancy? Was it just a sweetheart goodbye package, goodbye money? We need to know that - what was the justification, the rationale, the criteria for those payments? Mr Stanley said on RTEs News at One. He said it is extremely frustrating that revelations continue to be made in relation to governance and payments at RTE, adding that it must now reach an end point where corrective actions can be put in place and RTE can get on as being a public sector broadcaster. Mr Stanley also welcomed the meeting between Ms Martin and Mr Bakhurst, but said it should have happened at an earlier stage. The person in charge of operations needs to be in there. She is the sole shareholder on behalf of the public, thats the key point here. She is there to protect our good. She's there to protect the good of the public, the government and the state. That's her job and I welcome the fact that its happened but its coming late in the day. Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has called on Mr Bakhurst to explain why an outgoing senior executive secured a confidentiality agreement on his exit payment from the scandal-ridden broadcaster. Mr Harris said he has confidence in Mr Bakhurst but said he wanted to know how he can square the deal reached with former RTE chief financial officer Richard Collins while also promising to introduce a new culture of transparency in Montrose. The minister said it has been a bad weekend for RTE management in light of fresh details concerning exit packages for executives involved in the long-running pay scandal at the public broadcaster. Mr Harris said he wanted to move beyond the point of drip feed information which he said is damaging for confidence in RTE. Speaking at the opening of the Cathal Brugha Campus for Further Education and Training in Dublin City, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe refused to comment on the confidentiality clause afforded to Mr Collins, who famously could not remember his salary when questioned at an Oireachtas committee. However, Mr Harris said: I dont wish to comment on any individual either or any individual contractual arrangements but I would like to hear from RTE management as to how they square their commitment to transparency. I mean theyre at Oireachtas committees, theyve heard from the people of Ireland. Transparency is key to cultural change. And Id like to hear how they in their minds they have squared that commitment to transparency with the negotiation of a confidentiality clause, he added. Mr Donohoe said the new information around exit pay including a suspected 200,000 package paid to former RTE director of strategy Rory Coveney is ultimately corrosive to plans to rebuild trust in RTE. He said he has confidence in Mr Bakhurst to continue in his work but still wants him to explain the logic behind some of the exit packages which the minister said have cause real concern. Simon Harris said he has confidence in Mr Bakhurst but said this does not mean he cannot be critical of actions he takes. Mr Bakhurst has a very difficult job to do and he needs to do it and the government wishes to support him in doing that, he said. Calls for a border poll have been ramped up since the appointment of Michelle ONeill as the North's first nationalist First Minister just over two weeks ago. Photo: Getty More people would vote for Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK if a border poll was held now, according to a new poll undertaken in the North. Some 49pc are in favour of staying in the UK with 39pc choosing Irish unity, it found. However, a united Ireland is the most popular choice for the under-45s, with support for the Union strongest among the middle-aged and pensioners. There is also a key middle ground that could swing any future referendum, with 11pc of people surveyed unsure what they would do, and 1pc saying they would not vote or would spoil their vote. The findings emerge in a LucidTalk survey for the Belfast Telegraph, and come amid increasing debate on the constitutional question. 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 change. Successive UK governments have consistently declined to specify publicly what criteria will be applied when measuring public sentiment on the issue. However calls for a referendum have ramped up since the appointment of Michelle ONeill as Northern Irelands first nationalist First Minister. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said unification was within touching distance a claim that prompted DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to remark that she must have the longest arms on this island. Our poll found that while more than eight-in-10 nationalists want a border poll within the next decade, fewer than one-in-10 unionists do. Indeed, nearly two-thirds of unionists believe there should never be a referendum on Northern Irelands constitutional future. Support for Irish unity is most prevalent in younger age groups. Among 18-24 year-olds, 48pc want a united Ireland, with 43pc choosing the Union. The split is 45pc to 41pc among 25-34 year-olds, and 44pc to 42pc among 35-44 year-olds in favour of constitutional change. By comparison, the middle-aged and retired are in favour of maintaining the status quo. The split is 54pc to 42pc among 45-54 year-olds, and 64pc to 28pc among 55-64 year-olds in favour of the Union. Some 48pc of pensioners would vote to stay in the UK with 36pc supporting Irish unity. Maintaining the Union is the most popular choice with Alliance voters (36pc), with 27pc favouring a united Ireland and 35pc undecided. By contrast Green voters are much more pro-Irish unity (55pc) with just 10pc wanting Northern Ireland to stay in the UK and 35pc undecided. Some 69pc of SDLP voters would vote to end the Union with 14pc voting to keep it, 11pc unsure what they would do and 6pc who either wouldnt vote or would spoil their vote. Non-voters are much more likely to be unionists: 53pc say they would vote to keep Northern Ireland inside the UK, while 30pc would chose a united Ireland, with 17pc still undecided. While men are split 56pc to 38pc in favour of the Union, it is much closer among women at 43pc to 40pc. Women are three times more likely to be unsure of how theyd vote (16pc) with just 5pc of men undecided. A majority of people (52pc) say they aspire to Irish unity at some point in the future, with 44pc stating they will always support Northern Ireland remaining in the UK. Some 71pc of Alliance, 72pc of Green and 94pc of SDLP voters aspire to Irish unity. Just 11pc of Alliance supporters say they will always want Northern Ireland to be part of the UK. While Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris says he doesnt believe a border poll will be called in the next decade, 44pc of people want one within that timeframe, 13pc say it should be held in 11-20 years and 10pc say over 20 years. Just over a quarter of voters (28pc) believe a referendum on Northern Irelands constitutional future should never be held. Some 83pc of nationalists want a border poll within 10 years but just 8pc of unionists agree with 63pc of unionists saying one should never be called. Among Alliance and other voters, 45pc support a referendum within a decade with almost three-quarters saying one should definitely take place within 20 years. Holding a border poll within a decade is most popular with younger people: 50pc of 18-24 year-olds and 54pc of 25-34 year-olds want one compared to 40pc of pensioners and 35pc of 55-64 year olds. Some 40pc of the latter oppose a referendum ever being called while 26pc of under-35s agree with that. While a third of men say are against a border poll under any circumstances in future, only a quarter of women hold that view. Tanaiste Micheal Martin will attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels today. The Councils discussions will focus on Russias aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the EUs approach to the Sahel Region. Mr Martin will also attend a breakfast engagement with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. During the discussion on Gaza, the Tanaiste will reaffirm Irelands position on the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. There will also be discussion on the proposal for sanctions against violent settlers. The Council will hear an intervention from UN Senior Humanitarian Coordinator Sigrid Kaag during the item on the Middle East. Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Tanaiste said he will call on EU Member States partners to reinstate their funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) as a matter of urgency. Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny dies in prison At the Foreign Affairs Council I will restate Irelands profound concern at the abhorrent situation in Gaza, in particular the planned assault on Rafah, he said. Irelands position remains that advancing towards an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, urgent and effective humanitarian access and the protection of civilians is the absolute priority. I will also underline the need for progress on EU sanctions against violent settlers. A crucial point that I will stress at this Foreign Affairs Council is that UNRWAs lifesaving work is more vital than ever and requires our support. On Ukraine, the Tanaiste said: As we approach the second anniversary of Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine, it is vital that we maintain the momentum we have been building on the EUs comprehensive and multifaceted support to Ukraine. The discussion today during the Foreign Affairs Council will consider a number of important aspects of support to Ukraine, from the Ukraine Assistance fund and the 13th package of sanctions to the potential Peace Summit. It is essential that the EU continues its clear and united message of support for Ukraine. Furthermore, I will express my concern regarding the shocking news of Alexei Navalnys death in prison in Russia. "Mr Navalny was a prominent opposition figure, fearless critic of the Putin regime, and champion of democracy and free speech. His death is yet another indication of the ongoing deterioration in respect for human rights and the rule of law in Russia. Minister refused to say how much his brother received but he called on people to pay their 160 licence fee because its the law A political row is brewing over Employment Minister Simon Coveneys failure to disclose his brothers exit package from RTE, or to urge him to do so and to attend committee hearings. Mr Coveney, however, called on people to pay their TV licence, but would not echo the demand of his party leader, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, for full detail and transparency on RTE exit packages including the estimated 200,000 paid to his brother Rory. Mr Coveney is Fine Gaels director of elections for the European elections and his party will now fear electoral damage from any perceived position of preaching to the public while seeking privacy for the inner political circle. His brother Rory is the former director of strategy who was involved in the 2.24m loss-making Toy Show The Musical. He left RTE last year without it being revealed that he had received an exit payment. Simon Coveney suggested he still had a conflict of interest and would continue to not involve himself in Cabinet discussions on RTE. He ruled out resigning from Cabinet if he would not support the Taoiseach and Tanaiste, both of whom have called for the full figures to come out for every golden handshake at the troubled station. RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst and chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh have meanwhile been summoned to meet minister Catherine Martin at the Culture and Media Department today. The minister will re-emphasise that transparency is essential in rebuilding trust amongst staff and the public in RTE, her spokesman said last night. The ministers view was that this was also of particular importance as discussions continue at senior Government level on the future funding model for the station. The embattled RTE director general has already disclosed that he received a 10,000 relocation allowance when he took up his role last year. And Mr Bakhurst says he didnt get a payoff when he originally left RTE eight years ago. But RTE wont say which senior managers got golden handshakes when they left the organisation. The director general has said former chief financial officer Breda OKeeffe was paid 450,000 when she left in 2020. Her successor Richard Collins also received a pay off when he left last year. And Rory Coveney was paid a years salary, worth about 200,000, in a redundancy last year. But Mr Bakhurst hasnt provided the same clarity about others from the Dee Forbes era. Five other senior managers are in focus around whether they received payments from RTE on foot of their departures. RTE paid out 2.6m in golden handshakes over a six-year period during Ms Forbes term as director general. Further to yesterdays statement, it remains RTEs general legal advice that it is restricted from providing details regarding the departures of individuals from RTE, a spokesperson said. The director general has sought an update to the legal advice previously received. RTE also said it cannot say how many payments were made without identifying the names. But the pressure remains on Mr Bakhurst to explain all the payments. Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon says RTE must immediately explain everything concerning the exit packages of senior executives who left the broadcaster and for how much. Earlier yesterday, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns emphasised that complete transparency and accountability was key to building trust and bringing back public confidence. Speaking after her party conference in Dublin, she told RTE radio: Never before is it more essential that we have a public service broadcaster we can all trust. Theres leaks, and bits of information, and making guesses about how much exit packages are but complete transparency is the only way they will rebuild the trust of the people. Mr Bakhurst mentioned a confidentiality clause with Rory Coveney, and added that the station expected to have recouped the outlay for his redundancy money by July this year, since his role was eliminated. Since that coincides with a year since Mr Coveneys departure, it has been assumed that he was paid one years salary. It has been speculated that Mr Coveney was being paid 200,000 annually for his work. Minister Simon Coveney refused last night to say how much his brother Rory received in goodbye money. But he called on people to pay their 160 TV licence fee because its the law. The reported exit package of Rory Coveney is equivalent to 1,250 individual TV licence fee payments. The minister was asked at a Fine Gael selection convention for the European elections to state precisely how much his brother received, in light of his party leaders call for the disclosure of all RTE exit amounts. He replied: For a number of months now, Ive made it clear that Im not participating in discussion in Cabinet on it and the various different crises that theyve been dealing with. And I havent been making public comment on it either apart from general statements in relation to supporting the need for public service broadcasting. He was asked to answer the original question, but said: I have stayed out of debates and there are more than enough politicians to make comment in relation to our TV so Im not going to change that position today. To the suggestion that it was incumbent on him to either tell the public the figure his brother received from the taxpayer or to resign from Cabinet, Mr Coveney said: No, I dont think that is a choice. My position has been clear and consistent for months that Ive stayed out of the RTE debates publicly and in cabinet and for good reason. We have Oireachtas committees doing their work. We have a whole series of independent reviews that are underway. Some have already reported and some are to report in the next few weeks. As I say, theres no shortage of people who are willing to comment in relation to whats needed in terms of transparency and accountability coming from RTE. Asked if it was his position was credible in claiming that he was not his brothers keeper, and yet he and the Government expect people to pay the TV licences and RTE to disclosure full details of the exit packages, Mr Coveney said: My position is as I just outlined. He added: Im not going to publicly talk about the conversations I have with individual siblings. A render of the plans for the proposed MetroLink station at Tara Street in Dublin city centre. Photo: Julien Behal Homeowners will be able to have repairs up to 45,000 carried out free of charge and fast-tracked if their property is damaged during the construction of MetroLink. They can have a surveyor, paid for by the project developers, inspect their property before and after construction to assess if any damage is caused. A dispute resolution mechanism will be put in place to resolve any disagreements, overseen by an independent adjudicator appointed by Engineers Ireland. Claims for damages beyond 45,000 can still be made in the normal way, but may take longer to process. Details of the Property Owners Protection Scheme (POPS) were explained on the opening day of the planning hearing into the proposed MetroLink development. The project, estimated to cost 9.5bn, consists of 19km of largely underground rail line between Swords and Ranelagh in Dublin. It is designed to provide high-speed, high-frequency trains serving key commuter and city centre stations as well as Dublin Airport. When the MetroLink is completed passengers will be able travel from Swords to Dublin city centre in approximately 25 minutes. MetroLink project director, Aidan Foley of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, said everything possible would be done to avoid inconveniencing people along the route. There will of course be disruption during construction and we recognise that peoples day-to-day lives will be affected during this period, he said. He added, however, that projects such as the Dublin Port Tunnel and the Luas Line had proven the benefits were worth the disruption. POPS participation is restricted to homeowners within 30 metres of the MetroLink route or within 50 metres of a station. Around 500 homes have been identified as being within this zone of influence, yet only 17pc have signed up to POPS to have a survey carried out. Today's News in 90 Seconds - February 19th Many properties will have tunnels dug 24 metres beneath them. Mr Foley said he was confident the work could be carried out without causing damage, but he said the project had extensive public liability insurance for incidents not covered by POPS. He said the project team would have drop-in clinics along the route and a 24-hour manned helpline so the public could always access information and assistance. A campaign would be run to get more people to sign up to POPS. Construction companies awarded tenders for the project would have community gain clauses built into their contracts and would be required to consult with communities and local authorities on financially supporting local initiatives. The hearing, convened by An Bord Pleanala, is scheduled to take six weeks. Catherine Martin will meet with RTE DG Kevin Bakhurst and board chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh this morning over exit payments Media committee chair Niamh Smyth has said RTEs director general Kevin Bakhurst and board chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh must come clean with Minister Catherine Martin about exit packages for executives at the broadcaster. It comes as Media Minister Catherine Martin has this morning requested a meeting with both Mr Bakhurst and Ms Ni Raghallaigh following the latest revelations around payments made to departing executives. Speaking to Morning Ireland, Ms Smyth said she continues to have deep concerns after a meeting of the committee last week heard former chief financial officer Breda OKeeffe was paid 450,000 when she left in 2020. Her successor Richard Collins also received an exit package when he left RTE last year and former director of strategy Rory Coveney received a redundancy payment worth an estimated 200,000 upon his departure. "For the minister to summons the DG and the chair of the board this morning that, I suppose, signals that the crisis is worsening and it would be in the interest of the entity of RTE if the DG and the chair did come forward with the information not just to the minister but to the committee in relation to the exit packages, Ms Smyth said. She said the inclusion of a confidentiality clause in the exit of an RTE executive doesnt play or bode well to the idea that we are going to be given full transparency and creates a bigger problem where that information cannot be shared with the minister or the public. A confidentiality clause in the departure of Mr Collins was agreed to by both sides and in the interest of fairness and respect cannot be breached, Mr Bakhurst said in a statement this weekend. Ms Smyth said there have been heartfelt promises made for full transparency yet revelations of payments made at the national broadcaster continue. This debacle started eight months ago and we were promised transparency, she said, questioning how a confidentiality agreement could be entered into and approved given past problems of secrecy at the organisation. "None of that speaks to what we were promised which was openness, transparency and Im not sure it plays to good governance either, she said. On whether she has confidence in the DG and the wider board, Ms Smyth said she remains deeply concerned about the revelations around exit packages. "I think it is hugely important that both the chair and the DG come clean with the Minister and also come clean with the media committee who spent three hours last week and I was hoping would draw a line under all this when we find there are further revelations. She called on the DG and the chair to be open and transparent with the minister and the public in relation to the exit packages. "If not, my worry and concern would be that members of the committee will want them back to try and elicit that information which they should not have to do. Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon said RTE must realise that this issue is certainly not going to go away until all details are published and criticised the drip-feed of information. He told Today with Claire Byrne that it is crucial for RTE to share the details of all exit packages and welcomed the move from Ms Martin to meet with the DG and the board chair this morning. "This is not just about resolving the current controversy but more importantly, its about establishing a culture of transparency and accountability that will prevent such issues from arising in future and certainly, for Kevin Bakhurst, he cannot continue to hide behind the privacy lines. I think thats a mistake. "I think the public have witnessed a series of secret payments, deceptive accountancy practices and concealments of information and I think the taxpayer is footing the bill here and it has proven to be an expensive one. Mr Dillon said there are valid questions around the details of the payments and called on RTE to release the breakdown of exit payments made since 2016 to the media committee. Tallaght community gathers in solidarity following attack on chair of Irish Muslim Council A vigil was held in Tallaght on Monday evening following an attack in the area on the chairperson of the Irish Muslim Council. Chief Imam Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri said he was the victim of "a deliberate hate crime attack" on Thursday, February 15. The impromptu gathering was organised by Le Cheile, an alliance focused on challenging the far-right in Ireland. Le Cheile counts Sinn Fein and Solidarity-People Before Profit among its member organisations. Speaking at the vigil, Dublin South-West TD Paul Murphy said Dr Al-Qadri "was targeted simply because of who he is". "People came out from the housing estate, they saw what was going on and they came out to stop the attack," he said. "And that is what Tallaght is actually about, is people standing together, people standing against division, people welcoming people, people acting as a real community." Mr Murphy shared a message from Dr AI-Qadri, who was unable to attend the vigil while he recovers from his injuries. Dr Al-Qadri, who has been released from hospital and is now recovering at home, said he wants to forgive those who carried out the attack. Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri. Photo: Gerry Mooney "A chairde, go raibh maith agaibh for your kind message of support and condemnation of the recent attack," Dr AI-Qadri said. "Your words of encouragement and well wishes have truly touched my heart during this challenging time. "In the wake of this unfortunate incident, I want to assure you that the gardai are actively investigating the matter, and I have personally expressed my desire to communicate with and forgive those who perpetrated the attack." Dr Al-Qadri said that despite the incident, he remains committed to working to "foster understanding and harmony within our community". In a post shared to his X account following the incident, Dr Al-Qadri said he was asked by an Irish-Pakistani man to officiate a wedding on the evening of February 15. He said upon arriving at an address in Tallaght, he was asked by a man over the phone to meet at a different house on the street. After encountering two men "who both appeared fully Irish and spoke with Irish accents" Dr Al-Qadri said his memory turns blank after opening the door of his car. Members of the Tallaght community who gathered in solidarity with Chairperson of the Irish Muslim Council Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri who was a victim of an alleged attack in Tallaght. Photo: Mark Condren Mr Murphy said members of the far-right "are trying to cast doubt that this was a racist attack". "They've implied that it's racist to say that it's a racist attack, but we have to call it for what it is. "It's important to note, and to call out, and to oppose racist violence when we see it, because it's extremely dangerous and obviously shows a dangerous road that we can go down if it's allowed to go unchecked. The chairperson of the Irish Muslim Council received treatment in hospital for his injuries, including broken teeth and a swollen face. Gardai continue to investigate the incident that occurred in Tallaght on Thursday evening. The Le Cheile group is holding a protest on March 2 a year on from the Ireland For All march that brought more than 50,000 people together on the streets of Dublin. Aisling Kearns along with the rest of the cast of Virgin Media's 'Faithless'. Photo: Brian McEvoy TikTok star Aisling Kearns has spoken about one of her videos making it all the way to the For You page of one of the stars of Succession. The Tullamore, Co Offaly native revealed J Smith Cameron, who played Gerri Kellman on the acclaimed HBO series, liked one of her videos. "I was like what the hell? This American superstar actor is after liking one of my Irish Mammy videos, this is wild, she said. "It obviously came up on her feed, she doesnt follow me. Kearns was speaking following a screening of the first two episodes of Faithless, a new comedy series created and co-written by Baz Ashmawy. She plays Sally, who is humourously brought into the lives of Sam and his family via his half-brother Zein. "Im so delighted for Baz because he worked so hard on this and its a big leap from what he usually does and he did an excellent job, said Kearns. "Its actually annoying how well he did for his first acting job. OK Baz, you cant have everything like, Jesus. Kearns hailed Ashmawy for the freedom the actors had on-set to improvise and make changes on the fly. "Sally becomes one of the more grounded characters. A lot of the characters are a little bit crazy and you have those few grounded ones that pull people back, she said. "Working with funny lines I used to struggle a lot not to laugh during scenes because they were just hilarious. Art Campion is just so brilliant at improvising, making lines even more alive and seeing what he can add, little facial expressions. "Its always great to work with someone like that, you can learn from them and you feel encouraged to do that too. Known for her Irish Mammy videos on social media, Kearns is now a mammy herself having welcomed baby Tommy last October. Aisling Kearns I was pregnant when we filmed which was gas because we went to a fitting and I was saying I think youre going to have to get another size up in the jeans, I dont know if theyre going to fit me by the time we get to shooting, she said. "I was just eating all around me which was hilarious, any time we had a break from shooting eating the whole time. So how is juggling motherhood with being a content creator? "Great! Its so easy, oh honest to God its so easy! No not at all, hes four months now, so hes just getting a little bit older now and a little bit easier to handle. "When Ive a a free minute thats when I film [a video], Im like oh Ive an idea, daddy hold him I need 15 minutes just to film this thing. She said at the moment Im happy just mothering after auditioning for a play and realising she wasnt ready to return to intense theatre work. The first two episodes of Faithless air on Virgin Media One from 9pm on Monday, February 26 with all six episodes available to binge on the Virgin Media Player. Tributes have been paid to journalist Michael ORegan who died suddenly at the weekend. The well-known reporter, who spent most of his career with The Irish Times, has been remembered as a storyteller and a gentleman. A proud native of Kerry, he spent decades covering events around Leinster House and was recognised as having great insight into the countrys political affairs. Today's News in 90 Seconds - February 19th President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, led the tributes to Michael, describing him as warm, engaging and incredibly courteous. I was very sorry to learn of the passing of Michael ORegan. Retaining his interest in politics until his passing, he will be missed by people from all aspects of politics. "Michaels journalistic career coincided very closely with my own time in Leinster House and he was a journalist for whom I, together with so many others, had the utmost respect. Throughout the many years in which we met, Michael was always warm and engaging in conversation on the many topics which were for discussion. He was incredibly courteous, and a perfect judge of when an injection of the humour, upon which he drew from his proud Kerry background, was needed, President Higgins said. Michael also made a significant contribution in his coverage of the Kerry Babies Tribunal, President Higgins said, both during the tribunal itself and in his book on that tragic event and its handling. In recent years, Michael wrote about his cancer treatment with great dignity. In writing with such clarity and honesty of his treatment, he provided a great service to others in helping provide a sense of understanding and how they may seek to face their own treatments. As ever, Michaels meticulous skills of context, warmth and clarity were to the fore. He will be missed by all of us who knew him. May I express my deepest sympathies to all of his family, friends and colleagues. Siochain siorai da anam. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was very saddened to hear of Mr ORegans death, describing him as an outstanding journalist, raconteur and man of integrity. Michael was engaging, objective and great company. A Kerryman to his core, he will be sorely missed by all, the Fianna Fail leader said. The Editor of The Irish Times Ruadhan Mac Cormaic said their former colleague was a first-rate journalist who leaves behind a body of work that chronicles a country in flux. His coverage of the Kerry babies case was the work of a highly skilled reporter; his anger, recalling it many decades later, was that of a man of heart and compassion. Michaels sister Eilish ORegan is the Health Correspondent with the Irish Independent and his brother Gerry is a former editor of this title. Executive Editor of the Irish Independent Kevin Doyle, who worked alongside Michael in Leinster House for several years, said: Michael was everything a younger reporter would want in a rival generous with his time, entertaining with his stories and sage with his advice. While his writing spoke for itself, many on the press gallery will remember with great fondness his distinctive voice and infectious laugh booming through the corridors of Leinster House. All our sympathies are with his family at this difficult time. Michael was a regular contributor on Radio Kerry where he delivered a weekly Call from the Dail to update on the latest political antics. Kerry Today presenter Jerry OSullivan said it was very hard to go on air this morning. The programme ran a series of tributes. Mr ORegan studied journalism in the College of Commerce in Rathmines in 1972 and learned the trade with The Kerryman and The Corkman. He joined The Irish Times in 1981. Most notably he covered the Kerry Babies Tribunal and went on to write a book about the scandal called Dark Secrets. He became a Dail reporter in 1988 and worked from Leinster House until he retired in 2019. In recent years he often spoke on social media about his experience with cancer but his death was unexpected. Tributes have flowed in from the worlds of politics and media. RTE Prime Time presenter Miriam OCallaghan said Michael was a super talented journalist with a fine wit, but more importantly he was a beautiful, kind and gentle Kerryman. Kerry TD and Minister for Education Norma Foley said he was the consummate journalist; well researched, well informed, fair, impartial, passionate and compassionate in equal measure. Fine Gael TD for Kerry Brendan Griffin said: Michael was a voice of sense and reason in an often crazy political world. Gone far too young, he was a giant in Irish political discourse who always stayed in touch with the ordinary people. The greedy former solicitor who robbed 18m from the banks Struck-off ex-solicitor and property developer Michael Lynn has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for stealing 18m from six financial institutions. Judge Martin Nolan said Lynns behaviour had brought his profession into disrepute, caused severe stress for people working for him, and that he had acted in total disregard to his obligations as a solicitor to be honest and straightforward. The judge said Lynn had spotted an opportunity in the undertakings system in that banks did not check if charges were registered against properties he borrowed money to purchase, only to divert the funds into his property business. Lynn (55) stood with his hands clasped, shifting his weight from one foot to another and showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Nolan said the headline sentence for Lynns offending would have been 16 years, but he deducted three years for mitigating factors. He also credited Lynn with a further seven and a half years in respect of four and a half years he spent in a Brazilian prison fighting extradition. The funds were obtained by taking out multiple mortgages on the same properties in circumstances where banks were unaware that other institutions were also providing finance. The lenders involved were Irish Nationwide, National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank and Bank of Scotland. Lynn used the funds to bankroll his foreign property empire and an extravagant lifestyle. Today on The Indo Daily, Ellen Coyne is joined by Rory Tevlin, Deputy News Editor and Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor, both with the Irish Independent, to look at the extraordinary story of what led to the downfall of one of Irelands brightest businessmen. Almost 2.5km of aged cast iron water mains in Bagenalstown will be replaced with new modern pipes Uisce Eireann crews will be arriving in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow this week to replace almost 2.5km of aged cast iron water mains with new modern pipes. These improvement works will help conserve water and reduce the high level of water leakage which have been a significant source of disruption and caused many outages in the area. Works will commence on Kilcarrig Street and Market Square and progress to Long Range Road to allow for works to take place outside the National School during the Easter break to minimise disruption. After the Easter Break, these improvement works will continue along Regent Street, High Street, Main Street, Kilree Street, Church Road, Pump Street, Fairgreen West, Barrett Street, St. Brigids Crescent, Hotel Street and The Parade. Some properties with existing aged backyard services will be connected to the newly installed watermain in the public domain as part of this project. Customers to benefit from backyard service replacement works will be contacted directly by Shareridge Ltd who are carrying out the works on behalf of Uisce Eireann, to provide further information and to discuss a suitable time to carry out the individual surveys required to progress with the improvement works. Uisce Eireanns Networks Regional Lead Dave Murphy explained: Aged cast iron watermains are a huge source of leakage and continue to impact communities right across Ireland, causing low pressure and supply disruption. "Replacing these problematic water mains and service connections will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground." Mr Murphy added: We would like to thank the residents in Bagenalstown for facilitating these works and working with us to provide a more secure and reliable water supply for generations to come. Were looking forward to getting started on this important project in the coming days with works due to be complete in October of this year. The works may involve some short-term water interruptions, and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48-hours notice prior to any planned water interruptions. Areas of works will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers. Traffic management will be in place in the form of a Stop and Go one-lane system for the majority of the works and road closures may be required to deliver the works safely and efficiently in certain areas. Diversions if required will be communicated locally, however, local and emergency access will always be maintained. Property costs increased by over 3% on average in Cork in the latter half of last year, compared to the first half of 2023 Cork County saw the average price for a two-bedroom apartment increase by the highest percentage in Ireland last year, when the latter half of 2023 was compared to the first six months of the year. A 7.5% price increase was seen as the average cost of a two-bed apartment rose from 171,429 to 184,286 in the local authority area, according to a new report released by the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers (IPAV). The report, released on Sunday, found that the average price per square metre for a two-bed apartment in Cork County was 1,781 from July to December last year, while it was 2,657 in Cork City. The average cost of a two-bed apartment in Cork City was 267,500, after an increase of 0.47% from the previous six months. This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details The IPAV Residential Property Price Barometer, released twice yearly, found that the average cost of a three-bedroom semi-detached house in Cork County from July to December last year was 288,858. This cost represented a 0.35% increase from the first half of the year, with the price per square metre standing at 3,002 In Cork City, the average cost of a two-bed semi was judged to have risen from 348,750 (January to June) to 367,500 (July to December), marking a 5.38% increase to 3761 per square metre. The IPAV report found that the average cost of a four-bedroom semi-detached house was 341,429 in the final six months of last year. This price (2,626 per square metre) increased by 2.14% from the first half of 2023, when the average price was recorded as 334,286. In Cork City, the average price of the same type of property rose by 3.81% from 426,250 (January to June) to 442,500. Price per square metre was found to be 3,512 for the last six months of 2023. Overall, IPAV found that prices increased by 3.33% in Cork County and 3.22% in Cork City between the first and the second half of last year. Countrywide, the studys publishers said that the overall price increase for the latter six months of 2023 was 2.99%, up from 2.05% in the previous six months. In the entire Barometer, there were just two negative figures, in Dublin 6 (0.23%) and Wicklow (0.09%), in the four-bed category. Commenting on the results of the report, IPAV chief executive Pat Davitt said: Despite the substantial increases of recent years, prices remain resilient and given the paucity of supply, its not unreasonable to think that, barring a geo political crisis or unforeseen catastrophe, we could see rises of the order of 5% this year. Mr Davitt said that auctioneers continue to report a scarcity of supply with strong demand, including from non-Irish nationals and returning emigrants. At 32,695 new builds in 2023 were finally getting very close to an historical and outdated target of 33,000 homes per year, with some estimates suggesting the target should be revised upwards to over 60,000 a year, he said. Mr Davitt said there are worrying signs for the year ahead that could seriously exacerbate supply in both sales and rental, with a Sherry Fitzgerald study finding just 11,050 second-hand properties listed for sale nationally in January, a mere 0.6% of the entire private housing stock; a 27% drop on the previous January and a startling 46% decline on January 2020. Private landlords have been haemorrhaging from the market since IPAV first identified the issue almost six years ago, he said. The IPAV executive said that a combination of measures are needed to fix the market, including revisiting Rent Pressure Zone rules where they are incapacitating the market and supporting, giving meaningful incentives to landlords and bringing far more vacant and derelict properties back into use. We need a series of complementary measures working in harmony, rather than isolated and divergent policies with the immobilising baggage of unintended consequences. And thats going to need some kind of specialist intervention not seen heretofore, he concluded. The Mayor said the event will be an opportunity for the people of Cork to make a real difference The County Mayor's Charity Gala will take place on April 19 at Radisson Blue Little Island. The launch of the County Mayor Cllr Frank OFlynns Charity Gala in aid of Blackwater Search and Recovery Unit and Cope Foundation took place in Fermoy recently. The launch of the County Mayor Cllr Frank OFlynns Charity Gala in aid of Blackwater Search and Recovery Unit and Cope Foundation took place in Fermoy recently. Two Avondhu-based organisations that do incredible work have been selected to benefit from the upcoming County Mayors Charity Gala. Mayor of County Cork and Fermoy councillor Frank OFlynn personally selected Blackwater Search and Recovery Unit and Cope Foundations locations in Mitchelstown and Fermoy to be the benefactors of what will be a glamorous event. Blackwater Search and Recovery Unit chair, Maurice Carroll, said that his voluntary organisation, which have provided search and recovery services around the Blackwater area since 1983, are deeply grateful for the support of the Mayors Charity Gala. This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Sean Abbott, CEO of Cope Foundation, which is a non-profit that focuses on empowering people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism to live a life of their choosing, thanked the Mayor for selecting the charity and said it will be a great opportunity to highlight the work we do in local communities. Mayor OFlynn has extended an invite to the people of Cork county to the charity gala, which will have live music, a three-course dinner, a charity raffle with some fantastic prizes and special guests like comedian Bernard Casey in order to raise funds for the selected charities. The County Mayor's Charity Gala will take place on April 19 at Radisson Blue Little Island. "It has been my honour and privilege to serve the people of Cork County as their Mayor and I hope the community can join me at the annual County Mayor's Charity Gala. Im really looking forward to showcasing all that is great and good about our county on the night, Mayor OFlynn said. I love that it is not just a glamorous affair; it's an opportunity for our community to come together and make a real difference. We are proud to support the incredible work of the Blackwater Search and Recovery Unit and Cope Foundation, and we invite everyone to join us for a night of celebration and generosity." Tickets for the night, which will be held at Radisson Blue Little Island on April 19, are now on sale for 100 each and can be purchased online at www.CorkCoCo.ie. According to the council, 100% of proceeds will be distributed equally between Blackwater Search and Recovery Unit and Cope Foundation. Gardai in Glanmire are renewing their appeal to the public for information following a fatal road traffic collision in Glanmire, County Cork, on Sunday, February 11, 2024. A woman in her 50s, named locally as Sheila Dunne, was seriously injured when the car she was travelling in became involved in a single vehicle collision near Sarsfield Court in Glanmire shortly after 7.45pm. Gardai and Emergency Services responded to reports of the incident and she was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. She was pronounced deceased at Cork University Hospital on Tuesday, February 13. The second occupant of the vehicle, a woman aged in her 40s, also received treatment for non-life threatening injuries following the collision. Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to contact them. Any road users or pedestrians who were in the vicinity of Sarsfield Court, and who observed a white SUV vehicle travelling in the area at the time of the incident, is asked to contact investigating Gardai. Anyone with camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating Gardai. Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to contact Glanmire Garda Station at 021 455 6370, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Liz ODonoghue (55) and Casey Connors (11), who was born with the painful skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB). Pic: Liz ODonoghue / Debra A Dublin mum-of-three is taking her first ever skydive to raise awareness for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as butterfly skin. Liz ODonoghue (55), an SNA at a school in Clondalkin, will jump 13,000 feet out of a plane after being inspired by the bravery of 11-year-old Casey Connors, who lives with EB. She will be taking the jump on March 10 in the skies above the Irish Parachute Club in Offaly, to raise funds for the national EB charity Debra. It is one of the worst illnesses ever. Thats the real point of the skydive, to raise awareness and tell as many people as possible about this terrible disease, said Ms ODonoghue. EB is caused by the absence of essential proteins that bind the skin together. Debra supports people like Casey and 300 others in Ireland living with the painful condition. There is no cure yet, and in the most severe cases, like Caseys, regular bandage changes are required to treat painful blisters. Casey was born with the condition and battles every day because of the agonizing blisters which can erupt on her skin at the slightest touch. Despite these challenges, Casey attends school like all the other children her age. Ms ODonoghue had never heard of anyone who struggled with the condition until she became Caseys fulltime classroom helper at St Ronans National School in Clondalkin. Despite her challenges, Casey rarely complains and is great company. She has a great sense of humour, and we have a lot of fun, Ms ODonoghue said. We have little to moan about, really, when you look at someone with EB. At the moment, Casey is relying on a tube for feeding known as a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy), which is inserted into her stomach. Ms ODonoghue, after discussing the biggest challenges Casey faces, discovered that using this tube is the worst part of having EB. At night she must lie for four hours as is fed nutrients through her stomach. Liz, who lives in Johnstownbridge, Co Kildare, has already raised 5,340 for Debra, and will be carrying out the charity skydive on the same weekend as her mothers anniversary. Im looking forward to it. I just hope we are not hanging around too long on the day, getting nervous, she said. Its my mothers anniversary that weekend and Im hoping to hear her say: Liz, its not your time! as I jump out of the plane. Dog found by gardai was abandoned and tied to a pole Rescued dog Sadie tries out a new look after being found by An Garda Siochana A dog found abandoned and tied to a pole in Crumlin is now being cared for by an animal rescue centre. The discovery was made by An Garda Siochana in the early hours of the morning yesterday. The Bully-breed dog, now named Sadie, is in the care of My Lovely Horse Rescue. In a post on Facebook, they shared a photograph of Sadie with a garda hat on top of her head, adding that to say they have all fallen in love with her is an understatement. Lets help this little garda wannabe, they added. There have been a number of dogs of a similar breed discovered abandoned in the Dublin area in the past few months. It is to do with the breed of the dog and the fact that these dogs are now banned in certain council areas, Martina Kenny, co-founder of My Lovely Horse Rescue, said. Its just a mess because theyre being thrown out, abandoned, tied to poles, and people just dont want them anymore because councils arent allowing them. Theres no place for them to go, which is just absolutely terrible. Councils need to think of this before they actually put the ban on them, she added. Sadie is now available for a foster home, and the animal rescue centre is appealing for one for her as soon as possible. Ms Kenny told the Irish Independent that the Bully breed left in Crumlin isnt the first of its kind to be rescued, with another Pocket Bully found tied to a pole in Clondalkin earlier this year. She cited different reasons for the rise in the need for care for these restricted breeds. Social housing isnt allowing these breeds anymore. If someone is moving to a new house or new social housing, theyre not allowing them there either. Weve gotten a lot of calls from people saying they need help as they have these breeds and they cant take them with them. These dogs are only terrible dogs if the human treats them badly. My Lovely Horse Rescue told the Irish Independent that, now going into their 13th year of operating, theyve never been this busy. Ms Kenny said she has never seen such a big dog issue and coined it an actual crisis. The animal rescue centre should only have space for roughly 20 dogs on their farm, but currently has a lot more than that in their care. The sober hike events are for anyone who wants to explore alcohol-free life At the last event at Glencullen Adventure Park people travelled from all over the country including Offaly, Roscommon and Mayo The woman behind Sober Social Ireland said that, in light of an upcoming sober hike taking place tomorrow in Dublin, there "needs to be" other spaces for people to go and connect without alcohol. Philadelphia-born Melissa Kelly, who gave up alcohol almost four years ago, has gone on a journey to find a community for sober and sober-curious people living in the country. What originally started for her as a sober community in Belfast as a group of women who got together for a sober walk or coffee has expanded into organized events for people looking for places to connect in a setting away from the booze. In a society where the social scene often revolves around alcohol, finding night-time activities or social groups that dont involve alcohol can be a real challenge in Dublin. At the last event at Glencullen Adventure Park people travelled from all over the country including Offaly, Roscommon and Mayo However, communities like Sober Social are changing the narrative with ticketed events that take place each month for people to meet like-minded individuals who are looking to explore a sober lifestyle. Drinking is such a huge part of socialising here in Ireland; whenever you take away alcohol, there have to be other places for people to go to connect. Connection is a fundamental human need, said Melissa Kelly. Its so important on a sober journey because you can often feel like youre the only person who is not drinking, the odd one out, or the weird one or that person who is missing out. For me personally, its been so helpful on my journey to connect with other people that are in a similar situation to me. This week's event is taking place in Glencullen Adventure Park. Tickets are priced at 10; it goes on for three hours and promises to be a delightful morning hike through the mountains. The walk will begin no later than 9.10am, and it's open to people who may be sober, sober curious, those who have never had a drink before, or those just looking to learn more about a social life that's removed from the pub scene. Ms Kelly told the Irish Independent that from her observation of those who have attended previous events, most people tend to show up alone: The purpose is really to make a new friend; Ive seen so many people walking away from our events exchanging phone numbers and connecting through social media, she said. Its really amazing to see the bonds that are being created through this, and people really enjoy the events. The sober hike events are for anyone who wants to explore alcohol-free life Looking ahead, Sober Social Ireland hinted at another exciting event one that will take place on St Patricks Day. Its going to be in collaboration with a few others in the recovery/sobriety circle in Ireland, and it is going to be amazing, Ms Kelly added. Sober Social Ireland advised those who might be intrigued about these future events to keep a watchful eye on their social media for updates. Pictured at the launch of St Francis Special School' Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough Pictured at the launch of St Francis Special School' Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough Special guests Minnie and Mickey Mouse pictured at the St Francis Special School's Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle Launch in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough Students from St Francis Special School along with school staff, School Principal Keith O Brolachain (centre), Cathal P Walshe and Garda Mary Gardiner (from the right) pictured at the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough From l-r: Sarah Murphy, Leah Carroll, Michelle McCarthy, Mily O'Reardon, Aaron O'Keeffe,Cathal P Walshe, Principal Keith O Brolachain, Ryan Griffin, Bernard Casey, Garda Mary Gardiner, Jordan Lee, Bernard Casey pictured with special guests Minnie and Mickey Mouse at the St Francis Special School's Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle Launch in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough Pictured at the launch of St Francis Special School' Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough Pictured at the launch of St Francis Special School' Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough Everything is under control as Garda Mary Gardiner on duty at the St Francis Special School's Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle Launch in Beaufort on Wednesday.Photo: Garda Mary Gardiner pictured with pilot Special Olympics athlete Ryan Griffin.Photo by Tatyana McGough Special guests Minnie and Mickey Mouse pictured at the St Francis Special School's Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle Launch in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough Pictured at the launch of St Francis Special School' Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough Pictured at the launch of St Francis Special School' Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough Pictured at the launch of St Francis Special School' Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough St Francis Special School student Aaron O'Keeffe pictured with special guests Minnie and Mickey Mouse pictured at the St Francis Special School's Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle Launch in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough Everything is under control as Garda Mary Gardiner on duty at the St Francis Special School's Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle Launch in Beaufort on Wednesday.Photo: Garda Mary Gardiner checking the licence of pilot Special Olympics athlete Ryan Griffin Photo by Tatyana McGough From left: Fiona Carroll, Garda Mary Gardiner, Aaron O'Keeffe, Bernard Casey, Principal Keith O Brolachain, Special Olympics athlete Ryan Griffin, Jordan Lee ictured with special guests Minnie and Mickey Mouse at the St Francis Special School's Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle Launch in Beaufort on Wednesday. Photo by Tatyana McGough Pupils at St Francis Special School in Beaufort broke for the mid-term in spectacular style last week, taking on a mini Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle route on campus and even welcoming Mickey and Minnie Mouse, who arrived in Beaufort courtesy of Dermot Healys helicopter. And there was plenty food, music, and dance as well, as if all of that were not enough. It was all to launch the schools selection as one of six tier one beneficiaries of the 2024 Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle (ROKCC), pencilled in for Saturday, July 6. And theres little more that cycle organisers or the school community could have done to boost registration ahead of the next edition of the iconic 170km charity cycle around South Kerry. The school caters for children aged four to 19, with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities and, as is the case with all of the ROKCCs chosen charities, theyre worthy of your support. Were open for registration, about 1,300 cyclists have already registered, Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle PRO Cathal Walshe told The Kerryman. Were looking forward to the event, Saint Francis Special School have been there before with us, and its a lovely school community. Miraculously, the sun shone on the day, meaning Mickey and Minnie descended onto the campus through a relatively clear sky. But the mini Ring of Kerry route around the school complete with a food station, signage, and start-finish arch, just as well see on July 6 was the highlight, and principal Keith O Brolachain said it gave pupils a chance to put skills theyve learned into action. As part of our curriculum, we teach some of the kids how to cycle, Keith told The Kerryman. Some will cycle their own bikes, others are on specially adapted bikes, some on tandemswe want them to be part of it, its all about them, and we want to be as inclusive as we can and give them the skills they need. We feel very privileged to be a tier-one charity, and to be selected and considered, so we can support the children we have, he said, adding that the installation of sensory pods will be near the top of the schools agenda. An upgrade of the senior yard and development of an improved school drop-off area are also on the cards, and the support of ROKCC is all the more welcome given that the schools enrolment is expected to rise from 62 to 75 pupils next year. To register for one of the six tier-one charities, visit www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/our-charities/. Alternatively, you can pay your 100 registration fee to cycle for ROKCC, itself a charity, and once costs for running the event are taken out, approximately 75 to 80 of that fee will go to worthy causes, Cathal said. More information is available at www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/. Excitement and nerves as hundreds put through paces but only select few will be chosen Its nearly 30 years since Irish dancing was changed forever with the creation of Riverdance the Irish dancing show that became a worldwide phenomenon. And now the next generation of dancers have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Michael Flatley and Jean Butler after open auditions took place in recent days. However, despite hundreds of hopefuls being put through their steps by the judges, only a select few will make it onstage. There was plenty of excitement and more than a few nerves at the Brehon Hotel in Killarney as dancers from around the globe made their way to Kerry for the opportunity to perform with Riverdance. Over 350 people took part in open auditions for Riverdance at the Brehon Hotel in Killarney. Photo by Tatyana McGough It is definitely nerve-wracking. This is such a big dream of mine, said Mia Robinson, who travelled all the way from Sydney for the audition. Mia took up Irish dancing after she saw it at a school fete and hasnt looked back since. This is such a long-term dream there are so many more opportunities to go on from. Ava Donald from Dublin said she had been working towards this day her whole life. It is an amazing day, this is my dream, this is now my reality and this is coming true for me. I am so thrilled to be here. There are a few nerves, but not too many. I am here and confident and I am ready for this, she said. The dancers were put through their paces over the two days and at the end of each day a lucky few were chosen to go on to the next stage. Robert Fenner from Dublin, one of the dancers who auditioned for Riverdance in Killarney. Photo by Tatyana McGough This is Kerry Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Kerry newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details I would start crying if I got selected, said Ava. I have been dancing for 13 years now. It is my life. So much practice goes into this and then there is the hair, the make-up, the tan and just having the natural feet for it. Executive producer of Riverdance, Padraic Moyles, said the talent on display during the auditions was extraordinary, but only a few can be selected from the 365 auditionees who came from 12 different countries including Ireland, Canada, Germany, the US, Slovakia and the UK. Milly Fitzpatrick from Carlow, one of the dancers who auditioned for Riverdance in Killarney. Photo by Tatyana McGough This is the first time since the pandemic that open auditions have been held, adding even more to the excitement. They are being held in Kerry to coincide with the Oireachtas Rince na hEireann All-Ireland dancing competition at the INEC in Killarney. It is very tough, about 5pc who audition are picked and just 1pc will get a chance to come on the show, said Mr Moyles. Some will also get the opportunity to go through the academy training as well. Zoe Murray Coueray from Meath, one of the dancers who auditioned for Riverdance in Killarney. Photo by Tatyana McGough Its little wonder that nerves can take over during the day, but its not long before the talent comes through. Zoe Murray Coueray, from Trim in Co Meath, has spent half her life dancing and said that to be part of Riverdance would be amazing. I love the thrill of dancing, I have a passion for dance, it makes me feel like I am flying, she said. Riverdance would be such a good experience. I would be over the moon if I got chosen. It would be my every dream come through. It would also be the dream of Lauren Murray from Co Armagh, who said that if she was lucky enough to be chosen she would be following in the footsteps of her sister, who has already performed with Riverdance. Lauren has been dancing since she was two she is now 24 and all five of her siblings dance, but they didnt inherit their talent from their parents who she said have two left feet. Eva Donald from Dublin, one of the dancers who auditioned for Riverdance in Killarney. Photo by Tatyana McGough I love the feeling of being on stage performing. There is nothing quite like it, said Lauren. Owen Luebbers from Philadelphia, but now living in Dublin, said it would be great to get selected. He is no stranger to the stage having danced with other shows, but Riverdance would be the ultimate dream for him. Riverdance auditions are very exciting as they dont do them very often, he said. Following sell-out summer seasons last year and in 2022, as well as hugely successful tours in North America, the UK, Europe, Dubai and Jordan, Riverdance will return to the Gaiety Theatre Dublin from June 5 to September 8. Tickets are now on sale from Ticketmaster and the Riverdance website, starting from 25. MANIFESTATION OF SEN. GRACE POE ON SBN 2534 -"100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act of 2024" (As delivered) FEBRUARY 19, 2024 Mr. President, I would like to thank our sponsor for ably defending this measure. It's been 35 years since the last legislated national wage hike was implemented in the Philippines. In 1989, the Wage Rationalization Act ordered a 25 hike from the national minimum wage of 64. Bagama't may significant na pagtaas na ang minimum wage simula noon. Hirap maramdaman ito ng ating mga kababayan dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. In January 2024, IBON Foundation's study said a family of five in NCR needs 1,193 a day or 25,946 a month to live decently. However, the existing minimum wage in the region is still pegged at 610 - o kalahati lamang ng wage standard. Ano bang mabibili ng 610? Considering the food threshold, a family of five will need at least 300 daily to meet the minimum basic food needs. This leaves the household around 310 to cover such needs as housing, tubig, kuryente, medical care, education at transportation. So 'yung para sa iba sa atin, na pag sinabi, nakita natin ang value meal ng McDonald's or Jollibee na less than 100, parang mura ba 'yon kung ganito kaliit ang sinusuweldo mo, talagang pang espesyal na okasyon na lamang ang mga ganito. Today, I join our colleagues and the good sponsor in this noble pursuit to provide our hardworking Filipino labor force with a decent living wage. Alam nating hindi sapat ang 100 na itataas upang sumagana ang buhay ng ating mga manggagawa. But this is a need we must address and a step forward that we must now take. Para naman don sa mga nag-aatubili dahil nga maaapektuhan ang mga small businesses, naklaro din ni Sen. Chiz Escudero na meron tayong mga exemptions dito, lalong-lalo na kung 3 million and below ang capitalization at kung less than ten employees ang isang business. I urge employers with the means to provide supplementary allowances or benefits to extend this assistance to their employees. In the end, the labor sector is the backbone of our economy. Pagtulung-tulungan nating mabigyan ang mga manggagawa ng disenteng buhay ang kanilang pamilya. Maraming salamat po. Opinion Justine OMahony: Thanks to our new door bell, Big Brother is watching me and knows about my secret shopping Ive never been one for gadgets. Its taken me over a year to get the hang of the air fryer and truth be told I dont really know how to use the remote control. Local politicians and county council officials watch on as Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray formally open the new Skate and Recreational Park. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys with Longford County Council executives, elected members and Longford Skatepark Committee representatives at today's opening. Longfords recreational sector has been given a 450,000 tonic thanks to the opening of a state of the art skate and recreational park. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys was on hand last Friday to officially open the eagerly awaited facility on the site of the county towns former greyhound track. Ms Humphreys described the occasion as being momentous for the town and one which capped a wait of more than a decade for the project to come to fruition. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys. This transformative project has re-developed part of the old Greyhound Track into this vibrant and active space, she said It is not only a hub for skaters but a place for the community to meet, socialise, and enjoy the great outdoors. The project received funding of 405,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, a key element of the Governments Rural Development Plan, Our Rural Future, which aims to make rural towns and villages vibrant places for people of all ages. A further 45,000 was invested by Longford County Council, bringing the developments overall expenditure total to 450,000. The Cavan-Monaghan TD was speaking on the same afternoon she awarded the Age Friendly Recognition Charters to Irelands public libraries at an event in nearby Edgeworthstown. Local politicians and county council officials watch on as Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray formally open the new Skate and Recreational Park. Ms Humphreys, who delivered her address in front of an attentive crowd of local politicians, local authority staff and members of the public, drew plenty of laughter when revealing the frequency of her visits to the county in recent times. I have been here three times in the last ten months, in fact I am nearly thinking of running for election I am here that often, she joked, saying the reasoning for her recurring visits was down to the countys two very persuasive Oireachtas members, Senator Micheal Carrigy and Joe Flaherty TD. They have me tortured looking for more and money for Longford, she quipped, adding: Every time I see them I think of the Joe Dolan song, More and More. In singling out the role played by Fine Gael Cllr Peggy Nolan in lobbying for a purpose built skatepark for Longford, Ms Humphreys also revealed how she was expecting a knock at her door for further funding requests concerning moves to also incorporate a dedicated playground for children with autism. I know all about that is because Peggy asked me for a lift from Edgeworthstown and spent the whole way talking about this park and why I must get money for it, she comically remarked. Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray was equally wholesome in his praise over Cllr Nolans input towards the project while, at the same time, hailing the parts played by Ms Humphreys and council officials in securing the necessary financial backing. Longford County Council chief executive Paddy Mahon. This opening is the culmination of a long campaign to put in place and open a skatepark in county Longford, he said. It's the first part of an overall masterplan we are going to develop here at the old dog track site and we do indent it to be a top class facility in the county and a top class facility in the country for sporting recreation. They were remarks Longford County Council chief executive Paddy Mahon endorsed. More specifically, Mr Mahon heaped praise on the wonderful and positive support Longford had received, evidenced by over 30m in funding from Ms Humphreys department since 2020. This, he said, was a level of financial backing which had monies allowed the county to develop and prosper over the last number of years. Drogheda City Status Group expresses disappointment at only available central hotel being taken out of use for visitors and tourists to Drogheda Drogheda City Status Group (DCSG) has expressed its concern at the news that the d Hotel situated in the centre of historical Drogheda has been taken out of use for visitors and tourists to Drogheda. Despite being in the heart of the Boyne Valley, with a buzzing nightlife, huge heritage sites like Newgrange, Oldbridge, Mellifont and Monasterboice, blue flag beaches and much more on our doorstep, Drogheda has historically been overlooked by tourism bodies. Undeterred, volunteer groups, individuals, and local businesses had worked tirelessly over the years to raise the profile of Drogheda as a historic tourist destination. Their efforts were rewarded with the recent recognition by Failte Ireland of Drogheda as a key tourism destination town. The removal of the largest hotel in its historic centre is a huge setback to these aspirations and a huge blow to those who have worked so hard to bring visitors here. This is Louth Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Louth newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details "We think its important to note that DCSG celebrates diversity and welcomes those who come to our city whether to visit, or to make a new life for themselves. Drogheda has a huge heart, and has gone above and beyond in welcoming a huge number of people seeking refuge, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Every single one of these people has the potential to contribute to and enrich the culture of Drogheda. Its not acceptable for vulnerable people whether they were born here or not to be homeless or sleeping rough. However, there are many more sensible available alternatives around Drogheda to cater for the same number of people, but in smaller groups, says DCSG chairperson Anna McKenna. Today's News in 90 Seconds - February 19th There are also wider considerations, like the unprecedented population growth in the Greater Drogheda area which already is putting huge pressure on State and other services, along with years of neglect. The issue of accommodation in Ireland needs a more considered, community-led approach, free from fear and hate. Drogheda deserves ambitious, thoughtful leadership which can help tackle this issue on the ground, and will help the wider Drogheda area to flourish and thrive. At a recent DCSG meeting with Minister Darragh OBrien, the group stressed the need for appropriate administration for the Drogheda Metropolitan Area to be put in place. Drogheda City Status Group calls for the next review of Ireland 2040 to formalise the Drogheda Metropolitan Area to include Drogheda, South Louth and East Meath and set out actions to prepare for Irelands next city. Drogheda City Status Group calls on everyone who wants the best for Drogheda to get involved in achieving this aim. The Joint (Louth-Meath) Local Area Plan is currently being prepared and needs to anticipate and reflect the needs arising from the phenomenal population growth across what is best described as the Drogheda Metropolitan Area. Have your say and make your submission here: consult.drogheda.ie, concluded Ms McKenna. It was once a fire station but it has been transformed into a digital innovation centre for the North-West regions manufacturing sector. Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, officially opened the new Advancing Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM) Centre in Sligo on Friday. The initiative, a partnership between Sligo County Council and Atlantic Technological University is funded by the founding partners and Enterprise Ireland through the Border Regional Enterprise Development Fund (BEDF), with an investment of 2.2m, and is supported by Leitrim County Council. The AIM Centre, housed in a building with a rich history dating back to 1913 and previously serving as Sligos fire station has undergone extensive refurbishment. The centre is poised to become a beacon of digital technology and innovation for the industry in the region, offering state-of-the-art facilities and supports for businesses looking to adopt digitialisation and new manufacturing technologies. Minister Coveney praised the collaborative effort behind the project, stating, The AIM Centre is a prime example of what can be achieved when local authorities, educational institutions, and government agencies come together with a shared vision. This Centre will play a crucial role in ensuring Irish businesses are at the forefront of manufacturing innovation, driving competitiveness and creating high-quality jobs in the North-West. The AIM Centre will harness the talent and ambition in manufacturing enterprises and third-level institutions across the North West and will foster the collaboration required to ensure they remain at the cutting-edge of manufacturing supply chain innovation. Martin Lydon Chief Executive of Sligo County Council highlighted the local benefits: The transformation of this historic building into a modern innovation centre is a significant boost for Sligo and the surrounding area. It underscores our commitment to supporting local industry and enhancing the economic landscape. Sligo County Council played a pivotal role in ensuring the projects success, demonstrating our dedication to innovation and our capacity to facilitate significant advancements in the region. Through collaboration and vision, weve helped lay the groundwork for a project that will be a game-changer for industry in Sligo and the region. Dr. Chris OMalley, Vice President of Research, Innovation and Engagement at ATU said: The AIM Centre forms a major part of ATUs mission to support the regions development at a time of rapid technological change. Manufacturing is a major part of the regions economy, and our companies need all the support they can get to keep on top of the changes coming down the track. Julie Dowling, Director of the AIM Centre, expressed her enthusiasm for the launch: The opening of the AIM Centre marks a pivotal moment for manufacturing innovation in the North-West. Our state-of-the-art facilities, combined with world class expertise, position us uniquely to support businesses facing the challenges of a rapidly evolving landscape. This centre is not just a building; its a hub of innovation, collaboration, and growth for the region. Jenny Melia, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland said, Enterprise Ireland is proud to work with our partners in delivering this project. Through the Border Enterprise Development Fund, established by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Enterprise Ireland has been able to provide approximately 2.2m to support this project. We are confident that the AIM Centre will prove to be an engine of transformation and knowledge for manufacturing companies across the North West. Indeed, while this fabulous facility was being built, that work has already begun with projects already up and running. We look forward to continuing to work with the AIM Centre leadership and other stakeholders as the AIM Centre goes from strength to strength. The official opening was marked by a tour of the facilities, providing guests with insights into the innovative projects and technologies that are available to businesses in the region. Local community platform Sligo LEADER Partnership part funded the gift card as a means to drive footfall and promote a shop local ethos. It was introduced before Christmas. Over 500,000 of Love Sligo Gift Cards have been sold in the town over the past 5 months with over a quarter of a million euro already redeemed across the 217 local businesses who accept the card in Sligo. Local community platform County Sligo LEADER Partnership funded 75% of the launch costs for the card, alongside Sligo BID. John Feerick, CEO at Sligo LEADER said the success of the initiative has surpassed expectations: As a local development company, it was a no-brainer for us to partner with Sligo BID on the gift card. It was about supporting a local initiative in Sligo that increases footfall, supports the businesses of Sligo and promotes a shop local ethos during a challenging period for merchants. The project went before the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and was approved. The success of the initiative has surpassed our expectations. 500,000 of cards sold in such a short time is incredible and is down to the buy in from consumers and organisations. We even bought the card ourselves for our own staff at Christmas. Everyone appreciates the need to support local businesses, and support peoples livelihoods, by purchasing the cards. Its not just a card for retail, it can be used with a range of national and local businesses, including hospitality, salons, hotels and services, sharing the benefit across a range of sectors. People can spend their card on their weekly shop or getting their car serviced, as much as on new clothes or a meal out. Corporate social responsibility is a huge thing for organisations now, and by using the card for their staff rewards and incentives, the organisation is able to direct that spend locally, supporting their CSR efforts. Sligo BID did a great job of promoting the card to organisations and ensuring accessibility of the card, making it easy for organisations to switch from the national cards they were using. It is great for Sligo LEADER and the LCDC to be a part of something that is such a good news story for Sligo, it has been a huge success that will continue to build throughout 2024. Mark Cunningham, Love Sligo Programme Coordinator, says the economic impact of the card is significant: The Love Sligo Gift Card has been transformative for our town, disrupting the traditional gift card models. Sligo BID, led by Gail McGibbon, identified a need for a gift card in Sligo with zero percent commission for businesses. The resulting partnership with Miconex on the Love Sligo Gift Card, coupled with an intense locally focused marketing campaign focusing on the key economic benefits of the card, has resulted in great success for the program. In the lead up to Christmas, over one hundred local firms took the decision to make the Love Sligo Gift Card their employee reward. This, combined with a huge surge in consumer sales thanks to strong local awareness of the card, helped sales revenues to exceed targets set out at the outset of the campaign. We also know that people typically spend anywhere between 65% and 125% more when they redeem their card, meaning the impact of the cards sold to date for the local economy is significant. Were thankful to Sligo LEADER for their partnership on the gift card that has kept more money locked into Sligo than ever before. A big thank you is also due to local institution Mullaney Bros, to John and all the staff, for providing an invaluable physical sales point for the gift card in their store. With Mullaney Bros being a well-known local business with a strong retail presence in the town, the physical sales point contributed positively to gift card sales by enhancing accessibility. Gail McGibbon, CEO at Sligo BID said: A huge benefit of the Love Sligo Gift Card is that there are no costs to businesses in registration, setup or acceptance of the card. Other competing gift cards carry commission rates of 7-12% for the business, which is a big hit to the retailer. By choosing the Love Sligo Gift Card, customers can be reassured in knowing that the business they spend their gift card with will keep 100% of that transaction. As a BID, we recognise Mark's fantastic effort in managing a multifaceted project that exceeded the targets initially set. That sales have continued strong in January and February bodes well for the sustainability and viability of the Love Sligo card throughout 2024. The Love Sligo Gift Card is part of the Town & City Gift Card concept from fintech Miconex, active across Ireland. Davin Doherty is Client Success Manager for Ireland at Town & City Gift Cards and said: The success of the Love Sligo Gift Card over the past 5 months is phenomenal, especially the corporate buy in from organisations using the card for rewards and incentives. Already in 2024, were seeing many of these organisations placing a second order as they see the benefits of choosing a local gift card option for their town. The Love Sligo Gift Card is available to purchase online at www.lovesligocard.com and in person at the Sligo Tourist Information Centre and Mullaneys. Grab and Load cards can also be picked up and loaded with value at 6 locations in Sligo: Centra, Sligo Credit Union, Conway & Sons, Healthwise Pharmacy, Wards Pharmacy and Centra Castle Street. Businesses interested in using the Love Sligo Gift Card for rewards and incentives can email: mark@lovesligocard.com Cannabis found during a search in Carnew is thought to be worth 20,000. Photo: An Garda Siochana A haul of cannabis worth 20,000 was found during a search on a car in the Carnew area of County Wicklow on Friday. During routine policing enquiries, a detective from Bray stopped a car and recovered cannabis with a value of 20,000 following a search. Two adult males were then arrested and have since been charged. A file is now being prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and all seized exhibits will undergo analysis at the Forensic Science Ireland to support the investigation and prosecution process. A Garda spokesperson said: With assistance from gardai at Gorey and Arklow Garda Stations, two adult males from the car were arrested and brought to a garda station in Co. Wicklow, where they were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. They have since been charged to appear before the District Court next month. Why would anyone want to be insulted by staff in a restaurant? And to pay for the privilege? Theres been an interesting development on the culinary scene - Karens Diner has arrived in Ireland. Described as a new retro (although I dont know how it can be new and retro at the same time) American style diner where the staff are paid to insult the customers. When it opened on OConnell Street in Dublin recently there were queues outside the door. New Ross Regeneration roadshow in New Ross is a missed opportunity Disappointment has been expressed at the decision to only hold an afternoon session for a roadshow about the development and regeneration of New Ross. Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, left, with members of Tiglin and It Takes A Village at the LAMA Awards. Photo: Ann Lane. The chairman of Tiglin, Aubrey McCarthy, has praised the input of Wicklow County Council in helping to establish its services after the award for Council of the Year went to Wicklow at the annual LAMA All-Ireland Community and Council Awards. Now in its 18th year, the All-Ireland Community and Council Awards were hosted by Marty Whelan at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on Saturday, February 17. The awards recognise and celebrate communities and councils working together and they provide an opportunity to highlight the work done and to reward the unsung heroes. Wicklow County had two initiatives shortlisted under the National Impact Award, Tiglin and 'It Takes a Village', while Wicklow County Council itself won the award as the best Local Authority of the Year, in recognition of the county's success in supporting charitable organisations and volunteers. "It's great to see so many people working on so many different initiatives, the vast majority of them as volunteers, it gives me great hope, Mr McCarthy said. This is also the case with Tiglin. We've got a dedicated team and volunteers working to support those in homelessness. This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details "Its great to gather like this and get an opportunity to exchange ideas. Great kudos to Wicklow County Council for being recognised as the Best Local Authority, without them we couldn't do what we do in Greystones. They were indispensable in setting up two of our services, Carraig Eden Transitional Housing and Rise at the Cove Social Enterprise. Councillor Aoife Flynn-Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, described huge pride when the final award of the night, Council of the Year was awarded to Wicklow County Council. She added that it was a fantastic tribute to the staff, community and volunteers across the county. "Wicklows win is a direct result of the outstanding work and commitment of staff and communities across the County. It was an honour to attend on the night and watch our County shine, she added. Chief Executive Emer OGorman said: I'm incredibly proud of the team in Wicklow, grateful for the support of our Elected Members and the work of our communities, volunteers and stakeholders in continuing to work to make Wicklow a great place to live, work, play and do business in. Now in its 18th year, the award scheme hosted by LAMA (Local Authority Members Association) and IPB Insurance, recognises and celebrates communities and the countrys 31 local authorities working together. Cllr Micheal Anglim, Chairperson of LAMA, commented: The 31 local authorities throughout the country have been always very supportive of the Awards and of LAMA and that is very much appreciated. People came for the awards from all the counties throughout the country. "These awards are a thank you to those who have worked so hard at the many different projects across the country. The commitment of what people do locally and the volunteers create the life blood and backbone of our great country." Cillian OToole, 34, of Trooperstown, Roundwood, Co Wicklow outside court in Dublin. Photo: Collins A MOTORIST admitted drinking vodka and taking cocaine shortly before he drove on the wrong side of a road and crashed into a bus in Dublin, a court heard. Cillian OToole, 34, of Trooperstown, Roundwood, Co Wicklow, was disqualified from driving for two years and fined 900 after pleading guilty to a drink driving offence and careless driving in connection with the incident with the Dublin Bus vehicle on November 21 at Greenhills Road, Dublin 12. Judge Treasa Kelly heard at Dublin District Court that he told a garda who attended the scene that he drank vodka an hour beforehand and had taken cocaine 30 minutes ago. The father of two provided a specimen which showed a low level of alcohol and that he was slightly over the fixed penalty notice limit. Pleading for leniency, his solicitor said OToole had been in the throes of addiction. The court was shown letters from a treatment centre and was told OToole had relapsed but is clean now. His lawyer submitted evidence to show he was providing weekly urine samples for drug-use screening. The court heard gardai recovered CCTV from the bus, and it showed the accused turning at a Lidl supermarket and making a U-turn, but he came out on the wrong side of the road and collided with the Dublin Bus. Judge Kelly said it was a serious matter and which could have been a lot worse. OToole, who made no reply when charged, had five prior convictions for traffic offences, a theft offence for making off without payment, and one for drug possession. Retired RTE journalist Eileen Dunne has said she enjoyed every minute of the experience after being eliminated from this years series of Dancing with the Stars. She bowed out of the competition along with partner Robert Rowinski dancing the Paso Doble to Viva Torero. They lost out in the dance-off to former Miss Universe Rosanna Davison and her partner Stephen Vincent Im disappointed of course but Ive had a great run. I was hoping to get to orchestra week but these things happen and weve had a great run the two of us, Dunne said. "Weve enjoyed every minute of it and I think I did myself and others proud so Im happy with that. Known across the country for decades as an objective, solid news journalist, she feels her appearance on the show has brought a prediction from her old colleagues to pass. "I remember when I retired I went on the Brendan OConnor Show, I was saying I have to get used to being able to give an opinion because youre so long trying to be objective about everything and not taking sides. "Brendan said something like Eileen Dunne unleashed and I remember Bryan Dobson text me and he said Eileen Dunne unleashed? I cant wait. So I reckon this was it! Today's News in 90 Seconds - February 19th She may now be getting used to sharing an opinion or two, but Dunne wont be drawn on who she sees winning the Glitterball trophy. There is praise for one contestant in particular, though. I mean even look at the leader board, its changing every week. Ive been saying for weeks though, watch Davy [Russell] coming up on that outside track. "Im going to continue to say it, hes growing into it every week and hes such a great character too. But really those who are left, the leader board changes every week so any one of them could win it. Dunnes professional dance partner Robert Rowinski said he is very proud of her and working alongside her was a really nice experience. "I always have these young girls running around so I just need to work 20 hours, he said. "Eileen brought all the time some sun or rainbows to rehearsals. We had a great time, she worked really hard and she deserved to be here. I think this is a big success for us. What next then for one of Irelands most recognisable faces from the world of news? "Ill never work full-time again, Ive been there, done that for 42 years, Dunne said. "I want to leave myself open to opportunities like this one. I said to people Im not committing to anything for as long as Im in this, Im gonna give it my one hundred per cent and thats what Ive done. Close friend and fellow RTE alum Mary Kennedy told Dunne when she retired the phone wouldnt stop ringing for six months now more than a year removed from retirement, the phone is still ringing. "I hope it continues to ring, thats all I can say, she added. Pippa Middleton & James Middleton seen arriving for day thirteen at The Championships at Wimbledon on July 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by HGL/GC Images) Prince Harry and Maid of Honour Pippa Middleton walk down the aisle at Westminster Abbey following the wedding ceremony of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on April 29, 2011 Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews attend the National Television Awards 2018 at the O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) Pippa Middleton, sister of the Duchess of Cambridge goes for a run outside her London home a day after she announced her engagement to financier James Matthews. Picture: Philip Toscano/PA Wire Spencer Matthews (left), the brother of groom James Matthews, stands at the entrance of St Mark's Church in Englefield, ahead of his brother's wedding to Pippa Middleton Pippa Middleton and new husband James Matthews are seen getting on a water taxi in Pippa Middleton and new husband James Matthews are seen getting on a water taxi in Sydney harbour during their honeymoon. Picture: Splash News Pippa Middleton and new husband James Matthews arrive in Darwin on the next leg of their multi-stop honeymoon. Picture: MEGA Where she was once the most talked about woman in the world, second only to her older sister Kate, her rise to prominence was a sure thing. After gaining international fame as maid of honour at the royal wedding in 2011, there was a party planning book, columns with Vanity Fair and er, Waitrose, as well as a guest presenting gig on Good Morning America. The future looked bright. All were relatively short-lived and by 2016, she had retreated from public life completely, save for a few select charity appearances. The Duchess of Cambridge and sister Pippa Middleton (left) attending the the Men's Singles Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon In the early days of Kate and Prince William's relationship, Pippa was steadfastly by her sister's side, in particular during their well-documented split in 2007. It's believed Kate and Pippa are as close as ever and both play an active role in each other's lives, but it seems that after seven years, Pippa has finally adjusted to her overnight fame. While Kate never received any official guidance from the royals in the 10 years she was dating William before their wedding, she is now the family's crown jewel. Her sister, on the other hand, was experiencing intensified levels of scrutiny with little to no advice from the experts. She was deemed fair game by the British press, who relentlessly criticised most of her professional endeavours - sometimes deservedly, sometimes not - which is reportedly one of the main reasons she has become increasingly clandestine. It's not exactly clear how she fills her days, although she is often pictured exercising around London before returning to the 16million Chelsea mansion she shares with husband James Matthews. Pippa Middleton, sister of the Duchess of Cambridge goes for a run outside her London home a day after she announced her engagement to financier James Matthews. Picture: Philip Toscano/PA Wire Even her wedding last May to the multi-millionaire hedge fund manager was intended to be a private event as the media were not invited; but appearances by a number of royals in her inner circle, including niece Princess Charlotte and nephew Prince George's roles as flowergirl and pageboy all but guaranteed the world's press would descend on Bucklebury. On the rare occasions Pippa does give interviews these days, it's for charity, in particular in conjunction with her role as an ambassador for the British Heart Foundation. The happy couple: Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews Royal expert Duncan Larcombe said it's part of her new life as a married woman, instead focusing on a quiet, but lavish, life with her husband of nearly one year. "Much more so than Kate, Pippa has enjoyed the limelight over the years," Larcombe told Town & Country. Pippa Middleton and James Matthews | Photo IBL/REX/Shutterstock "I just think now shes happy and happily married, settling down, not having to go to party after party or run these endurance events for charity. She seems to have put all of that behind her at the moment." "Shes certainly still very much the socialite in terms of her circle of friends. A lot of her friends have gotten married and settled down, so I think these days shes more likely to be hosting dinner parties in their lavish house rather than going out on the town and being photographed." After a series of disastrous attempts for career independence, it's said her brother-in-law William took her under his wing and advised her on future career opportunities. "It was felt by William in particular that she needed some guidance and support," the Daily Mail reported in 2016. Pippa Middleton & James Middleton seen arriving for day thirteen at The Championships at Wimbledon on July 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by HGL/GC Images) "Among some courtiers, there were also echoes of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, after her break-up with Prince Andrew and how she sold herself out with various corporate deals. It was felt something needed to be done. So Pippa has been quietly and diplomatically reined in." It's not easy navigating royal-by-association fame, as Kate and Pippa's brother James (30) also knows. He has been dating tv presenter Donna Air for nearly four years and while they're often pictured out and about, he doesn't attract nearly as much attention as Pippa. And his business hasn't replicated the success of their parents' party-planning company either. In September 2017, his customised marshmallow company Boomf reported losses of 2.2 million, but is on the record as giving a lot more interviews to promote the business over the years, including with GQ, Good Morning America and the Daily Mail. "Its always been, whether at school or now, that I am Pippa and Catherine';s little brother. Its probably going to be the story of my life. [But] I am James Middleton. I am very proud to be 'the little brother of' but, equally, they are proud that I am who I am," he said in 2016. File photo: Haiti has been rocked by gang violence and political instability in recent years. Photo: Reuters. Sixteen people from the same family were found dead in a remote mountain town in southern Haiti, a local official said on Monday, with local news outlets noting the deaths were reported a day after the family attended a funeral. Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra sits in a car after being released in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: AP Thailands former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole yesterday from a Bangkok hospital where he spent six months serving time for corruption-related offenses. The telecoms billionaire was toppled in a 2006 coup, but voluntarily returned from self-exile to Thailand in August last year and reported to prison to begin serving an eight-year sentence. Police at the scene in Blaise Walk, in Sea Mills, Bristol, where a woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three children were found dead at a property. Photo: PA Keir Starmer has said Labour would seek a new security pact with the EU if it wins the next election. It comes amid renewed concerns across the continent about the impact a Donald Trump return to the White House may have on Nato and European security. A wounded Ukrainian soldier is treated near Avdiivka in a screen grab taken from a video released over the weekend. Photo: Reuters Russia said yesterday it had full control of the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka after Ukraine withdrew although Moscow said that some Ukrainian troops were still holed up in a vast Soviet-era coke plant after one of the most intense battles of the war. Palestinians, struggling with hunger, trying to take the distributed flour entering the blockaded northern region via Rashid Street in Gaza City today. Photo: Karam Hassan/Anadolu via Getty. The United States has proposed an alternative draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and opposing a major Israeli ground offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza, according to the text seen by Reuters on Monday. Washington has been averse to the word ceasefire in any UN action on the Israel-Hamas war, but the US draft text echoes language that President Joe Biden said he used last week in conversations with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Monday put a hold on the Lok Sabha panel's summons to West Bengal top officials on a complaint filed by parliamentarian and state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Sukanta Majumdar, media reports said. The Lok Sabha panel had moved a breach of privilege proceedings against West Bengal Chief Secretary BP Gopalika, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar on the complaint filed by Majumdar who has alleged "misconduct" and "life-threatening injuries" during his protest over the Sandeshkhali incident. Majumdar was protesting after several women from West Bengal's Sandeshkhali alleged that they were sexually abused by local Trinamool Congress leaders. Reacting to the verdict, former Trinamool Congress Mahua Moitra MP posted on X, "SC stays summons of LS Privilege Committee calling WB Chief Secy & DGP. Parliamentary Committees running rogue with BJP party office issuing instructions. Weaponising Committees needs to stop now. Hope this slap is the first of many." SC stays summons of LS Privilege Committee calling WB Chief Secy & DGP. Parliamentary Committees running rogue with BJP party office issuing instructions. Weaponising Committees needs to stop now. Hope this slap is the first of many. https://t.co/LaHVIoAGN0 Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) February 19, 2024 The turmoil in Sandeshkhali, which is located in North 24 Parganas district, broke out first in early January when a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) reached TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan's residence to quiz him in connection with the ration distribution scam in the state. Shahjahan's aides allegedly assaulted and chased the ED officers turning the area into a political hotspot months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. While Shahjahan is now absconding, several women from the village came out with brooms and sticks demanding the arrest of the TMC strongman. The protesting women have alleged Shahjahan and his aides captured several lands forcefully and sexually harassed them. Reacting to the allegations, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in the state assembly on Thursday, "By targeting Shahjahan, ED entered into the area and then created a rift between the Adivasis and minorities." Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video New Delhi/IBNS: The central government's five-year plan on Minimum Support Plan (MSP) has prompted the farmers from the neighbouring states of Delhi to halt their protests temporarily, media reports said. The fourth round of talks between the government and farmers ended late on Sunday night. The government has come out with a plan involving the purchase of pulses, maize and cotton crops by government agencies at MSP. Post meeting, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, said, "We had a detailed discussion for the welfare of farmers with a new thought. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-ji always cares for the farmers." "After a detailed meeting with a positive approach and innovative thinking, we have arrived at a plan that would benefit farmers as well as the economy of the country," he added. The meeting was attended by protesting farmers, Union Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda and Minister of State for Home Affairs. Farm leaders associated with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have said they will discuss the plan and arrive at a decision. For the time being, the farmers have paused the protest till February 21. Much like in 2020, farmers from Punjab, Haryana marched towards Delhi, dubbed as 'Delhi Chalo' A prolonged and violent protests by the farmers in 2020 against the Centre's farm laws had prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw them. In a similar approach, the farmers from Punjab and Haryana started marching towards Delhi this year. Photo courtesy: UNI Sambhal/UNI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the 'new India' is imbibing the mantra of heritage along with development. On the occasion of laying the foundation stone of Kalki Temple, the PM said, "We are imbibing the mantra of development as well as heritage. Today, on the one hand, our pilgrimage sites are being developed, and on the other hand, hi-tech infrastructure is also being created in the cities. "If temples are being built today, then new medical colleges are also being built across the country. Today our ancient sculptures are also being brought back from abroad, and record numbers of foreign investments are also coming in." Without taking the name of Congress, he said, "There are many such good works that some people have left for me only. Whatever good work is left in the future, we will complete it with the blessings of the saints and the people. "I am confident that Kalki Dham will emerge as another great center of Indian faith." Modi said that India is a nation that can pull out victory even from defeat. "We were attacked so much for hundreds of years. Had it been any other country or any other society, it would have been completely destroyed due to so many continuous attacks. Yet we not only stood firm but also emerged even stronger. "Today, for the first time, India is at a stage where we are not following; we are setting an example," he said. He said that today, for the first time, India is being seen as a center of possibilities in the field of technology and digital technology. "We are being recognized as an innovation hub. For the first time, an Indian citizen, no matter which corner of the world he is in, feels proud of himself," he said. The PM said, "The wave of positive thinking and confidence in the country is amazing. Therefore, today, our power is also infinite, and the possibilities for us are also immense." He said that this huge dham spread over several acres is going to be special in many ways. "This will be a temple in which there will be 10 sanctums and all the 10 incarnations of God will be enshrined. "Through ten incarnations, not only human but also divine incarnations have been presented in different forms in our scriptures. That means we have seen God's consciousness in every life," he said. Modi said that today is also the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. "This day therefore becomes even more sacred and inspiring. Today, with the cultural revival that we are seeing in the country and being proud of our identity, we get this inspiration only from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. "On this occasion, I pay my respectful obeisance at the feet of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," he said. He said that today another stream of devotion, emotion, and spirituality is eager to flow from the land of UP. "Today, with the devotion of revered saints and the spirit of the people, the foundation of another holy place is being laid," he said. The PM said, "Now, in the presence of all of you, I have had the privilege of laying the foundation stone of the grand Kalki Dham. Just last month, the country saw the completion of a 500-year wait in Ayodhya. That supernatural experience of Ram Lalla's presence, that divine feeling, still makes us emotional." He said, "Meanwhile, we have also witnessed the inauguration of the first megalithic tower in Abu Dhabi, on Arab soil, hundreds of kilometers away from the country. During this period, we have seen Vishwanath Dham flourish. "During this period, we are witnessing the rejuvenation of Kashi. It is during this period that we have seen the glory of Mahalok of Mahakaal. We have seen the development of Somnath and the reconstruction of Kedar Valley." Modi said that a new cycle started on January 22. "When Lord Shri Ram ruled, his influence lasted for thousands of years. Similarly, with the enthronement of Ram Lalla, a new journey is beginning for India for the next thousand years. "Like Lord Ram, Kalki Avatar will also set the course for thousands of years. We can say that Kalki is the initiator of change in the cycle of time and is also a source of inspiration," he said. Image courtesy: Facebook/Sharad Pawar New Delhi/IBNS/UNI: The Supreme Court Monday, while granting temporary relief to the Sharad Pawar faction, allowed it to use the name 'Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Chandra Pawar' till further orders for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election scheduled to be held on Feb 27. A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice KV Viswanathan also issued notice on a plea filed by Sharad Pawar challenging the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to recognize Ajit Pawar's faction as the authentic Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The bench allowed veteran leader Sharad Pawar to approach the ECI for the allocation of a party symbol and directed the poll panel to allot it within one week of applying. Last Friday, a petition was mentioned by Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, before Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud requesting an urgent listing of their matter, emphasizing the imminent risk of Sharad Pawar facing a whip from Ajit Pawar during the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Session. Singhvi said that since Sharad Pawar's faction has not been allotted any party symbol, there is a likelihood of a whip being issued by Ajit Pawar's faction. Singhvi requested the court on Monday to allow them a continuation of the interim arrangement approved by the Election Commission of using the name of 'Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Chandra Pawar' until the Rajya Sabha election scheduled to be held on February 27. Singhvi also requested the court to give directions to the ECI to issue a symbol to them on an urgent basis. The ECI had said that the Ajit Pawar side is the real NCP, but for the Rajya Sabha elections, Sharad Pawar can use the name or symbol is not given. The matter pertains to a petition, filed by Sharad Pawar, challenging the ECI's Feb 6 decision, granting the official 'clock' symbol of the NCP to Ajit Pawar's group. The ECI said its decision was based on the criterion of 'legislative majority', with the Ajit Pawar faction possessing 51 out of 81 legislators. The other criteria such as the 'aim and objectives' and the 'organizational majority' tests did not yield definitive outcomes, were also considered. The Election Commission also relied on the legislative majority test to determine the faction's legitimacy. Recently, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar declined to disqualify MLAs from either Sharad Pawar's or Ajit Pawar's factions, citing the ECI's order recognizing Ajit Pawar as the NCP leader. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Arvind Kejriwal New Delhi/UNI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday claimed that a serious constitutional crisis is emerging in the national capital as officers are refusing to work because they are being threatened and coerced by the BJP. Speaking at the Delhi Assembly Session over a one-time settlement scheme to rectify water bills, Kejriwal said, Nearly 27 lakh consumers are registered with the Delhi Jal Board. Among them, approximately 40 percent of domestic consumers are not paying their water bills due to inflated bills. During COVID-19, wrong bills were issued on such a large scale that 40 percent of Delhi Jal Board consumers across Delhi have inflated bills, and they are not paying the bills. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of the government to make a decision. The government brought a water bill-one-time settlement scheme, which these (BJP) people are not allowed to implement, he asserted. Officers are blatantly refusing to implement the written orders of their ministers because of pressure from the BJP, the Chief Minister said. They are saying that they cannot implement this scheme because they are being threatened by senior officials. If they do, they will be suspended or falsely charged with cases and arrested by the ED or CBI. This is creating a serious constitutional crisis. The house believes that the BJP controls the officers of the Delhi government and the LG and is intimidating officers for their petty and illegal political gains. This is to prevent the government of Delhi from implementing such a significant and welfare-oriented scheme, he asserted. Kejriwal further appealed to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to call on these officers to approve this scheme and even if they refuse to do so, then they should be suspended. With the implementation of this scheme, around 10.50 lakh consumers will get relief, he said. In image farmers' Delhi Chalo march/ courtesy: Videograb New Delhi/IBNS: The borders around Delhi are likely to witness another round of showdown starting Wednesday as protesting farmers have rejected the Centre's proposal of a five-year contract to buy pulses, maize, and cotton at the old minimum support price. The protesting farmers made the announcement hours after the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella organisation of farmer unions that is not part of the current protests, also criticised the MSP proposal. Addressing a press conference at the Shambhu border, between Punjab and Haryana, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher Monday said the proposal is not acceptable to them and the protesting farmers will "peacefully" resume their march towards Delhi from Wednesday. "The government made a proposal (on Sunday night) and we have studied it. It doesn't make sense for the MSP to apply to only two or three crops and for the other farmers to be left to fend for themselves," farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said. "The honourable minister said yesterday that if the government guarantees MSP on daals (split pulses), it will put an additional burden of 1.5 lakh crore. A study by (former Agricultural Price Commission chairman) Prakash Kammardi has, however, revealed that the total cost will be Rs. 1.75 lakh crore for all crops," he said. Pointing out that the government spends Rs. 1.75 lakh crore to import palm oil into the country, which he claimed is harmful to the health of the people, Dallewal said the same amount could be spent on helping farmers grow oilseeds on which MSP could be declared. Much like in 2020, farmers from Punjab, Haryana marched towards Delhi, dubbed as 'Delhi Chalo'. A prolonged and violent protests by the farmers in 2020 against the Centre's farm laws had prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw them. In a similar approach, the farmers from Punjab and Haryana started marching towards Delhi this year. Photo courtesy: twitter.com/@VPIndia New Delhi/UNI: Chairman of the French Senate Gerard Larcher, along with a delegation of five other Senators, is in India on a two-day official visit to enhance bilateral ties and parliamentary cooperation, the French Embassy in India said on Monday. Larcher and his delegation will meet Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar during their visit on Feb 19 and 20, the Embassy said. The discussion on ways to increase cooperation and mutual understanding between the French Senate and India's Parliament, including through a dedicated agreement, will be held, it said. "Discussions between the leaders centred around strengthening Parliamentary exchanges between India and France, built upon close economic and cultural cooperation, and warm people-to-people ties," Dhankhar wrote on X. A Parliamentary Delegation from France, led by the President of the French Senate, H.E. M. Gerard Larcher, met the Hon'ble Vice-President and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, at Parliament House today. Discussions between the leaders centred around strengthening pic.twitter.com/qC4OIX9GHU Vice President of India (@VPIndia) February 19, 2024 This will mark the first official visit to India of a Chairman of the French Senate, the Upper House of France's Parliament, the Embassy said in a statement. Larcher will also be given a guided tour of the new Parliament building, the statement said. The Chairman of the French Senate will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Larcher had previously met Prime Minister Modi during the latter's visit to Paris on July 14, 2023, when the Prime Minister was received at the French Senate by Larcher and leaders of all major parliamentary groups. The chairman of the French Senate will also meet External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to discuss the current dynamic in bilateral relations and gain a better understanding of India's growing geopolitical role. During the visit, Larcher will also meet with business leaders of French companies present in India, particularly in the aerospace and defence sectors, and visit sites of French companies making key contributions to 'Make in India' and 'Skill India'," the statement said. Photo courtesy: Suvendu Adhikari/X page Kolkata/IBNS/UNI: The Calcutta High Court on Monday said that West Bengal Leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari could visit areas of Sandeshkhali where prohibitory orders Section 144 CrPC has not been extended. Calcutta High Court single bench judge Justice Kaushik Chanda while hearing a petition from Adhikari, permitted him and a few of his followers to visit the areas where prohibitory orders were not in force. The court, however, warned the Nandigram MLA not to deliver any inflammatory speech there during his visit. Adhikari in his petition prayed that his attempt to visit there last week was prevented by the state police despite the court cancelling the prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) there. Adhikari, reacting to the court order, said he would take two to three MLAs and proceed to Sandeshkhali on Tuesday. He said the team would leave around 9 am and reach there within two hours and meet people to listen to their grievances and try to assure them about redressal. "I'll meet family members of the fourteen-fifteen BJP leaders who have been arrested and call on those who have been tortured by the TMC leaders at Sandeshkhali," Adhikari said. Sandeshkhali, a remote block about 80 kms from Kolkata, is part of the Basirhat sub-division of North 24 Parganas district. The region, full of marshes and saltwater lakes, has been in the news following sensational allegations about sexual assaults of women and forcible grabbing of land belonging to tribals by local Trinamool leaders. Tribal fighting in Papua New Guinea leaves 64 dead. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash An ambush in Papua New Guinea's remote Highlands region, which is witnessing a major escalation of tribal fighting, has left at least 64 people dead, media reports said on Monday. The victims were shot dead during a tribal dispute in the Enga province over the weekend, a national police spokesman told BBC. This development is believed to worst experienced by the country in years. A tribe, their allies and mercenaries were on their way to attack a neighbouring tribe when they were ambushed Sunday in Enga province in the South Pacific nation's remote highlands, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Acting Superintendent George Kakas told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Police said more bodies are expected to be recovered. Last year, Enga Province was put under lockdown amid rising tribal fighting. According to reports, the tribal fighting in the region mostly takes place over the distribution of land and wealth. Enga Governor Peter Ipatas comments Enga Governor Peter Ipatas told ABC that there was a warning that tribal fighting was about to erupt. "[This is] a very, very sad occasion for us in the province and it's a bad thing for the country," he said. "From a provincial perspective, we knew this fight was going to be on and we [alerted] the security forces last week to make sure they took appropriate action to ensure this didn't occur," he said. With 17 tribes involved in the recent escalation of fighting in the region, Ipatas said it was upto the security forces to maintain peace in the region. "The police and security forces must take ownership and be on the ground, assess the situation and take appropriate action," he said. Small weapons Assistant Commissioner of Police Samson Kua said police are concerned over the proliferation of small weapons in the area. "This [massacre] is only made possible through the use of many, many small arms and it is a concern," he told the ABC. Australian PM reacts to development in PNG Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the massacre in PNG as ' very disturbing'. "That is very disturbing," he told ABC Radio in Perth. The PM said his nation is ready to provide support to PNG to deal with the situation. "We are providing considerable support, particularly for training police officers and for security in Papua New Guinea," he said. "We are great friends with PNG, which is an important relationship for us, and I have a good personal relationship with Prime Minister Marape. He addressed our Parliament, the first Pacific leader to do so just a couple of weeks ago," he said. "But we remain available to provide whatever support we can, in a practical way, of course, to help our friends in PNG," he said Support Our Journalism We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news. Support objective journalism for a small contribution. Pakistani gangster Ameer Balaj Tipu shot dead in Lahore. Photo Courtesy: Ameer Balaj Tipu Facebook page Ameer Balaj Tipu, a prominent figure in Lahore's underworld and owner of a goods transport network, was shot dead in a wedding ceremony in Pakistan's Lahore city on Sunday. Police have described the incident as an instance of targeted killing. According to police, the incident occurred during a wedding ceremony in a residential society near Thokar Niaz Beg as armed assailant opened fire on Balaj Tipu, who recently joined Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), killing him on the spot, reported ARY News. Police said two other persons received bullet injuries during the attack. Police said the suspect was killed in retaliatory firing by Tipus gunmen. Police are trying to find the circumstances under which the incident took place. Who is Ameer Balaj Tipu? Ameer Balaj Tipu is the son of Arif Amir who is also known as Tipu Truckanwala. Arif Amir was shot dead in the parking lot of Allama Iqbal airport in 2010. The death of Balaj may trigger another chapter of bloody enmity which had started with the murder of his grandfather, Billa Truckanwala, in 1994, reported ARY News Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Rights activists on Sunday demonstrated against the murder of activist Hidayat Lohar outside the local press club in Pakistan's Hyderabad city, media reports said. The demo was staged under the aegis of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Sindh Sujagi Forum, reported Dawn News. HRCP representative Prof Imdad Chandio told the newspaper Hidayat Lohar was an educated soul and a political activist. Chandio said he was now murdered in cold blood. He said activists's family members are demanding an FIR to be lodged and those involved in the crime should be arrested. Sindh Sujagi Forum leader Mohib Azad Leghari told Dawn News that an FIR should be lodged on the complaint of the heirs of Hidayat Lohar. What happened to Lohar? Unidentified gunmen recently shot dead human rights activist Hidayat Lohar in Sindh region of Pakistan. Lohar's family told The Friday Times that he was the headmaster at a local school, Golu Gawans. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash The stationhouse master (SHO) of the Haroonabad City Police Station in Pakistan has been suspended from service while four other police officials were booked on charges of keeping a person in illegal custody and torturing him. The police were also charged with demanding a bribe for his release. The first information report (FIR) registered with the City Haroonabad police on the complaint of Tasleem Bibi of Rehmat Town said that on Feb 6 at about 8:30pm, ASI Syed Fazal Abbas Shah along with three constables broke into her house without warrants and took her husband, Muhammad Asif, to the police station, Dawn News reported. According to reports, the ASI demanded Rs200,000 bribe from the family to release Asif. Bibi alleged that SHO Rao Shahid even demanded money for the release of her husband when the family approached him. A senior police official, requesting anonymity, told Dawn that on learning about the incident of abduction and torture of a citizen by the police, Bahawalnagar District Police Officer Naseebullah Khan on Feb 14 sent the SP investigations to the Haroonabad City Police Station for an inquiry. The SP confirmed the incident and held the policemen responsible for the development. A case was also lodged against them. The US Space Development Agency (SDA) and California-based EpiSci company are developing a software tool to detect hypersonic missiles in low Earth orbit using satellite data, media reported. The SDA is planning to set up a network of 100 satellites in low Earth orbit to monitor hypersonic activity and facilitate warnings, the SpaceNews news portal reported. The main challenge of the project is to develop software capable of processing the data sets collected by satellite sensors in the atmosphere and extracting the correct data. To achieve this goal, EpiSci signed a two-year $1.6 million contract with SDA that will allow it to test its artificial intelligence-based software against data collected by low-Earth orbit sensors to identify and track hypersonic activity. The news came as the US Department of Defense said last week that six reconnaissance satellites had been launched into orbit to track hypersonic weapons and jets. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this month that Russia was the world leader in developing hypersonic systems. Meanwhile, US Senator Angus King said in January that the United States could have already lost the race to develop hypersonic systems. In March 2023, Defense News quoted US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall as saying that the recent hypersonic test was not a success. However, later in December, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu said the Pentagon planned to carry out joint hypersonic missile tests with the Australian military in 2024. (With UNI inputs) Elvish Yadav, a well-known YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner, is currently involved in a controversy over claims that he supplied and used snake venom during a Noida rave party. Elvish was also the subject of a filed complaint last year. Elvish posted a video to criticize the media and people who were questioning him, just a few days after it was revealed that he would face legal issues due to the Forensic Science Laboratory's (FSL) discovery of snake venom in the samples taken from the rave party. Elvish Reacts To His Alleged Involvement In Rave Party Case Elvish said that the media is behind him and wants to cover everything he does. Elvish stated, "main nanga hokar naachunga" if someone could provide evidence that he was at the rave party, refuting all of the accusations made against him. In a video that is going viral on social media he said, "Elvish Yadav kaha tha rave party mein? Police ne toh nahi batayi. Plice ko toh nahi mila, main toh Bombay tha. PFA Google karoge toh samaj aa jayega tumhe kya rule hai... kisi bhi normal aadmi pe jhootha case lagate hai aur fir paise maangte hai usse case vapas lene ke liye." He added, "Ye prove kar ke dikha do ki main vaha tha aur meri rave party thi, nanga hokar naachunga main." Insatgram All You Need To Know About Snake Venom At Rave Party Case Nine snakes had been found by the Noida police from the gathering. There were five cobras among them. The venom of the reptiles was reportedly sold for a high price because they were captured from various locations. BB OTT winner Elvish's name surfaced following the apprehension of five of the offenders. The offenders told the police they would provide the snakes for the influencer's gatherings and claimed to be his close allies. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan's epic biographical thriller, won seven trophies at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards, including Best Film and Director, after an incredible performance at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Oscar 2024 nominations and the Golden Globes. Oppenheimer had 13 nominations going into the BAFTA awards. Surprising Snubs At BAFTA 2024 Awards To the dismay of viewers, Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon and Greta Gerwig's Barbie were unable to win in any category. Instagram Poor Things Wins Big With eleven nominations, Poor Things by Yorgos Lanthimos was the second most nominated film and won five BAFTAs. BAFTA 2024: Leading Actor And Actress Emma Stone won the Leading Actress BAFTA for Poor Things, while Cillian Murphy won the Leading Actor BAFTA for Oppenheimer. Deepika Padukone presents BAFTA awards The much awaited event, held early on Monday morning at London's Royal Festival Hall, attracted a lot of interest from Indian viewers as Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone walked the stage to give an award. The Zone of Interest, a Polish historical drama directed by Jonathan Glazer, took home the prize for Best Film Not in the English Language, which Deepika presented. Prince William In Blue On Sunday in London, the Prince of Wales attended the 2024 British Academy Film Awards. William, the academy's president since 2010, wore a bow tie, patent leather Oxford shoes, and a blue velvet jacket with suit pants. However, The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, was absent from the event. Matthew Perry's name excluded from Memoriam Not only is the BAFTA drawing flak for passing over "Barbie," but it was also discussed why the "Friends" actor' Mathew Perrys name wasn't included in the homage. On X, fans expressed their displeasure and criticized the body for the absence. Reacting to the same, a spokesperson told PEOPLE, "I can confirm Matthew Perry will be remembered in our forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards." Winners In Other BAFTA Categories: - Supporting Actress DaVine Joy Randolph - Supporting Actor Robert Downey Jr -Original Screenplay Anatomy of a Fall - Adapted Screenplay American Fiction - Film Not in the English Language The Zone of Interest - Documentary 20 Days in Mariupol - Animated Film The Boy and the Heron Did your favorite movie or actor make it in the winners list? Tell us in the comments below! Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Day 2024: Arunachal Pradesh, a state in the northeastern part of India, is bordered by Bhutan, China, and Myanmar. February 20, is a special day as it marks the 38th anniversary of the Arunachal Pradesh Foundation. The state was established under the 53rd Amendment Act of the Indian Constitution. Arunachal Pradesh is often referred to as 'The Land of the Rising Sun' and is situated in the far north of India. On this day, many cultural programs, events, and exhibitions are organised. These events show the different cultures of the state. People also raise the state flag, have parades, and listen to speeches by important leaders. This day is important for the people of Arunachal Pradesh. It remembers the state's formation and celebrates its rich history and culture. History and Significance After India gained independence in 1947, Arunachal Pradesh was known as the North Eastern Frontier Agency (NEFA). In 1972, NEFA was made a Union Territory. Finally, on February 20, 1987, Arunachal Pradesh became the 25th state of India. Arunachal Pradesh | Unsplash The state is in the Himalayas and shares borders with Bhutan, Tibet, Myanmar, Nagaland, Assam, and China. During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, China claimed some of these territories. Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest population density in India. Most people live in valleys, and there are only a few cities and towns. The state capital is Itanagar, where the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly meets. The state is home to many tribes, including the Nyishi, Adi, Apatani, Tagin, and Galo. Ita Fort, built in the 14th or 15th century, is an important historical site. Other places to visit include the Jawaharlal Nehru Museum and Ganga Lake. Arunachal Pradesh is known for its rich culture, diverse ethnic groups, and beautiful landscapes. It's home to many tribes, each with its own customs and traditions. The state also has stunning natural features, like snow-capped mountains, green valleys, and clear rivers. Arunachal Pradesh Foundation Day is a special day that marks the state's creation and celebrates its unique culture and natural beauty. Amazing Facts about Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh, a state in Northeast India, offers a rich tapestry of biodiversity and culture. With its diverse landscape, the region is a haven for nature enthusiasts, boasting a staggering array of wildlife, including over 750 species of birds and 200 species of animals. The state is also a melting pot of cultures, with 26 major tribes, each with its unique customs and traditions. The state capital, Itanagar, is a bustling hub of activity, serving as the administrative center of Arunachal Pradesh. The state itself is the largest of the seven sister states of Northeast India, covering a vast expanse of land. The literacy rate of Arunachal Pradesh has seen an upward trend since the last survey by more than 10% and is 65.38 % as per the 2011 population census. Arunachal Pradesh shares its borders with Bhutan to the west, Myanmar to the east, and China to the north. The northern border, marked by the McMahon Line, is a subject of dispute between India and China. To the south, the state is bordered by the northeastern states of Assam and Nagaland. The border with China's Tibet Autonomous Region stretches for 1,129 kilometers, adding to the strategic significance of the region. Arunachal Pradesh, with its unique blend of biodiversity and cultural heritage, is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to explore the hidden gems of Northeast India. Human beings have always been in the pursuit of wealth. The desire to be rich has woven itself into the fabric of our existence, influencing choices and shaping aspirations. A recent incident in Northern China sheds light on the lengths some individuals are willing to go to create an image of affluence. Xiaoran, a resident of Hebei province in China, has taken an extreme step in his quest for wealth by paying his driver a staggering Rs 17,000 a day to pose as a bodyguard. This unconventional tactic is aimed at crafting a facade of opulence to leave a lasting and favorable impression on those around him. Creating an image of wealth to get a perfect bride Living in Hebei province, Northern China, Xioran has employed a bodyguard for security and assistance, but the surprising motive behind this hiring is what is more noteworthy. Representative Image/ tech.china Reportedly, he hired the bodyguard to create a wealthy image and attract a potential bride. To enhance his chances of getting a bride, Xiaoran had the bodyguard accompany him to his hometown during the Spring Festival, aiming to impress neighbors and local matchmakers. Chinese often turn to e-commerce for personal bodyguard services Reports indicate that Xiaoran's situation is just one example of the thousands in the country utilising bodyguard services through e-commerce platforms, particularly during the Lunar New Year months. For instance, Chinese app Jinyiwei allows individuals to hire a personal bodyguard by connecting individuals to companies with over 50,000 staff from various security companies. Unsplash According to Taobao, an Alibaba Group-operated platform, inquiries about these services have surged fourfold compared to the previous year. Professional security companies in first-tier and second-tier cities offer these services, providing both male and female bodyguards. According to a report by India Today, former military personnel make up the roster of these bodyguards, and to be eligible for the app, they must submit their ID cards along with military discharge certificates or permits. For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. The Bombay High Court, in a significant ruling, has emphasized that the right to remain silent should not be equated with non-cooperation. The court made this observation while criticizing the arrest of the Kochhar couple by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the ICICI loan fraud case. The court deemed the arrest as an "abuse of power" lacking proper legal consideration. Let us understand what this RIght is all about. Representational Image| Lexica A Brief History of RIght To Remain Silent The "Right to Remain Silent" is a legal principle that protects individuals from self-incrimination during interactions with law enforcement. This right is often associated with the Miranda warning. The right to remain silent is based on the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states that no person "shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." It is a fundamental right aimed at preventing individuals from being coerced or pressured into providing potentially incriminating information. When a person chooses to exercise their right to remain silent, they are indicating that they do not wish to answer questions or make statements that could be used against them in a court of law. This right is crucial to protecting an individual's constitutional rights and ensuring a fair legal process. Pexels It's important to note that the right to remain silent applies not only during formal arrests but also in various interactions with law enforcement where a person may reasonably feel that their responses could be used against them. However, individuals must explicitly invoke this right by stating that they wish to remain silent, as the right may be waived if not asserted. What Is Miranda Warning? Miranda Warning refers to a set of rights that individuals must be informed of upon their arrest by law enforcement in the United States. This warning is derived from the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona (1966). The purpose of the Miranda Warning is to ensure that individuals are aware of their constitutional rights, especially the right against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment. The typical Miranda Warning includes the following key elements: The right to remain silent: Suspects are informed that they have the right to remain silent and that anything they say can be used against them in court.The right to an attorney: Suspects are informed of their right to have an attorney present during questioning, and if they cannot afford one, an attorney will be provided for them.The warning that anything said can be used against them: Individuals are cautioned that any statements made during questioning can be used as evidence in a court of law. Law enforcement is required to provide the Miranda Warning before interrogating a suspect who is in custody or under arrest. If the Miranda Warning is not given, any statements made by the suspect during questioning may be deemed inadmissible in court. This legal safeguard aims to protect individuals' constitutional rights during the criminal justice process. How Right To Remain Silent Works In India In India, the right to remain silent is not explicitly codified in a manner similar to the Miranda Warning in the United States. However, the right against self-incrimination is recognized under Article 20(3) of the Constitution of India, which states that no person accused of an offense shall be compelled to be a witness against himself. While the Miranda Warning is not a formalized practice in India, individuals do have the right to refuse to answer questions that may incriminate them during police interrogations or court proceedings. This right is an essential aspect of the broader right to a fair trial and protection against self-incrimination. In practical terms, individuals in India can exercise their right to remain silent by: Refusing to Answer Questions: Individuals have the right to refuse to answer questions asked by law enforcement officials if the answers may lead to self-incrimination. Seeking Legal Counsel: Individuals have the right to consult with a lawyer before making any statements to the police. Legal counsel can guide them on what statements to make and help protect their legal interests. Not Volunteering Information: Individuals are not obligated to volunteer information that may be used against them. They can choose to remain silent until they consult with legal counsel. It's important to note that the right against self-incrimination is a fundamental protection, and individuals are encouraged to be aware of their rights and seek legal advice when needed. While India does not have a formalized Miranda Warning, the principles of fair treatment, legal representation, and protection against self-incrimination are inherent in the criminal justice system. The wealth of Nvidia Corp. co-founder Jensen Huang has experienced a significant surge, fuelled by a surge in AI-related stocks that pushed the chipmaker's market value above that of Amazon.com Inc. for the first time. This uptick in AI-related stocks has also contributed to the emergence of another billionaire within Huang's family circle: his distant cousin Lisa Su, the chief executive officer of Nvidia's competitor Advanced Micro Devices Inc. AFP Su's net worth has soared to $1.2 billion as the company's stock doubled over the past year. The rise of two billionaire chipmakers within the same family highlights the widespread impact of artificial intelligence, which has dominated the stock market and significantly boosted the wealth of the world's richest individuals this year. Among the wealthiest, 30 owe part of their fortune to AI Among the 500 wealthiest individuals globally, 30 owe part of their fortune to companies tracked by the Bloomberg Global Artificial Intelligence Index. These holdings have collectively augmented their net worth by $124 billion so far this year, constituting 96% of the total wealth gained on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Prominent beneficiaries of this trend include Huang and Mark Zuckerberg, with Meta Platforms Inc. ranking as the second-best performer on the S&P 500 Index after Nvidia for the second consecutive year. Steve Ballmer has also experienced substantial gains following Microsoft Corp.'s partnership with OpenAI, while Michael Dell has seen his fortune surge, partly due to AI initiatives at Dell Technologies Inc. and Broadcom Inc. Valentine's day couple wealth guide The billionaire club & their AI money Lisa Su is not the sole newcomer to the billionaire club resulting from this surge. Charles Liang, co-founder of Super Micro Computer Inc., has witnessed his fortune triple to $6.2 billion this year, as his company's stock outpaced other AI-related shares. Palantir Technologies Inc. co-founder Alex Karp's net worth has reached $2.8 billion following a 31% surge in the company's shares in response to robust quarterly earnings. Additionally, other billionaires have indirectly benefited from the AI boom. SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son's net worth has risen by $3.7 billion this year, propelled by chipmaker Arm Holdings Inc.'s near doubling in value over three trading sessions, driven by strong earnings indicating increased AI spending. cloud yachts Notably, ARM is 90% owned by SoftBank. However, the magnitude of these gains has raised concerns about the sustainability of the rally. Bank of America Corp. strategist Michael Hartnett cautioned earlier this month that the rush into tech stocks bears resemblance to the dot-com bubble. For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News. In the bustling streets of Bengaluru, a unique and heartwarming feature has taken the spotlight in the Namma Yatri app, aiming to foster a stronger sense of community among auto-rickshaw drivers. This innovative addition allows users to send birthday wishes to their auto drivers, adding a personal touch to their daily commute. Aptly named the 'cool' feature, it celebrates the drivers' special day and acknowledges their contribution to the city's transportation ecosystem. This gesture symbolizes the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in a city known for its tech-savvy population and vibrant culture. As Bengaluru continues to evolve as a cosmopolitan hub, initiatives like these underscore the importance of human connection amid technological advancements. The Namma Yatri app's 'cool' feature facilitates smoother rides and fosters camaraderie, making every journey an opportunity for meaningful interactions. What Is This Namma Yatri App In Bengaluru? 'Cool' feature on Bengaluru's Namma Yatri app wishes birthdays to auto drivers | Image: X Namma Yatri stands as India's pioneering app for open mobility auto reservations. It represents a community-driven effort to enhance the convenience and affordability of auto rides. Developed and backed by tech enthusiasts and visionary thinkers from Bangalore, it embodies a commitment to crafting a sustainable, inclusive, and accessible solution for transportation. Namma Yatri App In Bengaluru Has A Special Feature For The Auto-Rickshaw Drivers 'Cool' feature on Bengaluru's Namma Yatri app wishes birthdays to auto drivers | Image: X In a time where technology seamlessly integrates into everyday existence, Bengaluru's 'Namma Yatri' application is reshaping the discussion about auto rickshaw services within the city. Renowned for its inventive strategies to improve user satisfaction, Namma Yatri has unveiled a touching feature enabling passengers to extend birthday wishes to their auto-rickshaw drivers, enhancing their experience. The user's social media post caption expresses surprise and admiration for the discovery of a feature on the Namma Yatri app, emphasizing its cuteness. The screenshot showcased the app's notification of "Drivers Birthday!" accompanied by the driver's name and a button allowing users to send birthday wishes. Where Can You Check The Post? You can check out the post on X posted by @NehalMisra. i had no idea this feature existed SO CUTE ACTUALLY pic.twitter.com/daQjSFw8hB Nehal (@NehalMisra) February 16, 2024 How Did The Internet React? The post has accumulated more than 97,000 views and has ignited a surge of favorable responses from users on social media. Feedback from individuals within the city echoed similar sentiments, with numerous compliments describing the feature as "adorable," "fantastic," "impressive," and "exceptionally heartwarming." Internet reacts to 'Cool' feature on Bengaluru's Namma Yatri app wishes birthdays to auto drivers | Image: X Internet reacts to 'Cool' feature on Bengaluru's Namma Yatri app wishes birthdays to auto drivers | Image: X What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. The intersection of tradition and modernity often sparks debate, as evidenced by a recent incident in Uttar Pradesh, India. A groom, amidst the grandeur of a traditional baraat procession, diverted from conventional festivities to appear for his police constable exam. This unconventional move garnered mixed reactions on social media, with some netizens applauding the groom's commitment to his career, while others criticized it as ostentatious. The juxtaposition of a joyful celebration with the solemnity of a professional examination highlights the evolving priorities of contemporary society. This incident prompts reflection on the significance of personal ambition in the face of cultural expectations, as well as the role of social media in shaping public opinion. In a digital age where every action is scrutinized, this groom's decision sparks a broader conversation about the balance between tradition and progress in an ever-changing world. What Did This Groom Do In UP? Groom from UP arrives with baraat to take police constable exam | Image: Instagram A bridegroom from Uttar Pradesh surprised many when he went to an examination center instead of heading to his wedding ceremony to take the UP Police constable exam. Accompanied by his wedding procession, he arrived at the center adorned in traditional wedding attire with henna-decorated hands. His unconventional move has garnered attention online, with his photo circulating widely. The news was shared on the official All India Radio News handle, recounting how the groom halted his procession to prioritize his career over marriage. Groom from UP arrives with baraat to take police constable exam | Image: Instagram Welcomed by police personnel, he expressed his belief in the importance of his professional aspirations. Following the exam, he departed directly from the center and his wedding party. The police personnel stationed at the center bid him farewell, wishing him success in his endeavors. Where Can You Watch The Viral Picture? You can watch the viral picture on Instagram posted by All India Radio News. How Did The Internet React? The event drew widespread attention online, eliciting responses from internet users. While some praised the groom's commitment, others criticized it as a mere display, suggesting he could have changed his clothes before heading to the exam center. One commenter remarked, "It only takes 2 minutes to change attire." Another user expressed, "With 67 thousand posts up for grabs and 48 lakh forms submitted, those who marry might face unemployment. Hard work like this may offer some solace." Internet reacts to Groom from UP arrives with baraat to take police constable exam | Image: Instagram Internet reacts to Groom from UP arrives with baraat to take police constable exam | Image: Instagram What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. A 65-year-old clergyman, identified as Timothy Adedibu, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command, for allegedly defiling a nine-year-old girl in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the horrible development happened on February 15, after the uncle of the survivor raised the alarm over the incident. The suspect, who was believed to be the leader of a church in the community, reportedly lured the minor into his apartment at some point and had carnal knowledge of her. READ MORE: Victims Mother Didnt Show Up Police On Why Costumier Who Raped 10-Year-Old Girl On Set Was Released Confirming the incident to newsmen on Sunday, the state police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, said that the pastor had been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing. She said: The pastor has been arrested. The family was issued forms to allow the survivor to have a medical examination and treatment. All the parties will be transferred to the headquarters for further investigation.A 65-year-old clergyman, identified as Timothy Adedibu, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command, for allegedly defiling a nine-year-old girl in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state. The Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have voiced their disagreement with Pope Francis, the leader of the worlds nearly 1.4 billion Roman Catholics stance on blessing same-sex couples. They conveyed their concerns during the opening of the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Abuja, while expressing that it could be interpreted as endorsing same-sex marriage within the Church. President of the CBCN, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, highlighted that the recent declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has caused distress among the bishops. While the declaration prohibits liturgical blessings for same-sex couples, it suggests pastoral blessings for couples in irregular situations, including same-sex couples. This has led to mixed reactions globally, with many bishops and faithful rejecting the notion of blessing same-sex unions. Ugorji however emphasized the bishops commitment to upholding Church teaching based on Scripture and Tradition, which prohibits blessing same-sex couples due to the grave depravity of homosexual acts. He stressed the importance of teaching the faithful about repentance and Gods unconditional love for sinners. His words: We must sincerely admit that the Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans (On the Pastoral Meaning Blessings), issued on 18th December, 2023, by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has added to our pains. READ ALSO: Reason Africans Dont Accept Homosexuality Is Understandable Pope Francis It further stressed that such pastoral blessings should not be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them nor can it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding. Given the ambiguities in the Declaration, the document quickly aroused mixed reactions of acceptance, sceptical reserve and outright rejection from Episcopal Conferences and individual Bishops across the world. In the midst of this confusion and pushback, we must, as Pastors with the pastoral task of safeguarding the deposit of faith in its purity and integrity, uphold the teaching of the Church based on Holy Scripture and Tradition. We shouldnt be conformed to this world but be transformed by renewing our minds, so we may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect. We must continue to teach our faithful that there is no possibility of blessing same-sex couples or same-sex unions in the Church in Africa. Homosexual acts are of grave depravity which are intrinsically disordered and, above all, contrary to natural law. In furtherance of our pastoral and prophetic mission, we must also continue to stress that God loves the sinner unconditionally and calls him to repentance so that he might live. An Abuja based Chef, identified as Ulagu Philemon Chukwuma, has been taken into custody by the Federal Capital Territory, Police Command for the kidnap of his employers son, Justin Nwankwo. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the 12-year-old boy was abducted on February 10, 2024, in the Jabi area of the nations capital city. In a statement released on Sunday, by the Public Relations Officer for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, disclosed that the suspect, allegedly conspired to perpetrate the crime with one McDonald Arinze. The PPRO said that Chukwuma, a domestic worker, serving as a chef to the Nwankwo family, was nabbed by officers of the Utako Police Divisional Headquarters. According to her, the police officers were following up on investigations to rescue the abducted boy. READ MORE: Police Nab Most Wanted Abuja Kidnapper After Wikes N20m Bounty, Rescue Two Victims The statement reads: Investigations by the Police revealed that the principal suspect, who has since confessed to the crime, conspired with one McDonald Arinze, currently at large, to commit the crime. The suspects had earlier forcefully obtained a cash sum of three million, nine hundred thousand naira (3,900,000) as ransom from the victims father. The arm of the law however caught up with the criminals following intensified efforts by the Police. The boy was rescued unhurt and reunited with his parents. The cash sum earlier extorted was equally recovered. Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has voiced his opposition to the idea of implementing state police as a solution to insecurity. Recall that during an emergency meeting in Abuja last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and State Governors explored the concept of state police to address the nations security challenges. Labelling it a potential catalyst for chaos, Sani warned against the likelihood of Governors deploying their partisan allies into the state police force to target political opponents. READ ALSO: Lets Have State Police, But Governors Shouldnt Be Allowed To Abuse It Arase In a series of posts via X account on Monday, Sani wrote, The governors will use the State Police to persecute the opposition, to harass non-indigenes, to rig elections, and to counter the federal police in case of conflict of interest between the federal government and the state. Most state ruling party thugs will be recruited into the state police. The socio-political commentator argued that state police would not offer any unique solutions beyond what the military, police, and civil defense agencies have already attempted. The idea that the State Police will solve all the security problems in the country is a mirage. What magic can the state police perform that the military, police, and civil defense couldnt? The State police will be an armed wing of the ruling party of each state. Its a recipe for anarchy, he opined. Chairmen of the Labour Party (LP), in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, says Julius Abure, LPs National Chairman, must step aside amid the crisis rocking the Party. According to them, stepping aside will pave way for fair and proper investigation into allegations of misappropriation of campaign funds levelled against him. The chairmen, who were led by Solomon Ndem of Plateau State, made their position known while addressing journalists in Abuja at the weekend. Oluchi Opara, LPs now suspended National Treasurer, had accused Abure of misappropriating the sum of N3.5 billion generated from the sales of nomination forms and other activities ahead of the 2023 general election. However, Abure and the Party via spokesperson Obiora Ifoh, denied the allegations. READ ALSO: Labour Party In Turmoil, Obi Should Wade Into Abures Party Funds Misappropriation Apapa Faction Moreso, they beckoned on their 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to prevail on the situation, while hailing him for calling for external auditing of LPs accounts. Commending his unflinching commitment to probity and openness, Ndem said: We stand before you with a profound appreciation for the responsiveness of HE Peter G. Obi, a stalwart in our party, for his swift action in response to the call for the external auditing of the LP accounts. This gesture underscores his unwavering commitment to transparency and the principles of the New Nigeria project. However, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where we must address certain internal matters for the sake of our partys integrity in the spirit of openness and accountability as elected chairmen of Labour Party in Nigeria, we wish to address certain concerns that have come to our attention. We are appealing to His Excellency, Peter G. Obi, Senator Ahmed Datti, and other distinguished personalities within the party to join us in requesting Barrister Julius Abure to step aside. Governor Olayemi Cardoso of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has described his job as the second most difficult in the world. According to him, the Federal Governments reform and other actions are paying off. Cardoso spoke Sunday in Abuja at the opening of the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). Speaking during the event themed, Synod on Synodality: Areas of Concern for the Church in Nigeria, expressed optimism that despite all the difficulties, there was light at the end of the tunnel. I will continue to remember that despite (my job) the second most difficult job on the face of the planet, this is really something that remains very memorable. Due to some of the recent reports from the CBN, over the last week, about $1.8bn came into the markets. As long as the country can sustain a positive trajectory, Nigeria will get out of its economic woes, and the foreign exchange market will begin to moderate itself, he said. READ ALSO: Emefieles Fiscal Policies Put CBN In Bad Light Cardoso He furthered that the apex bank will soon hold the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, where critical decisions will be made to continue making the economy more investor-friendly. Cardoso said an attempt to merge the official rate with the black market rate had been made, adding that the difference between the two is now significantly lower. There is a positive outlook on that. The positive outlook comes from the fact that the federal government and the Central Bank have made a series of reforms, which are now paying off in such a way that international investors are returning in again, he said. One of Nigerias economic advancement problems, he disclosed, is finding ways to move beyond being a consumer nation and shelf appetite for foreign goods. You have got to move as a country beyond being a consumer nation. And it is something that we, as Nigerians, have been talking about for so long, but weve not been able to actualize it. The other thing, of course, is to moderate appetite for foreign goods. And thats closely related to what I had said earlier about becoming a producer nation because, at the end of the day, many of the things you see and many of the things that bother a lot of people for foreign exchange are all essentially down to demand and supply, Cardoso said. Former Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration over consistent blames of Nigerias economic challenges on Muhammad Buhari. In a series of posts via his X account on Monday, Dalung argued that Tinubus reckless policies caused the countrys current hardship. He added that if Tinubus administration directed the same level of resources and effort of blame game towards addressing security and economic issues as they did during elections and tribunals, significant improvements could be made. He said: The attempt to change narratives of #officialABAT from dont pity me, I look for the job and got it to blaming Buhari by #BwalaDaniel #aonanuga1956 & Co travellers is uncharitable hypocrisy, #officialABAT knew all these problems, yet he snatched power and run away with it. READ MORE: Economic Hardship: No Anti-Tinubu Protest At My Palace Emir Of Ilorin Debunks Viral Video Blaming #MBuhari for economic woes cannot address the economic situation confronting the people? Can bulk trading be the only solution for #officialABAT & his economic team? The pregnant situation deserves urgent prescriptions. Hunger & high cost of living is at unbearable level. An empty stomach does not listen to the voice of the gospel; the echoes of concerns, especially traditional rulers, cannot be ignored. I lean my voice to it, #officialABAT hunger is a recipe for disaster, can you sit back at home and engage broadly if your wisdom cannot provide solutions? If #officialABAT deploys the same energy, knowledge, tactics & money during elections & tribunal to deal with Nigerias security & economic challenges, things will change. Why has the steam suddenly changed to blaming Daura? You have snatched power, oya perform your Lagos miracles. All mercenaries hired for a paradigm shift for blame game failed to explain the reckless economic policies of subsidy withdrawal without shock absorber mechanisms, floating the Naira without stimulating production, corruption & high governance cost. Is #MBuhari also responsible? All those appealing for sacrifice are dishonest, what else are the people expected to sacrifice their lives? All imperatives of survival have been snatched by #officialABAT IMF-induced economic policies. Yet the body language of the #officialABAT government is that of Owambe. Shame. The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has admonished the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration to stop scaring Nigerians with sanctions. The Partys reaction stems from the recent threat dished by Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle, against Nigerians criticizing the economic hardship and rising insecurity in the country. Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, PRPs Publicity Secretary, in a press release on Sunday, noted that attempting to stifle dissenting voices are unwarranted but also an affront to the fundamental rights of citizens to express their opinions as enshrined in the Nigerian Laws inclusive of the Nigerian Constitution as well as the democratic tenets to hold those in power accountable. While lamenting the harsh realities Nigerians are grappling with, Ishaq said the Ministers statement reveals a lack of understanding of the legitimate concerns and frustrations of the masses as well as their rights to protest which President Tinubu had for years exercised as an opposition politician. READ ALSO: Tinubu On Right Path To Return Nigeria To Greatness Despite Economic Hardship Shettima The statement added: The PRP calls on all well-meaning Nigerians to remain vigilant and resolute in their pursuit of good governance. We must remember that it is our collective responsibility to demand better governance from those who lead us. The Minister should not forget that the people of Nigeria are not mere subjects to be silenced or intimidated. They are hungry as a consequence of policies which they consider wrong, and their voices echo the urgent need for reversal of such policies to bring in good governance, transparency, and effective solutions to the myriad of issues facing them. We urge the Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle to reflect on the lessons from his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State, where his administrations failure to address the pressing issues of the state led to his rejection by the people in the last general elections. It is crucial for public officials to understand that their actions and decisions have consequences, and they must be prepared to face the music when they fall short of the expectations of the people they serve. Having stated that the Party will not be cowed or silenced by threats, PRP called on Nigerians join in the quest for a better nation. The Federal Government has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not overwhelmed by the economic challenges currently facing the nation. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in a statement on Sunday while reacting to the call for Tinubus resignation by governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Idris said that the president will continue to courageously wrestle with the wanton economic challenges the country is currently experiencing. The statement reads: President Tinubu is not and will never be overwhelmed by the current challenges the country is facing. READ MORE: Hardship: PDP Govs. Now Band Of Doomsday Vocalists Instead Of Living Up To Expectations APC He will not abdicate his responsibilities. He will courageously continue to wrestle with the challenges and surmount them, laying a durable foundation for the new Nigeria that is emerging. He has also never shied away from acknowledging the pain of ongoing reforms, and has seized every opportunity to assure Nigerians that inside the pain of the reforms lie the seeds of lasting prosperity and national development. To the PDP Governors, let us reiterate: This is not the time for distraction. It is time instead for the rolling up of sleeves, to support and complement the hard work of the President and his administration. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured Nigerians that the economic policies of the Bola Tinubu administration will soon yield positive results. It was gathered that the FCT Minister led this out on Sunday, during a thanksgiving service organised by Senator Barinada Mpigi in Koroma, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State. Wike called on Nigerians to support Tinubus economic reform policies to address the economic hardship and poverty in the country. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the event was also attended by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, among other dignitaries. READ MORE: Theyll See Fire For Fire FCT Minister, Wike Warns Abuja Kidnappers According to him, it wont be easy to turn the fortunes of the nation around in a short time frame following the bad economy inherited by President Tinubu. He said: God in His infinite mercies will continue to give us the strength to work together to support Mr President. So many people in this country hardly remember yesterday, we are in a rush, we have problem, but have you asked yourself how was yesterday? illDecisions of Mr President, if we are patient by the end of the day, we will get to where we want to get to. Some yet to be identified gunmen have reportedly attacked and killed one person, including Sylvanus Namang, the Publicity Secretary of All Progressive Party, in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State. However, a chieftain of the APC who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed Namangs death to PUNCH in Jos, on Sunday. He said: Yes, its true. We have lost our spokesman, Sylvanus Namang. From what I was told, he went to Pankshin for a burial on Saturday. Afterward, he went to buy something at an eatery in the locality. READ MORE: Plateau: Be Aggressive In Rooting Out Terrorists, Leave No Stone Unturned COAS Lagbaja To Troops Suddenly, some armed people came to the place and shot at him and one other person. He later succumbed to the injuries sustained and died. I learnt that the other victim, who is said to be a business man, also died from the gunshot wounds. Seyi, President Bola Ahmed Tinubus son, has urged Nigerians to endure the countrys economic difficulties. Even though the Tinubu-led government is trying to improve Nigeria, he said it is not pleasant to watch its citizens go through suffering that ought to have become history. In an Instagram post, the Presidents son asserted that the present generation of Nigerians will reap the benefits of the hardships that many Nigerians are experiencing. He also reminded Nigerians of a quote from his father, President Tinubu where he lamented about the burdens Nigerians are currently facing but that we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future. READ MORE: Pastor Yul Edochie Apologizes To His Church Members For Skipping Live Broadcast Service On Sunday He wrote; There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish todays difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola A Tinubu #HaveFaithinHim #NigeriaisinGreatHands #OurGenerationwillYeildthefruitsofthishardship #IStandwithOurPresident #RenewedHope #NigeriaismyHome SEE POST: The empty vault at First State Depository in Wilmington on Nov. 30, the last day of operations by a court-appointed receiver. An audit discovered that gold and silver worth at least $50 million vanished from the facility. Read more Robert Leroy Higgins Delaware gold and silver storage businesses ran out of operating funds in 2012, but, according to a federal grand jury, the West Chester precious-metals dealer was able to attract new clients and stay in business for 10 more years by stealing coins and bullion that 1,000 customers had entrusted to the vaults at his Wilmington warehouse. Higgins is due in Delawares federal court Thursday for arraignment on criminal fraud and tax charges first leveled in 2022 and amended three times, the last filed Feb. 15 after attorneys for Higgins and the U.S. attorney for Delaware failed to settle the case without a trial. If convicted on all charges, Higgins faces up to 45 years in prison. He remains free on condition that he not leave the area, said his lawyer, Jeremy Gonzalez Ibrahim of Chadds Ford. Higgins, 68, a longtime coin, bullion, and currency dealer, owned First State Depository, one of several Delaware businesses that hold precious metals for companies and individual investors. Advertisement Individual Retirement Account (IRA) rules encourage people who invest in gold and silver to use a commercial precious metals depository like First State, instead of storing the bars or coins at home, if they want to avoid taxes on those assets held for retirement. Delaware is one of the few states that dont impose a retail sales tax. Higgins also owned Argent Asset Group LLC, a precious-metals dealership, and operated the Maximus Silver Program, which offered to pay investors a fee for lending their gold and silver to others. Previous charges alleged that Higgins underreported his income to avoid taxes from 2015 to 2022 and committed fraud by lying to and stealing money from a single unnamed investor. New details contained in the Feb. 15 filing paint a picture of a more elaborate fraud involving additional victims. Beginning in 2012, Higgins found he was unable to generate significant profit to finance business operations without the improper use of customer funds, according to the Feb. 15 indictment. Rather than shutting down, Higgins called on investors to send gold, silver, and cash to buy precious metals under false pretenses that he would store, protect, and file regular valuation reports on them. Instead, Higgins misappropriated their assets, the indictment says. He used customers gold and silver, which are hard to trace once theyve been sold, to pay other investors demanding their money back. He also used it to make a payment on his companies $10 million loan to the Israel Discount Bank of New York and for his own benefit, including payments on his West Chester-area home, private schools, vacations, and at least two time-share vacation rentals in Hawaii. Higgins is also accused of sending false and misleading storage statements that fooled customers into believing he still had their assets. The new filing details such frauds against seven unnamed victims. Higgins also falsely claimed investors precious metals were insured. In the end, at least 1,000 of the 2,100 customers were missing gold and silver worth more than $50 million, according to the indictment. One of the victims, Priscilla Wallace, an Indiana marketing and advertising professional, said court-appointed receiver Kelly Crawford was able to recover a small amount of her silver deposited at Higgins Wilmington vaults but was unable to find her more valuable gold. An audit overseen by Crawford estimated the missing precious metals value at $76 million last fall, though valuations change with the rising and falling price of gold and silver in world markets. Some Delaware depositories are chartered as trust companies and file reports with state banking regulators, but First State wasnt subject to state regulation, according to Delaware officials. The company was listed as a precious-metal repository by firms that urge small-business owners, professionals, and IRA investors to buy gold, silver, and other investments. Victims in the Higgins case have identified New Direction Trust Co. and NuView Trust Co., which operate in multiple states, among the firms that listed First State as depositories for their gold and silver. Officials of both firms said they arent responsible for investors losses at vendors like First State Depository, and the government hasnt accused them of wrongdoing. Philadelphia Water Department says a proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to raise the level of dissolved oxygen in the water in the Schuylkill and Delaware River (pictured) would cost it billions to comply. Read more The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) says that a proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule to increase a clean water standard in the Delaware River would cost it $3 billion to comply a cost customers would bear. Without significant financial support from the state or federal government, that cost will be passed on to customers in Philadelphias neighborhoods through higher water bills for years to come, PWD said in a statement issued Sunday, just days before public comments close on the federal proposal. It estimates that the proposed regulations would cost customers an additional $22.17 per month on their water bills, not $1.50 per month as calculated by EPA. That comes out to about $265 a year, PWD said in the statement. PWD serves over 2 million people in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, and Bucks Counties by drawing water from the Schuylkill and Delaware and cleaning it to EPA drinking water standards. Advertisement READ MORE: Where Phillys drinking water comes from Why is the EPA proposing a new standard? In December, the EPA proposed a higher standard for levels of oxygen for the 20-mile stretch of Delaware River that flows from Philadelphia to Wilmington, the most polluted stretch of the 330-mile-long waterway. The standard for river water as it runs freely is separate from the drinking water standard, which must be made safe for direct human consumption. The EPA said that raising the level of dissolved oxygen in the water would help aquatic life thrive, including striped bass, American shad, and the federally endangered Atlantic sturgeon. It would mark the first time since 1967 that the EPA raised the bar for oxygen levels along the Philly stretch, essentially bring the Philadelphia stretch up to standards the rest of the river enjoys. A coalition of environmental groups support the increased levels as they press officials to make all rivers, including the Delaware, clean enough to be fishable and swimmable goals originally set for the mid-1980s, but still not achieved. PWD wastewater treatment plants that discharge pollution into the river are responsible for much of the lower levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. In December, agency officials said they estimated the new rule would collectively cost 20 wastewater-treatment plants that discharge into the river $137 million a year to comply. READ MORE: The Delaware River is going to get a lot better for fish in Philly Why do environmental groups want the new standard? PWD is trying to evade their responsibilities to address the pollution they are dumping into our river that is inflicting extreme harm, said Maya van Rossum, leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, which has long fought for higher river water standards. In addition, PWD is wildly misrepresenting the dire circumstance of the Atlantic sturgeon that could be driven to extinction by our generation and their actions if we do not ensure that polluting dischargers, like the city, take responsibility for the damaging impact they are having on the Atlantic sturgeon to simply breath, let alone survive, live, and to thrive. She called PWDs notice scare tactics. The EPA, under the Biden administration, is proposing to raise the current standard for dissolved oxygen to protect annual fish spawning, larval development, and juvenile development from March through October. Most summers, the Philly zone experiences low levels of dissolved oxygen, a measure of the amount of oxygen in water, which can impede fish survival. The biggest contributor to low oxygen rates is wastewater-treatment plants, particularly nine key plants along the river, including those owned by the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). The plants release treated wastewater into the river. The wastewater contains ammonia, which can come from meat, blood, urine, and cleaning products. Ammonia eats up oxygen in the river as it converts to nitrate. That leaves less oxygen for fish. If the EPA rule proposal is approved, plants operated by Philadelphia, the Camden County Municipal Authority, and Wilmington would all have to comply with new permitting overseen by the state DEPs in coming years. The plants were built decades ago without a way to get rid of the large amounts of ammonia in human waste. Philadelphia Water Department operates three wastewater-treatment plants. Its Southwest Plant is the largest discharger of ammonia into the river. The department plans this summer to start building a new $70 million facility at its Southwest Plant. But that would not solve the problem for all the pollution. PWDs caution Before we spend big, it is our responsibility to examine the science behind the regulations, weigh the increased cost of water for all Philadelphians, and ask whether increased oxygen levels are the key to protecting sturgeon, PWDs statement said. PWD suggests sturgeon can survive at current dissolved oxygen levels, and questions whether raising the level is worth the price to customers. PWD said it analyzed 5,000 sturgeon, and found they are spawning and growing in the Philly stretch of river. The agency called the EPAs proposal for dissolved oxygen overly conservative and higher than needed to support fish propagation. But the Delaware Riverkeeper Networks van Rossum, disagrees, saying PWD is justifying its failure to have upgraded to basic technology over the years, and take responsibility for its pollution. She said a line of Atlantic sturgeon that exists only in the Delaware River is threatened with extinction. It is shameful that PWD is not only looking to evade responsibility and to mislead the public with misinformation, van Rossum said. The EPA is taking public comments on the rule proposal through Tuesday. Fourth-grade teacher Takia McClendon at Bethune Elementary School in North Philadelphia. McClendon has to pick up retail shifts whenever she can to supplement her school district salary. Read more Takia McClendon adores her job as a fourth-grade teacher in North Philadelphia her funny, smart, hardworking students, the growth shes helped them achieve, the ways the kids challenge and charm her. She also thinks about leaving teaching constantly. I come here because I love this job, I love these kids, but I dont know how long I can survive, said McClendon, a career changer who came to the Philadelphia School District in 2022. The pay is just too low not to teach, just to survive. Ive made more money selling bikes and sneakers. Recent research out of Penn States Center for Evaluation and Education Policy Analysis found that Philadelphia teachers leave the profession at very high rates higher than the rest of the state, and higher than the rate at which local education schools are graduating new teachers. The study found that 20% of charter teachers and 18% of district teachers left the profession in their first year. After five years, the attrition rate dropped to 9% for district teachers but was 17% for charter teachers. READ MORE: Where are Phillys teachers going? Heres what new research on city educators leaving the profession says. Advertisement The Inquirer spoke to three Philadelphia educators who are considering leaving or have already made their decision to go. Here are their stories. These students are me McClendon came to teaching after a career as a buyer and manager of a specialty running store. When an injury made running difficult, she began imagining other paths. She reached out to a favorite teacher from middle school, now an elementary school principal, to see how life experience and a political science degree might parlay into a teaching job. Aliya Catanch-Bradley, principal of Bethune Elementary in North Philadelphia, brought her former pupil in one day to shadow teachers at her school. McClendon was hooked. I said, I love it here, what do I have to do to become a teacher? McClendon remembers. She said, Do you want a job? Catanch-Bradley wasnt kidding; she guided McClendon through enrolling in a graduate education program and obtaining an emergency teaching certification, and promised to support her through learning the ins and outs of the profession, promises shes made good on. Her principal calls McClendon an absolute rock star, with data to support it, and said she wants to do whatever it takes to keep McClendon in education and at Bethune. Teaching isnt easy her Bethune students tested her at first, assuming McClendon was going to leave like the teachers before her but once she earned their trust, they were all in. Though McClendon is only two years into teaching, her students have shown tremendous growth on state exams. Some of McClendons students came to her performing on kindergarten level, and now theyre caught up or nearly caught up to fourth-grade levels. I bought them doughnuts yesterday I said, You did so well on the test. Its only going to get better, she said. And she loves the relationships she has with her students: the way they talk about Pokemon together and identify with McClendon, who also grew up in the city and attended public schools. I love this, Im living the dream. These students are me. But the dream feels unsustainable; in Philadelphia, starting teachers are paid $51,568 annually. McClendon is 35 and has a mortgage, and has to pick up retail shifts whenever she can to supplement her district salary. I really want to make it to five years and 10 years, McClendon said, but Im not sure I can afford to. The only thing left that I can control Maddie Luebbert, 30, doesnt want to do a job half-heartedly. So the seven-year veteran, a respected teacher at Kensington Health Sciences Academy, is quitting at the end of the school year. I finally got to a point where I realized that this is the only thing left that I can control. Its the biggest cause of stress, said Luebbert, who realized that they never felt fully rested, not even after summers away and holiday breaks. Until this school year, Luebbert taught English, a subject that requires high school students to take standardized tests. And it felt like every year, there was a new requirement that was presented as the top priority, with nothing else being taken away STAR tests, social-emotional lessons, small-group instruction with big classes and kids at wildly different reading levels. Students who already had complicated lives came back post-COVID with heavier burdens, and classroom management was more difficult, Luebbert said it wasnt the students fault, but theres a price for the adults who teach them. Ive felt like my job is impossible, and I do work in a place that I really love with an administration that is very respectful and supportive, said Luebbert. I have colleagues that I love and trust, and great relationships with students. I dont know how people in bad situations do it; I was barely hanging on in the ideal type of situation. Luebbert, who has been an advocate for LGBTQ issues and the districts policy around transgender and nonconforming students, was relieved when they submitted paperwork to leave after this school year finishes. (And knows they were lucky to be able to do so; their partner has a good job with health insurance.) But the act felt bittersweet, especially for a member of a family that includes three district teachers. Im not happy to make this transition; I wanted to do this job for a long, long time, but its just not something thats been sustainable, said Luebbert. I really think especially since 2020, almost any teacher would be ready to quit if they could. Luebbert is leaving the door open to potentially return someday. But for now, theyre looking forward to low-stress work. My dream job right now is walking dogs, Luebbert said. Theres not a lot of emotional commitment. Now that theyll have a less demanding schedule, theyve applied for a volunteer position that would work alongside dog walking: a school board position. Theyre uniquely qualified to make policy decisions about issues that affect the system, they said. And lets be honest, they said, its not going to be harder than being a teacher. Not set up for me to be at my best The educator was hired to teach one subject at a Philadelphia neighborhood high school, and spent weeks planning lessons over the summer. When he reported to work, he found out he was teaching an entirely different subject. And though hes relatively new to teaching, hes felt unsupported, with crucial questions unanswered. His administrators often mentioned punitive measures. You wont provide me feedback on my curriculum, but you will write me up for being late on my lesson plans? This is so not set up for me to be at my best. I feel like Im on my own, said the teacher, 28, who asked not to be identified, for fear of reprisal. My experience this year is a culture of squeezing water from a rock, like if were all just a little bit harder on the person underneath us, maybe the results will be better. Theres not a lot of grace thats given to educators. The teacher came to teaching post-COVID because I wanted to make an impact that was really obvious. First, he taught at a charter school, then spent time at a district magnet, covering another teachers leave. This year was supposed to be a fresh start at a place where the teacher wanted to put down roots. Instead, hes starting to look for other jobs in private schools, in districts outside Philadelphia, even outside teaching. I want an environment where Im treated with a basic level of decency, the teacher said. I have those avenues open. Teacher attrition is particularly high at charters, especially among educators in their first five years; hes not sure he wants to go down that path again. A lot of charters have turnover cultures, and Im very tired of moving schools all the time, the teacher said. I know there are great charters out there, and Im not categorically opposed, but Im really wary of somewhere that doesnt have good strategies for retention. Husband and wife sushi chefs Josef and Evie Sutiono interact with diners during lunchtime at the Virtua Voorhees Hospital cafeteria as they prepare made-to-order rolls. Read more Please dont judge me, but I like to eat lunch at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees. They have the best sushi and its cheap. An anonymous writer posted that in the South Jersey Food Scene Facebook group. It was followed by more than 700 responses, the vast majority positive. They had the best chicken fingers when I had my son! one poster wrote. I still talk about it almost 17 years later! I was there a year ago for surgery, another wrote, when I was on my way to an MRI the transport guy told me to try the cheesecake before I left. It was the best recommendation I got at Virtua! Advertisement Their soups are TOP NOTCH too! You can buy it by the quart to take home! Was it really that good, we wondered? We needed to know for ourselves. We also needed some critics who would not hold back: Kristens son Kieran, a 10-year-old culinary connoisseur, and his 7-year-old brother, Julian, who has a less adventurous palate, but is bracingly honest. The sushi chefs who inspired this quest, Evie and Joe Sutiono, dont work weekends, so we missed them on our first visit. Our second time, they were on vacation. Our third visit was during what is usually their regular hours, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. There was no sight of them when we got there near opening time. But we spotted them setting up a few minutes later, and Virtua sushi would be ours! During three visits, we managed to try all of the highlights. Most of the food was far better than we expected from a cafeteria, especially one in a hospital. And most of it was a great bargain. (One of the highlights is its so cheap, said Kieran, who was not paying.) For instance: a giant salad with fresh ingredients was $2.38. On one trip, four of us ate main dishes, sides and dessert for $35.64, with leftovers to take home. Facebook was right: the chicken fingers are divine, not overly breaded or fried into submission. Julian was a major fan. Were coming here for my birthday, he said. This food is way better than my school cafeteria. The grill master carefully prepped an herbed chicken sandwich, cooking it apart from the burgers, placing it carefully in an open-faced container to keep the vegetables cool and crisp. Desserts were another highlight, dotted with real whipped cream piped from a pastry bag, not thrown on with a spoon Ellen enjoyed the double-chocolate cake, deemed full of flavor, but not in-your-face sweet, and Kieran rhapsodized about the German chocolate cake, especially its filling. The pizza was quite good not the best wed ever had, but miles better than than the generic pizza you can find in many strip malls and Philly street corners. I wouldnt call this warm, but its good, Ellen said, digging into a thick corner piece of Sicilian pizza with sausage, onions, mushrooms, peppers, and bacon. Thats a pretty succinct distillation of the Virtua experience: elevated hospital cafeteria food, but still served in a hospital cafeteria, where the main objective is convenient nourishment, not necessarily presentation. Still, Fred Cerne was more than pleased with his Virtua cafeteria experience. On a recent weekday, Cerne grabbed sushi rolls for himself and his wife, Regina, who had given birth to their son Dimitri hours before. The first thing Cerne heard about Virtua when he moved to West Deptford from Florida was that it was a good place to have a baby. The second thing, he said, was that the food at the cafeteria is amazing which is a really weird thing to hear about a hospital. They definitely didnt lie. It is way better than I expected. And what about the sushi that inspired this quest? It was fresh and good, ranging from $5.39 for a veggie roll to $10.99 for the combinations. When we went, most of the offerings were in the $8-$10 range and were specialty rolls. Kieran though his Philadelphia roll was good but standard. Ellens TNT roll was filling enough for an entire dinner for under $10. But she prefers simpler sushi where the fish can shine. The cafeteria is small but comfortable. There is plenty of seating and no one will give you the side eye if you come in off the street and head immediately over to eat. If you work in an office with an upgraded cafeteria, as Kristens husband Garrick does, it may be similar to what youre used to. But for anyone spending a good deal of time at Virtua, or looking for a fresh salad that doesnt cost $15, its a great option. If you go Virtua Voorhees Hospital, 100 Bowman Dr., Voorhees. Park in visitor lot A. Ask for a cafeteria pass at the security desk in the lobby. The cafeteria is to the left and down a short walkway. Inquirer photographer Tom Gralish contributed to this article. Jefferson Medical College opened in 1824 as one of the first medical schools in the U.S. Two hundred years later, Jefferson has grown into a sprawling enterprise that includes a university, a health insurance business, and more hospitals than any other health system in the Philadelphia region. Jefferson Health is poised to keep growing as it now launches bicentennial year celebrations. Jeffersons recently announced preliminary agreement to acquire Lehigh Valley Health Network expands its reach from 17 to 30 hospitals, stretching from South Jersey to Scranton. By number of hospitals, Jefferson will rank among the nations 20 largest nonprofit health systems. READ MORE: A timeline of Jeffersons acquisitions since 2015 Jefferson is also opening a new Center City medical tower, planning bicentennial galas, and has pledged to provide 200,000 hours of volunteer work in the region. Advertisement The Inquirer spoke to CEO Joseph Cacchione about the future of the institution and the challenges that come with growth, and how his vision for connecting health-care services to the university extends to fashion design. Responses were edited for clarity and length. Big anniversaries are exciting for institutions, but why should the public care about Jeffersons bicentennial? The fact that we are 200 years old means that weve been here and we are going to stay here. Were committed to this community. Jefferson is no longer just a stand-alone medical school. What is Jefferson at 200 years? Its a three-legged stool. Its the health plans. Its the university. Its the health system. And all three of those, we have to make sure theyre working in top order. But where we think theres a real difference, and where we can really be differentiated, is where the three work together and how they work together. The health system has grown a lot, from three hospitals in 2015 to potentially 30 soon. How does this kind of growth impact the day-to-day? Jefferson grew so quickly. I think that, really, the problems that come with such rapid growth are cultural. Do you have an aligned culture? So were doing a lot of work today on aligning the culture around the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Thats probably the most important thing. And then really making sure that the organization doesnt compete with itself. READ MORE: Jefferson Health lost $48.7 million in first half of fiscal 2024. Thats a big improvement from last year. And were trying to be as efficient as possible to deliver the highest quality of care. I think its a responsibility today to be stewards of our health care resources and our health care dollars. Its not just more, more, more. More is not always better. You talk about aligning culture. What is the Jefferson culture? It starts with the [volunteer] stuff we are doing today. This commitment that were here to improve lives and its not just about profitability. The culture that we want is people [working at Jefferson] are empowered to solve problems. When they see a problem that doesnt look right, or they see a problem confronting a patient, they can solve that problem. We want make them feel that they can make the difference. Dont need to run it up the flagpole and ask Joe Cacchione if we can go out and do the right thing. READ MORE: Chair of heart surgery leaving Jefferson for Tower, trading prestige for the ability to have an impact The chair of cardiothoracic surgery is moving to the smaller Tower Health, saying he felt Jefferson became too large for him to make a difference. Does that concern you? Im not going to comment. But I will tell you, our chairs, by and large, are in a really good place right now and they feel more empowered now than they felt in a long time. Whenever someone leaves an organization, I dont try to get inside their head. What is the role of the university in the three-legged stool? The medical school is very important to our academic mission, as an academic health system. In addition, we are committed to the entire university. We have pipeline programs, not only in medicine. In nursing, for example, in the last two years, we graduated almost 1,000 nursing students, and we hired almost 600 of them into our facilities. So our nursing shortage is much less, and we have only a small number of contract nurses. READ MORE: Meet Said Ibrahim, the new dean of Jeffersons medical school Even some of our majors that are not traditional health care majors, they do have a relationship with our health-care innovations. Our fashion design school is designing clothing for the chronically ill. Those are the kind of things that the undergraduate university brings to the table. Most health system CEOs dont have a fashion design program as part of their portfolio. My wife gets a good chuckle out of that. Former labor leader John Dougherty and his lawyer Gregory J. Pagano speak with reporters after his conviction on charges of stealing from the union he led for nearly 30 years outside the federal courthouse in Center City in December. Read more Some of ex-labor leader John Doughertys closest allies could be headed to federal prison if prosecutors get their way this week during sentencing hearings for three of his codefendants in his $600,000 union embezzlement case. Michael Neill a former top official at Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the union Dougherty led for nearly 30 years will be first to face the judge on Tuesday. Government lawyers are pushing to put him behind bars for up to two years. Marita Crawford, the unions former political director, and Doughertys former assistant and driver, Niko Rodriguez, are set to learn their fates in the following days, with prosecutors recommending sentences of up to six months for both. Consciously, deliberately and over the course of several years all three abused the trust of union members by stealing from them to line [their] own pockets, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bea Witzleben and Frank Costello wrote in court filings last week urging U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl to impose significant prison terms. Advertisement But lawyers for each of the Dougherty codefendants aim to convince the judge that probation alone would provide punishment enough. READ MORE: Whos who in former labor leader John Doughertys union embezzlement case The sentencing hearings come as Dougherty the man who transformed Local 98 from a once-sleepy union local into an electoral powerhouse and the states most powerful force for organized labor is gearing up to face another trial on felony charges in March, his third in the span of as many years. The first, in 2021, already sent former Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon to prison on bribery charges. Jurors in the second trial, which wrapped up in December, found Dougherty guilty of many of the same crimes for which Neill, Crawford, and Rodriguez will be sentenced this week. But while those who stood by Dougherty for decades could be headed to prison, he remains free on bail. He wont be sentenced until May at the earliest after the conclusion of his next trial, Schmehl has said. Still, this weeks hearings could deliver some insight into how severely the judge intends to punish Dougherty once his sentencing date arrives. READ MORE: John Dougherty trial: Day-by-day updates For instance, the 3 -year sentence Schmehl gave Henon last year for selling the powers of his office to Dougherty in exchange for a $70,000-a-year union salary was less than half of the eight years prosecutors sought. Should Schmehls sentences for Neill, 57, Crawford, 54, and Rodriguez, 32, also fall significantly below prosecutors recommendations, that could indicate the judge is open to giving Dougherty a similar break. All four have been convicted of raiding Local 98s coffers for years to pay for personal expenses ranging from pricey home repairs to mundane purchases of groceries and household goods. But there are significant differences in the legal positions of Dougherty and his codefendants. Neill, Crawford, and Rodriguez all pleaded guilty before trial decisions theyll receive credit for in the sentences they ultimately receive. And each of them was accused of stealing far less than Dougherty. During Doughertys trial last year, prosecutors presented evidence showing the former labor leader routinely rang up personal expenses on his Local 98 credit cards, billed union accounts for home repairs worth tens of thousands of dollars, and put family members on the payroll, often paying them for work they did not do. READ MORE: Johnny Doc spent thousands on his friends and family with Local 98 money. Heres what he bought. Whats more, as the longtime head of the union, government lawyers argued, he bore greater responsibility for the money Local 98s members contributed from their earnings and entrusted him to manage. In Crawfords case, by contrast, prosecutors are seeking to hold her responsible for less than $12,000 in misspent funds money that went toward expenses like birthday dinners, hair and makeup services, and a hotel stay during a trip to watch the 2015 Belmont Stakes. They also acknowledged that in many instances, it was Dougherty, with whom Crawford was romantically involved at the time, who instructed her to bill the costs to the union. Rodriguez, meanwhile, has admitted to spending much of his workday at Local 98 running personal errands for Dougherty and using the labor leaders union card to buy more than $1,000 of items for himself, including groceries, home goods, baby supplies, Christmas decorations, and a mattress. Though they did not excuse Rodriguezs crimes, prosecutors, in their sentencing recommendation last week, all but put the blame for them on Doughertys shoulders. Rodriguez was a young man with an unblemished record who was likely under the sway of Dougherty, a man who was not only the uncle of a childhood friend, but the powerful head of a powerful union, they said, asking Schmehl to sentence him somewhere on the low-end of a range of zero to six months. Of the three, Neill, the former head of Local 98s apprentice training program, stands apart both for the more significant leadership role he held within the union and the amount of money hes admitted to stealing from his members. Hes acknowledged spending nearly $93,000 of union cash to pay for repairs to his South Philadelphia home, a building he co-owned with Local 98s former president Brian Burrows, and Docs Union Pub, a Pennsport bar in which he, Burrows, and Dougherty held a financial interest. He also billed the union for renovations at the home of his secretary, with whom he was romantically involved, witnesses testified at Doughertys trial. And yet, he is facing sentencing for only the six counts of union embezzlement, tax fraud, and theft from a union employee benefit plan to which he pleaded guilty in 2022, limiting his recommended punishment range under federal sentencing guidelines to 18 to 24 months. Dougherty, meanwhile, will have been convicted of at least 74 felony counts, including those from the embezzlement scheme and his bribery case with Henon when it comes time for his sentencing in May. And that number could grow, depending on the outcome of his March trial, in which he faces 20 more counts including conspiracy and extortion. There is no need to imprison Mr. Neill, his attorney Joseph P. Capone wrote in a memo to the judge Friday. His lone foray into criminal conduct is only an isolated occurrence. Like lawyers for Crawford and Rodriguez, Capone has urged Schmehl to let his client off with no prison time at all, arguing that the publicity and collateral consequences of their convictions have already punished them enough. All three have submitted dozens of letters from family members, fellow union members, and supporters attesting to their otherwise good characters and their commitment to community service. Among those who have pledged their support are some notable names, including City Councilmember Michael Driscoll, who was elected to replace Henon in 2022, and former Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery, who stepped down from his post in 2014 following a pornographic email scandal. McCaffery wrote Schmehl to vouch for Crawfords lifelong commitment to strengthening the representation of organized labor in Pennsylvania politics. Her hard work and dedication to ensure political victories for candidates who share her solid blue-collar, working-class values, McCaffery said, has helped shape Pennsylvanias landscape for decades to come. She and the others will find out later this week just how much weight such words hold with the judge deciding their fate. Municipal workers, right, follow the orders of the authorities and take away flowers brought by people to pay tribute to Alexei Navalny from the Memorial to Victims of Political Repression in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. Read more The widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny vowed on Monday to continue his fight against the Kremlin, while authorities denied his mother access to a morgue where his body is believed to be held after his death last week in an Arctic penal colony. With her voice cracking at times in a video posted on social media, Yulia Navalnaya accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of killing her husband in the remote prison and alleged that officials refusal to hand over the body to her mother-in-law was part of a cover-up. Russian authorities said that the cause of Navalnys death Friday at age 47 is still unknown and the results of any investigation are likely to be questioned abroad. Many Western leaders have already said they hold Putin responsible for the death. Navalnys death has deprived the Russian opposition of its most well-known and inspiring politician less than a month before an election that is all but certain to give Putin another six years in power. It dealt a devastating blow to many Russians, who had seen Navalny as a rare hope for political change amid Putins unrelenting crackdown on the opposition. Advertisement Navalny had been imprisoned since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from a nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin. He received three prison terms since his arrest, on a number of charges he has rejected as politically motivated. READ MORE: Alexei Navalny, galvanizing opposition leader and Putins fiercest foe, died in prison, Russia says They are cowardly and meanly hiding his body, refusing to give it to his mother and lying miserably while waiting for the trace of poison to disappear, Navalnaya said, suggesting her husband might have been killed with a Novichok-style nerve agent. She urged Russians to rally behind her to share not only the grief and endless pain that has enveloped and gripped us, but also my rage. She continued: The main thing that we can do for Alexei and ourselves is to keep fighting. ... We all need to get together in one strong fist and strike that mad regime. On Monday, Ivan Zhdanov, the director of Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation, said Navalnys body would not be given to his mother for 14 days while a chemical examination of it takes place, according to a Russian investigator. Navalny spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said the Investigative Committee, the countrys top criminal investigation agency, informed Lyudmila Navalnaya that the official probe into the death had been extended. They lie, buy time for themselves and do not even hide it, Yarmysh posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. READ MORE: Trudy Rubin | Vladimir Putin killed Alexei Navalny. It is a stark warning to the West. With authorities offering no more information on the death after the brief initial statement, many Russians speculated about what might have happened to Navalny. Independent Russian outlets released reports attempting to shed light on his death. Some called into question the official narrative but their reports were not possible to verify. In Brussels on Monday, Navalnys widow met with European Union foreign ministers and other officials. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc was mulling sanctions against Russia and he also called for an independent international investigation into the causes of Navalnys death. He said responsibility for Navalnys death lies with Putin himself, but we can go down to the institutional structure of the penitentiary system in Russia, to impose asset freezes and travel bans. President Joe Biden said Monday his administration is also considering imposing additional sanctions on Russia. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski described Navalnaya as very dignified, very composed, and urged his EU counterparts to act on Navalnayas request that the bloc impose sanctions on more of Putins backers, beyond the oligarchs and other senior Russian officials already being targeted. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov slammed the accusations from Western leaders as boorish and inadmissible. Those statements cant do any harm to the head of our state, but they certainly arent becoming for those who make them, Peskov said in a call with reporters. Yarmysh said that Navalnys 69-year-old mother and his lawyers were not allowed into the morgue in Salekhard, the capital of the Arctic Yamalo-Nenets region, on Monday morning. The staff didnt answer when they asked if the body was there, Yarmysh said. Asked when Navalnys body could be handed over to his family, Peskov responded that the Kremlin was not involved in those proceedings, adding that the official probe was continuing in line with the law. Observers said that the law allows authorities to keep the body for a long time if the investigation is ongoing and block any requests for an independent forensic study. Navalnys ally Ivan Zhdanov denounced the Russian authorities as lackeys and liars. Its clear what they are doing now covering up the traces of their crime, he wrote Monday. Since Navalnys death, nearly 400 people have been detained by police in Russia as they streamed to ad-hoc memorials and monuments to victims of political repression with flowers and candles to pay tribute to Navalny, according to OVD-Info, a group that monitors political arrests. The U.S. and British ambassadors also mourned Navalnys death at a memorial in Moscow. Authorities cordoned off some of the memorials across the country and were removing flowers at night, but they kept appearing. Over 50,000 people have submitted requests to the Russian government asking for Navalnys remains to be handed over to his relatives, OVD-Info said. Russias Federal Penitentiary Service reported that Navalny felt sick after a walk Friday and became unconscious at the penal colony where he was being held. An ambulance arrived, but he couldnt be revived, the service said. After the last verdict that handed him a 19-year term, Navalny said he understood he was serving a life sentence, which is measured by the length of my life or the length of life of this regime. In her video statement, Navalnaya said: By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me, half of my heart and half of my soul. But I still have the other half, and it tells me that I have no right to give up. I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny, she declared. Rendering of the planned new Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center. The new visitor center is one of several projects the State Park Service is undertaking ahead of the United States Semiquincentennial Anniversary, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 2026. Read more New Jersey expects to start prep work this month on a new $14 million visitor center for Washington Crossing State Park that would be built into the landscape overlooking the Delaware River and feature a green roof and multipurpose theater. The new visitor center, designed with the shape of a leaf as inspiration, will be in a location chosen to be closer to an overlook of the river into Pennsylvania. State officials have not announced plans for what will happen to the existing visitor center and museum, with its peeling exterior paint and displays dating to the Bicentennial in 1976. The new center is one of the projects the state plans to complete for the U.S. Semiquincentennial, which will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 2026. Washington Crossing State Park spans more than 3,500 acres of Mercer and Hunterdon Counties. The current visitor center and museum is about eight miles north of Trenton, and across the river from the village of Washington Crossing in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County. Washington Crossing State Parks history and significance The area was notable in colonial times because of a ferry crossing between New Jersey and Pennsylvania that dated to about 1700. Gen. George Washington chose the location because he believed it would allow his troops to cross the river without detection. As Revolutionary War battled raged across New Jersey, Washington crossed his army safely in Pennsylvania toward the end of 1776, less than half a year after America had declared its independence. Advertisement By December, the British, which safely controlled New York, had abandoned their pursuit of the Continental Army and settled into winter quarters. Washington looked to launch a surprise attack the day after Christmas at Trenton, where the British had a garrison of 1,400 Hessian mercenaries from Germany. The attack presented severe logistical problems as Washington sought to cross three divisions of the Continental Army and land at three separate locations. About 6 p.m. Christmas Day, 2,400 men began crossing in Durham boats developed to carry iron ore. A storm and icy river made the crossing treacherous. Artillery and horses were put on ferries. Two of the crossings failed because conditions were so poor. But Washington and his troops succeeded, as depicted in the famous painting by Emanuel Leutze. At 4 the next morning, Washingtons Army marched toward Trenton, catching the Hessians off guard and forcing 900 of them to surrender. The victory was a tremendous boost to American forces, which had been stung by a series of defeats. Outlived its useful life The sprawling park that commemorates the attack draws about 444,373 visitors last year. Caryn Shinske, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the state park service, said the current building has outlived its useful life, and historic collections have outgrown the available exhibit space. Ikon 5 Architects of New York designed the new center with input from state staff, Shinske said. State officials took comments from the public and met with the Washington Crossing Park Association, Swan Foundation and the Historic Sites Council. Staff was also consulted with at other Revolutionary War historic sites such as Yorktown, Mount Vernon, and the Museum of the American Revolution. The nonprofits Crossroads of the American Revolution and American Battlefield Trust supported the design and new location of the center. The main funding comes from the states constitutionally dedicated Corporate Business Tax revenue. Additional money, directed under the administration of Gov. Phil Murphy, came from the American Rescue Plan for projects in support of the Semiquincentennial. Workers will begin preparing the new site this month. Once the new visitor center is built, the existing center will be closed and its contents moved to the new building. Construction bids for the new center are due March 26, 2024. Officials say a highlight of the new center will be the Crossing Theater, described as an immersive experience where visitors will stand on a ferry boat with video reenactment of the crossing of the Delaware River playing on the exhibit walls. The new center will include a separate 125-seat multipurpose theater, a gallery for temporary exhibits, a welcome lobby and a covered outdoor terrace. Marita Crawford, former political director for Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, arrives at the federal courthouse in Center City with her lawyer, Fortunato Perri Jr., in February 2019, after she was charged alongside several union officials in an embezzlement case. Read more Hello again, court watchers. We told you wed be back and, well, here we are with a new edition of the Inside Johnny Docs Trial newsletter. This week, were headed back to federal court for the first of several sentencing hearings for the codefendants of former labor leader John Dougherty convicted of, with others, embezzling more than $600,000 from Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Prosecutors are seeking prison terms. And the sentences Marita Crawford, Michael Neill and Niko Rodriguez receive this week could give us our first glimpse of how severe Doughertys punishment might be when he faces the judge for sentencing later this year. Lets get into it. Jeremy Roebuck and Oona Goodin-Smith (@jeremyrroebuck, @oonagoodinsmith, insidejohnnydoc@inquirer.com) Advertisement If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Do you have a question about the trial? Email us back and we might answer it in our newsletter. Where things stand now Neill, Crawford and Rodriguez all close allies of Dougherty with long histories at Local 98 were charged alongside him in the embezzlement case in 2019. All three pleaded guilty in December 2022, almost a year before Doughertys case went to trial. Dougherty, who was convicted in December on federal felony charges for the second time in as many years, is gearing up for a third trial in March on extortion charges over threats he allegedly made to a union contractor who employed his nephew Greg Fiocca. U. S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl is scheduled to sentence Dougherty in May for the federal embezzlement case as well as his 2021 bribery conviction a case that sent former City Councilmember Bobby Henon to prison last year. Henon is now 10 months into his 3-year sentence but continues to appeal his conviction. Meanwhile, Sean Dougherty nephew of John, son of Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Kevin filed petitions earlier this month to challenge State Rep. Kevin Boyle for his House seat representing Northeast Philadelphia. Loyal newsletter readers might recognize his name from his uncles trial where he was one of several Dougherty family members who prosecutors said were paid by Local 98 for work they did not do. READ MORE: John Dougherty union embezzlement case: Day-by-day updates Breaking down whos who Both within Local 98 and the confines of this case, no name looms larger than Doughertys. But prosecutors have said from the start that his theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars in union funds was enabled by many close allies in key positions at Local 98 including the trio facing sentencing this week. First up on Tuesday is Michael Neill, the longtime head of the unions apprentice training program. Hes admitted he used the programs training fund to pay for more than $90,000 in renovations and repairs at his personal home, the house of a secretary with whom he was romantically involved, a building he owned with ex-Local 98 president Brian Burrows, and Docs Union Pub, the Pennsport bar he ran on the side with Dougherty and Burrows. Prosecutors want him sent away for 1 to 2 years. His lawyer is pushing for a term of probation instead. Marita Crawford, Local 98s former political director, will learn her fate Wednesday. She was the first of Doughertys allies to plead guilty in 2022 and admitted shed misspent nearly $10,000 of union money. Her expenses included a hotel stay during a personal trip to the Belmont Stakes horse races and pricey birthday dinners in 2015 for herself and Dougherty, while the two were romantically involved. She also pleaded guilty to charging her 2016 birthday dinner in South Philly to the debit card for the First Wards political action committee. Prosecutors are urging the judge to put her behind bars for up to 6 months. Her attorney says probation would be enough. Up for sentencing Thursday is Niko Rodriguez. Once a low-level Local 98 employee, he was part of a group known as the kids, who spent most of the time they were on the unions time clock running personal errands for Dougherty including driving him to and from work, making Target runs, and dropping his wife off at yoga. Hes also admitted to charging more than $13,000 worth of personal items to union credit cards like Christmas decorations, a mattress and groceries at Target for himself, Dougherty and their family members. Prosecutors say he deserves less prison time than Crawford. And you may be sensing a theme here his lawyer thinks probation would punish him just fine. READ MORE: Johnny Docs allies are facing prison time this week at sentencing hearings for stealing from Local 98 What theyre saying Defense lawyers have submitted letters from dozens of supporters including some recognizable names hoping to convince the judge of Neills, Crawfords and Rodriguezs characters and that theyre serious about making amends. Here are some highlights: Throughout her career, Marita Crawford has been a tireless voice for the working class in Pennsylvania. As someone who supports labor, I believe it to be of the utmost importance that Ms. Crawford remain in a position of advocacy for this vital segment of our society. Retired Montgomery County Judge Joseph P. Walsh I have never known Marita to be unethical or to cross the line. As they say, Marita is a solid citizen who can be trusted to do the right thing. Former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Seamus P. McCaffery, who stepped down amid a pornographic email scandal and ethics investigation in 2014 Mike [Neill] was the true champion for admitting and training hundreds perhaps thousands of local men and women in a key construction trade. Many of these individuals would not have had this opportunity to train for a family-sustaining career without Mikes advocacy and compassion. Philadelphia City Councilmember Mike Driscoll, who was elected to replace Henon following his 2021 conviction [Niko Rodriguez] is an honest, hardworking, loving and supportive individual While this does not excuse Mr. Rodriguezs conduct, it demonstrates that he is much more than the crimes charged in the indictment. Rodriguezs attorney, Paul Hetznecker By the numbers: The cost of crime Theyre not just facing prison time. Neill, Crawford and Rodriguez could all be ordered to pay financial penalties that would put a hefty dent in their bank accounts. Lets break down the damage: More than $195,000: The amount prosecutors say Neill should have to pay in fines and restitution, including the nearly $93,000 they say he stole from Local 98 as well as a fine of up to $75,000. $21,400: What the government is seeking from Crawford to pay back the nearly $12,000 they say she owes the union and to cover a fine theyve asked the judge to set at $9,500. Nearly $23,000: The amount Rodriguez could be ordered to pay, including roughly $13,500 he owes Local 98 as well as a fine prosecutors say should approach $9,500. The legal lens Next on the docket This weeks sentencings are just the beginning as the Dougherty Docket gets back into full swing for 2024. Here are some of the key dates coming up on the calendar though keep in mind, postponements are not uncommon. March 7: Former Local 98 employee Brian Fioccas sentencing March 20: Doughertys feud with his former lawyers at Ballard Spahr continues with a scheduled hearing on conflicts of interest that he argues should overturn his convictions. March 25: Doughertys third trial begins this time on extortion charges April 16: Anthony Massa, a Local 98-favored contractor turned star government witness, faces sentencing April 30: Former Local 98 president Brian Burrows sentencing May 2: John Dougherty faces sentencing for his embezzlement and bribery convictions Keep an eye on your inbox as well be back, intermittently, to deliver the latest news. In the meantime, sign up here to receive occasional emails featuring revelatory Inquirer investigations. Thank you for reading, and well see you later. 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. The Philadelphia port is getting four new cranes, capable of unloading cargoes from the world's largest container ships. The first two cranes are ready and will arrive in March. The port signed a $23.5 million deal to buy two additional post-Panamax gantry cranes expected to be delivered in April 2019. Read more At the Port of Philadelphia, two harbor cranes, as large as any in the world, will arrive in early March. The first ship taking used-car exports will leave Philadelphia for Africa next month, and the largest ship ever to sail up the Delaware River will dock here in January with cargo from South America. Work will wrap up soon to strengthen ship berths at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. The design of new warehouses at the former Philadelphia Produce and Seafood Terminal will be completed and go out to bid. Ground will be broken on a 100,000-square-foot warehouse at the Tioga Marine Terminal in Port Richmond. Building a vehicle-processing center for Hyundai and Kia imports is also expected to begin at the Southport terminal at the Navy Yard. "Construction of the warehousing improvements will all be done in 2018, a really significant growth expansion process," said Gregory Iannarelli, senior director of business development and chief counsel for the port, known as PhilaPort. Sounds like a busy 2018. It follows on the heels of a bang-up 2017 at the port, which saw more containerized freight, more cars, more cargoes such as wood pulp, and the promise of those larger cranes, capable of unloading larger ships. The first two cranes, as big as any in New York Harbor, are on their way from Shanghai, China. Port officials recently announced the $23.5 million purchase of two additional New Panamax-size container gantry cranes, which will arrive in April 2019 and enable Philadelphia to double container cargo volumes and create jobs. The changes came after the Wolf administration pledged $300 million, the first major capital investment in four decades for terminal improvements, wharves, warehouses, and cranes. The state is landlord and owner of 16 piers and terminals on the Delaware River. Advertisement PhilaPort, which leases and manages the piers and terminals, spent $10 million in June to buy the former Produce and Seafood Terminal from Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. The 29-acre parcel at Third Street and Pattison Avenue will be used to relocate warehouses and increase container capacity at Packer Avenue. All these improvements at the port are expected to create up to 2,000 waterfront jobs, and nearly 7,000 total jobs for truckers, rail workers, suppliers, and port-related businesses over the next decade. "Right now, we can't build fast enough," said port CEO Jeff Theobald. "We have to get through this construction as quickly as possible to get those jobs going. And then move on to Phase Two. Clearly, we need more warehouse space. We're trying to look at properties available." Holt Logistics, which operates the Packer terminal for PhilaPort, has shifted empty containers, chassis, and other equipment from the main yard to a 45-acre lot next door, increasing space at the dock. Containerized cargoes are up about 20 percent over last year, said Eric Holt, vice president of sales and marketing. "The goal right now is to free up as much terminal operating area as possible, because the number of containers has grown to the point where, if we don't, we're going to become congested," Holt said. For 2017, the port is on track to reach a record in containers handled in one year. "All forecasts are indicating another exceptional year," Iannarelli said. "We have topped a half-million containers, which is the first time ever." Last year, the port handled 459,000 TEUs (20-foot-equivalent units, the standard size of international containers). "This year, we are going to handle roughly 540,000. That's pretty good growth." By another measure, the port expects 6.8 million metric tons of cargo in 2017, up from 6.2 million last year. "We exceeded all of 2016's cargo by the end of November," Iannarelli said. The goal is to position Philadelphia to attract shippers that currently go to rival ports in New York and Baltimore. Instead of retrofitting an existing terminal at Tioga, port officials shifted gears and decided to add 100,000 square feet of "food grade" warehouse space for wood-pulp shipments. Fibria Celulose, the world's largest producer of eucalyptus pulp, sends 400,000 tons of pulp from Brazil to Tioga annually. A second pulp customer, CMPC Celulosa, also ships to Tioga, and now other wood-pulp producers want to come, too. "We have a lot of interest from not only expanded Fibria volumes, but also from other customers," said Robert Palaima, president of Delaware River Stevedores, the terminal operator at Tioga. "This new warehouse will give us a lot more flexibility to really become a premier forest products distribution center in the Northeast." With the 103-mile deepening of the Delaware River navigation channel to 45 feet from 40 feet, begun in 2010, nearly completed, bigger ships are coming to Philadelphia through the expanded Panama Canal. Next month, the largest ship ever to sail up the Delaware a vessel 11,000 TEUs operated by Mediterranean Shipping Co. is scheduled to bring cargo from Chile and Peru, port officials said. More than 154,000 new Hyundai and Kia vehicles arrived at the port from South Korea as of Nov. 30, headed to dealer showrooms. The state will invest $93 million at the Southport site to build a new processing center and provide additional acreage for autos. In January, a twice-monthly shipping service will take used-car exports from Philadelphia to Tema, Ghana; Cotonou, Benin; and Lagos, Nigeria, Iannarelli said. The first ship, MV Glovis Cosmos, is due to load cars on Jan. 10. Looking to the future, the port's chief executive wants to develop a ship berth on 30 to 40 acres and 2,000 feet of waterfront at the eastern end of the Navy Yard. It would be welcome news to the International Longshoremen's Association and others, who have long wanted a marine terminal at Southport. In November 2016, the port suspended the bid process for the 195 acres known as Southport. Although six groups initially expressed interest in developing the property, five dropped out. The port required that any developer of the 119 waterfront acres had to build a wharf and two ship berths, making the project expensive about $500 million. At that time, the state was looking predominantly for private money. "I want to have a group seriously look at how we would start developing that additional berthing capability at Southport," Theobald said recently. "We have a permit already for Southport, adding a berth there. We have the ability to do it, and I don't want to lose the permitting right." Who would finance such a project? "That's a tough one, because it's a lot of money," he said. "But I think that's the next step to expand the berth capabilities" between Packer and Southport "just south of Pier 124. It's about 30 or 40 acres of land that we could use and about 2,000 feet of berth. We'll probably be dusting off our studies to see what that would cost, and how would we finance it, and who would be interested. We'll probably go down that path again. "It's a challenge, but I think there may be a way to put that deal together again," Theobald said. "It's good for the port. It's good for jobs. That's the only piece of berth that we actually have available to grow. We'll have to try to work our way to make that happen." February 19. 2024: MAGA supporter James Freeman of Philadelphia, a social media content provider, vlogs as he seeks a spot outside the Convention Center on Saturday. to get a glimpse along with a handful of other spectators of the of former President Donald Trump's motorcade. Read more As were 50 days into 2024 already, its a little late for New Years resolutions, so I wont call it that. But my featured image this week does mark a resolution of sorts and a change, so Ill explain. A few years ago I starting walking every morning in my town for exercise. Over time, the routine strolls became more than just physical exercise, as I started posting smartphone pictures on my social media of things Id see, as motivation. They became an exercise in visualization as well. Last fall I felt I was spending too much time exercising the creative part at the expense of boosting my cardiovascular fitness. I was stopping too many times to smell too many roses. So I slowed down the picture-taking and picked up my pace. (I do still take some pictures - when they call out to me.) I did resolve to start the new year off by finding a new way to continue to exercise the visualization. I was struggling to find a new inspiration, when I ended up a few hours early this month at the Capitol in Harrisburg for Gov. Josh Shapiros second budget address. I photographed the Capitol rotunda, in front of the grand staircase where the governor would later stand before a joint session of the legislature, assembled there because the usual space, the House chamber, was undergoing repairs from a water leak. I knew the photo of the empty space - beautiful as I thought is was - would be rendered moot as a news photo once the 300-some members of General Assembly, their guests, and the governor arrived. Advertisement Fortunately, last week my editor saw the value of the older image and our arts editor had the idea to annotate all the elements and features of the Joseph Miller Huston-designed Capitol that President Theodore Roosevelt called the handsomest building he had ever seen. Another image I made that morning while wandering in the building was used in color in this space last week. But it is the black-and-white version of the photo (below) that has me a new visual motivation for 2024. This will be an exciting year in politics, so while covering the news of our democracy, government and the presidential election, inspired by the idiosyncratic eye of one of my all time favorite photographers, Stephen Crowley who worked for a quarter century at The New York Times based in Washington, D.C., for the rest of the year Ill be looking behind the scene for images that are more than just people at podiums. Politics has been one of my favorite assignments over the years. Once I saw Crowleys work I have aimed to achieve something close to what his editors said when he retired, that his incisive and revealing photographs pierced the public veneer of Washington politics, bringing the viewer into the back rooms of power. And in homage to Stephen (he preferred B&W photos) and in a personal homage to the Tri-X I used back in the days of my first presidential campaigns I will be posting some of those photos on social media in B&W (and a few in this space). Thats why the photo of Mr. Freeman - who posts as REELZ6324 - featured at the top of the column this week is in B&W (the color version will appear below next week). I was not working Saturday, but had my camera as I walked to Reading Terminal Market in the afternoon. When I saw all the backed-up traffic and police cruisers blocking some of the streets around the nearby Convention Center I remembered former President Trump had announced on social media that he would be speaking at Sneaker Con Philadelphia, the convention now in its 15th year, that bills itself as showcasing the sickest kicks and the coolest streetwear. I joined the handful of supporters waiting in the windy cold on a corner on the edge of Chinatown for a glimpse of the Republican presidential candidates motorcade as he swung by for a 15-minute appearance at the event to unveil his line of gold sneakers. Trump frequently attacks Philadelphia in his speeches, holding it up as a model of Democratic failure. During the 2020 campaign, he inspired T-shirts here when he said on a debate stage in Cleveland that bad things happen in Philadelphia. The shoes, called The Never Surrender High-Top Sneaker, sell for $399 and sold out hours after their launch Saturday. Since 1998, a black-and-white photo has appeared every Monday in staff photographer Tom Gralishs Scene Through the Lens photo column in The Inquirers local news section. Here are the most recent, in color: Ballots being unfolded at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on Nov. 4, 2020. Read more Pennsylvania is preparing for whats expected to be another tumultuous presidential election cycle. All eyes will be on the key battleground state for a likely rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, and top election officials are getting ready to administer the election, guide counties through tallying votes including millions of mail ballots and combat misinformation. Theyre also bracing for a flurry of lawsuits and claims of voter fraud after the election, as happened in 2020 when Trump and some of his supporters refused to accept the results. Heres a look at how Pennsylvanias state government officials, led by Gov. Josh Shapiro and Secretary of State Al Schmidt, are prepping for the 2024 election and what is still unresolved. An election task force Shapiro, a Democrat, has assembled an election task force of law enforcement officials, lawyers, and election administration experts. Led by Schmidt, a Republican who served as a Philadelphia city commissioner during the 2020 presidential election, the task force will ensure the state is ready for anything that could threaten voters access to the polls or undermine election results, Shapiro said. Shapiro previously created a similar task force in 2020, when he was serving as attorney general, that was focused only on law enforcement and legal challenges. As governor, he said he wanted to consolidate that process among top officials. Its our responsibility to make sure that legal voters have access to the ballot box and that their votes are counted, Shapiro said in an interview last month. That work has been underway for months and were going to continue to keep at it and ensure that we have, again, a free and fair, safe and secure election. Department of State officials said last week that more details about that process would be released soon. Whats going on in the courts Some aspects of Pennsylvanias mail voting law are still the subject of pending litigation, four years after it took effect. (And so are parts of the states election code, nearly 100 years later.) The major case still being decided is whether ballots that were not hand-dated by a voter often called undated ballots should be counted. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has a hearing scheduled in that case this week, and Schmidt said he hopes a ruling will follow soon after. Advertisement Recounting votes is another issue that will likely go before the courts this year. A 1927 Pennsylvania law states that any three voters from a precinct may request a hand-recount of votes if they believe fraud or errors took place. The state Supreme Court offered some clarity last year when it ruled that petitioners requesting recounts must provide evidence of fraud, but the issue is likely to return to the courts this year. Election advocates and county officials are concerned about potential efforts to delay vote certifications by requesting recounts. Were gonna see recount petitions again, said John Jones, Dickinson College president and a former federal judge who ruled on Pennsylvanias voting law in 2020, at an election event in Lancaster earlier this month. Courts have got to be at the ready. Changes since 2020 or not The 2020 election cycle was unprecedented. It was the first time Pennsylvanias new no-excuse mail voting law was in effect, it was the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Postal Service struggled to deliver ballots on time, and Trump made unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. Since 2020, election officials (at least those that have stuck around) have administered six more elections and have ironed out issues with mail ballots. But threats to Pennsylvanias election process arent over. Guidance given to voters and counties from the Pennsylvania Department of State on how to handle mail voting led to confusion and gave rise to conspiracies in 2020, such as last-minute guidance that told counties they should notify voters if their ballot had a disqualifying error, also known as ballot curing. Most of those issues have been rectified by the courts or the legislature, and Schmidt said hell work to communicate quickly and more clearly with counties. The Department of State will do everything it can to issue guidance well in advance of Election Day, unless compelled to do so by a court decision, Schmidt said. We should do everything we can to avoid surprises or changes in close proximity to the election. Ive been very clear about that. Im a former county election administrator, I know it as well as anybody. One thing officials dont expect to change from 2020: the spread of misinformation and threats to election workers safety. Pennsylvania has not received any credible threats so far, Schmidt said, and the Department of State monitors social media so officials can attempt to debunk disinformation that could threaten voters confidence in the election. Schmidt is also familiar with threats to election workers, as he experienced them personally while running Philadelphias elections. He testified in 2022 before the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol about the threats he received due to Trumps lies about Philadelphias election process. Having gone through 2020, theres a big difference from someone naming my children and saying what theyre going to do to them and someone threatening, Youre going to get whats coming to you, Schmidt said. Big increases in voter registration Pennsylvania implemented automatic voter registration in September, and its led to a 50% increase in new registrations compared to the same period two years ago, Schmidt said. Shapiro directed PennDot to automatically register eligible voters when they get a drivers license or ID card, joining 23 other states that already have the practice. While some Republican pundits said the move was intended to register more Democratic voters, its had a different effect; theres been an almost equal number of Republican, Democratic, and independent voters so far. Its almost the perfect pie chart, Schmidt said. While the policy change is increasing the number of registered voters in the state, research on automatic registration has been indeterminate on whether it increases voter turnout. Khalid Turaani, a co-founder of the "Abandon Biden" movement, speaks during a rally Monday at Independence Mall. The group seeks to persuade Muslim voters to oppose Biden's reelection based on his support for Israel. Read more The national Abandon Biden movement on Monday launched an effort to encourage Muslim voters and allies in Pennsylvania to ditch President Joe Biden in November. Leaders of the movement, which seeks to punish Biden for supporting Israel and failing to call for a cease-fire in Gaza last year, gathered Monday at Independence Mall in Philadelphia. You have not only abandoned the American people, you have abandoned humanity, activist Hayla Solomon, 23, said at the rally. Today and moving forward, we are holding you accountable for your negligence, heedlessness, and callousness. We are abandoning you, Joe Biden. The Abandon Biden movement started when a group of organizers decided to give Biden an ultimatum in late October: to call for a cease-fire by the end of the month. The movement officially launched in Michigan in early December and has expanded to several other swing states, including Pennsylvania, a state Biden likely needs to win to beat former President Donald Trump in their expected rematch. Advertisement A group of activists and passersby listened as speakers exclaimed that theyve had enough of Biden, who they contend has helped fund genocide by giving Israel military aid as it attacks Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 29,000. Israel faces international allegations of genocide in the United Nations top court, though the country vehemently denies the characterization of its war against Hamas after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in which Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. Biden said Friday that he has pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a temporary cease-fire to retrieve hostages in Gaza, short of the permanent cease-fire activists have called for. Biden campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said Monday the president has urged Israel to avoid civilian casualties and pushed for humanitarian aid in Gaza. President Biden knows the importance of earning the trust of every community, of upholding the sacred dignity and rights of all Americans, Moussa said in a statement. President Biden is working closely and proudly with leaders in the Muslim, Arab American and Palestinian communities in America, to listen to them about a wide range of issues, stand up for them, and fight back against hate. President Biden has also expressed deep concern about the deaths of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Samer Amm, an imam at three mosques in Delaware County who spoke at the rally, said his mother is in Gaza and called Biden a killer for sending weapons to Israel. My mom, shes there, and Im paying tax, he said. Imagine my money is going to maybe kill my mother over there. Activists said that they arent promoting a Trump presidency, but rather holding Biden and the Democratic Party accountable after Muslim Americans overwhelmingly supported Biden in 2020. The organizers believe that Muslim voters and their allies can make a big enough impact on Nov. 5 to ensure Biden only serves one term. Rabiul Chowdhury, 28, cochair of the national movement and its Pennsylvania chapter, said in an interview that Muslim Americans who want to punish the president are willing to endure four more years of Trump, even though he threatened a Muslim ban and instituted restrictions on travel from Muslim-majority countries as president. One banned my community, my family, from coming in; another one is killing my family, said Chowdhury, of Ardmore, who was born in Bangladesh. ... Im willing to take the ban over being killed, putting it in simplest terms. Pennsylvanias Muslim population is small, but losing part of his 2020 coalition could cost Biden in the state that has been narrowly decided in the last two presidential elections. According to a 2014 survey by Pew Research Center, 73% of adults in Pennsylvania are Christian, while 6% are members of other religious faiths, including 1% Muslim and 1% Jewish. READ MORE: Some young Pa. voters cant bring themselves to vote for Biden this year over the war in Gaza EmgageUSA, a group that mobilizes Muslim voters, estimates the state had 167,618 Muslim voters as of 2020. While the organization says thats a 26% increase from 2016, its just under 2% of the current registered voters in the state. While Bidens handling of the conflict in Gaza has angered progressives, support for Israel is still strong in the commonwealth. A January poll from Quinnipiac University found that 26% of Pennsylvania voters say they think more favorably of Democratic Sen. John Fetterman for expressing strong support for Israel compared to 14% who say it makes them think less favorably of him. And 57% say it has no bearing on their view of him. Trump hasnt promised a friendly reception to cease-fire activists. In October, the former president said he would reject refugees from Gaza, revoke the visas of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, and reinstate a travel ban, according to the New York Times. He also called protests against Israels attacks in Gaza pro-jihadist. Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair and State Sen. Sharif Street said in a statement that he is proud to support Biden in a high-stakes election and warned of a Trump presidency. As a Muslim-American, I know that President Biden has my back and will fight for our community, Street said in a statement. While Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans threaten our way of life, President Biden has stood up to protect our reproductive rights, economic opportunity, and democracy. This is the choice we face at the ballot box this November. But activists said that theyre tired of fear-mongering about Trump from Democrats. Khalid Turaani, one of the founders of the national movement and cochair of the effort in Michigan, said its insulting. You cannot scare us with Trump, Turaani said at the rally. You cannot scare us with what potentially can happen when youre actively pursuing a genocide against the Palestinian people. Its great to see one of Australias major insurers getting behind the industry through this commitment to the ACIA, he said. It is a testament to their commitment to the long-term sustainability of the industry that Suncorp is the first insurer to become an Industry Partner of the ACIA. "We are delighted that John [John Li, director of AIB] and his team are joining Gallagher, said Sarah Lyons (pictured above), Gallaghers CEO for Australia and Asia. Their dedication to client service is a great match for us and I am sure they will flourish at Gallagher." Id like to think that our country is going to look broader than just that, said Hawkins. If we have to come up with some interim solutions over the next five to 10 years to help, before we get the benefits of investment [in prevention and mitigation], there are a number of solutions available, subsidies and other types of arrangements. With the insurance team having commenced their roles on February 5, Sweet said: This is a very exciting time to be joining Finlaysons, and Im looking forward to contributing to the growth of the Darwin office. It comes at a time when Finlaysons is about to celebrate 10 years in the Northern Territory and at a personal level, it also marks my return to the firm in which I commenced my career in private practice in Adelaide many years ago. The Crack Down on Fraud program includes a number of ICT improvements that will be implemented progressively and are designed to make it easier to get it right, and harder to get it wrong for everyone engaging with the scheme, he said. This investment is not only about catching criminals who may target Australians living with disability, but also enhancing the systems we have in place to detect and prevent fraud and non-compliant activity. Australia countrys unemployment rate the highest in two years Germany manufacturing output trending downward since 2017 Japan unexpected recession blamed on anemic domestic demand UK entered into mild recession in second half of 2023, with full-year growth at 0.1% US prices of food, car insurance, etc. went up Elsewhere, the European Union is expected to grow slower than initially forecast, while another currently devaluation is expected in Egypt amid an economic crisis. The fact that we did it deliberately was a good decision because it can be very easy to keep the momentum going and get addicted to those numbers and that consistent growth, Baillie said. I think it speaks to how we manage and lead as a company, that we can throw on the brakes because its in the organizations best interest. It ended up being one of the best decisions weve made in a long time. When you have very, very, very complex models that are finding correlations that seem to be predictive of risk and loss, are they also predictive of something else and, therefore, do you wind updisadvantaging a whole category of people, particularly people in protected categories because there is an unexplored, unexplained, unknown, unrealized correlation behind the scenes, said Birrane, chair of the NAIC Innovation, Cybersecurity and Technology Committee. This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync. We recently wrote in great detail about the different types of insurance fraud, including how to go about committing each type (just for informational purposes, of course!). Today, our focus is on the other side of the coin: what the insurance industry is doing to prevent and detect insurance fraud, particularly by using modern technology. A refresher on the cost of insurance fraud Insurance fraud isnt a victimless crime. It costs everyone from individuals and families to large businesses hundreds of billions of dollars each year. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) website: While fraud is constantly evolving and affects all types of insurance, the most common in terms of frequency and average cost include the following (data is from The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud and Colorado State University Global): Life insurance: $74.7 billion; Medicare: $60 billion; Property & casualty insurance: $45 billion; auto theft fraud totaled $7.4 billion; Health insurance: $36.3 billion; and Workers compensation: $34 billion ($9 billion from premium fraud; $25 billion in claims fraud). Source: https://content.naic.org/cipr-topics/insurance-fraud With that much money lost each year, its not surprising that insurance companies have long been investing in technology to help identify fraud, or even stop it before it happens. As early as 2012, The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud began studying how the industry was using technology to combat fraud, and publishing its findings in its biennial The State of Insurance Fraud Technology Study. Insurance fraud prevention technology in 2021 The most recent edition of The State of Insuracne Fraud Technology Study was published in 2021. It showed that among 80 respondents (representing the vast majority of all major insurers operating in the United States across multiple lines of insurance) 96 percent say they use technology to detect fraudulent claims. This number is the largest use case, by far. But there were still significant percentages of insurers using technology for identifying and preventing fraud across other areas of the business, from underwriting to catching employees in acts of internal fraud. As we eagerly await the release of the 2023 study, which we expect to show even greater levels of technological adoption across the industrys top insurance carriers, well elaborate on how insurers are using technology to identify and prevent fraud in the three most commonly reported categories across their business (according to the 2021 study). 1. Using technology to identify fraudulent claims Filing an insurance claim is the point in time when a policyholder stands to gain the most from bad behavior, like overstating bodily harm or property damage, or pocketing the payment that was intended to repair or replace the insured property. Its no surprise then that fraudulent claims are the most common type of insurance fraud. Within the category of fraudulent claims, auto claims have the distinction of having the most prevalence of fraud. For this reason, the industry has focused its efforts on using technology to identify and prevent fraudulent claims, as demonstrated by the high percentage of insurers that report this use case compared to others. So, how do they do it? Predictive analytics: Insurance carriers collect a lot of data on their policyholders and claims, and have been doing so for many years. With todays technology, they can put historical data to use and recognize patterns that indicate possible (or likely) fraud. Predictive analytics includes machine learning algorithms and statistical modeling, meaning technology can comb through millions of pieces of data and flag only the instances that are likely to include fraud. Flagged claims may include both claims that meet recognized patterns based on past (confirmed) fraud, and claims with unusual activity, patterns, or outliers that havent been seen before and need to be reviewed by an expert. By flagging potentially fraudulent claims, carriers dedicate human attention only to the reviews that need it. Social network and behavior analysis: Actions speak louder than words, right? In todays world, where almost everything you do leaves an electronic footprint, insurers can use technology to identify patterns of behavior that dont line up with a claim. The most obvious example is someone whos claimed severe injury in a car accident and is seeking compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, but then goes on an expensive vacation and posts pictures of themselves scuba diving and surfing. The person with injuries that prevent them from working is suddenly physically fit to do all sorts of things (and Tweets about it!). Whereas in the past, uncovering this type of fraud relied on expensive private investigators, modern technology allows insurers to scan social media and other publicly available data sources to flag cases where reality doesnt line up with a claim. 2. Using technology to identify fraudulent applications and underwriting fraud The entire business of insurance is based on the premise that insurance carriers can accurately assess risk and price policies accordingly. Generally, people with higher risk pay higher premiums, while pooling the risks of large populations also keeps any one person from needing to carry an excessive burden. These calculations happen in the underwriting process and rely heavily on an insurance applicant providing honest information. A 40-year-old nonsmoking female will pay less for life insurance than a 60-year-old male smoker, based on actuarial data that determines exactly how much more risk each variable brings along with it. But the entire system fails if applicants provide false information on their insurance applications. Doing so to obtain better rates, or to get insurance when someone likely wouldnt qualify at all, is a type of insurance fraud. How are insurance carriers using technology to identify and prevent it? In addition to predictive analytics and social network analysis as mentioned above, one emerging technology is based on a consumers behavior while completing an insurance application. Identifying application gaming: Imagine youre trying to get a car insurance quote online. You put in all your information, including the names and ages of all drivers, where the vehicle will be stored, and how many miles its driven each year. Then, the instant quote comes back and its way too high! So, you start making adjustments: Remove a younger driver; change the ZIP code where youll store the car; reduce the annual miles. You keep making tweaks and refreshing the quote to see how your premium changes each time. This type of premium evasion may have worked in the past, but modern technology is making it less likely to succeed. Thanks to artificial intelligence and machine learning, insurers can spot the kinds of behavior patterns that show someone may be trying to game the application. This is just one example, but across all types of insurance products, technology is keeping an eye out for indications that someones adjusting application data to achieve a specific (and favorable) underwriting decision. 3. Using technology to sniff out internal insurance fraud Insurance policyholders arent the only ones capable of defrauding an insurance carrier. Internal fraud, which means cases perpetrated by someone on the inside (i.e. insurance agents, insurance carrier employees, or insurance industry executives among others) are also a serious and costly problem. Some examples of internal insurance fraud include: An insurance agent who sells a consumer a fake policy and pockets the premium An insurance producer who conducts business without a valid license, or with a license obtained by providing false information Anyone who falsifies information to a policyholder in an attempt to get them to cancel one policy and buy another (usually more expensive) policy thats not in the consumers best interest If you think AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, and behavior analysis help stop this kind of fraud, too, youd be correct. In addition, insurance agencies and carriers may take advantage of: Text mining: An insurance agent, broker or insurance carrier employee creates a lot of unstructured data in the course of their daily job. Things like emails, video calls, notes on their desktop, or even sticky notes on their literal desktop. While technology may not be able to sweep the contents of handwritten post-its, it can look at just about everything else. Text mining, and similar practices like opinion mining/sentiment analysis, use AI to comb through massive amounts of what might seem like meaningless communication and pull out themes and patterns that can indicate fraud. The future of insurance fraud prevention Insurance fraud detection and prevention is growing increasingly more high-tech, but still relies largely on manual effort. According to the 2021 State of Insurance Fraud Technology Study, 39 percent of respondents said that more than 30 percent of the cases flagged as fraud came from an automated system, with the remaining attributed entirely to human review. While this is up from the 2018 data, that still leaves a majority of insurers relying on human fraud detection for the bulk of their cases. And it might not be because they dont want to use technology, or believe that using it would be beneficial. Insurers cite their lack of IT resources and the challenge of getting and integrating clean data as top roadblocks to using high-tech fraud prevention. Criminals never rest, so the industry has to work hard to stay one step ahead. Currently, the NAICs Antifraud Technology (D) Working Group is busy preparing to come to the table with some proposed solutions at the NAICs annual Fall National Meeting. As a subset of the larger NAIC Antifraud (D) Task Force, the Technolgoy Working Group is specifically aiming to create a digital repository of antifraud plans, and propose ways for regulators, fraud investigators, law enforcement, insurance carriers, and others to better share information to help the common cause. Speaking of connecting the industry from carriers to agencies and everyone in between If youre looking for a faster, easier, more secure way to manage the entire producer lifecycle including up-to-date information about whos compliant (or not) in every state and jurisdiction, check out AgentSync. Topics Fraud Tech Shannon Ninio, 60, of North Hills was arraigned for insurance fraud after a California Department of Insurance investigation found she and her husband, Moshe Ninio, allegedly stole customers personal information and used that information to file more than 40 fraudulent auto insurance claims and collect nearly $200,000. Moshe Ninio was arraigned on 18 felony counts of insurance fraud on Dec. 22, 2023. The Ninios son-in-law, Ivan Lebedynets, 33, of Winnetka, was also arraigned earlier this week for his alleged involvement in the scheme. The CDI began its investigation after an insurance company alleged that Moshe Ninio, owner of AT Car Rental, stole the identities of his customers to obtain auto insurance policies in their name to insure his fleet of rental cars. Shannon Ninio was also owner of the company and Lebedynets was their employee. The investigation reportedly found that when their customers would get into legitimate accidents, Moshe Ninio would file insurance claims impersonating his identity theft victims who were listed as the policyholder. While posing as that policyholder, he would allegedly claim he gave permission to a friend, who was actually the current vehicle renter, to drive the vehicle, all to disguise their rental car business. Shannon Ninio and Lebedynets also allegedly posed as policyholders for many of the claims. Between September 2018 and July of 2020, 47 auto insurance claims were filed under the fraudulent policies. The total paid loss for the claims was reportedly $192,282. During the course of the investigation, 15 individuals listed as policyholders were interviewed and the majority of the identity theft victims stated they had previously rented vehicles from Moshe Ninio, according to investigators. They also reportedly stated that they never opened any of the fraudulent insurance policies and that their personal information was used without their permission. Moshe and Shannon Ninio were arrested Dec. 21, 2023. Lebedynets self-surrendered and was arraigned on Jan. 29. All three are scheduled to return to court on April 10. The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office. Topics California Auto Fraud Claims February 19, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) A new study has identified the states that are most likely to invest in cryptocurrency, with New York being crowned as the most likely to invest. The research, conducted by cryptocurrency tax software CoinLedger, used search volume data from Google Keyword Planner to identify which states were searching the most for crypto-related terms, such as 'crypto advice' and 'crypto news'. On average, in the US, residents interested in cryptocurrencies search for crypto-related terms 641 times a month per 100,000 residents. The study revealed that New York was the most likely to invest in crypto. It was revealed that, on average, New York residents search for crypto-related search terms 978 times a month per 100,000 residents - this was 52% more than the average American. Nevada was revealed as the second-most likely to invest in cryptocurrency. It was revealed that in Nevada, there are 894 crypto-related searches each month per 100,000 residents monthly. The third most likely state to invest in cryptocurrency, according to research, is California. Crypto investors search on average for crypto-related terms such as 'crypto-news' 869 times per 100,000 residents monthly. New Jersey is the fourth state with the most interest in crypto; the data has shown, on average, residents in New Jersey search for cryptocurrency terms, such as 'crypto news' and 'crypto advice', 839 times a month per 100,000 residents. The fifth state most likely to invest in cryptocurrency is Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, residents were found to search for crypto-related terms 821 times a month per 100,000 residents. The top ten states most likely to invest in cryptocurrencies However, not everyone in America is so keen to invest in or learn about cryptocurrencies, as the study shows that residents in Mississippi have the least interest in cryptocurrency nationwide. The data revealed that, on average, Mississippi residents only search for crypto-related terms 278 times per 100,000 residents a month; 56% less than the average American resident. West Virginia is the second least likely state to invest in cryptocurrencies, with residents, on average, searching for these terms 294 times per 100,000 residents a month. Surprisingly, this is 57% less than residents in Virginia, who were revealed to be the tenth most likely to invest in cryptocurrency. The research shows that the third least likely state to invest in cryptocurrency is Kentucky; residents in Kentucky have shown little interest in crypto, only searching on average 359 times a month per 100,000 residents. The study revealed that the fourth and fifth states that are least likely to invest in cryptocurrencies were Louisiana and Arkansas, respectively; in Louisiana, residents only search for crypto-related terms 363 times a month, while in Arkansas, they search 364 times a month. The top ten states least likely to invest in cryptocurrencies A spokesperson from CoinLedger commented on the findings, "As cryptocurrency interest has grown over the years, it's no surprise that more people want to invest more now than ever. With a Bitcoin halving expected to happen soon, many people will be considering starting to invest in crypto. "It is crucial to conduct thorough research before making any financial decisions related to cryptocurrencies. As many currencies are highly volatile and vulnerable to fraudulent activities, it is essential to seek expert advice to manage them effectively and minimize the risk of losses. "These findings solidify New York's place as a global finance hub, with New Yorkers leading the nation as the most interested in crypto nationwide by some distance." Methodology Google Keyword Planner was used to determine the average nationwide and state-specific monthly search volume for crypto-related terms. Terms used included "Crypto app," "Crypto price," "Crypto news," and "Crypto advice." All figures rounded up. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. 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That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More The Registrar of Companies has brought two High Court actions aimed at quashing decisions made by district court judges allowing companies additional time to file their annual returns. The Registrar of Companies, who is the official responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date records related to registered companies, claims that the two unrelated firms sought, and were granted, orders allowing them to extend the time they have to file their annual returns to the Companies Registration Office (CRO). The companies in question are Kitchen Innovations Limited, which applied before the district court in Galway for a time extension, and Greenay Ltd, which made similar applications before the Dublin Metropolitan court. Companies can seek extension of 28 days to make annual returns to the CRO from a court, the Registrar said. However, the Registrar claimed that both companies applied for and were granted second orders by the district courts further extending the relevant periods to file their returns. The Registrar's lawyers claimed that the district courts lack the jurisdiction to make such second orders extending time for the delivery of firms' annual returns and said that any returns filed by the firms on foot of those second orders have not been legally registered. Represented by senior counsel Brian Conroy, with John Freeman, the Registrar of Companies has brought proceedings against two companies aimed at setting aside the orders granting the firms' second time extensions. Only one order extending time can be made in respect of a particular returns period, the applicant claimed. Declarations sought In its judicial review proceedings against the companies, the applicant seeks various orders and a declaration from the court. These include orders quashing the district court orders enlarging time within which the two firms' annual returns for the periods between 2021 and 2022 may be delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The applicant also seeks declarations from the court including that any return provided by the companies on foot of the district court orders are deemed not to have been delivered within the periods provided for in the 2014 Companies Act. The applicant further seeks a declaration from the court that any returns sent to it by the companies on foot of the district court orders have not been lawfully registered and should be removed from the register of companies. Both cases came before Ms Justice Niamh Hyland at the High Court on Monday. The judge, on an ex-parte basis, granted the Registrar of Companies permission to bring the challenges. The matter will return before the court at a date next month. Annual returns Annual returns, which contain various financial and other relevant information about a company, are documents that are filed with the CRO which makes them available for public viewing. The filing of annual returns is mandatory. Failure to file such documents on time, or at all, has negative consequences for firms, including being struck off the register. Every year, thousands of companies are struck off; however, the court heard that due to the covid-19 pandemic all enforcement activity by the applicant, including strike-offs for failure to file annual returns on time, were suspended. This suspension was lifted last October, and involuntary strike of companies from the register for non-filing of annual returns is due to occur shortly, the applicant said. The year ahead is packed with exciting events for members and supporters of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland. Below are some highlights from the calendar of events on offer. AmChams 2024 Southern Region Conference and Dinner The American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (AmCham) will host its annual Southern Region Conference and Dinner on September 26, 2024, at the Maryborough Hotel in Cork. The Southern Conference is complementary for AmCham members. This Conference will be a fantastic opportunity to hear thought leadership and industry insights on key regional challenges and opportunities for AmCham members in the Southern region and for discussion among the attendees. In the evening, the Southern Dinner will serve as an exclusive opportunity for AmCham members to meet and connect with their industry colleagues in the Southern region. We look forward to seeing you at our 2024 Southern Region Conference and Dinner, which are kindly sponsored by Zurich. Shortlist for AmChams 2024 US-Ireland Business Awards to be announced soon The American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (AmCham) will be announcing the shortlisted candidates for its 2024 US-Ireland Business Awards over the next two weeks. These prestigious Awards will recognise and honour the inspiring individuals, teams, and organisations, who have strengthened the US-Ireland business, trade, and investment relationship. AmCham will present these awards at its Annual Dinner on 24 May 2024, in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. AmCham Mid West Conference 2023 Dinner at Thomond Park Stadium Limerick: Barry O'Sullivan, Chair of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce, John Shaw and Eva Cummins, Clare Haven Services, Orlaith Lawler, Mid west Chair AmCham, Karen Frawley, Deloitte, Minster Kieran ODonnell and Seamus Fives, President of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland. Picture: Arthur Ellis Candidates will be recognised under three categories on the evening, Global Leadership, Global Impact, and Global Community. The areas of recognition under the three categories may range from business development, education, research and innovation, and arts and culture, along with a special focus on those who are committed to sustainable business, inclusion, and giving back to the community. The US-Ireland Business Awards are kindly sponsored by BT Ireland and EY Ireland, with The Irish Times as official media partner. Global Impact Award The Global Impact Award is presented to a team or organisation for a project that has had a significant positive, global or international impact on markets or society. This impact could be in areas such as research, development and innovation, talent development, advanced manufacturing/industry 4.0-5.0, Digitisation/artificial intelligence, sustainability, and supply chain innovation. The 2023 winner of the AmCham Global Impact award went to, ICON, for the significant role it played in the search for vaccines and treatments for Covid-19. ICON has extensive experience in vaccine clinical development for commercial businesses, governments and NGOs, and has participated in over 160 vaccine studies in the past five years. This experience led to ICON conducting or being involved in over 130 COVID-19 related trials. The shortlist for the category of Global Impact Award 2024 will be announced on February 23rd, 2024. Global Community Award The Global Community Award is presented to an individual, team or organisation, including US MNCs, that has had a positive societal or community impact in an area that is aligned with the values of AmCham and our membership. Areas for recognition include advancing gender equality, championing inclusion, reducing social discrimination/disadvantage and enabling education attainment. The Global Community Award was won by Qualtrics in 2023 for their work founding 5 For The Fight EMEA, a cancer crowdfunding nonprofit to increase the number of scientists working in cancer research. 5 for the Fight EMEA, was founded by Qualtrics in December of 2016 as a public charity in the US aimed at fighting cancer and began work in earnest in 2017. The aim of 5 For The Fight is to make more survivors and over the past 5-years the EMEA program has raised over 1.15 million. The shortlist for The Global Community Award 2024 will be announced on March 1st. Global Leadership Award The Global Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has had a significant, positive impact on US-Ireland business relations. The recipient is recognised as someone who is committed to inclusion and gender equality and the impact honoured by the Award is one that is independently and verifiably recognised beyond the individuals own organisation. Last year's winner was Lorna Martyn at Fidelity Investments. Lorna was instrumental in the evolution of Fidelity Ireland developing a technological hub that is vital to the ongoing growth and success of Fidelitys wider business. She also led the development and delivery of a multi-faceted program which is focused on affecting sustainable change for women in STEM within Fidelity, local communities, and industry. The shortlist for the Global Leadership Award 2024 will be announced on March 1st. Outside of Fidelity, Lorna Martyn is actively involved in developing the technology ecosystem in Ireland. She is also a board member of the Irish American Partnership, which supports education and community programmes across Ireland. When percussionist and filmmaker Ruairi Glasheen delves into the history and origins of the bodhran in his new four-part documentary about the drum often hailed as the heartbeat of Irish music, what he reveals to viewers is the instruments surprising modernity. So Sean O Riada took what was then called the tambourine in Ireland and he changed the name to the bodhran: up until that point, we think, the bodhran was a skin tray for carrying things, storing things and serving up potatoes, Glasheen explains. We know that object existed at the turn of the 20th century, and its also very possible that it was used for drumming in Wren Day rituals for one day of the year, the 26th of December. But it was Sean O Riada who took that instrument, included it in Ceoltoiri Chualann, played it himself and called it the bodhran. It was 1960 when O Riada formed Ceoltoiri Chualann, a kind of precursor to The Chieftains, in part out of the necessity to find a music authentic enough for a play by Listowel playwright Bryan MacMahon. O Riada was influenced by existing drumming traditions of West Limerick and North Kerry, where another Listowel man, John B Keane, was also instrumental in popularising the drum: hed go on to write a book called The Bodhran Makers. But until O Riadas adoption of the instrument, according to flute player and music historian Fintan Vallely, interviewed in Glasheens documentary, the Kerry players would have referred to their drum as a tambourine and would have played it with their hand, rather than the stick or tipper that would dominate later playing. Ceoltoiri Chualann was in part what gave rise to the enormous revival of Irish traditional music from the 1970s onwards, and the international success of acts like The Chieftains, The Dubliners and The Clancy Brothers, all of whom increased the visibility and popularity of a drum often presumed to be ancient in origin. Ruairi Glasheen with Cork bodhran maker Brendan White in his workshop in The Netherlands. For Glasheen, though, things may not be this simple. Despite O Riadas undisputed role in reimagining and popularising the drum, Glasheens films also provide tantalising glimpses of a longer tradition: a film made in 1946 by folklorist Caoimhin O Danachair in Athea, Co Limerick, shows a young boy using a tipper to play an upright frame drum in a manner reminiscent of modern bodhran playing. There are very old Scandinavian frame drumming traditions, and the Crowdy-crawn of Cornwall, an adapted sieve used in music dating at least to the 1880s. In 1928, an early recording made in New York is credited to a John Reynolds on the tambourine and Tom Morrison on the flute, but, to Glasheens ears, resonates strongly with the performance practice of the bodhran today. Cork painter Daniel Maclise (1806-1870) made a painting called Snap-Apple Night, painted in 1833 and likely depicting a party held in Blarney the previous Halloween, that is credited as being the first ever painting of a bodhran, but his version has the jingles metal discs that we associate with tambourines. Of course, the devastation of the Great Famine, most especially in the West of Ireland, casts a pall over so much historical and cultural continuity, Glasheen points out. Everything within this story has to be delivered with a caveat because its very hard pre-1959 to pin down concrete details, he says. There are frame drumming traditions around the world that go back at least 2,000 years and the bodhran will have somehow morphed from those, but the bodhran as we know it today is a new instrument. To Glasheen, who grew up in Cork and studied drums and orchestral percussion in Cork School of Music before moving to London where he is now based, the modernity of the bodhran in no way dilutes its Irishness or its uniqueness. Theres something about holding it under the arm, next to the heart: its intimate like a hug or a cradling, he says. I play a lot of different percussion instruments but there is something very special about that connection. It is an Irish drum and I will argue that even if it is quite new, it is indigenous ,and it is unique to this place. Glasheens fascinating four-part documentary series, The Real Story of the Irish Bodhran, melds rarely seen archival footage with interviews with everyone from ethnomusicologist Mel Mercier, whose father Peadar played bodhran with The Chieftains, to bodhran makers Malachy Kearns and Brendan White, as well as renowned players and innovators. Roundstone bodhran maker Malachy Kearns with Ruairi Glasheen. The documentary is divided into episodes on the drums history, the bodhran boom of the 1970s, the evolution of playing styles, and the closely guarded secrets of bodhran makers including the legendary Charlie Byrne of Thurles, seen in the only filmed footage of him that exists. Imelda May even pops up in a brief cameo, while legends including Johnny Ringo MacDonagh of De Danann, credited with the now-common addition of electrical tape to the edge of the drum as a dampener, and Tommy Hayes of Stocktons Wing share their techniques and philosophies. Glasheen has self-released his documentaries on his own YouTube channel, having previously made films about drumming traditions of India and Iran. He did so, he says, in part because of the absence of any similarly comprehensive film on the story of the bodhran. As a player, it was the documentary I wish I could have watched years ago, giving me the stories and the human connections and the order in which things happened, he says. It felt like it hadnt been done, and I felt a little bit of responsibility to contribute at least something small back, because Im so obsessed with it. Even if in a very small way Ive managed to capture some of the story, at least its there on video, hopefully for at least another 100 years. Ruairi Glasheen plays bodhran with Gifty Kearns, wife of Roundstone bodhran maker Malachy Kearns. Glasheen himself teaches bodhran to people all over the world; he has students in Northwest Africa, Japan, Chile and Paraguay. And he says the continued life and growing popularity of the much-loved heartbeat of Irish music is as much to do with change and innovation as it is to do with history. The secret to preserving a tradition lies, he says, not in preserving the ashes but preserving the flame, and in his documentary series he looks to the future of the bodhran through interviews with Ronan O Snodaigh of Kila, whose innovations have melded bodhran with other world music traditions, and with Hermitage Green bodhran player Dermot Sheedy, who plays a bodhran made with a synthetic skin instead of the traditional goatskin. Dermot is a virtuosic player and incredible innovator: some people might say using synthetic heads is controversial or whatever, but he is off touring Australia and America, getting on and off planes in hot and cold climates, and tuning up and tuning down: its just not sustainable and hes playing alongside a kit drum, so he has to really project. I think its a great innovation. Things should change. There is always room for preservation and going to a museum and putting on the white gloves, but tradition is always evolving and innovation is part of the ebb and the flow of this instrument we love so much. Dwarfed by a pyramid of rubble in front of him, Fr Tony ORiordan pauses to think about the men, women, and children who died as they and the block of apartments they were living in suddenly cascaded to the ground like a waterfall of concrete, flesh and bone. The scars and turmoil left by the earthquake that engulfed Aleppo this time last year, on February 6, killing tens of thousands as it weaved across Syria and Turkey, will never be fully healed. This region is a tinderbox, ORiordan told the Irish Examiner via a crackling phone line from the shattered Syrian city. Its cold and wet, food is extremely scarce, and people are dying everyday, he added. For the past 12 months the Co Cork Jesuit, and head of his religious orders refugee service in Aleppo, has witnessed the horrors of the aftermath of the 7.8 magnitude quake. Aleppo is situated on a fault line of violence too, a war-torn city where eruptions of gunfire, missile strikes, and drone attacks have become as familiar as the dust and rubble left over by last years cataclysmic earthquake. The Kilmichael native has seen violence, poverty, famine, and conflict in previous parishes from Moyross, Limerick, where he witnessed the toll drug gangs had on the community, to Maban, in South Sudan, where his compound came under attack by a 2,000 strong mob during civil war clashes in August 2018. Fr Tony ORiordan overseeing the Jesuit food aid distribution programme in Aleppo. However, ORiordan says Aleppo has witnessed a whole new level of horror, which has the priest considering his own safety more than he previously did. All the big players are here, but I believe the Iranians do not want an all-out war, yet there are groups in the background that can trigger it, and thats a real risk, he says as fighting in Gaza bleeds into Syria and Iraq. The grim scenes of Aleppos crumbling neighbourhoods left by the earthquake and 14-year war under the Bashar-al-Assad regime still unsettle him as he travels across the city on his work rounds, but ORiordan says he is most concerned about the forgetfulness of the international community to the humanitarian crisis still unfolding there. Death continues to stalk the Syrian people through starvation, a harsh winter, and a lack of medicines which has left many unable to be treated for even the most basic of primary health issues. ORiordan says the UNs World Food Programme has announced it is stopping its main assistance in Syria due to a lack of funds as it requires 1bn, and is 70% underfunded. Along with its flattened schools, houses, hospitals and streets, the Syrian pound has collapsed, plunging the economy into free-fall. I think people forget Syria is a war zone and people are dying everyday in military activity and conflict, ORiordan says. US airstrikes into Syria against Iranian targets and supporting militias in recent weeks, in retaliation for the deaths of three American troops in Jordan, have intensified the conflict in Gaza. It has intensified because Syria is seen as a place where anyone with an airplane or a drone can seemingly, with impunity, bomb any part of Syria, and a few weeks ago we had one (strike) very close to where I was living, says ORiordan. You never know where the next air strike will be, its not carpet bombing, but either the missile is not very precise sometimes or the anti-aircraft defence missiles can go anywhere. I am certainly more cautious than I ever have been. Up to now, I wouldn't have been too concerned about traveling at night, but now more so than before, one could be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite it all, ORiordan continues to offer support to the people of Aleppo who bravely try to recover one year on from when the earth opened up and swallowed their loved ones and their livelihoods. Education While the Syrian people need shelter, food, clothing, heat, everything, ORiordan also warns, education has had to drop off the priority list for so many families, and when many become uneducated, they easily become foot soldiers caught up in the conflict. ORiordan witnessed first-hand the positive transformation education had in his previous parish of Moyross, which now boasts one of the best-performing Deis primary schools in the country with Principal Tiernan ONeill at the helm. Much like in Moyross in years past, when drug gangs turned their grip on the community and vulnerable school-age youths, children in Aleppo who are now missing out on their education end up either in the armies or the militias. Childrev in Aleppo trawling through a rubbish skip looking for plastic to sell for a paltry sum. All pics: Tony ORiordan/JRS Aleppos streets are also full of armies of children, pushing trolleys of rubbish in the hope of selling it for a paltry 50 cent a day. Its the saddest thing I see here, these children, aged as young as five or six, standing in the middle of these big skips sorting through rubbish to pick out plastic to sell it, ORiordan says. Its a miserable scene, theyre on the streets at all hours of the day and night, pushing these trolleys with big nylon bags that dwarf them. They have dirty faces and dirty hands because they are doing hard dirty work there is an army of those children around Syria. Other children who are forced to work in clothing factories weaving yarns are considered to be the lucky ones, they at least, have their health. JRSs safe houses which are dotted around the conflict areas of Aleppo offer the children a place they can be children, where they can get some nourishing food, where we do some basic literacy with them, and get psychological counseling. However, ORiordan says, this too is under threat from funding deficits. Gripped by daily horrors, he celebrates the little victories: I met a one-year-old boy with a fantastic smile the other day, he is here because we managed to provide medical assistance to his pregnant mother whose entire family was lost in the earthquake last year. O'Riodan copes by taking solace in the spark of life and humour of the Syrian people even in this horrible situation. It amazes me that that woman whose loved ones were killed in the earthquake has just got on with it, even though all she has lived through. The Syrian people are resilient, but it is a privilege to be part of the all-Syrian JRS team here, where we have 350 volunteers. ORiordan has overseen the JRS team distribute food assistance to over 44,000 people since last years earthquake. However, in an SOS call for more funding, he asks the international community not to forget Syria. Im deeply concerned for the present situation and future of Syria, and while we have delivered very important help it has been done on a treadmill of a deteriorating situation, he warns. As the phone line from Aleppo fades, ORiordan concludes: I want to thank all our donors around the world, especially the Irish people for all they did after last years earthquake, but Syria needs help more than ever now, even a small donation will go a long way for us, thank you. Financial donations to the humanitarian crisis in Syria can be made through the Irish Jesuits International (IJI) website at www.iji.ie/donate Gardai are investigating the circumstances surrounding how a champion greyhound apparently sold to an Irish buyer to race is now being offered for stud in China. Gougane Jet, a three-year-old former British sprinter of the year, won 29 races out of 42 runs from May of 2022 before reportedly being sold to an Irish owner to race in October last year. However, the animal is now being advertised for stud services at a breeding kennel in Hebei Province in China. Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI), the sports governing body, said it had investigated the matter in 2023. In response to a parliamentary question from People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, GRI said that on foot of its investigation, a written complaint was made to An Garda Siochana in October 2023. As the matter is still under investigation by An Garda Siochana, it is not prudent for Greyhound Racing Ireland to comment further on this matter, GRI said. Whether it is the fact of Gougane Jets sale to China, or how the sale itself was conducted and funded, which is specifically under investigation by the gardai is as yet unclear. An Garda Siochana had not responded to a query regarding the investigation at the time of publication. Greyhound racing is banned in China though illegal racing does take place there. There are currently no animal welfare laws in place in China. Gougane Jets UK co-owners were Steve Oliver, Eammon Johnston, and Peter Curtis. Mr Johnston did not respond to a request for comment. It is unclear which Irish owner brought Gougane Jet to Ireland. The dogs former UK trainers the MWD Partnership said they had been informed by his owners that Gougane Jet had been sold to a Longford owner named Liam OBrien for 30,000. Mr OBrien did not respond to a request for comment. Greyhound board investigation The Greyhound Board of Great Britain confirmed that its own investigation, opened last December, into how the dog came to be in China remains ongoing. When Gougane Jet was sold in October, MWD released a statement saying that the sale had been solely down to the dogs owners who had said they had received an offer they couldnt refuse. When it emerged the dog had been advertised for stud in China, MWD posted a further statement noting that the partners were saddened and very upset that he appears to have been exported despite all the efforts we made to prevent this happening. They added they had previously offered 20,000 to buy the animal themselves but had been rebuffed. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mark Wallis, a multiple UK champion trainer and a partner in MWD, said he wished to make it clear that myself, my family and our partnership had nothing to do with the sale of the dog adding that the idea people could think he had anything to do with the sale was most distressing. He added that trainers have no legal right to stop owners selling dogs if they so wish. Mr Wallis partners at MWD are Mike Davis and Michelle Connolly, a Co Tipperary woman who the Irish Examiner recently revealed had been banned from owning any dog for 10 years after pleading guilty to seven animal cruelty offences in early 2022. A five-year-old girl who was critically injured after being stabbed in the chest outside of her school in Dublin has left the intensive care unit and is back on a general ward. The child was one of four victims who were attacked, which included two other children and a creche worker, outside Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire on Parnell Square on November 23. She was taken to Temple Street Children's Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. She remained in the Intensive Care Unit before being released into the general ward in December. Following a setback, she was once again taken back into the ICU in January however, her family say she is now back on the ward. In an update, her family said she is almost "over this bump in the road." "Our little angel is a fighter and we are sure she will come out victorious," they said on the GoFundMe page that was set up for the girl. The page, titled Barrog do Chailin Beag (A Hug for a Little Girl) has received nearly 85,000 in donations following the incident. They also expressed their gratitude to everyone who has been "dedicating their energy" to the five-year-old and her family. "We wouldn't be here had it not been for everyone on that day who gave her the fighting chance. "We are forever grateful to everyone who has been dedicating their energy, day in and day out, to her and us," the family added. The attack in November led to a chain reaction of events that saw the worst rioting in Dublin. A 50-year-old man, Riad Bouchaker, appeared in Dublin District court charged with the attempted murder of three children and the assault of creche worker Leanne Flynn during the Parnell Square incident. Locals living next to Dublin Airport have welcomed a move to request further information regarding a bid to expand the airports passenger cap to 40 million people. They say the move underlines the importance of transparency. Fingal County Council has ruled that airport administrator Daa must provide more than 360 additional pieces of information to the local authority before the application to expand the passenger cap can be fully considered. The airport administrator has up to six months to supply this information. The planning application will not proceed any further until it does so. The perceived need to expand Dublin Airports passenger cap from its present level of 32 million people, first approved by An Bord Pleanala in 2006, has been the subject of much political and corporate comment in recent months, with vested interests such as Ryanair insisting the expansion is necessary in order to maintain Irelands competitiveness. Commenting on the county councils latest decision, a spokesperson for the St Margarets-The Ward residents' group said it welcomes the decision and said the local authoritys thorough review had uncovered significant deficiencies within the application, including glaring errors, inconsistencies, and omissions among many other serious concerns. This decision underscores the council's commitment to uphold rigorous standards and prioritise the wellbeing of our communities and environment, they said. The decision to request additional information reaffirms the importance of transparency, accountability, and responsible development practices in safeguarding our shared environment and ensuring sustainable growth, the spokesperson added. Responding at the weekend to the request for further information, a Daa spokesperson said the decision had been fully expected given the sheer scale of the application itself. Noting the bid to remove the cap is the largest planning application ever lodged in the State, they said Daa welcomes the opportunity to provide this additional information. In coming to its decision, Fingal County Council said, as had been noted in the pre-planning process, it had concerns regarding the prematurity of the Daa application given key infrastructural planning decisions have not yet been made. Those outstanding decisions include the outstanding 9.5bn Metrolink train project connecting Dublin city centre and the airport, and the Swords BusConnects decision, among others. The local authority said the further information it was requesting was necessary to address inadequacies in the application itself. In expanding on those deficiencies, Fingal County Council noted the extensive typographical errors and incorrect cross-referencing" seen in Daas application, which was lodged last December. It said those errors, together with the scale and complexity of the proposals, limit its ability to draw conclusions on the assessments required to fulfil its statutory function. Lawyers for former solicitor Michael Lynn, who was found guilty of stealing just over 18m from six financial institutions during the Celtic Tiger era, have tonight said they will appeal his conviction and five and a half year jail sentence. They also called for the Oireachtas to establish a tribunal of inquiry to "properly investigate" systemic flaws in banking in Ireland. Earlier sentencing Lynn, Judge Martin Nolan set a sentence of 13 years and gave Lynn seven-and-a-half years credit for the time he spent in prison in Brazil. Judge Nolan accepted that the time Lynn spent in prison in Brazil was onerous but he noted: To some degree he could have resolved his difficulties by agreeing to come home. Lynn and his wife Brid Murphy, who was in court for the sentence, made no visible reaction when the sentence was handed down. Lynn (55) was found guilty by a jury of 10 of the 21 counts against him following a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial last year. The jury was unable to agree on the remaining 11 counts before the court. Second trial It was the second trial in the case after the jury in his first trial, which ran for 16 weeks in 2022, was unable to agree on any verdicts. Lynn, of Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co Wicklow, had pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23, 2006, and April 20, 2007, when he was working as a solicitor and property developer. He has no previous convictions and has been in custody since he was convicted of the 10 counts just before Christmas. The court heard Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties in a situation where banks were unaware that other institutions were also providing finance. These properties included 'Glenlion', Lynn's 5.5m home in Howth, and multiple investment properties. The financial institutions Lynn was found guilty of stealing from were National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland, and Irish Nationwide Building Society. 'Custom' practice Lynn took the stand and told his trial that the banks were aware he had multiple loans on the same properties and that this was custom and practice among bankers in Celtic Tiger Ireland. He was extradited from Brazil in 2018 after spending four and a half years in a hellhole prison there. In the first trial, Lynn told the jury the jail was essentially run by prisoners and he witnessed the beheading of a young gay prisoner. As part of the extradition agreement with Brazil, Lynn was to be given credit for the prison time he has already served. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the single count relating to Bank of Ireland alleging Lynn stole 2.7m from that bank. It was also unable to reach verdicts on 10 counts relation to Irish Nationwide, from which Lynn was accused of stealing 7.4m. He was convicted on a single count of stealing 508,000 from that institution. Irish Nationwide In relation to Irish Nationwide, Lynn claimed he signed a memo of understanding with bank chief Michael Fingleton in a Dublin hotel in 2006. He said the agreement involved Irish Nationwide providing funding for Lynn's apartment development in Portugal, with Mr Fingleton set to benefit personally from this arrangement. Mr Fingleton was not well enough to give evidence at trial, the jury was told. The remaining charges against Lynn were dropped on Monday. In a statement tonight, Mulholland Law criticised what it described as "an incredibly aggressive prosecution" against its client. It also said, according to RTE, that it is always easy to "demonise an individual" in order to deflect attention away from the true culprits, and it is now high time that Ireland finally acknowledge the toxicity of its banking institutions. Tributes have been paid to "outstanding journalist, raconteur, and man of integrity," Michael O'Regan following his sudden death. A proud Kerryman, Mr O'Regan was a well-known voice across radio and television and a respected political journalist, having worked for the Irish Times in Leinster House for over 30 years. His weekly Friday 'Call from the Dail' segment on Radio Kerry became a highly popular and entertaining slot, with his final contribution on the local station coming last Friday. Tributes have this morning been pouring into the station from listeners following his unexpected death. He retired from the Irish Times in 2019 but continued to write occasional articles for the paper, including a powerful feature on his own cancer diagnosis. He regularly appeared on media panels and his witty, precise, and insightful political analysis on X (formally Twitter) gained him many online followers. While he lived in Dublin for many years, Mr O'Regan never forgot his native Derrymore near Camp and served as president of the Kerry Association in Dublin in recent years. President Michael D Higgins said he had the "utmost respect" for Mr O'Regan, whose journalistic career coincided very closely with his own time in Leinster House. "Throughout the many years in which we met, Michael was always warm and engaging in conversation on the many topics which were for discussion. He was incredibly courteous, and a perfect judge of when an injection of the humour, upon which he drew from his proud Kerry background, was needed." President Higgins said the "grounding of his work in extensive research ensured that Michael not only brought a full understanding of each of the topics on which he wrote to the readers of the Irish Times, but also to those who benefited from his regular contributions to radio and television panel discussions". "In recent years, Michael wrote about his cancer treatment with great dignity. In writing with such clarity and honesty of his treatment, he provided a great service to others in helping provide a sense of understanding and how they may seek to face their own treatments. As ever, Michaels meticulous skills of context, warmth and clarity were to the fore." He also pointed to the "significant contribution" in his coverage of the Kerry Babies Tribunal, both during the tribunal itself and in his book on that tragic event and its handling. Tanaiste Micheal Martin described Mr O'Regan as "an outstanding journalist, raconteur and man of integrity". "A political journalist for all of my Dail career, Michael was engaging, objective, and great company. A Kerryman to his core, he will be sorely missed by all. Fine Gael's Brendan Griffin said Mr O'Regan was a giant in Irish political discourse who always stayed in touch with the ordinary people. "His work as a journalist over many decades has helped shape this country for the better, and his wit and sharp analysis brought politics to the people. "I'll never forget him for taking the time to stop and chat in the corridors of Leinster House in my early days in Dail Eireann, imparting his wisdom and knowledge to a young and slightly daunted TD 'from the other side of the mountain'. Michael O'Regan at Marlay Park, near his home in Dublin. Picture: Bryan O'Brien, courtesy of The Irish Times Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae wrote online: I want to say to how saddened we all are to learn of Michael ORegans passing. Michael was everything thats good about political reporting and journalism. He was a rock of common sense in the halls of Leinster and reflected that in his reporting. Sinn Fein TD for Kerry Pa Daly said Irish journalism has "lost a giant" and said he loved the intrigue of Leinster Hosue without ever becoming cynical. Mr ORegan qualified from the first national course in journalism at the College of Commerce in Rathmines in 1972 and worked with The Kerryman and The Corkman before joining The Irish Times in 1981. He was appointed a Dail reporter in 1988. As one of the most experienced correspondents in Leinster House, Mr O'Regan was hugely encouraging of younger journalists. An extraordinary raconteur, he was generous with his time and always welcomed colleagues into his office on the Dail gallery for a chat and to offer advice. His work on the Kerry babies case, about which he wrote the book Dark Secrets, was highly acclaimed. Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists wrote on X: Michael was a man of wisdom, kindness, humour. He could be provocative, even annoying but never dull the very best of company. He loved storytelling. It was what he did best. Michael O'Regan: Described as a 'true master of his craft as a journalist'. In a post online late last night, the Kerry Association said that it had lost our beloved friend and wonderful president Michael ORegan. He was a brilliant and courageous reporter on national and local issues but it is as a proud Kerryman to his core that we will remember him proud of his daughters, his grandchildren, his country, his county, and his people. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam dilis. The February meeting of Kerry County Council began with cross-party tributes from all parties and independents. Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Jim Finucane, Fine Gael, speaking on Radio Kerry and in the council chamber said Michael was a true master of his craft and had a huge interest in public life along with a huge amount of background knowledge. "His political knowledge was second to none," Mr Finucane said. He knew the intricacies and "sometimes the antics" of politics and politicians. "He loved it and he loved what he was doing. He was a true master of his craft as a journalist. He will be remembered fondly by anyone who came in touch with him," the cathaoirleach said. '"You don't see his equals too often in the present climate," Mr Finucane said. Veteran Tralee councillor Johnny Wall (FF) said he was "a consummate journalist". A commercial premises in Waterford has been searched by gardai leading the investigation into the discovery of crystal meth in the Port of Cork on Friday. The search was carried out on Sunday while a number of premises in Kerry have also been searched following the 32.8 million worth haul of the drug by gardai and Customs officers. When Damien Quinn came out of prison he thought he was quits with society; he had done wrong and paid his debt. What he didnt realise then was that society wasnt done with him. His debt had not been paid. He would be expected to keep paying, long into the future, as if the idea of a second chance was one which society had yet to get its head around. I naively believed that my punishment was over but really it was only beginning, he says. Quinn was to discover that ex-prisoners are left with a stain which is difficult to remove. In a whole host of ways, they are faced with challenges that have nothing to do with how they had transgressed to a point where they were imprisoned. Large parts of society continue to regard ex-prisoners with suspicion, particularly but not exclusively in areas like employment. I had been under the assumption that I would be able to move on and get on with my life, Quinn says. But certainly early on nobody was willing to give me a chance. Everything you apply for, whether it be a job, or a voluntary position or insurance for a car or to start a business, it comes up and it can often keep you locked out of opportunity. Quinns experience is not unique. Neither is it confined to those who have spent time in prison. Anybody who has a criminal conviction even for a relatively innocuous offence can face barriers to getting on with their lives. Recently, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) published detailed research on employer attitudes to people with convictions (PWC). A report entitled The Secondary Punishment, conducted by academics from Maynooth University, included a survey of employers which found that nearly nine in 10 would consider hiring PWC. However, that positive instinct was clouded by a number of barriers that still exist when it comes to a final decision on hiring. Among the main findings of the report were: Perception of risk without any evidence base underpinned employer concerns about hiring PWC. These concerns included, but were not limited to, safeguarding, reputational damage, reoffending, personality, qualifications, job performance, and lack of support; Half of those surveyed do not have specific policies or practices that require disclosure of criminal convictions; Persistent barriers to employment for PWC include stigma and a lack of transparency in hiring processes; The research also highlighted the imperative of shifting mindsets from moral censure to inclusive policies and practices and the need or clear communication and messaging. IPRT executive director Saoirse Brady says there is an assumption that when somebody leaves prison or finishes 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, she says. We know these individuals have skills, experience, and qualities that would benefit the workplaces, but we also know from our work they are all too often overlooked, despite making up a substantial part of the workforce. Perceptions do play a huge role in attitudes towards PWC, the study, conducted by Dr Joe Gerrihy and Dr Ciara Bracken Roche from Maynooth, shows. Many people, including employers, think of the most serious offences and extensive prison experiences when the issue of criminal convictions is raised, they report. However, of the many minor offences that come before the first level of the judiciary in the District Court, relatively few go on to serve a custodial sentence. For instance, of the 338,823 cases that came before the district court in 2022, a total of 3,796, just over 1%, resulted in a custodial sentence. Over half of those cases, 181,969, related to traffic offences. Thus, the authors write, high case numbers produce a vast number of individuals with a conviction, which means a criminal record, but most are for less serious offences. Of the 338,823 cases that came before the district court in 2022, a total of 3,796, just over 1%, resulted in a custodial sentence. Over half of those cases, 181,969, related to traffic offences. File picture: iStock Then there are the more serious which do result in imprisonment. Damien Quinn makes no bones about his past. Like many who end up in crime, his youth was troubled by his own account. During his teenage years, he and a younger brother lived alone and he drifted into crime to a point where he was eventually caught with a kilo of cannabis, for which he received a three-year prison sentence. I wouldnt excuse my behaviour, he says. I deserved to go to prison and I took the punishment on the chin. But its what happened after that came as a bit of a shock. Very often when youre going for a job or applying to college or whatever, the conversation focuses on what you did wrong rather than what you can bring to a company or organisation. People like me know we have skills but then we have to disclose our past to people we dont even know. From the employer point of view, some businesses, particularly small to medium size, are risk-averse and would give a job to somebody they see as not having baggage. When he came out of prison in 2009, Quinn was eager to restart his life. He applied for college but got turned down, he believes, because of his background. I applied for jobs, loads of rejections, he says. I was looking for work every day, spending all my job seekers allowance just looking for a job. I left the country for a while, resigned to the fact that nobody was going to give me a job, and then I finally got accepted for a college course and that became my focus. It was about second-chance education. I got that through a friend after putting in two very hard years trying to get going. Today, he works in education in the community sector with Galway Rural Development, in which much of his work involves attempting to improve lives for people on the outer rims of society. His team leader Anne Cassidy says when she first learned of his past it wasnt really with trepidation. He had it on his CV that he had done some of his education in Castlerea prison, she says. I googled him but it wasnt really with trepidation. Yes, there is always a question in situations like this but when I looked at my first reaction and then thought were working with people on the margins. If were not going to give somebody a chance, what are we doing here? When Damien Quinn came out of prison in 2009, Quinn was eager to restart his life. He applied for college but got turned down, he believes, because of his background. Picture: Ray Ryan People who have gone through the system, Cassidy points out, can bring qualities like resilience and empathy to a job. Those are not just skills for our kind of work. There are a lot of fields where they could end up being a positive. These convictions follow some people around for years. Im not downplaying the seriousness of what some people get involved in, but its very easy for people who havent ended up in trouble thinking that it would never happen to them. There are a lot of people out there and its a question of only for the grace of God. Weve all done stuff when we were young but it doesnt follow you around. People who end up in that situation are sometimes not allowed to grow out of it. Imagine going for a job and being asked tell me what you were like when you were 19?. Kara McGann, head of social policy in the employers body, Ibec, welcomed the new research. She says it chimes with certain feedback from employers. I think what we hear from employers in terms of employing people with convictions is that its not a hard no, more a qualified yes. Most are open to it but they are unsure how best to go about it, what can they ask, what they need to know, says Ms McGann. But they also fear of adding to any problems of people who may have been through a difficult time and they (employers) dont know where to turn to to ask. Similar problems, have, she says, arisen in areas like disability and mental health. Organisations such as Open Doors, which provides opportunities for work and training for some marginalised members of society now have pathways for both employers and potential employees to negotiate these kind of issues. We need that same kind of support for employing people with criminal convictions because once employers are confident it is better for all concerned, Kara McGann says. Damien Quinn has set up an organisation to ease the path of those who have paid their debt to society and are now starting anew. A new initiative to launch an employers toolkit in this respect is being worked on by Open Doors and is expected to launch in the coming months. For Damien Quinn, grabbing his well-earned second chance hasnt been enough for him. His experience prompted him to attempt to ease the path for those who would come after him. He set up an organisation, Speire Nua, which is the Irish for new horizon, which attempts to ease the path of those who have paid their debt to society and are now starting anew. The organisation is effectively a service and support body for people in that situation, showing where there are learning and employment opportunities and how to go about making the most of leaving the past in the past. I was 10 years trying to get a break in my area of interest, Quinn says. Thats why I set up Speire Nua and we developed this new model on what is the right way of going about things today. Everybody deserves a second chance. On March 8, citizens will be asked to vote on two proposed changes to our Constitution which focus on the definition of family, care in the home and references to women and mothers. Unlike more recent referendums such as the vote to introduce marriage equality, the changes put forward in these referendums are perhaps more nuanced. Yes campaigners have been calling for the removal of what has been described as archaic and sexist references from Bunreacht na hEireann for many years. However, some say the wording put forward by the Government is not strong enough. Those on the No side believe that the Constitution in its current state recognises the unique role of women and do not agree that the special link between marriage and family should be taken out. What exactly are people being asked to vote on? Citizens will be asked to vote in two referendums. The first referendum concerns the concept of family in the Constitution. The second referendum proposes to delete an existing part of the Constitution that refers to women and mothers and insert new text providing recognition for care provided by family members to each other. People will therefore be able to cast two separate votes and indeed some politicians and campaigners are advocating for a yes vote on one question and a no on the other. Why are these changes being put forward? The Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality recommended Article 40.1 of the Constitution should be amended to refer explicitly to gender equality and non-discrimination. The group also recommended the Constitution should be changed to protect all family life and should not be limited to the marital family. It further recommended that Article 41.2, which refers to women in the home, should be deleted and replaced with language that is not gender-specific and obliges the State to take reasonable measures to support care within the home and wider community. The Government has not directly followed these recommendations after receiving legal advice which stated that explicitly referring to gender equality and non-discrimination could actually have a negative consequence. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said citing gender equality "could weaken the all-encompassing commitment to equality within the Constitution at present. What is proposed in the 'Family' referendum? The first question deals with Article 41.1.1 and Article 41.3.1 of the Constitution, both of which relate to the family. To differentiate between both referendums people will cast a vote on this on white-coloured ballot paper. Article 41.1.1 currently states: The State recognises the Family as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law. Campaigners say that this line does not recognise a whole host of families that exist in Ireland today, including single-parent households, those who are in relationships but are not married, as well as grandparents and other guardians who are raising children. It has been proposed that this line be changed to recognise family "whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships". The second part of this question relates to Article 41.3.1, which currently states: The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded, and to protect it against attack. It is proposed that this line would be simply changed to state: The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, and to protect it against attack. What is proposed in the 'Care' referendum? Voters will receive a second green coloured ballot paper which deals with the second issue of care. This referendum proposes deleting the current Articles 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 and inserting a new Article 42B. Currently, these sections recognise that "by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved. This part of the Constitution goes on to say that "the State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home. If a Yes vote is carried this reference to a mother's "duties in the home" will be removed and instead a new line will be introduced: The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives to Society a support without which the common good cannot be achieved, and shall strive to support such provision. Who is campaigning for a Yes vote? Almost all of the political parties, including Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, the Green Party and Sinn Fein, are all in favour of the referendum, although some including Labour have stressed that they would have preferred the changes to go further. Organisations on the Yes side include the National Women's Council; Family Carers Ireland; the child and family support organisation Treoir; the Union of Students Ireland (USI); and Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Their Kids (SPARK) Who is campaigning for a no vote? Peadar Toibin's Aontu party is campaigning for a No vote along with the Iona Institute; the Irish Freedom Party; and the Christian Solidarity Party. Any reservations? A number of politicians and organisations have raised issued with the suggested changes. People Before Profit TD Brid Smith says her party will be reluctantly voting Yes in the forthcoming votes, but she criticised the fact that the amendments will not be backed up with any firm commitment to the women, children and men who are the carers in our homes and wider communities. Leas Ceann Comhairle Catherine Connolly believes that the essence behind mothers not being "obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home", could have been retained but instead modernised to give all carers this protection. How can I vote? Applications to register to vote or change details must be received by your local authority no later than tomorrow, February 20. You do not need to have your polling card with you when you go to vote. However, you should bring some valid form of personal identification such as a passport, a driving licence, a public services card, or an employee or student identity card with a photograph. On March 8, citizens will be asked to vote on two proposed changes to our Constitution which focus on the definition of family, care in the home and references to women and mothers. Unlike more recent referendums such as the vote to introduce marriage equality, the changes put forward in these referendums are perhaps more nuanced. Yes campaigners have been calling for the removal of what has been described as archaic and sexist references from Bunreacht na hEireann for many years. However, some say the wording put forward by the Government is not strong enough. Those on the no side believe that the Constitution in its current state recognises the unique role of women and do not agree that the special link between marriage and family should be taken out. Here, Stephen Teap and Tom Clonan outline why they will be voting yes and no respectively. Stephen Teap: Why I'm voting yes on March 8 Its only in the last few days that Ive taken the time to sit down and read through Articles 41 and 42 in our Constitution and the changes that are being proposed in this referendum on family and care taking place on International Womens Day, March 8. Stephen Teap with Oscar and Noah at last years St Patricks Day parade in Cork City. Since his wife died in 2017, Stephen has been a full-time stay-at-home dad. Picture: Larry Cummins When reading the words in Article 41, the State recognises that by her life within the home, a woman gives the State a support without which a common good cannot be achieved, I found it shocking. Shocked that there was a day in our countrys history when these words were somewhat acceptable by society, and while I may have been shocked by these words, I was also not surprised they existed, given the mistreatment of women in our State in the past and the ongoing battle for equality between men and women today. As I reflected more on those articles other feelings started to creep in. Feelings of anger, sadness, and disappointment. These articles cut much closer to the bone for my personal situation than I ever expected it would. Im a widower and a sole parent of two young boys because of losing my wife, the boys mother, to cancer back in 2017. Both those titles I never chose for myself were forced upon me by circumstances outside of my control. By my own choice, I chose, four years ago, to be a full-time stay-at-home dad, a decision I made in the best interest of my family as it is today. But why the sadness, anger, and disappointment? Well, after reading the current wording of the Constitution, it dawned on me that my two boys and I get no recognition in our own countrys Constitution. Due to circumstances outside of my familys control, there is no recognition for a widower, a sole parent, a stay-at-home dad, and most importantly, for my children who are left with only one living parent to raise them. How can someone say today that we are not a family according to our State? Imagine trying to explain that to an 11- and eight-year-old? Well, Im just not going to bother saying anything to my boys. Instead, Im going to go out and vote yes and yes and do my part to get this wording corrected. This is an unusual referendum. Unusual because, unlike previous referendums, nothing will change for many within the home. I will continue to be a full-time stay-at-home dad for as long as I choose to. For those mothers who have chosen to be full-time stay-at-home moms or even those moms who continue to work, nothing will change for them either. Grandparents or aunts and uncles in other situations who are primary guardians to children, nothing will physically change for them either. So why vote? Well, whats more important than immediate physical change is that we can change the wording of a document that the foundations of this country are built upon. Removing one line at a time in the best interests of equality between men and women is of the utmost importance when the opportunity presents itself. Updating the terminology around the meaning of the word family in todays modern Irish society, which is more inclusive for everyone while continuing to protect those that still choose the traditional route, is further extending equality and inclusivity for everyone, and that is the most important message of all. There was a time in this country when women werent allowed to vote; thankfully, that is no longer the case. There was a time when women were forced out of the workplace and into the home; thankfully, that is no longer the case. While this country has made some improvements on equality between men and women, the journey is far from over. This referendum is just another milestone we need to pass on this journey. An important milestone for us all to gain more supports and provisions for families like mine and yours from the State. But before we can do that, we need to clarify first in an inclusive and equal way for all of us on the different types of families that exist today. Acknowledge the variety of carers in our childrens lives that give support, upholding love and protection with the family for the future generations of this country. This is why Ill be voting yes, yes on March 8, for all the families of Ireland. Stephen Teap is a healthcare advocate and a founding member of 221+ CervicalCheck Patient Support Group Tom Clonan: Why I'm voting no on March 8 The 40th amendment of the Constitution (Care), Article 42.B is a missed opportunity. Tom Clonan: Proposed amendment subordinates the rights of people with disabilities. Picture: Viktor Aheiev The wording of 42.B gives constitutional expression to the conservative ideological position that the primary responsibility for care resides within the family and family members. The article is not rights-based and is very carefully worded to indemnify the State and the HSE from any legal obligation to support family carers. 98% of unpaid family carers are women and girls. The use of the word strive is designed to ensure that State supports for care are not legally enforceable or justiciable. The wording carefully chosen by Government and its legal advisers omits any reference to rights to care in the community or outside the home as explicitly recommended by both the Citizens Assembly and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality. Ireland is an outlier in this regard. We are the only jurisdiction in the European Union where disabled citizens and carers have no legal right to treatment, therapies, interventions, surgeries, or supports. This is one of the reasons why disabled children and adolescents have become permanently paralysed, further disabled or dying on waiting lists in Ireland. As a parent and carer for over 20 years, I have experienced first hand the lack of supports for disabled children and adults like my son. From the moment he was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disease, our family entered the parallel universe which exists in Ireland for disabled citizens. Quite simply put, Ireland is one of the worst countries in Europe in which to be disabled whether that be physical disability, intellectual disability, neurodiverse, or simply elderly with additional needs. Our waiting lists, for even a basic assessment of need, are so chronic and catastrophically long that no cohort of disabled citizens receives adequate or meaningful treatment or care within the therapeutic window. This results in countless Irish disabled citizens suffering life-limiting, life-altering, and sub-optimal outcomes that would not be tolerated in other EU member states. The context for the wording of article 42.B is particularly interesting. Last year in Seanad Eireann I introduced the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023, which would give disabled citizens the legal, enforceable right to the treatments, therapies, and care supports identified in an assessment of need. Our Cabinet gave an instruction to strike the bill down by an amendment that would kill the bill. In December, Minister for Disability Roderic OGorman told me that he would not support this bill as it would impose a challenging burden on the State in terms of resources. Let there be no confusion here, our Government is hostile to the idea of conferring legal rights on disabled Irish citizens. On January 31 in the Seanad, I proposed an amendment to a Government private members bill on Care, that Ireland immediately ratify all protocols of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities including the optional protocol. This would have conferred legal rights on disabled citizens particularly under Article 19 of the UNCRPD to live independent, autonomous lives outside the family. Government senators voted against this amendment. When my son turned 18 and moved from limited paediatric supports to adult services, I contacted the HSE to find out what his care plan was. The HSE disability services manager expressed surprise. He lives at home with you doesnt he? Thats the plan for him. I then asked what would happen to my son when I died. What care supports would he receive to live independently? I was passed on to the HSE social worker. She asked me if my son had a sister. When I replied yes, she stated: She will look after your son when you die. What are you worried about? This conversation occurred in 2019, not 1819. It is emblematic of the patriarchal and paternalistic view of the Irish State towards carers and disabled citizens. The wording of Article 42.B was drafted by a polity that is hostile to the rights of disabled citizens. It gives constitutional expression to an ableist view that disabled citizens must rely on family members for care and deliberately excludes the right to an independent, autonomous life in the community. Im not part of a vote no campaign. Each Irish citizen will vote according to their conscience. I cannot vote for this amendment. It subordinates the rights of an entire group of Irish citizens in a way that would not be tolerated for any other identity, by way of ethnicity, religious formation, LGBT+ status, or any other protected status. It is frankly heartbreaking. The World Health Organization notes that every citizen will become disabled at some point in their lives. Many of us do not have or desire family supports. We all hope to live autonomous, dignified lives. Anyone who votes for the wording of 42.B is subordinating the inalienable human rights of our most vulnerable citizens and wittingly or unwittingly engaging in an act of individual and collective self-harm. Dear Kieran, I wonder if you could help me with a query. I have with a big project I am considering at home. The question I have is can you do an extension as well as an upgrade to an old cottage with a one stop shop outfit and avail of all the grants? Thanks for your help, Fiona McNulty. Hi Fiona, Thanks for your question. I am picturing you living in an old stone cottage that has an open fire that seems toasty when the fire is lit but that you lose heat quickly and the house just isnt big enough for day to day life. Your aim is to renovate the existing cottage, carrying out a deep retrofit (energy upgrade), and extend it all in one go: sounds like a plan, so lets see how a project like yours would likely work and, equally importantly, how the grants work and are they applicable to your project? Leaving budgetary concerns aside, I guess the first thing you will do is to get the design of your house right in terms of the spatial layout. I do find that in many cases it is the rear of the cottage (ideally facing south or west) that gets special treatment here. Many people like to add more living space so that the kitchen/ dining area has more room, releasing more functional space back into the main cottage for bedrooms, living rooms, WC, storage, circulation, and so on. Next comes the structural engineer. He/she needs to assess your existing house in terms of its current condition and structural integrity. Are the drains OK? Is there any dampness? How is the roof structure looking? Chimneys, drains, etc. Beyond this, the engineer looks at the extension. How will it stand up? How does it connect and tie into the existing building? Are any steel beams needed to create large span openings? "How is the roof structure looking? Chimneys, drains, etc." When all the new spaces are designed and the existing building is stabilised, next of course comes the deep retrofit analysis. The next consultant on the stage is the BER assessor. He/she can carry out a BER analysis of your existing property. Usually the architect or engineer will propose an insulation system to the BER assessor for analysis. They can advise on the measures required to take your property to a B2 energy rating. Its essentially redesigning the fabric of your building (new floor, wall, roof insulation, airtightness membranes, renewable heat source, new windows, mechanical ventilation) with the aim of dramatically reducing the heat loss from inside your house to the outside so that your new renewable heat source uses much less energy to keep your new house warm. With all this information in place you are now ready to apply for the SEAI grants. In your case, you are applying for a deep retrofit grant (instead of single measure grants, eg, solar panels or attic insulation). As such the grant application for a full package of deep retrofit measures is quite a technical and detailed application so you need to employ a one stop shop company to apply for the grant on your behalf. You have the option of going to the one stop shop company for just the grant application or indeed the deep retrofit works too if you dont already have the SEAI registered trades lined up. However, when it comes to the extension you may need another contractor as many one stop shop companies only perform the retrofit measures, not a new build/extension. Kieran McCarthy, KMC Homes, engineer and builder. Picture Denis Minihane. The one stop shop company will carry out a Home Energy Assessment with an energy upgrade proposal and estimate. Once agreed, the one stop shop company makes the application to SEAI for the grants for your home. When approved, you can proceed to get up and running with your project. (The important thing to bear in mind here is that the grant monies are for the existing house works only so, for example, when calculating the grants for windows, if 40% of your windows are in the new extension and 60% are in the old house, it is only the old house windows that are applicable.) Once the contractors begin on site you will need to keep a large body of photos at the different stages of your build; before, during and after all your renewable measures are installed. You will also need to ensure all your contractors are SEAI registered and that you collect all the certs from these contractors once their measures are completed and commissioned. Some items, such as your ventilation will in fact need third-party verification. You will need a final airtightness test once the building is complete and this will feed into your final BER assessment. Your one stop shop company will guide you as your project proceeds on what information they require and when so dont underestimate the administration and record keeping involved. One thing to keep in mind too is there is always the chance that you may be audited by SEAI. This might seem like a daunting prospect but it is all in the interest of quality assurance and of course to ensure that all the grant applications are bonafide. If you have been adhering to the guidance and instruction from your design team and your one stop shop company you have nothing to fear. It is a long road but when you get that big payment at the end it will be worth it. Kieran McCarthy is a building engineer and director of KMC Homes, a bespoke A-Rated new home builder, serving Cork and Limerick. He is also co-presenter of the RTE property show Cheap Irish Homes; The mother of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was on Monday denied access to a morgue where his body was believed to be kept after his death in an Arctic penal colony, as Mr Navalnys allies accused authorities of trying to hide evidence. Mr Navalnys spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said that the Investigative Committee, the countrys top criminal investigation agency, informed Lyudmila Navalnaya that the cause of her sons death remained unknown and that the official probe had been extended. They lie, buy time for themselves and do not even hide it, Ms Yarmysh posted on X, formerly Twitter. Many world leaders blamed President Vladimir Putin and his government for Mr Navalnys death Friday at age 47. The Kremlin has fiercely rejected the accusations. Mr Navalnys team said he was murdered and charged that officials refusal to hand over his body was part of a cover-up. The town of Kharp in the Yamalo-Nenetsk region of Russia, the location of the penal colony in which Alexei Navalny died (AP) Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov slammed what he described as boorish and inadmissible statements by Western leaders who held Mr Putin responsible for Mr Navalnys death. Those statements cant do any harm to the head of our state, but they certainly arent becoming for those who make them, Mr Peskov said in a call with reporters. Ms Yarmysh said that Mr Navalnys mother and his lawyers were not allowed into the morgue in Salekhard on Monday morning. The staff did not answer when they asked if the body was there, Ms Yarmysh said. Mr Navalnys ally Ivan Zhdanov denounced the authorities as lackeys and liars. Its clear what they are doing now covering up the traces of their crime, he wrote on Monday. Mr Navalnys death has deprived the Russian opposition of its most well-known and inspiring politician less than a month before an election that is all but certain to give Mr Putin another six years in power. It dealt a devastating blow to many Russians, who had seen Mr Navalny as a hope for political change following his unrelenting criticism of the Kremlin. Nearly 300 people have been detained by police in Russia as they streamed to ad-hoc memorials and monuments to victims of political repression with flowers and candles to pay tribute to Mr Navalny, according to OVD-Info, a group that monitors political arrests. The US and British ambassadors also mourned Mr Navalnys death at a memorial in Moscow. Authorities cordoned off some of the memorials across the country and were removing flowers at night, but they kept appearing. A woman lays flowers to pay the last respect to Alexei Navalny at a monument near the Federal Security Service (FSB) building in Moscow (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP) More than 50,000 people have submitted requests to the Russian government asking for Mr Navalnys remains to be handed over to his relatives, OVD-Info said. Russias Federal Penitentiary Service reported that Mr Navalny felt sick after a walk on Friday and became unconscious at the penal colony in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets region about 1,900 kilometres (1,200 miles) north-east of Moscow. An ambulance arrived, but he could not be revived, the service said, adding that the cause of death is still being established. Mr Navalny had been jailed since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin. He received three prison terms since his arrest, on a number of charges he has rejected as politically motivated. After the last verdict that handed him a 19-year term, Mr Navalny said he understood he was serving a life sentence, which is measured by the length of my life or the length of life of this regime. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, was in Brussels on Monday and is expected to meet European Union foreign ministers and other EU officials. On Sunday, she published a picture of the couple on Instagram in her first social media post since her husbands death, with the caption I love you. Hundreds of tractors blocked a road in Prague in a farmers protest on Monday over European Union agriculture policies and what they said were unfair practices. Major organisations representing Czech farmers did not participate and distanced themselves from the rally after it turned out some organisers were behind recent pro-Russian demonstrations. Press Release February 19, 2024 Tolentino-led panel forms TWG on measure designating Archipelagic Sea Lanes in PH MANILA -- Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino formed a technical working group (TWG) to fine tune the consolidated bills designating archipelagic sea lanes (ASLs) in the Philippines. Under the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an archipelagic state like the Philippines, may designate ASLs for "continuous and expeditious passage of foreign ships and aircraft through or over its archipelagic waters and the adjacent territorial sea." The TWG formed by Tolentino, who is Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, will be composed of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Justice (DOJ), National Security Council (NSC), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). "It's about time to move forward especially with the current geopolitical climate-- to form a TWG that would consolidate all the six measures including the House Bill calling for the adoption of the ASL," Sen. Tol said during the panel's deliberation on the bills. Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin, who is also the Philippine Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) affirmed the need for the ASL law. "We are [one of] the only two serious archipelagos on the planet. As sprawling archipelagos, we are most vulnerable in this particular aspect; our major islands are the sizes of many countries; the waterways between them offer wide approaches. We can be taken piecemeal," Locsin remarked. While the Ambassador explained that "it will take some time" for the IMO to adopt the Philippine proposal for ASLs, he expressed strong support for starting the conduct immediately. The ASL measures subject to refinement by the TWG propose three ASLs namely the Philippine Sea Balintang Channel WPS, Celebes Sea Sibutu Passage-Sulu Sea Cuyo East Pass Mindoro Strait WPS. and Celebes-Sea Basilan Strait Sulu Sea- Nasubata Channel Balabac Strait. Several experts from different agencies and the academe also collectively reminded the Committee to observe proper process in pushing for the ASL. Tolentino, concluding the hearing, said that the expected output of the TWG will include a provision where the President, will be given authority to designate the ASLs. The Maritime Panel Chairman further concluded that the final measure to be submitted to the Senate Plenary will be finished by March, before Holy Week. Tuesday, Mar 21st, 2023 (6:50 am) - Score 3,416 The sixth contract awarded under the UK Governments 5bn Project Gigabit broadband rollout scheme worth 122 million has today been awarded to CityFibre, which will upgrade connectivity for around 45,000 hard-to-reach homes and businesses across rural parts of Cambridgeshire in England. At present CityFibre is best known for deploying across urban areas and aims to cover up to 8 million UK premises (funded by c.2.4bn in equity and c.4.9bn debt) across over 285 cities, towns and villages (c.30% of the UK) by the end of 2025 (here). The operator has so far built to a total of 2.5 million premises (passing 22,000 per week), but they have also conducted some limited deployments in a few rural communities (example). NOTE: Around 73.5% of UK premises can already access a gigabit network (c. 45% via just Around 73.5% of UK premises can already access a gigabit network (c. 45% via just FTTP ) see here By comparison, Project Gigabit aims to extend 1Gbps capable (download) networks to reach at least 85% of UK premises by the end of 2025, before hopefully achieving nationwide coverage (c. 99%) by around 2030 (here). Commercial investment is expected to deliver around 80% of this, which leaves the governments scheme to focus on tackling the final 20% (mostly rural and some sub-urban areas), where the private sector alone often fails. The project is technology neutral, so it can be delivered via either full fibre FTTP, Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) or fixed wireless access (e.g. 5G), but FTTP is favoured. The project uses a number of different approaches to tackle this challenge (e.g. vouches and investment in dark fibre builds), but the largest part of the scheme involves a gap-funded subsidy approach the Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy (GIS). This is where smaller local and larger regional contracts are awarded to network operators and ISPs who can help to build their gigabit-capable infrastructure across the final 20%. The Building Digital UK (BDUK) agency, which manages Project Gigabit, has already awarded a string of initial contracts to various ISPs (see bottom of article for a summary) and the sixth one Cambridgeshire and adjacent areas (Lot 5) has today gone to CityFibre. The deal is funded by 69m of public investment, which will in turn unlock a further 53m of commercial funding to help reach around 45,000 premises in the county. Detailed planning in Cambridgeshire is said to have already begun and the first Project Gigabit connections are expected in early 2024. The rollout itself will benefit villages and hamlets around Ely, Newmarket, Royston, Huntingdon and many other areas (some of those locations are already well served by gigabit broadband, hence the use of around focusing on the poorly served outer communities). Julia Lopez, Digital Infrastructure Minister, said: Thanks to our record-breaking roll out Project Gigabit, rural homes and businesses across Cambridgeshire can be confident they wont be left behind in the upgrade to top-of-the-range gigabit broadband. This landmark deal with CityFibre will help deliver the Prime Ministers priority to grow the economy by ensuring the countys pioneering science and tech industries can unleash their full potential with lightning-quick connectivity, whether in the city or the countryside. CityFibre has also committed an additional 300,000 local stimulus package to create local jobs and provide training including construction and engineering internships for disadvantaged groups. The package will also provide free connectivity to 50 local charities and social enterprises and help those who have trouble using digital technology. Greg Mesch, CityFibre CEO, said: Having already rolled out full fibre to 2.5 million homes in towns and cities across the country, we know just how important it is that rural communities and internet service providers are freed of their dependency on creaking copper networks and finally able to enjoy the benefits of fast and reliable digital connectivity. Thats why we are delighted that CityFibre has been selected by the government as a partner in its Project Gigabit Programme. We look forward to a long and effective partnership in this exciting programme which supports not only rural connectivity, but a healthy competitive market for the long term, benefiting consumers and business nationwide. The network operator already has good coverage in Cambridgeshire, where it has so far committed more than 100m of private investment, completing deployments in Peterborough and March, and with builds well underway in other locations across the county. Nevertheless, CityFibre scooping their first major Project Gigabit contract is big news, not least because theyve done it before Nexfibre (VMO2) and BT (Openreach). On the other hand, this does represent a challenge for an operator that has, until now, largely focused on conducting more cost-efficient urban builds. CityFibres limited rural footprint will give it some experience, but it remains to be seen how well they cope with doing such a project at scale. A separate announcement from CityFibre today has also confirmed that this contract will see the operator make an additional commitment to connect a further 170,000 homes across Cambridgeshire as part of their commercial programme. Once all is completed, the operator hopes to serve more than 365,000 homes. NOTE: Of the 215,000 homes now being addressed by this Project Gigabit contract award (45,000) and CityFibres extended commercial rollout (170,000), 67% have no access to Virgin Medias networks and 75% are excluded from BT Openreachs announced FTTP rollout. In terms of the service itself. CityFibre is supported by various ISPs such as Vodafone, TalkTalk, Zen Internet, Giganet, iDNET and many others. Project Gigabit GIS Contract Awards History Wessex Internet for North Dorset (Lot 14.01) in August 2022 (here) GoFibre for Teesdale (Lot 4.01) in September 2022 (here) GoFibre for North Northumberland (Lot 34.01) in October 2022 (here) Fibrus for Cumbria (Lot 28) in November 2022 (here) Wildanet for Central Cornwall (Lot 32.03) and South West Cornwall (Lot 32.02) in January 2023 (here) CityFibre for Cambridgeshire (Lot 5) in March 2023 (here) Project Gigabit is expected to announce further contract awards for areas including Hampshire, Shropshire, Norfolk and Suffolk by this summer 2023. UPDATE 9:30am Added some extra detail on CityFibres commercial build in the county, which wasnt included in the Governments own announcement. Monday, Feb 19th, 2024 (12:57 pm) - Score 3,000 CityFibre has announced that their 69m state aid supported Project Gigabit broadband rollout contract for Cambridgeshire and adjacent areas (Lot 5), which was awarded in March 2023 (here), has finally entered the build phase. A total of around 45,000 hard-to-reach homes and businesses in the county are expected to benefit. At present the operator is better known for their deployments of a new 10Gbps capable FTTP (full fibre) network across urban parts of the UK, but over the past year theyve secured several rural-focused contracts under the UK Governments 5bn Project Gigabit rollout scheme too. The aim of this project is to help extend 1Gbps capable (download) networks to reach at least 85% of UK premises by the end of 2025, before hopefully achieving nationwide coverage (c. 99%) by around 2030. NOTE: CityFibre has so far secured a total of 9 Project Gigabit contracts for Suffolk, Norfolk, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Sussex, Kent, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire & Milton Keynes. These represent over 782m in subsidies and unlock almost 1.2bn in combined public and private investment in rural broadband. The work also supports CityFibres wider ambition of covering up to 8 million UK premises (funded by c.2.4bn in equity and c.4.9bn debt) across over 285 cities, towns and villages (c.30% of the UK) by the end of 2025 (here). The operator has already passed over 3.5 million premises (3.2m as Ready for Service) and they aim to add another million during 2024. Construction under the Cambridgeshire contract has now started, following extensive planning and design work, with the first locations in the county to benefit from the new network including Fen Ditton, Grantchester and Milton. The operator notes that the new infrastructure will also unlock a further 53m of commercial funding, which will separately enable them to reach a further 170,000 premises in the county. Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez, said: Our multi-million pound investment in Project Gigabit is putting an end to buffering and bad connections. We are rolling out gigabit-capable networks faster than any other country in Europe, driving forward growth and new opportunities by providing millions of people across the UK with access to game-changing connectivity. Its fantastic to see that Cambridgeshire will be one of the first places in the UK to see spades in the ground, transforming the way people live and work in these rural communities. Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: Our brand new network will go a long way to addressing the digital divide between our towns and cities and those in the countryside. There are real benefits to be felt from multi-gigabit speeds and unparalleled reliability and these are just as important to people living and working in rural areas. For the first time, underserved communities can choose between an old copper network built for phone calls and a modern full fibre network designed for the data age. The network operator has pledged to work closely with local stakeholders to ensure disruption is minimised and that the build is managed safely and efficiently. Typically, teams will only remain in each road for up to three days at a time, and residents will be contacted ahead of any work starting. In terms of the service itself, CityFibre is supported by various ISPs such as Vodafone, TalkTalk, Zen Internet and many others, but those will only come into play once the new network starts to go live. On the other hand, the new Project Gigabit contracts will represent a big challenge for an operator that has, until now, largely focused on conducting more cost-efficient urban builds. CityFibres limited rural trials do give them some prior experience, but it remains to be seen how well they cope with doing such a project at scale. The operator has already had to re-focus their build engine toward these contracts, which has created its own issues with build suspension in other commercial locations (here). Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High around 55F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Tonight Mostly clear. Widespread frost likely. Low around 30F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Tomorrow Mainly sunny. High 58F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stirred controversy when he said, What is happening in the Gaza Strip and with the Palestinian people did not exist at any other historical moment. Or rather, it did: when Hitler decided to kill the Jews. He continued, It is not a war between soldiers and soldiers. It is a war between a well equipped army on the one hand and women and children on the other. Lula is not the first world leader to compare Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to Hitler over his actions in Gaza Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan made the same comparison. Since Hitler murdered six million Jews, the comparison is hurtful. It could also be rejected on grounds of scale. Hitler not only killed all those European Jews, he also killed 6 million Poles. And consider Ukraine: of the 41.7 million people living in Ukrainian Soviet Republic before the war, only 27.4 million were alive in Ukraine in 1945. Official data says that at least 8 million Ukrainians lost their lives: 5.5 6 million civilians, and more than 2.5 million natives of Ukraine were killed at the front. The data varies between 8 to 14 million killed, however, only 6 million have been identified. The Times and the Sunday Times Video: Brazils Lula likens Gaza war to Holocaust While Netanyahus policies are not like those of Nazi Germany in almost any respect if we consider absolute numbers and consider the scale of killing, Lula is not completely in error if we consider more qualitative aspects of history and look to European fascism as a whole and not just the German National Socialists (who were peculiar in many ways). FIRST: KEEPING PEOPLE STATELESS ON THE BASIS OF ETHNICITY For instance, the Fascists stripped citizenship from millions of people and made them stateless, without the rights that come from a direct relationship to a state of their own. Chief Justice Earl Warren defined citizenship as the right to have rights. Hitler took citizenship from German Jews but also from the Roma and from persons of African heritage. Netanyahu keeps 5.5 million Palestinians in the occupied territories stateless and without citizenship. So his policies in this narrow regard are similar to those of the National Socialists in the 1930s. In essence, the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza are living under something like the Nuremberg Laws. Their establishments and homes are attacked by militant Israeli squatters with impunity in a sort of rolling Kristallnacht. Note that by Israeli law, Israeli squatters in the occupied Palestinian territories have all the citizenship rights of other Israelis. So the lack of rights on the West Bank is not territorial. It is by ethnicity. Netanyahu has boasted about derailing the Oslo Peace Accords and presents himself as the only one who can prevent a Palestinian state from being established. He reiterated his opposition to any international diplomatic track that leads to a Palestinian state just this weekend. SECOND: DEPRIVATION OF BASIC INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS Another feature of Fascism, underlined by Robert Paxton, is the elimination of individual rights. Israels regime over the occupied, stateless Palestinians fully demonstrates this feature. Palestinians can be arrested under administrative detention without charge or trial or habeas corpus and held for months or years. We have seen a treatment of detained Palestinians in Gaza that constitutes war crimes. It is alleged that forms of torture are practiced. THIRD: TOTAL WAR Netanyahus Gaza campaign has demonstrated a reckless disregard for the lives of innocent noncombatants, who make up nearly all of the nearly 30,000 people so far killed, and who have been deprived of domiciles and sufficient food and potable water by the Israeli military. Total war was adopted as a military strategy by fascist states, according to historian Alan Kramer. One academic summarized his argument: Kramer indicated a very interesting question regarding the specificity of the kind of war implemented by fascist regimes during the thirties and the forties, characterized by its genocidal nature and opened, according to him, with the colonial war launched by Italy in Abyssinia [Ethiopia] in 1935. Kramer underlined that the specificity of this particular way of waging war typical of fascism would define itself by the final elimination of the distinction between combatants and non-combatants, pointing how in the six years of this conflict between 350.000 and 760.000 Ethiopians were killed, victims of an asymmetric war based on the overwhelming use of air force, chemical weapons and politics of collective terror against any sign of real or imagined resistance. The fascist way of war eliminates the distinction between combatants and non-combatants and wreaks mass death on the latter to achieve military aims. There doesnt seem much doubt that Netanyahu is waging total war on Gaza and Israels President Isaac Herzog and a whole plethora of Israeli officials have repeatedly insisted that there are no innocent civilians in Gaza. This, even though half of Gazas population consists children. Total war easily leads to genocide, of course, which is why the International Court of Justice has found it at least plausible that Netanyahu is waging a genocide in Gaza, attempting to destroy a people in part or in whole because of who they are. So, no, Netanyahu is not a Hitler. But, yes, his policies bear a strong resemblance to those of inter-war Fascism. Tomdispatch.com ) We live in a world of dangerous, deadly extremes. Record-breaking heat waves, intense drought, stronger hurricanes, unprecedented flash flooding. No corner of the planet will be spared the wrath of human-caused climate change and the earths fresh water is already feeling the heat of this new reality. More than half of the worlds lakes and two-thirds of its rivers are drying up, threatening ecosystems, farmland, and drinking water supplies. Such diminishing resources are also likely to lead to conflict and even, potentially, all-out war. Competition over limited water resources is one of the main concerns for the coming decades, warned a study published in Global Environmental Change in 2018. Although water issues alone have not been the sole trigger for warfare in the past, tensions over freshwater management and use represent one of the main concerns in political relations between states and may exacerbate existing tensions, increase regional instability and social unrest. The situation is beyond dire. In 2023, it was estimated that upwards of three billion people, or more than 37% of humanity, faced real water shortages, a crisis predicted to dramatically worsen in the decades to come. Consider it ironic then that, as water is disappearing, huge dams more than 3,000 of them that require significant river flow to operate are now being built at an unprecedented pace globally. Moreover, 500 dams are being constructed in legally protected areas like national parks and wildlife reserves. There was a justification for this, claimed the U.N.s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) some years ago. Such projects, it believed, would help battle climate change by curbing carbon dioxide emissions while bringing electricity to those in the greatest of need. [Hydropower] remains the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector, the IPCC wrote in 2018. Evidence suggests that relatively high levels of deployment over the next 20 years are feasible, and hydropower should remain an attractive renewable energy source within the context of global [greenhouse gas] mitigation scenarios. The IPCC acknowledged that unceasing droughts impact stream flow and that climate change is unpredictably worsening matters. Yet its climate experts still contended that hydropower could be a crucial part of the worlds energy transition, arguing that an electric dam will produce seemingly endless energy. At the same time, other renewable sources like wind and solar power have their weather- and sunlight-bound limitations. A Crack in the Dam Logic Well-intentioned as it may have been, its now far clearer that there is a crack in the IPCCs appraisal. For one thing, recent research suggests that hydro-powered dams can create an alarming amount of climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions. Rotting vegetation at the bottom of such reservoirs, especially in warmer climates (as in much of Africa), releases significant amounts of methane, a devastating greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Most of this vegetation would have rotted anyway, of course. But, without reservoirs, the decomposition would occur mostly in the atmosphere or in well-oxygenated rivers or lakes, explains Fred Pearce in the Independent. The presence of oxygen would ensure the carbon in the plants formed carbon dioxide. But many reservoirs, particularly in the tropics, contain little oxygen. Under those anaerobic conditions, rotting vegetation generates methane instead. While CO2 also seriously harms the climate, methane emissions are far worse in the short term. We estimate that dams emit around 25% more methane by unit of surface than previously estimated, says Bridget Deemer of the School of Environment at Washington State University in Vancouver, lead author of a highly-cited study on greenhouse gas emissions from reservoirs. Methane stays in the atmosphere for only around a decade, while CO2 stays several centuries, but over the course of 20 years, methane contributes almost three times more to global warming than CO2. And thats hardly the only problem dams face in the twenty-first century. At the moment, Chinese financing is the most significant global driver of new hydropower construction. China has invested in the creation of at least 330 dams in 74 countries. Each project poses its own set of environmental quandaries. But above all, the heating of the planet last year was the warmest in human history and January 2024 the hottest January on record is making many of those investments look increasingly dubious. On this ever-hotter globe of ours, for instance, a drought in Ecuador has all too typically impacted the functionality of the Amaluza Dam on the Paute River, which provides 60% of that countrys electricity. Paute was running at 40% capacity recently as its river flow dwindled. Similarly, in southern Africa, water levels at the Kariba Dams reservoir, located between Zambia and Zimbabwe, have fluctuated drastically, impairing its ability to produce consistent energy. In recent years, drought intensified by climate change has caused reservoirs on all five continents to drop below levels needed to maintain hydroelectric production, writes Jacques Leslie in Yale E360, and the problem is bound to worsen as climate change deepens. Even in the United States, the viability of hydropower is an increasing concern. The Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, for example, has been impacted by years of drought. Water levels at its reservoir, Lake Mead, continue to plummet, raising fears that its days are numbered. The same is true for the Glen Canyon Dam, which also holds back the Colorado, forming Lake Powell. As the Colorado dries up, Glen Canyon may also lose its ability to produce electricity. Driven by dwindling water resources, the global hydropower crisis has become a flashpoint in the far reaches of Northern Africa, where the creation of a giant dam could very well lead to a regional war and worse. A Crisis on the Nile The lifeblood of northeastern Africa, the Nile River, flows through 11 countries before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. Measured at 6,650 kilometers, the Nile may be the longest river on Earth. For millennia, its meandering waters, which run through lush jungles and dry deserts, have been irrigating farmlands and providing drinking water for millions of people. Nearly 95% of Egypts 109 million people live within a few kilometers of the Nile. Arguably the most important natural resource in Africa, its now at the epicenter of a geopolitical dispute between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan thats brought those countries to the brink of military conflict. A major dam being built along the Blue Nile, the rivers main tributary, is upending the status quo in the region, where Egypt has long been the preeminent nation. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD for short) is to become one of the largest hydroelectric dams ever constructed, stretching more than 1,700 meters and standing 145 meters tall, a monument many will love and others despise. Theres no question that Ethiopia needs the electricity GERD will produce. Nearly 45% of all Ethiopians lack regular power and GERD promises to produce upwards of 5.15 gigawatts of electricity. To put that in perspective, a single gigawatt would power 876,000 households annually in the United States. Construction on the dam, which began in 2011, was 90% complete by last August when it began producing power. In total, GERDs cost is expected to eclipse $5 billion, making it the largest infrastructure project Ethiopia has ever undertaken and the largest dam on the African continent. It will not only bring reliable power to that country but promises a culture shift welcomed by many. Mothers whove given birth in the dark, girls who fetch wood for fire instead of going to school weve waited so many years for this centuries, says Filsan Abdi of the Ethiopian Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth. When we say that Ethiopia will be a beacon of prosperity, it starts here. While most Ethiopians may see the dam in a positive light, the downstream countries of Egypt and Sudan (itself embroiled in a devastating civil war) were never consulted, and their officials are indignant. The massive reservoir behind GERDs gigantic cement wall will hold back 74 billion cubic meters of water. That means Ethiopia will have remarkable control over the flow of the Nile, giving its leaders power over how much access to water both Egyptians and Sudanese will have. The Blue Nile, after all, provides 59% of Egypts freshwater supply. As it happens, fresh water in Egypt has long been growing scarcer and so the countrys leadership has taken the threat of GERD seriously for years. In 2012, for instance, Wikileaks obtained internal emails from the global intelligence firm Stratfor revealing that Egypt and Sudan were even then considering directing the Egyptian Special Forces to destroy the dam, still in the early stages of construction. [We] are discussing military cooperation with Sudan, a high-level Egyptian source was quoted as saying. While such a direct attack never transpired, Stratfor claimed that Egypt might once again lend support to proxy militant groups against Ethiopia (as it had in the 1970s and 1980s) if diplomacy were to hit a dead end. Unfortunately, the most recent negotiations to calm the hostility around GERD have gone distinctly awry. Last April, the embittered Egyptians responded to the lack of any significant progress by conducting a three-day military drill with Sudan at a naval base in the Red Sea aimed at frightening Ethiopian officials. All options are on the table, warned Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. [All] alternatives remain available and Egypt has its capabilities. Seemingly unfazed by such military threats, Ethiopia plans to finish building the dam, claiming it will provide much-needed energy to impoverished Ethiopians and limit the countrys overall carbon footprint. [GERD] represents a sustainable socio-economic project for Ethiopia: replacing fossil fuels and reducing CO2 emissions, the Ethiopian embassy in Washington has asserted. GERD, however, falls squarely into the category of being a major problem dam and not just because it could lead to a bloody war in a region already in horrific turmoil. Once filled, its massive reservoir will cover a staggering 1,874 square kilometers, making it more than three-quarters the size of Utahs Great Salt Lake (after it started to shrink). Unfortunately, GERD never underwent a proper environmental impact assessment (EIA) despite being legally required to do so. No EIA was ever carried out because the notoriously corrupt Ethiopian government knew that the results wouldnt be pleasing and was unwilling to let any roadblocks get in the way of the dams construction, something that became more obvious when upwards of 20,000 indigenous Gumuz and Berta natives began to be forced from their homes to make way for the monstrous dam. Publicly coming out against the dam has proven a risky business. Employees of International Rivers, a nonprofit that advocates for people endangered by dams, have been harassed and received death threats in response to their opposition. Prominent Ethiopian journalist Reeyot Alemu, a critic of the dam and the governments actions concerning it, was imprisoned for more than four years under draconian anti-terrorism laws. Electric Water Wars While GERD has created a dicey conflict, it also has international ramifications. China, which has played such a pivotal role in bankrolling hydropower projects globally in these years, has provided $1.2 billion to help the Ethiopians build transmission lines from the dam to nearby towns. Since it has also heavily invested in Egypt, its well-positioned, if any country is, to help navigate the GERD dispute. Military analysts in the United States argue that Chinas involvement with the dam is part of a policy meant to put the U.S. at a distinct disadvantage in the race to exploit Africas abundant rare earth minerals from the cobalt caverns of the Congo to the vast lithium deposits in Ethiopias hinterlands. China, the worlds largest debt collector, has indeed poured money into Africa. As of 2021, it was that continents largest creditor, holding 20% of its total debt. The growth of Chinese influence internationally and in Africa it has large infrastructure projects in 35 African countries is crucial to understanding the latest version of the globes imperial geopolitics. Most of Chinas African ventures are connected to Beijings Belt and Road Initiative, a program of this century to fund infrastructure deals across Eurasia and Africa. Its economic ties to Africa began, however, with Chinese leader Mao Zedongs push in the 1950s and 1960s for an Afro-Asian alliance that would challenge Western imperialism. So many decades later, the idea of such an alliance plays second fiddle to Chinas global economic desires, which, like so many past imperial projects in Africa, have significant downsides for those on the receiving end. Developing countries desperately need capital, so theyre willing to accept rigid terms and conditions from China, even if they represent the latest version of the centurys old colonialism and neo-colonialism that focused on controlling the continents rich resources. This is certainly true in the case of Chinas hydropower investments in places like Ghanas Bui Dam and the Congo River Dam in the Republic of Congo, where multi-billion-dollar loans are backed by Congos crude oil and Ghanas cocoa crops. In 2020, the U.S. belatedly inserted itself into the GERD feud, threatening to cut $130 million in aid for Ethiopias anti-terrorism efforts. The Ethiopians believed it was related to the dam controversy, as they also did when, in June 2023, the Biden administration directed USAID to halt all food assistance to the country (upwards of $2 billion), claiming it wasnt reaching Ethiopians, only to reverse course months later. The dispute over Ethiopias enormous dam should be a warning of what the future holds on a hotter, drier planet, where the rivers that feed dams like GERD are drying up while the superpowers continue to jockey for position, hoping to control what remains of the worlds resources. Hydropower wont help solve the climate crisis, but new dam projects may lead to war over one thing key to our survival access to fresh, clean water. Copyright 2024 Joshua Frank Via Tomdispatch.com While Im packing my bag the morning of my flight because I am a procrastinator, Maria hadnt packed because she did not believe that war would erupt. She thought if she did pack her bag in advance for such a scenario, war would then inevitably occur. I had prepared my Madrid apartment for Maria, her mother and father in case they needed to flee here. I had arranged fresh linens for them, turning my apartment into a haven to accommodate three potential refugees. During the morning of the 24th both Maria and I pack warm clothing. There is a winter storm in Zahle, in the high mountains of Lebanon. Maria will be going to a bomb shelter, well below the ground in a freezing metro station. We collect our documents, laptops, and chargers. Maria packs something I have no need to: photos of family and friends, to preserve their memories unsure if she would see them again. I shut the teal window blinds on my balcony. On top of the entrance to the convent in front of my house, a dove representing the Holy Spirit flies above the representation of Mary. For her namesake in Ukraine, it is not a dove that flies above her head, but rather enemy aircraft. Driving to the airport, I dial Maria in vain. The first leg of my journey is to Istanbul, a four-hour journey where I wont be able to make calls. At this point, I am not sure if the telecommunication lines have been hit, or even if Maria is still alive. As I am about to board the plane and turn off my phone, she picks up. When I ask about her, she holds back her tears. Her parents live in Okhtyrka, in the Sumy region, 30 miles from the border and now the front lines. Nonetheless, she declares her wish for peace, with no malice or cynicism in her voice. I remind her that they have a home in Madrid. I place my KN-94 mask snuggly on. And a surgical mask on top of that. I am so grateful the seat next to me is empty. I have yet to catch Covid and feared how I would fare with this virus in Lebanon, having heard stories about the abysmal conditions of health care as a result of the economic crisis. My grandfather survived a pandemic by moving to Lebanon in the late 1940s. I do not want to repeat history. For the next four hours I will be dodging viruses. I fret that this plane will also have to dodge missiles as we approach Istanbul airport, close to the Black Sea, where warships are bombarding Ukraine with cruise missiles, according to the news. Istanbul airport is unusually empty. I look at the screen for the gate to my connecting flight to Lebanon, noticing a list of cancelled flights that were destined for Ukraine and Russia. Maria Shakirs apartment in Zahle, Lebanon. [Ibrahim al-Marashi/TNA] I turn on my phone. No messages from Ukrainian Maria, but Lebanese Maria sends me pictures of the dishes she has prepared for my arrival via Whatsapp hummus with olive oil and sesame seeds and falafel. She is 98-years old yet knows how to send gifs and emojis. When I confirm I am boarding the plane, she sends a gif of a woman from the Sixties with a bra that fires sparks, like bullets. When I leave her a voice message that the flight to Lebanon is scheduled to leave on time, she sends me an animated image of Jesus Christ. Five hours later, drenched and exhausted, I arrived at a first-floor apartment in Zahle. Maria is elated. I collapse on her sofa. She hugs me, and screams tuburni or you will bury me, which is a term of endearment, but I dread the thought of her passing. She is so short that even sitting on the sofa our eyeline is equal. While she prepares the food, I recline on the sofa, made out of a wooden frame, yet the cushions are made with thick grey blankets, stamped with the logo of UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, while a stuffed teddy bear and cheetah rest behind me. I am too embarrassed to ask whether her or a resourceful furniture maker had reappropriated them from the nearby camps housing Syrian refugees. She brings out her folded table and I eat right there. My Maria in Zahle frets when she learns that the grain supply from Ukraine will be interrupted, increasing the price of bread in Lebanon. Its fortunate I have arrived with US dollars to help her adjust to this crisis While I am in the most comfortable setting, my second home, Ukrainian Marias second home is underneath the earth, a cold, underground bomb shelter. While I have a sumptuous Lebanese feast, Maria in Kyiv occasionally comes up for air, to find soup during the ephemeral lull of security, until the sirens call her back. I asked Maria in Zahle to turn on the TV so I can find news about Maria in Kyiv. My Maria in Zahle frets when she learns that the grain supply from Ukraine will be interrupted, increasing the price of bread in Lebanon. Its fortunate I have arrived with US dollars to help her adjust to this crisis. On top of the TV set, on the wooden bookshelf, there are three separate depictions of the Virgin Mary and a drawn image of Jesus holding his hand to his heart, while what seems like laser rays of red and blue are coming out of his chest. During the late 1940s, my grandfather contracted tuberculosis, the Covid-19 of its time. He had to leave his home, Najaf, in the dusty Iraqi desert to recover in the clean mountain air of Zahle. He probably bemoaned his fate, but there he met my grandmother, a Christian refugee from Mardin. If it were not for refugees and pandemics my mother would not be born, and I would not exist. US President Joe Biden directly blamed Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Friday for the reported death of Alexei Navalny in prison, describing the Kremlin critic as a "powerful voice for the truth." Saying he was "outraged," Biden said he did not yet know exactly what had happened to 47-year-old Navalny, but that it was the fault of Putin and his "thugs." "Make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Navalny's death," Biden said in televised remarks from the White House. "What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putin's brutality. No one should be fooled." Biden, who has branded Putin a dictator over his invasion of Ukraine and treatment of opponents, said he was "looking at a whole number of options" on how to respond but did not go further. Asked in 2021 after meeting Putin in Switzerland, what would happen were Navalny to die, Biden said he told the Russian leader that Moscow would face "devastating" consequences. On Friday, Biden hailed Navalny's achievements and sent condolences to the Kremlin opponent's wife and children. Biden recalled that Navalny had been poisoned while in exile and had then returned to Russia despite knowing the risks to his safety. Navalny was "so many things that Putin is not," he said. "Even in prison he was a powerful voice for the truth," Biden said. "God bless Alexei Navalny, his courage will not be forgotten." - 'No doubt' - Russian officials said Navalny died on Friday in an Arctic prison, a month before an election poised to extend Putin's hold on power. Navalny's death after three years in detention and a poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin deprives Russia's opposition of its figurehead at a time of intense repression and the invasion of Ukraine. "We don't know exactly what happened," Biden said, "but there is no doubt that the death of Navalny was the consequences of something that Putin and his thugs did." Democrat Biden said Navalny's death meanwhile showed the need for Republicans in the US House to stop blocking a multi-billion-dollar war aid package for faltering Ukraine. "This tragedy reminds us of the stakes of this moment," he said. "We have to provide the funding so Ukraine can keep defending itself against Putin's vicious onslaught and war crimes." He played down concerns however about a Russian anti-satellite weapon that the White House this week said Moscow was developing, saying it posed "no nuclear threat" to the United States or any other country. Biden also pledged that Washington would honor its "sacred commitment" to NATO, as allies worry that Republican Donald Trump could stage a comeback in November's US presidential election. He repeated his condemnation of "dangerous" and "outrageous" remarks by former president Trump encouraging Russia to attack NATO countries that don't meet their financial commitments. "From Truman on, they're rolling over in their graves hearing this," Biden said, referring to President Harry Truman, who led the United States to become a founding member of the alliance in 1949. Five decades ago, he was a feared policeman nicknamed "the Whip," an enforcer of Paraguay's military dictatorship. Today, aged 87, Eusebio Torres is finally standing trial on torture allegations dating to 1976. Some 20 witnesses testified against Torres in a court in Asuncion this past week, detailing his alleged cruelty and opening a rare window onto crimes committed under the 1954-1989 rule of strongman Alfredo Stroessner -- South America's longest-serving dictatorship. Torres, under house arrest, attended the hearings online, listening stoically as witnesses detailed allegations of extreme brutality committed against dissidents -- real and suspected -- of the Stroessner regime. "He (Torres) ordered me to undress and, with his leather-braided whip, he began to hit me hard, with rage... One of the impacts burst my eye," one of them, Carlos Arestivo, told the court of an incident 47 years ago. He has worn a glass eye since. Another, 70-year-old Guillermina Kanonnikoff, said Torres had "tortured me with whips while I protected my eight-month-old child with my body." Her husband, Mario, did not survive his own interrogation, she said. Constantino Coronel, 92, told the court how he was made to drink blood from his own wounds, had his head dunked in a toilet bowl with feces, and given repeated electric shocks. - Justice, not revenge - The Stroessner dictatorship left a tally of 59 extra-judicial executions, 336 people disappeared, nearly 20,000 illegal detentions, and almost 19,000 cases of torture. On the scale of small Paraguay, it affected "one in 133 inhabitants," according to a Truth and Justice Commission report from 2008. Prosecutions have been rare, however, with about a dozen police officers held for torture and Stroessner himself, sentenced in absentia, dying in 2006 at the age of 93 never having been extradited from retirement in Brazil. The trial, victim Antonio Valenzuela Pecci told AFP, is "of great importance, because very few police officers... of the Stroessner dictatorship were convicted." He added: "It is a desire for justice that animates us, not revenge." For her part, Kanonnikoff insisted that "all these people who committed crimes against humanity continue to be protected. This guy (Torres) knows perfectly well what happened to the people who disappeared in 1976." This was a year of mass arrests at the height of "Operation Condor" that saw South America's military dictatorships club together to hunt down and eliminate left-wing dissidents across national borders. The right-wing Colorado Party that was in power in Paraguay at the time continues to dominate politics today, and Torres was honored by the state in 2014 for a half-century career -- an event that sparked much anger. Prosecutors have sought a 15-year prison sentence for Torres, whose defense lawyers have asked for the charges to be dismissed. A ruling is expected next week. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva accused Israel Sunday of committing "genocide" against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and compared its actions to Adolf Hitler's campaign to exterminate Jews. In response, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the 78-year-old's comments "shameful and grave" and said his government had called in Brazil's ambassador in protest. But his comments drew praise from the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which described the remarks as "an accurate description" of what people were facing in the Gaza Strip that it controls. Lula told reporters in Addis Ababa, where he was attending an African Union summit, that what was happening in the Gaza Strip "isn't a war, it's a genocide". "It's not a war of soldiers against soldiers. It's a war between a highly prepared army and women and children," added the veteran leftist. "What's happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people hasn't happened at any other moment in history. Actually, it has happened: when Hitler decided to kill the Jews." Lula, a prominent voice for the global south whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the G20, previously condemned Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel as a "terrorist" act. But he has since grown vocally critical of Israel's retaliatory military campaign. Netanyahu called Lula's remarks "Holocaust trivialisation and an attempt to harm the Jewish people and the right of Israel to defend itself". "The comparison between Israel to the Holocaust of the Nazis and Hitler is crossing a red line," he said in a statement. "Israel is fighting to defend itself and ensure its future until total victory and it is doing that while upholding international law." "I have decided with Foreign Minister (Israel) Katz to summon the Brazilian ambassador in Israel for an immediate reproach." Katz wrote on the X social media platform that the meeting would take place on Monday. - UNRWA contribution - Israeli President Isaac Herzog hit out at "leaders who atrociously accuse the nation state of the Jewish people of the evil of Hitler's deeds", without naming his Brazilian counterpart. To do so was an "immoral distortion of history", he added. Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant meanwhile called Lula's comments "outrageous and abhorrent". "Brazil has stood with Israel for years," he wrote on X. "President Lula supports a genocidal terrorist organisation -- Hamas, and in doing so brings great shame to his people, and violates the values of the free world." The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Militants also took about 250 people hostage, 130 of whom are still in Gaza, including 30 who are presumed dead, according to Israeli figures. Israel's assault on Gaza has killed at least 28,858 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Lula criticised Western countries' recent decisions to halt aid to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, after Israel accused some of its employees of involvement in the October 7 attack. Lula, who met with Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh Saturday on the sidelines of the summit, has said Brazil will increase its own contribution to the agency, and urged other countries to do the same. "When I see the rich world announce that it's halting its contributions to humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, I just imagine how big these people's political awareness is and how big the spirit of solidarity in their hearts is," Lula said. "We need to stop being small when we need to be big." He reiterated his call for a two-state solution to the conflict, with Palestine "definitively recognised as a full and sovereign state." jhb-ibz/phz/imm X Kyiv opened a war crimes investigation Sunday after two separate reports of Russian troops shooting captured Ukrainian soldiers emerged. Ukraine's army on Sunday posted a grainy video shot from the air of what it said was a Russian soldier shooting two Ukrainian soldiers at point-blank range. In the video, two soldiers labelled as Ukrainian advance towards another labelled as Russian in a trench. They then appear to stop before the Russian soldier grabs and shoots them repeatedly, including while they were lying on the floor, not appearing to resist. AFP could not verify the authenticity of the video, its location or when it was shot. "This morning... the Russians once again showed their attitude to international humanitarian law by shooting two Ukrainian prisoners of war," Ukraine's ground forces wrote on Telegram in a post accompanying the video. Ukraine's Prosecutor General said later on Sunday it had opened an investigation into possible war crimes based on the footage. It said the incident happened near the village of Vesele in Ukraine's Donetsk region. The prosecutor also said it was investigating reports of the alleged execution of six wounded Ukrainian soldiers left behind during Kyiv's withdrawal from Avdiivka. The DeepState Telegram channel, seen as close to the Ukrainian army, reported that Russian forces had shot six injured Ukrainian soldiers, most likely on Thursday, who were too badly wounded to leave their positions during the hasty exit from the town. It said their fellow soldiers had subsequently recognised their bodies on a video posted on Russian social media. "The killing of prisoners of war is a gross violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war and a grave international crime," Ukraine's prosecutor said in a statement Sunday. There was no response from Russia to the allegations. Moscow and Kyiv have several times accused each other of violating international humanitarian law by killing prisoners of war since Russia invaded. The United Nations has documented cases of summary executions of captured Ukrainian soldiers as well as torture during the two-year war. In "Captivating the King" Episode 11, Shin Se Kyung rushes to confess her sin against Jo Jung Suk who's done nothing but forgive her all the time. A series of bad luck hits the palace which threatens the king's place on the throne. Will Jo Jung Suk surrender his reign as the king? Keep on reading to know more. 'Captivating The King' Episode 11: Kang Hee Soo Angers Lee In Kang Hee Soo (Shin Se Kyung) comes clean about the princess swap before the principal director meets Lee In (Jo Jung Suk) to control the damage. Kim Myung Ha (Lee Shin Young) worries about the former's fate as she might be punished for deception especially when they learn about Lee In's rage. Lee In threatens Kang Hee Soo but because she knows that he loves her, she stands firmly and defends herself including the maid that she used in the tryst. The principal director urges Lee In to arrest Kang Hee Soo. However, because of his love for the latter, the king covers up the princess swap which angers the palace. What Happens To Lee In? Yoo Hyun Bo (Yang Kyung Won), who's annoyed by the king covering up the matter, fabricates the evidence to corner Kang Hee Soo. Unbeknownst to them, Kag Hee Soo is deceived by the principal director, telling her that the king sacrificed himself for the throne. READ MORE: 'Captivating the King' Episode 9-10: Shin Se Kyung Commits Grave Sin Against Jo Jung Suk The truth is that Lee In is playing Go with Prince Moon Seong (Hong Jun Woo), his nephew, to teach him how to govern the palace in the future. This makes Kang Hee Soo confused and angry once again. When she walks back home, she bumps into the king, the person she wants to see the least at the moment. However, her anger melts away when Lee In asks her to stay beside him, promising to explain everything to her soon. The Palace Catches Fire Before they can even make a move, the principal director already begins to attack, attempting to steal the throne. Meanwhile, the grand prince aids the sickly queen. At the end of the episode, Kang Hee Soo suggests making Moon Seong the crown prince to prevent harm. Later on, she reunites with the king. ALSO READ: Jo Jung Suk & Shin Se Kyung To Deliver Intense Chemistry In Final Half of 'Captivating the King' The two share an embrace as they relieve each other's stress. "Captivating the King" episode 11 ends as thunder strikes, putting the palace on fire. KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. Han Ye Seul clarifies wedding rumors after the media and fans speculate that she is soon to walk down the aisle. Amid fellow celebrities who are getting married, the "Birth of a Beauty" star gets honest about her relationship status. Han Ye Seul Talks About Marriage In an Instagram post, Han Ye Seul denied that she is getting married anytime soon. Along with a screenshot of articles about her and her special someone, the actress shutdown wedding rumors and said that she is "not preparing for marriage." "I'm just playing around with my friend," she wrote, adding, "We are not ready for marriage yet." The news about the upcoming wedding began after Han Ye Seul Instagram featured a photo with photographer Peter Ash Lee. The post garnered massive attention after she captioned it, "My designated wedding photographer." Due to this, fans and her 1.9 million Instagram followers thought that she would be the next celebrity to walk down the aisle. In the comment section, fans sent congratulatory messages to the actress and her longtime boyfriend, but the actress clarified the truth about those wedding rumors. Interestingly, this is not the first time that Han Ye Seul has talked about marriage. In 2015, the actress said that she was not ready to settle down with her then-boyfriend Teddy. Actress Han Ye-sul said Tuesday that she is not ready to tie the knot with her current boyfriend, Teddy Park. In a report, her former agency, KeyEAST, revealed that they are currently dating but are not ready for marriage yet. "After Han revealed her affection toward her boyfriend at a year-end award ceremony, many people are wondering if the two will get married soon," the agency added. However, their romance ended in 2016 after four years of dating. Han Ye Seul Relationship Back in 2021, the actress went public with her relationship with a boyfriend who was 10 years her junior. At the time, she openly talked about her romance with former theater actor Ryu Sung Jae. READ MORE: Han Ye Seul Says Dating in 40s 'Is a Very Difficult Thing' Amid her confirmation of a new relationship, Han Ye Seul's boyfriend was hit with controversy. It was after Dispatch claimed that Ryu Sung Jae used to work at an unlicensed karaoke in Chengdamdong, Seoul, and was a former male escort. In addition, the outlet also revealed the expose of one tipster, adding that Han Ye Seul "tried to debut him as an actor," but unfortunately, he was not given the opportunity. What's Next for Han Ye Seul? With her last K-drama appearance in 2019, Han Ye Seul is in talks for an on-screen comeback through the upcoming series "A Queen Lives in Seoul." In 2023, an exclusive report mentioned that she was selected to headline the drama, but at the time, her agency, Highent, confirmed the news, saying that she was "positively reviewing the offer." Unfortunately, the upcoming series got canceled saying that the production "did not receive the needed investment." IN CASE YOU MISSED: Han Ye Seul Admits Bringing Her Boyfriend Abroad to Avoid Scandals For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Monday, February 19, 2024 - President William Ruto has begged Kenyans to have a little patience as he institutes reforms that will change the country for good. Speaking during the Joint National Executive Retreat and Parliamentary Group consultative meeting, in Naivasha, Nakuru County on Monday, Ruto said he is ready to transform the country. I know sometimes many get discouraged and anxious and some panic. People believe in Kenya we must not be the ones who will not believe in Kenya," he said. Ruto told MPs that they are the government in Parliament, so they should use their numbers and position to transform the country. The President encouraged MPs to honour their social contract with the people even as he lauded them for doing a good job in the legislation process. "You are the government. Don't point at other governments, you are the government," he said. Ruto's sentiments come as the Opposition continues to pile pressure on his administration to ease the cost of living, reduce taxes, become more inclusive, and fulfill their manifesto. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, February 19, 2024 - President William Ruto is still reeling from shock after 2,000 Kenyans failed to apply for jobs abroad paying Ksh200,000 per month. Speaking during the Joint National Executive Retreat and Parliamentary Group consultative meeting, Naivasha, Nakuru County, Ruto revealed that only 500 Kenyans had applied for nursing jobs recently advised by the Ministry of Labour. The Head of State indicated that the government had advertised for 2,500 positions with some attracting up to Ksh200,000 monthly salary. However, he wondered why most Kenyans had not applied for the opportunities. Following the low turnout, Ruto directed United Democratic Alliance (UDA) lawmakers to inform their constituents and help the government link Kenyans to jobs abroad. "An intelligent person will leave here and go do what they must do. "You have constituents who will take a lot of offence if they discover that there are opportunities and nobody has come for them," Ruto stated. "That is not enough, we have a half million of such opportunities. "I am trying to set up a system to support you in making sure you have as much information as possible because I have negotiated for many opportunities for Kenyans. "I am almost completing an agreement with the German government because they have asked for 200,000 Kenyans in various job opportunities." "I thought we have so many people looking for jobs in our offices, let us work together and connect them to the opportunities. "Please take what I'm telling you seriously. This is not politics. Any serious leader will take what I'm about seriously," Ruto insisted. However, the leaders asked President Ruto to divide the job opportunities per county. The President quickly dismissed the proposal, asking them to inform the people to apply for the jobs through the right channel. Ruto directed them to help them with the application processes and other documents required. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, February 19, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has blasted former President Uhuru Kenyatta for attacking his boss, President William Ruto, in funerals. Uhuru, while attending the funeral of the late Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya's wife, challenged Ruto to focus on delivering for Kenyans and minimise the tendency to blame past regimes. But while addressing the annual Cabinet retreat in Naivasha today, Gachagua encouraged his boss to keep his eyes on the rearview mirror. He argued that looking back periodically ensures that the state delivers its mandate to Kenyans in line with its manifesto. "I heard somebody saying that you should not look at the rearview mirror. "I want to encourage you to continue looking in the rearview mirror. "In your leadership, Your Excellency, you have made it very clear that no Kenyan should be left behind. "You must continuously continue looking in the rearview mirror to ensure that all Kenyans are onboard and not left behind," he stated. "Again, there are people who would like to derail your vehicle. "Some would like to puncture the rear wheels. while some would like to remove goods from your car. "You must look at the rearview so that you are ahead of everybody who may want to derail your progress." He further indicated that looking back would help him notice if his team is slacking and institute measures to ensure they pull their weight. "Your pace is too fast for those of us who help you. Keep looking back so that when you find your deputy is being left behind, you urge him to catch up with you," he added. Using the example of a car, Uhuru had earlier chided Ruto that he should plan ahead arguing that good drivers do not constantly check their rearview mirrors. He further noted that leaders who continually blame past regimes are more inclined to lead the country astray. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Monday, February 19, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he is ready to reconcile with former President Uhuru Kenyatta. Addressing mourners at the funeral of ex-Deputy Inspector General of Police, King'ori Mwangi, in Ndugamano village, Tetu constituency, Nyeri County on Saturday, Gachagua expressed his anticipation to connect with the former President, who by then had left the funeral. "I was looking forward to meeting my friend and former boss President Uhuru Kenyatta. "I wanted to come and greet him because I had not seen him for a while and tell him it was well. "He is our son, we had some little disagreements but its over and we need to unite as a mountain," Gachagua stated. Reflecting on the past, Gachagua stressed that he's dedicated to putting those disagreements behind them and moving forward. He served as our fourth President. We had differences with him, but those differences are now in the past. "He has retired, returned home, and kept a low profile, and we respect his decision, If I had met him I would have told him how much we appreciate his work in retirement. We love and pray for him, he is our brother," Gachagua noted. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, February 19, 2024 - President William Ruto has responded to his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, who accused him of leading the country into a ditch. During the burial ceremony of former Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya's wife on Saturday, Uhuru said focused leaders should look ahead, not behind. Uhuru said the current administration, under Ruto, is steering the country in the wrong direction. But in response, Ruto claimed that Uhuru was unhappy that he was implementing the affordable housing plan. Ruto said the success story of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance housing plan was the one making Uhuru cry. "I hear one of our friends say that when he sees things, he feels like crying. It is true because they are now wondering if it was actually true that housing was possible and you wasted time on reggae, Ruto said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, February 19, 2024 Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale is on the receiving end for snubbing President William Rutos recent tour of Kakamega County. Khalwale was conspicuously missing from Rutos tour; a move that even attracted the condemnation from Azimio Leaders in the region. Led by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, the leaders faulted Khalwale for not advocating for development projects in the county, terming it as a failure to deliver as per his mandate. Speaking during the burial ceremony of the late Mzee Joseph Khagali in Lubao, in Shinyalu Sub-County, Governor Barasa cited Khalwales absence during a recent visit by Ruto to justify his argument. Barasa highlighted what he described as Khalwales reluctance towards development initiatives, such as failing to utilise his position at the Senate to advocate for more resources for devolved units. President William Ruto has in the past three months visited over twenty counties, among them Kakamega during his tour to the Western region. During a recent visit by President H.E William Ruto, where we gathered to discuss crucial development projects in the County, including the completion of the Kakamega Level-6 hospital, Kakamega Airport, and Bukhungu International Stadium, the Senator was conspicuously absent, Barasa stated. The governor, however, promised to work together with the Senator to promote development in the county. Despite our differences, I am willing to collaborate with the Senator to bring about positive change in the livelihoods of Kakamega residents, he promised. Barasa also commended the current leadership of the Ikolomani Constituency under Bernard Shinali for the visible development, including rectifying missteps made by past leaders. During Senator Khalwale's ten-year tenure as an MP despite receiving CDF funds, Ikolomani ranked last in transformative leadership across Kenya, Barasa noted. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, February 19, 2024 - Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has ordered the immediate payment of one-year licenses for mama mbogas and other small-scale businesses operating within Nairobi, or else they will not be allowed to operate. In a statement, the Governor noted that starting this week, Nairobi County Executives would hit the ground in intensified revenue collection. As such, all cess payments for businesses that operate long-term were ordered to be transitioned to Unified Business Permits with immediate effect. Any business that runs consistently at one spot for over six months will be required to acquire a Unified Business Permit (UBP) including in markets and also those allowed to operate on road reserves, Sakaja directed. Justifying the move, Sakaja remarked that the UBP was cheaper in the long term compared to the daily cess. Additionally, he added that most of the time, the daily cess payments are not received at county headquarters leaving the small businesses to daily harassment from Kanjos. We must quickly embrace technology because it has the potential to increase revenue collection, monitor compliance, and facilitate compliance, the governor directed. The decision to switch to UBPs for small businesses was arrived at during a revenue mobilisation meeting chaired by Sakaja and attended by County Executives, Chief Officers, and Directors in charge of Revenue Collection and Sub County Administration. With the move, Sakaja foresees Nairobi County setting a record in revenue collected since the inception of devolution. Sakaja remarked that the small business switching to UBP, would seal leakages and enhance efficiency on top of increasing revenue targets. UBP was introduced on January 1, to end the issuance of multiple business licenses. The UBP combines the business, fire, food, health, and advertising licenses into one, Sakaja stated then. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, February 18, 2024 Former US President Donald Trump slammed the $355 million fine he was ordered to pay in his fraud case and warned that businesses will flee New York state as a result of the decision. On the campaign trail Saturday night in Waterford Township, Michigan, Trump railed against lunatic Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engorons ruling a day earlier after he was found guilty of inflating his net worth by billions to secure favorable bank loans. The case is a complete and total sham.Its a sham case, Trump told the crowd at the rally. There were no victims, no damages, no defaults, no complaints, no nothing. There was nothing, he said. The front-running Republican presidential candidate repeated his claims that the lawsuit brought against Trump, his company and his sons by New York Attorney General Letitia James was an attempt by Democrats to stop him from being president This is merely an election interference ploy by a crazed attorney general working closely with a very bad judge, Trump said. Judge Engoran just fined me $355 million for doing everything right, On Friday, Engoron found Trump liable for inflating his net worth by billions of dollars a year to get better loan and insurance terms in a case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who campaigned on a promise to bring down his business empire. The judges decision also banned the former president from doing business in the state where he built his brand. Trump said he intends to appeal the decision which also bars him from running the Trump Organization or serving as a director or officer of any other company in New York for three years. If justice is anything in New York State then well win, he declared. He predicted an exodus of businesses from New York, scared off by the legal system. As a result of this decision, businesses are going to leave New York state, taking thousands of jobs with them because they cant subject themselves to this, Trump said. And if this persecution of political opponents continues nobody will want to do business in the United States of America any longer, he added. He called on Congress to impeach Joe Biden to stop what calls the weaponization of the Department of Justice. Monday, February 19, 2024 - Police raided a rental house in Nyando, Kayole Estate, and rescued 16 children suspected to have been abducted. Police from the nearby Soweto Police Station carried out the raid after getting an intelligence report from a Children Protection Officer from Embakasi Central Constituency. 16 children were found under the care of Linet Akinyi and Isaack Mwanjeka, a 54-year-old Tanzanian national in a two-roomed rental house. Shockingly, neither caregiver could provide a satisfactory account of how the children came to be in their custody. The rescued children, ranging from ages 2 to 16, were swiftly removed from the premises and temporarily placed under the care of Salome Mituri Wambui, the founder of By Grace Childrens Home in Nyando. The case, now under the jurisdiction of the Police, is being handled by the Kayole Division of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Watch video. Police have rescued tens of stolen/missing children in an intelligence lead operation. If your child has been missing, visit Kayole Police Station with your ID, Birth Certificate and the OB Number you reported with. pic.twitter.com/UtAqdJ6SGi Abdulahi Adan (@AbdulahiAdan10) February 19, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Monday, February 19, 2024 - President William Ruto made a stylish fashion statement after he stepped out for the C abinet retreat in Naivasha rocking a black leather jacket worth Ksh 1.9 Million, shortly after landing from Ethiopia. The Head of State wore a Fredo Ferruci genuine python leather jacket worth $13450(about Ksh 1, 943, 525). The expensive jacket is made up of python skin. Lately, the President has a penchant for the worlds finest brands, even as Kenyans face harsh economic times. Below is a photo of the expensive jacket that Ruto was pictured wearing. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, February 18, 2024 Prince Harry was 'blocked' from having a heart-to-heart with King Charles by Palace aides over fears 'they'd never get rid of him', it has been claimed. Following the King's cancer diagnosis last week, it is believed the Duke of Sussex hoped to join him for a few days at Sandringham when he arrived in London last week. However, according to The Sun, an insider said Prince Harry was instructed to visit Clarence House, his father's London home, for a short managed face-to-face meeting before being told to get a hotel accomodation for himself to spend the night. 'Harry came over to see his father, expecting to go to Sandringham. But instead he was asked to be at Clarence House and was restricted to 30 minutes,' the source told The Sun on Sunday. 'The fear was that if he went to Sandringham they would never get rid of him.' The comments come after reports claimed Prince Harry had 'zero chance' of coming back into The Firm, with royal insiders saying Prince William 'would not allow it' amid claims his brother and Meghan Markle 'cannot be trusted'. Harry's travel form US to the UK has raised hopes that his return to Britain will be used to heal wounds with King Charles and a chance to reach out to his brother Prince William. In a TV interview with Good Morning America on Friday, Harry said he hoped that his father's illness could have a 'reunifying effect' on the family. Harry also said 'I love my family' and that he was 'grateful' to be able to spend time with his father when he flew back to the UK last week. Prince Harry, who stepped down as a working royal alongside his wife the Duchess of Sussex in 2020, is a counsellor of state but is not expected to take up any of the King's duties while he recovers. The report says insiders last night insisted no offer had been to Harry to take on a 'half in, half out' hybrid royal role. Insisting other senior royals like the Queen, Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie were 'more than capable of holding the fort', The Sun on Sunday said they were told by a source: 'Is Harry really saying he'd fly back from California to attend an investiture?' Palace sources have emphasised the King's illness would not change the terms of the Sandringham summit agreement, in which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's exit from the working Royal family was agreed in detail. 'Those terms were quite clear, and the King's illness hasn't altered that,' a source said, according to the Telegraph. Monday, February 19, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has responded to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who accused Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders of taking the country into a ditch. Speaking during the burial of former Kipipiri MP, Amos Kimunyas wife in Nyandarua on Saturday, Uhuru chided Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders, accusing them of taking the country in the wrong direction. "If you are a leader, one who is given the steering wheel, if you are a worthy leader who is at the steering wheel you look forward, not every time looking at the rearview mirror to see where you are coming from. "You look forward. If you are a person who drives while looking at the rearview mirror, you will drive the car into a ditch, Uhuru said. However, in a response on Monday, Gachagua said Ruto is looking in the rearview mirror because he doesnt want to leave anyone behind. I heard somebody saying that you should not look at the rear mirror. "I want to encourage you to keep looking at the rearview mirror because the inventor of the motor vehicle was not mad by putting the rearview mirror," he said referring to Uhuru's remarks. "In your leadership your Excellency you have made it clear that no Kenyan should be left behind. "So, you have to continuously continue looking at the rear mirror to ensure all Kenyans are on board and are not left behind, The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, February 19, 2024 - Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga is in Germany to attend a key summit on democracy. In a statement, ODM said Raila is among high-ranking dignitaries from across the globe attending The World Forum on Future of Democracy at the Allianz Forum in Berlin. Raila will deliver the keynote address at the forum attended by former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. "Exciting day at The World Forum on the Future of Democracy, Tech, and Humankind in Berlin, with global leaders in politics, civil society, and culture poised to explore groundbreaking ideas and practices for a better world. Discussions on pressing socio-political issues underway," Raila wrote on X. The forum comes at a time when the former prime minister is lobbying to be elected the chair of the African Union Commission. The former prime minister declared his candidacy for the AU job last Thursday. Raila stated that he had made up his mind on running for the AU seat after consulting widely among friends, including former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, February 19, 2024 - Third Way Alliance party leader, Dr. Ekuru Aukot, has said President William Ruto is campaigning for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to become Africa Union Chairperson to push him out of Kenyan politics. In a statement on Monday, Aukot, who is a lawyer by profession, said Ruto is pushing Raila Odinga out of Kenyan politics because he knows he is still a threat to his re-election in 2027. Aukot said the president fears that Raila's fanatical following can destabilise Kenya Kwanza's 'feckless' administration. "The "political genius" of KK administration under President William Ruto just needs to come out clean and say they're getting rid of Baba, Jakam, Aguambo, a.k.a Tinga, Nyakwar Odima, Raila Odinga, out of Kenya's politics since he has a fanatical following that can destabilize a feckless administration," Aukot said. However, Aukot advised the Azimio la Umoja one Kenya Coalition Party leader to use the opportunity to exit the local political scene with dignity. He said that if Raila is elected to the AU position, he should take it as a retirement benefit and anoint his successor in ODM. "Jakom, Raila Odinga, if you get it, appreciate it as a retirement benefit. "There is no need to come back to local and national politics. "You need to be magnanimous enough and anoint a successor in both The ODM party and #LuoNyanza. " That would be the hallmark of a good leader. Don't waste that chance," Aukot said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, February 19, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has announced his ambition to succeed Moussa Faki as the African Union Commission Chairperson in 2025. Railas bid for the top AU job has received backing from international leaders, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. Locally, he has received support from across the board even from the most unlikely quarters such as the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). However, his bid is in limbo after it emerged that he does not have all the requirements needed for the job. Raila must meet certain requirements set by the AU some of which he does not have. This includes; a Master's Degree, relevant experience, fluency in at least one AU language, and proof of transformational leadership. According to AU, the Masters Degree must be in Law, International Relations, Economics, Diplomacy, Management, Business Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a closely related field from a recognized institution. A Ph.D. in the same field is also considered an added advantage for interested candidates. However, according to his biography, the Azimio leader has an MSc (Master of Science) in Mechanical Engineering from Germany. On languages, Raila will be required to demonstrate that he is proficient in one of the AU working languages while proficiency in another AU working language is highly desirable. The official languages of AU are Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, and any other African language. Raila is multilingual and fluent in both Kiswahili and English. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, February 19, 2024 Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga does not pay ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, despite his many roles in the party, among them defending him and the party ideals. This was revealed by Sifuna himself who claimed that he is not on the ODMs payroll. According to Sifuna, holders of posts like secretary general, or even the party's national chairman, are deemed as sideline officials and are not entitled to remuneration given that they do not sit in the secretariat. The Nairobi senator was speaking on Andrew Kibe's podcast when he divulged the details of his office in ODM. The national secretariat headed by the Executive Director, who is appointed by the National Executive Committee, is the one that runs and links all the other party organs, and those sitting in it are the ones on the party's payroll. On the other hand, the secretary general and the like are appointed by the party's National Governing Council (NGC). Citing the Political Parties Act, Sifuna explained that it is unlawful for him to draw pay from the party. "The law states that an official of the party is not supposed to be paid a salary. It is only the technical staff that receive salaries. For example, at Chungwa House we have the executive director, communication director and finance directors, those are the ones who are paid. But the secretary general and chairman are not paid," he stated. The Political Parties Act locks sideliner officials like a party leader, national chairman, or even secretary general of the parties' payrolls. Besides the executive director, others in the ODM secretariat are the head of finance and administration, the director of communications, the head of membership recruitment and the head of youth affairs. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, February 19, 2024 - Kakamega County Senator, Dr. Boni Khalwale, has accused Siaya County Governor, James Orengo, of promoting poverty in his county. Khalwale made the statement after Orengo posted on social media presiding over the distribution of 215 improved cattle breeds to farmers at Ragegni Primary School in North Uyoma on Saturday, February 18. Governor Orengo had, in a post on X, disclosed that the donations were part of his agenda to empower local farmers and promote agriculture in the county. "Agriculture remains the pillar for our economic, industrial, and commercial transformation. "I will ensure most of our resources go towards sectors and value chains that will change the lives of people in the shortest time possible," Orengo wrote. However, Khalwale faulted Orengo's initiative, suggesting that the county chief should instead support the farmers to rear dairy cows. According to the legislator, the distribution of the cows only good for meat was ill-advised. "My brother, sii kwa ubaya (no ill intended), but please stop promoting poverty. "Support the farmers of Siaya to rear dairy cows," Khalwale said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, February 19, 2024 - The late Monica Kimanis father, Bishop Paul Ngarama, has revealed that unnamed people had threatened him even before his daughter was brutally murdered at her house in Kilimani, shortly after jetting into the country from Juba. Speaking in an interview, Bishop Ngarama said they had set up a thriving family business in Juba, South Sudan. They used to get lucrative tenders from high-end corporates, the government, and the United Nation (UN agencies). Some local people reportedly felt envious and started sending him threats. He was accused of doing money laundering and stealing dollars. We had good business in Juba and we earned good money. "We got lucrative tenders from high-end corporates, govt & UN agencies. "This made some local people feel envious & I was threatened & accused of stealing dollars & engaging in money laundering, he said. Monica was a director at the familys cleaning company. Her death is still shrouded in mystery even after Joseph Irungu alias Jowie was found guilty of the murder. The motive of the brutal murder remains one of the biggest mysteries. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, February 18, 2024 Former US President Donald Trump on Saturday, February 17, launched a sneaker line, a day after he and his companies were ordered by a judge to pay nearly $355 million in his New York civil fraud trial. The former president unveiled Trump Sneakers at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. He placed a pair of gold sneakers, which a new website has listed for $399 and named the NEVER SURRENDER HIGH-TOP SNEAKER, on the podium as he spoke. This is something Ive been talking about for 12 years, 13 years, and I think its going to be a big success, said Trump, who is marching closer toward the 2024 Republican nomination and a potential rematch with President Joe Biden. By Saturday night, the $399 sneakers were listed as sold out on the website. There had been 1,000 pairs of the sneakers available for purchase, according to the site. The former president is also selling two versions of sneakers that have T and 45 on the sides for $199, according to the website. Cologne and perfume are for sale at $99 each. According to the website, the products are trademarks of CIC Ventures LLC. Trump Sneakers are not designed, manufactured, distributed or sold by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates or principals. 45Footwear, LLC uses the Trump name, image and likeness under a license agreement. Following his appearance at Sneaker Con, Trump is expected to head to Michigan to address supporters for the first time since the rulings in separate New York cases thrust into the spotlight the legal peril he faces on multiple fronts. On Thursday, a New York state judge confirmed that Trump's criminal trial in a hush money case will begin March 25. A day later, Trump and his companies were ordered to pay nearly $355 million for fraudulently inflating the values of his properties. When combined with the $83 million judgment issued against Trump for defaming E. Jean Carroll, the 2024 Republican front-runner has been fined roughly $438 million over the past four weeks. Monday, February 19, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has regretted not meeting former President Uhuru Kenyatta at the burial of former police boss, Kingori Mwangi, on Saturday. This is after Uhuru left the burial in a hurry just before Gachagua arrived, a clear indication that he did not want to meet or see him. However, the DP continued to extend a warm hand towards the retired president in his efforts to reunite the divided Mt Kenya region. Speaking at the event, Gachagua advocated for diplomacy and dialogue and was open to resolving their indifference which emanated from the heated 2022 General Election. Uhuru left the burial nearly an hour before Gachagua arrived, raising questions on whether he was tactically avoiding meeting his former personal assistant turned foe. I was looking forward to meeting my friend and former boss President Uhuru Kenyatta. "I wanted to come and greet him because I had not seen him for a while and tell him it was well. "He is our son, we had some little disagreements but its over, Gachagua stated. Gachagua reiterated that he respected the fact that Uhuru had other engagements in his itinerary and was poised to attend to them after Mwangi's burial. He also commended Kenya's fourth president for his generosity towards society in different capacities. He served as our fourth President. We had differences with him, but those differences are now in the past. "He has retired, returned home, and kept a low profile, and we respect his decision, Gachagua added. The Deputy President further cautioned his allies against disrespecting and tainting Uhurus name, requesting that he be accorded the respect he deserves. If I had met him, I would have told him how much we appreciate his work in retirement. "We love and pray for him, he is our brother, Gachagua stated. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, February 18, 2024 The High Court in Polokwane, South Africa has sentenced a widow, Tubake Sister Maesela, 44, and her boyfriend, Mmamoraba Jacob Mashiba, 41, to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of her husband, Mogokolodi Cleopass Digama, 53. The court convicted the love-birds Maesela and Mashiba for the March 2021 brutal murder of Digama, a warrant officer based at the Apel police station in Limpopo. Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, in a statement, said on the fateful day, Digama was shot, and robbed of his South African Police Service (SAPS) pistol and vehicle while he was at his Somalian friends tuckshop. "Investigations revealed that the deceased was shot dead with an unknown pistol at Lerajane village, Mohlaletsi in the Sekhukhune district and his vehicle was set alight, said Malabi-Dzhangi. Police kicked off their investigations which led them to the grieving widow of the murdered police officer, and her young lover. The deceaseds wife (Maesela) shared a love child with her co-accused lover (Mashiba). Investigations further revealed that prior attempts of poisoning the deceased had been made by his wife, according to Malabi-Dzhangi. In aggravation of sentence, senior State advocate Lerato Mohlaka argued that the court should not deviate from the prescribed sentence for such heinous crimes. She further submitted to the court that the murder of Warrant Officer Digama was senseless, premeditated, and callous. "The accused persons had no sense of remorse for their actions. The accused persons had further approached a traditional healer for cleansing and had continued their lawless spree by bribing some witnesses with an amount of R46,350 in order to conceal the death of the deceased, Mohlaka told the court. The court also heard that seconds before he was murdered, Digama uttered the words: My love (referring to his wife Maesela), are you the one who is killing me before the wife pulled the trigger three times, at point blank range, shooting the police officer in the forehead. In sentencing to two love-birds, acting Judge Ephraim Makgoba sentenced the widow Maesela and her boyfriend Mashiba to life imprisonment for the count of murder, five years for unlawful possession firearm and three years imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition. The court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently. Meanwhile, the director of public prosecutions in Limpopo, advocate Ivy Thenga has saluted the prosecution team and the police investigating officers for thorough investigations which led to a successful prosecution. The Uganda Bankers Association has issued guidelines on how to mitigate fraud within Ugandas financial sector with one of the proposals entailing all commercial banks to blacklist customers, staff, and collaborators convicted of fraud. The revelation was made by Sarah Arapta, the Associations chairperson while unveiling the Banking Industry Guidelines on Mitigation of Fraud (BIGF) in Kampala. She defended the proposal to cut off individuals and companies found guilty of fraud from Ugandas financial institutions on grounds that fraud is a significant threat not only to the financial services but also to the wider economy since it poses grave challenges to its stability, credibility, and public trust. Michael Atingi-Ego, Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda in his remarks welcomed the guidelines and further called on players in the banking sector to ensure that the guidelines are effectively implemented to uphold the integrity of Ugandas banking sector The Bank of Uganda aims to hold the integrity of public institutions and maintain public trust in the banking system. The guidelines that we are launching today are therefore very important milestones but they only mark the beginning, he said. The Association noted that before an individual or company is added to the blacklist, they must have been confirmed to have aided or abetted a cybercrime affecting a BIGF member and confirmation shall include validated reports or data obtained from the courts of law in Uganda. According to Uganda Bankers Association, the new guidelines will; enhance collaboration, expedite investigations, and enable a more proactive approach to combat fraud, strengthen fraud prevention measures within financial institutions by providing guidance on risk assessment, fraud detection, among others. The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has granted the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, permission to file fresh charges against Mary Gorreti Kitutu Kimono, the Minister in charge of Karamoja Affairs. The Minister is accused of mismanaging Shs1.5 billion allocated for peace-building activities in the Karamoja sub-region. On Monday, Minister Kitutu appeared before the court to prevent the IGG from prosecuting her, claiming that she is being unfairly targeted as the case originates from the same file as the iron sheets theft case. One of Minister Kitutus previous trials was stayed after she appealed in the Court of Appeal, citing a violation of her fundamental rights. However, Justice Jane Kajuga Okuo ruled that the new case has no connection to the iron sheets case, as it solely concerns her alleged failure to adequately supervise peace-building initiatives in the region. Minister Kitutu is expected to plead to the new charges on February 29, 2024. The State Minister for Disability Affairs Ms Hellen Asamo has blamed politicians for the biting poverty and poor living conditions among persons with disabilities Minister Asamo says politicians have been hoodwinking voters with small amounts of money which they end up spending on alcohol. She however notes that with the introduction of the Parish Development Model (PDM), many have started improving their lives and are nolonger susceptible to such tricks. Politicians are the ones now making people poor. With the PDM of one million shillings, two thousand shillings will no longer work for us who have been giving them this two thousand. You are only make people drunkards because two thousand shillings is for waragi [alcohol], she said. By Winfred Watenya As the Lent season gets into the second week, the head of the Catholic Church is asking believers to emulate Jesus Christ during his time in the desert and stand firm against temptation. In his daily homily, Pope Francis says that just as Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil while in the desert, Christians too are invited to fight off the devil during lent. He challenges believers to make the most of the silence and inner chamber and listen to their hearts in truth. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) will tomorrow start relocating about 700 refugees who entered Kikuube district from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to different refugee settlements. The UN refugee agency is currently hosting these displaced people at Kagoma reception centre as thousands of refugees continue to cross the dangerous waters of Lake Albert as they flee fresh fighting in Eastern Congo between the rebels and the Congolese government forces. According to Frank Walusimbi, the UNHCR spokesperson, since January, over 15,000 new arrivals of refugees with over 3000 from the DRC have been registered in Kikuube district. Last week in Parliament, the Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, asked the government to engage other neighbouring countries to support Uganda in hosting refugees. This is after the Vice Chairperson of Committee on Equal Opportunities, Dorcus Acen presented a report on the state of refugees and refugee host communities in Uganda where the committee noted that the influx of refugees had led to encroachment on wetlands in the various settlements The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has revealed that Ugandas coffee exports in January 2024 amounted to 481,586 60-kilo bags, worth US$85.57 million which is about Shs331,951. This comprised of 403,508 bags of Robusta valued at USD 68.17million and 78.078 bags of Arabica valued at USD 17.40 million. The details are contained in the Monthly Report for 2024 where the Authority noted that the monthly coffee export performance was slightly lower than the previous year and this was partly on account of a small Arabica harvest in the Elgon region. The report also highlighted that the destinations of Ugandas coffee exports during the month of January included; Italy which maintained the highest market share with 41.80% and this was followed by Germany which commanded a 13.39% share, Spain, and USA. UCDA also noted that coffee exports to Africa amounted to 45, 094 bags. In Africa, countries that imported Ugandan coffee included; Morocco, Sudan, Algeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya. - - A UK government move to scrap a legal duty to protect an all-island economy will have little practical effect, Stormonts Economy minister has said. Conor Murphy said economic links across the island of Ireland had developed organically in recent years, and he predicted that growth would accelerate in the time ahead, regardless of the contents of the Governments Safeguarding the Union command paper. The paper pledges to repeal a section of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 that places a legal onus on ministers to protect the all-island economy. The command paper said the clause was a source of concern for unionists, claiming it could have a long-term distorting legal effect that detracted from the Governments actual priority to protect Northern Irelands place in the UK internal market and customs territory. Leader of the Assembly Opposition, SDLP MLA Matthew OToole, raised concern about the repeal commitment as he questioned Mr Murphy in the chamber on Monday. What action is he going to take to ensure that they dont go ahead with that objectionable action? asked Mr OToole. The minister was fielding questions after outlining his new vision for economic growth in Northern Ireland. The fact is that the British governments legal obligations in terms of that are something which I find difficult to find a measure of, he told Mr OToole. The all-Ireland economy was growing anyway, organically. And the figures show that cross-border trade between 2015 and 2022 has gone from 2.8 billion euros to 10.2 billion euros. So, regardless of what the British government were doing or not doing, there is a clear sense of growth there. I think that will only accelerate in terms of the new trading arrangements (post-Brexit) that have managed to come from that. And, so, I think, like a lot of others, I saw a lot of rhetoric related to the command paper, which was clearly designed to give comfort to people but in practical terms have very little effect. Mr Murphy added: For our purpose, we will continue to promote (all-island economy) that because it makes sense economically for the whole island, just as we will promote east west trade, because that makes sense economically as well. And we will continue to try and press home the advantages that we have as part of that and create some sense of certainty. And, I say this very clearly any attempt to create continued uncertainty around our trading arrangements will be damaging both in terms of our own indigenous companies and their desire to export but also in terms of attracting inward investment as well. And so I think what we need to do, and certainly a very clear message Ive been getting from business both at home and internationally, is they want to see certainty, that certainly established, for things to settle down, and for people to come to terms with the new arrangements in the time ahead. They say longevity runs in families. Who would expect the Rose of Mooncoin to ring out across the globe from Ireland to Australia for the centenary birthday celebrations of siblings, Josie Sweeney (nee Murphy) born in August 1922 and Mary Allen (nee Murphy) born in January 1924? Josie and Mary were born in Nicholastown, Mooncoin, daughters of the late John Murphy and Winifred Fenelon who were natives of Ballymurphy, Co. Carlow. Their brothers, John and Peter Murphy died in the past few years at the ages of 90 and 94 respectively. Josie celebrated her 100th birthday in Ballybrophy, Co. Laois in August 2022 but sadly passed away in December 2022, aged 100 years and 115 days. Josie Sweeney (nee Murphy) who celebrated her 100th birthday in 2002 On January 19 this year, Mary celebrated her 100th birthday in Melbourne, Australia. Mary emigrated to Australia in 1950 along with her brother Ted, who is now in his 98th year. She married an Australian, Ken Allen, and went on to have two daughters, Leonie and Susan. Whilst somewhat slowing with the years but remaining an independent woman, Mary lives alone doing her own cooking and cleaning and still thinks of herself as being only about 60 years old. Although going to bed early, shes an early riser and never catnaps during the day. She reads the daily newspaper and listens to news programmes on television. In the past, Mary frequently returned to Ireland to visit her relatives in Kilkenny, Carlow and Laois. Mary recalls her young life in Ireland and schooldays in Clogga National School with remarkable clarity. She was recently particularly taken with a photograph on the Mooncoin website dated 1934 of the Girls National School in Clogga in which both herself and Josie feature and remembers many of the children and the teacher in the photograph. During her birthday celebrations in Melbourne, which some of her Irish relatives attended, the Rose of Mooncoin was sung, which brought a tear or two to Marys eyes. However, Mary was cheered to get a congratulatory letter from President Michael D. Higgins on reaching that magical number of 100 years. The Murphys story certainly goes a long way in proving that longevity is in the DNA. Management in St Lukes have implemented several measures to reduce the number of patients waiting on trolleys for an acute bed. However, some patients are experiencing very long wait times in the AMAU/ Emergency Department. Management in St Lukes Hospital are urging members of the public to consider all available care options before attending the AMAU/ Emergency Department. There are a range of care pathways available to patients who do not need emergency care including Pharmacists, GP, and Care Doc Out of Hours Services A spokesperson for the Ireland East Hospital Group said that within the AMAU & Emergency Departments, patients will be prioritised based on the severity of their illness. Management and clinicians in the hospital ask all patients where appropriate to consult with their GP prior to attending an Emergency Department. The NY Post reports: Embattled former new york City Mayor Rudy Giuliani says the Trump 2020 campaign and the Republican National Committee still owe him $2 million in legal fees for challenging the former president's election loss. Giuliani, 79, said during a bankruptcy court hearingWednesday that the former president asked him to spearhead legal matters for the campaign in November 2020 the same month Trump lost to President Biden. 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 told the Manhattan federal bankruptcy trustee overseeing his case from December, according to a report by Mediaite. We'll carry all games from the Eastern C Basketball Tournament in Glasgow; all games will be on KLTZ. Streaming The Russian occupation forces have illegally arrested two Georgian citizens near the village of Knolevi in Kareli municipality.As per the State Security Service of Georgia, the incident occurred within the occupied territory. Upon receiving this report, the European Union Monitoring Mission activated its hotline. Furthermore, the co-chairs of the Geneva international discussions and international partners were promptly briefed."All existing mechanisms have been activated to release illegally detained Georgian citizens in the shortest possible time. Responsibility for all destructive actions committed on the occupied territories of Georgia, as well as along the occupation line, rests with the occupying power," the Security Service's statement reads.However, the de facto security agency of South Ossetia stated that Georgian citizens were arrested for 'vandalism'."Two citizens of Georgia, under the influence of alcohol, illegally entered the territory of South Ossetia and vandalised the engineering facilities used for the protection and security of the interstate dividing line. The perpetrators recorded their illegal actions on mobile phones, presumably to report to the overseers of pro-Western non-profit organisations aiming to promote 'European' values, including LGBT values, in the region, and to destabilise South Ossetia and Georgia ahead of the pre-election campaign," the KGB statement reads.In an interview with EURACTIV, in response to the question about pressuring the government to implement EU reform recommendations, particularly concerning polarisation, President Salome Zourabichvili expressed less concern about polarisation, citing the struggles of even developed nations like European countries and the United States to reduce it.Zourabichvili suggested that the outcome of elections might influence polarisation, especially if a coalition government forms, forcing parties to govern together and potentially reducing polarisation."I am not too concerned about [polarisation] in this regard, because nobody knows how to reduce polarisation - none of the European countries, not the United States.In a way, it will also depend on the [outcome] of the elections. If there is no clear majority and we will have a coalition government - maybe it is time for Georgia to test [that]. And if that is the case, that will be the end of the polarisation, because we will have to learn to govern with one another.But there are recommendations that have to be followed. Again, the first responsibility is that of the government and the parliament. And we're going to see what they're going to do in the coming few months because it has to be very quick," Zourabichvili said. Context Given the failure of the League of Nations and following the Second World War, the United Nations was created with the purpose of maintaining international peace and security, as well as promoting relations of friendship and cooperation among States, with the hope of avoiding new conflagrations. Thus, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was established as a manifestation of the moral and legal obligation to prevent and peacefully resolve conflicts, through the promotion of universal ethical principles based on the sovereign equality of States. In order to ensure the future desired by all, the Charter of San Francisco included the right of veto granted by the international community to the powers at the time. Veto Veto power granted to five permanent members of the Security Council was understood as an exceptional condition including the same purpose pursued with the creation of the United Nations. However, the use of this privileged tool, apparently a guarantee, has repeatedly shown an orientation that has hindered global international action to stop conflicts and humanitarian abuses, thereby moving away from the purposes of the organization. From a historical perspective, there are numerous examples of the Security Council's resolution limitations. For decades, the sources of conflict have gone beyond the interstate sphere, proliferating new threats to international peace and security that create and promote a disruptive scenario in which violent struggles of different kinds increase, such as internal armed confrontations, ethnic conflicts, transnational organized crime, and terrorist threats. Peruvian proposal The reasons that supported the original conception of the veto power in practice have become the "Majority of One." Given this reality and taking into account the multiple group proposals made since 1979, it is essential to opt for a new dimension for the use of said tool. Peru proposes the United Nations Majority of Three Initiative (UNM3 Initiative). The "Majority of Three" would apply to the functions and powers that the Security Council has under Article 24 of the United Nations Charter. In this context, a resolution could only be blocked if three or more permanent members exercise veto power. In addition, whoever exercises veto power must be required to justify the use of this privileged tool publicly, thus increasing the transparency of decisions and the responsible use of this prerogative. In short, this initiative is committed to the effectiveness of the functioning of the Security Council by demanding more comprehensive and coherent action with the San Francisco Charter, providing greater confidence in the decisions of said Council. (END) NDP/JCC/RMB Over 300 detained in Russia as country mourns the death of Alexei Navalny A prominent rights group says over 300 people have been detained in Russia while paying tribute to opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died at a remote Arctic penal colony The US carried out an airstrike on Thursday near Jilib in southern Somalia. Korea and the Netherlands on Monday launched a dialogue on the semiconductor industry in an effort to boost bilateral cooperation on the advanced sector, the industry ministry here said. The two nations held the inaugural meeting of the director-level Korea-Netherlands Semiconductor Dialogue in the Dutch city of Eindhoven on the day, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The meeting was held as the two sides agreed in December to establish a working-level dialogue channel when President Yoon Suk Yeol made a state visit to the European nation and vowed joint efforts with the Netherlands to forge "a semiconductor alliance." During Monday's meeting, the two nations shared their related policies on the industry, and discussed ways of enhancing cooperation on chip designing, equipment and packaging, among other fields. They also exchanged opinions on how to operate and expand their education program meant to nurture 500 experts from the two nations by 2028. The program kicked off this month by involving 60 graduate school students, the ministry said. The officials also discussed holding a business roundtable and various other events with major industry players to give them new business opportunities. "Stronger cooperation between the two nations, which are key players in the industry, are also expected to contribute to the stable supply chains of the global semiconductor field," Lee Yong-phil, a Korean representative for the dialogue, said. (Yonhap) By Mark Peterson In the past two years, after hearing about an unusual battle in the middle of the Korean War between a Utah National Guard battalion and two regiments of Chinese "volunteers," I've been helping make a documentary film about the battle. Though I am a Korean historian, I haven't specialized in the Korean War, nor for that matter, in the 20th century, but this story came knocking at my door in that it involved an artillery battalion from my home state of Utah. The essence of the story is that a battalion of about 600 men was attacked by two Chinese regiments, between 3,000 and 4,000 men. The Utah boys were outnumbered not by 3,500 to 600 but 3,500 to 240 because the surprise attack came in the middle of the night upon two "batteries" like companies for infantry, so the ratio was about 15 to 1. Three other batteries were not involved. And in spite of the surprise nature of the attack, in the middle of the night, and in spite of the overwhelming numbers, the Utah batteries lost not one man! The Chinese tallied 350 killed and 831 captured. The battle has come to be known as the "Miracle at Gapyeong." Gapyeong County, formerly known as Kapyong, is located 50 miles northeast of Seoul and was considered the easternmost of four major corridors routes through valleys into Seoul. Seoul had been captured once by the Chinese in the winter of 195051 but retaken by ROK-U.N. forces in the early spring of 1951. By late spring, April and May, the Chinese started their "spring offensive" to retake Seoul. They were prevented from doing so. The documentary we are making is going to tell the story. The 213th Artillery Battalion from southern Utah, with five batteries each from five small cities, Cedar City, St. George, Beaver, Richfield and Fillmore, was mobilized to fight in the Korean War in the fall of 1950. They were first sent to Fort Lewis in the Seattle area, where their numbers, around 450, were augmented to 600 by regular U.S. Army soldiers from around the country and where they were trained for combat. I've learned that a documentary film has several stages preparation, filming, editing and then screening. We've completed the filming, basically, and are in the editing stage. We have found five veterans of the battle and recorded interviews with them. Three of the five have since died. We recently found two more. These men were 20-year-olds 71 years ago. Most have been clear-headed and remember events of the war. We found two others who had no clear recollections of those days. We've been to today's Gapyeong and filmed the location of the battle, including some dynamic drone footage. The "Miracle" battle took place on May 26. But if one looks up "the Battle of Gapyeong," one finds a larger battle that took place in April that involved the Canadian and Australian Infantries. That battle can easily be found on the internet, and several movies have been made about it because of the valiant fighting of the Aussies and the Canucks, who fought for three days against an overwhelming Chinese invasion that saw the collapse of the ROK 6th division. The ROK 6th reassembled one of the great comeback stories of the war and fought to regain its honor and sent the Chinese in the sector east of Seoul into retreat. It was while retreating that the Chinese ran into the 213th in the middle of the night. The question arises: were the Chinese fighting harder as they attacked in April or in May as they were retreating? The retreat was necessitated by their defeats on Mount Yongmun in Yangpyeong County, south of Gapyeong. Were soldiers running for their lives fighting harder than those who initiated an attack on an objective? I think that is hard to quantify, but it was clear when they were overwhelmed by the defense and then the counterattack of the 213th that they were beaten, and thus many surrendered. The majority of Chinese prisoners of the Korean War were captured in the final days of their failed "spring offensive." And the Miracle Battle of Gapyeong was in the middle of all of that. The 831 Chinese prisoners of war were sent to Koje Island, and many, when the war was over, were allowed to "return" not to mainland China but to Taiwan because many had previously been in the Kuomintang Army of Chiang Kai-shek defeated by Mao when he took over China in late 1949. The story is incredible on many levels. If any of you know more about it or the fate of the prisoners, please let me know. And we are still looking for financial backing to finish the editing. Mark Peterson (markpeterson@byu.edu) is a professor emeritus of Korean, Asian and Near Eastern languages at Brigham Young University in Utah. The United Nations' top court on Monday opens a week of hearings on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories, with more than 50 states due to address the judges. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki will speak first in the legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. In 2022, the U.N. General Assembly asked the court for an advisory, or non-binding, opinion on the occupation. While Israel has ignored such opinions in the past, it could pile on political pressure over its ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed about 29,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, since Oct.7. Among countries scheduled to participate in the hearings are the United States Israel's strongest supporter, China, Russia, South Africa and Egypt. Israel will not, although it has sent written observations. The hearings are part of a Palestinian push to get international legal institutions to examine Israel's conduct, which has become more urgent since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas in Israel, which killed 1,200 people, and Israel's military response. They also come amid mounting concerns about an Israeli ground offensive against the Gaza city of Rafah, a last refuge for more than a million Palestinians after they fled to the south of the enclave to avoid Israeli assaults. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem areas of historic Palestine which the Palestinians want for a state in the 1967 war. It withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but, along with neighboring Egypt, still controls its borders. It is the second time the U.N. General Assembly has asked the ICJ, also known as the World Court, for an advisory opinion related to the occupied Palestinian territory. In July 2004, the court found that Israel's separation wall in the West Bank violated international law and should be dismantled, though it still stands to this day. Judges have now been asked to review Israel's "occupation, settlement and annexation...including measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures." Since 1967, Israel has greatly expanded Jewish settlements in the West Bank - an action Palestinians say compromises the creation of a viable Palestinian state. It has also annexed East Jerusalem in a move not recognized by most countries. The General Assembly also asked the ICJ's 15-judge panel to advise on how those policies and practices "affect the legal status of the occupation" and what legal consequences arise for all countries and the United Nations from this status. The advisory opinion proceedings are separate from the genocide case that South Africa filed at the World Court against Israel for its alleged violations in Gaza of the 1948 Genocide Convention. In late January the ICJ in that case ordered Israel to do everything in its power to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza. The outcome of the advisory opinion would not be legally binding but would carry "great legal weight and moral authority," according to the ICJ. (Reuters) ? La presidenta Dina Boluarte lidera una nueva sesion del Consejo de Ministros en la que se coordina acciones para fortalecer la lucha contra la delincuencia y el crimen organizado en el marco del #PlanPeruSeguro. ? De igual manera, se realiza el seguimiento al Plan pic.twitter.com/oRAphhVnB0 Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. In the fast-paced world of K-Pop, paying respects to senior idols is not just a gesture; it's a tradition deeply ingrained in the industry's culture. However, one rookie girl group has recently taken this tradition to new heights with their latest release. A Touching Tribute Unveiled On February 19th, X:IN unveiled their latest music video for the song "MY IDOL." What began as a heartwarming journey through the members' childhood memories swiftly transformed into a touching homage to some of K-Pop's most iconic figures. A Melodic Roll Call: Honoring the Greats As the song progressed, eagle-eyed netizens couldn't help but notice the overt references to a multitude of K-Pop idols. From the chart-topping prowess of BLACKPINK to the trailblazing achievements of Girls' Generation, Wonder Girls, and 2NE1, X:IN left no stone unturned in their tribute. But X:IN's homage wasn't limited to just the female powerhouse groups. With nods to beloved soloists and legendary boy bands like BTS, Super Junior, BIGBANG, TVXQ, SHINee, and 2PM, the group showcased their appreciation for the diverse spectrum of talent that has shaped the K-Pop landscape. From third-generation icons to the emerging stars of the fourth generation, X:IN's lyrical roll call spanned across generations, including mentions of SEVENTEEN, ATEEZ, MONSTA X, Stray Kids, and many more. This comprehensive acknowledgment resonated deeply with fans, who praised the group for their inclusivity and reverence. READ ALSO: THIS Rookie Beats BTS as #1 K-pop Group in 2023 Rankings of Dabeme's 'Top 50' Netizens' Reactions Here is a glimpse into the reaction of netizens as X:IN unveiled their latest music video for the song "MY IDOL." "This is the first group in kpop history who wrote lyrics and respect their senior idols. BTS, BP, Ateez, 2NE1, wonder girls, Big Bang, Seventeen almost every kpop bands are here. " "They're inspired by their senior groups,and we want other new generation groups to inspire by each other too! Huge respect for x:in! ,I love it ahh!!!!! "Who ever bought this Idea is really genius.it's true any way,the senior generations of kpop are the ones who clear the path for young generation.sure they deserve that respect.good job X:in" "3rd Gen vibes in 5th Gen. Keep going girls. Wait for NO DOUBT on Feb 25th. More is waiting.." "They mentioned Stray Kids as backbone and its so true" "oh my god Xin what are you doing? There are no words, only emotions. I'm waiting for a comeback. I love the performance video so much " "Literally first time in KPOP history, any group has mentioned other senior groups in their song." "Trust me they are the most talented 5 th gen group..." Amidst the flashy choreography and infectious melodies, X:IN's tribute stood as a testament to their humility and gratitude. By acknowledging the idols who paved the way for their own journey, the group not only showcased their talent but also their deep-rooted respect for the industry's pioneers. You can watch the full video clip below. YOU MIGHT BE ALSO INTERESTED IN: THIS Rookie Group Calls Themselves 'Cousins of Stray Kids' - Here's Why For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Cassidy Jones. PRNewswire Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 19: GMCC & Welling, the core component system solution provider for consumer appliances, brings its latest One-Stop System-level HVACR solutions to ACREX 2024, the largest HVACR and smart building exhibition in South Asia, from Feb 15 to 17, to showcase its solutions in compressors, motors, chips, and valves for household air conditioners, commercial air conditioners, heat pump heating, refrigerators, and washing machines. Thanks to the launch of GMCC Air-Con Compressor Production Base in Pune and the indepth cooperations with major air conditioner manufacturers locally in India, GMCC & Welling are able to drive the local consumer appliance industry to be more efficient, green, low-noise, and intelligent, and contribute to the green and efficiency upgrading of HVACR industry in India and beyond. Also Read | Deepfakes: South Korea Election Authorities Raise Concerns Over Proliferation of Artificial Intelligence-Generated Deepfake Videos and Images Amid Parliamentary Elections in April. "Targeted for the special climate and market demand in India and South Asia, GMCC & Welling brings with us a variety of air conditioner compressors, motors and solutions that are highly efficient, highly reliable, and low in noise level, to the local market," introduced Zhang Yuxiang, Director of GMCC & Welling for South Asia, Middle East, and Africa region. "We also have a localized production base in Pune for air-con compressors and a dedicated support team for the local market. We enable our local and global partners to produce high quality end products with our leading R&D capabilities and services competence." GMCC & Welling made its presence on ACREX 2024 with a number of industry-leading products in energy efficiency, including GMCC inverter air conditioner compressor and Welling high-efficiency DC motor. The two have attracted huge attention with their innovative and optimized structural design, and efficient and low-noise performance. Also Read | U-Turn Turns Risky for Mumbai Cabbie: Taxi Driver Awarded Three Months Jail Term for Colliding Vehicle With Scooter Near Tardeo; Court Says Taking Wrong U-Turn Negligent Act. * GMCC Inverter Rotary Compressor for Household Air Conditioners adopts a cost-effective new slot-shaped motor. With the innovative pump structure, it can reduce friction, enhance efficiency, optimize exhaust resistance, and significantly lowers energy consumption and vibration noise through the use of full DC inverter technology, enabling a comfortable and intelligent home temperature control experience. Additionally, GMCC Inverter Scroll Compressor operates in a wide range from 14 to 160 rps for commercial air conditioners, providing higher energy efficiency and reliability for a broader range of applications. For heat pump heating, GMCC Inverter Rotary Compressor uses eco-friendly R290 refrigerant, achieving a maximum outlet water temperature of 75C. * Welling Split BLDC Motor IDU for household air conditioners features a radially arranged internal magnet design with high magnetic flux, increasing utilization efficiency by 30% and enhancing dynamic balance with high quality. Welling Commercial BLDC Motor further improves in size compactness, installation convenience, energy efficiency, and noise level to meet various customized requirements in commercial scenarios. * GMCC Refrigerator Compressor Series offers a variety of capabilities, including inverter and fixed-speed options, to meet the refrigeration needs of household refrigerators, commercial refrigerators, and automobile refrigerators. For example, GMCC Inverter Compressor for Light Commercial Product employs environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant. It is equipped with a highly efficient all-copper drive motor and an optimized electronic control system, with enhanced multidimensional hardware to improve energy efficiency, cooling capacity, and reliability. As the economy and residential income grow, there is trenmendous potential in the Indian household air conditioning market. GMCC & Welling will actively push forward its strategy of "In India, for India" and continuously invest in the Indian manufacturing base and the building of local team to better serve customers of end products and end users. About Midea Industrial Technology Midea Industrial Technology takes science and technology as the core driving force. With core technology leadership in "green energy" and "core industry components", Midea Industrial Technology creates better life for billions of end users worldwide with green, efficient and intelligent products and technologies via a number of brands, including GMCC, Welling, CLOU, Hiconics, Servotronix, MR, Motivona, MSCT, Toshiba, and Sunye. Up to now, Midea Industrial Technology has built 26 smart factories worldwide and 28 R&D centers in China, India, and Japan, with an accumulation of more than 5,600 licensed patents. With an annual R&D investment of over 1 billion RMB, the company continues to invest in core and cutting-edge technologies for high-precision components for compressors, motors, chips, valves, reducers, auto parts, motion control and automation, HV and LV converters, energy storage and heat dissipation. Embracing the vision of Technology drives everything, Midea Industrial Technology is committed to supporting a highly efficient, reliable, green, innovative and open industrial environment around the world with the power of technological innovation. Website: https://industry.media.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) YEREVAN, 19 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 19 February, USD exchange rate down by 0.05 drams to 404.37 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.23 drams to 435.71 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 4.38 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.03 drams to 510.11 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 83.18 drams to 25974.29 drams. Silver price up by 4.97 drams to 299.15 drams. Pune (Maharashtra) [India], February 19 (ANI): Nibe Limited unveiled its latest state-of-the-art plant in Pune today, in a stride towards bolstering indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities. Spanning an area of 2,50,000 sq.m, the newly commissioned facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology and machinery, poised to revolutionise the production of critical systems for the defence sector. Also Read | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2024: Put Maratha Emperor's Thoughts Into Practice, Says Goa CM Pramod Sawant. With a focus on innovation and excellence, Nibe Limited aims to meet the evolving demands of the defence industry while contributing to the government's vision of a self-reliant India in defence production. The inauguration ceremony, attended by Minister of State for Defence of India Ajay Bhatt, Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Uday Samant, Minister for Industries, Maharashtra, marked a significant milestone in India's quest for self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing. Also Read | Tata vs Pakistan GDP: Tata Group's 'USD 365 Billion Market Capitalisation' Is Higher Than Pakistan's Gross Domestic Product Value 'USD 341 Billion', Say Reports. MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt said, "Under the 'Atma Nirbhar' campaign, the MSMEs are flourishing. The MSME Defence Expo is being shown to everyone. We had already decided on a certain amount of procurement from the MSMEs." Balakrishnan Swamy, Chief Technology Officer of Nibe Limited, expressed his enthusiasm about the inauguration, stating, "We are elated to unveil our new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, which signifies our unwavering commitment to fostering innovation in the defence industry. With this new facility, we aim to further enhance our production capacity and promote technological research and development. Our ultimate goal is to make the Indian defence sector Atmanirbhar and amplify entrepreneurship in the industry." The new manufacturing facility boasts cutting-edge resources, including advanced vertical machining centres (VMC) with dimensions of 16m and 12m, a dedicated welding training centre covering diverse metallurgy, and expertise in automated welding techniques. These capabilities enable Nibe Limited to proficiently manufacture a wide range of critical defence components, ensuring the highest standards of quality and reliability. The contemporary facility will facilitate the production of various defence products, including heavy engineering structures for Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) ARMY and MRSAM AIR FORCE, sub-assemblies of mobile weapon launchers for Pinaka Launchers, modular bridging systems for the Army, and structural systems for Naval applications. Additionally, Nibe Limited will focus on precision machining, electric vehicles, electronics, and information technology to contribute to the indigenization of the defence manufacturing sector in India. Nibe Limited is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing India's defence manufacturing capabilities and achieving self-reliance in the sector. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) NewsVoir Lausanne [Switzerland], February 19: Tetra Pak has been recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on forests by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its annual 'A List'. Also Read | Fashion Faceoff: Deepika Padukone or Alia Bhatt, Whose Sabyasachi Saree Did You Like More?. Based on data reported through CDP's 2023 Forests questionnaires, Tetra Pak is among the 2% of companies that achieved an 'A' score out of over 21,000 companies assessed.(1)The company also reported on Climate Change and, for the first time, Water Security. Having recorded an 'A-' score on both cemented Tetra Pak's inclusion in the CDP leadership band once again, as the only company in the carton packaging sector to do so. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) warns that nature is deteriorating at unprecedented rates, mainly due to human activities.(2)Global food systems are the lead driver of nature loss,(3)despite these systems depending on the services provided by nature. (4)(5)(6)But it is not just about food security, it has been estimated that more than half of the world's total GDP - $44 trillion of economic value generation - is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services.(7)Recognising the urgency of action to halt and reverse nature loss and achieve a water-secure world, Tetra Pak is committed to take action for nature, supporting the achievement of the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals. Also Read | I-League 2023-24: Kynsaibor Lhuid's Brace Helps Shillong Lajong Win Against NEROCA FC. Gilles Tisserand, Vice President Climate & Biodiversity, Tetra Pak, said, "We rely on nature to provide us with the necessary building blocks for life: from clean air and water to material goods such as food. We believe that companies such as Tetra Pak need to act urgently, based on the currently available information, to reduce the impacts of our value chain, to restore landscapes and to contribute to the wider transformation of food systems." He continues, "Our approach to nature is closely linked with our ambitions on climate, circularity, social sustainability and food systems. Delivering on this requires certain enabling factors across the business, including people and processes, for example, capacity development, monitoring, reporting, and disclosure. As we strive to lead the way in corporate transparency, we are extremely pleased to be included in the CDP Forests A List for the eighth year running, as well as to be the only company in the carton packaging sector who is in this year's leadership band across all the CDP areas of disclosure." Sherry Madera, CEO of CDP, said, "Congratulations to all the companies on CDP's A List, and those companies that started or accelerated their journey towards environmental transparency in 2023 - we saw a 24% increase in disclosures last year and that trajectory is welcomed. It is only by laying the groundwork of disclosure that companies can show they take seriously the vital part they play in safeguarding the future. Earning a place on the A List is about more than the score. It's an indication of high quality and comprehensive data that equips companies with a holistic view of their environmental impact, serves as a baseline for transition plans and - crucially - enables them to follow through on their stated ambitions. As CDP continually raises the bar for what represents environmental leadership, the work of all companies should be celebrated, but is never complete. We must see corporate ambition ramp up on climate and nature-positive action. This has never been more crucial." How are companies scored? A detailed and independent methodology is used by CDP to assess these companies, allocating a score of A to D- based on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks and demonstration of best practices associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets. Those that don't disclose or provided insufficient information are marked with an F. CDP's scoring for forests is conducted through the lens of four commodities: timber, cattle products, soy, and palm oil. Companies need to score an A on at least one of these forest-risk commodities to earn a place on the Forests A List. The full list of companies that made this year's CDP A List is available here: www.cdp.net/en/companies/companies-scores. Tetra Pak is a world leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working closely with our customers and suppliers, we provide safe, innovative and environmentally sound products that each day meet the needs of hundreds of millions of people in more than 160 countries. With more than 25,000 employees around the world, we believe in responsible industry leadership and a sustainable approach to business. Our promise, "PROTECTS WHAT'S GOOD," reflects our vision to commit to making food safe and available, everywhere. More information about Tetra Pak is available at www.tetrapak.com Youtube: youtube.com/user/tetrapak Twitter: @tetrapak Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/tetra-pak (1) The full methodology and criteria for the A List is available on CDP's website at: https://www.cdp.net/en/companies/companies-scores (2) IPBES. (2019). Global Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity. p. 1109 In E. S. Brondizio, J. Settele, S. Diaz, & H. T. Ngo (Eds.), IPBES secretariat. IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany. Source: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3831673 (3) Benton, T.G., et al. (2021). Food system impacts on biodiversity loss: Three levers for food system transformation in support of nature. Chatham House. Source: www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/2021-02-03-food-system-biodiversity-loss-benton-et-al_0.pdf (4)FAO. 2019. The State of the World's Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture, J. Belanger & D. Pilling (eds.). FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Assessments. Rome. 572 pp. (5) IPBES. (2019). Global Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity. In E. S. Brondizio, J. Settele, S. Diaz, & H. T. Ngo (Eds.), IPBES secretariat. IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany. (6) Johnson, J.A. et al. (2021). The Economic Case for Nature : A Global Earth-Economy Model to Assess Development Policy Pathways. World Bank, Washington, DC. (7) WEF, 2020 (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) (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 19 (ANI): A 15-year-old was allegedly raped by three people including a juvenile in southwest Delhi's Kapashera area, police said on Monday. According to Delhi police, the incident pertains to February 17 when the minor had gone to meet her friend. Also Read | Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Assam Police Send Summons to Rahul Gandhi, Other Congress Leaders for Damaging Public Property. "The minor revealed that she knew one of them and that when she had gone to meet him, two others were already present at the place," said police. The girl alleged that the trio raped her and threatened her of dire consequences if she revealed about the assault to anyone, officials said. Also Read | Hyderabad: Licenses of Two Blood Banks Cancelled for Selling Human Plasma. Police said that the three accused have been detained and an investigation into the matter is underway. "Currently the investigation is being conducted and all the facts are also being verified," they said. Further details into the matter are awaited. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], February 19 (ANI): Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu tomorrow, the district administration banned the sale, purchase, and use of firecrackers, citing security reasons. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the campus of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jammu on Tuesday. Also Read | Yemens Houthis Launch Missile Attack on Ship As Crew Abandons It in Gulf of Aden. "Whereas, it has been made to appear to me by the inputs received from police authorities and also otherwise, that the use of firecrackers may create confusion among the security forces and public while at the same time causing serious breaches of peace and order and disturbance of public tranquilly during the upcoming VVIP visit in District Jammu. It is desirable that any breach that might cause danger to human lives and properties be immediately prevented," an order from Sachin Kumar Vaishya, IAS District Jammu, said. "I, IAS District Magistrate, Jammu by exercise of powers vested upon me under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 hereby prohibit the sale/purchase and use of firecrackers in District Jammu. This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain operative till 5 pm on February 20," the order added. Also Read | Clashes in Birgunj: Local Administration Impose Curfew Following Clashes in Nepal. The institute, whose foundational stone was also laid by the Prime Minister in February 2019, is being established under the Central sector scheme Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. "In a step that will provide comprehensive, quality and holistic tertiary care health services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister will inaugurate All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Vijaypur (Samba), Jammu," a statement released by Prime Minister's Office read. The campus of AIIMS Jammu has been established at a cost of over Rs 1,660 crore and in an area spanning over 227 acres. "The hospital is equipped with facilities like 720 beds, Medical College with 125 seats, Nursing College with 60 seats, AYUSH Block with 30 beds, residential accommodation for faculty and staff, hostel accommodation for UG and PG students, Night Shelter, Guest House, Auditorium, Shopping Complex etc," PMO said. At around 11:30 AM on February 20 in a public function at the Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu, the Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 30,500 crore. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI) Artha Global Executive Director Niranjan Rajadhyaksha has expressed his inability to join as a member of the 16th Finance Commission due to personal reasons, the Finance Ministry said on Monday. The government had on January 31, appointed four members of the 16th Finance Commission chaired by Arvind Panagariya. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Samajwadi Party Announces 11 More Candidates, Fields Mukhtar Ansari's Brother From Ghazipur. Apart from Rajadhyaksha, former expenditure secretary Ajay Narayan Jha and retired bureaucrat Annie George Mathew were appointed as full-time members of the commission. SBI Group Chief Economic Advisor Soumya Kanti Ghosh was named a part-time member. "Dr. Rajadhyaksha has expressed his inability to take up this responsibility due to unforeseen personal circumstances. Action will be taken to appoint a Member of the 16th Commission in lieu of Dr. Rajadhyaksha," a ministry statement said. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Set To Inaugurate AIIMS Campus in Jammu on February 20. Officials said Rajadhyaksha did not attend the first meeting of the 16th Finance Commission which was held on February 14. The government constituted the 16th Finance Commission under the chairmanship of Panagariya on December 31, 2023. The panel would submit its report to the President by October 31, 2025. The report would be for five years commencing April 1, 2026. Besides suggesting tax devolution between centre and states and revenue augmentation measures, the commission would review the present arrangements for financing disaster management initiatives with reference to the funds constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The Finance Commission is a constitutional body that gives suggestions on centre-state financial relations. The erstwhile 15th Finance Commission under NK Singh had recommended that states be given 41 per cent of the divisible tax pool of the Centre during the five-year period 2021-22 to 2025-26, which is at the same level as was recommended by 14th Finance Commission under Y V Reddy. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Patna (Bihar) [India], February 19 (ANI): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav will kickstart 'Jan Vishwas Yatra' from Muzaffarpur tomorrow. The Yatra, being conducted ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, will continue till March 1. The Yatra will pass through 33 districts of the state, marking a statewide tour. Also Read | NCP vs NCP: Supreme Court Allows Sharad Pawar Group to Use Nationalist Congress Party Sharad Chandra Pawar Name Till Further Orders. Tejashwi Yadav will hold public meetings and raise awareness about the work done by the 'Mahagathbandhan' government before being ousted from power. The district in charge(s) of the RJD, meanwhile, are making preparations for the smooth and successful conduct of the Yatra. Also Read | Maratha Quota Row: Maharashtra Government Set To Hold Special Session on Maratha Reservation Issue on February 20. Earlier on Friday, Yadav joined Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in Bihar's Sasaram. The RJD and the Congress are allies in the INDIA bloc, formed to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha polls in 2024. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, earlier last month, joined hands with the BJP, leading to the collapse of the 'Mahagathbandhan' government in the state. He was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the ninth time since 2005 and the third time in a single tenure. The RJD and the JDU were allies in the 'Mahagathbandhan' alliance, formed in 2015 before the state assembly polls. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI) Chairman of the French Senate Gerard Larcher is on a two-day visit to India beginning Monday to strengthen bilateral ties and parliamentary cooperation. Larcher is accompanied by a delegation of five other senators who are members of the Senate's foreign affairs and defence committee. This is the first official India visit of a chairman of the French Senate, the Upper House of France's Parliament. Also Read | Indian Government Reiterates That Internet and Social Media Intermediaries in India Have Legal Obligations To Curb Deepfakes and Spread of Misinformation. Larcher and his delegation will meet with Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha Jagdeep Dhankhar. They will discuss ways to increase cooperation and mutual understanding between the French Senate and India's Parliament, including through a dedicated agreement, the French embassy said in a readout. Also Read | Chandigarh Mayoral Election Results Controversy: Supreme Court to Examine Mayoral Polls Ballot Papers, Video Recordings Amid Horse-Trading Allegations. The chairman of the French Senate will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it said. Larcher had previously met Prime Minister Modi during the latter's visit to Paris on July 14 last year. The prime minister was received at the French Senate by Larcher and leaders of all major parliamentary groups. Larcher is also scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss the current dynamics in the bilateral relations and gain a better understanding of India's growing geopolitical role, the embassy said. During his visit, Larcher will also meet with business leaders of French companies in India, particularly in the aerospace and defence sectors, and visit sites of French firms making key contributions to 'Make in India' and 'Skill India', it said. The Senate is the Upper House of the Parliament of the French Republic. Its 358 members or Senators are elected through indirect universal suffrage for a term of six years. (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 19 (ANI): The chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Priyank Kanoongo, wrote to the Bihar Chief Secretary on Monday about mapped and unmapped madrasas in the state. In his letter, Priyank Kanoongo sought information from the government regarding Madrasas. Also Read | Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Assam Police Send Summons to Rahul Gandhi, Other Congress Leaders for Damaging Public Property. "In response to the Summon notice issued to the Chief Secretary, Bihar, the Commission is in receipt of a letter dated February 19, the Commission has examined the reply and it is important to highlight that the State has Constitutional duty/responsibility to provide education in schools which are duly defined under Section 2(n) of the RTE Act. The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act not only provides a Fundamental Right to the children to get elementary education but also obliges the State through Directive Principles of State Policy. However, the fact of getting education in Madrasas through State fund instead of getting enrolled in a proper school obstructs the aforementioned Constitutional mandate," the letter read. "An affidavit stating that no Madrasa exists and is operation in Bihar without UDISE code. As per the information provided Non-Muslim children are attending Madrasas in Bihar. Please provide number and details of these childrens. Also, provide number of non-muslim children who have completed the highest level of qualification in a Madrasa and who have become Maulvis after completion of requisite courses," it added. Also Read | Hyderabad: Licenses of Two Blood Banks Cancelled for Selling Human Plasma. The NCPCR chief further request the state secretary to appear on February 22 with all related documents. "As even after considerable time lapse, no satisfactory response has been submitted to the Commission. Therefore, it is requested to appear before the Commission on February 22 at 1500 hours that the point-wise information on the above points along with all related documents," the letter from NCPCR said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], February 19 (ANI): Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu, police have declared Jammu district as a no-fly zone (temporary red zone) until 11 pm on February 20. The following directions have been issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police Jammu by virtue of Section 22(2) of the notification of the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding Drone Rules 2021. Also Read | German Central Bank Warns of Recession, Citing Strikes. It is pertinent to mention that under Rule 49 of Drone Rules 2021, police can take cognisance of the contravention of Rule 22 and Rule 27 of Drone Rules 2021, which are cognisable and non-compoundable. PM Modi will visit Jammu on February 20. Also Read | Farmers Protest: Farmer Leaders Reject Centres Proposal, Say They Will March Towards Delhi on February 21. "At around 11:30 AM, in a public function at the Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu, Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 30,500 crore. The projects relate to several sectors including health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum, civic infrastructure, among others," as per a press release from the Prime Minister's office. During the programme Prime Minister will distribute appointment orders to about 1500 new Government recruits of Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister will also interact with beneficiaries of various government schemes as part of the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu' programme. "In a significant step towards upgrading and developing education and skilling infrastructure across the country, Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to nation and lay the foundation stone of several projects' worth about Rs 13,375 crore," the release stated. The projects which are dedicated to nation include permanent campus of IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIT Jammu, IIITDM Kancheepuram; Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) - a pioneer skill training institute on advanced technologies - located at Kanpur; and two campuses of Central Sanskrit University - at Devprayag (Uttarakhand) and at Agartala (Tripura). "Prime Minister will inaugurate three new IIMs in the country viz IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Visakhapatnam. He will also inaugurate 20 new buildings for Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVs) and 13 new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) buildings across the country," as per the release. Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of five Kendriya Vidyalaya campuses, one Navodaya Vidyalaya campus and five Multipurpose Hall for Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country. These newly constructed KVs and NVs buildings will play an important role in meeting the educational needs of students across the country. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh, February 19: The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Punjab Police shot dead a wanted gangster and two Punjab Police personnel were injured in an encounter in the Punjab's Barnala district on Sunday, officials said. Meanwhile, more than 60 cases were registered against the gangster, Gurmeet Singh alias Kala Dhanaula, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) posted on X. "In a major breakthrough, Anti Gangster Task Force (#AGTF) of @PunjabPoliceInd neutralizes wanted A category Gangster Gurmeet Singh @ Kala Dhanula at a farmhouse in Badbar, District Barnala," DGP posted on X. Punjab: Assistant Sub-Inspector Shot Dead in Amritsar, Police Suspects Personal Enmity (Watch Videos). The police fired back in self-defence in which an inspector and a sub-inspector were injured in the cross-firing, it stated. "The accused has a criminal history with 60+ heinous criminal cases registered against him. Punjab Police is committed to eradicating crime as per the vision of CM @BhagwantMann," it added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. On February 19, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received Stefano Tomat, the Civilian Operations Commander of the EU External Action Service, the foreign ministry said. According to the source, the interlocutors discussed issues related to the activities of the EU civilian monitoring mission in Armenia, touching upon the work done within one year since the deployment of the long-term mission in Armenia. Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the important contribution of the mission in promoting the stability of the international border with Azerbaijan. It is noted that the parties stressed that the mission is one of the good examples of the expanding Armenia-EU cooperation and shows the mutual sincere interest of both Armenia and the EU and its member states in its further deepening. In this context, Ararat Mirzoyan and Stefano Tomat exchanged views on issues of the broad agenda of the Armenia-EU partnership, discussing the opportunities provided through the relevant mechanisms and in new dimensions mutual interest. During the meeting, regional security and stability issues were also touched upon. New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI) The CBI has taken over the investigation into alleged kidnapping of a teenaged girl from West Bengal's Bardhaman district in which the role of functionaries of the "ruling dispensation" is under scanner, officials on Monday said. The agency's action comes on the Calcutta High Court's directions where the 14-year old girl's parents, had in a petition, alleged that their daughter had left home at 6 PM on August 9, 2023, for her studies but did not return. Also Read | Bihar Shocker: Man Murders Lover With Poisoned Egg Roll After Wifes Threat in Samastipur. They said that the local police was reluctant to take the probe but after much insistence they registered a case in which not much progress was made. They had registered an FIR at the Anti-human Trafficking Unit of the state CID on August 17 that year. Also Read | Delhi Schools Asked To Form Committees for Surprise Checking of Students' Bags in Classrooms. The Calcutta High Court had handed over the probe to the CBI on February 8 this year, they said. "Although two persons were arrested, the investigation was not concluded within the statutory period, which led to the grant of statutory bail to the co-accused. In the meantime, the miscreants had been threatening the petitioner and her family members," the High Court had noted citing allegations made by the girl's parents. The parents have alleged that a group of miscreants had come to their home where they pressurised them to settle the matter after taking some money. They also told the parents that their girl has been sold. It was alleged that the police deliberately delayed the investigation and did not send any information either on the border areas of different states. "Upon information, it is submitted that the two accused who were arrested and granted statutory bail are political functionaries of the ruling dispensation and are very close to certain politically influential persons," the High Court noted. The state police had submitted that they had circulated the girl's photograph in papers, did call detail analysis of two suspects who were arrested and released on bail, and also kept a watch on their movements. The High Court said "laxity and lacunae" was apparent in the investigation done by the state police. "The investigating agency ought to have utilized the time they got for investigating the matter further, as for instance to send the photographs of the victim to the nearby states, inform the Ministry of Home Affairs and seek necessary help in this regard and even contact the Law Enforcement Agencies of the neighbouring country through proper channel," Justice Jay Sengupta said. Underlining that it was not for the court to tell the investigation agency how to conduct the probe, he said the police could have prayed for a narco-analysis test of the arrested accused and interrogated the people who had threatened the family. "Considering the exigency, the inability of the CID to trace out the girl in a span of one month after so much time had been wasted by the local police, and considering the fact that the investigation into the case may require seeking inter-State or even inter-country assistance, the investigation of the case is forthwith transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)," Justice Sengupta said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], February 19 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority (JK DMA) has issued a high-danger level avalanche warning on Monday for Kupwara and Ganderbal districts of Jammu and Kashmir for the next 24 hours. The warning said that the avalanche is likely above 2200 metres over the Kupwara and Ganderbal districts. Also Read | Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Assam Police Send Summons to Rahul Gandhi, Other Congress Leaders for Damaging Public Property. JK DMA also issued a warning of medium danger level avalanche over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban Bandipore, and Baramulla districts. "High Danger Level Avalanche is likely to occur above 2200 metres over Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in the next 24 hours. Avalanche with a medium danger level is likely to occur above 2000 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Bandipore and Baramulla districts," JK DMA said in a post on X Also Read | Hyderabad: Licenses of Two Blood Banks Cancelled for Selling Human Plasma. JK DMA added that an avalanche with a low danger level is also likely to occur above 2500 metres over Anantnag and Kulgam districts in the next 24 hours. People living in these areas have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas. Meanwhile, Srinagar district in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a sudden dip in temperature on Monday as rainfall lashed the area. Srinagar recorded a temperature of two degrees Celsius on Monday. While the temperature in Gulmarg was recorded at minus 2.9 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department has issued an extended wet spell warning for the entire region, predicting light to moderate rain and snow across most parts of Jammu and Kashmir till Wednesday. The Weather Department has warned of an "extended wet spell" across Jammu and Kashmir until Wednesday afternoon. They predict light to moderate rain and snow in most places, including plains and lower reaches, from February 19 to 20. This wet spell could lead to flash floods in hilly areas, landslides, and disruption of essential services like power and water supply. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], February 19 (ANI): The much-anticipated INDUS-X Summit is scheduled to be held on February 20-21, 2024, in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts between India and the United States in defence innovation, an official statement said. Organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, and Department of Defence (DoD), United States, in conjunction with the US-India Business Council and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), the summit aims to be a pivotal event driving strategic technology partnerships and defence industrial cooperation between India and the USA. Also Read | Yemens Houthis Launch Missile Attack on Ship As Crew Abandons It in Gulf of Aden. According to the Ministry of Defence, since its launch in June 2023 during the State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) has been at the forefront of expanding bilateral ties in defence innovation. Now, with the INDUS-X Summit, stakeholders from both nations will converge in New Delhi to explore and capitalise on emerging opportunities. The two-day catalyst summit will feature a dynamic line-up of activities designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange. From panel discussions and workshops to senior leader forums and joint challenge winner felicitations, the agenda is packed with insightful sessions aimed at charting the future trajectory of US-India defence relations. Also Read | Clashes in Birgunj: Local Administration Impose Curfew Following Clashes in Nepal. Defence innovation stakeholders from across governments, academic and research organisations, investors, defence start-ups, technology incubators, industry associations, and other start-up enablers will come together to develop ambitious initiatives to drive INDUS-X forward. The Joint INDUS X Challenge winners will be felicitated during the event. The INDUS-X Summit represents a pivotal moment for advancing defence innovation and collaboration between India and the United States, setting the stage for future technological advancements and strategic partnerships, stimulating cross-national science and technology networks, and building the connective issue between domestic entrepreneurs, markets, skilling institutions, government labs, and investment capital, which is critical to building successful innovation ecosystems. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], February 19 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu on February 20. "At around 11:30 AM, in a public function at the Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu, Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 30,500 crore. The projects relate to several sectors including health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum, civic infrastructure, among others," as per a press release from the Prime Minister's office. Also Read | Lucknow: Youth Killed As Security Guard's Gun Accidentally Goes Off During Scuffle at Kuda Crossing; Accused Arrested. During the programme Prime Minister will distribute appointment orders to about 1500 new Government recruits of Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister will also interact with beneficiaries of various government schemes as part of the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu' programme. "In a significant step towards upgrading and developing education and skilling infrastructure across the country, Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to nation and lay the foundation stone of several projects' worth about Rs 13,375 crore," the release stated. Also Read | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2024: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar Pay Tribute at Shivneri Fort in Pune (Watch Videos). The projects which are dedicated to nation include permanent campus of IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIT Jammu, IIITDM Kancheepuram; Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) - a pioneer skill training institute on advanced technologies - located at Kanpur; and two campuses of Central Sanskrit University - at Devprayag (Uttarakhand) and at Agartala (Tripura). "Prime Minister will inaugurate three new IIMs in the country viz IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Visakhapatnam. He will also inaugurate 20 new buildings for Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVs) and 13 new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) buildings across the country," as per the release. Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of five Kendriya Vidyalaya campuses, one Navodaya Vidyalaya campus and five Multipurpose Hall for Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country. These newly constructed KVs and NVs buildings will play an important role in meeting the educational needs of students across the country. In a step that will provide comprehensive, quality and holistic tertiary care health services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister will inaugurate All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Vijaypur (Samba), Jammu. The institute, whose foundational stone was also laid by the Prime Minister in February 2019, is being established under the Central sector scheme Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. "Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Jammu Airport. To be spread over 40,000 sqm area, the new terminal building will be equipped with modern facilities catering to about 2000 passengers during peak hours. The new terminal building will be environment friendly and will be built such that it showcases local culture of the region. It will strengthen air connectivity, boost tourism and trade and accelerate economic growth of the region," the release stated. The Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation various rail projects in Jammu & Kashmir including the new rail line between Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan (48 Km) and the newly electrified Baramulla-Sringar-Banihal-Sangaldan section (185.66 Km). Prime Minister will also flag off the first Electric Train in the valley and also train service between Sangaldan station & Baramulla station. "The commissioning of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section is significant as it features the usage of Ballast Less Track (BLT) all along the route providing a better riding experience to the passengers. Also, India's longest transportation tunnel T-50 (12.77 Km) lies in this portion between Khari-Sumber. The rail projects will improve connectivity, ensure environmental sustainability and boost the overall economic development of the region," as per the release. During the programme, Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone of important road projects including two packages (44.22 KM) of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway connecting Jammu to Katra; Phase two for four-laning of Srinagar Ring Road; five packages for upgrading the 161 km long Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri stretch of NH-01; and the construction of Kulgam Bypass & Pulwama bypass on NH-444. "Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for a project to develop CUF (Common User Facility) Petroleum depot at Jammu. The state of art fully automated depot which will be developed at a cost of about Rs 677 crore, will have storage capacity of about 100000 KL for storing Motor Spirit (MS), High Speed Diesel (HSD), Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO), Aviation Turbine fuel (ATF), Ethanol, Bio diesel and winter grade HSD," as per the release. Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several development projects worth more than Rs 3150 crore for strengthening the civic infrastructure and provisioning of public facilities across Jammu and Kashmir. "The projects to be inaugurated by Prime Minister include, Road projects & Bridges; Grid Stations, receiving stations transmission line Projects; Common Effluent Treatment Plants and Sewage Treatment Plants; Several Degree College buildings; Intelligent Traffic Management system in Srinagar city; Modern Narwal Fruit Mandi; Drug Testing Laboratory at Kathua; and Transit accommodation - 224 flats at Ganderbal and Kupwara. The projects whose foundation stone will be laid include development of five new Industrial Estates across Jammu and Kashmir; Data Centre/ Disaster Recovery Centre for Integrated Command and Control Centre of Jammu Smart City; Up-gradation of Transport Nagar at Parimpora Srinagar; Up-gradation of 62 road projects and 42 bridges and project for development of transit accommodation - 2816 flats at nine locations in districts Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Shopian & Pulwama, among others," the release stated. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], February 19 (ANI): Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Shibu Soren has approached the Delhi High Court challenging the single judge order refusing to interfere with the Lokpal proceedings against Soren based on a complaint filed by the BJP MP Nishikant Dubey in Disproportionate Assets (DA) case. The appeal came up for hearing before the division bench headed by Justice Rekha Palli. Also Read | MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Meets BJP Mumbai Chief Ashish Shelar, Sparks Speculation of Tie-Up. The matter was adjourned for tomorrow as senior advocate Kapil Sibal was busy with another matter before the Supreme Court. Latter on he appeared and mentioned the matter. He submitted that the matter is coming up before Lokpal for a hearing tomorrow. Also Read | Online Scam in Mumbai: Cyber Fraudsters Dupe 46-Year-Old Businessman of Rs 8.43 Lakh After Posing As Police; Second Such Incident in Two Days. However, the bench said that it will hear the matter early in the supplementary list. The Delhi High Court on January 22, 2024, refused to interfere with the proceedings of Lokpal. Soren has filed an appeal though advocate Vaibhav Tomar. It is submitted that the finding of the Learned Single Judge that the Writ Petition before the High Court was premature is erroneous as the Appellant contended that it was a case of patent lack of jurisdiction of the Lokpal to issue process in the complaint filed under Section 20(1) of the Act. It is stated that there is a time limitations for making investigation or inquiry by the Lokpal. The appeal said that the jurisdiction of Lokpal under Section 14 has to be readwith Section 53 of the Act where the limitation to investigate or inquire into the complaint is provided. It is also submitted that Section 53 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 bars the Lokpal from enquiry or investigating into any complaint if made after the expiry of a period of 7 years on the date on which the offence mentioned in the Complaint is alleged to have been committed. The petitioner has stated that a bare perusal of the complaint would indicate that the offence alleged in the complaint is beyond this period of 7 years. It was, therefore, the case of the Appellant/Writ Petitioner that the proceedings initiated before the Lokpal were without jurisdiction, nullity and not maintainable in law. In the January 22, 2024, judgement Justice Subramonium Prasad had said that This Court does not want to enter into this realm at this juncture and it is for the Lokpal to decide as to whether there is sufficient material to proceed further for investigation or not in order to subserve the purpose for which the Act has been brought out. The High court had rejected the contention of the learned Senior Counsel for the Petitioner that the entire complaint is completely motivated and Lokpal would invariably order for investigation cannot be accepted. "The Office of Lokpal is completely independent and an argument that the Lokpal would be influenced by political consideration cannot be countenanced. This allegation that the proceedings before the Lokpal is vitiated and can be politically motivated, cannot be accepted," Justice Prasad said. The high court had held, " The Lokpal will examine the entire matter independently and shall take a decision as to whether an investigation has to be ordered or not which order is always amenable for challenge under Article 226 of the Constitutionof India. The CBI has submitted a preliminary inquiry and the Lokpal has to take a decision as to whether to proceed further in the case or not." The high court also said that the Lokpal is yet to apply its mind to the material provided by the CBI as to whether an investigation is necessary or not. " It is well settled that while conducting an inquiry, the material that can be unearthed is limited compared to the material that is unearthed when an investigation is conducted by a competent authority," Justice Prasad said. JMM Chief and Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren approached the High Court to quash the complaint pending before Lokpal of India. The Petitioner had also prayed for quashing orders of August 5, 2020, September 15, 2020, and August 4, 2022, passed by Lokpal in the said complaint. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had filed a complaint which was registered with Lokpal. It is alleged in the said complaint that the Petitioner in his name and the name of his family members including sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, friends, associates and various companies etc. has acquired several immoveable properties including plots of lands (residential, commercial and built up properties) in various districts of Jharkhand such as Ranchi, Dhanbad, Dumka etc. It is also alleged that the Petitioner and his family members including his son have invested in various companies owned by one Amit Agarwal and his family members. It is stated that the said Amit Agarwal is a very close friend of the Petitioner's family. The complaint stated that all the companies owned by Amit Agarwal despite having shown consistent losses in their books of accounts, have been purchasing large properties in and around Ranchi and Kolkata. It is stated that the Petitioner has acquired properties completely disproportionate to his known sources of income. It was also stated in the complaint that the Petitioner has been indulging in corrupt practices for many years and has illegally usurped huge portions of the lands belonging to poor tribals of the Santhal tribe at throw-away prices much below the prevailing circle rates. Lokpal had passed an order under Section 20(1) (a) of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry against the Petitioner to ascertain whether there exists a prima facie case for proceeding in the matter. On July 1, 2021, comments were sought from the Petitioner Soren as required under Section 20(2) of the Act, on the nature of acquisition, cost of construction and source of funds for the 82 properties annexed to the saidnotice on or before July 15, 2021. A reply was given by the Petitioner on July 10, 2021, informing that he was not the owner of the said properties. The Petitioner sought additional time of 60 days to submit his comments. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI) Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday condemned the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal after police took away a television journalist reporting on the violence in Sandeshkhali. "Instead of taking action against goons misbehaving with women, the West Bengal government is putting curbs on the media and trying to muzzle freedom of the press. This is very unfortunate," Thakur said. Also Read | Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Assam Police Send Summons to Rahul Gandhi, Other Congress Leaders for Damaging Public Property. A reporter of the television channel Republic Bangla was taken away by the West Bengal Police while he was reporting on the developments in Sandeshkhali. Thakur said a state run by a woman chief minister is turning a blind eye to the travails of women in Sandeshkhali. Also Read | Hyderabad: Licenses of Two Blood Banks Cancelled for Selling Human Plasma. Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24-Parganas district has been tense with a large number of women in the locality accusing Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of "land-grab and sexually assaulting" them under coercion. Sheikh has been absconding since January 5 when a mob attacked Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers during a raid at his residence in connection with an alleged ration scam. Two of Sheikh's aides, who along with others were booked under charges of gang rape and attempt to murder, have been arrested. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], February 19 (ANI): Amid allegations of partisan politics ahead of elections, Madhya Pradesh Congress on Monday staged a sit-in outside the Income Tax office in Bhopal to protest against party's frozen account. Several Congress leaders and party workers including MLA Arif Masood, former minister PC Sharma, Mahila Congress State President Vibha Patel and others were present in the protest. Also Read | PM Modi Jammu Visit: Security Forces on Maximum Alert Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Visit to Jammu and Kashmir on February 20. "The way the account of the Congress Party has been freezed is a malicious act of the Central Government. They are freezing the account of a national party that fought for the country's independence. Apart from this, notices were served to several Congress leaders and to appear before the IT office in Delhi. Today we have staged a protest in front of the Income Tax Office against all these injustices," Congress leader PC Sharma told ANI. "Elections (Lok Sabha polls) are about to be held and freezing the party's accounts at this time is wrong and unethical. They are holding a peaceful protest against it," Sharma added. Also Read | NITI Aayog Calls to Proritise Technology and AI for Senior Care in India, Says It Is Time To Start Thinking About Special Dimensions for Senior Care. He further alleged that there is pressure from the Central Government on the Income Tax Department due to which this action is being taken. Earlier, Congress general secretary Ajay Maken alleged that the party's accounts were frozen by the Income Tax department and called it the "freeze of democracy". In a press conference held at the AICC headquarters in Delhi on February 16, Maken said, "I have very disturbing news to share with all of you. The accounts of the Congress party have been frozen and also those of the Youth Congress have been frozen." "We got information yesterday that banks are not honouring the cheque we are issuing. On further investigation, we got to know that the Youth Congress bank accounts have been frozen. The accounts of the Congress party have also been seized. Income tax asked for Rs 210 crore recovery from Youth Congress and Congress party. The crowdfunding money in our accounts has been frozen. Just 2 weeks before elections when the opposition's accounts are frozen, it is equivalent to freezing democracy" he added. The Congress leader questioned the motive behind the alleged freeze of party accounts ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary elections. "When the principal opposition party's accounts have been frozen just two weeks before the announcement of the national elections. Do you think democracy is alive in our country?" Maken remarked. "We don't have money, we don't have money to pay the salaries, not only Nyay Yatra but all political activities will be impacted. We appealed in the Income Tax appellate tribunal the day before yesterday and the hearing is going on. We believe in the judiciary," 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) New Delhi, February 19: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered that the interim order by the Election Commission of India (ECI) that allowed veteran leader Sharad Pawar to use 'Nationalist Congress Party--Sharad Chandra Pawar' would continue till further orders. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Vishwanathan also allowed Sharad Pawar to approach the ECI for symbol allocation and said that it would be allotted within one week of filing the application. It further issued notice to the Ajit Pawar faction and ECI on the plea of Sharad Pawar against the order of the poll panel officially recognising the Ajit Pawar faction as the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The bench sought a response from them within two weeks and posted the matter for hearing after three weeks. Supreme Court to Hear Sharad Pawar's Plea Against Election Commission Order Recognising Ajit Pawar-led Faction as Real NCP. "Issue notice. Counter-affidavit to be filed in two weeks. The rejoinder is to be filed within one week. Post after three weeks. Meanwhile, the order passed on February 7 by the Election Commission of India granting the petitioner the right to use 'Nationalist Congress Party--Sharad Chandra Pawar' shall continue till further orders. The petitioner may approach the ECI for the allocation of a symbol, and such a symbol shall be allotted within one week of moving the application," the bench stated in its order. During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Sharad Pawar, argued that the court should allow the use of the party name, and they gave him the symbol. He added, "In this case, in an interim order, they have said that the Ajit Pawar side is the real NCP, but for the Rajya Sabha elections, Sharad Pawar can use the name as a one-time measure, it should be allowed to continue... Maharashtra Assembly election is starting on Tuesday for Maratha Bill, although the main session, which is the budget session, starts on February 26." Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar: Election Commission Allots Party Name to Sharad Pawar Group of NCP. It was strange that the Sharad Pawar group had to obey the whip of the Ajit Pawar faction, Singhvi said. "He (Sharad Pawar) is not asking for the name or the symbol of the undivided party. It is also absurd that tomorrow during the Assembly Session if Ajit Pawar issues a whip to Sharad Pawar, he will have to vote according to that," senior advocate told the bench. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Ajit Pawar faction, objected to the continuation of the ECI's interim arrangement in Sharad Pawar's party name. To this, Justice Viswanathan said, "At some stage, let the voter have some say. It will cause chaos. I don't want to draw an analogy, but if you are following the politics across the border, the whole thing happened because someone wanted the bat symbol and it was not given." Sharad Pawar moved the Supreme Court, challenging the decision of the ECI to officially recognise the Ajit Pawar faction as the real NCP and the use of party symbols. On February 6, the poll panel, while applying the test of majority in the legislative wing, ruled that Ajit Pawar's faction was the real NCP and permitted the faction to use the 'clock' symbol for the party. In its order, the Election Commission had noted that the total number of NCP MLAs in the Maharashtra State assembly stood at 81 and out of this, Ajit Pawar submitted affidavits of 57 MLAs in his support while Sharad Pawar had only 28 affidavits. Hence, the poll panel concluded that the Ajit Pawar faction enjoyed the majority support of the legislators and could lay claim to being the NCP. "The faction led by petitioner Ajit Anantrao Pawar is the Nationalist Congress Party and is entitled to use its name and reserved symbol 'clock' for the purposes of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment), Order 1968," the Commission had noted. Recently, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar ruled that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's party was the real NCP and turned down demands to disqualify either faction's lawmakers. The Supreme Court had earlier extended the time till February 15 for the Speaker to pass the final order on the plea of the Sharad Pawar faction seeking disqualification against rebel MLAs led by Ajit Pawar. In July 2023, a Sharad Pawar-led group filed disqualification petitions against eight MLAs for anti-party activities after Ajit Pawar split the party and joined the coalition government in Maharashtra as Deputy Chief Minister. Jayant Patil, a Sharad Pawar loyalist, later moved the apex court, seeking direction from the Speaker for time-bound disposal of the disqualification petitions in view of a similar direction passed by the top court in the case involving Shiv Sena party dispute between Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde group. The apex court had then asked the Speaker to fast-track the adjudication of the disqualification petitions. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday laid the foundation stone for four projects being developed by Torrent Power in Uttar Pradesh, entailing an investment of about Rs 25,000 crore. The projects are expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities for about 8,000 people in the state, Torrent Group said in a statement. Also Read | NCP vs NCP: Supreme Court Allows Sharad Pawar Group to Use Nationalist Congress Party Sharad Chandra Pawar Name Till Further Orders. According to the statement, the Torrent Group had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh for these projects during the UP Global Investors' Summit 2023 (UPGIS 2023) held in February 2023. The foundation stone-laying ceremony of Torrent Group's four projects was part of the country's largest Ground-Breaking Ceremony (GBC) 4.0, held in Lucknow on Monday. Also Read | Maratha Quota Row: Maharashtra Government Set To Hold Special Session on Maratha Reservation Issue on February 20. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for over 14,000 projects across different sectors, as per the statement. The projects were initiated in the presence of Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel; Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The four projects include two pumped storage hydro projects, with a total capacity of 4,150 MW in Sonbhadra district and a solar power plant with a capacity of 150 MW in Lalitpur district (Bundelkhkand region of UP). Besides, a pilot green hydrogen production facility will be set up in Gorakhpur, where green hydrogen will be produced and blended with the gas distribution network being built by Torrent Gas. Torrent Power, the Rs 25,694 crore integrated power utility of the Rs 37,600 crore Torrent Group, is one of the largest companies in the country's power sector with presence across the entire power value chain -- generation, transmission, and distribution. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu on Tuesday to launch multiple development projects, including for education, railway, aviation and road sectors, worth Rs 30,500 crore. He will also distribute appointment letters to about 1,500 newly recruited government employees of Jammu and Kashmir and interact with beneficiaries of various schemes as part of the 'Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu' programme, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement. Also Read | U-Turn Turns Risky for Mumbai Cabbie: Taxi Driver Awarded Three Months Jail Term for Colliding Vehicle With Scooter Near Tardeo; Court Says Taking Wrong U-Turn Negligent Act. Among the railway projects that Modi will inaugurate are the railway line between Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan (48 km) and the newly electrified Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section (185.66 km). The statement said that he will flag off the first electric train in the Valley and the train service between Sangaldan and Baramulla stations. Also Read | Farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' March on 'Standby' Till February 21 As Centre Offers MSP Proposal (Watch Video). The commissioning of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section is significant as it features the usage of ballast less track (BLT) all along the route providing a better ride experience to passengers, it said. India's longest transportation tunnel T-50 (12.77 km) lies in the portion between Khari and Sumber. The railway projects will improve connectivity, ensure environmental sustainability and boost the overall economic development of the region. In a significant step towards upgrading and developing education and skilling infrastructure across the country, the statement said, Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several projects worth about Rs 13,375 crore. The projects include permanent campuses for IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIT Jammu, IIITDM Kancheepuram, Indian Institute of Skills (IIS), a pioneer skill training institute on advanced technologies located at Kanpur, and campuses of Central Sanskrit University at Devprayag (Uttarakhand) and Agartala (Tripura). He will also inaugurate three new IIMs in the country -- IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Visakhapatnam -- besides 20 new buildings for Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and 13 for new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) buildings across the country. As part of his government's efforts to provide comprehensive, quality and holistic tertiary-care health services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister will inaugurate the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Vijaypur (Samba), Jammu. The institute, whose foundation stone was laid by him in February 2019, is being established under the central government scheme 'Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana'. Established at a cost of over Rs 1,660 crore and in an area spanning over 227 acres, the hospital is equipped with 720 beds, a medical college with 125 seats, a nursing college with 60 seats, an AYUSH block with 30 beds, residential accommodation for faculty and staff, hostel accommodation for UG and PG students and a shopping complex among other facilities. Among other projects, Modi will lay the foundation stone for a new terminal building at the Jammu airport. Spread over 40,000 sqm, the new terminal building will be equipped with modern facilities catering to about 2,000 passengers during peak hours, will be environment friendly and will showcase the local. During the programme, he will lay the foundation stone of important road projects including two packages (44.22 km) of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway connecting Jammu to Katra and phase-two for four-laning of the Srinagar Ring road. The statement said he will lay the foundation stone for a project to develop CUF (Common User Facility) petroleum depot at Jammu as well. Modi will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several development projects worth more than Rs 3,150 crore for strengthening the civic infrastructure and provisioning of public facilities across Jammu and Kashmir, it said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan is desecrating the graves of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, Tigran Balayan, the Ambassador of Armenia to Belgium and the head of Armenias mission to the European Union told Brussels Signal. Speaking to Brussels Signal, Tigran Balayan said that Azerbaijan has begun destroying religious artefacts belonging to the former Armenian population of the region, the vast majority of whom have since fled the territory. The war against Armenian cemeteries has started, the official said during an interview with Justin Stares, Head of News at Brussels Signal. We have tons of video and photo evidence that they are starting to ruin the cemeteries in the villages and also the churches. Balayan went on to claim the country was also demolishing smaller churches across Nagorno-Karabakh, saying that the one in his native village had been destroyed. Azerbaijan has, he added, also removed religious symbols from larger buildings. All the crosses from all Armenian churches in Nagorno-Karabakh were removed by occupying soldiers, he said. Balayans assertions stood in stark contrast to those made by Azerbaijani officials in recent weeks. After a period of detente between the two Caucasus countries, tensions have once again spiked. That came after a clash on the border between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces, as a result 4 Armenian troops dead. Speaking to Brussels Signal, presidential representative Elchin Amirbayov insisted that his country remained committed to protecting the rights of ethnic Armenians in the disputed territory. He added that Azerbaijan would welcome back any ethnic Armenians who had fled the region, describing them as being entitled to Azerbaijani citizenship in the same way other ethnic minorities in the country are. That was rejected by Balayan, who instead said Azerbaijan had worked to prevent the return of ethnic Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh. There were attempts by some people to return. They were rejected by Azerbaijan, he insisted. Wayanad (Kerala) [India], February 19 (ANI): Two people have been arrested in connection with the Pulpally violence incidents for attacking the vehicle of the forest department, according to police. The arrest came after three back-to-back deaths caused by wild elephant attacks sparked protests in Kerala's Wayanad on Saturday, with prohibitory orders clamped on Pulpally area for two days. Also Read | Nothing CEO Carl Pei Adds 'Bhai' After His and Company's Name, Suggests Tesla CEO Elon Musk To Change His Name to 'Elon Bhai' To Build Tesla Factory in India. "Police are checking the CCTV footage of the area and two more people involved in the violence will be arrested soon," Pulpally Police. Meanwhile, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Monday visited the family of Ajeesh, who lost his life due to a wild elephant attack. Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: Woman Attempts Suicide After Going Through Live-in Partner's Mobile Phone, Files Complaint for Breach of Trust in Godadara. Earlier on Sunday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi reached the residence of Forest Department watcher VP Paul, who was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Wayanad. The Congress MP interacted with the victim's family as he extended condolences to the grieved family. The incident led to a massive protest in Pakkam near Pulpally in Wayanad district on Saturday. Gandhi had also written a letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan requesting decisive action over the incident. According to Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran, the victim was attacked when the elephant ventured into a residential area near Mananthavady. After the incident, the Kerala government announced Rs 10 lakh compensation and also assured a job to one of the family members of the deceased. Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday directed officials to hold a high-level meeting to discuss the issues related to wildlife attacks in Wayanad. According to the CM of Kerala, a meeting will be held in Wayanad on February 20. Revenue, Forest and Local Self-Government Department ministers will attend the meeting. People's representatives, including the representatives of local bodies of Wayanad district and officials, including high level officials, will participate in the meeting. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], February 19 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to concerned respondents and also stayed the Parliament Ethics Committee proceedings against West Bengal senior officials in the matter relating to the Sandeshkhali protest. A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stayed the Parliament Ethics Committee proceedings against West Bengal senior officials in the matter relating to the Sandeshkhali protest. Also Read | India Bringing Back Its Ancient Idols From Abroad, Getting Record Foreign Investment Also, Says PM Narendra Modi (Watch Videos). Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for WB's senior officials, mentioned the plea before a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and apprised them of the facts related to the matter. The plea was filed by WB's Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika, Director General and Inspector General of Police Rajeev Kumar, North 24 Parganas's District Magistrate, Basirhat's Superintendent of Police, and Additional SP through advocate on record Astha Sharma. Also Read | Indian Small and Medium Enterprises Budgets Increasing Due to Rise of AI, Global Uncertainty and Security Threats: Report. The Parliament Ethics Committee had issued notice to the West Bengal Chief Secretary, DGP, and others asking them to appear before it on February 19. The Parliament Ethics Committee order came on a complaint filed by BJP Member of Parliament Sukanta Majumdar for alleged misconduct, brutality, and causing life threatening injuries by the police officials and district administration of Basirhat, North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal submitted before the Supreme Court that the BJP MP had gone to Sandeshkhali and violated Section 144 CrPC. He also said that political activities can't be part of privilege. An advocate appearing for the LS Secretariat told the court that only a notice has been issued and they aren't called as accused in the matter but just to ascertain facts. The petition said that senior officials constrained to file the present petition in view of the extremely urgent situation arisen upon issuance of the Memorandums, directing them to appear before the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges for oral evidence on February 19, based on a mere complaint, which, prima facie, does not disclose any breach of Parliamentary privilege guaranteed to a BJP MP. The petitioner said that the action is wholly without jurisdiction, illegal, unwarranted, contrary to the law, and unconstitutional. The petitioners said that being Senior Officials of the state, they will have to leave their public duties and appear before the committee of privilege, which is unwarranted and unjustified. "It is most respectfully submitted that the privileges are available only in so far it is necessary so that the House may freely perform its function and it does not extend to the activities undertaken outside the House," read the petition. The senior officials of the West Bengal urged the top court to issue directions to the respondent to produce the records pertaining to the proceedings of breach of privilege initiated on the complaint filed by the BJP MP, and after perusing the same, the top court be pleased to declare the action of the respondent LS secretariat as illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, and wholly without jurisdiction and quash the same. They also urged the court to issue directions prohibiting/ restraining the respondent and their subordinate officers from acting in furtherance of the Office Memorandum dated February 15. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, Feb 19 (PTI) Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shevale on Monday accused the Shiv Sena (UBT) and other parties of allegedly trying to mislead people about the Dharavi Redevelopment Project by spreading false propaganda. Addressing a press conference here, Shewale claimed that the Sena (UBT) was trying to delay the project by talking about things that were technically not feasible or wouldn't happen. Also Read | Bihar Shocker: Man Murders Lover With Poisoned Egg Roll After Wifes Threat in Samastipur. The Shiv Sena leader assured that the Mahayuti government, comprising the Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP, is committed to redeveloping Dharavi as desired by its residents, and work on the project will commence soon. The government has already declared that all eligible people from Dharavi will be rehabilitated in the same area, while the ineligible residents will be housed nearby, Shewale said. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Samajwadi Party Announces 11 More Candidates, Fields Mukhtar Ansari's Brother From Ghazipur. The Maharashtra cabinet has cleared a proposal related to the project, under which 283.40 acres of saltpan lands in Mumbai will be taken from the Union government on a 99-year lease for rehabilitation purposes. The land allotment for the project was done in two phases, under which land in the eastern suburb of Mulund was handed over in the first phase and 360 acres of saltpan land in the second phase, the MP said. Refuting claims of the opposition parties and environmentalists, Shewale said as per the Mumbai Development Plan 2034, which was approved in 2018, the site of the saltpan is not environmentally sensitive, and permission was already granted for construction on it. The state government has reserved the saltpan land for affordable housing projects, he said. "When the Development Plan 2034 was prepared by the then government and the saltpan land was reserved for affordable housing, why didn't this question about environment arise at that time?" the Shiv Sena leader said. He further pointed out that there was no issue about environment when land in Kanjurmarg was sought for the Metro project, and claimed that the land of Bandra Kurla Complex, which is close to Uddhav Thackeray's residence Matoshree, was a creek and marshy land. Opposition parties and some environmentalists have alleged that the decision to hand over the Central government's saltpan site in Mumbai for the redevelopment project will impact the city's environment. In July last year, the Maharashtra government formally awarded the 259-hectare Dharavi redevelopment project to an Adani group firm. The multi-crore project to be executed by an SPV involves rebuilding the Dharavi slum sprawl, Asia's largest, in central Mumbai. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], February 19 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday saw a presentation prepared by the Principal Secretary, Mineral and Revenue, at the Mantralaya and instructed that illegal mining should be stopped at all cost in the state "Departmental activities should be reviewed regularly and a joint meeting of the Revenue, Home and Mineral Departments should be organised. A strategy should be worked out for effective control of illegal mining. Work to stop the illegal mining of minerals should be undertaken at all costs. There will be complete control only when strict action is taken in illegal mining cases," said CM Yadav. Also Read | Yemens Houthis Launch Missile Attack on Ship As Crew Abandons It in Gulf of Aden. The chief minister also directed the Principal Secretary, Revenue to conduct a campaign in the public interest and resolve public problems within the time limit. Principal Secretary, Revenue, Nikunj Srivastava informed that a campaign was being conducted in the state in this regard which would continue till February 29. Also Read | Clashes in Birgunj: Local Administration Impose Curfew Following Clashes in Nepal. Earlier, CM Yadav in a discussion with the ministers before the cabinet meeting, said that some important decisions have to be taken soon in honour of the cow in the state "Often during the rainy season, there are reports of accidents involving cows on roads and highways. Many times, cows are killed in accidents. Therefore, there should be a system that ensures that cows are not wandering on the streets and are given space in cow sheds or safe places. Apart from this, a decision will be taken to increase the amount and honorarium for cow shelters. Necessary arrangements will be made for the cow," the CM said. Yadav also announced that a necessary budget allocation would be made for the cremation of the cows. "If any cow dies, arrangements should be made for her respectable cremation. The responsibility of the Gram Panchayat, Municipal Council and Municipal Corporation will be determined in this regard," the CM 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) New Delhi, [India], February 19 (ANI): Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra on Monday skipped the Directorate of Enforcement (ED)'s summons issued against her last week in connection with irregularities in a foreign exchange contravention case. The ED had issued summons to Moitra on February 15, asking her to appear before it on February 19 in the case. She was asked to appear before the agency's headquarters in Delhi with some documents related to some foreign investments. Also Read | Loan Fraud in Mumbai: Man Forges His Aadhar Card and Other Documents, Replaces Fathers Name With Employers To Take Rs 26 Lakh Loan; Booked. The agency wants to question Moitra in the case under the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. ED investigators want to record her statement linked to the case. The 49-year-old politician is being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) too and it is conducting a preliminary inquiry into the allegations against her on the reference from the Lokpal. Also Read | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2024: Put Maratha Emperor's Thoughts Into Practice, Says Goa CM Pramod Sawant. It is learned that the ED case is based on the reference to the CBI case. Moitra has been in controversy since Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey accused her of asking questions in the Lok Sabha to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts. Dube had also accused Moitra of compromising national security for monetary gains. Moitra was expelled as a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) on December 8 following the Ethics Panel's determination of her guilt in the 'cash-for-query' case. Moitra has denied any wrongdoing and claimed she was being targeted as she had raised questions on the deals of the Adani Group. "Neither has Lok Pal uploaded any referral order on website as per Lokpal Act and nor has CBI put out anything official. 'Sources' telling journos as per usual media circus. Hope Rs 13,000 crore Adani coal scam merits CBI PE before my witchhunt," Moitra had said on X in November. Moitra had also approached the Supreme Court, challenging her expulsion from the lower house of Parliament in connection with the 'cash-for-query' allegations. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh, Feb 18 (PTI) A panel of Union ministers held a fourth round of talks with farmer leaders here on Sunday over their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP, as thousands of protesting farmers camped at the Punjab-Haryana border. Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai reached the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26 for the talks. Also Read | Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Vasundhara Raje May Form Own Parties if ED Stopped, PMLA Section 45 Abolished: Arvind Kejriwal Jabs BJP. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also joined the meeting, which began at 8.15 pm on Sunday and ended at around 1 am on Monday. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Goyal said the panel has proposed the buying of pulses, maize, and cotton crops by government agencies at minimum support prices for five years after entering into an agreement with farmers. Also Read | PM Modi West Bengal Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Likely To Hold Rally in Barasat, Next to Sandeshkhali in March First Week. The farmer leaders said they will discuss the government's proposal in their forums over the next two days and thereafter, decide the future course of action. "Cooperative societies like the NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will enter into a contract with those farmers who grow 'tur dal', 'urad dal', 'masoor dal' or maize for buying their crop at MSP for next five years," said Goyal. There will be no limit on the quantity (purchased) and a portal will be developed for this," he added. It will save Punjab's farming, improve the groundwater table, and save the land from getting barren which is already under stress, Goyal said. On the Centre's proposal, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "We will discuss in our forums on February 19-20 and take the opinion of experts regarding it and accordingly take a decision." A discussion on loan waivers and other demands is pending and we hope that these will be resolved in the next two days, Pandher said, adding that the Delhi Chalo' march is currently on hold, but will resume at 11 am on February 21 if all the issues are not resolved. The Union ministers and farmer leaders had met earlier on February 8, 12 and 15 but the talks remained inconclusive. Protesting farmers from Punjab have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the state's border with Haryana since February 13 when their 'Delhi Chalo' march was halted by police. The call for the march was given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to press their demands. Besides a legal guarantee of MSP, the farmers are demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21. Ahead of the fourth round of talks, the SKM announced that it will gherao the residences of BJP leaders in Punjab for three days from Tuesday to press the Centre into accepting their demands. Balbir Singh Rajewal, a leader of the SKM, an umbrella body of various farmer unions, said they will stage protests in front of the residences of Punjab BJP leaders, including MPs, MLAs and district presidents, from Tuesday to Thursday. Interacting with reporters after a meeting of SKM leaders in Ludhiana, Rajewal said it has also been decided that they would protest at all toll barriers in the state and make them free for all commuters from February 20 to 22. The SKM will not accept anything less than the C-2 plus 50 per cent formula for MSP as recommended in the Swaminathan Commission report, he said after the meeting which was also attended by farmer leaders Balkaran Singh Brar and Boota Singh, among others. Earlier, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said the central government should not dilly-dally and accept farmers' demands before the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections comes into force. If the government thinks it will continue to hold meetings till the Model Code of Conduct is imposed and then say it cannot do anything as the code is in force... the farmers are not going to return, he said. "The government should find a solution to our demands before the Model Code of Conduct comes into force," he added. In Haryana's Kurukshetra, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni and some 'khaps' took part in a panchayat to chalk out a course of action to support the protesting farmers from Punjab. Charuni told reporters after the meeting that it was decided to unite all farmer organisations to hold a protest in support of the agitation. Charuni said a good chunk of the rural belt is part of the National Capital Region (NCR) and a four-member committee has been formed to connect with farmers from Delhi. He said it is surprising that the government is not allowing the farmers to travel to Delhi on their tractors. Khap leader O P Dhankar said Haryana 'khaps' are behind the agitation and the central government should not delay giving a legal guarantee of MSP. Another 'khap' leader who attended the panchayat said farmers will reach Delhi and protest if the talks fail. Meanwhile, the suspension of internet services has been extended in certain areas in some Punjab districts, including Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib, till February 24 on the orders of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier, internet services were suspended from February 12 to 16 in view of the farmers' march. The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) continued to hold protests at toll plazas in Punjab for the second consecutive day, forcing authorities not to charge toll tax. At the Ladhowal plaza in Ludhiana, farmers shouted slogans against the Centre and the Haryana government. The Haryana government on Saturday extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts till February 19. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Sikar, Feb 19 (PTI) A 25-year-old village development officer (VDO) allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan in his house in Jhadli in Rajasthan's Sikar district, police said on Monday. Lalit Kumar's family members have alleged that he was being harassed after he lodged a complaint at the Thoi police station on Thursday against Chiplata Sarpanch Manoj Gurjar and former VDO Narendra Pratap for embezzling funds. Also Read | Delhi Fire: Over 100 Huts Gutted After Massive Blaze Erupts in Shahbad; No Causality Reported (Watch Video). Police said that he had shared a "suicide note" on various WhatsApp groups before hanging himself. On Sunday, his family members found him hanging from the fan. He was taken to a local hospital where doctors declared him dead, they said. Also Read | U-Turn Turns Risky for Mumbai Cabbie: Taxi Driver Awarded Three Months Jail Term for Colliding Vehicle With Scooter Near Tardeo; Court Says Taking Wrong U-Turn Negligent Act. Lalit Kumar had registered a case of embezzlement of Rs 5.20 lakh against Gurjar and Pratap on Thursday, police said. He has mentioned the details of this in his "suicide note" also, they added. Police said that the matter was being investigated. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kolkata, Feb 19 (PTI) State-owned mining giant Coal India Ltd (CIL) on Monday said it will participate in the upcoming auction for critical mineral blocks, signaling its venture beyond coal. "Coal India will bid for three blocks in the critical minerals auction conducted by the mines ministry in February," Chairman P M Prasad said during a post-earnings conference call on Monday. Also Read | NHAI Removes Paytm Payments Bank From List of Authorised Banks for FASTag Services; Know How to Deactivate and Open New FASTag Account. This diversification move signals the company's ambition to tap into the growing demand for resources crucial for renewable energy and other technologies. Prasad further revealed that CIL has already conducted visits to a few lithium mines in Australia, indicating its preliminary stage of exploration. Also Read | KCET Exam 2024: Registration for Karnataka Common Entrance Test Examination Ends on February 20, Apply Online at kea.kar.nic.in. The company also stated it was chasing a target of 780 million tonnes of coal production, with all its five coal-producing subsidiaries expected to surpass their targets, except South Eastern Coalfields Ltd, which faced some project issues and lagged by about 8 million tonnes from its target. However, the miner was striving to achieve the target. Speaking about the e-auction price of coal, the company mentioned that in January-February, the premium ranged between 38-48 per cent. In February, Coal India's e-auction accounted for 17 per cent of its production, and in March, it may increase depending on the situation. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI) The government is not considering any cut in import duty on rubber as of now as the differential between the local and international prices is maintained, a senior official said on Monday. "We have a differential already maintained for the imports that we are getting vis-a-vis the local production. Also Read | NHAI Removes Paytm Payments Bank From List of Authorised Banks for FASTag Services; Know How to Deactivate and Open New FASTag Account. "If you see the local price vis-a-vis international price...so there has been a differential maintained on account of that import duty... So I do not think there is any rethink on reducing import duties as of now," Additional Secretary in the commerce ministry Amardeep Singh Bhatia told reporters here. He was replying to a question about the domestic user industry's demand to cut the duties and that of local producers against any duty reduction. Tyre makers are one of the major consumers of the commodity. Also Read | KCET Exam 2024: Registration for Karnataka Common Entrance Test Examination Ends on February 20, Apply Online at kea.kar.nic.in. Over 13 lakh rubber growers are there in the country. Kerala accounts for a major chunk of the production, which was 8.39 lakh tonne in 2022-23. Consumption during that fiscal was 13.5 lakh tonne. The gap is bridged by imports from countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia and other southeast asian nations. In order to regulate the import of natural rubber, the government had increased the duty on import of dry rubber to 25 per cent or Rs 30 per kg, whichever is lower from April 30, 2015. The government had also reduced the period of utilization of imported dry rubber under advance licensing scheme from 18 months to 6 months from January 2015. Port entry for import of natural rubber has been restricted to ports at Chennai and Nhava Sheva (Jawaharlal Nehru Port) since January 2016. Further, in the Union Budget 2023-24, the rate of custom duty on compound rubber was also increased from 10 per cent to 25 per cent or Rs 30 per kg, whichever is lower (at par with natural rubber) to curb circumvention on duty. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thane, Feb 19 (PTI) A man was booked for allegedly raping a 25-year-old Navi Mumbai resident repeatedly after blackmailing her, a police official said on Monday. The woman works with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, while the man is a resident of Ahmednagar, the Kamote police station official said. Also Read | KCET Exam 2024: Registration for Karnataka Common Entrance Test Examination Ends on February 20, Apply Online at kea.kar.nic.in. "As per the complaint, the man and woman developed friendship, after which he raped her several times between October 2022 and January this year," he said. "He exploited her by threatening to defame her. We registered a rape case on Saturday but are yet to arrest the accused," the official added. Also Read | TBJEE Exam 2024: Registration for Tripura Joint Entrance Examination Extended Till February 22, Apply Online at tbjee.nic.in. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Switzerland is discussing with Ukraine the next steps to hold a peace conference in 2024, information work is underway with other countries, said Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman Pierre-Alain Elchinger, Ria Novosti reports. Last week, Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that the conference to resolve the situation in Ukraine would most likely be held later than planned due to insufficient involvement of world leaders in the event. Hyderabad, Feb 19 (PTI) A 34-year-old man who allegedly sent bomb threat e-mails to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) here allegedly was caught in Bengaluru, police said on Monday. The accused, hailing from Bihar state, and now settled in Bengaluru, worked in the IT sector from 2012 to 2020, they said. Also Read | NHAI Removes Paytm Payments Bank From List of Authorised Banks for FASTag Services; Know How to Deactivate and Open New FASTag Account. During COVID pandemic, he fell ill and subsequently lost his job. He then went into depression and sent threat mails to RGIA and also other vital installations, they added. The accused sent two threat emails to the airport over the past few days from his mail id and created the panic among the staff. After verification it was found that they were hoax mails following which cases were registered. Also Read | KCET Exam 2024: Registration for Karnataka Common Entrance Test Examination Ends on February 20, Apply Online at kea.kar.nic.in. Basing on the technical evidence, RGIA police apprehended the accused at Bengaluru on February 18 and brought him to Hyderabad. During interrogation, he confessed to having committed the offence, police said. A cell phone and a laptop was seized from his possession. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Moscow [Russia], February 19 (ANI): Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, is scheduled to meet with European foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, according to the European Union's foreign policy chief, c, Al Jazeera reported. The 47-year-old Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, passed away in a Russian jail on Friday after more than three years of imprisonment, sparking condemnation from Western leaders and supporters. Also Read | Ameer Balaj Tipu Shot Dead in Pakistan: Lahore Underworld Don Gunned Down by Unidentified Assailant at Wedding Ceremony in Chung. Borrell announced, "On Monday, I will welcome Yulia Navalnaya at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. EU Ministers will send a strong message of support to freedom fighters in Russia and honour Navalny's memory." This meeting is a significant diplomatic move in response to Navalny's death, aiming to express solidarity with those advocating for freedom in Russia, as reported by Al Jazeera. Navalnaya, expressing her grief on Instagram with a touching photo of her and her late husband, wrote, "I love you," just two days after his death. The post added a personal note to the formal expression of loss she had conveyed publicly shortly after the Russian prison service announced Navalny's passing. Also Read | Minneapolis Shooting: First Responder, Two Police Officers Killed While Responding to Domestic Call In Burnsville. The circumstances surrounding Navalny's demise remain unclear. He fell unconscious and died after a walk at the "Polar Wolf" penal colony in the Arctic, where he was serving a three-decade sentence. Navalnaya, in an appearance at the Munich Security Conference shortly after the news broke, spoke passionately about the responsibility she believes Putin and his government bear for her husband's fate. "If the news of his death was true," Navalnaya asserted, "I want Putin, his entire entourage, Putin's friends, his government to know that they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family, to my husband." Navalny's sudden death dealt a severe blow to many Russians who had looked to him as a key figure for change, despite his repeated brushes with the Kremlin. Even after surviving a nerve agent poisoning and enduring multiple prison terms, Navalny remained an outspoken critic of the Kremlin. His passing comes just a month before a presidential election in Russia that is widely anticipated to secure another six years in power for President Putin. The news of Navalny's death prompted an outpouring of grief and frustration across Russia. Hundreds of people in numerous cities gathered at makeshift memorials and monuments dedicated to victims of political repression, leaving flowers and candles to pay tribute to the departed politician. However, the response from authorities was marked by detentions and arrests. By Sunday night, the OVD-Info rights group reported 366 detentions in over a dozen cities, with more than 200 occurring in St Petersburg alone. Among those detained was Grigory Mikhnov-Voitenko, a priest of the Apostolic Orthodox Church, who had announced plans for a memorial service for Navalny. He was charged with organizing a rally and subsequently hospitalized with a stroke. Questions surrounding the cause of Navalny's death persist, with uncertainty about when authorities will release his body. Over 12,000 people have submitted requests to the Russian government seeking the release of Navalny's remains to his relatives. Navalny's team asserted that he was "murdered" and accused authorities of intentionally delaying the release of his body. The Russian government had viewed Navalny and his supporters as extremists with alleged links to the CIA. Navalny consistently dismissed accusations that he had connections with the US intelligence agency, emphasizing his commitment to opposition politics in Russia, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], February 19 (ANI): The Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, V Muraleedharan, is set to represent India at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM) in Rio de Janeiro from February 21-22. Notably, Brazil assumed the presidency from India on December 20, 2023, and the G20 Foreign Minister's Meeting would be the first ministerial meeting under the Brazilian Presidency, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release. Also Read | Landslide in Afghanistan: 25 Dead, 10 Injured After Landslide Hits Nuristan Province. The G20 Foreign Ministers have met as a group since 2012, and the FMM in Rio will be their 10th meeting. The G20 FMM has risen in prominence throughout time, serving as a crucial venue for talks on a variety of international issues and related concerns of common concern among G20 members. Also Read | New Delhi to Host Roundtable to Discuss EU-India Cooperation in Combatting Online Disinformation, Information Manipulation on Sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2024. "India is currently a member of the G20 Troika together with Brazil and South Africa, and has conveyed its support to Brazil's G20 priorities, under the theme 'Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet', viz., (i) social inclusion and fight against hunger and poverty; (ii) energy transitions and sustainable development; and (iii) global governance reforms. All working groups and mechanisms of India's G20 Presidency are continuing under the Brazilian Presidency," the MEA release added. A new Working Group on Empowerment of Women and a new Engagement Group, "Judiciary 20" have also been added by Brazil this time. During his visit, MoS Muraleedharan will participate in both FMM sessions, first on "G20's role in dealing with ongoing international tensions", and second on "Global governance reform," according to MEA. The minister will also attend the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Foreign Ministers' Meeting on February 22, 2024. Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the G20 FMM, the MoS will hold bilateral meetings with partner countries from the Global South. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Home Improvement actor Zachery Ty Bryan has landed in legal trouble once again as he was arrested for driving under the influence in California. It's reported that the former star of Home Improvement was arrested for a suspected DUI in La Quinta, California. According to TMZ, the 42-year-old star was booked by La Quinta Police around 2:36 AM on that day due to driving under the influence with three or more priors, reports aceshowbiz.com. Mitchel Musso Arrested; Hannah Montana Fame Actor Charged With Public Intoxication, Theft and More Reports. "Deputies assigned to the La Quinta Sheriff's Station conducted a traffic stop in the area of Washington Street and Calle Tampico in La Quinta on a vehicle suspected of being involved in a recent traffic collision," Sergeant Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez told Fox News Digital. "When deputies contacted the driver, they observed indications of impairment, leading to the driver's arrest for driving under the influence with priors," he continued, reports aceshowbiz.com. Bhupinder Singh Arrested; TV Actor Accused of Allegedly Killing a Person in Indiscriminate Firing. Zachery Ty Bryan Arrested: View this post on Instagram A post shared by TMZ (@tmz_tv) "The driver, later identified as 42-year-old Zachery Bryan, was booked into a Riverside County jail." Bryan was charged with a felony for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, in addition to a misdemeanour "contempt of court." Despite the legal trouble, he appeared all smiles in his mugshot. The actor was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center at 5 a.m. before being released after posting $50,000 in bail. Bryan is set to appear at the court on April 23. This wasn't the only legal issue that Bryan faced. Back in 2020, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend. Bryan allegedly "assaulted the victim, impeded her breathing, and [took] the victim's phone from her when she tried to call 911." The actor was later charged with two felonies and six misdemeanours relating to the incident: Two counts of menacing, two counts of assault in the fourth degree, felony strangulation, coercion, harassment and interfering with someone making a report. He pled guilty the following year to menacing and assault in the fourth degree. In 2023, he was arrested on July 28 after "Eugene Police received a report of a physical dispute between a male and adult female at a north Eugene residence." (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 19, 2024 11:47 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Guwahati, February 19: The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the Assam Police has issued summons to at least 11 Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi for causing damage to public property during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the state. The Congress leaders have been asked to appear before the CID officers on February 23 in Guwahati. An official said that the summons was issued on Monday under section 41 A (3) of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, Jitendra Singh Alwar, Youth Congress national president BV Srinivas, National Students Union of India (NSUI) in-charge Kanhaiya Kumar, Assam unit Congress president Bhupen Kumar Bora, Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Debabrata Saikia and others were also given the summons. Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in UP: Rahul Gandhi Addresses Public Rally, Asks How Many Dalits and Adivasis Are There Among 650 High Court Judges (Watch Video). In an order, the CID wrote: "In exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (1) of Section 41A of CrPC, during the investigation, it was revealed that there are reasonable grounds to question you to ascertain facts and circumstances for you, in relation to the present investigation." Meanwhile, Debabrata Saikia told IANS that they will follow all procedures according to the law and will appear before the investigating officers. However, he also asserted that none of the Congress leaders were involved in vandalism of any public property. On January 23, Assam police registered cases against Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for provoking the crowd to carry out vandalism. Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in UP: Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Resumes Yatra from Amethi, BJP MP Smriti Irani Holds Jan Samwad (Watch Videos). Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also announced that the police will arrest the accused Congress party leaders after the general election this year. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 19, 2024 11:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Chennai, February 19: The AIADMK will soon be releasing its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections after reaching out to different segments of voters . A team of AIADMK leaders led by deputy leader in the legislature Assembly R.B. Udhayakumar and former minister Natham R.Viswanathan had toured the state from February 5 to 10 and met people from all sections. The manifesto committee noted the response of the public and will soon be finalising its manifesto. Udhayakumar told IANS that the people of the state of Tamil Nadu were totally dejected by the performance of the DMK government. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: DMK Agrees To Give Seven LS Seats to Congress in Tamil Nadu. He said that the DMK had made 100 promises before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and 520 promises before the 2021 Assembly elections. The promises were never fulfilled and the DMK government had betrayed the people. The former minister also said that the DMK government was clueless on the MSME sector and had not done anything for the development of the sector. He added that if properly tapped,the sector would lead the development engine of Tamil Nadu. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Narendra Modis Poll Mantra to BJP Leaders: Next 100 Days Crucial, Win Every Ones Trust To Secure 400 Seats (Watch Video). The senior leader also said that they met people from all sections, including farmers, youths, students, women, entrepreneurs and industrialists. He also said that the DMK MPs were ineffective in Parliament and added that even in the Cauvery issue they were not able to properly and effectively communicate for the state of Tamil Nadu. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 19, 2024 11:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Mumbai, February 19: A magistrate court in Mumbai recently sentenced a man to three months in jail for dashing into a scooter in South Mumbai. The alleged incident took place back in 2021. The accused, a taxi driver, had reportedly caused injuries to the riders of the scooter due to the collision. The magistrate court awarded a three-month jail term to the taxi driver while stating that "taking a wrong U-turn is a negligent act". According to a report in the Indian Express, the incident occurred on January 7, 2021, when the man was commuting with his son on a scooter near Tardeo. The taxi driver, identified as Suresh Chourasiya, suddenly took a U-turn towards the right and collided with the informant's scooter. The complainant's son, who was riding a pillion, fell off the scooter and fractured his leg. RoRo Services From Bhayandar to Vasai: Second RoRo Service in Mumbai Metropolitan Region To Start From February 20; Know Timings, Charges and Other Details. The informant told the court that his son had to undergo surgery. Hence, the court relied on the deposition made by the complainant, who identified Chourasiya as the taxi driver. In his defence, the accused taxi driver said that he was not taking a U-turn but simply moving his car forward. The magistrate court noted that there were damages to the taxi on the right, which showed that he was taking a turn. The accused also told the court that his taxi was moving at a very low speed of 10 kmph and stated that he could not be accused of rash driving. However, the court said that slow speed is not the criteria to decide rash and negligent driving. While announcing the sentence, the court stated that ignoring traffic rules caused injury to the victim. "When there was no U-turn, and inspite of that if a person tries to take one, then certainly it is a negligent act," the court stated. Mumbai Shocker: Ragpicker Kills 70-Year-Old Woman With Stone in Kandivali To Loot Rs 3,000 She Saved, Arrested. The order was passed on Wednesday, February 14. The magistrate court in Girgaon also said that "it is the primary responsibility of the driver of the vehicle to ensure the safety of themselves, pedestrians and others" while convicting the accused for negligent driving. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 19, 2024 10:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). According to reports, police got information that a youth was lying by the roadside near the apartment at Kuda Crossing. The man was later identified as 22-year-old Aman, a resident of the Shahpur Bhamrauli village under Dubagga police station. Seoul, February 19: Samsung Electronics said on Monday that it has retained its position as the top player in the global television market for the 18th consecutive year. The South Korean tech giant took up 30.1 percent of the world TV market in terms of revenue last year, remaining at the top since 2006, according to Samsung Electronics, citing the market research firm Omdia. Its flagship QLED TVs have contributed to the company's strong performance, with sales reaching 8.31 million units last year, reports Yonhap news agency. Since the introduction of QLED technology in 2017, Samsung Electronics has cumulatively sold 44 million units. In the premium segment for TVs valued at $2,500 or higher, Samsung had a share of 60.5 per cent in 2023, up from 48.3 per cent the previous year. Tizen OS: OEM Specialist Veira Group and Samsung Partner To Introduce Its Tizen OS in Its TV Range. The company also maintained a strong presence in the market for large TVs, posting a market share of 33.9 per cent last year, driven by robust sales of the company's largest Neo QLED, its 98-inch model. In the OLED TV segment, Samsung Electronics accounted for 22.4 percent of the global market in terms of revenue last year, with sales exceeding 2 million units over the past two years. Meta Partners MCA To Launch Fact-Checking Helpline on WhatsApp in India To Combat Media Generated Using Artificial Intelligence. Meanwhile, LG Electronics Co. said it has maintained its leadership position in the global OLED TV market for 11 years in a row. The South Korean home appliances maker shipped around 3 million units of OLED TVs last year, accounting for 53 percent of the world's total shipments. In the large-sized OLED TV segment, in particular, LG Electronics posted a market share of 60 percent last year on rising popularity of wireless 97-, 83- and 77-inch models in North America and Europe. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 19, 2024 02:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). On 17 February a Peruvian congressional commission approved a report which recommended impeaching the seven members of the judicial oversight body (JNJ). End of preview - This article contains approximately 395 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Lily James was pictured posing in front of the artefacts (AFP/Getty) The British Museum has been dragged into a fresh row over the Elgin Marbles after models strutted down a runway next to the contested masterpieces. The London Fashion Week event, attended by actor Lily James and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, saw pieces from designer Erdem Moralioglus Autumn/Winter 2024 collection shown off in front of the artefacts originally taken by Lord Elgin from the Acropolis in Greece. Outraged Greek minister of culture Lina Mendoni said Saturdays runway proves that the museum has zero respect for the statues, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, and they should be returned to their country of origin. Lily James was a guest at the Erdem Moralioglus Autumn/Winter 2024 collection (Getty) By organising a fashion show in the halls where the Parthenon Sculptures are exhibited, the British Museum, once again, proves its zero respect for the masterpieces of Pheidias, she said in a statement. The directors of the British Museum trivialise and insult not only the monument but also the universal values that it transmits. Models walk the runway in the finale at the ERDEM show during London Fashion Week (Getty) Dr Mendoni added: The conditions of display and storage of the sculptures, at the Duveen Gallery, are constantly deteriorating. It is time for the stolen and abused sculptural masterpieces to shine in the Attic light. Sources at the museum defended the show, telling the Telegraph that fashion giant Dior held a photo shoot at the Athens landmark the Acropolis in 2021. The Elgin Marbles on display at the British Museum (Matthew Fearn/PA) (PA) Greece has long demanded the return of the historic works, which were removed by Lord Elgin from occupied Athens in the early 19th century when he was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Part of the friezes that adorned the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple on the Acropolis, the Elgin Marbles have been displayed at the British Museum in London for more than 200 years. Most of the remaining sculptures are in a purpose-built museum in Athens. Rishi Sunak sparked a diplomatic row with Greece after refusing to meet its prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, when he compared the artefacts removal to cutting the Mona Lisa in half. Story continues Lord Frost, who previously served as chief Brexit negotiator, told parliament in November: I do think that Lord Elgins actions possibly were a little murky, but I do think nevertheless our legal case is good. I also think its not the point. The point is what we do now rather than what happened in the past. I have never personally been so convinced by the moral, artistic and cultural arguments for the position we take. I think the Parthenon Marbles are a special situation and we should try and find a special solution. Cautioning against a loan to Athens which keeps the issue and the arguments alive, he pressed for a permanent settlement with the formation of a new Anglo-Greek cultural partnership to the benefit of both nations. He added: They arent just random museum exhibits. For as long as they are not seen as a whole they are less than the sum of their parts. On 18 February the Dominican Republics ruling party, Partido Revolucionario Moderno (PRM), claimed victory in a municipal vote which took place the same day. End of preview - This article contains approximately 386 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 16 February Brazils Presidenttravelled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the African Union (AU) summit which ran until 18 February. End of preview - This article contains approximately 393 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 18 February Argentinas Presidenttook aim at the countrys political elite for what he described as the true inheritance bequeathed to his government after the publication of a report revealing that poverty had increased to 57.4% in January, while praising his finance minister,, for delivering the first monthly budget surplus since August 2012. End of preview - This article contains approximately 369 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Antigua and Barbuda offer a wealth of captivating sightseeing opportunities, providing visitors with a glimpse into the islands' rich history and culture. Even a short visit to these picturesque locales is enough to uncover a trove of intriguing attractions that stimulate the imagination. The islands boast a diverse range of breathtaking natural and historical sites that serve as testaments to their vibrant heritage. These sites not only showcase the beauty of the landscape but also narrate compelling stories of the islands' past. Here are some of the best Antigua and Barbuda historical places to visit on your next vacation: St. John's Cathedral St. John's Anglican Cathedral in Antigua unfolds its rich history across centuries. Originating in 1681 as a modest wooden structure, it evolved into a brick church around 1720, according to the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. Elevated to cathedral status in 1842, earthquake damage led to a purpose-built cathedral consecrated in 1848, now recognized for its imposing presence in the West Indian Province. The cathedral reflects historical dynamics, with its gates' lead figures seized during the Seven Years' War and evolving inclusivity over time. READ NEXT: History-Rich Places You Should Visit at Paraguay Montpelier Sugar Factory The Montpelier Muscovado Sugar Factory, a Caribbean gem in Antigua, stands as a testament to the excellence of the 19th-century sugar industry. Featuring well-preserved equipment, the factory houses a monumental steam engine from 1890, symbolizing technological advancements. Acquired by Antigua Distillery Ltd in 1945, it ceased operations in 1954 due to labor disputes. The estate's history includes "Tank" Maginley's residency and a private cemetery with notable burials. The old windmill tower, repurposed as a water tank, silently echoes the grandeur of the sugar industry's bygone era. The Martello Tower The Martello Tower, or River Fort, positioned near River's beach, three miles south of the village, commands attention as a prominent landmark, per barbudaful. Its raised gun platform and robust walls, though missing original floors, showcase enduring resilience. Originally built by the British, its strategic significance dates back to Spanish involvement, marking a testament to the complex history and territorial conflicts in the Caribbean. Today, it stands as a silent witness to centuries of history, embodying the enduring legacy of colonial rivalries. Government House Built in 1694, the Government House in Codrington Village, Barbuda, boasts historical significance. Featuring a mounting block near the gate, it harks back to an era when horse riders frequented. Once occupied by island 'Wardens' representing the British Government, it played a pivotal role until 1976. Despite facing hurricane damage, necessary repairs remain pending, preserving the Government House as a tangible link to Barbuda's colonial past, juxtaposed against the impact of natural forces on its architectural heritage. Cades Bay Agricultural Station In the late 1960s, Cades Bay underwent a transformation into a government-owned Agricultural Station led by the Ministry of Agriculture, diverging from its small-scale farming roots, Opulent Routes noted. A pivotal moment occurred in 1983 with the establishment of a comprehensive production and management plan. At its peak, Cades Bay featured 20 acres of active crop production, emphasizing diverse agricultural efforts, including the cultivation of the famed 'Antiguan Black Pineapples.' Visitors can acquire these unique pineapples as a memorable takeaway, contributing to the region's agricultural heritage and offering a taste of Antigua's distinctive culinary offerings. Devil's Bridge Located near Willikies, Devil's Bridge in Antigua and Barbuda is a captivating testament to the island's geological wonders. Carved from limestone rock through millions of years of ancient reef formation, its rugged landscape offers a mesmerizing narrative. A must-visit destination, Devil's Bridge provides a profound connection to Antigua and Barbuda's geological history, inviting exploration of its stark beauty and breathtaking surroundings. READ MORE: Antigua and Barbuda: Top 5 Tourist Attractions This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Antigua And Barbuda - 12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Antigua and Barbuda - From 10Minutes-Travel Former President Donald Trump made headlines on Saturday as he launched his own line of sneakers, aptly named "Trump Sneakers," just a day after a New York judge ordered him and his companies to pay nearly $355 million in a civil fraud trial. The high-profile unveiling took place at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, where Trump introduced the "Never Surrender High-Top Sneaker," priced at $399, according to CNN. In a brief address to the crowd, Trump expressed confidence in the success of his venture. "This is something I've been talking about for 12 years, 13 years, and I think it's going to be a big success," Trump said. Despite being met with a divided audience, with some chanting for and others booing at him, the $399 Trump sneakers quickly sold out online, with 1,000 pairs initially available for purchase. The product lineup includes two other sneaker options featuring "T" and "45" on the sides, priced at $199 each, along with cologne and perfume at $99 each. The official website clarifies that these products are trademarks of CIC Ventures LLC, with 45Footwear, LLC utilizing the Trump name, image, and likeness under a license agreement. READ NEXT: Donald Trump Fraud Case Donald Trump Faces Divided Audience at Sneaker Con During his appearance at Sneaker Con, Trump faced a diverse and sometimes boisterous crowd in a city known for its Democratic leanings, ABC News noted. The former president struggled to make himself heard over the chants and occasional disruptions, with the crowd expressing both support and opposition. "This is a slightly different audience than I'm used to, but I love this audience," Donald Trump humorously noted, acknowledging the unique audience. Donald Trump tries to shift focus at a sneaker event in Philadelphia, bringing a supporter on stage who praises him as a Christian family man. The woman urges people to vote for Trump, facing a mix of boos and cheers. Trump acknowledges the diverse subject matter ahead, hinting at a Michigan visit. Despite the challenges, he continued with his pitch, emphasizing the importance of voting and encouraging young people to participate in the electoral process. Notably, a Biden campaign spokesman criticized Trump's presence at Sneaker Con, characterizing his shoes as knock-off copies of popular brands. The event marked Trump's first public appearance since recent legal setbacks, including a New York judge setting a March 25 start date for his criminal trial in a hush-money case. Legal Woes Continue Amid Donald Trump Sneaker Launch Amid the Trump sneakers launch, the former president faces ongoing legal challenges, including a New York judge's order for him and his companies to pay nearly $355 million for inflating property values. This follows an $83 million judgment in a defamation case brought by author E. Jean Carroll. Combined, these penalties amount to approximately $438 million within the past four weeks, UPI reports. Despite these legal troubles, Trump continues to engage in money-making ventures. Last year, he reported earnings between $100,000 and $1 million from digital trading cards depicting cartoon-like images of himself, as per the Associated Press. The former president has also released books featuring photos from his time in office and letters written to him over the years. Donald Trump's visit to Michigan, following the Sneaker Con appearance, precedes the state's Republican primary, a crucial contest before the GOP nominating process expands to over two dozen states in March. As the 2024 Republican front-runner navigates legal challenges and business ventures, his political trajectory remains a focal point of national attention. READ MORE: Fani Willis Denies Misconduct Allegations This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Trump unveils $399 branded shoes at 'Sneaker Con' - From Associated Press Thousands of people donned pink and marched in Mexico City for what they called a "march for democracy" on Sunday to slam the ruling party, Morena, led by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO). This came as Mexico is in an election year, with many seeking an end to the status quo. As the Associated Press pointed out, the massive protest in Mexico City happened on the same day that presidential front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum officially registered as a candidate for the ruling party, Morena. The protesters rallied for free and fair elections and against corruption. Many critics of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his party largely see his hand-picked successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, as a continuation of his leftist populist administration. Even though he remains popular in Mexico over his policies that went after the country's elites, many decry his policies, which include being not as tough on the drug cartels and slashing the funding for the country's electoral agency, the National Electoral Institute. When he reduced the funding for the country's electoral agency, many were afraid that this would lead to unfair elections, as the act weakened oversight of campaign spending. The agency's colors were pink and the demonstrators expressed their solidarity with it by wearing its colors. Protesters for the "March for Democracy" were chanting "Get Lopez Out!" and carried signs that read, "The power of the people is greater than the people in power." They decried what they call AMLO's dictatorial tendencies, including attacking journalists during his press briefings, as well as the judiciary, claiming judges are part of a conservative conspiracy against his administration whenever they rule against his policies. The "March for Democracy" protests were organized by the National Civic Front, Yes for Mexico, Citizen Power, Civil Society Mexico, UNE Mexico, and United for Mexico. READ MORE: Mexico: Data Reveals Shocking Reality About War on Drugs Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) Accused of Weakening Mexico's Checks and Balances Critics feared that with his successor possibly replacing him, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador could continue implementing policies that could continue eroding the checks against presidential power. Protesters urged that "it's time for Mexicans to wake up" and warned that "our democracy can't be touched" as they marched around Mexico City. This comes as polls showed he has the backing of over half the population and his hand-picked successor also leading in the polls. According to Bloomberg, AMLO recently unveiled long-shot constitutional reforms to try and make sure that his successors could not reverse his policies easily. AMLO Successor Claudia Sheinbaum Has Massive Lead in Mexico Presidential Election Polls Despite how big the protests appeared in Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum is dominating the polls, garnering 64% of the votes. Her closest competition, Xochitl Galvez, only received around 31%. Meanwhile, her ally, AMLO, slammed the protests during a press conference, saying, "They are calling the demonstration to defend corruption, they are looking for the return of the corrupt, although they say they care about democracy." READ MORE: Mexico: Bodies of 5 Students Found Dead Inside a Car in Celaya This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Mexico Protests Live | Protests Against Mexico's President Lopez Obrador | Mexico News Live | N18L Israel has strongly condemned Brazil's President Lula da Silva after he accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, drawing comparisons to the Holocaust, according to BBC. Lula asserted that Israel's military campaign involves a "highly prepared army and women and children." In response, Israel accused Lula of trivializing the Holocaust and emphasized its mission to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages taken by the militant group on October 7. The primary Jewish organization in Brazil also criticized Lula's comments. "What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments. In fact, it did exist when Hitler decided to kill the Jews. It's not a war of soldiers against soldiers. It's a war between a highly prepared army and women and children," Lula said at the African Union summit in Ethiopia. Lula da Silva initially condemned Hamas for its surprise attack on Israel, resulting in casualties and hostages. However, he has since expressed strong criticism of Israel's retaliatory military campaign, claiming it has caused significant civilian casualties, mainly women and children. READ NEXT: Brazil Congress Overturns President Lula da Silva's Veto International Backlash and Reprimand The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem announced its intention to summon the Brazil ambassador for a reprimand over Lula's remarks, Reuters reports. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deemed the comments "disgraceful and grave," stating that they trivialize the Holocaust and attack the Jewish people's right to self-defense. Netanyahu declared such comparisons with Nazis and Hitler to be crossing a red line. The Brazilian Israelite Confederation labeled Lula's statements a "perverse distortion of reality," accusing his government of an "extreme and unbalanced" stance on the conflict. Lula da Silva also faced criticism for condemning the suspension of humanitarian aid to the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) without cutting off funding, referring to the situation as a "genocide." Casualty Figures and Humanitarian Aid At least 1,139 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, according to an Al Jazeera tally of Israeli official figures. Hamas members took around 250 people captive, with 130 still in Gaza, including 30 presumed dead, as per Israeli authorities. In response, Israel's retaliatory assault on Gaza has resulted in at least 28,858 casualties, primarily women and children, according to Palestinian authorities. Lula criticized Western countries for halting aid to UNRWA, urging an investigation into errors without discontinuing funding for those affected. During the summit, Lula met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and pledged Brazil's increased contribution to the agency. He called on other nations to follow suit, emphasizing the need for solidarity in the face of humanitarian challenges. Lula da Silva reiterated his support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, advocating for the definitive recognition of Palestine as a full and sovereign state. The situation remains tense as international leaders grapple with differing perspectives on the ongoing conflict. READ MORE: Nicaragua Shuts Down Scouting Organization This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Brazil's Lula compares Israel-Hamas war to the Holocaust - From NBC News Bernardo Arevalo may be Guatemala's most unlikely president, but he is seeking to make his mark on the world stage with meetings with top foreign officials. These include Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference, as well as US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. First up for the new Guatemala president is the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who expressed gratitude for Guatemala's unwavering support for Ukraine since Russia invaded the Eastern European country. "We are grateful to your country and society for supporting Ukraine, our sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is important for us to have strong bilateral relations with Guatemala," the comedian-turned-war president told Bernardo Arevalo. He then invited Arevalo to participate in the inaugural Global Peace Summit for heads of state, saying, "We are interested in the broadest possible representation of the countries of the world at this important summit." As the official website for the Office of the President of Ukraine noted, the European nation supplies Guatemala with grain, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy has promised his Latin American counterpart that he will keep the "grain corridor" open despite Russian attempts to obstruct free navigation in the Black Sea. They also ensured the building of a network of grain hubs to ensure the export of Ukrainian agricultural products. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has hampered global food security, as the country supplies grain to many countries in the world, including those in the Americas, like Guatemala. Alejandro Mayorkas Discusses Immigration With Guatemala President Bernardo Arevalo After his meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was next on Guatemala President Bernardo Arevalo's agenda. They discussed various issues, most notably immigration, as Guatemala is one of the countries migrants pass by on their way to the US-Mexico border. READ MORE: Joe Biden Border Challenge: POTUS Urged by Latino Groups To Swiftly Combat Discrimination in Immigration System The meeting also happened at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, with Matorkas talking about the meeting in a tweet that read, "Guatemala is a key partner of ours in regional economic development, managing hemispheric migration, combatting transnational crime, and much more." As the Associated Press noted, this is part of the US's push to have its neighbors in Central America put up barriers to slow migration north. The two also discussed how to address the root causes of migration from countries like Guatemala, which is one of the many countries where people are leaving to get a better life in the US. Mayorkas and Arevalo reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating on issues in the Americas, according to the Associated Press. "Together we will work for the security and well-being of the region," the Guatemalan president tweeted. Alejandro Mayorkas Impeachment Doomed To Fail Meanwhile, as he met with Bernardo Arevalo and other world leaders, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is also facing impeachment back home after a highly political vote that narrowly passed the House of Representatives. The Guardian noted that the measure is doomed to fail, as it will head to the Democrat-controlled Senate. However, despite this and the fact that the Republicans impeached him with a lack of evidence of wrongdoing, it could still be damaging to the Biden administration as the Republicans could use the fact that one of Joe Biden's secretaries was impeached against him. READ MORE: Alejandro Mayorkas Impeached by House Republicans This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Homeland Secretary Mayorkas says he won't resign if impeached - Bloomberg Television In honor of Presidents Day, the Presidential Greatness Project was launched to poll historians to rank who they believe is the best US president in history, with the rankings featuring every single US president from George Washington to Joe Biden. As historians noted, Donald Trump is still in last place. As the US presidential rankings showed, historians mainly do not agree with what US voters think, giving their votes on their historical achievements, with Joe Biden being ranked in the upper half of the poll at #14, while his probable opponent, Donald Trump, is still dead last. If Trump is last place, who did historians think was the best president in US history, though? The answer is the president during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, who ended slavery and united a fractured nation under his term. He was also ranked #1 in two previous US presidential rankings, as the poll showed. According to the Los Angeles Times, Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and George Washington are consistently in the Top 3, with FDR leading the US out of the Great Depression and heading efforts in World War II, while Washington helped create the United States itself as one of the founding fathers. This is actually the third time that the Los Angeles Times has launched its Presidential Greatness Project, which it describes as "a poll of presidential experts." It showed that "scholars don't share American voters' roughly equal distaste for both candidates." This is also the first time that Joe Biden is included in the ranking, with him avoiding a catastrophic recession resonating with experts. As for his rival, Trump, Biden's placement in the Top 15 also suggested that there is a powerful anti-Trump factor at work. READ MORE: Donald Trump Porn Star Hush Money Trial Date Announced What Do the Los Angeles Times US President Rankings Show? Respondents to the poll included current and recent members of the Presidents & Executive Politics Section of the American Political Science Association, in partnership with Brandon Rottinghaus, University of Houston Justin S. Vaughn, and Coastal Carolina University. Abraham Lincoln topped the US President Rankings, followed by FDR, George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Harry S, Truman, Barrack Obama, Dwight D, Eisenhower, LBJ, JFK, Madison, Clinton, John Adams, Joe Biden, Woodrow Wilson, Ronald Reagan, Ulysses Grant, Monroe, Bush Sr,, John Quincy Adams, Jackson, Carter, and Taft. As for the bottom half, they include McKinley, Polk, Cleveland, Ford, Van Buren, Hayes, Garfield, Harrison, George W. Bush, Arthur, Coolidge, Nixon, Hoover, Tyler, Taylor, Filmore, Harding, Harrison, Pierce, Andrew Johnson, Buchanan, and then Donald Trump in last place. Simply put, historians believe William Henry Harrison, who only served 31 days in office after dying shortly after his inauguration, did a better job than #45. Donald Trump Legal Fees Reach Over $500 Million Being ranked the worst president in history is the least of Trump's worries right now, however, as he faces mounting legal fees. A New York judge ordered Trump to pay $453.5 million in penalties and interest over the New York fraud trial, and he is also ordered to pay writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in damages over her defamation lawsuit. He has vowed to appeal both verdicts, but this raises the question of if he can afford them. Trump and his companies are expected to face a "cash crunch," according to USA Today, and he may be able to apply for an appeal bond given his billionaire status. However, the judgments against him are still big and would still hurt him financially. READ NEXT: Donald Trump Called a Chicken by Nikki Haley Super PAC This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Historians ranked all the presidents. See where they have Trump - CNN Popular lifestyle influencer Laura Merritt Walker and her husband David Walker shared devastating news last week, revealing the untimely death of their 3-year-old son, Callahan, in what they described as a "tragic accident," per the NY Post. The couple took to Instagram to make the heart-wrenching announcement, expressing their profound grief and sharing cherished memories of their beloved Cal-Bear. In a joint Instagram post, Laura and David posted poignant images, including a family photo from a recent photo shoot, a snapshot of them holding Callahan's hand in his hospital bed, and a video of the toddler reading a book. They conveyed the immense loss, describing Callahan as a blessing who brought joy to their entire family, particularly adored by his big brothers. "He was such a blessing and brought so much joy to our whole family," the post read. "Cal-Bear was absolutely adored by his big brothers and loved them beyond measure. As parents, we are completely shattered at the loss of our baby boy." Despite the heartbreak, the couple sought solace in their faith, mentioning that they find comfort in "knowing he is being held in the arms of Jesus." They requested prayers from their followers during this unimaginable time. READ NEXT: Instagram Star Admits to $1M COVID Aid Fraud Community Support and Condolences News of Callahan's tragic passing prompted an outpouring of support and condolences from the online community, with fellow influencers and well-wishers expressing their heartfelt sympathies. Frisco Police Department in Texas confirmed responding to a drowning call involving a child, shedding light on the circumstances leading to the heartbreaking incident, according to PEOPLE. Influencer Brittani Boren Leach, who has experienced a similar loss, shared words of empathy, saying, "I'll be praying for you and your family; this absolutely breaks my heart because I know this heartache, and I'm just so sorry." Bachelor Nation's Raven Gates also extended her condolences, expressing sorrow and offering prayers for peace and comfort. As David Walker posted recent photos of Callahan on his Instagram Story, the couple's followers continued to express their support and love. Laura, known for her lifestyle blog and social media presence, collaborates with her sister Cristie Merritt Taylor, and their family has not yet commented on the passing of their nephew. Fond Memories and Celebrations Laura Merritt son, Callahan, affectionately referred to as Cal-Bear, frequently appeared in his mother's social media content, creating a strong bond with followers, Mirror noted. Laura shared memorable moments, including Callahan's third birthday, which was celebrated in October with an Oktoberfest-inspired party named 'CALtoberfest.' The family, comprising Laura, David, and their two other sons, Chamberlain and Beckham, enjoyed happy and carefree moments together. The influencer community and followers expressed profound sadness at the loss of young Callahan, emphasizing the impact he had on their lives through social media. Laura Merritt and David Walker navigate this difficult time with the support of their online community and the enduring memories of their cherished son. READ MORE: Usher and Jennifer Goicoechea Are Now Married This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Lifestyle Blogger Laura Merritt Walker Announces 3-Year-Old Son Died in a 'Tragic Accident' - From Entertainment Tonight Brisbane City Council has shut down claims it has ignited an anti-homeless campaign as the state continues to grapple with a dire housing crisis. A resident said they were walking down Roma Street in the heart of the city on Sunday night when they discovered a speaker blasting obnoxious sounds to prevent people from sleeping on benches in the area. A video posted on Reddit shows what appears to be a CCTV camera with a speaker emitting loud static. While a few people said such a move would be awful and anti-human, others doubted the local authorities would take such action and suggested other reasons for the noise. A Brisbane resident said they were walking in the city when they discovered a speaker blasting static to prevent people from sleeping rough. The council says a faulty speaker is to blame. Source: Reddit Are you sure thats what the sound is for and not some glitch like water in the wiring from all the rain recently? one person suggested. Its just that the sound doesnt seem obnoxious or deliberately anti-social, my old stereo would make similar when it had bad wiring. Council says noise is 'a fault with the speaker' Brisbane City Council confirmed to Yahoo News Australia on Monday the noise was a fault with the speaker caused by wet weather. Technicians are currently addressing the issue, a spokesperson said. Its not the first time the council has been accused of mistreating rough sleepers, with allegations it had been regularly throwing out their tents and belongings emerging in October. Paul Slater, who provides bedding for those in need through the Northwest Community Groups Incorporated, told The Courier Mail he has seen council workers binning tents he had passed out just days earlier. In response council said it would place a notice on an abandoned tent 24 hours before it would be removed. Homelessness services at 'snapping point' Australias housing crisis has been well-documented, with services that help struggling Aussies admitting they are at snapping point. Homelessness Australia reported late last year a 6.2 per cent increase in demand for already overwhelmed services from those impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and skyrocketing rental prices. Story continues The number of people using homeless services in Queensland has risen from 41,587 in 2022 to 45,469 in 2023, prompting the state's government to promise another 500 social housing residences in the next two years. This follows the governments record $3.9 billion investment in social and affordable housing to deliver 13,000 homes across the state. Service providers have previously warned that the states housing crisis could intensify even further, with nearly 300,000 Queenslanders experiencing housing insecurity. The median rent for a house in Brisbane was $600 per week in January, according to recent statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. In December, at least 20 tents were filmed lining the Brisbane River, highlighting the reality of the city's rental crisis. Source: Reddit Critical response team launched to help homeless After disturbing footage in December of dozens of homeless people living in a tent city along the river in Brisbane, Queenslands Department of Housing told Yahoo it had activated a Critical Response Team dedicated to undertaking joint outreach visits across known hotspot locations across the state in conjunction with other specialist homelessness services. This joint outreach includes engagement with rough sleepers at Musgrave Park, the Go-Between Bridge and the Kurilpa Park Precinct, a spokesperson said. To date, we have assisted 315 people who had been sleeping rough into alternative accommodation from across Brisbane predominantly from the Musgrave Park, the Go-Between Bridge and the Kurilpa Park Precinct areas. We will continue to ensure that anyone who is sleeping rough at Kurilpa and wants housing assistance can be assisted into appropriate accommodation. with AAP and NCA NewsWire Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Patriotic Presidents Day Presidents Day is a federal holiday that has come to include recognition of all U.S. presidents past and present, though especially George Washington, the first president of the United States, and Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president. Fittingly, the moon is in Cancer, the sign that rules patriotism and the United States. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The fates will scramble your puzzle for fun, suspecting youre up to the challenge. You most certainly will be! This is a new chance for a more elevated outcome, and youll love the astounding way it comes together. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Step into the spotlight. Your performance will be a dance with nerves, and though they are not the most cooperative dance partner, they do give you an edge, doubling your energy and charisma. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). One of the ways you show kinship and respect to your loved ones is to be hospitable to their friends. Sometimes, its a pleasure, though it can also come with challenges, which youll take on with grace and diplomacy. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Youll have a worthy opponent, though the fight itself may not be worthwhile. Your options are numerous. You could walk away, come to a deal or give in. Being flexible and humble may just get you everything. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Youll be rewarded, perhaps not in the way that you wanted to be, only because your wishes are not particularly well known. This proof that people will respond to you is good news, inspiring you to get more specific with your ask. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Wherever youre going, youll get there fast. It will therefore be worthwhile to spend extra attention prioritizing, as well as making sure that your goals are in alignment with your values and dreams and with the bigger picture. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There are still things about your learning style and how your mind works that you dont know yet, and the discoveries are coming. Realizations happen when you resonate with information or hear about other peoples journeys to self-knowledge. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Ideally, your social life is where you would turn for support, fun, playfulness and a sense of belonging, though the reality of relationships can be tricky and expectations arent always met. Luckily, other areas of your life fill in the gaps. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Physical exertion will relax your mind, but it doesnt go the other way; mental exertion will not relax your body. Youll be thinking your way through some knotty complexities. Exercise will help your process. Old habits do set in soon enough, though. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). People are generally on their best behavior for the first dates, the first week of a job or the new residence. Even so, glimpses of other kinds of behavior come through and should be heeded as the prophesies they are. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your natural powers of attraction shine through. People like you, and they want you to like them back. They go out of their way to be around you. You might be surprised how far they will go to put a smile on your face. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The big idea is yet to come. Meanwhile, small ideas keep the action bumping along. Today features minimal commitment propositions. Stick with something while its juicy. When you sense youre down to the pulp and the peel, move along. TODAYS BIRTHDAY (Feb. 19). Welcome to days of tender, loving care and sweet togetherness. Your family and interests will grow. Financial blessings are on the horizon, too -- a symphony of prosperity. More highlights: Stability, continuous learning, a strange discovery and the end of a feud. Aries and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 19, 1, 6, 2 and 25. CELEBRITY PROFILES: Renaissance astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus had an outlandish belief that perhaps Earth revolves around the sun and not the other way around. Future scientists were imprisoned for such theories, but Copernicus managed to avoid controversy because, at the time, the idea seemed so unbelievable that no one agreed, and the absurdity caused no threat. Nicolaus Copernicus was an ethereal Pisces with Mars in Aquarius, the sign of innovation and the future. Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and ebook. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM A leading defence expert says Australia is in "grave danger" of its landmark $368 billion nuclear submarine deal completely failing, leaving the country in a difficult position as China attempts to gain further control in the Indo-Pacific. Australia's AUKUS deal alongside the US and the UK has faced plenty of scrutiny since it was announced last year, and Hugh White has criticised the decision to tie Australia to allies in what he believes is a "very awkward position". "I think the kind of desire for the glamour of nuclear-powered submarines has got in the way of people making a sober decision about the best way to maximise our military capability in what are very difficult strategic circumstances in the decades ahead," White, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at ANU, told ABC News Breakfast. Hugh White believes Australia should never have committed to the ambitious AUKUS deal. Source: ABC He believes Australia should have instead decided to go alone and invest in the less-risky conventionally-powered submarine. "A conventionally-powered submarine would do what we need to do, we can get a lot more of them, we can get them faster. We can get a big fleet in the next 20 years rather than the next 40 or 50, and we'll do it with a lot less risk the whole project goes sideways," White said. He believes the lengthy, "terrifically complex" timeline of the nuclear subs, with the first pencilled in for 2038, means Australia finds itself in a vulnerable spot, and says submarines need to be purchased earlier before then. "We should be trying to maximise our capacity to defend ourselves independently in a more contested region," he said. New Zealand eyeing role in AUKUS pact Earlier this month it was reported New Zealand, which had distanced itself from conversations of war in the region under former prime minister Jacinda Ardern, was close to joining AUKUS. China's threat in the region was arguably the main reason the Morrison government joined AUKUS, with Beijing voicing their concerns over the group. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been far more calculated than the Coalition with her rhetoric regarding military conflict. Story continues With China continuing to pressure Taiwan in its goal to reunify the democratic island with the mainland, the US has suggested it would not sit back if Beijing decided to ramp up military force. While some experts fear a strategic move against Taiwan is imminent, Wen-Ti Sung, sessional lecturer in Taiwan Studies at the Australian National University, previously told Yahoo News Australia the mere announcement of the AUKUS deal was food for thought for China and he believed a Chinese invasion would not happen anytime soon. "Judging from Xi Jinping's address at China's National People's Congress, Beijing has shown no interest in launching military invasion of Taiwan during Xi's third term," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Following is a look at some government business, and related topics, this coming week across the Lehigh Valley. Monday, Feb. 19 The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced all driver license and photo centers will be closed Monday, Feb. 19 in observance of Presidents Day. Customers may still obtain driver and vehicle products and services including all forms, publications and driver training manuals at PennDOTs Driver and Vehicle Services website. A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2024 is available online. Tuesday, Feb. 20 BETHLEHEM | Bethlehem City Council at its meeting Tuesday, Feb. 20 is set to consider officially eliminating the invocation at the start of each agenda. Invocation had been stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic when our meetings had moved to virtual, President Michael Colon wrote in a memo to the members of council. As Council meetings resumed in-person, invocation was not continued. Councils regular meetings start at 7 p.m. in Town Hall, 10 E. Church St., and are live-streamed on YouTube. EASTON | The Easton Zoning Hearing Board meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, and the agenda includes a discussion about parking variances requested by Nurture Nature Foundation to construct a planetarium addition at 516-22 Northampton St. Plans for the planetarium shifted back to the Nurture Nature Center at that address, after being dropped from plans for the redevelopment of Easton Iron and Metal, 1111-13 Bushkill Drive. The meeting is held in-person in City Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 123 S. Third St. Wednesday, Feb. 21 The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study Joint Technical & Coordinating Committee is meeting 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. Its held virtually via Microsoft Teams, with details available at lvpc.org. A full agenda includes a vote related to the reconstruction of the Route 309 and Tilghman Street interchange in Lehigh County and updates on Lehigh Valley International Airport and the Lehigh Valley Passenger Rail Study. EASTON | Casting of lots to determine the order in which candidates names appear on the April 23 primary ballot in Northampton County is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 in County Council Chambers on the third floor of the Northampton Government Center, 669 Washington St. in Easton. L. SAUCON TWP. | The Lower Saucon Township Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 in Town Hall, 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike. On the agenda is a review of an application before the townships zoning hearing board for Buffalo Plaza LLCs proposed 412 Commercial Center at 1865 and 1883 Leithsville Road and 1980 Springtown Hill Road. The plans include a three-level office building totaling 30,000 square feet. Lower Saucon live-streams its meetings on YouTube. Thursday, Feb. 22 PHILLIPSBURG | The Phillipsburg Land Use Board is hosting a public hearing in-person at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 at the Gloria A. Decker Senior Center, 310 Firth St. Its related to the town councils request for an investigation to determine whether a proposed zoning ordinance known as the 540 Marshall Street Redevelopment Plan is consistent with the towns Master Plan and zoning ordinances. ROSETO | Roseto officials are meeting in-person at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 in Council Chambers on the second floor of the municipal building, 164 Garibaldi Ave., to consider a proposal to convert a vacant building at 122 Roseto Ave. to a light manufacturing use, described as a proposed window/door assembly operation. Editors note: This roundup is a new, experimental feature at lehighvalleylive.com. Send feedback to kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Finding a rural GP has been likened to winning the EuroMillions by a Laois Offaly TD. Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan said she finds the lack of a sense of urgency from Government with respect to the existing and ever deepening GP availability crisis almost incomprehensible. She was speaking as the Rural Independent Group, of which she is a member, prepares to move a Dail motion on Healthcare Provision in Rural Communities on Wednesday. The motion will call on Government to recognise and respond to HSE modelling that suggests by 2025 Ireland can expect to see a shortage of between 493 and 1380 GPs, mainly in rural areas. She said this is in addition to the likelihood that many GPs are due to retire by 2026 (expected to be around 700). We are staring down the barrel of a massive, wide-scale and truly alarming emergency in terms of local access to GP services and yet in many ways, Government is carrying on as if it was business as usual, said Deputy Nolan. I have constituents who are frantically searching for an available GP, both medical card holders and private patients, and they are having absolutely no success. Finding a GP to take you on should not feel like it has the same odds as winning the EuroMillions, yet that is what an increasing number of people think about this; that it is a complete geographical lottery with the odds stacked against rural communities, said Dep Nolan. I and my Rural Independent Group colleagues are calling on Government to increase the number of GPs through a long-term GP workforce strategy and plan, addressing the unhealthy work climate for GPs by improving support, reducing their administrative workloads, and tackling their patient workload intensity and volume, as well as long hours. We are also calling on Government to implement policies that will make the provision of rural healthcare attractive for young doctors, such as offering scholarships to medical students from rural areas to return and practice in their home areas, concluded Dep Nolan. A woman and a man have appeared in court charged with firearm and ammunition offences, after a pistol was found in a car and a sub-machinegun was found hidden under the stairs of a home in Dublin. On Friday Gardai stopped a car on the Old Navan Road and found a pistol and ammunition. They arrested a man and a woman and carried out follow-up searches on Friday, seizing two more firearms, including a sub-machinegun, a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition. Sarah Jane Byrne, 35, and Jamie Moss, 21, both of addresses in Dublin, appeared at Blanchardstown court on Monday. Byrne was charged with possession of a 7.62 x 25mm Tokarev calibre sub-machinegun, a 12 gauge over and under configuration sawn-off Beretta shotgun, 27 rounds of ammunition for a 9mm Luger, a 9mm Makarov semi automatic pistol and Makarov, Sellier and Bellot ammunition. Byrne appeared in court wearing a black tracksuit. Detective Garda Mark Ferris told the court that after Ms Byrnes arrest on Friday, a residence was searched under a warrant, and a sub-machinegun, a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition for a machine gun were found hidden under the stairs of the house. Moss, who appeared in court wearing a grey and navy tracksuit, was charged with possession of a 9mm Makarov semi automatic pistol and a round of Makarov, Sellier and Bellot ammunition. Detective Garda Sean Kelly told Blanchardstown court that a grey Ford Focus was stopped by gardai on Friday, and that a loaded pistol wrapped in a plastic bag and scarf was found. Moss was arrested and a full Garda investigation began, he told the court. Gardai objected to bail being granted in both cases, but Judge David McHugh granted them under strict bail conditions, which included signing on daily at a Garda station, surrendering passports, and staying out of the Dublin 15 area except for court appearances. Reporting the exact details of the accuseds home addresses was restricted by a court order. All three seized firearms and ammunition are being analysed by the ballistics section of the Garda National Technical Bureau. An iron sludge discharge from a no longer fit for purpose water treatment plant operated by Uisce Eireann was the cause of an ecological tragedy that wiped out all fish life over a 2.6km river, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett fined Uisce Eireann the maximum fine of 5,000 for each of the two pollution discharges from the Ballymacraven Water plant near the north Clare town of Ennistymon on May 2, 2023 and May 18, 2023. Before Judge Gabbett imposed the fines, solicitor Dermot O'Donovan, for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), said what occurred on the Ballymacraven River on May 2 last was an ecological tragedy. Uisce Eireann has also agreed to pay IFIs costs of 5,477 in connection with the fish kill. In evidence, Fisheries Environmental Officer with IFI, Jane Gilleran said the discharge from the plant on May 2 resulted in a very significant fish kill with an estimated 2,000 dead fish. Asked to outline the extent of the fish kill, Ms Gilleran said: "Everything below the water treatment plant in terms of fish was wiped out. Ms Gilleran said that the fish kill continued over a 2.6km stretch of the Ballymacraven River before it meets the confluence of the River Inagh downstream of the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon. Ms Gilleran said that the vast majority of fish, including salmon, eels and trout died from suffocation and she told Judge Gabbett: You can see photos of dead fish with their mouths open and that would indicate suffocation. The iron sediment clogged their gills and kills them. Ms Gilleran told the court that the fish kills wiped out three age classes of salmon on the Ballymacraven River adding: For the salmon, the river may never recover because we have lost the three age classes. If you lose all the salmon from a river, you dont have a population to return to and it is a very small percentage of salmon that would stray back." The witness said that "We had salmon parr - and they would be returning to sea to feed and then come back to spawn and we had the salmon that were a year younger. And everything that would have spawned that previous winter - they would have been only to three to four centimetres in length and they would have been smothered in the gravel. Ms Gilleran also stated that quite mature eels up to 60cm in length that can live in lakes for 50 to 60 years of age were also victims in the fish kill. "Eels are critically endangered so we have lost quite a significant population of eels. Our research dept at HQ were amazed at the number of eels that were found dead in such a small river. In her evidence, she said the river had a heavy discolouration on May 2 from the discharge resulting in a rusty brown colour. Ms Gilleran said that the Ballymacraven is an older plant and was operating significantly above capacity at the time. The plant serves a population of almost 7,000 people in the wider North Clare area including Ennistymon, Lahinch, Kilfenora, Doolin, Fanore and Ballyvaughan. "The EPA has said that it is operating 55% above capacity but it is also undergoing works at the moment to increase capacity, Ms Gilleran told the court. There was not enough capacity at the plant for the sludge to settle and sludge builds up too high and reached a level and overflows to the river." Ms Gilleran said that the plan has been on the remediation action list by Uisce Eireann for sometime and the incident occurred during a bank holiday weekend when there was extra pressure on the plant with the population locally. The Ballymacraven plant takes water from the lake and cleans it and makes it safe for human consumption. Judge Gabbett was told that on the dates, there was no system in place to alert people that there was a discharge but that one is in place now. On behalf of Uisce Eireann, Aoife Sheehan BL told the court that the State utility accepts the seriousness of the incident and that it takes its responsibilities very seriously. "There were a number of issues that unfortunately gave rise to the incident on May 2 but it is important to note at the outset that fundamentally this is an old plant with old infrastructure, inadequate and no longer fit for purpose," said Ms Sheehan. "That was recognised by Uisce Eireann who took over the running of the plant in 2014 and was one of the plants earmarked for major investment needed to upgrade," she added. The court heard that significant investment has been made and that the upgrade programme is at an advanced stage. "In terms of what happened on the day, it happened during intermittent drought in May. It was a bank holiday weekend and the demand for water was very high and that meant that the plant was treating a very high volume of water and a high volume of sulphate. "The plant was already struggling to deal with capacity fundamentally .and what we think happened overstretched the plant," explained the witness. Ms Sheehan said that an inspection of the plant "was carried out on the day in question and this didnt raise any flags. She said that Uisce Eireann has "a new operating procedure in place to prevent a recurrence of what went on'' and that the plant is now desludged five times a week with 45 tonnes of sludge removed weekly. Ms Sheehan said that the upgrade works commenced in 2022 and is due to be complete in Autumn of this year representing a 7.5m investment. She said that 3m has been invested in the residual treatment aspect of the process that was the difficulty in this case. Ms Sheehan said that there are now electronic monitoring alarm systems in place to alert personnel if anything goes wrong as part of a comprehensive system designed to prevent re-occurrence. Mr ODonovan said that Uisce Eireann co-operated fully with the IFI investigation but stated that unfortunately Uisce Eireann has a list of previous convictions "which is considerable. Mr ODonovan said: Uisce Eireann has been convicted at Ballyshannon, Ballyshannon, Blackrock, Ballyshannon, Ballyshannon, Ballina, Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Cavan, Cavan, Louth, Offaly, Wicklow, Tipperary, Cavan, Cavan, Cavan and Cork." Judge Gabbett said that in fairness Uisce Eireann had inherited all the legacy problems from the county council-operated plants around the country and Mr ODonovan agreed. He said: "To be fair to Uisce Eireann, they do a reasonably good job and everyone who has potable water has finer water than anywhere else in the world." Judge Gabbett said that Uisce Eireann "has a legacy problem that they have to deal with and unfortunately the fish are the victims here and I cant get a victim impact statement from the poor fish. The Drumshanbo Traditional Irish Music Course features Ceol o Chroi - Music from the Heart charity concert at Mayflower, Drumshanbo, on March 8 at 8pm. Funds raised from the concert will go to supporting the following charities: St Vincent de Paul, Drumshanbo, North West STOP, Sligo Cancer Support Centre and The Capuchin Day Centre. The Drumshanbo Traditional Irish Music Course is the embodiment of Is e an Ceol an Saol - Music is Life and promotes the culture of our musical heritage while providing a community where participants of all ages, from all backgrounds and with any musical instrument are welcomed, encouraged and supported. The shared interests and experience of playing music and singing together promote self-confidence and well-being. The group was established in 1997 and is the only course of its kind in the country, introducing the traditional arts at QQI Level 5. This course is a full-time VTOS course that students participate in for two years (September May) and leads to a QQI Level 5 Music Award. It is administered by the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) and provided by Drumshanbo Further Education and Training Centre based in the Enterprise Centre, Drumshanbo. The group is also looking forward to a two-week trip to Vienna, Austria, funded by Erasmus+, in May 2024. There are also several other courses available in Drumshanbo Further Education and Training Centre Business Administration, Tourism with Business and Health, Nutrition and Food Science. All these courses can be accessed through the VTOS Scheme for more information, please visit vtosleitrim.ie. Tickets for Ceol o Chroi - Music from the Heart are 10 - children for free. Tickets can be bought via Eventbrite or at the door. An Irish weather expert is warning of changing temperatures this week as he states, "Winter ain't over yet." The Carlow Weather service is predicting much cooler temperatures by Thursday despite a mild day today (February 19). In an X (formerly Twitter) post, Carlow Weather's Alan O'Reilly stated, "Another mild morning but change is coming and feeling much cooler by Thursday morning as windchill forecast for Thursday and Friday morning shows." Met Eireann, too, predicts colder weather starting from Wednesday. Showers from the west overnight on Wednesday will occasionally fall as sleet or snow, with lowest temperatures of 1 or 2 degrees in mainly moderate southwest winds. There will be sunshine and showers or longer spells of rain on Thursday (most persistent over the western half of the country) turning to sleet and snow at times. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees can be expected in moderate to fresh southwest winds. Thursday night will again be cold and frosty in places with showers mostly confined to western coastal areas, while a cold and showery day can be expected on Friday, with showers again turning to sleet and snow at times. Highest temperatures will be between 5 to 7 degrees with moderate westerly winds. The further outlook suggests the unsettled conditions will continue with the chance of frost at night ongoing. A new lender in the Irish mortgage market is offering mortgage loans up to a maximum age of 80. MoCo, which is owned by Austrian bank Bawag, recently entered the Irish market and is expected to add competition in the home-loans market. In January it launched its first home loans in Ireland, including a five-year fixed rate, starting from 4.5pc. This is a lower rate than those being offered by the main banks. "You can apply for a mortgage with MoCo with a maximum term of 35 years and up to a maximum age of 80. If the term extends beyond your expected retirement age we will assess your ability to service the mortgage beyond that point. Our minimum mortgage term is 10 years," MoCo outlines on its website. The minimum mortgage amount you can apply for with MoCo is 125,000. "By availing of a mortgage with MoCo, you will receive cash of 1,500, paid to you in the month following your first monthly instalment. This is a benefit to you as a MoCo customer and is not required to be repaid," MoCo adds. The offer of a mortgage up to the age of 80 is a new departure, and not something which was available before this. The average life expectancy in Ireland is just under 83 years of age, so if you manage to achieve that milestone, you would have very few years of mortgage-free living. International rating agency Fitch Ratings expects that oil prices higher than planned in the budget of Azerbaijan and the growth of non-oil revenues will contribute to the preservation of the state budget surplus, despite the increase in expenditures for the restoration of liberated territories, Azernews reports. The rating action said in connection with the affirmation of Azerbaijan's long-term foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BB+' with a positive outlook. "According to our estimates, the consolidated budget surplus will grow to 7.8% of GDP in 2023. Despite this, Azerbaijan has postponed for one year (until 2027) the targeted reduction of the non-energy primary deficit to 17.5% of non-oil GDP (from 25% in 2023). in line with its budget rule to meet Garabagh and defense-related spending commitments," the agency notes. The government has also increased the public debt ceiling to 30% of GDP (previously 20%). Fitch believes that this rule has limited practice and a weak institutional framework in terms of oversight and setting budget targets. The agency emphasizes that the country's public debt rose to 21.8% of GDP in 2023 after the government borrowed more than 8% of GDP domestic guaranteed debt from non-banking credit institution Agrarkredit. Fitch forecasts that debt will average 21.6% of GDP in 2024-2025, the lowest in the BB category. External government guarantees and re-lending have fallen to USD 6 bln (8.2% of GDP) in 2023, much of it related to the Southern Gas Corridor project, which is profitable and unlikely to require government support. A motorist filmed driving through a channel of water that suddenly formed after a lagoon broke its banks on a popular Australian beach has been slammed for the "dangerous" act, as authorities warn people not to emulate the stunt. The four-wheel driver was recorded by onlookers on Saturday charging through what appeared to be waist-deep water racing across the channel that rapidly flowed out to sea, near Ocean Beach on Queensland's Bribie Island. The phenomenon takes place every few years, locals say, when heavy rain pairs with powerful ocean currents to erode sand on the shore. Queensland driver criticised for 'unsafe' act The area had been lashed by heavy rainfall, resulting in a number of nearby lagoons breaking their banks and several cars becoming stranded, some bogged in the sand. A driver that raced through raging currents in their four-wheel drive has attracted criticism. Source: Facebook The driver managed to get from one side of the channel to other unscathed, but it's prompted a warning. Source: Facebook Parts of Brisbane recorded a whopping 180mm of rainfall in the space of just a few hours, with several regions around southeast Queensland copping a major drenching. Locals say the occurrence takes place every few years on Bribie Island. Source: 7News With social media footage surfacing, ocean experts have spoken out against the act, which they say is dangerous. "It's pushing a lot of water through a very, very narrow passage," coastal scientist Professor Javier Leon told 7News. "So those currents can actually get quite fast. "It can be a hazard, so I would suggest people stay away from this." Aussies respond with mixed reactions Online, people responding to the footage had mixed reactions. "There's always one!" a woman commented. "The typical Bribie weekend s**t show why would ya?," another said. "I have had to do this to get home...needs a bloody good rinse after though, acidic water from lagoons and salt water from the surf," one 4WD enthusiast commented. Story continues "Wait until he makes an insurance claim and they see this video," another joked. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Zetrix and Web3Labs launch Zetrix Global Accelerator Programme Seeks Approval for Ecosystem ETFs PETALING JAYA, Malaysia, Feb. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zetrix, a leading layer-1 public blockchain platform by MY E.G. Services Berhad ("MYEG"), and Web3Labs Hong Kong, a Web3 development and investment powerhouse, today launched the Zetrix Global Accelerator Programme to incubate and nurture promising Web3 startups from all over the world with ecosystem support from Hong Kong's progressive Virtual Asset (VA) ecosystem. The programme will open for applications in early March 2024, and successful applicants will be announced during the 2024 Hong Kong Web3 Festival, scheduled for 6-9 April, 2024. With the objective of identifying the most promising ventures, the programme aims to admit up to 10 startups. These chosen projects will have the opportunity to leverage the Zetrix platform and be matched with government or enterprise stakeholders to build and deploy their innovative applications. The six-month accelerator seeks projects that demonstrate evidence of product-market maturity and possess an innovative and clearly defined development pipeline that ideally can supplement Hong Kong's virtual asset roadmap. Industries beckoning blockchain-based innovation in the city state include real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation, security token offerings and stablecoin innovation. The programme aims to introduce use cases in RWA, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), and blockchain-based finance to enterprises, financial institutions, as well as government organisations. The partners of the programme, namely Zetrix, Web3Labs, and Summer Capital, will also work towards securing regulatory approval for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are partially backed by tokens issued by participants in this programme. The launch of this accelerator follows an announcement in January that Zetrix, Web3Labs, and venture capital firm Summer Capital would form a strategic collaboration to establish Zetrix as the preferred blockchain infrastructure for Hong Kong government-aligned applications. As part of this initiative, a dedicated Global Accelerator Programme will incubate and nurture promising startups building applications on the Zetrix platform. This programme will provide mentorship, technical support, and access to funding opportunities to promising entrepreneurs who will contribute to Hong Kong's Web3 landscape and benefit users from all around the world. Benefiting from a partnership with Web3Labs, the programme leverages Web3Labs' robust ecosystem network to facilitate connections with investment institutions, corporate partners, and industry experts. Overall, it opens up a world of business opportunities for the community within its network. With Web3Labs' support in obtaining the necessary collaborations, whether they involve business partnerships, investment, or government support, startup teams can expect to establish development blueprints more quickly and directly. Johnny Ng, member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Legislative Council member of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and advisor of Web3Labs commends the launch of this programme, stating that it further cements Hong Kong's position as a progressive international financial centre that embraces Web3 developments. "The Hong Kong government has been capitalising on Web3 trends responsibly - last year, the Hong Kong government announced the establishment of the Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development to provide recommendations on the sustainable and responsible development of Web3 in Hong Kong, and to encourage the adoption of blockchain technology. In 2022, the Government issued the Policy Statement on Development of Virtual Assets in Hong Kong, which sets out the policy stance and approach towards the sector. We are proud to be attracting global leaders like Zetrix and leading Web3 entrepreneurs to join us in developing Hong Kong into a Web3 hub and building a thriving Web3 ecosystem," he says. Joseph Chee, Chairman of Summer Capital, echoes Ng's enthusiasm. "The remarkable advancements and business growth within the Web3 landscape in Hong Kong over recent years are evident to industry players. Zetrix's entrance to Hong Kong is yet another testament to our dedication to embracing the market and its myriad opportunities," he says. TS Wong, co-founder of Zetrix, says: 'We have always prioritised nurturing a flourishing Web3 ecosystem that transcends borders, fostering mutually beneficial relationships, and propelling the Web3 movement forward. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with esteemed partners like Web3Labs and Summer Capital on this initiative," he says. "This programme strongly resonates with our vision on so many fronts, and it enables Zetrix to emerge as the preferred Layer-1 platform for blockchain applications that align with the Web3 vision of the Hong Kong government," says Wong. Zetrix, he adds, also lends comprehensive technical support to participating projects, such as expertise in smart contract development and security audits. About Zetrix Zetrix is a layer-1 public blockchain that facilitates smart contracts and delivers privacy, security and scalability. Zetrix's cryptographic infrastructure can be introduced to multiple industries to connect governments, businesses and their citizens to a global blockchain-based economy. Developed by MY E.G. Services Bhd, the cross-border and cross-chain integration with China's national public blockchain Xinghuo BIF enables Zetrix to serve as a blockchain gateway that facilitates global trade by deploying critical building blocks for Web3 services such as Blockchain-based Identifiers (BID) and Verifiable Credentials (VC). About Web3Labs Web3Labs aims to respond to the policy statement from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government on the development of virtual assets in Hong Kong. Through on-the-ground support, investment acceleration, technical collaborations, and compliance assistance, Web3Labs is dedicated to helping global Web3 companies establish their presence in Hong Kong. Its goal is to create a one-stop gateway for Web3 entrepreneurs. As of the end of July 2023, Web3Labs has provided consultation or support for nearly 1,000 Web3 enterprises in terms of advice or on-the-ground services. In the face of global technological competition, Web3Labs strives to stay at the forefront of the market, understand the needs and challenges of entrepreneurs, and provide a legitimate, comprehensive, professional, and in-depth entrepreneurial environment. Web3Labs aims to foster national and even world-class unicorns, contributing to the steady advancement of the industry. About Summer Capital Summer Capital is a leading investment management and advisory firm with a presence in Hong Kong, mainland China and Southeast Asia dedicated to investing in early and growth stage companies in "new economy" sectors such as fintech, blockchain infrastructure and application, consumption technology and healthcare. Summer Ventures, an affiliate of Summer Capital Limited, is an institutional venture fund dedicated to promote and invest in "real world application" of blockchain technology and infrastructure, leveraging Summer Capital's past experience of investments in blockchain and fintech industries since 2018. For media inquiries, please contact Ms. Husna Helmy at +60 11-1154 8238 SOURCE Zetrix 18 february 2024 at 21:23 News published onand distributed by: Best-in-class UK market entry support programme opens for applications West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) launches the West Midlands Global Growth Programme ? a free package of support for European technology companies looking to make their mark in the region. Programme to be delivered in partnership with Bruntwood SciTech, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park and the University of Warwick Science Park, significantly expanding on WMGC's existing investor support offering. WMGC inviting applications from eligible European businesses, with 40 spaces available for 2024. BIRMINGHAM, England, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The West Midlands' official investment promotion agency has launched its 2024 Global Growth Programme ? a unique, nine-month package of free market entry support, providing European companies with a springboard to success in the region. Developed by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), the programme aims to boost investment in the West Midlands from overseas tech businesses through access to the ultimate suite of support, designed to accelerate their growth journey at the heart of the UK. Through new partnerships with Bruntwood SciTech ? the UK's largest dedicated property platform serving the growth of the nation's knowledge economy, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park and the University of Warwick Science Park, the programme significantly expands on WMGC's previous support offering for new investors. The West Midlands Global Growth Programme has been designed to address the key challenges faced by ambitious, innovative companies at every stage of development ? from scale-ups to large corporates ? when entering the UK market for the first time. Its free package of support includes sponsored innovation centre workspace, access to sector specific programmes and bespoke professional services assistance, covering areas such as UK subsidiary set-up, introductions to local networks, UK VISA assistance and marketing amplification. Building on the overwhelming success of the pilot programme, which was based at Bruntwood SciTech's Innovation Birmingham campus and focused on supporting international tech companies, the 2024 Global Growth Programme will be delivered across a larger network of landing hubs. Five hubs located across Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry create an expanded offering with tailored support for a broader range of sectors, including Digital Tech, Health Tech, Clean Tech and Future Mobility. European companies that have successfully expanded into the UK as a result of the Global Growth Programme include Poland-based Scanthesun, Diagu, and Alcomm; Finland-based Cimcorp Oy and Turkey-based Sade Labs, Kollestee, Biyomod and Agiliom Technology Services Limited. During the 2022/23 financial year, the West Midlands achieved record FDI results. The region saw the greatest growth in FDI projects in the UK, surpassing London and outstripping the country's average by fivefold.?Following the recently agreed Deeper Devolution Deal, the region's drive to attract more FDI into the region will be supported by WMGC's co-development of an international strategy, along with the UK Government's Department for Business and Trade. With only 40 places available on the West Midlands Global Growth Programme for 2024, WMGC is now accepting applications. Businesses can find out whether they're eligible to apply and register their interest here. Neil Rami, Chief Executive at the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), said: "To date, our Global Growth Programme has proven a resounding success, helping a number of international companies to kickstart their growth journeys in the West Midlands. The launch of the Global Growth Programme 2024, which is bigger and better than ever before, will enable us to use our best-in-class expertise to support businesses across a wider range of sectors, from new hubs right across the region. We look forward to working with this year's cohort to help them reach new heights, strengthening the West Midlands' world-class innovation ecosystem." Sabarinath C. Nair, CEO at Skillveri, said: "With our target customers spread widely across England and Scotland, it made perfect sense to position ourselves in the West Midlands ? right at the heart of the UK. As well as being extremely well connected to other major UK cities by road and rail, Birmingham was a much more cost-competitive option than the likes of London. "Being part of the West Midlands Global Growth Programme gave us a real head-start on our UK growth journey. In particular, having access to free desk space at Innovation Birmingham ? where we had dedicated consultancy and networking opportunities on our doorstep ? has helped us to hit the ground running and thrive in the region from day one." Kai-Tse Lin, Co-Founder at Bellwether Industries, said: "The West Midlands' unique combination of an established manufacturing heritage and world-class strengths in emerging technologies made it the obvious location for us to test and scale our innovative eVTOL solutions. "The best thing about being part of the West Midlands Global Growth Programme was having around-the-clock access to bespoke consultancy, from our base at Bruntwood SciTech's innovation hub. These conversations enabled us to quickly add value to our business model by identifying partnership and networking opportunities in the local ecosystem. In particular, a key highlight of the Programme was being invited to attend the Future Mobility event at Commonwealth Games business conference, UK House, where we made valuable connections with local universities and key players in the global Clean Tech industry." Notes to editors: West Midlands Growth Company The West Midlands Growth Company helps the region make its mark nationally and internationally. Its primary purpose is to attract investment, jobs, visitors and businesses to the West Midlands. The West Midlands Growth Company focuses on the WMCA geography of Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, and the Black Country. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2340524/West_Midlands_Growth_Company_1.jpg 19 february 2024 at 05:00 News published onand distributed by: Trulieve to Open Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Pinellas Park, Florida New Pinellas County location will host grand opening celebration Saturday TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the U.S., today announced the opening of a new medical cannabis dispensary in Pinellas Park, Florida. The Company will host a grand opening celebration beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, February 24, with music, specials, discounts, and opportunities to register for upcoming patient education sessions. "We are thrilled to open this new, convenient location in Pinellas Park," said Trulieve's Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers . "This dispensary offers another option to medical cannabis patients looking for Trulieve's premium customer experience in the state's most densely populated county." Trulieve Pinellas Park, located at 6950 Park Boulevard, will be open 9 a.m. ? 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. ? 8 p.m. on Sundays. The new dispensary will carry a wide variety of popular products including Trulieve's portfolio of in-house brands such as Alchemy, Co2lors, Cultivar Collection, Modern Flower, Momenta, Muse, Roll One, Sweet Talk, and Trekkers. Customers will also have access to beloved partner brands such as Alien Labs, Bellamy Brothers, Binske, Black Tuna, Blue River, Connected Cannabis, DeLisioso, Khalifa Kush, Love's Oven, Miami Mango, O.pen, Seed Junky, and Sunshine Cannabis, all available exclusively at Trulieve in Florida. Across Florida, Trulieve offers home delivery, convenient online ordering, and in-store pickup. Veterans receive 20% off every order when they show their military ID, and all first-time guests are eligible for a 60% new customer discount at any Florida Trulieve location. For more information, or to learn how to become a registered patient, please visit Trulieve.com and connect on Instagram or Facebook. About Trulieve Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S., with leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com. Facebook: @Trulieve Instagram: @Trulieve_ X: @Trulieve Investor Contact Christine Hersey, Vice President of Investor Relations +1 (424) 202-0210 [email protected] Media Contact Phil Buck, APR, Corporate Communications Manager +1 (406) 370-6226 [email protected] SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp. 19 february 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: PropTech Innovator VeriFast: Data Analytics Essential to Colorblind Mortgage Process VeriFast, the AI-powered Verification-as-a-Service platform that automates financial analysis and decision making for tenant screening, mortgage underwriting, and other verticals, responded today to the upcoming Senate investigation into the discrimination by mortgage lenders. In 2022, Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) rejected more than half of conventional mortgage applications from African Americans. Innovative solutions, including objective, data-driven application processes that don't rely on flawed credit scores, can prevent the inherent racial bias of credit reports from interfering with home purchases and create a level playing field for all applicants. "People of color have long known about these unfair practices, which are often driven by the lending industry's overreliance on inaccurate and biased credit checks," said Tim Ray, Co-Founder and CEO OF VeriFast. "The statistics are disturbing, but are unfortunately inevitable when lenders base decisions on incomplete models that often include errors and incorporate structural racism. This isn't just a mortgage problem but also a rental applicant screening problem. Transparent, data-driven approaches can help people attain home ownership and get into better apartments. These solutions will show lenders the whole picture, reduce risk, and remove race from the equation to keep homeowning dreams from being deferred." In past decades, banks would often refuse home loans, mortgages, and insurance to applicants who lived in low-income areas. This practice, called redlining, prevented people of color from moving to more affluent neighborhoods. Though declared illegal in 1968, failing to account for biases baked into borrower screening algorithms threatens to reintroduce redlining as a modern practice. "The mortgage industry can turn things around by adopting an objective, data-driven platform that is colorblind and uses hard-coded underwriting practices to avoid the flawed assumptions that lead to biased algorithms," said Verifast Co-Founder and CTO Craig Schoen. "Verifast considers an applicant's income, assets, employment history, and cashflow without invading anyone's privacy ? never race, creed, sexual or gender orientation, current neighborhood, or place of origin. Lenders can make safe bets, free from prejudice or the appearance of bias." About Verifast VeriFast provides a single-source configurable API platform that allows companies to immediately validate customers' ability to pay while eliminating fraud. Delivering deep analytics in minutes, VeriFast provides powerful consumer ? borrower insights far beyond conventional credit checks. The company is based in Toronto and has customers throughout North America. VeriFast is privately held. For more information on VeriFast, please visit the company website at www.verifast.com. 19 february 2024 at 08:05 News published onand distributed by: MATSUKO and Telefonica Announce Holographic Meetings Leveraging Telefonica's 5G & Edge and NVIDIA Maxine Artificial Intelligence Platform Holographic meetings for the people: New Spatial Computing App Announced at MWC 2024 BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MATSUKO and Telefonica today announced the launch of a spatial computing experience of holographic meetings, developed in collaboration with NVIDIA, which will enable creators to connect and collaborate seamlessly as holograms in real time. With just their smartphone camera, people can enter holographic meetings as real themselves in 3D and share their 3D creations and thus, enjoy a new and immersive way of communication. Spatial computing is taking over in 2024. MATSUKO and Telefonica have achieved a major breakthrough by enabling everyone to enjoy real presence during 3D meetings. With a patent on single-camera holographic communication, MATSUKO is also unveiling its product for Apple Vision Pro users, who have the option to preorder now. The experience, which will be demonstrated at Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, will allow users to generate their own holograms using only their smartphone cameras, as well as stream high-resolution 3D objects and scenes using 5G and Edge technology. The technology will leverage the NVIDIA Maxine AI developer platform, to create realistic eye contact and facial expressions, enhancing the sense of presence and immersion. Users will be able to interact with their colleagues and their 3D projects holographically, as if they were in the same physical space, without any delays, misunderstandings, or 2D limitations. Maria Vircikova, CEO of MATSUKO, said: "It fills me with joy to see users marvel at the feeling of presence, the eye contact, and the full spectrum of emotions they discover with holographic presence. I am also honored to share that we achieved this in collaboration with Telefonica, the leader in telecommunication, and NVIDIA, one of the world's top technology companies." David Moro, Head of service platforms & Voice core network at Telefonica, said: "With our 5G and Edge technology, we are enabling a new level of connectivity and performance for holographic meetings, which will transform the way creators communicate and collaborate." Chris Penrose, Global Head of Business Development for Telco at NVIDIA, said: "Holographic meetings represent the future of collaborative experiences. By leveraging the NVIDIA Maxine developer platform, MATSUKO's new spatial computing experience helps users better maintain eye contact and see accurate facial expressions ? both of which are essential for effective communication and emotional connection." Holographic meetings are the future of communication and creation. MATSUKO and Telefonica are inviting everyone to be among the first to experience them. Everybody is invited to attend the Mobile World Congress 2024 session "Holographic meetings for the people: The next-gen solution powered by Telefonica's 5G and Edge network and MATSUKO" at the Agora space at Telefonica's booth on Tuesday, February 27, from 12:00 P.M. - 12:45 P.M. Invited business partners will be able to experience the app during the MWC. Starting today, Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest users can sign into the Early Access at www.matsuko.com. About MATSUKO MATSUKO is the world's first spatial computing holographic app that transforms the way people communicate and collaborate remotely. Using a single camera patented technology, MATSUKO streams realistic 3D holograms of you and others in real-time, creating a sense of presence and connection that is unmatched by any other solution. MATSUKO is the winner of the SXSW 2022 Pitch and the chosen holographic solution for 5G by leading telcos. To experience the future of communication, visit https://www.matsuko.com. About Telefonica Telefonica is one of the world's leading telecommunications service providers. The company offers fixed and mobile connectivity services, as well as a wide range of digital services for individuals and businesses. It is present in Europe and Latin America, where it has more than 384 million customers. Telefonica is a fully private company whose shares are listed on the Spanish stock exchanges and on the New York and Lima stock exchanges. Tatiana Lorkova Media Relations MATSUKO [email protected] This release was issued through WebWire. For more information, visit http://www.webwire.com. SOURCE MATSUKO 19 february 2024 at 11:00 News published onand distributed by: Poland Social Commerce Market Intelligence Databook 2024: Market to Grow by 29.8% to Reach $3.81 Billion in 2024 - Forecasts to 2029 - ResearchAndMarkets.com The "Poland Social Commerce Market Intelligence and Future Growth Dynamics Databook - 50+ KPIs on Social Commerce Trends by End-Use Sectors, Operational KPIs, Retail Product Dynamics, and Consumer Demographics - Q1 2024 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Social commerce industry in Poland is expected to grow by 29.8% on annual basis to reach US$3.81 billion in 2024. The social commerce industry is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 24.9% during 2024-2029. The social commerce GMV in the country will increase from US$2.93 billion in 2023 to reach US$11.59 billion by 2029. This report provides a detailed data centric analysis of social commerce industry, covering market opportunities and risks. With over 50+ KPIs at country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of social commerce market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics. Key Attributes: The Inner Circle Acknowledges, Howard Siegel, MD as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Howard Siegel, MD is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for his contributions as a Gastroenterologist with 57 Years of Dedication and Expertise. Dr. Siegel, a distinguished medical professional with an impressive 57 years of experience, has established himself as a trusted and highly skilled gastroenterologist, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. His unwavering commitment to patient care has made him a respected figure in the field of gastroenterology. Dr. Siegel's practice, Manhattan Internal Medicine Associates, P.C., is renowned for providing advanced and personalized gastroenterological care. He specializes in performing upper and lower endoscopies and offers expert treatment for a wide range of conditions, including ulcers, hepatitis, and disorders of the esophagus. With a Medical Degree from the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University and undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Siegel has cultivated a strong educational foundation. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Veterans Affairs Medical Center and pursued further specialization through a fellowship in gastroenterology at US Public Health Services. Board-certified in gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), Dr. Siegel exemplifies his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of patient care and expertise in his field. Dr. Siegel is a proud member of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, further illustrating his dedication to staying at the forefront of advancements in gastroenterology. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Siegel has made significant contributions to the field of gastroenterology, including teaching endoscopies at Beth Israel Medical Center. He also holds the distinction of being a founding partner at Manhattan Internal Medicine Associates, P.C. In memory of his esteemed mentors, Dr. Siegel pays tribute to the invaluable guidance and support received from Dr. Edward King, MD, and Dr. David. Dr. Siegel's 57 years of unwavering dedication and expertise have solidified his position as a respected and trusted gastroenterologist, providing exceptional care to his patients. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle 19 february 2024 at 16:45 News published onand distributed by: Yulia Navalnaya at the Munich Security Conference on February 16, 2024. KAI PFAFFENBACH / AFP Alexei Navalny's widow said Monday, February 19, that Russian President Vladimir Putin killed her husband, as she vowed to carry on his work, three days after he died in an Arctic prison. Holding back tears in a video address published Monday, Yulia Navalnaya said: "Three days ago, Vladimir Putin killed my husband, Alexei Navalny." Prison authorities said Navalny died after losing consciousness following a walk in his prison colony in Kharp, 2,000 miles northeast of Moscow inside the Arctic circle. "Alexei died in a prison colony after three years of torment and torture," Navalnaya said. Navalnaya, who was by her husband's side in his fight against Putin, vowed to continue his work. "The most important thing we can do for Alexei and for ourselves is to keep fighting, more desperately and more fiercely than before," she said. "We need to seize every opportunity to fight against war, against corruption, against injustice, to fight for fair elections and the freedom of speech, to fight to take back our country." She also vowed to uncover the people who she said had killed her husband. "We know exactly why Putin killed Alexei three days ago... We will definitely find out exactly who carried out this crime and how it was carried out. We will name names and show faces," she said. The Kremlin said earlier on Monday that an investigation into Navalny's death was ongoing and slammed Western governments that have said Putin carries responsibility for his death. Russian authorities have so far refused to hand over Navalny's body to his mother and lawyer, enraging his supporters who have said it was a move by the "killers" to "cover their tracks." Read more Subscribers only Navalny continues to embarrass Russian authorities, even in death EU foreign ministers meeting with Yulia Navalnaya on Monday will send a "message of support" to the Kremlin's opponents after his death in jail, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told journalists: "We have to send a message of support to the Russian opposition." Navalnaya was to join ministers of the 27-nation European Union in Brussels, as they weigh their limited options for inflicting new costs on Putin. The EU has already imposed unprecedented sanctions on Moscow including on Putin over its invasion of Ukraine and officials concede it will be difficult to impose further major pain after Navalny's death. Fresh sanctions? Yet Borrell said he expected EU member states to propose fresh sanctions on those directly responsible for Navalny's treatment, including in Russia's prison system. "The great responsible is Putin himself," Borrell said. He said that Brussels would look to rename its global human rights sanctions blacklist after Navalny in a symbolic move. Read more Subscribers only Europeans prioritize defense against Russian threat at Munich Security Conference German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said ministers would "initiate further sanctions measures" over Navalny's death. "The Russian brutal war of aggression [...] is not just a war against Ukraine, but against freedom itself," she said. Other ministers said the death of Putin's greatest domestic foe should serve to bolster backing for Kyiv as its outgunned forces struggle to hold back Russia. "Putin is a murderer. Putin has murdered one person who fought for freedom for democracy, and this is exactly why we have to keep going," said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. "The most clear response would be if we finally do our job. We have to support Ukraine." That was echoed by Belgian minister Hadja Lahbib who warned that the death of Navalny served to underline the threat the Kremlin poses as it presses its offensive of Ukraine. "We must be aware of what is at stake today," she said. "If Russia manages to expand, it is a dictatorship that will expand and move a little closer to the European Union." Read more Subscribers only Alexei Navalny dies and with him 'the last hopes' of a free Russia TWO LIMERICK groups have been shortlisted in the Permanent TSB (PTSB) has launched a public vote for their 2024 community fund partners. The bank donated a total of 300,000 to their six community fund partners in 2023. Milford Care Centre and St Gabriels Foundation are the two Limerick community fund partners shortlisted. Following a PTSB colleague nominations process, fifteen charities from across the country have been shortlisted for PTSBs 2024 Community Fund; five across Dublin and surrounding counties, five across the North and West of the country, and five from the South and East. A public vote to select two PTSB Community Fund partners from each of the three regions has now opened and the bank is calling on members of the public to support their local charities by registering their vote through the PTSB mobile app or website. Voting closes at 6pm Friday, February 23. The PTSB Community Fund supports local communities by donating funds raised by PTSB colleagues throughout the year. The money raised by PTSBs colleagues is matched funded by the bank for an overall donation to charity. Each year, the PTSB Community Fund aims to donate around 200,000 to its charity partners and to date, the bank has contributed approximately 1.8m to Irish community organisations, supporting local communities across the country. READ MORE: Limerick retains top spot in prestigious European City of the Future rankings In recent weeks, having exceeded its fundraising target by 100,000, PTSB donated a total of 300,000 to its 2023 Community Fund partners. Dublin and surrounding counties ChildVision and Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), the North and West of the countrys Bluestack Special Needs Foundation and Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, and the South and Easts Cork Cancer Care Centre and Down Syndrome Cork Field of Dreams, were selected as the banks 2023 Community Fund partners following more than 120,000 public votes last year. At a recent lunch event, PTSBs CEO, Eamonn Crowley, presented representatives of each charity with a cheque for 50,000 following 2023 colleague fundraising activities. PTSBs Community Fund chair and head of business development, Catherine Doyle, said: Having a strong customer and community ethos is fundamental to PTSBs promise of being Altogether more human, and so we are committed to enhancing our social impact and connecting with local communities across the country. Each year, we look forward to working alongside our Community Fund Partners to help them to scale their programming and strengthen their impact, and we are excited to see who comes through this years voting process. With voting now open, I encourage everyone to take a minute to vote through the PTSB website or mobile app to show your support for the organisation that means the most to you, she added. MILFORD Care Centre is set to open a facility in Limericks county town. The charity, which has provided specialist palliative care for generations of Limerick people, has had a presence in Newcastle West for many years. Its currently based at the Carnegie Centre in Bishop Street in the town, and previously on the St Itas Campus. Now, it is seeking planning permission from Limerick City and County Council to open a dedicated office of its own. Milford Care Centre management are seeking to re-purpose the existing HSE dental clinic. A spokesperson for the health service confirmed this facility at Gortboy will relocate in the new primary healthcare facility planned for Newcastle West. In documents submitted to Limerick City and County Council, agents acting for Milford Care Centre described the dental surgery as ideally suited to Milford Care Centres current needs. The proposed base will primarily be office accommodation for the care team who service Newcastle West at the hinterland. The current proposals are minimal, but do affect the front elevation of the existing building and therefore require planning permission. READ MORE: In Pictures: Love is in the air at world's only LGBTQ+ matchmaking festival As the building will continue to support healthcare services, it is deemed there is no change of use, the agent wrote in a letter to council. In a statement issued to the Limerick Leader, a Milford Care Centre spokesperson also confirmed the news about the opening in Newcastle West. Milford Care Centre has recently obtained the lease for the dental clinic located in Gortboy, Newcastle West from the HSE. The proposed changes outlined in the planning application aim to enhance the current facility, providing additional office space to accommodate the specialist palliative community multi-disciplinary team serving West Limerick. This expansion will foster a better working environment for our dedicated community team, a spokesperson said. Councillor Michael Collins, who is based in Newcastle West has welcomed the retention of the HSE dental facility. Its available and used by families of children and communities right across West Limerick. So its very welcome to have it maintained, he said. Family members and hospital staff are reaching breaking point over parking rules at hospitals that are forcing people to put their loved ones at risk, as patient advocacy groups argue preventing visitors from parking could be 'detrimental to a patients recovery. A Sydney mother said her daughter was faced with a mighty fierce and intimidating gremlin of a parking inspector and threatened with a $92 fine when the young woman went to pick up her unwell father from day surgery at Campbelltown Hospital in the citys southwest. She parked outside the front entrance where there was a no stopping sign, allowing vehicles to set down and pick up passengers for no more than 10 minutes however the driver must remain within the vehicle, or theyll be hit with a fine. Kathleen Mallia said there was no safe way to pick up her unwell husband up from Campbelltown Hospital. Source: Facebook "Hospital staff directed that it was OK to leave the car with the hazards on, Kathleen Mallia told Yahoo News Australia, indicating that employees were encouraging visitors to ignore the sign. They werent aware the parking fellow was there apparently. Theres another area just up from the front entrance called the pick-up lounge, but its the same deal. Drivers cant leave the car, however patients cant leave the hospital without an escort and staff cant escort. The parking and pick-up dilemma With Kathleens daughter by herself, she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. To make our situation worse, on that day my hubby was unwell, it was raining and he couldnt be left alone on a seat while the car was retrieved from the open air car park, so he had to walk to the car in the rain, she explained. That in itself was very unsafe. I get people abuse the pick-up area, but for those who genuinely need it, its not ideal. There just needs to be a better system and the higher ups at the hospital need to sort it out, because $92 is a lot if you dont have it. Story continues Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokesperson for Campbelltown Hospital said there are sign-posted parking zones reserved for the settling down and picking up of patients. Restricted parking is necessary in these drop-off/pick-up zones to allow for the high volume of vehicles and ensure a smooth flow of traffic. As a result, fines may apply in these restricted parking zones. We encourage anyone who has difficulty picking up a patient with frailty or mobility issues to speak to a wards nurse unit manager so arrangements can be made. A spokesperson for Campbelltown Hospital encouraged anyone who has difficulty picking up a patient with frailty or mobility issues to speak to a wards nurse unit manager so arrangements can be made. Source: Google Maps Parking issues can impact on patient care Amid a climate of rising costs similar issues are being felt at hospitals around the country. We're increasingly hearing from our members and patients across the state that people are finding it more difficult to park, particularly at busy metropolitan hospitals, and to find affordable parking, Dr Anthony Brown, the Executive Director at Health Consumers NSW, told Yahoo News Australia. People are also often going to quite extraordinary lengths when dropping people off at hospitals by parking quite some distance away, and then waiting for the person that they dropped off to call them so that they can go back to the hospital in order to avoid the parking fines. With parking difficulties preventing people from visiting, not having a loved one with a patient in hospital can be detrimental to their health. If a family member is worried that they can't stay because the parking fee is about to tick over to another $10, or they're not there because they're driving around looking for a park, that's actually impacting on a person's care, Dr Brown explained. The thing that we need to remember about visitors, is that visitors arent just people who come into hospital to break up the boredom from people who are in hospital. Visitors, particularly family members, are a really important part of peoples recovery. So if were talking about a family member who might be a carer for somebody with dementia or a disability, who really knows that person and knows how to communicate with them in ways that strangers may not know, that person can really make sure that the patient is better understood and gets the treatment that they need. So what can be done to improve hospital parking? For starters, you can write to your local MP, suggested Professor Gigi Foster, from the School of Economics at the University of NSW. If you want change, youve got to put your pen where your interests are, she told Yahoo News Australia. Write to your members of parliament or maybe have pickets or something and demonstrate that this is not acceptable. Because the people making those decisions about the hospital and about how much parking there is, they are supposed to be representing the interests of the Australian people. They're not supposed to be representing the interests of the pharmaceutical companies, for example, or the people who are staffing the Department of Health. It's supposed to be for the good of Australia so Australians have to speak up and say what their interests are. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. LIMERICK city has once again secured a top award at the fDi European Cities and Regions of the Future 2024 and remains the second highest ranked city overall in its category. For the second year running, Limerick ranked first for FDI Strategy in the Micro European Cities of the Future category, which looks at urban areas with an immediate population below 100,000. The city was also once again the overall runner up in the category, with the Swiss town of Zug retaining the top ranking. Limerick city ranked highly in three other awards, Human Capital and Lifestyle, Business Friendliness and Economic Potential. The awards are hosted by fDi magazine, an international news and foreign direct investment magazine published by fDi Intelligence, a specialist division from The Financial Times Ltd. The awards benchmark European cities and regions according to their economic, financial, and business strengths. The fDi Special Report says of Limerick: " A life sciences and pharmaceutical hub, Limerick is expected to invest 1bn in enterprise and infrastructure investment, in line with its Limerick 2030 plan. "A key part of this is the emphasis it has placed on entrepreneurship. Innovate Limerick, its platform to spur innovation ahead of the citys 2030 targets, works with the start-up community, local and foreign businesses and acts as the glue between all three. READ MORE: Dublin Airport's expansion plans formally objected to by Limerick Chamber "Its current projects at Innovate include: Engine, Troy Film Studios Limerick, Film in Limerick, NAMC and Rathkeale Enterprise Centre." Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Gerald Mitchell welcomed Limericks sustained high ranking: "International recognition is essential for elevating Limericks global appeal as a thriving business destination. "The fDi rankings underscore the dedication of Limerick City and County Council, the IDA, and Enterprise Ireland, and the concerted efforts to enhance our city's reputation. "In the fiercely competitive arena of foreign direct investment, this independent validation strengthens our position, providing a valuable edge as we present compelling pitches for future investments." STUDENTS have moved into homes which University of Limerick (UL) bulk-bought, without the correct planning permission being in place it has been claimed. It comes with the college facing questions over its purchase of the 20 homes in the Rhebogue area of the city for more than 11m - or around 550,000 each on average before any stamp duty. A letter from Limericks planning authority - seen by the Leader - confirms that it had issued a warning letter, and described the use of the homes for students as unauthorised. Thats because the homes were originally granted for residential use and earmarked for social housing. The letter from council went to Student Accommodation Services UL, and Silvergrove Developments, the firm which bought and developed the land. Officials of Plassey Trust Company Ltd, a subsidiary firm of UL, have entered talks with the local authority in a bid to avoid having to seek fresh planning consent to use these homes for students. Plassey Trust Company Ltd did not comment on the talks, but its understood the case will be made that the occupation of homes by a particular type of tenant does not raise new planning considerations, if the homes are used as designed and permitted under an original planning permission. But the chairperson of the Rhebogue Residents Association Sarah Beasley has warned UL to expect objections from locals if the college was forced into taking out a fresh application. UL has said that its subsidiary firm, Plassey Trust Company bought the 20 homes with 80 bedrooms, using non-exchequer money. The Rhebogue development, which is located within 2km of the main Castletroy campus is assigned exclusively to postgraduates, researchers and post-doctorates who require long-term, year-round accommodation and supports active travel to and from campus, a statement from UL added. UL executives are expected to be called to reappear before the Public Accounts Committee over the acquisition. READ MORE: Milford Care Centre to open facility in Limerick town Ms Beasley has contacted its chair, the Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley to also have some of the residents questions on the purchase answered. She says the whole episode has left a bitter taste in the mouth and claimed there had been no communication from college management over the purchase. This is disputed by UL, which said its senior leadership has engaged extensively with locals. Ms Beasley, who will run in the local election this summer, said: A semi-detached (in the area) went for 330,000 last October, and the next listing shows an 11m sale. It skews the market. It essentially means they (UL) can go into a housing estate and pay what they like anywhere, she said. Since the students moved in, Ms Beasley added they have been good neighbours. A Limerick community is rallying to help 7-year-old Noah Twomey battle with leukaemia. The little boy was diagnosed with leukaemia just before Christmas. Since then, Noah has been undergoing painful treatments. His parents, Robert and Linda Twomey, and their family saw their world being turned upside down after one phone call. Three heart stopping words about their 7-year-old son Noah was anyone's worst nightmare - Noah has Leukaemia. This call came 2 weeks before Christmas. The family should have been getting ready for Santa and his reindeer but instead they were finding themselves in hospital wards, in total shock, disbelief, and devastated for their little boy," the family explained. Before undergoing treatment, Noah used to play GAA with bundles of energy. Now, he is battling for his life. Their world was now a harsh reality about chemotherapy. For Noah, instead of his next training session or match for his beloved Croom GAA or Croom FC he was now on a journey of painful treatments of chemotherapy, blood transfusion, lumbar punctures and bone marrow aspirations. Robert and Linda have been informed it will take 2 to 3 years for Noah to be fully recovered from T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia after treatments. Noah has always battled hard on the field with bundles of energy and lots of pride. Now his battle is for his life," the family added. Recently, Noah was in CHI at Crumlin where he suffered from "unexpected complications" with his liver and kidneys, due to the severity of the chemotherapy. "We the extended Twomey and O'Connell family feel powerless and are hoping to raise significant funds for this resilient family. The reality is Robert and Linda are both self-employed with their household income reduced so they can be with Noah and care for him in Dublin," said the family on GoFundMe. "Not all superheroes capes, but sometimes superheroes live in the hearts of small kids fighting big battles." You can donate to the fundraiser here. An iron sludge discharge from a no longer fit for purpose water treatment plant operated by Uisce Eireann was the cause of an ecological tragedy that wiped out all fish life over a 2.6km river, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett fined Uisce Eireann the maximum fine of 5,000 for each of the two pollution discharges from the Ballymacraven Water plant near the north Clare town of Ennistymon on May 2, 2023 and May 18, 2023. Before Judge Gabbett imposed the fines, solicitor Dermot O'Donovan, for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), said what occurred on the Ballymacraven River on May 2 last was an ecological tragedy. Uisce Eireann has also agreed to pay IFIs costs of 5,477 in connection with the fish kill. In evidence, Fisheries Environmental Officer with IFI, Jane Gilleran said the discharge from the plant on May 2 resulted in a very significant fish kill with an estimated 2,000 dead fish. Asked to outline the extent of the fish kill, Ms Gilleran said: "Everything below the water treatment plant in terms of fish was wiped out. Ms Gilleran said that the fish kill continued over a 2.6km stretch of the Ballymacraven River before it meets the confluence of the River Inagh downstream of the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon. Ms Gilleran said that the vast majority of fish, including salmon, eels and trout died from suffocation and she told Judge Gabbett: You can see photos of dead fish with their mouths open and that would indicate suffocation. The iron sediment clogged their gills and kills them. Ms Gilleran told the court that the fish kills wiped out three age classes of salmon on the Ballymacraven River adding: For the salmon, the river may never recover because we have lost the three age classes. If you lose all the salmon from a river, you dont have a population to return to and it is a very small percentage of salmon that would stray back." The witness said that "We had salmon parr - and they would be returning to sea to feed and then come back to spawn and we had the salmon that were a year younger. And everything that would have spawned that previous winter - they would have been only to three to four centimetres in length and they would have been smothered in the gravel. Ms Gilleran also stated that quite mature eels up to 60cm in length that can live in lakes for 50 to 60 years of age were also victims in the fish kill. "Eels are critically endangered so we have lost quite a significant population of eels. Our research dept at HQ were amazed at the number of eels that were found dead in such a small river. In her evidence, she said the river had a heavy discolouration on May 2 from the discharge resulting in a rusty brown colour. Ms Gilleran said that the Ballymacraven is an older plant and was operating significantly above capacity at the time. The plant serves a population of almost 7,000 people in the wider North Clare area including Ennistymon, Lahinch, Kilfenora, Doolin, Fanore and Ballyvaughan. "The EPA has said that it is operating 55% above capacity but it is also undergoing works at the moment to increase capacity, Ms Gilleran told the court. There was not enough capacity at the plant for the sludge to settle and sludge builds up too high and reached a level and overflows to the river." Ms Gilleran said that the plan has been on the remediation action list by Uisce Eireann for sometime and the incident occurred during a bank holiday weekend when there was extra pressure on the plant with the population locally. The Ballymacraven plant takes water from the lake and cleans it and makes it safe for human consumption. Judge Gabbett was told that on the dates, there was no system in place to alert people that there was a discharge but that one is in place now. On behalf of Uisce Eireann, Aoife Sheehan BL told the court that the State utility accepts the seriousness of the incident and that it takes its responsibilities very seriously. "There were a number of issues that unfortunately gave rise to the incident on May 2 but it is important to note at the outset that fundamentally this is an old plant with old infrastructure, inadequate and no longer fit for purpose," said Ms Sheehan. "That was recognised by Uisce Eireann who took over the running of the plant in 2014 and was one of the plants earmarked for major investment needed to upgrade," she added. The court heard that significant investment has been made and that the upgrade programme is at an advanced stage. "In terms of what happened on the day, it happened during intermittent drought in May. It was a bank holiday weekend and the demand for water was very high and that meant that the plant was treating a very high volume of water and a high volume of sulphate. "The plant was already struggling to deal with capacity fundamentally .and what we think happened overstretched the plant," explained the witness. Ms Sheehan said that an inspection of the plant "was carried out on the day in question and this didnt raise any flags. She said that Uisce Eireann has "a new operating procedure in place to prevent a recurrence of what went on'' and that the plant is now desludged five times a week with 45 tonnes of sludge removed weekly. Ms Sheehan said that the upgrade works commenced in 2022 and is due to be complete in Autumn of this year representing a 7.5m investment. She said that 3m has been invested in the residual treatment aspect of the process that was the difficulty in this case. READ ALSO: One-punch assault victim suffers 'serious injuries' in Limerick Ms Sheehan said that there are now electronic monitoring alarm systems in place to alert personnel if anything goes wrong as part of a comprehensive system designed to prevent re-occurrence. Mr ODonovan said that Uisce Eireann co-operated fully with the IFI investigation but stated that unfortunately Uisce Eireann has a list of previous convictions "which is considerable. Mr ODonovan said: Uisce Eireann has been convicted at Ballyshannon, Ballyshannon, Blackrock, Ballyshannon, Ballyshannon, Ballina, Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Cavan, Cavan, Louth, Offaly, Wicklow, Tipperary, Cavan, Cavan, Cavan and Cork." Judge Gabbett said that in fairness Uisce Eireann had inherited all the legacy problems from the county council-operated plants around the country and Mr ODonovan agreed. He said: "To be fair to Uisce Eireann, they do a reasonably good job and everyone who has potable water has finer water than anywhere else in the world." Judge Gabbett said that Uisce Eireann "has a legacy problem that they have to deal with and unfortunately the fish are the victims here and I cant get a victim impact statement from the poor fish. Mumbai: JSW Steel Ltd is in talks with Australias Whitehaven Coal to buy a 20% stake in its Blackwater mine for around $1 billion, two people aware of the matter said. The companies are yet to decide on the final valuation. If the parties reach an agreement, a deal is likely by the end of March, the people said on condition of anonymity. JSW Steels talks with Whitehaven follow its failed bid to acquire a majority stake in the metallurgical coal business of Canadas Teck Resources in 2023, which was snapped up by mining and trading major Glencore. A JSW spokesperson declined to comment, while Whitehaven did not respond to emailed queries. Access to sufficient amounts of imported coal is critical for JSW Steel, Indias largest steelmaker by capacity, to achieve its ambitious target of nearly doubling annual capacity to 50 million tonne by the end of this decade. India has only trace quantities of coking coal, a key input for steelmaking, and the country relies exclusively on imports primarily from Australia, Russia, and Canada. The development was first reported by The Australian newspaper. Japans Nippon Steel is also in the race to pick up a stake in the mine, the report said. Whitehaven Coal chief executive Paul Flynn earlier said that there was strong interest" to possibly sell a 20% stake in the Blackwater mine to global steelmakers as strategic joint venture partners, The Australian reported. Whitehaven had acquired Blackwater and Daunia, another coal mine, from BHP in October for $3.2 billion. At a $1 billion asking price for a 20% stake in Blackwater, the company could see a significant mark-up in the valuation of the asset in just a few months. Volatility in coal prices in recent years, triggered more by geopolitics than economics, has created a planning nightmare for steelmakers, making their margins vulnerable to externalities. Steel business is raw material intensive in nature, and raw material costs account for a majority of the total cost of steel production. In addition, raw material prices, especially of coking coal, exhibit very high volatility at times," said Jayanta Roy, senior vice-president at Icra. Therefore, access to captive sources of raw materials can benefit steel makers in terms of both availability as well as better control on costs," he said. Among Indian steelmakers, Jindal Steel and Power, with an inves-tment in Wollongong Coal Ltd in Australia, has access to coking coal through two mines. Despite production challenges, the company is working to ramp up output to use the assets as a hedge against volatile coking coal prices. The Adani Group is another Indian business to have assets Down Under, where it mines for coal. The country has attracted a lot of global resources majors owing to its thriving mining industry, with minerals accounting for three-fourths of the companys total exports. Shares of JSW Steel closed 0.26% lower at 818.35 on the BSE on Monday, while the benchmark Sensex index rose 0.39%. The Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate, is reportedly in advanced talks with sovereign funds in West Asia to raise up to $2.6 billion for its airport expansion and green hydrogen projects. The Adani Group is aiming for an EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) of 80,000 crore by March 2024, has conducted roadshows in London, Dubai, and Singapore to attract potential investors. These roadshows provided an opportunity for the group to present its future growth plans, particularly focusing on its expansion in the airport sector and its foray into the emerging green hydrogen space, according to a report by Business Standard daily. Also Read | Adani Realty wins bid for 30,000 crore Bandra Reclamation redevelopment contract in Mumbai Meanwhile, Adani Realty has secured the contract to redevelop the 24-acre Bandra Reclamation land parcel, put up by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRDC), as per a report by the Free Press Journal. The final approval is pending and will be decided by the MSRDC Board in their upcoming meeting, as reported by Mint on February 17, 2024. Also Read | Powering Millions: Adani Green's 30 GW project to generate 81 billion units of electricity annually Additionally, Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) a subsidiary of Adani Group is planning to develop a 30 GW renewable energy plant with a colossal plan in Khavda, India. The project is, poised to be the world's largest upon completion, and is expected to generate a staggering ~81 billion units of electricity annually, enough to power 16.1 million homes and prevent a whopping 58 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. AGEL plans on expanding its operational portfolio to 9,029 MW and total portfolio to a commanding 20,844 MW. Stay tuned for details on how this green giant will reshape India's energy landscape, Mint earlier reported. ADANI GREEN ENERGY More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Fundraising activity in India will be stronger than ever over the next two years as conglomerates, tech firms and financial services providers hunt for capital to fuel growth and owners seize the moment to sell holdings, Bank of America Corp.s co-head of investment banking in the country said. 2023 was the year of block trades, 2024 is going to be the year of IPOs and that momentum will most likely carry into 2025," Debasish Purohit said in an interview with Bloomberg News in Mumbai. 2024 and 2025 as a block will be the busiest years of IPOs in our lifetime." Purohit expects between 5 and 10 tech firms and two or three local subsidiaries of multinational companies to launch initial public offerings in the period. Reliance Industries Ltd., controlled by Asias richest person Mukesh Ambani, has been looking to list its wireless carrier Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. and Reliance Retail Ventures for several years, while the financial services unit of Tata Sons, another giant conglomerate, is one of several shadow lenders that the Reserve Bank of India has told to list before 2025. Hyundai Motor Co. is also considering listing its Indian business in one of the countrys biggest IPOs, Bloomberg reported earlier this month. Indias equity markets have been on a tearthe benchmark Sensex has risen in all of the past eight years, including a 19% rally in 2023and the retail investor base in the worlds most populous country is growing. A robust economy also provides favorable conditions for IPOs and exit opportunities for investors. The International Monetary Fund expects Indias economy to grow 6.5% in 2024 and 2025 following its 6.7% expansion last year. This is unfolding as neighbor China tries to address ructions in its stock and property markets, along with trade conflicts and various regulatory crackdowns. Thats further encouraging global investors to shift billions of dollars into India. Every single private equity fund that you talk to wants to have a China plus strategy, so youll see at least two, three funds being raised for India alone," said Purohit, who has worked in investment banking for over two decades. India should be regarded as a standalone market rather than an extension or part of the wider Asia Pacific, according to Purohit. Japan and South Korea are sources for inbound deals in real estate, infrastructure, manufacturing and financial services, while investment in local semiconductor businesses may come from Taiwan, he said. Some founders of Indian companies will partner with financial sponsors to spur growth, while others will exit or sell assets amid sector consolidation or based on family decisions, according to Purohit. These are three or four broad areas which will attract M&A," he said. If you get 7% to 8% of the fee pool you are in a good place." Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! When the worlds most valuable lithium company last year announced plans for a $1.3 billion plant in South Carolina, local officials hailed it as transformative for the Palmetto State. The high-tech project from Charlotte, N.C.-based Albemarle was designed to process different sources of lithium, including from recycled batteries, and serve as a supplier of the critical mineral for South Carolinas burgeoning electric-vehicle industry. Less than a year later, those plans have been hobbled by a crash in battery metal prices, undercut by a slowdown in electric-vehicle sales growth in the U.S. and China. Albemarle has deferred spending on the project, amid companywide cost-cutting that includes layoffs and delays to other investments as well. Producers of lithium and nickel, which are used in lithium-ion batteries for EVs, have been stalling projects and closing mines to save cash after a painfully quick fall in commodity prices. Prices of lithium are down as much as 90% since the start of last year, while the price of nickel has roughly halved. Swiss mining and trading giant Glencore last week said production would be suspended at an unprofitable nickel mine and processing plant in New Caledonia, a French island group in the Pacific that provides more than 6% of the worlds supply. It will seek a buyer for its stake in the operation, a decision the company attributed to high operating costs and a weak market. Days later, BHP Group, the worlds biggest miner by market value, said it may need to shutter its Australian nickel business for an unspecified period, cautioning that it doesnt anticipate a quick market recovery. BHP has supply deals with Tesla and Ford Motor. The world is suddenly awash with the metals after producers ramped up new projects to feed the global EV industry when sales of the vehicles have been losing momentum. Several automakers, including Ford, General Motors and Volvo, are delaying investments and striking a more cautious tone about the outlook for EV consumer demand. British electric-vehicle maker Arrivals U.K. business filed for bankruptcy this month, citing challenging macroeconomic and market conditions that delayed its products getting to market. The global nickel situation is dire Boom-and-bust cycles are commonplace in metals markets, given demand can be unpredictable and new mines typically take many years to develop. Some analysts see the scale of the cutbacks to date as subdued, a possible indication that some miners remain sanguine about longer-term demand. EV adoption is happening, just not as fast as anticipated, and sharply lower metal prices could help automotive companies reignite sales growth by luring buyers with cheaper models and discounts. The mining slowdown risks shortages of the metals if demand quickly heats up, once again leaving carmakers scrambling for supplies. Most large suppliers in the fledgling lithium industry have favored pausing coming projects over shutting down existing operations, bolstered by cash piles built up in recent years when prices for the commodity were surging. In the more-established nickel industry, some miners say they have been left with no choice but to close unprofitable mines that are struggling to compete with cheap Indonesian exports. The downturn has wiped out more than a fifth of Australias mine supply, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, which says there could be more casualties to come. Australian officials on Friday designated nickel as a critical mineral, a move that will give companies the opportunity to apply for government grants. Some Western policymakers fear the current situation will derail recent efforts to diversify critical-mineral supply chains away from China, which refines more than half the worlds lithium and has spearheaded Indonesias nickel boom with big investments. Officials also have concerns that global markets will be full of metal from low-cost but high-polluting mines if producers with stricter standards are priced out. The global nickel situation is dire and it is, in my view, an extreme threat to national/international security as well as the environment," U.S. Department of Energy deputy director for batteries and critical materials Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes said in a LinkedIn post. The economics arent there Until recently, American lithium giant Albemarle was riding high, pursuing aggressive expansion plans. Now its share price is down 57% from a year ago. Albemarle hasnt said how long it might hold back spending on the proposed South Carolina plant, which was supposed to begin construction this year and produce enough lithium for roughly 2.4 million electric vehicles annually. Chief Executive Kent Masters told investors last week that where prices are today, the economics arent there for those projects," but that the company would continue to seek permits. He said the South Carolina plant project is delayed, not canceled, though the company isnt doing construction and has stopped engineering work on it. If prices stay where they are, production will come off and eventually push prices upward, Masters said. Some lithium producers are trying to take advantage of the tumult. Sigma Lithium, which has operations in Brazil, is capturing market share because of its lower costs of processing, said Chief Executive Ana Cabral. Were investing. If the market dips further, were going to keep on producing. Well make less money, but well make money," Cabral said. Some nickel miners dont have that option. IGO, an Australian battery metals producer, says it couldnt find any way to make its Cosmos nickel operation in Western Australia viable. It will shutter that operation by the end of May. Mothballing any mine is a difficult choice, mining executives say, as companies pay ongoing maintenance costs that can run into millions of dollars a month when they arent producing anything to sell. Everyone was so excited because [nickel] had found a home" in batteries needed for the EV boom, said Peter Craig, who runs a contracting business that offers garbage removal and other services from an Australian nickel-mining town. He anticipated a sustained boom that now seems less of a sure bet. We thought, heres the future for nickel for the next 25 years. But, you know, nobody can predict these things," Craig said. Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com and Julie Steinberg at julie.steinberg@wsj.com The $355 million New York fraud ruling against Donald Trump stands to put a serious dent in his bank account, but it is the nonmonetary punishments that could be particularly painful for his company. Justice Arthur Engoron in his decision Friday banned the former president from serving as an executive of the Trump Organization or any other New York company for three years, and his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. for two. Trump and his business are also barred for three years from applying for loans from financial institutions registered with or chartered in New York state. Collectively, the restrictions will force Trumps real-estate conglomerate to reimagine how it does business inside and out of New York, all under the heavy oversight of a court appointed monitor. The judge ordered the installation of an independent compliance director at the Trump Organization. The ban on borrowing could have the greatest impact, lawyers said, because most large U.S. banks are registered or have charters with New York. When you are a realtor, you need money," said Evan Gotlob, a partner at the law firm Saul Ewing. That ruling really encumbers their ability to get money to build around the world." Trump could still get loans elsewhere, but the process would be more burdensome and likely involve smaller institutions, he said. Engoron, siding with claims brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruled that the Trumps committed a variety of civil-fraud offenses in a yearslong scheme to secure better terms from lenders by inflating the former presidents wealth. Trump called the case a political hit job designed to interfere with his bid to return to the White House, saying banks made healthy profits on the deals and were eager for the business. There was no fraud," Trump said Friday evening. The banks all got their money, 100%. They love Trump." Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. have run the company as their fathers focus in recent years has been more on politics than business. A Trump Organization spokeswoman said the ruling was bad for business in the state. If allowed to stand, this ruling will only further expedite the continuing exodus of companies from New York," she said. Trump could seek a stay from an appeals court, which already put parts of a September ruling by Engoron on hold for now. The $355 million New York fraud penalty comes with interest, meaning Trumps financial obligation could balloon quickly. The New York attorney generals office estimates that he already owes nearly $100 million in prejudgment interest on the financial benefits he obtained improperly. Fridays ruling capped a frenetic week of legal developments for Trump, the Republican presidential front-runner, as he conducts his campaign. This past Monday, Trump sought the U.S. Supreme Courts intervention as he argues for immunity from federal charges related to election interference. On Thursday, a different New York judge set a March 25 start date for a criminal trial on allegations that he falsified business records to conceal hush money paid to a porn star. That same day, in Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is pursuing a racketeering case against Trump, was grilled about her romantic relationship with a prosecutor at a hearing to determine whether she should be removed from the case. Still, as bad as Fridays ruling was for Trump, it could have been worse. The judge didnt embrace some even steeper penalties sought by James, including a lifetime ban on Trumps serving as a top official for any company registered in New York. Engoron also walked back an earlier ruling that appeared to order the winding down of some of Trumps businesses. This is a very tough order. This does not happen every day," said Gregory Krakower, who was a senior adviser to Eric Schneiderman when he was New York attorney general. However, the judge has withdrawn the corporate death penalty." On appeal, Trump has several arguments he can make to attack at least the size and scope of Engorons ruling. Close to half of the monetary penalties imposed by the judge were based on the judges estimate of how much money Trump saved by obtaining cheaper credit. Engoron also clawed back $187 million that Trump recently made from the sale of two properties. Some legal observers said the judges tabulation of Trumps allegedly ill-gotten gains could be challenged as too speculative. This is one area where Trumps chances on appeal are greatest," said John C. Coffee Jr., a professor of corporate and securities law at Columbia Law School. The former president also could argue that James exceeded her authority under the broad civil-fraud law she used to bring the case, particularly because the alleged conduct didnt have any clear victims. Trumps legal team is expected to cite a failed fraud case the New York attorney generals office brought against Dominos Pizza. The state alleged that the chain supplied its franchisees with a back-office software system that systematically undercalculated wages. No testimony emerged backing up the states claim that Dominos misled franchisees about the software systems abilities. A Manhattan judge threw out the case in 2021, finding the claims to be too thin to warrant a state enforcement action and the matter better suited for private contract litigation. Trump can delay payment of the judgment during his appeal by posting an appeal bond. He might have to depend upon surety insurance companies to guarantee his payment of the judgment should it be affirmed. That would likely require securing the bond with collateral such as cash, letters of credit from banks, investments or other assets, including real estate. Trumps net worth has been estimated at around $3 billion, but the size of his liquid assets is unclear. In a deposition last year, he testified to having more than $400 million in cash, less than he might ultimately owe to the state if his appeal falls short. It may be something he cant pay without a real-estate fire sale," Coffee said. Despite the bruising legal battle ahead, it is possible the Trump Organization has paths to success no matter the outcome. Massimo DAngelo, a real-estate attorney at Blank Rome, predicted that even if the ruling was upheld on appeal, the company could still move forward. Certainly they would get out of the state where they cant operate and are considered to be the black sheep," DAngelo said. But they could go to other jurisdictions and be profitable." Write to James Fanelli at james.fanelli@wsj.com, Corinne Ramey at corinne.ramey@wsj.com and Jacob Gershman at jacob.gershman@wsj.com LEA COUNTY, N.M.From behind the wheel of his Jeep, Tommy Taylor surveyed the windswept patch of land he is intent on keeping oil country. Taylor, the assistant general manager at closely held oil producer Fasken Oil and Ranch, has been fighting plans to shuttle radioactive refuse from nuclear power plants around the U.S. and temporarily park it here in the Permian Basin, the nations busiest oil field. Holtec International, a Florida-based energy technology company, aims to rail thousands of canisters of spent nuclear fuel to Lea County and store the containers below ground. The site has a 40-year license and could ultimately hold around 170,000 metric tons of used fuelabout twice as much as the U.S. currently holds. It would be the largest such facility in the world, and Holtec says it would further the development of U.S. nuclear energy. Taylor said a nuclear incident in the Permian, which cranks out more oil than Iraq and Libya combined, would have devastating consequences for U.S. energy and the local economy. Im not antinuclear," Taylor said. We just dont feel like siting all the nuclear waste in the middle of our biggest oil and gas resource is a good idea." The yearslong fight has entangled large oil companies, the countrys top nuclear regulator, the states of Texas and New Mexico, as well as local communities that want to host the nuclear waste. Fasken has initiated legal challenges to the federal approval of the project and another one in West Texas. It has lobbied big-oil chief executives and high-ranking Republicans. The centenarian company even hired a high-school student to help manage a social-media campaign. Ed Mayer, program director at Holtec, said its proposed site poses no danger to communities or the oil-and-gas industry. We dont affect oil-and-gas operations, and under no situation would we affect them." Supporters of the nuclear-waste projects say they could help break a decades-old nuclear waste logjam that has led to radioactive refuse piling up at reactors. President Biden and billionaire investors are endorsing new nuclear projects to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, but the U.S. has yet to figure out where to permanently unload some of the most hazardous material in the world. The U.S. has to gird its loins and actually deal with the problem of what theyre going to do with this material in the long run," said Allison Macfarlane, a former chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Meanwhile, some Permian communities gearing up for a future where fossil-fuel extraction peters out are pushing to host the radioactive dregs. The Permian is home to two sites that handle some types of nuclear waste and to the only commercial uranium-enrichment facility in the country. Holtecs storage would be temporary, and some nuclear experts say interim facilities can be a stopgap until the federal government builds a permanent, deep geologic repository. A plan to house nuclear waste at Nevadas Yucca Mountain fizzled under former President Barack Obama, and the search for an alternative site has stalled. As a result, the federal government is paying utilities billions of dollars to keep used fuel rods in steel-lined concrete pools and dry casks at dozens of sites. Consolidating used nuclear fuel at one or two facilities would lessen that financial burden and make monitoring the waste easier, the experts say. Fasken said the sites threaten its operations near the proposed facilities. Since its 1913 founding by Canadian lawyer-turned-rancher David Fasken, the Midland-based company has amassed more than 160,000 acres of land in the Permian. It grazes cattle and produces about 40,000 barrels of oil a day. Taylor, a trustee for the Fasken heirs, said he is concerned about terrorist attacks, the derailment of a waste-carrying train and radioactive contamination, among other risks. I drilled four wells here," he said, nodding in the direction of the sagebrush that surrounds Holtecs proposed site. Exxon Mobil and EOG Resources have also publicly expressed concerns about the Holtec facility interfering with their drilling. A spokesman for Holtec said that the project takes into account all aspects in the surrounding areas related to environmental concerns and that it had received a license after an extensive regulated process. In trying to block the projects, Taylor and his team have lobbied GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Social-media accounts for two opposition groups, which Fasken helped create, churn out posts opposed to the projects. Fasken has allied with local ranchers such as Daniel Berry, who owns property near the proposed Holtec site. Berry said he is concerned radioactive contamination could devastate his cattle business. If its so safe, leave it where it is," he said of nuclear waste. Fasken has also notched court victories. Last year, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans found that federal law didnt authorize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to license a private, away-from-reactor storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. It vacated the federal license for another storage project proposed by Interim Storage Partners, a joint-venture between Orano USA and Waste Control Specialists. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has asked the court to reconsider. The Holtec project faces other hurdles. New Mexico last year passed legislation all but banning storage of high-level nuclear waste. Texas lawmakers have also opposed interim storage facilities. The Holtec spokesman said the company was evaluating the legislations impact on the project. Fasken expects the fight over interim storage will eventually reach the Supreme Court. Some community leaders in southeastern New Mexico have pushed to build the Holtec site, including in Eddy and Lea counties, which together produce about 1.7 million barrels of oil a day. Jack Volpato, chairman of the Carlsbad Nuclear Task Force, said the area has to plan for a future where oil and gas extraction provides fewer jobs. Holtec said the project represents a $3 billion investment that will create 400 jobs. We think nuclear energy and managing nuclear products is the way of the future," Volpato said. Write to Benoit Morenne at benoit.morenne@wsj.com Australia is in the midst of a serious housing affordability crisis, but now it seems the issue of inadequate dwelling space is following us to the grave, with some sought-after cemetery plots being advertised for a whopping $100,000 online. Across the country, the lack of supply appears to be worst in NSW, where a 2023 audit conducted by the state's Planning Department found there was a "critical shortage of grave sites in Sydney", with faith-run cemeteries in particular in desperate need. According to the audit, "multiple religious groups are set to run out of burial space" within just a few years, reflecting the dire state of the shortage in the state. Sydney gravesites advertised for up to $100,000 online Online, cemetery plots are being advertised on Facebook Marketplace for tens of thousands of dollars, with some graves in sought-after cemeteries such as Waverley which has been dubbed "the most beautiful in the world" due to its coastal sea views being marketed at upwards of $50,000. Yahoo News Australia is aware of at least two listed in just the last week with asking prices between $70,000 to $100,000 at the site. Plots at sought-after cemeteries such as Waverley in Sydney's east are being advertised for upwards of $50,000. Source: Facebook A simple Google search reveals the true scale of the problem, with plots on platforms like Gumtree similarly being advertised for tens of thousands. A burial plot at Pinegrove Memorial Park in Minchinbury in the city's west was listed for sale for $60,000 on Monday. At Forest Lawn in Leppington, a spot is being sold for $20,000. Authorities urged to address 'desperate' crisis The lack of supply throughout Sydney has prompted people to call for authorities to immediately address the growing issue, with a new cemetery not being built in the city in over a century, despite the population more than doubling in that time. Story continues Many have made the argument that the majority of people today are cremated after death two out of three in NSW, according to the government. But certain religious groups, including some Catholics and Jews, don't allow the process. On Gumtree, graves are being sold for tens of thousands. Source: Facebook They're among those leading the push for new cemeteries, which leaders have said they are in "desperate need of". Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokesperson for the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said there are finally plans to erect a new public cemetery, which could provide some relief. Planning Department flags new Sydney cemetery "NSW agencies are taking a whole-of-government approach and working together to address burial space availability in Sydney," the spokesperson told Yahoo News. "In May last year, the government published an overview of the burial space supply pressures facing Sydneys Crown cemetery sector, and announced the amalgamation of three Crown cemetery operators as part of efforts to increase the supply of graves. "A new Crown cemetery, Macarthur Memorial Park, is being developed at Varroville in Sydneys southwest which will inject up to 136,000 burial plots, and is the first new Crown cemetery in decades," the spokesperson said, conceding however that "more supply within Sydney" will be needed to "meet ongoing community needs and expectations of affordable and accessible burial options". Since 2022, planning changes will see all new and expanded cemeteries of over 5,000 or more plots assessed as state significant developments, the spokesperson explained, "in the same way as other important social infrastructure". "The Government is engaging with Crown cemetery operators to investigate opportunities to unlock further supply in existing Crown cemeteries, including the potential to expand existing sites where appropriate. People are willing to fork out tens of thousands to secure their loved one a space in some cemeteries. Source: Facebook Waverley Cemetery has been dubbed 'the world's most beautiful' for its scenic views. Source: Getty Faith-run cemeteries at most risk Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the previous government is to blame for the shortage. "The independent report that was released last month highlighted the disaster that the previous government created through indecision and infighting," he said last year. "We will not make the same mistakes." The 2023 audit found that Crown-operated cemeteries in Macquarie Park and Frenchs Forest will run out of burial space for Armenian Orthodox residents in the next two and a half to three years, while at Rookwood Cemetery Australia's biggest there will be no space for Islamic and Antiochian Orthodox burials in three years. Macedonian Orthodox burial plots will be exhausted in just two, the audit stated. Religious cemeteries are the most at risk of filling up, a 2023 audit revealed. Source: Getty According to Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW, there is no set costs for burial, placement of ashes or cremation in NSW and prices "will vary across the state" and "be determined by a number of factors". NSW-based funeral director Personal Farewells averaged that funeral plots in the state typically sell for between $9,500 $20,000. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. By 2030, water demand in India is projected to be twice as much as the supply. Before this becomes a major challenge, private and public sector facilities aim to set up comprehensive water and wastewater treatment and distribution infrastructure. To add to this, various government initiatives, such as the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, the National Mission for Clean Ganga, and the Jal Jeevan Mission, are already pushing the growth of this industry. Given that the water and wastewater treatment industry is poised for growth, we are comparing three listed companies, namely, VA Tech Wabag, Ion Exchange, and EMS, that could be primary beneficiaries. Business Overview # VA Tech Wabag VA Tech Wabag is a complete water treatment solution provider. Its activities include the design, supply, installation, construction, and operational management of drinking water, wastewater, industrial water treatment and desalination plants. The company operates in over 25 countries and has executed over 1,400 projects since 1995. It focuses on research and development (R&D) and has over 125 intellectual property (IP) rights for water treatment technology solutions. # Ion Exchange Headquartered in Mumbai, Ion Exchange is a pioneer in water, wastewater treatment, and environment solutions and caters to various industries, institutions, homes, and communities. The company has completed over 100 thousand installations across the globe and is one of the leading companies in the water management industry. It has seven manufacturing and assembly facilities in India, Bangladesh, UAE, and Indonesia. # EMS EMS is a multi-disciplinary EPC company that offers turnkey solutions in water and wastewater collection, treatment and disposal. It offers end-to-end solutions from engineering and design to installation of water, wastewater, and domestic waste treatment facilities. The company also undertakes EPC works in various other sectors, including power transmission, civil construction, electrical transmission and distribution, and construction of buildings. EMS has majorly undertaken government projects, and the majority of its clients are urban local bodies of UP and Bihar, like UP Jal Nigam, Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (BUIDCo), and the Municipal Commissioner for various districts. View Full Image ... Between the three companies, Ion Exchange has a higher market cap of 71.4 billion (bn), followed by VA Tech Wabag and EMS, which have a market cap of 44.8 bn and 27.3 bn, respectively. However, in terms of the order book, VA Tech Wabag is leading with an order book of 118.6 bn, followed by Ion Exchange and EMS, which have an order book of 33 bn and 20.9 bn, respectively. VA Tech Wabag is the world's third-largest private water operator and 5th largest desalination player. Being a reputed and well-recognized player, along with a high focus on R&D and comprehensive service offering, has helped the company secure higher orders from its clients. For Ion Exchange, orders from Sri Lanka, UP and Delhi Jal Nigam are the major contributors to the order book. In the case of EMS, the company has a large pipeline of government orders with respect to wastewater schemes and water supply schemes. Coming to the performance of these companies on the stock exchange, then in the last year, VA Tech Wabag has given multibagger returns of 116.8%, whereas Ion Exchange gas has given 51.2%. EMS was listed on the stock exchange on September 21, 2023, and it has given close to a 78% return since its listing. # Revenue VA Tech Wabag earns majority of its revenue from EPC contracts, and the rest is through the operation and maintenance of the projects. In terms of geographical distribution, India accounts for the majority of its revenues, followed by exports. Ion Exchange has a diversified revenue profile. Close to 60% of the revenues are generated from EPC contracts, 30% of the revenue is from chemicals manufacturing and the remaining 10% is generated from selling consumer products. A strong export presence, diversified clientele, healthy order execution, and healthy demand from chemicals segments have helped Ion Exchange grow its revenues. EMS, on the other hand, generates all its revenues from offering EPC services to its clients. It has made its mark in the water supply and treatment segments, which helped the company secure repeat orders from government and municipal bodies. This, along with faster order execution, has supported the revenue growth of EMS. View Full Image ... In terms of revenue, the VA Tech Wabag has the highest revenue among the three companies. Its net sales are 5x of EMS sales and 1.4x of Ion Exchange's sales. However, in terms of revenue growth, EMS and Ion Exchange are leading with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11%. On the other hand, VA Tech Wabags revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.3% during the same period. Delay in order execution is the primary reason for slow growth in revenue. However, in the last three quarters, the company's revenue has grown consistently on account of faster order execution. To add to this, it has a very high order book, which ensures revenue visibility in the medium term. # Profitability It is important to look at a companys profitability metrics to understand whether it is able to generate profits from its operations. VA Tech Wabag's earnings before interest tax and depreciation (EBITDA) saw a degrowth of 27.2% in the last five years. The net profit also fell by 34.3%, and the profit margins contracted. The primary reason behind the fall in profits is the slow execution of orders, high-value, low-margin orders, and exposure to foreign orders, which led to forex-based losses. However, in the medium term, the company's profits are expected to improve on the back of faster execution and its improved focus on procuring high-margin orders. For Ion Exchange, the EBITDA and net profit have grown at a CAGR of 18.8% and 24.2%, respectively. The profit margins also improved significantly. Faster order execution, healthy demand from end-user industries in chemicals segments, and high margins from the chemicals business are driving this growth. The EBITDA growth and net profit growth for EMS was 11.7% CAGR in the last five years. High demand for water and wastewater treatment and faster execution of orders have helped the company grow its profits. View Full Image ... If we compare the three companies, then Ion Exchange is clearly leading in terms of EBITDA and net profit growth. With respect to margins, EMS is leading with higher gross profit and net profit margins. # Debt Management VA Tech Wabag is a debt-free company. It has no major financial obligations primarily because it follows an asset-light model. This encouraged the company to invest in equity in HAM projects. So far, the company has 150 million (m) in such projects. It plans to invest 350-400 m annually in HAM projects in the future, which can be easily liquated after three years of operation of such projects. Currently, the company has a bank balance of 1.4 bn. Ion Exchange is also a debt-free company. However, it plans to raise money through debt to expand its chemicals manufacturing facility. It plans to invest 4 bn in capex for the greenfield expansion. Given its zero debt status, a little debt will not harm its balance sheet as it has a healthy cash balance of 3.3 billion with an interest coverage ratio of 22.5x. EMS has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.1x, with a long-term debt of 454 m as of March 31, 2023. It has a high bank balance and liquid investment of 1.7 bn, indicating sufficient liquidity. With no major capex planned, the company can easily repay its debt with internal accruals. In terms of debt management, all three companies are performing well and have sufficient liquidity to meet their debt and capex requirements. View Full Image ... # Financial Efficiency We can measure the efficiency of a business by looking at its return ratios. Two important ratios are return on capital employed (RoCE) and return on equity (RoE). These ratios tell us how much return a company generates from its capital. A high ratio which is consistently improving is always better. View Full Image .. The five-year average RoCE and RoE of VA Tech Wabag are 14.2% and 6.4%, respectively. The return ratios fell drastically as the company's profitability was affected in the last five years. For Ion Exchange, the five-year average RoCE and RoE are 37.9% and 25.5%, respectively. The return ratios of Ion Exchange are lower than their five-year average due to higher input costs for its chemicals and consumer products business, which affected the profit margins. However, with profit margins expected to improve in the medium term, the return ratios will also improve. For EMS, the five-year average RoCE and RoE are 36.9% and 27.4%, respectively. In the last five years, the return ratios fell due to delays in a few HAM projects. If we compare the three companies, then Ion Exchange is better at generating profits from the capital invested than VA Tech Wabag and EMS. # Valuation To measure the actual worth of a company, it is important to look at its valuation ratios. They also tell us whether the company is overvalued or undervalued. Two common valuation ratios that every investor must look at are price to earnings (P/E) and price to book value (P/B). View Full Image ... The P/E of VA Tech Wabag is 67.5x. For Ion Exchange and EMS, the ratio stands at 35.4x and 25.6x, respectively. Clearly, VA Tech Wabag is overvalued when compared to the other two companies. However, if we compare the three companies with the industry average, then VA Tech Wabag and Ion Exchange are overvalued, whereas EMS is undervalued. In terms of P/BV, Ion Exchange is overvalued with a multiple of 7.7x, followed by EMS, which has a multiple of 3.6x. VA Tech Wabag has a price to book value multiple of 5.6x. Which water treatment stock is better: VA Tech Wabag or Ion Exchange or EMS? In terms of revenue growth, profit growth, and return ratios, Ion Exchange outpaced VA Tech Wabag and EMS. This is primarily because Ion Exchange has a diversified revenue profile with a presence in the EPC segment, chemicals manufacturing, and consumer products. Having a diversified revenue profile helps the company to nullify the underperformance of one segment with the better performance of the other. Being a leading player in the water management industry, it has a huge unexecuted order book lined up, providing revenue visibility in the medium term. It is also investing in a greenfield plant to expand its resin manufacturing capacity. The company plans to expand its operations to new geographies and develop new products to grow its revenue and profits. After Ion Exchange, EMS is leading in terms of revenue growth and profitability. EMS is a relatively new player in the industry, as it commenced its operations in 2010. Despite being a new player, it has completed several projects, mainly from government bodies. The quality of its operations and fast execution have helped EMS secure repeat orders from government agencies. It plans to secure new orders from different state municipalities to expand its operations. VA Tech Wabag, on the other hand, is focusing on implementing new orders and expanding its business to new areas. It has already tied up with Bio-CNG plants in India, GCC, Africa, and European countries to provide them with clean water for production. The company is also in discussions with hydrogen developers to collaborate as their water partner. There is a lot of potential here, given the governments focus on green hydrogen. It already supplies clean water to the semiconductor industry and plans to expand further and remain a dominant player globally. Given the growing demand for clean water and wastewater treatment around the globe, all three companies have a fair chance of getting on the top. Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com Tata Group companies have delivered remarkable returns in the last one year, propelling the conglomerate's market value to a size surpassing that of the entire economy of neighboring Pakistan, according to a report by The Economic Times. Currently, India's largest business conglomerate boasts a market capitalization of $365 billion or approximately 30.3 lakh crore, exceeding the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) estimations of Pakistan's GDP, which stands at approximately $341 billion. Also read: Paytm share price hits 5% upper circuit as it moves nodal account to Axis Bank Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), valued at around 15 lakh crore or $170 billion, stands out as not only India's second-largest company but also nearly half the size of Pakistan's struggling economy, which grapples with a looming economic crisis aggravated by an overwhelming debt burden. This stark comparison underscores the significant economic prowess and market dominance of the Tata Group within the region. Tata Group companies performance The recent surge in market value within the Tata Group can be largely attributed to remarkable returns witnessed in Tata Motors and Trent, alongside robust rallies observed in Titan, TCS, and Tata Power over the past year. Impressively, eight Tata companies, including the newly-listed Tata Technologies, have doubled their wealth in this period. These companies include TRF, Trent, Benaras Hotels, Tata Investment Corporation, Tata Motors, Automobile Corporation of Goa, and Artson Engineering. Analysis from ACE Equity reveals that among the 25 Tata companies listed on stock exchanges, only one, Tata Chemicals, has experienced a decline in wealth over the past 12 months, marking a notable resilience in the group's performance. Also read: Stock market today: Nifty 50, Sensex rise for 5th straight day; ICICI Bank, RIL among top contributors Considering the potential market value of unlisted Tata entities such as Tata Sons, Tata Capital, Tata Play, Tata Advanced Systems, and their airline ventures (Air India and Vistara), among others, the conglomerate's strength could significantly increase by an estimated $160-170 billion, or possibly more. Pakistan's economy India, boasting a GDP of approximately $3.7 trillion, dwarfs Pakistan in economic magnitude by a factor of 11. The country's trajectory suggests a momentous leap to become the world's third-largest economy by Fiscal Year 2028, poised to surpass both Japan and Germany. Presently, India holds the position of the fifth-largest economy globally. In contrast, Pakistan, having experienced a commendable growth rate of 6.1% in Fiscal Year 2022 and 5.8% in Fiscal Year 2021, faces a starkly different economic outlook in Fiscal Year 2023 due to the devastating impact of floods, resulting in significant losses amounting to billions of dollars. Also read: Consumers Q3 Review: Britannia Industries, Godrej Consumer, Tata Consumer among top picks of Sharekhan With external debt and liabilities towering at $125 billion, Pakistan finds itself in a race against time to secure funds, particularly to meet the looming $25 billion of external debt payments commencing in July. Adding to the urgency, a $3 billion program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is on the brink of exhaustion next month. Compounding the challenges, Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves hover around a precarious $8 billion, scarcely covering two months' worth of essential imports. Moreover, its debt-to-GDP ratio surpasses the worrisome threshold of 70%, with credit ratings agencies expressing concerns that interest payments on its debt may consume roughly half of the government's revenues for the current year. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! In the Interim Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 in India, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated the governments dedication to electrifying one crore households using rooftop solar installations. The Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana , the flagship initiative behind this commitment, strives to furnish complimentary electricity to these households by empowering them to produce solar power independently. During the interim budget speech, Ms Sitharaman added, Through rooftop solarisation, one crore households will be enabled to obtain up to 300 units of free electricity every month, this would translate to benefits of 15,000-18,000 annually for households from free solar electricity and selling the surplus to the distribution companies." The budget papers unveiled on February 02, 2024, clearly signal a noteworthy surge in government expenditure on rooftop solar power initiatives. The spike from 2,167 crore in 2023-24 to 4,555 crore for 2024-25 underscores the governments dedication to advancing this renewable energy source. This corresponds with the objectives delineated in the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana. The augmented allocation implies that the government is striving to expedite the programs coverage, potentially electrifying a greater number of households through rooftop solar installations. This boost in the budget could have repercussions on the feasibility and timeline for attaining the 1 crore electrification target. The expansion of Indias solar power sector is propelled by several key factors, including the decreasing costs of solar technology, increasing demand for renewable energy, strong government support, and the prevalence of large-scale solar projects currently dominating the installed capacity. The growth in the Indian solar energy sector is truly remarkable, offering enticing prospects for potential investors. Investing in solar energy stocks carries inherent risks. Therefore, mutual funds that allocate funds to solar energy stocks may provide a more secure avenue for capitalizing on the increasing demand for solar energy, coupled with the governments heightened focus on this sector. For certain investors, opting for mutual funds with a significant investment in solar energy stocks can be a favourable choice. Some of the most sought-after mutual funds in the solar energy space include: Tata Resources & Energy Fund The Tata Resources & Energy Fund primarily targets companies operating in the resources and energy sectors in India, with a preference for large-cap stocks. The fund predominantly allocates its investments to companies engaged in the resources sector (including metals, mining, and commodities) and the energy sector (encompassing oil, gas, power, and renewables) within the Indian economy. It maintains a relatively modest portfolio size compared to certain other diversified equity funds. As of January 2024, the fund exhibited a notable distribution among various market capitalizations, with a substantial allocation to large-cap stocks at 57.54%, followed by mid-cap stocks at 26.01%, and small-cap stocks at 12.09%. This reflects a preference for well-established companies with larger market capitalizations. Although these funds are inherently focused on growth, investors must remember that the resources and energy sectors are inherently cyclical. This implies that their performance can experience substantial fluctuations based on economic conditions and commodity prices. Exercise caution and be mindful of this inherent risk before making any investments. This implies that investors should match their investment objectives with the funds goals. The fund is designed for long-term capital appreciation, suggesting that it may not be well-suited for those with short-term investment horizons. Nippon India Power & Infra Fund The Nippon India Power & Infra Fund is a mutual fund that focuses on investing in equity and equity-related instruments of companies involved in or associated with the power and infrastructure sectors in India, including power generation, transmission, distribution, renewable energy, construction, and transportation. The primary objective of the fund is to attain long-term capital appreciation through investments in these companies. As of January 2024, the fund manages assets worth 3,884.94 crore, showcasing substantial investor interest in this sector. The funds performance is measured against the Nifty Infrastructure TRI, providing a basis for comparing its performance with the broader infrastructure sector in India. Investors entering to invest their hard-earned money in this fund should be aware that sector-specific funds, such as this one, typically have a more concentrated focus compared to diversified equity funds. While this concentration may lead to higher returns, it also comes with elevated risks. This underscores the importance of researching the funds historical performance, as assessing the risk profile is crucial before making any investment decisions. DSP Natural Resources and New Energy Fund This is an open-ended equity mutual fund scheme provided by DSP Mutual Fund, focusing on investments in companies within the natural resources and energy sectors. These sectors encompass oil and gas, metals and mining, renewable energy, and utilities. This fund aims to attain long-term capital appreciation by investing in a diverse portfolio of equity and equity-related instruments from companies involved in or associated with the natural resources and energy sectors, both in India and globally. The fund manager chooses stocks through a process of fundamental analysis, focusing on their potential for sustained long-term growth. This fund is appropriate for investors with a long-term investment horizon of at least five years and a tolerance for high risk. It is also well-suited for investors who anticipate that the natural resources and energy sectors will demonstrate better performance than the overall market over the long term. Being a sector-specific fund, this implies that it holds a more concentrated portfolio compared to a diversified equity fund. While this concentration may result in higher returns, it also comes with elevated risk. Investors should not only consider the inherent volatility associated with this fund but also take into account the higher expense ratio, which has the potential to reduce their overall returns. SBI Energy Opportunities Fund The focus on investing exclusively in energy stocks is apparent with the recent introduction of the SBI Energy Opportunities Fund by SBI Mutual Fund. The funds objective is to offer investors opportunities for long-term capital appreciation by investing in equity and equity-related instruments of companies involved in various activities, including exploration, production, distribution, transportation, and processing of traditional and new energy. This includes but is not limited to sectors such as oil and gas, utilities, and power. Being a recent fund offer, it is challenging to predict the potential performance of this fund. However, based on historical performance, many mutual funds introduced by SBI Mutual Fund have demonstrated strong results, surpassing investor expectations. For investors who are indifferent to the risks associated with investing in new fund offers (NFOs) but are committed to pursuing long-term capital appreciation, this fund could be a favourable option. As the scheme intends to invest in equity/equity-related instruments of companies involved in Energy and allied business activities, there is a likelihood of high concentration in companies within these sectors. Moreover, the volatility or unfavourable performance of these sectors and/or the stocks associated with them could significantly impact the Schemes performance, given the specific mandate and resulting concentration. A glimpse at past performance Investing in any mutual fund, irrespective of its sector emphasis, inherently involves the risk that past performance may not accurately predict future results. While reviewing historical data can offer insights into a funds strategy and performance history, its crucial to bear in mind that market conditions, company performance, and economic factors can undergo significant changes over time, influencing future returns. The past performance serves as a significant indicator not only of the fund managers capabilities but also of the fund houses commitment to achieving optimal returns for investors. This underscores the importance for investors to assess the past five-year or 10-year returns of any fund before making decisions about investing their money. Name of the fund house Name of the mutual fund 5-year returns (in %) 10-year returns (in %) Nippon India Mutual Fund Nippon India Power & Infra Fund 29.23 21.66 Tata Mutual Fund Tata Resources & Energy Fund 27.03 - DSP Mutual Fund DSP Natural Resources and New Energy Fund 24.67 22.25 SBI Mutual Fund SBI Energy Opportunities Fund - - Source: AMFI (As of February 19, 2024) Considering mutual funds as an avenue for investing in energy stocks holds promise for investors aiming for long-term growth. However, it is essential for investors to carefully weigh both the potential advantages and risks. Diversifying investments and aligning them with individual risk tolerance is imperative. Engaging in well-informed decision-making can help mitigate risks, ensuring reasonable returns over the long term. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! A U.S. shale boom that helped suppress oil-price surges over the past two years is waning. The countrys crude oil output is expected to increase by just 170,000 barrels a day in 2024 from last year, down from a jump of 1 million barrels a day in 2023, according to federal record-keepers. That is the smallest annual increase since 2016, not counting the pandemic. Gushers of new U.S. crude have helped cap soaring oil prices despite OPEC production cuts and global turmoil, including most recently in the Middle East. The gains were driven by private producers that commandeered rigs after Russias invasion of Ukraine sent prices soaring to more than $120 a barrel in early 2022. Now, that growth is expected to slow dramatically. Declining oil prices led producers to lay down rigs last year. Then, many of the operators that had been drilling with abandon were acquired by bigger players looking for ways to expand in the U.S. Those big public companies have given priority to returning cash to shareholders over drilling new wells. The ease in growth has gone, unless somebody comes up with a very dramatic new technical innovation," said Paul Horsnell, head of commodities research at Standard Chartered Bank. Last week, Morgan Stanley analysts lowered their estimate for U.S. oil output this year and raised their forecast for Brent crude to a range of $80 to $85 a barrel, from $75 to $80. The move came a day after Diamondback Energy said it was buying privately held Endeavor Energy and indicated it would give priority to controlling costs. Private companies such as Endeavor have been the countrys swing producers in recent years, boosting production when prices are high and cutting back when they fall. Ten private producers, including Endeavor, accounted for half the Permian Basins production increase between December 2019 and March 2023, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights. The Permian Basin, which straddles West Texas and Southeast New Mexico, has accounted for nearly all the countrys oil output growth since the pandemic. Last year, the U.S. produced an estimated 12.9 million barrels of oil a day, which would be a record high and more than any other country. But the number of oil rigs operating in the U.S. has dropped nearly 20% since the end of 2022 to about 500, according to oil-field services firm Baker Hughes. The decline signals a huge deceleration in growth could be coming, since so many wells have been drilled recently and because a shale wells output declines most rapidly early in its life, said Standard Chartereds Horsnell. Thirty-nine private exploration and production companies were also acquired by public companies in 2023, according to analytics firm Enverus. That includes four of the big 10 that powered the Permians postpandemic comeback. Dealmaking mania has depleted the countrys supply of untapped wells. Companies looking to sell themselves often frack previously drilled wells to boost output and appear more attractive to buyers. Hess, for example, dramatically ramped up fracking in North Dakotas Bakken region before its takeover by Chevron was announced in October, according to research firm Energy Aspects. Meanwhile, bigger players have to work on integrating their acquisitions. They also tend to narrow their focus to the best prospects of the combined companies, said Michael Oestmann, chief executive of Tall City Exploration, a Permian-based private operator. The buyer gets it and now he starts prioritizing," said Oestmann. Still, some analysts believe the U.S. oil industry could surprise the market again. Walt Chancellor, an energy strategist at Macquarie, expects it to produce 660,000 barrels a day more in December of this year than it did in the same month in 2023 since drilling efficiencies tend to rise as rig counts fall. The remaining private companiesalong with new onescould also step up production, he said. Weve seen these guys re-emerge over and over and over, so thats one of the key things to watch in 2024," said Chancellor. Even large public companies will find a way to amp up output if prices are high enough for long enough, said Chris Wright, the chief executive officer of fracking firm Liberty Energy. People are not going to change plans for short-term blips," Wright said, but the U.S. capacity to grow oil production, thats not gone." Write to Bob Henderson at bob.henderson@wsj.com New Delhi: Farmers gathered at the Punjab-Haryana border rebuffed a limited government offer on price guarantees and vowed to press ahead towards New Delhi on Wednesday, resuming an agitation that was briefly suspended to consider the offer. On Sunday night, government representatives had proposed five-year contracts with farmers to buy pulses, maize, and cotton from farmers at the minimum support price (MSP). However, farmers who have demanded legally guaranteed MSP for all crops, a loan waiver, social security benefits and a revamp of the crop insurance scheme, were not impressed. Farmer leaders said the proposal was not in their interest, adding they want legal MSP guarantee for all 23 crops, not just pulses, maize, and cotton. Farmers are led by two umbrella bodiesSamyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM)representing 200 farm unions. If the government takes care of assured procurement of only five-six crops at MSP, it is not fair to growers who cultivate other crops. The government can easily divide its fund of 1.75 trillion to ensure a legal MSP guarantee for all 23 crops, instead of spending it to import edible oils, especially palm oil, which affects human health. I dont see any burden here," SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal told reporters. Also, the government talked about crop diversification. If thats the case, farmers who are switching to pulses from paddy will have assured purchase of their crops at MSP. For farmers who are traditionally cultivating pulses, their produce may not have an MSP-assured procurement. This is not in favour of farmers. Hence, we have decided to reject the governments proposal on MSP," Dallewal said, adding the Delhi Chalo" march will resume on 21 February. MSP is a price fixed by the government to protect farmers from any steep fall in crop prices. This guarantee acts as a safety net and prevents losses for farmers. The latest government proposal was made at the fourth round of talks with farmer representatives by three union ministersPiyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai. Guaranteeing MSP for all crops can lead to farmers moving to crops other than paddy and wheat, which see the maximum procurement," said Pushan Sharma, director of research, Crisil Market Intelligence & Analytics. Another critical aspect to consider is that procurement is concentrated in only a few states such as Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, so farmers in other states dont get the benefit of MSP," added Sharma. Guaranteeing an MSP across crops will spread the benefit across the country. It will support farmers incomes and boost consumption demand." The latest round of farmers protest follows muted farm earnings over the past year, during which the government placed export curbs on wheat, rice, sugar and onion, depressing local prices. Farm incomes were hit also because of repeated climate shocks such as heatwaves and uneven rains. On the sixth day of their march on Monday, the farmers stayed put at the Shambhu and Khanauri points of the Punjab-Haryana border. The way farmers were treated at the (Shambhu) border is condemnable. The main reason for inviting Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to the meetings was to raise the issue of barricading along the borders, and that people of his state (Punjab) are facing tear gas shelling from the neighbouring state. He promised to take notice of the situation, but didnt. He should have put this issue in front of ministers. And today, Haryana DGP in his statement said they did not use pellet guns and tear gas; we request Supreme Court to take suo moto cognizance against those who have done this act," Dallewal further said. The government has increased financial package for the rubber sector by 23% to 708.69 crore from 576.41 crore for the next two years to enhance natural rubber production and productivity as well as reduce import dependency in the years to come, a senior official said on Monday. Under the scheme, the Rubber Board provides subsidies for new planting and replanting (of senile plantations) to growers. According to commerce ministry additional secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia, the funds will be used for supporting the plantation of rubber, generation of planting material, productivity enhancement, formation of rubber producers' societies, and rubber research and training. We are providing assistance for planting on 12,000 hectares in the traditional areas of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu," Bhatia said, adding the financial aid is also meant for planting and replanting on 3,752 hectares in non-traditional areas like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and north-east states. These areas will be brought under rubber cultivation during the next two fiscal years till 2025-26. The assistance rate has been increased to 40,000 per hectare from the previous 25,000 per hectare, he said, adding that it will help cover the increased cost of production and provide additional incentive to growers. The government has also provided 29 crore for rubber research for the two years. The Rubber Board is the implementing agency of the scheme. There are 1.3 million rubber growers in the country and Kerala accounts for a major chunk of the production, which was 5.99 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 followed by Tripura with 89,390 tonnes of natural rubber production. The production was almost half of the total domestic consumption during that fiscal. Consumption of natural rubber in the country was 1.35 million tonnes in 2022-23. India is largely dependent on imports from Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian nations. India also imports a huge chunk of natural rubber from Ivory Coast. Under the scheme, planting materials worth 50,000 per hectare will be supplied to rubber growers by the Rubber Board. And this assistance will be in addition to the ongoing plantation being carried out in 2 lakh hectares under the Indian Natural Rubber Organisation for Assisted Development (INROAD) project in the Northeast. The scheme also entails planting assistance of 2 lakh/hectare for growers belonging to the scheduled caste category in non-traditional region. The production of natural rubber would be increased through expanding planted area, accelerating rubber plantation development programmes in non-traditional regions, including the Northeast. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Amid allegations of sexual assault against Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is facing criticism from all fronts for supporting him. Recently, the women living in Sandeshkhali who accused Sheikh and his supporters of sexual assault condemned the TMC supremo for not even coming to meet them. "What to say about Mamata Banerjee, she did not enquire about us, did not meet usWhat to say about her, she is a woman and we are also women, in such a situation, if she does not come to us then imagine what our condition would be," a woman staying in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali told ANI on Monday. Another woman from Sandeshkhali said that it is too risky for them to live in the village as Uttam Sardar and Shibu Hazra are yet to be punished". She said that the two leaders along with Shahjahan Sheikh should be punished. "We want to live with dignity. Being a woman Chief Minister, she (Mamata Banerjee) is not able to understand our pain. We thought that she would come to talk to us, speak on our behalf but she is speaking on behalf of those who attacked us," she said. A large number of women came forward and accused Sheikh and his supporters of sexually assaulting them under coercion. The village also saw protests against the TMC leader over land grab and sexual assault. Sheikh has been absconding for more than a month since a mob attacked Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials who were raiding his house in connection with a ration scam on January 5. On Monday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) delegation is set to visit unrest-hit Sandeshkhali. The visit of the delegation led by chairperson Rekha Sharma has come after two members of NCW had visited the area and submitted a report revealing a troubling pattern of "negligence and complicity" by the Bengal government and law enforcement officials. "We want to talk to the victims. We will then meet the West Bengal Governor and then President in New Delhi tomorrow. Even if one incident takes place then it is shameful," Sharma said. She also alleged that the West Bengal government is not allowing the state administration to cooperate" with central agencies. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The West Bengal government on Monday lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court challenging the notices issued by the Parliament Ethics Committee regarding the Sandeshkhali violence incident in the state. Parliament Ethics Committee has issued notices to West Bengal senior officials including the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police on a complaint. According to an ANI report, the matter will likely be mentioned in the apex court for urgent listing today (Februray 19). Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal has mentioned the West Bengal government's plea before the Supreme Court. Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, said "Political activities can't be part of privilege". The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Lok Sabha Secretariat and others on the West Bengal government's plea against the Parliament Ethics Committee summons to West Bengal senior officials in the matter relating to Sandeshkhali violence incident. It has also stayed the further proceedings in the matter. Meanwhile, a delegation of the National Commission for Women (NCW) led by its chairperson Rekha Sharma is scheduled to visit unrest-hit Sandeshkhali today. Last week two members of NCW had visited the area and submitted a report revealing a "troubling pattern of negligence and complicity" by the Bengal government and law enforcement officials. "We want to talk to the victims. We will then meet the West Bengal Governor and then President in New Delhi tomorrow. Even if one incident takes place then it is shameful," Sharma said. She alleged that the TMC government is "not allowing the state administration to cooperate" with central agencies. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has claimed that it is an"incident was made to happen" and blamed it on the BJP for having it scripted along with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the media. Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, also said that not a single woman in Sandeshkhali has lodged any FIR and it was she who had directed the police to initiate a suo motu case in this connection. The police have so far arrested 18 people including local TMC leader Shibaprasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar in connection with the incidents of violence at Sandeshkhali. They have also added sections of 'gangrape' and 'attempted murder' against three of the prime accused, one of whom is still absconding. The sections were added after a victim woman recorded her statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). A large number of women in Sandeshkhali accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of "land-grab and sexually assaulting" them under coercion. Shajahan has been absconding after a mob, allegedly affiliated with him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a ration scam on January 5. (With agency inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! New Delhi: To enhance the quality of organic food available in the domestic market and ensure better pricing for farmers, the Centre plans to invest about 105 crore to add organic food testing capabilities to two dozen central and state-owned testing labs, two people aware of the development said. Another 66 government-owned labs will be upgraded to handle organic food testing by Indias food regulator, the people said. The move comes as Indias organic food market rapidly expands, and considering the current limited capacity for testing organic products, one of the persons cited above said on condition of anonymity. As of 1 January, an estimated 67 labs are equipped to handle organic food testing and certification. These are mostly privately owned and affiliated to APEDA (agricultural & processed food products export development authority). The APEDA and the government arent satisfied with the private labs testing outcomes, prompting the move to upgrade government-owned labs. The countrys apex certification body for testing standards, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the ministry of consumer affairs, plans to fund institutes of states and the central government to upgrade their food testing labs. The programme will be implemented in partnership with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and over 90 labs are expected to be ready for organic products testing in the next three months, said the other person, who also requested not to be named. Financial and technological support will be extended to research institutes food labs, including those affiliated with the BIS, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the National Test House (NTH), and more. Funds will be provided to laboratories in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana, encompassing 12 state labs and 12 central research institute labs. The other 66 labs will be upgraded by FSSAI. The BIS has greenlit the proposal to procure advanced equipment for these labs, said the first person cited above. Queries sent to BIS director general, secretary, spokesperson of the consumer affairs ministry, and chief executive of FSSAI remained unanswered till press time. Recently, APEDA banned some private agencies for their involvement in unethical practices," said Siraj Hussain, former agriculture secretary. So, it will be a good move by BIS and FSSAI for setting up their own labs for organic products. This will increase consumer confidence in organic products." India has the highest number of farmers practising organic farming4.43 million as per Economic Survey 2022-23in the world. Indian farmers produced 2.9 million tonnes of certified organic produce in 2022-23, which include food grains, oilseeds, perishables, cotton and tea. India exported 5,525 crore worth of organic produce in 2022-23, significantly higher than the estimated domestic sales. Domestic consumption of organic food products remains limited due to steep prices, which are driven by retail outlets demanding high margins, and costs incurred towards certification. Primary exporting destinations for Indias organic food products include the US, the EU, Canada, the UK, and Switzerland, among others. Indias total area under organic produce was 10.17 million hectares in 2022-23, according to APEDA. Among states, Madhya Pradesh is the top producer of organic food products, followed by Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Odisha. Globally, Australia has the largest area under organic agriculture (36 million hectares), according to the World of Organic Agriculture report 2021. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Locket Chatterjee has said that, like in Pakistan, women are being attacked in West Bengal as well. Chatterjee accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of staying silent" about Sandeshkhali violence. "Mamata Banerjee has not given a single statement till now. Sheikh Shahjahan is still absconding. The police are not able to trace him. They (TMC) want 30% votes. We had heard about atrocities on women in Pakistan, the same is happening in West Bengal and Banerjee is silent and she is saying that RSS is doing all this," ANI quoted the BJP lawmaker as saying. Also Read: 'Request CM to use her brain': Viswa Bharati university slams Mamata Banerjee We have heard ISIS atrocities against women in countries like Iraq, Iran and Pakistan, Now, its happening here," she added. Chatterjee also said that there was no FIR, as pointed out by CM Banerjee, since the police and the administration were acting like a TMC party office". The police are unable to arrest the main accused, Sheikh Shahjahan, because Banerjee has taken him under his wings, she added. Also Read: Sandeshkhali violence causes Section 144, what happened? What is TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh accused of? While speaking of Mamata Banerjees 30% politics", Chatterjee hinted at alleged minority appeasement. The BJP regularly accuses the Bengal CM of favouring the Muslims (who comprise around 30% of the Bengal population) in the state for the sake of votes. Chatterjee mentioned that Banerjee was protecting the accused because of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Women of Bengal have their dignity compromised in lieu of 500 (referring to the govt scheme for women)," Chatterjee added. BJP to hold protest The BJP is going to hold a protest to demand the arrest of the key accused of the cases of sexual assault in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Mazumdar said. "We will hold a minimum 72-hour long protest in the coming days demanding the arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan. the probable day of protest is February 22," ANI quoted him as saying. Supreme Court stays LS order On February 19, the Supreme Court stayed the notices sent by the Lok Sabha Secretariat's privileges committee to West Bengal's top officials because of a complaint by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar, who got hurt last week when BJP members and police clashed in West Bengal. They were stopped from visiting the troubled area of Sandeshkhali. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The European Union has moved closer to new sanctions against Moscow over its war on Ukraine, as Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russia's top opposition leader who died in prison, said President Vladimir Putin must be held accountable. Germany, Lithuania and Sweden were among EU countries calling for specific new penalties against Russia over the death of Alexei Navalny last week in a remote penal colony in Russia's Arctic. That came during a meeting of the 27 EU foreign ministers, which had been scheduled before Navalny's death, to discuss a package of fresh penalties to mark two years since Russia's unleashed a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Alexei Navalny died suddenly a day after appearing in a video link from the Arctic penal colony. (AP PHOTO) Hungary, the last EU country needed to pass the proposed new restrictions against nearly 200 more firms and people deemed involved in the war, said it would not stall the bloc's 13th package of Russia sanctions since Moscow invaded Ukraine. The EU's top diplomat suggested that Russian prison officials linked to Navalny's death could be added to the list of those subjected to asset freezes and travel bans. There was no immediate word of any more hard-hitting measures that could target Russia's broader economy and an EU diplomat said so far it seemed any specific new sanctions related to Navalny's death would be "symbolic" and come later. "The EU will spare no efforts to hold Russia's political leadership and authorities to account, in close coordination with our partners; and impose further costs for their actions, including through sanctions," EU foreign ministers said in a joint statement after their meeting with Navalnaya in Brussels. They said Putin and Russian authorities held the ultimate responsibility for the death of Navalny and called for "an independent and transparent international investigation". German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she hoped the 27-nation EU would agree on the package of sanctions soon. EU officials say that could happen on Wednesday. Story continues "We have seen the brutal force with which the Russian president represses his own citizens who take to the streets to demonstrate for freedom or write about it in newspapers," she said. Alexei Navalny collapsed after a walk at the "Polar Wolf" penal colony in Kharp. (AP PHOTO) "We will propose new sanctions in light of the death of Alexei Navalny." The bloc's top diplomat said he expected EU countries to seek targeted sanctions against certain Russian officials over the death of the 47-year-old former lawyer who built his profile on fighting state corruption in Russia. "(EU) member states will propose sanctions for sure against those responsible," said the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell who chaired Monday's talks. "We can go down the institutional structure of the penitentiary system in Russia," he said indicating whom the bloc might sanction next for what he called "slow murder" of Navalny in Russian jails. Navalny collapsed after a walk at the "Polar Wolf" penal colony last Friday, Russian authorities said, where he was serving a three-decade sentence following years of persecution that included poisoning with a nerve agent in Siberia in 2020. His wife, who attended Monday's meeting in Brussels, said separately she would continue her late husband's fight, and called on supporters to hold Putin accountable and fight him with more determination than ever. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that imposing more EU sanctions on Russia made no sense and would only hurt the bloc's economy. But he added Budapest would not veto the package. "There is no reason to veto it," he said. "Although I think the EU is making a wrong decision." Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has said in the past that he is "proud" about his Russia contacts, has stalled previous rounds of sanctions, as well as EU agreements on financial assistance to Kyiv. The EU says it has cut Russia trade by some 135 billion euros since the invasion through military, energy, aviation, transport and financial sanctions, among others. The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the notices issued by the privileges committee of the Lok Sabha Secretariat to the West Bengal chief secretary, DGP and others over a complaint of "misconduct" filed against them by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar. Majumdar sustained injuries last week as BJP workers clashed with police personnel after being stopped from going to violence-hit Sandeshkhali in West Bengal. The Lok Sabha Secretariat summoned West Bengal Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika and Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar to appear by 10:30 AM on Monday. A team of judges, including Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwla and Manoj Misra, listened to arguments from senior lawyers Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi, who represented state officials. The SC bench decided to stay the orders that required these officials to be present, PTI reported. The counsel for the Lok Sabha secretariat opposed the grant of stay by the top court, saying this is the first sitting of the privileges committee. They are not being accused of anything. This is a regular process. Once an MP sends a notice and the speaker thinks there is something to look into then notices are issued," the counsel said. The bench issued notices to the Lok Sabha Secretariat and others and sought their responses in four weeks and in the meanwhile stayed the proceedings before the panel of the lower House. The MP and others were stopped from entering Sandeshkhali, where women have been agitating over alleged atrocities committed against them by Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides. Sandeshkhali violence Sandeshkhali has been tense with a large number of women in the locality accusing Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of "land-grab and sexually assaulting" them under coercion. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! During the UP Police constable recruitment exam in Mahoba, a candidate halted his wedding procession to appear for the exam with his relatives. According to All India News, the candidate garnered attention as he wore a pagdi (turban) on his head, mehndi (henna) on his hands, and dressed in formal attire. The report stated that the candidate emphasized, career is important before marriage." The post, shared just 17 hours ago, has already amassed an impressive 5,274 likes. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Police apprehended two constables along with 20 individuals associated with the 'Solver Gang,' who were implicated in the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment Exam. Earlier, on December 23, as part of 'Mission Rozgar,' the Yogi Adityanath administration initiated the largest-ever police recruitment drive in Uttar Pradesh's history. With over 60,000 vacant constable positions in the Uttar Pradesh Police, the state's youth had eagerly anticipated this opportunity. Also Read: Govt recruitment exams: Anti-cheating bill tabled; 1 crore fine, up to 10 years of imprisonment mooted A total of 2,385 examination centres were set up across all districts, accommodating 48,17,441 candidates for their exams. The Uttar Pradesh government ensured rigorous security measures for the UP Constable Civil Police Direct Recruitment Examination. Magistrates were stationed at each exam centre, with a hierarchy of police officers, from Deputy Superintendent to Sub Inspector, serving as supervisors based on candidate volume. Also Read: ChatGPT used to cheat in Telangana State Public Service Commission exams. Read here Stringent surveillance, including CCTV monitoring, was in place, and biometric verification was mandatory for all candidates before entering the exam premises. This recruitment drive aims to bolster the police force by hiring 60,244 constables, with exams conducted on February 17 and 18 across all 75 districts of the state. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! A Class 10 student from Lucknow who was preparing for Board exams had to undergo major brain surgery for a clot after she collapsed one evening due to a drug overdose. She had been taking 'anti-sleep' medicine for a long time that led her nerves to swell and ultimately landed her up on the hospital bed. As CBSE board exams are ongoing, many students are resorting to anti-sleep medications to stay awake late in the night to study and have altered their sleep cycle extremely. These students have complemented their night waking with increased caffeine intake in the form of tea or coffee along with intake of several anti-sleep drugs. This lifestyle has been adversely affecting their health and the legality of dispensation of these drugs remains an issue. In the recent incident mentioned above, the girl had been staying up all night preparing for her board examinations while her mother used to provide her with steaming cups of coffee to help her stay awake. One evening, the girl fainted after which she was hospitalised due to a brain clot. On discovering a bottle full of pills in her drawer, her parents handed it over to the doctor. The medics informed them that the girl had been taking these anti-sleep pills. A leading neurosurgeon, Dr Sharad Srivastava said, Shocking though it may sound, an increasing number of students today are taking these anti-sleep pills that help them stay awake during examinations." These drugs are being sold over the counters with names like chuniya and meethi and are being smuggled from countries like Thailand, according to the doctor. He added, "This is a very dangerous trend and the drugs are being smuggled in from cities like Bangkok. These drugs can have dangerous side effects, especially if taken with an overdose of caffeine -- too many cups of coffee -- as it happened in this case," reported IANS. Another doctor informed that these are variants of Modafinil sold under the brand name Provigil that is said to improve memory and enhance one's mood, alertness and cognitive powers. These drugs can make a person stay awake and alert for 40 hours or more at a stretch and have a smoother feel than amphetamines. However, once the effect of the drug wears off, the drug taker must catch up on sleep to combat the adverse effects of sleep deprivation. A well-known psychiatrist claimed that the increasing trend of these anti-sleep pills during exams was a result of growing stress and peer pressure. A chemist noted that the sale of anti-sleep pills, and memory enhancers has shot up during the past one month, Customers are ready to pay any amount for these drugs. They also buy energy drinks to ward off fatigue," reported IANS. Modafinil is mainly used in the treatment of disorders such as narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, idiopathic hypersomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set address a public rally at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow, February 20. Meanwhile, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stones of projects worth over 30,500 crore in the state during his visit including inauguration of 3 IIMs including one in Jammu. He will also will lay the foundation stone of new terminal building of Jammu Airport and Common User Facility Petroleum depot in Jammu among others. Also read: Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi to launch 14,000 projects worth over 10 lakh crore in Uttar Pradesh today. 10-point Press release from the Prime Minister's office stated, "At around 11:30 AM, in a public function at the Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu, Prime Minister will inaugurate.The projects relate to several sectors including health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum, civic infrastructure, among others." Here are the projects and schemes related to several sectors; from health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum to civic infrastructure; that the PM is scheduled to highlight during his visit: New terminal building of Jammu Airport PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of the new terminal building of Jammu Airport, that will cater to around 2000 passengers during peak hours, at Jammu during his visit. This project will be spread over 40,000 sqm area and the new terminal building will be equipped with modern facilities. Road projects Considering road development projects, the PM will lay the foundation stone of road projects including two packages spanning 44.22 km, linking Delhi to Jammu's Katra via Expressway; Phase two for four-laning of Srinagar Ring Road; five packages for upgrading the 161 km long Srinagar to Uri stretch of NH-01; and the construction of Kulgam Bypass and Pulwama bypass on NH-444. Common User Facility) Petroleum depot The PM will lay the foundation stone for a project worth 677 crore to develop a Common User Facility (CUF) Petroleum depot at Jammu. The fully automated depot will have storage capacity of about 100000 kl for storing Motor Spirit (MS), High Speed Diesel (HSD), Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO), Aviation Turbine fuel (ATF), Ethanol, Bio diesel and winter grade HSD. Distribution of appointment letters He will also distribute appointment orders to about 1500 new Government recruits of Jammu and Kashmir and hold a talk with beneficiaries of various government schemes as part of the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu' mission. AIIMS Jammu During the event, PM Modi will inaugurate Jammu's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Vijaypur (Samba). This AIIMS institute came up under Central sector scheme Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana whose foundational stone was also laid by the PM in February 2019. Rail projects PM Modi will flag off the first Electric Train in the valley and also train service between Sangaldan station and Baramulla station. Rail projects to be introduced include a new railway line between Banihal and Sangaldan that will cover a distance of 48 km and an electrified train between Baramulla and Sangaldan section that will cover a distance of 185.66 km. Other projects The PM will virtually inaugurate a number of projects are AIIMS including the highest railway bridge in Reasi district, the Devika river rejuvenation project, the Shahpur Kandi project and IIM Jammu. He will also lay the foundation for 124 new projects in Jammu and Kashmir including 9 industrial estates, 62 road projects, 42 bridges and 2,816 flats for Kashmiri migrants. The Border Security Force and Jammu and Kashmir Police on February 17 conducted an anti-tunnelling drive in Ramgarh sector of Samba district along the Indo-Pak international border ahead of PM Modi's visit. US Presidential Polls 2024: Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley assailed Donald Trumps foreign policy, condemning criticized Donald Trump 's approach to foreign policy, particularly highlighting his failure to speak out against the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. As reported by Bloomberg, Hayley said Sunday on ABCs This Week, Either he sides with Putin and thinks its cool that Putin killed one of his political opponents, or he just doesnt think its that big of a deal. I think its important to stand with the Russian people who believe Navalny was really talking for them." "When you hear Donald Trump say in South Carolina a week ago that he would encourage Putin to invade our allies if they weren't pulling their weight, that's bone-chilling because all he did in that one moment was empower Putin," Haley said Sunday on ABC's 'This Week.' Haley's comments follow a statement by Trump on February 10, where he indicated his willingness to support Russia to do "whatever the hell they want" NATO member nation that fails to meet defense spending requirements. Haley, who served as Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, has intensified her criticism of her former boss's foreign policy, particularly as she faces a tough battle in her home state's Republican primary on February 24. Recent polls indicate that Haley, Trump's sole remaining challenger for the GOP presidential nomination, is significantly behind by double digits. Also Read: I'd encourage Russia to attack any member nation, says Donald Trump amidst NATO, Ukraine aid She blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Navalny's death, aligning herself with similar accusations made by other Western leaders, including President Joe Biden. Russia's prison service stated that Navalny became ill at a high-security prison where he was detained and that medical staff were unable to revive him. You look at this hero, he was fighting corruption," she said. He was fighting what Putin does and what did Putin do? He killed him just like he does all his political opponents," Bloomberg reported. Navalny, 47, was a leading voice against Putin, drawing his ire by investigations that exposed corruption at state companies and videos on the lavish lives of senior officials. Also Read: 2024 US Election: What if Joe Biden or Donald Trump leave the presidential race? In her bid for the presidency, Haley has emphasized her expertise in foreign policy, pledging to adopt a more assertive stance towards China and other adversaries of the United States worldwide. She has voiced disapproval of Trump's approach, which included threats towards NATO members who didn't meet defense spending targets and his reluctance to provide additional aid to Ukraine. During a town hall event on Sunday, Haley reiterated her critique of Trump while also indicating her intention to address NATO allies privately rather than publicly if they failed to fulfill their commitments. Also Read: US Presidential polls: Russian President Putin prefers Biden's win for 2nd term over Trump, says more experienced and As reported by Bloomberg, I will absolutely put the hammer on our NATO countries that they do have to carry their weight, but you do that behind closed doors," Haley said at the forum hosted by Fox News. You do that and let them know that the United States is not gonna carry the burden, but you dont do it in the eyes of our enemies." Her perspectives set her apart from the majority of her party, which has largely embraced Trump's isolationist tendencies. However, this stance may appeal to Democrats and independent voters, potentially strengthening her position. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! On a triumphant evening at the BAFTA Film Awards in London, Christopher Nolan's epic movie "Oppenheimer" claimed the spotlight, securing a total of seven awards. The film centred around the creation of the atomic bomb, delivered a powerful statement ahead of the upcoming Oscars. "Oppenheimer" clinched top honours, including Best Film, Best Director for Christopher Nolan, Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. Murphy portrayed J. Robert Oppenheimer, the renowned US theoretical physicist often referred to as the "father of the atomic bomb," grappling with the repercussions of his creation. The movie, which has already grossed over $1 billion, previously triumphed at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, solidifying its frontrunner status for the upcoming Oscars. Cillian Murphy, in his first BAFTA win, expressed gratitude to Nolan for recognizing his potential, stating, "seeing something in me I probably didn't see myself." The actor, collecting the award at London's Royal Festival Hall, described the success as "mind-blowing" and admitted to being both thrilled and a little shocked. For Robert Downey Jr., it marked his second BAFTA win, with his previous accolade coming 31 years ago for playing Charlie Chaplin. Upon receiving the award, the US star humorously recounted Nolan's advice to adopt an understated approach in his role, aiming to restore "my dwindling credibility." Success for "Poor Things" The surreal dark comedy "Poor Things" had a successful night too, securing five awards, including Best Actress for Emma Stone. Stone, who also won in 2017 for "La La Land," delivered a no-holds-barred performance in the film, portraying a Victorian reanimated corpse brought back to life. BAFTA president Prince William represented Britain's royal family at the ceremony. Here's the Full List of Winners at the 77th BAFTAs: Best film: Winner Oppenheimer Anatomy of a Fall The Holdovers Killers of the Flower Moon Poor Things Outstanding British film: Winner The Zone of Interest All of Us Strangers How to Have Sex Napoleon The Old Oak Poor Things Rye Lane Saltburn Scrapper Wonka Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer: Winner Earth Mama Savanah Leaf (writer, director, producer), Shirley OConnor (producer), Medb Riordan (producer) Blue Bag Life Lisa Selby (director), Rebecca Lloyd-Evans (director, producer), Alex Fry (producer) Bobi Wine: The Peoples President Christopher Sharp (director) [also directed by Moses Bwayo] How to Have Sex Molly Manning Walker (writer, director) Is There Anybody Out There? Ella Glendining (director) Best film not in the English language: Winner The Zone of Interest 20 Days in Mariupol Anatomy of a Fall Past Lives Society of the Snow Best Documentary: Winner 20 Days in Mariupol American Symphony Beyond Utopia Still: A Michael J Fox Movie Wham! Best animated film: Winner The Boy and the Heron Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget Elemental Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Best Director: Winner - Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Andrew Haigh, All of Us Strangers Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall Alexander Payne, The Holdovers Bradley Cooper, Maestro Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest Best original screenplay: Winner Anatomy of a Fall Barbie The Holdovers Maestro Past Lives Best adapted screenplay: Winner American Fiction All of Us Strangers Oppenheimer Poor Things The Zone of Interest Best leading actress: Winner Emma Stone, Poor Things Fantasia Barrino, The Color Purple Sandra Huller, Anatomy of a Fall Carey Mulligan, Maestro Vivian Oparah, Rye Lane Margot Robbie, Barbie Best leading actor: Winner Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Bradley Cooper, Maestro Colman Domingo, Rustin Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers Barry Keoghan, Saltburn Teo Yoo, Past Lives Best supporting actress: Winner DaVine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple Claire Foy, All of Us Strangers Sandra Huller, The Zone of Interest Rosamund Pike, Saltburn Best supporting actor: Winner Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon Jacob Elordi, Saltburn Ryan Gosling, Barbie Paul Mescal, All of Us Strangers Dominic Sessa, The Holdovers Best casting: Winner The Holdovers All of Us Strangers Anatomy of a Fall How to Have Sex Killers of the Flower Moon Best Cinematography: Winner Oppenheimer Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Poor Things The Zone of Interest Best Editing: Winner Oppenheimer Anatomy of a Fall Killers of the Flower Moon Poor Things The Zone of Interest Best costume design: Winner Poor Things Barbie Killers of the Flower Moon Napoleon Oppenheimer Best makeup and hair: Winner Poor Things Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Napoleon Oppenheimer Best original score: Winner Oppenheimer Killers of the Flower Moon Poor Things Saltburn Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Best production design: Winner Poor Things Barbie Killers of the Flower Moon Oppenheimer The Zone of Interest Best sound: Winner The Zone of Interest Ferrari Maestro Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One Oppenheimer Best special visual effects: Winner Poor Things The Creator Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One Napoleon Best British short animation: Winner Crab Day Visible Mending Wild Summon Best British short film: Winner Jellyfish and Lobster Festival of Slaps Gorka Such a Lovely Day Yellow EE Rising Star award (voted for by the public): Winner Mia McKenna-Bruce Phoebe Dynevor Ayo Edebiri Jacob Elordi Sophie Wilde (With inputs from AFP) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Wondering what all a toy car can do for you? Well, it can win you a Guinness World Records title! In August 2023, a German man named Marcel Paul became the first man to ride the fastest ride-on toy car 148.454 kilometer per hour (km/h) in Germany's Hockenheimring. Sharing Paul's video on the social media website, Instagram, Guinness World Records on Sunday (February 18) wrote, "Fastest ride-on toy car (modified) 148.454 km/h (92.24 mph) by Marcel Paul." Paul, a student of electrical engineering at Fulda University of Applied Sciences, had modified a tiny toy car to achieve the title. The project took 10-months of research and the tiny electric ride-on toy car was ready by July 2023. "As a student of electrical engineering at Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Paul embarked on an ambitious project: the construction of a tiny electric ride-on toy car to set a Guinness World Records title on the Hockenheimring racetrack," Guinness World Records said. The world's authority on record-breaking achievements added: This resulted in a ten-month research period and a construction project that was completed in July. Paul said it was his personal goal to exceed the 88 mph (141.62 km/h) required for time travel by the DeLorean in the cult film "Back to the Future" How to set or break a world record? According to the Guinness World Records website, to be a record-holder one requires to have "determination, extraordinary skills and commitment". In case you are applying for an existing record, the website suggests to check the available information on it to make sure youve got what it takes to break the record. If you are suggesting a new record idea for the Guinness World Records, it is recommended to "spend some time searching the current records to see what may already have been achieved". The website also mentions that being the first one to suggest a record does not qualify for acceptance, and has a rejection rate of around 60%. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Israel-Hamas war: Benny Gantz, a minister of Israel's war cabinet has warned Hamas that they must return all the hostages by March 10 or Israeli forces will launch a ground invasion in Rafah. The warning came as the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza are seeking refugee in Rafah, a small city close to the Egypt border. The international agencies have raised concerns that any attack on Rafah will lead to a massacre." The death toll in Israeli strikes on Gaza has crossed 28,000 and the peace proposals moved by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are not creating much movement on the ground. While Israel's closest ally, the US has repeatedly warned the Benjamin Netanyahu-led regime to stop the killings of civilians, the Israeli forces have continued their indiscriminate attacks. Israel-Hamas war in Rafah: 10 things to know 1. The Israeli government has warned Hamas to free the hostages by Ramadan, which begins on March 10, or the IDF will launch its ground offensive against Rafah. Tel Aviv said that they have reliable intelligence that most of the hostages are kept in Rafah. 2. Benny Gantz said that Israel is working with its allies like the United States in a coordinated manner to evacuate common citizens and minimize civilian casualties. 3. The remarks came as Egypt has cleared that they won't allow any Palestinian refugees on their territory. Cairo raised concerns about the Israel-Hamas war shifting to Rafah as it can push the Palestinian people in Egypt. 4. Earlier, several sources from Israel claimed that the government wants to push out Palestinians from Gaza so that they can launch a resettlement plan and Israeli citizens can go back to the territory. 5. For the second time since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday heard another plea on the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. 6. The international court heard the representatives of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Israel, and the Palestinian Authority. The hearing comes after the UNGA asked the ICJ for an advisory opinion on the consequences of Israel's occupation, settlement and annexation including measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character, and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures". 7. Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad al-Maliki presented his views at the ICJ and said, 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of them children, are besieged and bombed, killed and maimed, starved and displaced. More than 3.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem, are subjected to colonization of their territory and racist violence that enables it," he said. 8. Riyad al-Maliki said that the ICJ's decision can increase the chances of peace in Gaza. This ruling could help both Palestinians and Israelis to finally live side by side in peace, mutual security, and dignity," he told reporters. 9. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the ICJ's hearing and said that the country doesn't recognize the legitimacy of the hearings at the International Court of Justice in regard to the occupation of Palestinian territory. 10. The discussion at The Hague is part of the Palestinian attempt to dictate the results of the political agreement without negotiations," he said. (With inputs from AP) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independent candidates who had won seats in the general elections held on February 8 will be joining the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), said PTI's interim chief Gohar Ali Khan on Monday. The alliance is sought to claim seats reserved for women and minorities. Khan said that the party has done it to have "reserve seats" allocated to them in the Pakistan elections. "All PTI-backed independent candidates who won seats in the national election will join Sunni Ittehad Council. We have done this to have reserved seats allocated to us in the national assembly," the interim chief said. This comes after the PTI formed an alliance with SIC on Sunday, two days after it decided to sit on the opposition benches and launch a countrywide campaign against alleged rigging in the polls. Jailed leader Imran Khan's party did so to renew its efforts to form governments in the Centre, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to a report in Dawn, PTI leaders have vowed to form governments, with Omar Ayub as its prime minister candidate, The party has claimed that 30 million votes were polled for PTI-backed candidates even without its electoral symbol of bat. The interim chief has also claimed that the party had won 180 seats in the National Assembly, 115 seats in Punjab, 16 in Sindh, 42 in KP, and four in Balochistan. In Balochistan, we got one seat, three are due. In Sindh, we did not get even a single seat. In Punjab, we are due about 50 seats." Before the pact with SIC, Imran Khan's party had forged an alliance with the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen in Punjab and the Centre. PTI spokesperson had also officially announced the same at a press conference last week. According to Dawn's report, this decision irked the Jamaat-i-Islami, with which PTI had decided to enter a similar alliance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The JI then said that it was not interested in a limited alliance with the PTI. The other alliance Pakistan's two major parties -- Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) -- are trying to bridge their differences over forming a minority coalition government after an inconclusive election, a top party official said, underscoring political and economic instability. Today's talks will be the fifth such round after former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif was named by his party to lead the country again. "Both the parties haven't yet agreed on final points. Negotiations are underway on various proposals," said Ishaq Dar, a senator of Sharif's party, who is leading it in the talks. The PPP of former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has announced conditional support for the PML-N, saying it will vote for Sharif to form the government, but would not take positions in the cabinet. (With agency inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Sunday said China should play a role in keeping the Red Sea safe for commerce because Chinese ships are at risk there as well, and urged Beijing to stop helping Russia sidestep international sanctions. In an interview, Joly said she told China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a bilateral meeting on Saturday that Beijing needs "to help to influence the Houthis to keep the Red Sea open." "It's in China's interests as an exporter," Joly told Reuters by phone on the last day of the Munich Security Conference. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have staged a series of attacks in the Red Sea on commercial vessels, including the oil tanker M/T Pollux that U.S. officials said was hit by a missile on Friday. The attacks, which the Houthis say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, have raised the cost of shipping and insurance by disrupting a key trade route between Asia and Europe used widely by ships from China. The U.S. and Britain have both urged China to intervene through Iran to rein in the attacks. Joly also said she spoke to Wang about making sure that Western sanctions against Russia hold as the war in Ukraine drags on. "We need to put maximum pressure on Russia," Joly said. "Our sanctions are strong, but China cannot be the loophole in our sanction system." Last year Russia surpassed Saudi Arabia to become China's top crude oil supplier as the world's biggest crude importer defied Western sanctions to purchase vast quantities of discounted oil for its processing plants. Chinese refiners use intermediary traders to handle the shipping and insurance of Russian crude to avoid violating Western sanctions. After the Saturday meeting with Joly, Wang spoke of the need to "rebuild trust" with Canada after years of diplomatic tensions. China-Canada relations turned icy in late 2018 when Canadian police detained a Chinese telecommunications executive. Shortly after, Beijing arrested two Canadians on spying charges. Relations remained strained for most of last year as Canada's parliament probed alleged Chinese meddling in its elections, a claim China repeatedly denied. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Pakistan's two major parties are set to meet to try to bridge differences over forming a minority coalition government after an inconclusive election, a top party official says, underscoring its political and economic instability. Analysts say the nuclear-armed nation of 241 million, which has been grappling with an economic crisis amid slow growth and record inflation, along with rising militant violence, needs a stable government with the authority to take tough decisions. Monday's talks will be the fifth such round after former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif was named by his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party to lead the country again. The talks will be the fifth after Shehbaz Sharif's party was named to lead the country again. (AP PHOTO) "Both the parties haven't yet agreed on final points," Ishaq Dar, a senator of Sharif's party, who is leading it in the talks, said in a statement on Sunday posted on social media platform X. "Negotiations are under way on various proposals" for power sharing, he said. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) party of former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has announced conditional support for the PML-N, saying it would vote for Sharif to form the government but would not take positions in cabinet. "I can confirm that it has been decided in principle that the political parties will form a coalition government," Dar told domestic broadcaster Geo TV. Sharif, 72, who was prime minister of the south Asian nation for 16 months until August, has been named as the coalition's candidate to be the next premier by his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, who is the PML-N chief. Pakistan narrowly averted a sovereign default last summer with a $US3 billion ($A4.6 billion) bailout from the International Monetary Fund, but the lender's support ends in March, after which a new, extended program will be needed. Negotiating a new program, and at speed, will be critical for the new government. It could also face further political tension, with independent members of parliament, backed by jailed former premier Imran Khan, forming the largest group in the legislature. This group is at loggerheads with the powerful military and alleges that the vote was rigged. The caretaker government and election commission have rejected those accusations. Israel has criticised Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for comparing the Gaza conflict with the Holocaust, calling it antisemitic and a belittlement of the historic tragedy. This worsens the ties between the two nations that are already tense especially since President Lula resumed office in 2023. What is happening in the Gaza Strip and to the Palestinian people hasn't been seen in any other moment in history. Actually, it did when Hitler decided to kill the Jews," President Lula told reporters at the African Union summit in Ethiopia. Also Read: Israeli cabinet unanimously reject Palestinian statehood This was not the first time the Brazilian president commented on the Israel-Palestine conflict. He earlier slammed Israel for carrying out genocide in Gaza and voiced support for South Africa's case against Israel at the UN's International Court of Justice. However, it was the first time he directly compared Israel's actions to the Holocaust. As per Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the remark crossed a red line". Netanyahu accused Lula of being a virulent anti-Semite". Israel was created as a safe place for Jews and to protect them from the Holocaust. Israel has called Brazil's ambassador for reprimand after Foreign Minister Israel Katz found Lula's comments to be "shameful and serious." In January, Lula met with the Palestinian ambassador and criticised Hamas' attack that started the ongoing offensive. He, nevertheless, said killing civilians without distinction was not justified and urged for a cease-fire. Israel-Hamas war The war was triggered by an October 7 attack by Hamas militants, who stormed into southern Israel and killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostages. Militants still hold around 130 hostages, a fourth of them believed to be dead. Most of the others were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November, PTI reported. The war has killed at least 28,985 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Around 80 per cent of Gaza's population have been driven from their homes and a quarter face starvation. The heavy death toll and widespread damage have led to mounting criticism of Israel and growing calls for a cease-fire. (With PTI inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Farmers in a certain region of the country are once again on the boil. They have started marching toward Delhi to exert pressure on the government through sit-ins. They claim the government has not kept the promises it gave them. However, one question arises in the context: If farmers are present throughout the country, why is their agitation not nationwide? Ill try to explain this further, but first, let us first talk about a similar situation in Europe. Farmers from several European countries recently drove their tractors into major cities there. They blockaded highways and attempted to halt the operation of ports. France, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Spain all succumbed to the protests. Farmers were angry owing to the policies of their respective governments, and they believed they were being treated unfairly. Resource-rich France and Germany swiftly agreed to some of the farmers demands. France reinstated the cuts to fuel subsidies and cancelled the mandate to restrict pesticide use. Germany has also announced similar measures. The European Union has made numerous proposals about the use of fertilizers and pesticides that farmers believe are not in their best interests. They have also been assured of a reassessment. Can European farmers be compared with those of Punjab and Haryana? The circumstances are certainly different, but there are similarities as well. Agriculture needs a new vision and strategy, and not just ad hoc interventions. It will now have to adapt to changing circumstances. Agriculture has shaped our society and culture for centuries But farmers have always faced problems. They continue to worry over shrinking land holdings, growing water scarcity, and land becoming progressively infertile. Has the government turned a blind eye, forcing them to obstruct roads and railways? In the 2019 interim budget, the Union government resolved to grant farming households 6,000 each year from the treasury. Similarly, during the covid pandemic, the government began providing free foodgrain and edible oil each month to those in need. These schemes are continuing still, and are regarded as great aid in the villages of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar, which I have been in direct contact with. The Central and state governments also operate numerous social programmes for children of farmers and agricultural labourers and for women in the occupation. The needy benefit from direct cash transfer" to farmer accounts. Not just that, this class is also entitled to several other agricultural concessions. There is no need for a telescope to see its good impact on the rural economy. If this is the case, why are farmer suicide rates climbing year after year? According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data 11,290 persons associated with agriculture committed suicide in 2022. Of these, 5,027 were farmers, while 6,083 worked on farms as labourers. This years rate of such deaths has grown by 3.75% over last year. These are sorry figures, to be sure, but not everyone who is experiencing bad luck is associated with agriculture. In data from 2022, 170,921 suicides were reported to the bureau. Of these, 11.6% were self-employed, 11.6% were housewives, 9.6% were jobless, 9.2% were employed, and 7.6% were students. Another 26% were daily wage workers. Farmers ranked seventh on this list. The entire social and economic system can be held accountable for this. Getting it properly takes resources, time, and patience. Another issue needs to be addressed here. It is commonly stated that the agriculture sector contributed more than half of Indias gross domestic product (GDP) when the country gained Independence in 1947. In 2022-23, it became just 15%. This figure is sometimes presented by relating it to the woes of agriculture, despite the fact that in rapidly developing countries, the industry, trade, and service sectors are significantly expanding. Had this not occurred, agricultures small percentage of the total GDP of the richest countries in the worldthe United States and Germanywould not have remained at just 1%. Are the demands made by the protesting farmers unjustified? No. They have their own grief and suffering. We have to look at them, but it is impossible to overlook the fact that other sections of the population also require government assistance just as much, if not more, as the figures above make evident. Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal. Technology often gets bad-mouthed for ruining our youth or potentially causing the extinction of humanity. But more often than not, its a force for good. This is one of those stories. Every year in the U.S., seven million children are referred to child protective services. On any given day close to 400,000 children are in the foster system. Roughly 80% of children in foster care have mental-health issues vs. 18% to 22% for other children. This is a problem worth solving. The origin story: Healthcare executive Adrien Lewis and his wife began fostering children in 2011 and spent two years trying to get churches in the Kansas City area to recruit foster parentsno easy task. Then, out of nowhere," Mr. Lewis says, I get a vision for CarePortal, to leverage technology to connect. In crisis, those touched by the child-welfare system could connect with churches and people who care in proximity that would want to help if they knew. What would happen if you could expose people to the reality that a bed or crib or car seat, or paying a bill, things that were small, like 6-inch barriers, would actually make a difference to keep kids out of foster care and reunify biological families?" Heck of a vision. So with shoestring and duct tape, we pulled together different software platforms and kind of jimmied them together. A pilot of CarePortal hit the market in Austin, Texas, in late 2014. People went nuts over it. The very first request was for a family with a bedbug problem who was trying to adopt a cousin who had been in foster care. Supplies and volunteers solved their bedding problem." Here are some stats: 50% of children in the foster system are concentrated in 5% of counties in 31 states. Thats 160 counties and 96 markets. CarePortal is now in 64 markets and growing and says it has helped more than 250,000 children avoid foster care. CarePortal CEO Joe Knittig told me that Uber is to ride-sharing what CarePortal is to care sharingcommunity-based care sharing. Every day, we have 350 children that are actually being served by their neighbors through CarePortal." The plan is to scale it to thousands. Mr. Knittig goes on, The No. 1 driver of children entering the foster system is not abuse, its poverty-related neglect." I looked up the numbers. According to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System, in 2021 only 16% entered foster care because of physical or sexual abuse of the child. Sixty-three percent entered because of neglect. Mr. Knittig explains, CarePortal at its essence is a request-response loop." On one side are social-service professionals, social workers and others who enter real-time vetted needs of kids and families in crisis" into the CarePortal app. On the other side are local churches and community responders who see the need and jump into action. Bedding is the No. 1 need entered into CarePortal. But there could be relational things like I need a mentor. " It works pre-emptively too. Social workers are literally entering: What are the things that are needed for me to not remove this child? And some of them are further upstream like: OK, Im not ready to remove the child, but to strengthen this family so they dont get to that point." Social workers who are using it are some of the most unsung heroes in our country, but theyre usually underpaid, overworked. It is brutally difficult, traumatic work for them, and so their turnover rates are really high. Theyre encountering these needs and dont have access to community-based resources at scale." On the responding side, Mr. Knittig says, were recruiting a broad coalition of the willinglocal churches and other community leaders. They could be individuals or businesses. They could be other faith-based organizationsa synagogue. Anyone with a heart for the community and to serve. Theyre our community responders." He showed me a screenshot from the app that showed items needed and the distance to various community responders, who, like Uber drivers, can click on items they can provide. The results might be a bed from one organization and mattress covers from another. Individuals then show up to help. CarePortal creates and accelerates human connection. Different community responders are now meeting each other and serving these real-time needs. The point is, the car seat, the crib, the bill that needs to be paid, is a gateway to a relationship. Its the relationship and the ongoing wraparound that is the magic." Does it work? We did a study in a three-county area at the epicenter of the opioid epidemic in Florida. With CarePortal, there was a 60% reduction in the number of kids entering foster care and, during the time of the study, which before had rapid caseworker turnover, they had zero resignations during the time of the study." This amazed me: Our organization stays anonymous to those kids. Really, its a big deal to us," he says. So theres not one of those 250,000 kids or their parents whos ever heard of us. They see their care coming from their moms, their dads, their grandparents, a local church, volunteers, a social worker, so its truly a bottom-up thing. Were an underground connecting platform. And its important to us that these kids have local heroes. Were building capacity for local churches in the lowest-income ZIP Codes to be the solutions for their own families." I ask about Mr. Knittigs motivation. So at the core of it, I started here because I was one of these kids and I have a unique perspective that these kids are not the objects of our pity. They are full of potential and need to be invested in by their neighbors. These are our future leaders." The platforms founder, Mr. Lewis, hopes that long-term, versions of CarePortal can help veterans and elderly and people with disabilities, or people who just got out of prison. Those that are isolated. The same technology can work for all of the most vulnerable." Half of the nonprofits funding comes from agencies paying platform fees and the rest from donors in the Stand Together network and others. States spend more than $30 billion every year on child-welfare agencies and programs. Hopefully, because of CarePortal, that spending goes down, but more important, because of technology that connects social workers with volunteers and community responders, children can avoid foster care and stay with their families. Write to kessler@wsj.com. Right on cue, the press is responding to President Bidens manifest mental lapses by rolling out the so-called experts. Neurologists say blanking on the names of acquaintances or having difficulty remembering dates from the past, especially when under stress, can simply be part of normal aging," says a Feb. 10 NBC News report. Such pieces typically note that only a medical doctor can diagnose cognitive impairment and dementia. Thats true, but its also true that dementia and mild cognitive impairment are hugely underdiagnosed. One study found a nondiagnosis rate of more than 90% for mild cognitive impairment, suggesting 7.4 million Americans unknowingly live with that condition. Thats partially because the cognitive tests doctors use to diagnose these conditions miss many cases. Many older people also dont get tested because they consider their failing memories to be a normal part of aging or stress. But diagnostic tests now in development could determine whether someone is mentally impaired simply based on how he speaks or walks, or even with a self-administered blood test. Studies have found that gaits can start to slow more than a decade before patients are diagnosed with dementia. Those with different forms of dementia also exhibit different gait abnormalities. Gait rhythm has been correlated with mental processing speeds. Even subtle change in the brain can affect the way people walk. One study found that those with a frontal gait disordershort, shuffling stepsare more than four times as likely to develop vascular dementia. By using machine learning, scientists have developed a wearable technology that can identify Alzheimers and Lewy Body disease merely based on the way someone walks. Artificial intelligence is also enabling scientists to analyze voice recordings to detect patterns in patients with early cognitive impairment. These models have found that people with dementia, even in its early stages, speak with different pitches, volume, cadences and intonations than elderly people who are cognitively normal. The human ear might not pick up these subtle differences, but artificial intelligence can. A team of researchers from IBM and Japans University of Tsukuba has even developed a self-administered prototype app that can accurately diagnose someone with early-stage Alzheimers and mild cognitive impairment merely based on voice recordings. Cognitively impaired people not only speak more slowly and with more pauses, but their voices have more irregular vibrations. Researchers at Englands University of Sheffield developed a cognitive voice diagnostic tool that they found to be as accurate as the pen and paper" cognitive tests administered at doctors offices. Such voice evaluationswhich are also quicker than the alternativesmay be used to screen patients for early signs of dementia. Numerous labs have developed blood tests that use artificial intelligence to identify blood biomarkers linked to dementia. Alzheimers and other forms of dementia result from changes in the brain that can generate specific proteins in the blood. These proteins, such as glial fibrillary acidic protein, often show up in the blood even before brain scans show changes. A study last year presented at the Alzheimers Association International Conference found that a blood test measuring specific biomarkers correctly identified Alzheimers in approximately 85% of cases later diagnosed by specialists. By comparison, primary-care doctors using cognitive tests and brain scans accurately diagnosed only 55% of cases. Scientists also found that such biomarkers could be isolated with merely a finger-prick of blood, creating the possibility that such tests could be administered at home. Artificial intelligence is even enabling blood tests that can predict whether a patient will develop dementia a decade later. A study that used blood samples from more than 50,000 people in the U.K. found four proteins were associated with the subsequent development of different types of dementia over 14 years. The study, published last week in the journal Nature Aging, determined that levels of two blood proteins began to change at least 10 years before a dementia diagnosis. Researchers created an algorithmic model that combined the blood-test results with demographic variables such as age, sex, education and family history. Their model could predict who would develop dementia with 89% accuracy. How many seniors would want to know if theyre destined to develop dementia? Wouldnt most prefer blissful ignorance? Maybe. But as early-cancer diagnosis significantly improves prognoses, the same could be true for Alzheimers, thanks to new treatments. Eli Lillys Alzheimers drug, Donanemab, is expected to receive Food and Drug Administration approval soon. The drug works by removing amyloid plaque in the brain that can trigger a cascade of neurological degeneration. Lillys trials showed that patients treated in the diseases early stages fared significantly better. This holds the promise that the treatment could be used to prevent Alzheimers in patients who are reported to have high odds of developing the disease. Alas, regulators could slow these life-changing advances. The FDA is trying to make it harder to launch tests that use artificial intelligence to diagnose diseases by deeming them medical devices. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is likewise restricting access to novel Alzheimers drugs. Mr. Biden may not want to come to terms with his cognitive decline. But why does his administration want to deny Americans access to tools that could help their own? ABOARD THE USS CARL VINSONDuring recent exercises in the Philippine Sea, U.S. jet fighters screamed into flight from the USS Carl Vinson as two Chinese intelligence-gathering ships lingered a few miles away. Three months earlier in a nearby location, the Chinese military had its turn as its jet fighters took off and landed hundreds of times from a Chinese aircraft carrier, under the watchful eyes of U.S. ally Japan. The Philippine Sea, a swath of the Pacific Ocean east of Taiwan, was the site of a decisive aircraft carrier battle in World War II between the U.S. and Japan. Carriers are once again gathering here, and for good reason. Control of the Philippine Sea would be prized in any conflict between China and the U.S. over Taiwan or the South China Sea. U.S. warships, troops and supplies deployed from bases on Guam or Hawaii would likely need to transit through the area. China would want to interrupt those flows. In a full-scale conflict over Taiwan, it would seek to use the region to target Taiwanese military bases on the mountainous eastern side of the island or impose a blockade, military analysts say. Control of the Philippine Sea would be a critical military objective in any war in East Asia," said Brent Sadler, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a U.S. think tank. The recent U.S.-Japanese exercises in late January involved two U.S. aircraft carriers, nine additional American warships, F-35C and F/A-18 jet fighters, electronic-warfare jets and Japans Ise helicopter carrier, among other hardware. In June 1944, the U.S. inflicted one of the final blows on the Imperial Japanese Navy by sinking two of its largest aircraft carriers, Taiho and Shokaku, and destroying hundreds of Japanese aircraft in the two-day Battle of the Philippine Sea. The battle helped the U.S. capture the Mariana Islands including the island of Tinian, from which U.S. planes would later take off to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. No U.S. ships were lost, and the American fleet delivered the knockout blow to the Japanese navy a few months later in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The Philippine Sea is bordered by Taiwan and the Philippines to the west, Japan to the north and the Mariana Islands, including Guam, to the east, covering an area of over two million square miles. Most of the recent naval activity by China and the U.S. has been a few hundred miles east of Taiwan. In mid-September last year, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and around two dozen other Chinese warships congregated in the area, according to authorities in Taiwan and Japan. A nearby Japanese destroyer reported Chinese jet fighters and helicopters taking off from and landing on the Shandong on Sept. 13 as five other Chinese warships sailed close by. In similar exercises involving the Shandong and other Chinese warships in the same area during a nine-day period beginning Oct. 28, Chinese jet fighters made around 420 takeoffs and landings from the aircraft carrier, Japans Defense Ministry said. For China, its an opportunity to showcase its growing military confidence, an opportunity to train in a theater of core importance and an attempt at projecting the notion that U.S. military superiority shouldnt be taken for granted," said Alessio Patalano, professor of war and strategy in East Asia at Kings College London. After the most recent exercises, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman said the Shandong and other warships had conducted combat training to better safeguard Chinas sovereignty, security and development interests." Further exercises would be conducted on a regular basis, he said, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. The Chinese military has also stepped up activity in the Taiwan Strait with a higher tempo of air and naval sorties close to the island. Chinese jet fighters from the mainland can make it as far as the ocean east of Taiwan, aided by refueling aircraft, but they can operate more intensively in the region by using aircraft carriers in the Philippine Sea. The U.S. Seventh Fleet, based in Japan, has long operated in the Philippine Sea, and the scale of training has ratcheted up recently. Januarys exercises followed similar training in June and November last year, the first drills with several U.S. aircraft carriers in the region since 2021. Speaking on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson, Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of the Vinson carrier strike group, called the drills a great rehearsal opportunity" to rapidly aggregate these large, capable, agile platforms in the Philippine Sea." The Philippine Seas seabed plunges tens of thousands of feet from its western edge. The depth and the clear acoustic qualities of the sea make it an ideal environment for submarines, military analysts say. Sardiello said undersea warfare was among the areas in which the USS Carl Vinson conducted training with Japan. Carrier strike groups sometimes include submarines, but the U.S. Navy doesnt disclose submarine operations. The Philippine Sea is also a significant thoroughfare for trade. If China dominates the region, it could put a chokehold on Japan and South Korea by controlling their access to shipments of oil and other fuels, analysts say. As Sardiello and other navy leaders spoke on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson, a Dongdiao-class Chinese surveillance ship, used for intercepting communications, could be seen a few miles away. Vinson crew members said another Chinese surveillance ship had been close by for the duration of the exercises. Chinas military represents a more formidable threat to U.S. aircraft carriers than Japan did in mid-1944, particularly with Beijings large arsenal of land-based missiles. The Pentagon said last year that China had the capability to conduct long-range precision strikes against ships, including aircraft carriers, out to the Western Pacific from mainland China." Sardiello said U.S. carriers would continue to sail and train in the region despite their potential vulnerability to Chinese missiles. Our highly trained sailors can operate these complex, contested domains and be lethal and survivable, and execute the mission regardless of what the threat is," he said. Write to Alastair Gale at alastair.gale@wsj.com THE DEATH of Alexei Navalny , Russias foremost opposition leader, in a Siberian gulag on February 16th would by itself have served as a shock to Europe. But for leaders gathered at the Munich Security Conference, an annual gathering of defence and security bigwigs, Mr Navalnys demise was just one of several ominous developments for the continent. On February 17th Ukraines army, starved of American ammunition by Congresss failure to pass a supplemental aid bill, was forced to withdraw from the eastern town of Avdiivka . That handed Vladimir Putin his first military victory in almost a year. The deadlock in Congress reflects the baleful influence of Donald Trump, whose fierce opposition to aid for Ukraine has cowed Republicans into submission. But the spectre of Mr Trumps return to office in Novembers presidential election cast an even darker pall over Munich. A week earlier Mr Trump had boasted of telling an ally that he would not come to their defence if they fell short of NATO spending targets: Youre delinquent? No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want." The confluence of Russias rearmament, Ukraines deteriorating position and Mr Trumps possible return to the White House has brought Europe to its most dangerous juncture in decades. European states and armies are wondering whether they must navigate this crisis without their ally of nearly 80 years. The question is not just whether America will abandon Ukraine, but whether it might abandon Europe. For Europe to fill the space left by Americas absence would require it to do much more than simply raise defence spending. It will have to reconsider the nature of military power, the role of nuclear deterrence in European security and the far-reaching political implications of military organisation and structure. In Munich the mood was fearful and determined rather than panicked. American and European officials remain hopeful that American aid will turn up in Ukraine. On February 17th Petr Pavel, the Czech president, said that his country had found" 800,000 shells which could be shipped to the country within weeks. In an interview with The Economist Boris Pistorius, Germanys defence minister, insisted that European arms production was increasing as fast as possible" and said he was very optimistic" that Europe could plug American gaps. Others played down the dangers of Mr Trump. We should stop moaning and whining and nagging about Trump," said Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, on February 17th. Its up to the AmericansWe have to work with whoever is on the dance floor." Not everyone is so sanguine. If American aid were to evaporate entirely, Ukraine would probably lose, one American official tells The Economist. Mr Pistorius is correct that European arms production is rising fast; the continent should be able to produce shells at an annual rate of 1m-2m late this year, potentially outstripping America. But that may come too late for Ukraine, which by itself needs some 1.5m per year according to Rheinmetall, a European arms manufacturer. And a sense of wartime urgency is still lacking. European producers export 40% of their shell production to non-EU countries other than Ukraine; when the European Commission proposed that Ukraine should be prioritised by law, member states refused. The continents arms firms complain that their order books remain too thin to warrant big investments in production lines. A Ukrainian defeat would inflict a psychological blow on the West while emboldening Mr Putin. That does not mean he could take advantage right away. There is no immediate threat to NATO," says Admiral Rob Bauer, the head of NATOs international military committee. Allies disagree over how long it would take Russia to reconstitute its forces to a pre-war standard, he says, and the timeline will depend on Western sanctions. Three to seven years is the range that a lot of people talk about". But the direction of travel is clear. We can expect that within the next decade, NATO will face a Soviet-style mass army," warned Estonias annual intelligence report, published on February 13th. The threat is not just a Russian invasion, but attacks and provocations which might test the limits of Article 5, NATOs mutual-defence clause. It cannot be ruled out that within a three- to five-year period, Russia will test Article 5 and NATOs solidarity," warned Denmarks defence minister, citing new information". Some European intelligence officials reckon that even this is alarmist. But Europes ultimate fear is confronting such scenarios alone. Europe has thought about such a moment for years. In 2019 Emmanuel Macron, Frances president, told this newspaper that allies needed to reassess the reality of what NATO is in the light of the commitment of the United States." Mr Trumps first term in office, in which he flirted with withdrawing from NATO and publicly sided with Mr Putin over his own intelligence agencies, served as a catalyst. The idea of European strategic autonomy", once pushed only by France, was embraced by other countries. Defence spending, which began rising after Russias first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, has now increased dramatically. That year just three NATO allies met the target of spending 2% of GDP on defence, which was defined as the bare minimum at last years summit in Vilnius. This year at least 18 states, 62% of European allies, will hit it. Europes total defence spending will reach around $380bnabout the same as Russias, when adjusted for purchasing-power parity. Paper tiger Those numbers flatter Europe, however. Its defence spending yields disproportionately little combat power, and its armed forces are less than the sum of their parts. The continent is years away from being able to defend itself from attack by a reconstituted Russian force, which could appear as early as the late 2020s. At last years summit, NATO leaders approved their first comprehensive national defence plans since the cold war. Alliance officials say those plans would require increasing Europes existing (and unmet) targets for military capability by about a third. That would mean around 50% more defence spending than today, raising the total to 3% of GDP. Only America, Poland and Greece, the latter flattered by bloated military pensions, reach that level today. More money is not enough. Almost all European armies are struggling to meet their recruitment targets, as is Americas. Moreover the rise in spending after 2014 delivered alarmingly little growth in combat capability. A recent paper by the International Institute of Strategic Studies, a think-tank in London, found that the number of combat battalions had barely increased since 2015 (France and Germany added just one) or had even fallen, in Britain by five. At a conference last year, an American general lamented that most European countries could field just one full-strength brigade (a formation of a few thousand troops), if that. Germanys bold decision to deploy a full brigade to Lithuania, for instance, is likely to stretch its army severely. Even when Europe can produce combat forces, they often lack the things needed to fight effectively and for long enough: command-and-control capabilities, such as staff officers trained to run large headquarters; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, such as drones and satellites; logistics capabilities, including airlift; and ammunition to last for longer than a week or so. The things that European militaries can do, they can do really well," says Michael Kofman, a military expert, but they typically cant do a lot of them, they cant do them for very long and theyre configured for the initial period of a war that the United States would lead." Poland is an instructive case. It is the poster boy for European rearmament. It will spend 4% of its GDP on defence this year, and splurges more than half of that money on equipment, far above NATOs target of 20%. It is buying huge numbers of tanks, helicopters, howitzers and HIMARS rocket artilleryon the face of it, just what Europe needs. But under the previous government, says Konrad Muzyka, a defence analyst, it did so with little coherent planning and utter neglect of how to crew and sustain that equipment, with personnel numbers falling. Polands HIMARS launchers can fire out to 300km, but the countrys own intelligence platforms cannot see targets at that distance. It will rely on America for that. One option would be for Europeans to pool their resources. For the past 16 years, for instance, a group of 12 European countries have jointly bought and operated a fleet of three long-range cargo aircraftessentially a timeshare programme for airlift. In January Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain agreed to jointly buy 1,000 missiles used in the Patriot air-defence system, using bulk to drive down the cost. The same approach could be taken in other areas, such as reconnaissance satellites. The difficulty lies in dividing the spoils. Countries with large defence industriesFrance, Germany, Italy and Spainoften fail to agree on how contracts should be split among their national arms-makers. There is also a trade-off between plugging holes quickly and building up the continents own defence industry. France is irked by a recent German-led scheme, the European Sky Shield Initiative, in which 21 European countries jointly buy air-defence systems, in part because it involves buying American and Israeli launchers alongside German ones. When Olaf Scholz, Germanys chancellor, recently called for Europe to adopt a war economy", Benjamin Haddad, a French lawmaker in Emmanuel Macrons Renaissance party, retorted: Its not by buying American equipment that were going to get there." European arms-makers, he argued, would hardly hire workers and build new production lines if they did not get orders. These twin challengesbuilding up military capability and revitalising arms productionare formidable. Europes defence industry is less fragmented than many assume, says Jan Joel Andersson of the EU Institute for Security Studies in a recent paper: the continent makes fewer types of fighter jets and airborne radar planes than America, for instance. But there are inefficiencies. Countries often have different design priorities. France wants carrier-capable jets and lighter armoured vehicles; Germany prefers longer-range interceptors and heavier tanks. Europe-wide co-operation on tanks has consistently failed, writes Mr Andersson, and an ongoing Franco-German effort is in doubt. The scale of the required changes raises broader economic, social and political questions. Germanys military renaissance will be unaffordable without cutting other government spending or junking the countrys debt brake", which would require constitutional change. Mr Pistorius says he is convinced that German society backs higher defence expenditures, but acknowledges that we have to convince people that this might have an impact on other spending." Thierry Breton, the EU commissioner in charge of defence, has proposed a 100bn ($108bn) defence fund to boost production. Kaja Kallas, Estonias prime minister, backed by Mr Macron and other leaders, has proposed that the EU fund such defence spending with joint borrowing, as it did the recovery fund it established during the covid-19 pandemicwhich remains controversial among the thriftiest member states. Europes manpower shortages are driving similarly weighty discussions. In December Mr Pistorius said that in retrospect" Germany had erred in ending compulsory national service in 2011. In January General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the British army, said preparing Western societies for a war footing would be a whole-of-nation undertaking", and that Ukraine showed that regular armies start wars; citizen armies win them". His remarks prompted a national furore over conscription, though he never used the word. Several western European countries are studying the total defence" models of Sweden, Finland and other northern European countries, which emphasise civil defence and national preparedness. The sum of all fears Perhaps the hardest capability for Europe to replace is the one everyone hopes will never be needed. America is committed to using its nuclear weapons to defend European allies. That includes both its strategic" nuclear forces, those in submarines, silos and bombers, and the smaller, shorter-range non-strategic" B61 gravity bombs stored in bases across Europe, which can be dropped by several European air forces. Those weapons have served as the ultimate guarantee against Russian invasion. Yet an American president who declined to risk American troops to defend a European ally would hardly be likely to risk American cities in a nuclear exchange. During Mr Trumps first spell in office, that fear revived an old debate over how Europe might compensate for the loss of the American umbrella. Britain and France both possess nuclear weapons. But they have only 500 warheads between them, compared with Americas 5,000 and Russias nearly 6,000. For advocates of minimum" deterrence, that makes little difference: they think a few hundred warheads, more than enough to wipe out Moscow and other cities, will dissuade Mr Putin from any reckless adventure. Analysts of a more macabre bent think such lopsided megatonnage, and the disproportionate damage which Britain and France would suffer, give Mr Putin an advantage. View Full Image (The Economist) This is not merely a numerical problem. British nuclear weapons are already assigned to NATO, whose Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) shapes policy on how nuclear weapons should be used. The deterrent is operationally independent: Britain can launch as it pleases. But it depends on America for the design of its future warhead, and draws from a common pool of missiles, kept in the state of Georgia, with the country. If America were to sever all co-operation, British nuclear forces would probably have a life expectancy measured in months rather than years", according to a bipartisan assessment published ten years ago. In contrast, Frances deterrent is entirely home-grown, but more aloof from NATO: uniquely among allies, France does not participate in the NPG, though it has long said that its arsenal, by its existence", contributes to alliance security. Within NATO, nuclear issues were long on the back burner", says Admiral Bauer. That has changed in the last two years, with more and wider discussions on nuclear planning and deterrence. But NATOs plans surely hinge on American forces; they cannot address what happens if America leaves. The question of how Britain and France might fill that gap is now percolating. On February 13th Christian Lindner, Germanys finance minister and head of the pro-business Free Democratic Party, called in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a German newspaper, for a rethink" of European nuclear arrangements. Under what political and financial conditions would Paris and London be prepared to maintain or expand their own strategic capabilities for collective security?" he asked. And vice versa, what contribution are we willing to make?" Such musings have a long history. In the 1960s America and Europe pondered a multilateral" nuclear force under joint control. Today, the idea that Britain or France would share" the decision to use nuclear weapons is a non-starter, writes Bruno Tertrais, a French expert involved in the debate for decades, in a recent paper. Nor is France likely to join the NPG or assign its air-launched nuclear forces to NATO, he says. But one option would be for the two countries to affirm more forcefully that their deterrents would, or at least could, cover allies. In 2020 Mr Macron stated that Frances vital interests"the issues over which it would contemplate nuclear usenow have a European dimension" and offered a strategic dialogue" with allies on this topic, a position he reiterated last year. The question is how this would be made credible. In deterrence, the crucial issue is how to make adversariesand alliesbelieve that a commitment is real, rather than a cheap diplomatic gesture that would be abandoned when the stakes become apocalyptic. Mr Tertrais proposes a range of options. At the tame end, France could simply promise to consult on nuclear use with its partners, time permitting. More radically, if the American umbrella had gone entirely, France could invite European partners to participate in nuclear operations, such as providing escort aircraft for bombers, joining a task force with the eventual successor to the Charles de Gaulle aircraft-carrier, which can host nukes, or even basing a few missiles in Germany. Such options might ultimately require a common nuclear planning mechanism", he says. Mr Lindners speculations were largely dismissed by German officials who spoke to The Economist in Munich. But the nuclear question, involving as it does the deepest questions of sovereignty, identity and national survival, points to the vacuum that would be left if America abandons Europe. There will be a European nuclear doctrine, a European deterrent, only when there are vital European interests, considered as such by the Europeans, and understood as such by others," pronounced Francois Mitterand, Frances president, in 1994. We are far away from there." Today Europe is closer, but perhaps not close enough. The same doubt which drove France to develop its own nuclear forces in the 1950swould an American president sacrifice New York for Paris?is replicated within Europe; would Mr Macron risk Toulouse for Tallinn? The seemingly dry question of military command and control brings such issues to the fore. NATO is a political and diplomatic body. It is also a formidable bureaucracy that spends 3.3bn annually and operates a complex network of headquarters: a Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium, three big joint commands in America, the Netherlands and Italy, and a series of smaller ones below. These are the brains that would run any war with Russia. If Mr Trump withdrew from NATO overnight, Europeans would have to decide how to perform this role. An EU-only" option would not work, says Daniel Fiott of the Elcano Royal Institute, a Spanish think-tank. In part that is because the EUs own military headquarters is still small, inexperienced and incapable of overseeing high-intensity war. In part it is because this would exclude Britain, Europes largest defence spender, as well as other non-EU NATO members such as Canada, Norway and Turkey. An alternative would be for Europeans to inherit the rump NATO structures and keep the alliance alive without America. Whatever institution was chosen, it would have to be filled with skilled officers. Officials at SHAPE acknowledge that much of the serious planning falls on just a few countries. Among Europeans, says Olivier Schmitt, a professor at the Centre for War Studies in Denmark, only the French, the Brits and maybe the Germans on a good day can send officers able to plan operations at the division and corps level", precisely those needed in the event of a serious Russian attack. The question of command, though, is intrinsically political. Mr Fiott doubts that EU member states could agree on a figure equivalent to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, the alliances top general and, by custom, always an American. That epitomises how American dominance in Europe has suppressed intra-European disputes for decades, as captured in the cold-war ditty that NATOs purpose was to keep the Americans in, the Russians out and the Germans down". Sophia Besch of the Carnegie Endowment observes caustically that Europeans still defer to America on the biggest questions of European security. My impression", she says, is that Americans often think more strategically about EU membership for Ukraine than many Europeans." She sees little hope that Europe will bring bold new ideas to this years NATO summit in Washington in July, which will mark the alliances 75th anniversary. Preparing for the worst It is certainly possible that the shock to European security will be less dramatic than feared. Perhaps America will pass an aid package. Perhaps Europe will scrape together enough shells to keep Ukraine solvent. Perhaps, even if Mr Trump wins, he will keep America in NATO, claiming credit for the fact that a majority of its membersand all of those along the eastern front, and thus most in need of protectionare no longer delinquent". Some European officials even muse that Mr Trump, who is fond of nuclear weapons, might take drastic steps such as meeting Polands demand to be included in nuclear-sharing arrangements. For the moment, there are still intense debates over how far Europe should hedge against American abandonment. Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of NATO, has repeatedly warned that the idea is futile. The European Union cannot defend Europe," he said on February 14th. Eighty per cent of NATOs defence expenditures come from non-EU NATO allies." Advocates of European self-sufficiency retort that building up a European pillar" within NATO serves a triple purpose. It strengthens NATO so long as America remains, shows that Europe is committed to share the burden of collective defence and, if necessary, lays the groundwork in case of a future rupture. Higher defence spending, more arms production and more combat-capable forces would be necessary even if America remained in the alliance and under the current war plans. Moreover, even the most Europhile of presidents could be forced to divert forces away from Europe if, for instance, America were to be pulled into a major war in Asia. The difficult questions around command and control, and its implications for political leadership, are probably here to stay. In the worst case of Americas complete exit from NATO, a messy" solution would be needed, says Mr Fiott, perhaps one that would bring Europes overlapping institutions into greater alignment. He suggests some radical options, such as giving the EU itself a seat on the North Atlantic Council, NATOs main decision-making body, or even a fusion of the posts of NATO secretary-general and European Commission president. Such notions still seem otherworldly. But less so with every passing week. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com BRUSSELSNATO, a military alliance, is like a dollar bill: Its value rests on the faith people put in it. Now that faith is under attack from Donald Trump and politicians allied to him. Trumps recent broadsides against European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for not spending sufficiently on defense raised the question of whether shaming allies strengthens or weakens the alliance. The attacks might prompt countries to boost military outlays, but NATO is more than just its troops and weapons. Its unity has proved a powerful force, too. Deterrence is in the mind of our adversaries," said Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in response to Trumps comments. We should not undermine the credibility of NATOs deterrence." Created by a 12-country pact signed in Washington 75 years ago this April, NATO is enshrined in U.S. law by an act of Congress, Senate approval of the founding treaty. Today, more than 30 other countries have embedded NATO in their basic laws. All of them did it willingly, if not enthusiastically. NATO calls itself the most successful military alliance in human history, and that isnt hollow bragging or crass marketing. Never before have so many countries, representing almost one-eighth of the worlds population, pledged to protect each other so consistently, for so long. NATO prevailed in the Cold War, when the stakes were no less than nuclear annihilation. NATOs success stemmed from the certainty that, if needed, the U.S. would come to its allies aid. Article 5 of the Washington Treaty obliges all allies to defend each other against an armed attack," and each will assist by taking action as it deems necessary." For decades, the assumption was that Washington would send troops into harms way to defend its allies. Trump, a former president and the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is putting that article of faith into question. Doubt spread by Trumps questioning of NATOs founding principle resonates externally and internally because it hasnt just defended against foreign threats. NATO has also kept peace among centuries-old enemies. United under NATOs security umbrella, long-feuding neighbors including France and Germany have become close allies. Others, including Greece and Turkey, have kept animosities from turning to war. Were NATO to atrophy or disappear, it isnt inconceivable European leaders would once again fear and rearm against each other. Instead, Europe has experienced its longest period of peace and widespread prosperity ever, becoming a valuable market for U.S. companies. It is by far Americas biggest foreign investor. While the U.S. has underwritten European security for years, the cost in money and lives was far less than intervening to end two world wars. That return on investment is guaranteed by NATO through its pivotal roles deterring adversaries and reassuring allies, said former U.S. ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder. The alliance also gives the U.S. something that Russia, China and other major powers lack, said Stoltenberg, And that is more than 30 friends and allies." Now Trump has threatened not to defend NATO members that dont hit a spending target set a decade ago. Instead, he said, he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want" to underspending allies. He also questioned whether European countries would come to Americas aid in a crisis. Europeans acknowledge they must spend more on defense, and most are doing itdriven primarily by concerns about adversaries to the east, not an ally to the west. And some Europeans are urging their partners to stop hyperventilating over every Trump campaign remark and instead focus on building their capabilities. All that whining and moaning about Trump," said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is the leading candidate to succeed Stoltenberg as NATO secretary-general later this year, at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. I heard that constantly over the last couple of days. Lets stop doing that." Still, Trumps recent comments crossed a line, even if they were inflated with campaign-trail hyperbole. No formerand possibly futurecommander in chief has ever openly stomped on NATOs core tenet. Trumps pay-for-protection approach is in essence a whole-life insurance policy for members," said retired Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, who served as NATO ambassador under former President Obama. Its like hes saying, You pay your premiums or the policy lapses," Lute said. The campaign line resonates because voters understand life insurance, Lute said, but it weakens NATOs certainty. Trump, when he denigrates Article 5 and NATO, achieves a greater effect in NATO members than Vladimir Putin ever could," said Lute of Russias president. Its a strategic gift to Putin. President Biden called Trumps comment un-American. European leaders and even some Republicans lashed out at Trump, accusing him of undermining U.S. security. Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking at the Munich conference on Friday, noted that the sole time Article 5 has been invoked was by Europeans, in support of the U.S. after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. NATOs Stoltenberg said Trumps remarks endangered troops from the U.S. and other allies by potentially emboldening Putin. Countries like China, Iran and North Korea are looking at how we are behaving," said Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren. If they feel that maybe, after all, NATO wouldnt act, then that can have consequences." When Trump was president, he grew so frustrated with low European military spending that he intimated he might pull the U.S. out of the alliance. His recent comment represents an attitude that could gut NATO without a single piece of legislation or executive order. A president could refuse to invoke Article 5, or send only a token response, or obstruct allied responses, said Daalder, who served under Obama. You dont have to withdraw to undermine NATO," said Daalder. Youre violating the spirit of the treaty, but not the law." Retired Army Gen. David Petraeus, a former Central Intelligence Agency director who led U.S. troop surges in Iraq and Afghanistan, said it is good news that European countries are increasing military spending, which should help bolster U.S. political support for NATO. But post-Cold War conflicts in Libya, former-Yugoslavia and Afghanistan demonstrate that the U.S. will need to remain the indispensable backbone of NATO if the alliance is to endure, he said, in part for practical, technical reasons. The U.S. is vital, he said, because although the European countries can assemble on paper very substantial force and capability, then you get into the issues of interoperability and efficiency." Without the U.S., deterrence becomes exceedingly difficult." NATO has faced crises and hiccups before, but its fundamental premise never came into serious question. During the Suez Crisis of 1956 and the second Gulf War in 2003, allies didnt hide their anger with each other. In recent years, Trump hinted at an exit and French President Emmanuel Macron warned of the brain death of NATO." The alliance rebounded. Putins large-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago boosted NATOs credibility. Ukrainian forces stopped Russian troops from taking Kyiv in part thanks to training they had received from NATO forces over the eight years following Moscows first push into their country. After the 2022 invasion, NATO activated defensive procedures and rushed reinforcements to its easternmost members. It has since worked to orchestrate new battle plans, similar to ones jettisoned at the end of the Cold War, for alliance-wide operations involving hundreds of thousands of troops. In a sign of NATOs enduring appeal, Finland and Sweden shed decades of military neutrality and in 2022 applied to join the alliance. The high-spenders on defense will strengthen NATO. Finlands accession took less than a year, while Swedens membership could become official within weeks. To demonstrate deterrence capabilities, NATO is now staging its largest maneuvers since 1988, Steadfast Defender, involving roughly 90,000 troops from all 31 members and Sweden. The exercise will last months, stretching across the Atlantic and from the Arctic to near the Black Sea. The goal is to show that NATO can fight as one. Among European leaders now, theres a great sense of urgency" to spend and achieve more to protect their countries, said Ollongren, the Dutch defense minister. Laurence Norman contributed to this article. Write to Daniel Michaels at Dan.Michaels@wsj.com Months before the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab 2022, a significant farmers' protest had started to emerge at the Delhi borders, presenting a formidable challenge to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- the states with a substantial farming population. Then, the farmers had gathered with their demands just months before the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab in 2022. The 13-month long protest ended in December 2021 with the withdrawal of three farm laws and a promise to meet other demands gradually. Just over two years since the 2020-21 farmers' protests, tens of thousands of farmers from Punjab and Haryana protesting for guaranteed crop prices along Punjab-Haryana borders, reminiscent of similar protests by farmers along Delhi borders in 2020-21. There was speculation that the protest would sway the fortunes for the BJP in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls held within two months of the protest. The impact was expected in the Assembly polls in Punjab, largely an agrarian state, too. UTTAR PRADESH In February-March 2022, all eyes were on UP elections since the state has a substantial farming community, especially among the Jat community in the districts in the western part. The Lakhimpur Kheri SUV ramming incident of October 2021 involving BJP leader and Union minister Ajay Mishra Teni's son, Ashish Mishra was also fresh on the minds during UP Assembly polls. As the results came, the BJP reigned supreme on 85 seats out of the 126 across 24 districts of western Uttar Pradesh -- just 15 down from the 2017 Assembly elections, which was expected considering the incumbency of the Yogi Adityanath-led government in the state. The saffron party lost all three seats in Shamli district, four of the seven seats in Meerut, and four of the six seats in Muzaffarnagar - all three are Jat-dominated districts - but swept Agra, Mathura, Aligarh - districts with sizable Jat population. Hence, negating the notion that the farmers' protest had exerted an influence on its Jat support base. With Jats throwing their weight on the farmers' protest, the BJP had tried to woo the Gujjars by honouring prominent leaders such as Dhan Singh Kotwal, who is said to have played a major role in the freedom struggle in 1857, and Raja Mihir Bhoj. Certain BJP leaders held the belief that the votes of various communities coalesced in favour of the BJP, attributing this to the participation of Sikh Jats in the protests. Gujjars hold a significant influence in Gautam Budh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Saharanpur and Bulandshahr. In the 2022 UP Assembly elections, BJP won all seats in Gautam Budh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr districts and five seats in Saharanpur district. In Lakhimpur Kheri, the BJP won all Assembly seats. Despite the disturbances and farmers' killing, BJP won all seats Assembly seats in Lakhimpur Kheri. Caste factor dominated there. The election went into a Sikh vs Brahman fight," Sudhir Panwar, ex-member of UP Planning Commission, told LiveMint. Also Read | Does farmers' protest lack potential to rattle Centre this time? Overall, the popular mandate tilted towards the BJP as it won 255 seats in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly negating all the impact of farmers' protest. "Jats also end up voting in significant numbers for the BJP in the Lok Sabha...And sometimes, when the assertion for a protest comes from the dominant caste in a state, other castes get polarised against them because of their insecurities," a BJP leader told the Indian Express. About two years later, as farmers protest again with a series of demands including a law to guarantee minimum support price for crops, a lot has changed politically and protests impacting BJP remain unlikely. In the run up to Lok Sabha elections, RLD, the political party of western UP with a sizeable support base among Jats in western Uttar Pradesh, has reportedly decided to join the NDA camp. This soon after the government of India decided to confer Bharat Ratna on former Prime Minister and farmer leader Chaudhury Charan Singh and architect of green revolution MS Swaminathan. So will this farmers' protest politically impact the Lok Sabha elections? Sudhir Panwar adds: We can't say if this farmers' protest will have an impact on the Lok Sabha polls but the narrative that the BJP had set with the inaugural ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the farmers' protest has shifted attention away from it...to real life issues. This will also be a factor in the elections. But nobody knows how this will unfold." Columnist Devinder Sharma told LiveMint, We have always seen that farmers, being unorganised, get divided on the basis of caste, political ideology and so on....If farmers unite to advocate for income-related issues, they can have tremendous influence on the political scenario. Kisaan should stand-up for kisaani but they get divided. The parties know that the caste card will work. Kisaan can play a role if they understand that first is kisaani and then other ideologies." PUNJAB In Punjab, an agrarian state, while the ruling Congress was busy in handling the infighting, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won the elections with a brute majority in 2022 UP Assembly polls. The Party contested 117 Assembly seats and won 92, a major jump from the 20 it won in the 217 Assembly polls. The Congress, which won 77 seats in 2017 polls, dropped to 18 seats in 2022. The BJP, getting its hopes up after scrapping the three farm laws, won only 2 seats, down from 3 it bagged in the 2017 polls. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The death of Alexei Navalny eliminates the last opposition figure inside Russia with enough political heft to be seen as a possible leader, marking the culmination of a long-running Kremlin campaign to kill or force into exile any possible alternatives to President Vladimir Putin. Reaction to Navalnys death was muted inside Russia Friday, where political dissent is effectively criminalized. In Moscow, police looked on while some residents laid flowers at a memorial to political repression in the shadow of the former KGB headquarters. Russian prosecutors warned people not to take part in mass meetings. State television showed Putin, who has over the years avoided saying Navalnys name in public, visiting an industrial park in southern Russia, smiling and chatting with workers there. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denounced as absolutely unacceptable" statements from Western leaders that the Kremlin was to blame for Navalnys death. Even when ill, Navalny, who was 47, was loath to show any weakness to the Kremlin, acquaintances said, and he often used his public appearances to taunt officials. A video clip dated a day before his death showed him smiling and teasing a judge about his salary, but acquaintances said he had suffered an accumulation of ailments. Western officials said they may never learn exactly how he died. One thing, though, is certain: Navalnys death clears the field and kills off the last real political opponent to Putin. While some Putin critics have been shunted aside by legal or financial pressure, others have been shot or poisonedor in one case strangled by a dog leash. This has been the political logic of the Kremlinto create a lack of alternatives for Russians, to make sure the landscape is barren," said Andrew Weiss, vice president at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. They want Russians to see Putin as the only alternative." It is a winnowing process that Putin began even before his presidency. In 1999, when Putin was director of Russias security services, he earned the gratitude of then-President Boris Yeltsin by disposing of Russias top prosecutor whom Yeltsin perceived as a threat. Putin invited the prosecutor, Yuri Skuratov, to a meeting where he aired for him a videotape showing a naked man who resembled Skuratov in bed with two sex workers, Skuratov said at the time. When Skuratov refused to resign, Putin presented the tape at a press conference. Later the tape was aired on national television and Skuratov departed his post. When Yeltsin stepped down and appointed Putin on New Years Eve in 1999 as his successor, Putin set about dealing with other political rivals more harshly. A onetime ally, oil and auto magnate Boris Berezovsky, publicly sparred with Putin weeks into his presidency. Berezovsky fled to London after prosecutors launched financial investigations into his companies and seized the television station under his control. Another oligarch, oil and banking magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky, remained in Russia and attempted to start a political movement, funded by his oil company Yukos. Prosecutors pursued him for fraud, arrested him in 2003 aboard his private jet on a runway in Siberia, and seized Yukos. He was released from prison 10 years later and also left the country. Today former U.S. officials and Kremlin watchers disagree on when, exactly, Putins pressure on opponents turned deadly and how many of the deaths of Russians in Russia and abroad were the work of the Kremlin or private disputes. In 2003, two politicians who investigated Putins rise to power suffered untimely deaths. Both were members of a parliamentary commission investigating apartment bombings in Russia in 1999 that Putin, then prime minister, had used as a pretext for invading the breakaway region of Chechnya. One, Sergei Yushenkov, was shot dead outside his apartment in April 2003. Police blamed the killing on a political dispute inside his political party. Another, Yuri Shchekochikhin, died that July in what Russian investigators described as an allergic reaction that colleagues suspected was a poisoning. In 2006, Russias parliament passed a law effectively legalizing extrajudicial killings of perceived extremists abroad. Russian lawmakers argued that they were only emulating the U.S. and Israel by allowing the countrys special services to operate against external threats. Critics, including some former Russian security service officers, argued it could lead to political assassinations. Four months later Alexander Litvinenko, a protege of Berezovsky who fled with him to London, was killed by a career Russian security service agent who slipped a dose of radioactive isotope, polonium-210, into his tea in a restaurant in central London. British authorities said the Kremlin was behind the killing. The Kremlin refused to extradite the agent, Andrei Lugovoi, who is now a member of Russias parliament. Litvinenkos symptomshe lost his hair and languished for weeks in a hospitalbore similarities to those suffered by Shchekochikhin as well as a number of Chechen militants who died unexpectedly in custody in Russia in previous years. His death in London prompted fears among Kremlin critics that Russias security services had used polonium with deadly effect before but that it went undetected. Berezovsky was found dead in the bathroom of his home in the U.K. in 2013, after an apparent hanging. Examiners disagreed on whether his death was a suicide or the result of foul play. His former business partner, Nikolai Glushkov, who also fled to London after being jailed in Russia, was found dead in his home in 2018, strangled by a dog leash. Police said they were searching for the occupants of a black van spotted near his house the night of his killing, which remains unsolved. Also in 2018, two Kremlin agents attempted to kill a former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter with a Soviet-era nerve agent in a city in southern England, an attack that then-Prime Minister Theresa May said was almost certainly authorized at a senior level" of the Russian state. Russia denied any responsibility, and the U.K. expelled 23 of its diplomats. Weiss, of the Carnegie Endowment, said that Russias assassination program appears to be effective in persuading well-connected and ordinary Russians that the Kremlin could hunt them down wherever it pleased. He noted that since Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, no high-level officials have defected to the West and openly denounced Putin. Nobody of serious political weight has escaped from Russia and given a tell-all about how the Kremlin operates," Weiss said. Its very telling; they clearly all think they have something to worry about." Navalny was an outlier among Kremlin opponents, he said, because he appeared so indifferent to threats and repeated arrests. He rose to prominence as an anticorruption blogger and then as a speaker in 2011-12 during mass protests against what Western officials called rigged elections in Russia. Frequent arrests only added to his fame. Threats and draconian laws against public protest took their toll on opposition leaders. In 2013 former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, who had tried to run for president and later helped organize protests, announced that he had left Russia. He said he feared that if he returned he would be arrested and not permitted to leave. Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic former deputy prime minister under Yeltsin in the 1990s, remained in Russia and continued the fight. In private he voiced worries that he could be assassinated. He was shot to death while walking home with his girlfriend in early 2015 within sight of the Kremlin in central Moscow. Navalny inherited the role of de facto opposition leader after Nemtsovs death. He drew younger supporters through a savvy use of social media that he also used to circumvent the Kremlins monopoly of the airwaves, lampooning the Kremlin with investigations into the corruption and chicanery of high officials. After he survived a poisoning during an airline flight over Siberia 2020, he even ridiculed his would-be assassins. Navalny underwent recovery in Germany and researched the team that attempted to kill him with the investigative journalism group Bellingcat. After learning the identity of the team, he phoned the would-be killers, identifying himself as a Russian security service officer, getting one of them to reveal they were responsible for the poisoning. He chose to return to Russia in early 2021, and was arrested immediately upon his arrival in Moscow. Thomas Graham, a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said that the Kremlin is probably not worried by foreign fallout over his death, since relations between Moscow and the West are already so low. Putin has shrugged at Western sanctions, he said, and figures his status as a pariah wont change in any case. Meanwhile, the most charismatic opposition figure in Russia has died," said Graham. Its going to be very difficult to find a replacement because the conditions that led to Navalny dont prevail today. There are no demonstrations, there are no elections where opposition candidates run. So how does anyone demonstrate that they have these leadership qualities that Navalny developed during a decade in his rise to prominence?" Write to Alan Cullison at alan.cullison@wsj.com Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that his father, Asif Ali Zardari, will run for president. At a rally in Thatta, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader said their party would support those who had asked for votes from his party. He, however, did not take any names. "We will not take any ministries from them. We will not [seek] our benefit but the people's benefit, and we will ensure that democracy is saved. "To put out the fire spreading in the country, we have decided that Asif Ali Zardari will be our candidate for the presidential election. And when he takes up the post, he will put out this fire, save the Centre and take care of the four provinces," he said. Bilawal's remarks come a day after talks between the PPP and PML-N remained inconclusive, though both sides claimed "significant progress" in the discussions, ANI reported. Both parties decided to meet again on Monday to finalise the power-sharing formula of the coalition government. A brief announcement issued by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz after the meeting stated that there had been "significant progress" in talks with both sides, stressing the need for a "strong democratic government." In the previous meeting on Thursday, representatives of both parties sought more time to assess the proposals discussed in the first meeting. According to Dawn, the PPP has assured PML-N of its support in the government formation and election of the next prime minister on the condition that, in return, it will get key constitutional offices, including that of the president. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said no to PM post Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said he refused a deal to share the role of prime minister with Nawaz Sharif's party. He did not want the position without the public's support. I said no to this. I said I do not want to be a prime minister like this," he said. If I become the prime minister, it would be after the people of Pakistan elect me," he said. A party must win 133 seats out of 265 contested seats to form a government in the 266-member National Assembly in Pakistan. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! A day after his high-profile release from detention, Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has met prosecutors to discuss allegations he insulted the powerful monarchy, during which he appeared "truly ill", a senior official says. The influential billionaire, who has loomed large over Thai politics for two decades, reached the meeting in a wheelchair on Monday wearing a neck brace, according to images in local media. Thaksin, 74, was released on parole on Sunday after six months in hospital detention, his first day of freedom in his homeland 15 years after fleeing in the wake of his overthrow in a military coup. It is unclear what health issues he has been suffering from. "I spoke to him and he barely had any voice. From what I can see he is truly ill," Preecha Sudsanguan, director general of the office of litigation told a media conference. "He had a neck brace and a sling on the arm, and he couldn't really walk." He was paroled, with conditions, on account of his age, health and time served. Thaksin's eight-year sentence for abuse of power and conflicts of interest was commuted by the king to one year soon after he went into detention. Pheu Thai, a party controlled by the Shinawatra family, is in power and critics have complained about Thaksin's lenient treatment and questioned the severity of his health problems. Thaksin made a dramatic return in August and showed no signs of poor health on arrival, but he was transferred to a hospital on his first night in jail as he complained of chest pains. Doctors last year said he had high blood pressure, heart issues and back pains, for which he underwent surgery, and was easily tired due to an earlier COVID-19 infection. The attorney-general's office said more investigation was needed before deciding whether to indict Thaksin for insulting the crown, which is a serious offence in Thailand. The complaint, made by the military that ousted his sister Yingluck Shinawatra's government, stems from an interview Thaksin gave while in exile in 2015. Thaksin has always pledged loyalty to the monarchy and had recently sent a plea letter to authorities requesting fairness in the case. Thaksin was a towering figure over Thai politics while in self-imposed exile to avoid jail for abuse of power, charges he maintained were cooked up by the country's old guard to keep him at bay. Amid sexual assault allegations by several women against Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides in Sandeshkhali, a village in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the area, said Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Monday. Preparations for PM Modi's visit to Sandeshkhali are currently in the early stage as the dates of the visit are yet to be finalised, the BJP leader told India Today TV in an interview. On Monday, Suvendu Adhikari received permission from the Calcutta High Court to visit trouble-torn Sandehkhali in North 24 Parganas district. He is likely to visit the gram panchayat under Sandeshkhali Block-II on Tuesday, as per the directions of Justice Kaushik Chanda. The court also stayed the promulgation of Section 144 of the CrPC in the area by the Basirhat subdivisional officer. Under Section 144, an assembly of more than five people is not allowed in the area. Suvendu Adhikari joined the BJP in 2020, after ending his ties with Mamata Banerjee's TMC. Adhikari had permission to visit Sandeshkhali on February 12 also but the visit was not held because of Section 144. He will also meet the family members of the arrested BJP leaders in the area, Adhikari told ANI. Lashing out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the BJP leader said that whatever is happening in Sandeshkhali is the result of Banerjee's fear of losing Lok Sabha elections. He also alleged that Shahajahan Sheikh was not arrested because the TMC needs goons during elections and they have given him protection." Several women in Sandeskhali have come forward and accused the local TMC leader and his men of land grabbing and sexual assault. Sheikh has been absconding after Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials attempted to carry out searches at his residence. At that time, the ED officials had to recall the raid after they were attacked by a mob in Sandeshkhali. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has blamed the BJP for scripting an incident in the area along with the ED and the media. "An incident has happened (in Sandeshkhali). It was made to happen. First, they (BJP) sent the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and then ED's friend, the BJP entered Sandeshkhali along with some media which started creating hullabaloo," Banerjee said on Sunday. She also claimed that not even a single woman in Sandeshkhali has lodged any FIR and it is the BJP that is trying to create disturbance in West Bengal. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Monday rejected the claims of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) President Ghulam Nabi Azad about his late-night meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Also Read: PM Modi to visit Jammu-Kashmir on Feb 20th; Check full itinerary, from setting up IIM, AIIMS to 'Viksit Bharat' plans While commenting on Azad's statement, Farooq Abdullah said, If I have to meet PM Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah, I will meet them during the day, why should I meet them at night?" Hitting back at the DPAP leader, Farooq Abdullah claimed that he offered him a Rajya Sabha seat at a time when no one wanted him. Also Read: Snowfall in Kashmir: Doda administration orders closure of interstate highways passing through Bhaderwah Resonating his father's words, Omar Abdullah said, Wah bhai wah Ghulam Nabi Azad, so much bile today. Where is the Ghulam that was begging us for Rajya Sabha seats in J&K as recently as 2015? Abdullahs knew about 370" yet we were detained for more than 8 months including under PSA & you were free, the only ex-CM in J&K free after 5th Aug. Abdullahs meet secretly" yet my father is the one thrown out of his Govt house when he wasnt MP and you are allowed to keep your ministerial bungalow? Lets not forget the Padma award for which you agreed to leave Congress and help the BJP in Chenab valley. Who is Azad and who is Ghulam, time will tell and people will decide." Also Read: IMD predicts heavy rainfall, snow for THESE states in next 24 hours, issues red alert When no one wanted to give him a Rajya Sabha seat, I was the one who gave him a Rajya Sabha seat, but today he is saying all this. He should tell the names of his agents who are sitting at the residence of the PM and Union Home Minister. He should tell people so that they can understand the truth," Farooq Abdullah told ANI on Monday. Earlier in the day, Ghulam Nabi Azad had claimed that former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah held secret meetings with PM Modi and Shah, reported India Today. Also Read: Jammu and Kashmir: Punjab man shot dead by terrorists in Srinagar; police cordon off area He also accused Abdullah and his son of having double standards, as they "say one thing in Srinagar, another in Jammu, and something else in Delhi". However, in another interview, Azad clarified that he never claimed that Farooq Abdullah met PM Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah at night, reported ANI. At that time, he said that his statement was based on information from sources. I never claimed that he (Farooq Abdullah) met him (PM Modi). I said that through sources in Delhi, it has come to be known that he tries to meet central leadership that too only at night. I never said that he met or got an appointment," ANI quoted Ghulam Nabi Azad. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Time to brace yourself for summer! If you wish to maintain a cool and cosy environment amid the blistering heat this summer, our selection of top Carrier air conditioners will come in handy. Carrier ACs are among the most well-known options if you're looking for reliability, performance, and cutting-edge features. In this list, we've curated the best options - from robust window units to sleek split systems. Buyers interested in Carrier will find numerous options tailored to diverse room sizes and cooling requirements. What are you waiting for? Discover the best Carrier air conditioners available on Amazon in our curated list of top 9 picks. Our guide includes Carrier AC models that blend energy efficiency, advanced functionalities, and long-lasting durability. Whether you want a chilled bedroom retreat or a refreshing living room ambience, our choices will fit your diverse needs. This summer, embrace innovative technologies, intuitive controls, and consistent cooling with Carrier ACs - an investment you will be thankful for. Lets explore the features and benefits of each Carrier air conditioner model so that you can make an informed decision about your next purchase - whether it is to cool your bedroom, living room, or your office space. 1. Carrier 1.5 Ton 3 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC Its good to stay cool in the most heated situations, and thats why you ought to experience cooling with the Carrier 1.5 Ton 3 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC. This Carrier AC is engineered with advanced features like convertible 4-in-1 cooling and a high-density filter to ensure superior air quality and adaptability to varying cooling needs. In addition, the Auto Cleanser technology simplifies maintenance and keeps your AC in good condition. With this AC, users can enjoy reliable performance and sleek aesthetics in pristine white. 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This Carrier model is available in stunning white and promises long-term reliable performance and energy savings while keeping your personal space refreshingly cool and pleasant. Look no further and bring home a new air conditioned from the house of Carrier today! Specifications of Carrier 1.5 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC: Capacity: 1.5 Ton Energy Efficiency Rating: 5 Star Cooling Technology: AI Flexicool Inverter Special Features: Convertible 6-in-1 Cooling, Dual Filtration with HD & PM 2.5 Filter, Auto Cleanser, 2023 Model ESTER Exi Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Energy-efficient with a 5 Star rating Might be expensive compared to non-inverter models AI Flexicool Inverter ensures optimal cooling Installation and maintenance costs may be higher Also read: Best air conditioner in India: Choose from best models 3. 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Specifications of Carrier Star 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter R32 Split Air Conditioner: Brand: Carrier Capacity: 1.5 tons Special features: Heating and cooling function, air purification filter, anti-bacterial filter Energy rating: 5 stars Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Energy-efficient with 5-star rating Relatively higher initial cost Inverter technology for consistent cooling Requires professional installation 6. Carrier Xtreme Edge Dxi Hybridjet 18K 5 Star Inverter AC Carrier Xtreme Edge Dxi Hybridjet 18K 5 Star Inverter AC (1.5T) Split AC CAI18XE5R33F0 is a formidable choice for your air conditioning needs. It comes with advanced cooling technology and energy efficiency. Its Hybridjet feature ensures quick cooling, while the 5-star rating ensures energy savings in the long run. In addition, the Xtreme Edge design enhances airflow, promoting uniform cooling throughout the room. However, its premium features may come at a higher initial cost, and installation may require professional assistance, which could be potential drawbacks for some users. Specifications of Carrier Xtreme Edge Dxi Hybridjet 18K 5 Star Inverter AC: Capacity: 1.5 ton Energy efficiency rating: 5 star Inverter technology: Yes Special features: Hybridjet, Xtreme Edge design Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Energy-efficient with a 5-star rating Relatively higher initial cost Inverter technology for consistent cooling May require specialised installation and service 7. Carrier 1.5 Ton 5 Star inverter Window AC The Carrier 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Window AC is a beast with amazing cooling capabilities. The AC is built with copper and 5-star energy rating. This is the 2023 model which ensures reliable performance and a sleek white design that complements any room. In addition, this ACs inverter technology provides consistent cooling while also saving money in the long run with its energy saving capabilities. The AC has easy installation and operation, making it a convenient choice for comfortable indoor environments. Specifications of Carrier 1.5 Ton 5 Star inverter Window AC: Cooling capacity: 1.5 ton Energy efficiency rating: 5 star Type: Inverter window AC Material: Copper condenser Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Energy efficiency Installation limitation Inverter technology Limited features 8. Carrier Durawhite DXI 2 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split Air Conditioner The Carrier Durawhite DXI 2 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split air conditioner has a lot of amazing features! It comes with a durable copper condenser for the most efficient cooling. In addition, this model maintains energy efficiency without compromising on performance. Its white colour adds an aesthetic aura to your space. Its 3-star rating signifies decent energy savings, making it a practical choice for cooling larger rooms and spaces. Specifications of Carrier Durawhite DXI 2 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split Air Conditioner: Capacity: 2 ton Energy efficiency: 3 star rating Condenser type: Copper Model: 24K DURAWHITE DXI 3 STAR Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Energy-efficient May be relatively expensive Good cooling capacity Installation costs may be high 9. Carrier 2 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC The Carrier 2 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC is loaded with the best features in this budget. Its convertible 6-in-1 cooling system, dual filtration, and auto cleanser make it a worthy choice for your next AC purchase as summer approaches. The ACs copper build is built for durability while maintaining energy efficiency so that you get the most of this device. This AC has the latest technologies, but it may come with a higher initial investment compared to standard models. Even then, its long-term benefits outweigh the initial cost, making it a worthwhile investment. Specifications of Carrier 2 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC: Capacity: 2 ton Energy efficiency rating: 5 star Cooling technology: AI flexicool inverter Material: Copper Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Energy efficiency Higher upfront cost Advanced features Space requirement Also read: 5 best air conditioners in 45,000 range: Check out the top picks Best 3 features for you Product name AC type Capacity Special Features Carrier 1.5 Ton 3 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC Split 1.5 Ton Convertible 4-in-1 cooling, high density filter Carrier 1.5 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC Split 1.5 Ton Convertible 6-in-1 cooling Carrier 1 Ton 3 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC Split 1 Ton Convertible 4-in-1 cooling, dual filtration Carrier 1.5 Ton 3 Star Window AC Window 1.5 Ton Estrella Dx, Copper, White Carrier Star 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter R32 Split AC Split 1.5 Ton Compact design Carrier Xtreme Edge Dxi Hybridjet 18K 5 Star Inverter AC Split 1.5 Ton Smart Energy Display Carrier 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Window AC Window 1.5 Ton Copper model Carrier Durawhite DXI 2 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split AC Split 2 Ton 3 star efficiency Carrier 2 Ton 5 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC Split 2 Ton Convertible 6-in-1 cooling, dual filtration Best value for money The Carrier 1 Ton 3 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC offers exceptional value for money with its advanced features and efficient performance. Its durable copper build ensures longevity, while the convertible 4-in-1 cooling technology provides versatility in cooling options. Equipped with dual filtration including HD & PM 2.5 Filter and Auto Cleanser, it ensures cleaner and healthier air indoors. The 2023 model, ESTER Exi - CAI12ER3R33F0 in white, showcases Carrier's commitment to innovation and reliability. For those seeking an affordable yet high-quality cooling solution, this AC model delivers on both performance and cost-effectiveness, making it an excellent investment for any home. Best overall product The Carrier 1.5 Ton 3 Star AI Flexicool Inverter Split AC stands out as a top choice for cooling needs. Featuring a durable copper build, it boasts convertible 4-in-1 cooling technology and a High Density Filter for improved air quality. With its auto cleanser function and the 2023 model, ESTER Exi - CAI18ER3R32F0 in white offers efficient and reliable performance. It ensures optimal cooling with the Flexicool inverter technology, promising comfort even in extreme temperatures. How to find the right Carrier air conditioner To find the right Carrier air conditioner, consider factors like room size, energy efficiency ratings, special features like inverter technology and filtration systems, and budget constraints. Evaluate your cooling needs, read customer reviews, and consult with HVAC professionals for personalised recommendations to ensure you select the most suitable Carrier AC for your space. FAQs Question : What is the difference between a split and window AC? Ans : Split ACs have an indoor unit and an outdoor compressor, offering quieter operation and better cooling efficiency. Window ACs are self-contained units that fit into window frames, suitable for smaller spaces. Question : How often should I service my Carrier AC? Ans : It's recommended to service your Carrier AC once a year to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Question : Can I install a Carrier AC myself? Ans : While simple window AC units may be self-installed, it's advisable to hire a professional for split AC installation due to the complexity of the process. Question : What does the star rating on Carrier ACs indicate? Ans : The star rating denotes the energy efficiency of the AC, with higher star ratings indicating greater energy efficiency. Question : Do Carrier ACs come with a warranty? Ans : Yes, Carrier ACs typically come with a standard warranty covering parts and labor. Be sure to check the warranty terms and conditions before purchase. Disclaimer: At Livemint, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Mint has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment bank, has revised its outlook for the S&P 500 index, citing increased profit estimates as the primary driver behind the revision. Led by David Kostin, the team at Goldman Sachs now anticipates the S&P 500 to reach 5,200 by the end of this year, representing a 3.9% increase from Fridays close. This upward revision marks a 2% increase from the previous forecast of 5,100, which was projected in mid-December. Initially, in November, Kostin had forecasted the S&P 500 to hit 4,700 by the end of the year. Goldman Sachs new price target for the S&P 500 in 2024 places it among the highest on Wall Street, aligning with bullish outlooks from industry figures such as Tom Lee of Fundstrat Global Advisors and John Stoltzfus, chief strategist at Oppenheimer Asset Management. The firms strategists have also upgraded their earnings-per-share forecast for the year to $241 and $256 in 2025, reflecting expectations of stronger economic growth and higher profits, particularly in the information technology and communication-services sectors. Notably, these sectors include major tech giants like Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp., Nvidia Corp., Alphabet Inc., and Meta Platforms Inc. Goldman Sachs anticipates that valuation multiples for both the S&P 500 and its equal-weight counterparts will remain stable, with earnings growth being the primary driver of upside potential for the index this year. In alignment with Goldman Sachs bullish outlook, Knightsbridge Group has also set a target of 5,400 for the S&P 500 index, further underlining the optimistic sentiment surrounding the US equity market. With both prominent financial institutions projecting significant upside potential, investors are increasingly optimistic about the prospects for stock market performance in the coming months. This confidence is bolstered by expectations of robust corporate earnings growth and supportive monetary policies, providing a favorable backdrop for continued market expansion. The S&P 500 index has already seen a 4.9% increase year-to-date, fueled by expectations of a more accommodative monetary policy stance by the Federal Reserve and optimism surrounding advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly in the technology sector. However, not all analysts share the same optimism. Savita Subramanian of Bank of America Corp. suggests that upside risk is the biggest concern for the S&P 500 in the near term, indicating that their target of 5,000 may be too conservative. Even Michael Wilson of Morgan Stanley, known for his bearish stance, expects broader gains in the US equity market, albeit with a more conservative target of 4,500 for 2024. In summary, Goldman Sachs upward revision of its S&P 500 forecast reflects growing confidence in the strength of corporate earnings and economic growth prospects, highlighting the continued resilience of the US stock market amidst evolving macroeconomic conditions. Outline of Companies in the S&P 500: I. Information Technology Sector: A. Apple Inc. B. Microsoft Corporation C. Nvidia Corporation D. Alphabet Inc. (Google) E. Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly Facebook) II. Consumer Discretionary Sector: A. Amazon.com Inc. B. Tesla, Inc. C. The Home Depot, Inc. D. Nike, Inc. E. Booking Holdings Inc. (formerly Priceline Group) III. Health Care Sector: A. Johnson & Johnson B. Pfizer Inc. C. Merck & Co., Inc. D. Abbott Laboratories E. Bristol Myers Squibb Co. IV. Financials Sector: A. JPMorgan Chase & Co. B. Bank of America Corp. C. Visa Inc. D. Mastercard Incorporated E. Wells Fargo & Company V. Communication Services Sector: A. The Walt Disney Company B. Comcast Corporation C. AT&T Inc. D. Verizon Communications Inc. E. Charter Communications, Inc. VI. Industrials Sector: A. Boeing Company B. Caterpillar Inc. C. 3M Company D. Union Pacific Corporation E. FedEx Corporation VII. Consumer Staples Sector: A. Walmart Inc. B. Procter & Gamble Co. C. Coca-Cola Company D. PepsiCo, Inc. E. Costco Wholesale Corporation VIII. Energy Sector: A. Exxon Mobil Corporation B. Chevron Corporation C. ConocoPhillips D. Schlumberger Limited E. Phillips 66 IX. Utilities Sector: A. NextEra Energy, Inc. B. Duke Energy Corporation C. Dominion Energy, Inc. D. Southern Company E. American Electric Power Company, Inc. X. Real Estate Sector: A. American Tower Corporation B. Simon Property Group, Inc. C. Prologis, Inc. D. Equinix, Inc. E. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. XI. Materials Sector: A. Linde plc B. Ecolab Inc. C. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. D. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. E. Sherwin-Williams Company Note: The S&P 500 is a market-capitalization-weighted index that includes 500 leading companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. The companies are selected based on factors such as market capitalization, liquidity, and industry representation. Shayne Heffernan The reason why Tennessee lawmakers are trying to ban cold beer Facing a grilling from an ABC journalist over allegations of price gouging and the deep-rooted issues with "Australia's highly concentrated supermarket" sector, Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci has walked out of the interview, exclaiming "I'm done". The supermarket boss sat down with reporter Angus Grigg as part of the broadcaster's Four Corners program, which examines "how Coles and Woolworths profit off rising prices". Banducci, who has been Woolies CEO for eight years, was interviewed for the program alongside Coles boss Leah Weckert. Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci has walked off the set of an ABC interview after facing a 'pretty basic line of questioning'. Source: ABC Banducci was facing a "pretty basic line of questioning" from Grigg when his "startling" reaction was caught on camera. Grigg can be heard asking: "Rod Sims, the former head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says that we have one of the most concentrated supermarket [sectors] in the world, is he lying?" To which Banducci responds "it's not true it is not true", before he attempts to argue that the industry is in fact "an incredibly competitive market". Grigg then interjects saying: "I'm sorry, the former head of the ACCC says", trying to repeat the question before being cut off by Banducci, who responds "[He's] retired". "I don't think you would impugn his integrity and his understanding of competition law [because he's retired]," Grigg then says, adding "he retired [just] 18 months ago". Heated interview prompts Woolies CEO to walk out Banducci then asks "can we take that out, is that okay?", going on to say "I shouldn't have said that" before asking for the footage to be cut from the show. Grigg then states that "we're on the record, you've said it...let's just move on". Story continues ABC Journalist grilled Banducci over allegations of price gouging and Australia 'concentrated' supermarket sector. Source: ABC "I think I'm done guys," Banducci retorts as he stands up and walks off the set. "Really, you're walking out?" Grigg responds, later going on to describe the supermarket boss's move as "pretty startling". "I think it shows you that, there you have the boss of the largest supermarket chain in the country really unwilling to face too many questions," Grigg said on ABC's News Breakfast. "It shows how little scrutiny they've had over the years and I think that's a really big problem." Banducci returned to complete the interview. In Australia Coles and Woolworths control 65 per cent of the grocery market. The two supermarket giants were last year ordered to front a senate inquiry that will investigate the notion that Australias major supermarkets are price gouging shoppers already battling the cost-of-living crisis. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Two men who appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens charged with fraud in connection with the use of a PPS number will return before Longford District Court in May. Marcelo Archanjo De Oliveira whose given address was above Mitchell Meats, Main Street, Drumlish, Longford was charged with one offence. The defendant is accused of by deception inducing a named individual to provide him with employment on March 6, 2022 at The Park Hotel, Kiltimagh, Mayo. Co-defendant Clecio Riberio Novaes, who had the same address, was charged with an offence on the same date. Mr Riberio Novaes's charge is that on dates between February 17, 2022 and March 1, 2022 he aided Mr Archanjo De Oliveira to commit an indictable offence, fraud, by providing a PPS number belonging to another person. The court was told the defendants were arrested on the morning of the court sitting by appointment. When the charge was put to Mr Archanjo De Oliveira he replied 'Okay', while when Mr Riberio Novaes was arrested and cautioned he apologised. The Director of Public Prosecution had consented to have the charges against the two men dealt with in the District Court as the facts of the two cases are connected. Solicitor Brid Mimnagh, acting for both defendants, explained to the court that Mr Archanjo De Oliveira came to the country over a year ago on a tourist visa and had stayed with his brother in law. The defendant was looking for work and used a PPS belonging to a third party to gain employment at the hotel. He used a bank account of his brother-in-law to collect his wages. Ms Mimnagh said that nobody was at a loss as a result of the offence. The matter came to light when the third party, who no longer lives in Ireland, was contacted about the use of their PPS number. Accepting jurisdiction over the matter Judge Owens remanded both defendants on continuing bail to come before the court on May 7 for facts and penalty. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: February 19 2024 Ryan Hamilton shot and killed 25-year-old Trendabi Reid in a Hempstead backyard. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Hempstead man pleaded guilty yesterday to murder for the shooting death of a 25-year-old man in Hempstead in May 2021. Ryan Hamilton, 24, pleaded guilty Thursday before Judge Teresa Corrigan to Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony) and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony). The defendant is due back in court on March 18, 2024, where he is expected to be sentenced to 19 years to life in prison. NCDA recommended a sentence of 22 years to life in prison. This defendant brutally gunned down Trendabi Reid during an altercation at a backyard gathering in Hempstead, said DA Donnelly. Gun violence continues to plague our communities, but NCDA remains committed to removing dangerous criminals from our streets and ensuring they are held accountable for their crimes. DA Donnelly said, according to the charges, on May 7, 2021, at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the rear yard of 21 James LL Burrell Avenue in Hempstead, Ryan Hamilton was socializing with several other individuals. The defendant was in possession of a firearm that he was cleaning. When 25-year-old victim Trendabi Reid arrived at the home, he and another individual began arguing about a debt. The fight escalated and the pair began pushing and shoving one another. Ryan Hamilton, who had not been involved in the altercation, approached the victim, and fired a single round from a .9mm firearm, striking Reid in the face and causing his death. Hamilton then fled the yard. The firearm was recovered later that evening in a vacant lot approximately two blocks away from where the incident took place. Hamilton was arrested by Detectives with the Nassau County Police Departments Homicide Squad on June 23, 2021, in Waterbury, Connecticut. She will need support of EU leaders and enough votes in the European Parliament Ursula von der Leyen has told her party she will seek a second mandate to lead the European Unions executive arm, as the bloc struggles with challenges from Russias invasion of Ukraine to the possible return of Donald Trump to the White House. Von der Leyen, 65, briefed the leadership of her center-right CDU party at a meeting in Berlin on Monday, according to a person familiar with the issue. Her candidacy, which was widely expected, comes as the EU faces a change in leadership with a possible surge in far-right and populist forces in Junes European Parliament elections. The bloc also faces a tougher global outlook with Russias war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, and a potential Trump victory. The center-right European Peoples Party, in which the CDU holds the largest number of lawmakers, is expected to win the elections, making von der Leyen a leading contender to retake the European Commission for another five years. But her success is far from certain as she will need the support of EU leaders in a backroom deal, and enough votes in a more fragmented European parliament. The Brussels-born daughter of a German politician, von der Leyen became a long-serving minister under Angela Merkel. Her legislative priorities are expected to pivot from a strong focus on the Green Deal during her first mandate to security and defense, as well as migration and competition. The bloc is seeking to rearm itself, become less dependent on the US military umbrella, better counter an expansionist Vladimir Putin and address growing trade tensions with China. Von der Leyen said at the Munich Security Conference at the weekend that she would install a commissioner for defense if she wins a second mandate. Estonian Premier Kaja Kallas told Bloomberg on the sidelines of the conference that the EU should work on a plan to issue 100 billion ($107.8 billion) in eurobonds to boost the continents defense industry. Von der Leyens team has been drawing up an economic security strategy to better control the export of goods that can serve both military and civil purposes, tighten the screening of investments in Europe and the flow of outbound capital going into critical technologies. But von der Leyen would face a difficult second term ensuring that member states conclude the roll out of the 800 billion cash-for-reforms recovery fund and push through her flagship green deal. A big challenge is still ahead: implement the newly agreed laws for this decade and agree a new interim emissions-reduction goal for 2040 as part of the overarching target to zero-out greenhouse gases by 2050. Policymakers in Brussels and national governments are already facing protests from farmers, who will need to contribute to the green shifts. US Scenarios On the geopolitical front, von der Leyens commission is preparing for all scenarios tied to the US elections in November, in particular a Trump victory that could push allies further apart. Although she built a good working relationship with President Joe Biden, the results were disappointing on the trade front, a senior EU diplomat acknowledged. If von der Leyen does win a second term, several EU officials and diplomats pointed out she must correct her widely-criticized push to centralize authority, saying they want her to involve her commissioners more. But despite her flaws, the trained doctor is considered among EU officials and diplomats a good crisis manager who helped to project a strong image of Europe abroad. A Skaneateles nutritionist is one of five nominees for the American Heart Association's Syracuse 2024 Woman of Impact. Kelly Springer, CEO and owner of Kelly's Choice, was nominated for the honor, which will recognize a local woman for her efforts to raise funds to support research and education for identifying, diagnosing, treating and preventing cardiovascular disease in women. Springer and four other nominees will work toward that goal through April 4, when a winner will be named by the association. By using their influence, their local networks and their unique lived experiences, these volunteers are able to make a measurable difference in central New York and we are so grateful for each of them, said Denise McGraw, director of the association's Go Red for Women movement to support women's heart health awareness. Woman of Impact truly embodies the power of coming together to create important and lasting change for good. As the American Heart Association celebrates its 100th anniversary and two decades of Go Red for Women, we recognize the bold moves making it possible to address inequities, remove barriers and advance opportunities to improve womens health. For more information, and to see the nominees, visit https://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=10451&pg=entry. Skaneateles nutrition practice Kelly's Choice moves into new office Kelly Springer has announced that her nutrition practice, Kelly's Choice, will move to the new Skaneateles-SkanWorks coworking space. More opposition groups have reacted to accusations of assault made against education and housing minister Claude Meisch after left-wing party Dei Lenk last week called for the member of government to withdraw from his post until an investigation has concluded. Meisch has been accused by a DP candidate in the municipal elections of assaulting a senior civil servant in a restaurant in the capital on 5 January. Both the politician and the alleged victim have denied the claims. Also read: Education minister should step aside over assault allegation, says opposition party Integrity needed While Dei Lenk called for Meisch to step aside, at least temporarily and until the investigation is concluded, other opposition parties said more evidence is needed to make such a demand. At the moment, we have no confirmed information about what happened. For us too, any form of physical violence is unacceptable, but in this case, we dont know what really happened, said Dei Greng co-president Djuna Bernard in an interview. Bernard did not call for Meisch to withdraw, but said the code of ethics says that a minister must demonstrate integrity, and we dont think thats the case here, even if its in a private setting. Meisch had admitted to meeting a senior civil servant from within his ministry and that there had been an argument. He denied claims that that he had struck the woman. Code of ethics and conflicts of interest Article 1 of the March 2022 Code of Ethics states that members of the government are at the service of all citizens. They are required to perform their duties in a spirit of integrity, disinterestedness, transparency, diligence, honesty, responsibility and impartiality. Article 21 specifies that government officials are permanently in office. Its not a sign of professionalism to talk to your civil servant in this way, said Bernard who questioned the relationship between the minister and civil servant. Also read: Education minister denies violent altercation with woman as police investigate We hope that the whole story will be brought to light and we think that it is desirable for there to be rules clarifying relations between ministers and senior civil servants, she said. Taina Bofferding, who chairs the LSAPs group in the Chamber of Deputies, also stressed that it is in everyones interest that this matter be clarified, and as quickly as possible, but also said that current evidence is not enough to demand political consequences. It is up to the government to get to the bottom of this, and we will be following this closely, said fellow LSAP politician Francine Closener. Sven Clement of the Pirate Party also said that he was waiting for the results of the investigation opened by the public prosecutors office on 25 January so that the government can clear up any doubts or draw the necessary conclusions. According to the Pirate MP, this case raises many questions. I share the analysis that these are questions of independence and that this says a lot about the working climate or the fact that the minister does not take the separation of private and professional life seriously, Clement said. ADR surprised by Backes' silence The ADR, too, said it should be investigated whether Meisch broke the government ethics code. The ADR is calling for an investigation into whether his behaviour is compatible with the code of ethics and whether there are any conflicts of interest or whether Claude Meisch has revealed or concealed them, said party president Fred Keup. Keup also said he is surprised by the silence of the DPs Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, Yuriko Backes. During OrangeWeek last year, an event dedicated to combating violence against women, Backes said that violence has many faces and that there should be zero tolerance for violence against women and girls. (This article first appeared on Virgule and was translated for the Luxembourg Times.) Download Image: Web Contemporary artist Phoenix Savage will exhibit video works with an exhibition entitled, The Joy of Nothing at the Lycoming College Art Gallery in downtown Williamsport beginning Friday, Feb. 23, with a virtual gallery talk on Friday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m. The exhibition, which will run through Sunday, March 24, is free and open to the public. Savage stated, The extraordinarily mundane. What is it to reach the moment of profundity? To silently breath and view until one encounter above all other encounters, with your breath, brings you to that decisive moment of profundity. Not ever knowing when it will happen or if it will happen. And if it happened, will it ever happen again? You engage by trusting in the moment. Inhaling and exhaling while viewing the banality of any given day, in any given life, in any given world, where nothing becomes the exceptional and the exceptional is nothing at all. Begin! Savage recently retired from Tougaloo College where she was an associate professor of art, and relocated to Santa Fe, N.M., where she operates a small but highly successful grants management service for nonprofits. In addition to maintaining a studio practice as a sculptor, Savage directs the Santa Fe Community Yoga Centers Yoga in Prison Project, now in its second year. Savage received a M.F.A in sculpture from Georgia State University and holds two additional graduate-level degrees: medical anthropology from the University of Mississippi, and art history from Northwestern State University. Savage received her undergraduate degree in photography from Mississippi Valley State University, as well as a degree in advertising design from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. She is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships. She has received the Scholar-in-Residence award from New York University on three separate occasions for her research on Euphemia Toussaint, a Haitian American who left behind the only childs perspective of 19th-century New York City. The Lycoming College Art Gallery, located in downtown Williamsport at 25 W. Fourth St., contributes to the citys arts culture and allows the College to become more involved with the surrounding community. Lycoming art students have the opportunity to interact with visiting artists and learn first-hand the inner workings of an art gallery. The gallery is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 4-8 p.m. For more information, please visit the gallery online at: https://www.lycoming.edu/art/gallery/22-23.aspx. Contact Rose DiRocco-Hodges, art gallery director, at dirocco@lycoming.edu with any questions. MANCHESTER The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife announced on Friday that a deceased bobcat and two red-tailed hawks in Cornwall less than 90 minutes from Manchester Center tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only some strains of avian influenza are considered highly pathogenic, marked by severe disease and high mortality in infected poultry. The lab results showing HPAI were delivered to the Department of Fish and Wildlife on Thursday, Feb. 15. The Department is now anticipating the results of a second test to confirm the results, which could take several weeks. Our recommendations to Vermonters are the same as theyve been since HPAI was first detected in our state mainly, to avoid direct contact with wild birds, said David Sausville, Wildlife Management Program Manager with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Observe wild birds only from a distance and practice good hygiene around domestic fowl. Practice good biosecurity by keeping domestic fowl and other pets away from areas where wild birds gather, like bird feeding stations or duck ponds. Though HPAI has been circulating in the state since 2022, the infected bobcat is the first case of HPAI virus in a mammal from Vermont. Though transmission to mammals is uncommon according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, other cases have also been reported in multiple states including New York and Connecticut. Within Vermont, HPAI has been detected in both wild and domestic birds over the past two years. As of Monday, Feb. 19 the Department of Fish and Wildlife reported 72 wild birds infected with HPAI in Vermont on its website. Previously infected birds include red tailed hawks like the two found in Cornwall, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, black ducks, turkey vultures, and bald eagles. Two outbreaks among domestic fowl have occurred in Caledonia and Lamoille counties, with both flocks being depopulated. Game Warden Kyle Isherwood has served the towns of Manchester, Dorset, Peru, Winhall, Stratton, Weston, Landgrove, Londonderry, Jamaica, Andover, Windham and Townshend for seven years. During this time, Isherwood says that he has submitted avian influenza cases for testing, though none have come back positive. Even with the first mammal fatality in Vermont, Isherwood said that there is no cause for alarm. Birds have wings and can fly anywhere they want, so I dont think that this positive case out of Addison County changes much, he said. As long as everyone takes some simple precautions, there is a low chance of this affecting humans. Only two human cases of this strain of HPAI virus have been reported in the U.S. to date, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The most common cause of spread is through infected waterfowl who come in contact with domestic birds either directly or via droppings. Though the return of hunting and hiking seasons promises to put more people in contact with wildlife, Isherwood says he is not concerned about spread stemming from recreational activities. It puts more people in the woods, which means more eyes for the biologists and I, he said. Risk factors for avian influenza include housing birds outside, having ponds or other bodies of water that attract waterfowl on the property, piling debris near bird housing, introduction of new birds without quarantine, and lack of protective equipment and sharing of equipment between farms. Further guidance for farmers can be found on Vermont.gov.'s Agency of Agriculture food and markets page. As Vermont is currently in the midst of bird feeder season typically from December to April, to avoid bear activity Isherwood encourages anyone with a bird feeder to clean it regularly and to report any suspicious deaths. If a songbird is found dead near a feeder, thats not necessarily a red flag, Isherwood said, but if five are found, thats something that should be tested. The following should be reported when observed: hawks or owls found sick or dead away from roads (where vehicles are the likeliest cause of death), any loons or eagles found sick or dead, more than two terns found sick or dead, and three or more wild turkeys found sick or dead at the same location. Any sightings of more than five dead or sick crows, ravens, jays or songbirds should also be reported. Dead birds should never be handled, he explains. Any suspected cases should instead be reported with their location directly to Isherwood at 802-279-8935 or to the Department of Fish and Wildlife at fwinformation@vermont.gov or 802-828-1000. Manchester, VT (05254) Today Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High around 40F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Occasional snow showers. Low 28F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. The House of Representatives failed to advance legislation that would lift the cap on state and local tax deductions, with New York Republicans blaming Democrats for the procedural vote's outcome. The vote was on a resolution to allow for a floor vote on two measures the SALT Marriage Penalty Elimination Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Michael Lawler, and a resolution blasting the Biden administration's energy policies. For procedural rule votes, it's common for the majority party to support passage and the minority party to vote against the resolution. That's what happened here, with most Republicans voting for the rule and Democrats opposed to the resolution. Central New York's members of Congress, Republican U.S. Reps. Claudia Tenney and Brandon Williams, voted to advance the legislation. However, 18 Republicans joined with Democrats to vote against the procedural measure. The resolution failed by a 225-195 vote. Lawler, a Hudson Valley Republican, blasted New York Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, for voting against the rule. He accused Democrats of choosing to "play politics and stop SALT relief dead in its tracks." Those criticisms ignore a few key facts. For this vote, it wasn't a standalone resolution on consideration of the SALT bill. It linked that bill with a resolution attacking Biden's energy policies. Lawler, along with other New York Republicans, should've known that Democrats would not support that action. Then there is the history of the SALT cap. Until President Donald Trump, a Republican, signed the GOP-backed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, taxpayers could deduct an unlimited amount of state and local taxes. But the tax law placed a $10,000 cap on these deductions. Democrats were among the leading critics of this move at the time. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo described it as an "economic missile" targeting his state and other blue states. There have been other attempts to repeal the SALT cap over the years, but they have not advanced in Congress, mainly because of Republican opposition. Lawler, who was elected to Congress in 2022, has made lifting the SALT cap a priority. His bill would increase the cap from $10,000 to $20,000 for married couples who earn less than $500,000. Eight Republicans, including New York U.S. Reps. Anthony D'Esposito, Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota and Marc Molinaro, cosponsored the bill. Other votes in the House last week: Tenney and Williams joined most House Republicans in voting to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the border crisis. The final tally was 214-213. A resolution condemning Hamas for rape and sexual violence passed 418-0. Tenney and Williams supported its passage. According to the legislative summary, the resolution condemns "acts of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war, including those acts committed by Hamas on and since October 7, 2023." That date is when Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel. The legislation would reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act for five years. The law, which has been in place since 2000, aims to prevent human trafficking. The Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act passed 389-32. Tenney and Williams voted for the bill, which prohibits federal officials from recognizing the Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad. The Uyghur Policy Act passed 414-6. Tenney and Williams supported the legislation, which seeks to address human rights concerns related to the treatment of Uyghurs and other groups by the Chinese government. One of the bill's provisions is the creation of a special coordinator for Uyghur issues within the State Department. Tenney and Williams voted for the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act. The bill, which passed 224-200, would reverse President Joe Biden's action to halt new liquefied natural gas exports. The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act passed 392-28. Tenney and Williams voted for the bill, which considers areas in Chinese provinces outside of the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of Tibet. Among other provisions, the legislation says the conflict between China and Tibet is unresolved. The Strengthening the Quad Act passed 379-39, with Tenney and Williams for the bill. The legislation would require the State Department to join with Australia, India and Japan to establish a working group to "facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values," according to the bill's summary. One American Idol contestant got the surprise of a lifetime during her audition a chance to meet her birth family. McKenna Breinholt, 25, walked into the audition room to meet judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. When asked if music ran through the family, Breinholt told judges she was adopted. Wanting to get in touch with her birth family at 21-years-old, she asked her adoptive parents for help. She discovered she had a birth mother named Amy Ross Lopez, a musician who had died. However, she came to find her birth family all sang. Breinholt told the judges she connected with members of her birth family in the summer. They had only spoken on FaceTime, she mentioned, but had future plans to meet in person after her audition. What she wasnt expecting was to meet them so soon, as her aunt, uncle and grandmother were waiting on the other side of the audition door. Breinholt auditioned with her rendition of There Was Jesus. The judges all praised her performance. Perry complimented the singers signature, raspy voice. Bryan added by telling Breinholt, Youre very in control of what youre doing. Youve got it figured out. The judges asked Breinholt to bring her family inside the audition room to hear her results. Thinking she was going to get her adoptive family, she opened the door to see her birth family as well. Bursting into tears, Breinholt hugged her birth family as the whole group reunited. She was then given a yes by all three judges and granted a gold ticket to Hollywood. American Idol will air every Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. Those looking to stream the show can do so on FuboTV. The platform offers a free trial for new users. The show also streams on Hulu with a subscription. Those who sign up will get their first month free. Plans for Hulu start as low as $7.99 a month and give you access to thousands of shows and movies. A TikTok star is making his television debut auditioning for American Idol, with a surprise from his mom who he told not to come. Mackenzie Sol, a 23-year-old internet star known for his prank videos on TikTok auditioned with Bring It On Home by Sam Cook. Before his audition, he mentioned his mother being his biggest supporter. However, he wouldnt allow his mother to be present when he auditioned. I get too nervous, he shared with the show. He received a standing ovation by all three judges after his impressive performance. Judge Katy Perry even mentioned he had potential to make it to the top 10. Did your mom know you were auditioning? judges asked. Sol explained she did, however, she would not be there. Judges then asked him to send a message to his mom through the camera. Hi mom, I love you. Thank you for everything youve done for me, he told the camera. In the background, his mom emerged, surprising her son at the end of his audition. The two hugged as Sol tried to understand the surprise that unfolded in front of him. Your baby just knocked it out of the park, Luke Bryan told Sols mom. Harper was then given a yes by all three judges and sent off to Hollywood Week. American Idol will air every Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. Those looking to stream the show can do so on FuboTV. The platform offers a free trial for new users. The show also streams on Hulu with a subscription. Those who sign up will get their first month free. Plans for Hulu start as low as $7.99 a month and give you access to thousands of shows and movies. Spring is almost in the air, but were not quite into the March madness of Maibocks and St. Patricks Day yet, so Ill use this week to clear a few beer news items of note from my virtual desk. Ill start off with the good news, which could have just as easily been bad. Tennessee legislators have backed down from proposed legislation that would have outlawed the sale of cold beer. You read that correctly. Lawmakers in the Volunteer State had introduced a bill in late January that would have prohibited the sale of cold beer as a preventative measure against drunk driving. The idea behind the bill was that cold beer can be imbibed immediately after purchase, which allows people to illegally drink in their cars. Rep. Ron Gant, a co-sponsor of the bill, had said that the evidence of beers cans strewn on roadsides across the state was proof that people were drinking while driving and that he believed they were getting cold beer at convenience stores. But last week Gant told The Tennessean that the prohibition of cold beer sales would not be included in the legislation. In a statement last week, Gant said, This was one of several ideas being discussed by stakeholders across our state, however, I do not want to infringe on law-abiding citizens or be unfair to businesses. While the idea was well-meant, I have to agree that it was an overreach by the legislators. Craft beer, in particular, can be dependent on freshness and temperature control. Not being able to keep certain beers refrigerated consistently from brewery to point of sale could be disastrous to small craft brewers. Sharon Cheek, executive director of the Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild, told The Tennessean exactly that in a statement: Without refrigeration, breweries would face substantial economic challenges and potential job losses, she said. Many of our breweries are known for their unpasteurized beer and use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Not only that, but outlawing cold beer sounds almost un-American. Turning to the bad news, Im sure its no surprise to learn that climate change is having a negative effect on brewing. A story in Nature Communications, a science journal, indicated that climate change is hurting hops and the trend is probably going to get worse. The Nature Communications study noted that hops could decline anywhere between 4% and 18% over the next few decades. Projections also say that the alpha content (the bittering agent) in hops could decrease by up to 31%. Two factors contribute to these problems according to the report: The lowest hops yields were negatively affected by a lack of precipitation, while the lowest values of alpha content were caused by extremely high temperatures, the study said. While beer might not be at the top of the list when it comes to problems caused by climate change, it certainly is a concern for readers of this column. And its just one more reason that addressing this global crisis is crucial. Many of us enjoy a glass of red wine, especially with dinner. But what if thats all we want? How long does a bottle of red wine last once its open? I have been asked this question many times over the years and its a great one. White wine is easy. Open the bottle, pour a glass, then put the bottle in the fridge. Many bottles of white wine will taste great for at least a week after you open it. Red wine is much trickier. Once you open that bottle, the clock starts ticking. You only have a limited amount of time to finish the bottle before it goes bad. So how much time do you have? And is there any way to make a bottle of red wine last longer once its open? The short answer? It depends. Most red wines still taste great the next day. But every bottle is different. Some start to lose their flavor after a few hours or even less. And once those great flavors are gone, youve often lost them for good. Thats probably one of the reasons why some people find wine so frustrating. Few other products have such a short shelf life. And all red wines are not created equal. But thats also one of things many of us love about wine. Its a living, breathing thing that vividly brings to life a wide range of fleeting flavors and aromas that change and evolve, sometimes in a matter of a few minutes or a few hours. So what should you do? How can you drink a red wine after its open? And why do some red wines last longer? Here are a few tips and suggestions Ive picked up over the years that often extend the life of an opened bottle of red wine. Hope this helps and hope you enjoy. Why does red wine turn bad after its open too long? Three words - air, heat and light. When wine is exposed to oxygen, it gradually loses its flavor. Thats why you need to be careful with red wine after you open it. Otherwise, it could lose its unique character right away. As for heat, this is probably the number one enemy of wine. When red wine is exposed to heat roughly above 80 degrees it quickly loses its flavor. This applies to whether the wine bottle is open or closed. A bottle of wine left in a hot car, for example, can go bad in as little as an hour. Thats why you need to store wine in a cool place, meaning under 60 degrees. You also need to store wine in a dark place. Thats because light can damage wine and age it quickly. And again, it doesnt matter if the bottle is open or closed. Light is bad for wine. How long do most red wines last after you open the bottle? In most cases, most red wines still taste great the day after you open the bottle. Where you might run into trouble is if you try to stretch out a bottle of wine to two days or longer after you open the bottle. But there are a few tricks that often work that can stretch that timeline out a few days or even longer in some cases, which you can read more about below. Can you drink all red wines over several days after opening the bottle? The short answer? No. Even if you do everything right, some wines lose all their wonderful flavors after only a few minutes or hours. This is especially true with some older red wines. And by old, I mean at least 10 years old. This is why you should always taste a wine as soon as you open the bottle. That way, you can decide if the wine needs time (again, anywhere from a few minutes to sometimes an hour or so) to open up or if the wine is ready to drink now. How do you know if a red wine is ready to drink? Thats a whole separate wine column. But basically, if the wine tastes a bit harsh, give the wine time in a glass to open up and soften those sharp edges. However, some really old (often at least 20 years old) red wines sometimes only hold onto their flavors for an hour or even less. And if thats the case, you should really drink the entire bottle that day and not save it for tomorrow. Otherwise, you might be really disappointed. 5 ways to make red wine last longer after its open So lets say you have a bottle of red wine thats not a delicate flower that needs to be consumed the same day you open it. Here are five helpful tips that will hopefully help your red wine last a few extra days after you open it. 1) Put a cork in This is a common mistake many people often make. After opening the bottle and pouring a glass of wine, they dont put the cork back in. They leave the bottle open. When you do that, air gets into the bottle and quickly ages the wine. Leaving the bottle open also allows all those magical flavors to escape. So if you plan to drink the rest of the wine in the bottle the next day, put the cork right back in after you pour your glass. 2) Keep it cool Storing wine at about 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit is just the start. To help an open bottle last beyond 24 hours, I often put the open bottle with a cork inside in the refrigerator. We keep our refrigerator at about 38 degrees. Just be aware that when you pour yourself another glass in a day or two, give the red wine time to warm up to room temperature. Otherwise, the wine wont have any real flavor since it will be far too cold. 3) Keep it dark Just like storing wine before you open the bottle, keep the opened bottle in a cool, dark place. This is why a refrigerator is such a great place to store a bottle of red wine after you open it. 4) Air pump Another trick that helps a bottle of open red wine last longer is pumping the air out of the bottle after you open it. These air pumps are sometimes called vacuum stoppers or wine stoppers and cost about $15 to $20. Combined with putting the wine in the refrigerator, your opened bottle of red wine should still taste great about three or four days after you open it. 5) Other gizmo & gadgets There is no end to the number of gizmos associated with wine. And this is especially true when it comes to gadgets that supposedly allow someone to drink wine from the same bottle for many days. The best-known gadget in this category is the one made by Coravin. This device allows you to remove wine from the bottle without removing the cork. Coravin claims some models allow users to remove still wine (not sparkling) and keep it fresh for weeks, months, or even years. However, I would recommend finishing the bottle within 30 days after you first removed wine using a Coravin, just to be safe. Prices start at about $250 for a Coravin. Upcoming wine events Wine 101 Provisions in Longmeadow will host a wine tasting class focusing on the basics of wine on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 6 pm to 8 pm at its Longmeadow location at 686 Bliss Road. Tickets are $25 each. More information about the event can be found at Provisions website. Napa Valley Wine Table & Vine will host a wine tasting class focusing on wine from Californias Napa Valley. The wine tasting will be held Thursday, Feb., 29 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Table & Vine, 1119 Riverdale Street, West Springfield. Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased at Table & Vines website. Boston Wine Expo The Boston Wine Expo will be held March 2 and 3 at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza Hotel, 50 Park Plaza, Boston. Wine tastings will be held each day, along with specialized wine tasting seminars at different times throughout the weekend. For tickets and more information, visit the Boston Wine Expos website. Cheers! Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republicans Weekend section every Thursday. The New York State Thruway Authority is marking a milestone in its $450 million service area redevelopment project with the reopening of the only rest stop in Cayuga County. Port Byron Service Area, which closed for construction in March 2023, reopened to Thruway motorists Monday. The new rest stop, located between exits 41 (Waterloo) and 40 (Weedsport) on Interstate 90 east, has two restaurants Burger King and Dunkin' and an Applegreen convenience store. Other amenities include a dog walking space and private nursing area. Four high-speed electric vehicle chargers will be installed in the future. With the reopening of the Port Byron Service Area, the $450 million rest stop project has reached its halfway point. Fourteen of the 27 Thruway service areas have reopened since the project began in 2021. "In 2024, the Thruway is celebrating its 70th anniversary as one of the safest and most reliable toll roads in the nation and we are committed to continually modernizing our system, including our service areas," said Frank Hoare, the Thruway Authority's acting executive director. "Many of these buildings were original to the Thruway system in the 1950s and in need of major repair." When the project is complete, 23 of the 27 service areas will be reconstructed and four will be renovated. The rest stops will have updated amenities, including lounges and other services for truckers, and new restaurants. Some of the restaurant chains include Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread and Shake Shack. Empire State Thruway Partners, which was awarded a 33-year contract in 2020 to operate the Thruway's service areas, is leading the privately funded project. The entity was created by Applegreen, an Ireland-based operator of convenience stores and rest stops. There were delays caused by COVID-19 and supply chain issues that affected the construction timeline, but the first rebuilt rest stop opened in August 2022. Two more reopened that year. By the end of 2023, 12 service areas had been reconstructed. Two rest stops Oneida and Port Byron have reopened this year. More rest stops will reopen in 2024. Applegreen informed the Thruway Authority that 25 of the service areas will be reconstructed or renovated by the end of the year. Hoare told the Thruway Authority's board of directors in January that the service area project should be completed by fall 2025. Four Brockton School Committee members wrote Mayor Robert Sullivan last week to ask that the National Guard be deployed at Brockton High School to help get violent incidents and drug use at the school under control. The letter, signed by Ward 2 member Claudio Gomes, Ward 3 member Ana Oliver, Ward 4 member Tony Rodrigues and Ward 6 member Joyce Asack, claims that, over the last few months, the school has experienced a disturbing increase in violence- and drug-related incidents. Incidents of students wandering the halls, getting in fights and causing classroom disruptions have become alarmingly frequent, they wrote. These incidents are not only undermining the learning environment but are also jeopardizing the integrity of the state wide testing process, the school committee members wrote. At the same time, Brockton High School is struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels, according to the school committee members. On one day recently, 35 teachers were absent simultaneously. As a result, more students have been leaving the school without permission in recent weeks, and trespassers have been able to enter the school unauthorized, the school committee members wrote. These situations not only put the students and staff at risk but also undermines the overall safety of our community, they wrote. The letter served as a formal request that Sullivan reach out to Gov. Maura Healey and ask that the National Guard be deployed at Brockton High School to assist in restoring order, ensuring the safety of all individuals on the school premises, and implementing measures to address the root causes of the issues we are facing, the school committee members wrote. We understand the gravity of this request and the importance of collaboration between local and state authorities, they wrote. The National Guards expertise in crisis management and community support can offer a vital temporary intervention, allowing for a comprehensive, long-term solution to be developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders. The letter was sent to the school districts superintendent, the other school committee members and the citys state legislators. It also requested an expedited meeting to discuss the issue. In a statement, Sullivan said he responded to the letter and explained that only Healey has the power to activate the National Guard, according to WCVB. He reportedly told the school committee members hed forward their request, but that he doesnt support National Guard deployment at Brockton High School. Brockton City Councilor-at-Large Winthrop Farwell, Jr. wrote on Facebook Saturday that he also does not support National Guard deployment at the school. Our faithful teachers (at all levels of the system) have experienced violence, injury and disruptions for years. Now, suddenly, the Guard is the answer? he wrote. I do NOT support this. Soldiers in military field uniforms arent the answer. Instead, school leaders should convene a committee of teachers from the high school to come up with solutions to these problems, Farwell suggested. We have the talent to create a positive learning atmosphere if we listen to our teaching staff. They know, they care, they can guide us to success, he wrote. A spokesperson for Healey said in a statement that they are in contact with Brockton officials about the issues at Brockton High School, according to WCVB. Last May, five people were arrested in connection with a stabbing outside the school during which three people were injured. Two of the stabbing victims were students. A student was also stabbed at the school in 2022. With an enrollment of 3,586 students, Brockton High School hosts more students than any other school in Massachusetts, according to state data. Even so, the district it is a part of is up against money problems. At the beginning of this school year, city officials discovered that Brockton Public Schools had a $14 million budget deficit. MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the LGBTQ+ community throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts. Profiles of these leaders will be published through the rest of February. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change. Jason Homer, Executive Director of The Worcester Public Library, Worcester, MA.Sebastian Restrepo Jason Homer Age: 37 Community: Worcester His story: As a public librarian, Jason Homer holds a vital responsibility for fostering positive community growth. Through collaborating with colleagues and community members, Homer strives to broaden perspectives, challenge norms and empower people to reach their fullest potential. While libraries are meant to be inclusive spaces, acknowledging that we may fall short in truly welcoming everyone is crucial, Homer told MassLive. As executive director of the Worcester Public Library, Homer said his primary objective is to actively engage with the Worcester community and demonstrate how important the library is to peoples lives. Representation is key, both in our collections and staff, as we endeavor to actualize equity and justice goals. However, amplifying marginalized voices has also sparked opposition, evident in the high number of book challenges in Massachusetts, particularly targeting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ narratives, Homer told MasssLive. Growing up in Brockton, and attending public schools, Homer found himself deeply appreciative of diversity. His circle of friends encompassed various cultures, financial backgrounds and sexual orientations, which influenced his life perspective, he said. I still recall when the President of Cabo Verde came to visit Brockton High. Witnessing the profound effect it had on my Cape Verdean peers left an indelible mark on me. These moments ignited my awareness of privilege and inspired my path towards a career in education, Homer hold MassLive. But, traditional teaching didnt align with his aspirations, he said. Instead, Homer wanted to go for a career that could enhance experiences for all individuals, he said. So, he studied English literature at Stonehill College and discovered a passion for libraries. This led him to a masters degree in library and information science at Simmons University. During this journey, it quickly became clear that my true calling lay in public libraries, where I could address diverse and urgent needs within the community, Homer told MassLive. Homer focuses on on dismantling barriers and expanding access in his role at the Worcester Public Library, he said. Libraries serve as vital bastions of knowledge in a period where misinformation and disinformation is becoming more prevelant, Homer said. But, there are concerted efforts to silence traditionally marginalized voices. Yet, librarians nationwide are bravely pushing back against book bans and challenges. In this critical juncture, I take immense pride in advocating for inclusivity and access within our library systems. Its a privilege to champion the fundamental role libraries play in fostering informed and equitable societies, Homer said. In his words: For those embarking on the journey of librarianship, my foremost advice is to embrace the dynamic nature of the profession. A hallmark of this career is the absence of monotony; each day presents new challenges, opportunities, and interactions. From engaging with parent groups advocating for enhanced library accessibility for their children to providing support to a teenager exploring their gender identity through literature, the spectrum of responsibilities is vast and ever-evolving. Were always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form. Since its Presidents Day, can you name all of the presidents of the United States? This question was taken to task by BetVirginia to see who were the most forgotten presidents. Using the results from a 2023 quiz on Sporcle, answered by about 14 million people, BetVirgina said it determined who the most forgotten presidents were. At the top of the list is the 19th President of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes, according to 56.2% of the results collected by BetVirginia. Hayes served one term between 1877 and 1881, beginning at the end of Reconstruction following the Civil War. This is an undated photo of U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes. (AP Photo)AP Described by the National Constitution Center as controversial and little remembered, Hayes, an Ohio Republican, was a dark horse candidate in the 1876 election. He ran against Samuel Tilden. In the time after Election Day, neither candidate won a majority of electoral votes, the center said. A House of Representatives-appointed special Electoral Commission, comprising members of House and Senate lawmakers, and U.S. Supreme Court justices, was made to avoid a constitutional crisis, the center continued. While Hayes was allowed to win the four disputed states, and thus the presidency, Democrats obtained more control of the south after troops withdrew, effectively ending Reconstruction. This outcome is known to historians as the Compromise of 1877. Historians such as Ron Morris Jr. argue it was an example of being a stolen election, something author Gore Vidal dramatized in his novel on Americas centennial, 1876. Second on BetVirginias list was Chester Alan Arthur, who was in office between 1881 and 1885. He was followed by Warren G. Harding, who was inaugurated in 1921 and served until his death in 1923. Pre-Civil War president Franklin Pierce was next, followed by the presidents who bookended his administration, Millard Fillmore at fifth and James Buchanan at sixth. The seventh man on the list marks a departure by being the only 21st-century president in the top 10: Donald Trump. Former President Donald Trump speaks at the 2024 Outdoor Show Feb. 9. (Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com) How this is possible is anyones guess, since he has been in the news cycle 24/7 for the past eight years, BetVirginia said in a statement. Maybe some are intentionally ignoring the Trump era. Trump was followed by Zachary Taylor, the 12th president. The Mexican-American War general started office in 1849 and died over a year later, succeeded by his vice president (and fellow forgotten president) Millard Fillmore. Hayes successor, James Garfield, the second president to be assassinated after Abraham Lincoln, came next at ninth, according to BetVirginia. Arthur was Garfields vice president and succeeded him in 1881. Finally, William McKinley was listed as the 10th most forgotten president. Elected in 1897 and re-elected four years later, he was assassinated less than a year later. His vice president, Theodore Roosevelt, replaced him. By the way, BetVirginia said at the end of its statement, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Lets try and remember that. Students and faculty will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. from Nashua High School North in New Hampshire after a single round of ammunition was found in a bathroom, according to police. Nashua Police announced the high school was placed in lockdown at 9:35 a.m. Monday and an initial investigation found the ammunition. There were no threats or messages made in connection with the ammunition, police said. No students or faculty were reported injured. Police were still on the scene as of 11:06 a.m. Voter enthusiasm for a 2020 rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump already might have many Americans unenthused about casting their ballots, but one key demographic remains very unsure about taking part in the 2024 election. A majority of voters between the ages of 18 and 34, consisting mainly of Gen Z and millennials, are not sure if they will vote in the November election, according to an Axios/Generation Lab Youth poll. While 42% said they will absolutely vote, 58% sounded doubtful about casting their ballots. The poll broke the 58% into three categories: Probably I plan to, Probably not I dont and Probably not 0% chance I will. Of those polled, 28% said they plan to, while 17% said they dont plan to. Only 13% said they have no plans to vote. These numbers are a shift from where young voters stood in 2020. Amidst a global pandemic, economic downturn and political turmoil leading up to and following that election, 50% of young people between the ages of 18 and 29 cast their ballots, according to Tufts Universitys Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement in 2021. The change marked an 11% increase in youth voter turnout since 2016. On the issues, a majority of young people in Axios/Generation Labs poll said the economy was the issue that mattered most, at 39%. Next was abortion at 16%, with student debt and immigration tied at 11%, followed by climate change at 10%, and guns and other tied at 7%. The oldest Gen Z voters have only seen three presidential candidates since turning 18: Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Joe Biden. With the latter two on track for a 2020 rematch in November, one voter told Axios it was a matter of representation. Id like to see younger people who are more in touch with the issues affecting the population of people who will be out of college soon, Jadisha Proano, 19, a student at said Dickinson College, in Carlisle, Pa., who who does not plan to vote this year, told pollsters. Im graduating in a few years, and Im worried about the amount of debt Ill be in. Just finding a job seems very difficult and stressful, Proano said. This also comes at a time when voters are focused on the candidates respective ages, with Biden at 81 the oldest person elected president, then at age 78 and Trump, the likely GOP nominee, at 77, the previous record-holder when he was 70. Before Trump, President Ronald Reagan held the record when he was elected at 69 years old in 1980. Following a special counsel report that cast Biden as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory, along with gaffes referring to dead European leaders and mistaking Egypts President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for the president of Mexico, debate has swirled about the presidents re-election chances, The Hill reported. Meanwhile, Trump has similarly confused his remaining Republican opponent Nikki Haley with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, The Hill also wrote. Age has been a factor in several polls where Americans have voiced their disinterest in a sequel to the 2020 election, including a recent UMass Amherst poll. In that poll, 63% of voters viewed both Trump and Biden as old. And 48% believe both candidates are out of touch with issues facing the country. The Axios/Generation Lab poll was conducted between Feb. 3 and Feb. 14 from a representative sample of 1,073 young people. The poll had a 3% margin of error. FORT MYERS, Fla. For much of the offseason, closer Kenley Jansen has found himself in the middle of trade rumors. The Red Sox, who dealt fellow reliever John Schreiber Saturday, have made it known to teams that, for the right offer, theyd be willing to move Jansen, too. BetMGM BET $5, GET $158! BONUS BETS CLAIM OFFER Promo code: MASS158 STATES: MA, KY, AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. 21 years of age or older to wager. MA Only. New Customer Offer. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets. Bonus bets expire 7 days from issuance. In Partnership with MGM Springfield. Play it smart from the start with GameSense. GameSenseMA.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org. The veteran closer, who had 29 saves in his first season with the Red Sox last year. Hes due $16 million in 2024, and the Sox want teams to assume the vast majority, if not all, of his remaining money. Jansen, of course, is aware of the speculation that he could be dealt, and said so on the latest edition of the Fenway Rundown. You can listen to entire episode here. It is tough. It is tough, said Jansen. But you just gotta block it out and not search for it. (The way I ignored was to) spend time with my family. Now its become a little bit harder again because now my familys over there (in Los Angeles) and Im here (in spring training). You just gotta learn how to block it out and come here, do my work. As of right now, Im still in Boston and whatever happens, happens. BET ANYTHING GET $250 BONUS ESPN BET CLAIM OFFER MASS 21+ and present in MA, NJ, PA, VA, MD, WV, TN, LA, KS, KY, CO, AZ, IL, IA, IN, OH, MI. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. As of now, when Im here, Im going to help develop these other guys around me, get them better. I can share a lot of my experience. They can learn something from me, I can learn something from them. One thing, I will never quit on my team, whatever team Im on. (But) it is frustrating, it is hard. But youve got to learn how to block it out and be ready for a good season. At the Bethesda Ukrainian Pentecostal Church in West Springfield, pastor Peter Mosijchuk and his parishioners pack boxes with necessities for Ukrainians. They ship off care packages from people who care. Mosijchuk and others in the Pioneer Valley with ties to Ukraine are disappointed that representatives in Congress are failing to support Ukraine. WESTFIELD Out of more than $17 million the mayors office received in federal COVID-19 pandemic relief funds, all but half a million has been spent or is attached to planned projects, Mayor Michael McCabe told the City Council last month. The council had requested an accounting of Westfields share of the American Recovery Plan Act, a law passed by Congress in 2021 that gave millions of dollars to state and local governments. Unlike the local and state tax dollars spent in the citys annual budget, ARPA gave mayors broad powers to decide how to spend the federal aid without needing City Council votes or public hearings. City Councilor Ralph Figy had made the initial request for a listing of expenses. Lesotho, African Union Commission, African Development Bank , and partners call for renewed commitment to boost nutrition for Africas children; We have a duty and a responsibility to reduce malnutrition and stunting in Africa by 40% by 2025 just one year from now Adesina. Africas children are paying a huge price for malnutrition, a high-level round table convened by the African Union and African Leaders for Nutrition Champion heard Friday evening. Some 86 million children below five face various forms of malnutrition, 63 million are stunted, 10 million are overweight and three million are wasted that is they have low weight for their height. Heads of state and government, vice presidents, ministers and heads of development and partner organizations said this posed enormous development challenges for Africa. They were attending on Friday a headlining event termed African Union high-level round table: Addressing Malnutrition, Catalysing Africas Transformation through Enhanced Multi-sectoral Investments on the sidelines of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa. Speaking on the behalf of King Letsie III of Lesotho, the Kingdoms Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, National Security, and Environment Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane called on African Union Member States to present policy and programme solutions for scaling up nutrition through multisector investments. Our commitment as leaders remains a pivotal pillar in driving policy and legislative actions to tackle malnutrition. Member States need to adopt stronger policies and increase financing for nutrition to turn the tide of malnutrition and secure the future of our children, Prime Minister Matekane said. He commended the commitment of African Leaders for Nutrition towards engaging African leaders to do more to enhance nutrition for the continents overall well-being and economic development. Speaking during one of the panel discussions, the President of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde, highlighted the Seqota Declaration made by the Government of Ethiopia in 2015 as a renewed commitment to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The Seqota Declaration is the Ethiopian governments high-level commitment to end stunting in children under the age of two by 2030. The African Development Banks support for the Seqota Declaration has had a dramatic impact in terms of [preventing] illness and death, educational performance and inadequate labour productivity, she said. President of the African Development Bank Group Dr Akinwumi Adesina said, We have a duty and responsibility to reduce malnutrition and stunting in Africa by 40% by 2025that is just one year from now, and declared, It is therefore critical that strong political be deployed by Heads of State and Government to tackle malnutrition. Adesina said poor nutrition keeps school-age children from realising their educational potential, diminishes work productivity and hinders much-needed contributions to society as well as negatively impacting economic growth. As a co-founder of African Leaders for Nutrition, a platform for high-level political engagement that aims to influence innovative investments towards nutrition and food security, the Bank Group president warned the situation could deteriorate further unless action is taken. The number of undernourished people in Africa is projected to increase to 51.5%. Making a focus on transforming food systems an urgent priority, Adesina said. He pointed to the findings of the World Food Programmes Cost of Hunger Studies in Africa that showed malnutrition had far-reaching implications on societal progress. Sierra Leones Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, said the country has created a dedicated budget line for nutrition that multilateral agencies can support. Re-emphasizing the importance of political leadership and collaboration in the fight against malnutrition, the African Unions Commissioner for Health Minata Samate Cessouma, speaking on behalf of the African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, called on all Member States to unite their efforts in the fight against malnutrition. The round table event, also co-organized or supported by development partners Big Win Philanthropy, Nutrition International and the Food and Agricultural Organization, highlighted nutrition leaders aligning the national strategic objectives of African countries with continental and global nutrition agendas. The Food and Agriculture Organisations Representative in Ethiopia, Farayi Zimudzi, remarked that there are more stunted children today than 20 years ago and that Africas stunting statistics are on the rise. Every dollar invested in nutrition can yield a return of 16 dollars. Tackling malnutrition makes economic sense, she added. The discussions were moderated by Dr Victor Oladokun, Senior Advisor to the President of the African Development Bank Group. Ministers, development partners and other speakers reviewed the progress made toward achieving nutrition targets for the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme-CAADP, the Malabo Declaration, the World Health Assembly, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through sustained and increased investment in nutrition. Lahardanes Aidan Browne was selected as the Social Democrats candidate for the Castlebar area in the forthcoming local elections. The decision was made at a selection convention held last Thursday. Mr Browne, who works in film and television production and holds a degree in politics, had been seeking the nomination for several months and came into the convention with some momentum, having been a part of the recent successful campaign to save the Lahardane doctors office from closure. Speaking about his nomination, Mr Browne said he was pleased and honoured to have been selected. As the first nominee from Addergoole to have received a party nomination in the last 25 years, Mr Browne is proud to be working with a party thats putting Healthcare and Housing at the top of its agenda because those are exactly [his own] priorities. Im 33 years old, my party leader is 34; were a young party that understands the needs of young families because were personally experiencing all the same issues. We know all too well how important it is to have people on the ground fighting for public services, and I can say with confidence that if you support the Social Democrats, thats exactly what youll get he said. While Mr Brownes name was the only one formally put to a vote, it was understood that he had not been the only one seeking a nomination from the party. Mark Gannon of Castlebar town had also been interested but was forced to drop out at the last minute citing family commitments. All this came just 24 hours before the launch of the party's two-day national convention in Dublin this past weekend. Party leader Holly Cairns speech was aired live on RTE1 on Saturday, where she touted that the party would be seeking to run up to 100 candidates in the local elections, and would stand a candidate in all 3 Irish constituencies in the European elections. This election cycle sees the Social Democrats making a major push into rural areas; Mr Browne is amongst 65 already confirmed local candidates standing in counties such as Leitrim, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Tipperary and Clare. During Ms Cairns speech, she stated the Social Democrats would be willing to go into coalition with other parties following the next general election, but said the partys red line would be the implementation of Slaintecare. Slaintecare is a proposed Irish version of universal healthcare which, amongst other things, would make visits to a GPs office and visits to A&E free at the point of entry. Both local and European elections are expected to be contested the first week of June. Delegation of the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan visited the country to study the experience of Azerbaijan in developing new information systems of tax administration within the framework of reforms carried out in the field of digitalization in Kazakhstan, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry. On February 14-15, the delegation headed by Deputy Chairman of the State Revenue Committee Anuar Suleimenov held a number of meetings in the State Tax Service and exchanged experience. Representatives of the State Tax Service informed the guests about the successfully applied "VAT Refund" project in Azerbaijan, administration of refund of part of VAT paid for residential and non-residential premises purchased by non-cash means, introduction of online cash, registers, single deposit account for VAT, as well as achievements in the field of international taxation. Gave details of the achievements. Interest in the meetings was also aroused by the electronic document flow between taxpayers and tax authorities through the system "online case management", the structure of submodules of the Automated Tax Information System (ATIS) (Declaration, Case Management, Personal Cabinet, Debt, TIN). In addition, the guests were presented information on identification of risky taxpayer of the State Tax Service on import-export operations and criteria of risky operations, including digital solutions used in this area and future plans in this regard. During the meetings, in addition to the achievements in the tax system of Azerbaijan, the project of "Common Declaration System" being finalized in Kazakhstan, as well as the experience of this country in the field of tax administration of "goods to be noted and should be noted". Recently, an agreement was reached to hold online meetings on the experience of the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan on international taxation and import-export issues. The popularity of Hyundai Creta has been unchallenged since 2015 when the company's first SUV for the Indian car market was launched. The mid-size segment was still small and dominated by Renault Duster but the entry of Creta changed various dynamics in various ways. And while the SUV segment has now seen several sub-segments, Creta remains a formidable player. Hyundai on Monday announced that the Creta mid-size SUV has now breached the one million - or 10 lakh - cumulative sales milestone. Hyundai highlights that over the course of the past eight years, it has sold one Creta unit every five minutes. And while that is an impressive piece of statistic, what is equally impressive is that the model has managed to sell like hotcakes despite the entry of newer players with newer technologies, including hybrids. The Creta competes against the likes of Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Tata Harrier, Mahindra Scorpio-N, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, among others. But despite this long list of rivals - many of whom are worthy enough to be popular, Creta appears to be playing in a league of its own. Also check these Cars Find more Cars Hyundai Creta 1497 cc 1497 cc Multiple Multiple 11 - 20.15 Lakhs Compare View Offers Skoda Kushaq 1498.0 cc 1498.0 cc Petrol Petrol 11.89 - 20.49 Lakhs Compare View Offers Volkswagen Taigun 1498.0 cc 1498.0 cc Petrol Petrol 10.49 - 17.50 Lakhs Compare View Offers Kia Seltos 1497 cc 1497 cc Multiple Multiple 10.90 - 20.30 Lakhs Compare View Offers Mahindra Thar 2184 cc 2184 cc Multiple Multiple 11.25 - 17.20 Lakhs Compare View Offers UPCOMING Mahindra XUV300 2024 1197 cc 1197 cc Petrol Petrol 9 - 15 Lakhs View Details One key factor for Creta's sustained success may be its timely updates. First launched in 2015, Creta has been updated with facelift versions as well as with feature additions. The second-generation model was launched in 2020 with updates to the styling on the outside. The latest facelift also sports numerous design updates - both on the outside as well as in the cabin - and now comes with ADAS technology. The company says that since its launch last month, it has garnered 60,000 bookings. We are extremely grateful for the love and trust our customers have shown for Creta. As frontrunners in the introduction of revolutionary technologies, we shall continue to establish new milestones and redefine benchmarks across segments in the industry," said Tarun Garg, COO at Hyundai Motor India Limited. Watch: Hyundai Creta facelift review: Major step-up for the SUV king 2024 Hyundai Creta waiting period While Hyundai underlines that Creta continues to form the backbone of its SUV thrust in the Indian market, there is reportedly a six-month waiting period for the latest Creta in the market. With 60,000 bookings already received, the Creta is almost certain to retain its place on the pedestal among mid-size SUVs in the market. 2024 Hyundai Creta engine options Hyundai Creta comes with two petrol engine options. A tubro-charged 1.5-litre petrol unit is new on the latest model while the other petrol motor has been carried forward. For those interested in opting for a diesel motor, the CRDi unit has been carried forward. In terms of transmission options, Hyundai Creta continues to come with manual, DCT as well as semi-automatic or iMT options. 2024 Hyundai Creta prices The latest Hyundai Creta prices range from 11 lakh for the base variant and goes up to 20 lakh (all prices are ex-showroom and subject to change). First Published Date: RESIDENTS of Ballinrobes Glebe Street are set to oppose the removal of parking on the street to facilitate new traffic lights. Works have already begun to install traffic lights at Stauntons junction on the street, which will see the removal of between three and four parking spaces. Local people are to voice concerns about the removal of parking spaces at a meeting this evening (Monday) in OMalleys Funeral Home with local councillors Patsy OBrien (Independent), Damien Ryan (Fianna Fail) and Michael Burke (Fine Gael). The works, which received Part 8 approval from local councillors in 2020 on foot of a traffic management plan, are expected to take six weeks to complete. Two bus stops are also to be relocated as part of works aimed at improving the traffic flow through the town. Glebe Street accommodates commercial premises as well as several dwellings. No submissions were made to the Part 8 proposals following their publication. Adrian OMalley, who lives on the street and is due to reopen a nearby pub on Convent Road, said the loss of parking would impact on public safety and on OMalleys Funeral home. Itll have a massive impact on us here. I have two young kids there and my wife. Where do we go with them to get them safely to the house? Mr OMalley told The Mayo News yesterday. Theres no parking on New Street. Watsons Lane, youd be very lucky to get a spot there and even if you do get a spot on Watsons Lane how do you safely cross the road from there? Cars fly in the Convent Road there, the only thing that slows the cars down is if cars park on the left hand side. It breaks their speed. If theres no cars parked there they are going to fly into it. Mr OMalley maintained that local people were not opposed to the traffic lights being installed once adequate parking remained in place. Karen Murphy, another local resident, told The Mayo News she was not opposed to traffic lights but said there had been lack of communication regarding the proposals. These plans were made out since 2019 and signed off since 2020 its lack of communication. They never came to any of the houses to let us know this is actually taking place until three weeks ago we were told. Cllr Damien Ryan told The Mayo News that the plans were not ideal for the people affected but said that provision could be made for additional parking spaces nearby. The alternative is to do nothing and leave it as it is. The town is in gridlock, he said. Cllr Ryan said the council engineers had no real input in the project, which is being funded and managed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). FORMER solicitor and Crossmolina native Michael Lynn, who was found guilty of stealing just over 18 million from six financial institutions during the Celtic Tiger era, has been jailed for five and a half years. Sentencing Lynn this afternoon, Judge Martin Nolan set a sentence of 13 years and gave Lynn seven-and-a-half years credit for the time he spent in prison in Brazil. Judge Nolan accepted that the time Lynn spent in prison in Brazil was onerous but he noted: To some degree he could have resolved his difficulties by agreeing to come home. Lynn and his wife Brid Murphy, who was in court for the sentence, made no visible reaction when the sentence was handed down. Lynn (55) was found guilty by a jury of ten of the 21 counts against him following a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial last year. The jury was unable to agree on the remaining 11 counts before the court. It was the second trial in the case after the jury in his first trial, which ran for 16 weeks in 2022, was unable to agree on any verdicts. Lynn, of Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co Wicklow had pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23, 2006 and April 20, 2007, when he was working as a solicitor and property developer. He has no previous convictions and has been in custody since he was convicted of the 10 counts just before Christmas. Multiple mortgages THE court heard Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties in a situation where banks were unaware that other institutions were also providing finance. These properties included Glenlion, Lynns 5.5 million home in Howth, and multiple investment properties. The financial institutions Lynn was found guilty of stealing from were National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and Irish Nationwide Building Society. Lynn took the stand and told his trial that the banks were aware he had multiple loans on the same properties and that this was custom and practice among bankers in Celtic Tiger Ireland. He was extradited from Brazil in 2018 after spending four and a half years in a hellhole prison there. In the first trial, Lynn told the jury the jail was essentially run by prisoners and he witnessed the beheading of a young gay prisoner. As part of the extradition agreement with Brazil, Lynn was to be given credit for the prison time he has already served. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the single count relating to Bank of Ireland alleging Lynn stole 2.7 million from that bank. It was also unable to reach verdicts on ten counts relation to Irish Nationwide, from which Lynn was accused of stealing 7.4 million. He was convicted on a single count of stealing 508,000 from that institution. In relation to Irish Nationwide, Lynn claimed he signed a memo of understanding with bank chief Michael Fingleton in a Dublin hotel in 2006. He said the agreement involved Irish Nationwide providing funding for Lynns apartment development in Portugal, with Mr Fingleton set to benefit personally from this arrangement. Mr Fingleton was not well enough to give evidence at trial, the jury was told. The remaining charges against Lynn were dropped yesterday. Sentencing Lynn, Judge Nolan accepted that he was a person who had many good points, saying he had no doubt he was energetic, very intelligent and accomplished. He said he believed Lynn was capable of reform and of contributing to this country and society in due course. Professional disrepute BUT he said the amount of money stolen was serious and Lynn had brought solicitors into professional disrepute. Mr Lynn acted in total disregard in relation to his obligations as a solicitor to be honest and straightforward and he disregarded the interests of the people he was working with, Judge Nolan said. He noted Lynns account of having prior agreements with the banks in relation to the loan monies was disbelieved by the jury. The judge backdated the five-and-a-half year sentence to December 20 last, when Lynn went into custody. After the sentence was handed down, the court heard an application will be made for the confiscation of assets pertaining to Lynn, in the form of real properties and bank accounts. This matter was set down for mention on April 16. Mental trauma IN his plea of mitigation to the court, Paul Comiskey OKeeffe BL, defending, said Lynn had suffered mental trauma as a result of his prolonged period in a Brazilian prison. A number of medical reports were handed into court which outlined how Lynn suffered from PTSD as a result of his incarceration in deplorable conditions and that he witnessed a decapitation and daily violence. His current imprisonment has had a triggering effect on his mental health, the court heard. A medical report found that Lynn developed a skin carcinoma as a result of being exposed to direct sunlight in prison and is now more susceptible to a similar type of cancer, as well as more malignant forms, counsel said. The court heard Lynn has chronic asthma and suffered 11 bouts of pneumonia in a five-year period. His experience in Brazil will affect his overall life expectancy, Mr Comiskey O'Keeffe said. Defence counsel handed in a number of testimonials including from Lynns wife, Brid Murphy, outlining the effect Lynns incarceration has had on his family and his children. The court heard an acquaintance of Lynn - an English businessman - had agreed to give Lynn a job. Lynn has no previous convictions. The court heard the two trials spanned a combined total of 89 days and that Lynn spent 1,645 days in prison in Brazil and a further 105 days in custody in Ireland upon his extradition and before he was granted bail. The prosecution asserted that Lynn could have ended his Brazilian incarceration with a stroke of a pen, a submission that was disputed by his defence, who said it would have taken a number of months. Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinese bus maker Anhui Ankai Automobile Co., Ltd. (Ankai) held a launch ceremony for the mass export of the G9 buses to Saudi Arabia on February 17, 2024, according to a WeChat post by JAC Group. Photo credit: JAC Group The G9 buses, with their vibrant colors and sleek lines, perfectly complement Saudi Arabia's modern streetscape. Featuring large panoramic windows, these buses offer spacious interiors, providing passengers with excellent visibility and ample natural light to enjoy the urban scenery. Built with a full monocoque body structure and cathodic electrophoretic painting, the G9 buses ensure durability and safety. Their exceptional resistance to corrosion, rust, salt spray, and humid climates makes them well-suited for Saudi Arabia's extreme environmental conditions. Furthermore, Ankai has optimized the reliability, long-term cooling capacity of the air conditioning system, and powertrain the exported G9 vehicles, offering Saudi citizens a superior travel experience. This export initiative demonstrates Ankai's commitment to expanding its global footprint with advanced technology and products. The batch of the G9 buses will serve as both school buses and public transportation, contributing to the development of a high-quality public transit system in Saudi Arabia. With over ten thousand vehicles exported to date, Ankai's growth in the Saudi market reaffirms its position as a leading brand for local public transportation vehicles. by Barbara Lippert , Columnist, February 17, 2024 Lets face it. The 1985 song We are the World was always a bit cringey, more jingle than single. But as recorded by the tippy-top stars of the music world at that time, smushed together in one steamy studio for one night that lasted until dawn, its a miracle. And, as it turns out, an earworm. As played on radio stations throughout the world, it went on to earn about $50 million for African famine relief, specifically feeding starving Ethiopians who were the victims of war. So it served a higher purpose than becoming a top 40 song. As we see in the Netflix documentary The Greatest Night in Pop, (not the greatest name) the idea originated with Harry Belafonte, who wanted to do a Bob Geldof-style Band Aid session with black artists raising awareness for the economic conditions in Africa. He wrangled Quincy Jones, who wrangled Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson to write the song. Ken Kragen, Richies manager, called in a million favors. No one knew the song had been written just the week before and was still unfinished. Changes to lyrics were made that night as they sang. (Better day was changed to brighter day, for instance.) advertisement advertisement Most of all, it was possible to get this this constellation together briefly only because all these musicians had attended the American Music Awards that same evening, which Richie hosted, and then were wrangled over to the studio for eight hours of overtime. Bruce Springsteen drove himself and was proud of the parking spot he got right out front. We learn that the Boss sounded especially croaky, but still came through, because he had just come off a grueling, year-long Born in the USA tour, finishing in Syracuse, New York the night before. He flew to L.A. and his voice was shot. Cameras recorded the recording process that night. I remember seeing clips back then (almost 40 years ago!) and thinking this amazing assemblage of dressed-down icons in headphones -- Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Dionne Warwick and 30 more -- all looked a bit sweaty, and that the sound of their voices was a bit off. The Greatest Night in Pop shows why. Its a nostalgia fest filled with nuggets of inside info and intrigue: who walked out, who got drunk, the trouble with Cyndi Laupers mic. It also manages to deliver a sweeping overview that should get a lot more traction. The genius of Quincy Jones shows, as producer and orchestrator of music, plus anxious superstar whisperer. Even though he famously slapped the sign Leave your ego at the door on the door, we see that some of these celebs were shy around their peers, many of whom they had never met. Some even fangirled and boyed around their own musical heroes. Footage shows Diana Ross running up to Daryl Hall with her music in her hands, saying, "Daryl, I'm your biggest fan. Would you sign my music for me?" The other trouble shooter, producer, and miracle worker, Richie, serves as a charming narrator here, starting with the back story of working with Jackson to write the song. He remembers meeting with Michael at Neverland when his pet snake, Muscles, suddenly appeared. Ive seen this horror movie, and it doesnt end well for the brother, Richie tells the camera, describing the moment the snake emerged, right as he and Jackson came up with the songs chorus. He heard us singing, Lion-EL, Richie said Jackson told him. He wants to meet you. (Yes, the king of pop referred to Richie as Lion-El, like the trains.) Richie also discloses that the King of Pop could not read or write music. But the most memorable shocker to me was seeing rock god Bob Dylan fall apart. Hed looked extremely uncomfortable all evening, and when it was his turn for a stanza at the mic, he went all awkward and silent, as if hed never sung before. Stevie Wonder saved him, taking him into another room and working with Dylan on the piano to find the right notes, and singing the words as if he were the Bard himself. Wonder also walked Ray Charles to the bathroom, joking about the blind leading the blind. Its damning with faint praise to say that The Greatest is far greater than the song itself, but it is. The making of in this case, is a straightforward presentation with great narration, contemporary interviews with some of the stars, and terrific archival footage. We get to see the parts, and the sum. Its worth a view. by Ray Schultz , February 18, 2024 A coalition designed to foster local journalism has been created in New York State. The Empire State Local News Coalition is made up of over 100 local newspapers. The group supports these legislative priorities: The Local Journalism Sustainability Act (S.625B/A2958C) would provide tax credits to local news outlets for the employment of journalists. Incentivizing small businesses to advertise in local media. The Empire State Local News Coalition is dedicated to advancing a legislative package with bipartisan support aimed at providing a lifeline to newspapers across the State, says Zachary Richner, director of Long Island-based Richner Communications, and a founding member of the coalition. Coalition members say they fulfill a critical function. advertisement advertisement Village View is a critical source of local news, says Arthur Z. Schwartz, senior editor, The Village View. Its importance is reflected by the fact that we distribute 11,000 copies, by hand, to building lobbies and door stoops all over Greenwich Village and the West Village and we always get calls asking for more. Professionally-reported, fact-checked local news forges community, keeps elected officials in check, and strengthens democracy, says Adam Stone, publisher at Westchesters Examiner Media . Stone adds that the legislation would help fortify our business and allow us to keep reinvesting in high-quality local journalists. New York State suffered a 40% decrease in newspapers between 2004 and 2019. Moreover, there are half the number of journalists left, and overall circulation has plummeted by 60%, it adds. Of all New York counties, 13 counties have only one newspaper and one, Orleans County, has none. by Ray Schultz , February 18, 2024 The Washington Post has added a new deputy editor position, promoting Matt Zapotosky to the job, effective immediately. Zapotosky has been appointed as deputy metro editor. He joins Maria Glod as a senior leader on the desk. This news follows the appointment of Jamie Stockwell as executive editor in January. In the new arrangement, Zapotosky will cover criminal justice and breaking news. Glod will focus on local politics and education. Zapotosky first joined the Post as a summer intern in the Southern Maryland bureau in 2007. Returning a year later, he has since covered police, courts, the justice department. Two years ago, Zapotosky became an editor on the metro desk. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, February 19, 2024 Spammers and scammers use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create content and get people to download malware and viruses, but Googles algorithms are ranking some of those pages in the lead spots ahead of legitimate information and listings. Artificial intelligence (AI) adds a new layer to erroneous rankings for searches, including misleading targeted ads and low-quality websites built to appear at the top of the search-results page. The Wall Street Journal reported that this can lead to scams intended to steal credit-card numbers and other personal information. Several disturbing examples were provided by Nicole Nguyen, a personal tech columnist at The WSJ, but the most concerning example surfaced in query results related to information on how to change her default Google account. advertisement advertisement The top result was a byline by Morgan Mitchell, content manager at Adobe, which led to an article posted on LinkedIn. It turns out that Mitchell, who appears as an author of 150 articles in Q&A format, does not exist -- although many of those articles include customer-service phone numbers. None of those numbers belong to Google or Adobe. Mark Williams-Cook, a search-engine specialist and director at marketing agency Candour, told the WSJ that to rank high in search results, spammers now publish posts on established and authoritative sites that Google tends to favor, such as LinkedIn, Reddit and Quora. Web spam is not new, but the tools are, and they have lowered the barrier for entry, Williams-Cook told the WSJ. After Adobe confirmed that no one by the full name of Morgan Mitchell works at the company, Williams-Cook suspected the profile and its posts were created using AI, which makes it easy to create content and post it on any of the social networks without being labeled as misinformation or spam. Spammers also are using AI-generated images to create unique dating profiles, according to findings from Satnam Narang, a senior staff engineer at Tenable, as reported by Bloomberg. Narang found a Bumble profile for an attractive 36-year-old brunette woman named Megan. He ran the photo through a AI-detection website, and decided that Megan was likely a fake. Amid all this, OpenAI has now created and released Sora, which is being taught to understand and simulate the physical world in motion. It creates video from text, raising the chances of extreme fraudulent content. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking measures to make fraudulent AI impersonation illegal, and is seeking public comment on a supplemental bill that would prohibit the impersonation of individuals. The proposed change in rules, announced Thursday, would extend protections, with greater clarification of how much of a resemblance the image needs to show. The changes will also make it possible for the agency to more quickly target the makers of the code used in these types of scams. There is a rule based on government personnel, but the initial proposal doesn't cover the impersonation of private individuals. The proposed expansions to the final impersonation rule would protect individuals. Fraudsters are using AI tools to impersonate individuals with eerie precision and at a much wider scale, stated FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. With voice cloning and other AI-driven scams on the rise, protecting Americans from impersonator fraud is more critical than ever. Trusted Source External Validation of a Commercial Acute Kidney Injury Predictive Model Go to source Trusted Source AI Tool's Reliability in Predicting Hospital-Acquired Kidney Injury Risk The Epic AI model evaluates adult inpatient encounters for the risk of hospital acquired kidney injury. #AI #kidneyinjury #kidneyhealth #healthtech External Validation of a Commercial Acute Kidney Injury Predictive Model - (https://ai.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/AIoa2300099) Hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HA-AKI) poses risks like chronic kidney disease , longer hospital stays, and higher costs. Mass General Brigham Digital researchers assessed theHowever, performance was lower than Epic Systems Corporation's internal validation, emphasizing the need for rigorous AI model validation before clinical use. (After training the model using data from MGB hospitals, the researchers tested it on data from nearly 40,000 inpatient hospital stays for a five-month period between August 2022 and January 2023. The dataset was extensive with many points collected on patient encounters, including information such as patient demographics, comorbidities, principal diagnoses, serum creatinine levels and length of hospital stay. Two analyses were completed looking at encounter-level and prediction-level model performance.The investigators observed that the tool was more reliable when assessing patients with lower risk of HA-AKI. Although the model could confidently identify which low-risk patients would not develop HA-AKI, it struggled to predict when higher-risk patients might develop HA-AKI. Results also varied depending on the stage of HA-AKI being evaluated predictions were more successful for Stage 1 HA-AKI compared to more severe cases.The authors concluded overall that implementation may result in high false-positive rates and called for further study of the tools clinical impact.We found that the Epic predictive model was better at ruling out low-risk patients than identifying high-risk patients, said lead study author Sayon Dutta, MD, MPH, of Mass General Brigham Digitals Clinical Informatics team, and an emergency medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. Identifying HA-AKI risk with predictive models could help support clinical decisions such as by warning providers against ordering nephrotoxic medications, but further study is needed before clinical implementation.Source-Eurekalert Trusted Source Root microbiota of tea plants regulate nitrogen homeostasis and theanine synthesis to influence tea quality Go to source Trusted Source Flavor complexity of tea is not solely determined by tea varieties but also by the microbial community on tea roots, which suggests that modifying this microbial assembly can elevate tea quality. #tea #microbes #microbialcommunity Advertisement Unlocking Tea's Potential Advertisement Root microbiota of tea plants regulate nitrogen homeostasis and theanine synthesis to influence tea quality - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982224000794?via%3Dihub) Beyond tea varieties, the microbial composition of tea roots plays a pivotal role in shaping tea flavor, offering insights into enhancing tea quality through microbial manipulation, as highlighted in a study published in the journal).Significant disparities in microbial communities, particularly nitrogen metabolism-related microorganisms, were identified in the roots of tea plants with varying qualities through microbiomics, says Tongda Xu of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fujian, China.Crucially, through the isolation and assembly of a synthetic microbial community from high-quality tea plant roots, we managed to notably enhance the amino acid content in various tea plant varieties, resulting in an improvement in tea quality.China harbors a wealth of genetic resources for growing tea plants. But, the researchers explain, that improving the quality of tea through molecular genetic breeding methods is challenging.Theres interest in finding other ways toEarlier studies showed that soil microbes living in plant roots affect the way nutrients are taken up and used within plants.In the new study, the researchers wanted to learn more about how specifically root microbes affect tea quality.They found that thewhich is key for determining a teas taste. They also saw variations in the microbes colonizing different teas.By comparing tea varieties with different amounts of theanine, they identified a set of microbes that looked promising for altering nitrogen metabolism and boosting theanine levels.They next constructed a synthetic microbial community, dubbed SynCom, that closely mirrored the one found in association with a high-theanine tea variety called Rougui. When they applied SynCom to tea roots, they found it boosted theanine levels.The microbes also allowed Arabidopsis thaliana, a plant commonly used in basic biological studies, to better tolerate low nitrogen conditions.The initial expectation for the synthetic microbial community derived from high-quality tea plant roots was to enhance the quality of low-quality tea plants, says study co-author Wenxin Tang.However, to our astonishment, we discovered that the synthetic microbial community not only enhances the quality of low-quality tea plants but also exerts a significant promoting effect on certain high-quality tea varieties. Furthermore, this effect is particularly pronounced in low-nitrogen soil conditions.The findings suggest that synthetically produced microbial communities could improve teas, especially when grown in nitrogen-deficient soil conditions, they say.Because tea trees require lots of nitrogen, the discovery could help to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers while promoting the quality of tea trees. The findings may have important implications for agricultural crops more broadly.Based on our current experimental findings, the inclusion of the SynCom21 microbial community has not only improved the absorption of ammonium nitrogen in different tea varieties but also enhanced the uptake of ammonium nitrogen in Arabidopsis thaliana, Xu says.This suggests that the ammonium nitrogen uptake-promoting function of SynCom21 may be applicable to various plants, including other crops.For instance, they say, it may allow forThey now plan to further optimize SynCom and assess its use in field trials.They also hope to learn more about how root microbes affect other secondary metabolites in tea trees.Source-Eurekalert In the relentless pursuit of solidifying its position as the "undisputed leader" in the electric vehicle battery domain, CATL spared no effort in 2023, continually introducing new products that underscore the company's pioneering role and forward-thinking strategy. From the volume production and installation of the Qilin batteries to the successful application of sodium-ion batteries in Chery models, and the subsequent unveiling of condensed-state batteries and Shenxing batteries, each step taken by CATL serves as a testament to its leading position and visionary approach in the realm of power batteries. Photo credit: CATL As we reflect on the year-end review, focusing on key automotive enterprises, this piece invites you to revisit the significant milestones that unfolded for CATL in 2023. CATL, SERES Group step up cooperation in super-fast charging tech, battery safety, big data On December 20, Chinese automaker SERES Group and power battery titan CATL officially sealed an agreement to comprehensively deepen their strategic cooperation, according to a post on SERES Group's WeChat account. CATL, Datong city team up on green manufacturing, renewable energy investment, transportation electrification In a pivotal move towards advancing the "dual-carbon" goals, Chinese power battery giant CATL signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the municipal government of Datong city, Shanxi province on December 20, according to a post on the WeChat account "Datong Daily". According to the agreement, both parties will collaborate on green manufacturing of new energy products, investment in renewable energy development, electrification of transportation, and infrastructure construction. The aim is to position Datong as the country's first model city for electric heavy-duty trucks with a complete industrial ecosystem and a national demonstration city for achieving carbon emission peak and carbon neutrality. CATL to set up international headquarters in Hong Kong, China On December 7, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP) and CATL inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU). CATL announced its plans to establish an international R&D center at the HKSTP, with a total investment exceeding HKD 1.2 billion, according to a post on CATL's WeChat account. This initiative aims to help foster technological innovation in new energy and propel sustainable development in Hong Kong, China. As part of this collaboration, CATL not only positions its R&D center in Hong Kong but also establishes an international headquarters and an international investment center in the region. CATL, China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology to build joint lab for lithium battery safety According to an announcement issued on Nov. 20, CATL and China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology had held a signing ceremony in Ningde city, Fujian province for a framework agreement on establishing a joint laboratory focused on lithium battery safety. CATL to supply Stellantis with battery cells, modules for EV production in Europe Stellantis N.V. and CATL announced on November 21 the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which outlines CATL's commitment to supplying Stellantis with LFP battery cells and modules for the latter's electric vehicle (EV) production in Europe. The collaboration aims to fortify Stellantis' electric mobility endeavors in Europe, with discussions underway about the potential establishment of a joint venture with equivalent contributions. VOYAH, CATL form cooperation in superfast charging battery, battery safety, big data areas On November 2, VOYAH, a high-end smart new energy vehicle (NEV) brand under Dongfeng Motor Group, and CATL, inked a significant strategic cooperation agreement. According to the agreement, the two entities are set to embark on an extensive collaboration in areas encompassing fast-charging technology, battery safety, and big data. Simultaneously, they will expand their operations abroad, aiming to capitalize on resource-sharing, complementing strengths, and jointly pioneering high-quality new energy vehicles. This strategic alliance will serve as a catalyst for battery technology innovation and global expansion. CATL puts first phase of Guizhou power, energy storage battery base into operation On October 27, CATL held a ceremony to celebrate the inauguration of its power and energy storage battery manufacturing base in Guian New Area, Guizhou province, according to the battery maker's press release. Spanning a total land area of approximately 1,435 mu (956,700 square meters), CATL's Guizhou base will focus on producing power and energy storage batteries with an annual production capacity of 60GWh. This project is divided into two phases, with the first phase occupying around 885 mu (590,000 square meters) and involving a total investment of roughly 7 billion yuan. The first phase is designed to build the production lines capable of manufacturing 30GWh batteries per year and relevant supporting infrastructures. CATL, Zhongcheng Dayou forge partnership on energy storage project CATL recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Zhongcheng Dayou to co-work on an energy storage project, according to a press release the power battery giant issued on October 25. CATL, Ji Yue join hands to promote R&D, volume production of Robocar tech, products On October 21, Chinese power battery giant CATL and automotive robot (Robocar) brand Ji Yue signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly advance the R&D and mass production application of Robocar and new energy vehicle (NEV)-related technologies and products, according to a post on CATL's WeChat account. CATL said has already provided high-performance power battery products and service support for the Robocar "Ji Yue 01," a smart vehicle equipped with advanced robotics capabilities. CATL, Zhaoqing city forge partnership in new energy applications, green power development fields The municipal government of Zhaoqing city, Guangdong province recently entered into a comprehensive cooperation agreement with the Chinese power battery giant CATL, according to the latter's press release it posted via its WeChat account in early Oct. According to this newly signed agreement, Zhaoqing city and CATL will engage in extensive collaboration across various fronts, including new energy applications, green energy development, and manufacturing. This collaboration aims to boost the transformation and upgrading of Zhaoqing's manufacturing industry, promote regional coordinated development, and contribute to the establishment of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Zhaoqing) Green Energy Production Base. This effort will play a significant role in fostering an innovative high ground for the global competitive new energy storage industry. CATL, NETA Auto cement strategic cooperation On October 7, Chinese power battery giant CATL and new energy vehicle maker NETA Auto signed a strategic cooperation agreement to further strengthen their collaboration in the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, according to press release from both parties. According to the agreement, CATL will continue to provide support for NETA Auto's market activities in various aspects, including new projects, new technology cooperation, supply of the Shenxing Batteries, and the expansion of overseas operations. CATL, CHINT to cooperate in energy, smart manufacturing fields On September 26, Chinese power battery giant CATL and the smart energy solutions provider CHINT Group Co., Ltd. ("CHINT") signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province, marking a significant collaboration in the energy sector. Under this agreement, both parties will focus on strengthening cooperation in areas such as energy storage, while also expanding their collaboration into fields like integrated energy systems, smart and low-carbon solutions, and intelligent manufacturing. This comprehensive partnership aims to encompass various aspects, including project investment and development, market expansion, and joint R&D efforts. Their collective goal is to foster industrial synergy across multiple sectors, promoting the sound and sustainable development of the integrated energy market, and providing global clients with high-quality new energy solutions and energy storage system services throughout the entire product lifecycle. CATL announces European launch of Shenxing supercharging battery at IAA MOBILITY 2023 On September 4, 2023, the IAA MOBILITY 2023 in Munich, Germany kicked off with a spectacular display of cutting-edge automotive and smart mobility solutions. Among the exhibitors, CATL, the power battery giant coming from China, made a significant impact by unveiling the Shenxing, which the company claimed as the world's first 4C superfast charging LFP battery available for mass production. CATL forms ten-year strategic cooperation with Shaanxi Automobile CATL and Shaanxi Automobile Holding Group Co., Ltd. ("Shaanxi Automobile") joined forces on August 17 as they inked a ten-year strategic cooperation agreement in Ningde city, Fujian province, marking a significant move towards driving innovation in the electric commercial vehicle sector. CATL launches 4C superfast charging LFP battery 'Shenxing' On August 16, Chinese power battery CATL unveiled the world's first mass-producible 4C fast-charging battery that adopts lithium iron phosphate (LFP) materials the "Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery" (called "Shenxing Battery" for short). This breakthrough innovation achieves an astonishing "10-minute charge for 400 kilometers of range," and boasts an extended range of over 700 kilometers, according to the company's introduction. CATL, POWERCHINA form strategic partnership to drive energy storage, smart energy development On August 11, CATL and POWERCHINA (Power Construction Corporation of China), a state-owned infrastructure construction company, inked a framework agreement to carry out strategic cooperation in multiple areas including energy storage and global business expansion, according to CATLs WeChat account. CATL partners with POWERCHINA On August 11, CATL entered into a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA). As per the agreement, both parties will cooperate on the research on new energy storage applications, energy storage product development and industry cooperation, domestic and international expansion in the energy storage and integrated smart energy markets, smart energy and smart city demonstration projects, comprehensive energy bases utilizing wind, solar, hydro, and energy storage, as well as the establishment of energy storage equipment manufacturing bases and the exploration of international business opportunities. CATL, Ordos Municipality join forces for green technology transformation On August 5,CATL and the Ordos municipal government inked a strategic cooperation framework agreement, under which both parties will leverage their respective strengths and focus on new-type power system construction, industrial layout, financial services, talent pool development, and more, aiming to establish a multi-layered, all-encompassing strategic cooperative relationship. CATL to procure battery-grade lithium hydroxide products from Yahua Group Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group Co., Ltd. ("Yahua Group"), a Chinese company principally engaged in the manufacture and sales of civil explosives, announced on Aug. 3 that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Yahua Lithium Industry (Ya'an) Co., Ltd. ("Ya'an Lithium"), has signed an agreement CATL as the latter plans to for purchase from it battery-grade lithium hydroxide products. CATL, Changan Auto's joint venture established for battery production, sales According to Qichacha, a Chinese corporate database, CATL Changan Power Battery Co., Ltd. (referred to as CATL Changan) was incorporated on Jun. 28 with a registered capital of 1.5 billion yuan. Qichacha's information shows that CATL Changan's business scope includes battery manufacturing, battery sales, R&D of emerging energy technologies and new materials, etc. The company is jointly owned by CATL, Shenlan Technology Co., Ltd. (the entity behind the Deepal brand), and Changan Automobile. CATL launches heavy-duty truck battery swap solution QIJI Energy On June 12, CATL's self-developed one-stop heavy-duty truck battery swap solution, QIJI Energy, was officially released, according to a post on CATL's WeChat account. The introduction of QIJI Energy is set to provide a high-tech, standardized, and cost-effective technological blueprint for building a nationwide network of heavy-duty truck battery swapping, said the company. CATL partners with Thailands Arun Plus for CTP battery production In early June, CATL entered into a partnership agreement with Thailand's Arun Plus Co., Ltd. (Arun Plus) for the cooperation on Cell-to-Pack (CTP) technology, the battery giant announced on June 8 via its WeChat account. CATL introduces Condensed Battery with up to 500 Wh/kg energy density CATL announced a cutting-edge battery technology, called the Condensed Battery, at the Auto Shanghai 2023, which boasts a single-cell energy density of up to 500 Wh/kg. CATL's sodium-ion batteries to be installed onto Cherys vehicle model first CATL announced on Apr. 16 its sodium-ion batteries will be installed onto a vehicle model of Chery Auto first. The battery giant didnt disclose whether the first- or second-generation sodium-ion battery is involved in the cooperation with Chery. CATL, HGP team up on battery energy storage project In late March, CATL signed an agreement with HGP, a USA-based battery energy storage project development company, for a 450MWh battery energy storage supply project, according to a post on CATLs WeChat account. CATL's subsidiary, Maritime Silk Road Highway ally on battery swap project CATL GLP Digital Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. on Mar. 16 signed an agreement with Fujian Maritime Silk Road Highway New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. for the cooperation on a battery swapping project for heavy-duty trucks, according to a post on CATLs WeChat account. Per the agreement, both parties will fully leverage the integration advantages of "high-speed + new energy" resources to invest in the construction and operation management of battery swapping stations dedicated to electric heavy-duty trucks. BAIC Group, CATL sign MoU to co-develop power batteries On March 13, BAIC Group and CATL inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the strategic cooperation on developing power batteries, according to a post on BAIC Groups WeChat account. The latest move indicates the collaboration between the two parties has been further cemented to provide broader space and greater impetus for their strategic business expansion, said BAIC Group. Changan Automobile plans to build battery joint venture with CATL, Changan New Energy Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (Changan Automobile) announced on Feb. 17 it intends to build a battery joint venture with Chongqing Changan New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. (Changan New Energy) and CATL. The new joint venture will involve a registered capital of 1.5 billion yuan ($218.376 million), which will be 19%, 30%, and 51% contributed by Changan Automobile, Changan New Energy, and CATL, respectively. CATL to build integrated intelligent chassis production base in Chinas Yichun city CATL (Shanghai) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. ("CATL Intelligent Tech"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CATL, on Jan. 18 signed an agreement with the Management Committee of Yichun Economic & Technological Development Zone for a CIIC (CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis) manufacturing project, according to a post on CATL's WeChat account. CATL teams up with UL Solutions for applications of energy storage systems, power batteries CATL announced via its WeChat account it signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) on Jan. 17 with UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science, for the strategic cooperation on promoting safer and more reliable applications of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and electric vehicle (EV) batteries. CATL, NIO step up strategic cooperation with 5-year agreement On Jan. 17, CATL and the electric vehicle startup NIO signed a five-year agreement for an all-around strategic cooperation, according to a post on CATL's WeChat account. The batteries on NIO's existing vehicles are almost entirely supplied by CATL. The latest move indicates that the strategic partnership between the two companies has been further cemented and upgraded. Under the new agreement, both parties will conduct technical cooperation on new brands, new projects, and new markets, form linkage between supply and demand ends, and jointly boost overseas businesses. HOZON Auto, CATL team up on CIIC skateboard chassis project HOZON Auto, the Chinese startup owning the new energy vehicle (NEV) brand NETA, on Jan. 10 inked an agreement with CATL (Shanghai) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. ("CATL Intelligent Tech"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CATL, for the CIIC (CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis) project, according to a post on NETA's WeChat account. The cooperation makes NETA the first Chinese startup-owned auto brand to research the CIIC technology. Trusted Source Grandparental support and maternal depression: Do grandparents characteristics matter more for separating mothers? Go to source Trusted Source Research indicates that mothers are less prone to antidepressant use when their parents and parents-in-law are healthy and close, contrasting with higher antidepressant usage among those with elderly, distant relatives in poor health, possibly due to caregiving stress. #antidepressants #mothers #parents #health Advertisement Advertisement Role of Family Health on Mothers Grandparental support and maternal depression: Do grandparents characteristics matter more for separating mothers? - (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00324728.2023.2287493) Impact of familial health and proximity on maternal antidepressant usage has been highlighted by a new study, with lower rates observed when parents and parents-in-law are healthy and close, contrasting with higher usage among mothers with elderly, distant relatives in poor health, possibly due to increased caregiving responsibilities, as published in the peer-reviewed journal).The findings of this new longitudinal study which tracked 488,000 mothers of young children between 2000-2014.Previous studies have consistently shown that younger grandparents in good health are more likely to provide support and childcare, says Niina Metsa-Simola, co-author of the study and demographics researcher at the University of Helsinki.Whereas having an old and frail grandparent may even place an additional burden on mothers, as they cannot expect to receive support from such grandparents but instead need to continue providing support upwards.In the group assessed, of mothers in Finland, the effect was seen to be strongest for women who separated from their partners during the study period.This makes sense, Metsa-Simola suggests, as separated mothers often take on primary physical custody of their child, and may often need to rely on relatives to cope with the challenges of single motherhood.Mothers in such a situation may need to take on additional work, affecting their need for childcare, and may even need to move home. Having practical and emotional support at such a time would be invaluable.Parents of young children, especially those entering single parenthood, may be especially vulnerable to the adverse mental health effects of separation.This could explain why, in our study, grandparental support was particularly relevant for the mental health of separating mothers.According to Metsa-Simola, the fact that these findings were documented in Finland - a country with a long history of pro-egalitarian policies is highly relevant.In Finland and other Nordic countries, mothers have universal access to health and social services, as well as affordable early childhood care and education.Low-cost housing with care is provided for older people. Yet despite such generous policies, there was still a link between grandparents proximity, age, and health, and mothers antidepressant use. It remains to be seen if the link is stronger in less egalitarian countries like the UK.Our study suggests that support exchanges across generations matter for mothers mental health, even in the context of a Nordic welfare state where all parentsincluding single parentsbenefit from generous institutional support, says Metsa-Simola.Even in the pro-egalitarian context of Finland, the potential availability of grandparental support matters for maternal mental health, especially among the vulnerable population subgroup of separating mothers.Although the research team was able toa limitation of the study was that their data set contained no direct measure of the support exchanges between mothers and grandparents.This meant that they could not observe how often grandparents provided childcare and how involved they were in the lives of their children and grandchildren.The paper recommends that future research could adopt a broader perspective, studying whether the depression trajectories of separating childless women are moderated by the characteristics of their parents and (ex-)parents-in-law, as these women do not receive childcare help but may still benefit from other types of support.In addition, the team suggests future research examines how womens other characteristics, such as partnership and fertility behaviors, shape the association between their parents characteristics and their mental health.Source-Eurekalert The Wanted actress gave it back to her trolls, who allegedly body shamed her. Ayesha Takia recently shared a post on her Instagram in which she replied to her trolls. Instagram/Ayesha Takia Ayesha Khan wrote, NEED TO SAY THIS, RUSHED TO GOA TWO DAYS AGO..HAD A MEDICAL EMERGENCY IN MY FAMILY...MY SISTER HAS LITERALLY BEEN IN HOSPITAL. AMIDST ALL THIS, I REMEMBER BEING STOPPED BY PAPS AND POSING FOR THEM FOR BASICALLY A FEW SECONDS BEFORE FLYING OFF. TUNS OUT THERE ARE NO OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES IN THE COUNTRY EXCEPT DISSECTING MY LOOKS...BEEN BOMBARDED BY VIRAL RIDICULOUS OPINIONS OF HOW PPL THINKI SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AND DON'T. LITERALLY GET OVER ME YAAR, I HAVE ZERO INTEREST IN DOING ANY FILMS OR ANY COMEBACK LIKE PPL ARE SAYING. I'M LIVING MY LIFE HAPPILY, NEVER WANT TO BE IN THE LIMELIGHT, NOT INTERESTED IN ANY FAME, DON'T WANNA BE IN ANY FILM...SO CHILL.. PLS FEEL FREE TO NOT CARE ABOUT ME AT ALL... EXPECTING A GIRL WHOSE MOSTLY BEEN SEEN IN HER TEENS TO LOOK IDENTICAL EVEN AFTER 15 YEARS...HOW UNREALISTIC AND RIDICULOUS ARE THESE PPL...LOL PLEASE FIND BETTER THINGS TO DO WITH UR TIME RATHER THAN PICK APART GOOD LOOKING WOMEN, I'M BLESSED WITH A FABULOUS LIFE AND DO NOT NEED UR OPINIONS, SAVE IT FOR THOSE INTERESTED. I'M SENDING BACK ALL UR SHITTY ENERGY. DO BETTER PPL, GET A HOBBY, EAT A FUN MEAL, TALK TO UR FRIEND, SMILE, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO NOT FEEL SO UNHAPPY THAT U NEED TO TELL A GORGEOUS HAPPY WOMAN HOW SHE'S NOT LOOKING LIKE U WANTED [SIC] Fans are supporting Ayesha and are hailing her for taking a stand for herself. One user wrote, People are very much interested in other people's appearance on how should they look!!! Another user wrote, I get her frustration. Its okay man its her face and her life. She might be regretting it too but can she do anything to reverse it? No, right? If someone is not working in the industry anymore, they should not be discussed. Just because she did some movies a decade back doesnt mean she owes anything to anyone. Let her live her life peacefully. Over 300 people were detained in Russia while paying tribute to opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died at a remote Arctic penal colony, a prominent rights group reported Sunday. The sudden death of Navalny, 47, was a crushing blow to many Russians, who had pinned their hopes for the future on President Vladimir Putin's fiercest foe. Navalny remained vocal in his unrelenting criticism of the Kremlin even after surviving a nerve agent poisoning and receiving multiple prison terms. The news reverberated across the globe, with many world leaders blaming the death on Putin and his government. In an exchange with reporters shortly after leaving a Saturday church service, President Joe Biden reiterated his stance that Putin was ultimately to blame for Navalnys death. The fact of the matter is, Putin is responsible. Whether he ordered it, hes responsible for the circumstance, Biden said. Its a reflection of who he is. It cannot be tolerated. Other politicians took a more cautious stance. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Sunday that he wouldnt jump to conclusions over Navalny's death. If the death is under suspicion, we must first carry out an investigation to find out what the citizen (Navalny) died of, Lula said in a press conference after returning from an African Union summit in Ethiopia on Sunday. Meanwhile, Navalnys wife, Yulia Navalnaya, published a picture of the couple on Instagram Sunday in her first social media post since her husbands death. The caption read simply: I love you. Hundreds of people in dozens of Russian cities streamed to ad-hoc memorials and monuments to victims of political repression with flowers and candles on Friday and Saturday to pay tribute to the politician. In 39 cities, police detained 366 people by Sunday evening, according to the OVD-Info rights group that tracks political arrests and provides legal aid. Earlier in the weekend, the group reported 401 detentions in two days, but later updated the number and said that their count may change both up and down over the next few days as information is being verified. More than 200 arrests were made in St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, the group said. By Sunday evening, court officials in St. Petersburg reported rulings ordering 154 of those detained to serve from one to 14 days in jail. Among those detained there was Grigory Mikhnov-Voitenko, a priest of the Apostolic Orthodox Church a religious group independent of the Russian Orthodox Church who announced plans on social media to hold a memorial service for Navalny and was arrested on Saturday morning outside his home. He was charged with organizing a rally and placed in a holding cell in a police precinct, but was later hospitalized with a stroke, OVD-Info reported. Memorial events also took place in cities across the world. In Berlin, members of the Russian activist group Pussy Riot held a demonstration outside of the Russian Embassy, holding banners that read murderers in English and Russian. The group, which included Pussy Riot members Nadya Tolokonnikova and Lusya Shtein, as well as longtime Navalny ally Lyubov Sobol and former Russian state media journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, planned to march with the banner to the city's Brandenburg Gate but were ultimately stopped by police. Tolokonnikova told The Associated Press after the demonstration that such actions were meant to show that we exist. We show ourselves to each other and support each other, and show with this action that Russia still has a future, and the idea of a beautiful Russia of the future hasn't died," she said, using a term Navalny has famously coined. Right now (some are) saying that hope died together with Navalny. But it seems to me that with (the death of) Navalny it wasnt the hope that died, but rather responsibility was born. Dozens of people in Romanias capital of Bucharest also gathered outside the Russian Embassy on Sunday to pay tribute to the opposition leader. Many lit candles and placed flowers next to a memorial portrait of Navalny, while several people brandished placards that read: You dont win free elections by murdering the opposition. In Finland, a group of Russian residents gathered signatures for a petition proposing a name change for a park adjacent to the Russian Embassy in the capital, Helsinki, to Navalny Park in honor of the deceased opposition figure. The news of Navalny's death came a month before a presidential election in Russia that is widely expected to give Putin another six years in power. Questions about the cause of death lingered, and it remained unclear when the authorities would release Navalny's body. More than 29,000 people have submitted requests to the Russian government asking for the politicians remains to be handed over to his relatives, OVD-Info said Sunday. Navalny's team said Saturday that the politician was murdered and accused the authorities of deliberately stalling the release of the body. Navalny's mother and lawyers received contradictory information from various institutions they visited in their quest to retrieve the body. Everything there is covered with cameras in the colony. Every step he took was filmed from all angles all these years. Each employee has a video recorder. In two days, there has been not a single video leaked or published. There is no room for uncertainty here, Navalny's closest ally and strategist, Leonid Volkov, said Sunday. Russias Federal Penitentiary Service reported that Navalny felt sick after a walk Friday and became unconscious at the penal colony in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets region about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow. An ambulance arrived, but he couldnt be revived, the service said, adding that the cause of death is still being established. Navalny had been jailed since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin. He received three prison terms since his arrest, on a number of charges he has rejected as politically motivated. After the last verdict that handed him a 19-year term, Navalny said he understood he was serving a life sentence, which is measured by the length of my life or the length of life of this regime. Hours after Navalnys death was reported, his widow made a dramatic appearance at the Munich Security Conference. Navalnaya said she was unsure if she could believe the news from official Russian sources, but if this is true, I want Putin and everyone around Putin, Putins friends, his government to know that they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family and to my husband. ___ Associated Press writers Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England; Aamer Madhani, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; Stephen McGrath in Bucharest, Romania; and Jari Tanner, in Helsinki, Finland, contributed to this report. TOKYO (AP) Japan is hosting a conference for Japanese and Ukrainian officials to discuss reconstruction of Ukraine just ahead of the two-year anniversary of Russias invasion, while the U.S. and other Western countries are still focusing on military aid for the battlefield. Hundreds of senior officials and executives are attending the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo. AP explains the event, its purpose, who's attending and the projects being discussed. WHO'S ATTENDING? The conference is co-organized by the Japanese and Ukrainian governments, Japans powerful business organization Keidanren, and the Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO. Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is heading his countrys delegation of more than 100 government and corporate officials. First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko and Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Minister Ruslan Strilets also were to attend. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is leading Japan's side, joined by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Keidanren chair Masakazu Tokura, among many others. About 100 officials from Japanese companies, the majority of them startups but from also leading companies like Kawasaki Heavy Industry, farming equipment makers Yanmar Holdings and Kubota Co., and telecoms company Rakuten Symphony also are attending. WHY NOW? Japan hopes the conference will help build support for Ukraine as the war drags on after two years, at a time when attention has been diverted to the situation in Gaza. Officials in Tokyo say the global community should unite in supporting Ukraine to show that using force against other countries will not be tolerated. WHY IS JAPAN DOING THIS? The conference is largely about reconstruction and investment in Ukraine that could put Japan ahead of the curve. Its also about Japans national security. Kishida has repeatedly said Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow. Japan has staunchly opposed Russias invasion, viewing it as a one-sided change of the status-quo by force. It is concerned about Chinas increasingly assertive military actions in the region. Japan has earned a strong reputation for economic and development cooperation under its post-World War II pacifist policy that commits it to never using force against other nations. Tokyo has eased that restraint to build up a military deterrence against China, but its support for Ukraine has largely been for humanitarian assistance. It has limited its supplies of military equipment to non-lethal weapons. Japans $12.1 billion contribution to Ukraine over the past two years is much smaller than the $111 billion that the United States and other Western nations have provided in weapons, equipment and humanitarian assistance. The government hopes to facilitate private sector investment while minimizing risks of business operations in Ukraine. Having risen from the ashes of devastation from World War II and from the damage caused by major earthquakes and other disasters, Japan believes it has a special role to play in aiding Ukraine's rebuilding. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DEALS SIGNED? Ukrain's Shmyhal expressed high expectations for Japanese companies expertise in technology and Japans experience in postwar and disaster reconstruction. Ukraines reconstruction also will mean future investment and business opportunities for the startups, who were the majority of companies attending the conference. The Japanese government has chosen seven target areas including removal of mines and debris; improvement of humanitarian and living conditions; farming; biochemical manufacturing; digital and information industries; infrastructure for power generation and transportation and anti-corruption measures. In all, 56 cooperation deals between Japanese and Ukrainian government agencies and companies were announced, and Kishida unveiled a plan to open a JETRO office in Kyiv. A Tokyo-based bridge-builder, Komaihaltec, is to jointly develop small wind power generation facilities with Ukraines state gas operator. Sumitomo Corp. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries agreed on a joint study with the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine on modernizing gas compressor stations. Rakuten Symphony and Ukrainian telecom Kyivstar plan to jointly rebuild digital infrastructure. One Japanese startup has developed radar-mounted landmine removal equipment and another helps optimize farming by analyzing soil components using satellite imagery. WHAT'S IN THE JOINT COMMUNIQUE? In the joint communique, Japan and Ukraine reaffirmed that sanctions against Russia are a crucial and effective measure to deter Russia's military activities. They also confirmed their determination to prevent circumvention of sanctions. Japan expressed its continued support of all phases of Ukraine's reconstruction, from its initial emergency recovery to economic reconstruction and industrial development. The two countries signed a tax convention and are to begin reviewing an investment treaty. Japan also announced the easing of visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens. Taco Bell unveiled some additional new menu items this year after revealing some updates to the menu already released for 2024. The taco chain released their product offerings at their Live Mas LIVE event on the Las Vegas strip on Feb. 9, 2024, according to a press release from the company. The event was complete with musical performances, celebrity sightings, partnerships and of course, the new menu items featured front and center. Here is the list of additional menu items customers can expect to see at Taco Bell in 2024: TROY, MI A former manager of a Fresh Thyme grocery store is facing charges for allegedly embezzling $750,000 from the self-checkout kiosks, authorities said. Trevor Beaver, 31, of Roseville, is charged with embezzlement over $100,000 and using a computer to commit a crime, the Michigan Department of Attorney General announced. If convicted, he faces 20 years to life in prison. Beaver allegedly stole at least $750,000 from Fresh Thyme Market in Troy between July 2022 and November 2023 while he was a manager at the store, officials said. The scheme involved the newly installed self-checkout kiosks. An audit system for the self-checkout machines was implemented in October 2023, officials said. It was then that accountants supporting Fresh Thyme noticed a large amount of money missing from the Troy location. It is alleged that Beaver often scheduled himself as the only manager responsible for depositing the daily cash, including on his days off, officials said. An audit revealed discrepancies between the cash sales and deposits, with an approximate loss of $900,000. An investigation revealed that approximately $750,000 of the loss was due to theft by Beaver. Beaver admitted to embezzling the money when he was confronted by management, loss prevention and the Michigan State Police, officials said. Retail theft doesnt just impact Michigan businesses, but it hurts consumers when the retailer must raise prices to compensate for lost revenue, Nessel said. Businesses of all sizes should be enforcing even the most basic mechanisms for loss prevention. All stores that lack similar protections should heed this warning to protect themselves from falling victim next. Beaver has not yet been arraigned. In Northern Michigan, only two permanent, year-round homeless shelters serve 10 counties. And this winter, the shelters are at capacity. More people are experiencing homelessness in the northwest corner of Michigan as affordable housing has become harder to find. The region saw homelessness increase by 56% from 2021 to 2022, the latest state data shows, going from 940 to 1,471 people. Thats the biggest jump in the state compared to 47% in the Upper Peninsula, 31% in the Detroit area and 21% in West Michigan. The reasons why are multifaceted. A big cause for the jump is that the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency doubled its street outreach efforts to reach people living in rural encampments. These are people who were already homeless but werent connected to the shelter system meaning they were often going uncounted. Sarah Hughes, the homeless prevention programs director, says the numbers are still going up now, but its slowed down. I think its really important to have accurate numbers so that were helping those people who are going under the radar, Hughes said. Those are the ones that are going to die on the street because nobody knows theyre out there. The bulk of the increase came from five rural counties Wexford, Missaukee, Manistee, Charlevoix and Emmett, according to Hughes. In the remaining five counties, there are roughly 270 people experiencing homelessness. They are served by the Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness. Related: Two Michigan regions saw homelessness increase by roughly 50% in a year Ashley Halladay-Schmandt, director of the coalition, says homelessness has risen, but not the 56% jump across the entire region. What were seeing, at least in that five-county region, is a significant strain with people who have been homeless for the longest periods of time, she said. The coalition is in its second year of a five-year plan to end chronic homelessness, which is anyone who has been experiencing homelessness for a year or longer and has a disability. Seventy people are currently considered chronically homeless in the region. The goal is to get that number to zero by 2028. If we dont figure out the solution for the 70 folks, the numbers are just going to get bigger and bigger and bigger because our resources get stretched more and more and more, Halladay-Schmandt said. Community agencies are focused on keeping people out of shelters. A shelter diversion and rapid exit program has helped redirect up to 30% of the people who could end up in a shelter by finding them other places to stay, according to Hughes. This targets first-time homeless people or those facing an eviction. The amount that are coming in equals out to the amount that are going out or being diverted, Hughes said. So, were not seeing a huge increase in numbers, even though were seeing new people. An encampment outside of Traverse City called The Pines brought the city and homelessness prevention groups together to tackle the multifaceted challenges of homelessness, interim city manager Nate Geinzer said. The Goodwill Inn provides 120 beds to people facing homelessness, and Safe Harbor, a seasonal shelter, provides emergency housing throughout the winter. But Halladay-Schmandt says this is the first year Safe Harbor has been at capacity. Year-round, we have really limited shelter space because theres only two for 10 counties. Our encampments are out in the middle of nowhere in the woods with 20 to 50 to 100 people sometimes, Hughes said. And some of those people whove been out there for five years. Related: Michigan needs 190,000 more housing units to curb a crisis The other driving force behind homelessness: a housing shortage. Theres a 0.7% vacancy rate for housing across Northern Michigan, according to a housing needs assessment from Housing North, with eight counties that have no empty units. This is considered extremely low compared to a healthy market with a 4% to 6% vacancy rate. To keep up with demand, Housing North estimates the 10-county region needs 32,000 additional units by 2027. We just have a sheer lack of number of available units for the different price points people need, especially those experiencing homelessness who are on the lower end of the income spectrum, said Yarrow Brown, executive director of Housing North. The existing housing is only getting more expensive as more people move to Northern Michigan and short-term rentals eat away at supply. The median home price was nearly $400,000 last February with average homes costing more than $1 million in Charlevoix and Leelanau counties. This has priced retail and hospitality workers vital for the regions tourism industry out of the housing market. Theres just nobody up here who wants those jobs because they cant afford to live here, Hughes said. Creating more housing can be a puzzle, but programs like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program incentivize developers to build affordable housing. Traverse City recently approved a tax break for a development that will set aside 19 units for homeless people. And Goodwill Northern Michigan purchased a 67-unit affordable housing development last year called East Bay Flats. Another solution is density. Brown says antiquated zoning laws only allow for single-family housing instead of duplexes or quadplexes that pack in more housing. Michigan last year rolled out a $5 million grant program to help communities update their zoning laws and eliminate barriers to multifamily housing. But creating more housing, changing zoning rules and securing government subsidies takes time. Its a long game, Brown said. DETROIT A jury awarded $10 million to a Michigan man who spent almost six years behind bars for a murder he did not commit before the conviction was thrown out at the request of prosecutors, the Associated Press reports. Alexandre Ansaris constitutional rights were violated, the jury said Thursday in federal court. A Detroit police detective had concealed evidence in the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Ileana Cuevas for fear of his familys safety, Ed White reports for AP. This evidence, which was not shared with the prosecution or defense during the 2013 trial, would have shown that the shooting was likely set up by a drug dealer upset about theft, the report said. Ansaris conviction was thrown out in 2019. Thursdays verdict restores some of Mr. Ansaris dignity and will allow him to recover from the horrendous experience of being wrongfully convicted of a heinous crime he did not commit, attorney Wolf Mueller said. DETROIT -- Condolences are pouring in for Kid Rock, who announced the death of his father on Feb. 15. The Michigan musician from Romeo, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, said his father, Bill Ritchie Sr., moved on to be with Jesus in a social media post. He was an incredible father, grandfather, great grandfather, and so much more, none shy of being quite the character, Kid Rock wrote. Thank you for your condolences in advance. God Bless you and I love you Pop. According to the Detroit Free Press, Ritchie died peacefully at his home in Florida after a 14-year battle with prostate cancer. He was 82. A Michigan State University graduate, Ritchie was known for owning Crest Lincoln-Mercury in Sterling Heights and his influential roles with the Detroit Auto Dealers Association. In a 2009 interview with DBusiness, Kid Rock described his father as having a strong work ethic and being a fan of country music, the Rolling Stones and Bob Seger. Kid Rock has cited his father as being an influence both in business and in music several times over his career. Kid Rocks social media tribute included a link to his 2015 song Drinking Beer with Dad. Numerous fans and colleagues have commented on the post offering their condolences. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI Catie Williams loves bubble tea so much that the drink is the first thing she looks for whenever she visits a new city, she said. Now she is bringing it to Ypsilanti Township as she opens up Bobalee Co. with her husband, Terrence. The couple officially opened the business Friday, Feb. 16 at 1286 Anna J Stepp Road. The new business is serving fruit teas, milk teas, refreshers, smoothies, slushies, macarons and pastries. Terrence said one of his favorite menu items is the peach tea with lychee jelly. I wanted to bring my love of bubble tea to the city that I have grown to love and call home, Catie said, adding she felt the area was missing a shop like Bobalee Co. However, bubble tea isnt the only thing the husband-and-wife team want to serve. Its more than just serving drinks, but we really want our place to foster connections and build a community hub where people can come together, Catie said. Bobalee Co. at 1286 Anna J Stepp Road in Ypsilanti Township.Photo Courtesy Bobalee Co. The couple said starting Bobalee Co. means a lot to them, especially since they both have family members who showed them the hard work that goes into running a business. Terrence said his grandfather, Richard Williams, was once the owner of the historical Terry Bakery in Ypsilanti and his other grandparents owned a soul food restaurant within the city. Caties parents were also business owners and immigrated to the United States from Laos. For me, as a first-generation Hmong and Lao American, the endeavor is just so personal, she said. Opening this shop is a tribute to (my parents) sacrifices and an opportunity to continue their legacy of working hard. Although bubble tea originates in Taiwan, Catie thinks it is something that can bring people of all cultures together. Its a cultural experience that really bridges all of the communities, she said. Its something that is growing that all cultures can experience and can (serve) as a love language between cultures. Terrence said he also wanted to be behind a business that would really strengthen the Ypsilanti-area. He said the shops core values involve embracing everyone, pouring grace into every cup, fostering generosity, nurturing connections, having honesty and integrity, and spreading hope and joy. We want to be that beacon of hope in Ypsilanti Township, he said. So far, the couple said the Ypsilanti community has been overwhelmingly supportive of the new business and bubble tea. The two are excited to see what is in store for the company. Opening up a business is not just a business venture for us, but its really a labor of love, Catie said. Its a celebration of our cultures and a commitment to building a thriving community here in Ypsilanti. The new shops hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Learn more about Bobalee Co. online, on social media or by phone at 734-961-8772. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe OTTAWA COUNTY, MI For a two-week period, a stretch of one Ottawa County road will be closed so crews can make improvements ahead of another project. The section of 40th Avenue between M-45 to Bliss Street in Allendale Township is closed to traffic now through March 2, the Ottawa County Road Commission announced. A detour will consist of 48th Avenue to Bliss Street. During that time period, crews will be in the area clearing trees and installing sheeting to the road in advance of some planned reconstruction work on M-45, Alex Doty, communications administrator for road commission, told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. The reconstruction work is expected to start in the spring. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Grand Rapids Community College is reporting a rise in student enrollment this semester, with some of that growth attributed to resources dedicated to helping students overcome obstacles that could cause them to drop out. The college has 11,487 students enrolled for the winter 2024 semester, which is up 3.6% from the fall, according to a recent GRCC news release. The college also reported enrollment growth this past fall, increasing 3.2% over the previous year. The number of new students this semester increased by 5%, while enrollment among returning students and occasional students (those who have attended GRCC before but were not enrolled last semester) increased by 3% and 7%, respectively, the news release said. RELATED: GRCC gets $16.8M from state to renovate, expand Learning Resource Center Officials credit some of that growth, especially among returning students, to GRCCs efforts to connect students to campus and community resources through a network called GRCC Cares. The program connects students to resources and support when they are struggling with things like academic concerns, food insecurity, financial hardships and more. Students can reach out to the program themselves, or be referred by a faculty or staff member. So many times, a students higher ed journey is disrupted by something outside the campus, said Eric Mullen, dean of Student Success and Retention. It can be a need for housing or child care or a job to help pay for school. We work to help students overcome these hurdles before they withdraw from GRCC. When GRCC Cares team members are alerted to a student who needs support, they review their records and talk to those who work with the student to determine how best to help, according to the GRCC news release said. Team members reach out to the student and connect them with resources that can help their situation, whether that be linking them to the Student Food Pantry, Financial Aid or tutoring. The college also links students to resources for basic needs like mental health counseling, low-cost health resources, food and housing, and other emergency resources through its Get Help webpage. In addition to enrollment growth among new and returning students, GRCC also reported a rise in enrollment among student populations like those of color and students ages 30-39. Amanda Kruzona, director of Institutional Research and the colleges data officer, cited growth in the following categories: Black/African American students 12% Hispanic/Latinx students 12% Asian students 11% Full-time students 13% Ages 30 to 39 10% Our international student population rose by over 50%, bringing it back to pre-pandemic levels, Kruzona said in a statement. We had a 34% increase in students from outside Michigan, and our Lakeshore Campus enrollment grew by 14%. At GRCC, we are always looking at our processes for ways to improve the student experience. We look at what students need and offer support to help them reach their goals. GRCCs graduation rates among Black students have grown steadily over the last four years, increasing from 3% in 2020 to 18% in 2023, according to data on the colleges website. The graduation rate among Hispanic/Latino students was 15% in 2023, up from 12% in 2020, while graduation rates for Asian students fell from 20% in 2020 to 15% last year. GRCC is slated to receive $16.8 million in state funding to help renovate and expand its Learning Resource Center. The building houses the colleges library, tutoring and academic support services, media services and the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The funding was approved by the Michigan Legislated in November as part of a $616 million supplemental funding bill. SAGINAW TWP, MI In the fall of 2022, Saginaw resident and hairstylist Brandie M. Howard visited a Walmart Supercenter in Saginaw Township to buy a tote big enough to hold supplies for her after-school teaching program. As a Black woman, Howard says she was immediately surveilled and harassed by several of the business white employees, accusing her of theft after she made her purchases. Due to their allegedly racist claims, Howard wound up arrested and spent hours in jail. She is now looking for compensation, having filed a lawsuit against the Arkansas-based chain. PETOSKEY, MI--Sitting on the shores of one of the best lakes in Northern Michigan is a cozy log home that is the epitome of Northern Michigan living. The 3,433-square-foot home, built in1998 log-by-log, is located on the west arm of Walloon Lake only minutes from downtown Bay Harbor, Petoskey and fifteen minutes from Boyne City. Walloon Lake covers over 2,000 acres and is 100 feet deep. The inland lake drains into the Bear River. The outdoor living spaces are what really make this home special. The private lot features 115 feet of hard-packed sandy frontage on Walloon Lake. It also has a large dock for lounging and two covered boat docks that extend into the lakes royal blue waters. Its a comfortable home, its the like favorite jacket or pair of shoes. Once you arrive, you know you are away from all the stress and business of everyday life down state, said listing agent Wally Kidd, owner and associate broker of Kidd and Leavy Real Estate. The tiered yard features a large patio with ample seating and a childrens area and playhouse. The picturesque log home is surrounded by gorgeous, mature landscaping that features flower beds of all colors and varieties. The exterior also has a side patio extending from the home with a wood-burning fireplace and more fantastic views of the lake. An aerial image of MLives Up North House of the Week located at 4244 Lake Grove Rd. in Petoskey, Michigan. The home with 115 feet of private frontage on Walloon Lake is currently on the market for $4,700,000.Image provided by Eagle Eye Media The home, located at 4244 Lake Grove Road in Petoskey, features four bedrooms, four full bathrooms and one half bathroom. The custom-built $4,700,000 home, listed by Kidd and Leavy Real Estate, is MLives Up North House of the Week. Homes of various architectural styles and prices in Northern Michigan are showcased every other Monday from across the state. Stepping inside, natural light pours through the enormous windows into the great room with beautiful lake views. The living room boasts vaulted ceilings and an impressive wood-burning fireplace surrounded by stone. The kitchen is at the center of the great room, creating an open-concept area with living and dining rooms. It is really the heart of the home and serves as a great way to bond the family, Kidd said about the kitchen space. The kitchen is designed to cater to culinary enthusiasts. It has a Thermador range, Sub-Zero fridge, and is surrounded by custom Dutch Made cabinetry and a large pantry. The kitchen in the great room of MLives Up North House of the Week located at 4244 Lake Grove Rd. in Petoskey, Michigan. The home with 115 feet of private frontage on Walloon Lake is currently on the market for $4,700,000.Image provided by Phoenix Photography The great room of MLives Up North House of the Week located at 4244 Lake Grove Rd. in Petoskey, Michigan. The home with 115 feet of private frontage on Walloon Lake is currently on the market for $4,700,000.Image provided by Phoenix Photography The master suite offers convenient one-floor living with a unique walk-in shower and jacuzzi tub as well as a private patio. The lower level features a spacious family room with a walkout to the lake. There are also three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the lower level. The home has an attached two-stall garage that has a bonus bunk/playroom above the garage. You can view the complete listing from Kidd and Leavy Real Estate here. Check out the photographs and video above from Next Door Photos, to see why this is our House of the Week. Click here for a direct link to the gallery of 27 images. The exterior of MLives Up North House of the Week located at 4244 Lake Grove Rd. in Petoskey, Michigan. The home with 115 feet of private frontage on Walloon Lake is currently on the market for $4,700,000.Image provided by Phoenix Photography The outdoor porch with a wood-burning fireplace outside MLives Up North House of the Week located at 4244 Lake Grove Rd. in Petoskey, Michigan. The home with 115 feet of private frontage on Walloon Lake is currently on the market for $4,700,000.Image provided by Phoenix Photography The master suite inside MLives Up North House of the Week located at 4244 Lake Grove Rd. in Petoskey, Michigan. The home with 115 feet of private frontage on Walloon Lake is currently on the market for $4,700,000.Image provided by Phoenix Photography The bonus bunk/childrens play room above the garage inside MLives Up North House of the Week located at 4244 Lake Grove Rd. in Petoskey, Michigan. The home with 115 feet of private frontage on Walloon Lake is currently on the market for $4,700,000.Image provided by Phoenix Photography The great room of MLives Up North House of the Week located at 4244 Lake Grove Rd. in Petoskey, Michigan. The home with 115 feet of private frontage on Walloon Lake is currently on the market for $4,700,000.Image provided by Phoenix Photography The dock with 115 feet of private frontage on Walloon Lake at MLives Up North House of the Week located at 4244 Lake Grove Rd. in Petoskey, Michigan is currently on the market for $4,700,000.Image provided by Phoenix Photography A bill heard Thursday in the Legislature would give Nebraska environmental regulators the authority to deny a livestock operation a permit if it contributes to further groundwater contamination in Nebraska. Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaughs proposal (LB1258) would also allow the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to deny a permit to a confined animal feeding operation, or CAFO, if the applicant failed to install monitoring wells in nearby groundwater management areas. Cavanaugh told the Natural Resources Committee her bill took existing Department of Environment and Energy Regulations and would make them state law, which she said would give them teeth and make them more enforceable. The strengthening of statute will allow the department to make sure that the concentrated animal feeding operation is monitoring and reporting as their permits are renewed, she said, adding the reports would also be sent to the local Natural Resources District. LB1258 is one of several bills introduced in the Legislature this year seeking to address and reduce nitrate contamination in Nebraskas groundwater, which has been linked to pregnancy complications, birth defects and pediatric cancers. Studies have shown pregnant women who drink water laced with nitrates are at a higher risk for premature labor, miscarriages and anemia, while their babies experience higher rates of birth defects compared to the national average. Nebraska also has the seventh-highest rate of pediatric cancer of which nitrates have been pointed to as a cause in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is the highest among states in the Midwest. Nitrates have also been connected to colorectal cancer, thyroid disease and other illnesses. Cavanaugh said her bill seeks to increase data collection about nitrates and would work in concert with another bill (LB1172) introduced by Sen. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn that aims to expedite reporting from Nebraskas state cancer registry to researchers. We should work comprehensively to tackle this growing crisis, Cavanaugh told the committee. Several members of the committee said livestock facilities already must clear high hurdles before being granted a permit from state regulators, while others said the bulk of the problem originated elsewhere. Theyre really not the culprits here, said Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte. If youre really going to point to something, in my mind it is irrigated fields that were over-fertilized with nitrogen fertilizer in the '60s and '70s. Creating more regulations could force operations to close, Jacobson added, to which Cavanaugh assured him that was not her intent: There are nitrates coming into the water for a multitude of reasons. This is just one that comes to light that needs attention. Supporters of the bill, which included environmental groups and property owners, said it would help establish any link between the expansion of CAFOs throughout Nebraska and increased nitrates in the groundwater, which would give lawmakers the information needed to act to protect residents. Nancy Meyer, who lives near Cedar Bluffs, told the committee a poultry operation opened three and a half miles away from her home with little notice, leaving neighbors rushing to get information about the potential environmental impacts. The most important thing about this bill is that the standards for permitting any CAFO should be strict, consistent and enforced, she said, which would ensure operators are not cutting corners at the expense of the local area and its residents. A voting rights and public health advocacy group also backed the bill, saying it would protect Nebraskans in the future. With the monitoring well requirements, Nebraska will be able to stay ahead of any further degradation to its groundwater, said Rachel Gibson of the League of Women Voters of Nebraska. But some on the committee remained unconvinced. Both Jacobson and Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth asked if homeowners in urban areas who fertilize their lawns should also be subject to groundwater monitoring regulations. Jacobson said he believed efforts to control the nitrogen application rates, ensuring livestock facilities maintain liners on their lagoons and controlling runoff was a responsible way we can deal with this. We can monitor all we want to monitor, but if were saying were going to go in and shut down all these facilities because of nitrates that are still moving down through the soil, I think thats misguided, he said. No one testified in opposition to the bill on Thursday. Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner introduced a bill (LB1368) that creates the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act, which provides payments to farmers with the goal of reducing the amount of chemical fertilizer used by 15%. Farmers could be eligible to receive $10 per acre for each acre on which they document the reduction in chemical nitrates. Under Ibachs bill, a total of $5 million would be available each year through 2029. Ibach made LB1368 her priority bill this year. Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar, meanwhile, introduced a bill (LB1184) providing tax credits for Nebraskans who install reverse osmosis filtration systems at their homes if their drinking water measures more than 10 parts per-million for nitrate. Top Journal Star photos for February 2024 Breaking the cycle of systemic poverty is what drives Billings Public Schools new Superintendent Erwin Garcias passion and urgency to educate youth. His new dropout prevention initiative brings the issue of poverty to the front line. His plan to address the number of dropouts in SD2 combines both reactive and proactive approaches. In many instances, were not able to break the cycle of poverty, said Garcia. That became something very important to me, because I know that the exit towards breaking that cycle is really education. Garcia speaks from personal experience, not only from his early years as an educator who raised performance levels of high poverty school districts in Houston but also from growing up in extreme poverty himself, in Colombia, before obtaining his education. My goal is to capture the passions that already exist in principals and teachers and our community, to present a unified purpose, said Garcia. Because if we can do that, I know Billings Public Schools can become the best district in the state of Montana. Many methodologies Garcia plans to put into practice aim toward leveling the playing field for all students success, regardless of socioeconomic status. If we don't do something different with our kids in poverty, we're not really giving them an education, said Garcia. I refuse to be a part of the problem. If I see something that has to be addressed, we have to take action, not just talk about it. Approximately 240 SD2 students drop out of high school every year, a number Garcia finds alarming. That number, he said, doesnt even account for the number of students lost from elementary to middle school. According to SD2 documents, the dropout rate in the district is about 5%; among Indigenous students that percentage is about 10%. Many students drop out due to a lack of career opportunities, the complexity of the course work, lack of motivation in academic content, and adverse life situations such as poverty, homelessness, and lack of parental support. Garcias dropout prevention initiative includes a variety of short-term solutions. A program called Project Engage was implemented this year, where Garcia meets with drop-out students and their families each semester to ask questions, find solutions, and encourage them to reenroll. Out of the 100 invitations sent to recent SD2 dropouts to participate in Project Engage, about 25 youths and their families attended. Hed already reviewed the data; his burning desire was to hear from them directly and ask why. They felt that they didn't belong. It's very sad, said Garcia. As I was reflecting about this and looking at the data, we felt that we needed to have another mechanism to give these kids an opportunity to engage in the work, and that's how we came up with the opportunity school. Garcia is working with school staff to identify students in middle school and high school who are credit deficient or exhibit at-risk factors such as foster care, homelessness, attendance issues, or life-impacting situations and encourage them to participate in the Billings Opportunity School. Garcia stresses that BOS is not intended to be a behavior school that's SD2s Frameworks program but rather to provide a true alternative environment and pathway to a diploma compared to the traditional high schools, and an opportunity for students to put their hands on the trades. Big Sky Economic Development informed SD2 that one of Billings critical needs is technology, anything related to computer science in any field. We can give our kids a pathway within that technology and keep them engaged in a proficiency-based program, said Garcia. We're going to most likely retain many of these kids that would not regularly fit within the conventional setting. Garcia stated that BOS differs from the Career Center in the way of early access to alternative pathways. Aside from the fact that the Career Centers enrollment is at capacity, said Garcia, students arent eligible for most coursework offered there until their junior or senior year of high school. The goal here is even if the kids drop out, they have a career pathway, because if we give kids a career pathway, we get them off the streets. Therefore, less crime for our city, said Garcia. It's going to be high quality instruction for kids that really want to grow and learn, giving them a chance to graduate and become active members of society. Another short-term solution Garcia and school administrators are working toward is increasing a sense of safety among SD2 students. Based on SD2s recent survey, only two of every three students in middle and high school feel safe at school. As part of the safety levy, SD2 plans to fund character development programs, dropout prevention specialists, gang prevention specialists, and professional development opportunities for teachers and staff. Increasing student safety, said Garcia, whether that be physically, socially or emotionally is essential to increasing student academic readiness and success. Only when students feel safe can they best concentrate on the task at hand, learning. Increasing students academic readiness and literacy early on are prime focuses when it comes to Garcias long-term solutions to dropout prevention. There is a clear relationship between reading and math proficiency when it comes to academic readiness, said Garcia, and he intends to increase readiness through quality-first instruction and interventions at an early age. A long-term goal is building up our cohorts better by providing supports early, said Garcia. One such early intervention Garcia plans to implement is a program called KinderREADy. The program will bring 4-year-old children to school with a focus on literacy and mathematics. These children come from the most vulnerable areas of the city and will receive quality instruction for at least half a day every academic day starting in the 2024-2025 school year. The intent of KinderREADy is to provide early literacy for kids within the most vulnerable populations, said Garcia. Garcia hopes by focusing on programs like KinderREADy, which targets early literacy and quality-first instruction and interventions, SD2 can bring the marginalized communities up to speed. Its a national challenge, he said, because theres a large literacy gap between students, which has a lot to do with socioeconomics. Students of families with more wealth and stability tend to have a much higher level of literacy than their counterparts when starting school, said Garcia. That immediately affects the academic readiness of those students, and affects their perception of school at an early age. Its no one's fault, but it's everybody's responsibility, stated Garcia. The more successful students feel in elementary and middle school, the more likely they are to participate in more rigorous academics in high school, said Garcia, and attain the self-efficacy to pursue bigger challenges such as college and career pathways. If not for my relationship with my second-grade teacher, I wouldn't be here today, said clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Strohman. If we can identify, and we show up and lead students, instead of pushing them through the system, then sometimes they grow up to do some pretty incredible things for other people. SD2 recently hosted Strohman, a nationally recognized expert and advocate in student mental health, as a guest speaker on the topic. During her presentation, Strohman shared her own story of struggling with homelessness as a child and what drove her to succeed. She credits the power of stewardship, self-motivation and resources provided, to student success as well as her own. You can't count these kids out just because they're down, said Strohman. You just have to give them the fuel and the resources so they can find their way, because I know that they will. A 69-year-old man accused of burglarizing a drug store in the northwestern North Dakota town of Crosby last November has a history of similar crimes and drug offenses in other states, court records show. James Michael McClintock faces two felonies -- burglary and theft between $10,000 and $50,000 -- and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief in connection with events in Divide County on Sunday, Nov. 19, when Crosby Drug was closed, according to reporting in the Crosby Journal. Store employees discovered the next day that a thief had gained access to the store by cutting a hole in the building's roof. An inventory revealed a large quantity of drugs were stolen, as well as less than $1,000 from a drawer near the store's cash register. McClintock was arrested in January after officers with the Northwest Narcotics Task Force developed information about drugs being sold from a motel room in Williston. Court records show McClintock is facing a total of 17 counts in two separate indictments in Williams County. The most serious charges carry potential sentences of 10 years in prison. Task force officers arriving at the Williston motel saw McClintock trying to flee by jumping from a window and attempting to make an escape in a pickup, according to Williams County affidavits. He was taken into custody, and officers entered the motel room where they said they discovered a variety of prescription drugs including fentanyl patches. The documents allege McClintock admitted to stealing the drugs from the store in Crosby with the intention of selling them. He allegedly told officers he committed the burglary by cutting through the store's roof, and disposed of tools and clothing used in the crime by discarding them in a body of water between Williston and Crosby. The two communities are about 69 miles apart. McClintock has no known ties to northwestern North Dakota. Court records in Minnesota and Wisconsin indicate he has a number of prior felony convictions in those states for similar crimes. Minnesota Minnesota records show multiple convictions in 2010 and 2013 for second-degree burglary of a building containing pharmaceutical products or controlled substances. A 2010 conviction in connection with a burglary at a Benson, Minnesota, pharmacy resulted in McClintock being sentenced to 21 months in prison, according to published reports. That's a little under two years. Court records from Minnesota show McClintock lived in Hanceville, Alabama. McClintock, accompanied by two other men who were not charged, traveled from that state to Midwestern states to steal from pharmacies "because they believed they (pharmacies) lack adequate security systems, Benson Police Chief James Crace said at the time. McClintock and his alleged accomplices would then travel to Alabama, where the stolen merchandise was sold or used recreationally, according to Crace. McClintocks 2013 conviction in Beltrami County, Minnesota, resulted in a 33-month prison sentence -- nearly three years, according to court records. The sentence ultimately was stayed and McClintock was placed on supervised probation for 10 years. Wisconsin Court records from Wisconsin's Douglas County from 2011 show McClintock pleaded guilty to two felony charges having to do with unauthorized possession of prescription drugs and manufacture or delivery of narcotics. A third drug-related charge was dismissed. The records indicate McClintock was given a two-year term of extended supervision. Under Wisconsin law, extended supervision is treated similarly to probation but includes a community service component. The records do not indicate if the terms of McClintocks supervision were successfully completed. Other records from Barron and Chippewa counties report a number of traffic-related violations including operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance. A wanted man At the time of his arrest in Williams County, McClintock was wanted on a warrant from Dunn County, Wisconsin. He was originally charged there with a misdemeanor for operating a vehicle while his license was suspended or revoked, but a felony warrant was issued after McClintock failed to appear in court, records show. That felony warrant stated authorities in Wisconsin would seek extradition from surrounding states. But the warrant was vacated following a Jan. 11 court hearing, according to Williams County court records. Should McClintock be found not guilty in his North Dakota cases, the Wisconsin warrant could be reissued and McClintock returned to that state, according to an attorney with knowledge of extradition proceedings. North Dakota charges McClintock on Feb. 7 entered not guilty pleas to each of 13 charges filed in Williams County. He remains in custody on a $250,000 cash or surety bond. A trial is scheduled to begin in Williston on May 13. Bond in the Divide County case has been set at $50,000 cash or surety. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 8. McClintock could enter pleas at that time. Court records do not indicate an attorney for him. Divide County Sheriff Zach Schroeder said his investigation didn't find any ties between McClintock and anyone local. "Believe me, we checked," Schroeder said. The sheriff said the initial investigation focused on what he termed "an inside job" perhaps committed by a former store employee or local resident, but that didn't produce any suspects. McClintock reportedly told authorities in Williams County that he had an accomplice while burglarizing the Crosby drug store, but the documents do not name that person. The North Dakota National Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament is scheduled for March 15-16 at the State Fair Center in Minot, according to the state Game and Fish Department. The tournament will feature competition in bulls-eye, 3D and varsity categories. It will consist of team and individual competition in elementary, middle school and high school divisions, with $40,000 in prizes awarded including more than $30,000 in higher education scholarships. It's open to any student in grades 4-12 who attends a school that offers NASP lessons during the school day. Senator Vance on President Trumps success in deterring Russia, the limited ability of the West to produce weapons, and the United States need to pivot its focus to East Asia: We have to remember that despite a lot of the hand-wringing, and Ive heard a lot of it in private meetings and public meetings, Donald Trump was maybe the best president at deterring Russia in a generation. In fact, the only time that Russia has not invaded a foreign country over the last 20 years was the four years that Donald Trump was President. And its interesting that so many people accuse Trump, or me, or others of being in Putins pocket, and yet the person that Vladimir Putin says he wants to be the next president is not Donald Trump he says Joe Biden is his preferred candidate because hes more predictable. Now, on the question of European security, I think theres a fundamental issue here that Europe really has to wake up to. And I offer this in the spirit of friendship, not in the spirit of criticism, because, no, I dont think that we should pull out of NATO, and no, I dont think that we should abandon Europe. But yes, I think that we should pivot. The United States has to focus more on East Asia. That is going to be the future of American foreign policy for the next 40 years, and Europe has to wake up to that fact. Now, let me just throw a couple of facts out there. Number one, the problem in Ukraine from the perspective of the United States of America, and I represent, I believe, the majority of American public opinion, even though I dont represent the majority of opinion of senators who come to Munich, is that theres no clear endpoint, and fundamentally the limiting factors for American support of Ukraine, its not money, its munitions. America, and this is true, by the way, of Europe too, we dont make enough munitions to support a war in Eastern Europe, a war in the Middle East, and potentially a contingency in East Asia. So the United States is fundamentally limited. Now, let me just throw very specific details. The PAC-3, which is a Patriot interceptor, Ukraine uses in a month what the United States makes in a year. The Patriot missile system is on a five year back order, 155 millimeter artillery shells on more than a five year back order, Were talking in the United States about ramping up our production of artillery to 100,000 a month by the end of 2025. The Russians make close to 500,000 a month right now at this very minute. So the problem here vis-a-vis Ukraine is America doesnt make enough weapons, Europe doesnt make enough weapons, and that reality is far more important than American political will or how much money we print and then send to Europe. And the final point that Ill make just to respond here, because I know people have heard what Trump said, and you know, theyve criticized it and theyve said, well, Trump is going to abandon Europe. I dont think thats true at all. I think Trump is actually issuing a wake up call to say that Europe has to take a bigger role in its own security. Germany just this year will spend more than 2% of GDP. That, of course, is something that we had to really push for in the United States, and it just now has finally cleared that threshold. But its not just about money spent. How many mechanized brigades could Germany field tomorrow? Maybe one. The problem with Europe is that it doesnt provide enough of a deterrence on its own because it hasnt taken the initiative in its own security. I think that the American security blanket has allowed European security to atrophy. And again, the point is not we want to abandon Europe. The point is we need to focus as a country on East Asia, and we need our European allies to step up in Europe. I appreciate what my English friend [David Lammy] over here said. And of course, England has been one of the few exceptions where I think it has fielded a very capable military over the last generation. But that hasnt been true for a lot of Europe, and that has to change. Senator Vance on the need for a negotiated peace to end the war in Ukraine: Its very hard, the juxtaposition between the idea that Putin poses an existential threat to Europe, compared again against the fact that were trying to convince our allies to spend 2% of GDP. Those ideas are very much in tension. I do not think that Vladimir Putin is an existential threat to Europe and to the extent that he is, again, that suggests that Europe has to take a more aggressive role in its own security. Thats number one. But again, I go back to this question about abandoning Ukraine. If the package thats running through the Congress right now, $61 billion of supplemental aid to Ukraine, goes through, I have to be honest to you, that is not going to fundamentally change the reality on the battlefield. The amount of munitions that we can send to Ukraine right now is very limited. Again, not by American willpower or by American money, but by American manufacturing capacity. All of those back orders that I just highlighted, those are not problems in the future. Those are problems today, and they provide real limitations. So all Im saying is in that world of real limitations, what is realistic to accomplish in Ukraine? Can we send the level of weaponry weve set for the last 18 months for the next 18 months? We simply cannot. No matter how many checks the US Congress writes, we are limited there. Munitions matter a lot in warfare. What we havent talked about, of course, is manpower matters a lot in warfare, and we know the Ukrainians are very limited on that. So our argument, at least my argument here is, given the realities that we face, the very real constraints in munitions and manpower, what is reasonable to accomplish and when do we actually think were going to accomplish it? And my argument is, look, I think whats reasonable to accomplish is some negotiated peace. I think Russia has incentive to come to the table right now. I think Ukraine, Europe, and the United States have incentive to come to the table. That is going to happen. This will end in a negotiated peace. The question is when it ends in a negotiated peace and what that looks like. Senator Vance on prioritizing American interests when engaging with adversaries: To respond to Navalnys death: look, he was clearly a brave person. His death is a tragedy. I dont think that he should have been in prison. I dont think that he should have been killed in prison. And I condemn Putin for doing it. But heres the problem: it doesnt teach us anything new about Putin. Ive never once argued that Putin is a kind and friendly person. Ive argued that hes a person with distinct interests, and the United States has to respond to that person with distinct interests. We dont have to agree with him. We can contest him and we often will contest him. But the fact that hes a bad guy does not mean we cant engage in basic diplomacy and prioritizing Americas interests. There are a lot of bad guys all over the world, and Im much more interested in some of the problems in East Asia right now than I am in Europe. Senator Vance on the state of weapons manufacturing in the West, the risk posed by deindustrialization, and the inability of measures like GDP to indicate a nations military strength: We need Europe to play a bigger share of the security role, and thats not because we dont care about Europe its because we have to recognize that we live in a world of scarcity. When I listen to these questions and I listen to so many of the private conversations Ive had, one of the attitudes that I think is very, very dominant at the Munich Security Conference is the idea of the American superpower that can do everything all at once. And what Im telling you is that we live in a world of scarcity, a world of scarcity and weapons manufacturing and Americas capacity to make the critical machinery of war, and that world of scarcity is what Im trying to get us all to wake up to. In that world of scarcity, we cant support Ukraine and the Middle East and contingencies in East Asia. It just doesnt make any sense. The math doesnt work out in terms of weapons manufacturing. One final point I want to make here is I hear a lot of self-congratulation in this room and some of the conversations that Ive had back home in the United States, this is not just a criticism of Europe, a lot of self-congratulation about how much our GDP is bigger than Russias GDP. And yes, we are richer than Russia. Our citizens have better lives than the average Russian citizen. That is certainly something to celebrate and be proud of. But you dont win wars with GDP or euros or dollars. You win wars with weapons, and the West doesnt make enough weapons. I dont mean to beat up on Germany here because I love Germany, but I want to respond to something [Member of the German Bundestag] Ms. Lang said earlier. Look, Germany is the one country, maybe in NATO, that did not follow the stupid Washington consensus and allow their country to be deindustrialized during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. And yet, at the very moment that Putin is more and more powerful, where the Russian army is invading European countries en masse, this is the point at which Germany starts to deindustrialize? Look at the number of people working in manufacturing in Germany now versus ten years ago. Look at the critical raw materials produced in Germany now versus ten years ago. The energy dependence now versus 10 or 20 years ago. We have got to stop deindustrializing. We want Europe to be successful, but Europe has got to take a bigger role in its own security. You cant do that without industry. China's State Council discusses draft government work report Xinhua) 08:03, February 19, 2024 Chinese Premier Li Qiang presides over the third plenary meeting of the State Council in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) BEIJING, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council on Sunday convened a plenary meeting to discuss a draft government work report. The document will be deliberated at the top legislature's annual session in March. Premier Li Qiang, who presided over the State Council's plenary meeting, said it is necessary to actively respond to public concerns, fully listen to the views of all sides, and further revise the report. When the current State Council began performing its duties, it made clear that it would fully implement the decisions and arrangements of the Communist Party of China Central Committee while remaining action-oriented and doing solid work, Li said. In the past year, the State Council has stuck to its word and made solid progress in its work, and it will continue to do so while pursuing progress in its performance of its duties, he said. As the Spring Festival has ended, all departments of the State Council should work to put in place the arrangements of the Central Economic Work Conference, and seek progress in the promotion of high-quality development, he said. He highlighted the importance of confidence, hard work and pioneering spirit in solving practical problems for enterprises and the masses, as well as efforts to maintain the consistency of policies and pragmatic actions to boost society-wide confidence. He also urged improved efficiency and concerted efforts to improve the country's overall administrative capacity. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Xian Jiangnan) Representatives of SOCAR and AD Ports Group (Abu Dhabi) held talks on issues of mutual interest, Azernews reports, citing SOCAR's information in social networks. In particular, they discussed prospects of cooperation in the field of oil and petrochemical products logistics. It should be noted that this Arab group of vertically integrated companies is active in the Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf and other regions. It is engaged in logistics, maritime transportation and shipping, port operations, free economic zones and economic clusters in many countries of the world. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK Dinesh Unnikrishnan is Editor-Banking & Finance at Moneycontrol. Dinesh heads the Banking and Finance Bureau at Moneycontrol. He also writes a weekly column, Banking Central, every Monday. 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 Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Sameet Chavan is the Vice President - Technical and Derivatives at Angel One Ltd. Preeti Kulkarni is a financial journalist with over 13 years of experience. Based in Mumbai, she covers the personal finance beat for Moneycontrol. She focusses primarily on insurance, banking, taxation and financial planning February 19, 2024 / 05:59 PM IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated his government's commitment to support farmers in exploring new avenues in agriculture. Addressing an event in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, the prime minister emphasized the importance of working towards a common goal of having Indian food products on dining tables across the globe. His remarks came amid a protest by a section of farmers over their various demands such as a legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops. Candace Lattimore dresses in a pink uniform, carries a pink medical kit and wears pink gloves. The mobile phlebotomist uses pink tourniquets and, when the blood draw is done, she applies a pink bandage. The reason is simple, Lattimore says: Pink is a natural calming color, and she aims to keep her patients as comfortable as possible during what can be an uncomfortable, but necessary, moment. Its a lot more comfortable for them, said Lattimore, owner of Rosia B. Mobile Phlebotomy Services. Im coming into their home, making them a little more relaxed. More and more, health care services are being delivered right to the home, fitting into an ongoing trend of meeting patients where they are and ensuring people are getting the crucial preventive services they need to stave off larger, and more expensive, health problems that can worsen if left untreated and undiagnosed. You see it everywhere. For instance, Willa Arnet, a Buffalo nurse practitioner, is partnering with Amherst-based health plan Independent Health on a pilot program geared toward reaching the insurers Medicaid members who hadnt been seeing a doctor. Youve got to meet the patients where they are and understand what their unique needs are, said Independent Health CEO Michael W. Cropp. Its part of this transition from a sort of organizational or facility-centered model of care to a more person-centered community-based model of care. This Buffalo nurse practitioner still makes house calls, bringing care to some of Buffalo Niagara's hard-to-reach patients Through at-home medical visits, Willa Arnet is meeting patients where they are, learning about their home environments and eliminating barriers that have left some to go without health care. Building trust with patients Lattimore is convinced some of her patients would go without needed bloodwork if she was unable to come right to them. Some people dont have the time to visit a clinic for lab work, she noted, and others struggle with transportation, including the elderly. In some cases, Lattimore said, shes the only person that patients may see all day or all week. So she spends time with them and starts by introducing herself, explaining how long shes been a phlebotomist and asking what arm works best for them. She leaves them a business card, and she makes a follow-up phone call to them afterward to make sure theyre doing OK and not experiencing any pain or swelling. I let them know this is a relationship, said Lattimore, who launched her business last year. Youre not just a number or paycheck to me. Its how Lattimore says shes able to build trust with patients. To health care expert Larry Zielinski, the rise of some of these home-based services is reminiscent of the old country doctor who used to spend his day making house calls. This model, in particular, is often being used for treating patients with chronic diseases, fitting into a larger movement in health care toward managing the total cost of care for certain populations and aiming to prevent costly hospital readmissions. As local examples, Zielinski mentioned Independent Healths Care for You model, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New Yorks Care at Home program and his Primary Care Independent Physician Associations partnership with Honest Medical Group. n class=print_trim> For patients with chronic conditions, a proactive approach to care can pay off Independent Health is offering the program, called "Care for You," to its Medicare Advantage members with chronically complex medical conditions. A grandmothers influence Sitting in her West Seneca office which, yes, is decked out in pink Lattimore thinks back to her grandmother. Lattimores mother was a single parent, which meant the familys elders helped raised her, including her grandmother, Rosia Brown. When Lattimore was a child, she noticed her grandmother had nurses come in to take care of her. But as Lattimore got older, she started stepping in to help care for her grandmother. So it kind of put me in the health care field before I actually realized this was the field that I wanted to be in, Lattimore said. From her grandmother, Lattimore said she learned compassion, empathy, sympathy and patience. She kind of steered me in this way and because she was so instrumental in just helping me become the person I am, I felt like this is the best way to honor her by naming my company after her, she said. Where health care is going to beLattimores business serves all of Western New York and a little beyond. She said shes been as far east as Rochester and as far south as 10 to 15 minutes outside of Erie, Pa. Her business offers blood draw testing as simple as A1C tests to measure average blood sugar levels to more specialized tests such as those for organ donor or gender testing as well as many other tests, including drug screens. Lattimore said anyone can call to make an appointment, though her business runs on self-pay and doesnt currently accept health insurance. She noted its difficult to get in with the insurance companies when just starting out as a small business, but she described her rates as affordable. On her website, for instance, a routine draw a blood test ordered by a medical professional runs around $65. Moving forward, Lattimore said its her hope to develop a partnership with a laboratory that can send her to visit patients who cant make it in to a medical office. And while shes currently a staff of one, she said she has seven phlebotomists on standby who she can call on as business picks up. I definitely have a network that Ive built, because I am one determined cookie, said Lattimore, also a CPR instructor with a goal to certify 500 youths this year. If I said Im going to do it, Im going to do it. As she looks ahead, Lattimore said shes confident work like hers is here to stay and that there will be more mobile phlebotomists in the years ahead and not just to serve homebound patients. This is definitely where health care is going to be, she said. February 29, 2024 02:12 PM IST Lok Sabha polls: DMK allots two seats each to CPI, CPI(M) An official release from the DMK said the seat-sharing talks were finalised today. February 28, 2024 05:27 PM IST BJP submits memorandum to Bengal's poll panel chief claiming 16 lakh fake voters in state Leading a delegation of the West Bengal BJP unit, party leader Suvendu Adhikari expressed dissapointment with the poll panel's failure to address the issue despite assurances. February 28, 2024 05:20 PM IST Truth of Congresss Feb 26 Shimla Dinner: Fake handshakes, hugs, and smiles Abhishek Manu Singhvi failed to read There was much bonhomie which would have set at ease any fears the Congress leadership and its high command had of cross-voting. But lurking beneath was an old party rivalry that has now culminated in minister Vikramditya Singhs resignation after a humiliating Rajya Sabha defeat for chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu February 28, 2024 01:27 PM IST PM Modi slams DMK, Congress for creating 'rift' among people The DMK's 'running away' shows its 'hatred' for people's faith, Modi said in an apparent reference to the opposition walkout when the Parliament took up the matter. February 28, 2024 10:29 AM IST With handouts, piped water and cooking gas, PM Modi woos women voters Polling agency C-voter told Reuters its surveys predict 46% of India's 472 million women voters would opt for the BJP-led alliance in the election against 43% men, which would help it get a healthy majority in India's first-past-the-post polling system. February 28, 2024 09:23 PM IST Rajya Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: After RS poll loss, scare for Congress govt in Himachal Himachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha Elections: "I will not press my resignation until a decision is taken. The final decision will be taken in the coming time," said Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh, who submitted his resignation as Himachal cabinet minister earlier in the day. February 27, 2024 03:28 PM IST LS polls: Pradhan directs HEIs to conduct voter awareness activities from Feb 28-Mar 6 The directive comes following a clarion call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the first time voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers. February 27, 2024 02:24 PM IST Opposition convinced of loss in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, thus abuses me: PM Modi Modi, speaking at the conclusion ceremony of the BJP state unit's padayatra at the Central Stadium here, urged Kerala's people to bless the saffron party with seats in double digits in the 2024 LS polls. February 27, 2024 10:42 PM IST No proposal for FM Sitharaman to contest Lok Sabha polls: Source Union Finance Minister Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar are Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka and Gujarat respectively. February 27, 2024 11:13 AM IST Nirmala Sitharaman, Jaishankar to contest Lok Sabha polls: Pralhad Joshi To a question whether it will be Bengaluru, Joshi said, "How can I answer when nothing has been finalised?" Union Finance Minister Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar are Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka and Gujarat respectively. February 27, 2024 10:59 PM IST Rajya Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: BJP wins eight seats, SP two in Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won eight Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, while the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance faced a blow as it could only win two seats. February 26, 2024 08:01 PM IST Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Sitharaman, Jaishankar to contest, seats not finalized, says Pralhad Joshi Joshi assured reporters that both union ministers will undoubtedly run for the Lok Sabha seats. Which constituency and from where they will run, meanwhile, are still up in the air February 26, 2024 06:07 PM IST Ahead of LS polls, Congress steps up efforts to strengthen party in Hyderabad, woos BRS leaders Out of the total 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, four constituencies Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Chevella are in the GHMC limits. February 26, 2024 03:59 PM IST Lok Sabha polls 2024: JP Nadda invites people's suggestions for BJP manifesto As part of the campaign, BJP president JP Nadda also flagged off video vans from the party headquarters to highlight the work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi February 26, 2024 12:48 PM IST Will scrap 'Agnipath', revert to old recruitment scheme if voted to power: Congress Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, highlighting the "gross injustice" done to the youngsters seeking regular employment in the armed forces due to the "Agnipath" scheme, and urged her to ensure justice for them. February 25, 2024 06:37 PM IST Resolve to give Modi govt third term with more than 400 LS seats: Shah to BJP workers Addressing booth level workers of the party at Khajuraho, the Union minister also claimed the Congress means corruption and corruption means Congress. February 24, 2024 08:58 AM IST PM Modis poll vault to cross 370: From Bengal to Tamil Nadu, Kerala to Maharashtra, mega rallies, events planned next week With over 100 seats in the south, including 59 in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, 48 in Maharashtra and 42 in Bengal, the BJP is hoping that their biggest star campaigner and in whose name the party has been winning every election from Panchayat to Parliament, Modi can once again set the stage for them ahead of the announcement of the election dates. February 24, 2024 10:51 AM IST Lok Sabha Polls: BJP's mega huddle today, 'longer' candidate list likely to be out March first week During its huddle of election incharges and their deputies, BJP will discuss strategies that will be common practice in all states and UTs along with details of poll rallies by top guns like PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda February 24, 2024 10:59 PM IST Farmers' Protest Highlights: Authorities initiated the process of partially reopening Singhu border earlier today Dilli Chalo March Highlights: Authorities initiated the process of partially reopening Singhu (Delhi-Haryana) border earlier today, almost two weeks after it was sealed in view of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march. February 23, 2024 10:07 PM IST No change in TMC's stand of contesting all 42 LS seats in West Bengal: Derek O'Brien However, O'Brien, the TMC leader in the Rajya Sabha, said, "A few weeks agoWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that TMC is fighting all the 42 seats in Bengal. We are also in the fray in a few seats in Assam and the Tura Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya. There is no change in this position." February 23, 2024 08:20 PM IST Congress hopeful of finalising seat-sharing with TMC, AAP soon Sources said while the talks with the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP have almost been concluded, discussions are still underway with the Mamata Banerjee's TMC. The sources expressed hope the leadership would work out a solution soon accommodating the expectations of all parties. February 22, 2024 05:46 PM IST "Break alliance or Kejriwal will be arrested," Atishi accuses BJP of threatening AAP leaders AAP leaders have received messages threatening to arrest Arvind Kejriwal if their party doesnt break the alliance within two days, alleged Atishi February 22, 2024 04:34 PM IST Lok Sabha polls: Uttar Pradesh sealed, what's next for INDIA alliance? Lok Sabha Elections: The political struggle is far from over, as alliance partners remain hesitant to offer a substantial share to the grand old party. February 22, 2024 12:52 PM IST Ajay Maken accuses BJP of 'financial terrorism' to cripple Cong ahead of LS polls Income Tax Department has transferred Rs 65.88 crore from three Congress accounts, as well as from the accounts of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and the National Students Union of India (NSUI), alleged Maken. February 21, 2024 12:53 PM IST Haven't joined INDIA bloc, will support anyone with 'selfless' thought for nation: Kamal Haasan Addressing reporters here after leading the 7th anniversary celebrations of his Makkal Needhi Maiam, Haasan also welcomed the recent political entry of top Tamil actor Vijay. February 21, 2024 11:41 AM IST Differences among INDIA bloc allies in couple of states, will be resolved: Sharad Pawar Speaking to reporters in Kolhapur, the senior politician said a meeting of the INDIA alliance, formed by several opposition parties to take on the ruling BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, has not been convened of late. February 20, 2024 04:11 PM IST 'We scrapped Article 370 then to seek 370 seats now,' PM Modi stresses on an evolved J&K Lok Sabha Elections: Prime Minister Narendra Modi also referred to the upcoming Bollywood film Article 370 and slammed previous governments for depriving women of their democratic rights. February 19, 2024 04:48 PM IST SP releases second list after refusing to join Rahul's Bharat Nyay Yatra Lok Sabha Elections: Akhilesh Yadav said his party will participate in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra only after seat-sharing agreement with the Congress is finalised. February 20, 2024 11:47 AM IST PM Modi to visit Jammu on Feb 20: What it means for BJP ahead of LS polls Lok Sabha Elections: Modi will visit Jammu on Tuesday to launch multiple development projects, including for education, railway, aviation and road sectors, worth Rs 30,500 crore. February 19, 2024 12:49 PM IST Mayawati dismisses rumours of alliance, says BSP to go solo in Lok Sabha polls Mayawati, a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has also asked workers of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to be beware of such rumours. February 15, 2024 06:43 PM IST Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Farooq Abdullahs NC to contest all seats in J&K - what does it mean? Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The decision has surprised many in view of Abdullah's recent lament that We are gradually moving towards a situation where there will be one country ruled by a single party. February 15, 2024 03:24 PM IST Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Farooq Abdullah says NC to go it alone National Conference is one of the constituents of opposition INDIA bloc formed in July 2023 to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls February 14, 2024 10:01 PM IST EC seeks 3.4 lakh CAPFs for deployment in LS polls, Assembly elections in 4 states The EC has also sought adequate rolling stocks with all appropriate facilities in the trains, thereby ensuring hassle-free mobilisation and a timely movement of the forces to perform election duties. February 14, 2024 02:26 PM IST Sharad Pawar-led NCP will not merge with any political party: Supriya Sule Apart from Pawar and Sule, former Maharashtra ministers Anil Deshmukh and Rajesh Tope, MPs Amol Kolhe and Shrinivas Patil along with others leaders attended the meeting. February 14, 2024 09:25 AM IST Not allowing for 100% VVPATs is 'terrible anyay' on Indian voter: Congress The opposition party also said that not allowing for 100 per cent VVPATs is a "terrible injustice" on the Indian voter. February 13, 2024 04:43 PM IST 'Legal MSP guarantee' if Congress voted to power, announces Rahul Gandhi amid farmers' Delhi march Gandhi said this step will ensure the prosperity of 15 crore farmer families. This is the first guarantee of Congress on the path of justice." February 13, 2024 02:31 PM IST AAP wants to contest 6 seats in Delhi, offer one to Congress: Sandeep Pathak The party also announced its candidates for two Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat and one in Goa. February 13, 2024 01:57 PM IST Ex-Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan to file nomination for Rajya Sabha with BJP backing Chavan joined the saffron party on February 13 in the presence of Maharashtras deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis. February 12, 2024 03:51 PM IST Another week, another blow, Ashok Chavan adds to Congress' exit list In 2010, Ashok Chavan had to step down as the chief minister of Maharashtra for his alleged involvement in Adarsh housing scam February 12, 2024 02:27 PM IST BJP will win 370 seats, NDA more than 400 seats in Lok Sabha polls: Amit Shah Amit Shah also took a swipe at the Congress and said out of the 10-year rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first five years went in filling up the "pit" dug by the opposition party, when it ruled the country, and another five years in laying the foundation (of development). February 09, 2024 05:19 PM IST Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Over 96 crore voters to exercise franchise Over two crore young voters between the age group of 18-29 have been added to the voter list. February 09, 2024 09:01 AM IST AAP to hold meeting on February 13 to decide on Lok Sabha candidates' names for 3 states In a sign of exasperation over protracted seat-sharing talks with its INDIA bloc partner Congress, the AAP on Thursday declared party candidates for three Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam. February 09, 2024 05:59 AM IST BJP bags Rs 1,294 crore as donations through electoral bonds sold in FY23 Electoral bonds totaling a cumulative value of Rs 2,800 crore were sold during the fiscal year spanning from March 2022 to March 2023. February 07, 2024 01:59 PM IST 50%-plus vote share, alliances, and gains in east & south: How BJP plans to fulfill PM's target of 'Abki Baar, NDA 400 paar' Getting Ajit Pawar on board in Maharashtra, JDS in Karnataka, Nitish Kumar back in the NDA in Bihar and opening talks with Jayant Chaudhary in Uttar Pradesh and Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh all this is a part of BJPs strategy to maximise the NDAs tally and vote share in 2024. February 05, 2024 01:59 PM IST Dont engage children in poll campaign: ECI to political parties The directions from the Election Commission of India have come just two months ahead of the 2024 general elections, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third straight term at the Centre. February 05, 2024 02:31 PM IST Lok Sabha Election: Women rule revised minimum income scheme in Cong policy to beat BJP Under the scheme, the opposition Congress is planning that women across the country would be given at least Rs 60,000-70,000 annually. February 01, 2024 06:12 PM IST How FM Sitharaman invoked PM Modi's 'four castes' slogan in Budget 2024 The earlier approach of tackling poverty through entitlements had resulted in very modest outcomes, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her Budget speech. When the poor become empowered partners in the development process, governments power to assist them also increases manifold, she added. January 30, 2024 11:15 AM IST 'Modi's guarantee' a jumla, real issue in India is unemployment, inflation: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra The Congress general secretary shared a video on X which showed people queuing up for a recruitment drive to send workers to Israel. SNM Abdi is an independent journalist specialising in Indias foreign policy and domestic politics. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Bloomberg Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. GIFT City tax regime for aircraft leasing needs a second look The overall success of GIFT City hinges on the competitiveness of its tax regime. There is a high expectation that the beneficial tax regime for aircraft lessors will continue to move in the right direction The overall success of GIFT City hinges on the competitiveness of its tax regime. Vishal Palwe works for Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Rukhshana Patwa works for Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Sheila Kee grew up wanting to be in politics. She was active in student government, majored in political science and interned in Washington, D.C., including at the Democratic National Committee while it was being bugged during the Watergate era and later for a congressman who sat on the Judiciary Committee that voted to impeach President Richard Nixon. Kee was in the room when the vote happened a memorable moment in my life, she said. As her career progressed, health care became a strong interest, too. During her time as Erie County budget director, Kee saw up close the resources required to provide care. In the years ahead, she would hold leadership positions at Erie County Medical Center, the Community Health Care Association of New York State and the former Sheehan Memorial Hospital. At the Community Health Care Association, in particular, Kee said she gained a really strong appreciation of community health, population health, all those things that are being talked about so much in health care today. Later, she was an associate commissioner with the state Health Department. For the last 14-plus years, Kee has been chief operating officer at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, a safety-net provider in one of the most impoverished parts of Western New York. There, the 72-year-old Snyder resident leans on her joint political and health care backgrounds daily, helping a financially pinched medical center to come up with solutions, navigate regulations and adapt to where health care is headed. Q: Youve been at Niagara Falls Memorial for quite a while. So what keeps you in this job, what do you like about it here? A: A couple of things. One, Niagara Falls is a community in need. Its got a lot of folks who are impoverished. About 44% of the city lives below or just slightly above the federal poverty level. Deep poverty is pervasive here. About 11% of the folks who live here have incomes of less than $10,000. Can you imagine that, trying to survive on that? And so its not surprising that there is a lot of chronic illness here. Mental health needs are very acute. And so its a perfect place to apply ideas to try to improve the health of the community. Weve done so in a variety of ways. One of the things I do is write grants to be able to bring resources in. We have one grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation in New York City, and we have what I termed as a Guardian Angels program. We provide two staff that will care for the needs of 121 seriously mentally ill people, if they need a ride, if they have to get to a doctors appointment. Some of them dont have winter clothes, they dont have food, you know, we get everything done. We dont have all that government regulation, we just do the job. So its, you know, things like that I enjoy. I enjoy proposing, drafting the model and monitoring it and making it better to make sure that our outcomes are what they should be. Q: Are there similarities you see between politics and health care? A: Oh God, yes. In some of our outreach strategies that we do here, I always say its just taking my old political knowledge and applying it to a health care setting. It really is. Q: Youve had a long career in politics and health care. Do you see any trends reemerging in the health care field? A: I do. Lets talk about social determinants of health. Those are things like economic issues, social issues, financial issues that impact negatively on somebodys health. The world was talking about that 13 years ago, 15 years ago. Now, CMS at the federal level, effective January, hospitals are required to screen every inpatient medical-surgical patient for SDOH needs, and to track it and report it to the federal government. So its funny, it took all that time to do that. But what were working on right now here at the hospital, we screen folks for those issues now outside in primary care. But we want to connect those findings from those inpatient screens to our primary care providers, so that they have the information to help their patients connect to services and community-based organizations. So its kind of reemerging in a different way, coming from the federal level. Going mobile: More health care clinics driving directly into WNY communities Mobile health clinics continue to pop up at an increasing rate across the country, viewed as a valuable vehicle to chip away at widespread health disparities that exist in communities such as Niagara Falls. Q: Do you see kind of reemergence in meeting patients where they are? A: Very on the point. In Niagara County, in the year 2010, 15% of the population were senior citizens over 65. In 2020, that percentage jumped up to 20%. Thats a big hike in that period of time. So seniors are saying a couple of things right now. They dont want to go to nursing homes, they want to stay at home as long as they can. And so theyre willing to go along with some of the new things to be able to keep their objective intact. One of them is telehealth during the Covid pandemic; we had to do Covid telehealth visits. And the numbers are as high as they were during the pandemic. People have gotten very used to being able to do a telehealth visit. Its quick. It gets to the point. And they dont have to worry about transportation. We do telehealth, too, for people who were in the hospital. They get discharged and when theyre home, we do telehealth visits with them to make sure theyre connected to care. So its a wonderful tool. And I think the government, state and federal, recognize how important it is, and they havent dramatically cut the reimbursement for it. Its still a viable financial model for hospitals and primary care practices. Q: Looking ahead now, how is Niagara Falls Memorial leaning into the trends youre seeing? A: A couple of things. One is theres really a need to do more home visits. In 2024, we want to increase the number of visits we do for homebound people, either they have a bad disability or theyre elderly. Its very important that they stay in touch with health care. And, you know, transportation up here is very difficult 20% of the people who live here dont have a car. So weve got to start getting out more in the community and doing more of these visits. I think the staff and the providers would love doing it. So its just a question of organizing. Youve got to have a plan to do that. Niagara Falls Memorial remains independent. But after Covid, can it stay on its own? Staying independent amid these pressure-packed forces is no small task, especially for a facility such as Niagara Falls Memorial that operates in one of the most impoverished parts of WNY. Q: What are some of the challenges for the medical center as you move into the future? A: Well, finances are always a challenge, and we work on that constantly. I think one challenge is to get people connected to health care and keep them connected. We did a study back in 2019 of Medicaid patients, and we found in a particular ZIP code, only 10% of those Medicaid patients went to a primary care doctor. They go to the emergency department. They need to stay with your primary care provider, and develop a nice working relationship, and theyre going to be healthy. As I said, theres some really startling statistics here in Niagara Falls. We have one ZIP code where African American men die 20 years younger than the average age of a white male. So white males is 76, and African American males, 56. So yes, health care has a lot of challenges, a lot of competition, finances, but youve got to look at whats going on in your community, you got to look at morbidity and mortality. Thats the real core of health care. Andy Mukherjee is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies and financial services. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. In today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: More NBFC's piled in past three years, simultaneous polls may not be an unalloyed... Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | Markets need their Vitamin D too, as disclosures make them stronger Two years after the Russia-Ukraine war began, Russias economy is set to grow faster than many of the Western countries that had imposed sanctions on it, projections from the International Monetary Fund suggest. The sanctions were aimed to curb Russias oil exports and limit its ability to finance the war. Thanks to India and Chinas ability to dodge these sanctions, Russian exports have remained buoyant, and a global commodity price spiral has been averted. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Walk in to the new $70 million Lockport Memorial Hospital, and it doesn't feel much like a traditional hospital at all. That's not by accident. Catholic Health System officials carefully crafted plans for this hospital by traveling to other parts of the country, including nearby Pennsylvania, where Allegheny Health Network had built several "microhospitals." Catholic Health decided to construct Lockport Memorial based off the neighborhood hospital model, a right-sized health care campus that should be financially sustainable while preserving hospital access for more than 80,000 residents in eastern Niagara County. Such a change in thinking was necessary after the 134-bed Eastern Niagara Hospital filed for bankruptcy in late 2019 and eventually closed last June. "We really think we've got the right model," said C.J. Urlaub, Catholic Health's senior vice president of strategic partnerships, integration and care delivery in Niagara County and Mount St. Mary's Hospital president. The 60,000-square-foot facility, which is a campus of Mount St. Mary's in Lewiston, has an 18-bed full-service Emergency Department; a 10-bed inpatient unit with the ability to expand to 20 beds; diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, including blood draw; and medical offices for primary care, women's health and specialty care services. While the majority of patients can get care on-site with services available at Lockport Memorial, some may need to be transferred to another hospital in Catholic Health's footprint for a more specialized service. Expect to see more of this model going forward, with health systems adapting to ongoing trends by pivoting toward nimble, efficient facilities that don't try to be everything to every patient. Consider that Brooks-TLC Hospital System in Dunkirk wants to build a $71 million microhospital in the Village of Fredonia. That plan calls for a 57,634-square-foot, 15-bed microhospital and adjoining 35,883-square-foot medical office building quite a change from the current 180,000-square-foot, 65-bed hospital in Dunkirk. "I think you're going to see a lot more of that," Urlaub said. "This is absolutely the right model." A needed facility in Lockport Inside Lockport Memorial's front doors is a check-in area, where staff members greet patients and help them sign in while seated on sleek couches. Right off the concierge area is the medical office space, with 30 exam rooms all with telemedicine capabilities and a growing roster of physicians and specialists. The center of the campus is heavy on laboratory services and imaging, such as mammography, ultrasound, X-ray and CT scans. Susan Brooks, vice president of patient care services, said it's all designed to ensure patients can access everything they need right on campus, minimizing the challenges of navigating a complicated health care system where so much care is lost to follow-ups that never occur. "It's kind of giving the community the easiest way to seek services," she said. Catholic Health also knew a local emergency department was needed, acknowledging all emergencies couldn't be routed to hospitals on the other side of Niagara County or into Erie County. "This community needed an emergency department, but it didn't need a 100-bed hospital," Urlaub said. "So our major focus was the physician offices and the emergency department." Gasport resident Robert Kelley and his family are glad the new hospital is here. Kelley's family brought him to Lockport Memorial's Emergency Department late one night in early December for shortness of breath. It was the 75-year-old's first time to an emergency department. Kelley said he and his family opted to "try the new place" rather than traveling to Medina Memorial Hospital. "It's good that this was put here," said Kelley, who grew up in Newfane and mentioned how the former Inter-Community Memorial Hospital there closed a few years ago. "It's a lot easier driving here than Niagara Falls or Buffalo, and we know people here," said Kelley's wife, Sandy, seated next to his hospital bed. How hospital transfers work Lockport Memorial's Emergency Department has been busy since the hospital opened Oct. 10. In December, for instance, the Emergency Department totaled 2,162 visits, or about 70 visits a day, according to a recent Catholic Health update to bond investors. Of those, 151, or 7%, were admitted, with 93 inpatient admissions and 58 observation admissions. Meanwhile, there were 126 transfers about 6% of total Emergency Department visits in December to a higher level of care. "If there's anything that requires a higher level of care, if they need a particular consultant or procedures, they do need to be transferred, but we have a very sort of streamlined protocol for transferring patients," said Dr. Michelle Rainville, an attending physician in the Emergency Department. "And it actually has worked really well." That includes a transfer packet developed by Grace Ayoub, a people advocate and community strategy administrator, that has directions to the facility where the patient is being transferred, parking information as well as details about the reception team that will greet them upon arrival. Automobile dealer Popular Vehicles and Services shares are unlikely to see any listing premium on March 19, given the muted IPO subscription numbers and the subdued market conditions, experts said. Its initial public offering has managed to get fully subscribed as investors bought only 1.23 times the IPO size during March 12-14. Qualified institutional buyers picked 1.97 times the reserved portion, and retail investors bought 1.05 times the allotted quota, while non-institutional investors bid 0.66 times the portion set aside for them. The Kerala-based company, which competes with Landmark Cars, has raised Rs 601.55 crore through its public issue at the upper price band. The IPO was comprised of fresh issue of Rs 250 crore worth shares and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 1.19 crore equity shares worth Rs 351.55 crore by private equity fund BanyanTree Growth Capital II, LLC. Meanwhile, during the IPO subscription period, the equity benchmark indices and broader markets corrected sharply after the overvaluation concerns raised by the capital markets regulator, and remained in a consolidation mode. The benchmark index lost 2 percent and the Nifty Midcap 100 index fell nearly 5 percent last week. Also read: Krystal Integrated Services IPO bought 13.14 times on final day "The company is set to be listed at its subscription price without fetching any premium," Parth Shah, research analyst at StoxBox said. Popular Vehicles and Services is a diversified automobile dealership company in India, having a fully integrated business model. It caters to the complete life cycle of vehicle ownership, right from the sale of new vehicles, servicing and repairing vehicles, distributing spare parts and accessories, to facilitating sale and exchange of pre-owned vehicles, operating driving schools and facilitating the sale of third-party financial and insurance products. Amit Goel, co-founder and chief global strategist at Pace 360 also expects the muted listing for Popular Vehicles & Services at around Rs 290-295. Looking at the issue's annualized earnings for FY24, it looks fully priced, he feels. Also read: Rekha Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Baazar Style Retail files draft IPO papers Its IPO shares were not trading at any premium in the grey market, the market observers said. The grey market is an unofficial platform for trading in IPO shares till the listing. Popular Vehicles that operates dealerships for Maruti Suzuki India, Honda Cars India, Jaguar Land Rover India, Tata Motors, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, Piaggio Vehicles, and Ather Energy has recorded net profit at Rs 64.07 crore for the year ended March FY23, rising 90.3 percent over a year-ago period, but there was a bit of pressure in the operating margin. Its revenue from operations increased by 40.65 percent year-on-year to Rs 4,875 crore during the year, while EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in FY23 jumped 35.5 percent to Rs 217.2 crore, but margin dropped to 4.45 percent, from 4.6 percent in previous year. Its net profit for six months period ended September FY24 stood at Rs 40 crore on revenue of Rs 2,835 crore. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. OLAF FUB SEZ: According to astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, born on this date in 1473, To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge. . . . LOOKING BACK Thomas J. Reigstad, author of Scribblin for a Livin Mark Twains Pivotal Period in Buffalo, is guest in the free online IMAGINE Greater Buffalo lecture series at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Link to Zoom at us02web.zoom.us/j/89885986708. Historian Chris Hawley talks about the rise and decline of Buffalos Broadway Fillmore neighborhood when the Greater Buffalo Bottle Collectors Association meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday in St. Peters Episcopal Church, 205 Longmeadow Road, Amherst. All are welcome. . . . HAILING CHIEFS The Buffalo History Museum offers Presidential Palooza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, with themed crafts for kids, pop-up exhibits of presidential artifacts and trivia competitions. Admission is pay-what-you-wish. For info, visit buffalohistory.org. Ann Marie Linnabery, assistant director of the Niagara County Historical Society, presents a program on presidential visits to Niagara County at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the History Center, 215 Niagara St., Lockport. For info, visit niagarahistory.org. . . . TAX HELP Niagara County Community College offers free income tax assistance for people who made less than $79,000 last year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. most Wednesdays through April 10. Sessions are in the NCCC Lewis Library, 3111 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn, and the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, 28 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls. For appointments and more info, call 716-614-6786 or visit niagaracc.suny.libcal.com. . . . SAVE THE DATES Thursday is the deadline to register and pay for a dinner program Feb. 29 hosted by the American Association of University Women Buffalo Branch in Jovis Italian Grille and Bistro, 2795 Delaware Ave., Kenmore. Behavioral health expert Karl Shallowhorn will give a presentation on managing mental wellbeing. Cost is $28. For info, visit aauwbuffalo.org. The Breast Cancer Network of WNY hosts its second annual Murder at the Mansion! cocktail party at 7 p.m. Friday in The Mansion on Delaware Avenue, 414 Delaware Ave. The evening features a professional murder mystery performance, a premium open bar, hors doeuvres, raffles and auctions. Tickets are $150. Proceeds benefit metastatic breast cancer research. For more info, call 716-706-0060 or visit bcnwny.org. . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ruthie Kozower, Joy Trotter, Don OHara, Jakob Willoughby, Tom Yots, Wayne Whitaker, Joe Crozier, Breonna D. Kirkland, Kaylee Wendt, Asantewa K. Holley, Alexandra Murello, Teri Rudick, John Buczkowski, Gavin The Closer Eustace, Cheryl Delaney, Finleigh Schlegel, Sean Patrick Saramak, Sue Prince, Jessica Weatherlow, Traci Amorosi, Cindy Tomaschko, Barb Uzar, Sharon Hassett, Gail Stadler, Mike Chase and Nathan Gentile. AND TUESDAY Scott Donhauser, Dr. Paul A. Kloc II, Marian Needham, Tom Fenton, Kathy Sauer, Mary Piogna, Marilyn Besser, Mildred Karazewski, Andrew Bottomley, Jacque Bottomley, Loretta Sauer, Rose Marie Wartinger, Melissa Toons Dersam, Dalton Englert, Skip Polowy, Alexa Farner, Anna Lucas Case, David J. Hall, Arthur Art Taggert Jr., Peggi Ryan, William VanArsdale and Joyce Breen. To submit birthdays and other items of interest to Reporters Notebook, please email olaffub@buffnews.com or send a letter to Reporters Notebook, Buffalo News, Box 100, Buffalo, NY 14240. Deputies who went to an address in Panama to pick up a man with an active arrest warrant Friday ended up taking three more men into custody on gun and drug charges, the Chautauqua County Sheriffs Office reported. Arrested were William E. Curry Jr., 41, of Panama; Harry J. Radke, 47, of Conewango Valley; Dennis J. Cash Jr., 35, of Dewittville; and Jared K. Gilbert, 37, of Mayville. All are charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. According to the report, deputies went to a house on Route 474 to look for Curry, who had an arrest warrant from the Town of North Harmony. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies and narcotics investigators from the Sheriffs Office and the Dunkirk Police Department found 13.1 grams of methamphetamine, scales, packaging for narcotics and an assault rifle that had been reported stolen. Curry and Radke are being held without bail in the Chautauqua County Jail. Also remanded were Cash, who is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, and Gilbert, whose bail was set at $50,000. Dale Anderson Terming the arrest of ICICI Bank's former managing director and chief executive officer (MD&CEO) Chandar Kochhar and her husband Deepak Kochhar as an 'abuse of power' by the central bureau of investigation (CBI), the Bombay High Court (HC) says the arrest was 'without application of mind and due regard to the law'. In a decision pronounced on 6 February 2024, a division bench of justice Anuja Prabhudessai and justice Nitin R Borkar of the Bombay HC confirmed the interim bail order passed in January last year. The HC says that CBI has been unable to demonstrate the existence of circumstances or supportive material based on which the decision to arrest was taken. "The absence of such circumstances renders the arrest illegal. Such routine arrest without application of mind and due regard to the law amounts to an abuse of power," the HC says. The bench of justice Prabhudessai and justice Borkar also rejected CBI's contention on non-cooperation from the Kochhars during the probe. It says, "The right to silence emanates from Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution, which gives an accused the right against self-incrimination. Suffice it to say that exercise of the right to remain silent cannot be equated with non-cooperation." Last week, the Supreme Court disposed the special leave petition (SLP) filed by CBI against the January 2023 decision of the Bombay HC granting interim bail to Ms Kochhar in the alleged loan fraud case. However, a bench presided over by justice Bela M Trivedi gave liberty to the central investigative agency to file a fresh appeal against the final decision of the high court confirming the interim bail granted to the Kochhar couple. The HC also held that the arrest was in violation of section 41A of the code of criminal procedure (CrPC) which mandates sending notice for appearance before the concerned police officer. In January last year, the HC allowed the release of Ms Kochhar and her husband, Deepak, on a cash bail of Rs1 lakh each and observed that the arrest was not in accordance with the law. In December 2022, CBI arrested the Kochhars in connection with a loan fraud case involving bank officials and the Videocon group. A senior official from CBI told IANS that the arrests were made from Delhi, whereas the fraud first information report (FIR) was filed with its Mumbai branch in January 2019 against Ms Kochhar, her husband and Venugopal Dhoot of Videocon group. "We had filed an FIR for the offence of forgery, cheating, using fake documents as genuine, hatching a criminal conspiracy and having common intention against the bank officials and the Kochhars," the official says. Nupower Renewables, Supreme Energy, Videocon International Electronics Ltd and Videocon Industries Ltd were also named as accused in the FIR. CBI action in 2018 came in the wake of the news reports raising questions about Videocon chairman Venugopal Dhoot allegedly providing crores of rupees to a firm promoted by Mr Kochhar and his two relatives six months after Videocon group got the Rs3,250 crore loan from ICICI Bank. It was alleged that Mr Dhoot transferred a considerable portion of the loan to a company he jointly owned with Mr Kochhar. It was alleged that ICICI Bank sanctioned credit facilities of about Rs3,250 crore to Trend Electronics Ltd, Century Appliances Ltd, Kail Ltd, Value Industries Ltd and Evan Fraser & Co India Ltd, all companies belonging to the Videocon group promoted by Mr Dhoot. "The officials of ICICI Bank sanctioned credit facilities to these companies in violation of Banking Regulation Act, RBI guidelines and credit policy of the bank," read the first information report (FIR) accessed by IANS. Ms Kochhar was on the sanctioning committee of ICICI Bank, deciding on two loansRs300 crore to Videocon International Electronics (VIEL) on 26 August 2009 and Rs750 crore to Videocon Industries Ltd (VIL) on 31 October 2011. The term loan of Rs300 crore sanctioned to VIEL was disbursed on 7 September 2009. The next day, Mr Dhoot transferred Rs64 crore to NuPower Renewables Ltd (NRL) through Supreme Energy Pvt Ltd (SEPL) founded by him. Read: Chanda Kochhar, Husband Deepak and Videocon's Venugopal Dhoot in CBI Custody till 28th December in ICICI Bank Loan Fraud Case ) There were allegations that Mr Dhoot made the investment of Rs64 crore in NRL through SEPL and also transferred SEPL to Pinnacle Energy Trust, managed by Deepak Kochhar, through a circuitous route. It was done between 2010 and 2012. ( Ms Kochhar was sacked from ICICI Bank a few months after she voluntarily quit. Later, she challenged her dismissal in January 2019, while the mandatory 'prior sanction' was given by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in March 2019. While grilling Anil Masih, the returning officer (RO) for the Chandigarh municipal polls for making marks on the ballot papers, the Supreme Court (SC) warned he could be prosecuted if he made any attempts to lie to the SC. A bench of chief justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, justice JB Pardiwala and justice Manoj Misra opined that Mr Masih should be prosecuted for interfering with the election process. However, instead of ordering a fresh election, the SC says it would order the counting of votes based on the existing ballots by a neutral presiding officer, says a report from LiveLaw The apex court directed that the ballot papers in the custody of the registrar general of the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) be produced before the SC at 2pm Tuesday in accordance with relevant steps for the preservation of the ballot papers for the scrutiny of the court. After perusal of the CCTV footage given in the pen drive by senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Aam Admi Party (AAP) councillor Kuldeep Kumar, CJI Chandrachud orally observed: "This is a mockery of democracy. He is murdering democracy. Is this the behaviour of a returning officer, who looks at the camera and defaces the ballot? It is obvious that he defaced the ballots. This man has to be prosecuted. CJI Chandrachud says, "This is a very serious matter. All that you say .. if any falsehood, you will be prosecuted ... Why were you looking into the camera and putting marks in the ballot papers?" The RO, who was present in court, replied that he was just marking the ballot papers that were defaced and that he happened to look at one of many CCTV cameras in the counting area. He says he made the marks on eight ballot papers, only to set them apart. The CJI, however, was not convinced by the RO's explanation, says a report from Bar&Bench "You can sign the ballot papers ... Why were ticking or putting X on those ballot papers?... Which rule says that you can put ticks or X in those ballot papers? ... He (Masih) has to be prosecuted. In an electoral democracy, this cannot be allowed," CJI remarked. Meanwhile, hours before the hearing, Chandigarh mayor Manoj Sonkar resigned from the post, paving the way for the fresh mayoral election. Three councillors from Aam Admi Party (AAP) joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and extended their support to the BJP candidate in the municipal corporation house. The AAP councillors who defected to BJP are Gurcharanjit Singh Kala, Neha and Poonum Devi. Currently, the BJP has 15 votes in the municipal corporation house14 councillors and ex officio members, i.e., a member of Parliament (MP), in a 35-member House. AAP has 13 councillors, while the Congress has seven. When the apex court was informed about these incidents, chief justice Chandrachud expressed concerns over 'horse-trading'. "We are disturbed with the horse-trading which had taken place," the CJI says. Last month, BJP's Manoj Sonkar was elected mayor after winning 16 votes against the 12 votes received by the Congress-AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar. This was even though the AAP-Congress alliance had a majority in the house with 20 members. Eight votes, which constituted votes of the AAP-Congress alliance, were rejected in the process as invalid by the RO. On Monday, 2430 stocks advanced, 1537 declined and 136 remained unchanged, with an advance decline ratio of 1.58 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), indicating positive closing of stocks in broader markets. The trend of the major indices on Mondays trading is given in the table below. On NSE, 194 securities advanced and closed at a new 52-week high whereas 5 securities sank to close at their new 52-week lows. In sectoral indices, Nifty PSU Bank and Nifty IT were among the biggest losers. Nifty Pharma, Nifty FMCG and Nifty Infrastructure were among the biggest gainers. IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals (+6.14%) has received approval from Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), China for its product Metformin Hydrochloride. Remsons Industries (+5.00%) has signed the Joint Venture (JV) agreement with Daiichi Infotainment Systems to make 50:50 investment in Automotive Electronics segment. Power Grid Corporation of India (+0.56%) has received an approval from Board of Directors for Implementation of Unified Load Dispatch and Communication (ULDC) Phase-III (SCADA/EMS Upgradation Project -Northern Region SLDCs) at an estimated cost of Rs514.66 crore. Mitsu Chem Plast (-0.95%) has unveiled its latest innovation in sustainable packaging solutions - MiEcoPET. Revolutionizing the packaging industry, MiEcoPET sets a new standard for eco-consciousness, efficiency, and functionality. Clean Science and Technologys (+0.76%) wholly owned subsidiary -- Clean Fino-Chem has inaugurated its new manufacturing facility. Laurus Labs (+1.76%) has infused further equity into its wholly-owned subsidiary Laurus Synthesis (LSPL) via subscribing to the rights issue offered by LSPL for a cash consideration of Rs99 crore. Balrampur Chini Mills (+3.71%) has received an approval to enter a new line of business to manufacture Polylactic Acid (PLA), to be used for production of bioplastic. Tata Power (+1.44%) has received Letter of Intent (LoI) from REC Power Development and Consultancy (a wholly-owned subsidiary of REC) to acquire Jalpura Khurja Power Transmission, a project special purpose vehicle (SPV). Confidence Petroleum (+10.51%) entered in pact with Norway listed BW LPG to strengthen LPG terminal infrastructure. BW LPG will invest $30 million in company via preferential allotment of shares. Coal India (-4.26%) has said that it may not meet this years targeted coal production. Earning Highlights Crisil (+9.98%): Net Sales was Rs918 crore in Q3FY24 up 12% YoY (Rs822 crore). Net Profit was Rs210 crore in Q3FY24 up 33% YoY (Rs158 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: As many as over 2.08mn (million) investors of PACL Ltd, with a claim of up to Rs19,000, have been paid over Rs1,021 crore, says market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The justice RM Lodha committee is supervising the Supreme Court (SC)-ordered process of selling PACL's assets across the country and refunding Rs49,100 crore collected from over 55mn investors. "As of 15 February 2024, the Committee has successfully effected refunds in respect of a total number of 20,84,635 eligible applications with outstanding (principal) amount up to Rs19,000 aggregating to Rs1021.84 crore," SEBI says. In September last year, the committee had called for original PACL certificates from eligible investors with a principal outstanding between Rs17,001 and Rs19,000. In February 2023, considering the difficulties faced by investors in submitting original certificates, the Lodha committee decided to pay the outstanding for eligible applicants identified after verification. Accordingly, it paid Rs85.68 crore to 114,933 eligible applicants whose principal outstanding from PACL was between Rs15,000 and Rs17,000. SEBI's investigations had earlier revealed that PACL, which had raised money from the public in the name of agriculture and real estate businesses, collected more than Rs60,000 crore through illegal collective investment schemes (CISs) over 18 years. Moneylife had extensively reported on the PACL scam and you can read it here In February 2019, the committee headed by retired justice Lodha had initiated the process of refunds in phases for investors who had invested in PACL. PACL (or Pearls) is one of India's largest Ponzi schemes, which had been allowed to run for decades amassing over Rs60,000 crore. The committee had asked PACL investors to submit online applications for a refund. The mobilisation of funds by PACL goes back to before 1997. On receipt of a complaint, SEBI, on 30 November 1999 and 10 December 1999, issued letters asking PACL to comply with the provisions of the collective investment scheme (CIS) regulations. In September 2018, the enforcement directorate (ED) filed a charge sheet against PACL and its chief Nirmal Singh Bhangoo, concerning a Ponzi scam involving over Rs49,100 crore, which was collected allegedly by two companies from millions of investors. The ED, which started the probe after lodging a first information report (FIR) in 2015 based on the central bureau of investigation (CBI)'s case, had, in January 2018, attached Australia-based assets of the Pearls group and Mr Bhangoo worth Rs472 crore. Mr Bhangoo, his companies PACL and Pearls Golden Forest Ltd (PGFL), as well as several thousands of his commission agents, were accused of cheating 55mn investors on the pretext of the sale and development of agricultural land. The companies made false allotments of land to investors. However, the companies never owned any land in their own name. Mr Bhangoo and his companies promised the investors that allotment would be done on their investment between 90 and 270 days and, if not, handsome returns would be paid. Eleven years ago, Erie Countys then-chief medical examiner ruled that a bloody and bruised county Holding Center inmate who had a spit mask tied around his neck and a pillowcase wrapped around his head by jail deputies died of a heart attack. Underlying liver and cardiovascular disease, as well as his treatment/maltreatment while incarcerated, contributed to 35-year-old Richard Metcalf Jr.s death, Dr. Dianne R. Vertes concluded. From the archives: The death of Richard Metcalf Jr. The death of Erie County Holding Center inmate Richard A. Metcalf Jr. of Depew has been the subject of extensive coverage by The Buffalo News How Vertes came to her conclusions including what she knew and didnt know, as well as the questions she asked and those she didnt came to light last week as she testified in the civil trial over Metcalfs death. Vertes, whose testimony lasted nearly 11 hours over four days, reached conclusions in 2013 that the state body that polices New Yorks jails later said it unilaterally rejects. Vertes testimony revealed that she: 'Not moving fast': Judge says trial in death of Holding Center inmate likely to extend beyond time jurors were told The trial against Erie County and five current and former deputies in the death of Richard A. Metcalf Jr. is seven or eight witnesses behind schedule, State Supreme Court Justice Mark J. Grisanti said. Initially believed the proper way to fasten a spit mask was by tying it around the neck, and she didnt seek out the instructions for usage. Made no specific reference to the spit mask in her autopsy report. Had not been given photos of Metcalf taken by an investigator for the Sheriffs Office after he was removed from his jail cell. I asked for information and got it. I dont know who the deciding person was, Vertes said. I assumed that what I got was what was available at the time. Metcalf, of Depew, died in the custody of the Sheriffs Office in Erie County Medical Center on Nov. 30, 2012, after jail deputies in the Holding Center improperly restrained him and asphyxiated him after tying a spit mask around his neck and putting a pillowcase over his head, the state Commission of Correction concluded in a 2016 report. 'You could feel that there was something wrong': EMT testifies in case of Holding Center inmate death "It was a heavy situation," emergency medical technician Robert Moleski said. "You could feel that there was something wrong, but you didnt know exactly what it was." Deputies had gone into Metcalfs cell after he was reported to be injuring himself, including biting away pieces of his own flesh. Metcalf, who deputies said was spitting blood, chewed through the spit mask. After that, deputies placed the pillowcase over his head. In a lawsuit, Richard Metcalf Sr. claims that negligence, deprivation of medical care and excessive force led to his sons injuries and death. Vertes, who testified she was unaware that the Department of Justice found in 2009 that Erie County failed to safeguard its inmates civil rights, conducted an autopsy on Dec. 1, 2012. Her preliminary findings in Metcalfs death ruled it a homicide, with the cause pending further investigation. In April 2013, she issued a final report that again ruled Metcalfs death a homicide. She ruled his cause of death was a heart attack. According to Metcalfs death certificate, she identified significant conditions contributing to death but not related to the immediate cause: a liver condition Metcalf was born with; cirrhosis of the liver and hypertension in a major vein that leads to the liver; and multiple blunt force injuries associated with stress. In her final autopsy report, Vertes wrote: The death of this 35-year-old male is attributed to an acute and subacute myocardial infarction. The decedent was an inmate at the time of his death. The decedents chronic health problems and his treatment/maltreatment while incarcerated both contributed to his death. Counselor who assessed Metcalf at Holding Center says she was missing information Rebecca McDaniel's assessment of Richard Metcalf Jr., which was not the court-ordered evaluation, appeared to be performed without relevant information jail staff and authorities already had about the inmate. That order said Metcalf had been demonstrating "very erratic behavior." She continued, The manner of death is homicide i.e. death at the hands of another. While the decedent died of a natural disease, an acute and subacute heart attack, but-for the stress and injuries during his arrest and incarceration compounded by his pre-existing medical conditions, it is considerably less likely that his death would have occurred when it did and may not have occurred at all. The state Commission of Correction concluded poorly trained deputies killed Metcalf. Metcalfs death was a homicide caused by the restraint methods used by the Erie County deputies, according to the commission. The commissions Medical Review Board found that traumatic asphyxia with compression of the torso and neck took Metcalfs life. The Sheriffs Office also concealed details about Metcalfs treatment in their custody early on in the states probe, The Buffalo News has previously reported. Its not like the sniffles 'I love the boys in blue': Depew police officer describes arrest of Richard Metcalf Jr. In a matter of about three minutes, Depew Police Officer Rene Smith saw different sides of Richard Metcalf Jr. Inside a Depew banquet center at around 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 27, 2012, Metcalf charged at Smith with a large wrench in his right hand after Smith said he pursued him through the burglary scene and, with his gun drawn, ordered Metcalf to get on the ground. During cross-examination of Vertes, attorneys for the defendants the county, two jail deputies and three former deputies asked questions that elicited information about Metcalfs pre-existing health conditions. Metcalf was born with biliary atresia, a blockage of ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. He had been on a transplant list for a new liver, but his doctors removed him from the list in May 2012 after a couple of years of stable test results, Metcalfs attorneys told the jury. Vertes, who stopped working for the county in 2013 and said she now is employed as a contract worker for the Onondaga County Medical Examiners Office, said she reviewed Metcalfs medical records in finalizing her opinion on his death, but still concluded his condition played a part in his demise. Its not like the sniffles, Vertes said. He has significant underlying disease, so that contributed to his death. Vertes testified that in a May 6, 2013, interview with the State Police, who were investigating Metcalfs death, she described Metcalf as dying. 'Denying and denying and denying': Jurors hear opening arguments in civil trial in 2012 Holding Center inmate death Attorneys on both sides delivered opening arguments Monday in a civil trial over the death of a man at the Erie County Holding Center in November 2012. The trial in State Supreme Court is scheduled to last at least five weeks. Biliary atresia caused cirrhosis in Metcalfs liver, and cirrhosis can lead to a number of medical problems. But 16 days before Metcalfs arrest, doctors who examined Metcalf concluded there were no signs of high risk for bleeding. And a doctor who saw Metcalf at a hospital emergency room three days before his arrest, when he reported coughing up blood, concluded he had bronchitis. Vertes told the jury coughing up blood was a sign of cirrhosis. She also said his underlying heart disease made him more likely to suffer a heart attack. Vertes, now 78, did not examine Metcalfs liver or most of his other organs as part of the autopsy, which also failed to recognize one of Metcalfs four broken ribs. She took samples of the heart to be examined under a microscope. She did not take samples of any other organs. The only photos taken of organs were those that were removed and weighed during the autopsy the heart, lungs and brain. She said she could see there was cirrhosis of the liver by observing it and without removing it. The doctor testified she usually examines all the organs during an autopsy, including removing them from the body and weighing them. She said she doesnt remember why she didnt examine all the organs. During cross-examination by Brian Melber, attorney for former jail Sgt. Robert Dee, Vertes testified Metcalf had one of the worst-looking hearts Ive seen in my career. Donald Chiari, one of the plaintiffs attorneys, repeatedly asked Vertes if her opinion was swayed in any way by the fact that she had been a county employee. She said her analysis was an independent, objective opinion. The spit mask and pillowcase Even though an EMT had to cut off a spit mask when Metcalf was being treated in an ambulance outside the Holding Center two days before he died, Vertes said she wasnt initially told about the existence or use of any spit mask. She told the jury she wasnt sure when she found out about it. She examined the spit mask used on Metcalf on Nov. 28, 2012, in February 2013, and several days later examined a new spit mask that was the same type as the one put on Metcalf in jail. In her autopsy, she concluded the spit mask had not blocked any of the blood vessels in Metcalfs neck. The term spit mask was not mentioned in her final autopsy report. She said its use was included under the umbrella of stress cited in her analysis. Vertes said she was never told the pillowcase used in the jail that night was recovered and available for her to review. She testified she wasnt sure if having it over his head would impede Metcalfs breathing. The pillowcase over the head could have caused more of a sense of claustrophobia, Vertes told the jury, but would it have contributed to difficulty breathing any more than you already had? I dont know. Vertes also gave differing testimony over several days about whether she considered marks on Metcalfs neck to be ligature marks, or signs of pressure put on the neck. On Wednesday, Vertes testified that marks on the front of Metcalfs neck, as seen in photographs taken at Buffalo General Medical Center the night deputies extracted him from his cell, were probably caused from a ligature. In her initial cross-examination by Melber on Thursday, Vertes said she saw no such markings. On redirect examination later, she said one of the marks could be a ligature mark. On Friday, Chiari confronted her. You said yesterday it was, Chiari said. Yes, I changed it again, Vertes said. Youve been changing things quite a bit, Chiari said. I dont think I have, Vertes said. You think youve been consistent? Chiari said. I think Ive been very consistent, Vertes said. Vertes said she changed her mind Friday because she reviewed the photo again on Thursday night and concluded it was from tape that had secured a tube to Metcalf in the hospital. Its a long process but thats what gives it the standout flavour. We just take care to do everything really well. We do the candied orange peel ourselves, and soak the fruit in pineapple rum from the Bay of Islands for some extra flavour. Cariol Horne got her law, but her money remains out of reach. A judge on Thursday renewed a defamation judgment against Horne that blocks City Hall from turning over to her the back pay she won in her 2021 court case against the city. Thursdays ruling from State Supreme Court Justice Paul Wojtaszek comes as the latest legal setback for the former police officer stemming from the defamation lawsuit she lost to retired Buffalo Police Lt. Gregory M. Kwiatkowski in 2011. So far, Hornes successful 2021 civil case against the city and the citys adoption in 2020 of Cariols Law making it a crime for a police officer to fail to intervene when another officer is using excessive force have not freed her of the defamation judgment won by Kwiatkowski. Hochul signs law giving pension to Buffalo police officer fired amid controversy in 2008 "New York owes Cariol Horne a debt of gratitude for her service to the Buffalo community and for her bravery in a moment of crisis," Hochul said in a statement. The next court encounter is a hearing scheduled for March 5, when Kwiatkowski will seek a court order requiring the city to turn over to him the estimated $105,000 that Horne owes him, said Frank J. Jacobson, who represents Kwiatkowski. The city has has been fighting us just as much as she has been fighting us, Jacobson said. The bitterness between Kwiatkowski and Horne stems from a November 2006 police call during which Horne jumped on Kwiatkowskis back while he was trying to subdue a combative suspect. Horne said Kwiatkowski had put the suspect, David N. Neal Mack, then 54, in a dangerous chokehold. A hearing officer later found that Horne violated departmental rules when she used physical force against Kwiatkowski as he struggled with Mack. She elected to engage in a distorted interpretation of the dynamics of the events [on] Walden Avenue and, in the process, disregarded her affirmative duty to assist the officers in bringing Mack into custody, according to the hearing officers report. She lost her job over the incident. In 2011, State Supreme Court Justice Frederick J. Marshall ordered Horne to pay Kwiatkowski $65,000, finding she repeatedly made defamatory statements about him to different media outlets about Macks arrest. Soon after, Kwiatkowski collected one payment of $20,000, paid to him by the city out of money it owed her. Since then, with interest and legal costs, the balance she now owes Kwiatkowski has grown to about $105,000, Jacobson said. In 2021, amid a national reckoning over race and policing, State Supreme Court Justice Dennis Ward annulled her firing and ruled she is entitled to her pension, benefits and back pay. Horne had become a fixture at Black Lives Matter protests in Buffalo, and she drew national attention, even appearing on CNN wearing a George Floyd needed Cariol Horne T-shirt. Ward said he based his ruling in part on Cariols Law, which included a retroactive protection for officers provision. That provision said an officer found to have been terminated for reporting or intervening to stop the unreasonable use of force against a civilian by a fellow officer could have that finding reviewed by a court. Buoyed by the new city law and Wards ruling, Horne went before a state judge last fall to vacate the 2011 defamation judgment. Horne contended the facts laid out in the city law and and Wards ruling supported the truthfulness and lack of malice in her comments about Kwiatkowski. The judge handling her request decided against vacating the defamation award. Judge renews defamation judgment against Cariol Horne, but court fight may not be over A judge recently ruled in favor of Gregory M. Kwiatkowski, renewing his judgment against Horne for $46,862 plus interest costs put at more than $44,000. But the judge left open the possibility that Horne could seek to vacate the defamation judgment before a different judge in the proper venue. This court, after 13 years and given the record before it, is not in a better position to substitute its judgment in place of Justice Marshalls, said State Supreme Court Justice Raymond Walter. Walter said Hornes reliance on Cariols Law was misplaced, even though the legislation included a clause saying Horne intervened to save a civilian from being harmed by a fellow police officer and had her employment terminated. There is nothing in the substance of Cariols Law that addresses the defamatory statements made by Horne against Kwiatkowski, Walter said. The court will not and should not give weight to legislative pronouncements found in whereas clauses masquerading as factual determinations. It would be unjust to take one sentence from this law and use it as the basis to declare any statement made by Horne against Kwiatkowski as the truth and a complete defense against defamation, the judge added. Whats more, Wards order has no bearing on the defamation judgment, he said. Kwiatkowski was not a party in that proceeding, Walter said. It was solely between Horne and the City of Buffalo. Justice Ward made his decision on the facts and law as it pertained to the wrongful termination of Horne. A lawyer for Horne filed a notice of appeal over Walters ruling. Meanwhile, Kwiatkowski has initiated a court proceeding against the city, asking a judge to order the city to give him enough of her back pay to satisfy the defamation judgment and interest costs. In a court filing, Hornes lawyer said Kwiatkowski wants to collect from the $148,415 the city owes Horne. The nearly $150,000 is what was awarded to Horne based on a finding that she heroically intervened to protect a civilian from Mr. Kwiatkowskis brutal attack, said attorney W. Neil Eggleston, who represents Horne. Eggleston could not be reached for comment Monday. His court filing in December said it would be unjust for Kwiatkowski to gain the back pay she is owed. The money that Mr. Kwiatkowski is trying to extract would not be available if Ms. Horne had not worked to prove something wholly inconsistent with the defamation judgment itself that she acted properly, and Mr. Kwiatkowski acted wrongly, Eggleston said in his filing. Mr. Kwiatkowski should not be allowed to profit from Ms. Hornes years of working to prove that she had to intervene to stop him from abusing his power and beating up a civilian. Allowing Mr. Kwiatkowski to collect her rightfully earned compensation would send a message that saving someone could significantly cost the person who took proper action and reward someone who took improper action, he said. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) A television station in Portland, Oregon, apologized Friday for inadvertently showing a racist image during a program aimed at highlighting positive stories. KGW-TV displayed the image Thursday evening during The Good Stuff, which includes a Throwback Thursday segment sharing cheesy, silly, or memorable photos submitted by viewers. The image, seemingly from the 1950s, depicted children throwing balls towards a sign prominently displaying (a racial slur), the station said Friday in a statement posted to its website. We understand the profound hurt this image inflicted upon our viewers and staff, particularly members of our Black community. To those who were exposed to the image and were hurt by it, we offer our sincerest apologies. KGW has a policy of thoroughly screening all content for standards and accuracy before broadcast, but failed to uphold it, the station said. It said it had taken internal steps to address the mistake. We are appalled by the slide shared by KGW news yesterday evening that displayed an explicitly racist image, James Posey and Pastor J.W. Matt Hennessee, leaders of the Portland chapter of the NAACP, said in a written statement Friday. We are looking to KGW leadership to immediately provide clarity on how and why this happened. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called on the station to address the issue and make sure it never happens again. Somalias president accuses Ethiopia of trying to annex territory with Somaliland sea deal Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud accused Ethiopia on Saturday of trying to annex part of his countrys territory by signing a sea access deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland. The agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland signed Jan. 1 is nothing more than annexing part of Somalia to Ethiopia, and changing the borders of Somalia, Mohamud told reporters. Somalia categorically objects to that. Neither side has made the terms of the deal public, but it appears to give Ethiopia the right to build a port in Somaliland in exchange for recognition. Somaliland has enjoyed de facto independence for three decades, but Somalia still claims sovereignty over it. Mohamud claimed senior officers from Ethiopias military were in Somaliland preparing the ground for the territorys annexation. It was not possible to verify his allegation. Somalia has suggested it would be prepared to go to war to stop Ethiopia from building a port in Somaliland. But Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has played down fears of an armed conflict over the Somaliland deal, telling lawmakers earlier this month that he had no intention of going to war with Somalia. Mohamud was in Ethiopias capital, Addis Ababa, to attend an African Union summit. He charged that Ethiopian security services tried to block him from leaving his hotel on Saturday morning, forcing him to travel in the convoy of Djiboutis president. When the pair arrived at the AU headquarters, armed guards tried to prevent them from entering the building, Mohamud said, describing the alleged action as provocation. Ethiopia has not yet addressed the allegations. With a population of more than 120 million, Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world. It lost its access to the sea when Eritrea seceded in 1993. Since then Ethiopia has been using the port in neighboring Djibouti for most of its imports and exports. Abiy rattled his neighbors in October by describing Ethiopias landlocked status as a geographical prison that could bring chaos to the region, remarks his countrys neighbors may have seen as a veiled threat. The deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland would grant Ethiopia access to the strategically important Gulf of Aden and, beyond that, to the Red Sea. Somalilands citizens are divided over the deal, with some seeing potential economic benefits while others fear compromising their sovereignty. The breakaway regions defense minister, Abdiqani Mohamud Ateye, resigned over the deal. By The Associated Press South Africas main opposition party lays out plans to unseat the African National Congress View Photo PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) Thousands of South Africans gathered in the capital Saturday to show support for the countrys biggest opposition party as it prepares for a much-anticipated national election in which it hopes to wrest control of the government from the ruling African National Congress. Many of the Democratic Alliance backers assembled in the Union Buildings, the official seat of South Africas government in Pretoria, expressed faith the party would deliver better basic services and address some of the countrys daunting challenges. These include a worsening electricity crisis that has caused rolling power blackouts for households and businesses on a daily basis. Participants at the Democratic Alliance conference also highlighted South Africas unemployment rate of over 32%, with the party promising to create at least 2 million new jobs if it prevails in this years general election. The date for the National Assembly and provincial elections has not been set, but it is expected to be sometime between May and August. Democratic Alliance supporters marched through the streets of the capital before listening to a spirited speech by party leader John Steenhuisen, who vowed to unseat the African National Congress and accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of enabling corruption by ANC members and leaders. South Africas upcoming elections have been touted as one of the toughest yet for the ruling party, with recent polls suggesting the ANC may receive less than 50% of the national vote for the first time since the countrys white minority rule ended in 1994. During the 2019 elections, the Democratic Alliance received just over 20% of the national vote to remain the second-biggest party in the country after the ANC. The party is now exploring the the possibility of forming a governing coalition with several other opposition parties in order to remove the ANC from power if they together win more than 50% of the national vote. By bringing an end to opposition infighting and consolidating like-minded parties into a cohesive bloc, this formation offers voters the best prospect for political change since 1994, Steenhuisen told party loyalists Saturday. Under South Africas system of government, lawmakers elect the president, so a party or coalition with a majority in parliament control both the executive and legislative branches. If the ANCs support falls below 50% at the polls, the party would have to make deals with smaller parties to secure Ramaphosas reelection. Steenhuisen described the Democratic Alliances manifesto as South Africas rescue plan. He said the Democratic Alliance had successfully delivered services in Western Cape province, home to the only provincial government not governed by the ANC. Steenhuisen also vowed that the party would immediately end the countrys electricity crisis, which is having a negative impact on the South African economy. The Democratic Alliance proposed privatizing power generation and moving toward the use of more renewable sources. Steenhuisen further pledged to devote more resources to fighting gender-based violence and other crimes. We know that many parties are going to make promises when they campaign, but it is only the DA which can actually prove that they can deliver because they have a good track record in the Western Cape and Cape Town, 20 year-old supporter Deacon Nortman said. The African National Congress is set to unveil its party platform in KwaZulu-Natal province next week. By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME Associated Press Azerbaijan's State Oil Company (SOCAR) and United Arab Emirates logistics company AD Ports Group have discussed prospects of cooperation in the field of logistics of oil and petrochemical products, Azernews reports. During the meeting the sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. The Buffalo News has been working to expand its video coverage of local politics, so Id like to introduce the first installment of a new segment titled Five Questions. First up is Mayor Byron Brown, who sat down with me last week. Brown had some interesting things to say about taxes, snow removal, the state of city finances and what his political future holds. I asked him why his name keeps getting floated for various posts, whether he wants to remain Buffalos mayor and whether he might even run for a sixth term. You can watch the interview at BuffaloNews.com. Click here to watch the interview and please contact me to let us know who you would like to see on this segment next (and what questions you think they should answer). What Im hearing Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has been talking with some people about a potential federal job in President Bidens administration. If it happened anytime soon, that would be quite a risk for him with the presidential election in November and the prospect of a second term for former President Donald Trump. But if Poloncarz left his post now, Democrats (by the partys control of the County Legislature) would be able to pick an interim county executive and give that person (likely Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera) an advantage when the term expires in four years. Erie County Democrats chose County Legislature Chairwoman April Baskin as their endorsed candidate for the 63rd State Senate District, passing on Buffalo Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski. Those were the only two Democrats who officially sought the endorsement, though I heard the names of City Comptroller Barbara Miller-Williams, former Council Member Demone Smith and former Council Member Ulysees Wingo were also floated by some Democrats for the position. What Im reading The Kensington Expressway project got the full treatment in Bloomberg last week, with the news organization describing a growing chorus of critics of the Kensington Expressway project, a group that includes several community organizations and the influential New York Civil Liberties Union. Theyre pitted against virtually all of the areas elected officials, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the many East Side residents who have been struggling to bring this project to fruition for years and are eager to see positive change in their neighborhood. It sure pays to be a politician these days. As a state judge with ties to Brown contemplates the legality of pay raises for Buffalos elected officials, a citizens panel is weighing steep pay hikes for Erie County elected officials. The salary bumps being considered range from 23% to a whopping 52%, based on a Buffalo News analysis. If approved, the raises would take effect after the next election for each seat. Ken Kruly of the Politics and Other Stuff blog takes an interesting look at the public financing of campaigns, which is about to kick in in New York State. He notes that as of last week, nine Republicans in Western New York (and no Democrats) would qualify to receive public matching funds for their campaigns. What Im thinking It was an interesting political move for Gov. Kathy Hochul to come out strong in favor of the original capping plan for the Kensington Expressway last week, announcing the federal approval of the project and projecting a full steam ahead image. From an urban design point of view, Im not sure whether the plan to cap the expressway is best, or whether filling it in would be a better idea. But from a political point of view, it would be easy (and perhaps, safer) to cede some ground to the citizens who now demand full removal. Hochul, Brown and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes are gambling that the noise will quiet down once shovels are in the ground. They are also likely remembering old projects like the Peace Bridge that were mired in indecision and controversy. Of course, social media did not exist back when a new Peace Bridge was floated and it is a lot easier for opponents to organize and make some noise. So it will be interesting to see how the decision works out for Hochul and what lessons it might teach us about the political world we live in today. Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns continues to put on what one of my sources described as a seminar in how not to handle a public relations crisis. When a politician finds himself under fire like Kearns, the best practice would seem to be to accept responsibility, vow to make changes aimed at safeguarding the publics money and try to spin such changes as a reform that the politician is spearheading. Instead, Kearns has attacked the investigators, appeared defensive and even gone after the media. Kearns criticism on WBENs Hardline of Buffalo News staff reporter Sandra Tan, who covers county government, is especially weak. Tan is an exceedingly fair reporter who does not choose sides. She has done an excellent job at chronicling the back and forth between the clerk and comptrollers offices and her articles have been factual and fair. Kearns is way off base in his criticism. How to sign up for this newsletter Click the following link: buffalonews.com/newsletters/. Have thoughts on the [BN] Politics Now newsletter? Email cspecht@buffnews.com. Nicaragua shuts down scouting association and several other social and religious groups Nicaragua shuts down scouting association and several other social and religious groups View Photo MEXICO CITY (AP) Nicaraguas government has shut down the countrys scouting organization and seven other nongovernmental organizations, state media La Gaceta reported Friday, the latest in an ongoing crackdown that has seen the government toss out religious orders, charities and civic groups. The Interior Minister, which regulates the operations of NGOs in the Central American country, said the Scouts Association of Nicaragua allegedly failed to report financial statements and accused them of having an expired board of directors the government had not renewed since September 2021. The assets of the eight organizations four of them religious will be confiscated by Nicaraguas government, La Gaceta said. Since mass social protests erupted in 2018, Daniel Ortegas government has shut down or outlawed more than 3,500 NGOs, most of which have been closed in the past two years. Mounting restrictions have spurred the flight of hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans from their country, with many landing in the United States and neighboring Costa Rica. Hours after the closures were announced, the U.S. State Department announced a new round of sanctions on more than 100 municipal officials in Nicaragua, which are controlled by the ruling party, the Sandinista National Liberation Front. Although he did not identify those sanctioned, State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said on X, formerly Twitter, that their entry visas to the United States are restricted for their role in the Ortega-Murillo regime, which represses Nicaraguan voices and unjustly detains courageous individuals who support a free civil society. The Scouts have been operating in the country since 1979, the year of the Sandinista revolution. The organizations directors have not commented on the closure. Under the slogan Building a better world, they dedicated special efforts to promote scouting, a youth movement that advocates a comprehensive education and encourages contact with nature. The other organizations included Catholic, Evangelical and Jesuit groups, a health and science university group and a rotary club. The Interior Ministry said the groups failed to file financial statements and did not promote policies of transparency in their use of funds, making it unclear if their projects were in accordance with their objectives and purposes. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Associated Press President Biden spoke about the death of Aleksey Navalny. Biden was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: I wanted to say a few things this morning about Aleksey Navalny. You know, like millions of people around the world, I am literally both not surprised and outraged by the news the reported death of Aleksey Navalny. He bravely stood up to the corruption, the violence, and the the all the all the bad things that the Putin government was doing. In response, Putin had him poisoned. He had him arrested. He had him prosecuted for fabricated crimes. He sentenced him to prison. He was held in isolation. Even all that didnt stop him from calling out Putins lies. Even in prison, he was a powerful voice of the truth, which is kind of amazing when you think about it. And he could have lived safely in exile after the assassination attempt on him in 2020 which nearly killed him, I might add. And but he he was traveling outside the country at the time. Instead, he returned to Russia. He returned to Russia knowing hed likely be imprisoned or even killed if he continued his work. But he did it anyway, because he believed so deeply in his country in Russia. Reports of his death, if theyre true and I have no reason to believe theyre not Russian authorities are going to tell their own story. But make no mistake make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Navalnys death. Putin is responsible. What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putins brutality. No one should be fooled not in Russia, not at home, not anywhere in the world. Putin does not only target his [the] citizens of other countries, as weve seen whats going on in Ukraine right now, he also inflicts terrible crimes on his own people. And as people across Russia and around the world are mourning Navalny today because he was so many things that Putin was not: He was brave. He was principled. He was dedicated to building a Russia where the rule of law existed and of where it applied to everybody. Navalny believed in that Russia that Russia. He knew it was a cause worth fighting for and, obviously, even dying for. This tragedy reminds us of the stakes of this moment. We have to provide the funding so Ukraine can keep defending itself against Putins vicious onslaughts and war crimes. You know, there was a bipartisan Senate vote that passed overwhelmingly in the United States Senate to fund Ukraine. Now, as Ive said before, and I mean this in the literal sense: History is watching. History is watching the House of Representatives. The failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten. Its going to go down in the pages of history. It really is. Its consequential. And the clock is ticking. And this has to happen. We have to help now. You know, we have to realize what were dealing with with Putin. All of us should reject the dangerous statements made by the previous president that invited Russia to invade our NATO Allies if they werent paying up. He said if an Ally did not pay their dues, hed encourage Russia to, quote, Do whatever the hell they want. I let me I guess I should clear my mind here a little bit and not say what Im really thinking. But let me be clear: This is an outrageous thing for a president to say. I cant fathom. I cant fathom. From Truman on, theyre rolling over in their graves hearing this. As long as Im President, America stands by our sacred commitment to our NATO Allies as they have stood by their commitments to us repeatedly. Putin and the whole world should know: If any adversary were to attack us, our NATO Allies would back us. And if Putin were to attack a NATO Ally, the United States will defend every inch of NATO territory. Now is the time for even greater unity among our NATO Allies to stand up to the threat that Putins Russia poses. You know, I send my deepest condolences to Alekseys staff and supporters who are going to continue his work despite this loss, despite all of Putins desperate attempts to stamp out the opposition. And most of all, to his family, especially to his wife, his daughter, and his son, who have already sacrificed so much for their family and a shared dream for a better future for Russia. So, I just want to say God bless Aleksey Navalny. His courage will not be forgotten. And Im sure it will not be the only courage we see coming out of Russia in the near term. Thank you. Ill be happy to take a couple questions. Q Sir, first, was this an assassination? THE PRESIDENT: The answer is, I we dont know exactly what happened, but there is no doubt that the death of Navalny was a consequence of something that Putin and his and his thugs did. Q And to be clear, you warned Vladimir Putin when you were in Geneva of devastating consequences if Navalny died in Russian custody. What consequences should he and Russia face? THE PRESIDENT: That was three years ago. In the meantime, they faced a hell of a lot of consequences. Theyve lost and/or had wounded over 350,000 Russian soldiers. Theyve made it into a position where theyve been subjected to great sanctions across the board. And were contemplating what else could be done. But the the what we were talking about at the time there were no actions being taken against Russia. And that look at all thats transpired since then. Q Can you say whether youre Q How do you think this Q whether youre looking at increasing sanctions on Russia right now? THE PRESIDENT: Were looking at a whole number of options. Thats all Ill say right now. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. Senegals president says election will be as soon as possible, after court overturns delay Senegals president says election will be as soon as possible, after court overturns delay View Photo DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Senegal will hold a presidential election as soon as possible given that the countrys top election authority has overturned a decree by President Macky Sall to postpone the vote, the government said Friday. Sall in early February sought to postpone the Feb. 25 election citing unresolved disputes over who could run, and the National Assembly voted to reschedule it for Dec. 15. However, the countrys Constitutional Council ruled Thursday that those moves were unconstitutional and ordered the government to hold the election as soon as possible, presumably allowing enough time for campaigning. The panel acknowledged that Feb. 25 wouldnt now be feasible, but said the government should act quickly. In a statement Friday, presidential spokesperson Yoro Dia said that Sall intends to ensure full compliance with the councils decision and hold the elections as soon as possible, though the government didnt yet specify a new date. Senegal has been seen as one of the regions most stable democracies, but election disputes have plunged the country into a political crisis that has sparked deadly protests and cuts to mobile internet. At least three people have been killed by security forces and dozens injured. Sall has been accused of trying to delay leaving office, something he denied to during an AP interview last week. Local and international pressure has mounted since the moves to delay the vote. In a post Friday on X, formerly Twitter, the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs commended the councils decision to put Senegal back on track for a timely presidential election. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted the Constitutional Councils ruling and the presidents decision and urged all Senegalese parties to ensure the holding of an inclusive and transparent presidential election within the framework of the constitution of Senegal, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Also on Friday The West African region bloc, ECOWAS, said in a statement Friday that Sall should stick to the election timetable, and requested the competent authorities to set a date for the presidential election in accordance with the councils decision. Its unclear when a date would be set, and whether there would be changes to who is allowed to run. Sall, who came to power in 2012, is set to finish his two terms on April 2. According to the constitution, elections have to be held 30-45 days before his mandate ends. In an effort to calm the public, the government has released several hundred political prisoners this week. The opposition has said the situation could be diffused by releasing all the prisoners and starting talks between the opposition and the president about setting an early date for elections, said Dr. Manel Fall, a member of the dissolved PASTEF opposition party. Associated Press reporter Edith M. Lederer contributed from the United Nations By SAM MEDNICK and BABACAR DIONE Associated Press Protestors keep pressure on Senegals president to hold elections as soon as possible Protestors keep pressure on Senegals president to hold elections as soon as possible View Photo DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Protestors took the streets in Senegals capital Saturday to keep the pressure on President Mack Sall to hold elections quickly. Hundreds of people walked and biked through downtown Dakar chanting Macky dictator, while others called for the release of imprisoned opposition figures. Sall issued a decree earlier this month to postpone the presidential election originally scheduled for Feb. 25, citing unresolved disputes over who could run. The National Assembly then voted to reschedule the election for Dec. 15. However, the countrys Constitutional Council ruled Thursday that those moves were unconstitutional and ordered the government to hold the election, presumably allowing enough time for campaigning. The panel acknowledged that Feb. 25 wouldnt now be feasible, but said the government should act fast. Sall said Friday that his government would organize the balloting as soon as possible. Senegal has been seen as one of West Africas most stable democracies, but election disputes have plunged the country into a political crisis that has sparked deadly protests and cuts to mobile internet. At least three people have been killed by security forces and dozens injured. Security forces did not try to break up Saturdays protest, which remained peaceful. Sall has been accused of trying to delay leaving office, something he denied during an AP interview last week. Local and international pressure has mounted since the moves to delay the vote. In a post Friday on X, formerly Twitter, the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs commended the councils decision to put Senegal back on track for a timely presidential election. - Associated Press reporter Sylvain Cherkaoui contributed from Dakar By SAM MEDNICK Associated Press Saving democracy is central to Bidens campaign messaging. Will it resonate with swing state voters? Saving democracy is central to Bidens campaign messaging. Will it resonate with swing state voters? View Photo BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) Just blocks from the shuttered Bethlehem Steel plant, the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley was bustling on a recent day with scores of older people eating lunch. Downstairs, out of sight, a constant stream of visitors was shopping in its massive food pantry. Over the past seven months, the number visitors to the pantry has risen by more than a third. The centers executive director, Raymond Santiago, sees that as a stark sign of something he has felt over the past couple years: Many in the areas Latino community are struggling to meet their basic needs. Northampton County, which includes Bethlehem, is a traditional bellwether for Pennsylvania, one of the most important presidential swing states, and Latinos are a key part of the coalition that President Joe Biden is trying rebuild as he embarks on his campaign for a second term. In doing so, the Democrat might have challenges selling a crucial part of his reelection strategy. One of the messages he has delivered in previous visits to Pennsylvania is that former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the GOP nomination, is a danger to American democracy. Biden is hoping that message energizes the same voters who turned out four years ago, when Northampton County narrowly flipped to him after supporting Trump by a thin margin in 2016. Based on his interactions with visitors to the Hispanic center, Santiago isnt so sure. Its the price of groceries and lack of affordable housing that dominate conversations there. I think so many people are already immune to that messaging, it wont land as cleanly this election as it did in 2020, he said. If he keeps pushing that message, it might turn voters away. Biden chose a location near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, with its deep symbolism for the countrys struggle for freedom, for his initial campaign event for 2024, portraying Trump as a grave threat to America and describing the general election as all about whether democracy can survive. It was a message similar to one he gave before the 2022 midterm elections at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the nations founding documents were created. Biden warned that Trump and his followers threatened the very foundation of our republic. Biden has continued the theme during the early primary season, telling supporters winning a second term is essential for maintaining the countrys democratic traditions. Over the course of several days, The Associated Press interviewed a cross section of voters in Northampton County to ask whether Bidens messaging around the fate of democracy was resonating. These voters represented parts of the very coalition Biden will need to win Pennsylvania again Black voters, Latinos, independents and moderates from both parties. Their overarching response: The presidents warning that a second Trump presidency will shred constitutional norms and destroy democratic institutions is not one that, alone, will motivate them and get them out to vote. Like people across much of the rest of the country, most of those interviewed would prefer avoiding a rematch of the 2020 contest, and several suggested they would seriously consider a serious third-party candidate with a strong message and a chance of winning. Evelyn Fermin, 74, who regularly visits the Lehigh Hispanic center, has lived in the county for two years after spending most of her life in New Jersey. Her opinion about Trump has been set since Jan. 6, 2021, when the former presidents supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a violent bid to stop Congress from certifying Bidens win. But she doesnt think reminders of that day will be sufficient to persuade voters in November. For the daughter of parents who immigrated from the Dominican Republic, her concerns are border security and spending abroad. Rather than sending it out to foreign countries, I think we should use it for our people, she said. As a divorced mother who supported her son as he worked his way through school to become a lawyer, she also doesnt support Bidens attempt to waive student loan debt: If I was able to to do it, I feel that they should. Curt Balch, 44, worked in the health care industry and is now a stay-at-home dad. He was weathering a two-hour school delay with his 5-year-old daughter in his home in Hellertown, in a more rural part of the county. He registered Republican so he could vote in primaries, but describes himself as more libertarian. Balch said the messaging by both sides is pretty toxic when they warn that the other is a threat or a danger to the fundamentals of the country moving forward. He supported Trump in the past two elections but is open to considering other candidates this year, especially if he thinks there is an appealing third-party or independent candidate. Balch believes the dire warnings about a potential second Trump term are overblown. Balch notes that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump let states decide for themselves how to handle it. I understand the rhetoric, Oh, hes going to be a fascist dictator, Balch said. I dont think its a message thats getting people to the polls. I dont think people are legitimately thinking that they need to be afraid of Donald Trump. Christian Miller was a lifelong Democrat but became an independent in 2022 out of frustration with political gridlock and a sense that as he got older, he was growing more conservative. He said he might one day consider switching to the Republican Party, but not as long as Trump is leading it. Thats not out of any worry that Trump would become a dictator if he wins a second term. I dont know that I fear it as much as its being made out to be in the media from either side, said Miller, a 53-year-old bank executive who lives in Nazareth. I feel that the institutions are safe and and are strong enough to withstand the challenges. Miller cited the dozens of failed court challenges seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential results by Trump and his allies as an example of the institutions holding firm. Surveys indicate concern about the state of democracy, but its not clear how that will translate in Novembers election. A Biden campaign spokesperson said the democracy message is central to the campaign but it is not the only one the campaign will use to reach voters. Protecting abortion rights and fighting for higher wages will be among the issues essential to the presidents pitch. Northampton County, especially Bethlehem, has been slowly emerging from the economic shock that followed the collapse of the local steel industry. The plant produced the steel that built the Golden Gate Bridge during the Great Depression and a decade later, during World War II, became the countrys largest shipbuilder. The blast furnaces, which fell silent nearly 30 years ago, are still visible for miles as they sit alongside the Lehigh River. But Bethlehem has been enjoying a revival in recent years as it has evolved into a hub for health care and technology companies. New shops, an art center, museum, performing arts stage and a casino, among other developments, have added vibrancy to a picturesque city dotted with historical structures dating to the 18th century. Northampton also is a historical bellwether. As the county has gone in the presidential election, so has the state, said Christopher Borick, a political science professor and director of the Institute of Public Opinion at Muhlenberg University in Allentown. The last time they split was 1948, when the county voted for Democrat Harry Truman but the state went for Republican Thomas Dewey. Its about as great a benchmark county as youll ever find, Borick said. Biden narrowly carried the county in 2020, four years after Trump had narrowly prevailed in his victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Anna Kodama, 69, is the type of voter who traditionally has swung back and forth between the parties. She grew up in a Republican household in Ohio but switched parties during college. She recalls voting across party lines frequently since she moved to the Lehigh Valley in 1977 until 2016 when Trump was making his first run for the presidency and she voted a straight ticket for Democrats. The people Kodama encounters are not listening to Bidens messages about a dark future under Trump. Instead, she would like him to speak more about what he is doing to improve the economy and forge stronger ties with Europe. She paid attention to a Biden visit earlier this year to a nearby town, Emmaus, where he stopped at local stores to discuss the importance of supporting small businesses. She said Biden seems to connect better with people when he promotes a positive message, rather than a negative one that she believes will not motivate people in the fall. Thats where I find it compelling look what we can do together, said the artist and former teacher who was sipping coffee at Cafe the Lodge in Bethlehem. That message resonates with me and with people I know. For Esther Lee, the 90-year-old president of the local NAACP, the threat-to-democracy message is not generating much concern among the people she contacts. She already plans to vote, but not because she is fearful of another Trump presidency. We already know who he is, she said. Getting Black voters engaged is going to take more from Biden, she believes, because so far his campaign messages have not resonated. She questions whether the Black community in Northampton County is the target audience: Im not seeing evidence of it, she said. Lee said the issue she hears about most in her circle is homelessness: Its No. 1, she said, adding that the resources dont seem to be sufficient to address the local problem. The companion to that, she said, is affordable housing. With Bidens campaign, they need to reach down further, with the messaging, she said. At the Lehigh center, Guillermo Lopez Jr., 69, recalls his deep ties to the area and the many members of his extended family who worked at Bethlehem Steel. He worked at the plant for 27 years, following a father who worked there for 36. He is now on the centers board of directors and a local leader in the Latino community. A Democrat who said he leans independent, he plans to vote for Biden in part because of how he thought Trumps rhetoric, beginning with is campaign announcement in 2015, made targets of Latinos and other minorities. It just speaks to me that theres so much misguided hatred toward people like me, he said. But Lopez thinks messages of fear and Trump imperiling American democracy are essentially meaningless for many of the countys working class voters. Their concern, he said, is finding steady work with good pay. I actually think that harms the vote, he said of the democracy warnings. The average person who just puts their nose to the grindstone and goes to work, I dont think that motivates them. I think it scares them and freezes them. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. By GARY FIELDS Associated Press African leaders condemn Israels offensive in Gaza View Photo ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) Leaders at an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Saturday condemned Israels offensive in Gaza and called for its immediate end. Moussa Faki, the chair of the African Union Commission, said Israels offensive was the most flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and accused Israel of having exterminated Gazas inhabitants. Faki spoke alongside Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who also addressed the summit. Rest assured we strongly condemn these attacks that are unprecedented in the history of mankind, Faki said to applause from delegates. We want to reassure you of our solidarity with the people of Palestine. Azali Assoumani, president of the Comoros and the outgoing chairperson of the African Union, praised the case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice while condemning the genocide Israel is committing in Palestine under our nose. The international community cannot close its eyes to the atrocities that are committed, that have not only created chaos in Palestine but also have disastrous consequences in the rest of the world, Assoumani said. A quarter of Gazas residents are starving because of the war, which began with Hamas assault into Israel on Oct. 7, in which militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250. Israel strongly denies committing genocide in Gaza and says it does all it can to spare civilians and is only targeting Hamas militants. It says Hamas tactic of embedding in civilian areas makes it difficult to avoid civilian casualties. During last years AU summit, an Israeli delegate was unceremoniously removed from the plenary hall amid a row over the countrys observer status at the continental body. Concern over conflicts and the resurgence of coups across the African continent also underscored the opening of this years summit. Faki cited tensions over Senegals postponed election and violence in eastern Congo, Sudan, the Sahel, and Libya. He called for a revival of the spirit of African solidarity and Pan-Africanism to overcome the many challenges facing the continent of 1.3 billion people. Mediator says talks on Gaza not progressing as expected after momentum in recent weeks Mediator says talks on Gaza not progressing as expected after momentum in recent weeks View Photo RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Talks on a potential cease-fire deal in Gaza have not been progressing as expected in the past few days after good progress in recent weeks, key mediator Qatar said Saturday, as Israels prime minister accused the Hamas militant group of not changing its delusional demands. Speaking during the Munich Security Conference, Qatars prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al Thani, noted difficulties in the humanitarian part of the negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under pressure to bring home remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, said he sent a delegation to cease-fire talks in Cairo earlier in the week at U.S. President Joe Bidens request but doesnt see the point in sending them again. Hamas wants a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Palestinians held by Israel. Netanyahu also pushed back against international concern about a planned Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, a city on southern Gazas border with Egypt. He said total victory against Hamas requires the offensive, once people living there evacuate to safe areas. Where they will go in largely devastated Gaza is not clear. New airstrikes in central Gaza on Saturday killed more than 40 people, including children, and wounded at least 50, according to Associated Press journalists and hospital officials. Israels military said it carried out strikes there against Hamas. Five people were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a house outside Khan Younis in the south, according to health officials, and another five people, including three children, were killed in an airstrike on a building north of Rafah. Dr. Marwan al-Hams, director of Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital, said other bodies were being pulled from the rubble. Israels air and ground offensive was triggered by the Oct. 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people in Israel and took 250 others hostage. The Gaza Health Ministry on Saturday raised the overall death toll in Gaza to 28,858, saying the bodies of 83 people killed in Israeli bombardments were brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours. The count does not differentiate between combatants and civilians, but the ministry says two-thirds of those killed are women and children. The war also has caused widespread destruction, displaced some 80% of Gazas population and sparked a humanitarian crisis in the Hamas-run enclave. EGYPT CONCERNED ABOUT SPILLOVER More than half of Gazas 2.3 million people are packed into Rafah, which Israel portrays as the last significant stronghold of Hamas fighters. Biden has urged Israel not to carry out an operation there without a credible plan to protect civilians and to instead focus on a cease-fire. Egypt has said an operation could threaten diplomatic relations. Israel has said it has no plans to force Palestinians into Egypt. New satellite photos, however, indicate that Egypt is preparing for that scenario. The images show Egypt building a wall and leveling land near its border with Gaza. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, who also spoke at the Munich Security Conference, said it is not our intention to provide any safe areas or facilities, but we will provide the support to the innocent civilians, if that was to take place. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi affirmed during a call with Frances leader that Egypt categorically rejected the displacement of Palestinians to Egypt in any way, shape or form, according to el-Sisis office. Two senior Egyptian officials said Egypt is building additional defensive lines in an existing buffer zone that extends 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the border. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details with the media. The buffer zone, built as part of Egypts battle against an Islamic State group insurgency, was meant to prevent weapons smuggling to and from Gaza. ANOTHER CHALLENGE TO AID Israel has not presented specific evidence for its claim that Hamas is diverting U.N. aid, and its targeted killings of Gaza police commanders guarding truck convoys have made it virtually impossible to distribute the goods safely, a top U.S. envoy said in rare public criticism of Israel. David Satterfield, the Biden administrations special Middle East envoy for humanitarian issues, said criminal gangs are increasingly targeting the convoys following the departure of police escorts after Israeli strikes. We are working with the Israeli government, the Israeli military in seeing what solutions can be found here because everyone wants to see the assistance continue, Satterfield told the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Friday. A solution is going to require some form of security escorts to return. Satterfield said Israeli officials have not presented specific evidence of diversion or theft of U.N. assistance, but that the militants have their own interests in using other channels of assistance to shape where and to whom assistance goes. Israel has alleged repeatedly that Hamas is diverting aid, including fuel, after it enters Gaza, a claim denied by U.N. aid agencies. Last week, an Israeli airstrike on a car killed three senior police commanders in Rafah. Two officers were killed in another strike. Satterfield also addressed challenges for the main U.N. agency aiding Palestinians in Gaza, whose director accused Israel in remarks published Saturday of trying to destroy the organization and warned that its operations will halt in April without more support. ISRAELI TROOPS ENTER A HOSPITAL In recent weeks, Israels military has focused on Khan Younis, Gazas second-largest city and a Hamas stronghold. The army said Saturday that it had arrested 100 suspected Hamas militants at the citys Nasser Hospital. Israels defense minister has said at least 20 of those detained were involved in the Oct. 7 attack. The Health Ministry said troops turned the hospital into military barracks and detained a large number of medical staff. Israel says it does not target patients or doctors, but staff say the facility is struggling under heavy fire. Nour Abou Jameh was among the thousands sheltering at Nasser Hospital who were forced to leave in the past week. Shooting and shelling was coming from all directions, Jameh said. When we left at night, bodies were in the streets, and even tanks moved on them and crushed them. ___ Mroue reported from Beirut. ___ Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war By WAFAA SHURAFA and BASSEM MROUE Associated Press Daughter of a long-detained human rights activist in Bahrain says she has cancer, urges his release Daughter of a long-detained human rights activist in Bahrain says she has cancer, urges his release View Photo DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The daughter of a long-detained human rights activist in Bahrain said she has been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and again called for her fathers release. Maryam al-Khawaja also urged Denmark, where both al-Khawajas have citizenship, to do more to free her father, 62-year-old Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. She also asked Denmark to end arms sales to Israel and to push to halt fighting amid Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. I urge the Danish government to lead with its stated human rights values: to leverage its diplomatic power to release my father and decisively end all arm sales and demand a cease-fire in Gaza, she said in the statement issued Monday. Only then, can all of our families finally be safely together. In a statement to The Associated Press, Bahrains government did not acknowledge al-Khawajas cancer announcement, instead saying that her father had all his legal rights afforded to him, including a fair trial and the right to appeal. Bahrain is an island kingdom in the Persian Gulf that is home to the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet. Al-Khawajas father, Abdulhadi, has been in prison for years after an internationally criticized conviction on charges stemming from him leading 2011 Arab Spring demonstrations in Bahrain. Al-Khawaja was blocked last year from traveling to Bahrain with human rights activists to protest his continued detention. Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes. While aggressive, it can be successfully treated. Al-Khawaja said she was undergoing chemotherapy to fight the disease. The Erie County Legislature has approved Comptroller Kevin Hardwick drafting a policy to require any audited county department or office write formal corrective action plans if major red flags are raised. Hardwick says county department heads should not be allowed to ignore audit findings The county comptroller is asking the Erie County Legislature to require that audited county departments and offices submit corrective action plans within 60 days of an audit's release. The comptrollers request came on the heels of audits of the County Clerks Office over the past year that have found substantive issues with money mismanagement and fraud, resulting in the loss and misappropriation of taxpayer money. Hardwick has not only requested that corrective action plans be required of auditees, but that the county consider hiring an outside auditor to conduct an in-depth, forensic audit of all County Clerk accounts. The Legislature voted 7-3 Thursday to have the Comptrollers Office draft a policy for the Legislature to consider. All Democrats voted in favor of the resolution, and the three Republicans at the meeting voted against it. The comptroller currently has limited ability to demand improvements when money handling problems are uncovered. Audit recommendations are not requirements. Audited officials typically respond to audit findings with planned reforms, but doing so is not required. Past audits warned of high risk for fraud in the Erie County Clerk's Office Three reports since 2012 raised concerns about the processing of millions of dollars in real estate, pistol, vehicle and court fees. Red flags regarding poor fiscal oversight predate current Clerk Michael "Mickey" Kearns. The fact that audits of the Clerks Office found money handling weaknesses dating back to 2012 prompted Hardwick to say that corrective action plans need to be mandated for better public accountability. We see, with the Clerks Office, what happens when you dont, Hardwick said. Republican legislators expressed concern about any policy that may illegally give the comptroller new, unprecedented powers. The first step that we should be taking is to have that discussion with both the comptroller, as well as the county attorney, to figure out what are our powers, and what powers do we want to necessarily have shifted over to comptroller? said Legislator Chris Greene, R-Clarence. Legislator John Bargnesi, D-Town of Tonawanda, one of the resolution sponsors, said the comptroller is being given the green light to draft a policy, but it will be the County Legislature that will decide what policy will be approved. Clerk Michael Mickey Kearns and Deputy Clerk William Lorenz said they feel the Clerks Office has already put forth its corrective action plans in lengthy, detailed responses to both the first audit and the second audit. However, Kearns said he has no objections to a corrective action plan, though many corrective measures have already been undertaken. Were open and transparent, Kearns said. Whatever is best for county taxpayers is what were going to support. In wake of audit, Erie County clerk fires administrator, makes new request to hire two accountants The changes come in the aftermath of an audit released this summer by Comptroller Kevin Hardwick that indicated the likelihood of fraud being committed by someone within the office. He added that the Clerks Office is beginning the process of changing its accounting software, which has been the focus of a number of negative audit findings. Legislator Howard Johnson, D-Buffalo, who co-sponsored the corrective action plan resolution, dismissed the Kearns initial audit responses as insufficient and lacking evidence. For them to say, Hey, were taking care of that, is just not good enough, Johnson said. Hardwick said that initial responses to an audit typically come within a week or a month of the audit draft being completed. A corrective action plan would, ideally, be a more thoughtful and comprehensive document that would be submitted within 90 days and prevent an audit from immediately being thrown on a shelf and forgotten. Mary Hosler, who heads the comptrollers Audit Division, noted that the State Comptrollers Office requires a corrective action plan as a tool to spur improvement. 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 Thursday that he has not yet considered any enforcement measures for a corrective action plan, or who should be expected to hold a department or office responsible for executing corrective actions. After speaking with members of the Republican minority caucus and staff, he said it may be appropriate for the County Legislature to have some oversight role. Hardwick also said he feels more urgency for the Legislature to support paying an outside accounting firm to conduct a deep-dive audit of the Clerks Office and untangle money handling problems that date back years. When Kearns asked for the Legislature to approve a $125,000 contract extension with the Western New York Law Center to combat zombie homes vacant and abandoned homes in the foreclosure process Hardwick asked the Legislature withhold its approval and consider redirecting that money to help pay for an outside Clerks Office audit instead. I think the money should come from the Clerks Office budget, he said. They created this problem. They should put up the money to fix it. However, Kearns and members of the law center convinced the Legislature of the good community work being done by the organization, and funding for Western New York Law Center was unanimously approved. Kearns noted that his office has a deputy clerk who is a certified public accountant with forensic auditing experience. We have someone whos very competent that can handle that, he said, referring to the need for an outside audit and future corrective actions. Hardwick and Hosler expressed doubt that either the Clerks Office or the Comptrollers Office has the bandwidth to look back at years of potentially mishandled funds, while at the same time looking forward to make the changes necessary to reform the office. Im skeptical, Hardwick said. SIR Wicknell is a businessman who believes in destiny. He says that his wealth and generosity are the result of a prophecy that was made in 1994 in Nkayi, Matabeleland North province. The prophecy said that a man from the Johanne Masowe sect with a lot of money would buy cars for people like plain buns. He shared this story when he recently appeared on Zimpapers radio station Capitalk 100.4 FM on the Champions League Breakfast hosted by Tinashe and Phathisani. He said that he wants to leave a legacy of being a loving and kind person who helps others. I want to leave a legacy where people will say that there was a man who was loving and kind. In 1994, there was a prophecy in Nkayi, that there is a prophet who will be born from the Johanne Masowe sect and he would have a lot of money. He will buy people cars as if he is buying plain buns, said Sir Wicknell. This was said in 1994 and we are now in 2024 and what was interesting with that prophecy is that it said the person will buy everyone a car from the church. So I am thinking with the size of our church will I be able to do that? Will I be able to buy everyone from the church a car, the church has 3 million members. If I can do that it will show that I am rich. Sir Wicknell has been doing just that by giving away top of the range motor vehicles to celebrities in Zimbabwe. He has gifted musicians such as Mathias Mhere, Diana Samkange, Andy Muridzo, Jah Prayzah, and Sulumani Chimbetu with sleek Mercedes Benz models. He has also given cars to Zanu-PF politician Sandra Ndebele, Zimdancehall star Sir Calaz, and DJ Fantan. All these cars were collected by the recipients from Exquisite Dealership in Harare. Sir Wicknell said that he does not look for money, but money looks for him. He said that he once met an Indian businessman at Armani Hotel who offered him US$1 million out of the blue to do business in Zimbabwe. He said that the businessman told him that he had a certain spirit that attracted him and that he was the right person to work with. Giving makes you rich. I dont look for money but money looks for me. Its basically, thats what happens. I once met a guy at the Armani Hotel eating breakfast. He said he was from India and wanted to do business in Zimbabwe and we exchanged numbers. Three days later he says he wants to come to Zimbabwe. He said he would put US$500 000 and in two weeks the other US$500 000, just like that he doesnt know me that well. He said to me there is a certain spirit in me that tells me this is the right person I want and you are the one, my spirit is telling me that, said Sir Wicknell. He said that he cant help everybody at the same time, but he will help where he can. I cant help everybody at the same time. I love everybody. If I get money, I will find someone to help here and there. This month Phathisani wants an Aqua. I am a very nice person and a person who prays who spreads love and Pamberi nemusangano Zanu-PF, said Sir Wicknell. Breaking News via Email Opposition party chaos sparks concerns of voter apathy, threatening electoral landscape In a worrisome turn of events, the Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust (ZEAT), an electoral watchdog, has issued a stern warning that the recent chaos and internal divisions within the main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), could have far-reaching consequences, including a rise in voter apathy. The resignation of prominent figure Nelson Chamisa from the CCC has sent shockwaves through both supporters and political observers, casting doubt on the partys future and its ability to effectively challenge the ruling Zanu PF party in future elections. Ignatious Sadziwa, the executive director of ZEAT, expressed concerns about the uncertainty surrounding Chamisas next move, emphasizing that this ambiguity could further erode confidence in the opposition and result in disengagement from the electoral process. It is prudent that the new political outfit moves with speed to reinvigorate its support base. The electoral season is short, and with 2028 looming, the opposition has a lot of ground to cover, Sadziwa cautioned. He stressed the need for the opposition to recruit new members, particularly among young people who represent a significant portion of the electorate, and to prioritize voter registration efforts. However, the ongoing disturbances and infighting within the main opposition factions have led to growing fears of voter apathy. The abrupt resignations within the CCC have left its followers feeling disillusioned and betrayed. The prospect of potential by-elections, especially if sitting CCC MPs and councillors align with Chamisa and resign from their positions, could exacerbate an already volatile situation. These by-elections, if they materialize, will serve as a litmus test for Chamisas anticipated party, provided they manage to restore order within their ranks by then, Sadziwa added. The recent by-elections in Zimbabwe have already been plagued by voter apathy, with an average turnout rate of a mere 22.1%. The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) conducted an analysis, which revealed an alarming increase in rejected votes during this months by-elections. This spike in rejected votes points to potential voter fatigue or protest among the electorate. Zesns analysis highlighted notable figures of rejected votes in various constituencies, including 369 in Goromonzi South, 313 in Seke, 262 in Zvimba East, 212 in Pelandaba-Tshabalala, 191 in Chegutu West, and 185 in Mkoba North. The trend of rejected votes was consistent across all constituencies during the December 9 by-elections, underscoring the need for urgent attention to address the issue. Breaking News via Email By Lambert Strether of Corrente. Bird Song of the Day Kinglet Manakin, PE da Serra do Conduru, Bahia, Brazil. Call; Non-vocal; Song.: * * * Politics So many of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in fact a rational management of symbolic capital. Pierre Bourdieu, Classification Struggles The Constitutional Order (Insurrection) Wisconsin Trump elector on 2020 election docs: It was not a safe time' [Axios]. After the Wisconsin Supreme Court in December 2020 rejected Trumps lawsuit seeking to disqualify over 221,000 ballots in two Democratic counties, [Former Wisconsin Republican Party Chair Andrew Hitt] said he met with nine other Republican electors because he was advised the former presidents campaign would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. We got specific advice from our lawyers that these documents were meaningless unless a court said they had meaning, Hitt told CBSs Anderson Cooper during the 60 Minutes interview. And if I didnt do that [sign the documents], and the court did throw out those votes, it would have been solely my fault that Trump wouldnt have won Wisconsin, said Hitt, who emphasized he was absolutely scared. Cooper asked if Hitt was scared of Trump supporters in his state. It was not a safe time. If my lawyer is right, and the whole reason Trump loses Wisconsin is because of me, I would be scared to death, said Hitt, who noted he felt terrible about what happened. Hmm. 2024 Less than a year to go! * * * Trump (R): Trumps high-top sneakers sell out hours after launch [Axios]. Former President Trumps high-top sneakers sold out hours after their launch Saturday at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. The shoes, called The Never Surrender High-Top Sneaker, sell for $399. The pair, along with two low-top sneakers, and a $99 bottle of Victory47 perfume and cologne were available for purchase on a new website. I just want to tell you, Ive wanted to do this for a long time, Trump said Saturday when unveiling the sneaker line. Only 1,000 pairs of the gold shoes were available, per the sneaker website, which described the sneakers as Super Limited.' Only 1000? Were they gilded by hand? Probably not. Terrific thread from one of my guilty pleasures, Derek Guy: Only this account would segue from Trumps sneakers, to the economics of the sneaker industry, to offshore manufacturing generally, and then back to Trump, all the while considering aesthetics. Complete thread here. * * * Trump (R): Meet the former organized-crime prosecutor now overseeing the Trump Organization [MarketWatch]. Following a ruling by a New York state judge Friday barring Donald Trump and his two eldest sons from having any role in running the real-estate empire that was founded in 1927 by the former presidents father, the company has been placed in the hands of a court-appointed monitor. Barbara Jones, a lawyer and former federal judge, will now have total oversight of the real-estate conglomerate that played a central role in shaping the public image that helped Trump win the White House in 2016. Jones, 76, has been serving as a monitor at the Trump Organization since November 2022, when she was appointed by New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron to oversee certain financial matters at the company. The appointment came shortly after New York Attorney General Letitia James brought civil fraud charges against Trump and members of his family, accusing them of ripping off banks and insurers by routinely misstating the value of their properties. Following Joness initial appointment, the company was required to inform her of any financial move it made after the fact. But now it will need her approval before taking any steps involving financial disclosures to third parties primarily meaning loan applications to banks. The judges ruling also ordered that an independent compliance officer, who will report to Jones, be hired within 30 days. Hmm. Trump (R): The exhausting fight over what jurors will see in Trump classified documents trial [Washington Examiner]. Smith has stressed that the law favors the publics right to a speedy trial. In December, he sought to have a jury questionnaire procured by a proposed Feb. 2 deadline, a time frame that Cannon found could not be met, and set a Feb. 28 deadline instead. The questionnaires completion is crucial to the special counsels urgency to adjudicate the case, as no trial can commence without it. Since then, government and defense counsel have debated at length the extent of classified discovery materials that Trumps attorneys should be able to witness, while prosecutors oppose such efforts and seek to redact certain records before they are introduced at trial. The forefront of the fight surrounds Trumps January motion to compel discovery, which requests presiding U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to compel prosecutors to turn in additional information they believe to be helpful to the three defendants in the case. A Washington Examiner review of hundreds of pages of court filings from the past two months paints a picture of a brewing battle over the extent of the cases discovery filings currently under seal that could potentially become part of the courts record ahead of a trial. Cannon has already been overturned once at the 11th Circuit in relation to the Trump classified documents investigation. Before the indictment, she was overturned by the appeals court after she allowed a special master to examine nearly 100 files with classified markings that were seized from Mar-a-Lago during an FBI raid in August 2022 Trumps efforts to seek dismissal of the case on multiple fronts, his pursuit of additional records from the government to fortify his defense, and scheduling conflicts due to his three separate criminal cases can and likely will pose risks to the trial schedule in Cannons court, though its unclear whether it will ultimately delay the trial until the November election, where Trump is seeking to regain the Oval Office and could pardon himself from at least his two federal indictments. It would be hilarious if one of the documents in question turned out to be The Binder (unlikely). * * * Biden (D): Bidens allies are stepping forward to vouch for him amid age questions [NBC]. Perhaps no official spends more time with Biden than his chief of staff, Jeff Zients. Press aides did not make him available for an interview. Instead, they released a statement from Zients that compared Biden favorably to much younger presidents including Barack Obama, for whom Biden served as vice president. Odd. Biden (D): Kamala Harris has stepped up on campaign trail but leading Democrats fear its not enough [Washington Examiner]. Or too much. Harriss active efforts in coordinating with and listening to her fellow Democrats have reportedly been well received. But a feeling of stagnation remains, with leading Democrats worried it will lead to their downfall in November. Whitmer, at a meeting last Saturday, blasted Biden and Harris for how theyve been talking about abortion rights, according to more than two dozen sources to whom the outlet spoke, while Pritzker aired his frustrations over the Biden campaign not attacking Republicans and Trump enough on working against the Senates bipartisan immigration bill. But perhaps most troublesome is Biden and Harriss regression with young voters. Both the president and vice president have been targeted for not doing more to protect Palestinians in Gaza, as well as other problems that young voters often prioritize. As Harris has reportedly said on occasion, she doesnt worry much about Biden losing outright to Trump, but she does worry about losing to the couch.' What does losing to the couch even mean? Low turnout? As opposed to the psychiatrists couch? * * * Kennedy (I): Ah, the lanyard class: During the 35 years that Ive known Joe Biden, hes always demonstrated his core decency. He has shown his affection and esteem for my family by displaying a bust of my father in the Oval Office. I suspect that the White House decision to deny me Secret Service protection and pic.twitter.com/3OE3pkUlhi Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) February 19, 2024 Overlapping The Blob, but not identical to it. * * * No Labels still pursuing third-party candidates after Manchins decision not to run for president [FOX]. Were talking with several exceptional leaders. We have our own internal process, No Labels national co-chair, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, said Sunday on MSNBCs The Weekend. In the next couple of weeks or more, we will probably make an announcement whether or not we will give the ballot access to a unity ticket, Chavis, a longtime civil rights activist and former executive director of the NAACP, added. A unity ticket means a Republican and a Democrat. And we are talking to Republicans, Democrats, and independents. Chavis said that No Labels has qualified for the ballot in 16 states so far ahead of the 2024 election and is still working to qualify for all 50, pushing back against co-host Michael Steeles argument that it would be challenging for No Labels or any third-party ticket to win come November. Democrats en Deshabille MI: Rep. Rashida Tlaib urges Michigan Democrats to vote against Biden in the primary [NBC]. [Tlaib] joined growing calls from progressive activists in Michigan to vote uncommitted in the states Democratic presidential primary on Feb. 27 instead of voting for Biden. dThe video of Tlaib was posted to the X account of Listen to Michigan, a group urging voters to vote uncommitted in the primary. Tlaib, who is Palestinian American, cited her dissatisfaction with the Biden administrations role in the war between Israel and Hamas as her reason for urging people to vote. It is also important to create a voting bloc, something that is a bullhorn, to say, Enough is enough. We dont want a country that supports wars and bombs and destruction. We want to support life. We want to support life. We want to stand up for every single life killed in Gaza,' Tlaib said. And: On Wednesday, Our Revolution, a progressive political organization founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., also urged Michigan Democrats to vote uncommitted in the primary. (Sanders has distanced himself from the groups position, saying he supports Bidens re-election bid.) The group did make clear, though, that while its pushing its members to vote against Biden now, it will back him again in November. Our Rev supporters can push Biden to change course on Gaza now and increase his chances of winning Michigan in November because we MUST defeat the right wing Trump agenda! an email to supporters from Our Revolution said. Well, thats pathetic. If genocide isnt part of the right wing agenda, doesnt that mean I should give those lunatics it a second look? MI: Michigan progressives angry over Gaza urge voters to ditch Biden in primary [The Hill]. The Abandon Biden movement is focused on withholding votes from Biden in primaries in battleground states including Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, and Florida to empower pro-Palestine Americans to protest via ballot box. The White House has tried to engage with Arab American groups, particularly those in Michigan, but has been met with canceled meetings, largely failing to change any minds. Officials traveled to Michigan to engage with leaders on the ground earlier this month but, when Biden was in Michigan himself, he didnt meet with any leaders. He also didnt visit Dearborn, the Detroit suburb where Arab Americans make up the majority of the population. A Michigan official, who asked to remain anonymous while talking about sensitive issues, said Bidens visit was too late and that the community was too angry. Nothing would have come from that discussion. The Abandon Biden movement knows whats at stake in November, when Biden is likely to face Trump, the GOP front-runner who has vowed to reinstate and expand his Muslim ban if elected. We found the previous president distasteful , Salam said. The previous president prevented our family and our friends and our colleagues from entering the country. But Mr. Biden killed them. .' #COVID19 I am in earnest I will not equivocate I will not excuse I will not retreat a single inch AND I WILL BE HEARD. William Lloyd Garrison Resources, United States (National): Transmission (CDC); Wastewater (CDC, Biobot; includes many counties; Wastewater Scan, includes drilldown by zip); Variants (CDC; Walgreens); Iowa COVID-19 Tracker (in IA, but national data). Infection Control, Emergency Management, Safety, and General Thoughts (especially on hospitalization by city). Lambert here: Readers, thanks for the collective effort. To update any entry, do feel free to contact me at the address given with the plants. Please put COVID in the subject line. Thank you! Resources, United States (Local): AK (dashboard); AL (dashboard); AR (dashboard); AZ (dashboard); CA (dashboard; Marin, dashboard; Stanford, wastewater; Oakland, wastewater); CO (dashboard; wastewater); CT (dashboard); DE (dashboard); FL (wastewater); GA (wastewater); HI (dashboard); IA (wastewater reports); ID (dashboard, Boise; dashboard, wastewater, Central Idaho; wastewater, Coeur dAlene; dashboard, Spokane County); IL (wastewater); IN (dashboard); KS (dashboard; wastewater, Lawrence); KY (dashboard, Louisville); LA (dashboard); MA (wastewater); MD (dashboard); ME (dashboard); MI (wastewater; wastewater); MN (dashboard); MO (wastewater); MS (dashboard); MT (dashboard) ; NC (dashboard); ND (dashboard; wastewater); NE (dashboard); NH (wastewater); NJ (dashboard); NM (dashboard); NV (dashboard; wastewater, Southern NV); NY (dashboard); OH (dashboard); OK (dashboard); OR (dashboard) ; PA (dashboard); RI (dashboard); SC (dashboard); SD (dashboard); TN (dashboard); TX (dashboard); UT (wastewater); VA (dashboard); VT (dashboard); WA (dashboard; dashboard); WI (wastewater); WV ( wastewater ); WY ( wastewater ). Resources, Canada (National): Wastewater (Government of Canada). Resources, Canada (Provincial): ON (wastewater); QC (les eaux usees); BC (wastewater); BC, Vancouver (wastewater). Hat tips to helpful readers: Alexis, anon (2), Art_DogCT, B24S, CanCyn, ChiGal, Chuck L, Festoonic, FM, FreeMarketApologist (4), Gumbo, hop2it, JB, JEHR, JF, JL Joe, John, JM (10), JustAnotherVolunteer, JW, KatieBird, LL, Michael King, KF, LaRuse, mrsyk, MT, MT_Wild, otisyves, Petal (6), RK (2), RL, RM, Rod, square coats (11), tennesseewaltzer, Tom B., Utah, Bob White (3). Stay safe out there! * * * Look for the Helpers How Brisbane Independent School prevented outbreaks of COVID-19, despite Omicron wave [ABC Australia]. From 2022, still germane: A small primary school in Brisbanes west has done what many others have been unable to achieve during COVID-19s Omicron wave in Queensland: remain outbreak-free. And its all a result of a group of dads at the Brisbane Independent School in Pullenvale getting together with the principal and using science and engineering knowledge to prevent SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19 spreading through classrooms.. Using a smoke machine, they studied airflow patterns in the schools five classrooms and administration areas. Carbon dioxide meters were also used to identify low-ventilation areas or dead spots. They then purchased air purifiers known as high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filters to mitigate the risk from SARS-CoV-2 particles [sic] that might be circulating in classrooms and other indoor areas of the school . Although one teacher and up to two students in most, but not all classes, have had COVID-19 during Queenslands rampant Omicron wave, no in-school transmission has been identified. Our goal in creating clean-air classrooms at the school was to minimise this risk of transmission within the community, Dr Roff said. The dads behaving that way is what I would call normal; apparently not. And one has to ask why their efforts and the happy result werent widely publicized in the media and by the public health establishment. Also, notice this: circulating in classrooms and other indoor areas of the school. They understood that with aerosols, the entire facility must be considered, making them much smarter than those sociopathic nimrods at HICPAC, who seem to have no notion that SARS-CoV-2 could spread out into the hallway from an open door. And also from Australia, this year Resources to help schools keep students and staff safe [Covid Safety for Schools]. Registration is free; yes, theres an aerosol scientist. Module 5: How COVID Spreads. Airborne transmission, short-range vs long-range transmission, impact of ventilation and other mitigations. Module 6: How to Prevent COVID Spreading in Schools Layered mitigations including ventilation, physical distancing, cohorting, CO2 monitoring, HEPA filters, masks, testing and isolation. If the ZOMG they closed the schools!!!! GBDers had a shred of intellectual honesty, theyd be pushing this material. But no, of course now. Vaccines COVID-19 vaccines and adverse events of special interest: A multinational Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) cohort study of 99 million vaccinated individuals [Vaccine]. From the Discussion: This multi-country cohort study was conducted in the unique setting of the GVDN. To date, the number of such large systematically coordinated studies across diverse geographical locations and populations is limited. We investigated the association between COVID-19 vaccination and 13 [adverse events of special interest (AESIs)] comprising neurological, haematological, and cardiovascular conditions across 10 sites in eight countries including Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania. In this study including more than 99 million people vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, the risk up to 42 days after vaccination was generally similar to the background risk for the majority of outcomes; however, a few potential safety signals were identified. Hmm. Censorship and Propaganda COVID: theres a strong current of pandemic revisionism in the mainstream media, and its dangerous [The Conversation]. Containing COVID was an imperfect and difficult task that required weighing health, social, ethical, psychological, economic and political interests in the face of a rapidly spreading novel virus in 2020. Yet, with increasing distance, the thorny, difficult issues tend to be flattened to false narratives and a history of simple choices. In other words, pandemic revisionism. To learn from how communities and governments responded to this pandemic crisis is important. With the benefit of hindsight, established accounts of successful interventions and stories of failure often take on new shades. Investing in a ramp-up of antigen testing probably was worthwhile. Trusting Tory peers with the production of hospital gowns was not. as the lockdown sceptics believe their long-held concerns were justified given the rising mental health concerns, the risk is not for an extreme public health intervention to lose popular support lockdown was at best the least worst option. The real risk is that this false allocation of culpability, in hand with misremembering of the past, continues to erode a principle of solidarity at the heart of public health. It is the voices of those lost to the pandemic, of those most vulnerable to the virus, past and present, of those most affected by the debilitating effects of long COVID and of those advocating for a pandemic response based on principles of equity, that are written out of this increasingly popular, populist and revisionist picture. Sequelae Readers, have you noticed this? Long-term risks of respiratory diseases in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2: a longitudinal, population-based cohort study [eClinicalMedicine]. N = 502,368. From the Discussion: This research found that the occurrences of respiratory disorders among patients who survived for 30 days after the COVID-19 diagnosis continued to rise consistently, including asthma, bronchiectasis, COPD, ILD, PVD, and lung cancer. With the severity of the acute phase of COVID-19, the risk of all respiratory diseases increases progressively. Besides, during the 24-months follow-up, we observed an increasing trend in the risks of asthma and bronchiectasis over time, which indicates that long-term monitoring and meticulous follow-up of these patients is essential. Figure 2: Number go up (and a potential oddity in the captions). Morbidity and Mortality Many excess deaths attributed to natural causes are actually uncounted COVID-19 deaths, new analysis reveals [Science Daily] Nearly 1,170,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the United States according to official federal counts, but multiple excess mortality studies suggest that these totals are vastly undercounted. While excess mortality provides an estimation of deaths that likely would not have occurred under normal, non-pandemic conditions, there is still little evidence into whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus contributed to these additional deaths, or whether these deaths were caused by other factors such as healthcare disruptions or socioeconomic challenges. For the study, Dr. Stokes, Dr. Paglino, and colleagues utilized novel statistical methods to analyze monthly data on natural-cause deaths and reported COVID-19 deaths for 3,127 counties over the first 30 months of the pandemic, from March 2020 to August 2022. They estimated that 1.2 million excess natural-cause deaths occurred in US counties during this time period, and found that roughly 163,000 of these deaths did not have COVID-19 listed at all on the death certificates. I skimmed this and the original twice, and I cant find what a want: A percentage to multiply reported deaths by so I can draw a new line on my charts. Readers? Commentary on original: The pandemics true death toll [The Economist]. The lead: Looks like The Economist has the number I want: A factor of 4. Of course, thats global and the United States is a First World country MR SUBLIMINAL [snicker] and so 4 is probably too much. Make it 2. So, 1,170,000 * 2 = 2,340,000. Thats a lot. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on life expectancy in 27 countries [Nature]. From 2023, still germane. The results show that life expectancy in 21 of the 27 countries was expected to increase in 2020 had COVID-19 not occurred. By considering the expected mortality changes between 2019 and 2020, the study shows that, on average, the loss of life expectancy among the 27 countries in 2020 amounted to 1.33 year (95% CI 1.291.37) at age 15 and 0.91 years (95% CI 0.880.94) at age 65. Our results suggest that if the year-on-year intrinsic variations/changes in mortality were considered, the effects of COVID-19 on mortality are more profound than previously understood . This is particularly prominent for countries experiencing greater life expectancy increase in recent years. Handy chart: There seems to be a common pattern. Celebrity Watch Sure is odd no celebrities do this: If Taylor Swift sold a branded elasto at the merch booth, the pandemic would be over in a week Antiviral Marketing (@antiviral_mktng) February 18, 2024 Elite Maleficence Washington Post: CDC to drop five day Covid isolation guidelines in April [Celebitchy] (Celebitchy is a daily gossip and entertainment blog, started in 2006, which also focuses on liberal politics, royal coverage and fashion.) I dont know how I feel about all of this. While I do think that all of the data that shows that we as a collective society probably have reached a point where the virus is not life-threatening to most of the population, I still feel uneasy about these new guidelines. The results in Oregon are promising, though. But, lets be honest: not requiring people to stay home for five days means that most businesses are going to pressure people with Covid to come to work anyway, and just like with RSV and the flu, this sucks for their coworkers who are in high-risk situations. For various reasons, a lot of people either cant or wont stay home anymore because pre-pandemic, most people were forced to go to work or school while sick. I was hoping that one of the lessons we learned coming out of the pandemic would be to normalize staying home when were sick and wearing masks to protect others. I cant help but think this will just signify a return to the status quo. The comments are all knowledgeable and scathing. The second one: The CDC, facing intense backlash from people pointing out that were currently losing over 2000 Americans per week to covid (and countless more are developing Long Covid) is already waffling on this idea, and I hope they rethink it. People werent listening anyway! is a TERRIBLE reason to water down medical guidelines. Imagine if theyd do that with, say, seatbelts? (We only recommend wearing a seatbelt when youre accelerating.) Covid is not the flu or RSV. While the acute phase of the virus is (in many cases, but not all) milder, your risk of developing Long Covid goes *up* with each reinfection, and Long Covid can damage nearly every system in the body. I highly recommend this BBC interview from about a week ago: People want Covid to be over because its bad for the economy, and it depresses people, and I get that. But if we willfully ignore its long-term risks just because we dont like wearing a mask to Target well, the wave of disability and misery and lost productivity isnt gonna be a ton of fun for anyone, either. I find that encouraging. The comments on the Times coverage of the same story are also encouraging. Here is the number one reader pick: Milder than I would put things, but still not discouraging. No doubt the minimizers and denialists didnt read the story to begin with, but at least the Covid conscious readers are getting the attention of the newsroom. The Jackpot Filing this here because of the sheer scale: Theres a lot to like in this explanation. I think there are two issues: The account (1) lets the oligarchs (see NC here) off the hook; responsibly goes higher up than leaders and their parties; and (2) doesnt give an account of China. How is it that the ruling class of the worlds number one manufacturing power, who were aware that #CovidIsAirborne, didnt combine Zero Covid with ventilation? As it turned out, when Xi abruptly abandoned Zero Covid, at least a million people died, mostly working class, comparable to the United States, and surely just as bad as the Five Eyes generally. And yet the CCPs ideology is hardly libertarian (correct?). * * * TABLE 1: Daily Covid Charts LEGEND 1) for charts new today; all others are not updated. 2) For a full-size/full-resolution image, Command-click (MacOS) or right-click (Windows) on the chart thumbnail and open image in new tab. NOTES [1] (Biobot) No backward revisions. The uptick is real (at least to Biobot). [2] (Biobot) Biobot data suggests a rise in the Northeast. MRWA data does not suggest that, as of February 8: Here, FWIW, is Verily national data as of February 14: And regional data for HHS Region, the Northeast: [3] (CDC Variants) As of May 11, genomic surveillance data will be reported biweekly, based on the availability of positive test specimens. Biweeekly: 1. occurring every two weeks. 2. occurring twice a week; semiweekly. Looks like CDC has chosen sense #1. In essence, theyre telling us variants are nothing to worry about. Time will tell. [4] (ER) Does not support Biobot data. Charts and data provided by CDC, updates Wednesday by 8am. For the past year, using a rolling 52-week period. [5] (Hospitalization: NY) A little slowing of the decrease could be a flattening, consistent with Biobot data. Lets wait and see. [6] (Hospitalization: CDC) Still down Maps, charts, and data provided by CDC, updates weekly for the previous MMWR week (Sunday-Saturday) on Thursdays (Deaths, Emergency Department Visits, Test Positivity) and weekly the following Mondays (Hospitalizations) by 8 pm ET. [7] (Walgreens) It would be interesting to survey this population generally; these are people who, despite a tsunami of official propaganda and enormous peer pressure, went and got tested anyhow. [8] (Cleveland) Lambert here: Percentage and absolute numbers down. [9] (Travelers: Posivitity) Down, albeit in the rear view mirror. [10] (Travelers: Variants) JN.1 utterly dominant. Stats Watch There are no official statistics of interest today. * * * Todays Fear & Greed Index: 77 Extreme Greed (previous close: 77 Extreme Greed) [CNN]. One week ago: 79 (Extreme Greed). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Feb 16 at 6:59:44 PM ET. Rapture Index: Closes down one on Debt & Trade. For the first time in many years the trade deficit is down [Rapture Ready]. Record High, October 10, 2016: 189. Current: 187. (Remember that bringing on the Rapture is good.) NOTE on #42 Plagues: The coronavirus pandemic has maxed out this category. More honest than most! Apparently not concerned about the goat sacrificers at all? House cleaners find two of the worlds first desktop PCs in random boxes Intel 8008-powered Q1 PC has 16KB of memory, 800 kHz CPU [Toms Hardware]. London, UK-based waste firm Just Clear was living up to its name and just clearing another house when tucked under some random boxes, they found two of the first desktop microcomputers ever made: the Q1 PC, from Q1 Corporation, released in 1972 (h/t The Mirror). Fortunately, this piece of computing history was not scrapped, and Just Clear kept its hands on the old units long enough to determine their actual historical value. If you want to see these for yourself and are based in the UK, move quickly! They are now on display at Kingston University in Surrey, England, but only for the rest of February 17th. Afterward, its expected both will be either auctioned or sold to a private buyer, so you wont get many chances to see these artifacts in the flesh. When you use a Walkman all the memories come back: the people still in love with old tech [Guardian]. Cassette players and tapes, CDs, video players and VHS seem like relics of a previous analogue era, but on eBay, Etsy or Discogs, among others, there is a brisk trade to be found. As fashion and style has shown us repeatedly, everything and anything will come back into vogue in cycles of 20 and 30 years. [Alexander Renz, curator of Berlins Museum der Dinge] points out that Ikea shelving from the 70s, originally sold at low prices, now goes for high sums. Some of the museums early collection was amassed from the streets: in the 70s younger people were throwing out older wooden items in favour of new plastic things, so the museum picked them up. A similar cycle occurred in the early 90s with the fall of the communist world East Germans got rid of GDR-issued furniture to grab sought-after western products. But furniture from the east was designed to be long-lasting and is now highly desired. A 1960s sideboard desk from the Dresden furniture manufacturer Deutsche Werkstatten Hellerau can sell on Facebook Marketplace now for 230. * * * Contact information for plants: Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) find out how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal and (b) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi, lichen, and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. From Desert Dog: Desert Dog writes: Biological soil crust- the dark cover over the soil- a combination of lichens, algae and Cyanobacteria. They help stabilize the soil by holding soil particles together and provide nutrients and moisture. They keep the soil from blowing away but are fragile and break apart when stepped on so, Dont bust the crust. This photo was taken at Canyonlands National Park. They can take hundreds of years to develop to the stage shown in the photo. * * * Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the annual NC fundraiser. So if you see a link you especially like, or an item you wouldnt see anywhere else, please do not hesitate to express your appreciation in tangible form. Remember, a tip jar is for tipping! Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for five or ten days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of donations helps me with expenses, and I factor in that trickle when setting fundraising goals: Here is the screen that will appear, which I have helpfully annotated: If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you! US and European governments have grown fond of painting Israel-connected spyware companies as rogue operators engaged in surveillance that is at odds with Western values. A case in Greece, which will now be heard by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), adds to the mounting evidence that illegal spyware use in the EU is well out of control without any help from the Israelis. The embrace of surveillance technologies by the Greek prime minister (a US darling in recent years) might also help explain why US companies suddenly became so interested in opening up shop in Greece. The Greek scandal started back in 2020 when Thanasis Koukakis, a financial journalist known for his corruption investigations of powerful banking figures, got a tip that he was under surveillance. After confronting authorities, the wiretaps on his phones were discontinued. A year later, however, he received a text message asking, Thanasis, do you know about this? He clicked on the link, and it infected his iPhone with Predator. Spyware like Predator can hack into devices remotely, giving its operators full access to a phone and has been used on journalists and activists around the world. The most well-known is the Israeli company NSO Groups Pegasus. Predator is similar and is the product of the companies Intellexa, based in Greece, and North Macedonia-based Cytrox. Intellexa was established by former Israeli Defense Force intelligence officer Tal Dilian, who was previously associated with NSO Group. According to Forbes, Dilian took over Cytrox in 2019 to make Intellexa a one-stop-shop for hacking and electronic surveillance services and products. Israel Aerospace Industries was an early investor in Cytrox but sold its shares around early 2019 to Intellexa. Other people in Greece were also targeted by Predator, including Nikos Androulakis member of the European Parliament and at the time, the leading candidate to take over Greeces center-left party. The EU like the US has been singularly focused on NSOs Pegasus in recent years while ignoring the risk of homegrown spyware. The Ursula von der Leyen-led European Commission, usually hungry for more power, has mostly ignored the proliferation of spyware within the EU, saying its a matter for individual countries to handle. From Euractiv: Dutch MEP Sophie in t Veld, who has been spearheading the work of the now-concluded Pegasus investigation in the European Parliament, thinks that this could affect the European Council, the Commission, and other EU bodies like the border agency Frontex. She complained that the European Union has every reason to investigate very thoroughly. Yet, EU institutions have kept quiet about it so far, dubbing it a matter for national authorities to investigate. In t Veld has previously told EURACTIV about her dissatisfaction with the Commissions lack of action regarding spyware. In the Commissions view, enforcing the law on spyware is up to the member states. However, in t Veld thinks that is just a fig leaf and a pretext for the institution not to do its job. EURACTIV filed an access to document request to the European Commission requesting to access internal documents related to Pegasus, Predator, and spyware in general. The request was denied based on the high sensitivity of the information. The issue might get harder for von der Leyen and company to ignore after the Jan. 29 ECHR announcement that it will hear the landmark case brought by Koukakis. Depending on the courts ruling, it could have major implications for state surveillance across the EU. @ECHR_CEDH has ruled admissible the appeal of @nasoskook for his surveillance by National Intelligence Service (EYP) on grounds of national security during 2.5 months in 2020 (20 June 18 August).https://t.co/XJLMJldL3A pic.twitter.com/boqZ43zbQm Vas Panagiotopoulos (@criticalvas) January 30, 2024 The case is expected to be heard in June, after both sides the Greek State and the journalist have submitted their formal positions to the preliminary questions of the @ECHR_CEDH. If all goes to plan, the decision will be announced in September. Vas Panagiotopoulos (@criticalvas) January 30, 2024 The EU likes to consider itself a champion of human rights. (The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union includes the respect for private and family life (Article 7) and the protection of personal data (Article 8)). It has denounced the use of spyware, and yet the bloc is increasingly deploying its own homegrown spyware and other advanced surveillance technology. US & EU HYPOCRISY The EU and the US in recent years have tried to shift the blame of the proliferation and illegal use of spyware onto Israel and its notorious NSO Group. The US has even blacklisted NSO, Intellexa, and Cytrox. Theres no doubt that Israeli companies have been at the forefront of these technologies, but the criticism coming from Washington and Brussels has little to do with the fact that such surveillance is a violation of human rights and antithetical to a functioning democracy. The case in Greece is already helping to shed light on how widespread the use of spyware is in the EU. A European Parliament report from last year shows the blocs surveillance problem goes far beyond Pegasus and Predator. A few takeaways: Member States are not just customers of commercial spyware vendors, they also have other, different roles in the spyware trade. Some host spyware vendors, some are the preferred destination for finance and banking services, and yet others offer citizenship and residency to protagonists of the industry. concerns have been raised about certain countries permissive intelligence frameworks, ineffective checks, lax oversight practices and political interference . Spyware is clearly also used by law enforcement, not just by intelligence agencies. There are serious concerns about the admissibility in court of such material as evidence in the context of EU police and justice cooperation, including within Europol and Eurojust, if such information were to originate from investigation methods applied without proper judicial oversight. Depending on the national legislation, the use of spyware is legitimate in investigations under judicial oversight. It can be safely assumed that authorities in all Member States use spyware in one way or another, some legitimate, some illegitimate. Spyware may be acquired directly, or through a proxy, broker company or middleman. There may also be arrangements for specific services, instead of actually purchasing the software. Additional services may be offered, such as training of staff or the provision of servers. Spyware is not to be seen in isolation, but as part of a wide range of products and services offered in an expanding and lucrative global market. It is important to realise that the purchase and use of spyware is very costly, running into millions of euros. But in many Member States this expenditure is not included in the regular budget, and it may thus escape scrutiny. At a recent major defense expo in the heart of France there were no Israeli spyware firms to be found. They are facing pushback from worldwide clients, but it has nothing to do with their treatment of human animals in Gaza and the West Bank. No, the reason was largely because US and EU firms want a bigger share of the market for offensive spyware and have been critical of Israeli companies in the same field, such as NSO Group and its Pegasus spyware. While the US blacklists Israeli and Israeli-owned spyware firms, it continues to develop and deploy even more powerful surveillance tools against Americans and the rest of the world. Researchers have documented over two thousand U.S. law enforcement agencies that have procured digital forensics technology, which require physical possession of a targets device in order to install, but the level of intrusiveness can be even greater than that of remote spyware technology. Antony Loewenstein writes in The Palestine Laboratory that the likely reason behind Bidens moves against NSO was US concerns that an Israeli company was encroaching on American technological supremacy. There are also European firms who were out in force at the Milipol Paris showcasing the same abilities that the West criticized NSO for. From Haaretz: Though Israeli offensive cyber firms did not attend, their European competitors did: RCS, producer of the Hermit spyware that is considered a competitor of NSOs Pegasus; Memento Labs, formerly known as Hacking Team; and IPS-Intelligence, all Italian firms, were present. Alongside these known spyware vendors, previously unreported ones also pitched on the expo floor: Invasys, a Czech firm being revealed here for the first time, offered an offensive cyber program Kelpie with the ability to hack iPhones and Android and thus access fully encrypted communications apps. Mitsotakis Embrace of Surveillance One area where Greeces case differs from the rest of European countries using spyware is in the level of involvement from the prime ministers office. The European nations, by and large, leave it up to domestic intelligence to conduct such surveillance, but Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis took a more hands-on approach. One of his first acts as prime minister was to put Greek intelligence under his offices direct control. (While his office has denied the use of any illegal spyware technology, that doesnt mean data couldnt have been purchased from a private operator). In May of 2022 Mitsotakis delivered a speech to the US Congress, waxing on about democratic values. The American government and US companies were impressed. Washington has been funneling military equipment to Greece at an increased rate in recent years. Just last month, it was reported that the Biden administration is offering the Greek government three 87-foot Protector-class patrol boats, two Lockheed Martin C-130H airlifters, 10 Allison T56 turboprop engines for Lockheed P-3 patrol planes plus 60 M-2 Bradley fighting vehicles and a consignment of transport trucks. And its all free, made available under excess defense articles. Elsewhere, Athens is buying a larger arms package that includes 40 Lockheed F-35 stealth fighters, for $8.6 billion. The Greek newspaper Kathimerini recently reported that the country is preparing to transfer S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems to Ukraine, in direct violation of its decades-old deal with Russia. When Athens received the weaponry from Moscow back in 1998 it agreed to never give it to another country (let alone one that is at war with Russia). Such a move would poison longstanding good ties between Athens and Moscow. But Athens demonstration of its non-agreement capability is just another sign that it is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the US. More evidence: in 2022 Greece canceled the long-planned privatization for the Alexandroupolis port with Mitsotakis declaring it too precious of a resource to relinquish. Instead it has been gifted to the US, which has made a fortress out of the port 18 miles from the Turkish border. In November, Greece closed a deal to bring a floating gas storage and regasification unit to the port which will be serviced by American LNG supplies that can be fed into a pipeline from Alexandroupolis north to Bulgaria. Mitsotakis has been lauded by the Wall Street Journal for opening up Greece to US companies: Pfizerled by Greek-American Albert Bourla announced plans for new digital labs in Thessaloniki, Mr. Bourlas hometown. Last year, Microsoft made an even bigger show of confidence in Greece by announcing plans for three new data centers to serve the broader region. Microsoft wont put a value on the investment, but local officials have said it is more than $100 million. We took a bet, but we think it will be a very good bet, said Theodosis Michalopoulos, Microsofts general manager for Greece, Cyprus and Malta. Bureaucracy and outdated regulations have slowed work developing the data centers, which will take years, he said. It hasnt been easy, but were getting through. Amazon was given the red-carpet treatment. According to Vice: As Athens is being roiled by government surveillance, a different kind of surveillance is taking place in the Aegean with Astypalea not the only petri dish for large corporate interests: Amazon has its eyes on the Greek island of Naxos, which has a population of 22,000. Naxos is billed as a smart hub, for Amazon Web Services, which plans to upgrade much of the islands services. The project is reportedly the product of a star-studded dinner in the summer of 2021 between Jeff Bezos and Mitsotakis, with actor Tom Hanks and fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg also in attendance. Drones are a key component of the project, and will reportedly not only be used to drop medicines to remote areas but also be military-grade and could aid coast-guards in vessel monitoring. Amazon plans to upgrade the islands internet as well as facilitate remote medical consultations, introduce smart taxi payments, smart parking sensors and electric vehicle chargers. The company also plans to smarten the waste and water management but has not specified how. Mitsotakis also signed a zero-cost deal with Palantir that gave the company wide-ranging access to Greek citizens personal data, but it was later canceled after intense backlash in the country. Theres this idea that the spyware revelations mean that Mitsotakis pulled the wool over the eyes of such outfits. A 2022 guest essay in the New York Times by Alexander Clapp, for example, pushed this narrative: The problem here is not that corruption under Mr. Mitsotakis is necessarily more endemic than under previous Greek governments or in many other European countries. (Opposition leaders and journalists have been targeted by spyware in France, Spain, Hungary and Poland.) It is, rather, the unsustainable contradiction between the country Mr. Mitsotakis insists on pitching abroad an unimpeachably democratic state whose respect for the rule of law and liberal bona fides ought to be rewarded with corporate investments and tourism dollars and the one he actually presides over. What this fails to consider is that the Mitsotakis government made Greece a more attractive location for US firms because of its embrace of surveillance whether conducted by the government or by private companies. Or was it really just Mitsotakis talking up the rule of law and democracy that led Palantir, Microsoft, Amazon, and others to suddenly become so interested in opening up shop in Greece? I am normally not keen about posting long-ish videos, and about having a mini-run of Tucker Carlson interviews, but one he had last week was very important yet it seems oddly not much noticed by the commentariat (or truth be told, the site writers) despite getting nearly 30 million views on Twitter. Readers Li and Chuck L alerted me to this oversight. So I am running this segment as an extra post rather than part of our regular roster. Tucker spoke to former State Department officer Mike Benz,1 who is arguably the top US expert on the workings of the censorship state to go public about the scope and workings of the censorship regime. He also helpfully describes the trajectory that led the US blob to go from seeing the Internet as its friend, particularly for helping facilitate regime changes, to its enemy by allowing non-mainstream views like support of Brexit to drive events. He also describes some major initiatives, like trying to thwart criticism of mail-in ballots. Benzs overview very much dovetails with the work of Matt Taibbi and Michael Shellenberger. Shellenberger showed up very earlier in the Twitter thread on the interview to corroborate some details: Outstanding overview of the Censorship Industrial Complex. Here's background on the US government-funded Aspen Institute's role in spreading disinformation about the Hunter Biden laptop. The FBI spread disinformation and interfered in the election:https://t.co/WiPcsxF9R5 Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) February 17, 2024 Ep. 75 The national security state is the main driver of censorship and election interference in the United States. "What Im describing is military rule," says Mike Benz. "Its the inversion of democracy." pic.twitter.com/hDTEjAf89T Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) February 16, 2024 _____ 1 Formally Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information PolicyBureau of Economic and Business Affairs in the Trump Administration. He has also been the subject of a 2023 hit piece by NBC. Benz claimed that his covert seeming white-supremacist project was to fight anti-semitism by converting white supremacists. Yves here. Forgive me for a long introduction to John Helmers discussion of German and Polish scheming over Germanys hoped-for expropriation of Rosneft assets in Germany. The Russian government is not surprisingly exercised about these plans. But the Russian news coverage appears not to mention that Germany already did a big dirty to Russia, by seizing the assets of Gazproms German subsidiaries, which included storage facilities. Perhaps they did not want to call attention to the fact that Germany had already set a precedent of sorts. And that precedent also includes Russia having made use of its special retaliatory economic sanctions. From a June 2022 post: However, remember Russias retaliatory economic sanctions? The ones that seemed like a as if they had turned out to be a damp squib? From a May 12 post: Russia published its initial list of parties subject to its retaliatory special economic measures. Putin established the program by decree on May 3, designed to address the unlawful taking of property and property rights by unfriendly parties. The order tasked officials to come up with targets in ten days and develop additional criteria. We speculated that Germanys seizure of Gazprom operations, which included storage facilities, would be a prime initial target. We were correctTASS gives an overview: The list includes 31 companies from Germany, France and other European countries, as well as from the USA and Singapore. In particular, it includes former European subsidiaries of Gazprom, traders and operators of underground gas storage facilities. In particular, Russian authorities, legal entities and citizens will not be able to conclude transactions with the sanctioned entities and organizations under their control, fulfill obligations to them under completed transactions, and conduct financial transactions in their favor. This includes the concluded foreign trade contracts. Now so far this is all very entertaining, but what does it mean? It appears Europeans in the gas and possibly also electricity business wont know for sure until Russia counterparties tell them their contracts are cancelled or they otherwise wont be doing business with them. Remember that the sanctions are sweeping in terms of subjecting all Russian individuals and legal persons to them. And their application goes beyond the entities listed to include organizations under their control. It looks like Russia knew exactly what it was doing. Consider the impact of the most obvious step Russia would take under these sanctions, of no longer supplying gas to the stolen Gazprom businesses. From reader vao: But there is more on the gas front in Germany, and costs for the German State are piling up. Remember that story with Gazprom Germania taken over by the Bundesnetzagentur as trustee? Well, 1) After being placed under the administration of the Bundesnetzagentur, Gazprom embargoed supplies to its former German unit, i.e. Gazprom Germania and its host of subsidiaries storing and delivering gas in Germany. This means that GG has not yet managed to re-fill its storage tanks. 2) Furthermore, since GG had contracts to fulfil, it had to acquire gas elsewhere at much higher prices which proved totally unprofitable, so much so that GG is nearly bankrupt. 3) The German government is now embarking on a reorganization to avoid the cessation of activities by GG. GG will be lent up to 10bn through the KfW to ensure the continuity of operations. 4) It is not yet certain whether the government will back the loan with a State guarantee, or whether it will convert it to equity (in which case the German State will become a shareholder of GG). 5) The trusteeship will be converted from October onwards to a permanent administration, and Gazprom Germania renamed to Securing Energy for Europe GmbH. 6) In another step, the Bundesnetzagentur has decided to grant a 40% rebate on the fees to be paid when feeding the German gas distribution networks from LNG supplies. So it is not just the German industry and households that are feeling the pain because of high gas prices the State budget is getting directly hammered as well because of the consequences of the spat with Russia. Now admittedly Russia was able to mess with Germany (and Austria, it also refused payments from Austrian operations that were part of the seized Gazrprom entities) because Europe had not fully divorced itself1 from Russian energy. And recall this hurt because even though Europe might be able to round up enough LNG, that was at spot market prices, versus its old, lower long-term contract prices. So Russia has set up the legal means to engage in economic retaliation. And it used them with the last biggish German asset seizure. But the response was targeted. What options does Russia have if the Rosneft seizure proceeds? Or if the Collective West is dumb enough to steal the frozen Russian central bank assets? By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears This is how the war in the Ukraine doesnt end, not for the Germans and the Poles. So long as they can, they plan to steal or destroy Russian assets west of what used to be Kievan Ukraine; and mobilize the US military bases in both countries to reinforce and defend their larcenies. The German political party which promises to continue this war for the employment of German workers and the enrichment of German executives and shareholders will win the next election, replacing the Social Democratic Party and the Greens as the party of war. The post-Ukraine strategy of the Stavka starts here Ha ! To Berlin! On Friday last, the Russian language edition of the German state medium Deutsche Welle (DW) published a report of German and Polish government plans for the expropriation of PCK, the Rosneft crude oil refinery at Schwedt in northern Germany, and the Rosneft network of operating assets in Germany, Poland, and Austria. The German assets of Rosneft, the Russian state oil production company under worldwide sanctions, had been placed under what the German government called fiduciary management by an independent state regulator in September 2022. This was announced at the time as a temporary arrangement to comply with the sanctions, renewable every six months, but leaving undisturbed the Russian ownership of the assets. This scheme was renewed at six monthly intervals, as Rosneft has reported. There was nothing independent about the BNA or what it has been doing every six months. BNA stands for the Federal Network Agency Bundesnetzagentur fur Elektrizitat, Gas, Telekommunikation, Post und Eisenbahnen. It claims to be an independent higher federal authority with its main office in Bonn operating within the scope of business of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV). We have been responsible for Germanys essential electricity, gas, telecommunications and postal infrastructures for over 20 years. Within the scope of is a German fig leaf for under control. Our task, BNA says, is to ensure fair and non-discriminatory competition for all market participants. Our success and our expertise in regulation led to the energy and rail sectors also being placed under our responsibility. This was not what the government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz intended when it commenced its takeover of Rosneft and assigned BNA the role of camp guard. BNA described what it was doing to safeguard security of supply in Germanyon the basis of the Energy Security of Supply Act (section 17 EnSiG) until 15 March 2023. This basis enables the fiduciary to take action to keep the business running in accordance with its importance for the functioning of society in the energy sector. The fiduciary management may be extended under certain conditions The decision to introduce fiduciary management was prompted byby the sanctions imposed on RussiaThe fiduciary management means that the original owner no longer has authority to issue instructions. MAP OF ROSNEFTS MAIN ASSETS IN GERMANY Source: https://www.rosneft.de/ According to BNAs first letter of comfort at its takeover, RDG has stakes in PCK Raffinerie GmbH (PCK) in Schwedt/Oder, Bayernoil Raffineriegesellschaft mbH (Bayernoil), Mineralolraffinerie Oberrhein GmbH & Co. KG (MiRO) and in various oil pipelines in Germany (Deutsche Transalpine Oelleitung GmbH), Austria (Transalpine Olleitung in Osterreich GmbH), Italy (Soc IT per IOleodotto Transalpino SpA) and France (Societe du pipeline Sud-Europeen SA). RDG has crude oil processed in the refineries PCK in Schwedt, MiRO in Karlsruhe and Bayernoil in Ingolstadt and is also responsible for distribution of the petroleum products produced in the refineries in line with its stake in each refinery and the crude oil processed there. RNRM [Rosneft Refining & Marketing GmbH] supports RDG [Rosneft Deutschland GmbH] as a service company and holds shares in AET Raffineriebeteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, which in turn holds shares in PCK. RDG and its associate RNRM, together hold a majority stake in PCK. The business activities of RDG and RNRM are of decisive importance for the functioning of society in the energy sector and the maintaining of security of supply. Owing to the scope of its oil transactions and its various stakes in refineries and pipelines, RDG is a central company in Germanys oil supply. The PCK refinery, which is operated jointly by RDG and RNRM, is one of the largest refineries in the Federal Republic of Germany and ensures a basic supply of petroleum products to the north-east of Germany and Berlin airport. RDG and RNRM thus fulfil key functions that are essential for the security of supply in Germany and Europe. In the new report from Deutsche Welle, it is now made clear that with the start of military collapse of the Ukrainian and NATO forces east of the Dnieper River, and the election of the Donald Tusk coalition to govern Poland, a scheme of expropriation has been prepared that will continue the sanctions war against Russia for the foreseeable future. Increasingly likely, the phrase with which this report by Andrei Gurkov leads, is future tense and not yet a certainty. The debate inside and outside the Berlin Chancellery is reported here, concluding with the Scholz government spokesman saying it is examining the possibility [of expropriation]. A decision has not yet been made. Rosneft has replied through its German law firm, Malmendier Legal, which has ties to the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party and to Moscow. Such an expropriation would represent a measure that would remain unprecedented in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany and would forever damage investment securityAs a listed stock corporation, Rosneft will take all measures to protect the rights of its shareholders. The Kremlin spokesman has announced: This is nothing else than the expropriation of someone elses property. These are steps that undermine the economic and legal foundations of European states, these are steps that absolutely devalue the investment attractiveness of these countries and have very deep consequences for those who make such decisions. We do not exclude anything to protect our interests and to counter the illegal steps that we are talking about. Rosneft is already suing in Germanys Constitutional Court against the BNA trustee management scheme. The value of the Rosneft assets proposed for seizure is about $7 billion. The German newspaper Handelsblatt reported on February 9 that Rosneft chief executive Igor Sechin had sent a formal letter proposing that the German government buy Rosneft out at the market price. Habecks ministry has denied receiving such a letter. Translated verbatim from the Russian original, the following report explains the strategic political and commercial calculations in Berlin and Warsaw. The map and illustrations appeared in the DW publication. The picture and caption of Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck in Warsaw on February 13, and the illustration and caption reporting the leadership purge at Orlen, the Polish oil company, have been added. Source: https://www.dw.com/ February 16, 2024 Germany nationalizes Rosneft Deutschland, Poland will help by Andrei Gurkov Expropriation of Rosnefts German assets is becoming increasingly likely. Warsaw is ready to provide oil to the Schwedt refinery and replace supplies from Kazakhstan. But what about compensation? The PCK Raffinerie Schwedt refinery in Schwedt, Germany. The nationalization of Rosnefts German assets is becoming more and more likely, and new signals from Poland reinforce this impression. The German government is running out of time: on March 10, when the next decision on the transfer of Rosneft Deutschland under the so-called trust management of the state expires. Berlin, apparently, no longer wants to extend this regime introduced in September 2022 for six months, because they seek a stable, not temporary, solution to the fate of the oil refinery in Schwedt PCK Raffinerie Schwedt. Germany and Poland discuss the fate of the Schwedt refinery This is exactly the case, although Rosneft has other assets in Germany. But in this refinery, the state-owned Russian concern actually owns 54%, and maintaining Moscows control over a strategically important enterprise seems to the German authorities to be too much of a risk, especially against the background of the growing threat from Russia. After all, PCK Raffinerie Schwedt provides petroleum products to a significant part of East Germany and, above all, to the capital of the country, Berlin, with its approximately four million inhabitants. Left: Berlin, February 12, 2024: the new Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (left) visits German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Right, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck in Warsaw on February 13. For a report of his talks there, read this. The intention of the German government to put an end to the legally suspended state of the plant has clearly strengthened after the recent elections in Poland. They brought to power a pro-European coalition, which German politicians trust much more than the previous Polish government. Relations between the two countries are currently warming rapidly, as evidenced by the talks between the new Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on February 12. Therefore, the visit of Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy of Germany Robert Habeck to Warsaw the next day, February 13, played an important, and perhaps decisive role in determining the next concrete steps with regard to Rosneft Deutschland. Poland has helped a lot in the past to provide oil to the east of Germany, the German minister recalled after the talks and made it clear that in the event of the expropriation of Rosneft, the supply of the plant in Schwedt would improve, since the Polish side is ready to significantly increase the pumping of oil through its territory towards Germany from the port of Gdansk. According to the Reuters news agency, citing an informed source, Warsaw assured Berlin even before Habecks arrival that it would be able, if necessary, to completely replace the volumes of Kazakh oil currently flowing to Schwedt. Warsaw: Oil from Kazakhstan can be completely replaced Some explanations are needed here. Until 2023, this refinery, built six decades ago in the GDR on the border with Poland, operated exclusively on oil coming from the USSR and then from Russia via the Druzhba oil pipeline. In response to the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine, the European Union imposed an embargo on Russian oil transported by tankers, but not on supplies via the Druzhba pipeline system, since several Eastern European EU members are still heavily dependent on them. However, the German government decided for its part to completely abandon Russian oil. Since last year, the Schwedt plant has been supplied with oil purchased on the world market in three ways. From the German Baltic port of Rostock via a longstanding and not very powerful pipeline that was originally laid down as a backup through the Polish port of Gdansk, from where oil is pumped through Poland using the westernmost segment of the Druzhba, and from Kazakhstan in transit through the Russian territory on the same Druzhba. Germany strongly emphasizes its desire to increase oil purchases in Kazakhstan, cooperation with which is becoming more intensive. However, there are fears that in the event of the nationalization of Rosnefts German assets, Moscow will block the Druzhba oil pipeline as a retaliatory measure and thereby [stop] the supply of Kazakh oil. But now the Polish side has assured Berlin, according to a Reuters source, that in this event it will introduce oil currently being pumped through its territory towards Sweden to 2.5 million [metric] tons per year, and thereby fully compensate for supplies from Kazakhstan. Their volume, according to the agency, now ranges from 1.0 to 1.2 million tons. So far, about 1.2 million tons of products purchased on the world market are passing through Gdansk. Theoretically, it could also be oil from Kazakhstan. At the same time, Warsaw made it clear to the German side that as long as Rosneft remains the main co-owner of PCK Raffinerie Schwedt, even if it is formal in terms of external management, there will be no increase in supplies through Gdansk. There is no question of selling Rosneft Deutschland It is noteworthy that articles in the German media about Robert Habecks negotiations in Warsaw, and in general about the future of Rosneft Deutschland, in effect do not consider the option of Rosneft selling this company and its assets. This is despite the letter with such a proposal, as the economic newspaper Handelsblatt wrote in early February, from the head of the Russian concern Igor Sechin to the German government. But Berlin, the publication concluded, has placed its bet on expropriation. This is probably due to the fact that the implementation of a deal in Germany that would allow Rosneft and thus Russia which continues the war in Ukraine, to earn a multibillion-dollar sum, would be illegal due to international sanctions against the Russian Federation or at least it would look extremely strange. It is also likely that under the conditions of the sanctions regime, there are simply no people willing to deal with a Russian state-owned company that falls under this regime, and thereby expose themselves to the risk of secondary penalties. In any case, the Polish oil company Orlen, which is considered one of the most likely contenders for Rosnefts stake in PCK Raffinerie Schwedt, will definitely not go for such a deal with the Russian concern, since gaining control of this refinery would fit well into its strategy of international expansion. In this context already, Orlen owns a large network of petrol stations in Germany. Moreover, it is Orlen which imports oil to Poland through the port of Gdansk. At the same time, it seems quite likely that the German government will first nationalize Rosneft Deutschland, and then, after some time, sell its stake in the Schwedt refinery to Orlen. This is despite the fact that last year the Bundestag created legal grounds for such a sale even without nationalization. Daniel Obajtek, the CEO of state energy giant Orlen the largest firm in Poland and the entire Central and Eastern Europe region has been dismissed from his position. He was a close ally of the former ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party and the decision to remove him comes amid a wider overhaul of management at state-owned companies under Donald Tusks new government, which took office last month. Obajtek oversaw an ambitious expansion of Orlen, resulting in it last year ranking among Europes 50 largest firms. But he also faced accusations that he used the firms resources to support PiS, including during its election campaign last yearAhead of last years parliamentary elections, Orlen was accused of artificially keeping fuel prices low to help PiSs campaign. The firm denied it, but prices began to rise again just days after the elections, in which PiS lost its majority. According to the former Orlen CEO Jacek Krawiec, the price cuts before the election may have cost Orlen a total of 5.7 billion zloty (1.31 billion) The market appeared to react positively to the decision to dismiss Obajtek. At noon, the firms shares were up almost 3.5% on the day, trading at 64.8 zloty a share. Read more at https://notesfrompoland.com/ Rosneft will be able to claim compensation According to many experts, the German government has created the legal grounds for the nationalization of Rosnefts assets due to the need to ensure the countrys energy security back in 2022, making appropriate changes to national legislation. But German lawyers for Rosneft Deutschland have already stated that in the event of expropriation they will do their best to challenge its legality. However, they will have a much better chance of success in getting compensation for Rosneft for nationalized property, lawyers interviewed by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper believe. Their statements are given in an article titled Rosneft is becoming a legal risk for Germany. When Gazprom Germania was nationalized in 2022, Gazprom did not get compensation for the lost property, since the Russian concern first tried to secretly change owners, thereby violating German law, and then itself abandoned its German subsidiary. In the case of Rosneft Deutschland, there do not seem to have been such egregious violations so far, according to the newspapers sources. Therefore, in their opinion, the Russian side will be able to legally claim compensation in the international arbitration courts and, possibly even compensation for damages, and here the amounts may be even greater. Another question is whether the German state will have to pay a multibillion-dollar sum to a sanctioned Russian company right now, in the midst of the war in Ukraine. After all, court proceedings on such issues often last for years. It is possible that the German government is counting on this. ____ 1 Yours truly cannot keep track of all the moving parts, but I believe Europe is still getting Russia oil that has been laundered in Indian refineries into end products. Well, well, well. More Nazis. On Saturday, a different Nazi group showed up in Nashville. Not the bumblebee-looking guys at the Matt Walsh rally so many of our politicians went to, and not the guys with the gas station fight club whose friend ran for mayor of Franklin, and not the Nazi werewolf gym guys, and not the guys who wrote the public thank-you note to Gov. Bill Lee, but guys dressed in red and black carrying black flags that featured a white swastika. (Did they look like used tampons? I mean, yeah, a little. My apologies to used tampons, which at least have provided a necessary service to the community, for associating them with these Nazis, but I have to call it like I see it.) These guys took to the streets of downtown Nashville over the weekend. WKRN is reporting about various politicians speaking out against the Nazis. They put "Nazis" in quotes, like we cant be sure from the giant swastika flags if they are real Nazis or not, which is mildly frustrating when you consider that Tennessee racists have had extremely close ties to the Nazi movement from the moment Germany shit them onto the world. J.B. Stoner down in Chattanooga was pen pals with a Nazi propagandist before World War II. George Lincoln Rockwell spent some time here helping to organize the National States Rights Party before he got the American Nazi Party up and running. Nazis helped Gladys Girgenti plot to bomb The Temple in Belle Meade. These guys are racists in Tennessee flying a Nazi flag. I dont think we need to hedge our bets on whether theyre actual Nazis, WKRN. We can just believe them. State House Majority Leader William Lamberth posted on Twitter/X about the rally: Go away Nazi thugs. This is Tennessee and you are NOT welcome here. Btw, why not show your faces so we can all see who you are? I would be willing to bet that none of you are from anywhere near here. Little more than a year ago, William Lamberth was standing in front of a crowd of Proud Boys at a rally on War Memorial Plaza bragging about achieving their shared goals of persecuting trans people and denying them health care. And now hes insisting on social media that Nazis arent welcome here? Too little too late, dude. You welcomed them. You and Marsha Blackburn and everyone else who spoke at the rally featuring Proud Boys sent the clear message that they are welcome here and worse, that our politicians share their goals and arent ashamed to be seen with them. If theyre really not welcome here anymore, go tell them to their faces (or their masks, I guess), just like you instigated this problem by speaking directly to them about your pride in being able to help them achieve their goals. Otherwise, your statement means nothing. Its just the words of a coward covering his own ass now that the evil of his acquaintances is becoming too hard to deny. Still, its better than the feckless wonder that is our governor. I now sincerely believe that a balloon half-filled with helium floating around the governors office could be a better leader than Bill Lee. Hell, someone go down to Shiloh, dig up Ray Blanton, and hand him back his pardoning pen. It wouldnt be worse than this. We have, yet again, literal Nazis in the streets of Nashville. Let me say it louder: AGAIN. And Bill Lee is posting about how he supports Israel: Nazism and antisemitism should never be tolerated in any form. As Jewish people around the world continue to face persecution, Tennessee remains unwavering in our support for the nation of Israel and her people. Right Flight: The Past, Present and Future of Right-Wing Extremism in Tennessee Examining the history of white supremacy in Nashville, modern far-right hate groups, and Williamson County as a seat of right-wing politics Dude. What? First off, the Nazis are here, in Nashville, in the state you govern, which is home to many, many Jewish Tennesseans. You know Jewish people dont de facto belong to Israel, right? Offering your support to Israel and its citizens does nothing for the Jewish people here, when the Nazis are here. Also, the Nazis here arent just antisemites. They hate trans people and Muslims and liberals and gay people and most women. When the Nazis wrote you their thank you note, it was because of the state's work persecuting LGBTQ people. Remember? And these assholes werent marching through our streets to try to intimidate Israel. A WKRN employee caught them chanting Deportation, save the nation. Gov. Lee, Im asking you this sincerely: How is that sentiment different from what you said last week in Texas? I wish with my whole heart that I could believe you are just too clueless to see how you and the Nazis agree. I wish I could believe that you were startled awake from your afternoon nap by someone yelling, The Nazis are here! and you just blurted out your support of Israel as a knee-jerk reaction that is weird, but otherwise inconsequential. But I cant. You have to act as if the Nazis are in our streets because of Israel, because if you respond to what theyre actually saying, you cant explain how your opinions differ. And I believe youd rather gloss over how much you and the Nazis have in common rather than reflecting on it and doing the hard but necessary work of changing. Cecil Wilson had his first cigarette with his friends when he was a teenager. That first puff led to a habit of smoking at least a pack a day for the next six decades. At age 71, he still smokes periodically. Roswell Park on wheels: Buffalo cancer center's mobile lung cancer screening unit rolling around WNY Eddy is Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center's new mobile lung cancer screening unit the size of a tractor-trailer and its mission is in its name: "Early Detection Driven to You." But recently, he began experiencing a shortness of breath. When his local church told him about an opportunity to get a free lung screening without leaving his neighborhood, the East Side resident volunteered. Although that first experience was nerve-wracking, he has been a regular since then. Whenever they want me to do it, Ill do it, he said. Wilson has benefited from a Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center mobile lung cancer screening unit called, EDDY, which stands for Early Detection Driven to You. The service is aimed at making lung cancer screening more accessible to those in underserved, high-risk neighborhoods. Wilson was delighted and relieved to learn that he did not have any respiratory problems that required further treatment. And since the mobile van ventures into the neighborhoods, Wilson said he thinks that it helps increase interest and awareness. Mary Reid thinks he is right. Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer, said Reid, Roswells chief of cancer screening, survivorship and mentorship. It kills more people than all the other major cancers combined, and it doesnt have to be that way. Reid has worked to pioneer the Centers Lung Cancer Screening program and other cancer screening initiatives within the Institute and in several other Western New York communities. Roswell Park could get $4 million in state budget for mobile cancer screening vans The executive budget proposes investing $4 million in Roswell Park to "finance new mobile breast and prostate cancer screening vans and expanded cancer screening activities," according to the fiscal year 2025 executive budget briefing book. Eligible candidates must be at least 50 with about 20 or more years of smoking history to be screened. As per Roswells research, only 4.9% of eligible people are screened in New York State. With proper screening, an estimated $31 million can be saved annually from the health care costs that come from treating advanced lung cancer. More than 70% of lung cancers are diagnosed at later stages, when it is almost incurable, Reid said. The screening test involves a low-dose CT scan that can help detect lesions, nodules and other early precursors to cancer, lowering mortality rates. Insurance companies, including Medicaid, are required to cover this scan, Reid said. Among other East Side neighborhoods, EDDY occasionally sets up shop at True Bethel Baptist Church, where Pastor Darius Pridgen is a supporter who encourages eligible members to get screened. That is where Wilson found them. Roswell Park opens long-planned $4.7 million outreach center in Fruit Belt Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has a new home base in its efforts to connect with the community around the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Without Roswells mobile screening van, Wilsons lungs might have gone unchecked for years. I cant complain. I am doing better than I used to. And I dont smoke as much as I used to, he said. Wilson has begun spreading the word among friends and family to encourage them to come out and get screened. His message is a simple one: It can only help, it cant hurt. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NPA) President Michal Szczerba at NATO Headquarters on Monday (19 February 2024) to discuss key issues on the European security agenda along with ways to maintain the strong cooperation between the two organisations. Together with President Szczerba, the Secretary General chaired the annual meeting of the NPA with Permanent Representatives to the North Atlantic Council as part of the programme of regular engagements between NATO and the NPA. In meetings at committee level, Assembly members are set to discuss topics including defence spending, expanding the transatlantic industrial base, Ukraines path to NATO membership, regional security issues and energy security. Mr Stoltenberg highlighted that the NPA provides an essential link between the Alliance and its democratic institutions, helping to foster awareness and understanding of NATOs policies. The Secretary General underlined the importance of parliamentarians continued support in implementing the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Vilnius last year, as well as in maintaining substantial aid to Ukraine. Looking ahead to the upcoming Summit in Washington D.C., Mr Stoltenberg stressed the crucial role of parliamentarians in informing and engaging NATO publics. The Secretary General also met with U.S. Representative Mike Turner, Chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Head of the U.S. Delegation to the NPA, to discuss the continued importance of NATO to the United States, and the urgent need to approve further aid to Ukraine. The NPA is an inter-parliamentary organisation that brings together parliamentarians from NATO Allies and partner countries to discuss political, defence and security issues facing the Alliance. On 20 February 2024, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr Mircea Geoana, will participate in the NATO Reverse Space Industry Day in Brussels, where he will deliver remarks before space companies from across the Alliance. There will be no media opportunity. Photographs will be available on the NATO website after the event. For more information: Contact the NATO Press Office. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): (@NATO, @Mircea_Geoana and @NATOPress) Cats are some of the most complex animals in the world, known for either being pets and wildlife predators. Both domesticated and big cats belong to the family Felidae; with the former often seen inside our homes and the latter in the wild. Due to human activities such as excessive hunting and wildlife trafficking, multiple exotic cats have taken refuge in animal sanctuaries where they are taken care of by humans. Wild cats, ranging from lions to cheetahs, tigers, jaguars, and leopards, are known for their reflexes and mobility. But they have other qualities aside from their mobility and physical prowess. Based on a pilot study, researchers confirm that cats (in general) are capable of remembering and differentiating human voices. It has long been thought that domestication or early experience allows felines to recognize familiar and unfamiliar humans. The ability of human voice recognition among Felidae members is easier to monitor when it comes to domestic cats, which are some of the most common pets in the world. With this, authors of the new research paper focused on non-domesticated cats by comparing them with household their household feline counterparts, which are mostly intimate with humans. The study found that 'human contact' rather than domestication is the secret behind the ability. Captive Cats Recognize Human Voices The evidence that captive cats recognize human voices with more consistency and accuracy was published in the journal PeerJ Life & Environment on February 15. Despite their known aggression, undomesticated cats can also show affection and even connection with their caretakers, whose familiar voices make the big cats respond more quickly and intensely. These dynamics is also similar between pet cats and their owners. The new evidence showed in the research paper also confirms the idea that domestication alone is not the sole reason for a cat, even the wild ones, to remember and recognize humans that are familiar to them. According to the study, cougars, cheetahs, and tigers could distinguish people apart and were not afraid to choose their favorite among them. However, recognizing a human still does not guarantee that exotic cats would not attack their caregivers. Also Read: Jaguar vs. Leopard: Which is the Better Hunter? Human Contact and Domestication During a press release on February 15, one of the study's authors Jennifer Vonk, a psychologist at Oakland University in Michigan, stated vocal recognition in wild cats is based on the fact that "non-group-living animals" also possess social cognitive abilities. Vonk also called that people should not neglect social cognition research in "less highly social species." For cats, the ability of voice recognition is applicable for domesticated, undomesticated, tamed, or wild. Vonk and the research team behind the February 2024 study arrived at their conclusion by selecting 24 cats of 10 species and expose them to audio playbacks of familiar and unfamiliar humans. This research method confirms that human contact instead of domestication allows cats to recognize us more, especially if we take care or make contact with them in close proximity. Related Article: Dogs Can Detect Our Fears, Studies Reveal Weather experts said that wet winter would continue to be felt in California due to new storms. This will bring additional rounds of floods, gusty winds and heavy Sierra snowfall in the region. The relentless wet pattern will continue for residents along the West Coast, according to meteorologists. Stormy Conditions Based on the forecast, it is through at least the middle of this week that stormy conditions will move onshore in the West and will bring rounds of locally heavy rainfall as well as a renewed risk for floods. A widespread storm will also bring rain towards the farther south into the coasts of both Los Angeles and eventually in San Diego. The National Weather Service (NWS) said that moderate risk of excessive rainfall is anticipated along coastal central California through Monday while heavy snow is likely over Sierra Nevada and Mount Shasta in California. Meanwhile, the warming trend is expected to expand across the Great Plains through the middle of the week. The new week will begin with a rather potent low pressure system getting ready to deliver the next round of heavy precipitation into the West Coast with focus mainly across California. The first batch of moderate to heavy rain was forecasted to reach coastal northern California on Sunday. This will be followed by the arrival of the heaviest precipitation associated with the system on Monday. A couple of inches of rain can be expected to fall across the lower elevations of northern California while coastal central to southern California is expected to receive the heaviest rains totaling a few inches through the next couple of days. These rains are expected to raise the risk and threat of flash floods to moderate levels in the affected areas. Read Also: Washington, Philadelphia Weather Forecast: New Brewing Storm Likely This Week Onslaught Of Heavy Snow On the other hand, the Sierra Nevada and Mount Shasta will be impacted by an onslaught of heavy snow on Monday, with new snow likely totaling a few feet through the next couple of days. By Tuesday, both the intensity and coverage of the precipitation are expected to decrease as the system pushes farther inland and weakens. Nevertheless, much of California will likely receive light to moderate precipitation on Tuesday as southern California is expected to see steadier rainfall moving in. Meanwhile, elevation-dependent rain and snow associated with the weakened system will spread northeastward across the Great Basin and into the northern Rockies over the next couple of days. Further, a clipper system sliding across southeastern Canada will only bring limited areas of lake-enhanced snowfall across the lower Great Lakes and interior northern New England through tonight before tapering off Monday morning. Over Florida, a low pressure system developing over the Gulf of Mexico along a stalled front will traverse towards the Florida Peninsula by this evening before moving out into the Atlantic on Monday. Generally a couple of inches of rain, with locally higher amounts, can also be expected due to this weather phenomenon. Related Article: New York Valentine's Day Weather: Chilly Conditions to Continue This Week With Gusty Winds Melting glaciers have just unearthed rare artifacts locked from ancient ice for thousands of years amid global warming. This is according a report by the Alaska-based, non-profit organization Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), which shows that archaeological remains have been found in glaciers and ice patches in Mongolia, Europe, and South America. In North America, similar discoveries were made in the Canadian Yukon, Rocky Mountains, and Alaska. Global warming pertains to the gradual increase of temperature across Earth. It is caused by natural or anthropogenic greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and other pollutants trapped in the atmosphere. These confined gases or particles absorb solar heat and radiation from the Sun, resulting in the acceleration of the greenhouse effect. For years, the phenomenon has contributed to the melting of ice and glaciers worldwide. For over a century, the impact of human activities such as fossil fuel burning and greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to global warming. Aside from glacier melt, the climatic phenomenon is also responsible for global sea level rise, threatening coastal communities and low-lying regions. Over the past decade, the United Nations (UN) spearheaded the 2015 Paris Agreement to address the environmental issue. Melting Glaciers and Rare Artifacts Melting glaciers unravel rare artifacts from humanity's ancient past as the planet continues to warm, according to the TCC. The organization's Dr. E. James Dixon stated on their report on February 14 that the majority of these artifacts are made of perishable materials like bark, leather, and wood. These objects decompose quickly when exposed to air. The re-emergence of these relics also tells us about ancient humans who lived in glacial environments. In November 2023, it was reported that archaeologists uncovered ancient artifacts dating back to more than 7,000 years ago. The objects were found in melting patches of ice in Canada's British Columbia province, particularly in Mount Edziza Provincial Park. In Norway, melting glaciers also unravel over 2,000 artifacts spanning 6,000 years, revealing the historic life of ancient mountain dwellers. Also Read: 'Warmest January on Record' Detected This 2024, The Highest Since 1800s: Climate Scientists Warn What is Causing Global Warming? Climate scientists that the heat-trapping gases (mentioned earlier) are the main driver for the global average temperature rise of 1 degree Celsius since the late 19th century. Aside from carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases like methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, and other climate-damaging particles all contribute to global warming, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For decades, multiple studies have correlated "global warming" with climate change, which pertains to climate shifts or changes in average weather conditions. In general, these weather and climatic phenomena increase the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, including storms, heat waves, and droughts. Furthermore, these events also alter environments and ecosystems, affecting both terrestrial and aquatic life. In recent years, related studies have pointed out that melting glaciers, rising sea levels and ocean acidification are some of the myriads of environmental repercussions of global warming. Related Article: Ancient Andean Societies Became Violent with One Another Due to Climate Change UK, a nation grappling with incessant rains and subsequent floods. As Britain braces for more rain, travel disruptions and flood warnings have become the order of the day. The country's resilience is tested, yet the spirit of its citizens remains unbroken. A Nation Under Water According to the Met Office, more heavy rain is set to soak large parts of Britain this week, sparking flood warnings across the country. Millions of Britons are likely to face travel chaos and power disruptions as intense rainfall sees rivers burst their banks. At least 64 flood warnings were in place as of Monday morning, while 248 less severe flood alerts have been issued across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Environment Agency has urged people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water, as it could be deeper than it looks. It has also warned that groundwater levels are high and likely to rise further, posing a risk of flooding to low-lying areas in the coming days. The wet weather has already caused havoc in some parts of the country, with roads closed, trains cancelled and homes evacuated. In Yorkshire, a landslip caused by heavy rain forced the closure of the A616 between Stocksbridge and Flouch. In Cumbria, a major incident was declared on Sunday after flooding and landslides cut off communities and damaged infrastructure . In Wales, a woman was rescued by firefighters after her car got stuck in flood water near Wrexham. Also Read: UK Weather Update: Met Office Warns of Dangerous Snow, Ice Conditions; Flood Warnings Reported The Unyielding Spirit of Britons Despite the adversities presented by nature's wrath, there's an unwavering spirit among Britons. Tourists are seen seeking shelter from rain under a Union Jack umbrella near the Bank of England in the City of London. It epitomizes resilience; even amidst chaos, life finds its way to move forward. Many people have also shown solidarity and compassion in the face of the crisis, offering help and support to those affected by the floods. In North Yorkshire, a group of volunteers helped to clear debris and mud from a flooded care home in Skipton. In Lancashire, a pub owner opened his doors to provide free meals and drinks to emergency workers and residents. In Somerset, a farmer used his tractor to tow stranded vehicles out of flood water. The government has also pledged to do everything possible to help the people and communities hit by the floods. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "in awe" of the resilience and spirit of the people affected, and promised to ensure they get the support they need. He also said he would chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee to coordinate the response and recovery efforts. The UK is no stranger to extreme weather events, having faced several storms and floods in recent years. But each time, the nation has shown its strength and determination to overcome the challenges and rebuild. As the rain continues to fall, the hope is that the worst is over and the sun will soon shine again. Related article: UK Weather: Heavy Rain Triggers More Than 150 Flood Alerts Australia is facing a pivotal moment in its economic and environmental future. Two prominent economists have put forward a bold proposal that could radically transform the nation's carbon policy and position it at the forefront of the low-carbon revolution. However, not everyone is on board with this idea. It has sparked a heated debate that reveals a nation divided over its energy choices and climate commitments. In this article, we will explore the details, arguments, and implications of this controversial proposal. Unearthing the Proposal The proposal in question is a $100 billion-a-year fossil fuel tax, suggested by Ross Garnaut and Rod Sims, two leading Australian economists with extensive experience in climate and energy policy. They unveiled their idea in a report published by the Australia Institute, a progressive think tank, in February 2024. According to the report, the tax would be applied to the production and consumption of fossil fuels in Australia, such as coal, gas, oil, and diesel. The tax rate would be based on the carbon content and global warming potential of each fuel, and would increase over time to reflect the social cost of carbon emissions. The report estimates that the tax would raise about $100 billion in its first year, and more than $200 billion by 2030. The report argues that the tax would have multiple benefits for Australia. First, it would provide a clear and consistent price signal for the market to shift away from fossil fuels and invest in clean energy alternatives. Second, it would generate substantial revenue for the government, which could be used to fund public services, reduce income taxes, support low-income households, and invest in green infrastructure and innovation. Third, it would enable Australia to meet its international obligations under the Paris Agreement, and show leadership in the global effort to combat climate change. The report acknowledges that the tax would also have significant costs and challenges. It would increase the price of energy and transport for consumers and businesses, and reduce the competitiveness of Australia's fossil fuel exports. It would also require careful design and implementation to avoid unintended consequences, such as carbon leakage, regional disparities, and political backlash. However, the report claims that these costs and challenges can be mitigated by adopting complementary policies and measures, such as border carbon adjustments, regional compensation schemes, and public consultation and education. It also asserts that the benefits of the tax would outweigh the costs in the long run, as Australia would reap the rewards of a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future. Also Read: Good News: Costa Rica Now Fossil Fuel-Free, Running on Renewable Energy for 2 Months A Nation Divided The proposal has been met with mixed reactions from various stakeholders and groups in Australia. On one hand, it has received strong support from environmentalists, academics, and some politicians. They have praised the proposal as ambitious, visionary, and necessary, and urged the government to adopt it as soon as possible. For instance, the Greens, the third-largest political party in Australia, have endorsed the proposal and called it a "game-changer" for the country. Adam Bandt, the leader of the Greens, said that the tax would "turbo-charge" the transition to renewable energy and create thousands of green jobs. He also challenged the Labor Party, the main opposition party, to back the proposal and join forces with the Greens to pressure the government. On the other hand, the proposal has faced fierce opposition from the federal government, the fossil fuel industry, and some business groups. They have rejected the proposal as unrealistic, unworkable, and harmful, and warned that it would damage the economy, destroy jobs, and increase energy bills. For example, the Coalition, the ruling political alliance, has dismissed the proposal as a "reckless" and "radical" idea that would "wreck" the economy and "hurt" Australians. Scott Morrison, the prime minister, said that the tax would "slash" the incomes of hard-working Australians and "cripple" the industries that rely on fossil fuels. He also defended the government's current climate policy, which relies on technology investment and voluntary emissions reduction targets, as "practical" and "balanced". Similarly, the Minerals Council of Australia, the peak body representing the mining sector, has condemned the proposal as a "disaster" for the industry and the nation. Tania Constable, the chief executive of the council, said that the tax would "kill" the coal and gas sectors, which are vital for Australia's energy security, export earnings, and regional development. She also argued that the tax would have no meaningful impact on global emissions, as other countries would continue to use and produce fossil fuels. Related article: UN COP28: 200 Countries Agreed To Transition Away From Fossil Fuel The 12th edition of the MILAN naval exercise hosted in Visakhapatnam from February 19 to 27, 2024, is not just a routine gathering of naval forces but a significant diplomatic event, underlining India's growing influence on the global stage. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Halsey.(Picture source: Indian MoD) In an unprecedented move, naval ships from the United States, Iran, and Russia are participating in the exercise, despite the ongoing tensions and proxy conflicts among these nations, including the US's involvement in Ukraine and its opposition to Iran's support for the Houthis in the Red Sea. The participation of the USS Halsey from the United States, the IRIS Dena from Iran, and the Slava class cruiser Varyag from Russia, alongside other international fleets, signals a nuanced layer of diplomatic engagement. These nations, known for their strained relations and conflicting interests in various global arenas, have set aside their differences to partake in this Indian-led naval exercise. This scenario underscores the respect and diplomatic weight India holds, as these countries choose engagement in MILAN over the potential diplomatic fallout of non-participation. India's role as a host and mediator in this context is crucial. By facilitating a platform where naval forces from countries with adversarial relationships come together for a common purpose, India showcases its capability to bridge divides and encourage dialogue and cooperation on neutral grounds. This development highlights the strategic importance of India in the current geopolitical landscape, where its influence is capable of bringing together nations that are otherwise in conflict. The MILAN exercise, therefore, transcends its primary objective of enhancing maritime security and safety of maritime commerce. It also serves as a testament to India's diplomatic prowess and its unique position as a country capable of navigating complex international relationships. What a relief and how joyful it is to read that Susan Collins, the Republican senator from Maine, will not endorse Donald Trump if he wins the Republican nomination. It takes a woman not to be afraid of Trumps vitriolic tongue. Where are all the Republican male representatives (besides Chris Christie); are they hiding, not daring to cross Trump for fear of his lashing out about them? No doubt it is frightening to have Trump humiliate you on the national stage, but get a grip and stand up to this bully. Let the public know that you stand for democracy and do not support such a wildly foolish, reckless and dangerous person. Snowfall eludes Shimla, but Manali wraps in white blanket Shimla/Manali, Feb 19 Snowfall eluded this Himachal Pradesh capital on Monday, but another tourist resort, Manali, had moderate snow. Manali and the hills overlooking it experienced mild to moderate spells of snow early Monday, an official of the meteorological office here told IANS. He said picturesque Kalpa, some 250 km from Shimla, also experienced 1.6 cm of snow. Kukumseri in Lahaul-Spiti district saw 50.6 cm snow, states highest, with a low of minus 0.5 degree. Keylong had 21 cm snow. High-altitude areas of Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, Kinnaur and Shimla districts have been experiencing snow since early Monday. Heavy to very heavy rain and snow with thunderstorm, hail and gusty wind speed 40-50 km per hour and lightning at isolated places is likely from February 19 to 20, the official said. As the snowfall started, tourists started descending in Manali and the nearby hills to enjoy snowy landscape. We are really enjoying hurling snow at each other, remarked Neha Garg, a tourist from New Delhi. Her husband Pankaj added, They were awaiting the onset of snowfall for the past two days. We are hopeful of getting a spike in tourist footfall after snow, Manali-based hotelier Prem Thakur told IANS. Peaks overlooking other popular tourist resorts like Kalpa, Sangla, Dharamsala and Palampur have also got fresh snow cover. States lower areas, including Dharamsala, Solan, Nahan, Chamba and Mandi towns, have been experiencing cold conditions with mild rains. (IANS - Posted on 19 February 2024) Snowfall eludes Shimla, but Manali wraps in white blanket Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Raw milk face packs for brighter skin New Delhi, Feb 17 In the pursuit of radiant and glowing skin, sometimes the most effective solutions are found in nature. Raw milk, with its rich blend of vitamins, proteins, and lactic acid, serves as a versatile ingredient for DIY face packs that can rejuvenate your skin. Turmeric and Raw Milk Face Pack Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw milk 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder Why this pack: Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and brightening properties. When combined with the moisturizing effect of raw milk, this face pack becomes a potent solution for reducing blemishes and dark spots. Use it twice a week, and be cautious with the turmeric quantity, as excessive use may temporarily stain the skin. Honey and Raw Milk Face Pack Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw milk 1 tablespoon of honey Why this pack: Honey is a natural humectant that helps retain moisture, making it an excellent complement to raw milk. This pack is perfect for those with dry skin, providing hydration and a radiant glow. Apply it weekly, leave it on for 15-20 minutes, and rinse thoroughly. Ensure the honey used is pure and free from additives for optimal benefits. Oatmeal and Raw Milk Face Pack Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw milk 1 tablespoon of finely ground oatmeal Why this pack: Oatmeal acts as a gentle exfoliant, making this face pack ideal for sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. Raw milk complements the exfoliation with its moisturizing properties. Use this pack bi-weekly for smoother and brighter skin. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if needed, and massage it in circular motions while applying for added exfoliation. Cucumber and Raw Milk Face Pack Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw milk 2 tablespoons of cucumber juice Why this pack: Cucumber is renowned for its soothing and cooling properties, making it a perfect match for raw milk. This pack is excellent for calming irritated skin and reducing puffiness. Refrigerate the cucumber before extracting its juice for an added cooling effect. Apply it twice a week for refreshed and brighter skin. Besan (Gram Flour) and Raw Milk Face Pack Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw milk 1 tablespoon of besan (gram flour) Why this pack: Besan acts as a natural cleanser, absorbing excess oil and impurities from the skin. Combined with raw milk, this face pack helps in maintaining an oil-free and bright complexion. Use it weekly, and customize the consistency by adjusting the quantity of besan. Rinse thoroughly and follow up with a moisturizer for optimal results. Papaya and Raw Milk Face Pack Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw milk 2 tablespoons of ripe papaya pulp Why this pack: Papaya contains enzymes like papain, known for exfoliating and brightening the skin. Mixed with raw milk, this face pack provides a gentle yet effective solution for achieving a radiant complexion. Use it bi-weekly, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing. Ensure the papaya is ripe for the best results. Aloe Vera and Raw Milk Face Pack Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw milk 1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel Why this pack: Aloe vera is celebrated for its soothing and healing properties. Combined with the nourishing benefits of raw milk, this face pack is perfect for calming irritated skin and promoting an even skin tone. Apply it weekly, leaving it on for 20 minutes before rinsing. Ensure the aloe vera used is pure and free from additives. Sandalwood and Raw Milk Face Pack Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw milk 1 tablespoon of sandalwood powder Why this pack: Sandalwood has been a traditional skincare ingredient, known for its skin-brightening and anti-inflammatory properties. Mixed with raw milk, this face pack becomes a luxurious treatment for achieving a radiant complexion. Use it once a week, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing. Adjust the quantity of sandalwood for your desired consistency. Embrace the goodness of raw milk and natural ingredients with these DIY face packs to reveal a brighter and more radiant complexion. Remember to perform a patch test before applying any new ingredient to your face, especially if you have sensitive skin. Additionally, consistency is key, so make these face packs a part of your regular skincare routine for the best results. (IANS - Posted on 19 February 2024) Raw milk face packs for brighter skin Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Bazball is about being attacking but...: Nasser Hussain on England's heavy defeat against India Rajkot, February 19 Former England captain Nasser Hussain lamented England's failure to capitalise on vital opportunities in the Rajkot Test against India in which the visitors were pummeled by the hosts to a heavy 434-run defeat. England returned to India following their mid-series break, hoping to turn the Test series in their favour. Despite encountering some difficulties in the third Test match, Team India responded valiantly and defeated England to register one of their most impressive red-ball victories in Rajkot's Niranjan Shah Stadium. The Men in Blue gained much plaudits following their victory, which set several records. On the contrary, England coped with criticism, and Hussain did not back down. "One thing Joe will look at is the timing of that shot. [Ravichandran] Ashwin wasn't there, India are down a bowler; [Ravindra] Jadeja is playing off the back of an injury; Bumrah is playing three Tests in a row and there is talk of him needing a rest," Nasser Hussain was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "Bazball is about being attacked but it is also about soaking up pressure. Get Bumrah into his second or third spell, take it deep and then play the shot later in the day," he added. Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook reflected on the visitors' defeat and questioned the timing of the shot rather than Root's decision to play it, citing his prior success with it in last summer's Ashes. England's game plan began to crumble exactly with the removal of their greatest batsman, Joe Root, who was caught at second slip for 18 while attempting to reverse-scoop Jasprit Bumrah. It sparked a batting collapse of eight wickets for 95 runs, giving India a 126-run lead and a commanding position in the match that they would never lose. "When he played it to the first ball [on day four of the first Test] at Edgbaston, I didn't mind it at all because it was all about how many runs England were going to score that day to set up a game. It sent a real message to everyone in the changing room that England's best player is going to take on Australia," Cook said. "Root will be sitting in his room tonight going, 'I think I got that one wrong'," he added. Both Hussain and Cook think there is still room for hope as England seeks to turn the series around with victory in the remaining two Tests. "It has not been great for the last couple of days, but it's been pretty good before that," Hussain added. "This side is better placed than any other side in England history to park a 434-run loss. In isolation that is an incredible figure but Stokes has this unflappable belief that he can win from anywhere. That belief rubs off on his team," Cook said. With a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series, India will face England in the fourth game at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi from Friday. (ANI - Posted on 19 February 2024) Bazball is about being attacking but...: Nasser Hussain on England's heavy defeat against India Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Vikrant Massey's wife Sheetal Thakur shares glimpse of their second marriage anniversary celebration Mumbai, February 19 Vikrant Massey and his wife Sheetal Thakur recently celebrated their second marriage anniversary. On this occasion, Sheetal gave a sneak peek of their special day filled with joy and love. She captioned picture with a special message, saying, "Two years of marriage! Happy anniversary to us" with a heart emoji. Recently, actor Vikrant and Sheetal Thakur welcomed their first child. They became parents to a baby boy on February 7. The duo shared their excitement with a picture of a lovely letter. The note on the image read, "07.02.2024. For we have become one. We are bursting with joy and love to announce the arrival of our son. Love Sheetal and Vikrant." https://www.instagram.com/p/C3DJbs9pnfc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Earlier, Vikrant made a big announcement that he and his wife Sheetal are expecting their first child. Taking to Instagram, Vikrant Massey dropped a creative post to share this exciting news. The actor shared a beautiful wedding picture along with a creative photo depicting a new member coming soon. With 2 safety pins, resembling the couple, with one of them bloated and showing a smaller safety pin inside it alongside it read, "We are expecting! Baby coming 2024." The couple, who had dated each other for a long time, got married first in a civil ceremony on February 14, 2022 and later, tied the knot in a traditional ceremony in Himachal Pradesh on February 18, 2022. The duo, who features together in the first season of the web series 'Broken but Beautiful', got engaged in a low-key Roka ceremony in 2019. However, their marriage was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vikrant is basking in the success of his recently released movie '12th Fail.' His success across numerous platforms, including TV, OTT series, and films has given him a broad demographic reach. Vikrant will next be seen in the second instalment of 'Hassen Dilruba,' titled 'Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba'. He will also be seen in 'The Sabarmati Report'. In the film, Vikrant will be seen sharing screen space with Ridhi Dogra and Raashii Khanna. It is being made under Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd. (ANI - Posted on 19 February 2024) Vikrant Massey's wife Sheetal Thakur shares glimpse of their second marriage anniversary celebration Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! PM Modi urges tourists to spend 10 pc of their travel budget to buy local products Lucknow, February 19 In a fresh pitch to boost local products, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged tourists to spend at least 10 per cent of their travel budget to purchase local goods from the area they visit, as they plan their itinerary. "I urge everyone, when planning their travel itinerary, to allocate 10 per cent of their budget to purchasing local goods from the area they visit," the prime minister said. With the Kumbh Mela to be held in 2025, PM Modi said it is going to be very important for the economy of Uttar Pradesh. "In the coming time, a large number of jobs are going to be created here in the tourism and hospitality sectors," PM Modi said, adding that today every person in the country wants to come to Varanasi and Ayodhya. PM Modi said unprecedented opportunities are being created for small entrepreneurs, airlines, hotels and restaurants in the state. Later, speaking about the investment scenario in India, PM Modi said the world now sees India as a guaranteed destination for better returns. "Investors all over the world trust the policies and stability of the Indian government," he said. "Often we have seen that people avoid new investments near elections, but today India has broken this notion also," he said, adding that investors from all over the world have full confidence in the stability of his government's policies. Speaking specifically about Uttar Pradesh, he said the state has transitioned from red-tapism to 'red-carpet' culture, under the 'double-engine government'. "During this period, Uttar Pradesh has not only experienced a significant decrease in crime rates but also a substantial increase in trading and business opportunities," PM Modi noted. (ANI - Posted on 19 February 2024) PM Modi urges tourists to spend 10 pc of their travel budget to buy local products Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Scientists at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have built and demonstrated the potential efficacy of a new chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell-based immunotherapy specifically designed to treat patients with cutaneous and rare subtypes of melanoma. CAR T-cell therapy uses genetically engineered versions of a patient's immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells. This type of treatment has transformed the field of cancer, especially for people with challenging-to-treat cancers. The new approach, described in the journal Nature Communications, uses an engineered CAR T-cell that is designed to recognize and attack cells with high levels of TYRP1, a protein found on the surface of melanoma cells. The team found these engineered CAR T-cells can effectively eliminate cancer cells in preclinical tests without causing severe side effects. One of the biggest challenges in CAR T-cell therapies is the scarcity of suitable tumor targets. While TYRP1 has previously been targeted in clinical trials using monoclonal antibodies, this new approach harnesses the power of CAR T-cell therapy and has led to very good anti-tumor responses, improving the treatment's overall effectiveness." Cristina Puig-Saus, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and senior author of the study Despite the success of immune checkpoint blockade, a considerable number of patients with melanoma either do not respond well or experience relapse after initial success. Scientists are exploring new ways to create more precise and effective treatments. Moreover, rare subtypes of melanoma present additional challenges due to their resistance to standard therapies, including immunotherapies like immune checkpoint blockade. To find better ways to use CAR T-cell immunotherapy to treat melanoma, the team first looked to find an antigen that could be used to target a protein that is expressed on the surface of the cancer cells, but presents lower expression in normal cells. Through analyzing three different melanoma datasets, they identified TYRP1, which plays a key role in melanin synthesis, and its surface expression is more prominent in melanoma cells than in normal tissues. They found approximately 30% of patients with cutaneous melanoma present high overexpression of TYRP1. Importantly, the percentage of overexpression was even higher in patients with rare melanomas. The authors showed that 60% of patients with acral and mucosal melanoma and around 90% of patients with uveal melanoma overexpress TYRP1. "This protein is intracellular, but a small portion gets to the plasma membrane as part of the vesicular transport of the cell, and gets endocytosed again after a short period of time. While in the cell surface, it becomes a target for the CAR T-cells," said Puig-Saus, who is a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA. To investigate the potential new target, the team designed a CAR construct that specifically targeted cells with elevated TYRP1 expression and then tested the newly engineered CAR T-cell in different types of melanoma models. With this design, they found the CAR T-cells completely eradicated cancer cells in both cell lines and animal models, showcasing promising results without inducing toxicity or causing adverse effects related to the treatment. "These preclinical results pave the way for clinical trials, where the TYRP1-targeting CAR T-cell therapy can be tested in patients with all different types of melanomas," said Puig-Saus. "If proven safe and effective in human trials, this treatment presents an exciting prospect for future advancements in the fight against cancer." The research team is planning to move forward with a clinical trial to assess the therapy's safety and effectiveness in treating patients with melanoma. The study's co-first authors are Sameeha Jilani, Justin Saco and Edurne Mugarza in the department of hematology/oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Other UCLA study authors include Aleida Pujol-Morcillo, Jeffrey Chokry, Clement Ng, Gabriel Abril-Rodriguez, David Berger-Manerio, Ami Pant, Jane Hu, Rubi Gupta, Agustin Vega-Crespo, Ignacio Baselga-Carretero, Jia Chen, Daniel Sanghoon Shin, Philip Scumpia, Roxana Radu, Yvonne Chen and Antoni Ribas. The work was supported in part by the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Department of Defense, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Melanoma Research Alliance and the National Institutes of Health. In a recent study published in the CDC journal MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, researchers investigated the prevalence of long coronavirus disease 2019 (long COVID) among adults across the United States of America (USA). They found that the prevalence of long COVID varied among the states and territories, ranging from 1.9% in the Virgin Islands to 10.6% in West Virginia. Notes from the Field: Long COVID Prevalence Among Adults United States, 2022. Image Credit: Donkeyworx / Shutterstock Background Long COVID or post-COVID refers to various health issues that persist after acute COVID-19, including neurological and respiratory symptoms, as well as fatigue. About 6.9% of adults in the USA reportedly suffered from long COVID in 2022. However, the current lack of data from states and territories hinders targeted public health responses. The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists have also highlighted this gap. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA conducted a nationwide study to estimate the prevalence of long COVID among adults to address this need. About the study The CDC utilized data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey of non-institutionalized adults in the USA aged 18 years and older. This cross-sectional, population-based survey employed random digit dialing of phones (cellular and landline) for sampling and gathering information on age, sex, COVID-19 history, and long COVID symptoms lasting at least three months. Prevalence estimates, standardized to the 2020 USA Census Bureau population, were calculated for all adults across states and territories. Weights specific to gender were applied to individuals aged 1844 years, 4564 years, and 65 years. Analysis was conducted using a Statistical Analysis System (SAS)-callable SUDAAN (short for Survey Data Analysis) while considering the complex survey design. Results and discussion The national prevalence of long COVID among non-institutionalized adults in the USA was found to be 6.4%, with estimates ranging from 1.9% in the Virgin Islands to 10.6% in West Virginia. Seven states surpassed a prevalence of 8.8%. Variations were observed across regions, with lower prevalence in the Pacific and New England and higher prevalence in the South, West, and Midwest. Limitations of the study include the lack of data on treatment during acute COVID illness, time since illness, symptom duration or severity, and vaccination status in some jurisdictions. Conclusion In conclusion, the present study fills a crucial gap by providing insights into the prevalence of long COVID, highlighting the need for continued monitoring of state- and territory-level data to inform healthcare planning and policy decisions. The findings highlight the importance of addressing the healthcare needs of individuals with long COVID and identifying geographic disparities to promote health equity through targeted interventions. In a recent review published in the journal Environment International, researchers discuss the benefits of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) over conventional diagnostic techniques, the latter of which are often expensive and invasive. They then explore studies in the relatively novel field of biomarker- and peripheral body fluid-based Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, the potential for integrating these detection approaches in existing WBE platforms, and the challenges currently faced in implementing these integrations. Study: Urine biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease: A new opportunity for wastewater-based epidemiology? Image Credit: Avigator Fortuner / Shutterstock The evolution of Alzheimer's disease research Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by the abnormal buildup of proteins (especially amyloid and tau) in and around brain cells, resulting in a progressive cognitive decline. It is a severely debilitating condition, the most common cause of dementia, and the fifth most lethal chronic disease in humans above the age of 65. Alarmingly, the global incidence of AD is rising rapidly, with research revealing a more than two-fold increase in less than three decades between 1990 and 2019. Clinical and economic prediction models estimate that by the year 2050, between 114 and 152 million patients will suffer from the disease, with dementia-related financial losses projected to far exceed 2.8 trillion US dollars. AD is multifactorial in nature, with a combination of genetic and environmental variables thought to trigger the condition. Unfortunately, this complicates AD diagnoses, with a large portion of cases remaining undetected or detected too late. Conventional diagnostic approaches involve the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. These techniques are expensive and require specialized equipment and expertise, reported to be upwards of 753 euros in Sweden, 649 euros in Germany, and more than 8,400 US dollars in America. While less expensive methods of AD diagnoses do exist, they often involve highly invasive surgical procedures. These problems are compounded in low to middle-income countries (LMIC) that often lack the resources required for AD and dementia diagnoses of any kind. Recent AD diagnostic research has focused on using non- or minimally-invasive diagnostic techniques involving biofluids such as blood, urine, and saliva to overcome these challenges. Biomarker concentrations within these biofluids, especially when analyzed using machine learning and other artificial intelligence models, have been shown to be capable of detecting AD long before the emergence of externally observable symptoms, further promoting the adoption of these novel approaches. But what if we could go further? Following the World Health Organization's (WHO's) recommendation for the development of population-level diagnostic and risk-assessment approaches to facilitate better preventive efforts and resource management accompanying its AD response plans, recent studies have investigated the potential of peripheral biofluids, especially urine contents, in AD management. Most recently, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is being investigated as a community-scale health monitoring tool utilizing the characterization and quantification of chemicals and biomarkers in sewage water. Where are we in WBE implementation? Despite WBE first being reported in a more primitive form in 1954 and its current methodology established in 2001, WBE's implementation remains primarily restricted to the detection of monitoring of pathogenic diseases such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Unfortunately, the implementation of WBE in monitoring the bulk of global mortality chronic, non-communicable diseases (41 million deaths per year representing 74% of annual mortality) is exceedingly limited. Encouragingly, that limited information is promising thus far, sewage-derived proteomics analyses have identified biomarkers related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancers, the presenilin pathway, Huntington's disease, and potentially even AD. This suggests that the large-scale integration of chronic disease biomarkers into existing WBE platforms could result in substantial savings for human life and the global economy. So, why isn't large-scale implementation happening? The population-scale implementation of chronic disease biomarker analyses into WBE infrastructure cannot occur without first overcoming specific challenges. Firstly, we do not know the effects of endogenous biomarker concentrations and their correlations with disease risk. Previous studies have only identified risk-associated biomarkers, not quantify them. Secondly, there is a lack of universally validated population parameter markers, let alone in wastewater flows, where (thirdly) the complex matrix of wastewater mixture is expected to render biomarker concentrations extremely low. Current technological limitations may prevent the detection, much less quantification, of a spectrum of biomarkers assessing the community-level risk of multiple diseases. What must scientists do to overcome these challenges, at least for AD risk assessments? Researchers have identified a number of protein biomarkers associated with AD. These included ones such as AB, Tau, and AD7C-NTP, known to be directly involved in the condition's pathologic mechanisms, and long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) such as BDNF-AS, BACE1-AS, MAGI2-AS3, RMRP, and EBF3-AS. LncRNAs are a fascinating class of large RNA molecules that serve epigenetic functions despite not coding for any functional proteins. Implementing mechanisms to measure oxidative stress and neurotransmitter dysregulations could serve as validatory evidence in the risk assessment of AD and many other diseases. "advanced analytical techniques that have proven successful in clinical settings have been suggested as solutions to these challenges, including ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid quadrupole orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS/MS), capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOF-MS), microfluidics-based separation methods, SIMOA or antibody or aptamer-based biosensors." In a recent study in Population Studies, researchers explored the role of grandparental support in protecting mothers from depression. Their results indicate that grandparental support may matter more for single mothers, while the role of grandmothers is more significant than that of grandfathers. Study: Grandparental support and maternal depression: Do grandparents characteristics matter more for separating mothers? Image Credit: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com Background Mothers often bear a larger share of childcare responsibilities compared to fathers, especially among single parents due to various circumstances such as widowhood or separation. In many cases of parental separation, children tend to primarily reside with their mothers, even when custody is shared. Separated mothers may need the support of family members as they navigate the challenges associated with single parenthood. Grandparents can be a significant source of support for families with young children, particularly if they are younger, retired, healthy, and live close to their children and grandchildren. Having a strong support system is known to be protective against depression, but few studies have explored the association between grandparental support and maternal depression. Single mothers may be more likely to develop symptoms of depression and emotional stress than those who are partnered. Therefore, such investigations affect parental well-being, childcare, and related social policies. About the study In this study, researchers explored whether maternal depression differed based on the characteristics of grandparents, if these differences were greater for separating mothers compared to partnered ones, and whether grandparent characteristics lead to different trajectories in maternal depression when they are separating. Focusing on mothers of children aged less than 12 years, the authors measured depression by using antidepressant purchases as a proxy, though this could underestimate mild depressive symptom prevalence. The mothers were all born in Finland from 1945 to 1995. Mothers who were followed for at least three hours between 2000 and 2014 and whose children could be linked to at least one grandparent were included in the study. The dataset included information on three generations children, biological parents, and maternal and paternal grandparents. Mothers were classified as non-separating if their union had not been dissolved during the childs 13th birthday. In contrast, separated mothers lived with their children for a year after a parental separation. Maternal age, income, education, employment status, and area of residence were included as controls. The grandparents characteristics were age, union stability, geographical proximity, and health. Lower age, stable unions, greater geographical proximity, and good health were beneficial and hypothesized to be associated with lower maternal depression. These effects were also predicted to be greater for separating mothers compared to non-separating ones and grandmothers compared to grandfathers. Findings Grandparents were less than 70 years old on average, and separating mothers were more likely than non-separating ones to have parents who were still working. Non-separating mothers were less likely to live close to their parents but more likely to live close to their parents-in-law. Separating mothers were likelier to have parents or in-laws who did not live together. Mothers were more likely to use antidepressants if their childrens grandparents were older, in poor health, or were not employed. They were also more likely to have bought the medication if they did not live close to their childrens grandparents or if their parents did not live together. All mothers were significantly more likely to use antidepressants if their parents were in poor health. As predicted, these differences were more pronounced for mothers who were separating from their partners, who were also significantly more likely to use antidepressants. Maternal grandparents, particularly the grandmother, had a particularly important role to play in reducing maternal depression. The use of psychotropic medications by mothers showed similar trends to antidepressant use, suggesting that the results were robust to multiple mental health treatments. Conclusions The findings demonstrate how multigenerational support exchanges can have important implications for mental health. Grandparents provide support and resources for their daughters as they bring up their children, reducing mental stress and depression during this critical time. These contributions are even more significant during periods of upheaval, such as maternal separation from their partner. A limitation of the study is that it uses antidepressant and psychotropic medication use as a proxy for depression; however, this may underestimate actual depression prevalence since it may not capture less severe symptoms. For children whose parents were separated, the dataset did not include information on the fathers involvement after separation. Exchanges of support between generations were also not directly measured. Focusing only on Finland, the results of this study cannot be easily generalized to other populations. Future research can shed further light on these gaps. ARIES Ganesha says people of Aries zodiac sign will have to rely on karma instead of luck this week. At the same time, you will have to avoid taking any big decision out of anger or emotions, otherwise, you may have to repent later. At the beginning of the week, you will get opportunities to do out-of-the-box work, of which you should take full advantage. During this time, those who have been wandering in search of employment for a long time can have great success. If you succeed in maintaining your self-confidence during this period, then you can get the desired success not only in your career but also in business. In connection with business, long or short-distance travel in the middle of the week will yield desired profits, but throughout this week you should avoid risky investments in the business. People who have been ill for some time will see a good improvement in their health by the end of this week. However, you will still need to maintain your eating habits and daily routine. Love relationships will remain normal with sweet and sour disputes. Married life will remain happy. Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Number: 2 TAURUS Ganesha says this week is going to be mixed for the people of the Taurus zodiac sign. At the beginning of the week, some big expenses may arise suddenly, due to which your budget may get disturbed. During this time, you may have to struggle with your loved ones to get your rights. If possible, settle the dispute related to ancestral property or any other land or property through negotiations instead of going to court. This week, students may feel disillusioned with their studies, but to achieve the desired success in exams and competitions, hard work is the last option for them, they have to understand this. The second half of the week is going to be very auspicious for business people. During this time, you will be able to take advantage of the boom in the market and your reputation will be built in the market. Caution is required in love relationships this week. In such a situation, take any step in this direction only after thinking carefully. Married life will remain normal. There will be some worry about the mothers health. Lucky Colour: Gray Lucky Number: 10 GEMINI Ganesha says people of the Gemini zodiac will have to be very careful this week while answering anyone or taking any major decision. This week, a small mistake on your part or a small mistake in making a decision can become the cause of your big regret. This week, neither get involved in disputes with others nor have unnecessary disputes with anyone in your house. Whether the matter is related to home or family or at work, listen seriously to your seniors and if things are not in your favour then express your disagreement with great respect. Keep in mind that small talk on a controversial topic can get you in trouble. However, in the second half of the week, you will see solutions to all the problems related to life and during this time you will get full support from your close friends and colleagues. During this time, you will need to spend while keeping your pocket in mind. Love relationships will be normal. Avoid ignoring your spouses advice in married life. Lucky Colour: Yellow Lucky Number: 5 CANCER Ganesha says this week, people of the Cancer zodiac sign will need to put in more hard work and effort to complete the planned work on time. You will feel a little sad if you do not get the expected support from your relatives. The wait for people wandering in search of desired employment may increase slightly. At the same time, it would be appropriate for employed people to mix both senior and junior in their workplace this week. Students associated with examinations and competitions will get the desired results only through hard work. The second half of the week will be slightly better than the first half. During this time, the help of some influential persons will help in resolving matters related to power and government. During this time, do not ignore the opinions of your elders or well-wishers. Be careful while doing business transactions and avoid risky investments. Clear any misunderstanding in a love relationship through dialogue instead of dispute. In difficult times, your spouse will stand by your side like a shadow and will be your support. Lucky Colour: Pink Lucky Number: 3 LEO Ganesha says this week is of good luck for people of the Leo zodiac sign. This week, your efforts for your career and business will be completely successful. With your wisdom and intelligence, you will overcome any major difficulty related to life, which will bring a lot of relief to your mind. If you are planning to buy and sell land or property for a long time, your wish will be fulfilled this week. You will also get the desired benefits in this deal. You will be blessed by your seniors at work. It is possible that you may also get the responsibility of a big project. You may get the desired promotion or transfer. Time is auspicious for those working on commission or contract. People of Leo zodiac sign associated with business will get special benefits this week. They will dominate the market. Health will be normal. Harmony with your love partner will increase. Married life will remain happy and you will get opportunities to spend happy moments with your spouse. Lucky Colour: Orange Lucky Number: 11 VIRGO Ganesha says this week will prove to remove major worries for the people of the Virgo zodiac sign. At the beginning of the week, you will be successful in solving major problems in your family or business with the help of a close friend or well-wisher. People associated with businesses whose money is stuck in the market can get great success this week. Your stuck money may come out unexpectedly. However, invest your money thoughtfully in expanding your business or in any new project. You will receive some good news related to children in the middle of the week. Due to this your respect and honour in society will increase. During this time, you may have to travel long or short distances in connection with your career or business. The journey will prove pleasant and profitable. If you were thinking of proposing your love to someone, your wish will be fulfilled. Married life will remain happy. Lucky Colour: Purple Lucky Number: 6 LIBRA Ganesha says for the people of Libra zodiac, this week has brought more auspiciousness and benefits than the previous week. If any work related to your career or business is stuck, then this week you will get the expected success in it. However, this week you will have to avoid wasting your time on unnecessary things and laziness, otherwise, success may slip away. The second half of the week is very auspicious for working women. During this period, their great achievements in the workplace will increase their respect not only in their workplace but also in their family. In the second half of the week, you may suddenly have to go on a long or short-distance journey. During this period, most of your time will be spent in religious activities. Students preparing for exams and competitions may receive some good news. This week is favorable for love affairs. Someone may enter the lives of single people. The already existing love relationship will become stronger. Married life will remain happy. Lucky Colour: White Lucky Number: 9 SCORPIO Ganesha says people of Scorpio zodiac will have to manage their time and energy carefully this week. At the same time, you will have to avoid leaving your important tasks in the hands of others. If you do any business in partnership then you will have to take full care of it this week. At the same time, one has to be very careful while doing money transactions. Lend money to someone only after thinking carefully, otherwise, your money may get stuck. In the second half of the week, employed people may suddenly face a heavy burden of work. To complete it on time, you will have to put in extra hard work and effort. People preparing for exams and competitions will get the desired results only if they work hard. Scorpio zodiac people may have to face physical pain this week due to seasonal illness or the emergence of some chronic disease. In such a situation, take great care of your health and daily routine. Love relationships will be normal. Married life will remain happy. Lucky Colour: Golden Lucky Number: 1 SAGITTARIUS Ganesha says this week will bring happiness and good fortune to the people of the Sagittarius zodiac sign. If small things are ignored, overall there will be happiness in your life and home this week. Employed people will get full support from seniors and juniors in the workplace. You may be honored for your work at the beginning of the week. People associated with business will gain influence in the market and will be successful in getting the desired profits. This week you will be filled with energy and with the help of your wisdom, you will be able to solve even the biggest problems easily. Most of the time of the housewives will be spent in worship. There will be chances of traveling to some religious place by the end of the week. This week is very favorable for you from the point of view of love affairs. Friendship with someone can turn into a love relationship. Married life will remain happy. You will get opportunities to spend happy moments with your spouse. Lucky Colour: Maroon Lucky Number: 14 CAPRICORN Ganesha says this week, people of the Capricorn zodiac sign should avoid making distant losses in exchange for nearby gains. Be it at work or at home, if you have committed a mistake, it would be better to accept it instead of making excuses or lying, otherwise, you may have to feel more embarrassed if it gets exposed. If there is any ongoing dispute related to land or buildings, it would be appropriate to resolve it through negotiations instead of taking it to court. If you are involved in business, then you will have to avoid taking any decision related to it in a hurry or in a state of confusion, otherwise, you may have to suffer huge financial loss. To fulfill your wish of a happy married life, you will have to take time for your family amidst your work or business-related busyness. Love relationships will remain normal with sweet and sour disputes. Be careful about seasonal diseases. Lucky Colour: Violet Lucky Number: 7 AQUARIUS Ganesha says people of Aquarius zodiac sign will be on the side of good fortune this week and with the help of your close friends, you will be able to solve the biggest problems of life. At the beginning of the week, plans to expand business will seem successful. The special thing is that in doing this you will get the full support of some influential people and family members. People associated with politics may get some big positions or responsibilities during this period. In the second half of the week, any journey undertaken for a career or business will be pleasant and highly successful. The expectations of family members and close friends will increase from you. There will be harmony in the family. This week is favorable for love relationships. If you were thinking of converting your love relationship into marriage, then all the obstacles coming in the way can be removed this week. Married life will remain happy. Lucky Colour: Silver Lucky Number: 4 PISCES Ganesha says this week brings auspiciousness and good fortune for the people of Pisces. Your good luck will be seen working from the beginning of the week. Due to this, you will get the desired success and profit in the field of career and business. If you were thinking of changing your job, you may get an offer from a big place this week. People associated with the business will get the desired profits in business. At the same time, their influence in the market will increase. If you had invested in any scheme earlier, you will get big profits from it this week. In the latter half of the week, most of your time will be spent on religious and social work. This week is very auspicious for you from the point of view of the love relationship. This week you will see better tuning with your love partner. A trip to some delightful place with your love partner is also possible. Married life will remain happy. A month after chaos reigned on Indian airports owing to fog and weather conditions, the government has begun cracking the whip. One of the reasons identified for the crowd mismanagement, especially at arrivals in major airports, is delayed check-in baggage. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has now asked seven airlines to ensure at six major airports that check-in bags are delivered within 30 minutes of the aircraft arriving. Officials said airlines could face action if they do not implement the directions by February 26. The order A letter written on February 16 by BCAS to seven airlines Air India, Indigo, Akasa, Vistara, Spicejet, Air India Express and Air India Express Connect asks for implementation, within 10 days, of the required measures to ensure that delivery of the last baggage is made within 30 minutes as per the Service Quality Requirements of Operation, Management and Delivery Agreement (OMDA). This is the second letter to airlines by BCAS in the last two months. We have been monitoring the situation for the last two months. Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is concerned about the trouble that passengers were facing. The IATA guidelines and the OMD agreement all make it obligatory on the airlines to ensure that the last checked-in baggage is received within 30 minutes. This was being violated openly, a ministry official said. The trigger In the first week of January, the conveyor belts at Delhi airports T3 overflowed as international passengers waited for more than an hour to get their bags despite screens displaying that the last bags had arrived. The scenes were no different for domestic passengers. A quick check by BCAS revealed similar woes for passengers at all major airports. Scindia who faced political attacks including one on X by MP Shashi Tharoor asked for better check-in baggage management as one of the measures to reduce crowds. Officials said the minister started a process of dialogue with airports, airlines and other stakeholders to reduce congestion. Amongst the suggestions given was to take down a few lounges and commercial areas at the airports to create space for passenger movement. Action Taken Soon, BCAS began week-by-week monitoring of how airlines were handing check-in baggage. In weekly monitoring it was found that the response was better in the initial two weeks but by week 4, baggage delay was noticed again, a senior officer in-charge of monitoring told CNN-News18. The airlines have been asked to implement the measures at six major airports Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru in the first phase. CNN-News18 has learnt that airlines have had multiple meetings on the issue with the ministry and BCAS. Sources said while airlines blamed infrastructure in some cases, including inadequate number of conveyor belts, in most other cases the ground-level agents have been blamed for the mess. BCAS started the continuous exercise of monitoring the time of arrival of baggage at belts of six major airports in January 2024 under the leadership of Union Minister of Civil Aviation & Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia. Since the beginning of the review exercise, performance of all airlines are being monitored on a weekly basis and have improved but are not as per the mandates, a MoCA spokesperson said. BCAS will push the airlines to implement the baggage handover time limit across all airports in India once the issues at major airports is resolved, officials said. Airport congestion has been a concern for the government, especially since December 2022, when airports like Delhi and Mumbai saw a sudden spike in passenger footfall leading to passengers missing flights in some cases due to delays. After witnessing the delays in baggage deliveries at the top airports in India, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued a strict warning to the top airlines, asking them to streamline their baggage handling procedures or face strict action. As per the details shared by the ANI, the authority has issued letters to the top seven carriers in the country, directing them to take the necessary steps to deliver baggage on time. The warning letter has been sent to IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa, Air India Express Connect, Vistara, and Air India Express. The decision by BCAS came after witnessing the result of a survey, which was conducted at the countrys six major airports, where the above-listed airlines fall on the chart. This is the second letter to airlines by BCAS in the last two months. We have been monitoring the situation for the last two months. The civil aviation minister has been concerned about the trouble that passengers were facing. The IATA guidelines and the OMD agreement all make it obligatory on the airlines to ensure that the last checked-in baggage is received within 30 minutes. This was being openly violated, a ministry official said . Heres What BCAS Says ANI has quoted the new regulations by the BCAS, which say The airlines are required to ensure the delivery of passengers baggage within a timeframe of 10 to 30 minutes following the aircrafts engine shutdown. Deadline For Implementation The news agency also reported that the authority has given a 10-day window to all the airlines to implement the new regulations, with a target date of February 26, 2024. Strict action will be taken against those who fail to comply with orders. Monitoring Exercise Begin Meanwhile, the Aviation Ministrys BCAS has already initiated the monitoring exercise at the start of 2024, ensuring no passengers have to deal with late baggage delivery on belts. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to be the future of the world, and no discussion on the same is complete without the mention of Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA. Huang is said to be the undisputed king of advanced chips that are now driving AI applications. With a $64.2 billion net worth, Huang is now ranked 23rd on the list of the richest people in the world. NVIDIAs market capitalization has surged to 1.83 trillion dollars, or Rs 15100000 crore. Born in Tainan City, Taiwan in 1963, Jensen Huangs family first relocated to Thailand when he was five years old. At the age of nine, he and his brother were sent to Tacoma, Washington to live with an uncle. He then attended Oneida Elementary School in Kentucky, and after completing his studies, he graduated from Aloha High School, which is located just outside of Portland. Huang also once worked as a waiter at Dennys restaurant. Along with Chris Malachowski and Curtis Priem, he co-founded Nvidia in 1993. The three men founded the company in a meeting at a Dennys roadside diner in East San Jose where Jensen Huang worked. The business was founded with $40,000 in the bank. Subsequently, Sequoia Capital and other investors invested $20 million in the company. Initially the company had no name. The co-founders of Nvidia first gave all of their files the designation NV, which stands for next version. The co-founders decision to incorporate the business led them to search through all phrases that had those two letters, ultimately arriving at invidia, which is the Latin word for envy. In 2007, Forbes ranked Jensen Huang as the 61st highest paid CEO in the United States with a salary of US$24.6 million. Recently, Nvidia achieved a major feat when it briefly overtook the stock market cap of Google parent Alphabet on February 14. Recognised as a leader in artificial intelligence, Nvidia briefly held the title of third-largest US company. This significant growth in valuation is due to the demand for Nvidias chips, which are used extensively in AI computing. The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test Cell, MHT CET has extended the deadline to register for the MAH CET LLB 2024 (five and three-year programmes) yet again. Earlier, the online registration process was to end on February 18 but it has now been extended to March 18. Interested candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the course through the official website at cetcell.mahacet.org. As per the official notice, the entrance exam for the five-year programme will be held on May 3, while the exam for the three-year LLB will be conducted on March 12 and 13. The exam is held for two hours and has no negative marking. MAH CET 3-Year LLB 2024: Eligibility Criteria Candidates for the three-year programme must possess a graduate degree with at least 45 per cent grades. As for the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, candidates need to have at least 42 per cent of the marks in Class 12, while Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates need to obtain 40 per cent. However, candidates taking the Class 12 exam are also eligible to apply for the MAH CET Law 2024. MAH CET 3-Year LLB: Steps to Apply Step 1: Go to cetcell.mahacet.org. Step 2: Select the MAH LLB 3 years CET 2023 tab on the homepage. Step 3: Click on the registration link and enter the required details. Step 4: Fill out the form. Step 5: Upload the documents and pay the prescribed fee. Submit. Step 6: Download the confirmation page for future reference. MAH CET 3-Year LLB Exam: Application Fees It is to be noted that students who are applying for the MAH CET law application (three-year programme) will have to submit an application fee of Rs 800 at the time of registration. However, students falling under reserved categories in Maharashtra are required to pay Rs 400 as an application fee. The MAH-LLB 3-year CET 2024 entrance exam is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, for admission to the first year of a three-year full-time graduate degree in law course. The exam is held by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Mumbai, for the academic year 202324. Surbhi Chandna and Karan Sharma, who have been together for 13 years, are gearing up to tie the knot this March, confirming much speculation surrounding their relationship. The couple recently unveiled their wedding plans, and preparations are well underway. Surbhis close friends orchestrated a lavish surprise bachelorette party for her, marking the beginning of the wedding festivities. Surrounded by her girl gang, Surbhi Chandna enjoyed a memorable celebration and expressed her heartfelt gratitude for their love and support as they kick-started the wedding journey on a joyous note. In conversation with ETimes, Surbhi stated, I was pleasantly surprised when my friends threw me a bachelorette party. They booked a nice room in a hotel and we even had a pool party. It was a great start to my wedding festivities. Surbhi Chandna elaborated on the exciting bachelorette party, revealing that the festivities commenced in the afternoon and continued until 6 am the following morning, making it an unforgettable affair. Grateful for the thoughtful gesture of her friends, Surbhi expressed her initial scepticism about bachelorette parties, only to realize the joy and fun they can bring when celebrated with loved ones. I dont believe in bachelorette parties but when my friends threw me a surprise, I realised it was so much fun. I have made so many memories and had some great conversations, she said. Surbhi Chandna shares a close bond with her former co-stars, Shrenu Parikh and Mansi Srivastava, and the trio often enjoys each others company. In a heartwarming gesture, Shrenu, Mansi, along with other friends, surprised Surbhi with a delightful bachelorette party. Glimpses from the celebration surfaced on Surbhis fan pages, showcasing the modest yet beautiful decor that adorned the venue. The highlight of the decor was the backdrop featuring the words Bride to Be, echoing the excitement of the occasion. Surbhi herself sported a sash bearing the same phrase. The actress was captured posing joyfully with her friends, relishing every moment of the party. A special cake was also organised for Surbhi. Bride-to-be #SurbhiChandna looks beautiful in a colourful maxi dress as she poses for the paps at Bastian, Bandra How amazing does she look? pic.twitter.com/yz1gWPofMY Take One Filmy (@TakeOneFilmy) February 16, 2024 Meanwhile, ahead of the wedding, Surbhi shared unseen glimpses from her roka ceremony, which took place in September. The actress shared a video that showed the couple and their relatives engaging in rituals during their rokation, which combines roka with vacation. Surbhi looked stunning in beige Indo-western clothes, while Karan wore a white kurta pyjama set with a beige blazer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surbhi Chandna (@officialsurbhic) Surbhi and Karan have been together for 13 years since they first met in Mumbai in 2010. Surbhi announced her wedding to Karan Sharma on Instagram last month. Surbhi and Karan are expected to marry in March 2024 in Jaipur. Surbhi Chandna rose to prominence with her parts in the love drama Qubool Hai, followed by Ishqbaaz and Ektaa Kapoors Naagin 3. Her fiancee, Karan Sharma, is a part-time entrepreneur and the founder of the Heavens Abode Foundation. The government discussed diversification of crops with Punjab farmers during a meeting held in Chandigarh on Sunday, and decided to bring a five-year proposal where it will buy their crops for that period through agencies such as National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). Diversification of crops has been the root cause of the agrarian crisis in Punjab, which the government has dealt with by offering cultivation of crops such as pulses, cotton and maize, which can reduce imports and help conserve water in the state. Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal with two other Union ministers Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann held the fourth round of talks with the farmers in Chandigarh on Sunday. The protesting farmers have sought time till February 20 from the government to discuss the proposal with other forums. The discussion on the farmers key demand a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) is, however, still pending. What is in the five-year proposal of the government? The National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Ltd and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Foundation of India Ltd will sign contract with the farmers, who grow tur, urad, masoor dal or maize to buy their crops for the next five years, with no limit on the buying quantity. Farmers growing arhar or tur dal, if brought under MSP, will reduce imports, reduce water consumption in Punjab and provide pulses at subsidised prices to consumers. The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) will procure cotton crop on MSP. The farmers have demanded that cotton and maize must be covered under MSP. What else was discussed in the meeting? The coordinator of Kisan Mazdoor Manch (KMM), Sarvan Singh Pandher, said the government should raise the MSP to at least 50% more than the weighted average cost of production, as suggested in the Swaminathan Committee. Sources, as quoted by The Indian Express, said different formulae to calculate the production cost was discussed in the meeting. The Commission of Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) give three definitions of production costs: A2, A2+FL and C2. A2 refers to all paid out expenses incurred by farmers such as seeds, fertilisers, chemicals, labour, fuel and irrigation. A2+FL covers actual paid out costs plus an imputed value of unpaid family labour. C2 includes rentals, interest forgone on owned land and fixed capital assets on top of A2 + FL. Union leaders paid respects to two farmers Gyan Singh, 78, who died of heart attack while protesting on the Shambhu border on Friday, and Manjit Singh, the unit president of BKU (Krantikari) who fell and died at a hospital in Patiala on Sunday evening. CM Mann, who was also present in the meeting, advocated for crop diversification, and discussed lifting internet suspension in certain areas such as Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib. Nearly 20,000 farmers are protesting at Shambhu and Khanauri borders as Haryana Police is handling their movement with tear gas shells and rubber bullets. A high-level meeting of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha will be held in Delhi on February 22 to strategise on future demands and actions, SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal told news agency PTI. Days after being missing, the body of a 16-year-old IIT-JEE aspirant has been recovered from the Chambal valley in Rajasthan on Tuesday evening. The body was recovered after nine days of intense search operation, the police informed on Monday. Rachit Sondhiya, a JEE aspirant from Madhya Pradesh, was missing since February 11, NDTV reported. The student was last seen entering the forest area near Garadiya Mahadev temple in a security camera footage. The student reportedly left his hostel on the pretext of an exam. According to the police, the teenagers body was spotted in an isolated and inaccessible spot of the Chambal Valley. After their son went incommunicado for over a week, Rachits parents circulated his posters urging the public to help them find his location. They even reached out to Education Minister Madan Dilawar, requesting his intervention in the matter. Meanwhile, another student in Kota, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, has been missing since last week. Piyush Kapasia, a JEE aspirant, was staying in a hostel in Kotas Indra Vihar for the last two years and disappeared on February 13. (Bloomberg) -- Polymetal International Plc will no longer rank among the worlds top 10 gold miners by output after the sale of its Russian business, which was sanctioned by the US last year due to the invasion of Ukraine. Most Read from Bloomberg The gold miner agreed to sell its Russian unit that it spent decades building to Russian firm Mangazeya Plus, with completion of the deal marked for end-March, Polymetal said on Monday. The deal is valued at about $3.7 billion, yet after tax Polymetal is expected to receive $300 million in cash as it includes third-party debt and intra-group arrangements. ADVERTISEMENT The sale highlights the consequences that international businesses with Russian exposure are facing after President Vladimir Putin ordered to send troops to Ukraine almost two years ago. Following the invasion, Polymetal switched its domicile from Jersey, deemed an unfriendly jurisdiction by the Kremlin, to Kazakhstan to unblock international payments, including dividends, from Russia. After the US sanctioned the St. Petersburg-based unit in May 2023, Polymetal began looking for a buyer for the assets, which accounted for 70% of its revenue last year. That wasnt an easy task. Mangazeya Plus is a part of a Russian group that has small gold mining assets in Siberia and is controlled by entrepreneur Sergey Yanchukov. Neither he nor the company are under penalties. While the buyer showed interest during early stages, it turned into the leading bidder following sanctions on many bigger Russian gold-miners at the end of last year, Polymetals Chief Executive Officer Vitaly Nesis said in a phone interview. The transaction, which still requires shareholder approval, will mark a new stage for Polymetal, a miner that was founded in 1998. It will be left with an annual output of about 500,000 ounces per year, turning it into it mid-size producer by global standards. In 2023 the group produced 1.7 million ounces in gold equivalent, including the Russian unit. Story continues It is certainly not enough for a publicly-traded gold miner, Nesis said, adding that the firm is working on its new strategy and expansion plan. Our mid-term target is at least one million ounces per year in gold equivalent and we will have to look not at gold only, but at copper and other metals. The sale of the Russian unit was backed by the Omani government-owned fund that became a major Polymetal shareholder in January. Payments under the deal will be denominated in rubles. The amounts include a dividend of nearly $1.43 billion before tax that the Russian unit will pay to the Kazakh company. Polymetal will use about $1.15 billion of that to pay intragroup debt and interest to the Russian company. The transaction value also includes $2.2 billion of net debt retained by Polymetal Russia, while the buyer will pay $50 million in cash to the Kazakh company after the deal is completed. Polymetal will continue to use the Amursk POX processing facility in Russia to process gold concentrate until it builds its own plant in Kazakhstan. The company is in contact with the US authorities to ensure that wont lead to secondary sanctions, according to the statement. While many large multinationals publicly declared theyd withdraw from Russia after Putin sent troops into Ukraine, there are fewer examples of big business owners splitting their assets or selling out. Dutch-registered Yandex NV agreed to sell its Russian business for about $5.2 billion this month, and major shareholders of GlobalTrans and Qiwi said they sold their assets earlier this year. (Updates with CEO comments from 5th paragraph, additional context throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, for the sixth time, skipped the Enforcement Directorates summons asking him to appear before it for enquiry in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. AAP said that the federal agencys summons are illegal, adding that the matter of their validity is in the Court now. Instead of sending repeated summons, the ED should wait for the Courts verdict, the Kejriwal-led party said. Earlier on Saturday, Kejriwal told a court that he wanted to appear before it in connection with an application moved by the ED in the excise policy, but couldnt do so because of the budget session and floor test. I wanted to come to court but this floor test came up suddenly. Our budget session is till the first week of March. You can give me a date for after that and I will appear, said Kejriwal who appeared before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra via video conferencing. The court accepted the Delhi chief ministers request and posted the next hearing for March 16. The anti-corruption agency, on February 14, sent a sixth summons to Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam, asking him to appear before it at its headquarters on February 19. PREVIOUS SUMMONS TO ARVIND KEJRIWAL FIRST SUMMONS: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate for the first time on October 30, 2023. The agency asked him to appear before the federal agency for questioning in connection with the alleged irregularities in the now-scraped excise policy. However, he skipped the summons after sending a response to the central agency. He has said that the summon issued to him was illegal, politically motivated and given on request of BJP. SECOND SUMMONS: The AAP chief skipped the anti-corruption agencys second summons as well, calling them illegal, politically motivated, adding that they should be withdrawn. The AAP chief decided to go to a Vipassana session meditation retreat and gave a skip to the ED summons again. Kejriwal had said that the timing at which he was summoned strengthened his belief that they are not based on any objective criteria but purely for propaganda. THIRD SUMMONS: The Enforcement Directorate sent the third summons to the Delhi chief minister on December 22, asking him to appear before it on January 3. But again, the AAP chief skipped the summons. This time, Kejriwal cited his busy schedule due to Rajya Sabha elections and Republic Day celebrations as one of the reasons for not appearing before the probe agency. It is a matter of concern that despite my comprehensive response(s) bringing to your notice critical dimensions and legal objections involved in issuing summons to me in person, the ED had chosen not to respond, he stated. FOURTH SUMMONS: The EDs fourth summons to Kejriwal was issued on January 13. It asked him to depose before the federal agency on January 18. However, the Delhi CM along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP MPs Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak left for three-day visit to Goa on January 18, the day he was supposed to appear before the agency. FIFTH SUMMONS: The Delhi CM was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate for the fifth time on January 31, asking him to appear before it on February 2. However, he skipped the summons, prompting the agency to file a fresh complaint against him for non-compliance with its summons. In its complaint, the ED claimed that in order to unearth the role of others, including Kejriwal, and to trace further proceeds of crime, further investigation is ongoing for which he was summoned for probe on numerous occasions. It added that from the replies given by Kejriwal, it is manifest that his intention was to disobey the summons and to create a false pretext to camouflage such intention of disobedience of summons. Trinamool Congress leader and former Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra is likely to skip the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons in a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) contravention case on Monday (February 19), according to sources. The probe agency has asked the 49-year-old politician to depose before its headquarters in Delhi today for questioning in the FEMA violation case. The TMC leader, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December last year, is being probed by the CBI too, which is conducting a preliminary inquiry into the allegations against Moitra on the reference from the Lokpal. Allegations Against Mahua Moitra BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had accused Moitra of asking questions in the Lok Sabha to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts. He had also accused Moitra of compromising national security for monetary gains. On December 8, 2023, Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha over the issue. Moitra has denied any wrongdoing and claimed she was being targeted as she had raised questions on the deals of the Adani Group. Neither has Lok Pal uploaded any referral order on website as per Lokpal Act & nor has CBI put out anything official. Sources telling journos as per usual media circus. Hope Rs 13,000 crore Adani coal scam merits CBI PE before my witchhunt, Moitra had said on X in November. A panel of Union Ministers met with the protesting farmers leaders for the fourth round of talks in Chandigarh on Sunday. Leaving from the late-night meeting, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that a panel of three Union Ministers Goyal along with Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai proposed a five-year plan of buying pulses, maize and cotton crop at minimum support prices from the farmers. The farmer leaders, on the other hand, said they will discuss the governments proposal in their forums over the next two days and thereafter, decide the future course of action. The meeting was held amid the protest by farmers, who were camping at the Punjab-Haryana border, demanding legal MSP guarantee among other things. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also sat in on the meeting. Following the four-hour long meeting, Goyal said that the innovative and out-of-the-box idea came up during the discussions, adding that the farm leaders will decide on the proposal by Monday morning. Cooperative societies like the NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will enter into a contract with those farmers who grow tur dal, urad dal, masoor dal or maize for buying their crop at MSP for next five years, said Goyal. The Minister of Commerce and Industry said that there will be no limit on the quantity (purchased), adding that a portal will be developed for the same. Goyal said the proposal will save Punjabs farming, improve the groundwater table, and save the already stressed land from getting barren. The Union Minister said that the farmers pointed out that they want to diversify into maize crops, however they wish to avoid incurring losses when prices drop below the MSP. Goyal referred to steps taken by the Narendra Modi-led government in the farm sector and said that from 2014 to 2024, the Centre acquired crops worth Rs 18 lakh crore at MSP while between 2004 and 2014, crops worth only Rs 5.50 lakh crore were procured at the assured price. The Minister of Commerce and Industry said that if the farmer leaders take a decision on the governments proposal by Monday, then they will proceed to hold discussions on the same lines as he urged the farmers to call off their protest. However, he underlined that the other demands of the farmers were deep and policy-driven and it was not possible to find a resolution without an in-depth discussion. Elections are coming and a new government will be formed discussions on such issues will continue, Goyal added. WHAT FARMERS SAID Discussions on issues like a law on MSP, the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations and loan waivers were held during the meeting, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said. We will discuss in our forums on February 19-20 and take the opinion of experts regarding it and accordingly take a decision, another farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said. A discussion on loan waivers and other demands is pending and we hope that these will be resolved in the next two days, Pandher said. He said that the Delhi Chalo march is currently on hold, adding that it will resume at 11 am on February 21 if all the issues are not resolved. PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTERS STAND Meanwhile, the Punjab Chief Minister batted for a legal MSP for crops to protect the interests of the farmers. Mann said, during the discussion, he brought up the issue of the import of pulses from Mozambique and Columbia. The import is more than USD 2 billion, Mann said, adding that if MSP is given for this crop then Punjab can lead the nation in pulses production. It will be a second green revolution, he said. The Punjab CM also said the farmers of the state can adopt cotton and maize only if they get a guaranteed MSP for these crops. Mann stressed that the assured marketing of these crops can motivate the farmers to further diversify into crops. Mann took part in the meeting as an advocate of the farmers and said that the final decision has to be taken by the stakeholders. Peace, and law and order must be maintained by all means during the protest, he added. Last week, farmers from Punjab began their march to the national capital. However, they were stopped by security personnel at Shambhu and Khanauri points on Punjabs border with Haryana as they continued to press the Centre to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP on crops. The farmers are also demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Additionally, their demands include reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21. (With PTI inputs) Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the state has transformed from Uttam Pradesh to Udhyam Pradesh and the continued support of entrepreneurs and investors would help it achieve the goals of becoming a trillion-dollar economy and the growth engine of Viksit Bharat. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for guiding the states progress. The chief minister was addressing a gathering at the groundbreaking ceremony in Lucknow on Monday for investment proposals received during the UP Global Investors Summit 2023 held in February last year. PM Modi was also present at the event. In 2018, during the first Investors Summit, the Prime Minister had said here in Lucknow that UP has values and virtues but in these changing times, value addition is required. Not only in work culture or business culture but UPs strength in every area requires value addition. Today, six years later, I am delighted to say that by assimilating these words of the PM, Uttar Pradesh has framed its policies, as a result of which within six years, the fourth edition of this groundbreaking ceremony is being organised, the CM added. Yogi Adityanath also stated that UP signifies Unlimited Potential. The state neither lacks manpower nor willpower, he asserted. As the second-largest economy of the country, UP is contributing 9.2% to the Indian economy, said the CM. This land is blessed by saints and seers, it is also the land of the sacred rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarayu. It is a land of virtue as well as enterprise and entrepreneurship. Today, Uttar Pradesh is on the path to transforming Indias labour force into an economic powerhouse, he said, while emphasising UPs association with Shri Ram, Gopeshwar Shri Krishna, and Baba Vishwanath. The CM also highlighted the success of the Global Investors Summit 2023 and said that UP has tremendous potential and the investment worth Rs 10,000 crore as part of the Groundbreaking Ceremony 4.0 is an example of that. February 19 marks a celebration as these investment proposals are being translated into reality. Today, the bhoomi pujan of projects worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore is going to be completed with the blessings of the Prime Minister, he added. The chief minister said that Uttar Pradesh now boasts excellent connectivity through water, land, and air. He attributed the increased investor interest in the state to initiatives such as the Ease of Doing Business framework, the Nivesh Mitra and Nivesh Sarathi portals, the Incentive Monitoring System, and the states investment-friendly policies. He underscored the importance of accountability and transparency for every individual involved. The chief minister stated that UP respects every investor. Now people have started saying that Surakshit Nivesh Matlab Uttar Pradesh (safe investment means Uttar Pradesh), he said. The CM expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gracing the state with his presence to inaugurate the fourth edition of the groundbreaking ceremony. He also extended a warm welcome to the investors and entrepreneurs gathered at the event. He said over the past decade, the country had ascended from being the 11th-largest economy to the 5th. There is no doubt that India, under Prime Minister Modis leadership, will ascend to the position of the third-largest economy in the world. This is Modi ji ki guarantee and Uttar Pradesh firmly believes in it, he said. Yogi Adityanath also praised PM Modi for the historic consecration of Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhya and inaugurating the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi this year. We are grateful that we are a witness to this historic era as India enters its Amrit Kaal. We are privileged to have the able guidance and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the saarathi (charioteer) of Indias Amrit Kaal, he added. Along with PM Modi, governor Anandiben Patel, defence minister Rajnath Singh, deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, assembly speaker Satish Mahana, legislative council chairman Kunwar Manvendra Singh, BJP state president Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, ambassadors of various countries, high commissioners, union cabinet ministers, government and administration officials, eminent investors, and entrepreneurs were present at the event. The Centre agreed on Monday to discuss threadbare the demands for Ladakhs statehood, the inclusion of the Union Territory in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution and the setting up of an exclusive public service commission for the high-altitude region. The agreement was arrived at a meeting held here between the High Powered Committee (HPC) for Ladakh headed by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and a 14-member delegation of the Apex Body of Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing various organisations of the Union Territory. The meeting decided to discuss threadbare our main demands: statehood for Ladakh, inclusion of Ladakh in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution and the constitution of the exclusive public service commission for Ladakh on February 24, according to a joint press release issued by the ABL and KDA. The two organisations from Ladakh also decided to call off for the time being their plan to go on a hunger strike from Tuesday in view of this significant development. The meeting resolved to constitute a joint sub-committee for carrying forward the exercise to look into the details of the demands. We have, accordingly, set up the sub-committee with the following members: Thupstan Chhewang, Chering Dorjay Lakrook and Nawang Rigzin Jora, representing the ABL, and Qamar Ali Akhoon, Asgar Ali Karbalai and Sajjad Kargili, representing the KDA, the release said. The two organisations conveyed the names of the sub-committee members to Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla. All members of the sub-committee are in Delhi and we look forward to fruitful discussions at the next meeting, the release added. The other demands of the delegation include two Lok Sabha seats (one for Kargil and one for Leh) and job opportunities for the residents of the Union Territory, sources said. Ladakh currently has one Lok Sabha constituency. Ladakh, which no longer has any Assembly constituency, was earlier part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, were abrogated on August 5, 2019 and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. According to the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, Jammu and Kashmir has been made a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly and Ladakh a Union Territory without an Assembly. There were four representatives from Ladakh in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. The BJP-led Centre assured the delegation from Ladakh in December last year that it was committed to fast-tracking the development of the Union Territory and meeting the aspirations of the people in the region. The assurance was given at a meeting held with the HPC for Ladakh. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formed the HPC for Ladakh under Rais chairmanship with a mandate to discuss the measures needed to be taken to protect the regions unique culture and language, taking into consideration its geographical location and strategic importance. The HPC has also been formed for the protection of land and employment, measures for inclusive development and employment generation in the region, measures related to the empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) of Leh and Kargil and the constitutional safeguards that could be provided to ensure the measures and protection as mentioned above. Several organisations of Ladakh were demanding a separate Union Territory for the region for decades and the demand was fulfilled on August 5, 2019. The KDA and the ABL, however, in the recent past protested at different locations, including New Delhi, Jammu and Ladakh, highlighting their key demands. Hello readers, todays afternoon digest brings you the latest stories: UP News LIVE: PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone of Kalki Dham Temple, Hails Expelled Congress Leader; Matter In Court Now: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Skips 6th ED Summons; Probe Agency Responds, & other top stories. UP News LIVE: PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone of Kalki Dham Temple, Hails Expelled Congress Leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a daylong visit to Uttar Pradesh today (February 19) during which laid the foundation stone of the Shri Kalki Dham Temple in Sambhal district and addressed a gathering there. LIVE Updates Here. Matter In Court Now: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Skips 6th ED Summons; Probe Agency Responds Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, for the sixth time, skipped the Enforcement Directorates summons asking him to appear before it for enquiry in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. AAP said that the federal agencys summons are illegal, adding that the matter of their validity is in the Court now. READ MORE Will Join Nyay Yatra If: Akhilesh Yadav Speaks On Rahul Gandhis March & Seat Sharing With Congress In UP The Samajwadi Party will not join Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh unless seat-sharing between the SP and Congress is finalised, party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Monday. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function, he said, Right now talks are going on, lists have come from them, we have also given them the list. The moment, seat distribution is done, Samajwadi Party will join their Nyaya Yatra. READ MORE Sandeshkhali Row: NCW Chief Reaches Strife-Torn Region; HC Rejects Quick Hearing of Violence Case | Updates Chairperson of National Commission for Women Rekha Sharma visited the strife-torn Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas in West Bengal on Monday. Sharma will be on a two-day visit to the state. The NCW Chairpersons visit comes amid the allegations of sexual harassment levelled by the women of Sandeshkhali. READ MORE Manchester Uniteds Rasmus Hojlund Makes Premier League History With Brace Against Luton Town Time takes time, and it sure did for Manchester Uniteds Rasmus Hojlund who struggled to get going for the Red Devils early on in the Premier League season this year. But since the turn of the new year, it seems as if his luck has turned as well, with the Danish striker finding his form at a time when United needed it the most. READ MORE Varun Dhawan-Natasha Dalal Hold Hands, Beam With Joy In FIRST Appearance Since Pregnancy News; Watch Varun Dhawan and his fashion designer wife Natasha Dalal took the internet by storm on Sunday after they announced that they are expecting their first child. While there had been speculations about the two having a baby for a while now, after the couple was spotted visiting a clinic in Mumbai last year, the JugJugg Jeeyo actor shared the good news, officially, with fans through a heartwarming Instagram post. READ MORE Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while laying the foundation stone of Kalki Dham temple at Sambhal in Uttar Pradeshs Sonbhadra district on Monday, said the country was experiencing cultural rejuvenation. ALSO READ | UP News LIVE Updates HERE In his address, PM Modi said that he was honored to be part of the bhoomipujan of the Kalki Dham, which is going to be another centre of faith. We drew inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for cultural rejuvenation, oneness and the feeling of pride in ones identity. Hence, laying the foundation on this very day, which also marks the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj, makes the event, all the more memorable and inspirational, said PM Modi while addressing the gathering. Kalki Dham temple is being constructed by the Shri Kalki Dham Nirman Trust, whose chairman is Acharya Pramod Krishnam, who was expelled from the Congress for a period of six years for his anti-party remarks. The PM was accompanied by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. I was told that the day could be possible only after 18 yearsThere are many such good deeds which people have left for me. I promise, by the blessings of almighty and saints, I will continue to complete all the good work with the same spirit, the PM said. Modi called the laying of the foundation of Kalki Dham another golden moment and people of the present generation, the most fortunate ones to witness it. Its after 18 years that the people of Sambhal have witnessed the golden moment when the foundation of Kalki Dham was laid. On January 22, it was after 500 long years, when the country witnessed the Pran Pratishtha and homecoming of Lord Ram. After a few days, a grand and divine temple was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi. We have seen Kashi Dham and its development, we have also seen Mahakal Ki Mahima in Ujjain, the development of Somnath temple and the development of Kedarghati. The time has changed since January 22, the PM said. Uttar Pradesh has the potential of becoming the biggest tourism hub. I am requesting everyone to spend more money to buy things when you visit a place, Get your kids married in India only: PM Modi at #UPInvestorSummit #UttarPradesh #YogiAdityanath #PMModi pic.twitter.com/SD4pH4RMHV News18 (@CNNnews18) February 19, 2024 Besides, he also slammed the previous governments for paying no heed to the development of religious places. Thanking PM Modi, Krishnam said, Thousands of saints have gathered here from every corner of the country to see the 18-year-long pending dream come true. After the ceremony, Modi also launched 14,000 projects worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore across Uttar Pradesh from the investment proposals received during the UP Global Investors Summit 2023 held in February last year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Jammu on Tuesday (February 20), where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 30,500 crore. Responding to PM Modis visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that the people of J&K are attached with our Prime Minister. He has a special bond with the people here. The biggest package that J&K got after independence was given by PM Modi. Several development works and transformation works took place here under PM Modis leadership, he added. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, A big boost to all-round development! I look forward to being in Jammu tomorrow, 20th February to inaugurate key development works which will boost Ease of Living. It will also be a landmark day for the education sector as various institutions including IITs and IIMs will get permanent campuses. A big boost to all-round development! I look forward to being in Jammu tomorrow, 20th February to inaugurate key development works which will boost Ease of Living. It will also be a landmark day for the education sector as various institutions including IITs and IIMs will get https://t.co/Msf1BY4lVp Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 19, 2024 PM Modi will also inaugurate AIIMS Jammu on Tuesday. Notably, the Prime Minister also laid its foundation stone in February 2019. He will lay the foundation stone of new terminal building of Jammu Airport and Common User Facility Petroleum depot at Jammu. Delighted that AIIMS Jammu will be inaugurated tomorrow. This will cater to the healthcare needs of the region and will benefit several people, PM Modi said in a post on X. Delighted that AIIMS Jammu will be inaugurated tomorrow. This will cater to the healthcare needs of the region and will benefit several people. https://t.co/yF3DQpwMVz Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 19, 2024 PM Modi to dedicate to nation and lay the foundation stone of several significant road and rail connectivity projects in Jammu and Kashmir. This would be PM Modis second visit to Jammu and Kashmir in his second term, and it assumes significance given the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Prior to PM Modis visit, security measures have been tightened across Jammu and Kashmir, with authorities temporarily banning flying drones, paragliders and remote-controlled micro-light aircraft in Jammu. District Magistrate of Jammu Sachin Kumar Vaishya has issued the order under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, responding to intelligence reports highlighting potential security threats. PM Modis Jammu Visit As per an official statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 30,500 crore at around 11:30 AM on Tuesday during a public function at the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu. The projects relate to several sectors including health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum, and civic infrastructure, among others. During the programme, the Prime Minister will distribute appointment orders to about 1500 new Government recruits of Jammu and Kashmir. He will also interact with beneficiaries of various government schemes as part of the Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu programme, the PMO said. Education Sector Projects PM Modi is set to inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of several projects worth about Rs 13,375 crore. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Vijaypur (Samba), Jammu. The institute, whose foundational stone was also laid by the Prime Minister in February 2019, is being established under the Central sector scheme Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. The projects which are dedicated to the nation include the permanent campus of IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIT Jammu, and IIITDM Kancheepuram, according to the PMO. He will also dedicate the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) a pioneer skill training institute on advanced technologies located at Kanpur; and two campuses of Central Sanskrit University at Devprayag (Uttarakhand) and Agartala (Tripura). Prime Minister will also inaugurate three new IIMs in the country viz IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Visakhapatnam. He will also inaugurate 20 new buildings for Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVs) and 13 new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) buildings across the country, apart from laying foundation stones of five Kendriya Vidyalaya campuses, one Navodaya Vidyalaya campus and five Multipurpose Hall for Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country. New Terminal Building at Jammu Airport Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Jammu Airport. To be spread over a 40,000 sqm area, the new terminal building will be equipped with modern facilities catering to about 2000 passengers during peak hours, according to the PMO. Rail Projects Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation various rail projects in Jammu & Kashmir including the new rail line between Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan (48 Km) and the newly electrified Baramulla-Sringar-Banihal-Sangaldan section (185.66 Km). He will also flag off the first Electric Train in the valley and also train service between Sangaldan station and Baramulla station. The commissioning of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section is significant as it features the usage of Ballast Less Track (BLT) all along the route providing a better riding experience to the passengers. Also, Indias longest transportation tunnel T-50 (12.77 Km) lies in this portion between Khari-Sumber. Road Projects During the programme, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of important road projects including two packages (44.22 KM) of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway connecting Jammu to Katra; phase two for four-laning of Srinagar Ring Road; five packages for upgrading the 161 km long Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri stretch of NH-01; and the construction of Kulgam Bypass and Pulwama bypass on NH-444. The two packages of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, once completed will facilitate the visit of pilgrims to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, and will also boost economic development in the region, the PMO said in the statement. Phase two for the four-laning of the Srinagar Ring Road will reduce the traffic congestion in and around Srinagar city and will improve connectivity to popular tourist destinations like Manasbal Lake and Kheer Bhawani Temple, and also reduce travel time to Leh, Ladakh, as per the PMO. CUF Petroleum depot Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for a project to develop the CUF (Common User Facility) Petroleum depot at Jammu. The state-of-art fully automated depot, which will be developed at a cost of about Rs 677 crore, will have a storage capacity of about 100000 KL for storing Motor Spirit (MS), High-Speed Diesel (HSD), Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO), Aviation Turbine fuel (ATF), Ethanol, Biodiesel and winter grade HSD, PMO said. Other projects Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several development projects worth more than Rs 3,150 crore for strengthening the civic infrastructure and provisioning of public facilities across Jammu and Kashmir. The projects to be inaugurated by PM Modi includeroad projects and bridges; grid stations, receiving stations transmission line projects; common effluent treatment plants and sewage treatment plants; several degree college buildings; intelligent traffic management system in Srinagar city; modern narwal fruit mandi; drug testing laboratory at Kathua; and transit accommodation 224 flats at Ganderbal and Kupwara. The projects whose foundation stone will be laid include the development of five new Industrial Estates across Jammu and Kashmir; the data centre/ disaster recovery centre for the integrated command and control centre of Jammu Smart City; the up-gradation of Transport Nagar at Parimpora in Srinagar; up-gradation of 62 road projects and 42 bridges and project for development of transit accommodation 2816 flats at nine locations in districts Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Shopian and Pulwama, among others. The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking transfer of investigation and subsequent trial outside West Bengal and a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the alleged sexual assault of women living in village Sandeshkhali in West Bengal. Petitioner Advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava withdrew the petition from the Supreme Court and sought liberty to approach the Calcutta HC. Supreme Court noted that the Calcutta High Court has taken cognisance of the matter. Meanwhile, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women Rekha Sharma visited the strife-torn Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas in West Bengal on Monday. Sharma will be on a two-day visit to the state. The women of Sandeshkhali have been harassed They are scared and the situation here is bad. Women are crying in front of me. I dont think anything will happen here without the Presidents ruleToday I have copies of 18 complaints including 2 rapes and serious molestation Sharma said after meeting with the women of Sandeshkhali. #WATCH | West Bengal: NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma says, The women of Sandeshkhali have been harassed They are scared and the situation here is bad. Women are crying in front of me. I dont think anything will happen here without the Presidents ruleToday I have copies of pic.twitter.com/UkkUiKzGWD ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024 This is what women are going through in #Sandeskhali. How can a woman CM not get effected by the pain of these poor helpless women. pic.twitter.com/NrtFtEwYJ2 Rekha Sharma (@sharmarekha) February 19, 2024 LATEST UPDATES After visiting Sandeshkhali, NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma arrived at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata to meet West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose. Sharma advocated for Presidents rule in West Bengal after visiting the unrest-hit area. While hearing pleas seeking a CBI probe in the Sandeshkhali case, the Supreme Court said that it is best if the local High Court hears the matter. The apex court also asked petitioners not to compare the situation with Manipur. BJP MP Locket Chatterjee, during a press conference, hit out at the Trinamool Congress for harbouring Shajahan Sheikh. She said that there is mafia raj in the state, adding that these people would call women anytime in the night and would threaten to kill their husbands if they didnt go. Police wont file complaint and would tell women to take permission from Shahjahan Sheikh, Chatterjee said, adding that Women are most insecure in West Bengal under a woman CM. Calcutta High Court on Monday rejected a quick hearing of the Sandeshkhali case. A plea had been filed for the case to be heard as soon as possible, however, the court said that it will be heard as per its listing. West Bengal BJP chief Dr Sukanta Majumdar wrote to the National Commission for Women and opposed the state polices decision to reveal the rape survivors identity. The Supreme Court has stayed the Privilege Committee proceedings against the West Bengal Chief Secretary and Senior Officials. The apex court has issued notice to the Lok Sabha Secretariat and to Sukanta Majumdar. It has granted four weeks time to file a response. NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma arrived in Bengal and said that after meeting the women of Sandeshkhali, she will submit her report to the President. The administration here wont allow commissions to meet victims, they fear that the truth will come out, Sharma said. After visiting Sandeshkhali, NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She (Mamata Banerjee) should resign and come here without any post, only then she will understand the pain of the women here Sharma said. The NCW chairperson will also hold a meeting with the Chief Secretary and DGP of the state. As you know, very disturbing news has come from Sandeshkhali I am going there and I want them (women) to get justice. I will meet the DG and the local policeI want to meet the women and assure them of my supportI will also be meeting the governor, Sharma said earlier in the day. Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose said, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson is now there in Sandeshkhali. She wants to come and meet me. After that, Ill be able to formulate my views more specifically The West Bengal government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Privilege Committees summons to the chief secretary, DGP and other senior officials. The plea states that the petitioners are senior government officials who have managed good conduct. However, due to the committees summons, they are being seen as perpetrators. The plea further states that the complaint for breach of privilege is vague, unjustified and does not make a case for breach of privilege. The Supreme Court on Monday will hear a plea seeking transfer of investigation and the following trial outside West Bengal in connection with the alleged sexual assault of the women of Sandeshkhali. The plea, filed by advocated Alakh Alok Srivastava in his personal capacity, also seeks compensation for the victims of the Sandeshkhali violence and action against officials of the state police for the alleged negligence of duty. The Privilege Committee summoned West Bengal Chief Secretary, DGP and other senior officers of the concerned district based on BJP state chief Sukanta Majumdars complaint. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party for having scripted the incident, along with the Enforcement Directorate, in Sandeshkhali. The TMC supremo also said that not a single women in Sandeshkhali has lodged any FIR and it was she who had directed the police to initiate a suo moto case in this connection. The BJP dubbed the allegations levelled by Banerjee as baseless. The law and order has completely broken down in Bengal. The truth is the TMC and the state government officials, be it police or local administration, were hand in glove while committing atrocities on locals. This is the true picture of West Bengal, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said. Meanwhile, speaking on the second day of the BJP National Council Meet in Delhi, legislator Agnimitra Paul launched a scathing attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. She slammed the TMC chief for not taking action against the party leaders, who allegedly harassed the women of Sandeshkhali sexually and grabbed their lands forcibly. Despite being a woman chief minister, Mamata Banerjee stood by the absconding accused, Sheikh Shahjahan, she said, adding that Banerjee was also helping Rohingyas settle in India. TMC Leader Shibu Prasad Hazra, one of the key accused arrested in the Sandeshkhali violence case, was sent to eight days of police custody by a local court on Sunday. NCW CHAIRPERSON ON A TWO-DAY VISIT The National Commission for Women Chairperson Rekha Sharma is on a two-day visit to West Bengal. Heres her schedule: February 19: She will go to Sandeshkhali and meet the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police. She will visit the victims, with whom she already had a conversation over the phone. February 20: She will hold a meeting with the states Chief Secretary at 12:00 pm. (With PTI inputs) The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the proceedings initiated by the Parliament Committee against West Bengal Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika, Director General of State Police Rajeev Kumar, and other senior officials. A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, has issued notices to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, and the Union Home Ministry, requesting their responses within four weeks. Similar notices have also been served to Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika, Rajeev Kumar, and the local District Magistrate. The Supreme Courts order comes after top officials, including Gopalika, approached the court challenging the notices issued by the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee. The notices were in response to a complaint by Sukanta Majumdar, alleging misconduct, brutality, and life-threatening injuries during a protest at Sandeshkhali violence. The plea, filed through Advocate on Record (AoR) Astha Sharma, contends that these senior officials of the State of West Bengal have conducted themselves with utmost integrity and followed due procedures while discharging their respective duties. The petitioners further assert that due to such diktat, they are being treated as the perpetrators, causing grave prejudice to them in discharging their daily responsibilities. At the outset it is submitted that the issuance of Impugned Memorandums is arbitrary, without the examination of the veracity of the allegations levelled in said complaint and thus violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India, the plea stated. Additionally, the plea noted that the complaint filed by Sukanta Majumdar is unsubstantiated, vague and does not make out any case for breach of privilege. The impugned action is ex-facie illegal and sans jurisdiction and constitutes a blatant case of misuse of the power of privilege. Article 14 of the Constitution of India mandates that all persons including Members of Parliament should be treated equally before the law, the petition read. On Monday, the Lok Sabha Privilege Committee had to be adjourned due to a lack of quorum, with only four MPs, including the chairman, present. The quorum required a minimum of five MPs to be present. The BBC is seeking a rising star of African journalism for the BBC News Komla Dumor Award, now in its ninth year. Journalists from across Africa are invited to apply for the award, which aims to uncover and promote fresh talent from the continent. The winner will spend three months at the BBC headquarters in London, gaining skills and experience. Applications close on 15 March 2024 at 23:59 GMT. The award was established to honour Komla Dumor, an exceptional Ghanaian broadcaster and presenter for BBC World News, who died suddenly aged 41 a decade ago. Dumor's widow, Kwansema Dumor, said she was "proud" of her husband's impact at the BBC, and also said her family were "thankful to the BBC for remembering him" through the prize. The BBC is encouraging journalists across Africa to apply for the prize, which seeks to promote and celebrate outstanding journalistic talent living and working on the continent. As well as receiving training, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to travel to a country in Africa to report on a story that they have researched, with the report broadcast to the BBC's global audiences. Known for championing robust, dynamic journalism and for his commitment to reporting African stories comprehensively and authentically, Dumor made a significant impact on Africa and the rest of the world. The BBC is committed to continuing his legacy through the award by empowering journalists from Africa to tell original and nuanced African stories to reach international audiences. Ghanaian news anchor Paa Kwesi Asare was last year's winner - hailing from the same country as the late Komla Dumor. During his placement he travelled to Kenya to report on the push to make the country's "boda boda" motorbike taxis use electricity, rather than petrol or diesel. Liliane Landor, senior controller of BBC News International Services, said: "We have been impressed and delighted with the calibre of talent that has shone through, thanks to the award in Komla's name. Story continues "Through his legacy we want to continue to celebrate Africa's journalistic excellence." Dumor was the presenter of Focus on Africa, the BBC's first-ever dedicated daily TV news programme in English for African audiences. It was broadcast on BBC World News, which last year merged with the BBC News Channel to create a single 24-hour TV news service. He was also one of the lead presenters for BBC World News' European morning segment. He joined the BBC in 2007 after a decade of broadcast journalism in his native Ghana where he won the Ghana Journalist of the Year award. Between 2007 and 2009 he hosted Network Africa on BBC World Service, before joining The World Today programme. In 2009 Dumor became the first host of the African business news programme on BBC World News, Africa Business Report. He travelled across Africa, meeting Africa's top entrepreneurs and reporting on the latest business trends around the continent. In 2013 Dumor featured in New African magazine's list of the 100 most influential Africans. Previous winners: Lily Collins, known for her impeccable style both on and off the screen, showcased her glamour at the 2024 BAFTA Awards on Sunday, February. 18. Stepping onto the red carpet in a breathtaking gown by Tamara Ralph, the UK-born actress captivated onlookers with her timeless beauty. The actress demonstrated at the awards show that her style choices extend far beyond her character in Emily in Paris. Dressed in a black stretch velvet gown intricately adorned with rose embellishments, Lily exuded sophistication and glamour. The silver rose v-cage, encrusted with crystals, added a touch of sparkle to her ensemble, while the delicate white silk taffeta sleeves, fashioned into three-dimensional rosettes, resembled a bouquet of freshly bloomed roses. The floor-length hem and fitted silhouette enhanced the elegance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mohieb Dahabieh (@mohiebdahabieh) She enhanced her ensemble with deep burgundy lipstick and eyeshadow in shades of silver and burgundy. Her hair cascaded down her back, revealing sparkling diamond drop earrings that complemented a stack of rings adorning her right index finger. Fashion Stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn curated her entire look. Fans and followers of the actress inundated the comments section with love and praise for her stunning appearance. A user exclaimed, She was the best, while another commented, Stunning. Lily has consistently wowed us with her remarkable fashion choices. At the Met Gala Red Carpet in 2023, she paid tribute to the legacy of designer Karl Lagerfeld by selecting a breathtaking Vera Wang gown. The ensemble boasted a white bustier top with puffed sleeves and a black skirt adorned with Karl written on the train. Lily accessorised the look, showcasing several of her tattoos, with a striking red lip and stunning Cartier jewellery. Her earrings and necklace provided a tantalising glimpse into Cartiers High Jewelry collection, Le Voyage Recommence. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vera Wang Australia (@verawangaus) Her bold makeup, including a wine-shade lipstick, smokey eyeshadow, highlighter, and a hint of blush, perfectly complemented the overall ensemble. Meanwhile, her short bob hairstyle added the final touch. Lily was among the presenters for this years award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England. Lily Collins appearance at the award show coincides with the filming of Emily in Paris season four. She plays the role of marketing executive Emily Cooper in the series, alongside a talented cast including Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo, and others. The show, known for its unique wardrobe, features designs by lead costume designer Marilyn Fitoussi. Nilanjana S Roys Black River which came out in 2022 was hard-hitting and gut-wrenching- while you could possibly finish reading the book in less than two days, there was something that would subconsciously make you want to take it a little slow. Not because of the noir setting or the murder taking place in the book but probably because the writing was extremely raw. Roy through her words makes her readers question the sociological and environmental degradation that is only scaling up with time. Roys gripping novel successfully discomforts the comfortable and by the time readers get to the end of the book, they know for certain that Nilanjana is a writer for the ages. In an exclusive conversation with News18 at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series Jaipur Literature Festival, the magnificent author spoke not only about Black River and its resounding success but also about her prior works, her career in journalism, the quest for representing diverse voices and perspectives in her writing and much more. Read- The last time you spoke to us you had mentioned that the success of Black River was still seeping in. Has it sunk in yet? I returned to novel writing after a ten-year gap, and am (still!) surprised and deeply grateful to the readers, bookshops and reviewers who have given this Delhi noir of mine so much love and a home on their shelves. Black River is still very much talked about, so do you think theres an added responsibility on you as a storyteller after its resounding success? The greatest responsibility you have is to the page in front of you, the next story, to what you feel most keenly in our rapidly changing, incendiary, often cruel times this is a turbulent century, haunted by old ghosts returning from the past. Ive come late to writing fiction, and I am still learning how to write in my 50s; I hope I will be able to write better and truer in the next few decades. You had also mentioned to us, that you wouldnt mind if Black River was turned into a film. Any news on that? Whats your vision for the novel? I hadnt thought about an adaptation when I was writing Black River, but theres been interest. Film and web series are dramatically different mediums if it does happen, Id be curious to see how Chand, Rabia, Khalid and Ombir come to life in someone elses vision. The Yamuna, Teetarpur, Bright Dairy Delhis landscapes range from starkly beautiful to apocalyptic, so that should be interesting to see on screen. There has been a lot of interest in your expertise when it comes to working across different genres. How do you choose the themes and genres for each of your books? What draws you to them and how do you manage to ace them all? Youre being very kind. I think many of us in creative fields have been lucky to be able to follow our curiosity about the world around us, and many live several lives Anuradha Roy, whose writing I admire greatly, is a potter and a writer, Janice Pariat writes poetry, short stories and novels, for instance. I was lucky to start my career at the Business Standard, because it took arts, culture and books seriously, and because editors like T N Ninan, AKB and Tony Joseph had great integrity and progressive values. I began editing and writing with an anthology about food in India a vast subject, feast, famine, battlefield and meeting place and circled back to freedom, to modern Indian history, to the love of books, to the sheer pleasure of writing fantasy like The Wildings series. At present, Im gripped by the immense possibilities of crime fiction its both a modern and an ancient genre, can swing between pulp and literature effortlessly and deals with the grimmest and most joyful of human experiences. What is your typical writing process like? Do you have any rituals or habits that help you get into the writing zone? Its visual, almost wordless, as images and characters, visions that you dont wholly understand, begin to accumulate. In flashes, the story shapes itself. I go through several drafts writing teaches you humility above all because your first draft is often shaky, watery, and thinly voiced. Im an early-morning or late-night writer. Its hard to write well with interruptions. Phone calls, email, an overly social life, and Twitter (X), they all get in the way. Rituals: coffee, a cat on my lap (or more usually, lying right across the keyboard or notebook), and sometimes a quiet prayer just to ask for clarity and direction, because fiction always seems to arrive from someplace beyond human agency. Stories are given to you in a way thats truly mysterious; you are just the shaper. Fiction needs stillness, but its on long walks that I really find my rhythm, and I get back to the desk with a refreshed spirit, a renewed, cleaner energy, and more playfulness. And the cats (we have four, all of them drama queens) keep you from taking yourself too seriously. I like to write on the roof or in a slightly cold room, it sharpens the mind. I struggle to write in Delhi in the summer because I cant walk that much in the heat, but winters are great for novels. Freezing, gloomy winters when no one wants to go out or meet you: thats a gift for a novelist in a big city. What inspired The Wildings and The Hundred Names of Darkness? Why did you explore the world of animals in your fiction? Strays are citizens too, and aside from its 35 million humans, Delhi is populated with dogs, monkeys, cats, cows, a profusion of birds including cheels and peacocks, rats, bandicoots and tonga horses living in a universe thats built by humans. I found their world fascinating cats, from my own to the ferals I met and befriended over the years in Jangpura and Nizamuddin, were kind enough to show me a city under the city I thought I knew so well. What got to me was that they lived in a world that was often harsh, cruel, and encroaching and yet they, and the street dogs and others, formed strong inter-species friendships, lived with curiosity and joy whenever possible, and were protective of one another. The Wildings and Hundred Names wrote themselves once I understood their lives a little better during the pandemic years, I was befriended by a family of cheels. And once they trusted me enough to ignore my presence, I spent hours on my rooftop watching while they wheeled and spun in mating dances, painstakingly built nests, warded off predators, brought up young fledglings, and flew wingtip to wingtip with other cheels in their territory. Life is all around us, even in a concrete megalopolis, a thousand sagas happening everywhere. What according to you is literatures role in addressing social issues? Does fiction still have the power to create change? Power lies with many other forces: politicians, oligarchs, tyrants, the cult of celebrity, whoever can shout loudest, has the most followers, whichever party can capture your attention, can manipulate algorithms. But good writers can enter your heart and your imagination look at Perumal Murugans work, at the power of Geetanjali Shrees words, at the towering force that was Girish Karnad or Krishna Sobti. Change can also happen subtly. Writers can choose to tell the truth, a powerful act when were caught in a web of deceptions, and fiction can, at its best, jolt readers out of the mayajaal, challenge and transform your beliefs. The problem is that as global English language publishing grows more corporate, fiction risks becoming another consumable, a feelgood, mass-produced or AI-generated product. But writers who remain true to the calling itself will always have the power to stir up necessary trouble. The representation of diverse voices and perspectives is a growing concern. How do you approach diversity and inclusivity in your writing? Publishing is a harsh business. Globally, writers earn less and less even as more books are published, and in India, we still lack the grants, the residencies, and the supporting infrastructure prizes and literary festivals dont bridge that gap. This means that only the most determined or the most privileged become writers and if you need social, caste-based and financial capital in order to join the profession, that automatically excludes far too many. Fiction writers can always use the excuse that they should have unlimited freedom to explore any terrain they choose, which is partly true. But it took me years to write Black River because I was writing about people whose experiences, struggles, dreams and griefs, were sharply different from my far more cushioned life. If youre going to do that, you have a duty of care. The research helped, years of conversations and learning, and letting go of any preconceptions, may have helped, but most of all I tried to write with respect and empathy for Rabia, Chand, Khalid, Ombir, Badshah Miyan and everyone who is part of Black River. You have to put yourself in someone elses place, and let them be real, flawed, fully themselves. How do you think technology, especially in the digital age, has influenced the landscape of literature and storytelling? Big question! Its shortened our attention spans, and we lose something essential when we become consumers rather than readers. Unfortunately, many in technology are dismissive of or heedless of the humanities, and that shows in their engineering. It can be malignant social media in particular enables the spread of the crudest, most dangerous propaganda, like poison coursing through the veins of storytelling itself, and the AI age may be a monstrous as well as creative one. But the Internet also placed resources such as libraries and writing tools, in the hands of millions, and gave readers marvellous ways to share their love of books and stories across national and other borders. Storytelling is a fundamentally human creation, and even though many of us are now hybrid creatures our selves fragmented across devices and platforms, divided jerkily between earthly lives and online lives we still seem to need to write, tell, and read, and listen to stories. The form may change and transmute; not that deep, centuries-old call-and-response between tale, teller, and audience. Not to forget, you have a background in journalism. How has your experience in journalism influenced your approach to fiction writing? Perhaps the greatest gift from my years working with the Business Standard, and later the New York Times, was learning to shut up and listen, to research, to question what youre seeing or being told to see. If journalism showed me a map of missing girls across much of North India those lives taken in casual murders, in under-investigated crimes fiction gave me a place for that anger, the sense of loss and injustice one carries for so many years. I thought I knew Delhi well, but researching the Yamuna and the outskirts of the city for Black River helped me see how pollution of the elements as well as of the spirit had destroyed the land, and the web of human connections around the land; the waters choke, the soil reaches exhaustion, the air grows more poisonous, and all of this affects us, whether we acknowledge it or not. I love fiction because it is limitless, and you can create a universe with just words; but journalism helped me anchor my imagination in a plausible, hopefully vivid, reality. Most of all, those years as a reporter taught me to get out and walk the city, the river, walk and listen and see how different a place might feel to migrants, outsiders, all those who find unexpected refuge in this massive, often abrasive, sometimes nurturing, megacity. Can you talk to us a little about your sessions at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series Jaipur Literature Festival this year? Crime fiction is picking up in India about time, considering that we have everything from fierce wars between rival criminal clans sparked by forbidden love affairs between clan members, to people like Lal Behari who was declared dead by a property-stealing uncle, ran unsuccessfully against Rajiv Gandhi in the 1989 election, and founded the Mritak Sangh, the UP Association of Dead People. Im in conversation with Pragya Tiwari, who is as brilliant as a moderator as she is at everything else, so were not likely to run out of things to talk about! Lastly, what is next for you in line? There are so many books I want to write: short stories, poems, essays, more novels, its all bubbling in that cauldron, and all I want is more time and nine more lives. But Im also wrestling with the next novel, almost done. I hope I can make this one sing. An emotional Amitabh Bachchan expressed his gratitude as fans gathered outside his Mumbai home on Sunday for darshans. For years, a sea of fans have made their way outside Amitabhs house in Juhu for the traditional Sunday darshans. Fans unite to catch a glimpse of Big B and show him their love. Last Sunday, February 19, was no different. In a video shared by the veteran actor on social media, the actor was seen making his way to the doors as fans waited to greet him. Fans from different corners of the world and of different ages were seen coming together to see Amitabh Bachchan. In the video, Amitabh greeted them with folded hands and a big smile. He waved at fans at the far back and even signed a few fan artworks. Sharing the video on X, Amitabh wrote on in Hindi, Yeh nahi hai toh kuch nahi hai (Theres nothing if this isnt there). He shared the video on his blog as well and wrote, This (the fan meet) is the revelation of the anticipation .. those familiar Ef .. their dedication .. their chants .. their smiling faces .. just for those fleeting few moments .. and there is wonder ever .. why how .. my gratitude ever .. my reasoning for its why and wherefore .. never the hope of its happening .. ever .. Amitabh Bachchan has been busy with his work lately. The actor was seen shooting for his Tamil debut film recently. He will be starring in Rajinikanths upcoming film, dubbed as Thalaivar 170. The film is helmed by Jai Bhim fame director TJ Gnanavel. Amitabh will also be seen in Kalki 2898 AD with Deepika Padukone and Prabhas. The actor also has the remake of The Intern, produced by Deepika Padukone. She will also star in the film. BTS member J-Hope recently celebrated his 30th birthday on Sunday. J-Hope is currently serving his mandatory military stint in the South Korean Army and is unable to produce new material for fans. However, J-Hope fans can soon watch a six-part documentary series on dance that features J-Hope. Produced by BTS label HYBE, the docu-series called Hope on the Street will be released on Amazon Prime Video on March 28, with new episodes releasing every Thursday and Friday. The documentary series aims to cover the thriving dance scene across the world and also highlights J-Hopes love for dancing. Before debuting with BTS, J-Hope was part of Neuron, an underground dance group. He also took dance classes at Gwangju Music Academy for six years. As per Hollywood Reporter, J-Hope will be joined by famous dancer Boogaloo Kin as they explore the streets of Osaka, Seoul, New York, Paris, and J-Hopes hometown Gwangju to meet up-and-coming street dancers. The documentary series will also feature songs from J-Hopes upcoming album Hope on the Street Vol.1. The six-track album is set for release on March 29. It follows the release of J-Hopes 2022 solo album, Jack in the Box, which reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Interestingly, last March, just before his mandatory military enlistment J-Hope released On the Street, a single with American rapper J. Cole. J-Hope previously mentioned his new album and the documentary series on Suchwita, a talk show hosted by his bandmate Suga. While speaking about the project, J-Hope said, Therell be new content about my life called Hope on the Street. Itll be about my dancing and my story, he explained in between bites of food and drink. The dancing scene is actually much bigger than you think. It just hasnt risen up to the surface. But if you really dig into it, there are so many talented people and its a huge market. So, as I experienced that personally, although I didnt go to a lot of cities, I traveled around the world and filmed with a lot of amazing dancers. That documentary will be out in 2024. Its literally like its name, Hope on the Street. Its just J-Hope dancing on the street. He also added, Theres even gonna be an OST album for Hope on the Street. Its just a special album consisting of six songs. Deepika Padukone did not meet Cillian Murphy and Bradley Cooper at BAFTA 2024, in contrary to what the viral photo has claimed. A photo went viral on Monday morning claiming that Deepika met the Oppenheimer star and the Maestro actor at the 77th British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards which place in the UK. For the unversed, Deepika Padukone was one of the presenters at the BAFTA 2024 ceremony. She was the only Bollywood star to have been a part of the prestigious event. Deepika opted to wear a saree for the memorable night. While photos and videos of her walking the red carpet have caught fans attention, a photo of Deepika Padukone posing with Cillian Murphy and Bradley Cooper went viral. While it seems like the trio met, it has been revealed that it is not the case. The photo has been photoshopped and the fake photo was shared by a fan account, News18 has now learnt. At the BAFTA 2024 awards show, Deepika presented the award for the Film Not in English Language Award category. Deepika walked on stage wearing a golden saree, by Sabyasachi, and with ample grace presented the award. Before presenting the award, Deepika introduced the nominations of the categories. The incredible stories nominated in this category, depict real and imagined worlds that stay with us long after the credits roll. From the Alps to the Andes, South Poland to Seoul and to Ukraine, the nominees are she said as the AV rolled out the nominations 20 Days in Mariupol, Anatomy of a Fall, Past Lives, Society of the Snow and The Zone of Interest. And the BAFTA goes to The Zone of Interest, Deepika announced, welcoming the winner and congratulating him on his win. Meanwhile, Cillian beat Bradley to win the Best Actor for his performance in Oppenheimer. The movie also bagged the Best Film award. Vikrant Massey and Sheetal Thakur celebrated their second wedding anniversary in a heartfelt celebration, just weeks after welcoming their newborn son into the world. The duo, known for their adorable chemistry both on and off-screen, took to social media to share glimpses of their intimate festivities. Sheetal offered fans a delightful glimpse into their special day through a series of Instagram stories. The pictures showed beautifully decorated cakes, marked Vikrant & Sheetal." Alongside the photos, Sheetal wrote, Two years of marriage! Happy Anniversary to us" along with a heart emoji. This is the couples first wedding anniversary since becoming parents, making the celebration even more special. The couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on February 7th, 2024, sharing the news on Instagram. The note on the image read, 07.02.2024. For we have become one. We are bursting with joy and love to announce the arrival of our son. Love Sheetal and Vikrant." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vikrant Massey (@vikrantmassey) During an interview with Samdish on his YouTube show, Unfiltered by Samdish, Vikrant candidly shared the story of how he met his wife, Sheetal, and their blossoming love. He reminisced, We met in Bombay. We met through a common friend, and I dont know if people will take this in the wrong sense. I had a friend, so he came to meet me. He said, Bhaiya, Ive found a very beautiful girl and I like her, I want to introduce you to her. If you meet her, you can help me set up my life." I said okay, come home. He brought her to Bhaiyas house. Then, Bhaiya fell in love." When asked if he fell in love with Sheetal at their first meeting, Vikrant mentioned it was love at third sight. The couple dated for a while before they got married. They had a civil ceremony on February 14, 2022, followed by a traditional wedding in Himachal Pradesh on February 18, 2022. On the professional front, Vikrant Massey is gearing up for a slew of exciting projects. He is slated to star in director Jayprad Desais highly anticipated thriller, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, alongside actors Taapsee Pannu and Jimmy Shergill. Additionally, Massey is set to captivate audiences in the drama film Ruskin Bond. Furthermore, he has several other projects in the pipeline, including an untitled Rajkumar Hirani web series, Sector 26, and The Sabarmati Report. Defeating nominees like Bradley Cooper (Maestro) and Paul Giamatti (The Holdover), Cillian Murphy won the Best Actor Award for his performance in Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer. At the 77th BAFTA Awards, while Nolan won his first Best Director award, the actor also became the first Irish-born actor to take a BAFTA home. In total, Oppenheimer won a total of seven awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, thus cementing its race to the Academy Awards now. During his acceptance speech, Murphy was seen extending gratitude to his director as he said, Thank you for that extraordinary, exhilarating script, and for always pushing me. Further speaking about his character as physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, the actor added, Oppenheimer was this colossally knotty, complex character, and he meant different things to different people. One mans monster is another mans hero. Thats why I love movies as a place to interrogate and investigate that complexity. Oh boy! Cillian Murphy collects his Leading Actor BAFTA for Oppenheimer #EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/M5pjKhtrqZ BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 18, 2024 Cillian Murphy as a proud Irishman Besides the acceptance speech, the actor was also seen speaking backstage at the Royal Festival Hall and showing happiness over his BAFTA win. Im a really, really proud Irishman. I have to say that, of course. And it means a lot to me to be Irish, he said. Further joking about what he should say, Murphy added, I dont know what else to say. Should I sing a rebel song? Its a little overwhelming. Its kind of mind-blowing. Im thrilled and a little shocked. Should I sing a rebel song? Cillian Murphy takes home the #bafta for Best Actor in #oppenheimer He made history by being the first Irish born to win that category pic.twitter.com/8hoa6YseVk Today FM (@TodayFM) February 18, 2024 Oppenheimers nominations at the BAFTA Awards Having had the highest number of nominations at the 77th British Academy Film Awards, Oppenheimer won the Best Film award against Poor Things, Killers of the Flower Moon, Anatomy of a Fall, and The Holdovers. Besides the three leading awards, the film also bagged trophies for editing, cinematography, musical score, and, not to forget, the Best Supporting Actor award for Robert Downey Jr. With the Golden Globe and now the BAFTA, the film and its cast are now looking forward to the Oscars with really high hopes. About Oppenheimer Based on the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, also known as the father of the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer shows Cillian Murphy portraying the titular role. The film focuses on the physicists role in developing the atomic bomb in line with the Manhattan Project. Tamil star Sivakarthikeyan commenced shooting for his upcoming film, tentatively titled SK23, under the direction of veteran filmmaker AR Murugadoss. The project, marking his 23rd film, initiated its filming journey just five days ago with a puja ceremony held on February 14. Three days after the auspicious puja, the sets of SK23 brimmed with festivity as Sivakarthikeyan celebrated his 39th birthday on February 17, alongside the cast and crew. Viral photos depict the actor cutting his birthday cake with co-star Rukmini Vasanth and director AR Murugadoss, capturing the joyous ambience on set. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bhuvanesh S (@bujji5749) The images also showcase the sets adorned with balloons, enhancing the celebratory mood on Sivakarthikeyans special day. The highlight of the festivities was a biryani party organised by the actor for everyone involved in the production. In the heartwarming snapshots, Sivakarthikeyan is seen personally serving biryani to the crew members. SK23 marks Sivakarthikeyans maiden collaboration with AR Murugadoss, renowned for his directorial ventures like Thupakki and Ghajini. In the movie, Rukmini Vasanth, acclaimed for her role in Sapta Sagaradaache Ello, shares the screen as the female lead opposite Sivakarthikeyan. Given Rukminis rising popularity after the box-office success of her Kannada film, this new collaboration between her and Sivakarthikeyan holds tremendous promise. Furthermore, Sivakarthikeyan fans received an additional treat on his birthday with the revelation of the title of his upcoming Rajkumar Periyasamy project, Amaran. The teaser video for the film has already begun to gain traction online. In the teaser, Sivakarthikeyan portrays the late Major Mukund Varadarajan, commander of the 44 Rashtriya Rifles Cheetah Company in the Indian Army. The gripping 90-second teaser showcases the Major preparing his troops for a perilous counterterrorism mission amidst escalating tensions in the war on terror. Major Mukund tragically lost his life in combat with militants in Shopian, Kashmir, in April 2014. He was posthumously awarded the nations highest peacetime gallantry honour, the Ashok Chakra, for his exemplary valour and sacrifice. We have seen extreme fantastical vilification by people like James Todd, while there is extreme eulogizing by others. There are many promoting the Timurids (in the name of Moghuls) for good. But if I look at the records of Timurids themselves, it seems that had any one of them been alive, they would have possibly rejected all these narratives of glorification. And the texts like the Baburnama etc. stand aloud as the testimony of this matter. In the world of Turco-Mongols, secularism as it is glorified today, was never a virtue of glory back then. It all begins with the name itself. They have always been addressed as Moghuls, but did they ever address themselves as so? While penning the Baburnama, Babur ensured a clear distinction between him being a Timurid Prince establishing a Timurid Gurkaniyan Sultanate and not the Moghul, which has been a popular claim of late. One may argue that Babur may have not used the term Moghul at all and hence the different term. But that too is not the reality. Babur has used the term Moghul/ Mughal/Mugal more than 400 times in the Baburnama drawing a clear distinction. In fact, he has the worst opinion of the Moghul clan. But the question that may arise is why should we bring in the name of the clan while we are just chronicling their history? The answer lies in the fact that even this name distortion occurred only because there was something to hide. Humbly speaking, the wrong name was used to create a narrative. Or else why suddenly in the nineteenth century, Indologists would begin calling Timurid Gurkaniyan Mughals almost after three centuries of their establishment in what they called Hindustan. Abul-Fazl in the Ain-e-Akbari does mention them being the empire of Hindustan. So, coming back to the name, Timur never liked to see himself as Moghul even though both him and Genghis Khan had a common ancestor Tumanay Khan (Figure 1). Timur was in the tenth generation while Ghengis was in the fifth generation. Baburs ancestors were sharply distinguished from the classical Mongols (Moghuls) insofar as they were oriented towards Persian rather than Turco-Mongol culture. According to John Joseph Saunders, Timur was the product of an Islamized and Iranized society, and not steppe nomadic (Mongols). If one looks at Timurs character, he was an opportunist. Taking advantage of his Turco-Mongolian heritage, he frequently used either the religion of Islam, Sharia law, fiqh, or traditions of the Mongol Empire to achieve his military goals and domestic political aims. This exactly was the trait of those whom we call Moghuls from the period of ad 1526 onwards. They had all the barbaric traits of the steppe nomads, but the same would be reflected when Persian strategies failed to core. Though barbaric, the Mongol Empire was known to be highly secular and tolerant towards all existing faiths. In fact, after having given protection to the Muslims, Genghis Khan earned the title of defender of religions. What is very interesting is that the Mongol passion for religious tolerance charmed the European writers of the eighteenth century very broadly. Edward Gibbon, an English historian writes in a celebrated passage, The Catholic inquisitors of Europe, who defended nonsense by cruelty, might have been confounded by the example of a barbarian, who anticipated the lessons of philosophy and established by his laws a system of pure theism and perfect toleration. He goes on to add, in a footnote that singular conformity may be found between the religious laws of Zingis Khan and Mr. Locke. Well, for people who dont know about John Locke (29 August 163228 October 1704)he was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the Father of Liberalism. He had influenced people like Voltaire. Perhaps the European idea of imperialism had a facade of liberalism and secularism which appeared as a cool buttress. In contrast, Timur had a record of persecution in the name of religion. As explained earlier, Timur had a high Persian influence. Before he could lay the siege of Persia, the condition of Christians was already horrendous with the rise of Islam as the state religion for a long. The history of the church in Asia in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries was very much tied up with the rise of the Mongol/Moghul power under Hulegu, Kublai and Timur. The first two were brothers, sons of the Nestorian princes Sorkaktani and were known to be protectors of Christians while Timur became known for their destruction. And in the year fifteen hundred and seventy-six of the Greeks (a.d. 1265), in the days which introduced the Fast [of nineveh], Hulegu, King of Kings, departed from this world. The wisdom of this man, and his greatness of soul, and his wonderful actions are incomparable. And in the days of summer Tokuz Khatun, the believing queen, departed, and great sorrow came to all the Christians throughout the world because of the departure of these two great lights, who made the Christian religion triumphant. The Mongol ruler of Persia (IlKhan), Ghazan (ad 12951304) converted to Islam and what followed was highly disastrous. The systematic persecution of Christians, Jews and Buddhists had become vogue, and their places were destroyed at a huge pace. The initial days of Mongol rule had seen Christians being favoured extensively, but since the Islamic Conversion and after a lapse of seven decades, Islam had yet again risen as the state religion in Persia, changing things from how they were earlier. Bar Hebraeus in his chronography describes the conditions of the Christians as extremely horrible. He writes: No Christian dared to appear in the streets (or market), but the women went out and came in and bought and sold, because they could not be distinguished from the Arab women, and could not be identified as Christians, though those who were recognized as Christians were disgraced, and slapped, and beaten and mocked. The persecution of Christians continued unabated under the subsequent IlKhans. With the dawn of the 1340s, the Mongol power began to cease as Timur took control. Timur was clear and sound, knowing exactly what he wanted. He wanted to revive an Islamic Caliphate by hook or by crook with a definitive plan to make Samarkand the capital of Asia. One can say that he was a great conqueror concerning the parameters set in the West and the Middle East, but, in our eyes, was the image made up of his extreme brutalities. Between ad 1380 and ad 1393, Timur captured Central Asia, Persia, Egypt and the northern parts of India. By ad 1383, Baghdad, with the unabridged Mesopotamia, was completely under his control the route to which was indeed horrific to the indigenous people. As per the witness accounts, Timur had made twenty towers of skulls, each having a minimum of fifteen hundred, in the ruins of Isfahan and Baghdad. Few historians describe a systematic use of terror against towns, as Tamerlanes strategic element. This was also a ploy through precedents by which he would avoid bloodshed. The widespread fear precluded any resistance as people chose to submit instead. But at the same time, his massacres were highly selective, and he spared the people who in his eyes were experts of art and knowledge to some extent. Undoubtedly, this is the same model that Babur and his successors followed. This was not the Mongol or Moghul case in general. In India, he captured and ordered the execution of a hundred thousand prisoners to free his soldiers thereby concretizing his aspiration of Delhi. Of course, within these misfortunes, both Muslims and non-Muslims suffered despite the intention being to target non-Muslims largely. Unlike the general Mongol traditions of governance, Timur ensured systematic persecution on account of religion. The control of Delhi was one of the very important victories of Timur. And why not? Delhi was one of the richest cities in the world back then. Retaliations began after Delhi fell into his hands. Timur led the Turco-Mongol Army and inflicted massive bloodshed and massacres against all the retaliations within the city walls. After three days of tussling between resisting forces and the Turco-Mongol Army, it is said that the city smelt of the decomposing bodies of its sons with their heads being placed over one another and the bodies left as food for the birds by Timurs soldiers. This destruction of Delhi had opened the doors for long-lasting chaos that would consume India for long. The great city of Delhi founded by Anangpal Tomar would not be able to recover from the great loss it suffered for at least centuries. As stated earlier, Timur was an excellent politician. The precedents that follow would prove this case. Timurs Turco-Mongolian heritage offered him both prospects and contests. He had all desires to rule the Muslim world, being the head of the Mongol Empire. But the existing Mongol tradition posed outright trouble for his ambition. He was not the direct descendant of Genghis Khan (refer to Figure 1) and hence he couldnt claim the title of the Khan or rule the Mongol Empire. Henceforth, the cunning Timur set up a puppet in Chaghatay Khan, Suyurghatmish, as the titular ruler of Balkh by pretending to be a protector of the member of a Chinggisid line (Genghis Khans eldest son, Jochi). At the same time, Timur took up the title of Amir. It was as good as not only being the general but also acting in the name of the Chagatai ruler of Transoxiana. To underpin this position, Timur further claimed the title Guregen (royal son-in-law) when he married Saray Mulk Khanum, a princess of Chinggisid descent. While Timur aspired to rule both the Muslim and Mongol worlds, he could neither take the title of Khan nor he could become the Caliph, as the latters office was limited to the tribe of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Hence to solve this crisis, Timur did something very different (later his successor Abul-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar would do something similar in the sixteenth century). Timur got a myth formulized and portrayed himself as a supernatural personal power ordained by God (say, Allah). Interestingly and radically enough, this myth was propagated that he was a spiritual descendant of Ali, thus linking his lineage to both Genghis Khan and the Quraysh. So, this makes the narrative clear that Timur aspired to become powerful by hook or crook. He wanted to be known as the head of all humanity without compromising on principles laid by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This sets the precedent very correctly for Babur who established a Timurid Empire in India to push for not only Islamism but also to retain control over the Mongols. He simply meant business and being a follower of Timur, he would not shy away from inflating and using religion whenever required. Perhaps intolerance was a part of their conduct and it would be dishonest to expect the progenies of Timur to begin a new chapter of tolerance. If one understands Timur it will not be tough to get into the psyche of the politics of Babur and his successors. Not to forget, the history of Timur had a strong impact on Babur. Before this project of books on the Timurid Gurkaniyan, I deep-dived into the lives of Babur, Humayun, Akbar and Aurangzeb. Their religious and economic policies were very clear to me but as research progressed, a lot opened even about Jahangir and Shah Jahan. It was quite astonishing for me to discover that Jahangir began his tourney as the king of the Timurid Empire, who was intolerant towards non-Muslims. Earlier Jahangirs image was known to me as the Salim of Mughal-e-Azam, but the historical records didnt agree with my impression of him. The maiden farmans of him indicated very strongly that he wanted to make his empire into a hardcore Islamist one. Although people talk of his drug and alcohol addictions, with fervour to show how distant he was from Islam in his own words, he had asked the Ulemas to prepare a set of idiosyncratic appeals to Allah which he could easily remember and repeat without any disturbance on his rosary. His sadistic nature is also well-recorded in his writings. When he went to war against Mewar, he declared it to be a qital fi sabilillah. Many mandirs were destroyed in this campaign. Similar emotions reigned high in his Kangra Campaign of ad 1621. His aggression against the Sikh Guru Arjun Dev too is very well recorded. Guru Arjun Dev was killed after being brutally tortured by Jahangir. Jahangirs ill-treatment of Guru Arjun Devs successor, Guru Hargobind, too has been well recorded. Jahangir went overboard in penalizing anyone who disagreed with him. During his reign, many prominent Muslims had disagreements with him, after which they couldnt escape his wrath however important they were to the society. The noteworthy Sufi Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi once pronounced that he once came closer to Allah than the Caliphs in his dreams. This made Jahangir furious as he saw this as an insult to the Caliphs. Yet another Sufi named Sheikh Nizam Thanesari was expatriated to Mecca on the charge of accompanying Khusrau Mirza. The author is an architect and historian. This extract has been taken from his introduction to his book, Babur: The Chessboard King, with the permission of the publisher. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. In an election year, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi has embarked on a Nyay Yatra which has already traversed through the eastern states of India and will cover the central regions, and finally culminate in the western states. It is considered as an east-west equivalent of his 2023 Bharat Jodo Yatra which covered the southern and northern states. Nyay Yatra has not even found any optics or resonance with the Congress party faithfuls, let alone the masses, and with skirmishes in Assam and Bengal, and the departure of key INDI alliance ally Nitish Kumar in Bihar, the yatra already appears to be a failed and irrelevant project which thoroughly discredits Rahul Gandhis prime ministerial contentions and even raises question marks on the political imagination of the Congress party. In the aftermath of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, a section of the political commentators created hullaballoo about a resultant electoral mobilisation but Rahul Gandhi managed to douse their enthusiasm with his ill-advised and ill-conceived remarks made on the state of democracy in India in a British university. Additionally, the episode of Rahul Gandhis disqualification as a Member of the Parliament (MP) that followed also became deeply symptomatic of the underlying uncaring and insubstantial politics that lies at the core of his political persona. During the course of Bharat Jodo Yatra, his carefully constructed bearded avatar, indicative of the much-needed sincerity in his political life, coupled with his propensity to portray himself as a political martyr in the aftermath of his disqualification as a Lok Sabha MP, only exposed a sense of entitlement that an elitist ruling class had come to expect from the institutions of India. In the so-called Nyay Yatra, Rahul Gandhi has not only abandoned the mainstream political space right before the general elections but has also chosen political irrelevancy by choosing vague yatra objectives which are enough to provide him with some media coverage but can highly substantiate his claim for political power at the Centre. Politics by no means It was argued by the party commentariat that the enthusiasm of the people, generated by the first phase of the yatra alone, provided the Congress and its allies with a strong sense of electoral mobilisation and resolve that was needed to respond to the leadership crisis that emanated after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when Rahul Gandhi ingloriously resigned from the post of the president of the Congress after serving a very short tenure of one and half years. After his disqualification as an MP in Lok Sabha, this perceived enthusiasm found its immediate realisation in the form of a joint protest by the Opposition parties who failed to see this as the law at work with some even articulating a case for legal immunity for the Gandhi family. Some commentators also saw it as a delivered political moment which would create ripples of sympathy wave among the electorate. If with the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the subsequent disqualification, Gandhi had come to the centre stage of the Opposition politics, the Nyay Yatra has achieved exactly the opposite with the premature withering of INDI alliance partners and the Congress inability to find relevant issues that may find resonance with the voters. Rahul Gandhis obsession with the Adani row and the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), and lately the deliberate obfuscation of the Manipur violence and Caste Census, remind the general public of his erstwhile failure to convince and project the Rafael deal into a corruption issue before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. His political immaturity was reflected in his resolve to continue with the Nyay Yatra, albeit with a bus this time, while ignoring the parliament budget session, its noise and optics, and in his inability to prioritise working out a coalition with the INDI alliance parties which involved bargains and machinations. Contrastingly, Prime Minister Modi, from his political charisma and rhetorical astuteness, has reassured his voters with neatly designed welfare and development programmes, his advocacy of Indias interests at home and abroad, and a vision of Viksit Bharat in 2047. Under Indias presidency, the multilateral forum of G20 was successfully reshaped and reinvented. In 2024, he has not allowed an inch of political territory by capitalising on the consecration of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, reaching out to the electorate in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and with note-setting speeches and the release of the white paper on economic mismanagement of UPA in the recently concluded session of the parliament. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhis politics of love has not translated into the pursuit of real issues which fuel political life and can deliver electoral victory in the general elections in contemporary India. The political mileage of this politics of love probably merits, at best, a press conference and some flattering prose written by party intellectuals, but not the real and tangible votes of Indians. In short, apart from the pull of dynastic and appeasement politics, and the big-tent approach of the Congress, Rahul Gandhi today has nothing to offer to the Indian electorate. He fails at politics itself. Looking back at Yatras It can be comfortably argued that even in recent years of successful electioneering by the BJP, the Indian electorate has genuinely rewarded several political actors, regional as well as national, who sought to mobilise it in clear alignment with its wants and aspirations. A case for a vigorous, demanding and mature electorate can be made on the basis of the study of the phenomenon of yatras. It should be noted that yatras have been a part of our religio-cultural ecosystem having spiritual as well as historical connotations. Gandhian reworking of this religious jargon as a means of anti-colonial struggle has been very well documented. In recent history also, yatras have proven to be a very primal way to engage with the lively democratic processes of modern Indian polity. The Rath Yatra of Lal Krishna Advani reinvented the politics of India and legitimised the rise of the BJP through the Ram temple politics. In recent times, Praja Sankalpa Yatra was also undertaken by Jagan Mohan Reddy in 2017 which, many argued, propelled him to power in Andhra Pradesh. Election strategist and political entrepreneur Prashant Kishore is on a Jan Suraj Yatra of his own, seeking a mobilisation of the people against Nitish Kumar in Bihar. Sachin Pilots innumerable visits to different parts of Rajasthan in the pre-Assembly elections duly rewarded the Congress party in 2018. Even Imran Khan in the neighbouring country sought legitimacy by addressing several Jalsas and thereby connecting with the people, a possible equivalent of the yatra if we dont go into the hermeneutics of translation. If this political method of establishing a grassroots connection with the people is so simple and effective in the Indian subcontinent, it also goes on to underline a significant principle of our lively democratic processes that was also highlighted by Prime Minister Modi in one of his recent speeches. Direct means of connecting with the people and galvanising them towards the outreach programmes work for both the party cadre as well as the electorate. The BJP, and to some extent, AAP, YSRCP, and other regional parties have fine-tuned this level of engagement with the people and have also spent a lot of time finding the right vocabulary that resonates with the masses. Social media has also allowed such political organisations to bypass the jargon of opinion-makers and the intellectual fatigue they cause. Political fortunes in our democracy still significantly rest on the ability to communicate and connect with the masses in the sabhas, rallies, road shows and yatras, a case that Prime Minister Modi proves daily. Rhetorical Failures Rahul Gandhi and the machinery that he represents lack political clarity in both imagination as well as the projection of political ideas. The irony between the expectations of mass mobilisation immediately after a yatra in a democratic polity like ours, and the pictures of a surveillance state and constraints on the basic structure of Indian democracy, painted by Mr Gandhi routinely, is not lost on the general public. He expects the masses to heed the messages of the Opposition by the barest of acts of mobilisation and political engagement, and on the other side betrays the whole process of a democratic polity by questioning the processes of elections and governance through his verbal misadventures, and often suggests the compromise of the institutions of judiciary and media in internationalist settings that entertain his sophomoric enthusiasm. The constant conflation between the government of the day and the nation reflects badly on the part of the Congresss political machinery and the scion of the Gandhi dynasty. His invocation of the prime ministers caste in the Nyay Yatra betrayed his lack of political understanding as his partys treatment of social justice as a principle of politics is very chequered. A sense of political clarity would have allowed him to navigate his caste prejudices and divisive politics without vocalising them in disparaging terms for a person whose rise to the prime ministers position validates the success of Indian democracy. Conclusion Yatra as a medium to gauge the electorate will continue to be relevant in Indias diverse democracy. What they require is a generative political imagination with which resonances can be built and the message of the voters can be conveyed and represented. Indias electorate still finds the liberal internationalist approach to creating global discussions around local issues clearly unpalatable and remains very cognizant of the vested interest groups. Rahul Gandhi will do well to learn from the failures of the Left which constantly seeks international validations and even pursues global opinions and irrelevant terminologies to respond to local issues. Sorosesque agenda-driven opinions will have a limited impact on contemporary Indias democratic processes. The reality of polities like India is increasingly marked by the belief in the ability of the nation to deliver for its own people. With or without yatra, for any politics that offers itself as an alternate national politics, unwavering belief and commitment to the democratic processes of India is the least that it should offer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Crew evacuated from UK-registered ship still 'taking in water' 36 hours after Houthi missile attack in Red Sea The crew of a UK-registered cargo ship in the Red Sea were evacuated after it was damaged in a missile attack by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, say maritime authorities. The Houthis identified the vessel as the Rubymar and claimed it may be at risk of sinking, though this could not be independently confirmed. The ship targeted in the attack on Sunday reported sustaining damage after an explosion in close proximity to the vessel, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) reported. Military authorities report crew have abandoned the vessel, UKMTO said. Vessel at anchor and all crew are safe. US Central Command said: Between 9:30 and 10:45 p.m, two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen toward MV Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier. One of the missiles struck the vessel, causing damage. The ship issued a distress call and a coalition warship along with another merchant vessel responded to the call to assist the crew of the MV Rubymar. The crew was transported to a nearby port by the merchant vessel.The Rubymar sustained damaged although the crew were able to evacuate, the vessel's maritime security company LSS-SAPU told Reuters on Monday. "We know she was taking in water," LSS-SAPU said when asked about the vessel's condition. "There is nobody on board now," LSS-SAPU added. "The owners and mangers are considering options for towage." The operator of the vessel is understood to be a Lebanese registered company and it is Belize flagged. The 24-person crew were rescued by the MV Lobivia a Singapore-flagged container ship and were enroute to Djibouti. None of the crew are UK or US nationals. The master and crew of the MV Rubymar are understood to have abandoned ship due to their vessel taking on water, a situation understood to be continuing at least 36 hours after the attack. In a second incident in the Red Sea, a Greece-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier with 23 crew members was attacked twice on Monday by missiles, with a window damaged but no injuries to personnel, Greek shipping ministry sources said. Story continues The vessel was taking grain from Argentina to Aden. So far, no ships attacked by the Houthis have been sunk or any crew killed but there are growing safety fears, and if either of these situations happened it would dramatically increase the Red Sea crisis. Britain condemned the attack on the Rubymar. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: As you will appreciate, its a developing situation. He added: Clearly, we condemn any attacks by the Houthis against commercial, civilian ships. HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond continue to patrol the Red Sea to help protect commercial shipping and as the PM has said we will not hesitate to act to protect the freedom of navigation and lives at sea. A Government spokesperson later said: We condemn this reckless attack by the Houthis against the MV Rubymar, a Belize flagged cargo ship. Current reports suggest no casualties. Nearby coalition vessels are already on the scene and HMS Richmond continues to patrol in the Red Sea to help protect commercial shipping. The ship was reported to be travelling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Houthi Brigadier General Yahya Saree issued a statement claiming the attack, saying the vessel was now at risk of potentially sinking. The ship suffered catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt, he said. During the operation, we made sure that the ships crew exited safely. The private security firm Ambrey reported the British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo ship had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates. Ambrey described the ship as being partially laden with cargo, but it was not immediately clear what it had been carrying. The ship had reportedly turned off its Automatic Identification System tracker while in the Persian Gulf early this month. Since November, the Yemen-based rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters over Israels war targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Britain has rejected any link with the attacks and the Hamas/Israel war and has joined the US in launching air strikes on Houthi positions. Other UK-linked ships have been targeted by the Houthi campaign. The Houthi attacks have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, putting in danger shipping on a key route for trade between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Those vessels have included at least one with cargo for Iran, its main benefactor. Meanwhile, the US militarys Central Command reported it carried out five airstrikes targeting Houthi military equipment. Those strikes targeted mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, an explosive-carrying drone boat and an unmanned underwater vessel, Central Command said. This is the first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began in October 23, Central Command said. The BJPs national council meet its national convention concluded on a high note at the iconic Bharat Mandapam. The Bharat Mandapam symbolises what Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisages and is also a mirror to the Opposition which continues to indulge in a pipe dream of preventing his return for a third term. As Home Minister Amit Shah reminded the humongous gathering, the Congress had filed PIL after PIL to stop the construction of the Bharat Mandapam, the new Parliament building, the Kartavya Path and the worlds largest convention centre Yashobhoomi in Delhis Dwarka. And yet failed in preventing the erection of these iconic structures of a self-reliant India. While Modi aimed at transforming our scale of thinking, creating and achieving, the Congress-led Opposition parties and leaders aimed at holding back India, at somehow retarding this phenomenal transformation and of preventing the unleashing of our multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional potential. It was therefore a resounding victory when the Bharat Mandapam was eventually completed and India, led by Modi, hosted the world within its impressive and fascinating precincts. The Bharat Mandapam signified Indias emergence as Vishwamitra and symbolised Indias rise as a power that counted in the world and with whom the world is eager to engage. The Bharat Mandapam symbolises Modis triumph and of his idea of India an idea that will shape and direct an era over the next quarter century. It stands as a testimony to the narrative of Viksit Bharat. The 10,000-plus plus party workers who had gathered at Bharat Mandapam were well aware and PM Modis exhortation and Amit Shahs assertions redoubled that conviction that they were witnessing the beginning of a new age for India. The agenda for India for the next quarter century was being set, that the vision of India as a leading power in the world is no more just an aspiration. Its foundations were being laid and PM Modis third term would further concretise a roadmap to achieve it within a foreseeable future. As Narendra Modi said, Only we, only the BJP can promise Viksit Bharat and work to realise it. No other party can make this promise or has made it. PM Modis resolve to make India the third largest economy in his third term, and his mention that India was preparing to host the Youth Olympics of 2029 and is bidding for hosting the Olympics in 2036, gave a glimpse into his thinking and vision. A vision that was far-seeing, a roadmap already laid that would lead India to become a recognised and developed power. What could not be done in 60 years, Modi has done in a decade and Indias rise on the ladder as an economic power from 11th position to 5th best signifies the scale of transformation and performance. It was not only the global dimension of the India story that Modi reminded the workers and leaders at Bharat Mandapam. Even the manner in which India observed and celebrated the 75th year of independence was unique, never thought of, never done before, he told them. He spoke of how 60,000 plus Amrit Sarovars were built in commemoration of the seventy-fifth year of Indias freedom. It was a replenishing of Indias essence and its fabric. He was the first Prime Minister, Modi reminded the BJP rank and file, to speak of toilets and of the need to stop using abusive words and actions against women, from the Ramparts of the Red Fort. He has set each new milestone higher than the other. The democratic texture and essence of the country is maintained and reinvigorated, inclusion and unity are the driving ideals of his government. He movingly narrated his experience of following the 11 days of penance prior to the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya, and how across his peregrination through some of the most iconic temples in southern India, he concretely experienced the essence and core of the sustaining philosophy of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat. It was in me, he movingly told. We celebrate our diversity, and this is reflected in our governance as well, he asserted, describing the manner in which Indias Northeast has seen unprecedented inclusion in governance and development. The Congress in disarray, which is the progenitor of instability, corruption, appeasement and dynasticism, Narendra Modi asserted, is only obsessed with abusing him. The conflict in Congress is not on principles or policies, but on Modi. One section of the Congress says abuse and attack Modi personally, while another section says attack Modi on policies and issues, he said. While Modi best delineated the mission ahead, he also best spelt out the disarray, disillusion, and desperation in the ranks of the Opposition, especially the Congress and repeating how this was Indias time and how it was the right time for India. The Ram Mandir resolution was inspiring and precisely articulated the mood and emotions of not only those who had gathered at Bharat Mandapam but also the sense and feeling of the nation as a whole. The political resolution listed out the achievements of the Modi government. India, led by PM Modi, has achieved an all-time high in many fields, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh observed, while the Oppositions approach and politics is at an all-time low. The Sandeshkhali horror perpetrated by leaders, patronised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was forcefully condemned as a blot on civilised society. The resolution tabled and steered by Amit Shah, on the Oppositions complete lack of direction and issues, was the most hard-hitting resolution of the national convention. His was a masterly detailing of how the Congress, in its six decades of uninterrupted rule perpetuated corruption and conflict. The INDI alliance, Shah thundered, comprises of 7 family parties for whom quality, capacity, performance had no value, the only value is in which family you were born Shah undertook a detailing of the various obfuscation and false promises the Congress made in the past. He spoke of the party continuously hacking away at democratic and constitutional institutions. Shah spoke of how the Congress repeatedly reneged on its promise of granting constitutional status to the backward classes commission, how it opposed backward classes reservation, delayed and prevaricated whenever the issue came up, the way it opposed GST, the manner in which it worked overtime to demoralise people by opposing the Covid vaccine drive, dubbing it as Modi Vaccine. The Congresss culture of criticising the country and the government abroad was vicious and unprecedented, but even that could not arrest the rise of India. People ask you, when you go abroad, you are from Modis India, Shah asserted. Speaking of Congresss irresponsible politics and the politics of violence and lawlessness by the INDI Alliance Shah mentioned, without mincing words, how the Congress and most of its alliance partners have indulged in violent politics over the years. The horrifying incidents in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal have shaken everyone. The Trinamool Congress has been consistently targeting BJP workers in West Bengal, attempting to suppress the voice of the people through violence, Shah asserted. He did not fail to mention Kerala, where, under a CPIM government and its allied parties, several incidents of violence and murder have taken place against the BJP workers. The BJP, he said, applauds the dedication of its workers who are risking their lives to fight against the violence and lawlessness promoted by the Congress and its allied parties across the country and that it was committed to continuing its struggle against such a negative politics. From violence to corruption, from promoting some of the biggest scamsters in recent times to obsessively misusing constitutional powers against political opponents, to obsessively promoting family members, the Congress has become a symbol of all kinds of vices and evils in politicsIt has become synonymous with divisive politics based on caste, region, community, appeasement, thanks to the politics of vote-bank, Shah summed up. It was the most accurate, concise and heavy-duty description of the Congresss nefarious politics by the one who has done much to dismantle it across the country over the last decade. Perhaps Shah best summed up the reason for Congresss anger against Modi, its dilemma and desperation. PM Modi, Shah told the giant gathering at Bharat Mandapam, had in the last decade, championed the politics of performance, ended our collective inferiority complex and had rid free India of the symbols of colonial subjection. These were anathema to the Congress, hence its desperation. Modi 3.0 has set the agenda of a comprehensive national self-renewal and rise. This national convention met after witnessing a decade of history and renewed its pledge to be part of the shaping of a civilisational Bharat over the next quarter century. The author is Chairman, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation & Member, BJP National Executive Committee. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Months after the constitutional deadline, Pakistan witnessed a post-election mockery of its so-called democracy with brazen military interference in manipulating the election outcome. Held on February 8, 2024, amidst political uncertainty and military dominance, the general elections saw systematic attempts to suppress popular parties like Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) which was all but officially banned with its leaders incarcerated and election symbols denied. Despite this, PTI sprung a surprise with its candidates initially leading in a majority of National Assembly seats as independents. However, this prompted the establishment to pause vote counting, resulting in gradual receding of the significant leads of the PTI-backed candidates over their rivals and the eventual loss for many of them. This brazen manipulation has not only brought shame to the already discredited process, it also exposed how far the Pakistan Army can go to manipulate the electoral process. While the Pakistan militarys direct or indirect role in managing the system and especially orchestrating electoral results has been public knowledge for decades, this election vividly exposed its tactics. Surprisingly, the very same modus operandi and methods the Army apparently employed to dictate the outcome of the election (often called selections) in the past appears to be backfiring now. As per the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the polling booth-level results are compiled through Form 45, which details the distribution of votes for contesting candidates in a particular constituency. Issued officially by the Presiding Officers of the individual voting stations to all the participating candidates or their nominees/polling agents, the Form 45 document forms the basis of the overall vote count in a constituency, which is then reflected in Form 47 that is issued by the Returning Officers of the Constituencies. A desperate Pak Army manipulated the vote count at this level. In the past, with the Armys unchallenged writ and policy of carrot and stick, these discrepancies failed to make it to the TV screens and newspapers, even as the public was well aware of the ground realities. However, with Imran Khan challenging the Army, his party cadre ensured that the electoral fraud committed on their candidates was publicised through social media channels. Following the conclusion of voting on the evening of February 8, the ECP was constitutionally mandated to conclude the counting process by midnight and announce the complete results by then. As such, by 10:00 pm on February 8, as the initial trends trickled, PTI nominated candidates, running as independents, took an initial lead on as many as 180 seats (out of 265) of the National Assembly, surprising the establishment, political rivals, establishment controlled media and the pro-establishment experts and political analysts. However, as the popular will became apparent with the express mandate set for Imran Khan, what followed next raised many eyebrows as the ECP abruptly stopped releasing the latest trends on its website and to the media. The significant leads of PTI-backed candidates started receding with the passage of every hour. For instance, in one of the most brazen cases of electoral fraud, PTIs Salman Akram Raja, a prominent lawyer of Pakistan, who maintained a significant lead over his opponent Aun Chaudary of Istikham Party (establishment created party of PTI deserters), was forcefully evicted from the office of Returning Officer of his NA 128 Lahore constituency. This was followed by his lead drastically declining and eventually he was declared as defeated. As per the available Form 45 of the constituent polling stations of NA 128, Rajas lead over Chaudry stands, yet the RO issued Form 47 declaring his rival as the winner, prompting the Lahore High Court to withhold the official result. In another instance, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, forfeited his Sindh provincial assembly seat in favour of PTI-backed Saif Barri declaring that the establishment rigged the counting to make him win even though his PTI counterpart received more votes based on the data from Form 45. Despite constitutional mandates for timely results, the ECP delayed announcing final figures until February 11. However, this deliberate delay and apparent result orchestration aside, PTI still managed to score a bat-less century, reflecting strong support for Imran Khan. The PTI-backed Independent candidates won 95 seats, followed by 75 seats by Nawaz Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League (N) and 54 seats by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led Pakistan Peoples Party, among others. The election made a mockery of the Pakistani system, drawing criticism from even traditionally allied quarters internationally. Calls for investigating the election fraud have been led by the Chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. While British foreign minister David Cameron raised serious concerns over the fairness and lack of inclusivity of Pakistans elections, prominent US Democrats such as Ro Khanna and Ilhan Omar accused Pakistans military of rigging the elections as Imran Khan was overwhelmingly winning in the popular election and looked set for a landslide victory. Likewise, the international media exposed the Pakistan Armys duplicitous role in the countrys political affairs, especially in stage-managing the elections. For instance, France 24 dubbed the election as the most rigged in Pakistans history. In a report headlined The generals elections in Pakistan that turned against the military, the French public broadcaster stated that while Pakistans real power-wielder, that is its military was not on the ballot paper, it never gave the people any say on the election itself. Likewise, Time magazine called the elections Brazenly Rigged, even after Pakistans Military Used Every Trick to Sideline Imran Khan. A New York Times report contended that the Pakistani military leaders were hoping to put an end to Imran Khans politics and hence such a brazen attempt to manipulate the popular mandate. Never before in the countrys history has a politician seen such success in an election without the backing of the generals, much less after facing their iron fist, the NYT report stated. Britains Independent broadsheet called the popular yet stolen mandate for Imran Khan a rejection of military rule: a victory for democracy. It further stated that this was little short of an earthquake in a country whose political life is traditionally dominated, usually from behind the scenes, by powerful military chiefs. India Today, a prominent Indian news outlet, warned that the brazen attempt by the Pakistani Army to upend the popular mandate to orchestrate a new political reality risked perpetual political instability. While hobnobbing and cobbling up an alliance to suit the establishment must already be underway, any government by selection is not acceptable anymore to the people of Pakistan. Should the government formation look different from the mandate of the people, expect chaos in the streets of Pakistan, the news outlet cautioned. This blatant manipulation of the popular mandate by the Pakistan Army-led establishment underscores the lengths to which the generals in Rawalpindi will go to retain control of the country. However, the challenge to its decades-long status quo also offers hope for a persistent struggle to reclaim the popular mandate. With a discredited yet weakened military, the decisions made by Imran Khan and his party will probably determine the path that Pakistan would take while moving forward. The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. After an exhaustive day and a half of the BJP National Council, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP National President JP Nada and Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with chief ministers and deputy chief ministers from party-ruled states. During the meeting, which went on for nearly three hours, an intensive discussion took place on the further need to have an exhaustive approach to reach out to the beneficiaries of the central government schemes. The BJP-ruled Centre has undertaken the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra throughout the country which has seen huge participation from the public, especially women being added to the list of beneficiaries. During the meeting, various state party units also told the central leadership about the new initiatives and best practices that have reaped results for them. Had an extensive meeting with Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of states where @BJP4India is serving in Government. Discussed ways to further strengthen the growth trajectory of the states so that we can leverage double engine of growth to build a Viksit Bharat. pic.twitter.com/gQRXAsbs68 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 18, 2024 During the meeting, Tripura chief minister Manik Saha spoke about the new mobile app launched by the state for sharing feedback and grievance redressal, A source told Network 18. Apart from this, feedback was also taken from the chief ministers about the Gaon Chalo initiative that has been launched by the saffron party to go to the villages to understand their difficulties and to help in providing a positive solution to the people of those regions. For most of the meeting, the prime minister was very carefully listening to what the state chief minister had to say, another source said. The prime minister reiterated that the NDA alliance will get over 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, an announcement that he made from the floor of the Parliament during the budget session. The state chief minister has also apprised the central leadership about their feedback on the ground and the political equation in their states. All the chief ministers present in the meeting told the prime minister and the other central leaders that they would leave no stone unturned to achieve that landmark figure, sources said. The chief ministers council is a meeting that the prime minister holds from time to time with the state heads. Former Rajya Sabha MP Dr Vinay Sahastrabuddhe was the convenor of this meeting. This time a couple of new faces, including the chief ministers of the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, joined this meeting. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar could not attend the meeting since he was in Chandigarh for a meeting of the farmers leaders with the central ministers. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was also unable to attend the council meeting due to the ongoing violence situation in the state. The meeting saw the presence of BJP-ruled state chief ministers Bhajan Lal Sharma, Mohan Yadav, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Yogi Adityanath, and Pushkar Singh Dhami among others. Deputy chief ministers from the NDA states including Devendra Fadanvis from Maharashtra and YV Patton from Nagaland were also present. At present, the BJP has its chief minister in 6 out of 8 northeastern states. Hours after veteran politician Ghulam Nabi Azad claimed that former J&K chief minister Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah only sought late-night meetings with PM Modi Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to avoid opposition scrutiny, the Democratic Progressive Azad Party chief took a U-turn from his remarks. Clarifying his statement on National Conference leaders, Azad said that he never said they met PM Modi and Shah but that his sources informed him that he tries to meet central leadership only at night. #WATCH | Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) President Ghulam Nabi Azad clarifies on the reports in the media.He says, "I never claimed that he (Farooq Abdullah) met him (PM Modi). I said that through sources in Delhi, it has come to be known that he tries to meet central pic.twitter.com/jFx8f4c5EF ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024 I never claimed that he (Farooq Abdullah) met him (PM Modi). I said that through sources in Delhi, it has come to be known that he tries to meet central leadership that too only at night. I never said that he met or got an appointment, said Azad in his previous remarks. Azad, in an exclusive interview with India Today claimed Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah only sought late-night meetings with PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah as they wanted to escape scrutiny to please both the opposition and ruling party. Abdullahs were duplicitous, saying one thing in Srinagar, another in Jammu, and something else in Delhi, Azad told the publication. Azad also made a revelation about an alleged meeting between the Abdullahs and PM Modi on August 3, 2019, just before the scrapping of Article 370. He claimed that rumours swirled in Delhi that the Abdullahs were taken into confidence regarding the decision. He Should Tell Names of: Farooq Abdulla Reacts on Azads Claim Responding to Ghulam Nabi Azads claims, Farooq Abdullah denied Azads claims adding that if he wanted to meet PM Modi or Amit Shah, he would seek meetings in the daytime. If I have to meet PM Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah, I will meet them during the day, why should I meet them at night? What is the reason that he has thought of defaming Farooq Abdullah? the NC leader told ANI. He should tell the names of his agents who are sitting at the residence of the PM and Union Home Minister. He should tell people so that they can understand the truth, Abdullah added. Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasans Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party is likely to join the Secular Progressive Alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election and will be part of the I.N.D.I.A bloc for the 2024 general elections, according to sources. In this regard, Haasan is likely to meet Chief Minister MK Stalin after the Budget session, sources told CNN News18. The Tamil superstar, who is also President of MNM, will also contest the parliamentary polls either from Coimbatore south or Chennai, they said. Coimbatore seat is currently represented by CPI-M, while Chennai North, South and Central seats were represented by Dr Kalanidhi Veeraswamy, Dr Thamizhachi Thangapandian and Dayanidhi Maran respectively. All three are from the DMK. MNM has recently been sanctioned with the symbol of a battery torch. MNM-DMK Alliance The speculations about MNM joining the DMK-Congress alliance have been rife for some time. Haasans party, for the first time since its formation in 2018, endorsed another party in an electoral contest in February 2023. MNM openly supported DMK-Congress alliance candidate E.V.K.S Elangovan who is grandson of social reformer Periyar in the Erode East by-election. But that was not the first time when the MNM founder has shown support to the Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu. Haasan also walked alongside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the first phase of his Bharat Jodo Yatra in New Delhi last year. A few days later in February 2023, Haasan at an event was asked about his possible alliance with the DMK. To this, he reportedly addressed Stalin as a friend and said, Cant say about the alliance now, we have to move scene by scene and not go to climax now. Scene by scene should carry the story. Suspense over Congress veteran and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Naths possible Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) switch continues as the leader is likely to join the saffron camp soon. The move, if happens, would turn out to be a massive blow to the already shaky INDIA bloc and Congress party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. According to an India Today report, sources aware of the matter said that the senior Congress leader is upset after the partys leadership denied him a Rajya Sabha ticket in the upcoming elections. Kamal Nath is likely to switch to the BJP and the Congress leadership has made no attempts to reach out to him. Things have come to a knot with Kamal Nath actively lobbying for a Rajya Sabha ticket, the publication reported quoting sources. Earlier this week, Kamal Nath also visited Delhi, fuelling the speculation about the possible political switch even more. On being asked about his decision, Kamal Nath remained tight-lipped and said If anything like this happens, I will inform you. On the other hand, Kamal Naths and Congress MP Nakul Kamal Nath also dropped a major hint of a possible political switch after he removed the party name and symbol from his social media bio this week. Kamal Nath is reportedly upset as he was not consulted by the party leadership before the Congress nominated Gwalior-Chambal politician Ashok Singh for the Rajya Sabha elections. Meanwhile, the Congress party is so far in denial mode and reiterated that Kamal Nath, who is one of the few leaders left from the Indira Gandhi era, will remain with the grand old party. On being asked about the latest developments, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that he is confident Kamal Nath would never leave the party. I had a conversation with Kamal Nath ji last night. He is in Chhindwara. He is the person who started his political career with the Nehru-Gandhi family. You cannot expect that person to leave Sonia Gandhi and Indira Gandhis families, Singh said. Last week, BJP MP unit President VD Sharm said many senior Congress leaders are upset with their party leadership after the grand old party turned down the invitation to Ram Temples Pran Pratishta ceremony. He further added that the BJP will accept any Congress leader who wishes to join them with open arms, whether it is Kamal Nath or his son. The Samajwadi Party will not join Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh unless seat-sharing between the SP and Congress is finalised, party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Monday. According to a PTI report, the SP has offered 17 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh to the Congress, the party said on Monday, asserting that its chief Akhilesh Yadav will join the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Raebareli only if the proposal is accepted. We have given a final offer of 17 Lok Sabha seats to the Congress. Akhilesh Yadavs participation in the Nyay Yatra in Raebareli on Tuesday will depend on their acceptance, Rajendra Chaudhary, the Samajwadi Partys chief spokesperson, was quoted by PTI as saying. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function, he said, Right now talks are going on, lists have come from them, we have also given them the list. The moment, seat distribution is done, Samajwadi Party will join their Nyaya Yatra. Replying to a question on Swami Prasad Mauryas tirade against the party, Akhilesh said, People come for benefits and then go away. How does one know what is going on in their minds? Bharat Jodo Nyay & Seat Sharing In UP The Gandhi-led yatra will pass through Amethi on Monday. It will then enter Raebareli, where the Samajwadi Party chief had earlier said he would join. Earlier, it was reported that the Samajwadi Party has offered 11 seats to the grand old party while the Congress state unit has demanded a higher allocation. Ajay Rai, the Congress Uttar Pradesh unit chief, had earlier said the party should get around two dozen seats it had won in the 2009 general elections. The Samajwadi Party and the Congress are partners in the opposition INDIA bloc. West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar compared the situation in Sandeshkhali to what women faced in Afghanistan a few years ago, and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold a massive rally at Basirhat in North 24 Parganas district on March 7. The women of Sandeshkhali came up with the courage and said they were frequently raped by Shajahan Sheikh and his allies. But the police and administration were not letting anyone enter, at the risk of revealing the truth of what was happening here, Majumdar told News18 in an exclusive conversation. He said the molestation, sexual harassment and rape faced by the women of Sandeshkhali was shameful. We observed this kind of thing in Afghanistan a few years ago. Now, we are also seeing such activities in West Bengal, a state which is the cultural capital of the country. It is really shameful for the government of West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee has demonised the dignity of Bengal, the BJP leader alleged. He said the police were now trying to save face while Shajahan Sheikh was still missing. Local residents said he is roaming on bikes and cars, but the police are unable to catch him. This is the scenario of West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is giving the instructions, and only those people are getting arrested, he added. Majumdar further said constitutional bodies have recommended Presidents rule in West Bengal as the situation is quite bad. It will depend on the union home ministry, he said. He confirmed that the prime minister is ikely to visit Basirhat on March 7 for a rally. We have given a fight to the police and the administration, I have been admitted for 48 hrs and in the ICU. This is the scenario, democracy is under threat in West Bengal, Majumdar said. Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party president and union minister G Kishan Reddy launched the raths to be used for the partys Vijaya Sankalp Yatras that start on Tuesday. The unveiling of the vehicles was done at Bhagyalakshmi temple near Charminar in Hyderabad where party leaders sought blessings for the success of the four yatras that will be held simultaneously. The BJP plans to tour all 119 assembly constituencies in the state and garner support ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The programme ends on March 2. The Bharatiya Janata Party won four seats in the last parliamentary elections with the blessings of the people. We are on a victory mission with the aim of winning 17 seats in the upcoming elections. The yatra will see roadshows in all mandals and constituency centres, and meetings with people of all social groups, said Kishan. Goa chief minister Dr Pramod Sawant will flag off the Bhagyalakshmi cluster at Yadadri temple in Bhongir on February 20, along with former Telangana minister Etela Rajender. Union minister of state BL Verma will flag off the Rajarajeswari cluster yatra at Tandur along with Bandi Sanjay Kumar, BJP national general secretary. Union minister Parshottam Rupala will flag off the Krishnamma cluster near the Krishna river in Makthal along with Kishan Reddy. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will be the chief guest for the Komaram Bheem cluster and launch the yatra in a public meeting at Basara temple along with Dr K Laxman, national president of the BJPs OBC Morcha. The party will hold meetings and roadshows at important places. The leaders may also visit important temples en route. All youngsters, students, farmers, and people of the weaker sections of the state want Narendra Modi to become the Prime Minister again. That is why we have come to seek the blessings of Goddess Bhagyalakshmi. We are working with the aim of winning all the parliamentary seats in Telangana. After the abolition of triple talaq, Muslim women want Narendra Modis leadership. We will work together under the leadership of Narendra Modi. We request all the youths of the villages and the people from the weaker sections of the villages to come and make the yatras a success, Kishan Reddy added. The BJP currently holds four out of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state: Soyam Bapu Rao is the MP from Adilabad, Bandi Sanjay Kumar from Karimnagar, G Kishan Reddy from Secunderabad, and Arvind Dharmapuri from Nizamabad. Naam nahi, kaam bolta hai (Not ones name but their work that speaks). Its with these words that Rajesh Jaiswal, who runs a tea shop in Amethi, sums up the fate of the Congress in the constituency. This pocket borough of the Gandhis is brimming with activity. The never-to-be-seen party workers of the Congress have suddenly surfaced because Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will be stepping into what was once his constituency of two terms. This is just his third visit in the last five years. Over tea, the locals ask: Does he look serious to you? Why did he abandon us for Wayanad? Even when he was our MP, he would rarely come and he would bring his friends from Delhi to show them around. No work was done. Sanjay Sinh, the Raja of Amethi who switched to the BJP from the Congress, told News18: A lot of work has been done here. To be fair, Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi did a lot from here but Rahul Gandhi has done nothing. With Sonia Gandhi opting out of Lok Sabha polls, there is speculation about Amethis future. Apart from a cement factory, schools and hospitals have come up in Amethi. But what works in favour of Union minister Smriti Irani is the fact that she makes it a point to be in her constituency Amethi at least twice a month. Govind Singh Chauhan, political analyst and BJP supporter, says: Gone are the days when an MP could come occasionally and get work done from Delhi. People want an MP who meets them, knows them by name and is hands-on. This is exactly what has hurt Rahul Gandhi in Amethi and could hurt Sonia Gandhi in Raebareli. As Congress mulls fielding Priyanka Vadra from Amethi and playing the Indira Gandhi card, there is no surety that she could win. If not Sonia, at least Priyanka could have visited the constituency in her mothers absence, say locals. There is a possibility that Congress may decide that the Gandhis should skip these two polls. A loss of face twice over for Rahul Gandhi is something the party can ill afford. Priyanka Vadra too may opt out of contesting or, like Captain Satish Sharma was once made to contest from Raebareli, this time too the party may field someone to keep the seat warm for the right time. Tough times call for soft measures. Picture released by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (ROYAL PAPAU NEW GUINEA CONSTABUL) Dozens of people were killed in a violent dispute between two warring tribes in Papua New Guinea, authorities reported on Monday. One of the tribes was ambushed in the Enga province on Sunday as they were on their way to mount an attack on a neighbouring tribe, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Acting Superintendent George Kakas told Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC). He said: This is by far the largest [killing] I've seen in Enga, maybe in all of Highlands as well. We're all devastated, we're all mentally stressed out. It's really hard to comprehend." Graphic images of the scene revealed bodies being loaded onto a truck, the media outlet reported. Authorities confirmed 26 people were killed in the attack. Kakas said police were still counting those who were shot, injured and ran off into the bushes. The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was ready to assist Papua New Guinea, which is Australias nearest neighbour and the largest single recipient of Australian foreign aid. That is very disturbing the news that has come out of Papua New Guinea, he said. We remain available to provide whatever support we can in a practical way, of course, to help our friends in PNG. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marap said he was concerned about the tribal violence in Enga, and urged them to lay down their weapons. He said: If there are community disputes, there are ways to deal with the community disputes. Lay down your arms. A lot of disputes will be resolved. One killing or two killings doesnt solve the problem. It contributes towards more problems. How many tribes are there in Papua New Guinea? There are more than 600 distinct tribes in Papua New Guinea (Mark Blunden) Tribal violence is something that happens commonly, according to Papua New Guinea government lawyer, Oliver Nobetau. He said: Tribal violence is something that is prevalent and the government with its limited resources will try to deploy the police wherever they can to try to curb the security issues. Story continues Papua New Guinea is an island country situated near the Pacific Ocean. It has a population of 10.5 million, according to the World Population Review. There are 840 languages spoken on the island and are more than 600 distinct tribes. Many of these tribes share similar costumes, language and history but some have been cut off from each other and the outside world such as the Korowi people. When did the violence begin? Tribes in the country have been engaged in conflict for centuries. The disputes often involve land ownership and resources such as livestock and crops. An Engan community leader told the Guardian that tribal fighting had been used to resolve conflicts since before colonisation. It has been there for time immemorial, but there were rules, do not kill children, women and girls, and the old or persons living with disabilities, he told the Guardian. Why has the violence got worse recently? While tribal violence is not an unusual occurrence in the country, recently the outbreaks have been escalating due to a mix of factors such as weakened authorities, law and access to weapons. Since the re-election of Marape in 2022 and accusations of cheating and attacks between tribes have increased. In September last year, police had placed the entire Engan province under lockdown after the attacks became so frequent, the ABC reported. Human rights activist and community organiser Ruth Kissam told the Guardian: The general view is that theres no strong rule of law in the country and that is adding to the breakdown of law and order. Equal and consistent disbursement of public services to the people have dwindled in the last two decades and in its place, jungle and tribal justice has taken over. As a country, it is frightening. The limited police resources are also a contributing factor, with many cases of tribal violence in rural parts being unreported. The police-to-population ratio stands at one officer for every 1,845, which is below the United Nations recommendation of 2:2 officers per 1,000 people. If you are claustrophobic or generally feel uncomfortable in narrow spaces then Vietnams Cu Chi tunnels are not for you. A video of a woman moving through the tight tunnels is now raking in likes on Instagram. In the video, the woman, a tourist named Sydney, crawls through the slim tunnels as her camera captures how restricted the tunnels are. The woman seems unfazed by the narrow tunnels and walks through them with an excited smile on her face. The text over the video reads POV: The first night of Minecraft survival, referring to the popular video game Minecraft. The Cu Chi tunnels are an immense network of tunnels located in Ho Chi Minh City. They were part of the massive underground tunnel network that was used by the members of the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. The Viet Cong members used these tunnels to transport supplies, travel great distances without alerting the enemy, and take shelter from the USAs air ofences. View this post on Instagram A post shared by UNILAD (@unilad) Today, the government of Vietnam has preserved a 75-mile (121 km)-long complex of tunnels at Cu Chi as part of a war memorial park. Visitors can get inside the tunnels. Vietnams tunnels were a valuable resource for the Viet Cong, but their confined nature also resulted in the spread of diseases and many soldiers perished inside the tunnels. The Cu Chi tunnels are mostly seen as a solemn spot representing the harsh realities of war. Commenting on the above-mentioned video, an Instagram user criticised the woman for her cheerful reaction to the tunnels and wrote, Not right have a little respect for what happened there. Many people commented about how the video made them feel anxious. Expressing this sentiment, an Instagram user wrote Omg anxiety as soon as I saw her go in! Im literally still feeling it. Another person wrote, Im going here in a couple of weeks and absolutely not a chance in hell Im going in that tunnel. This is not the first that a tourist has been criticised for taking insensitive photos of war memorials. In April last year, Maria, a producer at British media company GB News, shared a photo of a tourist sitting at the rail tracks of the Auschwitz concentration camp and smiling for photos. The unnamed tourist was sitting on the rail tracks that bought Jews and other detainees to the concentration camps where thousands were killed. Today I had one of the most harrowing experiences of my life. Regrettably it didnt seem everyone there found it quite so poignant. pic.twitter.com/3OdWavqC4P Maria (@MariaRMGBNews) April 15, 2023 Criticising the tourist for being inconsiderate, an X user wrote, I visited Auschwitz as part of a trip to Poland in 2019. The second you walk through the gates you feel this indescribable horror and sadness that permeates through your entire soul. I cannot imagine the lack of humanity to act like this there. Horses are a quintessential part of Indian weddings. The groom often arrives at the wedding venue on a horse as the dancing guests surround him. Now, a video has gone viral that shows a horse giving a strong kick to a man who was enthusiastically dancing near the horse. The animals kick is so strong that the man falls several feet away. It is unclear when and where this video was taken, but the clip was likely taken during a wedding procession. This video has gathered hundreds of likes since it was posted on X on February 15. Commenting on it, an X user wrote, Even the horse is offended by his moves. Another person joked, Well, thats one way to make an entrance! Animal rights activists have long called for banning the use of horses in weddings or other functions, as horses are very sensitive to loud sounds and can become agitated in the presence of large crowds. As per PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), the auditory onslaught of weddings can be too much for horses to bear and they often panic, which can lead to accidents. The animal rights group adds, When the horses arent being forced to endure the chaos of wedding ceremonies, theyre often confined to filthy sheds full of biting flies that torment them. Their back legs are often constantly tethered, sometimes limiting their mobility so much that they cant turn around or even lie down comfortably. Horse handlers also commonly beat horses into submission during the events. Back in July 2022, a similar video emerged from the Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh where a horse got scared by the loud music and began kicking the wedding guests. As a result, many had to be admitted to a private hospital to treat the injuries. Similarly, in July 2021, a wedding in Ajmer came to a halt after the horse carrying the groom ran away while the man was still seated. The wedding guests had to chase the horse for over four kilometres. Fortunately, neither the groom nor the horse was injured. The groom was able to reach the wedding in time. Myanmars junta has sentenced to death three high-ranking officers who oversaw the surrender of a strategic town on the Chinese border to ethnic minority fighters last month, military sources told AFP. Hundreds of troops put down their weapons and handed over the town of Laukkai in Shan state to the so-called Three Brotherhood Alliance after months of fighting that saw the military lose swathes of territory. The surrender was one of the biggest single losses for the military in decades, and sparked further criticism of the junta leadership by its supporters. After the surrender, the officers and their troops were allowed to leave the area by the alliance. Three brigadier generals including the commander of Laukkai town were given the death sentence, a military source told AFP on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to the media. Another military source confirmed the sentencing. Three other brigadier generals were sentenced to life imprisonment for their role in the surrender at Laukkai, the two sources said. Laukkai is the largest town seized by the Three Brotherhood Alliance made up of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Arakan Army (AA) and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA). The alliance launched a surprise offensive across a swathe of northern Myanmar in late October and has seized several towns and lucrative trade hubs along the border with China. Sex, drugs and scams Current junta chief Min Aung Hlaing made a name for himself in 2009 when, as a regional commander, he expelled the MNDAA from the Laukkai. The army then installed a militia that enriched itself producing drugs and selling gambling and sex to visitors from across the Chinese border. Laukkai later became notorious for online scam operations in which thousands of Chinese and other foreign nationals many of them trafficked and working under duress defraud their compatriots over the internet. A source close to the MNDAA recently told AFP that the group was working to install a new administration in the town, without giving details. The alliances successes have galvanised so-called Peoples Defence Forces dedicated to reversing the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyis elected government to launch attacks of their own across the country. Analysts say the onslaught has put the embattled junta in its most vulnerable position since it seized power. This month it announced it would begin conscripting young men and women into its ranks due to the current situation. No details have been given about how those called up would be expected to serve, but many young people are not keen to wait and find out. Last week local media images showed hundreds of people queueing outside the passport office in Mandalay. And in the commercial hub Yangon, thousands of young men and women queued outside the Thai embassy seeking visas to get out of Myanmar last week. Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian President Vladimir Putins critic Alexei Navalny, accused the Russian President of killing her husband on Monday. I want to live in a free Russia, I want to build a free Russia. I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny, Yulia said in a video titled I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny. Navalny's widow Yulia:"I will continue Alexei Navalny's work. Continue to fight for our country together with youAgainst war and corruptionAnd I urge you to stand beside me." Yulia that she "knows why Putin killed Alexei" and "will soon tell about it" pic.twitter.com/jBEM5M2faf Pjotr Sauer (@PjotrSauer) February 19, 2024 Vladimir Putin killed my husband, Navalnaya said. She further added that she would work with the Russian people to fight the Kremlin and create a new Russia. By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me half of my heart and half of my soul. But I still have the other half, and it tells me that I have no right to give up. I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny, and continue to fight for our country, she said. Russian prison authorities from the IK-3 penal colony in Russias Arctic north, where Navalny has been held since late-2023, reported on Friday that the Russian dissident became unconscious at the prison in the town of Kharp. An ambulance was called but he could not be revived. They said they are trying to establish the cause of death. They said Navalny felt unwell after a walk. Navalnys mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, and his lawyer travelled over the weekend to the notorious jail which was once a gulag where political dissidents were left to die during Stalins era, dubbed the Polar Wolf, but could not track down his body and returned empty-handed. Authorities told Navalnys lawyer and mother that the cause of his death was sudden death syndrome a vague term for a range of cardiac conditions that cause sudden cardiac arrest and death. Russian authorities have so far refused to hand over Navalnys body to his mother and lawyer, enraging his supports who have said it was a move by the killers to cover their tracks. Yulia Navalnaya will meet foreign ministers gathered in Brussels on Monday and will also meet the president of the European Council. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), on Monday confirmed that his father Asif Ali Zardari will be the presidential candidate. He also appeared to attack Nawaz Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) and the Pakistan Army in a victory speech to party workers in Karachi. PPP won on Form 45 not form 47. Those who cant win elections without rigging are also protesting, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, in an apparent jibe at the PML-N and the Pakistan Army. People familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 that Shehbaz Sharif will be the next Prime Minister of Pakistan and Asif Ali Zardari, the PPP chief, will be the next President. Bilawal also told his supporters that he refused the power sharing formula suggested by the PML-N. (The) PML-N wanted to take the prime ministers role for the first three years and wanted to give two years to us but I refused. We will support them but without taking any ministry, Bilawal said. Asif Ali Zardari will be PPPs candidate for Pakistan president and (he) will take care of all the people of this country. I will (continue to) do politics and take care of the people of Pakistan (from the) parliament, the PPP chairman said. The PPP chairman said he will become the prime minister of Pakistan only after he receives a full mandate from the people. If I become PM, I will become PM only after your full mandate, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said. He also said that PPPs support to the PML-N is conditional and the party will seek rights of the people of Baloch and Sindh in return. Our support to PML-N is conditional and we will seek the rights of the people of Baloch and Sindh in return. Once Zardari will be in the President House he will ensure a deal for all who are deprived, he further added. People familiar with the developments said that Asif Ali Zardari also wants his son to learn as a lawmaker before taking on the role of a prime minister. CNN-News18 first reported that Shehbaz Sharif will be Pakistans next prime minister and Asif Ali Zardari will be the new president. The coveted role of the chief minister of Punjab province will go to Mariyam Aurangzeb, Nawaz Sharifs daughter. People close to Nawaz Sharif familiar with the developments said that the next government is similar to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition but this time PPP is supporting from outside the government. People within the PML-N familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 that Nawaz Sharif is not keen to become the prime minister for the fourth time in present circumstances. They said the establishment wants a government under Shehbaz backed by Zardari to run economic programs and bring investments to the country and they will be uncomfortable with a government led by Nawaz Sharif as he is anti-Pakistan Army. They said the Pakistani Army sees Shehbaz as a great chief executive for the government and will deliver on expected lines. A British policeman faced a misconduct probe after he shared details of a stabbing incident involving an Indian-origin teenager and her friend in the English city of Nottingham last year. Last months proceedings revealed how the unnamed officer posted details about students Grace OMalley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber as well as school caretaker Ian Coates soon after they were killed during a knife attack spree by Valdo Calocane in the central England city in June last year, according to a report in The Sun newspaper on Monday. Police Constable (PC) Matthew Gell is said to have passed on the distasteful message to his wife and a friend. What an abhorrent way to conduct an investigation. To learn there has been internal needless voyeurism on our loved ones is unforgivable, Barnabys mother Emma Webber said. While PC Gell got a final written warning, the unnamed police officer was directed to undergo extra learning. Grace OMalley Kumar She was a 19-year-old medical student and daughter of London-based doctors Sanjoy Kumar and Sinead OMalley. She was walking back to her university in Nottingham with Webber when they were attacked and killed. On January 25, 32-year-old Calocane was sentenced to a mental health order to be detained in a high-security hospital following a hearing at Nottingham Crown Court. The British judge told Calocane it is likely he will never be released, so that he can receive treatment for paranoid schizophrenia a mental illness that can be mitigated with treatment but not cured. He noted that he was satisfied that Calocane would not have committed his appalling crimes had he not been suffering from the illness. However, the victims families have since met British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about the seemingly lenient sentencing and there are reports of a possible public inquiry. The Sun report said the bereaved families have been told that Sunak has not ruled out such an inquiry. Calocane had pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility for killing the two students and school caretaker Coates. (With agency inputs) Former US President Donald Trump made his first public comment on the death of Russias most prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a social media post on Monday. While the Western governments have slammed Putin over Navalnys sudden death, Trump, in his post, cast no blame on the Russian president. The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our Country, Trump wrote, reported Reuters. ALSO READ: Locked in a Jail Cell in the Arctic Circle, This Is How Putin Critic Alexei Navalnys Spent His Last Days It is a slow, steady progression, with CROOKED, Radical Left Politicians, Prosecutors, and Judges leading us down a path to destruction. Open Borders, Rigged Elections, and Grossly Unfair Courtroom Decisions are DESTROYING AMERICA. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE, A FAILING NATION! MAGA2024, he added. Russian President Putins most vocal critic, 47-year-old Alexei Navalny died in the Arctic prison colony on Friday where he was serving a three-decade jail sentence. In a statement, Russias federal penitentiary service said Navalny fell and lost consciousness after a walk at the Polar Wolf penal colony in Kharp, and could not be revived by medics. Navalnys mother was told on Saturday that he died of sudden death syndrome. However, according to some media reports, bruises were spotted on Navalnys head and chest when his body arrived at an Artic morgue, a paramedic told independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe in a Sunday article. As an experienced paramedic, I can say that the injuries described by those who saw them appeared to be from convulsions, the paramedic was quoted as saying by the New York Post. Meanwhile, Alexei Navalnys wife, Yulia Navalnaya accused the Russian President of killing her husband on Monday. I want to live in a free Russia, I want to build a free Russia. I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny, Yulia said in a video titled I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny. European Union parliamentarians and top security officials have been discussing behind closed doors the possibility of opening an alternative to NATO as former US president Donald Trump threatens to cut defence spending and cease taking preemptive steps that would deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from expanding the Ukraine war to the west, towards the rest of Europe. It is clear to everyone: Be it Trump or Biden, the countries in the EU must come together and step up their security game. That is the homework, Hannah Neumann, a German member of the European Parliament, was quoted as saying by US-based newspaper The Washington Post. The newspapers report pointed out that there was a feeling of unease among top European officials at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) as Trump-backer Republican senator from Ohio JD Vance told during an event at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof (where the MSC has been traditionally held) that the Trump administration could initiate discussions with the Russian government and pull out of Europe. The problem with Europe is that it does not provide enough of a deterrent on its own. I think the American security blanket has allowed European security to atrophy, Vance told the audience at the event. He even said Russian President Putin does not threaten European security. I do not think that Vladimir Putin is an existential threat to Europe. And to the extent that he is, (it shows that) Europe has to take a more aggressive role in its own security. The fact that he is a bad guy does not mean we cant engage in basic diplomacy and prioritise Americas interests, Vance was quoted as saying by The Washington Post. But their worries were fuelled by a comment that Trump made during an electoral campaign rally earlier this month. Trump told his supporters that he will encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to NATO members that dont spend enough on defence. Since those comments were made, European officials discussed behind closed doors the possibility of building a continent-wide complement to NATO. It would work in collaboration with US security assurances but in case US guarantees are pulled, it will serve as a credible alternative. When the former and possibly future leader of the free world says that he would sit back and see how Russia would attack NATO allies, we have to rethink what US commitment towards Europe and Ukraine could look like. We do have to hope for the best but must prepare for the worst, a top EU security official was quoted as saying by the newspaper. The official also said that this means dropping support for Ukraine and letting Putin destabilise the region. At this point of time, these discussions are stuck in old disagreements. France and Germany disagree on who would bear the economic burden. Eastern European nations doubt Western Europes commitment against Russian threats. Theres uncertainty about establishing a continental nuclear shield as well and also what is more concerning is that such a shield would still pale in comparison to Russias arsenal in a nuclear conflict. Israel claimed Hamas is planning to replace Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar following a series of defeats in Gaza Strips Khan Younis and an ongoing radio silence from the terrorist leader who masterminded the October 7 attacks. Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday that Hamas leadership abroad has lost confidence in the leadership of those deployed in Gaza after the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) destroyed Hamas battalions in Khan Younis. Hamas does not trust its commanders, this is a very, very noticeable thing. The Hamas-Gaza station does not answer, there is no one to talk to as leadership on the ground. That means there is a tender for who will manage Gaza, Gallant was quoted as saying by the Times of Israel. A separate report by Israeli Channel 12 said Sinwar was out of contact with the terror group for weeks. It remains unclear why Sinwar remains unreachable, it could be because he is on the run or even due to the rolling communication blackouts across Gaza. Hamas also is tight-lipped about Sinwars whereabouts or the allegations made by Gallant. Sinwar has remained elusive to the IDF who have vowed to hunt him down. IDF last week claimed that it isolated Sinwar in northern Gaza in November but he fled using one of the tunnels in the 300-mile long tunnel system to escape south. It revealed footage of Sinwar running through the tunnel system with his family just days after the October 7 attacks. Israeli forces surrounded his home in Khan Younis in December once again but returned empty-handed. However, it faced heat from Hamas terrorists during the raids to locate Sinwar. IDF Spokesman rear admiral Daniel Hagari said last week that the hunt for Sinwar will not stop until he is caught, dead or alive. The Israeli defence minister said that there are no more places for Sinwar to escape to as Israeli forces prepare for the siege of Rafah which is currently Gazas most populous city housing more than 1.4 million refugees. Hamas is left with marginal [forces] in the central camps and with the Rafah Brigade, and what stands between them and a complete collapse as a military system is a decision by the IDF. There is no one here to come to their aid, no Iranians, no international aid, Gallant said, highlighting that Hamas once 24-strong battalions have dwindled to just six two in central Gaza and four in Rafah. Pakistani senator Mushahid Hussain who is visiting Moscow this week claimed that Pakistan could join the intergovernmental geopolitical bloc, BRICS, with Russian backing. He said that it could be possible because Russia is the current chair of BRICS 2024. He said Russia and Pakistan ties in the field of energy, connectivity, education, regional security including Afghanistan and cooperation at multilateral fora including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the UN has increased. Mushahid, according to a report by The Dawn, said four Muslim states Pakistan, Turkiye, Iran and Saudi Arabia will play a decisive role in geo-political affairs. He also appreciated President Putins stance on Islamophobia and welcomed Russian goodwill for Pakistan. The report said Hussain visited Russia on the invitation of the ruling United Russia party. He held meetings with Russias security council deputy chairman of and ex-president Dmitri Medvedev. He also held a meeting with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. He attended the plenary session of International Forum for Freedom of Nations and he discussed Pakistan-Russia relations, the situation in Afghanistan and the war in Gaza. They also discussed the scope and state of Islamabad-Moscow collaboration in various sectors. The Pakistani lawmaker warned Russians by saying that if Donald Trump wins the US presidential elections which will be held later this year, it would lead to a qualitative change in the regions geopolitical landscape. He said there is no fundamental conflict of interest between Pakistan and Russia while delivering a lecture at the Russian Diplomatic Academy. He highlighted that Pakistan remained neutral on Ukraine and abstained from voting in the United Nations. Senator Hussain met with Senator Chizhov, President of the Russia-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, and key members of the Pakistani community in Moscow. During his visit, Senator Hussain emphasised three main points: the opportunity for closer relations between Pakistan and Russia now that foreign intervention in Afghanistan has ceased, the importance of regional cooperation for enhanced connectivity with Russia and neighbouring countries, and the mutual benefit of cooperation with China, given the strong strategic ties both countries share with Beijing. Ulviyya Shahin Azerbaijan will start supplying around 275 million cubic metres of natural gas to Hungary via Turkiye in April, Azernews reports. This statement was made to Hungarys Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Peter Szijjarto. The move makes Hungary the first non-bordering recipient of Turkiye's natural gas exports. "We struck an agreement to deliver 275 million cubic metres of natural gas. Deliveries will begin on the first of April. In other words, for the first time, Turkey will supply gas to a non-bordering country. We are pleased to be the first country," Szijjarto said. Szijjarto hailed the long-standing friendship between his country and Turkiye, with each having an association with the Organisation of Turkic States, with Turkiye as a permanent member and Hungary as an observer. He noted that the recent changes in world politics and the global economy have stressed the importance of regional supply and transit routes and energy resources. With Turkiye's geopolitical prominence for gas transportation, Szijjarto said the TurkStream pipeline, which transports Russian gas to Turkiye along the 930-kilometer-long (580-mile) pipeline under the Black Sea, serves as the number one distribution route from Russia to Hungary. Last year, Budapest and Baku signed a political agreement, according to which the volume of Azerbaijani gas supplies to Hungary will increase to about 1 billion cubic metres. Earlier, the Hungarian energy company MVM CEEnergy and the Azerbaijani oil and gas company SOCAR signed an agreement to supply 100 million cubic metres of gas to Hungary by the end of 2023, with a possible increase to 2 billion cubic metres per year. Hungary attaches great importance to energy cooperation with Azerbaijan and always appreciates the important role played by our country in ensuring Europe's energy security. The friendly country supports the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project and has expressed interest in joining it. As a rule, the Hungarian side is represented at the ministerial level at the annual ministerial meetings of the Consultative Council of the CSDP. The relevant agreement on strategic partnership in the field of green energy between the governments of Azerbaijan, Hungary, Romania, and Georgia, signed in Bucharest on December 17 last year, plays an important role in energy cooperation between our countries. As a result of that agreement, efforts are being successfully continued towards the implementation of the project related to the construction of an underwater electricity cable that will pass through Georgia and the Black Sea in order to transfer "green energy" between the mentioned countries. It should be noted that the implementation of this project will play an important role in the expansion of electricity export opportunities between the region and European markets, as well as the diversification of Europe's energy security, especially thanks to the great wind energy potential in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. ? Azerbaijan and Hungary successfully cooperate within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (TDT) and other international organizations. Since 2018, the Representative Office of TDT has been operating in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, which is an observer in the Organisation of Turkic States and attaches great importance to the development of cooperative relations with the organisation. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a statement in 2018 that Hungarians consider themselves descendants of the Hun ruler Attila and that the Hungarian people are based on Hun-Turkish roots. Cesar Bejar For Andrea Kleinloog, an interiors whiz and the cofounder of Hesse Kleinloog Studio in South Africa, designing a sustainable hotel starts with the site. At the new Molori Mashuma in Zimbabwe, the walls are made with thatch and textile cladding; the decks are built of local wood; and the couch cushions are fashioned from waste fabric and embroidered as part of a community initiative in South Africa. Sustainability, Kleinloog says, requires a holistic approach that varies by location. There is no blanket solution. Elsa Young Kleinloog and her business partner, Megan Hesse, are part of a set of creative women who have taken the lead in defining what sustainability means for hospitality design. This includes prioritizing upcycled materials, always emphasizing the local, and doing everything in one's power to minimize environmental impact. They are the heirs to the group of industry titansincluding Kit Kemp, Kelly Wearstler, and Alexandra Champalimaudwho have brought freshness and joy to hotel design over the last few decades. Other members of this rising class include Nicole Hollis, the force behind the seven-month-old Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, a 150-room property set along the palm-fringed Kona Coast of Hawaii's Big Island. The first Hawaiian hotel to receive LEED v4 Gold Certification, it has muted standalone rooms called hale with wood-paneled walls, natural fibers lampshades, and intricately carved tables. Designing with an eco-conscious approach is a priority for Hollis, whose clients have raised their expectations. Guests are demanding accountability in regard to sustainability and the environment, says Hollis, who says that her studio strives to find the most sustainable ways of manufacturingrequesting less packaging and working with natural fibers such as jute, cotton, and linen. Robert Schlatter Rosewood Hotels & Resorts For many, organic integration with the environment is key. Mexican architect Frida Escobedo, who often blurs the line between art and architecture, recently completed Boca de Agua, a 26-room hotel stilted above a translucent lake in Bacalar, Mexico. Building in this vulnerable area prompted her to look to the local architecture for inspiration. We wanted to focus and draw inspiration from the environment, letting the spaces speak for themselves and tell their story over time, she says. For the four-month-old, 37-room Nobis Hotel Palma in Mallorca, Swedish architect Helena Toresson's approach repurposed a 12th-century Islamic palace, partnered with only local artisans, including Balearics-based ceramicists Miquel Segura and Paco Romero and textile artist Leela Romeo of Desanuda Fiber Lab. Meanwhile, Anomien Smith, the creative director at Johannesburg's Luxury Frontiers, has found her low-impact, removable canvas tents, used at many Wilderness camps, exported around the world. Smith is proof that all of these women's work can become blueprints for other hotels, in protected areas and beyond. Story continues Wingardhs; Design Hotels This article appeared in the March 2024 issue of Conde Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here. Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler Ameer Balaj Tipu, a prominent name in the criminal underworld in the Pakistani city of Lahore, was killed in the Chung area on Sunday. Tipu, who was the owner of a goods transport network, was shot fatally by an unidentified assailant during a wedding ceremony. This shooting marked another chapter in Tipus family history of violence. His father, Arif Amir, also known as Tipu Truckanwala, fell victim to a fatal attack in 2010. On Sunday, eyewitnesses and police reports said that the assailant targeted Tipu along with two other guests, inflicting critical injuries on them. Pakistani media reports said that Tipus armed associates retaliated during the shooting, resulting in the immediate death of the attacker. Meanwhile, Tipu succumbed to his injuries at Jinnah Hospital, sparking grief and fury among his supporters who gathered at the hospital. Tipu had recently joined the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. Before that, he was in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Local police sources told CNN-News18, the incident is being characterised as a case of personal rivalry between the families involved. The assailant reportedly arrived prepared and even intended to approach the stage, carrying 5000 Pak rupees in his pocket. The wedding ceremony was for a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and the attack occurred under the guise of taking a selfie, during the departure phase. Law enforcement authorities are indicating that this incident reflects a resurgence of gang-related tensions in Lahore. They said their primary focus is to uncover the motive behind the attack and identify the assailant. Bruises were spotted on Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalnys head and chest when his body arrived at an Artic morgue, media reports said on Sunday. Russian President Vladimir Putins most prominent foe died on Friday at the Arctic prison where he was serving a long prison term. The famous Putin critic was brought to the Salekhard District Clinical Hospital on Friday after he died at a remote nearby prison, where he had been moved to in December. The 47-year-old had previously survived being poisoned by a nerve agent in 2020 in what is widely believed to have been an assassination attempt. Read More: Alexei Navalny Died Due to Sudden Death Syndrome, His Mother Told Navalnys wife Yulia, speaking in Munich just a few hours after the announcement, said that she did not know whether or not to believe the news due to what she said were the lies of Russia. However, on Saturday, Navalnys spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh, confirmed that Navalny was dead. His 69-year-old mother had been given a notice of the death. The spokesperson said the time of death in that notice was 2:17 pm local time on Feb. 16. Bruises were spotted on Navalnys head and chest when his body arrived at the hospital last week, a paramedic told independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe in a Sunday article. A paramedic reported bruises on Navalnys head and chest, the report added. As an experienced paramedic, I can say that the injuries described by those who saw them appeared to be from convulsions, the paramedic was quoted as saying by the New York Post. If a person is convulsing and others try to hold him down but the convulsions are very strong, then bruising appears. They also said he had a bruise on his chest, the kind that comes from indirect cardiac massage, the paramedic added. The report said that attempts were made to resuscitate Navalny before he died of cardiac arrest. However, nobody is saying anything about why he had a cardiac arrest, the paramedic noted. Read More: Over 400 Detained in Russia as Country Mourns the Death of Alexei Navalny, Putins Fiercest Foe Over 300 people were detained in Russia while paying tribute to Navalny, according to a prominent rights group. The news of Navalnys death reverberated across the globe, with many world leaders blaming Putin and his government. In an exchange with reporters on Saturday, President Joe Biden reiterated his stance that Putin was ultimately to blame for Navalnys death. Other Western leaders echoed similar sentiments. Russian investigators have told the mother of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his lawyers that the investigation into his death in prison has been extended, Navalnys spokesperson said on Monday. It is not known how long it will continue. The cause of death is still undetermined. Theyre lying, playing for time and do not even hide it, the spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said on X. The Investigative Committee informed the mother and the lawyers that the investigation of the death of Navalny has been extended. They dont say how long it will take. The cause of death is still unknown.They lie, buy time for themselves and do not even hide it. (@Kira_Yarmysh) February 19, 2024 On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putins most prominent foe died at the Arctic prison where he was serving a long prison term. Bruises were spotted on Navalnys head and chest when his body arrived at an Artic morgue, according to media reports. The famous Putin critic was brought to the Salekhard District Clinical Hospital on Friday after he died at a remote nearby prison, where he had been moved to in December. The 47-year-old had previously survived being poisoned by a nerve agent in 2020 in what is widely believed to have been an assassination attempt. Over 300 people were detained in Russia while paying tribute to Navalny, according to a prominent rights group. The news of Navalnys death reverberated across the globe, with many world leaders blaming Putin and his government. In an exchange with reporters on Saturday, President Joe Biden reiterated his stance that Putin was ultimately to blame for Navalnys death. I love you, the widow of Alexei Navalny said on Sunday in a farewell message in a post on social media, two days after the Russian opposition leader died in a remote jail. On Friday, Navalny, 47, fell unconscious and died after a walk at the Polar Wolf penal colony in the Arctic where he was serving a three-decade sentence. Yulia Navalnayas post on Instagram, the first since President Vladimir Putins most prominent foe died. The picture showed a picture of the two together, their heads touching as they watched a performance. On Friday afternoon, Navalnaya appeared before an audience of leaders, diplomats and other officials at the Munich Security Conference, saying she had weighed coming out on stage or immediately leaving to be with the couples two children, deciding her husband would want her to speak. Navalnaya, 47, said, I want Putin, his entire entourage, Putins friends, his government to know that they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family, to my husband. Western leaders paid tribute to Navalnys courage and, without citing evidence, accused Putin of being responsible for the death. Britain said there would be consequences for Russia. The Kremlin said the Wests reaction was unacceptable and absolutely rabid. Putin has yet to comment on Navalnys death. Russian authorities viewed Navalny and his supporters as extremists with links to the CIA intelligence agency, which they say is seeking to destabilise Russia. Navalny always dismissed accusations he was a CIA asset. Navalnaya will be back in a public forum on Monday the European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said she would attend the EUs Foreign Affairs Council. While in Munich, Navalnaya met Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who became an opposition leader after her husband, Syarhei, was sentenced to 18 years in jail after being found guilty in 2021 of organising mass unrest. Navalnaya always supported her husband in his battles with the Russian authorities, attending his many court appearances, standing beside him at rallies and waiting for release from many prison terms. She was born in Moscow and she attended the prestigious Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. She met Navalny while on holiday in Turkey in 1998 and fell in love. I did not get married to a promising lawyer or an opposition leader: I married a young man named Alexei, Yulia said once. Navalnys last post on Telegram before he died was a Valentines message for his wife. Babe, you and I have everything like in the song: cities between us, airfield take-off lights, blue blizzards and thousands of kilometres. But I feel that you are there every second, and I love you more and more. (With agency inputs) A shirtless British man caused chaos on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok to Heathrow last Wednesday, leading to him punching an air stewardess after wrecking the planes toilets. Shocking footage captured the fight, showing the man aggressively attacking the stewardess and causing her to fall, UKs Metro reported. Passengers tried to stop the 35-year-old man as he caused havoc in the aircrafts bathroom, reportedly yelling, shouting, and smashing up things. A 35yo unruly British man was arrested after his flight from Bangkok to London Heathrow landed following a cowardly attack on a Thai Airways member of staff.The man went berserk minutes after the flight took off on Feb 7 and proceeded to smash up the aircrafts toilet. pic.twitter.com/k391Ab5Phs ThaiMythbuster (@thaimythbuster) February 16, 2024 Upon landing in London, UK authorities promptly arrested the disruptive passenger. Witnesses described a tense atmosphere onboard, with fellow passengers struggling to restrain the unruly individual. Concerns arose that the flight might divert to Dubai if his behaviour continued, the British outlet said. UKs Metropolitan Police officials confirmed the mans arrest upon the aircrafts arrival, citing suspicions of grievous bodily harm and endangering an aircraft, Metro reported. Another individual needed medical attention, though their injuries were not life-threatening. The event is the latest in a series such on-flight incidents of disruptive behaviour. Indian-American Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has slammed leading GOP candidate Donald Trump, accusing him of siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the wake of Alexei Navalnys death in a remote Arctic prison, Haley on Sunday called Putin a thug and said that he is not someone with whom Americans can be friends. We need to remind the American people that Vladimir Putin is not our friend. Vladimir Putin is not cool. This is not someone we want to associate with. This is not someone that we want to be friends with. This is not someone that we can trust, Haley told ABC News in an interview. When you hear Donald Trump say in South Carolina a week ago that he would encourage Putin to invade our allies if they werent pulling their weight. Thats bone-chilling because all he did in that one moment was empower Putin, she said. Nikki Haley on Donald Trumps silence following the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny: Either he sides with Putin and thinks its cool that Putin killed one of his political opponents, or he just doesnt think its that big of a deal. https://t.co/RsWHoKjkvS pic.twitter.com/d6RQRyWxUh ABC News (@ABC) February 18, 2024 Start waking up Haley said that Putin is someone who kills his political opponents. All he did in that moment was, he sided with a guy that kills his political opponents, he sided with a thug that arrests American journalists and holds them hostage, and he sided with a guy who wanted to make a point to the Russian people, dont challenge me in the next election or this will happen to you too, Haley said. We have to start waking up to what this means. Thats why the importance of making sure that Ukraine wins is clear because we have to prevent further war. Right now, Putin is feeling more emboldened than he ever has, said the former two-term Governor from South Carolina. Haley also served as US Ambassador to the United Nations for nearly two years under the Trump Administration. Now Haley, 51, is the only one standing between Trump, 77, and him becoming the Republican nominee for the November 4th presidential elections against incumbent President Joe Biden, 81. Over the past few weeks, Haley has been highly critical of Trump alleging that he is siding with Putin. Wont acknowledge Navalny Its actually pretty amazing that not only after making those comments that he would encourage Putin to invade NATO, but the fact that he wont acknowledge anything with Navalny. Either he sides with Putin and thinks its cool that Putin killed one of his political opponents, or he just doesnt think its that big of a deal. Either one of those is concerning. Either one of those is a problem, she said on the death of Navalny, who died under mysterious circumstances on Friday. Weve got to start seriously having a conversation in America about our national security. Weve got to start having a conversation about the fact that theres a war in Europe, theres a war in the Middle East, North Koreas testing intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of hitting the US, Chinas on the march. Youve got Iran whos literally trying to kill our American soldiers and youve got Russians who are doing blinding satellites in space. Theres a lot going on, she said. Time for alliances Haley said that this was the time to strengthen the alliances of the US. This is a time we should be strengthening our alliances and making sure were putting up a strong front so that we can prevent further wars from happening, she said. The Republican politician alleged that the US has become more isolationist under Biden. At no point has he had a conversation with him with the American people about the terrorist activity thats happening with Israel and why Iran is so dangerous. At no point is he talking about the threats of China, she said. That has emboldened our enemies. Thats why you see them moving. It happened after the fall of Afghanistan. It is continuing to happen. Then they go and they see the other opponent running for president and they see that he doesnt worry about Putin invading Ukraine. So, what does Putin do? He goes and now hes starting to put soldiers around the Baltics. Hes moving in for the next era, she said. Lets remind the American people that Putin said once he takes Ukraine, Poland and the Baltics are next. Now he is putting soldiers around those countries, just like he did Ukraine, Haley said. (With agency inputs) Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes issued a warning to the public Thursday about property scams taking place in Chippewa County after receiving a complaint from a Chippewa County resident who saw an apartment for rent on social media. The individual did some due diligence and was skeptical of the situation. They called and spoke with me regarding the matter. I investigated the matter and it was determined that the person offering the reduced rate on the apartment did not legally own the building, Hakes wrote in a Thursday release. The Chippewa County Register of Deeds has created a free online system for potential property buyers to combat property fraud, which is when someone illegally uses property they do not own for financial gain. Property fraud can happen when someone records a fraudulent document at the Chippewa County Register of Deeds Office in an attempt to make it look like they own the home or property so that they can list it online in a scam, according to Chippewa County Register of Deeds Melanie McManus. McManus said though she has not seen any fraudulent documents recorded in Chippewa County, she wants to encourage people to sign up for a free fraud alert service through her office. What this service does is a person can sign up and then as we index documents, if it matches one of those hits from that property fraud alert service, then that person will get a notification by text or telephone or email and it'll contain the document number of the document that was recorded, she said. Then they can certainly give our office a call and we can let that person know what document it was that was recorded. McManus said the fraud service is working as it should. People get warnings and have the chance to look into it, she said. It's not going to prevent fraud from happening. But it's going to let people know of it if it does happen. They're going to know within a day or two of that being recorded here in our office, she said. Hakes said in the recent alleged property scam, the suspect requested money be sent to an out of state account. I spoke with the property owner who advised it was currently empty as they recently acquired the property. I would suspect that the scam artists are obtaining rental transfer of title information and using those properties in their social media scams, Hakes wrote. The incident comes at a time when other areas of the state are having similar incidents. The Register of Deeds Melanie McManus and I spoke earlier in the week about disseminating information regarding property fraud alert notices to property owners, he said. Fraud in general is real, it happens daily here in Chippewa County. Property fraud is less frequent, but can happen. If you or someone you know discovers a home sale or rental that seems odd, you can call the Register of Deeds to identify the legal owner. McManus said anyone who thinks they may be a victim of property fraud should contact the county sheriffs office. Anyone attempting to commit fraud on our citizens in Chippewa County, can have free lodging at 50 E Spruce St, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729. You will not have to send money to my account, but they may want someone to put money on their account for bail, Hakes wrote. How to sign up for property fraud alerts The Chippewa County Register of Deeds has teamed up to create a notification service called Property Fraud Alert. Subscribe to receive free alert notifications of property recordings based on your name. 1. Go to http://pfa.fidlar.com/WIChippewa and register your personal name or business 2. Call the Chippewa County Register of Deeds office at 715-726-7994. 3. Scan the QR code to get started An Eau Claire man was arrested Saturday after leading Lake Hallie police officers in a car chase then a foot pursuit while armed with both a machete and a large knife, according to police reports. Chad Nylen, 44, was arrested Feb. 17 for fleeing an officer, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated as a 3rd offense, resisting and obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping and disorderly conduct. At about 11:30 p.m. Feb. 17 a Lake Hallie Police Officer was on patrol in a marked squad car on Highway 53 near 27th Avenue when he observed a vehicle approaching from the rear at a high rate of speed with a defective headlight, according to Lake Hallie Police Chief Edward Orgon. As the vehicle passed the patrol squad, the vehicle was traveling on the center line and quickly swerved into the patrol squad's lane of travel, almost striking the patrol squad, a Lake Hallie police press release states. The vehicle proceeded to accelerate at a high rate of speed while swerving between the right and left lane in a reckless and unsafe manner, the release states. The officer activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle continued driving for a short distance then came to an abrupt stop on Highway 53 before the intersection with Highways 124 and OO. The driver, Nylen, exited the vehicle armed with a machete in one hand and a large knife in the other before he got back into the vehicle and accelerated at a high rate of speed. The officer initiated a pursuit with Nylen. The vehicle returned to Highway 53 southbound from and came to a stop where Nylen exited the vehicle and ran southbound on Highway 53 toward the Melby Street intersection still armed with the machete and knife. Nylen ignored commands from the officer and started running in the roadway and eventually ran down the center of the road into oncoming traffic, Orgon said. At this time, the Lake Hallie officer was assisted by officers/deputies from the City of Eau Claire Police Department, Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office, and the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office, the release states. Officers pursued Nylen on foot while he continued to ignore commands to stop and drop the machete and knife. Officers used non-lethal ammunition and a Taser to stop Nylen. Nylen eventually dropped the machete and knife. He was taken into custody after resisting arrest, the release states. Nylen admitted to consuming alcohol and methamphetamine prior to driving that night, police said. Officers obtained a search warrant for Nylens blood after he refused a blood draw. After his arrest, Nylen was taken to the Chippewa County Jail for processing. The results of the blood test will not be known for several weeks as it will be sent to the Wisconsin State Hygiene Laboratory. ZIMBABWEs abundant natural resources, youthful population and strategic location as a logistical route makes it an ideal and profitable investment destination, President Mnangagwa said yesterday. In a speech read on his behalf by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga during the official opening of the third Zimbabwe-Belarus Business Forum that was held in Harare, President Mnangagwa said the Forum represented a significant moment in the two countries ongoing efforts to strengthen economic ties and foster mutually beneficial partnerships in line with Zimbabwes ongoing engagement and re-engagement agenda. The Forum was held under the theme: Building Stronger Partnerships: Harnessing a Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future, with two Memoranda of Understanding signed for the joint manufacture of buses and supply of fire-fighting equipment to the City Mutare. The Belarus delegation, which includes players drawn from the countrys light and heavy industries, is led by its Deputy Minister of Industry, Dmitry Harintochik. In his remarks, President Mnangagwa said the countrys abundant and diverse natural resource base, including its youthful and productive population, as well as strategic location in the Southern African region, essentially presents Zimbabwe as a profitable investment destination. I call upon Belarusian businesses to tap into these existing opportunities whilst we seek to benefit from your expertise in the area of technology and innovation for the mutual benefit of our two countries and peoples, he said. The President said guided by the countrys Vision 2030 to become an empowered and prosperous upper middle-income society, Government was accelerating the implementation of bold and robust economic reforms, deepening an environment conducive to investment and business growth. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga (centre) applauds while AVM managing director Jacob Kupa (right) exchanges documents with Minsk Automobile Plant deputy director Sergei Stiulyak after signing an MoU during the Zimbabwe-Belarus Business Forum in Harare yesterday. Picture: Innocent Makawa. Zimbabwe is, therefore, ready to welcome and facilitate more investors from Belarus in various sectors, including agriculture, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure development. Strong and sustainable partnerships in these areas will go a long way in improving the quality of life for our people while helping to modernise and industrialise our two economies, President Mnangagwa said. He said high level visits will continue to be exchanged between the two nations to deepen bilateral relations. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko conducted a State Visit to Zimbabwe in January last year in a reciprocal visit after President Mnangagwa visited the Eurasian nation in 2019. During President Lukashenkos visit, various Treaties and Memoranda of Understanding were signed such as the Bilateral Investment Treaty between Zimbabwe and Belarus, among others. President Mnangagwa exhorted Belarus and Zimbabwe to take advantage of existing agreements which proffer preferential market access and trade opportunities to both countries. I expect that discussions at this Zimbabwe-Belarus Forum will broaden our efforts and horizons beyond fostering business engagements and cooperation, but to increase trading, innovation, technology development and knowledge transfer, he said. The President commended the signing of the MoU for the manufacture of buses between AVM Africa and Minsk Automotive and implored other business entities to emulate such developments and be facilitated to develop greater synergies and collaborations. With regards to developments taking place at the continental level, our Belarusian counterparts are invited to note that there is no other time to invest in Zimbabwe than now. We are a competitive jurisdiction and part of the enlarged single African market of over one billion people through the African Continental Free Trade Area. In the same vein, I urge Zimbabwean companies to take advantage of relations with Belarus to penetrate the Eurasia region and emerging markets, he said. The President said the Forum was a building block and a significant step towards strengthening their unshakeable bilateral relations. In his remarks and speaking through an interpreter, Deputy Minister Harintochik commended the countrys economic growth prospects. We know that Zimbabwe is one of the brightest African countries nowadays which is showing significant growth of its economy. You would want to know that the Republic of Zimbabwe, during the recent years, has most of our joint projects successfully implemented, he said. Deputy Minister Harintochik said regular visits of officials from the two countries, including at the highest level, contributes to the improvement of confidence between the two nations. Belarus has supplied tractors, combine harvesters and other farming implements to Zimbabwe and Deputy Minister Harintochik expressed satisfaction with the manner they had been received by local farmers. Its our pleasure to know how our tractors and agriculture machinery are being highly rated by the customers and I am confident the agriculture machinery will continue to be in demand in Zimbabwe, he said. Deputy Minister Harintochik reiterated his countrys commitment to fulfil the various agreements they have with Zimbabwe. There is a plan that we will construct new grain storage facilities and refurbish existing ones. Honourable Vice President, let me assure you that we are ready to fulfil all our agreements, he said. Industry and Commerce Minister Sithembiso Nyoni said the historic visits to each others countries by President Mnangagwa and President Lukashenko served as a basis for the cordial bilateral relations between the two countries. The results of these historic visits have given impetus to the development of a whole range of friendly bilateral relations between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Belarus and have laid the foundation for this collaboration we are having today (yesterday), she said. The minister said during her recent visit to Belarus, the two ministries responsible for industry had agreed to work together for mutual benefit. Our agreed minutes paved a way to discuss joint ventures and skills development for institutions, for our light industries and citizens of both countries as well as employment creation. These agreed minutes are going to lead us to make a concrete MoU that will guide our working together. We are going to jointly develop industrial and technical cooperation including science and research, development of light industries and skills development in the areas of industrial inspections and certification of our products, she said. Meanwhile, VP Chiwenga yesterday commissioned a bus with a carrying capacity of 120 developed jointly by AVM Africa and Minsk Automobile. The two entities later signed an MoU for the manufacture of buses in Zimbabwe using Belarus technology that will see the production of about 50 buses monthly and will also benefit around 92 local companies in the value chain. The MoU was signed by AVM Chief Executive Officer Mr Jacob Kupa and Minsk Automobile Deputy Director Mr Sergei Shulyak. City of Mutare Acting Town Clerk Mr Blessing Chafesuka and AFTRADE Director Ms Olga Shevko signed the MoU for the supply of fire-fighting equipment. Herald A hearing at the High Court of Justice in London over two days starting Tuesday could be Julian Assange's last chance to avoid extraditionand his wife says it could be the last chance to save his life. Stella Assange tells the BBC that the WikiLeaks founder, who has been held in the maximum-security Belmarsh Prison since 2019, is very weak both physically and mentally from stress and wouldn't survive extradition to the US, where he could face a maximum sentence of 175 years under the Espionage Act. "This case will determine if he lives or dies, essentially," she says. She says there's no chance for further appeal "in this jurisdiction" if he loses the High Court case, though an emergency injunction from the European Court of Human Rights could be a possibility. If Assange loses this week, he could be transferred to the US before the European court can actbut if he loses, the government could drag out the case further, the AP reports. "This procedure has been marked by prolonged and creeping time frames," says Wikileaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson. "We call it punishment through process. It is obviously a deliberate attempt to wear him down to punish him by taking this long." Assange, an Australian citizen, is charged with releasing classified US military documents. The Australian government has asked the US to drop the prosecution, as have US lawmakers as diverse as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Marjorie Taylor Greene. Journalist James Ball, a former WikiLeaks colleague, tells the Guardian that the "attempt to punish Assange for exposing the truth is an attack on journalism itself" and he has resisted pressure to cooperate with the FBI. He adds: "I notice that none of those mainstream collaborators who published his materialthe New York Times, the Guardian, and Der Spiegelare being pursued, which demonstrates that a generational bias against internet-based journalism is at the heart of the case." (More Julian Assange stories.) Yulia Navalnaya always kept a remarkably low profile even as husband Alexei Navalny became a well-known figure around the world in his opposition to Vladimir Putin. All that has changed since the death of Navalny in a remote Russian penal colony. On Monday, the 47-year-old Navalnaya promised to continue her husband's fight against the Putin regime and asked his followers to join with her. Coverage: The personal: Navalnaya has a degree in economics and gave up her banking career to raise the couple's two children as her husband rose in prominence, reports the BBC. They met on a beach in 1998 in Turkey and wed two years later. "I did not get married to a promising lawyer or an opposition leader," she once said. "I got married to a young man named Alexei." Audrii Cunningham was believed to have been dropped off at her bus stop Thursday morning, but the 11-year-old never made it onto the bus and has not been seen since. The Polk County Sheriff's Office in Texas says it has arrested a man described as a person of interest in the case, and it's asking the public's help for more information. Details: Searchers found a red "Hello Kitty" backpack believed to be Audrii's near the Lake Livingston Dam, which is close to her house in the small town of Livingston, around 70 miles northeast of Houston, reports CNN. Police have arrested 42-year-old Don Steven McDougal on suspicion of aggravated assault in an unrelated case, reports NBC News. Detectives say his vehicle, a dark blue 2003 Chevy Suburban, may have been involved in Audrii's disappearance and are asking people who may have seen it to come forward. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Reported by Mahir Haneef It may not be surprising that the Shura Council again rejected the proposal to allow government employees to conduct businesses along with their jobs but the council, which is lately acting as the watchdog against irresponsible legislation, gave clear-cut reasons for doing so during yesterdays session. As the proposal may now be put to vote during a joint session of the Council of Representatives and the Shura Council, called the National Assembly, where the proposal needs a majority to be passed, it is more the reason to look at the points that forced the Shura to give a thumbs down to a proposal that easily passed the Council of Representatives. Yesterdays session at the Shura Council began with the report of a parliamentary committee that looked at the pros and cons of the proposal. The committee, headed by MP Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Khuzaai, found several reasons to disagree with the proposal to allow government employees to engage in businesses while still working. Key concerns raised by the committee included conflict of interest, economic harm, security risks, regulation mismatch, objection by relevant bodies, and worldwide practice. Conflict of Interest The practice of commerce by a public employee will undoubtedly result in him intentionally or unintentionally doing his own business even at the time of employment, the committee chairperson argued. It will inevitably result in disrupting the interests of citizens and their dissatisfaction with the services provided to them, the chairperson submitted while stressing that it will result in a conflict between the employees personal interest and public interest. Economic Harm Allowing government employees to own commercial registrations for businesses would only worsen the rental situation and would lead to damage to the local economy, the chairperson said. It would also create an unfair competition for existing businesses and would cause a situation where it would be difficult to tighten the control over them or properly inspect the businesses, the committee said. Security Risks Public sector employees might gain undue access to bank loans and facilities due to their positions if they are allowed to own commercial registrations, the committee noted. Regulation Mismatch The proposal to allow government officials to own commercial registrations does not fit in with the existing law regarding civil service and all the employee-related laws would have to be changed to allow such a proposal, the committee said. Moreover, the proposal also suffers from the fault of not fitting the regulatory scope of the civil service law as the proposal is about control over doing business, which are outside the scope of the provisions regulated by the civil service law, the committee pointed out. Objections from Relevant Bodies Bodies or associations representing the civil societies and businessmen have opposed the proposal to allow government employees to own commercial registrations, the committee said. No Global Example Further, the committee noted that most countries have explicitly banned government employees for engaging in commercial activities. Outright ban on such a practice in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Libya were cited by the committee. Citing the legal and economic concerns, the committee recommended rejecting the proposal and a majority of the Shura Council members voted against allowing the proposal. Arguments by MPs The MPs who made submissions during yesterdays Shura Council meeting included Ali Abdulla Ali Husain Alaradi, who cited the difficulty in requiring a government employee to maintain neutrality and asked whether a government employee will be able to have no contact with his company or its business during working hours. It is not possible, the MP argued. Further, the MP asked how a government employee can be held responsible if the company he is involved with commits a violation of law. If the case reaches court, will the government employee be tried as a public official or as a private person, the MP asked. It should be noted that most countries offer legal protection to acts in good faith by government employees. The MP also said the government employee would try to use his name and access to further business interests and it would be difficult to control it. While the idea is beautiful, the implementation is impossible as it would affect public service, would create conflict of interest, will lead to rental of public records, and ultimately the goal will not be achieved, the MP submitted, while pointing out that of all the countries in the world, very few countries permit government employees to engage in businesses. MP Dalal Jasim Abdulla AlZayed submitted that the proposal goes against the rulings of the highest court in the Kingdom. The proposal also takes away the equality between public and private employees. As the penalty for negligence of public duties proposed is dismissal, this would ultimately harm the government employees as dismissal from service administratively is legitimate and enforceable even if an acquittal comes later, the MP said Its a lucky thing Lucas Swarthout likes a clean car. The North Platte man was cleaning out his glove compartment earlier this month when he found a forgotten Nebraska Lottery scratch ticket. That forgotten ticket won him a new Ford pickup truck. I was looking for the VIN number on my other vehicle and found the ticket in there, unscratched, Swarthout told lottery officials, according to a press release. It was a ticket in the Nebraska Lotterys $2 Truck$ & Buck$ scratch game. Swarthout bought the ticket at a local convenience store early last fall, stuck it in his glove box and then forgot all about it. He told lottery officials he doesnt play that game often. But when he scratched off the ticket it was a winner. On Monday, Swarthout returned to the Kwik Shop where he bought the ticket to receive his jackpot: a 2023 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew Flex Fuel truck. The $81,000 prize includes about $25,000 to cover taxes and licensing and ownership fees. That just makes it better, when you find out theres no financial strings attached to it, Swarthout said, according to the press release. There are eight grand-prize winning tickets in the 28th edition of the $2 Truck$ & Buck$ game. The odds of winning that top prize are 1 in 336,000. Swarthout is the seventh winner to date. Other winners include Dennis Odgaard of Columbus, Troy Bauer of Cozad, Benjamin Kellogg of Lincoln, Jamie Ferguson of Pocahontas, Iowa, and Mitchell Allen of Hershey. The other winner was not disclosed. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com A total of 29,533 Bahrainis have benefited from job opportunities provided last year, exceeding by 48% the annual priority goal outlined in the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) to employ 20,000 citizens annually until 2024. About 11,078 citizens also received training during the year 2023, exceeding by 11% the initial priority goal included in the Economic Recovery Plan to train 10,000 Bahrainis annually until 2024. These numbers were outlined in the presentation given by the Minister of Finance and National Economy, His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, on the achievements of the Kingdoms ERP. This came during yesterdays Bahrain Economic Development Boards Board of Directors Meeting chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the EDB, and held at its headquarters in Bahrain Bay. His Royal Highness emphasised that the National Action Charter (NAC) constitutes a milestone in the history of the Kingdoms national development, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. HRH the Crown Prince, Prime Minster, and Chairman of the Bahrain EDB, noted that, since the launch of the NAC, the Kingdom of Bahrain has demonstrated a distinguished record of achievements, and outlined the importance of building on these achievements to further growth and development across all sectors. HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad highlighted the importance of further bolstering Bahrains position as a global investment destination by attracting investments across priority sectors, in line with the Kingdoms economic diversification efforts. HRH the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Bahrain EDB, went on to note the Kingdoms wide-ranging achievements, led by the will and determination of Team Bahrain, who continue to support the Kingdoms comprehensive development led by His Majesty the King. Development Strategy Touching on ongoing development strategies and plans, His Royal Highness highlighted Team Bahrains efforts alongside the Kingdoms private sector in supporting the national economy and ensuring the Kingdom remains a top destination for investment across numerous sectors. During the meeting, the EDBs board reviewed its 2023 achievements and its goals for 2024, along with the most prominent global economic developments and strategies to attract investments across priority sectors, in line with the Kingdoms far-reaching development goals. His Royal Highness outlined that the promising investment opportunities facilitated by Team Bahrain, in addition to the Kingdoms flexible and robust legislative system, have allowed for the advancement of development and diversification efforts, attracting investments that have exceeded the Kingdoms set goals. HRH Prince Salman expressed his appreciation for Team Bahrains relentless efforts to achieve the desired economic diversification goals across all sectors, which will in turn have a profound positive impact for the entire Kingdom. Proud Achievements His Royal Highness expressed his pride in the Kingdoms achievements and developments across all sectors in conjunction with the Economic Recovery Plan and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. HRH the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Bahrain EDB, noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain has served and continues to serve and empower its citizens by creating promising opportunities across various fields per the principles and objectives of the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. HRH Prince Salman affirmed the Kingdoms key economic indicators and other positive markers, all of which forecast a reassuring future for the Kingdom of Bahrain dictated by success and promising opportunities for its citizens. His Royal Highness noted that each stage of development has certain requirements and the next stage requires resolve and determination from everyone to build on the previous successes and reach greater and more comprehensive achievements. This resolve is key for Bahrain to continue to be a pioneer in various fields, in line with the visions of His Majesty the King. Key Figures The Minister of Finance and National Economy, His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, then gave a presentation on the achievements of the Kingdoms Economic Recovery Plan. The presentation outlined the total value of investments since the launch of the Economic Recovery Plan in 2021, which has reached more than $2.8 billion, exceeding the priority goal of simplifying and increasing the efficiency of commercial procedures by attracting an investment of $2.5 billion by 2023, outlined in the ERP. 29,533 Bahraini citizens benefited from job opportunities provided in the year 2023, exceeding by 48% the annual priority goal outlined in the Economic Recovery Plan to employ 20,000 Bahrainis annually until 2024. 11,078 citizens received training during the year 2023, exceeding by 11% the initial priority goal included in the Economic Recovery Plan to train 10,000 Bahrainis annually until 2024. The Economic Recovery Plan also facilitated the completion of 12 major projects, fulfilling the priority objective of implementing major development projects. The non-oil sector also recorded a growth of 6.6% at constant prices during the year 2022, the highest growth rate since 2012, exceeding the initial target growth rate within the priority of developing promising sectors of 5% in 2022. As for the priority of financial sustainability and economic stability, work is underway to achieve the goals of fiscal balance. Progress on Vision 2030 HE Shaikh Salman further briefed His Royal Highness on the Kingdoms achievements through Bahrains Economic Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan launched by HM the King and supported by HRH the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Bahrain EDB, based on the three guiding principles of sustainability, competitiveness, and fairness. According to the brief, the Kingdoms economy recorded a cumulative growth of 8% between 2002 to 2022, placing the Kingdom of Bahrain among the fastest-growing economies in the region, which confirms its ability to continue progress towards building on wide-ranging financial and economic achievements. The Kingdom of Bahrain has also succeeded in increasing economic diversification as the contribution of the non-oil sector to the gross domestic product rose to 83% from 58% in 2002. HE Shaikh Salman affirmed that, during the period from 2002 to 2023, the Kingdom of Bahrain recorded positive achievements in the sectors targeted by the Economic Recovery Plan. For example, the number of visitors coming to the Kingdom of Bahrain increased by 170%, while non-oil exports increased by 675%, assets of the banking sector increased by 222%, and the balance of foreign direct investment increased by 582% through the third quarter of 2023. Growth by Sector HE the Minister explained that efforts are continuing to build on the success of the major development projects across the tourism, logistics, industry, and energy sectors. The energy sector saw the inauguration of the Al Dur 2 Station, the new oil pipeline project, and work is underway to expand the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco Energies) refinery. Meanwhile, in the industrial sector, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) alunched its sixth smelting line expansion project at the American Trade Zone - Phase One while the aluminium manufacturing zone was inaugurated. In the logistics services sector, the expansion project of Bahrain International Airport, Khalifa bin Salman Port, and Bahrain LNG were completed. In the tourism sector, the Bahrain International Circuit and the Exhibition World Bahrain were completed, and several tourist facilities were opened. In line with the Kingdoms commitment to ensure citizens remain the best choice in the labour market, the presentation revealed that the percentage of Bahrainis working in the private sector increased to more than 59% from 2003 to 2023, and the percentage of Bahraini women working in the private sector increased to more than 126% in the same period. Additionally, from 2002 to 2023, salaries of Bahrainis in the private sector increased by more than 119%. Quality of Life Since the launch of the Bahrain Vision 2030, the government has also demonstrated its commitment to enhancing the quality of services provided to Bahraini citizens through the completion and documentation of more than 1,300 government services and the development of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) as well as more than 650 government re-engineered services. Furthermore, the government has launched several platforms, including the one stop online commercial registration portal Sijilat, which enables business owners and investors to manage their businesses and complete procedures and the Building Permit Portal, Banayat, also a one stop portal to issue building permits for all types of building projects. The government also launched a unified guide for building permit requirements and began work on the (Takhteet) platform as part of the expansion of the "Benayat" system to include many planning services. The National System for Suggestions and Complaints (Tawasul) was also launched to enhance the ability of government agencies to provide high-quality services to all. The government also initiated the Real Estate Information Bank (Aqari) platform, which aims to create a central, reliable national source for real estate information. Finally, the Kingdom launched the Al Tajir application, the first integrated application for smart devices in the Kingdom of Bahrain, through which multiple services are provided to several parties to facilitate everything business professionals may need in one platform. In line with the governments commitment to modernise the system of laws and legislation to keep pace with the requirements of sustainable development, 1,885 laws and legislations were issued, and a culture of creativity and innovation continues to be promoted to enhance accountability and responsibility as they are among the constants and foundations of government work. Facilities Development Additionally, the government launched many service projects across several sectors, including housing, education, health, youth empowerment, and promoting womens progress. In the health sector, hospital capacity increased to 3,428 beds in 2022 while the overall health infrastructure in Bahrain was improved through the opening of the King Hamad University Hospital, the King Hamad Hospital - American Mission, and the Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Specialist Cardiac Centre. The education sector has also achieved notable progress in the same period, as the number of public and private schools in the Kingdom of Bahrain has increased to 291 schools in 2024, and the number of students reached 243,000 students. The Education and Training Quality Authority, Bahrain Polytechnic, and the Bahrain Teachers College were also established. In the housing sector, the number of beneficiaries of housing services since 2002 has increased to more than 55,000 citizens and many new housing cities have been established including Salman City, East Hidd City, East Sitra City, and Khalifa City. The government also launched several housing projects, including the Al Ramli Housing Project, Al Buhair Housing Project and Wadi Al-Sail Housing Project. National Economy The Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain and member of the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Board, H.E. Mr. Khalid Ibrahim Humaidan, also gave a comprehensive presentation in which he shed light on the developments in the national economy for the year 2023. The presentation showed the growth of the gross domestic product at fixed prices during the first nine months of 2023, reaching 2.1%. Meanwhile, the non-oil GDP grew 3.2%, which confirms the pivotal role of the non-oil sector in Bahrains ongoing direction towards achieving economic diversification. Mr. Humaidan highlighted that 2023 was exceptional in terms of attracting investments, as the EDB was able to attract local and international investments exceeding USD 1.734 billion from 85 investment projects, which are projected to create more than 5,792 job opportunities within three years. He explained that new projects constituted 69% of the total attracted investment projects, while investment expansion projects amounted to 31%. Key Officials The Personal Representative of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and President of the Supreme Council for Environment, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa bin Salman Educational Charitable Trust, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister, His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the Minister of Finance and National Economy, His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, along with a number of senior officials and members of the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Board, also attended the meeting. Agencies | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is hosting the first Arab Forum for Consumer Protection. The forum will be launched in its first edition in the Arab world and West Asia in Bahrain from February 20 to 21, in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and representatives of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The forum will be attended by a group of experts, lawyers, academics and technicians in the field of consumer protection from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab and West Asian countries, in addition to high-level representation from (ESCWA) and the (UNCTAD). TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, Sarah Ahmed Buhiji, participated in the eighth meeting of the heads of tourism authorities of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, held in the State of Qatar. The CEO highlighted the prominent role of the Kingdom of Bahrain in developing the tourism industry at the Gulf level, while supporting sustainable tourism based on best global practices and innovative solutions. She emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing Gulf integration in tourism, to achieve mutual interests in the development of the tourism sector while increasing its contribution to economic development, in line with the Tourism Strategy (2022-2026). TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The 2024 KPMG Middle East, South Asia, and Caspian (MESAC) regional Family Business Summit, was hosted in Bahrain on Wednesday. The Summit was a gathering of industry leaders, visionaries, and entrepreneurs represented by Family Business Leaders and Senior Management. The sessions explored strategies to sustain and reinvent family legacies while embracing innovation and digital transformation. Jamal Fakhro, Managing Partner, KPMG in Bahrain, launched the summit with a welcome note, reinforcing the vital role of Family Businesses within the economy across the region, and the importance of preserving the legacy of the family and the traditions and values that have shaped them. At the opening Mr. Fakhro stated, Family businesses have historically been an important part of our economy, and today still play a vital role in our national growth, influence, and impact. Their deep-rooted connections to local communities and cultures enable them to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of the region, while also supporting development areas within the community like education, healthcare, employment, and inclusive prosperity. Harish Gopinath, Partner, and Head of KPMG Enterprise across the MESAC region highlighted key opportunities that Family Businesses should consider leveraging as they evolve within the marketplace, while navigating through the challenges they will encounter as they look towards expanding, evolving, and transforming their organizations. He also mentioned the launch of the 2024 Global family business survey report produced by KPMG Internationals Private Enterprise team in collaboration with the STEP Project Global Consortium. Prof. Andrea Calabro, renowned Professor of Family Business & Entrepreneurship, leading on the STEP Project Global Consortium delivered a keynote speech on "Building and sustaining the family business legacy.", highlighting the importance of Family Businesses in the region sustaining their legacy to be able to grow and transition across generations. The Summit was hosted under the Patronage of the Minister of Industry and Commerce in Bahrain, Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro. During his discourse, the minister commented, Family-owned businesses are indeed a strong pillar of our marketplace. They span across a variety of sectors - be it in retail, automotive, manufacturing, real estate, transportation & logistics, distribution, and services industry, to name a few. Throughout our history, such enterprises have demonstrated unwavering dedication to hard work, innovation, and stable growth, thus, reinforcing the economic fabric of the Kingdom while still contributing towards our development. The 2024 Summit included an impressive lineup of speakers and a range of sessions and workshops from industry leaders and subject matter experts including - Abdulmohshin Alomran, CEO of The Family Office, sharing insights into Family Office perspectives. Panelists such as H.E. Dr. Ghassan Al-Sulaiman, Ms. Hala Almoayyed, Ms. Ameena Mariam Ziauddin, and Dr. Basma Al Zamil, discussing various aspects of sustaining the legacy of family businesses, and moderated by Prof. Andrea Calabro. Tom McGinness, Global Leader of ESG for KPMG Private Enterprise, leading a session on ESG for family businesses. A working session on Transgenerational Entrepreneurship facilitated by Prof. Andrea Calabro, Robyn Langsford and Tom McGinness, exploring the Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Index and actionable strategies for sustaining legacies. Insights into global, regional, and national economic trends by Omar Al-Ubaydali, Director of Research at Bahrain Center for Strategic, International, and Energy Studies (DERASAT), highlighting key opportunities Family Business leaders could consider. Discussions on automation, digitization, and legal structures in family businesses led by industry experts like Nasser Sattar, Rui Goncalves, and Greg Limb. "We're thrilled to host the 2024 MESAC Family Business Summit, bringing together thought leaders and practitioners to explore innovative strategies for sustaining family legacies in today's dynamic business landscape." said Harish Gopinath. AFP | Addis Ababa The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva accused Israel yesterday of committing "genocide" against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and compared its actions to Adolf Hitler's campaign to exterminate Jews. "What's happening in the Gaza Strip isn't a war, it's a genocide," Lula told reporters in Addis Ababa where he was attending an African Union summit. "It's not a war of soldiers against soldiers. It's a war between a highly prepared army and women and children," added the veteran leftist. "What's happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people hasn't happened at any other moment in history. Actually, it has happened: when Hitler decided to kill the Jews." They were among the strongest comments yet on the conflict from Lula, a prominent voice for the global south whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the G20. Lula criticised Western countries' recent decisions to halt aid to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, after Israel accused some of its employees of involvement in the October 7 attack. Lula, who met with Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh Saturday on the sidelines of the summit, has said Brazil will increase its own contribution to the agency, and urged other countries to do the same. "When I see the rich world announce that it's halting its contributions to humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, I just imagine how big these people's political awareness is and how big the spirit of solidarity in their hearts is," Lula said. "We need to stop being small when we need to be big." He reiterated his call for a two-state solution to the conflict, with Palestine "definitively recognized as a full and sovereign state." Shameful and grave In response, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the 78-year-old presidents comments shameful and grave and said his government had called in Brazils ambassador in protest. Netanyahu called Lulas remarks Holocaust trivialisation and an attempt to harm the Jewish people and the right of Israel to defend itself. The comparison between Israel to the Holocaust of the Nazis and Hitler is crossing a red line, he said in a statement. Israel is fighting to defend itself and ensure its future until total victory and it is doing that while upholding international law. AFP | Amman The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Jordanian army said yesterday that its border guards had killed five drug traffickers and wounded four others attempting to smuggle narcotics into Jordan from Syria. "The eastern military zone, in coordination with military security agencies and the drug control administration, foiled at dawn on Sunday ... an attempt to infiltrate and smuggle large quantities of drugs coming from Syrian territories," said a statement quoting an official from the General Command of the Armed Forces. "The operation resulted in the killing of five smugglers, the injury of four others and the seizure of large quantities of drugs," it added. The operation took place a day after the interior ministers of Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon met in Amman and agreed to establish a "joint communication cell" to combat cross-border drug smuggling. Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said the body would allow the exchange of "experiences, training, capabilities and monitoring ... information and tracking shipments leaving the countries to their final destination". Jordanian security forces have tightened border controls in recent years and occasionally announce thwarted drugs and weapons smuggling attempts from Syria. One of the main drugs smuggled is the amphetamine-like stimulant captagon, for which there is huge demand in the oil-rich Gulf. Jordan has said it has shot down drug-laden drones, and that the trafficking operations are protected by armed groups. Japan Unlocks Opportunities for Domestic Venture Capitalists to Invest in Web3 Startups On February 16, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) disclosed that the Japanese cabinet has approved a proposal allowing domestic venture capitalists (VCs) to invest in Web3 startups. The legal reform will enable Japanese VCs to participate in projects issuing virtual currencies, previously limited to international investors. Japan Encourages Local VCs To Invest In Web3 According to METI, the approved revision entails amendments to four key acts. One of these four important acts adopted by the ministry is the Act on Investment Limited Partnership Agreement. This particular act seeks to stimulate the development of startup companies and sectors by increasing domestic investments. The legal reform will allow Japanese venture capitalists to gain the ability to invest in projects exclusively issuing virtual currencies. Japan to allow certain VCs direct investment in crypto and Web3 startups, potentially unlocking significant opportunities for local projects. Moby Media (@mobymedia) February 19, 2024 Additionally, limited partnerships (LPs) stand to benefit from this legal reform. LPs are investment partnerships formed to invest in unlisted venture companies. It is typical for VCs to invest in startup companies via LPs, as it allows them to invest with limited liability. Prior regulations restricted the transfer of virtual currencies when receiving investments from LPs, however; only stocks and similar assets could be transferred. Consequently, Japanese Web3 startups frequently sought backing from international investors. Meanwhile, the amendment now permits LPs in Japan to invest in medium-sized companies and startups involved in cryptocurrencies. With these new regulations, the Web3 community anticipates an increase in the number of crypto and blockchain startups originating from Japan. This move has been welcomed by the industry as it reduces barriers for Web3 companies in Japan. For greater clarity, the ministrys announcement detailed that the Japanese cabinet approved the bill, and it has now been submitted to the legislative body for deliberation. Other acts amended include the Industrial Property Information and Training Center Act, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization Act, and the Industrial Competitiveness Enhancement Act. These amendments further support Japans intent to promote crypto adoption within its borders. Web3 Startup Investment Opens in Japan Japan wants to boost the agility and efficiency of its investment environment by streamlining bureaucratic processes and minimizing administrative obstacles. For instance, late last year the Japanese cabinet approved a revision to the 2024 tax regime. As reported by Cryptonews, this move will exempt corporations from paying taxes on unrealized gains from cryptocurrencies if they hold onto the assets for an extended period. Currently, third-party-issued cryptocurrencies held by corporations are referred to as either profits or losses based on the difference between their market value and book value at the fiscal years end. The proposed revision will abolish this mark-to-market valuation for long-term holdings. This change implies that companies would only be taxed on the profits realized from the actual sale of cryptocurrency. This potential change in the tax framework follows a clarification by the countrys tax agency in June 2023. They noted that crypto issuers would not be subject to the approximately 35% capital gains tax on unrealized gains. Additionally, in June 2023, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed that Web3 is an opportunity for Japanese economic growth. Consequently, the Prime Minister emphasized the governments commitment to fostering an environment conducive to the advancement of Web3. Ukraine and Russia have both lost a lot of their Navy in the war. Ukraine claims to have destroyed nearly a third of the Russian Black Sea Fleet less than two years. 25 vessels have been destroyed, and 15 more are under repair. There is some dispute to this number and lower estimates are about 14 destroyed and 12 damaged. Ukraine had a smaller navy and many of its ships were lost. On December 26, 2023, Novocherkassk, a major Russian landing ship, was hit and destroyed while docked in Feodosia, southern Crimea, by air-launched cruise missiles. Video supplied by various sources, including Ukrainian authorities and Russian reports on Telegram, showed massive and multiple explosions and fires, with indications that munitions aboard the ship had been detonated by the attack (Ukraine said the ship was used to launch cruise missiles against Ukrainian cities). Independent analysts said the strike substantially impedes Russias ability to further attack and invade Ukraines Black Sea coast. Reported casualties of 74 crew killed and 27 wounded. Wreck apparently removed in late January/early February 2024. 1 February 2024, Ukraine released video purported to show the sinking of the Tarantul-class vessel Ivanovets by unmanned surface vehicle. In 2016, SoftBank bought Arm for about $32 billion and sold 25% of the business to the Vision Fund for $8 billion in 2016. In August 2023, SoftBank acquired the 25% stake in Arm from the Vision Fund for around $16 billion, valuing Arm at over $64 billion. After the September 14, 2023, public offering, SoftBank continues to own 89.9% of Arm. Arm Holdings had a recent surge in value to $131 billion as it is winning with AI related chips and investment. Softbank has $118 billion worth of Arm. SoftBank told investors in November that its cumulative loss on WeWork exceeded $14 billion. In 2022, after a $32 billion loss in the Vision Fund, Son suggested that SoftBank would shift away from aggressive investments and into defense mode, selling down stakes in Alibaba and preparing to take Arm public. A little more than a year later, as hype over artificial intelligence mounted, Son said Softbank would switch back into offense mode, pursuing investments in AI. Softbank CEO and Head of the $100 billion Softbank Vision Fund Masayoshi Son will raise $100 billion for a new AI chip company. AI NEWS: Japanese multi-billionaire Masayoshi Son is raising $100B for a new AI chip venture. Plus, more developments over the weekend from Reddit, Mistral AI, Apple, ElevenLabs, the NBA, and Air Canada. Here's everything you need to know: Rowan Cheung (@rowancheung) February 19, 2024 The US military will need to build hundreds of Mechazilla launch towers by 2030. The US military is planning to get to thousands of SpaceX flights per year and this will mean that the US military will need hundreds of Mechazilla launch towers. SpaceX, the US Air Force and the US Space Force discussions about military uses for Starship were partially revealed at a recent conference. As of February 2023, SpaceXs Mechazilla launch towers are estimated to cost less than $100 million each. This cost did not go up that much with the water deluge system. The metal launch tower segments are not expensive, and the towers have robotic arms and the power to operate them. The US military is clearly eyeing thousands of flights per year using SpaceX Starship and hundreds of Mechazilla launch facilities. One hundred Mechazilla launch tower bases would cost about $10 billion. The US military is worried about China building many more space launch facilities. The US military has about 700-850 military bases around the world. This definition of military base is based upon where US military presence is located. Here is a github source of US troop deployments. Many lists of US bases do not include places like Tower 22 in Jordan. Approximately 3,000 US troops are currently stationed in Jordan. The United States military has used the Tower 22 outpost, which was initially established as a Jordanian border outpost, since 2015 in an advise and assist mission, initially training rebels fighting the regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and later aiding Kurds fighting the Islamic State. US military base sites fall under two main categories: Large bases or Bases: Defined as military installations larger than 4 hectares (10 acres) or worth more than $10 million. These bases typically have in excess of 200 US military personnel. 439 or 60 percent of the USs foreign bases fall under this category. Small bases or Lily Pads: These bases are smaller than 4 hectares(10 acres) or have a value of less than $10 million. These include cooperative security locations and forward operating sites. The remaining 40 percent of US foreign bases fall under this category. Just connecting the largest military bases would need about 90 launch towers. IF they are flying each Starship twice per day for cargo, then a twenty Starship fleet would be 40 flights per day would be about 14000 flights per year. Twenty Starships would need about 120 SpaceX Raptor engines. IF the Starships could only fly 100 times before a major refit or replacement then they would need replacement or refit every two months. Mass produced Starship with $250,000 per engine would cost about $4 to 10 million each. As of January 2022, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military jet costs around $340 million. $24 to $60 million per year for refit or replaced Starships would be still be cheaper and faster than the C-17 Globemaster III. The C-17 costs about $22000 per hour to operate and has 85 tons of payload capacity. The SpaceX Starship can have two to three times the payload capacity and would fly fifteen to thirty times faster than the C-17. This would mean the SpaceX Starship could do 40 to eighty times what the Globemaster does in an hour. This would justify up to $800k per hour for a SpaceX Starship transportation system. Proof that US Military is Thinking about Thousands of SpaceX Starship per Year If the US military is going to get to thousands of SpaceX flights per year, then the US military will need a hundred Mechazilla launch towers. The Space Mobility Conference held by the Space Force at the Orange County Convention Center earlier this month revealed the SpaceX and military planning. Rocket cargo point-to-point is not the reason were building Starship, said SpaceX senior adviser Gary Henry. Were building Starship to get to Mars. [But] what were finding is its a system were putting together that has profound impacts for national security, and one of them just happens to be rocket point-to-point. The big driver of that is the potential the military could use the rocket to send supplies, and perhaps even troops in the future, to anywhere in the world in less than an hour. Defense department officials began looking at the idea two decades ago but only recently has it come closer to reality. Envision a number of containers sitting in a warehouse down in [Cape] Canaveral, we go to an alert level, we pull them up, you start putting them on the rocket, said Gregory Spanjers, chief scientist for the U.S. Air Force Research Lab. At each successive alert level, your time to launch shrinks and shrinks and shrinks, and we can we get it down to one hour. Spanjers said teams have already been making mockups of Starships cargo bay figuring out how to take advantage of a quick supply run. Speed is the obvious draw, but the cost is dropping and getting closer to existing expenses for moving supplies. Henry said SpaceXs current fleet of Falcon 9 rockets with boosters originally designed to fly 10 times, but with future boosters that might go up as many as 40 times, have brought the price of flying payloads from about $4,500 per pound to about $900 per pound. The Falcon 9s have a capacity of 44,000 pounds to 132,000 pounds. But Starship is a very different animal, he said. Starship is fundamentally meant to be rapidly reusable We designed the vehicle from the outset to fly 100 times, not 10 times, and its going to deliver [220,000 to 250,000 pounds] 100 to 115 metric tons to low-Earth orbit. He said Starship would bring the cost trajectory down to a starting point of $90 per pound. Musk has said he could see that dropping even more to $9 a pound down the road. Henry said these are prices close to what one gets using a C-17 cargo plane transport, the supply workhorse of the military, but with flights that take hours instead of minutes. In a few years, we will be launching Starships hundreds, and soon thereafter, thousands of times a year, he said. And if just assuming you have a rapidly reusable system that could lets say launch twice a day, from a single launch base, youre going to find very, very quickly, were going to run out of places to launch. To meet its launch plans, it will need multiple launch towers from its existing launch sites at KSC, Texas and California, but SpaceX could spread its footprint to new launch sites down the line as well, and that could feed into point-to-point plans the military is interested in, Henry said. I think the answer is were going to need both as a company, but also as a nation, to fully leverage Starship, he said. Were going to need a proliferation of launch sites [within the continental U.S.] and maybe even globally to fully capture this. Nextbigfuture discussed the clear value of SpaceX for Air Cargo over a year ago in a few videos. Cumberland County commissioners on Thursday approved a capital project request for $50,000 to enhance security at the county office building at 310 Allen Road. The project will provide the staff additional protection through enhancements that include motion sensor devices, improved exterior door locks and additional cameras and access control devices, said Brent Durham, county director of facilities management. As you may recall, we had the South Central Task Force business and infrastructure division perform a security vulnerability assessment of the building, Durham told the commissioners. This capital project will address many of the suggestions from that report. The Penn State Extension, the conservation district, county planning, farmland preservation, vector control and weights and measures are housed at the building. In related news, the commissioners approved a five-year agreement with the Shippensburg Firemens Activity Center to lease 2,600 square feet at 35 W. Orange St. in Shippensburg. This space is used as an office and courtroom for Magisterial District Judge Bryan Ruth who covers the boroughs of Newburg and Shippensburg and the townships of Hopewell, Shippensburg and Southampton, Cumberland County. The lease is for $3,000 per month or $36,000 annually with a five-year renewal option at the same rate, Durham said. This is a nice property with a responsive landlord. There is a cost increase of $30,000 over the five-year term. This is the first increase the county has experienced at that property since 2009, he said. The commissioners also: Accepted a $224,969 COVID-19 mitigation program grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The grant will be used by the county prison as it continues to try to mitigate not just COVID-19 but other contagious diseases within the facility, Warden Travis Shenk said. Approved a six-month extension to a contact with Butler Mechanical Services LLC to maintain the digital recorder system at the county 911 center. The system provides all the recordings from the countys phone lines and radio transmissions, Director of Public Safety Bob Shively said. He said the $21,053 renewal fee will bridge the gap for new a recorder system that will form part of the Next Generation 911 statewide call-handling project through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Accepted a $131,024 mosquito-borne disease control grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The money will be used to reimburse the county for services rendered over an eight-month period to curb the spread of West Nile virus, Vector Control Chief John Bitner said. The Senator Abba Moro, APC, Benue South, has refuted allegations by Governor Hyacinth Alia that he has a hand in the insecurity bedevilling the state. Alia had specifically accused Moro and a member of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, of sponsoring the insecurity in Benue State in a bid to destabilise his government. In a press release, Moro stated that he had advised against the dissolution of the democratically elected councils in Benue State, an action he described as unconstitutional. He also claimed he had moved a motion in the Senate to draw attention to the illegality of dissolving democratically elected councils and to urge the Federal Government to withhold federation account allocations to caretaker committees. Moro insisted that his legislative actions were not aimed at destabilizing the state but at upholding the constitution and ensuring the welfare of the people of Benue State. He criticized the state governments response to the National Assembly caucus concerns about the security situation in Benue State, calling it aggressive and unfortunate. The senator reiterated his commitment to speaking out for the people of Benue State and urged the state government to focus on its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property. He called on the public to disregard the governments allegations and expressed his readiness to continue advocating for peace and security in the state. The senator concluded by advising the governor not to neglect his duties in favor of chasing imaginary enemies, and urged him to address the real issues affecting the state. Parts of the statement read, My attention has been drawn to a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Benue State, Fr. Hyacinth Alia titled, THICK PLOTS TO DESTABILIZE ALIAS GOVERNMENT UNCOVERED, wherein I was accused of knowing the root cause of insecurity in Benue State and discreetly cooking crooked plans to destabilize the state. The All Progressives Congress (APC) says governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) indicted themselves when they asked President Bola Tinubu to throw in the towel over economic hardship in the country. The governors of the opposition party said the suffering in the land has become unbearable. In a statement on Sunday, Felix Morka, national spokesperson of the APC, said PDP governors have become "doomsday vocalists" instead of living up to their responsibilities. Morka said it is "cringeworthy" that the governors who have stifled the LGAs in their states are speaking about the "buck" on the president's table. "Rather than live up to their responsibilities as chief executive officers of Nigeria's federating units, the PDP governors have turned themselves into a band of doomsday vocalists, raising their voices to deafening decibels intended to drown the groans of their citizens battered by their critical inertia, ineptitude and dismal performance as governors of their states," he said. "As the federal buck 'ultimately stops' at the President's table so the state buck 'ultimately stops' at the governors' table. "The PDP governors' call to the President to throw in the towel is nothing short of self- indictment "It is cringeworthy that the same governors that have never justified the massive federal allocations to their states, that have perennially stifled and dispossessed local government administrations of federally allocated funds are talking about 'buck'. How can a governor of a state in utter shambles like Delta participate, barefaced, in a talk about 'buck'? "Has the PDP governor of Delta state even attempted to justify the over 483.57 billion naira federal allocation to the state in 2023? Which part or sector of Delta state bears witness to the use of that huge allocation? "Delta state retirees have remained desperately pulverized by PDP's uninterrupted reckless rule since the advent of this Republic in 1999." Morka said Tinubu is taking responsibility and providing "solid leadership in this historic season of deep and enduring economic transformation in our country". One of the three aspirants laying claim to victory in Saturdays All Progressives Congress. APC, Governorship primary election in Edo state, Hon. Anamero Dekeri has petitioned the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, demanding his Certificate of Return as winner of the exercise. Dekeri had on Monday stormed the secretariat at about 1:10 pm and formally presented a letter requesting the Ganduje-led National Working Committee NWC to immediately issue him the certificate. The federal lawmaker who spent less than 10 minutes at the secretariat had earlier made straight for the office of the National Chairman and presented the one-page letter. It was learned that the one-page letter personally signed by him requested the NWC to issue him with the certificate of return, having polled the highest votes in the election and having been returned by the local government returning officers. Local Government returning officers for the primary election, led by Babatunde Ojo had on Saturday declared Anamero Dekeri, a serving House of Representatives member, winner of the exercise. The development came after the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee and Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma had declared another federal lawmaker, Dennis Idahosa winner of the exercise. On his part, returning Officer of the exercise, Stanley Ugboaja had declared Senator Monday Okpebholo as winner. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is currently quizzing a former governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, over shady transactions running into billions of naira while he was in office. The former governor was seen arriving at the Ilorin office of the EFCC on Monday morning. The anti-graft agency invited him and he is currently answering questions relating to how his administration spent the funds. Ahmed was governor of Kwara State between May 2011 and May 2019, before handing over to the incumbent, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. Ahmed was once interrogated in May 2021 by a crack team of operatives at the EFCC headquarters in the Jabi area of Abuja, the nations capital, in connection with the alleged diversion of funds to the tune of about N9 billion from the coffers of the Kwara State Government. The money was alleged to have been diverted during Ahmeds tenure as governor of the state, and when he served as the Commissioner for Finance in the administration of ex-Governor Bukola Saraki. In view of the unprecedented economic hardship in the country, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, have called on Nigerians to be more patient, assuring that the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were the only way to build a stronger economy. Both Akpabio and Wike spoke at the weekend during a Thanksgiving Service organised at Koroma Tai Local Government Area of Rivers state by Senator Barry Mpigi representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District to appreciate God for his electoral victory. Akpabio, many senators, members of the House of Representatives, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, former ministers, a delegation from Akwa Ibom led by Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, some Rivers State Cabinet members, members of Rivers state House of Assembly, local government chairmen, leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were among dignitaries that graced the event. Wike said though people complained that the decisions of President Tinubu were hard, they remained the only way to take the country to its destination, adding that the decisions to turnaround and address years of rot were not miracles expected to materialise within six months. I believe that God in his infinite mercy will give us the strength to work and continue to support Mr. President. The decision of Mr. President is hard but if we are patient at the end of the day we will get to where we want to go. You want him to bring a policy to change something that had spoilt many years ago within six months. Even if it is miracle, it is difficult. What is required is give him support. I seriously believe in the Renewed Hope Agenda. We urge you to believe in the Renewed Hope agenda. We are going to do everything to continue to support Mr. President. The minister said most people in the country were always quick to forget past incidents and recalled that governors and others, who won their re-election at the Supreme Court recently heaped praises on Tinubu for not interfering in their cases. I watched after the Court verdicts of the election, everybody that came out would say I thank Mr. President for not interfering. But immediately that expired people are saying a different thing. I watched every governor after they thanked God the next person was Mr. President. But just after two weeks, everything evaporated. Now it is Mr . President we are dying. Wike appealed to the people not to lose hope, adding that the administration of the FCT through the support of President Tinubu was a sign of better days ahead. But dont lose hope. Look at what we are doing in Abuja today, it means that Mr. President will do better. It is a sign of good things to come. People are saying Wike is doing well but it is because the President is in support of it. The President is committed to seeing that Nigerians have positive impacts in their lives Wike said about 85 per cent of persons, who secured the victories at the past elections were still intact in his team saying with such a force, he could no longer wait for the next general election in 2027. He said nobody in his team in Rivers was afraid of intimidation, noting that Rivers was uniquely united across party lines. He commended the Senate President for giving an important position of Senate Committee Chairmanship on Works to Senator Mpigi without considering that he belongs to a minority party and praised Akpabio for uniting the National Assembly after the election saying for the first time the two chambers were in a robust relationship with the President. The most important thing is that all of us who made it happen in 2023 about 85 per cent are still with us. All the council chairmen are here. Nobody is afraid of intimidation and nobody will be intimidated. It is good to appreciate. I know what Barry has passed through politically. I thank God he has come to appreciate God. I thank the Senate President and the Senate for considering us worthy to head one of the most important committees; Committee Chairman on Works. It has never happened for a minority party to be given such position. You can go to sleep with your two eyes closed because Barry will not disappoint you. We have always worked together. With the forces we have, I dont know of anybody who will challenge us. It is like tomorrow is 2027. For me is very far. I cannot wait. The two leadership of the PDP and APC are here. Which state can boast of this kind of unity? It is only in Rivers that you can find this unity. People dont like it. So they do everything possible to make sure we are divided. But since we know, we have refused to be divided. This is the only state where the ruling party will win for Presidency, the opposition will take the National Assembly in election that happened the same time and the same day. This is what we call uncommon. This is the first time I see no clear cut of party and that is how it is supposed to be. Party is a vehicle that conveys you to your destination. When you get to where you are going you come down and talk about governance. Insecurity doesnt know which party you belong to. Hardship doesnt know the party you belong to. So, all of us must put our heads together, think together and proffer solutions. And that is what is happening at the leadership of the National Assembly. I love what you are doing. You know me very well if you are not doing well I will tell you that you are not doing well. This is the first time you see a robust relationship between the National Assembly and the President. Also speaking, Akpabio in an analogy compared the poor economic condition President Tinubu inherited to a bucket filled with foams while underneath it is small quantity of water. God has been able to merge us together politically. What we need now is economic rejuvenation and I believe strongly that through President Ahmed Tinubu God will answer our prayer. Nigeria was like a foam inside a pail. As the foam has filled the pail you think that it was water. The economic situation was tricky. By the time you push your hands you will only touch water towards the bottom. So the kind of economic mess we were in a lot of people do not understand. Like Obama would say you cannot know Washington until you get to Washington. So by the time we went in, the economic situation was terrible. We dont even know what to charge the former Central Bank governor with whether to charge him for putting foam on top of the pail or to charge him for printing notes without income. I dont know what we will charge him with. What we know is that we are here today because of the actions and policies that they took and we recognise that but we are now battling to ensure that Nigerians can sleep with their eyes closed and have three square meals on their tables. He insisted that Tinubus policies were designed to gradually give the country the desired economic footprints adding that such feat would not happen overnight But be rest assured that we campaigned for this job and we will not let you down. All we need is patience. The rot that has happened n Nigeria for many years cannot be solved within months. Akpabio appealed to Wike to take a journey in Ogoni land and find a governor for Rivers that would match his achievements in the state. Wike after you, we will probably take a tour of Ogoniland to find someone that will match your achievements. The governor that will probably match your achievements will probably come from Ogoni. Barry Mpigi is thanking God for the chairmanship of Senate Committee and also thanking God for the future of Ogoniland. One of the hallmarks of leadership is loyalty. You cannot be a good leader unless you are a good follower. Wike followed all past leaders in Rivers. Addressing Wike, he said: I know you followed Dr. Odili very well. There was a time my former good friend was in Ghana and you were running around here with lawyers. You were the first uncommon to have the pronouncement of the Supreme Court making someone a governor without the person going for an election. On getting there he turned around abd say why will this man be this powerful, he had to fight you. We were not surprised when in 2023 you said agreement is agreement.. If you dont want to adhere to agreement on election day come and win in Rivers. I want to thank you for the support for Asiwaju. It is your support that had enabled the Southsouth today to produce the first Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. It is in the same election you produced the President from the APC and same election you produced PDP National Assembly members and House of Reps. I still dont understand it. I can imagine why you want 2027 to be like tomorrow. Barry Mpigi we know you because you have a boss you must fall back on. You will continue to bring glory to Rivers. Paris Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe,has already signed a contract with Real Madrid and will become their highest earner, Marca reports. Mbappe has already informed the French club that he would not be signing a one-year extension. This means the 25-year-old will become a free agent at the end of this season. It is now understood that Mbappe has already signed a pre-contract agreement with Madrid until 2029. Mbappe has accepted a lower salary compared to what he is currently earning with PSG, as Real President Florentino Perez felt his arrival could not break up the wage structure in the squad. While Mbappe will still be the highest earner at the LaLiga giants, his salary will be around a third of his current 62 million-a-year gross salary. Real Madrid will also pay the player a signing-on fee below 40 million. In exchange, Los Blancos have compromised on image rights, with Mbappe set to earn around 60 per cent of them, which should offset his reduced salary and signing-on fee. Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, has assured Nigerians of the countrys imminent economic recovery despite challenges. Speaking at the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in Abuja, on Sunday, Cardoso described his job as the second most difficult globally. I will continue to remember that in spite of (my job) the second most difficult job on the face of the planet, this is really something that remains very memorable, he said. He expressed confidence in Nigerias ability to overcome economic woes, stating, As a result of some of the recent reports from the CBN, over the course of the last week, about $1.8bn came into the markets. As long as the country can sustain a positive trajectory, Nigeria will get out of its economic woes and the foreign exchange market will begin to moderate itself. Addressing the need for economic diversification, Cardoso emphasised the importance of transitioning from a consumer to a producer nation. The CBN governor added that an attempt to merge the official rate with the black market rate had been made. He stated that the difference between the two is now significantly lower. He further said one of the problems of economic advancement in Nigeria is finding ways to move as a country beyond being a consumer nation and shelf appetite for foreign goods. There is a positive outlook on that. The positive outlook comes from the fact that a series of reforms have been made by the Federal Government and the Central Bank, which are now paying off in such a way that international investors are coming back in again. You have got to move as a country beyond being a consumer nation. And it is something that we as Nigerians have been talking about for so long, but really, weve not been able to actualize it. The other thing, of course, is to moderate appetite for foreign goods. And thats closely related to what I had said earlier with respect to becoming a producer nation because, at the end of the day, many of the things you see and many of the things that bother a lot of people with respect to foreign exchange are all essentially down to demand and supply, Cardoso said. He disclosed that the CBN will soon hold the Monetary Policy Committee meeting, noting that very critical decisions will be made to continue making the economy more investor-friendly. However, Nigeria continues to grapple with economic hardships, prompting calls for action. Stakeholders and citizens lament the daily struggle for survival, with protests erupting across the country. The opposition party has also demanded President Bola Tinubu amid escalating economic challenges. The Romanian army is preparing to recruit measures triggered by the statements made by the Chief of Staff, general Gheorghita Vlad, who said that Romania must prepare and take Russias aggression seriously. In this article we provide an overview of the Romanian army in terms of staff, compared with other European states, as well as the ability of the states to respond with weapons. Considering for each state: combatant forces recruitment policy and its rethinking in recent years in European states ability to respond with weapons engagement scenarios of European states troops in the event of a Russian attack We have three starting points in the case of Romania: After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the Ministry of National Defense (MApN) started a rush worth billions of euros to purchase submarines, tanks, planes, armored vehicles, missiles, drones. After two years of endowment plans and contract tenders, the heads of the Ministry and of the Romanian Army realized that there are not enough soldiers to use future equipment. Minister Angel Tilvar subsequently announced a national recruitment of 20,000 people. Moreover, the Chief of the Romanian Army, general Gheorghita Vlad, wants the entire population capable of fighting to undergo military service. The Romanian Army an overview In the hypothetical case that Russia would attack NATO and not just stop at a conflict in Ukraine, the Romanian Army would be able to muster only 81,000 active people in a general mobilization in the first 24 hours from an initial aggression. However, only 69,000 of these would take part in the confrontation and can be considered military combatants, the rest being auxiliary of administrative personnel. This is due to the fact that the Romanian Army consists of 81,000 people, according to the study made by Global Firepower at the beginning of this year. The organizations representatives claim the data is collected from official sources of the monitored states. The latest official data from MApN, consulted by CursdeGuvernare.ro, referred to an army of 76,000 people at the end of 2022. The figure is featured in the annual report made by MApN. According to Global Firepower, to the 81,000 people considered active soldiers, 100,000 people can be added at this moment, gendarmes or soldiers in reserve, who would be mobilized in the event of a war. Upon addition, the Romanian Army would consist of approximately 180,000 people in a general mobilization. However, the figure is misleading: We are missing 20,000 soldiers: there are fewer actual combatants than figures indicate Although military personnel statistically have 81,000 people, actual combatants are just under 70,000: We aim to increase the number of military combatants in the Romanian Army from 80,000 to 100,000, given the complex situation near our border. But this depends on the available budget and opportunities, stated minister Tilvar in an interview for Antena 3. The deficit of 20,000 people in the Romanian Army is explained by the fact that the number of those who withdrew from the army has been rising constantly in recent years. Moreover, the interest in a military career among youths has declined significantly. Consequently, there have been no replacements for retiring military personnel. Europa Libera, citing official sources in the field, states that the Romanian Army has lost 13,000 people from the military personnel in the last two years. Fears regarding the war in Ukraine are not at fault for this, but rather fears with respect to changes in retirement conditions. Military personnel chose to retire. Romanias military strength in 2023, according to Global Firepower and the IISS (the International Institute for Strategic Studies): Active military: 81,000 Reservists: 55,000 Paramilitary personnel 57,000 (mainly Gendarmerie Ministry of Internal Affairs). However, active duty military personnel consist of: Naval Forces 6,800 people, Air Forces 11,700 people, Land Forces 35,500 people combined forces 15,000 people. The result would be an army of 69,000 active duty personnel. The difference up to 81,000 consists of admistrative and maintenance staff, people who would not have the role of combatants in the event of a conflict. However, national security expert Claudiu Degeratu believes that the best asset of the Romanian Army is military training. In terms of organization, training, strategy, it can be said that we are a North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) army. But if we are to consider equipment, armored vehicles, tanks, ships, many of these are reminiscent of the past, pointed out Claudiu Degeratu for CursdeGuvernare.ro. Military service in other European states Military service is mandatory in the following European states: Austria (a period of 6 months) Switzerland (between 4 and 6 months) Denmark (between 4 and 12 months) Norway (a period of 19 months) Estonia (between 8 and 11 months) Finland (between 6 and 12 months) Greece (a period of 9 months) Cyprus (a period of 25 months) Lithuania (12 months) Latvia (12 months) Sweden (11 months) Below, the map of European military service/abolition thereof: Military service in Romania In Romania, mandatory military service has been suspended since 2007, but the discussion concerning the introduction of voluntary military service is a current one, given the Russian-Ukrainian war. It must be said that the first attempt to reinstate mandatory military service failed in 2015. before 1989, military service was compulsory for all male citizens. Before the Revolution, Romanias army consisted of over 300,000 people. before 1989 men could be called up for military service from 20 to 50 years of age, and women from 18 to 45 years of age (they were conscripts with reduced terms 9 months before attending college; women would undergo military training during college); in 2004 Romania joins NATO and undertakes to go through 3 stages of reorganization. The first stage was completed by 2007 (from 300,000 military personnel in 1989 to 200,000 in 2001 to 90,000 employees, of which 75,000 military staff and 15,000 civilians. Out of the 75,000 military personnel 45,800 are to represent land forces; 13,250, air forces; 6,800, naval forces; 8,800, other assignments. The second stage ended in 2015, when army forces were reduced to 80,000 people. The third stage is scheduled for completion in 2025; in 2007, mandatory military service was suspended in Romania; in 2023, the structure of Romanian Land Forces includes Infantry; Artillery; Tanks; Missiles and Anti-Aircraft Artillery; Engineering; CBRN Defense Units and Subunits; Military Police. Rethinking military service in Europe after the annexation of Crimea: states that initiated recruitment policies Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014 was the first shock that led several European governments to rethink military service. Ukraine brought back conscription in 2014, which allowed it to amass a fairly strong army of professionals and reservists in its current war against Russia. brought back conscription in 2014, which allowed it to amass a fairly strong army of professionals and reservists in its current war against Russia. Lithuania reinstated partial military service in 2015, after having abandoned it in 2008. reinstated partial military service in 2015, after having abandoned it in 2008. Norway was the first European country to introduce compulsory military service for women as well, in 2016. was the first European country to introduce compulsory military service for women as well, in 2016. Sweden reinstated compulsory military service in 2017, after having abandoned it in 2010. The decision was taken after Russian military aircraft and a foreign submarine invaded Swedish air and sea space on several occasions. reinstated compulsory military service in 2017, after having abandoned it in 2010. The decision was taken after Russian military aircraft and a foreign submarine invaded Swedish air and sea space on several occasions. France started undergoing the recently reinstated national service, known as SNU (General National Service), in 2019. started undergoing the recently reinstated national service, known as SNU (General National Service), in 2019. Latvia has also reintroduced compulsory military service. Starting 2024, all males aged between 18 and 27 will have to undergo 11 months of military training. Starting 2028, 7,500 Latvians will be drafted each year into the army. has also reintroduced compulsory military service. Starting 2024, all males aged between 18 and 27 will have to undergo 11 months of military training. Starting 2028, 7,500 Latvians will be drafted each year into the army. The Netherlands and the Dutch armed forces lack approximately 9,000 recruits. Therefore, the government is considering the possibility of increasing army personnel through mandatory service. and the Dutch armed forces lack approximately 9,000 recruits. Therefore, the government is considering the possibility of increasing army personnel through mandatory service. Boris Pistorius, the German defense minister, said in late 2023 that Germany could reinstate conscription. The Swiss Parliament, one of the European countries where military service is still mandatory for all men, has taken into consideration as early as 2022 the possibility of extending drafting to women as well. The measure was proposed as a solution to the problem of insufficient army personnel, according to the EFE agency. Switzerlands active army also consists of 80,000 soldiers in a population of 8.7 million. Claudiu Degeratu stated that, considering personnel, the situation is not all bad. There are around 10,000-15,000 military personnel who participated in exercises and in theatres of war in international missions. These people are always able to face an attack. If we consider the numbers and training alone, I believe the Romanian Army is doing well or at least acceptable, he states. Active duty combatants in European states France 200,000 United Kingdom 184,860 Germany 181,600 Italy -165,500 Poland 150,000 Greece 142,000 Spain 133,200 Switzerland 101,000 Romania 81,000 Hungary 41,600 The Netherlands 41,380 Bulgaria 37,000 The Czech Republic 28,000 Belgium 25,000 Finland 24,000 Sweden 24,400 Portugal 24,000 Norway 23,250 Lithuania 23,000 Denmark 20,000 Slovakia 19,500 Latvia 17,250 Austria 16,000 Croatia 14,325 Moldova 8,500 Estonia 7,700 Water, air and land conflict scenarios. The situation within Romanias Army compared to other states armed forces Although Russia is currently focusing on Ukraine, alliance officials fear that things will change in the future and NATO would have three years to strengthen its defense against a possible Russian offensive targeting alliance territory. Taking this under consideration, lets see how countries on the eastern flank stand in terms of land, naval and air forces and military equipment. Land warfare Romania (with a population of 19 million) could muster 35,000 active infantrymen, to which 100,000 reservists and paramilitaries/gendarmes can be added. In terms of equipment, the Romanian Army has 377 tanks and approximately 1,400 armored vehicles. Regarding artillery Romania has a little under 1,400 pieces of equipment. Poland (with a population of 37.7 million) could muster 150,000 active infantrymen, to which 290,000 reservists and paramilitaries can be added. In terms of equipment, the country has 577 tanks and approximately 2,340 armored vehicles. Regarding artillery, Poland has a little under 1,400 pieces of equipment. Latvia (with a population of 1.8 million) could muster 6,700 active infantrymen, to which 48,000 reservists and paramilitaries can be added. In terms of equipment, Latvia has only 1,081 armored vehicles and no tanks. Regarding artillery, the country has 41 pieces of equipment. Lithuania (with a population of 2.8 million) could muster 14,500 active infantrymen, to which 110,000 reservists and paramilitaries can be added. In terms of equipment, Lithuania has only 881 armored vehicles and no tanks. Regarding artillery, the country has 39 pieces of equipment. Estonia (with a population of 1.33 million) could muster 4,000 active infantrymen, to which 90,000 reservists and paramilitaries can be added. In terms of equipment, Estonia has only 1,400 armored vehicles and no tanks. Regarding artillery, the country has 21 pieces of equipment. Bulgaria (with a population of 6.8 million) could muster 17,000 active infantrymen, to which 3,000 reservists can be added. In terms of equipment, the country has 120 tanks and over 4,400 armored vehicles. Regarding artillery, Bulgaria has 168 pieces of equipment. Slovakia (with a population of 5.4 million) could muster 10,200 active infantrymen and no reservists. In terms of equipment, the country has 25 tanks and approximately 1,434 armored vehicles. Regarding artillery, Slovakia has over 40 pieces of equipment. Hungary (with a population of 9.7 million) could muster 32,000 active infantrymen and 35,000 reservists. In terms of equipment, the country has 146 tanks and approximately 5,500 armored vehicles. Regarding artillery, Hungary has 223 pieces of equipment. Military strategy changes in the region began to be visible after 2014, once Russia annexed Crimea and openly supported separatist conflicts in eastern Ukraine. The forecast regarding military strategy changes started in 2014. Now, after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, it is clear that NATO armed forces will not only have to repel a one-off attack, but also prepare to face a large-scale invasion, believes Claudiu Degeratu. Air warfare Romania is estimated to have 11,700 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Romanian Air Force theoretically has 85 aircrafts and over 50 helicopters. 11,700 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Romanian Air Force theoretically has 85 aircrafts and over 50 helicopters. Poland is estimated to have 16,500 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Polish Air Force theoretically has 461 aircrafts, of which 66 are modern, 212 helicopters and 6 drones. 16,500 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Polish Air Force theoretically has 461 aircrafts, of which 66 are modern, 212 helicopters and 6 drones. Latvia is estimated to have 250 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Air Force theoretically has 7 aircrafts, of which none are fighters, and 4 helicopters. 250 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Air Force theoretically has 7 aircrafts, of which none are fighters, and 4 helicopters. Lithuania is estimated to have 1,500 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Air Force theoretically has only 9 aircrafts, of which none are fighters, and 3 helicopters. 1,500 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Air Force theoretically has only 9 aircrafts, of which none are fighters, and 3 helicopters. Estonia is estimated to have 1,570 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Air Force theoretically has only 11 aircrafts, of which none are fighters, and 2 helicopters. 1,570 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Air Force theoretically has only 11 aircrafts, of which none are fighters, and 2 helicopters. Bulgaria is estimated to have 8,500 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Air Force theoretically has 36 aircrafts, of which none are fighters, and 17 helicopters. 8,500 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Air Force theoretically has 36 aircrafts, of which none are fighters, and 17 helicopters. Slovakia is estimated to have 3,300 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Air Force theoretically has only 37 aircrafts, of which none are fighters, and 14 helicopters. 3,300 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Air Force theoretically has only 37 aircrafts, of which none are fighters, and 14 helicopters. Hungary is estimated to have 5,750 soldiers in the Air Force. In terms of equipment, the Air Force theoretically has only 40 aircrafts, of which none are fighters, and 30 helicopters. We dont have naval forces, nor do we have fighter jets, apart from the few (e.n. 17) F-16 aircrafts. In terms of equipment, were certainly not doing well and we would barely withstand an invasion, Claudiu Degeratu also pointed out for CursdeGuvernare.ro. We started from a very low point: the equipment mostly dates from the communist era. And only part of the forces the one designated for NATO service has the necessary combat training, added Claudiu Degeratu. Naval warfare Romania is estimated to have 6,800 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Romanian Navy theoretically has 27 ships, of which only three frigates, average-size vessels. 6,800 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Romanian Navy theoretically has 27 ships, of which only three frigates, average-size vessels. Poland is estimated to have 12,300 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Polish Navy theoretically has 46 ships, of which only 2 frigates and 2 corvettes, as well as a submarine. 12,300 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Polish Navy theoretically has 46 ships, of which only 2 frigates and 2 corvettes, as well as a submarine. Latvia is estimated to have 1,000 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Latvian Navy theoretically has 18, none of which are warships. 1,000 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Latvian Navy theoretically has 18, none of which are warships. Lithuania is estimated to have 700 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Lithuanian Navy theoretically has 11, none of which are warships. 700 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Lithuanian Navy theoretically has 11, none of which are warships. Estonia is estimated to have 500 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Navy theoretically has 20, none of which are warships. 500 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Navy theoretically has 20, none of which are warships. Bulgaria is estimated to have 4,400 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Navy theoretically has 40 ships, of which only 3 frigates and 4 corvettes, average-size vessels. 4,400 soldiers in the Naval Forces. In terms of equipment, the Navy theoretically has 40 ships, of which only 3 frigates and 4 corvettes, average-size vessels. Slovakia has no Navy, nor equipment. has no Navy, nor equipment. Hungary has no Navy, nor equipment. Switzerlands unique case among European countries Switzerland, a neutral country with 7 million citizens, has compulsory military service for men. Moreover, two years ago, the Swiss Parliament discussed for the first time the introduction of compulsory military service for women as well. In Switzerland, military service lasts between four and six months, but reservists must participate in yearly activities to maintain their level of training. The Swiss Army has approximately 100,000 soldiers, after two rounds of military personnel downsizing. It must be stated: In 2013, the Swiss rejected by referendum the abolition of compulsory military service. Russias capacity before the war in Ukraine Russia (with a population of 144 million) is estimated to have 550,000 active infantrymen, with an additional 2.23 million reservists and paramilitaries. In terms of equipment, the Red Army is estimated to have 10,344 tanks and approximately 112,900 armored vehicles. Regarding artillery, Russia is supposed to have over 26,000 pieces of equipment. Russia is presumed to have 165,000 soldiers in the Air Force. Regarding equipment, the air force could have over 2,700 aircrafts, of which more than 1,000 are fighters, and 1,006 helicopters. Russia is believed to have 160,000 soldiers in the Naval Forces. Regarding equipment, the Navy is estimated to have 781 ships, including an aircraft carrier. It is no longer possible to occupy a sizeable country because there is no longer an army of a million men to go to war, as before. Even Russia, a military power with a population of 140 million, barely managed to muster about 180,000 men to send to Ukraine, believes Hari Bucur-Marcu, military expert. Romania is not able to defend itself. They would probably manage to do less than the Ukrainian army. However, we are part of NATO. The forces ration between NATO and Russia is 10 to 1 in favor of the Alliance, added the expert. The Global Firepower ranking According to the study made in 2024 by Global Firepower, Romania ranks 41st in the top of the strongest armies worldwide, 11th among European Union military forces and 14th within NATO forces. Considering only NATOs Eastern Europe Plan, Romania ranks 5th among armies closest to the Russian territory. However, the study reveals that Romania ranks higher than neighboring NATO member states, since Hungary ranks 55th and Bulgaria ranks 67th. The budget for Defense in Romania At the moment, the Ministry of Defense has several military procurement projects in progress, the most important being: Patriot long-range ground-based air missiles (stage I), armored personnel carrier, Himars (Multiple Launch Rocket System), mobile missile launchers, vehicle transport platforms, wheeled multipurpose vehicles, drones, anti-drone systems, F-16 aircraft acquisitions, as well as patrol ships and even submarines for the Navy. The Defense budget for 2024 is EUR 8 billion, which is 2.3% of the EUR 350 billion GDP. The EUR 8 billion Defense budget for 2024 is 25% higher than last years but under the verbally announced target of 2.5% of GDP However, of the EUR 8 billion, only EUR 3 billion will go towards investments, while EUR 5 billion will go to operations: salaries, pensions, goods and services, according to the Army budget published by the Ministry of Finance. *** Chairmen of the Labour Party, LP, in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Terrritory, FCT, have urged the partys 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to compel the National Chairman, Julius Abure, to step down and allow a fair investigation into allegations of misappropriation of campaign funds levelled against him. The chairmen, who were led by Solomon Ndem of Plateau State, made the call while addressing journalists in Abuja. Recall that LPs National Treasurer, Oluchi Opara, had accused Abure of misappropriating the sum of N3.5 billion generated from the sales of nomination forms and other activities ahead of the 2023 general election. But, Abure had denied the allegations. However the partys State chairmen are insisting that Abure must sted down. Ndem said: We stand before you with a profound appreciation for the responsiveness of HE Peter G. Obi, a stalwart in our party, for his swift action in response to the call for the external auditing of the LP accounts. This gesture underscores his unwavering commitment to transparency and the principles of the New Nigeria project. However, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where we must address certain internal matters for the sake of our partys integrity in the spirit of openness and accountability as elected chairmen of Labour Party in Nigeria, we wish to address certain concerns that have come to our attention. We are appealing to His Excellency, Peter G. Obi, Senator Ahmed Datti, and other distinguished personalities within the party to join us in requesting Barrister Julius Abure to step aside. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Mr Mele Kolo Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to promptly account for and explain the whereabouts of the alleged missing USD$2.04 billion and N164 billion oil revenues. SERAP said the allegations are documented in the latest annual report recently published by the Auditor-General of the Federation. SERAP urged Mr Kyari to name and shame those responsible for the disappeared oil money, surcharge them for the full amount involved, and hand them over to appropriate anticorruption agencies, as provided for under paragraph 3112(ii) of the Financial Regulations 2009, and recommended by the Auditor-General. SERAP also urged him to ensure the full recovery and remittance of the missing USD$2.04 billion and N164 billion into the Federation Account without further delay. In the letter dated 17 February 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, The missing oil revenues have further damaged the already precarious economy in the country and contributed to very high levels of deficit spending by the government. SERAP said, Without the full recovery and remittance of the missing USD$2.04 billion and N164 billion oil revenues, the dire economic situation may worsen and Nigerians will continue to be denied access to basic public goods and services. According to SERAP, the Auditor-General has for many years documented reports of disappearance of public funds from the NNPC. Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of these missing oil revenues. The letter, read in part: The alleged missing oil revenues reflect a failure of NNPCL accountability more generally and are directly linked to the institutions continuing failure to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability. We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel the NNPCL to comply with our requests in the public interest. Had the NNPCL and its subsidiaries accounted for and remitted the disappeared public funds into the Federation Account, it is likely that more funds would have been allocated to the fulfillment of economic and social rights, such as increased spending on public goods and services. The missing oil revenues have also impeded Nigerians ability to enjoy their economic and social rights, and denied them access to essential public goods and services, especially at the time of cost of living crisis in the country. Explaining the whereabouts of the missing public funds, naming and shaming those suspected to be responsible and ensuring that suspected perpetrators are brought to justice and the full recovery of any missing public funds would serve the public interest and end the impunity of perpetrators. Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the disappeared oil money. Ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of oil revenues would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition. According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit over USD$2 billion and N164 billion oil revenues into the Federation Account. The Auditor-General fears that the money may have been diverted into private pockets, denying the government the funding needed to carry out its activities. The NNPCL reportedly failed and/or refused to remit N151,121,999,966. The NNPCL without any justification deducted the money from the oil royalties assessed for 2020 by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) now Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The NNPCL has failed to account for the missing public funds. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted into the Federation Account. The NNPCL also failed to remit USD$19,774,488.15 collected as government revenue into the Federation Account. The Auditor-General wants the NNPCL to account for the money, recover and remit it into the Federation Account, and to hand over those suspected to be involved to the ICPC and the EFCC. The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd also reportedly failed to account for USD$2,021,411,877.47 and N13,313,565,786.49 of royalties collected from crude oil and gas sales and gas flare. The Auditor-General wants the public funds fully recovered and remitted into the Federation Account and for those suspected to be responsible for the missing public funds to be handed over to the ICPC and the EFCC. These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], national anticorruption laws, and the countrys obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption. The allegations have undermined the economic development of the country, trapped the majority of Nigerians in poverty and deprived them of opportunities. SERAP is concerned that despite the countrys enormous oil wealth, ordinary Nigerians have derived very little benefit from oil money primarily because of widespread grand corruption, and the entrenched culture of impunity of perpetrators. Combating the corruption epidemic in the oil sector would alleviate poverty, improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods and services, and enhance the ability of the government to meet its human rights and anti-corruption obligations. SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good. Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] imposes clear responsibility on the NNPCL to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution. Paragraph 3112(ii) of the he Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, Where a public officer fails to account for government revenue, such officer shall be surcharged for the full amount involved and such officer shall be handled over to either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources. Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the NNPCL to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds. These commitments ought to be fully upheld and respected. A former lawmaker and social critic, Senator Shehu Sani, on Monday, said the idea of allowing the establishment of state police in the country could be a recipe for anarchy. According to Sani, the idea that state police would solve all the security problems in the country is a mirage. He made his opinion on the matter known in a post on his X handle. The Federal Government had recently hinted about the likelihood of embracing state police. The development followed an emergency meeting between President Bola Tinubu and state governors at the Aso Rock Villa. The meeting was sequel to the recent hike in food prices, economic hardship, and pockets of insecurity recorded nationwide. However, the former lawmaker expressed worry that state police will be an armed wing of the ruling party of each state. He wrote: The idea that State Police will solve all the security problems in the Country is a mirage. What magic can the state police perform that the military, police and civil defence couldnt? The State police will simply be an armed wing of the ruling party of each state. Its a recipe for anarchy. Nigerias President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Abuja after attending the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government. NAF 001 pulled up at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Intl Airport at about 04:00 pm local time, concluding his 15th foreign trip since assuming the Presidency nine months ago, and logging 73 days abroad. Tinubu was received by top government officials including his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle. Also on the receiving line were the Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma; the Director-General of the Department of State Service, Yusuf Bichi, among others. During his three-day stay, the Nigerian leader discussed thematic issues such as climate change and modalities of the AUs participation and priorities in the G20. At the Ministerial Executive Leadership Programme on Saturday, February 17, Tinubu argued that addressing Africas health sector challenges would require states to forge partnerships that transcend borders and sectors, leveraging collective expertise, knowledge, resources, and the private sector. AU Health Champion, said Africas effective collaboration with the rest of the world to tackle existential health challenges is not merely a strategic choice, but a moral imperative. Addressing a plenary session attended by several of his counterparts, he affirmed Nigerias readiness to host the African Central Bank according to the vision of the Abuja Treaty. On Sunday, he held talks with Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, with both countries now planning to establish direct flight operations between their respective financial capitals of Lagos and Sao Paulo. Nigeria and Brazil also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations mainly to increase the volume of trade and cooperation across solid mineral exploration, healthcare, and agriculture. Tinubu has so far visited Paris, France (thrice); London, the United Kingdom; Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic; New Delhi, India; Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Berlin, Germany. His return coincides with protests in Oyo State over the rising cost of living. Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo says unity within the ranks propelled the team to a successful outing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The West Africans made it to the final of the competition where they lost 2-1 to host nation Cote dIvoire. The three-time African champions struggled in the build up to the competition and were not expected to make a big impression in Cote dIvoire. Omeruo claimed the determination and camaraderie among the players made it possible for them to exceed expectations in the competition. I am especially proud of Stanley Nwabali, how he was able to come into the team and show his qualities, Omeruo told Arise TV. The team believes in itself, and knows it can perform better. I hoped that we would win gold at the 2023 AFCON, nonetheless, our eyes are on AFCON 2025. A driver died in an early Monday morning crash in Camden County shortly after a police officer attempted to stop him in Gloucester County, investigators said. An on-duty Monroe Township Police Department officer, who was driving a department vehicle, tried to stop the car on County Road 732 in town but the vehicle fled, according to a statement from the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office. A few minutes after the attempted stop, the officer found the vehicle crashed on East Fleming Pike in Winslow Township in neighboring Camden County, the office said. The adult male driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was not identified by authorities. No other details were provided about the circumstances that caused the man to crash around 4 a.m. The crash is under investigation by the office, which handles any incident where a person dies during an encounter with police. Typically, the findings of these Attorney General investigations are presented to grand juries, which determine whether the officers involved should be indicted on any charges. At this time, the Attorney Generals Office is investigating to determine whether this death falls under the purview of the statute, the office said in its statement. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Emily Dempsey was elated to see her that a picture of her cousin, taken at Atlantic Citys lone segregated beach decades ago, was among the many on display at a new exhibit. Dempsey called over Jody Alessandrine, director of Cape May MAC (Museums. Arts. Culture), and pointed out to him the photograph of William Albouy, Atlantic Citys first Black lifeguard captain. Dempsey told Allesandrine stories about Albouy, who worked at the Jersey Shore in the days before the Civil Rights movement and the end of segregation. His photograph is one of over 50 Cape May MAC, the Center for Community Arts and Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation have put together as part of an exhibit that runs through March 25 at the Carriage House on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate on Washington Street in Cape May. Using photos and work by local artist Chanelle Rene, the exhibit illustrates what life was like for Black people visiting segregated beaches in Cape May and Atlantic City in the days before the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The exhibit opened on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. While the Jersey Shore was visited by many people each year and fueled local economies, it was, like much of the rest of the nation, a place rooted in segregation. Visitors stand beside an original painting depicting Black bathers at Grant Street Beach in Cape May at the Emlen Physick Estate on Feb. 13, 2024.Eric Conklin Dempsey, a founding member of the Center for Community Arts, was one of the beachgoers who made Grant Street Beach her seaside spot in summer. It was the citys beach designated for Black people, a move historians, according to Alessandrine, was likely done at the helm of oceanfront hotels that catered mostly to white customers. Local historians say a lack of evidence suggests being a Black-only beach was an unwritten rule of Cape May. I never saw a sign, Dempsey, 87, a lifelong Cape May native who now lives in neighboring West Cape May, said while visiting the exhibit Tuesday. This was the law of the land. The photos show beachgoers smiling in pastime swimwear, some in groups. Quotes from local history books are mounted next to them. The photos are reinforced by a half-dozen original paintings by Rene, a self-taught artist, who began creating the Grant Street beach series in 2022. Several other works by Rene are being shown in Princeton, she said. As a Black woman from the Jersey Cape, her family continued visiting Grant Street Beach years after segregated beach practices ended. People encouraged me that since I live at the Shore, I should do beach art, said Rene, 48, of West Cape May. I wanted to do something that was a little more meaningful to me. Using bright colors, they illustrate for people a time when these segregated beaches were a haven for Black people. Its about legacy and remembering kind of what was in the past, Rene said. People that went to the beach when it was segregated, they enjoyed themselves. It was making the best of that situation, and then also continuing that throughout generations. Cape May County artist Chanelle Rene poses with pieces of original work featured at the Carriage House on the Grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate on Feb. 13, 2024.Eric Conklin Rene has partnered with Cape May MAC on past exhibits, Alessandrine said. Its a sad story, Alessandrine said of the segregated beaches. But, its incredible and beautiful how Chanelle took that, and if you look at the paintings, you would never know that these people were being oppressed. Both Grant Street Beach in Cape May and Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City, on Missouri Avenue, were two of the Jersey Shores most well-known beaches designated for Black people. They became open to all following the Civil Rights Act of 1964. South Jersey saw its Black population increase following the Civil War, according to local historical research. The influx was a part of the Great Migration, where nearly 6 million Black people relocated from the American South to northern and western states between the 1910s and 1970s to flee racial violence, according to the National Archives. Like Cape May, Atlantic City hotel owners in 1928 lobbied city officials to segregate the beaches. Photographs of Black sunbathers at Grant Street Beach are on display for visitors of the Carriage House at the Emlen Physick Estate on Feb. 13, 2024.Eric Conklin The rules could be bent in Cape May for Black visitors caring for white children, Dempsey said. The beaches, according to Cape May MAC, were separated for decades through the 1950s. Boundaries varied between summers, but they were clear despite never being publicized. This is what we were used to, Dempsey said. We didnt go there complaining because we had a very good beach, a very nice beach with dunes and sunning areas. 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. Dominic Sessa may not have won a BAFTA award Sunday, but he has reportedly been cast in an upcoming film. The 21-year-old New Jersey actor made his screen debut in Alexander Paynes Oscar-nominated movie The Holdovers. Sessa, who grew up in Egg Harbor Township and Ocean City, has drawn high praise for playing boarding school student Angus Tully in the 1970-set film opposite Paul Giamattis ornery teacher Paul Hunham. Deadline reports that Sessa will next star alongside Rose Byrne in the drama Tow, directed by Stephanie Laing. Byrne, who led the 80s-set Apple TV+ series Physical, reunites with series creator Annie Weisman and series director Laing for the film, the outlet reports. The story, written by Weisman, Jonathan Keasey and Brant Boivin, is based on true events. Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in "The Holdovers."Focus Features When Amanda Ogle receives a tow bill for more than $21,000, she has to contend with tow-company hell to get her life and car back. Ogle, who is an executive producer of the film, lived in her car before it was stolen and towed in Seattle in 2017. Sessa, who won a Critics Choice Award for best young actor in January, was nominated for best supporting actor at the BAFTAs for his performance in The Holdovers. He attended the London ceremony with his mother Jennifer Sessa, an English and theater teacher at Lower Cape May Regional High School. Robert Downey Jr. won the award for playing Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer. Im just trying to be present right now and take all this in, Sessa told NJ Advance Media in January. Doing a film like this and getting this recognition for it, its very few and far between. Even though its my first movie ever, I still cant really take any of that for granted. He said he was eager to take on his next role, whatever it would be. More and more as the days go by, its like that part of the back of my mind where its like, OK, whats the next thing? Whats the next movie? Dominic Sessa with "The Holdovers" casting director Susan Shopmaker and his co-stars Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Paul Giamatti at the BAFTAs.Tristan Fewings | BAFTA | Getty Images Sessas co-star in The Holdovers, DaVine Joy Randolph, won best supporting actress at the BAFTAs for her performance as Mary Lamb, head cook at Barton Academy, the New England boarding school where Tully is a student. Randolph named Sessa in her acceptance speech (see video below). Dominic, to know you is to love you and how lucky I am to say that I was there to witness your talent at the very beginning, she said. Out in the audience, Sessa put his hand to his heart. Randolph is also nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar for the role, and Giamatti is nominated for best actor (he lost that BAFTA award to Cillian Murphy for Oppenheimer). In January, Randolph won the Golden Globe for best female supporting actor in a motion picture and Giamatti won the Globe for male actor in a motion picture musical or comedy. The Holdovers is up for best picture at the Academy Awards and writer David Hemingson is nominated for best original screenplay. Susan Shopmaker, casting director of The Holdovers, won the BAFTA award for best casting. Shopmaker cast Sessa when he was a boarding school student at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts one of the places where the movie was filmed. Sessa, who was born in Cherry Hill, is also nominated for best breakthrough performance at the Independent Spirit Awards Feb. 25. Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup. Its official Rachel Zegler is the peoples action hero. The New Jersey actor was named best action star at the Peoples Choice Awards Sunday. Zegler, 22, won the award for her performance as the musically gifted tribute Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The Peoples Choice Awards are determined by fan voting. The Hunger Games was also named best action movie at the awards ceremony. Zegler, who grew up in Clifton, kissed her boyfriend, an elated Josh Andres Rivera her co-star in The Hunger Games before going onstage to accept the award. I love movies, she said. I love making them. And I am a fan of movies, and Im surrounded by movie fans tonight and movie fans who voted and Im so thankful to everyone whos ever bought a ticket and watched something that so many people have made. For so long in this business, I didnt think I fit in, Zegler continued. But tonight you have made me feel like I dont have to change myself to be chosen and I appreciate you so much. Zegler went on to thank director Francis Lawrence and the filmmakers behind The Hunger Games as well as her co-star, Tom Blyth the best scene partner. Blyth plays a young Coriolanus Snow, mentor to Zeglers character in the movie. She also thanked Rivera, the best life partner, her family and Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a Hunger Games prequel set 64 years before the time of Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence in the franchises earlier films). Its just a really nice way to feed Hunger Games fans, Zegler told NJ Advance Media last year. As a Hunger Games fan myself, the fan base is really the reason were still sitting here 15 years post-release of the first book. At the Peoples Choice Awards, the Jersey actor was seated next to Jennifer Aniston, who inspired Zeglers mother to name her daughter after Rachel Green, her character from Friends. (See Zeglers impression of Anistons Rachel.) Rachel and Jennifer Aniston during Lenny Kravitzs performance: pic.twitter.com/Snvs6ikCVh Rachel Zegler Source (@zeglersource) February 19, 2024 In 2022, Zegler won a Golden Globe for best actress in a motion picture musical or comedy for her film debut playing Maria in Steven Spielbergs 2021 version of West Side Story. In both the movie musical and The Hunger Games, Zeglers impressive voice has been on full display. Growing up in North Jersey, the actor was a frequent star of school musicals at Lodis Immaculate Conception High School. Zegler met Rivera, 28, who plays Sejanus Plinth in The Hunger Games, while working on West Side Story (he played Chino, Marias date to a dance). The couple celebrated their two-year anniversary in October. Zeglers upcoming roles include Snow White in Disneys 2025 live-action, retooled version of the story from the animated film. Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup. A Bayonne man charged with killing his daughter last year in his home has died in Hudson County jail while awaiting trial, the Hudson County Prosecutors Office confirmed Monday. Errol Brown, 52, collapsed in his cell just after 2 p.m. on Feb. 15, the prosecutors office said. Hudson County jail officers responded and onsite medical personnel immediately rendered aid. Brown was then taken to the Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 3:45 p.m. The prosecutors office did not provide a cause of death, but said it is not considered suspicious at this time. The cause and manner of the Browns death are pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiners Office, the prosecutors office said. In accordance with guidelines by the state Attorney Generals Office, the attorney general was immediately notified. The attorney general designated the Hudson County Prosecutors Office as the independent investigator to investigate this matter as it is an in custody death. Brown was arrested June 13 last year after authorities say he fatally shot his daughter, 27-year-old Keyanna Brown, in his apartment on Avenue E in Bayonne. He had been ordered detained at Hudson County jail through his prosecution. According to the criminal complaint, Brown had gotten into a dispute with his daughter and another woman on June 12. The woman told police she and Keyanna Brown were both assaulted by Errol Brown, and she then left the apartment. The criminal complaint said the woman returned and found Keyanna Brown had been shot and Errol Brown repeating what did I do? Police responded at 11:35 p.m. and Brown was pronounced dead approximately 25 minutes later. Police recovered two guns from the home. A proposed solar farm in Orange County lost a critical vote before the countys planning commission after the owners of a historic estate-turned-bed and breakfast and wedding venue rallied their strong social media following and other members of the community to voice their opposition. The Cashells, who own Mayhurst Inn just south of the town of Orange, argue that Maitland, Florida-based ESA Solars 35-acre Orange Road Solar Farm poses a direct threat not only to Mayhursts business but to Orange Countys burgeoning tourism industry and its agricultural roots. Thats in spite of the fact that the solar farm is not part of the Mayhurst estate, sits 1,000 feet away from the historic house, cannot be seen from the highest elevation on the property and is no longer suitable for agricultural purposes. Nevertheless, the Orange County Planning Commission voted 4-1 on Thursday to recommend the countys board of supervisors deny ESAs request for a special use permit for the project. While expressing their support for solar projects in general, commissioners cited the projects proximity to Mayhurst in their final reasoning. Mayhurst was constructed by Col. John Willis in 1859. Willis was the great-nephew of Founding Father James Madison, whose Montpelier estate is roughly 7 miles from Mayhurst. Willis was also a generous supporter of the Confederacy, who was so penniless after the Civil War he was forced to sell the property. It was purchased by a Northern carpetbagger sent by the Federal government to administer the county, according to the Cashells own history of the estate published on the Mayhurst website. Jason and Casey Cashell, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, purchased Mayhurst in February of 2020. Over the past four years, the couple have transformed the 165-year-old Italianate house at the center of the 37-acre property into an attractive destination for holidays and weddings. The Cashells Instagram account, where they document their experiences renovating the property and raising their children there, has amassed more than 150,000 followers. Speaking before the planning commission Thursday, Casey Cashell compared that figure to the Instagram followings of other nearby historic landmarks, including Montpelier (roughly 13,000 followers) and fellow Founding Father Thomas Jeffersons Monticello estate (roughly 45,700 followers). Cashell also pointed out that Orange Countys own Instagram page has barely 2,000 followers. Casey Cashell said Mayhurst, under her familys ownership, has put Orange County on the map for millions. I want you to understand that this dream of ours, here at Mayhurst right in the heart of Orange County, its not just ours, it has captured the hearts of millions, said Casey Cashell at the public hearing. And that is not an understatement millions. What we are doing here is far more significant than any of you might understand. The Cashells willingly admitted Thursday that they had wielded the power of their fanbase to influence the vote. Two days before the planning commission hearing, Casey Cashell took to Instagram and called on locals to show up at the hearing in protest and urged followers to email the Leaders of Orange County and express their opposition to the solar farm. Mayhurst is in danger, she says in a Tuesday Instagram Reel while sitting in a room at the house and holding an aerial photo of the estate. There is an industrial solar company wanting to blanket the rolling countryside of this incredible historic estate. If you could, please write an email to our board of supervisors and let them know that you dont wish to see a solar field blanketing the hillsides behind Mayhurst, that you want to see this historical estate preserved and kept as a national treasure. At the hearing Thursday, Jason Cashell told The Daily Progress that former Mayhurst guests sent more than 100 messages opposing the project to Orange officials. The impact of social media through guests drawing tourism here, which Mayhurst, before we bought it, had zero social media, Jason Cashell told The Daily Progress. I dont think social media had a huge role in who showed up to speak tonight, but I do think it has a huge role in who comes and visits and name recognition for Orange. Jason Cashell sits on Orange Town Council, which does not have authority over the solar farm project which sits in the county. The distinction between town and county played a role in Jason Cashells election in 2022, when opponents argued he had run under false pretenses, listing a small upstairs apartment on Main Street in the town of Orange as his primary residence despite evidence, specifically on Instagram, that he and his family reside at Mayhurst in Orange County. Jason Cashell told the planning commission on Thursday that he and his wife have invested in Mayhurst, and consequently Orange County, believing that Orange officials would do everything in their power to protect historic landmarks and revenue-generating businesses. When we moved here four years ago to take over a struggling business, we did it with the understanding that the county said it would protect National Historical Landmarks like Mayhurst, he said before the commision. So we came, invested, worked hard and made something special. Now, that agreement is in jeopardy. If you dont protect Mayhurst, then by default, dont you, based on precedent, forfeit the rights to protect any other historical landmarks in Orange? Wes Shaffer, entitlement manager at ESA, said in a presentation before the planning commission Thursday that the company would do everything in its power to mitigate the projects impact. He noted that there had already been conversations with Jason Cashell in which ESA had agreed to rent out the eight guest rooms at Mayhurst during the 10 days that construction on the solar farm would be the loudest. He also pointed out that the solar farm has been designed to generate enough electricity for roughly 1,000 households and that Mayhurst, and any other county business or resident, would be able to access that power. In addition, an ESA viewshed analysis found little to no visual impact from the tallest point on the Mayhurst estate. Unlike the aerial photo Casey Cashell held during her Instagram Reel, in which the proposed site of the solar farm could be clearly seen, a photo taken from the cupola atop the house shows most visitors would not be able to see the solar farm clearly or at all. Shaffer emphasized that ESAs plans would make the project practically invisible. Over the next 30 years, you will not notice this project, he told the planning commission. That comment elicited guffaws from the audience, prompting Shaffer to joke, It is at this moment, I realize I will not be a good stand-up comedian. Following Shaffer, 14 Orange County residents, including the Cashells, voiced their opposition to the project. These solar viruses are butt ugly, said Orange County resident John Murray. A majority of those in opposition emphasized the negative impact the solar farm would have on the countys tourism and agriculture sectors. The tourism industry supports a fraction of the total jobs in Orange County, just 485, according to the Virginia Tourism Corporation. Most of the countys workforce is employed in the manufacturing and retail sectors, 1,266 and 1,309 people, respectively, according to the countys 2023 Comprehensive Plan. ESA has defended itself against criticism that the land should be returned to some sort of agricultural use by pointing out that the property has not been farmed for several years and that the companys soil studies have shown the land could not even sustain traditional farming. ESAs arguments, however, were not enough to sway the votes of planning commissioners Thursday. In the end, it came down to one figure: 1,000 feet. Commissioners Teri Vickery and Donald Brooks, who presented the motion to recommend denial, said 1,000 feet was not a sufficient buffer between the proposed solar panels and the historic estate. Brooks just couldnt bring his mind around to the location, said Brooks, referring to himself in the third person. The planning commission vote is not the final say on whether a special use permit will be granted for ESAs Orange Road Solar Farm. The final decision will be determined by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, which has its next regular meeting at 5 p.m. on Feb. 27, when the board is expected to decide on a date to make its final determination. NY Waterway is reminding commuters that theres a way to reach the new South Amboy ferry without driving to the terminals temporary parking lot. A free shuttle has been making stops at multiple locations in South Amboy and neighboring Sayreville since weekday ferry service to and from Manhattan debuted in October, officials said. Four shuttles on weekday mornings are making seven stops, starting at 5:04 a.m. with the first shuttle and concluding at 8:40 a.m. with the final drop-off at the ferry landing. Evening shuttles run between 4:25 p.m. and 8:25 p.m. and drop off passengers as requested, according to NY Waterways website. Local shuttles enhance the comfort and convenience of the South Amboy ferry experience, and we want to make sure that those who take the trip to Manhattan know that they can take advantage of the free ride to and from the ferry landing, NY Waterway CEO Armand Pohan said. The city is in the process of building a larger, permanent parking lot along with a ferry terminal, officials said previously. In the meantime, commuters are using a parking lot with 250 spaces at 100 Radford Ferry Road, approximately 1,000 feet from the ferry landing. Officials described it as fully walkable, but also serviced by a shuttle bus running between the parking lot and the ferry landing. While NY Waterway has not announced ridership figures, one commuter said the parking lot is starting to get more crowded. Ann Brooke said there were close to 80 cars in the parking lot when she boarded the 6:45 a.m. ferry one morning last week. She lives in South Amboy, about a 5-minute walk to the ferry, which she said she prefers to driving or using the shuttle bus. Brooke, who took the ferry from South Amboy on the day it debuted, October 30, said she occasionally commutes to work on the ferry in the morning but usually returns home via NJ Transit because the later train lines up better with her schedule. She said her morning water commute to lower Manhattan takes about an hour but is a scenic journey that passes under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and to the left of the Statue of Liberty before arriving in Battery Park City. Its an absolute pleasure, Brooke said. Weekday ferry service between South Amboy and Manhattan is a joint venture between the city and NY Waterway and had been discussed for three decades, officials said upon announcing its launch last fall. Ferries have been departing South Amboy starting at 5:45 a.m., Mondays through Fridays, with the last morning ferry arriving in New York City at 9:50 a.m, according to NY Waterway. The one-way fare for adults is $18, $7 for seniors and children under 12 ride for free. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Tammy Murphy has all the built-in advantages in her campaign against Andy Kim for the U.S. Senate nomination -- the money, the machines, even the governor himself making phone calls to bully Democratic delegates at the county conventions, Kim says. But at Sundays nights debate, she was missing one thing: A good reason why Democrats should support a political novice like her, over a tested opponent who won three tough elections in a district that Trump carried twice. 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. Louisianas legislature took up dozens of hard-won landmark criminal justice reforms on Monday as part of a special session at the behest of Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, who wants to see that progress reversed. Lawmakers considered more than 24 tough on crime items, including expanding methods to carry out death row executions, restricting parole eligibility, harsher penalties for carjackings, immunity from liability for law enforcement based upon a certain criteria and publicizing some juvenile court records. This aligns with Landrys campaign promises to make our state safe again, but advocates say the policy changes threaten to undo six years of criminal justice reform in Louisiana. Louisiana used to have the highest incarceration rate in the nation but relinquished the title under 2017 reforms enacted by Landrys predecessor, Gov. John Bel Edwards. Edwards, a Democrat, overhauled a series of bills that expanded probation and parole opportunities and reduced sentences for mostly non-violent offenders. Money the state saved in the process at least $150 million went toward programs aimed at keeping recidivism rates low. Under the new policies, the rates fell by around 25 percent. But Landry, a former sheriffs deputy and the states former attorney general, slammed the reforms early on and vowed to crack down on crime. One item on Landrys agenda could legalize nitrogen hypoxia executions, the controversial method recently used for the first time in Alabama. Other forms of execution, including lethal injection and electrocution, would remain intact under the bill, though the state hasnt used them to carry out an execution in almost 15 years. Louisiana has around 60 people currently on death row. The bill also grants confidentiality to companies who provide drugs for lethal injections. Landrys agenda items arent just confined to adult prison facilities. The governor is hoping to repeal protections for incarcerated youth by overturning Raise the Age, a key criminal justice reform that raised the age of criminal responsibility to 18. The law requires the state to treat teens under 18 as juveniles for all minor offenses. State Sen. Stewart Catheys proposal, if adopted, would drop the age of criminal responsibility back down to 17 and could result in more youth being incarcerated in adult prisons. The law was aimed at protecting youth from abuse in adult prisons, a major issue in several of the states facilities. Advocates expressed concern over Landrys proposals, including the ACLU of Louisiana, which said in a statement that people of color would be disproportionately harmed. The ACLU of Louisiana is deeply concerned with the tough on crime sweeping policy proposals of the governor.with Landrys sweeping policy proposals. the statement said. Some anti-death penalty advocates say Landrys rush to hold a legislative session amounts to political grandstanding and does little, if anything, for public safety. Youve got a new governor and he wants to be tough on crime. Co-founder of Death Penalty Action Abraham Bonowitz said. But offering up new ways of executions isnt going to do anything to keep people in Louisiana safe. We know that we can be safe from people whove committed terrible crimes and hold them accountable without them. Bonowitz said. The special legislative session will convene again Tuesday and must adjourn before the regular legislative session on Wednesday, March 6. A judge in Salem County has dismissed the indictment against a police officer accused of severely injuring his girlfriends child, finding the prosecution failed to give the grand jury sufficient evidence the injuries were not the result of an accident. Penns Grove Police Sgt. Anthony J. Minguez, 38, of Carneys Point, was off-duty and looking after the 2-year-old boy at his residence in February 2023 when the child suffered an accidental fall, according to the defense. Doctors evaluating the boy found a serious head injury and concluded the extent of the childs injuries didnt match the explanation offered by Minguez, police stated. A grand jury indicted Minguez in December on charges of second-degree aggravated assault and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. But, his attorney sought dismissal of the indictment, arguing the prosecutions presentation to the grand jury was flawed and negligent. Minguez claimed he had the child on his shoulder when the boy began to wiggle and move in an awkward manner and fell to the ground, according to his attorneys dismissal motion. Minguez immediately called 911, began life-saving techniques, cooperated with police and doctors, and remained in contact with the childs mother, his attorney stated. The boy was taken to Nemours Childrens Hospital in Delaware, where doctors determined he suffered a severe injury that caused brain swelling, and a portion of his skull was removed to alleviate that swelling, Carneys Point police wrote in the affidavit of probable cause. On the skull, a neurosurgeon noticed a cluster of bruises which in his words resembled fingers or knuckles, police stated in the affidavit. Other bruises on the toddler were noted as areas of concern and the doctor believed they were caused by a blow, pinch or pull, authorities said. Another doctor found broken blood vessels in the childs retinas, which would be caused by violent shaking of the victim, authorities said. Minguezs attorney, Richard F. Klineburger III, argued the child had a prior history of broken blood vessels in his eyes and banging his head during tantrums, but that this evidence was not presented to the grand jury. In a statement provided by the childs mother and included with the dismissal motion, she described the childs habit of throwing tantrums, including while being held. Bruises on the childs body likely resulted from him running and bumping into furniture, she said. She called the incident a tragic accident and called Minguez a trusted long-term friend and new boyfriend of mine. During a Friday hearing to consider the dismissal motion, Minguezs attorney questioned the qualification of the doctor who concluded the injuries were not accidental and also pointed to comments made by a member of the grand jury who said she worked at an ophthalmologists office. The juror opined on the conditions necessary to cause such eye injuries. And I know for retinal hemorrhages it would have to be an awful hard fall. And it would have to be placed at just the right spot for that to happen, especially for a child, the juror said, according to a portion of the transcript included with the dismissal motion. So thats something that maybe you could discuss in your deliberations, Assistant Prosecutor Marianne Morroni responded to the juror. The jury should have been instructed to ignore those statements, Klineburger argued. Its a situation where this grand juror is essentially giving expert testimony to the grand jury, he said Friday. Assistant Salem County Prosecutor Meghan O. Price countered that grand jurors are expected to bring their life experience to their deliberations and argued that the defense had offered nothing to challenge the basis for the charges brought against Minguez. Based on evidence gathered, including videos Minguez sent the childs mother earlier on the day of the incident, the child arrived at the defendants home in pristine condition, Price stated. There are injuries here that were not there when this child was dropped off, the prosecutor said. These injuries happened in the defendants care. After hearing from both sides, Superior Court Judge Linda Lawhun found that the prosecution had not given the grand jury enough information to make an informed decision. Its difficult to find that the prosecutor provided sufficient evidence to establish that these injuries were not caused by accident. The mere fact that the doctor said they were disproportionate to the defense explanation is not sufficient, Lawhun said. Does it mean disproportionate because there are too many injuries, because of where theyre located? Nobody knows. Based on a review of the grand jury transcript, its clear that the jurors wanted more information, but it was not given, she said. Instead, they heard from a fellow juror who offered her opinion. Its entirely likely that the jurors would rely upon what their fellow juror said because they have absolutely nothing else to help them understand what these injuries meant or how they could have occurred, the judge stated. Based on that, Lawhun dismissed the indictment. The decision drew a round of raucous applause and cheers from those in attendance for the hearing. Minguez expressed relief about the judges ruling. Im excited about the decision, but I dont feel like I won anything. I never did anything wrong in the first place, Minguez said. The fact that somebody can be criminally charged and have their world turned upside down because of a doctors theory, which was completely all over the place, is just plain scary. He criticized how the investigation was conducted. I feel if the police did an actual investigation they would have seen that this was a mere accident, Minguez said. However, they rushed, ignored a lot of vital information, and basically did no investigative work at all. They simply charged me. They never even came to interview me or offer me a polygraph. Minguez, who was suspended last year pending the outcome of the court case, said he expects to soon return to his job with the Penns Grove Police Department. Minguez and the girlfriend are now living together with the child, who is doing well, he said. The boys mother shares joint custody with the childs father. Salem County Prosecutor Kristin Telsey said she respects the judges ruling and that the office is taking time to consider next steps in Minguezs case. In the wake of Fridays ruling, I would like to emphasize that it is the obligation of the Salem County Prosecutors Office to protect our most vulnerable, without fear or favor, Telsey said. I am proud of the difficult work put in by the officers and prosecutors tasked with handling this case who have done just that. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. The British street art superstar Banksy paid a secretive visit to New Orleans in 2008, leaving behind 14 paintings on walls around the city from the Lower Ninth Ward to Uptown. Most have been destroyed or removed. One of the few remaining artworks, a portrait of an anti-graffiti activist known as the Gray Ghost, could be found on the wall of a townhouse at Clio and Carondelet streets. Until recently. The painting, which depicted a shadowy figure in painter's coveralls applying a patch of gray paint to the wall, is gone. On a visit Saturday, the site of the painting had been neatly covered with panels and painted pink to blend with the buildings first-story facade. A 2,000-pound painting Happily, the Banksy is safe, and if all goes as planned, will return to its original location. Michael Heyne, the owner of the building where the Banksy was painted 16 years ago, said that, with the oversight of preservationist and architect Mark Rabinowitz, it was carefully removed, packed up and shipped off to New York. They find their way over to the food court from the convention center next door, where maybe theyve been working a booth, or they come on som Linda Amedee, left, and Marieanne Arata try to fit a seemingly endless supply of blue puzzle pieces during the Jigsaw Puzzle Extravaganza Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at the East Bank Regional Library in Metairie. The event featured a puzzle swap and sale, and a contest where each team was given two hours to solve its 500-piece puzzle. (Photo by Scott Threlkeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) After more than a year of trying, doctors say they have been able to restore the mental competency of the admitted killer and former girlfriend of Charlottesville author and publisher Matthew Farrell. Shawna Murphy, the 39-year-old woman charged with killing Farrell nearly 16 months ago in his Albemarle County residence just north of the city, is now fully competent to stand trial after spending more than a year in the care of Western State Hospital, a residential mental health facility in Staunton. She currently possesses trial competency, Albemarle County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Judge Areshini Pather said in court on Thursday. She currently possesses the necessary capacity to understand the proceedings against her and assist in them. The determination greenlights Murphys trial and concludes the longest competency restoration processes in the memory of local retired forensic psychologist Jeffrey Fracher. It sure took them long enough, Fracher, who is not connected to the case, told The Daily Progress. It should never take that long. Wearing shackles and the bright red jumpsuit that is the womens uniform of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, Murphy appeared subdued in court. With tortoise-shell glasses and hair grown past her shoulders with a patch of gray at the left side of her forehead, she gave little indication in court of her exuberant past as a clown, a juggler and fire dancer. Murphy stands accused of killing one of the most visible figures of Charlottesvilles arts scene in the late 20th century with a single gunshot to the back of his head in his house on Stony Point Road. Farrell, who operated a small imprint for locally penned poetry and prose called Hypocrite Press and voluntarily promoted an array of artists, was found dead in his bed on the morning of Oct. 25, 2022. Having found Murphy capable of standing trial after reading a sealed report from Western State Hospital, Pather also ordered another evaluation, this one to determine Murphys mental status at the time of the shooting. It was Murphy who called 911 on the morning of Oct. 25. When police arrived at the house where she lived with Farrell, officers said, she appeared to be live-streaming. Murphy told police it was she who had killed Farrell. A day earlier, Murphy had posted on Facebook a scene from the 1996 film Freeway, in which an attractive woman suddenly kills a man with a gunshot to the back of his head. I got an A in Acting 1 in college for performing this scene, Murphy wrote atop the posted movie clip. A month after Farrells death, Murphy told The Daily Progress in a telephone call from from jail that she harbored doubts that Farrell was truly dead. She also alleged, without offering any evidence, that Farrell was a serial killer, that the bodies of 15 women were buried in his yard and that police had failed to properly investigate such assertions. Pather said that she would commission the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy, an interdisciplinary forensic psychology program at the University of Virginia, to conduct the sanity evaluation on Murphy. Fracher said that such reports rarely result in finding a defendant too insane to be found guilty, particularly since many states bolstered their thresholds after widespread outrage over the 1982 acquittal of John Hinckley Jr. for shooting then-President Ronald Reagan, his press secretary, a police officer and a Secret Service agent the prior year. Its a high bar in Virginia, said Fracher, and Id be really surprised if they found her not guilty by reason of insanity. Murphys court-appointed lawyer, Lacey Parker, noted in a Feb. 12 hearing that Daniel Murrie, one of the UVa institutes two directors, would likely be the one writing the sanity report. Hes a straight-shooter, said Fracher. If Murrie finds her insane, then she really is insane. Murphy faces charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. While the firearm charge maxes out at three years for a first offender, a second-degree murder conviction can bring 40 years in prison. The judge set Murphys next hearing for May 6. FILE - President Joe Biden sits in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, in Washington. Biden's team hopes it has found an unlikely opportunity to go on offense, and perhaps to unite an anxious Democratic Party, following the release of a special prosecutor's report on Thursday, Feb. 8, that cleared Biden of criminal charges, despite finding evidence that the president willfully retained and shared highly classified information as a private citizen. The counsel made repeated negative references to the 81-year-old president's age and memory that echo broader concerns raised by voters in both parties. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) ORG XMIT: WX502 Albemarle County police have charged a woman with bringing a firearm onto school property after a gun was discovered unattended in a vehicle at Murray Elementary School last week. Police said they were dispatched to the school around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday after receiving reports of a possible weapon on grounds. Upon thorough investigation, officers determined that a firearm was left unattended inside a vehicle located on the schools property, police said in a statement. Police arrested 36-year-old Tiffany N. Hicks and charged her with a single count of bringing a firearm onto school property. There were no injuries reported in connection with the guns presence on school grounds, police said. Hicks has been released from custody on a $3,000 secured bond. An investigation into the matter is ongoing, according to the police. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Albemarle County Police Department at (434) 296-5807 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at (434) 977-4000. A driver crashed into a median wall on the Borman Expressway after being shot. Indiana State Police are investing the shooting on the interstate highway in Gary. The Criminal Investigations Division Lowell Post is working the case after a driver was shot at 5:15 p.m. Saturday on Interstate 80/94 near the Burr Street exit in Gary's Black Oak neighborhood. "The investigation shows that the driver of a 2009 Ford Escape was struck by gunfire and as a result, crashed the vehicle into the median wall," the Indiana State Police said in a news release. "The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment." An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information, including any eyewitness accounts or in-car video, should contact Detective Chris Campione at 219-696-6242. On February 16, Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien at the request of the other side within the Munich Security Conference, Azernews reports, citing the MFA. During the meeting, the two countries discussed bilateral and multilateral agenda issues, as well as the prospects of the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on a bilateral basis, according to the information. After 5 months of stability, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that the Armenian provocation, as a result of which an Azerbaijani serviceman was wounded as a result of sniper fire without any provoking factors, is aimed at undermining the peace process. At the same time, the inadmissibility of their "binocular diplomacy" as a means of propaganda against Azerbaijan, which contradicts the stated goals of the EU mission in Armenia, such as the promotion of regional stability and confidence building between Azerbaijan and Armenia. As for the draft peace agreement, the existing claims against the territorial sovereignty and sovereignty of our country in the Armenian Constitution, legislative acts, international organizations and courts were mentioned once again and the importance of rejecting those claims was stressed. At the meeting, as well as other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest," the information says. Colleges in Virginia are delaying their deadlines for high school seniors to financially commit, following delays in the federal application for student loans. The federal government has been hampered this winter by problems with FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which many students use to pay for college. Without complete information from the federal government, many students do not know how much they will have to pay for college. The University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth University are among the schools giving prospective students more time. Each year, about 17 million students fill out the FAFSA, which is used to determine their eligibility for loans, Pell grants and scholarships to pay for college. But students have struggled for years with the form, which can take hours to complete and requires students provide detailed information about their familys income. The U.S. Department of Education has simplified it, lowering the number of questions from about 100 to as few as 18. A new form was released in December, but it contained glitches and mathematical errors that could cause a student to receive less money than he or she is owed. The federal government said it will not send students financial information to colleges until mid-March. In addition to federal loans, colleges can tack on their own scholarships to lower the cost of attendance and present students with a financial aid package. Many students choose their college based on the financial offers they receive. UVa, Virginia Tech extend deadlines UVa and Virginia Tech have both extended their deadlines from May 1 to May 15. Were grateful to all the students who are thinking about joining us, and we dont want any of them to feel that the problems with the FAFSA will keep them from doing so, said Greg Roberts, UVas dean of admission. In-state applicants to UVa whose families make less than $100,000 receive scholarships equaling the cost of tuition and fees. Students from families making less than $50,000 can have their education, housing and food paid for. Filling out the FAFSA is a necessary first step. UVa already made offers to applicants who applied in the early decision and early action phases. It will notify students who applied in regular decision by April 1. Admissions officers at Virginia Tech should be able to provide applicants with their financial packages by mid-April, the school said, giving them a month to decide. Virginia Tech received 52,000 applications this year, the fourth straight year the school set a new high for applications received. The university expects about 7,000 of them to enroll. VCU to accept deposits after May 1 Colleges generally require an admitted student to pay a nonrefundable deposit by May 1 to secure their spot. VCU charges between $100 and $300 for the deposit. This year, VCU will continue accepting deposits after May 1, a school representative said. The university has not announced a new deadline. The school encourages students who have their financial aid packages by May 1 to commit by that date, which will help them more quickly prepare for the fall semester. Those who applied to VCU by Jan. 16 will receive a response by April 1. Those who submitted their applications later can still receive an offer on a rolling basis, until the freshman class is filled. VCU raised tuition 3% for this year and charges an in-state student about $16,000 for one year of tuition and fees. Room and board costs an additional $14,000. An Illinois State Police car was hit by a vehicle after the trooper had pulled over to help the victims of another crash. The trooper pulled over at about 5:41 p.m. Feb. 16 on Interstate 70 eastbound in Marshall in Clark County. The squad car was parked on the right shoulder while the trooper investigated an accident caused by the weather. "A red Ford approaching the area, failed to move over, and struck the rear of the ISP squad car," Illinois State Police said in a press release. "The driver of the Ford, 32-year-old Tiffany Paige Henderson of Florissant, MO, was charged with Move Over Law- Failure to Yield to Stationary Emergency Vehicle, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash, and Driving While License Suspended." No injuries were reported. The Illinois State Police experienced 21 Move Over Law-related crashes last year and 23 in 2022, including eight where troopers were injured. Failing to pull over can amount to a serious fine and suspension of their driver's license. "ISP is reminding the public of the requirements of the Move Over Law, otherwise known as Scotts Law," the Illinois State Police said in a press release. "When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down AND move over. A person who violates Scotts Law, commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violators drivers license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years." Kevin Pazour's tenure as Porter County historian has been extended. The Indiana Historical Society and Indiana Historical Bureau appointed Pazour to serve an additional term in the role. The Valparaiso resident also serves as executive director of the Porter County Museum, or PoCo Muse, in downtown Valparaiso. The institution at the former Aster + Grey space at 20 Indiana Ave. chronicles the history of Porter County through art, artifacts and rotating exhibits. The county historian position is one of great responsibility, said Tamara Hammerlein, director of local history services at the Indiana Historical Society. The program was developed to foster communication among the multitude of historical groups throughout the state. Kevin will help the program continue to be a success. Pazour has served as executive director of the Porter County Museum since 2008, growing the museum and winning both national and state awards. A graduate of Wabash College, he's been the Porter County historian since 2016. Were delighted that Kevin has received this prestigious honor, said Joanne Urschel, chair of the Board of Trustees of the PoCo Muse. He is well qualified for the position, and he is deeply committed to advancing a spirit of cooperation among various organizations in furthering the cause of Indiana history. Kevins appointment reflects well on the growing role of the PoCo Muse as a leader in the local cultural community. After 80 years, a Northwest Indiana officer who died in the line of duty received the recognition he was due thanks to historical research and an old newspaper article. Porter County Sheriff's Office Cpl. Justin Reeder was doing historical research on Porter County Sheriff William B. Forney, who served between 1916 and 1919 and again between 1924 and 1927, and was shot in the head but survived. Reeder discovered another Porter County sheriff's deputy who died in the line of duty but never got the official recognition he should have received. "I would like to thank Cpl. Justin Reeder of the Porter County Sheriffs Office for uncovering a very important part of history at the Porter County Sheriffs Office from 1944," Porter County Sheriff Jeffrey Balon said. "During Cpl. Reeders research he had unexpectedly found a news article reporting the death of Porter County Sheriffs Chief Deputy Ross John Krieger, who had died in the line of duty on Aug. 24, 1944. Chief Deputy Krieger had assisted the Valparaiso Police Department in making the arrest of multiple defendants and shortly after taking them to jail he collapsed and died." Reeder put together information about Krieger's service and death with the help of Porter County Deputy Coroner Doris Amling, Porter County Clerk Jessica Bailey and longtime Chesterton Tribune scribe Kevin Nevers, who now serves as the spokesperson or the Town of Chesterton. Reeder submitted an account of Krieger's death to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. It was determined Krieger died in the line of duty and his name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Below is the news article from 1944 reporting on Chief Deputy Kriegers death. On August 26, 1944, Porter County Chief Deputy Ross J. Krieger and Valparaiso Police Patrolman Simon Rice responded to Westchester Finance Company on Washington St in reference to a brawl involving five men. Chief Krieger and Patrolman Rice quelled the disturbance and arrested three men for Public Intoxication. Shortly after booking the three men into Jail, Chief Krieger was meeting with one of the two victims when he suddenly collapsed and ultimately passed away inside the Sherriff's Department. Chief Krieger had served with the Porter County Sheriffs Department for 4 years. He was 55 years old and survived by his wife, Marie (Borowiak) Krieger; sister, Grace (Krieger) Mahns, Portage, IN; and nephew Lon Mahns of Portage, IN. At the time of his passing, Chief Krieger was the Republican candidate for Porter County Sheriff for the upcoming November 1944 election. The U.S. and Canadian coast guards reached a new agreement on icebreaking to allow for Great Lakes shipping, which brings international commerce to Northwest Indiana and iron ore to Region steel mills when the Great Lakes are frozen over. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Jon Hickey and Assistant Commissioner Marc-Andre Meunier of the Canadian Coast Guard Central Region signed a memorandum of understanding in Quebec City, near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, that brings international vessels called salties from the Atlantic Ocean into the Great Lakes, including to the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor and the Illinois International Port. It renews the two countries' agreement to coordinate icebreaking and buoy tending on the Great Lakes, especially the connecting Georgian Bay and St. Lawrence River. The agreement outlines how they will tend to a few of each other's floating aides when located nearby. The goal is to reduce vessel transit times and costs, decrease man hours, and boost response times in the event of outages or defects. It updates an existing memorandum of understanding that's been in place for 10 years. Were thrilled to have been able to finalize this plan between the Canadian Coast Guard Central Region and the Ninth Coast Guard District to improve our efficiency with ice breaking and aids to navigation in the Great Lakes, Hickey said. A lot of time and hard work went into putting this MOU in place, and I look forward to seeing the Marine Transportation System in the Great Lakes region thrive as a result. Im thankful for this partnership with the Canadian Coast Guard and cant wait to see what more we can accomplish in the future. The two neighbors will coordinate icebreaking, including by exchanging personnel, communicating, reporting on what icebreaking facilities are available and dividing up areas of responsibility. We work closely with our United States Coast Guard Ninth District partners to ensure essential Coast Guard services across the Great Lakes, Meunier said. Whether were breaking ice in the winter, or carrying out buoy work in the warmer months, our collaboration is crucial in ensuring the safety of mariners across these inland waters. Todays signing reaffirms our commitment to working together as one team, and to our organizations mutual success. Season 4, Episode 6: Part 6 One of the tricky parts of a ghost story like True Detective: Night Country is the banal, inevitable business of having to explain events that were once teasingly inexplicable. It is more haunting, for example, to imagine a supernatural force turning terrified scientists into an Arctic corpsicle than to learn that they were commandeered by a vigilante band of Indigenous women taking justice into their own hands. This is the risk the creator Issa Lopez has courted all season, as the shows procedural elements have been intermingled with obscure symbols, hidden traumas and outright ghostly hallucinations. In order to solve the practical mysteries facing Danvers and Navarro, it would have to come crashing back to earth. Yet the achievement of this flawed but compelling finale is that Lopez succeeds in having her cake and eating it, too. The important whodunit questions about the deaths of Annie K. and the scientists have concrete answers, but shes unwilling to sell out the spiritual and psychological unrest thats unique to this locale. From the beginning, the strongest element of Night Country has been its evocation of Ennis, Alaska, as this northernmost outpost of humanity, a border town to oblivion. There have been several moments, including a few in the finale, where a character is one step away from disappearing into nothingness, like Werner Herzogs deranged penguin in Encounters at the End of the World. The Republican Party might have challenges with outreach to Generation Z, but Nikki Haley, appearing in a Fox News town hall event on Sunday, said the answer was not TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media platform. In a conversation with the America Reports co-anchor John Roberts, Ms. Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and United Nations ambassador, criticized President Biden for posting a TikTok clip on the night of the Super Bowl, in an appeal to younger voters. She also hit former President Donald J. Trump, her G.O.P. primary rival, for failing to curtail its use while he was in the White House. President Trump said he would ban TikTok, and when President Xi asked him not to, that fell to the wayside, she said, referring to Xi Jinping, Chinas leader. We should have banned it from the beginning. It is incredibly dangerous. The volleys against both men are part of a broader argument Ms. Haley has been making in recent media appearances and on the campaign trail that it is time for fresh leadership. Her attacks on Mr. Trump, whom she served under as ambassador, have become sharper in particular, as the two head into a primary showdown in South Carolina on Saturday. Avdiivka falls to Russia Ukrainian forces retreated from Avdiivka, which had been a stronghold in the Donetsk region for more than a decade, giving Russia its first significant victory in almost a year. Now, Ukraines outgunned troops may be in their most precarious position since the first months of the war almost two years ago. The fall of Avdiivka, Russias largest territorial advance since taking Bakhmut last May, is the latest sign that Russia has firmly gained the upper hand after Ukraines summer counteroffensive fell short of most of its goals. It could bring Russia closer to its goal of capturing the entire Donetsk region and boost President Vladimir Putin as he seeks election to a fifth term in March. The city saw some of the wars most horrific fighting. Soldiers lived through near-constant bombardment. So did about 900 civilians, many of whom lived underground and survived on food and supplies brought in by aid workers. Its not clear how many of them got out. Geographic challenges: Ukraines problems are exacerbated by the flat and unforgiving terrain outside the city. Without dominant hills, larger rivers or fortifications of the kind it built around Avdiivka over the better part of a decade, Ukraine will probably have to cede more ground. More than two dozen people were killed in a gunfight on Sunday in the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea, where deadly violence between more than a dozen tribal groups has been escalating. The precise cause of the latest episode remained unclear. What Ive been briefed on thus far is that a situation occurred in the early hours of yesterday, Sunday the 18th, in Enga where a gun battle between warring tribes ensued, David Manning, the police chief of Papua New Guinea, told reporters, referring to Enga Province. Officials initially reported a death toll of more than 50, but that number was revised down to 26, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. These tribesmen have been killed all over the countryside, all over the bush, George Kakas, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary acting superintendent, told the broadcaster. Police and defense forces have had to go in to do their best to quell the situation at their own risk. The police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A bishop who planned a public prayer for the Russian opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny was detained as he left his house. Two men were arrested for having a photograph of Mr. Navalny in a backpack. Another man who lay flowers at a memorial said he was beaten by police officers for the small act of remembrance. As thousands of Russians across the country tried to give voice to their grief for Mr. Navalny, who died in a remote Arctic penal colony on Friday, Russian police officers cracked down, temporarily detaining hundreds and placing more than two dozen in jail. Until Mr. Navalnys death at the age of 47, many observers had believed that the Kremlin would limit repression until after presidential elections in mid-March, when President Vladimir V. Putin is all but assured a fifth term. But many now fear that the arrests portend a broader crackdown. The largest medical facility still managing to function in wartime Gaza is now a hospital in little more than name only, the head of the World Health Organization said on Sunday. After a week of siege by the Israeli military, there are only about 20 critically ill patients left at Nasser Hospital but even that is too many for it to handle, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the W.H.O. director general. Nasser hospital in Gaza is not functional anymore, Dr. Tedros said on social media. Dr. Tedros said on Sunday that some 200 patients remained at the hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, and that about 20 of them urgently needed to be transferred elsewhere. The cost of delays will be paid by patients lives, he said. Israel has justified its military actions at the hospital by saying that Hamas militants have been using it and other medical centers to conceal military activities, and on Sunday it said it had found both weapons and Hamas militants at the Nasser complex. The future of aviation was on display last Thursday at Shenandoah Valley Airport in Weyers Cave when an all-electric aircraft touched down on the runway. The aircraft was created by Beta Technologies CEO and founder Kyle Clark. More than 20 years ago, Clarks senior engineering thesis at Harvard University focused on the design and fundamentals of an all-electric aircraft. Aided with capital funding in 2017 from Sirius Radio creator Martine Rothblatt, Clark eventually began the design. The result is a cleaner and more efficient way of transporting goods, he says. The aircraft uses Betas electric propulsion systems and produces zero operational emissions. The plane has a 50-foot wingspan and can carry five passengers plus a pilot. Clark told the News Virginian the electric aircraft flew more than 300 miles on Wednesday and still had a reserve of 50 miles left. His customers include biotech company United Therapeutics, parcel carrier UPS as well as the U.S. Air Force and Army. Much like electric cars, electric aircraft require charging stations an obstacle Clark said he is working to overcome. We are working on charging stations up and down the East Coast, he said Thursday. Already, there is a Virginia charging station in Blacksburg. Later, Clark will work on placing charging stations on the Southwest and West Coast. The aircraft takes roughly 45 minutes to charge, Clark estimated. Shenandoah Valley Airport spokeswoman Heather Ream said the airport is investigating a charging station for electric planes and has already met with a supplier. One of the challenges, she said, is how to offset the costs of having a charging station. As for Clark, he said there is a burgeoning market for electric aircraft. We will be able to manufacture 300 aircraft a year, he said of potential work at the companys headquarters in Burlington, Vermont. Clark said there are now more than 600 people working for Beta Technologies. People believe in the technology mission of the business, he said. Between network, cable and streaming, the modern television landscape is a vast one. Here are some of the shows, specials and movies coming to TV this week, Feb. 19 - 25. Details and times are subject to change. Monday THE PROPOSAL (2009) 5:30 p.m. on FX. Though this movie starring Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock is marketed as a romantic comedy, it really could be a horror movie. Imagine your mean boss has proposed that you commit a crime for her the penalties of which are a potential fine of $250,00 and five years in prison. Scary, right? The rom-com follows the book editor Margaret Tate (Bullock), who convinces her assistant Andrew (Reynolds) to marry her so that she can get a fiance visa and avoid being deported to Canada. While Bullocks character lacks a certain friendly, polite Canadian charm, Reynolds (like me, a real-life Canadian) is oozing with it as the accommodating assistant whose family lives in Alaska. Tuesday CRIME NATION 8 p.m. on The CW. This new anthology series is the first original true crime series from the CW. Each two-hour episode focuses on a crime that was widely covered on social and traditional media, including the death of Gabby Petito, and the Gilgo Beach and Delphi murders; armchair experts, podcast hosts and true crime followers discuss the cases. THE GOOD DOCTOR 10 p.m. on ABC. This is the seventh and final season of the medical show starring Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy, a brilliant surgeon who has autism. Because Dr. Murphy just became a father, it is likely that this last season will focus on his new role as a dad as well as his sometimes complicated relationship with his patients and hospital colleagues. They call the annual parade of prizes for art award season. It lasts for months and reliably culminates in somebody standing on a stage saying thank you (or sometimes no thank you). Meanwhile, we at home might understand that were looking at a winner, but almost never do we know why theyve won. Lots of hardware, no citation. So, since its inception, The New York Times Magazines Great Performers issue has tried to be enlightening about what makes certain good acting stand out. This year, we went in a different, deeper, slightly weirder direction by identifying a specific aspect of a piece of acting (a gesture, a facial expression, a back; how good somebodys performance was in a car, on a phone, in a group). On its own, that one element might be a singular achievement, but it also helps explain why the rest of a performance is so impossible to forget. Here are some highlights. Best Acting Above the Nose: Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers If a middle-aged actor has ignored the call to seek facial rejuvenation if his entire face still works special attention will be paid. Even then, who but Giamatti could use his face to travel from indignity to indignation with a mere narrowing of the eyes, from resting to rage? Paul Hunham, the fallen prep-school teacher he plays in The Holdovers, slouches his way through the film, his quiver stocked with embitterment and tweedy hauteur. The movie puts Hunhams distasteful, explosive qualities to moral, altruistic ends, and you can measure the emotional magnitude of his righteousness by the creases, lines and squiggles that striate Giamattis forehead. What hes after is richer than plain fury. Yes, he can give you Vesuvius. But here, in the most deeply inhabited, most sharply etched use to which that brow has yet been put, Giamatti has also located Lake Placid and charts a course toward it. Best Acting on a Landline: Matt Damon, Viola Davis and Chris Messina, Air The kick of a memorable phone sequence comes from the pleasure an actor has obviously found in the yakking. Air is set in 1984, when the landline still ruled telecom. Damon spends the movie neck-cradling a handset and, if Messina is howling at him on the other end, holding it at a comical distance and grimacing. Messina is playing Michael Jordans ulcerous agent; Damons character works for Nike. Messina screams into his phones transmitter as if Damon were trapped deep inside. When Damon is on the phone with Davis (playing Jordans mother), he holds it very close to his head, as if her voice were pain relief. Daviss grip implies delicacy and, because every phone call in Air is a negotiation, full commitment to the firmness of her terms. Capital One announced on Monday that it would acquire Discover Financial Services in an all-stock transaction valued at $35.3 billion, a deal that would merge two of the largest credit card companies in the United States. A space that is already dominated by a relatively small number of megaplayers is about to get a little smaller, said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. Capital One, with $479 billion in assets, is one of the nations largest banks, and it issues credit cards on networks run by Visa and Mastercard. Acquiring Discover will give it access to a credit card network of 305 million cardholders, adding to its base of more than 100 million customers. The countrys four major networks are American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Discover, which has far fewer cardholders than its competitors. But consumer advocates pushed back on the possible deal, saying it posed antitrust concerns. It is very difficult to imagine how federal regulators could allow Capital One to buy Discover given the requirement that mergers benefit the public as well as insiders, Jesse Van Tol, the chief executive of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, said in a statement. The Biden administration on Monday announced a $1.5 billion award to the New York-based chipmaker GlobalFoundries, one of the first sizable grants from a government program aimed at revitalizing semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. As part of the plan to bolster GlobalFoundries, the administration will also make available another $1.6 billion in federal loans. The grants are expected to triple the companys production capacity in the state of New York over 10 years. The funding represents an effort by the Biden administration and lawmakers of both parties to try to revitalize American semiconductor manufacturing. Currently, just 12 percent of chips are made in the United States, with the bulk manufactured in Asia. Americas reliance on foreign sources of chips became an issue in the early part of the pandemic, when automakers and other manufacturers had to delay or shutter production amid a dearth of critical chips. The award to GlobalFoundries will help the firm expand its existing facility in Malta, N.Y., enabling it to fulfill a contract with General Motors to ensure dedicated chip production for its cars. The New York Times on Monday won three George Polk awards, including two for its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. The prizes were among the five that honored journalism on that conflict and the war in Ukraine. Long Island University, the home of the journalism awards, announced the winners in 13 categories, which were selected from 497 submissions of work done in 2023. As horrific as the outbreak of war in the Middle East and the ongoing fighting in Ukraine were, they provided us with no shortage of magnificent reporting, done at great peril, from which to choose, John Darnton, the longtime Polk Awards curator, said in a statement. This year is the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Polk Awards, which will be celebrated with an event in April inviting all past recipients. Sixteen will be honored as George Polk career laureates, including Dean Baquet, a former New York Times executive editor; Nikole Hannah-Jones, a staff writer at The Times Magazine; Christiane Amanpour, the CNN chief international correspondent; and the former Washington Post executive editor Martin Baron. The awards are named for the CBS journalist George Polk, who was killed in 1948 while covering the Greek civil war. Some actors come to embody a national cinema through an alchemical combination of demeanor and film choices. You might say that Clint Eastwood is the quintessential American icon, for example, or that Hugh Grant is the embodiment of a certain kind of Britishness. When it comes to France, one of the countrys archetypal stars is Juliette Binoche, whose understated elegance and cryptic smile have graced art-house and popular movies alike since her domestic breakthrough playing an ingenue actress in Rendez-Vous (1985), followed by worldwide fame a decade later with the romantic drama The English Patient (1996), for which she earned an Academy Award. Now Binoche has two projects arriving at the same time in the United States: Tran Anh Hungs The Taste of Things, in which she plays a self-effacing 19th-century cook, and the Apple TV+ series The New Look, in which she portrays Coco Chanel meaning Binoche essentially carries the flags of food and fashion, the most visible signifiers of French culture abroad. During a recent interview in New York, the actress looked amused when asked about being a national symbol. Im fine taking on that role, she said, laughing. Whats important is what people feel, because the audience relates to something that is unsaid, something beyond ideas. Of course, the theme is food in The Taste of Things, she continued, but its also love and creating together (Which, come to think of it, is also associated with the French.) I was at my moms house in the suburbs when I watched Barry Keoghan make love to his besties grave in Emerald Fennells Saltburn. Promising Young Woman, Fennells previous film, a rape-revenge thriller for the girlboss generation, was a toothless bid at provocation. Saltburn seemed to promise a similar blend of all style, no substance, but the online hype had piqued my curiosity. So, there I was, watching Keoghan as an Oxford student named Oliver become one with the soil, my mother snoozing beside me. The moment brought back memories from adolescence of the dozens of times shed walk into my teenage bedroom or the same living room where I was watching Saltburn to find me slack-jawed in the middle of Basic Instinct or A Clockwork Orange. Naturally, she always seemed to waltz in during the most morally compromised or sexually bewildering scenes. Fourteen years ago, at a human rights conference in Oslo, I met Julian Assange. From the moment I encountered the wraithlike WikiLeaks founder, I sensed that he might be a morally dubious character. My suspicions were confirmed upon witnessing his speech at the conference, in which he listed Israel alongside Iran and China as part of a rogues gallery of states and compared the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to a Nazi concentration camp. Nothing Mr. Assange has said or done in the intervening 14 years has altered my initial impression of him as a man unhealthily preoccupied with the shortcomings of democracies and suspiciously uninterested in the crimes of dictatorships. In the months following our meeting, WikiLeaks published hundreds of thousands of U.S. diplomatic cables and military files, collectively constituting the largest leak of classified government documents in history. Though Mr. Assange insisted that his purpose was to expose American abuses, the leaks were also a boon to the Taliban and other authoritarian forces around the world. According to two journalists working for The Guardian, one of the newspapers that collaborated with WikiLeaks in the initial publication of these documents, Mr. Assange had to be convinced to redact the names of Afghan civilians who had cooperated with the American military. Well, theyre informants, Mr. Assange defiantly told them. So if they get killed, theyve got it coming to them. They deserve it. The clearest example that Mr. Assange is something less admirable than the radical transparency activist he and his supporters purport him to be is his friendly relationship with the Russian government. In 2012, Mr. Assange hosted a talk show on RT (formerly Russia Today), the Kremlin-funded propaganda network that beams conspiracy theories and anti-Western narratives around the world. The following year, WikiLeaks played a crucial role in helping the fugitive National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden seek asylum in Moscow. And during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, while WikiLeaks worked with Russian intelligence to publish reams of hacked materials designed to damage the campaign of the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, the site refused to publish a wide-ranging trove of documents from the Russian government detailing Moscows ongoing military and intelligence activities in Ukraine. This month, the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company announced its intention to build the Souths largest gas pipeline in more than a decade. The Southeast Supply Enhancement project, as the company calls it, would run from Virginia down through the Carolinas and Georgia before swinging west to Alabama, right through the heart of the American South. This was not astonishing news to anyone whose light bill comes from a Southern utility. A renewable energy revolution is unfolding across the globe faster than anyone dared to hope, but Southern officials, many of whom cut their political teeth on coal, have been cussedly resistant to it. Nobody loves a fossil-fuel expansion project more than a red-state politician loves a fossil-fuel expansion project. In the same way that clean coal is a ridiculous rebranding of the dirtiest energy source we have, natural gas is a misnomer used by politicians and industry officials eager to obscure its true identity. The Union of Concerned Scientists instead uses methane, fossil gas and gas as interchangeable terms for this greenhouse gas, which, in its first 20 years of reaching the atmosphere, has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide. Even though CO2 has a longer-lasting effect, methane sets the pace for warming in the near term, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. The problem with gas is not simply that its a fossil fuel or that gas pipelines routinely leak and can explode. And its not simply that gas is a human health and environmental nightmare. Perhaps the most damaging problem with gas pipelines is that they permit the construction of gas-fired power plants that will be in service for decades. Just as the planet hurtles toward a climate tipping point, these plants will lock the South into reliance on fossil fuels for the foreseeable future. Gail Collins: So Bret, Donald Trump gets a roughly $355 million fine for fibbing about his fortune. Too much? Too little? Am I wrong for starting to chortle? Bret Stephens: Gail, I would never want to stop you from chortling, but here goes: I think the case was ridiculous and the verdict outrageous. And dumb. It lends credence to the Trumpian belief that the justice system is rigged, which will help him politically. Gail: OK, chortles desist. But this is the trial where we learned that the 30,000-square-foot Trump Tower triplex its owner listed as an asset was actually about a third that size. Thats a nice example of his biographical oversell. Bret: Biographical oversell. Im stealing that. Gail: I know youre worried all this will make him look like a martyr to a whole lot of voters. But I cant help thinking a string of 91 pending felony counts has to also look pretty darned messy. They call it the roadkill bill and legislators make sure to tease its sponsor, Del. Tony Wilt, a Rockingham Republican, about his proposal that people be allowed to pick up dead deer, bears, elk or turkeys after they have been hit by vehicles. Yeah, I do get some banter about it, Wilt said. But we have a lot of deer up my way, and a lot of them are hit and left by the road, he said. It is one of those bills that remind legislators that Virginia is actually a pretty diverse state, Wilt said. His bill passed the House of Delegates 98-0 with one abstention. Questions that bug people in his Shenandoah Valley district sometimes do not arise in Richmond or Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads legislators email or when they are working in their district offices. Wilt was ready for ribbing when he first presented his bill in January to a House Natural Resources subcommittee. Let the jokes begin, Wilt told members of the panel. Del. Robert Bloxom, an Accomack Republican who represents two counties on the Eastern Shore as well as part of Virginia Beach, asked Wilt whether the size of the animal matters. Wilt responded in jest: You well know you can already pick up a possum. We know how you folks are over in your neck of the woods. Bloxom said he assumes it would be picker beware in the summertime, when picking up a dead animal, thinking that youre going to eat it, could be a little dangerous. Wilt said the buck stops with the consumer: If you see an animal laying along the road and its blown up twice its size, it is probably not a good bet. Currently, only drivers who have hit a deer or bear deer are oddly inclined to run in front of vehicles at the last minute can claim a carcass, and only during hunting season. They have to notify the state Conservation Police or local sheriffs office to get permission to take the animal. A lot of times, the driver is done with deer, Wilt said. I had a constituent say, why not let people pick up the meat, if they want? His bill would let people do that, even out of hunting season. They would still need to notify the Conservation Police or local sheriff to get permission to take the animal, which otherwise is the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Transportation to remove. You think the deer would be all torn up after hitting a car, but often theyre not, Wilt said. I got some questions about liability, if the meat spoils. But you have to count on peoples good sense. If its been out there for three days, whos really going to want to? Of all the merch hawked by the former president and current presidential candidate Donald J. Trump and related entities over the past few months the gold (chocolate) bars, the wines, the superhero NFTs is any of it more Trumpian than the $399 Never Surrender sneakers unveiled over the weekend at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia? They are like a road map to Mr. Trumps value system and electoral strategy in sartorial form. Gilded hightops as shiny as the chandeliers at Mar-a-Lago, they have an American flag wrapping the ankle like the forest of flags that spring up behind Mr. Trump whenever he takes a stage. They have red soles made to match his trademark red ties (and the flag) and perhaps as a sly nod to Christian Louboutins and the semiology of luxury footwear. Also, theres a large embossed T on the side and on the tongue. While they are bold, gold and tough, just like President Trump, according to the Trump sneakers website, allowing potential owners to be a part of history, they boast zero technical performance attributes. While they have a shape similar to Nike Air Force 1s (get it? Air Force One!), they are unabashed imitations of the original. Its tempting to dismiss the offering as all flash and marketing with little substance. Thats what Michael Tyler, a spokesman for the Biden campaign, did, saying, Donald Trump showing up to hawk bootleg Off-Whites is the closest hell get to any Air Force Ones ever again for the rest of his life. The Pentagon is investigating the cause of a crash of an American military surveillance drone off the coast of Yemen on Monday morning, two U.S. officials said. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters, confirmed that the drone, an MQ-9 Reaper, fell out of the sky. Iranian-backed Houthi militants said on Monday that they had downed the drone near the port city of Al Hudaydah, in western Yemen. Yemeni air defenses were able to shoot down an American plane (MQ-9) with a suitable missile while it was carrying out hostile missions against our country on behalf of the Zionist entity, a Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, said in a statement. Yemeni armed forces will not hesitate to take more military measures and carry out more qualitative operations against all hostile targets in defense of beloved Yemen, the statement said. Schools across the country have faced no shortage of challenges since the pandemic. Students are behind academically. Cases of misbehavior are up. Students are absent far more frequently than before. But there is another problem that has left some school districts scrambling. Teachers are also missing more school. Teachers typically receive paid sick days and a small number of personal days. Over the 2022-23 school year in New York City, nearly one in five public schoolteachers was absent 11 days or more, an increase from the previous year and from before the pandemic. In Michigan, roughly 15 percent of teachers were absent in any given week last school year, compared with about 10 percent in 2019, researchers found. More recently, teacher absences forced a school in Ohio to close for a day, and left high school students in Massachusetts to gather in the cafeteria during class time with little supervision. A photograph of Grace Wangari Thuiya, a 24-year-old beautician who was killed in Nairobi, Kenya, in January. Her boyfriend assaulted and repeatedly stabbed her, police told her mother. Credit... Natalia Jidovanu for The New York Times DOHA, Qatar Taliban officials sent a defiant message to Western nations, donors and Afghan womens groups this week, refusing to attend a conference hosted by the United Nations to discuss humanitarian crises facing Afghanistan and cooperation on human rights issues. The two-day conference, which began on Sunday, was the second of its kind. It was held to try to chart a course forward for international engagement with the country. But the Taliban administration took issue with the inclusion of some groups at the meeting. Attended by special envoys from 25 countries and regional organizations, the conference is aimed at increasing international engagement with Afghanistan and developing a more coordinated response to the problems afflicting the war-torn nation. The Taliban administration, the de facto rulers of Afghanistan since 2021, had been invited to the conference but at the last minute the group said it would not attend. In a statement, the Talibans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it should be the sole official representative of Afghanistan for talks with the international community and only then could engage in frank discussions. Inclusion of others would hinder progress, the statement added. This government of Afghanistan cannot be coerced by anyone, it stated. Representatives from Afghan civil society, womens groups, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization were present at the conference. Afghan political opposition parties, including the National Resistance Front, which has a small armed wing, were not invited, although they had asked to be included. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil recalled his ambassador to Israel on Monday, as tensions escalated between the countries over the Brazilian leaders sharp remarks against Israels war on Hamas. Mr. Lula summoned the ambassador, Frederico Meyer, back to Brazil for consultations, according to a statement from the countrys foreign ministry. Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, reprimanded Mr. Meyer on Monday about comments in which Mr. Lula compared Israels actions in the war to the Holocaust. What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments, Mr. Lula told reporters during the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Sunday. But, he then added, it did exist when Hitler decided to kill the Jews. Also on Monday, Mr. Katz said Mr. Lula was not welcome in the country until he takes back his remarks. Citing the seriousness of statements made by Israeli officials, Brazils foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, also summoned the Israeli ambassador for a meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, according to the statement. Mr. Lulas recall of his envoy does not represent a permanent rupture in diplomatic relations, as Brazils Embassy in Israel will remain open. But the discord does highlight a growing rift between Israel and countries that have been reluctant to align themselves in support of its military action in Gaza, most notably South Africa and Brazil. It was a memorial for the martyrs killed when the U.S. struck military bases in Syria, according to Iranian state television. A small crowd sat in rows of folding chairs, men in the front and women in the back, at the main cemetery in Tehran, the Iranian capital, earlier this month. Children milled around and a young man passed a box of sweets. A man recited prayers through a microphone. But the 12 fallen men werent Iranians. They were Afghans, according to other soldiers and local media reports, part of the Fatemiyoun Brigade, a largely overlooked force that dates to the height of the Syrian civil war a decade ago. To help President Bashar al-Assad of Syria beat back rebel forces and Islamic State terrorists, Iran at the time began recruiting thousands of Afghan refugees to fight, offering $500 a month, schooling for their children, and Iranian residency. The brigade is still believed to be about 20,000 strong, drawn from Afghan refugees living mostly in Iran, and it serves under the command of the Quds Force, the overseas arm of Irans Revolutionary Guards. Ryan Lowry was crowned Corvallis Youth of the Year at the annual Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis luncheon on Friday, Feb. 16. Well, there wasnt a crown, but he did receive a laptop and a $6,000 scholarship from the Dr. Bob & Billie Holcomb fund at the Benton Community Foundation. 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. The 2024 Youth of the Year event was attended by 100-plus community members who filled the Gerding Gym at the Boys & Girls Club headquarters on Circle Boulevard. The annual competition functions as a leadership program, celebrating the voice and drive of club members. Lowry, a Corvallis High School junior, has been a member since second grade and has been involved in various club-related activities since, as well as the National Honors Society and CHS's Students Advocating for Equity program. He was visibly emotional upon hearing the decision by judges to award him the top distinction, taking deep breaths with a hand on his chest. I was shaking, I couldnt believe it, he said. Its an honor. Lowry was joined by two other finalists: First runner-up Huy Hong, another CHS junior, who earned a $3,500 scholarship courtesy of the Mario & Alma Pastega Family Foundation; and second runner-up Ash Herford, a CHS senior who earned $1,500 from the Corvallis Elks Club, and who previously ran for Youth of the Year in 2023. All of the honorees received laptops from the Gallagher Finkenaur Cook Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. Before the Youth of the Year title was announced, each finalist gave a speech, laying out their personal histories and vision for the kind of leader theyd be. Lowry talked about his quiet-kid origins and becoming a more confident speaker along with his desire to be a champion for others. Hong touched on the mental health challenges young people face, sharing his own struggles and promoting positive coping strategies, while Herford spoke about struggling socially after being homeschooled and wanting to become an elementary school teacher. But the Youth of the Year competition isnt quite over yet. The Corvallis event joins a series of 5,000-plus such competitions taking place all over the country, at local, state and regional levels. Its part of a National Youth of the Year program, hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America thats been around for decades, according to its website. That competition eventually generates five regional finalists, one from the Pacific, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest regions along with a national military Youth of the Year nominee, who all compete for the national title. In a first, the Oregon Youth of the Year competition, which usually occurs in Salem or Portland, will be held in Corvallis at the same location, according to Helen Higgins, the club's CEO. It's where Lowry will be returning to compete on March 21 to represent his club. Its really a special honor to be nominated, to be named, because you are that spokesperson, Higgins said. The 2023 Corvallis Youth of the Year winner, Andrea Castaneda Perez, advanced past the state level to the regional competition in Beverly Hills, California last year, Higgins said. But the local competition has benefits others don't. Corvallis is one of the few clubs in Oregon that awards scholarships at the local level and one of the few organizations awarding scholarships for all finalists, Higgins said. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today. The Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis also awards a higher amount than the state competition, which gives out a $1,000 scholarship, she added. Lowry said hes looking forward to the upcoming competition this spring. I also want to see the other candidates as well, hear their stories and what theyre all about, he said. And I want to share my story with them as well. Creating meat literally out of thin air sounds like technology youd only expect to see in sci-fi movies, but according to Air Protein, its very real and viable. Air Protein, the startup behind the air-based meat project, was co-founded by Dr. Lisa Dyson, an award-winning research physicist and strategy consultant, with the goal of producing meat alternatives. Such plant-based meat alternatives like Impossible Foods or Beyond Meat are all the rage these days and touted as the sustainable future of the meat industry, but Air Protein is taking sustainability to a whole new level with its air-sourced proteins. They are basically relying on a bunch of microbes capable of converting CO2 into amino-acids, with the final product being a protein-based flour that can be used to make a bunch of meatless products. Photo: Emerson Vieira/Unsplash Its fermentation re-imagined, Air Protein CEO, Lisa Dyson, described the process. Its reimagined in a way that makes it carbon negative. When you undertake fermentation today, it actually produces CO2. By contrast, our cultures consume elements of the air and are able to make a nutritious flour that is carbon negative. Air Protein is the only startup currently involved in making proteins out of the air, but their technology was inspired by research that NASA carried out in the 1960s. They were trying to come up with ways that astronauts could grow their own food on space voyages and discovered these microbes, called hydrogentrophs, that, under the right circumstances, fed on CO2 and produced amino-acids. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Air Protein (@airprotein) Fast forward to when Dr John Reed and myself were looking at how we can have a positive impact on the issue of climate change, Dyson told New Food Magazine. We were pondering the same problem minimal space, minimal time to make food but in a different context. Thats what allowed us to see that this very different approach is something that could actually address what the world needs right now. We were able to leverage the thinking of NASA scientists in a completely different context. The behind-the-scenes process is obviously a lot more complicated than what Air Protein has so far revealed, but the company claims that it is also the most sustainable way to produce proteins right now. The magic happens in these giant vertical tanks that take up a lot less land than both cattle grazing and plant-growing, and the energy required for the fermentation process comes from renewable sources. Thus, Dyson says, its both cheaper and more sustainable than other meat alternatives. One is that key inputs are elements of the air that we breathe, so theyre abundant and around us, the Air Protein CEO said. And the other is that renewable power is another key input. The beauty of that is that renewable power is becoming more and more abundant and lower and lower cost. If you want to compare our production process to one of soy production, it would take a soy farm the size of Texas, an enormous state in terms of area in the US, to give you the same amount of protein as an air protein farm the size of Walt Disney World, Dyson added. Another key advantage that air-sourced protein has over both conventional meat and its many plant-based alternatives is production time. The protein-rich flour can be produced in days, compared to the years necessary to raise cattle and the months and resources needed to grow crops. But is the world ready for protein produced by C02-munching microbes? Well, Air Protein certainly believes so, and if the current trends in the food industry are any indication, they are right to be confident. Meat alternatives are attracting important funding, and the demand from eco-conscious consumers is certainly there, so its just a matter of creating a good enough product. Air Protein describes its products as highly nutritious, sustainable and delicious, but well just have to see what the market thinks when they hit store shelves. A young tattoo artist from St. Petersburg, Russia, was recently detained for insulting religious believers with controversial tattoos featuring Jesus Christ, the cross and other Christian symbols. Daria Krichker is facing up to one year in jail for her crimes. According to the Orthodox activist group that filed a complaint against her, she has committed repeated gross blasphemous acts against Christ, the Mother of God, and the saints of the Church, which cannot be tolerated on Russian soil. It all started earlier this month when photos of a tattoo reportedly inked on Krichkers own calf went viral on social media. It showed Jesus on the cross having an orgasm, which isnt the kind of creative work that religious people would appreciate. Its weird, many would describe it as disgusting, but in Russia, such a tattoo can literally land you behind bars. Photo: Benjamin Lehman/Unsplash In Krichkers case, the above-mentioned tattoo was only the beginning. Once the hounds were unleashed, they started sniffing for other controversial tattoos and they made sure they found them. Soon, dozens of national news publications were featuring pictures of kittens peeking out of crosses, churches with inverted reflections, and anime-style girls sitting on Jesus lap, all designed to create the image of a troublemaker. Before long, the authorities became involved. The young tattoo artist was detained at the airport, just as she was getting ready to fly to Yerevan, in Armenia. A criminal case was opened against her under Art. 148 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Violation of the right to freedom of conscience and religion), and she risks up to one year in jail. Considering she has a clean record, she will likely get away with a large fine. Daria told interrogators from the Center for Combating Extremism that it had never been her intention to offend Christians, but that excuse is unlikely to get her off the hook. Oh, and those controversial tattoos the religious activists found? Apart from the one of Jesus on the cross with a big smile on his face, they were actually the work of another tattoo artist, who happens to be the owner of the tattoo shop Daria works at. No criminal case has been opened in her name yet. There should be no images of cats, dogs, horses, monkeys, or any other inclusions or other details that profane holy religious symbols since this is disrespect for sacred things and blasphemy, the Orthodox activist group Forty-Forty wrote in a statement. This tattoo artist consistently and systematically made tattoos with caricatures of icons, and with inverted temples, and with blasphemous inscriptions mentioning God, and hanging crosses on the waist, and other things we are talking about deliberate, thoughtful actions. If kittens insult your faith, then I have serious doubt about its strength, the tattoo artist said. LLYC has acquired a 70 percent stake in Lambert Global for an initial payment of $18.2M with the balance due in two years based on the EBITDA performance of the corporate communications/IR firm. The Spanish firm says Lambert Global will add $35.1M to its annual revenue base and a triple its US presence. The acquisition, which is LLYC's biggest-ever, will add Lambert Globals Grand Rapids headquarters and talent hubs in Detroit, New York, St. Louis and Phoenix. LLYC has US offices in Miami, Washington, New York and San Diego. CEO Jeffrey Lambert and president Mike Houston will now lead the recast Lambert by LLYC and serve on the Spanish firms US executive committee. Alejandro Romero CEO of LLYC, called Lambert Global "a perfect partner, and its integrated communications platform is an ideal fit for LLYCs philosophy, enabling the company to make the quantitative leap it has been seeking. Alejandro Romero (L) & Jeffrey Lambert Lambert said the deal with LLYC is a puzzle-piece fit with our capital markets strength and their prominence in Latin America, and together, we will bring our clients an expanded range of marketing, communications, and investor relations resources." LLYC now has 130 staffers in the US, which is its second largest market. Lambert Global took the No. 37 spot in the 2023 O'Dwyer's rankings of independent firms with fees of $20.2M, which was up 21.4 percent from the previous year. Ireland's first breeding Cranes in three centuries are located on a bog in Offaly, the Midland Tribune has learned this week. Until now environmental officers of different hues would only say the breeding pair was somewhere on a rewetted Bord na Mona bog in the Midlands, but they are now willing to narrow it down to one county, Offaly. However, fearing that the pair might be disturbed and frightened away, they won't specify which bog it is. Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer for Offaly County Council, told the Tribune that the birds after an absence of three centuries have returned to a bog in Offaly to breed in the past number of years. There is one confirmed pair but we also suspect that there might be a second pair breeding in the wider midlands region. The actual breeding location is kept secret due to the sensitivity of the site and the risk to the birds if people were to disturb them. He said the Crane breeding season is between April July and they are hoping the Offaly pair will breed again during the Spring / Summer this year. The pair's first successful breeding attempt on the Offaly bog was in 2021. They have bred each year. In 2023 they hatched two chicks. At the time Bord na Mona told the media that they were located on one of the company's rewetted bogs. The Common Crane, like woodpeckers, have moved west from Britain to Ireland thanks to conservation efforts in Britain, Ricky pointed out. These conservation efforts are so successful that the birds are being compelled to fly west to seek new breeding grounds. Most European cranes winter in places like Laguna de Gallocanta (up to 84,000 cranes) in northeastern Spain. They often use the same breeding nest year after year. The appearance of Common Cranes using a site that was re-wetted in the last few years is a real indication that we are creating the right conditions for these birds and for lots of other biodiversity, said Mark McCorry, Lead Ecologist at Bord na Mona. Getting to see this bird slowly flying low over the new wetlands has been a highlight for me during my career as an Ecologist. He pointed out that Bord na Mona's peatland rehabilitation scheme is the most extensive of its kind ever undertaken in Europe. Rehabilitation commenced on 18 peatlands in 2021 and works on another 19 commenced in 2022. During the first year of the rehabilitation programme, Bord na Mona undertook the rewetting of some 8,000 hectares of peatland. The ultimate aim is to rehabilitate 33,000 hectares of bog. The restoration and rehabilitation of peatlands, continued Mark, is creating rich and diverse habitats for our native plant and animal species. Examples of the impact of this work on biodiversity includes Irelands only protected insect, the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, colonising Bord na Mona cutaway bogs and it is now found in numerous sites; colonies of water-dependent species such as dragonflies and damselflies establishing in newly created wetlands and the appearance of the Great-White Egret as well as the Common Crane. Sphagnum moss, a key species of peatlands, is starting to reappear on some sites that were re-wetted several years ago. "There has also been a significant positive response from other birds such as the black-headed gull, lapwing and the common redshank. These are all species that are under pressure in the wider landscape, and by rewetting peatlands Bord na Mona is providing them with new wet habitats. Historically the common crane was a breeding resident in Ireland but has been extinct in this country since around the end of the 16th century, if not longer. Sightings in Irish skies of this species increased in recent years during periods of migration and overwintering, and hope began to build that pairs would start to breed. Mark added that the Common Crane is more likely to continue to increase in Ireland now that suitable supporting habitat is available in rewetted peatland areas. A man grabbed an 11-year-old boy from a bike in a Portlaoise estate because his son was allegedly being bullied. Stanislav Moravcik, 44, of 12 Walnut Close, Portlaoise admitted assaulting the boy at Foxburrow, Portlaoise on August 25 last year. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the incident occurred at about 6pm. This gentleman grabbed the injured party, an 11-year-old boy, by the body and told him to stop bullying his son, he explained. He said the man pulled the boy from a bicycle causing him to cut his arm and hand. Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said that while it is no excuse, there was a particular background to the offending. He said the man has been living in Ireland for 18 years and works part time in a pizzeria. His nine-year-old son has psychological issues from bullying, he said. Mr Fitzgerald said his client saw something happening and had reacted totally over the top. He explained that his reply when charged was to apologise and that the man had brought 1,000 to court and had written a letter of apology for the court. Mr Fitzgerald said the man was on a waiting list to move house and had a letter from the HSE in relation to his own son. He said a victim impact statement from the boys father is to be commended for being magnanimous. He does say that he doesnt want severe legal consequences for the client, he said. Judge Nicola Andrews said children get bullied and although it isnt pleasant, people cant act in the way the defendant had. She said she was quite moved by the victim impact statement from the father. She ordered that the 1,000 be directed to the victim and applied the probation act to the defendant. It is not up to you to take matters into your own hands, Judge Andrews warned the man. RTEs director-general has said he is not going to resign following controversy around exit arrangements of senior executives. Kevin Bakhurst said he stands by everything he has done since he took over the post at the embattled national broadcaster. Media minister Catherine Martin has said confidentiality agreements should be avoided in any future severance arrangements at RTE and that caps on exit payments should be introduced. Mr Bakhurst has said he is committed to maximum transparency and rebuilding trust in the organisation, which was already engulfed in scandal when he became director-general in July. However, fresh speculation and controversy has arisen over the details of exit arrangements for senior executives during his short tenure. It comes after it was revealed that former director of strategy Rory Coveney received a payment following his resignation last year, in the same week that Mr Bakhurst took on the top job. Mr Coveney was the driving force behind Toy Show The Musical, which recorded 2.2 million euro in losses after a single season in 2022. The musical also went ahead without receiving formal approval from the RTE board, according to a report commissioned by the broadcaster. Over the weekend, RTE released a statement on the exit arrangements for Mr Coveney and three other former executives. Saying he had been restricted by legal advice, Mr Bakhurst said Mr Coveney had agreed he should stand down, his role became redundant and an exit payment was offered by RTE and accepted. The director-general said RTE expected to recoup the cost of the payment to Mr Coveney by July of this year, one year after the former director resigned. This has led to speculation the payment to Mr Coveney was approximately one years salary, or around 200,000 euro. Labour party spokeswoman for media Senator Marie Sherlock said there had been a convenient retrofitting of the truth. She said: It was either a resignation or it was not. The public were led to believe last year that Rory Coveney had resigned of his own volition. That does not technically reach the definition of redundancy. Ms Sherlock accused Minister for Media Catherine Martin of timidity in her approach. It was also recently revealed that, prior to Mr Bakhursts tenure, a 450,000-euro exit package was given to former RTE chief financial officer Breda OKeefe without the knowledge of the full executive board. Fine Gael TD and member of the Oireachtas media committee Alan Dillon said the details of all exit packages of all executives dating back to 2016 is to be published. The media minister has called for maximum transparency around the payment and summoned Mr Bakhurst and Siun Ni Raghallaigh, the chairwoman of the RTE board, to the Department on Monday. Speaking to reporters following the approximately two-hour meeting with Ms Martin, Mr Bakhurst said the discussion was constructive. He said: The next step on that is were taking legal advice. We spoke to external lawyers this morning about how far we can push transparency and what we can and what we cant say. Theyve gone away to look at that and we should have the advice within the next couple of days. And off the back of that advice well be seeing how far we can push transparency about some of the questions that have been raised, mindful of we have to respect the law as an organisation, and also mindful of all employees rights at RTE, which is always a maximum consideration for us. So once we have that advice well be in a position to say more about it. Asked whether he would resign, Mr Bakhurst said No, absolutely not. I stand entirely by what Ive done about trying to move the organisation forward with a new leadership team and make payments which are in the best interest and the best value for RTE. Speaking to reporters at a later briefing on Monday, Ms Martin said she has asked RTE to explore all options to provide further transparency, including asking individuals involved to waive their rights under confidentiality agreements. Asked if Mr Bakhurst should resign, she said: I think Kevin is the best person to be as DG in RTE. I think he has implemented substantial reform and has a body of work to do now, and a strategic vision, and following through on reform needed. She would not provide a figure on what the cap on exit payments should be but said it should be at the higher level and packages should not be extraordinary. She also said RTE had committed to a reform which would require board approval for future exit packages. In the statement on Saturday, RTE also commented on the exit arrangements for director of commercial Geraldine OLeary, director of legal affairs Paula Mullooly, and chief financial officer Richard Collins. RTE said Mr Collins left by mutual agreement following independent mediation with a binding confidentiality clause that was agreed to by both sides and in the interest of fairness and respect cannot be breached. It also said Ms OLeary and Ms Mullooly received no exit payments. The Government is due to publish two reports commissioned by Ms Martin on the governance of RTE this month. Labour leader Ivana Bacik has said the proposed constitutional changes on the definition of the family and acknowledging carers would represent a step forward on the current wording. She said despite being disappointed with the two amendments initially, the party believes they represent a real step forward towards a more contemporary text, towards a more fair Ireland and towards a more inclusive and more equal society. Ms Bacik said her party would continue to push for better supports for carers after the votes in March. We see this as calling for a Yes, Yes, And we want to continue to campaign beyond the referendum on better supports for care in particular. Senator Marie Sherlock, who is Labours director of elections, said the party feels very passionately about broadening the constitutions definition of the family beyond the current very restrictive definition based on marriage. She said that although the party views the care amendment as a missed opportunity, there was a need to recognise 30,000 people who are doing care work in the family home. Two referenda will be held on March 8 International Womens Day proposing to change the Irish constitution. One, the family amendment, proposes amending Article 41 of the constitution to extend the meaning of family beyond one defined by marriage and include those based on durable relationships. The second, the care amendment, proposes deleting Article 41.2.1 and 41.2.2, which make reference to a womans role and duties in the home, and replace it with a new article 42B that acknowledges family carers. The government parties, Labour, the Social Democrats, the National Womens Council, One Family and Treoir are all advocating for a Yes vote in both referenda. TD Peadar Toibins Aontu party and Senator Ronan Mullen are among those advocating for a No vote in both plebiscites. Some organisations, such as Free Legal Advice Centres (Flac), are advocating for a Yes vote in one and a No vote in the other. Flac supports the family amendment, which it said would have positive policy and legal implications in areas such as social welfare, family, taxation, and succession law. Though it called the so-called women in the home provision ineffective, sexist and offensive, it said the proposed care amendment is as ineffective. The amendment would give constitutional expression to harmful stereotypes such as the concept that the provision of care, including the care of older adults and adults with disabilities, is the private responsibility of unpaid family members without any guarantee of State support, it argued. Like the explicitly sexist women in the home provision, the proposed Article 42B endorses a status quo where women undertake the bulk of unpaid care work and places no obligation whatsoever on the State to redress this gender imbalance rendering it an implicitly sexist amendment. Ms Bacik, who is a barrister, said she disagrees with Flacs argument that the care proposal does not represent an improvement. She said: I do disagree with them where they say the proposed wording 42B article on care, that that would represent a step backward. I dont think thats right. It clearly is a step forward perhaps not as big a step forward as we would like but nonetheless, a great improvement on what has gone before. I also disagree with them and take issue with them when they say that 42B endorses the status quo of the gender division on care in the home, I dont think thats a correct interpretation. Ms Bacik said that fathers and male family members who provide care are not recognised in the constitution as it currently stands, which is why the proposed wording represents a step forward. Many people will have criticisms, but ultimately, we have to choose, she said. A sister of convicted drug dealer and gang "patriarch" Christy Keane, who was caught with 124k in crime cash in her attic, was told by her husband that tens of thousands of euro in her bank accounts had come from "gambling", the Special Criminal Court has heard. Sandra Hehir's defence counsel asked the court on Monday to suspend all or a significant part of any sentence it imposes. Hehir, aged 56, with an address at Assumpta Park, Island Road, Limerick city, pleaded guilty in October before the non-jury court to laundering the money at her home in June 2020. She pleaded guilty that on June 17, 2020, at the same address she handled, acquired and/or possessed cash to the value of 124,055, knowing or believing (or being reckless as to whether) property in the said premises was the proceeds of criminal conduct. The charge came under Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Monday Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. At the Special Criminal Court, defence counsel Padraig Dwyer SC said Hehir had been told by her now-deceased husband that the money that went through her accounts had come from gambling. However, she accepted that, in all probability, it had been the proceeds of crime. Mr Dwyer said his client denied any criminal involvement, had entered a guilty plea and had expressed her regret. Counsel said a probation report for Hehir, who has no previous convictions, was a positive one and that she had no impediments such as mental health or addiction issues. Counsel said Sandra Hehir was now predominantly estranged from her siblings and works as a hairdresser. Mr Dwyer said his client had letters of reference describing her as a valuable staff member who is a good person and who was co-operative with the probation service. Counsel said the probation service found it unlikely that Sandra Hehir would be in this position again and that if the court is going to suspend all or some of her sentence, it could take comfort in that rehabilitation appears to have been achieved. Mr Dwyer asked the court to suspend all or a significant part of any sentence imposed, adding that his client had never been before a court before and that it would be a great shock and surprise if she ever got into trouble again. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, presiding at the three-judge court, adjourned the matter to Monday, February 26, for sentence finalisation. At a previous hearing, Fiona Murphy SC, prosecuting, told the court that five other counts of money laundering could be taken into consideration. The barrister said that a nolle prosequi - a decision not to prosecute - will be entered on three other counts. TikTok is to cut several hundred jobs globally, with a proportion of the redundancies affecting staff at its headquarters in Dublin, the PA news agency understands. The total number of redundancies there will be in Ireland as part of the global restructuring is unclear as the redundancy process must go through the required consultation process. There are around 3,000 staff working for TikTok in Ireland currently. A TikTok spokesperson said: As we continue to deliver on our unwavering commitment to safeguard the TikTok community, were undertaking a redesign of our Training and Quality team that will enable us to further enhance our quality assurance processes. Our priority is supporting affected employees through this transition to minimise the impact of the changes. Ireland remains a hugely important base for us, and were continuing to hire for roles across our business here. TikToks Dublin offices were moved to The Sorting Office at the Docklands in December. The Corvallis City Council, through its attorneys hired to represent it in its allegations that Ward 5 Councilor Charlyn Ellis violated the city charter and should be removed from office, have responded to Ellis' own allegations that the city is violating her First Amendment rights. Essentially, the city is arguing because Ellis made statements in her capacity as a city official, she does not enjoy First Amendment protection. 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. Ellis originally filed her lawsuit in Benton County Court on Jan. 22, but it since has been moved to federal court in Eugene. It seeks to put a pause on a due process hearing that could result in her ouster, which was to set to take place on Feb. 5 after several postponements. It also asks the court to declare section 23(f) of the charter void, as it infringes on her rights to free speech as an elected official. Section 23(f) says: No council member may attempt to influence or coerce the (city) manager in the making of any appointment or removal of any officer or employee. A councilor may not discuss, directly or indirectly, with the manager the matter of specific appointments to any city office or employment. Ellis stands accused of interfering in city administration by directing the city manager to fill a staff position open for months during two meetings last year. Ellis was to forfeit her seat Dec. 4, according to a council meeting agenda item that would have declared her seat vacant. The lawsuit asks the court to stop the city from adopting the resolution and to prevent the city from bringing additional proceedings against Ellis or any other councilor pertaining to that charter section. The city attorneys had the lawsuit moved to a federal court in Eugene on Jan. 31, saying a federal judge was better positioned to hear a First Amendment violation case. Per court documents, Judge Ann Aiken, a member of the federal bench since 1998, is set to preside over the preliminary injunction hearing. In a legal paperwork filed Feb. 13, the citys attorneys take issue with Ellis' contentions that: The earlier scheduled due process hearing was unconstitutional. Section 23(f) of the city charter is void as it constitutes a content-based restraint on speech as guaranteed under the Oregon and U.S. constitutions. The due process hearing and expulsion efforts will have adverse effect on other elected officials in speaking up and discharging their duties. The expulsion efforts have caused and will continue to cause Ellis significant noneconomic damages. The city said it lacked "sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth of the lawsuit's allegations" that Ellis' free speech rights have been chilled, that she been restrained from making comments on city hiring procedures as a result of the expulsion efforts. The city's response also says that Ellis' speech, having been made in duty as both council member and chair of the Climate Action Advisory Board, were not protected. In addition, the city said it had "valid, legitimate, objectively reasonable, nondiscriminatory and nonretaliatory reasons for all actions taken" in the Ellis case. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today. The city asked the federal court to dismiss the complaint and grant it an award for attorney fees and costs. According to a case management order filed on Feb. 13, the Eugene court will issue a scheduling order with deadlines for discovery, alternative dispute resolution report, and pretrial order. Barring any scheduling conflicts or discovery disputes which can be resolved via telephonic conference and once various motions are resolved, if they apply, a trial date will be set. Related stories: Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On February 14, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed at least seven civilians, after Hezbollah rocket fire killed an Israeli soldier. In Souaneh, a woman was killed along with her two children. Rawaa al-Mohammed, and her two sons, Hassan Mohsen, 13, and Amir Mohsen, 2, were killed in their home. In Aadchit, one man was killed, and 10 others were injured by Israel. In another Israeli strike, two women, and four members of one family were killed by Israel, and none of those killed had any connection to Hezbollah. Israeli government spokesperson Ilana Stein told Reuters, "The current reality, where tens of thousands of Israelis are displaced [in the north] and cannot return to their homes, is unbearable. They must be able to return home and live in peace and security." Stein never mentioned the 28,000 killed in Gaza, or the 1.2 million in Rafah now awaiting planned extermination by the Israel Defense Forces. On February 13, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned Israeli leaders, "To those who threaten us with a widening of the war: if you widen, we will too," he said, adding that "those who think the resistance might be afraid are very mistaken". He also vowed that Hezbollah would only cease fire "when the aggression stops and there is a ceasefire in Gaza". While the Israeli war on the people of Gaza rages on, Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Alwan N. Amin Eddine, founder of Sita Institute, Beirut, and the author of 'Paths to War: An Analysis of International and Regional Potential Sources of Conflict', 2019. 1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): The situation between Hezbollah and Israel is very tense. In your opinion, do you see the US supporting Israel in a large air campaign to destroy Hezbollah? Alwan N. Amin Eddine (AE): I don't see the US being able to do anything in Lebanon, especially since the US is in an election year. The US tradition for a presidential election year is one that they will not begin a major war and hand it over to a new president. Therefore, it is my opinion that the US will not enter a major war in Lebanon at this time. Of course, Hezbollah is a target for both Israel and the US, and especially after all the accusations Hezbollah has faced in the past from the US and others. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Uralchem Group intends to continue developing cooperation with Nigerian partners. The according plans were highlighted in Moscow at a meeting of the Russia-Nigeria Business Council, held on January 26th at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation. The event gathered around 120 representatives of state bodies, commercial organisations and experts from both countries. The participants discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral foreign trade and offered potential Dear Annie: Please help me. I am in my mid-40s and have been with a man for seven and a half years. He has four children who I absolutely adore. His youngest is 12. We started dating when she turned 5. We have had them full time for the past seven years. I have gotten pregnant five times with this man. There were three miscarriages and two other babies who passed away due to complications at birth. My son had no lungs; he was born at 20 weeks. My daughter passed away in 2017 at eight days old. This man has never had a single conversation with me about any of the babies that passed away. But he will talk to family members and co-workers freely about it. He cheated on me at least two times that I know of, though he denies it to this day. This past October, I moved six hours away from our home in Massachusetts up to the Canadian border. He and the kids were supposed to come, but he pulled out at the last minute and has left me in limbo with where we stand. I cry a lot over missing the older kids back home. Please help me to understand why Im holding onto something that is a lost cause. In addition to being untrustworthy, untruthful and uncommunicative, he is not very kind, appreciative or affectionate toward me. He would often diminish my feelings and make me second-guess my own feelings. He has never stuck up for me or backed me up, ever. When I try to communicate with him, Ill say something like, Hey, can we talk? and he says, We are talking. Not only did I take care of him and his kids for the past seven years. I also drove him to work and picked him up everyday with not so much as a thank you. My main question is, what in the world is wrong with me? Why am I more concerned with what he wants than what I want? Why am I holding on to a loveless, unhappy relationship? I love living up North. Its beautiful. I have no intention of ever going back to Massachusetts. I truly feel like I lived in a foreign land my whole life and Im finally home. Please give it to me straight. I have been through a lot. I can handle it. -- Feeling Sad in Northern Maine Dear Feeling Sad in Northern Maine: You have already had to handle a great deal of neglect and abuse in your relationship, and now it is time to exit stage left as soon as possible. Im almost positive you know the answer to your question, but you have to say to yourself, Enough is enough. You are holding onto this loveless and unhappy marriage because it has become a habit. It is difficult to change even if we know that changing is the best thing for ourselves. The very fact you wrote me this letter signals that you are ready for a new beginning. Leaving him will take courage and might be very uncomfortable, but like most worthwhile endeavors, if you put in the commitment and hard work, the payoff will be immense. You will no longer have to suffer. Seeking the help of a trained professional therapist will help you move forward powerfully, learn more about setting boundaries and discover how worthy you are of love and respect. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM Lauro Romero, one of Portlands culinary luminaries, has died. He was 42. Romero worked as head chef at the Ritz-Carlton and owned the pop-up restaurant Clandestino, which The Oregonian/OregonLive described as having one of the 10 best dishes in Portland in 2022. In December, The New York Times called Clandestinos whole grilled dorado one of its 23 best dishes of 2023. Earthy beans and warm tortillas round out this brilliantly executed and rarely found dish, the Times wrote. Romero previously cofounded and served as executive chef at Republica. In 2021, Portland Monthly named Republica its Restaurant of the Year and Eater named it Best New Restaurant. In 2022, it was named a semifinalist for a James Beard Award. Despite all the accolades, close friend and collaborator Xochitl Jaime-Aguirre said Romero remained humble, noting his work behind the scenes last year on a pop-up by Alfonso Poncho Torres. Romero had mentored Torres. He was never above doing any job, Jaime-Aguirre said. He would be cleaning tables. He would be taking out the trash. He was as incredibly talented as he could be and his humility in his work is what drew so many people to want to work with him. Clandestino on Saturday posted about Romeros death on Instagram, noting he passed in his sleep on Friday. Many of us were lucky to call Lauro a leader, mentor, friend and collaborator over his lauded career, Clandestino said in the Instagram post. He was a true inspiration and a pioneer going on to not only make his mark on the Portland food scene, but also went as far as transforming what it looks like. In November, The Oregonian/OregonLive wrote about Bellpine, the restaurant atop Portlands new Ritz-Carlton hotel, where Romero worked as chef. While Romero was known for his Mexican cuisine, he said Bellpine gave him a chance to use his experience with other foods, including French, Japanese and New American. I dont want to forget where I came from, and what my roots are and what Im good at, Romero said. I bring a little bit of an understanding of the terroir here, the inspiration from the coast and the woods and wine country. But theres definitely going to be some chiles on the menu. The Ritz-Carlton on Sunday posted about Romero on its Instagram account, writing it was heartbroken about his death. He was the light of Bellpine and a true trailblazer in establishing Portlands culinary scene, the Ritz-Carlton wrote. He meant so much to so many both in and out of the kitchen. As a leader, Lauro always involved his team in celebration, highlighting achievements and showcasing talents. Romero was born in Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico, and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, when he was 14, according to a biography on the Clandestino website. He started working in restaurants as a dish washer and worked his way up to become an executive chef. He didnt go to culinary school. Kitchens were his school, Jaime-Aguirre said. He read every publication he could get his hands on, she said, including history books, cookbooks and magazines. He had a big brain and even bigger curiosity. Romero is survived by Ada Hernandez-Moreno, his ex-wife, whom he met in high school, and his two daughters. He was a popular guy, Hernandez-Moreno said. He was very kind. He always wanted to help people. He liked to make people feel special. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to cover funeral expenses and support Romeros daughters. Services will be private, but Jaime-Aguirre said industry celebrations will eventually be planned. Matthew Kish covers business, including the sportswear and banking industries. Reach him at 503-221-4386, mkish@oregonian.com or @matthewkish. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Last week, Lardo chef Rick Gencarelli texted to tell me about his new Tex-Mex breakfast burrito pop-up. (We) just have to wait until the dumpling madness is over, he said. Dumpling madness indeed. Last week, with Portlands Dumpling Week celebrating its 10th anniversary, we saw solo diners locking up their bikes outside Magna to try the beef-and-lamb dumplings, a standout on the just-launched lunch menu. We wound our way through a dozen people dipping Buffalo-style pelmeni in blue cheese smetana at Lavka, Kachkas mezzanine deli. Lardo alone sold more than 1,000 birria dumplings from its Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard location. With the big event behind us, heres a roundup of recent restaurant news for February, including more on Magnas new lunch, Gencarellis pop-up and more. Grind Wit Tryz finds new home Grind Wit Tryz, a Hawaiian restaurant that once drew two-hour lines at its original food cart, has closed its Alberta Street brick and mortar and moved into the Cully neighborhoods old Nicos Cantina space, home to a big dining room and even bigger patio. Owners Tryzen Patricio and Candace Lacuesta will hold a grand opening from 12:45 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 24 with Chinese lion dancing, shave ice, merchandise and more. In addition to its classic ono chicken and meat jun, the restaurant has been experimenting with new specials including a tasty looking ribeye steak and bang bang shrimp. 4318 N.E. Cully Blvd. [Further reading: Hawaiian food cart Grind Wit Tryz is a pandemic-time blockbuster in Northeast Portland] Le Clown pop-up inspired by Paris Former St. Jack chef John Denison is replicating the flavors of modern Paris at his new residency, Le Clown named in homage Clown Bar, the pioneering neo bistro that turned everything I thought was possible with food on its head, he said. Along with his wife, Nostrana pastry chef Maddie Denison, Le Clown is serving updated takes on French classics including saucisson en brioche, foie-co tacos, a seasonal duck a lorange, ravioles du Dauphine, a play on beef Bourguignon with confit tongue, braised cheek and grilled beef heart. Were still in the rainy season, so we want everything to feel really generous and decadent, but also celebratory and fun, he said. Mondays and Tuesdays at Lil Dame, 5425 N.E. 30th Ave. [Further reading: Paris-trained chef John Denison launches Le Clown, Portland pop-up with duck a lorange, foie-co tacos] G-Love expands with The Love Shack This beachy new cocktail bar from the G-Love team is having fun with its menu think prime rib topped with sparklers including snacks and mini cocktails pushed around the dining room on bar carts, dim sum style. Larger plates are also available to order direct from the kitchen, no cart needed. From the kitchen items on a recent visit included a flight of fries (standard cut, curly and waffle), a mezze platter, a classic hot dog and the American Dream: a mini Chicago dog served with a miniature pickled pepper martini. G-Love, you might recall, was one of The Oregonians best new restaurants of 2021; with The Love Shack, it looks like the fun could be continuing next door. 1645 N.W. 21st Ave. Magna debuts lunch Magna Kusina, The Oregonians 2021 Restaurant of the Year, recently added lunch service from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, with a menu that reminds chef Carlo Lamagna of meals eaten in the Philippines as a child. Before heading into school, I would hit up the karinderya, Lamagna wrote, referring to the bustling roadside food stalls. A bowl of lugaw (savory rice porridge or congee) and a side of tokwat baboy (tofu and pig ears in vinegar) would tide me over until I would go back after school. The star of the opening menu might be the beef pares mami, a bowl of noodles, bok choy, star anise-scented broth and thick slices of tender, buttery brisket. 2525 S.E. Clinton St. Nimblefish revives a la carte Nimblefish, the Edomae-style sushi restaurant from chefs Cody Auger and Dwight Rosendahl, is getting back to its roots with a new 5-seat, a la carte counter open from 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. According to a press release, this new Nimble-Chan menu is just as experimental and product-driven as their omakase dinner service, a set menu that costs $95 per person. Nimble-Chan will offer nigiri, sashimi and a handful of small appetizers, as well as limited rolls and a few raw donburi items including chirashi, an uni ikura don and a smoked sake kani ikura don. Piccones Corner calls it quits Underrated Northeast Portland butcher shop and restaurant Piccones Corner appears to have called it quits, according to a message posted on the restaurants website. Permanently closed, the message reads. Thank you Portland, we love you and will miss you! Launched as a pandemic-time sausage window, the restaurant and butcher shop from Sandy-area pig farmer Austin Piccone (Wallow & Root Pasture Farm) grew in stages, eventually adding lunch and dinner service and making its own line of house salami. 3434 N.E. Sandy Blvd. Rangoon Bistro plans new location Rangoon Bistro, one of Portlands best new restaurants of 2022, is opening a second location on North Mississippi Avenue, Portland Monthly reports. Owners Nick Sherbo, Alex Saw and David Sai will bring their comforting take on Burmese food, tea leaf salads and Malaysian fried chicken to a former Little Big Burger location between Blue Star Donuts and Broder Nord. Look for new additions to the menu including crispy flatbread, satay skewers and spicy Kayah sausage. 3747 N. Mississippi Ave. Rhinestone to replace downtown Lardo News of the downtown Lardo locations quiet closure seemed like yet another sign of downtown Portlands struggles. But while lunch business remains sluggish, owner Rick Gencarelli says he has plans for the space. Rhinestone will pop up next door to the downtown Grassa this spring, serving Tex Mex-style smoked meat breakfast burritos, spicy Bloody Marys and tater tots with smoked Hollandaise dip. Gencarelli is treating the pop-up like an experiment: If it doesnt work, hell try something else. 1205 S.W. Washington St. [Further reading: Rhinestones smoked brisket breakfast burritos coming to downtown Portland] Too Soon opens on 28th Avenue Deadshop owner Adam Robinson and Face/Off pop-up bartender Nick Flower have taken over the old Nightingale space for a new cocktail lounge backed by a catalog of 1,000 drinks, Eater PDX reports. The new bar, Too Soon, is meant to evoke the spirit of the New York City bar scene in the early aughts, with highballs, house cocktails and a bartenders choice option where customers can choose from categories including stirred/spirit-forward, citrus/refreshing or sweet/creamy. Per the Eater report, mushroom fritters, poached prawns and other cocktail-friendly snacks come from Jon Bones Anderson (Le Pigeon); freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are handed out at last call. 18 N.E. 28th Ave. Warsugai's namesake warsugai, or almond boneless chicken, is the centerpiece of the just-opened "nostalgic" Asian-inspired restaurant at 827 S.E. Washington St. in Portland.Courtesy of Warsugai/Aubrie LeGault Warsugai highlights Midwestern specialty Warsugai, aka almond boneless chicken, is found almost exclusively at Chinese restaurants in Michigan and Ohio, where it was reportedly invented. Yet former Bluehour chef Kyo Koo first ran into it at the old Chens Dynasty in Beaverton, a childhood favorite. Late last month, Koo and business partner Alvin Wong opened Warsugai, a nostalgic Asian-American restaurant inspired by the chefs childhood memories of the dish and his love of Portland Asian food of the 1980s and 90s generally. Found at Southeast Washington Street at Sandy Boulevard just one block from Koos previous Portland gig, Danwei Canting Warsugai serves warsugai, generously stuffed Dungeness crab rangoon rolls, BBQ pork coppa and crispy garlic shrimp with more of a chefs approach, Koo said. 727 S.E. Washington St. [Further reading: A Midwestern delicacy is the highlight of this nostalgic Asian-American restaurant] More news: Assembly Brewing has opened a family-friendly Northeast Portland restaurant serving its well-regarded Detroit-style pizza (2934 N.E. Alberta St.). The nearly 50-year-old Michaels Italian Beef and Sausages has found a new home inside Angelos bar (4612 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.), directly across the street from Zachs Shack. The Sweet Hereafter, a Southeast Portland bar known for its vegan menu and classic cocktails, has closed after more than a decade (3326 S.E. Belmont St.). Beloved Portland food carts Bing Mi and Tokyo Sando have found a new home at downtown Portlands Midtown Beer Garden (431 S.W. Harvey Milk St.). Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com Its hard to escape the fentanyl problem in Oregon. The use of fentanyl is evident on the streets of Portland and provides added fuel to Oregons homelessness crisis. The decriminalization of the drug and others is at the heart of a debate in the Oregon Legislature over Measure 110. The Oregonian/OregonLive recently published two in-depth articles that came at the fentanyl crisis through vastly different lenses. Education reporter Julia Silverman profiled a mothers attempt to see help for her teenage son, who had suffered three overdoses before he died on fentanyl poisoning. Oregons medical autonomy laws prevented her from forcing him in to treatment. Zane Sparling headed out to Ontario, where the rural town was confronting an addiction and homelessness crisis exacerbated by Oregons more lenient laws on drug use than neighboring Idahos. The small city was seeing many of the same problems as Oregons largest, Portland, hundreds of miles away. Editor Therese Bottomly speaks with Silverman and Sparling about their reporting and possible solutions. Read Silvermans article here: Fentanyl killed 15-year-old Read Sparlings article here: Measure 110 has not helped us Among the topics: --What relief if any will come in this legislative session? --What is Oregons medical autonomy law? --What is working in Ontario to help people and what is not working? --What is the intersection between fentanyl and homelessness in Ontario? Listen to the entire conversation here: Oregon lawmakers last week slimmed down Gov. Tina Koteks ambitious proposed initiative to fuel creation of more housing around the state and also heard critiques of their plan to adjust Oregons landmark drug decriminalization measure. As they head into week three of their five-week session, plenty is on the docket, including the prospect that the full House and Senate could begin voting on bills of consequence although that is not guaranteed. By The Oregonian/OregonLive Originally a celebration of President George Washingtons birthday, in 1968 the holiday was adapted to also honor the birth of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and moved to the third Monday in February. Heres a list of what government offices and services are open and closed for Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 19, in the Portland area. Government Federal offices: Closed. U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon: Closed. Oregon and Washington state offices: Closed. Oregon and Washington state courts: Closed. Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas and Clark county offices, city of Portland and Vancouver offices, Metro Regional Center: Closed. Portland parking meters: Free except in city parks that charge parking fees, including Washington Park. Services Banks: Closed, some in-store branches may be open. U.S. Postal Service offices: Closed, no regular mail service. Multnomah County libraries: Closed. Washington County libraries: Most WCCLS member libraries will be closed Monday, Feb. 19. Check with your local branch for specific hours; wccls.org/dates-closed. Clackamas County libraries: Closed. Fort Vancouver Regional Library District: Closed. Public Transportation TriMet: MAX, WES and bus lines will run on regular weekday schedules. Portland Streetcar will run on its regular weekday schedule. C-TRAN: Buses on regular weekday schedule. Portland Aerial Tram: No service on Presidents Day. Red panda Pabu plays in the snow at the Oregon Zoo on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021.Michael Durham/Oregon Zoo Attractions Oregon Zoo: Open; oregonzoo.org OMSI: Open; tickets.omsi.edu/events Popular culture is obsessed with true-crime tales, and another one -- with an Oregon connection -- is headed our way, courtesy of the streaming platform, Paramount Plus. As was recently announced, Dennis Quaid has been cast to play convicted killer Keith Jesperson in an upcoming TV series, Happy Face. The eight-episode series is inspired by the story of Melissa Moore, who struggled with the knowledge that she was the daughter of Keith Jesperson, who was nicknamed The Happy Face Killer because of smiley face signatures included in anonymous letters Jesperson wrote to the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office and to The Oregonian. In the letters, Jesperson confessed to killing several victims, including murdering women from Oregon. In 1994, The Oregonian printed a five-part series about the Happy Face Killer, and the confessions. Jesperson is serving a life sentence at the Oregon State Penitentiary. Annaleigh Ashford stars in the Happy Face series as Moore. According to the casting announcement, the series explores how Jesperson, now incarcerated, finds a way to force himself back into his daughters life. In a race against the clock, Melissa must find out if an innocent man is going to be put to death for a crime her father committed. Throughout, she discovers the impact her father had on his victims families and must face a reckoning of her own identity. The Paramount Plus series is inspired by the Happy Face podcast and the book, Shattered Silence, by Moore and M. Bridget Cook. The series executive producers include Robert and Michelle King (The Good Wife). Production is expected to begin this spring in Vancouver, B.C., and the series is scheduled to premiere on Paramount Plus in 2025. More of our coverage: Happy Face Killer victim identified after 29 years as Oregon woman Police seek clues to final unidentified victim of Oregons incarcerated Happy Face Killer Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe The Santiago-headquartered Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC or CEPAL in Spanish), one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations, and founded with the purpose of contributing to the economic development of Latin America, has unveiled what it calls its Digital Development Observatory (DDO). The DDO aims to produce, gather and analyse relevant data and information to identify trends, evaluate progress and support policy formulation and implementation on digital transformation in the region. The DDOs website contains more than 100 indicators and qualitative information under 12 headings seen as key for countries digital transformation, including connectivity and digital inclusion, businesses and productive digital transformation, e-commerce and digital services, digital skills, digital government and artificial intelligence. Described as a significant milestone in ECLACs efforts to understand and promote digital transformation in our region, the DDOs goal is to produce indicators and information that would improve the formulation of evidence-based policies in areas of digital transformation in order to drive more productive, inclusive and sustainable development in our countries, in the words of Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, the United Nations regional organisations Executive Secretary. The DDO also compiles information on national digital agendas, as well as the Digital Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean (eLAC), which, in 2022, established a set of policy priorities and actions at the regional level for the next two years. Will this new initiative be successful? It certainly faces challenges. According to the Observatorys own data, more than 60% of companies in Latin America and the Caribbean that use the internet have a passive presence: they do not, for example, use it to make transactions. In addition, some 70% of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) which in many countries account for more than 98% of businesses do not have any online presence. Also AI, fixed broadband penetration and mobile broadband are below the global average, and internet penetration, which extends to about 77% of urban households in Latin America and the Caribbean, drops to just 38% in rural areas. Photo: (Photo : SABAH ARAR/AFP via Getty Images ) An orphan girl, who acquired measles when she was still a toddler, died days before her 8th birthday, due to a rare complication she developed from the disease. Erica Finkelstein-Parker, with heartfelt intention, organized her daughter's 8th birthday celebration. Due to Emmalee's love for airplanes, the chosen theme was "Flying High with Emmalee," and Erica meticulously prepared nearly two dozen vibrant goody bags for all of Emmalee's classmates to ensure inclusivity. Girl Dies from Rare Measles Complication However, months later, these treat bags remained untouched in Erica's bedroom, serving as poignant reminders of an unfulfilled birthday party. Emmalee, adopted from an Indian orphanage at the age of 2 , developed a rare measles complication, leading to spending her 8th birthday in hospice care at her family's home. Sadly, Emmalee passed away on January 2, 2011. Erica emphasizes the persistent threat of measles, describing it as a stealth virus that can hide in the nervous system even after it appears to have cleared from the body. The global resurgence of measles, attributed to declines in immunizations and rising vaccine hesitancy, heightens the risk of severe complications and fatalities, according to Dr. James Cherry from UCLA. New cases of measles in the U.S. linked to not vaccinated travelers underscore the virus's endemic nature. Dr. Amesh Adalja advises that a single distorted traveler can inflame a surge, highlighting the virus's higher spreading compared to COVID-19 or the flu. Measles Vaccine Could Protect Children, Prevent Outbreak While the measles vaccine provides 97% safety with two doses, epidemics are only stagnant when approximately 95% of children in a community are vaccinated. Vaccine exemptions, primarily for religious, philosophical, or medical reasons, add to the challenge of extensive outbreaks, with around 3% of students currently excluded from vaccine mandates. Dr. Peter Hotez weighs the unnecessary danger taken by those who choose not to vaccinate against measles, as the vaccine has been always proven secure. The long-term consequences of measles include medication, ear infections with possible hearing loss, pneumonia, and a mortality rate of 10 to 30 deaths per 10,000 contaminated children. Read Also: Measles Resurgence Sparks CDC Alert: Urgent Measures for Clinicians as Cases Surge Measles can also result in "immune amnesia," causing the immune system to drop its capability to fight formerly immune viruses. Patricia Stinchfield mentions additional symptoms, hospitalizations, and the vulnerability of babies, who are not routinely vaccinated against measles until 12 to 15 months. Emmalee's tragic case involved a rare complication called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which manifested years after apparent recovery from measles, causing seizures, memory loss, and ultimately leading to her passing. The story highlights the destructive weight of measles and features the effect of vaccination to avoid such misfortune. Important Reminders as Measles Can Cause Greater Harm Measles is highly infected, to the extent that even a single case is deemed an epidemic. Over the past two months, various cases of measles have been identified by doctors in the United States, primarily linked to individuals who have not received vaccinations. Those who opt not to vaccinate their children against measles are undertaking significant and unnecessary risks. Measles frequently exposes patients to secondary bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, which stands as one of the most prevalent causes of death among those afflicted with measles. Many children suffering from measles experience dehydration and malnourishment during the course of their illness. Individuals with measles can transmit the virus for a period of nine days, spanning from four days before the appearance of characteristic spots until four days after. Related Article: Philadelphia Battles Measles Outbreak: Free Vaccines Now Available Photo: (Photo : STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) A woman has been taken in on suspicion of murder in connection with the harrowing revelation of three deceased children at a house in Bristol, according to Avon and Somerset police. Police Discovers Three Dead Children The police found the children lifeless at the location on Sunday after answering a welfare call in Blaise Walk, Sea Mills, around 12:40 am. The 42-year-old suspect is presently in police care at a hospital. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was informed by the police about the incident due to previous contact in February. An IOPC spokesperson mentioned being notified about the tragic incident in Bristol and their request for further information regarding the prior contact to assess whether additional action is necessary. Mark Shelford, the Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner, conveyed deep anguish over the children's deaths, imploring people to grant the police a charge for their examination. He declared that the police have made an arrest and believe it to be a secluded occurrence with no further danger to the larger community. Vicks Hayward-Melen, the neighborhood chief inspector, described the occurrence as uncommonly deadly and agonizing, offering condolences to the children's loved ones. Increased police presence and support through the family liaison unit were settled. The incident occurred in a quiet neighborhood about four miles northwest of Bristol city center. A resident, choosing anonymity, described the arrested woman as "lovely" and shared details about the family's two boys and a girl. The arrested woman had reportedly been struggling, particularly after the birth of her youngest child. Read Also: Pennsylvania Mom Who Strangled Son and Drove Her SUV Into Ocean Convicted of Murder A Methodist church hall was opened by the police to provide a space for community members to gather and comfort one another. The local community playgroup announced closure on Monday due to the tragedy, expressing condolences to the affected family and the wider community. A Bristol minicab driver, acquainted with the family, shared that he had last seen the mother and children about two weeks ago. He visited them to inquire about a reported family problem between the parents and offered help as a taxi driver. The minicab driver described the mother as a nice person and expressed sadness over the situation. He mentioned that the Sudanese community is typically patient, and such issues are not common. The father, working as a security guard, was not residing at the house during that period. Detectives from the major crime investigation team are currently looking into the deaths. Community Mourns Death of Three Children Bristol North West MP Darren Jones expressed deep sorrow over the tragic news from Sea Mills, stating that finding words to describe the situation is nearly impossible. He extended his thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of the children and thanked the emergency services for their response. Mayor Marvin Rees also found it nearly impossible to articulate the devastating news, expressing sympathy for those who knew the three young children. He mentioned plans to collaborate with schools, the community, and Avon and Somerset Police to provide support. West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris described the news as tragic and heartbreaking, expressing empathy for those close to the children and acknowledging the unimaginable pain and shock they must be experiencing. Related Article: Canadian Arrested for Alleged Murder of Five, Including Three Children Found Dead in Burning Car Photo: (Photo : Unsplash/ Clark Van Der Beken) Dramatic footage captured by body and dash cameras reveals the harrowing moment when Charlotte County Deputy Sergeant Dave Musgrove sprang into action to save the life of a 6-month-old baby following a devastating motorcycle crash in Florida. Kayleigh Foley, the mother of the infant named Lola, expressed her gratitude to Sergeant Musgrove, labeling him a "hero" for his swift response in rescuing her daughter from the wreckage. Despite the tragedy, Foley credits Musgrove with saving Lola's life, even as the family grapples with the aftermath of the accident. The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) shared the gripping footage online, where it quickly gained traction on social media platforms. Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, was among those who shared the video, propelling it to viral status within hours of its release. NEW: Heroic Florida deputy resuscitates and saves the life of an unconscious baby after a motorcyclist slammed into the back of a car at 100+ mph. Deputy Sgt. Dave Musgrove jumped into action after witnessing the crash. The car was so crushed by the impact that it was hard to pic.twitter.com/7vChSVJYzl February 18, 2024 The motorcycle was going more than 100mph when it slammed on the vehicle of Kayleigh and her 3-year-old and 6-month-old daughters. In the video, the shattered motorcycle is seen resting in the left lane as the motorcyclist was thrown from his bike and was "wedged into the rear window on the driver's side of the vehicle." The motorcyclist's body rested on top of the infant. Deputy's Heroic Efforts Commended Musgrove immediately helped byt removing the older child from her booster seat first. He asked help from another driver to hold the toddler while he rescue the baby. "At this time, some bystanders approached and helped to move the motorcyclist off of the infant and cut the seat belt so that Sgt. Musgrove could remove the car seat and check on the baby," CCSO said. "The infant had no pulse and was not breathing." Read Also: Hero Teen Saves 9-Month-Old Baby from Downed Power Lines in Icy Oregon Storm As Baby's Parents Die From Electrocution After quickly removing the baby from the car seat, Musgrove began chest compressions despite not observing any signs of life at first. The deputy continued compressions "until the child finally inhaled deeply." When paramedics arrived, the detected a pulse and took over lifesaving efforts. In the wake of the crash, CCSO Sheriff Bill Prummell commended Musgrove's bravery and composure amidst the chaos. His actions, which included administering lifesaving measures to the infant, drew praise from law enforcement officials and community members alike. Infant's Recovery Underway Although Lola remains hospitalized due to her injuries, she is in stable condition thanks to the timely intervention of Deputy Musgrove. The family's GoFundMe page provides updates on Lola's progress, with the community rallying behind them during this challenging time. Although Lola is in stable condition she's currently intubated and sedated, which means she needs a long time before fully recovering from her injuries. In interviews with local media outlets, the baby's mother and grandmother expressed their profound gratitude towards Musgrove, emphasizing the profound impact his actions had on their lives. They describe him as a "hero" whose selfless acts will forever be remembered by their family. As the story continues to unfold, it serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery and resilience displayed by first responders in the face of adversity. Deputy Musgrove's actions not only saved a life but also restored hope in the midst of tragedy. Related Article: Kentucky Couple Adopts Toddler Left at Fire Station as a Newborn, Giving Him a Forever Home For my own undoubtedly dishonorable purposes, Im extracting here some more of the passages that I marked during my recent re-reading of Elizabeth Lloyd Mayers posthumously-published 2008 book Extraordinary Knowing: Science, Skepticism, and the Inexplicable Powers of the Human Mind. And, to reorient those who may be reading, I once again cite the brief biography that appears at the end of that volume: Known as Lisby by her many friends and colleagues, Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer was an internationally known psychoanalyst, researcher, and clinician, the author of groundbreaking papers on female development, clinical technique, the nature of science, and intuition. A graduate of Radcliffe College, she received her doctorate from Stanford University and graduated from the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute, where she later became a training and supervising analyst. She was associate clinical professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and in the psychiatry department at the University of California Medical Center, San Francisco. She was also a fellow of the International Consciousness Research Laboratories at Princeton and on the research faculty of the Institute for Health and Healing at California Pacific Medical Center. She maintained a private practice in Berkeley for thirty years. Dr. Mayer served on the editorial boards of many of the major journals in her field, including the Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, International Journal of Psychoanalysis, Gender and Psychoanalysis, The Psychoanalytic Quarterly, and Contemporary Psychoanalysis. She was the first winner of the American Psychoanalytic Associations prestigious Menninger Award. A contralto with a long-standing interest in traditional folk and classical music, she was a founder of the California Revels and its artistic director for many years. The mother of two daughters, she was also the producer of an award-winning video series on music education for children and was named Alameda Countys Woman of the Year for Arts and Culture in 1995. Dr. Mayer died on New Years Day, 2005, shortly after completing Extraordinary Knowing. When Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer began looking seriously for the very first time into studies of psychical phenomena, she was astounded at what she was seeing: I began discovering mountains of research and a vast relevant literature I hadnt known existed. As astonished as I was by the sheer quantity, I was equally astonished by the high caliber. Much of the research not only met but far exceeded ordinary standards of rigorous mainstream science. Every good scientist knows the famous dictum first enunciated by sociologist Marcello Truzzi and later popularized by astronomer and author Carl Sagan: Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The claims made by the research I was reading were plenty extraordinary. They suggest the existence of mental capacities that defy space, time, and the basic boundaries of individual identity. Anything less than superb evidence wont begin to justify claims like that. As a result, a good deal of research on anomalous mental capacitiescertainly not all, but enough to be startlingadheres to stunningly high standards. Outside assessments of that research have repeatedly determined, often to the significant surprise of the evaluators, that the studies are overall scrupulously controlled, rigorously designed, and carefully regulated by masked and double-blind procedures. (69-70) Here is what the great Harvard psychologist and philosopher William James had to say: [W] ere I asked to point to a scientific journal where hard-headedness and never-sleeping suspicion of sources of error might be seen in their full bloom, I think I should have to fall back on the Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research. . . . Quality, and not mere quantity, is what has been mainly kept in mind. The most that could be done with every reported case has been done. The witnesses, where possible, have been cross-examined personally, the collateral facts have been looked up, and the narrative appears with its precise coefficient of evidential work stamped on it, so that all may know just what its weight as proof may be. (77) The eminent Anglo-American mathematical physicist Freeman Dyson (1923-2020), of Princetons Institute for Advanced Study, was also impressed. The members of the society took great trouble to interview first-hand witnesses as soon as possible after the events, and to document the stories carefully. (cited on 238) Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) who, of course, was an outspoken atheist and a vocal critic of religious belief was similarly struck by what he saw as evidence for extrasensory perception or ESP: He himself was convinced that anomalous mental capacities were real and hugely significant. He was particularly fascinated by telepathy, which hed dubbed thought transference. He enthusiastically pursued its investigation with a few close associates, in particular a Hungarian psychoanalyst named Sandor Ferenczi, with whom hed begun a collegial correspondence in 1908. On August 20, 1910, Freud triumphantly wrote to Ferenczi, Yourcarefully preservedobservations seem to me finally to shatter the doubts about the existence of thought transference. Now it is a matter of getting used to it in your thoughts and losing respect for its novelty and also preserving the secret long enough in the maternal womb, but that is where the doubt ends. (79-80) On October 6, 1909, he wrote, . . . Keep quiet about it for the time being, we will have to engage in future experiments. . . . A few days later, concerned that he hadnt been emphatic enough, he added, . . . [ L] et us keep absolute silence with regard to it. The only one whom I have drawn into the secret is Heller, who also has had experiences with it. We want to initiate Jung at a later date. . . . Think out some good plans and have your brother formulate experiments. . . . I am almost afraid that you have begun to recognize something big here, but we will encounter the greatest difficulties in exploiting it. (81) At the end of his long and extraordinary career, Freud made a remarkable statement. If, he said, he had it to do over again, he might devote his life to the study of thought transference. In an unpublished letter to Hereward Carrington, a leading investigator with the Society for Psychical Research, Freud wrote, I am not one of those who from the outset disapprove of the study of the so-called occult psychological phenomena as unscientific, as unworthy or even as dangerous. If I were at the beginning of a scientific career, instead of as now at its end, I would perhaps choose no other field of work in spite of all difficulties. (82) Privately, he believed dreams were a royal road to more than suppressed sexual and aggressive impulses. He considered them a royal road to telepathic capacitiescommunication between two mindsas well. He went so far as to declare it an incontestable fact that sleep creates favorable conditions for telepathy. He also stated that any study of the human mind that excluded dream telepathy was incomplete. But he was having enough trouble getting his general theory of dreams accepted. Venturing into telepathic aspects of dreams would, he was sure, land him thoroughly beyond the pale. (188) Posted from the Tasman Sea The chair of the African Union Commission (AUC) has called on leaders to tackle conflicts in the continent, and condemned a series of coups in some African countries. Moussa Faki Mahamat made the call on the first day of the two-day AU summit. Wars in Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo are at the top of the African bloc's agenda. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, poverty, climate change and education are other key topics to be discussed. In his remarks to delegates at the summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Mr Faki - who heads the AU's secretariat which manages the day-to-day activities of the bloc - said he was extremely worried about a "litany of difficulties" facing the region. He said Sudan was "bruised, torn, sinking into chaos" from a war that has been raging since 2023, Libya was divided and exposed to foreign interference, and the Sahel region was facing a dangerous power vacuum. He expressed concern over the fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying the conflict in the east of the country was leading to a worsening of its "eternal crises". "Africa cannot remain arms folded and not work to promote genuine peace in the region," he said. Mr Faki also criticised "unconstitutional changes of government" following a string of coups in West Africa, and expressed concern that terrorism was destabilising some countries in the continent. He said the rise in jihadist insurgencies was resulting in "exorbitant military spending, at the expense of vital social sectors, while opening the way to misleading populist speeches". His comment comes after three junta-led countries - Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso - announced they would leave the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) after refusing calls to return to democratic rule. Military leaders have argued that they want to restore security before organising elections as they struggle to contain insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Mr Faki also voiced concerns about the political crisis in Senegal, after the country's President Macky Sall tried to postpone the election, due to be held this month, until December On Thursday, Senegal's top court blocked Mr Sall's attempt to delay the polls, with the president vowing to hold elections "as soon as possible". Commenting on developments in the country, Mr Faki said: "The situation in Senegal, a model country in terms of democracy, worries us to a great degree." However, the AUC chair welcomed the Senegalese government's decision to follow the Constitutional Council's ruling, and said he hoped "free and transparent" elections would be held there soon. Ecowas is also expected to hold a meeting on the sidelines about Senegal's decision to postpone presidential polls. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The former Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has urged staff of the Ministry to continue to safeguard and enhance the media support initiatives initiated during his tenure as Minister. In a passionate farewell address during a staff durbar at the Ministrys premises on Friday, February 16, 2024, the Minister made a passionate plea for the continued support and expansion of the media support programmes encouraging them to work in close collaboration with the incoming Minister, Fatimatu Abubakar, to ensure their sustainability. Do not turn your back on our media support programs. We need to support the public communications ecosystem continuously. It is necessary if we want the media and others to excel in our democracy, he said. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, who steps down to take on the role of Minister for Works and Housing, as part of President Akufo-Addos major Ministerial shake-up last Wednesday highlighted the crucial role these programmes play in strengthening Ghana's media landscape. He cited the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme (MCEP) and the Coordinated Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists (CMSJ) as a prime examples of media support programmes that need constant support to serve their purpose. He commended the programmes for successfully providing comprehensive training to over 140 journalists from diverse media houses nationwide, equipping them with the skills and expertise needed to excel in their profession and ensuring the safety and security of media practitioners. Emphasizing the necessity of collaboration, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah called upon government agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to unite in addressing the challenges faced by these media support programs. He urged collective action to uphold their integrity and effectiveness, underscoring their vital contribution to the country's democratic progress. Despite recognizing the difficulties in securing cooperation with other institutions to ensure the execution of these programmes, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah urged staff to persist. "Keep pushing for more cooperation even when they aren't responsive. We will get there eventually," he asserted. Additionally, the Minister stressed the importance of upholding high research standards to provide accurate and valuable feedback to government. He said already, the Ministry has a working research department that must be put to good use to complete governments efforts in bringing good governance to the doorstep of Ghanaians. Concluding his speech on a personal note, the Minister expressed gratitude to the staff for working to make his time at the Ministry a success and solicited their continued support in the execution of the Ministrys key duties. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former Council of State Members under John Dramani Mahamas administration, Opanyin Abraham Kwaku Adusei, Jacob Asirifi Senior, Enoch Ofori and Daniel Mensah have been cited for contempt. A motion on Notice for Order of Committal for Contempt of Court against Abraham Kwaku Adusei of the Savior Church of Ghana and four others of the church was filed by Barima Yaw Kodie Oppong Esq. on behalf of the applicant Savior Church of Ghana. Lawyer Nana Yaw Oppong is praying that the court to effect any order it deems proper to compel the respondents to restore the signage, symbols and any other evidence of the applicant (Savior Church of Ghana) property removed by the respondents. It would be recalled that the Savior Church of Ghana won a Supreme Court review case that has spanned 24 years and has granted the Church the right to possession. The contempt notice from the Plaintiff explains that on 28th June 2022, court officials and the Police commenced the execution of the Writ of Possession. However, agents of Abraham Adusei and four others prevented the officers from carrying out the orders of the court, assaulting the court officials and some of the representatives of the applicant. The material evidence submitted by the applicant includes an audio recording where the principal Plaintiff, Abraham Adusei ordered his congregants to insert "The" in all properties of Savior Church of Ghana to read "The Savior Church of Ghana" to enable them to profess possession of the church's properties. The case went the full hull for 24 years from the High Court to the Supreme Court that ruled the case in the favor of Elia Dadeako, the Spiritual Leader of Savior Church of Ghana as the Head of the church. Source: adomonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has described the Vice President and leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the next 'Biblical Joshua' who will take Ghana to the Promised Land. The EPA boss made this assertion while speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' morning show hosted by Kwami Sefa Kayi on Monday, January 19, 2024. According to him, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the right candidate with the requisite competence and expertise to lead Ghana to the Promised Land. Likening the leadership of incumbent President, Nana Akufo-Addo to that of Biblical Moses, Henry Kokofu mentiomed that, Nana Akufo-Addo took Ghana out of the shambolic administration of the erstwhile Mahama-led NDC administration. He said, "We had Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party, which led the country from dumsor, unemployment, a high illiteracy rate, non-payment of the teacher training and nursing training allowances, which were the handiworks of the Mahama government. The assurance of the New Patriotic Party government was to take Ghanaians from hardships to a better living condition." Dr. Kokofu added that the "hardship meted out to Ghanaians by the Mahama government was enormous. The country was left in abject hopelessness until the Akufo-Addo Bawumia-led government came to power to salvage the situation." "The good thing is, because Nana Addo was chosen by God, he has driven the country back on track. Nana Addo cannot continue to drive the nation to the Promised Land because the Constitution does not permit him to continue when he has served his two terms," Dr. Kokofu added. He said, "We can find Joshua in Dr. Bawumia because he possesses the spirit of God and has very good leadership qualities, which the country needs to journey into the promised land". 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. Featured Video Member of Parliament of Essikado-Ketan Constituency, Hon. Joe Ghartey, has led a delegation of the Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments (CoSHAP) to Cote DIvoire. Hon. Ghartey and other members of the delegation were received on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, in Abidjan, by the Vice President of the National Assembly of Cote DIvoire, Diawara Mamadou. During a meeting at the rotunda of the palace of the National Assembly of Cote DIvoire, Hon. Ghartey observed that that CoSHAP is a unique pan-African platform that aims to facilitate deliberations, coordination and collaboration between presidents and heads of parliaments across Africa on issues related to the development of the continent. He then indicated the purpose of the meeting, namely, to gather the support and commitment of the National Assembly of Ivory Coast vis-a-vis CoSHAP, and then to solicit its proposals relating to the draft constitution of CoSHAP. Vice-President Diawara Mamadou, on behalf of the President of the National Assembly, Mr. Adama Bictogo, indicated to his guests the full availability of the National Assembly of Ivory Coast to provide the support expected of it for the completion of the projects undertaken. We will examine the draft constitution of CoSHAP and we will provide you with proposals, he concluded. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Bantama, has declared that former President John Mahama is ill-prepared for the presidency following his recent remarks about needing a "honeymoon period" if elected in 2025, interpreting it as a sign of unpreparedness and a reluctance to immediately address the nation's challenges. Speaking at a New Patriotic Party (NPP) gathering during the acclamation of Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor as parliamentary candidate for the Damongo in the Savanna region, Asenso-Boakye emphasized the need for Ghanaians to elect Vice President Dr. Bawumia, the NPP's presidential candidate for the December election, citing his readiness and active engagement in governance. "Former President John Mahama's statement regarding needing a honeymoon period indicates his lack of preparedness for the job," Asenso-Boakye asserted. "We cannot entrust our nation to someone who seeks to delay action while leadership is urgently needed." In contrast, Asenso-Boakye praised Dr. Bawumia's readiness, stating, "Dr. Bawumia will hit the ground running from day one, addressing the challenges facing our nation with his bold solutions." Expressing optimism in the NPP's track record of development, Asenso-Boakye urged Ghanaians to reward the party's hard work by supporting its candidates. He also commended Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Damongo MP, as a diligent young leader dedicated to the progress of his constituents, urging voters to rally behind him in the 2024 elections for continued development in the region. The event featured speeches from prominent NPP officials including Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture; Fatimatu Abubakar, Information Minister designate; General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Koduah, and various dignitaries. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Since November 1991, during the occupation of the villages of Jamilli, Karkijahan, Gushchular, Malibeyli and Meshali, Armenian armed formations have committed war crimes against the civilian population, Azernews reports. Armenian armed forces surrounded Azerbaijani-populated villages and towns in the mountainous part of Garabagh and isolated them from each other, then invaded and occupied the civilian population, looted and burned houses and farms. The tragedy (massacre) in Garadaghli, which took place on February 17, 1992, is one of the saddest and most unforgettable events of the Garabagh war. The village of Garadaghli is located 13 kilometers west of the district center of Khojavand, on the outskirts of the Khojavand-Khankandi highway, in the foothills. The tragic days of Garadaghli village began in 1988 when Armenian separatism broke out. History November 24, 1990 Three villagers were brutally murdered by Armenian robbers 6 kilometers from the Khojavand-Khankandi road. January 9, 1991. A UAZ car heading to Garadaghli village was shot at by Armenians, one person was killed and 4 people were wounded. Two of them died of their injuries. March 8, 1991. 2 people were brutally killed near the village. June 28, 1991. Three men and three women were burned alive on a farm near the village. September 8, 1991. A passenger bus traveling from Aghdam to Garadaghli was shot at by Armenian bandits, 8 out of 40 passengers were killed. January 8, 1992. Another Azerbaijani was brutally murdered near the village, and Armenians robbed about 100 sheep. Genocide During those events, 118 people were taken prisoner and 33 were shot. Armenian executioners dumped the dead and wounded into a farmer's well and filled it with earth. A total of 68 people were killed and 50 were released with great difficulty. 10 of the hostages were women, two were schoolchildren. 18 of those released, including 5 women, died of incurable wounds. As a result of the crime of genocide in Garadaghli village 4 people from each of two families were killed, 43 heads of families were killed, 146 children were left orphans. During the attacks of Armenian armed forces 10 women and 8 children of school age were killed. A total of 91 people were killed, every tenth resident of the village. In the village 200 houses, 1 house of culture, a secondary school building with 320 seats, a hospital building with 25 beds and other objects, historical, religious and cultural monuments belonging to Azerbaijanis, as well as a cemetery were destroyed. The village with 200 residential houses and 800 inhabitants became a terrible victim of Armenian cruelty. Nothing is forgotten... On the initiative of the executive authority of Khojavand district, documentary films "Genocide: Garadaghli" in Azerbaijani, Russian and English languages, "Garadaghli Genocide: Continuation..." and "Garadaghli, Struggle" in Azerbaijani, Russian, English and French languages to bring the tragedy of Garadaghli to the world community. The book "Garadagh genocide in the language of eyewitnesses" was prepared about the genocide committed in the village. Memorial complexes were erected in Yeni Garadaghly, Yeni Khojavand and Nargiztapa district to immortalize the memory of the Martyrs. Qatar-based conglomerate Power International Holding (PIH) announced on Friday it has signed an agreement of principles to acquire Kazakhstan mobile operator Mobile Telecom Services (MTS) from incumbent state telco Kazakhtelecom JSC. Under the agreement, which was signed in Qatar by PIH, Kazakhtelecom and its stakeholder, Samruk-Kazyna (Kazakhstans Sovereign Wealth Fund), PIH agreed to purchase a 100% stake in MTS. The final terms of the sale, including the actual transaction amount, have yet to be determined. Kazakhtelecom acquired 100% of MTS (which operates under the brands Tele2/Altel) in 2019, around a year after acquiring another mobile operator, Kcell. The telco has been running both networks as separate companies to satisfy regulatory concerns over competition. In July 2023, Kazakstans Ministry of Digital Development revealed that Kazakhtelecom planned to sell off at least one of its mobile units before the end of the year. Last month, it was decided at a meeting of the State Commission on Economic Modernization to sell MTS. PIH chairman Mohammed Moutaz Al-Khayyat said in a statement the deal will expand PIH's business in Kazakhstan "due to its promising investment opportunities and advanced business environment. Meanwhile, PIH CEO Ramez Al-Khayyat added that the acquisition will broaden the company's technology offerings by applying data analytics to customer behaviour, network infrastructure performance, digital payments and market trends to introduce new digital products and services. Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect the fact McKnight is being held in Cumberland County Prison, not Dauphin County Prison. Suspended District Judge Sonya McKnight did not shoot her ex-boyfriend in the head, according to a statement released by her lawyer. By Steve Karnowski, The Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS It started out as a 911 call about a domestic incident. It ended with two police officers, a firefighter and the suspect dead, a third officer wounded, and a mostly affluent suburb of Minneapolis badly shaken and waiting for answers. Agents with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were still conducting their preliminary investigation and did not plan to release any updates Monday, spokesperson Bonney Bowman said. They planned to share more information once that was complete, she added. That meant that several key questions remained unanswered a day later. Authorities have not released the name of the suspect or said what prompted the 911 call early Sunday from a home in a wooded, well-to-do neighborhood of single-family homes on curvy streets in Burnsville, a city of around 64,000 located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of downtown Minneapolis. An order by Gov. Tim Walz took effect at sunrise Monday for flags to fly at half-staff at all state-owned buildings, with individuals, businesses and other organizations encouraged to join in to honor the three who gave their lives in service to their community. Speaking at a news conference Sunday, Walz urged Minnesotans who drive by these flags to maybe pause and think about these first responders, these public safety officials. Theyre moms and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. Theyre the world to a lot of people. A web page started by the city contained no fresh updates on the investigation Monday, and city spokespeople said they could not provide additional information. But members of the Minnesota Senate stood with bowed heads for a moment of silence Monday for the fallen officers and firefighter. There is no truer testament to the strength, dignity and compassion of our community than the selfless bravery of our law enforcement and first responders, said Sen. Jim Carlson, who represents the Burnsville neighborhood where the three were killed. BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said Sunday that Burnsville police were called to the home around 1:50 a.m. Sunday about a domestic situation where a man was reported to be armed and barricaded with family members in the home. That included seven children ages 2 to 15. Evans declined to say which resident called. Arriving officers spent quite a bit of time negotiating with the suspect, he said. At some point he declined to specify when the suspect opened fire, killing Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and Adam Finseth, 40, a firefighter and paramedic who was assigned to the citys SWAT team. Another officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, survived with injuries that were not life-threatening. He was released from a hospital and was recovering at home Monday, the city said. Elmstrands wife, Cindy Elmstrand-Castruita, told WCCO-TV: He had to do what he thought was right to protect those little lives even if it meant putting his at risk and it breaks my heart because now hes gone. But I know that he thought what he did was right. Elmstrand joined the police department in 2017, and was a member of its mobile command staff. Ruge, hired in 2020, was on the departments crisis negotiations team and was a physical evidence officer. Finseth, who had been with the fire department since 2019, was shot while aiding the first officer who was injured, Evans said. Medlicott, who joined the police department in 2014, supervises community service officers and is a drug recognition expert. Several officers returned fire during the exchange, Evans said. The man fired from multiple places on both floors of the home. At least one officer was shot inside. An armored SWAT team vehicle sustained bullet damage to its windshield. A makeshift memorial is seen near the scene where two police officers and a first responder were shot and killed Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in Burnsville, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)AP Evans said the suspect was armed with several guns and large amounts of ammunition, though he declined to provide details. He said there have not been many calls for service at all to the home or involving the suspect previously. Neighbors were startled awake by loud pops about an hour before sunrise. Alicia McCullum, who lives two houses down from the source of the commotion, told The Associated Press she and her family dropped to the floor. I didnt think it was a gunshot at first, but then we opened the windows and we saw police everywhere and police hiding in our neighbors yards, McCullum said. Then there were three more gunshots. The suspect was reported to be deceased in the home around 8 a.m., Evans said, and the children and other family members were later able to escape. McCullum said she saw a woman and a few children escorted out of the home. The superintendent declined to say how long officers negotiated with the suspect, but the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association said the standoff lasted four hours before the SWAT team entered the home. Evans also declined to say whether the suspect killed himself or was shot by police. He said the medical examiner would determine that, and that autopsies were planned for Monday. Investigators plan to review body camera and other videos of the incident, conduct interviews and gather all available evidence as they determine what happened, he said. I know everybody wants to know exactly what occurred and really what led up to these really terrible events that occurred today, Evans told reporters. But I ask that you have patience as we work though that to piece together everything that we can to provide the answers in due time. Associated Press reporter Jack Dura contributed to this story from Bismarck, North Dakota. Is Rooney Mara and fiance Joaquin Phoenix expecting? It seems as though all signs are pointing to an affirmative yes. Per People, the 38-year-old actress is expecting her second child. The Women Talking actress recently attended the premiere of La Cocina at the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany Friday evening and was photographed cradling a growing baby bump under her long black gown, both People and USA Today reported. The gesture signifies that the couple are expanding their family. This would be the second child for Mara and Phoenix, 49, who welcomed baby boy River Phoenix in 2020. The babys name is in honor of Phoenixs late brother, River Phoenix, who died at age 23 on Oct. 31, 1993, from an overdose. The late-actor starred in films such as Stand By Me, Running on Empty, and My Own Private Idaho. While appearing on the Launchleft podcast, Mara opened up about raising her son with Phoenix. It feels like a creative household. Were constantly talking about creative things, she said at the time. It doesnt feel like a two-actor house because I didnt work for the first three and a half years we were together. Basically, since weve been together, I only worked one or two times and one was really small and short. The couple met on the 2013 film Her and later worked together again on 2018s Mary Magdalene and Dont Worry, He Wont Get Far on Foot, USA Today reported. By Lindsay Whitehurst and Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press WASHINGTON An FBI informant has been charged with fabricating a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden, his son Hunter and a Ukrainian energy company, a claim that is central to the Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress. Alexander Smirnov falsely reported to the FBI in June 2020 that executives associated with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid Hunter and Joe Biden $5 million each in 2015 or 2016, prosecutors said in an indictment. Smirnov told his handler that an executive claimed to have hired Hunter Biden to protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems, according to court documents. Prosecutors say Smirnov in fact had only routine business dealings with the company in 2017 and made the bribery allegations after he expressed bias against Joe Biden while he was a presidential candidate. Smirnov, 43, appeared in court in Las Vegas briefly Thursday after being charged with making a false statement and creating a false and fictitious record. He did not enter a plea. The judge ordered the courtroom cleared after federal public defender Margaret Wightman Lambrose requested a closed hearing for arguments about sealing court documents. She declined to comment on the case. The informants claims have been central to the Republican effort in Congress to investigate the president and his family, and helped spark what is now a House impeachment inquiry into Biden. An attorney for Hunter Biden, who is expected to give a deposition later this month, said the charges show the probe is based on dishonest, uncredible allegations and witnesses. The top Democrat on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, called for an end to the Biden impeachment inquiry. Raskin said the allegations from the Republicans against Biden have always been a tissue of lies built on conspiracy theories. He called on Speaker Mike Johnson, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and House Republicans to stop promoting this nonsense and end their doomed impeachment inquiry. Comer, R-Ky., downplayed the importance of the informant, who had figured centrally to the start of the probe. To be clear, the impeachment inquiry is not reliant on the FBIs FD-1023, Comer said in a statement, referring to the form documenting Smirnovs allegations. The chairman said the inquiry is based on a large record of evidence, including bank records and witness testimony, including interviews this week. He said the committee will continue to follow the facts and determine whether to proceed with articles of impeachment against Biden. In the indictment, prosecutors say that Smirnov had contact with Burisma executives, but it was routine and actually took place in 2017, after President Barack Obama and Biden, his vice president, had left office -- when Biden would have had no ability to influence U.S. policy. Smirnov transformed his routine and unextraordinary business contacts with Burisma in 2017 and later into bribery allegations against Public Official 1, the presumptive nominee of one of the two major political parties for President, after expressing bias against Public Official 1 and his candidacy, the indictment said. He repeated some of the false claims when he was interviewed by FBI agents in September 2023 and changed his story about others and promoted a new false narrative after he said he met with Russian officials, prosecutors said. If convicted, Smirnov faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. The charges were filed by Justice Department special counsel David Weiss, who has separately charged Hunter Biden with firearm and tax violations. The Burisma allegations became a flashpoint in Congress as Republicans pursuing investigations of President Joe Biden and his family demanded the FBI release the unredacted form documenting the allegations. They acknowledged they couldnt confirm if the allegations were true. Comer had subpoenaed the FBI last year for the so-called FD-1023 document as Republicans deepened their probe of Biden and his son Hunter ahead of the 2024 presidential election. President Joe Biden, center, talks to his grandson Beau, left, as son Hunter Biden, right, looks on after dining at The Ivy in Los Angeles, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Today is Hunter Biden's birthday. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)AP Working alongside Comer, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa released an unclassified document that Republicans at the time claimed was significant in their investigation of Hunter Biden. It added to information that had been widely aired during Donald Trumps first impeachment trial involving Trump attorney Rudy Giulianis efforts to dig up dirt on the Bidens ahead of the 2020 election. After Grassley released the document, the White House said the claims in it had been debunked for years. The impeachment inquiry into Biden over his sons business dealings has lagged in the House, but the panel is pushing ahead with its work. Hunter Biden is expected to appear before the committee later this month. His attorney, Abbe Lowell, said he had long warned the probe was based on lies told by people with political agendas, not facts. We were right and the air is out of their balloon. A judge set a detention hearing for Feb. 20 for Smirnov, who was arrested at the Las Vegas airport after arriving in the U.S. from overseas. Associated Press writers Ken Ritter in Las Vegas and Eric Tucker contributed to this report. By WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY, Associated Press RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) More than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, the territorys Health Ministry said Monday, marking another grim milestone in the deadliest round of violence in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until total victory against Hamas, raising fears that troops will soon move into the southernmost town of Rafah on the Egyptian border, where over half of Gazas 2.3 million people have sought refuge from fighting elsewhere. The Health Ministry said 107 bodies were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours. That brings the total number of fatalities to 29,092 since the start of the war. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its records, but says around two-thirds of those killed were women and children. It says over 69,000 Palestinians have been wounded. The Health Ministry is part of the Hamas-run government in Gaza but maintains detailed records of casualties. Its figures from previous wars in Gaza have largely matched those of U.N. agencies, independent experts and even Israels own tallies. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostage. More than 100 captives were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November in exchange for 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Militants still hold around 130, a fourth of them believed to be dead. Israel responded to the attack by launching one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history on the besieged enclave, which has been ruled by Hamas since 2007. Israel says it has killed over 10,000 Palestinian militants, without providing evidence. The military says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames the high death toll on Hamas because the militant group fights in dense residential neighborhoods. The military says 236 of its soldiers have been killed since the start of the ground offensive in late October. Palestinian crowds struggle to buy bread from a bakery in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. International aid agencies say Gaza is suffering from shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies as a result of the war between Israel and Hamas. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)AP The war, which shows no sign of ending, has driven around 80% of the Palestinians in Gaza from their homes and has left a quarter of the population starving, according to U.N. officials. On Sunday, Benny Gantz, a retired general and a member of Netanyahus three-man War Cabinet, warned that the offensive would expand to Rafah if the hostages are not freed by the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin around March 10. The holy month of dawn-to-dusk fasting is often a time of heightened tensions in the region. Israel has said it is developing plans to evacuate civilians from Rafah, but its not clear where they would go in the devastated territory, large areas of which have been flattened. Egypt has sealed the border and warned that any mass influx of Palestinians could threaten its decades-old peace treaty with Israel. The United States, Israels top ally, says it is still working with mediators Egypt and Qatar to try to broker another cease-fire and hostage release agreement. But those efforts appear to have stalled in recent days. Netanyahu has rejected what he says are delusional demands by Hamas. The militant group has said it wont release all of the remaining hostages until Israel ends the war and withdraws from Gaza. It is also demanding the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants. Magdy reported from Cairo Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard. You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa at this link, or on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, and Stitcher. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit! Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | February 19, 2024 Three of six men in connection with a Philadelphia carjacking ring could face the death penalty. Another municipality is considering decriminalizing weed. Some of you could get a letter from the IRS. Finally, things get fishy in Fishtown. Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa. Todays episode refers to the following articles: If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too. As sponsored by Renewal by Anderson of Central PA. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman took his political bluntness to another level over the weekend when he used some very off-color language to compliment President Joe Biden. Biden is our guy. Biden is the only American whos ever beat Trump in an election, said Fetterman, according to politicususa.com, as he spoke to the audience at the Washoe Democratic Partys annual Crab Feed in Nevada. Biden is one tough mother [expletive] I was proud to stand with him and campaign with him, and we sent Dr. Oz back to New Jersey. Repairs to damage in the Pennsylvania House chamber caused by a busted pipe above the ornate ceiling were completed a month ahead of schedule. Now the scaffolding used to do that work is moving to the Senate chamber for a project there, according to House Speaker Joanna McClinton. She reported on her website the amount of damage to the ceiling caused by the water leak last winter was not serious. The Capitol Preservation Committee has inspected and signed off on the repairs, she said. Police say a 51-year-old mother is dead after allegedly being attacked by in a family home in St-Basile-le-Grand, just east of Montreal. Police tape is shown at a crime scene in Toronto on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey The spread of connectivity has transformed the economies of multiple developing markets enabling citizens from Asia, Africa and Latin America to tap into a myriad of information and services. People in emerging markets have taken up mobile money to improve daily productivity, gain access to education through the internet, and broaden their horizons with insight to other cultures thanks to the proliferation of connectivity. Connectivity is far from the great equaliser for emerging markets, but it is a vital tool to speed up the development of rising economies. However, it can only blossom with right decisions from stakeholders and support from governments. The Nepalese market saw a massive bombshell in December as Axiata-owned Ncell, one of Nepals largest operators, announced its decision to sell its unit and exit after only seven years. Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Axiata Vivek Sood said at the time: It has led the Axiata board to conclude, after a thorough process, that our foray in Nepal cannot continue due to the unfavourable conditions for Axiata, the uncertain regulatory and tax environment, and the looming risks associated with the expiry of the mobile licence in 2029. Axiata entered Nepal after acquiring holding company Reynolds which held 80% of Ncell shares in 2016 for US$1.3 billion. The operator group paid NPR 47 billion (US$353.6 million) in taxes on top but the government reassessed the acquisition in 2021 and found a further NPR 57.9 billion (US$435.6 million) needed to be paid. It was not only Axiata that has butted heads with the Nepalese government. Smart Telecom which operated under the Smart Cell brand had its licence revoked in April 2023, for repeatedly failing to pay for its renewal fee and subsequent fines totalling US$151 million. The operator was also scrutinised in 2019 for failing to make its payments. It seems to be a dire period for the Nepalese telecoms market which only opened its telecom market to other providers in 2003. Developing Telecoms spoke to analyst company Mordor Intelligence for more insight into Nepal, and why traversing the Nepalese market requires a strong fellowship and whether the government has been heavy-handed. Stiff competition The Nepalese telecoms sector is fiercely contested by four players: state-owned Nepal Telecom, Ncell Axiata Limited, Smart Telecom Private Limited, and Nepal Satellite Telecom. Mordor Intelligence noted that the Nepalese government had long pointed out issues on dominance from larger players Ncell and Smart, and had taken steps to foster fair competition and reduce levels of rivalry. Axiata was forced by Nepalese courts to pay the extra tax and dismissed its claims under bilateral investment contracts. The verdict strengthened Nepals capacity to enforce tax laws and regulatory compliance, setting a model for global firms. Axiata blasted conditions in Nepal, emphasising the expiration of its licence in 2029, double taxation, potential expropriation of Axiatas stake by the government, and unfavourable foreign investment policies, said Mordor Intelligence analysts. Unfortunately battles between the operators and the government caused delays in expected procurement of Smart assets and licence sales. Mordor Intelligence also noted how Nepal's telecom earnings fell by 42% in the previous fiscal year due to expensive licence costs, shifting client preferences, and foreign exchange losses. Challenges in the regulatory environment, such as capital gains tax, further compound the industry's difficulties. Around US$1.8 billion is required in investment from the sector to attain universal access to high-quality connectivity by 2030. But operators have faced immense pressure due to the recent decline in revenues and profits, and unfair taxation which Axiata faced. Deployment of 4G in emerging markets is still underutilised and such is the case in Nepal, which makes 5G deployment further away as the technology requires three times more investment that 4G. Nepal needs its industries to coordinate as it faces the challenges of power supply issues, high network infrastructure, and poor sustainable policies, said Mordor Intelligence. After what seems to be several steps back, it will be interesting to see how the Nepalese telecoms market develops from here. Nepal will drop down to only two operators if Axiata is granted a smooth exit - however, that is being contested in court. More competition only benefits subscribers through more affordable devices and tariffs, actions must be taken now to prevent any further decline and prevent the slow march back to a monopoly. A Toronto police car is pictured on Driftwood Avenue in Toronto, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. Some residents in a northwest Toronto neighbourhood say they're feeling uneasy after two people were shot while waiting for buses at the same intersection less than a day apart. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey Want to join the PokerNews Team for the 2024 WSOP in Las Vegas? Find Out How! February 19, 2024 PokerNews Staff If you have a passion for poker, a knack for writing, and have always wanted to get closer to the action, PokerNews wants you to join our team of live reporters for the 2024 World Series of Poker (May 28-July 17) and beyond. What does a PokerNews Live Reporter do? Our live reporters travel the globe to bring fans live coverage of pokers biggest events. The PokerNews team is the exclusive live reporting partner of the WSOP and an official live reporting partner for PokerStars and other major events around the world. SUBMIT A WRITING SAMPLE NOW We are currently accepting writing samples as we solidify our team leading up to the 2024 WSOP in Las Vegas. If this opportunity sounds right for you, dont miss out on your chance to learn from our industry-leading group of experienced professionals in an exciting job that will help take your poker writing to the next level! A passion for poker and its players Strong communication skills in English (verbal and written) Able to work independently and be self-motivated Capable of adapting and multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment Prior writing experience is great, but we train motivated candidates 21 years of age or older Live Reporter Responsibilities Provide real-time coverage of live or online poker events and series Work directly with our editorial team to preview and recap events daily Conduct interviews with winners and other notable poker players Other opportunities to contribute editorial coverage to PokerNews Available to travel to events around the world For a glimpse at the PokerNews live reporting team in action, check out our coverage of the 2023 WSOP. Highly motivated and creative writers with a passion for poker are encouraged to send in writing samples to our management team. What's In It For You? Live reporters are compensated with a day rate on a per-event basis. You'll join a team that travels to Las Vegas in the summer, plus other events worldwide all year long to bring live updates to our readers. Additionally, PokerNews compensates live reporters for their travel time, accommodations, and living expenses throughout events. How To Get Involved If you think joining the PokerNews live reporting team might be right for you, submit a writing sample that meets the following criteria: Answer the prompt: In your own words, recap the record-breaking 2023 WSOP Main Event. Consider the following guidelines for your submission: No more than 500 words in length in length A short introduction with main points covered Highlight a pivotal hand from the event Give historical context to the field size Cover the bracelet-winning moment A short conclusion looking ahead to 2024 Your writing sample should be submitted in Word or PDF format format Include your name only. Other contact information is not necessary until later in the process, and we will respond via email Please do not submit a CV/resume until requested SUBMIT A WRITING SAMPLE NOW What Happens Next? We will do our best to respond to qualified candidates as soon as possible. If you meet the criteria, well invite you to a Zoom interview. PokerNews Podcast Special: Shaun Deeb Talks $800K Body Fat Prop Buyout & 2024 WSOP Schedule February 19, 2024 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S. On this special episode of the PokerNews Podcast sponsored by 888poker, Chad Holloway goes one-on-one with Shaun Deeb, who accepted a $800,000 buyout in his $1 million body fat prop bet against Bill Perkins. Nearly 11 months ago, the poker players agreed to a 14-month wager on Deeb's ability to bring his body fat composition down significantly. The bet had essentially no stipulations either get to 17% body fat by the start of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP), or lose $100,000. Last month, Deeb gave his X followers an update on his progress, and it was certainly positive in his favor. A January 25 Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan showed his body fat had dropped to 23.9% with still four months to go. That caused Perkins to begin proposing potential buyout possibilities on X, although nothing had been officially agreed upon. Shaun Deeb Accepts Buyout in $1 Million Body Fat Loss Prop Bet On Friday, he went in for another DEXA scan, and he was in even better shape 22.0% body fat composition. Then, on Saturday, the future Poker Hall of Famer informed his social media followers that Perkins had bought out of the bet for $800,000 just over three months from the start of the 2024 WSOP. Deeb shared all the details of his journey, why he opted to accept the buyout, and where he plans to go from here. Plus, hear his thoughts on the 2024 WSOP schedule. Remember there is one week left for the PokerNews Podcast WPT Voyage giveaway where one lucky winner will win a $4,000 cruise package. All you need to do is like, subscribe, and leave us a review. Then, share a screenshot on our social media posts and you'll be entered to win! Be sure to listen for details on how to enter, and be sure to review the Terms & Conditions of the competition. To leave a review for the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts click here; you can also leave on Spotify here. Listen to those stories and more on the latest episode of the PokerNews Podcast. Time Stamps Time Topic 00:01 Welcome to the show 00:40 Sponsor: 888poker 01:34 Shaun Deeb joins the show 02:38 Still going for 17% 04:00 Is the beard going? 04:45 Publicizing the buyout 05:55 How did you do it? 10:55 What was the most challenging thing you faced? 11:34 How Chad met Deebs wife 13:48 A lot of people didnt think you could do it 17:45 Do you have a celebration in mind once you hit your goal? 18:00 The story of Teds Fish Fry 19:37 Thoughts on the 2024 WSOP schedule 23:29 Who is Charlie? 25:32 When do you turn 40 and become eligible for Poker Hall of Fame? 25:54 Thinking of family 27:58 Aiming for abs 28:42 How much side action is there on this bet? Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway, Connor Richards, and Matt Hansen on Twitter. Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here! Sharelines PokerNews Podcast: @shaundeeb goes one-on-one with @ChadAHolloway about his $800K prop bet buyout. The 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Paris stop has been a roaring success so far inside Le Palais des Congres, and you only have to look at the record-breaking 1,100 FPS Main Event to see that. The mammoth-sized field of 4,149 entries has been whittled down to its final six players, who are competing for a share of the 1,357,360 that remains from the initial 3,983,040 prize pool. In pole position for the trophy and 470,830 first-place prize is Enis Rouissi, who ended todays session with a stack of 44,200,000, more than double his closest rival. Rouissi has modest results on the live felt, with his earnings standing at $23,562. A recreational player for the best part of 20 years, Rouissi has only started to take poker more seriously over the last year, travelling to various events. Rouissi also said he is playing without pressure, unlike the pros, as his career as a consultant means the money up top won't be life-changing. Kacper Pyzara Other big stacks in contention are Kacper Pyzara, Mateusz Moolhuizen and Yassine Baqal. Blaz Zerjav, and Scott Margereson prop up the finalists and will need to conjure up a bit of magic to have any hopes of being crowned as the champion. Each player has locked up a payout of at least 95,680, with the six-figure prizes being awarded from fifth place onwards. They will return at 12:30 p.m. CET on Monday, 19 February and will be on the feature table, where cards-up coverage will be streamed from 1 p.m. across the PokerStars YouTube and Twitch channels. Play will resume on Level 37 with 20:36 on the clock. Final Table Seat Draw Seat Name Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Scott Margereson United Kingdom 8,800,000 15 2 Blaz Zerjav Slovenian 9,800,000 16 3 Mateusz Moolhuizen Netherlands 20,800,000 35 4 Enis Rouissi France 44,200,000 74 5 Yassine Baqal France 19,900,000 33 6 Kacper Pyzara Poland 21,000,000 35 Pietro Corsi, Julien Duveau and Pierre Merlin had made the final table but were ousted late in the day. Corsi, who was chip-leading with a stack of 25 million at one point, was the first final table casualty. He doubled up Baqal, who then took the last of Corsis chips with pocket aces. Rouissi downed compatriot Duveau in eighth place, with Rouissi out-flopping Duveaus pocket threes, which pushed him over the 40 million mark and further cemented his chip lead. The final elimination of the day was scored by Pyzara, who made a wheel to see off Merlin. Final Table Payouts Place Name Country Prize 1 470,830 2 294,530 3 210,220 4 161,710 5 124,390 6 95,680 7 Pierre Merlin France 73,580 8 Julien Duveau France 56,590 9 Pietro Corsi Italy 43,540 Action from Day 3 Cecile Ticherfatine Day 3 started with 55 players, but the three-table redraw soon came around after a rapid start to the session. WCOOP $5,200 NL Hold'em Main Event winner David Kaufmann (44th - 8,710) and French grinders such as Dorian Melchers (42nd - 8,710) and Cecile Ticherfatine (39th - 10,040) were some of the notable names to bow out at this stage. Last years EPT Paris High Roller winner Diogo Coelho (23rd - 15,310) came into the day as one of the top ten stacks and he continued to head in an upward trajectory as he looked to claim his second major title. However, lady luck turned her back on him as he ran ace-king into aces and then had his own rockets cracked by Big Slick within minutes. Diogo Coelho Another shock elimination took place soon after as bracelet winner and Day 2 chip leader Ilija Savevski (18th - 17,600) saw his once monster stack evaporate before the final two tables were formed. Savevski, who had peaked at around 15 million in the early goings, took a bad beat from Duveau, which was the catalyst for the Frenchmans run to the final table. When the dinner break came around, just 15 players had chips in front of them. Alin Grasu departed on the first hand back from dinner after a rollercoaster runout and was followed to the payout desk by Bruno Benveniste, Maxim Panyak, Ramon Miquel and Adrian Andritz. With ten left, the most accomplished player still standing was Italys Gianluca Speranza. With nearly $5 million in live earnings and millions more online, he was a favorite to add another title to his exceptional resume. However, he found himself on the wrong side of the rail after losing the flip to Moolhuizen, who then finished off the Italian the following hand. His elimination set up the final table, which then saw the aforementioned Corsi, Duveau, and Merlin fall short of achieving poker glory. This concludes PokerNews Day 3 coverage of the FPS Main Event, but be sure to return for the finale, which gets going at 12:30 p.m. CET. PokerNews will also report on a 30-minute delay to keep the live stream spoiler free. The 1,100 PokerStars France Poker Series Main Event was a four-day grind of focus and determination at Le Palais des Congres, where players were looking to outlast the largest FPS field ever and earn a coveted trophy at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Paris. Of course, a little luck doesnt hurt either. After six opening flights, the massive field finally combined for Day 2, where title contenders would separate themselves from the pack. Of the 619 who returned from the starting field of 4,149 entries, Mateusz Moolhuizen began that day as one of the short stacks. Almost 60 hours later, the Dutchman was celebrating with fiancee and fellow poker pro Dehlia de Jong. It's like a dream, to be honest, because I started Day 2 with six big blinds, Moolhuizen said after his trophy ceremony. People came to me and they're like, how are you doing in the main? Well, I'm going to be there two or three minutes and then I'm going to have breakfast. But those plans changed quickly, as Moolhuizen recalled. After two hours I had 70, 80 big blinds and I was very, very hungry. So yeah, I had an insane run. Obviously, I was very lucky. Luck was only part of the equation, as the 34-year-old used a timely bluff and a fortunate run of cards to add this title to an impressive poker resume. Moolhuizen's list of career wins includes victories over other large fields, but it marks his first in a PokerStars Main Event. Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize (EUR) 1 Mateusz Moolhuizen Netherlands 470,830 2 Blaz Zerjav Slovenia 294,530 3 Yassine Baqal France 210,220 4 Enis Rouissi France 161,710 5 Kacper Pyzara Poland 124,390 6 Scott Margereson United Kingdom 95,680 7 Pierre Merlin France 73,580 8 Julien Duveau France 56,590 9 Pietro Corsi Italy 43,540 Winners Reaction The record-breaking field this week generated a whopping 3,983,040 prize pool, and the final six players entered Day 4 ready to battle for the title. Moolhuizen sat third in chips to start, but was able to navigate his way to the win. He was admitted tired after a long session to bag the previous night, and did not get much rest ahead of the final day. I couldn't sleep, said Moolhuizen, I slept like, four hours. But the adrenaline just keeps you going anyway, right? Not only was he able to stay awake, but the newly crowned champion also used meditation to control the adrenaline. I'll be very honest. I don't do it enough. But it's good to keep calm. Mateusz Moolhuizen With his fiancee cheering from the rail, Moolhuizen gave the couple one reason to feel more attached to the host city of Paris. Another will come in just a few months. I mean, it's the city of love and getting married in France he explained. It's amazing. That's the story for sure, for sure. Final Table Action The final table marked the start of the PokerStars livestream here in Paris, and action was quick right from the start. Less than 30 minutes into the day, Moolhuizen scored the first knockout. Scott Margereson entered as the short stack and was unable to catch a set before exiting in sixth place. From there, things slowed down until Kacper Pyzara got unlucky against start-of-day chip leader Enis Rouissi to finish in fifth position. Despite entering the day with a commanding advantage, Rouissi was the next to go in fourth when his queens ran into the kings of Blaz Zerjav. Throughout much of the day, Yassine Baqal was on a short stack but managed to survive four consecutive all-ins. The last two came at the expense of Zerjav, but the Slovenian pro finally got his revenge and sent Baqal home in third place. Blaz Zerjav & Mateusz Moolhuizen Heads Up Play That left Moolhuizen and Zerjav to fight for the title, and the two had tangled in a key pot hours earlier. Moolhuizen got a bluff through after risking almost his entire stack, propelling him back into contention at that point. The heads-up battle began with virtually even stacks, and the two combatants traded the lead before Moolhuizen was able to pull away. A key turn card left the Dutchman with a massive chip advantage, and the stacks were all in soon after with Zerjav coming up short. With a big victory under his belt here in Paris, Moolhuizen will try to get some rest before jumping into the EPT Main Event. Tomorrow, I'll be definitely tired, he said before leaving the feature table stage. I'm not looking forward to playing tomorrow now, a day later. It's a position everybody wants to be in, but I'll probably be less talkative tomorrow on the table. Perhaps his play can do the talking again, as he begins the quest for a rare double at an EPT stop. Mateusz Moolhuizen This concludes the PokerNews coverage of the FPS Main Event, but our live reporting from Paris continues. Check out our event hub for all of the action at Le Palais des Congres, and look out for coverage of major events elsewhere around the poker world. Indias Unified Payment Interface (UPI) has made its official debut in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, with Nepal reportedly next on the list as Indias real-time payments system continues its international expansion. UPI was officially launched in Sri Lanka last week via a partnership with NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Sri Lankan national payments system LankaPay. Sri Lankan businesses on the LankaPay network can now seamlessly accept payments from UPI-powered applications. Dialog Axiatas fintech unit, Dialog Finance, said that its genie Business Fintech Solutions is amongst the first 12 acquirers in the country to accept UPI transactions. UPI payments are now available at Dialog Experience Centres, including Bandaranaike International Airport and the Dialog Iconic Experience Centre in Colombo. Renuka Fernando, chairperson of Dialog Finance, said that genie Business partners such as Taj Samudra Colombo, Ministry of Crab, The Bayleaf, Shoulders by Harpos, Harpos Pizza outlets, King of the Mambo by Galle Face Hotel and The Station Restaurant, now accept UPI payments. LankaPay chairman Dr. Kenneth De Zilwa said he expects adoption to ramp up quickly. We plan to onboard approximately 10,000 merchants for UPI payments within three weeks, reaching 65,000 by March 2024. De Zilwa also said the partnership with UPI and genie Business not only benefits tourists, SMEs, MSMEs but also lays the foundation for the future enabling Sri Lanka and LankaPay to expand into trade and investment banking products in phase 2, thereby, contributing to the revenue growth of the multiple sectors, and industries, creating new business models, and in doing so fostering deeper economic ties between Sri Lanka and India." UPI payments were also simultaneously enabled in Mauritius. That launch also included Indias RuPay credit card, which is now accepted in Mauritius. Under that scheme, banks in Mauritius can issue RuPay cards domestically. Meanwhile, according to Indian newspaper Mint, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signed and exchanged terms of reference with Nepal Rastra Bank on Friday to integrate UPI with Nepals National Payments Interface (NPI) for cross-border remittances. The UPI launches in Sri Lanka and Mauritius come hot on the heels of the news earlier this month that NPCI had struck a partnership with French payment services firm Lyra Network to enable UPI payments in France, starting with purchasing tickets for the Eiffel Tower. Last month, Google India Digital Services signed an MoU with NIPL to broaden the use of UPI payments for travellers outside of India to make transactions abroad. Day 1 of the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Paris 50k Super High Roller has concluded for the day here at the Palais de Congres. Juan Pardo leads the way in chips with 919,000 after eight hour-long levels. "Malaka$tyle" finished fifth in the 10,300 EPT High Roller at the last EPT stop in Prague, cashing for 129,900. Rounding out the top three is recent EPT Paris 10,200 Mystery Bounty winner Duco ten Haven. He bagged a stack worth 897,000 putting him second in chips. As well as winning the 2024 EPT Paris 10,200 Mystery Bounty he also scooped the biggest bounty worth 50,000. Niklas Astedt currently sits third in chips with 810,000. Astedt will be looking to build on his second place finish in the second 2024 EPT Paris 25,000 NL Hold'em which concluded this evening. Day 1 Top Ten Chip Counts Place Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Juan Pardo Spain 919,000 184 2 Duco ten Haven Netherlands 897,000 179 3 Niklas Astedt Sweden 736,000 147 4 Sirzat Hissou Germany 771,000 154 5 Kayhan Mokri Norway 686,000 137 6 Timothy Adams Canada 591,000 118 7 Aleksejs Ponakovs Latvia 581,000 116 8 Pieter Aerts Belgium 581,000 116 9 Stephen Chidwick United Kingdom 538,000 108 10 Thomas Boivin Belgium 516,000 103 Duco ten Haven Notable names to appear include Artur Martirosian, who fired two bullets in this event. He was the first player to bust in this tournament before firing a second bullet which was also unsuccessful. Adrian Mateos fresh off his second place finish to Stephen Chidwick in the first EPT Paris 25,000 NL Hold'em also fired two unsuccessful bullets in today's event. Bert Stevens, better known as "Girafganger7" made a rare live appearance here in Paris and fired one bullet. Coming back for Day 2 tomorrow is Sirzat Hissou who has been well in the mix today. The German ran deep in the 10,200 Mystery Bounty here in Paris, finishing fourth for 44,800. He currently sits in fourth place with 771,000. Highest on England's tournament earnings list, Stephen Chidwick will also be returning on Day 2. Having already won the first 25,000 NL Hold'em, he will be looking to claim a second title in quick succession in this event. Late registration stays open overnight, closing at the start of Day 2. Play will resume tomorrow with the players battling to win a slice of 2,446,080 at 12:30 p.m. with blinds at 2,000/5,000 with a 5,000 big blind ante. There are 12 minutes and 45 seconds left on the clock for this level. Stay tuned to PokerNews for continued coverage of this exciting Super High Roller event. Kristen Welker tried to tell Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) that Biden wasnt resonating with voters and Klobuchar was having none of it. Transcript via Meet The Press: KRISTEN WELKER: Senator, let me just follow up with you a little bit here because you cite those figures on the economy and yet the vast majority of Americans say they are not feeling it, when it comes to the economy. They give President Biden low marks on the economy. Its not resonating with voters. Why do you think you obviously ran against President Biden in 2020. He promised that, essentially, he would build a bridge to the next generation. Do you think its time to pass the torch? To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR: Again, Im a believer in President Biden because I believe he is a good moral person that has the backs of the people of this country. And just the examples I cited as time and time again people have sided with that over election deniers and the like. So, I am proud to be supporting Joe Biden for president. As far as the challenges, the challenges are real. And that is why, not just President Biden but many of us in the Senate, have been leading the way on bringing down costs. Youve got to not just talk the talk Welker then interrupted Klobuchar because she was seeking to divide Democrats and seemed to come from the school of thought that objectivity equals confronting Democrats with Republican talking points. Video: Welkers entire basis for her points was Republican talking points and polls. Members of the media never seem to ask themselves how Democrats keep winning elections if the polls are representing an accurate view of the country. If the economy is such a drag. how do Democrats keep winning elections? Klobuchar wasnt putting up with the mainstream medias talking points on Biden. Democrats need to do what Sen. Klobuchar did. She rejected Welkers premise and reframed the question about what the election is likely to be about, as the conventional wisdom of the press will likely be wrong in November. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. Presidents Day, normally observed on the third Monday in February, may have a little extra meaning for Bob Low, particularly by way of his work in the 1980s as a haberdasher also known as a clothier in Washington, D.C. The Cedar Creek resident, a native of Westerly, Rhode Island, became acquainted with a World War II veteran from New England who went on to become a Texas-based businessman, diplomat and politician. President George Herbert Walker Bush was a regular customer of Low's at the Arthur A. Adler shop on Connecticut Avenue, a few blocks from the White House. "I had him as president for two years and as vice president for eight years," said Low, a 1974 graduate of St. Lawrence University. He made the presidential connection by way of acquaintance Matt Smith in 1980. "Matt Smith was an aide to Vice President Bush at the time. He came over the first couple of weeks, when he took his position in the White House, and I happened to work with Matt, and he liked the way I treated him and gave him good customer service, and we had very, very fine men's clothing," Low recalled. "I did not know he worked in the White House. He went over and told Vice President Bush, 'Hey, I've got a guy for you: Bob Low. I've got a store for you: Arthur A. Adler. Let's go over there sometime,' and Vice President Bush said, 'OK, let's do it.'" The initial phone connection from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to Low's workplace occurred around February 1981, with the announcement that "the vice president wants to come over and do some shopping," Low recalled. "I said, 'This'll be pretty neat. The vice president's coming over. This will be nice,' and unbeknownst to me, here comes Matt Smith, bringing the vice president right to me, and introducing me to Vice President Bush, and I just said, 'Holy smokes, here we go,' and I established myself with him and had a good rapport, and that's kind of how it all started." Scottie Scheffler has become the first player in the 50 years of The Players Championship to win back-to-back. This was the hardest. Not only was he dealing with neck pain all week, he started the final round five shots behind. Scheffler closed with a 64. That matches the lowest final round by a winner. He also tied a Players Championship record with a five-shot comeback. U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, British Open champion Brian Harman and Xander Schauffele all finished one shot behind. All of them had their chances over the final three holes to force a playoff. Read moreScheffler goes back-to-back in Players Championship in Sunday thriller at Sawgrass An Augusta man who'd been missing for more than a month was found dead Saturday evening near the intersection of Silver Bluff Road and Atomic Road, according to a statement from the Aiken County Coroner's Office. The deceased was identified as Demon Antwan Parrish, 31, and plans are for an autopsy in Newberry to determine the cause of death. His death has been deemed suspicious. Coroner Darryl Ables said the property owner found the body at 6:05 p.m. Feb. 17 in a wooded area on the 3500 block of Silver Bluff Road. The Aiken County Sheriff's Office and Richmond County Sheriff's Office are engaged with Ables' office in the investigation. Parrish was last seen Jan. 8 on Mill Street in Augusta and was wearing pink sweatpants and a black jacket, according to a media release the Richmond County Sheriff's Office issued last month. He was last active on social media the following day and was reported missing Jan. 10 The office announced Jan. 19 that Caleb "Honcho" White, 21, is wanted for questioning in Parrish's disappearance. He is also wanted on a charge of theft by receiving stolen property. Berkeley County Governments Project SEARCH class was named the 2023 Volunteer of the Year by the Salvation Army of Charleston. Pictured, from left, is Daniel Davidson, a teacher with Berkeley County School District, students Jaxx Noel, Madison Wilder, Nilay Washington and Adam McQueary, and Nikita Byrd, SC Vocational Rehabilitation Job Coach with Project SEARCH Berkeley. The Berkeley County Library System (BCLS) is hosting a Spotlight on Local Women of Note from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, at Moncks Corner Library, 1003 Highway 52 in Moncks Corner. Read moreBCLS hosting Spotlight on Local Women of Note GREENWOOD Teresa Goodman first went to college as a toddler. During this late 1970s visit to South Carolina State University, the future executive director of a Greenwood-based nonprofit was not yet a student. After visiting her parents' alma mater in Orangeburg constantly throughout her childhood in Clinton, her decision was made. In 1994, she'd become a third-generation SCSU Bulldog. And during that year, Goodman's freshman year, the campus had a visitor: civil rights leader Cleveland Sellers. "He really ignited in me that there was a reason and a place for the defense of those who needed representation and who didn't have equity in our communities," Goodman said of Sellers, who 26 years earlier had witnessed a group of SCSU students protesting a segregated bowling alley. The protests would lead to the Orangeburg Massacre on Feb. 8, 1968. Three students were killed and at least 28 were injured as law enforcement officers fired buckshot into the crowd of students. Sellers, a prominent member of the Student Nonviolence Coordinating Committee and a proponent of Black Power, was the only person arrested and, ultimately convicted, on a riot charge. Sellers' words, about standing up and fighting for those who may not have the resources to fight for themselves, caused something to click for Goodman. "Unbeknownst to me at that time, that started the kind of thought process of what direction my life was going to go in," she said. About 17 percent of families in Greenwood County live below the poverty line, according to the State Department of Health and Environmental Control. Just under 13 percent of residents go without health insurance, and around 17 percent have delayed seeing a doctor in the past year due to cost. The Upstate county, with a population of 66,000, has a food insecurity rate of about 12 percent, according to Feeding America. That's where she met her husband of 25-plus years. They aren't solely focused on Umoja Village. Wesby said she and her husband are matchmakers, too. I enjoy seeing other people experience that type of bond," she said. I love trying to put people together. She likes to help people achieve their goals. I love seeing people give their best in what they are assigned to do, she said. Humble beginnings I am a person who loves God, who loves life, I love my family, I love myself, I love family and people in general, she said. It all started with how I was raised." Wesby remembers when her family would sing gospel music a cappella and develop the harmonies. Harmony is a great metaphor for life because it requires listening, letting someone else lead and being part of a team. I think our whole family singing a cappella forced you to appreciate harmony, and also tricked me into believing in the sanity of unity, togetherness and love, she said. Coming from a tight-knit family, she was mostly raised by her mother Betty, and her extended family grandparents, aunt and uncles. She said her family taught her the value of a good education. She was competitive in school and earned good grades. I remember one of my uncles would give me a dollar for every 'A' that I made, she said. English was Wesby's favorite subject in school. She loves language, she said. I have always been an avid writer, she said. It has helped her with the marketing and communication needs of her work. Wesby said she had plenty of father figures in her life, including a former longtime pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Aiken, Alf Mills Jr., and Ronnie Mckie. Both of those men had their own families, but because they gave of themselves, their families allowed them to be (good to her), she said. Because so many people poured time and energy into her life, Wesby said she feels compelled to give back. Is there a humanitarian crisis in Cuba? In DIARIO DE CUBA, three experts discuss the aptness of the term to describe the situation on the island. Since 2021, when the shortage of basic products worsened in Cuba and the Covid-19 pandemic overwhelmed the health system, independent media sources have often stated that the island is suffering a humanitarian crisis. In DIARIO DE CUBA, three experts weigh in on the extent to which this description of the country's situation is fitting, taking into account the features characterizing such a crisis. "We speak of a humanitarian crisis when a given country, area, or population region, due to armed conflicts, natural disasters or the deterioration of the economy, suffers widespread crises such as high levels of mortality and malnutrition, the spread of diseases or epidemics, health emergencies, and a lack of drinking water and food security. This situation leads to insecurity, inequality, widespread poverty, an atmosphere of violence, and constant shortcomings in basic services," said former Cuban judge Edel Gonzalez Jimenez. "In the face of such deterioration, and when the country suffering from the crisis is not capable of mitigating it, humanitarian aid or intervention is essential to meet the needs of the population at risk: food distribution, health care, the reconstruction of infrastructures of all kinds, etc.," he added. Regarding the situation on the island, Gonzalez Jimenez points to "the hunger and malnutrition of millions of Cubans, overcrowding, a lack of resources to access or maintain decent housing, social insecurity due to the growing devaluation of money, inequality, violations of the law and values, the flight of young emigrants, the return of eradicated diseases, and the lack of means to combat existing ones, as well as the negative child mortality figures." According to the jurist, Cuba is not going through a humanitarian crisis, despite all the ills that plague it, "but it is moving in that direction." Yaxis Cires, Strategy Director at the Cuban Human Rights Observatory (OCDH), is if a different opinion. "There is a humanitarian crisis in Cuba," he says. "88% of Cuban families are living in extreme poverty, according to our 6th Study of Social Rights in Cuba. It is difficult to find an area of national life not affected by the humanitarian crisis that Cuba is suffering," argues the Cuban lawyer. "At the end of 2019 we began sounding the alarm, with data in hand, that a serious humanitarian crisis was looming, largely due to the rapid increase in poverty and the inefficiency of essential systems, such as health, education, aqueducts, energy, etc.; and even due to the growing climate of violence," he said. "Abroad, we found people who rejected our data and paid more attention to the information provided by the Cuban government and some international organizations. The regime hid this information because it wanted to continue exporting doctors and building hotels. The pandemic's arrival in 2020 accelerated the crisis and laid bare a country that was falling apart. In fact, while the world is currently recovering, little by little, from the effects of the pandemic years, Cuba remains bogged down and with a bad prognosis," Cires explains. Peruvian researcher Aristides Vara Horna, the Academic Coordinator of the independent Cubadata project, agrees with the OCDH's Strategy Director. "Cuba is currently facing a situation that could be described as a humanitarian crisis," says the director of the Research Institute at the University of San Martin de Porres School of Administrative Sciences and Human Resources, taking into account the studies carried out by the Cubadata polling firm. "Reports indicate serious difficulties on the island, especially as regards access to food, adequate medical care, citizen security, and housing, as well as severe restrictions on the exercise of civil and political rights. These problems are exacerbated by growing government repression. In addition, the situation seems to be steadily deteriorating, which increases the urgency of an effective intervention," he explained. As regards what the Cuban government should do to reverse the situation in the country, the three interviewees agree. Gonzalez Jimenez believes that the island's authorities must adopt "radical transition measures as soon as possible." Cires believes that it will be impossible to reverse the humanitarian crisis "if the Cuban regime does not take bold measures. A country's ability to cope with a crisis like the current one depends largely on its economic stability, the government's ability to raise funds on the international financial market, institutional credibility, and the prosperity of families (which have functioned elsewhere as support networks) among other factors, which are currently negative." "Cuba needs an urgent liberalization of private initiative, a true engine of prosperity; a process that must be combined with urgent policies in favor of the poorest, because the situation of destitution is so serious that there are those who cannot wait. The regime, instead, has opted to raise the costs of essential public services, eliminate subsidies, increase the price of fuel, and continue with an economy based on state monopolies run by the privileged. There is no plan to stimulate economic growth and combat hunger," he concluded. "The Cuban government faces an urgent need to implement significant and urgent economic and political reforms. These reforms must not only address the immediate causes of the crisis, such as food shortages and health problems, but also ensure decent housing and the protection of fundamental rights. The Government's current policies, however, are proving to be ineffective and improvised, suggesting that profound changes are required in the management of public policies," said Vara Horna. The researcher believes that, in addition to domestic measures, the situation in Cuba requires "a coordinated and committed response by the international community." "It is critical that immediate humanitarian assistance be provided to mitigate food shortages and health concerns. At the same time, it is vital that diplomatic pressure be exerted on the Cuban Government to improve living conditions and promote respect for human rights. In addition, the international community can play a key role by providing technical and economic support to facilitate sustainable and effective reform," he said. Cires, for his part, stated that "it is the Cuban regime that has the power to reverse the situation, but it does not want to pay the political price for doing so. Throughout human history there are examples of countries that have taken advantage of international aid to build free and prosperous systems, with some standing out as welfare states. In the Cuban case this has not worked out, despite the flow of money that the regime has received; first, from the USSR; then, from Venezuela; and even, albeit to a lesser extent, from the exiles themselves. " LEXINGTON Voodoo Brewing Co., a Pennsylvania-based brewpub chain, will open its first location in the Midlands, and its third in South Carolina, on Main Street in Lexington. The national brewing chain with a handful of locations across the country is set to take up nearly 5,000 square feet at 102 W. Main St., according to a press release from real estate group Trinity Partners. In the same building, Asian fusion chain TakoSushi and Molto Vino, a wine bar with another location in Forest Acres, are also set to open. The building, which is set to be completely occupied by the three businesses by the end of 2024, is in the heart of Lexington's downtown. The area has grown immensely in recent years, with a bustling food and drink scene that includes local spots like O'Hara's Public House and unique night-out opportunities like Craft Axe Throwing. The brewery is set to open by the end of the year, according to the release. It joins two other South Carolina locations one in Murrells Inlet, which opened in October of last year, and one in Fountain Inn. Another location is planned for this year in Myrtle Beach. Voodoo, which is known for new age IPAs and eccentrically designed cans, joins other chain breweries to locate in the state as smaller brewpubs struggle with rising costs of business. Iron Hill Brewing, a Delaware-based brewery and restaurant, opened in the growing BullStreet District in the summer of last year. KIAWAH ISLAND Kiawah Partners, the owner of Captain Sams Spit, has an offered to sell the disputed property to the state of South Carolina for $40 million. The offer, which was made in December, includes the transfer of Beachwalker Park, which is leased to Charleston County. Kiawah Partners would drop a lawsuit filed against the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the state in 2009, which alleges that the repeated denial of permits to build homes and infrastructure on the spit has resulted in financial loss for the developer. If the state refuses the offer, the lawsuit would proceed, extending a legal battle thats been going on for more than 15 years over development rights on the land. It has become very clear ... just how important (Captain Sams Spit) is to so many different people, said Chris Randolph of Kiawah Partners. Because of legal interventions, building homes and infrastructure on the land no longer is an option. The offer would be a win for the state, a win for Kiawah Partners and its investors, and a win for those who want the spit to remain undeveloped, Randolph said. If were able to find this mutually beneficial solution with a bargain sale price to the state and putting to bed all of the potential liability, ... we think that is a deal thats good for the state and really is a legacy for us and the island, he said. The takings case Captain Sams Spit is a delicate, teardrop-shaped piece of sandy land on the southern tip of Kiawah Island. From 2008 to 2022, Kiawah Partners (before 2013, it was called Kiawah Development Partners) attempted to secure permits to build 50 luxury homes on the property and the infrastructure needed to protect the area from flooding and erosion. The S.C. Supreme Court eventually ruled to deny all permits and confirmed the spits value as a public, natural resource. In South Carolina, a medical dilemma is unfolding as the popularity of the diabetes drug Ozempic surges even more for weight loss, causing a shortage for some patients. Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, has long been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for diabetes treatment. Its higher-dose Wegovy gained approval for weight loss in 2021. The surge in off-label use for weight management, fueled by celebrity endorsements and social media hype, has contributed to a nationwide shortage, leaving patients particularly those with diabetes in a precarious spot. "For patients with diabetes, maintaining consistent glycemic control is paramount," said Dr. Jeremy Byrd, an obesity medicine physician for Prisma Health. "Any disruption in their medication regimen can have profound effects on their health." Many insurance carriers also no longer cover semaglutide for weight-loss purposes, disrupting the plans for patients using the medication to treat obesity. Dr. Sarah Minter, an endocrinologist for Roper St. Francis, said a few of her patients have already gained some weight back since the drug is no longer widely available. "It's devastating," Minter said. "Patients that were doing so well have regained their weight." Minter noted that Roper has "never fully used semaglutide as an off-label, weight-loss medication and selects patients based on comorbidities." "Unfortunately, obesity is not viewed by many as the chronic disease that it is," Minter added. "It's very much insurer-dependent." The shortage, first identified in 2022, has been exacerbated by the drug's increased popularity for weight loss. The phenomenon is accelerated by influential figures like celebrity/trendsetter Oprah Winfrey and comedian/actor Tracy Morgan, who endorsed Ozempic as a transformative solution. Byrd said he has noticed a significant increase in the number of patients requesting semaglutide since the drug's approval for weight loss by the FDA. However, he has since has shifted patients to alternatives like oral medications that have been known to be less effective than injectables at treating obesity. The 34th Annual SC BBQ Shag Festival kicks off on Thursday, March 21, at the recreation park and ball fields in Hemingway. This year the festival runs from March 21-24. The four-day event features music, vendors, BBQ and fun for the whole family. First held in 1987, the event has grown to at Read moreSC BBQ Shag Festival kicks off March 21 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 MYRTLE BEACH Her eyes dropped and brow knitted as her husband spoke. It has shaken us to our core. Our sense of security, our sense of safety has been pierced, Shawn Williams said of watching a cross burning near his Conway-area home on Thanksgiving weekend. We are hurting today. But ultimately, we're here. Shawn and Monica Williams, Black Army veterans, are dealing with the fallout from a White couple burning a cross near the home where they had planned to retire. They said the insult of the flames was mixed with racial slurs and threats shouted at them. The ripple effects have led the couple to speak to state lawmakers about the need for a hate crimes law, which would strengthen penalties and increase jail time for offenses targeting protected groups. South Carolina and Wyoming are the only states that haven't passed this type of legislation. South Carolina fired the first shot to start the Civil War, and we're still fighting the same Civil War, Shawn Williams said. This has got to stop. The couple campaigned for that legislation during a Feb. 18 Beachside Chat at the Myrtle Beach Colored School, a museum that's a replica of a segregation-era school in the city. The Beachside Chat sessions emerged after the 2020 murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minnesota that sparked national protests. Cookie Goings and her staff with the citys Neighborhood Services Department answered the protests with the quiet conversations. The gatherings were designed to help people of different backgrounds and races come together and understand one another. The chats have continued each month since, and the Feb. 18 one drew 75 people. During the talk, the Williamses urged the audience to contact state legislators and demand a hate crime law. The S.C. House of Representatives has passed the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act, which would tack five years onto prison sentences and a fine of up to $10,000 if crimes had been committed because of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability. But the bill is stuck in the Senate, where it must pass before being presented to the governor for his signature. A retail icon in cities across America from 1896 until the 1980s, S.H. Kress & Co. stores were renowned for their architectural excellence. Among Charlestons most notable art deco buildings, its store at 281 King St., circa 1931, features exotic Mayan Revival details in butterscotch terra cotta with decorative festoons and geometric motifs. Kress stores appealed to urban as well as small-town and rural customers. An article in an old Sandlapper magazine opined that Kress was more than just a place to buy toiletries and sundries. It was the kind of place where friends could meet for a grilled cheese sandwich at its lunch counter. Unless you were Black. Kress policy of excluding African Americans from its lunch counters changed the trajectory of the civil rights discussion in Charleston. Though local pastors and NAACP leaders talked about civil rights before 1960, the national movement was something most Charlestonians watched passively from the sidelines. On Feb. 1, 1960, four Black college students staged the first peaceful sit-in at a segregated Woolworths lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., spurring similar collegiate protests across the South. Charleston, however, had no Black college students; neither the College of Charleston nor The Citadel accepted African Americans at that time. Instead, 24 Black students at Burke High School began quietly meeting with local leaders, learning tactics of successful nonviolent demonstrations. On the morning of April 1, a teacher workday that circumvented any charges of truancy, 16 boys and eight girls from Burke walked down King Street in suits and dresses prepared to ramp up the civil rights discussion in Charleston. These students were aware of the risks they were taking, not only for the possibility of violence and arrest, but also for retaliation against their parents who might be fired from their jobs because of their actions. Still, they were committed to their cause. MONCKS CORNER Prosecutors plan to try again in April to convince a jury that Damayjhon Quintez Gadson is guilty of murdering two women in 2020 after a jury could not reach a unanimous verdict last week. A mistrial was declared Feb. 16 in Berkeley County Circuit Court. The jury of seven men and five women spent a full day debating to no avail whether the state laid out enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Gadson pulled the trigger, ending the lives of 25-year old Lashawn Gadson and 61-year-old Lori Gentile. Assistant Solicitors Kamilia Szymczynska-Sas and Michelle Hart began laying out "puzzle pieces" of circumstantial evidence they believed pointed to Gadson's guilt on Feb. 12, the first day of the trial. The tragedy began June 28, 2020, when then-19-year-old Gadson arranged to meet the younger victim for a paid sexual encounter. Though the two share a last name, they are not related, according to court testimony. Neither of them had access to a car that night, so Gentile agreed to drive them to a hotel in North Charleston, solicitors said. Records show Damayjhon Gadson said he was walking down the road at 10:24 p.m. to meet the women at 204 Acme St. in Eutawville. Three phone calls were then made from 10:26 to 10:27 p.m., according to arrest warrant affidavits. The state laid out its evidence, including cellphone locations, Gadson's face mask and calls he made in jail to prove Gadson entered their car. But they never made it to the hotel. Gentile texted "99" which the arrest warrant affidavit said is believed to be her trying to call "911" at 10:46 p.m. And a driver passing along the dark, rural and rainy 1800 block of Poplar Hill Road in Cross called to report a body in the road and a car crashed into a ditch by 10:54 p.m. Enterprise State Community College, in conjunction with Southeast AlabamaWorks, will host career fairs on both campuses to connect job seekers with local employers. The events will be held on March 6 from 9-11 a.m. on the Enterprise campus in the Student Center MPR and from 1-3 p.m. in the Brown Building Hangar at the Alabama Aviation College campus in Ozark. Local companies looking to hire employees are invited to attend the two career fairs. Businesses interested in attending can register at escc.edu/careerfair24. Interested businesses can register for one or both events. There is no cost to participate. ESCC/AAC students and members of the community are also invited to attend the event. Visitors attending the career fair are encouraged to have copies of their updated resume ready to present to employers. Visitors do not need to register to attend. Enterprise State Community College is a comprehensive community college which serves more than 2,200 students annually between its Enterprise campus and the Alabama Aviation Colleges in Andalusia and Ozark. Each campus and site currently fulfill the Alabama Community College Systems mission for education and training which leads to high-wage, high-demand jobs in integral careers worldwide. Students can obtain associate degrees and certificates through multiple programs at the college. Perhaps one of the most iconic buildings in Charleston and certainly on St. Patricks Day is Hibernian Hall. What better time to reflect on one of the citys oldest, most prestigious organizations? Read moreDo You Know Your Lowcountry? Hibernian Hall Not so long ago, it would have been inconceivable for anyone to build a sea wall along South Carolina's coast, bury it in the sand and then set about rebuilding it when a winter storm washed away the sand and exposed it to public view. Unimaginable that the property owner would brazenly continue the construction project even after state regulators told him to stop. After all, for more than three decades, our state law has prohibited property owners from building new sea walls on the beaches of our barrier islands. The S.C. Beachfront Management Act even prohibits the use of sandbags except on a temporary basis to protect against approaching hurricanes and similar emergencies. The law is part of a well-known and well-litigated strategy to protect and preserve our sandy beaches, which belong to the public and fuel our tourism economy. Although sea walls protect the buildings and property immediately behind them, they also speed erosion in front of and alongside them thus quite literally stealing the beach from all South Carolinians. But the part-time, political board of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control started dismantling that law two years ago, when it ignored the advice of its expert staff, gave an extraordinarily liberal reading to a loophole and allowed seven property owners on DeBordieu Beach to essentially build a sea wall by burying an illegally constructed wall of sandbags in the sand. Even if the board's reading of the law was correct, it was under no legal obligation to allow the work. The homeowners attorney state Sen. Steven Goldfinch said the board wasnt authorizing a sea wall but simply allowing Coastal Carolina University professor Paul Gayes to conduct an experiment to see what happens when sandbags are buried under more sand. FLORENCE Florence Police are seeking two teenage suspects following a fatal shooting Feb. 18 in a parking lot at Magnolia Mall. The fatal shooting happened at approximately 3 p.m. at the mall parking lot near the Burger King restaurant. Officers from the Florence Police Department, Florence County Sheriff's Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the shooting, according to information released by Florence Police Capt. Stephen Starling. A Florence County Sheriff's deputy was first on the scene. The deputy found the victim in the parking lot. He rendered aid until Emergency Medical Services arrived. The victim was transported to a Florence hospital. The victim's death was announced at a 6 p.m. press conference. Two masked-wearing suspects approached the victim's vehicle. An unknown number of shots were fired by a least one of the suspects, according to the initial investigation. The suspects got into what was described as a possibly gold early 2000 model Ford Escape and fled the area, Florence Police Chief Allen Heidler said. The Magnolia Mall was closed for the evening and everyone evacuated. Heidler said the teenage victim and two suspects did not live in the Florence area. He added that the shooting was a targeted and isolated incident and the public should not be worried about their safety. A handful of police vehicles remained in the parking lot around 5 p.m. Feb. 18. Law enforcement personnel congregated near the mall entrance closest to the Burger King. The vehicles began leaving shortly after 5 p.m. as civilian traffic continued on surrounding roads around the mall area. The Florence Police Department has asked the State Law Enforcement Division to help with the investigation, Heidler said. SLED special victims unit is assisting with the investigation, according to Renee Wunderlich. We are gathering evidence from every location that's in that area, but again, we're asking citizens from the city of Florence or anybody that was out there at the mall to give us information if you saw anything at all," Heidler said. Michael Moore raised a salient point during his campaign kick-off for South Carolinas 1st Congressional District seat. Read moreHicks Palmetto Politics: Should Mace and Templeton worry about Haley's 1st District showing? SPARTANBURG COUNTY Restoration of the Walnut Grove Manor House first built in 1765 is set to begin in early April with tours of the entire house to resume once the project is completed. The house was last restored in 1961. Over the past two years, the Spartanburg County Foundation raised funds for the $1.5 million restoration project to be completed in two phases over the next 18 months. The house in southern Spartanburg County on Otts Shoals Road has long been a popular destination for visitors. Once the restoration is complete, the Spartanburg County Historical Association will resume full tours. "We really had broad-based community support at all levels in funding for the restoration," Spartanburg County Foundation President and CEO Troy Hanna said. Hanna said restoration work is scheduled to begin with the house's foundation restored first. The foundation includes green timbers that have dried causing the house to shift. Once the foundation is restored, the rest of the house will be restored. Emphasis will be placed on the second floor where the house has shifted the most. The restoration process will follow guidelines set by the State Historic Preservation Office. Drawings of the proposed restoration are near completion and have to be approved by the State Historic Preservation Office. McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture was named the restoration project manager with Charleston-based Huss Inc. named the contractor for the project. "The guidelines we have to follow lends to an amount of accountability and structure for the restoration process," Hanna said. "For safety reasons, barricades will be placed around the property. We hope working in collaboration we can make this an educational experience. When they work to lift the foundation, people can see how the house was constructed. You don't often get a view of that portion of the house and the material used to build it." The Spartanburg County Historical Association will continue offering programs at the site during the restoration process. David Wood, President and CEO of the Spartanburg County Historical Association, said the house connects generations. The impact of career and technical education is a school-to-career connection, Coffee County Commission Chairman Dean Smith said of the impact of career and technical education in the county. Career and Technical Education is the backbone of a strong, well-educated workforce. Smith welcomed representatives from each of the high schools operating in Coffee County to the meeting Monday as he joined commissioners in a resolution signing proclaiming February as Career, Technical Education Month in Coffee County. The room was filled with high school students from each of high schools and standing with Smith to represent their school during the proclamation reading: Abigail Odem from Zion Chapel High School; Jordan Faust from New Brockton High School; Zalie McKelvy from Elba High School; Jacob Ryun from Enterprise High School; and Caleb Farris from Kinston High School. Profound technological changes in our society are rapidly reflected in the structure and nature of work, thereby placing new and additional responsibilities on our educational system, Smith said. Ensuring that employers have access to a qualified workforce is a crucial step in ensuring productivity among the business and industry communities as well as a fundamental element of economic development. Career and Technical Education gives high school students experience in practical, meaningful applications of job skills, thus improving the quality of their education and offering leadership opportunities in their fields and in their communities, said Smith. The Career and Technical Education programs in each of the school systems in Coffee County have become a rigorous, progressive, and vital part of the total educational system, and are committed to helping students develop valuable career and life skills. PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 17:31:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 833 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SPRINGFIELD, OH / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 /All-In Nutritionals founder and CEO Lindsey Duncan, CN, ND, raises the question, "Why would a natural supplement company come out with a water purification showerhead?"Duncan said there is a clear, driving factor backed by logic and evidence. "Many people may know the potential dangers of drinking some unfiltered tap water, but most are unaware that this threat may extend into our showers. All-In is committed to providing whole health solutions. This is not confined to just supplements. We feel the quality of our shower water is not an issue that can be ignored." A study by Consumer Reports in 2021 supports Duncan's statement. CR analyzed water supplies in 120 locations in the United States and found that in 118, the water had significantly high levels of lead, arsenic or a class of dangerous synthetic compounds known as PFAS, per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called "forever chemicals." These chemicals have been linked to distinct types of cancers, cognitive delays in children, and many other health issues."This is simply not okay," said Duncan. "If these harmful toxins make their way into our drinking water, then obviously, they make their way into our showers because it is the same system. When showering in toxic, chemical-laden water, we not only absorb these chemicals through our skin, but we also breathe them into our lungs. Over time, this is extremely harmful to our health. If we do not want to drink toxic water, then naturally, we should not want to absorb or breathe it." During a short 10-minute shower, you may absorb water into your skin, along with the chlorine in it. When drinking water, your body can filter out some of the chlorine, fluoride, and other disinfecting chemicals, but this may not be the case when it is absorbed through our skin and/or inhaled, according to All-In Nutritionals.Duncan says there is a solution to this ever-present, serious issue, and it comes in the form of All-In's proprietary, ionic, mineral showerhead. The showerhead filters and eliminates nearly all toxins, heavy metals, bacteria, and chemicals from water. Natural, bioactive minerals, stones, and ceramics are used in this 14-phase filtration system that can be attached to any existing showerhead outlet."We not only have figured out a way to remove all the unwanted contaminants from our shower water, but we have also created a system that adds benefit. This showerhead alkalinizes water, mineralizes water, increases circulation, can dramatically increase water pressure, and helps to soften your skin and hair. In short, we've taken out all the bad, and added in a lot of good, and done it for an incredibly reasonable price," said Duncan.Duncan explained that one of the 14 phase systems of the showerhead is Vitamin C. "Most people already know the benefits of Vitamin C on their hair, skin, and overall health. This is just one example of the many incredible benefits we have put into this product." All-In's showerhead is different than anything currently on the market. "There has been a significant increase in whole house and water purification systems lately," Duncan said. "It should not take a tragedy like the one in Flint, Michigan, or recently, the tragedy in East Palestine, Ohio, to make people realize water purification is a must. At All-In Nutritionals, we are very confident that we offer a product that will not only overdeliver but that will completely change the shower experience for our customers." He went on to say, "Other shower purification units use only three or four purification stones and those are often the less expensive stones such as anion stone, ceramic, or tourmaline. While these are great for basic water purification, they do not go as far as we do with a unique 14-phase stone filtration process. In addition, as an added benefit, we add a cotton PP filter. This filter removes all sediment that may have built up in our water tanks, pipes, wells, older homes, and more." "When we say we are warriors for the consumer, we truly mean it. We are dedicated to whole health wellness, and this includes the purification of our shower water," Duncan said.Currently, the All-In showerhead can be purchased at a discounted price of $48.50 instead of the regular price of $60.75.About All-In NutritionalsFounded and created by Master Formulator, Herbalist, Doctor of Naturopathy, and Certified Nutritionist, Lindsey Duncan, All-In Nutritionals is the leading provider of all-natural, pure, clinically studied and ingredient-tested supplements to aid people in nourishing, balancing, cleansing, and supporting the human body. All-In Nutritionals uses organic, wild-harvested, non-GMO ingredients that are grown and harvested in their natural state and are masterfully formulated for both long-term and short-term success. All products are manufactured in All-In Nutritionals' pristine and FDA-registered manufacturing facility.Contact InformationEllie FloresManager of Domestic & International Salesellieflores@ allinnutritionals.com 937-471-4801SOURCE: All-In NutritionalsView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 22:00:35 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 510 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) supports the decision by the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) to grant accelerated approval to lifileucel (Amtagvi, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.), a tumor-derived autologous T cell immunotherapy, for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma previously treated with a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor.AMTAGVI is the first and the only one-time, individualized T cell therapy to receive FDA approval for a solid tumor cancer. The proposed mechanism for AMTAGVI offers a new cell therapy approach that deploys patient-specific T cells called TIL cells. When cancer is detected, the immune system creates TIL cells to locate, attack, and destroy cancer. TIL cells recognize distinctive tumor markers on the cell surface of each person's cancer. When cancer develops and prevails, the body's natural TIL cells can no longer perform their intended function to fight cancer 1.Safety and efficacy were evaluated in a global, multicenter, multicohort, open-label, single-arm trial in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who had previously been treated with at least one systemic therapy, including a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 mutation-positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor. Accelerated approval is intended to facilitate and expedite development and review of new drugs to address unmet medical need in the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition 2.Each year, approximately 8,000 people in the U.S. die from melanoma. Until now, there have been no FDA-approved treatment options for patients with advanced melanoma whose disease progressed following initial treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor and, if appropriate, targeted therapy 1.ASTCT invests in research through grants and awards, mentorship for new investigators and congressional advocacy for National Institutes of Health funding. ASTCT is encouraged by the FDA's announcement for melanoma treatment as the transplantation and cell therapy field continues to be at the forefront of innovation and investigation of CAR-T and TIL cell therapies. The transplantation and cellular therapy community will gather during the 2024 Tandem Meetings of ASTCT and CIBMTR, Feb. 21-24, 2024, in San Antonio, to discuss advancements in the field. Representatives from the FDA will be presenting on Saturday, February 24, to share insights on 2023 and 2024 approvals, including AMTAGVI."Advancements in CAR-T and TIL cell therapies create a promising future for patients who suffer from solid tumors and have the potential to be lifesaving for patients," says Miguel-Angel Perales, MD, ASTCT President. "I look forward to our discussion with the FDA during the 2024 Tandem Meetings, as this is a significant announcement for our field and will encourage more research and funding in cell therapy to treat solid tumors." More information is available on the Tandem Meetings website. Press can access free registration to participate.1 Iovance's AMTAGVI (lifileucel) Receives U.S. FDA Accelerated Approval for Advanced Melanoma https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-grants-accelerated-approval-lifileucel-unresectable-or-metastatic-melanoma Contact InformationJennifer KasowiczASTCT Marketing Directorjkasowicz@ astct.org (312) 673-4970SOURCE: American Society for Transplantation and Cellular TherapyView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 15:46:37 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 702 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against The Boeing Company ("Boeing" or "the Company") (NYSE:BA) 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 Boeing securities between October 19, 2019 and January 24, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/BA Case Details:The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period Boeing and certain of its executives failed to disclose material information in violation of federal securities laws including:(1) On January 5, 2024, a Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines experienced an in-flight departure of an in-cabin door plug, causing the cabin to become depressurized and forcing an emergency landing.(2) On January 7, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a grounding order, stating that "Boeing 737-9 aircraft will remain grounded until operators complete enhanced inspections which include both left and right cabin door exit plugs, door components, and fasteners" and that "[o]perators must also complete corrective action requirements based on findings from the inspections prior to bringing any aircraft back into service." On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $20.00 per share, or 8%, to close at $229.00 per share on January 8, 2024.(3) Then, on January 9, 2024, news outlets reported that United Airlines had found loose bolts on exit door plugs during their FAA-mandated inspections of Boeing 737 Max planes. The reports also noted that Alaska Airlines said its initial inspections of the jets had turned up "loose hardware." On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $3.24 per share, or 1.4%, to close at $225.76 per share on January 9, 2024.(4) On January 11, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA had informed Boeing it had launched a formal investigation into whether Boeing had failed to properly ensure its aircraft were safe for operation.(5) On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $5.18 per share, or 2.3%, to close at $222.66 per share on January 11, 2024. on January 12, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA would increase oversight of Boeing production and manufacturing processes. The FAA stated that a comprehensive audit set to be conducted on the Boeing 737 MAX 9 production line and its associated suppliers, specifically to assess Boeing's adherence to approved quality procedures, which could result in further audits.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $4.96 per share, or 2.2%, to close at $217.70 per share on January 12, 2024.(6) On January 16, 2024, Wells Fargo downgraded Boeing, citing risks associated with the FAA's inspection of Boeing's production.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $17.18 per share, or 7.9%, to close at $200.52 per share on January 16, 2024.(7) Finally, on January 24, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA had announced it would not allow Boeing to expand production of the 737 MAX due to safety concerns related to the January 5, 2024 incident.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $12.25 per share, or 5.7%, to close at $201.88 per share on January 25, 2024.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/BA 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 Boeing you have until April 1, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 10:02:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 376 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against British American Tobacco p.l.c. ("BAT" or "the Company") (NYSE:BTI) 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 BAT securities between February 9, 2023 and December 6, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/BTI Case Details:The Complaint alleges that BAT made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) 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; and (2) as a result, BAT's statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.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/BTI 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 BAT you have until March 25, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 17:16:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1032 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / News is Out, a queer media collaborative of six of the nation's legendary LGBTQ+ publications, and Word In Black, a collaborative of ten of the nation's legendary Black publishers, are joining Comcast NBCUniversal for a groundbreaking initiative: The Digital Equity Local Voices Lab.Through Project UP, Comcast's $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and economic opportunities, the company is donating more than $1 million to launch this first-of-its-kind Lab that supports coverage of Black and LGBTQ+ topics in the media and supports emerging journalists with a passion for reporting on issues of importance to these communities.Together, the three organizations will work to shed light on issues within marginalized communities across 16 news publications with the training and resources needed to tell these stories through media and technology and celebrate the work being done by Black and LGBTQ+ leaders in their communities."Word In Black is looking forward to working with our colleagues at News is Out and Comcast NBCUniversal on this groundbreaking fellowship program," said Chris Bennett, publisher of the Seattle Medium and member of the Word In Black collaboration. "Uplifting the voices of journalists and publishers who are dedicated to covering Black and LGBTQ+ stories is vital to the future of inclusive media." Specifically, the Lab will elevate Black and LGBTQ+ perspectives through content creation and content sharing with NBCUniversal and NBCU Academy during a year-long fellowship program that places 16 fellows at the 16 participating news organizations.Fellows will be part of a cohort that receives best practices and learnings from journalists and media professionals at News is Out, Word In Black, and NBCUniversal. They will also report on stories of Black and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and creatives in their communities, share training and resources on using technology more in their daily lives, report on policy related to access to technology and connectivity, and share the work being done to advance digital equity."As a Black queer woman, I know the impact of empowering and elevating Black and LGBTQ+ voices," said Ebone F. Bell, publisher of Tagg Magazine. "This project gives us an opportunity to instill a great amount of knowledge and experience in fellows who can help amplify the voice of these communities in the media industry." The Local Media Foundation (LMF) will manage the fellowship and Lab and facilitate content creation to reach diverse audiences between the 16 publishers and Comcast NBCUniversal. Word In Black and News is Out are collaboratives that were launched by LMF.Comcast is proud to launch this important initiative with the Local Media Foundation, News is Out, and Word In Black to empower a new generation of journalists and media professionals.ANZIO WILLIAMSSVP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at NBCUniversal Local"Ensuring that the stories and perspectives of underrepresented communities are featured in the media by dedicated, trained and resourced journalists is at the heart of Project UP's and NBCU Academy's mission. We look forward to seeing these journalists grow in their career and influence," said Anzio Williams, SVP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at NBCUniversal Local.Applications are open to anyone with a passion for covering communities of color and/or LGBTQ+ issues. To learn more and apply, visit this link.The 16 participating publications are:AFRO News (Baltimore): Founded in 1892, AFRO provides readers with good news about the Black community not otherwise found. The AFRO and its talented team of journalists have won numerous awards, including NNPA newspaper of the year in 2022, and was named the Nation's # 1 African American Newspaper by Essence-Nielsen Consumer Survey. The Atlanta Voice (Atlanta): The Atlanta Voice has been serving the metropolitan Atlanta community for more than 58 years. Birthed out of the Civil Rights movement as a trusted, authentic, fact and community driven media outlet for Black Atlanta. The publication's motto is "A People Without A Voice Cannot be Heard". Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco): Launched in 1971, this weekly newspaper is one of the oldest and a pioneer in LGBTQ+ media. Dallas Voice (Dallas): The premier media source for LGBTQ Texas, publishing every Friday since 1984. Dallas Weekly (Dallas): Since 1954, Dallas Weekly has been at the epicenter of all things African American in north Texas, one of the country's fastest-growing regions. Houston Defender (Houston): Since 1930, the Houston Defender Network has been "Raising Black Voices" as we Educate, Entertain and Empower the Greater Houston Black Community. Michigan Chronicle (Detroit) The Michigan Chronicle is a news, information, and events company that covers the interests of the African American community. Leaders and readers in metropolitan Detroit look to the Michigan Chronicle to stay informed about issues that impact their lives. New York Amsterdam News (New York City): Started more than a century ago, with a $10 investment, New York Amsterdam News has gone on to become one of the most important Black newspapers in the country and today remains one of the most influential Black-owned and -operated media businesses in the nation, if not the world. Philadelphia Gay News (Philadelphia): The largest and oldest publication targeting the LGBTQ+ community, started in 1976. The Sacramento Observer (Sacramento): Established in 1962, The Sacramento Observer has been one of the most decorated publications in the history of the Black Press. Seattle Medium (Seattle): Founded on January 15, 1970, The Seattle Medium is the flagship publication of Tiloben Publishing Co., Inc. - the largest minority-owned and operated communications company in the Pacific Northwest, serving the Seattle, Tacoma and Portland Markets - and is the primary source of news that residents of Seattle read to stay informed regarding issues and events that affect and enhance the quality of life in African American community. The St. Louis American (St. Louis): Since 1928, The St. Louis American newspaper remains Black-owned and has emerged as the leading, most trusted voice of the area's African American community. Tagg Magazine (National): This award-winning and Black queer, woman-owned publication, founded in 2012, is committed to uplifting the voices of all LGBTQ+ women across the country. Tagg was created to serve "everything lesbian, queer, and under the rainbow." Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.): This weekly publication is the oldest LGBTQ+ newspaper in the U.S. It was launched in 1969. The Washington Informer (Washington, D.C. PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 10:01:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 609 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against GrafTech International Ltd. ("GrafTech" or "the Company") (NYSE:EAF) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired GrafTech securities between February 8, 2019 and August 23, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/EAF Case Details:The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, GrafTech made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:(1) GrafTech's manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico had for decades chronically contaminated neighboring communities with harmful carcinogenic gasses and particulate matter;(2) GrafTech had signed agreements with local authorities committing itself to improving the environmental performance of its Monterrey facility, but repeatedly failed to honor these commitments;(3) GrafTech had been repeatedly warned over an approximately 30-year period regarding its wanton disregard for the environment and health and well-being of people near its operations in Monterrey, Mexico;(4) GrafTech's operations in Monterrey, Mexico were not in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations;(5) GrafTech had failed to adequately remediate the environmental problems caused by the Monterrey facility following the 2019 administrative proceeding conducted by the Department of Sustainable Development of the State of Nuevo Leon;(6) the government of Apodaca had sought intervention from the State of Nuevo Leon authorities to curtail and prevent the adverse environmental impacts and noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations caused by the Monterrey facility;(7) GrafTech's purported cost leadership was achieved in substantial part by failing to implement appropriate and effective environmental safeguards at its manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico;(8) GrafTech's capital expenditures and/or related operational projects were woefully insufficient to adequately address the harm that GrafTech's operations in Monterrey, Mexico had inflicted on the environment and people within the neighboring communities;(9) as a result of the above, GrafTech was acutely exposed to undisclosed material risks that GrafTech's manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico would be severely disrupted by government action or enforcement; and(10) as a result of the above, GrafTech was acutely exposed to undisclosed material risks that its supplies of pin stock and graphite electrodes would be withdrawn and/or materially diminished, thereby materially harming GrafTech's business, operations, reputation, and financial results.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/EAF or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in GrafTech you have until March 25, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 06:35:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 565 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LATINA, LAZIO, ITALY / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / FundedElite, the newest entrant in the trading and funding arena, has officially launched, setting a new benchmark in the industry. This innovative platform, created by Italian trading aficionados Christian Habibi and Artur Serhiiovych Deshko, aims to revolutionize trading with its trader-first approach. Offering the lowest spreads, zero commissions, and the pioneering Second Chance feature, FundedElite is designed to empower traders globally. Adding to its distinctive offerings, the platform has partnered with Rise for swift and efficient payout processes, ensuring traders have immediate access to their earnings.Exceptional Trading Conditions with Zero Commissions and Low SpreadsAt the heart of FundedElite's philosophy is the commitment to maximizing traders' profitability. By offering trading conditions with unprecedentedly low spreads and zero commission fees, FundedElite ensures that traders can retain a greater share of their profits, thereby enhancing the trading experience for both novice and experienced traders alike.Innovative Second Chance Feature - A First in TradingFundedElite introduces the revolutionary Second Chance feature, marking a first in the trading world. This feature underscores the platform's commitment to supporting its traders' journeys by allowing them to restart immediately from the point where they lost their challenge, whether in the first or second phase. This approach not only fosters a supportive trading environment but also significantly increases traders' chances of success.Swift Payouts with Rise PlatformUnderstanding the importance of quick and hassle-free access to funds, FundedElite has incorporated the Rise platform into its operations. This collaboration ensures that payouts are not only efficient but also swift, providing traders with one of the fastest withdrawal experiences available in the market today.Enhanced Trading FlexibilityReflecting on the feedback and needs of the trading community, FundedElite has adjusted its drawdown limit to up to 14%, offering traders more flexibility and a broader margin for implementing their strategies effectively.Comprehensive Evaluation ChallengesFundedElite offers traders the choice between two types of evaluation challenges: the Two-Step Evaluation Challenge and the One-Step Challenge. These challenges are designed to cater to different trading styles and preferences, giving traders the flexibility to choose the path that best suits their skills and strategies.A Trader-Centric PlatformFundedElite's creation was driven by the vision of its founders, Christian Habibi and Artur Serhiiovych Deshko, who, after years of trading, sought to establish a platform that truly understands and meets the needs of traders. Their extensive experience has been pivotal in crafting a platform that not only offers exceptional trading conditions but also fosters a supportive and empowering community for traders worldwide.Empowerment Through Generous Funding and Profit SharingFundedElite is committed to empowering traders by providing:Up to $2 million in trading capital. Raw spreads. Low commissions. The innovative second chance feature. An attractive profit split, allowing traders to keep up to 90% of their profits. A generous drawdown limit of up to 14%, giving traders ample room to maneuver. Join FundedElite TodayFundedElite invites traders from across the globe to experience a platform where their success is the priority. With its unique features, including the Second Chance feature and swift payouts via Rise, FundedElite is poised to become a leader in the Prop trading community.For more information and to start your journey with FundedElite, visit www.fundedelite.com . For inquiries, contact support at support@ fundedelite.com Media ContactOrganization: FundedEliteContact Person: Christian HWebsite: https://fundedelite.com/ Email: support@ fundedelite.com City: LatinaState: LazioCountry: ItalySOURCE: FundedElite PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 18:18:03 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1018 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HORIZONTE PROVIDES UPDATED CAPEX AND SCHEDULE ESTIMATEHIGHLIGHTS:Horizonte announces preliminary Cost-to-Complete estimate and achievable schedule for Araguaia Line 1 Estimate prepared by specialized mining construction and engineering firm G Mining Services Graham Crew appointed as interim Chief Operating Officer (iCOO) Actively engaging existing and new potential investors on a full financing solution LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / Horizonte Minerals Plc (AIM:HZM)(TSX:HZM) ("Horizonte" or the "Company") announces the preliminary results of a review of the Cost-to-Complete ("CTC") estimate and schedule for its 100%-owned Araguaia Nickel Project ("Araguaia" or "the Project"). The preliminary results of the review indicate that the estimated capital required to complete the construction of Araguaia, commission the project and deliver first metal is approximately US$454 million. As a result, the Estimate at Completion ("EAC") currently stands at US$1,004 million, approximately 87% higher than the previously disclosed capex budget of US$537 million (prior to October 2023). The Company anticipates achieving mechanical completion in Q1 2026.G Mining Services ("GMS"), a specialized mining construction and engineering firm, were engaged by the Company to undertake the review process, delivering the re-estimated CTC and achievable schedule estimates. GMS is currently constructing the Tocantinzinho gold project located in Para state and have notable accomplishments in the successful construction of other mining projects including Lundin Gold's Fruta del Norte Project in Ecuador, Newmont Mining's Merian Mine in Suriname and IAMGOLD's Greenstone project in Ontario.The Company will continue to work closely with its major shareholders and senior lenders on a full funding solution, targeted for Q2 2024. As part of these conversations and given the increase in the CTC estimate, discussions to restructure the Company's debt facilities are being held in conjunction with actively engaging existing and new potential investors. The Company notes that additional interim funding will be required to implement such full funding solution.Interim CEO Karim Nasr commented,"Since our last update, a significant volume of work has been completed to develop a new Project Execution Plan, develop a realistic mine plan and business plan, all while continuing to proactively engage with the Company's cornerstone shareholders, senior lenders, vendors and contractors as well as the community and local authorities."While the new Cost-to-Complete is higher than previously announced by the company, it is now built on solid methodologies, which is a testament to the hard work undertaken to date by the whole Horizonte team. The Company is pleased to partner with G Mining Services, who have a track record of success in the region and are currently building the Tocantinzinho project with G Mining Ventures in Para state. The Company is now in a position to properly assess its ability to finance and complete the Araguaia Nickel Project (Line 1) and bring it into production."It is important to note that while completing the Cost-to-Complete estimate is a significant milestone, resuming and completing construction activities at Araguaia are still subject to the successful completion of a full financing solution, which the company will seek to develop in the coming weeks, but with no guarantee of success. Further, the CTC estimate is the capital required to complete the construction of Araguaia, commission the project and deliver first metal. The final financing amount will be higher and will depend on a variety of factors including discussions with Senior Lenders, suppliers, cornerstone investors and other third parties." BASIS OF COST TO COMPLETE ("CTC") ESTIMATEBased on the work to date, a total of around 4.7 million work-hours are required to finish construction of Araguaia Line 1. The current optimized plan assumes a smaller workforce which drives a revised construction schedule of approximately 18 months.The EAC currently stands at US$1,004 million, of which a total of US$479 million has been spent up to the end of 2023, US$52 million is outstanding to trade creditors, US$15 million for critical activities during the slowdown period and US$4 million pre-first metal mining costs, resulting in a CTC of US$454 million. The capex estimate includes all the direct and indirect costs, local taxes and duties and US$54 million contingency deemed to be required to complete the construction of Line 1, commission the project and deliver first metal. This estimate is based on the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) Class 3 standard, with an accuracy range between -10% and +30%, of the final project cost. The Company intends to work with GMS over the refinancing period to refine this to a control estimate, AACE Class 1 with an accuracy range of -3% to +15%.The costs for these items have been derived from vendor quotes for the equipment and materials. The capex estimate is after tax, including growth and contingency and excluding escalation. The CTC excludes the owner's costs incurred during the slow-down phase between 10 November 2023 and June 2024, which are being funded with current cash and the aforementioned additional interim funding requirement. The CTC also excludes working capital, capitalized ramp-up costs and financing costs which will be included in the full funding solution.SCHEDULE ESTIMATEThe project schedule has been re-estimated by GMS following a complete review of the quantities remaining, the procurement packages and logistics, and re-estimation of the work-hours required to complete construction and commissioning. GMS have been working with key equipment suppliers including Hatch Ltd and FLSmidth to fully assess the remaining work. The current project schedule estimate anticipates approximately 18 months of construction from re-mobilisation to the projected first metal date. Remobilisation is currently planned for Q3-2024 with a first metal date of Q1-2026, subject to successful refinancing and restart decision.One of the key inputs for the new schedule was the productivity assumptions that drive the estimated progress for the principal project workstreams. GMS provided updated productivity figures based on their experience at the Tocantinzinho gold project located in Para state, Brazil and therefore has recent, first-hand experience of achievable productivity rates for the main trades.Further, as part of the review exercise, the Company reviewed the production ramp-up schedule and associated working capital and capitalized operating costs requirements. The original schedule assumed a 12-month ramp up to nameplate cap Mayor Jayme Stayton and the Daleville City Council invite the Wiregrass to Daleville for the Inaugural Daleville Warhawk Festival March 26 through March 30 from 5 until 11 p.m. at the field at Culpepper Park on South Daleville Avenue. The festival will feature free parking, free admission, 20 rides operated by the renowned James Gang Amusements, games, live music, and area vendors. The Daleville Warhawk will be there to greet the crowd. Those interested in setting up as a vendor should contact the Daleville Area Chamber of Commerce at (334) 598-6331 or email chamber@Dalevilleal.com for a vendor application. PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 16:16:53 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 625 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / GoDaddyOriginally published on GoDaddy Resource LibraryTell us a little bit about yourself and role.My name is Olivia and I am a Quality Analyst I for the Care Team. I'm originally from Kenya but I have been living in Arizona for the past ten years.What real-life problems does your team solve?My team supports different projects that focus on feedback and problem solving within Care. For example, we created the WOW experience. This is a dynamic customer interaction process that equips all Guides with a structured approach to delivering unparalleled customer service. Whether you're in sales, support, or any customer-facing role, this process is designed to elevate the customer's journey with us.What project has been the most rewarding throughout your career journey?The most rewarding project was creating the five pillars of the WOW experience for our Care Guides. I joined GoDaddy as an Inbound Sales Guide, and struggled my way through learning new products, tech support, and finding opportunities to sell. We created the WOW experience with new Guides in mind, to give them a road map to help them navigate through tech.You are actively involved in a multitude of organizations here at GoDaddy. Can you share the impact this has had on your experience?I joined GoDaddy in 2020 when the company had transitioned to work from home. It was definitely strange that I was working for this big organization, but I did not know anyone outside of my team of six. The extrovert in me was itching to meet some work friends to socialize as well as find career advancement opportunities. I came across a Level UP event that our Employee Resource Group, Black in Tech (GDBIT), was hosting. This event aimed to help with career advancement. After attending the event, I became an active member of GDBIT and eventually joined the GDBIT Core Team. Being a part of this organization has helped me have a healthier and more enjoyable day-to-day work environment. It has created a sense of belonging! Whether I'm doing volunteer work or hosting GDBIT game night, you will always see a smile on my face.What's your motto or personal mantra?"I'm brave. I'm justice. I can make a difference. I'm resilient." I make my son say these words every day before he leaves for school.What do you enjoy doing outside of work?I'm a travel junkie. I left my country right after high school. I lived in the United Kingdom for two months and then moved to Dubai to become a Flight Attendant. Even after leaving the airline industry, I never stopped traveling. If the airlines offered retirement packages like cruise ships do, I would sign up!What is most meaningful about Black History Month to you?Black History Month is a time when we recognize, honor and celebrate the lives and achievements of African Americans who have made transformational impacts on society.What do you want your colleagues, neighbors and friends to take away from Black History Month?I would encourage my colleagues, neighbors and friends to educate themselves - learn about Black history, visit a Black history museum, or read a book by a Black author.Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You're more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter TikTok Career PageView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: GoDaddyWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: GoDaddy PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 19:45:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 457 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TUCSON, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / O'Rielly Chevrolet is pleased to announce that March 18, 2024, will mark the 100th anniversary of its founding and 100 years of providing retail automotive sales and service to customers in Tucson and Southern Arizona. Since its establishment by Frank O'Rielly in 1924, O'Rielly Chevrolet has remained a family-owned business, employing hundreds of employees and serving tens of thousands of customers over the years. O'Rielly Chevrolet is one of the oldest and largest Chevrolet dealerships in the country and has become deeply intertwined with the fabric of Southern Arizona. This Centennial Celebration marks a signicant milestone in the dealership's history and places the company among a small group of local businesses, including El Charro and Garcia's Cleaners, that have remained family-owned and served the Tucson community for more than 100 years."Remembering our history keeps us grounded in the present and highly motivated to remain on the leading edge of automotive retail, which is evolving more quickly than ever," says Rob Draper, O'Rielly Chevrolet's Dealer Principal and General Manager. "Our journey isn't just about selling cars and trucks; it's about supporting our employees and their families and our larger family of customers who have done business with us over the course of a century. When we say Giving you more since 1924,' we're speaking of our commitment to our customers and our community." To commemorate this historic milestone, O'Rielly Chevrolet is hosting a public celebration on March 23, 2024. The event is open to all, as an opportunity for the community to meet the dedicated team behind O'Rielly Chevrolet's success and partake in the celebration of 100 years of service and commitment.O'Rielly Chevrolet extends a warm invitation to all of Tucson and Southern Arizona to join in this landmark celebration. It's a celebration of the dealership's enduring legacy and a party to thank all of O'Rielly Chevrolet's employees and customers, past and present, and the community as a whole, who have supported the company through the decades and been the drivers of its success.About O'Rielly ChevroletFounded by Frank O'Rielly in 1924, O'Rielly Chevrolet is a family-owned Chevrolet dealership serving Tucson and Southern Arizona. Managed for more than 50 years by Frank's son Buck O'Rielly, and currently operated by Buck's son-in-law Rob Draper, O'Rielly is one of the oldest and largest Chevrolet dealerships in the nation. Known as a leader of innovation in retail automotive and for its exceptional customer service, extensive inventory, and deep community ties, O'Rielly Chevrolet is more than a car dealership - it's a part of Tucson's history.Media Contact:Roy LeeHead of Marketing, O'Rielly Chevroletrlee@ orielly.com End of Release6160 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85711 | 520.829.3876 | rlee@ orielly.com O'Rielly Chevrolet Tucson | Used Car Dealerships Tucson, Arizona ( orielly.com) SOURCE: O'Rielly Chevrolet PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 16:00:41 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 571 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SOUTHLAKE, TX / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions, a nationwide auto dealership brokerage firm, recently facilitated the successful sale of three dealerships in Southwest Florida for more than $110 million. With decades of experience brokering the sale of over 650 new car dealerships, Pinnacle has a long history of creating liquidity events for owners of luxury, premium, and family-owned dealerships.Sutherlin Nissan Sutherlin Nissan Fort Myers, Sutherlin Nissan Cape Coral, Fort Myers Genesis sold to Krause Auto Group of Alpharetta, Ga. The dealerships will now operate under Fort Myers Nissan, Cape Coral Nissan, and Fort Myers Genesis.While specific prices were not disclosed for each location, Mike Sims, President of Pinnacle, told Automotive News that he believes the Fort Myers Nissan store set a record for the highest amount ever paid for a Nissan dealership based on his knowledge. The store has historically been one of the largest Nissan stores for unit volume and profitability in the country."With the ever-changing landscape of the automotive business, we continue to see a robust market for dealership acquisitions. In addition to the traditional hot markets such as Florida, we are seeing strong demand for dealerships in markets across the country," said Bill Scrivner, CEO of Pinnacle.This demand is exhibited with Pinnacle's recent successful transactions involving BMW and Chevrolet dealerships in California, Toyota and Hyundai dealerships in Mississippi, and Toyota, Ford, and General Motors dealerships in West Virginia.With over 50 successful transactions in California, Pinnacle recently represented Steve Thomas in the sale of Steve Thomas BMW in Camarillo, CA, to Ken Garff Auto Group. This marks the first BMW franchise for Garff, who now operates the dealership as BMW of Camarillo."After 31 years as a BMW dealer, our family decided to sell our store. I met Mike Sims, and we have kept in touch for over 15 years. Mike and I were able to find a perfect fit for my dealership. With Pinnacle, the transaction was very professional and speedy. My experience dealing with Mike was outstanding. The buy-sell Included property & long-term lease. Every aspect of my buy-sell was promptly handled," said Steve Thomas Sr.An additional Southern California transaction Pinnacle recently completed was Leo Bunnin's sale of Bunnin Chevrolet in Santa Barbara to Frank Figueredo and Franklin McLarty. The store has been renamed Coastal Chevrolet. It's Coastal's second California dealership, and the Bunnin family continues to own Chevrolet stores in Fillmore and Santa Paula, CA.Pinnacle recently completed transactions in West Virginia representing the Robinson family in the sale of Robinson Toyota, Robinson Ford, and Robinson Chevrolet Buick GMC in Triadelphia, WV, to two buyers. Victory Automotive will now operate under Victory Toyota Highlands and Bob Robinson Chevrolet Buick GMC Highlands, and Richard Bazzy purchased the Ford dealership, which is now Shults Ford Wheeling."Our company's commitment to excellent business practices has helped produce these successful transactions for our clients," said Sims. "We approach each opportunity transparently and can leverage our team's deep industry experience and relationships to garner above-market results for our clients. We consider it an honor and privilege to be trusted advisors for our clients and maximize the value of their life's work." To learn more about the services offered by Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions or to receive a confidential consultation, visit www.pinnaclemergers.com Contact InformationAnne Kimmey anne@ cultivateagency.com 817-793-7704SOURCE: Pinnacle Mergers & AcquisitionsView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 19:01:02 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 342 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Polo Club's Unwavering Community Commitment: 3rd Annual Polo Feeds' Initiative to Pack 90,000 Meals to Tackle Hunger in Palm Beach CountyBOCA RATON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / The Polo Club of Boca Raton, through its Polo Feeds program, is setting a new standard for community-driven philanthropy with its impactful food packing initiative. This effort showcases the dedicated commitment of nearly 300 Polo Club members and employees, who will unite to address food insecurity in Palm Beach County.Third Annual Polo Feeds Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Polo Community, the Community Relations Committee has successfully raised $30,000. These funds are crucial for acquiring nearly 14,000 lbs. of food and supplies, ensuring that over 90,000 meals can be provided to residents in need.The logistics of this operation are as impressive as its scope, with an 18-wheeler delivering the supplies to the Polo Club. This meticulously planned process ensures that everything is set up for a seamless packing event, resulting in meals that are ready for distribution to local food banks including Boca Helping Hands, Jacobsen Food Pantry, and Feeding South Florida. The gratitude from these organizations underscores the significance and impact of the Polo Feeds initiative.Lauren Spitz & Jill Plotnick, co-chairs of the project, reflect on the initiative's success: "It's truly inspiring to see our members come together, having a great time while giving back to the community. This event isn't just about packing meals; it's a celebration of our collective spirit and the joy that comes from making a difference together." This initiative is a testament to the power of collective action and the profound difference it can make. The Polo Club's dedication to serving the community goes beyond mere words, translating into significant action that provides nourishing meals to those who need them most.At the Polo Club, philanthropy and giving back are cornerstones of Polo Club's ethos, reflecting our deep commitment to making a meaningful difference in the community.Contact InformationLaura OrtinoDirector of Sales & Marketinglaurao@ poloclub.net 561.995.1206SOURCE: Polo Club of Boca RatonView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 19:00:55 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 730 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / BitValue Capital , the renowned investment company and venture capital firm, has joined forces withSerenity Shield , a leading provider of decentralized applications focused on secure storage for data and digital assets.BitValue brings to the table a robust ecosystem that encompasses a wide range of support services including incubation, advisory, marketing, IDO, and post-listing support. With BitValue's backing, Serenity Shield aims to fast-track its vision towards creating a more secure and user-friendly digital ecosystem.Introducing a Biometric Hardware Wallet SolutionAt the heart of this partnership, Serenity Shield is set to launch an avant-garde hardware wallet solution, integrating biometrics for enhanced security. This new wallet leverages biometric technology to offer a more secure and user-friendly way to store cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Unlike traditional wallets, biometric authentication allows users to access their assets through fingerprint recognition, eliminating the need for passwords or PINs.The innovation extends to using NFTs for seed phrase storage. Serenity Shield's approach involves splitting the seed phrase, a critical component for wallet recovery, into three separate parts. Each part is stored within a unique NFT. This method ensures that complete access to a user's private keys is distributed, preventing any single entity from having full control over the assets. This layered security mechanism adds an additional barrier against unauthorized access and potential security breaches.The biometric hardware wallet is designed for enhanced security and ease of use, aiming to encourage wider adoption of digital asset storage solutions. By integrating cutting-edge biometric technology with the innovative use of NFTs, Serenity Shield sets a new standard for security and convenience in the digital asset management space."Digital assets are becoming an integral part of our daily lives, and the importance of security in this space cannot be overstated," said Venket Naga, the CEO of Serenity Shield. "Our partnership with BitValue is a significant step toward creating a safer digital environment for all. We are introducing advanced security measures and enhancing usability, ensuring that protecting digital assets is intuitive and reliable. This collaboration empowers users with the confidence and tools they need to safeguard their assets effectively. Together, we are establishing a new benchmark for security and ease of use in the digital asset management industry." BitValue-Serenity Shield's Global VisionThe partnership accelerates Serenity Shield's development roadmap with BitValue's industry expertise and financial support. Furthermore, it opens avenues for global expansion, enabling Serenity Shield to extend its innovative secure storage solutions to a wider audience, facilitating the global adoption of decentralized applications.This ecosystem partnership between BitValue and Serenity Shield is a testament to the commitment to innovation, security, and empowering users. Together, they aim to redefine the landscape of decentralized applications and investment practices, bringing a new era of trust and reliability for the global community."Our collaboration with Serenity Shield represents a pivotal step towards creating a more secure and accessible digital world. The challenges of digital asset security are indeed complex, yet our combined efforts are poised to introduce groundbreaking solutions that tackle these issues head-on," stated Sophie Pulitzer, Co-Founder of BitValue Capital. "By integrating our resources and expertise with Serenity Shield's innovative solutions, we aim to fast-track the mass adoption of digital assets." About BitValue CapitalFounded in 2017 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, BitValue Capital has quickly established itself as an early investor in leading blockchain technologies, including Near, Flow, and Polkadot. The core team brings together experienced professionals from some of North America's top investment banks, hedge funds, Canadian pension funds, IBM, and the Toronto Stock Exchange, among other prominent institutions. BitValue Capital is dedicated to incubating top-tier blockchain projects and promoting global industry collaboration.Learn more at bvcapital.ca/ About Serenity ShieldSerenity Shield is a multi-chain solution dedicated to privacy and security. It empowers individuals and businesses to interact securely and confidently in the digital world by leveraging the power of blockchain to safeguard and protect user data. Serenity Shield offers a unique and innovative way to store sensitive data and document inheritance, ensuring that legacies and digital assets live on for generations. The company's leading product - the StrongBox DApp - enables individuals to reclaim control over their data, identity, and digital assets while protecting their loved ones, families, and businesses.Learn more at serenityshield.io For further information about this release, please contact:SOURCE: Serenity Shield PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 15:01:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 488 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MARYVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / In a significant testament to its unyielding commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, Skiers Choice brand Supra Boats has once again been honored with the coveted Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award for 2023 by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). This year's accolade marks an unparalleled achievement for Supra Boats, as it continues to build on its impressive streak of recognitions, further reinforcing its status as a leader in the marine industry.Supra 19th CSI Award The NMMA CSI Award, a hallmark of industry excellence, is presented annually to boat and engine manufacturers who consistently achieve high ratings from their customers across various parameters including product quality, dealership service, and overall customer satisfaction. This recognition is based on comprehensive surveys conducted among customers who have purchased a new boat or engine in the past year, underscoring the award's significance as a direct reflection of consumer trust and satisfaction.With this latest award, Supra Boats not only celebrates its 19th consecutive CSI honor but also reaffirms its position as the top wakeboat brand in its segment. Such consistent recognition over the years is a clear indicator of Supra Boats' dedication to excellence and its unwavering focus on delivering an exceptional boating experience to its customers.Chris Crysdale, VP of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service at Supra Boats, expressed his pride in the company's achievements, stating, "Receiving the NMMA CSI Award for the 19th consecutive year is a remarkable honor that reflects our continuous effort to exceed the expectations of our customers. We are committed to innovation, quality, and customer service, and this award is a testament to our team's dedication to maintaining the highest standards in everything we do." Supra Boats, produced by Skier's Choice, a marine manufacturing leader, is renowned for its high-performance, stylish, and comfortable towboats. Based in Maryville, Tennessee, Skier's Choice employs hundreds of highly skilled experts and craftspeople who contribute to creating the ultimate boating experience for customers worldwide.As Supra Boats looks to the future, it remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation and customer service, striving to set new benchmarks in the boating industry. This latest CSI Award serves as a beacon of Supra Boats' enduring legacy and its promise to deliver unparalleled boating adventures.For more information about Supra Boats and their award-winning line of products, visit Supra Boats Website.About Supra Boats Supra Boats, a leading name in the wakeboat industry, is celebrated for its innovation, performance, and luxury. Manufactured by Skier's Choice, Supra Boats is committed to delivering superior quality and an unmatched boating experience.About NMMA The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading trade organization for the North American recreational boating industry. NMMA represents boat, marine engine, and accessory manufacturers, dedicated to advocating for the boating industry and promoting the boating lifestyle.Contact Information Skiers Choice Moomba BoatsCompany 865-983-9924SOURCE: Skiers ChoiceView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 15:02:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 444 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Magnetic Brilliance, YSMART Flashlight Elevates Convenience with Its Quick-Release Charging SystemLONDON, ENGLAND / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / YSMART, a pioneer in innovative lighting solutions, is thrilled to announce the Kickstarter success of its latest innovation, the YSMART MQ5. This groundbreaking magnetic quick-release rechargeable flashlight has surpassed expectations by achieving 1000% funding within just 10 days, supported by over 650 backers.YSMART MQ5 The World's First Pop-To-Light Rechargeable Flashlight Crafted for Convenience and ReliabilityThe YSMART MQ5 is not just a flashlight; it's a beacon of innovation in the compact lighting industry. Designed with versatility in mind, it features a unique pop-to-light mechanism, a robust magnetic base for hands-free use, and a compact design that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand or clips securely to your gear. Whether for everyday carry, emergency situations, or adventurous outdoor activities, the YSMART MQ5 is your reliable source of light.Exceptional CraftsmanshipAvailable in two premium materials, brass and Grade 5 titanium, the YSMART MQ5 is built to last. Its durability is matched by the power of a CREE XPG3 bulb, offering unparalleled brightness in a compact form factor. This combination of premium materials and cutting-edge technology ensures that the YSMART MQ5 stands out in the crowded market of portable lighting solutions.A Testament to Innovation and Community Support"We are overwhelmed by the support from the Kickstarter community," said WL LIU, founder of YSMART. "Our goal was to create a flashlight that combines functionality, durability, and elegance, and the response has been beyond our expectations. We are excited to bring the YSMART MQ5 to our backers and can't wait to see how it illuminates their lives." Continuing a Legacy of SuccessFollowing the success of previous crowdfunding campaigns, YSMART has once again demonstrated its commitment to innovation and quality. The YSMART MQ5 is a testament to the company's dedication to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of portable lighting.Join the Revolution in LightingThe YSMART MQ5 campaign is still live on Kickstarter, offering exclusive early bird specials for new backers. Join the community of supporters and be among the first to experience the future of lighting with the YSMART MQ5.About YSMARTYSMART is dedicated to creating innovative, high-quality lighting solutions that enhance the lives of their customers. With a focus on design, functionality, and durability, YSMART continues to lead the way in the portable lighting industry.For more information, please check:YSMART MQ5 KICKSTARTER: http://kck.st/3OVzVldYSMART TEAM: admin@ ysmart.co.ukYSMART WEBSITE: www.ysmart.co.ukYSMART MQ5 MEDIA PACK: https://shorturl.at/hqxX8Contact InformationYSMART TEAMYSMART MEDIAysmartlondon@ gmail.com 07749 368272SOURCE: YSMART LONDONView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-19 16:16:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 529 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 When disasters strike, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and the Habit Burger Grill helps team members rebuild.NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2024 / Yum! Brands Originally published by Yum! BrandsIn 2023, Yum! Brands provided $1 million in aid to over 2,000 team members and their families who experienced loss. This assistance is a product of the Yum! Foundation's global Disaster Relief Fund, which is in addition to other monetary support that may be available from its franchisees. To date, Yum! has given millions of dollars in grants to team members of franchise- and company-owned KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill restaurants who've experienced a natural disaster.Image provided by Yum! Brands.Yum! also supports global communities as a member of the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, which helps residents prepare for natural disasters and quickly administer resources on the ground when weather-related events or other tragedies strike."We were hit by Typhoon Mawar, causing the roof of my house to cave in," said a team member in Guam. "This grant has helped me to recover directly after the storm and repair some broken structures in my house. I would like to thank all those who [made] it possible for me not worry or stress about how I am going to recover from this storm. This makes me even more proud to be a part of my organization." From Mozambique to Mexico, Yum! responded to 11 natural disasters last year, including Cyclone Freddy, Hurricane Otis, wildfires in Hawaii and the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria. When these events occur, Yum! and its franchisees direct their team members to apply for emergency relief online, leading to immediate response grants if approved."I applied for this grant because of extensive home flooding and subsequent cleanup/repair from Hurricane Ian," one U.S. team member said. "This grant was hugely beneficial as it allowed me to make many repairs to my home when I did not have available insurance or other immediate means to assist. I have never felt more cared for by an employer in my 20-year career. From the very beginning of this unfortunate event, my company assisted, encouraged and guided me with resources that I have not had in any previous job." Going forward, Yum! will continue to care for its people. Red Cross Societies reported responding to a natural disaster every 10 days in 2023, and this trend is expected to worsen in the coming years."It's an inevitable part of life that we all will be challenged by things outside our control," said Gabriela Molina Rochac, region human resources director at Premium Restaurants of America in El Salvador. "When our team members and their families are affected by a natural disaster, for example, we can't fix everything, but they can get a little bit of financial assistance thanks to the Disaster Relief Fund. Caring for people is part of Yum!'s company values." View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Yum! Brands on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: Yum! BrandsWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/yum-brands Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Yum! Brands Nigerian stocks appreciated 3.8 per cent last week, bringing their yield so far this year to about 42 per cent. Against analysts expectation that a hawkish stance at the next monetary policy committee meeting would cause interest to shift from equities to fixed-income securities, demand for stocks increased, helping to wipe out the loss reported for the penultimate week. The earnings reports of big names including Dangote Cement, MTN Nigeria, Seplat, the big 5 banks (excluding FBN Holdings) and Nestle are being awaited, and they could shape the fate of the market in the weeks ahead. We are expecting a lot of value coming from that space (tier 1 banks) and we know that when those results start coming in, it will give investors a lot of value, Muktar Mohammed, analyst at Assar Investments, said in an interview with CNBC Africa on Friday. PREMIUM TIMES has assembled a number of stocks with fundamentals and other potential, adopting key analytical approaches to save you the hassle of randomly picking equities for investment. The selection, a product of analytical market watch, offers a guide to entering the market and taking strategic positions in hopes that equities will gain value with the passage of time, particularly in the short term. This is not a buy, sell or hold recommendation but a stock investment guide. You may need to involve your financial advisor before taking investment decisions. EcoBank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) ETI tops this weeks pick for currently trading significantly below its intrinsic value. The lenders price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is 1.3x, while its price-to-book ratio (PB) is 0.4x. Access Holdings Access Holdings makes this weeks pick for trading significantly below its intrinsic value. The PE ratio of the financial services group is presently 3.1x, while its PB ratio is 0.5x. C&I Leasing C&I Leasing appears on the list for currently trading below its intrinsic value. The companys PE ratio is 7.4x, while its PB ratio is 0.4x. Custodian Investment Custodian Investment makes the list for trading well below its real value, brightening its chances of significant price appreciation in future. The PE ratio of the company is 3.6x, while its PB ratio is 0.8x. Flour Mills of Nigeria Flour Mills makes the cut for currently trading below its real value. The companys PE ratio is 8.5x, while the PB ratio is 0.7x. Linkage Assurance Linkage Assurance makes this weeks pick for currently trading significantly below its real value. The PE ratio of the financial services group is presently 3.8x, while its PB ratio is 0.5x. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A United States-based Nigerian Professor of History and African Diaspora Studies, Saheed Aderinto, recently premiered a documentary on the life and times of the late Fuji music maestro Sikiru Ayinde, whose stage name was Barrister. The documentary, titled: Mr Fuji Barry Wonder, was screened at a two-day Barrister Festival (BarryFest) organised by the late musicians fans as part of efforts to immortalise him. The festival, held at the Ilaji Hotels and Resorts, Akanran, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, kicked off with live performances by musicians. It also featured Jumuat service at the Mufutau Olanihun Mosque in Ibadan, the unveiling of the Barrister Cenotaph at the entrance of Ibadan on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and a gala night where many fan groups danced to different tracks of the late musicians musical tracks. The grand finale featured the awards presentations and the premiere of Mr Fuji Barry Wonder, a documentary that thrilled the large audience with exclusive, memorable images of Barrister, his band members, family members, and fans. Aderinto speaks The professor said he commenced the shooting of the documentary in 2021 at different locations in Nigeria and the US, where he works as a lecturer. He said the documentary was not made for commercial purposes but to preserve the musicians role in carving out a niche for an unknown music genre among Nigerian indigenous brands of music. READ ALSO: Mr Aderinto, who also hails from Ibadan like the late musician, said the documentary was produced to show critical knowledge that is close to the heart of the people who use the medium of documentary filmmaking. This is to preserve the legacies of Barrister through the medium of a film, to place Fuji at the centre of global knowledge production, and to increase the global attention on Fuji. It is also to take the name of Fuji and Barrister into academic domains where they dont exist for now, he said. BarryFest organisers speak The Chairman and Secretary of the BarryFest Planning Committee, Olaide Olawumi and Ademola Adesingbin, respectively, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the event, which they both described as an improvement over the maiden edition held at the same venue and Barristers Fuji Chamber residence, in Isolo, Lagos. Mr Adesignin said: All we need to say is to thank God for His grace over the planning committee. We faced a few challenges along the way due to the state of the nations economy, but God helped us overcome those challenges. We thank all our members for their enthusiasm towards the BarryFest. They are all wonderful. We also thank all our guests for honouring us with their presence and support. We shall continue to hold them in high esteem. In attendance at the ceremony was the former Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mutalubi Ojo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who described the late musician as a superstar both in life and in death. Mr Ojo, who received an appreciation award from the event organisers, noted that he had never seen a late Nigerian musician as blessed with dedicated fans as Barrister. The Vice-Chancellor of Ojaja University, Kwara State, Jeleel Ojuade, a professor, presented a paper at the event that dug deep into the evolution of the late musician as a force to reckon with in the Nigerian indigenous music scene. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print FORT NOVOSEL-An update on the curriculum at and facilities for the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College at Fort Novosel was given to those attending the February meeting of the Military Officers Association of America. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Stephen Napoli, who serves as deputy commandant at the career college, outlined the development of curriculum to enhance the professional military education of all warrant officers in a military environment. Napoli also outlined the expansion of the college facilities on the post. MOAA has a national membership of approximately 350,000 members and is the nations largest and most influential association of military officers. It is an advocate of a strong national defense and represents the interests of military officers and their families at every stage of their careers. Amidst the growing concerns about government policies that have led to sky-high living costs, comedian Lawrence Aletile, known as Seyi Law, has reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Tinubus administration. Unlike his colleagues, Kwam 1 and Olaiya Igwe, who have lamented the economic hardship Nigerians are experiencing, Seyi Law, an avid APC supporter, has reposed confidence in President Tinubus leadership. In a statement on his X page on 17 February, Seyi Law pledged to vote for Mr Tinubu again, emphasising his commitment to constructive criticism and condemning harmful actions directed towards the President. The comedian and actor stated his preference to remain loyal to Mr Tinubu through both challenging and favourable times rather than seeking temporary comfort under other leaders that could come at the expense of his childrens future. I would rather stay with Moses through the wilderness to Canaan than eat meat and drink wine in slavery in Egypt at the expense of my childrens future. It is easy for any government at the centre to please the multitude by reverting to full subsidy on fuel and exchange rates, but I would rather we reset, rebuild, and sustain our future than live on a better now by borrowing our future. I want to see specific people-driven and engaging policies in the agriculture, power, and health sectors. I am hopeful. I know everything doesnt rest at the centre, and I should be able to make demands from the state government. Your allocations have increased, and to take steps towards a better transportation system, not to talk of subsidising it for your citizens, is a mountain youre finding hard to climb. The state governors are shameless. It is easy for any government at the centre to please the multitude by reverting to full subsidy on fuel and exchange rates, but I would rather we reset, rebuild, and sustain our future than live on a better now by borrowing our future. I want to see certain people-driven and engaging policies in the agriculture, power, and health sectors. I am hopeful. The 40-year-old comedian said many Nigerians make other people lose hope in the government by being mean and wanting things immediately. The comedian further lamented the ineffective communication of government agendas, efforts, and actions by government agencies. Seyi Law, who stated that he refrains from judging anyone for their grievances toward the government, also pointed out that while the government was elected to serve the people, he might be more informed than other Nigerians for refraining from criticism. Wheres Nigerian manna? Furthermore, in another post on his X on Monday, Seyi Law, titled An Open Letter to Mr President, echoed the growing chorus of voices lamenting the prevailing hardships in the country. AN OPEN LETTER TO MR. PRESIDENT. Mr. President, @officialABAT I know you're not new to the complexity of governance in Nigeria, and I truly hope you're feeling the pulse of the nation at this point in time. I am one of your ardent supporters, and I won't hesitate to be one of SEYILAW (@seyilaw1) February 19, 2024 He noted that Nigerians are tired and clamouring for relief during this challenging period under the leadership of Mr Tinubu. The Ondo-born comedian directly addressed the President, saying that with each passing moment, time slips away from his administrations grasp. He revealed that he refrained from participating in protests against former President Muhammadu Buharis administration for nearly two years, believing that every new administration requires a minimum of one and a half years to stabilise. He said Tinubu is no stranger to the intricacies of governance in Nigeria. Still, he hopes he is experiencing firsthand the hardships, insecurity, and hunger plaguing the nation. He reiterated his readiness to criticise the former Lagos State Governor if necessary, should he fail to address pressing issues. READ ALSO: Sir, may I cast your mind back to 2012 when your party was able to convince Nigerians who had just had a beautiful Yuletide celebration to take over the street in protest of the removal of subsidies on fuel. It was a turning point for Jonathans administration and ushered in President Muhammadu Buhari. It might interest you to know that I wasnt one of the Nigerians convinced then to vote for Buhari. Can you now imagine what a great protest it would be for Nigerians to troop into the streets because of hunger, insecurity, and inability to afford basic amenities? I dont want to imagine it and talk more about joining them. Your Excellency, good intentions are mere intentions without proper implementations. I expected certain things to be quickly fixed to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal. I am yet to see a fully implemented plan in the short term. I used Moses and the Israelites journey from Egypt as an analogy in one of my write-ups, and it wasnt a mistake. It was deliberate, as you probably know that the Israelites got to a point and began to complain, preferring to go back to slavery in Egypt rather than moving forward. They got tired of Manna, and now Nigerians ask, Where is our manna for this time? I waited for almost two years to join a protest against former President Buharis administration because I believe that at least every new administration needs a minimum of one and a half years to stabilise. For every tick and tick on the clock, time is running on your administration. Incompetence Seyi Law criticised the incompetence of some Ministers, Special Advisers, and others in Mr Tinubus cabinet. He added that Nigerians are compelled to question the roles of other members of his cabinet, noting that citizens want to avoid a situation where individuals who previously failed in their duties are given the freedom to offer solutions in the media. We need members of your cabinet to communicate more effectively with visible action plans. Nigerians followed the continuous updates from the minister of interior, the actions of Governor Wike, and the progress of minister Bosun Tijani, he added. He stated that while he supports Mr Tinubu, he will continue to pose challenging questions until he succeeds for the nations greater good. This nation must and should be better for all. Mr President, it will be sad to lose the goodwill of over 8.9 million people who voted for you because of the incompetence of the people in your cabinet. I believe at the mark of one year, there should be an appraisal of everyone, and those found wanting must go. Sir, we await the PCNG buses initiative, soft food availability, and affordability measures. The issue of electricity is deeply concerning. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The publicity secretary of Nigerias ruling party, APC, in Plateau State was killed in a kidnap incident, the police have said. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Sylvanus Namang was shot dead late on Saturday in Pankshin, Plateau State. In its first reaction to the murder, the police in Plateau through their spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, said Mr Namang was not the primary target of the kidnap. Mr Alabo said that Mr Namang was killed by gunmen at a relaxation spot in Pankshin. On Saturday, at about 8 p.m., we received information that some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, numbering about seven, invaded a relaxation centre located along Pankshin-Jos road, and kidnapped the owner. In the process, a customer, one Sylvanus Namang, was shot dead by the invaders. On receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Hassan Yabanet, directed the Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Pankshin, to arrest the suspects and rescue the victim. Our men engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle and were able to foil the kidnap attempt. The suspects escaped with gunshot wounds while the victim was rescued and rushed to the General Hospital, Pankshin for treatment as the bandits had injured him, he said. Mr Alabo, however, disclosed that the victim was later confirmed dead at the hospital. He quoted the commissioner as expressing condolence with the family of the deceased while assuring residents of the commands readiness to secure their lives and property at all times. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have rejected the position of Pope Francis on the blessing of same-sex couples. The Pope had, in December, approved blessings of same-sex couples by Catholic priests. His position elicited criticisms from many Catholic faithful, with some saying the approval could be translated as the churchs endorsement of same-sex marriage. Youve hurt the unity of the Catholic Church Reacting, the Catholic bishops said it is disappointing that statements or declarations from the Holy See which ought to foster unity and communion on matters of doctrine, morals and liturgy, have done otherwise and succeeded in hurting the unity and catholicity of the church. The bishops spoke through a speech delivered by its President, Lucius Ugorji, at the formal opening of the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on Sunday, at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, Daily Trust reported. We must sincerely admit that the Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans (on the pastoral meaning of blessings), issued on 18th December 2023, by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has added to our pains. While the document prohibits liturgical blessings for same-sex couples, it recommends at the same time spontaneous pastoral blessings for couples in irregular situations including the blessing of same-sex couples, Mr Ugorji said. It further stressed that such pastoral blessings should not be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them nor can it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding. Given the ambiguities in the declaration, the document quickly aroused mixed reactions of acceptance, sceptical reserve and outright rejection from episcopal conferences and individual Bishops across the world, he stated. The Catholic bishop noted that with the media hype that ambushed the text, its publication generated shock, outrage and disbelief among the faithful in Nigeria, in Africa and other parts of the world, with many devout Catholics in the communities wondering how a priest could bless same-sex couples who live permanently in a sinful union without causing confusion and scandal. In the midst of this confusion and pushback, we must, as pastors with the pastoral task of safeguarding the deposit of faith in its purity and integrity, uphold the teaching of the church based on Holy Scripture and tradition. We shouldnt be conformed to this world but be transformed by renewing your minds, so we may discern what the Will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect. We must continue to teach our faithful that there is no possibility of blessing same-sex couples or same-sex unions in the Church in Africa, he maintained. Homosexual acts are of grave depravity which are intrinsically disordered and, above all, contrary to natural law. In furtherance of our pastoral and prophetic mission, we must also continue to stress that God loves the sinner unconditionally and calls him to repentance so that he might live. Also speaking, the Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Ignatius Kaigama, said the theme of the CBCN Conference, Synod on Synodality: Focusing on areas of concern for the Church in Nigeria, is an opportunity to get clearer information or education on several issues concerning the church and its doctrine. The divine physician does not only prescribe prayer, almsgiving and fasting. He also calls us to walk together in synodality which is part of the theme for the conference. Synodality has its roots in the early Christian community. But the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has given it prominence in his bid to emphasise the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit, and to the voices of all segments of the faithful in decision making in the church, where decisions are made collectively, and the communitys well-being takes precedence over individual interests; where dialogue is promoted, and active participation encouraged, Mr Kaigama said. The archbishop said the synod was not about changing the traditional rudiments of the Catholic faith and practice, but that their position resonates with African culture which is against same-sex relationships. We have a duty to listen to the rest of the universal church, just as our African culture, ethics and morality have much to offer to our universal family, the Church. The opposite of synodality is clericalism which Pope Francis calls a scandal, Mr Kaigama added. Same-sex Marriage Prohibited in Nigeria Same-sex marriage and relationships are illegal in Nigeria. Nigerias anti-gay law, enacted in January 2014 by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, stipulates a 14-year prison term for anyone convicted of having sex with members of the same sex. The Nigerian government put the law to the test for the first time in December 2019 when 47 men arrested by the police in a hotel in Lagos the previous year were arraigned in court, accused of publicly displaying affection for members of the same sex. All 47 men pleaded not guilty and were granted bail by the court. A federal judge later struck out the charges against the men because of a lack of diligent prosecution by the police. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The United States has issued a scathing condemnation of the escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), squarely blaming the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group for exacerbating the already dire humanitarian emergency in the region. In a strongly-worded statement on 17 February, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller pulled no punches, calling out the M23s incursions into the town of Sake as actions that have compounded the suffering for millions displaced and under attack. The United States strongly condemns the worsening violencecaused by the Rwanda-backed, U.S.- and UN-sanctioned M23 armed group, Miller said, demanding the rebels immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from positions around Sake and Goma. The forceful rebuke comes on the heels of alarming reports that Rwandan forces fired surface-to-air missiles into eastern DRC, a provocative escalation of conventional military force. According to a leaked UN document, a suspected Rwandan Defence Force mobile Surface-to-Air Missile was fired at a UN drone, ratcheting up tensions. The United States condemns Rwandas support for the M23and calls on Rwanda to immediately withdraw all personnel from the DRC and remove its surface-to-air missile systems, Miller stated. The DRCs eastern provinces have been mired in conflict for decades, with a toxic slew of rebel groups, ethnic militias, and foreign interventions fueling a protracted humanitarian catastrophe. Over 5 million have been displaced in the latest upheaval. While demanding the DRC cease cooperating with groups like the FDLR militia, Miller underscored that all states must respect each others sovereignty and territorial integrity and hold human rights abusers accountable. Beyond the immediate crisis, the resurgence of the M23 a rebel force with roots in Rwandas genocide raises critical strategic questions about non-state armed groups undermining regional stability. In the last 60 days, an expert at the U.S. Institute of Peace warned that military force alone cannot resolve these long-simmering conflicts, urging inclusive political dialogue as the way for enduring peace. They emphasized the key roles of civil society and religious leaders in reconciliation efforts. As this latest eruption of violence unfolds, deeper issues demand scrutiny: What are the underlying drivers fueling the M23s resurgence that have been overlooked? How can the international community effectively counter rebel groups that transcend borders? What ethical lines must be drawn around the use of force against groups like M23? Without concerted action to address these systemic issues, the cyclical violence and humanitarian suffering in eastern DRC seem destined to persist unabated. Pearl Matibe is a Washington, DC-based White House Correspondent, and media commentator with expertise on U.S. foreign policy, and international security. You may follow her on Twitter: @PearlMatibe Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said it did not experience a bomb scare at the agencys headquarters in Abuja on Monday. The FIRS spoke after rumour of a bomb scare was circulated earlier on Monday. In a response to this newspaper, Dare Adekanmbi, special adviser on media to the FIRS chairman, said the situation arose from an unrelated event near one of the FIRS offices on Sokode Crescent, Abuja. Citing a report by the Director of Security, Safety, and Fleet Management at FIRS, Gregory Asuquo, Mr Adekanmbi said that security guards at China Cultural Centre, a building close to one of FIRS offices in Sokode Crescent, reported that they saw a suspicious object like a parcel near their premises. In adherence to security protocols, police from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit were dispatched to investigate the object. The precautionary measures taken by law enforcement understandably led to speculation among bystanders, mistakenly interpreting the situation as a bomb threat. Ostensibly, the presence of the police EOD team gave the impression to passers-by and bystanders that a bomb was in the vicinity, especially that the team had to cordon off the vicinity as a standard procedure before carrying out the inspection. READ ALSO: The suspicious object has been evacuated and normal human and vehicular movement restored in the area, he said. According to him, the evacuated object was not a bomb, as indicated by the fact that the standard evacuation protocol for bombs wasnt followed. He said the security guards acted correctly by alerting the appropriate authorities to assess the situation. In an internal memo by Mr Asuquo, employees were reminded to verify information before sharing it. Additionally, all security teams within the organisation were directed to increase their vigilance, with staff urged to promptly report any suspicious items, activities, or observations to the Security, Safety, and Fleet Management Department. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A human rights activist in Delta State, Harrison Gwamnishu, has accused a police chief in the state of taking part in the sharing of N2,465,000 allegedly extorted from a Nigerian by a police officer in the state. Fabian Ayameh, a superintendent of police and divisional police officer (DPO) in charge of Abraka, is accused of benefiting to the tune of N950,000 from the extorted money. The extortion was allegedly carried out by Ishaku Attah, a divisional crime officer (DCO) in the division. Mr Gwamnishu had in a post on X drawn the attention of the police authorities to the alleged extortion by Mr Attah, which the police investigated, recovered the money and returned it to the victim. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Abiniwonda Olufemi, last Wednesday, removed Mr Attah as DCO in the Abraka division over the allegation, PREMIUM TIMES reported. Two days later, Mr Gwamnishu again took to X, accusing the DPO of Abraka, Mr Ayameh, of benefiting from the extortion. He posted on the microblogging platform the receipts of transactions from a POS agent that carried out the transactions. I have evidence that the DCO 2 and the DPO SP Fabian Ayameh both shared the N2,465,000 extorted from a victim. The POS agent transferred this money into the account of DCO2 & DPO SP Fabian Ayameh. Aside from the cash collected. The DPO received in his First Bank account the total sum of N950,000 (N750,000 & N200,000), Mr Gwamnishu wrote. READ ALSO : He challenged Mr Ayameh to make public his account statement. The removed DCO 2 SP Ishaku Attah received into his First Bank account the total sum of N1,049,000 (N929,000 & N120,000), he said. The police spokesperson in the state, Bright Edafe, when contacted on the allegation against Mr Ayameh, said the case is currently under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department. He promised to provide an update after the investigation. Mr Gwanmnishu had last month drawn the attention of the police in Rivers State to the extortion of $3,000 by three officers in the state, an allegation the command after investigation recommended the three officers for dismissal. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State Government has lifted the ban on the activities of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in the state. The state government said the move was in furtherance of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administrations quest to foster peace and smooth working relationship among union members in the transportation sector. In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, on Monday, he said the government took the decision after careful consideration and extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including members of the association, Trade Union Congress, (TUC) and the general public. Mr Giwa stated that the Lagos State Parks and Garages Administrators Committee, which was set up to manage parks and garage facilities in the state, has been dissolved with immediate effect. He explained that the decision was in the best interest of promoting unity and peaceful co-existence, ensuring the smooth operation of transport services within the state, and helping to foster a more collaborative relationship between the government and the transport union, ultimately leading to improved services for the public. The special adviser urged all parties involved to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions of the settlement reached for peaceful and sustainable operations in the transportation sector. READ ALSO: NDLEA intercepts large consignment of cannabis concealed in loudspeakers at Lagos airport He also implored them to cooperate and work together towards building a better transportation system to benefit all residents. Recall that the State Government suspended the activities of RTEAN in September 2022 and constituted a Caretaker Committee to oversee the affairs of the union. PREMIUM TIMES had, earlier in January, reported that the 15-month dispute between the Lagos State government and the RTEAN was resolved at the instance of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the leadership of the organised labour. But representatives of the state government said there was no such resolution at the time. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Aderemi Adeoye, has ordered an investigation into the killing of a trader at the bridgehead drug market in the commercial city of Onitsha. The trader, Arinze Obunadike, was shot dead during an operation in the market on 16 February by a state government-backed Anti-Touting Squad. Mr Adeoye gave the order when Golden Iloh, member representing Ihiala State Constituency II in the Anambra House of Assembly, made a formal complaint of the killing at the police headquarters in Awka on Monday. Mr Iloh said the slain trader, from Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area, studied political science at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, before going into apprenticeship in the market. The police commissioner commended the people of the constituency and the family of the deceased for the peaceful way they were demanding justice. He said an investigation would be sustained until the culprits are brought to book. Mr Adeoye said the State Criminal Investigation Department had been directed to take over the case for a thorough investigation, assuring that the police would ensure that justice was done and that all those who had a hand in the extrajudicial killing were brought to justice. I dont have all the facts about what happened, but I have directed the Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case for a thorough investigation. No one has the power or right to take the life of another person and where the victim is dead and cannot speak for himself, the government will speak for him. The event took place in the open, which means there were eyewitnesses. We shall steadily conduct an investigation until everyone involved is established, arrested and arraigned before the court. The killers must have their day in court and the bereaved will see that justice is done, he said. The lawmaker said the deceased was a hardworking young man with no history of crime. He said although the deceased cannot be brought back to life, all they were asking for is the unmasking of those involved and ensuring that they were prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others. Mr Iloh said the people of Okija and the entire Ihiala Constituency II decided to take the matter to the police with the confidence that they would treat the case diligently. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Five people have been confirmed dead while 12 others were injured in an accident that occurred on Tuesday around Foursquare Church, Ajebo, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. The accident, which occurred at about 1:07 p.m., involved a Mazda bus with registration number SMK685YG and a Howo truck with registration number ZE-1210G. Spokesperson of Ogun State Sector Command, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Florence Okpe, disclosed that the driver of the Mazda bus fell asleep due to fatigue, lost control in the process, and rammed into the moving truck. According to Mrs Okpe, those injured were taken to Victory Hospital in Ogere Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state for medical attention while the bodies of the dead have been deposited at FOS Morgue, Ipara Remo. A total of 18 persons were involved, which consisted of 10 male adults and eight female adults. 12 people were injured (10 males and two females), and unfortunately five (four males and one female) persons were recorded dead from the crash, she said. Mrs Okpe noted that the Sector Commander, FRSC Ogun Sector Command, Anthony Uga has, however, advised motorists to shun over-speeding and to always purchase good tyres for their safety and that of passengers. She quoted Mr Uga to have advised drivers to always create time to rest, while urging passengers to always be on the alert to correct any abnormalities they notice in the drivers, especially when a driver is seen dozing while behind wheels. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has directed its members to withdraw their trucks from petroleum product loading activities with effect from Monday, 19 February. The association noted that the decision to withdraw its operation was due to the high operational costs in the industry. The association disclosed this in a letter dated 15 February, addressed to the General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) and signed by its national President, Othman Yusuf. The letter titled Notice of withdrawal of operation was also sent to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the State Security Services (SSS) and the executive secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (NEMAN). NARTO is the umbrella organisation of all commercial vehicle owners in Nigeria engaged in the haulage of petroleum products, general cargoes, and movement of passengers, within the country and the entire West Africa sub-region. NARTOs withdrawal of operation could thus cripple the distribution of petrol and diesel across Nigeria and lead to a crisis in the sector. The association had recently raised concern over the high cost of diesel required to power its trucks for the transportation of petroleum products across the country. In its letter, the association said it can no longer continue in business within the context of the current economic situation in the country. We are deeply constrained to seek the support and understanding of your union and members towards the excruciating challenges petroleum truck owners are facing with the high operational costs in the industry, the association said. ALSO READ: Dangote refinery to export first fuel cargoes As you are already aware of several efforts we have made to secure negotiations for appropriate and commensurate freight rates for our operations from all conceivable authorities concerned in the industry, most especially the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria but which have received no positive responses from them. We have no other options but to write to inform you that the NARTO National Executive Council (NEC) has resolved to direct all our members not to make their petroleum trucks available for petroleum products loading activities with effect from Monday, 19th day of February 2024. The association thereafter implored its members to show maximum cooperation, support and understanding to its collective efforts for the continued sustainability of the petroleum haulage business and effective service delivery by ensuring adequate and immediate compliance. There is definitely no way we can continue in this business within the context of the current economic situation in the country, it added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Liberal organizations in Washington are backing President Joe Biden and say they expect Trump to lose. But they're quietly trying to install roadblocks just in case. A collection of activists, advocates and legal experts is promoting new federal rules to limit presidential power while urging Bidens White House to do more to protect his accomplishments and limit Trump in a possible second term. All of that is happening with far less fanfare than plans by Trump supporters to create a conservative government-in-waiting via an effort known as Project 2025. The Office of Personnel Management, the federal governments chief human resources agency, proposed a rule against reclassifying tens of thousands of workers so they can be more easily fired. According to spokesperson Viet Tran, the office will finalize the rule in April. That means that a future administration would likely have to spend months or even years unwinding it if they want to try to do so. Those supporting the effort are open about its limits. My impression is the Biden administration is taking very seriously that potential threat and is trying to do things now," said Michael Linden, a former executive associate director of the White House Office of Management and Budget under Biden. But he added, "Nobody should be under any illusion that theres anything that this president can do in advance to prevent the next president from doing things that are very damaging, potentially catastrophically. There isn't any magic bullet, Linden said. The White House is reluctant to talk about a second Trump term before Election Day, as that would imply it has plans for if Biden loses. Trump "is already telegraphing plays straight out of the authoritarian playbook gutting the civil service of people he deems disloyal and plotting revenge on his political enemies," said Kevin Munoz, a spokesman for Biden's campaign. "Theres one way of stopping Trumps dangerous and un-American plans: reelecting President Biden. Still, Norm Eisen, who was chief ethics counselor to President Barack Obama, wants Biden to issue executive orders that could limit the use of the military domestically. Trump has talked about sending troops to the southern border or to Democrat-run cities dealing with rising crime rates. I understand the potential reluctance to signal any risk here as a political matter and thats not an illegitimate consideration, said Eisen, a senior fellow in governance studies at the left-leaning Brookings Institution. But there are countervailing considerations given the threat that we face. Central both to Trump's plans and the Democratic efforts to impede him is deciding how many government workers can be removed by a new administration, potentially to be replaced with loyalists. Trump at the end of his term sought to reclassify thousands of the more than 2 million federal employees, stripping them of job protections and making them at-will employees under a new classification known as Schedule F. Around 4,000 federal employees are now considered political appointees who typically change with each administration. Creating Schedule F could have increased that more than tenfold. Biden revoked that order but Trump says he'll revive it should he win. And conservatives preparing thick policy books are strategizing on how to fire employees to make more room for Trump appointees. A spokesman for Trump's campaign did not answer a message seeking comment and the Heritage Foundation, which is running Project 2025, declined to answer written questions. But Heritage's president, Kevin Roberts, told The New York Times Magazine that he wants to see destruction" in the government. People will lose their jobs. Hopefully their lives are able to flourish in spite of that, Roberts said. Buildings will be shut down. Hopefully they can be repurposed for private industry. The OPM in September proposed the rule making it more difficult to reclassify employees and allowing anyone moved into a potential Schedule F to retain their protections against being fired. It's been endorsed by 27 advocacy organizations whose policy interests dont always align. I think youve seen the federal agencies, and the president himself, talk about the importance of a functioning government, the importance of a democracy and the importance of a government that works for all people, said Skye Perryman, president of the advocacy group Democracy Forward, which has been a leading proponent of the proposed rule. James Sherk, a former Trump administration official now working at the America First Policy Institute, another group strategizing for a second Trump term, opposed the rule in a letter sent to OPM. Sherk argued worker protections against termination enable what are typically very liberal career staff to stymie conservative policies. The federal workforce has ideologically polarized, and this rulemaking would impede the ability of presidents whose views differ from the bureaucracys to implement their agendas, Sherk wrote. 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? Nude evidence against professor accused of sexual harassment Three nude videos of a female diploma student at the University of Calabar were played in the open at a Federal High Court, Abuja, as evidence in the trial of Cyril Ndifon, the suspended dean of law faculty of the university. Mr Ndifon, a law professor, is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for alleged sexual harassment. A forensic and intelligence analyst with ICPC, who testified before the court, said the nude videos were extracted from the professors phone. But while Mr Ndifon is standing trial over alleged sexual harassment, another law professor and former Vice-chancellor of the University of Uyo, Enefiok Essien, accused of a similar offence, is walking free. Mr Essien is yet to be investigated years after the Court of Appeal, Calabar, on 14 July 2005, agreed with a female student of the University of Uyo, that the law lecturer had manipulated the university to expel her after she refused to accept his love overtures. Cameroonian arrested with N300m worth of elephant tusks A suspected Cameroonian elephant tusk exporter was arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service in Calabar, Cross Rivers State with 50 units of elephant tusks, weighing 200kg and valued at N300 million. The Cameroonian Mohammed Ibrahim was arrested with the items suspected to be on his way to Lagos for onward transportation to other locations. Ahmed Waziri, area comptroller of customs in Cross River, said a Honda SUV, and a pistol with live ammunition, were also recovered from the suspect. Nobody can tag NDDC a failure MD Despite the people of the oil-rich Niger Delta region saying NDDC is a failure, the managing director of the interventionist agency, Samuel Ogbuku said records prove otherwise. Mr Ogbuku, who was speaking at a two-day board and management retreat of the commission on Tuesday in Akwa Ibom, said nobody can tag the commission a failure based on records. He said most of the development strides of the commission, including training and skills acquisition programmes, are things people cannot see, a situation he said made people conclude that the commission has done nothing. Mr Ogbuku said the commission, within 24 years of its existence, has executed about 7, 483 projects including 3, 357 roads and bridges while 3, 427 are still ongoing. Three police officers face dismissal over $3000 extortion Three police officers two assistant superintendents, Doubara Edonyabo and Talent Mungo, and an inspector, Odey Michael, are now counting their days in the Nigerian Police Force as they have been recommended for dismissal for extorting $3000 from two Nigerians. The police in Rivers State arrived at the decision after concluding the investigation into the allegation. The police recovered the $3000 from the suspects and returned it to the victims. In the neighbouring Delta State, a divisional crime officer was removed from his post for allegedly extorting N2.4 million from a Nigerian. A human rights activist in Delta State, Harrison Gwamnishu, made the two extortions public through a post on X. Confusion over Edo APC governorship primary election The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary held on Saturday ended in confusion, with two aspirants claiming that they won in the primary election. The party electoral committee headed by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State announced a House of Representatives member, Dennis Idahosa as the winner of the primary election, while another group which held a parallel election announced a senator, Monday Okpebholo, as the APC governorship candidate in the state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chairperson of South-east Council of Traditional Rulers, Lawrence Agubuzu, has commended the former governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for establishing the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences, Igbo-Eno. Mr Ugwuanyi established the university shortly before exiting office as governor of the state. The university is on an expanse of land within four communities of Iheaka, Orba, Imilike and Ovoko near Nsukka in Enugu North District, Enugu State. Speaking during the first Founders Day celebration of the university, Mr Agubuzu said the maiden celebration was designed to remember and honour Mr Ugwuanyi for establishing the institution. The monarch described Mr Ugwuanyi as an inimitable and inscrutable politician who deserves to be acknowledged and honoured not just for founding this university but for the speed with which he did so in the twilight of his second tenure as Governor of Enugu State. The monarch said he was among many who felt that he (Ugwuanyi) had done a lot to favour his immediate constituency in employment and location of amenities, including this university, to mention but a few. Peter Mbahs praise Mr Agubuzu, who served as the chairperson of the occasion, also applauded Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, for his critical intervention towards the progress and survival of the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences. At the same time, one recognises that this baby university needed intensive care to survive. That critical intervention came from the current Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, whose commendable, prompt and unfailing support to the new university in all ramifications ensured its survival and growth, he said. Mbah speaks In his address, Governor Mbah reiterated his administrations support to the institution in the ways we think is innovative and efficient to ensure that the students become graduates who can stand and compete anywhere globally. The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, said the new university is one of those projects that we feel will continue to add value to the growth of Enugu State. He expressed his administrations commitment to education and stressed that it was in keeping with the determination that the state government mapped out 30 per cent of the 2024 budget for the education sector to be able to construct a model smart school in each of the 260 wards of the state, among others. Self-evaluation On his part, Mr Ugwuanyi said that the celebration was an opportunity for self-evaluation along the lines of the universitys vision and mission. The former governor, who was represented at the event by his former Deputy Chief of Staff, Malachy Okwueze, expressed joy that what he conceived while he was serving as governor was yielding great results. Mr Ugwuanyi thanked Governor Mbah for providing the support needed to sustain the budding university, especially in the area of funding. The former governor further appreciated the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, for the support of the commission since its inception to date, pointing out that his physical presence and acceptance to be the guest lecturer at the maiden Founders Day celebration indicates his support for the institution. He told students of the new university to count themselves blessed for gaining admission into the institution. Earlier, in his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, James Ogbonna, said the new university was established with the aim of bridging the gaps between the demand and supply of medical and allied health sciences personnel on one side and between the number of candidates seeking admission and the available spaces in our tertiary institutions. Mr Ogbonna, a professor, praised Mr Mbah for his continued interest and support for the growth of SUMAS. The vice-chancellor expressed gratitude to Mr Ugwuanyi for his vision in conceiving the establishment of the university. Mr Ogbonna said they are indebted to the founder and all those who worked with him for the vision that led to the establishment of the institution. The vice-chancellor disclosed that the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences has witnessed rapid growth and currently has a total student population of 1,474, being trained by qualified and dedicated lecturers, with modern internet-enabled facilities. Mr Ogbonna equally extended his gratitude to the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Obiora Ike, a professor, and to the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Mr Maiyaki, for their support and contributions to the new university. The vice-chancellor promised to carry out the intentions of the universitys founders of providing quality education to the students as well as providing quality healthcare services to the people of Enugu State and beyond. This culture of service will continue to guide us as we work towards becoming a beacon of excellence in knowledge creation, knowledge transfer and service to the community, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian government at the weekend commenced the part-payment of withheld salaries of Nigerian lecturers as earlier pledged in October 2023 by President Bola Tinubu. Both members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Congress of Nigerian Universities Academics (CONUA) confirmed the development in separate interviews with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday. Those who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity said the payment they received on Sunday evening indicated it was for the two months of March and April 2022. This is coming barely a week after the leadership of ASUU threatened to take action if agreements earlier reached with the government including the payment of the withheld salaries, are not fulfilled. But members of non-academic staff of the universities- Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions, have threatened a showdown, accusing the Nigerian government of a deliberate attempt to frustrate them. However, findings by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that the payment was for March and April 2023, which sources confirmed were already paid to non-academic staff members at the time. Meanwhile, the National President of CONUA, Niyi Sunmonu, who confirmed the payment, said his members are looking up to the government to pay for the other months withheld. Background The former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had withheld the lecturers salaries when it invoked a No Work, No Pay policy during an industrial action by university workers that lasted eight months in 2022. The academics would later suspend the strike upon a court order filed by the Nigerian government at the time. In October, President Bola Tinubu promised to pay four of the withheld eight months salaries. But the lecturers only received two months salaries, one academic and member of ASUU told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday. READ ALSO: We received two months out of 7.5 months withheld, salaries, he said, adding that the government paid them with the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS), a payment platform that the lecturers have consistently protested against, and which the government claimed to have exempted the university workers from. Members started receiving from yesterday. I received mine this morning, the source added. PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the national body of ASUU condemned the continuous payment of its members salaries with IPPIS and a new platform tagged new IPPIS. The union, after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held last week, said it suspected certain individuals in the government were working to scuttle the presidents directive that the universities be exempted from the IPPIS platform as part of their autonomy. SSANU kicks Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, the Chairman of the University of Ilorin chapter of SSANU, Olusola Falowo, said the union was surprised that note the neglect of its members in the payment of the withheld salaries. Mr Falowo said the agitation for the release of the withheld funds was championed by the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU, even before the expiration of the term of the immediate past administration. He said: We have continued to raise this same issue with the new administration, and I can confirm to you that even as early as last week the leadership of JAC still wrote the government on the need to pay our members. But I can assure our members that the national leadership is not sleeping over this matter. It will be logically resolved and very soon. The President of SSANU, I am aware, has been engaged in a series of meetings to address this. Meanwhile, calls by our reporter to the SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, were not answered as his telephone line was engaged, and he was yet to call back as of the time of filing this report. ASUUs many more demands Beyond the withheld salaries, ASUU also wants the Nigerian government to sign the 2022 draft agreement it had with the last renegotiation committee headed by the late Nimi Briggs, an emeritus professor. ASUU and the Nigerian government have yet to reach a final agreement on the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. The agreement was supposed to be renegotiated every three years in 2013, 2017 and 2020 but several committees set up by the government have failed to reach an agreement. For the umpteenth time, ASUU calls on the President Tinubu-led administration to immediately set in motion the process leading to the review and signing of the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated draft agreement as a mark of goodwill and assured hope for Nigerias public universities, ASUU said in a statement after its NEC meeting in Bayelsa State last week. Nigerian academics are tired of platitudes laced with disdain for intellectuals; only concrete steps to restore their eroded dignity and degraded lives can guarantee lasting peace on our campuses. ASUU also called on Mr Tinubu to reverse the dissolution of the universities governing councils whose tenures were yet to lapse. The president had dissolved the governing council of all government parastatals including the universities less than a month after he was sworn in, a development that the union said was illegal and that it impinges on the universities autonomy. The union added that the continuous running of the universities by the vice-chancellors and ministries of education is illegal, even as it condemned the continuous proliferation of universities by the government without comprehensive funding plans. ASUU noted that the new universities being established rely largely on TETFund interventions, a situation it said is stretching the resources of the government agency. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday struck out the treasonable felony charges filed against Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and his co-defendant, who were both charged over their August 2019 #RevolutionNow protest against then President Muhammadu Buhari. The court struck out the charges following the application of notice of discontinuance filed by the Nigerian government through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the notice of discontinuance was filed on 15 February, ending a trial that has made little or no progress in the over four years that the case was filed. The notice gave no reason for the withdrawal of the charges. A lawyer representing the AGF in court on Monday, A.R. Tahir, drew the attention of the trial judge to the notice of discontinuance on Monday, citing section 174 (1) (c) of the Nigerian constitution and section 107 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 as the basis for the power exercised by the AGF in withdrawing the charges. The defence counsel, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, confirmed that the notice of discontinuance was served on him by the office of the AGF. He urged the court to dismiss the charges and order the State Security Service (SSS) to return all items seized from Mr Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, when they were arrested in August 2019. He added that his client, Mr. Sowore, had suffered persecution at the hands of the government over allegations that could not be proven. The matter ought to be dismissed. However, I wish to appreciate the position of Mr Lateef Fagbemi for taking a hint from this honourable court during the last adjournment that this matter will be dismissed, and the Attorney General borrowed a leaf from it, he added. He expressed gratitude to the court for his earlier warning to dismiss the charges for want of diligent prosecution. My Lord, since all is well, I wont be asking for costs since my clients have been standing trial since 2019. My Lord, in view of this, we want the court to return the telephone and the sum of 10,000 and his international passport, as the title bill submitted for his bail, he said. At the last adjourned date, the presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, threatened to strike out the case following the lack of diligent prosecution on the part of the Nigerian government. He also warned that he would no longer grant any adjournments at the instance of the prosecution. Ruling Ruling on Monday, the judge said the decision to discontinue the trial was communicated to the Federal High Court in Abuja via a notice of discontinuance dated 14 February and filed by the AGF on 15 February. He said the letter was unambiguous, hence his judgement. Mr Nwite ordered the SSS to release Mr Sowores two mobile phones, passport, and the sum of 10,000 seized from him. He also ordered the release of the mobile phone of his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, and the sum of N1,500 seized from him. Background Mr Sowore and his co-defendant, Mr Bakare, were charged by the then Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, during the Buhari administration over their planned #RevolutionNow protest. Mr Sowore was arrested by SSS operatives before the scheduled day of the demonstration organised to call out Mr Buhari over his alleged misgovernance of the country at the time. The protest still went on to take place on 5 August 2019 in a few places as scheduled. Mr Bakare was arrested for leading the protest in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. The AGF office subsequently charged the two men with treasonable felony, accusing Mr Sowore, a two-time presidential candidate, and Mr Bakare of attempting to overthrow the Buhari administration. In sensational episodes that followed their arraignment, the SSS refused to obey the court order granting Mr Sowore bail, pitting the Buhari administration against the human rights community, which accused the security agency and the then president of lawlessness. The matter got to a head in December 2019, when SSS operatives invaded the court, disrupting a proceeding to rearrest Mr Sowore, who was adamant in resisting the widely-condemned forcible action of the security agents. But since after the arraignment, the trial has made no significant progress, with the prosecution only able to call one witness in more than four years. The case was often adjourned based on one excuse or the other mostly from the prosecution. READ ALSO: The case became more complicated after Mr Sowores co-defendant, who is believed to have travelled abroad for his education, stopped attending trial sometime in 2021, as a result of which Mr Sowore requested on different occasions that their joint trial be severed to enable him to conclude his part of it. While the case dragged on in court, Mr Sowore, who was before his arrest shuttling between Nigeria and the United States, where his family is based, grappled with stringent bail conditions that restricted his movement to Abuja. Reprieve came his way in April 2022, when the Court of Appeal in Abuja lifted the movement restriction imposed on him, allowing him to travel within Nigeria. With the termination of his trial on Thursday, Mr Sowore can retrieve his passport from the court and travel outside Nigeria as he wishes. Reactions In reacting to the ruling, Mr Falana expressed satisfaction with the courts decision. I am okay with the fact that the matter has been struck out and appropriate orders have been made. After the cross-examination, there was no way the previous regime could continue with the matter. He emphasised the need for Mr Sowore to deliberate on the next steps, given the five-year separation from his family due to what he termed a frivolous charge. Mr Falana pointed out what he perceived as disparities in the treatment of individuals within the justice system, contrasting the leniency accorded to those accused of heinous crimes with the harsh treatment faced by activists like Mr Sowore. In particular, he said while individuals accused of embezzling large sums of public funds were being granted bail and freedom to travel, his client remained in detention for years. He expressed gratitude to the trial judge who, he said, ensured his clients rights were upheld. For me, the withdrawal of the case is commendable, but my client will still have to decide what to do in the matter, having been kept away from his family for five years on a frivolous charge. Moreover, he was even in detention on the day of the protest on 5 August 2019. Those who were accused of stealing over a hundred billion are given bail and allowed to travel out of the country, but this gentleman has been kept away for five years from his family. We have to rush to court to have these conditions lifted, he added In his remark, Mr Sowore appreciated everyone who stood with him during the prolonged trial, especially his wife and children in the United States. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has said it will disconnect power supply to the Presidential Villa and the offices of some top government agencies over unpaid electricity bills. In a public announcement on Monday, AEDC said the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government owe the distribution company N47 billion in unpaid bills for services rendered to them. The public notice informed the indebted MDAs that as from 28 February, it would disconnect its services to them until they discharge their obligation by paying their debts. The notice of disconnection was signed by the management of AEDC and published on page 14 of Mondays copy of Thisday newspaper. Details of the figures show that 86 MDAs owe a total of N47 billion. Of the total amount, AEDC said the Nigerian army barracks and military formations owe the highest amount of over N12 billion. This is followed by the FCT Ministry, N7.5 billion; Ministry of Finance, 5.4 billion; Niger State Governor Abuja Liaison Office, N3.4 billion; Ministry of State Petroleum, N2.1 billion; Ministry of Education, N1.8 billion; and CBN Governor, N1.5 billion. Others are the Nigeria Police Force, N1.3 billion; Kogi State Governor Abuja Liaison Office, N1.3 billion; Ministry of Health, N1.1 billion; Clerk of National Assembly, N1.09 billion; and Presidential Villa, N923 million. AEDC said it was constrained to issue the publication with the details of the government MDAs long outstanding unpaid bills for services rendered to them through the provision of electricity supply. It noted that previous attempts to make the MDAs honour their obligations have not achieved any result. Further details Further details show that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) owes the AEDC N846 million while the Ministry of Justice is owing N815 million. The State Security Services (SSS) is owing N648 million; Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS), N362 million; Nasarawa State Governor Abuja Liaison Office, N348 million; National Intelligence Agency (NIA), N322 million; Ministry of Information, N302 million; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), N291 million. The Ministry of Trade and Investments, N281 million; followed by the Ministry of Interior, N268 million; the Ministry of Works and Housing, N215 million; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, N200 million. Nigeria holds one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world but decades of corruption and mismanagement means it cant provide a population of over 200 million with enough electricity. In 2013, the Nigerian government handed over the ownership of the bulk of the state electricity company to private buyers. Distribution companies have never been able to efficiently collect money for the electricity they provide. The scale of the outstanding debts among government agencies is yet another example of the mismanagement plaguing Nigerias government. But, its worth noting that the Nigerian government has budgeted billions of naira for the settlement of electricity bills. This year, the federal government allocated N40 billion for the Settlement of MDAs electricity debts, details of the assented budget show. Similarly, N40 billion was allocated in 2023; in 2022, N40 billion; in 2021, N3 billion; and N2 billion in 2020. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate Committee on Finance has declared that the country lost about N17 trillion to tax waivers in the last five years. The Chairperson of the Committee, Sani Musa, disclosed this on Monday during an interactive session with the management team of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari granted tax waivers to some corporate organisations. During the budget defence last December, the Senate Committee on Appropriations asked the federal government to stop the tax waiver because it is reducing the revenue of the country. At an interactive session on Monday, Mr Musa, the senator representing Niger East on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urged the federal government to consider a rebate system as an alternative to tax waiver. Available records show that within the last five years, about N17 trillion has been lost by the country to tax waivers. It should be suspended and possibly substituted with a rebating system, the committee chairperson said. The senator urged the FIRS management to increase its revenue projection for the year and consider a total stop to the waiver of tax to selected corporate organisations. Your (FIRS) projection of N19 trillion as total tax collection for 2024 is good when compared to N11.16 trillion achieved in 2023, but the Senate believes that you can do more even to the tune of 30 trillion if required measures are put in place. As impressive and encouraging the performance and projections of FIRS are under your leadership, this committee and by extension, the Senate, on a serious note, urge you to look at the direction of tax waivers largely being abused with attendant and avoidable losses being incurred on yearly basis. Nigerias 62 tax categories Responding, the chairperson of the FIRS, Zach Adedeji, assured that his team would collaborate with the committee set up by President Bola Tinubu to review the tax reforms and fiscal policy. President Bola Tinubu has seen the issue of multiple taxation as a pool of problems that is why he set up the presidential committee on tax reforms and fiscal policy. The mandate he gave to the committee was that they should work on only one digit tax. As of today in Nigeria, we have 62 types of taxes being collected. The sad news about that is that less than eight out of the entire 62, accounted for 97 per cent of the collection. So, the others are just constituting problems. However, because we run a federation and we have laws, anything that has to do with motor parks and road taxes among others, are under the purview of the state Why food prices are increasing The FIRS Chair identified an increase in tax payments by transporters of food items as major a reason for the high cost of food across the country. We are already consulting and engaging the state government on it. We have also demonstrated to them that we want to move all those taxes, especially the ones that led to increased food prices, to the centre. There is a report that when food items are moved from the North, before it gets to the South, they pay more than 40 types of taxes. That is part of the reason food prices are increasing in Nigeria. Mr Adedeji said many of the taxes paid by the transporters of food items are illegal. He assured that his team will work effectively with the tax reforms committee of the federal government. The most unfortunate thing about this is that most of those taxes are not well coordinated and were not being accounted for. It is just creating problems for us so we are working through the joint tax board to make sure that we harmonise and let the states see that such tax is giving us problems. We are also awaiting the report of the Committee set up by the President to actually harmonise all the taxes. At the end of the day, we wont have more than eight or nine taxes that the state and federal government would be collecting. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print This protocol plugs the omission of the right to a nationality in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and has been long in the making. The demand for it was launched in March 2007 by the Global Pan-African Movement, International Refugee Rights Initiative, and the Open Society Justice Initiative in a joint position issued by Dr Tajudeen Abdulraheem, Dismas Nkunda and I, calling for a continental treaty to guarantee the right to citizenship and prohibit statelessness in Africa. This past week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) adopted a new treaty Relating to the Specific Aspects to the Right to a Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa. The explanatory memorandum explains that this treaty seeks to facilitate the inclusion of individuals within African States, by providing legal solutions for the resolution of the practical problems linked to the recognition and exercise of the right to a nationality, to eradicate statelessness, and above all to identify the principles that should govern relations between individuals and States in relation to these issues. This protocol plugs the omission of the right to a nationality in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and has been long in the making. The demand for it was launched in March 2007 by the Global Pan-African Movement, International Refugee Rights Initiative, and the Open Society Justice Initiative in a joint position issued by Dr Tajudeen Abdulraheem, Dismas Nkunda and I, calling for a continental treaty to guarantee the right to citizenship and prohibit statelessness in Africa. A mere two years later, on 25 May 2009, Tajudeen was killed in a car-crash in Nairobi, Kenya. The drafting and negotiation of the Protocol has taken all of nearly 15 years since his death. In memory of Tajudeen, this column today substantially re-publishes the statement from 2007, which set in motion the process leading to the adoption of the treaty. On 6 March 1957, the independence of Ghana promised for all Africans and our communities a new era of citizenship in full dignity and equality with the rest of humanity. Over 50 years later, in launching the Citizenship Rights in Africa Initiative (CRAI), we testify that this promise remains to be fulfilled and call on African governments as a matter of urgency to fully assure, respect and guarantee a right to effective citizenship in our continent. Africas peoples did not fight for independence to be reduced to non-persons or second class citizens by our own governments. Today, we say: our governments must stop foreignizing our people. This initiative is a necessary response to perhaps the biggest challenge facing Africa today of guaranteeing the right to citizenship and enabling Africans within our continent to co-exist, pursue livelihoods, move freely, and participate in the government of our countries without arbitrary interference. For the average African, irrespective of country, these basic elements of effective citizenship do not exist today. Thousands of Africans daily join the millions of victims of statelessness and arbitrary denial of citizenship in our continent. Although each case of statelessness or denial of citizenship produces unique experiences of victimization, common patterns are clear. These include the stripping of citizenship status and rights resulting in statelessness; forced expulsion or forced population transfers; elimination of minority groups through mass de-nationalization, followed in many cases by targeted killings of members of the affected groups; persecution of vocal opponents or critics of incumbent regimes; and refusal to recognize or accord the rights of particular (groups of) citizens in the absence of documentary proof. Statelessness and mass denial of citizenship pose a clear and present danger to regional peace and security in Africa. Indeed many of Africas current wars, including those in Cote dIvoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Darfur region of Sudan, are linked directly to citizenship-related persecution and exclusion. In several cases, governments make such proof extremely difficult or even impossible to obtain. For example, Kenyan Somalis and Nubians in Kenya are required, in order to prove their citizenship, to produce birth certificates of their grandparents, nearly all of whom were born when there were no birth records. International law prohibits statelessness. The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights similarly prohibits arbitrary and discriminatory interference with citizenship. The pattern is clear. Many governments across the continent daily strip certain people usually political opponents, members of minority communities, or vocal critics of their citizenship. For millions of our people, citizenship is no longer a right; it is now a privilege enjoyed at the pleasure of government of the day: In many countries in Africa, there are millions more who are too poor to challenge this violation or too unknown to register in the frightening statistics of the stateless. Affected populations include: a majority of the continents estimated migrant and pastoralist population of 17.3 million persons, representing the biggest population of persons at risk of statelessness in the world; an estimated 30% of Cote dIvoires 17.5 million people de-nationalized by the Ivoirite-inspired amendments to their countrys citizenship laws between 1995-2000; more than 1.5 million Banyamulenge of Eastern Congo, whose citizenship in the DRC remains disputed even today; another 1.5 million Zimbabwean mine and commercial farm workers born of parents descended from Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, whose nationality was arbitrarily cancelled by the government of Zimbabwe in 2001; and hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians of Eritrean-descent who had their Ethiopian nationality cancelled and nationality documents destroyed before their forced expulsion to Eritrea in 1998-1999 and hundreds of thousands of black Mauritanians expelled to Senegal in the 1990s. The list is endless. Statelessness and mass denial of citizenship pose a clear and present danger to regional peace and security in Africa. Indeed many of Africas current wars, including those in Cote dIvoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Darfur region of Sudan, are linked directly to citizenship-related persecution and exclusion. The war between Eritrea and Ethiopia involved cancellation of nationality and tit-for-tat forced population transfers. The 1994 Rwandan Genocide is the logical extreme in Africas recent history of what happens when governments choose to arbitrarily put their own people beyond reach of citizenship. To end the pandemic of statelessness and denial of citizenship in Africa, a regional treaty is necessary but more needs to be done. Therefore, CRAI will use all lawful means to advocate against all forms of statelessness and the causes of statelessness in Africa. Pastoralist and border populations around our continent, such as the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania; and the Somalis of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, have been rendered stateless because they straddle the borders of multiple African countries but are unable effectively to claim the nationality of any. These examples easily demonstrate that statelessness and citizenship are together the most serious human security and human rights problems in Africa today. Statelessness and the arbitrary denial of citizenship violate human dignity, undermine the integrity of government and its institutions, dislocate families, destroy the livelihoods of those affected, render the victims open to further abuses of their rights and lead to war. That millions of Africans have to build their families and contribute to their communities in such conditions of unlawful persecution and uncertainty prevents free and productive economic development, making nonsense of public commitments to fighting poverty by Africas leaders. The causes and consequences of statelessness and mass denial of citizenship in Africa clearly transcend national borders. One country cannot, without reference to another, unilaterally determine that a person hitherto known to be its national belongs to the second country. The history and shared experiences of African countries make a compelling and urgent case for a regional response to statelessness and citizenship. To achieve this, CRAI will advocate for a regional treaty at the level of the African Union to guarantee the right to citizenship and prohibit statelessness in Africa. Such a treaty will establish principles and rules to eliminate arbitrariness and discrimination in access to as well as proof, acquisition, enjoyment, and loss of citizenship rights on our continent. Such legal instrument should ideally be adopted as a Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. CRAI offers to work with the African Union in ensuring the preparation, adoption, and entry into force of this treaty at the earliest possible date. To end the pandemic of statelessness and denial of citizenship in Africa, a regional treaty is necessary but more needs to be done. Therefore, CRAI will use all lawful means to advocate against all forms of statelessness and the causes of statelessness in Africa. This initiative requires the partnership and support of African communities, citizen groups and the Diaspora, womens groups, media, academia and researchers, activists, Parliaments, diplomats, governments, regional institutions, as well as international partners outside the continent. We promise to vigorously monitor, investigate, highlight and denounce the numerous cases in different parts of the continent, which make the adoption of such a regional treaty both necessary and urgent. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Let Salls misadventure into third-termism be a lesson to all African leaders. You have no right to transmogrify from a democrat to a despot. Indeed, your tenancy of the state house is at the pleasure of the people. It is immaterial whether the mastermind of a coup is a soldier or a civilian; a coup is a coup. Had Salls coup succeeded, it wouldnt have been any different from those of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Coup making is not the exclusive preserve of soldiers or the armed forces. Civilians, too, do stage coups. In Nigeria, we have had our fair share of coups and counter-coups, and have resolved that our collective aspirations as a people are best served by a government of the people, for the people and by the people. Every form of government has its own warts. We have been indoctrinated to believe that the universal adult suffrage of the West is God-ordained. But we have seen, especially in the last US presidential election, attempts to stage a coup by overrunning the parliament and preventing the announcement of the winner of the election. That incident clearly showed the whole world that there is nothing unassailable about American democracy. Every mother does have them. Long ago, I came to the conclusion that each society deserved to devise its own system based on its history, culture and aspirations. The monarchical system of Saudi Arabia is replicated in the United Kingdom. Even then, the more you try to compare them, the more they look different because each has its own peculiar flavour. The world can no longer describe a monarchical setting as autocratic because these days, the monarch merely reigns, while a prime minister rules. Until recently, Senegal had the distinction of being the poster boy for democracy in Africa. Since Independence in 1960, the country has managed to glide from one civilian administration to the other, even the handing over of power by a ruling party to the opposition first in 1980, from Leopold Sedar Senghor to Abdou Diouf; then in 2000, from Diouf to Abdoulaye Wade; and then, in 2012, from Wade to Sall. The country has never experienced the ugly incidence of coups, not even when forceful change of government was commonplace in Africa. Third Term Bug Although regular elections are held, each one of Senegals leaders attempted to stay in power longer than the designated time. Political observers had been wondering if incumbent President Macky Sall would escape the bite of the tenure extension bug, especially as he had publicly declared that he would not succumb to what we in Nigeria call the third term syndrome. Everything seemed primed for a successful election until the president forcefully procured an indefinite postponement of the election by getting the parliament to do his bidding, with security forces bundling opposition elements who disagreed with the move out of the parliament. Judging by his body language, Sall desired to run for a third term, but knowing that such an unconstitutional move would pit him against the people, he jettisoned that option in 2023, and endorsed Amadou Ba as his candidate for succession. Then, as the election date drew nearer, it seemed he could no longer bear the imminent change in status from president to citizen and he therefore decided to make another attempt at tenure elongation by postponing the elections indefinitely. Sall, who has been in power since 2012, called off the elections over disputes about the disqualification of potential candidates and concern about a repeat of the unrest seen in 2021 and 2023. Senegals opposition has decried the move as a constitutional coup and suspects it is part of a plan by the presidential camp to extend Salls term in office. With Sall and Sonko out of the race, is there a clear frontrunner? The answer is no. Analysts have been weighing the chances of Salls chosen successor Ba, as well as long-time Sall opponents, Khalifa Sall and former Premier Seck. There is also Bassirou Diomaye Faye, whom members of Sonkos now-dissolved Pastef party nominated as a back-up candidate in the event of Sonkos disqualification. Faye himself is in detention but he remains eligible to run It is interesting how history repeats itself. Senghor had played a few political tricks to stay in power for 22 years, before handing over power to his chosen successor, Abdou Diouf, in 1980. Diouf stayed in power for two decades, during which Abdoulaye Wade was his fiercest opponent. Wade went to jail for his political convictions and even went on exile at a point in time. His tenacity won him a lot of followers and his popular movement succeeded in defeating the long-ruling Socialist Party headed by Diouf. Towards the end of his second term, he succumbed to the third term bug. He started plotting how to remain in power beyond the constitutional mandate. When he saw that the people of Senegal would not tolerate him for one day longer than constitutionally guaranteed, he named his son, Karim Wade, as his successor. The dynastic dream of the Wades was not to be. Karim ran foul of the law and was convicted of corruption, thus ending his presidential dream. Long Knives After the elimination of Karim Wade from the list of possible leaders in the country, Senegal was confronted with the possibility that power could go to Ousmane Sonko, a maverick politician nicknamed by some of his admirers as the Trump of Senegal. It was Sonko who published a book on oil and gas corruption in which the Sall-led administration was roundly indicted. It was also Sonko who famously said, Those who have ruled Senegal from the beginning deserve to be shot. Last year, sexual assault charges were preferred against him in what many people saw as political vendetta. The court acquitted him of the rape charge but he was convicted for corrupting the youth. Young people, many of whom believe in him, took to the streets in protest, but Sall quelled all the protests forcefully. But Sonko is out of this 2024 ballot. With Sall and Sonko out of the race, is there a clear frontrunner? The answer is no. Analysts have been weighing the chances of Salls chosen successor Ba, as well as long-time Sall opponents, Khalifa Sall and former Premier Seck. There is also Bassirou Diomaye Faye, whom members of Sonkos now-dissolved Pastef party nominated as a back-up candidate in the event of Sonkos disqualification. Faye himself is in detention but he remains eligible to run as there has been no ruling yet on the case of defamation and contempt of court against him. President Salls bad behaviour has put his brother presidents in ECOWAS in a quandary. With the way ECOWAS has been sending signals that coups are no longer welcome in the West African sub-region, it was embarrassing that Senegal, the stainless member of the community, the beacon for democracy is toeing the line of anomie. Frantic efforts were being made by the regional body and the African Union last week to save President Sall from himself. It is unlikely that any of the candidates will cross the 50 per cent threshold in the election to claim victory. The election is therefore likely to go to the second round. President Salls bad behaviour has put his brother presidents in ECOWAS in a quandary. With the way ECOWAS has been sending signals that coups are no longer welcome in the West African sub-region, it was embarrassing that Senegal, the stainless member of the community, the beacon for democracy is toeing the line of anomie. Frantic efforts were being made by the regional body and the African Union last week to save President Sall from himself. It was clear to every objective analyst that Sall had pushed his country to the precipice. The only logical gear to engage was the reverse gear. Court Intervention Which was what, thankfully, the Constitutional Court did last week to the relief of all those who had been monitoring the unfolding tragedy. Opposition presidential candidates and lawmakers had filed a number of legal challenges to last weeks parliamentary bill, which also extended President Macky Salls mandate in what critics said amounted to an institutional coup. Senegals Constitutional Council has now cancelled the decree signed by President Macky Sall that postponed the election. The National Assemblys move on 5 February to reschedule the vote for 14 December was also adjudged contrary to the constitution. As a result of protests and international pressure, President Macky Sall has ordered the release of some political prisoners. To further ease the tension in the land, the president also has to lift restrictions placed on internet usage. Let Salls misadventure into third-termism be a lesson to all African leaders. You have no right to transmogrify from a democrat to a despot. Indeed, your tenancy of the state house is at the pleasure of the people. It is immaterial whether the mastermind of a coup is a soldier or a civilian; a coup is a coup. Had Salls coup succeeded, it wouldnt have been any different from those of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on wole.olaoye@gmail.com, Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print All round the globe, and from generation to generation, those who made money their god and their ultimate pursuit; those who stole and looted treasuries, have never lasted in the annals of positive history, much less in pleasing God. And for the church of Christ, it is a matter of emergency to rescue the current and next generation of Christians and ministers alike from the grip of mammon the god of greed and covetousness. It was around 3 p.m. in the afternoon that my phone rang to the call of a respected personality, who out of everyone in this world considered me the most suitable beneficiary of this multibillion dollar project. To make the deal irresistible, they dared to shore up my stake to a whooping and a mouth-watering figure that would instantly turn my financial fortunes around. The blood of Jesus! Heaven has finally smiled on you. Building a thirty thousand world class church auditorium is now within your reach. Hosting international conferences and conventions across Africa and around the world with highly sought-after preachers, is now within your reach, whispered the devil to my heart. This is your greatest chance at blowing in ministry. Who would know the source of your wealth?, whispered the devil to my heart. But no sooner had I reviewed the details of the offer than I turned it down, right on the spot. It was a world class fraudulent deal. Do you identify as a true follower of Christ and wealth accumulation is your lifelong pursuit? Perhaps, you were told by someone or a school of thought you hold in high esteem that the ultimate will of God for you in life is to accumulate wealth. You have been misled to toe the most slippery path of life, the same path that has pierced the souls of men with many sorrows and untold compromises. It will interest you to know that both contemporary history and Bible history converge at the same truth: those who make wealth accumulation their sole and overarching mandate in life end up trapped in the vanities of their pursuit. Let us look at the following contemporary history. Friedrich Flick used slave labor supplied from Hitlers concentration camps to build his business, and as the business grew, he channeled the funds back to Hitlers murderous campaign across Europe. Friedrich Flick was a major contributor to the death of millions of Jews and others that died in the second world war. Friedrich Flick was so rich that he pioneered and built more than three hundred German companies, with business interests scattered across sectors like iron ore, aviation, coal mines, foundries, steel mills, chemical plants, trucks, and rails, among others. Friedrich Flick was self-centered and proud. History has it that he never listened to his wifes advice or the advice of any of his family members. His level of apathy, ignorance, cruelty, and self-centeredness was so legendary that, when in 1966, his wife died, he buried her at 3pm, and was back at his desk at 5pm. Like other greedy, wicked, proud, and self-centered leaders in history whose main pursuit in life is wealth accumulation, Friedrich Flick died in 1972, leaving a $2 billion fortune behind, which later found its way into other peoples hands, while some crumbled and went down the drain totally. Similarly, there is a man in the Bible who became so wealthy to the point that he got drowned in the vanity of his reckless pursuits. His name was Solomon. Truly, God gave him humongous wealth plus the wisdom needed to manage the wealth. However, in Deuteronomy 17:17, God spelt out this instruction to the kings of Israel as far as the matter of wealth accumulation was concerned: Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. Sadly, the operating model of mammon is this: To entrench in the hearts of men an avid desire to acquire and gather as much wealth as possible, using every means possible to gain as much influence and power as possible. This is the vanity of wealth. It promises you the endless supply of pleasure but numbs you to the reality of the pains and pressure it carries. The key words here are these, nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. In other words, these silver and gold are not to serve your purpose but should serve a larger kingdom purpose. In other words, those who have true kingdom wealth should not be reservoirs, but channels through whom these riches flow into the building of lives and the genuine expansion of Gods kingdom at large; not the expansion of their personal empires. Hear the voice of Paul in this heart-rending scripture: But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1 Timothy 6:9) Sadly, the operating model of mammon is this: To entrench in the hearts of men an avid desire to acquire and gather as much wealth as possible, using every means possible to gain as much influence and power as possible. This is the vanity of wealth. It promises you the endless supply of pleasure but numbs you to the reality of the pains and pressure it carries. It promises you endless access to power but numbs you to the reality of the corruption of power. It promises you unfettered access to fame but numbs you to the reality of the perils of fame. It is called the vanity of wealth. At the end of his life, Solomon had veered off the pathway of the fear of God. He had been captured by mammon, the god of the vanity of wealth, the same god that controls the wicked rulers of the earth. They kill to acquire and accumulate wealth. They loot and exploit. Yet, when they die, they are only buried in a small portion of their vast estates and empires. It is called the vanity of wealth. Prior to his death, Alexander the Great told his disciples to place him in his grave with one of his hands, hanging out. Why should we not close your coffin, asked one of his disciples? He replied, so that everyone may know that I brought nothing into this world, and I have taken nothing out. Picture 269 people entering eternity through a disaster in the Sea of Japan. Before the crash, there are a noted politician, a millionaire corporate executive, and others. After the disaster, they all stand before God utterly stripped of Mastercard, checkbooks, how-to-succeed books, and Hilton reservations. Here are all these people with nothing, absolutely nothing, in their hands, possessing only what they brought in their hearts. Speaking to the graduating class of Vassar College in 2001 about the vanity of wealth, Stephen King said, We come in naked and broke. We may be dressed when we go out, but we are just as broke. Warren Buffet? Going out broke. Bill gates? Going out broke. If this is not startling enough, listen to a similar, but more captivating rendition of the same sentiments by Pastor John Piper: Picture 269 people entering eternity through a disaster in the Sea of Japan. Before the crash, there are a noted politician, a millionaire corporate executive, and others. After the disaster, they all stand before God utterly stripped of Mastercard, checkbooks, how-to-succeed books, and Hilton reservations. Here are all these people with nothing, absolutely nothing, in their hands, possessing only what they brought in their hearts. How absurd and tragic the lover of money will seem on that daylike a man who spends his whole life collecting train tickets and in the end is so weighed down by the collection that he misses the last train. All round the globe, and from generation to generation, those who made money their god and their ultimate pursuit; those who stole and looted treasuries, have never lasted in the annals of positive history, much less in pleasing God. And for the church of Christ, it is a matter of emergency to rescue the current and next generation of Christians and ministers alike from the grip of mammon the god of greed and covetousness. You cannot love God and money at the same time. Never claim to be capable of doing both at the same time. Pursuers of wealth can never be faithful pursuers of God. Ayo Akerele is the Senior Pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through ayoakerele2012@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has said that the security problems currently confronting the state and other parts of Nigeria may not end until state police are established to support the efforts of existing security agencies. Governor Sani made this known during an interview on Sunday, 18th February 2024 by Channels Television. His comment followed the recent bandits attack in some communities in Kajuru, Igabi and Kauru LGAs of Kaduna State. Mr Sani revealed that due to the proactive response by the Kaduna State Government, the military and the Nigeria Police, who jointly worked together, the situation was now under control in the affected communities while victims were receiving medical care. In the last few months, we have been having meetings with our core security agencies, comprising the military, the Police Force, the DSS and our local vigilance service, we are also working closely with traditional and community leaders to ensure proper intelligence gathering and sharing. And I believe that we would be able to address this issue and rescue those kidnapped in the coming days. Additionally, in Kaduna State, plans are ongoing to establish more Military Forward Operation Bases following the resurgence of security challenges in the state. Governor Sani said. Speaking on the need for increased manpower to tackle banditry and other emerging security challenges, Mr Sani stated that the 10th National Assembly has a huge responsibility to ensure that state policing becomes a reality. I have always insisted that we need more boots on ground. We can only address the issue of insecurity if we establish state police and Im happy that some governors have realized that we cant address this issue alone. You will recall that as a Senator, I actually sponsored the creation of state police [bill] in the National Assembly. We took the bill up to the level of conference committee when we were working towards amending the constitution and the Senate agreed and supported me but when we had the conference committee in the House, unfortunately, we lost it at that stage when we voted 21 to 19. The 10th Assembly has a big responsibility to amend the constitution and ensure that we have state police in Nigeria. In Kaduna we added more boots to the Kaduna Vigilance Service but this is temporary we need a more permanent solution. Mr Sani added. Governor Sani who has been leading meetings with security forces, condemned the recent attacks and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and the quick recovery of those injured. The governor also directed the State Emergency Management Agency to assist the affected communities following the razing of some houses and other valuables. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In the dynamic realm of Human Resources and Recruiting, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has ushered in a transformative era. AI tools are reshaping traditional talent acquisition and HR practices, making processes more efficient, insightful, and tailored to individual needs. In this comprehensive article, we explore cutting-edge AI tools that are revolutionizing HR and Recruiting. Whether youre an HR professional navigating the evolving landscape or a business leader seeking innovative solutions, this compilation is your gateway to the forefront of HR technology. Spearheading diversity and inclusivity in recruitment, Textio is an AI-powered business tool designed to eliminate bias within hiring and employee development processes. Capable of honing a job posts language to attract a broader pool of qualified candidates, Textio ensures that no hidden biases reduce your outreach. With over a million job applications penned using this tool, Textio also propels equitable feedback within team management. Their latest addition, Textio Lift, provides enlightened, unbaised performance feedback, fostering a more equitable growth environment. Building partnerships to support clientele in their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, Textio paves a new path in unbiased, efficient recruitment and workforce evolution. Textio Features Eliminates bias in job postings Promotes inclusive recruiting language Provides equitable feedback solution Offers partnerships for DEI support Offers bias-free performance feedback More details and pricing Moveworks is an AI-powered marketing tool designed to enhance your workforces productivity and automate employee support. Its user-friendly copilot interface facilitates task automation across various business systems, allowing employees to focus more on impactful work. With the aid of generative AI, it streamlines the support ticket process and amplifies enterprise search capability. Empower your team with efficient data lookup and knowledge management functionality, enabling instant access to vital information. Its standout features include prompt employee notifications, speeding up approval workflows, and enhancing internal communication. With continuous learning from over 500 million examples of workplace language, Moveworks is adaptable and resilient. Discover how Moveworks can redefine your workforce efficiency. Moveworks Features Automates employee support tasks Manages and automates tickets Offers enterprise search capability Provides data lookups Facilitates approval workflows More details and pricing Findem is a transformative AI-powered tool designed to overhaul talent management and acquisition practices. Shifting from traditional reliance on resumes, Findem introduces a new talent data, attributes, created from millions of data points for unique and profound insights into talent strategy. The tool amplifies precision, objectivity, and efficiency in talent acquisition, allowing businesses to meet diversity goals, build candidate pipelines, and optimize recruitment outcomes. Alongside, Findem offers futuristic talent management capabilities such as succession planning, internal mobility promotion, and automation of workflows. Its more than a recruitment tool; Its a toolset for nurturing, retaining, and maximizing workforce productivity. Findem Features Talent Acquisition Enhancement Candidate Pipelines Construction Recruitment Analytics Provision Talent Management Capabilities Automated Workflow Management More details and pricing Qatalog is a top-tier AI-powered business tool designed to optimize enterprise operations, enhance decision-making, and drive growth effectively. Its proprietary AI engine, ActionQuery, safeguards data without indexing, and its instant AI upgrade bypasses common data security concerns, delivering faster results. With 24/7 operations and an always-on AI assistant, Qatalog supports your global business, providing strategic guidance anytime. It offers verifiable real-time insights for high-quality decisions and empowers teams with on-demand strategic guidance. Easy setup and user-level security promise smooth user experience while guaranteeing data protection. With Qatalog, you can start seeing a robust return on investment in just 30 days. Qatalog Features Instant AI upgrade 24/7 operation support Provides real-time insights Ensures data security Rapid return on investment More details and pricing PitchMe is a revolutionary AI-powered business tool designed to streamline the hiring process. By automating profile updates and expanding your talent pool, PitchMe drastically slashes hiring time by up to 80%. It enriches your applicant tracking system with over 30 data sources, ensuring candidate profiles are always current and freeing you from manual tasks. A standout feature is its capability to procure the most recent candidate details from across the web, becoming a great aid for recruiters in search of specific skills. Furthermore, PitchMes innovative job description generator creates engaging and accurate job descriptions, making hiring smarter and faster. PitchMe Features Streamlines recruitment process Seamless ATS integration Enriches candidate data Finds best-fit candidates Generates job descriptions automatically More details and pricing Unboxable is an AI-powered business tool that revolutionizes the hiring process. By effectively reversing the traditional hiring funnel, it finely uncovers hidden gems within the talent pool with its predictive hiring AI. Say goodbye to hiring mistakes and hello to an impressive 93% hiring accuracy rate. With Unboxable, companies can cut hiring time by half, swiftly zeroing in on top-quality candidates ideal for their unique company culture. This expert AI platform, with deep reporting capabilities, provides unprecedented insights into candidates beyond the usual resumes and interviews. Unboxable truly transforms recruiting, revealing potential talent often overlooked by traditional methods. Unboxable Features Streamlines recruiting process Uncovers hidden talent efficiently Predictive Hiring AI Cuts hiring time in half Provides unique candidate insights More details and pricing Workable is your comprehensive solution to recruitment. It is designed to streamline your entire hiring process from sourcing candidates to onboarding new employees. Utilizing AI-powered technology, Workable automates job listings on over 200 sites, allows stakeholder collaboration and evaluation, and creates bespoke onboarding experiences. The platform prioritizes data security and integrates with apps like LinkedIn and Google for enhanced productivity. Experience top-notch global support within seconds and take recruitment on the go with their top-rated mobile app. With added perks like expert advice on hiring templates and tutorials, Workable ensures efficiency without sacrificing the quality of hiring. Explore the Workable difference today. Workable Features Sourcing and attracting candidates Evaluating and collaborating on hires Automation of hiring tasks Onboarding and managing employees Integration with other apps/tools More details and pricing To be updated Note: We will be updating this list every week; make sure to subscribe to our email list to get future updates right in your inbox. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The testimonies of the good deeds of Herbert Wigwe remain endless, just like the testimonials of his far-reaching vision. All combined, seemingly speaking in one voice, including the latest from former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who wrote thoughtful, progressive, compassionate he quietly did great things, have shut down false claims about the late Chief Executive Officer at Access Corporation (Access Holdings Plc). Herbert, his wife Chizoba, Son Chizzy and friend, Abimbola Ogunbanjo a former chairman of the NGX died in a helicopter crash that happened around California in the United States of America (USA) on Friday, 9 February, 2024. The tragic occurrence described by President Bola Tinubu as an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension, in an open condolence message to the families of the exceptional Nigerian business leader continues to attract grief and celebration of high impact living. In the face of the mourning of the holder of the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic whom Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu labeled king of visionary and disruptive ideas in his tribute, a smearing claim was thrown up about Wigwe by person(s) supposedly fronting for the defunct Intercontinental Bank and its founder Dr Erastus Akingbola. Interestingly what the smear is premised on a letter written in 2010 by Intercontinental Banks chief promoter Erastus Akingbola to the then Minister of Justice Michael Kaase Aondoakaa protesting his removal as the Chief Executive Officer by the Central Bank of Nigeria when Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was Governor, as well as the takeover of the bank over allegations bordering on abuse of and mismanagement did not in any part of its content have a mention or reference to Wigwe,our checks revealed. It was two years after Akingbolas letter January 2012- that Access Bank, with Wigwe and his friend AigbojeAigImoukhuede as lead persons, acquired the defunct Intercontinental Bank. They became owners of Access Bank in 2002 by acquiring the N1Billion public subscription offer the Bank put up in 2001. They were both 36 years old at the time, though different months, but just days apart Wiwge is 15 August while Imoukhuede is 24 September. They were born in 1966. The huge sacrifices and tremendous efforts put on by the two young men in building the then new acquisition, ensured a turnaround story that put Access Bank in a good position to acquire Intercontinental Bank in 2012, when the Central Bank put it on sale, although Wigwe was not Group Managing Director at the time until 2014 after Aig-Imoukhuede exited the post. Leveraging the head start provided by Aig-Imoukhuede, Wigwe as Chief Executive Officer, led Access Bank through what is described as an extraordinary growth period until he left the position in 2022 and moved up to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc in March 2022, which he held till his demise. Headquartered in Lagos, Access Holdings Plc is a multinational financial services organisation that offers commercial banking, lending, payment, pension, insurance, and asset management services and operates through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets, spanning three continents, 20 countries, and 60+ million customers managed by about 30,000 employees. Access Bank, the Corporations banking business subsidiary, has become one of Africas largest retail banks by customer base and total assets according to information available. However, Wigwe who is branded a pioneer and titan of our time as well as an entrepreneur of global repute and reach by the Governor of Enugu state, Peter Mbah, was not just about banking. He was a fervent campaigner for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. a Board member of Nigerias Business Coalition Against AIDS, ceaselessly collaborated to support vulnerable children, orphans, and internationally displaced persons, and relentlessly showed a firm commitment to the development of Nigeria and Africa, One of his most pivotal moves in recent times was founding Wigwe University. And Osinbajo provided a searing insight into the intentions of Wigwe regarding the massive project with this disclosure about the last moment shared with him by the man Tony Elumelu labeled exceptional talent whose demise is terribly sad and distressing. His words, Herbert and I spent the afternoon together in our home on Thursday, February 1st. He shared the Wigwe University Vision, collaborations with Ivy League universities, immediate research objectives, the scholarship scheme for bright students unable to pay fees, and how the infrastructure around the Universityespecially the roads and power plant would benefit the entire community. He also discussed various initiatives for giving young people across the country opportunities to excel, particularly in sustainability and climate action ideas. To naysayers, who rather than join the world in mourning and celebrating the life and obvious legacies and impact of a rare and illustrious Nigerian, I urge you to respect life, nature and our African tradition of allowing family, friends and well-wishers mourn the loss of their loved one. Why wake up to make accusations when you know the accused is not available to provide an appropriate and direct response. Adieu The Fearless One, Adieu Herbert Wigwe. *Olusegun Philips is a social and public affairs analyst and commentator. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has expressed the state governments readiness to collaborate with Sweden across various sectors, including mining, agriculture, renewable energy, education, and healthcare. Mr Lawal hosted the Swedish ambassador in Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englund, in his Abuja office recently. In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesperson of the Zamfara State Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the Swedish Ambassadors visit allowed both parties to engage in bilateral talks. According to the statement, Governor Lawal has resolved to explore all possible ways to attract foreign investments and support from international partners. Last week, Governor Dauda Lawal hosted the Sweden Ambassador, Annika Hahn-Englund, in his Abuja office. The meeting aimed to create collaboration and partnership in critical areas of the economy, build long-term relationships, and implement transformative projects to benefit Zamfara State and its people. At the meeting, Governor Lawal assured the Swedish Ambassador of his administrations readiness to promote collaboration and sustainable development across various sectors. Sweden has expressed interest in partnering with Zamfara State to build long-term relationships and implement transformative projects for the states people in Nigeria. Furthermore, the Ambassador pledged to offer Zamfara technical expertise in responsible mining practices, modern agricultural techniques, renewable energy infrastructure, and support in improving education and healthcare services. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Two police officers, including the Divisional Crime Officer at Zurmi Divisional Police Office in Zamfara State, were killed on Monday when terrorists attacked the local government headquarters. Also, in Maradun Local Government Area of the state, four people were killed while seven others were abducted around 3 p.m. on Sunday. Sources in Zurmi told PREMIUM TIMES that the terrorists stormed the town minutes before 7 p.m. in three groups, shooting indiscriminately. The DCO, Shiitu Musa, a deputy superintendent of police, and Yahuza Sulaiman, an inspector, were killed during the attack. The first group of terrorists entered from the Kaura Namoda axis while the second one entered from the Dauran axis. They rode on motorcycles with military camouflage while others wore uniforms of the recently formed Community Protection Group (CPG). Some of the people on the main road thought the terrorists were CPG until they began shooting. They rode towards the police station while shooting at bystanders. That was when policemen and CPG members started responding, but they were outnumbered, Abubakar Zurmi, a youth leader in the area, told PREMIUM TIMES. He said several shops and motorcycles were burnt by the terrorists. The policemen tried their best but it was obvious the terrorists had more weapons and numbers. They spent about two hours unleashing mayhem before they withdrew on their own. As I speak to you, no one knows how many people have been abducted or forced to flee into the forest during the attack, the youth leader, said in a phone conversation. Maradun attack In Maradun, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the terrorists attacked some residents who were clearing farmlands. Four of the people, all of them from Maradun town, died instantly, Shehu, a resident of Maradun told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone on Monday. They went to clear some bushes for farming when the terrorists saw them and opened fire. I think those killed either ran or refused to be abducted. Seven people were abducted. He named those abducted by the terrorists as Mamman Nagari, Zakiru Olo, Salisu na Liman, Mustapha Makaro, Hamza Akano, Dan Hamza Akano and Danbaba. When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, Yazid Abubakar, said he had not been briefed but would check and revert. However, he had not done that as of the time of filing this report. I am just coming into the office, Ill check and get details and revert, he said. The northern part of Zamfara State, along the boundaries with Katsina and Sokoto states and Niger Republic, is under terrorist onslaught. In the last few days, the terrorists had killed 13 people, including two police officers, and abducted about 40 people in separate attacks in Kaura Namoda and Zurmi areas state. Two soldiers and a mobile police officer were also killed when the terrorists attacked a military camp in Dauran, also in the area. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print From a lecturers proposal to a female student in a classroom on Valentines Day to another prison break in Imo State, the past week was eventful in Nigerias south-east. It was the third week of February 2024. Here are the highlights of the top stories that made headlines in the region within the week: Arrest of notorious cult leaders behind killings in Anambra The week began with a cheering announcement from the police that they had arrested two notorious leaders of cult groups in Anambra State. The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Monday that the arrested cult leaders were behind killings in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state. Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the police commissioner in the state, Aderemi Adeoye, has vowed to end cult-related killings in Ihiala communities the same way he stamped out the menace in Awka. Mr Adeoye further directed the crack squad to flush out all cultists operating in the area. Recovery of stolen rifles It was another cheering moment on Monday when the police in Anambra State announced that they had recovered two AK-47 rifles stolen from their facilities by gunmen in 2021. The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, said one of the rifles was stolen by gunmen who attacked Zone 13 Police Headquarters, Ukpo in Anambra State in 2021. The spokesperson said undercover police operatives uncovered the location where the gunmen hid the rifles. He said the rifles were hidden by the hoodlums in Nnobi, a community in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state. Killing of PDP House of Reps candidate We also brought you a story about the killing of a former House of Representatives candidate from Anambra State, Jude Oguejiofor, by gunmen. Mr Oguejiofor, a lawyer, had contested for the Ihiala Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat in the 2023 general elections under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He was abducted around 1 a.m. two weeks ago, alongside his brother by the gunmen. The incident happened in the Orsumoghu Community where they had gone to see their aged parents. But his brother was released unhurt by the gunmen, who subsequently accused Mr Oguejiofor of writing petitions against them and their activities in the community. This newspaper gathered that Mr Oguejiofors father fainted and died on 8 February when the gunmen contacted the family and informed them that they had killed the politician. Attacks and killings by gunmen in the area and other parts of Anambra are not new, but the latest incident is a painful reminder that the insecurity in the South-east region is yet to slow down. Gunmen said to be part of the Biafra agitation in the South-east have been linked to some of the attacks in the region. Prison Break A prison break was recorded in Imo State, Nigerias south-east, on Monday. At least seven inmates were freed while a police inspector was killed during the attack on the Okigwe Correctional Centre in the early hours of Monday. The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, said members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militant wing carried out the attack. Mr Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police, said the attackers also abducted a police operative. He said they further attacked the residence of a Nigerian senator, Patrick Ndubeze, within the Okigwe area. This was not the first time a prison facility has been attacked in Imo State. Armed persons, on 5 April 2021, attacked the Owerri Correctional Centre and freed a total of 1,844 prisoners. There had been a suspicion among residents of the South-east that some of the inmates who escaped from the Owerri facility might be responsible for the growing attacks in the region. Arrest of suspected cult leader, three others On Wednesday, the police in Imo State announced the arrest of a notorious cult leader alongside three others in Mbieri, a community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state. The police said the suspects had terrorised residents of the council area and other parts of the state. According to the police, the suspects were arrested earlier on Wednesday when operatives from an anti-vice squad stormed their hideout in the community following a tip-off. Nigerian lecturer proposes to student on Valentines Day There was drama on Wednesday as a lecturer at Abia State University, Uturu, stunned many students by proposing to a female student in her classroom. The lecturer, Wisdom Anucha, could be seen kneeling with a ring in his hand while proposing to his heartthrob in photographs circulated on Facebook. Some students watched in apparent excitement while others were busy filming and taking photos as the lecturer proposed to the woman, who is said to be a student of optometry at the institution. The proposal has continued to trend on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the appropriateness of the lecturers actions in the classroom. Fake Catholic Church Here is a strange story about the existence of a fake Catholic Church in Enugu State, south-east Nigeria, according to the alarm raised by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu. The diocese said it was recently drawn to a trending video clip of simulated Roman Catholic episcopal ordination and liturgical worship celebrated at Ibagwa-Nike, a community in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state. The diocese said the group, according to their signpost, claimed that they were members of Old Roman Catholic. Female lawyers abuse of 11-year-old house help The alleged abuse of her 11-year-old house help (name withheld) by a female lawyer in Anambra State was among the trending issues in the South-east within the past week. The lawyer, Adachukwu Cukelu-Okafor, was said to have used a broken bottle, knife and electric iron to brutalise the girl who began staying with her on 5 January. The incident happened in Akpaka, Onitsha in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State, after Mrs Cukelu-Okafor reportedly accused the house help of touching her daughter. Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State had, days after the incident, said his administration had begun the prosecution of Ms Cukelu-Okafor over the abuse of the house help. The lawyer later reportedly went into hiding, which prompted the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in Anambra State, Ify Obinabo, to declare her wanted. PREMIUM TIMES reported that, following Ms Cukelu-Okafors disappearance, Nigerias Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, placed a N2 million bounty on her. However, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, a media aide to the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in Anambra, announced on Friday that Ms Cukelu-Okafor surrendered herself to the police in Awka, the Anambra State capital Mrs Obinabo was quoted as saying the lawyer will be arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate Court in Awka within the following week. Controversy in Anambra market over killing of trader On Friday, tragedy struck at Ogbo Ogwu Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, when a trader was shot dead under controversial circumstances. Some traders accused personnel of the Special Anambra State Anti-touting Squad of shooting the trader to death while carrying out an operation in the area. But the Anambra State Government has refuted the claims, insisting that its anti-touting security personnel do not carry firearms. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print GURUGRAM, India, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Makkah is witnessing a surge in its sellable apartment market, driven by the ever-growing influx of religious pilgrims and ambitious urban development initiatives. Ken Research's 'Makkah Sellable Apartment Market Outlook' report predicts a remarkable 7.2% CAGR, propelling the market size to a staggering $53 billion by 2027. This press release sheds light on the key drivers, challenges, and exciting prospects shaping this dynamic landscape. Market Overview: Building Homes, Nurturing Faith Beyond providing residential options, the sellable apartment market in Makkah plays a crucial role in accommodating the millions of pilgrims visiting the holy city each year. It also contributes to the city's economic diversification and urban transformation. In 2022, the market reached a size of $32 billion, and it's on track for significant growth, fueled by: Unending Demand from Pilgrims: The ever-increasing number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims drives the need for more accommodation options, particularly apartments offering convenience and affordability. The ever-increasing number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims drives the need for more accommodation options, particularly apartments offering convenience and affordability. Government's Vision 2030: The ambitious urban development plans like Haramain High-Speed Railway and King Abdullah Road Expansion project improve connectivity and stimulate real estate development. The ambitious urban development plans like Haramain High-Speed Railway and King Abdullah Road Expansion project improve connectivity and stimulate real estate development. Focus on Pilgrim Experience: Growing emphasis on enhancing the pilgrim experience encourages investment in modern and well-equipped apartment complexes. Growing emphasis on enhancing the pilgrim experience encourages investment in modern and well-equipped apartment complexes. Diversification beyond Pilgrimage: Expanding tourism and business opportunities attract residents seeking long-term accommodation options. Interested to Know More about this Report, Request a Free Sample Report Market Segmentation: Diverse Needs, Tailored Solutions The report delves into the various segments of the Makkah sellable apartment market, offering a comprehensive view: Location: The Central Zone, closest to the Grand Mosque, holds the largest share (60%), followed by the Expansion Zone (30%) and the Outskirts (10%). Proximity to holy sites influences preferences. The Central Zone, closest to the Grand Mosque, holds the largest share (60%), followed by the Expansion Zone (30%) and the Outskirts (10%). Proximity to holy sites influences preferences. Apartment Type: Studio and one-bedroom apartments dominate (50%), followed by two-bedroom (30%) and three-bedroom (20%). Apartment size caters to pilgrim group sizes and budgets. Studio and one-bedroom apartments dominate (50%), followed by two-bedroom (30%) and three-bedroom (20%). Apartment size caters to pilgrim group sizes and budgets. Price Range: The luxury segment commands a premium (30%), followed by mid-range (40%) and affordable (30%). Diverse needs and budgets drive segment choices. Competitive Landscape: Local & Global Players Join Hands for Progress The market features a mix of established local developers, regional leaders, and international investors: Local Champions: Jabal Omar Development Company, Dar Al-Arkan , and Emaar Makkah Clock Royal Tower Hotel offer local expertise and strong track records. Jabal Omar Development Company, , and Emaar Makkah Clock Royal Tower Hotel offer local expertise and strong track records. Regional Leaders: DAMAC Properties (UAE) and Emaar Properties (UAE) bring regional experience and diverse project portfolios. DAMAC Properties (UAE) and Emaar Properties (UAE) bring regional experience and diverse project portfolios. Global Investors: The Abraaj Group ( Middle East ) and Colony Capital (US) provide international investment and development expertise. Visit this Link :- Request for custom report Challenges: Navigating the Path to a Sustainable Future Despite the promising outlook, some challenges need to be addressed: Limited Land Availability: Scarcity of suitable land within the central zone poses a challenge for expanding apartment supply. Scarcity of suitable land within the central zone poses a challenge for expanding apartment supply. Infrastructure Constraints: Upgrading infrastructure, particularly transportation and utilities, is crucial to support the growing population and accommodate new developments. Upgrading infrastructure, particularly transportation and utilities, is crucial to support the growing population and accommodate new developments. Managing Seasonality: High fluctuations in occupancy rates throughout the year require developers to adopt innovative marketing and management strategies. High fluctuations in occupancy rates throughout the year require developers to adopt innovative marketing and management strategies. Balancing Pilgrim Needs & Urban Development: Striking a balance between catering to pilgrim needs and ensuring sustainable urban development remains crucial. Future Outlook: A Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive Ecosystem The Makkah sellable apartment market is poised for continued growth, driven by several exciting factors: Focus on Smart City Development: Adoption of smart technologies like smart grids and automation will enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. Adoption of smart technologies like smart grids and automation will enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. Expansion of Tourism & Hospitality: Diversifying tourism offerings and promoting year-round tourism will ensure sustained demand for apartments. Diversifying tourism offerings and promoting year-round tourism will ensure sustained demand for apartments. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between government and private developers will be key to addressing infrastructure challenges and ensuring sustainable development. Collaboration between government and private developers will be key to addressing infrastructure challenges and ensuring sustainable development. Focus on Affordability & Inclusivity: Developing affordable housing options and ensuring accessibility for all pilgrims will be crucial for inclusive growth. Key Takeaways for Stakeholders: This report offers valuable insights for various stakeholders in the Makkah sellable apartment market, including: Developers: Focusing on innovative and sustainable apartment designs, utilizing smart technologies, and collaborating with stakeholders. Focusing on innovative and sustainable apartment designs, utilizing smart technologies, and collaborating with stakeholders. Investors: Identifying high-growth segments like affordable housing and mixed-use developments catering to diverse needs. Identifying high-growth segments like affordable housing and mixed-use developments catering to diverse needs. Policymakers: Implementing regulations that promote sustainable development, manage pilgrimage flows, and ensure affordability. Implementing regulations that promote sustainable development, manage pilgrimage flows, and ensure affordability. Pilgrims & Residents: Choosing registered accommodation providers, respecting local regulations, and contributing to a safe and respectful environment for all. Conclusion: Makkah's sellable apartment market stands on the cusp of a historic transformation, offering immense potential to accommodate pilgrims, enhance the visitor experience, and support the city's ambitious development goals. By overcoming challenges like infrastructure constraints and seasonality, the sector can unlock its full potential and contribute to a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive future for Makkah. Through collaborative efforts, a commitment to responsible development, and a focus on pilgrim well-being, the Makkah sellable apartment market can truly ascend to new heights, reflecting the holy city's enduring significance and serving as a beacon of hospitality and faith for generations to come. Request free 30 minutes analyst call For More Insights On Market Intelligence, Refer To The Link Below: Makkah Sellable Market Related Reports by Ken Research: Riyadh Office Market Outlook to 2027 Driven by Rise in Demand for premium office space and upcoming completion of smart city and office projects The Riyadh office market is anticipated to reach GLA 6.4 SQM by 2027, with a forecasted increase in market size driven by factors such as economic development, increased foreign investment, and a growing demand for office spaces. The future of the Riyadh office market is likely to be shaped by the adoption of smart office technologies. Germany Property Management Market Outlook to 2028 By Product Type (Residential, Commercial, and Other Product Types) and End User Services (housing associations, Property managers Agents, Property investors and others.) And By Regional Split (North/East/West/South) The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~4% during forecast years 2022-2028. The growth of the market is high due to various factors like increasing construction activity, low mortgage rates. the Germany property management market is a complex web of interconnected stakeholders. At its core are property owners, both individuals and institutions, who rely on property management companies to maximize the value of their assets. UK Real Estate Service Market Outlook to 2028 Driven by Low Mortgage Rates and Population Growth and Urbanization The future of the UK real estate market holds several exciting possibilities driven by emerging trends and advancements. Technology will play a transformative role, with increased adoption of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and data analytics enhancing the efficiency of property transactions, marketing, and customer service. US Real Estate Service Market Outlook to 2028 Driven by Low Mortgage Rates and Population Growth and Urbanization The future of the US real estate market holds several exciting possibilities driven by emerging trends and advancements. Technology will play a transformative role, with increased adoption of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and data analytics enhancing the efficiency of property transactions, marketing, and customer service. Follow Us LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Contact Us:- Ken Research Private Limited Ankur Gupta, Director Strategy and Growth Ankur@kenresearch.com +91-9015378249 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1954972/3782349/Ken_Research_Logo.jpg Eleanor Aldous selected for exclusive trial lawyer group DALLAS, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aldous\Walker is pleased to announce that attorney Eleanor Aldous has been selected for membership in The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, an invitation-only organization for trial lawyers practicing civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense law. The National Trial Lawyers describes the Top 40 as including the most qualified attorneys from each state who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence and stature. "Eleanor's approach to the law is one that honors her commitment to her clients every time," said Aldous\Walker partner Brent Walker. "That mentality has turned her into an incredible asset to not just our clients but also our entire community." To select the Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers measures candidates by objective qualifications, selecting attorneys who have superior trial results and who show leadership as lawyers under the age of 40. Ms. Aldous' practice focuses on personal injury cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. In one case, she was part of a legal team that garnered a $9.7 million medical malpractice verdict on behalf of a patient who suffered brain damage during surgery. Ms. Aldous earned her law degree at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and interned at renowned trial practices in Philadelphia and New York. Following her graduation from Penn Law, she worked as an attorney at a personal injury firm in Philadelphia for several years, later joining Aldous\Walker in 2022. Her undergraduate degree is from The George Washington University, where she graduated summa cum laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Her non-legal background includes working as an AmeriCorps member with City Year and as a volunteer for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). A native of Dallas, Ms. Aldous is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Dallas Bar Association, among others. To read more about The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, click here. The Aldous\Walker LLP law firm represents clients in civil litigation, personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability and wrongful death cases. Learn more about the firm at www.aldouslaw.com Media Contact: BeLynn Hollers 800.559.4534 SOURCE Aldous \ Walker LLP BOSTON, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Autonomous trucks are vehicles that can drive themselves without human intervention, using sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence. They offer many benefits such as improved safety, efficiency, and cost savings for the global transportation industry. Boston: "According to the latest BCC Research study, the demand for Autonomous Trucks: Global Markets is estimated to increase from $3.3 billion in 2023 to reach $6.9 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2% from 2023 through 2028." This comprehensive report offers a detailed overview of the global autonomous trucks market, leveraging 2022 as a baseline year and projecting estimated market data for the period spanning 2023 to 2028. Revenue forecasts during this timeframe are intricately segmented across various parameters including components, autonomy levels, propulsion types, truck categories, end-use applications, and regional considerations. By delving into major market trends and challenges, the report sheds light on the dynamic landscape that shapes the industry. Furthermore, it elucidates current market dynamics while providing in-depth profiles of key players and a nuanced understanding of their strategies aimed at bolstering their market presence. The report not only estimates the market size for autonomous trucks in 2023 but also offers comprehensive projections, painting a vivid picture of the expected market trajectory up to the year 2028. With its thorough analysis, the report serves as a valuable resource for stakeholders seeking insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of autonomous truck technology and its global market dynamics. The integration of autonomous trucks is poised to revolutionize existing truck allocation structures, ushering in a new era of logistics models that facilitate both horizontal and vertical integration. This transformative shift holds the potential to address a multitude of challenges faced by shipping companies. Concurrently, manufacturers are actively engaged in developing low-emission Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) aimed at enhancing supply chain efficiency and mitigating transportation-related emissions within the freight transportation sector. Noteworthy achievements in this realm include TuSimple, Inc. receiving the EPA's SmartWay High Performer award in 2021, a recognition reserved for the top 10% of fleets exhibiting the quietest CO2 emissions. In a regulatory context, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) took a pivotal step in April 2023 by amending reporting requirements for AV crashes. This amendment is anticipated to yield more accurate accident reports, furnishing crucial data to support future regulatory changes and further advancing the responsible integration of autonomous technologies into transportation systems. Explore the comprehensive insights and strategic implications of this groundbreaking research. Click here to Learn More. Key Drivers of Autonomous Trucks: Global Markets Growing Emphasis on Enhanced Road Safety and Traffic Management: The advent of autonomous trucks heralds a significant paradigm shift towards heightened road safety and more efficient traffic control. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence, these vehicles have the potential to substantially mitigate human errors, thereby contributing to a safer road environment. Additionally, their ability to communicate with both fellow autonomous trucks and the infrastructure allows for optimized traffic flow, minimizing congestion and enhancing overall road system efficiency. Reduced Emissions and Enhanced Fuel Efficiency in the Realm of Autonomous Trucks: Autonomous trucks emerge as powerful allies in the global effort to combat climate change, as they introduce innovative features like platooning, adaptive cruise control, and eco-driving. By leveraging these capabilities, these vehicles not only exhibit reduced fuel consumption but also significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the potential transition to electric propulsion represents a promising avenue for further diminishing their environmental footprint, aligning with the broader push towards sustainable transportation solutions. Advancements in the Technological Landscape: The dynamic landscape of autonomous trucking is propelled by the rapid evolution and innovation of pivotal technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), 5G connectivity, and cloud computing. These technological strides play a pivotal role in elevating the performance, reliability, and security of autonomous trucks. Moreover, they pave the way for the emergence of novel business models and services, shaping a transformative future for the industry while bolstering its capacity to meet evolving demands. Request a Sample Copy of the Autonomous Trucks: Global Markets Report. Report Synopsis Report Metrics Details Base year considered 2022 Forecast Period considered 2023-2028 Base year market size $2.9 billion Market Size Forecast $6.9 billion Growth Rate CAGR of 16.2% from 2023 to 2028 Segment Covered By Component, Autonomy, Propulsion Type, Truck Type, End Use, and Region Regions covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW) Countries covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, China, India, and Japan Key Market Drivers Growing Emphasis on Improved Road Safety and Traffic Control Reduced Emissions and Higher Fuel Efficiency of Autonomous Trucks Improved Technological Landscape Autonomous Trucks Global Markets Segmentation: By Component: Analyzing the Autonomous Truck Market's Building Blocks This segmentation delves into the intricate layers of the autonomous truck market, dissecting it based on the fundamental components that drive these cutting-edge vehicles. The bifurcation centers around the dichotomy of software and hardware. Software, the brain of the autonomous truck, encompasses programs and algorithms that orchestrate functions such as navigation, perception, and decision-making. Meanwhile, hardware comprises the sensory and operational apparatus, featuring devices like cameras, navigation systems, sensors, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) components, collectively serving as the eyes and ears of these autonomous entities. By Autonomy: Unraveling Degrees of Autonomy in the Trucking Realm This market segmentation peels back the layers based on the degree of autonomy inherent in autonomous trucks, delineating the spectrum of human intervention required for seamless operation. Semi-autonomous trucks tread a middle ground, proficient in executing certain functions autonomously but necessitating human oversight and control. In contrast, fully autonomous trucks emerge as self-sufficient entities, adept at executing all functions autonomously, sans any human intervention, marking a paradigm shift in the landscape of autonomous transportation. By Propulsion Type: Navigating the Power Sources of Autonomous Trucks This segment intricately categorizes the market according to the type of propulsion systems propelling these autonomous marvels. Internal Combustion (IC) engines harness the combustion of fossil fuels for power generation, while electric trucks rely on batteries or fuel cells to store and convert electrical energy into propulsive force. Hybrid trucks ingeniously blend IC engines and electric motors, optimizing power and efficiency in a symbiotic fusion of traditional and contemporary technologies. By Truck Type: Gauging Autonomy Based on Truck Size and Capacity This segmentation classifies the market based on the size and capacity of autonomous trucks, offering a nuanced perspective. Light-duty trucks, with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) below 6,000 lbs, find their niche alongside medium-duty trucks (6,000 to 26,000 lbs GVWR) and heavy-duty trucks (exceeding 26,000 lbs GVWR). This categorization provides a comprehensive understanding of the diverse landscape encompassing various truck types within the autonomous domain. By End Use: Mapping Autonomous Truck Applications Across Industries This segment unfolds based on the diverse industries and sectors harnessing the potential of autonomous trucks. Logistics and transportation, manufacturing, mining, construction, and an array of others form the tapestry of end-use applications. From the movement of goods and people to the production of goods, extraction of minerals, construction activities, and beyond, the autonomous truck's impact extends across an array of sectors, encompassing ports, farming, oil and gas, chemicals, and agriculture. By Region: Navigating the Global Terrain of Autonomous Truck Adoption This geographical segmentation scrutinizes the global landscape, partitioning it into regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Further sub-segmentation drills down into specific countries, providing a comparative analysis of market size, growth, and trends. This regional perspective offers invaluable insights into the diverse dynamics shaping the adoption and evolution of autonomous trucks across different corners of the globe. This report on Autonomous Trucks: Global Markets provides comprehensive insights and analysis, addressing the following key questions: 1. What is the projected market size and growth rate of the market? The global market for autonomous trucks was projected to grow from $2.9 billion in 2022 to $6.9 billion in 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2% during the forecast period 2023-2028. 2. What are the key factors driving the growth of the market? The key factors driving the growth of the autonomous trucks market include growing emphasis on improved road safety and traffic control, reduced emissions and higher fuel efficiency of autonomous trucks, improved technological landscape, and growth of connected infrastructures. 3. What segments are covered in the market? Global autonomous trucks market is segmented based on component, autonomy, propulsion type, truck type, end use, and region. 4. By End use, which segment will dominate the market by the end of 2028? By the end of 2028, the logistics and transportation segment will continue to dominate the global autonomous trucks market. The segment will show a dominating position till the end of 2028, owing to lower load and long haulage costs, streamline traffic flows, shorter delivery time, and improve fuel efficiency by reducing freight and logistics costs. 5. Which region has the highest market share in the market? Europe holds the highest market share in the global autonomous trucks market. Presence of major OEMs such as Tesla, Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH, Mercedes Benz Group, and MAN Truck & Bus which are launching new models with advanced automation levels, implementation of various self-driving vehicle related rules and regulations by the European Union, and availability of advanced communication infrastructure drives the demand for adopting autonomous trucks in the region. Some of the Key Market Players Are: AB VOLVO APTIV CATERPILLAR CONTINENTAL AG DENSO CORP. EINRIDE KODIAK ROBOTICS INC. MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG PACCAR INC. ROBERT BOSCH GMBH TESLA INC. TUSIMPLE HOLDINGS INC. WAYMO LLC Directly Purchase a copy of the report with BCC Research. For further information or to make a purchase, please get in touch with [email protected]. About BCC Research BCC Research provides objective, unbiased measurement and assessment of market opportunities with detailed market research reports. Our experienced industry analysts' goal is to help you make informed business decisions, free of noise and hype. Contact Us Corporate HQ: BCC Research LLC, 49 Walnut Park, Building 2, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA Email: [email protected], Phone: +1 781-489-7301 For media inquiries, email [email protected] or visit our media page for access to our market research library. Data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC as the source and publisher. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2183242/BCC_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE BCC Research LLC West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) launches the West Midlands Global Growth Programme a free package of support for European technology companies looking to make their mark in the region. Programme to be delivered in partnership with Bruntwood SciTech, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park and the University of Warwick Science Park, significantly expanding on WMGC's existing investor support offering. WMGC inviting applications from eligible European businesses, with 40 spaces available for 2024. BIRMINGHAM, England, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The West Midlands' official investment promotion agency has launched its 2024 Global Growth Programme a unique, nine-month package of free market entry support, providing European companies with a springboard to success in the region. Best-in-class UK market entry support programme opens for applications Developed by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), the programme aims to boost investment in the West Midlands from overseas tech businesses through access to the ultimate suite of support, designed to accelerate their growth journey at the heart of the UK. Through new partnerships with Bruntwood SciTech the UK's largest dedicated property platform serving the growth of the nation's knowledge economy, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park and the University of Warwick Science Park, the programme significantly expands on WMGC's previous support offering for new investors. The West Midlands Global Growth Programme has been designed to address the key challenges faced by ambitious, innovative companies at every stage of development from scale-ups to large corporates when entering the UK market for the first time. Its free package of support includes sponsored innovation centre workspace, access to sector specific programmes and bespoke professional services assistance, covering areas such as UK subsidiary set-up, introductions to local networks, UK VISA assistance and marketing amplification. Building on the overwhelming success of the pilot programme, which was based at Bruntwood SciTech's Innovation Birmingham campus and focused on supporting international tech companies, the 2024 Global Growth Programme will be delivered across a larger network of landing hubs. Five hubs located across Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry create an expanded offering with tailored support for a broader range of sectors, including Digital Tech, Health Tech, Clean Tech and Future Mobility. European companies that have successfully expanded into the UK as a result of the Global Growth Programme include Poland-based Scanthesun, Diagu, and Alcomm; Finland-based Cimcorp Oy and Turkey-based Sade Labs, Kollestee, Biyomod and Agiliom Technology Services Limited. During the 2022/23 financial year, the West Midlands achieved record FDI results. The region saw the greatest growth in FDI projects in the UK, surpassing London and outstripping the country's average by fivefold. Following the recently agreed Deeper Devolution Deal, the region's drive to attract more FDI into the region will be supported by WMGC's co-development of an international strategy, along with the UK Government's Department for Business and Trade. With only 40 places available on the West Midlands Global Growth Programme for 2024, WMGC is now accepting applications. Businesses can find out whether they're eligible to apply and register their interest here. Neil Rami, Chief Executive at the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), said: "To date, our Global Growth Programme has proven a resounding success, helping a number of international companies to kickstart their growth journeys in the West Midlands. The launch of the Global Growth Programme 2024, which is bigger and better than ever before, will enable us to use our best-in-class expertise to support businesses across a wider range of sectors, from new hubs right across the region. We look forward to working with this year's cohort to help them reach new heights, strengthening the West Midlands' world-class innovation ecosystem." Sabarinath C. Nair, CEO at Skillveri, said: "With our target customers spread widely across England and Scotland, it made perfect sense to position ourselves in the West Midlands right at the heart of the UK. As well as being extremely well connected to other major UK cities by road and rail, Birmingham was a much more cost-competitive option than the likes of London. "Being part of the West Midlands Global Growth Programme gave us a real head-start on our UK growth journey. In particular, having access to free desk space at Innovation Birmingham where we had dedicated consultancy and networking opportunities on our doorstep has helped us to hit the ground running and thrive in the region from day one." Kai-Tse Lin, Co-Founder at Bellwether Industries, said: "The West Midlands' unique combination of an established manufacturing heritage and world-class strengths in emerging technologies made it the obvious location for us to test and scale our innovative eVTOL solutions. "The best thing about being part of the West Midlands Global Growth Programme was having around-the-clock access to bespoke consultancy, from our base at Bruntwood SciTech's innovation hub. These conversations enabled us to quickly add value to our business model by identifying partnership and networking opportunities in the local ecosystem. In particular, a key highlight of the Programme was being invited to attend the Future Mobility event at Commonwealth Games business conference, UK House, where we made valuable connections with local universities and key players in the global Clean Tech industry." Notes to editors: West Midlands Growth Company The West Midlands Growth Company helps the region make its mark nationally and internationally. Its primary purpose is to attract investment, jobs, visitors and businesses to the West Midlands. The West Midlands Growth Company focuses on the WMCA geography of Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, and the Black Country. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2340524/West_Midlands_Growth_Company_1.jpg U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Jeffrey Pyatt wrote on his page on social network "X" that the U.S. supports Baku's climate priorities within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change COP29, Azernews reports "The meeting with Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov is aimed at discussing support for Baku's COP29 climate priorities, reducing methane emissions, and diversifying energy routes and supplies in the Caspian region," the publication reads. This year Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - COP29. The decision was made at the plenary session of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will host about 70-80 thousand foreign guests within two weeks. The Womens Business Club has announced Dionne Popplestone, photographed by Liv Pix Photography and Creations, as the well-deserved winner of The Real Women Campaign 2024. Coming from Stroud, Dionne, an Executive Virtual Assistant, has been selected as the face of Womens Business Club for the year ahead. Acknowledging the outstanding entries received, the finalists include Anna Payne, Claire Waite Brown, Rachael Botfield, Naomi Rose, Jane Hyde, Rudo Muchoko, and Vanessa Buck. The Womens Business Club extends heartfelt appreciation to all finalists and eagerly anticipates showcasing their work across marketing materials and publications throughout 2024. With a commitment to bolstering and uplifting the business community, Womens Business Club encourages participants to reveal their authentic selves in diverse settings, be it professional attire, leisurely moments with friends, or alongside cherished pets, aiming to depart from conventional stock photography. This competition holds a special place for me as I enjoy working with these real women photos in our marketing. We are committed to highlighting the diversity and authenticity of women in our community. Their photos will not only receive due credit but will also be tagged wherever possible, ensuring maximum exposure for the businesswomen, remarked Angela De Souza, CEO at Womens Business Club. In addition to the prestigious title, Dionne, along with her photographer, Liv Pix Photography and Creations, are awarded a comprehensive marketing & PR package worth 3,000. Lisa Carroll, competition judge said, I love the dramatic architecture and thoughtful consideration that has gone into Dionnes wardrobe, along with the complimentary blush pink of the notepad. A beautiful image in a wonderful setting. While public voting played a role, the final decision was made by a panel of judges, including Tamsin Broster, Alekia Gill, and Lisa Carroll, ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation of each participant. The Womens Business Club, founded by Angela De Souza, hosts the Womens Business Conference & Awards. It aims to connect, support, and empower businesswomen, fostering a community where women can feel comfortable and authentic. Since its launch in January 2013, the club has remained committed to promoting feminine leadership and supporting women in their growth and success. The next round of The Real Women Campaign opens on 1st March, coinciding with the celebration of International Womens Day. Businesswomen are invited to participate at https://news.womensbusiness.club/the-real-women-campaign Womens Business Club empowers women to succeed in business through awards, conferences, business support membership, and news. Find out more at www.womensbusiness.club or send your press release news@womensbusiness.club. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Digital polling software enhances audience participation and voting efficiency while empowering BJFF to go paperless BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Dragon Capital portfolio company Digital Joy has successfully modernized the participation experience at the Boston Jewish Film Festival by transforming the event's antiquated paper voting system into a user-friendly digital voting method. This full success story is explored in the newly published case study, Two Thumbs Up. Through Digital Joy Engage, Boston Jewish Film was able to transition from an antiquated paper voting system to a user-friendly digital voting method. The media industry is currently witnessing a widespread shift towards digitalization. Various aspects of this trend include audience engagement, content delivery, and data collection. Audience engagement, especially, is critical to today's media landscape. While traditional means of reaching the audience are no longer as efficient, technology now offers alternatives that offer a more interactive and engaging experience for viewers, enhancing their connection with the content and the event. Digital Joy is an innovative cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) media technology company that aims to empower companies so that they can align their transformation with these trends. It aims to help businesses, creators, and leading media organizations alike share their stories by leveraging the most advanced cloud-based solutions like Digital Joy Engage. Created in 1989 as the Boston Jewish Film Festival, it is now the largest film-based organization in New England, welcoming more than 15,000 attendees annually. It offers the finest in film programming, education, and conversation to audiences across the Greater Boston community. For events like the Boston Jewish Film Festival, modernizing the participation experience through digital voting systems can positively impact audience engagement. Through Digital Joy Engage, Boston Jewish Film was able to transition from an antiquated paper voting system to a user-friendly digital voting method. This transformation seamlessly integrated attendees into the event, providing them with an efficient and effective means to cast their votes and have their voices heard. In addition, Digital Joy Engage was also able to streamline the voting process, making it efficient and convenient for both event organizers and attendees. This efficiency allowed for quicker results and a smoother overall experience giving the Boston Jewish Film Festival a competitive edge over others which still rely on outdated methods. Digital Joy Engage has successfully transformed the audience voting experience at the Boston Jewish Film Festival. This advanced cloud-based solution with a simple set up and implementation process gave the audience a voice and transformed the way they were able to participate in the event. "This year it was more votes and more people. It's a good sign, people are getting used to the new way of doing things. On the back end for us, it couldn't be easier. It really is an intuitive process and any issues we had were not with the software!" said Joseph "Joey" Katz, Director of Special Programming, Boston Jewish Film. About Digital Joy Digital Joy is a new innovative cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) media technology company that aims to empower companies, from small enterprises to the largest in the world, with innovative and proven cloud-based solutions. It aims to help businesses, creators, and leading media organizations share their stories by leveraging the most advanced cloud-based media technology. About Black Dragon Capital Black Dragon Capital (BDC) is a multi-phased investment firm focused on advanced technologies in high growth segments that strengthen economic stability within communities. The firm was founded and led by a diverse team with a combination of intense operating experience, community impact focus, and a track record of successful investing. They work closely with entrepreneurs to build market leading companies using their proprietary Black Dragon Toolkit and focus on high potential early stage, and mid-market technology companies in growth sectors disrupted by digitization. About Boston Jewish Film Boston Jewish Film offers the finest in film programming, education, and conversation to audiences across the Greater Boston community. Created in 1989 as the Boston Jewish Film Festival, it is now the largest film-based organization in New England, welcoming more than 15,000 attendees annually. From year-round premieres to its marquee Fall Festival one of the oldest and most prestigious Jewish film festivals in the world the not-for-profit arts organization hosts screenings, discussions with filmmakers, multi-media presentations, live podcasts, music and dance performances, and ReelAbilities Boston the city's disability film festival. Boston Jewish Film invites the community to Go Beyond the Screen and celebrate the global Jewish experience. www.bostonjfilm.org Aren Wong Marketing Director, Digital Joy [email protected] SOURCE Digital Joy DSMB approval to proceed to second cohort of REGALS trial (T Regulatory Cells for ALS). Ongoing Phase 1/ 1b study evaluating safety and efficacy of CK0803 (Neurotrophic T regulatory cells) HOUSTON, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellenkos today announced encouraging safety data from its innovative CK0803 neurotrophic T regulatory (Treg) cell therapy, being developed to help treat individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The company can now begin treating the second group of patients in the trial (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05695521) The company was given the green light to move ahead following a review of safety data by the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). The DSMB found none of the participants experienced any serious adverse events or dangerous side effects from the therapy. "We are very excited and encouraged by this development," says Tara Sadeghi, Chief Operating Officer of Cellenkos. "This recommendation from the DSMB is an important step in bringing this potential disease modifying therapy to the patients and takes us closer to our ultimate goal of curing ALS." CK0803 is a neurotrophic, allogeneic, umbilical cord blood-derived T regulatory (Treg) cell therapy that preferentially homes towards inflamed microglia, developed by using Cellenkos' proprietary CRANE technology, to generate disease-specific products. The completion of cohort 1 dosing allows for the continued enrollment on the Phase 1 Safety Run-in Study, to be followed by a Phase 1b Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Control Trial of CK0803 in patients with ALS. The treatment will include four weekly infusions followed by five monthly infusions. Regulatory T Cells for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (REGALS) is a multicenter study including Columbia University, New York; Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. The primary objective of this study is to establish safety and tolerability of multiple doses of CK0803 in ALS patients. This study will also provide preliminary efficacy data of CK0803 in ALS using the primary endpoint of combined assessment of function and survival (CAFS) that ranks patients' clinical outcomes based on survival time and change in the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score, and secondary endpoint of longitudinal measurement of neurofilament light chain levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). About Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a group of rare neurological diseases that mainly involve the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. In ALS, both the upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons degenerate or die and stop sending messages to the muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken and waste away (atrophy). Eventually, the brain loses its ability to initiate and control voluntary movements. The disease is progressive, meaning the symptoms get worse over time. Majority of ALS cases (90 percent or more) are considered sporadic. This means the disease seems to occur at random with no clearly associated risk factors and no family history of the disease. In a small (approximately 10%) of cases, ALS is caused by a mutation in a known ALS-associated gene. Most people with ALS eventually die from respiratory failure, usually within 3 to 5 years from when the symptoms first appear. However, about 10 percent of people with ALS survive for 10 or more years. Currently, there is no cure for ALS and no effective treatment to halt or reverse the progression of the disease. About CK0803 CK0803 is a novel allogeneic cell therapy product consisting of T regulatory cells, with a high cell surface expression of CD11a, that leverage CXCR3/CXCL10 axis to engage with the inflamed microglia. CK0803 is derived from clinical-grade umbilical cord blood units and manufactured using Cellenkos' proprietary CRANE process. There is no requirement for HLA or ABO matching of CK0803 to the recipient. Multiple doses of CK0803 can be manufactured from a single umbilical cord blood unit, where the final cryopreserved product is readily available for use, at the point of care, which makes it an ideal therapy that can be infused intravenously, in the outpatient setting. About Cellenkos, Inc. Cellenkos is a clinical-stage biotechnology company located in Houston, Texas, USA, dedicated to the development and commercialization of the allogeneic, "off-the-shelf" cell-based products for the treatment of rare inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders. Cellenkos' T regulatory cells (Tregs) are derived from umbilical cord blood and as such are naive, bonafide suppressor cells that do not require HLA or ABO matching and resolve inflammation through multiple direct and indirect mechanisms. Cellenkos' proprietary CRANE process allows for tailoring of Tregs to become disease specific. Cellenkos' current clinical portfolio includes CK0801 (bone marrow failure); CK0802 (COVID ARDS); CK0803 (ALS) and CK0804 (myelofibrosis). For more information, please visit www.cellenkosinc.com. Contact: Stacy Minor [email protected] SOURCE Cellenkos, Inc. Nestled in the heart of Texas, Driftwood Shores at Wolf Point promises a unique blend of coastal charm and modern amenities, making it the ultimate destination for those seeking a waterfront lifestyle. The Grand Opening Land Sale Event invites interested parties to explore the unparalleled features that set this community apart. Bay Access properties start at $49,900, while Bay Front properties are priced from $149,900. Key Features of Driftwood Shores at Wolf Point: Over 4 Miles of Water Frontage: Residents will enjoy the serenity of over 4 miles of picturesque waterfront, creating a stunning backdrop for daily living. Gated Community with Paved Roads: Ensuring privacy and convenience, Driftwood Shores offers a secure gated community with well-maintained paved roads. Underground Utilities: The community is equipped with underground utilities, seamlessly blending modern amenities with the natural beauty of the surroundings. Community Pool & Cabana: Residents can relax and socialize at the community pool and cabana, creating a perfect setting for leisure and recreation. Community Boat Launch: Boating enthusiasts will appreciate the convenience of a dedicated community boat launch for easy access to the water. Fishing Pier: A dedicated fishing pier provides an ideal spot for anglers to enjoy the abundant opportunities in the area. Boat & RV Storage Facility: Driftwood Shores offers a secure storage facility for boats and RVs, ensuring residents' prized possessions are well-protected. Panoramic Views: The community provides breathtaking panoramic views, allowing residents to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Texas coastal landscape. coastal landscape. Saltwater Fishing Destination: With proximity to saltwater fishing, Driftwood Shores becomes a haven for fishing enthusiasts seeking adventure on the water. Horses Welcome: Embracing a rural charm, the community welcomes horses, adding an extra layer of freedom and connection with nature. Minutes to Local Shopping, Dining, Schools, and Hospitals: Conveniently located, residents are just minutes away from essential amenities, including shopping, dining, schools, and hospitals. Visit www.driftwoodshorestx.com to learn more and schedule your priority appointment. Appointments are required for the March 2 Land Sale Event. Call 833-499-1424 today to schedule your appointment. About The Developer Diamond J Properties specializes in creating communities in Texas. With over 80 years of combined experience in real estate acquisition, development, marketing and sales, our team knows what it takes to create communities where people will be proud to call home. We make it easy to build your dream home in Texas by putting in the necessary infrastructure including paving roads, electricity, water, permitting, wildlife exemptions etc. Learn more about Diamond J Properties: https://www.diamondjproperties.com/ SOURCE Diamond J Properties DUBLIN, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Key Trends in Cruises (2024)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides analysis of key market trends, M&A deals, and company strategies in the cruise industry. Major cruise companies are assessed, along with an analysis of alternative cruise types to provide valuable insight. Challenges along with opportunities in the industry are explained in relation to industry examples. According to the consumer survey Q3 2021, out of 22,499 respondents, 18% (4,013) said that they typically take cruise holidays. Due to travel restrictions and the implementation of lockdowns and safety measures by several nations worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly damaged the cruise industry, which has decreased demand for cruise tourism. According to the near-term impact of prominent themes poll, 4.2% of 377 respondents said that their business will be impacted by ESG for the next 12 months. According to the Q3 2021 Consumer Survey, 74% of global respondents reported that environmental issues are 'extremely' or quite' important to them. Maintaining better ESG credentials can help corporations improve their overall financial performance by reducing energy bills, operating costs, and other expenses. The majority of tourists now place a higher priority on sustainable practices while traveling. According to the Q2 2023 consumer survey, 24% of overall global respondents stated that they 'strongly agree' that they are more loyal to brands that support green and environmental matters, whereas 38% of global respondents stated they 'somewhat agree' that they are more loyal to brands that support green and environmental matters. The Bahamas saw a marked increase in cruise visitors during the year 2023, with a tremendous number of visitors. According to the Traveler Demands and Flows, overall international arrivals into the Bahamas through sea during 2023 reached 0.25 million trips, which was an increase of 119.02% compared with 2022 (0.11 million trips). Reasons to Buy Gain an insight into the cruise industry's leading players. Understand the key traveler types cruise companies can look to attract Look at the key product developments and why they appeal Gain a detailed understanding of the key trends, issues and challenges facing cruise companies Key Topics Covered: Snapshot Global Cruise Industry Overview Key Destinations Projects, Mergers and Acquisitions Cruise Types and Trends Key Market Trends Influenced by COVID-19 Key Market Trends Case Study Challenges and Opportunities Appendix A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes Carnival Celebrity Disney Norwegian Cruise Lines Royal Caribbean Seabourn Silversea For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nj1zkh About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Ireland Social Commerce Market Intelligence and Future Growth Dynamics Databook - 50+ KPIs on Social Commerce Trends by End-Use Sectors, Operational KPIs, Retail Product Dynamics, and Consumer Demographics - Q1 2024 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The social commerce industry in Ireland is expected to grow by 47.8% on annual basis to reach US$2.29 billion in 2024. The industry is expected to further grow over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 39.7% during 2024-2029. The social commerce GMV in Ireland will increase from US$1.55 billion in 2023 to reach US$12.21 billion by 2029. This report provides a detailed data centric analysis of social commerce industry, covering market opportunities and risks. With over 50+ KPIs at country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of social commerce market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics. Report Scope This report provides in-depth, data-centric analysis of social commerce in Ireland. Below is a summary of key market segments: Ireland Ecommerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2020-2029 Ireland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2020-2029 Ireland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Retail Product Categories, 2020-2029 Clothing & Footwear Beauty and Personal Care Food & Grocery Appliances and Electronics Home Improvement Travel Hospitality Ireland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Consumer Segment, 2020-2029 B2B B2C C2C Ireland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Device, 2020-2029 Mobile Desktop Ireland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2020-2029 Domestic Cross Border Ireland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2020-2029 Tier-1 Cities Tier-2 Cities Tier-3 Cities Ireland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Payment Method, 2020-2029 Credit Card Debit Card Bank Transfer Prepaid Card Digital & Mobile Wallet Other Digital Payment Cash Ireland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Platforms Video Commerce Social Network-Led Commerce Social Reselling Group Buying Product Review Platforms Ireland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Consumer Demographics & Behaviour,2023 By Age By Income Level By Gender Company Coverage Facebook Instagram Popdeem Irish Brands Key Report Coverage In-depth Understanding of Social Commerce Market Dynamics: Understand market opportunities and key trends along with forecast (2020-2029). Insights into Opportunity by end-use sectors - Get market dynamics by end-use sectors to assess emerging opportunity across various end-use sectors. Develop Market Specific Strategies: Identify growth segments and target specific opportunities to formulate social commerce strategy; assess market specific key trends, drivers, and risks in the industry. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bchbpe 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 press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets PHOENIX, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Franchise Association (IFA) today named John Villon and Nilo Quiroz, owners of three PuroClean locations, and one additional location opening soon within Texas, as a 2023 Franchisee of the Year. Villon and Quiroz, owners of PuroClean of Central Southwest, Sugarland South, The Woodlands, and soon Pearland, were honored at the 64th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona for being outstanding franchise establishment owner-operators. John Villon and Nilo Quiroz with Steve White and Alex Pericchi at the 64th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. "Franchisees of the Year exemplify what franchising is all about providing opportunity, serving others, and fulfilling the American Dream," said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. "We are proud to recognize John Villon and Nilo Quiroz with the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and I have no doubt their work is changing lives and making a lasting community impact." The IFA's Franchisee of the Year Award recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their involvement in their communities, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit, fostering a strong and healthy culture with their workforce, and assisting their fellow franchisees when called upon. For more than 20 years, PuroClean has helped home and business owners with their restoration and remediation needs, serving communities across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico with a network of over 460 offices. Villon and Quiroz represent the entire PuroClean family and their commitment to providing top-tier restoration services to their community. The two are honored and humbled to accept this award which solidifies the fact that the environment that they have cultivated is something unique, special, and loved by their community. "I am beyond proud of John Villon and Nilo Quiroz for this amazing accomplishment," said Steve White, President and COO of PuroClean. "Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence not only reflects their own success but also the strength of our franchise system as a whole." John Villon and Nilo Quiroz set out to introduce a concept that would positively impact their local community and change lives in the process. Hailing from Peru and Mexico respectively, John and Nilo brought their expertise from the oil and gas sector, before embarking on their entrepreneurial venture with PuroClean. Their journey is characterized by an unyielding determination to grow and excel, driven by the aspiration to create a lasting legacy for their families and to potentially involve the next generation in their endeavors. Their exceptional trajectory of success began in 2021, when they shattered records within their first year of operation, earning the esteemed PuroClean Rookie of the Year Award. Within a short span, they expanded to three offices and set ambitious targets, showcasing their rapid and strategic growth. Their journey underscores a commitment to excellence and customer service, celebrating the fact that their locations are some of the highest-rated in the city of Houston. John and Nilo epitomize the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels exceptional achievements within the PuroClean network. There are over 800,000 franchised businesses across the U.S., providing over 8.7 million direct jobs and generating over $850 billion in economic output. According to Oxford Economics, franchising on average provides higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater entrepreneurial opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities. About the International Franchise Association: Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance, and promote franchising and the approximately 806,270 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.7 million direct jobs, $858.5 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development. About PuroClean PuroClean is a leading, world-class service brand for property water damage remediation, fire and smoke damage mitigation, mold removal, and biohazard clean-up services, working with both residential and commercial customers across the US and Canada. Founded in 2001, PuroClean is a diverse, fast-growing network of nearing 500 North American franchise locations, each independently owned and operated. With a commitment to respond within two hours, the professionals at PuroClean are thoroughly screened, insured, and trained in utilizing the latest cutting-edge mitigation technology to complete the remediation task at hand. SOURCE PuroClean BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a notable triumph for justice and accountability, Legal Help in Colorado, P.C., a premier personal injury law firm dedicated to championing the rights of those harmed by the wrongful actions of others, proudly announces a decisive victory in a complex case involving a catastrophic motor vehicle collision. This case ended in a significant award well above insurance policy limits for the plaintiff, Makayla Stein, marking a pivotal moment in the enforcement of road safety and legal responsibility in Colorado. According to the lawsuit, on April 26, 2021, Makayla Stein suffered severe injuries in a collision caused by the actions of defendants John Cox and Gregory Zilis. The crash, a direct result of John Cox's impaired driving with alcohol and THC in his system, and Zilis's excessive speed, left Stein with life-altering injuries, including multiple pelvic fractures, a sternum fracture, a right lung contusion, liver laceration, and a traumatic brain injury. This lawsuit (Colorado Case Number: 2022CV030125) highlights the grave consequences of disregarding road safety and the vital importance of holding those at fault accountable. A Victory for Safety, Justice, and Accountability "This case stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to seeking justice for the victims of impaired and dangerous drivers. Makayla's life was irrevocably changed due to the irresponsible actions of others. Our legal system has recognized this, and the award achieved is a step towards her recovery and a message about the importance of road safety," stated Brian Caplan, Counsel for the Plaintiff from Legal Help in Colorado, P.C. "We hope this case serves as a deterrent against reckless and impaired driving." About Legal Help in Colorado, P.C. Legal Help in Colorado, P.C. has established itself Denver's #1 Personal Injury Law Firm and advocate for those unjustly injured due to others' wrongful actions. From catastrophic auto accidents, to slip and fall accidents, to wrongful death cases, the firm's dedicated team of legal professionals is committed to achieving the justice and compensation their clients deserve. For more information about Legal Help in Colorado, P.C. and its services, visit www.helpincolorado.com For More Information: For inquiries about personal injury representation, please contact: Ashli Dubberstein, Intake Specialist [email protected] (720) 743-3682 SOURCE Legal Help In Colorado Coverage of Israel/Hamas and Russia/Ukraine Wars Earns Five of 14 Awards in 75th Anniversary of Prized Honors for Revelatory Reporting NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Five recipients of the 2023 George Polk Awards, announced today by Long Island University, were for coverage of the Israel/Gaza and Russia/Ukraine wars in a year when the university is marking the 75th anniversary of one of American journalism's prized honors. Revelatory reporting on the business practices of Elon Musk, the questionable ethics of U. S, Supreme Court justices and an insidious approach to dealing with relatives of individuals killed by police are among 14 awards in 13 categories. Two of the other winners exposed dangerously faulty medical devices while others unearthed a lucrative trade in temporary license plates from phony car dealerships, laid bare Colorado's dysfunctional family courts and uncovered the illegal arrest and detention of hundreds of children in rural Tennessee. The Sydney Schanberg Prize in long-form journalism goes to a veteran conflict reporter who embedded himself with rival gang lords to examine the total breakdown of civic life in Haiti. The George Polk Awards were established in 1949 by LIU to commemorate George Polk, a CBS correspondent murdered in 1948 while covering the Greek civil war. The awards, which place a premium on investigative and enterprising reporting that gains attention and achieves results, are conferred annually to honor special achievement in journalism. The latest winners were selected from 497 submissions of work that appeared in print, online or on television or radio, nominated by news organizations and individuals or recommended by a national panel of advisors. To celebrate the 75th anniversary, the university is inviting all previous recipients, thought to number about 600, to join this year's winners at a luncheon sponsored by CBS in Manhattan April 12. At the same time, sixteen outstanding journalists whose careers reflect a commitment to deep investigative reporting will be honored as "George Polk laureates." The luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street will be followed by an evening symposium, "Journalism in an Age of Disinformation, Digital Media and AI," at the Times Center on West 41st Street. "Given the significance of this year's program we sensed a special imperative to honor work in the tradition of George Polk," said John Darnton, curator of the awards, "and as horrific as the outbreak of war in the Middle East and the ongoing fighting in Ukraine were, they provided us with no shortage of magnificent reporting, done at great peril, from which to choose." The award for Foreign Reporting goes to the staff of The New York Times for unsurpassed coverage of the war between Israel and Hamas. Times reporters used firsthand accounts to demonstrate how brutal and well planned the Hamas attack was and how vulnerable and ill prepared Israel had been to defend itself despite access to a 40-page Hamas battle plan. Then, relying on reports from longtime stringers in Gaza as well as imagery developed by its visual investigations team, the paper documented the unprecedented extent of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and its impact on civilians. Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, Alex Mierjeski, Brett Murphy and the staff of ProPublica have won the National Reporting award for revealing secret, lavish and highly questionable gifts that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has received for decades from wealthy benefactors. The team also documented the court's lack of any meaningful approach to policing ethical transgressions like those seemingly committed by Justice Thomas and by fellow Justice Samuel Alito, who accepted a free Alaskan fishing trip from a hedge fund magnate and failed to recuse himself from a case involving his patron. Jesse Coburn of Streetsblog NYC has won the Local Reporting award for "Ghost Tags: Inside New York City's Black Market for Temporary License Plates," the product of a seven-month investigation that uncovered an extensive underground economy in fraudulent paper license plates that motorists used to evade detection while driving on suspended licenses, dodging tolls and tickets and committing other more serious crimes. The State Reporting award goes to Chris Osher and Julia Cardi of The Gazette of Colorado Springs for exposing the heartbreaking consequences of a family court system that relied on the advice of unqualified and incompetent parental evaluators to return young children to abusive fathers, leading to four deaths in a two-month period. Their reporting has led to changes in state law curbing the use of such discredited theories as "parental alienation" in determining custody and has prompted an ongoing criminal investigation by the Colorado Attorney General's Office. The staff of Reuters has won the Business Reporting award for penetrating reports on nefarious practices at companies owned by multi-billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The reporters documented a spate of injuries and the death of a worker at SpaceX and poor treatment of laboratory animals at Neuralink, Musk's brain-implant company. Other stories found that Musk's electric automaker Tesla hid dangerous defects in steering and suspension parts, rigged in-dash driving-range estimates in its cars, invaded drivers' privacy by sharing sensitive images recorded by their vehicles and made insurance customers wait months for claim payouts. The award for Medical Reporting is shared by two entries that exposed the Food & Drug Administration's failure to properly regulate faulty medical devices, leading to dire consequences. Anna Werner of CBS News and the KFF Health News team of Brett Kelman, Fred Schulte, Holly K. Hacker and Daniel Chang have won for "When Medical Devices Malfunction," which reported on the failure of FDA-approved knee implants; hip implant failures that led to emergency surgery; faulty heart pumps; the recall of insulin pumps three years after an FDA official hailed them as technology that would "give patients greater freedom to live their lives," and (literally) jaw-dropping dental devices that totally escaped the agency's attention. It is Werner's second Polk award. She was cited 23 years ago at KHOU-TV in Houston for a series leading Firestone to recall 6 million defective tires. Michael D. Sallah, Michael Korsh and Evan Robinson-Johnson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Debbie Cenziper of ProPublica have been honored for "With Every Breath," a series exposing the scope of a corporate cover-up that allowed Philips Respironics to continue marketing breathing machines around the globe years after the FDA received warnings about contaminants in the machines and the company's own experts concluded that the devices posed severe health risks to users. The award for Justice Reporting goes to Brian Howey, a freelance reporter whose expose on a tawdry police practice was published by the Los Angeles Times and developed into a segment of a podcast by Reveal, The Center for Investigative Reporting. Howey, who began the project as a graduate student in the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism's Investigative Reporting Program, found that California police were engaged in a deceptive ruse, which is espoused by a private company that trains police officers. When an individual died at the hands of police, the investigators would interview the next of kin without telling them that their relative was dead until the end of the interview. Police agencies later used the negative information about the deceased they had gleaned from families to protect themselves from lawsuits. Luke Mogelson of the New Yorker has won the Magazine Reporting award for "Two Weeks at the Front in Ukraine." Circumventing Ukraine's reluctance to allow reporters on the frontlines, Mogelson embedded with a brigade in the Donbas. His gripping account found Russian artillery strikes terrifyingly chaotic but showed that hardened Ukrainians "had so internalized the soundscape of the war that they knew instinctively where each munition was coming from and where it would land." This is Mogelson's third honor in four years. He won a 2020 Polk Award for "American Uprising," firsthand accounts of domestic upheaval that turned violent, and he received the first Sydney Schanberg Prize for coverage of the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. The award for Photojournalism goes to Samar Abu Elouf and Yousef Masoud of The New York Times for chronicling Israel's bombardment and invasion of their homeland, Gaza. The two photographed the conflict from its opening hours on Oct. 7 until they escaped the territory exactly two months later. Under harrowing circumstances, they captured gripping and unforgettable images. Of frightened children looking skyward toward an Israeli plane. Of bodies pulled from the rubble of flattened buildings. Of a little boy touching the bloodied face of his dead baby sister. And of the chaos of hospitals overwhelmed by dazed, gravely injured patients. Meribah Knight of WPLN Nashville, Ken Armstrong of ProPublica and Daniel Guillemette of Serial Productions, The New York Times, have won the award for a four-part Podcast, "The Kids of Rutherford County," which chronicled the shockingly misguided approach to juvenile discipline by a domineering judge in one Tennessee county. For over a decade, the judge ordered and oversaw a system in which hundreds likely thousands of children were arrested and detained in violation of state law. Faced with widespread backlash following the reporting, the judge announced her retirement. The award for Television Reporting goes to VICE News correspondent Julia Steers and producer Amel Guettatfi for "Inside Wagner," compelling on-the-ground coverage of Russian mercenaries on the Ukraine front and in the Central African Republic. After attempting to interview a witness to Wagner's human rights abuses in the CAR, Ms. Steers and her crew were seized and held for several hours. Released, they remained for several more weeks before leaving the country. Masha Gessen has been honored for Commentary for the New Yorker essay "In the Shadow of the Holocaust," a deeply personal and highly nuanced examination of how Germany and other European nations equate opposition to Israeli policies with anti-Semitism. Gessen, whose own family was victimized in the Holocaust and later fled Soviet anti-Semitism, drew on the writings of Hannah Arendt and, like Arendt, was accused of anti-Semitism after the essay's publication. The 2023 Sydney Schanberg Prize goes to Jason Motlagh of Rolling Stone for "This Will End in Blood and Ashes," a vivid account of the virtually complete collapse of order in Haiti. Eschewing danger in the tradition of George Polk and Sydney Schanberg, Motlagh embedded himself with rival ganglords and also spent time with those caught in the crossfire to paint a devastating picture of a nation on America's doorstep that had disintegrated into gang rule. The prize was established by the journalist Jane Freiman Schanberg to honor long-form investigative or enterprise journalism embodying qualities reflected in her late husband's legendary career. It comes with a $25,000 award funded by Freiman Schanberg, who stipulated that it honor "highly distinguished, deep coverage of armed conflicts; local, state or federal government corruption; military injustice; war crimes, genocide or sedition; or authoritarian government abuses" of at least 5,000 words "that results from staying with a story, sometimes at great risk or sacrifice." The 16 George Polk career laureates, who were previously announced, are photojournalist Lynsey Addario, television correspondent Christiane Amanpour, editor Martin Baron, editor Dean Baquet, reporter Carl Bernstein, reporter Alma Guillermoprieto, author Laurie Garrett, reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones, reporter Seymour Hersh, documentarian Laura Poitras, editor David Remnick, citizen journalist Wilbert Rideau, editor Gene Roberts, reporter James B. Steele, editor Paul Steiger and reporter Bob Woodward. About Long Island University (LIU) Long Island University, founded in 1926, continues to redefine higher education, providing high quality academic instruction by world-class faculty. Recognized by Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning and by the Brookings Institution for its "value added" to student outcomes, LIU has a network of over 285,000 alumni, including industry leaders and entrepreneurs around the globe. Visit liu.edu for more information. SOURCE Long Island University BANGALORE, India, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Probe Station Market is Segmented by Type (Manual Probe Station, Semi Auto Probe Station, Auto Probe Station), by Application (Microelectronics, Semiconductor, Opt Electronics) The Global Probe Station Market was valued at USD 935.5 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1837.1 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 10.0% during the forecast period 2024-2030. Claim Your Free Sample Now: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-24S8833/Global_Probe_Station_Market Major Factors Driving the Growth of Probe Station Market: The growing need for semiconductor devices in a variety of industries, including consumer electronics, automotive, telecommunications, and healthcare, is propelling the expansion of the probe station market. The main drivers driving the market's growth include improvements in semiconductor technology, an increasing emphasis on reliability and quality control, an increase in R&D efforts, the use of automated testing solutions, and an increase in demand for wafer-level testing. Further driving market expansion is the incorporation of cutting-edge features and technologies into probe stations to handle the escalating complexity of semiconductor devices and satisfy the demands of developing applications. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-24S8833/global-probe-station TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE GLOBAL PROBE STATION MARKET: The rising need for semiconductor devices across a range of industries, including consumer electronics, automotive, telecommunications, and healthcare, is the main factor propelling the expansion of the probe station market. Modern technical developments such as computers, cellphones, Internet of Things devices, and medical equipment are all built on semiconductors. Probe stations are in high demand since the necessity for effective testing and characterization procedures grows along with the demand for these devices. Probe stations and other precise and dependable testing equipment are becoming more and more necessary due to advancements in semiconductor technology, which include the creation of smaller and more sophisticated integrated circuits (ICs). Ensuring the quality and reliability of devices is crucial in the semiconductor industry to fulfil regulatory requirements and consumer expectations. Because they provide thorough electrical characterization, failure analysis, and parametric testing of semiconductor wafers and packaged chips, probe stations are essential tools for quality control and reliability testing. Modern probe stations with accurate measurement capabilities are in greater demand as manufacturers work to produce high-quality goods with few flaws and failures. Semiconductor makers are using robotic probe stations and other automated testing solutions more frequently in order to keep up with the increased demand for testing procedures that are quicker and more effective. Higher throughput, better precision, and less operator intervention are just a few benefits of automated probe stations, which boost output and save costs. The need for probe stations is being driven by the trend towards wafer-level testing, in which semiconductor devices are evaluated at the wafer level prior to being divided into individual chips. Comparing wafer-level testing to more conventional package-level testing techniques yields faster testing cycles, increased throughput, and improved cost-effectiveness. Wafer-level testing solutions are becoming more and more in demand, and probe stations with sophisticated probing techniques and wafer-handling capabilities help meet this demand and expand the industry. Testing and characterization of semiconductor devices are becoming more difficult due to their growing complexity, which is typified by smaller feature sizes, increased transistor densities, and sophisticated packaging techniques. Own It Today Buy Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-24S8833&lic=single-user PROBE STATION MARKET SHARE: Robust semiconductor manufacturing activities, especially in areas like Silicon Valley in California and the semiconductor cluster in the Northeastern United States, are what define the North American probe station market. The region's innovation and technological breakthroughs are propelled by the existence of significant semiconductor businesses, research institutes, and universities. The robust need for cutting-edge electronics in sectors like aerospace, automotive, and healthcare also contributes to the North American market's growth. Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-24S8833/global-probe-station/4 Key Companies : : Tokyo Electron Ltd Tokyo Seimitsu FormFactor MPI Electroglas Wentworth Laboratories Shen Zhen Sidea Hprobe Micronics Japan Psaic Lake Shore Cryotronics, Inc. KeithLink Technology ESDEMC Technology LLC Semishare Electronic KeyFactor Systems Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-24S8833/global-probe-station/1 SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. 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Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg SOURCE Valuates Reports NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The specialty coffee shops market is estimated to grow by USD 39.17 billion from 2022 to 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7.43%. By Geography, the market is classified as North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa. North America will have the largest share of the market. North America is estimated to contribute 32% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Customization is a key element sought after by many North American customers, especially Millennials. Specialty coffee shops offer the ability to customize coffee or other beverages to the customer's preferences. Furthermore, various companies, such as McDonald's, Coffee Day, and Starbucks, offer customization services for most of their beverage options. Companies also offer food bowls that allow customers to choose to eat food ingredients one at a time or combine all the ingredients together. In addition, the busy lifestyles of working people and students also contribute to the market growth in the region. Limited time to prepare food and drinks at home makes people choose specialty cafes to drink coffee and breakfast every day. Hence, these factors are expected to drive specialty coffee shops market growth during the forecast period. Download a sample report to get more insights on the market share of various regions and the contribution of the segments. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Specialty Coffee Shops Market 2023-2027 Report Coverage Details Page number 154 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.43% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 39.17 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 7.08 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 32% Key countries US, China, Japan, UK, and Germany By Type, the market is classified into independent coffee shops and chain coffee shops. The market share growth by the independent coffee shops segment will be significant during the forecast period. Technavio Research experts have provided more insights on the market share of segments - View Sample Report The specialty coffee shops market is fragmented owing to the presence of many global and regional companies. A few prominent companies that offer specialty coffee shops market are Barista Coffee Co. Ltd., BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE Inc., Brew Berrys Hospitality Pvt Ltd., Caffe Nero Group Ltd., Caribou Coffee Operating Co. Inc., Coffee Beanery, Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd., Costa Ltd., Doutor Coffee Co. Ltd., Ediya Co. Ltd., Gloria Jeans Coffees International Pty Ltd., Grupo Herdez SAB de CV, Inspire Brands Inc., Keurig Green Mountain Inc., La Colombe Torrefaction Inc., Luckin Coffee Inc., McDonald Corp., MTY Food Group Inc, Restaurant Brands International Inc., and Starbucks Co. The report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Download Sample before buying Company Offering: Brewberrys- The company operates a chain of coffee bars offering cafe franchises, including specialty coffee shops to gain a big share of the ever-growing coffee consumption market. The company operates a chain of coffee bars offering cafe franchises, including specialty coffee shops to gain a big share of the ever-growing coffee consumption market. Barista Coffee Co. Ltd. - The company offers specialty coffee shops for the choco affair range including boxes, slabs, pouches with a taste of pure cocoa For details on companies and their offerings Buy the report! One of the impactful driver is increasing consumption of coffee. Increasing popularity of coffee among millennials is one of the major trends. Fluctuating prices of coffee beans is one of the key challenges The Specialty Coffee Shops Market experiences growing demand driven by factors like evolving consumer preferences and the pursuit of unique, high-quality coffee experiences. Sustainability practices are increasingly vital in the coffee industry, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. Specialty coffee products offered by renowned brands like Coffee Beanery, Whitbread, and Barista cater to this niche market. As players like Restaurant Brands International enter the scene, competition intensifies, fostering innovation and differentiation. With initiatives like Global Tea Break, the market expands its offerings beyond coffee, catering to diverse tastes. Specialty coffee shops are not merely about a cup of joe; they represent a culture, a lifestyle, and an experience, attracting coffee aficionados seeking more than just a caffeine fix. The Specialty Coffee Shops Market is experiencing remarkable growth, driven by consumer preferences for high-quality and unique coffee experiences. Size and trends indicate a thriving industry, with increasing awareness about coffee sourcing and production methods. Consumers prioritize sustainability and ethical sourcing, leading to a demand for ethically sourced and sustainably grown beans. Eco-friendly practices, fair trade initiatives, and community development projects characterize the socially responsible coffee industry. Specialty coffee shops emphasize providing not just a beverage but an experience rooted in ethical values. As the market expands, there's a growing emphasis on offering exceptional coffee while contributing positively to communities and the environment, making specialty coffee shops key players in the evolving coffee culture landscape. Related Reports: The US fast-casual restaurant market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.56% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 55.4 billion. The HoReCa market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.41% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 349.22 billion. TOC: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation by Type 7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel 8 Customer Landscape 9 Geographic Landscape 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 11 Vendor Landscape 12 Vendor Analysis 13 Appendix About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and 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 US: 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 Gold prices bounce back following morning dip on God of Wealth day Gold bar prices slid VND900,000 (US$36.68) in the morning then recouped VND500,000 in the afternoon on Monday, the God of Wealth Day, when demand for the metal often shoots up. Early this morning, jewelry giant DOJI decreased its gold bars price by 0.19% to VND78.2 million ($3,187) per tael. Gold products embossed with images of dragons and the God of Wealth. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh Meanwhile, the Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) initially kept its selling price steady at VND78.4 million per tael. However, by 10:15 a.m., SJC announced a substantial reduction in its gold bar prices, cutting them by VND900,000, or 11.5%, to VND77.5 million per tael. DOJI also adjusted its pricing, decreasing it by an additional VND700,000 to match SJC's price of VND77.5 million. SJC reversed course in the afternoon, hiking its price to VND78 million per tael. Gold ring prices remained stable at VND64.7 million at SJC, and VND65.9 million at jewelry company Bao Tin Minh Chau. Due to a shortage over the past two days, many jewelry stores have been limiting gold ring sales to one mace (a mace = one tenth a tael) per customer. Gold jewelry, typically priced at VND300,000 to VND400,000 less per tael than gold rings, also saw no price changes on Monday. Contrary to the global trend, going up nearly $9 per ounce, gold bar prices are declining in Vietnam. The global price stood at $2,021 per ounce, equivalent to VND60.15 million per tael. Compared to the previous days, the gap between domestic and global gold bar prices has narrowed down to VND17 million per tael. However, the price of gold rings is still VND4.5-5 million per tael more expensive than international prices. Buying gold on the God of Wealth Day (the 10th day of the lunar year, or Feb. 19 this year) is believed to bring good fortune throughout the year. Despite the early gold bar price decrease, gold stores were not as crowded in the morning as in previous years. A VnExpress reporter noted that only around 30-40 customers were present at the SJC Nguyen Thi Minh Khai store in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 at 7 a.m., mainly to purchase gold bars and dragon-embossed gold coins. The usual bulk of customers were spread across the previous days, which helped reduce overcrowding this morning, the stores representative said. An, an office worker who took her child to school this morning then stopped by the SJC store on her way to work and bought a dragon-embossed gold coin as a lucky charm. "I do this every New Year as a way of accumulating wealth. I am not too concerned about investment or profit," she said. Around 8:30 a.m., the ring counter at SJC began to attract more customers, most of whom purchased one or two taels of gold rings. Dung, from HCMCs District 5, came to buy two taels of gold rings and one gold coin embossed with the image of the God of Wealth. She said she has always favored these types of gold products for their price stability. Gold stores in Hanoi had a similar slow early morning until buyers started flocking in at around 9:20 a.m. At a store on Cau Giay Street, customers had to wait on the pavement outside due to overcrowding. Customers waiting outside of a gold store on Cau Giay Street in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Tuan Minh Huyen, a senior university student, said that this was her first-time buying gold on the God of Wealth Day. "The price of gold has risen sharply recently, which has made me more interested in this investment channel. Me buying gold today is both for spiritual reasons and for investment," Huyen said, adding that she was not worried about the possibility of gold prices decreasing because she does not plan to sell it in the short term. Quynh Trang - Tat at - Ngoc Thanh - Minh Son Medical and recreational dispensary located at 2 Park Road in West Hartford WEST HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweetspot Farms ("Sweetspot" or the "Company"), a growing craft cannabis company with state-of-the-art dispensaries and sustainability focused cultivation operations situated throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, today announced the successful grand opening of its latest dispensary location at 2 Park Road in West Hartford, Connecticut 06119. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., this new dispensary is conveniently located on the corner of Park Road and Prospect Avenue and serves both medical patients and recreational consumers, with dedicated inventory and pricing for medical patients. The location features Sweetspot's modern layout and store design concept, anchored by the Company's unique "digital bud bar," which prominently showcases the available cannabis strains on the menu, as well as highlighting THC, cannabinoid, and dominant terpene information for a more informed shopping experience. As with all Sweetspot dispensaries, this new West Hartford location is staffed by experienced and educated budtenders. "Connecticut is an exciting market," said Jason Webski, Sweetspot's co-founder, CEO, and Connecticut born native. "We need to get the word out in Connecticut. Cannabis is legal, and it's here. Sweetspot focuses on milder products and a very personalized experience. We are the store for people who are interested in adding cannabis to their daily routine, but are new to the product." To celebrate the grand opening, Sweetspot held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this past Saturday, February 17, which featured free food, giveaways, and grand opening discounts, with West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor in attendance. "We are pleased to welcome Sweetspot, West Hartford's second adult-use cannabis retail store to Town! Located within our vibrant Park Road neighborhood, residents and visitors will have expanded access to safe, regulated cannabis products in a welcoming and professional environment. We appreciate Sweetspot's choice to open in West Hartford and look forward to them engaging with our community in the years ahead," said Mayor Cantor. This new dispensary marks the Company's first location in CT, with another dispensary recently approved to open in Stamford. Outside of the state, Sweetspot operates additional dispensaries in Portland (ME), Olney (MD), Voorhees (NJ), Exeter (RI), and Essex Junction (VT). The Company also owns a hyper-environmentally sustainable cultivation center in Rhode Island and offers one of the cannabis industry's first franchise models for dispensary operators. To learn more about Sweetspot, please visit www.sweetspotfarms.com. About Sweetspot Farms: Founded in 2019, Sweetspot Farms ("Sweetspot" or the "Company") is a growing craft cannabis company with state-of-the-art dispensaries and cultivation operations situated throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The Company, known for its friendly customer service, welcoming atmosphere, and dedication to quality and sustainability, started in cannabis cultivation in 2019 and later opened its first dispensary in Maryland that same year. Today, Sweetspot operates five dispensaries across Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. The Company has additional dispensaries planned for Connecticut and Vermont, which will open later in 2024. Sweetspot also began franchising its dispensary model in 2023. For more information about Sweetspot, please visit www.sweetspotfarms.com. Media Contact: Gaffney Bennett PR [email protected] SOURCE Sweetspot Farms HONG KONG , Feb. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The SPARK 20 Pro+ from innovative technology brand TECNO secured two prestigious French Design Awards 2024 as the Platinum Winner in the Mobile Phones, Tablets, and Wearables, as well as the Digital & Electronic Devices sub-categories under the Product Design category for its elegant ergonomic design. This major recognition signifies the SPARK 20 Pro+'s outstanding performance in the international design arena, and further illustrates TECNO's strength in product design. Organized by the International Awards Associate (IAA), The French Design Awards, recognized as a prestigious international honor within the global design community, prioritizes impartial evaluation with a distinguished panel of globally experienced judges. By bringing together diverse talents from across the globe, the French Design Awards illuminates the power of design to shape the world, and the universal impact of innovative design. The competition, featuring expert judges from the UK, New Zealand, Portugal, Germany, and more, received over 1,000 entries from 30+ countries, highlighting the universal impact of innovative design across diverse fields. "It is a privilege for us to extend recognition to global designers through the French Design Awards, a united community that amplifies their profound influence across the design industry," stated Thomas Brandt, spokesperson of IAA. He added, "I am pleased to witness the exceptional design features of the SPARK 20 Pro+, and it's thrilling to observe a remarkable fusion of design and innovation in their product." SPARK 20 Pro+ has been painstakingly designed and refined to create a uniquely sleek and ergonomic device that appealed to modern, trend-setting Gen-Z users. Inspired by the universe, the Quadrant Star Array Camera Design of the SPARK 20 Pro+ boasts an impressive 108MP main camera, showcasing a sophisticated visual aesthetic with its symmetrical design. The 56.5 Ergonomics Double Curved Design, with G3-curvature, offers a sleek 7.55mm body at only 175g, ensuring both aesthetics and comfort. Introducing glasses-free 3D design, the device uses nanoscale photolithography for a unique visual experience and camera module protection. Beyond the aesthetics of the design, the SPARK 20 Pro+ prioritizes sustainability and user experience. Reflecting an innovative approach, the device offers Magic Skin 2.0, a second-generation advanced silicon leather material, boosting its sustainable and anti-bacterial properties. With Magic Skin, users also enjoy a premium and luxurious texture and durability just like genuine leather. SPARK 20 Pro+'s recognition at the French Design Award reaffirms TECNO's expanding global influence and innovative capabilities, acknowledging the brand's distinctive fusion of contemporary modern design with cutting-edge technology. SOURCE TECNO Mobile Limited Realtors and local associations honored at 2024 Winter Meeting AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Realtors celebrated exceptional members and local Realtors associations at this year's annual Texas Realtors Winter Meeting February 12 in Austin. The Texas Realtors Awards spotlight individuals and organizations that have demonstrated remarkable dedication to, excellence in and positive impact on the real estate industry. "The Texas Realtors Awards highlight the exemplary contributions made by professionals and associations to our industry," said Jef Conn, 2024 chairman of Texas Realtors. "This year's winners have set a remarkable standard, showcasing their commitment to advancing the real estate landscape and enriching our communities." The 2023 Texas Realtor of the Year was awarded to Mario Arriaga of the Houston Association of Realtors. Arriaga started in real estate in 1974 and has made invaluable contributions to the industry and to the greater Houston community. He has been a driving force in real estate, serving on various advisory groups and committees, including the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Board of Directors and chair of the Texas Realtors Public Policy Oversight Committee. Jean Shine, recipient of the 2023 Texas Realtors Good Neighbor Award, was honored for her exceptional volunteer work with the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, organizing volunteers to honor fallen soldiers with wreath placements. Her efforts for the past 17 years, including personally placing wreaths for every fallen soldier, led to a substantial increase in wreath placements from 386 when the program started to 14,900 in 2023. Alisha Austin, recipient of the 2023 Educator of the Year Award, was lauded for her exceptional work, including authoring and teaching courses on real estate contracts and homeowner associations. She is also known as a staunch advocate for private property owner rights and serves on multiple Realtor association committees. Additionally, three local associations were recognized for their exemplary educational programs: MetroTex Association of Realtors in the innovation and marketing categories Houston Association of Realtors in the legal category Williamson County Association of Realtors in the series or short program category Emily Chenevert of the Austin Board of Realtors was honored with the 2023 Tom D. Morton Award for her outstanding leadership and dedication as an association executive. With more than six years as the CEO of the Austin Board of Realtors, Chenevert has played a pivotal role in fostering a culture of strong leadership, supporting members at all levels and advancing her association as a trusted housing authority and one of the most innovative associations in the nation. The Greater El Paso Association of Realtors was honored with the Mark Lehman Governmental Affairs Achievement Award for its outstanding performance in fundraising, grassroots efforts and other governmental affairs initiatives. Members recognized with the Strike Force Award for grassroots advocacy were: Cindi Bulla , Amarillo , Leticia Gallegos , Arlington , Ashley Hambright , San Angelo , Scott Kesner , El Paso , Rick Snow , El Paso , Kay Spiva , Abilene Additionally, Hambright was recognized as Grassroots Advocate of the Year, highlighting her dedication to grassroots programs within the real estate industry and her tireless work for property-tax fairness in Tom Green County. Local associations that received the DEI Recognition Program Award promoting diversity and inclusivity in the real estate industry were: Arlington Board of Realtors Board of Realtors Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors Greater McAllen Board of Realtors Board of Realtors MetroTex Association of Realtors San Antonio Board of Realtors The Young Professionals Network (YPN) honored six members under 40 with the Realtors to Watch award for stand-out leadership, community involvement and professional success: Justus Carlile , Greater Lewisville , Joel Cooke , Permian Basin , Permian Basin Will Curtis , San Antonio , Thalina Garcia , Houston , Shelly Scanlin , Houston , Chris Tye , Collin County About Texas REALTORS With more than 150,000 members, Texas REALTORS is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We are the advocate for REALTORS and private property rights in Texas. CONTACT: David Gibbs, [email protected] SOURCE Texas Realtors DALLAS, Feb. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As an organization rooted in the Rule of Law, the American Board of Trial Advocates extols the life work of attorney Alexei A. Navalny, who died in a Russian prison on February 16, 2024. Mr. Navalny completed his law degree in 1998, and soon thereafter, used his training to expose corporate corruption tied to the highest echelon of the Russian government. He became the main opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the government's effort to silence him, Mr. Navalny was wrongfully prosecuted, imprisoned, and poisoned. More details about his courage and conviction are detailed in the article previously published in ABOTA's Voir Dire magazine. Mr. Navalny did not die in vain. ABOTA honors his life and death by resounding his message that our personal freedom can only be realized in a society that upholds the Rule of Law. Founded in 1958, ABOTA is an invitation-only national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges. ABOTA and its members are dedicated to preserving and promoting the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. ABOTA membership consists of more than 7,300 lawyersequally balanced between plaintiff and defenseand judges in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A. La'Verne Edney National President For more information contact: Brian Tyson at (800) 932-2682 [email protected] SOURCE American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Dr. Siegel's practice, Manhattan Internal Medicine Associates, P.C., is renowned for providing advanced and personalized gastroenterological care. He specializes in performing upper and lower endoscopies and offers expert treatment for a wide range of conditions, including ulcers, hepatitis, and disorders of the esophagus. With a Medical Degree from the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University and undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Siegel has cultivated a strong educational foundation. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Veterans Affairs Medical Center and pursued further specialization through a fellowship in gastroenterology at US Public Health Services. Board-certified in gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), Dr. Siegel exemplifies his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of patient care and expertise in his field. Dr. Siegel is a proud member of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, further illustrating his dedication to staying at the forefront of advancements in gastroenterology. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Siegel has made significant contributions to the field of gastroenterology, including teaching endoscopies at Beth Israel Medical Center. He also holds the distinction of being a founding partner at Manhattan Internal Medicine Associates, P.C. In memory of his esteemed mentors, Dr. Siegel pays tribute to the invaluable guidance and support received from Dr. Edward King, MD, and Dr. David. Dr. Siegel's 57 years of unwavering dedication and expertise have solidified his position as a respected and trusted gastroenterologist, providing exceptional care to his patients. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle Since founding her design company in 1988, Ms. Ghielmetti has been a driving force in the regional art world and interior design industry. Her firm offers art consultancy services to a diverse clientele, helping them integrate art seamlessly into their living spaces. She has also lent her expertise as a consultant to showrooms in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle, sourcing art for installations twice yearly, further cementing her reputation as a go-to expert in the field. Ms Ghielmetti's commitment to the art world extends beyond her business. She was an active member of the Modern Art Council, an educational and fund-raising volunteer group of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art from 2011 to 2020. She has also been a participating member of the Design Councils of the San Francisco Antique Show and the FOG Design+Art Fair. Ms. Ghielmetti's dedication is not limited to the art world, she has volunteered for the San Francisco Unified School District to provide reading assistance to individual students, contributing to education in her community. Ms. Ghielmetti's journey began with a bachelor's degree as a Humanities Field Major with an emphasis on the liberal arts of English and art history from the University of California, Berkeley. Her love for culture, art and travel have driven her career, making her an advocate for the transformative power of art and design. Throughout her 35-year career, Ms. Ghielmetti's work has garnered recognition from prominent publications, including California Home +Design, American Art, Luxury Home Quarterly, California Homes, Sacramento, and Luxlife Magazine, as well as being interviewed with Great Homes Across America for HGTV. Her contributions have shaped the art and design landscape and her dedication to excellence continues to inspire both clients and peers. In the years ahead, Ms. Ghielmetti plans to continue her journey by embracing new challenges. She intends to immerse herself in different cultures through travel, drawing inspiration for her art and interior design endeavors. Ms. Ghielmetti's enduring passion for art and design, combined with her 35 years of expertise, cements her legacy as a trailblazer for the industry. Her commitment to excellence, active engagement in the art and design industries, and dedication to lifelong learning continues to shape the world of art advisory and interior design. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle CHICAGO, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- More integration of AI and machine learning, support for multimodal translation, customisation, and cloud-based solutions are anticipated developments in the translation management systems market in the future. Key themes propelling innovation and industry expansion will also include data security, analytics capabilities, and collaboration tools. The Translation Management Systems Market is set to experience rapid growth, projected to surge from USD 2.2 billion in 2024 to USD 5.7 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 17.2% during the forecast period of 20242030, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The proliferation of digital content across various platforms such as websites, mobile apps, social media, and e-commerce platforms and advancements in natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) are driving forces propelling the Translation Management Systems Market forward. Translation management systems leverage these technologies to automate translation workflows, improve translation quality, and reduce turnaround times. Browse in-depth TOC on "Translation Management Systems Market" 350 - Tables 70 - Figures 450 - Pages Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=62967239 Scope of the Report Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 20182030 Base year considered 2023 Forecast period 20242030 Forecast units USD (Million) Segments covered Offering, Content Type, Application, Business Function, Vertical, and Region Geographies covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America Companies covered TransPerfect (US), RWS Group (UK), LanguageLine Solutions (US), Lionbridge (US), Acolad Group (France), Welocalize (US), Translate Plus (UK), Microsoft (US), Google (US), AWS (US), Smartling (US), XTM International (UK), Star Group (Switzerland), memoQ (Hungary), Transifex (US), Oracle (US), Centific (US), and SAP (Germany), Across Systems (Germany), Phrase (Germany), Toppan Digital Language Ltd (UK), Wordbee (Luxembourg), Babylon Software LTD (Israel), Corwdin (Estonia), DeepL (Germany), United Language Group (US), CQ Fluency (US), Lokalise (US), Weglot (France), Smartcat (US), Unbabel (US), Localize (US), and Wordfast (US) By software, translation software segment to register the largest market share during the forecast period The rapid advancements in translation technology, including machine translation (MT) and natural language processing (NLP), have significantly enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of automated translation software. The scalability and cost-effectiveness of translation software make it an attractive solution for businesses of all sizes. Unlike traditional human-based translation services, which can be time-consuming and costly, translation software offers a scalable solution that can handle large volumes of content at a fraction of the cost. The growing demand for real-time translation solutions in today's fast-paced business environment is driving the adoption of translation software. With the increasing need for instant communication and content localization across various digital platforms, businesses require agile translation solutions that can deliver timely and accurate translations on demand. Request Sample Pages@ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=62967239 By business function, legal business function segment is poised for the fastest growth rate during the forecast period Globalization has significantly expanded the reach of legal services, leading law firms and legal departments of corporations to handle cases and transactions involving multiple languages and jurisdictions. Regulatory compliance requirements are becoming increasingly stringent, especially in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and intellectual property, where legal documents must be translated into multiple languages to meet international standards and local regulations. Additionally, the rise of cross-border mergers and acquisitions, international trade agreements, and global litigation cases further drives the growth for translation services within the legal domain. By region, Asia Pacific to account for highest growth rate during forecast period The Asia Pacific region leads as the fastest-growing segment in the Translation Management Systems Market, fueled by factors such as the burgeoning e-commerce landscape in Asia Pacific which is driving the need for localized content to cater to culturally diverse audiences. With the exponential growth of online platforms, businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of adapting their content to the language preferences and cultural sensitivities of their target markets. Furthermore, government initiatives promoting digitalization and international trade are fueling the adoption of translation management systems solutions in Asia Pacific. Top Key Companies in Translation Management Systems Market: Some major players in the Translation Management Systems Market include include TransPerfect (US), RWS Group (UK), LanguageLine Solutions (US), Acolad Group (France), and Welocalize (US) along with startups and SMEs such as Phrase (Germany), Lokalise (US), Crowdin (Estonia), Smartcat (US), and Unbabel (US). Recent Developments: In January 2024 , Bosch Brazil partnered with Oracle to harness Oracle Digital Assistant's (ODA) multilingual capabilities. The partnership demonstrates the power of integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence and customer service. Bosch selected ODA because of its versatility in generating and understanding not only responses in different languages, but also its ability to generate speech in multiple languages. , Bosch Brazil partnered with Oracle to harness Oracle Digital Assistant's (ODA) multilingual capabilities. The partnership demonstrates the power of integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence and customer service. Bosch selected ODA because of its versatility in generating and understanding not only responses in different languages, but also its ability to generate speech in multiple languages. In January 2024 , Acolad expanded its already extensive solutions and technology portfolio through the introduction of its artificial intelligence powered solution AI voice-over. The new solution ensures impactful synthetic voice-over and dubbing by combining the latest speech synthesis technology and high-quality resources. , Acolad expanded its already extensive solutions and technology portfolio through the introduction of its artificial intelligence powered solution AI voice-over. The new solution ensures impactful synthetic voice-over and dubbing by combining the latest speech synthesis technology and high-quality resources. In January 2024 , OneMeta partnered with Microsoft to introduce its AI-powered translation and transcription Verbum service to Microsoft Teams. OneMeta's Verbum software translates and transcribes in over 140 languages and has now reached Microsoft IP Co-sell Ready Status , OneMeta partnered with Microsoft to introduce its AI-powered translation and transcription Verbum service to Microsoft Teams. OneMeta's Verbum software translates and transcribes in over 140 languages and has now reached Microsoft IP Co-sell Ready Status In December 2023 , Google partnered with Welocalize to evaluate its adaptive translation LLM solution. Welocalize, in partnership with Google, conducted a case study to evaluate the effectiveness of Google's adaptive translation LLM solution. , Google partnered with Welocalize to evaluate its adaptive translation LLM solution. Welocalize, in partnership with Google, conducted a case study to evaluate the effectiveness of Google's adaptive translation LLM solution. In December 2023 , RWS Group announced the acquisition of Dublin -based Propylon Holdings Limited (Propylon), a provider of content creation, management, and publishing solutions for the government, legal, assurance, audit, and publishing industries. , RWS Group announced the acquisition of -based Propylon Holdings Limited (Propylon), a provider of content creation, management, and publishing solutions for the government, legal, assurance, audit, and publishing industries. In October 2023 , with the aim of strengthening support for all major Indian languages, Microsoft India announced the addition of four new languages: Bhojpuri, Bodo, Dogri, and Kashmiri, to Microsoft Translator. With this latest release, Microsoft Translator now supports a total of 20 Indian languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. This brings Microsoft Translator a step closer to its goal of supporting all 22 official Indian languages and now covers the languages spoken by almost 95% of the country's population. , with the aim of strengthening support for all major Indian languages, Microsoft India announced the addition of four new languages: Bhojpuri, Bodo, Dogri, and Kashmiri, to Microsoft Translator. With this latest release, Microsoft Translator now supports a total of 20 Indian languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. This brings Microsoft Translator a step closer to its goal of supporting all 22 official Indian languages and now covers the languages spoken by almost 95% of the country's population. In June 2023 , Welocalize, a pioneer of tech enablement within language services, announced the launch of its newest innovation: TranslationRate, a plugin for ChatGPT. A first in OpenAI's plugin store for ChatGPT, the new tool allows users to gain insight into the quality of text translations provided by the language model or input by users. , Welocalize, a pioneer of tech enablement within language services, announced the launch of its newest innovation: TranslationRate, a plugin for ChatGPT. A first in OpenAI's plugin store for ChatGPT, the new tool allows users to gain insight into the quality of text translations provided by the language model or input by users. In May 2023 , LanguageLine Solutions announced its new partnership with Vibe Health by eVideon, the leader in hospital smart room technology and digital workflow solutions. Through the partnership, Vibe Health and LanguageLine are expanding access to interpreter services at the patient's bedside. Inquire Before Buying@ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=62967239 Translation Management Systems Market Advantages: By automating and streamlining translation procedures, TMS lowers human labour requirements, accelerates project turnaround times, and increases overall project management efficiency. Translation materials including glossaries, style guides, and translation memories are centralised by TMS, allowing for terminology and language consistency across several projects and languages. Translation management systems (TMS) offer linguistic validation, automated checks, and review workflows as quality assurance tools to guarantee high-quality translations that adhere to language and quality standards. TMS maintains performance and dependability while scaling to meet expanding translation demands and supporting massive amounts of content, numerous languages, and a variety of file formats. TMS saves money for businesses who manage internal translation teams or outsource translation services by streamlining translation processes, cutting project overhead, and getting rid of redundant work. With the help of TMS's reporting, progress tracking, and visibility into translation projects, project managers can keep an eye on output, manage resources wisely, and make informed decisions. To match the unique requirements and preferences of businesses and translation teams, TMS provides customisation options to modify workflows, user interfaces, and capabilities. Report Objectives To define, describe, and predict the Translation Management Systems Market by offering (software and services), application, content type, business function, vertical, and region To provide detailed information related to major factors (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and industry-specific challenges) influencing the market growth To analyze the micro markets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the total market To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high-growth segments of the Translation Management Systems Market To analyze opportunities in the market and provide details of the competitive landscape for stakeholders and market leaders To forecast the market size of segments for five main regions: North America , Europe , Asia Pacific , Middle East Africa, and Latin America , , , Middle East Africa, and To profile key players and comprehensively analyze their market rankings and core competencies. To analyze competitive developments, such as partnerships, new product launches, and mergers and acquisitions, in the Translation Management Systems Market To analyze the impact of recession across all the regions across the Translation Management Systems Market Browse Adjacent Markets: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: AI Data Management Market- Global Forecast to 2028 AI in cybersecurity Market- Global Forecast to 2028 Generative AI Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Data Fabric Market- Global Forecast to 2027 Cognitive Computing Market- Global Forecast to 2025 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. 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Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/translation-management-systems-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/translation-management-systems.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297424/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets XUZHOU, China, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 12, 2024, the XCMG Group, a leading construction machinery manufacturer from China, announced the delivery of the world's first 60-ton class mobile telescopic boom crane powered by hybrid technology, the XCA60_EV, to Wagenborg Nedlift in the Netherlands. The XCA60_EV positions Wagenborg Nedlift the global frontrunner in delivering completely zero-emission lifting solutions to its customers. The cutting-edge XCA60_EV is scheduled to arrive in Europe in the spring and commence operations in the summer. The XCMG XCA60_EV Hybrid All-terrain Crane for Wagenborg Nedlift in the Netherlands will be delivered by Q1 2024. Emphasizing sustainable development, Wagenborg Nedlift issued a tender in late 2019 for a sustainable crane solution with the capability of lifting up to 60 tons, underscoring the industry's shift towards a greener construction philosophy. "XCMG had already released a small, fully hybrid 25-ton crane at the time. We were looking for such a crane, but with a weight of 60 tons, capable of meeting all the requirements of the European market," explained Gerard Bastiaansen, managing director of Wagenborg Nedlift. "Just before Bauma 2022 in Germany, we were surprised to discover that the hybrid crane we were talking about was on XCMG's stand, featuring a diesel engine from Germany and a hydraulic system from the Netherlands." Throughout 2023, Wagenborg engaged in a thorough and sustained evaluation of the hybrid crane as a demonstration model. Brian Geerdink, who served as the primary operator during this phase, played a critical role in relaying detailed observations and suggestions for improvement back to XCMG's headquarters in China. His feedback was instrumental in informing the enhancements that led to the introduction of an evolved version 2.0 by the end of the testing period. "This is a truly luxurious crane that can be used anywhere," Geerdink shared his enthusiasm for the XCMG XCA60_EV crane. "I can use it on a construction site all day long, which is a real difference from the traditional crane types converted to electric. When you work with this crane, it's very quiet. I've also received many compliments from site workers on the crane's minimal noise pollution." The crane has successfully met all the necessary standards for operation within the Western European market, including obtaining CE certification and recognition from the TCVT, the Dutch certification inspection agency. It will be delivered with EN13000 certification and is slated for inspection by the Dutch Vehicle Authority (RDW), ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements. "Through our collaboration with XCMG, we now have a top-tier crane that complies with all legal regulations and fulfills our own desires," said Jan-Ebe Boerema, regional manager for Wagenborg Nedlift. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2342361/The_XCMG_XCA60_EV_Hybrid_All_terrain_Crane_Wagenborg_Nedlift_Netherlands_delivered.jpg A Ho Chi Minh City court is set to summon nearly 2,700 individuals for the trial of Van Thinh Phat chairwoman Truong My Lan and others, linked to fraudulent activities at the firm and lender SCB. The summons list encompasses 2,400 people connected to the case, including representatives from companies allegedly involved in illicit withdrawals from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB). Nearly two hundred lawyers will participate in the trial, and five of them will defend Lan. The court will also summon Lans husband Chu Nap Kee Eric, a Chinese national. Lan, 68, the chairwoman of property developer Van Thinh Phat, will be tried on March 5 at the Peoples Court of Ho Chi Minh City for bribery, violating bank regulations and embezzlement. Eighty-five other people have been charged with similar crimes, along with "abuse of power and position while performing official duties" and "lack of responsibility causing serious consequences." The accused include 45 former leaders of SCB, 15 former State Bank of Vietnam officers, three Government Inspectorate officers, and one former officer from the State Audit Office. Fourteen people face the death sentence, including Lan and Do Thi Nhan, former head of the central banks department of inspection and supervision, who allegedly took $5.2 million in bribes. Five former SCB leaders who have gone into hiding have also been summoned. Chinese national Sun Henry Ka Ziang, a director at SCB, and Canadian national Lam Lee George, a former director at the bank, have both gone into hiding and will be investigated separately from the case. The court is set to last for nearly two months until April 29. SCB is the victim in the trial against Lan and her accomplices. Prosecutors said in 2011, Lan acquired three private banks to merge into SCB, which she used as though it were her own private bank in order to finance what was actually her own company property developer Van Thinh Phat and its ecosystem. Although Lan did not hold direct executive power at Saigon Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SCB), she owned 91.5% of the lenders shares through other individuals. She directed SCB leaders to coordinate with key officials at Van Thinh Phat to withdraw the bank's money via fake loan applications. Over a period of many years, Lan instructed her accomplices time and time again to disburse the money first and complete the paperwork later. From 2012 to 2022, Lan's inner circle took more than 2,500 loans at SCB, with a total disbursement of more than VND1 quadrillion ($44 billion), accounting for 93% of the lenders total issued credit. The remaining 7% was lent to regular customers. The sum is equal to 10.7% of Vietnams GDP in 2022, which totaled $409 billion. As of 2022, Lan was responsible for 1,300 outstanding unpaid loans at the bank, which were worth a total of VND677 trillion. The loans were categorized as "unable to collect." Lan directed SCB officials to disburse the loans to her companies, and she then withdrew them in cash to prevent their origins from being traced. Between February 2018 and October 2022, she made 916 loan applications at the bank for a total VND545 trillion and appropriated VND304 trillion she was granted for herself. The loans carry a combined unpaid interest of VND130 trillion. Lans activities caused losses of VND64.6 trillion to the bank, prosecutors said, and they have also accused her of paying bribes to conceal the banks financial situation. Durians in a store in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang. Photo by Hai Thuan The price of premium Monthong durian has jumped 20% to VND200,000 (US$8.15) per kilogram at the farm in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang. Nguyen Thanh Tuan, a durian trader in the provinces Cai Be District, put this down to low supply of grade A (highest quality) fruits. "[The price] is as high as the previous peak reached a year ago. Due to a scarcity in the off-season we can only procure one or two tons a day." Hanh, a trader in Cai Lay District, says she is ready to pay high prices but still cannot find enough supply. "There are a few orchards far away but with only about half a ton available, but I still went there to buy." A VnExpress survey found grade A Monthong durian priced at VND190,000-202,000, and grade B at VND175,000. In contrast, the prices of grade A Ri 6 durian have fallen steadily from VND148,000 to VND120,000-126,000, or 14% down from last year. Durian farmers in Tien Giang, Can Tho City and Ben Tre Province are now preparing for the upcoming season, meaning the supply of off-season Monthong has nearly dried up, Dang Manh Khuong, a trader in the Mekong Delta, explained. The supply of Ri 6 is much higher than Monthong, and so it is cheaper, he added. A representative of agricultural goods exporter Van Hoa said Ri 6 prices are expected to rise soon due to higher demand in both the domestic and export markets. Since they were approved for export to China through official channels in 2022, durian prices have remained consistently high at VND70,000-200,000. Farmers made average profits of over VND1.5 billion per hectare last year, up VND526 million from 2022. The fruit is harvested in the off-season mostly in the Mekong Delta, with Tien Giang being the biggest grower. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam has more than 131,000 hectares of durian orchards across the Central Highlands, the Mekong Delta, and the Southeast region. The Central Highlands is home to the majority of these durian farms, predominantly cultivating the Monthong variety. It has 21,790 hectares of durian orchards, which yield an average of 386,000 tons, accounting for nearly 22% of the provinces total fruit output. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Ramallah, Feb 19 : Two Palestinians were killed and an Israeli soldier was seriously wounded in a gun battle during an Israeli raid on a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli officials said. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the dead as Nabil Amer, 19, and Mohammed Al-Awfi, 36, who were shot by Israeli troops in the Tulkarm camp on Sunday. It said that Israel had seized Al-Awfi's body, Xinhua news agency reported. Palestinian security sources said Israeli forces entered the camp and cordoned it off, sparking clashes with local youths. They added that the Israeli troops surrounded a house in the camp, where they deployed snipers and helicopters. Israeli public radio said the raid, carried out by the army, the police, and the Shin Bet security service, targetted a senior militant in Tulkarm and a senior Hamas official, along with three other suspects. It said the police, acting on Shin Bet intelligence, arrested Al-Awfi, who the Israeli side said was a wanted man in Tulkarm and was involved in shooting attacks on Israeli forces and settlers. He was also suspected of killing Tulkarm residents who were accused of collaborating with Israel, the Israeli radio added. The radio said Al-Awfi was killed after exchanging fire with the troops, who confiscated his weapons. It said another gunman was also killed and a third was wounded when they opened fire and threw explosives at the soldiers. It said one Israeli soldier was seriously injured by gunfire and taken to hospital. More than 395 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since October 7, 2023, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Ramallah, Feb 19 : The Palestinian presidency has said that a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital was essential for resolving the conflict and ensuring stability in the region. The statement by Presidential Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh came on Sunday after the Israeli government unanimously rejected any "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state by other countries, Xinhua news agency reported. Abu Rudeineh warned of "different and dangerous" challenges ahead and said the Palestinian position was firm against the "extremist and obstinate" Israeli stance and the "contradictory" US position. He urged more Arab and international action to stop "aggression and war," and said Israel's continued attacks on Palestinians and their holy sites in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem would not bring security and stability to anyone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that recognising a Palestinian state at this stage would be a "reward for terrorism" and would undermine the chances of a lasting peace deal. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the recognition of a Palestinian state by the United Nations did not need Netanyahu's approval or permission. It said all countries could recognise the state of Palestine without any legal or political obstacles and accused Netanyahu of destroying the prospects of statehood by annexing and expanding settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and isolating Gaza. US strikes will bring disastrous consequences for the region: Iraq. Image Source: IANS News Tehran, Feb 19 : Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has denounced the US Senate for approving a $14-billion aid package for Israel, which he said would enable more Israeli killings in the Gaza Strip. Kanaani made the comments on social media platform X on Sunday, in response to the bill passed on February 13 by the US Senate for security assistance to Israel, Xinhua news agency reported. He said the US Senate's decision, funded by American taxpayers, showed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its government would receive $100 million a day from the US for "killing innocent Palestinian civilians". The US Senate passed the bill by 70 votes to 29. It included $14 billion in security assistance to Israel, among other things. The US Senate's move has faced widespread criticism at home, with opponents saying the money could be spent on domestic needs rather than weapons, and expressing concern over the death toll in Gaza. It is unclear whether the bill will pass, as some conservative Republicans in the US House have vowed to stop it. Toronto, Feb 19 : An Indian-origin man who was arrested and recently charged with extortion threats targeting South Asian businesses in Canada, has claimed his innocence, saying police are wrongly portraying him as a high-level gangster. Arundeep Thind, 39, was among five people of Punjab origin whose arrest was announced by Peel Regional Police's extortion taskforce on February 8 in connection with a laundry list of offences, including extortion, possession of firearms and fraud. Thind, charged with one count of extortion relating to an alleged incident on January 26, is out on bail after spending two weeks in jail, and has reached out to the Canadian media saying he is not a "criminal". In an interview with CTV News, Thind, a music producer, said: "I have family too. I have kids too. My kids are crying, 'Daddy's not a criminal.' You guys (the media and police) showed (my photo) that I'm a criminal. I'm not." With concerns being raised over an "alarming" escalation of extortion threats against Indian and South Asian business communities, Thind told the news outlet that he has never been involved in organised crime and extortion. Asserting that he is a "victim" of these threats instead, Thind said days before his arrest, his friend -- a restaurant owner in Brampton who was targeted by the extortionists -- gave Thind the phone number and asked him to call the people harassing him. He spoke to the person on the phone who coerced him into going to a car dealership to request an extortion payment on their behalf, Thind told the news channel. At the dealership, he simply handed a phone over to the owner of the car company. "I told them, 'I want nothing more to do with this. You guys speak to each other and leave me out of it,'" he said. It was then that the police arrived and arrested him, Thind said. On being asked why he posted a series of photos and videos on his social media holding a gun, Thind told the channel that the picture was taken years ago while filming a music video and that "the gun wasn't even real". While he said that he has never been a part of organised crime or extortion in the country, he admitted to a domestic incident charg However, Thind believes police are wrongly painting him as a "high-level gangster", and are using his mugshot. In addition, Thind said that he has not met and is not connected to the other four people charged by Peel Police, namely Gagan Ajit Singh, Anmoldeep Singh, Hashmeet Kaur and Lymanjot Kaur. While Thind is yet to be tried in a court of law, Brampton City Councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor told CTV that Thind's release isn't sitting well with his community. Peel Regional Police (PRP) Chief Nishan Duraiappah had said in a statement that "there's a complex ecosystem of people involved" in these crimes. PRP's taskforce said 29 cases of extortion are currently under investigation and of these, nine incidents have involved shootings at local businesses, with multiple bullets being fired. The businesses being targeted are South Asian-owned restaurants, bakeries, trucking and transport companies, independent used car dealerships, and jewellery stores. Speaking about their modus operandi, police 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. London, Feb 19 : It was raining stars at the BAFTA 2024 red carpet as names such as Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt, among many others, brought in their stylish foot forward. London, Feb 19 (IANS) It was raining stars at the BAFTA 2024 red carpet as names such as Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt, among many others, brought in their stylish foot forward. Taking place at Royal Festival Hall in London, the BAFTA Film Awards will celebrate the year in cinema with host David Tennant, who looked dapper in a green patterned suit on the carpet, while his wife Georgia Moffet opted for a gold gown. Other early looks included "Oppenheimer" star Cillian Murphy in an all-black outfit and Rising Star nominee Ayo Edebiri in a peach dress and chic fur coat. Margot Robbie, Emma Stone and Emily Blunt linked up on the carpet, posing together in their gowns. Robbie chose a pink-and-white strapless look, while Stone wore an orange "Poor Things"-esque dress and Blunt sported a sheer frock, reports variety.com. Hollywoodas 'Ken' Ryan Gosling chose an all-white number with red detailing. Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper were seen twinning in black as they posed for the shutterbugs. Robert Downey Jr. was seen flaunting his fashion A-game, as he chose a grey ensemble paired with a black T-shirt. Emily Blunt shimmered in a nude dress with detailed work. 'Saltburn' star Barry Keoghan attends the BAFTA Film Awards 2024 in a dark green suit paired with a white shirt. Lily Collins looked every-inch a doll dressed in a black dress with ruffled sleeves. "Oppenheimer" leads the BAFTA nominations with 13, followed by "Poor Things" with 11. Both are up for best film, while "Oppenheimer" also received nods for adapted screenplay, director for Christopher Nolan, supporting actress for Emily Blunt, supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. and lead actor for Murphy. "Poor Things" is also competing for adapted screenplay, in addition to leading actress Emma Stone and outstanding British film, reports variety.com. Taiwanese actress Joe Chen, 45, and her 36-year-old husband, Malaysian artist Alan Chen, joyfully celebrated the 2024 Lunar New Year in Malaysia, marking a return to Alans home country. This festive reunion came after the couples inaugural Lunar New Year celebration in the Southeast Asian nation in 2023, according to the Strait Times. Taiwanese actress Joe Chen, 45, and her 36-year-old husband, Malaysian artist Alan Chen, celebrate Lunar New Year 2024 in Malaysia. Photo from her Instagram A glimpse into their joyous festivities was shared through a series of Instagram updates, capturing moments of the Year of the Dragon festivities in Alan Chens Johor hometown. In one photo, the couple posed alongside a dragon dance troupe, and another showed Joe holding a container of honeycomb cookies. "Relatives and friends just cant understand the extent of my love for honeycomb cookies," read Joes caption for a the Feb 11 post, expressing her affection for traditional treat. Their Lunar New Year celebration included enjoying fireworks displays, indulging in festive dishes, and showcasing their vocal talents at a karaoke lounge. In a post by Alan Chen, Joe was seen singing along to the tune of the popular 1980s Taiwanese song "Dancing Lady." Joe Chen and Alan Chen officially registered their marriage on March 31, 2022, following a two-and-a-half-year courtship, as reported by Apple Daily. The couple initially crossed paths in 2019 on the Chinese dating show "Meeting Mr. Right 2." Revered as the "Queen of Idol Dramas," Joe Chen has left an indelible mark with her roles in acclaimed series such as "The Prince Who Turns into a Frog," "Fated to Love You," and "The Queen of SOP". Notably, she earned a nomination at the 43rd Golden Bell Awards for her performance in "Fated to Love You." Lucknow, Feb 19 : A youth died here after he allegedly suffered a bullet injury as the gun of the apartment's security guard accidentally went off during a scuffle between the two. Lucknow, Feb 19 (IANS) A youth died here after he allegedly suffered a bullet injury as the gun of the apartmentas security guard accidentally went off during a scuffle between the two. The incident took place on Sunday evening in the Dubagga police station area in Lucknow. The youth was trying to trespass on a multi-storey apartment, police said. According to reports, police got information that a youth was lying by the roadside near the apartment at Kuda Crossing. The man was later identified as 22-year-old Aman, a resident of the Shahpur Bhamrauli village under Dubagga police station. A police team rushed to the scene and took the victim to the KGMU trauma centre where he was declared dead. The doctors in their examination found that the youth had a gunshot injury in his stomach and died due to excessive bleeding. After this, the police reached the crime scene where they quizzed security guard Kamlesh, 44, of the Maal police station area in the state capital. Kamlesh alleged that Aman was trying to enter the apartment when the former was on duty there. He also claimed that he and the victim had a scuffle during which the security guardas double barrel gun went off and the bullet hit the youth in the stomach. The youth subsequently ran away from the scene but fell unconscious at a little distance. Inspector, Dubagga police station, Abhinav Verma said Kamlesh had been arrested and further probe into the incident was underway. London, Feb 19 : 'Oppenheimer' director Christopher Nolan finally won a BAFTA trophy, two as a matter of fact, on Sunday, breaking what some admirers had lovingly described as a "curse", writes The Hollywood Reporter (THR). The director, one of the most prolific and best-known British film exports, had previously lost out on picking up a BAFTA trophy. Nolan, notes THR, had received three nominations for his 2010 hit 'Inception', but the movie lost out to 'The King's Speech' in the best film race. David Fincher earned the best director honour for 'The Social Network' and David Seidler won the best original screenplay BAFTA for 'The King's Speech'. In 2018, Nolan was also in the running for the best picture and director awards from the British Academy for his 2017 film 'Dunkirk'. In that case, 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' was honoured as the best film, and Guillermo del Toro walked away with the director trophy for 'The Shape of Water'. This year, Nolan entered the BAFTA awards ceremony on Sunday with three nominations, for best picture, director and adapted screenplay, for 'Oppenheimer', bringing his total career BAFTA noms count to eight, THR points out. The biographical epic led the pack of nominees with a total of 13. Early on during the awards ceremony on Sunday, the adapted screenplay honour went to Cord Jefferson for 'American Fiction'. But later, Nolan was unveiled as the best director honoree before ending the evening with a second trophy, the one for best film. "They are very heavy," Nolan told the press after the BAFTA ceremony, holding the two trophies. "I feel like I am getting a workout." Tel Aviv, Feb 19 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is closing in on Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, widely believed to be the mastermind behind October 7 massacre in southern Israel, leading to the death of 1,200 people and kidnapping of 250 people. Sources in Israel defense ministry told IANS that they have inputs of Sinwar and that he was on the run with his family in the tunnel network of Hamas and is surrounded by hostages from Israel. Sinwar has made the hostages surround him to prevent any attack from the Israel army. On Sunday night, Israel defense minister Yoav Gallant said that Hamas leadership is looking for a replacement to Sinwar and that the external leadership of Hamas are clueless on the whereabouts of Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, the military commander of Hamas who pulled the strings of the October 7 massacre. Israel's army has also recently released photographs of Sinwar along with his family in one of the tunnel networks of the terror group. Hebrew media have reported that either Sinwar is captured by the IDF or the military is closing on him. A retired Major General of Mossad also told IANS that the IDF was closing in on Yahya Sinwar. It may be recalled that a few days before the spokesperson of IDF, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced that IDF would catch Sinwar dead or alive, Yoav Gallant had publicly called for the assassination of Sinwar. Meanwhile, the Khan Younis brigade of Hamas, which is one of its most powerful units, has already lost the war and 200 men in the brigade have surrendered to the IDF. Nottingham murders: Cops slammed for sharing details about British-Indian, others on WhatsApp. Image Source: IANS News London, Feb 19 : Families have slammed the British Police after it emerged during a misconduct hearing that they shared details about the victims of the 2023 Nottingham murders, which included an Indian-origin teen, on a WhatsApp group. British-Indian Grace O'Malley-Kumar, fellow student Barnaby Webber, both aged 19, and 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates were stabbed to death by Valdo Calocane near the University of Nottingham on June 13, 2023. A message by an unnamed police officer shared details about the injuries suffered by the three victims on the encrypted platform, The Sun reported on Monday. Following this, police constable Matthew Gell passed on the "distasteful" message to his wife and a friend, the misconduct tribunal heard recently. "What an abhorrent way to conduct an investigation," Webber's mother was quoted as saying in the London-based daily. "To learn there has been internal needless voyeurism on our loved ones is unforgivable." Calling it "shocking", the tribunal reportedly gave a final written warning to the cops. Last week, the family of O'Malley-Kumar was shocked to learn that their daughter's body was tested for drugs and alcohol but killer Calocane, identified as a paranoid schizophrenic, was not subjected to similar tests. In January, an independent review was ordered into prosecutors' decision to accept the manslaughter pleas of a 32-year-old Calocane based on diminished responsibility, which meant that he will not be tried for murder. Calocane has been detained in Ashworth secure hospital since January. Calling for a public inquiry into the case, the families have also met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who promised them that "we will get the answers". Shimla/Manali, Feb 19 : Snowfall eluded this Himachal Pradesh capital on Monday, but another tourist resort, Manali, had moderate snow. The minimum temperature recorded at Manali was 2.8 degrees Celsius, the weather office here said. "Manali and the hills overlooking it experienced mild to moderate spells of snow early Monday," an official of the meteorological office here told IANS. He said picturesque Kalpa, some 250 km from Shimla, also experienced 1.6 cm of snow. Kukumseri in Lahaul-Spiti district saw 50.6 cm snow, state's highest, with a low of minus 0.5 degree. Keylong had 21 cm snow. "High-altitude areas of Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, Kinnaur and Shimla districts have been experiencing snow since early Monday. Heavy to very heavy rain and snow with thunderstorm, hail and gusty wind speed 40-50 km per hour and lightning at isolated places is likely from February 19 to 20," the official said. As the snowfall started, tourists started descending in Manali and the nearby hills to enjoy snowy landscape. "We are really enjoying hurling snow at each other," remarked Neha Garg, a tourist from New Delhi. Her husband Pankaj added, "They were awaiting the onset of snowfall for the past two days." "We are hopeful of getting a spike in tourist footfall after snow," Manali-based hotelier Prem Thakur told IANS. Peaks overlooking other popular tourist resorts like Kalpa, Sangla, Dharamsala and Palampur have also got fresh snow cover. State's lower areas, including Dharamsala, Solan, Nahan, Chamba and Mandi towns, have been experiencing cold conditions with mild rains. Whether a resolution professional can be subject to prosecution under the PC Act, SC seeks CBIs response. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Feb 19 : The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the summons issued by Lok Sabha Privilege Committee to West Bengal chief secretary and other top officials in connection with a complaint filed by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar alleging "misconduct, brutality and life-threatening injuries to him" during protests in the Sandeshkhali region. New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the summons issued by Lok Sabha Privilege Committee to West Bengal chief secretary and other top officials in connection with a complaint filed by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar alleging "misconduct, brutality and life-threatening injuries to him" during protests in the Sandeshkhali region. A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud delivered the interim order while issuing notice on a writ petition filed by Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, and three other officials. The petition challenges the jurisdiction of the Lok Sabha Privilege Committee and argues that parliamentary privileges do not extend to political activities. The petition has been filed by Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika, Sharad Kumar Dwivedi (District Magistrate, North 24 Parganas District), Rajeev Kumar, Dr. Hossain Mehedi Rehman (Superintendent of Police, Basirhat, North 24 Parganas District) and Partha Ghosh (Additional SP, Basirhat, North 24 Parganas District). Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the officials, argued that the complaint of police atrocities by Majumdar was false and that videos showed BJP supporters attacking police officials. They contended that the officials were not even present at the scene. In response, Senior Advocate Devasish Bharukha, representing the Lok Sabha Secretariat, clarified that the officials were not summoned as accused and that the notices were issued to ascertain facts. The Supreme Court, while issuing notice returnable within four weeks, stayed further proceedings based on the notices issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat against the state officials. Last Thursday, Majumdar fell sick after he was caught in the midst of the scuffle between the cops and the BJP supporters protesting over the alleged sexual harassment and violence against women at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district. Majumdar had to be hospitalised also. Reacting to the judgment, BJP spokesman in West Bengal Samik Bhattacharya said that the state government and the ruling party have nothing to rejoice over the development. "The matter has been stayed and not quashed. There will be hearing in the matter in the coming days," he said. Mumbai, Feb 19 : The travel time between Mumbai-Pune is expected to reduce by an hour with a new public bus service being launched via the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link from Tuesday, officials said here. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will unveil a new state transport route of its prestigious Shivneri Volvo and e-Shivneri buses from the MTHL, or Atal Setu from February 20 on an experimental basis. The MSRTC will operate two new routes -- from Pune Station to Mantralaya (Nariman Point) at 6.30 a.m. and another from Swargate (Pune) to Dadar at 7 a.m., which will be run via the MTHL. The return journey will commence on the same route at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and there will be a saving of around one hour both ways, benefitting the people of the state capital and the state's cultural- academic and IT capital, around 155 kms away. The MSRTC Divisional Commissioner Kailash Patil informed that there will be no change in the ticket fares, and urged the people commuting between the two cities to take advantage of the new routes with advance bookings on its site or app. Presently, the ST buses take over five-six hours, depending on the traffic density en route in both directions to cover the distance between Mumbai-Pune. However, this is expected to be slashed to about four hours in each direction, through the new route on the MTH, India's longest sea bridge, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12. Sambhal : , Feb 19 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi while laying the foundation stone of the Kalki Dham in Sambhal on Monday, said that what was once "beyond imagination, has now become reality." Sambhal (UP), Feb 19 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi while laying the foundation stone of the Kalki Dham in Sambhal on Monday, said that what was once "beyond imagination, has now become reality." He said, "This is a wonderful moment of cultural Renaissance where we have witnessed the grand opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, another temple in Abu Dhabi, renovation of the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the transformation of Kashi. "Centres of pilgrimage are being built and alongside medical colleges are also being constructed," he said. He added that this was a moment of India's cultural awakening and also its development. "January 22 when the Ram temple opened, is the beginning of a new era, new cycle. The Kalki temple is a preparation for the future. It is a temple for Kalki avatar and will have a sanctum sanctorum for all the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu," he said. The Prime Minister said that the country was now leading and not following. "We are now the fifth-largest economy in the world. We have Vande Bharat and soon we will have a bullet train along with hi-tech expressways. This is a land of immense possibilities that draws its energy from collectivity," he said. Modi said that the Kalki Dham was yet another stream of devotion and spirituality that is eager to flow from the land of Ram and Krishna. "Some people left a few good deeds for me to accomplish and I am confident that there are many that will be accomplished in future too," Modi said. The Prime Minister congratulated Acharya Pramod Krishnam for taking the concept of Kalki Dham forward. He said that Pramod Krishnam had to fight a long battle with the previous governments for the Kalki temple and even had to make rounds of the courts. "His fight has ended in our government," he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while addressing the gathering, said that after the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the construction of a Hindu temple in a Muslim country was a dream come true! "A similar moment is being witnessed in Sambhal today. The world has hope from a New India," he said. Toronto, Feb 19 : Risk-reducing mastectomies (RRM) in women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic variant may significantly reduce the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer and also lower the probability of death. The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, examined how RRM affects the rate of death of women with a pathogenic variant but no cancer diagnosis. Women who have an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant, have an 80 per cent risk of developing breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. Research has shown that an RRM reduces the risk of breast cancer by 90 per cent. "The decision to have a risk reducing mastectomy is often difficult for a woman to make, and the more evidence we are able to provide them with when they are making that decision, the more informed their care plan will be," said Prof. Kelly Metcalfe of the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, from University of Toronto, Canada. Metcalfe said that in Canada, 30 per cent of women with a pathogenic variant opt for this surgery. It is, Metcalfe said, one of the most effective ways of preventing breast cancer in women with this risk profile. Through a pseudo-randomised trial, Metcalfe, and her team, followed over 1,600 participants from a registry of women with a pathogenic BRCA 1/2 variant from nine different countries over the course of six years, with half of the women having a risk-reducing mastectomy. At the end of the trial, there were 20 incident breast cancers and two deaths in the group who opted for a RRM, and 100 incident breast cancers and seven deaths in the control group. RRM reduced the risk of breast cancer by 80 per cent, and the probability of dying of breast cancer 15 years after risk-reducing mastectomy was less than one per cent. "Although there wasn't a significant difference in deaths between the two groups in this study, we know that a risk reducing mastectomy significantly reduces the risk of ever developing breast cancer," Metcalfe said. Metcalfe pointed out that following these participants for an extended period would generate more evidence to assess the true mortality risk with precision and highlight the benefits associated with this type of surgery. "Right now, we have good screening in place for breast cancer, including breast MRI, so surgery is only offered as an option, not a recommendation," Metcalfe said. "But with more studies being conducted to assess women's trajectory and risk factors following RRM, we will know whether these guidelines need to be changed in the future." Panaji, Feb 19 : Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday appealed to the people to put Chhatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj's thoughts into action and practice as his statues were being installed. Sawant was speaking while commemorating the birth anniversary of Chhatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj at Farmagudi-Ponda in South Goa. Youths across the state carried out rallies to celebrate 'Shiv Jayanti'. Many Hindu organisations organised day long programmes in the coastal state. "Since last five years people have been installing statues of great Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj at several places, it is a good thing. But with that we need to bring his thoughts into practice. We need to show it through our acts and deeds. Only then we will be called 'Shiv Bhakts' (true lovers of Shivaji Maharaj)," he said. The CM said that Shivaji was visionary and fought against the foreign forces who tried to attack our country. Sawant said that Shivaji Maharaj not only contributed to Maharashtra in the interest of people and to protect culture, he also came to Goa and later went to Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry. "Shivaji Maharaj focused on education, 'Sanskar', parenting, social manners, and self-defence. Even then self-defence was taught to girls and women. They now learn judo, karate for self defence," Sawant said. "We also need to imbibe thoughts of Shivaji Maharaj for patriotism. Shivaji Maharaj had social sensitivity. He took all the people together for 'Swaraj'. He never discriminated against any caste, but took them together to protect our region," Sawant said. Cambodia hopes to import four tigers from India this year under an agreement signed with New Delhi aimed at reviving the population of big cats in the kingdom, an environmental official said Monday. Cambodia's dry forests were once home to scores of Indochinese tigers but conservationists say intensive poaching of both tigers and their prey has devastated their numbers. The last sighting of a tiger in the Southeast Asian kingdom was from a camera trap in 2007 and the cats were declared "functionally extinct" in Cambodia in 2016. One male and three female tigers "could arrive in Cambodia at the end of 2024", Khvay Atitya, spokesman for the environment ministry, told AFP. The cats will be sent to a 90-hectare (222-acre) forest inside the Tatai Wildlife Sanctuary in western Koh Kong province to acclimatise before being released into the wild, he said. He did not give details about what type of tiger would be imported from India. Officials this week began installing more than 400 cameras at one-kilometre intervals in the reserve in the Cardamom Mountains to monitor wildlife, particularly animals that tigers prey upon such as deer and boar, he said. The information from the cameras "will help with breeding of tigers", Khvay Atitya said. Twelve more tigers will be imported over the next five years if the project goes smoothly, he said. Deforestation and poaching have devastated tiger numbers across Asia. Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam have all lost their native populations, while Myanmar is thought to have just 23 tigers left in the wild. Cambodia and India signed a memorandum of understanding in 2022 on restoring tigers and their habitats. India's wild tiger population was estimated to have exceeded 3,600, according to government figures released last year, following a massive conservation campaign. New Delhi, Feb 19 : Amid heart-wrenching reports of molestation, rape and torture of women, belonging to a particular community, in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali allegedly by the goons of Trinamool Congress (TMC), the state BJP unit on Monday lodged a complaint with the National Commission for Women (NCW) and demanded strict against the state police for revealing the identity of rape victims. Sukanta Majumdar, Bengal BJP President on Monday wrote to NCW and demanded that the state police must face action for making the victim's life miserable by revealing her identity, thus exposing her to brutal targeting by the oppressors. Notably, the disclosure of victim's identity in molestation and rape cases clearly violates the directions of Supreme Court. He further demanded that Bengal DGP and IGP be booked for the grave oversight of standard procedure and asked "why they shouldn't be sent behind bars", pending enquiry against them. Notably, Sandeshkhali has been the epicentre of protests by many victims, who recently gathered courage and came forward to speak out about the atrocities inflicted upon them by the ruffians of ruling party. TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan has been accused of targeting many Hindu women in the region and raping them overnight. This inhuman oppression and torture has been a daily affair for many times, say locals. In the complaint to NCW, the Bengal BJP President has mentioned about a specific case where the victim lodged a video complaint against TMC leader Sibu Hazra and after that how she has been hounded and attacked by his associates. Majumdar informs that the victim's house has been vandalised and her life is at stake for speaking against the atrocities by TMC goons. Lashing out at the Bengal Police, he accused them of acting 'hand in gloves' with the culprits as the latter went after the victim, soon after the video landed on social media. "Police took the victim to Magistrate for recording statement. But before that, it does a video recording of the statement by the victim and then releases it on the official handle of Bengal Police," wrote BJP Bengal President in the letter to NCW. Bengaluru, Feb 19 : Tata Group companies Air India and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) are planning to invest Rs 2,300 crore in Karnataka in projects that are expected to create employment for 1,650 people, the state government announced on Monday. According to the MoU that has been signed, Air India will set up a facility to carry out maintenance, repairs, and overhaul of planes at the Bengaluru airport. The project entails an investment of around Rs 1,300 crore that will generate employment for 1,200 people. Tata Advanced Systems, which makes doors for European giant Airbus's A320neo planes, will set up manufacturing and research & development facilities in the state. The company will invest in three projects near Bengaluru Airport and in Kolar with a total investment of Rs 1,030 crore. These include a passenger to freighter aircraft conversion facility (Rs 420 crore), gun manufacturing facility (Rs 310 crore) and aerospace & defence research and development in Karnataka (Rs 300 crore). These projects are expected to generate direct employment for 450 people. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil were among those present at the MoU signing ceremony in this regard here. Saying such projects require streamlined support from the government in terms of clearances, approvals and interventions, Patil assured support in resolving any challenges pertaining to the grounding of the projects. S. Selvakumar, Principal Secretary, Karnataka Industries Department and Nipun Agrawal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India and Sukaran Singh, CEO of TASL exchanged the MoU. Chief Secretary to Karnataka Government, Rajneesh Goyal; Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister L.K. Atiq; Commissioner of Industries Department Gunjan Krishna; Air India top officials Manan Chauhan, Karthikeya Bhat, Atul Shukla, TASL top officials Guru Dattatreya, Arjun Maine, Bangalore International Airport Managing Director Hari Marar, COO Satyaki Raghunath, and CFO Bhaskar Ravindra were present on the occasion. The Tata's plan for Karnataka comes close on the heels of the groupas announcement of a Rs 15,000 crore investment in Telangana. The Tata Group has also drawn up plans to set up a semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat. Investments flowing into states are on the rise under the Atmanirbhar policy of the Modi government which has increased emphasis on self-reliance under which more collaborations between Indian companies and high-tech foreign firms are taking place. This has also led to more FDI flows into the country. New Delhi, Feb 19 : Novartis India shares jumped more than 6 per cent on Monday after the parent company, Novartis AG announced a strategic review of its Indian arm. Novartis India was trading at Rs 1,100, up 6.23 per cent on BSE. Earlier in the day it hit a 52 week high. According to reports Dr Reddy's is likely in a race to acquire Novartis AG's stake. Dr Reddy's said: "In this regard, please note that the company does not comment on market speculations and there is currently no such event or information which requires a disclosure under Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Regulations. In compliance with Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Regulations, the company makes prompt disclosures, as and when any event or information is considered material or warrants such disclosure under the said Regulations." Earlier, the board of directors of Novartis India took note of the communication received from Novartis AG, Holding Company & Promoter, regarding their intention to conduct a strategic review to unlock value of their shareholding in the company. "After some deliberations, the Board agreed to support Novartis AG, as may be required, in evaluating their strategic options", Novartis India said. Novartis AG announced a strategic review of Novartis India Limited, a public company listed on Bombay Stock Exchange. The strategic review will include an assessment of the 70.68 per cent shareholding of Novartis AG in the company. Novartis India Limited is separate from Novartis Healthcare Private Limited, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Novartis group in India. Novartis Healthcare Private Limited includes the Novartis Corporate Center in Hyderabad, the commercial arm of Novartis in India, and R&D teams, which currently conduct clinical trials at more than 300 trial sites in the country. The strategic review will not impact Novartis Healthcare Private Limited. "There can be no assurance that the strategic review of Novartis India Limited will be completed in 2024, or that the outcome would result in the implementation of any transaction," the company said. "Novartis remains deeply committed to India with a footprint that has expanded significantly in recent years. Today Novartis proudly employs more than 8,100 associates in India," it said. (Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in) Agartala, Feb 19 : Tripura is gearing up to host its first-ever 'Tripura International Puppet Festival' starting from February 26. The event will witness the participation of puppet theatre groups from various countries as well as Indian states. Tripura Puppet Theatre Director Prabhitangsu Das said that in the three-day (February 26-28) festival, puppet theatre groups from the US, Brazil, Spain and Bangladesh and six groups from New Delhi, Rajasthan, West Bengal and host Tripura will participate in the event. The International Puppet Festival is being organised as part of the 50 years celebration of Tripura Puppet Theatre, Das told the media on Monday, adding that on the valedictory day on February 28, a seminar will also be organised on "Theatre and Puppetry are the two effective tools of learning and awareness". Das, who was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2016 besides many other awards in recognition of his contribution to contemporary puppetry, said that the Tripura Puppet Theatre group besides performing puppet show on a variety of themes has also been providing training to the artists free of cost. The Tripura Puppet Theatre group, which has performed in many countries and in states in India, had undertaken a massive awareness programme during Covid-19 pandemic through the traditional "Putul Nach" (puppet dance), garnering people's attention and appreciation. Jaipur, Feb 19 : Congress Working committee member and MLA from Bagidora in Rajasthan's Banswara district, Mahendrajit Singh Malviya joined the BJP on Monday after quitting from the grand old party. The four-time MLA is a strong tribal face in the state. Soon after joining the party, he attacked the Congress and said, "When the Congress party refused to attend the Pran Patishtha ceremony in Ayodhya, I was hurt ." Malviya praised the BJP and said, "If I want to develop my area, then there is no other party which can work in the tribal areas except the BJP. PM Modi's policies have impressed me," he added. BJP state President C.P. Joshi accorded a warm welcome to him on the occasion. Malviya resigned from the post of MLA after joining the BJP. He reached the BJP party office in Jaipur at around 2 p.m and took the membership of the party in the presence of senior leaders. Malviya demanded that Mangarh Dham be declared a national monument. He was in Delhi for the last three days and on Sunday, he met Home Minister Amit Shah. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had reportedly taken him to Shah. Party sources said that Malviya was not happy in the Congress after he was not made the leader of opposition. He was not fielded as a Rajya Sabha candidate and instead veteran leader Sonia Gandhi filed her nomination papers for the seat. Party state In-charge Arun Singh, co-in-charge Vijaya Rahatkar and veteran leaders, including Arun Chaturvedi, Rajendra Rathore were present during his joining. Chennai, Feb 19 : Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Monday said that the state would establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mission to develop guidelines for constructively leveraging AI in education, employment, industry, research and medicine. The AI Mission will also establish clear protocols for its utilisation. It will involve professors from leading educational institutions in Tamil Nadu, executives from the electronics industry, and experts in the field. The finance minister stated this while addressing the Assembly during the presentation of the budget for the financial year 2024-25. The minister said that the Chief Ministeras Breakfast scheme will be extended to government-aided primary schools in rural areas and an amount of Rs 600 crore has been allocated for the same. He said that the Tamil Nadu Government will introduce a special scheme to incentivise additional employment of women in the State. This scheme will offer a payroll subsidy of 10 per cent of the salary of women, differently-abled and transgender employees for two years to all new industrial units providing direct employment to over 500 such individuals from Tamil Nadu. Thangam Thennarasu said that the state will incentivise the creation of high paying jobs in new Global Capability Centres (GCCs) by providing a payroll subsidy of 30 per cent in the first year, 20 per cent in the second year and 10 per cent in the third year for jobs with pay above Rs 1,00,000 per month. He said that the state government would meet the higher education expenses of transgenders. The minister said that this would be implemented through the transgender welfare board and added that an amount of Rs 2 crore has been allotted for the purpose. He said that the Government will also meet the hostel fee of transgenders. Man kills cousin over land dispute in J&K's Bandipora. Image Source: IANS News Srinagar, Feb 19 : A family dispute on Monday led to the murder of a man by his cousin in J&K's Bandipora district. Police said that a man identified as Ghulam Mohiuddin Parray living in Hajin village of Bandipora district sustained critical injuries during a scuffle over a land dispute. He was rushed to a hospital in Srinagar city. "He was declared dead by the doctors at the hospital. "The accused was identified and arrested," police said. This is the second unfortunate incident in the last two days in Kashmir wherein a family dispute turned bloody resulting in a death. Mohali: Farmers sit on a road during a protest over their various demands. Image Source: IANS News Chandigarh, Feb 19 : One of the farmers who was protesting in front of the house of former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh in Patiala has died of a suspected heart attack on Monday. The farmer, identified as Narinderpal Singh (43), was from Patiala district. This is the third such death during the ongoing farmers' protests over their demands, among others, for a legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP) of their crops. The first death was reported from the Shambhu border, while another from the Khanauri border, both located on the Punjab-Haryana border. Narinderpal Singh reached the 'dharna' site with his colleagues on February 17. On Sunday night, when his health deteriorated, he asked his fellow farmers to take him back to the village. Mahas first 3-day MSME defence expo to commence in Pune from Feb 24. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, Feb. 19 : The Maharashtra government will hold a three-day MSME Defence Expo in Pune from February 24 to 26 with participation from the armed forces, defence public sector undertakings and ordnance factories, officials said here on Monday. The event, to be held at the International Exhibition & Convention Centre, Moshi, will give an exposure to the micro-small-medium enterprises and enable them to contribute significantly to the defence production sector. The expo will be attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, with the likelihood of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also joining. The expo will see the participation of over 200 MSMEs and startups, the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, plus over 20,000 engineering students who will visit for exchange of knowledge and skills. There are 10 ordnance factories, five defence PSUs plus several private sector units manufacturing a large number of defence equipment in the state. "The expo underscores the government's commitment to strengthen our state's defence capabilities. With a focus on innovation and cooperation, the event will play a key role. Under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, self-reliance, growth and innovation in the defence sector are being propelled," said Shinde. The Chief Minister also said that Maharashtra is acknowledged as the industrial powerhouse of India, which leads in promoting a self-reliance, and has a strong network of 39.88 lakh MSMEs. Today, while the country is producing a large number of defence equipment, a defence ecosystem has been created in the state, and major corporate houses like Tata, Bharat Forge, Solar, and L&T manufacture products for the defence sector in the state. "This even will bring in a large number of entrepreneurs, increase investment, and both manufacturers and buyers will be together at one place along with the armed forces," said Fadnavis. The exhibitors will showcase their defence-related products, technologies and services in various sectors such as aerospace, armaments, electronics, communication and logistics at the expo. The IAF will demonstrate its indigenous capabilities through static display of new generation Advanced Light Helicopter MK-IV and Light Combat Helicopter in addition to Aakash and SAMAR missile systems. The IAF will also showcase products developed by its internal agencies through collaboration with private industry partners, and top officials will interact with the participating industries to make them aware of future requirements of the air force. There will also be interactive sessions between MSMEs and major defence procurement organisations, industry veterans and potential investors. The expo is expected to provide the participants with lucrative business opportunities, potential contracts, besides benefiting MSMEs and startups in the defence technology export sector. Car driver arrested for expressway accident that killed woman, two kids The scene of an accident killing a woman and her two children on Cam Lo - La Son Expressway in Thua Thien - Hue Province on Feb. 18, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh The Thua Thien-Hue Province police are investigating multiple collisions caused by a car on the Cam Lo La Son Expressway, resulting in the death of three of its passengers. Phan Dinh Kieu, 55, of the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, was arrested a few hours after the deadly accident on Sunday morning. He was hired to drive the seven-seat Ford Everest 7 in which Phan Dinh Quy, 46, his wife Le Thi Hanh, 41, and their two children, Phan Le Khanh Van, 15, and Phan Dinh Quang, 9, were traveling. At around 10 a.m. in a section in Phong Dien District in Thua Thien Hue, though in an area where overtaking is not allowed, Kieu tried to go past a container truck and rammed into it. The car went spinning from the collision, was hit by truck coming in the opposite direction and flew off the expressway. Another container truck then hit the second truck from the back. The nine-year-old boy died on the spot while his mother and sister passed away later at a local hospital. The car was totaled and lay around 10 m from the expressway, whose barrier had a five-meter hole. Both truck drivers were safe. A seven-seat car is seriously damaged after a series of collisions. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh The Cam Lo La Son Expressway runs 98.3 km between Thua Thien Hue and Quang Tri provinces. Opened to traffic in 2022, it is one of only five expressways in Vietnam to have just two lanes. Only some parts have four lanes. The entire expressway is expected to become four lanes wide after 2030. It has already seen more than a few accidents. On Dec. 18 last year two container trucks collided head-on and burst into flames in Thua Thien Hue, killing one driver on the spot and leaving the other in critical condition. New Delhi, Feb 19 : A 20-year-old youth was arrested after he allegedly made a hoax call regarding implanting of a bomb at Delhi airport to gain publicity, an official said on Monday. The accused was identified as Kushagra Aggarwal, a resident of Janakpuri in west Delhi. His arrest came after a police control room (PCR) call was received on February 18 at IGI Airport police station at 10:49 p.m. that "Maine Airport ground me bomb laga diya hai" (I have planted a bomb at airport ground). The Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI airport) Usha Rangnani said that considering the gravity and sensitivity of the call, the Delhi Airport was put on high alert and a full emergency was declared. However, after a thorough search of airport, the bomb threat call was found to be a hoax. "After proper verification, the said call was transferred to Udyog Vihar police station in Gurugram, Haryana and a case under section 506 and 507 IPC was registered," said the DCP. During the probe, the caller's mobile number was dialled many times, but he did not pick up the call and after some time, he switched off his mobile phone. "In lookout of the accused, details of the hoax caller's number was obtained and technical surveillance was mounted upon him but not enough clues could be found about the caller. On constant technical surveillance, the alleged mobile number was found registered in the name of Kushagra Aggarwa," said the DCP. Raids were conducted but Aggarwal was not found available at home. "His family members were also grilled but they revealed that Aggarwal is out of home. Thereafter, manual intelligence was collected and Aggarwal was nabbed from one of his hideouts in Janakpuri," said the DCP. On interrogation, Aggarwal confessed to his crime and told police that he had made the hoax call intentionally to get wide publicity. "The accused has been handed over to Gurugram Police for further action," said the DCP. New Delhi, Feb 19 : Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday urged upstream oil giant ONGC to spearhead the country's oil exploration efforts with the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like AI and Data Analytics for sustainability and reduced environmental impact. New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday urged upstream oil giant ONGC to spearhead the countryas oil exploration efforts with the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like AI and Data Analytics for sustainability and reduced environmental impact. Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of the Mumbai High oil discovery, the minister expressed satisfaction with ONGC's efforts in bringing new discoveries into production, signaling a strategic path for further advancements to bolster the nationas growth. Encouraging ONGC to lead exploration in the sedimentary basins, the minister stressed the importance of blending experience with fresh perspectives to enhance production and rejuvenate plans. He commended the new ISPHEM facility in Goa, acknowledged as a world-class establishment ensuring safety in the E&P industry, with recognition from the Prime Minister. In his welcome address, ONGC Chairman Arun Kumar Singh said the national oil giant was intensifying production plans and making significant investments for exploration while expressing hope for discovering a new field akin to Mumbai High soon. The Chairman also reiterated ONGC's commitment to exhaustively explore every opportunity within Mumbai High until every last drop of oil is recovered, underscoring the company's dedication to maximising resource utilisation. ONGC commemorated the occasion by honoring past leaders and young achievers contributing to Mumbai High's development. Additionally, a short film titled "ONGC Promise" depicted the company's journey, past, present, and future, through the perspective of a veteran ONGCian portrayed by actor Paresh Rawal. --IANS sps/dan Guwahati, Feb 19 : At least seven out of 10 labourers who were allegedly kidnapped by militant groups United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) were rescued near the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, official said on Monday. A senior police officer of Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district said that seven labourers were rescued on Sunday night, but the remaining three are still missing. "We are attempting to locate the laborers who were brought to a densely forested region. Since these are rural regions, finding a cell network is nearly impossible," he stated. The officer added: "We are looking for the reason for the kidnapping. The laborers who were rescued are unaware of this. For the rescue effort, we have sent out a strong security personnel." Earlier, ten coal mine labourers were allegedly kidnapped by militant groups near the Assam-Arunachal border, officials said on Sunday. The United Liberation Front of Assam Independent (ULFA-I) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) are suspected of the kidnapping of the coal miners. Police said that four of the fourteen labourers who worked at Finboro Coalmine escaped when a group of militants tried to kidnap them on Saturday night. New Delhi, Feb 19 : The financial assistance for the Rubber sector under the 'Sustainable & Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector' scheme has been increased by 23 per cent from Rs 576.41 crore to Rs 708.69 crore for the next two financial years (2024-25 and 2025-26), the Commerce and Industry Ministry said on Monday. It said that to support the rubber industry, planting of rubber will be undertaken in 12,000 hectares (ha) in traditional areas during 2024-25 and 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs 43.50 crore. "For this, the rate of assistance has been increased to Rs 40,000 per ha from the earlier Rs 25,000 per ha. This will help to cover the increased cost of production as well as provide additional incentive to growers for planting rubber," the ministry said. The ministry said that another 3.752 ha will be brought under rubber cultivation in non-traditional regions with an outlay of Rs 18.76 crore during the same period. "Planting materials worth Rs 50,000 per ha will be supplied by the Rubber Board. This will be over and above the plantation being carried out under the INROAD project in the North East. Planting assistance at Rs 2,00,000 per ha will be provided for SC growers in non-traditional regions," the ministry said. It added that sponsored nurseries will be promoted by the Board in non- traditional areas for generating good quality planting material (new component). Assistance will be provided at Rs 2,50,000 to 20 such nurseries. "The government is planning a slew of measures aimed at productivity enhancement of rubber produced. Towards this, support shall be provided for rain guarding in 67,000 Ha (60,000 in Traditional, 5000 in NT and 2000 in NE) area and plant protection (spraying) in 22,000 ha (20,000 in Traditional and 2000 in NT). An amount of Rs 35.60 crore is envisaged to be provided for this in the next two years," the ministry said. The ministry said that the scheme promotes forums of smallholders of rubber viz., Rubber Producers Societies (RPS) for empowerment of rubber growers. "In the next two years assistance will be provided for the formation of around 250 new RPSs. The scale of assistance has been increased from Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 and the same will help support farmer education, seminars, group meetings, capacity building activities, exposure visits, model farms and other activities for the overall benefit of stakeholders," the ministry said. It added that the formation of another 1450 farmer clusters will be supported in non-traditional and NE regions. "The mobilisation of rubber growers into Rubber Producers Societies will help in improving price realisation for the rubber produced by the growers," the ministry said. It said that an assistance of up to Rs 40,000 per RPS will be provided for latex collection and DRC testing equipment to 55 RPSs. "For farm mechanisation, RPSs will be supported for purchasing sprayer/ dusters. Support up to Rs 30,000 per RPS will be provided to 180 RPSs. To ensure quality and standardization of rubber sheets, setting up of Group Processing Centres (GPC) is being promoted. Construction of 18 GPCs will be supported in the North East and Non-Traditional regions," the ministry said. The ministry said that the construction of 10 GPCs will be supported in the traditional region. "The existing GPCs are proposed to be modernised through setting up Tunnel Smoke house, renovation of furnace, replacing of sheeting battery, overhauling of bio gas plant, Purchase of trolley racks, Pressure washer, Tetra pan and Solar Dripping Facility," the ministry said. It said that to fund rubber research, an outlay of Rs 29.00 crore has been provided for the next two years. "This will aim at developing rubber clones suitable for different agro-climatic regions of the country to expand rubber cultivation to new areas to meet the rising demand in the country," the ministry said. The ministry said that with a view to improving service delivery to rubber growers, the Rubber Board will intensify its digitisation efforts and provide fast and instant services through its mobile based apps as well use drones for geo-tagging etc. "An amount of Rs 8.91 crore has been provided for overall digitization of Rubber Board," the ministry said. It said that the establishment of three nodal centres of National Institute of Rubber training (NIRT) in NE region Agartala, Guwahati and Nagaland have been proposed with an outlay of Rs 5.25 crore in next two years, primarily to promote MSMEs in this region by imparting training in product manufacture and quality control. "During 2024-25 and 2025-26, a total of 712 training programmes are planned across the country which will benefit 10,700 individuals including 3800 persons in NE region," the ministry said. It said that the welfare measures are also being implemented to improve the quality of life of workers, to retain the existing tappers/workers and for attracting more tappers, particularly women tappers. "Various measures like Educational Stipend, Women empowerment schemes, Assistance for House construction, Group Life Insurance cum Terminal Benefit, Personal Accident Insurance Scheme and pension scheme have been provided for with an outlay of Rs 7.02 crore for the next two years," the ministry said. New Delhi: LDF's protest against the BJP-led Centre over alleged neglect and partiality in allocation of funds to their states. Image Source: IANS News Srinagar, Feb 19 : Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) President, Farooq Abdullah on Monday lashed out at Ghulam Nabi Azad, senior leader and President of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), accusing the later of distortion and lies. Reacting to Azad's interview in which he said that Farooq and his son, Omar had tried to forge an alliance with the BJP in 2014 and that the father and son sought meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Union Home Minister Amit Shah secretly, Farooq said, "I have always respected Azad Sahib and I am very sorry to see him making such statements. "If I have to meet the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, I will meet them during the day. Why should I meet them during the night? "Azad must remember that it was the NC that sent him to the Rajya Sabha. When he got the Rajya Sabha seat again, Mrs Gandhi had told Omar that this seat is reserved for Farooq Abdullah. "I was ill in London. I told Omar to tell Mrs Gandhi that I cannot accept the seat and it must be given to Ghulam Nabi Azad. "Azad Sahib must come clean on this and tell the people as to who is his agent sitting in the house of the Prime Minister and the home minister. And why is that agent giving him this wrong information". New Delhi, Feb 19 : The construction, inauguration, and restoration of its temples across the world is yet another testament to India building and deepening its ties with its 32 million-plus-strong diaspora and an estimated 1.2 billion Hindus across the world. Much before the British arrived in India and years after they left, the continuous migration of Hindus -- as traders, indentured labourers, skilled workers, and highly qualified professionals -- has given rise to several temples in the countries they settled in. It is estimated that there are around two million Hindu temples across the world and some of the noted ones include the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Prambanan temple in Indonesia, Nepal's Pashupatinath Temple, and Australia's Shiva Vishnu Temple. In Thailand, the construction of Hindu temples started in the third and fourth centuries AD with the earliest images of Lord Vishu being found, and in Vietnam, the Cham people built several Hindu temples. "There are temples not only in India and the Indian subcontinent but in many regions beyond," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had aptly said during his visit to Cambodia in 2022. Asserting that "our civilisation is not limited to India but is spread across countries", Jaishankar, in a way, suggested why it is important for the country to build as well as ensure the revival and restoration of temples across the world. According to Hindus, these places of worship are necessary to keep them and their coming generations rooted and connected to their culture, values, beliefs, and traditions. "Far away from my home and family, these temples to me are a source of strength and support," said Kajal Dhadwal, a mother of two, who has been living in Tanzania for more than 14 years. Living close to the Arusha city, she frequents the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and the ISKON centre there. As the number of Hindus across the world grow from strength to strength, so does their need for more places of worship. According to the External Affairs Ministry, the number of Indians who moved abroad for good was 2,25,620 in 2022 and 87,026 till June 2023. Bolstering this Hindu spirit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Abu Dhabias first Hindu temple, the BAPS Mandir on February 14. He stated in his address that the UAE has written a golden chapter and won the hearts of 140 crore Indians and that "this temple will be a symbol of communal harmony and unity of the world." The UAE has three other Hindu temples that are located in Dubai. The event came just weeks after he presided over the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Before this, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, the worldas largest Hindu temple constructed outside India, was inaugurated in the Robbinsville Township of New Jersey in October last year. In 2019, Modi launched a multi-million-dollar renovation project for the 200-year-old Shrinathji Temple in Bahrainas Manama. The demand for temples in foreign lands grows as they not only provide a place of worship but exhibit rich Indian architecture, sculptures, and scripture carvings on walls that get global recognition for the community in that country. As a soft power, countries realise that the construction of Hindu shrines will help strengthen their economy and tourism, in addition to boosting bilateral ties and better people-to-people contacts. Gurugram, Feb 19 : Social media influencer Akshat Shrivastava has accused the Max Hospital in Gurugram of hiking doctor's consultation fee and withdrawing senior citizen's waiver. The Youtuber in a post on X as well as on LinkedIn said that when his mother visited the hospital eight months ago, the doctors kept pushing her for more specialists' consultations. "Around eight months back, my mom went to the Max Hospital in Gurugram. After her tests she informed me: 'Senior citizens used to get 20 per cent off, now that is withdrawn'. "She was constantly pushed by the doctors to consult multiple super specialists (so more money for hospital due to these additional consultations)," Shrivastava said. He added that the "cost of check-up has also gone up. The consultation (depending on the doctor costs Rs 1,500-2,500)". "Max Healthcare periodically provides promotional discounts on specific offerings across its network. The discount cited by the patient may not have been applicable at the time of their inquiry," company spokesperson shared in an email statement with IANS. "Permanent discounts are not offered for any category. Patients are referred to appropriate specialists, on the basis of the doctor's evaluation of their medical condition. We strongly deny any charges of misconduct in this regard," the spokesperson added. Shrivastava said that both he and his mother "bought the stocks of Max Life. The stock is up 56 per cent in the last 6 months". "There is no point in cribbing about rising prices. Your only defence is to tag along with capitalists and make money. So that you can eventually pay them," the influencer said. Social media users made several comments on his post. "Multi-speciality hospitals in India have become a den of capitalism. Not just over expensive treatment, but also over priced parking, over priced food, over priced tests, over priced medicine shops. It's milking a patient at every step!" wrote one user on X. "There are 1 million problems in India. I say keep your head down and work smart, increase your salaries and earning, control your expenses and invest wisely (case in point above). Be happy," wrote another user. Los Angeles, Feb 19 : Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria have celebrated the 13th anniversary of their first meeting in New York City days before the 'Rust' trial is due to begin. The couple fell in love after meeting at Sarma Melngailis' New York restaurant Pure Food and Wine, reports 'Mirror.co.uk'. They tied the knot the following year and welcomed seven kids together. To celebrate the date he met the woman who would then become his wife, Baldwin, 65, shared a photo of the couple's wedding day with the caption, "February 18, 2011. Things were about to change in a big way. @bocartist and I roaming Irving Place. And who do I find there? I am more grateful for you than anything (sic)". As per 'Mirror.co.uk', Hilaria, who is an author, podcaster and yoga instructor, also paid tribute to her husband, celebrating 13 years since she first met him. The 40-year-old shared a mirror selfie of her with her first daughter, Carmen, as she wrote: "Date night with my first babyshe did both our makeup. How quickly they get big and how amazing it is to get to be inspired by them. Carmen, you are such a special souljust like your siblingsall unique and equally incredible. Met you today, 13 years ago, @alecbaldwininst. What a journey we have made." Earlier this month, Alec and Hilaria appeared downcast as they were spotted grabbing coffee in the NYC neighbourhood of Brooklyn before the Oscar-nominated actor went on to plead not guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter following the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust in 2021. A grand injury indicted the actor on involuntary manslaughter in January. Ahmedabad, Feb 19 : A massive fire broke out on Monday at the Palanpur Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Gujarat's Banaskantha district in which three shops were gutted, an official said. The fire that broke out at around 9.45 a.m. was brought under control at around 2.30 p.m. by four fire-tenders that were rushed to the market. No casualties were reported. Around five traders have suffered massive losses. Serving as a crucial hub, the Palanpur APMC supports the agricultural economy of not only Banaskantha, Mehsana, and Sabarkantha districts in Gujarat but also extends its reach to Saurashtra, Kutch, and even Rajasthan. The market is known for various agricultural products, including oilseeds, pulses, and spices. The rapid spread of the fire was attributed to cotton bags, although the initial cause remains under investigation, the official said. Jammu, Feb 19 : J&K administration has declared Jammu division as a "no drone zone" ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's one day visit to Jammu on February 20. Jammu, Feb 19 (IANS) J&K administration has declared Jammu division as a "no drone zone" ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's one day visit to Jammu on February 20. "In continuation to DPO Jammu's order issued under endorsement No. conf/24/6318-38 dated 14.02.2024 regarding declaration of District Jammu as no Drone Zone (Temporary red zone) on 20.02.2024 undersigned by virtue of section 22 (2) of notification of Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding Drone rules 2021- declare District Jammu as "no drone zone" (Temporary Red Zone) on 19.02.2024 from 1800 hours to 20.02.2024 till 2300 hours," an order by SSP Jammu reads. It said that in lieu of provision contained in Rule 49 of Drone Rules 2021, police can take cognisance of the contravention of Rule 22 and Rule 27 of drone rules 2021, which are cognisable and non-compoundable. Police have also beefed-up the security across the division and also passed on the strict instructions to the security officials. A container truck after ramming into the barrier on the Saigon Bridge, Feb. 19, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van A container truck rammed into a barrier on the Saigon Bridge on Monday, resulting in congestion for over 2 km. The container truck, driven by 44-year-old Nguyen Huu Loi, was moving towards downtown HCMC on the bridge at around 5 a.m. when it rammed into the barrier. The truck then blocked entire lanes. While the incident did not result in death or injuries, it did cause severe congestion on the Saigon Bridge and Vo Nguyen Giap Street. Thousands of vehicles could only inch forward as rush hour came, with many deciding to walk off the bridge to avoid the traffic jam, further worsening the situation. Traffic police officers were present at the scene to remove obstacles, but congestion persisted even at 9 a.m. due to the sheer number of vehicles entering downtown areas. Police recommended drivers to choose alternative routes and avoid gathering at the Saigon Bridge area. The bridge, spanning a kilometer, was built in 1958. It is the eastern entrance into HCMC, connecting the metropolis with other localities in northern and central Vietnam. As congestion is frequent in the area, the Saigon 2 Bridge was opened in 2013 in parallel with the original bridge to help relieve traffic. Agro experts see Neem as a forestry plantation option for India. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Feb 19 : The two-day Neem Summit & Global Neem Trade Fair that started here on Monday has identified neem as a plantation forestry option which would sustain the raw material requirements of industry. Experts are of the view that growing neem trees in the country becomes vital and calls for a national level mission as the Modi government is according high priority to promoting neem coated urea and neem-based health products. The neem summit has been organised in collaboration with lCAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi. AS many as 22 companies are participating in the trade fair from India and abroad who showcased their products. The seminar is being attended by nearly 250 participants, including 10 from overseas. The theme of the seminar is Neem for sustainable Agriculture, health and Environment. The participants highlighted the importance of Neem in human wellbeing. The two-day program has about 7 technical sessions to deliberate on various technical matters pertaining to neem research and development for society and industry. The Souvenir, WNO Calendar and Technical Bulletin titled "Neem Field Gene Bank - Provisioning Opportunities for Conservation and Utilization" were released followed by WNO Documentary launch. The event began with the opening of the Trade Fair by Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR Dr Himanshu Pathak. WNO president B.N. Vyas welcomed the guests. Awards for outstanding contributions were also presented at the event. --IANS sps/dan New Delhi, Feb 19 : The 12th edition of the Naval exercise 'Milan' began on Monday in which more than 50 nations are taking part. According to the Ministry of Defence, the theme of Milan this is year is 'Forging Naval Alliances for a Secure Maritime Future'. The Indian Navy said that LCA Tejas 'Flying Bullets' of IAF announced their grand arrival at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam, for Milan 2024, hosted by the Sunrise Command of the Indian Navy. Two aircraft carriers -- INS Vikrant and Vikramaditya -- will take part in the exercise. "The exercise is a testament to the unbreakable bond between our armed forces across air and sea," the Navy said. Commenting on the joint naval exercise, the French forces deployed in the Indian Ocean and stationed in the UAE said, "Twenty-five years of strategic partnerships, lots of bilateral exercises and operational activities, and once again France and India come together for a multinational maritime exercise -- MILAN 24 -- with a maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique 2. Thanks to Indian Navy for the invite." The Ministry of Defence said that the exercise aims to strengthen the collaboration among the participating navies. One maritime patrol aircraft and 15 ships from friendly foreign countries, and nearly 20 ships from the Indian Navy will participate in the sea exercise. Nearly 50 aircraft, including MiG 29K and P8I, along with aircraft carriers Vikrant and Vikramaditya will also participate in the exercise. The 12th edition of the MILAN exercise will continue till February 27. The exercise aims to provide a platform for the participating navies to share ideas to enhance security on the high seas and ensure safety of maritime commerce for growth and prosperity of all, an official said. During the sea phase from February 24-27, the participating navies will conduct advanced air defence, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare drills. Gunnery shoots on aerial and surface targets, manoeuvres and underway replenishment would also be conducted. Chandigarh, July 6 (IANS) After Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ruled out relaxation in the 14-day home quarantine for domestic travellers, the process of e-registration for all those wishing to travel to the state has been made mandatory from Monday . Image Source: IANS News Chandigarh, Feb 19 : Ahead of the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP leader and two-time Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Monday that he is in favour of an alliance of his party with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), once a long-time partner of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Amarinder Singh claimed in an interview with a news channel that even Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar is in favour of the alliance. "I will also discuss this issue with the Prime Minister," the veteran politician said. Regarding distribution of seats between both the parties, he said the matter would be discussed by the high command. "If the BJP and the Akali Dal come together, no one can defeat us," he said. On the demands of the protesting farmers, including the legal provision of the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, Amarinder Singh said he would discuss them and other issues related to the state with the Prime Minister. Amarinder Singh's assertion came days after the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) announced the termination of its alliance with the SAD in Punjab. In the last Assembly polls held in 2022, the number SAD legislators in the 117-member House was reduced to three, down from its tally of 15 seats in 2017, its lowest-ever number. Amarinder Singh and Jakhar, both former Congress leaders, are prominent rebels. Snapping over two-decade long ties, the Akali Dal pulled out of the National Democratic Alliance in September 2020 after sharp differences emerged over the now-repealed three controversial farm laws. The Akali Dal was one of the oldest allies of the BJP. It was among the first to support the 13-day Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, the shortest Prime Minister's stint in India's history, in 1996. To rebuild the beleaguered Akali Dal and prevent further exodus of leaders, SAD chief Sukhbir Badal, who was known as the 'Super Chief Minister' when the party was at the helm, is on his toes. His wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who held the portfolio of Food Processing Industry in both the Modi-led Central governments, is raking up state-specific issues in the Parliament. The husband-wife duo won the parliamentary polls in 2019. Supporting the cause of the farmers, Harsimrat Kaur demanded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) bring in legislation guaranteeing MSP for all the 23 crops in the forthcoming budget session in case the Centre doesn't do so. Talking to the media in Bathinda, her constituency, Harsimrat Kaur said, "The Chief Minister is on record to have promised to implement the MSP regime for all 23 crops. In case the Centre does not do this, (Chief Minister) Bhagwant Mann should bring in appropriate legislation to make this a reality in Punjab." She also requested the farm unions to put pressure on the Chief Minister to make good on his promise. Also accusing the Chief Minister of colluding with the Haryana government to stop the farmers from marching to Delhi, the Bathinda MP said, "If Bhagwant Mann cared for the farmers, he would have faced the drones and rubber bullets first instead of letting the farmers fall victim to them." Pune, Feb 19 : In a shocking incident, at least four ruffians poured petrol on a woman and attempted to set her ablaze after a major ruckus over a parking spot in Kharadi area of the city, barely a fortnight after the Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar carried out multiple parades of notorious criminals, officials said here on Monday. The chilling incident occurred late on Saturday night, around 9 pm, when the woman, Varsha Gaikwad, was present when her landlord, Mahesh Raje had parked his car at the dispute spot. Just then, at least a dozen goons suddenly vroomed there on four-five two-wheelers, and accosted them. As per CCTV footage of the vicinity of that night, the toughies were armed with sticks and had covered their faces with scarves to hide their identity. Taking strong objections to the parked vehicle there, they started clobbering it with sticks and then set it on fire, and also torched another scooter parked there. As the terrified woman ran from the spot, they threw petrol on her, ostensibly to set her ablaze, but she managed to reach the safety of her home and remained bolted inside. They assaulted Gaikwad's landlord, Mahesh Raje, who later lodged a complaint with the Chandan Nagar Police Station which swung into action. On Sunday, the police teams managed to nab four persons, Akash S. Sode, 23, Suraj R. Borude, 24, Nayan N. Gaikwad, 19, and Vishal Sasane, 20, while Dhiraj D. Sapate, the main accused and a history sheeter, is reported to be still absconding. "The victim woman (Gaikwad) is unharmed the prime accused Sapate was earlier arrested and had been released on a bond of good behaviour under Sec. 110 of CrPC. Further investigations in the case are on," Chandan Nagar Police Station Senior Police Inspector Manisha Patil told IANS. The latest incident came just a fortnight after the new Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar on February 6-7 had summoned over 700 local mafia dons, their associates and operatives, history-sheeters, muggers, drug-peddlers and others to instill public confidence in the law-enforcers. Mandi : , Feb 19 (IANS) Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have conducted a comprehensive study on the detrimental effects of indoor air pollution resulting from traditional cooking practices in rural kitchens across three northeastern states. The study, in collaboration with Institut National de Recherche et de Securite (INRS), France, and the National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), India, analysed the extent and consequences of harmful emissions produced during indoor cooking using firewood and mixed biomass. "Our study combines real-world aerosol measurements in rural kitchens with dosimetry modeling to robustly estimate the impact of cooking emissions on the respiratory tract," said Dr. Sayantan Sarkar, Assistant Professor, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, IIT-Mandi, in a statement. "It is the first effort to estimate disease burdens caused by exposure to indoor cooking emissions in India in terms of potential years of life lost. The study also measures for the first time the potential for oxidative stress resulting from such exposure in the Indian context, and quantifies the additional risk that biomass users face compared to those who use the cleaner alternative LPG," he added. In a series of three papers, published in two journals a" Science of the Total Environment and Environmental Pollution, the study showed that over 50 per cent of the rural population in Northeastern India (especially states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya) continues to use traditional solid fuels such as firewood and mixed biomass for cooking, leading to the release of significant pollutants into the kitchen air. The research aimed to gauge the severity and disease burden associated with the use of biomass cooking fuel compared to LPG-based cooking. The researchers measured size-resolved concentrations of aerosols -- particles suspended in the air, and toxic trace metals and carcinogenic organic substances bound with it, during cooking with firewood, mixed biomass, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas. They modeled the deposition patterns of these particles and associated chemicals in various sections of the human respiratory system. The resulting inhalation exposure to these chemicals during cooking was then calculated. Utilising this data, the researchers estimated the health impact (disease burden) on the rural northeast India's population, focusing on respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pneumonia, and various cancers, using the 'Potential Years of Life Lost' (PYLL) metric. This metric estimates the potential number of years lost in a population due to premature death from ill health. The study revealed that exposure to harmful aerosols in firewood/biomass-using kitchens was 2-19 times higher than in LPG-using kitchens, with respiratory deposition ranging from 29 to 79 per cent of the total aerosol concentration. The fraction of population using firewood and mixed biomass faced 2-57 times higher disease burdens than LPG users. Furthermore, the research found that the potential for oxidative stress, which leads to damaged cells, proteins, and DNA, was likely to be 4-5 times higher among people using biomass in kitchens than those using LPG. This stress is driven by the inhalation of metals and organic chemicals produced during indoor cooking using biomass fuel. This research holds practical implications, emphasising the urgent need for rural communities in the northeast to make a transition to cleaner cooking methods. Recommendations include making LPG more accessible, improving cookstove programmes, spreading awareness in rural areas, funding local solutions, and organising health camps for rural women. --IANS rvt/pgh London, Feb 19 : The crew of a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden abandoned its ship after an attack claimed by Houthi rebels of Yemen, authorities said, according to a media report. A Houthi military spokesman said that Rubymar, the Belize-flagged, British-registered cargo ship, was at risk of sinking after being hit by missiles, BBC reported. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said an unnamed ship was abandoned off Yemen after being damaged by a blast. Lloyd's List Intelligence reported that the Rubymar was hit by two missiles, BBC reported. The Iran-backed Houthis have launched dozens of missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November, in what they say is a show of support for the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The attacks have prompted many shipping companies to stop using the critical waterway, which accounts for about 12 per cent of global seaborne trade. In response, US and British forces began carrying out air strikes on targets across Houthi-controlled western Yemen last month. British maritime security firm Ambrey separately reported that a Belize-flagged, British-registered and Lebanese-operated cargo ship had come under attack in the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Sunday as it sailed northwards, BBC reported. Hyderabad, Feb 19 : Merit candidates from the 2008 District Selection Committee (DSC) exams reached Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's residence on Monday, to draw his attention to their long-pending demand for appointment as government teachers. Hyderabad, Feb 19 (IANS) Merit candidates from the 2008 District Selection Committee (DSC) exams reached Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddyas residence on Monday, to draw his attention to their long-pending demand for appointment as government teachers. Over 200 candidates gathered outside the Chief Ministeras house in Jubilee Hills. They demanded that the government should follow the orders of the Telangana High Court and initiate their recruitment as secondary grade teachers. As the Chief Minister was not at home, the candidates submitted a memorandum to an official, who assured that a report would be presented to the Chief Minister within two days after a review. The Telangana High Court recently has directed the state government to appoint them. Mega DSC was conducted in united Andhra Pradesh in 2008 to appoint 35,000 Secondary Grade Teachers (SGTs). Initially, it was declared that both B.Ed and D.Ed candidates will be qualified. Later 30 per cent of the posts were reserved only for D.Ed candidates. As many as 3,500 B.Ed candidates could not get the jobs and have since been fighting for justice. Of them 1,200 candidates belong to Telangana. The candidates say that though the Supreme Court pronounced an order in their favour in 2013, the successive governments in united Andhra Pradesh and later in Telangana failed to implement it. They alleged that despite assurances and promises by the previous BRS government, justice was not done to them. In 2022, the High Court had directed the government to provide regular jobs to them or appoint them on contract basis as done by the Andhra Pradesh government. The candidates said the High Court last week once again ruled in their favour. They hoped that the new Congress government would finally do justice to them. Hyderabad, Feb 19 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday directed the officials to start Musi Riverfront development work at the earliest. He held a review of the Musi Riverfront Development Project with officials. During the review meeting held at Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) office at Nanakramguda, the officials told the Chief Minister about the location sketch of Musi river boundaries and other important details. The CM directed the officials to complete the exercise to start the Musi Riverfront development project at the earliest. The officials have been asked to clean up the entire Musi river before starting the work. Revanth Reddy ordered the officials to prepare the Musi river development plans in such a way that all the historical structures along the river in the city are connected. He also suggested dividing the work between the officials to take up the work at a fast pace. During his visit to London and Dubai last month, the Chief Minister inspected the riverfront projects. He had also held special meetings with representatives of foreign companies, design, planning, architecture firms and consultancy experts in Dubai. Earlier, the state government said reputed companies from all over the world have evinced interest in executing the project. Top officials of Meinhardt Group, a global planning, engineering and project management company, had called on Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad on February 6. New Delhi, Feb 19 : A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), and DBS Bank here on Monday to spread safety messages among investors. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs said that as per the MoU, DBS Bank aims to support IEPFA's investor awareness activities by disseminating safety messages via its various digital platforms. "Leveraging DBS Bank's extensive network of branches and ATMs in 19 Indian states, as well as its digital infrastructure, will significantly increase the reach of IEPFA's investor awareness and protection messages to the end users," the ministry said. Anita Shah Akella, Joint Secretary, MCA, and CEO of the IEPFA, underscored the objectives behind the signing of the MoU and emphasised the proactive approach adopted by the IEPFA to engage with users through various channels, aiming to enhance responsiveness regarding the authority's mandate through its awareness initiatives. She highlighted a discernible surge in claim filings as a testament to these efforts and noted the IEPFA's commitment to efficiently address the increased volume of claims, surpassing previous records by settling a higher number of claims for rightful claimants. IEPFA administers the Investor Education and Protection Fund for making refunds of shares, unclaimed dividends, and matured deposits/debentures to investors. The MoU, formalising collaboration between the IEPF Authority and DBS Bank, was carried under the leadership of Lt. Col. Tushar Anand, General Manager of the IEPF Authority, and Rajiv Bagga, Executive Director, and India Head of Government Business at DBS Bank. Previously, IEPFA has also signed MoUs with the Bank of Baroda and ICICI Bank for similar activities. --IANS sps/dan Imphal, Feb 19 : Manipur government offices in tribal dominated Churachandpur and neighbouring Pherzawl districts witnessed thin attendance on Monday despite government's warning to take action if the staff go on unauthorised absence responding to the call of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF). The ITLF, an apex body of tribals in Manipur -- issued a 'public notice' announcing that all state government offices located in the Churachandpur district will remain closed on Monday 19 until further notice. The ITLF called the shutdown, demanding withdrawal of the suspension of a policeman, who was reportedly seen with armed men in a video grab. Some employees went to the offices but later returned after finding that most of their colleagues remained absent. Educational, health and financial institutions, markets, private and commercial establishments, however, remained open and they were not affected as these are out of the purview of the shutdown. Offices wore a deserted look in Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts, inhabited mostly by Kuki-Zo tribal community people. Manipur government Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi on Sunday in an order directed all government employees to attend offices and in case of any violation of the orders, the person concerned without any exception shall be booked and prosecuted under relevant provision of law of land for the time being in force. "No work, no pay' norms shall also be enforced by all the state government offices/institutions against those employees who do not attend their official duty without authorised leave. All Central and state government authorities and management authorities of institutions/ establishment/autonomous bodies are also advised to ensure strict attendance of staff and students as usual," the order said. The Chief Secretary said that all District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of all districts shall take up necessary action to enforce the orders. The ITLF in a 'public notice' gave an ultimatum to cancel the suspension order of the head constable Siamlalpaul and the replacement of Churachandpur district Superintendent of Police Shivanand Surve and the Deputy Commissioner S. Dharun Kumar. "All state government employees from Churachandpur district should abstain from going to office. If anyone is seen at the office, they would be held accountable if something unfortunate were to happen to them," it said. The northeastern state has been devastated for the past over nine months killing over 180 people, injuring over 1300 and displacing over 70,000 people of both communities. TO ACCESS THIS CONTENT YOU MUST OPEN A SESSION OR CREATE AN ACCOUNT MEMBER LOGIN CREATE YOUR USER ACCOUNT Secretary Granholm Leads U.S. Delegation Advancing Global Cooperation on Energy Security through Clean Energy Transitions, Promoting IRA and BIL S. . . National Plan of Action for Conservation of Sharks to be adopted soon. Image Source: IANS News Kochi, Feb 19 : India is poised to adopt the National Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Sharks (NPOA). On Monday, a meeting was jointly organised by the Department of Fisheries, the Central government and the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) in which feedback from all stakeholder was taken paving the way for NPOA implementation. The draft of the NPOA outlines key priorities for effectively managing and conserving shark populations in Indian waters. Discussions at the meeting cantered on these critical areas, ensuring a comprehensive and actionable plan. These areas include legal framework, capacity building, data collection, scientific research, regulation of fishing, biodiversity and ecological considerations, and regional cooperation. The proposed plan also envisages enactment of law for waters between 12 and 200 nautical miles, implementation of log book system, awareness building among fishermen, encouraging fishermen to follow gear regulations and bycatch reduction measures among many others. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary to the Department of Fisheries said developing NPOA is vital for the sustainability of the shark fishery. "We've engaged extensively with fisher associations, research bodies, and NGOs to create a comprehensive plan. The plan is expected to improve India's understanding of its shark population and the communities dependent on it. This knowledge will equip the government with the tools to make informed decisions on shark fisheries and conservation in the country," said Prasad. P Krishnan, Director of BOBP said that the plan aims to promote sustainable fishing practices, ensuring the long-term health of both shark populations and the fisheries sector. "This will help support coastal communities by facilitating the development of alternative livelihood as more than two lakh people in India earn over 50 per cent of their livelihood on shark fisheries," Krishnan said. He said that the NPOA plays a crucial role in regulating India's substantial involvement in the global shark trade. "This includes guaranteeing compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and actively combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities", said Krishnan. Kochi, Feb 19 : Veteran Congress Lok Sabha member K. Muraleedharan on Monday categorically ruled out the possibility of the BJP opening its account in Kerala in the upcoming general elections. "No matter whatever they do, the BJP will not be able to cross the Tamil Nadu border and enter Kerala," said Muraleedharan, the son of eminent Congress leader late K. Karunakaran. "It is fine for PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to visit Kerala. Each time they wave their hands to our people, they also respond by waving back. But that's all. Nothing beyond can be achieved by the BJP in Kerala," Muraleedharan said. Muraleedharan represents the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency in Kozhikode district, where he defeated popular CPI-M leader P. Jayarajan by a margin of over 84,000 votes in 2019. There are speculation that CPI-M has cleared the name of its high-profile former Health Minister and senior party legislator K.K. Shailaja for the seat this time. The BJP doesn't have any member representing Kerala in the Lok Sabha, nor does it have any representation in the 140-member state Assembly. Kochi, Feb 19 : Veteran CPI-M leader and former Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Monday again did not appear before the ED in the Kerala High Court in the masala bonds case. However, Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) has agreed to appear before the court in the same case. On Monday, the Court pointed out that they will ensure that there will be no arrest nor will any one be put under duress. Isaacas counsel said that there was no need for him to appear. However, ED in its response said that Isaac is the main person who knows everything about the masala bond case and that is why he must appear before the court. The ED informed the court that he will not be arrested and the entire questioning will be filmed and will be brought to the court. Meanwhile, the counsel of KIIFB has informed the court that the CEO will not be able to appear but another top official will appear before ED on the 27th and 28th of this month. The ED has agreed to the KIIFB appeal. The court then issued the orders to Isaac asking him to appear before the court on March 8. Isaac has so far been served five notices to appear before the ED but has not turned up. New Delhi, Feb 19 : A Delhi court on Monday issued an notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in anticipatory bail plea by AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in connection with the Waqf Board money laundering case. Special Judge Rakesh Syal of Rouse Avenue Court issued the notice to the ED and scheduled a further hearing on Tuesday. Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, representing Khan, argued and requested interim protection, but the court declined to grant the relief. Guruswamy pointed out that Khan had been summoned in connection with a money laundering case. She contested the issue of two FIRs being filed regarding the same case, with the first FIR dated November 23, 2016, filed by the CBI. The allegation was related to Khan's alleged wrongful appointment as chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board. Guruswamy pointed out the principle of criminal law that prohibits two FIRs for one cause, noting that the second FIR was based on the same allegations as the first, despite the closure of the matter by the agency, terming it as administrative irregularities. She also pointed out that previous bail orders in both cases concluded that there was no loss to the exchequer, as there was no evidence of bribery or recovery of proceeds of crime. Regarding allegations of irregularities in the recruitment of contractual employees, Guruswamy stated that previous bail orders concluded that there was no evidence of loss to the exchequer, attributing the issues to administrative irregularities. She mentioned that Khan had already complied with three sets of summons, including submitting his mobile phone, and requested the court to grant him protection until the next hearing date. The court directed Khan to appear before the ED and considered the request for protection until the next hearing date. Recently, Khan withdrew from the Delhi HC his plea challenging the summons issued by the ED. On February 1, the court had refused to stay the summons, and had earlier refused to give immediate relief to Khan against the summons, saying that relief cannot be sought at the last minute. Khan had challenged the constitutional validity of Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and has also sought a directive to quash the cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) and the ED. The bench had refused to issue notice on Khan's plea challenging the FIR registered by ACB, and the summons and investigation in the matter. "While adjourning the matter at the request of the counsel appearing for the petitioner, it is made clear that neither the court has issued notice in the petition nor any interim order has been granted," the court had said. Special Judge Rakesh Syal, of the Rouse Avenue Courts, had recently taken cognisance of an ED charge sheet filed in the case. The ED had filed the charge sheet against Zeeshan Haider, his partnership firm Skypower, Javed Imam Siddiqui, Dawood Nasir, and Qausar Imam Siddiqui. The case pertains to a property worth Rs 36 crore being allegedly acquired with illicit funds, purportedly influenced by Khan, who reportedly handed over Rs 8 crore in cash. Questioned about Khan's role, the ED's counsel had said that further investigation related to others is ongoing. Counsel had submitted that the accusations in the predicate offence pertain to irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board, where Khan was allegedly involved in corrupt practices, including misappropriation of Rs 100 crore and providing jobs. During the investigation, the ED considered FIRs filed earlier by the CBI, ACB, and the Delhi Police. The ACB sought a PMLA investigation against Khan, alleging properties were acquired in Delhi, Telangana, and Uttarakhand with alleged ill-gotten money. Searches at premises owned by Hamid Ali Khan and Qausar Imam Siddiqui revealed incriminating evidence and illegal weapons. The recovered diaries suggested high-value transactions between Khan and Javed Imam Siddiqui, including the purchase of the Rs 36 crore plot in Tikona Park, Okhla. The court was informed that an agreement to sell off Rs 36 crore, recovered from the accused's mobile, was manipulated, indicating tampering with evidence. The ED said that the property was bought at Khan's behest, and the court was presented with evidence of Rs 27 crore cash transaction, making it a compelling case to summon the accused persons. New Delhi, Feb 19 : The Supreme Court on Monday held that the Election Commission's order dated February 7 granting the name 'Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar' to the faction led by Sharad Pawar will remain valid until further order. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and K.V. Viswanathan directed the Ajit Pawar-led faction to respond to Sharad Pawar's plea challenging the Election Commission's February 7 order, which recognised the group led by Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister as the official Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The bench granted Sharad Pawar the liberty to approach the Election Commission for allocation of the party symbol and directed the poll panel to allocate it within one week of receiving the application. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sharad Pawar, said that the Election Commission's February 7 order was an interim arrangement made for the Rajya Sabha elections until February 27, leaving their group without a name or symbol ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly session scheduled to start from February 26. The plea arraying Ajit Pawar as respondent was filed by Sharad Pawar on February 12 through advocate Abhishek Jebaraj. The Ajit Pawar side has already filed a caveat last week, saying that it should be heard before the top court proceeds to pass any order. A caveat serves as a notice submitted to an appellate court by a litigant who wishes to be heard in case any orders are issued regarding an opponent's appeal that challenges the decision made by the lower judicial or quasi-judicial body. Delivering the verdict on the disqualification petitions filed by both rival NCP factions after the party split in June 2023, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar ruled last Thursday that the faction led by Ajit Pawar is the 'reala NCP. The NCP split in July last year, with a faction led by Ajit Pawar rebelling against his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar to join the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra. After that, both sides laid claim to the party name and symbol. Kolkata, Feb 19 : In a latest development, a reporter working with the Bengali news channel Republic Bangla, who was filing ground reports from the trouble-ridden Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district since the time tension broke out there last week, was arrested by the police late on Monday evening. Although the state police have not yet revealed the exact charges against Santu Pan, the arrested reporter, sources said that he was held while reporting from Sandeshkhali on Monday evening following a complaint of trespassing filed against him and his cameraman by a local woman. Basirhat DSP Hossain Mehdi Rehman told mediapersons that the complainant claimed that the reporter along with his cameraman trespassed into her residence and started recording, for which she was not prepared. Santu Pan will be presented before a lower court in Basirhat on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the opposition leaders in the state have criticised the ruling Trinamool Congress for the arrest, describing it as an unprecedented attack on the media. State BJP President Sukanta Majumdar said the arrest shows how desperate the state government is to suppress the incidents of Sandeshkhali. "This is a massive, inhuman and direct attack on the fourth pillar of democracy," he said. State Congress leader and advocate in the Calcutta High Court, Kaustav Bagchi, said it is proved that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cannot tolerate the slightest of adverse coverage or criticism against her government. "She wants everyone to praise her and her government. Those who don't will face the wrath of the state administration through its police," Bagchi said. Naushad Siddique, the lone AISF representative in the state Assembly, decried the arrest and said that such an unprecedented attack on the media was unheard of In West Bengal. Hyderabad, Feb 19 : RenewSys India Pvt Ltd plans to set up multiple PV modules and PV Cell manufacturing units in Telangana, with an investment of about Rs 6,000 crore in a phased manner. The company on Monday has signed an MoU with the Industries Department of Telangana. The investment of Rs.6,000 crore is expected to generate direct employment to 11,000 people over the next five years, said an official release. The MoU was signed in the presence of Minister for Industrial and Commerce D. Sridhar Babu in their factory premises at Fab City, Maheshwaram near here. RenewSys has set up Indiaas first integrated manufacturing facility of solar PV modules and its key components a" encapsulants, backsheets, and PV cells. It currently has three manufacturing plants in India - in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Patalganga with Hyderabad factory being their largest integrated facility. As part of the MoU, the company will set up two new lines of 1 GW each (solar PV modules) during FY24 with an investment of Rs 500 crore. It will set up one new line of 1 GW capacity (solar PV cells) with an investment of Rs 1,250 crore in FY 25. The company plans to invest Rs 550 crore in a solar PV modules project comprising two new lines of 1 GW each. The timeline for this component is the start of FY 27. Another Rs 1,750 crore will be invested in a solar PV cells manufacturing facility (two new lines of 1 GW capacity each). RenewSys also plans to set up an aluminium plant with an investment of Rs 1,700 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in FY29. RenewSys is the renewable energy arm of the Enpee Group, an international conglomerate established in 1961, with a heritage of manufacturing excellence. It has offices in key markets, including Mauritius, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, and UAE and it has successfully exported PV products to nearly 50 countries worldwide. Since initiating manufacturing operations of PV Modules and Cells in Hyderabad, in 2015, RenewSys has achieved an impressive 20-fold revenue increase. The Company plans to maintain its focus on keeping the Hyderabad unit as its single largest manufacturing hub and expects encouraging stale-level incentives to accelerate its investment and expansion plans in the region. RenewSys began within a Special Economic Zone in Hyderabad and is currently in the process of denotification with the help of Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC). INDUS-X Summit to be held on Feb 20 in Delhi. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Feb 19 : Ministry of Defence on Monday said that the much-anticipated INDUS-X Summit will be held in New Delhi on February 20. "The summit is a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts between India and the U.S. in defence innovation," the ministry said. The ministry said that the summit was organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, and U.S. Department of Defence (DoD). "It is being organised in conjunction with the US-India Business Council and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM). The summit aims to be a pivotal event driving strategic technology partnerships and defence industrial cooperation between India and the U.S," the ministry said. The ministry said that the two-day catalyst summit will feature a dynamic line-up of activities designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange. "The Joint INDUS X challenge winners under the IMPACT will be felicitated during the event," the ministry said. The ministry said that the INDUS-X Summit represents a pivotal moment for advancing defence innovation and collaboration between India and the U.S, setting the stage for future technological advancements and strategic partnerships. Chandigarh, Feb 19 : Punjab's Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday dared Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Cultural Affairs Minister Anmol Gagan Maan to fulfill promises by providing a minimum support price (MSP) on 22 crops. "Before the Assembly Elections in 2022 both of them had vowed to provide MSPs at 22 crops once the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) managed to form the government in the state. It's been two years since AAP formed the government, and the government must fulfil its long-pending commitment," Congress leader Bajwa added. He said Anmol Gagan Maan had categorically said AAP would provide the MSP within five minutes of forming the government. Similarly, Bhagwant Mann had challenged then Congress Chief Minister to leave the position if he was unable to give the MSP on 22 crops. "Now they owe an explanation to the people of Punjab about what stopped them from fulfilling their promise. At a time when farmers of Punjab have been struggling to cross the Haryana border to protest in Delhi with the demand for the MSP, the AAP must fufill its own promise," Bajwa added. The Opposition leader said since the BJP-led Union government seemed reluctant to legalise the MSP, instead of intervening in meetings between farmers' unions and the Central government, Mann should simply announce the MSP. Bengaluru, Feb 19 : A Special Court in Karnataka Special Court on Monday has set the dates for the handover of gold, diamond, silver and ruby jewelry, and other valuables worth crores of rupees -- belonging to late Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa -- to the Tamil Nadu government, an official said. These items were seized by authorities in connection with the disproportionate assets case. Judge H.A. Mohan, presiding over the court, has scheduled March 6 and March 7 to complete the process of the hand-over of jewelry. Two officials from the Tamil Nadu government have been assigned to receive the jewels, and the authorities have been instructed to bring five trunks for this purpose. The Tamil Nadu government has submitted to the court that the Secretary of the Home Department and the Inspector General of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) will be present during the handover procedure. Additionally, a videographer and photographer will also be present, and security will be provided at the City Civil Court on both days. It has been brought to the court's attention that the Tamil Nadu government still owes a fee of Rs 5 crore for the expenses incurred in conducting the disproportionate assets case. The trial was conducted in Karnataka as per the Supreme Court's directive. Currently, all relevant evidence is held in the Karnataka treasury under the court's custody. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids against Jayalalithaa in 1996, and a charge sheet was submitted in 1997. Jayalalithaa passed away in 2016. The court had previously ruled that Jayalalithaa's family is not entitled to the properties confiscated by the state. The decision came in response to a petition filed by J. Deepa and J. Deepak, the niece and nephew of Jayalalithaa, respectively, who summoned the Tamil Nadu government in this regard. On September 27, 2014, the Special Court in Bengaluru sentenced Jayalalithaa to four years of imprisonment, imposing a fine of Rs 100 crore. RTI activist T. Narasimha Murthy filed a plea seeking compensation for the amount spent by the Karnataka government in this case through the auction of seized items. The court rejected the auction and directed the transfer of seized items to the government of Tamil Nadu. TO ACCESS THIS CONTENT YOU MUST OPEN A SESSION OR CREATE AN ACCOUNT MEMBER LOGIN CREATE YOUR USER ACCOUNT The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from Anne Reynolds, ACP Vice President for Offshore Wind, after the Depart. . . Imphal, Feb 19 : Government offices in the tribal-dominated Churachandpur and neighbouring Pherzawl districts in Manipur witnessed thin attendance on Monday despite the state government's warning to take action against the absentee staff following a shutdown call given by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF). The ITLF, an apex body of tribals in Manipur, had issued a 'public notice' directing all the state government offices located in the Churachandpur district to remain closed on Monday until further notice. On Monday night, however, the ITLF lifted the shutdown. "In the interest of the general public, the closure of state government offices will be lifted immediately," the tribal body said in a statement. It added: "ITLF regrets the incident that took place on the evening of February 15, which happened without our knowledge. We urge the people to refrain from engaging in such aggressive behaviour going forward. Anyone who engages in such hostile behaviour in the future will be held responsible for their actions and will have to bear the repercussions on their own." The Manipur government has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the mob violence that was witnessed in Churachandpur district on February 15. At least two people were killed and 30 others were injured in firing by security forces on February 15 after a mob attacked, ransacked properties and damaged a government complex that houses the offices of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent the of Police. The ITLF had given the shutdown call demanding withdrawal of the suspension of a policeman, who was reportedly seen with the armed men in a video grab. Meanwhile on Monday, some employees went to their offices, but later returned home after finding that most of their colleagues remained absent. Educational, health and financial institutions, markets, private and commercial establishments, however, remained open as these were out of the purview of the shutdown. The offices wore a deserted look in Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts, inhabited mostly by Kuki-Zo tribal community people. Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi had on Sunday directed all government employees to attend their offices or be booked and prosecuted under the relevant provisions of law. The ITLF in its 'public notice' gave an ultimatum to cancel the suspension order of head constable Siamlalpaul and the replacement of Churachandpur SP Shivanand Surve and DC S. Dharun Kumar. "All the state government employees in Churachandpur district should abstain from going to office. If anyone is seen at the office, they will be held accountable if something unfortunate happen to them," it said. Gandhinagar, Feb 20 : An international delegation led by Luis Benveniste, World Bank's Global Director of Education, visited the Vidya Samiksha Kendra here on Monday. Praful Pansheriya, Gujarat's Minister of Education, highlighted the significance of the visit, stating that representatives from over 20 countries were present to learn about the center's operations. The delegation comprised around 65 members, including education ministers and dignitaries from the Central African Republic, Guinea, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Lyon. Pansheriya also emphasised Gujarat's commitment to education and the effective implementation of the nation's New Education Policy, with support from the World Bank, to extend educational reforms to other African countries. Vidya Samiksha Kendra, known as the nation's first comprehensive online real-time monitoring center for school education, has attracted attention from Prime Ministers, international dignitaries, and experts worldwide for its pivotal role in transforming the education sector. The World Bank has recognised the centre as a global best practice, recommending its approach to other developing nations. Notably, Janet Yellen, the US Secretary of the Treasury, and Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, also visited last August, affirming the international interest in this innovative educational initiative. Bengaluru, Feb 19 : Karnataka Minister for Housing, Wakf and Minority Welfare B. Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan on Monday asked BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil why should he release funds to his constituency after he had made anti-minority remarks. BJP MLA Yatnal -- in the ongoing debate in the Assembly -- said that Vijayapura constituency constitutes of 1.20 lakh minority people and the funds have not been released. Responding to his question, Khan said, "Do you (Patil) want money? Will you work for Muslims in your constituency? After getting elected as an MLA, you has said that any person wearing Burqa or skull cap should not come to your office. On what basis should I release funds to your constituency?" Minister Khan asked. Khan said that in Patil's constituency the Muslims are in more numbers. "Since Patil has said that he will not work for Muslims, how am I supposed to release funds? If he says that he will not carry out the work, I will take over the responsibility of executing the work myself in his constituency," Khan said. He said that the action plan has been prepared for Rs 1,000 crore to develop the Muslim colonies. "So far, only Rs 167 crore has been released. For Vijayendra's constituency Rs 5 crore has been released and for LoP R. Ashoka's constituency Rs 5 crore has been allotted as well. Funds for 29 BJP MLAs and 8 JD (S) MLAs have also been released," Khan said. Chandigarh, Feb 19 : In a setback, farm union leaders on Monday rejected the Centre's proposal of buying pulses, maize and cotton at minimum support price (MSP) by government agencies for five years, saying it was not in farmers' interest. The announcement was made by farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal at the Punjab-Haryana's Shambhu border in Patiala district after holding a meeting. A panel of three Union ministers -- Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai -- on Sunday gave a proposal to the farmers during the fourth round of talks in Chandigarh. Soon after the fourth round of talks concluded on Monday night, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "We will discuss proposals given by the Centre with fellow farmers, take the opinions of experts." The crops which the Centre has proposed to buy on assured MSP include three pulses -- arhar, tur and urad, besides cotton and maize. It is proposed that the central agencies such as the NCCF, NAFED and the Cotton Corporation of India will sign a contract for five years to buy the crops from the farmers. The farmer leaders have been asked by the three-member Union ministers comprising Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal and Nityanand Rai to discuss their proposal and give their consent before arriving at the final plan from the Central government. Interacting with the media after the meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said if the MSP is given for this crop then Punjab can lead the country in production of pulses. He added it will be a second green revolution in the country though Punjab had suffered due to the Green Revolution by loss of its only natural resources in terms of over exploitation of fertile soil and water. The Chief Minister also said that farmers of the state can adopt cotton and maize only if they get the MSP of these crops. He said the assured marketing of these crops can encourage the farmers for crop diversification -- a major push to the crop diversification in the country. He added the country today imports pulses from other countries whereas if farmers get remunerative prices then they can produce these pulses here. Ramanagara : , Feb 20 (IANS) Hundreds of advocates laid siege to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Ramanagara district in Karnataka late Monday night, declaring an overnight protest and demanding the suspension of Sub-Inspector (SI) of Police, Tanveer Hussain. The protest is in response to Hussain filing an FIR against 40 advocates in connection with the incident of posting a defamatory post on the Varanasi judge case by an advocate and SDPI worker. The advocates had also prevented Ramanagara DC, Avinash Menon Rajendran, from leaving the office since late Monday evening, blocking both entrances to the building. The protest is still underway and agitating advocates have said that they won't move until the SI is suspended. JD)S) leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, and Opposition leader R. Ashoka visited the spot separately and extended their support to the protest. Kumaraswamy said that he would take up the matter in the state Assembly session. "I have not used incidents like this for my self-gain. I am surprised to see the deployment of police personnel here. The Facebook post was made by a Muslim, the complainant is also a Muslim, and the local MLA is also a Muslim. Ramanagara people have never seen such an incident," the former Chief Minister added. R. Ashoka, after visiting the spot and speaking to the protesting advocates, said that the local police are supporting the criminal. "Ever since the Congress came to power in the state, incidents like this have been repeatedly taking place." "One of the IAS officers is a religious fundamentalist, claiming that whatever he does is always right. There is a rift between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and the present situation is the result of that rift. No action has been taken against the accused," the Opposition leader added. A defamatory post by a SDPI worker and advocate, Chand Pasha, against the Varanasi judge, who announced a verdict in the Gyanvapi mosque case, had taken a communal turn in Karnataka last Tuesday. Following the turn of events, the police filed an FIR against 40 advocates, triggering protests in the Ramanagara district. The advocates are demanding the suspension of the SI and have been warning the state police that if the suspension order is not issued, a statewide protest would be launched. A large section of the advocates have boycotted proceedings at the district court in Ramanagara and are staging a protest this week. Police registered an FIR against the advocates based on the complaint by Rafiq Khan, a businessman from Ramanagara. In the complaint, it is said that the complainant and others went to the Karnataka Advocates' Association to submit a memorandum stating that the allegations against Chand Pasha were false. "The accused waylaid, locked us, and assaulted us. The accused claimed that the place is not a mosque. They abused us by taking the name of our religion," Rafiq Khan said in the complaint. Earlier, the police had filed an FIR against Chand Pasha and 40 others based on the complaint by senior advocate B.M. Srinivasa. It was said in the complaint, "Following the complaint against advocate Chand Pasha regarding his derogatory social media posts against the Varanasi judge on the Gyanvapi mosque, the Advocates' Association held a meeting on February 6 to discuss action against him." "A group of 30 to 40 people barged into the president's room in the Advocates' Association and pressured them not to take any action against Chand Pasha." "The group threatened them with consequences if any action was initiated. The mob created a communal atmosphere in the court premises and unrest. All this was done at the behest of Chand Pasha." The complaint also said, "Our Advocates' Association member Chand Pasha has put up posts that undermine the dignity of the judiciary and the judge regarding the verdict on the Gyanvapi mosque. He has published derogatory messages on WhatsApp groups and insulted the Indian judiciary." "Being an advocate and a person aware of the law, the posts against the judiciary were a matter of concern. The Advocates' Association had received complaints against Chand Pasha, and hence the meeting was convened," the complaint added. A delegation of advocates headed by H.L. Vishal Raghu, the Chairman of Karnataka Bar Council, had met Superintendent of Police Karthik Reddy and submitted a memorandum in this regard. Vishal Raghu has demanded that the SI of Ijoor police station, Tanveer Hussain, who lodged a false complaint against the advocates, must be suspended from service. Meanwhile, Karnataka Police had arrested Chand Pasha, in connection with the defamatory post against the District Judge of Varanasi. Addis Ababa, Feb 20 : The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has said that 10.8 million children in Ethiopia are in need of emergency humanitarian aid in 2024. In its latest Ethiopia Humanitarian Situation Report, the UN agency said on Monday that at least 20 million people, including about 10.8 million children, are in need of emergency humanitarian aid in 2024. Unicef also added that it needs $535 million to address the multiple and growing challenges facing vulnerable population and to help avert the disastrous consequences of overlapping crises in Ethiopia in 2024, Xinhua news agency reported. The funds are needed to meet basic food needs, provide reproductive health services, give vaccinations for children, and provide clean water for families in need, it said. "The year ahead will continue to bring many challenges to the people of Ethiopia. New and ongoing drought, conflict, and disease epidemics are compounded by increasing food insecurity and forecast flooding events," the Unicef report warned. Addis Ababa, Feb 20 : The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that it has established 17 standard cholera treatment centres in Ethiopia to support the country's efforts in combating a cholera outbreak. The UN health agency said on Monday in a statement that the newly established treatment centres will play a crucial role in improving the availability, accessibility and quality of patient care for cholera treatment, Xinhua news agency reported. "This initiative, which is critical for saving lives, ensures that those affected receive rapid and effective care and treatment," the WHO added. It said the 718-bed capacity cholera treatment centres, which are equipped with the necessary medical equipment, are self-contained medical facilities with designated rooms for screening and triage, observation, admission, recovery, waste disposal, laundry, chlorine preparation, kitchen, and morgue, among others. The WHO said it has also distributed and posted printed standard case management and follow-up protocols at treatment centres. According to the WHO, the death toll from the ongoing cholera outbreak in Ethiopia had reached 468, with 32,548 cholera cases reported across the East African country as of January 30. Amid the spread of the cholera outbreak in Ethiopia, UN agencies and humanitarian partners have been calling for durable solutions to address the root causes of recurrent cholera outbreaks in the country, which include poor-quality drinking water and open defecation. Several reports have raised concerns that fecal contamination of drinking water is the main cause of the cholera outbreak in the country, with most cholera patients using unsafe drinking water. Abdul Latif Rashid is seen at the parliament in Baghdad, Iraq, on Oct. 13, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament/Handout via Xinhua/IANS). Image Source: IANS News Baghdad, Feb 20 : Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid has condemned the kidnapping and killing of a prominent activist loyal to Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, calling it a threat to security, stability and peaceful coexistence. Rashid said on Monday in a statement that the killing of Ayser al-Khafaji, a famous blogger, was a violation of the law, urging the security forces to tighten the security measures to protect the citizens' safety. He also called for an investigation into the incident and bringing the perpetrators to justice, Xinhua news agency reported. Al-Khafaji was found dead on Monday morning on the side of a highway in the Jebala area, north of the city of Hilla, nearly 100 km south of the capital Baghdad, after he was kidnapped on Sunday evening near his house by a group of outlaws, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua news agency on condition of anonymity. The Interior Ministry confirmed the incident in a statement, without naming the victim or the kidnappers. Al-Khafaji was an influential follower of al-Sadr, who leads the Sadrist Movement and commands the loyalty of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. Javascript Error Javascript is deactivated in your browser. To use all functions on this portal, for example the login, Javascript must be activated. Please activate Javascript in your browser settings. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov during a meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien called on Armenia to amend its constitution, Azernews reports. It is important that Armenia's constitution, legislative acts, international organizations and courts abandon the ongoing claims against our country's territorial sovereignty and sovereignty. The meeting also included exchange of views on other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. The Turkish Ministry of the Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has revoked the environmental permit held by SSR Mining for the Copler Mine in Ilic, Turkey, where efforts continue to find nine missing people and The Associated Press reported a senior SSR executive has been detained in the investigation of the huge landslide. AP reported SSR Minings senior vice president of operations at the mine and a director of the mines operating company, Anagold Madencilik, was among the Copler team detained in the investigation of the accident that occurred Feb. 13. SSR Mining said it acknowledged that several of our team members are facing charges in relation to the recent incident, and we are ensuring they receive the necessary support while respecting the legal process. It didnt name those detained. According to AP, Demiric was detained Sunday morning and eight other Copler mine employees were detained earlier, with six of them formally arrested. Shares at SSR Mining plummeted over 50% in the wake of the disaster. The Copler workers have been missing since a landslide at the gold mine in the town of Illic. The giant slide happened at a heap leach pad, and SSR Mining stated in an update late Sunday that our thoughts continue to be with the families of the missing workers and the Copler community during this incredibly difficult time. With the permit revoked, operations at the mine were placed on hold for the time being. The Denver-based company said it continues to support the authorities on the ground in Turkey in their search and rescue efforts, and a new waiting and information point has been established within the mine for the families of the missing workers. Hundreds of rescue workers were still looking for the workers on Monday, AP said. In addition, SSR Mining said planning for near-term remediation efforts has begun at the direction of government officials, with an initial focus on removing heap leach material from the Sabirli Valley and relocating it to a permanent storage location. SSR Mining is also deploying third-party contractor resources to support the recovery and remediation efforts, according to its update. Although the AP said experts warned the landslide could be an environmental hazard and affect the Euphrates River, SSR Mining said monitoring results are negative for potential contamination. The ministry has been regularly monitoring the surface water, groundwater, soil and air quality in the region since the landslide, SSR Mining said. SSR Mining is 80% owner of the Copler operations, and the company owns the Marigold Mine in Nevada, the Seabee Mine in Canada and the Puna Mine in Argentina. In 2020, the same mine was shut down following a cyanide leak into the Euphrates, roughly 1.8 miles away. It reopened two years later after the company was fined and a cleanup operation completed. Turkey has a poor mine safety record. In 2022, an explosion at the Amasra coal mine on the Black Sea coast killed 41 workers. The countrys worst mining disaster took place in 2014 at a coal mine in the municipality of Soma, in western Turkey, where 301 people were killed. A completed home repair in Genesee County. Ronna Edwards 1st State Bank Mortgage Department Amy Courtney 1st State Bank Brian Glowiak Property details: This spacious piece of land located in Maricopa County, Arizona is a perfect investment opportunity for those looking to expand their real estate portfolio. With a generous acreage of .29 acres or 12783 sq ft, this residentially zoned land offers possibilities for development. The property is situated in the bustling city of Phoenix, with easy access to all the amenities and conveniences that the city has to offer. The seller state of residence is North Dakota, and the zip code is 85041. Don't m... Price: $ 5,000 Seller State of Residence: North Dakota Property Address: No address Zip/Postal Code: 85041 Zoning: Residential City: Phoenix State/Province: Arizona Location: 850**, Phoenix, Arizona You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Arizona Property details: No Reserve Auction. Beautiful 0.50 acres of land lot in Lee County, Florida, 33972. 1602 Johns Ave. Parcel Number 12-44-27-01-00002.0110.Please see the pictures. It is located on Johns Ave. Large lot of 1/2 an acre. Fifteen minutes to beach. A paved road accesses the property. Beautiful piece of land.Build your dream home here. Please see all the pictures. The title will transfer via a Warranty deedno back taxes or liens. Taxes are $370/ year. Please add $600 for the closing cost to the final... 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Price: $ 78 Seller State of Residence: California Type: Recreational, Acreage Property Address: Behind 230 Chisolm Miami AZ 85539 Zip/Postal Code: 85539 Zoning: Residential City: Miami State/Province: Arizona Location: 855**, Miami, Arizona You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Arizona Property details: FULL PRICE AUCTION!FINAL BID WINS, REGARDLESS OF AMOUNTASSESSED VALUE = $8,500.00********************************************************************************************** This prime city building site boasts a desirable location close to excellent schools, abundant job opportunities, and easy interstate access. The spacious lot measures 30'X125' and is zoned for residential use. Utilities are readily available for your convenience. The property address is on Maple Street in Hobart, Indiana,... Price: $ 85 Seller State of Residence: Illinois Type: Homesite, Lot Property Address: Maple Street Zip/Postal Code: 46342 Zoning: Residential City: Hobart State/Province: Illinois Location: 463**, Hobart, Indiana You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Illinois 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 You will be redirected to eBay Nearby California Hannah Godwin / Instagram By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 02/19/2024 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. couple Hannah Godwin and Dylan Barbour have revealed their timeline for having children and what married life has been like so far.Hannah and Dylan got married in August 2023 in Paris after a four-year engagement, and they're apparently still going strong."So, people kept telling us, 'Guys, you're going to lose the honeymoon phase, it's going to go away,' and we keep talking about it. We're like, 'I feel like we're still vibing,'" Hannah, 29, told Us Weekly."I don't feel like we lost the honeymoon phase, which is great."Dylan, however, may have gotten a little too comfortable around his wife."He will let one rip cause he knows I'm stuck with him now and that has been new," Hannah joked.And Dylan said that the model and former beauty queen has developed "a lot of baby fever and dog fever" now that she's a married woman."I need something, because I'm treating him almost like my dog or my child sometimes," Hannah explained to the magazine, adding how she needs "a cat, dog or fish" to take care of.However, the newlyweds aren't quite ready to bring a baby into the picture just yet."I mean, we think about it and we talk about it a lot but I think we're taking a minute, enjoying marriage," Hannah explained."Since our relationship was relatively quick and stuff like that, we're still pretty young, we're taking it easy."Dylan, the cofounder of a fitness company, also noted how he and the social-media influencer are "so focused on" their careers right now."I think we need a few more years to commit to [our careers] and then it's time," Hannah shared.As for what makes their relationship work, Dylan gushed to Us that he and Hannah are "very similar" people."I feel like when you're dating someone, you're never like your true self the first like six months or whatever it is. But with us, I feel like instantly, we could laugh, make stupid jokes. We say we can just be idiots," Dylan said.Hannah added how things felt "very natural" with Dylan and their best friends also got along well."I just don't want to spend time away from him, so that's got to be a good sign," Hannah concluded.Hannah and Dylan got engaged on 's sixth season in June 2019, and then Dylan proposed again in August 2023 shortly before their Paris wedding."Although our first engagement was and still is SO special to us, over the past 4 years we've talked about having a special little moment just for us in the real world, and @dylanbarbour surprised me and made it happen last week," Hannah captioned a photo, which she tagged Dylan in."Now off to our wedding location today to tie the knot!!!"Hannah had celebrated her bachelorette party in Las Vegas, while Dylan and his friends went to Miami.For several years, Hannah and Dylan were in no rush to get married after their engagement.Hannah and Dylan initially decided on an early 2020 wedding, but their planning got derailed due to the global outbreak of coronavirus."[The date has been] pushed back a bit. We've been eyeing 2023 so we'll see how it goes," Hannah told Us in September 2021."We're loving being engaged. We are excited to, like, start the next chapter whenever that is though. We are getting eager for it."Hannah found fame when she competed for Colton Underwood 's heart on The Bachelor's 23rd season, and Dylan appeared on The Bachelorette's fifteenth season.During 's sixth season, Dylan called Hannah the love of his life and said he had no doubts in his mind that she was his person.Dylan basically fell in love with Hannah during the first week of Paradise, but Hannah was a little terrified of investing her heart so quickly into a man following her breakup with Colton.Dylan, however, never gave up on their potential, even when Blake Horstmann was trying to charm Hannah and steal her away.After Hannah worked through "a few obstacles" inside of herself, she and Dylan got engaged on the beach in Mexico.During the reunion portion of 's sixth season, Dylan said popping the question to Hannah was "the best decision" he had ever made."We talk all the time, like, 'How did this all work out for us?' But for some reason, it did. He's my person and I have a different kind of love for him that I knew existed, and that's really special," Hannah shared in Summer 2019.After the show, Hannah moved from Birmingham, AL, to California in order to be closer to Dylan and his job.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ABC / Reality TV World By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 02/19/2024 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. 's Lexi Young has revealed how her ex-boyfriend's reaction to her endometriosis battle shut her down, and how Joey Graziadei 's reaction was so surprising and different.Lexi -- who was diagnosed with endometriosis in early 2019 after silently suffering for years -- was shown telling Joey during their one-on-one date in Malta that she may not be able to have children of her own due to the disease in her reproductive system, which is incurable.Lexi even had her eggs frozen less than two weeks before she left to film 's 28th season.Lexi dished about how Joey's reaction to her health crisis tore down her walls after a difficult heartbreak in the past during the February 15 episode of the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast."For him, my health was ultimately something that impacted the end of our relationship. I think he saw it as, I would never say a burden, but, you know, just something that would potentially affect us being able to have a family long-term or my ability to be a mother," Lexi shared with the podcast's co-hosts Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt "I am not always 100 percent every day. So for him, he saw that sometimes as a challenge, which you can imagine on my side is really difficult."Lexi went on to share, "When we broke up, I was hearing from multiple people, 'He just wasn't sure if he could handle your health condition. He wasn't sure that he could support you in the way that you need to be supported.'"Lexi suggested that she had tried to hide her hurt and disappointment from that broken relationship."For me, I do a really good job at holding my pain in and not showing it outwardly," Lexi said."I am already self-conscious about this, so to hear that it was one of the deciding factors in his decision not to move towards a marriage with me has made me not want to open up about any of this with another person."Lexi therefore explained how she wanted to be honest with Joey early on in their relationship about how it may be difficult for her to conceive a child down the road."On the show, you have such limited time, and so, I wanted to be fair to Joey," Lexi noted."And Joey was never going to go in and say, 'I don't want to be with you because you can't have kids.' That's not the conversation we were having. It was more of, 'Hey, I'm dealing with X, Y, and Z -- I might be on a little bit more of an expedited timeline than some of these other girls... How does that make you feel?'"Lexi said she wanted to hear Joey's "genuine" reaction because "it's okay" if they weren't on the same page, like if Joey wants "seven to 10" years before having kids."His emotions and reactions are valid, and I would rather have that early on than drag out a connection and it come out later. That, to me, wouldn't be fair to him," Lexi explained.On the show, Joey took Lexi's news very well, and he told the bachelorette that if she ended up being his person and couldn't have kids, they'd find other ways to expand their family, such as through a surrogate or adoption.Joey wanted to continue dating Lexi even though she had warned him that her disease will always have an impact on her quality of life."Hearing Joey's response will probably forever change my perception on opening up about this in my life -- my story and my health -- in relationships. He brought me to tears that night. He was so genuine and sincere and such a good listener," Lexi gushed of star."I felt heard and I didn't feel judged or analyzed. I felt like he was really just listening to me and empathetic to what I went through."Lexi said Joey also "related" to her "in many ways" when reflecting on his own personal life."He was like, 'Look, that's not an issue for me.' I think with the right person, whoever that is for him, they would figure it out," Lexi revealed."That could be through things like adoption or surrogacy or whatever that looks like. Kids are important to him as well, but [my health] wasn't going to be detrimental in his choice to move forward with me. He was just so kind that night."Lexi said her date with Joey and that deep conversation was "really beautiful."Lexi added of Joey, "He's a kind person and he actually cares... He was locked in. He was listening to me, and in a situation like that, it's important."Lexi went on to receive a rose in Spain, and she's going to continue on Joey's season when the next episode airs Monday, February 19 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC. 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 Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the 37th African Union (AU) summit on Saturday, calling for drawing up a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation and promoting the joint building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. People from all walks of life in various African countries said they appreciate Xi's message, believing it reflects China's high regard for Africa and its strong support for African development. They believe that China-Africa relations will continue to be a model of South-South cooperation and look forward to working together to strive for modernization. The 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of the Heads of State and Government opened on Saturday at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. GLOBAL GOVERNANCE REFORMS The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the Global South represented by China and Africa is booming, which has a profound impact on the course of world history, said Xi. The AU brings African countries together to seek strength through unity, and promote integration as well as the building of free trade areas, Xi said, adding that the AU's successful accession to the G20 has further enhanced Africa's representation and lifted its voice in global governance, and China extends heartfelt congratulations on that. "President Xi's message clearly shows that China is by Africa's side in its development efforts," said Lalu Etalla, a senior editor at Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation. Last year, Ethiopia's entry into the BRICS mechanism and the AU formal membership in the G20 were both explicitly supported by China, Etalla said, stressing it represents outcomes of South-South cooperation and features significant victories for cooperation among developing countries, amplifying their voices on the world stage. Youssouf Mandoha Assoumani, chairperson of the Permanent Representatives' Committee of the AU, expressed gratitude for China's dedication to all aspects of the continent's development. "Africa acknowledges and will continue to foster this win-win cooperation between the two sides, as well as an exemplary partnership," Assoumani said. Amadou Diop, a Senegalese expert on China, said that through increasing investment and a rebalancing of international relations, the cooperation has shaped new international relations between the two sides and influenced global policy directions and governance methods worldwide. Benjamin Mgana, chief editor of The Guardian newspaper in Tanzania, said that Xi's message emphasizes the importance of solidarity and unity among African nations and also underscores Africa's role in global governance, reflecting China's steadfast support for Africa's development and its commitment to strengthening cooperation. "I believe that China's development experience is beneficial not only to Africa but also to other developing countries," said Raissa Ada Allogo, senior policy officer of AU Infrastructure and Energy Development Department. "Through win-win cooperation, we can enhance the international influence of developing countries and collectively propel the world towards a better future," she said. JOINTLY STRIVE FOR MODERNIZATION Xi stressed over the past year, China-Africa ties have grown deeper. As the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue was successfully held, the two sides decided to support each other in exploring their modernization paths and jointly create a favorable environment for realizing their development visions, Xi noted. "The congratulatory message was warmly received," said Robert Y. Lormia II, ambassador-at-large at the government of Liberia, noting that the cooperation between China and Africa has been very positive and rewarding, benefiting the people of Africa. "In addition to its support for the Greater AU, China continues to assist individual African countries. Liberia, my own country, has greatly benefited from Chinese assistance, especially after enduring many years of war and post-war reconstruction. This support has significantly contributed to our development progress," he noted. "China's role as Africa's largest trading partner has spurred economic growth and created jobs in both regions," said Joseph Mutaboba, a Rwandan expert in international relations and diplomatic affairs, adding that President Xi's proposal for further cooperation in industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development at last year's China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa, holds promise. The 37th AU summit is held under the AU's theme for 2024, "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa." "It resonates with China's initiative to support Africa's talent development, announced by President Xi last year," said Marthe Dorkagoum Boularangar, rapporteur of the AU Advisory Board against Corruption. China has built schools in Africa and provided resources, which has been very helpful, Boularangar said, adding that at the national level, China and African countries cooperate extensively in education and healthcare. "The cooperation between Africa and China has achieved many successes. We hope this collaboration continues," she said. Noting the cooperation platforms with China squarely address deficiencies, Humphrey Moshi, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam of Tanzania, said he looks forward to enhancing cooperation between China and Africa for the benefit of the people of both sides and realizing the vision of a shared future. A COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE Xi said that he stands ready to work with leaders of African countries, with a focus on the benefits of people from both sides, to draw up a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation and promote the joint building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. The new session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is going to be held in 2024, Xi noted. "It is beyond any doubt that FOCAC is a significant step forward in the long process of African integration, not only from an economic standpoint but also from a political perspective," said Namibian independent economic analyst Josef Sheehama. "FOCAC continues to serve its purpose as a platform for collective discourse for cooperation between Africa and China," said Paul Frimpong, executive director of the Africa-China Center for Policy and Advisory, a Ghana-based think tank. He hopes this year's forum will be a bridge for entrepreneurial cooperation and projects benefiting people in Africa and China. "Previous outcomes of FOCAC have distilled best practices where both sides have made enormous progress in a policy-driven approach and mutual respect, enhancing the benefits of cooperation, and developing clear lines of communication and engagement," said Lewis Ndichu, a researcher at Nairobi-based think tank Africa Policy Institute. In the future, Africa looks forward to building an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future and pursuing the greater good and shared interests of peoples, Ndichu said. Since President Xi put forward China's policy toward Africa featuring sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, China has closely combined its development with aiding Africa's development to achieve win-win cooperation and common development, said Antoine Roger Lokongo, a professor of international politics and strategies at the Joseph Kasa-Vubu University, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "Over the years, China advocates common prosperity, security and stability, and carries out win-win cooperation based on the social, political, economic, and cultural conditions and realities of African countries, no matter how big or small, working together to protect the world," Lokongo said. The African Graduate Students Forum hosted International Coffee Hour on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in the Memorial Hall ballroom in Athens, Georgia. A variety of traditional African clothing, attire and cultural symbols could be found on display at the event. (Photo Courtesy/International Student Affairs) The unexpected missile attack on a second India-bound ship carrying Russian crude, just three weeks after the first, has complicated matters for domestic refiners. Image: Houthi military helicopter flies over a cargo ship in the Red Sea. Photograph: Houthi Military Media/Handout via Reuters India now counts the Vladimir Putin-led nation as its biggest oil supplier, according to Paris-based market intelligence agency Kpler, and these attacks come on top of US sanctions since December, where vessels that bring crude to India are facing heightened scrutiny. Panama-registered Pollux, which loaded crude at the Sheshkaris oil terminal in the Russian port of Novorossiysk on January 24, was scheduled to deliver the medium, sour Urals grade to Paradip port on February 28. According to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and the US State Department data, the tanker was struck northwest of Yemens Mokha port in the Red Sea. The rebels had targeted the long-range 2 (LR2)-type tanker carrying around 628,000 barrels of Urals, with at least three missiles, and one had struck the vessel on the port side, according to a post by US Central Command (Centcom) on X (formerly Twitter). Officials then said there were no casualties, and the vessel had continued its trip to Indias east coast. On Sunday, a Kpler official said the vessel had not transmitted a signal over the past day, likely due to being hit by a missile. State-owned refiner Indian Oil has a 300,000-barrels-per-day refinery at Paradip, with Russian state-owned Rosneft being the oil supplier, showed Kpler data. If the attacks continue, Russian vessels may have to go around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing transit time by weeks and sending costs north, Indian refining officials said, expecting Moscow to intervene with Tehran to sort the issues. For all cargo types, the decision to take longer and safer routes has resulted in higher trade costs for shipping and insurance, according to the UN Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD). The incremental cost of diverting a tanker around Africa costs nearly $1million more per voyage. For an Aframax tanker, similar in size to an LR2, costs surged by 110 per cent, according to LSEG Shipping Research. A Mumbai-based refining official said there were no frantic calls from suppliers and no panic in the market on Saturday. Russian oil is still crossing the Suez, he added. This was the second such attack in less than three weeks on a Russian oil vessel. Late last month, the Achilles, a crude oil tanker managed by India's Gaurik Ship Management, was sailing to Sikka on India's west coast carrying Russian Urals when it was attacked. The missile missed the vessel, and ship-tracking data showed that the cargo was delivered on February 1 at Jamnagar oil terminal. It is likely that the Houthis have no intention of attacking non-Israeli-related commercial shipping and that this was a one-off (incident), said Tilak Doshi, a London-based energy expert. It is not in their interest to do so, as their benefactors in Iran allied to Russia and China in global geopolitics do not gain by such actions either. The Houthis continue to target Israeli-, American-, and British-linked shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. So far in February, they have targeted five vessels, including Pollux, according to UK-based Ambrey, a maritime security agency. Pollux had minor damage from the attack, Ambrey said. Russia has good relations with Iran and can manage the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, said a state-run refining official. Government officials said that India's support for Israel had turned the Hamas and the Houthis against India, a reason why they were targeting ships employing Indians and carrying goods to India. India has since tried to strike a balance in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. An industry official said some tankers, including Russian, carrying crude to India via the Suez do not show their destination as India. But the Houthis are also looking at vessel ownership, and not just where they are headed, he added. Affiliations with mainland China, Iran, and Russia have not completely negated attacks either, Ambrey said, referring to attacks on Achilles and a container ship owned by a Chinese company. The uncertainty is taking its toll on freight costs and insurance, which may make Russian oil uncompetitive unless Moscow absorbs the higher costs and maintains existing discounts of $3-4 per oil barrel, a state-run refining official said. India boosted its share of Russian crude imports to around 39 per cent of total purchases in 2023 from 16 per cent in 2022, despite warnings from Washington over potential sanctions violations. Imports averaged 1.53 million barrels per day (b/d) in January, and 1.58 million b/d in February till February 18, shows Kpler data. Imports have averaged around 1.5-1.6 million b/d since August after exceeding 2 million b/d in July owing to lower discounts, enhanced Western policing, output cuts by Russia and now the Red Sea conflict. Washington has stepped on the sanctions pedal since October, targeting vessels that carry Russian crude, trading over the $60 per barrel cap imposed by the G-7 group of nations. This has resulted in sanctions on Sun Ship Management in December and other entities in January and February. While India has no issues buying Russian oil, it will not accept such fuel transported on sanctioned vessels to Indian ports, officials said. The Paytm application (app) could potentially face a permanent loss of its integrated mobile wallet feature, currently owned by Paytm Payments Bank (Paytm PB). Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters With the recent crackdown on Paytm PB, sources say getting a fresh wallet licence may get tough for the group. The Paytm app (One97 Communications) has to apply afresh to the RBI for a licence to operate a prepaid payment instrument (PPI) like a mobile wallet within the Paytm app, as PPI is a regulated entity. "RBI checks the promoters credentials and past track record of the company before issuing a PPI licence, said an official source. An email query sent to Paytm remained unanswered until the time of going to press. Paytm was the first to launch a mobile wallet in 2014 and commands the largest market share for wallet-based transactions. Business Standard reported on February 16 that of the 350 million wallet users of Paytm PB, 300 million have a zero balance, and 50 million have a balance in their wallets and have been active in the past year. The RBI cancelled the mobile wallet licence of Paytm on July 25, 2017, at the request of the company. The entity has transferred its PPI business (Paytm wallet) to Paytm PB as permitted by RBI, reads a notification on the RBI website. While the wallet started with mobile recharges and bill payment options, it has been increasingly used for recharging Fastag for making toll payments. Paytm PB is the third-largest issuer of Fastags in India after IDFC First Bank and ICICI Bank. Paytm claims over 60 per cent volume share in person-to-merchant wallet transactions. "Of 50 million active wallets, 18 million of those would be towards Fastag. "With the RBI guidelines, the wallet-related business would have to shift to other banks. "Given 1.5-2 per cent merchant discount rate on Fastag and 15-18 basis points on the wallet, this can mean Rs 200-300 crore of revenue loss, perhaps matching what Paytm earlier quoted, said Parijat Garg, a digital lending and financial technology consultant. On Friday, RBI, issuing the frequently asked questions, clarified that people can continue to use money from the wallet up to the balance available even after March 15. However, they will not be able to top-up or transfer money into the wallet or receive any credits, other than cashbacks, or refunds into this wallet after March 15. Earlier on January 31, the RBI had announced its decision to shut down most of Paytm PBs operations, including deposits, fund transfers, and its popular digital wallets, citing persistent non-compliance and continued material supervisory concerns. People were initially afraid of keeping money in their wallets. "Paytm started the concept of cashback, buy-one-get-one-free movie ticket, and discounts for recharges. "It changed the behaviour of customers, and thats why other players came into the market. "Unfortunately, with this development, if they dont have the wallet, consumers will move towards other alternatives, an industry executive said. 'They hate him so much that if PM Modi says the Sun rises in the east the Congress will say the Sun rises in the west.' IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. The late Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah are also seen. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo/Rediff archives Acharya Pramod Krishnam learnt of his expulsion from the Congress for six years for anti-party activities from the media, but he says he has so far neither received a showcause notice nor the expulsion letter. "I had this heavy feeling in my heart that I am associated with a party which is against Lord Ram and speaks against the interests of the nation. They have relieved me of my pain," he tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com in the concluding segment of the interview. You have been a face of the Congress party close to the Hindu clergy. Not many leaders in the Congress can claim to have that kind of link. After your exit, do you feel that the party's link with the Hindu clergy has been broken permanently? This is unfortunate for the Congress party if they understand this fact. But let me tell you, after I have been expelled many Congress leaders are happy and they are celebrating Diwali in the party office. They are happy that a Congressman who was speaking of Lord Ram, Mahatma Gandhi or nationalism has been thrown out of the party. You have been in the Congress since the 1980s, so what led to the disassociation of the Congress party from the Hindu clergy? A K Antony, former defence minister of India and a Congress leader, had written in his report in 2014 that the statements made by Congress leaders made them look like an anti-Hindu party. He addressed this report to Sonia Gandhi and emphasised the fact that if this perception is not reversed, then the Congress will be a dead party in future. I highlighted this issue within the party forum, but the Leftist ideologues in the Congress party sidelined me. Leftist ideologues have hijacked the Congress party and what can a leader like me do? These Leftist ideologues have finished off the Congress party. Don't you feel in a democracy you need a strong Opposition? It is surely good, but then it is for people to decide whom they want to keep in power and whom they want to keep in Opposition. The core ideology of the Congress party is, and I repeat, the core ideology is Sarv Dharm Sambhav (all religions are equal). The core ideology also talks of the nation's interest. But today, the Congress suffers from Modi phobia. Even if PM Modi does some good work for the nation they will oppose it. The message then goes to the public that the Congress is anti-religion as well as anti-nation. If PM Modi inaugurates a new Parliament they will boycott it. If PM Modi goes for the consecration of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya they will boycott it. Why are you doing this? I said this in the party forum, you please go ahead and criticise the policies of PM Modi, but don't go all out to hate the prime minister. Today, they hate him so much that if PM Modi says the Sun rises in the east the Congress party will protest against that too and say the Sun rises in the west. In the Congress you have leaders like Jairam Ramesh, Randeep Surjewala and K C Venugopal who have surrounded Rahul Gandhi and damaged the Congress party. They are continuously damaging the party. For the last nine years the downfall is going on, so who is to be blamed? It is they and not Acharya Pramod Krishnam or anyone else. And if someone asks them a question, they call him anti-party or anti-Rahul or agent of the BJP within the party forum. That poor person then has no place to go except to quit the party. I still didn't quit the party, but was expelled. I was against this chandal chowkdi (gang of four) within the party forum and today I am out. Theek hai, koi baat nahi (it is okay). Did you invite the Congress leadership earlier as you conduct this Kalki Dham event every year? Yes, I have always given them, but now the problem is that I invited PM Modi. I am happy they expelled me from the party because I had this heavy feeling in my heart that I am associated with a party which is against Lord Ram and speaks against the interests of the nation. They have relieved me of my pain. But there have been statements by Congress leaders who took credit for the Ram temple and stated that it was Rajiv Gandhi who unlocked the doors of the Babri Masjid and did shilanyas in Ayodhya. What is past is past. You cannot go back and turn the pages of history, but have to sit right here and look what is happening today. What we see today is that the Congress got invited for the Ram temple consecration and they refused to accept the invite. And look at my own example, I invited PM Modi for the Kalki Dham event on February 19 and he accepted it. They expelled me from the party without even giving me a show cause notice. Lord Ram was expelled from Ayodhya for 14 years and here I have been expelled for only six years. I will be thankful to them if they expel me for 14 years like Lord Ram rather than six years. But your intentions will always be doubted because as a Congressman you invited PM Modi who is your political opponent. PM Modi is the prime minister of India. PM Modi went to Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's son's marriage. Didn't he go? He went because Digvijaya invited him for his son's wedding. I too went. When Pandit Nehru ruled India or for that matter Indira Gandhi ruled, didn't they meet Atal Bihari Vajpayee at social events? They surely met. The same was the case when Vajpayee ruled India, he used to meet Sonia Gandhi socially. This is what democracy is all about. PM Modi is India's prime minister and he is making Indians proud across the world. He is going to different parts of the world and winning hearts. And here the Congress wants me to feel that is not our prime minister but some stranger. Will you join the BJP then, considering that you don't stop praising PM Modi? I will speak about this after February 19. I am busy inviting people for the Shri Kalki Dham shilanyas at Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh till then. The Supreme Court on Monday posed searching questions to returning officer Anil Masih, who conducted the Chandigarh mayoral polls, and said he will be prosecuted in case of any falsehood and that putting a mark on ballot papers cannot be allowed in an electoral democracy. IMAGE: AAP supporters engage in a scuffle with police personnel as they protest against the BJP over the Chandigarh mayor election issue, near the AAP office, in New Delhi, February 2, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, which said it would peruse on Tuesday the ballot papers of the mayoral polls and the video-recording of the counting day, quizzed Masih over why he put the "X" mark on some ballot papers. "This is a very serious matter.... In case of any falsehood, you will be prosecuted," the bench, also comprising justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, told Masih. "Why were you looking into the camera and putting the 'X' mark on the ballot papers?" the CJI asked. The returning officer said, "All the ballot papers were defaced. I was just marking those. There were so many cameras that I was just looking at those." The bench told Masih that it was clear that he was putting the "X" mark on the ballot papers. Masih admitted putting the "X" mark on eight ballot papers to ensure that those do not get mixed with the other ballot papers. The bench asked, "You can sign the ballot papers, but why were you putting 'X' on those ballot papers?" It pointed out that under the relevant rules, the returning officer can only sign the ballot papers. "It means, you marked it," the CJI said, adding that Masih has to be prosecuted and this cannot be allowed in an electoral democracy. The bench directed Masih to remain present in the court on Tuesday as well. The Bharatiya Janata Party swept the Chandigarh mayoral polls on January 30, retaining all three posts, in a setback to the Congress-AAP alliance that alleged tampering with ballot papers by the presiding officer. Manoj Sonkar of the BJP defeated Kuldeep Kumar of the Aam Aadmi Party, polling 16 votes against his rival's 12 to bag the mayor's post. Eight votes were declared invalid. However, Sonkar resigned from the post subsequently. Three AAP councillors have also defected to the BJP. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday asserted that his party would conduct a caste census if voted to power and this will prove to be an "X-ray of the country". IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting amid the party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. Photograph: ANI Photo Addressing people during the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in Amethi, he also said his party will map wealth resources to know who owns what in order to make India strong. "The BJP and the RSS are spreading hatred... In Narendra Modi's Hindustan, there is no place for the backwards, Dalits, tribals and poor people from the general category," Gandhi said. "In every Rs 100 of the country's budget, the share of the two-thirds section of the population is merely Rs 6. The gross injustice being done to this section is making the country hollow from inside," he added. "To make the country strong, the Congress is going to take two revolutionary steps. The first will be to conduct a caste census, which will be an X-ray of the country. The second will be the mapping of wealth resources which will reveal who owns what and how much," Gandhi said. Without making two-thirds of the country's population a development partner, India's prosperity is impossible, the Congress leader added. In his address at the same event, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his guarantee is not for the farmers, labourers, Dalits, tribal and backward people of the country. Union minister Smriti Irani too was in Amethi, her parliamentary constituency, on Monday. The Bharatiya Janata Party leader is on a four-day visit. Speaking to mediapersons, Irani mocked Gandhi, claiming that deserted streets welcomed the Congress leader when he arrived here as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and dared him to contest from Amethi alone in the Lok Sabha elections. Gandhi had represented Congress bastion Amethi in the Lok Sabha for 15 years before he was defeated by Irani in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress leader, however, won from Wayanad, the second seat he contested in the polls. "Rahul Gandhi considered Amethi as the centre of power but did not provide service, that is why he was welcomed by the deserted streets of Amethi," Irani added. Gandhi also attacked the Centre over the situation in Manipur. "The situation in Manipur is not good. Bullets are being fired there but the Centre is not paying attention... Six-seven months have passed but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has still not visited the state," he added. The Congress leader further said that OBC, Dalits and tribals constitute 73 per cent of the population but these classes are not being represented in any government or semi-government jobs. "There are 90 IAS officers in Delhi who run the government. But not a single officer from Dalit, backward and tribal classes is among them... If you get a list of MGNREGA workers, your name will be there. But Dalits, tribals and people of backward classes are not being given space in higher positions. The government is only diverting the attention of these sections," he added. Gandhi also alleged that not a single person from the OBC or the tribal category was at the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22. "Even President Droupadi Murmu was not allowed. Wealthy people were definitely seen in the programme," he said. On the ongoing farmers' protest, the Congress leader said, "Congress promises that if it comes to power, the interest of the farmers of the country will be talked about." The 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' entered Amethi Monday afternoon. It passed through Police Lines, Gandhi Chowk, Jama Masjid and Gauriganj of the Amethi assembly constituency and reached the Gandhinagar toll plaza, where Gandhi addressed the gathering. As the yatra entered the Amethi border, Congress workers showered flowers on Gandhi. The Congress leader greeted and shook hands. He garlanded the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and his father Rajiv Gandhi in Amethi city. Rahul Gandhi's convoy will make a night halt in Fursatganj and leave for Raebareli on Tuesday morning. Women wearing Chinese costumes are pictured in a street in Valletta, Malta, Feb. 17, 2024. In Valletta, the capital city of Malta, a group of ladies wearing colorful Chinese costumes - known as Hanfu, proceed gracefully along historic streets on Saturday afternoon, attracting both Maltese residents and tourists from around the world. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) In Valletta, the capital city of Malta, a group of ladies wearing colorful Chinese costumes - known as Hanfu, proceed gracefully along historic streets on Saturday afternoon, attracting both Maltese residents and tourists from around the world. The captivating Hanfu show organized by the China Cultural Center in Malta was performed by 23 female volunteers from China, Malta, and Italy. They held Chinese-style fans and lanterns in their hands and walked along Republic Street, a main street in Valletta, as part of the event to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival. "I love their colors of Hanfu, and the jewelry and hairstyles are also very intricate," said Noemi Calisto, an Italian student at the University of Malta. Some of her classmates were voluntary performers in the Hanfu show, so she took many photos of them. Momo Muller and his wife Rita, a couple from Luxembourg, were enthralled by the beauty of the Hanfu costumes. Muller told Xinhua that he visited Beijing about 15 years ago and is looking forward to revisiting China. Alexander Ouaknine, a 53-year-old owner of a traditional Maltese silver jewelry shop, told Xinhua that the handmade jewelry with silver wire and the beautiful Chinese traditional outfits are both "a wonderful form of art." Among the enthusiastic volunteers of the Hanfu show, Charmaine Zammit is an official from the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation. "I have always been interested in Chinese culture and I always longed to wear Chinese traditional costume," she said. For Martina Vella, a 21-year-old student at the University of Malta, and her friends, it was their first time wearing Hanfu. Studying design, Vella told Xinhua that she would consider incorporating Chinese traditional elements into her future works. Yuan Yuan, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta, highlighted the warm applause received by the Hanfu show. "The event showcases the charm of Chinese culture and the significance of cultural exchange between China and the West," she said. Following the Hanfu show, the China Cultural Center invited people to try Hanfu, practice calligraphy, and make lanterns to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival. On Saturday night, the Chinese Community Association in Malta hosted a gala to celebrate the Spring Festival in the gym of St. Aloysius College in central Malta, featuring singing, dance, and music performances. Addressing about 300 attendees at the gala, Peng Yijun, charge d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Malta, commended the active role of the Chinese Community Association in promoting traditional Chinese culture and enhancing China-Malta friendship. A panel of Union ministers held a fourth round of talks with farmer leaders in Chandigarh on Sunday over their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP, as thousands of protesting farmers camped at the Punjab-Haryana border. IMAGE: Union ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal and Nityanand Rai address the media after the fourth round of talks with farmers' unions, Chandigarh, February 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI/X Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai reached the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26 for the talks. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also joined the meeting, which began at 8.15 pm on Sunday and ended at around 1 am on Monday. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Goyal said the panel has proposed the buying of pulses, maize, and cotton crops by government agencies at minimum support prices for five years after entering into an agreement with farmers. The farmer leaders said they will discuss the government's proposal in their forums over the next two days and thereafter, decide the future course of action. "Cooperative societies like the NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will enter into a contract with those farmers who grow tur dal, urad dal, masoor dal or maize for buying their crop at MSP for next five years," said Goyal. There will be no limit on the quantity (purchased) and a portal will be developed for this," he added. It will save Punjab's farming, improve the groundwater table, and save the land from getting barren which is already under stress, Goyal said. On the Centre's proposal, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "We will discuss in our forums on February 19-20 and take the opinion of experts regarding it and accordingly take a decision." A discussion on loan waivers and other demands is pending and we hope that these will be resolved in the next two days, Pandher said, adding that the Delhi Chalo' march is currently on hold, but will resume at 11 am on February 21 if all the issues are not resolved. Union ministers and farmer leaders had met earlier on February 8, 12 and 15 but the talks remained inconclusive. Protesting farmers from Punjab have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the state's border with Haryana since February 13 when their 'Delhi Chalo' march was halted by police. The call for the march was given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to press their demands. Besides a legal guarantee of MSP, the farmers are demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21. Ahead of the fourth round of talks, the SKM announced that it will gherao the residences of BJP leaders in Punjab for three days from Tuesday to press the Centre into accepting their demands. Balbir Singh Rajewal, a leader of the SKM, an umbrella body of various farmer unions, said they will stage protests in front of the residences of Punjab BJP leaders, including MPs, MLAs and district presidents, from Tuesday to Thursday. Interacting with reporters after a meeting of SKM leaders in Ludhiana, Rajewal said it has also been decided that they would protest at all toll barriers in the state and make them free for all commuters from February 20 to 22. The SKM will not accept anything less than the C-2 plus 50 per cent formula for MSP as recommended in the Swaminathan Commission report, he said after the meeting which was also attended by farmer leaders Balkaran Singh Brar and Boota Singh, among others. Earlier, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said the central government should not dilly-dally and accept farmers' demands before the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections comes into force. If the government thinks it will continue to hold meetings till the model code of conduct is imposed and then say it cannot do anything as the code is in force... the farmers are not going to return, he said. "The government should find a solution to our demands before the model code of conduct comes into force," he added. In Haryana's Kurukshetra, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni and some 'khaps' took part in a panchayat to chalk out a course of action to support the protesting farmers from Punjab. Charuni told reporters after the meeting that it was decided to unite all farmer organisations to hold a protest in support of the agitation. Charuni said a good chunk of the rural belt is part of the National Capital Region (NCR) and a four-member committee has been formed to connect with farmers from Delhi. He said it is surprising that the government is not allowing the farmers to travel to Delhi on their tractors. Khap leader O P Dhankar said Haryana 'khaps' are behind the agitation and the central government should not delay giving a legal guarantee of MSP. Another 'khap' leader who attended the panchayat said farmers will reach Delhi and protest if the talks fail. Meanwhile, the suspension of internet services has been extended in certain areas in some Punjab districts, including Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib, till February 24 on the orders of the Union ministry of home affairs. Earlier, internet services were suspended from February 12 to 16 in view of the farmers' march. The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) continued to hold protests at toll plazas in Punjab for the second consecutive day, forcing authorities not to charge toll tax. At the Ladhowal plaza in Ludhiana, farmers shouted slogans against the Centre and the Haryana government. The Haryana government on Saturday extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts till February 19. Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who died mysteriously in prison, posted for the first time on Sunday after her husband's death. Photograph: Yulia Navalnaya on Instagram Taking to Instagram, Navalnaya posted a picture of herself enjoying a moment with Navalny, two days after his death. The caption of the poignant post read, "I Love You." Kira Yarmysh, the spokesperson for the late Russian opposition leader, confirmed Navalny's death and demanded that his body be handed over to his family "immediately." Yarmysh also accused Russian officials of lying to delay the process, CNN reported. Yarmysh's statement comes after the Russian prison service said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's critic, Navalny, died on Friday after he felt 'unwell' during a walk in his prison and fell unconscious. The cause of his death is not clear. Navalny had returned to Russia in 2021 from Germany, where he was undergoing treatment after being poisoned with Novichok. Upon arrival, Navalny was arrested on charges he dismissed as politically motivated. Reports of Navalny's death sparked outrage, with some Western leaders blaming Putin. United States President Joe Biden said that he is "outraged" by Navalny's death and blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin. British PM Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Union President Ursula von der Leyen also condoled Navalny's demise while pinning the blame on Moscow. The Congress and a close aide of Kamal Nath on Monday sought to scotch speculation that he may cross over to the Bharatiya Janata Party, with the party dismissing it as "misinformation" and his confidant asserting that the question of the veteran leader quitting the party does not arise. IMAGE: Kamal Nath is said to be disgruntled over not getting a Rajya Sabha berth and also, Rahul Gandhi is understood to be upset with him since the Congress suffered a defeat in the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls late last year. Photograph: @OfficeOfKNath/X Congress general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh Jitendra Singh said that both the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and his son Nakul Nath, a Lok Sabha MP, will participate in the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra when it passes through the state. Singh dismissed the speculation that Kamal Nath and his son may switch to the ruling BJP. "Kamal Nath ji is a senior leader of our party. All these speculations have been made by the BJP and the media. I spoke to him yesterday and the day before yesterday also, and we discussed the preparations for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra," Singh told reporters at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi. "I am going to Bhopal tomorrow and meetings are taking place with MLAs, various committees and MPs. Kamal Nath ji will also join those meetings and his suggestions for the yatra's passage will be taken note of. He will prominently participate in the yatra in Madhya Pradesh," he said. Pressed further about the speculation that Kamal Nath and his son may join the BJP, Singh reiterated that "all this is speculation" and alleged that the BJP always attempts to "spread wrong news and misinformation". He said Kamal Nath will "100 per cent" participate in the Nyay Yatra when it enters the state later this month. "The preparations for the yatra are on, he (Nath) is participating in that," Singh said. Asked about Chhindwara MP Nakul Nath, Singh said he is an MP of the party and he will also participate in the yatra. Earlier, Kamal Nath's confidant Sajjan Singh Verma dismissed reports of the veteran Congress leader contemplating a switch to the BJP, saying the question of him leaving the party, in which he has spent more than 40 years, does not arise. Verma said Kamal Nath and his son Nakul Nath are both not crossing over to the BJP and asserted that the latter will contest the Lok Sabha polls, likely to be held in April-May, from Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh as the Congress candidate. Talking to reporters after meeting Kamal Nath at his residence here, Verma said he had a detailed discussion with the Congress veteran, who told him that he would soon hold a meeting in Bhopal for ensuring the success of the Nyay Yatra. "He (Kamal Nath) told me that 'I will call all the in-charges of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee and discuss the preparations for the Lok Sabha polls'. I asked about the media speculation about him, to which he said why should 'I answer an imaginary question'," Verma said. "I do not think I need to answer such imaginary questions. I did not tell any mediaperson that I am quitting (the Congress) or compromising with the BJP. In that case, I would have given a reply, but why should I answer an imaginary question?" Kamal Nath was quoted as asking by Verma. He said the question of Kamal Nath leaving the grand old party does not arise. "Thinking that the person who has worked with Indiraji, Rajivji and Sanjayji, who is referred to as Indira's (Gandhi) third son, will leave the party is meaningless. A person who has spent 40 years in the Congress, how can he go anywhere?" Verma asked. Kamal Nath arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon and during his brief interaction with reporters in New Delhi, he asked them not to get excited. Asked if he is joining the BJP, Nath said, "If there would be any such thing, I would inform you first." An astute politician, Kamal Nath has worked with three generations of the Gandhi family. In 1979, then prime minister Indira Gandhi described him as her third son. The former CM is said to be disgruntled over not getting a Rajya Sabha berth and also, Rahul Gandhi is understood to be upset with him since the Congress suffered a defeat in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls last year. Kamal Nath was replaced as the party's Madhya Pradesh unit chief following its rout in the assembly polls, in which the BJP retained power winning 163 seats in the 230-member House. The Congress managed to win just 66 seats. The Centre agreed on Monday to discuss threadbare the demands for Ladakh's statehood, the inclusion of the Union territory in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution and the setting up of an exclusive public service commission for the high-altitude region. IMAGE: The Leh Chalo Andolan, called by the Kargil Democratic Alliance and the Leh Apex Body, demanding the implementation of the 6th Schedule, statehood, land, and job security and separate Lok Sabha seats for Kargil and Leh, February 3, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The agreement was arrived at a meeting held in New Delhi between the High Powered Committee (HPC) for Ladakh headed by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and a 14-member delegation of the Apex Body of Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing various organisations of the Union territory. "The meeting decided to discuss threadbare our main demands: statehood for Ladakh, inclusion of Ladakh in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution and the constitution of the exclusive public service commission for Ladakh on February 24," according to a joint press release issued by the ABL and KDA. The two organisations from Ladakh also decided to call off "for the time being" their plan to go on a hunger strike from Tuesday "in view of this significant development". The meeting resolved to constitute a joint sub-committee for carrying forward the exercise to look into the details of the demands. "We have, accordingly, set up the sub-committee with the following members: Thupstan Chhewang, Chering Dorjay Lakrook and Nawang Rigzin Jora, representing the ABL, and Qamar Ali Akhoon, Asgar Ali Karbalai and Sajjad Kargili, representing the KDA," the release said. The two organisations conveyed the names of the sub-committee members to Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla. "All members of the sub-committee are in Delhi and we look forward to fruitful discussions at the next meeting," the release added. The other demands of the delegation include two Lok Sabha seats (one for Kargil and one for Leh) and job opportunities for the residents of the Union territory, sources said. Ladakh currently has one Lok Sabha constituency. Ladakh, which no longer has any assembly constituency, was earlier part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, were abrogated on August 5, 2019, and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. According to the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, Jammu and Kashmir has been made a Union territory with a legislative assembly and Ladakh a Union territory without an assembly. There were four representatives from Ladakh in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir assembly. The BJP-led Centre assured the delegation from Ladakh in December last year that it was committed to fast-tracking the development of the Union territory and meeting the aspirations of the people in the region. The assurance was given at a meeting held with the HPC for Ladakh. The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has formed the HPC for Ladakh under Rai's chairmanship with a mandate to discuss the measures needed to be taken to protect the region's unique culture and language, taking into consideration its geographical location and strategic importance. The HPC has also been formed for the protection of land and employment, measures for inclusive development and employment generation in the region, measures related to the empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) of Leh and Kargil and the constitutional safeguards that could be provided to ensure the measures and protection as mentioned above. Several organisations of Ladakh were demanding a separate Union territory for the region for decades and the demand was fulfilled on August 5, 2019. The KDA and the ABL, however, in the recent past protested at different locations, including New Delhi, Jammu and Ladakh, highlighting their key demands. The Army has now fallen behind the other two services for four years in a row. IMAGE: A glimpse from Kartavya Path on Republic Day. Photograph: Press Informaton Bureau The world's most recognisable firearm was first developed based on a German assault rifle of similar design. The Kalashnikov made Russian soldiers more effective and reduced production costs. The Indian Army's modernisation effort may be going slower than the Indian Navy's or the Indian Air Force's. The capital outlay for the Army grew at a compound annual growth rate of 4 per cent in the last five years. That is less than half the growth rate of the total capital outlay on defence services overall (chart 1). The revised estimate for FY24 showed a lower absolute spend on the Army (Rs 33,411.2 crore/Rs 334.11 billion). It was Rs 51,052.2 crore (Rs 510.52 billion) for the Navy and Rs 58,111.6 crore (Rs 581.11 billion) for the Air Force. To be sure, a large defence purchase can skew the numbers for any given year. The Army has now fallen behind the other two services for four years in a row. Budget estimates for 2024-2025 were unavailable. It is not that the Army does not get priority in allocation, but spends a large part of it in recurring expenses such as salary. Such revenue expenditure was worth nearly six times the capital outlay in FY24. The expenditure is lower for the Navy and Air Force (chart 2). Pension expenses cost the Army Rs 1.2 trillion in FY24. The Air Force and Navy spent Rs 0.2 trillion (chart 3). Parliament's Standing Committee on Defence, in its review of the working of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, quoted an official who said that while India spends around five per cent of its defence budget on research and development. Some other countries spend 10 to 15 per cent. A re-ordering of priorities may help the Army and defence services. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Sunday claimed that if the ED was stopped and section 45 of the PMLA abolished, no one would cross over to the BJP and its leaders like Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhara Raje may form their own political outfits. IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Photograph: ANI Photo Chouhan and Raje were overlooked by the BJP for the chief minister posts in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively despite ensuring the party's return to power in the assembly polls held recently. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge by his side, Kejriwal responded to a question on opposition leaders joining the BJP, saying, "Today, if the ED (Enforcement Directorate) is stopped and section 45 of the PMLA (The Prevention of Money-Laundering Act) is abolished, half of the BJP leaders will quit the party." "There is only one agency (ED) which is responsible for leaders joining the BJP. No one will join the BJP if PMLA section 45 is removed. Leaders like Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhara Raje may form their own parties by the evening if section 45 of the PMLA is abolished," the AAP convenor told reporters at a lunch hosted by Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi at his residence. Meanwhile, sources quoted Kejriwal as saying at the lunch that AAP and the Congress had mutually agreed to contest the polls separately in Punjab. They added that the Delhi chief minister made the remark before Kharge arrived at the lunch. Kejriwal was quoted as saying that talks were on between AAP and the Congress for an alliance in Delhi for the Lok Sabha polls and a decision would be made soon. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had said last month that his party would not form an alliance with the Congress in the state for the Lok Sabha elections, reiterating that AAP would win all 13 seats. AAP and the Congress, both part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), have also been at loggerheads over seat-sharing in Delhi with the Kejriwal-led outfit offering only one seat to the grand old party. Last week, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak said the party was ready to offer one seat to the Congress in Delhi. After agonizing over this for weeks, he made a decision. When they met after work one evening, he startled her by blurting out, 'I think we should break up.' A moving excerpt from Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's An Uncommon Love: The Early Life of Sudha and Narayana Murthy. IMAGE: Sudha Murty with her husband and Infosys Co-founder N R Narayana Murthy. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sudha Murty/Instagram Over the next few days, Murthy thought hard about the kind of company he wanted to start. He told Sudha that he envisioned it as an extension of what he had built for the IIMA students and professors. He would use his knowledge of information systems to design applications for businesses. Government organizations did not seem interested in improving productivity, but surely the private sector would be. 'I feel confident about this. I've seen the impact of computerization first-hand in Europe,' he said to Sudha, who listened intently. 'Not only governments but banks and businesses have adopted these systems. The minicomputer has made computing power accessible at affordable prices. Companies like Digital Equipment Corporation, IBM and Data General are transforming entire industries with their products. Sooner or later, it's bound to happen in India -- and when it does, my company is going to be in the forefront.' Murthy decided to call his company Softronics, a word combining software and electronics. His friend Madhava Rao, who had worked with him at SRI, designed the official stationery for the company. He also promised to type Murthy's business letters in the evenings, after his regular job. Looking at the fresh ink on the newly printed Softronics letterhead, Murthy felt his heart expand with hope. He began scouting for business. He knew enough design and programming on the computers available in India at that time and was very comfortable with all the programming languages. His plan was this: Once he succeeded in convincing a customer that he could develop a software system for them, he would hire computer time from data centres at companies such as ECIL in Hyderabad. He would then be able to run applications and store and process data. He could also develop his software, validate it, install it and then send in the invoice. But the reality turned out to be very different. His lack of a formal office space turned out to be a major hurdle. When potential clients enquired where the Softronics office was, the fact that it was located in Murthy's flat rang alarm bells. Unlike in the US, where many tech giants started off in garages, in India even a fledgling company was expected to have a proper office. Murthy ran into the same problem when he tried to hire engineers. Before accepting the job offer, they wanted to see their workspace, and when they saw a table set up in Murthy's bedroom, they were sceptical. IMAGE: Sudha Murty, N R Narayana Murthy, Nandan Nilekani and Rohini Nilekani. Photograph: Kind courtesy Infosys Even when he managed to find some clients willing to take a chance on him despite the small size of his operations, executing the projects turned out to be more difficult than he had expected. The few computers in Pune -- old, outdated and glacial in speed - were useless to Murthy. And even in other cities, accessing a computer was difficult, thanks to the Indian government's severe import licensing restrictions and the small number of rudimentary, India-made, low-capacity IBM, ECIL and ICL machines. The government wrongly believed that computers were 'labour-saving devices' that threatened to increase unemployment in India. Hence, there was massive red tape and long waiting times to purchase one. To develop his systems, Murthy had to travel to other cities to use data centres there. For instance, to do the required work for his first client, Dr Beck and Company, Murthy would travel once a month to ECIL in Hyderabad and spend a week there to do his work. At other times, Murthy would have to travel to an ICL data centre in Mumbai. The computer there was free only late at night, and the centre would allocate Murthy time in fifteen-minute slots when no one else required the machine - for instance, between 2.15 and 2.30 am. Murthy worked alone in the data centre, compiling his code. If he made an error in his code, he had to wait two frustrating days to get another time slot to rectify it. IMAGE: Sudha Murty posted this wedding picture of hers with Narayana Murthy on her Instagram on the couple's anniversary. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sudha Murty/Instagram These were tough odds: Travelling from Pune to Mumbai to use a computer for fifteen minutes in the dead of night at an exorbitant price. It cost Murthy Rs 550 for each hour of computing time; additionally, he was exhausted from all the back-and-forth travel. The computer available to him, the ICL 1901, was very slow, taking fifteen minutes to compile a COBOL program of a thousand lines. His revenues were eaten up by high business costs that made it increasingly unlikely that he would turn a profit. The biggest challenge, Murthy realized with a sinking heart, was that access to computers -- especially a faster computer -- was unlikely to improve any time soon. The Indian government's motto, at that time, was 'self-reliant, indigenous development'. If an entrepreneur did not want to use the Indian ECIL computers, the authorities made procuring anything else from abroad very difficult. The US firm Digital Equipment Corporation had emerged as the top minicomputer manufacturer in the world, providing customers with smaller, cheaper general purpose computers that would have been perfect for Murthy's projects. But the government made their import into India almost impossible. Because of the lack of computers, Indian businesses did not yet recognize the value of information systems and therefore were reluctant to pay good prices for the kind of service Murthy could provide. Faced with a slew of problems beyond his control, a frustrated Murthy was finally forced to admit that his first foray into entrepreneurship was not going well. This created in him a crisis of conscience. He felt he had no right to involve Sudha in such an uncertain future. After agonizing over this for weeks, he made a decision. When they met after work one evening, he startled her by blurting out, 'I think we should break up.' Sudha was both shocked and hurt. 'But why?' she asked him. 'My venture is failing. You are a beautiful woman with a shining future. I can't drag you down with me,' he said. 'I'll be happy without money, I don't care for it. After all, I grew up on the edge of poverty. But I don't want to spoil your life.' Sudha's heart sank. She had been planning to tell her parents about him and to introduce him to them soon. But she hid her feelings and narrowed her eyes at him. 'What makes you think I care about money any more than you do?' Murthy, however, would not listen to her arguments. He cut off all contact with her. In the following days, he started hanging out more than ever before with friends with socialist leanings, but this only confused him further. Within his heart, the ideals of Marx battled with the examples presented by Gandhi and by his best-loved epic hero, Karna the Generous. Out of this turmoil would finally emerge a clear philosophy of compassionate capitalism, but the interim was painful and bewildering. IMAGE: Sudha Murty and Narayana Murthy. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sudha Murty/Instagram Sudha could have made Murthy feel guilty for abandoning her after spending all this time with her or pursued him aggressively, but she had too much self-respect to respond in an over emotional way. But neither was she willing to just give up. Though she was upset, she knit him a white sweater -- perhaps because she knew his propensity towards giving away his clothes to the poor. It took her a long time because she was not deft with handicrafts. But finally she completed it and sent it to him with their common friend Vinay. This silent gift of love did its job. Murthy, who had been missing her terribly, reached out to apologize, the two of them got back together, and in the dark days that followed, Sudha became the single source of brightness for Murthy. Sudha helped Murthy through this tough time in a number of ways. When she realized he was running out of savings, she quietly loaned him some money every month. When he protested, she told him he could return it when things got better. She even bought him a shirt so that he would be better dressed at meetings. She knew their evenings together brought him a great deal of solace because she was a good listener and he could unload whatever was on his mind. IMAGE: Sudha Murty, her husband, daughter Akshata Murty and son Rohan Murty at the launch of the book An Uncommon Love: The Early Life of Sudha and Narayana Murthy, February 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo But she also realized he no longer had money to eat out regularly. So she started paying for their dinners -- and Murthy, though usually proud about being self-sufficient, accepted. She sometimes asked probing questions about what he was doing to grow his company, but overall, she was supportive and encouraging. Murthy, who could never speak to his own family about his work problems, grew more attached to her each day. When Sudha visited her family in Hubli -- something she liked doing every few weeks -- Murthy would accompany her to the train station. 'I'll see you off,' he would say, but when the train arrived, he would get on it with her because he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. The first time this happened, Sudha, who was a law-abiding individual, was scandalized. 'Murthy,' she said, 'you don't have a ticket!' Excerpted from An Uncommon Love: The Early Life of Sudha and Narayana Murthy by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, with the permission of the publishers, Juggernaut Books. Available on Amazon and in bookstores. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High around 45F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A few flurries are possible. Low 29F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. The Vietnamese Day opens at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University in Russia on February 16. (Photo: VNA) Speaking at the event, Mr. Chernikov Aleksandr Sergeevich, Dean of the Faculty of International Education Program, recalled the long-standing traditional friendship and mutual support between Russia and Vietnam over the past years. He said that among foreign students from 76 countries studying at the university, Vietnamese students have achieved many outstanding academic achievements, with many Olympiad awards in mathematics, physics and other subjects. The cultural exchange program offers an opportunity for Russians to learn about the culture, country, and people of Vietnam, he added. Mr. Vuong Dac Thang, Vietnamese Defence Attache in Russia, affirmed that Bauman is a famous university in the world, many Vietnamese people who graduated from the university are currently holding important positions in research agencies or the government apparatus of Vietnam. He also expressed his gratitude to the university for always paying attention to the study, life and activities of Vietnamese students during the past time, as well as creating favourable conditions for them to organise the event. Within the framework of the program, the organizers created a cultural space imbued with Vietnamese national identity with photo exhibition of Vietnamese landscapes, introducing folk games such as To he (toy figurines) making, stall dancing and traditional Vietnamese dishes, which attracted a lot of attention from international friends. In addition, participants at the event immersed enjoyed Vietnamese traditional art performed by Vietnamese students./. Pacific island nations seen crucial to break through the U.S.s blockade against Beijing. China has promised Palau economic benefits in exchange for the latter severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a letter the Palauan president wrote to an unnamed United States senator revealed. President Surangel Whipps Jr. wrote to the senator that China had offered to 'fill every hotel room' in our tourism-based private sector 'and more if more are built,' and pay US$20 million a year for a call center. The letter asked for Congress approval for funds for economic assistance packages pledged to Palau, which alongside Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, come under the Compacts of Free Association with the U.S. COFA gives the U.S. military access to these allies vast maritime territory in the Pacific. The nations provide the U.S. strategic control of the sea and air between Hawaii and Asia, an area wider than continental United States, Whipps wrote. The longer the delay to approving the amendment to the national security supplemental appropriations bill, Whipps warned, the more it plays into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party and business leaders in Palau who want to accept the economic benefits, at the cost of shifting alliances, beginning with sacrificing Taiwan. Whipps letter was uploaded in a post on X Thursday by Cleo Paskal, a researcher at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, an American think tank. The letter ended by calling the legislation critical for both of our democracies and a free and open Indo-Pacific. Screenshot of Whipps letter. (@CleoPaskal, X) Experts pointed out that Chinas monetary diplomacy strategy focuses on poaching Taiwans allies,while its diplomatic offensive against Palau aims to break the U.S.s containment of Chinas defense lines, allowing its fleet to cross the second island chain and reach the U.S.s rear at any time. Out of new tricks In her response to the press on Friday, Rosalia Wu, secretary-general of the Democratic Progressive Party's Legislative Yuan Caucus, said Palau and Taiwan have a firm friendship and Chinas money diplomacy may not be effective. Of course this is commonplace, and it is nothing new. China cant come up with any more attractive new tricks. But within Chinas internal affairs and domestic economy, we see many Chinese people are suffering, while China continues to spend huge sums of money to buy diplomacy. Wu added that China may have offered favorable incentives to win diplomatic ties but there are many cases of Beijing being unable to realize these promises. Honduras which shifted towards establishing ties with China, is a case in point, Wu cited. Honduras has lost more than 10,000 job opportunities and nearly US$15 million in foreign exchange. China has bragged about procuring their white shrimps in bulk but that was a check that didnt cash out. Breaking U.S. blockade Chen Li-fu, president of the Taiwan Association of University Professors, said in an interview with Radio Free Asia that Chinas short-term goal is to break Taiwans ties with Palau. In the long term, it is to use these Pacific island countries as a springboard to break through the U.S.s blockade against Beijing. Because the first island chain of the U.S. is Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines; the second island chain is in Guam, and the third island chain is in Hawaii, Chen said. If it [China] goes to the South Pacific countries, it will directly cross Guam, which is equivalent to reaching the rear of the U.S. If the U.S. wants to encircle China on the first island chain, and the second island chain is the rear, the Chinese fleet can move to the rear of Guam in a legal way, through reconciliation or visit, which is effective. Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Jeff Liu said Taiwan empathizes with Palaus plight of Chinas economic coercion, and the island will continue to provide assistance. Translated by RFA staff. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang. North Korean workers in China who reportedly occupied a factory last month to protest over unpaid wages took a monitoring officer hostage and beat a management representative to death, according to Japans Yomiuri newspaper. About 2,000 workers dispatched by a trading company affiliated with North Koreas Ministry of Defense occupied a medical manufacturing and seafood processing plant in the city of Helong, in northeast Chinas Jilin province, on Jan. 11, the Yomiuri reported Saturday, citing North Korean sources. The North Korean workers, many of whom are former female soldiers in their 20s, were angry about long-term wage arrears and took hostage the Chinese companys management representatives and monitoring personnel from Pyongyang, vowing to go on strike until they were paid. The North Korean authorities mobilized consuls and state security officers to try to restore order, but the workers prevented them from entering the factory, said Yomuiuri, adding that the riot continued until the 14th of the same month, when the hostage management representative was beaten to death by the workers. It was the first large-scale protest by North Korean workers in China, and it brought to the surface the anti-authoritarianism of North Korean youth who refuse to accept slavery, reads the Yomiuri report in part. The riots came after news that fellow workers who returned to the North last year had not received their wages upon their return, according to the Yomiuri. North Korean workers in Jilin province earn a monthly wage ranging from 700 to 1,000 Chinese yuan (approximately US$97 to $140). The North Korean companies dispatching these workers to China collect between 2,500 to 2,800 Chinese yuan (around US$347 to $390) per worker each month from their Chinese counterparts, leaving 700 to 1,000 Chinese yuan of that amount to the workers themselves. However, the North Korean trading company that sent the rioting laborers took the full amount in the name of fund needed to prepare for war, when the border between North Korea and China was closed as a COVID-19 measure. The total amount is said to have been in the millions of dollars, paid to the North Korean leadership and embezzled by company executives. North Korean authorities appeased the workers by paying them back wages, but also identified about 200 workers who led the riots and repatriated about half of them to the North. The incident was reported to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to the Yomiuri. A North Korean source told the Japanese paper that those who led the riots will be sent to a political prison camp and punished severely. The Yomiuris report came after Ko Young-hwan, a North Korean diplomat-turned-defector, who is currently serving as special aide to South Koreas Unification Minister, said last month that thousands of North Korean workers in Chinas Jilin province had staged a series of strikes and riots at several factories since Jan. 11, protesting unpaid wages by the North Korean authorities. At that time, Ko claimed that the strikes and riots subsided on the 15th but also warned that they are likely to return as funds to pay back wage arrears have dried up, forcing company North Korean executives and diplomats based in China to raise the necessary funds. South Korea's National Intelligence Service has also reportedly identified a large-scale mass backlash of North Korean workers in Jilin province, but China has not confirmed the claims. Sending North Korean workers abroad is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, but with the closure of its borders due to COVID-19, some 90,000 North Korean workers have reportedly remained in China, Russia, the Middle East and Africa. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan. Hundreds more are trapped in the surrounding villages, a rescue team said. An onslaught of airstrikes in northern Myanmar killed six civilians and injured 13 more, rescue workers told Radio Free Asia on Monday. Junta troops retaliated after joint resistance forces attacked a regime base in Kachin state on Friday. After the Kachin Independence Army and Arakan Army, two allied ethnic armed organizations, fired on Mansi townships strategic hill, the junta base turned its guns on nearby Si Hkam Gyi village. Mansi township, which borders China, has been a site of previous conflict in late January. The Kachin Independence Army claimed the capture of 30 junta troops on Jan. 22 and 57 more soldiers escaped attacks by crossing the Chinese border. Regime soldiers bombarded the village by air in a two-day attack on Saturday and Sunday, when roughly 1,000 residents fled the area, locals said. On Saturday alone, troops dropped 20 bombs on four villages, they added. A rescue worker with Myitta Shin Charity Group, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, said civilians and victims are being moved to safety. Hundreds of local people are trapped in the villages, including Si Hkam Gyi village. We plan to evacuate these people first and we are waiting to pick up the evacuees coming out of the villages today, he told RFA on Monday. The bodies havent been picked up yet because they died in the bomb shelters. We haven't been able to get inside. The blasts killed two girls aged two and six. The airstrikes also killed four men in their 40s. The injured, mostly women, were sent to nearby Bhamo Hospital. Many of the displaced were sent to Man Thar village monastery and are being provided with medicine and food, he added. A resident of nearby Si Kaw village who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons told RFA he was forced to flee in the middle of Saturday night, during the blasts. We left the village at 2 a.m. There was no difficulty on the way and I came with my own motorbike. I am staying in the hall next to Man Thar Monastery, he said. The communities in Man Thar village provided food as soon as we arrived and the Myitta Shin Charity Groups rescue team is picking up all the people who want to take refuge and helping them. Kachin Independence Army spokesperson Col. Naw Bu said on Sunday that people needed to live in a safe place and protect themselves from the junta airstrikes. There is fighting on the side of Si Hkam Gyi village. The military junta fires airstrikes all day long. The fighting continues there, like it did before, he said. They mainly do not attack on the ground and depend on heavy artillery and airstrikes, so people must flee for their safety as much as possible. The juntas Northern Region Military Command Infantry Battalions 121, 276, 123 and 15 are stationed just 48 kilometers (30 miles) away from Strategic Hill. Mansi township is one of the main supply routes to junta troops in nearby Bhamo city, which is why their attacks have been so fierce, said Col. Naw Bu. RFA contacted Kachin states junta spokesperson Moe Min Thein on Sunday for comment on the accusations of indiscriminate firing and civilian deaths, but he did not answer at the time of publication. According to data compiled by RFA, junta airstrikes and artillery have killed 1,429 civilians and injured 2,641 more from the day of the coup on Feb. 1, 2021 to Jan. 31, 2024. Over 2.6 million people had been displaced due to war by the end of 2023, according to a report from the United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn. China and Taiwan pledge to continue law enforcement in the waters between Kinmen island and the Chinese mainland. Anti-landing barricades are seen on the beach with China's Xiamen in the background in Kinmen, Dec. 18, 2023. Updated Feb. 19, 2024, 05:03 a.m. ET. Both Taipei and Beijing have said they will enforce the law in the waters between Kinmen island and Chinas mainland after last weeks incident that resulted in the deaths of two Chinese men. Taiwan authorities said on Feb. 14, a Chinese speedboat trespassed within 1.1 nautical miles of the eastern coast of the island of Kinmen. The Taiwanese coast guard deployed vessels to expel the boat in accordance with the law. The Chinese crew refused to be inspected and their boat capsized, according to a press release from Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) the agency in charge of cross-Strait issues. Four people on board fell into the sea, two of them died. Kinmen is an outlying archipelago less than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from Chinas Fujian province but more than 180 kilometers (112 miles) from Taiwans mainland. The island and Fujians city of Xiamen are separated by Xiamen Bay. China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said on Sunday that China has launched regular law enforcement patrols in the area as part of efforts to protect fishermen's lives and property. The Fujian branch of the coast guard will strengthen maritime law enforcement in the relevant waters, Gan said in a statement. Before that, a spokesperson for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office Zhu Fenglian condemned the incident which, she said, sparked widespread outrage on the mainland, and severely hurt the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Both sides are nervous In response to Gan Yus announcement, Taipeis MAC said on Sunday that law enforcement activities by the Taiwanese coast guard will continue. According to cross-Strait regulations, mainland ships are not allowed to enter Taiwan's restricted and prohibited waters without permission, it said in a statement, In order to safeguard the rights and interests of fishermen, our competent authorities will expel or detain cross-border vessels in accordance with the law. The latest developments show that both sides are nervous, said a Kinmen resident, military historian Timothy Tsai. I'm not a fisherman, so I don't worry much at the moment yet, said Tsai, who heads a local military history group. But if the tension between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is escalating further then it will definitely be a concern for everyone. Tourists taking pictures in front of a military tank, half buried in the sand on a beach in Kinmen, Aug. 20, 2022. (RFA) In recent months Kinmen has seen frequent flyovers by Chinese drones, and many believe it could be the first target of a Chinese invasion in the future. However, Su Tzu-yun, a senior analyst at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taipei, said that in his opinion this incident will not escalate into a military conflict. However, it is important to note that China's systematic approach, through the proximity of merchant ships close to Taiwan's home island waters and the harassment of fishing boats, indicates that China can still exert pressure on Taiwan, Su told RFA. But Taiwan should not respond alone, the military analyst said, Chinese fishing boats have clashed with Korea in the Yellow Sea, with Japan's Coast Guard in the East China Sea, and with the Philippine Coast Guard in the South China Sea. Even in South America, Chinese fishing vessels have clashed with fishermen and sea captains from various countries, he noted. The international community should collectively protest against Beijing's threat to global fishery resources. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan. Updated to add video and comments from analyst. The Muhammads fled China and war-torn Afghanistan. Decades later, they may be on the move again. When Tursun Muhammad was 13 his father led the family across the Pamir Mountains to flee political persecution in Xinjiang, China. Tursun Muhammad was thirteen when political persecution forced his family to leave their prosperous farm in Yarkant, Xinjiang, and flee over the Pamir Mountains. Tursuns father was targeted during the Cultural Revolution for his wealth and the fact that he was a landlord, Tursun told RFA. After attending Friday prayer at the local mosque he was locked up for three days. So, he packed up his family and left Yarkant to journey into Afghanistan. It took 45 days to reach Kabul. So high are the Pamir ranges that they are known as the roof of the world. The family sheltered in caves on the route. Once, Tursun passed out from lack of oxygen. An older sister died along the way. Her body is left on the mountain, buried in stones, he said. In Afghanistan, the formerly prosperous farmer sold vegetables from a cart to feed his family. Tursun learned to be a tailor, and as a young man started a family of his own with another Uyghur refugee, until fighting in the country forced the Muhammads to move again, this time to Pakistan. About 15 years later, the Muhammads were forced to flee again, leaving Afghanistan due to conflict and eventually settling in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. (Illustration by Rebel Pepper) Now, decades later, the familys legacy of rootlessness may soon pass to Tursuns son, Turghunjan, who along with his wife and their three children are part of a small ethnic Uyghur community of Afghan refugees in Rawalpindi, Pakistans fourth largest city. The Muhammad family has built a modest, if limited, life there, but they remain undocumented and could be forced to leave their home as the government moves to deport Afghan refugees due to a claimed fear over terrorism. When we left Yarkant, our parents left everything in Yarkant, Tursun told RFA. When we moved from Afghanistan, we left everything in Afghanistan, only thinking about staying alive. Now we are hearing the same thing again. Fears of deportation Hundreds of other Afghans have already been kicked out of Pakistan. With the help of human rights groups and the U.N. refugee agency, the Uyghurs have for now been allowed to stay, but it isnt clear how long the reprieve will last. The familys main worry remains being sent back to Afghanistan, a place they left decades ago. But they have heard about Chinas persecution of Uyghurs. Could the Taliban, as it cozies up the Chinese Communist Party, force the Uyghurs to return to China in some sort of gesture of goodwill? The future is dark, Turghunjan said. Its dark in Afghanistan, and even now, living in Pakistan, it is dark too. Turghunjan Muhammad grew up in Pakistan, but as an undocumented immigrant he had few opportunities. He dreamed of becoming an engineer. Without a national ID, however, he couldn't attend school. (Illustration by Rebel Pepper) Bradley Jardine, managing director of the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, a Washington, DC-based group that promotes scholarship about the region, said it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the Uyghur families could be sent back to China. Such incidents have occurred in the past when Uyghur passports have expired" to exiles who have caught the attention of Chinese officials, he said. From 1997 through January 2022, 424 Uyghurs were deported to China and another 1,150 were detained in 22 countries, according to a database maintained by the Oxus Society. Tenuous existence In some ways the Muhammads story is unique. There are thought to be only about 20 families in a similar situation. Their feeling of precarity, though, is one that many Uyghur families outside of China can relate to. Beyond the anxiety of deportation are also the limits placed on Uyghur refugees in host countries that may be reluctant to grant them the full rights of citizenship. Sometimes, it is for fear of upsetting an important international partner. Other times, it is simply because of their own restrictive immigration policies. Turghunjan learned to be a tailor from his father, making traditional Pakistani shalwar kameez. His small salary supports his family, which includes his wife and three children. (Illustration by Rebel Pepper) As a refugee, Turghunjan couldnt attend school. So, instead of becoming an engineer, an early aspiration, he learned to be a tailor from his father, stitching traditional Pakistani shalwar kameez. When his daughter was born, he could not even pick her up from the hospital because he lacked a national ID card. He had to enlist the help of a friend to convince hospital authorities to release her. Though his children, now aged 17, 12 and 8, go to private schools, they will be unable to attend a university in Pakistan. Sometimes my daughter says that if we had an ID, she would go to college and study computer engineering, Turghunjan said. The conditions are not letting us grow. Dreaming of the west Despite the challenges, Tursun said he has tried to keep alive their Uyghur culture within his family. His father has died, but Tursun has kept his almond doppa, a skull cap Uyghurs wear, and his prayer beads, along with his mothers prayer mat. The family speaks to each other in the Uyghur language. We follow the Uyghur culture, Tursun said. We are Uyghur, so even if we go back to Afghanistan there is nothing for us. Now the family worries they could be sent back to Afghanistan or even China. Pakistan has threatened to deport Afghan refugees, including the small community of ethnic Uyghurs in Rawalpindi. (Illustration by Rebel Pepper) Like other Uyghur emigres, the Muhammads' hope now is to reach a Western country better able to resist pressure from China and offer a greater chance for permanence. Canadas promise to take in 10,000 Uyghurs refugees - about the number of ethnic Uyghurs now thought to live in the United States - is particularly seen as a potential solution. But even in Western countries the process to citizenship is slow and cumbersome. In a report last year, the Washington D.C.-based Uyghur Human Rights Project, an advocacy group, criticized the U.S. government for its backlog of cases. As many as 1,000 Uyghurs were awaiting resolution to their applications, in some cases for nearly a decade, the report said. The only thing I cant bear to leave behind is my parents grave, Tursun said, of the possibility of leaving Pakistan. We have lived like this, and we hope our kids have a better life. Edited by Boer Deng. A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) SINGAPORE, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese passenger jet C919 made a rehearsal flight Sunday in Singapore to prepare for the upcoming airshow. Five aircraft developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd., including C919, will meet the public at the airshow. C919 will perform flight demonstrations at the Singapore Airshow 2024, which lasts from Feb. 20 to Feb. 25. The aerial show attracts aerobatic teams from India, Australia, Indonesia and South Korea. Singapore Air Force will send its F-15 fighter jet and Apache attack helicopter to the aerial performances. The event, attended by over 1,000 participating companies, is expected to attract 50,000 trade attendees from over 50 countries and regions. Singapore Airshow will set up the country pavilion for Chinese aerospace enterprises for the first time, according to the organizer. A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) Editor: ZAD Vladimir Putin has claimed a fifth presidential term with a landslide victory in a tightly controlled election that has been condemned by the West as neither free nor fair as the Russian leader seeks to prove overwhelming popular support for his full-scale invasion of Ukraine and increasingly repressive policies. With 99.75 percent of ballots counted, Putin won another six-year term with a post-Soviet record of 87.29 percent of the vote, the Central Elections Committee (TsIK) said on March 18, adding that turnout was also at a "record" level, with 77.44 percent of eligible voters casting ballots. The 71-year old Putin -- who has ruled as either president or prime minister since 2000 -- is now set to surpass Soviet dictator Josef Stalins nearly 30-year reign to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than two centuries. "This election has been based on repression and intimidation," the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told journalists in Brussels on March 18 as the bloc's foreign ministers gathered to discuss the election, among other issues. The March 15-17 vote is the first for Putin since he launched his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that has killed tens of thousands of Russians and led to a clear break in relations with the West. In holding what has widely been viewed as faux elections, Putin wants to show that he has the nations full support, experts said. The vote was also held in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers are located. Moscow illegally annexed the regions since launching the invasion, though it remains unclear how much of the territory it controls. The Kremlin's goal "is to get as many people as possible to sign off on Russia's war against Ukraine. The idea is to get millions of Russian citizens to retroactively approve the decision Putin single-handedly made two years ago," Maksim Trudolyubov, a senior fellow at the Kennan Institute, wrote in a note ahead of the vote. In remarks shortly after he was declared the winner, Putin said the election showed that the nation was "one team." But Western leaders condemned the vote, with the White House National Security Council spokesperson saying they "are obviously not free nor fair given how Mr. Putin has imprisoned political opponents and prevented others from running against him." British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said "this is not what free and fair elections look like," adding in his message on X, formerly Twitter, that illegal elections have also been held on occupied Ukrainian territory. The French Foreign Ministry said Putin's reelection came amid a wave of repression against civil society. It also praised in a statement the courage of "the many Russian citizens who peacefully protested against this attack on their fundamental political rights." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Putin has become "sick with power" and he is just "simulating" elections. "This imitation of 'elections' has no legitimacy and cannot have any. This person must end up in the dock in The Hague [at the International UN Tribunal for War Crimes]," Zelenskiy said on X. Putin's allies were quick to heap praise on the Russian leader for his election success. China, one of Russia's most importants allies, congratulated Putin, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian saying President Xi Jinping and the Russian leader "will continue to maintain close exchanges, lead the two countries to continue to uphold long-standing good-neighborly friendship, deepen comprehensive strategic coordination." Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called Putin's victory "decisive," the state news agency IRNA reported. WATCH: Leading psychiatrists discuss how excessive power can impact brain functioning and what the impulse for total control reveals about the mind and personality traits of authority figures. Putin was opposed by three relatively unknown, Kremlin-friendly politicians whose campaign was barely noticeable. The main intrigue was whether Russians would heed opposition calls to gather at polling stations at noon on March 17 to silently protest against Putins rule. Russian media had reported in the months leading up to the election that the Kremlin was determined to engineer a victory for Putin that would surpass the 2018 results, when he won 77.5 percent of the vote with a turnout of 67.5 percent. The Kremlin banned anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin from the ballot after tens of thousands of voters lined up in the cold to support his candidacy. Nadezhdin threatened to undermine the narrative of overwhelming support for Putin and his war, experts said. Independent election observers were barred from working at this years presidential election for the first time in post-Soviet history, experts said. Russian elections have been notorious for ballot stuffing and other irregularities. The vote was also held in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers are located. The United States called the elections neither fair nor free. 'Noon Against Putin' With options to express resistance severely limited by the lack of competition and repressive laws, opposition leaders called on voters opposed to Putin to gather near polls at noon to show the Kremlin and the country that they were still a force. Russia's opposition movement suffered a serious blow last month when Aleksei Navalny, Putins fiercest and most popular critic, died in unclear circumstances in a maximum-security prison in the Arctic where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism widely seen as politically motivated. Long lines formed at polling stations across Russia's 11 time zones at the designated time for the "Noon Against Putin" protest, including in Novosibirsk, Chita, Yekaterinburg, Perm, and Moscow among other Russian cities. "We're not really expecting anything, but I'd somehow like to make a record of this election for myself, tick the box for myself, so, when talking about it later, I could say that I didn't just sit at home, but came and tried to do something," said one Russian who came to vote at noon. "The action has achieved its goals," Ivan Zhdanov, the head the Anti-Corruption Foundation formerly headed by Navalny, said in a YouTube video. "The action has shown that there is another Russia, there are people who stand against Putin." The Moscow prosecutor's office had earlier warned of criminal prosecution against those who interfered with the vote, a step it said was necessary due to social-media posts "containing calls for an unlimited number of people to simultaneously arrive to participate in uncoordinated mass public events at polling stations in Moscow [at noon on March 17] in order to violate electoral legislation." Lawyer Valeria Vetoshkina, who has left the country, told Current Time that if people do not bring posters and do not announce why they came to the polling station at that hour, it would be hard for the authorities to legitimately declare it a "violation." But she warned that there were "some basic safety rules that you can follow if you're worried. The first is not to discuss why you came, just to vote. And secondly, it is better to come without any visual means of agitation: without posters, flags, and so on." Ella Pamfilova, head of Russia's Central Election Commission (TsIK), on March 16 said there had been 20 cases of people attempting to destroy voting sheets by pouring liquids into ballot boxes and eight incidents of people trying to destroy ballots by setting them on fire or by using smoke bombs. Russians living abroad also took part in the "Noon Against Putin" campaign, with hundreds of people lining up at 12 p.m. outside the Russian embassies in Sidney, Tokyo, Phuket, Dubai, Istanbul, Berlin, Paris, and Yerevan among other capitals. "It's not an election. It's just a fake. And so we're here to show that not Russians elect the current leader of Russia, that we [are] against him very severely, and that lots of people had to flee their country to be free," said Anna, a Russian citizen living in Berlin and who gathered outside the embassy in the German capital. Putin was challenged by Liberal Democratic Party leader Leonid Slutsky, State Duma deputy speaker Vladislav Davankov of the New People party, and State Duma lawmaker Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party, none of whom opposed the war. The Russian leader had the full resources of the state behind him, including the media, police, state-owned companies, and election officials. When Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker last year, Tehran said the transporter had collided with and damaged an Iranian vessel in the Gulf of Oman. Now, nearly one year later, Tehran said it will confiscate the cargo of the Advantage Sweet, which was transporting oil from Kuwait to the U.S. state of Texas, in retaliation for crippling American sanctions against the Islamic republic. The Mizan news agency, which is affiliated with Iran's judiciary, reported on March 6 that a Tehran court had ruled in favor of confiscating the oil, which is valued at around $50 million. The 55th branch of the Tehran Court of Justice said funds from the sale of the oil will be used to compensate patients suffering from epidermolysis bullosa, a rare skin disease. The court ruled that U.S. sanctions have prevented a Swedish company from selling medicine to Iran that is used to treat the disease and caused Iranian patients severe emotional and physical damage. EB Home, an Iranian nongovernmental organization representing over 300 epidermolysis bullosa patients, had brought a case against the United States in the Tehran court. In a statement following the court ruling, the NGO described U.S. sanctions as criminal and unilateral. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller criticized the ruling and demanded that the tanker be immediately released. Irans continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights and freedoms in the regions vital waterways is a threat to maritime security, regional stability, and the global economy, he said in a press briefing on March 6. The U.S. military said in January that Iran was holding five ships and over 90 members hostage from vessels it seized in 2023. Most Iranian tanker seizures are carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the elite branch of Irans armed forces. Iran said it seized the Advantage Sweet in April 2023. The tanker was chartered by U.S. oil giant Chevron and was carrying oil to the U.S. port of Houston, according to ship tracking data. Irans capture of the Advantage Sweet came days after the United States seized Suez Rajan, an oil tanker that was transporting sanctioned Iranian oil to China. Months after seizing the Suez Rajan, and despite Tehrans threats, Washington begun unloading the ships oil in August 2023. Sanctions And 'Butterfly' Patients The Tehran courts ruling has put the spotlight on the impact of U.S. sanctions on the health sector in Iran. In 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington from a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and reimposed sanctions against Tehran. Iranians have witnessed rising prices and faced shortages of life-saving medicine -- including drugs for cancer treatment and insulin -- in recent years due to U.S. sanctions and corruption. U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran exclude food and medicine. But in practice, the restrictions have made it difficult for Tehran to purchase some drugs, according to human rights groups. That includes specialized bandages produced by Swedish firm Molnlycke that are used to treat epidermolysis bullosa patients, who often develop painful blisters and wounds, similar to third-degree burns. They are sometimes referred to as butterfly patients due to the fragility of their skin. State Department spokesman Miller told reporters on March 6 that U.S. sanctions have always had a carveout for humanitarian purchases. We have never prevented medicine from reaching the Iranian people, he added. EB Home, the Iranian NGO, had previously filed an unsuccessful complaint against Molnlycke in Sweden in 2021. In its failed complaint, the NGO claimed that Molnlycke had informed it in March 2019 correspondence that it had decided not to conduct any business with relation to Iran for the time being. This also applies to business conducted under any form of exceptions to the US economic sanctions. In a 2021 report, United Nations experts warned about the consequences of over-compliance with U.S. sanctions on butterfly kids, who they said can no longer enjoy the right to health. The following year, the Swedish government provided financial support to the United Nations Children's Fund to procure and deliver specialized bandages to Iran. The lack of availability of certain medicines and health products in Iran is a humanitarian concern, affected by the impact of the sanctions regime on financial transactions, Swedens then-ambassador to Iran, Mattias Lentz, said. We do hope a solution will be found and will continue to support such a solution. European Union foreign ministers in Brussels provided strong public backing to the exiled widow of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny, vowing additional sanctions against Moscow to hold it responsible for the death of her husband in a remote Arctic prison. "The EU will spare no efforts to hold Russia's political leadership and authorities to account, in close coordination with our partners; and impose further costs for their actions, including through sanctions," the EUs top diplomats said in a joint statement following their meeting with Yulia Navalnaya on February 19. Navalnaya, who has become a vocal Kremlin critic in her own right over recent years, vowed to "continue our fight for our country" as she traveled to Brussels to seek backing from the 27-member bloc, whose leaders have expressed outrage over Navalny's death in custody last week and Russian authorities' refusal to allow his mother and lawyers to see his body. "Three days ago, Vladimir Putin killed my husband, Aleksei Navalny," Yulia Navalnaya said in a two-minute video post on X, formerly Twitter. Navalnaya, who along with their two children lives abroad, was already in Munich for a major international security conference when reports emerged on February 16 that Navalny had died at a harsh Arctic prison known as Polar Wolf, where he was serving a 19-year sentence for alleged extremism that Navalny and Kremlin critics say was heaped atop other convictions to punish him for his anti-corruption and political activities. "I will continue the work of Aleksei Navalny," Navalnaya said. "Continue to fight for our country. And I invite you to stand beside me." She called for supporters to battle the Kremlin with "more fury than ever before" and said she longed to live in "a free Russia." EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell emerged from that meeting expressing "the EU's deepest condolences" and confidence that Russian President "Vladimir Putin & his regime will be held accountable for the death of [Aleksei Navalny]." "As [Navalnaya] said, Putin is not Russia. Russia is not Putin," Borrell said, adding that the bloc's support is assured "to Russia's civil society & independent media." An ally of Navalny, Ivan Zhdanov, said in a post on Telegram that an investigator had stated that tests on Navalny's body will take 14 days to complete. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis insisted earlier that the EU must "at least" sharpen sanctions against Russia following Navalny's death. The EU has already passed 12 rounds of Russian sanctions and is working on a 13th with the two-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaching later this week, with member Germany pressing for more. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had said Berlin would propose new sanctions on Moscow at the meeting with Navalnaya, but the outcome remained unclear. The German Foreign Office said it was summoning the Russian ambassador over Navalny's death to "condemn this in the strongest possible terms and expressly call for the release of all those imprisoned in Russia for political reasons." Chancellor Olaf Scholz's office called separately for clarification on the circumstances and for Russian authorities to release Navalny's body to the family. The Kremlin -- which for years avoided mention of Navalny by name -- broke its official silence on February 19 by saying an investigation was ongoing and would be carried out according to Russian law. It said the question of when his body would be handed over was not for the Kremlin to decide. It called Western outcry over the February 16 announcement of Navalny's death "absolutely unacceptable." The Latvia-based Novaya Gazeta Europe said on February 18 that police were securing a local morgue in the Siberian city of Salekhard as speculation swirled around the location of the 47-year-old Navalny's body and whether it showed signs of abuse. Navalny is the latest on a significant list of Putin foes who have ended up dead under suspicious circumstances abroad or at home, where the Kremlin has clamped down ruthlessly on dissent and free speech since the Ukraine invasion began. Political analyst Yekaterina Shulman told Current Time that Navalny "possessed incomparable moral capital" in Russia but also well beyond its borders. "He possessed fame -- all Russian and worldwide," Shulman said. "He had moral authority [and] he had a long political biography. These are all things that cannot be handed down to anyone and cannot be acquired quickly." She cited Navalny's crucial credibility and "political capital" built up through years of investigations of corruption, campaigning for elections, and organizing politically. "Perhaps this apparent political assassination will become a rallying point not for the opposition -- the opposition is people who run for office to acquire mandates [and] we are not in that situation -- but for the anti-war community...inside Russia," Shulman said. Navalny's family and close associates have confirmed his death in prison and have demanded his body be handed over, but authorities have refused to release it pending an investigation. Mediazona and Novaya.gazeta Europe said Navalnys body was being held at the district morgue in Salekhard, although officials reportedly told Navalny's mother otherwise after she traveled to the remote prison on February 17 and was denied access. A former spokeswoman for Navalny, Kira Yarmysh, claimed Navalny's mother had been turned away again early on February 19. Yarmysh tweeted that Russia's federal Investigative Committee had told his mother and lawyers that "the investigation into Navalnys death had been extended. How much longer she will go is unknown. The cause of death is still 'undetermined.'" "They lie, stall for time, and don't even hide it," she added. The OVD-Info human rights group website showed more than 57,000 signatories demanding that the Investigative Committee return Navalny's body to his family. WATCH: Court documents examined by RFE/RL reveal that medical care was repeatedly denied to inmates at the prison where Aleksei Navalny was held. In one case, this resulted in the death of an inmate. The revelation comes amid questions over how Navalny died and as his body has still not been handed over to his family. The group noted that a procedural review process could allow authorities to keep the body for at least 30 days, or longer if a criminal case was opened. Since the announcement of his death on February 16, Russian police have cordoned off memorial sites where people were laying flowers and candles to honor Navalny, and dispersed and arrested more than 430 suspected violators in dozens of locations. Closely watched by police, mourners on February 19 continued to leave flowers at tributes in Moscow to honor Navalny. Initial reports suggested police in the capital did not intervene in the latest actions. The Western response has been to condemn Putin and his administration, with U.S. President Joe Biden saying there is "no doubt" that Putin is to blame for Navalny's death. The British and U.S. ambassadors laid tributes over the weekend at the Solovetsky Stone, a monument to repression that has emerged as a site to honor Navalny. U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy said she was honoring "Navalny and other victims of political repression in Russia," adding, "His strength is an inspiring example. We honor his memory." The French ambassador also visited one of the memorials. With reporting by Reuters Tourists visit the Fuzi (Confucius) Temple scenic area in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 14, 2024. More Chinese people nowadays choose to go on a journey during the Spring Festival to experience different cultures and lunar new year atmosphere. (Photo by Su Yang/Xinhua) BEIJING, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- China saw 474 million domestic tourist trips during the eight-day Spring Festival holiday that ended on Saturday, up 34.3 percent year on year, according to data released by the country's Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Sunday. Tourists spent nearly 632.7 billion yuan (about 89.07 billion U.S. dollars) on their domestic holiday trips, a 47.3 percent year-on-year increase, data showed. According to the ministry, the Chinese mainland saw 3.6 million tourist departures and 3.23 million tourist arrivals during the eight-day holiday, as favorable policies such as mutual visa exemptions have accelerated the recovery of outbound and inbound tourist markets. During the holiday, 16,300 commercial performances were held across the country, raking in 778 million yuan, up 52.1 percent and 80.09 percent year on year, respectively. The performances attracted more than 6.57 million audiences, a year-on-year increase of 77.71 percent, according to the ministry. Editor: WXL The grainy black-and-white video showed what appeared to be a fast-moving speedboat bobbing on the nighttime waves, swerving back and forth as it approaches a much larger warship. The ship then explodes spectacularly, and the nearly 3-minute video ends with a vessel seen rolling onto its port side just before it sinks. The speedboat was in fact a Ukrainian-designed unmanned maritime drone packed with explosives, known as the MAGURA-V. The warship purportedly was the Tsezar Kunikov, one of just a handful of heavy landing ships in Russia's Black Sea Fleet. It sank off the southern coast of Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Russia seized 10 years ago. The fate of the ship's crew, estimated at around 70, is unclear. One day after, the admiral in charge of the Black Sea Fleet was reportedly stripped of his command. The Tsezar Kunikov is one of nearly two dozen Russian warships that Ukraine has seriously damaged or outright sunk since Russia began its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Prior to its sinking, Oryx, a Dutch open-source website known for verified tallies of Russian and Ukrainian equipment losses, put the figure at 21 warships and one submarine. Ukraine's general staff has a slightly higher count: 24 Russian ships and one submarine. That works out to approximately a third of the entire fleet, which numbers around 74. Those figures do not include smaller craft such as shallow-draft coastal patrol boats or auxiliary vessels. No matter how you count it, it's an extraordinary set of naval losses inflicted by a country that currently does not have a navy. Naval and military experts around the world have taken note. "Ukraine's success in the Black Sea this year certainly came as a surprise to many of us. At sea, the Ukrainians have proven to be much more technologically and tactically innovative than the Russians have," said Michael Petersen, director of the Russia Maritime Studies Institute at the U.S. Naval War College, in Newport, Rhode Island. "The daring innovation they have displayed is in contrast to the [Russian] Black Sea Fleet, which has proven to be extremely risk averse and lacking in imagination," he said. "Ukraine has prosecuted a classic asymmetric campaign against what was a significantly stronger opponent," said Mike Plunkett, senior naval platforms analyst at Janes, a defense intelligence research company. Russia "has gone from being the indisputable maritime power in the Black Sea -- on paper at least -- to being pinned back into the eastern portion and unable to exert sea control over the region," he said. Barrages And Blockades Prior to February 2022, Ukraine's navy was largely made up of Soviet-era surface ships and some onshore infrastructure that it inherited in the late 1990s when Kyiv and Moscow agreed to divide up the Soviet Black Sea fleet. The two countries' fleets were housed close to one another in Crimea, including at the peninsula's historic main port, Sevastopol. Ukraine's budget problems, along with corruption in military and civilian procurement, however, meant its fleet, including combat and auxiliary ships, could barely stay afloat and was perennially underfunded. After Russia seized Crimea in 2014, Ukraine moved its serviceable fleet, including four corvettes and its flagship, the frigate Hetman Sahaydachniy, to the port of Odesa, to the west. Ukraine began losing access to its other major ports, Berdyansk and Mariupol on the Sea of Azov, in the run-up to Russia's invasion. Russia had imposed what amounted to a naval blockade of the Sea of Azov, using the Crimea Bridge as a gateway to choke passage through the Kerch Strait, the only waterway linking it to the Black Sea and the world beyond the Bosphorus. With the onset of the invasion, Ukraine scuttled the Hetman Sahaydachniy in Mykolayiv, a port on the Pivdenniy Buh River, where it was undergoing repairs. As many as a dozen other Ukrainian ships were damaged or sunk around the Black Sea. In the end, Russia imposed a virtual blockade of Ukraine's ports, including the largest one still under its control, Odesa, with surface ships blocking foreign cargo ships from loading up and exporting Ukrainian grain. Global grain markets reeled, and UN officials warned of potential famine in some Mediterranean and African countries that heavily rely on Ukrainian grain. The blockade worsened for Ukraine and for other Black Sea nations after floating land mines began to drift, some breaking free of their moorings. Kyiv and Moscow have blamed each other for allowing the mines to drift. Russia used its Black Sea surface and submarine fleet -- around 80 vessels in total, according to Ukrainian estimates -- to fire some of the missiles that barraged Ukrainian cities and towns, terrorizing the population. The Russian fleet's flagship, the guided missile cruiser Moskva, played a leading role in the amphibious assault on Snake Island. A small garrison of Ukrainian border guards stationed on the strategically located island about 140 kilometers south of Odesa were captured Russian forces on the first day of the full-scale invasion. Nearly two months later, on April 13, as the Moskva steamed east of Snake Island, it was hit by what turned out to be two land-launched Neptune anti-ship missiles. The ship sank less than a day later. At least 18 sailors were killed, though outside estimates say the death toll was likely significantly higher. It was the largest Russian or Soviet warship to have been sunk since World War II. "Just because your opponent doesn't have a meaningful navy, do not assume you have complete freedom of movement and action at sea," Plunkett said. Destroyed Dry Dock For many experts, Ukraine's sinking of the Moskva showed ingenuity and a willingness to take risks. "They tried something, it worked even better than they hoped, with the Moskva sinking," said Dmitry Gorenburg, a senior research scientist at the Center for Naval Analyses, a think tank based near Washington, D.C., "and then they said, 'Oh great! And let's build on that!' and they've been working on that for the last two years." "I doubt the Ukrainians ever expected to hit, let alone sink Moskva, but the fact they did made their point in the clearest way possible," Plunkett said. "It had the desired effect as well, with Russia pulling its surface fleet back into the central Black Sea and away from Ukraine." About three weeks before the sinking of the Moskva, on March 24, 2022, a landing ship called the Saratov exploded while docked in the Russian-occupied port of Berdyansk. Ukraine later revealed it had used a short-range Tochka-U ballistic missile to target the ship. Two other landing ships that were docked close by at the same time -- the Tzesar Kunikov and the Novocherkassk -- managed to escape with minimal damage. Other Western-supplied weapons have further supported Ukraine's creativity. In May 2023, Britain announced it would supply Kyiv with Storm Shadow cruise missiles, an air-launched missile with a range of around 250 kilometers. France supplied a French-version of the missile, known as SCALP. The missiles were employed to hit several bridges in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. But on September 13, Ukraine fired a series of missiles at a dry dock repair facility in Sevastopol, seriously damaging, and possibly destroying, the landing ship Minsk and a submarine, the Rostov-on-Don. The port's repair facilities were also badly damaged, posing complications for repairing the fleet's larger warships and submarines. Nine days later, Ukrainian jets fired multiple Storm Shadows at the headquarters of the Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol. Ukrainian authorities claimed dozens of officers were killed or wounded in the strike. Russia has never confirmed the toll. On December 26, the Novocherkassk, which had escaped the March 2022 attack on Russian vessels in occupied Berdyansk, was hit and reportedly sunk while berthed at a repair dock in the eastern Crimean port of Feodosia. Ukrainian officials suggested Storm Shadow or SCALP missiles were used in the attack. The ship reportedly had a crew of 77 at the time of the sinking. As of February 12, 33 sailors remained missing, according to Russian war bloggers. The Defense Ministry has released no official tally. Enter The Unmanned Sea Drone Ukrainian creativity also gave rise another potent naval weapon: the unmanned maritime drone, essentially a high-speed, pilotless boat packed with explosives. Ukrainian authorities publicly announced the push to develop such weapons in November 2022. The first Russian vessel believed to have been targeted with a maritime drone was another heavy transport landing ship, the Olenegorsky Gornyak. On loan from the Northern Fleet, the Gornyak was seriously damaged on August 4, 2023, when it was targeted in Novorossiisk, a Black Sea port about 425 kilometers east of Sevastopol. Three months later, Ukraine's military intelligence claimed that two other landing ships were damaged and possibly sunk near Chornomorske, on Crimea's west coast. February was a particularly cruel month for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. On February 1, the guided missile corvette Ivanovets was attacked and sunk as it stood at anchor near the western Crimean settlement of Okunivka. Grainy black-and-white video released by Ukrainian military intelligence shows the Ivanovets listing and then sinking below the surface, stern up. A spectacular series of explosions suggests the ship's magazine detonated. Ukraine followed up 13 days later with the purported sinking of the Tsezar Kunikov, which, like the Novocherkassk, had escaped the March 2022 attack on Berdyansk, If confirmed, the Kunikov would be the fifth such landing ship -- known as the Ropucha-class -- to have been put out of commission by Ukraine. The Kremlin declined comment on the sinkings, deferring to the Russia's Defense Ministry, which has said nothing. On February 15, multiple Russian war bloggers reported that the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Viktor Sokolov, had been stripped of duties. The head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, Kyrylo Budanov, said later that the homegrown Ukrainian drone called the MAGURA-V was responsible for the attack. 'The Russian Navy Is Far From Beaten' Russia's other fleets -- the Northern Fleet, the Pacific Fleet -- remain potent tools for the Kremlin. Russian ships have played a key role in ferrying personnel and weaponry to Syria, where Russian forces helped tip the scales in favor of the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad. Its submarines, particularly its nuclear-capable ballistic missile ships, are powerful, stealthy, and arguably a match for the other submarine fleets, including the U.S. Navy. "For all of its losses since the start of the war, the Russian Navy is far from beaten, and still presents a significant challenge to NATO navies," Plunkett said. "So no, the Russian Navy is far from dead, even as it has suffered in the Black Sea." The loss of five landing ships like the Tzesar Kunikov would sharply limit the Russian military's ability to ferry heavy equipment like tanks or armored personnel carriers, as well as men and supplies, to shorelines on the Ukrainian mainland and -- a bigger problem for Russia -- to Crimea. If the bridge linking Crimea to Russia is destroyed or damaged, that poses a potential risk for Russian forces on the peninsula. But while the Russian fleet's losses may have curtailed its operations, they certainly have not ended its threat. On February 15, at least two sea-launched Kalibr cruise missiles were fired at Ukrainian targets from somewhere near Novorossiisk, according to Ukraine's military. Still, the Ukrainian achievements are both a moral victory and a broad tactical victory: Russia's Black Sea operations have been markedly affected, forcing the fleet to sail further away from Crimea and the shores of mainland Ukraine. "Ukraine's success at sea has little effect on the course of the ground war, and it certainly won't win the ground war. But it has created an incredibly important economic lifeline that can only offer Kyiv a greater chance at holding out longer," Petersen said. Using sea-launched cruise missiles like the Kalibr, which has a 1,500-kilometer range, Russian ships can still pound Ukrainian land targets, said Plunkett, of Janes. But the ships have to fire from further away, giving Ukrainian defense extra time to warn civilians and track the missiles. "Ukraine has prosecuted a classic asymmetric campaign against what was a significantly stronger opponent," he said. "Ukraine identified weaknesses in the Russian operations and then systematically and consistently applied pressure to them." And the significance is not just limited to the Black Sea. In the Red Sea, cargo ships have been attacked and threatened by Huthi rebels in Yemen, prompting U.S. and British warships and fighter jets to respond, firing on multiple targets in Yemen. The Huthis don't have a navy. In Taiwan, which a growing and increasingly forceful China considers to be a renegade province that will eventually be reincorporated into the Chinese state, experts say military planners are also likely watching closely for tips and tactics about how to thwart a possible Chinese amphibious invasion one day. "Implications elsewhere are significant," Petersen said. Viewed of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. BEIJING, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a congratulatory message to the 37th African Union (AU) summit. Xi pointed out that the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the Global South represented by China and Africa is booming, which has a profound impact on the course of world history. The AU brings African countries together to seek strength through unity, and promote integration as well as the building of free trade areas, Xi said. The AU's successful accession to the G20 has further enhanced Africa's representation and lifted its voice in global governance, and China extends heartfelt congratulations on that, he added. The Chinese president stressed that over the past year, China-Africa relations have grown deeper. As the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue was successfully held, the two sides decided to support each other in exploring their modernization paths and jointly create a favorable environment for realizing their development visions, Xi added. The new session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is going to be held in 2024, Xi noted. He said that he stands ready to work with leaders of African countries, with a focus on the benefits of people from both sides, to draw up a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation and promote the joint building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. Editor: WXL Pat Flynn Updated: 12pm Two people have been arrested after a road collision in Co Clare on Sunday evening. Six people were taken to hospital after the incident which took place on the N67 from Miltown Malbay to Spanish Point at around 6.30pm. Gardai confirmed on Monday that one person has been arrested in connection with the collision as investigations continue. Two teenagers, one male and one female, a woman and three men were injured in the incident, all of whom were taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. Units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Ennistymon station responded to the incident, along with National Ambulance Service paramedics and Gardai. The road remains closed while a technical examination of the scene is carried out. A Garda spokesperson confirmed: "Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of a two vehicle collision on the N67 outside of Miltown Malbay, Co Clare at around 6.30pm on Sunday. "A total of 5 people were injured during the incident and all have been taken to Limerick Regional Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The road remains closed at this time. Local diversions are currently in place." Meanwhile, a second collision involving a car and a motorcycle occurred shortly after 7pm on Sunday. The incident happened on the main N68 Ennis to Kilrush at Kilmorane at the turn-off for Ballyea. Units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Ennis station responded to that incident along with gardai and a number of ambulances from Clare and Limerick. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital with wha is understood to be a lower limb fracture. His pillion passenger also taken to hospital for further treatment. It is understood the occupants of the car were uninjured. The scene was examined by Garda Crime Scene Investigation officers before the road was reopened. Sherin Alsabbagh cannot get the anguished and terrified words of her mother out of her head. She is saying I am hungry, save me, Ms Alsabbagh, an English tutor and translator living and working in Ballaghaderreen, told the Herald recently. She is a Palestinian and Irish citizen and has been watching with horror the aftermath of the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Sherin has lived in Ireland for 15 years. Her mother Najwa, aged 73, is unwell, frail and has lost her home. She and my father worked hard to make us a nice home, she said. When I talk to her she says Save me please. I am hungry, I cant live with that. My seven year old niece is trying to hide the fact that she is hungry and sick because she doesnt want me to worry. Najwa along with Sherin's brother Mohammed, his wife Doaa, and their four children, Abed Elkareem, Ritaj, little Najwa and Salsabeel are currently trapped in Gaza. Her father passed away four years ago. Her mother is a retired teacher. Her brother is an accountant and his wife is a geologist. Their children are aged between six and 17; the eldest had just started college in Gaza city when the invasion began. They have been completely displaced, sleeping in bomb damaged buildings and sleeping on the floor in Al Shifa hospital in the north of Gaza. They are now on the streets, trying to find shelter. They were ordered to leave their home in Gaza City, near Al Shifa hospital, in October. I dont call this a war because it is not equal, she said. Her family travelled South to Rafah. But after this area was bombed too, they went back to the East of Gaza, which they then had to flee. Nowhere in Gaza is safe, Sherin explained. You are talking about an elderly woman here, she has problems with her knees and her back. When my family were ordered to move by the Israeli army, it was not an organised operation. Its chaos, people are running in the street for their life. Its full of horror. The road is full of unburied bodies, said Sherin. The buildings are still collapsing from the bombardment. They cant even take shelter if its raining because they dont know if the building is safe. I dont want you to think that there are people telling them where to go and guiding them to where it is safe. There are waves of people of all ages, running in the streets for their lives. You can imagine what Gazans have to go through before they get to a place. I dont want to call it a safe place because nowhere is safe. For the last three months, people of Gaza have been suffering unimaginably. For Sherin what her family is going through is almost indescribable. I have not spoken to them in recent days but my sister who is in Sweden, has. You keep trying and trying but the communications are very poor. It is really frustrating, she said. While they do not want to leave Gaza, they want to live in peace. They are in immediate danger from bombs, bullets, and snipers, as well as disease and deprivation. They are now almost starving, forced to eat animal meal and have no clean water to drink or wash, Sherin told this paper. My nieces when they drink the water, they get sick. They vomit and they get dehydrated. The food that they are eating, if there is any, is making them sick, but they are eating it because they have to. The body cannot digest it because the food is not suitable for human consumption. Safety is gone, hygiene is gone, there is no proper food. There is only one bathroom. A thousand people, some of whom are sick, using one bathroom. She said that recently her family went back to their home, which is close by, for extra blankets and found it severely damaged. There are big holes in the roof and walls. They got stuck in the house, as there were tanks outside the house. They had to turn off the mobile phones, turn off the lights. They asked the kids, six and seven, to be quiet because if the soldiers heard any noise, they would shoot. She is very worried about how seeing and living through these experiences is effecting the children. Its unimaginable. I cant imagine it myself. On the phone, I could hear the bombardment. My niece told me I love you. I am afraid. I want to save them, I want to do something for them. And I cant and I feel it is my responsibility. They stayed in that house the whole night. No blankets underneath them and it was so cold. A GoFundMe page to help Sherin was set up by her friend, artist Jessamine O'Connor, and it has already raised thousands of euro, more than 20,500 of a 70,000 target. People are so generous, she said. It is so amazing. I felt I was flying. When I told my family my late father always told me the similarities between Irish and Palestinian history I heard the hope and joy in their voice. It gave them hope to live. The support I have been given is beyond words. Sherin is pleading with the department of foreign affairs to help her family get out of Gaza, similar to what other countries, such as Spain, are doing. She added that the number of Gazans with Irish citizenship is small, and their families would not constitute a large number of people. I am trying to protect my family, Sherin said. I am begging the Irish Government to help me, to help me feed my mother. This woman has been through awful things since October, how long do you think she is going to live? I am living with this voice in my head Save me, save me. To donate to the GoFundMe campaign, please visit Help Sherin's family escape from Gaza. REGARI (Roscommon East Galway Advancing Recovery in Ireland) is a HSE based initiative. They are holding a Registration Day for their upcoming 14-week spring/summer workshops on Tuesday February 20th between 1-4pm at their offices adjacent to Roscommon University Hospital. People can also register at any of the 14 workshops which run every Tuesday starting on February 27th from 2-5pm in Roscommon Library. Some examples of workshops include Developing our Self-Compassion, Strategies for Managing Anxiety, Managing Setbacks and Trauma and Healing. All modules developed at REGARI Recovery College are co- produced by people who use the mental health services, their supporters, health professionals and by anyone with an interest in mental health and wellbeing. Workshops are open to anybody over 18 years of age and are designed for those who are interested in learning more about coping with mental health challenges through education and conversation. One person who attended workshops in the past said REGARI Recovery College has helped me to develop an awareness of mental health difficulties. I enjoyed the social interactions each week, going home and reading up on what I learned. I enjoyed the variety of different topics covered. Peer educator Amanda Hunt from the recovery college said REGARI is a lovely space to meet up and connect with others in a warm and friendly environment. Recovery Educations aim is to support mental health and wellbeing through adult education and transformative learning. I hope you will join us at some point on your journey. Everyone is welcome. If you would like more information, please contact Amanda on 0876221335 or by email at regarirecoverycollege@gmail.com By Cillian Sherlock and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA RTEs director-general has defended his decision to give an exit package to Rory Coveney, saying the national broadcaster could have been ordered to pay double the amount if the former strategy director had taken a wrongful dismissal case. Kevin Bakhurst said there were absolutely no grounds to sack Mr Coveney, who was described as the driving force behind an ill-fated musical which lost the organisation 2.2 million. Mr Coveney, the brother of enterprise minister Simon Coveney, received a package when he resigned and his role was made redundant in July last year the same week Mr Bakhurst took the helm. Mr Bakhurst said RTE expects to recoup the cost of the payment to Mr Coveney by July this year, leading to speculation the payment was approximately one years salary, or about 200,000. Former RTE director of strategy Rory Coveney (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Bakhurst described Toy Show The Musical, which went ahead without formal board approval, as a disaster, but said: Its not all down to Rory Coveney. He added: It was not enough on its own to fire him over. So if you cant fire someone in a semi-state, you have to find another way of exiting them from the organisation in a way that provides value to licence-fee payers. Mr Bakhurst would not comment on the exact figure provided to Mr Coveney, but suggested that the organisation could potentially have paid out double what was given if Mr Coveney had taken a wrongful dismissal case with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), which the director-general said was typically about two years pay. He said the amount paid out was also considerably less than Mr Coveney would have received under an RTE voluntary exit programme. RTE director-general Kevin Bakhurst speaks to the media with RTE board chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh (Niall Carson/PA) He told RTEs Drivetime: Were not in America, you cant just fire people willy nilly with no repercussions. You know, had I gone down that route, RTE would have a liability, which is substantially more than what we ended up paying. Mr Bakhurst also claimed on Monday that he had previously told reporters last year that Mr Coveney was given an exit payment. When asked at the time if Mr Coveney had received an exit fee going out the door, Mr Bakhurst told reporters on his first day in the job that there was no ex gratia payment and added that it was not fair to talk about individuals. Media Minister Catherine Martin speaking at Government Buildings (Niall Carson/PA) He said: He didnt get a payment going out the door but he is entitled as other people are to statutory-level payments when they leave an organisation. Recalling the comment on Monday, Mr Bakhurst said that statutory was a technical term and that what he actually meant was that Mr Coveney had been given an appropriate fee based on his 16 years at the organisation and compared to what he would receive at the WRC. Mr Bakhurst also confirmed that former chief financial officer Richard Collins was given a payment to leave the organisation, after independent mediation which included a confidentiality clause. The director-general has come under fresh scrutiny about the payouts and confidentiality agreements. Labour senator Marie Sherlock said there had been a convenient retrofitting of the truth and the public were led to believe that Mr Coveney resigned of his own volition. Mr Bakhurst told reporters on Monday that he stands by everything he has done since he took the top job at the embattled national broadcaster. Asked whether he would resign, he said No, absolutely not. I stand entirely by what Ive done about trying to move the organisation forward with a new leadership team and make payments which are in the best interest and the best value for RTE. It was also recently disclosed that, before Mr Bakhursts tenure, a 450,000 exit package was given to former RTE chief financial officer Breda OKeefe, without the knowledge of the full executive board. Fine Gael TD and member of the Oireachtas media committee Alan Dillon said the details of all exit packages of all executives dating back to 2016 should be published. Speaking after summoning Mr Bakhurst, and chairwoman of the RTE board Siun Ni Raghallaigh, to her department on Monday, Media Minister Catherine Martin said she asked them to explore all options to provide further transparency. This included requesting individuals involved to waive their rights under confidentiality agreements. Asked if Mr Bakhurst should resign, she said: I think Kevin is the best person to be as DG in RTE. I think he has implemented substantial reform and has a body of work to do now, and a strategic vision, and following through on reform needed. Mr Bakhurst has said he is seeking updated advice on how far we can push transparency on exit packages, given obligations regarding GDPR, Irish employment law and the individual rights of every RTE employee. Mr Bakhurst said it may well be part of the discussion to ask former executives to waive confidentiality agreements relating to their exit packages. However, he said it would undermine future trust in the organisation if it decided to walk away from mediated legal agreements. He added: Ive never in my whole career been asked to break the law and I dont think its a great idea to start doing that now. He also said confidentiality agreements are standard in mediation processes and can result in cost savings. When I came into the job there was enormous pressure on me to bring new leadership to this organisation. And the only way to exit people from semi-states and thats not just RTE, its any semi-state you have to have really strong grounds to fire somebody and if you dont have that grounds, you have to find a negotiated settlement. Ms Martin said confidentiality agreements should be avoided in any future severance arrangements at RTE and that caps on exit payments should be introduced. The minister also said RTE had committed to a reform which would require board approval for future exit packages. She would not provide a figure on what the cap on exit payments should be, but said it should be at the higher level and packages should not be extraordinary. Elsewhere, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said he was open to working with Ms Martin on the workable proposal to cap exit payments at RTE. The Government will publish two reports commissioned by Ms Martin on the governance of RTE this month. Arvind Kejriwal Latest News Delhi CM skips 6th ED Summons Delhi Chief Minister Arvind kejriwal on Monday skipped the ED's sixth summons Arvind Kejriwal Latest News: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind kejriwal on Monday skipped the ED's sixth summons issued to him in the excise policy case. AAP stated that the matter was now in court and asked the probe agency not to send repeated summons. On Monday, Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal didn't go to the Enforcement Directorate when they asked him to appear before them for the sixth time. This was about questions related to the Delhi excise policy. The AAP party said that the ED's requests were not right and that they're dealing with it in court. They think the ED should wait for the court to decide instead of calling Arvind Kejriwal over and over again. Advertisement On February 14, the authorities Delhi CM to appear before them for questioning on February 19, but he didn't go. He's been ignoring their requests, saying they're unfair and politically motivated. This has happened five times before on February 2, January 18, January 3, December 22, 2023, and November 2, 2023. On February 17, a court in Delhi said Arvind Kejriwal could come in person on March 16 to explain why he missed the previous requests. He said he couldn't come earlier because there were important discussions in the Delhi Assembly. He promised to come after March 1. In the meanwhile, Delhi chief minister said he will physically appear before the court on the next date of hearing on March 16. Advertisement (For more news apart from Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Farmer Protest 2024 Ambala to Chandigarh auto ride cost price news Ambala to Chandigarh Auto Fare Price news Farmers Protest 2024, Ambala to Chandigarh Auto Fare Price news: Due to the ongoing Kisan Andolan 2.0, traveling from Chandigarh to Delhi has become both hard and costly. Additionally, passengers coming from Haryana to Chandigarh are also facing challenges. Recently, the cost of auto ride from Ambala to Chandigarh has spiked, significantly. Usually, this ride via auto rickshaw used to cost about Rs 150 but due to the closures of border amid farmers' protest, the fare has shot up to over Rs 800. One passenger, Manoj Kumar, shared his experience while he was travelling from Ambala to Chandigarh. He said the auto rickshaws were asking Rs 800 rupees for an auto ride from Ambala to Chandigarh, which is much higher than the usual fare. Advertisement The borders between Punjab and Haryana have been shut to prevent farmers from marching to Delhi. As a result, buses between Chandigarh and Delhi are also not operating. This is causing significant inconvenience for passengers. (For more news apart from Farmers Protest 2024, Ambala to Chandigarh Auto Fare Price, stay tuned to Rozana Spoksman) Farmers Protest 2024, Ambala to Chandigarh Auto Fare Price news: Due to the ongoing Kisan Andolan 2.0, traveling from Chandigarh to Delhi has become both hard and costly. Additionally, passengers coming from Haryana to Chandigarh are also facing challenges. Advertisement Recently, the cost of auto ride from Ambala to Chandigarh has spiked, significantly. Usually, this ride via auto rickshaw used to cost about Rs 150 but due to the closures of border amid farmers' protest, the fare has shot up to over Rs 800. One passenger, Manoj Kumar, shared his experience while he was travelling from Ambala to Chandigarh. He said the auto rickshaws were asking Rs 800 rupees for an auto ride from Ambala to Chandigarh, which is much higher than the usual fare. The borders between Punjab and Haryana have been shut to prevent farmers from marching to Delhi. As a result, buses between Chandigarh and Delhi are also not operating. This is causing significant inconvenience for passengers. (For more news apart from Farmers Protest 2024, Ambala to Chandigarh Auto Fare Price, stay tuned to Rozana Spoksman) Day Before SC Hearing on MC Election 2024, Chandigarh Mayor Resigns, 3 AAP councilors join BJP Three Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councilors joined the BJP. Chandigarh Mayor Manoj Sonkar Resignation, MC Election 2024 News: A day before the Supreme Court was set to hear the petition over the conduct of Chandigarh Mayor Elections 2024, the Chandigarh Mayor Manoj Sonkar on Sunday resigned from his designation. On Manoj Sonkar's resignation from the post of Chandigarh Mayor ahead of the Supreme Court's hearing on MC Election 2024, Chandigarh BJP President Jatinder Pal Malhotra said, "The mayor resigned yesterday afternoon. Aam Aadmi Party and Congress propaganda is out in the open. They are abusing each other in the rest of the country and they are allying in Chandigarh..." Advertisement "The Congress workers did not want a Congress Mayor, which is why they cross-voted... To stop AAP's propaganda, we have resigned... More workers and the councilors of the AAP and Congress will join the BJP soon..." said Malhotra. Three AAP councilors join BJP In a major development, three Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councilors joined the BJP a day before the hearing in the Supreme Court on allegations of rigging in the recent mayoral elections. Senior BJP leader Arun Sood said that three AAP councilors Neha, Poonam, and Gurucharan have joined the BJP in the presence of senior Kala Party leader Vinod Tawde. Advertisement With the change of the three councilors of 'AAP', it is certain that whenever there are new elections for the mayor, the party will tilt in favor of the BJP. Before their joining, the 35-member Chandigarh Municipal Corporation had 14 councilors from the BJP and 13 from the AAP. Chandigarh MP Kiran Kher also has the right to vote in the Corporation House. While seven members were from the Congress party, Shiromani Akali Dal had only one member. What is the whole matter? Advertisement On January 30, the BJP won the mayoral election in a blow to the AAP-Congress alliance and accused the election officer of tampering with the ballot papers as they had a majority on their side. Eight votes were declared invalid due to which the BJP got 16 votes while the AAP-Congress alliance bagged only 12 votes. AAP-Congress approached the Supreme Court The apex court had, on February 5, reprimanded the election officer who conducted the mayoral election. CJI said it was clear that he had tampered with the ballot papers and should be prosecuted. The court also said that the officer's act was "murder and mockery'' of democracy. Advertisement The court ordered to preserve the ballot papers and the video of the voting proceedings and asked the election officer to appear in person on February 19, the day of the next hearing of the case. 'Farmers' Protest 2024 to continue if...' says Farmer Leader "Our Delhi Chalo march will continue till the demands are met", said Farmer Leader Sarwan Singh Pandher. Farmers' Protest 2024, Latest News on 'Delhi Chalo' March: After the fourth round of meetings between the protesting farmers and Union Ministers, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "...Our decision to go to Delhi is on standby. On February 21 at 11 am, we will move forward peacefully. Till then we will try to present our points in front of the centre..." Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said, "...We will discuss the proposal by the govt (on MSP) with our forums and experts, and then, we will come to a conclusion... Our Delhi Chalo march will continue till the demands are met as the talks on several other demands need to be done..." Advertisement General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarvan Singh Pandher said, "...We will have discussions on the proposal by the govt in the next two days... The govt will also deliberate on the other demands... We will continue with the 'Delhi Chalo' march on Feb 21 if there is no result." Sarvan Singh Pandher said, "The ministers said that they will have discussions on the other demands after returning to Delhi... The discussions will be held on Feb 19-20 and the 'Delhi Chalo' march scheduled for Feb 21 will be decided based on the discussions... Together (govt and the farmers' union), we will try to find a solution to the issues." On the other hand, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, "The discussions went on for five hours. I talked about the benefits for Punjab. We had asked for an MSP guarantee on the purchase of pulses, which was discussed in the meeting." Advertisement Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, "During the meeting, the farmers stressed the need for crop diversification amid the depleting water table. The farmers' union will tell us their decision by morning. We will also have discussions with NCCF and NAFED after returning to Delhi... The Cotton Corporation of India will enter a 5-year legal agreement with farmers to buy the crop at MSP..." Piyush Goyal further said, "We have together proposed a very innovative, out-of-the-box idea... The govt promoted cooperative societies like NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will form a contract for the next 5 years and buy products from the farmers on MSP. There will be no limit on the quantity..." He also said, "With new ideas and thoughts, we had a positive discussion with Bhartiya Kisan Mazdoor Union and other farmer leaders...We had a detailed discussion on how to carry forward the work done by PM Modi in the last 10 years." A staff member in the costume of the God of Wealth interacts with tourists in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 14, 2024. Ceremonies were held Wednesday to welcome the God of Wealth as a tradition on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. (Photo by Yu Xiangquan/Xinhua) Staff members in the costume of the God of Wealth interact with tourists in Nantong, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 14, 2024. Ceremonies were held Wednesday to welcome the God of Wealth as a tradition on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. (Photo by Xu Congjun/Xinhua) A staff member in the costume of the God of Wealth interacts with tourists in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 14, 2024. Ceremonies were held Wednesday to welcome the God of Wealth as a tradition on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. (Photo by Wang Jianmin/Xinhua) Staff members in the costume of the God of Wealth interact with tourists in Zhuquan Village of Linyi City, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 14, 2024. Ceremonies were held Wednesday to welcome the God of Wealth as a tradition on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. (Photo by Wang Yanbing/Xinhua) A staff member in the costume of the God of Wealth poses for a photo with a tourist in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 14, 2024. Ceremonies were held Wednesday to welcome the God of Wealth as a tradition on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. (Photo by Huang Zhengwei/Xinhua) A staff member in the costume of the God of Wealth interacts with tourists in Taizhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 14, 2024. Ceremonies were held Wednesday to welcome the God of Wealth as a tradition on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. (Photo by Tang Dehong/Xinhua) A staff member in the costume of the God of Wealth interacts with tourists in Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 14, 2024. Ceremonies were held Wednesday to welcome the God of Wealth as a tradition on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. (Photo by Shi Kuanbing/Xinhua) A staff member in the costume of the God of Wealth interacts with tourists in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Feb. 14, 2024. Ceremonies were held Wednesday to welcome the God of Wealth as a tradition on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. (Photo by Chen Wenwu/Xinhua) Editor: WJH Japan will Monday release December figures for core machine orders, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In November, orders were down 4.9 percent on month and 5.0 percent on year. Thailand is scheduled to release Q4 numbers for gross domestic product, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 0.1 percent on quarter and 2.5 percent on year. That follows the 0.8 percent quarterly increase and the 1.5 percent yearly gain in the three months prior. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. GPT Group (GPT.AX,GPTGF.PK), an Australian owner, manager, and developer of retail assets, on Monday reported a decline in Funds from Operations or FFO for the full year. For the full year, the company posted FFO of A$600.9 million or 31.37 cents per security, lesser than A$620.6 million or 32.40 cents per security, reported last year. The lower FFO result was mainly due to an increase in interest costs for the Group and for its two wholesale funds in which GPT has a material co-investment. Excluding items, FFO stood at A$488 million, compared with A$510.8 million a year ago. Distribution per security was unchanged at 25 cents per security from previous year's 25 cents per security. Net loss stood at A$240 million as against a profit of A$469.3 million a year ago, mainly due to a property devaluations of A$819 million Looking ahead, amidst persisting uncertain operating environment, for the full-year 2024, the Group expects to post FFO of around 32 cents per security with a distribution of 24 cents per security. Further, the company said: "Net income growth across the diversified portfolio is expected to be offset by higher interest costs. Trading profits from contracted sales at Sydney Olympic Park are expected to contribute circa 4 percent of FFO, which is higher than the historical average." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Participants cheer in unity at the recent Makhanda Education Summit By The Division of Communication and Advancement In pursuing knowledge, pioneers often draw inspiration from the Chinese proverb that it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. There is no doubt that darkness surrounds us as a society inequality, poverty, crime, ignorance and prejudice to name but a few. However, instead of retreating to defeat, all it takes is a moment of awareness, reflection, and resolve to light a candle in the midst of the darkness. Lighting a candle forces us to focus on the sphere in which our influence lies. Its flicker and gentle glow are signs of hope and warmth. Over the past decade, Rhodes University and its partners have achieved remarkable progress in education, surpassing even our most ambitious expectations. Through a strategic and focused plan, this partnership continues to brighten the light in every corner of the city, bringing about positive change and fostering a globally engaged, locally responsive approach to education. Makhanda has set a template for the entire educational landscape of South Africa. The genesis of this journey began in 2013, when Makhanda, previously known as Grahamstown, was declared the 10th worst-performing education district in the country. Recognising this as the crisis it was, the first primary and secondary school principals' forums were convened within months to drive solutions and intervention programmes collectively. The Makhanda Principals' Forum, a microcosm of our collaborative efforts, identified the urgent need for leadership training in 2015. Our response, a partnership with the Rhodes Business School, birthed an accredited Leadership Course - a model for cultivating leadership in the educational landscape nationwide. This has been sustained for the past eight years. Since the inauguration of Professor Sizwe Mabizela as Vice-Chancellor in 2015, the vision for an educational institution that would be in Makhanda and of and for Makhanda was birthed. This intention was borne from the conviction that a university should be an integral part of the community in which it is situated. The vision was clear seeing Makhanda as the centre of academic excellence, from early childhood development to the university level. The then-new Vice Chancellor convened various networks of education experts, from both within and outside the university, to work together to uplift the standard of schooling in the city. The multi-faceted programme that has blossomed from these initial engagements has become known as the Vice-Chancellors Education Initiative. Over the past nine years, the strategic focus has been to foster communities of excellent practice in the schooling sector, to identify and build schools of excellence in the no-fee sector and to mobilise the Rhodes University student body to engage effectively to drive solutions to the schooling challenges in the city. This is a blueprint for educational reform in South Africa. Different structures were established in many forums, with numerous stakeholders, and in various corners of Makhanda to strengthen the blueprint. It has been heartening to experience everyone pulling in the same direction, united by a common purpose. This includes University staff, education officials and civil society structures across the town. The Makhanda Circle of Unity - an apolitical, multi-stakeholder civil society coalition has been an impressive vehicle for people to strategise and create solutions collectively. Rhodes University partnered with GADRA Education and the Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE) to support matriculants from underperforming local schools who failed or performed poorly in Matric in gaining access to the university as students. Our mentoring programme immediately boosted matriculants' performance and contributed to increased Bachelor passes. In 2021, the programme won the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship. The prize recognises exemplary university student civic engagement programs around the world. The programme is now operated by over 100 trained Rhodes students who provide mentorship. It spans four faculties and incorporates approximately 40 students annually. The general improvement of the citys fee-exempt schools and the mentoring bridging programme has seen a massive increase in the number of disadvantaged students accessing full-time study at Rhodes University. The number has increased more than tenfold, from 12 in 2011 to approximately 150 in 2023. This is a statistic that we are incredibly proud of. Makhanda achieved an 80% pass rate and more than 300 bachelor's passes among 824 candidates in the 2023 matric examinations. A recent comprehensive study by Rhodes University and GADRA Education on the literacy rates of Grade 4 learners in Makhanda measured the comprehension skills and reading ability of more than 1000 children in all the public primary schools in Makhanda. The outcomes reveal that 40 per cent of Grade 4 children in the city can read for meaning. This is significantly higher than the 19% national reading rate in the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) report. Our vision is for Makhanda to emerge as the leading academic educational centre and city in South Africa by 2028 and to be recognised as such, affording all local children and young people the benefit of good quality and relevant education at pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary levels. We believe that the milestones we have achieved through strategic interventions and partnerships should ignite a nationwide conversation on how universities can play a pivotal role in democratising access to quality education. This is a clarion call for reflection and inspiration for all of us to engage our communities actively and shape a future where universities are not just located in a city but form an integral part of the community within that city. Makhandas story beckons us to contemplate the possibilities that arise when a community unites, an academic institution engages, and a shared, progressive vision serves as a roadmap. We must reimagine education as a collective responsibility, where success is measured in grades and the transformation of lives and communities. As we celebrate the milestones achieved, we also embrace the future with a renewed commitment to fostering education as the cornerstone of a brighter, more equitable society. Together, let us light the way forward, forging a path where every child, regardless of their background, can benefit from the power of transformative education. Lilitha Masizana at Alumni House, visiting The Division of Communications & Advancement By: The Division of Communications & Advancement In the heart of Dunoons Ekupholeni informal settlement, a story of remarkable determination and academic excellence unfolds, emblematic of the indomitable spirit of youth. Lilitha Masizana, a recent matriculant from Sinenjongo High School, has emerged as a top achiever amidst challenging circumstances and set a precedent for aspiring scholars nationwide. Her journey from a one-room shack, shared with her mother and younger brother, to securing a place at one of the countrys prestigious universities is a testament to her resilience and hard work. Lilithas academic journey is marked by significant achievements, including securing first place in the GO IT competition and clinching the third spot at both the Eskom Science Expo and Eskom Science Fair in 2021. These accolades highlight her intellectual prowess and her passion for science and technology. Amidst these achievements, Lilitha faced numerous challenges, including the lack of formal electricity in her community, relying on illegal connections, and contending with noise disruptions from nearby establishments. Despite these obstacles, she achieved five distinctions in her matriculation exams, which speaks volumes of her dedication and focus. Her success in academics has opened doors to higher education. Lilitha has been accepted to study a Bachelor of Pharmacy at Rhodes University, a dream come true for someone who aspires to make significant contributions in science and medicine. While she also applied to other prestigious institutions with an initial interest in medicine, she said: Rhodes University gave me the best offer, backed by NSFAS funding. Lilithas mother, Nyameka Masizana, praises her daughter's accomplishments. The sacrifices made by the family, including borrowing money and enduring long walks to ensure Lilithas education, have borne fruit. Nyamekas unwavering support underlines the critical role of family encouragement in navigating the challenges posed by their living conditions. Lilitha Masizanas story is not just one of personal triumph but also serves as an inspiration to many young individuals facing similar adversities. It underscores the importance of resilience, hard work, and community and family support in overcoming barriers to success. As Lilitha embarks on her new journey in the world of Pharmacy, she carries with her the hopes and dreams of many from Ekupholeni informal settlement and beyond, proving that any obstacle can be surmounted with determination. Her achievements are a hope for aspiring students, demonstrating that excellence is attainable regardless of background. Lilitha Masizanas journey from Dunoon to Rhodes University embodies the essence of perseverance and the transformative power of education. It is a narrative that will undoubtedly inspire future generations to strive for greatness, no matter the odds. Commercial Vehicle Retail Sales in India: A Close Look at Jan 2024 The commercial vehicle (CV) segment in India witnessed a modest improvement in retail sales during January 2024, with a marginal year-on-year (YoY) growth of just 0.11 percent. Despite the challenging market conditions, the total sales reached 89,208 units, reflecting a modest positive trend. However, this growth was primarily driven by the Medium Commercial Vehicle (MCV) and Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) segments, as the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) category faced a decline. Tata Motors at top In January 2023, the LCV segment recorded sales of 52,892 units, but this figure decreased by 5.78 percent to 49,835 units in January 2024. Despite the YoY decline, there was a notable 19.21 percent month-on-month (MoM) improvement from the sales figures in December 2023, indicating a potential recovery in the coming months. Conversely, the MCV segment experienced an 11.90 percent YoY growth, with retail sales reaching 5,454 units in January 2024. HCV sales also showed a positive trajectory, increasing by 2.46 percent YoY to 29,179 units. The others segment demonstrated outstanding growth, with a remarkable 65.68 percent increase YoY, reaching 4,740 units. Examining the performance of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the CV sector in January 2024 reveals mixed results. While the overall industry showed a marginal improvement, some leading OEMs faced de-growth in retail sales during this period. CV Sales Jan 2024 vs Jan 2023 Tata Motors, holding a substantial market share, experienced a YoY decline, with retail sales dropping from 33,701 units in January 2023 to 31,188 units in January 2024. Despite this, Tata Motors exhibited a significant MoM growth compared to December 2023, suggesting a potential rebound. Mahindra, the second-largest player in the market, reported a positive YoY growth, with retail sales increasing to 23,580 units in January 2024 from 21,834 units in January 2023. This growth can be attributed to the introduction of the Supro Profit Truck Excel series, available in both diesel and CNG Duo variants. Insights into Indias Commercial Vehicle Retail Sales Ashok Leyland faced a YoY dip in retail sales, recording 13,969 units in January 2024 compared to 14,615 units in the same month the previous year. VE Commercial Vehicles also witnessed a de-growth, dropping to 5,817 units in January 2024 from 5,842 units in January 2023. However, Eicher Trucks and Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles, showcased their first electric truck, indicating a strategic move towards sustainable transportation. Maruti Suzuki, a prominent player in the passenger vehicle segment, reported marginal growth in CV retail sales, reaching 4,194 units in January 2024 from 4,090 units in January 2023. Other players, such as Daimler and Force Motors, also displayed positive YoY growth. CV retail sales scenario in India for Jan 2024 reflects a nuanced picture. While the industry as a whole experienced marginal growth, the performance varied across segments and OEMs. The push towards sustainable solutions, as exemplified by the introduction of electric trucks, suggests an evolving landscape for the commercial vehicle market in India. As the industry adapts to changing dynamics, monitoring future developments will be crucial for stakeholders navigating this competitive landscape. Hyundai Creta Hits 1 Million Sales Milestone in India, Reinforcing SUV Dominance A Trailblazer Since 2015 In a historic achievement, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) proudly announced that the Creta has crossed the monumental 1 million sales mark in India. Since its inception in 2015, the Creta has been a trailblazer in the Indian SUV market, consistently evolving to meet customer demands and reshaping the landscape of mid-size SUVs. Unmatched Popularity and Consistent Leadership The Cretas popularity is exemplified by the impressive statistic of one Creta sold every 5 minutes, showcasing the unwavering demand and acceptance of the model among Indian consumers. Maintaining its position as the best-selling mid-size SUV for the past 8 years, the Creta has disrupted the industry while consistently outperforming industry benchmarks. The recently launched iteration of the Creta has already made waves, amassing over 60,000 bookings within just one month of its introduction. This rapid success underscores the continued relevance and desirability of the Creta in the Indian market, solidifying its status as a sought-after SUV. Commitment to Make in India The Cretas cumulative sales of over 10 lakh units in the domestic market and over 2.80 lakh units in the export market exemplify Hyundai Motor Indias commitment to Make in India. This not only contributes to the growth of the domestic automotive industry but also reinforces Hyundais dedication to providing quality vehicles globally. Mr. Tarun Garg, COO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., said, Hyundai CRETA has been a brand that has captured the hearts of Indian customers and made India Live the SUV life. With over 1 million CRETA on Indian roads, the CRETA brand has reaffirmed its legacy of being the Undisputed SUV. The recently launched new Hyundai CRETA too has received an overwhelming customer response and crossed 60 000 bookings since announcement. We are extremely grateful for the love and trust our customers have shown for CRETA. As frontrunners in the introduction of revolutionary technologies, we shall continue to establish new milestones and redefine benchmarks across segments in the industry. Undergoing a transformative evolution in global design language, the new Hyundai Creta boasts a bold design catering to the preferences of the new-age tech-savvy customers. The distinctive front profile, with features such as Signature Horizon LED positioning lamps, DRLs, and a black chrome parametric radiator grille, creates a commanding visual impact. Sub-title 6: Premium Interior and Advanced Technology The premium interior of the new Hyundai Creta complements its striking exterior design. With cockpit-inspired interiors, the vehicle offers seamlessly integrated curvilinear screens, featuring a 26.03 cm infotainment screen and an advanced 26.03 cm multi-display digital cluster. This blend of aesthetics and technology aims to provide a truly immersive driving experience. The new Hyundai Creta is equipped with a mix of refined, torquey, and powerful powertrains, including the 1.5 L MPi Petrol, 1.5 L U2 CRDi Diesel, and the power-packed 1.5 L Turbo GDi Petrol. All powertrains are enhanced with ISG (Idle Stop and Go) technology, delivering an optimal combination of performance and efficiency. For an engaging driving experience, the new Hyundai Creta introduces three drive modes (Eco, Normal, and Sport) and Traction Control Modes (Snow, Sand, and Mud). These features optimize driving comfort across different terrains, enhancing the vehicles versatility and adaptability to diverse driving conditions. Prices start from Rs 11 lakh, ex-sh. Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Seeks Collaborative Partnership for Electric Vehicle Expansion in India Skoda Auto Volkswagen Pvt Ltd, the Indian arm of the Volkswagen Group led by Skoda, is actively exploring partnerships to navigate the high upfront investment and risks associated with the gradual adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the Indian market. Currently, the company offers a diverse range of vehicles under the Skoda and Volkswagen brands in India. The company has been testing Skoda Enyaq EV prototypes in India, but a successful foray into the mass market necessitates a localized approach. To address this, Skoda is embarking on a new project codenamed PEAK EV, expected to leverage the MEB21G low-cost EV architecture. This platform aims for extensive localization to maintain cost efficiency, considering the relatively slow penetration of EVs in the Indian automotive landscape. Given the cautious investment approach due to the evolving EV market in India, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India is actively seeking potential partners to collaborate on the development and manufacturing of highly localized electric cars. Reports suggest that Volkswagen is actively considering a strategic partnership with another automotive manufacturer in India. The company is willing to consider diluting its ownership of Skoda Auto Volkswagen (SAVWIPL) if there are substantial synergies in terms of platform sharing and parts sourcing. According to insiders, high-ranking executives from Germany are open to discussions with suitable business groups to potentially form an alliance in India. The primary objective is to share the substantial investment required for the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric vehicle (EV) platforms in the future. Anticipated Developments Skoda Auto Volkswagen India is committed to creating a locally manufactured electric car that can be exported to ASEAN nations and other markets. India, being one of Skodas major markets outside of Europe, holds strategic importance as a key manufacturing hub. The company plans to expand its portfolio of MQB A0 IN platform-based vehicles while simultaneously driving efforts towards EV adoption in the future. The PEAK EV project is estimated to require a minimum investment of 1 Billion Euros. Collaborating with a suitable partner will enable Skoda Auto Volkswagen India to share this substantial investment and mitigate associated risks. The PEAK EV platform is anticipated to take shape by the end of the decade, paving the way for the production of affordable, locally manufactured EVs targeting mainstream car buyers in India. Volkswagen Group has previously explored collaborations, including talks with Tata Motors for a shared platform and engagements with China-based SAIC for platform sharing and production capacity. Notably, the recent agreement with Mahindra & Mahindra involves sourcing VWs MEB electric car components and unified cells, demonstrating the companys strategic partnerships in the evolving EV landscape. Source Shmyhal takes part in Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal arrived in Tokyo on Monday to discuss Ukraine's reconstruction, pledging a new bilateral tax treaty and other support for Japanese businesses amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Reuters reported on Monday. "Japan has stood with and continues to stand with Ukraine," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a speech opening the talks, during which he announced a new bilateral tax treaty and the start of negotiations for an investment treaty without giving details. As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its third year, Japan has pledged more than $10 billion worth of financial aid, as it seeks to show solidarity with Kyiv's war effort. It cannot provide direct military support because the export of lethal weapons is forbidden. Japan partially eased its arms export rules in December, the first such overhaul in almost a decade, but still has restrictions on shipping weapons to countries at war. Shmyhal said the meeting heralds a new chapter in Japan-Ukraine relations, adding that Ukrainians will never forget Japan's support. He added that he hopes to see major carmakers, including Toyota, opens new tab, create production facilities in Ukraine. At the reconstruction meeting, Kishida said Japan would support venture capital companies in Ukraine, pledged an easing of visa controls, and said government agency JETRO would open a new office in Kyiv. About 50 Japanese companies signed deals with Ukrainian counterparts at the conference, in areas including agriculture, energy, and infrastructure. The total value of the deals was not disclosed. After her 17-year-old son, Adrian Rios, failed to return homeand answer his cellphone on a Sunday night in November 2009, ElodeaLopez reported him missing the next morning and went to a house inHemet where friends said he might have gone the day before. I knock the door and at the same time I knock the door, I feelsomething in my heart, the mother, who speaks English as hersecond language, told a jury Thursday at the Southwest JusticeCenter in French Valley. Advertisement That feeling compelled Lopez to explore further after no oneanswered. She went around the side of the house and entered thebackyard, she said. In his opening statement in the trial of Jose Manuel Campos,Deputy District Attorney Burke Strunksy shed light on the scenethat would later be described by Lopez, the prosecutions firstwitness. She saw what no mother should ever have to see, he told thejury. The 12-member panel must determine whether Campos, 19, of Hemet,is guilty in Rios slaying and subsequently lighting the Hemetteenagers body on fire, cutting it into pieces and dumping partsin Canyon Lake. If convicted, Campos faces a maximum sentence of 50 years tolife in prison. In the backyard of Campos family home on Bluejay Way, Lopez wasfurther alarmed by marks that appeared to be from a body beingdragged. When she spied a sneaker lying on the ground, Lopez testified,she tried to believe it was not her sons. All doubt was removed atthe sight of some seared shorts that she knew belonged to him. She said she then left the property to notify authorities. Robert Galletta, a former detective with the Hemet PoliceDepartment, testified that when he arrived, The backyard waslittered with a number of things that just didnt seem to fit in abackyard. Drag marks, burned articles of clothing, charred rope and rocks,kitchen knives, cleaning products, alcohol wipes and blood stainswere among the items observed and offered by the prosecution asevidence in the courtroom of Judge Mark Peterson. Ultimately, Galletta came to a hole in the ground identified asa fire pit. I can smell a foul odor in the air, he said. That coupledwith some of the burned items caused me to think something wasamiss. Investigators later found charred bones and burned bodyfragments. Crime scene analyst Anthony Ramirez of the Hemet policetestified that investigators at the scene used a chemical thatglows when sprayed on areas where blood has been cleaned up. Itshowed that copious amounts of blood had been removed in Camposbedroom, on the garage floor and on a washing machine. Essentially, that garage lit up like a Christmas tree,Strunksy told the jury. The discoveries led investigators to identify Rios as the victimand determine he had been killed by a bullet. A tip led investigators to Canyon Lake, where they had the lakebottom searched and found body parts matching the bones found inthe Hemet backyard, based on DNA analysis. Evidence at Campos home, including a spent .22-caliber shellcasing and the discovery of an abandoned Chevrolet Suburban thathad been set on fire on a dirt road in Mead Valley furtherconnected the defendant to the crimes, which prosecutors allege hecommitted with the help of a friend, 18-year-old Ivan Ruiz. In March, Ruiz pleaded guilty to being an accessory to murderand was sentenced to 180 days in county jail and three years ofprobation, according to the district attorneys office. Campos fled with his girlfriend to Mexico, where he eventuallywas captured and returned to the U.S. to face prosecution. Camposgirlfriend also pleaded guilty to being an accessory after thefact, Strunsky told the jury. Defense attorney C.R. McReynolds declined to offer an openingstatement. In his opening statement, Strunsky led jurors step by stepthrough the prosecutions theory of how the alleged crimesunfolded. He said, There are no heroes in this case ---- only youngpeople doing horrible things. So were going to sift through this sludge together, hesaid. According to Strunsky, Rios went to Campos house to party andwatch the San Diego Chargers play the Philadelphia Eagles onTV. An argument broke out, leading Rios to punch Ruiz, after whichCampos went to his bedroom and pulled out a .22-caliber rifle andconfronted Rios, the prosecutor said. Strunsky said the root of the dispute was that Rios wanted outof their gang. Adrian is kind of taunting the defendant, saying, You donthave the guts to shoot me, Strunsky said. After the shooting, the prosecutor said, Campos and Ruiz droveto a gas station and while Campos went into a McDonalds in Walmartto buy some burgers, Ruiz filled up a red plastic container withfuel. Video cameras captured images of a man alleged to be Camposentering the restaurant and a man alleged to be Ruiz pumpinggas. They returned to the home and doused the body with gasoline,drinking beer while watching it burn, according to Strunsky. While that was happening, Campos family returned from churchwith a family friend, Jose Rodriguez, who was the second witnessthe prosecution put on the stand Thursday. At first, Rodriguez testified, he just assumed Campos and Ruizwere burning some logs. Then I looked and from the legs down, I saw a body there, hesaid. I thought it was a mannequin or something like that. His concern mounted to what he described as shock when heobserved the man hitting at the upper body of the person with somekind of a tool ---- a shovel or something. Later, he said, he noticed Campos stepfather shaking andcarrying on intense but quiet conversations with thethen-17-year-old. Rodriguez testified that he heard Campos tell his stepfatherthat he shot Rios. The stepfather, along with the mother and theirdaughter, drove Rodriguez home shortly thereafter and stayed there,not returning to their home for a month, he said. During his cross-examination, McReynolds challenged Rodriguezsversion of events and asked him why he had not gone to thepolice. Rodriguez said he didnt think about that, saying that he was ina state of shock. Under McReynolds questioning, Rodriguez saidthat in his first interview with an investigator, he did notmention he had overheard Campos admission, saying only that thestepfather had told him. Rodriguez said he didnt reveal Campos statement because hewasnt asked. He said he had only brought it to the attention ofinvestigators in response to questioning before the trial. The trial is scheduled to resume Monday with testimony from theRiverside County coroner and deputy coroners. FILE - South Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Sanford, and his wife, Jenny, watch returns at an election-night party in this Nov. 5, 2002 file photo taken at a restaurant in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford must appear in court two days after running for a vacant congressional seat to answer a complaint that he trespassed at his ex-wifes home, according to court documents acquired by The Associated Press on Tuesday April 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Lou Krasky Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Wednesday he visited his ex-wifes home while she was out of town because he didnt want his 14-year-old son to watch the Super Bowl alone - a visit that she says violated their divorce settlement. A day earlier, Jenny Sanford confirmed the authenticity of court documents obtained by The Associated Press that say her ex-husband violated their divorce settlement by repeatedly visiting her Sullivans Island home - most recently on Feb. 3, using his cellphone as a flashlight. He has been ordered to appear at a court hearing May 9, two days after the election. Sanford issued a statement Wednesday characterizing the matter as a disagreement. Advertisement I did indeed watch the second half of the Super Bowl at the beach house with our 14-year-old son because as a father I didnt think he should watch it alone, Sanford said. Given she was out of town I tried to reach her beforehand to tell her of the situation that had arisen, and met her at the back steps under the light of my cellphone when she returned and told her what had happened. He and Jenny Sanford divorced in 2010 after it became public that he secretly left the state to be with his Argentine mistress. Mark Sanford and that woman, Maria Chapur, are now engaged. Sanford vanished from the state for five days, with his staff telling reporters he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. Once mentioned as a potential presidential candidate, he left the Governors Mansion in disgrace. Before leaving office, Sanford avoided impeachment but was censured by the Legislature over state travel expenses he used for the affair. He also paid what is still the largest ethics fine ever in South Carolina at $70,000. The complaint says Jenny Sanford confronted the former governor leaving her Sullivans Island home on Feb. 3 by a rear door, using his cellphone for a flashlight. Her attorney filed the complaint the next day. The couples divorce settlement says neither may enter the others home without permission. Mark Sanford lives about a 20-minute drive away from Sullivans Island in downtown Charleston. Jenny Sanford said the complaint, and the timing of the hearing, has nothing to do with her husbands attempt to rebuild his political career by winning the congressional seat he held for three terms in the 1990s. At the hearing, Sanford will have to show why he should not be held in contempt for violating the couples divorce settlement. I am doing my best not to get in the way of his race, Jenny Sanford, who for a time considered running herself, told the AP. I want him to sink or swim on his own. For the sake of my children Im trying my best not to get in the way, but he makes things difficult for me when he does things like trespassing. Sanfords opponent, Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch - the sister of comedian Stephen Colbert - has refused to comment on the development. She was asked several times by reporters after she visiting patrons having lunch at a Mount Pleasant diner. Were going to focus on the positive message of job creation for this district, she said. The complaint filed by Jenny Sanfords lawyer, Deena Smith McRackan, said Mark Sanford has entered into a pattern of entering onto plaintiffs property. Plaintiff has informed defendant on a number of occasions that this behavior is in violation of the courts order and has demanded that it not occur again. In February 2011, McRackan sent a letter to Mark Sanford telling him not to trespass on Jenny Sanfords property. A copy of that letter was also sent to the local police, according to court filings. Sanford, who has never lost an election, is trying to make a comeback after his political career was sidelined in 2009 after confessing an extramarital affair. As a sitting governor, he disappeared from the state for five days only to return and confess his affair with Chapur. Jenny Sanford said Tuesday that she has custody of the couples four boys. In December of 2011, she brought another complaint against her former husband saying Sanford had not made the $5,000 yearly contribution for one of their sons college education. Jenny Sanford said that issue has now been resolved and declined to comment further. Sanford, Colbert Busch and Green Party candidate Eugene Platt are seeking the congressional seat once held by Tim Scott, who last year was appointed to the U.S. Senate. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy notes that the agreements in the field of security and military assistance concluded with Germany, France and a number of other countries, as well as those currently at the preparation stage, are not an alternative to military assistance from the United States. "There are three agreements. Today we have had conversations with several more states. There are arrangements about security agreements... Several more agreements were coordinated. We will enhance these security guarantees. I do not think that this is an alternative to the aid from the US. Ive already been asked about this. I think this is very important, completely different, additional aid that Ukrainians can rely upon, not for a year or two, but for ten years," Zelenskyy said in an interview following the Munich Security Conference on Sunday broadcast national telethon. At the same time, the head of state said "security guarantees have not yet been agreed with the United States, the teams are working on it. "Two stages of the negotiations are already finished. I am expecting a positive outcome very soon," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy called the agreements concluded with Germany and France "powerful" and said that he expected the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Ukraine. "Today, two agreements with Germany and France are very important, powerful. Ten-year agreements, this year EUR 7.1 billion in support from Germany this is a powerful package... So far, the German agreement is one of the most powerful. Although, nevertheless, they are very different. We expect a strong French agreement with a serious package there is already a decision on it from Emmanuel Macron. We also expect it in Ukraine. He said that there will be, but I can't talk about the date yet because of security issues. This is also important," the head of the Ukrainian state said. The president said if the agreements are concluded for a ten-year period, "this does not mean that ten years of war is not, it means that these countries are with us, these are guarantees of security if aggression resumes even after the end of the war." At the same time, he said the agreements concern not only the supply and production of weapons, but also other issues, in particular, reconstruction. "There were meetings where we agreed on defense packages with several states. They include both artillery and 155-caliber shells. There are large packages, but I can't tell you [details - ed.] until they arrive. And also about howitzers, and production, and co-production," Zelenskyy said. As reported, the agreement on security cooperation and long-term support between Ukraine and Germany, signed on February 16 in Berlin by Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, is designed for ten years and provides, in particular, support for Ukraine at a level of more than EUR 7 billion for 2024. The document defines the priority areas of bilateral cooperation in the field of security military, political, financial and humanitarian. On the same day, Zelenskyy and Macron signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of security. According to Macron, France intends to contribute EUR 6 billion additionally to the military needs of Ukraine for the period 2022-2024. He also announced his visit to Kyiv until the middle of March 2024. Zelenskyy also said today Ukraine is already supported by more than 20 countries in concluding security cooperation agreements, and negotiation tracks are underway with them. President of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) Alok Sharma visited the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. Member of the COP29 Organizing Committee and UN High-Level Leader on Climate Nigar Arpadarai wrote about it on her page in social network "X". It is reported that during the meeting the parties discussed preparations for COP29. The 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) was held in 2021 in Glasgow. This year Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - COP29. The decision was made at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy highly appreciated the results of the participation of the official delegation in the Munich Security Conference, during which negotiations were held with a number of leaders of the international community. "Very fruitful participation this year. Our Ukrainian perspective on the global agenda was supported by our partners. I had negotiations with the leaders of Denmark, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic we have a decision on additional support. Also, with the leader of Azerbaijan as always, a good productive conversation that can strengthen both our nations and the entire region. I met with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the President of Guatemala. Also with American partners. Conversation with President Biden very important points, including about Avdiivka and the need for continued principled and sufficient support for Ukraine. Talks with the Vice President of the United States very substantive. Meetings with congressmen representatives of both parties, both houses of the U.S. Congress. And each such conversation clearly confirmed the key point: Ukraine alone can stop Putin and create conditions for him to be punished for all the evil he has done," he said in a video address on Sunday evening. The President of Ukraine also stated the importance of international solidarity in Ukraine's victory over the enemy. "But for Ukraine to achieve this success to protect its land, its people, and our common truth, everyone in the free world Ukraine must not remain alone. Support is important. Solidarity is important. Only together, in unity, can we win in this war. We must continue to be resilient, we must continue to be determined. We must achieve our Ukrainian goals in this war," Zelenskyy said. Denmark will transfer its artillery and ammunition to Ukraine, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said speaking during the Munich Ukrainian Lunch on Saturday, February 17. "It doesn't matter what the US comes up with. We Europeans have to defend ourselves. This is a war on the European continent. To do this, we must give Ukraine what they need now. I think it is very important, of course, to talk about the long term ... Ukraine is asking us for ammunition now, artillery now. We, Denmark, have decided to donate our entire artillery to Ukraine. I am sorry, but the issue is not just about production. Europe still has military equipment. It has to be transferred to Ukraine," the prime minister said. According to her, if Russia does not want peace, then European countries "must defend themselves." Frederiksen said regardless of what happens in the United States, Europe must bear responsibility for Europe. The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) provided humanitarian assistance to children from Kherson and Sumy regions who are undergoing rehabilitation in Ivano-Frankivsk region. "Almost 180 children aged 5 to 17 years, who are currently undergoing rehabilitation at the state specialized recreation centre of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine 'Kosiv' in Ivano-Frankivsk region, received humanitarian aid," the society said on Monday on Facebook. The URCS volunteers donated food, dishes, hygiene products, bed linen and small household appliances to the children. According to the statement, in the near future another 50 children from the deoccupied territories of Ukraine will arrive at the sanatorium. Google Ads will update its unacceptable business practices portion of the misrepresentation policy in March 2024. The update says you cannot entice "users to part with money or information by impersonating or falsely implying affiliation with or endorsement by a public figure, brand, or organization." If you advertise in France, you have an extra month to worry about this policy change. Google wrote, "We will begin enforcing this policy in March 2024 for advertisers outside of France. For advertisers in France, we will begin enforcing this policy in April 2024." So you will no longer be able to use a famous person's face, a famous brand's logo or slogan, to entice people to give you money or information. Here is what Google wrote: In March 2024, Google Ads will update the Unacceptable business practices portion of the Misrepresentation policy to include enticing users to part with money or information by impersonating or falsely implying affiliation with or endorsement by a public figure, brand, or organization. We will begin enforcing this policy in March 2024 for advertisers outside of France. For advertisers in France, we will begin enforcing this policy in April 2024. We take violations of this policy very seriously and consider them egregious. If we find violations of this policy, we will suspend your Google Ads accounts upon detection and without prior warning, and you will not be allowed to advertise with us again. Please review this policy to determine whether or not any of your ads fall in scope of the policy, and if so, remove those ads before the relevant enforcement date. Forum discussion at X. Berenberg lifted its price target on Flutter Entertainment to 18,600p from 17,000p on Monday and reiterated its buy recommendation, as it highlighted strong growth and balance sheet flexibility. The bank said Flutter is its "top pick" in the leisure space and sits in its "growth" bucket for FY24. "Our investment thesis for Flutter is simple - the business is a market leader and we expect strong growth both in existing markets and in the lucrative US market," it said. "On the latter point, the company continues to go from strength to strength, holding more than half the betting market in Q4 and more than a quarter of the iGaming market." Berenberg said its 186 price target is composed of 133 for the US business and 53 for the ex-US business. "While shares are not cheap on 35.6x FY24 price-to-earnings, we expect the business to deliver a +35% EPS CAGR and for that multiple to fall rapidly in later years," it said. Hipgnosis Songs Fund updated the market on its pursuit of an indemnity from its founder Merck Mercuriadis on Monday, as well as Hipgnosis Songs Management Limited, the investment adviser majority-owned by funds linked to Blackstone. The FTSE 250 music rights investor was taking the action in response to the initiation of High Court proceedings against Mercuriadis, the investment adviser, and the company. It said the investment adviser, established by Mercuriadis, who serves as a director, had declined to offer indemnification against potential liabilities arising from allegations of misconduct attributed to Mercuriadis. Hipgnosis Songs Fund said it had received previous assurances from Mercuriadis and the investment adviser over the meritless nature of the claims and their intent to vigorously defend against them. However, the company said it lacked insurance coverage for the costs associated with the legal action. As a result, Hipgnosis Songs Fund said it was planning to initiate a Part 20 Claim in the High Court against the investment adviser. Through that legal avenue, the company said it was aiming to secure a comprehensive indemnity. At 0921 GMT, shares in Hipgnosis Songs Fund were down 0.91% at 65.5p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Polymetal International said on Monday that it has agreed to sell its Russian business to Russian precious metals miner Mangazeya Mining for around $3.69bn. Shareholders will vote on the deal at the companys annual meeting in March. Chief executive Vitaly Nesis said: "The board, the Special Committee and the management team of the group are set to deliver on our commitment to restore shareholder value and re-set Polymetals strategy by selling the Russian business of the group. "A quick, transparent, and sanctions-compliant exit under the terms of the proposed transaction serves the interests of all stakeholders. The completion of the divestment will allow the group to de-risk the companys business, deliver stable cash flows and pursue new investment opportunities. The board recommends shareholders to vote for the proposed resolution." If approved, the sale is expected to complete at the end of March and will leave Polymetal free to focus on its operations in Kazakhstan. The 2024 government action plan provides for measures to open Ukrainian embassies in the Philippines, Colombia, Panama, Guyana, Paraguay and Uruguay. According to the government action plan, during 2024 it is planned to take administrative, organizational and financial measures to begin the activities of the Ukrainian Embassy in the Republic of the Philippines. It is also expected to begin the process of opening embassies in Colombia, Panama, Guyana, Paraguay and Uruguay. It is noted that it is planned to open one full-time consular office of Ukraine and five non-staff consular offices. As reported, on February 16, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Government Action Plan for 2024. Among other things, the Action Plan provides for: the creation of a special regime for defense industry enterprises; creation of the Unified State Register of Veterans and construction of the National War Memorial Cemetery; higher education reform and a 21% increase in payments to Ukrainian teachers; reform of the social sphere to create a person's wealth, and not depend on the state; launch of Diia.Office for civil servants and the educational application Mriia; continuation of medical reform with an emphasis on rehabilitation and psychological care; creation of the state enterprise Defense Technologies Agency; introduction of a mechanism for encouraging whistle-blowers from among military personnel. The Adani Group, a prominent Indian conglomerate, is reportedly engaged in advanced discussions with sovereign funds in West Asia to secure up to $2.6 billion for its airport expansion and green hydrogen initiatives. With a target EBITDA of Rs 80,000 crore by March 2024, the group has conducted roadshows in London, Dubai, and Singapore to attract potential investors. These roadshows provided a platform for presenting the group's growth plans, emphasizing airport sector expansion and entry into the burgeoning green hydrogen sector. In related developments, Adani Realty has won the contract for redeveloping the 24-acre Bandra Reclamation land parcel, subject to final approval by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRDC) Board in their upcoming meeting. India and Sri Lanka are on track to finalize their Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) during the fiscal year 2024-25, according to sources familiar with the matter. The ETCA, building upon a prior free trade agreement (FTA) implemented in 2000, aims to bolster bilateral trade between the two neighboring countries. Talks on the ETCA resumed in November 2023 after a five-year hiatus, reflecting the shared commitment to deepen economic ties. The 13th round of negotiations concluded recently, and there is optimism that the agreement could be concluded in 2024-25. Maintaining robust trade and diplomatic relations in the region is crucial for India's strategic interests, particularly in countering China. The 13 rounds of talks have covered various aspects, including rules of origin, dispute settlement, and technical and non-technical barriers to trade. While significant progress has been made, the final steps are expected to be decided in the upcoming rounds, with further progress likely post the Indian general elections in April-May 2024. India and Sri Lanka have resolved key issues during previous discussions, addressing matters such as quotas on apparel and pepper, as well as pharmaceutical procurement. However, the actual progress is anticipated after the Indian elections, and further discussions are likely after the general elections and Sri Lanka's Presidential election scheduled for September-October 2024. Sri Lanka, under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has sought closer ties with India. Both countries are exploring economic connectivity agreements, such as power grid connectivity and a petroleum pipeline . India has been a significant partner in Sri Lanka's economic recovery, extending assistance of over $4 billion, including credit lines, currency swaps, and deferred import payments. During the April-December 2023 period, India's exports to Sri Lanka reached $2.65 billion, with imports standing at $943 million. Despite India's overall trade deficit globally during this period, its trade balance with Sri Lanka remained positive at $1.71 billion. It is expected that equity benchmark indices will begin this week on a rather quiet note tracking mixed cues from global peers, after registering a weekly record close last week. At 07:30 AM, Gift Nifty futures quoted around 22,114 as against the spot Nifty close of 22,041 on Friday. These are the stocks to watch on Monday, February 19, 2024. Quess Corp: A recruitment firm has announced its plans to split into three separate entities that will be listed publicly. The three companies are Quess Corp Ltd, Digitide Solutions Ltd, and Bluspring Enterprises Ltd. Quess Corp will be responsible for managing the workforce, Digitide Solutions will provide business process management solutions and insurtech, while Bluspring Enterprises will offer facility management, industrial services, and investments. The demerger is expected to attract investment, improve capital allocation, and enhance growth. Upon completion, all shareholders will receive an additional share of each of the new companies for every share they own in Quess Corp Ltd. The process will take between 12-15 months and will depend on regulatory approval. Hero MotoCorp: The CEO of a motorcycle manufacturing company, Niranjan Gupta, is predicting that the domestic two-wheeler industry will experience a double-digit increase in revenue in the upcoming fiscal year. He believes that the demand for premium models will also rise. During an analyst call, Gupta stated, "We expect the industry to experience double-digit growth in revenue in the coming year at a minimum, as we have been saying. As far as demand is concerned, we anticipate that it will increase even further". Chalet Hotels: The company has set an ambitious plan to expand its portfolio of "big-box" hotels, which have a large inventory, with the goal of adding around 800 rooms. The expansion will increase its total room count to 5,000 over the next three to four years. The company's managing director and chief executive, Sanjay Sethi, stated that their strategy is to take advantage of the demand generated by office spaces in proximity to their properties, which will ensure a robust and continuous customer base. The company has earmarked Rs 2,000 crore as current capital work-in-progress to fund the expansion. Life Insurance Corporation of India: The largest insurer in the country announced that it has received refund orders from the Income Tax Department for a total amount of Rs 25,464.46 crore. The refund orders were for Assessment Years 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. The Income-tax Department released Rs 21,740.77 crore on 15.02.2024, and the remaining amount of Rs 3,700 crore is awaited as a tax refund. LIC is pursuing the balance with the Income Tax Department. Paytm: According to a recent report, brokerage firm Bernstein has given an 'Outperform' rating to Paytm, with a target price of Rs 600 per share. The report notes that the Reserve Bank of India's recent actions are mainly aimed at Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL) and do not have any adverse observations on other essential functions of Paytm. This distinction is vital in understanding the extent of regulatory measures affecting the company. Bernstein also highlights that the linking of merchants' operations to a non-PPBL bank is a "major positive" that offers significant benefits to Paytm. Moreover, the brokerage firm appreciates the extension of the cut-off date to March 15, which provides Paytm with a more extended period to implement necessary changes in response to regulatory requirements. RVNL: According to the management, the Public Sector Undertaking has an order book worth Rs 65,000 crore. Half of this amount is from railway projects. Additionally, RVNL is exploring new projects in offshore markets such as Central Asia, UAE and Western Asia. During an investor call, the management stated that they aim to maintain an order book of Rs 75,000 crore in the future. JSW Steel: Indias largest steelmaker by capacity will invest Rs 65,000 crore in Odisha to set up one of its biggest manufacturing plants, adding to the countrys efforts to boost production of the alloy. In the announcement made on Friday, JSW Steel said it will establish a greenfield complex in the industrial city of Paradip, which will include a steel plant with a capacity of 13.2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), a captive power plant, captive jetties with cargo-handling capacity, a cement manufacturing unit, and a modern township. The investment will be in phases. There will be a total investment of Rs 65,000 crore in this facility and more than 30,000 direct and indirect employment potential", said Sajjan Jindal, chairman of JSW Group, following a foundation-laying ceremony on Friday that was presided over by Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik. Adani Enterprises: Adani Realty has reportedly won the contract to redevelop the 24-acre Bandra Reclamation land parcel, which was put up by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRDC). The final approval is still pending and will be decided in the MSRDC Board's upcoming meeting. Adani Realty emerged as the "preferred bidder" by offering the highest financial bid, which is 22.79 percent revenue to MSRDC. According to reports, this surpassed Larsen and Toubro's bid of 18 percent. Despite L&T having a stronger net worth of approximately Rs 84,000 crores compared to Adani's Rs 48,000 crores, Adani Realty has reportedly won the contract to redevelop the 24-acre Bandra Reclamation land parcel, which was put up by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRDC). The final approval is still pending and will be decided in the MSRDC Board's upcoming meeting. Adani Realty emerged as the "preferred bidder" by offering the highest financial bid, which is 22.79 percent revenue to MSRDC. According to reports, this surpassed Larsen and Toubro's bid of 18 percent. Despite L&T having a stronger net worth of approximately Rs 84,000 crores compared to Adani's Rs 48,000 crores, Adani's higher bid secured the preference Lupin: The pharma company in a filing to the stock exchanges said it has received approval from the US drug regulator for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Minzoya tablets. The tablets are used by women of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy, the company informed the bourses. The product will be manufactured at the company's Pithampur facility in Madhya Pradesh. TD Power Systems: Vijay Kirloskar, who is the founding director and a significant shareholder of TD Power Systems, an engineering services company based in Bengaluru, has filed a complaint with the stock exchanges. According to a report, Kirloskar has accused the company of leaving out and hiding important information in the financial results for the quarter ending December 2023. In a letter dated February 3, 2024, Kirloskar, who also serves as the chairman of Kirloskar Electric Company in Bengaluru, asked the bourses to acknowledge that the companys statement released on February 1, 2024, claiming that there is no legal action initiated by Kirloskar against TDPS is "completely incorrect, contains false information and is a deliberate attempt to withhold crucial information" designed to deceive TDPS shareholders. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Three men are in custody following a police pursuit through multiple Staten Island neighborhoods that ended with a car crashing into the woods and a brief manhunt. Just before 8 p.m. Sunday night, cops were attempting to conduct a vehicle stop of a gray Range Rover near the entrance of the Goethals Bridge, a spokesman for the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information said. The motorist operating the Range Rover allegedly fled the location, striking two police vehicles in the process, according to authorities. The driver of the vehicle led police on a chase before the vehicle crashed into a wooded area near High Rock Park in Egbertville. Neither the driver nor the two other suspects were identified by authorities. Police did not share if injuries occurred due to the incident. Authorities shut down a section near Brielle Avenue and Manor Road in the Sea View neighborhood after the crash. Several police units were spotted searching through the area as an NYPD helicopter assisted. Following the crash, police spent about 30 minutes searching for one of the individuals in the woods near High Rock Park, according to emergency radio transmissions. The investigation remains active and ongoing, police said. This is a developing story and more information will be posted when it becomes available. A bill that would require owners of low-speed electric bikes and scooters to register and insure them like cars is being sent back to its author for changes after concerns were expressed on Thursday from opponents ranging from insurance industry, to bike companies and advocates. Before hearing from opponents, State Senate Transportation Committee chairman Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., D-Middlesex, said State Senate President Nick Scutari, D-Union, was aware of concerns brought up before the hearing and is working on an amendment. Scutari and State Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, co-sponsored the legislation. The bill would require e-bike and scooter owners to register them with the state Motor Vehicle Commission and provide proof of liability insurance coverage, personal injury protection coverage for pedestrians, and uninsured motorist coverage. The committee voted to release the bill so it could be amended. Lyft, the company that runs Jersey City and Hobokens CitiBike program, and transportation and bike advocates say the bill would be a barrier, especially for low income and disadvantaged people who use e-bikes instead of cars for transportation. About half of CitiBikes rental fleet are low speed e-bikes that require riders to pedal them to activate the motor assist. The proposal has a bigger problem two insurance industry representatives said there is no insurance available in New Jersey for e-bikes and that it would take years to develop an insurance program and get it through the state Division of Banking and Insurance regulatory process. Right now, there is no product, said Gary La Spisa II, Insurance Council of New Jersey vice-president. Youll need time to develop it and roll it out. Were talking years, not months to develop it. Affordability is also a concern, he said. Motorcycles are the closest, which means the product would cost what motorcycle insurance cost, which is not cheap, La Spisa said. Others weighing in included officials from Lyft, which said the requirements would damage the program and impose additional costs on riders of bikes that have speed capped at 10 to 11 mph. Other advocates said the bill unfairly focuses on low-speed e-bikes and scooters. You should turn your attention on high powered e-bikes and mopeds which are more like motorcycles, said Ben Dziobek, Climate Revolution Network executive director. This bill will discourage use of e-bikes by adding unnecessary financial burdens. It will have impact on e-bike accessibility as it adds an additional hurdle. He and other advocates said the proposed requirements would hit disadvantaged and low-income people the hardest. Among those will be food delivery workers who rely on e-bikes for their jobs, said Emmanuelle Morgan, Hudson County Complete Streets executive director. The sustainable delivery industry represents a massive hope for mitigating the climate crisis, she said. Like any large transportation mode shift, the way to respond is thoughtfully, carefully and involving stakeholders. They should include organizations representing delivery workers, restaurant owners who rely on them, delivery apps, safe streets advocates and legislators, Morgan said. E-bike sales are increasing and infrastructure needs to make space for them, Morgan and other advocates said. No cyclist wants to be on a sidewalk, build it and they will use it, Morgan said. Hudson County heavily depends on its e-bike delivery community. E-Biles also are depended on for transportation by disadvantaged people whove been forced to move out of walkable communities due to high housing prices People are getting priced out of housing where they can walk, said Zoe Baldwin, Regional Plan Association New Jersey director. E-Bikes are a solution, people use them to get around. I hope as the bill goes through amendment, you make sure this isnt hitting those populations. The MVC requires faster and more powerful class 3 fast e-bike and mopeds, which already have to be registered, but there is a loophole for vehicles that are considered out of class, she said. Citing six years experience working as a bike mechanic, Dziobek said e-bike riders tend to be older people who find it easier to use them if they have physical limitations. One possible solution could be altering the states no-fault insurance law, which is currently the subject of a court case brought by an e-scooter rider who was hit by a car and denied personal injury protection coverage by his insurance company, Insurance Journal reported. He has appealed the case to the state Supreme Court. Amending the states no-fault insurance law to have low speed micro mobility devices covered the same way pedestrians are by personal injury insurance provisions could be a solution, said Debra Kagen, New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition executive director. A Pennsylvania magistrate judge found herself on the other side of the law last weekend, allegedly shooting her estranged boyfriend in the head as he slept, according to the Associated Press. According to the report, Magisterial District Judge Sonya M. McKnight, 57, is facing charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault after forensic analysis of her hands an hour after the shooting came back positive for gunshot residue. McKnights ex-boyfriend, 54-year-old Michael McCoy, was shot in the bed of his Harrisburg area home early Saturday, according to the Associated Press, which cited information from an arrest affidavit. Authorities say McCoy, who miraculously survived, is now blind in his right eye as a result of the shooting. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning consumers of a new multi-state outbreak of E. coli linked to raw milk cheese that has made 10 people ill, including one person in New York. The CDC, state and federal public health and regulatory officials identified the food source of the E. coli infections as Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese that were sold nationwide. It includes all sizes of blocks and shredded packages of the cheese with flavors like original and jalapeno. Ten illnesses were reported from four states: California, Utah, Colorado, and Texas. Of nine people with information available, four people have been hospitalized and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported, according to the CDC. Due to the outbreak, Raw Farm has recalled cheese blocks older than batch 20231113-1 and shredded cheese older than 20240116 Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria and most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days. Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized. You should not eat any Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese. Throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the contaminated cheese using hot soapy water or a dishwasher. Consumers should also call their health care provider if you have any severe E. coli symptoms: Ian Forrest, 29, a medical student and cellist who was struck in the head last week during an underground performance, says that hell cease performing indefinitely in the Manhattan subway, citing continued safety concerns, the Daily News reported. Forrest was performing for an audience at the 34th St-Herald Square station when a woman stepped up from behind him and allegedly smacked him in the head with his own water bottle, the report said. I couldnt quite get my bearings and it was only when I saw my metal water bottle rolling around on the ground and I saw the crowds face that I realized Forrest told the News. I think someone just smashed the back of my head with my metal water bottle. Forrest was previously attacked in May by an unknown man who beat and choked him during a Times Square performance, the report said. Ive got a wife. Ive got a family and friends that care about me and I dont know what they would do if I was gone, Forrest said. Police released a photo and video of his attacker, describing her as a woman with a light complexion, about 5 feet 3 inches tall with a slim build. She was last seen wearing a brown fur coat, black winter hat, burgundy scarf and a multicolored bag across her body. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here. RoseAnn Rosso Albunio, a Staten Island native, passed away at the age of 89 in Kunkletown, PA, on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. Born on May 1, 1934, in Staten Island, RoseAnn married the love of her life, Pasquale J. Albunio, on Feb. 14, 1954, and they shared a life together until his passing in 2020. RoseAnn was a graduate of Curtis High School and initially worked at the Bank of New York in Manhattan. She later became a devoted stay-at-home mom, raising five children. In the years that followed, she returned to the workforce as a medical records secretary at St. VIncents Hospital in Staten Island. She later worked at CMP Drug and Alcohol after relocating to the Poconos in 1982. Active in various organizations, including the Granito-Smith Post #1296 American Legion Ladies Auxilary, I.M.B.A, and The Church of St. Luke. Predeceased by her husband and daughter Maria Albunio Gould, she is survived by her four children, along with twelve grandchildren, five great-grandchildren. and her sister, Elaine Murray. RoseAnns legacy lives on in the hearts of her descendants, with memories of her wisdom, laughter, and endless love. She leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion that touched the lives of all who knew her. Read the full obit on SILive. YESTERDAYS OBITUARIES Paul A. Corrado, a 72-year-old avid fisherman and Vietnam Veteran, passed away on Feb. 11, after a prolonged battle with cancer. Born in Brooklyn in 1952, he graduated from Fort Hamilton High School and served in the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division, from 1969 to 1972, completing two tours in Vietnam. Mr. Corrado later worked as a sous-chef in San Franciscos Italian North Beach area. His passion for fishing led him to San Antonio, Texas, where he spent years fishing in the Gulf of Mexico off Corpus Christi. In the later years of his life, he became a dedicated caregiver, first for his uncle and later for his parents, Nicholas and Cecilia, on Staten Island. His selfless devotion extended to his beloved cats. Mr. Corrado was deeply involved in church life, forming close bonds with clergy and parishioners at Our Lady Queen of Peach Church in New Dorp and St. Charles Church in Oakwood. Known for his pleasant nature, he was beloved by many, especially his 8:30 Mass group. His legacy not only includes his military service and love for fishing but also his remarkable caregiving and contributions to the church community. Paul will be remembered for his kindness, joy, and the positive impact he had on the lives of those who knew him. Read the full obit on SILive. Participants in Revolution of Dignity beaten, killed by Ukrainian law enforcers under Russia's influence; no Russian snipers on Maidan All violent crimes and murders of participants in the Revolution of Dignity in 2013-2014 were committed by Ukrainian law enforcement officers on the orders of the Ukrainian authorities and under the influence of Russia. "If someone would like to hear that there were Russian snipers, Russian law enforcement officers on the Maidan, then there is no such thing. This is a nice version that is not based on real facts. Ukrainian law enforcement officers killed and committed violent crimes, they received instructions from the Ukrainian authorities," Head of the Maidan Affairs department of the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) Oleksiy Donsky said at a briefing in Kyiv on Monday. According to him, the crimes were committed by the hands of Ukrainian law enforcement officers, but "Russia had a huge influence on the adoption of these decisions, on the entire course of events that took place during the Revolution of Dignity." Donsky said specific factors of this influence exist at the level of evidence that will be presented in court. Speaking about the influence on the organizers of crimes at the lower and middle levels, Donsky spoke about the suspicion of 20 employees of the FSB of Russia and employees of the SBU, "who collaborated together in information activities." This was not a purely propaganda activity, but in fact a way of legitimizing those illegal actions that were organized by the Ukrainian authorities and committed by Ukrainian law enforcement officers. "Some 20 FSB officers, including five generals, came to Ukraine several times and, together with SBU officers, produced relevant information materials, which became the basis for committing certain criminal actions," the head of the PGO Maidan Affairs department said. Portraits, candles, and flowers adorned memorials worldwide on Friday as thousands paid homage to Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who reportedly passed away at the age of 47 in an Arctic prison colony. The Federal Penitentiary Service said Navalny felt unwell after a walk on Friday and collapsed. An ambulance arrived, but paramedics failed to revive him, the agency reported. Navalnys team hasnt received immediate confirmation of his passing. Photos of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny with flowers and candles are laid on a ground in front of the Russian embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)AP In December, Navalny was relocated from his previous prison in central Russia to a special regime penal colony above the Arctic Circle, the highest security level of prisons in Russia. In August, Navalny was sentenced to 19 years in prison on charges of extremism, and prior to that, he had received nine-year sentences in two separate convictions. A woman holds flowers outside the Russian Embassy in memory of for jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)AP During his time behind bars, he was frequently placed in solitary confinement. Protesters stage a demonstration opposite the Russian Embassy in London, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in reaction to the news that jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in a Russian prison, according to the Federal Penitentiary Service. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)AP Among Russians living abroad, there was an outpouring of grief. Protesters stage a demonstration opposite the Russian Embassy in London, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in reaction to the news that jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in a Russian prison, according to the Federal Penitentiary Service. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)AP From London to Frankfurt and Belgrade to Buenos Aires, fans of the outspoken Navalny, one of the Kremlins fiercest critics, headed to Russian embassies and consulates to express their shock and anger. A woman holds a portrait of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny during a protest in front of the Russian embassy in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)AP In Russia, after initially allowing people in several cities to lay flowers at monuments to victims of Soviet-era repression, police sealed off some of the areas and started making arrests. A persons holds a portrait of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has died in a Russian prison, according to the Federal Penitentiary Service, at the Russian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)AP In St. Petersburg, a group of people waved their mobile phone flashlights at the Memorial to Victims of Political Repression. People wave their mobile phone with flashing lights paying their last respect to jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at the Memorial to Victims of Political Repression in St. Petersburg, Russia on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)AP The stunning news came less than a month before an election that will give Russian President Vladimir Putin another six years in power. It also brought renewed criticism from world leaders toward the Russian president who has suppressed opposition at home. Flowers are placed outside the Russian Embassy, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Washington for jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has died in a Russian prison, according to the Federal Penitentiary Service. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)AP A protester stages a demonstration opposite the Russian Embassy in London, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in reaction to the news that jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in a Russian prison, according to the Federal Penitentiary Service. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)AP Military Order of the Crusades Honors SLU Scholarship Recipient The funds went toward Morins summer research trip to southern Italy, where he visited castles designed and built during the Crusades. Military Order of the Crusades members recently presented Saint Louis University graduate student Thomas Morin with a certificate honoring a scholarship he received in 2023, supporting his academic achievement in Medieval and Renaissance studies. Saint Louis Universitys Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies Scholarship allows one student to go on a summer research trip each year, which can assist them in writing their dissertation. The Military Order of the Crusades has funded the scholarship for about seven years. Thomas Morin poses with a castle, Castel del Monte, in Apulia, a southern region of Italy. Military Order of the Crusades representative Michael P. Schenk said that research funded through the scholarship helps promote the ancestors of the organization's members. These include Crusaders of Knightly or Higher Rank who participated in holy wars between 1096 and 1291. The certificate Morin received included images of numerous coats of arms, each representing a family. Its an honor to receive this, Morin said. Its very important for research support for those of us in graduate programs to get funding like this. Thomas Morin admires the Military Order of the Crusades certificate honoring his scholarship. Morin said he is interested in how the design of castles built during the Crusades highlights the cultural connections made across the Mediterranean during the 13th Century. My research often requires access to archival documents, Morin explained. Many of these only exist in their original form, which can be over 900 years old. Therefore, I must physically go to the archives where they reside to study them. Looking at images for castles and other architecture can only do so much. In order to really study a site, you have to walk the ground yourself. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per month Premium Includes: Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. The ability to download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. The ability to clip & download articles or images to share with others. Access to the last 90 days of e-Editions with search, downloading and clipping options. Unlimited access to our award-winning online content Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community A rapidly growing maverick competitor to the big four banks, Macquarie, has helped ANZ get its $4.9 billion takeover of Suncorps banking arm over a key hurdle after the Australian Competition Tribunal overturned the competition watchdogs veto of the deal last year. While ANZ must still get approval for the takeover bid from Treasurer Jim Chalmers and wait for some laws to be amended in Queensland, where Suncorp is based, the tribunals ruling was a significant win for the countrys fourth-largest bank. On Tuesday, Justice John Halley said the merger between ANZ and Suncorp was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the banking sector after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) last year rejected the takeover, saying it would further entrench the countrys banking oligopoly. ANZ chief executive officer Shayne Elliott said the tribunals decision was a significant milestone for the planned deal. Credit: Michaela Pollock The tribunal has concluded that the small increase in the market share of ANZ, if the proposed acquisition proceeds, would not have a meaningful impact on the degree or likelihood of the major banks engaging in successful coordination, Halley said. The past three years has produced a long roll call of failings from almost everyone involved in the Australian casino sector. The daddy of all mistakes was the decision by the governments of Victoria and NSW to allow the dominant players Star and Crown to retain their licences. Sleepy state-based or even captive regulators had allowed casino miscreants to operate virtually unchecked for 10 years until the media exposed the scandals warts and all. The Star faces another inquiry. Credit: Steven Siewert The subsequent public inquiries into both these operators found an egregious litany of licence abuses and misconduct sufficient to deem them unsuitable to hold a licence. Surely that should have triggered forfeiture. Instead, state governments were anxious about the impacts on their respective economies, employment and tourism, and the loss of the rivers of tax they received from the casinos. You could almost see the steam pouring out of Peter Duttons ears when news broke last December that our new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and former Labor defence minister Stephen Smith was cancelling a planned Australia Day function in London. Credit: John Shakespeare Smith reportedly told organisers of an annual Australia Day gala dinner that it would be inappropriate to hold an event on the day, with a spokesperson for the High Commission pointing out the sensitivities around January 26 to many Indigenous Australians who see it as more synonymous with colonisation and genocide than celebration. As predictable outrage ensued, including a rebuke from Deputy Prime Minister Richard Timbertop Marles, the high commissioner appeared to backtrack a little, with a statement from Foreign Minister Penny Wongs office on Smiths behalf citing high costs as the chief reason why the planned gala event was canned. But new documents released under freedom of information bring some clarity to all that muddled messaging, and prove that sensitivities around the date did indeed influence how Australia House chose to mark the national day. Adam is properly outraged, insisting that something has to be done, that Robin has to be reported to the police. Ulrika is equally dismayed but acutely aware of the further trauma that Stella will face if the law becomes involved and proposes that they do nothing. The legal system that is supposed to be supporting her isnt programmed to address her interests alone. Four years pass and it emerges that the family portrait behind the opening credits provides only an illusion of togetherness. The parents believe that theyve failed their daughter and their relationship is under stress. And Stellas psychologist (Sanna Persson Halapi) asks her patient, How do you think it mightve been if theyd reacted differently? Christian Fandango and Alexandra Tyrefors as Stella in A Nearly Normal Family: relationships under stress. Credit: Netflix Superficially, Stella seems to have survived her ordeal. Shes still outgoing and flirtatious, her very forward wooing of a seemingly charming man about town (Christian Fandango Sundgren) repeating the same pattern of behaviour that previously put her in danger. However, shes now keeping her distance from the parents in whom she once confided. And when the police arrive, take her away and charge her with the murder of someone theyve never even heard of, theyre totally bewildered. Carefully structured, the series pivots on all of its characters flawed negotiations with the circumstances in which they find themselves. None is entirely innocent, but most are not unequivocally culpable either. Stellas parents attempts to help her place them at odds with the legal system. Mitigating circumstances undermine certainties, revelations pile up, and information is strategically withheld, with the resultant plot gaps gradually filled via flashbacks. The order of the lives they want to be living is constantly being disrupted by what they do. Repeatedly, their entry into an establishing shot of a setting is followed by a cut to hand-held coverage of their subsequent movements, making it seem as if, just by arriving on the scene, theyve upset some pre-arranged order. Recurrent shots of them passing through enclosed corridors makes it seem as if the world around is constantly pressing in on them. For its part, as illustrated by the initial exchange between Stellas parents, the law is ill-equipped to deal with the situations that envelop the characters. The definitions of guilt and innocence that govern its representatives conduct emerge as an inadequate measure of the situations theyre dealing with. The series thoughtfully examines the legal process from the outside, situating us alongside those who are affected by it in one way or another. However Jornlinds earlier The Truth Will Out, set in Stockholm, the nations capital, scrutinises it from within. The plot pivots on the work of a cold-case unit under the supervision of Peter Wendel (Robert Gustafsson). Hes recently back on the job after a breakdown, which is at least partially a consequence of the guilt he feels over the apparent suicide of his brother. That continues to plague him and, as is the way in such dramas, he and his deeply disturbed quarry (Peter Carlberg) are depicted as having much in common, a point unnecessarily made explicit in the first seasons final episode. Robert Gustafsson in The Truth Will Out: the law is a fragile institution. Credit: SBS Peter has three others in his team, which, it gradually becomes clear, has been set up primarily to sideline misfits (not unlike Slough House in Apple TV+s Slow Horses). Jorma (Christopher Wagelin) has handed in his resignation from the force and is soon to become a real-estate agent. Caijsa (Louise Peterhoff), whom Jorma had reported to Internal Affairs for absconding with money seized during an arrest, is facing dismissal. And Barbro (Ia Langhammer) is a seconded secretary who initially appears more devoted to her dog than her career. While theyre all going about the business of bonding, as outsiders often do, the rest of the force and the judicial system are in various states of disarray. After Peters team calls into question a serial killers confession, their immediate superiors are forced to recognise that the crimes theyd reduced to a neat little package are much more complicated. Loading At a higher level of authority, the Justice Minister (Johan Ulveson) and his department, which includes Peters sympathetic ex-wife, Ann-Marie (Maria Sundbom Lorelius), talk the talk but are more interested in covering their backs and ensuring theyre all on the same page than in delivering due process. Were working on a draft law that will improve legal certainty throughout the EU, the minister proudly tells Ann-Marie, whom hes trying to persuade to become his chief of staff. You know how it is in some places: indignation and emotion are prioritised over objectivity and forensic evidence. Both series serve as potent reminders that while the law might be a societys way of keeping chaos at bay, its a fragile institution and its mission is almost always compromised. Its constantly getting things wrong, whether because of the fallibility of its representatives, or their corruption, or because of a perceived need for black-and-white rules when the events under investigation are better understood in shades of grey. 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 Forty minutes south of Perth, a vast ecosystem of heavy infrastructure creates a landscape in which Mad Max would feel right at home. Hundreds of trucks each day swarm a network of roads, between which run a maze of exposed pipelines carrying everything from gases to water to industrial fluids. They join plants, refineries, power stations and horizon-dominating storage tanks holding everything from sulphuric acid to caustic soda and fertiliser to fuel. It all runs to the edge of the jarringly pristine-looking turquoise beach of Cockburn Sound, where the areas jetties receive high-value imports (crude oil, ammonia, fertiliser) and send off lucrative exports (including grain and alumina) to their overseas markets. Standing on the waters edge, beside a random fisher trying their luck from an incongruously low-tech camp chair, you can see on the horizon ships weighing up to 75,000 tonnes, on the way in or out to deliver or pick up their precious cargo from the jetties. The news It is not a place you would think to add to the first day of any travel itinerary. But an Australian renewable energy think tank voyaging to the countrys west coast recently bypassed all Perths riverfront and city attractions in favour of hopping straight in the car to Kwinana. Advertisement To Beyond Zero Emissions, with its no-pressure brief of weaning the nations most fossil-fuel dependent communities off the sauce, Kwinana is a rare and exciting place. This is a remarkable site globally for the amount of infrastructure already here, and it is already fit for purpose for the green industrial revolution, said chief executive Heidi Lee. A fisher contemplates the water or perhaps the CBH grain terminal and jetty. Credit: Emma Young Its hoped the elements that have made Kwinana a success can help fossil fuel-dependent communities in transition think Queenslands Gladstone or NSWs Hunter figure out how to survive. And the foremost element, says Chris Oughton, the outgoing director of the Kwinana Industries Council, is the win-win exchange of waste. Why it matters Industry is a major source of Australian carbon emissions and is facing legislated government net-zero targets. Advertisement Beyond Zero Emissions says Australia needs to urgently help industry strip emissions to remain competitive. Of its 14 proposed clean energy hubs, just four Kwinana, Gladstone, Hunter and Tasmanias Bell Bay create nearly a quarter of the total emissions from the countrys biggest 215 industrial plants. According to Beyond Zero Emissions, the absence of a national approach means funding favours smaller projects, creating less bang for the buck, and funding hubs in Gladstone and Kwinana alone could avert 50 million tonnes of carbon emissions. Lee with the Kwinana Industries Councils Chris Oughton. Credit: Emma Young How we got here The win-win waste exchange system is in part enabled by the sheer number of companies lured in over the years by household-name flagship tenants. It began with BPs once-oil refinery, now soon-to-be hydrogen site, nearly 70 years ago. Alcoa and Cockburn Cement were hot on BPs heels. Over time, they were joined by Kleenheat, turning gas to LPG; chemical and fertiliser giant CSBP; BHPs NickelWest refinery; BGCs concrete batching plant; the CBH grain terminal; Coogee Chemicals; Tianqui Lithium; and the Water Corporations desalination plant supplying not just water for local operations but also 17 per cent of Perths drinking water. Advertisement It is here Kwinana Swift Power Plant, NewGen power station and Synergy power station all use gas to create electricity for the main power grid serving the states south-west. The nations second utility-scale waste-to-energy facility is due for completion here next year. All these companies are buying and selling each others byproducts at a dizzying rate. CSBP sends its carbon dioxide to BOC gas, which turns it into dry ice for fire extinguishers. Tronox, instead of venting its high-temperature, high-pressure steam byproduct to the atmosphere, sends it next door to Coogees Chlor Alkali, which uses it for chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite for swimming pools. Tianqui, instead of sending its two major byproducts from lithium hydroxide manufacturing to landfill, is inking a deal to send them to local outfits to use to make concrete and cement. Kwinana hosts 178 such exchanges between 54 companies. Advertisement We do things big in Western Australia, Oughton says with a twinkle. The only comparable area he is aware of is Kalundborg, Denmark, where 15 companies make 34 of these mutually beneficial exchanges. Kwinana has evolved since the 1950s, he said. Kwinana has many opportunities ahead but also many uncertainties and constraints. Credit: Chris Grose Its almost like an ecosystem; you cant circumvent the biological process. Almost like the mycelium, or the root structure, of mushrooms; it develops beneath the earth under the right conditions. BP, one of Kwinanas original flagship tenants, has had a $70 million grant for a green hydrogen head start and when production starts in Kwinana, difficult-to-electrify industries will want to be nearby. Beyond Zero Emissions Heidi Lee says Hunter and Gladstone arent getting such opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Review Eating outBrunswick East A meal for two of this quality for less than $100 is downright astounding Eastern European delights (including vodka) are brightened up in this vibrant venue that had critic Besha Rodell texting people mid-meal to spread the word. Besha Rodell February 20, 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 / 9 The walls at Eat Pierogi Make Love are decorated with colourful pop-art Polish posters. Jason South 2 / 9 The go-to dish: Mushroom pierogi. Jason South 3 / 9 Leniwe (Polish-style gnocchi) with spinach and peas and showered with shredded pickled beetroot. Jason South 4 / 9 Golabek (stuffed cabbage) with a fruity tomato sauce. Jason South 5 / 9 Sledz, marinated herring on spelt bread with onion, fennel, pink peppercorns and red currants. Jason South 6 / 9 Eat Pierogi Make Love owners Guy Daley and Dominika Sikorska. Chris Hopkins 7 / 9 Fruit baked under a crunchy topping, served with a scoop of deep purple berry sorbet. Jason South 8 / 9 Gzik, a dish of smashed potatoes, fresh sour cheese, radish and cucumber. Chris Hopkins 9 / 9 The room is dominated by a bar and open kitchen. Jason South Previous Slide Next Slide 14 / 20 How we score Polish$$$ Attention, dumpling lovers of Melbourne! Theres a new dumpling in town, or at least, a new space to eat dumplings that have had a cult following for a while. Pierogi Pierogi has been operating as a market stall and purveyor of frozen dumplings for years, but last November owners Dominika Sikorska and Guy Daley opened a charming and airy shopfront on Lygon Street in Brunswick East serving a wide variety of pierogi and a selection of other Polish dishes. During summer, the large front windows of Eat Pierogi Make Love are open to the street, where bench seating is available on the footpath. The pale yellow tiling starts on the exterior and continues into the space, dominated by a bar and open kitchen, with seating at high tops, in booths and on stools along the bar. Walls are decorated with colourful pop-art Polish posters (say that three times fast) and exuberant energy abounds. What absolute fun. Advertisement Eat Pierogi Make Love specialises in Polish dumplings and vodka (rear). Chris Hopkins There are so many trends being bucked here, including the presentation of this Eastern European cuisine in a fresh and modern setting. But also, the bar is dedicated almost completely to what is probably the least trendy spirit of the moment: vodka. They make great use of it, in a must-order Szarlotka ($20), a mixture of Polish vodka and freshly squeezed apple juice. The Ogorki martini ($22), made with pickle brine, is pleasingly salty, and theres a huge selection of flavoured vodkas ($10-$12 a shot). Snacks, listed on the menu as Zakaski, Food for Wodka, include sledz ($9), or marinated herring on spelt bread with onion, fennel, pink peppercorns and red currants. The combination of salty, acidic fish, the pop of the peppercorns and the sweetness of the currants makes for a fantastic couple of bites, as does the house pork and beef liver pate ($9), topped with Polish cucumber and lightly pickled tomato on dark rye bread. Sikorska and Daley have a way of brightening everything, bringing freshness to dishes that traditionally lean towards heaviness. In the case of the golabki (cabbage rolls, $16), thats achieved via a beautifully fruity and acidic tomato sauce, as well as a lush and bouncy pork and rice sausage filling. The go-to dish: Mushroom pierogi. Jason South Advertisement And, of course, there are five variations of pierogi, which come eight dumplings to a serving ($24). Some of them, such as the potato and cheese version, are boiled, while others, like the mushroom and sauerkraut, are pan-fried. I prefer this style of dumpling the pan action gives a crisp and alluring stretch to the skin, which is firm and slightly tangy, as if the dough has been barely fermented. The addition of diced celeriac and lashings of dill to the mushroom version gives it a wonderful complexity. I was also a huge fan of the leniwe ($26), a Polish-style gnocchi made with flour, here crisped in brown butter and tossed with spinach and peas and showered with shredded pickled beetroot. (Vegetarians will eat just as well as carnivores here.) Of all the trends this restaurant is bucking, the rejection of the astronomical prices in mid-range restaurants is perhaps the most exciting. There are two dessert choices (both $12), a cheesecake topped with red currants, and a seasonal fruit crisp. I was lucky enough to eat here during stone fruit season, which meant a warm crock of nectarines and peaches baked under a crunchy sugary topping, served with a scoop of deep purple berry sorbet. Summer should be all about fruit pies and cobblers and crisps I wish more places went this route. If youre someone who tends to breeze through reviews without paying attention to the included prices, I urge you to go back and look again at what Eat Pierogi Make Love is charging. Their most expensive snack is $18. You wont need more than one plate of pierogi per person at $24 each, thats quite a bargain for a main course. Advertisement Fruit baked under a crunchy topping, served with a scoop of deep purple berry sorbet. Jason South Of all the trends this restaurant is bucking, the rejection of the astronomical prices in mid-range restaurants is perhaps the most exciting. I know why dining out is getting so expensive, but I also know that many customers are getting priced out. A meal for two of this quality for less than $100 is downright astounding. I cant remember the last time I texted friends and family during a meal and exclaimed: You have to come here! You would love this place! But thats exactly what I found myself doing at Eat Pierogi Make Love. Ill meet you here anytime, I promised, and I meant it. The low-down Vibe: Vibrant, colourful shopfront open to the street. Go-to dish: Pierogi (duh!), $24; the mushroom dumplings in particular. Drinks: Huge range of vodkas, fun list of vodka cocktails, short beer and wine list. Cost: About $90 for two, excluding drinks Good Food Guide 2022: 10 of Melbourne's best dumplings Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday visited the forward positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kupiansk direction and presented awards to Ukrainian defenders, the presidential press service said. "During a visit to Kharkiv region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the battalion command post of the 14th separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Roman the Great, which is performing combat missions to defend Kupyansk," according to a press release published on the president's website. It is noted that Zelenskyy listened to the report of the brigade commander Lieutenant Colonel Oleksiy Trubnikov on the operational situation in the relevant section of the frontline and interaction with the adjacent units of the Defense Forces. The brigade commander also told the President about the experience of using various types of drones in the area of responsibility and about the peculiarities of combating enemy UAVs with electronic warfare systems. In addition, the president and brigade commander discussed separately the provision of units with equipment, ammunition and other current needs of the military. Zelenskyy spoke with the defenders and presented them with awards. "I am glad to be here today to see you, to congratulate you, to express gratitude on behalf of all Ukrainians, all of Ukraine, for doing such a great job every day, for defending the state, our families, independence, and our sovereignty. I am confident in you. I wish you good health. Take care of yourself and your colleagues. This is very important. I wish you all victory," the president said. In particular, Zelenskyy awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and presented the Order of the Golden Star to the commander of the 95th separate air assault brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Colonel Oleh Apostol. The head of state also presented the President's Cross of Military Merit to Colonel Oleksandr Lutsenko. In addition, the defenders also received from the president the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III class, and the Orders "For Courage" of II-III class. "For the safety of the warriors, Volodymyr Zelenskyy handed over some of the awards to the commanders so that they could present them at the places of their service," the office said. Advertisement When Harry Styles visited Melbournes Cibi for a green tea last year, the Japanese cafe and design store was inundated by his TikTok-obsessed fans. They kept coming months after Styles visit too, and Cibi eventually had to ban guests from shooting social media content on their phones. God help any Sydney restaurant, then, that Taylor Swift pops into this week. Time magazines person of the year played three back-to-back shows in Melbourne, kicking off February 16, before a four-night stint in Sydney from Friday. Having arrived in Sydney on Monday afternoon, Swift has four nights free for dinner in town, not to mention plenty of opportunities for lunch and cocktails. And if theres one thing the Good Food team knows all too well about Taylor Swift, its that she really, really likes going out for lunch. And cocktails. Photo: The internet is thick with lists detailing all the bars and restaurants Swift has visited in New York City over the past few years, but especially the past 12 months. Weve studied these lists, and through a comprehensive systematic review have identified the key trends of Swifts eating habits in Manhattan. Using this research, we believe we can predict where she will make an impromptu dining appearance while in Australia. This is highly scientific stuff. Notably, Swift isnt concerned with eating at any of the super-hip new places New York food critics are raving about. White-hot restaurants such as Sailor, Tatiana and Torrisi dont get a look in. There are very few omakase and tasting menus; even fewer steakhouses, yum cha sessions and burger joints (though she is partial to the occasional cheeseburger, and local chain Bettys fits the bill, given its a Folklore character and tune). Advertisement Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce step out for dinner in New York City in October. Getty Images But there is plenty of seafood, Italian, and a la carte sushi. Reliable celebrity-loved institutions such as Minetta Tavern, Waverly Inn and Emilios Ballato get a fair crack too. (Restaurateur Keith McNally even posted Swift and Phoebe Bridgers Minetta Tavern order on Instagram oysters, scallops, Dover sole and lobster vol-au-vents, if youre wondering.) As for bars, darker is better, preferably with martinis, a chic fit-out and semi-private rooms. So with all that in mind, here are our predictions of where Swift could (and should) eat in Sydney. The Baxter Inn has plenty of whisky on ice. Sahlan Hayes Advertisement The bar I knew from the first Old Fashioned we were cursed, sings Swift in Getaway Car. If she is indeed into Old Fashioneds, CBD whisky bar The Baxter Inn stirs a cracking version of the classic, and the lighting is appropriately low. Most of Baxters tables and booths are exposed to prying phone cameras, so if a getaway car and a swift exit is required, Crowns invite only members lounge Neat Peat seems like a safer bet for Swift and her entourage. (We strongly suspect theyll all be staying at Crown Towers.) Swift is not likely to be taking shots of Patron at 7am (per You Need to Calm Down), but she might sing under the El Primo Sanchezs Mirrorball ceiling. Steve Woodburn For a martini, Maybe Sammy near The Rocks is a destination for many global visitors, given its number 15 spot on The Worlds 50 Best Bars list. But this seems too obvious. Were putting our money on Swift taking over the semi-hidden La Prima bar inside Paddingtons El Primo Sanchez, opened by the Maybe Sammy team last year and specialising in tacos and tequila-fuelled dancing. The Good Food review of the Sydney restaurant Taylor Swift dined in Advertisement The Italian If we were card sharks, playing games, its equal odds for aMare Crowns two-hatted fine diner helmed by Lombardian chef Alessandro Pavoni or Woolloomooloo stalwart Otto Ristorante. Both are by the water and have a strong focus on seafood, plus private dining options and accommodating staff. For Italian food with a more contemporary, edgier edge, its hard to go past Albertos Lounge and Pellegrino 2000 in Surry Hills (update: she did!), although nearby Bastardo is another strong option. We wouldnt be too shocked to see Swift visit Beppis either. The old-school Darlinghurst charmer has been catering to A-listers from Keith Richards to Kerry Packer since 1956, and it never goes out of style. Swift can enjoy the salt air at Icebergs. Jennifer Soo Advertisement The icon Bondis Icebergs Dining Room and Bar is one of Nigella Lawsons favourite places in the world, the ocean views are incredible, and restaurateur Maurice Terzini knows how to show visiting celebrities a discreet and highly delicious time (Pharrell is also a fan.) We would be more surprised if Swift doesnt eat at Icebergs while shes here. Shes partial to a citrusy French Blonde cocktail, so the tableside sgroppino with lemon sorbet would be soothing between back-to-back shows. Will Travis Kelce join Swift for another Nobu date night? Louise Kennerley The sushi spot Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce were spotted at a Nobu in New York in December, and at the risk of this predictions list sounding like advertorial for Crown theres also an outpost of the glitzy Japanese restaurant chain at the Sydney casino. A Nobu visit seems likely, but if Swift is keen for raw fish and rice at one of our homegrown establishments, Kuro Bar and Dining, Sushi e and Cho Cho San all provide the kind of slick, modern Japanese menu she seems to go for. Advertisement The seafood restaurant Sydneys many omakase counters aside, there are no better places to eat Australian seafood than Neil Perrys Margaret (a name very similar to Swifts late grandmother Marjorie, who has a song named in her honour) in Double Bay and Saint Peter, Paddington. But the gun-barrel dining room of Josh and Julie Nilands Saint Peter is exposed to the street, and Margaret feels too high profile. (An under-the-radar visit to Intercontinental Double Bays plush cocktail bar seems more likely.) Cirrus at Barangaroo is the smarter idea to avoid paparazzi and get stuck into oysters, scallops and lobster, and were not dismissing a whole restaurant takeover at Catalina in Rose Bay. Hand-picked mud crab at Berts Bar and Brasserie, Newport. William Meppem The Wildest Dreams wildcard Theres every chance Swift will get out of this town, drive out of the city, away from the crowds, and shack up in a Whale Beach mansion with a private chef and helipad, just like Leo in Saint-Tropez. If so, it would be a shame not to book at least one lunch at Berts Bar and Brasserie in Newport the old-world hotel dining room and whole flounder seem right up Swifts alley. Advertisement Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up A brown bottle of Aesop hand soap was once the ultimate bathroom brag but a flash of purple and copper is the latest symbol of skin health wealth. Distinctive containers of skincare brand Augustinus Bader have been spotted in the TV series Succession and in GRWM (get ready with me) videos with Victoria Beckham, Hailey Bieber and supermodel Amber Valletta. German Professor Augustinus Bader with Victoria Beckham in 2019, before the launch of their skincare collaboration. Credit: Getty Beckham went beyond hashtag support and collaborated with the brand on a collection of make-up primers and a serum. A journalist in London once told me that the last thing the most beautiful women in the world think about is me because they see my products before they go to bed, Bader says. McCready loves the fact the field is constantly evolving. There are always new things to learn about brewing. You can never really be done with your knowledge base. The state of the industry: McCready says that with the industry becoming more and more competitive craft beers are booming getting any study in the field under your belt will become more and more important. It may come as a surprise to learn that brewing, like many other unique and unusual professions, is a field you can study at university. For example, Open Universities Australia offers an undergraduate certificate in fermentation that takes just six months to complete through the University of Tasmania and its completely online. Worm farmer Name: Rowan Watson Company: Rural Earthworms Based: Stony Creek, Queensland Business is booming for sustainable worm farmers, Rowan and Ellie Watson. Why this job? Rowan Watson and his wife Ellie were ready for a new chapter at the same time his uncle was looking for someone to pass on his worm farm business when he retired. It was a great opportunity for us, he says. The couple found their Stony Creek property in 2014, and thanks to guidance from Rowans uncle, launched their enterprise with just nine beds. They currently have 140. Whats involved? Watson says maintaining and protecting the worms is harder than you may think. Everything wants to eat our worms, he says. Being one step ahead of predators (mice plagues, cane toads, birds) and climate issues such as flooding, keeps you on your toes. No two years are the same. The state of the industry: Through a distributor, the company provides worms to those who keep their own domestic worm farms a market growing by 15 per cent annually as Aussies become more aware of the benefits of using worms to keep food waste out of landfill, and the benefits of worm waste as fertiliser. People dont realise that farming worms is a career. We always enjoy peoples reactions when we tell them that we make a living off farming worms. Forensic scientist Name: Andrew Camilleri Company: Forensic Science South Australia Based: Adelaide, South Australia Inquisitiveness is essential for forensic scientists, says Andrew Camilleri, assistant director of science and support for Forensic Science South Australia. Credit: iStock Why this job? Working in forensics is for those who really like to give their brain a work-out (and arent squeamish about crime), says Andrew Camilleri, assistant director of science and support for Forensic Science South Australia. Sometimes you need to think a little bit outside of the square to identify evidence that may be present but not obvious, he says. An inquisitive nature is important. Whats involved? For a start, abandon the idea that your life will be just like Benson and Stabler on Law & Order, Camilleri warns. Most forensic scientists spend their days at a desk working on a computer to process and interpret the scientific results obtained from the evidence that has been examined, he explains. Itd be nice if the job was as glamorous as portrayed on TV. On the other hand, some aspects are similar, and can be gripping for the right person, such as analysing blood spatter patterns, fingerprints and toxicology. The state of the industry: The job market in forensics is expected to grow, as new technologies evolve the capabilities of the field. Study is required, but what kind will depend on what strain of forensics youre interested in, from psychology to accounting. A great starting point can be using Open Universities Australias online quiz to help narrow down relevant courses. Clock technician Name: Nigel Tonkin Company: Ingrams Based: Ringwood, Victoria Clock technician, Nigel Tonkin, looks after some of Australias most iconic time pieces. Credit: iStock Why this job? Its a job as old as time, well at least as old as it takes to attend the machines that tell it. Nigel Tonkin is a service technician with Ingrams, a company that has been caring for some of the countrys grandest public timepieces since 1890, including the iconic one atop Flinders Street Station in Melbourne. And Tonkin admits there are aspects of the role that are hard to beat. You get access to areas that practically no one else has, and spectacular views. Whats involved? Theres plenty of variation in the role, Tonkin explains. Maintaining and repairing turret (tower) clocks, the manufacture and installation of new large clocks, machining and fabrication of replacement parts, and restoration of turret clocks. A background in mechanics is vital, as is an interest in the field. [Youre] maintaining the tradition of clock-making. The state of the industry: While Ingrams has a vast array of clocks on its roster, working with timepieces in hospitals, schools and at swimming pools, Tonkin feels the field is plateauing at the moment. There are only so many large clocks existent, and only so many projects with new clocks. Looking for a career thats a little different? Check out the incredible range of degrees, short courses and subjects from leading Australia universities at Open Universities Australia that can be the first step on a new pathway. Ryan likens his years of dialysis for kidney failure to driving on a straight road through a desert. Its unrelenting, its unchanging, its depressing. Its hour after hour of your life dripping away from you. You just keep driving and staring at the horizon thinking, when will I get out of this? Ryan was given another chance when an HIV-positive kidney donor was available. Credit: Kate Geraghty The 57-year-old Sydney man hit rock bottom when a donor kidney from his sister deteriorated seven years after the transplant, and he faced more dialysis and a possible six-year wait for a new organ. His escape from that fate came from an unexpected source. The inquest will explore issues including processes of dog breed identification, interim measures while a dog is awaiting potential declaration as a dangerous, menacing or restricted animal, the efficacy of restricted breed regimes and effectiveness of public awareness campaigns. Deputy state coroner Carmel Forbes is presiding over an inquest into seven fatal dog attacks, including the death of the newborn baby, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, on the Central Coast in July 2021. A five-week-old baby boy was taken from his sleeping mothers arms and fatally mauled by the family dog about a month after it killed a neighbours cocker spaniel, an inquest has heard. Counsel assisting the coroner David Kell, SC, said the inquest was about identifying any shortcomings by people or organisations and lessons to be learned, rather than legal liability. In his opening address on Monday, Kell said the six-year-old dog involved in the babys death had been advertised on Gumtree as a pure breed American Staffordshire terrier puppy and was bought by the babys father for $500 in 2015. The dog was microchipped and registered as an American Staffordshire terrier. In June 2021, a ranger was called to the family home after a neighbours cocker spaniel was found dead on the back porch with neck wounds and blood in its fur. The inquest heard the ranger thought the attacking dog had pitbull in him as he was tan with a liver nose and yellow eyes. Kell said there was a hole under the fence between the properties, but as there were no witnesses to the attack, it was impossible to determine whether the cocker spaniel was dragged under the fence or entered the yard of its own accord, although this was referred to as being highly improbable. A former investment banker who became the UKs chief schools inspector says sending outsiders into Australian classrooms to measure teaching quality would bring a fresh set of eyes to the education system. Amanda Spielman, whose tenure as head of the Office for Standards in Education, Childrens Services and Skills (OFSTED) finished last year, said inspections were a powerful lever to influence what happened in the classroom. Amanda Spielman, Englands former chief inspector for Education, Childrens Services and Skills. Credit: Adriana Samanez Speaking at a Centre for Independent Studies event on Monday, Spielman said when she first took up the job the prevailing wisdom was thou shalt not say nasty things about schools and teachers. In 2016, I faced the unintended consequences of this system of outcomes-based regulation: with teacher confusion, narrowing and distortion of curriculum, so little thought about what really constitutes quality in education, Spielman said. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The government ordered the shutdown of schools during COVID, disrupting the social and educational progress of children. The impacts are profound and ongoing. See all 4 stories . Young children are losing control and hitting out at teachers, while older students are struggling with anger management and problem-solving because they could not practise key social skills when schools shut during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their difficulties are turbocharging anxiety, depression and technology abuse, a panel of top psychologists and educators has warned. The COVID fallout: Education This month marks four years since Chinas COVID-19 outbreak was deemed a public health emergency of international concern, heralding the start of a traumatic period many of us would prefer to forget. While a federal government inquiry is examining some national responses to the crisis, key decisions made by states will not be properly scrutinised. The Herald is concerned our political leaders have not adequately studied the lessons good and bad of our most recent experience, and we plan to ask tough questions over the coming months about the pandemics impact on education, health, border closures and lockdowns and policing. This is the second of our three-part series looking at the impact of COVID on education. The forum discussions with nine expert panellists were broken up into two sessions: one examining the wellbeing and behaviour of students, the second on academic and learning disruption. The closures also led to a truancy crisis and sent the number of students refusing to go to school skyrocketing, as struggling students viewed class as something which they could opt out of. This is the long tail of COVID that we predicted for kids, said National Childrens Commissioner Anne Hollonds. We didnt have children and their unique needs on our radar when those decisions [to close schools] were being made. The Sydney Morning Herald convened experts on education and child social development to assess the impact of COVID on students after the federal government failed to include the decision to close schools in its independent inquiry into how the nation managed the pandemic. Five experts Hollonds, director of wellbeing at Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, Greg Elliott, child psychologist Kate Plumb, adolescent expert Michael Carr-Gregg and Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay campus school captain Bede Warnock were united in their view that the needs of children had been overlooked in the pandemic, and the impacts of that had been far-reaching. Carr-Gregg was unable to attend in person on the day. Advertisement They called for a plan for future closures that put the long and short-term needs of children at the centre. Herald panellists (from left to right): Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese director of wellbeing Dr Greg Elliott, child psychologist and former school counsellor Kate Plumb, Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay school captain Bede Warnock and National Childrens Commissioner Anne Hollonds. This panel discussed the COVID impact on student wellbeing and behaviour. Credit: Dylan Coker NSW schools switched to remote learning for seven weeks in 2020, and for just over three months in 2021. During the rest of the pandemic years, schools had strict infection-control rules which disrupted learning and social interaction. They ranged from not allowing visitors on site, including parents and medical professionals, to banning different cohorts of students from mixing. Elliott, who runs wellbeing services for 45,000 students in more than 80 schools, said children had missed out on important steps in their social development. That disruption also affected early childhood education, and so many of the five- and six-year-olds now beginning kindergarten were the most dysregulated students weve ever seen entering school (dysregulation involves emotional reactions that are outside a typical range for their age). This impact has a very long tail and we havent seen the end of it. Adolescent expert Michael Carr-Gregg The rates of assaults on teachers in early stage one, so kindergarten and year one, has increased dramatically, not just in our [Catholic] system but across all systems [there are] teachers whove been hit, kicked, slapped, pushed over, things thrown at them, Elliott said. Its very distressing for teachers. Families werent able to access early intervention during the pandemic. And families also didnt have a normative reference of what little kids behaviour should be like to get ready for school. Without that basic intervention and socialisation they come into a highly stimulating big social environment and cant cope. Advertisement Carr-Gregg said two heavily disrupted years hindered high school students opportunities to hone the self-regulation abilities anger management, conflict resolution, problem-solving that they would otherwise have practised in the playground. Emotional self-regulation is out the window, said Carr-Gregg. Psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg said he was seeing elevated rates of anxiety and depression and a whole range of mental health challenges, including deliberate self-harm and eating disorders. Credit: Wayne Taylor Speaking remotely, he pointed out that the closures challenged adolescents ability to perform their four key developmental tasks: separating from parents; forming peer relationships; attending school; and taking risks. As a result, Im seeing elevated rates of anxiety and depression and a whole range of mental health challenges, including deliberate self-harm and eating disorders, he said. I think children, the ones Im working with, missed out on normal developmental opportunities throughout the pandemic and their social skills are completely out of practice, and that in turn is having a long-term impact on their mental health. This impact has a very long tail and we havent seen the end of it. Responding to questions about the Heralds series, Education Minister Prue Car, who was in opposition during the pandemic, said the decisions were based on the best possible expert advice. It shouldnt shock anyone who works in education that in many ways the COVID pandemic has had a huge impact on our children and their futures, particularly in areas that were subjected to harder lockdown, she told reporters. Loading Advertisement It is why we as a government are serious about putting counsellors in schools because of the mental health challenges as a result of the pandemic, particularly for our secondary school students. It was also one of the reasons behind a pay increase for school counsellors, she said. There is little reliable data to measure lingering emotional and psychological impacts of COVID. The impacts vary between students, schools and families. But child psychologist Kate Plumb has witnessed issues, too, particularly among those with special needs. Those young people who started in year 7 in 2021 are really struggling, like extraordinarily, she said. School avoidance, increased anxiety, questioning neurodiversity its almost like theyve imploded. The decision to send all students back to school at once in 2021, rather than stage a slower re-entry, also left some reeling. And then all of a sudden, it was like, go back to school. No ifs, ands or buts. They found that very jarring. The coping skills were just tapped out. At the roundtable, child psychologist and former school counsellor Kate Plumb said students who started year 7 in 2021 are still struggling. Credit: Dylan Coker A key but overlooked issue was sleep, said school captain Bede Warnock, a view supported by other panellists. Many high school students completely subverted their habits during the pandemic. They would log onto online school at eight, fall asleep at nine, and sleep the rest of the day, he said. Its become a little more normal, but for a lot of people I feel like it also hasnt. Advertisement Elliott agreed. They found it very difficult to adjust. And you know what a teenager is like when they havent had enough sleep. They can be either entirely disengaged or anti-social. Some of that is still the case. Data shows absenteeism has surged since lockdowns; the proportion of children with attendance problems has risen from 25 per cent in 2019 to more than a third last year, and school refusal has become an intractable problem. Before lockdowns, most students assumed there was no option other than attending school, even if they struggled to fit in due to mental health issues or neurodivergence. It was just what the community expected; you go in and you put up with it, said Elliott. Remote learning gave them an alternative. When we snapped back to regular school, there was a whole cohort of students who could not snap back, he said. And were still seeing that now with high rates of people refusing to attend school. As Plumb said, the mask came off and the mask couldnt go back on. Loading Advertisement In November 2022, Navalny called the invasion a nightmare that Russia had been pulled into by Putin, whom he labelled a single crazy grandfather who lives in fantasies that he is a military leader, unusually popular in Ukraine. Protests in Navalnys name will become a criminal offence, 2021. Credit: Getty Navalny was known for his innovative tactics in fighting corruption and promoting democracy. Defying expectations, he cannily used street politics and social media to build a tenacious opposition movement, even after much of the independent news media in Russia was squelched and other critics were driven into exile or killed in unsolved murders. In the years before Russia invaded Ukraine, many of Navalnys associates, and in some cases their relatives, were arrested or forced into exile. At his death, he was the most prominent critic of Putin still standing in Russia at a time when the president has engineered a path to remain in power until at least 2036. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny recovers in a Berlin hospital after his poisoning. Credit: AP Navalny was thought to have been physically attacked multiple times. Even before his poisoning in 2020, he survived an earlier suspected poisoning attempt when he was in jail in 2019 and an assault in 2017 when a green liquid was thrown in his face, nearly blinding him. He had spoken openly of the possibility that he might be assassinated. Im trying not to think about it a lot, he said in an interview with CBS News in 2017. If you start to think about what kind of risks I have, you cannot do anything. On August 20, 2020, Navalny became violently ill and fell into a coma shortly after boarding a flight from Siberia, where he had met opposition candidates for local office. The flight made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk, where doctors for two days resisted his wifes pleas to transfer him to Germany for treatment. Navalny was eventually evacuated to Berlin on an air ambulance flight. A little more than a week later, the German government announced that he had been poisoned with a nerve agent from the highly potent Novichok family of toxins. The evidence, German officials said, was unequivocal. He had been the victim of a crime, then chancellor Angela Merkel said, and this raised very serious questions that only the Russian government can and must answer. In December 2020, Navalny released a video of himself posing as an aide to a senior Russian security official extracting a confession from one of his would-be assassins, essentially confirming the involvement of the Russian secret services. He was told that the poison had been planted in his underwear at his hotel sometime before he boarded the plane. The following month he flew back to Russia, facing an all-but-certain prison sentence. He was arrested at the airport, but his return breathed new life into the Russian opposition, and protests broke out across the country. Alexey Navalny and his wife Yuliya on the plane bound for Moscow hours before his detention. Credit: AP Within days of his return, his team released a report about a purported secret palace built for Putin that was viewed more than 100 million times on YouTube, helping to fuel the protests. At his 2021 sentencing, speaking from a Moscow courtroom, Navalny predicted that Russians would eventually rise and prevail against Putin, whom he called a thieving little man. I do this because I hate these people, he said in an interview with The New York Times in 2011, before he rose to prominence. Still, he struggled to unite the feuding pro-democracy opposition parties, a fractured state of affairs that has plagued Russias politics since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Some were wary of his right-wing positions, like the Russian nationalism that characterised his early political activities, his support for gun rights and his anti-immigrant views. Navalny, the son of a Red Army officer, was born on June 4, 1976, in Butyn, a village near Moscow, and grew up on far-flung military bases throughout the former Soviet Union. Navalny studied law at the Peoples Friendship University in Moscow and economics at the Finance Academy of the Russian Federation. He worked as a real estate lawyer before going into politics, first gaining recognition as the author of a blog for small investors that exposed signs of theft and abuse inside giant state-owned companies, such as Gazprom and Rosneft. Navalnys support among the middle class mostly in the capital, Moscow, where he ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2013 brought a new type of politics to the country. Social media outlets like Twitter, now rebranded as X, and Vkontakte, a Russian equivalent of Facebook, propelled Navalnys rise. A breakthrough came in 2011, when he used social networking sites to promote street protests opposed to Putins return to power for a third presidential term. As the protests breathed new life into a beleaguered opposition, he came to be seen as the movements leader. Initially, prosecutors pressed charges of embezzlement related to his work as an adviser to a regional governor years before that were widely seen as politically motivated. Navalny received a five-year suspended sentence. Navalny continued to speak out. Barred from running for office because of his criminal convictions, he promoted other opposition politicians and ran an anti-corruption group that produced devastating reports of high-level graft. A vigil for Russian activist Alexei Navalny in Munich, Germany. Credit: Bloomberg The system has turned so rotten that it doesnt have any healthy parts at all, Navalny said. Navalny was detained so many times that he once joked to a judge that he wouldnt take up the courts time with a final statement before sentencing, because he would surely have another chance to do so again. The last word of the accused should be a dramatic moment in his life, he said. But they opened so many cases against me that this will not be my last chance to have a last word. He is survived by his wife, Yulia Navalnaya; their daughter, Daria, and son, Zakhar; and his brother, Oleg Navalny. His parents, Anatoly and Lyudmila Navalny, are retired. Navalny met his wife on a beach in Turkey 23 years ago and, before the poisoning in 2020, the couple lived in a three-room apartment in an outlying district of Moscow. Yulia Navalnaya has an economics degree, worked at a bank before the birth of their children and, over the past decade, been a homemaker. As pressure on Navalny increased, she became more outspoken about his poor treatment. The family has lived for years in a crucible of surveillance and police pressure and the older members have been harassed and unlawfully prosecuted many times, his daughter wrote in Time magazine in December 2022. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny embraces his wife, Yulia, in a courtroom as he was released from custody in Kirov, Russia, 2013. Credit: AP Navalny dedicated his final post on social media to his wife on Valentines Day. Darling, everything is like in the song with you: Between us there are cities, the lights of airfields, blue snowstorms and thousands of kilometres. But I feel that you are near every second, and I love you more and more, he wrote on Telegram, ending his post with a heart emoji. The song he quoted, Hope, My Earthly Compass, is one of the best-known hits in Russia. Its refrain is Hope is my compass, and success is a reward for courage. Last weeks return to parliament for Queensland MPs saw a big focus from both major parties on crime and energy policy. No surprises then that Premier Steven Miles faced questions about the former at a media conference on the latter this morning. Miles was joined by Energy Minister Mick de Brenni and local MPs to mark the start of construction of state-owned CleanCos first battery storage project: a $330 million unit to help turn the Swanbank power station into a clean energy hub. Loading The battery is expected to create 60 jobs during construction and 10 ongoing once its operating by mid-2025, and able to power two-thirds of nearby Ipswich where Miles cabinet will meet today ahead of a byelection in March for two hours each night. But most questions from journalists were about youth crime and policing, with Miles confirming announced expansions of police metal detection wanding powers and GPS monitoring for kids on bail would likely come to parliament in a bill before late July. Theres currently, as you know, a select committee that is looking into similar matters my preference would be to bring these new initiatives along with whatever that committee recommends to the parliament Id hope that that could be before we go into the estimates break, Miles said. Next security agreements with Ukraine most likely to be signed by Denmark, the Netherlands Nykyforov The next agreements on security cooperation with Ukraine after Great Britain, Germany and France, judging by the dynamics of document preparation, will be signed by Denmark and the Netherlands, press secretary of the President of Ukraine Serhiy Nykyforov believes. "I would note the meetings [of President Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference] with the Prime Minister of Denmark Matt Frederiksen and the Netherlands Mark Rutte, because yesterday very important security agreements were signed with Germany and France. And judging by the dynamics preparation of the next bilateral security agreements within the framework of the G7 Vilnius Declaration, it looks like Denmark and the Netherlands will be the next countries with which such agreements will be signed," Nykyforov said in the telethon. The president's press secretary did not announce the date of signing of such documents, but said that "this will take place very soon." He also said that during the Munich Security Conference itself, Ukraine did not sign any official documents with its partners. 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 What does it feel like to live in Brisbane in 2024? Weve taken a snapshot of the citys performance to assess its quality of life and liveability. See all 13 stories . Pravesh Kumar has been living in an apartment with big glass windows, in a modern residential tower next to the Brisbane River, for 10 months. It is part of the burgeoning Northshore Hamilton Precinct, where old wharves and warehouses are being transformed into much-needed housing and an athletes village for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In an overheated real estate market, Kumar is luckier than many. But he still wonders whether subtropical Brisbane is the place for the glass towers in the blazing sun. Pravesh Kumar says his apartment, with its large glass windows, is very hot and requires the air-conditioning on all the time. Credit: Tony Moore His home can be very hot and expensive to cool. We always have to have the air-conditioning on, Kumar said. That makes a difference, but its still very hot. Underworld figure and boxer Sam the Punisher Abdulrahim has been knocked back for compensation recommended by a Supreme Court judge who found he was thrown in jail without justification. Abdulrahim, who fights under the boxing name the Punisher, had his parole revoked in June 2019 over fears he would be targeted in a series of shootings. In July last year, Justice John Dixon suggested that the Victorian government should pay Abdulrahim between $160,000 and $180,000 after the parole board revoked his parole because he was the suspected target in three shootings. The board was concerned about public safety. Sam Abdulrahim. Credit: Jason South The board, in revoking Abdulrahims parole, considered that the safety and protection of the community was paramount and issued a warrant for his arrest. Abdulrahim spent 72 days in custody, 35 of which were in solitary confinement, and he was assaulted by an inmate with a rock. City of Perth councillors are set to consider a plan to allow elected members business-class flights and extended hotel stays bankrolled by ratepayers. According to the agenda released ahead of Tuesdays council briefing, city officers have taken a red pen to the elected member allowances, fees and entitlements policy the city adopted less than three years ago. City of Perth council will consider a new allowance policy. Credit: Nine (composite image). Dozens of clauses are proposed to be scrapped, with a long list of suggested additions covering how travel and accommodation should be arranged for councillors attending authorised functions. A clause allowing Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas to travel business class for professional development would be dumped and replaced with a new one, which stipulates all air travel will be business class and via the shortest, most practical route unless a councillor specifically requests otherwise. Southern parts of Western Australia will face extreme fire danger conditions on Tuesday, with 29 schools and six national parks closed as emergency crews brace for windy and hot conditions. Department of Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Darren Klemm said 61 local government areas in the South West would be under the strictest fire danger ratings in the state in nearly a decade, with a total fire ban expected. Temperatures in the mid-40s are forecast in some locations including Esperance and Cascade, and winds of around 35 to 40 kilometres an hour are forecast, he said. Around 30 schools and six national parks have been closed as emergency crews brace for hot and windy conditions in the states southern region. Credit: Emergency WA If you see smoke or flames, call triple-zero immediately, dont assume that someone else will do it. Twin girls killed in a horrific crash in rural Western Australia on Sunday have been identified as seven-year-old sunshine souls Macey and Riley. The children were travelling to Perth with their mother, Rachel van Oyen, after visiting family in Kalgoorlie. The twins, Macey and Riley, with their mother. Credit: Facebook The familys Toyota Camry sedan was on Great Eastern Highway in Carrabin, about halfway through their journey, when the vehicle veered off the road around 11am and crashed into a tree. The two girls were killed in the crash, while van Oyen, 31, survived and was taken to Merredin Hospital. She was later discharged. Australia will acquire a fleet of drone ships still in prototype under an ambitious $11 billion federal government plan that would more than double the navys number of warships in coming decades but shrink the size of the fleet in the short term. Military experts applauded the government for spending extra money on high-end naval capabilities, but warned the reduction in the size of the navy fleet until the early 2030s could leave the nation exposed as China rapidly expands its military and asserts itself in the South China Sea. Under the plan announced by Defence Minister Richard Marles, the navy will acquire up to 11 new general-purpose frigates and a surprise new fleet of drone-like optionally crewed vessels currently being tested as prototypes by the United States Navy, in which most of the functions can be automated or controlled remotely. The shake-up, which will add $1.7 billion to the defence budget over the next four years and $11 billion over a decade, would expand the navys fleet of warships from 11 to 26 vessels by the mid-2040s. The gap between house prices and apartment prices has widened to a record high, making it harder for first home buyers to afford the dream of a detached family home with a backyard. The difference between median house values and unit values was 16.7 per cent across the combined capital cities in March 2020. Now it has reached 45.2 per cent, CoreLogic figures show. CoreLogic research director Tim Lawless said even though housing affordability has been worsening, the most expensive option houses rather than apartments has still been the most popular. Capital city house values have risen faster than unit values since COVID hit and over the past year. I would have thought, that as affordability constraints became more obvious, there would be more of a deflection of demand towards units, he said. Russias dystopia deepened on the weekend when Vladimir Putin murdered his leading political critic, Alexei Navalny. We are supposed to believe that the cause of death was taking a walk in a Russian prison. But while Putins rule by terror is dismaying for Russians who yearn for change, it could backfire against Putin on the Ukraine battlefield, according to a leading analyst. Illustration: Dionne Gain Credit: There is a bleakness in Russia now, says the doyen of British strategic experts, Sir Lawrence Freedman. Its very hard to see sources of vulnerability for Putin with Navalny dead, [Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny] Prigozhin dead. He has more control of Russia now than hes ever had. The killing that Putin first attempted in 2020 by ordering agents to taint Navalnys underpants with the invisible nerve agent Novichok had now been achieved, presumably by more traditional measures, in an Arctic prison. The hospital was raided by Israeli troops on Friday, the Gaza Health Ministry and the United Nations said, but Israel denied its military operations had stopped it from functioning. On Tuesday (AEDT), the sides gave conflicting accounts of the situation, with Israel denying an assertion by the Gaza ministrys spokesperson that its forces had detained the hospital director. Smoke rises following Israeli bombardments in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Credit: AP The ministry said the evacuated patients, including five who required kidney dialysis and three intensive care cases, were moved from the hospital to others in Gaza thanks to efforts of people like Gargavanis and other staff of the World Health Organisation, a UN agency. The UN humanitarian office said on Monday the Israeli military operation in the hospital complex was ongoing. Nasser Hospital is the latest health facility to become a theatre of war in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, now in its fifth month. Israel says Hamas, the Islamist group that has run Gaza since 2007, uses hospitals for cover. Hamas denies this and says Israels allegations serve as a pretext to destroy the healthcare system. The Gaza war was triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 in which 1200 people were killed and 253 taken hostage, according to Israel. Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel has responded with an air and ground assault that according to Gazas tallies has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 69,000. The war has displaced most of the enclaves 2.3 million people and reduced much of it to rubble. Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesperson for the Gaza Health Ministry, said Israeli forces had detained 70 staff and volunteers at the hospital, including its director Dr Nahed Abu Taeema. Loading The Israeli army denied Taeema had been detained and said it was not aware of 70 other arrests. The army had previously said it had apprehended hundreds of Hamas militants who were hiding in Nasser Hospital, some posing as medical staff, and had released images of weapons it said were found there. IDF [Israel Defence Forces] troops conducted activities against terror infrastructure and terrorist operatives at the Nasser Hospital, a spokesperson said. In addition, the IDF operated in cooperation with the hospital director and the medical team in order to enable the continued functioning of the hospital. The troops also engaged in a dialogue with the director a few days ago. Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at a hospital morgue in Rafah. Credit: AP Reuters was unable to reach Taeema by phone. COGAT, an Israeli Defence Ministry liaison agency involved in coordinating aid deliveries to Gaza, said Nasser Hospital had remained functional at all times during the armys raids. We facilitated humanitarian aid and supplies to the hospital and coordinated a @UN team to evacuate the patients, COGAT said on X. It described the armys actions as a precise activity against the Hamas terror organisation at the Nasser Hospital, with a key objective to ensure that the Nasser hospital continues its operations. It listed items it said had been delivered to the hospital with its help, including diesel fuel, food and drinking water, a replacement generator and medicines donated by the WHO. Hospitals in northern Gaza had been partially operating in recent weeks, but were now at risk of shutting down again, the Gaza Health Ministry said. All European Union countries except Hungary warned Israel on Monday against launching an offensive in Rafah that they said would deepen the catastrophe of some 1.5 million refugees crammed into the city on the southern edge of Gaza. An attack on Rafah would be absolutely catastrophic ... it would be unconscionable, Irelands Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said before a meeting of foreign ministers from the 27 EU member states in Brussels. Loading After the talks ended, all but one of them called in a joint statement for an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a lasting ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance. The statement was issued for foreign ministers of 26 member-states of the European Union and diplomats said Hungary a close ally of the Israeli government was the sole country that did not sign up. We ask the Israeli government not to take military action in Rafah that would worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian situation and prevent the urgently needed provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance, the ministers said. Italian export credit agency SACE to provide EUR 1.5 bln to support trade and financial transactions in Ukraine Ministry of Economy The Italian export credit agency SACE will allocate EUR1.5 billion to support trade and financial transactions, in particular in the field of healthcare and infrastructure. As reported on the website of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, this was discussed at the meeting between First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to Ukraine Pier Francesco Zazo, at which the Ukrainian side called on SACE to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine and expand the types of covered risks. In addition, the Export Credit Agency intends to support investments of Italian companies in Ukraine and provide export loans, preferential lending and direct investment. The First Deputy Prime Minister noted the importance of supporting Ukrainian small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), which are the basis of the national economy. She said that the government also looks forward to intensifying cooperation with the Italian Agency for Cooperation Development (AICS) to promote local economic development, job creation and support for SMEs. In addition, the parties discussed issues of the return of Ukrainians. The issue of providing Ukrainians with housing remains important. SACE is an Italian export credit agency and an active participant in the largest international organizations in the field of export credit. SACE's activities are governed by European Union legislation and the OECD Agreement on Officially Supported Export Credits. Polish PM slams 'unacceptable' Hungarian holdout on Sweden NATO bid Warsaw, Feb 19 (AFP) Feb 19, 2024 Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday criticised Hungary's "unacceptable" delay in ratifying Sweden's NATO accession amid the nearly three-year-old invasion of Ukraine. Hungary's ratification is the last obstacle to the Nordic country's membership which Stockholm sought after the Ukraine conflict began. "It's unacceptable, not only from my point of view, that one country can block the other one, especially in the context of the war with Russia in Ukraine," Tusk told reporters as he hosted his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson in Warsaw. Although it supports Stockholm in principle, Budapest prolonged the process by asking Sweden to stop "vilifying" the Hungarian government, which is accused by critics of being authoritarian. However on Saturday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he and the Swedish premier had "taken important steps in order to rebuild trust". Orban also said the "dispute with Sweden is moving towards a conclusion" and that Hungary was "on course" to ratify the bid.. Asked about the remarks, Kristersson said Monday that Orban was better suited to answer that question. "I don't know specifically what he meant by that... I simply think there is a strong will to finalise this process of NATO accession," Kristersson said. Swedish authorities have repeatedly refused to hold talks with Hungary on the ratification despite Orban inviting his Swedish counterpart to "negotiate" NATO accession. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden announced its application to join NATO in May 2022, at the same time as Finland, which became the organisation's 31st member in April.. Sweden plans for new nuclear reactor in next decade Stockholm, Feb 19 (AFP) Feb 19, 2024 Swedish utility Vattenfall said Monday it was aiming to put a new nuclear reactor into commission in the first half of the 2030s, as part of Sweden's decision to reinvest in the energy source. In June 2022, the state-owned company launched a pilot study into the construction of at least two small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Ringhals nuclear power station in the southwest of the country. "We have concluded that there are good conditions for building new nuclear power on the Varo peninsula, but that it is too early to choose the type of reactor," Desiree Comstedt, vice president of New Nuclear at Vattenfall, said in a statement. "The ambition to have a first reactor in operation by the first half of the 2030s remains," Comstedt added. In November, Sweden's coalition government presented plans to massively ramp up nuclear energy in the country. The government said it wanted to increase production equivalent to two nuclear reactors by 2035, with a "massive expansion" to follow by 2045. Vattenfall said it had begun acquiring real estate in the area where it wants to build the reactors, and would initiate a dialogue with local stakeholders before applying for environmental permits. In the conclusions of its study, the company said the Ringhals location was suitable for new nuclear power, albeit with some space limitations due to nearby nature reserves. Comstedt said the Varo peninsula area where the Ringhals nuclear power station is located can accommodate three to five SMR reactors but "the nature reserve limits additional capacity". She added that Vattenfall was looking into the potential consequences of the environmental impact on the nature reserves, as Vattenfall would ideally like to build up even more capacity in the area. SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 megawatts of electricity per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of a traditional nuclear power reactor. They are relatively simple to build, as their systems and components can be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation, which also makes them more affordable than large power reactors. The Scandinavian country voted in a 1980 non-binding referendum to phase out nuclear power. Since then, Sweden has shut down six of its 12 reactors and the remaining ones, at three nuclear power plants, generate about 30 percent of the electricity used in the country today. In 2016, a broad political majority agreed to extend nuclear power for the forseeable future, paving the way for new reactors to be built to replace the ageing ones at the end of their lifespans. China hopes that Chinese-Ukrainian relations will develop normally and continue to benefit the two peoples, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said following a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. As reported on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Sunday, Wang Yi elaborated on China's principled position on the Ukrainian issue, emphasizing that the PRC adheres to the political settlement of hot spot issues, promotes negotiations and does not sell lethal weapons to conflict zones or parties to the conflict. " We will continue to play a constructive role in bringing an early end to the war and re-establishing peace. Even if there is only a glimmer of hope for peace, China will not give up its efforts," according to the statement. In turn, Kuleba, as reported on the website of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, said he met with his Chinese counterpart "to discuss bilateral relations, trade and the need to establish a fair and sustainable peace in Ukraine." "I informed Foreign Minister Wang Yi about Ukraine's vision for the upcoming Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. We agreed on the need to maintain Ukrainian-Chinese contacts at all levels and continue dialogue," the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. Misha Zelman, chairman of Creative Restaurant Group, said: The backbone of our success is our people. I dont believe in only the location, the quality of the ingredients, the concepts and the grill. But I also believe in the people, and I am very proud of our work family. In the economics of a restaurant, a three-course menu without choice makes a lot of sense, but rarely do you find what they used to call a table dhote menu. For anyone under 35 or if you've never worked in a restaurant thats a multi-course menu, with multiple choices for each course, all for a set price. 20 Berkeley offers a 3-3-3 menu, thats three options each for starter, main and pud, for just 27 at lunch. Theres also a 22 two-course lunch offering and set menus at dinner for 34 or 39 for two or three courses respectively. At this level of cooking and with this quality of British produce not to mention the cost that comes with that Berkeley Square postcode this is exceptionally good value. Update: on February 19, the Standard learned that 20 Berkeley is to re-brand as NIJU, a Japanese restaurant led by Endo Kazutoshi of Endo at Rotunda. The group has not yet revealed when that will happen, though, so theres time to enjoy the set menu. The craft should have been carrying no more than 20 people but had at least 43 aboard. Most had paid thousands of pounds to people-smugglers but, according to the prosecution, it appeared that Bah got free passage in return for steering the vessel. "We are urging anyone who has any information or who may have witnessed a fight in the Dod Street area of Limehouse/Poplar during the times stated, to contact us immediately. On Monday, the inquest into the attack at the Old Bailey saw written evidence from March 2018 that while at HMP Bullingdon, Saadallah had expressed a desire to start a revolution in Libya and then come back to Britain to blow people up. Nath, who lives in Knightsbridge, is a director of Terminal Ltd, a company behind high-end Indian restaurant Benares in Mayfair as well as a portfolio of other luxury restaurants. He is accused of attempting to administer the drug to the woman whose identity is protected with the intention of stupefying or overpowering her so as to enable you to engage in sexual activity involving her. It remains unclear what response the Government and other allies may take against Mr Putin, with Moscow already facing heavy sanctions since the start of the war in Ukraine. But ahead of his arrival in the UK overseas territory, Lord Cameron said: The Falkland Islands are a valued part of the British family, and we are clear that as long as they want to remain part of the family, the issue of sovereignty will not be up for discussion. Ahead of his trip to the South Atlantic, Lord Cameron said: The Falkland Islands are a valued part of the British family, and we are clear that as long as they want to remain part of the family, the issue of sovereignty will not be up for discussion. Western allies to transfer at least 24 F-16 fighters to Ukraine Rutte Western allies plan to transfer at least 24 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, who heads the so-called aviation coalition, spoke about possible deadlines for the transfer of F-16 fighters to protect Ukraine. "We hope to transfer them as soon as possible So, things are progressing now," Rutte told RFE/RL. Rutte also told how many fighters Ukraine can count on. Twenty-four of them, maybe more, but at least 24. We are working together with the Danes and others, he stressed. We want to be able to remove you either to your home country if its safe, like weve done with Albania, and for everyone else we need an alternative and thats what Rwanda is about. At the prestigious film event last year, he was accompanied by the Princess of Wales, who had abdominal surgery on January 16 at the London Clinic and has since returned home to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be with their three children. The British Museum ended up turning off its comments on one post, saying they had done so because the post was made in collaboration with the Youth Collective, which had content which involved young people. The gallery is home to the sculptures made by ancient Greek artist Pheidias also known as the Elgin Marbles which have long been claimed by the Greek government and are currently the subject of negotiations between them and the museum over a possible return. I join the international community in calling for a cease-fire, he said. It will stop the killing and would allow vital aid supplies to reach those who need it in Gaza, but it will also allow the international community more time to prevent a protracted conflict in the region and further devastating loss of life. Tribal violence is something that is prevalent and the government with its limited resources will try to deploy the police wherever they can to try to curb the security issues, he said. But thats not an alternative to Nato. That is actually a way to [strengthen] Nato. And we should not pursue any path that indicates that we are trying to divide Europe from North America. Presenting the prize, he said: Five films were nominated in this category tonight and all five have something in common. They are the best of what we do. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Munich, at the latters request, Azernews reports. During the meeting, John Kerry congratulated the head of state on his victory in the presidential election and on Bakus hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the congratulations. He warmly recalled his meetings with President Ilham Aliyev. President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the congratulations. The head of state noted that Azerbaijan reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international efforts in the field of climate change through its involvement with the COP. Azerbaijan is also undertaking serious measures at the national level in the field of renewable energy and green transition, closely supporting the initiatives in this area at both regional and global scales. Climate finance will be the central focus of COP29, and Azerbaijan remains committed to fostering global solidarity, especially between the Global North and the Global South. Azerbaijan, with its four-year presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement, has a very good experience in this regard. Furthermore, Azerbaijan takes an active part in various platforms, leveraging this engagement to promote the realization of global solidarity goals. In the context of regional initiatives, the head of state underscored the significance of the project related to the seabed of the Black Sea and emphasized the establishment of a renewable line on the Caspian seabed, highlighting collaborative efforts with Central Asian countries. John Kerry highlighted the climate finance as one of the foremost contemporary issues. He noted the rapid technological advancement related to green transitions with the positive outcomes achieved in this regard. John Kerry expressed hope that decisions to be adopted in Baku would give a serious impetus to international efforts in the climate change process. President Ilham Aliyev extended an invitation to John Kerry to visit Azerbaijan to participate in COP29. John Kerry expressed his pleasure in participating in COP29. The U.S. authorities are working to provide Ukraine with modern modifications of ATACMS ballistic missiles with a longer range than previous similar missiles sent to Kyiv, NBC News reports, citing unnamed American officials. After months of requests from Ukrainian officials, the Biden administration is working toward providing Ukraine with powerful new long-range ballistic missiles. ()Now, the U.S. is leaning toward sending the longer-range version of the ATACMS missile, the TV channel informs. According to NBC News interlocutors, if Congress approves additional financing for Ukraine, the United States may include the new ATACMS in one of the first military aid packages of this year. At the same time, Washington is ready to send ammunition and artillery to Kyiv. Officials did not rule out the possibility that Washington could ask allies to provide Ukraine with their missiles, as well as replenish American stocks of ATACMS. Pentagon officials, in turn, said that the United States has a limited supply of ATACMS, and that missiles are unlikely to be sent to Ukraine without the opportunity to replenish their arsenals. Last October, it was reported that Washington had secretly supplied Kyiv with long-range ATACMS missiles. Politico noted that for the first time, the United States provided Ukraine with equipment capable of hitting targets far behind the front line. Biden was hesitant to supply ATACMS for some time, fearing an escalation of the conflict. However, in September 2023, at a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he promised to supply Kyiv with a small number of ATACMS missiles. 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Navalny "will remain a symbol for the fight for democracy, dignity, human rights and freedom. It is a loss for all Russians who fight for freedom and democracy. I welcome the presence today of his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, in a very difficult moment for her and her family," Luminita Odobescu added, told Agerpres. She pointed out that Monday's FAC discussions on Russia's aggression against Ukraine "occur at a significant time - ten years since Russia's occupation of Crimea, two years since its brutal aggression against Ukraine, and less than a month until the presidential elections in Russia". The Romanian foreign minister drew attention to the importance of continuing support for Ukraine. "It is very important to continue our multidimensional support for Ukraine, our firm commitment to support Ukraine. Our unity must be emphasized, especially now that we are commemorating two years since Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine," Odobescu said, specifying that she will request for an agreement on the European Peace Facility and the creation of the Assistance Fund for Ukraine. "It is also important that we continue to keep the pressure on Russia and promptly adopt the 13th package of sanctions and start work on the next package of sanctions," she pleaded. Luminita Odobescu also spoke about the importance of continuing the efforts with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova on the enlargement package and said that she is looking forward to the progress report of the European Commission in March. "Regarding the second package of sanctions under the regime of countering the destabilization of the Republic of Moldova, I welcome the efforts made and I hope for its adoption this week," Luminita Odobescu also said. National Liberal Party (PNL) MEP Siegfried Muresan said on Monday that Ursula von der Leyen, who has just announced her intention to run for re-election as president of the European Commission, will receive a clear vote of support at the Congress of the European People's Party (EPP) in Bucharest on March 6-7, after which she will officially become a candidate. Von der Leyen announced on Monday, after a meeting of the leadership of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, her intention to run for a new 5-year term at the helm of the European Commission, agerpres reports. "Her candidacy will be put up to the vote at the convention of the Congress of the European People's Party on March 6-7 in Bucharest and von der Leyen will then become the official candidate of the EPP and PNL for this position in the European elections in June. I am convinced that, at the Congress convention in Bucharest, the EPP will be united and will give a clear vote to support Ursula von der Leyen as a candidate," Muresan said on Monday in a press statement.Muresan, who is also a vice-president of the EPP, says that the incumbent president of the European Commission "completes a term of office with significant positive results, despite the major crises she had to manage, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war triggered by Russia in Ukraine."He says that among the successes of the incumbent European Commission are the adoption of the European Recovery and Resilience Facility - the largest investment plan in the history of the European Union under which Romania receives almost EUR 30 billion, reducing energy dependence on the Russian Federation and starting accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine. The Ministry of Finance (MF) borrowed on Monday 443.2 million lei from banks through a benchmark government bond issue with a residual maturity at 39 months and an average yield of 6.21% per year, according to data published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR). The nominal value of the issue was 500 million lei and banks subscribed 528.2 million lei, agerpres reports. An additional auction is scheduled for Tuesday, where the state wants to attract another 75 million lei at the yield set on Monday for the bonds.The Ministry of Finance (MF) has planned to borrow 5.5 billion lei from commercial banks in February 2024, to which 705 million lei can be added through additional non-competitive bidding sessions related to bond auctions.The total amount of 6.205 billion lei is 115 million lei less than the 6.32 billion lei programmed in January 2024 and will be used to refinance public debt and finance the state budget deficit In the week of February 9 - 15, 2024, the Romanian Police and their partners in the Schengen Area tracked down more than 700 people who were subject to alerts issued in the Schengen Information System (SIS), the Romanian Police General Inspectorate (IGPR) informed on Sunday in a statement. According to the cited source, 723 people, 15 vehicles and 46 documents that were listed in the Schengen Information System were found in the reporting period. 514 persons subject to SIS alerts were located in Romania following the additional exchange of information through the SIRENE Bureau of the International Police Cooperation Center - IGPR. The Romanian police carried out 27 European arrest warrants, tracked down 71 people flagged by the member states as having been refused entry or stay in the Schengen Area, 203 persons who were wanted in order to participate in a judicial procedure, and 6 persons who were reported as missing by the partners in the Schengen member states, the statement reads. Also, 24 documents were seized from Romania, and 15 vehicles wanted by the Schengen Area partners were found and seized to be confiscated or used as evidence in legal proceedings. 209 persons wanted by the Romanian authorities were identified by the foreign partners on their territory, following the exchange of information through the SIRENE Bureau. An exhibition on the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) opened in London as part of the visit of the Ukrainian delegation to the UK. "A delegation of the Ukrainian Red Cross headed by Director General Maksym Dotsenko has recently made a diplomatic visit to its key strategic partner, the British Red Cross," the URCS reported on Facebook on Monday. At meetings during the visit, issues of early support for the humanitarian needs of Ukrainian citizens and assistance in the reconstruction of Ukraine were discussed. Representatives of the Ukrainian and British Red Cross organizations and their commercial partners also discussed strategic planning issues. To draw the attention of the international community to the needs in Ukraine, the actions of international humanitarian law and human rights during the war, the URCS team met with government officials, the academic community of the British University at Oxford. As part of the delegation's visit, an exhibition on the activities of the Ukrainian Red Cross was opened in the official hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) in London. The exhibition will last until the end of February. Senate President Nicolae Ciuca said on Monday that the current European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has shown that she can manage complicated crises and find the best solutions for all EU member states, saying that he welcomes her announcement to run for a new mandate and wishes her success. "I welcome the announcement by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on running for a new mandate on behalf of the EPP and wish her every success. In all these years, the current President has shown that she can manage complicated crises and find the best solutions for all EU member states. From the adoption of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism - which gives our country a historic chance to modernise - to the reduction of the EU's energy dependence on the Russian Federation to the concrete steps taken towards the accession of Moldova and Ukraine," Ciuca wrote on Facebook, agerpres reports. According to Ciuca, the vote to support her candidacy will be cast in Bucharest, during the EPP Congress."The timing is all the more significant as the vote to support her candidacy will be cast in Bucharest, during the EPP Congress, hosted by PNL [the National Liberal Party] on 6-7 March. An event that will bring to our country delegates from over 40 countries, including heads of state and governments and that will be an important opportunity for Romania to strengthen ties with the most important European leaders," Ciuca wrote.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday that she will run for another term in this post, a candidacy confirmed by her German political party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), according to AFP, Reuters and EFE. President Klaus Iohannis on Monday hailed the decision of the German political entity Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) to propose Ursula von der Leyen for a new term as president of the European Commission. "I hail CDU's decision to to propose Ursula von der Leyen for a new term as president of the European Commission. I trust her desire to consolidate the unity and strategic objectives of the European Union and her desire to work for concrete solutions for all member states and European citizens," the head of state said in a message posted on the X network (former Twitter), agerpres reports. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Monday announced that she will run for a new term in this office, with her candidacy being confirmed by the German political entity Christian-Democratic Union (CDU), according to the AFP, Reuters and EFE news networks."Our federal leadership has unanimously proposed Ursula von der Leyen as "Spitzenkandidatin" (first choice candidate) before the Congress of the European People's Party (EPP), which will take place on March 6 and 7 in Bucharest, stated the CDU president, Friedrich Merz. Romania supports the adoption of a new package of sanctions against Russia, enforced by the European Union, declared, on Sunday, for AGERPRES, the minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu. The head of Romanian diplomacy participated, until Sunday, in the Security Conference in Munich, in the context of which the death of the Russian dissident Aleksei Navalny was announced. She said that, in Munich, "the news caused excitement and was a reconfirmation of what was known: what Russia, Putin, can do, not only in Ukraine, but unfortunately also in Russia". "Condolences were sent to the family, the wife (Iulia Navalnaia - ed.n) was present here, she sent a simple and emotional message and I think it is very important to show not only solidarity, but also to continue the sanction measures against Russia. In this meaning, a new package of sanctions is being worked on and Romania supports the adoption of a new package of sanctions," Odobescu mentioned, told Agerpres. The Romanian minister emphasized that, at this moment, the discussions on this topic are focused on the consolidation of the sanctions regime. "Let's see how we can make sure that they are not evaded, that they are not avoided by certain states," added Odobescu. Romanians in Spain can have dual citizenship as of this year, President of the Senate Nicolae Ciuca said on Monday, after the meeting he had with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Rollan Ojeda, on the occasion of his official visit to the Kingdom of Spain. "The visit to Spain started today with a meeting with my counterpart Pedro Rollan Ojeda, with whom I discussed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in the bilateral relationship between our countries. Together, we can identify common solutions to the problems of both societies, improving political, trade and cultural relations. I was impressed by the warm, special words with which the President of the Spanish Senate speaks about the Romanians settled here," Ciuca wrote on Facebook, agerpres reports. According to the president of the Senate, "the Romanian community in Spain has a vast work experience, is a highly qualified resource and has a western mentality.""As a result of the steps I have taken as prime minister, Romanians in Spain can have dual citizenship as of this year. The Iberian state has such agreements in Europe only with its neighbours, Portugal and France," said Ciuca.He also mentioned that he met with the Chairmen of the Parliamentary Committees on Defence and Foreign Affairs, discussing opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the area of defence industry."In my subsequent meeting with the Chairmen of the Parliamentary Defence and Foreign Affairs Committees, we discussed opportunities for cooperation between our countries in the area of defence industry. I know the potential in the manufacture of arms and ammunition, armoured vehicles and explosive material. And I believe that we now have the opportunity to initiate solid R&D collaborations between Romania and Spain," Ciuca wrote.President of the Senate, Nicolae Ciuca is paying an official visit to the Kingdom of Spain on Monday and Tuesday, at the invitation of his Spanish counterpart Pedro Rollan Ojeda.The delegation led by Nicolae Ciuca includes Senator Nicoleta Pauliuc, Chair of the Defence Committee, and Senator Titus Corlatean, Chair of the Foreign Policy Committee. Merging elections is not a good idea because it creates "a mess in the minds of Romanians," and this takes place in order for the PSD to give the PNL "a bubble of oxygen", not to collapse too strongly, so that the social democrats have who to form a coalition with after 2024, USR deputy Claudiu Nasui said on Monday. He said the USR is prepared for absolutely any scenario and will use "every weapon" at its disposal to prevent this merger, agerpres reports. "We have also said that practically the real merger is between the PNL and the PSD and this merger has already taken place. The merger of the elections is not a good idea. It makes a mess in the minds of the Romanians who would go to elect their representatives in the forums of the Romanian state, but we are prepared for absolutely any scenario. Instead, it should be noted that this merger is taking place to save the PNL. The PNL is absolutely collapsed in the polls, their only hope is to succeed with these behind-the-scenes games of democracy, to manage to maximize their electoral score, which dropped a lot because they showed their pride, because they can no longer run with the lie with which they ran last time, that by voting PNL we are ditching PSD. It is not true. Because of the PNL, the PSD is in power," said Nasui at the Parliament.Asked whether USR will attack the merger legislation at the Constitutional Court, Nasui said: "Absolutely. We will use any weapon we have to prevent this merger."As to a possible support from the USR of the PNL in the event of the failure of the coalition negotiations, Claudiu Nasui stated that the USR has no intention of making any alliance at this moment. 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 A mid-Missourian has finally announced intentions to run for the 3rd District seat in the U.S. House, a job held now by the retiring Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer. Taylor Burks, former Boone County Clerk and congressional candidate in 2022, has tossed his hat into the Republican primary, political publication Missouri Scout reported Monday. The publication reported Monday that Burks has formed a federal campaign committee to seek the Republican nomination. The first two high-profile entries into the race state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman and former state Sen. Bob Onder both hail from the St. Louis area. Another declared GOP candidate is truck driver Brandon Wilkinson. Burks lives in Ashland, which is between Columbia and Jefferson City. A Truman State University graduate and married father of three, Burks is a lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserves. Burks was appointed in 2017 by then-Gov. Eric Greitens as the Boone County clerk and served one year in that position. In 2022, Burks finished fourth in a field of seven GOP candidates for the 4th Congressional District seat. Former Kansas City television anchorman Mark Alford won the primary and went on to win the general election. The retiring Luetkemeyer, who has represented central Missouri in Congress since 2009, announced in early January that he would step down after his current term expires. Missouris 3rd District sprawls across 16 counties, from the Mississippi River to the Lake of the Ozarks. It takes in part of Jefferson City and Columbia, as well as portions of Jefferson and St. Charles counties in the St. Louis metropolitan area. JEFFERSON CITY After hearing from frustrated mechanics forced to work on vehicles with expired tags, a Florissant lawmaker has a new proposal: only allowing repairs on properly registered vehicles. In our area, now, they dont even bother to get temporary tags. They just drive around with no license plates, state Rep. Gretchen Bangert, D-Florissant, said in an interview. Though her measure would currently bar repairs for vehicles with regular license plates that are expired, Bangert said she is going after temporary tag abuse. Thats what Ive heard from some of the mechanics in my area that they are frustrated that theyre having to work on vehicles that have expired tags, that are, you know, several years old or have absolutely no tags at all, she said. Kevin Claspille, formerly of the Pit Crew Tire & Auto Service in Florissant, is one of the mechanics who spoke with Bangert. I get uncomfortable working on these cars ... because I feel like Im contributing to a crime, he said. If this car goes out and kills someone because I put a battery in it, then Im an accomplice. Bangerts proposal is one of several aimed at addressing expired temporary tags, which she views as a problem because it shows that sales tax has not yet been paid on the vehicle. Another measure, by Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, would allow officers to stop someone solely to determine if their temporary tags are current. Bangerts proposal hasnt been referred to a committee, but House Speaker Dean Plocher referred Pollitts on Thursday to the House General Laws Committee. Two additional bills that havent been referred to a committee introduced by Reps. Michael ODonnell, R-south St. Louis County, and Marlene Terry, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors would allow the state to create payment plans for unpaid vehicle sales taxes. In Missouri, motorists pay sales tax at a state license office within 30 days to officially register the vehicle. To obtain a new regular license plate, motorists must provide proof of insurance, a safety inspection (generally for older vehicles and ones with high mileage), an emissions inspection (for the city of St. Louis and St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson counties), a personal property tax receipt for the previous year (or statement of non-assessment), as well as titling documents. When they register their vehicles, motorists are also on the hook for a 4.225% state sales tax, local sales taxes, as well as titling, registration and processing fees. If they have the temporary tags, theyve not paid their sales tax on their vehicle, said Bangert, who is running for the 2nd District seat on the St. Louis County Council. If you havent paid your sales tax, that moneys not ... funneling down into our communities where those funds are needed, she said. While the sales tax has been due when owners title their car at a local license office, dealerships will eventually need to collect sales taxes under legislation approved last year. Dealers are already able to roll sales tax into car loans, said Anne Marie Moy, spokeswoman for the Department of Revenue. When the sales tax is rolled into someones car loan, they dont need to pay it all at once at a local license office. Bangerts measure wouldnt stop mechanics from working on cars to meet the safety inspection requirements required to register a vehicle. Taxes and enforcement Almost all vehicle owners interviewed by the Post-Dispatch for a July report said the high sales tax rate and all-at-once payments kept them from getting plates. Sales taxes can add thousands of dollars to a vehicles purchase price. The sales tax is high. I mean, theres no ifs, ands and buts about it, Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat who represents Ferguson, where police last year launched a special enforcement program targeting expired temporary tags, previously told the Post-Dispatch. Law enforcement in Jefferson County, south of St. Louis, has also stepped up enforcement. Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak said that on Feb. 2, a vehicle registration task force made up of the sheriffs department, eight municipalities and the Missouri State Highway Patrol kicked off efforts. That day, the task force made a total of 656 vehicle stops and issued 286 citations for expired plates, Marshak said. Officials also gave 356 warnings, wrote 80 tickets for insurance violations and seized 57 plates that were either not on the correct vehicle or that were expired, he said. Primarily I think were seeing people who will go out and purchase a $100,000 vehicle, a $100,000 truck and then intentionally not pay their sales tax, he said, and that they would rather take their chances and pay a fine here and there. In conjunction with the enforcement effort, the county also launched an amnesty program, Marshak said, because its really about compliance, not, you know, generating revenue, as some would have you believe. He added that authorities were looking at the most egregious violations and that, were not talking about somebody thats a couple of days or a couple of weeks expired because we understand life happens. 5-year tags The state requires motorists who have already licensed their vehicles and paid sales tax to renew their vehicle registration every one to two years. To do that, motorists need to provide proof that theyve paid their personal property tax for the previous year; proof of insurance; record of a valid safety and emissions inspection, if applicable; and registration and processing fees that exceed $114 for a two-year tag for passenger vehicles with 72 horsepower and higher. Registration fees go toward state highway funds, with three-quarters distributed to the state, 15% for cities and 10% for counties. Processing fees go to privately contracted license offices. One measure, by Rep. Bob Bromley, R-Carl Junction, would introduce a five-year tag option for vehicles less than five years old. Most people keep vehicles longer than, you know, one or two years, Bromley said. Its just something I felt like was a convenient option. JEFFERSON CITY Democrats in the Missouri House renewed their call for tougher gun laws Monday in the wake of a deadly shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl celebration. But with Republicans holding a supermajority in both the House and Senate, the demands made in an announcement on the steps of the Capitol are aimed more at voters in November than on their GOP colleagues in the building. As a superminority party, there isnt a lot we can do when it comes to policy. We can get loud and draw attention to this. Absolutely, voters need to hold these folks accountable, said House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, who is running for governor. We all know how this is going to play out. Over the next few weeks, were going to cause as much chaos as we can to draw attention to this, Quade added. For many of the Democrats, the call for action on tightening the states loose gun regulations was personal. Most had been at the event when the shooting broke out near Union Station. Quade said she was in a bathroom inside when the incident began. She and other adults worked to shield children from any potential threat as they waited for an all clear. She said it was complete terror. Jackson County juvenile authorities have charged two minors in connection with the shooting following the death of one woman and injuries to more than 20 parade attendees. Republicans had a chance last year to prohibit minors from possessing firearms on public property, but the House turned down the proposed amendment. Democrats are planning to introduce a resolution this week in support of a change in law that gives local units of government more power to make their own public safety laws. But Quade said she wasnt optimistic about garnering support across the aisle for any significant changes. I dont expect the Republicans to do anything about this, she said. Rep. Michael Burton, D-Lakeshire, issued an emotional plea during a hearing of the House Rural Community Development Committee Monday, calling on lawmakers to address the states firearms laws. We have a gun violence problem in this state, Burton said. The response by Republicans mirrors their decision in 2022 to leave the states gun policies unchanged after a school shooting in St. Louis. However, House Majority Leader Jon Patterson confirmed Monday he is shelving two bills that would expand gun rights, deeming them inappropriate for passage after the event. Patterson, R-Lees Summit, told reporters Monday that legislation allowing concealed carry permit holders to bring guns onto public transportation and into churches, as well as a separate initiative to exempt guns and ammunition from sales taxes, would not be moving forward this year. I just dont think now is the time, Patterson said. Quade had a different take on Pattersons actions. They know if they move those bills the public will freak out, she said. Patterson didnt outright dismiss the Democrats call for action, especially as more information is released about the shooting. I think well know more in the coming weeks, Patterson said. One gun control measure that does have Republican support is a law raising penalties for celebratory gunfire. The Legislature last year approved Blairs Law, but it was vetoed by Gov. Mike Parson over an unrelated provision. The measure is again part of a larger crime package that is moving through the House and Senate. CLAYTON County Executive Sam Pages appointment of a new director of administration has stalled at the County Council amid concerns over a lawsuit complaining the nominee had urged kickbacks to the company he worked for. Council Chairwoman Shalonda Webb delayed a vote last week on confirming longtime firefighters union official Kurt Becker for the $145,000-a-year county post. Webb, D-North County, said she isnt necessarily opposed to Becker but wanted to look into the lawsuit. We got new information that we didnt have before, she said after the Tuesday meeting. I want to do my due diligence. On Friday, she said she had yet to decide whether to support Becker and was still weighing the suit and other issues. Three other council members Dennis Hancock, R-Fenton; Mark Harder, R-Ballwin; and Rita Days, D-Bel-Nor said in interviews that they agreed with the delay. Becker, in an interview Friday, said he and his former employer had done nothing wrong and that the payments would be perfectly legal. The lawsuit was filed a year ago by John Hughes, a former co-worker with Becker at IAFF Financial Corp., a Washington-based subsidiary of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The firm provides financial services and insurance products to union members. The suit alleged that Becker, as IAFF Financials chief operating officer, had insisted that Hughes tell two companies seeking to be investment managers that they would be required to pay $250,000 up front to IAFF Financial for the opportunity to do business with the firm. Hughes, who was then IAFF Financials director of investment and finance, said in his suit that such a move would amount to a pay to play requirement and a kickback. He said the two companies balked at the idea as they did not feel that it was something they could ethically do. Hughes also complained about other actions taken by Becker and IAFF Financial with Baystate Financial Services, which provided wealth management services for IAFF Financial, including a payment he said Baystate was to make to IAFF Financial. Hughes alleged that he was fired by IAFF Financial for refusing to participate in unlawful and unethical misconduct and for reporting to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission what he reasonably believed were violations of federal law and SEC regulation. A SEC spokesman said the agency doesnt comment on the existence or nonexistence of a possible whistleblower submission. IAFF Financial, in a court filing in the case last May, denied that IAFF Financial or any of its employees, including Becker, ever contemplated participating in unlawful or improper conduct. IAFF Financial also denied claims by Hughes about his firing. Becker said Friday that the type of payments Hughes complained about are commissions and took place legally with Baystate only after appropriate registrations to conduct certain types of business were approved by the SEC. Hughes alleges in the suit that Baystate and IAFF Financial were discussing arranging to have the Baystate payment made prior to the SEC approval. Listed as defendants in the suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Boston, are IAFF Financial, Baystate and a Baystate executive, David Porter. Becker also was originally listed as a defendant, but an attorney for Hughes last May filed a motion removing Becker. The motion said Hughes planned to file a suit against Becker individually in federal court in Washington, D.C. But as of Friday, court filings did not show such a suit. Hughes in the suit seeks damages of at least $1.5 million plus reinstatement to his job. The suit alleges wrongful termination by IAFF Financial and defamation by Baystate and the Baystate executive. In a court filing, Baystate and Porter denied Hughes allegations and said his incompetence and impertinence led to IAFF Financials decision to fire him. They filed a counterclaim against Hughes. Becker, 52, worked for IAFF Financial from mid-2021 through December of last year. From 2004 to 2021, he was vice president of the Professional Firefighters of Eastern Missouri. He also was a Clayton firefighter from 1999 to 2021. Page tapped him to succeed Karen Aroesty, who resigned in October. Becker said his resignation from the IAFF Financial job had nothing to do with the suit. He said he had a wonderful experience working there but grew tired of commuting each weekend to St. Louis to be with his family and had mutually agreed with his superiors several months earlier to leave at the end of last year. Doug Moore, a spokesman for the county executive, said Page discussed the suit with Becker and was satisfied with his explanation. Moore added that Kurt is a highly qualified candidate. The Oktyabrsky District Court of Russian Lipetsk satisfied the demands of the Deputy Prosecutor General to recover shares of JSC Lipetsk Confectionery Factory Roshen in favor of the state, the joint press service of the judicial system of Lipetsk region reported on Monday. According to the release, the court decided to convert into the income of the Russian Federation the shares of JSC Lipetsk Confectionery Factory Roshen, as well as shares in the charter capital of Roshen LLC: 94.9976%, owned by the Ukrainian Central European Confectionery Company, and 5% owned by Oleh Kazakov. In addition, the court decided to ban the activities of former President of Ukraine, Verkhovna Rada member Petro Poroshenko, his son and beneficiary Oleksiy Poroshenko and Kazakov in Russia. "The court's decision in the administrative case is for immediate execution. It can be appealed to the Lipetsk Regional Court within the time limits established by law," the statement says. In April 2015, the Roshen Corporation announced the seizure of the property of the Lipetsk confectionery factory with a total value of RUB 2 billion. The Russian Investigative Committee then announced the initiation of a criminal case into the alleged fraudulent theft of RUB 180 million through illegal reimbursement of value added tax from the Russian budget to the Lipetsk confectionery factory Roshen for operations in 2012. Searches were carried out at the factory, as well as at the offices of the construction company NPF Metallimpress in Nizhny Novgorod. The enterprise was mothballed in 2017. Production there has been stopped. Editor's note: A small plane whose pilot was low on fuel crashed into the gym of a St. Louis County high school on Feb. 19, 1968. This was the Post-Dispatch coverage of the crash that day. A light plane crashed against the auditorium-gymnasium of McCluer High School in Florissant today, killing the pilot. None of the 11 students and a dance teacher who were in the gymnasium was injured. The pilot, whose identity was not immediately learned, had radioed the control tower at Lambert-St. Louis Field at 12:40 p.m. that he was running low on fuel. He was instructed to land on any runway that he could reach. The plane was three miles northeast of the airport when the message was received. Miss Arias King, the dance teacher, had dismissed a class of 35 junior-senior girls just minutes belore the plane hit the south wall of the gymnasium. 11 girls had remained in the gymasium to continue their practice after the class was dismissed. "Pieces of brick, concrete and glass were thrown over the floor," Miss King told reporter. "None of us was struck, I gathered the girls and hurried them out of the building." The plane plunged part way through a bank of windows at the top of the gymnasium wall. Port of the roof of the gymnasium and a roof overhanging were damaged. A spokesman for the school district said incoming lines to the central switchboard were knocked out. The plane slipped from the wall and came to rest on a canopy above the main entrance to the gymnasium. Firemen from Florissant, Ferguson and Lambert Field responded, but there was no fire. The body of the pilot was cut out of the wreck. He was pronounced dead at St. Louis County Hospital, Clayton. As is customary, the flyer described his plane, a single-engine Cessna 182, and gave the registration number, 7203E, when calling the Lambert Field tower. Flyers ordinarily do not identify themselves by name. Federal Aviation Agency listings showed that the plane's license was issued to Mortgage Center. Inc., 2550 Fifth avenue, San Diego, Calif. The firm is reported to lease planes to private pilots. Papers found in the crushed cockpit bore the name of a San Diego resident. FAA officials began an investigation. It was said that the pilot's name, when obtained, would not be made public until relatives were notified of his death. The high school, with an enrollment of 3600 students, is recognised as the largest in Missouri. Neil McNorton and Gregory Millich, both of Florissant and sophomores at the school, were standing outside the gymnasium and saw the crash. "The plane came from east to west, then circled back east again. Then it turned north, barely cleared row of trees, and crashed right into the top of the building," one of the boys said. February 19, 2024: The invasion of Ukraine led to unexpectedly large Russian casualties. Russia had to conscript more medical personnel to provide their troops with adequate, at least by low Russian standards, medical care. The unexpected conscription of medical personnel caused many Russian medical personnel to leave the country. After recertification, Russian doctors can make a better living in the west. The Russian government tried to deal with the exodus of medical personnel but between the relatively low pay in Russia, government efforts to transfer medical personnel to the many rural provinces with minimal medical services and now the increased medical needs of the military, a growing number of Russian medical personnel are leaving Russia. Some things never change in Russia and one item is medical care. Russia never was able to establish a nationwide healthcare system or a military health system comparable to those found in the west. This was especially noticeable in the military. Russian medical care in combat units, especially during combat, was never very effective and often not even available. In the combat zone there was poor or nonexistent medical treatment for the wounded. It was the same for diseases that of the breakout among troops in the combat zone. At one point Russian troops in Ukraine suffered from what was called mouse fever and received little treatment. This meant a growing number of Russian troops were disabled by the mouse fever, which Russian military medical personnel have been slow to deal with. In part thats because this is a new ailment, and the Russian medical community has not yet found a way to effectively cope. It's a different situation with Ukrainian troops, where the army has been quick to adopt western military practices. The traditional Ukrainian military feldsher, or medic with practical but no formal medical training, received more training and better equipment than their Russian counterparts. The results have been dramatic. About 40 percent of Russian casualties die compared to only 20 percent of Ukrainian casualties because the Russians in this war often get no battlefield medical treatment whatsoever. The Ukrainians eagerly adopted western combat medical practices, which were above average during World War Two and continued to improve after that war. Subsequently western forces have at least minimal battle treatment, largely by getting the wounded off the battlefield to be treated by medics and eventually sent to field hospitals where surgery and other emergency treatment was available. It has long been known that wounded soldiers in freezing conditions died of exposure or shock within about an hour unless they are carried to shelter, but that is not happening for Russian soldiers in this war at all even though it was done somewhat during World War Two. Soviet field medics then were generally women with no medical training whose major job was to crawl out into battlefields with groundsheets, roll wounded soldiers onto those, and then drag them back to an aid station. There are no such Russian female medics in this war so wounded who cannot themselves crawl to a rear aid station generally die. Prospective recruits know this and thats another reason for avoiding military service. One of the more amazing, and underreported, aspects of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, are the dramatically lower American casualties compared to Vietnam, and previous 20th century wars. The casualty rate in Iraq was a third of what it was in Vietnam. It was even lower in Afghanistan and all subsequent conflicts. Medical care had gotten much better, quicker, and faster. Not only were procedures more effective, but badly wounded soldiers got to the operating table more quickly. Field medics now had capabilities that, during Vietnam, only surgeons had. All this is one reason why the ratio of wounded to killed was 6 in Vietnam, compared to 7.3 for Iraq. In Ukraine, Ukrainian troops benefit from these changes, their Russian adversaries do not. The fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan has brought about a major change in how the United States handled combat casualties. The result was over 90 percent of the wounded troops survived their wounds. That's the highest rate in history. There are several reasons for this. The main one is that medics, and the troops themselves, are being trained to deliver more complex and effective first aid more quickly. Military doctors now talk of the platinum 10 minutes, meaning that if you can keep the wounded soldier, especially the ones who are badly hurt, alive for ten minutes, their chances of survival go way up. Before that the goal was the golden hour. That reduced deaths among wounded troops, but the ten minute goal reduced the death rate to a much greater extent. Medics have been equipped and trained to perform procedures previously done only by physicians, while troops are trained to do some procedures previously handled only by medics. This skill upgrade is made possible by a number of factors. First, over the last few decades, there has been continuous development in methods and equipment for emergency medicine practiced by ambulance crews and staff in emergency rooms. These practices were initially slow to be adopted by the military. Two decades ago, because of the fighting in Iraq, it had nearly all been adopted by military medical personnel. This was often due to medics in reserve units often having full time jobs as emergency medical personnel. As much as combat deaths have been reduced in the last decade, by more than half, there are still some types of wounds for which there is no battlefield treatment, meaning the victim will die before more extensive treatment can be obtained. Chief among these are abdominal wounds, where the abdominal aorta is opened. When that happens the victim bleeds to death in minutes. Now there is a solution for this in the form of a belt that is placed on the abdomen and activated. A bladder inflates which puts sufficient pressure on the abdominal aorta to stop the bleeding or reduce it enough to make it possible to get the casualty to a surgeon. While tourniquets have been around for thousands of years, these devices only work on limbs. Preventing death from most other rapid blood loss situation+ns was achieved in the last decade with the development and widespread use of powders and granules that could quickly stop the bleeding. First came special bandages like the Chitosan Hemostatic Dressing, more commonly called HemCon. This was basically a freeze dried substance that caused rapid clotting of blood and was incorporated into what otherwise looked like a typical battlefield bandage. It greatly reduced bleeding, which had become the most common cause of death among wounded American troops. This device was a major breakthrough in bandage technology. Over 95 percent of the time, the HemCon bandages stopped bleeding, especially in areas where a tourniquet could not be applied. This did not work when the abdominal aorta was involved. HemCon was followed by WoundStat powder to deal with some of the bleeding that HemCon could not handle. While medics and troops prefer the bandage type device, there are situations where WoundStat, a fine granular substance is a better solution, especially in the hands of a medic. Only the medics got packets, usually two of WoundStat powder. That's because this is only needed for deep wounds and has a theoretical risk of causing fatal clots if it gets into the bloodstream. WoundStat was but one of many new medical tools for battlefield medicine that greatly increased the effectiveness of the immediate within minutes or seconds, after getting hit, by medical care for troops. This effort consisted of three programs. First, there was the development of new medical tools and treatments that troops could quickly and safely be taught to use. This included stuff like HemCon. Then came the equipping of medics, about one for every 30 or so combat troops with more powerful tools, so that troops were less likely to bleed to death or suffocate from certain types of wounds that are not fatal if treated quickly enough. Finally, there was the Combat Lifesaver program, which more than tripled the number of medics by putting selected soldiers through a 40 hour CLS or Combat Lifesaver course in the most common medical procedures soldiers can perform to deal with the most dangerous types of wounds usually encountered. These CLS trained soldiers are not medics, of course, but they do make available in combat crucial medical treatments. Thus, they are sort of medics lite, which is close enough if you are badly wounded and in need of some prompt medical treatment. During the last two centuries major wars have tended to produce significant improvements in medical care. This is what has happened in the past decade but in a much accelerated fashion. For example, since September 11, 2001, over two million American troops went off to war and about two percent of them were killed or wounded. Only 12 percent of the 57,000 combat zone wounds were fatal, the lowest percentage in military history. This was largely due to major improvements in dealing with rapid blood loss (as when a major artery is severed) and the increased speed with which complex medical care could be delivered to wounded troops. New medical technologies also made it possible to detect injuries like brain trauma that, in the past, was very difficult to detect and treat. More of these improvements reached wounded Ukrainian troops than their Russian adversaries. The Combat Lifesaver course teaches the troops how to do things like inserting breathing tubes and other emergency surgical procedures to restore breathing. The CLS troops have skills most likely to be needed in life-saving situations when a medic is not available. The additional emergency medical training and new emergency first aid gear, the CLS bag, have saved hundreds of lives and reduced the severity of even more wounds. Enough troops have taken CLS training so that there is one for every 10-15 combat troops and one for every 20 or so support troops on convoy or security duty. These new developments were also popular with civilian emergency medical services, and many of the experienced combat medics coming out of the military went to work as EMTs or Emergency Medical Technicians, thus increasing the quality of care for civilian accident victims. This was similar to what happened to the EMT field after the Vietnam War, when ambulance crews rapidly evolved from simply transporting accident victims, after a little first aid, to EMTs who could administer procedures that previously only doctors could handle. This followed the experience in World War II, where war demands led to development of mass production of the newly created antibiotics and that led to a revolution in surgery techniques. Second, there's the high intelligence and skill levels of the volunteer military. High enlistment standards have largely gone unnoticed by most people, but within the military it is well known that combat troops are much brighter than at any time in the past and can handle more complex equipment and techniques. Getting the combat troops to learn these techniques is no problem because, for them, it could be a matter of life and death. Third, medical teams capable of performing complex surgery are closer to the combat zone. These teams, like the medics and troops, have more powerful tools and techniques. This includes things like telemedicine, where you do a video conference with more expert doctors back in the U.S., to help save a patient. All this is part of a century old trend. During World War II, the golden hour standard of getting wounded troops to an operating table was developed. Antibiotics were also developed at about the same time, along with the helicopter, whose first combat mission, in 1945 Burma, was to recover injured troops. These new developments are not anything exotic. Finally, the military medical community has a track record of success that the troops know about. So everyone realizes that if they pitch in, chances of survival are good, and they are. In Ukraine the results are startling because Ukrainian troops who are wounded get better battlefield medical treatment and are quickly moved to where they can receive hospital level care. Its another reason why Ukrainian troops have higher morale and combat capability than their Russian counterparts. The Russian troops often have no professional medical care from medics, or even feldsher, while the Ukrainians do. Russian wounded troops who are captured are allowed to let their families know they are alive but injured. Eventually these Russian troops are able to let their families know that they received much better medical care from the Ukrainians that the Russian military could provide. February 19, 2024: The war in Ukraine has been the first near-peer conflict since World War II, i.e., between roughly equal opponents with equal technical skills and weapons. Its an opportunity to test tactics, weapons, and strategies developed by many major military powers, particularly Russia and the NATO nations that are supporting Ukraine. What is happening in Ukraine is seen as the model for future wars. Both sides have access to modern weapons and military technology. From the beginning Ukraine was seen as the underdog, outnumbered, and outmatched by superior Russian forces. The Ukrainians were determined, tenacious and resourceful and thats how Ukraine defeated the initial Russian attack and soon began fighting back and driving the Russians out of occupied Ukrainian territory. Ukrainians used a lot of locally developed technology against larger Russian forces. This includes AI, or Artificial Intelligence software for more efficiently conducting combat operations. AI software can more efficiently organize UAV operations that require coordinating reconnaissance UAVs to find targets and armed attack UAVs that attack Russian tanks, air-defense systems, artillery, and infantry. Russia reacted to these unexpected setbacks by reverting to their traditional total war tactics. This included lots of attacks on civilian infrastructure and civilians in general. This behavior was particularly brutal in Russian occupied Ukrainian territory where civilians would not cooperate with Russian demands that they accept Russian rule peacefully. That led to violent reprisals against civilians, including kidnapping children and sending them to Russia. About 14,000 Ukrainian children have disappeared into Russia and many of the younger ones have been adopted by Russian couples to be raised as Russians. As evidence of the atrocities piled up, often in the form of discovering mass graves of civilians executed by the Russians when the Ukrainians regained Russian occupied territory, the ICC (international criminal court) indicted Russian leader Vladimir Putin for war crimes and issued a warrant for his arrest. Putin is not likely to visit any country that honors ICC warrants. Putin may never be arrested, but the ICC warrant lasts forever since there is no statute of limitations on capital crimes. As a result of this sort of bad behavior, Ukrainian soldiers took to referring to their enemy as Orcs. Murdering Ukrainian civilians was not the only form of brutality used. There were also brutal tactics involving the use of Russian troops. This included the extensive use of prisoners, also known as zeks as poorly trained infantry used to attack Ukrainian forces. The zeks were promised freedom if they agreed to six months of military service in Ukraine. They would be paid well by Russian standards, and their families would purportedly receive death benefits if they were killed. Most of them were killed and when word of those losses got back to the prisons, recruiters found fewer zeks willing to join. Similar brutal behavior applied to Russians mobilized and often forced into the military to replace heavy losses. In peacetime Russian could depend on volunteers and conscripts to meet manpower needs. With a war on, there were few volunteers and conscripts were not supposed to be sent to a war zone. Protests from mothers of Russian conscripts had an impact as it had in past peacetime wars like this in Chechnya and Afghanistan. The government went after older men, especially if they had prior military service. These were called mobiks and they were not treated any better than the zeks. Avoiding being to Ukraine became a widespread activity for many Russian mobiks and conscripts. The Ukrainians were more resourceful in dealing with these problems, relying a lot on innovation and technology to kill lots of Russians while keeping Ukrainian casualties down. Because Ukraine contained a lot of software developers and inventive people in general the military depended on new ideas. This quickly led to all sorts of innovations, often involving locally developed software and weapons or aircraft. Ukraine built its own UAVs and equipped them with novel sensors and fire control systems. This is where Ukrainian AI software demonstrated its effectiveness. The latest AI development involves working with NATO nations to develop a data collection and analysis system that will enable Ukraine to accurately predict where the Russians will attack next and how to deal with that most effectively. This is actually nothing new as similar systems were used nearly two decades ago in Iran and Afghanistan by American forces to successfully predict where roadside bombs were and the location of those manufacturing and placing these bombs. The new system is based on the work done since the 1990s by Palantir, one of the pioneers in this field, especially the use of Predictive Analysis. This is a system that uses known data on the enemy to develop estimates of what they will do next. This sort of thing has been around for a long time and became more useful as more data became available and new software allowed that data to be analyzed and acted on in real-time. Now such systems can not only predict but also show what the enemy is doing right now and recently. NATO is participating because they have the financial resources to get this done quickly and Ukraine is in the midst of a war where the new system can be tested realistically. Palantir AI software has also been used to improve how the Ukraine government supplies and supports combat operations, including aid for refugees and reports from refugees of Russian activities. This includes where supplies are stored, particularly fuel and munitions. Misbehavior by Russian forces is also important to document, and it too goes into databases for use in locating as-yet unknown bodies of victims and identifying individual perpetrators. Massacring civilians and rape are considered war crimes. Worse, such activity is considered newsworthy and quickly covered by the media in countries not responsible. For the nation that is responsible its a troublesome public relations problem that never completely goes away. This is what Russia has been dealing with since it invaded Ukraine. Meanwhile Ukrainians are using AI systems to assist in identifying and documenting the misbehavior of Russian forces. The Russians are acquiring a bad reputation that will take generations to fade. By invading Ukraine Russia violated several agreements it had made with Ukraine and western nations that support Ukraine. This makes it more difficult for Russia to do business with the Ukraine and NATO countries after the war, and leads to negotiators all further agreements with Russia to demand higher up-front payments or goodies. The economies of NATO nations comprise more than have the global GDP. This is one reason Ukraine wanted to join NATO. Russia considered Ukraine joining NATO as an aggressive move against Russia. The aggression was self-inflicted. Because of the war Russian GDP has declined about five percent and the proportion of Russians living below the poverty line is now about 60 percent. These people are in rural areas where Russian military recruiters have more success because bonuses are offered to men who volunteer and large payments are made to the families of men killed in action. Russian government officials are having a difficult time justifying their decision to invade Ukraine. That decision has meant great loss for Russia and much misery for the Russian people. The Russian leaders who ordered the invasion, especially President Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer, now spend a lot of their time devising excuses for the failure of the invasion and the high cost Russia is paying for that failure. Ever since the communist Soviet era that began after World War I and ended in 1991, Russia has been trying to get an economic recovery going along with an opportunity to rebuild their obsolete Soviet era armed forces. The Soviets were big fans of technologies like AI but never managed to implement them effectively. The post-Soviet Russian government is not doing well at all, and AI is way down their list of things to do. February 19, 2024: Believing that good fences make good neighbors, the tiny Baltic State nation of Estonia is building a fence along its 295 kilometer border with Russia. Estonia is a NATO member and that offers a lot of protection from Russian attacks. The NATO agreement means that if a NATO member is attacked, the other 30 NATO members, which includes the United States, come to the aid of the NATO member being attacked. For over 70 years no NATO members have ever been attacked. One reason Russia justified its invasion of Ukraine was to prevent Ukraine from going through with its plans to join NATO and the EU or European Union for economic cooperation. Russia wanted Ukraine aligned with Russia and not the west. The Ukrainians disagreed. Ukrainian negotiations to join NATO and the EU are still active and the Ukraine will belong to these organizations once the Russian invasion is defeated. The Estonian fence is not meant to protect Estonia from a Russian attack, but to aid Estonia in controlling its border with Russia. A growing number of people cross the border illegally as smugglers, illegal migrants, or Russian agents up to no good inside Estonia. That is an application of the good fences make good neighbors doctrine. Given the ongoing Russian belligerence against its western neighbors, the Estonian fence makes sense. Moreover, Estonia is not planning to close its border with Russia and legal crossings are still operational. If Russia does become belligerent towards Estonia, the Estonians have said they would use landmines, both anti-personnel and anti-vehicle, along the border in addition to obstacles to vehicles trying to illegally cross the border. For more than 20 years a new, aggressive Russia has generated some interesting reactions. Initially, most of Russia's neighbors were reluctant to criticize, or sanction, Russia for invading and trying to dismember its tiny neighbor Georgia in 2008. But within a few weeks, new reactions emerged. The Russian invasion has triggered an arms race among Russian neighbors. Sweden, for example, despite its decades of neutrality, and recent aggressive defense budget cuts, was now planning to build up its military capabilities. The Baltic States want more NATO and especially American troops stationed on their territory to further ensure reinforcements if the Russians invade. Ukraine was openly planning to revamp its military defenses. If Russia believed its Georgian operation would discourage its neighbors from joining NATO to gain protection from Russian aggression, it didn't work. But Russia was not discouraged, especially since the Georgian operation was enormously popular inside Russia. The events in Georgia were interpreted quite differently inside Russia, where some politicians saw it as an opportunity for the rest of Europe to join with Russia in an anti-U.S. coalition. Russians really believed this, partly because the government had, in the previous few years, taken control of most mass media in the country. Russia also has a new set of satellite states like Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan who all expressed approval of the peacekeeping operation in Georgia. These Russian allies are all nations that were formerly part of the Soviet Union and were still dependent on Russia for economic or political aid. Meanwhile, the U.S. was providing Georgia with a billion dollars of economic and military aid. This included NATO sending technicians and equipment to link Georgia's air defense radars with the NATO system. That means anything the Russian Air Force does over Georgia, will immediately show up in NATO air defense command centers. The U.S. is also believed sending new anti-aircraft weapons initially short range Stingers would discourage Russian air strikes. This aggressiveness is partly in response to Russian sales of air defense systems to Syria and Iran. The new Cold War was heating up again. The pressure from Western Europe, UN and the U.S. has resulted in Russia offering to pull all of its troops out of Georgia, and never turn off the natural gas supplies for Western Europe. These Russian troops were mainly manning roadblocks where even UN aid trucks were halted and teams of troops who went around destroying Georgian military equipment. Russia also announced that it would station a permanent garrison of nearly 8,000 troops in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, separatist portions of Georgia which Russia recognized as independent of Georgia, and sort-of part of Russia. In addition, Russia was considering building more natural gas pipelines, so that it has other customers for all that gas. All of that natural gas was going to Western Europe, which wis why Russia could promise to not cut off the supplies to their only customer for the natural gas. NSW-based dynamic hospitality and fitness group uses Boomi to connect digital environment and set foundation for business analytics SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Boomi, the intelligent integration and automation leader, today announced that profit-for-purpose Norths Collective is using the Boomi platform to power personalized member experiences, bolster day-to-day operations, and accelerate expansion through industry amalgamation. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240219299165/en/ Norths Collective Personalizes 61,000 Members Experiences, Expedites Expansion With Boomi (Graphic: Business Wire) Norths Collective is a member-owned collective of eight hospitality venues and two fitness centers located on Sydneys North Shore and in northern New South Wales. As a profit-for-purpose business, Norths Collectives profits are channelled back to its members and the community, enabled by digital services. Norths Collective implemented Boomis integration platform as a service (iPaaS) to help drive its digital transformation strategy by allowing it to connect its siloed systems, centralize operational and member data, and ultimately improve business decision-making. This year will be the year of enhancing integrations for Norths to build a business analytics practice that will enhance customer experience across our 61,000 strong member base. It will help us improve how we run our venues, ensure engagement is personalized to members needs, and make interacting with any of our venues and fitness centres as simple as possible, said Robert Lopez, General Manager of Customer Experience Brand & Innovation at Norths Collective. Achieving all this starts and ends with our integrations. Boomi is the oxygen that runs through our digital transformation, allowing us to tap all information sources to maintain a 360-degree view of customers, get smarter with data, and drive better business decisions. Boomi enables Norths Collective to integrate Salesforce with applications used for its hospitality venues and restaurants, fitness centers, ticketing and events bookings, point of sale, and crucially, membership program and a new mobile app. Most recently, Norths Collective integrated Tableau as part of its business analytics strategy, and plans to incorporate human resources (HR) and rostering, finance and accounting, supplier systems, enterprise risk management (ERM), telephony, and social media in the near future. Before Boomi, Norths Collective manually managed numerous point-to-point integrations, although many systems operated completely independently. This roadblocked the companys ability to understand members behaviours, and therefore slowed the delivery of new services. Norths Collectives Boomi-connected environment has generated various advantages. Every email sent to its members is now personalized, which has resulted in a 10 percent click-through jump. With complete data visibility, Norths Collective is able to develop and share an Ethical Personalization Policy with the community, detailing how the organization is using data ethically. In future plans, Norths Collective venues will see their floor managers able to visualize staffing with live transactions to ensure resources are used as efficiently as possible. Boomi will also support Norths Collectives effort to integrate Apple Pay and Google Pay to further enhance and streamline member sign-up through a quick and easy payment experience. Boomi also plays a key role in Norths Collectives expansion by expediting how quickly new facilities can be onboarded following amalgamation activity. As it stands, Norths Collective has further amalgamations planned in coming years, where newly acquired members will be able to rapidly gain access to the same benefits enjoyed by those of the broader membership. Our ability to scale has improved astronomically. It previously took 10 weeks to onboard a new venue into our digital landscape, said Lopez. We have that down to three weeks thats a 70 percent reduction in time to market. Boomi allows formerly siloed systems to talk to Salesforce in real time, so data no longer lives in isolation, and through this real-time integration, new members have access to our app within one minute of joining. Nathan Gower, Director of Australia and New Zealand at Boomi, said, Customer experience makes or breaks businesses. The quality of every interaction, whether in person, through an app, or online, determines the likelihood of consumers coming back. Norths Collective is setting a standard for what customer experience should look like. With Boomi connecting all digital touchpoints, the collective truly understands what its members want and has optimized its workforce to ensure members every visit is positive. Additional Resources About Boomi Boomi powers the future of business with intelligent integration and automation. As a category-leading, global software as a service (SaaS) company, Boomi celebrates more than 20,000 global customers and a worldwide network of 800 partners. Organizations turn to Boomis award-winning platform to connect their applications, data, and people to accelerate digital transformation. For more information, visit boomi.com. 2024 Boomi, LP. Boomi, the B logo, and Boomiverse are trademarks of Boomi, LP or its subsidiaries or affiliates. All rights reserved. Other names or marks may be the trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240219299165/en/ Media: Jasmine Ee Head of Influencer Relations, APJ [email protected] Source: Boomi, LP NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- International insurance brokerage Pacific Prime has been chosen as the preferred Individual Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) provider by the Worldwide Broker Network (WBN) after a rigorous due diligence process. As a result, Pacific Prime is now the go-to broker for supporting WBN members with their requests for High-End Private Medical Insurance for individuals from all over the world. Over the years, Pacific Prime and WBN members have developed a strong partnership. The insurance brokerage is proud to offer its tailored IPMI solutions to an extensive network of broker partners with the highest standard of service and expertise. Liz Yovich, Global Engagement & Employee Benefits Lead at WBN commented, WBN is constantly reviewing how we can expand the added value service we provide to our members, and in doing so we recognized the need, amongst individual employees working globally, for access to international health insurance. After extensive due diligence, we selected Pacific Prime as our preferred partner to deliver Individual Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) services to our members. We have a long-standing, trusted relationship with Pacific Prime and know that we share the same high standards of delivery. Neil Raymond, CEO of Pacific Prime responded: This strategic partnership is a testament to the trust and assurance WBN has of our expertise in the IPMI market. It also speaks volumes about our much-emphasized customer services and continuously-evolving quotation system. We look forward to increasing access to individual health insurance for our fellow members and the new possibilities for insurance provision. I would like to seize this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to WBN and the entire team at Pacific Prime for their trust, hard work, and dedication. The collaboration would not have been possible without you all. From international health insurance to travel insurance, Pacific Prime offers an array of insurance plans from globally recognized insurers such as Cigna, Allianz, AXA, and Bupa all customizable to satisfy clients requirements and financial concerns. About Pacific Prime Established in 2000, Pacific Prime is an award-winning global insurance brokerage and employee benefits specialist that offers individual and corporate insurance solutions. With USD $750 million premium under management, Pacific Prime is now the third largest employee benefits broker in the Asia-Pacific 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, Indonesia, UAE, the UK, the US, Mexico, the Philippines, and Australia. To learn more about Pacific Primes IPMI options for WBN members, please email [email protected] or visit: https://www.pacificprime.com/lp/wbn-ipmi/. Worldwide Broker Network Founded in 1989, today WBN has more than 150 member firms across 100 countries. With brokerage revenues at the end of 2023 of more than $14 billion, WBN is the largest independent broker network and one of the worlds five largest broking entities. WBNs unique contribution to the insurance industry is global access to expertise via the senior leadership of its member firms across the world. Using data and technology to deliver a seamless level of individual service, its members value working together to deliver for its international client base above all else. www.wbnglobal.com For more information please contact: [email protected] View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240219352481/en/ Stephen Ho Chief Marketing Officer Pacific Prime +852 3589 0508 Source: Pacific Prime HUDSON, Quebec--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Willow Inn has reached an agreement with Brera Catering, to operate and manage events at the Inn. The agreement is expected to take effect March 1, 2024, ahead of the spring season. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240214970099/en/ A glimpse into the beautifully set up dining room for a recent event at The Willow. (Photo: Business Wire) Willow Proprietors Patricia Wenzel and David Ades have issued the following statement: Seven years ago, despite being outsiders to the hospitality industry and to Hudson, we bought The Willow with the hope of saving this much-loved institution. We undertook a major renovation, and sought to elevate the quality of its service, its offerings, and its foods, to be worthy of its unique location and magical setting on the Lake of Two Mountains. These efforts, with our dedicated team, led us to achieve a ranking in the top 100 restaurants in Canada last year. The departure of some members of our culinary team in December 2023 led us to seek a new direction to secure the long-term viability of the Willow. We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Adam Mariani and Brera Catering to operate the Auberge Willow Inn. Brera has been in events management since 2015 and managed over 500 events in 2023 alone. The new arrangement will ensure that the Willow will continue to be a premier venue for celebrations, weddings, and other gatherings. Brera will assume management of all operations before the beginning of the 2024 spring season. The Willow has a 200-year history. It has thrived in the face of many challenges and will continue to, long into the future. We are proud to be among the privileged custodians of this venerable institution." Adam Mariani, of Brera Catering added: "We are thrilled to have reached an agreement with the Willow. This will enable us to offer our clients a unique and historic setting, to host magical celebrations. About the Willow Inn The Willow Inn is a two-century-old institution in the heart of Hudson, Quebec. With a breathtaking waterfront location along the Lake of Two Mountains, the Willow Inn has ten picturesque bedrooms, an expansive outdoor seating and dining area, as well as an impeccably decorated setting ideal for the most tasteful weddings, celebrations, and corporate events alike. The Willow Inn was built in 1820 as a private residence for George Mallette and his family. Since then, it has served as a general store and a headquarters for Francois Xavier Desjardins in La Guerre des Patriotes in 1837. Now under new ownership since 2017, owners David and Patricia Ades seek to continue its tradition as an irreplaceable, iconic country restaurant, inn, and venue for local and out-of-town fans. www.aubergewillowinn.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240214970099/en/ [email protected] Source: Auberge Willow Inn Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) today announced the Board of Directors has appointed Kenneth Lane as President and Chief Executive Officer and Director of Olin Corporation effective March 18, 2024 . Scott Sutton will step down as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director effective the same day and will work with Mr. Lane to facilitate a smooth transition of leadership responsibilities. Olin also announced Mr. Sutton stepped down as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, and William Weideman was appointed Chairman, effective February 16, 2024 . Mr. Lane comes to Olin from LyondellBasell, a NYSE traded company, one of the world's largest plastics, chemicals, and refining companies, where he served as Executive Vice President of Global Olefins and Polyolefins. Prior to joining LyondellBasell in 2019, Mr. Lane was with BASF for 13 years where he held senior executive leadership positions across a diverse array of businesses including Polyurethanes, Monomers and Catalysts. Prior to joining BASF, he served in a variety of operations, strategy and commercial positions at BP Chemicals as well as various technical and operations roles at Amoco Chemical Corporation. Mr. Lane has extensive international experience having worked in the United States , Malaysia , the United Kingdom , China and Belgium . Mr. Lane holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Clemson University and a Master of Science in management from the University of Alabama Huntsville. "Ken is a performance-driven leader with more than 30 years of experience leading a wide variety of both commodity and specialty chemicals businesses and has a proven track record of delivering both strong results and growth. The Board is delighted to have Ken join the Olin team and we look forward to working together to continue to drive the Company's strategy while maintaining our disciplined capital allocation approach focused on creating shareholder value," said William Weideman, Chairman of the Board of Directors. SANTIAGO, Chile, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BANCO ITAU CHILE (SSE: ITAUCL) (the Company) today announces that it filed a Material Event Notice with the Chilean Commission for the Financial Market (Comision para el Mercado Financiero) announcing that, on February 18, 2024, the cancellation of the registration of the American Depositary Shares (ADS) issued by the Bank with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America (SEC) has become effective, and the reporting obligations of the Bank before said entity were terminated. Considering the foregoing, the process of termination of the Banks ADS program informed through the material event notice dated October 30, 2023 and implemented as of such date was fully concluded, in compliance with the applicable regulatory deadlines. Finally, it is stated that the common shares of Banco Itau Chile will continue to be registered in the Securities Registry (Registro de Valores) of the CMF and will continue to be traded and listed in the Santiago Stock Exchange (Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago) and in the Chilean Electronic Exchange (Bolsa Electronica de Chile). Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The words will, expects, believe, anticipates, future, intends, plans, potential, continue, target, project, should and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based on managements current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and important factors which might cause actual events, results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks identified in the Companys U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) filings and reports, including in the latest Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC and subsequent filings and reports by the Company. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of publication of this document and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this document to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless required by law or regulation. Investor Relations Banco Itau Chile +56 (2) 2660-1751 / [email protected] / ir.itau.cl Source: Banco Itau Chile MONTREAL, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) are not serious about negotiating and avoiding a work stoppage, says the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), the union representing workers at both companies. CN and CPKC are currently in negotiations with the Teamsters to renew three collective agreements affecting approximately 9300 workers at both companies. CN and CPKC aim to eliminate all safety-critical rest provisions from our collective agreements. These provisions are necessary to combat crew fatigue and ensure public safety. We want to reach a negotiated settlement, but their demands are non-starters for the Teamsters. Safety is non-negotiable, said the national president of Teamsters Canada, Francois Laporte. Canadian railroads dont care about supply chains, farmers, or small businesses. They care about their bottom line, and squeezing everything they can out of their employees. If they need to manufacture a work stoppage to get there, they wont think twice, added the president of the TCRC, Paul Boucher. Railroaders are on-call workers with highly irregular schedules, making it difficult to rest appropriately between shifts. The current collective agreements provide rest provisions that work in conjunction with the existing regulatory framework, allowing workers to better manage their fatigue. Negotiations on hold as work stoppage looms On Friday, both CN and CPKC filed a notice of dispute with the Government of Canada, effectively putting negotiations on hold until government mediators can be appointed. The notice of dispute also starts the legal process towards a possible strike or lockout. Under the Canada Labour Code, a work stoppage could occur as soon as 81 days after government mediators are appointed, potentially leading to a dispute as early as May. At CN, the Teamsters represent close to 6000 conductors, locomotive engineers, and yard workers under a single contract. A strike previously occurred in 2019 over the issue of fatigue and rail safety. At CPKC, the Teamsters represent close to 3200 conductors, locomotive engineers, and yard workers under a single contract. The union also represents approximately 90 rail traffic controllers, under a separate contract also being renewed. A work stoppage in 2022 triggered wide-ranging and severe supply chain issues. In 2023, CPKC was found in contempt of court after repeatedly violating the collective agreements rest provisions. At over 135,000 members, Teamsters Canada is the countrys largest transportation and supply chain union. Its also the largest union in the federally regulated private sector. The organization represents workers at CP, CN, UPS, Purolator, countless trucking companies, and more. They are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents over 1.2 million workers in North America. Media requests: Christopher MonetteDirector of Public Affairs, Teamsters CanadaCell: 514-226-6002[email protected] Source: Teamsters Canada Japan's position on support for Ukraine will remain unshakeable PM Kishida Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says that the country's position regarding support for Ukraine will remain unshakeable. "Japan continues to support Ukraine's efforts to ensure territorial integrity. And Japan's position regarding support for Ukraine remains and will remain unshakeable," Kishida said at a press conference with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Monday. He stressed that Japan will continue to stand with Ukraine "until peace returns to the beautiful land of Ukraine." "We will work with the Group of Seven countries and other countries to create an international momentum to support Ukraine," he concluded. London, England, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a significant move to democratize the crypto trading landscape, DefiQuant, a leader in the cloud mining industry and provider of innovative trading solutions, has announced the launch of its Custom Algorithm Development feature. This new offering empowers traders to design, test, and deploy their personalized trading strategies, utilizing the power of automated trading bots. DefiQuants latest initiative is set to revolutionize the way traders interact with the cryptocurrency market, offering an unprecedented level of customization and control. By enabling traders to create their DIY algorithms, DefiQuant is paving the way for a more personalized and strategic approach to investment, catering to the unique needs and goals of each user. A New Era of Trading Empowerment Allen Heery, Media Representative for DefiQuant, shared his insights on this groundbreaking development: "We're thrilled to unveil our Custom Algorithm Development feature, a tool we believe will empower our users like never before. This is about putting the power directly in the hands of traders, allowing them to leverage our platforms capabilities to create the best crypto trading bot suited to their specific strategies and objectives." The introduction of this feature marks a pivotal moment in crypto trading, as users now can tailor their trading tactics with precision, backed by the robust infrastructure and security of the DefiQuant platform. From seasoned traders looking to fine-tune their strategies to newcomers eager to explore the possibilities of crypto trading, DefiQuants custom algorithm development service offers something for everyone. Tailored Strategies with Automated Efficiency With the rise of automated trading bots, the demand for customizable solutions has become increasingly apparent. DefiQuants response is a platform that not only supports the deployment of crypto trading bots but encourages innovation and customization through user-created algorithms. This approach not only enhances trading efficiency but also aligns with the individual risk tolerance and investment goals of each user. The process of developing a custom algorithm on DefiQuants platform is designed to be intuitive and accessible, ensuring that all traders, regardless of their programming expertise, can take advantage of this powerful tool. By offering a seamless integration of custom algorithms with the platforms trading system, DefiQuant ensures that users can effortlessly implement their strategies in real-time market conditions. Unleashing the Potential of Personalized Trading DefiQuants commitment to providing a versatile and user-centric trading environment is evident in its continuous efforts to offer innovative solutions like the Custom Algorithm Development feature. This initiative is a testament to DefiQuants dedication to empowering traders and enhancing the overall trading experience on its platform. In a market where adaptability and precision are key to success, the ability to deploy customized trading strategies offers a significant advantage. DefiQuants platform not only meets this need but goes a step further by offering comprehensive support and resources to ensure that every trader can realize the full potential of their personalized trading bots. DefiQuant's platform offers a variety of investment packages, catering to a diverse range of investor needs and preferences: Free Experience Bot: Ideal for beginners, this plan requires only a $5 investment with a profit of $0.15, and the capital is returned after 1 day. Crypto Trading Bot 1 Day: With a $50 investment, this plan offers a profit of $0.3, returning the capital after just 1 day. Crypto Trading Bot 5 Days: A $500 investment yields a profit of $21.25, with the capital returned after 5 days. Crypto Trading Bot 7 Days: This plan involves a $1050 investment, generating a profit of $73.5, with capital returned after 7 days. Crypto Trading Bot 15 Days: For a $3000 investment, this plan offers a profit of $540, with the capital returned after 15 days. Crypto Trading Bot 20 Days: A higher investment of $6000 yields a significant profit of $1680, with the capital returned after 20 days. Crypto Trading Bot 30 Days: This plan requires a $10800 investment with a substantial profit of $5184, returning the capital after 30 days. Crypto Trading Bot 45 Days: For long-term investors, an $18000 investment can yield a profit of $14580, with the capital returned after 45 days. Crypto Trading Bot 60 Days: The most extensive plan, a $30000 investment offers an impressive profit of $36000, with the capital returned after 60 days. Join the Custom Trading Revolution with DefiQuant As DefiQuant continues to lead the way in innovative trading solutions, its Custom Algorithm Development feature is poised to set a new standard in the industry. By offering traders the tools and support to create their automated trading bots, DefiQuant is not just facilitating investment strategiesits revolutionizing the way we think about and engage with the cryptocurrency market. For those ready to explore the possibilities of personalized algorithmic trading and to discover more about DefiQuants suite of trading solutions, visit www.defiquant.net. Experience the future of crypto trading today with DefiQuant. For media inquiries, please contact:Allen HeeryMedia RepresentativeEmail: [email protected]Website: www.defiquant.net 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. Allen Heery info at defiquant.net Source: Defiquant NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE: EAF) between February 8, 2019 and August 3, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important March 25, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased GrafTech common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the GrafTech class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22210 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 25, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) GrafTechs 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) GrafTechs 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) GrafTechs 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) GrafTechs capital expenditures and/or related operational projects were woefully insufficient to adequately address the harm that GrafTechs 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 GrafTechs 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 GrafTechs business, operations, reputation, and financial results. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the GrafTech class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22210 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com London, United Kingdom, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a pioneering effort to democratize access to the burgeoning field of digital currency, TecCrypto.com is thrilled to unveil its educational initiative designed to equip aspiring cryptocurrency miners with essential knowledge and skills. This initiative specifically targets the domains of cloud mining and bitcoin mining, offering workshops, webinars, and a plethora of resources expertly curated by industry veterans. The program aims to simplify the complexities surrounding the best bitcoin cloud mining and free cloud mining, making it accessible to a broader audience. Recognizing the exponential growth of the cryptocurrency market and the surging interest in cloud mining services, TecCrypto.com has crafted a structured educational pathway. This pathway caters to individuals across the spectrum, from those curious about the basics of Bitcoin mining to veterans seeking to enhance their strategies in the best Bitcoin cloud mining practices. Pamundeep Bains, a spokesperson for TecCrypto.com, shared the vision behind this comprehensive program: "The realm of cryptocurrency mining, especially cloud mining, is ripe with potential yet fraught with complexities. Our educational initiative is designed to dismantle these complexities, equipping individuals with the knowledge to effectively engage in bitcoin mining and explore the best Bitcoin cloud mining opportunities. We aspire to cultivate a community of informed miners, capable of making savvy decisions in the dynamic crypto ecosystem." The curriculum of TecCrypto.com's educational initiative spans a wide array of topics. These include an introduction to blockchain technology, the fundamentals of Bitcoin and cloud mining, strategies for optimizing mining efficiency, and the latest advancements in free cloud mining technologies. Through interactive webinars and workshops, participants will garner a comprehensive understanding of critical concepts and practical approaches to mining, paving the way for success in the cryptocurrency mining landscape. Addressing the need for advanced knowledge, the program also delves into sophisticated topics such as optimizing mining rig configurations, market trend analyses, and navigating the regulatory frameworks affecting cloud mining. These sessions aim to furnish miners with advanced tools and insights, enabling them to adapt and thrive amidst market fluctuations and to capitalize on emerging opportunities in both bitcoin mining and cloud mining sectors. Highlighting the critical role of continuous learning, Bains remarked, "In the fast-evolving domain of cryptocurrency, particularly in cloud mining and bitcoin mining, being well-informed is not just beneficialit's imperative. Our initiative reflects TecCrypto.com's dedication to not only offering premier mining services but also to nurturing an empowered and knowledgeable mining community." This educational initiative signifies a pivotal stride for TecCrypto.com in its mission to render cryptocurrency mining, including cloud mining and bitcoin mining, both accessible and profitable. By delivering a structured educational program, the company directly addresses a significant challenge within the mining communitythe quest for dependable, comprehensive knowledge to inform decision-making and strategy formulation. TecCrypto.com is committed to the ongoing enhancement and expansion of its educational offerings, and the company's dedication to security remains at the forefront of its mission. Newbie (Bitcoin Miner S21 Hyd.): $10 for 1 day, total profit of $0.25. Hot (ETC Miner E9 Pro): $100 for 2 days, total profit of $4.00. Litecoin Miner L7: $300 for 3 days, total profit of $14.85. Dash Miner D9: $800 for 7 days, total profit of $100.80. Bitcoin Miner S19 Pro+ Hyd.: $1,600 for 12 days, total profit of $364.80. Bitcoin Miner S19 Pro+ Hyd. (Higher Tier): $3,500 for 15 days, total profit of $1,023.75. Bitcoin Miner S19 XP Hyd.: $6,500 for 18 days, total profit of $2,398.50. Bitcoin Miner T21: $8,000 for 20 days, total profit of $3,360.00. Bitcoin Miner S21: $15,000 for 20 days, total profit of $6,750.00. Concluding, Bains stated, "Education is the cornerstone of success in cryptocurrency mining. Through this program, we're not merely instructing on the mechanics of mining; we're enabling participants to forge a sustainable future within the digital economy. We extend an invitation to allfrom curious novices to seasoned minersto embark on this enlightening journey of discovery and growth with us." With the introduction of its educational initiative, TecCrypto.com reaffirms its dedication to fostering innovation, inclusivity, and excellence within the cryptocurrency mining sector. By equipping aspiring miners with essential knowledge and skills, particularly in the areas of free cloud mining and the best bitcoin cloud mining, TecCrypto.com is paving the path towards a more informed, efficient, and prosperous mining community, heralding a new era of opportunity in digital finance. Media Contact Information:Name: Pamundeep Bains Email:[email protected]Company: Crypto Technology LimitedWebsite: https://teccrypto.com 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. Pamundeep Bains Crypto Technology Limited pr at teccrypto.com Source: TecCrypto Investing.com-- Chinas domestic share markets rose on Monday as trade resumed after the Lunar New Year holiday, amid signals that consumer spending had picked up and in some cases surpassed pre-COVID levels during the week-long break. The blue-chip Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 index rose 0.5% to a 1- month high, while the Shanghai Composite index rose 0.9%. Sentiment was aided chiefly by official data over the weekend showing that Chinese consumers spent more on travel, shopping and eating out during the week-long holiday than they had a year ago. Travel demand also surpassed pre-COVID levels. The readings pushed up hopes that Chinese consumer spending- which is a key driver of economic growth- was now recovering after a three-year slump. But gains in Chinese markets were held back by concerns that the Lunar New Year was only a flash in the pan, and that the underlying economy was still grappling with sluggish growth. Local indexes were still close to multi-year lows after falling sharply through 2023, as a post-COVID economic recovery in China largely failed to materialize. Gains in Chinese stocks on Monday were much lower than those seen in offshore shares last week, particularly in Hong Kong. Hong Kongs Hang Seng index also slid 1%, with mainland stocks relinquishing a bulk of gains seen last week. Economic indicators for January- released in the days leading up to the holiday, had all shown weak business activity and a persistent deflationary trend. An ongoing property market crisis, rising youth unemployment and weakening demand for Chinese exports battered the Chinese economy over the past year. This has led to investors calling for more, definitive signs of policy support from the government. But Beijing has so far remained largely conservative in rolling out more economic support. The Peoples Bank of China kept a medium-term lending facility unchanged over the weekend, and as such, is now widely expected to keep its benchmark loan prime rate unchanged this Tuesday. Hanoi, Vietnam--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2024) - EFEX, a prominent provider of End-to-End e-commerce enabler services in Vietnam, is pleased to announce significant updates to its warehouse system and Fulfillment & Selling services. These enhancements are designed to meet the rapid growth of the e-commerce market in Vietnam and the broader region. EFEX specializes in offering solutions designed to optimize the entire fulfillment process for businesses, facilitating accelerated growth. The company is dedicated to assisting clients in entering and expanding their business in Vietnam, with a focus on delivering high-quality service at cost-effective rates. EFEX Launches Significant Updates to Its Fulfillment and Selling Solutions to Align with the Growth of the Vietnamese E-Commerce Market To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/197228_d445149a641e7b73_002full.jpg Acknowledging the burgeoning demand for End-to-End E-commerce fulfillment and Selling services in Vietnam, EFEX has strategically expanded its warehouse infrastructure. The development includes two expansive warehouses in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, complemented by an increased presence of more warehouses in other provinces and cities. Those make EFEX now possess the agility to be more efficient than ever in handling customer orders, even in substantial quantities. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJJtVp88fKk View more here: https://efex.vn/en/solutions/b2b-retail-fulfillment. In response to the evolving market dynamics, EFEX has introduced an innovative "Pay-as-you-go" warehouse management model. This approach empowers businesses to pay based on actual usage, allowing them to dynamically adapt to fluctuations in consumer demand. The flexibility extends to warehouse rental fees, which are adjusted to meet the specific needs of each business, fostering a cost-effective strategy against market fluctuations. Furthermore, EFEX has developed an Order Management System (OMS) platform that enables businesses to track and manage orders and inventory efficiently. With seamless integration, optimized handling of incoming orders, automated delivery processes, and multichannel selling features, EFEX's OMS provides convenience and flexibility for businesses. When businesses use the Fulfillment service of EFEX, they receive complimentary OMS usage instead of spending time and effort seeking it out. The OMS platform of EFEX helps businesses save costs and ensures a comprehensive solution for order and delivery management, allowing them to focus more on their core business objectives. Demonstrating a steadfast commitment, EFEX is dedicated to enhancing its Selling service quality and refining solutions to support international enterprises in successfullynavigating the Vietnamese market. The comprehensive suite of services offered includes: Business Registration Services: Streamline business registration by digitizing relevant documents in 5-7 days. Brand Website Development: Build an e-commerce website with full features, from checkout to Product Information Management, ensuring meeting SEO standards. Import-Export Facilitation: Through encrypted digital documentation, facilitate seamless transactions with secure customs clearance in 1-3 days. See more EFEXs Import-Export Facilitation services here: https://efex.vn/en/solutions/custom-clearance. E-commerce Storefront Development: Establish customized online stores on diverse platforms Performance Marketing & Growth Solution: Expand visibility, and connect with buyers across sales channels. Integrate order data into a unified dashboard. Warehousing Solutions: Access strategically located warehouses in major cities and near the Vietnam border. Order Fulfillment Services: Manage product reception, storage, and inventory. Process orders accurately, including added vouchers or services, and ensure timely shipping. Post-Sales Customer Care: Provide immediate online support via email, chat, forums, and monitoring social media. Address customer complaints promptly for enhanced satisfaction. EFEX's mission is to provide end-to-end solutions that guide international enterprises seamlessly through the intricacies of starting a business in Vietnam. From order placement to efficient processing and successful delivery, EFEX ensures a smooth journey for businesses in the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape. EFEX ASIA LOGISTICS SERVICE JSC is at the forefront of supporting businesses in their endeavors within the dynamic e-commerce market. About EFEX EFEX ASIA LOGISTICS SERVICE JOINT STOCK COMPANY is a leading provider of End-to-End E-commerce Enabler services, headquartered in Vietnam. With solutions designed to streamline operations and deliver a seamless online shopping experience, EFEX empowers businesses to thrive in the evolving e-commerce landscape. Contact Detail: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/efex.asia Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@efex.fulfillment Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@efex.fulfillment Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/efexfulfillment/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/efex_asia/ Contact Info: Name: Nguyen Viet Loc Email: [email protected] Organization: EFEX ASIA LOGISTICS SERVICE JOINT STOCK COMPANY Address: No. 8 Le Quang Dao, Phu Do Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi, Vietnam Phone: (+84) 981 458 899 Website: https://efex.vn/en Video URL: https://youtu.be/GJJtVp88fKk To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197228 Qingdao, China--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2024) - During the Spring Festival in the Year of the Dragon, Qingdao, China, welcomed a grand cultural celebration-the second GuangJieLi Festival. This festival aims to boost local economic and cultural development, bringing Qingdao's historical culture and modern allure closer to a broader audience. This year's GuangJieLi Festival plunged visitors into a rich festive atmosphere with activities such as market exhibitions, cultural performances, gourmet wine and food tastings, and opportunities for prayer and travel photography. It is reported that this edition of the GuangJieLi Festival attracted millions of visitors, injecting new energy into Qingdao's tourism sector. Exhibitors from around the globe showcased their unique products, offering an international shopping extravaganza to attendees. Simultaneously, Qingdao's heritage brands were also highlighted, showcasing the city's historical and cultural essence to the audience. The GuangJieLi Festival serves as a platform for these heritage and established brands to be showcased and discussed, fostering wider recognition and appreciation of these traditional brands. The Zhongshan Road Time-Honored Brand History and Culture Exhibition stood out as a focal point of the event. This exhibition, by featuring Qingdao's time-honored brands, shared the city's historical depth and cultural heritage with attendees. These brands symbolize not just Qingdao's traditional craftsmanship but also its journey towards modernization. For time-honored and established brands, the GuangJieLi Festival offers a unique opportunity. Participating in the festival allows these brands to highlight their distinctiveness and strengths, thereby enhancing their visibility and reputation. Moreover, engaging with other brands and businesses opens avenues for learning new concepts and technologies, further spurring innovation and growth. Besides, the GuangJieLi Festival attracted participation from numerous renowned companies, including Huawei and Haier. These companies presented their latest products and technologies, providing a technological spectacle for the audience. Their involvement also underscores Qingdao's status as a pivotal economic hub in China. The GuangJieLi Festival also serves as a catalyst for stimulating domestic demand and securing a prosperous start to the New Year, blending traditional festivity with international flair. As a new format following urban renewal, the festival has emerged as a central element in developing a nightlife culture and tourism consumption hub in Shinan District, Qingdao. The GuangJieLi Festival has positively impacted Qingdao's city branding, tourism promotion, and facilitation of community and international exchange. Through this event, Qingdao showcased its unique cultural appeal and modern achievements to the world, drawing more visitors, investors, and partners. The second GuangJieLi Festival in Qingdao was a cultural triumph, enriching visitors' experiences and contributing to the city's economic and cultural growth. Looking ahead, Qingdao plans to organize more such events, offering domestic and international tourists further opportunities to explore and experience the city. Contact: Organizing Committee of the GuangJieLi Festival Zhou Xiaolan 18283160496 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198418 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2024) - In response to the increase in mortgage rates challenging small landlords across Ontario, Royal York Property Management, an industry leader in the property management sector, is introducing innovative measures to alleviate these pressures. Nathan Levinson - Founder and President, Royal York Property Management To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10282/198192_nathan_levinson_-_founder_and_president_-_royal_york_property_management1_1_550.jpg With a robust portfolio of over 22,000 properties valued at more than CA$10.1 billion, the company is at the forefront of supporting the small landlord community as they represent over 50% of its clientele. These landlords, who typically manage between 1 and 5 properties, are facing unprecedented financial strain as they struggle to balance the stringent legal responsibilities of being a landlord with personal financial needs. Nathan Levinson, the founder and president of Royal York Property Management, is deeply committed to aiding these essential contributors to the Ontario real estate market during these critical times. Levinson expresses concern for landlords caught between adhering to higher regulatory standards and sustaining their livelihood. "The current financial landscape poses a formidable challenge to landlords, forcing them to navigate between their legal obligations and their families' well-being," Levinson remarks. He highlights the unique position of Royal York Property Management in offering cost-effective, in-house maintenance services - a stark contrast to the industry norm of outsourcing at higher costs. This initiative covers a wide range of services, including plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, painting, and cleaning, thereby preventing potential disputes and legal issues with tenants. Addressing the financial strain on landlords, Levinson has taken a remarkable step by launching a financing program that covers the cost of all necessary repairs, ensuring landlords can meet their obligations without compromising their financial health. This pledge is part of a broader commitment by Royal York to support the small landlord community holistically, recognizing their pivotal role in providing housing and contributing to Ontario's economy. Levinson's dedication extends to financial assistance, as he is personally funding over CA$1.5 million in aid through a mortgage relief pilot program, building on Royal York Property Management's successful track record in helping property owners keep up with payments. With an additional CA$3 million pledged over the next 12 months, Royal York Property Management continues to stand by Ontario's small landlords, offering tailored solutions to ensure their sustainability in a fluctuating market. As Royal York Property Management continues to set benchmarks in the industry by supporting small landlords, it reinforces the importance of community and resilience in the face of economic challenges. For more details on Royal York's extensive services, including maintenance and financial assistance programs, please visit www.RoyalYorkPropertyManagement.ca or reach out 24/7 at 416-508-5288. This strategic approach, emphasizing personalized support and financial relief, positions Royal York Property Management as a pillar of strength for small landlords. Through its new initiatives, Royal York Property Management continues to demonstrate its dedication to the financial recovery of small landlords and the long-term vitality of Ontario's real estate sector. About Royal York Property Management Royal York Property Management ("RYPM") is a property management and leasing company headquartered in Ontario, Canada. RYPM places a strong emphasis on innovation and technological advancements to provide efficient, swift, and dependable services. Founded in 2010, the company boasts a diverse portfolio, managing over 22,000 properties across North America. RYPM has since broadened its reach beyond Ontario, establishing international offices in countries including Kosovo, Poland, India, and Germany. Committed to convenience and unparalleled customer care, the company operates on a 24/7 service model, ensuring landlords and tenants have continuous access to essential services at any time. For more information or to request interviews, please contact us at [email protected] or visit us at: https://royalyorkpropertymanagement.ca/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198192 Manila, Philippines, Feb 19, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - - foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), a leading talent platform, today announced the launch of Triumph 2024, a diversity and inclusion virtual career fair to be held in the Philippines. Building on the success of its previous editions in India, the event aims to promote and enable diversity in recruitment, hosting hundreds of job opportunities for women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and Persons with Disabilities (PwD). This three-day virtual career fair will connect job seekers with leading organizations across several functions and industries. The event is scheduled to happen from March 5 to 7 this year, and it is targeted at curating a large D&I pool that serves as a platform for employers to network with diverse talent. Triumph 2024 is a multi-faceted event that aims to empower job seekers by focusing on hiring talent for high-demand job functions in the IT, Banking & Financial Services, Finance & Accounting, Customer Service, Tech, Sales, and HR & Admin sectors. It will bring together diverse communities, opening doors to unique career paths, breaking barriers, and contributing to creating inclusive workplaces through captivating speaker sessions, webinars, pre-placement talks, and enlightening knowledge sessions. The three-day event has specific themes for both job seekers and organizations. The various themes include women in leadership, diversity from an organization's lens, and hearing it from the industry experts towards inclusion at the workplace and building networks. Furthermore, distinguished guest speakers will also be sharing their insights and expertise across segments. Sekhar Garisa, CEO of foundit, expressed his pride in launching Triumph SEA, stating, "Leading the introduction of Triumph 2024 into the SEA market, I'm thrilled to share our firm commitment to reshaping the employment landscape. Diversity is at the core of innovation, and at foundit, we are dedicated to creating a fair and inclusive professional environment. Triumph 2024, our three-day career fair, embodies this commitment by providing tailored opportunities for women and candidates with disabilities. It goes beyond connecting job seekers with forward-thinking employers; it's about forging pathways to fulfilling careers and fostering genuinely inclusive workplaces. With strong support from our partners and communities, we're set to make a positive impact and bridge employment gaps." Building a diverse workforce is a significant part of any organization today. Following the rebranding from Monster to foundit, the company's key focus has been on building a broader talent base across multiple geographies. Given foundit's unparalleled reach in SEA, foundit aspires to attract over 50K registrations and foster engagement with around 2.4 million+ existing women profiles.The event, with its customized possibilities, resources, and assistance, will open the door to a more egalitarian and diverse society. It goes beyond a virtual employment fair with the goal of giving job seekers a life-changing experience by bringing attention to the abilities that can lead to fulfilling career opportunities. Additionally, the event will raise awareness and promote a diverse and inclusive work environment at the hiring firms. In the dynamic job market of 2023, there has been a noteworthy 29% surge in job opportunities for D&I workforce as compared to the preceding year, 2022. This rise in job opportunities not only underscores a commitment to diversity and equality but also signals a growing awareness among employers about the value of building teams with a rich mix of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The 29% increase reflects a proactive effort by organizations to tap into a broader talent pool, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to individuals from various demographic and cultural backgrounds. The last edition of Triumph in India in 2023 garnered immense success, with nearly 1.5 Lakh professionals registering for the D & I virtual career fair, out of which over 90% of candidates applied to multiple job opportunities, and overall, Triumph 3.0 witnessed a remarkable 725% surge in job applications. Registrations for Triumph SEA are now open, and interested candidates can register for free at link About foundit - APAC & Middle East foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME), is a leading talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. Since its inception, the company has assisted over 90 million registered users to find jobs, upskill, and connect with the right opportunities across 18 countries. Over the last two decades, the company has been a catalyst in the world of recruitment solutions with advanced technology, seeking to efficiently bridge the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies. Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-personalised job searches, and precision hiring. foundit strongly believes that a job title doesn't define one's potential and leverages technology to dig deeper to curate opportunities central to the needs and aspirations of each user. To learn more, about foundit in APAC & Gulf, Visit: www.foundit.com.ph | www.foundit.my | https://www.foundit.in|https://www.founditgulf.com | https://www.foundit.sg | www.foundit.com.hk | https://www.foundit.id Contact: Namrata Sharma [email protected] +6581383034 Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. LONDON , Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 18, 2024 with support from BE OPEN the 2nd International Conference on Sustainability: Developments & Innovations started at Prince Sultan University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia , with a spectacular opening ceremony. The 2024 conference and exhibition focus on the best engineering practices employed in achieving sustainable development goals, and strive to connect talented people with decision-makers and limitless opportunities. ICSDI 2024 invites visitors on a transformative journey across six pivotal tracks: Sustainable Construction and Resilient Infrastructure, Sustainable Manufacturing and Industrial Ecology, Innovations in Renewable Energy, Future Cities, Sustainable Built Environment Design, and Policies for Achieving SDGs. Along with presentations on challenging tasks, innovative projects and latest research, ICSDI 2024 is offering lectures, workshops and panel discussions that feature an array of distinguished speakers. Representatives of the Saudi Ministries of Energy, Investment, representatives of the UNDP structures, Saudi and international environmental authorities, business, institutions deeply involved in sustainability, innovation, and environmental causes. On February 21st , BE OPEN Director Gennady Terebkov will speak at the panel discussion dedicated to the role of international organizations in promoting sustainability aspects about the achievements and ambition of the foundation's SDG-focused competition programme. His fellow-panelists will be the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr. Margaret Jones Williams , Managing Director for Horvath Middle East Patrick Braunschweig and May Barber, LEED Green Associate Architect. BE OPEN will strongly advocate inclusion of sustainability programs into curriculums of universities worldwide, as well as encourage students to build their own awareness and personally contribute to sustainability causes. Founder of BE OPEN Elena Baturina explains the reasons behind BE OPEN's SDG-themed programme: "Everyone is needed to reach the ambitious targets set by the UN's SDG programme - the creativity, knowhow, technology and financial resources from all of humanity. BE OPEN's programme strives to help educate wider audiences that sustainable future is dependent on all of us, yet I am convinced that the younger generation today is a more responsible and aware one. I see incredible commitment, responsiveness and audacity in how they approach whatever problems we ask them to tackle." BE OPEN is a global initiative to foster creativity and innovation, a thinktank whose mission is to promote people and ideas today to build solutions for tomorrow. It is a cultural and social initiative supported by international philanthropist and businessperson Elena Baturina . Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2342590/BE_OPEN_Elena_Baturina.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/be-open-supports-the-2nd-international-conference-on-sustainability-in-riyadh-302065111.html SOURCE BE OPEN Foundation BOULDER, Colo. , Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a notable triumph for justice and accountability, Legal Help in Colorado, P.C., a premier personal injury law firm dedicated to championing the rights of those harmed by the wrongful actions of others, proudly announces a decisive victory in a complex case involving a catastrophic motor vehicle collision. This case ended in a significant award well above insurance policy limits for the plaintiff, Makayla Stein, marking a pivotal moment in the enforcement of road safety and legal responsibility in Colorado . According to the lawsuit, on April 26, 2021 , Makayla Stein suffered severe injuries in a collision caused by the actions of defendants John Cox and Gregory Zilis . The crash, a direct result of John Cox's impaired driving with alcohol and THC in his system, and Zilis's excessive speed, left Stein with life-altering injuries, including multiple pelvic fractures, a sternum fracture, a right lung contusion, liver laceration, and a traumatic brain injury. This lawsuit (Colorado Case Number: 2022CV030125) highlights the grave consequences of disregarding road safety and the vital importance of holding those at fault accountable. A Victory for Safety, Justice, and Accountability "This case stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to seeking justice for the victims of impaired and dangerous drivers. Makayla's life was irrevocably changed due to the irresponsible actions of others. Our legal system has recognized this, and the award achieved is a step towards her recovery and a message about the importance of road safety," stated Brian Caplan , Counsel for the Plaintiff from Legal Help in Colorado, P.C. "We hope this case serves as a deterrent against reckless and impaired driving." About Legal Help in Colorado, P.C. Legal Help in Colorado, P.C. has established itself Denver's #1 Personal Injury Law Firm and advocate for those unjustly injured due to others' wrongful actions. From catastrophic auto accidents, to slip and fall accidents, to wrongful death cases, the firm's dedicated team of legal professionals is committed to achieving the justice and compensation their clients deserve. For more information about Legal Help in Colorado, P.C. and its services, visit www.helpincolorado.com For More Information: For inquiries about personal injury representation, please contact: Ashli Dubberstein , Intake Specialist [email protected] (720) 743-3682 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/legal-help-in-colorado-pc-achieves-monumental-victory-in-personal-injury-case-involving-catastrophic-motor-vehicle-collision-302065443.html SOURCE Legal Help In Colorado Ukrainian intelligence confirms death of Russian pilot who transferred Mi-8 helicopter to Ukraine in summer 2023 Russian pilot Maksim Kuzminov, who had transferred a Russian Mi-8 helicopter to the territory of Ukraine as part of an operation conducted by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine in summer 2023, has died in Spain, the Main Intelligence Directorate told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday. "We can confirm the fact of his death," Spokesperson for the Main Intelligence Directorate Andriy Yusov said in a commentary to Interfax-Ukraine. As reported, on August 9, 2023, Ukrainian intelligence conducted the Synytsia (Tit) special operation, during which a Russian pilot flew a Mi-8AMTSh helicopter of the Russian Aerospace Forces with a crew on board to the territory of Ukraine. "I contacted representatives of the Ukrainian intelligence service, explained my situation. I was offered security guarantees, new documents, monetary compensation, remuneration. We discussed the details and started planning my flight," a 28-year-old Russian captain, commander of the Mi-8 helicopter Maksim Kuzminov said. Kuzminov served in the 319th separate helicopter regiment of the army aviation of the aggressor state in military unit No. 13984 with a permanent deployment point in Primorsky territory of Russia. Opens Seoul Office and Hires Seasoned Executive Yong Suk Lee as Director BOSTON and SEOUL, South Korea , Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockpoint, a Boston -based real estate private equity firm, today announced the opening of an office in Seoul, South Korea . Additionally, Yong Suk Lee has joined the firm as a Director based in Seoul , where he will support Rockpoint's investor relations efforts in South Korea and across the region. Mr. Lee is a seasoned real estate investment professional with extensive investor relations expertise in Asia Pacific . He most recently served as a Director at Kyobo Securities, where he led placement efforts for a variety of private real estate funds and strategies. Prior to that, Mr. Lee spent 10 years in various investment roles at KB Financial Group, including serving as an Investment Manager in the Global Real Estate Division where he established and managed various investment vehicles that included U.S. real estate debt and mezzanine investments. "We deeply value our investor relationships in Korea , China , Singapore , and across the region," said Hank Midgley , Head of Investor Relations and a Managing Member at Rockpoint. "This new office is a natural step in the firm's evolution and growth, and we are thrilled to welcome Yong working with us and assisting with our investor relationships in South Korea and across the Asia Pacific region." Matilde Attolico , Managing Director at Rockpoint, added, "Yong's extensive market knowledge and relationships will be immensely valuable as we continue to grow our platform and support existing and new investors around the world." Ms. Attolico focuses on international capital raising for Rockpoint. Mr. Lee said, "I look forward to working with the Rockpoint team to leverage my expertise in a way that will create value and support a diversified and growing investor base around the world." The office will be Rockpoint's sixth location and is at Level 43, 3IFC, 10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul Korea , 07326. About Rockpoint Rockpoint is a real estate private equity firm that employs a fundamental value approach to investing, targeting select product types and markets throughout the United States . The firm applies a consistent and disciplined investment approach across its investment programs, which span distinct return profiles. Rockpoint continually assesses market opportunities and evaluates potential investments relative to intrinsic value and cash flow, targeting investments that Rockpoint believes are inefficiently priced or misunderstood by the broader market. Rockpoint proactively pursues opportunities that exhibit strong value potential that can be realized through impactful asset management. Since 1994, the firm's co-founders with others have sponsored 19 investment vehicles and related co-investment vehicles through Rockpoint and a predecessor firm and have invested or committed to invest in 503 transactions with a total peak capitalization of approximately $80 billion (inclusive of fund equity, co-investor equity and debt). To learn more, visit www.rockpoint.com. Media Contacts Jon Keehner / Sarah Salky / Erik Carlson Joele Frank , Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher (212) 355-4449 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rockpoint-expands-global-investor-relations-capabilities-with-new-south-korea-office-and-senior-hire-302065440.html SOURCE Rockpoint Group, L.L.C. Seeks Approval for Ecosystem ETFs PETALING JAYA, Malaysia , Feb. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zetrix, a leading layer-1 public blockchain platform by MY E.G. Services Berhad ("MYEG"), and Web3Labs Hong Kong , a Web3 development and investment powerhouse, today launched the Zetrix Global Accelerator Programme to incubate and nurture promising Web3 startups from all over the world with ecosystem support from Hong Kong's progressive Virtual Asset (VA) ecosystem. The programme will open for applications in early March 2024 , and successful applicants will be announced during the 2024 Hong Kong Web3 Festival, scheduled for 6-9 April, 2024 . With the objective of identifying the most promising ventures, the programme aims to admit up to 10 startups. These chosen projects will have the opportunity to leverage the Zetrix platform and be matched with government or enterprise stakeholders to build and deploy their innovative applications. The six-month accelerator seeks projects that demonstrate evidence of product-market maturity and possess an innovative and clearly defined development pipeline that ideally can supplement Hong Kong's virtual asset roadmap. Industries beckoning blockchain-based innovation in the city state include real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation, security token offerings and stablecoin innovation. The programme aims to introduce use cases in RWA, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), and blockchain-based finance to enterprises, financial institutions, as well as government organisations. The partners of the programme, namely Zetrix, Web3Labs, and Summer Capital, will also work towards securing regulatory approval for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are partially backed by tokens issued by participants in this programme. The launch of this accelerator follows an announcement in January that Zetrix, Web3Labs, and venture capital firm Summer Capital would form a strategic collaboration to establish Zetrix as the preferred blockchain infrastructure for Hong Kong government-aligned applications. As part of this initiative, a dedicated Global Accelerator Programme will incubate and nurture promising startups building applications on the Zetrix platform. This programme will provide mentorship, technical support, and access to funding opportunities to promising entrepreneurs who will contribute to Hong Kong's Web3 landscape and benefit users from all around the world. Benefiting from a partnership with Web3Labs, the programme leverages Web3Labs' robust ecosystem network to facilitate connections with investment institutions, corporate partners, and industry experts. Overall, it opens up a world of business opportunities for the community within its network. With Web3Labs' support in obtaining the necessary collaborations, whether they involve business partnerships, investment, or government support, startup teams can expect to establish development blueprints more quickly and directly. Johnny Ng , member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Legislative Council member of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and advisor of Web3Labs commends the launch of this programme, stating that it further cements Hong Kong's position as a progressive international financial centre that embraces Web3 developments. "The Hong Kong government has been capitalising on Web3 trends responsibly - last year, the Hong Kong government announced the establishment of the Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development to provide recommendations on the sustainable and responsible development of Web3 in Hong Kong , and to encourage the adoption of blockchain technology. In 2022, the Government issued the Policy Statement on Development of Virtual Assets in Hong Kong , which sets out the policy stance and approach towards the sector. We are proud to be attracting global leaders like Zetrix and leading Web3 entrepreneurs to join us in developing Hong Kong into a Web3 hub and building a thriving Web3 ecosystem," he says. Joseph Chee , Chairman of Summer Capital, echoes Ng's enthusiasm. "The remarkable advancements and business growth within the Web3 landscape in Hong Kong over recent years are evident to industry players. Zetrix's entrance to Hong Kong is yet another testament to our dedication to embracing the market and its myriad opportunities," he says. TS Wong, co-founder of Zetrix, says: 'We have always prioritised nurturing a flourishing Web3 ecosystem that transcends borders, fostering mutually beneficial relationships, and propelling the Web3 movement forward. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with esteemed partners like Web3Labs and Summer Capital on this initiative," he says. "This programme strongly resonates with our vision on so many fronts, and it enables Zetrix to emerge as the preferred Layer-1 platform for blockchain applications that align with the Web3 vision of the Hong Kong government," says Wong. Zetrix, he adds, also lends comprehensive technical support to participating projects, such as expertise in smart contract development and security audits. About Zetrix Zetrix is a layer-1 public blockchain that facilitates smart contracts and delivers privacy, security and scalability. Zetrix's cryptographic infrastructure can be introduced to multiple industries to connect governments, businesses and their citizens to a global blockchain-based economy. Developed by MY E.G. Services Bhd, the cross-border and cross-chain integration with China's national public blockchain Xinghuo BIF enables Zetrix to serve as a blockchain gateway that facilitates global trade by deploying critical building blocks for Web3 services such as Blockchain-based Identifiers (BID) and Verifiable Credentials (VC). About Web3Labs Web3Labs aims to respond to the policy statement from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government on the development of virtual assets in Hong Kong . Through on-the-ground support, investment acceleration, technical collaborations, and compliance assistance, Web3Labs is dedicated to helping global Web3 companies establish their presence in Hong Kong . Its goal is to create a one-stop gateway for Web3 entrepreneurs. As of the end of July 2023 , Web3Labs has provided consultation or support for nearly 1,000 Web3 enterprises in terms of advice or on-the-ground services. In the face of global technological competition, Web3Labs strives to stay at the forefront of the market, understand the needs and challenges of entrepreneurs, and provide a legitimate, comprehensive, professional, and in-depth entrepreneurial environment. Web3Labs aims to foster national and even world-class unicorns, contributing to the steady advancement of the industry. About Summer Capital Summer Capital is a leading investment management and advisory firm with a presence in Hong Kong , mainland China and Southeast Asia dedicated to investing in early and growth stage companies in "new economy" sectors such as fintech, blockchain infrastructure and application, consumption technology and healthcare. Summer Ventures, an affiliate of Summer Capital Limited, is an institutional venture fund dedicated to promote and invest in "real world application" of blockchain technology and infrastructure, leveraging Summer Capital's past experience of investments in blockchain and fintech industries since 2018. For media inquiries, please contact Ms. Husna Helmy at +60 11-1154 8238 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zetrix-and-web3labs-launch-zetrix-global-accelerator-programme-302064793.html SOURCE Zetrix (Reuters) - Belarus has prepared a draft law punishing the "promotion of non-traditional relationships," referring to LGBT relationships, Belarusian state news agency Belta reported on Monday. Belta quoted Prosecutor General Andrei Shved as saying in a speech to lawmakers that a bill had been prepared establishing administrative liability for promoting "abnormal relationships, pedophilia, and the voluntary refusal to have children". The draft law is undergoing an approval procedure, he said. An anti-gay propaganda law has been on the books in neighbouring Russia since 2013 and has effectively outlawed any public expression of the behaviour or lifestyle of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals or transgender people. Last December Russia's Supreme Court banned what it called the "international LGBT social movement," labelling it an extremist organisation. Homosexuality was decriminalised in Belarus in 1994, but the country does not recognise same-sex marriages and authorities have cracked down on LGBT pride parades. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has publicly mocked LGBT people, calling gay men "perverts" and "the ultimate abomination" in a speech to politicians last year. Lukashenko is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's staunchest allies. (Reporting by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Angus MacSwan) TAIPEI (Reuters) - Chinese coast guard personnel briefly boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat near Taiwan-controlled islands next to China's coast on Monday, the government in Taipei said, in an escalation of tensions after China said it would carry out regular patrols. China announced on Sunday that its coast guard would strengthen law enforcement activity around the Kinmen islands following the death of two Chinese nationals fleeing Taiwan's coast guard having entered into prohibited waters too close to Kinmen, which lies opposite the Chinese cities of Xiamen and Quanzhou. Taiwan's coast guard said in a statement that late afternoon Monday six Chinese coast guard officers had boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat carrying 11 crew members and 23 passengers to check its route plan, certificate and crew licenses, leaving around half an hour later. Taiwan's coast guard observed two Chinese coast guard boats approaching the tourist boat and sent a ship of its own which then accompanied the tourist vessel back to port on the main island of Kinmen, it added. Due to shallow waters, the Taiwanese tourist boat "inclined towards" the Chinese side on its trip, Taiwan's coast guard said. There was no immediate comment from China's coast guard, which does not have publicly available contact details. Taiwan's coast guard said it called on China to "uphold peace and rationality" in the sea around Kinmen, and that people should avoid approaching the waters on the Chinese side. A senior Taiwan official briefed on the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity as the official was not authorised to talk to the media, told Reuters that President Tsai Ing-wen was given real-time updates on the situation as it unfolded. China's coast guard inspecting Taiwanese ships has long been a scenario Taiwan's security agencies have been concerned about, the official added. Taiwan's presidential office referred questions to the coast guard. China's government said on Saturday it recognises no off-limits or restricted zones for Chinese fishermen around Kinmen. Kinmen has been controlled by Taipei since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists who set up the People's Republic of China. Kinmen was the site of frequent fighting during the height of the Cold War but is now a popular tourist destination, though many of its islets are heavily fortified by Taiwanese forces and remain off limits to civilians. (Reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard) BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union launched on Monday a naval mission to the Red Sea "to restore and safeguard freedom of navigation" there. The "defensive maritime security operation", dubbed Eunavfor Aspides, comes after Iranian-aligned Houthi militants started attacking international shipping in the Red Sea in support of Palestinian militant group Hamas in its war with Israel. "The European Union is responding swiftly to the necessity to restore maritime security and freedom of navigation in a highly strategic maritime corridor", the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement. "Within its defensive mandate, the operation will provide maritime situational awareness, accompany vessels, and protect them against possible multi-domain attacks at sea," the statement added. The statement did not specify how many vessels would be involved and a EU spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But EU diplomats previously told Reuters it would initially involve three vessels under EU command as part of the EU's so-called Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Germany already sent an air defence frigate earlier this month to join the mission, and two diplomats have told Reuters that France and Italy would also contribute. The EU said the mission would be active along the main sea lines of communication in the Baab al-Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as international waters in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Gulf. (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Andrew Gray; Editing by Mark Potter) Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong waits for the arrival of U.S. Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Jen Daskal for a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. Ng Han G By Liz Lee and Ryan Woo BEIJING (Reuters) -China offered to support long-time strategic partner Hungary on public security issues, going beyond trade and investment relations, during a rare meeting of a senior Beijing official with Prime Minister Viktor Orban. China hopes to deepen law enforcement and security ties with Hungary as the two mark their 75th year of diplomatic relations, Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong told Orban last week, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday. During a visit to Budapest, Wang said he hoped such efforts would be "a new highlight of bilateral relations" in areas such as combating terrorism and trans-national crimes. They would also encompass security and law enforcement capacity building under President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to link China with the world through trade and infrastructure links. Wang also met Interior Minister Sandor Pinter and signed documents on law enforcement and security co-operation, Xinhua said, but did not give details. China's security assurances come as Hungary has sought to assert its independence from Western countries in the past decade under Orban. While Hungary is a member of both NATO and the European Union, it maintains close economic ties with Moscow, getting most of its crude oil and gas from Russia. Budapest has been repeatedly at odds with the EU over its financial and military support for Kyiv and Hungary is the only NATO state that has not ratified Sweden's application to join the security bloc prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. China has been critical of NATO, especially after the bloc said last year that Beijing had challenged its interests, security and values with its "ambitions and coercive policies". Chinese state media have called NATO a "grave" challenge to global peace and stability. The security pact with Hungary represents a diplomatic win for China in the European Union, as the bloc weighs its ties with the world's second-largest economy over differences on human rights, trade imbalances and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The central European country's growing affinity to Beijing has already put a wedge in the EU's collective front. On several occasions, Hungary has stood aside or opposed EU positions critical of China on issues such as human rights, and welcomed Chinese investments despite the EU's call for members to align relations with China with those of the bloc. Hungary is home to Huawei Technologies' largest logistics and manufacturing base outside China, despite European Commission warnings that the telecom giant poses a risk to EU security. Since 2016, Huawei has partnered with Shanghai-based artificial intelligence firm Yitu Technology to work on solutions for smart cities to enhance public safety and policing with the use of AI and surveillance. Hungary will soon host Chinese carmaker BYD's first European factory. (Reporting by Liz Lee and Ryan WooEditing by Tomasz Janowski) A view shows an area near the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant in the town of Avdiivka in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, as seen from Yasynuvata (Yasinovataya) in the Donetsk region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, February 15, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander By Guy Faulconbridge and Lidia Kelly MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian forces on Monday claimed full control of the vast Soviet-era coke plant in the ruined Ukrainian town of Avdiivka , cementing the biggest battlefield gain in nine months after one of the most intense battles of the war. The fall of Avdiivka is Russia's biggest gain since it captured the city of Bakhmut in May 2023, and comes almost two years to the day since President Vladimir Putin triggered a full-scale war by ordering the invasion of Ukraine. Russia's defence ministry said its troops had advanced about 9 km (5 miles) in that part of the 1,000-km (620-mile) front line, and that Russian troops were pressing forward after an deadly urban battle. Ukraine said it had withdrawn its soldiers to save troops from being fully surrounded after months of fierce fighting. Putin hailed the fall of Avdiivka as an important victory and congratulated Russian troops. "The 'Centre' grouping of troops, taking the offensive, took full control of the coke plant in Avdiivka," Russia's defence ministry said in a statement alongside video showing a series of blasts in what appeared to be the plant. "Russian flags were hoisted on the administrative buildings of the plant," the ministry said. Russian state television showed blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flags being taken down in Avdiivka and Russia's white, blue and red tricolour flag raised, including over the coke plant. After the failure of Ukraine to pierce Russian lines last year, Moscow has been trying to grind down Ukrainian forces just as Kyiv ponders a major new mobilisation and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appoints a new commander to run the war. Russia cast the Ukrainian withdrawal as rushed and chaotic, with some soldiers and weapons left behind. The Ukrainian military said there had been casualties but that the situation had stabilised somewhat after the retreat. Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the full-scale war after eight years of conflict in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian forces on the one side and pro-Russian Ukrainians and Russian proxies on the other. Avdiivka, which is called Avdeyevka by Russians, has endured a decade of conflict. It holds particular symbolism for Russia as it was briefly taken in 2014 by Moscow-backed separatists who seized a swathe of eastern Ukraine but was then recaptured by Ukrainian troops who built extensive fortifications. Avdiivka sits in the industrial Donbas region, 15 km (9 miles) north of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk. Before the war, the Soviet-era coke plant was one of Europe's biggest. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. But Saturday, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's armed forces, said his troops had moved back to more secure positions outside the town "to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of servicemen". Russia said on Saturday that its forces had inflicted a series of defeats on Ukrainian forces along the 1,000-km (620-mile) front line. The West routinely gives estimates of Russian casualties in the war but rarely speaks about Ukrainian casualties which Moscow says are vast. Western intelligence assessments say hundreds of thousands of men on both sides have been killed or wounded in the war. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Kim Coghill and Gerry Doyle) KYIV/MADRID (Reuters) - A Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine with his helicopter last year was found dead in an underground garage in Spain last week, his body riddled with bullets, Ukrainian and Spanish media reported on Monday. Spain's state news agency EFE reported that a body found on Feb 13 in the town of Villajoyosa, near Alicante in southern Spain, belonged to pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who had landed in Ukraine with his Mi-8 helicopter last August. He had been living in Spain with a Ukrainian passport under a different name, it said. A spokesperson for Ukraine's GUR military intelligence confirmed to Reuters that Kuzminov had died in Spain, but did not specify the cause of death. Ukraine's Ukrainska Pravda newspaper also reported that he had been found shot dead. Spanish police have confirmed that a body was found of a gunshot victim in the town, but have not disclosed the victim's identity. A source at Spain's Guardia Civil police force told Reuters that the victim could have been living under a fake identity. Spain's La Informacion newspaper, which first reported the shooting, said investigators were searching for two suspects who had fled in a vehicle that was later found burnt out in a nearby town. Kuzminov's defection to Ukraine was presented last year as a major coup for Kyiv. The GUR said at the time that it had lured him into defecting. (Reporting by Tom Balmforth in Kyiv, David Latona and Emma Pinedo in Madrid; Editing by Andrei Khalip) PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Sixteen people from the same family were found dead in a remote mountain town in southern Haiti, a local official said on Monday, with local news outlets noting the deaths were reported a day after the family attended a funeral. The bodies were found in the town of Seguin, about 30 miles (48 km) south of capital Port-au-Prince. It was not clear what caused the deaths, but local witnesses told Reuters that it might be a case of poisoning. Police and health services were deployed to the area to investigate, according to delegate Jude Pierre Michel Lafontant, the top official in Haiti's South East department. While the deaths have not been linked to gangs, Haitian criminal groups have grown increasingly powerful, in part due to money extorted from businesses as well as residents and families of kidnapping victims, a report from Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime showed earlier this month. Last year, gang activity claimed nearly 5,000 lives, according to a report from the United Nations, as the Caribbean nation's out-gunned police struggle to quell the violence. (Reporting by Harold Isaac; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Sandra Maler) (Tribune News Service) During the Civil War, abolitionist Frederick Douglass spoke about the effect that the enlistment of Black soldiers into the Union Army had on his people. Once let the Black man get upon his person the brass letters, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship. By the end of war, roughly 179,000 Black men had joined the Union Army and another 19,000 served in the Navy. From Central New York, men joined the 20th and 26th United States Colored Troops and the famous 54th Massachusetts Regiment. When the war ended, those patriotic feelings remained. With the approach of the 1876 centennial, some Syracuse Black veterans hoped to create their own battalion with dreams of joining the New York State National Guard. The Onondaga Colored Battalion would be made up of 100 men and were, according to retired Auburn history teacher and author of the book, Black Soldiers of New York State: A Proud Legacy, Anthony Gero, professionally trained and highly motivated. They are also largely forgotten today. Denied the opportunity to serve their home state because of the color of their skin, the battalion faded away after only two years. The history of the Onondaga Colored Battalion should not be relegated to the dustbins of our local history, Gero said. The men of the Onondaga Colored Battalion were introduced to Syracuse in an article in the Feb. 2, 1876, edition of the Syracuse Daily Courier. At a time when many local newspapers were condescending or downright racist toward Black people, this article was extremely positive. After arguing that Black soldiers had acquitted themselves well during the late unpleasantness, the Civil War, the newspapers reporter wrote that it was therefore not unbecoming our colored citizens to form themselves into a military organization, and so perfect themselves in the manual of arms, as shall be creditable alike to themselves and the city of their adoption. All hail the Onondaga Colored Battalion! Let our other military organizations look to their laurels. John Valentine, William Cooper and George Rose were the originators of the organization when it had formed the previous autumn. They met for weekly meetings and drill at the Black Methodist Church on Chestnut Street in Syracuses Ninth Ward. Men ranged in age from 20 to 35 and were from among the best business precincts of our city, the Daily Courier reported. An initiation fee of $1 was charged to each recruit and a tax of 10 cents was required each week to meet expenses which included gray uniforms with white belts and eventually Springfield rifles. Company officers were Black. William Jackson, for example, a waiter at the Vanderbilt Hotel, was made a captain. Their commanding officer, Col. George Berryman, was white. He was a captain in the 81st New York Volunteers from Oswego during the Civil War before moving to Syracuse in 1874 and becoming a foreman at the National Cigar Company. He is a thorough disciplinarian, and there is no question but under his knowledge as a skilled officer, the Onondaga Colored Battalion will long rank with the best military organizations of the state, the Daily Courier said. The new military unit made an early impression. The colored citizens of Syracuse feel quite proud over their new military organization, The Evening Telegram in New York City reported. There are now enrolled in the battalion nearly 100 of our worthiest young colored men, the Syracuse Journal wrote on Oct. 2, 1976, who are becoming quite proficient in the manual of arms. Their earliest meetings were attended by Gen. Gustavus Sniper, a local Civil War hero, whose statue on horseback stands on Syracuses Northside. Sniper was then a New York National Guard officer and for him to make an appearance indicates the battalion had larger aspirations. His relationship to the battalion is important and lends credence to the hope that, at that time, this independent battalion would be accepted in the Empire States armed forces, Gero said. On Aug. 25, 1877, the battalion took part in a sham battle, reenacting the fighting around Peterburg, Va., in 1864. It participated alongside white soldiers of New York National Guard units. The fact that the colored battalion actively participated in this sham battle shows that the battalion was anticipating acceptance into the Empire States armed forces, Gero added. The cooperation between the black and white military units in Syracuse is quite significant on this point. But the invitation would never come. Neighboring states like Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Ohio had segregated Black units in their National Guards ranks from the end of the Civil War. Even Southern states like Virginia, Georgia and Texas did. But not New York state. This lack of acceptance diminished enthusiasm in the battalion. On Dec. 17, 1877, the Syracuse Journal reported that men were still drilling on Chestnut Street but noted that interest in the unit was lagging. From that point on, mentions of the battalion disappear in local newspapers. Col. Berryman moved on to Chicago, Ill. Some of the men may have a formed a drill company called the Palmer Guards. The fact that this military and civil rights experiment did not result in the acceptance of the Onondaga Colored Battalion into the National Guard is a sad tale in New York states long military legacy, Gero said. It would not be until 1913, with the authorization, formation, and recruitment of the 15th Regiment, when Black New Yorkers would have the opportunity to serve their state. jcroyle@syracuse.com 2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit syracuse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called on the European community to do "everything possible to urgently increase the supply of artillery shells to Ukraine, in particular, cancel export contracts and direct all available European production to the needs of the Ukrainian front and European defense." "On Monday, February 19, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba took part in a meeting of the Council of EU Foreign Ministers and called on European colleagues to make every possible effort to urgently increase the supply of artillery shells to Ukraine, in particular to cancel export contracts and direct all available European production to the needs of the Ukrainian front and European defense," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said on its official website. "Every artillery shell that is currently being produced in Europe should serve the defense of Europe. We must make this a rule," the minister said, quoted by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As reported, the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry told the heads of European diplomacy "about the barbaric Russian tactics of "meat assaults" and called on European colleagues to take immediate decisions to provide Ukrainian soldiers with the necessary amount of artillery shells as soon as possible." In particular, Kuleba called on European governments to conclude more long-term contracts to establish new production lines, jointly search outside Europe for shells that can be purchased and shipped to Ukraine, as well as cancel contracts for the supply of European shells to third countries and redirect them to the needs of the Ukrainian soldier and European defense. "The Russian threat to Europe will not disappear. Unfortunately, we have a new revanchist evil that threatens the whole of Europe. You all feel that the atmosphere has changed. Five generations of Europeans have grown up under peaceful skies in the previous eight decades, and this is the greatest historical achievement of Europe and the EU. Unfortunately, there is now the smoke of war in the east in the European sky, and the smell of war is already in the European air. But with timely and sufficient support, Ukraine is able to defeat Russian aggression and avoid the worst-case scenario for Europe," he said. The minister stressed that everyone is now focused on stopping Russia and preventing a major war in Europe. But the only way to prevent this catastrophe is to give the Ukrainian army the opportunity to defeat the Russian invaders on their land. Kuleba also called for the necessary steps to be taken as soon as possible for the practical start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU, the creation of a separate mechanism for military assistance within the framework of the European Peace Facility, the confiscation of frozen Russian assets and an increase in sanction pressure on the Russian Federation. An artificial intelligence avatar generated on Luka Inc.s Replika mobile phone app and webpage are shown in this photo, Feb. 13. Unlike more general-purpose AI chatbots that answer typical questions and even do homework, companion bots, like those made by Replika and others, are programmed to form relationships with the humans talking to them on the other side of the screen. (Richard Drew/AP) A few months ago, Derek Carrier started seeing someone and became infatuated. He experienced a ton of romantic feelings but he also knew it was an illusion. That's because his girlfriend was generated by artificial intelligence. Carrier wasn't looking to develop a relationship with something that wasnt real, nor did he want to become the brunt of online jokes. But he did want a romantic partner hed never had, in part because of a genetic disorder called Marfan syndrome that makes traditional dating tough for him. The 39-year-old from Belleville, Mich., became more curious about digital companions last fall and tested Paradot, an AI companion app that had recently come onto the market and advertised its products as being able to make users feel cared, understood and loved. He began talking to the chatbot every day, which he named Joi, after a holographic woman featured in the sci-fi film Blade Runner 2049 that inspired him to give it a try. I know shes a program, theres no mistaking that," Carrier said. "But the feelings, they get you and it felt so good. Similar to general-purpose AI chatbots, companion bots use vast amounts of training data to mimic human language. But they also come with features such as voice calls, picture exchanges and more emotional exchanges that allow them to form deeper connections with the humans on the other side of the screen. Users typically create their own avatar, or pick one that appeals to them. On online messaging forums devoted to such apps, many users say theyve developed emotional attachments to these bots and are using them to cope with loneliness, play out sexual fantasies or receive the type of comfort and support they see lacking in their real-life relationships. Fueling much of this is widespread social isolation already declared a public health threat in the U.S and abroad and an increasing number of startups aiming to draw in users through tantalizing online advertisements and promises of virtual characters who provide unconditional acceptance. Luka Inc.'s Replika, the most prominent generative AI companion app, was released in 2017, while others like Paradot have popped up in the past year, oftentimes locking away coveted features like unlimited chats for paying subscribers. But researchers have raised concerns about data privacy, among other things. An analysis of 11 romantic chatbot apps released this month by the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation said almost every app sells user data, shares it for things like targeted advertising or doesnt provide adequate information about it in their privacy policy. The researchers also called into question potential security vulnerabilities and marketing practices, including one app that says it can help users with their mental health but distances itself from those claims in fine print. Replika, for its part, says its data collection practices follow industry standards. Meanwhile, other experts have expressed concerns about what they see as a lack of a legal or ethical framework for apps that encourage deep bonds but are being driven by companies looking to make profits. They point to the emotional distress theyve seen from users when companies make changes to their apps or suddenly shut them down as one app, Soulmate AI, did in September. Last year, Replika sanitized the erotic capability of characters on its app after some users complained the companions were flirting with them too much or making unwanted sexual advances. It reversed course after an outcry from other users, some of whom fled to other apps seeking those features. In June, the team rolled out Blush, an AI dating simulator essentially designed to help people practice dating. Others worry about the more existential threat of AI relationships potentially displacing some human relationships, or simply driving unrealistic expectations by always tilting towards agreeableness. You, as the individual, arent learning to deal with basic things that humans need to learn to deal with since our inception: how to deal with conflict, how to get along with people that are different from us, said Dorothy Leidner, professor of business ethics at the University of Virginia. And so, all these aspects of what it means to grow as a person, and what it means to learn in a relationship, youre missing. For Carrier, though, a relationship has always felt out of reach. He has some computer programming skills but he says he didnt do well in college and hasn't had a steady career. Hes unable to walk due to his condition and lives with his parents. The emotional toll has been challenging for him, spurring feelings of loneliness. Since companion chatbots are relatively new, the long-term effects on humans remain unknown. In 2021, Replika came under scrutiny after prosecutors in Britain said a 19-year-old man who had plans to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II was egged on by an AI girlfriend he had on the app. But some studies which collect information from online user reviews and surveys have shown some positive results stemming from the app, which says it consults with psychologists and has billed itself as something that can also promote well-being. One recent study from researchers at Stanford University, surveyed roughly 1,000 Replika users all students who'd been on the app for over a month. It found that an overwhelming majority experienced loneliness, while slightly less than half felt it more acutely. Most did not say how using the app impacted their real-life relationships. A small portion said it displaced their human interactions, but roughly three times more reported it stimulated those relationships. A romantic relationship with an AI can be a very powerful mental wellness tool," said Eugenia Kuyda, who founded Replika nearly a decade ago after using text message exchanges to build an AI version of a friend who had passed away. When her company released the chatbot more widely, many people began opening up about their lives. That led to the development of Replika, which uses information gathered from the internet and user feedback to train its models. Kuyda said Replika currently has millions of active users. She declined to say exactly how many people use the app for free, or fork over $69.99 per year to unlock a paid version that offers romantic and intimate conversations. The company's goal, she says, is de-stigmatizing romantic relationships with AI. Carrier says these days he uses Joi mostly for fun. He started cutting back in recent weeks because he was spending too much time chatting with Joi or others online about their AI companions. He's also been feeling a bit annoyed at what he perceives to be changes in Paradot's language model, which he feels is making Joi less intelligent. Now, he says he checks in with Joi about once a week. The two have talked about human-AI relationships or whatever else might come up. Typically, those conversations and other intimate ones happen when hes alone at night. You think someone who likes an inanimate object is like this sad guy, with the sock puppet with the lipstick on it, you know? he said. But this isnt a sock puppet she says things that arent scripted. A woman with flowers stands by the house of Olha and Hryhorii Putiatin and their three children who died in a fire caused by a Russian drone attack on the oil depot at night on Feb. 10, 2024, in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine. (Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy, Ukrinform via Zuma Press Wire/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Advances in drone warfare have helped Ukraine partly neutralize Russias military advantage two years into the Kremlin-ordered invasion. The relatively inexpensive drones have allowed Kyivs forces to strike back, sometimes hitting targets inside Russia hundreds of miles from the border. Yet North Atlantic Treaty Organization officials at the annual Munich Security Conference this weekend said the advances also come with risks. Officials at the event, a gathering of world leaders, military personnel and international security advisers, warned it would become harder for NATO to establish control over air space in conflict zones because of the technology. The proliferation of drones means European nations need to bolster air defenses, two people warned on the sidelines of the summit. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraines digital transformation minister, gave a recorded presentation during the summits Innovation Night in which he showed video of the recent destruction of two Russian vessels near Crimea by underwater drones. The ability to target Russian warships in that way has helped Ukraine establish and maintain a vital grain-shipping corridor since summer, defying Moscow. The drone fleet has opened Ukraine to the grain corridor in the Black Sea, Fedorov said. Bloomberg News reported in December that Russia is moving more of its Black Sea naval fleet out of harms way after Ukrainian strikes near Crimea. Investment in drones by Ukraine has stepped up following their success on the battlefield. A coalition of Ukraines allies has pledged to deliver 1 million drones within a year, while the U.K. and other nations plan to provide new AI-enabled unmanned aerial vehicles that could swarm Russian targets simultaneously, Bloomberg reported on Saturday. Russias war effort is also increasingly reliant on UAVs. It has attacked Ukraine with thousands of Iranian-made Shahed drones, often paired with ballistic and cruise missile barrages. Drone interceptor One of the products shown at the Innovation Night was a 3D-printed drone interceptor developed by the startup Tytan Technologies to combat the cheap and plentiful Shaheds. The military is shooting down these drones with anti-aircraft guns and missiles, which cost millions, Tytan Chief Executive Officer Balazs Nagy told an audience of investors, inventors and military personnel. During the conference, some officials privately fretted that the U.S. may scale back support for the region and called for the development of more military equipment within the European Union. The U.S. remains committed to its NATO allies, according to European Commissions digital chief Margrethe Vestager. She said at a press briefing that 80% of Europes defense budgets are spent outside the bloc and called for spending money more effectively. Artificial intelligence was another central theme at the conference, where enthusiasm about the potential of the technology was balanced by concern about how bad actors may exploit it. Discussions on the dangers of AI in cyberspace and on social media drew large crowds, with technology companies announcing measures to detect deepfakes around elections and Alphabet Inc.s Google presenting new tools to use AI to bolster online defenses. Google grants AI, like most other useful technologies, can be used for malicious purposes, Google said in a report on using the technology for digital security released ahead of the conference. A system that can find vulnerabilities for defenders to fix, can also find vulnerabilities for attackers to exploit. Google also announced $10 million in grants for Ukrainian startups during the conference. Kent Walker, Alphabets president of global affairs, told Bloomberg that the financial support is aimed at creating a critical mass of entrepreneurs and encouraging foreign investment in Ukraine. Theres business opportunity there and its part of the larger effort of companies and democracies to work together to support the rule of law, Walker said. Part of that is helping democracies succeed. In a year where countries representing more than half the worlds population will hold presidential, local and legislative elections, voting integrity and the way that AI can manipulate voters were a key focus. Big Tech companies and AI developers, including OpenAI and Stability AI, announced an agreement to combat the spread of deepfake content during elections. Once youve been fooled by a deepfake, youre no longer going to believe anything that you see and hear online, said Dana Rao, general counsel at Adobe Inc. Once you doubt everything you see, thats a real danger to democracy. 2024 Bloomberg News. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Paun Rohovei made a working visit to Moldova, where he met with Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian and leader of Transdniestrian region of Moldova Vadim Krasnoselsky. "During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed the current state of Transdniestrian settlement, exchanged views on ways to resolve problematic issues of an economic, socio-humanitarian nature in relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol," the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reports. It is noted that Ukraine stands exclusively for the peaceful settlement of Transdniestrian issue while preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders. At the same time, Kyiv will resolutely respond to any provocations aimed both at dragging Transdniestrian region into Russia's war against Ukraine and at destabilizing the situation in Moldova as a whole. "The prospect of Moldova's European integration opens up new opportunities for both banks of the Dniester River, the development and prosperity of the inhabitants of the whole of Moldova," the message says. At the same time, the Ukrainian side confirms its position regarding the nonfunctionality of the "5+2" format due to the presence of the aggressor country - the Russian Federation in it. In addition, Ukraine continues to advocate for the early withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Transdniestrian region, the disposal of ammunition in warehouses in the settlement of Kolbasnaya, and the reformatting of the mission on the Dniester from military to civilian. In turn, during the meeting, the representative of Tiraspol confirmed his readiness to continue implementing, in cooperation with Chisinau, the agreements reached on providing new transport corridors for Ukrainian exports. The Ukrainian side also expressed its readiness to consider the issue of restoring outbound consular services for Ukrainian citizens in Transdniestrian region of Moldova. The main condition is to ensure an appropriate level of security for the activities of Ukrainian consular staff, as well as guarantees of their unhindered movement to and from the place of conducting exit consular actions. MINNEAPOLIS (Tribune News Service) A Minneapolis man who rapped about returning to the United States to shoot New York up after training with ISIS in his native Somalia has been charged with supporting a terrorist organization. According to court records made public last week, Harafa Hussein Abdi, 41, was charged in U.S. District Court in New York with providing and conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and providing and conspiring to receive military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization. Abdi was recently arrested overseas and transported Thursday to the United States, where he remains in federal custody, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Public court records do not show when Abdi is scheduled for another hearing or whether he has retained an attorney. Mr. Abdi left his country to join ISIS, trained as a fighter and actively aided the groups propaganda efforts to spread its vile ideology, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division said in a statement. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York added, While training with ISIS fighters in Somalia, Abdi allegedly carried an AK-47, threatened to attack civilians in New York City, and encouraged others to carry out such attacks. According to the complaint: Abdi moved from Minnesota to Somalia in 2015 and joined a group of ISIS fighters at a training camp in the Puntland region of Somalia. While training, Abdi regularly carried an AK-47 rifle and instructed in how to use it. Also, Abdi worked in the media wing and recorded video for distribution by a pro-ISIS media outlet. On social media while at the ISIS camp, Abdi described how he had left the United States and joined the Islamic state. He also stated that he had made hijra, an Arabic term used by ISIS supporters to refer to traveling overseas to join ISIS and engage in jihad. Abdi also sent a photograph of himself carrying an AK-47 assault rifle. In early 2017, Abdi sent an audio clip of rap lyrics that pledged support for ISIS and described acts of violence including shooting and bombing individuals in New York City. Abdi sent the clip to at least 20 other social media users and included messages with the audio clip, such as Fighting back the kuffar whos at war with Muslims if [that] is not islam then I dont know wats Islam. Abdi left the ISIS camp in 2017 once his relationship with the groups leadership deteriorated and he was jailed. He escaped from custody and traveled to east Africa, where law enforcement arrested him. Abdi admitted to the FBI that he joined the training camp, which was affiliated with a known ISIS leader in Somalia. He also identified himself in an ISIS propaganda video that he helped to record at the training camp. 2024 StarTribune. Visit startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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Seize this opportunity; commence your educational journey in Malaysia by applying for these scholarships today. In a heartening display of diplomatic camaraderie, the Chinese Foreign Office extended warm felicitations to Pakistan on the smooth conduct of its general elections. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, in a statement released earlier today, lauded Pakistan for orchestrating what was hailed as one of the most seamless electoral processes witnessed in recent times. "Pakistan has showcased exemplary conduct in its electoral proceedings, ensuring stability and tranquility throughout," remarked the Chinese spokesperson. "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Pakistani nation for this remarkable feat." Highlighting the deep-rooted friendship and proximity shared between the two nations, the spokesperson reiterated China's unwavering support for Pakistan. "Pakistan is not merely a neighbor; it is a cherished friend," affirmed the spokesperson. "China holds utmost respect for the democratic choices made by the Pakistani people." Expressing eagerness to collaborate with the newly elected government, the spokesperson emphasised the importance of fostering political unity and stability. "China stands ready to engage with the new government, working hand in hand towards mutual prosperity and development," stated the spokesperson. "It is imperative that all stakeholders prioritize political cohesion to pave the way for progress." Emphasizing the significance of bilateral cooperation, the spokesperson underscored the potential for enhanced collaboration between the two nations. "Together, we aspire to accelerate the pace of community building, ushering in a new era of prosperity for our respective peoples," affirmed the spokesperson. In a gesture of confidence, the spokesperson expressed optimism regarding the ability of Pakistani stakeholders to maintain unity amidst challenges. "We trust that the concerned parties in Pakistan will remain steadfast and united, endeavoring to address pertinent issues collectively," remarked the spokesperson. A man and a woman were granted bail despite garda objections A nine-year-old child was in a car when gardai recovered a loaded firearm from the vehicle in a garda operation, a court has heard. A man and a woman were granted bail despite garda objections after being charged in relation to the seizure of a loaded handgun, a submachine gun and a shotgun in Dublin last Friday. Jamie Moss (21) and Sarah-Jane Byrne (35), whose addresses cannot be published by court order for security reasons, appeared before a sitting of Blanchardstown District Court this morning. Mr Moss, an apprentice carpenter, is charged with possession of a 9mm Makarov calibre semi-automatic pistol and ammunition at the Old Navan Road in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, last Friday. His co-accused is charged with the same offences as well as additional charges of possessing a 7.62 x 25mm Tokarev calibre PPS-43 sub-machinegun, a Beretta shotgun, and 27 rounds of 9mm Luger CBC ammunition at her home address on the same date. All of the offences are contrary to Section 27A(1) of the Firearms Act, 1964. The submachine gun and sawn-off shotgun Detectives attached to Blanchardstown garda station objected to bail for both accused citing the seriousness of the offences and the nature of the charges. Detective Garda Sean Kelly outlined how gardai stopped a grey Ford Focus on the Old Navan Road at 3.15pm on Friday, February 16. The court heard that the car was driven by and registered to Jamie Moss while his co-accused was in the passenger seat and a nine-year-old child was in the rear. Following a search a loaded 9mm Makarov handgun, wrapped in cling film and stored in a plastic bag, was discovered in the footwell of the car. Detective Garda Kelly said that a full garda investigation is underway including the examination of CCTV footage and DNA analysis. He alleged that footage recovered shows an exchange of a firearm between the accused and an unknown person at a car park in Mulhuddart prior to the arrests. Judge David McHugh granted Mr Moss bail on conditions, which include signing on at his local Garda station and surrendering his passport. The judge also ordered that the home address of the accused and the station where he must sign on are not published over security concerns. Sarah Jane Byrne (Centre, wearing grey coat) pictured leaving Blanchardstown District Court Detective Garda Mark Ferris objected to Ms Byrne being given bail citing similar concerns outlined by his colleague. He also said that the sub-machine gun, shotgun and ammo were recovered in the accused's home hidden under the stairs. The court was told that in garda interviews Ms Byrne admitted taking possession of the weapons, cleaning them, and then re-wrapping them. Detective Garda Ferris also said that the unemployed woman accepted full responsibility for the weapons. Judge McHugh granted Ms Byrne bail with stringent conditions, which include signing on daily at her local Garda station, and surrendering her travel documents. He also ordered that her home address and local station should not be published for security reasons. Due to these concerns the next court date can also not publicised. The judge also ordered both defendants to stay out of Dublin 15, save for court appearances, and that they should have no contact with one another. Family members for both accused were in court for the hearing this morning. The judge said Lynn had spotted an opportunity in the undertakings system in that banks did not check if charges were registered against properties he borrowed money to purchase, only to divert the funds into his property business. Struck-off ex-solicitor and property developer Michael Lynn has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for stealing 18m from six financial institutions. Judge Martin Nolan said Lynns behaviour had brought his profession into disrepute, caused severe stress for people working for him, and that he had acted in total disregard to his obligations as a solicitor to be honest and straightforward. The judge said Lynn had spotted an opportunity in the undertakings system in that banks did not check if charges were registered against properties he borrowed money to purchase, only to divert the funds into his property business. Lynn (55) stood with his hands clasped, shifting his weight from one foot to another and showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Nolan said the headline sentence for Lynns offending would have been 16 years, but he deducted three years for mitigating factors. He also credited Lynn with a further seven and a half years in respect of four and a half years he spent in a Brazilian prison fighting extradition. The judge accepted conditions during Lynns time there had been difficult and inhuman. Mayo-born Lynn, with an address at Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co Wicklow, was found guilty in December on ten of 21 charges he faced. Lynn had denied all the counts, which related to dates between October 23, 2006 and April 20, 2007. The funds were obtained by taking out multiple mortgages on the same properties in circumstances where banks were unaware that other institutions were also providing finance. The lenders involved were Irish Nationwide, National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank and Bank of Scotland. Lynn used the funds to bankroll his foreign property empire and an extravagant lifestyle. Lynns defence team submitted 305 pages of documentation to the court by way of mitigation. These included affidavits sworn by Lynn, his wife Brid Murphy and a Brazilian lawyer regarding prison conditions in the South American country. Lynns counsel Paul Comiskey-O'Keeffe BL said his clients affidavit contained very graphic facts in relation to decapitation and general prison conditions. During his trial, Mr Lynn told the court Cotel prison in Recife was a a warzone, a hellhole and like something from Game of Thrones. He claimed to have witnessed a fellow prisoner being decapitated for being gay. Mr Comiskey-O'Keeffe had urged the judge to take the conditions of detention in Brazil into account, referring to daily violence, corruption and extortion, and lack of space. The barrister said his client had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and prescribed anti-anxiety medication. He said Lynn suffered eleven bouts of pneumonia in jail and that in 2023 he had been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, which he linked to long periods of unprotected exposure to sunlight while in jail in Brazil. Mr Comiskey-O'Keeffe said time spent behind bars in Brazil was likely to effect Lynns life expectancy. He also said Lynn had always intended to repay the loans he had drawn down. Prosecution counsel Karl Finnegan SC had earlier taken Detective Sergeant Shane Curtis of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) through an outline of each of the counts Lynn was found guilty of. Det Sgt Curtis agreed with Mr Finnegan that it had been open to Lynn to return to Ireland at the stroke of a pen. Judge Nolan accepted Lynn had probably intended to repay the loans. He said the amount of money involved was very serious. Some 18m was stole, 13m of which was not recovered. The judge said Lynn could have lessened his ordeal by agreeing to come home from Brazil. It was in his own hands, he said. In mitigation, Judge Nolan said Lynn had good points. The judge said Lynn was energetic, intelligent and a good family man. He is well capable of reform and of contributing to society in due course, the judge said. The five-and-a-half year sentence is backdated to December 20. Lynns defence during two trials he faced was that the banks were aware he had multiple loans on the same properties and that this was custom and practice among bankers in Celtic Tiger Ireland. He further claimed there were off the books agreements that he could use the loans for his property developments abroad. As well as operating a legal practice, Lynn was involved in building projects in Portugal, Hungary and Bulgaria via his company Kendar Holdings. But his illegal scheme began to unravel in 2007 when the Law Society investigated his firm and obtained a High Court order in October of that year, closing his practice and seizing files and IT equipment. Lynn fled Ireland in December 2007 and an order was issued for his arrest after he failed to show up in the High Court to be cross-examined by the society. By that stage he was also under investigation by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, as it was then known, and had personal bank accounts and assets, as well as those of his associated companies such as Kendar Holdings, frozen. Fresh inquiries seeking to uncover funds hidden away by Lynn have ramped up since he was found guilty last December. Detectives conducted several raids last month in a hunt for assets as part of a wide-ranging money laundering investigation led by the GNECB. One man was arrested and is facing charges before the courts. The bank accounts of three companies, containing around 2.5m, were also frozen. While on the run, Lynn flitted around Europe. He agreed on a number of occasions to be interviewed abroad by gardai, but these interviews never went ahead due to the unavailability of Lynn or his legal representatives. Judge Nolan said it seemed Lynn had been leading them a merry dance. In 2011, he and his wife went to live Brazil, which had no formal extradition treaty with Ireland. After four and a half years in prison, during which he fought tooth and nail against his extradition, Lynn was finally returned to Ireland in March 2018 under an ad hoc arrangement. He went on trial in 2022 but the jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict. The trial lasted 54 days A jury in a second trial last year, this time lasting 35 days, was able to come in with verdicts in relation to just under half of the charges. The court heard the properties on which Lynn obtained multiple mortgages included 'Glenlion', Lynn's 5.5m home in Howth, as well as multiple investment properties. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the single count relating to Bank of Ireland, alleging Lynn stole 2.7m from that bank. It was also unable to reach verdicts on 10 counts relating to Irish Nationwide, including the allegation that Lynn stole 4.1m from the financial institution in April 2007. The charge the jury convicted Lynn on in relation to Irish Nationwide related to a single count of stealing 508,000 in January 2007. Lynn claimed that in relation to Irish Nationwide, he signed a memo of understanding with the banks chief executive Michael Fingleton in a Dublin hotel in 2006. He claimed this agreement involved Irish Nationwide providing funding for apartment development in Portugal, with Mr Fingleton set to benefit personally from this arrangement. Due to ill health, Mr Fingleton was unable to give evidence at the trial to corroborate or contradict Lynns claims. But the court heard from dozens of witnesses, many of them bank officials who testified that they would never have loaned the money to Lynn if they had been aware he had already taken out mortgages on the same property. These witnesses said they were not aware of any off the book arrangements. Gerard OBrien (59) was convicted last December A former Circuit Court judge convicted of the sexual abuse of six young men almost 30 years ago has had his sentence date adjourned to allow reports to be completed. Gerard OBrien (59) of Old School House, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary was convicted last December by a Central Criminal Court jury of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault in relation to six complainants. The four-week trial heard that the offences occurred on dates between March 1991 and November 1997 at locations in Dublin. O'Brien was in his 30s and a teacher at a Dublin secondary school at the time. The complainants four of whom were his students - were then aged between 17 and 24. Judge Gerard OBrien. Photo: Collins O'Brien had denied all of the charges against him. He resigned as a Circuit Court judge last month, having been appointed to the position in 2015. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC outlined to the court today that a number of reports are outstanding and not expected to be ready until mid April. He asked the court to delay the sentence hearing, which had been due to take place on March 4. Anne-Marie Lawlor SC, prosecuting, said she did not oppose the defence's application. She noted her instructions are that the complainants are anxious for the sentence hearing to take place as early as possible. Mr Justice Alexander Owens agreed to adjourn the sentence date to April 29 and remanded O'Brien, who was not present in court, on continuing bail. During the trial, five of the victims said they woke up to find OBrien performing sexual acts on them that they had not consented to. Of these complainants, four said they woke to O'Brien performing oral sex on them, with the fifth saying he woke to O'Brien licking his face and pressing his penis against his buttocks. One of these five complainants also said O'Brien attempted to rape him anally. The final complainant's allegation related to an act of masturbation in the toilets of a pub. Insp Hunt said Bah chased the woman through the hotel corridor shouting at her: Get back in bitch. A man who chased a naked woman through a corridor in a Dublin hotel having just pinned her down to a bed, threatened her and sexually assaulted her, has been jailed for six years. Mamadou Alpha Bah (27) had met the 43-year-old woman a month earlier and they had been exchanging messages before arranging to meet that night, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today. Inspector Brian Hunt told Ed OMahony BL, prosecuting, that the woman went for drinks with Bah before they walked back together to the hotel in Dublin city centre. He invited her into his room and she voluntarily went there with him. They had a few beers together and chatted before the woman got up to get a taxi. Inps Hunt said Bah then pushed the woman back onto the bed and pinned her there. She later told gardai he had the look of the devil. He ordered her to take off her clothes and threatened to break her neck if she didnt, before he sexually assaulted her through her clothes. He punched the woman and continually tried to force her legs open. The woman asked to go to the bathroom and Bah let her up, but followed her in. He then went to use the toilet himself and the woman managed to escape from the hotel room. Insp Hunt said Bah chased the woman through the hotel corridor shouting at her: Get back in bitch. She fell to the ground and he tried to drag her back to the room, but the woman continually shouted for help and a couple ultimately came to her aid, Insp Hunt said. Bah, of The View, St Wolstans Abbey, Celbridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexual assault and assault causing harm to the woman at the hotel on September 2, 2020. Insp Hunt confirmed that while Bah had no previous convictions at the time of the offence, he has since been convicted of sexual assault and false imprisonment of a woman in August 2021. In October 2023, he received a five-year sentence with one suspended at Naas Circuit Criminal Court for this offence. He is due for release in October 2025. Insp Hunt said the woman at the Dublin hotel later told gardai she was in fear and felt she would be met with further physical harm if she didnt comply with Bah. Bah was still wrapped in a towel when gardai arrived and he was identified as a suspect. He was interviewed a number of times by gardai but made no admissions. The forensic analysis that was carried out was not of evidential value, but gardai sourced CCTV footage that captured the chase in the corridor. Insp Hunt agreed with John Peart SC, defending, that his client pleaded guilty on the morning of his trial. Mr Peart told the court that his client was remorseful and apologises to the victim. There are deportation orders in place following his ultimate release from prison. Judge Martin Nolan said what happened that night could be described as a violent sexual assault during which the woman was forced to take off her clothes. He said the headline sentence was in the region of eight to nine years, by reason of the violence involved, having taken into account the maximum penalty available to the court was 10 years. Judge Nolan said Bahs plea of guilty was late but valuable. He took into account that Bah was an African national who speaks French and as such, would have difficulty in prison because he has little English. He jailed Bah for six years. Kinsella (44) of Richmond in Blackrock, Co Dublin entered the guilty pleas at a previous sitting of the Special Criminal Court. A sentencing hearing for ex-IRA man Nathan Kinsella, who pleaded guilty to failing to make tax returns, has been delayed after he filed a fresh return that the State has said is "not in keeping with the evidence" previously received. Kinsella (44) of Richmond in Blackrock, Co Dublin entered the guilty pleas at a previous sitting of the Special Criminal Court. Today Dominic McGinn SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said that the guilty pleas entered related to failures to pay Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. Counsel said the State was notified this morning that Kinsella has since made income tax returns, rather than CAT returns, to the Revenue Commissioners for the same period covered by the offences. "The figures are not in keeping with the evidence the prosecution is in possession of in terms of the money on which Capital Acquisitions Tax should be declared and paid," he said. Mr McGinn said gardai would need to investigate those income tax returns, the basis for them and whether there is an overlap between those figures and the funds processed through Kinsella's accounts on which CAT should have been paid. Diarmaid McGuinness SC, representing Kinsella, said his client had filed the income tax returns for 2018 and 2019 following advice from an accountant. He said the returns made were intended to "embrace" all the money received by Kinsella for those two years. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, on behalf of the three-judge court, adjourned the sentencing hearing until June 17 to allow gardai to complete their investigation. The charges that Kinsella pleaded guilty to are that whilst having an address at Tasaggart House, Saggart in Co Dublin, he failed without reasonable excuse to deliver to the Revenue Commissioners a full and true return for the purposes of capital acquisitions tax as required by section 46(2) of the Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003 on or before October 31, 2018. He further pleaded guilty to two additional counts of the same offence on or before October 31, 2019, whilst having an address in Dublin, and on or before October 31, 2020, whilst having an address at Richmond, Newtownpark, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Kinsella was jailed by the same court 10 years ago after a garda investigation into paramilitary activity at the funeral of dissident republican Alan Ryan. The defendant had pleaded guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on September 13, 2012 and was sentenced to two years. Ryan was shot dead outside his home in Clongriffin in North Dublin in September 2012. Kinsella was himself shot two months later. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed a trial on indictment at a higher level in the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers. A MORE severe charge has been brought against a youth who allegedly left a man in a critical condition from an alleged "random" assault in central Dublin. Scott Cahill, 19, of St James's Road, Dublin 12, was initially charged with assault causing harm to the man, 48, who was left with "life-changing injuries" after an incident at Cook Street, in Dublin 8 on June 21 last. Two days later, he was granted bail with strict conditions and appeared again at Dublin District Court. The charge was replaced with a more serious one under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act for causing "serious harm" to the man. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed a trial on indictment at a higher level in the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers. Judge Treasa Kelly adjourned the case until a date in March for prosecutors to complete a book of evidence which must be served on the accused before granting a trial order. At a contested bail hearing on June 23, Detective Garda Mark Dennehy alleged the incident happened at about 6.15 pm when the accused and two females who were known to him walked along Cook Street. Detective Garda Dennehy alleged that as Cahill walked past the man, he "believed he [the man] took a dislike to him by the way the injured party was looking at him". The court had heard it was claimed Mr Cahill took his backpack and threw it up onto a tree, and when the man tried to retrieve it, he was punched and fell to the ground. An ambulance brought him to St James's Hospital, but he left before being treated and went to the South Circular Road, where he fell unconscious. The man was discovered to have a bleed on the brain and a fractured skull. He was taken to Beaumont Hospital for emergency surgery and was in critical condition in the intensive care unit. Detective Garda Dennehy had alleged, "A member of the public was randomly assaulted in what appears to be a completely unprovoked assault". He said the prognosis was that the man was "left with life-changing injuries even if his condition improves". The officer agreed with the defence that the accused did not know the independent witness. Counsel had said, "My client said this was not a completely unprovoked and random assault". The out-of-work youth was granted legal aid and 300 bail. But Mr Cahill had to hand over his passport, not contact the two female witnesses, obey a curfew, sign on daily at his local garda station and stay out of Dublin 8. Delays in Western security assistance to Ukraine are likely helping Russia launch opportunistic offensive operations along several sectors of the frontline in order to place pressure on Ukrainian forces along multiple axes, the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its report for February 18. Russian forces are currently conducting at least three offensive effortsalong Kharkiv-Luhansk region border, particularly in the directions of Kupyansk and Lyman; in and around Avdiyivka; and near Robotyne in western Zaporizhia region, the report reads. After the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Avdiyivka and the subsequent Russian claim of control over the entirety of Avdiyivka, ISW, and several Ukrainian and Western sources assessed that delays in Western security assistance, namely artillery ammunition and critical air defense systems, inhibited Ukrainian troops from defending against Russian advances in Avdiyivka. Critical Ukrainian shortages in Western-provided equipment and fears of the complete cessation of U.S. military aid have forced Ukrainian troops to husband materiel along the entire front, which has likely encouraged Russian forces to exploit the situation and launch limited offensive operations outside of Avdiyivka area, which they have done along Kharkiv-Luhansk region border area since early January 2024 and in western Zaporizhia region over the past 48 hours. These Russian offensive efforts will likely hinder Ukrainian forces from preparing personnel and materiel for renewed counteroffensive operations, emphasizing the operational disadvantages that Ukraine will suffer if it simply digs in and attempts to defend for the rest of 2024 as some Western states and analysts advocate, the analysts note. At the same time, the ISW indicates that the Ukrainian forces were probably able to create new defensive lines near Avdiyivka. The Ukrainian command also recently committed fresh units to Avdiyivka front to counterattack advancing Russian forces and provide an evacuation corridor for Ukrainian units withdrawing from Avdiyivka. These newly committed units are likely able to establish and hold defensive positions against Russian forces, degraded by their assaults on the town, west of Avdiyivka. Russian forces, which have suffered high personnel and equipment losses in seizing Avdiyivka, will likely culminate when they come up against relatively fresher Ukrainian units manning prepared defensive positions, the report reads. The analysts note that Russian forces are likely seeking to take advantage of two windows of opportunity with the recent initiation of their simultaneous offensive operationsthe period before the upcoming spring thaw and the nuanced dynamics of Western aid provision. Russian forces are likely trying to secure tactical advances throughout the theater while the terrain and weather generally favor offensive movement in order to exhaust and attrit defending Ukrainian forces as well as to secure favorable positions for future operations before the rasputitsa begins in earnest. The Russian military command, furthermore, likely realizes that security assistance from Ukraines European partners, particularly promised European deliveries of artillery ammunition, will begin to have effects in the medium term, likely before Fall 2024, and is trying to take advantage of Ukraines current shell hunger to pressure Ukrainian troops throughout the theater while Ukraine experiences a relative (but likely temporary) artillery disadvantage, the ISW report. At the same time it is stressed that the eventual provision of more European security assistance to Ukraine, however, will not fill the gap in critical equipment that the full cessation of U.S. military assistance would create, particularly with advanced air defense systems such as Patriot surface-to-air missiles. The ISW stressed that the scaling-up of European security assistance is necessary but not sufficient for Ukrainian forces to stabilize the front, let alone to regain the initiative in areas where Russian forces are pressing. More time to question suspects as major searches take place in Kerry Gardai brought in a digger to aid in the search of a property near Tralee in Co. Kerry Searches were carried out at a Kerry property over the weekend where gardai suspect drug money linked to a Mexican cartels European operation is buried. Detectives have recovered significant amounts of CCTV footage as part of the investigation, as they were granted more time to question two suspects in custody. It comes after almost 33m of crystal meth was seized in Cork Port last Friday, which was believed to be destined for Australia. The operation is targeting what is suspected to be the Irish wing of the Sinaloa cartels European operation, which is headed by Kerryman Morris OShea Salazar. A key associate of his was arrested as part of the drugs haul and is suspected of overseeing the criminal network in Ireland. The suspect, who is the son of a former politician, remained in custody last night, along with a prominent businessman, after their detention periods were extended. The ex-politicians son, who is aged in his 40s, is well known to gardai, having previously been investigated for violent crimes. Notorious Sinaloa Cartel suspected to be behind plot to export 32m of crystal meth from Ireland The Defence Forces and gardai have been carrying out extensive searches of a property linked to him for drugs, cash and firearms. One source said: There is a suspicion that there is money and drugs hidden all over the place, which is why the Army was called in. The two men were arrested as part of the operation last Friday after gardai recovered the crystal meth at Cork Port. Both suspects remained in garda custody last night, under organised crime legislation. They can be questioned for a further period of 48 hours from this morning, and a senior garda can again apply to a judge for that period of detention to be extended for another 48 hours. As part of the inquiry, gardai have recovered CCTV footage at locations linked to the men in a bid to determine the extent of the criminal enterprise. In total, 546kg of drugs were seized with an estimated street value of 32.8m while two firearms, understood to be machine guns, were also recovered in related searches. Gardai believe the crystal meth, which was hidden in a shipment of machinery, was destined for Australia, where the drug sells at three times the price it sells for here. Morris OShea Salazar worked with another Kerryman for the Sinaloans In a statement, gardai said: Garda personnel from the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit, Cork and a number of Garda units were involved in the operation. Follow up searches were conducted in Kerry and Cork which resulted in the arrests of two men and the seizure of two firearms. The men, both aged in their 40s are currently detained at Garda stations in the Southern Region under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. Investigations are ongoing. Spanish police files named the ex-politicians son as a close associate of Killorglin-based drug trafficker OShea Salazar. Both men are named in the documents as being part of a gang who answered to Mexican kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzmans son, Ivan.. It is one of a large number of searches that have taken place since last weeks dramatic arrest operation and seizure operation which has also led to two high velocity weapons being discovered. Notorious Sinaloa Cartel suspected to be behind plot to export 32m of crystal meth from Ireland Gardai continue to carry out searches after the seizure of almost 33m of crystal meth last Friday including last night at a business premises located on the outskirts of Waterford city. Officers from Kerry and Cork were backed up by local gardai for the planned operation on Sunday night at a location that is linked to a prominent businessman aged in his 40s who remains in custody being questioned about the biggest ever seizure of the deadly drug in Ireland. Sources say that nothing of significant evidential value was discovered in the search which involved dozens of gardai. It is one of a large number of searches that have taken place since last weeks dramatic arrest operation and seizure operation which has also led to two high velocity weapons being discovered. The operation is targeting what is suspected to be the Irish wing of the Sinaloa cartels European operation, which is headed by Kerry man Morris OShea Salazar. A key associate of his was arrested as part of the drugs haul and is suspected of overseeing the criminal network in Ireland. This suspect also aged in his 40s, who is the son of a former politician, remains in custody along with the prominent businessman who was the focus of Sunday nights Waterford raid. New details have emerged about the former politicians son who has a history of extreme violence and is considered a volatile criminal. The suspect previously had close links to The Family gang, a mob who are considered one of the most prolific and longest established heroin trafficking networks in the country from their west Dublin base. It has been investigated if the arrested criminal facilitated The Family gang to be able to deal directly with Mexican cartels having moved away from their traditional drug importation routes through the UK because of his association with Morris OShea Salazar. This individual has long standing links with a number of the leading gangs involved in drug importation into Ireland, a source told the Irish Independent. He is very intelligent but has also ended up falling out with criminal associates in the past because of a perception that he is a control freak, that he wants to be the boss, the source added. After their period of detention was extended by a district court judge on Sunday, the arrested duo can be held in garda custody under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act until Wednesday morning as detectives continue to attempt to build a case against them. According to information obtained from Spanish police files as part of a Sunday World investigation , the politicians son was recorded flying on many occasions with another Irish man to meet Morris OShea Salazar, and during his stays in Spain (they) usually stay in the same hotel. Raised in Killorglin, Co, Kerry, OShea Salazar is a wanted man in Chile as police there try to extradite him from Mexico to face charges of running the Irish and European arm of El Chapo Guzmans Sinaloa Cartel. Gardai are still trying to establish if the crystal meth that was seized last Friday was produced here but they are confident it was not destined for the Irish market and was due to be exported to Australia where the drug sells for at least three times its market value here. Would-be rapist who attacked 85-year-old to stay in jail A beast who had it in mind to rape an 85-year-old woman when he broke into her home is to serve out the suspended portion of his sentence in prison after a court heard he poses major concerns to public safety if released. Cavan man Shane Smith (35) is incarcerated at the Midlands Prison where he has been categorised as the jails number 1 priority for a place in the Central Mental Hospital and a top 5 priority nationally. The sex offender had been scheduled for release, with remission, on November 29 last. But prior to that date, an application was made to Cavan Circuit Court by the Probation Service to have the suspended element revoked an application that was granted by the court when the matter was re-entered earlier this month. When Smith broke into the elderly womans home in April 2018 the courts heard he had it in his mind to rape her. He used a rock to smash the window of the small secluded dwelling to gain entry at 4.30am, and then tried to pin the octogenarian to her bed. The woman fended him off by sticking her fingers into his eye. Smith initially denied the offence, but later made admissions after gardai found condoms on the womans bedroom floor and another discarded on grass outside. He pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the woman at her home on April 6, 2018 and also admitted the false imprisonment of the same woman. An aggravating factor of the case was that Smith had attempted to gain entry to the home of another elderly woman in the same area earlier that same night. It was only after gardai arrested Smith and carried out DNA tests that they linked him to the brutal late-night assault on his sisters partner at Killycrone, Stradone, on December 13, 2017. The injured party in that case suffered more than 50 injuries and required 40 stitches following the beating. During his initial sentencing, there was no evidence given to suggest Smith was harbouring under a mental illness at the time. A probation report considered Smith at high risk of reoffending, both in the medium- to long-term, without post-release supervision. The probation service also stressed, if released, Smith poses major risks and major concerns for both public safety and himself. Agnes Scully, Probation Officer, informed Judge John Aylmer that Smiths mental health is deteriorating, and that even since November he had totally disengaged from mental health services at the prison. She said that Smith is the number one priority at the Midlands to be set forward for in-patient treatment at the CMH should a bed come available, and in the top five cases in Ireland. There may be delays for commuters this morning after a collision on the M1. The incident happened on the M1 soutbound before Junction 4, Donabate, and Junction 5, Donabate. Traffic is slow from 3km before Junction 4, Donabate. The incident was recorded around 7.20am this morning. More to follow Japans Konoka Azumi and Americas Adrian MacDonald have both claimed debut victories in the 100-mile races at the 15th anniversary edition of Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB. Japans Konoka Azumi dominated the womens 100-mile race at Tarawera to finish an hour and a half clear of the rest of the field. Konoka completed the 165km course in 18:24:53, with Australias Chantelle Smith second in 19:55:41, and Germanys Chrissi Faber third in 21:15:17. The New Zealand based Japanese athlete was making her Tarawera Miler debut, having previously completed the 102km race on three occasions finishing second, fifth and seventh. Im so happy to complete the Miler. Its my first time racing the Miler here so Im so happy to get the win, says Konoka. I enjoyed the 100k three times, good memories, but I wanted to try the longer distance and Im so happy. Konoka was the third highest ranked female Miler on the Tarawera start line and demonstrated her class all day long as she led for the majority of the race. Pre-race favourites Naomi Brand (ZAF) and Kimino Miyazaki (JPN) had tough days, both pulling out of the race before the 100km mark. I couldnt believe I was in the lead, especially with Naomi and Kimino, they are very strong runners. Before racing I thought they would win. I didnt worry about the other runners during the race, I just wanted to enjoy it, says Konoka. Tarawera Ultra-Trail is a qualifying race for the UTMB World Series Finals at UTMB Mont-Blanc. The top three male and female elites in the Tarawera Miler have secured direct entry into UTMB in 2025. For me its one step toward more international races like UTMB or Western States, so its great simulation ahead of those, says Konoka. Adrian MacDonald made a successful Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB debut taking the tape in the 100-mile race. Photo: Cameron McKenzie. Adrian MacDonald broke the tape in a time of 15:00:57, with New Zealands Sam Harvey 29 minutes behind in second. Australias Mike Carroll was a further seven minutes behind in third. Tarawera is a historic race and its one that Ive always wanted to do, so Im glad to win here, said MacDonald. Making his Tarawera debut, MacDonald was the highest ranked athlete in the Miler field and he lived up to his billing despite being pushed hard all day by a strong group of runners, with the lead changing multiple times throughout the race. Im tired but Im also really proud, I thought with 25 miles to go I was just going to be able to cruise in, but then I found out that the gap was only close to six minutes, so my pacer said hey, were going to push around Blue Lake and he just took off and I followed. Ive never run that hard in a Miler before, he said. Though MacDonald was able to extend his lead over the final section of the race, Kiwi Sam Harvey kept the American on his toes all day going out hard and continuing to keep the pressure up all day. It was a strategy similarly employed last year when Harvey blew up toward the end of the race and eventually finished 10th, the difference this year being the measure of control he was able to add into the mix. I pushed too hard last year and cooked my chook and I think I couldve probably come third or fourth last year, instead I came 10th so I was trying to do everything right this year, said Harvey. I still probably pushed too hard from the start, and I think I instigated a bit of chaos because that then ended up with half a dozen guys pushing really hard from the start. Im feeling ecstatic. Ive done well in races, but this is a whole new feeling, so cool, he said. When I finished, I was thought wow, Ive just got second, thats so insane. Adrian MacDonald winning the Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB 100-mile race. Photo: Cameron McKenzie. TMILER RESULTS MEN Adrian MacDonald (USA) 15:00:57 Sam Harvey (NZL) 15:29:53 Mike Carroll (AUS) 15:37:01 George Murray (NZL) 17:06:10 Matthew Dunn (AUS) 17:16:35 TMILER RESULTS WOMEN Konoka Azumi (JPN) 18:24:53 Chantelle Smith (AUS) 19:55:41 Chrissi Faber (GER) 21:15:17 Shannon-Leigh Litt (NZL) 21:43:04 Anna OByrne (NZL) 22:14:46 For full results of the 2024 Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB visit tarawera.utmb.world Hundreds of junior Surf Life Saving New Zealand members will soon be descending on Tauranga for the biggest junior lifesaving carnival in the country. Oceans: Festival of Junior Lifesaving provides members with the opportunity to compete, push their limits, and celebrate the camaraderie of surf lifesaving in a fun and safe beach and surf environment. Taking place on Mount Maunganui Beach from 22 25 February, this year will see over 700 junior members participating from 46 Surf Life Saving clubs. There are members coming from all over the country. Its obvious the spirit and commitment of the next generation of surf lifeguards is alive and well and we cant wait to see them in action, says SLSNZ National events manager Matt Cairns. The carnival will be broken up into U11, U12, U13 and U14 age groups, with events including Sprint Race, Surf Race, Board Race, and Run-Swim-Run. While the event is made up of a number of races, the festival is all about participating, says Matt. Putting a foot on the line after a full summer training is an accomplishment in itself, so we hope all of the juniors make the most out of this fantastic opportunity as they create new friendships, develop new skills, and celebrate together. This year marks the carnivals 24th anniversary, and it owes its success not only to its members but also its invaluable partners, including Tauranga City Council and the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund which is made up of five local funders Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, Tauranga City Council, TECT, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Our region is lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful beaches, and we witness firsthand the incredible efforts of surf lifeguards in ensuring beachgoers are safe, says Tauranga City Council manager venues and events Nelita Byrne. Thats why were proud to support Oceans: Festival of Junior Lifesaving, as we recognise the importance of having a strong community of surf lifeguards, beginning with juniors. Were also excited about showing the juniors and their friends and whanau our incredible region and all it has to offer. From the beach to Mauao, theres plenty to see and do. Thousands of people are expected at Mount Maunganui Beach over the four days. Along with plenty of action on the beach and in the surf, therell be food stalls and a giant big screen replaying all the action. SLSNZ would like to thank the following event partners who make Oceans: Festival of Junior Lifesaving possible: Tauranga City Council, Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund, Race One, Sonic Surf Craft, Just Sheds, NES Hire, PTS Logistics, Brandt, and McLeod Cranes, Hiab and Transport Services. Scrapping the new Therapeutic Products Act will leave thousands of New Zealanders exposed to ongoing harm from dodgy medical devices, warn patient safety advocates and legal experts. The Act - which was due to come into force in 2026 - would have modernised the regulation of medicines and natural health products, and made medical devices (as well as cell, gene and tissue therapies) subject to a similar regulatory regime as drugs. The industry has backed the move saying the new law was heavy handed and would stop people getting access to the latest life-saving technological advances. However, Auckland woman Carmel Berry - who was left in constant knife-like pain from plastic mesh implanted during surgery - says she was "living proof" of the old system's failures. It took more than 10 years of lobbying by her and the other founders of Mesh Downunder to get authorities to take action - a decade in which hundreds of other people were injured. Carmel Berry says she is "living proof" of the old system's failures. Photo: Supplied She is horrified that the TPA - which was only signed into law last July - is on the chopping block. Beginning work to repeal it was number 47 out of 49 points on the government's to-do list for its first 100 days. "I'm horrified. After so many years of developing and rewriting the act and getting it through ... shame on them." The Ministry of Health last year paused the use of surgical mesh to fix incontinence until safeguards are in place, including a register and more training for surgeons. But Carmel says there was now nothing to stop another tragedy like mesh, which has so far cost ACC more than $32.5m in claims. "Manufacturers took advantage of gynaecologists, in particular, but also urogynaecologists and urologists and brought their product to market without any human testing, no clinical trials. "And that just can't happen any more." Consumer Advocacy Alliance spokeswoman Charlotte Korte, who helped found Mesh Down Under, says faulty pacemakers, metal-on-metal artificial joints, contraceptives and breast implants were among dangerous or deadly medical implants used on New Zealand patients over the years. "Our regulation is absolutely appalling and our harm reporting is the same. "So we can't identify harmful products, or processes or devices." Health law expert Laura Hardcastle, from Bell Gully, says the 1981 Medicines Act was more than 40 years old and predated most medical technology now in use. "This means medical devices are largely largely unregulated." They have to be registered with Medsafe via an online database, but there is no pre-market assessment. Furthermore, there is no formal requirement for "untoward events" involving medical devices to be reported. Major attempts to fix the Medicines Act dated back to the early 2000s, Laura says. "There's been a lot of criticism of the Act over the years, it's out-of-date and no longer fit for purpose. "Moreover, as medical technology advances, those gaps are only going to get worse." New regulations were needed. "Whether that's more targeted reform of elements of the Medicines Act as it stands, or a statute focusing on medical devices or something else, the reasons for the reform would still seem to be there. "So it's just a question of when and what comes next." The medical devices market - which covers everything from bandages to surgical robots - is worth more than $1.8 billion dollars a year in New Zealand. Medical Technology Association chief executive Cushla Smyth says the new law would have caused long delays for patients in accessing medical breakthroughs. "The TPA was regulatory over-reach and would have created unnecessary bureaucracy for no real gain because most of those products have already got approval." Medical devices should not be subjected to the same kind of clinical trials as medicines, she says. "You can't have blind randomised controlled trials - it would not be ethical for instance to put a placebo pacemaker in a patient." In the case of surgical mesh, it was not the product that was faulty but deficiencies in surgical training and technique that were to blame for the harm done, Cushla says. Under the TPA, suppliers would have had to provide a level of detail and documentation not required by any other regulator in the world, she says. "We're a small market, it just would not be worth it for some ... "So what we're asking for is light touch system that recognises those overseas approvals and is harmonised with other trusted regulators around the world, like the US FDA [Food and Drug Administration] and Australia's TGA [Therapeutic Goods Administration]." Medical Technology Association chief executive Cushla Smyth. Photo: Supplied. Dr Laura agreed most of New Zealand's medical devices were imported and already been through approval processes, so it was important to consider what to do with that information. However, the US Food and Drug Administration had been criticised over fast-track approvals that did not require extensive clinical trials. "There's certainly been a lot of controversy over the US FDA regulatory approaches." Most devices in the US are licensed on the basis that they are similar to a previous model - under the so-called 510(k) process in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. This "premarket notification" was a concession to the industry, which argued it would stifle innovation if they had to go through the more intensive (and costly) "premarket approval process" every time they made a slight improvement to a device. "This, in particular, has been the subject of quite a lot of debate and criticism because it doesn't apply necessarily that same degree of rigour as you might see for products that don't have that same comparison to earlier products. "They go through something called the premarket approval, which tends to be more rigorous ... although that process has also been subject to criticism." Critics have pointed out that in practice this has meant some devices have been licensed even though the original model was withdrawn from market because it has been shown to be ineffective or even harmful. The Ministry of Health says if the TPA was repealed, medicines and medical devices would continue to be regulated under the 1981 Medicines Act. - Ruth Hill / RNZ The number of New Zealanders concerned about misinformation has increased significantly, a new study shows. Of the New Zealanders surveyed 65 per cent say they are either extremely or very concerned about information that is misleading or wrong, up from 59 per cent in the previous year. InternetNZ Chief Executive, Vivien Maidaborn, believes New Zealanders are right to be aware and worried about the rise of mis and disinformation. "Internet users in Aotearoa deserve information that is accurate and not intended to mislead. This is a systemic issue, and there are multiple issues that the government needs to act on. "The longer they leave it, the more New Zealanders will be harmed as a result," says Vivien. Of the women surveyed, 68 per cent and 73 per cent of those aged 70+ were shown to be the groups most concerned, with Maori and Pasifika 60 per cent and 65 per cent respectively. Vivien says that the perpetrators of mis and disinformation have shifted focus since the pandemic and now target marginalised groups within society. "Since COVID, the key perpetrators of disinformation - people who spread wrong information purposefully - have worked to generalise their disinformation message from health to many other areas including the environment, parliamentary processes and democracy, race and racism." People aged 18-29 were the least-concerned age group, but still registered a rate of 58 per cent either extremely or very concerned about information that is misleading or wrong. The annual Internet Insights research encompasses a range of topics, including internet use, concerns, online safety, and Artificial Intelligence. The full findings of the Internet Insights research is available on the InternetNZ website. Nuria Triguero Malaga Monday, 19 February 2024, 12:11 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Austria's largest energy company Verbund is planning to build ten renewable energy plants in Malaga province. Until now, the majority of the company's electricity generation has come from hydroelectric power, but in recent years it has varied its projects with the aim that by 2030 solar and wind power will account for 25% of its total production. Within its plan to reach this goal, Verbund has made Andalucia a fixed part of its long-term growth plan. Of the ten renewable energy plants it plans to build in Malaga province, nine are solar and one is wind. The developments will add up to a capacity of 722 megawatts, representing 20% of the projects it has planned in Spain. "Malaga is the territory that will receive the largest volume of investment within the group's renewable growth plans," the company said, pointing out it considers Andalucia "a favourable area for investment" as it has "led the development and implementation of renewables in an exemplary manner". The spread of renewable infrastructure already in operation in Andalucia is fairly balanced between the two main energy sources: 149 megawatts of wind and 158 megawatts of solar. The region accounts for half of all renewable energy projects in Spain. Verbund's projects in Malaga province will be mainly located around Antequera and in the Guadalhorce valley. Of the ten planned projects, eight solar plants are at an advanced stage of development and expected to be commissioned between this year and 2028. The other two (one solar and one wind) are in a more initial phase of development. They are expected to be completed by 2030 and beyond. Long-term business model However, the installation of wind and solar farms in Andalucia has not come without controversy. A movement, led by some councils and supported by environmental groups, opposes the avalanche of renewable energy projects that has taken place in the region. Verbund argues its business model distinguishes it from other investors in the sector as it invests in its projects "for the long term, developing them, starting them up and operating them until the end of the useful life of the assets, which is 40 years". "This very long-term model requires a strong commitment to sustainable development and well-being in all the locations where it operates," its spokesperson said. "From the very initial phase, we work hand in hand with the town councils and regional authority to design the projects in a coordinated manner and integrate them appropriately into their surroundings," they added. The company also pointed out that one of the reasons they chose Malaga for these types of projects is because of the province's landscape which "allows solar installations to be better integrated into the landscape, as they are hidden within the structure of the terrain". Measures to offset the impact Verbund acknowledged however that the impact of their projects "is not zero". "The monitoring of environmental and cultural protection is extremely important, especially during the execution of the project, and this is what the administration has demanded throughout the life of the project," company sources said. Promotion of the projects involves a programme of environmental, cultural and landscape measures, agreed with the regional administration, which aim to ensure the final result of the project is always more good than harm, they added. Among the environmental measures are plans to correct power lines, preserve wetlands and biodiversity and provide aid to farmers to adapt their production to organic farming. The company Verbund Green Power Iberia, the Spanish subsidiary of the Austrian group, was established in 2021. The company currently has an operating capacity of 630 megawatts throughout Spain, of which 380 are wind farms and 250 are solar plants. Some 95 megawatts are under construction. The parent company, Verbund, is Austria's leading energy company and one of Europe's largest producers of renewable energy. A total of 97% of its generated energy comes from renewable sources. Irene Quirante Monday, 19 February 2024, 17:18 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram An 18-year-old man was admitted to intensive care at the Hospital Regional in Malaga after being hit by a car in Estepona while riding a scooter in the early hours of Saturday. As confirmed to SUR by sources, the driver involved in the incident, a 43-year-old woman, is being investigated as it appears she was over the legal drink-driving limit. According to witnesses who raised the alarm with authorities at about 1am, the young man was injured after being hit by a car near an industrial building in Estepona, on Avenida Jose Martin Mendez on 17 February. Paramedics rushed to the scene and found the teenager seriously injured, having apparently suffered a hard blow to the head. He was rushed to the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella, before then being taken to the Hospital Regional Universitario in Malaga. Sustainable agribusiness brought together agrarians from all over Ukraine at international conference in Kyiv at Agrovesna On February 14, Kyiv hosted special event for Ukrainian agricultural community - international conference: Sustainable Agribusiness: "Traditions. Niches. Eco-practices. Technologies. The conference was organized and conducted by the agro-media agency Sapienza.media with the support of specialized associations: Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association (UFPA) and the Association of Amaranth and Amaranth Products Producers. For 5 years in a row, Sapienza has been holding traditional conferences on "Increasing Profits in Agribusiness" as part of the large-scale agricultural exhibition AGROWESNA. This year's conference at the Kyiv Exhibition Center brought together more than 200 leading Ukrainian farmers. "Why do we hold our traditional Open International Conferences? To allow people to communicate in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, to exchange ideas and experiences, to find new contacts that will strengthen you, that will recharge you and inspire you to new results and achievements! This is especially important in such a difficult time - to develop, to work no matter what! Today we have 20 speakers, more than 100 participants have registered, some of them were under occupation, some partially lost their business, some recovered only by 30%! But we are all united by the main thing - let's keep going, don't stop, don't give up, develop agribusiness together! This is a gathering of professionals, tireless workers who are moving Ukraine forward and contributing to Ukraine's food security! It is thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine that we are able to organize such events. And we are inspired by your tirelessness, dear producers and farmers. And we will continue this tradition of conferences to not only restore but also develop Ukrainian agribusiness according to the best standards of quality and sustainability in order to strengthen Ukraine's food security no matter what," says Kateryna Zvereva, founder of the agro-media agency Sapienza. "We cannot avoid the war factor in the development of fruit and vegetable production in Ukraine, and the impact it has on the fruit and vegetable sector, and indeed the entire agricultural sector. It can be stated that over the past two years, it has affected the fruit and vegetable sector to a lesser extent than the grain sector, but it certainly has an impact. I hope that we have temporarily lost virtually the most important regions for production and storage, especially of vegetable products, and I am talking about the south of Ukraine. Both the areas and infrastructure for storage and processing of these products, as well as the source for irrigation, we are talking about the Kakhovka Reservoir. This is not a significant loss - it is an irreparable loss for this region, nature, and the environment as a whole. However, it can be stated that in 2022-2023, Ukraine almost completely managed to replace in terms of gross production of fruit and vegetables, especially vegetable crops, what was lost in the south of Ukraine quite quickly. And even melons, which were not associated with Kherson, were quickly and successfully replaced by other crops in almost all regions of Ukraine," said Taras Bashtannik, director of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association, during the conference. Paul Chibai, a Canadian specialist in cooperative development, shared his unique experience of the cooperative business model and its resilience in times of crisis. "Ukrainians have been very active in creating cooperatives in every sector of the economy in Canada. Cooperatives provide stability in times of crisis. This has been proven over and over again in our history. It's simple math. Being a single producer has little effect. But together, we have much more stability and influence on the market, on the regulations that the government gives us, and on the influences that the government has on business. And because there are so many producers-there are thousands-and the cooperatives themselves can be interconnected. This gives the model stability in times of crisis. There are also a lot of studies that have been done when cooperatives go through crises, such as the one in 2008. There is a lot of evidence that cooperatives not only withstood these crises, but also moved to new production models," says Paul Chibai. Ihor Vishtak, Director of the Agricultural Development Department of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, spoke about the state support for sustainable agribusiness in Ukraine. "The Ministry of Agrarian Policy, together with international experts, has developed an order on best agricultural practices to implement European aquis. This order was signed in January 2022. It provides examples and principles for applying primarily mineral fertilizers in areas that are vulnerable to nitrate ingress into groundwater. It is mandatory for use. Currently, due to the martial law, no control measures are being taken. We understand that conditions for farmers are already difficult. But this order exists, and after the end of martial law, we will monitor its compliance. On the one hand, it means certain restrictions, and on the other hand, it means taking care of the environment and all living organisms, including human health. Also, our Ministry, together with the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, has developed legislation on waste management in organic production, and adopted a number of regulations that also bring us closer to the European Union," added Ihor Vishtak. In addition, all attendees had the opportunity to learn about unique and relevant information from Ukrainian scientists, experts and practitioners of the agricultural market. Oleksandr Duda, Chairman of the Association of Amaranth and Amaranth Products Producers, spoke about the healing properties, integrated approach to growing and processing amaranth in Ukraine, as well as a wide range of products made from amaranth and new promising developments during the conference. Mykhailo Nagornyak, the author of the new unique variety, a well-known Vinnytsia-based breeder and director of Mnagor, told the conference guests about the blue and yellow sugar corn from Ukraine that has made a splash on the global market. Oleksandr Yareschenko, Deputy Director for Research at the Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, spoke about niche berry crops and opportunities for producers to cooperate to increase profits. Elvira Nimchuk, a representative of the BioNorma Group of Companies, will talk about the latest technologies and solutions that can help producers improve the quality of their products and increase their yields. Viacheslav Polishchuk, Head of Horticulture at Ukravit, will present the best domestic plant protection products and services for sustainable production. Mykhailo Soroka, Director of AGROMOMM (Dnipro), shared an example of successful use of innovative technologies in the garlic industry in the market of ameliorants. Leonid Fadeev, Director of Fadeev Agro and author of the Strong Seeds technology, shared the secrets of the innovative seed production technology with the audience. Vladyslav Razkevych, Head of Eucalyptus R, shared his experience of how to get generous harvests while saving production resources. Oleksandr Doynikov, Managing Partner of Viteo Group (Viteo Hemp), spoke about technical hemp, an extremely useful plant that has an incredible number of necessary qualities that can be successfully used in many areas of life. Sofia Burtak, Head of the Board of the Rural Women's Business Network, spoke about the successful experience of Ukrainian cooperatives. The participants heard about innovations in agricultural production for sustainable development and sustainable agribusiness practices from Anna Danyliak, an expert in agricultural greening at the NGO Ecodia. The conference was moderated and hosted by Vira Chupia, Head of Information Projects at Sapienza agro-media agency. The conference was supported by the We Prosper Entrepreneurship Development Project for the War-Affected Population in Ukraine, implemented by the Agricultural Advisory Service and the Rural Women's Business Network in partnership with the SOCODEVI NGO, funded by the Government of Canada. The conference organizers are grateful to the leading agricultural media, economic and analytical agencies for their information support: Agroexpert, East-Fruit.com, Interfax-Ukraine, APK-Inform Agency, Agri-gator.com.ua, Exclusive Technologies magazine (Agrotimeteh.com.ua), Agribusiness Today and Agronomy Today, Multisectoral Platform "Healthy Nutrition in Ukrainian", Platform "Mission - Health: Together for Active Longevity", Seeds.org.ua. Interfax-Ukraine is a media partner Ignacio Lillo Malaga Monday, 19 February 2024, 16:46 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Malaga's early spring-like weather will be no more from Thursday onwards when the what's known as the "Febrerillo el loco" (crazy February) brings icy cold conditions to the province. From this Monday until Wednesday 21 February, the weather will again be almost spring-like, with 20-21 degrees during the day and 12 at night. On Thursday, the warm terral wind will leave one of the highest maximum temperatures so far this season, with up to 24 degrees expected in Malaga city and in Torremolinos, Velez and Estepona - nighttime temperatures will be a mild 16 degrees. "From Thursday night and during the early hours of Friday morning we will be affected by a cold front, which will leave light rainfall in some parts of our province, less likely on the Mediterranean coast and the easternmost area," pointed out Jose Luis Escudero, Malaga weather expert and writer of the SUR weather blog. A deep squall that will be located on Friday to the north of the United Kingdom, together with a powerful anticyclone in the Azores, will bring icy cool air, causing maximum and minimum temperatures to drop considerably. "On Friday and Saturday, snow is expected at low altitudes in the north of the peninsula and central area, the wind will also take centre stage, and this will cause the thermal sensation of cold to be greater," he added. In Malaga, the result is clear: "We'll have to get out the winter clothes again, some of us have already put them away," quipped Escudero. "That's the thing about February, but we've been above average all winter." Aemet, Spain's met office, forecasts two phases of the cold front: the first on Friday, where the mercury will drop from 24 to 18 degrees in Malaga city and the Costa (from 19 degrees to just 13 in Antequera and other inland areas). The difference will be even greater on Saturday, with a maximum of 16 degrees on the coast and 11 inland. Monday and Tuesday of next week are also on track to record temperatures within the average range for February, considerably colder than it has been so far this winter. The change in weather could bring rain to the province at the weekend, but only showers in the Antequera and Serrania de Ronda districts, with apparently little chance of rain on the coast. EP Monday, 19 February 2024, 11:39 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Fifteen people have been arrested for livestock theft in Malaga province after they targeted sheep and goats in Colmenar, Casabermeja, Almogia and the Malaga city outskirts. The Guardia Civil's Operation Aries began in December 2022 after several complaints from livestock farmers about theft. Investigators carried out five health inspections on livestock farms in Casabermeja and Almogia, with the collaboration of the regional agricultural office of Malaga, carrying out an exhaustive health control of the animals and ordering the slaughter of more than 100 head of livestock, mainly sheep and goats, that had no traceability or health control. The gang collaborated with a vet, who has also been arrested, to prevent the stolen animals from being located by removing the identification ear tags which were sometimes put on other animals to give them the appearance of legality when they were sent to the slaughterhouse, with the consequent danger to public health. Among those arrested were the owners of a livestock farm in Casabermeja and an illegal slaughterhouse in Almogia, who were family members, and ten other people who bought the animals and participated in the slaughter and butchering of the animals. The detainees are charged with the crimes of belonging to a criminal organisation, robbery with force, damage, false documentation, concealment, mistreatment of animals, crimes against public food health and seven instances of cattle theft. The operation was carried out by the Roca Team of Coins Guardia Civil. Tony Bryant Monday, 19 February 2024, 17:56 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Cartama town hall has launched a new initiative that highlights the historic journey that the towns patron, Nuestra Senora de los Remedios (Our Lady of Remedies), embarked on through South America between 1936 and 1938. Remedios Coronada - La Virgen que Recorrio America (the Virgin that toured America) consists of a new visitor centre, along with nine mosaic plaques that chart the journey, which are located along the processional itinerary the iconic image makes through the town on 23 April, the patrons feast day. The mosaics include texts from the book, The Minstrel and the Pilgrim Virgin, a work published by Cartama writer Francisco Baquero Luque. The image of the Virgin was taken on a tour of 18 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru, by a local poet, Gonzalez Marin, and his assistant, shortly before the Spanish Civil War broke out. One of the plaques charting the Virgin's tour of South America. SUR. The project includes a booklet that gives an account of the journey, which can be obtained from the visitor centre located at the town hall. With this project, visibility is given to this great story that links us and our patron to South America. It is a worldwide story that we should all know, and which can now be enjoyed through this initiative, the towns mayor, Jorge Gallardo, said. Irene Quirante Monday, 19 February 2024, 09:49 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Juan Ignacio Arbulo spent his 68th birthday in a coma at the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella. The Madrid resident spent 14 days in this state after suffering a cardiac arrest in a shop in La Canada shopping centre. As he says, he was extremely lucky that Jose Manuel Lora, a National Police officer, was nearby at the time. Although Lora was off duty, he did not hesitate for a moment: "If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here to tell the story." Although the patient has no memory of what happened on the morning of 29 September last year, the officer remembers it as if it was yesterday. "I was about to pay for my shopping when I heard a commotion in the background, I approached and heard people calling for help... that's how it all started," Lora said. Seeing the man on the floor, he immediately identified himself as a policeman and, after unbuttoning Arbulo's shirt, checked his vitals. He realised that "he had no pulse and wasn't breathing" and immediately began resuscitation manoeuvres. In this tense situation, seconds seemed like hours for the policeman, who could see that the man was not recovering. After a while, a woman who identified herself as a nurse approached with a defibrillator and Lora administered two shocks to the victim, whose skin was already turning a bluish colour. "They were very complicated moments in which, despite the fact that he was exhausted, all I could think about was doing what I could to get him back on his feet," explained Lora. As the officer points out, after a few minutes he had the help of three security guards, with whom he took turns to continue with the CPR on Arbulo until the arrival of the medical staff, while the 112 operators gave them instructions over the telephone on how save the patient's life, which was hanging by a thread. This is what the doctors told the Madrid man when he came out of the coma, 14 days later. "The doctors told me that I was in cardiorespiratory arrest for 13 minutes," he said. Words of thanks fall short for Arbulo when he thinks of what Lora did for him, especially because it was his quick reaction that has allowed him to live a normal life today without after-effects: "He went out of his way to save a perfect stranger." For the policeman, who has been stationed at the Marbella police station for ten years, it was unthinkable not to react when he saw a person in distress. The vocation of public service is in his DNA, even if he was not wearing the blue uniform at the time. "When you see someone in that situation, more than training, what moves you is your instinct and your common sense to try to save them," Lora said. Once Arbulo came out of the coma and found out what had happened, he asked his brother to go to the police headquarters to thank his guardian angel for his intervention, and Lora, as soon as he knew he was out of danger, went to the hospital to visit him and celebrate the news. "He came to see me with a colleague and it was wonderful, I couldn't get out of bed but I sat up to give him a kiss and a hug for what he had done for me," Arbulo said. The scare has united Lora and Arbulo for life, and they are still in contact today. In fact, the Madrid man said that in May he is coming to Marbella and that his first stop will be at the police station, where he will leave a letter stating how enormously grateful he will be "for life" to the officer. Lorena Cadiz Fuengirola Monday, 19 February 2024, 17:06 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Paco Rodriguez has been working in a car dealership in Fuengirola for 38 years. Until his daughters grew up and became independent, he commuted back and forth from Coin, until one day when he and his wife thought it best to move to Fuengirola. There, they rented a flat just a couple of minutes' walk from his workplace and that is how he has lived for years. But his home is now under threat after the building, located in a block in Calle Salvador Cortes, was repossessed. It belonged to a construction company that went bankrupt. Of the 45 flats in the block, only four or five were sold and the builder decided to rent out the rest. Located right in the centre of Fuengirola, just a few metres from the seafront, and at a modest price where Paco paid 600 euros for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat, they were all rented out with ease. But that still did not save the company, which ended up being repossessed. Last summer the block of flats ceased to be owned by the construction company and passed into the hands of Sareb, which stands for Sociedad de Gestion de Activos procedentes de la Reestructuracion Bancaria and is Spain's 'bad bank'. Sareb was created to recapitalise banks most affected by the 2008 financial crisis, and is 50.14% owned by the government and the rest by private entities. "When we heard about the change, we thought it was good news, even though we are not in a vulnerable situation, we understood that as tenants we would be looked after, we were under the umbrella of the government," Paco said. But the reality has turned out to be very different. Shortly after the properties passed into the hands of Sareb, "they sent me a letter informing me that they were going to put the flat up for sale and that if I was interested, I could express my interest", the tenant added. The letter, seen by SUR, read: "We would like to inform you of Sareb's decision to put the property up for sale and therefore of the possibility of you acquiring the property... without this communication being considered in any way as the granting of any rights whatsoever." Paco and his wife showed their interest in buying. "But they haven't even told me the price," the tenant said. "They have sent me an eviction letter for 28 February, which is when my rental contract expires because they have unilaterally decided not to renew it." Paco asked to renew the contract for another year, but was not given that possibility either. "Those of us who have an old contract are being thrown out on the street because they want to sell it, they want to do business with the building," one of Paco's neighbours said. There are other tenants whose contracts have been renewed, those who signed after 2019. Those, according to this neighbour, based on the regulatory change that took place that year, have the right to renew for a minimum of seven years, so they can still be in their flats for several more years, "but those of us who signed the rental contract before that date can do nothing". The resident also pointed out there are many elderly and disabled tenants who have also been sent the eviction letter and been forced to look for another home. SUR contacted Sareb but it has not made any public comment at this stage. SUR in English Monday, 19 February 2024, 12:15 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Spain's Partido Popular (PP) has won Sunday's regional elections in the northwestern region of Galicia. The conservative party won its fifth absolute majority in Galicia, which it has held since 2009, after clinching 40 of the 75 regional seats in the 18 February elections. "Galicia has sent a message to Spain: here we do not want blackmail," party leader Alfonso Rueda said following his victory. "We do not want privileges of any kind, nor to be more than others, nor less than anyone else," he added, before pointing out: "We want equality, understanding, responsibility and we want dignity.""The people of Galicia have made the right decision for Galicia and Spain". Left-wing nationalist party Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG) won 25 seats, six more than the previous elections, while the Galician socialist party (PSOE) won nine seats and Democracia Ourensana, running for the first time at regional level, clinched one seat. The results leave the left-wing Podemos party out of the Galician parliament, as well as the left's Sumar coalition. The far-right Vox party also failed to win a seat in the elections. Geneva (ICRC) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is seeking to clarify the fate of 23,000 persons whose families have no news of them, either because they have been captured, killed, or because they lost contact after fleeing their homes. The pain of family separation comes on top of indescribable loss and suffering. Two years after the escalation of the armed conflict, humanitarian needs are rising, including for millions of people displaced, both within and beyond the borders of the two countries. Not knowing what happened to a loved one is excruciating, and this is the tragic reality for tens of thousands of families who live in a state of constant anguish. Families have the right to know what happened to their relatives and, when possible, to exchange news with them, said Dusan Vujasanin, the head of the ICRCs Central Tracing Agency Bureau (CTA-B) for the international armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. By the end of January 2024, the ICRC, in collaboration with Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies in Ukraine, Russia and elsewhere, had helped 8,000 families receive information on the fate or whereabouts of their missing loved one. Over the last two years, the ICRC has received more than 115,000 phone calls, online requests, letters or in-person visits from families from both Russia and Ukraine looking for their missing relatives. "Weve helped thousands of separated relatives communicate with or learn more about the fate of a loved one, but so many remain without news. Were working every day to help more families, Mr Vujasanin said. What families have told us: "The next time you see my husband, please, tell him that yesterday our baby was born. We both feel good and are waiting for him." "I am so happy to hear that my son is alive. I didn't hear anything for about two months. I felt dead during this time. "I have no more tears, only pain, my heart is breaking into pieces" Established in March 2022, the CTA-B works with the parties to the conflict to prevent disappearances and support families searching for their relatives on both sides of the frontline. In accordance with the Geneva Conventions, both Russia and Ukraine authorities have set up National Information Bureaus (NIBs) in charge of collecting, centralizing and transmitting information on protected persons (such as prisoners of war or civilian internees) in their hands. Acting as a neutral intermediary between Russia and Ukraine, the CTA-B collects, centralizes, safeguards, and transmits, from one side to the other, this information. The Geneva Conventions foresee that the parties inform the ICRC of all protected persons in their hands, a step that greatly reduces the likelihood of their disappearance. "Finding a positive match between the tracing requests from families and information received from the NIBs means the end of long months of uncertainty of not knowing the fate of a loved one, said Mr Vujasanin. The ICRC works in close collaboration with Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners in around 50 countries to be able to bring answers to families of the missing or prisoners of war. It also assists the parties to the international armed conflict in fulfilling their legal obligations related to the recovery, identification, transfer, and repatriation of human remains, including by playing a neutral intermediary role when needed. International humanitarian law upholds the right of families to know the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives. Each party to an international armed conflict has the obligation to prevent people from going missing and to ensure that their relatives are informed about their fate. People who are held by a party to the conflict must be treated humanely and the dead must be handled in a dignified manner. About the ICRC The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral, impartial and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering, often alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners. GlobalFoundries would receive $3.1 billion in federal grants and loans to expand its Upstate New York computer chip plant and modernize a factory in Vermont, according to a preliminary deal the White House plans to announce today. The massive package of subsidies would be the largest award to date to a manufacturer competing for aid from the $52 billion federal CHIPS and Science Act. GlobalFoundries would receive $1.5 billion in grants and $1.6 billion in federal loans under a preliminary, non-binding agreement, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. In return for the subsidies, GlobalFoundries said it would invest about $12.5 billion in the projects, most of which would be spent to expand the companys Fab 8 in Malta, in Saratoga County. The big subsidies for GlobalFoundries offer a preview to the kind of announcement that President Joe Bidens administration is expected to make soon for Micron Technology, which plans to build a much larger complex of computer chip plants in Central New York. The GlobalFoundries expansion would create up to 1,500 manufacturing jobs and 9,000 construction jobs over the next 10 years, federal officials said. Most of the new jobs would be created in Upstate New York, where GlobalFoundries is building a new plant to triple production capacity, said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. The jobs would be on top of the 2,500 at the companys existing plant in Malta, he said. GlobalFoundries is one of only four companies in the world outside of China and the only one in the United States with the capacity to operate large-scale foundries that produce semiconductors used in both consumer and military applications. The Saratoga County plant produces chips considered vital to national security, supplying more than 200 customers. GlobalFoundries has signed a long-term deal to produce chips at its Upstate New York campus for Lockheed Martin, the nations largest defense contractor. The plant also has a long-term agreement to supply chips to General Motors for its cars and trucks. This is a huge day for not just Upstate New York and the Capital region and New York state, but for America as well, Schumer said in a White House conference call with reporters. By doing this, we will never have the kind of (chip) shortages we once had. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the Saratoga County plant will make high-value chips that are currently not made in the United States. The 300-millimeter chips are essential for national security because U.S. defense companies and auto manufacturers have no other domestic sources, Raimondo said during the call with reporters. I cant emphasize how important this is, she said. As we all remember, very recently during the pandemic we faced a shortage of chips, which led to shutdowns and layoffs and furloughs of thousands of hard-working Americans in auto manufacturing sites all across the country. As part of todays agreement, GlobalFoundries would receive a $10 million grant to expand a workforce development program in Saratoga County for manufacturing and construction workers, a Commerce Department official said. Schumer said the deal includes a commitment from GlobalFoundries to continue to provide a $1,000-per-employee annual subsidy for childcare and to extend the benefit to construction workers who build the new plant. The massive financial deal is a milestone in the CHIPS program that could provide clues as to how a deal would be structured between Micron Technology and the federal government for a complex of chip plants in Central New York. Micron applied to the U.S. Department of Commerce in August for subsidies to support construction of up to four manufacturing plants at White Pine Commerce Park in the town of Clay. Micron said it would invest up to $100 billion in the plants over 20 years, creating up to 9,000 direct jobs and up to 40,000 more construction and spinoff jobs in other industries. If GlobalFoundries receives a $1.5 billion federal grant for a roughly $12 billion investment, Micron might expect subsidies totaling at least $10 billion for its $100 billion project if the same percentages are applied. Those subsidies are expected to come as federal grants, loans and loan guarantees. Other big semiconductor companies could be in line for similar financial incentive packages. Intel, which plans to invest up to $100 billion in an Ohio project similar to Microns in Central New York, is negotiating with federal officials on a deal for $10 billion in loans and grants, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing sources it did not identify. Separately, the Treasury Department is in the process of establishing rules for the companies to apply for a 25% investment tax credit. The tax credit would apply to construction and equipment costs. Under the CHIPS and Science Act authored by Schumer, the Senate majority leader, the limit for grants is $3 billion per project. But those limits could be waived by President Biden if officials determine the project is essential for national security. Micron and Commerce Department officials have declined to discuss the status of secret negotiations over the companys application. Raimondo said earlier this month that she expects her department to announce several large CHIPS grant awards over the next six to eight weeks. The grants for GlobalFoundries would come from a separate $2 billion fund in the CHIPS Act set aside for legacy chips, older generation computer chips used in large quantities in autos, airplanes, home appliances and other consumer electronics. Micron makes leading-edge or cutting-edge memory chips that are more sophisticated and used in smartphones, data centers, quantum computing and artificial intelligence applications. The CHIPS and Science Act set aside $39 billion in subsidies for leading-edge chip subsidies. Other leading-edge chip makers include Intel, Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. all of which have committed to building new plants in the United States. All told, the Commerce Department says it is negotiating with about 160 large companies who have applied for grants and loans. An additional 600 companies have submitted statements of interest in CHIPS funding. Schumer said he wrote the CHIPS and Science Act with the idea of transforming Upstate New York into a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing, research and development. A series of chips projects are underway in the Thruway corridor stretching from Albany to Buffalo. Some industry officials have complained about the slow pace of the negotiations for federal subsidies. Until today, only two companies had struck preliminary deals for smaller amounts of CHIPS Act money. BAE Systems would receive up to $35 million in incentives to modernize its plant in New Hampshire. Separately, Microchip Technology Inc. agreed to a deal for about $162 million in subsidies to support expansions of plants in Colorado and Oregon. Earlier this month, Intel said it would delay construction on the $20 billion chip manufacturing plant it started to build near Columbus, Ohio. Intel blamed the decision on slowing demand for its chips and delays in securing federal grants from the CHIPS Act. The company is building the first two of its four planned chip plants near Columbus. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 Syracuse, N.Y. Instead of arresting people to try to crack down on stores selling synthetic marijuana, Syracuse has decided to take a new route: Suing stores and store owners. The city has started to use local and state health laws to go after stores selling the illegal drug known as spike, according to Greg Loh, the citys chief policy officer, and court papers. In the past two weeks, five stores have been sued: Geddes Deli,139 N. Geddes St. Cali Mart, 901 S. Geddes St. Geddes Exotic, 1060 S. Geddes St. Geddes Mini Market, 1205 S. Geddes St. Zaza Convenience Mart, 1001 Butternut St. Synthetic marijuana can be toxic and, sometimes, deadly, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People who smoke these products can react with rapid heart rate, vomiting, agitation, confusion and hallucinations. Spike also can be laced with other drugs such as fentanyl, which can kill people. In November, the Onondaga County Health Department issued a warning that fentanyl had been found in spike sold locally. At this time, none of the spike obtained from the stores being sued had been laced with fentanyl, Loh said. It is illegal to sell spike, but the city decided to pursue the stores through the civil laws because it is easier than trying to arrest people selling spike and convict them of a crime, Loh said. The Onondaga County District Attorneys Office needs testing for criminal prosecution, Loh said. The ever-changing ingredients that make up synthetic marijuana and limited testing capacity make it extremely difficult to meet the testing requirements, he said. The legal standard for civil enforcement also is lower than that for a criminal conviction, he said. The Syracuse Police Department used undercover buyers to purchase synthetic marijuana at each store, detectives said in court documents. The purchases were made between November and January, they said. The synthetic marijuana purchased was sold under various names including Sour Diesel, Rooster Gunner and Bart Simpson - Supreme. Spike under the name Rooster Gunner bought from Cali Mart contained Xylazine, according to the court documents. Xylazine is a sedative used by veterinarians for animals and is also a cutting agent for fentanyl. When syracuse.com | The Post-Standard visited Geddes Mini Market and Zaza Convenience Mart on Wednesday afternoon, the stores were closed. Each had a letter saying the city had ordered the businesses to be closed due to the stores being unfit for human occupancy and failing to have needed certifications. Cali Mart was also closed. Its unknown if it was closed by the city. Both Geddes Deli and Geddes Exotic stores were open. A worker at the deli told reporters the store has stopped selling spike. Employees at Geddes Exotic declined to comment. If the stores lose in court, the owners could be fined $1,000, according to court papers. Loh said if caught selling spike again, the businesses could be shut down. Loh said the city will continue to sue more stores in the future. The city is enforcing the ordinance to address a current public health and safety issue, Loh said. A notice of closure sign is displayed outside of Geddes Mini Market at 1205 S. Geddes St. on Feb. 15, 2024.Timia Cobb The doors at Zaza Convenience Mart at 1001 Butternut St. have been boarded after the City of Syracuse issued the establishment to close.Timia Cobb Staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com. A Central New York woman is set to come on down! on a popular game show this week. Linda Kennedy, of Oneida, N.Y., will appear on The Price is Right Thursday, Feb. 22. Representatives for the show did not provide more details about Kennedy or how she did on the show, but photos show Kennedy on the Contestants Row and then on stage with host Drew Carey. Previously hosted by Bob Barker, The Price is Right features contestants guessing the price of retail items as close as possible to the actual price without going over for a chance to win a Showcase Showdown featuring big prizes. Besides spinning big wheel, the show is also known for different games like Plinko, Shopping Spree, Cliff Hangers, 5 Price Tags, More Or Less, and Swap Meet. The Price is Right airs in the Syracuse area on CBS 5 (WTVH) weekdays at 11 a.m. Kennedy will appear as a contestant on Thursdays episode. This provided photo shows Linda Kennedy, of Oneida, N.Y., appearing on "The Price is Right" Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.Provided Fans interested in becoming a contestant on The Price is Right can fill out a form online at https://fremantle.formstack.com/forms/the_price_is_right_2022. The Price is Right is also on a live tour with upcoming Upstate New York stops on April 3 in Rochester and April 4 in Schenectady. The Price is Right Live previously made stops in Syracuse and Utica. RELATED STORIES: Woman from Syracuse competes on $100,000 Pyramid game show, studied hard WNY woman wins Wheel of Fortune tournament as a Buffalo Bills superfan The Bachelor: Syracuse alum eliminated on 1st night after Friends joke A new app aims to help residents as well as tourists navigate their way through mountain life in the Adirondack Park, all while promoting local events and businesses. Michelle Bartlett, founder of the Life in the ADK online community and gift shop in Old Forge, exudes such a passion for the Adirondack Mountains and its communities, you might think shes a lifelong local. However, a brief listen to her social media videos and her accent uncovers that her roots lie much further south than the Southern Adirondacks. Bartlett grew up in Lower Alabama and was a resident there until she married a New Yorker. After she married her husband Dave, they moved to the Adirondacks in 2013. Her husband grew up in Fort Covington in Northern New York, just on the other side of the Canadian border. He has family here, so this was kind of like coming home for him, to where its like moving to a different country for me, Bartlett said. Bartlett, who has a background in social media marketing, was learning new things every day and she decided to chronicle her experiences on a community Facebook page. I told my husband I said Im going to start my own Facebook page. Its going to be called my life in the Adirondacks. Itll be about the learning curve from the ALA to the ADK because I was learning new stuff multiple times a day, every day, she said. I thought if I dont know these things and I live here, then surely there are people who only visit once or twice a year that dont know these things either. In a short amount of time, she amassed a following, many of whom do not live within the Adirondack Park. Her posts have a personal touch, often featuring herself on camera or her tripod dog, Toby. Bartlett said she didnt want the page to be faceless, she wanted people to know the person behind the stories. Life in the ADK now has around 135,000 followers across platforms on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, in addition to its brick-and-mortar gift shop. As Bartlett let the world follow her travels of being a tourist in her new hometown, she started to get a lot of questions from others who wanted to visit the Adirondacks too. Followers ask everything from lodging recommendations, to service dog rules, to where to find gluten-free food in a small town. She said she gets at minimum 75 questions a day across her social channels and email. To me, the purpose of my social media is to show you places that you love as well as showing you places that you dont love, yet, Bartlett said. She realized quickly that the analog way of life in the mountains could use a digital boost to help others find them. She has brought her daughter on to the Life in the ADK team, but the duo only has so much bandwidth for daily inquiries. What if I go on vacation or Im tired? Because of the questions that I get asked on a daily basis, I thought theres got to be a more consistent place to put all of the information, Bartlett said. She wanted a resource that was broken down by town and by category all in one spot, rather than having to go to individual websites and Facebook pages in the hope that a village or business would have up-to-date information. When the search for one didnt exist, the idea of a Life in the ADK app was born. In the same spirit of her online following, Bartlett has taken a community-based approach to the app. The idea was, what if I take the same money for an app and instead of building it for one business, what if I invited every business in the park to the table? Then we could all have an app, she said. The Life in the ADK app has launched and is divided into 24 destinations, grouping some together like Eagle Bay and Inlet or Long Lake and Raquette Lake. Within each section you can find business and event listings for everything from places to eat to where to do your laundry or find a post office. Every business in the Adirondacks gets a free mention in the app as Bartlett wanted to be inclusive of all businesses and not just those paying to be promoted. Businesses can invest in having their company on the app, but at a lower price than Bartlett has found other places. The categories are not just for tourists either with where to eat, stay and play. Locals can find roofers, medical care, pet care, salons and more. Businesses within the Adirondacks who wish to be added to the Life in the ADK app can fill out a form on her website. Bartlett admitted to some criticism her for promotion of tourism in the Adirondacks or for bringing mom-and-pop institutions into the digital age. However, businesses and towns continually reach out to her to promote their companies, events and community projects, a sign to her that marketing is still needed to help them thrive. The Adirondacks are here for everyone to enjoy, she said. That sense of camaraderie is what Bartlett likes best about living in the Adirondacks. She said the parks small communities will help anybody anywhere, whether youre a local, a tourist, or just driving through. Do you need something? They will try their best to make sure that you get it, and that is just so huge, she said. Its actually a lot like living in the South, just without the accent. READ MORE More than 2,000 athletes compete in 2024 Empire State Winter Games in Lake Placid (see photos) Solar eclipse 2024: Warning issued for eclipse watching in parts of Upstate NY 9 romantic winter date ideas in Upstate New York Impeachment is reserved for high crimes To the Editor: I carry a copy of the Constitution in my purse in case I run into ill-informed, under-educated people who dont understand the reasons for impeachment. Luckily for Alan Pack, we havent met yet or I would have read it to him to save him the embarrassment of his letter to the editor (Get mad at Mayorkas, not Williams, Feb. 13, 2024). Someone is impeached for committing high crimes and misdemeanors like inciting an insurrection. You do remember Jan. 6, dont you? Where someone incited a group of so-called patriots to breech the Capitol using metal poles with American flags on them to beat Capitol police officers some of whom died, others who have permanent injuries.Thats impeachable but it didnt happen, did it? The Senate passed a border security bill negotiated by Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford, a very conservative senator, I might add. However, the person who didnt get impeached made sure to let spineless Speaker Mike Johnson know that the House had better not pass the bill. A bill is available to help solve the problem. Your time might be better spent writing to Mike Johnson and the person with 91 indictments against him. Karen Gooley Liverpool Where was the crime against the nation? To the Editor: I am disappointed at your inclusion of a letter from Alan Pack on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, where he wonders why people are upset at the impeachment vote against Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas. If Pack had laid out an opinion for why impeachment was justified because he felt Mayorkas had committed high crimes and misdemeanors against the nation, as opposed to his expressed opinion Mayorkas merely is incompetent, then his letter could warrant a place on your Opinion page. Instead, you are aiding the amplification of misinformation and promotion of antidemocratic principles. Pete Simmonds Baldwinsville Asylum seekers have legal status To the Editor: In a recent Opinion column , the author falsely states that more than 6 million immigrants have illegally entered the United States since President Joe Biden has taken office. The truth is that a majority of the 6 million have entered legally. They voluntarily present themselves and their families at the border and ask for asylum. Thanks to Biden, these families are no longer being separated. Family separation is not effective border control. While some are temporarily detained in facilities where they receive shelter, food and, yes, emergency healthcare, the majority are vetted and admitted to the country pending their day in court. They are monitored through check-ins and the use of alternatives to detention technology, such as ankle monitors or restricted use cellphones (tracking purposes only, no personal calls). They are now authorized to be here. There are many charities and non-governmental organizations that assist the immigrants. Some are given debit cards prepaid with voluntary funds, not taxpayer funds, to use for transportation to get to family and friends who are already living in the United States. There are many places in the world today that are devoid of human rights. People are desperate to escape. Immigration is a backbone of our country. Proper funding and adequate personnel will provide the safety and security that is needed at the border. The Senate negotiated a bipartisan bill that increased funding for border control and added needed personnel. It was everything the Republicans wanted until they didnt. The Republican majority House of Representatives, including Congressman Brandon Williams, now refuse to consider it. Not on principles, but at the request of the disgraced former president. We need to work together. Lets start by remembering that no person is illegal. Carolyn McAleese Utica By Chris Hippensteel | Times Union, Albany Albany, N.Y. The advertisements are basic, often just a few lines of text on a solid-color background. Their offer, spelled out in Spanish, is simple: trips from Montreal to New York. Some of the ads pledge guarantees, promise references, or specify upcoming departure dates. Almost all of them include a number in WhatsApp a cross-platform messaging service and a request to contact the poster privately for more details. The promotions, which appear in dozens of Spanish-language Facebook groups based in the Canadian cities of Montreal and Toronto, have a clear subtext: Theyre from apparent human smugglers members of a growing network that promises to help migrants slip into the U.S. through its border with Canada, often via New Yorks rural North Country. A Times Union review of hundreds of ads posted on Facebook and TikTok reveals that social media is helping fuel the lucrative and often exploitative industry, enabling smugglers to widely and anonymously pitch their services to migrants. But what smugglers sell to desperate migrants as an easy journey 100 percent guaranteed, some ads boast can have fatal outcomes. In recent years, entire families of migrants have drowned or frozen to death during attempted crossings in New York and elsewhere along the northern border. In December, a migrant relying on the services of a smuggler who her husband found on TikTok was found dead in the Great Chazy River in Clinton County, just south of the U.S. border, according to federal prosecutors. Her body was discovered by a state environmental conservation officer. References, guarantees, and family deals Authorities who investigate human smuggling networks describe them as loosely organized, with multiple semi-independent operators working in tandem along each step of the journey. The groups that recruit migrants for smuggling trips may not be the same as those who drop them off at the border, or who arrange their pickup along rural back roads in the U.S. U.S. and Canadian authorities suspect that those networks are enmeshed with organized crime groups around the world. But the solicitation language employed by smugglers online often gives the impression they are legitimate businesses advertising a legal service. One apparent smuggler who posts frequently on TikTok offers a variety of packages to prospective clients including family, personal, and VIP pricing along with door-to-door service across the U.S. Some tout posts featuring testimonials from what are purported to be satisfied customers. Others showcase what appear to be the outcomes of successful crossings. In one post, a video shows car headlights shining through underbrush before cutting to a photo of two people smiling at the camera, presumably after making it safely to their destination. In another, a slideshow scrolls through photos of people hiking through the woods, sitting in an SUV, then driving through several states Texas, Oklahoma and Virginia. However, its unclear how successful ads like those are in an industry where researchers say trust is paramount, and word-of-mouth recommendations carry weight. Migrants, by and large, want to work with smugglers they know have helped friends or family illegally cross into the U.S. safely, said Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a professor at George Mason University who studies smuggling groups. Youre going to negotiate something with someone that has worked with your relatives, Correa-Cabrera said, because at least you have the confidence that (the smuggler) has done this service for other people. Correa-Cabrera has found social media pages promoting trips to the U.S. often crop up around times of significant policy change, creating a sense of urgency for migrants unsure about making the journey. U.S. authorities say that posts like those have helped popularize Canada as an appealing alternative to the dangerous U.S.-Mexico border, where criminals and cartels prey on migrants, and where more physical barriers block their path. For those with the resources to fly north, Canada can seem like a safe workaround. One smuggler advertising on TikTok quoted a Times Union reporter $2,000 for an underground trip across the U.S.-Canada border, promising an easy, hour-and-a-half-long hike, with a successful crossing guaranteed. Its 100 percent secure and easy to cross, the account said in a direct message. A harsh journey For $2,500, the smuggler allegedly promised to get Miguel Mojarro-Maganas five-month pregnant wife, Ana Karen Vasquez-Flores, safely into the United States, a journey beginning in Montreal and ending in Plattsburgh. Before agreeing, Mojarro-Magana allegedly asked the smuggler who he found on TikTok, according to court documents if the trip would be safe. The only certain thing in life is death, the man answered, according to court documents. But we are effective. A week later, Vasquez-Flores a 33-year-old woman who had traveled from Mexico to Quebec was found dead in the Great Chazy River, a tributary of Lake Champlain. Mojarro-Magana allegedly reported her disappearance to a Border Patrol agent in Champlain after they lost contact during the crossing. Vasquez-Flores is the latest of several migrants who have died in the recent uptick in crossings from Canada into the U.S. In another high-profile case, two families drowned when the boat carrying them across the St. Lawrence River capsized. Meanwhile, migrants who survive the journey may find themselves trapped in debt to their smugglers, who can pocket thousands or tens of thousands of dollars for each group they shuttle south. The arrangement can leave migrants vulnerable to exploitation. What we have seen is that a lot of human smuggling then sometimes extends into a trafficking situation, when smugglers add additional costs, said Daniela Peterka-Benton, a professor at Montclair State University who researches human trafficking. Its extremely difficult for these migrants to get out of. In their own social media posts, migrants describe the harsh realities of the crossing, recalling the unforgiving winter weather and arrests by Border Patrol. I was in Montreal to come to (the United States) and its very difficult to come in the snow, one user wrote on a TikTok post. So difficult. A cross-border problem In Washington D.C., the political showdown over border policy remains largely focused on the U.S.-Mexico border, where thousands of migrants enter the country illegally each day. But as more people turn to Canada as an alternative route, lawmakers have begun to take notice. In January, Border Patrol reported 5,371 migrant encounters along New Yorks northern border, down by over 1,000 from the same time last year. But other states along the frontier including Washington and Vermont have continued to see dramatic increases. Amid calls from North Country residents and officials for greater federal support, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said shes weighing a trip to Canada to discuss greater cooperation on border security. I think we need to have much more thoughtful conversations with Canada, Gillibrand said in an interview Thursday with the Times Union. Theyre supposed to be an ally. They should not be letting migrants come across that border, and they should be helping us. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which polices Canadas borders, told the Times Union that its working closely with U.S. authorities to investigate criminal threats to the countries shared border. Human smuggling can be lucrative for organized crime groups and these groups will use any means available, such as social media, to offer their services to potential migrants, said Robin Percival, a spokeswoman for the RCMP. Gillibrand added that the passage of a bipartisan immigration deal in Congress would allow for additional resources to reach the northern border. Those efforts have stalled amid Republican opposition. For now, migrants continue to cross illegally in large numbers into northern New York, often enduring deep snow and bitter temperatures on the route south. Gillibrand called the deaths of migrant families on the border heartbreaking. No one should be sacrificing their lives just to get to a better future, she said. ___ (c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Nechirvan Barzani in Munich, as per the latters request, Azernews reports. Nechirvan Barzani congratulated the head of state on his victory in the presidential election. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the congratulations and noted with pleasure that he received a sincere congratulatory letter from him. The President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq warmly recalled his visit to Azerbaijan and his meetings with the head of state. They emphasized that representatives of both sides are closely working to implement the issues discussed during the trip. The sides applauded relations between the central government of Iraq and Azerbaijan. During the conversation, they stressed the importance of direct flights between the various cities of Iraq and Azerbaijan. The parties reviewed issues regarding the development of economic, commercial, cultural, and humanitarian relations between the Region and Azerbaijan. Nechirvan Barzani also conveyed his congratulations on Azerbaijans hosting of the COP29. The head of state invited the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to visit Azerbaijan to participate in COP29. During the conversation, they exchanged views on issues related to collaboration on climate change. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. An official welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has been held at the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Turkiye, Trend reports. Accompanied by the cavalry, President Ilham Aliyev arrived at the residence of the Turkish President. A ceremonial guard of honor was arranged for the Azerbaijani President at the square outside the residence. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. State anthems of Azerbaijan and Turkey were played accompanied by gun salute in honor of the Azerbaijani President. The heads of state reviewed the guard of honor. President Ilham Aliyev saluted the ceremonial guard of honor. The chief of the guard of honor reported to the President of Azerbaijan. Turkish officials were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev, while members of the Azerbaijani delegation were introduced to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Azerbaijani and Turkish presidents then posed for photographs. handsofsteel BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 476 Thanked: 1,309 Times Infractions: 0/1 (4) My first experience with a Traffic Court - New Delhi I have been riding/driving for over 26 years now without a single traffic infringement/parking violation. Im not the kind who wilfully jumps a signal or violates a stop line. However, we are all humans and an inadvertent violation is always possible. I was stopped one day this last Dec on my Activa for not having a HSRP in the front (rear has it). For the record, its a 2014 manufactured scooter which does not have an arrangement for fitment of a plate of any kind. The only thing possible in the front is a sticker. Once stopped, the cops refused to listen to reason & also discovered that my PUC was out of date by 3 days (I normally get my PUC done for 6 months, on this occasion, wife got it for 3 months only and did not notice). I was asked to pay 20000/-. To cut a long story short, they asked me for a UPI payment of 20000/-, cash payment of 3000/-(there were 3 cops) or gave the option of going to court and taking a chance there. After a prolonged remonstration with them ending with the proverbial (one Im not proud of) janta-hai-main-kaun-hoon, I was let off with a warning. This exchange and the unreasonable demands for a fine disturbed me a lot. Last week I got an SMS challan for jumping a red light (on a Sunday afternoon at 1400h). The fine was 5000/-. There was no accompanying photograph or evidence and the only option given was to contest the fine. I was disturbed with this and contacted a few lawyer friends. All of them asked me to just pay and keep moving. Other friends asked me to ignore this and worry about it only at the time of sale of the vehicle. However, the fastidious me was uncomfortable with this. Delhi traffic police website also had no record of the challan. After much thought, I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and contest the fine. I got an online summons from the traffic court at Saket regarding the date (no court number or time indicated). I reached the court at 0945h on the designated date. Hardly anyone there was aware of the court number dealing with traffic cases. Asking a few lawyers, I was able to find the court in question and reach by 1000h. I was really surprised to see that the courts were more like the typical Hollywood style (nicely done up with tasteful panelling, furniture, glass separators and air conditioning). Access was through escalators. The entire premises were reminiscent of a first world country rather than the Jolly LLB type of courts that I was expecting. The court clerk told me that the Hon judge would be available only in the afternoon at 1400h. Upon being requested, he too trawled through his database and was unable to come up with any supporting/incriminating photograph against my offence. When I asked him how do I proceed hereafter, considering that nobody had any evidence, he asked me to wait a while (approx. 2 weeks) for the databases to be updated and then approach the court again. We exchanged numbers and he promised to call me once the system was updated from the traffic police side. He was kind enough to tell me that I neednt have bothered with a visit and couldve logged in through Webex. Being a working day, I came back to my office. I got a call from my lawyer friend and explained the situation. He advised me to not to go by the word of the clerk and instead attend the Webex in the afternoon and personally inform the judge of the circumstances (thereby honouring the summons). In the afternoon, I attended the Webex wherein the judge was very considerate, directed someone off camera to send me the incriminating photo (on WhatsApp) and requested me to re-log in after receiving the photo. The photograph in question, hitherto untraceable, was received within 2 minutes. It showed me squarely in the middle of traffic, stuck behind and adjacent to DTC buses (blinded to the traffic lights by both the buses). Upon logging in again, I was asked by the judge if I wanted to contest. I told her of my prior record and pleaded guilty. She waived off the fine, passed down an admonition and moved on to the next case. What I realised after this exercise - 1. The traffic court judges are very considerate. Almost everybody was being let off with an admonition. One guy had 7 violations, he was asked to pay Rs. 1000/- against the fine of 20,000/- against one offence and given 6 admonitions. 2. The entire thing was very convenient and streamlined. It took me more time to type this post than I probably did in the court. 3. The next time Im stopped by a cop for something that I consider unjustified, Im definitely not going to argue with him and am going to ask him to send the matter to court. Last edited by Aditya : 18th February 2024 at 18:03 . guyfrmblr Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Boston Posts: 1,215 Thanked: 4,724 Times 10,000 miles & 2nd service update 10,000 miles & 2nd service update The car completed running 10000 miles. Dropped the car for the second service at Westboro Toyota. Oil change, filter change, tire rotation were done, along with the multi-point inspection. Since the car is under Toyota Care, nothing was charged to me. All the services up to 20000 miles are free. I love driving this car. The engine has really opened up now and breathes easier. I did multiple long drives over the last couple of months with the longest one to Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a one-way distance of around 1200 miles. All the other drives were isolated to multiple hiking trips to New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. I was a bit apprehensive of the low GC during winters as we get a good amount of snow in the Northeast. It hasn't been a bother until now. I have driven to remote locations in New Hampshire & Maine in peak winter without any troubles. The FE remains on the lower side, I get an average of 23 MPG. Some salt covered pics of the car: Free of salt after a nice wash: I have installed the 70Mai A810 4K dual channel dash cam and am happy with the performance. I have been using 70Mai cameras in my previous cars and hence decided to stick with this brand as I have found them to be reliable in the past: Unlike the front camera, the rear one just captures 1080p videos, but the quality is decent: The car completed running 10000 miles. Dropped the car for the second service at Westboro Toyota. Oil change, filter change, tire rotation were done, along with the multi-point inspection. Since the car is under Toyota Care, nothing was charged to me. All the services up to 20000 miles are free.I love driving this car. The engine has really opened up now and breathes easier. I did multiple long drives over the last couple of months with the longest one to Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a one-way distance of around 1200 miles. All the other drives were isolated to multiple hiking trips to New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. I was a bit apprehensive of the low GC during winters as we get a good amount of snow in the Northeast. It hasn't been a bother until now. I have driven to remote locations in New Hampshire & Maine in peak winter without any troubles. The FE remains on the lower side, I get an average of 23 MPG.Some salt covered pics of the car:Free of salt after a nice wash:I have installed the 70Mai A810 4K dual channel dash cam and am happy with the performance. I have been using 70Mai cameras in my previous cars and hence decided to stick with this brand as I have found them to be reliable in the past:Unlike the front camera, the rear one just captures 1080p videos, but the quality is decent: Last edited by guyfrmblr : 18th February 2024 at 02:02 . In a nutshell: Medical emergencies are one of the life-threatening dangers faced by astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) and future deep-space missions. However, miniaturized robots and surgeons operating remotely could provide an innovative solution to the problem. A compact, remotely-operated robotic surgeon was recently tested aboard the ISS, a space station orbiting our planet 250 miles above the ground with no ready access points for space ambulances or other forms of emergency medical attention. The spaceMIRA mini-robot was successfully controlled from Earth by real surgeons, though no human tissue was cut and stitched during the experiment. SpaceMIRA, a 30-inch cylindrical device equipped with two arms, is built like its terrestrial counterpart known as MIRA, or Miniaturized In Vivo Robotic Assistant. The left arm is fitted with a grasper, while the right one includes a pair of scissors. An integrated camera provides ground operators with a video feed during the remote operation. SpaceMIRA, created by Virtual Incision and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), was sent to the ISS in January on a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft. The device containing the robot is very compact, as the space station doesn't provide enough space to fit a traditional room for medical emergencies. During the more than 20 years the ISS orbited Earth, onboard astronauts haven't suffered particularly serious medical conditions. A dedicated team of doctors, imaging specialists, psychologists and other medical professionals assist the space men from the ground, while one of the astronauts is required to undergo 40 hours of paramedic training in case of a real emergency. In the not-so-distant future, spaceMIRA could provide a potential alternative for properly treating such emergencies. As brief video footage provided by Virtual Incision to CNN shows, the miniature robot was tested on a set of 10 rubber bands chosen to simulate human tissue during surgery. A team of six surgeons and three engineers was able to operate the robot "with ease" from Earth, even though the long-distance connection was causing a noticeable lag of around half a second during every single movement. Virtual Incision engineers coped with the lag by requiring larger motion by the human surgeon to perform smaller actions by the robot. The remote experiment was a success, but researchers think their robot would provide greater benefits here on Earth at this point. MIRA is currently being reviewed by the FDA, Virtual Incision confirmed, and if approved it could be deployed in remote (Earthly) locations where there is no room for larger, more complex robot surgery installations. In a nutshell: Even in this connected era where anything of value already seems to be on eBay, amazing discoveries are being made. In London, a routine house cleaning by a waste company uncovered two of the world's first desktop PCs, released back in the early 1970s, of which only three are known to still exist today. The employees of house clearance service 'Just Clear' were unsure what they had found when uncovering two ancient computers hidden under boxes in a London home. Rather than sending them to be disposed of, the company held onto the computers so the devices could be evaluated by experts online searches for information proved fruitless. It was confirmed that the computers were the Q1 PC, the world's first desktop PCs featuring a fully integrated single-chip microprocessor. Released by the Q1 Corporation in 1972, the computer has a flat-panel neon-orange plasma display and uses an Intel 8008 8-bit CPU, which was capable of addressing 16KB of memory with a maximum clock speed of 800 kHz. The 8008 architecture was designed by Computer Terminal Corporation (CTC) and implemented and manufactured by Intel. It was originally designed to be used in CTC's Datapoint 2200 programmable terminal, but an agreement between CTC and Intel permitted the latter to market the chip to other customers after Seiko expressed an interest in using it for a calculator. In addition to the Q1, the 8008 was used in the US SCELBI kit and the pre-built French Micral N and Canadian MCM/70. Also see: Die photos and analysis of the revolutionary 8008 microprocessor What makes the recent discovery even more surprising is that only a few Q1 PCs were ever brought over to the UK, and only three are known to exist in the world today. The two computers were put on show at a technology exhibition at Kingston University in Surrey, which ended on Saturday. Just Clear's boss Brendan O'Shea said (via The Mirror), "Our teams find all sorts of things while clearing houses on a daily basis, some with historical significance, but never did I imagine that we'd find something so important to the field of technology and the history of computing." "Occasionally, we encounter items deemed important enough to preserve and archive for the future in an auction sale or, in this case, an exhibition. I'm told that these models are extremely rare, so to find a pair of them is beyond exciting," he added. It's expected that both the Q1 machines will now be placed for auction or sold to a private buyer. No word on how much they might go for, but a 1979 edition of the Association of Computer Users' Benchmark Report notes that a Q1 sold for $20,500 at the time, which would be about $87,000 today. A unique staycation: Looking to "get away" for an extended period? Does a year-long simulated vacation on Mars tickle your fancy? If so, NASA wants to hear from you. The space agency is looking for another batch of participants to live in its simulated Mars colony. The second of three planned simulations here on Earth, CHAPEA (short for Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) is set to begin in the spring of 2025. The goal of the mission is to help NASA achieve a better understanding of what life on Mars will eventually be like for the first human visitors. NASA is seeking healthy US citizens (or permanent residents) who are between the age of 30 and 55, don't smoke, and speak English, for what it calls a unique and rewarding adventure. Applicants must also meet certain NASA astronaut criteria, such as having a master's degree in a STEM field with at least two years of professional experience, or a minimum of 1,000 hours piloting an aircraft. Selected individuals will live inside a 1,700-square-foot 3D-printed habitat at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston for one year, and will work as part of a four-person crew. During their time in the Mars Dune Alpha habitat, participants will experience the same sort of tasks and stressful situations that real astronauts on Mars might one day face including limited resources, communications delays, and equipment failures. Crew members will also be responsible for conducting simulated spacewalks, growing crops, exercising, and maintaining the habitat again, just as real astronauts would on the Red Planet. NASA describes the gig as a volunteer program, although the agency does add that compensation for participating in the mission is available (but will be discussed during the candidate screening process). The first CHAPEA crew is currently more than half way through their year-long mission, having reached the 200-day mark on January 11. That four-person crew entered the habitat on June 25, 2023, and are scheduled to exit on July 6 of this year. Interested parties have until April 2 to submit their application. What just happened? Reddit is putting user-created content to work. The social news aggregator reportedly signed a contract earlier this year with Google that grants a large AI company permission to train its models using the platform's subject matter. Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that Reddit has been sharing the news with prospective investors ahead of its IPO. The deal is said to be worth around $60 million per year. The identity of the AI company that partnered with Reddit wasn't mentioned, nor do we know how long the contract is good for. Update (Feb 22): According to Reuters, the unnamed licensee party turns out to be Google. Insiders told the publication that Reddit generated roughly $800 million in revenue in 2023, an increase of about 20 percent over the previous year. Adding an extra $60 million or so to its bottom line on a yearly basis will no doubt help Reddit's cause as it relates to bringing investors aboard. Bloomberg previously reported that Reddit has been advised to seek a valuation of at least $5 billion in its IPO, which could take place as early as March 2024. Reddit's AI content deal isn't the first of its kind, nor will it be the last. Late last year, OpenAI signed a contract with German media company Axel Springer SE to train models using its content. Bloomberg at the time said that deal was valued at tens of millions of dollars. Axel Springer SE is responsible for several well-known media publications including Business Insider and Politico. In January, Bloomberg reported that the ChatGPT maker was also holding content licensing talks with other news organizations including FOX, CNN, and Time. AI trained on up-to-date news articles would be more well informed and be able to provide more accurate, real-time results compared to those only trained on legacy material. It remains to be seen how Reddit users will react to their content being used to train AI. Registered users are responsible for the site's content and some can be quite particular about how their data is used. Image credit: Brett Jordan, Igor Omilaev A hot potato: In 2019, Spotify filed a complaint with the European Union, alleging that Apple was stifling competition in the music streaming industry through its App Store payment policies. After five years, Brussels appears poised to take action against Cupertino for violating EU antitrust laws. According to unnamed sources cited in a recent Financial Times report, the European Union is set to announce a 500 million fine (approximately $539 million) against Apple for its alleged anticompetitive practices. This penalty, marking the first-ever fine imposed by Europe on Cupertino, is expected to be made public early next month, as per the sources. The fine is a result of the European Commission's antitrust investigation into Apple's conduct in the streaming market. Over the past five years, EU investigators scrutinized contractual restrictions imposed by Apple on app developers. The restrictions prevented third-party companies from informing customers about potentially cheaper alternatives to Apple Music, a practice that Spotify denounced in 2019. Apple eventually modified this policy in 2022 under regulatory pressure from Japan. The report from Financial Times asserts that Apple's actions contravene Europe's competition laws, leading to the substantial fine. Cupertino will be required to alter its business practices in the EU, allowing third-party apps to offer competitive prices outside the App Store on iOS devices. In 2023, the European Commission issued a preliminary Statement of Objections to Apple, accusing the company of abusing its dominant position. The Commission suggested that Cupertino could face a fine of up to 10 percent of its annual worldwide turnover, but the final ruling was still pending. A 500 million penalty, compared to a potential $40 billion fine, seems a more favorable outcome for Apple. However, it's worth noting that last year, the company urged Brussels authorities to drop the case entirely. Both Apple and European representatives are refraining from commenting on the recent Financial Times rumors, while Spotify continues to criticize Apple's alleged predatory business practices. Cupertino has recently announced adjustments to its App Store policies to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). Spotify CEO Daniel Ek characterized the new policies as "extortion," as Apple is now proposing a new fee for each individual download, along with a 17 percent "rent" for apps to be featured in the App Store. According to Ek, these conditions would render Spotify's business, serving 100 million users in Europe, "untenable." Deepfakes pose significant risks globally, particularly in nonconsensual pornography cases. One cause of this alarming issue is the accessibility of AI tools, such as DALL-E and Stable Diffusion, which have enabled individuals with limited technical knowledge to create deepfakes. Generated through the power of artificial intelligence, deepfakes are images, video, or audio recordings that have been modified using an algorithm to replace the individual with a popular figure in a manner that seems real. (Photo : STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)This photo illustration created on July 18, 2023, in Washington, DC, shows an advertisement to create AI girls reflected in a public service announcement issued by the FBI regarding malicious actors manipulating photos and videos to create explicit content and sextortion schemes. A 2019 study titled "The State of Deepfakes" by Deep Trace revealed that 96% of deepfake videos were pornographic, impacting millions globally, according to a Business Insider report. The most recent deepfake controversy was the circulation of deepfake porn images of Taylor Swift identified on a celebrity porn website in January. This incident was condemned by the pop superstar's followers and tech leaders and prompted government actions to address rising concerns over AI risks. Moreover, deepfakes may falsely incriminate, influence public opinion, or blackmail. As AI technology advances and becomes easily accessible, deepfakes have become more hazardous and more challenging to identify. Efforts to Curb Harmful Deepfakes Addressing this concern, the Biden administration endorses digital watermarks, while Google and Meta implement "digital credentials" to label AI-generated content, enhancing public awareness and facilitating easier removal. OpenAI is developing detection tools, including visual watermarks and hidden metadata, aligning with Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) standards. Additionally, dedicated platforms like Sensity, designed to verify content origins, provide added layers of protection. Emerging defensive tools like Nightshade aim to safeguard against image manipulation. They add imperceptible signals that disrupt AI processing while preserving the image's intended appearance for human viewers. Legislative efforts are underway, with at least 10 states implementing legal protections against deepfakes. The Federal Communications Commission has banned AI-generated robocalls, and a bipartisan federal bill, the DEFIANCE Act, seeks civil remedies for victims of sexual deepfakes. Spotted: Lady Gaga Hits the Streets in a Tesla Cybertruck TechTimes previously reported on a proposed modification of the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) deepfake ban that is reportedly imminent, aiming to extend coverage to all consumers against AI-generated impersonation. The existing ban primarily targets businesses and government agencies. The FTC acknowledges the need for broader protection due to the increasing number of complaints about impersonation fraud. Alongside this proposed extension of protection, the FTC is contemplating making it illegal for AI platforms to generate text, video, or images to offer products or services known or suspected of being used to deceive customers through impersonation. Critical updates to the current government and business impersonation rules provide more robust tools to combat con artists. The rule enables filing federal court cases directly against con artists to reclaim earnings from their government or business impersonation schemes. What Deepfake Victims Can Do Despite legislative efforts, debates around free speech complicate the issue, particularly in the UK, where the Online Safety Act criminalizes the distribution of deepfake porn but not its creation. Criminalizing deepfake creation acts as a deterrent, emphasizing the importance of introducing obstacles and legal deterrents to reduce the intentional creation and distribution of deepfakes. Currently, victims of deepfake porn have the option to take down offensive AI-generated content. To report deepfake porn, victims or their representatives can utilize Google's removal request page, the sole platform currently offering this service. While generative AI has enabled easy content creation with both positive and negative consequences, affected individuals can seek removal from search engines. Google has committed to implementing additional safeguards to address the issue on its platform. Related Article: 2024 US Presidential Election Integrity at Risk: Cybersecurity Experts Warn of AI and Deepfake Threats 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. Germany and Europe stand prepared to support peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia to the fullest extent of their capabilities, German Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ralf Horlemann said on X, Trend reports. "I confirmed this during negotiations with both countries. It's positive that both parties agreed to resolve outstanding issues without resorting to repeated use of force," the ambassador said. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Despite the adherence of Apple to certain EU rules and laws, the company is now facing a reported fine under the region's governing body, with as much as $538 million asked from the company. This centers on alleged anticompetitive actions of the company, particularly on its App Store's music streaming market policy, as part of a years-long complaint. The initial complaint came from Apple Music's renowned rival, Spotify, especially as there were no available third-party payment channels on iOS before. Apple Faces $538M Fine on the EU for App Store Policy The Financial Times first reported about Apple's upcoming fine in the European region for its App Store policy in music streaming markets, one that sets the company at about 500 million euros (538 million US dollars). This is about the complaint from Spotify filed in 2019 about third-party payment channels, one of the top issues against Apple by various companies. EU's focus on the case is more on how Apple's policy on the App Store affected the music streaming market specifically, especially with its massive restrictions on the other options. It was said that Apple got a complaint for illegally blocking music streaming platforms for offering third-party payment options outside the App Store, for it to still earn the 30 percent commissions. Read Also: TikTok Loses Court Bid to Suspend New EU Rules Designating It as 'Gatekeeper' Spotify's Anticompetitive Complaint vs. Apple The Spotify complaint against Apple centered on the anticompetitive behavior of the Cupertino giant, and this began in 2019 with the Swedish streaming platform's formal complaint. Soon, it will see a conclusion says the reports, one that would end with Apple facing its first-ever fine on the EU for its anticompetitive practices, with an estimated $538 million fine. Apple App Store and the EU The threats against Apple's operations, especially for the App Store, were made apparent when the EU first started dancing around the introduction of the Digital Markets Act, popularly known as the DMA. It went from a proposition to a law now, and this already threatened Apple's operations in the country, with the company focusing on adhering to the DMA for its different products and services. Apple was branded as a gatekeeper, and certain technologies of the company will soon see a significant change to adhere to the said law and avoid fines. This includes the sideloading coming to the iOS on iPhone only, Safari, third-party payment channels, iPhone's NFC, and more, but this does not include the iMessage as it is not part of the gatekeeper list. Initially, Apple's announced changes for the DMA covered massive possible violations for the company, but it is not yet the end of the EU's significant hold over the company, especially with its European operations. The report now centers on a massive fine against Apple for its App Store policy in music streaming markets, and despite allowing third-party payment channels, is possibly facing a massive fine for it. Related Article: Apple iMessage May Stay Exclusive in the EU, Not a 'Gatekeeper' 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The past week saw significant updates on known issues already, especially with the massive rise of deepfake and AI-generated porn on the internet, linked to various renowned services and technologies present. There is also new intel received by the United States government about Russia's development of anti-satellite weapons, alerting the country's space infrastructure. Japan is also making the weekly top list for the world's first wood satellite called the LignoSat, set to launch later this year and make its way to orbit. Deepfake and AI Porn Presents Massive Dangers One of the most significant dangers in the world now is also its top technology, AI, and this is because when used in the wrong applications, may help create disrespectful and misleading content like deepfake. The rise of deepfake pornography and AI-generated explicit content is massive in the world, especially with easily accessible tools available now. It was stated in a study that 96 percent of deepfakes now center on pornography, and most of this AI-generated content is nonconsensual, damaging the images and feelings of people whose likenesses were used. Platforms like OpenAI's DALL-E 2 and Stable Diffusion AI are regarded to allow these deepfakes to be made. However, there are certain efforts looking to curb deepfake and AI porn generation, with the Biden Administration suggesting digital watermarks for it, alongside more restrictions to creating this content. Read Also: Yamaha Unveils the World's First Hydrogen-Powered Outboard Engine at Miami International Boat Show Russia's Anti-Satellite Weapon Development Based on the recent intel that the United States was able to get, Russia is now developing anti-satellite weapons that could destroy or remove an orbiting spacecraft. According to the anonymous source, this new effort by the transcontinental country poses a massive threat to the safety and security of US satellites. This effort by Russia was shared among top officials of the US Congress and other allies in Europe. According to AP's report, this new weapon could affect significant communications, surveillance, and military operations in the world. This new intelligence also adds to the US' designation of Russia as one of the top threats in space, centering on the counter-space capabilities of the country. Japan's LignoSat: Satellite Made of Wood Satellites launched in the past and present were made of top Earth metals which are durable and can last the rigorous conditions of space, but researchers from Japan have created one out of wood. The so-called "LignoSat" from the Kyoto University and the Sumimoto Forestry is a first-of-its-kind spacecraft that centers on wood materials for its body. The goal of the research is to introduce biodegradable materials in space, taking an important step toward reducing the environmental impact of space exploration. Despite many beliefs, Kyoto University's extensive testing was able to demonstrate that wood can be durable in space-like conditions. Its project would soon test its capabilities in real space applications. This centers on removing the harmful byproducts of spacecraft now, with a target to launch the wood-made satellite later this Summer 2024. Related Article: Tech Layoffs Signal a Broader Decline of 'Thinking' Jobs, Expert Says 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Miruku, a pioneer in plant-based dairy technology, secures additional capital as it advances its innovative approach to proof of concept. (Photo : Miruku) Miruku's NZ management team - Back: Abby Thompson (COO), Ira Bing (Co-Founder, Head of Strategy); Front: Thomas Buchanan (Ops Lead), Amos Palfreyman (Co-Founder, CEO), Lachlan Nixon (Motion Capital) Securing More Capital Operating within the dynamic landscape of food tech investment, Miruku maintains its lead with cutting-edge molecular farming technology. CEO Amos Palfreyman underscores the effectiveness of their proactive strategy, positioning Miruku several years ahead of its emerging competitors. Going beyond the traditional challenges of dairy production, Miruku's expansion aims to tackle critical food security and nutrition issues. Miruku secured $2.4 million in seed funding to refine its molecular farming technology. As stated in its press release, this groundbreaking approach involves programming plant cells to function as miniature factories, capable of synthesizing essential proteins, fats, and sugars, traditionally derived from animals. In a significant development, the company also unveiled a $5 million investment in what Palfreyman referred to as a pre-Series A round. Motion Capital spearheaded the funding, with participation from Movac, an investor from the seed round, and NZVC, a new investor. While Palfreyman did not disclose the company's valuation, he confirmed that it marked an "up round." This fresh injection of capital empowers Miruku to bolster its crop development initiatives, notably through a strategic partnership with CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization), the prominent Australian government agency specializing in scientific research. Also Read: PaintJet Secures $10M Series A Funding to Revolutionize Industrial Painting As part of this collaboration, Miruku intends to conduct field trials in Australia using its modified safflower varieties, as outlined by Palfreyman. Miruku's foremost priority is to advance its technology and move closer to market readiness. This includes broadening its presence in Australia and exploring avenues to establish a foothold in the United States. Setting Apart from Competitors While competitors like Mozza Foods and Nobell Foods also harness molecular farming, Miruku sets itself apart with its business-to-business focus and the unique capability to modify both proteins and fats within the same plant. Additionally, TechCrunch reported that Miruku's strategic choice of safflower as its primary crop underscores its commitment to sustainability and resilience in varying climates. Following its seed round, the company has made significant strides in refining its proprietary dairy seed system. Initially, Miruku focused on programming plants to produce dairy proteins that could be extracted from seeds. However, the approach has since evolved to capitalize on the interactions between recombinant dairy casein and native plant proteins, with or without enhancements to fatty acid profiles. This breakthrough enables the company to utilize a larger portion of the seed, converting it into a versatile range of ingredients tailored for the food and beverage industry. Miruku has successfully achieved several key proof-of-concept milestones, demonstrating the viability and potential of its dairy seed system. In tandem with these advancements, Miruku has expanded its team, tripled its size, and established partnerships with various food manufacturing partners for collaborative development opportunities. Additionally, the company has broadened its presence to include Israel and Australia, with Australia serving as the launch pad for its initial market entry. Related Article: Empowering Non-Engineers: Lutra AI Secures $3.8m Seed Funding for Code-First AI Workflows 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Government contractor Capita is now reportedly using artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up the military recruitment process for the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Capita reportedly uses AI to analyze and summarize medical records submitted with applications to determine if an applicant is qualified to join. Sources indicate using AI is meant to expedite a sometimes drawn-out procedure. Specifically, AI is utilized after a general practitioner (GP) scans or uploads documents to a secure system. Afterward, the AI technology turns the data into searchable records, enabling recruiters to analyze emails, electronic documents, voice messages, and handwritten notes in one format. (Photo : JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images) A visitor watches an AI (Artificial Intelligence) sign on an animated screen at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the telecom industry's biggest annual gathering, in Barcelona. Previously, as part of the hiring process, GPs had to provide 40,000 of these medical records annually for manual assessment by recruiting staff. Recruiters often analyze every application 50-100 pages of health records, and the manual evaluation process takes at least an hour per applicant. A defense source claims that since the company started utilizing AI in the summer of last year, the time it takes to complete medical assessments has drastically decreased. The technology has been credited with processing more applications in recent months. According to a Capita source, the modifications and other modernizations have resulted in a 25% decrease in overall application times since 2016. Read Also: Three UK Suffers Service Disruption, Leaves 10.5 Million Customers Frustrated Capita's Ministry of Defence Contract This is part of Capita's contract extension with the Ministry of Defence, which is expected to end this year. A partnership that has been fairly criticized for its less-than-favorable results. In 2019, reports indicate that senior members of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) blasted Capita and the Army for persistent issues with IT systems that are essential to the operation of the Recruiting Partnership Project, calling the contract "abysmal." Capita has since then transformed its recruitment process, more evidently by this recent use of artificial intelligence to speed up its recruitment process. Capita maintained, however, that face-to-face interaction and engagement with serving soldiers will always be essential components of the Army recruitment process. Still, AI technology has indeed made some steps of the process faster, easier, and more efficient. UK Military Staff Crisis The company further adds that they are using AI technologies to speed up the hiring process, get more individuals into basic training more quickly, and assist in keeping prospects from quitting. Capita AI-assisted recruitment also comes amidst the decreasing number of military personnel. As per reports, since the Falklands War, active service troops have decreased by 60%, leaving the Army, Navy, and Air Force with just 134,000 fully trained men. At a recent conference, General Sir Patrick Sanders, the retiring chief of the British Army, issued a warning, stating that should Britain need to go on the offensive, its reserve forces would not be adequate. At a recent gathering in London, US Navy Secretary Carlos del Toro stated that further funding for the Royal Navy was "significantly important." Related Article: India to Block Proton Mail After Bomb Threat Hoax 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA is currently soliciting volunteers for its forthcoming second-year-long simulated Mars mission, scheduled to commence in the spring of 2025. (Photo : Juli Kosolapova from Unsplash) When NASA sent the Mars Perseverance rover to the red planet, it stumbled upon things that caught the attention of the scientists. Seeking Volunteers for Mars Mission Known as CHAPEA 2 (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog), this initiative constitutes one of three ground-based experiments aimed at investigating the physiological and psychological effects of prolonged habitation and labor on the Martian terrain. Aspiring participants are invited to contribute to this research endeavor, which seeks to advance NASA's preparedness for the eventual human exploration of Mars, anticipated to occur in the 2030s. Chosen crew members are set to inhabit the Mars Dune Alpha habitat, a 3D-printed structure located at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. This innovative habitat is meticulously crafted to replicate the harsh and isolated conditions expected on Mars, complete with constraints such as limited resources, potential equipment malfunctions, communication delays, and assorted challenges. However, the routine won't simply consist of eating, sleeping, and repeating tasks. The crew will be engaged in a variety of activities, including simulated spacewalks, robotic operations, habitat maintenance, exercise regimens, and cultivation of crops. Additionally, they will grapple with the psychological and social dynamics inherent in residing within a small, close-knit group over an extended period. NASA's Criteria NASA is currently seeking applications from eligible candidates to participate in its CHAPEA missions. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, aged between 30 and 55, non-smokers, and proficient in English. Additionally, candidates should hold a master's degree in a STEM field or possess equivalent professional or military experience. A passion for adventure and a commitment to contributing to NASA's mission are also essential qualities sought. The application window remains open until April 2, 2024, accessible through the CHAPEA website. While the mission offers compensation, the exact amount is not disclosed. Prospective participants will undergo a thorough screening process, encompassing medical and psychological evaluations, interviews, and specialized training. NASA anticipates that the CHAPEA missions will yield valuable insights into the human factors and technologies requisite for future Mars expeditions. The ongoing first CHAPEA mission commenced in August 2023, with the third mission slated for 2026. Also Read: NASA Ends Ingenuity Helicopter's Mission on Mars-No More Flights for the Spacecraft Integral to NASA's Artemis program, the CHAPEA missions align with the agency's broader objective of establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon and paving the way for human exploration of Mars. Under the Artemis initiative, Interesting Engineering reported that NASA aims to achieve significant milestones, including landing the first woman, the first person of color, and the agency's first international partner astronaut on the lunar surface. The Moon will serve as a testing ground for technologies and methodologies essential for eventual Mars missions. For those who believe they possess the necessary attributes to embark on a year-long Martian adventure, this opportunity holds the promise of a lifetime, offering the potential to leave an indelible mark on history. Related Article: Mars Teams Up With Einride To Deploy 300 Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks Across Europe by 2030 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new ramping effort to clean up space garbage already made its way to orbit, with RocketLab's recent launch commissioned by Astroscale to bring the ADRAS-J demonstration satellite to its first mission. The new satellite may still be a demo satellite, but it is looking to test its capabilities with one space junk present on the low-Earth orbit (LEO) now, centering on JAXA's defunct rocket. This is one of the first steps toward addressing the growing space pollution the world sees now, especially with the massive harm it can bring humans on the ground and in space alike. Astroscale's ADRAS-J is Now in Orbit for Demonstration RocketLab shared the decoupling of the Astroscale ADRAS-J demonstration satellite earlier today, with the company bringing the new spacecraft via its Electron rocket, one that will help against space junk during its stay. According to the company, Astroscale's ADRAS-J will soon begin its mission to rendezvous with JAXA's H-2A rocket, centering on its upper stage that is currently in orbit. Astroscale said that its new ADRAS-J is ready to meet with several space debris in orbit, centering on space sustainability and cleanup efforts. In this mission the ADRAS-J satellite will gather massive information and look into the state of selected space debris in orbit, determining possible missions to rid of the garbage. Read Also: Airbus 'Detumbler' Aims to Keep Dead Satellites Tumbling in the Earth's Orbit-How It Works ADRAS-J: Space Garbage Cleanup Efforts Demo ADRAS-J was commissioned by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) under Phase I of the Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration program which will focus on the H-2A rocket. This Japanese upper-stage rocket has been in orbit since 2009, and the ADRAS-J will supply the ground team with extensive information, taking images, and assessing its condition over the next months. Space Junk and Its Massive Problem Cleaning up the Earth is hard, and what more for the hard-to-reach areas like the low-Earth orbit where much space junk is residing, with some forgotten by its respective space agencies or companies already. While there is space garbage which is left behind, there are some who are results of failed missions, one that blew up upon reaching the cosmos. There are massive ventures towards regulating the space junk present in orbit, with the pollution outside the Earth possibly bringing harm to humans in the long run. It was previously proposed and ruled by the Federal Communications Commission that satellites should be deorbited five years after their completion, one that would help avoid adding to the growing problem. Various developments among space companies have already been made towards eliminating space junk or recollecting forgotten trash to avoid presenting more dangers to current missions, especially for the International Space Station. This recent venture from Astroscale, is targeting the defunct Japanese rocket, H-2A, with future efforts coming, depending on the satellite's demonstration. Related Article: Scientists Push for International Legally-binding Treaty To Eliminate Space Junk 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a significant collaborative effort, leading technology companies have come together to address the deceptive use of artificial intelligence in the forthcoming global elections. (Photo : JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) An illustration picture taken in London on December 18, 2020 shows the logos of Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft displayed on a mobile phone. Addressing Deceptive Use of AI During Elections "Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI in 2024 Elections" was unveiled at the Munich Security Conference. Notable participants in this accord include Adobe, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Snap Inc., and Meta, among others. The accord involves 20 major players pledging to utilize advanced technology to detect and counter harmful AI-generated content designed to mislead voters. Outlined within the agreement are eight specific commitments aimed at combating deceptive AI-generated content related to elections. These commitments extend to AI-generated audio, video, and images that alter the appearance, voice, or actions of political candidates and other prominent figures, disseminating false information about voting logistics. This collaboration underscores the industry's recognition of the importance of addressing the misuse of AI technology in the electoral process and its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of elections worldwide, as reported by Interesting Engineering. Also Read: Fake Biden 'Pedophile' Video on Facebook Now Considered Malicious, Meta Oversight Board Rules Ambassador Dr. Christoph Heusgen emphasized the accord's significance by stating that elections are the beating heart of democracies. He underscored the importance of the Tech Accord as a pivotal measure in advancing election integrity, bolstering societal resilience, and fostering trustworthy tech practices. Despite the commendable advancements in AI technology, the proliferation of "deepfakes," AI-generated content that convincingly manipulates visuals and audio, poses a significant threat. This threat underscores the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the democratic process. Safeguarding Elections In recent months, residents of New Hampshire found themselves targeted by deceptive robocalls purporting to be from President Joe Biden. These calls urged constituents to abstain from voting in the presidential primary and instead instructed them to cast their votes directly in the November general election. In an extensive blog entry, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft Brad Smith, underscored a multifaceted strategy to confront the threats posed by deepfakes in the upcoming 2024 elections. Smith outlined three fundamental pillars underlying the commitments of the accord. Primarily, the accord endeavors to heighten the challenge for malicious actors seeking to exploit legitimate tools for generating deepfakes. This involves fortifying the security framework within AI services, conducting risk assessments, and implementing safeguards to forestall misuse. The second pillar entails collaborative efforts to detect and address deepfakes in elections. Microsoft will utilize its AI for Good Lab and Threat Analysis Center to enhance detection capabilities. Additionally, a new web page will enable political candidates worldwide to report deepfake concerns. The final pillar underscores the importance of transparency and societal resilience. Microsoft commits to publishing an annual transparency report, engaging with global civil society organizations and academics, and supporting public awareness campaigns. While the Tech Accord is a significant step forward, Smith emphasized that safeguarding electoral integrity requires shared responsibility across borders and political affiliations. Related Article: POTUS Biden Robocall: New Hampshire Voters Advised Not to Vote, Attorney General Says It's Fake 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. MIT engineers have introduced a breakthrough in authentication technology with the development of a tamper-proof ID tag. (Photo : Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) A sign on the campus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology on July 08, 2020 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Introducing New Tamper-Proof ID Tag Unlike traditional RFID tags, which are known for their size, cost, and susceptibility to counterfeiting, MIT stated in its press release that this innovative cryptographic chip utilizes terahertz waves for enhanced security and affordability. Significantly smaller and more cost-effective than RFID tags, the new ID tag boasts improved security measures. It leverages the distinct pattern of metal particles within the adhesive, effectively serving as a unique fingerprint. This feature enables the authentication system to detect any tampering attempts, such as removing and reattaching the tag to a counterfeit item. Although initially invented by MIT researchers several years ago, the previous iteration of the tag shared the same vulnerability as RFID tags. However, engineers have successfully addressed this flaw by incorporating an anti-tampering feature, capitalizing on the properties of terahertz waves. This advancement marks a significant leap forward in authentication technology, promising both heightened security and cost-effectiveness. Terahertz waves, situated between microwaves and infrared light, offer advantages over traditional radio waves: higher bandwidth, improved resolution, and lower power consumption. They also penetrate materials like clothing and plastic. The new tag uses tiny slots to allow terahertz waves to reach the adhesive layer. This layer contains microscopic metal particles that reflect the waves randomly, creating a unique pattern. The tag deciphers this pattern into a digital code, forming a distinct fingerprint for the item, which is then compared to a database for authentication. Testing Effectivity To confirm the tag's effectiveness, engineers created a compact, light-powered chip and developed a machine-learning model to identify similar adhesive patterns with 99% accuracy. When it was time to test the antitampering tag, Lee encountered a significant challenge: acquiring precise measurements to determine the similarity between two glue patterns proved to be extremely difficult and time-consuming. Seeking a solution, Lee enlisted the help of a colleague from the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). Together, they addressed the issue by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI). Through rigorous training, they developed a machine-learning model capable of accurately comparing glue patterns, achieving a remarkable accuracy rate exceeding 99%. Also Read: Apple Pay is Hit with the Company's 5th Patent Infringement Lawsuit from RFCyber! Despite the success of their approach, Interesting Engineering reported that Lee acknowledges a limitation: the demonstration relied on a limited data sample. However, he remains optimistic, noting the potential for improvement with the deployment of a larger number of tags in supply chains, which would provide ample data for refining the neural network. Moreover, the authentication system faces constraints due to the characteristics of terahertz waves. These waves experience high levels of loss during transmission, necessitating a short distance of approximately 4 centimeters between the sensor and tag for accurate readings. While suitable for applications like barcode scanning, this proximity poses challenges for other potential uses, such as automated highway toll booths. Additionally, the angle between the sensor and tag must be less than 10 degrees to prevent degradation of the terahertz signal. Related Article: MIT Developing Vibrating Capsule: Potential Breakthrough in Weight Management?' 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google Messages, the popular messaging app that comes pre-installed on many Android smartphones, is set to receive significant upgrades with the addition of several useful features. With over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide, the app has recently been on a roll, consistently introducing new features to improve the user experience. Now, it appears that Google Messages is teasing new functionalities (via SpAndroid). New Features for Google Messages One of the most anticipated features teased by Google Messages is the addition of camera effects. While the app already includes a built-in camera activity that differs from the default camera app on smartphones, it appears that Google is working to improve this feature with special effects. These camera effects are expected to add a new dimension to the app's photo-sharing capabilities, allowing users to apply filters or other effects directly from the camera interface. While details on the specific effects are scarce, strings within the app indicate that users can turn them on or off, providing a fun and customizable experience. Read Also: Google to Run Ads Helping EU Citizens Identify Manipulative Content, Months Before EU Elections Delete Top Contacts In addition to camera effects, Google Messages also hints at removing top contacts from the app's interface. When users tap the search icon in Google Messages, a list of top contacts with whom they have recently chatted appears. However, a new flag discovered in the most recent beta version of the app suggests that Google may be planning to remove this feature altogether. By activating the flag, beta testers discovered that the top contacts list vanished completely, potentially streamlining the user experience and decluttering the app's interface. Preview Draft Messages Furthermore, Google Messages is considering removing the preview of draft messages from the main screen. Typically, when users start typing a message and then navigate away from the conversation or close the app, a preview of the draft message remains visible on the main screen. However, a new flag discovered in the beta version indicates that Google may be planning to remove this preview, providing a cleaner appearance to the app's main screen. While this change may hide a helpful feature, it could also contribute to a more streamlined and visually appealing user interface. Google Messages is also expected to allow users to opt in or out of providing usage and diagnostics information. This setting, which is anticipated to be available in the app's settings menu under "Advanced" > "Usage & Diagnostics," will allow users to decide whether they want to share information collected from their Google account associated with the app. Overall, the upcoming features teased by Google Messages promise to enhance the app's functionality and user experience significantly. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Google to Roll Out UX Upgrades for Docs, Sheets, Slides Next Month 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Rengo, a Japanese cardboard manufacturer, has announced ambitious plans to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from construction waste by 2027. As first reported by Nikkei Asia, the company's investment of around 20 billion yen ($133 million) represents a significant step in Japan's efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation sector. Producing Sustainable Jet Fuel SAF, known for emitting 70-90% less carbon dioxide over its lifecycle than conventional jet fuel, has emerged as a critical solution in the quest for sustainable air travel. Rengo's endeavor is consistent with Japan's goal of increasing SAF usage to 10% of domestic airline fuel consumption by 2030, in line with global efforts to combat climate change. While ethanol derived from crops such as corn and plants has traditionally been the primary source of SAF, Rengo's innovative approach involves repurposing construction waste, which aims to reduce environmental impact while tapping into Japan's industrial resources. This shift addresses concerns about potential disruptions to Japan's food supply chain caused by traditional ethanol production methods. It is important to note that in 2023, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) made a significant change to energy regulations. They released a new rule allowing the use of lower-carbon ethanol until 2028. This move helps Japan meet its climate goals through the consumption of lower-carbon ethanol. Additionally, for the first time, US ethanol can now fully enter Japan's biofuel market. Rengo's subsidiary, Taiko Paper Mfg., will lead the initiative, leveraging its manufacturing and waste management expertise. The company intends to install cutting-edge saccharification, fermentation, and distillation facilities at its main plant to produce ethanol from construction waste. Rengo's venture, with a target production volume of 20,000 kiloliters per year, is well-positioned to contribute significantly to SAF supply chains. Read Also: 'Self-Eating' Rocket Consumes Itself for Extra Fuel, Could Curb Space Junk Waste Wood and Industrial Waste Recovery Aside from environmental benefits, Rengo anticipates strategic benefits from expanding its waste wood and industrial waste recovery business. While initial production costs may be higher than plant-derived ethanol, scalability and increased supply volume could give Rengo a competitive advantage in the long run. Japan's aviation industry, which lags behind its European counterparts and the United States in SAF development, stands to benefit from Rengo's pioneering efforts. Incorporating construction waste into SAF feedstock promises to improve procurement network stability, resulting in a more sustainable and reliable source for the industry. Rengo's projected production volume by 2030 is expected to meet about 1% of SAF's domestic demand, implying a significant market impact. This move demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainability and proactive approach to climate challenges. Meanwhile, other players in Japan's energy landscape are adopting sustainable solutions. JGC Holdings, a major player in plant construction, plans to begin domestic SAF production using waste cooking oil, highlighting a growing trend in the industry. However, challenges remain in obtaining waste cooking oil, necessitating the development of strong collection systems. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Europe Sees Record Drop in Fossil Fuel Use as Renewable Energy Surges 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. The XIV plenary session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) will be held in Baku on February 21-24, a source in Azerbaijan's parliament told Trend. The source said that parliamentary delegations from about 40 countries will take part in the session themed Strengthening regional cooperation for sustainable development in Asia. The event will include meetings of the Executive Council, plenary session, and committees of the organization in the political, economic, budgetary, social and cultural spheres, and discuss a number of organizational issues. The session will culminate with the adoption of the Baku Declaration and the final assembly session report. To note, the previous session of APA was held on January 8-10 in Antalya, Turkiye. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel (Photo : Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images) OpenAI's new Sora AI model creates realistic videos from text prompts; the results are amazing and terrifying. The company has already impressed us with its Chat GPT text bot and the text-to-image engine Dall-E. Now it's here with the Sora text-to-video tool, which can generate videos up to one minute long from text instructions. As you will see from the examples, the results are quite astonishing, although-like other so-called AI models, they're also full of weird giveaway glitches. "It is hard not to be in awe of how far these systems have progressed and what they are now able to do - from whole-cloth generation to more nuanced examples like extending the runtime or changing a video's setting," artist and designer Nick Heer says on his Pixel envy blog. Don't Trust Your Eyes Look at the weird salt-flats-astronaut video in this official Sora showreel, or check the individual version over at the Sora site. Unless you have real experience of analyzing this kind of thing, it's going to look awfully convincing. The only giveaway on first viewing is the kind of dead-stare look from the virtual "actors," which is also something of a signature look in still images created by Open AI rival Stability AI's text-to-image generator, Stable Diffusion. It really feels like a trailer for a pretty cool-looking indie sci-fi flick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK6y8DAPN_0 But Sora's output isn't always so good. It suffers from the same odd glitches as other AI image generators, which still have trouble with hands and feet. It's not on the YouTube showreel, but on the site, you can see a video made from the prompt "A stylish woman walks down a Tokyo street filled with warm glowing neon and animated city signage. She wears a black leather jacket, a long red dress, and black boots." The video looks realistic until you check out the woman's legs, which seem to switch places at some points. The video of the people in a future Lagos appears like giants until the swooping camera settles to the ground. But this is Sora's first public outing, and it's already good enough. Tell me that if you saw the fake footage of San Francisco during the gold rush in any other context, you wouldn't think it was real. Deep fakes and AI-generated photos are one thing, but video is a whole other game. We literally cannot trust video "evidence" anymore, and with the US presidential election and the U.K. general election both just around the corner, that's a terrifying prospect. "The biggest dangers are misinformation and manipulation, hands down. Imagine videos that can perfectly mimic public figures saying things they've never said or events that never happened. It's a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's a marvel of technology; on the other, it's a potential nightmare for misinformation," Brian Prince, founder and CEO of AI educational platform Top AI Tools, told Tech Times in an interview. Verifying Is Hard So, what can be done about protecting the integrity of images in the face of powerful AI-generating tools like Sora? On the face of it, not much. Open AI promises at the beginning of that showreel that there will be safeguards before this is released to the public. "While advances in AI have made it easier to manipulate videos, there are also technologies, such as blockchain, that can help maintain the authenticity and integrity of footage," Jared Floyd, founder and executive producer at Ajax Creative, told Tech Times. The problem is that the average viewer probably doesn't know what the blockchain is, let alone how to use it to verify videos. Protections and computer-visible watermarks may help prove a video's integrity (or not). However, that counts for nothing if a bad actor spreads compromising AI-generated videos on TikTok or Facebook. One fact about these generative models, whether text, photo, or video, is that they need huge resources to create. To trawl the internet for existing media and then feed that into a machine-learning model is extremely expensive in terms of money, computing power, and also the environmental impact of the electricity needed to run them. The costs involved have an upside for privacy. Right now, only a few companies are capable of such expenses, which means they can be regulated. The FTC is about to enact a new rule that will make the creators of AI tools liable for deep fakes created with their tools. That's a start, but at the speed at which this technology is moving, coupled with the harm it may cause in the upcoming elections, experts say the government needs to move fast on regulating generative AI, or the results could end up disastrous. Charlie Sorrel has been writing about technology, and its effects on society and the planet, for almost two decades. Previously, you could find him at Wired's Gadget Lab, Fast Company's CoExist, Cult of Mac, and Mac Stories. He also writes for his own site, StraightNoFilter.com, Lifewire Tech News, and iFixit. 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng announced its expansion plans, seeking to recruit 4,000 new workers and spend heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) technology in 2024. Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng noted in a staff letter on Sunday about the EV industry's "bloodbath" competition. He noted that to remain viable, Xpeng will invest 3.5 billion Chinese yuan ($486.2 million) in AI research and development, focused on "intelligent driving." Xpeng's Xpilot driver assistance technology allows semi-autonomous driving, as reported by CNBC. He Xiaopeng also announced intentions to introduce 30 new or enhanced automobile models over the next three years. Xpeng plans to launch its initial models in the 300,000 yuan ($41,600) and 150,000 yuan ($20,837) prices this year. (Photo: HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)People visit an Xpeng booth during the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai on April 19, 2023. Different Approach Amid Intensifying Competition Xpeng's deliveries, a critical sales indicator, have improved after a tough start last year. Xpeng is optimistic despite a Tesla-sparked pricing war in China's electric car sector. Considering the competition, He Xiaopeng called 2024 the start of a "knockout round" for Chinese manufacturers. He was confident in Xpeng's expertise and dedication, saying, "Our guts, grit, and perseverance, I firmly believe, will lead us to victory." As demand in the world's biggest car market falls, Xpeng's development ambitions contrast with its competitors' cost-cutting. In November 2023, Nio, another major Chinese EV producer, cut 10% of its workers to improve efficiency amid rising competition. Read Also: Microsoft-Backed OpenAI Hits $80 Billion Valuation in Groundbreaking Deal Chinese car manufacturers are exporting more as local demand falls. As China's car exports have grown, tensions abroad have risen, forcing the commerce ministry to promote the new energy vehicle sector and work with international enterprises. Xiaopeng stressed the necessity for Xpeng's performance to more than double in 2024, its 10th anniversary. In 2023, major car manufacturer Volkswagen announced its plan to invest $700 million in Xpeng to own 4.99% of the Chinese EV firm, per a Reuters report. China's EV Charging Infrastructure Expanding In recent developments in the EV industry that TechTimes reported, Toyota announced a $1.3 billion investment in its Georgetown, Kentucky, industrial complex to produce a three-row electric SUV for the US market. This is part of the company's electrification plans, which include installing a battery cell assembly factory for additional electric vehicles. Despite the large expenditure, the plant, which employs almost 9,400 people, will not expand employment. Toyota has spent approximately $10 billion on the Kentucky facility, demonstrating its commitment to high-quality car production and employment security. In January, China's growing EV charging infrastructure industry was highlighted by the agreement between battery manufacturer CATL and DiDi, a major ride-hailing company, to develop battery-swapping technology. The joint venture promotes sustainable transportation by improving public EV charging efficiency. SCMP reports that CATL and Didi will use their technical and operational expertise to service DiDi's EV fleet. CATL is optimistic about battery-swapping services, particularly in public transit, with a huge user base and frequent charging. Related Article: Chrysler Showcases New Halcyon EV Concept Touted to Have 'Unlimited' Range 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Researchers at Beihang University in China have recently unveiled a revolutionary multi-camera vision sensor that promises to improve the accuracy and capabilities of robots and drones. This breakthrough sensor has the potential to transform industries that rely on precise visual measurements, including autonomous vehicles and motion-sensing technology. Improved Camera Vision Sensor for Robots Traditionally, sensors used in robotics and drones were limited by the field of view (FOV) of individual cameras, making it difficult to collect accurate data. However, Beihang University's team has broken through these barriers with their innovative multi-camera differential binocular vision sensor. Inspired by sophisticated camera modules found in mobile phones, this cutting-edge sensor consists of a central, high-resolution camera and four peripheral auxiliary cameras. In a study published in Optics & Laser Technology, the researchers explained how these cameras work together to form a coordinated system similar to a pair of binoculars, allowing for a wider field of view while maintaining measurement accuracy. Fuqiang Zhou, co-author of the paper that introduced the sensor, explained to TechXplore that the aim was to meet the high-precision demands of environment perception in unmanned aerial vehicle detection, robot navigation, and autonomous driving. The researcher adds that by leveraging the principles of high-precision binocular vision measurement, they have achieved a breakthrough in sensor technology. The multi-camera sensor's unique design optimizes spatial arrangement, measurement range, and accuracy, resulting in precise three-dimensional measurements. Through rigorous testing, the researchers demonstrated that their sensor outperforms traditional binocular cameras by providing a wider field of view and higher measurement accuracy. Read Also: Future of Filmmaking: Researchers Unveil an Autonomous Drone Cinematography System Wide-Ranging Applications This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for multiple industries. In the context of intelligent driving systems, increased sensor accuracy could significantly improve navigation and collision avoidance capabilities. Similarly, in robotics, precise sensor measurements allow for more efficient and reliable operation in dynamic environments. Moreover, the applications go beyond robotics and drones. The sensor's versatility makes it suitable for use in a variety of motion-sensing devices, improving its ability to detect and track movement with unparalleled precision. From security systems to virtual reality platforms, the possibilities are endless. Looking ahead, the researchers hope to see their sensor widely integrated into autonomous systems, paving the way for safer and more efficient technologies. As Fuqiang Zhou stated, "In the field of vision measurement, binoculars are the best choice for high precision." With our sensor, we achieved high-precision vision perception with a wide field of view, setting a new standard for intelligent unmanned systems." The introduction of this multi-camera vision sensor represents a significant step forward in the advancement of robotics, drones, and other technologies. With its ability to improve accuracy and broaden the field of view, this innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize industries and shape the future of automation. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: 'Swarm' of More Than 100 Autonomous Robots Can Be Supervised by One Person, Research Shows 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A concerned father whose son died in a mass shooting in 2018 used AI to urge lawmakers to put an end to senseless killings. Through AI-produced voices, he knew that politicians could do something to address gun violence across the states. AI Voices Amplify the Call for Action March For Our Lives and Change the Ref, two advocacy groups, have launched a poignant campaign employing AI-generated voices of young victims to advocate for stricter gun control measures. These voices, recreated with the help of artificial intelligence, deliver heartfelt messages imploring legislators to address the ongoing epidemic of gun violence plaguing the nation. Related Article: Detecting AI Misinformation Remains Challenging: How to Avoid it A Father's Determination to Make a Difference Manuel Oliver, founder of Change the Ref, channels his grief into activism, determined to prevent others from experiencing the same tragedy. His son, Joaquin, lost his life in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Now, Manuel utilizes technology to ensure Joaquin's voice continues to be heard, demanding accountability from those in power. "The thing is, I died that day in Parkland. My body was destroyed by a weapon of war. I'm back today because my parents used AI to recreate my voice to call you," the AI voice says. Voices of the Silenced Speak Louder Than Ever Through The Shotline campaign, these AI-generated voices reach the desks of lawmakers, imploring them to enact meaningful gun control legislation. The initiative transcends traditional advocacy methods, leveraging technology to amplify the voices of the silenced and compel action on a pressing societal issue. As reported by CNN, Manuel and his wife have been very active in several campaigns. They know how it feels to lose someone they loved the most amid raging gun violence in the US. Because they need to be heard, Manuel decided to bring the voice of his son to seek attention from the authorities. AI-Generated Voices Face Ethical Concerns While the campaign garners widespread attention, it also faces scrutiny and ethical dilemmas. Some question the propriety of employing AI-generated voices of deceased individuals for advocacy purposes. Critics argue that such tactics may blur ethical boundaries and evoke discomfort among audiences. A Call for Compassionate Action Despite criticisms, Manuel remains steadfast in his mission to effect change. He emphasizes the urgency of addressing gun violence and dismisses detractors who prioritize comfort over meaningful action. For him, discomfort serves as a catalyst for change, compelling society to confront its collective apathy towards gun violence. Empowering Voices for Change As the campaign gains momentum, more than 54,000 voice calls have been dispatched to lawmakers, underscoring the potency of AI technology in advocacy efforts. The initiative exemplifies the intersection of technology and social activism, harnessing innovation to amplify marginalized voices and drive societal change. A Testament to Resilience The AI-generated voices of gun violence victims serve as a sad reminder of the human cost of inaction. We could never bring back the dead to their second life, but we can do something to give them the justice they deserve. Through The Shotline campaign, voices silenced by violence resonate with newfound strength, demanding accountability, compassion, and action from policymakers and society at large. Read Also: George Carlin's Daughter Slams AI-Generated Comedy Special Imitating Her Late Father 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Nakheel, a prominent property developer in Dubai, has been granted the first license to use 3D printing technology for building projects in the city. This landmark decision represents a significant step forward in Dubai's efforts to embrace innovative urban development solutions. The issuance of the license, as announced by the Planning and Development Department (Trakhees), marks a watershed moment in Dubai's construction landscape. Under the regulatory oversight of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), Nakheel has been granted permission to use 3D printing technology for its Al Furjan Hills project, which began in December 2023. Completed in 20 Days What distinguishes this development is the remarkable rate at which progress is being made. The printing process for the inaugural project was completed in just 20 days after construction began, demonstrating the efficiency and effectiveness of 3D printing technology in the building sector. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of PCFC, stated that the corporation is committed to implementing Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Decree No. (24) of 2021. This decree, which regulates the use of 3D printing in Dubai's construction industry, is expected to stimulate economic growth, promote environmental sustainability, and improve urban development (via Arabian Business). Furthermore, Bin Sulayem emphasized the strategic importance of working with key stakeholders, such as Nakheel, to establish Dubai as a global hub for construction and innovation. Trakhees, the regulatory authority in charge of integrating 3D printing technology, has played an important role in promoting its adoption and ensuring regulatory compliance. Nakheel's acquisition of the 3D printing license heralds a new era of construction in Dubai, marked by innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. 3D Printing Technology The advantages of 3D printing in construction are broad. It not only provides cost-effective and time-efficient alternatives to traditional methods, but it also significantly lowers labor costs and reduces the environmental impact of construction activities. With Dubai aiming to have 25% of its buildings built with 3D printing technology by 2030, the importance of this innovation cannot be overstated. This initiative aims to position the UAE and Dubai by 2030 as a leading hub of 3D printing technology for the "benefit of humanity." Read Also: Would You Live In A 3D-Printed House? Here's What You Should Know Europe's Largest 3D-printed Structure In parallel with Dubai's efforts, the global construction landscape is seeing remarkable advances in 3D printing technology. A notable example is the completion of a 3D-printed building in Heidelberg, Germany, which is both Europe's largest 3D-printed structure and the world's first 3D-printed data center. Work on the facility began last year with a BOD2 3D construction printer. With regulatory support, collaborative partnerships, and a shared vision for the future, the potential for transformative change in the construction industry is endless. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Researchers Use 3D Printing to Create Smart Concrete Wall for Safer, Sustainable Infrastructure 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. For the first time in the history of the Foundation's activities, the headquarters of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation hosted two-day meetings at the level of representatives of the foreign and culture ministries of the founding countries, experts in the field of cultural heritage, as well as project managers and research specialists of the organization, Trend reports. Within the framework of the meetings, expert group meetings were held, proposals for the preparation of the Convention on the Protection of Turkic Cultural Heritage were put forward, and the tasks set by the heads of Turkic states to the Turkic cooperation organizations and outlined in the program document TURKTIME were discussed. Opening the meeting with an introductory speech, the President of the Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova welcomed the participants and informed them about the agenda of the meeting. She emphasized that within the framework of the Turkic World Vision 2040 the work entrusted to the Foundation on the implementation of the Convention on the Protection of Turkic Cultural Heritage has already started. The agenda of the meeting included issues related to the preparation of the Convention on the Protection of Turkic Cultural Heritage, consideration of the Fund's Activity Plan for the next two years, and establishment of the Advisory Board of Restorers and Architectural Historians of the Turkic world under the organization. Then the presentation of the draft Convention on the Protection of Turkic Cultural Heritage was shown to the participants. Between the representatives of state authorities, expert groups, and employees of the Foundation there was an exchange of opinions on the improvement of the document and other issues of mutual interest. Productive work was carried out on the establishment of the Council of the Foundation and the preparation of the "Convention on the Protection of Turkic Cultural Heritage". Regular online and bilateral meetings were held with the expert group established by the Foundation to improve the said Convention, and then the conclusions were submitted to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture of the member countries of the organization. The meeting also reviewed the detailed two-year Action Plan of the Fund based on the applications of the member countries of the organization and proposals of the project managers, including projects for the promotion, protection, and restoration of the rich heritage of the Turkic world. During two days, the meetings were accompanied by speeches, mutual discussions, and proposals. To note, similar coordination meetings will continue to be held by the Fund in the future in order to make coordinated decisions. Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The proceedings were set in motion by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on December 30, 2022 On Monday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the highest judiciary organ of the United Nations, started its public hearings on the occupation policies of Israel against Palestine. The hearings take place in the courts seat in Den Haag, Netherlands. The proceedings were set in motion by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 30, 2022. Eighty-seven countries voted in favor of the resolution that decided to render an advisory opinion from the court on Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. 26 countries, including the U.S., several European countries, and their overseas allies such as Australia and Japan voted against it. The resolution and the according proceedings are separate from the recent case about allegations regarding Israel committing genocide in Palestine. The court will not set a judgment but an opinion, which still is considered to have enormous political and moral weight given the ICJs position in international politics. Paul Reichler, a legal representative for Palestine at the ICJ hearing on Israels occupation, says that the UNs top court cannot remain silent and that their words could change the world pic.twitter.com/pcON3OibtV Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 19, 2024 The proceeding deals with two main questions What are the legal consequences arising from the ongoing violation by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination from its prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures? How do policies and practices of Israel affect the legal status of occupation and what are the legal consequences that arise for all states and the United Nations from this status? Until July 25, 2023, 57 states have submitted written statements to the court. The oral proceedings, scheduled to take from February 19 to 26, provide 52 states to present their opinion. While some of these had presented their statements also in written form, 3 international organizations the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the African Union will also held their speeches in the chamber of the court in Den Haag, Netherlands. Upon finishing the oral proceedings, the court will present its opinion The first day of the hearing belonged entirely to the delegation of the Palestinian state. Riyad al Maliki, Foreign Minister of Palestine, held the first speech. I stand before you started al Maliki his words, as 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of them children, are besieged and bombed, killed and mined, starved and displaced, as more then 3.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are subjected to colonization of their territory and the racist violence that enables it. As 1.7 million Palestinians in Israel are treated a second-class citizens and unwelcomed intruders in their ancestral land. As 7 million Palestinian refugees continue to be denied their right to return to their lands and homes. Displacement, subjugation or death are the only options Israel leaves to the Palestinians, the foreign minister said, adding but we are here, and we will stay. Remembering the court of its landmark order a month ago in the case of South Africa versus Israel, where the ICJ accepted provisional measures stopping short of prohibiting Israels military operation, the Palestinian Foreign Minister added that "the only solution consistent with international law is for this illegal occupation to come to an immediate, unconditional and total end. Daniel Levy on the ICJ hearing on the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the legality of the peace treaty in light of Israel's violations of international law over the past 30 years. pic.twitter.com/WAA2f218ea Abier (@abierkhatib) February 19, 2024 Following al Maliki, Andreas Zimmerman, German professor for international and European law at the University of Potsdam spoke, arguing why the court was well able to provide an opinion on that matter. Some countries, among them Canada and the United Kingdom, argue in favor of Israel by rejecting the courts jurisdiction in the case. Israel made clear that it only tolerates one single state between the Mediterranean and the River Jordan, sad Zimmermann, arguing thus that the courts opinion will help keeping up international order and realize resolutions presented by the UN Security Council that demand a two-state-solution. This is the second time the U.N. General Assembly has asked the ICJ, also known as the World Court, for an advisory opinion related to the occupied Palestinian territory. In July 2004, the court found that Israel's separation wall in the West Bank violated international law and should be dismantled, though it still stands to this day. Paul Reichler, a legal representative for Palestine, followed, explaining in detail how occupation became annexation and thus illegal in terms of international law. While temporary occupation can be legal under certain circumstances, the UN charter prohibits the annexation by force, argued Reichler, and stated that Israel rejects to have occupied a foreign state. It shows no respect for Palestine sovereignty. It simply denies the existence of Palestine. The international lawyer quoted Israeli officials to prove his point and concluded from the presence of 465 thousand settlers the existence of a vast colonial enterprise. Palestine was not a land without a people. There was life on this land. Palestinian FM Riyad al-Maliki gave the first submission to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at a landmark hearing on Israels occupation of Palestinian territories pic.twitter.com/3p2TBn46Bs Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 19, 2024 Reichler in detail has shown that Israel thus violates a number of UN resolutions and criticized the U.S. position, delivered in a written statement, with the words: Just how far in disregarding the international legal order will the United States go to exempt Israel of the consequences of its ongoing violation of norms, including the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force? The courts opinion to declare the occupation illegal is the best and possibly the last hope to stop it completely, unconditionally, and immediately, said Reichler, and to achieve the two-state-solution. He was followed by Namira Negm, Egyptian lawyer and member of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law. Making se of UN reports, Negm detailed how Israels policies in the occupied territories tantamounted to apartheid. Israel restricts every aspect of Palestinian life from birth to death, said Negm. She presented how residential permits of Palestinians in Jerusalem were revoked, converting them from ancestral habitants to temporary visitors. For Israel, Palestinians are by definition guilty, said Negm, providing evidence that Israeli courts were ruling 99% of the subjects as guilty if they are Palestinians. Settler violence on the other side, occurring with Israeli government and military support, is rarely prosecuted let alone punished, the international law expert said. She then detailed the existence of an apartheid regime by emphasizing the existence of two different legal systems, serving the purpose of achieving dominance of one racial group over the other. The commission of inhumane acts is endemic and systemic, said Negm. She finished by demanding the court to recognize in its opinion the existence of an apartheid regime and warned that if occupation was not stopped, Palestine would turn into Bantustan. Bantustan were the so-called homelands designated by the white-dominated South African government to exclude Blacks from the political system. Melinda Nucifora has the latest from The Hague on ICJ hearing into Israel's occupation of Palestine pic.twitter.com/V2BjhauUxC TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) February 19, 2024 Philippe Sands, an expert on international law followed with a speech detailing how Israeli policies were eliminating the Palestinian right to self-determination. Sands presented how occupation of land, establishment of settlers, extending the wall and confining Palestinians to live in enclaves resulted in an acquisition of territory by force and thus a breach of international law. Sands also demonstrated that by expulsing people from their territories, Israel was committing demographic manipulation of the highest order. The expert also stated that Israel was appropriating systematically water resources, attacking, and outlawing political leaders, destroying educational, cultural and religious buildings, thus not only violating the right to self-determination but also pursuing the destruction of a population on an industrial scale. But, added the expert, Palestinian statehood is not dependent on Israels approval and reminded that UN law obliges all its members to end Israels presence on Palestinian territory. Alain Pellet, a French professor of international law, continued the argument. Deriving on international law, Pellet stated that Israel might be condemned to reparations for the caused damage. According to Pellet, international law already contains some obligations for third parties to the conflict, such as the prohibition of arms trade with Israel and refraining from any relations with it that include people or resources from the occupied territories. UN members are obliged to prosecute all individuals, be them their own or Israeli citizen, responsible for acts of apartheid, war crimes or genocide, Pellet said. The #ICJ will convene a hearing starting today, lasting six days, to hear briefings from 52 countries on illegal Israeli policies in the occupied Palestinian territory.#Palestine https://t.co/RJTp2vlAOG Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) February 19, 2024 Palestine considers it falls on the court to guide the UN to limit Israel Last to speak was Riyad Mansour, Palestines envoy to the United Nations. In a party very emotional speech, Mansour emphasized the court was gathering in the Great Hall of Justice in the Palace of Peace, while 2 million Palestinians are pushed to the border and the wall. We are a proud and resilient people, the envoy stated, asking what international means for a nation if it is trembled upon so much. Mansour called to court to confirm that Israels presence on the occupation territory is illegal and said, its legal consequences would pave the way to just and lasting peace. The hearing will continue on Tuesday, at 10 AM local time. South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Bolivia as well as, siding with Israel, Canada will make their presentations. 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 Jordi Evole apologizes to Camela in Lo de Evole for an article he wrote in 2000 Organ donation registry: how does it work? Answers to the most important questions Annoyed by a kissing couple: woman attacks the person sitting next to her on the train A man who was drunk on a train and threatened to hit a police officer has been detained by the railway police 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 A Blaugrana nightmare and the bogeyman Joao Felix: "It was a game for him, he made a difference" NBA: Victor Wembanyama and Gregg Popovich confirm the Spurs will come to Paris next season Defeat in the FA Cup: Klopp breaks off interview I have no nerves for you Defeat in the FA Cup: Klopp breaks off interview I have no nerves for you 9th day of the Grand Sumo Spring Tournament New entrant with only one winner Takafuji 9 consecutive wins IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics Analyst: the drivers of rising oil prices were signs of high demand in the United States The first batch of imported exhibits of the 135th Canton Fair entered the country smoothly Yen exchange rate: The yen depreciates to the low 149 yen level to the dollar, due to speculation regarding monetary policy. Daihatsu's name announced by the FTC: ``We were waiting, but we will set up a forum for discussions.'' La Unio denounces the second detection of Moroccan strawberries with hepatitis A in nine days Without unnecessary risks: the ruble has risen in price on the Moscow Exchange following the results of the presidential elections in Russia The "wave of rework" after the Spring Festival has driven the rental market in Guangzhou to heat up rapidly In the first two months, the total foreign trade import and export value of Kashgar, Xinjiang increased by 90% year-on-year. Anyone who moves will be stabbed. Al-Shifa Hospital is again under occupation bombing Palestinian official: Israel has increased its repression of prisoners since the beginning of Ramadan Saldo reported to Putin about the shelling of the Kherson region during the elections Lukashevich called on the OSCE to condemn the indiscriminate shelling of Russian cities by the Armed Forces of Ukraine September 28 massacres in Guinea: the trial focuses on a reclassification of the facts as crimes against humanity The PSOE announces that the Conflict of Interest Office files the PP complaint against Sanchez for not inhibiting himself in the rescue of Air Europa The head of the NATO PA, Shcherba, called on the alliance to mentally move on to the time of military threat In light of the confrontation with Israel... where has the Hezbollah-Free Patriotic Movement alliance reached? Messi did not play during his visit to Hong Kong, causing controversy. The organizer issued a 50% refund to the audience. Main threatened in Cote-d'Or: Nicole Belloubet in support of teachers and students still in shock Cdiscount smashes the price of this Bissell upright vacuum cleaner with this huge discount of 270 euros Civil servants will have the salary increase after Easter and before the Budgets are approved Niger: what follow-up after the denunciation of the military agreement between Niamey and Washington? TikTok is at the heart of the US election season 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. Faced with the risks of war with Russia, Latvia restores its military service for men Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. They simply had nowhere to evolve: a Russian paleontologist on the progress of scientific ideas about dinosaurs A business manager suspected of having ordered the attack on an elected official from Saint-Denis Tigrane Seydoux, the Frenchman behind the fashionable Italians in Madrid in which you always have to visit the bathroom Energy transition: The experts say so, the Court of Auditors says so Jordi Evole apologizes to Camela in Lo de Evole for an article he wrote in 2000 Organ donation registry: how does it work? Answers to the most important questions Annoyed by a kissing couple: woman attacks the person sitting next to her on the train A man who was drunk on a train and threatened to hit a police officer has been detained by the railway police 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 A Blaugrana nightmare and the bogeyman Joao Felix: "It was a game for him, he made a difference" NBA: Victor Wembanyama and Gregg Popovich confirm the Spurs will come to Paris next season Defeat in the FA Cup: Klopp breaks off interview I have no nerves for you Defeat in the FA Cup: Klopp breaks off interview I have no nerves for you 9th day of the Grand Sumo Spring Tournament New entrant with only one winner Takafuji 9 consecutive wins IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics For the fifth time in a row: Medvedev lost again to Alcaraz in the Masters final in Indian Wells Analyst: the drivers of rising oil prices were signs of high demand in the United States The first batch of imported exhibits of the 135th Canton Fair entered the country smoothly Yen exchange rate: The yen depreciates to the low 149 yen level to the dollar, due to speculation regarding monetary policy. Daihatsu's name announced by the FTC: ``We were waiting, but we will set up a forum for discussions.'' La Unio denounces the second detection of Moroccan strawberries with hepatitis A in nine days Without unnecessary risks: the ruble has risen in price on the Moscow Exchange following the results of the presidential elections in Russia The "wave of rework" after the Spring Festival has driven the rental market in Guangzhou to heat up rapidly In the first two months, the total foreign trade import and export value of Kashgar, Xinjiang increased by 90% year-on-year. September 28 massacres in Guinea: the trial focuses on a reclassification of the facts as crimes against humanity The PSOE announces that the Conflict of Interest Office files the PP complaint against Sanchez for not inhibiting himself in the rescue of Air Europa The head of the NATO PA, Shcherba, called on the alliance to mentally move on to the time of military threat In light of the confrontation with Israel... where has the Hezbollah-Free Patriotic Movement alliance reached? Messi did not play during his visit to Hong Kong, causing controversy. The organizer issued a 50% refund to the audience. Main threatened in Cote-d'Or: Nicole Belloubet in support of teachers and students still in shock Cdiscount smashes the price of this Bissell upright vacuum cleaner with this huge discount of 270 euros Niger: why the American military base in Agadez is strategic for the United States France: Emmanuel Macron receives the Crif for his 80th birthday, in a context of war in Gaza To deter dissolutions that can be seen as aimed at maintaining power Oshima, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Civil servants will have the salary increase after Easter and before the Budgets are approved Niger: what follow-up after the denunciation of the military agreement between Niamey and Washington? TikTok is at the heart of the US election season 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. Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. Azerbaijan has emerged as a country playing a significant role in addressing global challenges, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is one of the world leaders who is regularly invited to the Munich Security Conference, and meetings of the head of state at the Munich Conference are of great importance from both regional and global points of view. Garayev noted that the 'Iron Fist' operation of victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev solved Azerbaijan's main issue - the Karabakh issue. "Azerbaijan has evolved into a nation actively contributing to the resolution of global issues. Prior to reclaiming our territories from Armenian occupation, our primary focus was addressing the Karabakh problem on international forums. Now, with full sovereignty over all our lands, we extend openness to all parties for mutually beneficial international cooperation," Garayev said. He noted that the meetings held by the Azerbaijani leader at the Munich Security Conference are also an indicator of high attention to Azerbaijan and its leader. "These meetings not only contribute to an accurate perception of our country but also underscore Azerbaijan's role as a leading state in the South Caucasus. They hold significance in terms of our nation's contributions to peace, security, and the exchange of information. Moreover, these meetings serve as an indicator that certain circles are compelled to move away from exerting pressure rhetoric on Azerbaijan. The global realization that Azerbaijan is an independent state, adhering to an independent foreign policy and immune to dictation or pressure, is evident. Azerbaijan consistently advocates issue resolution through discussion and dialogue, fostering such approaches," he added. According to him, the intensity of the schedule of meetings of the Azerbaijani head of state within the framework of the conference speaks about the large number of those wishing to cooperate with Azerbaijan. "This underscores the significant influence of our nation, epitomized by President Ilham Aliyev. The considerable interest from numerous countries and organizations to collaborate with Azerbaijan stems from its reputation as a dependable partner, where President Ilham Aliyev's word is tantamount to his signature. All stakeholders are aware that Azerbaijan remains true to its commitments, impervious to pressure or conflicting interests," the political analyst said. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Natural pesticides gain ground in 'agri-tox' capital Brazil Montividiu, Brazil, Feb 19 (AFP) Feb 19, 2024 Inspecting a thriving green field, Brazilian farmer Adriano Cruvinel is beaming: Using a fraction of the chemical products he used to, he is growing even more soy, thanks to natural pesticides. Agricultural powerhouse Brazil may be the world leader in chemical pesticide use, but Cruvinel is part of a growing trend of farmers turning to natural products known as "biopesticides." "Our soy is doing great," says the 36-year-old agricultural engineer, giving a tour of his 1,400-hectare (nearly 3,500-acre) farm in the central-western county of Montividiu, as combine harvesters work their way across a field. "Thanks to the microorganisms we apply to the crop, it's a lot more resistant to pests and disease." Brazil, the world's biggest exporter of soy, corn and cotton, is also the top consumer of chemical pesticides: nearly 720,000 metric tons in 2021, or one-fifth of global sales, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. Seeking to improve his profits, in 2016 Cruvinel started transitioning toward so-called "regenerative" agriculture. The technique seeks to restore the soil's biodiversity, replacing chemical fertilizers and pesticides with natural alternatives. He still uses genetically modified soy, widespread in Brazil. But near those fields he built an ultra-modern laboratory and factory. Inside, refrigerators conserve fungi and bacteria, some harvested from forestland on his farm. He cultivates them en masse in vats, then uses them to treat his fields. "Here, we imitate nature on a giant scale," says Cruvinel, who has replaced 76 percent of the chemical pesticides he formerly used with natural products. The approach is good for health and the environment, but also business: His production costs have fallen by 61 percent, while his soy yields have risen by 13 percent, he says. - 'Long way to go' - Natural pesticides "could revolutionize Brazilian and global agriculture," says Marcos Rodrigues de Faria, a researcher at Embrapa, Brazil's public agricultural research agency. But "there's a long way to go," he adds. Brazil still relies heavily on chemical pesticides, known here as "agrotoxicos," or "agri-toxic" products. Natural products grew from four percent of total pesticide sales in Brazil in 2020 to nine percent in 2022. Their use has expanded four times faster in Brazil than internationally, says Amalia Borsari, of CropLife Brasil, an organization representing the agricultural chemicals industry. "There has been exponential growth," she says. Geographer Larissa Bombardi, an expert on pesticide use in Brazil, calls the trend "interesting." But she says it is not yet changing Brazil's dominant model of massive, land-intensive mono-crop agriculture, which leaves little room for small-scale producers or more environmentally friendly practices. "The surface area of land under cultivation in Brazil increased by 29 percent from 2010 to 2019, while pesticide use increased by 78 percent," she says. - 'Gift to agribusiness' - The agribusiness sector accounts for nearly a quarter of Latin America's biggest economy, making the pesticide debate politically charged. After a long standoff with Congress, where agribusiness interests are a powerful force, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a bill into law in December softening regulations on agricultural chemicals. The veteran leftist used his line-item veto to block some controversial aspects of the bill. But the final text significantly lowered the bar for regulatory approval of new pesticides, drawing scathing criticism from environmentalists. Chemicals that can cause cancer and mutations or harm the environment are no longer automatically banned -- only those found to represent an "unacceptable risk." Bombardi calls the law a "tragedy" and "a gift to the agribusiness and agricultural chemicals industries." The stakes go beyond Brazil. The country's massive use of pesticides is one of the main objections voiced by opponents of a landmark trade deal between the European Union and South American bloc Mercosur, in which Brazil is the biggest player. Singapore to require gradual use of low-carbon jet fuel from 2026 Singapore, Feb 19 (AFP) Feb 19, 2024 Aviation hub Singapore will require airlines departing from the city-state to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from 2026 as part of industry plans to cut carbon emissions, the transport minister said Monday. But as the environmentally friendly fuel is three to five times more expensive than conventional jet fuel, authorities will introduce a levy on tickets to help cushion costs, Chee Hong Tat told an aviation summit. Aviation is responsible for between two and three percent of global CO2 emissions but it is one of the most difficult industries to decarbonise. SAFs are produced from renewable biomass and waste resources and can comprise up to 50 percent of jet fuel mixes. They are seen as the main tool for decarbonising the aviation sector, but the technology is still in its infancy and production remains expensive. "To kickstart SAF adoption in Singapore, we will require flights departing Singapore to use SAF from 2026," Chee said in a speech. Airliners will be required to use a jet fuel mix that is 1 percent SAF that year, gradually increasing to between 3 and 5 percent by 2030, he added. "This will provide an important demand signal to fuel producers and give them the incentive to invest in new SAF production facilities," Chee said. To partially offset the cost, Singapore will collect a levy that varies depending on the distance travelled and the travel class. Starting in 2026, an economy ticket on a direct flight from Singapore to London could increase by Sg$16.0 ($12.0), according to Chee. Passengers with premium tickets will pay higher levies. "We will monitor global developments and the wider availability and adoption of SAF in the next few years, before deciding on the SAF target beyond 2026," Chee said. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a goal for the industry to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and SAF is key to reaching that target. Chee said that it was best to take a gradual approach. An "overly ambitious" target "will hurt our air hub and our economy, and raise the cost of travel for passengers," he said at the summit, which is being held on the eve of the Singapore Airshow, Asia's biggest aviation event. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. Turkiye-Azerbaijan relations are successfully developing in light of the precepts of National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during the joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Ankara, Trend reports. The President of Turkiye congratulated our head of state on his win in the February 7 elections, calling voting in Azerbaijan, which was held for the first time on the republic's whole sovereign territory, as historic. Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised the Azerbaijani leader's decision to undertake the first foreign visit to Turkiye following the election victory. The Turkish President expressed optimism that the presidential election outcomes would benefit the brotherly people of Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Singapore to require gradual use of low-carbon jet fuel from 2026 Singapore, Feb 19 (AFP) Feb 19, 2024 Aviation hub Singapore will require airlines departing from the city-state to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from 2026 as part of industry plans to cut carbon emissions, the transport minister said Monday. But as the environmentally friendly fuel is three to five times more expensive than conventional jet fuel, authorities will introduce a levy on tickets to help cushion costs, Chee Hong Tat told an aviation summit. Aviation is responsible for between two and three percent of global CO2 emissions but it is one of the most difficult industries to decarbonise. SAFs are produced from renewable biomass and waste resources and can comprise up to 50 percent of jet fuel mixes. They are seen as the main tool for decarbonising the aviation sector, but the technology is still in its infancy and production remains expensive. "To kickstart SAF adoption in Singapore, we will require flights departing Singapore to use SAF from 2026," Chee said in a speech. Airliners will be required to use a jet fuel mix that is 1 percent SAF that year, gradually increasing to between 3 and 5 percent by 2030, he added. "This will provide an important demand signal to fuel producers and give them the incentive to invest in new SAF production facilities," Chee said. To partially offset the cost, Singapore will collect a levy that varies depending on the distance travelled and the travel class. Starting in 2026, an economy ticket on a direct flight from Singapore to London could increase by Sg$16.0 ($12.0), according to Chee. Passengers with premium tickets will pay higher levies. "We will monitor global developments and the wider availability and adoption of SAF in the next few years, before deciding on the SAF target beyond 2026," Chee said. The International Civil Aviation Organization has set a goal for the industry to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and SAF is key to reaching that target. Chee said that it was best to take a gradual approach. An "overly ambitious" target "will hurt our air hub and our economy, and raise the cost of travel for passengers," he said at the summit, which is being held on the eve of the Singapore Airshow, Asia's biggest aviation event. Willie Walsh, director-general of the International Air Transport Association, called for increased SAF production through government incentives to meet demand. He said that while passenger traffic surged 175 percent from 2000 to 2019, the global aviation industry's carbon footprint rose by only 54 percent, an encouraging sign. Cambodia looks to import Indian tigers to revive big cat population Phnom Penh, Feb 19 (AFP) Feb 19, 2024 Cambodia hopes to import four tigers from India this year under an agreement signed with New Delhi aimed at reviving the population of big cats in the kingdom, an environmental official said Monday. Cambodia's dry forests were once home to scores of Indochinese tigers but conservationists say intensive poaching of both tigers and their prey has devastated their numbers. The last sighting of a tiger in the Southeast Asian kingdom was from a camera trap in 2007 and the cats were declared "functionally extinct" in Cambodia in 2016. One male and three female tigers "could arrive in Cambodia at the end of 2024", Khvay Atitya, spokesman for the environment ministry, told AFP. The cats will be sent to a 90-hectare (222-acre) forest inside the Tatai Wildlife Sanctuary in western Koh Kong province to acclimatise before being released into the wild, he said. He did not give details about what type of tiger would be imported from India. Officials this week began installing more than 400 cameras at one-kilometre intervals in the reserve in the Cardamom Mountains to monitor wildlife, particularly animals that tigers prey upon such as deer and boar, he said. The information from the cameras "will help with breeding of tigers", Khvay Atitya said. Twelve more tigers will be imported over the next five years if the project goes smoothly, he said. Deforestation and poaching have devastated tiger numbers across Asia. Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam have all lost their native populations, while Myanmar is thought to have just 23 tigers left in the wild. Cambodia and India signed a memorandum of understanding in 2022 on restoring tigers and their habitats. India's wild tiger population was estimated to have exceeded 3,600, according to government figures released last year, following a massive conservation campaign. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. An important aspect of our cooperation is military collaboration. Our armies are like a fist, President Ilham Aliyev said in a joint press conference with President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports. The head of state noted: The Second Karabakh War and the anti-terror measures conducted five months earlier once again demonstrated that Turkiye`s military model has now been fully integrated in Azerbaijan. Under the Trump Media agreement with DWAC, however, he isnt able to sell any of the shares he receives for six months and, in any event, given that whatever value Trump Media has is directly related to Trumps own involvement, any attempt to sell his shares would see the value of Trump Media implode. There is no Trump Media without Trump, as its share price performance this year demonstrates. Truth Social has been downloaded about 7 million times since its launch two years ago and Trump has about 6.54 million followers on the platform. Credit: Bloomberg After peaking at an extraordinary $US175 a share when the deal was first announced in late 2021, DWACs shares generally traded around $US15 to $US16 for most of last year. Then, suddenly, in mid-January they exploded above $US50 a share, valuing the company at more than $US1.8 billion. That massive spike in DWACs share price coincided with the Iowa caucus, which Trump dominated, and the exit of Florida governor Ron DeSantis from the Republican presidential nomination process. It then fell back to just over $US41 a share before spiking again above $US50 on the news of the mergers clearance. Given that DWACs contribution to the merger is its cash and Trump Medias finances are thin it had $US3.4 million of revenue, lost $US49 million in the first nine months of last year and has used up almost all the $US37 million of funding it has raised it is difficult, if not impossible, to justify the DWAC valuation on the merged entitys fundamentals. Loading Instead, DWACs share price history would suggest it is the memiest of all meme stocks, trading on sentiment and the emotions of Trumps die-hard MAGA supporters. Its the prospect of Trump regaining the presidency, not Trump Medias prospects, driving the share price. Its also Trump who drives traffic and the modest amounts of advertising on Trump Medias Truth Social platform. Truth Social has been downloaded about 7 million times since its launch two years ago and Trump has about 6.54 million followers on the platform. That compares with the 87 million he once had on Twitter (now X) and the 35 million of his followers on Facebook. The paucity and nature of his Truth Social audience the hardcore MAGA wing of the Republican Partys base is going to create a dilemma for Trump as this years election campaigning heats up. If the contest with Biden (assuming it remains Biden) looks close, he may have to choose between the presidency or his paper net worth. If the contest with Biden (assuming it remains Biden) looks close, he may have to choose between the presidency or his paper net worth. Truth Social has priority but not-exclusive access to Trumps postings on social media, with Trump able, at his sole discretion, to post elsewhere if he decides the content is related to politics. To date, he has confined his comments to his own site. Given the disparity in the platforms audiences, in a tight contest the temptation to post elsewhere even if it diminishes traffic to, and the value of, his own platform can only increase. If Trump were to lose the election (not to mention the plethora of court actions he still faces, with some of the charges carrying jail terms) the implications for the value of Trump Media post-merger are obvious. It would be significantly diminished, if not extinguished. Loading Truth Socials unimpressive financial performance to date isnt, of course, necessarily a true indicator of its potential. Its normal for tech start-ups to lose money in their formative years while building their user and revenue bases and, with access to DWACs cash and the ability to build out its offering from a relatively crude version of X, Trump Media might be able to gain traction, even if its modest revenue performance to date suggests that its task is daunting. The ongoing performance of Facebooks Threads after a very successful launch does, however, underscore how difficult it is for a social media business, even one with the resources of Facebooks parent company Meta, and despite Xs travails, to challenge a well-established incumbent. Like many Chinese people, Jacky hoped that he could make enough money investing in Chinas stock markets to help pay for an apartment in a big city. But in 2015 he lost $US30,000 ($45,900), and in 2021 he lost $US80,000. After that, he shut down his trading account and started investing in Chinese funds that track stocks in the United States. Its a perilous time for investors in China. Their main vehicle, so-called A shares of Chinese companies, fell more than 11 per cent in 2023 and have continued their losses this year. Many investors have instead flocked to the exchange-traded funds that track foreign markets and that have been performing much better. Beijing is pulling out all the stops as it looks to boost its flailing sharemarket. Credit: AP Putting money in stocks is inherently risky. But Chinese investors are experiencing something especially alarming: financial losses in the markets, declining home values and a government that doesnt want any public discussion of whats happening. With their frustrations piling up, Chinese investors recently found a way to vent that wouldnt be quickly censored. They started leaving comments on an innocuous post about giraffe conservation on the official Weibo social media account of the US Embassy in China. They lamented the poor performance of their portfolios and revealed their broader despair, anger and frustration. The giraffe post has been liked nearly 1 million times since February 2, much more than what the embassys Weibo posts usually get. Many of the comments also offered admiration for the United States, as well as unhappiness about their own country. Taylor Swift was halfway through her folklore set at the MCG when Tenille Smith felt her first contraction. It was Swifts first concert in Melbourne, the stadium was bursting with joy and goodwill, and in many ways, Smith felt as though a lifetime of fandom had culminated in this night: her first time seeing Swift live. Swiftie Tenille Smith and her baby Sloane Tayla Smith, born at 1.20am on Saturday. Credit: Penny Stephens Id never seen her before, the 29-year-old said. There was no way I was giving up my ticket. Smith, who was already two days past her due date, decided to take a seat and hang on until the end. Advertisement Eating outBrisbane Adam Wolfers announced as group chef of Agnes, Same Same, Bianca One of the citys very best chefs has joined forces with one of its most celebrated restaurant groups. Matt Shea February 19, 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 Adam Wolfers has been announced as the new group chef of Anyday, the star hospitality group that owns and operates Agnes, Same Same, Bianca, Honto and Agnes Bakery. Wolfers is best known in Brisbane for his time as executive chef at celebrated Middle Eastern restaurant Gerards Bistro. He left Gerards in March last year and has been working in consultancy roles since, most notably for Simon Martins Flying Colours in West End. Adam Wolfers has been announced as the new group chef of Anyday, which operates Agnes, Same Same and Bianca, among others. Supplied Wolfers began his career in Sydney restaurants Est. and Marque before working at New Yorks WD-50 and three-Michelin-starred Quique Dacosta in Spain. Wolfers then worked with Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt on Monopole and Yellow in Sydney before going on to launch Etelek, a dining series inspired by his Jewish-Hungarian heritage that popped up at restaurants such as Ester, Casoni, Bar Brose, Lee Ho Fook, Paperbark and Sunda. Advertisement Super whatnow? Flying Colours by Super Whatnot crew brings new palette Wolfers says Anyday director, co-owner and chef Ben Williamson first reached out about the group chef position towards the end of last year. He basically came to me with a proposition that I couldnt refuse, Wolfers told this masthead on Monday. You dont really have those opportunities come too often in our line of work. There are few restaurant groups out there that have the infrastructure that these guys have. Theyre really passionate and forward focused they want to be the best, not just in Brisbane, but also in Australia, and thats something I really want to be a part of. They want to be the best, not just in Brisbane, but also in Australia, and thats something I really want to be a part of. Adam Wolfers Advertisement Wolfers and Williamson havent worked together previously, but the former succeeded the latter as executive chef at Gerards after Williamson put it on the map as one of Australias most exciting and progressive Middle Eastern restaurants. We have the same sort of vision, Wolfers said. We can both look at the same plate of food and realise whats missing. We can bounce off each other and we have a similar ethos in that sort of way. Brisbanes best restaurant openings of 2023 Said Williamson in a statement: Adam comes to us with a wealth of experience, both celebrated and broad-ranging. Were thrilled to be bringing him into the Anyday fold and have no doubt hell boost the culinary experience at all our venues. Wolfers began in the role on Monday last week. Advertisement This is a really good position for me to be in because I can work with the chefs in the different restaurants and bounce ideas around with them, Wolfers said. I feel Ive worked in multiple styles of restaurants over the years, and I have a diverse knowledge of systems and how [chefs] can be more efficient in the kitchen and create ideas. Im really excited to be working with this group of people, and they really look after their staff, which is the main thing. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. Turkiye believes the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) linked to the mandate of the Azerbaijani delegation is inappropriate and will take all necessary actions to overturn this decision, Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during the joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Ankara, Trend reports. "Turkiye has expressed its strong opposition to the decision regarding Azerbaijan's delegation to PACE. This structure is not a platform for confrontation but a platform for dialog in the name of strengthening democracy. This is how we see PACE," Erdogan said. The Turkish President emphasized that Ankara will continue to support Baku and will make every possible effort to restore the rights of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Australian private colleges are blacklisting students from entire countries as part of an unprecedented reaction to the governments visa crackdown. At least two providers have moved to pause applications from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and other countries where students are at a high risk of visa rejection. Education agents said the governments change in how it assessed visa applications had become extreme and was causing panic among universities and other providers. Student visa rejections have reached a record high after the federal government last year revealed its new migration strategy, which imposed stronger English-language tests on students and required them to prove they were genuine students. Sydneysiders endured an afternoon of road chaos and mass train delays after a sudden storm swept up the states east coast on Monday, bringing more than 75,000 lightning strikes across the city. The storm, which hit just after 12pm, caught city workers off guard, while tens of thousands of homes and businesses in the north were left without electricity. Heavy rain and storms swept through the CBD on Tuesday. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos Four struck by lightning in CBD Lightning struck four people who were sheltering from the rain under trees in the Royal Botanic Garden just before 1pm, when the worst of the storm was hitting the city. A Victorian company has been fined $1.3 million in the states first workplace manslaughter prosecution. Devastated family members of Michael Tsahrelias wiped away tears outside court on Monday after Laith Hanna was sentenced for operating a forklift that crushed the 25-year-old to death in October 2021. Laith Hanna (second from the left) outside the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday. Credit: James Ross Tsahrelias was working with his father at Hannas company, LH Holding Management Pty Ltd which trades as Universal Stone and Marble in Somerton in Melbournes north, while Hanna was driving a forklift carrying a loaded metal A-frame rack. Hanna against safety standards turned the forklift on a downhill slope while carrying the load as it hung suspended about two metres off the ground. They might take a cheaper course or not put their hand up for an excursion or an opportunity at school because it might cost extra. They also take on self-belief around This is my place in society and this is what people like me do. Currently, one in five Australian students leave school without finishing Year 12. But we know that if they stay engaged and do complete Year 12, they have many more opportunities and better life outcomes. What many people dont realise is that, as a community, we all benefit if more children complete their schooling and go on to further education. In fact, conservative estimates suggest that the long-term cost each time a cohort doesnt complete Year 12 is more than $12 billion dollars over their lifetimes, in things like income support and health care far more than if wed invested in helping them complete Year 12. Its in our long-term national interest to make sure that were engaging the potential of all children everyone will benefit from all that talent, Field says. Over 90 per cent of the jobs of the future are going to need a tertiary level qualification. Heres how we can all work together to improve education systems and support. Action from individuals Field knows how important education is for changing childrens prospects and giving them the best chance of reaching their potential. She says than one of the most impactful things we can do as individuals is to help support a childs education through The Smith Familys Learning for Life program. Our out-of-school education and mentoring programs are proven to be effective in helping children catch up and keep up at school, so they stay engaged and are more likely to complete Year 12, she says. Wed love people to financially support the work we do, so we can reach even more children who need the support. With the support of sponsors, The Smith Family provides financial assistance to help families meet the cost of school essentials like uniforms, books and excursions, digital devices, access to learning and mentoring programs, and personal support from a dedicated team member. Action from businesses Businesses can help at a grassroots level by offering opportunities and careers exposure to young people from all walks of life. If youre in a business, think about providing opportunities for all young people, even if they havent got the work experience or the right uniform, Field suggests. The Smith Family works closely with industry to educate students about career opportunities and give them exposure to the world of work through its Work Inspiration program. We try to provide young people with other options [to help with] thinking of career pathways and [participating in] mentoring programs that are outside their sphere of experience, Field says. Action from government The Smith Family is also advocating for schools with high concentrations of students experiencing disadvantage to be fully funded, as recommended in the Gonski Review. All children deserve the opportunity of a good education. Credit: iStock It would make a substantial difference to the resources available in disadvantaged schools, says Field. And wed really like to see some of that resource being put into structured literacy and numeracy support, and digital access for children. If you grow up in a disadvantaged household, youre more likely to start school behind, and more likely to see that gap grow during school, so that by the time a child gets to Year 9, they can be up to five years behind their more advantaged peers in core skills like literacy and numeracy. And children who are behind in Year 3, where that learning gap is left unaddressed, are more likely to leave school early. In the Australian education system, we have really concentrated disadvantage, so schools that are working with disadvantaged students tend to be working with many students in that situation, she says. Its harder for schools without the appropriate resources and the right support to help every student who needs extra help. Every child deserves a chance to reach their full potential. By sponsoring a child with The Smith Family, you can remove the barriers that poverty puts in their way, so they can achieve all they are capable of. Australian Border Force commissioner Michael Outram has dismissed fears of a cut to the agencys funding after the Coalition launched an incendiary attack on Labor for slashing its funds and leaving the nation exposed to asylum seeker boats that escape detection. The border control chief insisted that federal funding had reached its highest level since the agency was established in 2015 and had grown by hundreds of millions of dollars last year, in a direct intervention in the political dispute over asylum seeker arrivals. With tempers flaring over the arrival of 39 asylum seekers on Friday, the government moved to assure voters it would spend $252 million more on border security this year compared to the Coalition plan when it held power. But Opposition Leader Peter Dutton sought to intensify the political row over borders by warning that funding had been cut and this meant aircraft were not being flown as often to monitor suspected vessels on the Indian Ocean. A Nationals MP caught on camera slurring her words at Senate estimates last week is a key member of the group tasked with writing federal parliaments tough new alcohol and drugs policy. NSW senator Perin Davey potentially would have breached the alcohol policy if it applied at the time. It is still being finalised by the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, according to a draft copy leaked to this masthead. The leaking of the draft comes as scandal-plagued Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce says he has given up alcohol for Lent. Joyce told Sevens Sunrise program that he felt the issue of politicians drinking was exploited for political purposes, and he would not comment on Daveys conduct. Victorians are forking out more on stamp duty than any other state in the nation, but new modelling shows how the tax is now costing the state almost $5 billion a year in lost economic activity. However, the state government is adamant it will not be reforming stamp duty as part of a push to make housing more affordable, with the budget now about 50 per cent more reliant on the revenue the tax raises than it was 20 years ago. Finding an affordable place to buy or rent has never been harder. Credit: Joe Armao Economic modelling by the Grattan Institute shows that an average of 55 is leached away in lost economic activity for every $1 in stamp duty collected with $4.8 billion down the drain last financial year, rising to $5.2 billion by 2026-27. Stamp duty has been widely criticised as Australias least efficient tax because it discourages people from doing things that help drive the economy, such as moving house or seeking new job opportunities, among other things. A young family beat out three others to pay $3.86 million at auction on Saturday for a four-bedroom Glen Iris house. The final sale exceeded the reserve price at 1 Flowerdale Road by $586,000 and shocked everyone, said Belle Property Glen Iris auctioneer and principal Steve Burke. Burke said the four young families all lived in Melbourne. Bidding opened at $3 million and $25,000 bids were made until the property was declared on the market at $3.3 million. Burke said a crowd of 60 people watched as bidders made efforts to win the auction with $50,000 raises. The Glen Iris house had been guided at $3 million to $3.3 million. London: The wife of jailed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says he is unlikely to accept any plea deal with the United States government in return for early release over espionage and computer hacking charges, believing it would set a dangerous precedent for journalism. Assange, 52, an Australian hacker-turned-publisher, faces what could be his final court hearing in London starting on Tuesday as he tries to stop his extradition to the US on charges relating to the 2010 disclosure of a huge cache of classified government documents. Stella Assange, wife of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, attends a news conference ahead of Julian Assanges final UK appeal hearing, in London. Credit: AP Englands High Court has scheduled two days of arguments over whether Assange, who spent seven years in self-exile inside a foreign embassy and the past five years in prison, can ask an appeals court to block his transfer. If the court doesnt allow the appeal to go forward, he could be sent across the Atlantic. In several media appearances ahead of the hearing, Stella Assange said her husband was extremely weak both physically and mentally, and warned the decision could be a matter of life and death. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. The signing of the long-term peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia will undoubtedly bring hope for peace and stability in the region and around the world, Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during the joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Ankara, Trend reports. According to the Turkiye's leader, Ankara is closely cooperating with Baku on issues of peace and stability in the South Caucasus. "Turkiye and Azerbaijan are working together shoulder to shoulder. After the occupation of Karabakh ended, a historic opportunity for long-term peace in the area emerged. It is critical to seize the opportunity and not let it pass," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. The Turkish president urged Armenia to view the peace process through the prism of a long-term strategic perspective. "Third parties should make their best constructive contribution to the process rather than trying to poison it," he emphasized. In this regard, Erdogan drew attention to the recent provocations of the Armenian side on the conditional border with Azerbaijan and expressed hope that such incidents would not recur. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The international community overwhelmingly supports an independent Palestinian state as part of a future peace agreement. Netanyahus government is filled with hardliners who oppose Palestinian independence. Netanyahu wants Israel to achieve total victory over Hamas. In response to international concern over a Rafah offensive, he has said Palestinian civilians would be evacuated. Where they would go in largely devastated Gaza is not clear. The suggested timing for the offensive came as the World Health Organisation chief said southern Gazas main medical facility, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, is not functional any more after Israeli forces raided it on Friday. A woman walks between dead bodies of Palestinians killed in the Israeli bombardments of the Gaza Strip, in front of the morgue at Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on Sunday. Credit: AP Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a WHO team was not allowed to enter Nasser Hospital on the weekend. In a post on X, he said about 200 patients remained, including 20 who needed urgent treatment elsewhere. Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant said at least 200 militants had surrendered at the hospital. He also claimed that Hamas was defeated in Khan Younis, and was largely leaderless in Gaza. He gave no evidence to support the claims. Gaza Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said there was no power, no oxygen and not enough staff to treat the patients remaining in Nasser Hospital. Its gone completely out of service. There are only four medical teams - 25 staff - currently caring for patients inside the facility, he said. Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on a residential building in Rafah, Gaza Strip on Friday. Credit: AP The Israeli military said in a statement that hundreds of militants were hiding in the hospital and some had posed as medical staff. It released images of weapons it said were found along with medications that were transferred from Israel and intended for the more than 100 hostages abducted and held by Hamas. The military said it had arrested at least 100 suspects on the hospital premises. The packages of medicine that were found were sealed and had not been transferred to the hostages, the military said. Hamas dismisses Israeli allegations, saying they served as a pretext to destroy the healthcare system. The Gaza Health Ministry said 70 medical personnel were among those arrested, along with patients, leaving 150 patients without medical care. It said Israel refused to allow patients, including newborns, to be evacuated to other hospitals. The military says it was looking for the remains of hostages inside the hospital and did not target doctors or patients. It said the raid occurred without harming patients and medical staff, and in accordance with the values of the IDF and international law. The October 7 attack killed about 1200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostages. Militants still hold around 130 hostages, a fourth of them believed to be dead. Most of the others were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November. The war has killed at least 28,985 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. On Sunday it said 127 bodies were brought to hospitals in the previous 24 hours. Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority, said 123 aid trucks entered Gaza through Israels Kerem Shalom border crossing on Sunday and four trucks of cooking gas entered through the Rafah crossing with Egypt. Thats well below the 500 trucks entering daily before the war. People inspect the damage to their homes following Israeli airstrikes in Rafah on Sunday. Credit: Getty In the occupied West Bank, a shootout erupted when Israeli forces went to arrest an armed suspect in the town of Tulkarem. The military said the suspect was killed, and a member of Israels paramilitary Border Police was severely wounded. It described the target of the raid as a senior militant. The Palestinian Health Ministry said two Palestinians were killed. The war in Gaza has threatened to ignite wider conflict in the region. The US Central Command said it conducted five self-defence strikes on Saturday against cruise missiles and drones in an area of Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group. Loading US opposes a new ceasefire resolution Algeria, the Arab representative on the UN Security Council, has circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, and rejecting the forced displacement of Palestinians. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the draft will not be adopted and runs counter to Washingtons efforts to end the fighting. The US vetoed previous resolutions that had wide international support. The US, Qatar and Egypt have spent weeks trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release, but Qatar said Saturday the talks have not been progressing as expected. Hamas has said it will not release all remaining hostages without Israel ending the war and withdrawing from Gaza. It also demands the release of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including top militants. Netanyahu has called Hamas demands delusional. Loading Israeli strikes across Gaza continued, killing at least 18 people overnight into Sunday, according to medics and witnesses. A strike in Rafah killed six people, including a woman and three children, and another killed five in Khan Younis, the main target of the southern Gaza offensive in recent weeks. Associated Press journalists saw the bodies. All those who were martyred were those whom the Jews asked to move to safe places, said a bystander after the Rafah strike, Ahmad Abu Rezeq. In Gaza City, which suffered widespread destruction early in the war, an airstrike flattened a home, killing seven people, including three women, according to relative Sayed al-Afifi. Israels military rarely comments on individual strikes and blames civilian casualties on Hamas because the militants operate in dense residential areas Holocaust outrage The Gaza war has destabilised the entire Middle East as Hamass military allies all Iran-backed paramilitary groups have targeted Israeli and US interests with missiles and drones. Israel has also bombed southern Lebanon in a battle with Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants, and the Yemeni Houthi rebels have choked global trade passing through the Suez Canal and Red Sea. Israel accused Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of trivialising the Holocaust and causing offence to the Jewish people on Sunday after he likened the Israeli war against Hamas militants in Gaza to the Nazi genocide during World War II. What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments. In fact, it did exist when Hitler decided to kill the Jews, Lula told reporters during the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. Credit: Facebook The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said it would summon the Brazilian ambassador for a reprimand over the remarks, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as disgraceful and grave. This is a trivialisation of the Holocaust and an attempt to attack the Jewish people and the right of Israel to self-defence. Drawing comparisons between Israel and the Nazis and Hitler is to cross a red line, Netanyahu said in a statement. Brazils presidential palace and the foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement, the Brazilian Israelite Confederation said Lulas remarks were a perverse distortion of reality and offend the memory of Holocaust victims and their descendants and accused his government of an extreme and unbalanced stance on the conflict. Earlier on Sunday, Lula also condemned the suspension of humanitarian aid to the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), urging an investigation into errors without cutting off funding to help those affected by what he called a genocide. Its not a war between soldiers and soldiers, its a war between a highly prepared army and women and children, he said. UNRWA is facing a financial strain following Israels assertion that 12 out of its 13,000 staff members in Gaza were implicated in Hamass October 7 attack on Israel. Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 18 people overnight into Sunday, according to medics and witnesses, while the United States said it would veto another draft UN resolution calling for a ceasefire. A man comforts another as people inspect the damage to their homes following Israeli air strikes in Rafah, Gaza. Credit: Getty Netanyahu also opposes Palestinian statehood, which the US calls a key element in a broader vision for the normalisation of relations between Israel and regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia. Loading His cabinet has adopted a declaration saying Israel categorically rejects international edicts on a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians and opposes any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu has vowed to continue the Gaza offensive until Israel achieves a total victory over the Hamas militant group and plans to expand it to Rafah, where more than half the enclaves 2.3 million Palestinians have sought refuge. In response to international concern about what would happen to the people in Rafah, the Israeli leader has said residents would be evacuated before a ground offensive began there. Where they would go in largely devastated Gaza is not clear. Reuters, AP Australia is ready to assist Papua New Guinea authorities in quelling violence after dozens of people were killed in a massacre on the weekend. PNG Police revised the death toll in the countrys highlands to 26 after revealing theyd received the wrong head count. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered help to the Pacific nation, after the ABC reported that at least 53 people had died in the countrys northern Highlands region. Enga province in Papua New Guinea. Credit: Jon Reid That is very disturbing the news that has come out of Papua New Guinea, Albanese said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinisto has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports. "Your Excellency, On the occasion of your re-election as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I wish to extend to you my sincere congratulations along with my best wishes for every success in your high office. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration", the letter says. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Our very own Sharyn and Steph from The Edge Afternoons just so happened to be staying in the same hotel as Oliver, and of course, they had to ask how the heck it all played out for the TikToker. Changing political arithmetic in State... Speculations about other MLAs switch-over gaining ground By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla Bhopal, Three things work in politics- respect, insult and self-respect. When these emotions come into play, a person changes his decisions... said Sajjan Singh Verma, former Minister and prominent leader from Kamal Naths camp. With this statement, he headed for New Delhi. Most important part of his statement is, When such a top politician who has done a lot for Congress and the nation in last 45 years, thinks of moving away from his party, then all three factors work behind it. With Verma talking about moving away, now the big question in States political circles is, how many leaders will go? Verma also removed Congress symbol from his social media profile. Since mega organisational overhaul in PCC after the election rout, a section of senior Congress leaders was upset. His supporters feel that Kamal Nath has been neglected since (2023 Assembly) elections. No one would have thought that Bhupesh Baghel would lose. We lost in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, where we did not think we would lose. But why is only Kamal Nath being blamed for it? one of his supporters and senior leader in the party asked. Not only Kamal Nath, but it seems that stage is set for exodus from Pradesh Congress to the BJP as several stalwarts in Congress lost Assembly elections and some of them belong to Kamal Naths camp. They include Sajjan Singh Verma, Dinesh Gurjjar, Vijay Laxmi Sadho etc. Sources said that around 29 MLAs were poised to join the BJP which will definitely change the political dynamics in the State. The Congress has 66 seats in the Assembly while BJP has 163 seats. To prevent major loss, Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari and other top leaders are in contact with MLAs one-on-one to hear out their grievances either in personal or on phone to stem the exodus of leaders from their camp. As large number of MLAs switching over will weaken the Congress in the State and also shield the turncoats from the anti-defection law. One-China principle advocates should support China's peaceful reunification: FM Xinhua) 08:05, February 19, 2024 MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Those who uphold the one-China principle should also support China's peaceful reunification, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday at the 60th Munich Security Conference. Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when responding to a Taiwan-related question after delivering a keynote speech at the "China in the World" session at the conference. He stressed that Taiwan has always been part of China. In 1943, the governments of China, the United States and Britain jointly issued the Cairo Declaration, which stipulates clearly that all the territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese, such as Taiwan, shall be restored to China, Wang noted, adding that Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation issued in 1945 stipulates that the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out. The UN documents have also clearly described Taiwan as a province of China, he added. All these facts have fully demonstrated that the Taiwan question is one hundred percent China's internal matter, he stressed. Taiwan has never been and will never be a country, Wang said, noting that this is a basic historical fact and a consensus of the international community. As an unsettled question since the Chinese civil war, Taiwan will eventually return to the embrace of the motherland and the two sides of the Taiwan Straits will surely achieve reunification, Wang said. It is the firm will of the 1.4 billion Chinese people and an inevitable trend of history, he added. It serves the interests of all to maintain stability across the Straits, Wang said, stressing that it is the "Taiwan independence" forces on the island that undermine peace and stability in the region. "Taiwan independence" is as incompatible with cross-Straits peace as fire with water, he said. To uphold the one-China principle, one should support China's peaceful reunification, and to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, one must oppose "Taiwan independence," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Xian Jiangnan) UK Minister for Energy Security and Zero Emissions Strategy Graham Stuart will visit Azerbaijan next week where he will hold a series of bilateral meetings in Baku, Azernews reports. Also on February 22, the Minister for Energy Security will deliver a lecture at the ADA University, speaking about the UK's experience in holding COP26 in connection with the upcoming COP29 in Azerbaijan in November this year. The 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) was held in Glasgow in 2021. This year Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - COP29. The decision was made at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will host about 70-80 thousand foreign guests during the two weeks. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. Former President of Russia's Public Joint Stock Company Lukoil Vagit Alekperov has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports. Will be updated Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel CRIME AGAINST WOMEN City sees alarming rise of 30% By Dheeraj Fartode The city has witnessed a staggering 30 per cent increase in crimes against women over the last three years, according to recent data released by the Nagpur City Police. This disturbing trend paints an alarming picture of rising criminal activities plaguing the city and overshadows the efforts of the police. In 2021, the police recorded a total of 1,122 cases involving crimes against women and domestic violence. The breakdown included 234 cases of rape, 356 cases of molestation, 415 cases of kidnapping, and 117 cases related to dowry and domestic violence. The situation worsened in 2022, with an overall increase in reported cases reaching 1,285. The trend continued into 2023, with a total of 1,467 cases reported. Comparing the data from 2021 to 2023, there has been a 30.7 per cent rise in reported incidents against women. Rape cases increased by 5.6 per cent, molestation cases surged by 33.4 per cent, and kidnapping cases witnessed a 15.4 per cent increase. Surprisingly, cases of dowry and domestic violence remained constant at 235 cases in 2022 and 2023, despite fluctuations in other crime categories. A retired police official expressed concern over the rising trend and said, These numbers are not just statistics, they represent real people who have been victims of heinous crimes. The increase in crimes against women demands District-level panels constituted to assess infrastructure in prisons Staff Reporter As a precursor to increasing the number of prisons in Maharashtra, Home Department has constituted district-level committees to assess the infrastructure available in prisons and also the requirement for more prisons in the State. The committees constituted in compliance to the directions of the Supreme Court, have been asked to take into consideration the infrastructure requirement for the next 50 years at least. In its order dated January 30 in a writ petition (civil), the Supreme Court of India issued directions for constitution of district-level committees to assess the infrastructure requirement of prisons. Pursuant to this, Home Department of Maharashtra Government has appointed six-member district-level committees. Each committee will be headed by Principal/District Judge (Chairperson of the District Legal Services Authority), and Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority will be the convenor. The other four members include District Magistrate, Commissioner of Police of his representative, Superintendent of Police, and Superintendent(s) of Prison. These committees will assess the infrastructure available in prisons in respective district and make recommendations to the State Government regarding the number of additional prisons to be constructed. Further, the panels will assess the current capacity of the existing prisons and requirement to construct more prisons or enhance the capacity of existing prisons to meet the standards laid down in the Model Prison Manual, 2016. The committees will also examine the requirement of acquiring land to set up new prisons, depending upon the current capacity, occupancy, and future demands of the respective district. These will submit firm proposals in this regard. The committees will have to take into consideration the infrastructure requirement for the next 50 years at least. The committees are expected to keep abreast with the status of all the ongoing projects/proposals pending the respective districts and ensure that milestones are set for completing those. Wherever a project is yet to take off for want of land, the district-level committees have been entrusted with the task of taking steps to identity the land to be acquired, and tabling the report before the Chief Secretary for obtaining necessary approvals and fast-tracking the process. Interestingly, Home Department has asked the committees to assess the requirement for use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and introducing video-conferencing for conducting e-Mulakaat, appearance before courts, and telemedicine facilities for convenience of prison inmates. Further, the committees may examine needs of respective districts and prepare proposals over and above those laid down in the Model Prison Manual, without compromising on the minimum requirements specified therein. Selfie point near LoC in Uri becomes major tourist attraction URI (KASHMIR), A SELFIE point near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir has become a major attraction for tourists as it allows them to capture the mesmerising beauty of Uris remote border region and offers a panoramic view of the Jhelum river, officials said here. The INDIA selfie point provides visitors with an engaging environment symbolising a sense of nationalism in the region, they said. The Army had last year opened Kaman Setu, zero-point at the LoC here, for tourists. The selfie point was opened for the public around the Republic Day this year. The selfie point is the brainchild of artist and RNAF founder Rouble Nagi. It has been positioned strategically along the National Highway-44 and the structure offers a panoramic view of the picturesque Jhelum river, enhancing the pride of the locals as well as the tourists, the officials said. The Army thanked Nagis foundation which is known for its women empowerment projects. Her gesture of gifting the structure stands as a testimony to rising nationalism in the valley. The selfie point was conceptualised with an aim to provide a unique engaging environment for individuals and groups alike, the army said. Nagi said sculpting the name of the nation through her art installation is a tribute to the sacrifices made by various sections of society for the countrys freedom. Nothing feels better than sculpting the name of my nation through my art. Proud to install my sculpture #INDIA at Uri, a remote border region, Nagi, daughter of a retired Army officer, said. How blessed we are to be free. Our children need to know the sacrifices that were made by so many to protect the freedom we enjoy today,: she said, urging people to include Uri as their tourist destination. Shah slams I.N.D.I.A. bloc over dynastic politics at BJP meet NEW DELHI, HOME Minister Amit Shah on Sunday likened the upcoming Lok Sabha polls to the Mahabharata war, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the BJP-led camp working for the countrys development while I.N.D.I. Alliance under the Congress is full of family-run parties and corruption. In his address at the BJPs national convention here, Shah lashed out at the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc for its promotion of dynastic and appeasement politics. Just as in the Mahabharata war there were two camps, Kauravas and Pandavas, similarly today there are two camps ahead of the elections, Shah said. One of the camps is the BJP-led NDA under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership and the other is I.N.D.I. Alliance led by the Congress, he said. INDI alliance is an alliance of all dynastic parties, which nurture the politics of dynasticism, corruption, appeasement, while the BJP-led NDA is an alliance of parties which follows the principles of nation, he said. People of the country will have to decide which of the two camps they want to give mandate to this time, he added. He was speaking on the resolution BJP: Desh ki aasha, vipaksha ki hatasha (BJP: Countrys hope, oppositions despair). The Opposition, he said, is full of 2G, 3G and 4G parties, a reference to the second, third and fourth generation of families running these parties. Congress which leads I.N.D.I. Alliance ended the spirit of democracy with corruption, dynasticism and appeasement so that peoples mandate do not come independently, Shah said. Prime Minister Modi brought the politics of development at the centre stage by ending the Opposition parties politics of dynasticism, corruption, appeasement and caste, he said. The Prime Minister has worked for the development of all sections of society and enhanced the countrys global standing, Shah said, while asserting that there is no doubt in peoples mind that the prime minister will retain power for a third term. Shah described Modi as a candle which removes darkness while burning itself, as he lauded his dedication, hardwork and commitment to the countrys progress. While PM Modi thinks of the poor and the countrys development, I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders think of making their children Prime Minister and Chief Ministers, Shah said, referring to Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Lalu Prasad and M K Stalin among others. The Congress is the mother of corruption and its nurturer in this country, he said as he listed the alleged scams during the Congress regime and that of its allies. All the family princes have come together against Modi as they think only someone from a powerful family can occupy the top position, he said amid slogans in support of Modi at the meeting. On the one hand there are family-run parties and on the other is the son of a poor mother, he said. The Government has worked to lift the living standards of 60 crore poor who earlier felt left out of the development process, he said. Opposition parties, he said, are in denial mode and oppose everything for the sake of it, be it the repeal of Article 370, ban on triple talaq, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or the construction of the new Parliament building. He also lashed out at the Congress for turning down the invite for the Ram temple consecration ceremony, saying they did so due to appeasement politics. If family-run politics existed in the BJP, then son of a tea seller would not have become the countrys prime minister, he asserted. Signpost India Limited hits upper circuit on listing at BSE & NSE Business Reporter SIGNPOST India Limited (SIL), Indias largest Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) company and integrated advertising media enterprise, is now listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE), becoming the first leading DOOH media enterprise in the country to be listed on the major stock exchanges. Signpost India proudly traces its roots back to Nagpur, the 0 Mile of India. The company expresses gratitude for the citys support throughout its journey. As a testament to its commitment to the city, the company will launch Nagpurs largest digital ad network in the upcoming financial year. Signpost India aims to establish operations and advertising infrastructure in Japan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Singapore, and the UAE within the next three years. Our listing on BSE and NSE symbolises a new era for Signpost India. We are committed to driving innovation and creating meaningful connections between brands and a rapidly evolving consumer base, said Shripad Ashtekar, Chairman and Managing Director, Signpost India Ltd. Emphasizing this commitment, Ashtekar announced the companys plan to invest Rs 100 crore over two years in public digital billboard infrastructure, with Rs 40 crore already committed. Signpost India, the nations largest BQS operating company, boasts over 33.9 million sq. ft. of ad space across 29,000+ panels nation-wide, reaching over 54.6 million individuals in major Indian metros. Signpost Indias listing day saw the stock close at Rs 326.55 on the NSE (on February 14, 2024), resulting in a market capitalization of Rs 1,745 crore a significant increase from the Rs 76 crore valuation at the time of the merger announcement. For the first nine months of FY24, Signpost India reported a total income of Rs 289.51 crore (up 55% YoY) and a profit after tax of Rs 26.30 crore (up 51% YoY). BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. On February 19, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) Mehmet Sureya Er has sent a letter to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Theodoros Roussopoulos, the Milli Majlis (parliament) of Azerbaijan told Trend. In a letter congratulating Theodoros Roussopoulos on his election as PACE Chairman, the Secretary General of TURKPA wished him success in his activities in this post. The letter states that in an era when parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue are becoming increasingly important, inter-parliamentary organizations act as an important platform to help build bridges between countries and peoples. Also, the letter, which highly values the constructive dialogue between parliamentarians around the world, expresses concern over the non-affirmation of the powers of the Azerbaijani delegation in PACE. It is noted that the Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic, as one of the founding members of TURKPA, plays an important role in promoting the principles of dialogue and cooperation in the Turkic world and beyond. The successful chairmanship of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Non-Aligned Movement and its achievements, the creation at the initiative of Azerbaijan of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement and the transformation of the Network in the shortest possible time into an effective platform for inter-parliamentary dialogue at the international level testify to the significant efforts of Azerbaijan to solve problems of a global scale. Azerbaijan plays an important role in preserving cultural diversity and promoting dialogue between cultures and civilizations. The letter states that Azerbaijan, being a member of the Council of Europe since 2001, has contributed through its efforts and cooperation to the protection of the fundamental principles of the organization. It is noted that parliamentary diplomacy and multilateral organizations such as PACE should play a more important role in creating an atmosphere of dialogue and cooperation against the background of growing political tensions and new challenges in the world, and in this context, the continued participation of the Azerbaijani delegation in the work of PACE is important for maintaining a constructive and unrestricted dialogue between all parliamentarians. At the end of the letter, the belief is expressed that, based on the above, the PACE resolution, which does not comply with the principles of dialogue and cooperation, will be revised and the activities of the Azerbaijani delegation in PACE will be restored. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. On February 19, the next round of political consultations took place in Baku between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Croatia, Trendreports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Fariz Rzayev, the delegation of the Republic of Croatia was headed by State Secretary for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Frano Matusic. Issues of strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries, the current state and prospects for the development of cooperation in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres, including within the framework of international organizations, were discussed during the meeting. Discussions on strategic energy and transport projects implemented by Azerbaijan were also held. An exchange of views took place on preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year, and the upcoming work. It was noted that this prestigious event will create new opportunities to develop the existing strategic cooperation between the two countries. At the meeting, detailed information was provided on the situation in the region in the post-conflict period, the process of normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, steps taken by Azerbaijan towards establishing lasting peace in the region, as well as the mine problem in the liberated territories of the country. The opposite side was informed about the demining of the liberated territories, restoration and reconstruction work being carried out there, and opportunities for cooperation in these areas. Regional, international issues and other topics of mutual interest were also discussed during the political consultations. Acadian Asset Management LLC reduced its position in shares of Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB Free Report) by 6.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,173,415 shares of the companys stock after selling 74,746 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLCs holdings in Kimberly-Clark were worth $141,779,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 9,370 shares of the companys stock worth $1,294,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the period. WealthSpring Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. WealthSpring Partners LLC now owns 2,936 shares of the companys stock worth $405,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,223 shares of the companys stock worth $307,000 after buying an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. TrinityPoint Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. TrinityPoint Wealth LLC now owns 5,602 shares of the companys stock worth $773,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC now owns 4,750 shares of the companys stock worth $656,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. 74.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Kimberly-Clark alerts: Kimberly-Clark Stock Performance Shares of NYSE KMB traded down $0.50 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $118.29. 1,731,300 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,073,270. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $121.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $122.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.75, a PEG ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.94, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.82. Kimberly-Clark Co. has a one year low of $116.32 and a one year high of $147.87. Kimberly-Clark Increases Dividend Kimberly-Clark ( NYSE:KMB Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The company reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.53 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $5 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.99 billion. Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 8.63% and a return on equity of 260.47%. Kimberly-Clarks quarterly revenue was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.54 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 6.83 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be paid a $1.22 dividend. This represents a $4.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.13%. This is a positive change from Kimberly-Clarks previous quarterly dividend of $1.18. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. Kimberly-Clarks dividend payout ratio is 90.77%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $119.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Bank of America downgraded Kimberly-Clark from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and cut their price target for the stock from $135.00 to $115.00 in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Barclays cut their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $128.00 to $124.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $125.00 to $123.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Piper Sandler began coverage on Kimberly-Clark in a research report on Friday, November 17th. They issued an overweight rating and a $146.00 price objective on the stock. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $130.14. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on KMB Insider Transactions at Kimberly-Clark In other news, insider Tristram Wilkinson sold 3,720 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.00, for a total value of $450,120.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 17,229 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,084,709. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Kimberly-Clark news, insider Jeffrey P. Melucci sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.71, for a total value of $365,130.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 25,169 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,063,318.99. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Tristram Wilkinson sold 3,720 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.00, for a total transaction of $450,120.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 17,229 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,084,709. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.67% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Kimberly-Clark Profile (Free Report) Kimberly-Clark Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets personal care and consumer tissue products in the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue, and K-C Professional. The company's Personal Care segment offers disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swimpants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, reusable underwear, and other related products under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Sweety, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Thinx, Poise, Depend, Plenitud, Softex, and other brand names. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KMB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kimberly-Clark Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kimberly-Clark and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Altshuler Shaham Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Evolent Health, Inc. (NYSE:EVH Free Report) by 25.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 15,000 shares of the technology companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Altshuler Shaham Ltds holdings in Evolent Health were worth $408,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Evolent Health by 10.1% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,655,790 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $311,004,000 after buying an additional 793,082 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Evolent Health by 9.6% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,595,916 shares of the technology companys stock worth $230,156,000 after acquiring an additional 667,658 shares during the last quarter. Bellevue Group AG raised its position in Evolent Health by 57.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bellevue Group AG now owns 3,448,322 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $104,484,000 after purchasing an additional 1,257,175 shares during the last quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Evolent Health in the second quarter worth $80,930,000. Finally, Eventide Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Evolent Health by 38.6% in the second quarter. Eventide Asset Management LLC now owns 2,638,144 shares of the technology companys stock worth $79,936,000 after purchasing an additional 735,389 shares in the last quarter. Get Evolent Health alerts: Insider Activity In other Evolent Health news, CEO Seth Blackley sold 141,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.54, for a total value of $3,742,140.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 637,645 shares in the company, valued at $16,923,098.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 3.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades EVH has been the topic of several research reports. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Evolent Health from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Evolent Health from $36.00 to $34.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 14th. William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of Evolent Health in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. Wedbush reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Evolent Health in a report on Thursday, November 16th. Finally, JMP Securities initiated coverage on Evolent Health in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. They set an outperform rating and a $37.00 price objective for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $41.25. Read Our Latest Report on Evolent Health Evolent Health Price Performance EVH traded down $0.30 on Monday, hitting $30.95. 687,500 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 973,606. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.04. The stocks fifty day moving average is $31.08 and its 200-day moving average is $28.51. Evolent Health, Inc. has a 12 month low of $23.33 and a 12 month high of $36.70. Evolent Health Company Profile (Free Report) Evolent Health, Inc, a healthcare company, through its subsidiary, Evolent Health LLC, offers clinical and administrative solutions to payers and providers in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Evolent Health Services and Clinical Solutions. The Evolent Health Services segment provides an integrated administrative and clinical platform for health plan administration and population health management. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EVH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Evolent Health, Inc. (NYSE:EVH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Evolent Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Evolent Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Altshuler Shaham Ltd lowered its position in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 77.2% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 1,915 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 6,469 shares during the quarter. Altshuler Shaham Ltds holdings in American Express were worth $286,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AXP. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of American Express by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 30,320,053 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $5,281,753,000 after purchasing an additional 507,042 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of American Express by 118,198.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,732,068 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $2,028,913,000 after purchasing an additional 13,720,460 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in shares of American Express by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,503,902 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,847,452,000 after purchasing an additional 35,760 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of American Express by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 10,817,376 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,878,460,000 after purchasing an additional 214,837 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in American Express during the 4th quarter worth approximately $911,554,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.08% of the companys stock. Get American Express alerts: Insider Transactions at American Express In related news, Vice Chairman Jeffrey C. Campbell sold 21,008 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.33, for a total value of $3,536,276.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 125,646 shares in the company, valued at $21,149,991.18. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Vice Chairman Jeffrey C. Campbell sold 21,008 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.33, for a total value of $3,536,276.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 125,646 shares in the company, valued at $21,149,991.18. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Howard Grosfield sold 7,029 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $203.65, for a total transaction of $1,431,455.85. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 12,388 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,522,816.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 193,055 shares of company stock worth $40,064,664. Company insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock. American Express Stock Performance NYSE AXP traded up $0.03 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $212.56. The company had a trading volume of 2,831,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,549,161. American Express has a 1-year low of $140.91 and a 1-year high of $214.29. The company has a market cap of $153.87 billion, a PE ratio of 18.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.23. The business has a 50 day moving average of $191.27 and a 200-day moving average of $169.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.63 and a current ratio of 1.63. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The payment services company reported $2.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.64 by ($0.02). American Express had a return on equity of 30.99% and a net margin of 13.84%. The business had revenue of $15.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.07 EPS. American Expresss quarterly revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that American Express will post 12.83 EPS for the current year. American Express Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 5th were paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.13%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.41%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have recently weighed in on AXP. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on American Express from $186.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 18th. Stephens upgraded American Express from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $148.00 to $193.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Barclays upped their price objective on American Express from $216.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on American Express from $157.00 to $159.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Citigroup raised American Express from a sell rating to a neutral rating and boosted their target price for the company from $143.00 to $154.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $189.00. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on American Express About American Express (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express (NYSE:AXP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the seven ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $86.00. Several research firms recently weighed in on AER. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on AerCap in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set an outperform rating and a $103.00 price target on the stock. Barclays increased their price target on AerCap from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on AerCap from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. Get AerCap alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on AER AerCap Trading Down 1.4 % Institutional Inflows and Outflows AER stock opened at $77.64 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $16.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.18, a PEG ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.85. AerCap has a 1-year low of $49.58 and a 1-year high of $79.01. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $75.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $67.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.90, a current ratio of 0.51 and a quick ratio of 0.51. Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of AerCap by 105.4% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 274,411 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $13,797,000 after purchasing an additional 140,800 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in shares of AerCap by 589.5% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 41,378 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,129,000 after buying an additional 35,377 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS acquired a new stake in shares of AerCap in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $745,000. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AerCap by 90.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,767,535 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $289,992,000 after buying an additional 2,743,035 shares during the period. Finally, APG Asset Management N.V. acquired a new stake in shares of AerCap in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $203,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.00% of the companys stock. AerCap Company Profile (Get Free Report AerCap Holdings N.V. engages in the lease, financing, sale, and management of commercial flight equipment in China, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers aircraft asset management services, such as remarketing aircraft and engines; collecting rental and maintenance rent payments, monitoring aircraft maintenance, monitoring and enforcing contract compliance, and accepting delivery and redelivery of aircraft and engines; and conducting ongoing lessee financial performance reviews. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for AerCap Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AerCap and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Balentine LLC grew its position in shares of WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Free Report) by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,899 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 131 shares during the period. Balentine LLCs holdings in WEC Energy Group were worth $395,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Advisors Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in WEC Energy Group by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 4,799 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $444,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the period. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group by 12.1% in the 4th quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,059 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $99,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the period. Portside Wealth Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Portside Wealth Group LLC now owns 10,374 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $837,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares during the period. Blossom Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Blossom Wealth Management now owns 3,797 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $306,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the period. Finally, Gradient Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 3,979 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $321,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the period. 75.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get WEC Energy Group alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have weighed in on WEC shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of WEC Energy Group from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $90.00 to $84.00 in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of WEC Energy Group from $88.00 to $86.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 18th. StockNews.com lowered shares of WEC Energy Group from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, January 13th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of WEC Energy Group from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, KeyCorp upped their target price on shares of WEC Energy Group from $94.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, WEC Energy Group presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $86.17. WEC Energy Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE WEC opened at $78.07 on Monday. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a one year low of $75.13 and a one year high of $99.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a current ratio of 0.55. The companys fifty day moving average is $81.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is $82.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.50, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.41. WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. WEC Energy Group had a net margin of 14.98% and a return on equity of 12.17%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 13.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.80 EPS. Analysts forecast that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 4.88 EPS for the current fiscal year. WEC Energy Group Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.835 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 13th. This represents a $3.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.28%. This is an increase from WEC Energy Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 79.15%. Insider Activity In related news, Director Ulice Payne, Jr. sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.46, for a total transaction of $50,076.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 20,933 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,747,068.18. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. WEC Energy Group Profile (Free Report) WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. The company operates through six segments: Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure, and Corporate and Other. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for WEC Energy Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WEC Energy Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP Free Report) had its price target hoisted by Barclays from $64.00 to $65.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on TAP. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Molson Coors Beverage in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They set a hold rating and a $62.00 target price for the company. Wedbush restated a neutral rating and set a $70.00 price target on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a report on Monday, November 6th. StockNews.com cut Molson Coors Beverage from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. TheStreet upgraded Molson Coors Beverage from a c rating to a b- rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, HSBC assumed coverage on Molson Coors Beverage in a report on Thursday, November 30th. They set a hold rating and a $68.00 price target for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $66.33. Get Molson Coors Beverage alerts: View Our Latest Report on TAP Molson Coors Beverage Stock Performance Shares of TAP opened at $62.15 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $62.10 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $61.63. The stock has a market cap of $13.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.25, a PEG ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 0.82. Molson Coors Beverage has a 52 week low of $49.32 and a 52 week high of $70.90. Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.12 by $0.07. Molson Coors Beverage had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 6.83%. The firm had revenue of $2.79 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.78 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.30 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Molson Coors Beverage will post 5.66 EPS for the current year. Molson Coors Beverage Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.44 per share. This is a positive change from Molson Coors Beverages previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.83%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. Molson Coors Beverages dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 37.61%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CFO Tracey Joubert sold 2,771 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.37, for a total transaction of $167,285.27. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 60,538 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,654,679.06. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 2.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TAP. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 9,466.3% during the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 2,143,619 shares of the companys stock worth $131,211,000 after purchasing an additional 2,121,211 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Molson Coors Beverage during the 4th quarter worth $127,337,000. Marshall Wace LLP increased its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 2,089.6% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,150,603 shares of the companys stock worth $141,596,000 after purchasing an additional 2,052,384 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 76.0% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,475,114 shares of the companys stock valued at $218,168,000 after acquiring an additional 1,500,269 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,329,879 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,138,589,000 after acquiring an additional 1,235,013 shares during the period. 73.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Molson Coors Beverage Company Profile (Get Free Report) Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and sells beer and other malt beverage products under various brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, and ready to drink beverages. It provides its products under Aspall Cider, Blue Moon, Coors Original, Hop Valley brands, Leinenkugel's, Miller Genuine Draft, Molson Ultra, Sharp's, Staropramen, and Vizzy Hard Seltzer above premier brands; Bergenbier, Borsodi, Carling, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Jelen, Kamenitza, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian Lager, Molson Dry, Molson Export, and Niksicko, Ozujsko under the premium brands; and Branik, Icehouse, Keystone, Miller High Life, Milwaukee's Best, and Steel Reserve under the economy brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Molson Coors Beverage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molson Coors Beverage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandes Investment Partners LP raised its holdings in Koninklijke Philips (NYSE:PHG Free Report) by 3.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 864,880 shares of the technology companys stock after acquiring an additional 27,385 shares during the quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LPs holdings in Koninklijke Philips were worth $17,246,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in Koninklijke Philips by 166.7% during the third quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,600 shares of the technology companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC increased its stake in Koninklijke Philips by 28.7% in the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 2,226 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 496 shares in the last quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Koninklijke Philips during the 2nd quarter worth $43,000. Credit Suisse AG purchased a new stake in shares of Koninklijke Philips in the 2nd quarter worth about $65,000. Finally, Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in Koninklijke Philips by 113.3% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,242 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $65,000 after acquiring an additional 1,722 shares during the last quarter. 6.64% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Koninklijke Philips alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. BNP Paribas downgraded shares of Koninklijke Philips from an outperform rating to an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. StockNews.com raised Koninklijke Philips from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Koninklijke Philips presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $19.00. Koninklijke Philips Stock Down 0.5 % Shares of Koninklijke Philips stock traded down $0.10 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $20.31. 682,600 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,146,797. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $22.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $21.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 0.78. Koninklijke Philips has a twelve month low of $15.63 and a twelve month high of $24.27. About Koninklijke Philips (Free Report) Koninklijke Philips N.V. operates as a health technology company in North America, the Greater China, and internationally. It operates through Diagnosis & Treatment Businesses, Connected Care Businesses, and Personal Health Businesses segments. The company provides diagnostic imaging solutions, includes magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray systems, and computed tomography (CT) systems and software comprising detector-based spectral CT solutions, as well as molecular and hybrid imaging solutions for nuclear medicine; echography solutions focused on diagnosis, treatment planning and guidance for cardiology, general imaging, obstetrics/gynecology, and point-of-care applications; integrated interventional systems, and interventional diagnostic and therapeutic devices to treat coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease; proprietary software to enable diagnostics and intervention; and enterprise diagnostic informatics products and services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PHG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Koninklijke Philips (NYSE:PHG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Koninklijke Philips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Koninklijke Philips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The colleagues of the Red Hearts Foundation engaged in meetings with various civil society institutions in Turkiye to enhance their connections, during this trip. Among the participants were the President of the Red Hearts Foundation, Sevda Haqverdiyeva, and the Vice President, Nihad Salmanl, along with prominent participants such as Banu Taskn, President of the the Turkish Education Foundation; Gonca Akpnar, Coordinator of the Ahbap Association; Ercument Arabac, Coordinator of Social Services at the Nef Foundation; Nevgul Bilsel, President of the Sabanc Foundation; Secil Knay, Manager of Special Projects at the Vehbi Koc Foundation; and Cigdem Toparlak, Communications Manager. The colleagues of the Red Hearts Fund had the opportunity to exchange the ideas and experiences with both the theoretical and practical ways of the civil society institutions in Turkiye. Detailed information was provided to the representatives of the foundation regarding the organization of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) within the Republic of Turkiye, the support provided by the companies affiliated with CSOs, the mechanisms for attracting donations, and the establishment of independent financial resources. Red Hearts was founded in December 2019 at the initiative of Kapital Bank employees. The organization, which currently operates as a foundation, mainly provides assistance to orphanages, shelters and people in need. For more information please visit www.redhearts.az. Brandes Investment Partners LP boosted its position in shares of GSK plc (NYSE:GSK Free Report) by 5.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 683,635 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 33,143 shares during the period. Brandes Investment Partners LPs holdings in GSK were worth $24,782,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in GSK by 6.9% during the third quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,346 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock worth $158,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in GSK by 4.8% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 6,462 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock worth $234,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares during the period. Fiduciary Group LLC increased its stake in GSK by 3.3% during the first quarter. Fiduciary Group LLC now owns 9,367 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock worth $342,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc increased its stake in GSK by 2.3% during the second quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 13,817 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock worth $492,000 after acquiring an additional 306 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MONECO Advisors LLC raised its position in GSK by 3.8% in the second quarter. MONECO Advisors LLC now owns 8,643 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $308,000 after purchasing an additional 314 shares during the period. 13.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get GSK alerts: GSK Stock Up 0.4 % Shares of GSK stock traded up $0.17 during trading on Monday, reaching $41.94. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,765,700 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,108,867. The company has a market capitalization of $86.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 0.64. GSK plc has a 1-year low of $33.20 and a 1-year high of $42.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.70. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $39.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.88. GSK Increases Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.3564 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $1.43 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.40%. This is a positive change from GSKs previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. GSKs dividend payout ratio is currently 46.51%. GSK has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded GSK from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Citigroup raised shares of GSK from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of GSK in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an equal weight rating for the company. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded GSK from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Our Latest Stock Report on GSK About GSK (Free Report) GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development and manufacture of vaccines and specialty medicines to prevent and treat disease in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GSK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for GSK plc (NYSE:GSK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for GSK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GSK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC cut its position in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report) by 5.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 384,229 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after selling 23,182 shares during the period. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $48,705,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of EOG. Prospera Financial Services Inc boosted its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 196.9% during the 2nd quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 7,593 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $870,000 after buying an additional 5,036 shares during the period. Capital International Inc. CA boosted its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 21.0% during the 2nd quarter. Capital International Inc. CA now owns 122,241 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $13,989,000 after buying an additional 21,223 shares during the period. Paradigm Financial Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Paradigm Financial Partners LLC now owns 30,004 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $3,728,000 after buying an additional 271 shares during the period. Gratus Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Gratus Capital LLC now owns 154,485 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $17,679,000 after buying an additional 2,025 shares during the period. Finally, Truist Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 23.2% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 158,360 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $18,123,000 after buying an additional 29,822 shares during the period. 89.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get EOG Resources alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes EOG has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of EOG Resources from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $134.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Monday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of EOG Resources from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and cut their price objective for the company from $150.00 to $130.00 in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $165.00 to $163.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $165.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, Raymond James cut their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $148.00 to $145.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, EOG Resources has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $143.50. EOG Resources Trading Down 0.6 % Shares of EOG traded down $0.69 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $113.56. 4,151,000 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,043,667. EOG Resources, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $98.52 and a fifty-two week high of $136.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 2.43 and a quick ratio of 2.10. The business has a 50-day moving average of $116.38 and a 200-day moving average of $123.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $66.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 1.40. EOG Resources Profile (Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EOG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Guggenheim cut shares of Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL Free Report) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Charles River Laboratories International from $190.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Charles River Laboratories International from $250.00 to $215.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Charles River Laboratories International from $210.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Charles River Laboratories International from $220.00 to $205.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 10th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $246.54. Get Charles River Laboratories International alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Charles River Laboratories International Charles River Laboratories International Price Performance NYSE:CRL opened at $244.96 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $12.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The companys 50-day moving average is $223.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $204.99. Charles River Laboratories International has a 12-month low of $161.65 and a 12-month high of $252.20. Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The medical research company reported $2.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.39 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $1.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $991.25 million. Charles River Laboratories International had a net margin of 11.49% and a return on equity of 16.53%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.98 EPS. Research analysts expect that Charles River Laboratories International will post 11.03 EPS for the current year. Institutional Trading of Charles River Laboratories International Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Lindbrook Capital LLC grew its position in Charles River Laboratories International by 97.0% in the second quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 132 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC grew its position in Charles River Laboratories International by 105.7% in the third quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 144 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Charles River Laboratories International in the third quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Operose Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Charles River Laboratories International in the third quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its position in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 48.3% during the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 218 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.91% of the companys stock. About Charles River Laboratories International (Get Free Report) Charles River Laboratories International, Inc, a non-clinical contract research organization, provides drug discovery, non-clinical development, and safety testing services in the United States, Europe, Canada, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Research Models and Services (RMS), Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA), and Manufacturing Solutions (Manufacturing). Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Charles River Laboratories International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles River Laboratories International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Coca-Cola HBC AG (LON:CCH Get Free Report) insider Zoran Bogdanovic acquired 176 shares of Coca-Cola HBC stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 2,455 ($31.01) per share, for a total transaction of 4,320.80 ($5,456.93). Zoran Bogdanovic also recently made the following trade(s): Get Coca-Cola HBC alerts: On Wednesday, January 17th, Zoran Bogdanovic purchased 193 shares of Coca-Cola HBC stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 2,345 ($29.62) per share, for a total transaction of 4,525.85 ($5,715.90). On Tuesday, January 2nd, Zoran Bogdanovic sold 392 shares of Coca-Cola HBC stock. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 2,295 ($28.98), for a total value of 8,996.40 ($11,361.96). On Wednesday, December 20th, Zoran Bogdanovic sold 13,500 shares of Coca-Cola HBC stock. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 2,310 ($29.17), for a total transaction of 311,850 ($393,849.46). On Monday, December 18th, Zoran Bogdanovic purchased 193 shares of Coca-Cola HBC stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 2,282 ($28.82) per share, for a total transaction of 4,404.26 ($5,562.34). On Thursday, November 30th, Zoran Bogdanovic sold 14,800 shares of Coca-Cola HBC stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 2,190 ($27.66), for a total value of 324,120 ($409,345.79). Coca-Cola HBC Trading Up 0.0 % Shares of CCH stock traded up GBX 1.18 ($0.01) during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting GBX 2,463.18 ($31.11). The companys stock had a trading volume of 337,004 shares, compared to its average volume of 511,662. The company has a market cap of 9.04 billion, a PE ratio of 1,663.51, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 107.46, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 1.02. The companys fifty day simple moving average is GBX 2,309.74 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 2,240.62. Coca-Cola HBC AG has a 52 week low of GBX 2,065 ($26.08) and a 52 week high of GBX 2,582 ($32.61). Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a neutral rating on shares of Coca-Cola HBC in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 2,770 ($34.98). Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on CCH Coca-Cola HBC Company Profile (Get Free Report) Coca-Cola HBC AG engages in the production, distribution, and sale of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages under franchise in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers sparkling soft drinks, adult sparkling, hydration drinks, juices, ready-to-drink tea, energy drinks, dairy, coffee, water, plant-based drinks, premium spirits and flavored alcoholic beverages, and snacks. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola HBC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola HBC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. California Resources (NYSE:CRC Get Free Report) and Gulfport Energy (OTCMKTS:GPORQ Get Free Report) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, risk, earnings, dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership. Volatility & Risk California Resources has a beta of 1.01, suggesting that its stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Gulfport Energy has a beta of 5.5, suggesting that its stock price is 450% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get California Resources alerts: Earnings & Valuation This table compares California Resources and Gulfport Energys top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio California Resources $2.71 billion 1.37 $524.00 million $6.23 8.65 Gulfport Energy $866.54 million 24.92 -$1.63 billion ($6.86) -19.58 Profitability California Resources has higher revenue and earnings than Gulfport Energy. Gulfport Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than California Resources, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This table compares California Resources and Gulfport Energys net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets California Resources 16.65% 19.62% 10.06% Gulfport Energy -144.45% -93.72% -3.48% Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for California Resources and Gulfport Energy, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score California Resources 0 1 5 0 2.83 Gulfport Energy 0 0 0 0 N/A California Resources presently has a consensus target price of $65.33, suggesting a potential upside of 21.17%. Given California Resources higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe California Resources is more favorable than Gulfport Energy. Insider & Institutional Ownership 97.8% of California Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of Gulfport Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of California Resources shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of Gulfport Energy shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Summary California Resources beats Gulfport Energy on 10 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About California Resources (Get Free Report) California Resources Corporation operates as an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company in the United States. The company explores, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids for marketers, California refineries, and other purchasers that have access to transportation and storage facilities. It also engages in the generation and sale of electricity to the local utility and the grid. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Long Beach, California. About Gulfport Energy (Get Free Report) Gulfport Energy Corporation engages in the exploration, development, acquisition, and production of natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States. Its principal properties include Utica Shale covering an area of approximately 205,000 net reservoir acres primarily located in Eastern Ohio; and SCOOP covering an area of approximately 76,000 net reservoir acres primarily located in Oklahoma. As of December 31, 2020, it had 2.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent of proved reserves; proved undeveloped reserves of 7 MMbbl of oil; and 923 Bcf of natural gas and 16 MMbbl of NGL. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. On November 13, 2020, Gulfport Energy Corporation, along with its affiliates, filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Receive News & Ratings for California Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for California Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Estabrook Capital Management reduced its holdings in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC Free Report) by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 26,137 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 321 shares during the quarter. Estabrook Capital Managements holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $5,147,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of NSC. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in Norfolk Southern by 95,518.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,028,232 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $746,217,000 after purchasing an additional 3,025,065 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter worth approximately $537,007,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its position in Norfolk Southern by 86.7% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,724,821 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $671,451,000 after purchasing an additional 1,265,666 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its position in Norfolk Southern by 33.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,546,214 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $627,438,000 after purchasing an additional 638,384 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA bought a new position in Norfolk Southern in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $103,223,000. 72.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Norfolk Southern alerts: Norfolk Southern Trading Down 0.9 % Shares of NYSE:NSC traded down $2.30 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $252.04. 1,154,800 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,493,785. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.43, a PEG ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 1.30. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $237.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $216.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.24. Norfolk Southern Co. has a twelve month low of $183.09 and a twelve month high of $257.00. Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement Norfolk Southern ( NYSE:NSC Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The railroad operator reported $2.83 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.87 by ($0.04). Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 21.06% and a net margin of 15.03%. The firm had revenue of $3.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.09 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.42 EPS. Norfolk Southerns quarterly revenue was down 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 12.17 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 2nd will be paid a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.14%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 1st. Norfolk Southerns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 67.33%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have commented on NSC. Bank of America upgraded shares of Norfolk Southern from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $204.00 to $248.00 in a research report on Friday, December 1st. TD Cowen cut shares of Norfolk Southern from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and upped their target price for the company from $233.00 to $236.00 in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $240.00 to $235.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 29th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $209.00 to $238.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $245.00 to $220.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Norfolk Southern has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $238.94. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on NSC Norfolk Southern Profile (Free Report) Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals consist of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NSC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Norfolk Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norfolk Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Glenview Trust co raised its stake in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report) by 112.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 104,154 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 55,241 shares during the period. Glenview Trust cos holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $5,967,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Country Trust Bank boosted its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 975.6% during the third quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 441 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp purchased a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy during the second quarter valued at $26,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy during the second quarter valued at $32,000. West Tower Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy during the second quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy during the third quarter valued at $38,000. 76.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get NextEra Energy alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Guggenheim increased their price objective on NextEra Energy from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on NextEra Energy from $79.00 to $76.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. StockNews.com raised NextEra Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $74.00 target price on shares of NextEra Energy in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on NextEra Energy from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $71.85. Insider Activity at NextEra Energy In other NextEra Energy news, Director Nicole S. Arnaboldi bought 8,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 8th. The shares were bought at an average price of $59.59 per share, with a total value of $506,515.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 11,523 shares of the companys stock, valued at $686,655.57. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.18% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. NextEra Energy Stock Down 0.4 % NYSE NEE opened at $57.03 on Monday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $59.39 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 52 week low of $47.15 and a 52 week high of $79.78. The company has a market capitalization of $117.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.52. NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.03. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 11.73% and a net margin of 26.00%. The firm had revenue of $6.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.51 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.44 earnings per share for the current year. NextEra Energy Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.61%. This is an increase from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. NextEra Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 51.80%. About NextEra Energy (Free Report) NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and natural gas facilities. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for NextEra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NextEra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 10,590 shares of the oil and gas producers stock, valued at approximately $286,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EPD. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in Enterprise Products Partners in the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Enterprise Products Partners by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 6,571,535 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $169,611,000 after acquiring an additional 169,059 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Enterprise Products Partners by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 25,050,292 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $646,548,000 after acquiring an additional 1,114,690 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its position in shares of Enterprise Products Partners by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 89,367 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $2,307,000 after acquiring an additional 2,804 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its position in shares of Enterprise Products Partners by 76.5% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 888,439 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $22,931,000 after acquiring an additional 385,008 shares during the period. 26.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Enterprise Products Partners alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently commented on EPD shares. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Enterprise Products Partners from $33.00 to $31.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $35.00 target price on shares of Enterprise Products Partners in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Raymond James reduced their target price on shares of Enterprise Products Partners from $32.00 to $31.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Enterprise Products Partners from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Enterprise Products Partners from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $32.15. Enterprise Products Partners Price Performance Shares of NYSE:EPD traded up $0.26 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $27.25. The stock had a trading volume of 5,079,800 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,508,500. The companys 50-day moving average price is $26.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $26.71. The company has a market capitalization of $59.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.81 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. has a fifty-two week low of $24.66 and a fifty-two week high of $27.95. Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE:EPD Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The oil and gas producer reported $0.72 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $14.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.43 billion. Enterprise Products Partners had a net margin of 11.12% and a return on equity of 19.77%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.65 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Enterprise Products Partners L.P. will post 2.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. Enterprise Products Partners Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 31st were given a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.56%. This is a boost from Enterprise Products Partnerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, January 30th. Enterprise Products Partnerss dividend payout ratio is currently 81.75%. Enterprise Products Partners Profile (Free Report) Enterprise Products Partners L.P. provides midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, petrochemicals, and refined products. The company operates through four segments: NGL Pipelines & Services, Crude Oil Pipelines & Services, Natural Gas Pipelines & Services, and Petrochemical & Refined Products Services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EPD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Enterprise Products Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enterprise Products Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC cut its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV Free Report) by 16.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,468 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,521 shares during the period. Interchange Capital Partners LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $541,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in USMV. Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 7.8% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 8,253 shares of the companys stock worth $646,000 after purchasing an additional 594 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL grew its position in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 95,612 shares of the companys stock worth $7,417,000 after purchasing an additional 1,612 shares in the last quarter. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 1,348,690 shares of the companys stock worth $104,618,000 after purchasing an additional 57,434 shares in the last quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 27.0% in the 1st quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC now owns 88,779 shares of the companys stock worth $6,887,000 after purchasing an additional 18,853 shares in the last quarter. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 12,575 shares of the companys stock worth $975,000 after purchasing an additional 719 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Stock Down 0.2 % USMV stock traded down $0.19 during trading on Monday, reaching $80.46. The stock had a trading volume of 3,033,482 shares. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a one year low of $47.44 and a one year high of $55.45. The companys 50 day moving average is $78.86 and its two-hundred day moving average is $75.78. The company has a market capitalization of $30.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.17 and a beta of 0.75. About iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 3,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $297,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 10.4% during the second quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 213,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,806,000 after purchasing an additional 20,104 shares during the last quarter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 13.0% during the second quarter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC now owns 4,756 shares of the companys stock valued at $470,000 after purchasing an additional 547 shares during the last quarter. Berger Financial Group Inc lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Berger Financial Group Inc now owns 3,902 shares of the companys stock valued at $381,000 after acquiring an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 120,894 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,802,000 after acquiring an additional 1,764 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Elevated Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC now owns 17,016 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,661,000 after acquiring an additional 471 shares in the last quarter. 79.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets PM has been the subject of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. UBS Group downgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and reduced their price target for the company from $105.00 to $86.50 in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Societe Generale upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $95.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $105.40. Insider Buying and Selling In other Philip Morris International news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.25, for a total value of $942,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 198,447 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,703,629.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.15% of the stock is owned by insiders. Philip Morris International Stock Up 0.8 % Shares of PM traded up $0.67 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $89.65. 4,382,400 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,162,103. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $92.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $93.13. The stock has a market cap of $139.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.63. Philip Morris International Inc. has a twelve month low of $87.23 and a twelve month high of $102.00. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $9.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.99 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 116.29% and a net margin of 8.53%. Philip Morris Internationals quarterly revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.39 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.4 earnings per share for the current year. Philip Morris International Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st were issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 20th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 103.59%. About Philip Morris International (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. "Azercell Telecom" LLC continues to contribute to the reconstruction and restoration of liberated territories of the country. Thus, the company is pleased to announce the opening of the first mobile services center in Fuzuli. Located in the center of Fuzuli city, on Heydar Aliyev Avenue, the new office of Azercell enables customers to conveniently carry out various operations on mobile numbers. Equipped with modern facilities, the store also offers a range of devices for daily use, as well as smartphones available for purchase via credit or cash options. It is worth noting that Azercell was the first mobile operator to establish mobile network infrastructure in Karabakh and open its customer service center and official dealer store in this region. The company has already launched its Exclusive office in Shusha city and dealer stores in Agali village of Zangilan and Lachin. At the same time, Azercell has deployed nearly 150 4G base stations and the first "green" stations powered by solar energy in the liberated territories. Retirement Capital Strategies lifted its position in Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF (NYSEARCA:ERTH Free Report) by 195.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 16,041 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 10,607 shares during the period. Retirement Capital Strategies owned approximately 0.29% of Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF worth $710,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF during the third quarter worth $39,000. FMR LLC raised its position in shares of Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF by 23.2% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,384 shares of the companys stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 261 shares during the period. Concord Wealth Partners raised its position in shares of Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF by 32.6% during the second quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 2,354 shares of the companys stock worth $115,000 after purchasing an additional 579 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF during the third quarter worth $123,000. Finally, Credit Suisse AG acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF during the second quarter worth $171,000. Get Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF alerts: Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF Stock Performance Shares of ERTH stock traded down $0.12 on Monday, reaching $42.61. 8,400 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,088. Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF has a 12-month low of $38.72 and a 12-month high of $52.85. The company has a market capitalization of $238.62 million, a P/E ratio of 31.61 and a beta of 1.15. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $43.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $44.05. About Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF The Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF (ERTH) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Global Environment Select index. The fund tracks an index of global companies focusing on contributing to a more environmentally sustainable economy. ERTH was launched on Oct 24, 2006 and is managed by Invesco. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ERTH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF (NYSEARCA:ERTH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco MSCI Sustainable Future ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Horiko Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Lennar Co. (NYSE:LEN Free Report) by 11.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 73,473 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,437 shares during the quarter. Lennar comprises 4.3% of Horiko Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest position. Horiko Capital Management LLCs holdings in Lennar were worth $8,246,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Lennar by 10.7% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 12,184 shares of the construction companys stock worth $989,000 after purchasing an additional 1,173 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its holdings in Lennar by 6.8% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 9,499 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $771,000 after purchasing an additional 602 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Lennar by 172.1% in the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 14,925 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,256,000 after buying an additional 9,440 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC purchased a new stake in Lennar during the first quarter valued at $1,711,000. Finally, Moors & Cabot Inc. bought a new position in Lennar during the first quarter valued at $200,000. 79.87% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Lennar alerts: Insider Activity at Lennar In other Lennar news, VP Mark Sustana sold 37,304 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.38, for a total value of $5,460,559.52. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 18,694 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,736,427.72. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, VP Mark Sustana sold 37,304 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.38, for a total value of $5,460,559.52. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 18,694 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,736,427.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Diane J. Bessette sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $147.73, for a total value of $1,477,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 260,556 shares in the company, valued at $38,491,937.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 9.53% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have commented on LEN shares. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Lennar from $114.00 to $137.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Raymond James raised their price objective on Lennar from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. Barclays raised their price objective on Lennar from $132.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Lennar from $138.00 to $158.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Lennar in a research note on Monday, November 27th. They set a hold rating and a $117.00 target price for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $140.53. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Lennar Lennar Stock Performance Lennar stock traded down $3.98 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $150.22. The stock had a trading volume of 1,768,300 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,107,967. Lennar Co. has a fifty-two week low of $94.11 and a fifty-two week high of $158.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 6.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The company has a 50-day moving average of $149.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $129.28. The company has a market cap of $42.18 billion, a PE ratio of 10.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.53. Lennar (NYSE:LEN Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, December 15th. The construction company reported $4.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.59 by $0.23. Lennar had a return on equity of 15.84% and a net margin of 11.51%. The business had revenue of $10.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.22 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $5.02 EPS. Lennars quarterly revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Lennar Co. will post 14.36 EPS for the current fiscal year. Lennar Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 7th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 24th were issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.33%. This is a boost from Lennars previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, January 23rd. Lennars dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14.53%. Lennar Company Profile (Free Report) Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The company's homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LEN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lennar Co. (NYSE:LEN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lennar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lennar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North Star Investment Management Corp. decreased its stake in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK Free Report) by 8.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,097 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 289 shares during the period. North Star Investment Management Corp.s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $300,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 28.6% in the third quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC now owns 4,023 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $355,000 after buying an additional 894 shares in the last quarter. Adviser Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $304,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC lifted 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 valued at $17,174,000 after acquiring an additional 22,100 shares in the last quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 10.0% in the third quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,397 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $212,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Equitable Trust Co. lifted its position in shares of Duke Energy by 6.5% during the third quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 17,457 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,541,000 after purchasing an additional 1,058 shares in the last quarter. 63.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Duke Energy alerts: Duke Energy Trading Down 0.5 % NYSE:DUK traded down $0.48 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $91.88. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,120,800 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,131,233. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $96.14 and a 200-day simple moving average of $92.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a current ratio of 0.74. Duke Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $83.06 and a 1 year high of $100.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.88, a PEG ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 0.48. Duke Energy Announces Dividend Duke Energy ( NYSE:DUK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.51 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by ($0.02). Duke Energy had a return on equity of 8.93% and a net margin of 9.78%. The company had revenue of $7.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.24 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.11 earnings per share. Duke Energys revenue for the quarter was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.97 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be issued a $1.025 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $4.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.46%. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 115.49%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on DUK. KeyCorp boosted their target price on Duke Energy from $106.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Duke Energy from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Bank of America downgraded shares of Duke Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $105.00 to $96.00 in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Duke Energy from $103.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Duke Energy from $101.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $100.00. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Duke Energy Insider Activity In other Duke Energy news, EVP Louis E. Renjel sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.57, for a total transaction of $277,710.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 14,213 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,315,697.41. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.11% of the companys stock. About Duke Energy (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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Duke Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duke Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC decreased its stake in Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Free Report) by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 29,062 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 577 shares during the period. Phillips 66 makes up 0.8% of Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs holdings in Phillips 66 were worth $3,492,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in PSX. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its position in Phillips 66 by 63.5% during the 3rd quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 4,571 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $549,000 after acquiring an additional 1,776 shares during the last quarter. Alan B Lancz & Associates Inc. bought a new position in shares of Phillips 66 during the third quarter worth about $240,000. Rathbones Group PLC bought a new stake in Phillips 66 in the third quarter worth approximately $1,029,000. Bison Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of Phillips 66 by 111.7% during the third quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 6,142 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $738,000 after buying an additional 3,241 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Columbia Asset Management bought a new position in Phillips 66 in the 3rd quarter valued at $226,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.83% of the companys stock. Get Phillips 66 alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets PSX has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Phillips 66 from $151.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. StockNews.com raised Phillips 66 from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, February 10th. Barclays boosted their price target on Phillips 66 from $132.00 to $139.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Phillips 66 from $134.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on Phillips 66 in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $138.21. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CFO Kevin J. Mitchell sold 31,700 shares of Phillips 66 stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.21, for a total transaction of $4,127,657.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 103,351 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,457,333.71. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CFO Kevin J. Mitchell sold 31,700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.21, for a total transaction of $4,127,657.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 103,351 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,457,333.71. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Zhanna Golodryga sold 5,253 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.00, for a total value of $709,155.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,363,390. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 63,587 shares of company stock worth $8,671,094 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 4.57% of the companys stock. Phillips 66 Price Performance PSX traded down $2.56 on Monday, hitting $143.81. 2,690,000 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,258,906. Phillips 66 has a 12 month low of $89.74 and a 12 month high of $149.52. The business has a 50-day moving average of $136.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $123.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.30, a PEG ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.38. Phillips 66 Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th will be issued a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 16th. Phillips 66s payout ratio is 27.15%. About Phillips 66 (Free Report) Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Phillips 66 Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phillips 66 and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Estabrook Capital Management cut its position in shares of Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Free Report) by 2.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,304 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 100 shares during the quarter. Estabrook Capital Managements holdings in Phillips 66 were worth $517,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Phillips 66 by 1,038.3% during the third quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 472,208 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $56,720,000 after buying an additional 430,723 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Phillips 66 by 63.5% in the 3rd quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 4,571 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $549,000 after purchasing an additional 1,776 shares during the period. Alan B Lancz & Associates Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Phillips 66 in the 3rd quarter valued at about $240,000. Rathbones Group PLC acquired a new position in shares of Phillips 66 in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,029,000. Finally, Bison Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of Phillips 66 by 111.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 6,142 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $738,000 after purchasing an additional 3,241 shares during the period. 71.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Phillips 66 alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In PSX has been the subject of several research reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Phillips 66 from $151.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. raised Phillips 66 from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the stock from $115.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Barclays increased their price objective on Phillips 66 from $132.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Raymond James increased their price objective on Phillips 66 from $140.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Phillips 66 from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, February 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Phillips 66 presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $138.21. Phillips 66 Trading Down 1.7 % Shares of PSX stock traded down $2.56 on Monday, hitting $143.81. The company had a trading volume of 2,690,000 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,258,906. The firm has a market cap of $63.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.30, a P/E/G ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.38. The stocks 50-day moving average is $136.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $123.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.29. Phillips 66 has a twelve month low of $89.74 and a twelve month high of $149.52. Phillips 66 Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th will be paid a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 16th. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.92%. Phillips 66s payout ratio is 27.15%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Richard G. Harbison sold 21,934 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.27, for a total transaction of $3,208,286.18. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 24,941 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,648,120.07. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Phillips 66 news, EVP Richard G. Harbison sold 21,934 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.27, for a total value of $3,208,286.18. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 24,941 shares in the company, valued at $3,648,120.07. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Kevin J. Mitchell sold 31,700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.21, for a total value of $4,127,657.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 103,351 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,457,333.71. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 63,587 shares of company stock valued at $8,671,094 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 4.57% of the companys stock. Phillips 66 Profile (Free Report) Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Phillips 66 Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phillips 66 and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC raised its holdings in Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC Free Report) by 5.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 27,822 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,419 shares during the quarter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs holdings in Omnicom Group were worth $2,072,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in OMC. First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in Omnicom Group by 683.2% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,957,307 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $251,016,000 after purchasing an additional 2,579,717 shares during the period. Boston Partners raised its holdings in shares of Omnicom Group by 414.5% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,062,901 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $289,324,000 after buying an additional 2,467,632 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in shares of Omnicom Group by 38.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 3,426,064 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $325,990,000 after buying an additional 953,613 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Omnicom Group by 106.4% in the 2nd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,835,810 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $174,677,000 after buying an additional 946,369 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Omnicom Group by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 18,744,473 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,783,537,000 after buying an additional 749,118 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.71% of the companys stock. Get Omnicom Group alerts: Omnicom Group Stock Performance Shares of NYSE OMC traded up $0.48 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $87.51. The stock had a trading volume of 1,234,000 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,613,106. The firm has a market cap of $17.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.65, a PEG ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. Omnicom Group Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $72.20 and a fifty-two week high of $99.23. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $87.43 and a 200-day moving average of $81.11. Omnicom Group Announces Dividend Omnicom Group ( NYSE:OMC Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The business services provider reported $2.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.16 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $4.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4 billion. Omnicom Group had a return on equity of 39.07% and a net margin of 9.47%. The businesss revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.09 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Omnicom Group Inc. will post 7.64 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 8th. Omnicom Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 40.46%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently issued reports on OMC. UBS Group began coverage on Omnicom Group in a report on Thursday, January 11th. They issued a buy rating and a $117.00 price objective on the stock. Macquarie raised Omnicom Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $80.00 to $100.00 in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Omnicom Group from $85.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Morgan Stanley raised Omnicom Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $90.00 to $100.00 in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Omnicom Group from $106.00 to $104.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $99.22. Read Our Latest Analysis on OMC Insider Buying and Selling at Omnicom Group In other news, Director Linda Johnson Rice sold 507 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.66, for a total transaction of $43,936.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,753 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $845,194.98. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Omnicom Group Profile (Free Report) Omnicom Group Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers advertising, marketing, and corporate communications services. It provides a range of services in the areas of advertising and media, precision marketing, commerce and brand consulting, experiential, execution and support, public relations, and healthcare. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OMC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Omnicom Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Omnicom Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quantedge Capital Pte Ltd raised its position in Abrdn Life Sciences Investors (NYSE:HQL Free Report) by 60.8% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 94,420 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 35,700 shares during the quarter. Quantedge Capital Pte Ltds holdings in Abrdn Life Sciences Investors were worth $1,177,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Abrdn Life Sciences Investors by 346.5% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,314 shares of the companys stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 4,900 shares during the last quarter. Quad Cities Investment Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Abrdn Life Sciences Investors in the 3rd quarter worth $127,000. IHT Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Abrdn Life Sciences Investors in the 1st quarter worth $170,000. Money Concepts Capital Corp bought a new position in shares of Abrdn Life Sciences Investors in the 4th quarter worth $160,000. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Abrdn Life Sciences Investors in the 4th quarter worth $167,000. 19.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Abrdn Life Sciences Investors alerts: Abrdn Life Sciences Investors Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE:HQL traded up $0.07 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $14.10. The company had a trading volume of 86,700 shares, compared to its average volume of 146,027. Abrdn Life Sciences Investors has a 12 month low of $11.34 and a 12 month high of $14.65. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $12.92. Abrdn Life Sciences Investors Increases Dividend About Abrdn Life Sciences Investors The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 21st. This is a positive change from Abrdn Life Sciences Investorss previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 11.06%. (Free Report) Abrdn Life Sciences Investors is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by abrdn Inc The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating in the life sciences sector, including the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, managed healthcare, medical equipment, hospitals, healthcare information technology and services, devices and supplies industries, and in agriculture and environmental management industries. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HQL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abrdn Life Sciences Investors (NYSE:HQL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abrdn Life Sciences Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abrdn Life Sciences Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. River Road Asset Management LLC lessened its holdings in Atkore Inc. (NYSE:ATKR Free Report) by 4.0% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 1,104,782 shares of the companys stock after selling 45,965 shares during the period. Atkore makes up 2.3% of River Road Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 5th largest holding. River Road Asset Management LLCs holdings in Atkore were worth $164,822,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Atkore by 289.6% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 16,458 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,620,000 after purchasing an additional 12,234 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Atkore by 108.1% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 9,604 shares of the companys stock valued at $945,000 after purchasing an additional 4,989 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Atkore by 2.5% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 16,070 shares of the companys stock worth $1,582,000 after purchasing an additional 388 shares during the period. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC bought a new position in shares of Atkore in the 1st quarter worth $223,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in Atkore by 12.2% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 9,464 shares of the companys stock valued at $931,000 after purchasing an additional 1,031 shares during the last quarter. Get Atkore alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Atkore news, CEO William E. Jr. Waltz sold 79,600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.75, for a total transaction of $11,999,700.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 126,788 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,113,291. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Atkore news, insider Mark F. Lamps sold 5,008 shares of Atkore stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.66, for a total value of $654,345.28. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 29,086 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,800,376.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO William E. Jr. Waltz sold 79,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.75, for a total transaction of $11,999,700.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 126,788 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,113,291. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 2.56% of the companys stock. Atkore Trading Down 2.7 % Shares of Atkore stock traded down $3.99 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $144.58. 300,300 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 388,921. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $152.64 and a 200-day moving average of $144.56. The company has a market cap of $5.32 billion, a PE ratio of 8.67 and a beta of 2.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 1.99 and a current ratio of 2.96. Atkore Inc. has a 12 month low of $116.14 and a 12 month high of $165.69. Atkore (NYSE:ATKR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $4.12 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.08 by $1.04. Atkore had a return on equity of 46.79% and a net margin of 18.80%. The company had revenue of $798.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $777.05 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $4.51 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Atkore Inc. will post 15.06 EPS for the current fiscal year. Atkore Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 26th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.89%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Atkore from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $187.00 price target on shares of Atkore in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on ATKR About Atkore (Free Report) Atkore Inc engages in the manufacture and sale of electrical, mechanical, safety, and infrastructure products and solutions in the United States and internationally. The company offers conduits, cables, and installation accessories. It also designs and manufactures protection and reliability solutions for critical infrastructure, such as metal framing, mechanical pipe, perimeter security, and cable management. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ATKR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Atkore Inc. (NYSE:ATKR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Atkore Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Atkore and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com lowered shares of VAALCO Energy (NYSE:EGY Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning. VAALCO Energy Stock Performance Shares of EGY stock opened at $4.37 on Thursday. VAALCO Energy has a 52-week low of $3.51 and a 52-week high of $5.22. The companys 50 day moving average is $4.41 and its 200 day moving average is $4.41. The firm has a market cap of $459.55 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.66 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Get VAALCO Energy alerts: Institutional Trading of VAALCO Energy Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY grew its position in VAALCO Energy by 80.4% during the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 6,446 shares of the energy companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 2,872 shares during the period. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new position in shares of VAALCO Energy in the third quarter worth about $38,000. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new stake in VAALCO Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Creative Planning purchased a new stake in shares of VAALCO Energy in the second quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Prelude Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in VAALCO Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $44,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 48.60% of the companys stock. VAALCO Energy Company Profile VAALCO Energy, Inc, an independent energy company, acquires, explores for, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. The company holds Etame production sharing contract related to the Etame Marin block located offshore in the Republic of Gabon in West Africa. It also owns interests in an undeveloped block offshore Equatorial Guinea, West Africa. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for VAALCO Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VAALCO Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stokes Family Office LLC cut its stake in iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (BATS:VLUE Free Report) by 13.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,279 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,598 shares during the quarter. Stokes Family Office LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF were worth $932,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Northwest Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, ICA Group Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. Get iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF Price Performance Shares of VLUE stock opened at $101.59 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $100.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of $95.07. iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF has a 1-year low of $71.21 and a 1-year high of $89.40. The company has a market cap of $7.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.51 and a beta of 1.04. iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Enhanced Value index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities. Stocks are selected and weighted using fundamental metrics (earnings, revenue, book value and cash earnings), aiming for exposure to undervalued stocks in each sector. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLUE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (BATS:VLUE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. The Azerbaijani-Kyrgyz Development Fund will finance priority projects of Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz business entities in the agro-industrial complex, energy, horticulture, textile sphere, tourism, and other spheres, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan, as well as all Turkic-speaking countries, attaches importance to the development of relations with Kyrgyzstan, and measures are taken to expand cooperation. The Azerbaijan-Kyrgyz Development Fund is an effective platform in this direction. "The Fund, established for the purpose of economic cooperation, economic modernization, and the realization of potential, supports the joint activities of business organizations in Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan and serves the development and expansion of ties between our countries. The Fund will invest in priority projects of business entities registered and operating in Kyrgyzstan using various financial instruments. Within this platform, priority projects of Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz business entities in the agro-industrial complex, energy, horticulture, textiles, tourism, and other spheres will be financed," the information says. Meanwhile, the authorized capital of the Azerbaijan-Kyrgyz Development Fund is $25 million. To note, the Agreement on Establishment of the Azerbaijan-Kyrgyz Development Fund was signed on October 11, 2022. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Stokes Family Office LLC lowered its stake in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 3.6% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 4,378 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 163 shares during the period. Stokes Family Office LLCs holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $715,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,074 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $562,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Equitable Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 2.5% during the second quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 2,816 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $489,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Thomasville National Bank lifted its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 4.9% in the third quarter. Thomasville National Bank now owns 1,563 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $255,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp lifted its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 2.1% in the third quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 3,646 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $596,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smith Moore & CO. lifted its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 4.4% in the second quarter. Smith Moore & CO. now owns 1,785 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $310,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. 81.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 270 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $178.00, for a total value of $48,060.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 255,178 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,421,684. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Travelers Companies news, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 38,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.55, for a total transaction of $8,076,900.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,147,865.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 270 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $178.00, for a total value of $48,060.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 255,178 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,421,684. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 110,045 shares of company stock worth $23,391,963 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock. Travelers Companies Stock Performance Shares of TRV stock opened at $217.53 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $49.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 0.58. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $199.68 and a 200-day simple moving average of $178.72. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $157.33 and a 12-month high of $219.62. The company has a current ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 19th. The insurance provider reported $7.01 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.10 by $1.91. The business had revenue of $10.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.18 billion. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 13.68% and a net margin of 7.23%. The companys revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.40 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.68 EPS for the current year. Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.84%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 31.27%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Travelers Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. UBS Group raised their target price on Travelers Companies from $205.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Travelers Companies from $166.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. HSBC assumed coverage on Travelers Companies in a report on Thursday, December 28th. They issued a hold rating and a $203.00 target price for the company. Finally, Oppenheimer assumed coverage on Travelers Companies in a report on Thursday, November 16th. They issued a market perform rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Travelers Companies currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $201.38. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TRV About Travelers Companies (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TFB Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 2,575 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $365,000. Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Quarry LP raised its position in shares of Valero Energy by 1,676.9% during the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 231 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 77.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Valero Energy alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth VLO has been the topic of several analyst reports. Raymond James increased their target price on Valero Energy from $154.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. downgraded Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $150.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Barclays raised their price objective on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $149.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $153.62. Valero Energy Trading Down 1.7 % Shares of VLO stock traded down $2.45 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $139.54. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,002,100 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,392,861. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.51. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $132.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $131.84. The company has a market cap of $47.51 billion, a PE ratio of 5.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.53. Valero Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $104.18 and a 52 week high of $152.20. Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.95 by $0.60. The firm had revenue of $35.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $34.76 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 31.86% and a net margin of 6.10%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 15.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $8.45 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 14.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Valero Energy Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 1st will be issued a $1.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 31st. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.07%. This is a boost from Valero Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. Valero Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 17.31%. About Valero Energy (Free Report) Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. The company produces California Reformulated Gasoline Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending and Conventional Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending gasolines, CARB diesel, diesel, jet fuel, and asphalt; aromatics; and sulfur crude oils. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The University of The Bahamas and the Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) united forces for ocean conservation and research excellence. From left are Dr. Gadville McDonald, vice chair, UB Board of Trustees; Dr. Krista Sherman, senior scientist, PIMS; Dr. Craig Dahlgren, executive director, PIMS; Janyne Hodder, UB president; Dr. Maria Oriakhi, vice president, academic affairs, UB; and Dr. Carlton Watson, associate professor, UB. UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS Authorities prepare to move the body of the 15-year-old boy who was shot and killed this morning. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. The share of companies in projects is not determinant for the function of operatorship, bp's vice president for external relations and communications in the Caspian region, Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli told reporters, Trend reports. "The fact that SOCAR now owns a larger portion of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) strategic project than bp, the project's operator, has no bearing on bp's ability to meet its guiding commitments on this project. This is a typical situation in international practice. Operatorship is a duty granted by the state or project partners to a corporation or group of companies pursuant to an agreement. In the case of ACG, this is a right and job assigned by the state to bp, and we are executing this obligation," Aslanbayli said. Meanwhile, Equinor signed an agreement with SOCAR on December 22, 2023, to sell its hydrocarbon assets in Azerbaijan. In particular, Equinor sold to SOCAR 7.27 percent in ACG, 8.71 percent in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, 50 percent in the Karabakh field development project and other hydrocarbon projects. SOCAR previously held 25 percent of ACG, 25 percent of BTC, and 50 percent of the Karabakh field. The Ashrafi-Dan Ulduzu-Aipara structure was also included in the transaction involving the sale of Equinor's assets in Azerbaijan to the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan. In 2024, the transactions will be consummated in accordance with all regulatory and contractual duties. According to exchange analysts, the asset sale transaction is worth no more than $2 billion. SOCAR's share in ACG will be increased to 32.27 percent (bp has 30.37 percent), BTC to 33.71 percent (bp has 30 percent), and the Karabakh field will return to SOCAR's balance sheet. Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Non-stop assault on Sugnu The pattern behind it all | Even as Chief Minister N Biren talked tough, even going to the extent of proclaiming that process is underway to lodge a First Information Report against a sitting MLA for uploading a provocative post on X, formerly Twitter, came the news of Kuki militants bombarding Sugnu for the 4th consecutive day. This was on February 17, and fast forward to February 19 and the place continues to be bombarded by Kuki militants with non-chalance so much so that the militants have been able to convey the message that the writ of the Government no longer runs in places where the militants have a presence. So for the 6th consecutive day Sugnu continues to be pummelled and to think that this is the place where peace held out till May 27, 2023, that is after violence erupted in all its ugliness on May 3, 2023. It was on May 28 last year that Sugnu came under heavy attack from Kuki militants and how the attack was repulsed, with human casualties on either side, are stories that have been captured and told to the readers by the different Imphal based newspapers and local television channels. Now come to the second month of the year 2024 and Sugnu occupies prime space in all the major newspapers of Imphal, following the uninterrupted onslaughts from Kuki militants. In the course of the uninterrupted onslaughts, one Head Constable of the BSF and a number of village defenders have been injured and reports coming in more than say that the attacks are launched from Lailoiphai and Dongyang Kuki villages of Churachandpur. The places from where the series of attacks have been launched are confirmed and this is where questions may well be raised on the steps taken up by the Government to neutralise the militants who have launched the attacks from the said two places. What is stopping the Government and the Central security forces from sending their troops to the said two places and take out the militants active there ? This question is raised in the backdrop of the fact that Sugnu has been bombarded by the said militants for the sixth consecutive day. The pattern is unmistakable. If it is Sugnu today, there was Moreh some time back and earlier Khamenlok, Koutruk, Senjam Chirang, Kadangband, Ningthou-khong Kha Khunou, Khoijumantabi, Napat etc and it should be clear to Imphal and New Delhi that these places are within shooting distance from places where the Kuki-Zos are predominant. Take two and two together and it should not be too difficult to conclude that there are elements out there who are hell bent on continuing what was done at Torbung and Churachandpur on May 3, 2023. The lies and the deceit should be called out for it has dragged on for far too long. As repeatedly pointed out here in this column, the May 3, 2023 Tribal Solidarity Rally was staged on the false premise of the directive to the State Government from the High Court of Manipur to send the socio-economic reports of the Meiteis to the Centre to study the demand that the Meiteis be included in the ST list of the Constitution of India. The Sangai Express has called out this lie on more than one occasion, reminding all that the ST for Meiteis demand dates back more than 10 years and in the more than one decade of the demand being raised, never once has it taken the form of targeting anyone or any community. Even today, the demand is before the Government and is not directed against any community and it is for this reason why The Sangai Express has given the platform to everyone to discuss and debate over the demand that the Meiteis be granted the ST tag. It is along this line that the recent representation to the Governor not to entertain the ST for Meiteis demand by the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) is seen and understood. Let there be debates and discussions on this, but why was a rally supposed to be held against this demand get reduced to an exercise of targeting the Meiteis and their houses at Torbung and Churachandpur on May 3, 2023 ? This is a question which the fantastically christened Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum and ATSUM have failed to answer to this day. And it is on this false premise that places like Sugnu continue to be bombarded by Kuki militants and this is where one is left wondering what is stopping New Delhi and Imphal from sending their troops to the two villages from where the attacks are being launched and neutralise the Kuki militants. RIMS permitted | IMPHAL, Feb 19 : The Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal has been granted permission to start kidney transplantation by the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Manipur. Registration has been accorded to RIMS Imphal under sections 14 and 15 of the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) 2011, said a statement. Professor G Sunil Sharma, Director, RIMS Imphal has stated that this will be of immense benefit to the State as the institute will be able to perform these procedures at a reasonable rate. The doctors of RIMS Imphal will try their level best to perform the first kidney transplant surgery soon, he added. Today Sunny skies. Becoming windy late. High 68F. NW winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Tonight A clear sky. Low around 35F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Tomorrow Plentiful sunshine. High 64F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Radio signal exchange through SSB (single side band) mode was made possible with radio enthusiasts in 27 countries from the Henrys Island of the Sunderbans Reserve Forest during the activation of Beach on the Air (BOTA) event hoisted by the West Bengal Radio Club since yesterday. We had direct conversations with radio stations of 27 countries including Japan, Russia, Ukraine, China, Thailand, Spain, England, Germany while trying to detect the propagation changes in wave length during the transition from winter to summer at our BOTA event camp in the Henrys Island today where our six-member group of technical experts and radio operators joined hands for DXing (search for distant unknown station) and recording the readability and signal strength during day and night hours and the recorded database will be shared with the weather offices, said Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary, West Bengal Radio Club. He said: Such propagation alterations are usually witnessed during the natural calamities and disasters like super cyclones. Prior to this camp, the operators tested a communication with Gurvinder Singh, Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) headquartered at Haringhata, Nadia. Advertisement The club already has established a permanent radio link with state Disaster Management cells with Bengals pioneering 25 Watt VHF (very high frequency) repeater installed at Ward 14 of Panihati Municipality in Barrackpore that covers the radius of six districts. The district administration and police headquarters of six South Bengal districts like South and North 24-Parganas, Hooghly, Nadia, Howrah and Kolkata were included for inter-communication, which becomes highly essential especially during natural calamities. To ascertain the fluctuations, the club of volunteer radio operators had chosen Henrys Island as such islands fall victim of catastrophes. when radio communication becomes the only resort for rescue operations and restoration. Henrys Island is an isle covered by mangrove forest surrounded by a wide beach about 130 km from Kolkata close to Bakkhali in South 24 Parganas. The six member team had Jayanta Baidya as technical expert and Sohom Chakraborty, Dibas Mondal as DXing experts A joint operation by Odishas Berhampur Police and Military Intelligence Unit has recovered counterfeit digital pattern army combat uniforms from a garment shop in the southern Odisha town, police said on Monday. Acting on the specific inputs received from Military Intelligence Unit, Gopalpur, police have made a seizure of as many as 488 metres of counterfeit army combat uniform from the shop. The new digital pattern combat uniform was unveiled by the Army on January 15, 2022 and the old uniform is in the process of being replaced, said a statement issued in this regard. Advertisement A case under Sections 420 and 486 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 63 Copyright Act has been registered in this connection and further investigation is underway, police said. The Army has obtained Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for the design and camouflage patterns for a 10-year period, extendable for another five years. This has been done to prevent unauthorized vendors from manufacturing and selling the combat uniform in the open market, as it was posing a serious security threat for the Indian Army. As per orders, the new uniforms have to be sold only in the Armys unit-run canteens. Due to the IPR, the Army now possesses exclusive rights to the design and can file a complaint against any unauthorized sale of this design, police said, quoting the army intelligence unit. The shop owner had procured this uniform from Kolkata and who in turn has procured it from Ludhiana. Further investigation is going on to verify the place of manufacturing and the people behind it, added the statement. In a breather to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the 2022 criminal case relating to a protest seeking the resignation of then Minister KS Eshwarappa, the Supreme Court on Monday by an interim order put on hold further proceedings in the case including the State High courts order refusing to quash the criminal proceedings against the incumbent Chief Minister and other Congresss leaders and imposing a fine on him. The matter relates to the protest that was organised to demand the resignation of then Minister KS Eshwarappa following a suicide case. Staying proceedings before the trial court and the High Courts order, a bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, issued notice to the State of Karnataka and the police officer Kumari Jahida Wpsi. Advertisement The Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has moved the top court against the state High court order rejecting his plea seeking quashing of criminal proceedings against him in the 2022 protest matter. During the course of the hearing, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra observed that the judgements cited by the petitioner Siddaramaiah were matters involving politicians and further remarked that if politicians do the protest, the criminal case has to be quashed but what about the normal citizen who are protesting. Appearing for Siddaramaiah, senior advocate Kapil Sibal told the bench that his client has a fundamental right to protest. He also said that the case involves a law-and-order situation but not a public order allegation. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday that while the previous governments failed to respect faith or ensure livelihood for the people of the state, the double-engine government was guaranteeing both. Addressing a gathering during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Shri Kalki Dham Temple at Ainchoda Kamboh village in Sambhal, CM Yogi highlighted the countrys rising prosperity under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, saying what was previously thought to be impossible in India has now become a reality. Welcoming Modi to the sacred land of Sambhal, associated with the future incarnation of the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu, the chief minister said: After ending the five-century wait in Ayodhya and inaugurating a magnificent temple for the first time in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the prime minister now graces the Sambhal district. Over the past decade, we have witnessed the emergence of a new India. In this new era, alongside ensuring the security of every citizen, there is a steadfast commitment to propel the nation towards unprecedented growth and prosperity. Advertisement The chief minister emphasised that the construction of Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Kashi, the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya Dham, the rejuvenation of Kedarnath and Badrinath, and the establishment of Mahalok in Mahakal reflect the essence of new India. Here, every youth is assured of both livelihood and respect of his faith. This is Modi ki guarantee, he asserted. The chief minister criticised previous governments, saying, Past governments played with faith and failed to provide livelihoods. However, under the leadership of the prime minister, Indias cultural heritage is gaining global recognition. Every year on June 21, over 200 countries worldwide celebrate International Yoga Day, embracing Indias sage tradition. The chief minister highlighted that what was once deemed impossible in India is now achievable, crediting successful leadership for this transformation. He expressed pride in Prime Minister Modis growing international stature, noting the global optimism surrounding him. Furthermore, he announced the construction of the Ganga Expressway in Sambhal, stating that during the upcoming Prayagraj Kumbh in 2025, efforts will be made to ensure swift transportation for the people of Western UP to Prayagraj via this expressway. Rapid infrastructure development has been facilitated under the Prime Ministers guidance. Moradabad airport is also going to be built soon, he said. On this occasion, Acharya Pramod Krishnam, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Avadheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj of Juna Akhara, Swami Kailashanand Brahmachari, and a large number of sages were present. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. A round table meeting dedicated to the 28th and 29th sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28 and COP29) will take place on February 20 at the headquarters of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol wrote on X, Trend reports. Birol noted that the discussions, led by COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber, will focus on the outcomes of COP28 within the consensus of the UAE and determine the next steps for COP29. He highlighted that the meeting will be joined by global climate and energy leaders, official representatives from various countries, and diplomats. Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister, COP29 Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev will participate in the meeting. The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was made official on December 11, 2023, in Dubai. On January 4, 2024, Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, was appointed as President of COP29. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The two-year-old girl, who was abducted while sleeping next to her mother, was found in a drain near Kochuveli railway station nearly 20 hours after she went missing. Police rushed the child to General Hospital for medical examination. Hospital authorities said that her condition is stable. The two-year-old daughter sleeping next to her mother was abducted from Pettah in Thiruvananthapuram in the early hours of Monday. Advertisement The child, Mary, is the daughter of Amardeep and Rabeena Davi from Bihar. The girl, who is the youngest of four children of the couple, reportedly went missing at around 1 am. The family is residing at an isolated place close to a railway track near All Saints College. The police said the family, who is believed to have migrated to Hyderabad, has been visiting Thiruvananthapuram every year for about two months to sell honey. The Kerala High Court on Monday confirmed the sentence of life imprisonment awarded to the convicts in the case relating to the murder of Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) leader TP Chandrasekharan at Onchiyam in 2012. A Division Bench comprising Justice A Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Kauser Edappagath passed the verdict while upholding the Kozhikode Additional Sessions Courts order awarding life imprisonment to accused M. C. Anoop, Manoj Kumar, alias Kirmani Manoj, . K Sunil Kumar, alias Kodi Suni, Rajeesh Thundikandi, KK Mohammed Shafi, Sijith, alias Annan Sijith, K. Shinoj, KC Ramachandran (then CPI-M Kunnummakkara local committee member), Manojan, alias Trouser Manojan (former CPI-M Kadungapoyil branch secretary), and the late P. K. Kunhanandan (former CPI-M Panoor area committee member). The court also set aside the acquittal of the 10th and 12th accused and convicted them also under Sections 120B read with Section 302 IPC. The Court has directed the production of the accused before the Court for sentencing on February 26, 2024, at 10.15 am. The acquittal of other accused was also confirmed by the court. The court also rejected the appeals filed by the convicts Advertisement The Kozhikode Additional Sessions Court had in 2014 sentenced 11 accused to life imprisonment and awarded three years jail term to another accused, Lambu Pradeep. The convicted included CPI (M) local leaders K.C. Ramachandran and the late Kunhanandan. They were found guilty under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 143 (unlawful assembly), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon) and 149 (unlawful assembly Ramachandran (eighth accused), Manojan (11th accused), and Kunhanandan (13th accused) were found guilty under IPC Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 302 (murder) and were awarded life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs.1 lakh each. The prosecution sought to enhance the life sentence awarded to them. The appeals filed by the prosecution and KK. Rema, MLA, the wife of the slain RMP leader, sought to award maximum punishment to the convicts and pleaded for quashing the acquittal of other accused. T P Chandrasekharan, who was a member of the CPI-M, Marxist,formed a new political party called the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP). According to the prosecution case, to wreck vengeance for the loss of the CPI -M candidate at the Vatakara constituency in the Lok Sabha election, he was hacked to death on a public road on May 4, 2012. According to the prosecution the assailants were hired by certain CPI-M functionaries to eliminate Chandrasekharan who posed a challenge to the partys influence in the area. While passing the judgment, the bench quoted Amartya Sen to criticise political violence: Democracy thrives on the peaceful exchange of ideas, not the violent imposition of beliefs. Political violence is the poison that corrodes the roots of democratic principles. KK Rema MLA, wife of slain TP Chandrsekharan said the fight for justice was far from over and would only end with the conviction of top CPI-M leaders who authorised Chandrasekharans murder to silence his strident criticism of the party leaderships anti-working class line. She said the RMP would approach the court against the High Courts decision to uphold P . Mohanans acquittal Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan said the high court had reasserted the complicity of the CPI-Ms top leadership in the heinous political murder that shocked Keralas conscience CPI-M state secretary MV Govindan said the high court decision upholding P Mohanans acquittal validated the partys stance that it had no role in the murder. Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Monday assumed the appointment of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. On assumption of appointment, Lt Gen Dwivedi laid wreath at the National War Memorial and was accorded Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns. He took charge from Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, who now has been appointed as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command. Prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Dwivedi was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command from 2022-2024 in an extremely challenging operational environment. Advertisement An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (MP), he was commissioned into 18 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles in 1984, a unit he later commanded. The General officer has had a unique distinction of balanced exposure of both Northern and Western Theatres. During his illustrious career spanning across 39 years, he has held command appointments in challenging operational environments, spanning the length and breadth of the country. He commanded his unit in Kashmir Valley as well as in Rajasthan. He has been Sector Commander and Inspector General Assam Rifles in an intense Counter Terrorism environment in the North East. Lt Gen Dwivedi commanded the Rising Star Corps with an operational role along the Western Borders. He later commanded the prestigious Northern Army from 2022-24 in an extremely challenging operational environment along both northern and western borders. During his command, he provided Strategic guidance & Operational oversight for planning and execution of sustained operations along the northern and western borders, besides orchestrating the dynamic Counter-Terrorism operations in J&K. During this period, the General officer was actively engaged in the ongoing negotiations with China in resolving the vexed border issue. He was also involved in modernisation and equipping of the largest Army Command of Indian Army, where he steered the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He synergised with people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh for convergent Nation-Building outcomes and infrastructure development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Monday that Modi ki guarantee is being widely discussed around the country while on the other hand the world is seeing India as a guarantee for better returns. Investors around the globe trust the governments policies and stability, Modi said after launching around 1,4000 projects across Uttar Pradesh worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore here on Monday at the fourth groundbreaking ceremony of UP Global Investors Summit 2023 held in February 2023. Addressing the Viksit Bharat-Viksit Uttar Pradesh programme, the PM lauded the atmosphere of positivity in the state regarding investments and employment opportunities. Today, UP is witnessing investments worth lakhs of crores of rupees, the prime minister said, expressing delight over the states progress since he is a Member of Parliament from Varanasi. Advertisement Speaking about the development projects of today, the prime minister said it would change the face of Uttar Pradesh, and congratulated the investors as well as the youth. Noting the seven years of the double-engine government in Uttar Pradesh, Modi said during this period, red carpet culture has replaced red tape culture. He said in the last seven years, crime decreased in UP and business culture flourished. In the last seven years an atmosphere of business, development and trust has developed in Uttar Pradesh, he noted. The double-engine government has proven the inevitability of change if there is a genuine desire for it, he added. He noted doubling of exports from the state during this period. He also praised the states strides in electricity generation and transmission. Today, UP is a state with the maximum number of expressways, and international airports in the country. It is the state where the countrys first rapid rail is running, said the prime minister pointing to the presence of a big chunk of Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways in the state. The PM underlined that todays development projects are not being assessed in terms of investment alone, but they present a holistic vision for a better future and a ray of hope for investors. Recalling his recent visit to UAE and Qatar, he noted that the unprecedented positivity towards India all around the globe and said that every nation feels assurance and trust in Indias growth story. Reaffirming the belief of investors, the prime minister said India has broken the trend of governments drifting away from investments when elections are knocking on the doors. Investors around the globe trust the governments policies and stability, the prime minister remarked, noting the emergence of a similar trend in UP. He underscored the need for new thinking and direction for Viksit Bharat. He said that the earlier approach of keeping the citizens at a bare minimum existence and regional imbalance was not suitable for the development of the nation. The prime minister reiterated that Modi is looking after those who were ignored by all earlier. Elaborating on such segments, he gave examples of 10,000 crore Rs worth of assistance to street vendors under the PM SVANidhi scheme. He further pointed out that local products of every district are being strengthened under One District One Product scheme. Similarly, Rs13,000 crore PM Vishwakarma Scheme will connect lakhs of Vishwakarma families of UP with modern practices. UP has the potential to become Indias largest tourism hub, the prime minister said, noting that every person in the country wants to visit Varanasi and Ayodhya today drawing lakhs of visitors and tourists. Due to this, he said, unprecedented opportunities are being created for small entrepreneurs, airline companies and hotel-restaurant owners here in UP. Our effort is that every house and every family in the country should become a solar power generator, PM Modi said referring to the PM Suryaghar or Free Electricity Scheme where 300 units of electricity will be available free of cost and citizens will also be able to sell the excess electricity to the government. Modi informed that under this scheme which is available for one crore families currently, Rs 30,000 to about Rs 80,000 will be deposited directly into the bank account of every family. He further explained that those generating 100 units of electricity every month will get assistance of Rs 30,000 while those generating 300 units or more electricity will get around Rs 80,000. Referring to the recent decision to confer Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh, PM Modi said, Honoring Chaudhary Saheb, the son of the soil of Uttar Pradesh, is an honor for crores of laboring farmers of the country. The Prime Minister reiterated the governments commitment to supporting farmers in exploring new avenues in agriculture, stating, We are assisting and encouraging farmers to take our countrys agriculture on a new path. UP Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister for Defence, Rajnath Singh, and Ministers from Uttar Pradesh Government were present on the occasion. The programme was attended by about 5,000 participants, including notable industrialists, representatives of top global and Indian companies, ambassadors and high commissioners and other distinguished guests. Stressing that the whole country, including Uttar Pradesh, was progressing under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday that Prime Ministers approach of looking at any idea, event or issue differently put him in an altogether different category. He said, I want to reiterate that the Prime Ministers approach of looking at any idea, event or issue differently puts you in a different category from other leaders. Where common public representatives see disaster, the Prime Ministers vision inspires them to see opportunity. Where a common public representative sees a problem, the Prime Minister looks for a solution. While the common man focuses his attention on quick gains, the PMs foresight makes him look at things from a long-term perspective of a thousand years to come. This is the reason why the Prime Minister appears as the most resplendent star in the worlds leadership sky, Singh, also Lucknow MP, said at the inauguration of the ground breaking ceremony 4-0 here. The Defence Minister said that under the leadership of the PM, the country is progressing with the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. There is no section of the society which does not feel alone or feels left behind in some area. Due to the strong foundation you have laid for Indias Vikas Bhawan in ten years, the public has full confidence that by your third and fourth term, the peak of this Vikas Bhawan will touch the sky, he said. Advertisement Singh said under the guidance of the Prime Minister, UP was today under the leadership of an active and effective Chief Minister, who was committed to taking Uttar Pradesh on the path of development. The efforts that CM Yogi Adityanath has made in the last seven years towards creating an investment friendly environment in Uttar Pradesh are the culmination of the GBC taking place in Uttar Pradesh today, Singh stated. He said this is just the beginning, the way UP is moving forward under the guidance of PM and leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath, adding that this GCB would prove to be a path breaking ceremony in the direction of bringing investment in UP. The Defence Minister said he was confident that UP will create new dimensions of development and under the guidance of the PM, together we will take the entire country including the state forward on the global stage. The Lucknow MP said that there was a time when the meeting of public representatives and industrialists was viewed with great suspicion. Any public representative meeting industrialists was considered no less than a political alarm bell. It was believed that the alliance between politicians and industrialists is not good for the development of the nation. No one was going to pay attention to the fact that if politicians and industrialists work together with clear intentions, the nation will progress. This is where the basic difference between an ordinary public representative and a Prime Minister is visible, he averred. Since the time when the Prime Minister used to be the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the country has been watching how he, along with industrialists, has brought such a wind of change in Gujarat, the fragrance of which has spread not only in India but far and wide in the world, the Defence Minister said. Along with many states of the country, non-BJP ruled states were also moving ahead with the Gujarat model of development. You have made the relationship between industrialists and politicians an essential condition for the development of the country through determination and political correctness, he stressed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that during the seven years of the BJP Government in Uttar Pradesh, a red carpet culture has replaced the red-tape culture as crime declined and a business environment flourished in the State. He was addressing the Viksit Bharat-Viksit Uttar Pradesh programme in Lucknow after launching 14,000 projects across the state worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore at the fourth groundbreaking ceremony of the UP Global Investors Summit 2023, held in February last year. The prime minister said there is an atmosphere of positivity in the state regarding investments and employment opportunities. Today, Uttar Pradesh is witnessing investments worth lakhs of crores of rupees, he said, expressing delight with the states progress since he is also a Member of Parliament from Varanasi. Advertisement Mr Modi affirmed that todays projects would change the face of Uttar Pradesh, and congratulated investors as well as the youth. The projects cover manufacturing, renewable energy, information technology and Information Technology enabled Services, housing and real estate, among others. In the last seven years, an atmosphere of business, development and trust has developed in Uttar Pradesh, the prime minister noted. The double-engine government of the state has proven the inevitability of change if there is a genuine desire for it, he added. There was a doubling of exports from the state during this period, he said while praising the states strides in electricity generation and transmission. Today, UP is a state with the maximum number of expressways, and international airports in the country. It is the state where the countrys first rapid rail is running, the prime minister said. A big chunk of Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways falls in the state, he said. Acknowledging the use of river waterways in the state, the PM praised the connectivity and ease of travel in the state at present. Modi said he was not viewing the development projects launched on Monday in terms of investments only, but as presenting a vision for a better future and a ray of hope for investors. Recalling his recent visit to UAE and Qatar, the prime minister said there was unprecedented positivity towards India, all around the globe and said that every nation feels assurance and trust in Indias growth story. Even though Modi ki guarantee is being widely discussed around the country today, the world is seeing India as a guarantee for better returns, the prime minister said. Reaffirming the belief of investors, he said that India has broken the trend of foreign investors drifting away from investing when elections are knocking on the doors. Investors around the globe now trust the governments policies and stability, the prime minister remarked, noting there is a similar trend emerging in Uttar Pradesh. He said the concept of Viksit Bharat needs new thinking and direction. Earlier, there was an approach of keeping citizens at a bare minimum existence. The Governments then thought let people cry for ease of living. This approach kept large parts of the country undeveloped and Uttar Pradesh was one of the victims of this policy. The double-engine government of the state has completely changed the image of the state and it is involved in making the life of every family easy, as ease of living leads to ease of doing business, he said. Along with the four crore pucca houses construction under the PM Awas Yojana, urban middle-class families were also provided assistance of Rs 60,000 crore to realize their dream of owning a house. Through this, he said 25 lakh beneficiary families, including 1.5 lakh families from UP, received rebates in interest. Income tax reforms like raising the limit of exemption from Rs 2 lakh in 2014 to Rs 7 lakh now have helped the middle class, he said. Modi ki guarantee vehicle has reached almost all villages and cities, he said. The policy of saturation pursued by the government constitutes the truest form of social justice, he said. This is true secularism, he said, pointing out the prevalence of corrupt practices and disparity during the previous government which led to tedious processes for the beneficiaries. Modis guarantee is that the government will not rest till every beneficiary gets what they deserve, be it pucca homes, electricity supply, gas connection or tapped water, the prime minister said. He reiterated, Modi is looking after those who were ignored by all earlier. Elaborating on such segments he said Rs 10,000 crore worth of assistance has been given to street vendors under the PM SVANidhi scheme. In UP, about 22 lakh street vendors received the benefits. The prime minister said Honoring Chaudhary Saheb, the son of the soil of Uttar Pradesh, is an honor for crores of laboring farmers of the country. The Congress was obstructing when references were being made to the conferring of Bharat Ratna on the great leader in Parliament, he said. Modi reiterated his governments commitment to supporting farmers in exploring new avenues in agriculture. Reflecting on Uttar Pradeshs pivotal role in driving the rural economy and agriculture-based growth of India, Mr Modi called upon stakeholders to maximize the benefits of this opportunity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham Temple here on Monday and expressed confidence that it will emerge as a new centre of Indias spirituality. Mentioning the 18-year wait for the inauguration of the Kalki Dham, the Prime Minister said that it seems that there were many good works that have been left for him to accomplish. He said with the blessings of the people and the sants, he will continue to complete the unfinished tasks. The PM also unveiled the model of Shri Kalki Dham Temple. Shri Kalki Dham is being constructed by Shri Kalki Dham Nirman Trust whose chairman is Acharya Pramod Krishnam. The programme was attended by many saints, religious leaders and other dignitaries. Advertisement Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the land of Lord Shri Ram and Lord Shri Krishna was once again filled with devotion, emotion and spirituality today as the foundation stone of another significant pilgrimage was being laid. Modi expressed gratitude on getting the opportunity in laying the foundation stone for Shri Kalki Dham Temple in Sambhal and also expressed confidence that it will emerge as a new center of Indias spirituality. The Prime Minister paid homage to Chhatrapti Shivaji Maharaj. He credited Shivaji for todays cultural revival, pride and confidence in our identity. Throwing light on the architecture of the temple, the Prime Minister elaborated that it will have 10 garbh grihas where all 10 avatars of the Lord will be seated. Through these 10 avatars, PM Modi explained that the scriptures have presented all forms of the Lord including the human form. In life, one can experience the consciousness of Lord, the Prime Minister continued, We have experienced Lord in the form of Sinh (lion), Varah (boar) and Kachhap (tortoise). He said that the establishment of the Lord in these forms will present a holistic image of the peoples recognition of the Lord. The PM said that todays event is another unique moment for Indias cultural renaissance. Referring to the consecration of Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya Dham and recent inauguration of the temple in Abu Dhabi, the Prime Minister said What was beyond imagination, has now become a reality. Modi underlined the value of such events coming in quick succession. He continued talking about the spiritual regeneration and mentioned Vishwanath Dham in Kashi, transformation of Kashi, Mahakaal Mahalok, Somnath and Kedarnath Dham. We are moving with the mantra of Vikas bhi Virasat Bhi Heritage with Development he said. He once again juxtaposed revival of spiritual centers with the high-tech urban infrastructure, temples with establishment of new medical colleges, return of artifacts from abroad with foreign investment. He said this indicated that the circle of time has moved. He recalled his call from the Red Fort Yeh hai Samaya hai Sahi Samay Hai and emphasised the need for embracing this arrival. Recalling the consecration ceremony of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, the Prime Minister reiterated the beginning of a new kaal chakra (circle of time) since 22 January, 2024 and highlighted impact of Shri Rams rule which lasted for thousands of years. Similarly, with Ram Lalla being seated now, India is beginning its new journey where the resolve for a Viksit Bharat in the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal is not merely a desire. The Prime Minister said, Indias culture and tradition has lived through this resolve in every time period. Speaking about Acharya Pramod Krishnam jis research and study about the forms of Shri Kalki, the Prime Minister highlighted the aspects and scriptural knowledge and informed that Kalkis forms will determine the path of the future for thousands of years, similar to Lord Shri Ram. The PM said that India knows how to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. He highlighted the resilience of Indian society in the face of a series of invitations. In todays Indias Amrit Kaal, the seed of Indias glory, height and strength is sprouting, he added. Today, for the first time, India is at a stage where we are not following but setting an example, PM Modi emphasised. Listing the results of this commitment, the Prime Minister mentioned India turning into a hub of digital technology and innovation, India becoming 5th largest economy, success of Chandrayaan, modern trains like Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat, upcoming bullet train, a strong network of hi-tech highways and expressways. This accomplishment, the Prime Minister said, was making Indians feel pride and this wave of positive thinking and confidence in the country is amazing. That is why today our capabilities are infinite, and the possibilities for us are also immense. PM Modi stressed that a nation gets energy to succeed through collective. He saw a grand collective consciousness in India today. Every citizen is working with the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas, Modi added. Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya, who resigned from the post of National General Secretary citing neglect in Samajwadi Party, may form a new party. Maurya has launched the name and flag of the new party, according to his post on social media. He will address a rally at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi on February 22. The name of the new party will be Rashtriya Shoshit Samaj Party. Its flag will have blue, red and green colours. Advertisement Meanwhile, senior SP leader Ram Govind Chaudhary has reached the residence of Maurya to convince him not to float a new political outfit and remain in the SP. However, Swami did not comment on his decision to form a new party. Maurya had recently resigned from the post of National General Secretary of the party, alleging neglect in SP. He had said in his letter to Akhilesh Yadav that Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia were in favour of social justice and had given the slogan of 85 versus 15. But, Samajwadi Party is continuously making this slogan ineffective, he has alleged. Trying to minimise the impact of the resignation of Swami from the party post, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had commented that it was a party affair and it will be resolved amicably. Meanwhile, reacting to Maurya floating a new political outfit, Akhilesh said on social media, How can anyone know about what others have in their minds. He told the media, without taking any names, that there were several people who take the benefit from the party and then part ways for their own personal interest . He refused to say anything more on the matter In a big jolt to the Congress party, a veteran tribal leader from the Banswara district and sitting Congress MLA from Bagidora, Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, joined the BJP at its state headquarters here on Monday. Soon after joining the saffron party, Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya told reporters that he resigned from the post of MLA. Malviya, who has been camping in Delhi for the last three days, met senior BJP leaders, including JP Nadda, party president, for their blessings to switch over to the party. Advertisement Later, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma was asked to report to the Jaipur party office about his joining the party. Malviya took the membership of the BJP in the presence of BJP leaders including State President CP Joshi and Arun Singh who fecilitated the switchover. Explaining about his decision to quit the Congress, Malviya said he was hurt the most when the Congress refused to attend the consecration ceremony of Ram temple. He further said, If I want to develop my area, I find no one to work in the tribal areas except the BJP. PM Modis policies have impressed me. Losing Assembly membership was certain. I now will work on the Mangarh Dham in Banswara and get it declared a national monument. I wish to see the development of the Vagad (tribal) region. Malviya was an MP from Banswara in 1998, and a cabinet minister in the previous Ashok Gehlot Government with a number of portfolios. The BJP can field a Lok Sabha candidate from Dungarpur-Banswara. Malviya has a long political experience. A grassroots leader, he contested elections for sarpanch, pradhan, MLA and MP. He was also a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC). The big question before the saffron party is whether to drop its current MP Kanakmal Katara from the Banswara Lok Sabha constituency. Meanwhile in hurriedly called press conference, PCC President G S Dotasara alleged that in the previous Congress government during 2008-13, Malviya had indulged in the anti-party activities and sided with anti-Congress candidates in the assembly polls as a result of which the party lost four seats. Malviyas suspicious political activities are now known to everyone in the Banswara district and thus lost his support base. Now that he was to be fielded from Banswara in the Lok Sabha elections, he chose to cross the fence, Dotasara said. Recently, four Congress MLAs from the Vagad region met former CM Ashok Gehlot and me. We discussed the matter in detail and came to the conclusion that the party wont lose anything from the decision of Malviya, he added. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Monday categorically stated that he would join the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra only after an agreement on seats with Congress for the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh. There were several rounds of talks between the two parties parties which have exchanged lists of candidates. Yet nothing concrete has happened. Let an agreement emerge, only then will I join the Congress yatra, he told media person here. Earlier when Congress president Mallickarjun Kharge invited Akhilesh to join the yatra in UP, the SP president said he would join either in Amethi or Rae Bareli. Advertisement The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which reached Amethi on Monday, will be in Rae Bareli tomorrow. When asked him if the SP was trying to deal with Congress while the national party was more interested in going with the BSP, a visibly annoyed Akhilesh Yadav told the scribes, Go and ask them! Why question me? Commenting on the Ground Breaking Ceremony (GBC) of the Yogi government in UP to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Rs 10 lakh crore investments will, the SP president called it a political gimmick before the Lok Sabha polls. They did nothing during their entire tenure and now trying to confuse the voters, he alleged. The BJP Government of UP, which did nothing for the people of the state, the youth, is now showing dreams to the public of employment through these investments. Similarly, they organised police recruitment exams attended by 50 lakh youths. It is a mere eye wash as the exams were already rigged, he said. Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Authority Allahshukur Pashazadeh will participate in a panel discussion of religious leaders in Saudi Arabia, Azernews reports. For this purpose, Pashazade will be on a trip to Riyadh on February 19-21. The high-level panel discussion on "Building Bridges in Media and Strategic Partnerships to Strengthen Peace and Diversity" is organized by KAICIID Center for International Dialogue. Pashazadeh will address the opening session of the event as a member of KAICIID's Board of Directors. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. Changes in global cargo flow have led to increased demand for the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), Ramilya Akhmetova, Branch manager of Almaty office of AsstrA Associated Traffic AG, said in an exclusive interview with Trend. Growing demand for the Middle Corridor Given the changes in global cargo flow and the unstable geopolitical situation, there is an increase in the active use of this route in international cargo transportation. Cargo from the European Union is sent to Georgia's ports, from where it is transported by road or rail to the port of Alat (Azerbaijan), then through the railroad crossing to the ports of Kuryk or Aktau. The route links China with Europe through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and further through the Black Sea and offers an alternative to traditional routes. International logistics companies, complying with the requirements of shippers as well as sanctions restrictions, are choosing this route, even though so far it can increase the cost of transportation by 1.5 times. It is worth noting that the capacity of a number of sections of this route is limited, and there are challenges associated with this. To minimize risks, AsstrA implements the practice of having our agents present at critical sections. We also carefully control the process of document execution to ensure uninterrupted and efficient transportation. Market interest in the Middle Corridor We are analyzing how much the market is interested in the Middle Corridor (TITR), with an eye on how the needs and supply capabilities are changing. The main thing is the demands of our customers. We see customers' interest in alternative routes, so despite technical and documentation challenges, we are actively working to improve service on this route and optimize processes. Since the route is still at the stage of formation, especially in terms of infrastructure, our specialists calculate possible risks in advance and try to find possible solutions to problems in advance, before they occur. The statistics show that interest in this route is a marketing trend. Demand for freight transportation along the TITR has grown strongly in 2023. For example, the volume of freight traffic along the Middle Corridor in 2022 was 1.6 million tons, while in 2023, the figure rose to 2.75 million tons, an 86 percent increase compared to 2022. Kazakhstan as an important transport hub Kazakhstan, located centrally in Eurasia, is an important hub for international transportation lines. Kazakhstan's land is traversed by five railway and eight road corridors, connecting the large economies of China and Europe while also facilitating access to Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. This critical position places the country as a cornerstone in the global logistics network. Transportation of goods for Kazakh customers The types of cargo that we transport for our customers to/from Kazakhstan are varied. According to internal statistics, the most popular are oil and gas industry products, such as oils and various equipment; food industry - export of grain products, metallurgical industry goods, transportation of fertilizers, household chemicals, electrical equipment, as well as fashion and beauty items. The company's partnerships extend beyond Kazakhstan. AsstrA operates as an international group of companies with a broad geographical presence. AsstrA forges partnerships with suppliers and agents in every region, offering mutually advantageous terms for cooperation. Our partners include direct carriers, transport owners, and forwarders, who prioritize reliability and business stability. Expansion plans, particularly in Kazakhstan We have ambitious plans for the development of AsstrA in Kazakhstan; in particular, this concerns expanding the network of offices. For example, we plan to open representative offices in Aktau and Astana. Our efforts are aimed at increasing orders and expanding our customer base, especially in industrial project logistics. The company is also actively developing a partner network to provide warehouse areas. Since AsstrA is an international company, we think on an interstate scale, understanding that effective, uninterrupted logistics requires interaction between experts and representatives of different regions. Therefore, the development strategy also includes strengthening our presence in the regional markets of the Caucasus and developing offices in Baku (Azerbaijan) and Tbilisi (Georgia). The company will continue to actively strengthen professional skills and improve the qualifications of its employees. Our goal is to make a significant contribution to the successful development of AsstrA in Kazakhstan and neighboring regions. Gamble Ukraine has emerged as a beacon of resilience, defying the odds and reasserting control over its maritime destiny. The recently established emergency shipping corridor, a strategic response to Russias economic blockade, stands as a testament to Ukraines determination to safeguard its trade routes despite the looming threats posed by conflict. The inception of the corridor marked a pivotal moment, necessitated by Russias aggressive move to choke off 60 per cent of Ukraines trade passing through its deep-sea ports. The Black Sea, once dominated by Russias naval prowess, became the battleground for a different kind of warfare ~ one fought not with battleships but with strategic ingenuity. Ukraines decision to chart its own course, literally and figuratively, was a gamble born out of necessity. The meticulous planning involved in selecting the shallowest waters, shielded from lurking Russian submarines, showcased a blend of pragmatism and courage. It was a gamble that paid off, with nearly 500 vessels navigating the corridor since its inception, breathing life back into Odessas once-stalled ports. The maritime saga unfolded in three phases; a chess game played without a single working warship for Ukraine. The critical moment, perhaps, was halting the Russian westward encirclement at Voznesensk and regaining control of Snake Island. Subsequent phases saw Ukraine pushing Russian warships out of significant parts of the Black Sea, underscoring the prowess of Ukraines maritime forces in developing a formidable arsenal. Advertisement The success of this audacious move hinges on Ukraines newfound deterrence capability, which has forced Russia to reconsider attacking foreign merchant ships. The calculated bet that international backlash and increased insurance premiums would deter such actions seems to be holding, save for a rare incident involving a Liberian-flagged ship last November. The delicate dance between strategic deterrence and maintaining the corridors security remains a nuanced challenge. The return to full operational capacity for Odessas ports is not just an economic boon for Ukraine but a symbolic victory against an adversary wielding economic warfare as a weapon. The unblocking of the sea is projected to inject at least $3.3 billion into exports, providing a much-needed boost to Ukraines battered economy. Yet, caution prevails among those involved. The success story of the corridor does not guarantee absolute security. Acknowledging the need for increased air defences, international monitoring, and military escorts, Ukraine remains circumspect about declaring outright victory. The fear of Russian retaliation against businesses involved in the corridor lingers, a stark reminder of the persistent threat Ukraine faces. Ukraines Black Sea gamble is a narrative of audacity, adaptability, and triumph against adversity. It reflects a nations resolve to reshape its destiny despite the harrowing challenges of conflict. As the corridor continues to defy Russian threats, it becomes not just a shipping route but a symbol of Ukraines indomitable spirit ~ a beacon that guides the nation through turbulent waters. In the intricate tapestry of international relations, threads of tension often weave a story of uncertainty. The recent release of eight former Indian Navy officers by Qatar, after dropping their death sentences, illuminates the power of diplomacy, the resilience of bilateral ties, and the role of leaders in shaping global narratives. More than 18 months ago, the arrest of these officers strained diplomatic relations between India and Qatar. Accused as they were of spying for Israel, the severity of the charges placed an ominous cloud over their fate. However, the recent decision to first drop their death sentences and later release them, is a testament to the diplomatic finesse that unfolded behind closed doors. At the heart of this diplomatic resolution stands Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His proactive involvement and personal supervision of the case exemplify the leadership required in navigating delicate international matters. The visit to Doha on February 14, where he engaged in talks with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, underscores the significance of dialogue in preserving diplomatic ties. The released officers, who have returned to India, attributed their freedom to Mr Modis intervention. While their names remain undisclosed, their voices echo the sentiment that it wouldnt have been possible without his personal intervention and his equation with Qatar. This underscores the importance of leaders forging personal connections to address issues that transcend borders. Advertisement The accused officers, formerly employed by a private company, were supporting various programmes for the Qatari Navy. The complexity of their roles adds layers to the narrative, highlighting the intricate balance between national interests, security concerns, and international collaborations. It was not merely a case of individuals. It was a challenge that resonated in the corridors of power in both New Delhi and Doha. This diplomatic triumph also sheds light on the broader context of Indias energy needs. Qatar, a crucial natural gas supplier to India, became entangled in a web of discussions as the case strained ties. The recent signing of a significant deal for liquefied natural gas between Qatari and Indian firms exemplifies how diplomatic resolutions can pave the way for economic collaboration. The release comes in the aftermath of Mr Modis meeting with Sheikh Tamim during the COP-28 climate summit in Dubai. Discussions on the well-being of the Indian community in Qatar and the subsequent release of the officers underscore the multifaceted nature of diplomatic engagements. Leaders, beyond addressing immediate concerns, also lay the groundwork for stronger ties in various sectors. Mr Modis leadership, characterised by personal intervention and adept diplomacy, has not only secured the freedom of these individuals but has also reaffirmed the resilience of the bond between India and Qatar. As we witness the ripples of this diplomatic triumph, it serves as a reminder that in the world of geopolitics, dialogue and understanding can overcome even the most challenging obstacles. Why do people go on pilgrimages? Distinct from other travel, these are journeys in quest of something spiritual. For knowledge of ultimate truth, perhaps, or maybe for the atonement of sins. Whatever the reason, interestingly, the idea of creating centres of worship at the place where someone is already situated rather than going on long, arduous journeys to reach a destination is ingenious. Some Hindu gods and goddesses, for instance, are often worshipped at home, even though there may be temples dedicated to them in many places throughout the country. Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, learning, education, knowledge, music and the arts, is one of them. Advertisement That way, she is really chilled out, says a schoolboy. He is at a parar pujo or a neighbourhood celebration of Saraswati Puja, the day of the worship of the goddess. I dont have to go far to pray. A classmate chips in, And boy, does he need to pray. He hasnt studied at all, and now he will be grovelling at the goddess feet. It becomes increasingly evident with each passing puja that the young have virtually usurped Goddess Saraswati. Their conversations are revelations. After all, she is the goddess of learning, and that is the pursuit of young people, said a girl, a first-year student at a city college. She is our goddess. Though learning is a lifelong pursuit, Ma Saraswati has always been associated with the young, points out Anath Taran Ghoshal, a Hindu priest. This years Saraswati Puja, of course, coincided with Valentines Day, the day that is celebrated globally as the day of love and another day on which the young feel a sense of entitlement. A third-year college student said he celebrated by gifting a red rose to his girlfriend and laying a stick of white rajanigandhas at the feet of his favourite goddess. They both identify with the cool goddess. In fact, she is included in their jests and jokes and knows that she will not take umbrage. Says a schoolgirl, I dont believe in gods or goddesses, but Im not taking any chances today, and I will pray to Ma Swaraswati so that I dont flunk my exams. LoLto use one of the favourite phrases of people her age. For the oldies out there who dont know, it is the shortened form of laugh out loud. They use it to indicate anything from the hilarious to the utterly ridiculous. Anyway, before I could adequately recover from her unabashed confession and her strictly-on-a-need-to-basis appeasement of the Divine Powers, she added that she was particularly concerned about her chemistry papers, and so thats the textbook that found its way on top of the pile of tomes that were kept at the feet of the goddess by children in her neighbourhood. The pilgrimage of the youth is here. At the pandal of Goddess Saraswati. Children, boys and girls as young as ten and less, dressed in dhotis and sarees, run around her, books in hand, praying for her blessings. Teenagers turn out in their finery and flirt as they sit around her as though she is a friend. College students gather around her, discussing ideas, and suddenly she is a professor. Swaraswati looks on. She is Wisdom. An Indian-origin man who was arrested and recently charged with extortion threats targeting South Asian businesses in Canada, has claimed his innocence, saying police are wrongly portraying him as a high-level gangster. Arundeep Thind, 39, was among five people of Punjab origin whose arrest was announced by Peel Regional Polices extortion taskforce on February 8 in connection with a laundry list of offences, including extortion, possession of firearms and fraud. Thind, charged with one count of extortion relating to an alleged incident on January 26, is out on bail after spending two weeks in jail, and has reached out to the Canadian media saying he is not a criminal. Advertisement In an interview with CTV News, Thind, a music producer, said: I have family too. I have kids too. My kids are crying, Daddys not a criminal. You guys (the media and police) showed (my photo) that Im a criminal. Im not. With concerns being raised over an alarming escalation of extortion threats against Indian and South Asian business communities, Thind told the news outlet that he has never been involved in organised crime and extortion. Asserting that he is a victim of these threats instead, Thind said days before his arrest, his friend a restaurant owner in Brampton who was targeted by the extortionists gave Thind the phone number and asked him to call the people harassing him. He spoke to the person on the phone who coerced him into going to a car dealership to request an extortion payment on their behalf, Thind told the news channel. At the dealership, he simply handed a phone over to the owner of the car company. I told them, I want nothing more to do with this. You guys speak to each other and leave me out of it,' he said. It was then that the police arrived and arrested him, Thind said. On being asked why he posted a series of photos and videos on his social media holding a gun, Thind told the channel that the picture was taken years ago while filming a music video and that the gun wasnt even real. While he said that he has never been a part of organised crime or extortion in the country, he admitted to a domestic incident charg However, Thind believes police are wrongly painting him as a high-level gangster, and are using his mugshot. In addition, Thind said that he has not met and is not connected to the other four people charged by Peel Police, namely Gagan Ajit Singh, Anmoldeep Singh, Hashmeet Kaur and Lymanjot Kaur. While Thind is yet to be tried in a court of law, Brampton City Councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor told CTV that Thinds release isnt sitting well with his community. Peel Regional Police (PRP) Chief Nishan Duraiappah had said in a statement that theres a complex ecosystem of people involved in these crimes. PRPs taskforce said 29 cases of extortion are currently under investigation and of these, nine incidents have involved shootings at local businesses, with multiple bullets being fired. The businesses being targeted are South Asian-owned restaurants, bakeries, trucking and transport companies, independent used car dealerships, and jewellery stores. Speaking about their modus operandi, police 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. Irans Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has denounced the US Senate for approving a $14-billion aid package for Israel, which he said would enable more Israeli killings in the Gaza Strip. Kanaani made the comments on social media platform X on Sunday, in response to the bill passed on February 13 by the US Senate for security assistance to Israel, Xinhua news agency reported. He said the US Senates decision, funded by American taxpayers, showed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its government would receive $100 million a day from the US for killing innocent Palestinian civilians. Advertisement The US Senate passed the bill by 70 votes to 29. It included $14 billion in security assistance to Israel, among other things. The US Senates move has faced widespread criticism at home, with opponents saying the money could be spent on domestic needs rather than weapons, and expressing concern over the death toll in Gaza. It is unclear whether the bill will pass, as some conservative Republicans in the US House have vowed to stop it. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has called for a high turnout in the elections for parliament and a clerical body scheduled on March 1. Khamenei made the appeal in a meeting with people from the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan in Tehran, his website reported on Sunday, Xinhua news agency reported. He said the elections were the main pillar of the Islamic Republic and the path to the countrys reforms. Advertisement Everyone should participate in the elections. Those who want to solve problems should use the elections as the correct method, he added. Iran will hold its 12th parliamentary and sixth Assembly of Experts elections on March 1. The 290-seat parliament has the power to pass laws and oversee the government, while the 88-member Assembly of Experts is empowered to appoint the Supreme Leader. Irans Constitutional Council Spokesman Hadi Tahan Nazif said on February 9 that 14,912 candidates had been approved to run for parliament after a vetting process, the official IRNA news agency reported. A total of 144 candidates are competing for the Assembly of Experts, which is elected for an eight-year term. The Moroccan Navy rescued 141 migrants from a flimsy boat off the Atlantic coast, the media reported, citing a statement from the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. All the migrants, including three women and two minors, were from sub-Saharan African countries. They were rescued in an operation that lasted 15 hours due to unfavourable weather conditions, according to the statement released on Sunday. The migrants, who departed from the Mauritanian coast on February 10, intended to reach the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa, it added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. Advertisement After their boat was stranded about 274 km off the port of Dakhla, the migrants sent a distress signal that was intercepted by Moroccan authorities. The migrants were handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie for the usual administrative procedures after receiving necessary care, the statement said. According to the official statistics, the Moroccan Army arrested about 87,000 undocumented migrants in 2023, most of whom were from sub-Saharan Africa. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with snow showers changing to rain showers as the day progresses. High 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy with showers of rain and wet snow this evening. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 50%. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 19. A meeting of the working group to accelerate the creation of the international center for industrial cooperation (ICIC) "Central Asia" was held under the chairmanship of two deputy ministers of trade of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Kairat Torebayev and Khurram Teshaboyev, Trend reports. The parties presented preliminary plans for the development of the ICIC and discussed issues related to the infrastructure and content of the facility. During the meeting, the Kazakh investor was presented - TCL gr. LLP, which was determined on February 7 based on the results of a competitive selection. Thus, the investor, together with the akimat of the Turkestan region, has developed a concept for the development of an industrial cooperation center and plans to begin construction of the facility this year. Preparatory work is currently underway. The ICIC will be constructed on the border area in the area of the international checkpoints "Gulistan" on the side of Uzbekistan and "Atameken" on the side of Kazakhstan. The functions of the operating company of the ICIC include the selection and placement of projects on the territory of the facility in agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan and the executive power of the Turkestan region. The investor will also provide services for participants and residents of the industrial zone, and carry out events to develop and promote the center. Following the meeting, the deputy heads of executive power of the adjacent regions of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed a roadmap for the accelerated creation of the center. As noted by Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Kairat Torebayev, the technical launch of the industrial cooperation center is planned for the 4th quarter of 2026, the official opening - in the first half of 2027. The Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan will fully control the stages of the project until its completion. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Ejiao is a traditional Chinese medicine made from the collagen extracted from donkey skin. It is a hard gel that can be dissolved in hot water or alcohol to be used in food or drink, or in beauty products such as face creams. Ejiao is believed to improve blood circulation and is used as a blood tonic, with claims of treating conditions such as anemia, insomnia, reproductive issues, and a dry cough. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these health claims. Furthermore, there have been concerns about the improper use of ejiao leading to a traditional syndrome of Chinese medicine called "fireness," which refers to hot symptoms in the human body caused by an imbalance of Yin and Yang. The growing demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine made from donkey skin, has raised ethical and environmental concerns. The annual production of ejiao has increased significantly, with the industry now requiring a minimum of 5.9 million donkey skins to keep up with the demand. This has led to a drastic decline in the donkey population, particularly in China, where the population decreased from 11 million in 1990 to 5.4 million in 2016. As a result, manufacturers are targeting donkeys from Africa to meet the demand for ejiao, leading to decimation of donkey populations and posing risks to local ecosystems. The ejiao industry has experienced booming sales, with annual sales of ejiao products reaching 53.5 billion yuan (7.43 billion USD) in 2020, up from 19.6 billion yuan (2.72 billion USD) in 2013. This high demand has significantly driven up the price of ejiao, which now sells for around $780 per kilogram in China. The economic impact of this industry has been substantial, but it has come at the cost of ethical and environmental concerns. Amid the concerns about the impact on the donkey population, efforts are being made to transition the ejiao industry towards more humane and sustainable methods of production. Advocates are promoting the use of cellular agriculture to replace the use of real donkey collagen in ejiao production. This process offers a safer, cleaner, and more humane technology, aiming to end the needless cruelty and devastation associated with the global trade in donkeys for the collagen extracted from their skin. The potential for cellular agriculture to replace the use of real donkey collagen in ejiao production offers a promising alternative. By manufacturing donkey collagen safely and without cruelty, using a process called cellular agriculture, the ejiao industry could move towards a more sustainable and humane future, reducing the impact on donkey populations and ecosystems. Rahul Gandhi, who was in Amethi as part of the Nyay Yatra, on Monday said that while almost three fourth of the country was made up of the poor, Dalits and backward castes, they had the least share in the countrys resources. Gandhi drove home his point by asking the crowd to give him a Rs 100 note and then asked for Rs 6. The note is the countrys budget, Rs 6 is what you get, he said. And this is when I am not even counting the minorities, he added. He also said that the BJP government was adept at diverting peoples attention. They will say look what is happening in Pakistanlook Amitabh Bachchan is dancing, Aishwarya is dancingand that is what you look at, said Gandhi in Varanasi on Sunday. Gandhi once again called for a caste census saying that if an accident happens the first thing to do is to get an x-ray before treatment can be planned. Thus a caste census was prerequisite to the countrys 73% people- who were the poorest and most disadvantaged getting their share. The census will give you an actual picture of what is happening, he said. In Varanasi, he said, he had seen young people drunk and sleeping by the road or dancing. There is deep depressionthey have given up, they know that their degrees are useless.. The pran pratishtha of the Ram Mandir was also brought up with Gandhi pointing out that industrialists like Gautam Adani and the Ambani were invited but no poor farmers were seen in the televised ceremony. Our President is a Dalit and was not allowed to enter the mandir, he said while (erroneously) reeling off a name of (non) attendees such as Virat Kohli. Gandhi said that there were 90 people running the country. Among them were just seven IAS officers belonging to the backward castes, Dalits and tribals. They are not in important ministries but relegated to the background and threatened that their ACRs (Annual Confidential Report) will be messed up", Gandhi said. With the Lok Sabha elections nearing, speculation loomed over whether Gandhi will re-contest from Amethi, a constituency he lost after three terms in the 2019 polls. While Gandhi gave no indication about the same, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that Gandhi was, is and would always be part of Amethi. Kharge said that the government was prejudiced against Amethi and Rae Bareli. They (the BJP) say that the Congress believes in jhatakna (shake off), bhatkana (mislead) but what has it done, he said listing projects that had been halted including a proposed food park and a power plant. Will you vote for such people? Be strong. All those who have come here, even if you get 1000 votes for the Congress the party will sail through, Kharge said. The recent decision by the Central government to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari community in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to reshape the political landscape in Muslim-majority Rajouri and Poonch, also called Pir Panjal in Jammu, and will likely benefit the BJP. While the move to grant ST status to Paharis ostensibly aims at addressing historical grievances and expanding social welfare measures, this move has introduced new fault lines into the already complex political terrain of the region. With the Paharis now holding sway in several assembly segments, including those designated as ST seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sees an opportunity to solidify its support base by wooing a chunk of Pahari Muslims and making it difficult for regional parties to lure voters, especially Muslims. The BJP aims to consolidate its political influence in these strategically important areas for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and later the assembly polls. Making inroads in Pir Panjal is key to the BJPs plan to come to power in Jammu and Kashmir. For the Gujjar-Bakarwal community, historically, the decision has sparked concerns about diluted political representation. The community, long marginalised and discriminated against, has relied on reservations for access to education and government jobs as a means of socio-economic upliftment. They fear the inclusion of the Pahari community in the ST category threatens to undermine their hard-fought gains and exacerbate historical grievances. Rajouri and Poonch districts have been focal points of political contestation in Jammu and Kashmir, characterized by simmering ethnic and religious tensions. The BJP's strategic manoeuvre to expand the ST list to include Paharis aligns with its broader political agenda of consolidating support among Muslims in the region. By positioning itself as the champion of these communities' interests, the BJP seeks to bolster its electoral prospects in a region historically polarized along ethnic and religious lines. The decision has elicited strong opposition from various quarters, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other political parties, who have raised concerns about its implications for social cohesion and political representation. The grant of ST status to the Pahari community marks a significant juncture in Jammu and Kashmir's political trajectory. Beyond the electoral calculus, it underscores the intricate interplay between identity-based considerations, electoral dynamics, and administrative measures in a region grappling with rising militancy, historical grievances, and political uncertainty. As the debate unfolds, the ramifications of this decision will shape the socio-political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir for years to come, underscoring the complex interplay between identity, representation, and power in the region. Already, the move has bolstered the BJP in the region, with Shahnaz Ganie, former NC leader and an influential Pahari leader in Poonch, joining the party. After joining the BJP, Ganie told THE WEEK, Alhamdulillah (thank God), we will work to empower people from different sections of society. I believe that it is very encouraging to be part of the BJP." She was an important leader of the NC in Poonch, Jammu, for several years before quitting the party in 2019. She hails from the Poonch district of Jammu and commands influence among the local population, especially the Pahari speakers. Her decision to join the BJP comes days after the Parliament passed the Scheduled Tribe (ST) bill for the Pahari community in Jammu and Kashmir. The bill will benefit the Paharis politically, and in seeking jobs and admission in educational institutions. She thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for bringing the bill to extend ST status to Paharis and called the decision visionary. I am highly grateful to our honourable PM Modi, she said adding, This move reflects the visionary leadership of PM Modi. She said it is a watershed moment and a historical day for the people of J&K. Passing this bill through a voice vote has given a befitting reply to political parties who were trying to politicise this issue for vested interests, she said. Ganie, known for her outspokenness in Jammu and Kashmir's political landscape, has emphasized her commitment to working for the empowerment of various sections of society. The BJP, however, will have to factor in the anger of the Gujjar-Bakerwals due to ST to Paharis. The party has been trying to woo the Gujjar-Bakerwals given their political heft, but the ST status to Paharis has enraged the community which could cost the BJP in the polls. In 1974, India successfully tested its nuclear bomb in the Pokhran desert. The operation was code-named Smiling Buddha. A defiant India again repeated the tests in 1998, much to the chagrin of the West. But on Saturday, when the Indian Air Force (IAF) went in for a bombing spree during the defining Vayu Shakti exercise, exploding more than 50 tonnes of ordnance in a small patch of the desertless than nine sq kmin just two hours, the Buddha may have grinned this time. Not at the booming sound of aircraft breaking the sonic barrier, of spectacular explosions followed by billowing smoke, but at the dizzy speed in which the IAF has modernised itself, equipping itself with many cutting-edge weapons systems and assets. Five years may indeed be a long time in IAFs timeline. The last Vayu Shakti exercise took place in 2019 before the havoc in timelines played by the Covid pandemic. And how much has changed for the IAF in just these five years was put on proud display in the Pokhran firing ranges on Saturday as the IAF brought out its latest assets that were fielded for the first time. And indeed, besides being a sight for sore eyes, the sheer range of assets in itself was a bewildering one. Pokhran is a small desert settlement about an hour-and-a-half-long drive east from district headquarters Jaisalmer. Famous for its extensive Rajput-era medieval fort, Jaisalmer has a bewildering geographyit is surrounded by Pakistan from three sides. It is a reason why the Indian army has consolidated its position in the last few years with the focal buildup shifting from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer. On Saturday, the Apache attack helicopter demonstrated its firepower with its deadly Hellfire missiles and Mi-17s and indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters fired their rockets and swivel guns. Besides, the heavy-lift Chinooks demonstrated rapid deployment of combat assets by airlifting the Indian Army's M-777 Ultra-Light Howitzers in an under-slung mode enabling prompt destruction of simulated enemy targets on ground. The home-made Light Combat Helicopter Prachand underscored its offensive night combat capabilities for the first time by devastating a designated target with rockets. More than 120 aircraft took part in the mega exercise including the Rafale, Sukhoi 30, Mig 29, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, Tejas and Hawk fighter aircraft, while the Apache, Chinook, Prachand and other helicopters unleashed their barrage of explosives. Missiles fired included the indigenous Akash and SAMAR that destroyed multiple aerial targets. There were also the transport and special operations fleet that included the C-17 heavy-lift Globemaster, the C 130J Super Hercules and the workhorse AN 32all undertaking roles that suited their standout capability. Of special significance was the fact that drones carried out the bomb damage assessment of all targets that was live streamed to the operations centre and to the audience. And to befit the occasion, the military brass was in full attendance led by the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Navy chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar and host IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari. The Army chief General Manoj Pande was on an official visit to the US. The Centre has proposed an 'out-of-the-box' plan wherein government agencies will buy pulses, maize, and cotton crops at minimum support prices (MSP) for five years after signing an agreement with the farmers. The proposal came after the fourth round of talks between the farmer leaders and the Union Ministers on Sunday. Union Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters on Sunday night after a four-hour-long meeting that they had positive talks with the farmer leaders. The Centre has proposed a very innovative, out-of-the-box idea, he said. As per the proposal, the Cotton Corporation of India will enter a 5-year legal agreement with farmers to purchase the crops at MSP. Besides, the government-promoted cooperative societies like the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) will form a contract for the next five years and buy products from the farmers on MSP. "There will be no limit on the quantity (purchased) and a portal will be developed for this," Goyal told reporters. The government states that the move will save Punjab's farming, improve the groundwater table, and save the land from getting barren which is already under stress. "The farmers pointed out that they want to diversify into maize crops but want to avoid suffering losses when the prices drop below the MSP," said Goyal. #WATCH | Chandigarh: Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "The farmers' union will tell us their decision by morning. We will also have discussions with NCCF and NAFED after returning to Delhi..." pic.twitter.com/rSzqom0bMq ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024 The centre will hold more talks in this regard if the farmers agree to the proposal. "Other demands of the farmers were "deep and policy-driven" and it was not possible to find a resolution without an in-depth discussion. Elections are coming and a new government will be formed discussions on such issues will continue," Goyal said. Meanwhile, the farmers said they will discuss the proposal for the next two days. "We will continue with the 'Delhi Chalo' march on Feb 21 if there is no result," General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee Sarvan Singh Pandher told reporters after the meeting. #WATCH | Chandigarh: General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarvan Singh Pandher says, "...We will have a discussion on the proposal by the govt and take opinions on it...The decision will be taken by today morning, evening or the day after...The ministers pic.twitter.com/9BCm8efWln ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024 "We will discuss the proposal and take opinions on it. The decision will be taken by Monday morning, evening or the day after. The ministers said they will discuss the other demands after returning to Delhi. The discussions will be held on Feb 19-20 and the 'Delhi Chalo' march scheduled for Feb 21 will be decided based on the discussions. Together (govt and the farmers' union) we will try to find a solution to the issues," he added. BJP leader and Chandigarh mayor Manoj Sonkar resigned from the post on Sunday night, hours before the Supreme Court was set to hear the case related to the irregularities in the conduct of elections. Sonkar has submitted his resignation to the municipal commissioner, Chandigarh BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra told reporters. While the resignation came as a boost for the AAP, which approached the court over the matter, three of its councillors switched to the BJP on Sunday, delivering a big blow to the party. The mayor's resignation came reportedly after a high-level meeting in Delhi, which instructed Sonkar to step down. However, Malhotra blamed the AAP and the Congress for levelling baseless allegations of vote tampering. He added that Sonkar resigned on moral grounds. The BJP had swept the January 30 Chandigarh mayoral polls, in a setback to the Congress-AAP alliance. However, the AAP approached the top court with allegations that the ballot papers were tampered with by the presiding officer. The AAP also submitted footage before the SC purportedly showing the presiding officer defacing the ballot paper. Following this, the Chief Justice of India slammed the returning officer, stating that his actions amounted to "murder and mockery" of democracy. The court had also ordered the preservation of ballots and the video of the poll proceedings besides seeking the returning officer's appearance during the next hearing in the case on February 19. Impressed by PM Modi The three AAP councillors - Gurcharanjit Singh Kala, Neha and Poonum Devi - told reporters that they decided to join the BJP because they were inspired by the works of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. All three accused the AAP of making false promises. National general secretary Vinod Tadwe told reporters that the councillors joined BJP as they were unhappy with the treatment meted out to them in AAP. "BJP will respect them and they will help in the development of Chandigarh," Vinod Tawde told ANI. In the house of 35 members, the BJP has a total of 15 votes in the Municipal Corporation House, including 14 councillors and ex officio members i.e. an MP - Kiron Kher. The AAP has 13 councillors, while the Congress has seven. The Shiromani Akali Dal has one councillor in the House. The AAP and Congress together had 20 votes and now with the three councillors jumping ship, the BJP has 18 votes while the AAP-Congress alliance will have 18 votes with the help of Shiromani Akali Dal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, said an environment of trade, development and trust has developed in Uttar Pradesh in the seven years of the "double-engine" government, and added the culture of "red tape" has been replaced with a "red carpet" for investors. In his address at a ground-breaking ceremony for projects worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore in Lucknow, he said, "Seven to eight years ago, one could not even think that such an environment of investment and jobs would be made in UP. Crime and riots were common then and no one would have even believed if anyone said that UP would be developed." "It has been seven years since the double-engine government was formed in UP. In these years, UP has removed the red tape culture and replaced it with red carpet culture. In the last seven years, crime has reduced in UP and business culture has expanded. An environment of trade, development and trust has developed in UP in the last seven years," he said. Modi said the BJP's "double-engine" government has shown that no one can prevent development to happen if the intention is there. "The exports from UP have doubled in the past years. UP has done commendable work in electricity production and transmission. UP is the state with the most number of expressways in the country," he said. The police-initiated "Census" in Kashmir, aimed at gathering personal data, including information on foreign visits and suspected ties to militant groups, has sparked concerns regarding its legality, potential misuse, and constitutionality. While the rest of India postponed its national census due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and subsequent general elections, Jammu and Kashmir proceeded with its census drive, prompting questions about its legality and purpose. According to the Indian Census Act, only the Registrar General of India and the Census Commissioner are authorised to conduct a census. The Act explicitly prohibits other entities, including state governments or private organisations, from conducting censuses independently. Moreover, the Act ensures the confidentiality of respondents' information and prohibits its use as evidence in court. Legal experts have criticised the involvement of the Jammu and Kashmir Police in this census, citing contradictions with the existing legal framework. Although amended census rules permit researchers access to micro-data, they mandate anonymisation and restrictions on the use of sensitive personal information, requirements that the police-led census appears to violate. Residents in the Kashmir Valley have reported police officers visiting households, distributing forms, and soliciting personal information. The forms request detailed data about family members, including those residing outside the region, along with their ages, contact details, Aadhar numbers, vehicle registrations, information on installed CCTV cameras, and inquiries about potential ties to militant activities. The lack of transparency surrounding the operation has left many residents unsettled, with concerns about its purpose and authorisation. The intrusive nature of the questions and invasion of privacy have deeply unnerved residents. The government has defended the "Census 2024," arguing it aims to minimise property damage and protect residents in security incidents or law and order situations. Officials claim the data collected will assist security forces in obtaining accurate information and complementing completed army exercises. The police assert the operation will facilitate services such as passport verification. Police officials describe the operation as a routine "census" conducted "every four years," pointing to the similar surveys that have occurred since 2019, now being systematically organised due to increased targeted killings. This isn't the first time such data collection has caused concern. A similar "census" form distributed in Srinagar last year led to allegations of political profiling by security agencies. Earlier, residents in Jammu resisted a similar effort by officials from a private agency, highlighting the sensitivity of data collection. During the 1990s militancy peak, the army and Border Security Force conducted door-to-door surveys to monitor militant groups. Since 2019, the security apparatus has compiled databases of journalists, academics, and activists. Data protection experts and civil rights activists have criticised the "Census 2024" as an unconstitutional expansion of police powers and the creation of a surveillance state. As debates continue, residents remain concerned about the motives behind this operation. The Census Act of 1948 clearly outlines procedures for a census. No gazette notification has been issued for the Jammu and Kashmir operation, and no officers, particularly police officers, have been nominated as Census Officers. The last census in Jammu and Kashmir was in 2011, and administrative boundary changes, a critical step preceding a census, are ongoing. Political leaders have urged transparency regarding the police-led "Census" in Jammu and Kashmir. Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader MY Tarigami and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti expressed concerns, describing the initiative as intrusive and a direct assault on Kashmiris' rights and identity. Previous data collection efforts have faced criticism, including accusations of political profiling and racial discrimination. The National Conference hit out at former Jammu and Kashmir chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday for his comments that NC chief Farooq Abdullah and his son, Omar Abdullah, were consulted before the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, saying he has "stooped so low" by making "baseless and senseless allegations". Farooq Abdullah, who is the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar, said it was a sad day to see "Azad stooping so low in his political utterances only to remain in the political circuit. A leader like him should not be circulating what he himself has termed gossip". The veteran leader, who has been the chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir thrice, reminded Azad about the support he got from the NC to win his Rajya Sabha seat in 2015. Azad gave an interview to a private television channel and claimed that NC leaders seek time with leaders in Delhi after 11 pm, which raises suspicion in the minds of people. He also said there was a gossip in Delhi in 2019 that the Abdullahs had prior information that the provisions of Article 370 would be abrogated and that they were detained in accordance with their own wish. Azad also accused Farooq Abdullah of playing the religion card to woo Hindu votes by visiting temples and singing "bhajans". The interview was aired on Monday. Farooq Abdullah asserted that the NC has stood and will always stand for secularism and said it was time Azad explained the real reason for breaking away from the Congress and forming his own party in Jammu and Kashmir. "He has to clarify actually which side of the fence he was on. He has been enjoying every perk even after ceasing to be a member of the Rajya Sabha. The question is, how?" the NC leader asked. The former Union minister said he, along with several other leaders, held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the Centre's August 5, 2019 decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status. "Whatever we have to do, we do it in broad daylight. Why should one ask for time at night...?" Abdullah asked and described Azad's statement as childish and laughable. Taking to X, former Jammu and Kashmir chief Minister Omar Abdullah said: "Wah bhai wah Ghulam Nabi Azad, so much bile today. Where is the Ghulam that was begging us for Rajya Sabha seats in J&K as recently as 2015? "'Abdullahs knew about 370' yet we were detained for more than 8 months including under PSA and you were free, the only ex CM in J&K free after 5th Aug," he said in a post on X. The NC vice-president chided the former Congress leader, pointing out that his father, Farooq Abdullah, was evacuated from a government bungalow when he was not an MP. "'Abdullahs meet secretly' yet my father is the one thrown out of his government house when he wasn't MP and you are allowed to keep your ministerial bungalow? "'Abdullahs say one thing in Kashmir and another in Delhi' yet PM cries for you in Rajya Sabha and criticises us in every speech. Let's not forget the Padma award for which you agreed to leave Congress and help BJP in Chenab valley. Who is azad and who is ghulam, time will tell and people will decide," he said. Reacting to Omar Abdullah's post on X and taking a jibe at Azad, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said: "Did you seriously expect anything else from him? He is an absolute disgraceactually, always has been!" On August 5, 2019, the BJP-led Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370, which gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the erstwhile state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. In a horrific incident, a woman motorist was set ablaze in broad daylight by her husband in Kerala's Alappuzha district on Monday. The woman breathed her last later the day while undergoing treatment, reports said. The victim was identified as Arathy (32) a native of Alappuzha's Pattanakkad. She was stopped near Cherthala Taluk Hospital by her husband Syam G Chandran on Monday morning. The 36-year-old man reportedly poured petrol over his wife and set her ablaze, Manorama Online said in a report. Arathy was rushed to the Taluk hospital before being taken to the Medical College in Vandanam, where she died. Syam Chandran is undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit after suffering burns while committing the crime, the report added. Arathy and Syam were living separately following tensions. The woman had moved court in December citing domestic violence. However, Syam kept threatening her over the phone forcing the police to intervene. The cops had arrested him and presented him before court after the man reportedly threatened Arathy again despite verbally warned against it by the department. Syam was out after receiving a bail last month. According to the report, the accused stood near a road en route to her office near Cherthala Taluk Hospital. He stopped her scooter forcefully, dragged her off and poured petrol. After he lit a fire, Arathy reportedly ran around 100 metres seeking help. It was then people gathered and doused the flames on her before taking her to a hospital with police's help. Representatives of Ladakh are convening with the Centres high-powered committee, led by Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, in New Delhi today to discuss their demands for the Union Territory. Seven members each from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have arrived in Delhi for talks with the high-powered committee, scheduled at 2pm. LAB member Tsering Dorjay told THE WEEK that the meeting was initially scheduled for 10am but was later rescheduled for 2pm. We are demanding statehood, Sixth Schedule, two Lok Sabha MPs, and a Public Service Commission for Ladakh, Dorjey said, expressing hope for a positive response from the Centre. Following Ladakh's separation from Jammu and Kashmir and its grant of UT status, residents have been advocating for constitutional safeguards regarding land, jobs, and a distinct identity. The decision to confer UT status to the region received approval from people in Leh but was rejected by those in Kargil. The realisation among Leh residents that the protective provisions for land, jobs, and identity, previously enjoyed under Article 370 when Ladakh was part of Jammu and Kashmir, no longer applied as a UT, sparked unrest, leading to protests. The LAB subsequently collaborated with the KDA to jointly pursue constitutional safeguards for the region. They mutually agreed to include the demand for statehood in their list of demands for Ladakh. Following Ladakh's transition to a UT, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Leh and Kargil lost their powers. The four assembly seats, two in Kargil and two in Leh, ceased to exist as the UT status was granted without an assembly, unlike in Kashmir. Last December, the Centre reaffirmed its commitment to accelerate Ladakh's development and address its people's aspirations. This commitment was reiterated during discussions with the high-powered committee chaired by Rai. Established by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the committee for Ladakh, under Rai's leadership, aims to preserve the region's unique cultural and linguistic heritage while considering its strategic significance. It focuses on safeguarding land, promoting inclusive development, empowering the Ladakh LAHDCs of Leh and Kargil, and exploring constitutional safeguards. The BJP is keen on ending the deadlock before the code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls comes into effect and retain the lone Lok Sabha seat in the region. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 19. As part of the Coordination Transport Meeting of the CIS Member States, a meeting was held between the Ministries of Transport of Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Belarus, Trend reports. The participants of the meeting brought up for discussion the issue of the formation and development of the international transport corridor 'Belarus Russia Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Afghanistan Pakistan'. In addition, further actions for the development of this corridor were discussed. During the meeting, the parties agreed to hold the first meeting of the working group in mid-March of this year. To note, on the sidelines of the Transport Forum of the SCO member countries, which took place last year, representatives of the ministries of Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum on the corridor 'Belarus Russia Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Afghanistan Pakistan'. The participants of the event came to the conclusion that, in general, taking into account the launch of the Darbaza-Maktaaral project, the infrastructure of the Kazakhstan section allows for the transportation of goods along this corridor. The farmer leaders taking part in the 'Delhi Chalo' protest on Monday said they rejected the centre's proposal on buying pulses, maize and cotton at minimum support prices (MSP). While addressing the media, farmer leader Jagjit Singh said that the decision was made after disussing at both forums: the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political). "After the discussion of both forums, it has been decided that if you analyse, there is nothing in the government's proposal...This is not on the favour of farmers. We reject it," said Jagjit Singh. In the fourth round of talks with the centre, the panel proposed buying pulses, maize and cotton crops by government agencies at MSP for five years. Earlier, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they will discuss the Centre's proposal but will not backout from the demand for a law guaranteeing MSP. SKM had rejected the proposal before formally announcing the decision and said that it will accept anything less than the 'C-2 plus 50 per cent' formula for MSP as recommended in the Swaminathan Commission report, reported PTI. Among other demands by farmers include the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families who died in the 2020-21 agitation. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai held the fourth round of talks with the farmers. "Cooperative societies like the NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will enter into a contract with those farmers who grow tur dal, urad dal, masoor dal or maize for buying their crop at MSP for next five years," said Goyal after the talks. Protesting farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the state's border with Haryana since February 13 when their 'Delhi Chalo' march was halted by police. "If the Modi government is unable to implement the promise made by the BJP, then let the prime minister honestly tell that to the people," said the SKM, which is an umbrella body of various farmer unions. SKM also condemned the police action against protesting farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points. SKM leaders also demanded the restoration of mobile internet services in seven districts. The Haryana government on Saturday extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts till February 19. The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into the violence in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali village, saying the incidents cannot be compared to the savagery in Manipur. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih said the Calcutta High Court is already seized of the matter. "The local high court will be the best to assess the situation. Let there be no dual forums," the bench said while granting liberty to the PIL petitioner to approach the high court. As the hearing began, petitioner-lawyer Alakh Alok Srivastava said disturbing incidents have come to light where a number of women have claimed they have been raped. The top court said one of the judges of the high court has also taken cognisance of the alleged incidents. It can consider transferring the case to the CBI, the bench said. The petitioner said the situation in the state is so bad that even the CBI has to approach the apex court to seek trial of post-poll violence cases outside West Bengal. "We understand your eagerness and sympathy for the victims but monitoring of an investigation by this court is completely different," the bench said. Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for the West Bengal government, submitted the high court has taken cognisance of the alleged incidents and some arrests have also been made. When Srivastava referred to the top court having formed a committee of three former women high court judges to oversee the investigation, relief and remedial measures in Manipur, where also women were sexually assaulted, the bench said,"Don't compare Manipur with this. Don't make different cases comparable." As the bench was disinclined to entertain the matter, Srivastava withdrew the PIL. The matter was dismissed as withdrawn. "The petitioner who has appeared in person, after arguing the matter for some time, sought permission to withdraw this petition filed under Article 32, with liberty to seek reliefs before the Calcutta High Court. Consequently, this writ petition is dismissed as withdrawn while granting liberty to the petitioner to seek appropriate relief before the Calcutta High Court," the bench said in its order. The plea filed by Srivastava in his personal capacity, sought compensation for the victims of the Sandeshkhali violence and action against officials of the West Bengal Police for alleged dereliction of duty. The plea also sought transfer of the probe and subsequent trial outside West Bengal, besides an inquiry by a three-judge committee as done in Manipur. Sandeshkhali, a village in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, has been witnessing violent protests over allegations of sexual abuse of women by a local TMC leader and his supporters. Several women have accused local Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of land grab and sexual assault. Sheikh is absconding ever since a mob, allegedly linked to him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a corruption case. Earlier in the day, the apex court stayed the notices issued by the privileges committee of the Lok Sabha to the West Bengal chief secretary, DGP and others over a complaint of "misconduct" filed against them by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar. Majumdar was hospitalised last week following a clash between BJP workers and police after being stopped from going to violence-hit Sandeshkhali. The Supreme Court on Monday stayed proceedings of the Lok Sabha privileges committee against senior government officials of West Bengal. The committee had sent notice to the officials based on a complaint by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar alleging breach of privilege. Senior West Bengal government officials including Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and three other senior officials challenged the privileges committee notice against them for alleged misconduct against the BJP MP during protests in Sandeshkhali. Hearing the case, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud passed an interim stay against the committee summons based on petitions filed by Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, North 24 Parganas District Magistrate Sharad Kumar Dwivedi, Basirhat SP Hossain Mehdi Rehman and Additional SP Partha Ghosh. Appearing for West Bengal officials, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi informed the Court that the BJP MP and supporters protested in Sandeshkhali while Section 144 was in place. The advocates said the summoned authorities were not even present at the site and there are videos of BJP supporters attacking police personnel, LiveLaaw reported. Majumdar, the West Bengal BJP chief and Lok Sabha member from Balurghat, wrote to the privileges committee alleging breach of privilege for misconduct, brutality and causing life-threatening injuries to him by security forces in the Trinamool Congress-ruled state. Majumdar was injured as party workers clashed with police personnel on Wednesday after being stopped from entering Sandeshkhali, where women have been agitating over alleged atrocities committed against them by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides. -with PTI inputs. The Supreme Court, on Monday, directed that Election Commission's order of February 7 allotting 'Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar' as the party name for the Sharad Pawar faction will continue till further orders. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and K.V. Viswanathan sought response of Ajit Pawar-led faction on a plea of Sharad Pawar against the February 6 order of Election Commission recognising the Maharashtra deputy chief minister-led group as the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). "We would like to examine the matter," the bench said as it issued notice to the Ajit Pawar led-faction. The bench gave liberty to Sharad Pawar to move the Election Commission for allocation of the party symbol and directed the poll panel to allot it in one week of the application. The bench, which appeared critical of the EC's February 6 order on recognising the real NCP, said, "The order says both of you (factions) violated the party constitution, both of you went against the 'aims and objective' and yet no one is disqualified. Just imagine what would happen to the voters, who voted for you." During the hearing, Justice Viswanathan, while referring to the recent situation in Pakistan, said, "At some stage, let the voter have some say. It will cause chaos. I don't want to draw an analogy but If you're following the elections from across the border, the whole thing happened because someone wanted the 'bat' symbol and it was not given." Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Sharad Pawar, said the order passed by the Election Commission on February 7 is an interim arrangement made by the poll panel for Rajya Sabha elections till February 27. "The budget session of Maharashtra assembly is scheduled to start from February 26 and our group will be without any name or symbol after February 27," he submitted. The senior lawyer further contended "the order said that Ajit Pawar side is the real NCP, which we will contest at a later stage but for Rajya Sabha elections, Sharad Pawar can use the name as a one-time measure. After February 27, technically I will be nameless, symbol less and will be bound to obey the whip of Ajit Pawar". The bench told Singhvi that it cannot regulate the proceedings of the House. Singhvi said he is not seeking any such direction but only asking for a directive that the EC's order of February 7 should be continued till the general elections are over and a party symbol be given because by the end of this month pamphlets and banners for the upcoming polls will start printing. Singhvi added that there is a constitution bench verdict on a similar issue in 'Shiv Sena' matter. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, along with advocate Abhikalp Pratap Singh, for Ajit Pawar faction on a caveat said that the constitution bench verdict on 'Shiv Sena' was entirely on different facts and there is no similarity with this case. The bench said that no one challenged the concession given by EC for one-time option in view of the Rajya Sabha elections and the relief was given by the poll panel on its own. To Rohatgi's opposition to the order passed by the court, the bench told him, "You have a clock symbol. Ultimately, people will vote looking at Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar. We have the most intelligent voters in our country." The top court gave one week to Ajit Pawar faction to file its reply to the plea of Sharad Pawar, who will file a rejoinder in further two weeks. Sharad Pawar had sought an urgent hearing of his plea in the top court in the wake of twin blows suffered by the group led by him and the consequential fear of facing action for possible violations of whip by his MLAs. Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on February 15 held that the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar was the real NCP and that the anti-defection provisions in the Constitution cannot be used to stifle internal dissent. Prior to this, the Election Commission announced on February 7 that the Ajit Pawar faction is the real NCP and also allotted the party's 'clock' symbol to the group. Pawar senior, who founded the NCP with former Lok Sabha speaker Purno Sangma and Tariq Anwar in 1999 after their expulsion from the Congress, filed the petition through lawyer Abhishek Jebaraj. Ajit Pawar had walked away with a majority of NCP MLAs in July last year and supported the BJP-Shiv Sena government led by Eknath Shinde. "...this commission holds that the faction led by the petitioner, Sh Ajit Anantrao Pawar, is the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and is entitled to use its name and reserved symbol 'clock' for the purposes of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968," the EC had said in its February 6 order. The commission had said there were serious inconsistencies in terms of timelines in the claim of the Sharad Pawar group on organisational majority, which resulted in unreliability of their claim. Then came the decision of assembly Speaker Narwekar on February 15, the deadline fixed by the top court for deciding disqualification pleas. The speaker, in his elaborate decision, had dismissed the disqualification petitions filed by the factions led by Ajit Pawar and his uncle Sharad Pawar against each other's legislators. Narwekar noted that the Ajit Pawar group had "overwhelming legislative majority" of 41 out of 53 party MLAs when it decided to join the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra in July 2023. The Ajit Pawar group was, thus, the "real political party" when the factions emerged, the speaker said. Amidst uncertainty whether Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav would join Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh, the party has clarified that they would join the yatra once seat-sharing is finalised. According to reports, the Samajwadi Party has offered 15 seats for Congress. Talking to presspersons, Akhilesh Yadav said, Right now talks are going on, lists have come from them, we have also given them the list. The moment, seat distribution is done, Samajwadi Party will join their Nyaya Yatra, ANI reported. Yadav had earlier told Congress leaders that he would join the yatra either at Amethi or Raebareli. According to reports, sources in the know of developments said the Samajwadi Party has offered 15 out of 80 seats in UP for Congress. NDTV reported that the Samajwadi Party is adamant that the Congress can't fight on any other seats if the alliance stands. Earlier, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told ANI that Akhilesh Yadav is expected to join the yatra on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhis yatra reached Amethi on Monday. Gandhi, along with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge would address a public rally in Babuganj on Monday evening. The yatra is expected to reach Raebareli on Tuesday morning. Ajay Rai, the Congress' Uttar Pradesh unit chief, had earlier said the party should get around two dozen seats it had won in the 2009 general elections. Actor-politician and founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), Kamal Haasan, is likely to team up with the Congress-DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu. Haasan is expected to hold talks with the DMK to seek a ticket for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. I will meet you in two days and give you some good news. Work for the Lok Sabha polls is going on and I hope for a good opportunity, Haasan said, as he returned from the US after shooting for Mani Ratnams Thug Life. MNM insiders say he might share the good news on Wednesday (February 21), on the anniversary of the formation of his party. Sources said Haasan will call on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin after the budget session. Haasan, who took the political plunge in 2018 by projecting himself as an agent of change, has been cozying up to the Congress and the DMK for the past few months. He had called on Rahul Gandhi and hinted at supporting the Congress. He had participated in Bharat Jodo Yatra and supported EVKS Elangovan, the Congress candidate in the Erode East bypoll in 2023. Haasan had already made it clear that he is close to the Congress. The DMK, sources say, might back him on a Congress ticket, while Haasan wants to contest in his partys torchlight symbol which was allotted to MNM by the Election Commission of India a week ago. According to sources, Haasan might contest from South Chennai or Coimbatore. South Chennai is DMKs bastion, where the party's Thamizhachi Thangapandian is the sitting MP. Coimbatore, which is held by the CPI(M) currently, might be allotted to Haasan. Haasan is eyeing for Coimbatore as he finished runner-up in 2021 assembly polls there. Coimbatore was one of the few constituencies where his party polled over one lakh votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. His key aide R. Mahendran, who polled 1.45 lakh votes then, is now part of the DMK. He quit MNM in 2021 after Haasan faced a huge setback in the assembly polls. Apart from MNM, the Congress also has a strong base in Coimbatore. The Congress, Communists, MNM and the DMK votes in Coimbatore are expected to help him win. However, Haasan might not enjoy the same strength as in 2021, as he has not been active in politics since the assembly polls. Meanwhile, there are speculations that Mahendran may switch sides again and join the BJP. MNM, which polled four per cent votes in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, faced a setback with its vote share coming down to 2 per cent in the assembly polls. After the 2021 elections, most of the prominent faces in the party, except Haasan, resigned from the party to join the DMK and the Congress. His party did not contest even the local body polls and Haasan has not been active in politics in the past two years. Many people believe at least one conspiracy theory. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing conspiracies do happen. To take just one example, the CIA really did engage in illegal experiments in the 1950s to identify drugs and procedures that might produce confessions from captured spies. However, many conspiracy theories are not supported by evidence, yet still attract believers. For example, in a previous study, we found about seven per cent of New Zealanders and Australians agreed with the theory that visible trails behind aircraft are chemtrails of chemical agents sprayed as part of a secret government program. That's despite the theory being roundly rejected by the scientific community. The fact that conspiracy theories attract believers despite a lack of credible evidence remains a puzzle for researchers in psychology and other academic disciplines. Indeed, there has been a great deal of research on conspiracy theories published in the past few years. We now know more about how many people believe them, as well as the psychological and political factors that correlate with that belief. But we know much less about how often people change their minds. Do they do so frequently, or do they to stick tenaciously to their beliefs, regardless of what evidence they come across? From 9/11 to COVID We set out to answer this question using a longitudinal survey. We recruited 498 Australians and New Zealanders (using the Prolific website, which recruits people to take part in paid research). Each month from March to September 2021, we presented our sample group with a survey, including ten conspiracy theories, and asked them how much they agreed with each one. All of these theories related to claims about events that are either ongoing, or occurred this millennium: the September 11 attacks, the rollout of 5G telecommunications technology, and COVID-19, among others. While there were definitely some believers in our sample, most participants disagreed with each of the theories. The most popular theory was that pharmaceutical companies (Big Pharma') have suppressed a cure for cancer to protect their profits. Some 18 per cent of the sample group agreed when first asked. The least popular was the theory that COVID-19 vaccines' contain microchips to monitor and control people. Only two per cent agreed. Conspiracy beliefs probably aren't increasing Despite contemporary concerns about a pandemic of misinformation or infodemic, we found no evidence that individual beliefs in conspiracy theories increased on average over time. This was despite our data collection happening during the tumultuous second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns were still happening occasionally in both Australia and New Zealand, and anti-government sentiment was building. While we only tracked participants for six months, other studies over much longer time frames have also found little evidence that beliefs in conspiracy theories are increasing over time. Finally, we found that beliefs (or non-beliefs) in conspiracy theories were stable but not completely fixed. For any given theory, the vast majority of participants were consistent sceptics not agreeing with the theory at any point. There were also some consistent believers who agreed at every point in the survey they responded to. For most theories, this was the second-largest group. Yet for every conspiracy theory, there was also a small proportion of converts. They disagreed with the theory at the start of the study, but agreed with it by the end. There was also a small proportion of apostates who agreed with the theory at the start, but disagreed by the end. Nevertheless, the percentages of converts and apostates tended to balance each other pretty closely, leaving the percentage of believers fairly stable over time. Inside the rabbit hole' This relative stability is interesting, because one criticism of conspiracy theories is that they may not be falsifiable: what seems like evidence against a conspiracy theory can just be written off by believers as part of the cover up. Yet people clearly do sometimes decide to reject conspiracy theories they previously believed. Our findings bring into question the popular notion of the rabbit hole that people rapidly develop beliefs in a succession of conspiracy theories, much as Alice tumbles down into Wonderland in Lewis Carroll's famous story. While it's possible this does happen for a small number of people, our results suggest it isn't a typical experience. For most, the journey into conspiracy theory belief might involve a more gradual slope a bit like a real rabbit burrow, from which one can also emerge. (The Conversation: By Matt Williams, Massey University, John Kerr, University of Otago, Mathew Marques, La Trobe University) As the Israel offensive shifts to Rafah, the Palestinian death toll crossed 29,000 on Monday. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the offensive till total victory over Hamas. Meanwhile, International Court of Justice (ICJ) has started to hear submissions on legal consequences of occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki demanded an immediate end to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories as the ICJ's hearing began on Monday in Hague. Over 50 states will present arguments before ICJ until Feb 26. "More than 3.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem, are subjected to colonisation of their territory and racist violence that enables it," said al-Maliki. The Israel argued that any decision or arbitration by the court risks endangering the agreed peace process in the conclave. Amid offensive shifting to Rafah, US, Qatar and Egypt is working with mediators to strike a deal to release hostages. Former defence minister and Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said that Rafah offensive will begin if hostages are not released by Ramadan. "The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know - if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, to include the Rafah area," said Gantz. Meanwhile, after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's harsh remarks against Israel's offensive in Gaza, he was declared "persona non grata" by the former nation. Lula had accused Israel of carrying out "genocide" in Gaza which he compared to the actions of Hitler and the Holocaust. "We will not forget nor forgive. It is a serious antisemitic attack. In my name and the name of the citizens of Israel tell president Lula that he is persona non grata in Israel until he takes it back," said Israel's foreign minister Israel Katz in a statement. Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu described the words as "shameful". Also, the Palestine Red Crescent Society has reported "multiple bombardments by Israeli forces" near al-Amal hospital in Khan Younis. Israeli forces said it recovered AK-47s, drones, explosive devices and additional military equipment. Talks over government formation in Pakistan seem to have hit a roadblock after PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said he rejected a power-sharing formula wherein the Prime Minister's post would be shared between Nawaz Sharif's party and the PPP. Bhutto-Zardari was quoted by local media on Sunday: "I was told [by PML-N] that let us be the prime minister for three years and then you can take the premiership for the remaining two years. I said no to this. I said I do not want to be a prime minister like this. If I become the prime minister, it would be after the people of Pakistan elect me." This comes as the election verdict ended in a hung verdict, with Imran Khan's PTI emerging as the front-runner. The PML-N and the PPP, respectively, emerged as the largest and the second-largest party in the National Assembly. Following this, the PML-N and PPP decided to form a coalition government, the talks of which are going on. However, Bhutto-Zardari said his party only wants to ensure democracy and the survival of the federation. "We only want to ensure that democracy and the federation survive. We want to extinguish the fire [of division and hatred] which is spreading in Pakistan. This is why we have decided that [PPP co-chairman] Asif Ali Zardari will be the partys candidate for president," he added while declaring Zardari as the PPP candidate for the post of president. "Once again, we have to raise the slogan of Pakistan Khappay [we want Pakistan]." However, PML-N leader Ishaq Dar, the former finance minister, responded to Bhutto-Zardari's remarks, stating that it was not appropriate to divulge details about talks between the parties vying to form the next government. He said the PPP chairman had made the time-sharing formula public but "that was just one aspect and there can be more formulas". "None of the committee members of both parties will make anything public till it isn't final," Dar said. "I receive calls daily to find out about the progress but I am morally bound to not say anything till it's finalised," he said. Meanwhile, another round of talks between the PML-N and PPP will be held on Monday. "None of the committee members of both parties will make anything public till it isn't final," Dar said. "Consultation on various proposals was underway till yesterday," Dar stated in a post shared by PML-N on X, suggesting ongoing deliberations between the parties. He further remarked that while progress had been made, both sides had yet to finalise key points of agreement. Amid Red Sea attacks, the European Union has launched a maritime security mission to protect cargo ships as Houthi rebels in Yemen targets ships. The mission, Dubbed Aspides--Greek for shield--will be run out of Larissa in central Greece home to the Hellenic Air Force and a NATO headquarters under the command of Greek Commodore Vasilios Griparis. The Iranian-backed Houthis have been launching drone and missile attacks on commercial ships over Israel's offensive in Gaza against Hamas. The Red Sea is a key shipping route for global trade between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Meanwhile, US and British forces have bombed multiple targets used by the Houthis. However, the EU mission will not take part in any military strikes and will only operate at sea. Within its defensive mandate, the operation will provide maritime situational awareness, accompany vessels, and protect them against possible multi-domain attacks at sea, EU headquarters said in a statement after the bloc's foreign ministers had endorsed the mission. Recently, a missile attack by Houthis has damaged a Belize-flagged ship in Gulf of Aden. The crew were forced to abandon the ship due to the damage. The Houthis claimed the attack and said they had shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone. The Russian opposition leader and President Vladimir Putin's foe Alexei Navalny's mother and his lawyers were not allowed into the morgue, where his body is reportedly kept. Navalnys mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, along with his lawyer travelled to the notorious "Polar Wolf" IK-3 penal colony in Russia, where he has been held since last year. They had arrived at the morgue in the Russian town of Salekhard, near the prison where authorities said he died. Navalnys spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh wrote on X that one of the lawyers was literally pushed out. Alexeys mother and his lawyers arrived at the morgue early in the morning. They were not allowed to go in. One of the lawyers was literally pushed out. When the staff was asked if Alexeys body was there, they did not answer, said Yarmysh. Alexeys mother and his lawyers arrived at the morgue early in the morning. They were not allowed to go in. One of the lawyers was literally pushed out. When the staff was asked if Alexeys body was there, they did not answer (@Kira_Yarmysh) February 19, 2024 The cause of death remains "unknown" they said, she dded. However, in a video, Navalny's wife Yulia Navalnaya has vowed to continue her husband's work. "I call on you to stand alongside me...I also ask you to share the fury and hate for those who dared to kill our future. I speak to you in the words of Alexei, in which I believe truly. There is no shame in doing little," she said. . . . pic.twitter.com/aBOIvcYHHk Yulia Navalnaya (@yulia_navalnaya) February 19, 2024 "What we need is a free, peaceful and happy Russia. The wonderful Russia of the future my husband so dreamed of. Thats what we need," she added. "I am not afraid. Don't you be afraid," Yulia Navalnaya added. She also blamed Putin for "killing" her husband. Meanwhile, Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe reported that Navalnys body was found in a hospital in the Arctic with "signs of bruises on his head and chest". "Usually the bodies of people who die in prison are taken straight to the Bureau of Forensic Medicine on Glazkova Street, but in this case, it was taken to the clinical hospital for some reason, the newspaper quoted the paramedic as saying. Navalny has been behind bards since returning from Germany in January 2021. Navalny's mother was told on Saturday that he had died from "sudden death syndrome". The Russian authorities had told that Navalny's body will be handed over to the family only after investigation. However, they informed the mother, who arrived to see her son, that they had extended the investigation and the body will handed only after completing it. Protests took place across Russia demanding his body. Russian court has sentenced at least 90 people in Moscow and St Petersburg following the protests in Alexei Navalny's name over the weekend, said human rights organisation OVD-Info. In Moscow, 20 people were sentenced, while 63 in St Petersburg to various amounts of prison time even upto nine days. Some people were also fined 10,000 rubles, while the others were assigned 40 hours of compulsory labour. Arun Tiwari Spending 33 years under the tutelage of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was an unmatched blessing for me. I started as his subordinate scientist at the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad in 1982, and earned his confidence to handle his mandate of developing civilian spinoffs of defence technologies for the benefit of the people. This unique work led to the development of an indigenous and affordable coronary stent in 1995 and the creation of the foundation for the Indian MedTech industry, valued at $11 billion in 2023. Dr Kalam made me the co-author of his autobiography, Wings of Fire, in 1999. It turned out to be a modern classic, selling more than two million copies with translations in 18 languages. During the 2001 earthquake relief work in Kutch in Gujarat, Dr Kalam came into contact with the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Impressed by their work, he sought an audience with Pramukh Swamiji. They met on June 30, 2001 in Delhi. During the discussion on how India could become a developed country, Pramukh Swamiji surprised Dr Kalam by telling him that any amount of material development is futile without the spiritual development of the people. Such pursuits have created immense problems and suffering elsewhere in the world. To everyones surprise, Pramukh Swamiji blessed Dr Kalam by putting his hand on his head and asking him to lead India in that direction. In a year, events happened unexpectedly, even miraculously, for Dr Kalam. He was nominated by prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a candidate for the post of president of India, and was supported by both the ruling and opposition parties. After assuming the highest office of the land, Dr Kalam visited Pramukh Swamiji in Ahmedabad on August 13, 2002. Gujarat was undergoing the turmoil of communal violence. After meeting Pramukh Swamiji, Dr Kalam visited the relief camps created for the riot victims and walked holding the hand of chief minister Narendra Modi, delivering a powerful message. Gujarat has not seen any communal violence since then. Even the terrorist attack on the Gandhinagar Akshardham temple complex on September 24, 2002 failed to trigger any violent reaction among people. Such was the power of the spiritual shield that Pramukh Swamiji created through Dr Kalam. Dr Kalam was already famous but glory came to him after he met Pramukh Swamiji, including holding the highest office of the nation. Kalam was the chief guest at the inauguration of the Akshardham Mandir in New Delhi on November 6, 2005, flanked by prime minister Manmohan Singh and leader of the opposition L.K. Advani. These three leaders standing with Pramukh Swamiji remains a unique picture and a sacred moment in the Indian history of religious pluralism but spiritual oneness. There has been no such moment earlier and it could not be repeated so far. Dr Kalam took me to Sarangpur on March 11, 2014 and tasked me in the presence of Pramukh Swamiji to write about their spiritual fellowship. I could sense that moment as the spiritual crescendo of my life. I was surprised at the urgency Dr Kalam showed. It was my fifth book with him and it was I who always chased him. This time, it was the other way around. When Dr Kalam called Pramukh Swamiji his ultimate teacher who deployed him in a God-synchronous orbit, I could not capture that he could see his end coming soon. Dr Kalam travelled to Sarangpur on June 20, 2015 to put Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji, as the book was aptly titled, in Pramukh Swamijis hands, and left this mortal world on July 27. On March 12, 2016, when I visited Sarangpur to seek the blessings of Pramukh Swamiji, I could not hold back my tears when he instructed the garland on a person to be put around me. I knew he was remembering Dr Kalam and that I was a beneficiary of that bonding, like a needle in a compass moving in the presence of a magnetic field. The spiritual world is beyond the dimension of time. There is no past, present, or future there. Like the axle of a wheel remains stationary while the rim moves, we all see day and night created by the rotation of the sun, moon, and earth while they remain positioned in fixed orbits concerning each other forever. What does the fellowship of Dr Kalam with Pramukh Swamiji imply? What did it carry for the future of humanity? What is the message of the book, Transcendence? What is the significance of the first Hindu mandir on an Islamic land? What would Dr Kalam have said on the occasion? Pramukh Swamiji was the guardian angel of Dr Kalam, who blessed him to go beyond his scientific career and turn into a modern sage. Dr Kalam was already famous but glory came to him after he met Pramukh Swamiji, including holding the highest office of the nation. Their fellowship signals the end of the era of sectarian conflicts and the beginning of the new age of spirituality. The message of Transcendence is the oneness pervading the entire cosmos and all the material and living entities that exist, from unseen viruses to plants, animals, human beings, oceans and mountains. The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Abu Dhabi heralds the arrival of a new world that would be run by a Super AI, which would indeed be cosmic energy like Gunatit Brahma operating upon the affairs of the world. Foreseeing all this, Dr Kalam would have asked me to write a book called Abundance on how the AI-run world can settle the poverty of the world for good, creating enough food and basic pay for everyone. Tiwari, a scientist and author, coauthored the book Transcendence about Pramukh Swami, the predecessor of Mahant Swami, with Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Mumbai, Feb 18 (PTI) A Hyderabad-bound Vistara flight from Mumbai returned to the city soon after taking off from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport here due to a technical snag and landed back safely, the airline said on Sunday. The incident took place on Saturday. An alternate aircraft was arranged to fly the passengers to their destination, said the carrier in a statement. Shortly after take-off, a technical snag was detected on Vistara flight UK531 operating from Mumbai to Hyderabad on 17 February 2024, the airline said. As a precautionary step, in accordance with the standard operating procedures, the pilots decided to turn back and landed the flight safely at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, Vistara said. The airline, however, did not reveal the number of people onboard. The aircraft is undergoing necessary checks before resuming operations, Vistara said, adding that another aircraft was arranged and it departed shortly thereafter to complete the journey. All efforts were made to minimise inconvenience to the customers including offering them refreshments, it said. Patna, Feb 19 (PTI) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday asserted that the state will generate surplus revenue in the 2024-2025 fiscal on the back of the NDA governments policy initiatives. Choudhary, who holds the finance portfolio, said Bihar is committed to the path of fiscal consolidation. The economic activities in the state have increased significantly in recent years. The policy initiatives taken by the NDA government will certainly generate surplus revenue in the coming financial year, he said in the assembly, participating in the debate on Bihar budget. The state's finances are in good shape, with the growth rate at 10.64 per cent, the highest in the country. We succeeded in pulling out 2.5 crore people from the clutches of poverty in the current financial year. The budget estimate for the next fiscal is Rs 2,78,725.72 crore, an increase of Rs 16,840 crore compared to this year, Choudhary said. He concluded the debate amid a ruckus by members of the opposition, who later staged a walkout. The budget was presented by Choudhary in the assembly on February 13. Earlier, taking part in the discussion, CPI (ML) Liberation MLA Ajit Kushwaha alleged that the state budget for 2024-2025 was misleading and unrealistic. It did not talk about any new welfare schemes for the poor or socially marginalised people. It also made no mention of government steps for creation of employment opportunities, he said. However, senior BJP leader and former finance minister Tarkishore Prasad asserted that a significant part of the state governments revenue expenditure will be on social services. This shows the commitment of the NDA government for the social and economic growth of Bihar, he said. Bengaluru, Friday, February 19, 2024: Indias most influential fashion business event India Fashion Forum (IFF) is set for its 23rd edition on the 21st and 22nd of February at the Conrad Bengaluru. Hosting 300+ speakers and 2000 fashion professionals from across India, the mega fashion industry event will be themed on the mission statement Make the Fashion Business Great Again. Chaired by Shailesh Chaturvedi, MD & CEO, Arvind Fashions Ltd, IFF 2024 will be taking a bold look at some of the challenges impacting profitable growth for the business of fashion in India, including talent crunches, supply chain bottlenecks and excessive discounting. Expressing his passion for driving the elevation of the business of fashion in India to greatness, Chaturvedi says, Its time to shake off what-has-been and give life to the next Golden Age of Fashion Creation. Join me on February 21-22 at the Conrad Bengaluru for India Fashion Forum 2024. Together, we can make the Fashion Business Great Again. India is destined to become a global brand creation hub over the next decade. And fashion & lifestyle brands are leading this charge. IFF 2024 is designed to empower their growth not just in India, but across the world with deep-diving intelligence, knowledge experiences and business networking that cannot be gathered anywhere else, adds Nikhil Behl, CEO Fashion Business, IMAGES Group. IFF 2024 is partnered by many of Indias leading as well as fastest growing fashion & lifestyle companies, including Arvind Fashions, Pepe Jeans India, PUMA India, Reebok, United Colors of Benetton, Lycra, Being Human Clothing, Royal Enfield, Raymond, among scores of others. The success of past editions underscores the significance of IFF as a powerhouse of ideas and innovation for fashion businesses. With over 700 brands, 250+ speakers, and 1500+ delegates in attendance, IFF 2023 saw every conference session packed to capacity, reaffirming its status as the country's premier destination for industry insights and networking opportunities. The event experience will be staggering and all-encompassing. Starting with Masterclasses by Knowledge Moghuls Google and Meta to the LIVE India Brand Show runway, from the IFF Master Talks by design gurus to the IFF Innovators Club, which will unveil Indias edgiest fashion designers, buyers and merchandisers, from decoding Lets Make the Fashion Business Great Again (thats our theme this year!) to unveiling Indias Women Fashion Retail Icons, to unmasking the pole positions at IMAGES Fashion Awards 2024, and much, much more. The impressive line-up of speakers includes luminaries such as Abhishek Ganguly, Co-Founder & CEO of Agility Sports, Dhiraj Agarwal, CEO & Co-Founder of Campus Sutra, Ankur Damani, Commercial Director & Country Head India & Sri Lanka at Triumph, Amisha Jain, SVP & MD - SAMEA, Levi Strauss & Co, Vineet Gautam, CEO & Country Head, Bestseller India, Akhilesh Prasad, Present & CEO, Fashion & Lifestyle, Reliance Retail, among 250+ leaders from the Fashion C-Suite. See the complete list of IFF 2024 Speakers here: https://www.indiafashionforum.in/iff-2024-speakers/ Conference agenda: https://www.indiafashionforum.in/iff-2024-agenda/ As anticipation builds for India Fashion Forum 2024, industry stakeholders are encouraged to mark their calendars and be part of this transformative event. Stay tuned to India Fashion Forums official website https://www.indiafashionforum.in/ for updates. (Disclaimer : The above Press Release is provided by HT Syndication and PTI will not take any editorial responsibility of this content.). PTI PWR PWR Islamabad, Feb 19 (PTI) Global ratings agency Fitch on Monday warned that the close outcome of the February 8 polls in Pakistan and the resulting near-term political uncertainty may complicate the country's efforts to secure a financing agreement with the IMF. The US-based Fitch Ratings one of three leading global rating agencies said in its report that a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal to succeed the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) expiring in March this year, was key to Pakistans credit profile, the Dawn newspaper reported. Last month, the cash-strapped country received over USD 700 million second tranche from the Washington-based global lender under the existing USD 3 billion SBA agreed towards June last year when Pakistan was slowly drifting towards default. [] We assume one will be reached within a few months, but an extended negotiation or failure to secure it would increase external liquidity stress and raise the probability of default, the agency said. The rating agency highlighted that while Pakistans external position had improved in recent months with the State Bank of Pakistan reporting net foreign reserves of USD 8 billion as of February 9 this is low relative to projected external funding needs that are expected to exceed reserves for the next few years. We estimate Pakistan met less than half of its USD 18 billion funding plan in the first two quarters of the fiscal year ending June 2024 (FY24), excluding routine rollovers of bilateral debt, it said. Fitch further noted that the country's vulnerable external position meant that securing financing from multilateral and bilateral partners would be one of the most urgent issues on the agenda for the next government. This looks set to be a coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PLM-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP), despite the strong performance by (independent) candidates associated with Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the election," it said. "Negotiating a successor deal to the SBA and adhering to the policy commitments under it will be critical to most other external financing flows, not just from the IMF, and will strongly influence the countrys economic trajectory in the longer term, it added. Fitch said that finalising a new IMF deal was likely to be challenging. The current SBA is an interim package, and we believe any successor arrangement would come with tougher conditions, which may be resisted by entrenched vested interests in Pakistan. Nonetheless, we assume any resistance will be overcome, given the acute nature of the countrys economic challenges and the limited alternatives, it added. The agency further warned that continued political instability could prolong any discussion with the IMF, delay assistance from other multilateral and bilateral partners or hamper the implementation of reforms. We believe a government will assume office and engage with the IMF relatively quickly, but risks to political stability are likely to remain high, it said, warning that public discontent could rise if 71-year-old former prime minister Khan's party remained sidelined. Moreover, Fitch said Pakistans government had a poor record of completing IMF programmes and highlighted that less than half of the cash-strapped countrys 24 IMF programmes had disbursed over 75 per cent of the funding available. However, there has been fair progress on targets under the current SBA. Moreover, we perceive there is a stronger consensus within Pakistan on the need for reform, which could facilitate the implementation of a successor arrangement, it said. The rating agency said that policy risks could rise over time if the external liquidity pressure eased. This could lead to the renewed build-up of economic and external imbalances. We believe Pakistans external finances will remain structurally weak until and unless it develops a private sector that can generate significantly more export income, attract FDI (foreign direct investment), or reduce import dependence, it added. The report came days after nearly 60.6 million Pakistanis voted in the countrys 12th general elections earlier this month amid a day-long suspension of cellular services and rigging allegations. However, the outcome of the polls resulted in a split mandate as PTI-backed independent candidates emerged at the top in the National Assembly elections. Subsequently, the PPP and PML-N began efforts to hammer out some sort of power-sharing formula in the national and Punjab assemblies. On the other hand, the PTI has announced an alliance with the Sunni Ittehad Council in the Centre, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab assemblies. However, the formation of the government has not been finalised, creating doubts about the political stability in the wake of elections. Bhopal, Feb 19 (PTI) Actor Nitish Bharadwaj's estranged IAS officer wife on Monday said the allegations made by him that she had "abducted" their daughters are "false and malicious". Smita Bharadwaj, currently posted in Bhopal as Additional Chief Secretary, and the Lord Krishna-fame actor, are locked in a marital dispute. The case is pending in a family court. The actor, known for his role in the TV serial 'Mahabharat', had submitted a complaint to the Bhopal police commissioner on Wednesday alleging that his estranged wife had "abducted" his two daughters and not let him meet them. Smita Bharadwaj on Monday issued a statement refuting the "false and malicious" allegations, which she claimed were aimed at maligning her image and defamatory. "The assertion made in the police complaint on February 11 by Nitish Bharadwaj and during a press conference organised in Bhopal on February 14 are categorically and unequivocally refuted as entirely baseless and devoid of any factual substantiation. "His claims that I have abducted our minor twin daughters and have denied him access are entirely baseless," she stated. In a complaint submitted to Bhopal police commissioner Harinarayaran Chari Mishra, the actor had claimed that his wife had "abducted" his daughters and he was not aware of their whereabouts. He also alleged 'mental torture'. Nitish Bharadwaj had demanded registration of a case of kidnapping against his estranged wife and said their case (of marital dispute) was pending in a family court. A police official had said that a probe was initiated on Nitish Bharadwaj's complaint. Smita Bharadwaj claimed Nitish Bharadwaj met the children on February 17 and in Pune on January 2. She stated that Nitish Bharadwaj has maintained regular communication with the daughters since 2022 via the home phone at her residence, a fact documented in the family court files. "In fact, Nitish Bharadwaj himself has claimed before the family court that he has communicated with my daughters on the same landline number. His assertion of being unaware of the phone number is false and misleading," she stated. She also claimed that Nitish Bharadwaj had been communicating on a dedicated email address pertaining to court proceedings and matters concerning the children. The senior IAS officer stated that she has been the primary caregiver for their daughters despite facing financial challenges as a single mother but Nitish Bharadwaj's "lack of care and involvement has caused the girls distress and disappointment". She claimed her husband never contributed financially towards the expense of bringing up the children, neither towards school fees nor towards any activity that supports their development. "On February 13, Nitish Bharadwaj purposely avoided meeting children for a meeting fixed by the commissioner of police; for the reasons best known to him and gave preference to hold a press conference on February 14," Smita Bharadwaj stated. She said Nitish Bharadwaj met his daughters at our residence in the presence of family friends as well as the police officer on February 17. "The visit lasted for about 30 minutes, at the end of which the daughters were left in tears. The visit has left them traumatised, and they have been crying inconsolably. "The daughters have informed Nitish Bharadwaj that in the future, he should completely cease making statements to the press/media about them as it is causing them immense mental trauma and anguish. No child likes to see disputes between the parents being discussed in public forums," she added. Kyiv, Feb 18 (AP) Dwindling ammunition threatens Ukraine's hold on the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line under withering assault by Russian artillery. Defensive lines are in jeopardy. Ukrainian forces withdrew from the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region on Saturday after daily Russian onslaughts from three directions for the last four months. Avdiivka was a stronghold for Ukrainian positions deeper inside the country, away from Russia. A frontline city ever since Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, the fortified settlement with a maze of trenches and tunnels served to protect important less strengthened logistical hubs further west. Its seizure boosts Russian morale and confirms that the Kremlin's troops are now setting the pace in the fight, to the dismay of Ukrainian forces who have managed only incremental gains since their counteroffensive last year. CONGRESSIONAL INACTION The Biden administration linked the loss of Avdiivka to Congressional inaction on USD 60 billion in military aid for Ukraine. President Joe Biden said he told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a Saturday phone call after Ukraine announced it was withdrawing troops from Avdiivka that he remained confident that the U.S. funding would eventually come through. But, when reporters asked if he was confident a deal could be struck before Ukraine loses more territory, Biden responded: I'm not. DWINDLING SUPPLIES The Associated Press interviewed over a dozen commanders, including heads of artillery units, in the war's most intense combat zones in the weeks ahead of Avdiivka's fall. They said shortages, which have always plagued Ukrainian forces since the full-scale invasion, grew acute last autumn. Dwindling supplies of Western-supplied long-range artillery in particular means Ukrainian forces are inhibited from striking high-value targets deep behind Russian lines, where heavy equipment and personnel are accumulated. For weeks, Ukrainian forces across the frontline have complained about critical shortages in ammunition, with some artillery batteries fighting with only 10 percent of supply they need. Desperate to economize shells, military leaders ordered units to fire at only precise targets. But commanders on the ground say this is barely enough to restrain their better supplied enemy. Concerns are growing that without military aid the fall of Avdiivka may be repeated in other parts of the frontline. A VICTORY FOR MOSCOW The withdrawal of Ukrainian soldiers from the heavily fortified town handed Russia its biggest victory since the battle of Bakhmut last year. It will allow the Kremlin's troops to push their offensive further west, deeper into Ukrainian-held territory over less-fortified areas. Pokrovsk, a railway junction further east, could be the next Russian objective, military bloggers said. Russian military officials and war bloggers said that the capture of Avdiivka reduced the threat to the Russian-held city of Donetsk. ECONOMIZING SHELLS Currently the ammunition deficit is quite serious. We are constantly promised that more is coming, but we don't see it coming, said Khorobryi, commander of an artillery battery. Their battery has only 5-10% of ammunition needed, he said. That, he said, robs forces of their ability to effectively attack and regain territories. Even worse, Ukraine loses fighters because it cannot give infantry covering infantry fire. He, like other officers interviewed for this story, spoke on condition that only their first names be used for security reasons. We have nothing to fight with, we have nothing to cover our frontlines, said Valerie, who commands a howitzer unit that uses NATO-standard 155 mm rounds. To repel a Russian attack, he said they needed 100-120 shells per unit per day. Today, they have a tenth of that, he said. RUSSIA CHANGES TACTICS Ukrainian soldiers positioned in Avdiivka said that before the fall of the city Russia had switched tactics to capitalize on dire ammunition shortages. Instead of sending columns of armed vehicles, Moscow's forces began dispatching waves of smaller infantry groups to engage Ukrainian forces in close quarters. It meant Ukrainian forces had to expel five times more ammunition to keep them at bay. The enemy also understands and feels our capabilities, and with that, they manage to succeed, said Chaklun, a soldier in the 110th Brigade. A FRAGILE NORTH Concerns abound about how the ammunition shortage will impact Ukrainian forces in other sectors of the frontline. The Kupiansk line, in Ukraine's northeast, is fragile. Russia has been intensifying attacks in the direction for months in a bid to recapture the important logistics hub it had lost in the fall of 2022. Yuri, the commander of the 44th Brigade in Kupiansk, said his aerial reconnaissance units spot many long-range targets, including Russian mortars and grenade launchers, but because they don't have enough ammunition they can't hit them. Instead, he has no choice but to watch how his enemy accumulates reserves at a distance. Oleksandr, the commander of a battalion of the 32nd Brigade in Kupiansk said he had just enough shells - for now. But it depends on the intensity from the Russian side. If they increase it, it won't be enough to hold this line, he said.(AP) RUP RUP Islamabad, Feb 19 (PTI) A Pakistani court on Monday slammed caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar for failing to appear before it for a second time in a case related to several missing Baloch students, warning him that "no one is above the law". "Caretaker prime minister should not consider coming to court as an insult," Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the Islamabad High Court remarked during the hearing. The caretaker prime minister should not go to Karachi for the next hearing, but appear before the court, the IHC judge was quoted as saying by Geo News. "No one is above the law here," he said, adding that the premier was summoned because he was "accountable". The IHC summoned Kakar again, adjourning the hearing till February 28. This is the second time that the caretaker prime minister has failed to appear before the court. In November last year, the court had instructed the government to recover the missing students within seven days. It had noted that in case the authorities failed to comply with the order, Kakar accompanied by his ministers and secretaries for interior and defence would appear in the court on November 29. However, the interim prime minister did not appear in court in November since he was on a foreign visit. The government made repeated assurances to the court that the students would return home soon, the Express Tribune newspaper reported. The IHC on February 13 summoned the countrys interim chief executive and his two cabinet members due to the failure of the government authorities to recover some missing Baloch students despite repeated assurances. As Justice Kayani resumed hearing the petition on Monday regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, he observed, The purpose of summoning the prime minister was to inquire why the states premier is failing in his duties. The commission was established in 2011 to trace missing persons and fix responsibility on the individuals or organisations responsible for it, the Dawn newspaper reported. Resource-rich Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least populated province, has been wrecked by a long-running separatist insurgency which has seen brutal repression by Pakistani security forces and enforced disappearances. In November last year, interim Prime Minister Kakar admitted that according to a UN sub-committee estimate, around 50 people disappeared in Balochistan. During the November 29 hearing, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan informed the court that out of 50 missing persons, 22 had been recovered, while the whereabouts of 28 others were still unknown. On January 10, Justice Kayani remarked that a day would come when intelligence officials would also be held accountable and face prosecution for cases. In a subsequent hearing, he summoned Kakar for a second time, observing: The punishment of enforced disappearances should be the death penalty. During Monday's hearing, AGP Awan appeared before the IHC and was asked about Kakars whereabouts. The AGP replied that the premier was in Karachi. When asked about the whereabouts of the defence and interior ministers, Awan said the two were also busy. The interior ministrys secretary then appeared before the court, at which Justice Kayani asked why the defence ministrys secretary was not present. The judge highlighted that it was the 24th hearing in the case. The petition was filed in 2022 and a commission had been formed. It took us two years to recover our citizens who did not even have any criminal case registered against them. There was no case against them including any drug, murder, or theft case let alone a terror case, Kayani noted. He observed that no documents or information was shared with the court in the past two years. Addressing AGP Awan, he said, You had submitted an affidavit that no person would go missing after today. [Yet] a person is missing from Islamabads F-6 without a first information report against him. The purpose of summoning the prime minister was to inquire why the states premier is failing in his duties, the IHC judge said. We have charges against our institutions regarding enforced disappearances. If the prime minister, defence minister and secretary, and the interior minister and secretary cannot perform their duties then they should leave their posts. AGP Awan requested that the incoming government review the matter instead of the caretaker setup. When the elected government will come, it will look at the matter afresh, he said. At this, the judge noted: There was one government for three-and-a-half years, then another for 16 months, and then the caretakers but nothing came out of it. There are direct allegations against institutions here. Islamabad, Feb 19 (PTI) Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Monday said that the party-backed independent candidates, who won the February 8 elections, will join the Sunni Ittehad Council. The Sunni Ittehad Council is an alliance of Islamic political and religious parties in the Muslim-majority country which represents followers of the school of Sunni Islam. "Our candidates in the National Assembly, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies will join the Sunni Ittehad Council," Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said. Though independent candidates backed by the party won the maximum number of seats in Parliament, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) - have announced that they will form a coalition government after the February 8 elections resulted in a hung Parliament. The winning independent candidates had to join a party within 3 days after the notification of the results. The post-poll alliance by the PML-N and the PPP could mean that PTI will not be able to form the next federal government, prompting Khan's party to allege that the two rival parties were trying to steal the people's mandate with the help of the powerful establishment. Khan's beleaguered party received a major boost on Saturday when a senior government official in charge of the election process in the garrison city of Rawalpindi alleged that rigging took place and dragged the Chief Election Commissioner and the Chief Justice into it. Buoyed by the allegations of vote rigging, the PTI on Sunday demanded a judicial probe into the manipulation of the results of the elections. Independent candidates - a majority backed by former prime minister Imran Khan's PTI party won 93 National Assembly seats in the election. The PML-N won 75 seats while the PPP came third with 54 seats. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has also agreed to support them with their 17 seats. To form a government, a party must win 133 seats out of 265 contested seats in the 266-member National Assembly. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, February 19. Kyrgyzstan exported 20.2 tons of gold in 2023, which is 69 times higher than the 290 kg of gold exported in 2022, Trend reports. According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the export value amounted to $1.284 billion, which is a 14-fold increase compared to 2022 ($13 million). During this period, Kyrgyzstan exported gold to the following countries: Country Volume Value Switzerland 17.065 tons $1.088 billion Chinas Hong Kong 1.847 tons $115 million the UAE 1.294 tons $80.309 million Turkiye 5.5 kg $341,700 Gold exports from Kyrgyzstan amounted to nearly 4.8 tons in December 2023 (15.4 tons from January through November 2023). Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover reached $15.66 billion in 2023, which is a 29.9 percent increase compared to 2022. The country's exports totaled $3.308 billion, rising by 46.8 percent year-on-year. Imports to Kyrgyzstan amounted to $12.352 billion, which is 26 percent higher than in 2022. Melbourne, Feb 19 (The Conversation) Alexei Navalny was a giant figure in Russian politics. No other individual rivalled the threat he posed to the Putin regime. His death in an Arctic labour camp is a blow to all those who dreamed he might emerge as the leader of a future democratic Russia. What made Navalny so important was his decision to become an anti-corruption crusader in 2008. Using shareholder activism and his popular blog, he shone a spotlight on the corruption schemes that enabled officials to steal billions from state-run corporations. His breakthrough came in 2011, when he proposed the strategy of voting for any party but President Vladimir Putins party of crooks and thieves in the Duma (parliament) elections. Faced with a collapse of support, the regime resorted to widespread election fraud. The result was months of pro-democracy protests. Putin regained control through a mix of concessions and repression, but the crisis signalled Navalnys emergence as the dominant figure in Russias democratic movement. Despite being convicted on trumped-up embezzlement charges, he was allowed to run in Moscows mayoral elections in 2013. In a clearly unfair contest, which included police harassment and hostile media coverage, he won 27% of the vote. Perseverance in the face of worsening attacks The authorities learned from this mistake. Never again would Navalny be allowed to compete in elections. What the Kremlin failed to stop was his creation of a national movement around the Foundation for the Struggle Against Corruption (FBK), which he had founded in 2011 with a team of brilliant young activists. During the ensuing decade, FBK transformed our understanding of the nature of Putins kleptocracy. Its open-source investigations shattered the reputations of numerous regime officials, security functionaries and regime propagandists. One of the most important was a 2017 expose of the network of charities that funded the palaces and yachts of then-premier Dmitry Medvedev. Viewed 46 million times on YouTube, it triggered protests across Russia. No less significant was Navalnys contribution to the methods of pro-democracy activism. To exploit the regimes dependence on heavily manipulated elections, he developed a strategy called intelligent voting. The basic idea was to encourage people to vote for the candidates who had the best chance of defeating Putins United Russia party. The result was a series of setbacks for United Russia in 2019 regional elections. One measure of Navalnys impact was the intensifying repression directed against him. As prosecutors tried to paralyse him with a series of implausible criminal cases, they also pursued his family. His younger brother Oleg served three and a half years in a labour camp on bogus charges. This judicial persecution was compounded by the violence of the regimes proxies. Two months after exposing Medvedevs corruption, Navalny was nearly blinded by a Kremlin-backed gang of vigilantes, who sprayed his face with a noxious blend of chemicals. More serious was the deployment of a death squad from Russias Federal Security Service (FSB), which had kept Navalny under surveillance since 2017. The use of the nerve agent Novichok to poison Navalny during a trip to the Siberian city of Tomsk in August 2020 was clearly intended to end his challenge to Putins rule. Instead it precipitated the Navalny crisis, a succession of events that shook the regimes foundations. The story of Navalnys survival and confirmation that he had been poisoned with Novichok focused international attention on the Putin regimes criminality. Any lingering doubts about state involvement in his poisoning were dispelled by Navalnys collaboration with Bellingcat, an investigative journalism organisation, to identify the suspects and deceive one of them into revealing how they poisoned him. The damage was magnified by Navalnys decision to confront Putins personal corruption. In a powerful two-hour documentary film, A Palace for Putin, Navalny chronicled the obsessive greed that had transformed an obscure KGB officer into one of the worlds most notorious kleptocrats. With over 129 million views on YouTube alone, the film shattered the dictators carefully constructed image as the incarnation of traditional virtues. We will fill up the jails and police vans It is difficult to exaggerate the impact of the Navalny crisis on Putin, a dictator terrified of the prospect of popular revolution. No longer was he courted by Western leaders. US President Joe Biden began his term in office in 2021 by endorsing an interviewers description of Putin as a killer. To contain the domestic fallout, Putin unleashed a crackdown that began with Navalnys 2021 arrest on his return to Moscow from Germany, where had been recovering from the Novichok poisoning. On the international stage, Putin secured a summit with Biden by staging a massive deployment of military force on the Ukrainian border, a rehearsal for the following years invasion. The Kremlins trolling factories also tried to destroy Navalnys reputation with a smear campaign. Within weeks of Navalnys imprisonment, Amnesty International rescinded his status as a prisoner of conscience on the basis of allegations about hate speech. The evidence was some ugly statements made by Navalny as an inexperienced politician in the mid-2000s, when he was trying to build an anti-Putin alliance of democrats and nationalists. What his detractors ignored was Navalnys own evolution into a critic of ethnonationalist prejudices. In a speech to a nationalist rally in 2011, he had challenged his listeners to empathise with people in the Muslim-majority republics of Russias northern Caucasus region. This divergence from the nationalist mainstream was accentuated by Putins conflict with Ukraine. After the invasion of Crimea in March 2014, Navalny denounced the imperialist annexation as a cynical effort to distract the masses from corruption. Eight years later, while languishing in prison, he condemned Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, exhorting his compatriots to take to the streets, saying: If, to prevent war, we need to fill up the jails and police vans, we will fill up the jails and police vans. Later that year, he argued a post-Putin Russia needed an end to the concentration of power in the Kremlin and the creation of a parliamentary republic as the only way to stop the endless cycle of imperial authoritarianism. Navalnys tragedy is that he never had a chance to convert the moral authority he amassed during years as a dissident into political power. Like Charles de Gaulle in France and Nelson Mandela in South Africa, he might have become a redemptive leader, leading his people from war and tyranny to the promised land of a freer society. Instead, he has left his compatriots the example of a brave, principled and thoughtful man, who sacrificed his life for the cause of democracy and peace. That is his enduring legacy. (The Conversation) NSA NSA Brussels, Feb 19 (AP) The European Union has launched Monday a naval mission to help protect cargo ships in the Red Sea as attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen continue to threaten maritime traffic, hamper trade and drive up prices. Dubbed Aspides, Greek for shield, the mission will be run out of Larissa in central Greece home to the Hellenic Air Force and a NATO headquarters under the command of Greek Commodore Vasilios Griparis. The Iranian-backed Houthis have waged a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships over Israel's offensive in Gaza against Hamas which began in October. However, the Yemen-based 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. In response, US and British forces have bombed multiple targets used by the Houthis. However, the EU mission will not take part in any military strikes and will only operate at sea. Within its defensive mandate, the operation will provide maritime situational awareness, accompany vessels, and protect them against possible multi-domain attacks at sea, EU headquarters said in a statement after the bloc's foreign ministers had endorsed the mission. The entire global economy is being hit. It's not just European ships that are repeatedly jeopardised by Houthi missiles in the Red Sea, but the entire international shipping industry," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters in Brussels. She said that apart from protecting European ships, the mission "makes it clear that we as an international community stand together in the face of attacks; terrorist attacks on the freedom of the sea lanes. Germany is contributing a frigate to the mission, as is Belgium. (AP) SCY SCY London, Feb 19 (PTI) Britains independent media watchdog on Monday opened an investigation into whether impartiality rules were broken during British Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks recent television appearance after receiving around 500 complaints from viewers. The Office of Communications (OFCOM) said its probe covers the Peoples Forum: The Prime Minister programme which aired on GB News last Monday. Under its Broadcasting Code, OFCOM requires a wide range of views to be expressed to ensure impartiality within a political setting. We have received around 500 complaints about the programme which aired on GB News on 12 February 2024, an OFCOM statement said. We are investigating under Rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the Broadcasting Code, which provides additional due impartiality requirements for programmes dealing with matters of major political controversy and major matters relating to current public policy. Specifically, Rules 5.11 and 5.12 require that an appropriately wide range of significant views must be included and given due weight in such programmes, or in clearly linked and timely programmes, it said. During the broadcast, the shows presenter said the questions addressed to Sunak were from undecided voters ahead of a general election later this year and had not been seen in advance by Sunak or by the channel. A Downing Street spokesperson said the Prime Minister did not regret taking part in the show and that "this is a matter for OFCOM". While the watchdogs "due impartiality" requirement in current affairs and political output does not require the same amount of time to be given to opposing views, audiences must be exposed to alternative ways of thinking. It has the power to impose fines or other sanctions if a media outlet is found in breach of its Broadcasting Code. GB News, a right-leaning, relatively new network, is being investigated by OFCOM for other shows as well, including over impartiality issues. Jerusalem, Feb 19 (AP) Israel's foreign minister said on Monday that Brazil's president would not be welcome in Israel until he apologises for comments he made comparing Israel's war in Gaza to the Holocaust, accusing him of a very serious antisemitic attack. On Sunday, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that what is happening in the Gaza Strip and to the Palestinian people hasn't been seen in any other moment in history. Actually, it did when Hitler decided to kill the Jews. Lula made the comments while speaking to reporters at the African Union summit in Ethiopia. Foreign Minister Israel Katz summoned the Brazilian ambassador to Israel's national Holocaust museum in Jerusalem on Monday for a reprimand. The things that Lula said when he compared the righteous war of the State of Israel against Hamas, which murdered and massacred the Jews, and Hitler and the Nazis is shameful and unacceptable, Katz said. On Monday evening, Lula recalled Brazil's ambassador to Israel, Frederico Meyer, to the country for consultations, according to the Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Lula's comments trivialized the Holocaust and crossed a red line." Such comments strike a raw nerve in Israel, a country established as a haven for Jews in the wake of the Holocaust. Israel says its war in Gaza, launched in response to a deadly Hamas attack on October 7, is defensive and rejects any comparisons of its offensive to the Holocaust. Lula's comments came after leaders at the African Union summit on Saturday condemned Israel's offensive in Gaza and called for its immediate end. In the October 7 attack, Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel and killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostage. Militants still hold around 130 hostages, a fourth of them believed to be dead. Most of the others were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. The war has killed at least 29,092 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Around 80 per cent of Gaza's population have been driven from their homes, and a quarter face starvation. The heavy death toll and widespread damage have led to mounting criticism of Israel and growing calls for a cease-fire. Celso Amorim, former foreign affairs minister and a special adviser to Lula, told local news outlet G1 that Israel's reaction was absurd. It only increases Israel's isolation. Lula is sought after all over the world and at the moment it's Israel that's (persona) non grata, Amorim said. Brazil's presidential palace and foreign affairs ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. First lady Rosangela da Silva, Lula's wife, said she was proud of her husband for defending peace and the right to life for women and children. The speech referred to the genocidal government and not to the Jewish people, let's be honest in our analysis, she said. Netanyahu should be concerned about the rejection he arouses in the world and in his own country, before trying to reprimand anyone who denounces his policy of exterminating the Palestinian people. He has no moral or political authority to point the finger at anyone, Gleisi Hoffmann, president of Lula's Workers' Party, told Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper. Last week, Lula met with the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Shtayyeh, before participating in the African Union summit in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. After the meeting, Brazil's presidential palace said: Lula condemned Hamas attacks against Israeli civilians, indicated agreement with the need for a cease-fire and reiterated the Brazilian government's commitment to the two-state solution with an economically viable Palestinian state, living in peace and security with Israel, within mutually agreed and internationally recognised borders." (AP) GRS GRS Chandigarh, Feb 19 (PTI) Farmers leaders on Monday rejected the Centre's proposal of buying pulses, maize and cotton at MSP by government agencies for five years, saying it was not in farmers' interest. A panel of three Union ministers -- Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai -- on Sunday gave the proposal to the farmers during the fourth round of talks in Chandigarh. On Monday, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said, "After holding discussion (on the Centre's proposal) in our two forums, it has been decided that the Centre's proposal is not in the interest of farmers and we reject this proposal." After the fourth round of talks with the farmers on Sunday night, Union minister Piyush Goyal said, "Cooperative societies like the National Cooperative Consumers Federation and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India will enter into a contract with farmers who grow 'tur dal', 'urad dal', 'masoor dal' or maize for buying their crop at MSP for next five years." "There will be no limit on the quantity (purchased) and a portal will be developed for this," he had said. Goyal had also proposed that the Cotton Corporation of India would buy cotton from farmers at MSP for five years after entering into a legal agreement with them. Protesting farmers have been staying put at Shambhu and Khanauri points on Punjab's border with Haryana after their 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops, was stopped by security forces which led to clashes last week. Besides a legal guarantee of MSP, the farmers are demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21. Mumbai, Feb 19 (PTI) Right to remain silent cannot be equated with non-cooperation, ruled the Bombay High Court while terming the arrest of the Kochhar couple by the CBI in the ICICI loan fraud case as "abuse of power" lacking proper legal consideration. Making the judgement of February 6 public on Monday on granting regular bail to the ICICI Bank's former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak Kochhar, a division bench of the High Court criticised the CBI for their failure to provide substantial evidence for the arrest. The bench comprising Justices Anuja Prabhudessai (since retired) and N R Borkar highlighted that the first information report (FIR) against the Kochhars was registered in 2019 and that they were summoned for questioning only in 2022. "Despite the gravity of the offence, the petitioners (Kochhar's) were not interrogated or summoned for a period of over three years from the date of registration of the crime," it said. In a detailed 32-page judgment, the bench highlighted that the arrests were made without due regard for the law, signalling an abuse of power. "Such routine arrest without application of mind and due regard to the law amounts to an abuse of power", the court said and emphasised that the right to silence, as per Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution, protects individuals from self-incrimination and "should not be misconstrued as non-cooperation." The Kochhars were arrested by the CBI on December 23, 2022, in connection with the Videocon-ICICI Bank loan case. They promptly challenged the arrest in the High Court, asserting its illegality and seeking bail. The court's decision on February 6 deemed the arrests unlawful, affirming an earlier interim bail granted in January 2023. The bench pointed out that routine arrests without proper legal considerations contradict the essence of justice. The court noted that section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) was introduced to avoid routine arrests and said this provision restricts the power to arrest when an accused person complies with the notice issued by the police to appear for questioning and mandates that an arrest shall be made only when the police are of the opinion that it is necessary. The court held that while it was within the domain of the probe agency to interrogate an accused and to arrive at a subjective satisfaction on the issue, the same was not "wholly immune from judicial reviewability". "The court can consider whether the reasons for deprivation of liberty are rational, reasonable or fanciful," it said. The CBI's allegations against the Kochhars and others involved the sanctioning of credit facilities in violation of banking regulations and policies. In addition to the Kochhars, the CBI had also arrested Venugopal Dhoot, the founder of the Videocon group, in the same case. The High Court granted him bail in January 2023. The CBI's case revolves around allegations of financial impropriety, with claims that ICICI Bank extended significant credit to Videocon Group companies, violating banking regulations and engaging in corrupt practices. The agency has alleged that the ICICI Bank sanctioned credit facilities to the tune of Rs 3,250 crore to these companies in violation of norms. It further claimed that as a part of quid pro quo, Dhoot made an investment of Rs 64 crore in Nupower Renewables through Supreme Energy Pvt Ltd (SEPL) and transferred SEPL to Pinnacle Energy Trust managed by Deepak Kochhar through a circuitous route between 2010 and 2012. The court's detailed examination of the case highlighted the need for legal diligence and adherence to due process in matters of arrest and investigation, emphasising the significance of maintaining the integrity of legal procedures. New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal has dismissed a petition claiming violation of environmental norms in redeveloping Bijwasan railway station in Dwarka area of the capital. The NGT was hearing a plea alleging that the land parcel for which a Request for Proposal (RPF) was allowed by the authorities for the new Bijwasan railway station was unauthorised, and around 1,100 trees would be felled for the project. According to Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Ltd. (IRSDC), Bijwasan is an existing station on the Delhi-Rewari line of the Indian Railways network that is proposed to be redeveloped as a world-class station. It is also aimed at augmenting the number and capacity of terminal stations in the capital city. A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the submissions of the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), according to which the land was not in the category of 'deemed forest' and the amended Forest (Conservation) Act (FCA) had done away with the concept of deemed forests. The union government had last year amended the FCA and exempted from its scope deemed forests (forests not officially recorded as forests in government records) and limited the need for prior central government's sanction for any project involving clearing a forest land to land recorded as forests in government records. The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, noted an affidavit filed by the deputy conservator of forest concerned saying the land was not notified as forest. In an order passed on February 13, the tribunal also noted RLDAs "categorical statement" about following all laws during the execution of the project. "We are of the view that adequate precautions have already been taken to prevent illegal felling of trees. Even otherwise, we make it clear that respondents during the implementation of the project, will not cut any tree illegally and will follow all the environmental norms, including compensatory plantation," it said. The tribunal said any activity would be carried out only after necessary approval and compliance with conditions imposed by the environmental authorities. "We find no ground to interfere in this Original Application (OA), which is accordingly dismissed," it said. WWII Monuments Men weren't all men. The female members finally move into the spotlight After World War II, the U.S. Armys team of art experts set out to find and return millions of works stolen by the Nazis I would like to raise awareness about an important issue that warrants more attention from us. The issue is the negative reviews that people leave on locally owned businesses within our very own community and the havoc they cause. Once that negative impression is etched in a consumers mind, it is extremely difficult to remove it, and as we all know, when checking out a business, many of us head straight for the reviews to see what ppl are saying. Being that its impossible to please everyone all the time, businessowners will inevitably have disgruntled customers. The problem is, once they write these disgruntled customers write thier review, its nearly impossible for the business to refute it, as its the customers word versus the store and people viewing the review will generally believe the customer. To make matters worse, upset customers often use extremely sharp language and dramatically describe their gripe, (for example: This is the worst tasting pizza ever, rudest staff I have ever come across, disgusting attitude by manager, worst experience in my life) while the owner must remain professional and polite when responding (We are so sorry you felt this way; please reach out to us so we can assist you further), and people generally will assume that the customer is outlining a universal truth about the establishment. This is an issue that is seriously taking money out of our own communitys pockets. Dont believe me? Speak to your local business owners about the stress, anxiety, and tension those terrible reviews cause them. Now, to address a valid point you might be thinking of: Sometimes a stores service really is terrible and the food truly subpar, and its actually a chessed to leave a review so that no one should have to have the same bad experience as you did. Thats fair, and I get it. We all have occasionally experienced a businesses where expectations were not met and there is lots of room for improvement. However, I would ask you to consider this: Imagine the owner of this establishment was your good friend, or your neighbor, and you personally watched over the years as he worked long hours to try to build himself up and make his store successful. One night you go out to eat, and the waitress, who is having a rough day, really messes up your order or snaps at you. Would you be so quick to pull out your phone and write a critical review about how this business is terribly unprofessional and how the waitress has got a real attitude, or would you be more forgiving because you understand that a bad review can really hurt your friend/neighbor and really make his business suffer? We have to keep in mind that these establishments are owned and run by our acquaintances and that each review is hurting a friend or neighbor of ours. One must keep in mind that the Chofetz Chaim has a whole set of conditions that must be met in order for one to be allowed to speak critically abt another even ltoeles! If any are not met, it is real lashon horah. If one believes he is entitled to write a review, it behooves him to show it to a competent Rabbi first and make sure it is written properly. As the Chofetz Chaim himself says, at the time one speaks (ltoeles) he is standing in grave danger of the issur of speaking lashon horah if he doesnt protect himself (by keeping all the necessary conditions). And on this u can say death and life are in the hands of the tongue. And if one doesnt think to himself before he begins to speak a matter like this, which way to bring out the incident, for sure he will transgress, for at the time of the incident a persons anger is strengthened upon himself, and it is impossible to be careful in this. Therefore, before one begins to speak one must contemplate how to bring out the incident in a way not to make the wrongdoing greater than it is, and to have in mind to do it for a constructive purpose.. (Chofetz Chaim Hilchos Lashon Horah Klal Yud Seif Tes Vav). M.K. The views expressed in this letter do not necessarily reflect those of YWN. Have a message you would like to share? Send it to us for review. Samantha Sumiko Pinedo and her grandparents file into a dimly lit enclosure at the Japanese American National Museum and approach a massive book splayed open to reveal columns of names. Pinedo is hoping the list includes her great-grandparents, who were detained in Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II. For a lot of people, it feels like so long ago because it was World War II. But I grew up with my Bompa (great-grandpa), who was in the internment camps, Pinedo says. A docent at the museum in Los Angeles gently flips to the middle of the book called the Ireicho and locates Kaneo Sakatani near the center of a page. This was Pinedos great-grandfather, and his family can now honor him. On Feb. 19, 1942, following the attack by Imperial Japan on Pearl Harbor and the United States entry to WWII, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing the incarceration of people of Japanese ancestry who were considered potentially dangerous. From the extreme heat of the Gila River center in Arizona, to the biting winters of Heart Mountain in Wyoming, Japanese Americans were forced into hastily built barracks, with no insulation or privacy, and surrounded by barbed wire. They shared bathrooms and mess halls, and families of up to eight were squeezed into 20-by-25 foot (6-by-7.5 meter) rooms. Armed U.S. soldiers in guard towers ensured nobody tried to flee. Approximately two-thirds of the detainees were American citizens. When the 75 holding facilities on U.S. soil closed in 1946, the government published Final Accountability Rosters listing the name, sex, date of birth and marital status of the Japanese Americans held at the 10 largest facilities. There was no clear consensus of who or how many had been detained nationwide. Duncan Ryuken Williams, the director of the Shinso Ito Center for Japanese Religions and Culture at the University of Southern California, knew those rosters were incomplete and riddled with errors, so he and a team of researchers took on the mammoth task of identifying all the detainees and honoring them with a three-part monument called Irei: National Monument for the WWII Japanese American Incarceration. We wanted to repair that moment in American history by thinking of the fact that this is a group of people, Japanese Americans, that was targeted by the government. As long as you had one drop of Japanese blood in you, the government told you you didnt belong, Williams said. The Irei project was inspired by stone Buddhist monuments called Ireitos that were built by detainees at camps in Manzanar, California, and Amache, Colorado, to memorialize and console the spirits of internees who died. The first part of the Irei monument is the Ireicho, the sacred book listing 125,284 verified names of Japanese American detainees. We felt like we needed to bring dignity and personhood and individuality back to all these people, Williams said. The best way we thought we could do that was to give them their names back. The second element, the Ireizo, is a website set to launch on Monday, the Day of Remembrance, which visitors can use to search for additional information about detainees. Ireihi is the final part: A collection of light installations at incarceration sites and the Japanese American National Museum. Williams and his team spent more than three years reaching out to camp survivors and their relatives, correcting misspelled names and data errors and filling in the gaps. They analyzed records in the National Archives of detainee transfers, as well as Enemy Alien identification cards and directories created by detainees. We feel fairly confident that were at least 99% accurate with that list, Williams said. The team recorded every name in order of age, from the oldest person who entered the camps to the last baby born there. Williams, who is a Buddhist priest, invited leaders from different faiths, Native American tribes and social justice groups to attend a ceremony introducing the Ireicho to the museum. Crowds of people gathered in the Little Tokyo neighborhood to watch camp survivors and descendants of detainees file into the museum, one by one, holding wooden pillars, called sobata, bearing the names of each of the camps. At the end of the procession, the massive, weighty book of names was carried inside by multiple faith leaders. Williams read Buddhist scripture and led chants to honor the detainees. Those sobata now line the walls of the serene enclosure where the Ireicho will remain until Dec. 1. Each bears the name in English and Japanese of the camp it represents. Suspended from each post is a jar containing soil from the named site. Visitors are encouraged to look for their loved ones in the Ireicho and leave a mark under their names using a Japanese stamp called a hanko. The first people to stamp it were some of the last surviving camp detainees. So far, 40,000 visitors have made their mark. For Williams, that interaction is essential. To honor each person by placing a stamp in the book means that you are changing the monument every day, Williams said. Sharon Matsuura, who visited the Ireicho to commemorate her parents and husband who were incarcerated in Camp Amache, says the monument has an important role to play in raising awareness, especially for young people who may not know about this harsh chapter in Americas story. It was a very shameful part of history that the young men and women were good enough to fight and die for the country, but they had to live in terrible conditions and camps, Matsuura says. We want people to realize these things happened. Many survivors remain silent about what they endured, not wanting to relive it, Matsuura says. Pinedo watches as her grandmother, Bernice Yoshi Pinedo, carefully stamps a blue dot beneath her fathers name. The family stands back in silence, taking in the moment, yellow light casting shadows from the jars of soil on the walls. Kaneo Sakatani was only 14 when he was detained in Tule Lake, in far northern California. Its sad, Bernice says. But I feel very proud that my parents names were in there. (AP) China is stepping up patrols in the waters off the coast of Taiwans Kinmen archipelago, days after two of its fishermen drowned while being chased by the Taiwanese coast guard, which accused the boat of trespassing. The Chinese coast guards Fujian division will regularly monitor the waters off the southern coast of the city of Xiamen a few kilometers from Kinmen to strengthen maritime law enforcement, said the coast guards spokesman, Gan Yu, in a statement Sunday. Fishermen from Taiwan and China regularly sail that stretch of water which has seen a rise in tensions as the number of Chinese vessels including sand dredgers and fishing boats have notably increased in the area. Kinmen residents have complained of both the noise and sound pollution from the vessels, as well as losses to their livelihood in fishing. The fishermens deaths are unusual despite the level of Chinese activity in the waters near Kinmen, which is closer to China than it is to Taiwans main island. China claims all of self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory. On Wednesday, Taiwans Coast Guard said two of four Chinese fishermen died after their boat capsized. It said their boat was fishing about one nautical mile away from Kinmen archipelago which Taiwan has claimed as a restricted area. The other two survivors remain in Taiwans custody. China has issued a furious condemnation and blamed Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party for the fishermens deaths. It also said that there was no such thing as restricted waters. Taiwan said an investigation was underway and that its Mainland Affairs Council said they were communicating with Chinese authorities. Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office vowed on Sunday further measures, without clarifying further detail. The Mainland reserves the right to take further action, and all the consequences will be borne by Taiwan, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office. Taiwan split from China during the 1949 civil war, but Beijing continues to regard the island of 23 million with its high-tech economy as Chinese territory and has been ramping up its threat to achieve that by military force if necessary. (AP) Over 400 people were detained in Russia while paying tribute to opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died at a remote Arctic penal colony, a prominent rights group reported Sunday. The sudden death of Navalny, 47, was a crushing blow to many Russians, who had pinned their hopes for the future on President Vladimir Putins fiercest foe. Navalny remained vocal in his unrelenting criticism of the Kremlin even after surviving a nerve agent poisoning and receiving multiple prison terms. The news reverberated across the globe, with many world leaders blaming the death on Putin and his government. In an exchange with reporters shortly after leaving a Saturday church service, President Joe Biden reiterated his stance that Putin was ultimately to blame for Navalnys death. The fact of the matter is, Putin is responsible. Whether he ordered it, hes responsible for the circumstance, Biden said. Its a reflection of who he is. It cannot be tolerated. Meanwhile, Navalnys wife, Yulia Navalnaya, published a picture of the couple on Instagram Sunday in her first social media post since her husbands death. The caption read simply: I love you. Hundreds of people in dozens of Russian cities streamed to ad-hoc memorials and monuments to victims of political repressions with flowers and candles on Friday and Saturday to pay a tribute to the politician. In over a dozen cities, police detained 401 people by Saturday night, according to the OVD-Info rights group that tracks political arrests and provides legal aid. More than 200 arrests were made in St. Petersburg, Russias second largest city, the group said. Among those detained there was Grigory Mikhnov-Voitenko, a priest of the Apostolic Orthodox Church a religious group independent of the Russian Orthodox Church who announced plans on social media to hold a memorial service for Navalny and was arrested on Saturday morning outside his home. He was charged with organizing a rally and placed in a holding cell in a police precinct, but was later hospitalised with a stroke, OVD-Info reported. Courts in St. Petersburg have ordered 42 of those detained on Friday to serve from one to six days in jail, while nine others were fined, court officials said late on Saturday. In Moscow, at least six people were ordered to serve 15 days in jail, according to OVD-Info. One person was also jailed in the southern city of Krasnodar and two more in the city of Bryansk, the group said. The news of Navalnys death came a month before a presidential election in Russia that is widely expected to give Putin another six years in power. Questions about the cause of death lingered, and it remained unclear when the authorities would release Navalnys body. More than 12,000 people have submitted requests to the Russian government asking for the politicians remains to be handed over to his relatives, OVD-Info said Sunday. Navalnys team said Saturday that the politician was murdered and accused the authorities of deliberately stalling the release of the body, with Navalnys mother and lawyers getting contradicting information from various institutions where they went in their quest to retrieve the body. Theyre driving us around in circles and covering their tracks, Navalnys spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said on Saturday. Everything there is covered with cameras in the colony. Every step he took was filmed from all angles all these years. Each employee has a video recorder. In two days, there has been not a single video leaked or published. There is no room for uncertainty here, Navalnys closest ally and strategist Leonid Volkov said Sunday. A note handed to Navalnys mother stated that he died at 2:17 p.m. Friday, according to Yarmysh. Prison officials told his mother when she arrived at the penal colony Saturday that her son had perished from sudden death syndrome, Ivan Zhdanov, the director of Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Russias Federal Penitentiary Service reported that Navalny felt sick after a walk Friday and became unconscious at the penal colony in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets region about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow. An ambulance arrived, but he couldnt be revived, the service said, adding that the cause of death is still being established. Navalny had been jailed since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin. He has received three prison terms since his arrest, on a number of charges he has rejected as politically motivated. After the last verdict that handed him a 19-year term, Navalny said he understood he was serving a life sentence, which is measured by the length of my life or the length of life of this regime. Hours after Navalnys death was reported, his widow made a dramatic appearance at the Munich Security Conference. Navalnaya said she was unsure if she could believe the news from official Russian sources, but if this is true, I want Putin and everyone around Putin, Putins friends, his government to know that they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family and to my husband. (AP) Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh has announced that the PA is actively seeking to bridge gaps with the Hamas terror group, with talks scheduled to take place in Moscow on February 26. This revelation came during Shtayyehs address at the Munich Security Conference, where he highlighted the importance of Palestinian factions coming together for the cause of unity. Russia has invited all Palestinian factions who will be meeting on the 26 of this month in Moscow. We will see if Hamas is ready to come to the ground with us, Shtayyeh said. We are ready to engage. If Hamas is not, then thats a different story. We need Palestinian unity. The backdrop of these talks is complex, especially considering Hamass murderous history, most notably the atrocities carried out on October 7. When pressed about the prospect of making common cause with such a group, Shtayyeh suggested the world simply forget about what happened. One should not continue focusing on October 7, he said, underscoring his total disinterest in recognizing the evil that is Hamas. Asked about making reforms to the PA that have been urged by the West, including the replacement of Mahmoud Abbas at leader of the Palestinian Authority, Shtayyeh gave an indirect answer, saying, Its not about reform, its not about anything. Its about Palestinians wanting an end to occupation. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Israeli police announced on Sunday that a Border Police officer was discovered dead from gunshot wounds alongside Route 6 in the south. The fallen officer has been identified as First Sgt. Or Ohad, a 33-year-old from Hadera. He leaves behind a wife and two children. First Sgt. Ohad initially joined the Border Police in 2010 as part of his mandatory military service. He then chose to continue serving beyond his required years, becoming a career officer in 2013. The circumstances surrounding First Sgt. Ohads tragic death remain unclear, with police yet to release detailed information regarding the incident or any ongoing investigations. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Israel estimates that the full-scale military operations in Gaza will last another six to eight weeks as security officials prepare to launch an operation in Rafah, Reuters reported on Monday morning. According to the report, senior IDF officials believe they can significantly curtail Hamass remaining capabilities during that time, allowing them to shift to a lower-intensity stage of special forces operations and targeted airstrikes. The report quotes Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official, as saying that Israel will not heed international calls to avoid invading Rafah. Rafah is the last bastion of Hamas control and there remain battalions in Rafah which Israel must dismantle to achieve its goals in this war, he said, adding that the only way the operation in Rafah would be delayed is if Hamas would hand over the hostages. Even that would only delay the advance on Rafah unless it is coupled with the demilitarization of the city and surrender of the Hamas battalions there, he added. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Friday that there were 24 regional battalions in Gaza we have dismantled 18 of them. Now, Rafah is the next Hamas center of gravity. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A drone exploded in an open area on the moshav of Arbel next to the Kinneret on Monday morning. Israel Police officers who arrived at the scene found a crater in the ground formed by the explosion and the remains of a drone. Baruch Hashem, no one was injured in the explosion and no property was damaged. Some of the drone parts were found near a childrens kindergarten, Ynet reported. Initially, there was speculation that the projectile was possibly an IDF drone that malfunctioned but that possibility has been ruled out and it is believed that the drone was launched from Lebanon. The IDF and Israel Police are investigating the incident. Nitzan Peleg, the head of the Lower Galilee Regional Council, said: Our educational institutions security guard was in the area and heard an explosion. He drove towards the site and saw a projectile that looked like a drone and a crater created by the fall. Following the explosion, a statement from Israel Police said: A short time ago there was a report of an explosion in the Lower Galil area. Large forces from the Northern District arrived at the scene and found remains of an item whose origin is still unclear. Police and bomb sappers are now isolating the scene and searching for further remnants in order to eliminate further risk to the public. We call on the residents to avoid arriving at the scene and not to approach or touch the remains of items that may contain explosive material. The IDF confirmed the incident early Monday afternoon and reported that troops carried out a number of strikes against Hezbollah targets over the past 24 hours. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The IDF on Monday released footage of troops encountering a terrorist in a building in Khan Younis and eliminating him in a face-to-face gun battle. Commando soldiers from the Egoz Unit were raiding a building in Khan Younis when a terrorist inside hurled a grenade at them. The IDF stated: IDF forces raided a building based on intelligence. During the raid, a terrorist opened fire at them and threw a grenade and a shootout ensued, during which the soldiers used MATADOR fire and eliminated the terrorist. Baruch Hashem, no soldiers were injured in the incident. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A recent study by the Israeli Center for Addictions (ICA) reveals a dramatic increase in the use of sedatives and sleeping pills among Israelis since October 7th, nearly three times the previous rate, Kan News reported on Sunday. According to the study, 26% of adults in Israel use addictive substances such as alcohol, drugs, and prescription sedatives and sleep aids. Additionally, the study showed that 50% of those who witnessed the October 7th atrocities, including members of the security and rescue forces, increased their use of addictive substances. Those whose lives were disturbed by being evacuated from their homes in the south and the north are also experiencing higher levels of mental stress, with 33% of evacuees using an increased amount of addictive substances. The findings apply to all strata of the population, regardless of age, socioeconomic status and gender. According to Professor Shaul Lev-Ran, co-founder of the ICA, the data raises a red flag of a significant portion of the population in distress and solutions should be sought. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A photograph circulating on social media platforms that many believed to depict Hamas leader in Gaza Yahye Sinwar bound and blindfolded in his underwear, surrounded by IDF soldiers, is not actually the rat-faced terrorist leader, the IDF says. According to Israeli security officials, the photograph is real but depicts a different individual undergoing interrogation. The speculation over the photo comes amid discussions over Hamass leadership. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant recently suggested that there might be a shift in leadership within the organization, indicating a search for a successor to Sinwar in Gaza. In response to Gallants remarks, Mohammad Nazal, a member of Hamas diplomatic bureau, told Al Jazeera that Sinwar is still serving as Hamas leader, all leaders of the movement are appointed through elections. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) IDF soldier Maoz Morel, Hyd, passed away on Monday after being injured in battle in Gaza a week ago. He was evacuated to the hospital where the doctors fought for his life until Monday evening, when he passed away. Morel, Hyd, was a resident of the Talmon yishuv in Binyamin. The Binyamin Regional Council announced his death, adding: Maoz, 22, was the son of Varda and Eitan and a brother to four siblings. He studied at the yeshivah high school in Dimona and afterward in the Avinaom Hesder yeshivah in Tapuach and from there he enlisted in the Paratroopers. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Embarking on a new chapter in life involves finding the perfect place to call home, and San Antonio extends a warm welcome with open arms. Beyond its rich history and cultural diversity, San Antonio boasts a vibrant Jewish community, making it an ideal choice for individuals and families seeking to establish roots in a warm and dynamic environment. In San Antonio, the variety of synagogues available ensures that you can find a spiritual home aligned with your beliefs and practices. These synagogues transcend their role as places of worship; they serve as vibrant centers for learning, socializing, and celebrating Jewish traditions. Within this city, youll discover a synagogue that feels like an extension of your family. For families with children, San Antonio provides a nurturing environment for Jewish education, offering after-school programs, engaging teen activities, and Jewish summer camps. The city supports your childs journey into their Jewish identity through a diverse range of educational institutions. San Antonio offers numerous opportunities for young adults aged 20 to 44 to connect with fellow Jews. The citys growing young adult population fosters a dynamic environment for socializing and building lasting connections, spanning from college to post-graduate pursuits. San Antonio is home to diverse Jewish organizations catering to various interests and age groups. These vibrant groups provide opportunities to engage in meaningful activities, connect with like-minded individuals, and expand your social network, creating a strong sense of community. From vibrant kosher restaurants to catering services, the Vaad Hakashrus ensures that the Greater San Antonio area has access to delicious and authentic kosher options, adding a flavorful dimension to the citys culinary scene. The heart of Jewish life in San Antonio beats at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Campus, housing the Barshop JCC, Jewish Federation, and Jewish Family Service. This centralized hub ensures that the community feels supported and has access to essential resources, fostering a sense of unity and belonging. In San Antonio, your journey isnt just a move; its an invitation to become part of a welcoming and flourishing Jewish community that adds a touch of sweetness to the Texan charm. Come experience the warmth and vibrancy that define our community. Join us for a Shabbos, and let the genuine hospitality of San Antonio greet you. Were not just a destination; were a community waiting to welcome you home. Reach out today! In a world filled with possibilities, are you ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and change? Rabbi Shmuel Stern, the esteemed leader and head of the Kollel in Beit Shemesh, has arrived in New York for a limited time, offering his profound insights and guidance. To book an appointment call 917-414-0685 Rabbi Shmuel Stern, a righteous scholar, born and raised in Bnei Brak, carries with him a heritage of wisdom passed down from generations of revered scholars. His expertise extends beyond traditional teachings; he delves into the depths of the human psyche, unlocking hidden potentials and talents. Through the ancient wisdom of Jewish tradition, Rabbi Stern illuminates the intricate connection between the hand and the mind. Modern science has confirmed the profound link between the brain and the hand, revealing that each fingerprint unveils a unique neural pattern. This revelation underscores the importance of understanding our innate abilities and predispositions. To book an appointment call 917-414-0685 By unraveling the mysteries encoded within our fingertips, Rabbi Stern helps individuals identify their inherent strengths and talents. Moreover, through careful observation of behavioral patterns, he guides individuals in harnessing acquired skills and strategies developed throughout their lives. From significant life events to personal traumas, Rabbi Stern addresses the discrepancies between ones innate potential and acquired experiences. He believes that by acknowledging and understanding our subconscious, we gain mastery over our lives. To book an appointment call 917-414-0685 Contrary to mere fortune-telling, Rabbi Stern focuses on fostering profound self-awareness. He specializes in helping individuals choose careers aligned with their talents and learning styles, as well as navigating the complexities of personal growth and spiritual development. Numerous educators and spiritual leaders in Israel and Beit Shemesh refer individuals to Rabbi Stern for his unique insights. Even experienced therapists sometimes struggle to pinpoint the root cause of issues, whereas Rabbi Stern can discern underlying issues with a mere glance at ones palm. To book an appointment call 917-414-0685 Consider the case of a 14-year-old boy caught stealing, whose behavior stumped his parents. After consulting with Rabbi Stern, it was revealed that the boy had experienced a traumatic event, leading to his aberrant behavior. 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To book an appointment call 917-414-0685 Oil and gas bosses will attend crisis talks this week over Labour's plan to extend the windfall tax. Industry group Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) said Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's policy would be a 'hammer blow'. It had previously warned it could cost 42,000 jobs and wipe 26billion off the sector's economic value. The organisation will hold emergency summits in London and Aberdeen tomorrow and Thursday to discuss the impact of a two-year extension to the levy. A windfall tax is a levy on North Sea oil and gas producer profits. Crisis talks: Industry group Offshore Energies UK said Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's policy would be a 'hammer blow' The Government introduced an energy profits levy in May 2022 as households struggled with energy bills. But Labour is planning to extend the policy to 2029 and hike taxes from 75 per cent to 78 per cent. OEUK said the meetings which will be attended by senior leaders from oil and gas firms will allow it to gather more evidence from members to present to Starmer. David Whitehouse, chief executive of OEUK, said: 'We remain deeply concerned about what Labour's proposals could do to our people. 'If we can't get companies to invest here, there are no jobs. It's that simple. I'm already hearing from our supply chain and from energy producers that these proposals would deliver a hammer blow to the energy we need today and to the homegrown transition to cleaner energies.' British energy firms Shell and BP and US oil and gas giants ExxonMobil and Chevron are members of the industry body. The firms made bumper profits last year, raking in 78billion between them. HSBC lowered shares of Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Thursday, MarketBeat reports. The brokerage currently has $214.00 target price on the stock, up from their prior target price of $212.00. SNOW has been the topic of several other research reports. Rosenblatt Securities upped their price target on shares of Snowflake from $170.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Snowflake from $215.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on Snowflake from $200.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Mizuho boosted their price target on Snowflake from $180.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Snowflake from $215.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $199.19. Get Snowflake alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on SNOW Snowflake Price Performance Shares of SNOW stock opened at $230.31 on Thursday. Snowflake has a 1-year low of $128.56 and a 1-year high of $237.72. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $202.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $174.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $75.84 billion, a PE ratio of -85.94 and a beta of 0.97. Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 29th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.16 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $734.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $713.75 million. Snowflake had a negative net margin of 33.35% and a negative return on equity of 14.46%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 31.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted ($0.60) earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Snowflake will post -1.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In other Snowflake news, insider Benoit Dageville sold 13,182 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $188.00, for a total transaction of $2,478,216.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 40,847 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,679,236. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Snowflake news, insider Benoit Dageville sold 13,182 shares of Snowflake stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $188.00, for a total value of $2,478,216.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 40,847 shares in the company, valued at $7,679,236. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Frank Slootman sold 250,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $198.39, for a total value of $49,597,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 180,143 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,738,569.77. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 640,172 shares of company stock worth $127,356,430. 8.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Snowflake Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Mango Five Family Inc. acquired a new position in Snowflake during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Snowflake by 270.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC now owns 185 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC grew its holdings in Snowflake by 333.3% in the 1st quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 130 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Provence Wealth Management Group acquired a new stake in Snowflake in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its stake in Snowflake by 54.1% during the 3rd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 205 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.74% of the companys stock. Snowflake Company Profile (Get Free Report) Snowflake Inc provides a cloud-based data platform for various organizations in the United States and internationally. Its platform offers Data Cloud, which enables customers to consolidate data into a single source of truth to drive meaningful business insights, build data-driven applications, and share data and data products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Snowflake Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Snowflake and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Generac (NYSE:GNRC Free Report) had its price target reduced by TD Cowen from $165.00 to $144.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Marketbeat.com reports. TD Cowen currently has an outperform rating on the technology companys stock. Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Guggenheim raised Generac from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $142.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday, November 3rd. BNP Paribas began coverage on shares of Generac in a report on Friday, October 20th. They issued an underperform rating and a $78.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America upgraded shares of Generac from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $76.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Generac from $179.00 to $164.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 19th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $135.00 price target on shares of Generac in a research report on Monday, December 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $139.79. Get Generac alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on GNRC Generac Trading Down 2.8 % Shares of Generac stock opened at $117.28 on Thursday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $122.29 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $113.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.65, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.45. Generac has a 12-month low of $79.86 and a 12-month high of $156.95. The company has a current ratio of 2.27, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Generac (NYSE:GNRC Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The technology company reported $2.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.09 by ($0.02). Generac had a net margin of 5.33% and a return on equity of 14.15%. The firm had revenue of $1.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.09 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.78 earnings per share. Generacs revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Generac will post 6.79 EPS for the current year. Insider Transactions at Generac In other Generac news, CEO Aaron Jagdfeld sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.22, for a total value of $576,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 577,690 shares in the company, valued at approximately $66,561,441.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Aaron Jagdfeld sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.22, for a total transaction of $576,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 577,690 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $66,561,441.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Rajendra Kumar Kanuru sold 250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.76, for a total transaction of $29,190.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 15,618 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,823,557.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 15,250 shares of company stock valued at $1,825,490. Corporate insiders own 2.80% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Peloton Wealth Strategists lifted its stake in shares of Generac by 7.9% in the 4th quarter. Peloton Wealth Strategists now owns 11,825 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,528,000 after purchasing an additional 868 shares during the last quarter. Oarsman Capital Inc. raised its stake in shares of Generac by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Oarsman Capital Inc. now owns 8,447 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,092,000 after acquiring an additional 366 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Generac by 75.1% in the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 296 shares of the technology companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its position in shares of Generac by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 26,106 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,374,000 after purchasing an additional 707 shares during the period. Finally, Morse Asset Management Inc increased its holdings in Generac by 51.5% in the 4th quarter. Morse Asset Management Inc now owns 8,253 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,067,000 after purchasing an additional 2,806 shares during the last quarter. 87.59% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Generac Company Profile (Get Free Report) Generac Holdings Inc designs, manufactures, and sells power generation equipment, energy storage systems, energy management devices and solutions, and other power products for the residential, light commercial, and industrial markets worldwide. The company offers residential automatic standby generators, automatic transfer switch, air-cooled engine residential standby generators, and liquid-cooled engine generators; residential storage solution consists of a system of batteries, an inverter, photovoltaic optimizers, power electronic controls, and other components; Mobile Link, a remote monitoring system for home standby generators; smart home solutions, such as smart thermostats and a suite of home monitoring products; smart water heater controllers; residential clean energy solutions; and portable and inverter generators; outdoor power equipment, including trimmers, field and brush mowers, log splitters, stump grinders, chipper shredders, lawn and leaf vacuums, and pressure washers and water pumps; and battery-powered turf care products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Generac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Generac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HC Wainwright restated their buy rating on shares of Cybin (NYSEAMERICAN:CYBN Free Report) in a research note released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. HC Wainwright currently has a $5.00 target price on the stock. Cybin Price Performance Shares of CYBN stock opened at $0.34 on Thursday. Cybin has a 52-week low of $0.21 and a 52-week high of $0.74. The company has a market cap of $138.54 million, a P/E ratio of -1.61 and a beta of 0.44. Get Cybin alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Thrive Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cybin in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Cybin during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Adviser Investments LLC grew its stake in Cybin by 301.7% during the 3rd quarter. Adviser Investments LLC now owns 58,647 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 44,046 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. grew its stake in Cybin by 58.6% during the 4th quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 30,061,112 shares of the companys stock worth $12,325,000 after buying an additional 11,111,112 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rathbones Group PLC purchased a new position in Cybin during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. 2.02% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Cybin Cybin Inc, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing psychedelic-based therapeutics. The company's development pipeline includes CYB003, a deuterated psilocybin analog, which is in Phase 1/2a clinical trial to treat major depressive and alcohol use disorders; CYB004, a deuterated dimethyltryptamine, which is in Phase 1 clinical trial for treating generalized anxiety disorders; and CYB005, a phenethylamine derivative, which in preclinical stage to treat neuroinflammation. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Cybin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cybin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Research analysts at StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY Get Free Report) in a research report issued on Saturday. The brokerage set a sell rating on the technology companys stock. WidePoint Stock Down 2.3 % WidePoint stock opened at $2.93 on Friday. WidePoint has a one year low of $1.60 and a one year high of $3.49. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $1.86. The company has a market capitalization of $25.90 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.20 and a beta of 1.40. Get WidePoint alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On WidePoint Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WYY. UBS Group AG purchased a new stake in WidePoint during the first quarter valued at about $29,000. Citadel Advisors LLC raised its position in WidePoint by 121.1% during the third quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 13,577 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 7,437 shares in the last quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new stake in WidePoint during the first quarter valued at about $25,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in WidePoint during the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, EA Series Trust purchased a new stake in WidePoint during the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Institutional investors own 10.51% of the companys stock. WidePoint Company Profile WidePoint Corporation provides technology management as a service (TMaaS) to the government and business enterprises in North America and Europe. The company offers TMaaS solutions through a secure federal government certified proprietary portal and secure enterprise portal that provides ability to manage, analyze, and protect communications assets, as well as deploy identity management solutions that provide secured virtual and physical access to restricted environments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for WidePoint Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WidePoint and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PARR Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Hold by the five ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $36.00. A number of analysts have issued reports on PARR shares. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Par Pacific from $38.00 to $37.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 13th. StockNews.com cut Par Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 29th. Get Par Pacific alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on PARR Institutional Inflows and Outflows Par Pacific Stock Performance Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Kennedy Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Par Pacific by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 12,235 shares of the companys stock worth $440,000 after acquiring an additional 287 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System raised its position in shares of Par Pacific by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 16,510 shares of the companys stock worth $593,000 after acquiring an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its position in Par Pacific by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 8,270 shares of the companys stock valued at $301,000 after buying an additional 317 shares in the last quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC increased its position in Par Pacific by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 27,703 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,008,000 after buying an additional 324 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC increased its position in Par Pacific by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 24,168 shares of the companys stock valued at $879,000 after buying an additional 348 shares in the last quarter. 92.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. NYSE:PARR opened at $39.82 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 0.49. Par Pacific has a 1 year low of $20.30 and a 1 year high of $40.65. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $35.89 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $34.73. The company has a market cap of $2.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.64 and a beta of 1.99. About Par Pacific (Get Free Report Par Pacific Holdings, Inc owns and operates energy and infrastructure businesses. The company operates through three segments: Refining, Retail, and Logistics. The Refining segment owns and operates three refineries that produces ultra-low sulfur diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, marine fuel, distillate, asphalt, low sulfur fuel oil, and other associated refined products primarily for consumption in Hawaii, Pacific Northwest, Wyoming, and South Dakota. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Par Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Par Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Buy from the fourteen brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $48.63. Several research analysts have recently issued reports on HAL shares. StockNews.com upgraded Halliburton from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $45.00 price target on shares of Halliburton in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Halliburton from $44.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Susquehanna reiterated a positive rating and issued a $49.00 price target on shares of Halliburton in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Halliburton from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Get Halliburton alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Halliburton Institutional Investors Weigh In On Halliburton Halliburton Trading Down 0.1 % A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sei Investments Co. grew its position in Halliburton by 259.5% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 166,407 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $6,281,000 after purchasing an additional 120,122 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its position in Halliburton by 70.5% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 128,001 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $4,847,000 after purchasing an additional 52,933 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new position in Halliburton in the first quarter valued at $696,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its stake in Halliburton by 81.5% in the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 2,347 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $89,000 after purchasing an additional 1,054 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its position in shares of Halliburton by 83.7% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 3,384 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $128,000 after purchasing an additional 1,542 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.09% of the companys stock. HAL stock opened at $35.31 on Monday. Halliburton has a twelve month low of $27.84 and a twelve month high of $43.85. The business has a fifty day moving average of $35.41 and a 200-day moving average of $38.16. The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 2.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The company has a market cap of $31.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.05, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 2.01. Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The oilfield services company reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.06. Halliburton had a net margin of 11.46% and a return on equity of 31.59%. The company had revenue of $5.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.78 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.72 EPS. Halliburtons revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Halliburton will post 3.43 EPS for the current year. Halliburton Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be given a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th. This is a positive change from Halliburtons previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. Halliburtons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.84%. About Halliburton (Get Free Report Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates through two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; and completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Halliburton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Halliburton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, February 19. Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament (Jogorku Kenesh), Nurlanbek Shakiev, will visit the UK in March 2024, Trend reports. Ulan Primov, Chairman of the Kyrgyz Parliament's Committee on International Affairs, Defence, Security, and Migration, and Nicholas Bowler, British Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, addressed the planned visit. Primov stated that this legislative visit is unusual in the history of bilateral ties. He stated that the Kyrgyz Parliament is committed to further enhancing mutually beneficial relations with the United Kingdom and expressed hope that the two sides will be able to work more closely by 2024. In response, Bowler underscored the good trajectory of bilateral cooperation and expressed optimism that Shakiev's visit will strengthen both inter-parliamentary and inter-state relations. Additionally, he briefed on the embassy's efforts with relevant authorities in both the UK and Kyrgyzstan to organize a comprehensive and meaningful program for the Kyrgyz parliamentary delegation's visit. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the twelve research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have given a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $58.18. A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on KB Home from $52.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of KB Home from $57.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of KB Home from a hold rating to a sell rating and dropped their price target for the company from $55.00 to $46.00 in a report on Friday, December 8th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of KB Home from $49.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on KB Home from $55.00 to $61.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Get KB Home alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on KBH KB Home Stock Performance Shares of NYSE KBH opened at $61.27 on Monday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $60.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $53.38. KB Home has a 52-week low of $33.92 and a 52-week high of $64.00. The company has a market cap of $4.91 billion, a PE ratio of 8.70, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.73. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 10th. The construction company reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.70 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.63 billion. KB Home had a return on equity of 15.63% and a net margin of 9.21%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 13.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.47 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that KB Home will post 7.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. KB Home Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 8th will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 7th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.31%. KB Homes payout ratio is currently 11.36%. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Brian J. Woram sold 83,272 shares of KB Home stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.53, for a total transaction of $5,040,454.16. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 156,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,449,883.07. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CEO Jeffrey T. Mezger sold 165,307 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.40, for a total transaction of $9,819,235.80. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,491,298 shares in the company, valued at approximately $88,583,101.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Brian J. Woram sold 83,272 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.53, for a total value of $5,040,454.16. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 156,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,449,883.07. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 373,635 shares of company stock valued at $22,400,005 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 4.44% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of KB Home Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Barclays PLC boosted its position in shares of KB Home by 76.4% during the second quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 179,914 shares of the construction companys stock worth $9,304,000 after acquiring an additional 77,933 shares during the last quarter. Versor Investments LP purchased a new position in KB Home in the second quarter worth about $432,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC bought a new stake in KB Home in the second quarter worth $777,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its position in KB Home by 36.6% in the third quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 15,619 shares of the construction companys stock worth $723,000 after buying an additional 4,188 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Preferred LLC lifted its position in KB Home by 188.4% in the third quarter. Advisors Preferred LLC now owns 50,820 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,331,000 after buying an additional 33,197 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.27% of the companys stock. About KB Home (Get Free Report KB Home operates as a homebuilding company in the United States. It operates through four segments: West Coast, Southwest, Central, and Southeast. It builds and sells various homes, including attached and detached single-family residential homes, townhomes, and condominiums primarily for first-time, first move-up, second move-up, and active adult homebuyers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for KB Home Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Home and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Free Report) by 21.1% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 275 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $139,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of TMO. Savant Capital LLC lifted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 3,627 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,997,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. 1776 Wealth LLC lifted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. 1776 Wealth LLC now owns 799 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $440,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares during the last quarter. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 3.6% during the 2nd quarter. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 568 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $296,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Bristlecone Advisors LLC lifted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. Bristlecone Advisors LLC now owns 528 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $291,000 after acquiring an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northstar Group Inc. lifted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 3.6% during the 2nd quarter. Northstar Group Inc. now owns 603 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $315,000 after acquiring an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. 87.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Thermo Fisher Scientific alerts: Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of NYSE:TMO opened at $547.84 on Monday. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52 week low of $415.60 and a 52 week high of $593.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.75. The company has a market capitalization of $211.67 billion, a PE ratio of 35.46, a PEG ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $538.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $513.27. Thermo Fisher Scientific ( NYSE:TMO Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical research company reported $5.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.64 by $0.03. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.99% and a return on equity of 18.78%. The firm had revenue of $10.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.73 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.40 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.54 earnings per share for the current year. Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, November 14th that authorizes the company to buyback $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the medical research company to repurchase up to 2.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Insider Transactions at Thermo Fisher Scientific In other news, Director Debora L. Spar sold 164 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.97, for a total transaction of $89,703.08. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,207 shares in the company, valued at approximately $660,192.79. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, SVP Michael A. Boxer sold 14,566 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $562.00, for a total value of $8,186,092.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,901 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,250,362. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Debora L. Spar sold 164 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.97, for a total transaction of $89,703.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,207 shares in the company, valued at $660,192.79. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 24,730 shares of company stock worth $13,832,095. 0.32% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently issued reports on TMO. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $592.00 to $642.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Barclays downgraded shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $475.00 to $555.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Monday, January 8th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $530.00 to $575.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, KeyCorp cut shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $596.00. View Our Latest Analysis on Thermo Fisher Scientific About Thermo Fisher Scientific (Free Report) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TMO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV Free Report) by 32.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 255 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Elevance Health were worth $111,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. BDO Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Elevance Health by 266.7% in the 2nd quarter. BDO Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 55 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the period. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of Elevance Health in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Elevance Health in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new position in shares of Elevance Health in the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, TD Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Elevance Health during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. 87.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Elevance Health alerts: Insider Activity In other news, Director Ramiro G. Peru sold 753 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $500.00, for a total value of $376,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 9,109 shares in the company, valued at $4,554,500. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages recently weighed in on ELV. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price target on Elevance Health from $547.00 to $580.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Elevance Health from $569.00 to $552.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 17th. StockNews.com lowered Elevance Health from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Elevance Health from $572.00 to $574.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Elevance Health has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $567.90. View Our Latest Analysis on Elevance Health Elevance Health Price Performance NYSE:ELV opened at $512.63 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $481.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of $465.97. The firm has a market cap of $120.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 0.78. Elevance Health, Inc. has a 12 month low of $412.00 and a 12 month high of $514.34. Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The company reported $5.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.60 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $42.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $42.19 billion. Elevance Health had a return on equity of 20.47% and a net margin of 3.49%. The businesss revenue was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $5.23 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Elevance Health, Inc. will post 37.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Elevance Health Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. This is a positive change from Elevance Healths previous quarterly dividend of $1.48. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.27%. Elevance Healths dividend payout ratio is 23.52%. Elevance Health Company Profile (Free Report) Elevance Health, Inc operates as a health benefits company. The company operates through four segments: Commercial & Specialty Business, Government Business, CarelonRx, and Other. It supports consumers, families, and communities across the entire care journey connecting to the care, support, and resources to lead healthier lives. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Elevance Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Elevance Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CenterBook Partners LP grew its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW Free Report) by 124.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 45,386 shares of the medical research companys stock after buying an additional 25,157 shares during the quarter. CenterBook Partners LPs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $3,144,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in EW. Truvestments Capital LLC raised its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 260.0% during the second quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 270 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 195 shares in the last quarter. Castleview Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Edwards Lifesciences during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Northwest Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in Edwards Lifesciences in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Jackson Grant Investment Advisers Inc. bought a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences during the third quarter worth about $38,000. 79.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have recently commented on EW. Mizuho increased their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $57.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. StockNews.com raised shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $78.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $83.00 to $68.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Edwards Lifesciences has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $87.38. Edwards Lifesciences Trading Up 0.1 % Shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock traded up $0.06 during trading on Monday, hitting $86.10. 2,122,100 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,208,088. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 3.38 and a quick ratio of 2.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $51.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.32 and a beta of 1.04. The firms fifty day moving average price is $77.44 and its 200 day moving average price is $73.48. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a 1-year low of $60.57 and a 1-year high of $94.87. Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The medical research company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.64. The firm had revenue of $1.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.50 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 23.35% and a return on equity of 23.56%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.64 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, SVP Robert W.A. Sellers sold 12,210 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.00, for a total transaction of $1,062,270.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 13,087 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,138,569. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Edwards Lifesciences news, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 14,510 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.55, for a total value of $1,110,740.50. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 19,248 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,473,434.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Robert W.A. Sellers sold 12,210 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.00, for a total value of $1,062,270.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 13,087 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,138,569. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 174,889 shares of company stock worth $13,685,420. Corporate insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock. About Edwards Lifesciences (Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Valueworks LLC decreased its stake in Tidewater Inc. (NYSE:TDW Free Report) by 10.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 382,629 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 43,717 shares during the period. Tidewater makes up 9.9% of Valueworks LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest position. Valueworks LLC owned 0.72% of Tidewater worth $27,193,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of TDW. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in shares of Tidewater by 36.0% in the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,021 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc acquired a new position in shares of Tidewater in the third quarter worth about $51,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of Tidewater in the third quarter worth about $71,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of Tidewater by 46.1% in the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,489 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $83,000 after acquiring an additional 470 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank acquired a new position in shares of Tidewater in the second quarter worth about $90,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.19% of the companys stock. Get Tidewater alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets TDW has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com cut Tidewater from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Pickering Energy Partners initiated coverage on Tidewater in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Finally, Johnson Rice began coverage on Tidewater in a research note on Friday, February 9th. They set a buy rating and a $88.00 price objective on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Tidewater currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $88.50. Tidewater Price Performance NYSE TDW traded down $1.59 on Monday, reaching $67.96. 569,300 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 639,182. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $68.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $65.83. The company has a quick ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The company has a market cap of $3.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 51.10 and a beta of 1.18. Tidewater Inc. has a 12 month low of $37.76 and a 12 month high of $77.53. Tidewater Profile (Free Report) Tidewater Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore support vessels and marine support services to the offshore energy industry through the operation of a fleet of marine service vessels worldwide. It provides services in support of offshore crude oil and natural gas exploration, field development, and production, as well as windfarm development and maintenance, including towing of and anchor handling for mobile offshore drilling units; transporting supplies and personnel necessary to sustain drilling, workover, and production activities; offshore construction, and seismic and subsea support; geotechnical survey support for windfarm construction; and various specialized services, such as pipe and cable laying. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Tidewater Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tidewater and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TFB Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Free Report) by 7.7% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 8,682 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 617 shares during the quarter. TFB Advisors LLCs holdings in Unum Group were worth $427,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Unum Group by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 61,304 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,932,000 after acquiring an additional 2,370 shares during the period. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC increased its stake in Unum Group by 33.2% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 15,247 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $480,000 after purchasing an additional 3,799 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. bought a new stake in Unum Group during the 1st quarter valued at about $348,000. Bank of Montreal Can increased its stake in Unum Group by 61.5% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 76,618 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,422,000 after purchasing an additional 29,166 shares in the last quarter. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. bought a new stake in Unum Group during the 1st quarter valued at about $227,000. 79.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Unum Group alerts: Unum Group Price Performance Shares of UNM stock traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $48.73. The company had a trading volume of 1,402,600 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,440,358. Unum Group has a 52-week low of $36.27 and a 52-week high of $52.15. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $46.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $46.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.27 and a quick ratio of 0.29. The company has a market capitalization of $9.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.51, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 0.87. Unum Group Dividend Announcement Unum Group ( NYSE:UNM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.79 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.86 by ($0.07). Unum Group had a return on equity of 16.03% and a net margin of 10.36%. The company had revenue of $3.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.14 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.43 EPS. Unum Groups quarterly revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Unum Group will post 8.21 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 16th. Investors of record on Friday, January 26th were given a $0.365 dividend. This represents a $1.46 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.00%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 25th. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 22.50%. Unum Group declared that its board has approved a share buyback program on Tuesday, October 31st that authorizes the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 5.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Unum Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $55.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of Unum Group from $59.00 to $54.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Unum Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Unum Group from $61.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Unum Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $55.44. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on UNM Insider Buying and Selling In other Unum Group news, EVP Puneet Bhasin sold 8,188 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.39, for a total transaction of $347,089.32. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 54,318 shares in the company, valued at $2,302,540.02. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.77% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Unum Group Company Profile (Free Report) Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block and Corporate segments. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Unum Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unum Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC decreased its position in Polaris Inc. (NYSE:PII Free Report) by 2.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 20,559 shares of the companys stock after selling 514 shares during the quarter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs holdings in Polaris were worth $2,141,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of PII. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Polaris by 41.7% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 274,342 shares of the companys stock worth $28,570,000 after purchasing an additional 80,788 shares during the period. FMR LLC increased its stake in Polaris by 318.1% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 10,428 shares of the companys stock worth $1,086,000 after purchasing an additional 7,934 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Polaris by 35.6% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 114,630 shares of the companys stock worth $11,938,000 after purchasing an additional 30,114 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Polaris during the third quarter valued at approximately $282,000. Finally, Kestra Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Polaris by 21.9% during the third quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,094 shares of the companys stock valued at $322,000 after buying an additional 556 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.36% of the companys stock. Get Polaris alerts: Polaris Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:PII traded down $0.91 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $92.02. 649,100 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 766,388. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 1.39. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $91.38 and a 200 day moving average of $97.65. The company has a market cap of $5.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.58 and a beta of 1.60. Polaris Inc. has a one year low of $82.00 and a one year high of $138.49. Polaris Increases Dividend Polaris ( NYSE:PII Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The company reported $1.98 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.67 by ($0.69). The company had revenue of $2.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.25 billion. Polaris had a return on equity of 40.98% and a net margin of 5.63%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.46 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Polaris Inc. will post 7.98 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st will be given a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.87%. This is a boost from Polariss previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. Polariss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.89%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on PII shares. Roth Mkm reduced their target price on Polaris from $122.00 to $95.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Polaris from $100.00 to $103.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. KeyCorp reduced their target price on Polaris from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Morgan Stanley raised Polaris from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price target for the stock from $103.00 to $113.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, TheStreet cut Polaris from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Polaris presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $102.11. Get Our Latest Research Report on PII Polaris Profile (Free Report) Polaris Inc designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets powersports vehicles in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Off-Road, On-Road, and Marine. The company offers off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles and side-by-side vehicles; military and commercial ORVs; snowmobiles; motorcycles; and moto-roadsters, quadricycles, and boats. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PII? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Polaris Inc. (NYSE:PII Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Polaris Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Polaris and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 110.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 28,266 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 14,845 shares during the period. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $2,571,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Stone House Investment Management LLC increased its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 55.3% during the second quarter. Stone House Investment Management LLC now owns 177 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S in the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 165.3% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 199 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Lee Financial Co purchased a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Steward Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. 6.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Performance Shares of NVO traded up $2.26 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $124.01. 6,609,400 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,996,321. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 1-year low of $67.66 and a 1-year high of $124.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $556.50 billion, a PE ratio of 45.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.82. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $107.96 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $88.66. Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The business also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.664 per share. This is a boost from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.22. This represents a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. Novo Nordisk A/Ss payout ratio is currently 22.92%. NVO has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group started coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $140.00 price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. They set an overweight rating and a $120.00 price target on the stock. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Novo Nordisk A/S presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $121.25. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on NVO Novo Nordisk A/S Profile (Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S, a healthcare company, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products worldwide. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity care, and Rare Disease. The Diabetes and Obesity care segment provides products in the areas of insulins, GLP-1 and related delivery systems, oral antidiabetic products, obesity, glucagon, needles, and other chronic diseases. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Estabrook Capital Management grew its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 135,788 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 3,147 shares during the quarter. Estabrook Capital Managements holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $5,548,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter valued at $2,049,693,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 129,312.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 26,287,479 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,085,410,000 after acquiring an additional 26,267,166 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors increased its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 69.1% in the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 61,833,769 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,638,987,000 after acquiring an additional 25,268,032 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 1,478.6% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 8,390,611 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $406,609,000 after acquiring an additional 7,859,100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the 1st quarter valued at $345,861,000. Institutional investors own 72.47% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. Odeon Capital Group downgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $48.80 price objective on the stock. in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $51.00 price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $51.43. Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance Shares of Wells Fargo & Company stock traded down $0.13 on Monday, reaching $51.91. The stock had a trading volume of 24,359,700 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,727,807. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1 year low of $35.25 and a 1 year high of $52.45. The company has a market cap of $188.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The businesss 50 day moving average is $49.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $44.38. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by ($0.30). Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.40% and a net margin of 16.60%. The firm had revenue of $20.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.30 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.67 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.72 EPS for the current year. Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 2nd will be issued a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 1st. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is 29.05%. About Wells Fargo & Company (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandes Investment Partners LP reduced its position in Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH Free Report) by 2.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,193,149 shares of the companys stock after selling 33,727 shares during the quarter. Cardinal Health accounts for approximately 2.0% of Brandes Investment Partners LPs holdings, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Brandes Investment Partners LPs holdings in Cardinal Health were worth $103,589,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Covestor Ltd raised its position in Cardinal Health by 59.8% in the 2nd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 294 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the period. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC bought a new position in Cardinal Health in the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Cardinal Health in the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. Retirement Group LLC grew its stake in Cardinal Health by 1,539.3% in the 4th quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 459 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 431 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ICA Group Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Cardinal Health in the 4th quarter worth about $41,000. 86.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Cardinal Health alerts: Cardinal Health Trading Down 0.5 % Shares of NYSE CAH traded down $0.49 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $104.45. The company had a trading volume of 2,341,200 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,247,558. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $104.13 and its 200 day simple moving average is $97.61. The stock has a market cap of $25.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.12, a P/E/G ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.69. Cardinal Health, Inc. has a 1 year low of $68.53 and a 1 year high of $111.40. Cardinal Health Dividend Announcement Cardinal Health ( NYSE:CAH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.56 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $57.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $57.02 billion. Cardinal Health had a net margin of 0.30% and a negative return on equity of 57.44%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.32 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Cardinal Health, Inc. will post 7.29 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 1st will be issued a $0.5006 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.92%. Cardinal Healths dividend payout ratio is currently 78.74%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CEO Deborah Weitzman sold 36,642 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.31, for a total transaction of $3,895,411.02. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 35,202 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,742,324.62. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. TheStreet downgraded shares of Cardinal Health from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 27th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Cardinal Health from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Argus upgraded shares of Cardinal Health from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Barclays began coverage on shares of Cardinal Health in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. They set an overweight rating and a $117.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Cardinal Health in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. They set an underweight rating and a $96.00 price objective on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Cardinal Health has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $101.38. Get Our Latest Research Report on CAH Cardinal Health Company Profile (Free Report) Cardinal Health, Inc operates as a healthcare services and products company in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It provides customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices, and patients in the home. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CAH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cardinal Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cardinal Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC lessened its position in shares of New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:NYCB Free Report) by 5.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,705,947 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 258,434 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC owned about 0.65% of New York Community Bancorp worth $53,365,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NYCB. Hsbc Holdings PLC acquired a new position in New York Community Bancorp during the third quarter worth $114,000. ClariVest Asset Management LLC increased its stake in New York Community Bancorp by 10,082.1% during the third quarter. ClariVest Asset Management LLC now owns 76,366 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $866,000 after acquiring an additional 75,616 shares during the last quarter. CenterBook Partners LP acquired a new stake in New York Community Bancorp during the third quarter worth about $493,000. CI Investments Inc. grew its stake in shares of New York Community Bancorp by 147.9% in the third quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 22,419 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $254,000 after buying an additional 13,376 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pearl River Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of New York Community Bancorp in the third quarter valued at about $2,013,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.52% of the companys stock. Get New York Community Bancorp alerts: New York Community Bancorp Stock Performance Shares of New York Community Bancorp stock traded down $0.03 during trading on Monday, reaching $4.90. The companys stock had a trading volume of 23,796,400 shares, compared to its average volume of 35,604,262. New York Community Bancorp, Inc. has a one year low of $3.60 and a one year high of $14.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.18. The firm has a market cap of $3.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 1.03. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $8.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $10.17. New York Community Bancorp Cuts Dividend New York Community Bancorp ( NYSE:NYCB Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The financial services provider reported ($0.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.29 by ($0.56). The firm had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $935.90 million. New York Community Bancorp had a net margin of 28.96% and a return on equity of 5.85%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.25 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that New York Community Bancorp, Inc. will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 13th. New York Community Bancorps payout ratio is 6.01%. Insider Buying and Selling at New York Community Bancorp In other New York Community Bancorp news, Director Peter Schoels bought 100,000 shares of New York Community Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $4.15 per share, with a total value of $415,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 147,438 shares of the companys stock, valued at $611,867.70. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other New York Community Bancorp news, Director Peter Schoels bought 100,000 shares of New York Community Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $4.15 per share, with a total value of $415,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 147,438 shares of the companys stock, valued at $611,867.70. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Lee Matthew Smith bought 25,000 shares of New York Community Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $4.05 per share, for a total transaction of $101,250.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,440,683 shares in the company, valued at $5,834,766.15. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have purchased 186,310 shares of company stock valued at $775,627. 1.62% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets NYCB has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded New York Community Bancorp from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $11.50 to $5.50 in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Bank of America cut New York Community Bancorp from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the company from $8.50 to $5.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered New York Community Bancorp from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $13.00 to $7.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Jefferies Financial Group lowered New York Community Bancorp from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $13.00 to $7.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, DA Davidson cut New York Community Bancorp from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $8.50 to $5.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, New York Community Bancorp currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $8.29. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on NYCB About New York Community Bancorp (Free Report) New York Community Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Flagstar Bank, N.A. that provides banking products and services in the United States. The company's deposit products include interest-bearing checking and money market, savings, non-interest-bearing, and retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NYCB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:NYCB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for New York Community Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New York Community Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Goldentree Asset Management LP lifted its stake in AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER Free Report) by 105.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,846,516 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 948,299 shares during the quarter. AerCap comprises about 12.2% of Goldentree Asset Management LPs portfolio, making the stock its 2nd largest holding. Goldentree Asset Management LPs holdings in AerCap were worth $115,721,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in AerCap by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 8,261,077 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $524,744,000 after purchasing an additional 269,167 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in AerCap by 11.7% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,134,878 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $199,127,000 after purchasing an additional 327,377 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in AerCap by 9.1% in the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 3,070,515 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $125,707,000 after purchasing an additional 257,011 shares in the last quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC lifted its holdings in AerCap by 18.9% in the 3rd quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC now owns 2,479,507 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $104,958,000 after purchasing an additional 394,717 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in AerCap by 13.5% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 2,318,601 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $116,579,000 after purchasing an additional 275,468 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.00% of the companys stock. Get AerCap alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays lifted their price target on AerCap from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on AerCap in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set an outperform rating and a $103.00 price target on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on AerCap from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $86.00. AerCap Trading Down 1.4 % NYSE AER traded down $1.07 during trading on Monday, hitting $77.64. The stock had a trading volume of 1,063,600 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,381,749. The company has a market capitalization of $16.31 billion, a PE ratio of 7.18, a PEG ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.85. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.90. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $75.09 and a 200 day moving average price of $67.31. AerCap Holdings has a twelve month low of $49.58 and a twelve month high of $79.01. About AerCap (Free Report) AerCap Holdings N.V. engages in the lease, financing, sale, and management of commercial flight equipment in China, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers aircraft asset management services, such as remarketing aircraft and engines; collecting rental and maintenance rent payments, monitoring aircraft maintenance, monitoring and enforcing contract compliance, and accepting delivery and redelivery of aircraft and engines; and conducting ongoing lessee financial performance reviews. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AER? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AerCap Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AerCap and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 723,265 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after purchasing an additional 32,966 shares during the period. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.07% of Canadian Natural Resources worth $46,772,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership purchased a new stake in shares of Canadian Natural Resources in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $960,796,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new stake in shares of Canadian Natural Resources in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $451,985,000. Bank of Nova Scotia lifted its position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 29.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 24,739,040 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,409,093,000 after acquiring an additional 5,684,896 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors lifted its position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 88.2% in the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 7,930,544 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $491,064,000 after acquiring an additional 3,716,523 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 6.2% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 40,235,475 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $2,493,796,000 after acquiring an additional 2,332,528 shares in the last quarter. 73.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Canadian Natural Resources alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts recently commented on CNQ shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from $101.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from $95.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $94.00. Canadian Natural Resources Stock Up 0.3 % Shares of CNQ traded up $0.20 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $63.12. 1,869,600 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,099,679. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $63.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of $63.86. Canadian Natural Resources Limited has a twelve month low of $48.81 and a twelve month high of $68.74. The stock has a market cap of $67.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.23 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Canadian Natural Resources Company Profile (Free Report) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CNQ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ Free Report) (TSE:CNQ). Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AMJ Financial Wealth Management trimmed its position in shares of Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:IRT Free Report) by 16.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,973 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 2,850 shares during the quarter. AMJ Financial Wealth Managements holdings in Independence Realty Trust were worth $211,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IRT. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Independence Realty Trust by 58.8% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 59,048 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,561,000 after acquiring an additional 21,858 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Independence Realty Trust by 174.1% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 19,091 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $504,000 after acquiring an additional 12,126 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in Independence Realty Trust by 104.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 190,015 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $5,102,000 after acquiring an additional 96,945 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Independence Realty Trust by 219.8% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 116,831 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,089,000 after acquiring an additional 80,293 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in Independence Realty Trust by 105.9% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 621,639 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $16,436,000 after acquiring an additional 319,772 shares in the last quarter. 85.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Independence Realty Trust alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have commented on IRT shares. JMP Securities cut their price target on shares of Independence Realty Trust from $20.00 to $15.00 and set a market outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Independence Realty Trust from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Independence Realty Trust in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a buy rating and a $18.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $15.00 price target (up previously from $14.00) on shares of Independence Realty Trust in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $17.83. Independence Realty Trust Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:IRT traded up $0.04 on Monday, reaching $15.56. 2,531,400 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,600,661. The company has a fifty day moving average of $15.14 and a 200-day moving average of $14.77. Independence Realty Trust, Inc. has a twelve month low of $11.61 and a twelve month high of $19.08. Independence Realty Trust Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 19th. Investors of record on Friday, December 29th were paid a $0.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.11%. Independence Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -914.16%. Independence Realty Trust Profile (Free Report) Independence Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: IRT) is a real estate investment trust that owns and operates multifamily communities, across non-gateway U.S. markets including Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Oklahoma City, OK, Nashville, TN, Houston, TX, and Tampa, FL. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IRT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:IRT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Independence Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Independence Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nierenberg Investment Management Company Inc. reduced its position in shares of KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) by 6.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 30,610 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 2,070 shares during the period. KBR accounts for about 1.3% of Nierenberg Investment Management Company Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. Nierenberg Investment Management Company Inc.s holdings in KBR were worth $1,804,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in shares of KBR in the second quarter valued at approximately $23,701,000. UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of KBR by 14.6% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 427,656 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $25,206,000 after buying an additional 54,623 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in KBR by 0.3% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,987,624 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $129,315,000 after purchasing an additional 6,899 shares during the period. California Public Employees Retirement System raised its stake in KBR by 1.6% during the second quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 777,429 shares of the construction companys stock worth $50,580,000 after purchasing an additional 12,420 shares during the period. Finally, Strs Ohio raised its stake in KBR by 212.1% during the third quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 89,524 shares of the construction companys stock worth $5,276,000 after purchasing an additional 60,840 shares during the period. Get KBR alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have weighed in on KBR shares. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of KBR from $65.00 to $63.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. KeyCorp assumed coverage on shares of KBR in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued an overweight rating and a $63.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on KBR from $75.00 to $66.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Citigroup boosted their price objective on KBR from $62.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, KBR currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $67.71. KBR Price Performance NYSE:KBR traded up $0.12 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $55.29. 2,012,700 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,256,267. KBR, Inc. has a one year low of $49.37 and a one year high of $65.87. The company has a market capitalization of $7.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -34.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.94. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $53.90 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $56.38. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. About KBR (Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Altshuler Shaham Ltd lowered its stake in shares of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT Free Report) by 99.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,248 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 2,046,979 shares during the period. Caterpillar accounts for approximately 0.1% of Altshuler Shaham Ltds portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest holding. Altshuler Shaham Ltds holdings in Caterpillar were worth $2,525,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC purchased a new stake in Caterpillar in the 3rd quarter valued at about $344,000. Provence Wealth Management Group grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 16.9% during the 3rd quarter. Provence Wealth Management Group now owns 1,937 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $529,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 33.0% during the 3rd quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 4,043 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,104,000 after purchasing an additional 1,003 shares during the period. Rathbones Group PLC grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 9.9% during the 3rd quarter. Rathbones Group PLC now owns 153,590 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $41,930,000 after purchasing an additional 13,834 shares during the period. Finally, CI Investments Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 17.6% during the 3rd quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 9,394 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,565,000 after purchasing an additional 1,408 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.20% of the companys stock. Get Caterpillar alerts: Caterpillar Stock Performance CAT traded down $1.16 during trading on Monday, reaching $321.91. 2,513,300 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,809,976. The stock has a market cap of $163.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.98, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.15. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $296.41 and a 200 day moving average of $275.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. Caterpillar Inc. has a 52 week low of $204.04 and a 52 week high of $334.87. Caterpillar Dividend Announcement Caterpillar ( NYSE:CAT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The industrial products company reported $5.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.76 by $0.47. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 56.99% and a net margin of 15.41%. The company had revenue of $17.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.06 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.86 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Caterpillar Inc. will post 21.18 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 22nd will be paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 19th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.62%. Caterpillars payout ratio is 25.82%. Insider Transactions at Caterpillar In other news, insider Lange Bob De sold 21,194 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $325.52, for a total value of $6,899,070.88. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 61,092 shares in the company, valued at $19,886,667.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, CFO Andrew R. J. Bonfield sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $310.10, for a total transaction of $3,101,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 57,317 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,774,001.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Lange Bob De sold 21,194 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $325.52, for a total value of $6,899,070.88. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 61,092 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,886,667.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 41,194 shares of company stock valued at $13,000,471. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have recently issued reports on CAT shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Caterpillar from $290.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Caterpillar in a research report on Monday, January 8th. They set an equal weight rating and a $270.00 price target on the stock. Tigress Financial boosted their price target on Caterpillar from $282.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. StockNews.com raised Caterpillar from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on Caterpillar from $255.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $288.61. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Caterpillar About Caterpillar (Free Report) Caterpillar Inc manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in the United States and internationally. Its Construction Industries segment offers asphalt pavers, compactors, road reclaimers, forestry machines, cold planers, material handlers, tractors, excavators, telehandlers, motor graders, and pipelayers; compact track and multi-terrain, wheel, track-type, backhoe, and skid steer loaders; and related parts and tools. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CAT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Caterpillar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Caterpillar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 200.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 40,377 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 26,930 shares during the period. UniSuper Management Pty Ltds holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $21,688,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Baystate Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 688.2% during the 2nd quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,736 shares of the companys stock worth $1,752,000 after acquiring an additional 3,262 shares during the period. Rooted Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth about $220,000. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,205,501 shares of the companys stock worth $7,111,568,000 after purchasing an additional 338,077 shares in the last quarter. Liontrust Investment Partners LLP bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter worth about $8,326,000. Finally, Armstrong Fleming & Moore Inc bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth about $357,000. 81.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $805.00 to $950.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $680.00 to $810.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, TheStreet cut shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen 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 a consensus target price of $655.50. Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance LLY stock traded up $24.28 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $782.06. 5,009,300 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,432,464. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $636.56 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $592.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.05. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $309.20 and a 52 week high of $794.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $742.42 billion, a PE ratio of 134.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.32. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.19. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 50.78%. The business had revenue of $9.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.95 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.09 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.5 EPS for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.66%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is presently 89.66%. Insider Activity In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 78,573 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $648.07, for a total transaction of $50,920,804.11. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 99,333,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $64,375,262,246.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders sold 195,055 shares of company stock worth $125,254,657 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cardiff Park Advisors LLC increased its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO Free Report) by 0.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 161,097 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 1,169 shares during the period. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF accounts for about 0.8% of Cardiff Park Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. Cardiff Park Advisors LLCs holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $6,317,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of VWO. Regis Acquisition Inc. lifted its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 61.3% in the third quarter. Regis Acquisition Inc. now owns 182,137 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $7,142,000 after acquiring an additional 69,197 shares during the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC lifted its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 32.2% in the third quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 33,435 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,310,000 after acquiring an additional 8,135 shares during the last quarter. Rathbones Group PLC lifted its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 17.3% in the third quarter. Rathbones Group PLC now owns 275,446 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $10,800,000 after acquiring an additional 40,679 shares during the last quarter. PAX Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 24.9% during the third quarter. PAX Financial Group LLC now owns 24,565 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $963,000 after buying an additional 4,896 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 34.1% during the third quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,545 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $139,000 after buying an additional 901 shares during the last quarter. Get Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF alerts: Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Stock Performance Shares of VWO traded up $0.20 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $41.09. 8,155,700 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 10,969,552. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $40.30 and its 200-day moving average price is $40.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.69. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a 12 month low of $37.46 and a 12 month high of $43.10. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Company Profile The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index, that measures the return of stocks issued by companies located in emerging market countries. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VWO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Several analysts have recently updated their ratings and price targets for WPP (LON: WPP): 2/15/2024 WPP had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Shore Capital. 2/1/2024 WPP had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Shore Capital. 1/31/2024 WPP had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Barclays PLC. They now have a GBX 1,000 ($12.63) price target on the stock. 1/31/2024 WPP had its price target raised by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 850 ($10.74) to GBX 890 ($11.24). They now have a neutral rating on the stock. WPP Price Performance Shares of WPP traded up GBX 1 ($0.01) during midday trading on Monday, hitting GBX 783 ($9.89). 2,355,518 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,380,131. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 187.82, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 754.71 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 742.19. The firm has a market cap of 8.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,597.96, a PEG ratio of 14.22 and a beta of 1.14. WPP plc has a one year low of GBX 656 ($8.28) and a one year high of GBX 1,082 ($13.67). Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, insider Thomas Ilube bought 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 719 ($9.08) per share, with a total value of 14,380 ($18,161.15). Corporate insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock. WPP plc, a creative transformation company, provides communications, experience, commerce, and technology services in North America, the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Global Integrated Agencies, Public Relations, and Specialist Agencies. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for WPP plc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WPP plc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has held a meeting with Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz in Munich at the initiative of the latter, Azernews reports. During the meeting, they exchanged views on bilateral relations. The German side expressed readiness to support the peace agenda between Armenia and Azerbaijan and organize relevant meetings in Germany in this regard on a goodwill basis. Olaf Scholz noted that the compromises reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding COP29, and the conduct of COP29 in Azerbaijan, create favorable opportunities and conditions for advancing the peace agenda. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev then held a joint meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan at the initiative of the German Chancellor. The Chancellor of Germany delivered an opening speech at the meeting. He emphasized that Germany supports the peace agenda between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the mission led by President of the European Council Charles Michel. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 19. The trade volume between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan for the whole of last year amounted to $563.06 million, Trend reports. According to data from Kazakhstan's Bureau of National Statistics, the volume of trade turnover between the countries increased by 28 percent over the specified period compared to the same period in 2022, when it amounted to $438.69 million. During this period, Turkmenistan's exports to Kazakhstan amounted to $165.88 million, marking a 68 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022, when they stood at $98.33 million. Turkmenistan's share in Kazakhstan's total imports during the reporting period was 0.3 percent, compared with 0.2 percent for the whole of 2022. At the same time, Turkmenistan increased imports from Kazakhstan by almost 17 percent for the whole of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 (from $340.35 million to $397.17 million). Turkmenistan accounted for 0.5 percent of total exports from Kazakhstan, compared with 0.04 percent recorded in 2022. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's trade turnover for the whole of last year amounted to $139.83 billion, which is almost 3.2 percent more than in the same period of 2022, when it amounted to $135.52 billion. A Limerick community is rallying to help 7-year-old Noah Twomey battle with leukaemia. The little boy was diagnosed with leukaemia just before Christmas. Since then, Noah has been undergoing painful treatments. His parents, Robert and Linda Twomey, and their family saw their world turned upside down after one phone call. Three heart stopping words about their 7 year old son Noah was anyone's worst nightmare - Noah has Leukaemia. This call came 2 weeks before Christmas. The family should have been getting ready for Santa and his reindeer but instead they were finding themselves in hospital wards, in total shock, disbelief, and devastated for their little boy," the family explained. Before undergoing treatment, Noah used to play GAA with bundles of energy. Now, he is battling for his life. Their world was now a harsh reality about chemotherapy. For Noah, instead of his next training session or match for his beloved Croom GAA or Croom FC he was now on a journey of painful treatments of chemotherapy, blood transfusion, lumbar punctures and bone marrow aspirations. Robert and Linda have been informed it will take 2 to 3 years for Noah to be fully recovered from T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia after treatments. Noah has always battled hard on the field with bundles of energy and lots of pride. Now his battle is for his life," the family added. Recently, Noah was in Crumlin where he suffered from "unexpected complications" with his liver and kidneys, due to the severity of the chemotherapy. "We the extended Twomey and O'Connell family feel powerless and are hoping to raise significant funds for this resilient family. The reality is Robert and Linda are both self employed with their household income reduced so they can be with Noah and care for him in Dublin," said the family on GoFundMe. "Not all superheros wear capes, but sometimes superheros live in the hearts of small kids fighting big battles." You can donate to the fundraiser here. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 19. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kuwait hosted a meeting with Deputy Chairman, Head of Trade Sector of Al Mawashi Company Mutaz Yasin, Trend reports. During the meeting, Mutaz Yasin was acquainted with detailed information on large-scale changes implemented in Uzbekistan, privileges provided for export of Uzbek products, favorable conditions created for foreign importers. As a result of the meeting, it was decided to organize online negotiations between the representatives of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Agriculture and Al Mawashi Company to discuss in practical terms the matters of import from Uzbekistan of products of interest to the Kuwaiti side. In addition, Mutaz Yasin plans to visit Uzbekistan in the near future for discussions with representatives of farms in the country, as well as to bring Uzbek honey products. Al Mawashi Company was established in Kuwait with 70 percent share of the state and 30 percent of the private sector in 1973. The company has more than 20 million square meters of farmland and about 35 retail stores. Al Mawashi imports 55,000 head of cattle and sheep from Australia and South Africa every month on its own two large ships. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 19. Uzbekistan and Russia considered matters related to the implementation of agreements and arrangements in the sphere of trade and economic cooperation, adopted following the Uzbek President's official visit to Russia on October 5-7, 2023, Trend reports. This was discussed at a meeting between Uzbekistan's president Shavkat Mirziyoyev with a delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia, Co-Chairman of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation Denis Manturov. At the beginning of the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov conveyed to the head of state sincere greetings and best wishes from Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, the sides noted with satisfaction that bilateral trade turnover grew by 6.6 percent last year. Projects in industry, energy, transport, metallurgy, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors are being implemented. The sides highly appreciated the fruitful results of the meetings of the intergovernmental commission and interregional, educational, and medical forums held in 2023. Special attention was paid to the importance of maintaining the growth rate of mutual trade as well as further promotion of cooperation projects, including on the platform of the International Industrial Exhibition "Innoprom. Central Asia," which will be held for the third time in Tashkent in April this year. Meanwhile, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Russia amounted to $9.8 billion in 2023. The share of Russia's investments and loans in 2023 in Uzbekistan's economy fell to 13.4 percent of total foreign investments in the country a year earlier (20.3 percent). BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) is using its nuclear industry to mitigate the effects of the sanctions imposed against Iran, said Vice President and AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami, Trend reports. VP noted that in the last three years, the AEOI has repaired various kinds of equipment in other sectors using its own vehicles and devices. These pieces of equipment are normally made and serviced by foreign firms, but the sanctions prevent them from doing so. Eslami also said that over 150 facilities in different industries, such as mining, oil, gas, petrochemicals, and cellulose, are using tools and equipment made by the AEOI. He announced that the AEOI plans to apply nuclear, laser, and plasma hybrid technologies to major industrial and economic projects. It should be noted that Irans nuclear program has various applications in fields like agriculture, health, electricity, and more, and that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in the nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium exploration to yellowcake production. On January 16, 2016, Iran's nuclear program triggered the creation of the JCPOA between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany). However, on May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany) and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018. Over the past period, the sanctions have affected Iranian oil exports and more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad. In late 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to implement a strategic plan to tackle the sanctions, citing the non-implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and six countries and the imposition of sanctions on Iran. According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, as of February 23, Iran suspended the implementation of additional steps and an additional protocol provided for in the nuclear deal. As a result, the control mechanism of the IAEA decreased by 2030 percent. --- Follow the author on X (Twitter):@BaghishovElnur This is the best round-up we've read of a recent Q&A from Kansas City's favorite politico, pundit and veteran rights activist. The deets are amazing and whilst he has many critics and political opponents . . . Most of them have never lifted a finger to help anybody whilst Kander's story involves rescuing an entire family. Accordingly . . . Here's the word: Kander, 42, is quick to deflect praise. Im not the hero of this story, he said. I was never in danger, I never got shot at. This is about these families. The story of Operation Bella is also one of diversity. Kander, raised in a Jewish household in Johnson County, going all out to rescue Muslims and getting them to Kansas City where they were welcomed by all, including the Christian community. I am so proud to be a Kansas Citian tonight, an emotional Lauren Weinhold, JVS chief external affairs officer, told the Union Station audience. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . The mission in India includes three stops: New Delhi (20-21 February), Mumbai (22 February), and Bangalore (23 February), where business forums and B2B meetings are planned between the approximately 70 Greek companies participating in the mission and busi Greece's Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy and Openness Kostas Fragogiannis is departing for India on Monday on a business mission, accompanied by the Secretary General of International Economic Relations and President of Enterprise Greece, Myra Myrogianni, ANA reports. The goal of Economic Diplomacy is the opening of Greek entrepreneurship to a huge and rapidly developing global market, as well as the general strengthening of the bilateral economic relations between Greece and India. The visit follows the successful visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Athens, last August, accompanied by powerful Indian business people, who had expressed a strong interest in enhancing their business ties with Greece. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Bazonka Many travelers look forward to experiencing Europe, a continent known for its historical significance, diverse cultures, and stunning scenery. If you plan to travel across this continent by train, there are several practical tips to keep in mind for a pleasant and efficient trip. Europe's railway network is extensive, connecting a wide range of countries and cities, and offers a convenient way to travel. If your plans include the charming streets of Paris, the historical sites of Rome, or the contemporary architecture of Berlin, trains provide an enjoyable and scenic mode of transport. However, understanding the European rail system can be a bit challenging, especially for those new to train travel. Choosing the Right Rail Pass When planning your train travel in Europe, selecting the right rail pass is essential. Europe offers a variety of passes, each catering to different needs. The Eurail Pass, for instance, is ideal for extensive travel across multiple countries, while single-country passes are perfect for those focusing on one destination. Assess your itinerary carefully to determine which pass best suits your European travel plans. Understanding Train Schedules In Europe, train schedules can be intricate but are usually well-organized. Before you travel, familiarize yourself with the European train timetable. This knowledge will help you plan your connections and make informed decisions about departure times. Remember, trains in some parts of Europe may not run as frequently on weekends or holidays, so plan accordingly. Packing for Train Travel Packing efficiently is key for train travel in Europe. Space on European trains varies, so a compact and lightweight suitcase is recommended. Pack essentials like a travel pillow, snacks, and a water bottle for longer journeys. Keep your documents, such as your passport and rail pass, in a secure and accessible place. Related Article: These are the Places in Europe You Must Visit Before They Become Popular Station Navigation Train stations in Europe can be large and sometimes confusing. Allow extra time to locate your platform and board your train, especially in major cities. Many European stations have information desks where you can get help and guidance if needed. Booking Train Tickets In Europe, booking train tickets in advance can be smart, especially during peak travel seasons. While last-minute bookings are possible, securing your tickets early often means better availability and sometimes even lower prices. Remember to keep your tickets handy in digital format on your smartphone or as a printed copy. Onboard Etiquette Understanding and respecting onboard etiquette is important when traveling by train in Europe. Be mindful of noise levels, especially in quiet zones. Keep your belongings organized and avoid occupying extra seats with luggage. If dining onboard, be considerate of others around you and clean up after yourself. Enjoying the Scenery One of the joys of train travel in Europe is the scenery. Train travel offers a unique perspective on Europe's diverse beauty, from rolling countryside and coastal views to urban landscapes. Consider choosing a window seat to enjoy the views fully. For longer journeys, walking through the train can be a pleasant way to stretch your legs and see different vistas. Exploring Beyond the Rails While train travel in Europe is an adventure in itself, exploring beyond the rail lines can enrich your experience. Research the areas surrounding the train stations for hidden gems, local eateries, and cultural attractions. Sometimes, the most memorable experiences are just a short walk or a quick local transit ride from the station. Read Also: Travel Tips: Restaurant Tipping Etiquette Around Europe A lot of people associate North Macedonia with its history and peaceful landscapes. Yet, this Balkan country has more to offer, especially in the charming town of Ohrid. Located by Lake Ohrid, this town is a must-see destination on your travel list. In Ohrid, you will find a mix of cultural heritage and natural beauty. The town is famous for its medieval churches, like St. John at Kaneo, located dramatically on a cliff above Lake Ohrid. With Travelers Today, you will explore some incredible sights you must visit when you're in North Macedonia, specifically in Ohrid. St. John at Kaneo Church One of the most iconic sites in Ohrid, North Macedonia, is the St. John at Kaneo Church. Situated on a prominent cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid, this church is a symbol of the town. Built in the traditional Byzantine style, the church dates back to the 13th century. Its location offers a panoramic view of the lake and surrounding mountains, creating a perfect background for photos. Inside, you can see remnants of frescoes, though most have faded with time. Visiting this church gives you a glimpse into the religious history of North Macedonia and its architectural heritage. Ancient Theatre of Ohrid The Ancient Theatre of Ohrid is another must-visit spot. Dating back to the Hellenistic period, this theatre was once used for performances and gladiatorial games during Roman times. Rediscovered in the 20th century, it has been partially restored and is now a venue for concerts and festivals. Walking through the rows of seats, you can feel the centuries of history beneath your feet. This ancient structure showcases the cultural and historical layers of Ohrid, making it a key attraction in North Macedonia. Related Article: These are the Best Places in North Macedonia You Shouldn't Miss Samuel's Fortress Samuel's Fortress stands tall as a testament to Ohrid's medieval past. Originally built on the foundations of an earlier fortress, it was reconstructed by Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria in the 10th century. The fortress offers a stunning view of the town and Lake Ohrid. It is a great place to explore and understand the military history and strategic importance of Ohrid in the past. The walls and towers of the fortress are well-preserved, allowing you to experience a piece of North Macedonia's historic military architecture. Ohrid's Old Bazaar For a taste of local life in Ohrid, North Macedonia, the Old Bazaar is the place to go. This bustling marketplace is filled with shops selling traditional crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs. You can also find a variety of local food and drink to sample. The bazaar's narrow, cobblestone streets are lined with buildings reflecting the town's Ottoman past. The atmosphere here is lively and colorful, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the locals and the culture of North Macedonia. The Bay of Bones Museum The Bay of Bones Museum is an exceptional open-air archaeological complex recreating life from over 3,000 years ago. Located on the shores of Lake Ohrid, it represents a reconstruction of a prehistoric pile-dwelling settlement. The museum also includes an underwater archaeological site where many artifacts were discovered. Visiting this museum provides a unique opportunity to learn about the prehistoric inhabitants of North Macedonia and their way of life. The museum not only educates but also immerses you in a different time, offering a distinct and memorable experience. Read Also: These Temples are Worth a Visit When in Chiang Mai, Thailand Jovial Journeys offers various travel packages for an unforgettable experience when visiting Lungchu. As an experienced homestay in Lungchu, Jovial Journeys provides accommodations and travel options throughout the West Bengal region. (TRAVPR.COM) INDIA - February 18th, 2024 - Jovial Journeys, a travel agent, and homestay specialist provide various attractive travel packages for travelers seeking an unforgettable experience at an affordable cost. The Low-Cost Homestay in Lungchu service from Jovial Journeys offers the best experience while visiting the beautiful panorama in Lungchu. As a trusted travel agent, Jovial Journeys can arrange travel and accommodations for guests according to their budget and preferences. "Jovial Journeys is an experienced one-stop travel provider who can arrange all kinds of accommodations and your travel schedule in Lungchu. Lungchu offers extraordinary natural views, providing a calm atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of urban areas and work routines, said a Jovial Journeys representative. To make your trip even more enjoyable, the Jovial Journeys team is ready to provide the best service and homestay in Lungchu for you. Apart from Lungchu, Jovial Journeys is the right travel agent to start your journey in Kalimpong, one of the attractive tourist destinations in West Bengal, India. In Kalimpong, guests can enjoy the beautiful views of the Himalayan mountains, diverse flora, and fauna, which can make a trip to Kalimpong unforgettable. Jovial Journeys offers a range of personalized travel packages designed to cater to the diverse interests of travelers visiting Kalimpong. Whether an adventure seeker looking to trek through the rugged terrain of the Himalayas or a nature lover hoping to explore the lush greenery of the region, Jovial Journeys has something for everyone. One of the highlights of visiting Kalimpong is experiencing its rich cultural heritage. The town is home to several ancient monasteries and temples, each offering a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural traditions of the region. Guests can immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere of these sacred sites while marveling at their intricate architecture and serene surroundings. For those interested in outdoor activities, Kalimpong offers ample opportunities for adventure. From trekking and hiking to paragliding and river rafting, there's no shortage of adrenaline-pumping experiences to be had. The region's diverse topography provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and discover new thrills. In addition to its natural beauty and adventure sports, Kalimpong is also renowned for its vibrant markets and bustling streets. Guests can wander through the town's lively bazaars, sampling local delicacies and picking up souvenirs to commemorate their trip. With its breathtaking scenery, rich cultural heritage, and abundance of outdoor activities, Kalimpong truly offers something for everyone. And with Jovial Journeys as a trusted travel partner, visitors can rest assured that their journey to this enchanting destination will be nothing short of unforgettable. About Jovial Journeys Jovial Journeys is an experienced travel agent founded in 2020. Jovial Journeys consists of a professional team ready to serve guests professionally. Jovial Journeys will arrange transportation, accommodation, food, and tourist activities according to the tourist wishes and budget. For the need of an offbeat homestay in Kalimpong, enjoying the Himalayan mountains and the snowy Kanchenjunga mountain, Jovial Journeys will make a trip unforgettable and memorable. For further information for Homestay in Lungchu, please contact https://jovialjourneys.co.in/homestay-in-lungchu/. ### BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and in compliance with the agreement it has with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman for Irans Foreign Ministry, Trend reports. He made this statement at a news conference in Tehran today (February 19), in response to a recent remark by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Reportedly, Rafael Grossi claimed that Irans nuclear program lacked full transparency. Iran urges Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to avoid making comments that are political and beyond his mandate, Kanaani said. The spokesman stressed that Iran has consistently affirmed that its nuclear program is for peaceful ends. He cited 15 reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency that confirmed that Irans nuclear activities are peaceful. Kanaani also noted that Iran has no interest in developing nuclear weapons as they are not part of its defense strategy. It should be noted that Irans nuclear program has various applications in fields like agriculture, health, electricity, and more, and that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in the nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium exploration to yellowcake production. On January 16, 2016, Iran's nuclear program triggered the creation of the JCPOA between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany). However, on May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany) and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018. Over the past period, the sanctions have affected Iranian oil exports and more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad. In late 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to implement a strategic plan to tackle the sanctions, citing the non-implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and six countries and the imposition of sanctions on Iran. According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, as of February 23, Iran suspended the implementation of additional steps and an additional protocol provided for in the nuclear deal. As a result, the control mechanism of the IAEA decreased by 2030 percent. --- Follow the author on X (Twitter):@BaghishovElnur BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. Iran is still in contact with the countries involved in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal signed in 2015, Spokesman for Irans Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani said at a press conference in Tehran on Feb. 19, the Trend reports. Kanaani noted that Irans goal is to revive the JCPOA, which requires the lifting of sanctions and the rejoining of the party that withdrew from the deal. The spokesman added that Iran is pursuing this objective through diplomatic means with the other JCPOA participants. On January 16, 2016, Iran's nuclear program triggered the creation of the JCPOA between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany). However, on May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany) and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018. Over the past period, the sanctions have affected Iranian oil exports and more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad. In late 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to implement a strategic plan to tackle the sanctions, citing the non-implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and six countries and the imposition of sanctions on Iran. According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, as of February 23, Iran suspended the implementation of additional steps and an additional protocol provided for in the nuclear deal. As a result, the control mechanism of the IAEA decreased by 2030 percent. --- Follow the author on X (Twitter):@BaghishovElnur Those people are our people too. The words of UNC Senator David Nakhid, following the deadly Over the past day, 80 combat engagements took place at the front. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted a morning report on its Facebook page, Ukrinform reported. During the day of February 18, there were 80x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 3x missile and 43x air strikes, 102x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Residential apartment blocks and private houses as well as other critical infrastructure were destroyed or damaged. Last night, the russian occupiers attacked Ukraine using 4x Shahed-136/131 UAVs. The Ukrainian Air Defense forces and means destroyed all of the enemy UAVs. Air strikes hit Vilkhuvatka, Petropavlivka, Borova (Kharkiv oblast), Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Rozdolivka, Zhelanne, Berdychi, Tonenke, Soloviove, Orlivka, Umanske, Semenivka (Donetsk oblast), and Mala Tokmachka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 100x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire. Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. Read also: Ukrainian Armed Forces repel 34 Russian attacks in Avdiivka direction over last day Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia). Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kupyansk axis: the enemy made 2x attempts to attack the positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Tabaivka (Kharkiv oblast). Lyman axis: the Ukrainian soldiers repelled 10x attacks of the adversary near Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, and southeast of Vyimka (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 8x attacks of the occupiers near Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x enemy attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Lastochkyne, and Pervomaiske (Donetsk oblast). Marinka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The invaders used air support as they made 18x attempts to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area. Novopavlivka axis: no adversary offensive (assault) operations reported. Zaporizhzhia axis: the enemy made 10x unsuccessful attempts to attack the positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Read also: Defense forces repel 14 attacks on left bank of Dnipro overnight Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold their positions and repel the assaults of the occupation forces. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. For instance, the adversary launched 16x unsuccessful assaults during the day of February 18. At the same time, the Ukrainian soldiers conduct active operations to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation troops, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line. During the day of February 18, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 4x concentrations of enemy troops. On top of that, in the eastern sector, Ukrainian Air Defense destroyed 1x Su-34 fighter-bomber and 1x Orlan-10 reconnaissance UAV. As reported, in the south, Russian troops are using the tactics of precision missile strikes, drone attacks, and artillery shelling continue. Finland's President-elect Alexander Stubb has said that the war with Ukraine is too important for Putin, so Kyiv needs continuous military support. That's according to Yle, Ukrinform reports. "This war is too big for Putin to fail, and that's what makes it quite problematic. The only thing that Putin understands is power. You show any weakness any soft elements and he will attack," Stubb said. He said that support for Ukraine must be continuous, both economically and militarily, noting that arms deliveries are a current challenge. Stubb, who served as foreign minister in 2008 when Russia invaded Georgia, suggested that Georgia was a minor issue for Vladimir Putin, while the war in Ukraine is not. He also pointed out that Russia must be held accountable for the war in Ukraine and the death of Alexei Navalny. He, however, said it was difficult to say how accountability would be achieved. "I personally hope that China would get involved. They now are in the driver's seat in the relationship with Russia," he said. Asked by the press if the West had failed in backing Ukraine, Stubb said, "if the West had failed to support Ukraine, it would no longer exist." The Finnish leader also said that he had received an invitation to Kyiv following a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference this weekend. Photo: Ritzau Scanpix/Niels Christian Vilmann Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has said that the West must confiscate frozen Russian assets before the presidential election in the United States. That's according to Estonian broadcaster ERR. "Elections are always turbulent time. It's always better to do everything we can before important elections," Kallas told the Financial Times newspaper on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Estonia has long advocated the confiscation of these assets, but Paris and Berlin have been cautious due to concerns about the legality of such a move, its implications for financial stability and possible retaliation. According to Kallas, the seizure of the Russian assets is seen as another opportunity that, along with military aid to Ukraine and measures to isolate Russia politically, could help end the war. "This is economic pressure we can place on the Russian economy to hasten the breaking point of this war," she said. Last year, the EU created a damage register to record evidence and claims of damage caused to Ukrainian individuals, companies and the state due to the Russian invasion. Kallas said frozen Russian funds could be used to cover those losses: "If there is anything left over, we can give it back to Russia," she said. According to journalists, Kallas' words are another sign of European concern about how the possible return of Donald Trump to the White House could affect Western policy towards Russia and support for Ukraine. Trump's likely nomination as the Republican nominee in this year's U.S. presidential election has spooked many in Europe, especially after the businessman said he would tell Russia to do "whatever it wants" to NATO countries that are not spending enough on defense needs. Washington is pushing its allies to find ways to confiscate some EUR 260 billion in Russian Central Bank assets that were frozen in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago. About EUR 191 billion of Moscow's assets are held in the Brussels securities depository Euroclear. Photo: Kaja Kallas / Twitter facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published February 19, 2024 CAPTION:Three ULM wildlife biology students participated in the University Hunt Program with Delta Waterfowl. Pictured L-R: Jordan Konicki, Makayla Holman, Ariana Paulk MONROE, LA Three ULM wildlife biology students recently had their first duck hunting experience thanks to a partnership with Delta Waterfowl. The University Hunting Program provides students with first-hand experience of hunting culture and wildlife management. The ULM biology program was approached by Delta Waterfowl and offered the opportunity to establish the program at ULM. Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Ana Couvillon and Delta Waterfowl Hunter Recruitment Coordinator Aidan Flores were instrumental in bringing the program to ULM. The three students who participated in the program were Jordan Konicki, Makayla Holman, and Ariana Paulk. Each student went through an online hunter safety course, paid for by Delta Waterfowl. The students then participated in a shooting skills day, where they had an opportunity to shoot a shotgun for the first time and to practice safe firearm handling techniques. All firearms and shells were provided by Delta Waterfowl. Finally, the students participated in a duck hunt on private property in December 2023. They were accompanied by the instructors and experienced hunting guides along with their retriever dogs. Participant Jordan Konicki describes the experience as one he will remember for the rest of his life. This experience allowed me to meet others who feel the same way I do and to speak with experts in my field of study, said Konicki. I was able to gain first-hand knowledge on the need for wildlife management and the important roles the species play in the surrounding environment, he continued. Understanding ethical hunting practices is critical to students who are going into the fields of wildlife management or natural resource conservation, said Couvillon. This experience is important for students because it not only provides insights into the tradition of ethical land management and conservation, but it also highlights the fragility of our food systems and our dependence on healthy populations of natural resources, she added. Flores says the program is important because the majority of students pursuing wildlife, natural resources, and environmental science-related degrees no longer come from a rural background and more than 70% have never been hunting. The University Hunting Program is not only designed to recruit new hunters but also to educate the student participants on the hunter's role in conservation, the history behind hunting, the heritage passed down through generations, comradery with friends and family, and the overall positive impacts hunting has economically, environmentally, and ecologically, said Flores. Couvillon notes that the tradition of hunting can be out of reach for many if they do not have family or friends who are willing to serve as mentors and teachers. It can be expensive to get into as it requires a lot of equipment. This program is designed to give all a taste of what it's like to be a hunter and to engage in a friendship-building experience. For those who have always wanted to try and possibly continue hunting and for those who simply want the experience but do not plan to become active hunters, this program provides a new perspective on natural resources, ethics in food harvest, and land management, she said. The students who go through our program are the future game wardens, biologists, managers, researchers, policymakers, lobbyists, and soon-to-be professionals in the field of wildlife conservation, said Flores. We believe that providing students with this experience will give them the tools they need to continue hunting if desired, but more importantly, positively impact their decision-making with hunters in mind in their future careers, he continued. Both Couvillon and Flores are excited about the future of the University Hunting Program partnership between ULM and Delta Waterfowl. We would like the program to serve as one of the highlights that helps recruit wildlife and ecology students to the ULM biology program, said Couvillon. Our goal is the lessons taught by our professors and mentors in and out of the classroom, on the range, or in the field will, will have a positive impact on students view of hunting, life, and future careers, added Flores. I would encourage students to take full advantage of this opportunity in the future, said Konicki. Students interested in participating in the University Hunting Program in the future can contact Dr. Ana Couvillon at couvillon@ulm.edu or (318) 342-1853. | By Laura Lee A new partnership among Operation Smile, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD), and the University of Rwanda School of Dentistry aims to provide much-needed dental care in Rwanda over the next three years. (L-R) Charles Ntageruka, second chancellor, Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda; Kayihura Muganga Didas, acting vice chancellor, University of Rwanda; UMSOD Dean Mark Reynolds; UMB President Bruce Jarrell; William Magee, CEO emeritus, Operation Smile; Kathy Magee, CEO, Operation Smile The organizations signed a three-year memorandum of understanding to establish a dental education and patient care program in Rwanda focusing on people born with cleft lip and palate. A cleft condition can create severe health issues for a child including malnutrition and starvation if its not treated. Rwanda currently has 5,000 cleft palate patients awaiting treatment. Operation Smile, a nonprofit co-founded by UMSOD alumnus William Magee, DDS, MD, is a leading global nonprofit bridging the gap in access to essential surgeries and health care, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care. The University of Rwanda School of Dentistry is the only dental school in the east African nation of 12 million. It graduated its first class in 2018 when it added 10 new dentists to the countrys 40 oral health professionals. According to UMSOD Dean Mark A. Reynolds, DDS, PhD, MA, the partnership will offer opportunities for faculty and student mentorship, education, and research. The program will include exchanges enabling UMSOD and Rwandan faculty and students to learn from one another. Faculty and student exchanges between the two universities are slated each year. This impactful partnership aligns with our vision to shape faculty and student development through global patient care, research, and public service, Reynolds said. Qoot Alkhubaizi, MS, ABGD, UMSOD clinical associate professor and program director, Advanced Education in General Dentistry, explained the partnership will expose UMSOD residents and faculty to craniofacial dentistry while providing care to Rwandan pediatric and adult patients. Its an opportunity for our residents and faculty to become future volunteers and educators to address the need in Rwanda, Alkhubaizi said. For Rwanda, the collaboration provides access to dental expertise and resources from UMSOD, one of the top dental schools in the United States. The partnership with University of Maryland is extremely valuable because the dentistry school here at Maryland is the best, said Kayihura Muganga Didas, acting vice chancellor at the University of Rwanda. We want to raise the bar in education. Magee said Rwandas 5,000 cleft patients will benefit from consistent, specialized care. Children unite us, Magee said. When you provide hope through something like a smile, they carry that message. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. A delegation of the Iranian parliament will visit Azerbaijan on February 19 in order to participate in the session of the Asian Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Trend reports. To note, the delegation of the Iranian parliament, consisting of several MPs, will also participate in the meetings of the sub-committees of the assembly. The 14th plenary session of the Asian Inter-Parliamentary Assembly will be held in Baku on February 20-24, 2024. The assembly was founded in 2006. --- Follow the author on X (Twitter):@BaghishovElnur In response to mounting concerns over the financial sustainability of Ontario's post-secondary institutions, the provincial government has announced plans to provide "financial support" to colleges and universities. This move comes as part of an effort by Queen's Park to address the long-term viability of these institutions amid significant budgetary challenges. The decision follows a comprehensive review conducted by a blue ribbon panel tasked with examining the financial landscape of the province's 47 publicly assisted colleges and universities. The panel, formed in March 2023, highlighted several key issues contributing to the sector's precarious financial situation. Among these concerns were the ramifications of a 10 per cent tuition cut and subsequent freeze implemented by the Ford government in 2019, coupled with a history of underfunding in post-secondary education. The panel concluded that these factors posed a "significant threat" to the viability of Ontario's colleges and universities. READ ALSO: Canada Contemplates Caps on International Student Visas Amidst Housing Crisis In response to the panel's findings, recommendations were put forward to address immediate funding needs and establish a sustainable financial framework for the future. Key proposals included a one-time increase of 10 per cent in per-student funding for the upcoming fiscal year, along with incremental funding increases of at least two per cent annually. Additionally, the panel recommended a multi-year tuition framework, with proposed increases of at least five per cent in 2024-25, followed by two per cent increments in subsequent years. While tuition hikes remain a contentious issue, particularly amid concerns over affordability, the Ontario government has signaled its willingness to explore alternative avenues for financial support. A senior government source confirmed that the province's response to the panel's report would include financial assistance for colleges and universities. However, the extent to which these recommendations will be implemented remains unclear. Addressing Challenges in International Student Admissions In tandem with efforts to bolster financial support, the Ford government is also addressing challenges related to international student admissions. The imposition of a two-year cap on international students by the federal government has prompted concerns within the post-secondary sector. To mitigate the impact of these restrictions, Ontario is developing a new mandatory attestation system to verify university and college application approvals. The attestation system aims to streamline the application process for international students, providing a standardized framework for verifying application credentials. However, the province faces logistical hurdles in implementing this system, particularly in light of reduced quotas for international student permits. Ontario was recently dealt a 50 per cent reduction in the number of international student approvals, necessitating careful allocation of permits among institutions. Advocating for Policy Changes and Ensuring Financial Viability Amid these challenges, advocates for post-secondary institutions are calling for policy changes at both the provincial and federal levels. The Council of Ontario Universities has voiced concerns over the financial health of institutions, citing projected operating deficits and a growing reliance on international student admissions. Additionally, there are calls for adjustments to federal policies to ensure the financial viability of colleges and universities. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, however, has indicated a reluctance to revisit recent policy changes, emphasizing the government's commitment to quality education. Despite these assurances, the Ford government remains vigilant, cautioning that even with provincial allocations for international students, there are no guarantees of visa approvals. As Ontario continues to navigate these complex issues, the future of its post-secondary sector hinges on collaborative efforts to address financial challenges and ensure accessibility to quality education for all. RELATED ARTICLE: Breaking Boundaries: Transnational Education (TNE) as a Catalyst for Inclusive Global Learning Crimson Education (CE), a prominent university admissions consultancy firm, has launched a financial assistance program named Crimson Access Opportunity (CAO) for Filipino students aspiring to enroll in United States universities in 2024. READ ALSO: Planning To Study Abroad? Here Are Things Aspiring International Students Should Think About Aid Program Details Under the 2024 CAO scheme, which began accepting applications on February 1, 2024, CE aims to provide exceptionally talented Filipino students with free access to its admissions assistance services tailored for top US universities. The application deadline for this program is April 1, 2024. In a statement, CE acknowledged the rigorous competition and low acceptance rates characteristic of US university admissions. To address these challenges, the consultancy offers expert guidance from former admissions officers and consultants who graduated from leading US universities, ensuring applicants receive comprehensive support in navigating the intricate application process. Context and Need The US Embassy in Manila notes an increasing number of Filipino students pursuing education in the US, emphasizing the demand for high-quality international education. Market projections by Statista indicate a growing trend of Filipinos seeking assistance from educational consultancies to enhance their chances of admission to prestigious global universities. The need for such assistance is underscored by the competitive landscape of international admissions, where gaining acceptance to top-tier universities requires not only academic excellence but also a nuanced understanding of the application process. CE's CAO program aims to bridge this knowledge gap and empower talented Filipino students to successfully navigate the complexities of US university admissions. Philosophy Behind CAO CE Philippines Country Manager Joanne Gao underscores the firm's commitment to leveling the educational playing field and ensuring financial constraints do not hinder deserving students from realizing their academic goals. The CAO initiative, launched in 2020, aims to dismantle barriers to world-class university education by providing comprehensive support to underprivileged yet high-achieving students. Success and Impact Since its inception, CAO has supported over 250 students across 60 countries, facilitating admissions into prestigious Ivy League institutions. Notably, CAO students have secured merit-based scholarships totaling $35 million in 2021 and 2022, indicating the program's significant impact on students' academic and financial prospects. Testimonials and Achievements CAO's success stories include students securing admissions to renowned universities such as Princeton, Stanford, Columbia, and Harvard, among others. In 2022, CAO students received four offers from Harvard University alone, highlighting the program's effectiveness in navigating the competitive landscape of US university admissions. Continued Support and Guidance CAO extends its support beyond admissions assistance, offering expert guidance on securing scholarships and financial aid to alleviate the financial burden on students. The program's holistic approach aims to empower students to excel academically and pursue their educational aspirations without financial constraints. With the launch of the 2024 CAO program, Crimson Education reaffirms its commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities to talented Filipino students. By offering comprehensive support and financial assistance, CAO aims to empower students to fulfill their academic potential and contribute positively to society. As the application deadline approaches, aspiring students are encouraged to explore this unique opportunity that not only opens doors to renowned institutions but also nurtures their academic and personal growth. For more information on the CAO program, visit Crimson Education's page. RELATED ARTICLE: Breaking Boundaries: Transnational Education (TNE) as a Catalyst for Inclusive Global Learning BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 19. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported a new attack on a ship off the coast of Yemen, Trend reports. "UKMTO was notified of an incident 60 nautical miles north of Djibouti [in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait]. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident. Vessels are advised to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity to the UKMTO," the statement says. The incident, which the UKMTO classifies as an attack, was reported by the ship's captain. In a disheartening turn of events, a number of professors at Saint Augustine's University have resorted to canceling classes due to ongoing payroll issues, creating a wave of concern and uncertainty among students and administrators alike. READ ALSO: Southern Accreditation Turmoil: Five Universities Placed on Probation for Financial and Governance Issues Interim President's Reassurances Amidst the upheaval, Interim President Marcus H. Burgess has stepped forward to address the pressing concerns, assuring the university community that classes will continue as scheduled despite the financial challenges currently faced by the institution. Saint Augustine's University, a private historically Black university in North Carolina, finds itself at a crossroads dealing with financial woes and accreditation challenges. The recent cancellation of classes by some faculty members has not only disrupted the academic routine but has also heightened anxieties about the future stability of the university. Earlier this week, reports surfaced revealing that several professors took the drastic step of unilaterally canceling classes due to delays in receiving their pay. Understandably, this unexpected development has left students and their families deeply concerned about the continuity of education and the overall well-being of the university. Commitment to Academic Excellence In response to the apprehensions and confusion circulating the campus, Interim President Marcus H. Burgess issued a statement aimed at reassuring the university community. Burgess emphasized that, despite the challenges, classes will proceed as scheduled. In an email to campus constituents, he urged students to remain actively engaged in their studies and encouraged participation in class discussions. "I encourage all students to continue actively engaging in their studies, participate in class discussions, and make the most of the diverse educational opportunities available," Burgess wrote. "Our commitment to academic excellence remains unwavering, and we look forward to your continued diligence and dedication to your educational pursuits." Burgess also took the opportunity to express gratitude to the faculty, staff, and others for their unwavering support during this challenging time. Recognizing their pivotal role in the university's mission, he acknowledged the resilience and dedication of those working towards the betterment of Saint Augustine's University. Struggles with Accreditation and Discrimination Complaint Unfortunately, the payroll issues are not the only challenges that Saint Augustine's University is contending with. In December, the university faced a severe blow as it was stripped of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College (SACSCOC) due to governance and financial concerns. However, it's worth noting that SAU remains accredited as it actively appeals the decision, signifying a glimmer of hope amid the turmoil. Adding to the university's complexities, a discrimination complaint has been filed by its former president, Christine McPhail. McPhail alleges that the predominantly male Board of Trustees discriminated against her and other Black women during her tenure. This additional legal challenge further compounds the intricate web of issues facing Saint Augustine's University. As the institution navigates through these turbulent waters, the resilience and determination of its students, faculty, and administration will prove pivotal in overcoming the obstacles and steering Saint Augustine's University towards a brighter and more stable future. The coming days will undoubtedly test the collective strength and commitment of the university community. RELATED ARTICLE: Former Saint Augustine President Pleads Hostile Work Environment and Discrimination The Goldwater Institute, a conservative think tank, has taken legal action against the U.S. Department of Education, seeking access to emails and records related to the department's decision to levy a hefty $37.7 million fine on Grand Canyon University. The move comes amidst allegations of collaboration between federal agencies and concerns regarding transparency and due process. Allegations of Misleading Practices and Largest Fine of Its Kind In a significant development last October, the Education Department accused Grand Canyon University, a prominent Christian institution, of misleading thousands of students about the true costs associated with its doctoral programs. This accusation led to the imposition of a staggering $37.7 million fine, marking one of the largest fines of its kind in the realm of higher education. The Goldwater Institute promptly sought access to relevant documents and communications through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, aiming to shed light on the decision-making process behind this substantial penalty. However, the Education Department's failure to comply with the FOIA request prompted the Goldwater Institute to pursue legal recourse. READ ALSO: FTC Sues Grand Canyon University, Alleging Deceptive Practices Targeting Doctoral Students Controversy Surrounding Federal Agencies' Collaboration and Allegations of Targeting Both Grand Canyon University and the Goldwater Institute have raised concerns about potential collaboration between officials at the Education Department and counterparts at the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These allegations suggest a coordinated effort to target the university, possibly in retaliation for ongoing legal disputes and disagreements regarding the institution's nonprofit status. By pursuing access to pertinent records and emails, the Goldwater Institute aims to uncover any evidence of interagency collaboration and ensure transparency in the regulatory process. Challenging Regulatory Decisions and Defending Academic Integrity Grand Canyon University, which transitioned from a for-profit to nonprofit status in 2018 with IRS approval, has faced significant regulatory hurdles in its quest for federal financial aid eligibility. Despite legal challenges and accusations of misrepresentation, the university remains committed to upholding its academic integrity and defending its reputation. By appealing the Education Department's unprecedented fine, Grand Canyon seeks to contest the allegations and safeguard the interests of its students and stakeholders. Demand for Disclosure and Transparency Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the Goldwater Institute seeks disclosure of key communications and records, including emails exchanged between relevant officials at the Office of Federal Student Aid and the Federal Trade Commission. Additionally, the institute requests access to data regarding the volume and nature of complaints lodged against Grand Canyon's doctoral programs. By advocating for transparency and accountability in the regulatory process, the Goldwater Institute aims to uphold the principles of due process and fairness. Support for Legal Action and Defense of Academic Freedom Grand Canyon University stands firmly behind the Goldwater Institute's legal efforts, emphasizing the importance of defending academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The university asserts that the Education Department's actions and punitive measures are unwarranted and unjustified, posing significant challenges to the institution's mission and commitment to excellence in higher education. Despite the ongoing legal battle, Grand Canyon remains focused on serving its students and fostering a supportive learning environment. Awaiting Regulatory Response and Advocating for Student Rights As the legal proceedings unfold, both Grand Canyon University and the Goldwater Institute await a formal response from the Education Department regarding the release of requested documents and records. In the pursuit of justice and accountability, these entities remain steadfast in their advocacy for student rights, academic integrity, and transparency in higher education governance. RELATED ARTICLE: US Education Department Investigates Alleged Discrimination at George Mason University and UNC-Chapel Hill (@FahadShabbir) The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Monday invited applications from Pakistani Zaireen interested in attending the annual Urs of Mujadid Alif Sani in Sirhind Sharif, India ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2024) The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Monday invited applications from Pakistani Zaireen interested in attending the annual Urs of Mujadid Alif Sani in Sirhind Sharif, India. Muhammad Umar Butt, spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, stated that the deadline for submitting applications on new form is February 29. Applications on old forms will not be accepted. Applicants must include a non-refundable bank draft of one thousand rupees (Rs.1000), payable to the Ministry, with their applications. If the number of applications exceeds 200, a lucky draw will be held on March 28. The Urs events are scheduled from August 29 to September 04 this year, he added. Further details about the Urs and application forms are available on the ministry's official website and Facebook page, he added. PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2024) Heavy downpour across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had resulted in tripping of various grid stations in different regions of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) and suspension of power supply in Peshawar, Mardan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Swat and Swabi. PESCO spokesperson said that on the instructions of PESCO Chief Executive Officer Akhtar Hameed Khan, the field staff has been put on high alert and deployed for restoration of necessary maintenance work. He said that as soon as the intensity of rain decreases, the process of power restoration would be started. The company has appealed to the consumers to extend cooperation and stay away from electrical installations during rain to avoid any incident. The spokesman urged people to dial PESCOs toll free Helpline 118 in case of any emergency. APP/adi Islamabad High Court's (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Monday said that journalists should do court reporting with more responsibility ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2024) Islamabad High Court's (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Monday said that journalists should do court reporting with more responsibility. He said the media was the fourth pillar of state and today was an era of electronic and social media after the print media. He was addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers of Islamabad High Court Journalists Association (IHCJA). The chief justice congratulated the new-elected body of IHCJA and said that the role of media was imperative to aware the public about court proceedings. The reporters should, however, avoid reporting of unnecessary and irrelevant discussions during the hearings. He said that when a court gave a verdict it became a matter of public domain. The verdicts could be criticized but at the same time the facts should be reported correctly. The chief justice said that they were answerable as public office-holders. Errors in decisions could be possible and that was the reason that the people used to approach the apex court. "Every institution has its own respect," he said, adding that only the facts should be reported instead of personal criticism. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq reiterated that he could understand the compulsion of the media-persons that they required some "spicy content", but it was important for them to do a responsible and standard journalism. TV channels mostly did discussions on court remarks instead of the judgments, he added. The chief justice, however, appreciated the court reporters for doing responsible and quality journalism. IHCs Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, President Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) Naveed Hayat Malik, Additional Attorney General Munawar Dogal, Deputy Attorney General Raja Arsahd Kayani, Assistant Attorney General Azmat Bashir Tarar, Secretary General RIUJ Asif Bashir Chaudhry, senior journalists Saghir Ahmed Chaudhry, Aamer Saeed Abbasi, Afzal Javed, President Supreme Court Press Association Aqeel Afzal and others also attended the ceremony. (@FahadShabbir) BEIJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2024) The new building of the Yinxu Museum at the Yin Ruins, the site of the last capital of the Shang Dynasty (1600 B.C.-1046 B.C.), will open to the public on Feb. 26. The announcement was made at a press conference held by the National Cultural Heritage Administration on Monday in Beijing. The museum, located in the city of Anyang in central China's Henan Province, will showcase nearly 4,000 items or sets of cultural relics, including bronzeware, pottery, jade objects, and oracle bones. The exhibition features a vast quantity and diverse range of cultural artifacts, with over three-quarters of the relics making their debut appearances. The Yin Ruins is the first documented late Shang Dynasty capital site in China, as confirmed by archaeological excavations and oracle bone inscriptions. It is also the ancient capital site with the highest frequency of archaeological excavations and the longest duration of exploration in China. The expanded Yinxu Museum is the first national major archaeological museum to comprehensively present the Shang civilization. (@Abdulla99267510) CJP Isa remarks that it is not possible; such joke cannot be with the Supreme Court, directing the relevant officials to produce the petitioner before the court on the next date of hearing. ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Feb 19th, 2024) Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa on Monday ordered to produce a petitioner who moved a plea to declare the February 8 general elections as null and void. CJP Isa expressed serious remarks over absence of the petitioner while heading a three-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali During the proceedings, Chief Justice Isa queried the whereabouts of the petitioner, Brigadier (retired) Ali Khan, who purportedly submitted a plea to retract his petition against the general elections on February 13. The CJP remarked, We will hear this petition. Such actions are not acceptable before the Supreme Court,. It cant be, CJP Isa remarked when the court was informed that the petitioner was absent. The court was informed by its staff that despite attempts to contact the petitioner via his cellphone and address, they were unable to establish communication. Chief Justice Isa questioned the motives behind the petitioner's actions, pointing out the apparent publicity surrounding the plea since its filing. Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, CJP Isa directed the relevant Station House Officer (SHO) to ensure compliance with the court's order to produce the petitioner on the next date of hearing. The court put off further hearing till February 21 and gave time to the relevant officials to produce the petitioner before it. Selydove, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2024) Olena Obodets rushed to the hospital in east Ukraine moments after a Russian missile tore into its maternity ward last week, sparking a frantic evacuation of dozens of patients in the dead of night. Days after the strike in the town of Selydove that killed a 36-year-old pregnant woman, a mother and her nine-year-old son, she dabbed her eyes with tissue as she recounted seeing the hospital's caved-in roof and building on fire. "Tears. Nightmare. Fear," she said. The bombardment was just one horror in a months-long Russian onslaught that saw Vladimir Putin's forces last week capture the nearby battered industrial hub of Avdiivka, 30 kilometres (20 miles) to the east. Apart from handing Moscow its first significant victory in nearly a year, the advances have renewed an agonising choice for Ukrainians in places like Selydove that could be next: flee now, or hope their struggling army can save them. "I'm hearing a lot of people in the town talking about whether they're going to evacuate or not," the 42-year-old told AFP, the acrid smell of charred concrete hanging in the winter air, mixing with dull thuds of distant artillery. "People are afraid. My daughter asks me every day -- every day -- to evacuate, but I tell her the time hasn't yet come," said Obedets, who has worked at the hospital for eight years. PHNOM PENH, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2024) Cambodia on Monday broke ground for the construction of a bridge across the Bassac River in the southern part of the capital Phnom Penh, with funds from China. The ceremony was presided over by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian and attended by officials, local authorities, residents and students. The bridge, measuring 845.7 meters in length and 27 meters in width, along with an 804.3-meter connecting road, will be built by the Shanghai Construction Group under China's concessional loan and is expected to be completed in 42 months. Hun Manet said the bridge, connecting Meanchey district in the west with Chbar Ampov district in the east, will play an important part in dealing with the rising numbers of people and vehicles in the capital. The Cambodian prime minister emphasized the positive impacts of China-funded transport infrastructure projects on both internal connectivity and regional integration with neighboring countries. Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2024) Alexei Navalny's widow will meet European foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, EU officials announced, as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva cautioned against rushing to judgement over his death. The 47-year-old Kremlin critic died in an Arctic prison on Friday after spending more than three years behind bars, prompting outrage and condemnation from Western leaders and his supporters. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he would welcome Yulia Navalnaya to the bloc's Foreign Affairs Council on Monday. "EU Ministers will send a strong message of support to freedom fighters in Russia" and "honour" Navalny's memory, he added on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday. Navalny was Russia's most prominent opposition leader and garnered a huge following as he campaigned against corruption under President Vladimir Putin. In the hours following the announcement that her husband had died, Navalnaya, who had not seen him in two years, said she held Putin personally responsible. She called on the international community to "unite and defeat this evil, terrifying regime". Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Navalnaya's words "will make us feel the threat that weighs on Russian citizens and on every region of our Europe", where "violence, brutality, and war have been shamefully and irresponsibly returned". But Lula's comments marked a sharp contrast to the messages coming out of many Western capitals, whose leaders have directly or indirectly blamed Putin for Navalny's death. Speaking to reporters in Addis Ababa, where he was attending an African Union summit, Lula said it was important to avoid "speculation" and await the results of an autopsy. "If you judge now and say I-don't-know-who ordered the killing and it wasn't them, afterwards you have to apologise. Why the rush to accuse?" Navalny could have been sick or had a health problem, said Lula, warning against "trivialising" accusations of murder. Lula has faced criticism in the West as overly soft on Putin, his fellow leader in the BRICS group -- which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa but recently expanded to include several other emerging powers. Lula, 78, has been critical of the US and European responses to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying Kyiv shares the blame for the conflict and refusing to join Western sanctions on Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Western leaders on Friday of "absolutely unacceptable" and "hysterical" reactions to Navalny's death. The US ambassador to Moscow visited a makeshift shrine to Navalny on Sunday, as Russian authorities suppressed memorials and tributes to him. Lynne Tracy was pictured at the Solovetsky Stone, a monument to political repression that has become a major site of tributes for Navalny. At a separate makeshift memorial known as the "Wall of Grief", a bronze monument to Soviet-era repression, police had set up fences in a bid to ward off mourners. Several dozen police officers could be seen standing nearby, but some people were allowed to enter through the fence and lay flowers, an AFP reporter saw. Rights groups say police have detained more than 400 people at gatherings paying tribute to the opposition figure. In several cities around Europe, Navalny supporters continued to pay tribute to him Sunday. In Germany, people laid flowers and candles at a memorial in front of the Russian embassy in Berlin. In Romania, a similar tribute appeared outside the Russian embassy in Bucharest. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 20. The High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Relations and Security Policy Josep Borrell expects that the 13th package of anti-Russian sanctions will be approved before February 24, Borrell said at a press conference following a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Trend reports. "We discussed the 13th package of sanctions. I hope it will be approved before February 24," he said. It is reported that the 13th package of sanctions may include 193 individuals and legal entities. Anti-Rwanda demonstrators burned Western countries' flags on Monday in the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, accusing them of supporting Kigali through the M23 rebels, an AFP journalist saw Goma, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2024) Anti-Rwanda demonstrators burned Western countries' flags on Monday in the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, accusing them of supporting Kigali through the M23 rebels, an AFP journalist saw. Fighting between the mostly Tutsi M23 rebellion and Congolese government forces has flared in recent days around the town of Sake, 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Goma in North Kivu province. The DRC, the UN and Western countries say Rwanda is supporting the rebels in a bid to control vast mineral resources, an allegation Kigali denies. Several dozen demonstrators, some draped in the DRC flag with red bands around their heads, trampled on the flags of the United States, the European Union, France and Poland. "We are in the street to denounce the crimes of which the Congolese are victims," Espoir Mwinuka, an activist with the Lucha (Struggle for Change) movement, told AFP. "Rwanda kills us every day and is supported by the international community, which is why we burned these flags," he added. They carried placards, reading: "Stop the massacres in the DRC", "France = M23/Rwanda", "To be silent is to be an accomplice". The demonstrators, mainly young men, marched from the city centre to the road leading to Sake before turning back. Dozens of soldiers and civilians have reportedly been killed or wounded in the latest fighting, which pushed tens of thousands of civilians towards Goma. On Saturday, the Congolese army accused Rwanda of using "drones" to attack Goma airport. The demonstration was banned by Goma's city hall but took place peacefully, with no clashes between police and army forces. Sporadic fighting was reported at the frontline town of Sake on Monday. A "bomb" fell at around midday in the Kanduki neighbourhood on the town's outskirts, killing a 12-year-old child and injuring five civilians, local sources said. "One person died and five others were injured," Joseph Maombi Mubiri, mayor of central Sake told AFP by telephone from Goma. He said the "bomb" came from an area around Sake where the M23 rebels are. "The victim who died is a child of 12 years old. The injured have been taken to Sake health centre and were due to be transported to Goma," Leopold Busanga, a civil society leader said. Militias have plagued the eastern DRC for decades, a legacy of regional wars fought in the 1990s and the early 2000s. Kabul, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2024) An avalanche has killed at least six people and trapped 30 more in the eastern Afghan province of Nuristan, a provincial official said on Monday, after swaths of the country saw heavy snowfall. "It is still snowing. Rescue efforts are under way and the number of dead may increase," provincial head of information and culture Jamiullah Hashimi told AFP. The avalanche swept through the village of Nakre in the Tatin valley of Nuristan overnight on Sunday, blanketing homes in snow and rubble. Around 20 houses were destroyed or heavily damaged, Hashimi added. "Due to clouds and rain, the helicopter cannot land in Nuristan," said Maulvi Mohammad Nabi Adel, the head of public works in the province, adding that snow had blocked one of the main roads into the province, making "the rescue operation difficult". Nuristan province, which borders Pakistan, is mostly covered by mountainous forests and hugs the southern end of the Hindu Kush mountain range. This year, the arrival of snow was delayed across much of Afghanistan, which is accustomed to harsh winters. The exceptionally low level of rain in a country that relies heavily on agriculture has forced many farmers to delay planting. Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest countries, wracked by decades of war, prone to natural disasters and vulnerable to extreme weather events linked to climate change. The Gulf Blue Navigator Program Selects Six Startup Companies Mon, 02/19/2024 - 09:30am | By: Gabriela Shinskie The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) - with the support of its partners, the USM Research Foundation, NVision Solutions Unmanned Coast, and Jackson State University - has selected Cohort 1 of blue technology startup companies for the unique Gulf Blue Navigator program. This group follows a pilot cohort of six companies that jump-started the program from November 2022-April 2023. These blue-tech startups are provided an opportunity to operate in a unique region of the United States, characterized by a complex body of water. The Gulf of Mexico presents distinct challenges and conditions, which allows startups to explore new applications and refine the capabilities of their platforms. Additionally, startups can enrich their experience by interacting with individuals who already confront these challenges daily. This comprehensive program provides access to local assets to shorten the development timeline for blue technology startups. Scaling startups will gain market access while engaging with university, industry, state, and federal partners, and potential customers. The Gulf Blue Navigator provides access to state-of-the art research facilities, wet-labs, co-working space, mentors and networking, and year-round access to warm coastal waters. The new cohort is focused on uncrewed systems. The selection committee started with a pool of over 260 potential applicants, narrowed the total applicant pool to 16 applicants across three countries to select the final six. Each will receive support for their costs for the program, including travel to the Gulf Coast over the four-month program. The startup companies include: Oscilla Power Inc.: Developing an advanced wave energy converter that can power an uncrewed vessel and unlock the tremendous renewable energy potential of the worlds oceans. (HQ: Washington) V2 Forensics: Developing innovations to access, extract, decrypt and parse data logs with high detail. The results are a single platform to reduce complexity and time when investigating uncrewed vessel activity as well as advance cybersecurity. (HQ: Mississippi) Levanta Tech.: Developing a versatile drone that can float on the ocean, collect data, and fly swiftly on demand. (HQ: Missouri) Mythos AI Inc.: Developing advanced automation and self-driving for vessels to increase the resiliency of our waterways and solve the workforce shortage. (HQ: Florida) BLUEiQ: Creating dual-use passive acoustic sensing to protect biodiversity, reduce effects of anthropogenic noise on marine life, and enhance ocean safety and security. (HQ: Massachusetts) SeaSats, Inc.: Developing high endurance, modular construction, and portability combine with a user-driven UI and easy payload integrations to create a uniquely powerful uncrewed surface vessel package. (HQ: California) Each of the five out of state companies has registered with the Mississippi Secretary of State and now has an office location in the Gulf and Ship Island Building in downtown Gulfport, MS. The goal of the program is to further their growth and expansion in the region. Participants in the Gulf Blue Navigator will benefit from NVisions global network of expertise and success with the Unmanned Coast Cluster, along with USMs renowned facilities, faculty and staff. The program includes advanced interactive workshops taught by practitioners in the field, site visits and introductions with large industry and federal agencies, co-working space at the historic Gulf and Ship Island Building in Gulfport, and customized mentorship to meet the needs of each startup. A few successes from the previous pilot cohort include that five of the six pilot cohort companies remain reengaged in the region. Three of the companies are working on manufacturing efforts with local industry partners and 4 have signed agreements for working with USM. Additionally, two are actively seeking to locate facilities in the region to expand. The Cohort 1 program will kick off the week of February 19th with the group participating in a business-to-business event with potential regional partners, suppliers and manufactures, and customers. They will learn firsthand about the regions blue economy industry sectors to help them identify potential business opportunities and resources to grow their company. The Gulf Blue Navigator is made possible by the participation, support and financial contributions of our sponsors and partners who assist with recruitment, selection, curriculum, mentoring and more. This project was paid for in part with federal funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act). About the organizations: The USM Research Foundation is a Mississippi non-profit corporation formed in 1998 and is administered and operated exclusively for the benefit of The University of Southern Mississippi. The foundation supports and enhances the research mission of the University by promoting the increase of useful knowledge and encourages the development of intellectual property owned by the University. The foundation also provides support to the University by managing research contracts, coworking space and entrepreneurial programs. Unmanned Coast, a program of NVision Solutions, Inc., coordinates business activities among companies supporting unmanned systems on the Mississippi Coast. Unmanned Coast supports the growing unmanned system operational and development needs of this industry driven by the US Department of Defense, US Department of Homeland Security, and science agencies. Unmanned Coast advocates for member businesses providing expanded opportunities for doing business with the government and broadening the footprint along the gulf coast and beyond into other industries and markets. We specialize in partnering and teaming businesses to win contracts. Jackson State University, founded in 1877, is a historically black, high research activity university located in Jackson, the capital city of Mississippi. Jackson States nurturing academic environment challenges individuals to change lives through teaching, research and service. Officially designated as Mississippis Urban University, Jackson State continues to enhance the state, nation and world through comprehensive economic development, healthcare, technological and educational initiatives. The only public university in metropolitan Jackson, Jackson State is located near downtown, with five satellite locations throughout the area Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov has sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov, Azernews reports. Aripov congratulated Asadov on his appointment as Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan and wished him success in his future activities. The letter expresses hope for close cooperation in realization of important tasks set before the governments of the two countries by the Heads of State for further development of Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan relations of friendship, brotherhood and strategic partnership. A. Aripov also noted that he is confident that the agreements reached in transport and logistics, energy, industrial, agricultural, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres will be consistently realized. Vietnam-Austria Trade Overview The EVFTA has changed the face of trade between Vietnam and the European Union. In this article, the Vietnam Briefings considers the specifics of what this has meant for trade between EU member Austria and Vietnam. Last year, Austrias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg, paid a visit to Hanoi, another in a long line of many European politicians to make the trip. This interest in Vietnam is being driven by increasingly integrated trade between the European Union and the Southeast Asian nation on the back of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Whereas this has boosted trade broadly between the EU and Vietnam, in this article we look in detail at exactly what it has meant for trade between Austria and Vietnam. Trade rules and regulations between Austria and Vietnam EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) The EVFTA is an ambitious pact set to eliminate almost 99 percent of customs duties between the EU and Vietnam. This agreement is expected to increase Vietnams GDP by 4.6 percent and its exports to the EU by 42.7 percent by 2025, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI). The European Commission also forecast the EUs GDP to increase by US$29.5 billion as a result of the agreement. EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) Currently in the works is the EVIPA. This agreement would help to protect European enterprises investing in Vietnam and vice-versa. Currently, the agreement still needs to be ratified by a number of European nations. Austrias exports to Vietnam Austrias biggest exports to Vietnam in 2023 were pharmaceuticals; machine, equipment, tools and instruments; and glass and glassware. Collectively these three items accounted for US$211 million of Austrias exports to Vietnam out of a total US$393 million. Austrias exports to Vietnam in 2023 Description Value US$ Other products 105,520,720 Pharmaceutical products 93,863,073 Machine, equipment, tools and instruments 86,833,501 Glass and glassware 18,550,436 Computers, electrical products, spare-parts and parts thereof 17,097,015 Yarn 16,849,835 Iron and steel 11,528,768 Chemicals 9,189,300 Iron and steel products 8,324,423 Paper 7,096,070 Other base metals 6,892,292 Wheats 4,111,993 Textile, leather and foot-wear materials and 2,454,965 Pharmaceutical materials 1,259,887 Total 392,951,928 Source: General Department of Customs Vietnams exports to Austria Vietnams exports to Austria far outweigh its imports from Austria. This is in large part due to Vietnams emerging role as a manufacturing powerhouse. Specifically, Telephones, mobile phones and parts thereof; machine, equipment, tools and instruments; and footwear made up the bulk of Vietnams exports to Austria. These three items account for US$2.17 billion out of a total of US$2.54 billion worth of exports to Austria from Vietnam. Vietnams exports to Austria in 2023 Description Value US$ Telephones, mobile phones and parts thereof 1,912,271,845 Other products 327,599,602 Machine, equipment, tools and instruments 230,735,293 Footwear 30,744,420 Textile, leather and footwear materials and auxiliaries 21,984,974 Textiles and garments 12,242,304 Wood and wooden products 1,126,077 Ceramic products 160,256 Bamboo and rattan products 86,748 Total 2,536,951,520 Source: General Department of Customs Vietnam-Austria trade moving forward Trade between Vietnam and the European Union in the wake of the passage of the EVFTA has flourished and this is clearly evident in trade between Vietnam and Austria. Moving forward, as the EVFTA continues to see tariffs come down on a range of products, trade between these two nations should become even stronger. This may be further fortified by the EVIPA once ratified by the EUs member states. Overall, Vietnam and Austria have become important trading partners and this should continue long into the foreseeable future. With offices all over Asia, Austrian firms looking to invest in Vietnam should consult the experts at Dezan Shira and Associates. A visit by the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force to Baghdad has led to a pause in attacks on U.S. troops by Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, multiple Iranian and Iraqi sources told Reuters. Here's a look at Iraq's most influential Shiite parties and armed groups, who remain divided over how to address the presence of U.S. forces in the country: The coordination framework The ruling Shiite coalition of Iraqi parties and armed groups and main backer of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who came to power in October 2022. The members of this coalition compete for power and resources and often do not see eye-to-eye. They are united in opposition to powerful rival Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. The coalition has opposed attacks on U.S. forces since the outbreak of the Israel- Hamas war in Gaza, instead calling for their negotiated exit. Leaders include: Nouri al-Maliki A former two-term prime minister and leader of the Dawa party which dominated successive Iraqi governments after 2003. Maliki has close ties with Iran, which supported Dawa's opposition to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during the 1980s Iran-Iraq war. He has links with armed groups, deep state power and is Sadr's fiercest opponent. Hadi al-Amiri Leader of the Badr Organization, which started as a Shiite paramilitary group supported by Iran in the 1980s. Badr makes up a big part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), the heavily armed Iraqi state security agency that contains many Iran-backed factions who often operate outside the chain of command. Qais al-Khazali The former insurgent fought as part of Sadr's Mehdi Army against U.S. troops but split in 2006 to form his own armed group, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, which now holds a number of seats in parliament. Khazali's group is heavily armed and actively involved in social media groups which distribute the messaging of Iran-backed paramilitary factions. Haider al-Abadi and Ammar al-Hakim Two moderate Shiite politicians who do not openly support any armed factions. Hakim is a cleric whose uncle Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim led the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, a party founded in Iran that ran Iraq's interior ministry after the U.S. invasion. Abadi, a former prime minister, is a senior leader in the Dawa party who led Iraq to its defeat of ISIS in 2017. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq An umbrella group of hardline Shiite Muslim armed groups close to Iran, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed more than 150 attacks on bases housing U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq since October. Armed factions in this group are members of the PMF and have good relations with parties in the Coordination Framework. Its main factions are designated terrorist organizations by the U.S. The group includes: Kataib Hezbollah One of the armed factions closest to Iran. It fielded a party for the first time in 2021 elections and won several seats in parliament. Accused of being behind attacks on U.S. military and diplomatic targets in Iraq, it does not openly confirm or deny involvement. It was founded by Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in 2005. In 2020, Muhandis was killed by a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad along with Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani. Kataib Hezbollah has no publicly announced leadership structure, but its senior member Abdul Aziz al-Mohammedawi is the military chief of the PMF. Washington said it was behind a January attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. troops. Haraket Hezbollah al-Nujaba Formed as an offshoot of other armed groups, Nujaba has a strong presence in Syria, where it helped prop up the regime of President Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian civil war. It later fought Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Led by Akram al-Kaabi, it has announced a Golan brigade aimed at pushing Israeli forces from the Israel-occupied Golan Heights. Kataib Sayyed al Shuhada Smaller than the other two groups, this armed faction also fought in Syria to support Assad and later against Islamic State. It has at least one seat in parliament and is led by Abu Alaa al-Walaei, a previous member of Kataib Hezbollah. Moqtada al-Sadr and the Sadrist movement Sadr, a mainstay in the Iraqi Shiite scene for two decades, announced his exit from politics in 2021 after failing to form a government. Many Iraqi officials and analysts expect him to eventually make a comeback. He led an insurgency against the U.S. occupation of Iraq after the toppling of Sunni Muslim dictator Saddam Hussein. Sadr inherited a mass following of mostly impoverished Shiites from his cleric father who opposed Hussein and was killed for it. Sadr has styled himself as a nationalist who opposes all foreign interference, especially from Iran, and accuses Shi'ite rivals of corruption. He has a thousands-strong militia, Saraya al-Salam, and wields influence within the Iraqi state. Sadr's large supporter base enables him to act as a spoiler in Iraq's politics. The U.S. military has confirmed conducting an airstrike near Jilib town in Somalia, where according to al-Shabab two Cuban hostages were killed in a drone strike on the same day. The militant group said in a statement that a U.S. drone strike killed the two hostages, who have been in al-Shabab hands since April 2019 when the militants abducted them from Mandera County in northeastern Kenya. The two doctors were among a medical team sent to Kenya by Cuba. Al-Shabab said the doctors were killed instantly in the strike. The aerial bombardment which began at around 12:10 a.m. targeted a house in Jilib, instantly killing Assel Herrera and Landy Rodriguez who were captured on April 12, 2019, al-Shabab said in the statement Saturday, written in English. An image of the purported dead body of one of the hostages was attached to the statement. The U.S. Africa Command known as AFRICOM confirmed to VOA that an airstrike was conducted against al-Shabab on February 15 near Jilib, according to AFRICOM spokesperson Lennea Montandon. We are aware of reports of a strike alleged to have killed two civilians. We do not have any further information at this time about these reports, but we do take all claims of civilian casualties seriously, Montandon said in an email message to VOA. The command will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as available. The U.S. has supported the Somali government with airstrikes against al-Shabab and military training for government troops since the early 2010s. Last week, the U.S. and Somali government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of up to five military bases for the U.S.-trained elite Somali National Army forces known as the Danab (lightning) Brigade. So far in 2024, AFRICOM has conducted four airstrikes in Somalia, Montandon told VOA. Al-Shabab argued Mondays strike showed U.S. intelligence is faulty. Thursday mornings drone strikes against the Cuban prisoners once again sheds light on the recklessness and desperate nature of AFRICOMs operations in Somalia, as well as the incompetence of the American crusaders and their faulty intelligence apparatus that has led to the murder of the two hostages, the groups statement said. Last month, al-Shabab fighters captured several foreign workers traveling on a United Nations contracted helicopter after it landed in an al-Shabab territory in central Somalia following reported mechanical problems. China has ramped up efforts to challenge the longstanding status quo across the Taiwan Strait in recent weeks, with Beijing altering a flight path near the median line of the Taiwan Strait and announcing the plan to increase regular patrol in waters near Taiwans Kinmen island. Some analysts say the series of moves are part of Beijings attempt to erode Taiwans ability to maintain control over waters near islands like Kinmen and Matsu, which are just a few kilometers from the Chinese mainland, and increase pressure on the incoming administration under the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. These moves are efforts to erode Taiwans ability to administer places like the waters around [the offshore islands] and the west side of the median line of the Taiwan Strait, Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, told VOA by phone. He said the latest development is a departure from Beijings past behavior. From the second Taiwan Strait Crisis on, Beijing never tried to challenge Taipeis control over Kinmen and Matsu, since leaders on both sides of the Taiwan Strait at the time thought these offshore islands acted as a connection between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland, Chong said. After two Chinese fishermen drowned in a chasing episode with the Taiwanese Coast Guard last week, the Chinese Coast Guard announced on Feb. 18 that its Fujian division would increase patrols in the coastal city of Xiamen, which is just a few kilometers away from the Taiwanese island of Kinmen. The Chinese Communist Partys Taiwan Affairs Office, which is in charge of cross-strait relations, expressed its support for the Chinese Coast Guards announcement, calling the move essential for upholding order in the relevant waters and ensuring the safety of Chinese fishermens lives and property. In addition to increasing patrols in waters near Xiamen and Kinmen, the Taiwan Affairs Office also claimed on Saturday that there were no restricted areas for fishing near Kinmen Island, refuting the Taiwanese governments insistence that it reserves the right to take defensive actions against any Chinese vessel entering prohibited waters controlled by Taipei. Some experts say Chinas plan to increase the frequency of coast guard patrol in waters near Taiwans offshore islands could further strain cross-strait relations and disrupt Taiwanese fishing vessels activities in the region. In the past, authorities in Taipei and Beijing could use an existing coordinating mechanism to safeguard the environment in the Taiwan Strait, but the Chinese governments attempt to hype up the deaths of the two Chinese fishermen may further strain cross-strait relations, Su Tzu-yun, a military analyst at the Taipei-based Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told VOA by phone. He said Beijings attempt to step up patrols in waters near Kinmen could increase disruption to Taiwanese fishing vessels operation in the region. If the Chinese Coast Guard increases their activities near Taiwans offshore islands, Taiwanese fishing vessels could encounter arbitrary search requested by the Chinese Coast Guard or they may be forced to change route, Su added. Chinas decision to change a flight path west of the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which acts as an unofficial demarcation between Taipei and Beijing, also has triggered angry responses from the Taiwanese government, which characterized the move as an attempt to change status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Su in Taiwan said Chinas sudden change of the flight route is part of its campaign to turn the Taiwan Strait into a domestic waterway as well as part of the ongoing attempt to weaken Taiwans sovereignty. Its clear that the Chinese governments move to activate the flight route closer to the median line of the Taiwan Strait is an attempt to erode Taiwans sovereignty in the strait, he told VOA. In his view, the latest wave of gray zone operations initiated by Beijing will heighten tension in the region and increase other countries concerns about Chinas aggressive posture. Gray-zone operations involve using irregular tactics without resorting to open combat. Since Chinas attempt to unilaterally challenge the regional status quo is usually unpredictable, it will likely increase tension in the region, he said, adding that Beijings attempt may force regional countries to join forces and push back against the Chinese government. With around three months until Taiwans new administration comes into power, Chong in Singapore said he expects Beijing to initiate more gray zone activities around Taiwan to keep up the pressure on the incoming government. Beijing's approach has been to put more pressure on [Taiwans president-elect] Lai Ching-te and his incoming administration to see whether they'll slip up or make a new mistake, he told VOA, adding that the latest development is part of the Chinese governments planned process. We're probably looking into the next year where Beijing will continually try to test Taipei." As pressure from Beijing is likely to persist, some analysts say Taiwan needs to ensure its military and naval vessels maintain a certain level of deployment readiness while trying to prevent tension from escalating to an uncontrollable level. Taiwan needs to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and ensure some of its vessels can be deployed when necessary, Lin Ying-yu, a military expert at Tamkang University in Taiwan told VOA by phone. Taiwan also needs to be prepared for the possibility of resuming some dialogue or interaction with China over issues such as maritime law enforcement, he added. A group of asylum-seekers has been flown from Australia to Nauru, after they were discovered in a remote part of Western Australia. Their arrival on the Australian mainland reignited the political debate about immigration policy and border protection. The Canberra government has been criticized by the conservative opposition of losing control of Australias maritime borders. About 40 men, reportedly from Pakistan and Bangladesh, were discovered near a remote Indigenous community near Beagle Bay in Western Australia. They have been flown to an Australian-sponsored offshore migrants processing center on the tiny Pacific island of Nauru, where their refugee claims will be assessed. For over a decade, Australia has employed tough border protection policies. Since 2013, the Australian navy has been ordered to tow or turn away migrant boats trying to reach Australia. The policy is called Operation Sovereign Borders and has the support of both major parties in Canberra. Conservative opposition leader Peter Dutton told reporters that the Labor government had lost control of the nations borders. I do not know whether the same level of surveillance is being undertaken as was the case when we were in government, he said. But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told local media that his government remains committed to securing Australias maritime borders. Operation Sovereign Borders is in place. If you arrive here by boat, you will not be settled here, he said. Migrants arriving by boat seeking asylum in Australia are not committing a crime. Australia calls them unauthorized maritime arrivals. The number of boat arrivals in Australia has been relatively small in recent years. Local media report that 199 migrants arrived on seven boats in 2022 and 74 people on four boats in 2023. The fall of the front-line Ukrainian city of Avdiivka to Russian forces has intensified U.S. reactions from Democrats and Republicans alike on whether $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine stalled in Congress could allow Kyiv to push back Russian advances and steal Moscows momentum. A White House statement said President Joe Biden tied the loss of the stronghold of Avdiivka in the southeastern Donetsk region to the stalled U.S. aid for Ukraine in a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday. The Ukrainian withdrawal from Avdiivka almost two years to the day since Russia invaded Ukraine came "after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russia's first notable gains in months," the statement read. Russia's defense ministry said its troops had advanced 8.6 km (5.3 miles) in that part of the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, and that Russian troops were pressing forward after a deadly urban battle that has left the city a nearly depopulated wreck. In the weeks ahead of Avdiivkas fall, The Associated Press had interviewed over a dozen Ukrainian commanders, including heads of artillery units, in the wars most intense combat zones. They said shortages, which have always plagued Ukrainian forces since the full-scale invasion, grew acute last autumn. They said that dwindling stockpiles of Western-supplied long-range artillery had inhibited Ukrainian forces from striking high-value targets deep behind Russian lines, where heavy equipment and personnel have accumulated. Despite the overwhelming support of the package by most Democrats and almost half the Republicans, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson insists he wont be rushed into approving the $95.3 billion foreign aid package approved by a bipartisan Senate last week that includes the $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. Johnson has said he personally supports aid for Ukraine, but he leads a far-right majority that is more closely aligned with former President Donald Trumps isolationist ideology and, increasingly, a hands-off approach to Russian President Vladimir Putins aggression, the AP reports. In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Democratic Senator Michael Bennet advocated for the aid saying, just get it over there. Theyve just had their first defeat, the Ukrainians, since last May, partly as a result of the fact that they are outgunned 10-to-1 by the Russians. We can help solve that problem for them and we should, Bennet said. But Senator J.D. Vance, a Republican and ally of Trump, said the problem in Ukraine is that theres no clear end point" and that the U.S. doesn't make enough weapons to support wars in eastern Europe, the Middle East and potentially a contingency in East Asia." If the package goes through, "that is not going to fundamentally change the reality on the battlefield, Vance argued, pointing out that Americas manufacturing capacity has its limits. Can we send the level of weaponry weve sent for the last 18 months? he asked. We simply cannot. No matter how many checks the U.S. Congress writes, we are limited there. In an interview with CNNs State of the Union Sunday former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney said Congress should pass the bipartisan bill Ukrainians need so urgently and added House Speaker Johnson has the power to make that happen. If he wanted to, today, announce he is going to call the House of Representatives back into session he could put the bill that has already passed the Senate onto the floor of the House for a vote tomorrow, to be on Joe Bidens desk by tomorrow night and the aid to be flown to Ukraine. At a global security conference in Munich on Saturday, Zelenskyy urged allies to plug a shortage of weapons and expressed hope that the U.S. Congress would make a "wise decision" in approving a delayed large aid package for Ukraine. He praised his troops for "exhausting" Russian forces in Avdiivka, and suggested the withdrawal was partly caused by a lack of weapons. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities said Sunday they had opened an investigation into alleged shootings by Russian forces of six unarmed Ukrainian soldiers in the seized city of Avdiivka, and two at a village in the same region. The Donetsk prosecutor's office said a video fragment taken by a drone showed a Russian soldier shooting two captured Ukrainian soldiers at close range at the village of Vesele. "Not wanting to leave the prisoners alive, the occupier kills them with automatic weapons," the office added, without saying when the incident had occurred. Reuters could not immediately verify the video or other details of the account by the Ukrainian prosecutors and military. Ukraine downed 12 Shahed drones, a Su-34 fighter-bomber and a Kh-59 missile Sunday morning, according to its air force. The plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine, while the drones and the missile were downed in Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad, and Dnipro oblasts. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. This week's Berlin international film festival is wrestling on- and off-screen with the weight of the Nazi past and the menace of a resurgent far right. The 74th Berlinale, as the event is known, has a reputation for confronting political realities head-on with high-profile movies and hot-tempered debates. German director Julia von Heinz brought together an unlikely pair, U.S. actor Lena Dunham and Britain's Stephen Fry, for her drama "Treasure," about a Holocaust survivor who returns to Poland with his journalist daughter. Inspired by a true story, the film shows their journey following the fall of the Iron Curtain, after decades of family silence about the Nazi period. Fry plays the seemingly jovial Edek searching for a connection with his uptight daughter Ruth (Dunham). Their travels take them to Edek's childhood home in Lodz, where they make the chilling discovery that a family living in his old flat is still using his parents' porcelain tea service, silverware and a green velvet sofa they abandoned when they were deported. Fearful it is the last chance to record his memories, Ruth convinces Edek to return to Auschwitz. 'A new perspective' Von Heinz, speaking after a warmly received screening, said that a rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the wake of the Gaza war had spurred her to finish the film for the Berlinale. She rejected suggestions there had been "enough" movies dealing with the Nazi period. "There can never be enough stories to be told about this and I think we are giving it a new perspective, she said. Fry added: "While history may not repeat itself, as somebody once put it, (it) rhymes and there are similar feelings now as we know rising up." The actor, who had several relatives who were killed at Auschwitz, said it was "an extraordinary feeling" to shoot scenes outside the former death camp. Dunham, who also lost ancestors in the Holocaust, insisted its lessons are both rooted in the Jewish experience and transcend it. "It's important to acknowledge that the far right, be it here or in the U.S. -- there's an incredible and shocking amount of anti-Semitic rhetoric and there's also a shocking amount of Islamophobic rhetoric, anti-Black rhetoric, transphobic rhetoric," she said. "The goal is to isolate people based on their identities and make them feel inhuman and that's a universal story unfortunately." Resistance 'superheroes' "From Hilde, With Love," starring Liv Lisa Fries of international hit series "Babylon Berlin," also debuted at the festival over the weekend. It tells the true story of Hilde Coppi, a member of the "Red Orchestra" anti-Nazi resistance group, who gave birth to a son in prison while awaiting her execution for "high treason" in 1942. Director Andreas Dresen grew up in communist East Germany, a region where the far-right AfD is poised to make strong gains in key state elections later this year. He said that in school, resistance members were often portrayed as larger-than-life "superheroes," meaning many felt incapable of having similar courage to stand up to authority. Fries, whose vivid portrayal impressed critics, said Coppi joined the Red Orchestra in trying to sabotage the Nazi war effort out of a basic sense of right and wrong. "It was not only decency but also a sense of solidarity -- solidarity is always worth standing up for," she said. Dresen stripped the movie of historical images familiar from Nazi movies such as "waving swastika flags and thumping jackboots. "Political terror is part of our present and unfortunately not as far away as we would like," he said. "I really wish this film weren't so topical." "From Hilde, With Love" is one of 20 films in competition for the festival's Golden Bear top prize Saturday. Commitment to 'empathy' The two films premiered amid a fierce debate over whether the Berlinale should continue to invite AfD politicians to its galas. A bombshell revelation last month that party members attended a meeting outside Berlin at which mass deportations of foreigners and "poorly assimilated" German citizens were discussed raised the stakes. After initially insisting that the elected representatives should attend, the Berlinale backtracked and disinvited five AfD officials, citing its commitment to "empathy, awareness and understanding. The move was widely praised by the artistic community, but dissenters argued that democratic culture meant tolerating even offensive views. Kenyan Mexican actor Lupita Nyong'o, the festival's first black jury president, was asked whether she would have attended the opening ceremony Thursday in the presence of far-right officials. "I'm glad I don't have to answer that question," she replied. "I'm glad I don't have to be in that position." U.S. President Joe Biden said Monday he is considering additional sanctions against Moscow following the death of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. We already have sanctions, Biden told reporters at the White House, but the United States is looking at others. He directly blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin and his thugs for Navalnys death last week. Navalnys death comes as Biden has struggled to push a $95 billion package of international security assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan through Congress over the opposition of numerous Republican lawmakers. With bipartisan support, the Democratic-controlled Senate approved the spending package, but Speaker Mike Johnson, leader of the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives, has balked at sending the measure to the House floor for a vote, in part because former President Donald Trump opposes the new aid. Johnson has complained that the foreign assistance package contains no new controls to block the influx of tens of thousands of illegal migrants crossing from Mexico into the United States, although Senate Republicans, at the behest of Trump, blocked consideration of a bipartisan proposal to tighten migration restrictions. Johnson has been demanding a meeting with Biden on the issue, and the president, who strongly favors more Ukraine aid, said Monday he would be willing to meet with the House speaker. "Sure I'd be happy to meet with him, if he has anything to say," Biden told reporters Monday on the South Lawn of the White House. At the same time, Biden swiped at Republican lawmakers for not continuing to fund Ukraines two-year fight to defend itself against Russias invasion. "The way they're walking away from the threat of Russia. The way they're walking away from NATO. The way they're walking away from meeting our obligations ... I've never seen anything like it, Biden said. A spokesperson for Johnson said the speaker had been trying to meet with Biden for weeks. Raj Shah welcomed Biden's "openness to meeting with Speaker Johnson about the best path forward for securing the nation, and said, It's long overdue." Also Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is exploiting delays in military aid to Ukraine. "There is now an extremely difficult situation in several parts of the front line, precisely where Russian troops have concentrated maximum reserves," he said. "They are taking advantage of delays in aid to Ukraine, and this is a very sensitive matter, Zelenskyy said after visiting the front line near the northeastern city of Kupiansk. His visit comes days after Russia won a victory in the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. The fall of the city to Russian forces has intensified U.S. reactions from Democrats and Republicans alike on whether $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine that is part of the broader assistance package could allow Kyiv to push back Russian advances and steal Moscows momentum. A White House statement said Biden tied the loss of the stronghold of Avdiivka to the stalled U.S. aid for Ukraine in a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday. Despite the overwhelming support of the package by most Democrats and almost half the congressional Republicans, Johnson insists he wont be rushed into approving the foreign aid package. In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Democratic Senator Michael Bennet advocated for the aid saying, just get it over there to the House for approval. Theyve just had their first defeat, the Ukrainians, since last May, partly as a result of the fact that they are outgunned 10 to 1 by the Russians. We can help solve that problem for them, and we should, Bennet said. But Senator J.D. Vance, an Ohio Republican and ally of Trump, said, The problem in Ukraine is that theres no clear end point" and that the U.S. doesn't make enough weapons to support wars in eastern Europe, the Middle East and potentially a contingency in East Asia." If the package goes through, "that is not going to fundamentally change the reality on the battlefield, Vance argued, pointing out that Americas manufacturing capacity has its limits. Can we send the level of weaponry weve sent for the last 18 months? he asked. We simply cannot. No matter how many checks the U.S. Congress writes, we are limited there. In an interview with CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, former Republican Representative Liz Cheney said Congress should pass the bipartisan bill Ukrainians need so urgently and added that Johnson has the power to make that happen. If he wanted to, today, announce he is going to call the House of Representatives back into session, he could put the bill that has already passed the Senate onto the floor of the House for a vote tomorrow, to be on Joe Bidens desk by tomorrow night, and the aid to be flown to Ukraine, she said. Meanwhile on Monday, Canada said it would send 800 drones to Ukraine beginning this spring to help it defend itself against Russia. These drones are critical for surveillance and intelligence gathering and can also be used to transport and deliver supplies, the Department of National Defense said in a statement. In Japan, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday pledged support for Ukraines reconstruction at a conference Monday in Tokyo that brought together several hundred government and business leaders from the two countries. The war in Ukraine is still going on at this very moment, and the situation is not easy, Kishida said. The promotion of economic reconstruction, however, is not only an investment for the future of Ukraine but also investing in Japan and the whole globe. Kishida also pledged to relax visa controls and announced the Japan External Trade Organization would open an office Kyiv. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the two countries signed more than 50 cooperation agreements, including an intergovernmental convention on the avoidance of double taxation, which is extremely important for Japanese companies planning new projects in Ukraine. By combining our powers ... we can change this challenge into an opportunity for future growth and prosperity, Shmyhal said on the X social media platform. Japan's experiences in reconstruction [from World War II] and its economic miracle provide us with inspiration. Japan has pledged more than $10 billion in aid for Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion two years ago. Most of that aid has been financial and humanitarian. The World Bank, European Union and United Nations estimated in a report last week that Ukraine will need $486 billion for reconstruction efforts during the next decade. As the Ukrainian and Japanese delegations met Monday, Ukraines air force reported new Russian aerial attacks, including four drones that Ukraines air defenses shot down. The Ukrainian air force said the drones were intercepted over the Kharkiv region. There were no immediate reports of any damage or casualties. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. President Joe Biden plans to welcome Kenyan President William Ruto to the White House in May, hosting a state visit after reneging on his promise to visit Africa last year. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that the visit set for May 23 will mark the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations and "celebrate a partnership that is delivering for the people" of both countries while affirming "our strategic partnership" with Ruto's country. It "will strengthen our shared commitment to advance peace and security, expand our economic ties, and stand together in defense of democratic values," Jean-Pierre said in a statement. "The leaders will discuss ways to bolster our cooperation in areas including people-to-people ties, trade and investment, technological innovation, climate and clean energy, health, and security." Word of Ruto's visit comes after Haiti announced this week that it is working on an official agreement with Kenyan officials to secure the long-awaited deployment of Kenyan police forces there. High-ranking officials from both countries recently met in the U.S. for three days to draft a memorandum of understanding and set a deadline for the arrival of forces in Haiti from the east African country. Jean-Pierre added Friday that, beyond Kenya, Ruto's visit to Washington will "further the vision" that "African leadership is essential to addressing global priorities." First lady Jill Biden traveled to Kenya last February during a five-day, two-country tour of the continent. The White House also confirmed that both Ruto and Kenyan first lady Rachel Ruto will be honored with a dinner with the Bidens. The White House hosted a state dinner celebrating close ally Australia in October, which followed the president's skipping a stop in that country earlier in 2023 to focus on debt limit talks in Washington. But those festivities last fall were toned down some given Israel's ongoing war with Hamas. Biden said in December 2022 that he would visit sub-Saharan Africa the following year, which would have made him the first U.S. president to travel there in a decade. The president pledged at the end of a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington with 49 leaders, in which he suggested the continent would be a strategic focus as the U.S. made political and financial commitments. But other priorities interceded in 2023. Biden pulled off last-minute trips to Israel and Vietnam, as well as a secretive journey to Ukraine. He ended last year by skipping a December U.N. climate change conference in Dubai, while sending Vice President Kamala Harris in his place, and never scheduled an Africa trip. Biden is now seeking reelection in November's election while juggling a host of pressing foreign security matters, including the Israel-Hamas war and continuing discussion in Congress over proposed foreign aid for Ukraine amid its war with Russia. On Friday he traveled to East Palestine, Ohio, making good on months of saying he'd visit the site of a Norfolk Southern train derailment that spilled a cocktail of hazardous chemicals and caught fire in February 2023. Vice President Kamala also spoke Friday at the Munich Security Conference and was asked about Washington's "growing transitional mindset" toward Africa a characterization she disputed, countering that "the future has to be about partnership and investment." "I believe that we must think differently about the relationship between the United States and the continent of Africa," the vice president said, adding, "We look at the future of the continent and how it will affect the world: It is indisputable. There will be a direct impact." Harris noted that the median age on the African continent is 19 and that population growth means that, in the coming decades, as many as 1 in 4 people in the world will live there. "In terms of the future, we must see the innovation that is currently happening there and partner with African leaders and nations," she said. "And change the way we are thinking, in a way that is not about aid, but about partnership. Not what we do for the continent, but what we do with the continent and its leaders." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Brazil for talks Wednesday with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and to meet with his counterparts from the Group of 20. The State Department said Blinken will emphasize U.S. support for Brazils G20 presidency, the U.S.-Brazil Partnership for Workers Rights, cooperation on the clean energy transition and commemorations for the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the two countries. With Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also expected at the G20 meetings, theres potential for a rare face-to-face interaction between the two. Blinken also plans to discuss the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti with G20 partners on the sidelines of the meetings, addressing the Haitian peoples call for help to restore security and stability. No G20 joint statement expected on Gaza, Ukraine The G20, comprising 19 countries including the G7, the European Union and the African Union, represents about 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade and two-thirds of the global population. The G7 comprises the world's richest and most powerful countries. Last week, G7 foreign ministers expressed outrage over the detention death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny and pledged unwavering support to Ukraine as the two-year mark of Russias invasion approaches. The G7 foreign ministers joint statement also advocated for prolonged and durable pauses in the hostilities leading to a sustainable cease-fire in Gaza while expressing deep concern over the devastating impact of Israels planned military operations in Rafah, where more than a million civilians are taking refuge. Ramin Toloui, assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, said the U.S. will underscore the damage caused by the Kremlins war of aggression and encourage all G20 partners to redouble their calls for a just, peaceful and lasting end to the war on Ukraine. But Toloui said Brazil would not attempt to mobilize a joint statement during the upcoming G20 foreign ministers meetings. Distinct foreign relations From Brazil, Blinken will travel to Buenos Aires to meet with the newly inaugurated Argentine President Javier Milei to discuss bilateral and global issues. Argentina boasts one of the largest Jewish populations in South America. Following Milei's recent visit to Israel, a senior U.S. official said Blinken will engage in discussions with Milei regarding the way forward between Israel and Gaza. Other topics high on the agenda include critical minerals and sustainable economic growth. Blinken's diplomatic missions to Argentina and Brazil will navigate the countries' distinct foreign relations concerning various countries and issues, such as Russia, Gaza and China. Lula initially assured Russia that President Vladimir Putin, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, would not be arrested if he attended the G20 summit in November in Brazil. However, he later amended his stance, indicating that the decision would ultimately be in the hands of Brazil's judiciary. During his visit to Cairo, Feb. 14 and 15, Lula strongly criticized Israel's military actions in Gaza, advocating for a "definitive cease-fire." He announced Brazil's new contribution to the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency, or UNRWA, and supported Palestine's recognition as a sovereign state with full U.N. membership. Lula wrote on the social media platform X, While Hamas militants' attack on October 7 against Israeli civilians is indefensible and deserved strong condemnation from Brazil, Israel's disproportionate and indiscriminate response is unacceptable." In contrast, during his visit to Israel in early February, Milei, a pro-Israel far-right leader, announced his intention to relocate Argentina's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move previously made by only the United States and a few other countries. Milei also announced his government's intention to classify Hamas as a terrorist organization. This visit marked his first bilateral trip since his inauguration in December. Following his meeting with Blinken on Friday, Milei plans to visit Washington and speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, on Feb. 24, a gathering expected to be filled with supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump. BRICS and China In 2025, Brazil will lead the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) of emerging nations, in which China is a key player. During a state visit to Beijing last year, Lula called for BRICS countries to trade in their own currencies and end the U.S. dollars trade dominance. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates officially joined the bloc on Jan. 1. Last month, Lula held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in which the two pledged to strengthen a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. In comparison, Milei has turned down an offer to join BRICS. During his presidential campaign, he said he would freeze relations with China. Milei also chose to acquire secondhand American F-16 fighters from Denmark, favoring them over new Chinese JF-17 fighter aircraft. The United States is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Brazil, and we have a robust presence of U.S. companies in Brazil, as well as in Argentina, and were looking forward to deepening our economic ties between both of them, Brian Nichols, the assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, told VOA in a recent phone briefing. Nichols emphasized the importance of countries trading freely while understanding the trade-offs involved. The United States is offering up a comprehensive and powerful alternative to those who may not necessarily have others best interests at heart, he said. China has agreed to lift a ban on imports of Spanish beef, the foreign ministers of both nations said Sunday after talks. Since 2000, Beijing has imposed a ban on the European Union from exporting beef products due to the emergence of several cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or "mad cow" disease, in several members of the bloc that year. "It is good news, especially for Spanish farmers," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a joint news conference with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares in Cordoba in southern Spain. The announcement comes as farmers in Spain have for the past two weeks taken part in EU-wide protests over heavy regulation, high costs and cheaper imports which they say have left them struggling to make ends meet. "When you take into account the size of the Chinese market, the impact is going to be extraordinarily positive," Albares said. "This is a measure which we have long been asking for and which benefits the entire countryside. It is hard to find a market like the Chinese market." China's top diplomat headed to Spain after taking part in a major security conference in Munich, Germany on Saturday where he said Beijing will be a "force for stability" in the world. Wang also reiterated Saturday China's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, calling for an immediate cease-fire and the opening of channels for humanitarian aid into Gaza. Albares said Sunday that he and Wang "agreed to support the solution of the two states: Palestinian and Israeli" to end the conflict. "I have expressed my serious concern about the critical situation in Rafah, the need to achieve an immediate cease-fire, to continue supporting UNRWA more than ever and the indispensable work it does with refugees," the Spanish minister added in a reference to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Several countries including the United States, Britain, Germany and Japan have suspended funding to UNRWA in response to Israeli allegations that some of its staff participated in the October 7 terror attacks in Israel by Hamas. Wang is scheduled to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday before heading to France. This is his first visit to Spain in six years. "China sees Spain as a good and trustworthy partner in the European Union. We are willing to work together with Spain to develop bilateral relations," the Chinese minister said. China's foreign minister has told his Ukrainian counterpart that Beijing does not sell lethal weapons to Russia for its war against Ukraine, a statement said Sunday. Wang Yi told Dmytro Kuleba during a meeting on the sidelines of a major security conference in Munich on Saturday that China "does not take any advantage of the situation and does not sell lethal weapons to conflict areas or parties to the conflict," according to a foreign ministry readout. China says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict but has been criticized for refusing to condemn Moscow for its offensive. China and Russia have ramped up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts in recent years, and their strategic partnership has only grown closer since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Beijing has faced accusations that it is supplying lethal arms to Russia, charges it has always denied. "No matter how the international situation changes, China hopes that China-Ukraine relations will develop normally and continue to benefit the two peoples," Wang told Kuleba, according to the ministry's readout. "Once again, I would like to thank Ukraine for helping the Chinese people evacuate safely under emergency conditions," it said. "The Chinese people will never forget that." The readout said Wang stressed that China adheres to the political settlement of flashpoint issues and insisted on promoting peace talks. "We will continue to play a constructive role in bringing an early end to the war and re-establishing peace," Wang told Kuleba. "Even if there is only a glimmer of hope for peace, China will not give up its efforts." Chinese coast guard officials briefly boarded a Taiwanese ship Monday, Taipei said, after Beijing announced it would step up patrols following a boat incident in which two Chinese nationals died. The boat was carrying four Chinese nationals when it capsized last week near Taiwan's Kinmen islands while pursued by the Taiwanese coast guard. All four onboard were thrown into the water and two of the crew later died. The two rescued were detained in Kinmen a territory administered by Taiwan but located just five kilometers (three miles) from China's city of Xiamen. Taiwan had defended its actions by saying the boat was in prohibited waters, while China said it would increase "law enforcement patrol operations" in the area. On Monday, Taipei's coast guard announced that two Chinese coast guard boats near Kinmen had approached a Taiwanese cruise ship. "Six mainland coast guard officers boarded the ship. After inspecting the ship's voyage plan, ship certificate, the captain and crew's licenses and the captain's signature, they left the ship," it said in a statement. Taipei's coast guard dispatched personnel who arrived shortly after their Chinese counterparts had left the cruise ship, which carried 11 crew members and 23 passengers. They "accompanied the ship all the way back to Shuitou Port" in Kinmen, the coast guard said, urging China "to uphold peace and rationality." Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council which handles issues regarding Beijing also announced late Monday that the families of the detained Chinese crew members involved in the capsizing are expected to arrive in Kinmen on Tuesday. The Straits Exchange Foundation a semi-official Taiwanese body that handles technical and business affairs with China said permits were issued Monday to the families. The foundation "will also send personnel to Kinmen to provide humanitarian care to the mainland family members who will arrive in Kinmen on February 20 and assist them in handling the aftermath," it said. The February 14 incident occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions between China and Taiwan, a self-ruled island that Beijing claims as part of its territory. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, and in recent years ramped up the rhetoric of "unification." It has increased military pressures on Taiwan by deploying warplanes and naval vessels around the island nearly daily. Taiwan also recently had a presidential election in January which saw the win of Democratic Progressive Party's Lai Ching-te a candidate Beijing considers a "separatist." Protesting farm leaders and government officials in India completed a fourth round of talks Monday. Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said India is offering the farmers guaranteed support prices for several crops for five years to be paid by co-operative groups that the government supports. Goyal said there will be no limit on the amount of crops the cooperatives can buy. The farm leaders must now consult with Indias farmers to decide whether to accept the governments plan. Earlier this month, police in India fired tear gas shells at hundreds of farmers who were marching toward the capital, New Delhi, in a mass protest demanding crop price guarantees. In some protest locations, mobile internet service was suspended and social media accounts were blocked. Spearheaded by farmers from North Indian states of Punjab and Haryana that are known as Indias breadbasket, the protestors said the government has failed to meet promises it made after they called off a year-long protest in 2021. Demonstrations were set to be held Monday, but those plans were placed on hold as farm leaders met with government officials. The farmers also want the government to keep promises it has made to double their incomes, give pensions to farmers and farm laborers and waive loans taken by farmers. Farmers say agriculture is no longer viable because crop prices have not kept pace with the rising overhead costs such as fertilizer, diesel and seeds. They also say crop yields have become more uncertain due to the growing frequency of extreme weather events. Russia says it has crushed the last pocket of resistance in a key Ukrainian city, as Kyivs outmanned forces retreat. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv says the fierce battle cost many lives. Following the sudden death staunch Putin critic Alexey Navalny, his wife Yulia vows to carry his fight forward. Clark University Professor and Russia scholar talks about Navalny's legacy and what it will mean for the movement. European leaders are preparing for a future potentially without U.S. support. A conversation with Save Ukraine founder Mykola Kuleba on how the rescue group is working to find and support Ukrainian children deported to Russia. Russia says it has crushed the last pocket of resistance in Avdiivka to complete the eastern Ukraines city's capture. The victory was a morale boost for Russia, days ahead of the two-year anniversary of its full-scale invasion. A French journalist who called India home for more than two decades has been forced to return to France after Indian authorities accused her of writing malicious and critical reports, inimical to the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India. Vanessa Dougnac denies the accusations and Indian authorities have not identified the reports in question. Dougnac was a New Delhi-based correspondent for several media outlets in Europe, including the French mainstream daily La Croix, weekly magazine Le Point, Swiss daily Le Temps and Belgian daily Le Soir. Her journalism career in India spanned 23 years. Dougnac left India on Friday, about a month after the Ministry of Home Affairs sent her a notice saying that she was undertaking journalistic activities without any special permission as required under Citizenship Act 1955 and rules/regulations issued thereunder. The notice, sent to her on Jan. 18, said her malicious reporting created a negative perception of India and could provoke disorder and disturb peace in certain sections of society. In response to the notice, Dougnac issued a statement on Jan. 23 denying her reporting was malicious. Authorities also alleged Dougnac traveled to restricted areas without permission. Reports also say the ministry asked her to provide reasons as to why her Overseas Citizen of India, or OCI, card, which allowed her to live and work in India legally as a permanent resident, should not be revoked. Dougnac is married to an Indian man, allowing her to have an OCI card. Dougnac issued a statement as she left India, saying, I am writing these words in tears [India is] the place where I married, raised my son, and which I call my home. This is not Dougnacs first run-in with Indian authorities. A permit allowing her to work in India as a journalist was revoked in September 2022. She says the government denied my right to work as a journalist, providing no reasons nor justifications, and no hearing. Since then, the ministry has not once responded to my repeated requests for explanations or review of this arbitrary action. During her 23-year journalism career in India, Dougnac wrote reports from different parts of India and nearby countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In recent years, she reported on several topics, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indias rising Hindu nationalist force, the rights of forest people in the country, the political situation of Indian-controlled Kashmir and a Maoist insurgency in central India. Two years ago, she wrote a report for La Croix, titled, In India, the fate of Muslims and Christians is deteriorating. Calling India home India is my home, a country which I deeply love and respect, and I have never engaged in any acts that are in any manner prejudicial to Indian interests as is being alleged, Dougnac said. I worked as a journalist in India when I indeed had a valid work permit. I stopped reporting from India as soon as my journalism permit was revoked in September 2022, Dougnac said. Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Jan. 26 that the actions against Dougnac had nothing to do with her reporting on India. People are free to do what they are accredited to do in a given space. But here I think the principal issue is whether the person is compliant with the rules and regulations of the state under which they come, Kwatra said in a statement. VOA emailed the office of Indian Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla requesting comment on Dougnacs case but has not received any response. Journalists and media rights groups have stood in support of Dougnac. Last week, around 30 India-based foreign correspondents jointly wrote a letter urging the Indian authorities to resolve Dougnacs case quickly "as it affects not only her livelihood but also her family life. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists has urged the Indian authorities to immediately reinstate Dougnacs journalism permit and stop using legal technicalities to prevent journalists from carrying out their duties. "It's deeply disheartening to witness the harassment that Vanessa Dougnac ... has endured at the hands of Indian authorities in the last 17 months," said Carlos Martinez de la Serna, program director of the CPJ. Reporters Without Borders editorial director, Anne Bocande, last week issued a statement saying, Forcing a seasoned professional journalist to leave India after she had been based there for two decades reveals a very dark and deplorable image of what press freedom has become under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She also said, With two months to go to general elections, the vice is tightening on foreign correspondents who try to cover India in a professional manner. While Modis Hindu nationalist government is accused of stifling the press, India's media freedom record has declined over the past decade, falling 21 places to 161 out of 180 on the World Press Freedom Index, where 1 shows the best environment for journalism. Iran continues to enrich uranium well beyond the needs for commercial nuclear use despite U.N. pressure to stop it, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday, adding he wanted to visit Tehran next month for the first time in a year to end the "drifting apart." Speaking to Reuters after he briefed EU foreign ministers on the subject, the head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said that while the pace of uranium enrichment had slowed slightly since the end of last year, Iran was still enriching at an elevated rate of around 7 kg of uranium per month to 60% purity. Enrichment to 60% brings uranium close to weapons grade and is not necessary for commercial use in nuclear power production. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, but no other state has enriched to that level without producing them. Under a defunct 2015 agreement with world powers, Iran can enrich uranium only to 3.67%. After then-President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of that deal in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions, Iran also moved well beyond the deal's nuclear restrictions. Between June and November last year, Iran slowed the enrichment to 3 kg per month but returned to a rate of 9 kg at the end of the year, the International Atomic Energy Agency previously reported. The increase came soon after Tehran barred a third of the IAEA's core inspections team, including the most experienced, from taking part in agreed monitoring of the enrichment process. "This slowdown, speedup thing is like a cycle that for me does not alter the fundamental trend, which is a trend of constant increase in inventory of highly enriched uranium," Grossi said. A spokesperson for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization was not immediately available for comment. The IAEA warned at the end of 2023 that Tehran had enough material to make three nuclear bombs if it enriches the material now at 60% to beyond 60%. "There is a concerning rhetoric, you may have heard high officials in Iran saying they have all the elements for a nuclear weapon lately," Grossi said. He said the concern was all the higher because of what he termed current circumstances in the Middle East, a reference to tensions over Israel's war with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza. "We seem to be drifting apart. ... Iran says they are not getting incentives from the West, but I find this logic very complicated to understand because they should work with us. ... It should never be contingent on economic or other incentives." Before visiting Tehran, Grossi is to fly to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Iran and the Middle East, along with Ukraine. Russia is a signatory of the 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, alongside the U.S., China, France, Britain and Germany. The deal lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear activities. "Russia has a role to play on Iran. It has played a role in the past as a JCPOA country and in the current circumstances where JCPOA is all but disintegrated, something must fill the void," he said. A visit by the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force to Baghdad has led to a pause in attacks on U.S. troops by Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, multiple Iranian and Iraqi sources told Reuters, saying it was a sign Tehran wants to prevent a broader conflict. Esmail Qaani met representatives of several of the armed groups in Baghdad airport on Jan. 29, less than 48 hours after Washington blamed the groups for the killing of three U.S. soldiers at the Tower 22 outpost in Jordan, the sources said. Qaani, whose predecessor was killed by a U.S. drone near the same airport four years ago, told the factions that drawing American blood risked a heavy U.S. response, 10 of the sources said. He said the militias should lie low, to avoid U.S. strikes on their senior commanders, destruction of key infrastructure or even a direct retaliation against Iran, the sources said. While one faction did not initially agree to Qaani's request, most others did. The next day, elite Iran-backed group Kataib Hezbollah announced it was suspending attacks. Since Feb. 4 there have been no attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, compared to more than 20 in the two weeks before Qaani's visit, part of a surge in violence from the groups in opposition to Israel's war in Gaza. "Without Qaani's direct intervention it would have been impossible to convince Kataib Hezbollah to halt its military operations to deescalate the tension," a senior commander in one of the Iran-aligned Iraqi armed groups said. Qaani and the Quds Force, the arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards that works with allied armed groups from Lebanon to Yemen, did not immediately reply to requests for comment for this story. Kataib Hezbollah and one other group could not be reached for comment. The U.S. White House and Pentagon also did not immediately respond. Qaani's visit has been mentioned in Iraqi media but the details of his message and the impact on reducing attacks have not been previously reported. For this account, Reuters talked to three Iranian officials, a senior Iraqi security official, three Iraqi Shi'ite politicians, four sources in Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups and four Iraq-focused diplomats. Iraq-US talks resume The apparent success of the visit highlights the influence Iran wields with Iraqi armed groups, who alternate between building pressure and cooling tensions to further their goal of pushing U.S. forces out of Iraq. The government in Baghdad, a rare ally of both Tehran and Washington, is trying to prevent the country again becoming a battlefield for foreign powers and asked Iran to help rein in the groups after the Jordan attack, five of the sources said. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani "has worked with all relevant parties both inside and outside Iraq, warning them," that escalation "will destabilize Iraq and the region," Sudani's Foreign Affairs adviser Farhad Alaaldin told Reuters when asked to confirm Qaani's visit and the request for help to rein in armed groups. The attack "played into the hand of the Iraqi government," a Shi'ite politician from the ruling coalition said. Following the subsequent lull in hostilities, on Feb. 6 talks resumed with the United States about ending the U.S. presence in Iraq. Several Iran-aligned parties and armed groups in Iraq also prefer talks rather than attacks to end the U.S. troop presence. Washington has been unwilling to negotiate a change to its military posture under fire, concerned it would embolden Iran. The United States currently has some 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria on an advise and assist mission. They are part of an international coalition deployed in 2014 to fight Islamic State, mainly in the west of the country and eastern Syria. A U.S. State Department spokesperson, who declined to comment on Qaanis visit to Baghdad, said the U.S. presence in Iraq would transition to "an enduring bilateral security relationship." The United States asserts that Iran has a high level of control over what it calls Iranian "proxies" in the region. Tehran says it has funded, advised and trained allies but they decide operations on their own. Airport security With Iran bracing for a U.S. response to the Jordan attack, Qaani made the visit quick and did not leave the airport, "for strict security reasons and fearing for his safety," the senior Iraqi security source said. The strike in 2020 that killed former Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani outside the airport followed an attack Washington also blamed on Kataib Hezbollah that killed a U.S. contractor, and at the time sparked fears of a regional war. Along with Soleimani, the drone killed former Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Both Tehran and Baghdad wanted to avoid a similar escalation this time round, nine sources said. "The Iranians learned their lesson from the liquidation of Soleimani and did not want this to be repeated," the senior Iraqi security source said. A high-ranking Iranian security official said: "Commander Qaani's visit was successful, though not entirely, as not all Iraqi groups consented to de-escalate." One smaller but very active group, Nujaba, said it would continue attacks, arguing that U.S. forces would only leave by force. It remains to be seen how long the pause lasts. An umbrella group representing hard-line factions vowed to resume operations in the wake of the U.S. killing of senior Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Baqir al-Saadi in Baghdad on Feb. 7. Saadi was also a member of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a state security agency. U.S.-led forces invaded Iraq and toppled former leader Saddam Hussein in 2003, before withdrawing in 2011. Shi'ite armed groups who spent years attacking U.S. forces in the wake of the 2003 invasion went on to fight on the same side as, though not in direct partnership with, U.S. soldiers against Islamic State until it was territorially defeated. In the subsequent years, rounds of tit-for-tat fighting with the remaining U.S. troops escalated until the U.S. killing of Soleimani and Muhandis. Those killings prompted Iraq's parliament to vote for the exit of foreign forces. Sudani's government came to power in October 2022 on a promise to implement that decision, though it was not seen as a priority, government officials have said. The situation changed again with the onset of the Israel-Hamas war. Dozens of attacks and several rounds of U.S. responses, including the killing of a senior Nujaba leader in Baghdad on Jan. 5, led Sudani to declare that the coalition had become a magnet for instability and to initiate talks for its end. He has kept the door open to continued U.S. presence in a different format via a bilateral deal. Iraqi officials have said they hope the current lull will hold so the talks, expected to take months if not longer, can reach a conclusion. Israeli forces carried out aerial attacks and ground operations Monday in the southern Gaza Strip, as the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said the number of Palestinians killed there since October has surpassed 29,000 people. Israels military reported strikes Monday on Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza, while international concerns remained about a planned Israeli offensive in the nearby city of Rafah, which is sheltering 1.5 million Palestinians. Fighting has raged in and around Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which the World Health Organization has said is no longer operational. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says negotiations are continuing to evacuate the remaining patients from the hospital. On Sunday, the World Health Organization and the Palestine Red Crescent Society evacuated 14 patients from the besieged hospital to field hospitals in Gaza. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post Monday on X, formerly Twitter, that more than 180 patients and 15 doctors and nurses are still inside the hospital, which is also running out of fuel and essential supplies. U.N. agencies said Monday that malnutrition is rising among Gazas children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The situation is most severe in the northern part of the territory, which has been cut off from aid deliveries for weeks. Humanitarian agencies say the situation is entirely preventable if more and sustained aid can get through. To the north, Israeli airstrikes were reported over southern Lebanon, where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah have been trading fire for months. Local media reported large explosions over Ghaziyeh, near the city of Sidon, which is farther inside Lebanese territory than the IDF has previously struck. Israeli media reported that the IDF hit what it said were two Hezbollah weapon depots in response to a drone attack on northern Israel. Rafah warning Retired Israeli General Benny Gantz, who is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus war Cabinet, warned Sunday that if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages it is holding in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins around March 10, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area. Gantz said any Israeli offensive in Rafah would be done in coordination with Egypt and the United States to facilitate an evacuation and minimize the civilian casualties as much as possible. United Nations officials have repeatedly said no place is safe for civilians to go in Gaza. Egypt, which shares part of its border with Rafah, objects to the evacuation of Palestinians into its territory, saying it would amount to their forced displacement. Israel denies that is its intention. Satellite images show that Egypt has started building a high security buffer zone near the border with Gaza in case of a mass exodus of people from Gaza. Netanyahu reiterated Sunday that Israel intends to finish the job in its quest to eliminate Hamas. Israel began its military campaign to eliminate Hamas after the groups fighters crossed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 people hostage. Hamas, designated a terror group by the U.S., the U.K. and EU, is believed to still be holding about 130 hostages in Gaza, including 30 who are believed to be dead. Israel released video on Monday of what it believes is Shiri Bibas and her two young boys, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 9 months, being led along a dirt street in Khan Younis shortly after their Oct. 7 abduction. Their father, Yarden Bibas, is also still held hostage. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the militarys chief spokesperson, said the army found the videos in security cameras seized during its offensive in Khan Younis. Cease-fire calls Weeks of negotiations involving the United States, Egypt and Qatar have failed to produce a deal to halt the fighting and secure the release of the hostages. At the U.N. Security Council, diplomats have been attempting to persuade the U.S. to support an Algeria-drafted resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, scaled up aid access, and rejecting the forced displacement of Palestinians. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement Saturday that the Algerian initiative could hurt mediation efforts, and Washington would use its veto to block it. The council is expected to vote on the measure Tuesday. On Monday, Washington circulated its own draft resolution to council members. Seen by VOA, it places emphasis on the release of the hostages held by Hamas and notes the urgent need for a viable plan to protect civilians from an Israeli offensive in Rafah. The U.S. proposal underscores that such a major ground offensive should not proceed under current circumstances and rejects any other effort at forced displacement of the civilian population in Gaza. The U.S. has no timeline to put its resolution before the council. A senior administration official said the U.S. would give time for the council to negotiate on the text and had no plans to call for an imminent vote. Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions are rising between Brazil and Israel over the war. On Monday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reportedly recalled his ambassador to Israel after Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared the Brazilian leader persona non grata in the Jewish state until he apologizes, after Lula drew comparisons to what the Israeli government is doing to the Palestinians to Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust. There will be no retraction, according to orders from Lula, and any answers will be given through diplomatic channels, sources have told Reuters. VOA United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged support for Ukraines reconstruction at a conference Monday in Tokyo that brought together several hundred government and business leaders from the two countries. The war in Ukraine is still going on at this very moment and the situation is not easy, Kishida said. The promotion of economic reconstruction, however, is not only an investment for the future of Ukraine but also investing in Japan and the whole globe. Kishida also pledged to relax visa controls and announced the Japan External Trade Organization would open an office Kyiv. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the two countries signed more than 50 cooperation agreements, including an intergovernmental convention on the avoidance of double taxation, which is extremely important for Japanese companies planning new projects in Ukraine. By combining our powers ... we can change this challenge into an opportunity for future growth and prosperity, Shmyhal said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Japan's experiences in reconstruction (from World War II) and its economic miracle provide us with inspiration. Japan has pledged more than $10 billion in aid for Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion two years ago. Most of that aid has been financial and humanitarian. The World Bank, European Union and United Nations estimated in a report last week that Ukraine will need $486 billion for reconstruction efforts during the next decade. As the Ukrainian and Japanese delegations met Monday, Ukraines air force reported fresh Russian aerial attacks, including four drones that Ukraines air defenses shot down. The Ukrainian air force said the drones were intercepted over the Kharkiv region. There were no immediate reports of any damage or casualties. U.S. aid The fall of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka to Russia forces has intensified U.S. reactions from Democrats and Republicans alike on whether $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine stalled in Congress could allow Kyiv to push back Russian advances and steal Moscows momentum. A White House statement said President Joe Biden tied the loss of the stronghold of Avdiivka in the southeastern Donetsk region to the stalled U.S. aid for Ukraine in a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday. Despite the overwhelming support of the package by most Democrats and almost half the Republicans, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson insists he wont be rushed into approving the $95.3 billion foreign aid package approved by a bipartisan Senate last week that includes the $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Democratic Senator Michael Bennet advocated for the aid saying, just get it over there. Theyve just had their first defeat, the Ukrainians, since last May, partly as a result of the fact that they are outgunned 10-to-1 by the Russians. We can help solve that problem for them and we should, Bennet said. But Senator J.D. Vance, an Ohio Republican and ally of Trump, said the problem in Ukraine is that theres no clear end point" and that the U.S. doesn't make enough weapons to support wars in eastern Europe, the Middle East and potentially a contingency in East Asia." If the package goes through, "that is not going to fundamentally change the reality on the battlefield, Vance argued, pointing out that Americas manufacturing capacity has its limits. Can we send the level of weaponry weve sent for the last 18 months? he asked. We simply cannot. No matter how many checks the U.S. Congress writes, we are limited there. In an interview with CNNs State of the Union Sunday, former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney said Congress should pass the bipartisan bill Ukrainians need so urgently and added House Speaker Johnson has the power to make that happen. If he wanted to, today, announce he is going to call the House of Representatives back into session he could put the bill that has already passed the Senate onto the floor of the House for a vote tomorrow, to be on Joe Bidens desk by tomorrow night and the aid to be flown to Ukraine. At a global security conference in Munich on Saturday, Zelenskyy urged allies to plug a shortage of weapons and expressed hope that the U.S. Congress would make a "wise decision" in approving a delayed large aid package for Ukraine. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The Vatican has been trying for years to debunk the idea that its vaunted secret archives are all that secret: It has opened up the files of controversial World War II-era Pope Pius XII to scholars and changed the official name to remove the word Secret from its title. But a certain aura of myth and mystery has persisted until now. The longtime prefect of what is now named the Vatican Apostolic Archive, Archbishop Sergio Pagano, is spilling the beans for the first time, revealing some of the secrets he has uncovered in the 45 years he has worked in one of the worlds most important, and unusual, repositories of documents. In a new book-length interview titled Secretum to be published Tuesday, Pagano divulges some of the unknown, lesser-known and behind-the-scenes details of well-known sagas of the Holy See and its relations with the outside world over the past 12 centuries. In conversations over the course of a year with Italian journalist Massimo Franco, Pagano delves into everything from Napoleons sacking of the archive in 1810 to the Galileo affair and the peculiar conclave the assembly of cardinals to elect a pope of 1922 that was financed by last-minute donations from U.S. Catholics. Its the first time and it will also be the last because Im about to leave, Pagano, 75, said in an interview with The Associated Press in his archive office, ahead of his expected retirement later this year. Pope Leo XIII first opened the archive to scholars in 1881, after it had been used exclusively to serve the pope and preserve documentation of the papacies, ecumenical councils and Vatican offices dating from the 8th century. With 85 kilometers of shelving, much of it underground in a two-story, fireproof, reinforced concrete bunker, the archive also houses documentation from Vatican embassies around the globe as well as specific collections from aristocratic families and religious orders. While often the source of Dan Brown-esque conspiracies, it functions much as any national or private archive: Researchers request permission to visit and then request specific documents to review in dedicated reading rooms. Pagano keeps a close eye on them from a giant television screen perched to the side of his desk, which provides a live, closed-circuit feed to the reading rooms downstairs. Most recently, scholars have been flocking to the archive to read through the documents of the pontificate of Pope Pius XII, the wartime pope who has been criticized for not having spoken out enough about the Holocaust. Pope Francis ordered the documents of his pontificate opened ahead of schedule, in 2020, so scholars could finally have the full picture of the papacy. The Vatican has long defended Pius, saying he used quiet diplomacy to save lives and didnt speak out publicly about Nazi crimes because he feared retaliation, including against the Vatican itself. Pagano is no apologist for Pius and stands out among Vatican hierarchs for his willingness to call out Pius' silence. Specifically, Pagano says he cannot square Pius continued reluctance to publicly condemn Nazi atrocities even after the war ended. During the war we know that the pope made a choice: He could not and would not speak. He was convinced that an even worse massacre would have happened, Pagano said. After the war, I would have expected a word more, for all these people who went to the gas chambers. Pagano attributes Pius continued, post-war silence to his concerns about the creation of a Jewish state. The Vatican had a long tradition of supporting the Palestinian people and was concerned about the fate of Christian religious sites in the Holy Land if the territories were turned over to the newly created state of Israel. Any word from Pius about the Holocaust even after the war could have been read in political terms as a support for the foundation of a new state, Pagano said. In the book, Pagano doesn't hold back about his disdain for the incomplete research behind Pius sainthood cause, which is now apparently on hold as scholars dissect the newly available documentation. The two Jesuit researchers who compiled Pius' sainthood dossier, the late Revs. Peter Gumpel and Paolo Molinari, relied only on the partial, 11-volume compilation of the papacy's documents that was published in 1965, Pagano revealed. Neither Father Gumpel nor Father Molinari ever set foot in the Apostolic Archive, he says in the book. He said he believed Pius' sainthood cause should have waited until the full archive of the pontificate was catalogued and available, and scholars had time to draw conclusions. Written documents must weigh heavily on the life of a servant of God, you cant ignore the archives, Pagano told Franco, the journalist. But the postulation by the Jesuits wanted to bypass it. Aside from the well-known stories of Vatican intrigue, the book also reveals some novelties, including the origins of the important financial relationship between the U.S. church and the Vatican that continues today and dates back to the 1922 conclave. Pagano said that after Pope Benedict XV died, the camerlengo the cardinal in charge of the papal treasury and accounts went to his safe and discovered it was literally empty. There wasnt a paper, bank note or coin. It turns out Benedict wasnt terribly responsible fiscally, and left the Holy See somewhat in the red when he died on Jan. 22 of that year. Papal coffers were always used to fund the conclave to elect a new pope, meaning the Holy See was in a cash crunch at a time when Europe was still reeling financially from World War I. The book, for the first time, reproduces the encrypted telegrams in which the Vatican secretary of state asked his ambassador in Washington to urgently wire what you have in the safe so that the vote could take place. According to the telegrams, the Vatican embassy sent what U.S. churches had collected from the American faithful, down to the cents: $210,400.09, allowing the vote that eventually elected Pope Pius XI. Pagano suggests that Francis' 2019 decision to remove the word Secret from the archive's name and rename it the Vatican Apostolic Archive was perhaps another financial nod to the wealthy U.S. church a rebranding to remove any negative connotations and thus encourage potential donations, primarily via Treasures of History, a new U.S.-based foundation that supports the archive. At the end of the interview, Pagano proudly showed visitors one of the archives prized possessions, which he keeps in an otherwise nondescript wooden armoire near the entrance of his office. There, behind plate glass and illuminated with special lights, is the original 1530 letter from British nobles urging Pope Clement VII to grant King Henry VIII an annulment so he could marry Anne Boleyn. As is well known, the pope refused and the king went ahead and got married, breaking with Rome. You can say that here we are at the birth of the Anglican Church, Pagano says as he holds up a light-tipped pointer to show off the red wax seals of some of the signatories. Pagano delights in revealing how the document survived: When Napoleon Bonaparte famously seized the Vatican archives in 1810 and carted them off to Paris, Paganos predecessor as chief archivist rolled up the 1530 letter and hid it inside a secret drawer in a chair in the archive antechamber. The French never found it, Pagano says proudly, keenly aware that an archivists main job is to preserve the archive. A landslide caused by heavy snowfall has killed 25 people and injured eight others in the eastern Afghan province of Nuristan, a disaster management ministry spokesperson said Monday. Earth, snow and rubble swept through the village of Nakre in the Tatin valley of Nuristan overnight Sunday. "As a result of the landslide, some 25 people have been killed and eight injured," spokesperson Janan Sayeq said in a video clip shared with media. Sayeq also told AFP the death toll could rise. Nuristan province, which borders Pakistan, is mostly covered by mountainous forests and hugs the southern end of the Hindu-Kush mountain range. Provincial officials said snow has also hampered rescue efforts. "Due to clouds and rain, the helicopter cannot land in Nuristan," said Mohammad Nabi Adel, the head of public works in the province. Adel said snow had blocked one of the main roads into the province, making "the rescue operation difficult." Around 20 houses were destroyed or heavily damaged, the provincial head of information and culture Jamiullah Hashimi told AFP. Snow continued to fall as rescuers tried to dig people out of the rubble, Hashimi said, noting that the efforts were hampered not only by weather but the lack of equipment in the remote area. "Modern equipment, tools, and facilities are not available for the rescue operation," he said. Rescuers relied on shovels, axes and other hand tools to dig through the earth and rubble to retrieve the dead. Large boulders also fell in the landslide and had to be blasted with explosives to make way for the rescuers. Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest countries, racked by decades of war, prone to natural disasters and vulnerable to extreme weather events linked to climate change. Soil erosion risks Mountainous areas of Afghanistan have long been vulnerable to landslides and floods, but in recent years risks have increased due to deforestation and drought, worsened by climate change, experts say. "When vegetation cover or the forests are cut down, or if green coverage doesn't exist in the area, soil erosion occurs," said Rohullah Amin, head of climate change for the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). "With soil erosion, when it rains or snows and the vegetation cover... doesn't exist anymore it causes such landslides." The arrival of snow this season was delayed across much of Afghanistan, which is accustomed to harsh winters but in its third year of drought. Officials said there has been less snowfall in Nuristan compared to previous years, though Amin said the province was not less hard-hit by drought than other parts of the country. "This year we had little snow, and it doesn't last for long," said Adel. The exceptionally low level of rain in a country that relies heavily on agriculture forced many farmers to delay planting. The South Asian country was once flush with humanitarian aid following the U.S.-led occupation but funding to Afghanistan has plummeted since the Taliban returned to power in mid-2021, in part because of the many restrictions it imposed on women. Sudan is experiencing escalating rates of hunger and malnutrition as the consequences of conflict and displacement spread through the region. At least 25 million people in the region are affected by food insecurity, according to the United Nations World Food Program, or WFP. "The impact of this conflict spans three countries Sudan, South Sudan and Chad and has created the world's largest displacement crisis," said Michael Dunford, WFP's regional director for Eastern Africa. "Almost a year into the war and we're seeing no signs that the number of families fleeing across borders will slow. The children and women who are crossing to South Sudan or Chad are hungry and arriving with no resources." WFP and other aid organizations have struggled to consistently meet the people's needs since the onset of the crisis in areas isolated by conflict. An estimated 18 million people within Sudan experience food insecurity and malnutrition, including 3.8 million Sudanese children under 5 years old. An increasing rate of malnutrition is occurring in children living in temporary transit camps. According to WFP, 4% of children fleeing to South Sudan are malnourished when they arrive. The figure increases to 25% in the transit center near the border between Sudan and South Sudan. Even if those impacted can escape, they flee to places like South Sudan or Chad, who have humanitarian issues of their own. "Unless this conflict is resolved, unfettered access is granted to humanitarian agencies, and funding is received, this crisis will only worsen," said Dunford. "We need to be able to provide support to families in Sudan to avoid the world's largest displacement crisis turning into a hunger catastrophe as we approach the lean season," he said. More than 553,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to Chad since the conflict started, with 40% of the children who arrive at an emergency clinic at a reception camp experiencing acute malnutrition. The rate of malnutrition in the refugee camps in Chad is above the WHO emergency threshold of 15% percent, limiting access to care for refugees who arrived before the onset of the Sudanese crisis. While the rates of malnutrition continue to increase, it gets more difficult for WFP to provide care due to a nearly $300 million funding gap over the next six months. Some information for this report was provided by the United Nations World Food Program. A suburban Minneapolis community was in mourning on Monday after authorities said two police officers and a firefighter were killed by a heavily armed man who shot at them from inside a home that was filled with children. The shooting on Sunday in a tree-lined neighborhood of Burnsville, Minnesota, left a third officer wounded. The suspect, who officials said had multiple guns and large amounts of ammunition, also died. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said there was an exchange of gunfire, and authorities were still piecing together details of what he described as a terrible day. The firefighter, who also works as a paramedic, was shot while providing aid to an injured officer, Evans said. He told reporters the paramedic was a part of a SWAT team that had been called to a domestic situation at the home. Inside, an armed man had barricaded himself with his family, including seven children ranging in age from 2 to 15, Evans said. He said negotiations lasted for hours before the suspect opened fire. He wasnt specific on the exact amount of time, but the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association said the standoff lasted four hours before a SWAT team entered the home. Evans said the suspect had several guns and large amounts of ammunition and shot at the police officers from multiple positions within the home, including the upper and lower floors. Evans said at least one officer was shot inside the home. We still dont know the exact exchange of gunfire that occurred, Evans said. Certainly several officers did return fire. He said that around 8 a.m. the suspect was found dead and the family and children were released from the home. None of them were hurt. City officials identified the slain officers as Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27. Adam Finseth, 40, a firefighter and paramedic for the city since 2019, also was killed. Elmstrand, a member of the departments mobile command staff, joined the department in 2017. Ruge was hired in 2020 and was part of the departments crisis negotiations team and was a physical evidence officer. Another police officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, was injured and being treated at a hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries, the city said. As the bodies of the dead left a hospital, officers saluted, before they were taken in a convoy to the medical examiners office. Medical staff watched in scrubs. Were hurting, said Police Chief Tanya Schwartz. Today, three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community. They are heroes. Neighbors were startled awake by loud pops about an hour before sunrise. Alicia McCullum said she and her family dropped to the floor, uncertain whether the noise was gunshots. She and her husband peered out of their sunroom and saw squad cars and a phalanx of police officers. I didnt think it was a gunshot at first, but then we opened the windows and we saw police everywhere and police hiding in our neighbors yards, said McCullum, who lives two houses down from the source of the commotion. Then there were three more gunshots, she said. It was like a bunch of fireworks. Thats when she and her husband and two children sought safety in a bathroom and dropped to the floor. They prayed. McCullum said she was relieved to see a woman and children escorted out of their home. Were so thankful for those police officers that risked their lives to save those kids, McCullum said. And my heart goes out to that mother. Fire Chief BJ Jungmann said the community was grieving and asked for privacy for the families. None of the relatives of the officers or the firefighter immediately returned phone messages from The Associated Press seeking comment. Evans said the medical examiner would identify the suspect and said autopsies were planned for Monday. There was no indication the home had been a source of troubles in the past. There have not been many calls for service at all, Evans said. As the investigation unfolded, the neighborhood was ringed with police cars to keep reporters and the public away. A police armored vehicle had bullet damage to its windshield, and Evans confirmed it sustained the damage in the gunfight. Police scanner recordings on Broadcastify.com capture a rattled man saying, I need any ambulance, as he struggled to catch his breath. Someone later could be heard talking about three being loaded into ambulances, uttering the word critical. As news spread, other law enforcement agencies immediately began posting messages of condolence on social media, including images of badges with blue bars through them. It is a mark of solidarity in mourning. In times like these, it is essential to come together as a community and support one another through the uncertainty and grief, said Marty Kelly, the sheriff in neighboring Goodhue County. Flags also were lowered to half-staff, with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz urging those who walked past them to take a moment and think about the first responders who lost their lives. Minnesota mourns with you, he said. The state stands ready to assist in any way possible. Hundreds of people gathered in front of Burnsville City Hall on Sunday night for a candlelit vigil to remember the victims. Several uniformed officers from other departments also attended. A fire truck and police car were in front of the building. The police vehicle had bouquets of flowers on the hood and handwritten signs tucked under the windshield wipers, one of which read: We are praying for you. Those gathered joined together in prayer and sang Amazing Grace. Right now is a time to grieve, to come together and grieve our communitys loss, and to support the families, said U.S. Rep. Angie Craig. I cant imagine the pain that youre all going through, Craig continued, but what I can say is that to all our officers out there, the paramedics, our firefighters, thank you for what you do. The crowd applauded. Its an important community, said area resident Kris Martin, and we feel very saddened by what happened. Burnsville, a city of around 64,000, is located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of downtown Minneapolis. Myanmar's military junta is going forward with a mandatory draft set to begin in mid-April, but critics say doing so has the potential to negatively impact the economy and the military itself. The ruling junta, which seized power in a coup three years ago this month, says the objective is to call up about 60,000 young men and women annually for mandatory service. The military has said the conscription order, known as the People's Military Service Law, is essential given the conflict with rebel groups in the country. Analysts say the junta has struggled to sign up new recruits and is facing its biggest challenges on the battlefield. The measure dates to 2010 but had not been activated until last week. According to the 2019 census, at least 13 million men and women are eligible for military service, said Major General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the Myanmar junta, in an audio clip released on Wednesday. He said that while the government wants to recruit 60,000 people annually, "We cannot call up more than 50,000 per year," because of budget constraints. Yet, a written statement released by the junta details a monthly quota of 5,000 conscripted for training this year, with women joining the military starting in September. The statement also emphasizes that engaging with alternative armed groups to evade the military service law is considered a violation, "subjecting individuals to prosecution under existing legal frameworks." According to Zaw Min Tun, the initiation of the conscription measure is intended for young people to "understand the responsibility of national defense." "On February 14th, organizations at the regional level were established to commence the recruitment process," the general said. He said the first group of recruits would be called up in mid-April following the traditional Thingyan New Year celebration. A desperate measure? "The Myanmar military currently has fewer than 100,000 troops," Khun Bedu, the chairman of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, or KNDF, said by phone on Friday. "Morale in the military is extremely low, and many soldiers don't want to serve any longer. That is why the junta needs to force young people to join." The KNDF is one of the most powerful ethnic armed resistance forces in Myanmar. It is fighting the junta in coordination with the National Unity Government, or NUG, a grouping of politicians and regional leaders who were ousted in the 2021 coup. The NUG views itself as a shadow government. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military coup. "It's a desperate measure, and they're resorting to this because they lack soldiers." Miemie Winn Byrd, a former U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and Myanmar-U.S. military relations expert, told VOA via Zoom last week. "They simply don't have enough," she said. "This has been an ongoing issue, but it escalated since 2021 with the beginning of armed resistance against the military. There has been an unprecedented surge of defections recently, and the numbers of killed-in-action and casualties have been much higher on the military side than the resistance side. "Additionally," Byrd said, "There have been mass unit-level surrenders; and they have missed their recruitment target every year since 2021, because they are highly unpopular. Our data say that over 90% of the Burmese people reject the military." The lack of transparency by Myanmar's junta makes it difficult to know the true size of junta forces. It has been estimated by the Washington-based U.S. Institute of Peace that, accounting for casualties, desertions and defections since the military takeover, the effective size of the Myanmar military stands at around 150,000, with less than half being front-line troops. Escaping conscription Meanwhile, VOA Burmese reported Monday that two women were killed in a stampede outside a passport office in Mandalay, the second-largest city. The incident unfolded as thousands rushed to leave the country, seeking to evade enforcement of the junta's military service law. A rescue worker on the scene tells VOA the incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. as people queued to apply for passports. "There was a hole nearby, and people fell into it, causing their deaths due to a lack of air," he said. "Some people also got injured and were sent to a hospital." He spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for his safety. According to a French news agency report on Friday, more than 1,000 people lined up outside the Thai embassy in Yangon, highlighting a surge in individuals seeking to leave Myanmar following the junta's announcement of mandatory military service. "This law is impossible to accept," a 27-year-old man living in Yangon, speaking anonymously for his protection, said by phone. "There are proper procedures for military conscription," he continued, "But in this case, we can just be arrested on the street and forced to join." When asked about his plans if unable to comply with military conscription, he said, "We have no choice but to leave; it's extremely frustrating." He said some people will go to liberated areas to avoid conscription, while others are planning to go abroad to work and send money to those who joined the resistance. Consequences of conscription "You're going to see a mass exodus of young people, especially those who can afford to leave," Byrd said. "So, then you have a brain drain. A lot of the businesses and other groups are not going to have enough workers or qualified workers," she added. Byrd also noted that the military likely will use some of the recruits for demining and mine detection purposes, which she said will make the military more unpopular. The National Unity Government said on Tuesday that the recently activated military service law is illegal and therefore citizens are not obligated to adhere to this law. "Because the junta seized control through illegal and forceful means, any rules they establish are also illegitimate. So, there's no need to follow their directive," the NUG's presidential office spokesperson, Kyaw Zaw, said last week. "Therefore, the public can resist in different ways. In the past we have used methods of resistance like silent strikes. The NUG and allied revolutionary organizations are prepared to support, protect, and meet the needs of the youth in their resistance against the junta's actions." Tommy Walker contributed to this report. The mother of late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny is being refused access to his body for a third day, his team said on Monday as his widow prepared to meet European foreign ministers. Navalny's death in an Arctic prison last week has shocked the country's exiled opposition which -- along with the West -- pointed the finger at the Kremlin. Navalny's allies said investigators told his mother, Lyudmila, the investigation into his death in prison "has been extended." Russia's prison service said Navalny, 47, died on Friday after a walk in his remote prison above the Arctic Circle. His mother traveled to the isolated prison colony in the town of Kharp -- around 2,000 kilometers away from Moscow -- Saturday but was told his body was not there. She was then sent to a morgue in the regional hub of Salekhard, but officials there also denied her access to the body. "Alexey's mother and his lawyers arrived at the morgue early in the morning. They were not allowed to go in," Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said on social media. "One of the lawyers was literally pushed out. When the staff was asked if Alexey's body was there, they did not answer," she added. She later said the mother -- who has not spoken publicly -- was told a probe into his death was being prolonged. "It is not known how long it will continue. The cause of death is still 'undetermined.' "They're lying, playing for time and do not even hide it," Yarmysh said. Navalny's team, which have operated from outside Russia for more than two years, have demanded his body be handed over to relatives. They have accused authorities of "covering up their tracks." Putin has not yet commented on the death, despite making public appearances after it was announced. Authorities detained hundreds of mourners who brought flowers to local monuments in Russia over the weekend, rights groups said. Navalny's widow headed for Brussels As his relatives and lawyers searched for his body in the Russian Far North, his widow Yulia Navalnaya will head for Brussels Monday to meet EU foreign ministers. She has held Putin personally responsible for her husband's death. "I want Putin and all his entourage, Putin's friends and his government to know: they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family, to my husband," she said when the death was announced on Friday. The West has blamed Putin and his government for Navalny's death. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he would welcome Yulia Navalnaya to the bloc's Foreign Affairs Council on Monday. "EU Ministers will send a strong message of support to freedom fighters in Russia" and "honor" Navalny's memory, he added on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday. Navalnaya was by Navalny's side throughout his more than decade long fight against the Kremlin. She managed to fly him out of Russia when he was poisoned in 2020 with what doctors said was a nerve agent and defiantly returned with him to Moscow, knowing he would go to prison, in 2021. As the West mounted pressure on Russia, blaming Putin for the death, the Kremlin remained silent. Russia's foreign ministry decried "sweeping accusations" by the West in the hours after the death, but no high-placed officials have since commented. Russia's prison service said in a short statement that Navalny had died "after a walk" in the IK-3 colony -- known as the "Polar Wolf." In a message from prison on January 9, Navalny described the walking cell as "11 steps from one wall and three steps to another." He said he was brought for a walk "normally after lunch" or, if he was in solitary confinement, "at 6.30 am" despite polar nights. "So far, it has not been colder than -32 (Celsius)," he said. "There are few things that strengthen you as a walk in the (Arctic region) Yamal at 6.30 am," the politician joked, in his usual sarcastic style. Navalny had continued from behind bars to call on Russians to fight against the regime, calling on them "not to be afraid." He also watched on in despair as Russia launched its Ukraine offensive, denouncing it from his prison. Russians have been arrested for paying tribute to Alexey Navalny, even just laying flowers at memorials. Dwindling stores of ammunition threaten Ukraines hold on the front line with Russia. And one of the most liberal drug policies in the world is being reconsidered because it doesnt seem to work. Title/author: Coriolanus. W. Shakespeare ADVERTISIMENT Theater: National Drama Theater named after I. Franko Director: Dmytro Bohomazov Shakespeare is always a win-win. The works of the brilliant playwright are multilayered, full of aphoristic quotes, and have room for actors to reveal their talents. But it is precisely because of the complexity and ambiguity of the plays that the original meanings that were put into the performance can change to almost opposite ones. For example, Coriolanus, about the exploits and betrayal of a Roman general, at its premiere in 2018, might have seemed like a satire of the aggressor neighboring country, whose society was imbued with the ideas of a victorious victor in the spirit of "we can do it again." Today, Coriolanus is a warning to our society. ADVERTISIMENT Shakespeare's play Coriolanus has been staged for four centuries, and the legend of the general who did not find himself in politics dates back more than two millennia. Only people haven't changed since then, so the story of Caius Martius remains relevant. Ancient Rome is on the verge of another hunger strike. The people, the plebeians, demand lower bread prices. The consuls do not find a better idea than to "preventively" attack Coriolanus, the capital of the Volscian neighbors, collect tribute from them and calm the crowd with a popular victory. The campaign is entrusted to the warlike Caius Marcius, who, after the difficult but successful capture of Coriolanus, will be called Coriolanus. ADVERTISIMENT But with military victory comes unexpected responsibility - political responsibility. Everyone, from his mother to the highest Roman nobility, the patricians, persuade Coriolanus to become a consul. In the wake of his popularity, even the people prefer this for the commander. But the soldier has a complicated relationship with the people. Coriolanus was born a warrior, he fought his first battle at the age of 14, and for him the State is the only legitimate way to fight, win trophies and glory. Coriolanus considers the plebeians to be insufficiently patriotic for their inclination to a peaceful life; they demand bread, not military posthumous glory. Coriolanus considers even the very fact of distributing bread in Rome instead of joining the army a despicable tradition. He also despises the rite in which a soldier must show his wounds to the plebs before becoming a consul. Coriolanus sabotages the tradition because he is not sure whether ordinary Romans are worthy of the blood shed for them. ADVERTISIMENT The issue of Coriolanus's pride becomes so hot that a new rebellion is brewing in Rome. In modern history, in similar cases, malfunctioning helicopters crash or private jets explode in the air. But in those days, yesterday's hero was treated humanely, only expelled from Rome. Resentful of the city for which he had decorated his own body with 27 scars, the commander returns to Coriolus to fraternize with his sworn enemy Tullus Aufidius and become the head of the Volscian army. Now Rome will see who it has lost because of its democratic traditions and constant flirtation with the plebs. ADVERTISIMENT It is not for nothing that the production director Dmytro Bohomazov emphasized the red-velvet aesthetics of the postwar Soviet Union for Coriolanus at the Franko Theater. This is an example of a country that, for the sake of pomp and geopolitical dominance, massacred its own citizens by the thousands, regardless of merit or military rank. That is why the heir to the "country of soviets," the Russian Federation, has slipped into a military dictatorship like Hitler's Reich in just three decades. The necrophilic red-velvet aesthetics of the lavish funeral were very attractive, and the shine of the golden axelbands was very dazzling. Why not repeat it? ADVERTISIMENT Especially since from Coriolanus' point of view, his legend is a story of military justice. Caius Martius won all the battles on the battlefield. It doesn't matter whether he laid siege to Coriola for the glory of Rome or stormed Rome with the forces of Coriola's soldiers, the commander did not betray the god of war, did not run from the enemy, did not abandon his friends on the field, and did not renounce his principles in the corridors of power. But did Coriolanus's principled attitude benefit Rome itself, which raised him as a patriot? As it should be in a deep Shakespearean drama, there are no clear distinctions between good and evil. But we still see the ethics of Coriolanus himself (Oleksandr Formanchuk). That's why the patricians (Bohdan Beniuk, Ivan Sharay, Oleh Stalchuk) look slippery like reptiles, and the plebeians (Vitaliy Azhnov, Oleksandr Rudynsky, Ksenia Basha, Khrystyna Fedorak) look timid and inactive. The commander's mother (Natalia Sumska) and wife (Anastasia Rula) sound, though not always in agreement with Coriolanus, in unison with his ethics of military glory. And the Volscians, yesterday's enemies, with their commander Tull Avfidiy (Oleksiy Bogdanovych), become Coriolanus' equal in spirit. ADVERTISIMENT If in 2018, on the day of the play's release, it was easy to see parallels with the Kremlin's games, now the production may sound like a warning. The longer the war lasts, the bigger the gap between those who are on the front lines and those who are in the rear. And when the soldiers return from the front, do they see the patriots for whom they shed their blood? But the state is not only based on the military. So who should prepare for exile? Those who went to their deaths or those for whom others went? Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia escalated over the weekend following allegations by Somalia's president that Ethiopian security forces tried to bar him from attending the African Union summit in Addis Ababa. The incident came amid a dispute between the countries involving the breakaway region of Somaliland. Speaking to journalists before cutting short his trip, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the actions of the Ethiopian forces were part of a grand scheme by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to annex part of Somalia. This morning when I prepared myself to attend the closing session of the summit, the Ethiopian security blocked my way," Mohamud said Saturday, adding that he wasn't allowed "to come out of the hotel and go on with my cars and entourage." Ethiopia, he said, wanted "to annex part of Somalia to Ethiopia and to disrespect the African Union summit participants like me. The Somali president eventually gained access to the meeting, entering with the security team of Djibouti President Ismael Omar Guelleh. The Ethiopian government rejected Mohamuds claim and said the Somali leader and his delegation declined to be accompanied by a security detail assigned to him. Hard to place blame Matt Bryden, co-founder of Sahan Research, a policy and security think tank, said he thought it wasn't easy to apportion blame, because there could have been a breakdown in security protocol. "Either the Ethiopians unreasonably denied access to the president and his security detail, or the Somali security personnel escorting the president were trying to bring weapons into a location into which they were not permitted, Bryden said. The claims by Mohamud escalated tensions that were already running high because of an agreement signed New Years Day between Abiy and Somaliland President Muse Bihi. The memorandum of understanding would grant landlocked Ethiopia access to the Gulf of Aden to build a naval base. In exchange, according to Somaliland, Ethiopia would recognize it as an independent state. Ethiopia, however, said it would merely consider that possibility. Somalia, which still considers Somaliland part of its territory, is insisting the agreement be canceled. The African Union has called for dialogue to resolve the issue, but a former Somali government minister, Abdullahi Godah Barre, said that wasn't the right move now. Barre said dialogue is always good, but Ethiopia has to retract the deal so that the dialogue will be without conditions. No one, he said, will accept negotiations based on annexation. Ethiopia has not explicitly rejected Somalias annexation claim, but Abiy said this month that Ethiopia does not wish to harm Somalia. According to Bryden, the issue is complicated by Somalias dependence on Ethiopian troops for security in southwestern parts of the country. Somalia has still not called for Ethiopian troops to leave southwestern Somalia, which would be disastrous, because presumably, places like Beletweyn, Bulobarde, Baidoa and other towns would fall into the hands of al-Shabab if Ethiopia were to do so, he said. Ethiopia and Somalia have a long history of tensions and have even gone to war with each other. However, in recent years, the two countries have enjoyed relatively friendly relations. Ethiopia currently deploys its troops into Somalia within and outside the African Union framework. Thai prosecutors will conduct further investigations into whether former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra broke a royal defamation law, they said Monday, a day after the billionaire's release on parole in a separate graft case. The former Manchester City owner is one of the most divisive figures in modern Thai history, loved by millions of rural voters for his populist policies but opposed by the royalist and pro-military establishment. On Sunday he was released on parole just six months into an eight-year sentence for graft and corruption charges, for which he was arrested last August after his dramatic return to the kingdom from 15 years of self-imposed exile. Thailand's attorney general has now "allowed further investigation" into claims the 74-year-old broke the royal defamation law in comments he made in South Korea in 2015, the attorney's office spokesman told a press conference. Prosecutors have asked Thaksin to appear in April, at which point they could announce they are prosecuting him or ask for more time to conduct investigations. Thaksin attended a meeting at the attorney general's office in a wheelchair and spoke in a barely audible voice, according to the director of its crime division, and bail was set at $13,900. The country's lese-majeste law is intended to protect the king a revered, semi-divine figure in Thai society from insult, and those breaking it can face up to 15 years in jail per offense. Thaksin, ousted as premier in a 2006 military coup, was sentenced to eight years on graft and abuse-of-power charges last August following his return to the kingdom. But his prison term was cut to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and on Sunday he was released on parole early due to his health and old age. The department of corrections confirmed his release on parole, but the exact details of his freedom are unclear. He may be subject to monitoring and restrictions on his right to travel. Thailand is bracing for an influx of refugees after Myanmars military recently announced a conscription law. Analysts say the Thai government should put those fleeing Myanmar into safe zones. Last week, Myanmars military activated the Peoples Military Service Law, meaning men aged 18 to 45 and women aged 18 to 35 can be drafted into the armed forces for two years of compulsory service. Certain personnel in specialist professions, like doctors and engineers, must serve for three years. In the case of a national emergency, the military service can be extended to five years. The military says the conscription order is essential given the conflict with rebel groups in the country. Analysts say it is because the junta has struggled to sign up new recruits and is facing its biggest challenges on the battlefield. The declaration of mandatory military service came into effect on February 13 with the junta planning to enroll 5,000 people per month from April, drafting 60,000 new military sign-ups yearly. Videos have circulated on social media in recent days showing long lines of people applying for visas at the Thai Embassy in Yangon. Local media reported that the embassy was issuing 400 tickets per day. Khin Ohmar, founder of rights group Progressive Voice Myanmar, says many young people are fleeing to avoid conscription. Many young people are fleeing already. A few hundred already from local counts. Many have been arrested by Thai authorities at border checkpoints, she said. At least 27 Myanmar nationals have already been arrested in Tak, in northern Thailand, by the Thai border task force after allegedly crossing the border illegally, Eleven Media Myanmar reports. Thailand should do two things. For immediate response, instead of arresting and putting them in police station and detention centers, open temporary safe zones on Thailands side with international, U.N. assistance and provide protection, Khin Ohmar said. [The Thai government] should convince the Myanmar junta to stop this. And also call on the U.N. Security Council to help as the juntas actions threaten regional peace and stability, resulting from its terror campaign across the country targeting civilian populations mercilessly, especially airstrikes and forced conscription, she added. Myanmar has been in turmoil since a February 2021 military coup, which has been hugely opposed by the Myanmar population. Ousted politicians and regional leaders have formed a National Unity Government, or NUG, while the military crackdown has fueled an armed resistance from opposition and ethnic groups. Thailand and Myanmar share a 2,414-kilometer border, making it accessible for fleeing Myanmar refugees to cross into safety. A recent alliance of opposition forces has since launched a large offensive operation that has seen the occupation of dozens of townships and hundreds of junta-held posts. The NUG says 60% of Myanmar is now under the control of opposition forces. Tun Aung Shwe, Australia representative for the NUG, says the conscription law has Myanmar youths living in the city seeking protection. Urban youths are now scrambling to seek refuge in liberated areas under the NUG and democratic forces control. Regrettably, many impoverished youths find themselves conscripted into the military ranks, unwillingly serving as cannon fodder in front-line conflicts and minefields, he said. Thailand has been the go-to country for Myanmar people fleeing conflict. Human Rights Watch reported in November that approximately 45,000 Myanmar refugees have entered Thailand since the military coup three years ago. Thailand is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and has no specific domestic legal framework for protection of urban refugees and asylum-seekers. Thailand, however, has recently shifted its approach toward Myanmar and is taking a more humanitarian role since Thailands new government come into power last year. The kingdom is now under the leadership of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of the Pheu Thai party, while Thailands new military chief, General Songwit Noonpakdee, was appointed in October. Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said last year the government is ready to build shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border should the conflict force refugees to spill over into Thailand. He met with U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington last week, discussing the need to further address the crisis in Myanmar. A statement from Blinkens office said the secretary emphasized the urgent need to expand humanitarian assistance to displaced people... in Burma (Myanmar) and ... release all those unjustly detained, end the violence, and put Burma back on a path to democratic civilian governance. Parnpree also visited the border town of Mae Sot this month to establish humanitarian corridors as the conflict worsens. But experts say Thailand needs to include Myanmars opposition forces in any cross-border agreements. Phil Robertson, the Asia deputy director of Human Rights Watch, also called on Thailand to receive fleeing Burmese. Thailand has both a human rights and humanitarian obligation to receive Burmese people fleeing political persecution, including those escaping the [State Administrative Council] military junta's forced conscription law that seems intended to drive the young people out of the country, he said. From a military that already specializes in systematically attacking civilians as part of its core tactics, the highly unpopular junta's latest move looks like an assertion of intimidation and control of youth throughout the country by press ganging them into military service. The Thai government and military, which have closely aligned with the [Myanmar] junta and been all too willing to do their bidding, need to think again because it's clear the junta's strategy is to send young people streaming across the borders to escape a brutal bout of military service, he added. The crisis has also seen Myanmars economy suffer, which has also prompted Myanmar nationals to seek other opportunities over its border. Millions are unemployed in Myanmar with its economy 10% lower than it was in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by the World Bank. For some, the conscription law is another blow to the livelihoods of people in Myanmar. Emilie Palamy Pradichit, the founder of the Manushya Foundation, a human rights organization in Bangkok, said she has received a flurry of job applications from people in Myanmar looking to avoid the military call-up. Weve been receiving a massive number of applications from Myanmar people in our job openings, mainly Gen Z and millennials telling us they need to leave [as soon as possible]. Its heartbreaking. During the interview process, [they have] been asking us to help them and that they need to get out, Emilie said. Hundreds of Czech farmers drove their tractors into downtown Prague on Monday, disrupting traffic outside the Agriculture Ministry, as they joined protests against high energy costs, stifling bureaucracy and the European Union's Green Deal. Farmers across Europe have taken to the streets this year, including in Poland, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, to fight low prices and high costs, cheap imports and EU climate change constraints. Czech farmers are planning to join protests this week, although major agricultural associations distanced themselves from Monday's action, in which tractors blocked one lane of a major road through Prague, slowing but not completely snarling traffic. Several hundred whistling and jeering protesters gathered outside the Agriculture Ministry yelling "Shame" and "Resign." "We came today mainly because of the bureaucracy around farming, the paperwork is on the edge of what is bearable," 28-year-old farmer Lukas Melichovsky said while in the line of tractors. Another farmer, Vojtech Schwarz, said cheaper imports did not face the same scrutiny as domestic production: "They have a different starting line because we are overseen by a million officials," he said. The government has said the organizers of Monday's demonstration have little to do with real farming. "Today's demonstration does not have much in common with the fight for better conditions for farmers," Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on X social media platform, adding some of its organizers were pro-Russian or had other political aims. "We are negotiating with those who represent farmers," Fiala said. The Agrarian Chamber (AK) plans protests alongside other European farmers at border crossings on Thursday and was not part of Monday's tractor protest. Its main complaints are EU farm policy, market distortions and low purchase prices coming from surpluses amid cheap imports from outside the bloc. Farmers also complain of costs associated with the EU's climate change fight laid out in the Green Deal, which sets out agricultural regulations for the bloc's 27 members for decades. "Farmers are desperate in this hopeless situation and do not know what they should expect in the near future, let alone the distant one," AK president Jan Dolezal said last week. In Slovakia, farmers were due to protest this week to push the government to help the sector, angry over late subsidies, uneven aid or cheaper non-EU imports, including from Ukraine. Tractors took to some streets already on Monday, with TASR news agency reporting farmers had blocked the main border crossing between Ukraine and Slovakia for one hour. Earlier this month, Polish farmers blocked roads across the country and at border crossings with Ukraine, kicking off a month-long general strike to protest against EU policies. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Israels Cabinet said Sunday that it rejects the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. The news came amidst growing calls by the United States and other countries for a two-state solution, as the Middle East conflict worsens. VOAs Veronica Balderas Iglesias has the details. Israeli forces carried out aerial attacks and ground operations Monday in the southern Gaza Strip, as Gaza health officials said the number of Palestinians killed there since October surpassed 29,000 people. The Hamas-run health ministry said 107 people had been killed during the past day, and that the total number of people wounded in Israeli operations in Gaza had topped 69,000. The ministry includes civilians and militants in its tallies but has said about two-thirds of the casualties in Gaza are women and children. Israels military reported strikes Monday on Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza, while international concerns remained about a planned Israeli offensive in the nearby city of Rafah. Retired Israeli general Benny Gantz, who is part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus War Cabinet, said Sunday that if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages it is holding in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area. Ramadan is expected to begin March 10. Gantz said any Israeli offensive in Rafah would be done in coordination with Egypt and the United States to facilitate an evacuation and minimize the civilian casualties as much as possible. With Rafahs location next to the Egyptian border, and widespread destruction left behind by Israels counteroffensive across the Gaza Strip, it is unclear where Palestinian civilians can safely go. More than half of Gazas population is now in Rafah, with many having fled there amid Israeli evacuation orders and the gradual push of the war from the northern part of Gaza to the southern end. Netanyahu reiterated Sunday that Israel intends to finish the job in its quest to eliminate Hamas. Israel began its military campaign to wipe out Hamas after Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people according to Israeli tallies and taking about 250 people hostage. Hamas is believed to still be holding about 130 hostages in Gaza, including 30 who are presumed dead. SEE ALSO: Israel on Sunday rejected international calls, including from its chief ally, the United States, for unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, saying any such agreement could only be reached through negotiations. Netanyahu brought what he called a declaratory decision on Palestinian statehood before his Cabinet, which unanimously approved it. The statement declared that the Jewish state categorically rejects international edicts on a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians." Efforts to achieve a two-state solution an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza on either side of Israel have been stalled since 2014. But with the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza now in its fifth month, the United States and other countries have renewed calls for the creation of a Palestinian state to end the fighting. U.S. President Joe Biden has called for an even broader Middle East agreement that would encompass Saudi Arabia and other Arab states normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel. In rejecting Palestinian statehood, Israel said in a statement that such recognition, coming after the October Hamas attack will grant a huge, unprecedented reward to terrorism and prevent any future peace accord. Netanyahu has vowed to continue fighting Hamas militants until it achieves absolute victory. The U.S. has tried, unsuccessfully so far, to broker a new cease-fire and the release of the hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu has said that Hamas demands are delusional that Israel withdraw its troops from Gaza and leave the militants in control of the territory with the capability to rebuild its arsenal. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said in a statement Saturday that the U.S. would veto an Algerian plan likely to come before the U.N. Security Council this week calling for an immediate cease-fire. She said the U.S. wants a sustainable resolution to the Gaza conflict which would bring an immediate and sustained period of calm to Gaza for at least six weeks, and from which we could then take the time and the steps to build a more enduring peace. She said the plan the U.S. has been working on with input from Israel, Egypt, Qatar and others represents the best opportunity to reunite all hostages with their families and enable a prolonged pause in fighting, that would allow for more lifesaving food, water, fuel, medicine, and other essentials to get into the hands of Palestinian civilians who desperately need it. She said the Algerian plan would not achieve the same results and may run counter to them. Thomas-Greenfield said if the Algerian plan were to come up for a vote, it will not be adopted. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. DAKAR Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Sunday demanded his immediate release in the name of "equal treatment" under the constitution. "All candidates must benefit from the constitutional principles of equal treatment," said a statement from the Diomaye President coalition. "That's why the release without delay of candidate Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye is a popular demand and respectful of the Constitution," the statement said. The coalition noted the situation also required the urgent release of jailed opposition Pastef party leader Ousmane Sonko. The Constitutional Court rejected Sonko's candidacy but accepted that of Faye, the party's number two, along with about 20 others. Sonko has been in prison since July 2023 for calling for an uprising, associating with criminals linked to terrorism and harming state security. Faye has been under preventive detention since April last year but has yet to face trial. The European Union last month stressed that candidates approved by the Constitutional Council must all be allowed to campaign for election on equal terms. Dozens of opposition supporters have been set free in recent days by President Macky Sall who says there are no political prisoners in Senegal. The Diomaye coalition called for "all political prisoners who have been locked up unjustly to be immediately released." Sall plunged traditionally stable Senegal deep into crisis by postponing at the last minute the February 25 election for his successor. In power since 2012 but not running for a third term, Sall said he called off the vote over disputes about the disqualification of potential candidates and concern about a return to unrest seen in 2021 and 2023. The Constitutional Council intervened on Thursday and Sall, under strong international and domestic pressure, back-pedaled agreed to its demand to organize the election as soon as possible, but no date was set. Photo: Seo Ji Hyung/Netflix In the Netflix K-drama D.P., men and fear are intertwined. Within the rigid hierarchies of the exclusively male world of South Korean national service, directionless men pulled from their daily lives uphold the abusive system because theyre afraid: afraid of standing out, of looking weak, of what their fear really says about them. In a K-drama landscape that so often errs on the bright side, D.P. creator Kim Bo-tang (adapting the series from his own webtoon) instead shows us a grim underworld right in front of our eyes. This is a world powered by men spectacularly ill-equipped to lead, who are so afraid of the abuse of their superiors that they simply visit the same violence upon their perceived subordinates, all to continue a cycle of toxic masculinity in an otherwise celebrated male system. Its this system into which Ahn Jun-ho (Jung Hae-in) falls. Plucked from a delivery job, he is an outward exemplifier of the South Korean military: young, fit, cheekbones for days. Yet inside, he couldnt be more removed from the boorish, misogynistic world maintained in barracks. Hes simply a confused, directionless young man thrown into a group of other confused young men. Yet, where everyone elses fear seems to manifest as violence, Jun-hos fear elicits in him an overwhelming empathy. This should mark Jun-ho as a target for the hazing and intense bullying from his peers. He is, however, spared the ordeal after impressing Park Boem-gu (Kim Sung-kyung), who assigns him to the D.P. unit for deserter pursuit. That this role allows Jun-ho to leave the base allows for a slice of normalcy in an otherwise rigid world. It also grants us a curious contrast between the constricting regime of military life and the world outside, at once permissive by comparison and yet clueless of everything Jun-ho has already experienced. Its notable that D.P. is set in 2014, a tragic year in South Korea and a scandalous one for the military. In June, a 22-year-old shot and killed five fellow soldiers and injured seven others, sparked by intense abuse and the apathy of his superiors. Several months later, a 20-year-old soldier died as the result of abuse from superiors. Both events shook South Korea and raised serious questions about conditions within national service; both are represented in facsimile in D.P.s first season. The South Korea Jun-ho sees on his first jaunt off base is one on the cusp of that tragedy, holding its breath in blissful ignorance before the storm breaks. The way Jung plays Jun-ho is less as an emotional man in a stubbornly taciturn concept of masculinity but rather someone already grieving that tragedy. As if, haunted by the lessons of his missions and the abuse he witnesses, he can already see whats coming, even if he does not know the form it might take. When his first mission ends in calamity, Jun-ho is paired with experienced D.P. Han Ho-yeol (Koo Kyo-hwan). A gregarious yet adept D.P., Ho-yeol forms a sharp contrast to the confusion and guilt that whirls around Jun-ho. Its a setup that invokes a buddy-cop series, with each episode centering on a different pursuit and the implications they carry. Yet, hidden in that striking dynamic are two people at odds with the system in which they function, with both Jun-ho and Ho-yeol slowly understanding the responsibility theyve been handed is too big for them. Despite being constantly told they are men, to act like men, to embody what it means to be a man, they are ultimately too young to understand the implications of what theyre doing until someone gets hurt and people do get hurt. The depiction of the realities of national service resonated with many veterans and made D.P. a domestic phenomenon. But it also grabbed a wider audience who could see the parallels between the feckless officers that allow, encourage, and even perpetrate abuse in the military and the toxic leadership they experience in their daily lives. Its odd, then, that the series isnt bigger outside South Korea. With such an accessible and universal story, if any series could break through to a global audience, why not D.P.? The answer is simple: It was released a month before Squid Game. Though Squid Game languished in South Korea behind D.P. and then Hometown Cha Cha Cha, internationally we all caught Squid Game fever. D.P. never stood a chance. Its deeply unfair for a series so powerful and so competently crafted, one that embodies many of the themes that make other K-dramas popular in the west. A second season should have vindicated D.P. on the global stage, yet once again it had the misfortune to run up against another hugely popular import. This time, it was Hulus remarkable superhero drama Moving. Does that make D.P. the unluckiest South Korean series in memory? It certainly has a claim. But what it says and what it does makes it well deserving of a second chance. Weve seen examinations of toxic masculinity in television before, even of how it fuels power, its abuse, hypocrisy, and fragility. D.P., however, is one of those rare series that sympathizes with the men in powers orbit, empathizes with the fear that drives them, yet never apologizes for them. It doesnt grant those men a happy ending, it doesnt envision reform. David, D.P. says, cannot contend with a Goliath unwilling or unable to change. Rather, D.P. shows us the real world reflected back at us, a world in which men are afraid, yes, but in which men are also willing participants in the systems of which they are also victims. It shows us all of this in a digestible form and asks us to have the insight, even the charity at times, to understand where fault truly lies. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows Vanessa Williams has officially relocated from Mode to Runway by joining the cast of the upcoming West End Devil Wears Prada musical. A teaser released on Monday gave us our first look at Wilhelmina Slater Williams as Miranda Priestly. After strutting into her office, she scoffs, Dont just sit there. Buy tickets or something. The stage adaptation features music by Elton John, direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell, lyrics by Shaina Taub, and book by Kate Wetherhead. Status updates for this production have moved at a glacial pace weve been hearing about plans for a musical based on the hit 2006 movie for nine years now. It was billed as a pre-Broadway musical during a developmental run in Chicago in 2022. For now, its headed to London to open in the Dominion Theatre in October 2024. (An exclusive preview engagement will also play at Theatre Royal Plymouth this summer beforehand.) Well keep you updated as we learn more details, including who will have the honor of fetching Mirandas coffee. But for now? That is all. Vanessa Williams IS Miranda Priestly. That's all. pic.twitter.com/C2WfviFFyk The Devil Wears Prada A New Musical (@PradaWestEnd) February 19, 2024 This year, the famous Ukrainian writer and literary critic Oksana Zabuzhko joined the jury of the prestigious international Berlinale competition. According to the celebrity, European filmmakers are actively interested in her attitude to the scandalous "Ukrainian director" Sergei Loznitsa. Zabuzhko asks herself another question: "Why does a native of Belarus, who lived in Ukraine for only a few years, studied in Moscow and emigrated to Germany, position himself as a 'Ukrainian'? ADVERTISIMENT At the Berlinale, the writer received an answer not only to this question, but also learned how Loznitsa defends Russian culture abroad and speaks disdainfully of Ukrainian culture. Zabuzhko shared the details with her Facebook followers. "A European cinematic party started asking my opinion about the 'Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa'. For years now, I have consistently answered this question by saying that I don't understand why he is "Ukrainian" if he is a Belarusian by birth, lived in Ukraine for only a few years as a young man, left immediately after the collapse of the USSR, studied in Moscow, and then emigrated to Germany, and what does Ukraine have to do with it, and why is he so attached to it that he claims to be a Ukrainian everywhere... It turns out that for all these 30 years Loznitsa has been working for the international film community as the "voice of Ukraine," telling the audience on the sidelines of film festivals that his mission is to save Russian culture in his supposedly native Ukraine, because Ukrainian culture is too "small and provincial" (c) for a separate country, and without Russian culture, Ukraine will eventually become wild," Zabuzhko revealed. ADVERTISIMENT The writer reminded her readers that they could hear similar narratives from Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, so it is quite obvious that Loznitsa is using his methodology to denigrate her "native" culture. The author also noted that Loznitsa is not the only such character who positions himself abroad as a "Ukrainian" but in fact only harms Ukrainian society, culture, and the nation as a whole. Unfortunately, Ukrainians do not always understand who is really worthy of respect and honor and who is just pretending to be a prominent Ukrainian artist. Therefore, Zabuzhko urged her compatriots to consider this issue not superficially, but more deeply, without making heroes of those who are not worthy of it at all. ADVERTISIMENT "According to my observations, for every significant field of culture, science, information, etc. in the West, there is an "alleged Ukrainian" who is well integrated into the relevant local institutions and who, on behalf of Ukraine, authoritatively plants Russian propaganda narratives in the virgin brains of their Western colleagues. And after 24.02.22, the number of such songbirds has only increased, so let's not rush to rejoice every time that "our flowers are all over the world," but first look closely to see if the flowers are "ours" or maybe they are from a completely different field," Zabuzhko aptly summarized. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA wrote, in May 2022, Loznitsa made a speech at the Cannes Film Festival in which he condemned the boycott of Russian culture against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. This gesture, which was treacherous to Ukraine, was condemned by his compatriots. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On February 17, Zlata Mitchell, the eldest daughter of The Auditor star Olga Freimut, celebrated her 18th birthday and showed archival footage from her childhood. She hasn't lived in Ukraine for a long time and often changes her looks to find her style. ADVERTISIMENT Few people remember that nature rewarded Zlata with golden curls, so as a child she looked like a blonde angel. Freimut's adult daughter shared her memories from those days on Instagram. Most users delete old photos, but Zlata Mitchell is not one of them. Her profile still contains photos from almost 8 years ago, so OBOZ.UA decided to show how the girl has changed. Zlata naturally has blond, curly hair, which she was proud of. The old photos show that the little beauty did not braid long strands. ADVERTISIMENT When the presenter's daughter grew up, her style became much more serious. Zlata began to take an interest in fashion, doing stylish photo shoots and styling her darkened hair. At the age of 16, she started taking photos in bright outfits, posing for models. In the United States, Freimut's daughter found love, began to appear more and more often in dresses with plunging necklines, and fell in love with blurry photos and dancing. ADVERTISIMENT Only recently, Zlata Mitchell decided to change her look again, getting rid of her natural color. Now she has straight, shiny and dark hair. This content is expired! Unfortunely this content is expired and cannot be viewed anymore; if You are the owner of this content please login to our Website, go to our access panel and enable this content again. Kaleo concert in Rome limited to 250 people. Icelandic blues rock band Kaleo will perform a concert at the Temple of Venus and Roma, opposite the Colosseum in the Roman Forum, on Saturday 2 March. The number of concert-goers has been limited to 250, with tickets starting at 999 and reaching 2,999 for exclusive VIP access to the band including an aftershow party. Kaleo will be playing live for the filming of a documentary concert movie by Italian director Giovanni Testi to celebrate the band's 10th anniversary. Tickets are going quick, get yours while you can! Tickets: https://t.co/NIy8EzcMDQ pic.twitter.com/1p9fZccEya KALEO (@officialkaleo) December 21, 2023 Describing it as "a once-in-a-lifetime experience", Kaleo says the concert "isn't just a gig; you'll be featured in a documentary concert film capturing the magic of the evening, and your name will be in the credits". The band has released three studio albums: Kaleo (2013), A/B (2016) which sold more than one million albums worldwide, and Surface Sounds (2021). Photo: Melanie Lemahieu / Shutterstock.com. Linda Wenhold was blown away by the Patriot Academys classes, which tap into a growing fear among some evangelical Christians that their faith and its rightful place at the center of American culture and government were under siege. Taylor Swift has arrived in Sydney on her private jet, a few days ahead of her run of four shows at Accor Stadium from this Friday. Swift was spotted boarding her jet at Melbourne Airport on Monday morning after three sold-out shows at the MCG, all of which, at 96,000 each, were the biggest concerts she has ever played. US pop star Taylor Swift is seen boarding her jet as she leaves Melbourne. Credit: Nine News Credit: Nine News She landed at Sydneys Kingsford Smith Airport at 1.25pm, amid a torrential downpour that caused delays elsewhere at the airport. According to the flight tracking website, FlightRadar24, Swifts flight was half an hour late. Despite the bad weather, a few die-hard Swift fans tried to get a glimpse of their hero. Unfortunately, Swift was ushered into a private car and left the airport before fans were able to see her. Former prime minister Scott Morrison has accused the United Nations of antisemitism at a rally in Sydney while warning a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not currently viable. Thousands gathered in The Domain on Sunday for the event organised by a Christian pastor to support members of the Jewish community, under the slogan Never Again Is Now. Former prime minister Scott Morrison attacked the United Nations at a rally against antisemitism held in Sydney. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone Morrison, who travelled to southern Israel with former British prime minister Boris Johnson in the aftermath of the October 7 terror attacks, told Jewish members of the crowd we honour you as fellow Australians. We are deeply sorry, Morrison said. Sadly instead of finding consolation, on too many occasions you found isolation, and even abandonment, and even persecution, in this, a free country. Instead of safety you were confronted with threats and even hatred. Victorias ageing electricity infrastructure would be examined as part of a parliamentary inquiry into the reliability of the distribution networks after damaging winds downed a 40-year-old transmission line and half a million homes were left without power. When parliament resumes this week the Coalition will attempt to set up the inquiry, which will also examine energy storage, maintaining current energy infrastructure and how to ensure Victoria has reliable distribution networks necessary to support more renewables in the grid. Powerlines came down in the You Yangs during last weeks storm. Credit: Jason South The coalitions push comes after Victorias energy safety watchdog launched its own investigation into the collapse of six transmission towers at Anakie last week. AusNet is the company in charge of maintaining the states transmission network, and Energy Safe Victoria will also investigate the companys maintenance record and compliance with safety obligations. Trees tore down power lines and six transmission towers crumpled to the ground when destructive winds crossed the state last Tuesday, triggering a shutdown of the massive coal-fired Loy Yang A power plant. Power was shut off to about 530,000 homes around the state as trees brought down localised power lines. Jerusalem: The Israeli government has approved a resolution rejecting any international attempts to impose a Palestinian state on Israel, saying that Israel would have to directly negotiate any permanent arrangement with the Palestinians. The largely symbolic move followed recent comments from some of Israels allies suggesting that they might consider simply recognising a Palestinian state before any agreement between Israel and the Palestinians was achieved. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who brought the resolution to his cabinet, described its approval as a declarative decision that was needed in light of remarks that have been heard recently in the international community. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a gathering of Jewish leaders at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem on Sunday. Credit: AP The resolution which bolsters a position Netanyahu had staked out several times in recent days comes as the Biden administration has been trying to broker a deal for the normalisation of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. US and Saudi officials have said the prospect of that happening hinges on Israel agreeing to work towards a two-state solution meaning the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Ukrainian millionaire blogger Tanya Prentkovych, who got into a scandal over a trip to the Maldives with her children and boyfriend Andrii Gonkovskyi in the midst of a full-scale war, has made a new high-profile statement. She emphasized that she had not planned the trip in advance and accused the Ukrainian media of lying. ADVERTISIMENT In her Instagram stories, the blogger emotionally reacted to the accusations of one of her followers about her luxurious life. Prentkovic publicly emphasized that she had allegedly given UAH 4.5 million in personal expenses to the Armed Forces and asked the Ukrainian woman "not to shift the responsibility to others." The influencer said she considers herself "a good person who made a mistake." She said it happens because "we are all just human". Meaning that everyone is prone to make mistakes. "But I will no longer allow mud to be thrown in my direction or that of my family," she added. ADVERTISIMENT Prentkovych expressed her dissatisfaction that no one "screamed at the top of their lungs" when she and Gonkovskyi were helping the Ukrainian army. The blogger said that she did not fire any of her team during the first year of the full-scale invasion, having suffered "millions in losses." "Why didn't anyone write about my humanity then?" she was outraged. Having put an end to this story, the blogger assured her followers that she flew to the Maldives alone with her children, "I did not lie to you, as the media write," and that she and her boyfriend had not planned the trip in advance, "it was a coincidence...unfortunately." According to Prentkovych, they have learned their lesson. Oksana Marchenko , once a popular Ukrainian talent show host on STB and the wife of former MP Viktor Medvedchuk, who is accused of treason, is now entertaining Z-patriots with a new season of Pilgrimage. In this "show," which may seem comical to many Ukrainians, the former TV star wanders around various Russian churches with a backpack and tells how her collaborator lover was "saved" from captivity by an "invitation to the Virgin's birthday party." ADVERTISIMENT In addition, the traitor has "heart-to-heart" conversations about the Russian Orthodox Church with Putinists like herself, including the Kremlin jester Nikolai Baskov. Journalists from Toronto Television spoke about the ex-countrywoman's "show". The disclaimer at the beginning of each episode already makes you laugh. In it, Marchenko talks about an "amazing miracle" that happened to her. It turns out that during a search of her and Medvedchuk's estates, someone allegedly stole all the materials for the second season of Pilgrimage. Where and how they were stored is a mystery. As well as the fact that the enemies eventually allegedly returned the stolen goods. ADVERTISIMENT "The robbers who stole the materials of the second season of Pilgrimage returned them after 8 months," the traitor said. In the new season, Marchenko says that she almost stopped believing in God when her husband, Putin's godfather, was in captivity and all her prayers went unheard. Then suddenly the following happened: "At the end of September, I went to a service, received the Holy Communion, and during the sermon I heard amazing words that today the Mother of God invites everyone to her birthday. In the evening of the same day, I learned that Viktor was released from captivity." Let us quote the journalists of Toronto Television, who commented on these words of the traitor very aptly: "So, we call the events of September 22, 2022, the 'exchange of Medvedchuk for 215 Ukrainian servicemen'. Oksana Marchenko calls it "Medvedchuk's invitation to the Virgin's birthday." Because he was already late for Cheburashka's birthday on August 20, so he had to get somewhere." ADVERTISIMENT However, these are not all the miracles that have happened to Marchenko recently. In the very first episode, at the very beginning, to dramatic music, with a voice pierced with deep suffering, and in the candlelight, the traitor told about her cold. Yes, yes, a common cold. "We all self-medicate. I decided to take mustard plasters for my cough. I felt a terrible burning sensation. When this torture was over and I took off the mustard packs, I saw eight bloody wounds on my chest. I was diagnosed with a disappointing diagnosis - a fourth-degree chemical burn," Marchenko said, almost in tears, adding a photo of her chest. ADVERTISIMENT She also showed that the "eight bloody wounds" could not be hidden even with the help of foundation and powder. Marchenko found her salvation in the slippers of St. Spyridon. "When I touched the slippers of St. Spyridon, the priest put epitrachel on me and said a prayer. The next morning, when I took a shower, I saw that there was not a single trace of my terrible burns on my skin," the religious fanatic said. ADVERTISIMENT Marchenko talked a lot more about her "flirtations" with relics, and then moved on to extremely strange interviews with well-known Putinists. For several episodes in a row, she talked to Baskov. He said things like: "We have to look around us and inside us. But we must look forward with hope." Marchenko then traveled to pro-Russian Serbia. There, she met with a loyal supporter of Putin's regime, the filmmaker Emir Kusturica. "Russia is a country that borders on God," the Serb said. The wife of the traitor also talked about the "spiritual" with actor Milos Bykovic. The same actor whom the NGO was going to film in the new season of the popular worldwide TV series "White Lotus". Fortunately, after the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry appealed to the film studio and many comments from disgruntled fans of the series, the Putinist was finally farewelled. Oksana Marchenko, once a popular Ukrainian talent show host on STB and the wife of former MP Viktor Medvedchuk, who is accused of treason, has suddenly become more active on social media. For almost two years, the disgraced traitor had not made herself known on her own Telegram channel, and suddenly decided to address the public. ADVERTISIMENT Thus, Marchenko urged her subscribers (she has as many as 2430) to watch the new season of her "show" about traveling to churches, "Pilgrim". In addition, the collaborator changed the main photo of the channel, posting a fresh photo of herself with a new hairstyle - now she has dark hair. The reason for this activity of the former TV star and current meme star is unknown. The last post on Marchenko's Telegram channel was published in mid-April 2022. At that time, she regularly reminded about herself in the information space with shameful videos asking to release her husband from SBU captivity. After that, there was a long pause. And now, almost two years later, the traitor is interacting with the audience again. ADVERTISIMENT Today, on February 19, Marchenko first published links to all the episodes of the second season of her propaganda project "Pilgrim". As a reminder, the former Ukrainian wanders around various Russian churches with a backpack and tells how her collaborator lover was "saved" from captivity by an "invitation to the Virgin's birthday party." In addition, the presenter showed her "eight bloody wounds" from mustard gas, which she was able to get rid of by touching the slippers of St. Spyridon. At the same time, Marchenko has been talking to well-known Putinists, including Nikolai Baskov, for several episodes. Today Marchenko showed a new photo of herself with a changed hairstyle. Obviously, the traitor is planning her "grand" return to the media space, for which she is stirring up public interest in her person. Sinn Fein has selected two candidates to contest the local elections in the the Swinford-Claremorris Municipal District. At a convention at the weekend, sitting Charlestown councillor Gerry Murray and Swinford based John Sheahan were selected to run in the June elections. Up to 100 delegates attended the convention at the weekend that was attended by Deputy Rose Conway Walsh. Meanwhile, a sitting MEP and Northern Irish MP have been confirmed as the Sinn Fein Candidates to contest the upcoming European Elections in the Midlands Northwest Constituency. Chris MacManus currently holds a seat in the region, with the four chair constituency to become a 5 seater following June's election. He'll be joined on the ballet paper by Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew, a current MP and former Agriculture Minister in the North. The decision was made following an Election Convention held in the Kilmore Hotel, Cavan over the weekend. In other political news Lahardane man Aidan Browne has been selected as the Social Democrats candidate for the Castlebar area in the upcoming local elections. Aidan is amongst 65 already confirmed local candidates for the Social Democrat party nationally. By Cillian Sherlock, PA The Tanaiste has said a ground invasion in Rafah would be absolutely catastrophic as he called on the EU to review whether Israel is complying with human rights obligations in its trade agreement with the bloc. Speaking ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, Micheal Martin said everything possible must be done to pressure the Israeli government not to send the military into the area of south Gaza. Mr Martin, who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs, told reporters in Brussels that Palestinian families are going through immense suffering in Rafah. He added: Weve over one and a half million people crowded into a very small corner of Gaza. Theyre weary, theyre exhausted from moving from the north to the centre and onto the south of Gaza. Palestinians search for survivors after an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Al Zawayda, central Gaza Strip (AP) They have nowhere else to go. There are thousands of children who have been without school for months. The trauma that they have gone through is extraordinary. How could anyone contemplate adding to that trauma? That is beyond me, it is simply an inhumane act. Mr Martin also said that all hostages should be released, adding that it was unconscionable that they have been held for so long. He added: Hamas should lay down its arms. What Hamas is doing is absolutely unacceptable and weve condemned Hamas activities from the beginning. Mr Martin said he would be arguing that the European Commission should be clear about restoring funding to the UN aid agency for Palestinians. Ireland recently pledged 20 million in support for UNRWA while expressing concern that the agencys major donors continued to suspend their funding. The aid agency, which provides essential services, including healthcare and education in Gaza, is facing an uncertain future after Israel alleged that 12 of its staff were involved in the October 7 attack, which led to key donors withdrawing their funding. Mr Martin said it was not possible to deliver medical and educational systems in Gaza without UNRWA. He added that UNRWA was necessary for the distribution of vital supplies in the region now and in the aftermath of the conflict. Mr Martin also said Ireland would be reiterating its call for the Commission to review whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel trade agreement. He said it would be very challenging to convince other EU member states of Irelands position. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels that damaged a Belize-flagged ship traveling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden has forced the crew to abandon the vessel, authorities said Monday. Another ship reportedly came twice under attack in the Gulf of Aden. The Iran-backed Houthis also claimed they shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, something not immediately acknowledged by U.S. forces in the region. However, the Houthis have downed U.S. drones before. Meanwhile, the U.S. military said it was conducting new airstrikes targeting the rebels, including one that targeted the first Houthi underwater drone seen since they began launching attacks on international shipping in November. The ship targeted in the Houthi attack on Sunday reported sustaining damage after an explosion in close proximity to the vessel, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported. Military authorities report crew have abandoned the vessel, the UKMTO said. Vessel at anchor and all crew are safe. Houthi Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree issued a statement claiming the attack, saying the vessel later sunk. There was no independent confirmation the vessel sank. The ship suffered catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt, Saree said. During the operation, we made sure that the ships crew exited safely. The private security firm Ambrey reported the British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo ship had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates. Ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.com analyzed by The Associated Press identified the vessel targeted as the Rubymar. Its Beirut-based manager could not be reached for comment. The Houthis later also identified the ship as the Rubymar, as did the U.S. military's Central Command. Central Command said the attack involved two anti-ship ballistic missiles, which saw one struck the Rubymar. Ambrey described the ship as being partially laden with cargo, but it wasn't immediately clear what it had been carrying. The ship had turned off its Automatic Identification System tracker while in the Persian Gulf early this month. Later Monday, the UKMTO and Ambrey said a second vessel came under attack in the Gulf of Aden. Ambrey described the vessel as a Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned bulk carrier bound for Aden, Yemen, and carrying grain from Argentina. The same ship then came under attack again, later in the day. Those details, combined with ship-tracking data, identified the vessel as the Sea Champion. Its managers could not be immediately reached. The Houthis later claimed the attack, but instead said it targeted a second vessel other than the Sea Champion in that assault. Late Monday, the UKMTO and Ambrey reported a suspected Houthi drone attack targeting a ship off Djibouti in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. UKMTO described the vessel as sustaining superficial damage. Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters over Israels war targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip. They have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for trade among Asia, the Mideast and Europe. Those vessels have included at least one with cargo for Iran, its main benefactor. In a separate attack, Saree also claimed that Houthi forces shot down an MQ-9 drone near Yemen's port city of Hodeida on the Red Sea. He offered no evidence for the claim. The Houthi air defenses were able to shoot down an American plane MQ-9 with a suitable missile while it was carrying out hostile missions against our country on behalf of the Zionist entity, Saree said. The U.S. military did not immediately confirm the loss of any drones in the region. However, the Houthis have surface-to-air missile systems capable of shooting down high-flying American drones. In November, the Pentagon acknowledged the loss of an MQ-9, shot down by the rebels over the Red Sea. Since Yemen's Houthi rebels seized the country's north and its capital of Sanaa in 2014, the U.S. military has lost four drones to shootdowns by the rebels in 2017, 2019 and this year. Meanwhile, the U.S. military's Central Command reported it carried out five airstrikes targeting Houthi military equipment. Those strikes targeted mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, an explosive-carrying drone boat and an unmanned underwater vessel, Central Command said. This is the first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began in Oct. 23, Central Command said. Famous Ukrainian theater and film actor Oleksandr Pecherytsia enlisted in the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on February 25, 2022, and later fought as part of the 128th Battalion, with which he participated in combat operations in the Kharkiv sector. Now the star of the TV series "Serf" and "Saga" has resigned from the Armed Forces. According to the actor himself, he did so "for family reasons." ADVERTISIMENT According to Pecherytsia, this war has taken away his "profession, peace and family." The actor spoke about his dismissal from the Armed Forces, as well as the most frightening moments at the front, in an interview for TSN.ua's YouTube project Naodynitsi. "I resigned for family reasons, because I had such an opportunity... This war has partially taken away my profession, peace, and family. I do not see my child growing up. I am paying a high price, and it is an unaffordable loan for me in the future. I always cry when people send me videos of my son. It is very painful when there is this distance," said the artist, whose wife and son are currently abroad for security reasons. ADVERTISIMENT Pecherytsia did not share the details of his discharge after a year and a half on the front line. Recalling his military experience, the star honestly admits that the front is a terrible place. He does not hide the fact that he was frightened by the daily feeling of mortal danger. "I felt fear more than once during the shelling, when shells landed close to us. Every time there was anxiety and fear that we would be surrounded. This is the kind of fear that sits very deep in you, which you just try to negotiate with," the actor commented. ADVERTISIMENT However, Pecherytsia considers February 24-25, 2022, to be one of the most difficult days during the full-scale war, the days when he was not yet at the front, but was making this important decision. "The hardest days for me were when I made this decision, when I didn't know what to do on February 24-25. The columns were already starting to come in, and you wondered what to do: close the apartment, hide somewhere, run away, stay, fight... Then I went to the guys who were guarding the overpass on Brovarsky Avenue. I asked them what kind of unit it was, how to join you, I want to help you. They told me where to go. I went, and there were a lot of people there. I was then convinced that I had made the right choice," the movie star said. MT. PENN, Pa. - Officials from Antietam School District, Mt. Penn Borough, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) issued a joint statement following Monday mornings mediation meeting regarding the traffic study required before renovations can take place at the Mt. Penn Primary Center. Earlier this month, district officials proposed housing ninth through 12th grade students at the current Mount Penn Primary Center on 25th and Filbert streets. Renovations to turn the Primary Center into a high school also require special exceptions or variances from the Mount Penn Borough Zoning Hearing Board, and the district submitted a "special exception" application to the borough seeking approval to use the building as a high school, which it has not been since 1989. The joint statement reads: Through extensive discussion and open communication, we were able to come to an agreement that will allow Antietam School District to begin phased construction at the Mt. Penn Primary Center and to satisfy Mt. Penn Borough requirements under the Zoning Hearing Board decision and statewide Uniform Construction Code. Those requirements are not based on the districts special exception application for a high school but can be used for any configuration of the building. We are all committed to working collaboratively to overcome the challenges facing our community. Now that weve sat down, we are confident that our students will have a safe, in-person learning environment for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond. Antietam School District and Mt. Penn Borough would like to emphasize that both entities have acted in good faith throughout this process and are pleased that they were able to reach an agreement in this matter. Officials say the meeting was attended by Antietam School District Superintendent Heidi Rochlin, Antietam School Board President A. Michael Roberts, Antietam School Board Vice President Kyla Ramsey, Mt. Penn Borough Council President Troy Goodman, Mt. Penn Borough Council Member Michael Kindlick, Mt. Penn Borough Manager Hunter L. Ahrens, Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Mark Rozzi. Antietam Middle Senior High School sustained millions in damage following severe flooding in July 2023. The Lehigh Valley continues to draw investors to a market where inexpensive housing is rare. Two Lehigh County mobile home parks with a total of 277 lots have been sold, according to real estate company Northmarq. Red Maple Acres, a 202-lot park at 1190 Grange Road in Lower Macungie Township, and Mayo's Mobile Home Park at 7454 Continental Circle in Upper Macungie Township, have changed hands, Northmarq said. Mayo's has 75 lots. Northmarq represented the sellers, Red Maples LLC and Mayo Homes Co. It did not disclose the prices. Red Maple was built in 1960, according to the Northmarq statement, and Mayo's was built in 1950. The combined parks cover 64 acres and are 98% occupied. They are about two miles apart in western Lehigh County. "The new owners were attracted by the rare opportunity to attain significant economies of scale in the booming Lehigh Valley market," Ari Azarbarzin, senior vice president at Northmarq's Baltimore office, said in the statement. In the statement from Azarbarzin and Anthony Pino, associate broker of Manufactured Housing Investment Sales, Northmarq said the Lehigh Valley metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was recently ranked the fastest-growing in Pennsylvania for inbound migration of "millennials," people born between 1981 and 1996. U. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. - Shares of Air Products are down 17% just seven weeks into 2024, knocking billions of dollars off the company's market capitalization. Corporate leadership will have two chances this week to explain their strategy for the industrial-gas giant. On Wednesday, Seifi Ghasemi, the company's chairman, chief executive and president, will address the Barclays 2024 Industrial Select Conference on Wednesday. The conference provides a forum for big companies to meet with the investment community. Among this year's participants are DuPont, Union Pacific and Frontier Airlines. Air Products shares ended 2023 at $273.80. They plummeted Feb. 5 after the company missed its own forecast for fiscal first-quarter earnings and cut its forecast for the year. "Our results diverged from the guidance," Ghasemi said on a conference call that day. The shares fell $40.15, or 16%, to $218.02. That move knocked billions of dollars off the company's market capitalization. The shares also fell in November after Air Products reported fiscal 2023 fourth-quarter results. The closing price Friday was $226.85. Ghasemi is due to address the Barclays conference in Miami at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Air Products will post a link to the conference on its website. The next day, Thursday, Feb. 22, Chief Operating Officer Dr. Samir J. Serhan will talk at the Citi Global Industrial Tech and Mobility Conference at 8:50 a.m. That conference is also in Florida. A webcast of Serhan's comments will also be available on the company's website. Upper Macungie Township-based Air Products is the world's biggest producer of hydrogen, the gas Ghasemi says can help the world move to a cleaner future and make money for investors. Air Products had fiscal 2023 sales of $12.6 billion. The closing share price Friday was $226.85, giving the company a market capitalization of $50.4 billion, down from $64.5 billion on Nov. 6, the day before it reported fourth-quarter results. Air Products paid a quarterly dividend of $1.75 per share on the last trading day of 2023. It has since raised that dividend to $1.77. In the past 52 weeks, the shares have traded as high as $307.71 and as low as $212.24. HANOVER TWP., Pa. -- Northampton County's Hanover Township is seeking new limits on warehouses near the Lehigh Valley International Airport, after rejecting a development proposal in October. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission will weigh in the proposed zoning change Tuesday, and the township Board of Supervisors will discuss it Feb. 27. The proposal focuses on warehouse use that is linked to manufacturing, rather than being just for storage. On Oct. 11, the township supervisors denied a zoning text amendment sought by Majestic Realty for a "master-planned flex center." The Los Angeles-based developer wanted a change in zoning to clear the way for 10 multi-use "flex" buildings on 300 acres at 4300 Airport Road. That tract is owned by the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, which runs the airport. The township Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 against that zoning amendment, which would have allowed as much as 100% of a building to be used as a warehouse. The proposed zoning change limits warehouse use to no more than 50% of the square footage of a building and establishes the use as an accessory to manufacturing. During the Oct. 11 debate before the vote against the zoning amendment, Supervisor Susan Lawless said granting the text amendment could result in buildings that were mostly warehouses in the Aircraft Flightpath Highway Business District zone. Residents objected to the potential for more trucks, more traffic congestion and health problems from diesel fumes. The four-hour meeting was held at the Hanover Township Community Center. When big crowds are expected, meetings are held there instead of at the municipal building. The meeting was packed, and residents applauded after the zoning change was denied. The new proposed change was up for consideration by the township supervisors on Feb. 13, but that meeting was canceled and all agenda items were moved to the 7 p.m. Feb. 27 meeting. "Warehousing and storage facilities as an accessory use in excess of 25% of the square footage in a building but not greater than 50% of the square footage of a building" is the amendment to be considered. It also notes the appearance of such buildings, says the number of loading docks "shall be minimal" and says "Any warehouse or storage use shall be accessory to the permitted manufacturing use of the site." The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's Comprehensive Planning Committee will review the proposed limits at a meeting at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The agenda and a link to a webcast are posted on the LVPC website. The LVPC committee will also review a hotel proposed at the Lehigh Valley International Airport, in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, and Muhlenberg College's plan for an expansion of its Seegers Union student center. The entire Lehigh Valley Planning Commission will review the zoning change, hotel plan and Muhlenberg proposal at a 7 p.m. meeting Thursday. ALLENTOWN, Pa. Officials are investigating a deadly shooting that happened outside of a one-year-old's birthday party in Allentown. They say a man at the party was killed on Saturday when an uninvited group of people tried to get in. The man was shot and killed at East Walnut and South Dauphin streets around 8 p.m. Saturday, said the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office. Investigators have identified the man as 33-year-old Miguel Dalmasi, of Alburtis. The DA's office said early indications are that Dalmasi was with his family at a birthday party for a 1-year-old relative. According to the DA, a dispute started between two groups outside the party when one uninvited group tried to get in. Investigators said one or more people from the group trying to enter shot at Dalmasi. "It's absolutely terrible. It's absolutely terrible," said Marcellus Floyd, a neighbor. Allentown Police were back at the intersection on Sunday. Officers could be seen looking at a car, taking pictures of it and the surrounding area. Police also looked in the snow nearby. Floyd said he has lived in the area for nine years. "All of the neighbors, we pretty much know each other and kind of look out for each other," said Floyd. The case is being investigated by the Allentown Police, Lehigh County Coroner's Office, Lehigh County Homicide Task Force and the DA's office. "My condolences to whoever the family was," said Floyd. The district attorney's office said the investigation is in the early stages, no warrants have been issued and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. The Lehigh County Coroner's Office says an autopsy for Dalmasi is scheduled for Tuesday. KNOWLTON TWP., Pa. Friends of a woman who was shot and killed in her own home last week are organizing a fundraiser for her final expenses. It's a story that has shocked residents in rural Knowlton Township, Warren County. Cheryl Schilling was killed by a shotgun blast in her arm and torso, allegedly fired by her husband's friend, Armond Avitable, of East Stroudsburg. Cheryl's next door neighbor, Angie Rogers, has set up a memorial on Cheryl's porch. "Cheryl was an amazing human being. It's kind of quiet here now. You can tell something's missing," Rogers said. According the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, New Jersey State Police caught up with Avitable shortly after the shooting, and a physical altercation followed. Upon being taken into custody, Avitable had a medical emergency. He was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley-Pocono Medical Center. Attempts to reach Cheryl's husband, Kevin, have been unsuccessful. "Her husband, Kevin, he has all of our love and support and the community his helping him," said Rogers, who added that there is a GoFundMe set up to handle funeral expenses. Avitable lived with his fiance and their two children in East Stroudsburg. According to the Warren County Prosecutor, the couple had an argument earlier in the day and he was required to leave the residence. Avitable called Kevin Schilling, who picked him up and brought Avitable back to his home in Knowlton. 69 News spoke with Avitable's fiancee and her sister at their home on Clubhouse Drive. The fiance, who only gave her first name, Kaitlyn, said the Pennsylvania State Police had been to her home several times, and that Avitable was going through a mental breakdown on the day of the deaths. She went on to say that Avitable had a cocaine problem and had also spent the last year trying to get help for mental issues. She says the family warned the Schillings to stay away from Avitable, and that he wasn't safe to be around because of his mental condition. Now the New Jersey Attorney General must find out why an apprehended suspect died police custody, while prosecutors determine why Cheryl Schilling died in her own home. "I'll just always remember the light she brought to everyone's life," said Rogers. The New Jersey Attorney General will review this case to determine the circumstances surrounding the Avitable's death and if the officer or officers involved should be held liable. That is standard protocol. The evidence will then be presented to a grand jury. Atom bomb epic Oppenheimer has won seven prizes, including best picture, at the British Academy Film Awards. Christopher Nolan was named best director and Cillian Murphy won the best actor prize for playing J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb. Emma Stone was named best actress for Poor Things, which took five prizes at Britains equivalent of the Oscars. Oppenheimer also won trophies for editing, cinematography and musical score, as well as the best supporting actor prize for Robert Downey Jr. But the film missed out on the record nine trophies set half a century ago by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. DaVine Joy Randolph was named best supporting actress for The Holdovers. Two police officers and a first responder were shot and killed early Sunday and a third officer was injured at a suburban Minneapolis home in an exchange of gunfire while responding to a call involving an armed man who had barricaded himself inside with family. Officials say the suspect in the shooting also died. The shooting in Burnsville claimed the lives of two 27-year-old officers and a 40-year-old first responder. Seven children were inside the home, but officials say the family was able to leave the home safely. The city of Burnsville said a police sergeant was hospitalized with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. MEXICO CITY (AP) Tens of thousands of demonstrators cloaked in pink marched through cities in Mexico and abroad on Sunday in what they called a march for democracy targeting the country's ruling party in advance of the country's June 2 elections. The demonstrations called by Mexico's opposition parties advocated for free and fair elections in the Latin American nation and railed against corruption the same day presidential front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum registered as a candidate for ruling party Morena. Approximately 90,000 people turned out to rail against the leader, according to government figures. Sheinbaum is largely seen as a continuation candidate of Mexico's popular populist leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He's adored by many voters who say he bucked the country's elite parties from power in 2018 and represents the working class. But the 70-year-old president has also been accused of making moves that endanger the country's democracy. Last year, the leader slashed funding for the country's electoral agency, the National Electoral Institute, and weakened oversight of campaign spending, something INE's head said could wind up poisoning democracy itself. The agency's color, pink, has been used as a symbol by demonstrators. Lopez Obrador has also attacked journalists in hours-long press briefings, has frequently attacked Mexicos judiciary and claimed judges are part of a conservative conspiracy against his administration. In Mexico City on Sunday, thousands of people dressed in pink flocked to the the city's main plaza roaring get Lopez out. Others carried signs reading the power of the people is greater than the people in power. Gabriela Ozuna, 61, said she and her family came from Baja California state, and were participating in the march not just to support democratic institution, but also to protest attacks on candidates by drug cartels, especially in local elections. We know our democracy is in danger. What we want to do is defend it and keep defending it, Ozuna said. Among the opposition organizations marching were National Civic Front, Yes for Mexico, Citizen Power, Civil Society Mexico, UNE Mexico and United for Mexico. Democracy doesn't solve lack of water, it doesn't solve hunger, it doesn't solve a lot of things. But without democracy you can't solve anything," said Enrique de la Madrid Cordero, a prominent politician from the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, in a video posted to social media calling for people to join the protests. The PRI held uninterrupted power in Mexico for more than 70 years. Marches were organized in a hundred cities across the country, and in other cities in the United States and Spain. Still, the president remains highly popular and opinion polls indicate his ally Sheinbaum appears set to coast easily into the presidency. Lopez Obrador repeatedly dismissed the protests, telling reporters Friday that his critics don't care about democracy and are organizing the march to return the corrupt to power. Following the massive demonstration, the leader continued to rail on critics, and said there would be no electoral fraud in the election and that he had not intervened in democratic processes. It's their democracy ... the democracy of the corrupt. What we want is there to be democracy of the people. We don't want power without the people. They're the one's that establish an anti-democracy with electoral fraud, Lopez Obrador. AP correspondent Megan Janetsky contributed to this report from Mexico City. Follow AP's coverage of Latin America at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america In order to propagandize and provide explanatory information on the rules of admission to special educational institutions, the Azerbaijan Armys Training and Educational Center has hosted a meeting between representatives of the National Defense University and the heads of pre-conscription training of youth of general secondary schools of the republic, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Defense. First, the memory of National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, and Shehids (Martyrs), who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, was honored with observing a minute of silence. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed. At the meeting, the participants had a detailed exchange of views on instilling interest in the officer profession among the youth, including more effective organization of military-patriotic work in secondary educational institutions, and heard the proposals of heads of pre-conscription training. The officers of the propaganda group of the National Defense University informed in detail about the rules of admission to the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev, the Military Medical Faculty of the Azerbaijan Medical University, military colleges and military lyceums, spoke about the provision of military educational institutions, social and living conditions, as well as answered questions related to admission. The event also featured the screening of videos on military schools and military-patriotic spirit, the ministry said. Ukrainian businessman and blogger Andrii Gonkovskyi, who got caught up in a high-profile scandal over his vacation with his lover, millionaire blogger Tanya Prentkovich , in the Maldives, has addressed Ukrainians after a long silent pause. The entrepreneur complained that he had received many messages from his compatriots criticizing, hating, and even threatening him in connection with the scandal. Fearing for himself and his family, Andrii even turned to law enforcement. ADVERTISIMENT The man posted this on his InstaStories. Gonkovskyi noted that he doesn't want to return to social media as if nothing had happened, so he will tell everything gradually. "These days I have received hundreds of messages of support from incredible people. And this is what gave me a lot of strength. Of course, there was tons of hate, it was hard not to notice... But I have repeatedly said that I understand the hate and criticism," said the civilian husband of one of the most popular Ukrainian influencers. So, according to Gonkovskyi, criticism and hate are acceptable things for him, but threats, especially against his family, are not. ADVERTISIMENT "At a certain point, it crossed all boundaries. Threats to break my skull, wishes that the plane with the whole family would crash, or messages like "Get ready, I know which school your child goes to." And a number of other messages that I had to take quite seriously. That's why I spent this time organizing the safety of the whole family. This is now the biggest priority. And law enforcement agencies will deal with each such case," Andrii said. Summarizing, the businessman added that he has more to tell, but he will do so later. Finally, Mr. Gonkovskyi decided to boast, somewhat inappropriately, that the scandal had not hindered his business. "The number of requests for consultations on launches has even increased," he said. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, the businessman traveled to Poland for a charity event, having received permission as a volunteer, but ended up with his beloved and children in the Maldives. Outraged by this situation, Valeria, a Ukrainian and SMM strategist, decided to write to Prentkovic to hear at least some of the influencer's thoughts on the scandal. According to the blogger, who has more than 1.1 million followers, she and her lover "should" go on vacation to the Maldives because they "do a lot of good." Meanwhile, the Center for Countering Disinformation responded to the scandal surrounding Tatiana Prentkovich and Andrii Gonkovskyi. They strongly condemned the narrative that Ukrainians who help the military and civilians are "allowed" to vacation abroad. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, netizens have learned that it is extremely difficult to travel to the Maldives on a whim. There are no direct flights to the popular luxury resort, and a flight from Warsaw to Male costs at least 40 thousand hryvnias. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Barclays (NYSE:BCS Get Free Report) will issue its 12/31/2023 quarterly earnings data before the market opens on Tuesday, February 20th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.36 per share for the quarter. Parties that are interested in registering for the companys conference call can do so using this link. Barclays Price Performance BCS stock opened at $7.47 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.30 billion, a PE ratio of 4.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.45. The companys 50-day moving average is $7.61 and its 200-day moving average is $7.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.39, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.36. Barclays has a 1 year low of $6.23 and a 1 year high of $8.63. Get Barclays alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Bank of America cut shares of Barclays from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $190.00. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Barclays A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BCS. Jane Street Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Barclays by 33,931.2% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 4,253,901 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,586,000 after acquiring an additional 4,241,401 shares during the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Barclays by 376.0% in the 4th quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 4,552,572 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $35,874,000 after buying an additional 3,596,091 shares during the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Barclays by 268.6% in the 3rd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC now owns 3,822,683 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $24,465,000 after buying an additional 2,785,466 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in Barclays by 326.2% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 2,405,686 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $19,005,000 after buying an additional 1,841,259 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership purchased a new stake in Barclays in the 1st quarter valued at about $13,274,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.39% of the companys stock. Barclays Company Profile (Get Free Report) Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through two segments, Barclays UK and Barclays International divisions. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Barclays Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barclays and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC raised its position in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 19.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,420,637 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 227,963 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab accounts for 0.7% of Brandywine Global Investment Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC owned 0.08% of Charles Schwab worth $77,993,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the first quarter valued at $32,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Charles Schwab during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. State of Wyoming grew its position in Charles Schwab by 71.0% during the 2nd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 624 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Gould Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 33.3% in the 1st quarter. Gould Capital LLC now owns 800 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. 81.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on SCHW shares. Raymond James reduced their target price on Charles Schwab from $78.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Citigroup lowered Charles Schwab from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $75.00 to $70.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and issued a $77.00 price objective on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Thursday, January 18th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $71.00 price objective (up previously from $70.00) on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Charles Schwab presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $69.69. Charles Schwab Trading Down 0.4 % Shares of NYSE SCHW traded down $0.23 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $64.40. The stock had a trading volume of 6,057,100 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,359,788. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52-week low of $45.00 and a 52-week high of $81.32. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $65.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $59.97. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The firm has a market cap of $114.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.35, a P/E/G ratio of 3.40 and a beta of 0.99. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.04. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 22.07% and a net margin of 26.90%. The firm had revenue of $4.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.49 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.07 EPS. The firms revenue was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 8th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is currently 39.37%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Carolyn Schwab-Pomerantz sold 12,208 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.28, for a total transaction of $748,106.24. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 1,722,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $105,548,672. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Charles Schwab news, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.56, for a total value of $242,240.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 41,611 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,519,962.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Carolyn Schwab-Pomerantz sold 12,208 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.28, for a total transaction of $748,106.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,722,400 shares in the company, valued at $105,548,672. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 43,760 shares of company stock valued at $2,731,159. Company insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock. Charles Schwab Company Profile (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pearl River Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Centene Co. (NYSE:CNC Free Report) by 108.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 23,744 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 12,374 shares during the period. Pearl River Capital LLCs holdings in Centene were worth $1,635,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in Centene by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 10,456 shares of the companys stock valued at $720,000 after purchasing an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its stake in shares of Centene by 24.1% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 856 shares of the companys stock valued at $72,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the period. Vicus Capital increased its stake in shares of Centene by 5.3% in the 4th quarter. Vicus Capital now owns 3,309 shares of the companys stock valued at $271,000 after buying an additional 168 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank increased its stake in shares of Centene by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 21,218 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,461,000 after buying an additional 177 shares during the period. Finally, Profund Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Centene by 2.1% during the second quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 8,465 shares of the companys stock worth $571,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.92% of the companys stock. Get Centene alerts: Centene Stock Performance Shares of Centene stock opened at $78.74 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $42.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.36. The stocks 50-day moving average is $75.78 and its 200-day moving average is $71.36. Centene Co. has a one year low of $60.83 and a one year high of $79.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.12. Insider Buying and Selling Centene ( NYSE:CNC Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.02. Centene had a return on equity of 14.26% and a net margin of 1.75%. The business had revenue of $39.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $36.16 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.86 earnings per share. Centenes revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Centene Co. will post 6.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other Centene news, Director Lori Jean Robinson sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.41, for a total value of $774,100.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 11,455 shares in the company, valued at $886,731.55. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other Centene news, Director Lori Jean Robinson sold 10,000 shares of Centene stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.41, for a total transaction of $774,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 11,455 shares of the companys stock, valued at $886,731.55. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, President Kenneth J. Fasola sold 12,000 shares of Centene stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.07, for a total transaction of $900,840.00. Following the transaction, the president now directly owns 235,365 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,668,850.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently commented on CNC shares. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price objective on Centene from $82.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Centene from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $82.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. UBS Group boosted their target price on Centene from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their target price on Centene from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $83.57. Read Our Latest Stock Report on CNC About Centene (Free Report) Centene Corporation operates as a healthcare enterprise that provides programs and services to under-insured and uninsured families, commercial organizations, and military families in the United States. It operates in two segments, Managed Care and Specialty Services. The Managed Care segment offers health plan coverage to individuals through government subsidized programs, including Medicaid, the State children's health insurance program, long-term services and support, foster care, and medicare-medicaid plans, which cover dually eligible individuals, as well as aged, blind, or disabled programs. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CNC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Centene Co. (NYSE:CNC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Centene Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Centene and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR Free Report) had its price objective increased by Cfra from $68.00 to $85.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. Cfra currently has a hold rating on the industrial products companys stock. Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on IR. Stifel Nicolaus raised shares of Ingersoll Rand from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $73.00 price target for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $73.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $78.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $79.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $76.82. Get Ingersoll Rand alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Ingersoll Rand Ingersoll Rand Trading Up 1.9 % Insider Activity IR opened at $89.47 on Friday. Ingersoll Rand has a 1-year low of $51.84 and a 1-year high of $92.32. The company has a current ratio of 2.26, a quick ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The company has a market cap of $36.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $78.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $71.05. In other news, insider Andrew R. Schiesl sold 13,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.89, for a total value of $934,570.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 45,263 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,253,957.07. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.83% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Ingersoll Rand Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 12.0% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 15,601 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $786,000 after buying an additional 1,675 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 47.6% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 9,880 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $497,000 after purchasing an additional 3,185 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the 1st quarter valued at $327,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 62.2% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 28,937 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,457,000 after purchasing an additional 11,096 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 57,771 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,909,000 after purchasing an additional 988 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.54% of the companys stock. About Ingersoll Rand (Get Free Report) Ingersoll Rand Inc provides various mission-critical air, fluid, energy, specialty vehicle, and medical technologies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through two segments, Industrial Technologies and Services, and Precision and Science Technologies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ingersoll Rand Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingersoll Rand and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Killam Apartment REIT (TSE:KMP.UN Free Report) had its price objective raised by CIBC from C$20.00 to C$22.00 in a report issued on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock. Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Desjardins set a C$22.00 price objective on Killam Apartment REIT and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price objective on Killam Apartment REIT from C$20.00 to C$22.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on Killam Apartment REIT from C$21.00 to C$20.50 in a research note on Monday, November 13th. Raymond James upped their price objective on Killam Apartment REIT from C$21.50 to C$22.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on Killam Apartment REIT from C$23.50 to C$23.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$22.14. Get Killam Apartment REIT alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on KMP.UN Killam Apartment REIT Price Performance Killam Apartment REIT Dividend Announcement Shares of TSE KMP.UN opened at C$19.63 on Friday. Killam Apartment REIT has a twelve month low of C$15.36 and a twelve month high of C$19.71. The company has a current ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 0.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 87.22. The company has a market capitalization of C$2.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.05 and a beta of 1.06. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$18.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$17.83. The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 15th were issued a dividend of $0.0583 per share. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.56%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 30th. Killam Apartment REITs dividend payout ratio is 32.26%. About Killam Apartment REIT (Get Free Report) Killam Apartment REIT, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is one of Canada's largest residential landlords, owning, operating, managing and developing a $2.8 billion portfolio of apartments and manufactured home communities. Killam's strategy to enhance value and profitability focuses on three priorities: 1) increasing earnings from existing operations, 2) expanding the portfolio and diversifying geographically through accretive acquisitions, with an emphasis on newer properties, and 3) developing high-quality properties in its core markets. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Killam Apartment REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Killam Apartment REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ukrainian millionaire blogger Tania Prentkovych, who recently got caught up in a high-profile scandal, took to Instagram for the first time after publicly apologizing. The celebrity and her children spent a vacation in the Maldives, but Ukrainians noticed the girl's boyfriend, a volunteer named Andrii Gonkovskyi, with them. ADVERTISIMENT When criticized, Prentkovych pretended not to understand what the problem was, but soon the couple gave an explanation for their actions. After that, the blogger briefly disappeared from the infospace, but on February 6, she returned to Insta-stories. The influencer posted screenshots of messages from followers begging her to return to Instagram. "Tania, come back," "I'm sad without you," "We missed you and the kids..." wrote Prentkovych's fans. ADVERTISIMENT Instead, the blogger posted a photo of the sunset, adding that it was her first long break. She posted photos of her children and the atmosphere of her home. "These days, I have received a lot of questions from you "how are we?". It's better now, but we are going through a very difficult period..." the influencer said. Prentkovych also shared a selfie, adding that she will rarely post on Instagram now. "Suddenly you forgot what I look like. The only photo of me these days is on film," she said in the story. ADVERTISIMENT Interestingly, her boyfriend Honkovskyi, who caused the scandal, has remained silent so far. Earlier, the couple claimed that the boyfriend's trip was unplanned, as he was attending a charity event in Poland at the time. According to the legend, the man rushed to his beloved in the Maldives for a few days because of a break in the schedule. Estabrook Capital Management decreased its position in Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report) by 1.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 79,527 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 1,143 shares during the quarter. Exxon Mobil accounts for approximately 1.6% of Estabrook Capital Managements portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. Estabrook Capital Managements holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $9,351,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 83.0% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,269,030 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $149,213,000 after acquiring an additional 575,649 shares during the period. Qsemble Capital Management LP boosted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 34.3% during the 3rd quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP now owns 4,700 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $553,000 after acquiring an additional 1,200 shares during the period. Meyer Handelman Co. boosted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 5.9% during the 3rd quarter. Meyer Handelman Co. now owns 390,975 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $45,971,000 after acquiring an additional 21,895 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 23.5% in the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 229,416 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $24,605,000 after acquiring an additional 43,654 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC grew its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 1.1% in the second quarter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC now owns 40,900 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,387,000 after acquiring an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. 58.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: Exxon Mobil Price Performance Shares of NYSE:XOM remained flat at $103.73 during trading on Monday. The stock had a trading volume of 20,151,400 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,300,412. The company has a market cap of $411.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.74 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The firms fifty day moving average price is $101.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $106.25. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 1-year low of $95.77 and a 1-year high of $120.70. Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $84.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $90.03 billion. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 18.51%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.40 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.25 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be issued a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.66%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 13th. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 42.74%. Insider Buying and Selling at Exxon Mobil In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total value of $1,231,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 220,678 shares of the companys stock, valued at $22,652,596.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Exxon Mobil news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total value of $216,132,620.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 13,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,352,780. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total transaction of $1,231,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 220,678 shares in the company, valued at $22,652,596.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.04% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have commented on XOM shares. Erste Group Bank restated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $120.00 price target on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Monday, February 5th. UBS Group cut their price target on Exxon Mobil from $133.00 to $132.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Mizuho cut Exxon Mobil from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $117.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Exxon Mobil from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $116.00 to $119.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $127.53. Get Our Latest Stock Report on XOM Exxon Mobil Company Profile (Free Report) Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XOM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Exxon Mobil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exxon Mobil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc. trimmed its position in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 12.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,156 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 1,258 shares during the period. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $2,861,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GS. Cambridge Trust Co. grew its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 82.0% in the third quarter. Cambridge Trust Co. now owns 91 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the first quarter worth $33,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter worth $34,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the first quarter worth $33,000. 69.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have weighed in on GS. Oppenheimer increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $491.00 to $506.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $357.00 to $360.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Barclays raised their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $437.00 to $493.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. UBS Group raised their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $382.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and issued a $440.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $409.93. The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance NYSE:GS traded down $0.98 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $384.44. 2,376,800 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,395,206. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $289.36 and a 52-week high of $396.35. The firms fifty day moving average price is $381.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $345.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07. The company has a market cap of $125.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.43. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.62 by $1.86. The business had revenue of $11.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.80 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 7.82% and a net margin of 7.85%. The businesss revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.32 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 32.66 EPS for the current fiscal year. The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a $2.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.86%. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is 48.20%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CAO Sheara J. Fredman sold 4,300 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $380.15, for a total value of $1,634,645.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 11,463 shares in the company, valued at $4,357,659.45. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, CAO Sheara J. Fredman sold 4,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $380.15, for a total transaction of $1,634,645.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 11,463 shares in the company, valued at $4,357,659.45. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $376.39, for a total value of $1,129,170.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 10,121 shares in the company, valued at $3,809,443.19. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 16,110 shares of company stock worth $5,990,991. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. About The Goldman Sachs Group (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in resale agreements. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (BATS:FLOT Free Report) by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 75,900 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,969 shares during the quarter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC owned about 0.05% of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF worth $3,863,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 122.7% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 112,302 shares of the companys stock worth $5,674,000 after purchasing an additional 61,884 shares during the last quarter. Roundview Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 19.2% during the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 121,500 shares of the companys stock worth $6,138,000 after purchasing an additional 19,580 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. lifted its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 976.0% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 3,228 shares of the companys stock valued at $163,000 after purchasing an additional 2,928 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 9.0% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 118,015 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,983,000 after purchasing an additional 9,772 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. increased its position in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 126.2% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 81,715 shares of the companys stock worth $4,128,000 after buying an additional 45,589 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF alerts: iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Price Performance BATS FLOT traded down $0.04 during trading on Monday, hitting $50.89. 738,693 shares of the company traded hands. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.74 and a 200 day simple moving average of $50.74. iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF has a 12 month low of $50.76 and a 12 month 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FLOT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (BATS:FLOT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Manulife Financial (TSE:MFC Free Report) (NYSE:MFC) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note published on Thursday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. BMO Capital Markets currently has C$35.00 price objective on the financial services providers stock, up from their previous price objective of C$31.00. Several other brokerages have also commented on MFC. TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$34.00 to C$35.00 and gave the stock an action list buy rating in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Manulife Financial from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from C$32.00 to C$34.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$30.00 to C$35.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Evercore lifted their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$26.00 to C$30.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, National Bankshares lifted their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$29.00 to C$33.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$35.00. Get Manulife Financial alerts: Get Our Latest Report on MFC Manulife Financial Price Performance Manulife Financial Increases Dividend Shares of TSE MFC opened at C$33.30 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of C$60.27 billion, a PE ratio of 4.75, a PEG ratio of 11.85 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a fifty day moving average of C$29.32 and a 200 day moving average of C$26.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 56.70, a quick ratio of 2.58 and a current ratio of 22.91. Manulife Financial has a one year low of C$23.69 and a one year high of C$33.59. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This is a boost from Manulife Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 27th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.80%. Manulife Financials payout ratio is presently 20.83%. About Manulife Financial (Get Free Report) Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Asia, Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Manulife Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Manulife Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Matson (NYSE:MATX Get Free Report) will be posting its 12/31/2023 quarterly earnings results after the market closes on Tuesday, February 20th. Analysts expect Matson to post earnings of $1.55 per share for the quarter. Individual interested in listening to the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link. Matson Price Performance Shares of NYSE:MATX opened at $117.02 on Monday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $112.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $98.35. Matson has a twelve month low of $56.51 and a twelve month high of $122.99. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.11 billion, a PE ratio of 13.45 and a beta of 1.15. Get Matson alerts: Matson Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 8th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 7th. Matsons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 14.71%. Insiders Place Their Bets Institutional Investors Weigh In On Matson In other Matson news, SVP Richard S. Kinney sold 997 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.30, for a total transaction of $96,011.10. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 9,427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $907,820.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . In other Matson news, SVP Christopher A. Scott sold 952 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.93, for a total transaction of $94,181.36. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 10,974 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,085,657.82. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, SVP Richard S. Kinney sold 997 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.30, for a total transaction of $96,011.10. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 9,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at $907,820.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 1.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders. A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Matson by 55.4% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 9,779 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $1,180,000 after purchasing an additional 3,485 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Matson by 4.0% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 4,745 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $572,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Matson in the first quarter valued at $473,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. purchased a new position in shares of Matson in the first quarter valued at $231,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Matson by 49.4% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 22,040 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $2,658,000 after purchasing an additional 7,283 shares in the last quarter. 85.04% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Matson from $102.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 19th. StockNews.com cut shares of Matson from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, February 10th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised their target price on shares of Matson from $113.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. View Our Latest Report on Matson Matson Company Profile (Get Free Report) Matson, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides ocean transportation and logistics services. The company's Ocean Transportation segment offers ocean freight transportation services to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, as well as to other island economies in Micronesia. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Matson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Matson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nierenberg Investment Management Company Inc. boosted its stake in Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (NYSE:HLX Free Report) by 105.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 155,555 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 80,000 shares during the period. Helix Energy Solutions Group comprises approximately 1.2% of Nierenberg Investment Management Company Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest position. Nierenberg Investment Management Company Inc. owned approximately 0.10% of Helix Energy Solutions Group worth $1,738,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of HLX. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Helix Energy Solutions Group by 157.0% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,173,934 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,611,000 after acquiring an additional 717,074 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in Helix Energy Solutions Group by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 6,810,612 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $32,555,000 after acquiring an additional 401,949 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group during the 1st quarter worth about $76,000. Citigroup Inc. boosted its position in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 11.9% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 123,076 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $588,000 after purchasing an additional 13,099 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 39.0% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 23,276 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $110,000 after purchasing an additional 6,527 shares in the last quarter. 98.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Helix Energy Solutions Group alerts: Helix Energy Solutions Group Stock Down 1.1 % Shares of HLX stock traded down $0.11 on Monday, reaching $9.80. 1,207,500 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,691,003. The company has a market cap of $1.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 70.00 and a beta of 2.54. The company has a 50-day moving average of $9.78 and a 200-day moving average of $9.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 1.42. Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. has a one year low of $6.18 and a one year high of $11.88. Helix Energy Solutions Group Company Profile Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, an offshore energy services company, provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry in Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, the East Coast of the United States, North Sea, the Asia Pacific, and West Africa regions. The company operates through Well Intervention, Robotics, Production Facilities, and Shallow Water Abandonment segments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Helix Energy Solutions Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Helix Energy Solutions Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Nu Skin Enterprises (NYSE:NUS Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday. A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. DA Davidson lowered their price target on Nu Skin Enterprises from $29.00 to $21.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 5th. TheStreet cut Nu Skin Enterprises from a c rating to a d+ rating in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $23.67. Get Nu Skin Enterprises alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Nu Skin Enterprises Nu Skin Enterprises Stock Down 0.9 % Nu Skin Enterprises Cuts Dividend Shares of NYSE:NUS opened at $13.69 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The business has a fifty day moving average of $18.41 and a two-hundred day moving average of $19.96. The stock has a market cap of $676.42 million, a P/E ratio of 76.06 and a beta of 1.17. Nu Skin Enterprises has a 52-week low of $13.37 and a 52-week high of $43.76. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 6th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.06 per share. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 23rd. Nu Skin Enterprisess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 866.71%. Insider Activity at Nu Skin Enterprises In related news, Director Andrew D. Lipman sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.11, for a total transaction of $34,220.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 35,225 shares in the company, valued at approximately $602,699.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders sold 6,000 shares of company stock worth $110,100 in the last three months. 2.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nu Skin Enterprises A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. State Street Corp raised its position in Nu Skin Enterprises by 39.4% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,296,735 shares of the companys stock valued at $404,765,000 after purchasing an additional 2,912,086 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,235,495 shares of the companys stock worth $132,255,000 after acquiring an additional 53,638 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,791,181 shares of the companys stock worth $277,281,000 after acquiring an additional 30,340 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its position in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 2,670,996 shares of the companys stock worth $127,887,000 after acquiring an additional 58,600 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,109,202 shares of the companys stock worth $70,025,000 after acquiring an additional 14,193 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.62% of the companys stock. About Nu Skin Enterprises (Get 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nu Skin Enterprises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nu Skin Enterprises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC raised its position in Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM Free Report) by 1.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 18,121 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 242 shares during the quarter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLCs holdings in Waste Management were worth $2,762,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of WM. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new position in Waste Management in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $29,000. KB Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Millburn Ridgefield Corp bought a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.34% of the companys stock. Get Waste Management alerts: Insider Activity at Waste Management In other Waste Management news, SVP Tara J. Hemmer sold 10,048 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.19, for a total value of $1,720,117.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 49,099 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,405,257.81. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, SVP Tara J. Hemmer sold 10,048 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.19, for a total value of $1,720,117.12. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 49,099 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,405,257.81. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 9,550 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.00, for a total transaction of $1,690,350.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 162,388 shares of the companys stock, valued at $28,742,676. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 36,720 shares of company stock worth $6,613,888 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group lowered shares of Waste Management from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price target for the company from $190.00 to $205.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of Waste Management from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Waste Management from $215.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. HSBC downgraded shares of Waste Management from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $210.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Waste Management in a research report on Monday, November 27th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $175.00 price target on the stock. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $197.57. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on WM Waste Management Price Performance Shares of WM stock traded up $2.43 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $201.54. The stock had a trading volume of 2,588,000 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,719,836. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $182.96 and its 200 day simple moving average is $169.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.30. Waste Management, Inc. has a 12 month low of $148.31 and a 12 month high of $202.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.94 billion, a PE ratio of 35.61, a PEG ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.70. Waste Management (NYSE:WM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 12th. The business services provider reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.53 by $0.21. Waste Management had a net margin of 11.28% and a return on equity of 36.51%. The firm had revenue of $5.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.19 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.30 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Waste Management, Inc. will post 6.8 EPS for the current year. Waste Management Company Profile (Free Report) Waste Management, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of environmental solutions to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in the United States and Canada. It offers collection services, including picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility (MRF), or disposal site; and owns and operates transfer stations, as well as owns, develops, and operates landfill facilities that produce landfill gas used as renewable natural gas for generating electricity. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Waste Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Waste Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rathbones Group PLC increased its position in shares of Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 13.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,262,822 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after acquiring an additional 260,964 shares during the period. Rathbones Group PLC owned about 0.15% of Boston Scientific worth $119,477,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC boosted its holdings in Boston Scientific by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC now owns 5,322 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $266,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake in Boston Scientific by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,999 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $211,000 after buying an additional 205 shares during the period. Altfest L J & Co. Inc. increased its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Altfest L J & Co. Inc. now owns 13,298 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $702,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 6.1% in the 3rd quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 3,687 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $195,000 after buying an additional 211 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Heartland Bank & Trust Co boosted its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Heartland Bank & Trust Co now owns 13,871 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $732,000 after buying an additional 223 shares in the last quarter. 89.11% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Boston Scientific Price Performance Shares of BSX stock traded down $0.27 on Monday, hitting $65.82. 7,300,400 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,039,775. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The stock has a market cap of $96.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 61.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.78. Boston Scientific Co. has a 12 month low of $45.92 and a 12 month high of $66.86. The company has a 50 day moving average of $60.01 and a 200 day moving average of $55.19. Insider Activity Boston Scientific ( NYSE:BSX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical equipment provider reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $3.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.59 billion. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 16.19% and a net margin of 11.19%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.45 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Boston Scientific Co. will post 2.25 EPS for the current year. In other news, EVP Jeffrey B. Mirviss sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.40, for a total transaction of $876,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 56,588 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,304,739.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Jeffrey B. Mirviss sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.40, for a total value of $876,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 56,588 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,304,739.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Edward J. Ludwig sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.03, for a total value of $455,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 41,374 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,690,551.22. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 49,185 shares of company stock valued at $2,949,177 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently weighed in on BSX shares. Raymond James increased their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $67.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. StockNews.com raised shares of Boston Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Mizuho upgraded shares of Boston Scientific from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $65.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $67.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $66.05. Read Our Latest Report on BSX About Boston Scientific (Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Atlas FRM LLC lowered its stake in shares of Suzano S.A. (NYSE:SUZ Free Report) by 30.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,050,000 shares of the companys stock after selling 450,000 shares during the period. Suzano comprises 1.9% of Atlas FRM LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position. Atlas FRM LLC owned about 0.08% of Suzano worth $11,288,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of SUZ. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new stake in Suzano during the 1st quarter valued at about $150,000. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in Suzano by 47.1% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 155,762 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,810,000 after acquiring an additional 49,871 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its stake in Suzano by 14.7% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 9,367 shares of the companys stock valued at $109,000 after acquiring an additional 1,200 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. purchased a new stake in Suzano during the 1st quarter valued at about $2,837,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in Suzano by 6.0% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 397,155 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,615,000 after acquiring an additional 22,361 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.55% of the companys stock. Get Suzano alerts: Suzano Price Performance NYSE SUZ traded up $0.16 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $10.70. 1,427,700 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,177,382. Suzano S.A. has a 52-week low of $7.46 and a 52-week high of $11.60. The company has a market capitalization of $14.17 billion, a PE ratio of 4.26 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 2.82 and a quick ratio of 2.34. The firms 50-day moving average is $10.80 and its 200-day moving average is $10.65. Suzano Increases Dividend Suzano Profile The company also recently announced an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 11th were issued a $0.3429 dividend. This represents a yield of 5%. This is a positive change from Suzanos previous annual dividend of $0.13. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 8th. Suzanos payout ratio is presently 28.29%. (Free Report) Suzano SA produces and sells eucalyptus pulp and paper products in Brazil and internationally. It operates through Pulp and Paper segments. The company offers coated and uncoated printing and writing papers, paperboards, tissue papers, and market and fluff pulps; and lignin. It also engages in the research, development, and production of biofuel; operation of port terminals; power generation and distribution business; commercialization of equipment and parts; industrialization, commercialization, and exporting of pulp and standing wood; road freight transport; biotechnology research and development; and commercialization of paper and computer materials. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SUZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Suzano S.A. (NYSE:SUZ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Suzano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suzano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. On February 7, at 18:30, Ukrainian writer and editor-in-chief of Folio Publishing House Oleksandr Krasovytskyi will present his fiction novel Today in Kyiv. The novel is based on the theme of the double of Russian President-dictator Volodymyr Putin. ADVERTISIMENT The event will take place at 50 Antonovycha Street. Earlier, at the Media Center Ukraine, the author spoke about his new book, which he wrote in 52 days. More details about the presentation are available on the website. "I wrote a work of fiction, and the lookalikes are just a tool to show life in modern Russia," explained Oleksandr Krasovytskyi during his conversation with the press. The novel "Today" is 500 pages long, written in a non-standard format. Readers will see only the direct speech of fictional characters, without the author's words. The story features 12 characters, including a Ukrainian intelligence officer, two Russian women, one of whom considers herself an ethnic Ukrainian, two of Putin's bodyguards, four of his doubles, and special people who select the doubles and manage the processes. ADVERTISIMENT There are currently 2500 copies available in Ukrainian and Russian, but the novel will soon be translated into English to reach even more readers. Explaining why the original was translated into Russian, the author said: "We are not confined to the territory of Ukraine. We exist in a world where many Russian-speaking people, post-Soviet, including Ukrainian, who do not read Ukrainian, live beyond the borders of Ukraine and Russia." UniSuper Management Pty Ltd lifted its stake in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 0.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 415,911 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. UniSuper Management Pty Ltds holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $22,834,000 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. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Charles Schwab in the first quarter valued at $32,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Charles Schwab during the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. State of Wyoming lifted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 71.0% during the 2nd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 624 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in Charles Schwab during the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Gould Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 33.3% during the 1st quarter. Gould Capital LLC now owns 800 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. 81.61% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Insider Transactions at Charles Schwab In other Charles Schwab news, Director Carolyn Schwab-Pomerantz sold 12,208 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.28, for a total transaction of $748,106.24. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,722,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $105,548,672. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Charles Schwab news, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.56, for a total transaction of $242,240.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 41,611 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,519,962.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Carolyn Schwab-Pomerantz sold 12,208 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.28, for a total value of $748,106.24. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,722,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $105,548,672. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 43,760 shares of company stock valued at $2,731,159 in the last quarter. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently commented on SCHW shares. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $77.00 target price on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Barclays dropped their price target on Charles Schwab from $68.00 to $64.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Raymond James dropped their price target on Charles Schwab from $78.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut Charles Schwab from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and dropped their price target for the company from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Charles Schwab currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $69.69. View Our Latest Stock Report on SCHW Charles Schwab Price Performance Shares of NYSE:SCHW traded down $0.23 during trading on Monday, hitting $64.40. 6,057,100 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,359,788. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $65.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $59.97. The company has a market cap of $114.10 billion, a PE ratio of 25.35, a P/E/G ratio of 3.40 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 12-month low of $45.00 and a 12-month high of $81.32. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.49 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 22.07% and a net margin of 26.90%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.07 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.33 EPS for the current year. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 8th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.37%. Charles Schwab Company Profile (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Valueworks LLC decreased its position in Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSEAMERICAN:CQP Free Report) by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,950 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 275 shares during the quarter. Valueworks LLCs holdings in Cheniere Energy Partners were worth $322,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in Cheniere Energy Partners by 170.2% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 391,808 shares of the energy companys stock worth $21,232,000 after buying an additional 246,808 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Cheniere Energy Partners during the third quarter worth $993,000. Blair William & Co. IL bought a new stake in Cheniere Energy Partners during the third quarter worth $235,000. UBS Group AG lifted its stake in Cheniere Energy Partners by 17.2% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 244,829 shares of the energy companys stock worth $13,267,000 after purchasing an additional 35,930 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Davidson Trust Co. bought a new stake in Cheniere Energy Partners during the third quarter worth $217,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 46.42% of the companys stock. Get Cheniere Energy Partners alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have weighed in on CQP shares. Stifel Nicolaus restated a sell rating and set a $53.00 target price on shares of Cheniere Energy Partners in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. StockNews.com cut Cheniere Energy Partners from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $49.80. Cheniere Energy Partners Trading Up 1.0 % Cheniere Energy Partners stock traded up $0.50 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $52.01. 149,600 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 192,503. The company has a market cap of $25.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.97 and a beta of 0.71. Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. has a twelve month low of $42.96 and a twelve month high of $62.34. Cheniere Energy Partners Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 7th were paid a dividend of $0.775 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 6th. This represents a $3.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.96%. This is an increase from Cheniere Energy Partnerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. Cheniere Energy Partnerss payout ratio is 30.51%. Cheniere Energy Partners Company Profile (Free Report) Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., through its subsidiaries, provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) to integrated energy companies, utilities, and energy trading companies worldwide. It owns and operates natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the Sabine Pass LNG production terminal located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CQP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSEAMERICAN:CQP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cheniere Energy Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cheniere Energy Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Valueworks LLC grew its position in United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI Free Report) by 4.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 487,156 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 19,545 shares during the period. United Natural Foods makes up approximately 2.5% of Valueworks LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Valueworks LLC owned 0.83% of United Natural Foods worth $6,888,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of UNFI. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its position in United Natural Foods by 7.2% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 3,694 shares of the companys stock worth $153,000 after buying an additional 247 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of United Natural Foods by 1.2% in the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 21,287 shares of the companys stock valued at $838,000 after purchasing an additional 254 shares during the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of United Natural Foods by 0.7% in the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 59,273 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,451,000 after purchasing an additional 414 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its position in shares of United Natural Foods by 1.8% in the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 25,358 shares of the companys stock valued at $999,000 after purchasing an additional 445 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in shares of United Natural Foods by 0.6% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 81,460 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,146,000 after purchasing an additional 461 shares during the last quarter. 88.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get United Natural Foods alerts: United Natural Foods Stock Down 0.3 % United Natural Foods stock traded down $0.05 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $16.36. The company had a trading volume of 427,800 shares, compared to its average volume of 568,397. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 0.51. United Natural Foods, Inc. has a 1 year low of $12.88 and a 1 year high of $43.00. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $15.72 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.47. Analyst Ratings Changes United Natural Foods ( NYSE:UNFI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, December 6th. The company reported ($0.04) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.32) by $0.28. United Natural Foods had a negative net margin of 0.27% and a positive return on equity of 3.59%. The firm had revenue of $7.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.61 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.13 EPS. The companys revenue was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that United Natural Foods, Inc. will post 0.07 earnings per share for the current year. UNFI has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on United Natural Foods from $15.00 to $13.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on United Natural Foods from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Wells Fargo & Company restated an underweight rating and issued a $15.00 target price on shares of United Natural Foods in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded United Natural Foods from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Natural Foods has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $17.83. View Our Latest Analysis on United Natural Foods United Natural Foods Profile (Free Report) United Natural Foods, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes natural, organic, specialty, produce, and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada. It operates in two segments, Wholesale and Retail. The company offers grocery and general merchandise, produce, perishables and frozen foods, wellness and personal care items, and bulk and foodservice products. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNFI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for United Natural Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Natural Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Virgin Money UK PLC (ASX:VUK Get Free Report) announced a final dividend on Monday, January 8th, MarketIndexAU reports. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 19th will be paid a dividend of 0.038 per share on Tuesday, March 19th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 21st. Virgin Money UK Price Performance Virgin Money UK Company Profile (Get Free Report) Virgin Money UK PLC provides banking products and services for consumers, and small and medium sized businesses under the Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank, and Virgin Money brands in the United Kingdom. The company offers savings and current accounts, mortgages, credit cards, and home loans; business loans, overdraft facilities, treasury solutions, and corporate and structured finance; risk management; asset and invoice finance services; international trade services; and home, car, and life and critical illness insurance products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Virgin Money UK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Virgin Money UK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. 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. Calls to improve healthcare in north Wales as one year of Betsi Cadwaladr special measures approaches A motion calling on the Welsh Government to ensure patients in North Wales get the timely, high-quality healthcare that they deserve will be put before the Senedd this week. The Welsh Conservative motion, which will be debated on Wednesday (21 February), comes almost a year after Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was placed back in special measures. The decision followed a damning report from the Auditor General for Wales, which highlighted deep-rooted issues with working relationships at the most senior levels within the health board. At the time Health Minister Eluned Morgan said there were serious concerns about performance, leadership and culture. It led to the resignation of several independent members of the board who said they had no confidence in the Welsh Governments grasp of the situation of health in the region. In a statement released at the time, the independent members said: It seems that responsibility for organisational culture, service quality and reconfiguration governance, and operational delivery have been placed at our door without recognition of the limitation of our powers as Independent Members. In undertaking our legitimate role, we uncovered serious failings in the financial management of the Health Board. We commissioned a specialist review by Ernst & Young, which confirmed our concerns, found evidence of serious malpractice, and resulted in a counter fraud investigation. They added that they were gravely concerned over the health ministers to the last years Audit Wales report. Following significant changes to the board membership over the last 12 months, and a period of upheaval, a follow-up report published last week describes a board that is now more stable. The report, while acknowledging improvements, also highlighted persistent challenges facing Wales largest health board. The health board which provides healthcare services to 700,000 people in north Wales was previously in special measures between June 2015 and November 2020. It was removed by then Health Minister Vaughan Gething who at the time stated that the board would enter a period of Targeted Intervention. However the Welsh Conservatives have argued that it was conveniently taken out of special measures six months prior to the 2021 Senedd elections. With the one year anniversary of its return to special measures approaching the Welsh Conservatives will on Wednesday put forward a motion calling on the Welsh Government to listen to the concerns of healthcare professionals when concerns are raised about the quality of services, and ensure patients in North Wales get the timely, high-quality healthcare that they deserve. Commenting ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow North Wales Minister, Darren Millar MS, said: The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is nearing yet another anniversary in special measures, but patients and staff are yet to see the improvements they have been promised by Labour Ministers. Report after report highlights problems yet the Labour Government seems incapable of getting to grips with the failings and problems they expose. Next week, we will be calling on the Labour Government to listen to the concerns of healthcare professionals, patients and their loved ones, and ensure that the people of North Wales get the timely, high-quality healthcare that they deserve. The motion which will be debated on Wednesday reads: To propose that the Senedd: 1. Recognises the work and dedication of hardworking staff at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. 2. Notes that: a) 27 February 2024 marks one year since Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was placed back into special measures; b) the health board was previously subject to special measures between 8 June 2015 and 24 November 2020, less than six months prior to the 2021 Senedd elections; and c) the health board has spent longer in special measures than any other NHS organisation in the history of the National Health Service. 3. Regrets that since being placed into special measures, patients and staff are yet to see the required improvements. 4. Calls on the Welsh Government to: a) listen to the concerns of healthcare professionals when concerns are raised about the quality of services; and b) ensure patients in North Wales get the timely, high-quality healthcare that they deserve The motion will debated by members of the Senedd on Wednesday 21 February. [email protected] Russian filmmaker Mikhail Lokshin, who recently premiered a new adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov's novel The Master and Margarita, is being demanded to be punished in Russia for "fakes about the Russian army." They want to open a criminal case against the filmmaker. In addition, the Z-patriots hope to add the director's name to the list of "extremists and terrorists" for "financing the Armed Forces of Ukraine." ADVERTISIMENT According to a number of propaganda outlets, after the full-scale invasion, Lokshin repeatedly published posts in support of Ukraine, noting that he wished our country victory and that Russia would pay all reparations. However, all of the posts whose screenshots are being distributed by propagandists have now been removed from the director's page. Currently, only one single post remains on his profile, and it is dedicated to The Master and Margarita. What outrages Putinists the most in this whole situation is the fact that back in 2021, Lokshin received money from the Russian state budget to make a movie based on Bulgakov's novel. Some resources write that it was 800 million rubles, while others raise the stakes to 1.2 billion rubles. The propagandists are scared, saying that a "great novel" could be adapted by a "Russophobe and a Ukrainian". ADVERTISIMENT Lokshin wrote all his posts in English, as he was born in the United States and, according to some sources, does not even have Russian citizenship. In particular, he allegedly published true information about the crimes of the Russian occupiers in Bucha, drew a parallel between Russia and Nazi Germany, mentioning reparations, trials of war criminals of the Third Reich, and the process of denazification of the country. Russian sources also publish posts confirming that the director did indeed provide financial support to Ukraine. However, it is difficult to verify their authenticity now, because Lokshin, as we have already noted above, has deleted all his publications, except for advertising his own film. ADVERTISIMENT Meanwhile, Russians are having a real hysteria. Fans of Putin's regime and the war are particularly active online: "The director of 'The Master and Margarita' donates to Kyiv propagandists and hates Russia, while receiving funding from it - he is convinced that all Russians should pay Ukraine." "Question: was there no one else to give so much money to the film adaptation of a Russian novel? And yes, of course, I watched the movie. It was entertaining. They finished Bulgakov's novel and rewrote it to make it more entertaining for fans. And of course, an American with a degree in psychology knows how to do it better than Bulgakov. It goes without saying," "It's funny that Mars Media, the company that produced the film, did not pay attention or ignored the fact that it was giving money to a Russophobe who openly supports the enemy and was once on Navalny's side." ADVERTISIMENT More interestingly, the lead role in The Master and Margarita was played by Yevhen Tsyganov, an actor who had previously openly expressed his anti-war position. In particular, he admitted that the Kremlin was using propaganda to instill hatred of Ukrainians in Russians, and he also told how he published his first anti-war post a month before the full-scale invasion. But Yulia Snigir, who played Margarita, did not say anything about the war: she did not speak out against it, but she did not support Russian aggression either. Wales Education Minister Aims for Parity Between Vocational and Academic Routes Wales education minister vowed to ensure parity of esteem between vocational and academic routes as he responded to an independent review. Jeremy Miles recently gave a statement to the Senedd on Welsh Government plans to reform vocational education and expand the number of made-for-Wales qualifications. Mr Miles said collaboration is at the heart of the findings of the review which was led by Sharron Lusher, a former principal of Pembrokeshire College. The education minister said qualifications will be reviewed to ensure they are fit for purpose, available bilingually, and meet the needs of learners, employers and providers. The 120-page report, which made 33 recommendations, explored the pros and cons of establishing a national awarding body for vocational qualifications. But Mr Miles told the chamber: While I can see the appeal of such a body when budgets across the board are under such immense pressure, I accept it cannot be the priority. The would-be first minister accepted the reviews call for a national strategy for vocational qualifications that is aligned with employers skills needs. Mr Miles also backed a recommendation that Wales does not follow the same approach as England, which introduced T-levels a technical-based alternative to A-levels in 2020. He said all level-three learners will have the opportunity to access work experience, adding that statutory guidance for schools on 14-16 learning will be published. Cloak and dagger Janet Finch-Saunders, for the Conservatives, warned that Wales is falling behind the other UK nations as she criticised the Welsh Governments cloak-and-dagger approach. She raised concerns about Qualifications Wales plans for skill-based VCSEs, which were announced last week, cautioning that schools have neither the capacity nor the funding. The Aberconwy MS said: I have serious reservations around the workload for teachers, who will now have to familiarise themselves with new qualifications, and any additional costs on already stretched school budgets. Mr Miles disputed the cloak-and-dagger depiction, pointing out that the report was published in September and he was in the chamber answering MSs questions. The education minister welcomed the VCSEs announcement as an important step towards a more coherent, streamlined and focused offer. Free market Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymrus shadow minister, warned that vocational education and training must not be considered in a silo as she called for a comprehensive approach. She pointed out that Scotland and Northern Ireland have state-led examination boards, warning that an open-market approach goes against the grain. The South Wales Central MS told the chamber: We have a strange situation here, where individual choice and the free market take the lead. But we accept the pragmatism that underpins the way forward, and we understand that there is no desire in the sector at the moment, and that there are financial challenges in terms of creating a new awarding body specific to Wales. Ms Fychan raised concerns about a near-25% cut to the apprenticeship budget, with Mr Miles responding that ministers will seek to restore funding as soon as possible. Challenging Vikki Howells, the Labour MS for Cynon Valley, welcomed the focus on achieving parity of esteem between vocational and academic qualifications. Ms Howells, a former assistant head of sixth form, said vocational assessments must take full account of students practical skills rather than rely too much on written assessments. She warned that securing work placements can be extremely challenging, with opportunities in short supply and some students at risk of having to leave their courses as a result. Mr Miles said ministers are seeking to address this through more than 6m in innovation funding, which is being used to try out new ways of delivering work placements. Hefin David, who represents Caerphilly, raised his report on transitions to employment, stressing that collaboration between secondary schools and post-16 institutions is vital. The Labour MS pointed to the NPTC Group of Colleges and Llanidloes High School as an example of collaborative practice, suggesting a pilot project to spread the approach. Closing the statement on February 6, Mr Miles said a key challenge is removing obstacles in the design of the system that make it harder for schools and colleges to work together. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter [email protected] Welsh Ambulance Service launches volunteer role to support urgent care A new voluntary role will help support the Welsh Ambulance Service deliver urgent care for patients in their own homes across Wales. Community Welfare Responders (CWRs) are sent to 999 calls in their community to determine if the patient requires an ambulance response. Wearing an ambulance service uniform but driving their own private vehicle, CWRs take an initial set of observations, including heart rate and oxygen levels, the results of which are sent to clinicians in the Trusts control room. Clinicians will use the up-to-the-minute information to determine the best course of action for the patient, which could be dispatching an ambulance or signposting the patient to their GP or other healthcare provider. The ambulance service is recruiting more than 600 CWRs over the next two years. You do not need to have any previous medical training to become a CWR, and full training is provided. However, volunteers must: Possess a full UK driving licence (max 3 penalty points) and have access to a vehicle. Be 18 or over Be physically fit Work well under pressure and remain calm in an emergency Be proud of the community in which they live and want to give something back Have free time to spare Jennifer Wilson, National Volunteering Manager at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: We are really excited to be able to launch this new volunteering position. CWRs provide an eyes on service to patients when an ambulance response may be delayed, or even unnecessary. They work closely with the control room clinicians, who will determine the most appropriate pathway for the patients specific needs. The commitment of our volunteers across the Wales is second-to-none, and we are extremely grateful to each and every one of them for their service, as Im sure the communities that they serve are too. Since the Trust began trialling the initiative last October, 37 per cent of patients that CWRs have attended have been treated and discharged at the scene without the need to send an ambulance. Gareth Elms, a retired environmental health officer from Port Talbot, is a CWR between Cross Hands and Bridgend. Also a Community First Responder, Gareth jumped at the opportunity to join the trial. Because weve got a green uniform, people automatically think its the ambulance service and you can see the relief on their face, he said. We once attended an incident and straight away you could see that the patient was more ill than we were led to believe. We did the observations, his oxygen was low, his heartbeat was low in other words he was in a bad way. I spoke to our Clinical Support Desk, who were absolutely brilliant, and they gave me advice and instructions. The CWR initiative is part of the Trusts broader Connected Support Cymru project, set up to help the Trust realise its long-term strategic ambitions. Judith Bryce, Assistant Director of Operations, said: Our CWR volunteers attend appropriate patients to provide information to remote clinicians in our Clinical Contact Centres. This enables patients to stay at home with the appropriate clinical support and monitoring, whilst we are able to support them during their time of need. CWRs ensure that our clinicians can provide the right advice and decisions on patient care, in the right place, every time. They play a vital role in the future of the Trust and are integral to strengthening our contribution to community resilience. For more information and to submit an expression of interest, visit the Welsh Ambulance Service website. [email protected] Wrexham Maelor Hospital researchers call for participants to join vaccine research trial Volunteers are needed to take part in a UK first-in-human vaccination trial in the fight against monkeypox. The North Wales Clinical Research Facility (NWCRF) are conducting the clinical trial sponsored by Moderna for investigational vaccines aimed at fighting mpox (previously known as monkeypox) and influenza. The mpox study, called the mPower Trial, is helping researchers learn more about an investigational vaccine called mRNA-1769, that is being tested to see if it can prevent illness from the mpox virus. It aims to study the safety profile and immune response to mRNA-1769. The mPower Trial, being held at the North Wales Clinical Research Facility next to Wrexham Maelor Hospital, is currently enrolling adults between the ages of 18 and 49 who are in generally good health to take part in the investigational vaccine trial. Dr Orod Osanlou, Director of NWCRF and Consultant in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, internal medicine, said: Global viruses have the potential to change, causing hospitalisations and death around the world. Thats why its important to potentially prepare for outbreaks by studying investigational vaccines. The research facility also has a database called Consent 4 Consent (C4C), an internal secure database of patients and volunteers who wish to be considered as potential participants for future research projects. Dr Osanlou said: We are encouraging volunteers and patients to sign up to take part in our research projects. Nearly all research needs the help of volunteers in order to find out whether the investigational vaccines are safe and effective. This is completely voluntary, you can choose to be removed from the database at any point. Some studies will also reimburse volunteers expenses for travel and inconvenience. If youre interested in participating in either of these clinical trials, or wish to join the research trial database please contact the NWCRF research team via 03000 858032 or email [email protected]. [email protected] A new study on Long COVID provides insights into one of its most common and debilitating symptoms, post-exertional malaise (PEM), which occurs when patients experience a worsening of many or all their other Long COVID symptoms after even minor physical or mental activity. Specifically, the study provides evidence for some hypotheses for how SARS-CoV-2 infection causes the disorder, and evidence against other hypotheses. Some of the most prevalent symptoms of Long COVID Most commonly, fatigue is worsened by PEM, often becoming incapacitating to the point that patients can barely function in their daily activities. Many hypotheses have been put forward for how SARS-CoV-2 infection results in PEM. They include persistence of the virus in the body, dysfunction of mitochondria, systemic inflammation, immune-system abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, and low blood flow to muscles with subsequent hypoxia. With respect to the hypoxia hypothesis, the concern is that amyloid proteins get deposited in blood vessels. This buildup would then obstruct blood flow to the muscles. Amyloid proteins are long fibers formed from normal cellular proteins, and often form when cells produce an unusually large quantity of a particular protein. They are most commonly associated with Alzheimers disease, but amyloid can accumulate in any organ and cause disease. The researchers designed the study to address all the aforementioned hypotheses of PEM. They recruited 25 patients with Long COVID and 21 healthy controls, all of whom followed the same study protocol. The researchers conducted interviews, physical examinations, exercise testing, muscle biopsies and blood tests. They also had participants complete surveys and wear an accelerometer to measure daily physical activity level. The study had strict inclusion criteria for patients with Long COVID. Each patient was diagnosed by two expert physicians using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for the disorder. The physicians also ruled out other causes of their symptoms and ensured the patients did not have symptoms prior to COVID. Furthermore, their post-exertional malaise was confirmed by their responses to the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire for Post-Exertional Malaise (DSQ-PEM). Notably, PEM is a symptom of other disorders beyond Long COVID, especially myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Researchers studying these disorders developed and validated the DSQ-PEM prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus the DSQ-PEM has a history of accurately differentiating patients with and without PEM regardless of cause. Prior Long COVID studies have used it as well. The study found that Long COVID patients had substantially lower power output and VO2max on exercise testing. VO2max is a measurement of the amount of oxygen an individuals body can utilize during maximal levels of exercise. It is considered the best indicator of endurance. The lower VO2max in patients was not explained by failure to reach maximal effort as indicated by multiple physiological and biological parameters measured during the exercise test. Maximal pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2max, A, n = 23 long COVID, n = 21 healthy control) and peak power output (B, n = 25 long COVID, n = 21 healthy control) were both lower (p [Photo by Appelman, B., Charlton, B.T., Goulding, R.P. et al. Muscle abnormalities worsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID. Nat Commun 15, 17 (2024) / CC BY 4.0] The researchers ruled out cardiovascular and pulmonary disease as an explanation for the reduced performance as well. Additionally, accelerometer data, muscle biopsy and study of muscle metabolism all ruled out muscle atrophy due to inactivity in Long COVID patients relative to controls. On muscle biopsy, Long COVID patients had a higher proportion of so-called fast twitch muscle fibers relative to controls. This finding is significant because these muscle fibers undergo rapid fatigue. They output short bursts of high power and then take long periods of time to recover before they can generate power again. Robert Wust, one of the co-authors of study, noted: We know that it is difficult to change fiber types in people, and that it doesnt happen with inactivity. Something else is changing the fiber types. Furthermore, when the researchers accounted for size of muscles in patients and controls, patients had lower levels of skeletal muscle force. This indicates that the fiber composition of muscles was significant regardless of levels of fitness. The researchers also found reduced mitochondrial function in Long COVID patients vs. controls through various metabolic tests. Significantly, it was not a reduction in mitochondrial numbers or activity, but a qualitative reduction in the ability of the mitochondria present to produce cellular energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Long COVID patients had reduced oxidative phosphorylation activity relative to controls both pre- and post-exercise, demonstrated via study of their muscle biopsies. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, a marker for mitochondrial density, was reduced (p = 0.0083) after induction of post-exertional malaise in Long COVID patients (n = 25) compared to healthy controls (n = 21). [Photo by Appelman, B., Charlton, B.T., Goulding, R.P. et al. Muscle abnormalities worsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID. Nat Commun 15, 17 (2024) / CC BY 4.0 This finding is consistent with a prior study covered by the World Socialist Web Site, which found persistent reductions in the production of certain key mitochondrial enzymes required for oxidative phosphorylation post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. That study, however, did not look at skeletal muscle but instead visceral organs, including the lungs and heart. The net effect of these two findings on muscle fibers and mitochondria is that they explained the lower exercise capacity of Long COVID patients. As noted, the researchers were careful to select patients to exclude other explanations like prior heart or lung disease. Another significant finding was that every Long COVID patient in the study experienced PEM after their exercise test. This confirms the appropriateness of the strict inclusion criteria and the validity of the DSQ-PEM survey. After the exercise test, the Long COVID patients experienced a variety of symptoms, including worsened fatigue, muscle pain and cognitive symptoms for up to seven days. Wust commented, Their mitochondrial function is impaired rapidly upon exercise. This can make them go into a vicious cycle, because every time they overexert themselves, they get a crash in their mitochondrial function and their metabolism. The researchers were nevertheless cautious in interpreting the reduced exercise capacity in Long COVID and its causes. They noted that the findings do not readily explain PEM in Long COVID patients. First, shifts in muscle fiber composition take place over long time periods, whereas the patients experienced PEM the day after exercise. The researchers also could not rule out that patients had lower exercise capacity and mitochondrial function prior to contracting COVID-19. On muscle biopsy, the researchers did find increased amyloid deposition in Long COVID patients relative to controls. Both groups had increased post-exertional amyloid deposition in muscle. However, the amyloid deposits were not in blood vessels and did not cause hypoxia. The ultimate significance of the amyloid is unknown and a topic for future research. The muscle biopsies of Long COVID patients also showed greater degrees of tissue damage, both pre- and post-exercise. These areas of damage in patients were associated with greater signs of tissue regeneration in response to the damage. The researchers concluded that these findings are a possible explanation for symptoms of fatigue and muscle pain and weakness in patients post-exertional malaise. The analysis of immune disturbances did show that Long COVID patients differed significantly in the numbers and types of immune cells present in the muscle, and the changes in these numbers with exercise was also different. The findings were suggestive that Long COVID patients immune response to muscle tissue damage was suppressed relative to controls. Finally, the two groups did not differ in the presence and levels of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein or the levels of immune B cells. Thus ongoing viral replication as a cause of PEM was not a factor in this study. The researchers summarize that PEM in Long COVID is characterized by local and systematic reductions in mitochondrial metabolism, severe exercise-induced myopathy, infiltration of muscle by amyloid-containing deposits, and significant variations in the numbers and types of immune cells present in muscle. Understanding the molecular pathways that result in these findings and their relative contribution to PEM remain topics for future study. The study is limited, as the researchers note, by the relatively small numbers of participants. Also, given that it was an observational study, no conclusions about causality may be drawn. The patients included in the study all had severe Long COVID, so the results do not necessarily generalize to all patients with Long COVID. Nevertheless, the study fills several gaps in our knowledge and helps improve our understanding of PEM in Long COVID. In particular, it confirms that patients with PEM get worse, not better, with exercise. Normally we know from all the other chronic diseases that exercise is good for you, that exercise is medicine, says Wust. However, these patients do get worse. figure 4. Percentage experiencing Long COVID by State. [Photo by Michael Hoerger, PhD, MSCR, MBA.@michael_hoerger] The ongoing affliction with Long COVID of tens of millions of people worldwide, a number that is growing daily due to the mass infection and reinfection of the global population enabled by the criminal policies of the ruling class, will continue to require the best efforts of scientists around the globe to understand and develop treatments for the disorder and its worst effects, including PEM. As insights are gained into the disorder, the impetus for a global elimination strategy for SARS-CoV-2 grows ever stronger. However, such a global public health strategy remains impossible under the current capitalist system that prioritizes profits over human health and well being. The lesson for the international working class is that replacing capitalism with a world socialist economy is an urgent priority to address the pandemic and its dire consequences. All parts of Britain have suffered from economic stagnation since 2010, leading to a huge fall in incomes. The urban policy research unit examined areas such as employment, productivity and ecological impact comparisons between urban and rural economies. Cities Outlook 2024 assesses the wage data on those workers employed in the 64 largest towns and cities across the UK. It finds that thousands of pounds have been slashed from the wages of millions of workers since 2010. Had the UK economy not taken a nose-dive in the wake of the global financial crisis of 2008, the average urban dwelling worker would have earned an additional 10,200. Footprints in the Community food bank in northern England receives donations [Photo: Twitter/Footprints UK] The report states that the national economy clusters in cities and large towns, and that although they constitute only 9 percent of the land surface of the UK (which the recently re-evaluated methodology of the study recognises as 63 primary urban areas), they account for 63 percent of economic output and 72 percent of knowledge-based jobs in the private sector. On average a worker employed in Cambridge, Glasgow or Burnley had an income shortfall of 21,340, 23,500 or 28,090 respectively since 2010. In London the shortfall was 13,590; in Liverpool 15,720; in Leeds 8,220; in Manchester 8,180; in Sheffield 6,380, and in Birmingham (the second largest city) 2,680. Workers in Aberdeen lost over 45,000 since 2010 largely because of the direct and indirect effects of the slashing of 9,000 jobs in areas connected with oil and gas. This severely affected the local economy. The city also suffered a 30 percent drop in retail jobs, compared with a 6 percent downturn nationally. In real terms, many millions of workers have worked the equivalent of several additional months and even years since 2010 for nothing. For example, the average entry-level wage for a school teaching assistant in the UK in 2023 was 13,984. The Financial Times noted that wages have declined almost everywhere in the UK, both in centres of cutting-edge innovation and in northern cities suffering persistently high levels of deprivation. Centre for Cities director of policy and research, Paul Swinney, told the newspaper that poor economic performance in the capital was particularly alarming as traditionally London and its surrounding region has been the engine of national productivity growth. The report raised a number of long-term macro and micro economic problems, framed as a challenge for any future government: Big cities should be leading the regional and national economy, as is the case with comparable cities on the continent, creating wealth and opportunities for people who live in and next to them. The fact that they dont is bad news for neighbouring towns and villages. While a regions prosperity is disproportionately generated in these large centres of production, it is spread much wider. Data released this month by the Nationwide Building Society, based on a recently conducted survey, reveals a huge surge in workers nationwide who have no money left to count as savings by the end of the month. The percentage almost doubled last year from 11 percent in 2022 to 21 percent in 2023. More than one in five of households have less than 100 spare at the end of the month. The Nationwide data reveals average monthly household energy bills increased by 63 percent between 2021 and 2023, while monthly food and motor fuel costs also increased by over 30 percent. Nationwide said the average amount of disposable cash left over at the end of each month had fallen from 328 in 2021 to 295 in 2022 and 237 at the end of 2023. The impoverishment of millions arises from the gigantic social gulf between the super-rich capitalist elite and the working class. As Karl Marx established in Capital: A Critique of Political Economy: accumulation of misery, agony of toil slavery, ignorance, brutality, mental degradation, at one pole of capitalist society inevitably accompanies the accumulation of wealth at the opposite end. In the decade and a half since 2010, the social counterrevolution carried out against the wages and conditions of millions of workers has seen a gilded elite amassing more wealth than ever before. In 2010, there were 53 billionaires in the UK (in 1990 there were just 15). By 2022 this super-wealthy category had mushroomed to 177 billionaires with known accumulated wealth of 653 billion (an increase in billionaire wealth of well over 1,000 percent since 1990). In that same year, current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty made the Sunday Times Rich List for the first time. Murty, the daughter of an Indian IT billionaire, agreed to pay UK taxes on all her earnings only when her finances came under scrutiny after it was revealed she had non-dom status and did not pay UK tax on overseas income. The World Socialist Web Site noted, this marks a quantitative degeneration of bourgeois rule and is stark confirmation of oligarchic domination over every facet of life in Britain. Last year Sunak paid an effective tax rate of just 23 percent on his personal 2.2 million income. A low capital gains rate and the US location of his funds meant his tax bill of 508,000 was much less than if he had been taxed under the UKs still-low top income rate of 45 percent. According to the Equality Trust, of the 177 billionaires on the 2022 list, 44 drew the majority of their wealth from finance and investing activities, while for a further 39, a majority of their wealth accrued from real estate. As the charity noted at the time; both of these sectors are integral to a broader process which economists have understood under the rubric of financialisation, a process ongoing since the 1970s and 1980s under both Conservative and Labour governments, in which the financial sector was deregulated, with staggering wealth transferred from the working class to the richest in society. Such is the unprecedented level of social polarisation that in the two years since 2022, six members of this exclusive club have been unceremoniously ejected to leave 171 current billionaires in Britain. To become one of the 100 richest people in the world in 2024, now requires identifiable wealth of at least 11 billion. To put this into proportion, using figures from the Office of National Statistics, this equates to over 41,000 times the average UK household wealth of 262,000itself a vastly skewed upwards figure due to it incorporating those on higher earnings. The social environment illuminated by the data from organisations such as Centre for Cities, the Nationwide Building Society, the Equality Trust and others, is the result of a decade and a half of brutal austerity measures; imposed by capitalist parties. For most of that period the Tories in office have relied on Labour-run local authorities imposing huge cuts in jobs, pay and conditions, and the slashing of vital social services. In this, the government and Labour have operated in alliance with the trade union bureaucracy who sold out the 2022-23 strike wave of several million workers in the public and private sector, resulted in a increase in the army of low paid and suffering in the precarious gig economy that has mushroomed since 2010. On the political impact of the Centre for Cities study, policy and research director Swinney, noted in the Financial Times: MPs [Members of Parliament] knocking on doors will be talking to people who have missed out on thousands of pounds because of the malaise of the economy. Up to 250,000 protested in London Saturday as part of a global day of action against Israels genocide against Gaza. Protests were held in 145 cities across six continents, with major demonstrations in Istanbul and Madrid. Tens of thousands demonstrated in Glasgow and Dublin. A section of the protest in Dublin, Ireland, February 17, 2024 The London demonstration marched from Marble Arch to close to the Israeli Embassy. Hours before it was to start, the Metropolitan Police warned that 1,500 officers had been mobilised and Public Order Act restrictions would be in place. They didnt have the power to ban the protest or reroute it, they stressed, but were prepared to use extensive legal powers to clamp down. In the end they decided against too heavy repression, given the massive numbers that turned up for the ninth national UK protest against the genocide and the ongoing international opposition of millions to Israels mass murder and ethnic cleansing. With a ground invasion of Rafah by the Israel Defence Forces imminent, Britain has joined various imperialist powers in verbally opposing Israels plans to attack the location of one million displaced and starving Palestinians. On Tuesday, a ceasefire resolution is being brought before the United Nations, which the US is expected to bloc using its veto powers. And on Wednesday, the Scottish National Party (SNP) is again bringing a ceasefire resolution before parliament that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer previously whipped his party to oppose. He and Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have advanced the alternative of a sustainable ceasefire, by which they mean for the genocide to continue. Speaking Sunday at the Scottish Labour conferencewhich passed a motion calling for an immediate ceasefireStarmer said there had to be an end to the fighting. Not just for now, not just for a pause, but permanently. A ceasefire that lasts. That is what must happen now. The fighting must stop now. The protest was advertised as going to the Embassy but was prevented from getting within 100 metres of it by the Metropolitan Police. This was only the second time since Israel began airstrikes on Gaza in October that a protest directed at the Israeli Embassy was allowed. To try and taint the march as being threatening to Jews, the police demanded organisers put back the assembly time for an hour, to accommodate an event at a synagogue along the route. Protesters marched down Park Lane adjacent to Hyde Park, staying close to the perimeter, and through Knightsbridge and Kensington Road before ending at the junction with Kensington Court, where a stage was set up. Police made 12 arrests during the day, starting with snatching a protester from the march as it was forming to leave Park Lane, alleging she was carrying a banner supportive of a proscribed terrorist organisation. (See X posting below). Two of the arrests were of protesters wearing face masks, which the government intends to criminalise in upcoming legislationwith those on demonstrations who disregard police orders to remove them facing a fine of up to 1,000 and a month in prison. It has been left unclear whether this applies to personal protection masks. Police already have powers to ask individuals to remove face coverings at designated protests and made the two arrests before the new laws have been enacted. Met spotters took photos from inside buildings and from rooftops in Kensington as demonstrators listened to the speeches. There is media speculation that Starmer may agree a formulation with the SNP vague enough for Labour MPs to support it, avoiding a repetition of the rebellion by 56 of his MPs in November, including eight members of his frontbench who resigned or were sacked by Starmer. But Labour remains in lockstep with the Tories in doing exactly what is demanded of them by British and US imperialism. Nevertheless, the Stop the War Coalition and Palestine Solidarity Campaign organisers of the London rallies have sought to corral opposition to the genocide by insisting that the only role for protesters is to keep up the pressure on the government and, above all, the Labour Party to back a ceasefire call like France and several imperialist powers have done, but which has no impact on Israels ongoing offensive. Stop the War convenor Lindsey German speaking at the protest in London This was the again main theme of Saturdays speech. Stop the War convenor Lindsey Germanleader of the pseudo-left Counterfiretold the rally, Just a word to our politicians, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer any MP who doesnt vote for a ceasefire on Wednesday should be eternally shamed for what they have done. My message to them is no ceasefire, no vote [in the general election to be held later this year]. Stop the War figurehead Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader who was expelled from the parliamentary party three years ago on bogus antisemitism charges by Starmer, said, I want every one of you here, demand, demand of your elected representative [to] be there and vote for a ceasefire. No ifs, no buts, no qualifications, just call for a complete ceasefire. Jeremy Corbyn speaking at February 17 protest in London Corbyns former shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, appealed to the genocide backers entirely on moral grounds, declaring, I say this to my colleagues in Parliament, vote with your conscience, vote for peace, vote for a ceasefire in this vote we can say very clearly in our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians. John McDonnell speaking at the February 17 rally in London Despite her age, 74-year-old wedding dress designer Vera Wang appeared on the red carpet of the British BAFTA Awards on February 18 in a gorgeous black and white dress. It emphasized the incredibly fresh look of the stylist, who has been called "immortal" since last year's BAFTA awards because of her young appearance. ADVERTISIMENT As the British newspaper Metro suggests, Wang looks like she is drinking water from the fountain of youth. She appeared on the red carpet with straight, loose, waist-length hair, which is unusual for people her age. The simple, classic look attracted the attention of many fans, which is why the fashion designer was named one of the most stylish people at the award. Wang wore a black top, sunglasses and long leather opera gloves and paired it with a draped white dress with a simple cut that exposed her chest and stomach. Instead of bulky jewelry accessories, the designer wore a feather boa in monochrome colors. However, the most striking thing was the lack of makeup, which has become quite popular among movie stars recently. ADVERTISIMENT At the BAFTA 2024 gala, Vera Wang also didn't go too far into bright colors in her look. For this year's film awards, the star seems to have chosen classics and maximum color balance. She wore a white hooded dress with long black gloves, let her hair down, and again wore no makeup. Also, it seems that this year, hooded dresses are back in fashion again, as more and more stars prefer them. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! The US will veto a resolution at the United Nations calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Saturday, in the latest expression of all-out support for Israels planned assault on Rafah by the Biden administration. Israeli forces are on the verge of launching a full-scale ground offensive against Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, into which nearly 1.5 million Palestinian civilians are now confined. They have been forcibly displaced by Israels more than four-month-long campaign of indiscriminate bombing, missile strikes and ground assaults, aimed at driving the Palestinian population out of Gaza. On Saturday, Algeria called for a vote to be held this week in the UN Security Council on a resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. In a statement, Thomas-Greenfield declared that the United States does not support action on this draft resolution. She continued: Should it come up for a vote as drafted, it will not be adoptedin effect declaring that the US will veto it. Greenfield added, The Council has the obligation to ensure that any action we take in the coming days increases pressure on Hamas to accept the proposal on the table. In other words, Greenfield called for an endorsement of Israels military offensive in order to break the resistance of the Palestinians. Against the backdrop of condemnation from human rights organizations of Israels planned assault on Rafah, Thomas-Greenfield said February 10 that the assault on Rafah cannot proceed. That position was subsequently revised by Biden, who declared that an offensive cannot proceed without a plan to relocate Gazan civilians. Ultimately, US officials indicated that the United States would support the assault on Rafah even if Israel takes no actions to protect civilians. Asked what will happen if Israel does not take into account what happens to civilians, White House national security spokesman John Kirby replied, We will continue to support Israel. The increasingly naked US support for Israels genocidal onslaught on Rafah takes place against the background of the ongoing US military intervention throughout the Middle East. On Sunday, the US military announced that it carried out yet another round of strikes on Yemen. In explaining the US veto, Thomas-Greenfield claimed that the United States was working on mediating an agreement between Israel and Hamas to secure a six-week pause in the fighting. Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at a hospital morgue in Rafah, Monday, February 12, 2024. [AP Photo/Fatima Shbair] But the prospect for such an agreement appears non-existent after Israeli officials walked out of discussions last week, referring to calls by Hamas that Israeli forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip as ludicrous. In a statement over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to proceed with the planned assault on Rafah, declaring, Whoever tells us not to operate in Rafah is telling us to lose the war. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Egypt is constructing a walled holding area capable of housing up to 100,000 refugees from Gaza, raising the prospect that Egypt is preparing for Israel to forcibly expel residents of Gaza over the border and into the Sinai Desert. In addition to providing political support for the genocide, the United States has provided billions of dollars in weapons and logistical support to Israel since October 7, and the Biden administration is supporting the passage of a funding bill that would provide another $12 billion for the war in Gaza. Israel is meanwhile continuing its targeting of hospitals in the Gaza Strip. On Saturday, seven patients at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis died when the hospital was forced to shut off their oxygen due to lack of fuel amid an Israeli blockade. World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the deaths occurred after a team from the WHO was prevented from entering the hospital to deliver fuel for the generators. Both yesterday and the day before, the WHO team was not permitted to enter the hospital to assess the conditions of the patients and critical medical needs, despite reaching the hospital compound to deliver fuel alongside partners, Tedros said. He added, Medical referral is every patients right. The cost of delays will be paid by patients lives. Nasser Hospital, the second-largest in Gaza, has been rendered completely out of service, the Health Ministry said, telling Reuters, There are only four medical staffers currently caring for patients. Israeli strikes continued over the weekend, killing 18 people between Saturday and Sunday. One strike in Rafah killed six people over the weekend, including three children and one woman, while another strike in Khan Younis killed five men. Gazas Health Ministry said Sunday that the official death toll had surged to 28,858, with another 7,000 people missing. Combined, this brings the actual death toll to well over 35,000 people. The entire population of Gaza, some 2.3 million people, are effectively without sufficient food, fuel and water amid a relentless Israeli bombing campaign and blockade of vital humanitarian supplies. On February 21, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) (SEP) will hold a lecture at Sri Lankas Peradeniya University entitled, A study of the Communist Manifesto. To publicise this weeks event, IYSSE and Socialist Equality Party (SEP) members have been holding in-person and online discussions with students, most of whom have voiced their interest in understanding the contents of this historic document, written 176 years ago by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. IYSSE member speaking with students at Peradina University in Kandy, Sri Lanka SEP General Secretary Deepal Jayasekera will present the lecture, the second in a series organised by the IYSSE under the auspices of the University of Peradeniyas Political Science Society. We publish below some of the students comments. Thanosa, a second-year political science student, began by explaining the rising cost of living, unemployment and other worsening social problems facing students. Coping with daily expenses is a big problem for university students. We have to pay for accommodation, food and other essential needs but the 5,000-rupee [$US16] monthly allowance from the Mahapola scholarship is not enough and we do not even get this meagre sum paid on time. The cost of our daily meals is 500 rupees. The main issue we face and which our senior graduates are now confronting is joblessness. We certainly cant say that we will get a good job after we graduate from our four-year course. The majority of people in Sri Lanka, including students, live in poverty and so the socialist perspective of Marx and Engels, and especially their conception of social equality, is now more important than ever. If there was social equality then all the problems in society could be solved peacefully, he added. I need to come to this lecture and study Karl Marxs and Friedrich Engels writings because there are a lot of things that we dont know about their analysis. We need to study their perspective so we can learn how to fight for equality. It would be very useful if other intelligent young people joined the fight for socialism. Hiruni, an archeology student, said: I was very pessimistic about the situation before I met you because I didnt have a clear understanding of how to overcome the many issues we face. We confront problems such as poverty, unemployment, the attack on public education, the suppression of democratic rights and bloody wars taking place in the Middle East and Ukraine. After listening to your explanation of the Communist Manifesto and its importance I can see a rational path forward and it has made me optimistic. The concepts presented in the Communist Manifesto, that The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles, showed me a new direction. We should study Marxism in order to overthrow capitalism, which is an initiative that I support, so Ill attend the lecture and invite all my fellow students to come. IYSSE campaigner speaking with Peradeniya University students in Kandy, Colombo. Samadhi, also an archeology student, said: Im from Wellassa [a remote part of Uva Province]. This area has a lot of very oppressed peasants and youth but theres no genuine movement to voice their needs, their rights and other issues. Youth born and bred in these poor villages are so full of talent and skill, but they have no opportunity or platform to prove themselves, and they also face continuous police repression. Most of them are not motivated to get a higher education. Although I came to university for higher education, I am unsure about a job after graduation. Finding a job is a big problem for those of us who study archeology, especially due to the massive government cuts in allocations to archeology in this country. I think that we can only realise our grievances by replacing capitalism with socialism. Shashini, another archeology student, said: What I understand from your explanation of the Communist Manifesto is that the capitalists in this society are exploiting the workers to enrich their wealth. This is the first time that Ive met a movement which guides and educates us about these things and so I am glad to have met the IYSSE. Goshi, a faculty of agriculture student, said: The wars in Gaza and Ukraine are deepening and spreading day by day. This could develop towards a very serious conflict between the major powers who have nuclear weapons, which could end all life on earth, including that of humans. The problem is that we are not aware of the social power and potential of the working class and that it could intervene and stop war. Its hard to realise that Marx and Engels had already warned people about the many dangers they face now, more than 175 years ago after they wrote the Communist Manifesto. Im very keen to read it because I need to know more and more about this subject. In an online discussion organised by the IYSSE on February 16, Anoya, a third-year arts faculty student, said: I accept that the concepts of the Communist Manifesto are important to educate the working class. The working class must understand how profit is extracted through their labour but why is the IYSSE and SEP only intervening among university students and not the working class? The SEP/IYSSE campaigners explained how the movement continuously fights for its policies amongst the working class, not only in Sri Lanka but internationally, under the leadership of the International Committee of the Fourth International. Our perspective rests on the international working class, which, as the Communist Manifesto points out, is the powerful and decisive revolutionary social force in capitalist society. Revolutionary consciousness and the political unity of the international working class, however, do not develop spontaneously. The working class need a revolutionary party to educate and organise them to take power from the capitalist ruling elite. Youth and students around the world, including in Sri Lanka, can play a decisive role in that process, the SEP/IYSSE campaigners explained. Anoya then asked how workers and students could distinguish fake Marxist organisations from the genuine Marxist parties? Party campaigners answered by explaining that genuine Marxist parties were based on the fight for internationalism and the political independence of the working class. Even though pseudo-left organisations use Marxist phraseology, they reject the materialist conception of history and the revolutionary role of the working class. Their perspective is to seek a more favourable distribution of wealth within the capitalist system, not to overthrow it. We urge students, workers and academics to attend this weeks lecture to discuss these questions and any others they have about the Communist Manifesto and the fight for socialist internationalism. Venue: Lecture Hall No. 86, Political Science Department, University of Peradeniya Date and time: February 21 at 3.00 p.m. The explosion in Northern Virginia threw debris throughout the neighborhood An explosion at a two-story home in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C. on Friday led to the death of a volunteer firefighter and injuries to 13 others, who had been investigating complaints of a gas leak. The explosion was felt for miles and shook homes off their foundations throughout the neighborhood. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue identified the deceased as Trevor Brown, a 45-year-old member of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, based out of Sterling, Virginia. Brown leaves behind a widow and three children, ages 6, 9 and 11. Other responders suffered limited to more severe injuries, said Loudoun County Assistant Fire Chief James Williams at a press conference Friday. According to the Loudoun Fire and Rescues Twitter/X account, of the injured firefighters, four remain hospitalized at local area hospitals as of Saturday. He was a fantastic father, said Thomas Brown, the deceaseds father, to the Washington Post. He was so much better than me. He and his wife poured everything into those children. You just dont see that in the world today. The firefighters had been investigating a home near the crossing of Seneca Ridge and Silver Ridge drives in Sterling, Virginia, roughly 30 miles to the west of Washington D.C. At about 7:40 p.m., neighbors called to report a gas leak emanating from the residence. After a brief inspection, firefighters identified a 500-gallon propane tank on the residence with a leak that had migrated into the homes, according to the fire chief, who ordered the homeowners to evacuate and called in a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team to the scene. At around 8:25, the home exploded with such force that the impact was felt across the Potomac River in the state of Maryland. The actual cause of the explosion is still being determined, although Sterling Volunteers Chief Keith Johnson told the Times it is assumed to be propane-related. The scene outside the home was total devastation, Loudoun County Chief Williams told reporters. According to neighbor Sean Mohseni, whose own home nearly collapsed on him and his family, the surrounding community was left looking like a war zone. In a comment to the New York Times, AJ Albaladejo, another neighbor, assisted two women living in the residence who were just outside of the driveway and leaving the premises when the house exploded. The neighbor, a nurse, tended to the two women, who were in a state of shock and bleeding from their faces and heads, noted the Times. According to Sterling Volunteers Chief Johnson, the propane tank had been provided by a local gas company. Washington Gas, the local utility provider, released a statement explaining that it was investigating the integrity of our system in the surrounding area to make sure other incidents did not occur. Throughout the region, propane- and gas-related explosions have been increasingly frequent. A series of gas explosions in southeast Washington D.C. in January led to the complete destruction of a convenience store and damage to a daycare center. The buildings were damaged less than 30 minutes after firefighters ordered them evacuated. Nationally, propane-related incidents have been on the rise. Last Thursday, an explosion involving a natural gas truck in Los Angeles injured nine firefighters, two of whom were hospitalized. The National Fire Protection Association reports that there were more than 11,000 propane-related fires a year in the United States in the time period from 2017 to 2021. A 2022 edition of Fire Protection Research notes the average cost of damages from propane fires has tripled since 2010, from $200,000 to $600,000 in 2020. The danger was attributed to the growing usage of propane tanks in building structures, owing to the gass relative affordability compared to other heating sources. In response to the event in Sterling, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkins office published a statement feigning sympathy for the victims. Our hearts are with the Sterling community and we are praying for the family of the brave firefighter who gave their life, his office declared. We are grateful for those fearless heroes who run toward danger to protect and serve their fellow Virginians everyday. Virginia relies heavily on volunteer firefighters, which make up over 70 percent of the states forces. A state legislature-appointed work group last year found 18 percent of localities were unable to meet growing demand for firefighters and EMS crews, which had increased by 39 percent since 2021. Another 70 percent of all localities could meet demand only sometimes, never or rarely. The reports authors recommended that the state assume responsibility for funding firefighters and EMS in the localities, rather than leaving it up to the communities themselves. The Youngkin administrations response was to bury the report, with administration spokesperson Macaulay Porter informing a local NPR affiliate that the recommendation was misguided. The Republican margin of control in the US House of Representatives shrank to only two votes after Tuesdays victory by Democrat Tom Suozzi in a special election to fill the vacancy created by the expulsion of New York Republican George Santos. Santos was expelled by the House in December, with the Republican leadership deciding that his notorious corruption and fabricated biography would undermine their efforts to retain control in the November 5 general election, even though removing him temporarily weakened their hold on the lower House. Republicans now hold a 219-213 majority in the House, meaning that any time three Republicans defect, the party could lose its majority. Another three seats are currently vacant, to be filled by special elections later this year. The special election February 13 marked a further shift to the right in the spectrum of capitalist politics, with both the Democratic and Republican candidates virtually ignoring issues such as war, falling living standards and attacks on democratic rights, and instead focusing almost entirely on a competition to take the most reactionary position on immigration. Suozzi defeated Republican candidate Mazi Pilip in New Yorks 3rd Congressional District, which encompasses much of northern Nassau County in the Long Island suburbs, and an adjacent section of the New York City borough of Queens. The district had been held by Democrats, first Steve Israel and then Suozzi himself, for more than 20 years, until Suozzi left Congress for an unsuccessful run for governor in 2022. Santos, who had lost a previous race in that district, won the vacant seat. Congressional candidates, Mazi Pilip, left, and former U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi are shown in this combination of file photos. [AP Photo/ Brittainy Newman & John Minchillo] There was essentially no difference between Suozzi and Pilip in the race. Both ran on right-wing platforms, based on anti-immigrant positions embracing national chauvinism, bigotry and police repression. While Pilip, from an Ethiopian Jewish family who emigrated first to Israel, then to Long Island, made much of her background as a former soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, Suozzi matched her in fervent support for the Israeli genocide in Gaza. The only significant difference raised by Suozzi was his effort to tie Pilip to the Republican Partys hostility to abortion rights, a subject which Pilip simply tried to avoid, speaking only in vague generalities. Unusually large amounts of money were spent by both parties during the campaign, Democrats more than $10 million and Republicans $6.6 million, a glimpse of the vast sums to be expended in the struggle over control of the US House of Representatives in the November election. Suozzi had strong support from trade union bureaucrats and allied organizations, who spent over $700,000 on his behalf. Suozzis tough-on-immigrants stand is being touted as a model for Democrats running for election in swing districts by placing greater emphasis on border security (i.e., keeping immigrants out). His campaign essentially mirrored Republican positions on such topics as crime and taxes, as well as immigration. At one point he called on President Biden to shut the southern border. Suozzi supports restricting asylum, building the border wall, offering foreign aid to Mexico to stop migration, and creating a path to citizenship for some migrants. As a former three-term congressman from the same district, Suozzi touted his ability to work across the aisle with his fascistic Republican colleagues as a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, where he was vice chair before leaving Congress to run for governor of New York. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged Suozzis successful rightward tack, saying, He sounded like a Republican, talking about the border and immigration. Because everybody knows, thats the top issue. A further confirmation of the essential interchangeability between the political positions of the two candidates is that the Republican candidate, Mazi Pilip, is still a registered Democrat. Suozzis right-wing campaign is not an exception, but rather a manifestation of the rightward shift of the Democrats in general, as seen, for example in Bidens increasingly anti-immigrant position. Besides his greater visibility as a former congressman from that district, Suozzi had the advantage of popular revulsion towards the bizarre and corrupt record of the expelled Republican George Santos, expelled two months ago for violating ethics guidelines and House rules. Santos was charged by New York federal prosecutors with 23 felonies in early 2023 and is now facing trial. Charges include scamming political donors, lying to the Federal Election Commission and illegally receiving unemployment-insurance benefits. In addition to the federal charges, press reports and the subsequent House probe revealed a plethora of distortions and outright lies by Santos during his 2022 election campaign. These included falsely claiming that he was the grandson of Ukrainian Jews who had fled the Holocaust, that he graduated from Baruch College and New York University, and that he worked at the financial institutions Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, not to mention extremely dubious personal and campaign finances. As a brazen fabricator, he stood out even among the coterie of professional liars known as members of Congress. As Mark Twain once put it, There is no distinctly American criminal classexcept Congress. Neither the Democrats nor the New York media bothered to examine Santos record during the 2022 campaign, when he was one of a half dozen Republicans in the state to win Democratic congressional seats, providing nearly the entire margin of control in the House nationally. Pro-Democratic Party media, like the New York Times, have trumpeted Suozzis victory as a bellwether for the 2024 presidential elections, demonstrating that President Biden can win reelection on a similar right-wing program, combined with a defense of abortion rights. For his part, the Republican presidential frontrunner, former president Donald Trump, blamed Pilips defeat on the fact that she distanced herself from his campaign and did not endorse him or embrace the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. The World Socialist Web Site spoke last week with Dr Zewlan Moor, a Queensland general practitioner, about the ongoing doxxing and victimisation of medical practitioners by Zionist organisations amid the Israeli assault on Gaza. Dr Zewlan Moor with one of her books. [Photo by @fotofox] Moor, who is also a childrens book author (Nothing Alike and The Bill Dup), was one of scores of doctors and other health workers targeted by these pro-war elements for speaking out against Israels murderous ethnic-cleansing operation. At least 39 health workers are currently being investigated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) after being falsely accused of antisemitism. The Albanese Labor government aggressively supports Israels genocidal attacks in Gaza and is fully aware of the victimisations of the pro-Palestine health workers. Its close relations with the pro-Zionist lobby in Australia and its pro-Israel rhetoric provide a fertile breeding ground for the anti-democratic assaults on medical practitioners. Confronting deep-seated opposition to its unwavering support for Israel, the Labor government last week seized on the public exposure of the activities of J.E.W.I.S.H Australian creatives and academics, a secret WhatsApp group that targets and threaten the careers and livelihoods of public figures opposing the Gaza genocide. Labor has falsely and hysterically deemed the exposure of this group as antisemitic and is currently preparing so-called anti-doxxing laws. Whatever their final form, these laws will be used, not against the online Zionist bullies, but pro-Palestinian activists who expose the witch-hunting activities of these reactionary formations. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus told the Age newspaper yesterday that the new laws will criminalise doxxing and result in jail time for those charged and found guilty. On January 17, a meeting of the Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee in Australia unanimously passed a resolution pledging to defend the victimised medical practitioners and to alert other health workers in Australia and internationally about this serious attack on basic democratic rights. Dr Moors edited interview is a contribution to this campaign. The WSWS has already published support statements from the Health Workers Action Committee in Sri Lanka, NHS Fightback in Britain, the convenor of the Pathology Rank-and-File Workers group in Australia, the Australian and New Zealand Doctors for Palestine organisation and individual doctors, nurses, and medical scientists in Australia. The HWRFC urges all medical practitioners to speak out against the victimisation of their colleagues and to send statements and letters of support here. Richard Phillips: Why did you decide to speak out against the Gaza genocide and what have been the consequences for you? Dr Zewlan Moor: Being able to speak out against genocide is a democratic right and should be a bipartisan issue. In fact, its a duty and obligation for citizens of countries that are signatories to the Genocide Convention to point out if another country is not abiding by international law and the rules of the Convention. I believe its a political responsibility to do this in order to uphold international law and to remind Australia and its government of its responsibilities. What is going on in Gaza are war crimes. If our government has now decided that it doesnt believe in the principles of the Genocide Convention and will not fight for them, then they should not be signatories any longer. RP: Were you shocked when you heard about what had happened to doctors and other colleagues who had opposed the Gaza genocide? ZM: Yes, I was surprised, but then discovered after someone contacted me, that Id also been doxxed and was featured with others on the notmydoctor48 social media page, one of the main pro-Israel harassment groups. The account basically used some of our social media posts, often taking our comments out of context or even doctoring posts to look as if we had said something we had not. Then they added a caption of damaging and false allegations of antisemitism, alongside calls for action against us. These calls for action were reminders that people could make complaints against doctors via AHPRA, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. There were prompts to report us to AHPRA, stating that Jewish patients would not feel safe seeing us. The pro-Zionist "notmydoctor1948" published this image of Dr Moor, including her regional location in Queensland. The group falsely accused her of antisemitism, along with calls for her to be reported to AHPRA and sent to Gaza. [Photo: Instagram] Claims that our statements were antisemitic are false. Our comments were anti-apartheid, anti-genocide and anti-fascist. We were simply expressing our opposition to the Israeli states war crimes and its apartheid policies. There was no antisemitic content, but instead weve been harassed, accused of being terrorist supporters and had threats made against our families. Weve also been threatened with deregistration. This has happened while some of our colleagues, who are Palestinians, are grieving over the loss of family members. Several doctors have been featured many times on the accounts different iterations. Although I appeared quite late, there are others who have been fighting against this since December. When I originally saw the post about me, it was on a public page. They have now made it private after complaints made to the media. Initially it was not as openly defamatory of me, but it was still disturbing and Ive been subjected to continuous trolling. A more recent post on the private page was doctored and implied that I held bigoted views aligned with Jewish cabal conspiracy theories. This is completely incorrect. A group of anti-Zionist Jews called the Jewish Council of Australia, including a lawyer, have begun speaking out for Palestine. This is a very courageous and important thing to do, so I responded in support of one of their posts on their Instagram page jewishcouncil. Within an hour the notmydoctor1948 platform had replied to me with a very personal remark, more or less telling me to shut up. The jewishcouncil account has hidden those comments but I am happy to provide the details. Its important for people to know whats going on with the incredible energy and unremitting nature of this trolling because the mainstream media is still favourably biased towards these groups and what theyre doing. They are reported as support groups, but theyre actually quite malicious and focussed on ruining peoples livelihoods for their advocacy for human rights. One example of the sort of threatening responses sent to doctors: This sinister and potentially criminal comment was posted underneath a photo of Dr Moors son on one of her social media pages. [Photo: Instagram] RP: Can you speak about the leaking of the chat transcript from the J.E.W.I.S.H. creatives and artists WhatsApp group and the governments response? ZM: First of all, I want to be clear that I have a lot of empathy for the Jewish people and the persecution they have suffered, and I hope that I would have been one of the people to speak up against their genocide during the Holocaust. Second of all, I condemn the actions of Hamas on October 7 and look forward to an appropriate investigation and trial of the perpetrators at the International Criminal Court. However, I am aware that their actions need to be understood in the context of a more than 75-year history of colonial displacement, illegal occupation and apartheid. Also, I agree with many international law and humanitarian agencies that the retaliation of the Israeli state against Palestinian civilians has been disproportionate and has violated international law. While the Sydney Morning Herald wrote about the leaking of the J.E.W.I.S.H. creatives and academics group chat, its story was completely biased and suggested that the members of the WhatsApp group were being subjected to antisemitic persecution. It makes out the group is a support group for Jewish creatives who were feeling vulnerable after October 7. This is just not the case. Ive read a lot of the transcriptits very longand its scary and very focussed. One of the chats explains how to use a special app where you can upload links from peoples social media posts, give them a green tick as antisemitic, according to their false definition, and this information is then relayed straight to the Israeli Secret Service. This is like McCarthyism and just unbelievable, but according to the Sydney Morning Herald, these people have been victimised and outed and this is a violation of their privacy. I just cant believe the bias in this article. Many of the people in the group signed an open letter making clear what their aims were, so their names are already public. Anyone who hears about this issue and Googles it will end with the Sydney Morning Herald version of the story, which means theyll have a very biased view of what the WhatsApp group is really doing. You can see how these groups work and how they forced the journalist Antoinette Lattouf out of her job at the ABC. She was targeted in a highly organised operation by the so-called Lawyers for Israel group. It had links to people in very high placesin ABC management and elsewhereand could get things done very quickly. Everyone knows that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza. We know that its a war crime to target civilians, including doctors, health workers and hospitals. Doctors and health workers are being killed because Israel doesnt want the Palestinian health system to recover. Journalists are being targeted in Gaza to prevent the truth being communicated. They are being killed at a rate of one in ten, compared to the one in a hundred rate for the general civilian population. Writers and academics and their families are being targeted for their political beliefs. All this is happening in Gaza for all the world to see but Israel and its supporters dont want the truth of this getting out. And thats the situation here. We are not being killed but Israel and its supporters here in Australia are trying to silence doctors and health workers because we have a certain authority in the community. RP: What do you think about the silence of all the medical associations and the health workers unions to this genocide, and their refusal to defend you and your colleagues? ZM: Im very disappointed that they havent supported us or our healthcare colleagues in Gaza, but I cant say that Im shocked. They just go along with what the mainstream media and the government says without any critical analysis or any awareness of the history of the situation. Palestinians bury the bodies of people who were killed by the Israeli military, during a mass funeral in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. [AP Photo/Fatima Shbair] All this basic information about the situation in Gaza and the West Bank can be gleaned by reading a couple of reports. It is all freely available in official material from organisations like Human Rights Watch, BTselem and Amnesty International, or by listening to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories Francesca Albaneses address to the National Press Club of Australia. The history can be gleaned from YouTube interviews with historians, such as Rashid Khalidi and Norman Finkelstein, and journalists, such as Gideon Levy and Antony Loewenstein. Three out of four of these are Israeli or Jewish themselves. The AMA and the health unions are not doing anything to educate their members or counteract all the government and media lies. People who are seeing the truth from eyewitness accounts on the ground are protesting all over the world against the Gaza genocidethey dont agree with it. But for many Westerners there are barriers due to media indoctrination and often unacknowledged implicit biases, including anti-Arab racism and Islamophobia. The false conflation of antisemitism and anti-Zionism is also a deliberate barrier to stifle criticism of Israeli state policies. The general public needs to be told the truth. Thats why I appreciate what you and other independent media are doing. The former premier of the National Opera, Oleksandr Stoianov, and his ballerina wife, Kateryna Kukhar, have once again fueled rumors of divorce. The ballet star posted a photo of herself in a white dress with a post dedicated to loneliness on her page, while her chosen one shortly before posted a shot of his naked torso to tragic music. ADVERTISIMENT The eloquent photos appeared on the social media of the stars, who have not yet commented on the rumors of their divorce that emerged last year. "Women are never alone. Even when they say they are free. Because they always have someone. It doesn't matter if it's in their head, in their heart, or bed," Kateryna Kukhar wrote under the shot of herself in a wedding-like dress. Her chosen one confined himself to a black-and-white photo without outerwear, where he posed with his hand over his head. ADVERTISIMENT By the way, the couple hasn't appeared together in public for a long time, nor have they posted photos together, although they used to do so regularly. After the scandal over the promotion of the ballet Swan Lake to the music of Russian composer Piotr Chaikovskyi, Oleksandr Stoianov called Kukhar "the mother of his children" and admitted that they had disagreed. As you know, the dancer was criticized for this choice of concert program, but he is sure that there is no hint of popularizing Russian culture in Swan Lake, which Ukrainians dance abroad. Oleksandr Stoianov recorded a video in which he ridiculed the remark by showing blue and yellow flags at the concerts, but the comments noted that Ukrainian symbols do not justify it. "Promoting the culture of the enemy is not the right time now. People are fighting for a ban on Russian tours in Europe, and here we are spreading 'narrow' culture ourselves! It's just surreal", "Not finding a worthy work in the entire history of Ukraine and choosing something hostile that will be "definitely accepted" is about laziness or lack of talent. And you can find lame arguments about "world heritage". Only for a person with the rudiments of intelligence this is not an excuse, but only an attempt to cover up their ignorance." "The fact that Ukrainians are afraid to let go of Russian art shows how effective Russification is." "It's a shame when our ballet tours with Swan Lake, which everyone associates with Muscovy," wrote outraged users. ADVERTISIMENT However, there were also plenty of excuses under the post. Stoianov's fans wrote that "Chaikovskyi is not their enemy," and that people who help Ukraine and are part of Ukrainian culture can be forgiven for touring Swan Lake. Feature: Hanfu show enriches Spring Festival celebrations in Malta Women wearing Chinese costumes are pictured in a street in Valletta, Malta, Feb. 17, 2024. In Valletta, the capital city of Malta, a group of ladies wearing colorful Chinese costumes - known as Hanfu, proceed gracefully along historic streets on Saturday afternoon, attracting both Maltese residents and tourists from around the world. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) VALLETTA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- In Valletta, the capital city of Malta, a group of ladies wearing colorful Chinese costumes - known as Hanfu, proceed gracefully along historic streets on Saturday afternoon, attracting both Maltese residents and tourists from around the world. The captivating Hanfu show organized by the China Cultural Center in Malta was performed by 23 female volunteers from China, Malta, and Italy. They held Chinese-style fans and lanterns in their hands and walked along Republic Street, a main street in Valletta, as part of the event to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival. "I love their colors of Hanfu, and the jewelry and hairstyles are also very intricate," said Noemi Calisto, an Italian student at the University of Malta. Some of her classmates were voluntary performers in the Hanfu show, so she took many photos of them. Momo Muller and his wife Rita, a couple from Luxembourg, were enthralled by the beauty of the Hanfu costumes. Muller told Xinhua that he visited Beijing about 15 years ago and is looking forward to revisiting China. Alexander Ouaknine, a 53-year-old owner of a traditional Maltese silver jewelry shop, told Xinhua that the handmade jewelry with silver wire and the beautiful Chinese traditional outfits are both "a wonderful form of art." Among the enthusiastic volunteers of the Hanfu show, Charmaine Zammit is an official from the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation. "I have always been interested in Chinese culture and I always longed to wear Chinese traditional costume," she said. For Martina Vella, a 21-year-old student at the University of Malta, and her friends, it was their first time wearing Hanfu. Studying design, Vella told Xinhua that she would consider incorporating Chinese traditional elements into her future works. Yuan Yuan, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta, highlighted the warm applause received by the Hanfu show. "The event showcases the charm of Chinese culture and the significance of cultural exchange between China and the West," she said. Following the Hanfu show, the China Cultural Center invited people to try Hanfu, practice calligraphy, and make lanterns to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival. On Saturday night, the Chinese Community Association in Malta hosted a gala to celebrate the Spring Festival in the gym of St. Aloysius College in central Malta, featuring singing, dance, and music performances. Addressing about 300 attendees at the gala, Peng Yijun, charge d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Malta, commended the active role of the Chinese Community Association in promoting traditional Chinese culture and enhancing China-Malta friendship. Women wearing Chinese costumes are pictured in a street in Valletta, Malta, Feb. 17, 2024. In Valletta, the capital city of Malta, a group of ladies wearing colorful Chinese costumes - known as Hanfu, proceed gracefully along historic streets on Saturday afternoon, attracting both Maltese residents and tourists from around the world. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) Women wearing Chinese costumes are pictured in a street in Valletta, Malta, Feb. 17, 2024. In Valletta, the capital city of Malta, a group of ladies wearing colorful Chinese costumes - known as Hanfu, proceed gracefully along historic streets on Saturday afternoon, attracting both Maltese residents and tourists from around the world. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) Cyborgs star Viacheslav Dovzhenko plays the lead role in The Other Franko, which promises to be an extraordinary event in Ukrainian cinema. The historical drama will be released on the big screens on February 8. ADVERTISIMENT OBOZ.UA talked to the actor during the pre-premiere screening of the film in Kyiv. Viacheslav Dovzhenko admitted why he has never seen Cyborgs, told us where Zelenskyy went from the play The Host, in which he plays the main role, and explained why his son Vasyl will watch The Other Franko instead of him at the premiere. The Other Franko tells the story of the scientist and historical figure Petro Franko, the youngest son of the legendary Ukrainian writer. Petro Ivanovych was a talented inventor, co-founder of the Plast movement, and a writer. After the end of World War I (he served as a military pilot at the front), he became the founder of an aviation unit of the Galician Army. Later he was forced to compromise with the authorities to avoid repression. However, he did not stop his activities, which were later recognized as anti-Soviet. Fate gave Petro Franko only 51 years of age. The scientist was shot dead in 1941. ADVERTISIMENT Viacheslav, how do you feel about the opinion of some Ukrainians that now is not the time for feature films? I understand them to a certain extent. I recently gave an interview in which they mentioned the replacement of the symbols on the monumental sculpture in Kyiv called Motherland. Some Ukrainians were happy about it, while others criticized that it was not the right time and that a lot of money was spent on reconstruction. I understand both positions. But I have a question for our authorities: why has this symbolism not been changed since 1991? Why is it only now, when everything is so painful, that we are rushing like scalded to change everything? What should have been changed long ago in our minds, and most importantly, in the minds of the next generation? ADVERTISIMENT I can say for sure that today, in the more than 30 years of independence, we have definitely missed several generations. They are not so Ukrainian-conscious. My eldest son Ivan is 20 years old. When he graduated from high school, only three students in his class spoke Ukrainian. In my daughter's class, who is about the same age, there are two of us - her and one other boy. So you understand perfectly well what I'm talking about. In 30 years, we have missed these generations. My youngest son Vasyl, who is 14 years old, is standing not far from us now. He is already more conscious, and his generation is like that. But why are we going so hard and long to get there? And what should we do? It seems to me that we have to work hard. As Ivan Franko wrote: "To work, to work, and to perish in work." This was his life credo. And it is our only way now. ADVERTISIMENT What did you know about Petro Franko when you took on this role? Practically nothing. I knew about Plast because it's impossible not to know if you're at least a little bit knowledgeable. But I knew nothing about scholarship, translations, or aviation. When I started to learn, I was impressed by absolutely everything. Getting to know this man, I was surprised because it was all him, and him, and him. And this is impressive. Another thing is that many questions arose. First of all, why is so little known about this historical figure to the general public? I must say that this role has been played for quite a long time. The film was first presented at the Khmelnytsky Film Festival in 2021. It has reached the big screens only now, like some other Ukrainian films, because of the pandemic and the war. "After this role, I also had a lot of interesting things to do, for example, in The Word House, where I played Khvylovyi (a dramatic story about our writers who were gathered in one house to force them to create in the name of the party - Ed.) But the character of Petro Franko is very dear to me. ADVERTISIMENT Which one is the most precious? You can't say that, because it's like asking a father which of his children he loves more. All the characters you create are precious. Did you talk to any of Franko's relatives while working on the role? I had the opportunity to meet my hero's relatives when I was honored to be invited to the opening of the monument to Petro Franko in Nahuyevychi. And we talked to Kameniar's great-grandson for some time. And later he was told that this actor recreated the image of your grandfather. And after one of our conversations, he said to me: "You know, I would probably trust you to play him." I hope the audience will say the same. I do believe in it. ADVERTISIMENT How are you living now? - Like everyone else, I'm worried about air raids every day, and even more about our future. My heart hurts for the occupied territories. I have no one there, but everything that is happening there is very close. And the only good thing about this horror that we are living through now is that I have started to appreciate every day. That's how it should be: to be afraid of losing the people around you, to love your loved ones because every day can be the last. To say to dear people: "I love you". Starting today, don't forget to do it every day. At the beginning of the invasion, I, like most of my colleagues, thought that our profession might not exist anymore. My anxiety was exacerbated by the fact that I realized that I could do nothing else. And I don't know if I could ever reform, but I clearly realize that thanks to the audience, the faith in the actors is now returning that everything we do is necessary. Although I must admit that I still haven't felt that cinema has come to life and that everything will be fine. And no one here at the film's presentation will tell you that everything is fine. And no one knows what will happen tomorrow. ADVERTISIMENT How long have you been out of work since the start of the full-scale war? We started working about a year ago. And it can't be called strong employment, which was until February 2022. With less effort, with smaller budgets and fees, but we are working. How long do you think what is happening to us now will last? You know, we have been living with this for centuries. I don't know how many more years we will endure it. Even if we push the enemy back to the 1991 borders now, it is not a given that the war will end. If you don't take the sting out of the snake, nothing will happen. We will not have peace until Russia collapses. We must finally realize this. Victory will come when the aggressor country ceases to exist. This is the only way. ADVERTISIMENT How do you remember the movie Cyborgs, which made you famous? Very warmly, although I confess that I have never seen the movie in its entirety. Because I was in the material, I was creating it, but many scenes were not included in the film for objective reasons, and they are very expensive, and it hurts. Not everything in The Other Franco is included in the movie, and it will hurt again(smiles). That's why I'm not going to watch it today either. But my son will be in the audience, and he will tell me honestly about his impressions later. ADVERTISIMENT In addition to working in movies, do you have many roles in theater? How did you react to the scandal with the play The Host, in which you play the main role (after the premiere of the play, the media reported that one of the characters in the play, named Zelensky, somehow became Zalusky in the production of the Theater on Podil. The authors were accused of censorship for removing the reference to the president's literary namesake.) - In my opinion, this is absolutely stupid hype that has nothing to do with the play. People who watched this production understand this very clearly. And those who supported the scandal simply did not read Karpenko-Kary's play carefully. There is indeed one of the characters named Zelensky. And the author of the production, director Ivan Uryvsky, usually shortens his plays very much, never staging them in full. And as an artist, he has the right to do so. In the process of working, he came up with certain composite characters, and assigning a particular surname to a composite character was at least unnecessary hype on his part. ADVERTISIMENT Because the play itself is an ode to corruption. The audience could think that the authors inserted this name to hint at something. To get around the awkward situation, they simply removed the name Zelensky. They substituted Zalusky because that is the name of Ivan Uryvsky's friend from the Franko Theater. This is the actor Vania Zalusky. As for those who saw a hint of censorship or betrayal there, it's not true, I can tell you for sure. Come and see for yourself - the story is completely different. Although, you know, we weren't too worried about the noise around the production, because any publicity is only a plus. U2s Bono paid tribute to the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny during a Saturday night show, leading the crowd at the Sphere in chanting the anti-corruption activists name. Ahead of launching into a rendition of Crowded Houses Dont Dream Its Over, a cover the band has performed frequently during its Las Vegas residency, Bono pointed out to the audience that next week marks the two-year anniversary of Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. Next itll be Poland, next itll be Lithuania, East Germanywho knows where this man will or wont go, Bono said, according to footage of the concert. To these people freedom is not just a word in a song. For these people, freedom is the most important word in the worldso important that Ukrainians are fighting and dying for it. And its so important that Alexei Navalny chose to give his up, he added. #U2 frontman Bono chanted Alexei #Navalny's name with the audience during his concert in Las Vegas "Putin would never ever say his name. So I thought tonight people who believe in freedom must say his name. Not just remember it, but say it." pic.twitter.com/lWwTwOs8Tw NEXTA (@nexta_tv) February 18, 2024 Navalny, one of Putins fiercest critics, died at a remote Arctic penal colony on Friday. He was 47 years old. He was arrested in 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany, where he had been recovering from chemical nerve agent poisoning, believed to have been an assassination attempt by Russian security forces. He was repeatedly sentenced to prison on criminal charges internationally viewed as trumped-up and politically motivated, most recently in Aug. 2023, when he was given a 19-year term. Apparently Putin would never, ever say his name. So I thought tonight, the free people, from here, people who believe in freedomwe must say his name. Not just remember it, but say it, Bono continued. He then got the audience to chant Alexei Navalny over the opening acoustic strains of Dont Dream Its Over. Putin reportedly avoided speaking Navalnys name during his lifetime, preferring to refer to him euphemistically as that character, this gentleman, the aforementioned citizen, and, when brought up by others, one of the figures you mentioned. Whether superstition or symbolic choice, Navalny delighted in Putins refusal to name him. Im like Lord Voldemort, he told a reporter in 2018, according to Al Jazeera. Alexei Navalnys Widow Shares Tribute, as Russians Are Arrested at Rallies Navalny was held in solitary confinement and repeatedly fell ill during his incarceration, sparking fears for his wellbeing that spiked in December, when he disappeared for several weeks amid a transfer to the so-called Polar Wolf penal colony, prison FGU IK-3. No cause of death has been specified by Russian authorities, who said that Navalny collapsed after taking a walk on Friday morning. His spokesperson said a day later that his mother had officially been notified of his death, and that his remains had been moved to a nearby town for further examination and investigation. Navalnys mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, traveled to the town but was barred from reclaiming his remains, the spokesperson said. His team, who are largely in exile, have demanded his body be released to his family for burial. News of Navalnys death roiled the world. In Russia, mourners risked arrest over the weekend as they attempted to honor his life, with more than 350 people arrested at impromptu rallies and vigils, according to watchdog group OVD-Info. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Dijak speaks highly of Ricochet. In a tweet, NXT star Dijak shared his opinion that Ricochet is the best high flyer in history. He called the one and only one of the greatest in-ring talents he has ever seen or wrestled. Its unclear exactly what prompted the post, but Dijak noted that the thought had been his mind. Im just gonna throw this out there because its been on my mind lately for whatever reason. In my opinion, @KingRicochet is literally the best high flyer in history. Hes one of the greatest in ring talents Ive ever seen or wrestled. DIJAK (@DijakWWE) February 18, 2024 Ricochet has been with WWE since 2018, and he has had a successful run with the company. He is a former WWE Intercontinental Champion and United States Champion, among other accolades. Ricochet has thrilled fans with his high-flying arsenal on many occasions. In 2021, he won a Bumpy Award for his viral dive onto John Morrison. Before he arrived in WWE, Ricochet won titles for several companies, including Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Lucha Underground, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He also had a decorated run in Dragon Gate. Ricochets Goals For 2024 The WWE RAW star recently named his goals for 2024. Speaking on the Babyfaces podcast, he made it clear that he wants to keep the momentum going. Just keep the momentum going, keep the train going. Thats everybodys goal. Now, more than ever, everybody from top to bottom. From Akira Tozawa to Roman Reigns, and everyone that falls in between, is the most talented and capable person to make whatever their goal is possible. Everybody. If Apollo Crews wants to be Intercontinental Champion this year, its probably going to be hard to stop him. Now, its so hard. I feel everybody is just trying to keep it going. You see it now with the CM Punks, the Drews, everybody, theyre trying to keep their momentum going. 2023 ended, but 2024 has started and theres no reason that because the year ended that our momentum needs to slow down. My goal is to keep the train going. Royal Rumble is coming up soon, Ricochet said. [H/T Fightful.com] Do you agree with Dijak? Sound off in the comments section below. The post Dijak Calls Ricochet The Best High Flyer In History appeared first on Wrestlezone. Larry Hall is considered to be one of the most prolific serial killers in US history. As per reports, Hall was known for committing several crimes during his teenage years, including vandalism. In 1993, after authorities discovered the remains of Jessica Roach, an investigation was initiated that led to the discovery of some startling information. According to Newsweek, the authorities started suspecting Larry Hall after several young women notified them that he stalked them. The claims made by women surfaced after the disappearance of Roach, a 15-year-old girl, near her Georgetown home. Almost six weeks later, authorities found her remains near Perrysville, Indiana. After discovering her remains, the police launched an investigation to find the culprit. The outlet also reported that the authorities found many suspicious things in Halls vehicle, including a knife and a missing poster of another woman named Tricia Reitler. As per CNN, after the police brought Hall for interrogation, he eventually confessed to kidnapping Roach. In 1995, the jury found Larry Hall guilty of the kidnapping of Jessica Roach. Subsequently, the court sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. As per the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Hall is currently serving his sentence at the FCI Butner Medium II. Although his conviction gave closure to the Roach family, the investigators wanted to give a similar kind of closure to the Reitler family. So, they stitched a plan to get a confession out of Hall. Larry Hall murder case explored When Larry Hall was being interrogated, he told the investigators how he abducted the young woman and killed her. CNN reports that the culprit moved away his face from seeing the picture before confessing to his crime. Citing the investigators, the outlet noted, He [Hall] immediately flinched. He turned to his right and put his hand up over his face like he didnt want to see the picture. And he told me he didnt think hed ever seen that girl. He also admitted to having sexually assaulted her before strangling her from behind. I laid her up against a tree and put a belt around her neck and she stopped breathing, the investigators said. Shockingly, Hall also said that he hurt other women, but cant remember them because he picked up several girls in other areas. During the same interrogation, Hall also revealed that he picked up a girl near the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University and killed her after raping her. When the investigators showed him a picture of Tricia Reitler, he admitted that it was her, per CNN. Although he recanted his confession the next time he met the investigators, investigators wanted a confession in the Reitler case and used an informant, Jimmy Keene, to finish the task. As per CNN, Keene started earning Halls trust, and one day, Hall admitted to killing Reitler. However, he never told him where the body was. Keene also revealed that Hall had a map and carved wooden falcons on it. He said, It was a map with red dots over Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. And he covered it up really fast. Hall recanted most of his confessions Keene told everything to the authorities and confronted Larry Hall about the alleged murders. The former ended up in solitary confinement for his actions. Shockingly, his information about the map never reached the police. When he came out of solitary confinement, the maps and falcons were gone. As per Newsweek, Larry Hall confessed to his involvement in 15 murders but went on to recant his confessions. The Larry Hall case was featured in the Apple TV+ series Black Bird, in which Paul Walter Hauser played Larry Hall and Taron Egerton portrayed Jimmy Keene. The post What Happened to Larry Hall and Where Is He Now? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. With just a few hours to go before the release of Hokkaido Gals Episode 7, fans cant wait to see what Shiki will do. His grandmothers ultimatum of reaching the top ten or returning home weighed heavily on his mind. Shiki will be forced to seek the help of his friends and Rena to achieve his goal. Hokkaido Gals Season 1 Episode 7 release date and time Hokkaido Gals episode 7s release date and time have been disclosed. The episode will premiere in Japan on Tokyo MX and BS11 on February 20, 2024, at 12:30 a.m. JST. It will air in Japan on TOKYO MX, MBS, AT-X, BS11, and other television networks. At the same time, international fans can watch the latest episode on Crunchyroll a few hours after it premieres in Japan. Here is the global release date and time for Hokkaido Gals Episode 7: February 19, 2024, at 9:45 a.m. PST February 19, 2024, at 11:45 a.m. EST February 19, 2024, at 5:45 p.m. GMT February 19, 2024, at 6:45 p.m. CET February 19, 2024, at 11:15 p.m. IST Hokkaido Gals are Super Adorable episode 6 recap Rena (Photo Credit: Silver Link and Blade) It started with the professor announcing the date for their upcoming exam. Due to Minamis lack of preparation, she was forced to have a study group and invited Tsubasa and Sayuri. Although reluctant at first, Tsubasa finally accepted the offer to come to her place with Sayuri to study. After a few drinks, they began their intense study session. Soon, Shiki realized it was past his curfew time and got up to leave. As he opened the door, he met Minamis mother, who offered to drop him off at home. She praised his piano skills and thanked him for making Minami happy, especially on Valentines Day. On his way to school the next day, Shiki saw a girl near a garbage disposal. Minami told him that she was Rena, a senior at their school whom she admired a lot. Then, she asked if he would want to come to her house for another study session. But Shiki refused because his grandmother yelled at him for arriving late the day before. He decided to study at the library, where Rena slept on a desk. Rena introduced herself and helped Shiki study a bit. The episode ended with a surprise visit from Rina, who turned out to be his next-door neighbor. They were caught hugging by his grandmother, which prompted a quick explanation from Rena. Shikis grandmother told him that if he failed to be in the schools top ten, she would send him back to Tokyo. The post Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable Episode 7 Set To Bring Rena, Tsubasa Together appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. BTS J-Hope kept the best surprise under wraps for his birthday. The rapper confirmed the release date of his much-awaited album Hope on the Street Vol. 1 as part of his birthday celebrations. BTS fans, aka ARMY, are counting the days until all the members return from their military service. BTS J-Hope enlisted in the mandatory Korean military service on April 18, 2023. The Jack in the Box maker will finish his military training by September 2024. But even in his hiatus, the Bangtan member has planned plenty of surprises for fans, starting with announcing a new album that will be released soon. J-Hopes Hope On The Street Vol 1 reveals release date and pre-order details J-Hopes Hope on the Street will be released on March 29 at 1 p.m. KST/ March 28 at 11 pm ET. The special album will contain six tracks. While the release date is still a month away, BTS label, BigHit Music, has revealed the pre-order dates. Hope on the Street Volume 1 pre-orders start on February 19. Fans in the United States can pre-order from Weverse Shop USA. European fans can get their pre-ordered copies from Weverse Shop GLOBAL. Along with the special album, J-Hope will show a new side of his rapper persona through a new documentary, Hope on the Street. The docu-series will have six parts. The first episode will drop on Prime Video on March 27. New episodes will be coming every Thursday and Friday. J-Hope previously released his debut solo album, Jack in the Box, on July 15, 2022. The BTS icons album unveiled a new side of his artist persona that fans had not encountered before. His global impact led to the album charting at number 17 on the Billboard 200. Followed by Jack in the Box, J-hope made his solo performance debut in the U.S. at Lollapalooza. The Hope World crooner became the first South Korean artist to headline a main stage at a major United States music festival. The post J-Hopes Hope on the Street Vol 1: Release Date, Pre-Order Album Detailes Explained appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. For almost three weeks, two men have been on trial in New York for the alleged murder of a hip-hop icon; a tragic death thats gone unsolved for more than two decades. And in the strangest twist of all, it seems like no one is talking about it. Jam Master Jays death on Oct. 30, 2002, gutted his family, shocked his community, and effectively ended the traditional lineup of his legendary group, Run-D.M.C. For years, in what felt frustratingly similar to the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., little headway was made in bringing his killers to justice. Jason Jam Master Jay Mizell became another legend gone too soon, martyred by senseless violence at just 37 years old. But ever since the 2020 arrests of Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., Mizells death has inched closer to reaching a rarity in hip-hop cases: closure. And as more details have emerged about what happened that night in 2002 and why, it calls into question why media coverage of the case has been so scant. This is one of the most high-profile murders in rap history; one that has even been the subject of a feature-length Netflix documentary. Feds Had Case Against Jam Master Jay Suspects 13 Years Ago And yet, rap-centric podcasts and outlets are barely talking about the trial, and the mainstream media seems to only offer the most superficial glance at the ongoing legal proceedings. The Joe Budden Podcast, Rap Radarthese are major hip-hop platforms that know the culture, but they arent following this case. Whereas so many rap media brands stayed locked in on cases like the Tory Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion shooting trial, or Young Thugs ongoing RICO case, theyre strangely silent about a major cold case involving one of raps fallen idols. Thats disappointing, considering how many rappers murders have previously gone unsolved. After more than 20 years of heartache and unanswered questions, this trial could bring justice to Mizells family and to his legions of fans. That shouldnt be overlooked, especially considering the late DJs legacy and reputation. Mizell had been the heart and soul of Run-D.M.C., famously informing his bandmates soon-to-be iconic fashion sense and providing a musical foundation for Run and Dees boastful rhymes. Away from the group, hed launched JMJ Records, signed rap group Onyx, and discovered future superstar 50 Cent. In Queens, he was seen as the ultimate success story: a homeboy from around-the-way whod made good while staying connected to his home turf. His Hollis Crew inner circle was composed of childhood friends whod seen his journey to the topand he was determined to do right by his people. The details of the night of his death had always been murky, but what was fairly indisputable was that Mizell was shot while at his recording studio in Jamaica, Queens. Prosecutors allege that Washington, who was the Run-D.M.C. stars childhood friend, and Jordan, who was Mizells godson, entered the studio at about 7:30 p.m. on that October night, each brandishing weapons. Washington allegedly pointed his gun and ordered Lydia High, the business manager for JMJ Records, to get on the floor, while Jordan allegedly fired two shots at close range, with one hitting Mizell in the head. High was at the studio that night to have Mizell sign some paperwork before he left for a Run-D.M.C. tour the following day. Speaking in court earlier this month, she told the jury that when the assailants entered the studio, he greeted one as a friend. Jason smiled, High said in court. [Mizell] lifted up and gave the person a pound. And then he said, Oh, shit. Vegas Cops Arrest Shot Caller in Revenge-Fueled Murder of Tupac As the trial unveils details about drug trafficking and shady dealings with gangsters, certain aspects of Mizells life are now coming to light that his fans and peers perhaps never knew. By all accounts, he was involved in drugs to try and sustain the success hed built around him. And the prosecution alleges that he was shot because hed cut Washington out of a cocaine deal. If that contradicts with the image Mizell had cultivated throughout his life and career, it aligns with the idea that the man was doing all he could to hold his network together. Ralph Mullgrav was a Mizell associate whod been part of the musicians alleged drug dealing, and he testified that Mizell was not a kingpin. Jason wasnt a drug dealer. He just used it to make ends meet, Mullgrav said in court. Uriel Tony Rincon, another witness, also took the stand in the first week of the trial to share his account of the night of the shooting. Naming Washington and Jordan, Rincon recalled being shot in his left leg and recognizing the shooter to be Mizells godson. Rincon stated that years of fearing for his safety led him to not name Jordan until 2017. I felt that [Mizells] wife and children needed closure and they should know what took place, he reportedly told jurors. Closure is the key word there. The trial, which began on Jan. 29, has already seen its share of drama; last week, for instance, lawyers for the defense sought a mistrial, arguing that prosecutors improperly guided a witness to testify that one of the defendants confessed to killing Mizell decades ago. Their request was denied. Meanwhile, there is a third defendant awaiting trial, Jay Bryant, who was indicted in the murder but who will not be tried until 2026. Clearly, there are nuances to this legal saga, as well as complicated revelations about what Jam Master Jay may have been involved in outside of music. But just as rap media heavily covered Mos Def criticizing Drake, or the latest Kanye West meltdown, this case should be treated as a significant and newsworthy moment. Mizells death was unbelievably tragic and undeniably shocking to anyone who remembers when it happened in 2002. Two decades later, we shouldnt diminish that. Rap beefs and the more salacious news might get clicks, but they shouldnt make the media forget what stories are historically and culturally important. Its too early to say if there will be any justice for Mizell; and even if there is, any consequence meted out in 2024 does little to erase the pain of his loss. But no matter how long it takes, the muted coverage of this trial from the hip-hop media has been glaring and disappointing. Jam Master Jayand the community he left behinddeserve better. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Without question, costume designer Jacqueline Wests biggest challenge on Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon was making sure that the Osage community felt authentically represented onscreen. So when Chief Standing Bear recommended that West bring on Osage designer Julie OKeefe as wardrobe consultant, she was grateful. Chief Standing Bear was so committed to us getting it right for this project, the five-time Oscar nominee, whose credits include Dune and The Revenant, told TheWrap. And it was really wonderful because I think it gave Marty the confidence that we would accurately portray and get all the nuances of every outfit. I have dressed many different nations, but I have never dressed the Osage before. Most of the tribes used similar materials, but the Osage completely made them their own. Not only did Julie understand the nuances, but she knew all the best craftsmen, the best fingerweavers, ribbon workers, beadmakers, silversmiths, et cetera. It was really amazing having her wealth of knowledge. Julie OKeefe (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) West dove deep into researching Osage culture, drawing on the 2,000 archival photographs that she found at the Carnegie Library in Deadwood, South Dakota where, she said, she studied many family photos from the time, with everybody often dressed in couture. This gave her a jumping off point for female characters like Anna Brown (Cara Jade Myers) and Reta Smith (Janae Collins), who embrace a more modern, 1920s flapper style compared to the traditional clothing of their sister Mollie Burkhart (Lily Gladstone). These were young girls who wanted to have all the latest fashions, she said. The other sisters all had different levels of traditional pieces as opposed to Mollie, who is strictly traditional. Here, West explained the details of some of the films most memorable outfits. Jacqueline West and Martin Scorsese (Getty) Mollies wedding party In this photo (top of post), Mollie (center) stands with her family following her wedding to Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio). She and her sisters each wear the type of military-style coat that became popular as wedding garb after Thomas Jefferson gave an Osage chief one of his officers coats, which the chief then gave to his daughter. We reproduced them, West said. We researched all different types of wedding coats at the time and made each sister a unique coat that was just hers. She added: We used all Osage artisans. Julie OKeefe showed me samples of everyones work and we hand-picked them to match the sisters different personalities. The women also hold top hats decorated with feathers and bands handmade by Osage silversmith Kugee Supernaw in Tulsa. Under her coat, Mollie wears a wool blanket decorated with French moire ribbon in traditional Osage colors and a hand that symbolizes friendship. All the blankets were made by Osage artisans from the 100-year-old company Pendleton Woolen Mills. The blankets worn are very special, West said. The art of the ribbon work was passed down from generation to generation. The floral blanket that Anna wears showcases the woodland-inspired embroidery with beads. All the blankets were tied and worn at the waist like a skirt, along with leggings. At the far left, Mollies mother, Lizzie Q (played by Tantoo Cardinal), differentiates herself from the rest of the wedding party by not sporting a military coat. Just like in modern day, the mother of the bride wouldnt wear white or a bridesmaid dress, West said. She must stand out and differentiate herself. A dark day in court As she sits in the courtroom listening to how her family and community were murdered by white settlers, Mollies color palette is much more subdued than the vibrant primary colors she wears in the first half of the film. The bead choker around her neck is a status symbol, similar to pearls. They were inspired by Czechoslovakians, who were famous for their glass beadwork, West said. Lily Gladstone in Killers of the Flower Moon (Apple) Gathering in the roundhouse The Osage men had a definite Western style, with calico shirts enhanced with French ribbons, West said. They wore a scarf around their neck not a necktie to differentiate themselves from their guardians and to show their status. They wore high-waisted moleskin pants with a buckle back and cowboy boots with a Spanish heel. Status was also indicated by the sawtooth pattern along the edge of some mens blankets which were worn differently than women, sometimes draped over one arm, sometimes over both shoulders. Everett Waller (second from left) and Yancey Red Corn (center) in Killers of the Flower Moon (Apple Original Films) Meeting the FBI The difference is subtle, but the men are dressed more formally here for their meeting in town with FBI agent Tom White (Jesse Plemons), while still conveying the strength of their tribe and each members individuality. In the foreground, Chief Bonnicastle (Yancey Red Corn) and Paul Red Eagle (Everett Waller) wear their clothes like armor, West said. Similar to how the military coats showed power, these men stick to traditional Osage culture to showcase their power. Everett Waller and Yancey Red Corn (center) in Killers of the Flower Moon (Apple Original Films) A version of this story first appeared in the Down to the Wire issue of TheWraps awards magazine. Read more from that issue here. The post Killers of the Flower Moon Costume Designer Tells the Stories Behind the Clothes appeared first on TheWrap. In the summer of 2018, some machete and knife-wielding men attacked 15-year-old Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz. According to The New York Times, the incident occurred outside a Bronx bodega on June 20, 2018, in New York. Reportedly, members of the Trinitarios gang targeted Junior after mistaking him to be a member of a rival gang. The outlet reported that surveillance footage showed multiple men surrounding Junior inside the bodega at around 11:32 p.m. The bodega was two blocks from his home. The men then dragged him out to the sidewalk. There, they repeatedly stabbed the teenager using knives and machetes before fleeing the scene. NBC New York stated that Junior was not a gang member but was mistaken for one. Prosecutors had alleged that two gang leaders orchestrated the assault by sending their subordinates after members of another subgroup of their gang. Both the leaders were convicted of murder and sentenced last year to 25 years to life behind bars. Five others were convicted of murder, while six more pleaded guilty to reduced charges of manslaughter. What happened to Lesandro Guzman-Feliz? People gathered outside Lesandro Junior Guzman-Felizs funeral on June 27, 2018, in New York (Photo Credit: Don EMMERT | AFP via Getty Images) On the night of June 20, 2018, Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, also called Junior, became the victim of gang violence in New York. Members of the Trinitarios gang targeted Junior, believing he was a member of a rival gang, per ABC 7. The assault took place sometime between 11:32 and 11:40 p.m. at a bodega on East 183rd and Bathgate Avenue. According to The New York Times, cameras captured Junior on his way to Adams Place at 11:32 p.m. Surveillance footage showed four cars driving down Adams Place around the same time, and the men inside the cars covered their faces. Police said that they then spotted Junior and began chasing him. The men surrounded Junior inside a bodega, dragged him out to the sidewalk, and stabbed him repeatedly. Police arrived at the scene when witnesses told them a fight had occurred in front of the store. In the fight, the men assaulted Lesandro Guzman-Feliz and slashed his neck with a machete. Officials claimed Junior tried rushing to St. Barnabas Hospital, located just a block away, but collapsed on the sidewalk. ABC 7 reported that Junior lived one block from the bodega. Investigators said that the 15-year-old told his mother he was heading downstairs to return money to a friend. However, a gang of Trinitarios chased him down and hacked him to death. How many suspects were convicted in connection with Lesandro Guzman-Felizs murder? According to NBC New York, prosecutors stated that in July of that year, 14 individuals who were a part of the Trinitarios faced charges in connection with Lesandro Guzman-Felizs murder. Two suspects, the gang leaders, were convicted of murder and received 25 years to life in prison. The New York Times report stated that a jury convicted five other suspects, who attacked the victim with knives and a machete, of murder and gang assault in June 2019. Four got at least 23-year sentences, while oneJonaiki Martinez Estrellareceived life in prison without parole. He was convicted of first-degree murder for delivering the fatal blow. Moreover, six others later pleaded guilty to manslaughter for dragging Junior out of a corner store as he tried to hide, per NBC New York. All six received prison terms varying between 12 to 18 years each. However, in March 2023, a New York state appeals court overturned Jonaiki Martinez Estrellas first-degree murder conviction. The New York Post stated that the appellate court ruled Estrella would be re-sentenced on the lesser second-degree murder conviction. He will face up to 25 years to life in prison. MTVs True Life: Crime previously aired the case in an episode titled The Murder of Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz. The post Lesandro Guzman-Felizs Murder: What Happened During the Fatal Gang Attack? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Mold on food is a phenomenon that is familiar to everyone. Its unpleasant odor and unappetizing appearance often make us throw away food without even thinking about whether it is really harmful. ADVERTISIMENT Dr. Kate Schneider, a food safety expert at the University of Florida, told DailyMail about which types of mold are really dangerous to your health and which ones will not be a reason to throw away food. If you are not sure whether it is safe to eat a moldy product, it is better not to eat it, because sometimes the health consequences can be catastrophic. For example, about 48 million Americans get sick every year because of contaminated food. Of these, about 3,000 people die. Some types of mold produce microtoxins that can cause intestinal distress, vomiting, and sometimes lead to organ damage and certain types of cancer. However, not all mold is pathogenic, so certain foods can be saved. Cheese If stored for too long or improperly, cheese may develop fluff. If it's a soft cheese, such as gorgonzola or mozzarella, just throw it away, as toxins can seep through the liquid and damage the entire piece. ADVERTISIMENT In the case of hard cheeses, you can cut off about 2-3 centimeters and continue to eat it. Fruits and vegetables Stachybotrys chartarum - commonly known as black mold or toxic black mold, produces mycotoxins in fruits and vegetables that are stored in a humid environment. It looks like the fuzzy black spots you've probably seen on tomatoes. This mold can lead to a variety of health problems, including respiratory problems, allergic reactions, skin irritation, and in severe cases, neurological symptoms or damage to internal organs. However, harder foods such as carrots and apples can sometimes be saved, as can hard cheeses. ADVERTISIMENT Bread The most common type of mold that grows on bread is called Rhizopus stolonifer. It appears as white or grayish spots that look like fur. This mold can produce spores that can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Therefore, if mold appears on bread, muffins, bagels, it is better to throw them away. Chocolate Chocolate can develop a coating over time. However, these white spots are harmless. They occur when chocolate comes into contact with moisture, which affects the appearance of sugar crystals. However, after this process, your sweets will no longer taste as good as before. Milk Dr. Schneider said that milk should be thrown away if it doesn't smell. But if it is kept cold, it can be used for about seven days after the expiration date. ADVERTISIMENT Other dairy products, such as yogurt or sour cream, should be thrown away immediately because they undergo similar processes to those in soft cheeses. In fact, people are exposed to small amounts of fungi of various kinds all the time. As a rule, the body copes well with them and you don't even notice it. But you shouldn't take risks and consume unsafe products, because treatment will be much more difficult than buying new ones. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA's Telegram and Viber channels to keep up with the latest developments. Madonna took a slight tumble during her Celebration tour in a mishap with a dancer. Videos shared on TikTok from the Queen of Pop's show in Seattle at the Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday show the moment a dancer lost control, causing the singer to fall. While performing "Open Your Heart," the 65-year-old mounts a chair and is dragged by a running dancer to the other side of the stage. This time around, the dancer slipped in their heels, lost grip of the singer's chair and brought Madonna down with them. Alas the show must go on. Madonna briefly stayed on the ground and let out a laugh before continuing with the rest of the number, which included more chair choreography. Madonna goes through her catalog in the Celebration tour of her legacy. USA TODAY has reached out to Madonna's reps for comment. "Madonna has traversed so many musical styles, birthed so many trends whether via fashion, song or attitude, and shattered more glass ceilings that nothing short of a six-hour show coupled with a documentary would fully illuminate the archives of her career," USA TODAY's Melissa Ruggieri wrote after attending the show in December. "The Celebration Tour is an effective commemoration of a woman who has fulfilled every accomplishment yet still possesses a scrappy drive." Celebration tour concert: Madonna tells fans it is 'a miracle that Im alive' The songstress has been persevering through the long tour, which concludes in Miami on April 9, despite a pause after she spent several days in the ICU this summer because of a severe bacterial infection. "Its important to never forget where you came from," Madonna said from the stage. "Always remember the struggle." Fans sue Madonna, Live Nation over New York concert starting 2 hours late This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Madonna falls off chair during Celebration tour performance Some pioneering figures are long overdo for the mainstream biopic treatment, including trailblazing politician Shirley Chisholm. The late U.S. Representative made history when, in 1972, she became the first woman and Black candidate for a major-party nomination for President of the United States, running to secure the Democratic partys nomination. That very story is on its way to Netflix this March, with Regina King transforming into the history-making figure. In the first trailer for the forthcoming film, King is wholly in-character from her hair, makeup, and wardrobe to the cadence of Chisholms voice. Shirley dramatizes and depicts Chisholms bid for the Democratic partys nomination and her political endeavors and passion. Chisholm had already made history as the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968. Her feat to secure the nomination and eventual office of President of the United States, however, was her greatest and boldest feat of her career. More from SheKnows SheKnows spoke with King about the daunting task of playing such an iconic, important figure in American history back in December 2022. You know, it was really tough because her life is so rich, and the story were telling is just a slice of life, just a slice of history, a slice of a moment in time that she was the first, the first in so many ways, King said. The actress and filmmaker emphasized that no one knows who Chisholm was. Regina King as Shirley Chisholm in Shirley [Glen Wilson / Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection]. People say, Oh, Ive seen a picture before, [but] wont even know her name. She was a maverick, she was a blueprint for a President Obama or a Hillary Clinton, King said. Indeed, Chisholms confidence and dedication to public service paved the way for so many politicians who came after her. Now, perhaps, everyone will know Chisholms name. US Representative Shirley Chisholm of Brooklyn announces her entry for Democratic nomination for the presidency, at the Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. Manhattan borough president Percy Sutton applauds at right [Photo by Don Hogan Charles/New York Times Co./Getty Images]. My hope is that this slice of life of her story that were tellingthat it will inspire people to want to look her up and learn more about her, King said. Shirley is written and directed by Oscar-winning producer John Ridley (12 Years a Slave). The film hits Netflix March 22. Before you go, click here to see the most iconic roles played by Black women in movies & TV. Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Series from Atresmedia TV, RTVE, Movistar Plus+, Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi (La Mesias), Zeta Studios (Elite) and director Carlota Pereda and Morena Films (behind Sundance hit Piggy) will unspool or be unveiled at the Berlinale. They underscore the breadth and depth of Spanish TV output: Death to Love, (Que muera el amor, Morena Films, Buendia Estudios) More from Variety Carlota Pereda dazzled at Sundance with first feature, Piggy. Now, Peredas at the Berlinale Co-Pro Series on Feb. 20 with her debut series, Death to Love, in which afemale vampire struggles over centuries to end a toxic relationship with her vampire female lover and culminates in a modern-day climax. A visceral and romantic proposition, Pereda says. Dressed in Blue: Veneno Season 2, (Atresmedia TV, Suma Content ) The Sundance world premiere La Mesias sealed the standing of Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi as most probably the coolest creative duo in Spain. This time around, they produce, with Mikel Rueda, a director on Veneno, and Claudia Costafreda and Ian de la Rosa, both writers on the series, taking the helm. Sequel Dressed in Blue begins two years after Veneno. Executioners, (Verdugos, Vertice 360, Dexiderius Producciones) The Basque Pyrenees, 1996. Four kids in search of adventure find a kidnapped businessman held in an abandoned mine, and events quickly accelerate. Written by the Rodrigo Martin Antoranz, head writer on Aida, and Pedro Garcia Rios, writer-executive producer on Companeros, series is produced by Vertice 360, an energetic European co-producer, and is Series Mania Forums guest project at the Co-Pro Series. The Law of the Sea, (La ley del mar, RTVE, A Punt) Law is based on the real-life story of Jose Dura, skipper of a Spanish trawler, who rescues 51 immigrants adrift in the Mediterranean. Arriving at Valetta, Malta, his boat is barred entry, sparking a full- blown EU diplomatic crisis. A calculated risk, says RTVEs Jose Pastor of The Law of the Sea, which shot over 18 days at sea and cast movie actors Luis Tosar and Blanca (both stars in Iciar Bollains Maixabel). If you want a series to look like cinema, you have to cast film actors, Pastor says. Created by Enrique Flipy Perez Vergara, at Studio 60, the miniseries, broadcast in its entirety on Sunday primetime, Jan. 21, hit a 13.1% share, RTVEs best fiction result in nearly a year. Marbella, (Movistar Plus+, Buendia Estudios) A sweet-talking defense attorney, Cesar defends mobsters, who live happily enough side by side in Marbella, the U.N. of organized crime, he says. But in Cesars efforts to land the biggest new contract in town, he crosses the line, beginning to commit criminal acts and endangering all thats dear. A deep dive into the sybaritic criminal classes of Costa del Sol, its written by Alberto Marini and shot in kinetic style by Dani de la Torre, re-teaming after La Unidad. The tone is fiction, artificial and highly entertaining, but the background is painstakingly researched, says exec producer Fran Araujo. Red Flags, (Atresmedia TV, Zeta Studios) You see porn and you imitate it, Lunas best friend Alba tutors her before Luna loses her virginity to boyfriend Jorge. Red Flags is a portrait of the often-painful sexual and emotional awakening of four Gen Z teens: macho gay Toni; Erika, with an eating disorder; Luna, riled by Jorges budding embrace of the patriarchy; and Walter, pushing back at peer pressure to be one of the boys. Together they create an online network to navigate their issues. Written by novelist-playwright Nando Lopez and produced by Atresmedia TV and Elite creator Zeta Studios, the series promises a fresh take on teen drama, says Atresmedia TVs Jose Antonio Salso. Show Yourself, (Dejate Ver, Alvaro Carmona, Atresmedia TV) Ana, a self-effacing assistant to Bassil, a Banksy-style artist, though shes really his creative partner, has become so self-effacing that she begins literally to disappear, starting with her second little toe. Is there a short-term solution? she asks a doctor. Socks, he answers. From Carmona, who earned a short-format International Emmy nomination in 2019 for People Talking, new series is a dramedy of the absurd set in a modern world where every- body is searching for visibility. When you center on something, everything else disappears, Anas brother, a small-time TV host, tells her. Ana just wants a sense of identity. Selected for Berlinale Series Market Selects and Series Manias International Panorama. Tramps, (Zorras, Atresmedia TV, Morena Films) Girls just want to have fun, and in Tramps, they want to have lots of sex. The young women in this series create the Sex Friends Club to score their sexual fantasies. This adaptation of Noemi Casquets novel is another Atresmedia TV Berlinale Market Selects title, produced by Morena Films (Death to Love). Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. International sales company Iuvit Media Sales has closed multiple deals at the European Film Market in Berlin for the suspense horror slasher Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Death and Porridge. Buyers include Gussi Films for Latin America, Pioneer for the Philippines and Front Row for the Middle East. More from Variety Directed by Craig Rees (Annabellum, Whispers) and starring Olga Solo, Abigail Huxley, Rees and Julian Amos, Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Death and Porridge is an intelligent horror slasher, in the vein of Wes Craven horrors, and with comparables such as The Strangers and The Purge. In this adaptation of the fairy tale, Goldilocks and the three bears live together in an isolated house in the woods. When a group of friends enter their home, Goldilocks, leader of the bears pack, decides to get rid of the intruders. A growing suspense drives the audience from a contained thriller to an authentic slasher, Iuvit stated. The film is part of a new school of fairytale dark adaptations such as Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey and Gretel & Hansel. The origins of several fairytales are dark such as the Grimm brothers and Hans Christian Andersens stories, suggesting a more adult audience during their inception. Directors such as Rees see the value of adapting these tales for horror fans, who are responding in numbers at the respective theatrical releases, to experience in full the slasher experience, with an honest and entertaining horror tale, Iuvit stated. Goldilocks and the Three Bears is produced by Rees Dragon Prods. Iuvits slate at the EFM includes the animation features Johnny Puff Secret Mission, A Giant Adventure and Sato, the horror thrillers A Day Like a Week and The Reunion, and action films such as Fight Pride and Stand Your Ground. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sydney Sweeney's brother is a Twitch streamer who has served in the United States Air Force Sydney Sweeney Instagram Sydney Sweeney and her brother Trent Sweeney. Sydney Sweeney has built a big fanbase with her roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus, but the actresss biggest supporter just might be her younger brother, Trent Sweeney. He has promoted tons of her projects on his Instagram, including her comedy-drama series Everything Sucks!. When Variety announced in 2018 that Netflix had canceled the show after one season, Trent posted a photo on Instagram showing that he wrote "renew everything sucks" on a wall at Gonzaga University, where he attended college. Sydney wrote in the comments, "brother goals." Before Sydney's rise to fame, the Sweeney siblings were raised in a small, lakeside town on the Washington-Idaho border by their parents, Lisa Sweeney, who worked as a criminal defense attorney, and Steven Sweeney, who worked in hospitality. Related: All About Sydney Sweeney's Parents, Steven and Lisa Sweeney Even though Sydney's life in Hollywood is a far cry from her rural roots, she told Women's Health in 2023 that her strong family bonds are what she treasures most. "I love my family, and I love where I came from, the Anyone But You actress said. Anything my family needs, Im always there for them." Here is everything to know about Sydney Sweeney's brother, Trent Sweeney. They grew up outside of Spokane, Washington Sydney Sweeney Instagram Sydney Sweeney and her brother Trent Sweeney as kids. Lisa and Steven raised both of their children outside of Spokane, Washington, near the Idaho border. According to a February 2020 interview with The Spokesman-Review, Sydney said that the family spent much of her childhood in the South Hill neighborhood and at their lake house. Later that year, Sydney discussed her relationship with Trent with TooFab. When asked if she could relate to the sibling rivalry displayed in her 2020 horror film Nocturne, she answered, "Not so much the competitive side, but I roughed him up and tried to push him to do more." They moved to Los Angeles for Sydney's career Trent Sweeney Instagram Sydney Sweeney and her brother Trent Sweeney After Sydney convinced her parents to let her pursue acting, the family moved to L.A. when she was around 13 years old. The actress told The Hollywood Reporter in July 2022 that money had always been limited, so the move from Spokane to L.A. was a financial strain. Sydney said that the family lived in a hotel for a while, where she and her mom shared a bed and her dad and Trent shared a couch. "My mom, my dad, my brother and I were in a regular one-bedroom hotel room for nine months, she told C Magazine in 2022. I was 16 not the year when you want to be living in a hotel, sharing a bed with your mom. Despite the strain, Sydney would soon go on to elevate her guest spots on shows like 90210 to starring roles in Everything Sucks! and Euphoria. He's in the Air Force Trent Sweeney Instagram Sydney Sweeney and her brother Trent Sweeney with their dad Steven Sweeney Trent had a few minor acting gigs when he was a kid, but he ultimately decided to pursue a different career path. In April 2020, Sydney posted a carousel of throwback photos as a tribute to Trent, who was leaving for military training at the time. She captioned the images, "My little bro leaves for basic training tomorrow. wishing you luck bud when the going gets tough just remember your sister is tougher than you." Trent announced on Instagram in August 2020 that he had completed his training and was officially in the United States Air Force. He's a Twitch streamer According to his Instagram bio, Trent is a Twitch streamer who goes by the username PeanutButterPaul. His profile on the gaming platform says that he plays "random games" and is often streaming if he's "not working or out of town." In 2019, he posted a screenshot of a text exchange he had with Sydney in which he asked her to shout out his channel. She asked him to tell her what to say, and he replied with a simple script. Trent captioned the post: "You heard her ." Outside of gaming, he likes to post photos of his cooking, travels and time spent with his dogs. He posted a controversial picture for his mom's birthday Trent Sweeney Instagram Sydney Sweeney and her brother Trent Sweeney with their mom Lisa Sweeney In August 2022, Sydney threw a surprise hoedown in Idaho for Lisa's 60th birthday. Both she and Trent were met with criticism after posting photos from the event on Instagram, where a few attendees were seen wearing red hats that looked similar to former President Donald Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again." "Yee haw , happy 60th birthday mom @lisamuddsweeney!" Trent captioned his slideshow of photos from the party, adding, "(The hats say 'Make Sixty Great Again' btw)." The actress defended her family on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "You guys this is wild. An innocent celebration for my moms milestone 60th birthday has turned into an absurd political statement, which was not the intention." He loves dogs Sydney Sweeney Instagram Sydney Sweeney's brother Trent Sweeney and his dog Bree. If there's one constant on Trent's Instagram, it's his dogs, including Rango and Kovu. Sydney also posts about her dog Tank and the siblings bond over their love for their puppies. "My dogs just discussing business opportunities with @sydney_sweeney s dog Tank," Trent captioned an August 2019 Instagram post of a screenshot that made it look like the two dogs were on a FaceTime call together. Sydney commented, "more like ur dog is saying how shes going to eat my dog." In August 2023, Trent shared that his dog Bree had died. "Ill miss you girl. Better catch me some squirrels in doggy heaven," he wrote in the caption. They like to laugh with each other Like a lot of sibling relationships, Sydney and Trent enjoy making each other laugh with silly pranks. In December 2017, Trent posted an Instagram video of him participating in Paqui's One Chip Challenge, which requires eating one extremely spicy chip. In the video, Trent is crying because of the spice and Sydney can be heard laughing while filming. "Thanks @sydney_sweeney for the awesome chip! My stomach hates you, but I love you!" he captioned the video. Sydney replied, "Haha I love you buddy Im glad you survived." He supports Sydney's career Sydney Sweeney Instagram Sydney Sweeney and her brother Trent Sweeney at the premiere of Netflix's 'Everything Sucks!'. Throughout Sydney's success in Hollywood, Trent has been a supportive brother. He often posts about her achievements on social media and occasionally attends events with her, like the Everything Sucks! premiere in 2018. The following year, Trent shouted out his sister's Screen Actors Guild nomination for her role in The Handmaid's Tale. He posted a throwback selfie with Sydney on Instagram and captioned it, "I know this is an old picture and I already posted it, but I wanted to congratulate my sis @sydney_sweeney on being nominated for a SAG award and wish her the best of luck." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Christopher Nolan was an acclaimed filmmaker before he made Batman Begins, but it was certainly his gritty, hard-edged superhero movies that made him one of the definitive blockbuster directors of all time. Partially because of his Dark Knight trilogy, and the way those movies took Batman seriously, Nolan has developed a reputation for making Serious Movies. Inception and its elevated tone could also be seen as an attempt to class up action movies, and Interstellar really wants you to think its a hard sci-fi movie about real science stuff until that stops being true. Then theres Oppenheimer, a mega-budget crowd-pleaser about a broken man reckoning with the fact that he may have ruined the world. But while his Serious Movies reputation isnt totally unearned, its also an overly reductive interpretation of Nolans filmography. You only need to look at one movie, Tenet, to see that. Tenet is the most underratedmaybe even flat-out forgottenmovie in Nolans filmography of blockbuster breakouts, mostly because of its bungled release. Set to come out in the summer of 2020, the movie was repeatedly bumped because of the COVID-19 pandemic and was ultimately dropped into theaters that fall before most Americans were ready to risk going back to the movies. If people saw Tenet at all, most watched it at home, much later. Warner Bros. is looking to at least rectify that a little bit by returning the the film to theaters as well as giving it an IMAX re-release for one week, starting on February 23. So for anyone who didnt bother with Tenet the first time around or still hasnt accepted the fact that its Nolans most delightfully fun feature, nows your chance. The films most lasting impact on culture, beyond at least one funny bit of jargon that well touch on later, is that it is ostensibly very complicated. That was one Peloton instructors takeaway, at least, which she casually brought up once during a class that she had no idea was being attended by Nolan himself. But the thing about Tenet is that the complicated stuff doesnt actually matter. Its not like Inception, where you want to understand whats happening as you descend into each dream level. Tenet is closer to Nolans version of a thrill ride, and its better if you just hold on and let it take you where its going. Not to say its a turn your brain off movie, because the plot is interesting. Its just that the mechanics of Tenet arent really necessary to understanding itand, in fact, they may make it harder to follow (thats why the countless YouTube essays trying to map out the action sequences are often bullshit). Nolan himself recently acknowledged that youre not meant to understand everything in Tenet. All you really need to understand is that Tenet is Nolans shot at a James Bond movie: Its about a cool, charming spy guy on a quest to stop a villain (Kenneth Branaghs Sator) who has sights set on global catastrophe. It just so happens that the global catastrophe involves setting off a bomb that will kill all of time forever through the use of inverted technology that causes things to go backward instead of forward. What does that mean? How does that work? Its not totally clear, but thats a neat little trick Nolan pulls to put you in the head of John David Washingtons characterknown only as The Protagonist. He doesnt know what it means or how it works, he just knows that it works and that his mission is to save the world from it. Ignorance is our ammunition is a phrase brought up in the movie between various people in the temporal espionage world. But its not about secrecy, its about literally not knowing what happens in the future in order to preserve the existence of (or illusion of) free will. Leave it to Nolan to make this doesnt make sense a plot point. Thats similar to why concepts like the films somewhat-infamous temporal pincer movement are so funny out of contextand maybe in context. A big aspect of the second half of the movie is the introduction of machines that can invert people so they move backward in time, which the good guys utilize when attacking the location of Sators bomb. Aaron Taylor-Johnson discusses a temporal pincer movement as if it makes perfect sense and requires no explanation, like any number of weird sci-fi concepts (nobody asks Han Solo what it means to make the Kessel Run in order 12 parsecs), but also it kind of does make sense. A pincer movement is when an army attacks an enemy from two sides, so a temporal version of that would mean attacking an enemy from two sides of time (one going forward, one going backward). Its funny, in that its introduced as a crazy thing that everyone is obviously supposed to immediately accept and understand without question, but its Christopher Nolan funny because you should just accept it without question. But not everything in Tenet is that kind of funny. Some of it is closer to a normal kind of funny, thanks to Washingtons effortless charm and the fact that he plays most of Tenet as a man who is just slightly out of his depth. This is most obvious when he meets up with Elizabeth Debickis Kat, Sators art dealer wife, to probe her for information about getting to her husband. What begins as cold, Bond-esque repartee quickly devolves into The Protagonists poorly concealed shock at just how badly Sator has treated his wifewho stays with him because of a complicated blackmail scheme he put in place when she sold him an expensive art forgery created by a man she was having an affair with. The Protagonist questions why Sator was willing to spend $9 million on a forgery, and Kat shrugs it off, saying that money wouldve barely covered the vacation Sator recently forced her to take. With surprise comedic timing and a carefully measured amount of shock in his voice, The Protagonist responds: Whered you go, Mars? and Debicki takes a beat to let it breathe before continuing the conversation. Its a rare moment where the artifice and serious aesthetics of both this film and Nolans entire filmography fall away and The Protagonist becomes a humanone who is truly in over his head in a bizarre world where things like a temporal pincer movement are treated as normal, and his shepherd through that world is Robert Pattinson, playing the exact kind of super-competent, charming Englishman youd expect to find in a Bond movie. Washingtons line and delivery in the scene is the kind of thing Nolan generally avoided in projects like his Dark Knight movies or Inception, where it might have broken the reality of those carefully constructed worlds. Tenet is no less of a carefully constructed world, but the world is less important than the people in it and what they do. Thats why it feels a little different from Nolans usual films and why it can be so hard to parse for people who arent on its wavelength. Nolan has taught audiences to try and understand The Rules of his movies (which is the whole point of The Prestige), but Tenet rebels against that in the name of just giving audiences a good time. The Tis Time for Torture, Princess Season 1 Episode 9 release date and time have been revealed. The episode will air on Crunchyroll and will continue to revolve around the Princess and her captors as they try to outsmart each other. Yoko Kanamori has directed the series while Kazuyuki Fudeyasu has written it. Heres when the episode is coming out. When is the Tis Time for Torture, Princess Season 1 Episode 8 release date and time? The Tis Time for Torture, Princess Season 1 Episode 8 release date is Monday, February 26, 2024. The episode is set to premiere in Japan on Tokyo MX and BS11 on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at midnight JST. The Tis Time for Torture, Princess Season 1 Episode 8 Crunchyroll release time is: 9:30 a.m. PT 12:30 p.m. ET 5:30 p.m. GMT 6:30 p.m. CET Where to watch Tis Time for Torture, Princess Season 1 Episode 8 Viewers can watch the upcoming episode on Crunchyroll. To watch Episode 8, you can subscribe to Crunchyroll, which offers three plans to its viewers. The Fan Plan costs $7.99 monthly, the Mega Plan costs $9.99, and the Ultimate Fan Plan costs $14.99. All three plans come with a 14-day free trial at the start. Tis Time for Torture, Princess is based on the Japanese manga series of the same name written by Robinson Haruhara and illustrated by Hirakei. The story is about the Princess of the Imperial Army. After she is captured, her enemies, the Hellhorde, try to find innovative ways to make her reveal what she knows as traditional torture is not allowed due to the treaty between the two forces. Torture Tortura, the chief interrogator under the Hell-Lord, comes up with the plan to use treats and snacks from Japan for this endeavor. The official synopsis for Tis Time for Torture, Princess Season 1 reads: As the war between the Imperial Army and Hellhorde rages on, the Princess, despite being armed with her mythical sword Excalibur, is captured and imprisoned. What kind of torture does she face at the hands of the chief demon interrogator? Fluffy fresh-baked toast! Hot, steaming ramen! Oh, the humanity! Can the Princess withstand these tormenting treats and keep her kingdoms secrets safe? Hulus new TV and movie releases for February 19-25 2024 include The Good Doctor Season 7, which will serve as Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 1 day ago HBO Maxs new TV and movie releases for February 19-25 2024 include the films San Andreas and Machete Kills. Starting Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 1 day ago Peacocks new TV and movie releases for February 19-25 2024 include Tyrese Gibsons Squealer. On February 23, viewers can stream Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 1 day ago Paramount Pluss new TV and movie releases for February 19-25 2024 include the Jake Gyllenhaal-Michael Pena action-thriller movie End of Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 1 day ago The post Tis Time for Torture, Princess Season 1 Episode 8 Release Date & Time on Crunchyroll appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Donald Trump finally commented on the death of Russian opposition leader and Putin critic Alexei Navalny saying his sudden passing, has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our Country. Navalny died in prison on Friday at the age of 47. He was serving a 19-year prison sentence for offenses many deemed politically motivated. He was moved to an Arctic penal colony in 2021, and the prison service said Navalny felt unwell after a walk on Friday. Trump, however, turned his first comments regarding Navalnys passing into a critique of American politics. It is a slow, steady progression, with CROOKED, Radical Left Politicians, Prosecutors, and Judges leading us down a path to destruction, Trump argued on his Truth Social platform. The former President and current candidate wrote, Open Borders, Rigged Elections, and Grossly Unfair Courtroom Decisions are DESTROYING AMERICA. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE, A FAILING NATION! MAGA2024, Trump concluded, touting his own campaign slogan. In comparison, Joe Biden has laid blame for Navalnys death at the Kremlins feet, saying there is no doubt, that Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible. Putin is responsible. What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putins brutality. No one should be fooled, not in Russia, not at home, not anywhere in the world, Biden said in a televised address from the White House. The post Trump Declines to Single Out Russia in First Comments on Navalnys Death, Instead Turns Ire Towards US: We Are a Nation in Decline appeared first on TheWrap. Despite a fourth-quarter earnings beat, growing engagement on the streaming platform to 80 million active accounts, Rokus stock tumbled more than 20 percent a day after the Feb. 15 earnings announcement. While some analysts continue to believe Roku is just facing some growing pains amid a recovering advertising market, others think the company is now at a turning point in the streaming wars. More from The Hollywood Reporter Recently, we believe that there is a strong and growing body of evidence that supports the view that Roku is at the precipice of being squeezed by the emergence of challengers on all flanks, MoffettNathanson analyst Michael Nathanson wrote. This view comes as Roku faces increasing competition on the streaming advertising side, with growth in the new ad-supported offerings from Netflix and Disney and free, ad-supported offerings such as Pluto and Tubi. Amazons rollout of advertising in late January to all of its Prime Video viewers adds another strong competitor. Roku introduced its own line of branded TVs in 2023, as a way to handle the shift from devices to smart TVs, but Nathanson said he believes Roku now faces the difficulty of holding operating market share with Amazon and existing large original equipment manufacturers that may just want to make the TVs themselves. And a new potential competitor could be on the horizon, with the rumored acquisition of Vizio by Walmart. The Wall Street Journal reported Feb. 13 that the retail giant and the smart TV-manufacturer had held talks, setting up the potential for an advertising and manufacturing behemoth. If indeed Walmart is successful in acquiring Vizio, we would expect that their unrivaled relationship with the worlds largest brands and their treasure trove of shopping data will also present a significant challenge to Rokus incumbency, Nathanson said. Though he said that he could not comment on a rumor, Roku CEO Anthony Wood said during the companys earnings call that he believes Roku remains well-positioned in the space, even with the potential new entrant. We have a great relationship with Walmart. We have a great relationship with lots of retailers. We have strong distribution both inside and outside the United States. We have a large, engaged customer base, Wood said. While acknowledging near-term challenges in the macro environment and an uneven ad market recovery, Wood also emphasized plans to grow revenue and cash flow at the company over time and to turn 2024 into a year of innovation and growth. Some analysts are holding to that promise, and still view Roku as an early leader and innovator in the streaming space. However, as noted by Macquarie analyst Tim Nollen, morale has taken a hit. Roku is well positioned as the U.S. device share leader to capture CTV ad dollars, underpinned by continued strong engagement metrics. Performance has been mixed for many Qs now, however, dampening enthusiasm somewhat, he wrote in a Feb. 16 note. Best of The Hollywood Reporter These days, there's no shortage of hype around Japanese whisky, but identifying the best brands can be a little trickier than expected, especially if you're just getting started on your foray into whiskies from Japan. As a relatively new market, at least in whisky terms, there are only a handful of well-known producers, with new distilleries of varying quality frequently appearing to make the most of the increased reputation demand. For the most part, modern Japanese whiskies are strongly influenced by Scotch, following similar production methods and pursuing similar taste profiles. However, a factor that can make identifying great Japanese whisky trickier is the rarity of many of its bottles. As stocks dwindled during the market boom, bottles became harder to source, so prices inflated. However, rarity doesn't equate to quality, so while some bottles command high prices, this doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get a whisky that's worth what you pay for it. As a whisky-lover with a long career in the high-end bar industry and a passion for popping my head into whisky stores and bars throughout my travels, I've been fortunate enough to try a wide range of brands, and learn much about the history and possible future of whisky in Japan. Below, is my personal selection of those worth keeping an eye out for if you're looking to delve deeper into the world of Japanese whisky. Read more: The 27 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked 11. Sensei Sensei whisky bottle - Sensei First up we have Sensei, a Japanese whisky brand hailing from Yamanashi Prefecture near the base of the famous Mount Fuji. To date, the brand only offers a single whisky -- a blended expression -- and it might not be considered a true Japanese whisky in the near future. Sensei is a bit of a strange brand in the sense that it's produced by a spirits distributor, so it's hard to pin down a lot of specific details about the whisky itself. As for its classification, the whisky is labeled as imported, so its blend likely includes whiskies that have been shipped over from distilleries in Scotland before being finished and aged in Japan. Recently, some of the industry's major players have banded together to create an industry-standard, so certain expressions will no longer be labeled as Japanese whisky unless all the components come from Japan, including bottles from some of the industry's biggest players. Sensei is a perfectly serviceable dram that draws inspiration from the region, elegantly balancing malt and grain characteristics. It opens delicately with aromas of fresh apple and orange blossom, and showcases tasting notes of sweet oak, light caramel, a touch of spice, and some flowery undertones that culminate in a floral, almost gin-like finish. Aging in Mizunara oak barrels offers a unique flavor; however the whisky's youth means it's not as smooth as it could be, and while you can enjoy it neat, it's better used in conjunction with a light mixer. 10. Togouchi Togouchi whisky bottle - Togouchi Togouchi is a relatively new brand produced by the Sakurao Distillery in Japan's Hiroshima region, which opened in 2018. While they do produce Japanese whisky that meets the new naming conventions, many of its blends consist of important malt and grain whiskies from Scotland and Canada, which are then aged and finished at Sakurao. However, despite mostly being made from imported whiskies, Sakurao's influence shouldn't be understated. This is due to the fact its whiskies are matured in a particularly unique location -- an underground cellar dug under a forested mountain known as the Togouchi Tunnel. The temperatures in Hiroshima can swing from hot to almost freezing over the year, but the Tunnel maintains a relatively cool and consistent internal climate that's ideal for smooth maturation. The whiskies are also diluted down to bottling strength with pristine spring water drawn from mountains in the nearby Sandankyo gorge. The result is a range of whiskies that are heavy on vanilla and sweet orchard fruits, with hints of molasses and fresh nuts, along with spicy ginger and pepper. That said, the expressions do vary in style thanks to Sakurao's creative barrel-aging techniques, and you'll find variations aged in ex-sherry and bourbon casks, peated Scotch casks, and even used sake barrels. Although its single malt is the best true Japanese whisky among its selection, most of the offerings are uniquely delicious in their own way. 9. Akkeshi Akkeshi whisky bottle - Akkeshi Akkeshi is yet another relative newcomer to the Japanese whisky scene, but the artisanal distiller has been making waves since it hit the market. Founded by the Kenten Company, the Akkeshi Distillery is the second distillery to make its home on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido -- we'll cover the first a bit later. What sets Akkeshi apart from the rest is its dedication to making smoky whiskies akin to the powerfully peaty drams from the Scottish island of Islay, a style that's somewhat overlooked in Japan despite the fact most Japanese whiskies are inspired by Scotch. The coastal location lends itself excellently to the style, with the nearby ocean providing maritime notes of brine and peat smoke and, as a result, some have taken to calling Akkeshi "Little Lagavulin" due to its similarities to one of Islay's most famous distilleries. Historically, the distillery has imported some of its barley from Scotland, but they're making efforts to switch solely to locally sourced ingredients. Although Akkeshi's whiskies still fly under the radar, its limited production and renowned quality mean they don't come cheap, but they're a must-try for any connoisseur with the cash to spare. The whiskies' rich malt and earthy peat characteristics are notable from the get-go, with soft vanilla and zingy citrus coming forth with every sip. They're superb neat, but we suggest adding a splash of water to reduce the initial alcohol heat because Akkeshi tends to bottle its whiskies at a higher proof than usual. 8. Okayama Okayama whisky bottle - Okayama Okayama is a brand that shares some similarities with Kujira in the sense that despite being a somewhat newcomer to the whisky world, it's produced by a company with plenty of distilling experience. Although the Miyashita Distillery only unveiled Okayama in 2011, the company started out its life as a brewer of sake over a hundred years ago, and its fine craftsmanship and attention to detail are certainly noticeable in its newer venture. At one point, the distillery attempted to distill its own beer in one of its shochu stills and age it in American oak casks, and while this new product somewhat unsurprisingly failed to take off, it was this spirit of invention that led them down the path to whisky. To date, Okayama offers two distinct expressions -- Single Malt and Triple Cask. The former is aged in ex-brandy barrels, and while it's a relatively young whisky, it's remarkably approachable and boasts heaps of tropical fruit aromas and flavors, such as coconut and mango; however, it uses a combination of German and Japanese barley in its mash bill. On the other hand, the Triple Cask contains one hundred percent locally-grown barley and is aged in ex-sherry, brandy, and Mizunara barrels, giving it a smoother, toastier profile that's heavier on the caramel, vanilla, and wood spice. While Okayama whiskies aren't impossible to source, they are on the expensive side due to limited availability and growing reputation. 7. Yamazakura Yamazakura whisky bottle - Yamazakura Following the theme of historic spirits companies that have recently jumped on the Japanese whisky trend, the Asaka distillery was launched in 2015 by Sasanokawa Shuzo, a corporation that's been making shochu and sake for over 250 years. The initial release from the Yamazakura brand, aptly named "The First," came out in 2020 and has been followed by a small but mighty range of expressions. Technically, the company has been making whisky since 1946, hence the quality of its new line, but until The First, its spirits were often collaborations with foreign distilleries and made using imported ingredients. It's worth noting that Yamazakura's whiskies are relatively young, a fact that's probably not a shock given the age of the distillery, but what is surprising is just how good they are despite this. Whether it's down to the experience of the distillers or the addition of extremely pure, snowmelt water taken from the surrounding Fukushima region, there's something that makes Yamazakura stand out. While the Yamazakura range isn't entirely homogeneous, the expressions are known for delicate aromas and palates. Soft malt, vanilla, and citrus are common themes, with flourishes of elderflower and orchard fruits, and often hints of iodine reminiscent of coastally distilled Scotches. 6. Kaiyo Kaiyo whisky bottle - Kaiyo Kaiyo whisky is currently produced by a blending house rather than a distillery, meaning they're yet to produce a distillate of its own, but that's not to say they aren't producing some fantastic drams. The secret is all in its maturation and finishing processes. Firstly, Kaiyo is known for its dedication to using Japanese Mizunara oak casks for aging -- we've mentioned them briefly already, but we've yet to discuss what makes them so special. Without diving too deep into the technical aspects of barrel-aging, the chemical composition of Mizunara oak means it imparts a uniquely sweet and spicy element to the whisky, with tropical notes of coconut and a sandalwood-like fragrance. The oak trees themselves take hundreds of years to reach a suitable size for barrel-making, and the wood grain is particularly fragile, meaning the barrels must be handmade by highly experienced coopers. All-in-all, these factors make Mizunara casks the rarest, most expensive, and most sought-after in the world. Furthermore, Kaiyo whiskies spend the final three months out at sea, undergoing changes in temperature and air pressure, which the company insists awakens flavors that have lain dormant since the earliest stages of maturation. Whether or not the deliciously smooth whisky disembarking from that voyage can thank its time at sea for its remarkable quality might be up for debate, but the premium drinking experience Kaiyo whiskies offers definitely isn't. 5. Mars Mars Iwai whisky bottle - Mars Once upon a time, Japan's Mars Shinshu distillery was known for being the southernmost distillery in the country, when it was renowned for the shochu it had been producing since 1909. In 1949, the company received its whisky license under advice from Kiichiro Iwai, now a legend in the Japanese whisky world. Iwai is notable due to the fact he was the mentor of a man named Masataka Taketsuru -- if you're familiar with the name then you'll know him as the "father of Japanese whisky," and the first Japanese distiller to apprentice in Scotland, eventually bringing invaluable whisky-making techniques back home and launching the industry as we know it. Well, Iwai was the one who sent him in the first place. In 1984, the Mars distillery became Japan's highest after it was moved in pursuit of the perfect whisky-making climate, and it found a new home in the Nagano Prefecture, a region known for its snowmelt-fed aquifers and year-round cool temperatures. As a result, Mars whiskies are some of the most desirable around, with various expressions up for grabs, ranging from powerful single malts to bourbon-inspired, corn-based drams. What they have in common is a deep complexity that's balanced out with a well-rounded character, regardless of style. 4. Kujira Kujira whisky bottle - Kujira Kujira, meaning "whale" in Japanese, is a particularly special whisky brand whose name pays homage to its unique home -- the subtropical Ryukyu archipelago that trails for 700 miles southwest off the tip of the mainland. It's here, in the Okinawa prefecture, that you'll find Masahiro, the region's sole distillery which began operations over 140 years ago. Despite its lengthy history of producing traditional Japanese spirits, it was only in 2018 that the distillery began experimenting with whisky production, opting for a style that embraces its roots. Kujira's range consists of one-hundred-percent grain whiskies with a mash bill of carefully selected Indica rice that's then fermented using a unique mold for fermentation known as black koji. The distillate is then aged in oak casks, where the region's consistently hot and humid climate accelerates the maturation process, resulting in an incredibly smooth whisky, even among its younger expressions. Kujira's whiskies are heavy on the oak and caramel flavors and are known for tropical fruit characteristics that are reflective of the distillery's location. As you move to its more mature whiskies, such as the 15 and 25-year-old bottles, you'll discover richer elements of dried fruits, dark chocolate, sweet licorice, and smoky leather. While Kujira whiskies are somewhat pricey, with most editions costing upwards of a hundred dollars per bottle, they're an excellent choice for anyone wanting to explore the true potential of the style. 3. Nikka Nikka whisky bottle - Nikka You've probably noticed a theme so far -- many of these Japanese brands are pretty young by whisky standards, despite some being launched by extremely well-established spirit-makers. The same can't be said for Nikka, one of two whisky producers that revolutionized Japanese whisky in the mid-20th century and have both dominated the market ever since. While it might not always be trendy to back one of the biggest names in the biz, the truth is that the nature of aged whisky means it's not a business one can start up overnight, and it takes many years to develop a consistent yet varied range. Companies like Nikka are proof of this, with its two distilleries -- Yoichi and Miyagikyo -- churning out a stellar range of single malts and blended expressions. There are approachable and affordable bottles for newcomers, often on the younger side, as well as elusive and pricey age-statement releases that might show up if you've got the know-how to track down rare whisky. If that's not enough to convince you, do you remember our friend Masataka Taketsuru from earlier? Well, Nikka was the company he launched after leaving his previous employer and setting out to make it on his own. As such, every bottle of Nikka has a bit of Japanese whisky history inside, and it makes all the difference. 2. Ichiro's Malt Ichiro's Malt whisky bottle - Ichiro's Malt The story of Ichiro's Malt is one of rebirth, beginning with master distiller Ichiro Akuto's ancestors who were making spirits in the Japanese countryside over three centuries ago. In the 1940s, Ichiro's grandfather opened the Hanyu Distillery to produce malt whisky but the business went bust in the nineties. Fortunately, Ichiro managed to salvage the distillery's remaining casks which he began to bottle and release. Initially, Ichiro's releases didn't make much of an impact, that is until he launched The Playing Card Series, a collection of 54 single barrel expressions. The reception of this collection was unbelievable, and if you're familiar with the world of rare whisky, you'll know these whiskies are considered holy grails, with individual bottles costing around five figures, and full sets auctioning just shy of a million dollars. The success of this series inspired Ichiro to launch his own distillery, named Chichibu, and the result is a range that, while expensive, is one of the most highly regarded and desirable whisky selections in the world. The attention to detail at Chichibu is unparalleled, with in-house malting, barrels constructed on-site, and daily nose and taste testing for quality assurance. They're also the only distillery on the planet to use fermentation tanks made entirely from Mizunara oak, giving the whiskies a notably fruity profile. The distillery produces both single malts and blends that are phenomenal additions to any whisky collection if you can find and afford them. 1. Suntory Suntory whisky bottle - Suntory Placing Suntory in the number one spot might seem a little obvious, but it's hard for any Japanese whisky brand to compete with their scale, except, perhaps, Nikka. Before Masataka Taketsuru formed Nikka, he was Suntory's master distiller, working at Yamazaki -- Japan's first malt whisky distillery -- where he helped launch Japanese whisky as we know it today. Despite Taketsura's departure, Suntory has only gone from strength to strength since, building two additional whisky distilleries -- Hakushi and Chita -- and purchasing the entirety of the famous American whiskey company, Jim Beam. Despite its size, Suntory was still affected by the whisky boom that depleted stocks in recent years, meaning that the prices of age statement bottles are on the high side, but the good news is that not only are these being replenished, the company also still managed to release plenty of excellent non-age statement offerings in varying styles, introducing many to the world of Japanese whisky. Suntory's whiskies vary widely in style depending on which distilleries they come from, with each producing single malts -- like the famous Yamazaki 12 -- and some expressions consisting of blends from a combination of each location's distillate. Simply put, Suntory has a whisky for every taste preference, budget, and experience level, and if the current production trend continues, we should see some of the prices for more mature whiskies start to drop in the future. Methodology Japanese whisky glass and decanter - Mattias Westphal/Shutterstock As previously mentioned, the above rankings are based on my personal experiences with each of the brands. While I can't claim to have tried every whisky that each brand offers, I've sampled enough to make reasonable assessments of each brands' offerings. Additionally, my line of work has put me in touch with some of the whisky industry's most experienced and knowledgeable people, and I've spent many hours conversing on the subject of whisky, learning which are highly regarded among the foremost connoisseurs. Finally, while the quality of the whisky is the leading factor in my ranking decisions, I've also factored in availability and affordability. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov was really found dead in Spain. Last year, he was the one who drove the Mi-8 helicopter to Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT This information was reported by the department's representative Andrei Yusov in a comment to OBOZ.UA. On Monday, February 19, it was disseminated by the Spanish media. "The fact of death has been established. We can confirm this information," the intelligence representative said in response to rumors of Kuzminov's death, adding that the pilot had left for Spain of his own free will. As a reminder, Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov, during the "Titmouse" operation led by Ukrainian intelligence, overtook an Mi-8 helicopter from Russian territory on August 9, 2023, and surrendered to the DIU. Taking off from the Kursk airport in Kharkiv region, about 20 kilometers from the border, he flew at an extremely low altitude of 5-10 meters in radio silence, and then landed in a place indicated by Ukrainian intelligence. ADVERTISIMENT The DIU said that work on the operation lasted for six months. The intelligence officers received the Russian helicopter, as well as parts for Su-27 and Su-30SM fighters that it was carrying. Kuzminov, in turn, according to our sources in the GUR, received a reward of 500 thousand euros. As OBOZ.UA wrote, earlier the head of the DIU Kyrylo Budanov called the landing of the Russian Mi-8 at the airfield in Kharkiv region one of the most successful special operations of the department in the history of Ukraine. In August, Budanov said that the helicopter pilot intended to stay in our country. Earlier it became known that Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who had cooperated with the Ukrainian Defense Forces, was allegedly killed in Spain on February 13. It was reported that the former Russian serviceman was killed by assassins with 12 shots and then run over with his car. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! In a California neighborhood, residents are expressing concern following reports of a mountain lion attacking a family dog. A Ring camera partially captured the disturbing incident. It shows the wild predator entering a property while a Giant Schnauzer was roaming outside. Giant Schnauzer attacked by mountain lion now recovering at home A security camera footage depicts a mountain lion attacking a dog in La Verne, California, as KCCI reports. The affected family feels thankful for the fact that their dog, a 3-year-old Giant Schnauzer called Holly, is alive after the vicious attack. The wild cat infiltrated a property shortly after Holly, weighing 93 pounds, ventured outside for her nightly bathroom break. The incident occurred at around 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10. Hollys owners, Steve and Nicole, shared their account of the incident, as per People. The owners heard a yelping and found that the sound was coming from their pet, Holly, in the backyard. Subsequently, they started shouting at the wild animal, causing enough disturbance to startle it. Therefore, this allowed Holly to run back inside. In Steves words, As soon as I heard how fierce the battle was, I was like, theres no way. I was imagining like a skunk or something back here that she was just messing with, so then I went in and grabbed a gun. Once Steve retrieved his firearm, the uninvited guest vanished. However, the predator returned approximately 20 minutes later, possibly to take its prey. Hollys parents promptly took her to the vet for treatment of puncture wounds, scratches, and stitched injuries. She is currently recuperating and cherishing the affection from her family. Nicole said, Shes enjoying all the extra love, all the extra treats, all the extra attention. Moreover, the couple now urges their neighbors in the gated community of Mountain Springs to remain vigilant for the presence of big cat in order to prevent any danger to pets or people. The post California Family Dog Attacked by Mountain Lion appeared first on DogTime. A Sonoma County Sheriffs deputy allegedly uncovered approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in dog biscuit boxes during a routine traffic stop, thanks to his K9 partner. The incident occurred in Petaluma, California. Meth found in dog biscuit boxes On the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 13, the deputy pulled over a vehicle for a routine check and discovered that the driver identified as 41-year-old Angelina Gutierrez had a misdemeanor warrant of arrest from Mendocino County. Moreover, the deputy learned that Gutierrez had a meth pipe in her car, as reported by FOX KTVU News. Immediately, the officer brought in his K9 partner to sniff out contraband in the suspects car. Moments later, the K-9 alerted his handler to meth packages cleverly stashed in dog biscuit boxes. Furthermore, a thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a cat litter box containing additional meth packages. In total, the deputy seized 10 one-pound packages of the controlled substance. Gutierrez was arrested on felony charges of transportation of a controlled substance in addition to her pending arrest warrant. She was booked into Sonoma County jail following her arrest. Two days after Gutierrezs arrest, the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office took to Facebook to share a post on the incident. Part of the detailed post read: The deputy and his K9 partner conducted a sniff of the vehicle for narcotics andfound the dog treat boxes contained packages of methamphetamine. The deputy also located additional packages of methamphetamine inside of a cat litter box. A section of social media users flooded the comment section to applaud the police dog for his efforts. One comment read: Great Teamwork! These K9S are amazing. We need all of our officers so please dont give up on catching the bad guys! A second user wrote: A HUGE thank you to the awesome K9 unit for finding the drugs and getting it out of circulation. Thats a great job well done! Another simply shared: Congratulations K9, job well done! The post California K-9 Finds Meth in Dog Biscuit Boxes appeared first on DogTime. Guests at the funeral of Cecilia Gentili, a transgender community activist, at St Patrick's Cathedral in New York City - STEPHANIE KEITH/GETTY IMAGES A New York cathedral has apologised for holding a sacrilegious funeral for a transgender activist eulogised as the mother of all whores. St Patricks, a 19th-century cathedral in Manhattan known as Americas parish church, said it held a Mass of reparation to atone for scandalous behaviour at the service for Cecilia Gentili. Clips of the live-streamed funeral, where mourners clad in fishnet stockings and miniskirts danced in the aisles, drew condemnation from Catholic groups after going viral. The church later claimed it had been misled into hosting a funeral for Gentili, a 52-year-old former sex worker from Argentina, known locally for championing trans rights and people with Aids. Mourner places flowers at the funeral of Gentili, which was later denounced by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York - STEPHANIE KEITH/GETTY IMAGES Thanks to so many who have let us know they share our outrage over the scandalous behaviour at a funeral here at St Patricks Cathedral earlier this week, the Rev Enrique Salvo said on behalf of the Archdiocese of New York on Saturday. The Cathedral only knew that family and friends were requesting a funeral Mass for a Catholic, and had no idea our welcome and prayer would be degraded in such a sacrilegious and deceptive way, he continued. That such a scandal occurred at Americas Parish Church makes it worse. That it took place as Lent was beginning, the annual forty-day struggle with the forces of sin and darkness, is a potent reminder of how much we need the prayer, reparation, repentance, grace, and mercy to which this holy season invites us. Pews were packed with mourners, many of them transgender, who cheered as they were led in prayers for transgender rights and access to sex-change surgery. Mass cards and a photo placed near the altar showed Gentili with a halo, surrounded by the Spanish words for transvestite, whore, blessed and mother above the text of a psalm. Pews were packed with mourners, many transgender, who cheered as they were led in prayers for transgender rights and access to sex-change surgery - STEPHANIE KEITH/GETTY IMAGES The New York Post reports that one eulogist, wearing a sleeveless top and cowboy hat, paid tribute to this great whore, St Cecelia, mother of all whores. Today we say we will see you soon and that you will give us the strength, the courage to continue your legacy, to continue the challenges ahead, they added. The speech was met with a standing ovation by the hundreds of people in attendance, but prompted criticism from religious groups when it was posted online. Gentili, a 52-year-old former sex worker from Argentina, was known locally for championing trans rights - BEBETO MATTHEWS/AP Rev Nicholas Gregoris, a founder of the Priestly Society of Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman, said the service was a deplorable desecration of Americas most famous Catholic Church. Gentilis family have hit back at criticisms of the funeral, accusing the Archdiocese of New York of hypocrisy and anti-trans hatred. The only deception present at St. Patricks Cathedral is that it claims to be a welcoming place for all, they added. In the Catholic tradition, a mass of reparation is held as an act of compensation, making amends for ones own sins or the sins of others against God. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The people have spoken, and theyve said they want to enjoy luxurious getaways without breaking the bank. Some of the most sought-after vacations are notorious for coming at a hefty price. However, some places offer a similar luxe vibe and experience for much less. Here are four destination dupes that will allow you to live your best rich and pampered life without emptying your wallet. Krabi, Thailand Photo credit: Jeppe Hove Jensen If youve been craving the white sand and crystal clear waters of the Seychelles, but not the high price tag, Krabi, Thailand is the perfect alternative. Both destinations offer stunning beaches and hidden lagoons. And Krabis iconic limestone cliffs can no doubt rival the granite rock formations the Seychelles is known for. By choosing this destination dupe, you can still enjoy luxurious accommodations and indulge in fresh seafood, even if youre on a budget. Cape Town, South Africa Photo credit: Sharaan Muruvan Black travelers who love the cosmopolitan vibe and stunning coastline of Sydney, Australia will find a similar experience for less in beautiful Cape Town. Instead of surfing at Bondi Beach, catch a wave at Muizenberg, one of the citys most popular surf spots. Like Australia, South Africa is rich in diverse wildlife. Visitors can visit the native African penguin colony at Boulders Beach or book a safari at a nearby game reserve. World-class restaurants, boutique hotels, and a plethora of thrilling outdoor activities can all be enjoyed for the low. Dubrovnik, Croatia Photo credit: Matthias Mullie Theres no question that the French Riviera has a certain je ne sais quoi that travelers fall in love with. Unfortunately, affordability is not something the region is known for. Dubrovnik, however, is a charming coastal city that gives beach towns like Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez a run for their money. Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, this Croatian city offers similar magnificent Mediterranean views, spectacular hidden beaches, and medieval old towns boasting Renaissance architecture. Bali, Indonesia Photo credit: Bento Fotography Theres a reason Bali continues to be such a trendy vacation spot. This tropical island has a paradisiacal ambiance that can easily rival the likes of the Maldives. Instead of the expensive overwater villas in the Maldives, Bali offers stunning villas with private pools at just a fraction of the cost. You can still enjoy pristine beaches, indulge in relaxing spa treatments, and have a true luxury experience. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Dave and Jenny Marrs are going international! The Fixer to Fabulous stars are taking their home renovation talents overseas for a spinoff series called Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano. The Bentonville, Arkansas, residents are traveling to the Tuscan countryside to help their friends Pierre and Rebecca renovate a centuries-old villa into a rental property for tourists. Dave and Jenny teamed up with local builders, architects, and artisans to update the villa, and the project was not without its challenges, including sourcing authentic materials and meeting historic building regulations in Italy. The couple called the project a "dream," but, Jenny explained, "it's very overwhelming. This is a 200-year-old house in a foreign country, and we cant take unlimited trips to Italy with our business and kids back home. I just hope were not biting off more than we can chew." HGTV announced the news on Instagram, and the post was met with an outpouring of support from both fans and HGTV stars. Erin Napier, who starred with Dave and Jenny on season two of Home Town Takeover, wrote, "i cant wait to watch!!! , and Egypt Sherrod of Married to Real Estate said, "Woo hoo" New episodes of Fixer to Fabulous are currently airing on HGTV on Tuesday nights, but it won't be long until the six-episode spinoff begins. Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano will premiere at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST on March 12 on HGTV. Episodes will also be available for streaming on Max. You Might Also Like If you're looking for a way to revive that day-old, stale bread in your cupboard, look no further than French toast. Your breakfast can become even more exciting if you borrow from global cuisines to dress it up in different ways. Germans enjoy a French toast casserole, called arme ritter auflauf, while the Scottish might sandwich sausages between two slices of the fluffy, custardy bread. One of the simplest and tastiest variations to try out is Canadian golden bread. In Quebec, golden bread ("pain dore" in French) is a beloved treat, suitable for the cold weather that the region is known for. This hearty breakfast is rather similar to classic French toast. Both start off with sliced bread soaked in a sweetened mixture of eggs and milk. The bread is pan-fried, then finished with syrup and sweet toppings before serving. The thing that really sets Canadian-style golden toast apart is its color. After the toast has been fried, topped with syrup, and served, it takes on a golden hue. That color partially comes from the egg yolks in the custard mixture, but is mostly owed to the amber maple syrup that is so popular in Canada. Tossing aside generic pancake syrup and springing for grade A, 100% pure Canadian maple syrup is what really gives your French toast a taste of Quebec. Most pain dore recipes also call for cinnamon and sometimes brown sugar, which are popular but optional additions to basic French toast. Read more: French Cooking Tricks You Need In Your Life Only Real Canadian Maple Syrup Will Do Bottle of amber maple syrup - Maridav/Shutterstock Maple syrups are classified into four different types, each with different colors and flavors. Generally, the darker the color, the stronger the flavor, and amber syrup veers towards the lighter end of the spectrum. It has a rich, classic maple flavor that makes it a great all-purpose choice, and it's a must-use for pain dore. The syrup lends its color to this version of French toast, while the rich and authentic maple flavor complements the eggy bread. It's no wonder why maple syrup defines Canadian French toast. The country produces 85% of all maple syrup in the world, with 72% coming from Quebec alone. When shopping for amber maple syrup to make golden toast, don't be fooled by generic pancake syrup or "table syrup" brands. These products are mostly composed of corn syrup and artificial flavorings -- in fact, they might not contain any real maple syrup at all. Making real maple syrup involves boiling down maple sap, and this long process produces complex flavors that are unlike anything else. To make sure your golden toast looks and tastes like it's supposed to, look for Grade A amber-style maple syrup that was made in Canada. Syrups with Grade A labelling must be 100% pure, with no additives whatsoever, so you know you'll be getting the good stuff. Golden Toast Is A Canadian Lumberjack Staple French toast topped with syrup - willmilne/Shutterstock Most varieties of French toast, including pain dore, can be prepped the night before. Just mix up the custard and leave the bread left to soak in the fridge overnight, then quickly pan-fry it in the morning. This convenience factor, coupled with the nutritious ingredients in the dish eggs, dairy, and hearty, carb-rich bread may have led to the popularity of golden bread. One story about golden bread states that it gained its popularity at Canadian logging camps. Before workers headed out for the day, they needed a filling breakfast, so that they would stay full while doing strenuous and intensive work in the cold outdoors. The sweet, syrupy bread was an easy way to load up on a hearty meal before the work day. Add some Canadian bacon on the side, and you have a breakfast fit for a lumberjack. The only hard part of making pan dore is shelling out cash for the best syrup. Authentic maple syrup can get pretty pricey, and it'll need to be stored in the fridge for maximum freshness. But if you want to try your French toast Canadian-style, there's no substitute for the real deal. If you're willing to spend some more coin for better results, why not add some Canadian whiskey to your custard mix, too? Canada is known for producing some excellent labels, and a shot or two in your French toast gives it an extra boost of warm, sweet, caramel-y goodness. Read the original article on Daily Meal. Fox wore a show-stopping white gown to present during the 2024 PEOPLE's Choice Awards alongside Joe Manganiello Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Megan Fox onstage during the 2024 People's Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar on February 18, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. Megan Fox may have skipped the 2024 People's Choice Awards red carpet, but she still made a style statement onstage. The actor and author, 37, wore a white, spaghetti-strap gown with a cowl neck and side, knee-high slit while presenting during the annual award show with Joe Manganiello. For the event, Fox kept her pink hair and added another bold pop of color with a vampy red lip. Related: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Both Earn Nominations for 2024 People's Choice Awards See the Full List! Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Megan Fox onstage during the 2024 People's Choice Awards on February 18, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. On Friday, Fox was announced as a presenter for the PCAs, alongside the likes of Sydney Sweeney, Victoria Monet and Jeremy Renner. The show itself will be hosted by Simu Liu, with this year's nominees including big names such as Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Margot Robbie, Halle Bailey, Timothee Chalamet, Beyonce and more. Fox herself was previously nominated for a PCA in 2010, thanks to her work on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. "Im so grateful to have been asked to step up to the hosting plate for the 2024 Peoples Choice Awards, Liu said in a press statement about his hosting gig. "Its exciting to celebrate this incredible year in pop culture, and to do so with the incredible fans that make what we do possible," he added. The 2024 People's Choice Awards airs live from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET via NBC, Peacock and E!. Related: Megan Fox Responds to Criticism of Super Bowl Party Photo with Taylor Swift: Look How Different I Dont Look Some of Fox's most notable looks in recent months include a barely-there metal mesh minidress with bubblegum-pink hair, a pastel pink corset dress with pink pinstripes and light pink ribbons, and even a debut of a fiery red bob hairstyle. As Fox's red carpet looks continue to make headlines, so do her internet clap-backs. Earlier this month, the actress addressed critics who questioned her appearance during the 2024 Super Bowl weekend. Megan Fox/Instagram Posting photos of herself with her fiance Machine Gun Kelly, Taylor Swift and Super Bowl champ Travis Kelce taken at Resorts World Las Vegas' Zouk nightclub, Fox shared a cheeky response to fans who accused her of having plastic surgery done in earlier pics. 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. Oh my god guys look how different idont look at all, she wrote. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. If you're a wine connoisseur you're likely familiar with the Beaujolais region. This large wine-producing region is located in the central area of France. Beaujolais wine is known for being aromatic and fruit-forward. It is made from the Gamay grape variety, and is mostly red, though some whites and roses are also made from this variety as well. A good Beaujolais wine is going to be a bit pricier than your average supermarket bottle, but exactly how much should this price be? Tasting Table talked with Amanda Davenport, the General Manager and Beverage Director for Noisette Restaurant and Bakery in Denver, Colorado for a precise answer. "Unfortunately, we've seen a price increase over the past few years for wines from Beaujolais but they are still relatively affordable," Davenport says. "You should be able to find something good for $30 to $40!" This cost ensures that you get a good taste of what the Beaujolais region has to offer. If you're going to make the effort to try this specialty regional wine, you want to make sure you're giving it a fair chance to impress you. This is a wine you may want to save for a special dinner or celebration. If you don't think you want to splurge on a whole bottle you can search your local wine bars and see if any of them carry Beaujolais by the glass. Read more: 25 Popular Bottled Water Brands, Ranked Worst To Best What To Expect From A Beaujolais Wine And What To Pair It With wine being poured - Instants/Getty Images As mentioned these wines are known for being fruit forward. This fruitiness contributes to the high acidity of the wine, giving it a mouth-puckering feel when sipped. The wine is also revered for its slightly earthy flavor, balancing out those fruity notes. Beaujolais wines have a lightly savory note to them as well, making them an incredibly well-balanced wine. You should plan on finishing the bottle of Beaujolais wine after opening it if you want to ensure the best taste and mouthfeel. Beaujolais wines lend themselves to being fairly easy to pair due to their balanced profile and low alcohol. Given the acidic nature of Beaujolais wines, you might want to stay away from lemony dishes or briny snacks. Sticking with lighter meals and fresh flavors allows the earthy qualities of the wine to shine and lets you fully experience the flavor. Creamy pasta, roasted chicken, and even some salmon dishes make for an excellent pairing option. After all, if you're going to spend $40 on a bottle of wine you'll want to be sure you enjoy it. Read the original article on Tasting Table. When the economic impacts of COVID-19 first hit Feisty Spirits, co-owners Jamie Gulden and Joan Eurich found themselves in good company. Like many other bars and restaurants, the homegrown craft distillery Fort Collins first muddled through the distancing requirements and capacity limits placed on their cozy Lincoln Avenue tasting room in the pandemics early days. When those eased, the distillery struggled to hire as the Colorado hospitality industry faced widespread pandemic-related staffing shortages. Soon, barrels and bottles became hard to come by as breakdowns in the already struggling global supply chain started to hit close to home. It was all these costs, right? Employee costs went up if you could find someone to hire. Rent costs went up. Ingredient costs went up, Gulden said late last month. Despite surges in customer support, consumer behaviors never really returned to their stable, pre-pandemic levels. Feisty Spirits tasting room which had become so busy in 2019 that Eurich said they were hoping to expand its hours the following year was seeing far less foot traffic. Worse yet for Gulden and Eurich, the distillery's shaky footing led Feisty Spirits to focus on producing only its best-selling spirits. It moved away from experimenting with new grains and flavors, which was what drew the two into craft distilling in the first place. It just stopped being fun, Eurich said. The distillery ultimately chose to shutter its tasting room in July, becoming one of an estimated 25 casualties on the Fort Collins food and drink scene in 2023. Its closure came with two silver linings. First, Feisty Spirits' lease was quickly taken over by Gnebriated Gnome a Greeley-born distillery that opened its own operation in the Lincoln Avenue space while also allowing Gulden and Eurich to retain ownership of the Feisty brand and keep its stockpile of products at Gnebriated Gnome. Second, Gulden and Eurich found themselves with a lot of free time after three years in survival mode. We kind of made the commitment to try and support other small businesses because before (closing Feisty Spirits), we never went out hardly, Gulden said. So now that we had the opportunity to go out, we really started to focus on those small, locally owned businesses, he added. Then a lot of them started closing. Even in its closure, Feisty Spirits appeared to once again be in good company. Fort Collins is seeing a spike in restaurant closures: Myth or fact? By the Coloradoan's count, Fort Collins lost 25 food and drink establishments in 2023 up from 14 in 2022, 12 in 2021, 15 in 2020 and 22 in 2019. At the same time, Fort Collins has consistently added more food and drink establishments to its ranks than it has lost in the past five years. Since 2019, the city has seen an average net increase of roughly 14 new restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries, bakeries, dessert and coffee shops per year. In Larimer County, the number of restaurants, fast-food establishments, lounges, coffee and ice cream shops, and bakeries doing business within its bounds is also largely holding strong. Charles Britton, left, a 101-year-old Fort Collins resident, enjoys a burger and conversation with his daughter-in-law, Katherine Britton, at Choice City on Feb. 8 in Fort Collins. As of 2023, 843 of those establishments were doing business in Larimer County a total increase of 74 since 2019, according to data kept by the county assessor's office. In the past five years, the county saw one net decrease in food and drink establishments when it lost 16 from 2019 to 2020. While these figures show Northern Colorado's ranks of restaurants largely holding strong, a recent spike in closures may be a harbinger for what's to come on the Fort Collins food and drink scene, according to Jake Hallauer, the president of Northern Colorado commercial real estate agency NAI Affinity. "Statistics are statistics and data is data, but I think you're going to see a number of coming (restaurant) closures," Hallauer said. While federal loan programs like the Paycheck Protection Program and the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan helped buoy struggling restaurants mid-pandemic, that assistance is in their rearview mirror while increases in food, staffing costs, rent and other expenses are expected to continue. In his 16 years working in commercial real estate in Northern Colorado, Hallauer estimated that triple net expenses which encompass property taxes, building insurance and maintenance have increased up to threefold for some Fort Collins tenants. While some restaurant owners were able to renegotiate their leases for below-market rent at the beginning of COVID-19, many are now facing higher rent after more recent lease renewals, Hallauer also acknowledged. "Unfortunately, in the coming years, youre going to see more restaurant failures than youve seen in the past few," Hallauer said, noting that the local food scene will likely continue to see a lot of turnover as restaurants close and new ones move in to backfill their space. Kim Sewald, middle, gathers with restaurant regulars in Jay's Bistro to bid farewell during its last night in business on Jan. 31 in Fort Collins. Nationally, 2023 was marked by elevated costs, shallow labor pools and uneven customer traffic levels throughout the restaurant industry, according to the National Restaurant Association's recently released 2024 industry report and forecast. Per the association's research, average food costs in 2023 were up more than 20% and average wages were up more than 30% compared to 2019. At the same time, 77% of operators surveyed said they experienced supply delays or shortages in 2023 and 43% reported that they were carrying debt accumulated during the pandemic into 2024. Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, Jeff Brown co-owner of The Still Whiskey Steaks and chair for the NoCo Hospitality Sector Partnership said many Northern Colorado restaurants are still trying to figure out how to combat rising costs and do business in this new normal for the restaurant industry. "It's everything," Brown said of the increases his restaurant and others have faced in the past four years. "Everybody knows in every industry things are more expensive we just seem to take it on the nose a little bit more. At The Still Whiskey Steaks, the cost of rib-eye steaks the restaurant's most popular menu item has gone from $9 a pound to $14 in the years since COVID-19 hit, Brown said. In 2020, their wages for non-tipped kitchen employees ranged from $15 to $21 per hour. Today, they start at $18 and cap around $28. Its a new frontier for restaurants, which is maybe a good thing," Brown said, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic came with a reckoning for many restaurants and forced several to take better care of their staff. "Its definitely been a lot of adapting and pivoting and trying to find new things that work to kind of combat ... whether its labor and staffing or the price of commodities or changing guest expectations." "The great thing about our industry is were resilient and were creative. We dont really see problems, we see opportunities, and I think the last few years have showed a lot of us what were capable of," Brown added. Still, Brown acknowledged the perceived spike in recent restaurant closures in Fort Collins. "Part of it is there are places that have always been around like Jays (Bistro), The Fox and (The) Crow, Blind Pig (Pub)," Brown added, referring to a trio of popular Fort Collins eateries that shuttered at the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024. "Youve just been used to seeing them and, from the outside looking in, they look like a popular restaurant and must be doing fine." Departures on the Fort Collins food and drink scene picked up in the final months of 2023 and beginning of 2024 punctuated by the aforementioned closures of Midtown's Fox and the Crow cheese bistro, Blind Pig Pub and Old Town fixture Jay's Bistro. More recently, City Park mainstay Lupita's Mexican Restaurant and south Fort Collins' Envy Brewing announced they would both close by the end of February. With closure news surging, Eurich, who was still posting from Feisty Spirits' Facebook page after its tasting room's July closure, took notice. Amid her "Feisty Out and About" posts where she showcases local restaurants, bars and breweries to try, Eurich peppered the distillery's social media feed with the rash of closure announcements she'd been seeing. In November, she documented one of her last meals at The Fox and the Crow before its end-of-year closure. A few weeks later, she re-shared the news that Avuncular Bob's Beerhouse's was officially closing up shop at the end of 2023. In late December, she linked to The Coloradoan's story about Blind Pig Pub's planned closure. A couple of hours later, she posted again this time re-sharing Crooked Stave's announcement that it, too, would be shuttering its Old Town tasting room after five years. Last month, Eurich re-shared Jay's Bistro's announcement that it would be ending its more-than-30-year run in Old Town. "Losing another great one," she wrote. In early January, one announcement broke Eurich's growing pattern of restaurant closure posts. Choice City, a 20-year-old fixture on Old Town's Olive Street, wasn't closing, the restaurant penned in a Facebook post that Eurich ultimately re-shared. Instead and against all odds it was staying open. After bumpy ride, one Fort Collins restaurant makes eleventh-hour call In January 2020, Russ and Anyssa Robinson went on a vacation. The couple had previously discussed the abstract idea of selling Choice City, their airy Old Town restaurant and butcher shop that had become known for its sandwiches, burgers and expansive beer list. But it wasn't until that early 2020 trip that they finally decided to do it. After running Choice City for a while by then Russ had been at its helm for 16 years and Anyssa for 11 they felt it was a great time to pass the baton. The shop had a strong local following, steady sales and more or less ran itself, with Russ and Anyssa only coming in for light staff support. "Someones going to love this ... this is a successful thriving business," Russ said he recalled thinking before they put it on the market. "But then March happened," Anyssa said. After weathering the initial COVID-related dine-in closures that started in March 2020, Choice City reopened its doors for in-person dining that April. The heavy foot traffic Choice City had previously enjoyed was virtually gone, Anyssa said. "When we reopened, it was nothing," she said. "It wasn't coming back." That same month, the couple started seeing their food and equipment costs increasing. All told, Anyssa estimated that their product costs have largely gone up between 30% to 50% since COVID-19 began, with prices for things like degreaser increasing 53% and plastic forks going up 67% since 2020. Compared to pre-pandemic prices, the cost of eggs has gone up nearly 300% at the restaurant, Russ said. Due to the increased food costs, they stopped offering full butcher meats in 2022. They dropped the "Butcher" from their name and got rid of Choice City's butcher case. Today, they only bring in a few raw meat products by special request. Jimmie Rogers, a cook with Choice City, puts the final touches on a burger during Choice City's 2-for-1 burger night Feb. 8 in Fort Collins. Choice City, which almost closed earlier this year, celebrated 20 years in business in Old Town this month. The Robinsons also started working longer hours to try to make up for Choice City's dwindling sales, which Anyssa said saw an estimated 70% dip throughout 2020, 2021 and 2022 before rebounding to about 40% of its pre-pandemic figure last year. "... You have to figure different ways to make your margins up and the only really controllable costs we have are labor cost," Russ said. "She and I are here open to close. Choice City's Paycheck Protection Program loans, which were ultimately forgiven, helped pay staff toward the beginning of the pandemic, Anyssa said. Later, they took a loan out from the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which helped keep them afloat. Repayments for the program came due in late 2022 and now make up a "major part" of their monthly expenses, Russ said, though he didn't specify the total amount. For us, making that payment every month is destroying us financially," Anyssa said. And it lasts for 30 years, Russ added. Throughout the past four years, Russ and Anyssa said they've been taking things day by day with plans to close Choice City when its lease ended. We were counting down the months," Russ said. When that month finally came, however, the couple had a change of heart. Patrons wait in line to order during Choice Citys 2-for-1 burger night Feb. 8 in Fort Collins. In early January, Russ and Anyssa made an eleventh-hour decision to re-sign their lease for another five years and try to build Choice City back up. They announced the choice on the restaurant's Facebook page, where they issued a plea to support them and other local businesses. "For me, this is my life. Ive been doing this for 20 years. This is the only thing I know. Its the only thing I love to do, and the thought of just stopping it is just so heartbreaking. I really wanted to keep on going," Russ said. The decision to keep Choice City open has reenergized the couple, even if that excitement was slightly tempered by news of their Old Town neighbor, Jay's Bistro, shuttering last month. "I've been really struggling with that because Jays has been here longer than us," Anyssa said. "I know that place is run like a tight ship. We know those people and Jays is closing. Thats scary to me." "... but we're going to keep trying," she later added. Since deciding to stay open, Anyssa said she and Russ have started marketing Choice City more on its Facebook page from reminders about their weekly specials and happy hour deals to plans for their 20th anniversary party that was held Feb. 13. For the occasion, the couple unveiled a pair of 20th anniversary beers brewed by Odell Brewing Co. and Verboten Brewing. Anyssa's anniversary beer a barleywine aged in NoCo Distillery rye whiskey barrels is called Hope. Russ's, a stout, is appropriately named Roller Coaster. Like all good roller coasters, you dont want to get off. You want to take another ride," he said. "Our last ride was a little bumpy, but we didnt want to end it that way. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins restaurant closures spike: What's in store for 2024? If you're not sure what a Dutch oven is, you've probably seen one before. They're heavy, versatile cast-iron pots that are perfectly designed to cook anything from briskets to stews to bread. But the name can seem like a bit of a mystery, even if you ignore the fact that the Dutch oven is not actually an oven. You also might be wondering if they were actually invented in the Netherlands. The short answer is "kind of, but not exactly." In fact, the Dutch oven as we know it was developed by a British industrialist named Abraham Darby in the early 1700s. He got the inspiration while on a trip to Holland, where he observed local Dutch artisans using sand-casting (a form of metal casting involving sand molds) to create cookware. Darby returned home and eventually developed his own cast-iron technique for creating cheap, sturdy pots using the Dutch methods he observed. It's thought that he might've named his creation the "Dutch oven" because of this although some historians disagree and believe that specific name came from Dutch merchants who'd sell the pots. In the Netherlands, these kinds of pots are called braadpans anyway. Read more: 12 Vegetables And Fruits That Used To Look Very Different A Long (Mostly) Dutch History Chili in dutch oven - Gmvozd/Getty Images Before Darby arrived in Holland, the Dutch were quite famous for their high-quality, expensive pots including their shallow, durable braadpans. The era was known as the "Dutch Golden Age" partly because of their successful advances in fields like metalworking (alongside art, sciences, and plenty more). Dutch artisans were casting brass and copper pots in sand molds long before Darby arrived. At the time, England was using inferior clay molds. Thus, part of Darby's success involved learning to cast iron in sand to make his Dutch ovens. Some like to make a distinction between Dutch ovens and French ovens, which are the same shape of pot coated in enamel. However, a dish meant for one pot can easily be made using either instrument. This distinction only exists in the first place because after Darby's ovens became popular, other companies began selling their own versions of them. Eventually, a French company became widely popular for their enameled cooking pots. In France, these pots are known as cocottes. What Goes In A Dutch Oven Modern dutch oven with soup - Rudisill/Getty Images The amount of foods you can cook up in a Dutch oven are too long to fit in one list, which is part of why they've been popular for so long. Historically, American colonists frequently used them for cooking stews and roasts. The pots were highly useful tools for mountaineers and travelers who needed a durable pot to cook over campfires out in the wilderness as well. Famously, the explorers Meriweather Lewis and William Clark were said to carry a Dutch oven among their supplies during expeditions. Nowadays, it's common to see people bake with Dutch ovens. They're great choices for baking beans, pies, casseroles, and loaves of bread. Dutch ovens are also perfect for cooking briskets and other one-pot meat dishes such as lamb shoulders or beef stews. You can even make simple things like pasta in Dutch ovens. If you have a larger-sized Dutch oven, you can cook entire chickens. Just be aware that these pots can be heavy. Even if they aren't the easiest thing to handle, their versatility and bulkiness are part of what makes them so effective. Read the original article on Daily Meal. Poles continue to block 6 of the 9 checkpoints on the border with Ukraine. At the largest checkpoint, Yagodyn-Dorohusk, the movement of freight transport has completely stopped. And starting February 20, farmers want to block not only car traffic along the entire border, but also railroad traffic and access to seaports. At the same time, the State Border Guard Service has not received any official notifications from Polish border guards. ADVERTISIMENT As of February 19, the most critical situation is at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint, according to the Ukravtoprom association. " Humanitarian and perishable goods and fuel are not allowed through. This has a direct impact on our defense capability. Also, empty trucks carrying critical goods cannot leave Ukraine through this checkpoint," the statement said. According to the Polish farmers, the full blockade of the border is scheduled for February 20. However, according to a February 19 telethon broadcast by State Border Guard Service spokesman Andriy Demchenko, neither the protesters nor Polish customs formally notified Ukraine of the expansion of the protests. Last week, Polish farmers expanded the blockade to the Korczowa-Krakovets checkpoint. Currently, a total of six checkpoints are blocked: "Korchova - Krakivets, Zosyn - Ustyluh, Dolhobychuv - Uhryniv, Medyka - Shehyni, Yahodyn - Dorohusk and Hrebenne - Rava-Ruska. ADVERTISIMENT "It should be borne in mind that there are 9 directions on the border with Poland, 6 of which are currently blocked or where traffic is significantly hampered for trucks. Moreover, among these six, 4 are the largest checkpoints through which trucks weighing more than 7.5 tons can cross the border," he said. In addition, according to Demchenko, the three remaining directions have their own peculiarities. "In some places, empty trucks weighing more than 7.5 tons can cross the border, while other directions are for the movement of smaller trucks in both directions," the speaker stated. Why are the Poles blocking the border? The main reason for farmers' protests across Europe is dissatisfaction with the Green Deal. These are the rules that oblige all farmers in the EU to gradually abandon pesticides and fertilizers that are harmful to the environment, as well as to comply with strict requirements and gradually switch to the production of "healthy" products. ADVERTISIMENT However, the Poles decided to deal with the supply from Ukraine at the same time. That is why they plan to end the protests against the Green Deal inside Poland on February 19, and to close the borders with Ukraine on February 20. On the border with Ukraine, they will demand "an end to uncontrolled imports of agricultural products from Ukraine" and the abolition of the Green Deal. Of course, Ukraine has nothing to do with the EU's Green Deal (these rules will apply to us after we become a member). The claims about "uncontrolled exports of agricultural products" are also questionable. In fact, most grain transits through Poland, Iryna Kosse, an infrastructure expert, explained to OBOZ.UA. The Poles are unhappy that Ukrainian grain is much cheaper than Polish grain. Farmers in Ukraine do not have to adhere to strict "green" standards, work on large areas, with more fertile land, and also pay salaries that are several times lower than in Poland. All this seems to make Polish products more expensive: they cannot compete with Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT "Ukrainian farmers will always find understanding with Polish farmers, it's Polish lobbyists who can't reach an agreement with Ukrainian farmers," says Mykola Stryzhak, president of the Association of Farmers and Private Landowners of Ukraine. According to him, the "corridor" for Ukrainian agricultural products through Poland existed primarily to enable Ukrainian farmers to export goods to countries that need them, together with their Polish counterparts. The representative of Ukrainian farmers partially agrees with his Polish colleagues. Indeed, cheap Ukrainian grain, whose price is already approaching the cost of production, is more attractive to buyers. But even if there were abuses, they certainly cannot affect the situation with Polish prices. The information about "uncontrolled imports" is a manipulation used by Polish politicians. Like any other country, Poland has its own groups of Eurosceptics who would be happy to lead protests against the EU's "green rules," and there are those who have ties to Russia and are ready to destabilize relations with Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT What are the consequences of a complete blockade of the border? According to Kosse, the situation will affect both Ukraine and Poland. However, Ukrainian exporters will suffer the most. "We will lose, and Ukraine will lose more," the expert said. She explained that it is the railroad blockade that will cause the biggest problems. After all, when Polish carriers and farmers block only road checkpoints, Ukrainian imports suffer more than exports. Now this may change. "A lot of imports, mostly high-value ones, are coming by truck. Most of these deliveries go through the Polish border. That's why recipients of goods from Europe suffered, waiting for medicines, equipment, and other goods," Kosse explained. In such a situation, timber sellers were the biggest losers among exporters. However, if the railroad is blocked, they will be the first to suffer: ADVERTISIMENT The mining industry. "A lot of ore is exported abroad by rail, such as iron and manganese ore," explained Kosse. Production of construction materials, which are also actively exported. The agricultural sector. "30-40% (of exports - Ed.) are still grain, oil, and other agro-processed products," the expert reminded. But not only businesses will have to pay for the blockade. In February alone, Ukraine's budget will lose UAH 7.7 billion, according to Danylo Hetmantsev (Servant of the People), chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy. "If the border is not unblocked by the end of the month, the country's budget will lose UAH 7.7 billion in revenues," the MP said. He specified that these are revenues from customs. "This is very significant for us. Especially in February," Hetmantsev added. ADVERTISIMENT As previously reported by OBOZ.UA, blocking transport - in particular, buses with passengers - at the Polish border will have severe social and political consequences for both countries. Moreover, it is a direct threat to the security of the defending country. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Taking care of an aging parent can be stressful physically, mentally, and financially. Because of that, it's not uncommon to seek out assistance. But when it comes to options such as skilled nursing, in-home care, assisted living, and other branches of eldercare, what does that really look like? Recently, members of the BuzzFeed Community shared their experiences and struggles with eldercare, and their stories are equal parts startling and insightful. Here are some of the staggering realities of dealing with eldercare in the US: 1."I'm 83 and my wife is 75. She's had Parkinson's, dementia, and anxiety for 13 years. The last year or two have become difficult financially, and I'm still trying to provide most care myself. I'm spending over $40,000 a year for four hours of evening help, six days a week. I'm up at seven in the morning and am very tired by mid-afternoon. My wife gets meds nine times a day, and I fix all the meals. She qualified for hospice, so I'm expecting to put her in sometime soon. Needless to say, I'm stressed out in many ways, financially and physically. After my wife dies, I'll have nothing left to care for myself." Anonymous Thanasis Zovoilis / Getty Images 2."My dad needed special care, so we were exploring our options. One place quoted us $600 a day. Another place for a shared room, mind you was asking for $900 a day. Who the hell can afford any of this?" cupcakesfordinner 3."My aunt has Alzheimer's and was placed in eldercare after a bad fall. The hospital recommended a specific facility so that she would have around-the-clock care. She was there for less than a week. The facility wouldn't even take her to the bathroom, lied about her receiving PT when she didn't, and the staff was rough with her. My aunt BEGGED to come home, and she is now being cared for by family. I am thankful that she is light enough to be lifted without needing special equipment, and, honestly, she's easy to care for in comparison to how much harder it could be. We are fortunate that family care is an option for us; however, I can't imagine what life would be like if she had to stay at that facility in terms of money and care." gabsbarbosa22 Edwin Tan / Getty Images 4."My mom can afford a shared room, but I wanted to see if we could afford a single room. It was $350 a DAY." ellene8 5."I've been dealing with assisted living facilities for my mom for years now beautiful, brand new facilities, too. They all SUCK and are all the same. Our minimum base price at one facility was $7,000 a month, and they do NOTHING. My mom has been in five different facilities and is 99 years old, and I just went ahead and brought her back to my home. It's tough beyond tough." Marie Shapecharge / Getty Images 6."I have two parents with dementia, and I receive zero help. My parents 'made too much' for Medicaid and couldn't afford skilled nursing even with insurance. They never planned for this, and they never told anyone that they had dementia. I came into this unexpectedly in the middle of their respective stages. Both my parents require care that they cannot afford, and as a result, they are part of a system that basically lets people deteriorate. I recently was able to become the power of attorney and have been able to self-pay, but that is not sustainable at all. Simply put, they cannot afford it. I, a person with zero medical training, am the 'eldercare' for two seniors with dementia. This system is broken." Shona, 50, South Carolina 7."We had to force my 89-year-old dad into assisted living after a series of falls and a hidden dementia diagnosis. He is not close with anyone in my family because he was a terrible ex-husband and father, and he had almost no savings until after we sold his house. He has two years left until he runs out of money and will need Medicaid. Assisted living was so expensive in Long Island, New York, so when I moved to North Carolina, we transferred my dad down here to a slightly cheaper place. But I've been disabled due to long COVID since March 2020. I'm currently on SSDI, so I have my own problems. The eldercare system is a mess, and the younger generations are being tasked with picking up the pieces for our parents." Anonymous, 37, North Carolina Hispanolistic / Getty Images 8."I have a parent in their 80s who has lost a lot of mobility and has therefore also lost the ability to care for themselves. Over the past year, as their health has declined, I've explored in-home and facility care for them. In the Washington, DC, metro area, I've seen home healthcare aides requesting as much as $36 an hour. And most of the time, it doesn't include the cost of medication, food, utilities, and other housing and medical costs. It's a tough place to be in, and it definitely needs to be part of life planning just like college and estate planning." Vicki McGill, 56, Washington, DC 9."My elderly mother has needed many hospitalizations and short-term nursing home stays in the last two years of her life. She was lucky to have good insurance that paid for most of that, but at home, she had to pay big bucks out-of-pocket for aides and nurses. If she had to permanently go to a facility, she would have had to sell her house before Medicaid would cover the cost. It was shocking to me that some medical providers thought untrained family members could care for her despite her many infirmities. This took a toll on us, too. The system definitely needs fixing." neil59 Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images 10."My husband, who's 71, has cancer and suffered a stroke. He was transferred from the hospital to a nursing facility for rehab from the stroke. One Monday, I went in and was told by the PT that my husband wasn't making progress, so they had to release him. The next day, admin reiterated this info and informed me that they needed $12,000 by Friday, or else I had to take my husband home. He was a candidate for hospice, but I had to rearrange my house and make other pans, so I handed over my credit card. My husband is a big guy, and I was using a walker myself. It was a nightmare! Thank god I have insurance that covered him until discharge and had a credit card to use. It could have been much worse." Anonymous 11."My dad has dementia and a laundry list of other ailments. The dementia is getting bad, and it's getting harder and harder to care for him. My mom (not his wife) looked into facilities, but the waiting lists are out of this world. Oh, and Medicaid doesn't pay for everything. It's just a shame because he needs and deserves better care, but no one can give it to him. Getting older and ill just sucks ass." n49bb21b12 Peopleimages / Getty Images 12."My mother was able to pay for her care for three years, but we still had to refinance my house to finish up paying for her care. The cost was $12K a month. If I am diagnosed with any type of serious illness where I have to go into a care facility, I'd rather just disappear and die than make my family pay what I had to." Anonymous 13."I am dealing with this right now! My mom passed away 10 years ago, so when it was time, I was the only one who could take over my grandma's power of attorney. She was staying at a facility at the time, but we had to move her from "independent living" to "skilled nursing" within the same place. In doing so, the monthly expenses went from $3K to $12K. Not only that, but her $3K apartment was a one-bed place with a kitchenette, and she was provided two meals a day. Meanwhile, the $12K apartment is the size of the BEDROOM she was renting before, and now she has a roommate. She gets about 1/4 of the space for four times the amount. The real kicker is that she and my granddad did plan." "He had so many conversations with me before he passed about all the planning they did they just didn't plan for my grandma to live until 99. My grandparents had around $500K, but she's now down to about $160K and will essentially be out of money in just over a year. I've had so many mental breakdowns about it. I'm glad my grandma has money to cover her care, but it just isn't enough. It is bleak. This is scary and overwhelming at best." Anonymous Thanasis Zovoilis / Getty Images 14."My mother lived well on her own until dementia took that independence away from her. I'd been diagnosed with Parkinson's several years earlier and had lost my ability to drive safely. My husband and I did what we could to coordinate care for my mother, but that became more and more challenging, as I'd hoped to be able to continue to work full-time until I could retire. We decided on an assisted living facility that was 'only' about $4,500 a month. We spent down all of my mother's savings until she was eligible for Medicaid. My mother's dementia continued to get worse; she died shortly before her 95th birthday." "Coordinating my mother's care and hearing about similar experiences from my coworkers made me realize that I had no answers for my future care. Despite our best efforts, our bodies age, and we die. Our healthcare system is broken; Patient care will continue to deteriorate if we continue to support a model that puts corporations over people." Diane, 72, Washington 15."Our person was admitted to a hospital after a fall. The hospital released him to a rehab facility, and he was there for nine days. On the fifth day, he developed a cough. The staff said he was fine, but it turned out that he had COVID. Mind you, our person was 85 years old, and no one told us that he was positive. Even at the facility, no one was wearing masks. How I found out was the one of the staff members casually said to me, 'For someone who has COVID, he doesn't have any symptoms.' I said, 'He has COVID? No one told us.' And the staff member said, 'Well, we are not required to tell everyone.' Unbelievable! As soon as our person's quarantine was up, I took him out of the facility and went to the hospital. He was then diagnosed with pneumonia and had developed a rash from sitting in his urine and feces for hours on end. Our elders have no voice. Good luck with your loved ones." Anonymous Heiko119 / Getty Images 16."At 90, my mom was the care provider for my dad, who was 92. My dad was getting in-home care to help with showering one to two times a week and was getting occupational and physical therapy once a week. Once it was determined he was no longer making progress, services were discontinued. At 93, my dad began losing his ability to stand and walk, so he was transferred to a care facility that cost $8,000 a month. At that rate, my mom's savings were going to be depleted in six months. My mom hired an attorney and paid $10K to get my dad qualified for Medicaid so that he could afford to live in a care home." Ja, 65, Michigan 17.Lastly: "I tried to take care of my elderly mother in my home with the help of in-home care. After a while, it was apparent that this arrangement would no longer work, so we pivoted to assisted living. One day, my mom managed to escape she just walked away and rode on a bus to the end of the line. She didn't have money, and she couldn't say where she lived. Eventually, she was found and returned to the facility. She was then placed on a lockdown floor. Being a loner by nature, my mom didn't leave her room unless attendants came for her for meals. After selling her home, the $60,000 was spent in no time due to the care she was receiving. After the money was gone, she went to a Medicaid facility until her death. This was the saddest time of my life. I made daily phone calls to her; hearing and seeing her cry because she wanted to go home was heartbreaking. I did the best I could." Anonymous Asiavision / Getty Images If you've ever had to explore eldercare options for yourself or a loved one, what has your experience been like? How accessible has information regarding eldercare been to you? Let me know down below in the comments, or you can anonymously submit using this form. Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity. The Happy Uncles To see where Cape Town's cool kids hang out, stop by the Pot Plant Club. Set amid the Victorian row houses on trendy Bree Street, the boutique, cofounded by Salik Harris in 2022, doubles as a social club for locals, who linger at the shop's cafe and rifle through racks of oversized jackets and denim. The emporium's collection includes emerging labels like Asa Sadan, the Paint Company, and Yarns Worldwide alongside Harris's own streetwear brand, Leaf Apparel. All were founded by talents from the Cape Malay community, a South African ethnic group with a huge impact on the city's cultural life. Erin Jane Nelson, Amin Gray, Nicodim Gallery I always found Cape Malay people to be so creative, says Harris. We resonate with Black people, we resonate with white people. We're in the middle of all the chaos. Cape Malay is something of a misnomer, a blanket name assigned to a layered identity unique to the tip of the African continent that developed as the result of Indonesian and Malaysian exiles mixing with Africans, Europeans, Indians, and Arabs over the centuries. The term Cape Malay is used to describe a Creole community, a community that is completely mixed, says artist Thania Petersen, who explores her heritage through photography, painting, textile, and performance. We don't exist anywhere else in the world. For most visitors, brushes with Cape Malay culture are limited to Bo-Kaap, a warren of rainbow-bright houses and mosques on the slopes of the iconic Signal Hill. Tour buses regularly choke Wale Street to disgorge passengers for quick selfies or to sample koeksisters, plump pastries steeped in cardamom and dusted with coconut. But the scale of influence this community has had on South Africa is often overlooked on the tourist circuit. Pot Plant Club's streetwear brands may be rooted in Cape Town's current sartorial moment, but they have strong ties to the city's past. For generations, Cape Malays were, as tailors and factory workers, at the forefront of a once booming textile industry. We never owned the businesses, but we were the hands that grew these businesses, says designer Imran Mohamed in his studio in Woodstock, a suburb that's emerged as a creative hub. We never saw people like us in this space. I wanted to portray our people in that luxury-fashion context. In 2021 the Central Saint Martins alum launched Asa Sadan, a high-end streetwear label named for his grandmother and inspired in part by Cape Malay silhouettes; this year his work was included in the Africa Fashion exhibition at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. The Happy Uncles Today, creatives across Cape Town are exploring their complex identities through fashion, art, cuisine, film, and music. In an unassuming industrial space in the Salt River neighborhood east of the cityonce a hive of textile factorieschef Anwar Abdullatief artfully reimagines Cape Malay staples in an eight-course tasting menu at the Happy Uncles, Cape Town's first halal fine-dining restaurant. Filmmaker Amy Jephta amassed global accolades for her 2020 Afrikaans comedy, Barakat, which follows a family gathering for Eid. And South Africa's best-known rapper, YoungstaCPT, often dons a fez in his videos and imbues his lyrics with Cape Malay references. His songs are focused on repositioning Cape Malay culture within the context of South Africa, says visual artist Imraan Christian, who collaborated with the rapper to direct provocative music videos like Young Van Riebeek. Art is the discipline for which Cape Malays have amassed the most acclaim, at home and abroad. I think the rest of the world has realized that African art is not just about traditional masks, Igshaan Adams observes at his atelier in Cape Town's celebrated Zeitz MOCAA museum as he nears the end of a seven-month residency. His Salat Aljamaeat Min Bonteheuwel, a pastiche of timeworn prayer mats from his hometown in the Bonteheuwel township, was one of the most striking installations at the inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this year. A few floors above the Zeitz MOCAA at the Silo Hotel, elevator doors slide open at the 10th-floor penthouse suite to reveal a striking photographic collage: Petersen, the heritage-minded artist, swathed in a voluminous red dress, documented herself in 25 poses from the Indonesian dance of 1,000 hands. Amid the hotel's landmark collection of contemporary African art, this work commands a moment of repose and wonder. I tried to teach myself this dance to reconnect with our history, as a way of literally and physically facing our past, she says. But Petersen's oeuvre speaks firmly to the present: You cannot come to Cape Town and not smell us, see us, taste us. I mean, we are embedded in the DNA of what Cape Town is today. This article appeared in the December 2023 issue of Conde Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here. Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler In an admittedly wildly unscientific study conducted over the past 25 years, we believe weve uncovered something of an enigmaSpain. To elaborate: When asking oenophiles about Spanish wine, we tend to hear mention of just two (yes, two) esteemed producers: Vega Sicilia and Pingus. Now, this pair of outstanding Ribera del Duero wineries are certainly deserving of their collective accolades, but the fact that savvy drinkers can name fewer than a handful of elite winemakers from the fourth-largest (by area) European nation is just weird. Home to over 100 wine regions, Spain produces red, white, rose, and sparkling wines across the entire quality and price spectrum. Just two, Rioja and Priorat, have received the highest designation, D.O.Ca. (which translates to denomination of qualified origin), a step above the 68 D.O.-level (denomination of origin) regions that are the backbone of Spains top-tier wine industry. For the past 20 years, the Iberian nation has also permitted single-estate wines of high quality to be labeled with the special vino de pago (V.P.) designation, which indicates an exclusive area limited to the confines of a wine estate. With stringent requirements regarding permitted grape varieties, aging time, alcohol levels, and even the number of kilograms of grapes per hectare, the country is seriously committed to protecting the quality and reputation of its vinous output. More from Robb Report Rules, regulations, and initials aside, it is, of course, only the character and quality of the juice in the bottle that matter. And Spanish wine is good. As much as we believe Burgundy to be the sole region in the world that produces equally superlative reds and whites, as a country, Spain is right up there, offering a wide range from red grapes such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mencia, and Monastrell and whites such as Albarino, Verdejo, Viura, and Godello. Having had a home in Spain for nearly two decades and traveled to all of the countrys major wine regions, we cannot fathom why the wine is not more popular in the U.S., particularly among serious wine lovers. For collectors of red, search for bottles such as Torres Reserva Real, Mauro Terreus, Valduero Una Cepa Premium, Muga Aro, Vatan Arena, and Sierra Cantabria Amancio. For whites, try Campo Eliseo Harmonia, Resalte Albillo Mayor, or Granbazan Limousin Albarino. That said, it is easy to understand why Spanish wine doesnt have a reputation equal to French or Italian. The saying If it grows together, it goes together is especially applicable to pairing food with wine, so producers from countries with popular culinary styles have an easier and more obvious route to gaining traction in export markets. America has a long history of emigrants from Italy, and with that comes a tradition of Italian restaurants. Over time, these have evolved from red sauce joints to fine-dining establishments serving elevated regional Italian cuisine. An awareness and enjoyment of the countrys wine has expanded alongside this culinary evolution, transitioning us from bottles of fizzy, semisweet Lambrusco and straw-wrapped jugs of Chianti to Barolo, Amarone, Brunello, and Super Tuscans. Likewise, Americas relationship with wine from France has enjoyed favored status from the time of the Founding Fathers. More recently, U.S. soldiers stationed in France during World War II returned home with a hankering for Gallic cuisine. French restaurants became the epitome of elegant dining, even if they were tarted-up bistros serving onion soup and steak frites, and Julia Child taught an entire generation how to master the art of French cooking. From the postwar boom through the Judgment of Paris in 1976, Americans enjoyed a love affair with French wine that continues to this day. Meanwhile, dictatorial rule until Francisco Francos death in 1975 did little to bolster Spains image as a tourism destination. Historically, Spaniards have preferred to immigrate to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean over moving to the U.S., so America has lacked a specifically Spanish influence on cuisine and culture. Its only in the past 20 years that Spanish food has been popularized across this country, especially in cities, via tapas bars. While casual evenings standing at high tables, dining on small plates paired with wine by the glass is our idea of a great time, it doesnt advance the concept of fine dining accompanied by fine wine. In fact, the entire experience reinforces the idea of Spanish food as enjoyable but ultimately inconsequential. One challenge is that, with the exception of high-end offerings from Spanish chefs such as Jose Andres and Dani Garcia, diners in the U.S. have limited opportunities to become exposed to great bottles alongside an elevated meal. Spain is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, certainly in Barcelona and particularly in Donostia-San Sebastian, but something gets lost in translation when outposts move to our side of the Atlantic. Spanish Wine Spain is one of the top three wine producers on the planet, behind France and Italy, but you wouldnt know it from its lack of representation in many wine shops and eateries. Look at the selections from France, Italy, and California and compare them to the paltry Spanish choices. Part of the blame lies with thirsty natives: Just shy of 60 percent of Spanish wine is drunk domestically. But were simply not doing our part. While 16.4 percent of Spanish wine is exported to the U.K., Americans consume only 10.4 percent, yet our population is five times greater. The most widely drunk Spanish wine in the U.S. is Cava; despite its cheap and cheerful reputation, Cava is on the up. The number of single-vineyard and vintage Cavas released is increasing, especially since the D.O. updated its rules in 2021with Rioja trailing closely behind. But that status quo might be changing. According to an October 2023 report issued by ICEX, the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade, Spain ranks eighth for volume of wine imported into the U.S. but fourth for value. Its focusing its exports on higher-priced wines, in line with the trend observed in the country in recent years of declining demand for cheap wine and increasing interest in premium wine, the report states. For many years, industry insiders have hailed Spains excellent quality-to-price ratio, and while that remains true, prices are now rising as winemakers focus on single-vineyard bottlings, micro-vinification, and small-batch artisanal wines. Yet many still represent far better value than their counterparts from more widely known European neighborswhich makes them our tip for a more prominent place in your glasses, and collections, as a result. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Ive said it before and Ill say it again. My name is Annabel and Im a holi-alcoholic. I used to drink far too much on a day-to-day basis but Im a mother now and have had to quit, with a few exceptions: trips abroad being one of them. So Id be pretty forlorn if I was among the tourists in Zanzibar this month whose hotels ran out of booze. Thanks to a supply shortage on the east African archipelago, resorts have been left with dwindling reserves of beer and wine and foreign guests, whose cash accounts for 90 per cent of the islands GDP, are understandably miffed. 'I have had to quit [alcohol], with a few exceptions: trips abroad being one of them' says Fenwick Elliott One American tourist, who wished to remain anonymous, declared: I love Zanzibar and its beaches the only challenge I feel now is I cant get hard liquor. I want to have spirits or even whisky but nothing is found in the hotel. Hear, hear. The fact that I can remember, in searing detail, the very few incidents during which Ive found myself unexpectedly unable to obtain alcohol while travelling once on a road trip through North Americas Bible Belt states, where in some counties its banned on Sundays; and another time in Dubai, where it was (at the time) illegal on religious holidays should tell you all you need to know about my unhealthy relationship with it. 'I can remember the very few incidents during which Ive found myself unexpectedly unable to obtain alcohol while travelling,' says Fenwick Elliott Both times, I moved through all the stages of grief: denial (there must be some mistake!) anger (its a hotel full of tourists, why should we be punished by a God we dont believe in?) bargaining (cant you make an exception, kind bartender?) and depression (I guess Ill just end the day with a glass of tap water then). Im far from alone. You only have to glance across an airport departure lounge at the crack of dawn to see you relishing in one of the only situations, bizarrely, where it is socially acceptable to drink publicly in the morning. If you did so on the Tube, youd be arrested. But about to catch a flight? Cheers to that. Zanzibar may have beautiful beaches but its hotels ran out of booze this month - Universal Images Group Editorial A uniquely British quality? As someone who is half English, half Irish, it is written into my genes to be a lush on holiday, or so the cliches go. There are two distinct and paradoxical strains to the British tourist stereotype, of course. Were either a bunch of crass, heathen barbarians, or were very civilised, acutely polite and overly apologetic, depending on whether you find us in Magaluf or Mustique but regardless of which camp we fall into, weve always got a drink in our hand. I spoke to some of Telegraph Travels overseas writers for their views. Anthony Peregrine, based in Languedoc, notes: Certainly, France has fewer boozy holiday hotspots than, say, Spain or Greece, the sorts of places where the British fling themselves at happy hour from breakfast time onwards. That said, mature Britons, the ones holidaying or living in southern France, may also surprise their French equivalents with their enthusiasm for local wines. Also beer, cognac, calvados and anything else which comes in a bottle. The French equivalents have little tradition of the never-empty glass. From Germany, Andrew Eames weighs in: Germans, unlike Britons, dont usually drink to get drunk. For sure, the older generation are happy to drink beer at any time of day, but thats because it is regarded as liquid bread, a form of nourishment. Which is why you can buy beer at a McDonalds in Germany, but not any other form of alcohol. The Americans share with us a contradictory reputation. They are saints or sinners when it comes to booze, states Douglas Rogers. Theyre either puritans who drink nothing at all or they get completely smashed. And sure enough, according to American travel writer Sara Sherwood, it all comes down to the destination. Sit in a Mediterranean restaurant in August and youre more likely to see British tables sinking multiple bottles of rose than you are to see Americans, French or anyone else getting legless at lunch, she argues. But do the Americans really drink less? Or is it that Europe isnt a boozing destination for Americans for that, seek them in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, or Florida for Spring Break. For Americans, Europe is for culture, so you tend to get better-behaved Yanks on a mission to learn, whereas for Brits, European beaches are more economically accessible and are therefore more of a playground. A generational switch? One observation that arose with everyone I spoke to was the marked generational shift that has taken place over time. All signs point to a decline in public displays of drunkenness, says Sherwood. GenZers in high-income countries worldwide have turned away from alcohol since the Covid pandemic. Eames, too, remarks that younger German generations are also drinking less and therefore less likely to be spotted on the rampage abroad. Happy hour: a favourite holiday pastime - alamy Its the same story in France, Peregrine suggests: French consumption is dropping fast. This is especially true of wine, as every second TV programme demonises it French health fanatics perfectly content to knock on the head one of our key industries and big earners. He adds: Elements of French youth are falling for the new puritanism. As a 35-ish winemaker told me recently: Even friends of mine now behave as though a glass of wine with dinner every night was the threshold of alcoholism. Even in the UK, recent studies indicate that up to a quarter of 16-to-24-year-olds are teetotal. Lauren Burnison launched the nations first sober travel company, We Love Lucid, in 2019, telling Telegraph Travel: I wanted to share with others the life-changing impact that booze-free travel had on me. Most importantly, I wanted to give people the opportunity to connect with others that have decided to quit or that are reassessing their relationship with alcohol. I cant imagine a booze-free break do I have a problem? Im incapable of moderation when drinking on both holiday and home turf (though I take pride in never behaving like a lout while under the influence), which is why I save the wine for special occasions and foreign adventures. Issy Hawkins, an English actress and sobriety campaigner who is turning 30 this year, has amassed millions of TikTok fans for her recovery tales. I used to love holidays when I was a drinker for the sole reason that they were acceptable day-drinking extravaganzas to the normal drinkers, so I wouldnt be doing it alone, she says. And as far as I was concerned, the earlier the better. Airport drinking at 7am, strawberry daiquiris by the pool at 11am. It was just an excuse to not only drink lots but start at the most outrageous time possible. And seeing that I spent most of my waking hours thinking about where my next drink was coming from, this was the ultimate opportunity to go mad. Issy was 21 when she went into treatment for alcohol addiction. It was fairly unheard of then to be sober in your twenties, she recalls. I was a total fish out of water. Now, however? Sober young people are growing in numbers. And I think its fantastic that where everyone used to just drink because it was the norm, today there are questions about whether alcohol is something that actually agrees with them, right from the get-go. As for holidays, where I would quite happily sit in a sun lounger getting annihilated for a week and not seeing anything interesting, Ill now actually explore, do excursions, research the best restaurants and spend my drinking budget on sampling the best food, she says. And I dont wake up with chronic anxiety and an upset stomach. Who wants that when youre on holiday? Three (almost) booze-free holiday destinations... Maldives This Muslim-majority archipelago lets the island resorts set their own rules, so youll find alcohol aplenty. Its capital Male and the local islands, however, ban its sale and consumption. Maldivian resorts set their own rules when it comes to alcohol United States Although Americas deeply unpopular prohibition laws were repealed in the 1930s, a number of counties, all of them in the south, remain dry. Arkansas has the most (more than 30), in which it is illegal to buy alcohol. You can, however, consume it, so long as you cross county lines to procure it. UAE The rules in this Middle Eastern federation have changed considerably over the past decade, in a testament to how much the likes of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been willing to accommodate expats and tourists. Alcohol went from being available only in certain resorts with special permits, and never during the month of Ramadan, to something that is fairly free-flowing for foreigners all year round (just dont be seen drinking or drunk in public). ...And one where booze is banned Saudi Arabia A number of other Muslim-majority countries ban booze, but arent holiday options (see Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia and Libya). Saudi Arabia, however, opened up to tourists in 2019 and already boasts plenty of lavish Dubai-style resorts. Yet it remains steadfastly booze-free for now. In a slight easing of the rules, it was recently announced that after 70 years of prohibition, one shop will soon open in Riyadh to supply alcohol exclusively to non-Muslim diplomats. Should it wish to compete with the UAE for tourists, a further relaxation of restrictions may well be needed. 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. UK special forces have frustrated efforts by Afghan troops to gain sanctuary in Britain despite the fact that some of the Afghan soldiers could be witnesses to crimes allegedly committed by British units. Hundreds of Afghan special forces soldiers who served in two elite units known as the Triples have had their applications to come to the UK rejected by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) with some subjected to murder and torture at the hands of the Taliban after being refused help. In a joint investigation, The Independent revealed numerous cases of former Afghan soldiers who had been denied relocation to the UK even though they had extensive evidence of their work alongside British forces. Veterans minister Johnny Mercer has reportedly raised concerns about why UK special forces are allowed to play a part in deciding which Afghan Triples come to the UK while an investigation is ongoing into crimes committed by the SAS in Afghanistan. Some Afghan members of the unit Commando Force 333 were partnered with the SAS during the period that is being investigated. An internal government document shows that any application to the Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap) scheme from a Triples member must be approved by the UK special forces (UKSF). Afghan Triples soldiers, such as the one pictured here, have been wrongly rejected for resettlement by the UK Ministry of Defence (Supplied) According to sources within the MoD, the UKSF had been refusing to engage with the process, thus not approving many cases, leading to what were effectively blanket rejections. It is understood that bosses at the MoD felt that it would be too hard to help the Triples come to the UK because the UKSF were failing to cooperate. The MoD has denied that any blanket decisions were made and said that flawed decisions led to Afghans being wrongly turned away. But they insisted that UK Special Forces did not make the final decisions on eligibility for the Arap scheme. Ministers have pledged to review some 2,000 applications by those who served in Afghan specialist units. The Independent has previously reported that questions were asked by officials working for the independent inquiry relating to Afghanistan, which is investigating alleged war crimes committed by the UKSF in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013, over their unwillingness to approve Triples cases for UK resettlement. Independent inquiry officials were particularly interested in the Triples units because they may be able to provide testimony that is relevant to the inquiry, sources said. Afghan members of Commando Force 333 were partnered with the SAS during the relevant years of the inquiry. Now former members of the SAS have told the BBC that the power the UKSF have over Triples relocation to the UK represents a conflict of interest. One former UK special forces officer said: Its a clear conflict of interest. At a time when certain actions by UK special forces are under investigation by a public inquiry, their headquarters also had the power to prevent former Afghan special forces colleagues and potential witnesses to these actions from getting safely to the UK. Another former officer said: At best its not appropriate; at worst it looks like theyre trying to cover their tracks. BBC Panorama also reported that MoD civil servants felt unable to challenge rejections made by the UKSF, even when there was a strong case that an Afghan soldier should be resettled in the UK. Two former Triples members, whose pleas for sanctuary were rejected in 2023, told the broadcaster they had witnessed what appeared to them to be war crimes committed by the UKSF. The Times has also reported that veterans affairs minister Johnny Mercer wrote a letter to deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden raising concerns as to why the UKSF were allowed to play a part in deciding which Afghan Triples came to the UK. Mr Mercer is due to appear before the independent inquiry relating to Afghanistan on Tuesday, making him the first minister to do so. An MoD spokesperson said: We are conducting an independent, case-by-case review of all applications from former members of Afghan specialist units, which includes applications from the Triples. This review will consider all available evidence, including that provided by third parties. The review is being carried out by independent staff who have not previously worked on these applications. Geoduck can be confusing. When you read the name, your first thought might be "oh, it's a type of duck!" or (in the case of this writer the first time I read it) "is that a type of Pokemon?" In both cases, though, you would be wrong. But the real answer is even funnier. Geoduck, pronounced "gooey duck," just to make it even more unusual, is a huge, phallic-shaped clam found in Alaska and along the West Coast of the United States. They typically weigh from 2 to 7 pounds and can live for more than 150 years. This saltwater clam can be eaten raw or cooked, and often appears in dishes like sashimi, stir-fries, or pan-fries. It is very popular in Washington State, where it is harvested in the wild or from large geoduck farms in Puget Sound, but it is also brings in a fortune each year when it is sold to other countries like China, where it is quite the delicacy. Intrigued yet? Read on to find out everything else you ever wanted to know about this unique, mysterious, and -- let's face it -- also kind of silly-looking clam. Read more: 12 Underrated Types Of Fish You Should Try At Least Once What Is A Geoduck? geoducks in bowl - sasazawa/Shutterstock Geoduck may go by many names, including Elephant Clam, King Clam, Gweduck, Goiduck, and Goeduck, but whatever you call it, it is a saltwater clam from America's Pacific Coast. Its body consists of a 6- to 8-inch shell and a long, thick siphon that can grow to 3 feet long and serves as a sort of neck. This "neck" has two openings, the first of which helps it to pull in phytoplankton and oxygen from the water and the second of which expels the water it doesn't need. Geoducks get their name from a Lushootseed Native American word that means "dig deep," which is exactly what you will have to do to harvest them. They burrow deep down into the sediment of a water source, moving down approximately 1 foot per year before settling at around three feet beneath the surface. These strangely-shaped creatures can reach 7 pounds in their first 15 years of life, but are often harvested and eaten when they are smaller (as in, around "just" 2 or 3 pounds). Geoduck Vs Pacific Razor Clam razor clam on beach - knelson20/Shutterstock Clam connoisseurs may see the image at the top of this article and squint their eyes in suspicion. "Isn't that just an oversized razor clam?" they may ask. This is an easy mistake to make, as Pacific razor clams do have a lot in common with the much girthier geoduck. They are both found around the same areas in Washington, Alaska, and other sites along America's West Coast, and they both have a long neck-like structure that comes out of a large shell. There are some important differences between them, though. Whereas the geoduck, the largest burrowing clam in the world, can be several feet long, Pacific razor clams from the Washington area are an average of 3 to 6 inches long with a rare maximum of around 7 inches. Razor clams found in Alaska may grow to a size just short of 1 foot, but they still can't match the geoduck in length. They also can't compete with the geoduck's lifespan either. Geoducks can live to be over 100 years old, but Washington razor clams usually top out at five years while their Alaskan cousins live to the ripe old age of 15. The latter is best used in chowders and ceviche or either fried or steamed, while the former is usually served raw, fried, or in a hot pot. What Does Geoduck Taste Like? geoduck sashimi - xiaoxiao9119/Shutterstock Not only is geoduck prized for its suggestive appearance, but it is also considered to be one of the tastiest clams on the market. Its meat is salty, as is expected with saltwater clams, but it is also sweet. It doesn't come off as overly "fishy," and the neck has a nice, crisp consistency that is a welcome relief for those who don't enjoy the mushiness of some other clams. Typically, meat from the siphon/neck is white while meat from the body is a bit darker and a bit more tender. The latter may also have a tangier flavor when raw, but a milder, richer flavor when cooked. Both types of meat tend to take on a tougher consistency when they are cooked, which is another reason why geoduck is almost always eaten raw or very close to it, with just a light saute' or very quick searing. How To Clean Geoduck geoduck and knife - Bloomberg/Getty Images As with most seafood, there is some preparation involved before you can cook a geoduck, even if you are eating it raw. First, you have to remove the shell and skin. This can be done in two ways. The first is that you can dunk the geoduck into boiling water for around 30 seconds to 1 minute. After this, the shell should come off with ease, as should the skin of the geoduck. This method, while easy, is not considered to be the best, because it allows some of the geoduck's natural juices to be lost. It can also lightly boil the meat, which is not what you want with this clam. Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern's preferred way to clean a geoduck is to blacken the skin with a kitchen torch while holding the clam over a bowl to catch the drippings. Once the skin is black, you can pull it off. To remove the shell, slip a sharp knife just under the shell starting 1/4 inch from the top. Press against the hardest part of the meat to pry off the shell; repeat on the other side. Next, you should remove the geoduck's reproductive and digestive tract with that same knife, after which you can either throw them away or cook them in a soup. To finish your geoduck prep, give the now-naked clam a rinse in some cold water and you're ready to cook. How To Cook With Geoduck geoduck sashimi with wasabi - Bonchan/Getty Images As we have mentioned, one of the best ways to eat geoduck is raw, particularly in the form of sashimi. Sashimi is raw fish served in very thin slices, often accompanied by pickled ginger, radish, soy sauce, or wasabi. Geoduck is also quite tasty when it is very lightly sauteed, but the key is to only cook it for a minute or so, as the longer it cooks, the tougher it gets. This clam is ideal for dishes like Asian-inspired stir-fries with ingredients like fish sauce, garlic, and chilies, or in French-inspired dishes with browned butter and wine. Other geoduck recipe ideas include pan-fried fritters, which involve coating the meat with flour, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and spices before cooking, and geoduck ceviche, which is a dish in which raw fish is marinated in lemon or lime juice and served, salad-like, with tomatoes and peppers. Where To Buy Geoduck fresh geoduck at market - Ygolub/Getty Images Unless you live in an area where it is harvested, geoduck will most likely be impossible to find at your local supermarket. It is a delicacy and, as such, tends to be both pricey (ranging from $50 to over $100 for 1 to 1.75 pounds) and difficult to find. That being said, you can order geoduck online straight from the farms that produce it or from other seafood companies. In this case, it will usually be delivered live, so you must take the appropriate precautions and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it. It would also be a good idea to make sure that someone is at home to accept the package when it arrives - the geoduck won't crawl out and start taking a walk down the block, but it's not a great idea to let fresh, live seafood sit on your porch in the sun all afternoon. Purchase Pacific Northwest Live Geoduck from Fathom Seafood.Purchase Geoduck Clams from Hog Island Oyster Co.Purchase Live Geoduck from Regalis. Nutritional Information For Geoduck raw geoduck on ice - xiaoxiao9119/Shutterstock Geoduck is actually a very nutritious clam. In addition to being a great, interesting way to up your daily dose of protein, it is also jam-packed with vitamins and minerals. With just .5 grams of total fat per 100 grams (raw), it contains much less fat than other meat and seafood options and contains just 80 calories per serving. Fish like salmon, herring, and sardines, for example, are considered to be a lot higher in fat because they contain more than 10 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving. At 300 milligrams of sodium per 100 grams of geoduck, it is a bit high on the sodium count; the American Heart Association recommends limiting yourself to 1,500 milligrams total per day. In each 100-grams erving, geoduck also has 78 milligrams of calcium, 17 grams of protein, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, 44 milligrams of iron, and 9.1 grams of that all-essential vitamin B12. Varieties Of Geoduck geoducks in water - Jonathan Austin Daniels/Getty Images While you can find geoducks all along the West Coast from Canada to California, there is not enough variation between them to make anyone wonder if they belong to a different species. However, while there is an average size among all geoducks, their individual size and coloration can change based on where they live and what the water conditions are like. If a geoduck lives in a rockier substrate, for example, it could have a shell that is less smooth and contains chips, cracks, or other flaws. If it lives where the sediment is harder or more densely packed, it could have a darker-colored siphon or shell. Whether the geoduck is grown on a commercial farm or in the wild can also change how it looks, as can its age, its genetic makeup, how deep it has buried itself, and how deep the water around it is. Predators can also cause damage to the shell or siphon, which can give it a unique look as well. How To Store Geoduck geoduck in aquarium - ThamKC/Shutterstock When it comes to storing geoduck, there is one important thing to keep in mind: Most geoduck is sold live. This may make you think that storage will be very tricky, but in reality live geoducks can be safely kept in the refrigerator with no problems. To keep them fresh, wrap them in a damp (not dripping wet) towel and store them in the lower/colder part of the fridge. It is best to cook them fairly soon after you buy them, however, so it is not advisable to leave them there for more than a couple of days. After your geoduck is cooked, you can treat it like most other cooked seafood. To store it, place it in an airtight box or bag and put it in the refrigerator, where it can stay for around four days. Like other seafood, it is not a good idea to leave geoduck at room temperature for too long, so never let it sit out for more than two hours. Read the original article on Daily Meal. Etymology can tell us a lot about where everyday things come from. Whiskey is an interesting one because it doesn't resemble most other English words and it even has a unique pronunciation that is simultaneously harsh and lilted. That's because whiskey is the anglicized version of the Gaelic term "uisge beatha," which is itself a localization of the Latin "aqua vitae," both of which translate as "water of life." Alcohol is thousands of years old, but aqua vitae only became possible after distillation was invented. Some form of distillation had been known beforehand, but distillation as we know it today didn't start until the great Arab alchemist Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan designed the alembic pot still in the 8th century. It would be several hundred years before distilled alcohol was drunk for pleasure, but aqua vitae quickly became a medicinal staple throughout the Middle East and Europe. The first record of whiskey dates to the Scottish Exchequer Rolls of 1495, in which Friar John Cor ordered eight bolls of malt (a boll is four bushels) by order of King James IV to make aqua vitae. The inclusion of malt (shorthand for malted barley) is what gives away this important event as the first record of whiskey production. Aqua vitae was a generic term for all distilled spirits regardless of ingredients, so it's possible that some earlier reference to aqua vitae is actually referencing whiskey, but there's no way for us to know. The Scottish Exchequer Rolls account is unambiguous. Read more: 13 Liquors Your Home Bar Should Have A Glass Of Uisge Man in kilt drinking whiskey on hay bale - Sensorspot/Getty Images Aqua vitae made with malted barley grew out of the Gaelic countryside, though Ireland and Scotland both claim original ownership. The world may never know the truth of that detail, but the region as a whole is considered whiskey's birthplace. As we mentioned, Scottish Gaelic translated the Latin aqua vitae as uisge beatha. Through everyday speech, that was shortened to just uisge, which eventually morphed into the English word whiskey. Although the story of whiskey is unique to the Celtic region, it has a lot in common with the history of other spirits. As aqua vitae spread across Europe, each region drew from its agricultural industry to explore distillation. In France, wine was popular, and vineyards comprised a significant percentage of the farmland. It's no surprise then that brandy first came out of France since it often uses grapes as its base ingredient. In Scotland, medieval agriculture consisted of grains in no small part, including barley, rye, and wheat all of which can be used in whiskey distillation. Scottish Gaelic is a beautiful language that's still used today, though there are only around 60,000 people currently alive who can speak it. An indigenous language of Scotland, the Scottish government has taken several steps to support the use of Scottish Gaelic in modern life in the hopes that it will one day thrive again. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Few foods are held in such high esteem as steak. The idea of slicing into an expertly carved cut of meat that has been given a spectacular sear is enough to make your mouth water. However, before you get to grilling, you should know that all steak is not created equal. If you're attempting to choose the best cut of beef, and money is no object, one obvious option is Kobe beef, the world's most expensive steak. Kobe beef is considered the top tier of wagyu beef, a fatty meat that comes from Japanese cattle that have been specifically bred for flavor. The strict list of standards that a cut of steak must adhere to in order to be labeled Kobe makes it rather difficult to find in the United States. In fact, just a few thousand head of genuine Kobe cattle are bred and butchered every year, and only a fraction of this coveted meat is shipped to the United States. Read more: The 13 Best Steaks For Grilling What Is Kobe Beef? cattle eating in pens - Tong_stocker/Shutterstock Wagyu beef comes from a few specific breeds of cattle. One wagyu variety, Kobe beef, is even more rare. Only meat from one breed of cattle, Tajima-gyu, can be called Kobe, and basic biology won't suffice for this coveted classification. Kobe cattle are usually born and bred in a specific region of Japan: the Hyogo prefecture. On the five-point sliding scale of quality, the meat must be a four or higher to be considered Kobe. When placed on the 12-point scale, which judges marbling, Kobe must score over six. Kobe beef appears white when raw because of its incredible marbling, which gives the steak its signature richness. In 2010, the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle in Japan caused the United States to place a ban on wagyu beef. This total ban began to lift just a few years later, but it is still difficult to find real Kobe beef in the U.S. The relatively relaxed restrictions that American agencies have placed on food claims make it nearly impossible to discern what is and isn't the genuine article. Kobe beef, by definition, is raised in Japan, but even wagyu beef raised in the United States is crossbred with cattle that are better suited to North American climate conditions. Since the import restrictions were rolled back, many meat purveyors have begun to sell products that falsely bear a Kobe label. The Limitations Of Kobe Beef Shipment Worker beside hanging Kobe beef - Bloomberg/Getty Images The strict standards that Kobe beef must adhere to unquestionably contribute to its rarity in the U.S. Only 12 Kobe bulls are chosen for breeding every year, and the farmers that rear these coveted cattle must receive certification. While some wagyu cattle are bred in the U.S. (and this domestic wagyu beef has earned the USDA prime certification) bonafide Kobe beef still only comes from Japanese cattle. Of the several thousand Japanese cattle that stand up to scrutiny on an annual basis, only ten percent are ever shipped out of the country. There are just over 40 restaurants in the United States that have received the proper certification for selling authentic Kobe steaks, and only eight U.S. sources can even sell the beef to begin with. When you understand how rare it is for a head of cattle to qualify as Kobe and how strict limitations have been placed on the breeding of said cattle in order to ensure quality, it's easy to see why it is hard to come across in the United States. Read the original article on Daily Meal. Pete and Joe, mannequins placed in a boat by the New London Fish and Game Club, are used to document the annual ice-out on the Wolf River in New London. This year it occurred Feb. 9, the earliest date since ice-out monitoring began in the city in 1851. Is there any more dreary time of year than the stretch between January 1 and April 1? That's a rhetorical question, and the answer is no. So what do we do? We go nuts over the Super Bowl and pay attention to the Oscars. And here in Wisconsin and in other areas of the frigid Midwest, we gamify the weather and gamble on the outcome in the form of ice-out contests. If you live anywhere near a lake, chances are good there is some kind of contest in which you can make an educated guess as to when the ice will be completely gone. The following list of contests is incomplete, the product of very basic online searches. The problem with that is a lot of these contests are old-school, grassroots affairs, and their social media and other internet footprints remain small which makes them all the better in our books. Another caveat: In this, the winter that never was (at least so far) in much of the state, many traditional ice-out contests have been nixed because, well, there isn't enough ice to go out. Nonetheless, we list here contests that we found that were held in the past few years, but could not determine whether some are being held this year. If not, we hope they come back next winter. Ice-out dummies waiting for spring across Wisconsin Two of our favorite ice-out traditions include putting mannequins on the ice. The folks in the village of White Lake in eastern Langlade County put Iron Mike, a guy with a high-visibility vest and big old smile made with wood and metal, on White Lake. This contest was started in the 1950s, went on hiatus, and was started anew in 2015. Members of the New London Fish and Game Club put a couple of ersatz anglers, Pete and Joe, on the ice of the Wolf River, and keep track of when the ice melts enough to send the two downstream. It's been part of ice-out record-keeping that dates back to the 1850s. This year the two broke free earlier than ever before, on Feb. 9. Iron Mike stands out on the ice of frozen White Lake in northern Langlade County. Every year people enter an ice-out contest, making their best guess as to when the ice will melt and Mike will get dunked in the water. Waiting for cars to sink on Lake Menomin, Echo Lake A number of Wisconsin towns have contests or held them in the past that involve putting wrecks of cars on the ice and guessing when they will break through in the spring. The Menomonie Lions Club has put an old junker of a car on Lake Menomin since 1961, using the event as a fundraiser. (It is unclear whether this contest is being held this year, but it was held in 2023. It sank on April 9.) The Beaver Dam Police Department has used an old squad car or other junk vehicle for its ice out contest on Beaver Dam Lake. Again, a warm winter canceled the event this year. The Burlington Kiwanis Club has put a car on Echo Lake. In 2021, the car sank on the evening of March 10. This year, there's not enough ice to make it happen. Club members say they hope to get back on track next winter. Dunking a truck on Traxler Pond The Janesville Golden K Kiwanis normally puts a truck on Traxler Pond. Unfortunately, according to the event's Facebook page, it was too warm to hold the contest this year, so the contest will be held as a drawing. Maybe not as fun, but still a great way to raise money for community organizations in the late-winter doldrums. Keith Uhlig is a regional features reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin based in Wausau. Contact him at 715-845-0651 or kuhlig@gannett.com. Follow him at @UhligK on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram or on Facebook. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wisconsin ice-out contests include sinking cars, trucks, mannequins The children are believed to be Fares Bash, a seven-year-old-boy (far right), Joury Bash, a three-year-old girl (centre), and Mohammed Bash, a nine-month-old baby boy A Sudanese woman has been accused of murdering three children, including a nine-month-old baby boy, at a home in Bristol in the early hours of Saturday evening. The children are believed to be Fares Bash, a seven-year-old-boy, Joury Bash, a three-year-old girl, and Mohammed Bash, a nine-month-old baby boy. The 42-year-old woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is being held in custody in hospital, where she is recovering from non life-threatening injuries. Avon and Somerset Police said post-mortem examinations are expected to be finished by the end of the week. The alleged murder is an isolated incident with no further threat to the community, police said. It is understood that the woman and her husband had moved from Sudan to the UK around seven years ago. The woman is said to have been struggling with her mental health in the weeks beforehand, according to Sudanese friends, and had been in contact with social services. The eldest child is understood to have attended Sea Mills primary school, which temporarily closed its doors on Monday morning. Social media pictures show a joyful Fares dressed in traditional Sudanese clothing and giving a thumbs up to the camera. Joury can be seen smiling with friends in front of a cake. Fares Al Fil Bash, seven, gives a thumbs up to the camera Muhamed Alfil Bash was nine-months-old Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen, in a press conference outside the family home in the suburb of Sea Mills, confirmed that next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. She said: We have been humbled by the community response to this tragedy. At a time of great sadness and disbelief, weve seen spontaneous acts of care and support. Within hours of the incident occurring, a local church was opened up for people to gather and mourn. The death of such young children is a great shock to the whole community, and this incident has had a profound and deep impact on all of us in the police. A police tent photographed at the scene in Bristol - Lee Thomas Forensics at the scene - Lee Thomas The force confirmed that it has referred itself to the police watchdog because it had contact with the family earlier this month. Salwa Bashar, an NHS nurse and friend of the family, described the children as the most beautiful souls and said: Those children were very happy they were amazing. The oldest child, Fares, was a very smart bubbly boy. He was very friendly, he was very curious about everything. His attitude was like an adult. I just cant believe it. I dont even want to believe it. 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. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Munich, at the latters request, Azernews reports. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the Azerbaijani Leader on his victory in the election and wished him success in his activities. President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the congratulations and noted his satisfaction at receiving a congratulatory letter from Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting also involved discussions on bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed high appreciation for the humanitarian assistance provided by Azerbaijan to Ukraine. During the conversation, there was an exchange of views on cooperation in economic, trade, humanitarian, energy, and other fields between the two countries. On February 17-18, in the Russian capital of Moscow, the political leadership of the aggressor country held meetings related to the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison. Russia discussed methods to continue the purge of influential opposition figures. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Andriy Yusov, on his Facebook page. According to him, after Navalny's murder, meetings were held all weekend in the administration of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and in the Russian special services. They concerned further actions. In Western countries, many perceived Navalny as one of the central figures of the opposition to the Kremlin regime. Now, before the new presidential elections, the Russian regime is "looking for ways to counteract those political figures who expose the illegitimacy and insignificance of the reappointment of the Kremlin dictator." "In particular, the activities of Mikhail Khodorkovsky are being actively discussed, as he continues to represent a prominent political and media resource critical of the Russian war criminals' government," Yusov said. He did not elaborate on how the Ukrainian intelligence service obtained the information. ADVERTISIMENT Yusov added that the Russian Federation is discussing possible methods against oppositionists and other "active measures" abroad. As OBOZ.UA wrote, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a penal colony on February 16, allegedly had a chance to become a participant in an exchange between Russia and Germany. According to Bild, he could have been exchanged for Vadim Krasikov, a Kremlin agent sentenced to life in prison in Germany for the murder of former Chechen field commander Zelimkhan Khangoshvili. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The search for four fishermen missing off Floridas Gulf Coast has been suspended, the Coast Guard said. The search was called off at 8 p.m. Monday, pending any new information, the agency said in a statement. Boaters are asked to stay vigilant and report any information that may be to the Venice Police Department. Angel Hernandez Munoz, 38, Ruben Mora Sr., 54, Julio Cesar Cordero Briones, 37, and Vargas Parra, 35, set out from Venice at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday, police said in a Facebook post Sunday. The group was expected to return that night, according to a family member, police said. The seas were not too rough when the group of experienced fishermen set out, but a heavy fog descended that could have been a factor in their disappearance, police Capt. Andy Leisenring said at a Monday news conference. The weather worsened later Saturday. Going into overnight and into Sunday, the winds picked up, the seas picked up and of course its been raining most of that time, Leisenring said. The missing boat is a white, 23-foot SportCraft, Leisenring said. The fishermen did not leave a float plan which indicates the intended destination and timeframe of the trip with their families, so its unclear how far out the group went, the police captain said. The search began after a vehicle and boat trailer were found Sunday parked at the Marina Park Boat Ramp, from where the group set off. The Coast Guard search covered areas beyond 9 miles offshore and employed multiple vessels and aircraft while local law enforcement vessels searched from the shore to 9 miles out, police said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The number of EVs on the road is rising sharply, leading some officials to worry if local charging capacity can keep up. A frustrated New Hanover County Commissioner Rob Zapple shook his head. "I think this is a wonderful opportunity," he said of the proposal to require future developments with large parking lots built with a certain number of spaces designed to be future electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. "It's something that's good for the environment and shows that we're leading the way into the future." But the amendment proposal, with the stated goal of futureproofing development in the unincorporated county so that new sites would be EV ready, wasn't as popular with several other commissioners at a recent board meeting. "This seems premature," said Commissioner Dane Scalise, noting that less than 1% of registered vehicles in New Hanover County are EVs. Commissioner LeAnn Pierce said the idea was something that the county should encourage developers to do, but she felt uncomfortable forcing the private sector to embrace something the market may not want yet. Maybe years from now it's something we should look at," she said. "But right now, I dont think we need to require it. Public or private? Another unfunded government mandate or a change to get ahead of the inevitable shift from internal combustion to electric power? Nationally and locally, a debate is emerging about what role the public sector should play in helping, some would say pressuring, people to park their greenhouse-gas spewing vehicles for shiny, quiet and clean EVs. Politics also is getting sucked into the question over tailpipes, with Democrats seeing the increased adoption of EVs as a relatively easy and important step in battling climate change while Republicans push for the mandates to be scaled back so as not to hurt economic growth and place more financial burdens on residents and businesses. President Joe Biden has set a goal of having 50% of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030, while Democratic-controlled California intends to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. Closer to home, goals set by Gov. Roy Cooper, also a Democrat, include having 1.25 million electric vehicles on the state's roads by 2030, up from roughly 62,000 at the end of 2023, and proposed rules to get more electric trucks and busses on North Carolina highways starting in 2027. County/State EVs Hybrids Gas vehicles New Hanover 1,220 4,865 164,078 Brunswick 635 3,617 136,254 Pender 217 1,130 55,254 North Carolina 60,825 197,509 7,967,724 But former President Donald Trump has promised to reverse a lot of the Biden administration's EV initiatives if returned to the White House, and the GOP-controlled N.C. General Assembly included a provision in last year's state budget that bans the state from adopting the Advanced Clean Truck Rule (ACT), which would have required vehicle manufacturers to sell an increasing number of zero-emission trucks in the coming years. Legislators also raised taxes and other fees EV drivers must pay to cover their lack of gas tax payments. The public also is slowing down the pace of EV adoption, even as EV production and the associated supply chain ramps up and overall sale numbers are up although not enough to absorb the increasing number of EVs that are rolling off assembly lines and stem the red ink bleeding from many car companies' bottom lines. General Motors and Ford paused work on new EV factories, and Honda abandoned plans to build an affordable EV with GM. A price war started by Tesla has stabilized its sales, but has eaten into its profit margin and placed intense financial pressure on other EV-only companies like Rivian, Lucid and Fisker. Wilmington has installed public EV chargers in all of its downtown parking decks, including the charger in the Market Street deck seen here, to support visitors and offer folks a place to charge while at work. Making charging easier Environmentalists and clean air advocates, however, say the long-term prognosis for EVs is as bright as ever, and there were always going to be some bumps in the road when trying to make the biggest transportation revolution since Henry Ford started rolling his Model T off the assembly line more than a century ago. "We can see the future is electric," said Stan Cross, electric transportation director with Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. "If we don't start building and preparing for an electric future, were passing on a cost we dont need to pass on. Still, hurdles remain to be cleared. One is price. So far, early EV adopters have been fairly well-off drivers who were willing to fork out lots of cash for a "green" vehicle, and manufacturers eagerly pursued that market. But those prices are dropping as more car companies start rolling out EVs, and Chinese manufacturers are making a strong push with huge support from Beijing to make affordable electric cars. The average price of an EV in the U.S. was about $53,000 in 2023, according to Kelley Blue Book, down from more than $61,000 in 2022. The other is charging, or more precisely the lack of access to a convenient plug. Federal and state governments, along with some private companies, are working hard to roll out publicly accessible chargers along major highways and in areas frequented by the driving public, like parking decks and commercial centers. But the vast majority of charging is still done at home or at work and that's where the plug shortage can be a major concern, especially if you don't live in a single-family home or somewhere that has a garage or driveway where a personal charger can be installed. An EV charger sits ready to use at the Hawthorne at the Station apartment complex off Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington. Some apartment complexes in the region have added EV chargers to their parking lots as an amenity to attract potential renters. Easy and cost effective Based loosely on EV policies adopted by Apex, New Hanover County planning officials proposed that 20-30% of parking spaces depending on the type of development in new parking lots of 25 or more spaces be built with the conduits pre-installed for possible future conversion to a charging station, with a cap of 15 electric vehicle-ready spaces per development. County officials stressed this amendment, which staff has been working on for more than a year and was approved by the county planning board, did not mean that charging stations would have to be installed at the time of construction, only that the spaces be ready for conversion if and when demand warranted it. "This amendment is intended to make it as easy and cost effective for property owners to install EV charging stations in the future when it becomes feasible and/or necessary," the proposal states. "There is general agreement that a large number of EV charging stations will be needed in the future, but there is not a clear picture of how many that will need to be." Wilmington also is looking at possibly tweaking its existing EV charging ordinance, which require 2% of parking spaces to be EV-ready and 2% to be fully outfitted with charging stations. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the Wilmington area had 24 public fast chargers and 26 slower, Level 2 public chargers as of early 2023. With New Hanover's EV numbers expected to grow by more than 200% by 2026, and that doesn't include tourists driving their EVs to the region, officials say it's obvious more capacity is needed. But the business community has pushed back against the proposal, noting that even the energy department says the private sector is keeping up the demand for charging stations. They also say the market will add more if chargers are seen as a must to attract customers and business, similar to what free Wi-Fi has become in recent years. Several Wilmington businesses, like Mayfaire Town Center in Wilmington, have already added EV charging stations to meet customer demand. But some officials are worried the private sector won't be able to keep up with growing demand, especially from residents of multi-use housing projects. Recent projects that echo that sentiment are new chargers at Smithfield's Chicken restaurants in Ogden and Leland and Lowes Foods in Murrayville, which opened a 12-plug Tesla Supercharger station last summer. "These stations are about making that usage convenient, whether a person is on their way to the beach or a typical shopping trip near home," Lowes spokesperson Kelly Davis said last year. "The stations allow our guests to charge their EVs in a safe and clean environment while they are in our store or a nearby shop or restaurant." Several apartment complexes, where chargers are nearly universally in short supply, also are adding plugs to appeal to green-minded renters. GETTING A CHARGE WITH YOUR FOOD: A new Tesla charging station is coming to Wilmington. Here's where and why. EV chargers in the parking lot of Home 2 Suites hotel near the intersection of Market Street and Eastwood Road. Some businesses see chargers as a way of attracting business and catering to the growing number of EV drivers on the road. 'Something best left to the private sector' At last month's commissioners' meeting, County Planning Director Rebekah Roth said one of staff's concerns was that what makes business sense isn't the same as meeting the community's needs, especially when it comes to where public chargers are located and where the need is the greatest. But Commissioner Scalise said a smart developer would recognize an underserved market and move to fill in the gap if demand warranted it. He added that county policies also should make sense for all taxpayers and residents, not just the minute number who happen to own EVs. "In my estimation, this is something best left to the private sector," Scalise said. Among those who spoke out against the proposal was John Hinnant, vice president of Eastern Carolinas Commercial Real Estate and a commissioner candidate in this fall's election. He said offering incentives, such as additional density, to get developers to add more EV-ready spaces might be a better path forward. Youre carrying a stick when you probably need a carrot, Hinnant told the board. In the end, the commissioners decided to table a vote until June to allow staff to work with city planners to potentially coordinate rules and gauge sentiment among local residents and the business community. Will there be enough EV chargers, like this Duke Energy Park & Plug station in the parking lot of the Piggly Wiggly in Leland, to meet future demand. It's a question local officials across North Carolina and in the Cape Fear region are grapping with. Staying ahead of the curve North Carolina has recently been a mixed bag when it comes to adapting to the rising impacts from climate change and a changing economy, which is largely about saving energy and reducing emissions. A push by state Rep. Deb Butler, D-Wilmington, to have all new homes pre-wired in the form of a 240-volt circuit in garages for an electric car charger has gone nowhere, and the Republican-led legislature recently rejected changes to the state building code that would make new homes more energy efficient on cost grounds, even though the additional upfront costs would easily be covered over time by lower energy bills for property owners. To many clean energy advocates, state regulators also are dragging their heels in making Duke Energy embrace more "green" energy choices like wind and solar as it looks to replace its remaining dirty coal-fired power plants. The utility giant has proposed adding new natural gas-powered plants, which it says offer a more reliable power source, as it looks to meet law-mandated reductions in the state's energy carbon footprint by 70% from 2005 levels in the coming years and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Environmentalists say that's just another fossil fuel source that will emit greenhouse gasses and lock North Carolina ratepayers into expensive payments for decades to come. But the state has been aggressive in courting the businesses that will help countries, states and cities with their "green" transition away from fossil fuels, including offering incentives to help land a $600-million electric vehicle battery plant in Brunswick County. The factory by Indian-based Epsilon Advanced Materials is expected to employ around 500 when it is up and running in 2026. CHARGING FORWARD: Emerging global leader in electric-vehicle manufacturing invests in Brunswick County Will Scott is Environmental Defense Fund's director for Climate and Clean Energy Southeast. He said prudent planning and investments by local governments, such as working to build an EV-ready community, could pay huge dividends down the road. "Vehicle electrification is coming and cities that do the work of preparing for it now will have an advantage on those that adapt their infrastructure and standards later on," Scott said. Cross echoed the sentiment, saying that communities that are caught lagging as the electric revolution continues to pick up steam risk missing out on growth and economic opportunities. Like Scott, he also noted that there has never been a better time for businesses and individuals to invest in EV infrastructure or vehicles with the federal government and even some states offering tax credits and other funding programs to help with costs. Its the role of local governments to look to the future, and making sure future parking lots are EV-ready is a simple thing to achieve and allows you to stay ahead of the curve," Cross said. An EV charging station at Station apartments, in Leland, N.C. Monday Feb. 5, 2024. Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Should New Hanover require EV-ready parking spots in new projects? The George Washington Bridge is more than just a painful bottleneck for Yankees fans returning home after a Sunday matinee or a cudgel for sparring politicians; it is also a towering symbol of the economic power of the relationship between New York and New Jersey. That relationship and its vitality to both sides of the Hudson is why Garden State elected officials have reacted with such acidity to the pending congestion pricing plan being imposed upon us by New York. In his initial reaction to the plan, Gov. Phil Murphy said, Placing an unjustified financial burden on New Jersey commuters is wrong, and subsequent litigation has expanded on those arguments, convincingly arguing that counties like Bergen will be severely burdened and not receive any benefits from the plan. Today the George Washington Bridge is the most traversed bridge in the world, with 100 million vehicles crossing each year. Can New Jersey bear price increases for shipping and freight? This is important litigation that will have its day in court bolstered by support from non-New York City elected officials across the river and officials on both sides of the aisle. But even this appropriately aggressive activity fails to capture why this plan is so bad for New Jersey: It will significantly alter how freight is delivered in the region, causing prices to increase for everyone. In other words, if allowed to move forward, this plan abandons the economic cooperation that has made our region such an economic powerhouse. It is simply a lose-lose proposal. As it stands, trucking companies will pay $24 for a small truck and $36 for a large truck per trip, while passenger vehicles will pay a $15 fee on all vehicle traffic below 60th Street in Manhattan a congestion zone that includes the mouths of both the Lincoln and Holland tunnels and the MTA projects that many drivers will divert their routes to the GW instead, adding even more congestion to the bridge on a regular basis. And thats where a lot of the trouble starts for trucking and logistics companies that are already dealing with the worst truck bottleneck in the nation. A congestion pricing scanner is shown above the north-bound side of Broadway, between West 60th and 61st St. in Manhattan, Thursday, November 2, 2023 Increased traffic on the GW is a massive disruption to our operations and will delay deliveries throughout New Jersey, the Hudson Valley and New York City even though most of the delivery zones serviced are outside of the congestion area. From Morris County to Rockland County, any disruption in one community takes its toll across the region. Even minimal disruptions can have huge snowball effects. When two of the three access lanes to the bridge in Fort Lee were closed for four days in September 2013, it added 2,800 vehicle hours of delay in the region and some commutes soared from 30 minutes to four hours. Though the situations are wildly different, it shows how interconnected our transportation system is. Trucks are largely left to their own in these scenarios. Most passenger vehicle traffic is discretionary and allows for some route, timing and arrival choice. No such discretion exists for trucking companies. They deliver freight to specific locations at specific times that cannot be adjusted outside the zone. Existing logistics infrastructure, including fueling stations and warehouses, are in fixed locations. In other words, they have almost no choice but to absorb hard costs in the form of fees and the soft costs of increased traffic delays that affect the number of possible deliveries in one day. Port Authority chief: We deserve a new Midtown Bus Terminal worthy of the people of NJ, NY Opinion: Commuters over corporations: We must fund NJ Transit by ending this corporate tax cut Congestion pricing will hurt commerce, traffic This is just the tip of the spear. The impact of congestion pricing on the hundreds of trucking companies in the region will be severe. It will hurt the industrys ability to invest in green technology to reduce emissions, hamper payroll flexibility and delay shipments. And since nearly everyone in the region relies on trucking for good transport, all will feel those impacts.Many fixes are possible, including pricing parity for trucks with passenger vehicles and restricting the number of times a truck can be charged for entering the zone to once per day. But they will not have a whisper of hope without support from New Jerseys lawmakers, who have thus far fought the good fight against congestion pricing. That is good news for all of us. But to win the longer war and not just the short-term battle, they should expand their strategy to center on the logistical backbone of the region and, in the process, show they will protect the pockets of consumers on both sides of the Hudson River. Kendra Hems is the president of the Trucking Association of New York, whose membership includes New Jersey-based logistics companies. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Congestion pricing: NJ will be hurt by shipping cost increases Tuesday marks the beginning of a busy political year in North Texas. It's the day early voting starts for the March 5 political party primaries. Earlty voting in party primaries in Texas begins Tuesday. Wichita Falls voters will see one notable change Home Depot, always the most popular early voting location -- has opted out. The Martin Luther King Center has been added. Early voting will run through March 1. Here are the early voting locations and times in Wichita County: Courthouse, 900 Seventh St. Feb. 20- 23: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Feb. 24: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Feb. 25: 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 26 March 1: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Martin Luther King Center, 1100 Smith St. Feb. 20 -23: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Feb. 24: 7 a.m. 7 p.m. Feb. 25: 1 p.m. 7 p.m. Feb. 26 March 1: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Sikes Senter, 3111 Midwestern Parkway Feb. 20 23: 10 a.m. 7 p.m. Feb. 24: 7 a.m. 7 p.m. Feb. 25: 1 p.m. 7 p.m. Feb. 26 March 1: 10 a.m. 7 p.m. Commissioner Pct 2, 102 W. College, Burkburnett Feb. 20 23: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Feb. 24: 7 a.m. 7 p.m. Feb. 25: 1 p.m. 7 p.m. Feb. 26 March 1: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Tax Office Substation, 400 N. Wall St., Iowa Park Feb. 20 23: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Feb. 24: 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Feb. 25: 1 p.m. 5 p.m. Feb. 26 March 1: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Commissioner Pct. 4., 2023 SH 25 N, Electra Feb. 20-23: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Feb. 24: 7 a.m. 7 p.m. Feb. 25: 1 p.m. 7 p.m. Feb. 26 March 1: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Any registered voter in Wichita County may vote at any early voting location. Wichita County has just one contested county race in the primaries, which is on the Republican side. Incumbent Commissioner Barry Mahler is challenged by Iowa Park resident Bradley Wynn. Of special interest to the region is the race for a nominee for the 30th state senate seat. More: Border security, school vouchers and WF economy dominate state senate candidates' forum The 30th District contains a portion of Wichita County that includes Wichita Falls, however, all of the candidates for the state senate seat are from the Denton area. The Republicans are: Carrie De Moor, physician Cody Clark, business operator Jace Yarbrough, attorney Brent Hagenbuch, business operator The Democrats are: Matthew McGehee, mechanic Dale Frey, business operator Michael Braxton, pastor Republican incumbent Drew Springer chose not to run for re-election. Eight Republican candidates for president are on the Wichita County ballot, including frontrunners Donald Trump and Nikki Haley. Ron DeSantis and Chris Christies names are on the ballot although both have suspended their campaigns. GOP Sen. Ted Cruz is challenged for the partys nomination by R.E. Lopez and Holland Gibson. Although top statewide offices such as governor are not up for election this year, voters will choose offices ranging from Railroad Commissioner to various judicial seats. Democratic voters will find seven candidates opposing President Joe Biden and nine candidates hoping to oppose Cruz. There are no contested countywide Democratic races. Republican primary voters will find 13 propositions on their ballots which are opinion samplings and are non-binding. Results of the primary elections will set the stage for the general election on Nov. 5, which in Texas will feature races ranging from president to city councils and school boards. This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Early voting starts Tuesday: Here's where to go The European Union on Monday signed off officially on a naval mission to protect international ships in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemens Houthi rebels. In a post on X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday said she welcomed the EU-led mission, which has been dubbed Aspides the ancient Greek word for shield. "Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, working alongside our international partners," von der Leyen wrote. "Beyond crisis response, it's a step towards a stronger European presence at sea to protect our European interests." 'Common defence' Italian top diplomat Antonio Tajani confirmed the launch during a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, calling it "an important step towards common European defence". The mission hopes to put down increased attacks by Yemen's Houthis, who have been launching missile and drone strikes in the vital shipping corridor. It will involve sending three European warships and airborne early warning systems to the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters. The overall commander will be Greek, while the lead officer in operational control at sea will be Italian, an EU official said Friday, adding the bloc aimed to have the mission up and running in a "few weeks". So far France, Germany, Italy, and Belgium have said they plan to contribute ships. Read more on RFI English Read also: French shipping company denies attack by Yemeni Houthis in Red Sea France joins 10-nation coalition against Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes French warship in Red Sea targeted by drones launched from Yemen TechCrunch Mobility is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation. Sign up here just click TechCrunch Mobility to receive the newsletter every weekend in your inbox. Subscribe for free. Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. This week's news includes a BMW security lapse that exposed sensitive information, blowback from a federal agency over an anti-Tesla Super Bowl ad and a new federal investigation into Fisker. But first, some words about my recent visit to Detroit, where I met with a few Ford executives to find out what they're focused on for 2024 and beyond. It's safe to say that Chinese EV automakers and Tesla are top of mind; and in the view of Ford execs, a low-cost EV and cutting-edge software are the best ways to thwart those threats. The company's EV skunkworks project, which recently came to light, is charged with that task. Ford CFO John Lawler didn't mince words during an interview at the company's headquarters. "We have to assume that eventually they'll be here," Lawler said. "China has been looking for its global champion for decades. They couldn't get there with a traditional gas vehicle; they saw the writing on the wall as early as 2010 that electric was the way to go and they have subsidized and focused on that since then." Lawler said Chinese automakers are now competitive. Now armed with production capacity and "fantastic" designs, China is pushing into other regions. "It's not a short stakes game; it's long," Lawler said. "So everybody's thinking about the next couple of years, they're thinking about the next 25, 30 years. They're not gonna sweat what's happening right now. They'll keep building their footprint and building their brands up, keep building their technology and building out the advanced development of their vehicles, and eventually, there won't be any stopping it." China and Tesla aren't the only concerns taking up their collective gray matter. Ford CEO Jim Farley is also intent on clawing back $2 billion in cost savings across the company's industrial system. A big part of that is improving the quality of new vehicles which are directly tied to warranty costs and was a point he emphasized during a recent interview at Wolfe Research's Global Auto and Auto Tech Conference in New York. Let's go! A little bird blinky cat bird green A little bird pointed us to a recent filing regarding Faraday Future that got our attention. For the unfamiliar, Faraday Future is an EV startup that went public in 2021 via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company. Once upon a time, Faraday Future was about as buzzy as a startup could get. But years of internal drama, a revolving door of executives and federal investigations has the company hanging on the end of its financial threads. Now it appears the company is at risk of losing its LA headquarters. The company's landlord filed a lawsuit seeking to repossess the commercial space after Faraday Future failed to pay rent. The current bill is close to $1 million. Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or Sean O'Kane sean.okane@techcrunch.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, click here to contact us, which includes SecureDrop (instructions here) and various encrypted messaging apps. Deal of the week money the station No deal of the week! Instead, here's a list of deals that got my attention. Celadyne, a hydrogen fuel cell startup, raised $4.5 million in a seed round was co-led by Maniv and Dynamo Ventures, with major participation from EPS Ventures. Revel, the Brooklyn-based startup initially known for its fleet of rentable blue electric mopeds, is reportedly trying to raise $200 million in equity, Bloomberg reported. The company shutdown its shared moped business in November and is now trying to build out electric ride-hailing and EV fast-charging businesses. Roam, a Kenyan EV startup, has raised $24 million in a Series A round, including up to $10 million debt commitment from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. Equator, an Africa-focused climate tech VC fund, led the round At One Ventures, TES Ventures, Renew Capital, the World We Want and One Small Planet also participated. Skylo Technologies, a direct-to-device satellite connectivity service provider, raised $37 million in a round co-led by Intel Capital and Innovation Endeavors and joined by BMW i Ventures, Samsung Catalyst Fund, Seraphim Space, and Next47. Velocys, a startup developing sustainable aviation fuel, raised $40 million from Carbon Direct Capital, Lightrock, GenZero and Kibo Investments. Notable reads and other tidbits ADAS GM is expanding access to Super Cruise, with plans to let drivers use the hands-free advanced driver-assistance system on about 750,000 miles of roads in the United States and Canada. The expansion will nearly double the automaker's Super Cruise network by 2025 and includes rural and minor highways. The National Transportation Safety Board ordered the Dawn Project organization to stop using its seal after it appeared in a Super Bowl ad that called for consumers to boycott Tesla. Autonomous vehicles Cruise named Steve Kenner, an autonomous vehicle industry veteran who has held top safety roles at Kodiak, Locomation, Aurora and Uber's now-defunct self-driving division, as its first "chief safety officer." My take: This is a position that Cruise should have had years ago. Meanwhile, Cruise lost another key employee. Carl Jenkins, head of hardware at Cruise, resigned from the company. May Mobility laid off 40 people, or about 13% of its staff. San Francisco Giants are swapping out the Cruise robotaxi uniform patch for a less controversial one that advertises Chevrolet, another GM brand. Waymo voluntarily recalled the software that powers its robotaxi fleet after two vehicles crashed into the same towed pickup truck in Phoenix, Arizona, in December. It's the company's first recall. As reporter Sean O'Kane notes, the recall comes at a time when self-driving cars are facing intense scrutiny following a series of high-profile crashes and controversies, including this week when a crowd of people in San Francisco swarmed, vandalized and torched a Waymo robotaxi. Electric vehicles, charging & batteries EVs had a white-hot 2023 but data in December shows sales are cooling, Automotive News reported. New EV registrations rose 52% in 2023 over the previous year, according to data from S&P Global Mobility. EVs now have 7.7% of the U.S. light-vehicle market, up from 5.7% a year earlier. Lucid Motors dropped the price of its luxury Air sedan by thousands of dollars. Lucid also got the attention of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this week. The regulators opened an investigation into a Lucid windshield defroster recall from January, saying it's "concerned" the company's over-the-air update solution doesn't go far enough to fix the problem. Is the NHTSA starting to push back against OTAs? The NHTSA opened a second investigation into EV startup Fisker's Ocean SUV, after the agency received four complaints about the vehicle rolling away unexpectedly, resulting in one injury. Fisker also received a noncompliance notice from the New York Stock Exchange because its stocks closed under $1 for the past 30 days, according to a regulatory filing. Stellantis, the parent company of brands like Jeep and Chrysler, announced it will adopt Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS). Stellantis is the last major Western automaker to announce compatibility with NACS. Ride-hailing and ride-sharing HopSkipDrive, the youth ride-share startup, beat two new key California emissions standards in 2023, an accomplishment the company believes will bolster its case for relying more on shared passenger vehicles to get kids and teens to and from school. This week's wheels ford blue cruise Image Credits: Kirsten Korosec During my short trip to Michigan, I used a 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E to drive to various meetings in Dearborn and Detroit. (The press car came courtesy of Ford.) My primary interest was in BlueCruise, the hands-free active driver-assistance system. I had a lot of time to test it out thanks to a number of 20- to 30-mile commutes, most of which were on highways. I was testing the BlueCruise 1.3 version, which accelerates or brakes to maintain a selected following distance from a vehicle ahead, keeps the vehicle centered in the lane and steers. When the driver hits the turn signal, the vehicle will change lanes. It also will make a suggestion to pass if traffic is slow. What I liked: It's simple to engage BlueCruise and crystal clear when the system is handling the driving. The passing is crisp and vehicle doesn't ping pong within the lane, which is common in other systems. My one picky critique is that the word "ready" is illuminated in green in the instrument cluster right below BlueCruise, when it is engaged (see photo). That "ready" has nothing to do with BlueCruise and is instead meant to let the EV driver know their vehicle is ready to drive. I'm sure drivers will get used to it, but I could also see it causing some confusion. A feature I loved: I could take over the steering and BlueCruise would remain engaged. I know that in some circles this is frowned upon because the driver might get confused. However, I loath how often I accidentally disengage other systems like Tesla's Autopilot by moving the steering wheel just a skosh too much. Geert Wilders, who has faced accusations of being soft on Vladimir Putin, wants to stop Dutch military aid to Ukraine - Sem van der Wal/AFP Geert Wilders, the anti-immigration party leader in pole position to be the next Dutch prime minister, said on Monday that the Netherlands was Europes fool for accepting too many Ukrainian refugees. The hard-Right nationalist won a shock landslide victory in the Dutch general election three months ago but has so far failed to form a coalition government. Ukrainians are coming to the Netherlands in droves, not because of the war but for free housing, free care and our jobs, he said on social media. Once again, we are Europes fool. Mr Wilders, who has faced accusations of being soft on Vladimir Putin, wants to stop Dutch military aid to Ukraine, arguing that the Netherlands needs weapons to defend itself. More than 100,000 refugees have arrived in the Netherlands, which has a population of about 18 million, since Putins invasion of Ukraine two years ago. Ukrainian refugees queue for buses destined for the Netherlands in March 2022 - Alex Chan Tsz Yuk/SOPA Images Under a temporary EU protection mechanism, Ukrainian refugees have the right to travel through, live and work in any member state until at least March 2025. Mr Wilderss comments come as the UK Government announced an extension for Ukrainian refugees in Britain. Ukraine Visa Scheme holders will be able to apply to stay for another 18 months with the same rights to work, benefits, healthcare and education. The Dutch Donald Trump triumphed after an anti-migrant campaign focused on closed borders and zero asylum seekers. His failure to form a new Dutch government is partly because of his Freedom Partys stance on Ukraine. His now-ditched manifesto pledge to ban the Koran and continued support for a Brexit-style referendum on leaving the EU also remain problematic for his potential coalition allies. Mark Rutte, the outgoing prime minister, said this weekend that Dutch support for Ukraine was guaranteed for the long term and claimed Mr Wilders would not be able to find any coalition partner willing to support his aim of cutting it. Sharon Dijksma, the Utrecht mayor, and Jaap Donker, the security director, at a centre accommodating Ukrainian refugees - ANP/Alamy Mr Wilderss outburst on social media was in response to a newspaper article that quoted the Dutch central registration facility for Ukrainian refugees as saying it was reaching capacity. A local official said this was mainly because of an influx of Ukrainian men coming from other EU member states in search of a job, medical care or to reunite with family. Mr Wilders was criticised for wearing a Russian friendship pin during a visit to Russia in 2018. The visit came after the illegal annexation of Crimea and the downing of the MH17 passenger flight from Amsterdam by Kremlin-controlled forces. A total of 198 Dutch nationals died. In the first parliamentary debate after his election victory, Mr Wilders was described in December as someone who is friends with dictators and proud of it but responded: I completely distance myself from everything Putin has done. 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. GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley reiterated her call to ban TikTok on Sunday, citing privacy concerns with the social media app after President Bidens campaign joined earlier this month. During a Fox News town hall with America Reports co-anchor John Roberts, Haley took aim at TikTok for being incredibly dangerous and said the U.S. should have banned it from the start. When asked if Republicans should join TikTok to engage with younger voters after Bidens campaign posted on the platform for the first time during the Super Bowl, Haley criticized the app and jabbed former President Trump for not banning it. Well, President Trump said he would ban TikTok, and then when President Xi asked him not to, that fell to the wayside, she said during the town hall. And even if it is helpful in elections, I think that the tone at the top and the leadership of what you show matters, she added. If I were to go and jump on TikTok or Republicans were to jump on TikTok, thats not showing anyone why they shouldnt be on it. Haley has been vocal about supporting a TikTok ban, clashing with former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in a debate last year when he mentioned her daughter when talking about social media regulation. During Sundays town hall, she went on to claim China can look at a users personal information, like phone contacts and finances, from TikTok. They can impact what you see. And they can impact what you hear. That is the dangerous part of TikTok. And India has banned it. You had Nepal just banned it because it was causing social disruption, she said. America cant be the last country to ban TikTok. Lets end it now and stop it so it doesnt hurt our children any further, she continued. When reached for comment on Haleys remarks, a spokesperson for the former presidents campaign accused Haley, who previously served as Trumps ambassador to the United Nations, of being a puppet of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The spokesperson also said that Haley has bowed down to Beijing throughout her career. The Biden campaigns decision to join TikTok sparked bipartisan pushback because many critics have expressed national security concerns about the platform. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), the chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), urged Biden to reverse course on joining TikTok last week. Many state governments and the federal government have banned TikTok from government devices over security concerns. A spokesperson for Bidens campaign told The Hill the campaign is taking safety precautions and has implemented security protocols around its decision to join TikTok. The spokesperson also noted that the presence on TikTok is independent from the review being conducted by The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) into the platform The Hill has reached out to TikTok for comment. Updated at 2:26 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. It appears Des Moines is no match for several Midwest cities when it comes to quality of life, at least according to one report. U.S. News & World Report released its Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in the U.S. list for 2023-2024 and crowned several cities in the Midwest. Although no cities in Iowa made the list, Iowans shouldnt feel too left out. Des Moines ranked 19 on U.S. News & World Reports 2023 Best Places to Live list. The 25 cities on the quality of life list were judged by residents satisfaction with their daily lives in the metro area, crime rates, quality of education and several other factors, according to the list. What are the best places to live near Iowa? View of the city and University of Michigan central campus from the 18th tee box at University of Michigan Golf Course in Ann Arbor on Friday, July 15, 2022. Ann Arbor, Michigan, took the No. 1 spot on the list, with a quality of life score of 7.9. It offers residents rural and urban to outdoorsy and high-tech, according to U.S. News, in addition to low crime rates, a diverse job market, a robust public parks system and more. Its also the home of the University of Michigan. Other Midwestern cities that make the list are: Grand Rapids, Michigan , quality of life score: 7.2 Madison, Wisconsin , quality of life score: 7.4 Green Bay, Wisconsin, quality of life score: 7.3 What are the best places to live in the U.S.? The Boston skyline as seen from Squantum Point Park in Quincy on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023 Are you looking to move beyond the Midwest? Or are you crossing your fingers for some hometown bragging rights? Here are the other cities on the list, including cities in California, New York, Florida, North Carolina and more. Boulder, Colorado San Jose, California Portland, Maine Boston, Massachusetts Hartford, Connecticut Rochester, New York Trenton, New Jersey Boise, Idaho Washington, D.C. Raleigh & Durham, North Carolina Fort Collins, Colorado Worcester, Massachusetts Albany, New York Naples, Florida Syracuse, New York Manchester, New Hampshire Lancaster, Pennsylvania New Haven, Connecticut Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky Providence, Rhode Island New York City, New York How did these cities make the list? U.S. News calculates quality of life scores using a weighted average, which are determined by surveying people in America to see what is more important to them. U.S. News quality of life index takes into account crime rates, quality of education, well-being, commute time, quality and availability of health care, air quality and an areas risk to natural hazards. Data is pulled from the FBIs Uniform Crime Reports, the U.S. News Best High School rankings, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, FEMA National Risk Index and more. How close was Des Moines to making the list? The Des Moines skyline seen from Thomas Beck Road, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. The U.S. News & World Reports 2023 Best Places to Live list included Iowas capital city. It scored 6.8 for quality of life. New York City, which received the final spot on the quality of life list had a score of 7.0. The pros of living in Des Moines, according to U.S. News, include the cost of living, a busy downtown and some of the nicest people youll ever meet, the Des Moines Register reported last year. Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Best places to live in the U.S. list skips Iowa, includes Midwest WSDOT's project to remove barriers for fish in Purdy Creek include the construction to build two 206-foot-long bridge structures to replace a 40-year-old culvert under SR 16. PURDY Highway 16 between Port Orchard and Gig Harbor will be detoured during overnight closures for two days later this week, due to Washington State Department of Transportation's project replacing a 40-year-old culvert with bridges. All eastbound lanes toward Gig Harbor and one westbound lane toward Port Orchard will close near the Purdy exit between 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, to 7 a.m. on Saturday Feb. 24, and then from 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, to 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, according to WSDOT. All eastbound lanes of Highway 16 will close at the Highway 302 exit and those driving east would detour via the Purdy Drive exit. The westbound lane of Highway 16 will reduce to one lane from 144th Street Northwest to the Highway 302 on-ramp, WSDOT said. "Travelers are encouraged to add at least 10 minutes of travel time to get through the detour," according to the state agency. Workers will use these time to set support beams for a new bridge, WSDOT said. The construction that requires the road closure in late February is part of WSDOT's project to remove barriers and improve habitat and passage for fish in Purdy Creek. The contractor crews worked for the agency will deliver and place six concrete bridge girders each more than 200 feet long as the backbone of a new 206-foot-long bridge. The bridge will replace an outdated culvert under the highway. WSDOT completed the westbound bridge late last summer, the agency said. "The size of the concrete bridge girders and the equipment needed to place them require closing all eastbound lanes. The left westbound lane will also close so the trucks carrying the girders can access the work zone," according to WSDOT. Purdy Creek is home to many types of fish, include juvenile Chinook, Coho salmon, Chum salmon, adult and juvenile steelhead, coastal cutthroat trout and sculpin, according to WSDOT. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct an incorrect reference in a headline. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Highway 16 near Purdy temporarily closing overnight for culvert project In January 2024, a four-year-old girl named Zara from the Czech Republic was recognized as the youngest child to climb Mount Everest. However, it turned out that this record was set on October 25 by two-year-old Carter Dallas from the United Kingdom. Together with his parents, he went on a year-long trip to Asia, during which he conquered a point over 5,300 meters above sea level on the back of his father Ross in the company of his 31-year-old mother Jade. ADVERTISIMENT The Glasgow-based trio had been carefully preparing for their year-long trip to Asia, including Carter. They all regularly took ice baths and practiced special breathing techniques. The boy who "climbed" the highest mountain in the world was reported by the Daily Mail. Ross Dallas, 35, a former senior sales manager, spoke about his hike with his son and wife: "Carter did better than me and his mom. We both had mild altitude sickness, but he was perfectly fine! There were two doctors in the villages before the base camp and they took his blood to make sure he was okay, his results were much better than ours - they were amazed! We bought food backpacks and two sleeping bags for the trip, basically we did it on a whim. 24 hours after we landed in Kathmandu, we set off on the trek." ADVERTISIMENT The adults walked up the mountain in their everyday sneakers, and Carter was strapped to his father's back. At an altitude of 5300 meters, they stopped at the base camp on Mount Everest. Ross and Jade are known to have rented out their home in Scotland and bought three one-way tickets for a year-long trip in August 2023. Together with their son, they first flew to India, then visited Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and in between, they returned to India. Later, the family traveled to Nepal and then went to Malaysia for a wedding. ADVERTISIMENT Next on the itinerary was Singapore, where the Dallas celebrated Carters' birthday at Universal Studios. They spent Christmas in Penang before crossing the border into Thailand, and celebrated New Year's Eve on the Thai island of Koh Lanta. The family is currently in the jungles of Thailand's Khao Sok Nature Reserve, and their next stop is Bangkok, followed by Cambodia. Ross says that Carter has gotten to know different cultures and he loves it. His father shared: "Carter will say 'savadika' and 'namaste' - he's picking up the lingo. We love that he has gotten to know different cultures and plays with all the children in the small villages, it broadens his horizons. His favorite part is hearing the Islamic call to prayer! Carter has also developed a taste for exotic foods, and he enjoys eating fish curry in the Maldives, chicken legs in Malaysia, and even crocodile legs. But his favorite dish is Thai Pad Thai noodles. ADVERTISIMENT Ross says the highlights of the trip were visiting an elephant orphanage and swimming with them, as well as visiting the Taj Mahal and swimming with sharks in the Maldives. "We hope we can inspire other people to get out and see the real world. It's much better than just going to Tenerife," Ross added. As a reminder, four-year-old Zara from the Czech Republic climbed to an altitude of 5,300 meters above sea level without any assistance. At the time, she was 4 years and 5 months old. To learn more about the previous record holder and how she managed to overcome such a height on her own. TOPSHOT - Jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny is seen on a screen via a video link from the IK-3 penal colony above the Arctic circle during a hearing of his complaint on restrictions placed on which books and reading material he can access in prison, at the Supreme Court in Moscow on January 11, 2024. (Photo by Vera Savina / AFP) (Photo by VERA SAVINA/AFP via Getty Images) BERLIN Confined to cold, concrete cells and often alone with his books, Alexei Navalny sought solace in letters. To one acquaintance, he wrote in July that no one could understand Russian prison life without having been here, adding in his deadpan humor: But theres no need to be here. If theyre told to feed you caviar tomorrow, theyll feed you caviar, Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, wrote to the same acquaintance, Ilia Krasilshchik, in August. If theyre told to strangle you in your cell, theyll strangle you. Many details about his last months as well as the circumstances of his death, which the Russian authorities announced on Friday remain unknown; even the whereabouts of his body are unclear. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Navalnys aides have said little as they process the loss. But his final months of life are detailed in previous statements from him and his aides, his appearances in court, interviews with people close to him and excerpts from private letters that several friends, including Krasilshchik, shared with The New York Times. The letters reveal the depth of the ambition, resolve and curiosity of a leader who galvanized the opposition to President Vladimir Putin and who, supporters hope, will live on as a unifying symbol of their resistance. They also show how Navalny with a healthy ego and incessant confidence that what he was doing was right struggled to stay connected to the outside world. Even as brutal prison conditions took their toll on his body he was often denied medical and dental treatment there was no hint that Navalny had lost his clarity of mind, his writings show. He boasted of reading 44 books in English in a year and was methodically preparing for the future: refining his agenda, studying political memoirs, arguing with journalists, dispensing career advice to friends and opining on viral social media posts that his team sent him. In his public messages, Navalny, who was 47 when he died, called his jailing since January 2021 his space voyage. By last fall, he was more alone than ever, forced to spend much of his time in solitary confinement and left without three of his lawyers, who were arrested for participation in an extremist group. Still, he kept up with current events. To a friend, Russian photographer Evgeny Feldman, Navalny confided that the electoral agenda of former U.S. President Donald Trump looked really scary. Trump will become president should President Joe Bidens health suffer, Navalny wrote from his high-security prison cell. Doesnt this obvious thing concern the Democrats? A Public Life Navalny was able to send hundreds of handwritten letters, thanks to the curious digitalization of the Russian prison system, a relic of a brief burst of liberal reform in the middle of Putins 24-year rule. Through a website, people could write to him for 40 cents a page and receive scans of his responses, typically a week or two after he sent them, and after they passed through a censor. Navalny also communicated with the outside world through his lawyers, who held up documents against the window separating them after they were barred from passing papers. At one point, Navalny reported in 2022, prison officials covered the window in foil. Then there were his frequent court hearings on new criminal cases brought by the state to extend his imprisonment, or on complaints that Navalny filed about his treatment. Navalny told Krasilshchik, a media entrepreneur now in exile in Berlin, that he enjoyed those hearings, despite the rubber-stamp nature of Russias judicial system. They distract you and help the time pass faster, he wrote. In addition, they provide excitement and a sense of struggle and pursuit. The court appearances also provided him an opportunity to show his contempt for the system. In July, at the conclusion of a trial that resulted in another 19-year sentence, Navalny told the judge and officers in the courtroom they were crazy. You have one, God-given life, and this is what you choose to spend it on? he said, according to text of the speech published by his team. In one of his last hearings, by video link in January, Navalny argued for the right to longer meal breaks to consume the two mugs of boiling water and two pieces of disgusting bread to which he was entitled. The appeal was rejected; indeed, throughout his imprisonment, Navalny seemed to savor food vicariously through others, according to interviews. He told Krasilshchik that he preferred doner kebabs to falafel in Berlin and took an interest in the Indian food that Feldman tried in New York. The court also dismissed his complaint about his prisons solitary punishment cells, in which Navalny spent some 300 days. The cells were usually cold, damp and poorly ventilated 7-feet-by-10-feet concrete spaces. But Navalny was protesting something different: Inmates ordered to spend time in those cells were allowed only one book. I want to have 10 books in my cell, he told the court. Books Sustained Him Books appeared to be at the center of Navalnys prison life, all the way until his death. In a letter in April 2023 to Krasilshchik, Navalny explained that he preferred to be reading 10 books simultaneously and switch between them. He said he came to love memoirs: For some reason I always despised them. But theyre actually amazing. He was frequently soliciting reading recommendations, but also dispensed them. Describing prison life to Krasilshchik in a July letter, he recommended nine books on the subject, including a 1,012-page, three-volume set by Soviet dissident Anatoly Marchenko. Navalny added in that letter that he had reread One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, the searing Alexander Solzhenitsyn novel about Josef Stalins gulag. Having survived a hunger strike and gone months in the state of I want to eat, Navalny said he only now started to grasp the depravity of the Soviet-era labor camps. You start to realize the degree of horror, he wrote. Around the same time, Navalny was also reading about modern Russia. Mikhail Fishman, a liberal Russian journalist and television host now working in exile from Amsterdam, heard from a Navalny aide that the opposition leader had read his new book about the assassinated opposition figure Boris Nemtsov. Fishman said he was told that Navalny liked the book, but that he viewed it as too favorable to Boris Yeltsin, the former Russian president. Fishman wrote to Navalny to push back, arguing, among other things, that Yeltsin hated the KGB, the feared Soviet secret police that quashed dissent. Navalny responded that he was particularly outraged by that claim. Prison, investigation and trial are the same now as in the books of Soviet dissidents, Navalny wrote, insisting that Putins predecessor had failed to change the Soviet system. This is what I cannot forgive Yeltsin for. But Navalny also thanked Fishman for offering some details about his life in Amsterdam. Everyone usually thinks that I really need pathetic and heartbreaking words, he wrote in an excerpt that Fishman shared with the Times. But I really miss the daily grind news about life, food, salaries, gossip. Kerry Kennedy, a human rights activist and the daughter of Democratic politician Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968, also exchanged letters with Navalny. He told her that he had cried two or three times while reading a book about her father recommended by a friend, according to a copy of a letter, handwritten in English, that Kennedy posted on Instagram after Navalny died. Navalny thanked Kennedy for sending him a poster with a quote from her fathers speech about how a ripple of hope, multiplied a million times, can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. I hope one day Ill be able to hang it on the wall of my office, Navalny wrote. Staying Connected The friend who recommended the Kennedy book was Feldman, the Russian photographer who covered Navalnys attempt to run for president in 2018. Feldman, now in exile in Latvia, said he sent at least 37 letters to Navalny since his 2021 arrest and received replies to almost all of them. I really like your letters, Navalny wrote in the last message that Feldman received, dated Dec. 3, excerpts from which he shared with the Times. Theyve got everything I like to discuss: food, politics, elections, scandalous topics and ethnicity issues. The latter, Feldman said, was a reference to their exchanges on antisemitism and the Israel-Hamas war. Navalny also described his newfound appreciation for actor Matthew Perry, who died in October; though he had never watched Friends, Navalny was moved by an obituary he read in The Economist. The December letter ended with Navalnys thoughts on a preoccupation he shared with Feldman American politics. After warning of a potential Trump presidency, Navalny concluded with a query: Please name one current politician you admire. Three days after Navalny sent that letter, he disappeared. During a frantic, 20-day search, Navalnys exiled allies said they sent more than 600 requests to prisons and other government agencies. On Dec. 25, Navalnys spokesperson declared he had been found in a remote Arctic prison known as Polar Wolf. Im your new Santa Claus, Navalny posted on social media the next day, after his lawyer visited him. I dont say Ho-ho-ho, but I say Oh-oh-oh when I look out the window, where there is night, then evening and then night again. In the Arctic Navalny said in the post that he was taken on a circuitous route through the Ural Mountains to his new prison, which was classified as a harsher special regime facility. Even on that journey, Navalny was reading books. He wrote to journalist Sergei Parkhomenko that by the time he arrived at Polar Wolf he had read all that he was able to bring with him, and was forced to choose from the classics in his new prison library: Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky or Chekhov. Who couldve told me that Chekhov is the most depressing Russian writer? Navalny wrote in a letter that Parkhomenko shared on Facebook. Parkhomenko said he received the letter on Feb. 13. Unlike Navalnys previous letters, it was handwritten on simple, squared notebook paper and forwarded to him as a photograph by Yulia Navalnaya, Navalnys wife. Polar Wolf didnt allow the electronic letter-writing service offered by his previous prison. It had become clear that the Kremlin was intent on silencing Navalny. The lawyers who had represented him for most of his time behind bars were in jail, while letters and visitors would take longer to reach him in his new prison. Navalnys mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, flew to the Arctic after the announcement of his death and, on Saturday, received an official notice that he had died at 2:17 p.m. the prior day. Navalnys legacy will live on, friends and allies say, in part through his writings in prison. Feldman said that Navalnys legal team told him that the opposition leader had responded to at least some of the letters Feldman sent in recent weeks. Honestly, I think about this with horror, Feldman said. If the censors let them through, Ill be getting letters from him for the next several months. Krasilshchik, the media entrepreneur, said he was left to ruminate on the last letter he received, in September. Navalny concluded it by positing that if South Korea and Taiwan were able to make the transition from dictatorship to democracy, then perhaps Russia could, too. Hope. Ive got no problem with it, Navalny wrote. He signed off: Keep writing! A. c.2024 The New York Times Company For the Israeli settler movement, Hamass bloody October 7 incursion presented an opportunity. Barely two months into the Israel Defense Forces scouring of the Gaza Strip, the inner core of the movement gathered in a hall in the port town of Ashdod. They did not wear yellow ribbons, the color of solidarity with the hostages, and did not devote themselves to prayers for the hostages return. They wore orange and prayed for a different restoration: a reconquest of Gaza, the expansion of the Greater Land of Israel, and the dispossession of an entire people. The Ashdod meeting, on November 22, foreshadowed an orgy of incitement at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem on January 28a coming-out shindig for a revived front that binds together settler matriarch Daniella Weisss group, Nachala; the dregs of the old terrorist underground, in the form of convicted (though pardoned) militant Uzi Sharbag; mainline Likudniks; and the semi-fascist Jewish Power and Religious Zionist parties. The garish T-shirts, the fridge magnets, the jubilant bouncing all hailed an emboldened attitude: that the populace of Gaza should not be treated as a peoplewith the bare functional minimum of rightsbut as an obstacle to be crudely trampled. While their immediate motives might be bloodlust or free real estate, the political goal is to make their ascendancy and power permanent. This is our final opportunity to rebuild and expand the land of Israel, the Likud Minister Haim Katz warned. Political will is aligning with real possibility, and the air is thick with the plague-smell of postwar planning. None of it includes the Palestinians. For example. On January 10, Yinon Magalwho was once in the same hard-right party as Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and fantasized on air about machine-gunning fellow journalists like Rocky (he meant Rambo)shared a proposal and petition supposedly compiled by residents of the Gaza Envelope, the protective circle of towns Hamas pierced in October. Under this scheme, Palestinian territory would be compressed to two tiny, separate districts around Khan Younis and Deir Al Balah, the rest of the Strip ringed by a kilometer-thick military zone, the northernmost districts given over to an industrial park and a seaside boardwalk. Beach strolls for Jews; ghettos for the rest. That the accompanying petition has barely scraped 3,000 signatures does not matter; its authors act to please God, not the electorate. Foreign Minister Israel Katz, meanwhile, used valuable time in front of Europes top diplomats not to endorse an enduring political settlement but to pitch a Gulf Statestyle boondoggle: an artificial island dredged from the Gazan coast as a commercial hub for trade. Of what use an offshore port would be to a people without a home, Katz did not care to explainnor did he seem to appreciate the coastline was not his to develop. (The European Union apparatchiks who had to sit through this video presentation were perplexeddiplomat-speak for extremely pissed off.) Roughly two million Palestinians remain in Gaza. Their existence is daily becoming more tortured and desperate, but they are still large enough as a mass to seriously stall the settlers return. There are plans for that too. The Intelligence Ministry, which offers nonbinding advice to the Israeli government, suggested in a policy document (just five days after the Hamas offensive) that the entire population be expelled to a sterile zone in the Sinai Desert. Parallel propaganda efforts would make it clear that there is no hope of returning. The Misgav Institutea right-wing think tank linked to Likudpublished a similar proposal for the forced transfer of the entire population. Apparently the tiny messianist group Build Israel somehow managed to put its own paper in front of American lawmakersincluding AIPAC ally Joe Wilson, a Republican congressman from South Carolinasuggesting that foreign aid to countries like Iraq and Turkey be made conditional on their accepting thousands of Palestinian refugees. In a statement accompanying the plan, the plotters said these would be the correct, moral and humane avenues for the relocation of the Gazan population. At all points it is taken for granted that fewer Palestiniansnot counting those already slainwill live in their homeland once the Israelis are through with them. To call this moral and humane or a voluntary migration smells of preemptive self-defence against the shackles of international law. But you can trust the settlers and their allies to say what others wouldnt dare. At the Jerusalem conference in January, Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi described exactly and clearly what they mean: Voluntary, Karhi explained, is a state you impose [on someone] until they give their consent. If Benjamin Netanyahu had proposed any concrete plans for Gazas future, there would be room for fewer wild annihilatory schemes from others. He has not. No doubt when the government does unveil its proposal, it will contain the cruelty so openly displayed elsewhere, simply sheathed in the salving language of appeasement and reasonableness. It is in this gap that the settler movement operates. Netanyahu left us an opening, Daniella Weiss said in January. He invites this pressure. And it is from Weiss and her close colleague Yossi Dagan, the West Bank overlord, that the real threat comes. When they publish their maps, pins carefully placed on Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Rafah, their intent is backed by decades of experience as the deniable, unofficial, paramilitary arm of Israels nation-building project. In one of the governments few clear statements of postwar intent, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, freshly censured by the International Court of Justice, said Israel would not reoccupy Gaza. Promises like these, of course, are made to be broken; he also insisted on military freedom of operationa security regime very much like that in the West Bank, which makes life hellish for Palestinians and emboldens the settlers who supplant them. The clearance of Palestinians from their homes and farms in Judea and Samaria usually begins with the designation of territory as survey land, state land, closed military zones, or firing zonescategories approved by the courts and enforced by the army. In a morbid sense, this typical faux-legal process has already been achieved in Gaza by dumb bombs and dynamite, no orders or writs required. Any buffer region or defense line ringing the postwar Strip is precisely the zone coveted by settlers as the incubator for a new phase of reconquista, reapplying their methods and training from around Jenin and Hebron onto a pulverised and deracinated land flushed of its people. Here they can run up their outposts and blockhouses, to be followed by walled enclaves, and create a fait accompli: a network of exurbs and garrison towns laced with critical infrastructure like highways, water treatment plants, and power lines the police and the army have no choice but to defend. Bullshit, said the ex-Mossad chief Tamir Pardo in response to the conferences subtitle, Settlement Brings Security. They dont defend us, he said, we have to defend them. Which is precisely the point. The IDF is a backstop. Kitted out with state-issued rifles, the settlers live for the chance to provoke confrontations that are the pretext for the seizure of yet more land, yet more blood. Continuous, systematic violence meted out by settlers, BTselem has said, is part of Israels official policy, driving massive takeover of Palestinian farmland and pastureland. It is apt indeed for our neoliberal ageand an ironic inversion of Israels tech start-up economythat the leading edge of the states brutality should be outsourced, as the academic Tareq Baconi puts it, to its colonial pioneers. Such a method is not a breakdown of the states monopoly on violence; it is the delegation of that violence to enforcers on the frontier. The settlers have anointed themselves sentinels of the borderlands, both the lookouts and vanguard of the state even as they rebel, with God-given arrogance, against the nation they hope to enlarge. The settlers political wing is much more visible and potent than it was in 2005, when troops were sent in to clear settlements like Gush Katif as part of the Sharon governments disengagement from Gaza. In the Knesset, usual suspects like Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir are aided in their attempt to amend the Disengagement Law to allow free movement of Israelis in Gaza by several mainline Likudniks. Ben-Gvir, meanwhile, is just as content pulling a handgun on protesters as he is threatening to withdraw his Jewish Power Party from the emergency government and collapse Netanyahus coalition. Types like these are not a dissident strain; they are the spokesmen of an ideology encultured in the settlements now circling back and entering the mainstream. Present at the January conference: almost half of the governing coalition and five sitting ministers. Nevertheless, were told to pay no heed to the cranks and lunatics. Theyre just charlatans, these settlers, noisy but inconsequential; worry not, and listen to the adults in the room. Israel is not about to rebuild any settlements in the Gaza Strip, said the Israeli journalist Anshel Pfeffer, leading light of the liberal and secular school; the polls dont support them, anywayas if opinion polling (or democracy) mattered to people who want to hasten the dawn of Judgement Day. Meanwhile, American officials aver that they are very troubled by settler threats and unequivocal in their opposition to them, which is to saynot that bothered. The Biden administration thought about sanctioning Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Instead, it kicked that can very hard down a dark path. It is little comfort to know that every one of these bullish statements made by a settler-minister will end up on the charge sheet of The Hague, evidence of Israels breach of the provisional order not to incite genocide. The settlers continue to act as if international and domestic law were as relevant as Palestinian lives. In their two-front war against the secularity of the Israeli state and against Palestinian nationhood, they are plotting for a speedy end, as Bezalel Smotrich put it in his deranged Decisive Plan, published in 2017: a cap on the phase of conflict management that has seen Netanyahu forestall self-determination efforts for decades at the price of instability, and a complete closure on the possibility of a just settlement. Full Israeli sovereignty, Smotrich demands. Any solution must be based on cutting off the ambition to realize the Arab national hope between the Jordan and the Mediterranean. Talk of solutions implying the eradication or displacement of a people brings up the nastiest of historical memories, and it is verging on tasteless to stick final in front of that term. But when Smotrich and the settlers say they want this state of affairs to be irreversible, it is difficult to think of anything else. Former Republican conference chair Liz Cheney has argued that former president Donald Trump has created the Putin wing of the Republican Party, a section backing the Russian president. Ms Cheney, 57, was on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday warning of the Putin wing possibly coming back to the White House in the form of former president Donald Trump. She slammed the ex-president for his recent comments saying that he wouldnt protect Nato countries who dont pay their fair share, recounting how he told a fellow world leader that he would urge Russia to do whatever the hell they want. Ms Cheney also criticised Mr Trump for his silence after the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a Siberian prison camp. I think that we have to take Donald Trump very seriously, Ms Cheney said. We have to take seriously the extent to which you have now got a Putin wing of the Republican Party. I believe the issue this election cycle is making sure the Putin wing of the Republican Party does not take over the West Wing of the White House, she added. Speaking to anchor Jake Tapper, Ms Cheney said: Donald Trump, as you pointed out, said just a few days ago that he had told a Nato ally that he would encourage [Russian President Vladimir Putin] to do whatever he needed to do, whatever he wanted to do. Hes basically made clear that under a Trump administration, the United States is unlikely to keep its Nato commitments. And I think that Republicans who understand the importance of the national security situation who continue to support him are similarly going to be held to account, she added. Calling Mr Trumps comments on Nato disgraceful, Ms Cheney said, I cant imagine any other American president of either party since the establishment of Nato saying such a thing. And its completely uninformed and ignorant and dangerous. When you think about Donald Trump, for example, pledging retribution, what Vladimir Putin did to Navalny is what retribution looks like in a country where the leader is not subject to the rule of law, she noted. She also tore into speaker Mike Johnson over the Republican leaders refusal to put supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel up for a vote in the House. Its widely thought that, with support from many centre-left Democrats and some progressives, the legislation passed with bipartisan support last week in the Senate would pass the lower chamber. But speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring the legislation to the floor, citing the demand from right-wing members of his caucus for border security to be addressed before the House passes further funding for other national security priorities. That position has infuriated Republicans in the Senate, especially since the same faction of the House GOP is responsible for walking away from a bipartisan deal reached on border security by Senate negotiators. Ms Cheney implored Mr Johnson to find his conscience and bring the legislation up for a vote as Ukraines military situation begins to look increasingly desperate. The White House this week directly blamed Congresss inaction for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from a city that they had been defending from a Russian advance for months. Addressing CNNs Jake Tapper on Sunday, she said: One thing thats really important, Jake, for the viewers to recognise and understand is, one man, one man has the power to get that done. And thats Mike Johnson. Former Republican Congresswoman @Liz_Cheney calls out @SpeakerJohnson for blocking Ukraine aid: Mike Johnson ought to search his conscience and not go down the path of cowardice and doing what Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin want him to do. pic.twitter.com/7NneB9f7hh State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) February 18, 2024 Mike Johnson ought to search deep in his conscience, understanding exactly whats happening, the slaughter thats happening, she said. History will look back on this moment, and ask: What did Mike Johnson do? His current resistance to bringing the legislation up for a vote, Ms Cheney continued, was the path of cowardice and doing what Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin want him to do. The rhetoric was strong, but not particularly surprising to hear from Ms Cheney, who is no longer a member of the House of Representatives after being ousted in a primary election due to her opposition to Donald Trump in 2022. She has since remained one of Mr Trump and the right wings most vocal critics among the national GOP. Ms Cheney soared to prominence in that regard after agreeing to serve as vice chair of the select committee formed to investigate the January 6 attack on Congress. Just one other Republican, former Rep Adam Kinzinger, served on the panel after then-minority leader Kevin McCarthy pulled his support from the investigation in the course of his journey to mend ties with Donald Trump. The supplemental legislation passed by the Senate for Ukraine and Israel aid is controversial with the wings of both parties. Left-leaning Democrats oppose the legislations funding for Israels military given the ongoing bloody siege of Gaza. Hardline Republicans, meanwhile, oppose further aid to Ukraines military. President Joe Biden has pledged to sign the legislation if it reaches his desk. The White House has gone to a full-court press against congressional Republicans, seizing on the image of dysfunction and chaos plaguing the lower chamber, which has now ousted one speaker after less than a year in office and ground to a halt due to GOP infighting. Complicating the issue for Mr Johnson is that despite grumblings about the rule change and its complicity in the downfall of Kevin McCarthy, the speaker of the House can still be ousted by a discharge petition brought by just one member. His party holds just a two-vote majority in the chamber, meaning just a pair of GOP rebels could bring down his speakership with the support of a unified Democratic caucus. The Mississippi House Judiciary B Committee moved forward a bill on Thursday to establish a Purple Alert system for missing people with cognitive disabilities. Currently, Mississippi has only Amber Alerts and Silver Alerts, which report missing children, adults and elderly people. State Rep. Fabian Nelson, D-Hinds County, presented the bill to the committee. Currently right now there is nothing to protect our people who are suffering from cognitive disorders, Nelson said. The bill, which will now be considered by the full House, would allow local law enforcement agencies to announce through the statewide Amber Alert system that someone with cognitive disabilities has gone missing and provide details of their condition and last known whereabouts. Mississippi House of Representatives Judiciary B Committee member Fabian Nelson, D-Jackson. Amber Alerts, which were established in Mississippi in the 2000s, are controlled by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, a division of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. When someone goes missing, local law enforcement can use the system to alert the public to a missing person, along with a description. Look at lawmakers' effort for suffrage MS lawmakers working to give voting rights to ex-cons: "It's just frustrating" Silver Alerts were added to the states alert program in 2010 and are for elderly people and those with Alzheimer's and dementia. In 2023, the United States Office of Justice Programs, which tracks missing persons alerts, reported that more than 1,186 children were successfully retrieved after Amber Alerts were issued, and another 165 were recovered because of separate reporting systems. Nelson told the Clarion Ledger following the committee meeting that he and bill author, Rep. Clay Mansell, R-Hinds County, saw the need for the additional alert because of instances when law enforcement and people out looking for a missing person were not aware of a persons cognitive disability, which made helping those people more difficult. By disclosing if a missing person has a cognitive disability, it can help those looking for them to know how to best approach and help them, Nelson said. The proposed alert would not require any additional infrastructure or cost anything to implement at MDPS, Nelson said. It's not going to take additional resources. It's not going to take additional staffing, and we already have systems in place, Nelson said. This is ultimately going to be hitting the Purple Alert button instead of a Silver one. Read about Tate Reeves support for Texas Reeves thinks the border issues are just as relevant in Mississippi as in Texas. See why The only other state to have already implemented a Purple Alert system is Florida, which creates the system in 2022. It would be awesome to have Mississippi being the second state, and since this bill has been authored, other states are now looking at this and considering it as well, Nelson said. Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: What is Purple Alert? MS House Committee passes bill Police officials in Monroe County are building a network of surveillance cameras that could grant them access to live video feeds inside schools, local businesses and some neighborhoods. The Monroe County Sheriffs Office has partnered with the camera integration platform Fusus for an initiative theyre calling "Connect Monroe County." They said that it will enhance public safety, but community discussions about privacy ramifications have been lacking. The software will pull real-time footage from thousands of different private camera systems across the county and store it in a cloud-based server that law enforcement officers can access on their cellphones and laptops. The Democrat and Chronicle is examining police surveillance efforts in western New York as part of a new investigative project called "Eyes on Us." If schools and corner stores soon sign onto the Fusus network, that means police could have eyes on your child while on the playground at recess or watch you walk down the street to buy milk. At least 150 blue light cameras are hung from posts throughout Rochester. This one on South Clinton Avenue faces businesses in the area. The Rochester Police Department uses live video feeds from the cameras to keep eyes on certain areas of the city. The sheriff's office said they don't plan to monitor everyday civilian activity. They said they will only access the video feeds when responding to 911 calls, investigating a crime, or in place of "special attention" details, where police already heighten patrols of shopping centers and public streets following suspicious activity. "This gives us more resources to provide a faster, more focused, safer response to crisis and emergency services," said Sgt. Greg Wildman. At least one local college and fire department have already started testing their security cameras with the program, he said. Fusus raises privacy concerns across country Privacy watchdogs have been raising concerns about Fusus for years, saying it dramatically increases police surveillance power and that there are still questions about how use of the software is regulated. One might hope that in the face of a completely new type of surveillance system we might have laws and policies in place, but we dont, said Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, a law professor at American University who studies big data policing. An interactive map shows from one American city's police department how the Fusus system is used for tracking real-time crime investigations at the South Bend Police Headquarters in 2022. Can they use it to watch First Amendment protected activities? Can they watch abortion clinics? Substance abuse clinics? Journalists who ask nosy questions about policing? Without laws, it means police can watch everything or anything in a rather generalized and arbitrary way. Right now, schools and businesses can choose whether to share their video feeds with police. Wildman stressed that signing up for the program is voluntary in Monroe County. But a year after the Rialto Police Department in California launched a similar partnership, officials there made it mandatory for new or remodeled commercial and industrial buildings to register with the network and hand their live video feeds to police stoking fears of mission creep in privacy and technology experts. More than 100 police agencies and cities across the nation have partnered with Fusus, according to a new database by 404 Media. The Monroe County Sheriffs Office is the only New York police agency on that list though researchers said the data may not be complete. However, the program will live inside Monroe County's new Regional Investigative Operations Center, meaning multiple local police agencies will eventually gain access to the network. Wildman said while they get the program off the ground, only MCSO supervisors and RIOC analysts have direct access to the real-time footage. He said they will share the data with other local police departments as needed, and plan to train and extend access to MCSO deputies in the spring. The next phase will include other local police departments. Wildman said the program did not require approval from the Monroe County Legislature and the software will cost the agency $125,000 per year. MCSO signed a three-year contract with Fusus. Read Deeper: See all the police surveillance tools used in your city What is Fusus and how does it work? The Fusus program has two levels: Registration and integration. Residents can register their home security cameras on a Monroe County Sheriffs Office database. Registering your camera will not give police access to your live video stream, but Wildman said it helps them know where security cameras are located when they are investigating a crime. Investigators can then contact the registered resident and request access to look at footage from a specific time frame. More: Ring bars police from seeking user doorbell footage; minimal impact here, police say A second tier called integration allows schools and businesses to grant MCSO direct access to their camera feeds. Integration requires the camera owner to purchase a fususCORE device that plugs into their security system and transmits the footage back to MCSO. This device can cost between $300 to several thousands, with yearly subscription fees, depending on how many cameras it will service. MCSO says the camera owners can choose when and how police can access their real-time video feeds. In one example on the Connect Monroe County website, a business can choose to only activate the live stream when they press a panic button on a smartphone app, indicating there is an emergency happening. It is not the intention or expectation that Partners cameras will be routinely monitored in real-time by Agency, reads a terms and conditions agreement on the website. A second user agreement shared with the Democrat and Chronicle listed the following reasons police might access the video feed: Following a 911 call involving law enforcement, fire service or emergency medical services; To train authorized users of Fusus; In demonstrations showing the capabilities, purpose and mission of RIOC; To conduct surveillance in ongoing criminal investigations or in preparation of public safety events; To conduct "special attention" details of retail, public and commercial areas. Wildman said users can request an audit to see how often and why police accessed their footage through Fusus. Can real-time crime centers balance privacy and public safety? Fusus sells itself as a way to build an ecosystem of public safety. It has built-in artificial intelligence that can rapidly search and analyze video for things like weapons, cars and backpacks. The company said it does not use facial recognition technology, but the system can interface with other controversial surveillance platforms like license plate readers and predictive policing software. Wildman said the technology will help first responders approach emergencies with more information. Lets say, worst case scenario, you have an active shooter at a school, he said. We can pull up that schools cameras right away before the cops are even there and start looking for things Where did the bad guy park his car? How many bad guys are there? Crime analysts and intelligence workers at the Monroe Crime Analysis Center, inside Rochester's Public Safety Building, send local police real-time information about crime and emergencies. Here, several screens display live video feeds from a system of blue light cameras placed around the city. Fire departments and EMS could also use the technology to canvass public streets during severe weather events, like the deadly Buffalo blizzard in 2022, Wildman said. He described special attention details as routine police work, where an officer or deputy might temporarily ramp up patrols of a certain area following a homicide or when looking for a missing child from that neighborhood. Police will occasionally check the camera feeds for the same reason, he said, but don't plan to keep watch like a 24/7 security system. "Without that cause, then we're not going to (check the cameras)," Wildman said. What do privacy advocates say about Fusus? Privacy advocates said such examples prey on the communitys fear, using horrific hypotheticals to justify increased surveillance, when the technology will more likely be used to prosecute petty crimes like shoplifting. Is the potential benefit in the case of an emergency situation worth the cost of 24/7 surveillance? said Ferguson, the law professor. 99.9% of the footage will be of innocent people living their lives under increased government surveillance. And they worry it could influence how different communities are policed. Dave Maass, director of investigations at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said if only high-end retailers hand over their cameras, police might end up spending more resources tracking down thefts of Rolex watches than anything else. Or, he said, a network of surveillance cameras in certain neighborhoods could lead to increased monitoring of people living in poverty or communities of color. Daniel Schwarz, a senior privacy and technology analyst with the NYCLU, said after reviewing the Connect Monroe County website, he believes the community needs more information about how their video footage would be stored or used including if Fusus has access to shared footage for its own needs. The small start-up was recently acquired by the police technology giant Axon, priming Fusus to expand its reach and surveillance capabilities. Wildman said more information will be available on the Connect Monroe County website soon. What's next for Fusus in Monroe County? The Democrat and Chronicle has asked for contracts, training documents and internal policies that govern what Fusus will look like in Monroe County. Some of those materials are still being developed, Wildman said. While the initiative is still in its early stages, Wildman said MCSO will be building its Fusus network very, very aggressively. Since it launched last month, there are 63 cameras registered and 142 cameras integrated into the program. The Atlanta Police Department, which has one of the largest Fusus networks according to the 404 Media database, has access to over 18,000 integrated cameras. And that number is growing daily. The Democrat and Chronicle is examining police surveillance efforts in western New York as part of a new investigative project called "Eyes on Us." Do you have questions about Fusus or police surveillance? Email us at kcanne@gannett.com and we might answer them in an upcoming series of stories. Kayla Canne reports on community justice and safety efforts for the Democrat and Chronicle. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com or on Twitter @kaylacanne. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Police surveillance in Monroe County heightened with new Fusus tool Alexei Navalnys widow Yulia has accused Vladimir Putin of poisoning her husband with novichok and hiding his body until traces of the nerve agent are unable to be detected. In a powerful video address, her voice cracking with emotion at points, Yulia Navalnaya vowed soon to expose those she believes are responsible for her husbands death and pledged to continue her husbands work fighting back against the iron grip Mr Putin has had on Russia for more than two decades. She called on Russians to rally behind her, to share not only the grief and endless pain that has enveloped and gripped us, but also my rage following the death of the Russian presidents most prominent critic. Calling Putin and the Russian authorities cowardly, Ms Navalnaya spoke with anger about what had taken place: My husband was unbreakable. And thats precisely why Putin killed him. Shamefully, cowardly, without ever daring to look him in the eye or just say his name. And just as shamefully and cowardly, they are now hiding his body, not showing it to his mother, not giving it back, and pathetically lying and waiting for traces of another Putin novichok to disappear. We know exactly why Putin killed Alexei three days ago, Ms Navalnaya said. We will tell you about it soon. We will definitely find out who exactly carried out this crime, and how exactly. We will name the names and show the faces. Navalny was given life-saving treatment in Germany in 2020 after he was poisoned with novichok. He blamed the Kremlin for that attack. It was the same nerve agent that had been used to target the former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury in 2018. Navalny returned to Russia in 2021 following his treatment and was immediately arrested. He faced multiple charges that his supporters and much of the international community believed were trumped up in an effort to silence him. He was serving his latest sentence, of 19 years, in an Arctic penal colony having been moved there late last year. He had kept up the pressure on the Kremlin from inside jail, ahead of a presidential election due to take place in March. There is little doubt that Mr Putin will be re-elected, but Ms Navalnaya said that the work to change Russia must go on. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, with his wife Yulia, right, daughter Daria, and son Zakha in 2019 (AP) I want to live in a free Russia, I want to build a free Russia, Ms Navalnaya said in her video message, which was titled I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny. By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me half of my heart and half of my soul. But I still have the other half, and it tells me that I have no right to give up, she said. I urge you to stand next to me, said Ms Navalnaya, who last saw her husband in person two years ago. All these years I have been by Alexeis side... But today I want to be by your side, because I know that you have lost as much as I have. Ms Navalnaya lives in an undisclosed location outside Russia, aiming to protect the two children she shared with her late husband. She has not said whether she is considering returning to Russia, where prosecution would likely await. Putin killed the father of my children. Putin took away the most precious thing I had, the closest person to me, and the person I loved most in the world, she said. It is still unclear what exactly has happened to Navalnys body. Hours after the video address by Ms Navalnaya, Navalnys spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, said Russian investigators had told his family and his lawyers that they would not release his body for at least two more weeks. Some kind of chemical examination will be conducted with it for another 14 days, Ms Yarmysh said. Navalnys mother, Lyudmila, and his lawyer visited the morgue in Salekhard, the capital of the Arctic Yamalo-Nenets region, on Saturday and were told it was closed. At the time, Navalnys spokesperson claimed that the Russian authorities were deliberately withholding his body in order to cover traces of his murder. Vladimir Putin has been blamed for Navalnys sudden death (AFP via Getty) On Monday, Ms Yarmysh said that Navalnys 69-year-old mother and his lawyers had not been allowed into the morgue that morning. The staff didnt answer when they asked if the body was there, she added. On Sunday, Russian independent opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta, citing an unnamed source, claimed that Navalnys body had been delivered to the Salekhard District Clinical Hospital and had been seen with bruises. But neither the Russian authorities nor Navalnys team have spoken about the condition of the body. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in Navalnys death, and the Russian authorities have told his team that they will not release his body until investigations into his death are complete. When asked how Mr Putin had reacted to news of Navalnys death, the Russian presidents spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: I have nothing to add. Ms Navalnayas video appeal was not reported by state media in Russia. More than 50,000 people have submitted requests to the Russian government asking for the politicians remains to be handed over to his relatives, the prominent rights group OVD-Info has said. Hundreds of people in Russia have been detained for trying to pay their respects to Navalny at vigils across the country. Ms Navalnaya also met with EU foreign ministers in Brussels, as a number of countries called for sanctions in response to Navalnys death. Never forget Russia is not Putin and Putin is not Russia, Ms Navalnaya said, calling on the EU and the West to do more to target Putins circle. The EUs top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said: Vladimir Putin and his regime will be held accountable for the death of Alexei Navalny. He suggested that Russian prison officials linked to Navalnys death could be added to the list of those who are subject to asset freezes and travel bans. Germany, Lithuania and Sweden were among the EU countries calling for specific new penalties against Russia. The German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said she hoped the 27-nation EU would agree on the package of sanctions soon. EU officials say that could happen on Wednesday. We have seen the brutal force with which the Russian president represses his own citizens who take to the streets to demonstrate for freedom or write about it in newspapers, she said. We will propose new sanctions in light of the death of Alexei Navalny. In the UK, foreign office minister Leo Docherty told parliament that it is right to describe Navalnys killing as a murder, and that the government is working at pace to hold those responsible to account. The Russian authorities must urgently confirm the location of his body to his family. And allow them access to it, he added. US president Joe Biden said later on Monday that his administration is also considering imposing additional sanctions on Russia. I know it seems that it is no longer possible [to continue the struggle], Ms Navalnaya said in her video address. But we need more. To gather all together in one strong fist and hit this crazed regime with it Putin, his friends, bandits in uniform, thieves and murderers who crippled our country. It's slowly but surely starting to get warmer outside (at least for Florida, sorry for everyone else!). Which means that summer is right around the corner. For many, there's another reason to celebrate the upcoming summer season approaching the start of Pride Month and all the dedicated events that come with it. It doesn't matter whether you're a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally who loves to show their support, or you're not even sure where you fall yet, everyone is always welcome to participate. It's also never too early to start preparing, here's what to know about Pride Month and Florida's upcoming celebrations. What is 'Pride Month'? When is 'Pride Month'? Pride Month is held in June every year. LGBTQ Pride Month is dedicated to the celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexualities. It seeks to honors LGBTQ history and the challenges the community faces, past and present, according to Cathy Renna, Communications Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force. According to History, Pride Month is held in June due to honor the 1969's Stonewall Uprising in New York City. The riots began on June 28 when police officers raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village, which led to days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement. What is the history behind Pride Month? How the LGBTQ celebration came to be When did 'Pride Month' start? Why is it called 'pride'? 1982 - Black and white file photo. The marchers head southbound on Front Street in Columbus to the west of the Nationwide building. June 26, 1982. About 1,000 people marched through Downtown in Columbus first Gay Pride Parade on June 26, 1982. *** Parade - Gay Pride March - Columbus *** Used June 27, 1982. *** More background: In June 1981, 200 people marched from Ohio State University to the Ohio Statehouse to commemorate the Stonewall Inn riot of 1969, which was a key event in the fight for gay rights. The following year, Columbus held its first Gay Pride Parade, organized by Stonewall Columbus, with about 1,000 marchers. Some resources say the Pride Parade started with the 1981 march and some say it started in 1982, since that was the first year it was officially named the Gay Pride Parade. USA Today notes that in the year following the riots, some of the first Gay Pride parades were held in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Early Pride celebrations still excluded pivotal members, such as trans women and other women of color. Celebrations soon expanded on their activist roots in the 1980s and 1990s with the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. More recently, activists have used the celebrations to shed light topics from marriage equality to racial justice. As for why it is called "pride," it again goes back to the Stonewall Riots. Bustle explains that Brenda Howard, a bisexual woman, is known as the "Mother of Pride" for her work in organizing the first LGBTQ Pride March back in 1970. It was also noted that Howard's peers and other key figures popularized the word following its inception. June became known as Pride Month in the United States when former President Bill Clinton first recognized it in 1999, referring to it as "Gay & Lesbian Pride Month." Former President Barack Obama declared June "LGBT Pride Month" in 2009. More recently in 2021, President Joe Biden declared June "LGBTQ+ Pride Month," including all sexualities under the acronym. When is 'National Pride Day' celebrated? National LGBTQ+ Pride Day is celebrated on June 28, which is the same day the Stonewall Riots started. What are some notable Pride events scheduled in Florida? A guest wears a Pride-themed Mickey Ears hat at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Saturday, June 3, 2023. Want to go ahead and get your plans ready for this June? Here are some key Pride events taking place in the Sunshine State: Gay Days - Gay Days Orlando is where lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, their families, friends, and supporters go to different theme parks, specifically Walt Disney World. The first Saturday in June is traditionally red shirt day at Magic Kingdom, but there are other red shirt days at different parks. The Pride Cup - The KindRED Pride Foundation hosts "The Pride Cup," a multi-sport LGBTQ+ competition, in June with events welcoming all levels of athletes. St. Pete Pride - The largest Pride celebration in the state, organizers will host 4 themed weeks that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community all month. Key West Pride - From Wednesday, June 5 to Sunday, June 9, the keys will be hosting their famous pride events. Fernandina Beach Pride - It will have a parade, festival, vendors, food trucks and music for the Nassau County communities on Saturday, June 8. PensaPride - Pensacola's Pride will see activities like drag shows, art displays, live music, food trucks, and much more on Saturday, June 15. Space Coast Rainbow Run 5K - On Saturday, June 15, Space Coast Pride will be hosting a 5K promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles in the LGBTQIA+ community. You can sign up here. The Rascals float participates in the Pride Cape Coral Parade on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The event featured vendors, food trucks, the parade and performances. Don't want to wait until summer to show off your pride? Here's some earlier events to go to: Pride Cape Coral - Cape Corals annual pride starts on Saturday, March 2 and ends on Sunday, March 3. There will be a parade, tutu drag race, carnival games, food trucks and more. Pride Music and Art Festival Ybor City - The concert and art festival takes place at the HCC Ybor City Performing Arts Building on Saturday, March 9 and tickets are only $15. Tampa Pride - On Sunday, March 10, Ybor City will host a parade starting on 4 p.m. at the corner of Nuccio Parkway and 7th Avenue. Miami Beach Gay Pride Week - A 9-day long event from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 14, celebrating the theme of Spirit of Pride." Come Out With Pride Orlando - On Friday, April 12, officials will host their annual "Pride Prom" to give adult members of the community and allies the opportunity to attend prom as their authentic selves. Contributing reporting: Cady Stanton, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Pride Month in Florida: Here's when it is, what events are happening Patti Davis, daughter of former President Reagan, said the United States should probably administer cognitive tests to presidential candidates in an interview that aired Sunday. Probably, Davis said when asked in an interview on NBC Newss Meet the Press whether she thought cognitive tests should be given to those running for the nations highest office. I mean, in just what we know about what age can do. It doesnt always do that, but it would probably be a good idea, she continued. My father was 77 when he left office after two terms. It seems so young now, doesnt it? President Biden, now 81, was 77 when elected to his first term, and he was 78 by the time he was sworn in. Former President Trump, now 77, was sworn in at 70 years old, breaking Reagans record for the oldest president to be sworn into office. In 2020, Biden broke Trumps record. Now, Biden and Trump are the leading candidates for the Democratic and Republican parties presidential nominations, and, if elected, they would both be in their 80s by the end of their second term. With a high likelihood of an octogenarian serving as the countrys next president, Americans have paid more attention to the role that age plays in a candidates ability to campaign and to serve as president. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who is the last remaining GOP primary opponent to Trump, has capitalized on her relatively young age, 52, throughout her campaign. She has long called for term limits and mental competency tests. Davis, in the interview, referred to Reagans role in ending the Cold War and said, So, that was not someone who was, you know, fractured in age. I mean, yes, I probably thought he was old because he was my father, and we think that about our parents. But, you know, not in the way that were talking about now, she said. Reagan developed Alzheimers in 1994, and there was some speculation among staff and reporters that his symptoms began in the years prior something his doctors and spokespeople have denied. White House staff, however, raised concerns about his attentiveness and behavior, investigative reporting in recent years has shown, and some aides even raised the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment, a suggestion quickly dismissed by the chief of staff, according to the History Channel. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Not all things can be stored with your smartphone. Some of them can lead to malfunctions in the device, while others can have a negative impact on health. ADVERTISIMENT Alexander Timofeev, an associate professor of computer science at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, explained what exactly should be kept away from the gadget, Prime reports. Thus, he noted that one should not put one smartphone on top of another. The presence of a large number of radio signals is harmful to others. Also, you should not store a bank card in a phone case, because radio radiation will shorten its service life. Cosmetics that are near the device can cause signal interference. Timofeev explained this by saying that lipstick packages are often closed with a magnet. In addition, radio radiation can negatively affect the skin and makeup. A solar farm under construction on the north side of Waverly Road near Scenic Highway. It extends across Scenic Highway to the east. Polk County is among the state's hotbeds for new solar power facilities as utility companies gobble up formerly agricultural land. Every year, a land conference in Florida is hosted by Lakeland-based commercial real estate broker Dean Saunders for updates on the various land-use trends and tabulations of large land transactions in Polk County and across Florida. And for nearly the past 10 years, the conference has shown astronomical growth in one type of land sale: large agricultural tracts sold for solar power generation. Today, those sales equate to at least a dozen new utility-scale solar power facilities in Polk County either underway or already built. Solar power has been a high point of interest for many Florida investors. Decreasing cost of solar panels and the availability of financial incentives for solar power installations are driving interest, said Saunders in the SVN Saunders, Ralston and Dantzler commercial real estate market report presented in February 2023. By 2022 in Florida, the real estate brokerage firm had tracked 38,395 gross acres of transitional sales aimed at solar-powered developments. Saunders said that was a 146% increase from the previous year's sales that totaled 15,612 gross acres. In other notable sales, he noted: The largest valued transaction was $89.7 million for 9,755 gross acres ($9,195 per gross acre) in DeSoto, Highlands, Indian River, Palm Beach and St. Lucie Counties. In DeSoto County, $36.4 million was paid for 3,896 gross acres ($9,356 per acre). In Charlotte County, 6,298 gross acres sold for $32.1 million ($5,099 per acre) in Charlotte County. TECO's Solar Energy Center on State Road 60 in Mulberry. In the past decade alone, solar has experienced an average annual growth rate of 33%, Saunders said, citing data from Wood Makenzie and SEIA released in 2023. The growth in solar has been fueled by federal policies like the Solar Investment Tax Credit, rapidly declining costs and increasing demand across the private and public sectors for clean electricity, he said. There are now more than 135 gigawatts of solar capacity installed nationwide, enough to power 23 million homes. Polk County is a hotbed for solar In Polk County, county staff have also seen a boom in solar projects. According to John Bodhe, director of the land development division for Polk County, by June 2023 Polk County has approved five solar generation sites for TECO within the unincorporated area." Those include: Magnolia Solar 5050 State Road 60 E., Mulberry. Bonnie Mine Solar Bonnie Mine Road (between SR 60 and CR 640). Payne Creek Solar 5473 Fort Green Road, Mulberry. Durrance Solar SR 37, Bradley Junction area. Alafia Solar Chicora area, 4500 Bethlehem Road, Mulberry. Jamison Solar Facility - Old Highway 37 (Agricola Mine Road), between Rolling Hills and Bradley Junction. Cities are also getting solar power plants. TECO has two facilities within the city limits of Bartow: Lake Hancock Solar on U.S. 98 and Peace Creek Solar on State Road 60. Lakeland Electric has as many as five solar power facilities and recently approved a 1,400-acre solar farm near Florida Polytechnic University. Duke Energy Project Manager Shayna White and Environmental Specialist Tommy Oneal walk on floating solar panels covering two acres of its 1,200 acre cooling pond at the Hines Energy Complex in Bartow. Within Polk County, Duke Energy has also been building solar power plants. A floating solar facility at Duke Energys Hines Facility, Bartow, CR 555. Tide Bay Solar, Fort Meade (west side). Mabel Lake Solar, Lake Wales/Dundee, Waverly Road. In its December report, the trade group Solar Energy Industries Association said, The US solar industry installed 6.5 gigawatts-direct current of capacity in Q3 2023, a 35% year-over-year increase as federal clean energy policies begin to take hold. Further, the United States is expected to add a record 33 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2024, according to the U.S. Solar Market Insight Q4 2023 report released Dec. 7 by SEIA and Wood Mackenzie, an association press release said. TECO's Solar Energy Center on State Road 60 in Mulberry. While economic challenges are beginning to affect the solar and storage industry, by 2050 solar is expected to be the largest source of generating capacity on the U.S. Grid, the release said. 'What is the tradeoff?' In response to a reporter's questions on solar land sales, a spokesperson for Saunders said that while Saunders is a key player in the sales of large tracts of land to electric utility companies, including Florida Power and Light, the spike in projects for utility scale solar power plants could have consequences for industries committed to using the land for other purposes. While still in preparations for the 2024 report, Saunders said the data for tracked FPL sales in 2023 as of October were 9,126 acres for $101,440,900 (or about $11,116 per acre on average). These sales in Florida include sites in Columbia, DeSoto, Indian River and Martin counties. We havent yet identified solar purchases by other groups, Saunders said. Further, Saunders does not think that third-party finger pointing at FPL is productive, a spokesperson said. A new solar farm being built on the north side of Waverly Road near Scenic Highway. It extends across Scenic Highway to the east. Dean (Saunders) is not offended by solar power. We have solar panels on top of our building, the spokesperson said. FPL is fulfilling a need and is being incentivized to do it through the federal and state governments, the spokesperson said. They are a leader in solar power but the amount of power desired from solar is chewing up land. He has sold plenty of land to power companies throughout his career but feels its appropriate to start a conversation on the tradeoff of converting agricultural land into solar. A solar neighborhood? Lakeland signs $4.2 million deal have 77 solar-powered homes built north of city What would the land be used for if it wasnt solar? Food/fiber, conservation, wildlife, recreation, or development. Whats the economic impact of solar vs. these other uses? What is the tradeoff? Is this what we want? The spokesperson added, How much power is generated from 1 acre of solar land? Why dont we see solar being installed on large commercial buildings? The 2024 conference The 2024 Lay of the Land Florida Land Conference is set for Bonnet Springs Park on Feb. 29, when the latest trends in large land sales will be presented. The conference will expand this year to Thomasville, Georgia, for the first time. Typical attendees are landowners, policymakers, investors and other industry affiliates who want to keep up on the most current data about the Florida and Georgia land markets, a press release said. Paul Nutcher can be reached at pnutcher@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk is seeing a massive expansion of solar activity by utilities Many people know Wisconsin for its milk or beer, but did you know that the state is also home to some of America's best-tasting water? Earlier this month, Columbus Utilities in Columbus, a small city northeast of Madison, won the gold medal at the National Rural Water Association's 25th Annual Great American Water Taste Test. The taste test and awards ceremony took place Feb. 7 at the NRWA's annual Rural Water Rally in Washington, D.C. Columbus Utilities beat out 40 other entrants from across the country for the top prize. In order to compete in the Great American Water Taste Test, Columbus Utilities also had to win the state's best-tasting water award at the Wisconsin Rural Water Association's water taste test at last year's WRWA Annual Technical Conference in March. All Great American Water Taste Test entrants had to first win their state association's taste test. Columbus Utilities in Columbus, Wis., won the gold medal in the 25th annual Great American Water Taste Test at the National Rural Water Association's Rural Water Rally in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 7, 2024. "Yesterday, Feb. 7, the city of Columbus, Wisconsin won best-tasting water in the United States!" WRWA wrote on Facebook. "This water taste test pits water from systems across the nation against each other for the chance to claim that they have the best-tasting water in the United States. After judging elements, which included color, clarity, bouquet, and of course, taste, Columbus, Wisconsin, was chosen as the system with the best tasting water." Yesterday, the 25th Annual Great American Water Taste Test Winners were announced! Gold: Columbus Utilities -WI Silver: Green River Valley Water District - KY Bronze: Hudson Gaars Mill Water System, Inc. - LA Finalist: Town of Saratoga - WY Finalist: Sunderland Water District -MA pic.twitter.com/hpBJzd6zXE National Rural Water Association (@NRWA) February 8, 2024 This was Columbus Utilities' first time competing in the Great American Water Taste Test. The utility's lead water operator Jake Tanner said, for about the past year-and-a-half, Columbus has been tweaking the levels of chemicals required by the state in its water in order to offer a better taste for drinking and a better experience when showering. Tanner said Columbus has also changed up its water-softening system. Winning the national taste test "shows that we're doing good for the community and what we're doing in tweaking the water system is having good results," Tanner said. The Rural Water Rally brings utility system representatives to Capitol Hill to support funding programs, training and technical assistance. "Rural folks" meet with their representatives and senators and ask them to support America's rural water and wastewater system, along with related bills and programs, WRWA writes. "This is a chance to tell our stories and show off the excellent work of our rural operators and their successes in the water industry." Columbus Utilities was founded in 1896. The municipally owned and operated electric and water utility serves more than 2,200 customers in the City of Columbus. According to the utility's website, its water quality and capacity are monitored every day by well-trained system operators. "The Columbus Water Utility is composed of three operating wells, two treatment plants, two in-ground reservoirs and one elevated tower," the company writes. "The combined capacity of the treatment plants is 2,500,000 gallons per day, of softened, iron-filtered water. Fluoride, chlorine and orthophosphate are added to the water just prior to leaving the treatment plants. At the end of 2022, the utility served 2,396 customers in Columbus, with sales of 113,293,000 gallons." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Columbus, Wisconsin, wins award for best-tasting water in America JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. The shooting that wounded more than 20 people and killed one during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade occurred in a state with few gun regulations and historic tension over how major cities handle crime. The shooting, which Kansas City police on Thursday said appeared to stem from a dispute between several people, happened despite the presence of more than 800 police officers on hand. Notably, dozens of policymakers from Missouri and neighboring Kansas were caught in the chaos as throngs of fans scattered at the sound of gunshots. Lawmakers and elected officials who witnessed the havoc firsthand included Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Democratic Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, whose security detail heard the shots after shed gotten in her car to leave, a spokesperson said. People take cover during a shooting at Union Station during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII victory parade Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri. Several people were shot and two people were detained after a rally celebrating the Chiefs Super Bowl victory. Democratic Missouri state Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, of Kansas City, said she was inside the citys historic Union Station when the shooting began. She said she and her sister ran and used their bodies to hide and shield fleeing children. Im hurt. Im angry, Nurrenbern wrote in a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. And Im more resolved than ever to make sure kids can grow up in a Missouri free from gun violence. But what, if any, action Missouris Republican-led Legislature will take in response to the shooting is unclear. Policing a free nation is difficult, GOP state Rep. Lane Roberts said Thursday. So when we try to do things that augment the efforts of our police agencies without treading on the rights of other people, it can be a real difficult balance. Heres a look at Missouris gun policies and how elected officials want to address crime: Missouri is firmly a pro-gun state Missouri has some of the most expansive guns rights among states as a result of a series of measures passed by the Republican-led Legislature over the past few decades. Before the GOP won full control of the Legislature in the 2002 elections, concealed weapons were outlawed and handguns could be purchased only after a background check and permit from local sheriffs. Republican lawmakers repealed those restrictions within their first decade of power, and gun shops saw rising sales. Missouri currently has no age restrictions on gun use and possession, although federal law largely prohibits minors from carrying handguns. People flee after shots were fired near the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII victory parade on Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri. A shooting incident at a packed parade to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory killed one person and injured 22 others. Voters fortified gun rights in 2014, approving a constitutional amendment placed on the ballot by lawmakers making the right to bear arms unalienable and subjecting any restrictions to strict scrutiny. Two years later, the Republican supermajority in Missouris Legislature overrode a veto of then-Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, to allow most adults to carry concealed guns without needing a permit. The legislation also created a stand-your-ground right, expanding the legal use of guns in self-defense. A 2021 Missouri law pressed gun rights even further, prohibiting local police from enforcing federal gun restrictions. The measure got struck down by a federal judge last year and remains on hold while under appeal. What are lawmakers doing in Missouri? Current Republican legislative leaders have expressed little interest in any laws that would restrict firearm use and possession in Missouri. Rep. Roberts a former police chief from southwestern Missouri who later joined the Legislature last year proposed limiting children from openly carrying guns in public without parental supervision in an effort to combat rising crime in St. Louis. The bill failed by a 104-39 vote. Only one Republican voted in support of it. Republican House Speaker Dean Plocher abruptly left a news conference Thursday after being asked by reporters for details on the GOP strategy for addressing crime and when questioned about last years vote on children carrying firearms. A rare exception to Republicans fierce resistance to gun regulations is an effort to crack down on celebratory gunfire, which has been an issue in Kansas City. Missouris Legislature last year passed a bill to make shooting a firearm within city limits a misdemeanor for the first offense, with exceptions. The bill was named after 11-year-old Blair Shanahan Lane, who was dancing with a sparkler on July 4, 2011, outside her suburban Kansas City home and was struck in the neck by a stray bullet. Blairs Law was part of a sweeping crime bill that was later vetoed by Parson for unrelated reasons. The Missouri House gave approval to similar legislation just two days before the Chiefs parade. Other Republican-backed bills advancing in the House would exempt guns and ammunition from sales tax and allow people with concealed gun permits to bring weapons onto public transportation. House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson said earlier this week that its common sense to allow lawful concealed carrying permit holders to be able to protect themselves on buses and trains. A broader debate in Kansas and Missouri A large portion of the Kansas City metropolitan area is in Kansas, and a 43-year-old prominent DJ who was killed Wednesday lived on the Kansas side. The most visible and active gun safety movement in Kansas is in the Kansas City area. But Kansas law favors gun rights as much as Missouris does, and Kansas added an amendment to fortify gun rights in its constitution four years before Missouri did with 88% of the vote. Now, Republican state Attorney General Kris Kobach and a majority of the states GOP lawmakers are pushing for another amendment to make those protections even stronger. Having armed citizens affords a greater degree of protection in any situation, Kobach told reporters Thursday. We need good citizens to be armed, to help, because there just arent enough law enforcement officers to protect everybody, everywhere and every time. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach speaks about his death penalty bill during a news conference Thursday at the Kansas Statehouse. During a hearing last month before a House committee, critics predicted the change would prevent the state from prohibiting even convicted felons or domestic abusers from having guns. Thats the really scary part of it, said Rep. Jo Ella Hoye, a Kansas City-area Democrat who was at the parade with her 11-year-old son. We could lose any current gun laws we have. Guns and crime in Kansas City The number of killings in Kansas City rose to a record level last year, up to 182. Kansas City police data show there were 12 more killings in 2023 than in 2022 and three more than the previous all-time high of 179 in 2020. The police department data does not include officer-involved killings. Kansas City elected officials are limited in what they can do. Kansas City, with a population of about 508,000, about 28% Black, is the only Missouri city without local control of its police force. Its believed to be the largest city in the U.S. in that situation, the mayors office has said. Leaders in the largely Democratic city dont hire the police chief or determine how the department spends its tax dollars. A 1930s-era law gives that power to a five-member board largely appointed by the Missouri governor, who since 2017 has been a Republican. Missouri law also prohibits cities from enacting more stringent regulations on guns than state law does, although Kansas City bans gunfire within the city. In recent years, mayors of both Kansas City and St. Louis have fought for control of their cities public safety policies with primarily Republican lawmakers who argue high crime rates in the cities mean local leaders are failing. GOP lawmakers have also repeatedly rebuffed requests to allow urban areas to adopt stricter gun policies compared to the rest of the state. Associated Press writer John Hanna in Topeka contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: How Kansas, Missouri lawmakers are responding to Kansas City shooting LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Its been a big week with funding and improvement plans ushered forward by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders administration this week. Host Roby Brock met with Politicos senior political columnist and politics bureau chief Johnathan Martin talk presidential and congressional politics. DHS, Gov. Sanders investing $30 million of ARP funds in mental health, substance abuse treatment, crisis response Roby also met John Burris with Capitol Advisors Group and Democratic Party of Arkansas Chair Grant Tennille to discuss Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders commitment of funds toward mental health and substance abuse programs and amendments that are currently gathering signatures to get on this years ballot. Talk Business & Politics airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on FOX 16. For more coverage, head to TalkBusiness.net. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com. North Carolinas public schools still havent fully recovered from the pandemic, but some school districts have managed to reverse the learning losses from the past few years. A recently released national study shows several North Carolina districts are now academically performing as well as if not better than they did before the pandemic in 2019. The Education Recovery Scorecard puts those districts, which include Wake County, ahead of the state as a whole in rebounding from pandemic learning losses. The striking thing I see is there are three larger districts in the state that are either at or above their 2019 achievement levels: Wake County, Johnston County and Durham, Tom Kane, a co-author of the report, said in an interview with The News & Observer. Yet there are some districts that remain far behind their 2019 levels. Kane is faculty director of the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, which created the scorecard in collaboration with The Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University. Kane says the report shows the urgency for school districts to use their remaining federal COVID relief dollars to help students get caught up before the money expires in September. The states public schools still have $1.1 billion left unspent of the $5.6 billion in COVID aid. The school closures, whether we agree with them or not, they were public health measures taken on all our behalves, Kane said. As things stand now, the people who are going to be paying for those public health measures are children and that seems unjust. North Carolina sees gains Test scores dropped sharply nationwide after schools switched to remote instruction during the pandemic. The scorecard uses national and state test data to determine how states and school districts are doing now compared to 2019. Between 2019 and 2022, North Carolina lost the equivalent of two-thirds of a typical years learning in math and nearly half of a year in reading. But between 2022 and 2023, the state made up 40% of the losses in both subjects. Of the 30 states in the analysis, Kane said only four saw faster growth in math than North Carolina. Students have made more progress than was initially anticipated, so students are actually doing fairly well in our state in terms of catching up in math, Deputy State Superintendent Michael Maher told a state legislative committee last week. But again, were not where we need to be. The state Department of Public Instruction has adopted its own measures for assessing learning recovery. Even with the gains, the scorecard shows North Carolina is about 40% of a year behind in math and a quarter of a year behind in reading. How did Triangle schools do A red flag for Kane is the school districts that are a half year or more behind in getting students caught up. But thats not the case for most Triangle school districts. According to the scorecard: Wake County is now back to pre-pandemic levels in reading and math. Durham Public Schools is a month ahead of pre-pandemic achievement levels in math and reading. Johnston County is a half year ahead of 2019 achievement levels in reading and nearly a half year ahead in math. Chapel Hill-Carrboro is slightly ahead of pre-pandemic levels in reading but is around 60% of a year behind in math. Orange County is more than a a third of a year behind in reading and more than a quarter of a year behind in math. Chatham County is back at pre-pandemic levels in reading but is about a month behind in math. The return to 2019 pre-pandemic levels still leaves lots of room for improvement. For instance, the proficiency rate on state exams last school year was 63.4% in Wake, 55.2% in Johnston and 47.9% in Durham. But Kane said it still a cause for celebration for districts that have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Weve at least made students whole, Kane said. Of course theres room for improvement. The job is not done yet. Great news in Wake Wake County has been celebrating the studys findings. Laura Jean McDougal teaches a fourth-grade class at Rand Road Elementary School in Garner on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. A new national study says Wake County has returned to pre-pandemic levels of academic achievement. Math and reading overall scores for grades three through eight have essentially returned to pre-pandemic levels in Wake County, Wake Superintendent Robert Taylor said at a school board meeting this month. This puts us well ahead of the state of North Carolina as a whole. I think this is great news. But at the same time, Wake is acknowledging that test scores for Black, Hispanic and low-income students remain below pre-pandemic levels. Taylor credited Wakes overall progress on intentional investment in our staff. This includes giving employees up to $5,000 in retention bonuses and hiring more intervention teachers, school counselors, psychologists, social workers and a full-time substitute teacher for each school. Many of the new positions were funded from the one-time COVID aid. Our staff is our greatest strength and our most critical asset when it comes to student achievement, Taylor said. The study shows how important it will be to maintain and strategically grow our staff even when COVID relief funds expire. That is why we want to be explicit about the importance of supporting our staff and how we need to compensate them appropriately. Durham seeing fruit of its labor Durham was one of the last school districts in the state to return to full-time, in-person instruction in 2021. But when it did, the district adopted a plan called Operation 55 to help get students caught up, according to Stacy Stewart, Durhams chief of schools. The plan had six non-negotiables, including setting goals, creating intervention plans for students, increasing parental involvement and offering incentives for meeting goals. Stewart said schools did things such as hold pizza parties and movie days when students met goals. Everyone rolled up their sleeves to do the hard work, and its heart work as well, Stewart said in an interview. Im so appreciative of being in a position to be able to see the fruit of the labor from all of us. Like many other school districts, Durham used the COVID aid to hire additional staff to help students with academic and social and emotional needs. Now it has to decide what will stay when the federal aid goes away. We have to ask ourselves, of all the these additional human resources and capital that we acquired ... what gave us the highest return on the investment? Stewart said. With the funds that we will have, what can we afford to maintain? Achieving a complete academic recovery The time is now for the state and school districts to get as many struggling students as possible into summer learning programs this year before the COVID aid is gone, according to Kane. Poll after poll has shown that parents dont realize how far students are behind, Kane said. They see students are back in school and learning again. But in order to make up for the lost ground, they need to be learning much more than theyd be learning in a typical school year. DPI has developed a funding cliff toolkit to help schools decide how to deal with spending after the relief funds are gone. Kane says North Carolina has done a better job than many other states in documenting how schools spent their money. Hes hoping that information will lead to schools funding programs that will make a difference getting students caught up. Its pretty clear by now that the districts that remain more than half a year behind in spring of 2023 are more likely to remain behind when the federal dollars run out in September, Kane said. It would be worth thinking about is there anything the state is going to do after September 2024 to ensure the recovery is completed in those districts? Donald Trump's latest legal defeat in a New York court a jaw-dropping $354 million judgment to claw back the proceeds of a decade of fraud, plus almost $100 million in interest puts an exclamation point on an unprecedented losing streak in his home state. Trump and his company have been winless in a series of costly, cascading high-profile legal battles in New York in the last 14 months. It has been a reckoning without precedent, with judges and juries alike concluding that Trump and his company have engaged in illegal behavior for years. Trump's losses have come in state and federal court, civil and criminal, in rulings by juries and judges. A total of 30 jurors in three cases have unanimously ruled against Trump or his company. One of those juries was composed of citizens from heavily Democratic Manhattan, but two came in federal court in the Southern District of New York, with a pool of jurors from more politically diverse suburbs and exurbs. Trump frequently calls courts in New York "rigged," but his losing streak is "an indication of the strength of the cases" against him, not a reflection of bias, said Cardozo School of Law professor Alexander Reinert. "That string of defeats is an indication of the unlawfulness of his conduct," Reinert said, adding that Trump acts like "he doesn't think the law really constrains him, and I think he needs to understand now that it does." He will soon face yet another New York jury in his March 25 criminal trial, the first ever of a former president. The list of Trump's legal losses in New York is already lengthy: In December 2022, a Manhattan jury found two Trump Organization companies guilty of 17 felonies related to tax evasion. The company was ordered to pay a $1.6 million fine and the case landed its former CFO behind bars. On March 30, 2023, a New York grand jury in Manhattan indicted Trump on 34 felony counts of falsification of business records.Five weeks later, a federal jury in New York found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in one of two civil lawsuits filed by the writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump was ordered to pay her $5 million. In September 2023, a state judge found Trump and his company liable for a decade-long fraud scheme in a pretrial ruling.In January, another federal jury found Trump liable for defaming Carroll. The jury awarded her another $83 million. On Friday, the judge in the civil fraud case issued his final ruling, saying Trump must pay the state $354 million, plus nearly $100 million in interest. The fact that these defeats have all come in the Big Apple is not lost on Trump. He railed against his hometown in comments outside a Manhattan criminal courtroom on Feb. 15. "It's all rigged. It's a rigged state. It's a rigged city," said Trump, who has denied wrongdoing in each of his cases and claimed his accusers are targeting him for political gain. Minutes earlier, Trump's lawyer in his state criminal case argued in court that the former president couldn't get a fair shake in New York. Trump has entered a not guilty plea in the case, which revolves around reimbursements for a "hush money" payment days before the 2016 election that temporarily bought the silence of an adult film star who claims she had an affair with Trump. Former President Donald Trump departs a pretrial hearing in his Trump attorney Todd Blanche cited Trump's recent cases, claiming "outsized and extraordinary media saturation" in New York. Left unsaid was that Trump himself often cultivated that media frenzy, making the courtroom doorways and halls of lower Manhattan a marquee backdrop for a presidential campaign that's at times indistinguishable from, and always intertwined with, his many legal fights. Blanche proposed asking prospective jurors about their feelings toward Trump, potentially to build a case for demanding a change of venue. "We can't ignore the elephant in the room," he said. That statement echoed one made by Manhattan prosecutor Joshua Steinglass, who called Trump the "elephant not in the room" during jury selection for the criminal case against the former president's company in October 2022. In that case, some prospective jurors who were ultimately excused said they didn't think they could set aside their opinions of the former president. One said, "I have total disdain for anything to do with Trump. Sorry." Another went a step further after saying jury duty could interfere with her travel plans: "And I also hate Donald Trump, if that is of merit." A few expressed admiration and support for Trump, and nearly all pledged to set aside their biases in considering the case. At the end of the five-week trial, the 12 who were chosen took just over a day to find two Trump Organization companies guilty of 17 felony counts related to tax fraud. In April 2023, a federal jury pool was once again probed about their political leanings and news consumption habits for the Carroll sexual abuse and defamation civil trial. Trump, though a defendant, declined to attend any of the proceedings, which lasted two and a half weeks. The jury of nine took just three hours to find Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, and awarded her $5 million. Trump attended a trial in the same federal courtroom in January, when a new jury of nine considered evidence related to separate defamations of Carroll. Trump huffed and trumpeted disgust throughout the two-week trial, though he and his entourage got up and walked out of court minutes before the jury awarded Carroll another $83 million. Friday's ruling by a state judge in Trump's civil fraud case brought the total Trump owes for bad deeds to more than half a billion dollars, with interest continuing to accrue. "When I teach constitutional law, we do cover cases involving the president, but they tend to be about a president failing to disclose material to Congress, or involving their constitutional duties. There's nothing else like this," said Noah Rosenblum, a New York University professor of legal history. "There's nothing like it previously in American history." Cillian Murphy: The 60 Minutes Interview Redefining old age The authentic Ashley McBryde Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Monday, Feb. 19. For the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East, view our live updates file for Tuesday, Feb. 20. A U.S. draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council would cross a threshold by advocating for a temporary cease-fire in Gaza contingent on all the hostages being freed while warning against an Israeli invasion of the crowded city of Rafah, Reuters and The Associated Press reported Monday. The text of the draft resolution, a rival to the measure proposed by Algeria seeking an immediate halt to hostilities, hews closer to the U.N.s call for a temporary cease-fire in Gaza as soon as practicable, Reuters said. Its not clear when the draft resolution might be put to a vote, but the U.S. has already said it would veto the proposal circulated by Algeria, which represents the 22 Arab nations in the 15-member council. A vote on that measure is expected Tuesday. Both proposals call for the hostages' release. In its steadfast public support for Israel, the Biden administration has rebuffed widespread calls for a cease-fire, arguing it would only help Hamas, the wars instigator with its vicious attack on Israeli border communities Oct. 7. The U.S. has repeatedly attempted to dissuade Israel from launching a ground offensive in Rafah, the border city where an estimated 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering as they seek to escape the fighting. The draft resolution underscores that stance, saying such an attack would be catastrophic for civilians and further destabilize the already strained region. Under current circumstances a major ground offensive into Rafah would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement including potentially into neighboring countries, the U.S. draft resolution says, according to the news services. Pro-Palestinians demonstrators wave flags as they protest outside the United Nations' highest court during historic hearings in The Hague, Netherlands, on Feb. 19, 2024. International Court of Justice: Orders Israel to take steps to prevent Gaza death and destruction Developments: Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva "persona non grata" in Israel until he apologizes for accusing Israel of genocide and comparing its actions in Gaza to Adolf Hitlers campaign to exterminate Jewish people. Hamas issued a statement thanking Lula for his "accurate description of what our people are exposed to and revealing the enormity" of Israel's crimes in Gaza. Houthi rebels said they shot down a U.S. drone and that a cargo ship they attacked in the Gulf of Aden appeared ready to sink. U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to a USA TODAY request for comment on the drone. The U.K.'s Maritime Trade confirmed the crew of the Rubymar had abandoned ship and said military authorities were providing assistance. The Houthis said their missiles also struck two American cargo vessels in the Gulf of Aden, the Sea Champion and the Navis Fortuna. The U.S. has not confirmed those strikes. The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah arms depots near the Lebanese southern city of Sidon in response to a drone exploding in an open field near the northern Israeli city of Tiberias earlier Monday as the neighboring countries continued their simmering conflict. Lebanese media said 14 people were wounded in the Israeli attack. Netanyahu's strong rebuke: Calls Brazil leader 'antisemite' for Holocaust comparison 'Colonialism and apartheid': Palestinians accuse Israel at UN court Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem denies Palestinians the right of self-determination, is illegal and must be brought to an immediate, unconditional and total end, the Palestinian foreign minister told the U.N.'s top court Monday. Riyad al-Maliki told the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, that Palestinians have endured "colonialism and apartheid" since the occupation began in 1967. Now the world must finally cut off support to Israel, he said. "No aid. No assistance. No complicity. No contribution to forcible actions. No money, no arms, no trade," Maliki said. "All U.N. member states are obliged by law to end Israels presence on the territory of Palestine. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement saying Israel does not recognize the legitimacy of the proceedings, which he described as an effort "to infringe on Israel's right to defend itself against existential threats." The U.N. General Assembly asked the court for an advisory opinion on Israel's 57-year occupation and refusal to comply with overwhelming global support for a two-state solution. Netanyahu's government argues it must retain control of security over the territories because Palestinian political leaders have vowed to destroy Israel. Netanyahu points to the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants, who killed 1,200 people and seized more than 250 hostages before retreating back to Gaza. Maliki accused Israel of denying Gaza residents desperately needed humanitarian aid with a false claim that the aid was supporting Hamas. "Israel ... has transformed the Gaza Strip into an impoverished enclave, a strangled, besieged, bombarded community, isolated and severed from the West Bank and East Jerusalem," Maliki told the court. "Its leaders have declared that Israel will be sovereign over all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea and made this formal government policy. More than 50 countries are expected to testify during the weeklong hearing. Israel likely will provide a written rebuttal. Judges could take months to issue a non-binding opinion. Netanyahu rejects UN court hearing on occupation Netanyahu dismissed Palestinian demands that Israel relinquish control of Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem territories essentially occupied by Israel since the Arab-Israeli war of 1967. Netanyahu described the court proceedings underway in The Hague as a Palestinian attempt to dictate a diplomatic settlement without negotiations. "We will continue to reject this," Netanyahu said in a statement. "The government and the Knesset are united in rejecting this unacceptable course of action." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reiterated his opposition to a Palestinian state. Smotrich, speaking at the Knesset meeting of his far-right Religious Zionism faction, said he will not consecrate a Palestinian terror entity with the blood of our soldiers. The U.N. General Assembly voted in December 2022 to seek the courts opinion on the legal consequences of the occupation. The U.S. and Israel were among 27 nations that voted against the hearing. This case is separate from another case pressed by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza since the war began Oct. 7. In that case the court ordered Israel to prevent and punish incitement to genocide and to provide needed humanitarian aid by Feb. 26. Hamas says 6,000 militants have been killed A Hamas official said Monday that 6,000 of its fighters have died in the war, about half the number Israel claims to have killed. The officials, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Hamas remains prepared for a long war. Also Monday, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza reported that29,092 Palestinians have been killed and 69,028 have been wounded since the war began. The ministry numbers don't differentiate between combatants and civilians, but the ministry says more than 70% of the casualities are women and children. Israel announced the death of Staff Sgt. Simon Shlomov, 20, raising its military death toll since the war began to 235. Qatari leader warns that cease-fire talks are 'not very promising' Qatari's prime minister criticized Netanyahu for asking Qatar officials to pressure Hamas into freeing Israeli hostages. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani added that talks toward a cease-fire and long-term peace deal were "not very promising." Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. have spearheaded the talks, and authorities in the three nations have generally kept public comments on the talks positive. But on Monday, Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari described Netanyahu's request as "nothing but a new attempt by him to delay and prolong the war for reasons that have become clear to everyone. Ansari accused Netanyahu of acting solely for the purpose of escaping his "personal political crises" in Israel, where he's the subject of a long-running corruption trial. "We ask him to focus on the course of negotiations in a way that serves the security of the region and ends the ongoing tragedy of continuing war, instead of issuing such statements whenever that suits his narrow political agenda," Ansari said. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel Hamas war live updates: US might make case for cease-fire at UN Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) on Sunday suggested former President Trumps recent remarks that hed encourage Russia to attack NATO allies who dont carry their financial weight was a wake-up call to Europe and its security spending. Vance, speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday, argued Europe does not do enough to ensure its own defense. The final point that Ill make just to respond here, because I know people have heard what Trump said, and you know, theyve criticized it, and theyve said, well, Trump is going to abandon Europe, Vance said during his Sunday remarks. I dont think thats true at all. I think Trump is actually issuing a wake-up call to say that Europe has to take a bigger role in its own security. Germany just this year will spend more than 2 percent of GDP. That, of course, is something that we had to really push for in the United States, and it just now has finally cleared that threshold. Trumps recent comments about NATO have split members of his own party and stoked fears about what a second term in the White House could mean for the transatlantic security alliance. During a campaign rally on Feb. 11, Trump recalled a story about when a foreign leader questioned him about his threat not to defend members who do not hit the alliances defense spending targets. You didnt pay? Trump said he responded. Youre delinquent. No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills. During his presidency, Trump repeatedly pressed member nations to commit 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to defense spending and threatened on various occasions to withdraw from the alliance. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at least half of the 31-member alliance is expected to meet that figure in 2024, which is up from seven members in 2022. Vance on Sunday argued America does not want to pull out of NATO or abandon Europe, but he did suggest the U.S. should shift its focus to East Asia and called on European allies to step up. The United States has to focus more on East Asia. That is going to be the future of American foreign policy for the next 40 years, and Europe has to wake up to that fact, he said. I do not think that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] is an existential threat to Europe, and to the extent that he is, again, that suggests that Europe has to take a more aggressive role in its own security. Vance clarified that he does not believe Putin is a kind or friendly person but suggested the U.S. should be more open to some degree of diplomacy with the Russian leader. The fact that hes a bad guy does not mean we cant engage in basic diplomacy and prioritizing Americas interests, he said. Vance, a former Trump critic turned staunch ally, has expressed repeated opposition to further aid for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. The Ohio Republican has said he does not believe Ukraine will ever be able to prevail over Russia and argued the U.S. needs to accept Ukraine will likely need to cede some territory to stop its fighting with Russia. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. I visited Dollywood for the first time. It was easier to enjoy, less commercial, and more thrilling than Disney parks. I've visited Disney parks all over the world, and each trip requires a ton of planning and strategy. Recently, we went to Dollywood, and it proved to be a very different and more relaxed experience. It was easy to see all of Dollywood in one day, and the rides and shows were great. Although we love our Disney trips, my wife and I recently changed things up by heading to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Our trip to the Dolly Parton theme park was thrilling and way easier to plan than any Disney trip. After all, my family's been to nine Disney parks worldwide, and each visit can feel like planning a military operation. We watch countless videos, read blogs and forums, and carefully plan daily itineraries just to try to avoid large queues and long waits. At Dollywood, however, we were able to take it easy and still have an amazing time. We were able to be laid-back when planning our trip to Dollywood We took our time exploring Dollywood. Michael Gordon/Shutterstock When my wife and I visited Dollywood over Christmas, we decided to take a more laid-back approach and keep planning to a minimum. Right off the bat, our day started less stressful as the park didn't open until 11 a.m. when we visited. We slept in and enjoyed a nice breakfast. There were very few crowds when we arrived at Dollywood around opening time. This was so different from Disney, where we sometimes get to the gates around 7 a.m. to join crowds trying to enter the parks right when they open at 8. A simple pass let us skip lines and book seats at shows At Dollywood, we got Timesaver Passes about $60 per person which allowed us to skip the queues at five attractions and reserve seats at popular shows. This saved us time and meant we weren't glued to our phones all day to check wait times for attractions. We could slowly meander around the park and enjoy the theming and surrounding landscapes. Dollywood's Great Smoky Mountains backdrop made the park extra beautiful, and we had the time to appreciate the scenery rather than dash around from ride to ride. Although we can purchase somewhat similar line-skipping services at Disney called Genie+ , using them involves a decent amount of planning and being glued to our phones to use them in the park. The rides had far less technology and theming than Disney but were also more thrilling Disney has incredible animatronics and technology in its major rides, but Dollywood relies more on thrills. As roller-coaster enthusiasts, we had a great time. Our favorite coaster was Wild Eagle, the tallest in the park. It made us feel like we were flying as we dropped 135 feet at 61 miles per hour. There were a few kiddie coasters for the less adventurous, but most were fast and thrilling. We also rode some of the coasters at night, and they were even scarier in the dark. When we visited, Dollywood felt relaxed and beautiful. Ash Jurberg Dollywood has a lot of great shows, too Disney has impressive shows, but so does Dollywood. We even met several people who visit Dollywood just for the musicals. They're well-produced, and many families visit to catch the special Christmas performances every single year. We used our Timesaver Passes to secure front-row seats to watch Parton's family perform a Christmas concert. It felt like the next best thing to watching Parton sing live. The Tennessee park felt way less commercial than Disney Almost every ride at Disney parks ends with an exit through a gift store. This is much rarer at Dollywood. Overall, Dollywood felt less like a sales and marketing push than we expected. There were plenty of merchandise stores offering all things Parton, but the push to spend money wasn't as intense as it can be at Disney. I still bought a Dollywood T-shirt but spent far less in the gift stores than I usually do at theme parks. Dollywood blew us away we covered the whole park in a day and didn't feel rushed or exhausted The park covers 160 acres, so there's no escape from walking. For context, Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Orlando is just over 100 acres. Fortunately, the larger property helps ensure the crowds are more spread out. Although we walked almost 10 miles throughout the day, we didn't feel as physically tired as usual, either. Plus, our Timesaver Passes helped us cover the entire park in one day without feeling rushed. We'll still visit Disney parks their sense of magic can't be beat but this trip has made Dollywood our favorite theme park. Next time, we'll be back with our kids. Read the original article on Business Insider The former chair of the Wisconsin Republican Party said Sunday he was tricked into signing documents alleging then-President Trump won the 2020 election as part of the states fake elector scheme. Andrew Hitt told Anderson Cooper in a 60 Minutes interview that he was advised by the state GOPs legal counsel to sign the documents as a contingency, in case the Trump campaigns legal case against Wisconsins election integrity succeeded. Hitt said he wasnt comfortable with Trump campaign attempts to toss out votes in Wisconsin, and that he didnt believe the legal claims of widespread fraud. We got specific advice from our lawyers that these documents were meaningless, unless a court said they had meaning, he said. He added that he felt pressured into signing the document, fearful that he would be held responsible in the situation that Trump won the suit and the electors were not prepared. It was not a safe time, he said. If my lawyer is right, and the whole reason Trump loses Wisconsin is because of me, I will be scared to death. If I knew what I knew now, I wouldnt have done it, he continued. It was kept from us that there was this alternate scheme, alternate motive. The 10 Wisconsin GOP electors met at the state Capitol on Dec. 14 to sign the document under supervision of Kenneth Chesebro, the Trump campaign lawyer whom federal special counsel Jack Smith described as the architect of the fake elector scheme. The same day, the Wisconsin Supreme Court threw out the Trump campaign suit in a 4-3 ruling. Hitt said he went forward with signing the document anyway in case the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the decision. Chesebro is also one of 19 people, including multiple Trump campaign attorneys and the former president himself, charged in a separate Georgia state racketeering case over the fake elector scheme in that state. Chesebro pleaded guilty to lesser charges after reaching an agreement with Georgia prosecutors in October. A part-time state GOP employee told Cooper she personally delivered the fake Electoral College votes signed by Hitt and the other Wisconsin GOP electors to Chesebro in Washington. In the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots, the fake votes were not recognized. Hitt resigned from his post leading the state GOP in August 2021. Fake electors have been charged with crimes in multiple states, including Michigan and Nevada, but have not faced legal repercussions in Wisconsin. Hitt says he believes prosecutors understand that the electors were tricked. He told Cooper he has cooperated with federal prosecutors. Whenever anybody sees our text messages, our emails, our documents, they understand, they know their conclusion is we were tricked, he said. The Jan. 6 committee saw it. Jack Smith, specifically in his indictment, refers to some of the electors were tricked. That was us. The Wisconsin fake electors settled a civil suit against them in December, admitting the document was part of a scheme to overturn the election results. We oppose any attempt to undermine the publics faith in the ultimate results of the 2020 presidential election, read a statement by the 10 Republicans that was attached to the settlement agreement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Chyhyryn, Baturyn, Khortytsia - every Ukrainian has heard of these locations. Tourists come here all the time. And no wonder. Everyone should know their history. We offer a selection of unpopular places where you can get to know the lives of famous warriors. We will tell you where to plan your trip. ADVERTISIMENT The Cossack village of Halushkivka Not far from Petrykivka, famous for its paintings, there is a recently built Cossack settlement. This place was chosen for a reason. The area used to be inhabited by Cossacks. Here they lived, farmed, and built public buildings for general meetings. This large ethnographic center has been recreated in the village of Hrechane, Dnipro region. In the village, you can not only book an excursion but also stay overnight. It also offers to learn pottery and try to paint your own product using traditional techniques. And where without authentic food. Guests are treated to borsch, dumplings, kulesh, and uzvar. ADVERTISIMENT Haidamatsky Yar This tract repeatedly became a refuge for our great-grandfathers. Ordinary people who were fleeing from the invaders hid here. The Haidamaks, who fought against the enslavement of Ukrainians by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, came here in times of trouble. There were also prominent personalities here. The most famous of them are Ivan Honta and Taras Shevchenko. This place became special for the poet. Here he fully felt the pain that the forest walls carefully protected. And he transferred it to his poem "The Haidamaks". This is a unique attraction with untouched flora and fauna, which is steeped in the past. The ravine has bizarre stone sculptures created by nature itself. There are many unexplored caves with underground passages. Some daredevils venture into them in the hope of finding treasure hidden by the Haidamaks. But it is not known whether there is no chest with silver and gold, or whether they are searching badly. ADVERTISIMENT The field of the Battle of Berestets In the Rivne region, between the villages of Plyasheva and Ostrov, there is another historical and memorial complex dedicated to the Cossacks. It was here that the troops of Bohdan Khmelnytsky and the Polish gentry clashed back in 1651. Unfortunately, the bloody battle ended in defeat for the famous warriors. Then the Cossacks signed a disadvantageous treaty. However, a year later they canceled it with the victory at Batoh. The center itself began its activities as the Cossack Graves Museum-Reserve. And after Ukraine gained independence, it received the status of a state monument. It contains unique exhibits of the seventeenth century: cannons, muskets, powder magazine, sabers, leather boots, wallets, bags, battle scythes, etc. ADVERTISIMENT Friday Cemetery One of the oldest Cossack burial grounds is located in Kremenets, Ternopil region. Hundreds of graves appeared here after a difficult battle when the famous warriors stormed the Kremenets Castle. According to legend, many Zaporizhzhia residents died on the battlefield, and their comrades, unfortunately, did not have the strength to bury the dead immediately. The ceremony was postponed to the next day. When the Sich members woke up, their comrades were already resting peacefully in the ground, and white crosses towered over their coffins. At the cemetery, among other tombstones, 4 stones in the shape of a kobza are of interest. It is still unknown who is buried here. ADVERTISIMENT The wells in Subotiv Another place that few Ukrainians know about. Although it used to be the country residence of Bohdan Khmelnytsky. But that's not the only thing this old village in the Cherkasy region can boast of. Another attraction worth paying attention to is the three wells dug by the Cossacks. According to folk legends, soldiers with serious injuries got back on their feet thanks to the local water. The Cossacks were surprised by its healing properties, so they dug the wells. Zalizniak 's oak tree Ukrainian rebels fighting for their freedom and independence used to gather for a meeting near this giant tree. Under the crown of the thousand-year-old plant, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, Severin Nalyvaiko, Maksym Zalizniak, Pavliuk, and other commanders were preparing their soldiers for battle. The oak is considered a symbol of invincibility. According to the legend, it was struck by lightning six times, but it survived. Everyone who visits Kholodnyi Yar should come here. ADVERTISIMENT Perhaps these places are not as popular as other Cossack locations. But you should definitely visit them. Semafor Signals Insights from The Guardian, the Financial Times, and Novaya Gazeta Europe The News Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, said she would carry on her dead husbands fight against President Vladimir Putin. Navalnaya, described by some as the First Lady of Russian opposition, called for supporters to rally behind her in a nine-minute video shared to social media days after Navalnys death in an Arctic penal colony on Friday. I will continue Alexei Navalnys work I want to live in a free Russia, I want to build a free Russia, she said. I ask you to share with me the rage. The fury, anger, hatred for those who dare to kill our future. Navalnaya has said that Putin killed her husband, a 47-year-old former lawyer who was a fervent critic of the Russian president and was serving a three-decade sentence on a conviction widely viewed as politically motivated. Navalnys relatives and legal team said they have been prevented from viewing his body at a morgue. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Navalnys commitment to free Russia gives nation hope Source: The Guardian Navalny posed a threat to Putins Russia, and may have been killed for his dissidence, Russian author Mikhail Shishkin wrote in The Guardian. Its impossible to know what kind of president Navalny may have been, he said, because the only way to find out would have been for him to win a free election, but for that you need free citizens. Navalny returned to Russia from a German hospital where he was treated for poisoning in 2021, knowing he would likely be imprisoned for his outspoken opposition to the Kremlin. By existing, by refusing to give in, by making that supreme sacrifice, he has given us all hope. We are now his hope, Shishkin wrote. Putins regime emboldened to silence dissidents Source: Financial Times Putin is now fighting a war on two fronts, one expert argued. The Russian president has targeted not only Ukrainians in the nearly two-year invasion of the country, but also Russians themselves, Alexander Baunov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, wrote for the Financial Times. Putins regime has become aggressive, and emboldened to take severe actions against political foes. Navalnys death is a profound watershed for modern Russia, Baunov wrote. That he was globally recognized as Russias opposition leader greatly irritated the Kremlin, he added, But that very irritation is itself a sign that Putin is not as confident either in himself or the future as he wishes to appear. No going back from Russias current political trajectory Source: Novaya Gazeta Europe Navalnys likely murder is a point of no return for Putin, one Russian journalist argued. It is now clear that his dictatorship will continue exterminating people until it is forced to desist, wrote Kirill Martynov, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta Europe, an independent Russian outlet. Russians who believed that Putin would eventually be reasoned with, or who have turned a blind eye to the war in Ukraine, now have no choice but to confront the nations trajectory, he said. Navalnys death was intended to demonstrate that there is no alternative to the current path and that daring even to consider another one could lead to physical annihilation. Whether youve recently purchased one of the best laptops, one of the best desktop computers, or have had a computer youre happy with for awhile, an external 4K monitor can make a great pairing. Some of the best monitor deals of the year can be found during todays Presidents Day sales, with brands like Dell, LG, and Samsung offering up impressive discounts on some of their best 4K monitors. Our favorite Presidents Day 4K monitor deal is taking place at Dell, but weve also rounded up our favorites across the board. Best 4K monitor Presidents Day deal Dell S2721QS 27-inch 4K monitor $230, was $300 Dell Tremendous value is on display with the Dell S2721QS. Its a high quality 4K monitor that comes in at 27 inches and has a refresh rate of 60Hz. That refresh rate makes it good for some light gaming, in addition to being a great way to watch the best new movies to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Max (HBO), and more. Its perhaps put to use best as simply an extension of your laptop or as the primary monitor for your desktop PC. It provides great screen real estate, dual 3-watt speakers, and ComfortView Plus, which is an always-on low blue light screen. Whether for work or for play, the Dell S2721QS is made to sit out for long stretches and offers features youll find in many of the best monitors at a fraction of the cost. Buy Now More VR headset Presidents Day deals we love Theres a lot more 4K monitor deals to shop for Presidents Day, however, with brands like LG and Samsung discounting some of their top models. There are 4K monitor deals available that gamers will be interested in, with Samsungs Odyssey gaming monitor lineup discounted today. High refresh rate models and large screen sizes are available in general as well, with the Lenovo and Sony even seeing 4K monitors discounted for Presidents Day. You can grab a quality 4K monitor for as low as $230, so click through these Presidents Day 4K monitor deals to see if theres something for you in the sales. Partanna Global, a manufacturer that touts carbon-negative concrete, has just unveiled a climate-resilient prototype house that claims to remove carbon straight from the air just like trees do. Built in the Bahamas, this first-of-its-kind home offers a glimpse into how future construction could benefit the planet rather than pollute it. In the United States alone, new home construction is responsible for the release of 50 million tons of carbon into the air every year, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute. (Thats the same amount as 138 natural gas-powered plants.) Thats because traditional concrete is made with water, aggregates like sand, and cement, the latter of which emits significant amounts of carbon during production. Partanna Globals concrete substitute swaps these materials for upcycled brine and steel slag, which, when mixed, reportedly generate compounds that capture carbon dioxide instead. The Bahamas is an ideal place to unveil this new prototype, as brine is in no short supply for island communities facing rising sea levels. Partanna calculates that its 1,250-square-foot home will absorb 182 metric tons (about 200 U.S. tons) of carbon over its lifetime, which is the same amount as 5,200 mature trees, according to Architectural Digest. By reinventing household materials to absorb pollution, Partannas development could empower laypeople to reduce their environmental impact while cutting costs. Building small or avoiding construction altogether may be best for Mother Earth, according to many environmentalists and sustainability experts. But innovations like Partannas carbon-capturing concrete provide hopeful signs that one day homes could heal our planet at little or no extra cost to occupants. For island residents facing rising seas, that future cant come soon enough. Standing on the forefront of climate peril, we Bahamians have always been bound by resilience and innovation, said Philip E. Davis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, said in a statement published by World Cement. Today, as we unveil the worlds first carbon-negative concrete home right here in Nassau, it is a testament that the answers to our global crises often come from those most affected. Partanna co-founder Rick Fox called the Bahamas prototype the answer for linking sustainable development with pollution prevention. The Bahamas, having experienced the devastation of Hurricane Dorian firsthand, is the symbolic birthplace for our movement to change the way the world builds for good, he said, per an Architectural Digest article reported by MSN.com. This first home kicks off Partannas plan to build 1,000 carbon-negative houses annually in partnership with the Bahamian government, announced in 2022. Offering resilient housing to storm-vulnerable communities is a model other coastal regions may soon follow. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. FILE PHOTO: A signage at U.S. chipmaker GlobalFoundries' new fabrication plant in Singapore By Doina Chiacu and David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. government is awarding $1.5 billion to GlobalFoundries to subsidize semiconductor production, the first major award from a $39 billion fund approved by Congress in 2022 to bolster domestic chip production. GlobalFoundries, the world's third-largest contract chipmaker, will build a new semiconductor production facility in Malta, New York, and expand existing operations there and in Burlington, Vermont, according to a preliminary agreement with the Commerce Department. The department in January announced a $162 million planned award to Microchip Technology and $35 million to a BAE Systems facility in New Hampshire in December. The $1.5 billion GlobalFoundries grant will be accompanied by $1.6 billion in available loans, with the funding expected to generate $12.5 billion in overall potential investment across the two states, the department said. "The chips that GlobalFoundries will make in these new facilities are essential chips to our national security," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters Sunday. Raimondo told Reuters this month the agency is in active talks with numerous applicants and expects to make several announcements by the end of March. "We're in the process of really complicated, challenging negotiations with these companies," Raimondo told Reuters. "These are highly complex, first-of-their-kind facilities. The kind of facilities that TSMC, Samsung, Intel, are proposing to do in the United States -- these are new-generation investments -- size, scale complexity that's never been done before in this country." The GlobalFoundries chips are used in satellite and space communications and the defense industry along with blind spot detection and collision warnings in vehicles, along with Wi-Fi and cellular connections. "As an industry, we now need to turn our attention to increasing the demand for U.S.-made chips, and to growing our talented U.S. semiconductor workforce," GlobalFoundries CEO Thomas Caulfield said in a statement. GlobalFoundries opened a $4 billion semiconductor fabrication plant in Singapore in September, as part of a major global manufacturing expansion. The Malta facility expansion will secure a stable supply of chips for auto suppliers and manufacturers, including General Motors, Raimondo added. GlobalFoundries and GM on Feb. 9 announced a long-term deal for the automaker to secure U.S.-made processors that will help it avoid factory-halting chip shortages like ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. "GlobalFoundries investment in New York both ensures a robust supply of semiconductors in the U.S. to help GM meet demand and supports U.S. leadership in automotive innovation," said General Motors President Mark Reuss. The new facility in Malta will produce high-value chips that are not currently made anywhere in the United States, Raimondo added. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu and David Shepardson; Editing by Scott Malone, Chris Reese, Varun H K, Aurora Ellis and Nick Zieminski) On Feb. 12, 1974, as the Watergate scandal, Patricia Hearsts kidnapping and the fire at the Kamiakin School in Sunnyside dominated the headlines, a judge issued a momentous court decision. Known officially as U.S. v. State of Washington, it is more commonly called the Boldt decision. It not only recognized Native American fishing rights outside reservations, it also affirmed the sovereignty of tribal governments and directed tribes to have a greater say in the management of fish. The Boldt decision was a court decision years in the making to reaffirm Yakama Nation treaty rights for salmon, said Emily Washines, a historian and citizen of the Yakama Nation. Years of our fishers in court culminated in this landmark decision. They were taught to never forget what our treaty rights mean. A teaching we will continue passing down for generations. Pacific Northwest residents are marking the 50th anniversary of the ruling this month. Fish have been a staple for Native people in the Pacific Northwest for millennia. Archaeological evidence shows that people were fishing for salmon at Celilo Falls 11,000 years ago, with others coming from as far as British Columbia and the Great Plains to trade goods for fish. William Clark, when he passed through the area with the Corps of Discovery in 1806, described the falls as the great mart of the region, estimating that between 7,400 and 10,400 people took up either full-time or seasonal residence during the salmon runs. While fur trappers established forts along the coast in the early 19th century, American settlers began pushing into the territory in the 1840s and 1850s, prompting the government to make treaties with the Native people to accommodate the settlers. By accommodate, they meant force Native people to give up most of their lands, move to reservations and assimilate into American culture or else. One of the bones that Territorial Gov. Isaac Stevens tossed to the various tribes he negotiated with, including the 14 bands that form the Yakama Nation, was the right to fish in all streams running through their reservations, as well as at all usual and accustomed places in common with the citizens of the Territory. For the Yakama, that meant being able to continue to fish at Celilo Falls, which was outside the Yakamas 1.3-million-acre Lower Valley reservation. For the U.S. government, letting Indigenous people continue to fish ensured they wouldnt starve while the government forced them to learn non-Native farming techniques. Also, fishing wasnt as big a deal for non-Native people who were more inclined to get their food through farming and ranching. Not surprisingly, this near- laissez-faire approach to Indigenous fishing didnt last and, like other elements of treaties, was broken. In the late 19th century, as settlement was kicking into high gear, new arrivals were staking their claims on fishing grounds and blocking Indigenous people from going there. In the ensuring years, Indigenous fishing rights would be alternatively affirmed or restricted in the court system, creating a crazy quilt of legal rulings. There were some victories, such as an 1887 territorial court ruling that affirmed Native peoples rights to fish where they had before and a 1905 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affirmed Indigenous fishing rights in the face of non-Native commercial fishers use of fish wheels at Celilo Falls. But the courts also allowed the state to restrict Indigenous fishing in the name of conservation and that Indigenous people had to abide the same fishing regulations as non-Natives, even though white commercial anglers were taking far more fish, greatly reducing the salmon runs before they got to traditional fishing sites. In the 1960s, as the Civil Rights Movement was making inroads against Jim Crow laws, Indigenous people staged their own non-violent protests, conducting fish-ins, where Native people would go to traditional fishing sites to catch salmon without licenses or permits, and making sure there was news coverage when they were arrested. The events drew interest from Marlon Brando, who was arrested at a fish-in on the Puyallup River, and activist Dick Gregory. Among the leaders of the movement was Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually citizen who was first arrested for exercising his treaty rights to fish in the 1940s, when he was 14. The protests culminated in a fish-in on the Puyallup River Sept. 9, 1970, when Tacoma police and state game officials clashed with Indigenous anglers in a violent fight. Nine days later, Stan Pitkin, U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, filed suit against the state in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, in the federal governments role as trustee for seven tribes. Eventually, seven other tribes would join the lawsuit, bringing the total number of Native tribes to 14, including the Yakama. The suit argued that the states fishing regulations were violating the tribes rights under the terms of the treaties they signed with the federal government. The plaintiffs also argued that the state failed to prevent logging and pollution in traditional fisheries. The case was heard before U.S. District Judge George Boldt, who was appointed to the federal bench by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and whose name would become shorthand for the ruling. State Attorney General Slade Gorton, who would later represent Washington in the U.S. Senate, argued that the states fishing regulations applied to all anglers equally, and that the guarantee of due process in the Constitutions 14th amendment applied to race, not treaty status. Gorton also maintained that the treaties granted Indigenous people an equal right to fish, not an equal right to the harvest. Boldt issued his ruling Feb. 12, 1974, noting that he had carefully reviewed the text of the treaties regarding fishing rights. Boldt found that the tribes, as the holders of the original rights to the fish in the rivers and streams, had granted a limited right to settlers under the terms of the treaties they signed with the federal government. That grant, Boldt ruled, entitled the tribes to 50% of the annual fish harvest that passed through their fishing grounds, which he ordered to be calculated based on each river and fish run. Because the right to take anadromous fish (fish that travel up rivers to spawn) arises from a treaty with the United States, that right is reserved and protected under the supreme law of the land, does not depend on state law, is distinct from rights or privileges held by others, and may not be qualified by any action of the state, Boldt wrote in his ruling. Boldt also tackled the question of whether the treaties included steelhead trout, rejecting the states argument to only include salmon. Boldt found that trout were not regarded differently than salmon at the time the treaties were signed and were subject to the treaty quota. While the treaties restricted Natives collecting shellfish from beds maintained by non-Natives, Boldt found that the tribes had an equal right to hatchery-bred fish if they participated in the breeding operation, and directed the state and the tribes to work together on hatchery programs. The state was also directed to restrict non-Indigenous fishers as needed to ensure that the tribes received their allotment of fish. While some Native activists initially saw the ruling as taking half of the fish away from the tribes, they recognized Boldts ruling as an affirmation of tribal sovereignty and that the treaties were legally binding on the federal government. Non-Natives were not so happy, to put it mildly. Boldt said in a later interview that he received bales of mail from those who were mad at the opinion. He was hanged in effigy from a fishing boat and non-Native fishers flouted the ruling, leading Boldt to put the fisheries under federal control to rein the violators in. Washington appealed the case, and despite Gortons assurance to non-Indigenous anglers that Boldts ruling would be quickly overturned, it was affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the case. The nations high court would further affirm the Boldt ruling in a 1979 case. Plans are underway to install a statue of Frank in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall, replacing one of Marcus Whitman. It Happened Here is a weekly history column by Yakima Herald-Republic reporter Donald W. Meyers. Reach him at dmeyers@yakimaherald.com or 509-577-7748. Sources for this week's column include the University of Washington Law School, historylink.org, United States v. State of Washington, and the archives of The Seattle Times and the Yakima Herald-Republic. 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. FILE - Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate, Nov. 8, 2023, in Miami. Scott, a 2024 vice presidential contender for GOP frontrunner former President Donald Trump's ticket, is treading carefully on questions about whether he would have certified the 2020 election if he had been vice president at the time. Scott in a pair of Sunday, Feb. 18, television interviews, would not say if he would have acted differently than Vice President Mike Pence. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Tens of thousands rail against Mexico's president and ruling party in 'march for democracy' Tens of thousands of demonstrators are marching through cities in Mexico and abroad in what they call a march for democracy. Admiral Rob Bauer,Chairman of NATO's Military Committee, said that the West had previously been "overly optimistic" about the course of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2023. According to him, the West believed that "if you provide the Ukrainians with the necessary ammunition and training, they will win." ADVERTISIMENT His statement was quoted by the Financial Times. But now, he said, Western countries should "refrain from being too pessimistic in 2024." "The very fact that Ukraine is still a sovereign state and that Ukrainians have regained 50% of what the Russians took in 2022 is remarkable," Bauer said. Earlier, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that his country would support Ukraine until victory. Otherwise, Putin's victory over Ukraine will encourage other dictators to take similar actions. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Italy said that Ukraine must join NATO. However, it cannot join the North Atlantic Alliance while it is at war with Russia. This was stated by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the Munich Security Conference. ADVERTISIMENT 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. 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. On the night of February 19, the Russian occupation forces attacked the regions of Ukraine with four Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones. However, the defenders of the sky shot down all these enemy targets. ADVERTISIMENT Residents of the Kharkiv region were under threat of attacks. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the attack was repelled. According to the military, the aggressor launched four Shaheds at Kharkiv region from the territory of the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation. The defenders neutralized all Russian UAV strikes with air defense forces and means, preventing any hits. As OBOZ.UA reported, the previous night, on February 18, air defense forces shot down 12 of the 14 Shaheds, as well as one of the ten missiles launched by the occupiers. In addition, the defenders "landed" another Russian Su-34 aircraft. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! PSD a dat, PSD a luat, numele partidului fie laudat! Ordinea de zi a sedintei de astazi, 18 martie, a Consiliului Judetean Neamt a fost suplimentata cu un proiect de hotarare mult asteptata de toti primarii din judet. Este vorba despre repartizarea pe unitati administrativ-teritoriale a sumei de 36.829 mii de lei din sumele alocate din cotele defalcate [citeste mai departe] IPJ Ialomita:Politistii din cadrul Politiei Orasului Tandarei au depistat in flagrant un barbat Nr. 12151 din 18 Martie 2024 STIRE DE PRESA Politistii din cadrul Politiei Orasului Tandarei au depistat in flagrant, pe raza localitatii, un barbat, in varsta 44 de ani, din comuna Ograda in timp ce transporta [citeste mai departe] Direkt36 and Telex have learned from several independent sources that head of the Hungarian Reformed Church Zoltan Balog, who has long been a confidant of Hungarian president Katalin Novak, played a crucial role in the presidential pardon which led to Novaks resignation. Since the publication of this articles original Hungarian version, Balog acknowledged his role in the controversial presidential pardoning of a convicted pedophiles accomplice, and stepped down from leading Hungarys second largest church. Although Katalin Novak has not publicly shared details of the presidential pardon that outraged the Hungarian public and led to her resignation, information obtained from within the Fidesz party and government circles helped clear the picture. Several sources close to the government and the presidents office told Direkt36 and Telex that Zoltan Balog, the leader of the Hungarian Reformed Church, former minister of Orban as well as advisor and long-time mentor of Novak, played an important role in the pardon. A former senior official in the Orban government said that his contacts in Novaks office had said that it was Balog who had encouraged the president to grant a pardon to Endre K. The man had been a deputy director of an orphanage in the town of Bicske, and he was convicted for pressuring children to withdraw their testimonies against his boss, Janos Vasarhelyi, the director of the institution. The director himself is currently serving his jail sentence for sexually abusing children. A source close to Novak also confirmed Balogs involvement in pressing for a presidential pardon. The source added that, when the scandal broke and both Novaks colleagues and Viktor Orbans team asked Balog for an explanation, the bishop defended himself by saying that it was not his personal decision, but that several people in the Reformed Church leadership wanted Endre K., who has good family ties to the church, to be pardoned. An opposition politician with good government connections received the same explanation for the pardoning, both from the Fidesz faction and from Novaks staff. Politically, it was clearly Balogs push for the pardon, the politician said, adding that Novaks entourage had long complained that Balog had been showing up in the Sandor Palace to issue orders and he was meddling in everything. The sources did not give details of the specific steps Balog had taken to grant the pardon. Officially, Balog is a member of the presidents advisory council, but several sources familiar with the Novak-Balog relationship said that the Calvinist bishop had influence over Katalin Novaks decisions that went far beyond his formal position. A former colleague of Novaks, who was on good personal terms with her, said: Kata would do anything for him. We tried to reach Zoltan Balog on several channels and sent him detailed questions but received no reply. Katalin Novaks office did not react either. On his official Facebook page, Balog shared the following post two days before Katalin Novaks resignation, at the height of the scandal: Retreating for a few weeks to pray, think, read and write in the silence of God. What a gift! According to sources, several people close to Novak complained that Balog had taken this step and went abroad to pray and think just as the scandal was escalating. Balog and the orphanage It is not yet clear why it was so important for Balog to issue this pardon. On February 2, 444.hu revealed that Novak, citing last years papal visit to Hungary as reason for the clemency, had pardoned Endre K., the former deputy director of the Bicske childrens home, who, according to the court, helped cover up the directors sexual crimes. However, Balogs name had already been mentioned before in connection with the Bicske pedophile case. For example, he was the one who in 2016 proposed a state award for Janos Vasarhelyi, the director of the childrens home who was later convicted of pedophilia. Balog may also have known Endre K., the deputy director who was later convicted for the cover-up, as they participated together in a conference organized by his ministry in 2013 titled Inclusion and Protection of Children in and through Sport, which was aimed at stopping sexual violence against children. According to an article in Hvg.hu, Endre K.s father was previously mentioned in press reports as a local Calvinist church official, and the family had influential friends and acquaintances. Several sources former government officials, sources familiar with the Reformed Church and personal acquaintances of Katalin Novak have unanimously claimed that Zoltan Balog and Katalin Novak have long had an especially close personal relationship. Twenty years younger than him, Novak became a mentee of Balog, who guided her throughout her political career. From 2012, they had a close formal relationship for many years first, Novak was then-Minister for Human Capacities Zoltan Balogs chief of staff, then she became his state secretary. Although Balog left the government in 2018, he remained close to Novak, and after her election as president in 2022, he became a key member of Novaks advisory team. Over the years, Balog and Novak have taken several publicly funded exotic trips to far-away places such as Bogota or, most recently, to Papua New Guinea in autumn 2023. The shared events and trips have continued despite the fact that Balog and Novaks official functions have constantly changed. When they went to Bogota, Novak was a state secretary and Balog was one of the prime ministers commissioners. Recently, they travelled together to Papua as President of the Republic and presidential advisor (and bishop). Judit Varga did not support a pardon Information has also leaked out about the role of Judit Varga, the former minister of justice, who was also implicated in the pardoning scandal. According to a government source familiar with the events from Novaks side, what was first reported by far-right website Magyar Jelen, which is close to the Our Homeland party, is true: Judit Varga forwarded Endre K.s pardon request to Novak without proposing it for support. Several people close to Varga have confirmed that the then minister of justice did indeed not support the pardon. However, Novak did sign it, according to sources, under the influence of Balogs lobbying. According to a government source, Varga must have felt that she could not go against the presidents decision, however, she made a mistake by not asking the prime ministers permission and by not informing Viktor Orban at all. According to the source, Varga did so in good faith, because she thought that the issue had been decided above her and her role was only formal. (However, no other source could confirm that Viktor Orban was not aware of the pardon decision in advance.) According to a source close to Varga, the presidents staff probably expected that the case would not be made public, as presidential pardon cases are anonymous. But what happened here is that Endre K.s case was referred to the Curia (the highest judicial authority in Hungary) for a third instance ruling. Then, in September last year, it was published in the Judicial Decisions Register official journal that Endre K. had been pardoned by Novak on April 27, 2023. This is how the previously anonymous case became identifiable, serving the basis for the 444.hu article on Endre K.s case on February 2, thus triggering the scandal that led to the presidents resignation. Balogs possible role as head of the Reformed Church in the operations of the office of the President of the Republic and in specific pardon cases also raises questions because, under Hungarian law, the state and the church operate separately. The President of the Republic, as the guardian of constitutionality and as the highest public dignitary, is the number one representative of the Hungarian state, who, embodying the unity of the nation, must make decisions free of political and religious bias. After the presidents resignation, Zoltan Balog shared a post on Facebook by a group titled I stand by Katalin Novak, which praises Novak saying, among other things, that she is one of the few people who take responsibility for their mistakes. Source: direkt36.hu - republished with permission You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories, via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! YORK Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and other top Republican state officials praised the U.S. and touted their impact while warning against the federal government, DEI, pornography and more at a GOP dinner in York earlier this month. The Lincoln-Reagan Dinner hosted by the York County Republicans on Saturday, Feb. 10 began with the pledge of allegiance. Then a young woman sang the national anthem, followed by a prayer from York County Commissioner Stan Boehr. We see thievery, we see lawlessness in our country, and we see greed, and we seelies about Covid and manmade energy global warming and so we need, Lord, your help in fighting these evil forces and we see the murder of babies. So give us strength and energy and help us not sit on our hands, Boehr said, according to a video recording of the event shared with the News-Times by York County Republican Chairwoman Diana Johnson. Attorney General Hilgers spoke last, following speeches by State Auditor Mike Foley, State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, whose district includes York, and Kirk Penner, a member of the Nebraska State Board of Education. Calling Lincoln the great emancipator and Reagan the great communicator, Hilgers said, I cant help come into an event like this, and think why am I doing all of this? I know this group doesnt take it for granted, but its very easy for our neighbors and our friends, other people in our community, to take what we have for granted. Hilgers pointed to his law firm, Hilgers Graben, which he started in 2011, as an example of how in America you can bet on yourself because you dont have the thumb of the government on you. When I built my firm it was just me. My wife was seven months pregnant. We were on the verge of bankruptcy probably a few months but we really had no path. Twelve years later when I became Attorney General, we had over 100 lawyers. He also pointed to law enforcement and public safety as something that sets the U.S. apart. In the United States we have professional, thoughtful people, people who are not going to have any prejudice towards power. Theyre not going to be corrupt. And he pointed to the United States amazing constitutional structure and specifically its separation of powers. Hilgers mentioned a federal lawsuit that his office filed along with five other Republican states against the Biden administrations student debt relief plan, which they claimed was an overreach. In June 2022 the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the lawsuit, with the liberal justices dissenting. In October 2023 Hilgers challenged the constitutionality of LB 50, a criminal justice reform bill, on the grounds that it violated the Nebraska constitutions separation of powers. Hilgers mentioned other lawsuits against the federal government that his office supported, including a lawsuit that private citizens filed against the EPA for alleged overreach in its broader definition of Waters of the U.S, navigable waters regulated by the EPA. Hilgers and a coalition of other Republican states supported the lawsuit against the EPA. They may not be able to identify Nebraska on a map or spell it and they are making decisions for us? Hilgers said of the EPAs definition of Waters of the U.S. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down parts of the EPAs definition in May 2023, eliminating protections for wetlands and waterways throughout the country. In his speech Hilgers also warned against liberal states that export their values. He said that agriculture is the backbone not just of our economy, but our way of life and our culture, and that the left has agriculture in its sights. Hilgers said that the left was anti-science, adding that the goal of reducing carbon emissions a major cause of climate change by 2050 is extraordinary. Former Nebraska State Climatologist Martha Durr told the Omaha World Herald in 2023 that by 2050 the average temperature in Nebraska could rise by 5 degrees or more, harming the health of Nebraskans and increasing the chances of flooding and drought. Liberal states, he also said, are trying to export their values through their state legislatures where none of us have a vote. Hilgers pointed to California, which passed a law in part regulating the treatment of pigs that can be sold as pork in the state. The California law was challenged in court by pork producers, but the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the challenge. After discussing states alleged exportation of their values, Hilgers said that the left is taking over companies with ESG, which stands for environmental, social and governance, and DEI, which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion. What does that mean? Hilgers asked of DEI. Its basically code for being a racist. Eighty-seven percent of small businesses in Nebraska are owned by white, non-Latino people, while that same demographic makes up about 77% of the population, according to Josie Schafer from the University of Nebraska at Omahas Center for Public Affairs Research. Hilgers accused the left of believing that any system in the United States that produces any disparity amongst race is itself racist. Nearly three times as many Black Nebraskans are below the poverty line as white Nebraskans, according to a 2021 DHHS report. Hilgers said that the left aims to push Fortune 100 companies resources towards political aims like net zero, abortion rights, affirmative action, and racism. The DEI virus, he said, is co-opting companies and institutions and universities in particular all around the country. Nebraska Republican Party Legislative Director William Feely, who emceed the event, said in his closing remarks, As Republicans, as Americans, and as Conservatives, we need to flip the narrative. Just like the alternative lifestyle did to our rainbow that was a promise from God, were gonna turn DEI around its not Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, its Deport Every Illegal. The rearrangement of DEI that Feely proposed was, he said, someone elses brilliant invention. Conservative Australian news host James Morrow appears to have come up with it. Hilgers signed onto a letter in July 2023 after the Supreme Court struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions. The letter warned Fortune 100 companies to follow the supreme courts order and not pursue racist or discriminatory policies, Hilgers said at the event in York. Turning to his work in Nebraska, Hilgers mentioned a state bill, introduced this session at his request, to criminalize the sale and use of Delta-8-THC, which is currently sold in stores in Nebraska thanks to a loophole. Hilgers said, to loud cheers, We will sue every single store in the state of Nebraska if it takes me the rest of my term to stop these drugs from getting into the hands of kids. Before Hilgers spoke, State Board of Education Member Kirk Penner, who was born in York before moving to Aurora, gave a talk focused on pornography and gender ideology in schools. To me sexually explicit material should not be in our public school libraries or libraries, he said. At a hearing earlier this month about a rule change Penner had introduced to remove pornography from school libraries, the president of the Nebraska School Library Association, Chris Haeffner, said that the change was unnecessary because books in school libraries already go through a vetting process: No, we do not have pornography in our school libraries, she said. A retired librarian from Lincoln said at the Kilgore Memorial Library in York in late November in response to similar accusations being made about books in public libraries: There is nothing in this library that meets the definition of pornography. Penner also said that gender ideology was being brought into public schools. During his talk he shared a playbill or program note from a play at a Nebraska public school. The person possibly a teacher who wrote the program note appeared to have used gender-neutral language in the bios for some of the students. You got to read that, he said, referring to the program note. Everywhere they have they it should be she or he. But this music teacher or play teacher evidently came from a woke university, which they all are, maybe except for Concordia, or some others like that. Penner encouraged Republicans to run for the State Board of Education, saying that if two Republicans join the board, then they will have a majority. He also said that if Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omahas Sports and Spaces bill, which would require transgender students to use locker rooms according to their biological sex and participate in school teams based on biological sex, does not pass, he would consider introducing a rule change to the State Board of Education related to the topic. You dont have to ask me, I dont have to ask anybody, he said, if its okay for a boy to follow my daughter into the locker room. Because Im going to follow that boy right with him thats what dads do. At the beginning of his speech, Auditor Foley warned against a possible referendum to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, saying that it threatened to eviscerate 50 years of pro-life activism. Mostly, Foleys speech focused on his work as state auditor, highlighting his exposure of the fraudulent use of taxpayer dollars and accounting errors in the 2023 fiscal year. Sen. Hughes speech, meanwhile, focused entirely on her work in the current legislative session. Hughes said that although she had signed onto a bill to eliminate the inheritance tax, she was having second thoughts about getting rid of it. Theyre using it for the roads, for the snow emergency we had at the beginning of the year, Hughes said about the inheritance tax. She pointed out that a York County Commissioner had testified against the bill at the legislature earlier this month. The commissioner said that the tax brought in about $1 million per year to York County. After the guest speakers, there were also brief speeches from Nebraska Republican Party Executive Director Dawn Liphardt, who spoke on behalf of Nebraska GOP Chairman Eric Underwood. Reading aloud Underwoods remarks, she said, We are in a spiritual war. We are in a war on our values. We are in a war for the very identity of this country. York County Republican Chairwoman Diana Johnson ended the event by encouraging those in attendance to join York County Republicans. YORK The widow suing Omaha YouTuber Andrew Flair for her husbands death at Flairs nuclear silo in York has amended her lawsuit. The amended lawsuit filed in Douglas County by lawyers for Mary Arkfeld widow of Joseph Arkfeld, 66, a retired electrician who was crushed to death by the entry door to the silo includes new allegations regarding Flairs acquisition and ownership of the decommissioned Atlas-F missile silo. Flairs channel, which focuses on fishing, survival, and his properties, has 2.7 million subscribers. After buying the missile silo in September 2022 for $550,000, Flair began renovating it and made a video series on YouTube about the renovation. The silo videos have about 6.75 million views in total, according to Arkfelds lawyers, while all of his videos in total have about 750,000,000 views. Flair contracted Joseph Arkfeld of Valley to work as an electrician at the silo, according to Flairs lawyers. While leaving the silo on Dec. 20, 2022, after a day of renovations, Joseph Arkfeld was crushed to death by the steel entry door to the silo, according to a Dec. 20, 2022, report from the York County Sheriffs Department. Arkfelds son-in-law found his body at the silo after Arkfeld did not respond to messages from his family. The sheriffs report said that an electric winch was used to close the silos steel entry door with steel braided cable. The winch was powered by a deep cycle battery located on the exterior of the silo, according to the report. Once Mr. Arkfeld activated the winch, he appears to have returned to the opening and became trapped in the entrance. The door cause[d] traumatic injuries to his upper thoracic cavity, resulting in his death, the report said. Arkfelds lawyers claim Arkfeld had been told the lock the entry door but had not been instructed about how to use the doors locking mechanism, which they say was defective and resembled a reckless Rube Goldberg machine. The winch used to close the door, they say, had excess cable that would cause it to suddenly stop and start while closing. In the lawsuit, Arkfelds lawyers accuse Flair of negligence, writing that he failed to replace the entry doors closing system and placed everyone using the locking system in danger. The locking system had been installed by the silos previous owners, according to Arkfelds lawyers. In addition to Andrew Flair, the lawsuit also names Flairs outdoors company Andrew Flair Outdoors LLC, his construction company Beefcake Construction LLC, and his company Hooya Enterprises LLC as respondents, claiming that they were involved with the silos acquisition and renovation. Flairs lawyers have denied that there was anything wrong with the doors locking mechanism or that Arkfeld was directed to lock the door upon leaving. Court records in a separate case related to a burglary at the silo a few months after Arkfelds death show that Flair subsequently changed the doors locking mechanism. One of Flairs lawyers, Ryan Kunhart, declined to offer additional comment on the case, instead pointing to a comment he had provided to the News-Times in November: Andrew and his family were saddened by the tragic passing of Mr. Arkfeld last December. Due to the ongoing legal proceedings, he is not able to comment further at this time. Arkfelds lawyers also declined to comment, saying that they would let the lawsuit speak for itself. Hooya bought the silo? As they did in response to the initial lawsuit, Flairs lawyers have responded to the amended lawsuit by filing a motion to dismiss on behalf of three out of the four defendants, claiming that neither Andrew Flair, Andrew Flair Outdoors LLC, nor his construction company Beefcake Construction LLC should be parties to the case. Rather, Flairs lawyers claim, the only party that can be sued for negligence for Arkfelds death is Hooya Enterprises, a Nebraska limited liability company that was formed for the sole purpose of acquisition and ownership of the silo. Hooya, and not Andrew Flair, is the current owner of the silo, according to property tax documents. Citing Nebraska case law, Flairs lawyers say that only the owner of the silo may be held liable for Arkfelds accidental death. Arkfelds lawyers, meanwhile, claim that they have enough evidence to pierce the corporate veil between Hooya and Flair and hold Flair personally responsible for the death at the silo. The newly alleged facts in the amended lawsuit relate to the purchase of the silo and, Flairs lawyers argue, support their claim that this corporate veil can be pierced. Both Flair and Arkfelds lawyers were previously in agreement that a warranty deed dated from Aug. 9, 2022, showed that Hooya Enterprises was listed on the deed as the buyer of the silo. However, Arkfelds lawyers now claim in their amended lawsuit that Andrew Flair was actually the name initially listed as the grantee or buyer on the warranty deed. A copy of the warranty deed, available on Nebraska Deeds Online, shows that Andrew Flairs name on the Aug. 9, 2022 warranty deed appears to have been xd out and replaced with Hooya Enterprises, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company. This has to have occurred sometime before Sept. 16, 2022 when Hooya Enterprises officially purchased the property from the previous owners, according to the Nebraska Assessors site. Meanwhile, Flairs lawyers deny that Flair was the initial buyer and affirmatively stat[e] that Hooya is the Grantee listed on the Aug. 9, 2022 Warranty Deed. Hooya Enterprises did not exist as a limited liability company in the state of Nebraska until Aug. 18, 2022, according to its certificate of organization filed with Nebraskas secretary of state, which shows that Hooyas office address is the same as the address of Dvorak Law Group, Kunharts law firm. It is not clear what is legally implied by Arkfelds allegation that Flair, and not Hooya, originally acquired the silo. Both Flair and Arkfeld are in agreement that Hooya is the current owner. Arkfelds lawyers also point to other possible evidence which they think suggests Flair and his companies ongoing involvement with the silo is enough to pierce the corporate veil. Arkfelds lawyers claim that Beefcake Construction, Andrew Flair Outdoors, which were the general contractors for the silos renovation, as well as Hooya, the silos owner, are each undercapitalized and mere facades for the personal dealings of Flair. The mailing address listed for Hooya on the missile silos page on Nebraska Taxes Online is an address in Iowa, registered to Andrew Flair Outdoors, an Iowa LLC. Flairs lawyers also cite Flairs personal confession to ownership of the silo on his YouTube videos, one of which is entitled I Bought an Abandoned NUCLEAR Missile Bunker. That video, Arkfelds lawyers noted, was not titled Hooya Enterprises, LLC Bought an Abandoned NUCLEAR Missile Bunker!!! (Purchased to Flip). After highlighting a few instances of confession to ownership, Arkfelds lawyers said that listing every confession of ownership would require a novella. In response, Flairs lawyers argue that even though Flair has made claims to ownership of the silo on YouTube, he has done so as a member of Hooya and not in a personal capacity. While Flair, Beefcake and Flair Outdoors have filed another motion to dismiss, Hooya itself denied some claims made by Arkfelds lawyers and accepted others. In their lawsuit, Arkfelds lawyers did not specify the amount in damages they were seeking from Flair. They previously told the News-Times that they planned to leave the amount to the jury. Moreover, they argue that if Arkfeld were awarded damages by a jury, Hooya would be unable to pay them. Defendant Hooya is controlled exclusively by Flair, and its asset(s) would fail to satisfy any eventual judgment against it, they wrote. As a result, granting Flairs Motion to Dismiss would render Joes widow and heirs not only without their husband and father due to Flairs negligence, but also without any opportunity to recover fair compensation for Joes tragic death. The hearing on Flairs motion to dismiss is scheduled for April 15 in Omaha. For Emergency Escape Only Court documents related to a burglary at Flairs silo in the spring of 2023 suggest that some time after Arkfelds death, Flair changed the main doors locking mechanism. According to a May 2023 York County Sheriffs Department report, York County resident Chad Stuhr allegedly broke into Flairs property in April, 2023, a few months after Arkfelds death. Once at the compound, Stuhr appeared to make himself more or less at home: smoking cigarettes, using a PlayStation that he had brought with him, sleeping and showering in the bunker. Before leaving, Stuhr allegedly stole three military grade Meals Ready-to-Eat, including two beef stew packages and one chicken with rice package. Stuhr also allegedly stole a sign that said, For Emergency Escape Only-releases 4 tons of sand when opened. All that Stuhr needed to enter the silo was the combination for a padlock on the entry door, which he had somehow saved in his phones notes app, according to a June 2023 affidavit from the York County Sheriffs Office. On May 1, officers from the sheriffs department entered the missile silo in response to the alleged burglary and wrote that, The first entrance is the main entrance which is a metal door secured by a combination padlock. A corporal from the sheriffs office said that he had spoken to Flair before entering the property for the investigation. Andrew gave me permission to enter the property to further investigate the alleged crime. Andrew stated no one has permission to be on the property and furnished all padlock combination codes to me so I could access the property. The victim in this case is Andrew Flair, the corporal said in the June affidavit. At no point in its May 2023 report did the sheriffs department mention a winch locking mechanism required to enter the door, as had been mentioned in a sheriffs report from Dec. 20, 2022 the day of Arkfelds death. The last filing for the burglary was June 20, 2023 and York County Attorney Gary Olson said that there were no filings pending. Hooya Enterprises LLC was not mentioned in any of the burglary filings. PHOTOS: Snow, wind as a squall hits York Another Snow There was another snow in York on Thursday, Jan. 18, affecting road conditions and visibility. Jeremy Wesely, a meteorologist at the National Another Snow Though not as cold as the past week, temperatures in York were well below freezing on Thursday. A winter weather advisory was in effect until Another Snow Snow finished up around the early evening on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. How to prevent frostbite I's important to make sure everyone stays warm. Hear from Dr. Anthony Cook about frostbite and how to stay warm. Another Snow The parking lot of Walmart was busy as a ever despite the flurries and the cold weather. Another Snow The National Weather Service issued a snow squall warning on Tuesday. Another Snow Snow hit York, again, on Tuesday. New Delhi: Chandu Champion is indeed one of the biggest releases of the year that is jointly produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan. The film marks the biggest collaboration of producer Sajid Nadiadwala, director Kabir Khan, and superstar Kartik Aaryan who are joining forces for the first time. While the film is going to bring a whole new kind of experience to the audience on the big screens, it has been extensively shot in the beautiful locations of Kashmir. Chandu Champion has extensively captured the scenic beauty of Aru Valley in Kashmir. From the massive mountain to mesmerizing landscapes, the film is sure to deliver an enthralling experience. Interestingly, To get to the shooting location, it would take 30 minutes by car and then a 20-minute steep walk up. The team required ropes to help take equipment up. Reaching the location itself was a huge task but was worth it. The team did not have any connectivity in the area at all. They would only get connections back at the hotels. The film marks Kartik and Kabir's first association and the second one with Sajid Nadiadwala after the super hit Satyaprem Ki Katha. The trio is coming together with an interesting true story of a man who refused to surrender. Jointly produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan, Chandu Champion is all set for its grand release on 14th June 2024. Russian occupation forces suffered more losses in the battle for Avdiivka in Donetsk region than in the battle for Bakhmut. In just 4 months of the active phase of the Avdiivka defense operation, enemy losses amounted to more than 47 thousand soldiers. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the Center for Strategic Communications. The defense of Avdiivka from Russian invaders lasted almost 10 years. However, a decision was made to withdraw Ukrainian defenders from the city, and on February 18, the Defense Forces completed this process. Ukrainian soldiers were forced to leave Avdiivka due to a lack of ammunition. This is the price of our partners' delays in providing assistance. At the same time, Russia captured Avdiivka at the cost of huge losses in equipment and people. Over 47 thousand occupants, 364 tanks, 5 aircraft and other enemy equipment have been destroyed in just 4 months of the active phase of fighting. This figure is much higher than the losses of Putin's army in the Battle of Bakhmut. The Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to capture Avdiivka to boost his own rating. However, his deadline for "victory" has been repeatedly postponed due to the resilience of the city's Ukrainian defenders. ADVERTISIMENT "Controlling the ruins of Avdiivka will not give the enemy any strategic advantages. This is another "Pyrrhic victory" that brings the depletion of Russia's resources closer," the Center stated. As a reminder, the decision to withdraw Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka, which was under the threat of being surrounded by the enemy, was announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi on the night of February 17. President Zelensky called the decision correct and professional. In addition, he criticized the allies for not helping Ukraine properly, which led to this situation. Earlier, it was also reported that the occupying army lost more than 47 thousand soldiers during the capture of Avdiivka. Seventeen thousand of them were killed. ADVERTISIMENT Shortly before the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Avdiivka, soldiers of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade were sent to help them. During the time they were defending the city, they also inflicted significant losses on Russian troops: they killed 1,500 invaders, destroyed twenty units of Russian military equipment, and more. As reported by OBOZ.UA, military correspondent Bohdan Miroshnikov said what will happen to the Russian army after the capture of Avdiivka. For his part, officer of the 59th Separate Mechanized Brigade Serhiy Tsehotskyi emphasized that Avdiivka had fully fulfilled its task in the defense operation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the decision to withdraw Ukrainian units was correct. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! New Delhi: The Karnataka state government revealed that Tata Group subsidiaries Air India and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) intend to invest Rs 2,300 crore in the state. These projects are anticipated to generate job opportunities for 1,650 individuals on Monday. As per the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that has been signed, Air India will establish a facility for aircraft maintenance, repairs, and overhaul at the Bengaluru airport. This project requires an investment of approximately Rs 1,300 crore and is expected to create jobs for 1,200 individuals. (Also Read: Bhavish Aggarwal Visits Hindu Mandir In Abu Dhabi, Shares Pics; Says 'India Will Rise As A Vishwaguru') Tata Advanced Systems, known for producing doors for Airbus's A320neo planes plans to establish manufacturing and research & development facilities in Karnataka. The company will invest in three projects near Bengaluru Airport and in Kolar, totaling Rs 1,030 crore. (Also Read: GPT Healthcare IPO: Check Price Band, Subscription, Allotment & Listing Dates) These projects include a passenger to freighter aircraft conversion facility (Rs 420 crore), a gun manufacturing facility (Rs 310 crore), and aerospace & defence research and development in Karnataka (Rs 300 crore). These initiatives are anticipated to create job opportunities for 450 individuals. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil attended the MoU signing ceremony. Patil emphasized the importance of streamlined government support for such projects, including clearances, approvals, and interventions. He assured assistance in resolving any issues related to the implementation of the projects. S. Selvakumar, Principal Secretary of the Karnataka Industries Department along with Nipun Agrawal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India and Sukaran Singh, CEO of TASL, participated in the exchange of the MoU. Chief Secretary to the Karnataka Government, Rajneesh Goyal; Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister L.K. Atiq; Commissioner of Industries Department Gunjan Krishna; Air India top officials Manan Chauhan, Karthikeya Bhat, and Atul Shukla; TASL top officials Guru Dattatreya and Arjun Maine; Bangalore International Airport Managing Director Hari Marar, COO Satyaki Raghunath, and CFO Bhaskar Ravindra attended the event. The Tata Group's investment plan for Karnataka follows closely after their announcement of a Rs 15,000 crore investment in Telangana. Additionally, the Tata Group is planning to establish a semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat. Investments in states are increasing due to the Modi government's Atmanirbhar policy, which emphasizes self-reliance and encourages collaborations between Indian companies and high-tech foreign firms. Consequently, there is also a rise in foreign direct investment (FDI) flowing into the country. (With IANS Inputs) New Delhi: Bhavish Aggarwal, the founder and CEO of Ola, recently shared pictures from his visit to the renowned Hindu Temple in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Aggarwal captured moments from the grand celebration at the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple, fondly referred to as the "Lotus of the Desert". Celebrating Spirituality Describing the temple as a "true symbol of spirituality", Aggarwal expressed his humility and honor at being part of the festivities. (Also Read: Nothing CEO Carl Pie Became 'Carl Bhai' In Twitter Bio, But Why So?) Visiting and speaking at the @BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi was a life memory for me. It is such a historic moment of two civilisations coming together and thankful to be there to witness it pic.twitter.com/rfHh8x4eJ3 Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) February 18, 2024 He highlighted the temple's significance as a beacon of peace and harmony, reflecting on India's ancient traditions that emphasize oneness with the universe and divine presence in all aspects of life. (Also Read: Google Offers 300% Salary Hike To Retain Employee; Read More) Attire And Interactions During his visit, Aggarwal donned traditional attire and posed in front of the temple, capturing the essence of the spiritual ambiance. He also had the opportunity to interact with the temple priests, further immersing himself in the spiritual experience. Humbled and honoured to be a part of the grand celebration at the Lotus of the Desert, the @BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. It is a true symbol of spirituality and universal ethos of peace and harmony. Our ancient Indian traditions have always understood that you do not just pic.twitter.com/ZmZYOo5or6 February 17, 2024 Vision for India and World Harmony In his reflections, Aggarwal expressed confidence in India's potential to emerge as a global leader in promoting inclusivity and harmonious development. He underscored the importance of young Indians embracing their dharma (duty) to contribute to a world marked by unity and cooperation. Historic Moment Aggarwal also shared his appreciation for speaking at the BAPS Hindu Mandir, describing it as a significant moment of cultural exchange and historical significance. The temple, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, represents a milestone in the harmonious coexistence of different civilizations. About BAPS Mandir The BAPS Mandir stands as the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the UAE, occupying a sprawling 27-acre area in Abu Dhabi's Abu Mureikhah district. Its inauguration ceremony, celebrated as the "Festival of Harmony", marks a momentous occasion in promoting cultural understanding and spiritual unity. New Delhi: India, being a young nation, finds itself at a critical juncture in its education sector, brimming with youth poised to shape its future. However, to empower this youth to chart the nation's course forward, the country must first establish frameworks to guide their development and growth trajectory. In an effort to equip the country's youth with the necessary tools to enhance both their academic and vocational skills, the government introduced the National Education Policy 2020 and the Skill India mission. To delve into the impacts of various facets of the ever-evolving educational landscape, encompassing everything from entrance examinations to artificial intelligence, Zee News English talked to Chairman of AISECT, and chancellor of five universities, Dr. Santosh Choubey. Sharing his insights on the multidisciplinary education system, Dr. Choubey emphasized its significance as outlined in the NEP 2020. He stressed that for holistic human development, individuals require both a scientific temperament and artistic sensibility to comprehend society. "I believe that to be a well-rounded individual, one must possess both a scientific temperament and the heart of a literary person," said Santosh Choubey. "Humanities and Science should coexist, and Engineering and liberal arts should complement each other, fostering individuals capable of navigating the emerging world," he added. Multiple Languages In Schools Dr. Choubey applauded the government's decision to incorporate vernacular teaching systems. Commenting on CBSE's initiative to introduce the learning of multiple languages in schools, Dr. Choubey remarked, "In a world becoming increasingly interconnected, proficiency in multiple languages can unlock numerous opportunities globally." "With Europe experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals, proficiency in their languages can facilitate employment opportunities for Indians in the West," he added. Is the Merger of JEE and NEET into CUET Viable? Responding to queries regarding the integration of JEE and NEET into CUET, Dr. Choubey suggested maintaining some degree of separation based on domains. "While merging exams within the same domain, such as JEE for engineering, is acceptable, separate examinations based on domains should be conducted. Convergence should be limited to specific domains," he explained. Introduction of AI in Schools Artificial intelligence (AI), a cornerstone of the digital age, is rapidly evolving, necessitating measures to ensure its ethical utilization. Dr. Choubey advocated for the introduction of basic AI lessons in school curricula to familiarize children with this emerging technology and prepare them for the future. Supporting the idea of integrating artificial intelligence into school curricula, Dr. Choubey stressed the importance of acquiring knowledge from virtual spaces. He emphasized the need for think tanks to devise strategies for its implementation. New Delhi: British Film and Televisions biggest night, the 77th EE BAFTA Film Awards was a huge success with the hilarious David Tenant breathing life into the event, alongside presenters David Beckham, Cate Blanchett and our very own Deepika Padukone. With a mix of underrated wins and established films taking home some of the biggest prizes, the night applauded the maestros that graced British and international screens alike, in the past year. Some heartfelt and surprising moments and some hilarious moments were caught in the limelight. The 77th EE BAFTA Film Awards streamed on Lionsgate Play on 19th February 2024; tune in to rewatch the event exclusively on the platform. Here are the best moments from the Award ceremony: Deepika Padukone stuns in Sabyasachi The internet went into a frenzy as Bollywood star Deepika Padukone graced the EE BAFTA Film Awards in a stunning Sabyasachi saree. The shimmering saree draped flawlessly around her created a symphony of Indian tradition with a touch of glamor. After effortlessly mesmerizing the crowd at the red carpet, the actress was seen casting spells of admiration and awe as she presented the award for Best Film Not In The English Language, making India proud once again! Barbie goes BAFTA less In a twist to the fairy tale, the 77th EE BAFTA Film Awards saw Barbie walk home empty-handed. Despite having 5 nominations across various categories, Margot Robbie and crew failed to secure a single BAFTA win leaving most surprised at this unexpected snub. Oppenheimer goes Atomic (Get it?) This fairy tale saw no twists and turns but a grandeur of success, as Oppenheimer ruled the BAFTAs this year. Christopher Nolan received a well deserved First BAFTA Award for Best Director while Cillian Murphy and RDJ were felicitated with Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively. Oppenheimer also took the cake for Best Film, marking a perfect ending to their day! Prince William is in the House Its been the talk of the town, Prince William attended the 77th EE BAFTA Film Awards without Kate (Scandalous?). The British Royal appeared in support of the awards as a way to honor British talent and excellence. While he may not have a vote, winning a BAFTA in front of Prince William must certainly be a moment of true pride for the winners. David Tenant cracks up the audience You couldn't have picked a better host to capture the essence of British culture in an elegant, classy and overall hilarious way. David Tenant, actor extraordinaire, hosted the Awards with such class and pizzaz, leaving the audience in tears with his playful and joyous sense of humor. All Love for Michael fox In a surprise and rare public appearance, the awards saw the appearance of cult-favorite Michael J Fox. The Back to The Future Actor was a presenter for an award, which saw him arrive on stage in a wheelchair, due to his Parkinson's disease. Despite that the actor stood up to present the awards, warranting a standing ovation from the entire audience in support of him, making for a truly heartwarming and memorable moment. Tune in to Lionsgate Play to rewatch the 77th EE BAFTA Film Awards. New Delhi: As the BTS army along with fans across the globe brought in J Hopes 30th birthday on February 18, the celebrations continue as his docuseries HOPE ON THE STREET, produced by HYBE, gets a release date as well. Produced by BTSs label HYBE, the six-part series will premiere on Prime Video on March 28. Describing Hope on the Street as profiling J-hopes origin story and love for dancing as he begins a new journey in the 12th year of his professional career. The series chronicles his return to his roots as a dancer and has elements of a travel show. Accompanied by his former dance instructor, the popping champion Boogaloo Kin, j-hope explores the streets of Osaka, Seoul, Paris, New York, and Gwangju, meeting inspiring street dancers along the way. The documentary will also feature songs from j-hopes wildly anticipated solo album, Hope on the Street Vol.1, which is set to release on March 29. The release is described by j-hopes label as a six-track special album. The new project follows his 2022 solo album, Jack in the Box, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. A long-awaited treat for fans amid j-hopes ongoing hiatus from performing. The star is currently completing his mandatory 18-month military service in South Korea, which began in April 2023. After completing his basic training in May 2023, j-hope was appointed as an assistant training instructor with Koreas 36th Infantry Division in Wonju. With the Lok Sabha poll date announcement just a few weeks away, the INDIA bloc is yet to finalize its seat-sharing deal while Rahul Gandhi is busy carrying out his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was to join Rahul Gandhi's yatra today but neither he nor the SP supporters joined the yatra. Now, Akhilesh Yadav has made it clear that the SP will join the yatra only if the Congress accepts his seat-sharing proposal. Akhilesh Yadav was earlier offering 11 seats to the Congress and seven to the Rashtriya Lok Dal. Now, with the RLD joining hands with the BJP, Akhilesh Yadav has revised his offer to Congress to 15 seats. Congress' Strike Rate Under Scanner During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress secured victory in 52 seats across India, with minimal success in the northeast and the Hindi belt. In Uttar Pradesh, the party managed to win only one seat, Raebareli, while facing a defeat in Amethi where Rahul Gandhi lost to Smriti Irani. The Congress had contested all 80 seats but won just one. This has led to some scepticism within the opposition parties as they continue to question the Congress party's winnability and strike rate. Akhilesh Yadav's Firm Stand In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party did not field candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli as a gesture of courtesy towards the Congress. However, the dynamics have shifted this time, with the party adopting a more resolute stance. The Samajwadi Party has proposed allocating 15 seats to the Congress and is firm in asserting that the Congress cannot field candidates in any other constituencies if the alliance remains intact. The decision now rests with the Congress, and the awaited response will determine the course of the alliance. While Samajwadi Party has taken a firm stand on the alliance, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh had expressed optimism about Akhilesh Yadav's participation in the Yatra and finalization of the seat-sharing deal. INDIA Bloc In Trouble Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi and Punjab have already snubbed Congress saying that they would go solo. Now, if Congress further delays its UP alliance bid, Akhilesh Yadav might choose to walk out of the INDIA bloc. It's now up to Congress to take the alliance seriously and finalize seat-sharing deals with remaining INDIA bloc parties. The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has emerged as one of the biggest political parties in the world. With aspirations soaring high, the BJP has set an ambitious goal of winning 370 seats in the imminent 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Riding the wave of recent victories in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, the party now commands authority over 12 states across India. The party remains in election mode 24x7 and these strategies are decided by the top leadership of the party. The day-to-day operations and strategies of the party is overseen by its National Executive Members, and the Parliamentary Committee bridges the gap between party's leadership and its members holding parliamentary positions. These two bodies are the key arms responsible for the decision-making process within the party. BJPs National Executive In Decision-Making The National Executive of the BJP is a body responsible for formulating the party's policies and strategies and overseeing its day-to-day functioning. Comprising senior leaders, including the Prime Minister, party president, and other key members, this executive body meets regularly to discuss and decide on significant issues. Recently, 10 party leaders, including many former state unit chiefs, have been added to the party's national executive. The decision-making process within the National Executive is characterised by a top-down approach, with key leaders providing direction and setting the agenda. Besides 80 regular members, the executive consists of 50 special invitees and 179 permanent invitees. BJP's Parliamentary Board The Parliamentary Board is the highest decision-making body of the BJP, consisting of members appointed by the party chief, with a maximum limit of 11 members. This board oversees the activities of the parliamentary and legislative groups within the party, providing guidance and regulation for all organisational units below the National Executive. During the last reshuffle, the party added Sudha Yadav, K Laxman, B S Yediyurappa, Sarbananda Sonowal, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, and Satyanarayan Jatia to its supreme board and dropped Nitin Gadkari and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The Parliamentary Board is responsible for selecting the Chief Ministerial candidate before elections and deciding on individuals to be elevated to the position later on. The board plays a crucial role in the allocation of tickets, as its members are also part of the BJP Central Election Committee. By holding the authority to interpret the rules of the party constitution, the board is empowered to make amendments or deletions to its provisions. Synergy Between Executives And Board While the National Executive sets the overarching agenda and policies, the Parliamentary Board plays the final role in supervising and expanding the party's presence across the country. It is involved in selecting candidates for elections, forming alliances. The board's decisions significantly influence the BJP's electoral success and its ability to maintain a strong national presence. The synergy between these two bodies is pivotal for the BJP's success. Both the National Executive and Parliamentary Committee are integral to the BJP's functioning, but their work cultures differ significantly. The Parliamentary board, being the apex decision-making body, exhibits an assertive and directive work culture. The leadership's authority is paramount, and the executive is instrumental in shaping the party's ideological narrative. Complementing the board, the executives takes a more collaborative approach, reflecting the need for coordination within the branch. New Delhi: Farmers' leaders on Monday rejected the government's proposal on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and stated that they will continue to protest until the demand for a law on MSP is met. Addressing the media, the farmers' leaders unequivocally stated their rejection of the government's proposals. They argued that these propositions offer no benefits to the farmers and instead perpetuate a system where those in power exploit the country's resources. It's clear that this proposal does not serve the interests of the farming community, which is why we are rejecting it. The government's intentions appear dubious and self-serving. The farmers accused the government of being deceitful, stating that the Center's intentions have become evident. They alleged that while the government professes one thing during negotiations, it takes contradictory actions afterward. Farmer leaders emphasized that preventing them from protesting poses a significant threat to the country's democracy. The latest development follows the fourth round of talks between the farmers and a delegation comprising three Union Ministers from the Centre, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. However, with the farmers rejecting the government's proposal today, it appears that the fourth round of negotiations has also ended without progress. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday slammed Returning Officer Anil Masih for his role in the alleged defacement of ballot papers during the Chandigarh mayoral election and said that he should be prosecuted. The top court also proposed that results for the Chandigarh mayoral polls be declared by counting the present ballot papers, disregarding the marks made by Returning Officer Anil Masih instead of holding fresh elections. Chandigarh Mayor poll | Supreme Court remarks that Anil Masih, returning officer in Chandigarh Mayor election, has to be prosecuted as he was interfering with the election process. ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024 The top court, while hearing a petition on the alleged irregularities in the Chandigarh mayoral election, also expressed concerns over alleged horse-trading after the mayoral polls. We are deeply concerned about the horse-trading which is taking place..." the SC bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud said. The apex court also directed the administration to provide security to the judicial officer and safeguard the records. It also asked the HC registrar general to depute a judicial officer to bring ballot papers, and videos for its perusal on Tuesday. Earlier during the hearing, the Supreme Court grilled Masih over his conduct regarding his conduct during the controversial Mayoral elections in Chandigarh. Responding to the Supreme Court, Masih admitted that he put an 'X' mark on 8 ballot papers. Masih said that he was separately marking ballot papers which were defaced by the voters, so that they wouldn't get mixed up. On February 5, the bench of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra heard a petition filed by the AAP candidate and slammed Masih for his conduct and directed him to explain his conduct as presiding officer in the Chandigarh Mayor elections to the top court in person in next hearing. The CJI had called what transpired in mayoral elections a "murder of democracy". "It is obvious that he defaced the ballot papers. Is this the way he conducts the elections? This is a mockery of democracy. This is a murder of democracy. This man should be prosecuted! Tell him the Supreme Court is watching him," CJI Chandrachud said while passing orders. The court had expressed dismay over the videos that surfaced from the elections and asked why Masih was looking at the CCTV camera while counting ballot papers. The AAP and Congress have accused Masih of tampering with ballots to favour BJP candidate Manoj Sonkar. It is alleged by the INDIA bloc candidate Kuldeep Kumar that Masih rejected 8 votes as invalid while counting by forgery and BJP won elections by fraud. On January 30, Manoj Sonkar, the Mayor candidate from BJP was declared the Mayor after winning 16 votes against the 12 votes received by the Congress-AAP candidate Kumar. On February 18, just one day before the next hearing in the Supreme Court, the BJP candidate Manoj Sonkar resigned from the Mayor's office. In another key development before the hearing, three Chandigarh AAP Councillors Gurcharan Kala, Punam Devi and Neha Musawat joined the BJP. New Delhi: Farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been protesting for protesting past 7 days pressing for their 13 demands. Despite clashes between farmers and security forces, the demonstrations persist. Residents of the capital and nearby areas are grappling with disruptions caused by the farmers' determination to march to Delhi. However, after a week of negotiations, no consensus has been reached between the government and the farmers. In today's DNA, Zee News anchor Sourabh Raaj Jain analysed the government's proposal to the protesting farmers on the Minimum Support Price. On Sunday night, the fourth round of meetings took place between three central government ministers and farmer leaders in Chandigarh. Previous discussions had ended inconclusively, but during this fourth meeting, the government proposed providing Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers for five crops. However, today the farmers rejected the Centre's proposal and declared their intention to continue protesting. This proposal, offered by the government to farmers, entails the purchase of five cropsarhar, urad, lentil, maize, and cottonat a Minimum Support Price (MSP). - To facilitate this, farmers will enter into a five-year contract with NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd) and NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Ltd). - Under this contract, NAFED and NCCF will procure pulses, maize, urad, lentils, and cotton from farmers at MSP. - Importantly, there will be no limit on the purchase of these five crops at MSP. However, the farmer leaders in a press conference on Monday rejected the government's proposal and accused the government of being deceitful, stating that the Center's intentions have become evident. They alleged that while the government professes one thing during negotiations, it takes contradictory actions afterwards. Farmer leaders emphasized that preventing them from protesting poses a significant threat to the country's democracy. The Kremlin has sent specially trained units to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to "paint a picture" for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. In particular, they will supervise fraud and monitor the work of election commissions during the so-called "presidential elections" in Russia. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. It is noted that on the eve of the so-called "Putin's elections" Russia is increasing pressure on the TOT of Ukraine. "To create a fake picture of "support" for the Russian dictator, the occupiers sent specially trained units to the enslaved territories to supervise fraud and monitor the work of the so-called "election commissions," the DIU said. In particular, one of the tasks of these units is to report on the readiness of employees of enterprises to "vote" by March 10, 2024, and to provide a forecast of "support" for dictator Putin . The Kremlin has also approved a new "procedure" for conducting "voting" in the TOT of Ukraine. Thus, now it is possible to participate in the illegal "elections" in the enslaved territories with both Russian and Ukrainian passports, ID cards or other identity documents. ADVERTISIMENT "This decision demonstrates the failure of forced passportization in the occupied territories of Ukraine, and is another tool of the Russian special services to identify "unreliable" Ukrainians for repression," the intelligence service stated. At the same time, on the instructions from Moscow, the occupation administrations and propagandists are actively spreading fakes about the alleged "85% support" Putin in the occupied territories, as well as promoting the so-called "mobile voter" system, which, in particular, allows "voting" online and "without registration" in the occupied territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. As a reminder, the aggressor country of Russia has spread yet another propaganda piece that cynically uses alleged Ukrainian prisoners of war. In the Kremlin's video for dictator Putin's "elections", they were forced to give up their Ukrainian passports for Russian ones on camera. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA previously reported, according to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the aggressor country Russia has launched a new information operation against Ukraine, calling it "Perun". As part of it, the Russians will try to justify Russian military aggression against the Ukrainian state by engaging foreign journalists in propaganda. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that the Enforcement Directorate should have waited for the court's verdict in the excise policy case before issuing summons to him for questioning. "We are giving them replies as per the law. Now, they have filed a case. ED should wait for the court's judgement before issuing any fresh summon..." Kejriwal said when asked about skipping the ED summons in the past. #WATCH | On skipping ED summons, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says "We are giving them replies as per the law. Now, they have filed a case. ED should wait for the court's judgement before issuing any fresh summon..." pic.twitter.com/y5HYBYfK3h ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024 Kejriwal on Monday skipped the sixth summon issued by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an excise policy case linked to money laundering. The Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson, Priyanka Kakkar also said that the party has replied to all the ED summons and the investigative agency should have waited for the court's verdict in the case. The AAP called the ED summons 'illegal' saying that the matter of the validity of the summons is now in court. "We have replied to all summons from the ED. In court, the last date was February 17th and CM Arvind Kejriwal was virtually present there. The next date of hearing is March 16th. We are law-abiding people; whatever the court says, we will follow. ED should have waited for the verdict on the case. So this is a wrong summon," Priyanka Kakkar said. "ED itself has gone to court. Instead of sending summons again and again, ED should wait for the court's decision," a party source said earlier today. Meanwhile, on February 2, Kejriwal skipped the ED's summons for the fifth time in connection with the money laundering probe related to irregularities in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22 case. Kejriwal, on February 17, appeared before the Rouse Avenue Court via video conferencing following a complaint by the ED over his alleged non-compliance with its summons. The Delhi Chief Minister, while appearing virtually, informed the court that he wanted to join the court proceedings physically, but due to the confidence motion and budget sessions, he was unable to attend physically. The ED recently filed a fresh complaint case under sections 190 (1)(a) and 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 63 (4) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for non-attendance in compliance with Section 50 of PMLA. Amid all this, sources in the ED claimed that the court has taken cognizance of a complaint by a probe agency under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief. Section 174 pertains to not obeying a legal order to attend a certain place in person or by an agent. The complaint was filed against Kejriwal for intentionally disobeying the first three summons issued to him, sources said. However, the ED also found no involvement in FEMA as well as scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) thereby ruling out any money laundering investigation, as per The Hindu report. This could provide reassurance to Paytms users, partners, stakeholders and reflects positively on the governance and risk management practices of the associate bank. Earlier, the company had informed in an exchange filing that One 97 Communications and its subsidiaries have over time been receiving notices and requisition for information, documents and explanations from the authorities, including ED. The company had also provided information, documents and explanations to the authorities as required. We would also like to clarify that our associate Paytm Payments Bank Limited does not undertake Outward Foreign Remittance, said Paytm in an exchange filing. Additionally, a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on February 16, also bolstered confidence among investors and customers in the bank's stability and reliability. The FAQ confirmed that its widely-used Made in India QR code, Soundbox, and Card Machine, will remain operational without interruption even after March 15, 2024. The company also announced transition of nodal account to Axis Bank by opening an Escrow Account to ensure uninterrupted merchant settlements. In an attempt to break the deadlock, a panel of union ministers held fourth rounds of talks with the farm union leaders last evening. The farmers have been protesting for the past week. Among the other demands of the farmers is a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai held talks with the farm union leaders and the meeting was joined by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Centre Proposes Purchase Plan Addressing the media after the five-hour-long meeting, Piyush Goyal said the government has proposed the buying of pulses, maize, and cotton crops by government agencies at minimum support prices for five years after agreeing with farmers. The farmer leaders said they will discuss the government's proposal in their forums over the next two days and thereafter, decide the future course of action. "Cooperative societies like the NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will enter into a contract with those farmers who grow 'tur dal', 'urad dal', 'masoor dal' or maize for buying their crop at MSP for next five years," said Goyal. He said that there would be no cap on the purchase quantity and a portal would be developed for this and added that the move would save Punjab's farming, improve the groundwater table, and save the land from getting barren. Farmers To Consider Proposal On the Centre's proposal, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "We will discuss in our forums on February 19-20 and take the opinion of experts regarding it and accordingly take a decision." He said that other demands including loan waivers are pending and hoped that these would be resolved in the next two days. He also said that the Delhi Chalo' march is currently on hold, but will resume at 11 am on February 21 if all the issues are not resolved. Farmers Protest Background Since February 13, protesting farmers from Punjab have been stationed at Shambhu and Khanauri points along the state's border with Haryana. Their 'Delhi Chalo' march, initiated by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to assert their demands, was interrupted by the police. The farmers' key demands include a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP), the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, no increase in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases, and seeking "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Additionally, they are advocating for the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, of 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who lost their lives during a previous agitation in 2020-21. (With agency inputs) In response to recent reports of violence and atrocities against women in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma will be visiting the area today. Speaking to the media, Sharma said that she wants to meet the victims and assure her support to them. "Very disturbing news has come from Sandeshkhali...I am going there, and I want them (women) to get justice...I will meet the DG and the local police...I want to meet the women and assure them of my support...I will also be meeting the governor," said Sharma. Sexual Assault Allegations Against TMC Leader The NCW Chairperson's visit comes at a time when a series of allegations of sexual assault has been filed against several local TMC leaders. The opposition BJP and Congress have been raising the issues alleging inaction by the Bengal government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. For nearly a month, Sandeshkhali, a West Bengal village, has been engulfed in a political controversy arising from multiple women accusing a local Trinamool Congress official of sexual harassment. BJP Slams Mamata Banerjee Amit Malaviya, in charge of the BJP's National Information & Technology Department, took to social media (X) to criticise Chief Minister Banerjee. Referring to Sandeshkhali as Banerjee's abiding legacy, he wrote, She used the floor of the West Bengal Assembly to lie and defend a criminal, a rapist like Shahjahan Sheikh, it will go down in the history of Bengal, as the biggest blot. She has not just defiled the institution of Vidhan Sabha but also demeaned the women of Bengal. The leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari raised concerns about the misuse of prohibitory orders under Section 144 by the state police on the direction of CM Banerjee. The BJP leader wrote on X, The execution of the order, which is supposed to be a precautionary measure, is being selectively imposed. When the TMC Minister and his entourage visit Sandeshkhali, the Section 144 imposed there suddenly vanishes in thin air. Adhikari asserted the need for fair application of the law and expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation. When the Leader of the Opposition visits with three other MLAs, fully complying with the order, then we are not allowed to step into Sandeshkhali, he added. Hearing In Supreme Court Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to take up the plea demanding a court-monitored CBI or Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe in the Sandeshkhali incident. A plea was filed in the SC by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava and a bench consisting of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Augustine George Masih will hear the PIL today. The Supreme Court, on February 16, granted permission to hear the plea following an urgent listing request made by Advocate Srivastava. NEW DELHI: In a significant turn of events, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking the transfer of investigation and trial outside West Bengal concerning the alleged sexual assault of women in the village of Sandeshkhali. The plea, which called for the involvement of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT), was dismissed by the apex court on Monday. The order was passed by a bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih on a petition filed by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava. The petitioner had sought a direction for setting up a committee of three retired judges of the High Courts in line with the committee formed in Manipur cases. Supreme Court refuses to entertain plea seeking transfer of investigation and subsequent trial outside West Bengal and probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with alleged sexual assault of women living in village ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024 Petitioner Directed To Approach Calcutta HC Advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava, the petitioner in this case, has withdrawn the plea from the Supreme Court, said ANI. Instead, Srivastava has been directed to approach the Calcutta High Court with his concerns. The Supreme Court took note of this decision, emphasizing that the Calcutta High Court has already taken cognizance of the matter. #WATCH | Advocate Alok Srivastava, who filed PIL in Supreme Court on the Sandeshkhali incident, says, "In PIL filed in Supreme Court on Sandheshkhali incident, the court refused to take cognizance of the matter as a similar matter is pending before Calcutta High Court. SC has pic.twitter.com/mk1jLxl0A9 ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024 Notice Issued And Proceedings Stayed Prior to this ruling, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the concerned respondents while also halting the proceedings of the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee against senior officials from West Bengal implicated in the Sandeshkhali protest. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud led the bench that stayed these proceedings, acknowledging the pleas presented by Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented the West Bengal officials. Complaint And Response The Privileges Committee's actions stemmed from a complaint filed by BJP Member of Parliament Sukanta Majumdar, alleging misconduct and brutality by police officials and district administration in Basirhat, North 24 Parganas District. Kapil Sibal, representing the officials, argued that the BJP MP violated Section 144 of the CrPC during his visit to Sandeshkhali, asserting that political activities cannot be protected under parliamentary privilege. Legal Challenge The petitioners, comprising senior officials from West Bengal, challenged the jurisdiction and legality of the Privileges Committee's actions. They argued that the summons to appear before the committee was unwarranted and unconstitutional, compelling them to neglect their public duties. The petition emphasized that parliamentary privileges do not extend to activities conducted outside the legislative house. Call For Court Intervention Seeking relief, the senior officials urged the Supreme Court to declare the actions of the Lok Sabha secretariat as illegal and unconstitutional. Additionally, they requested the court to restrain further proceedings based on the February 15 Office Memorandum. Amid these legal manoeuvres, the Sandeshkhali violence case continues to be a focal point, highlighting the intricate interplay between legal jurisdiction, parliamentary privilege, and the pursuit of justice. KOLKATA: In yet another escalation of the war of words between the West Bengal government and the Centre, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has now written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue. In her letter to the Prime Minister, Mamata expressed her serious concerns over what she called the ''reckless deactivation of Aadhaar cards', particularly targeting SC, ST and OBC communities in West Bengal.'' The Trinamool Congress supremo further alleged that the Centre's unilateral decision to deactivate Aadhaar cards without any prior investigation or consultation with the state government is a sinister plot to deprive eligible beneficiaries of welfare schemes, conveniently timed before the Lok Sabha Elections. "I vehemently condemn the reckless deactivation of Aadhaar cards, particularly targeting SC, ST and OBC communities in West Bengal... We are all citizens of India. Every resident can avail West Bengal Government's welfare benefits, irrespective of whether they have Aadhaar cards or not," CM Mamata said in a tweet. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Narendra Modi "I vehemently condemn the reckless deactivation of Aadhaar cards, particularly targeting SC, ST and OBC communities in West Bengal... We are all citizens of India. Every resident can avail West Bengal Government's pic.twitter.com/tKQeFzrVsd February 19, 2024 The West Bengal Chief Minister also announced on Monday that her government would provide alternative identification cards to people whose Aadhaar cards have been deactivated by the Centre. She also said an Aadhaar Grievances Portal would start functioning from Tuesday. Questioning the Centre's intent behind the deactivation of Aadhaar cards, she suggested that it was done to prepare the National Register of Citizens. I hope Matua and SC/ST communities understand the BJPs game plan. I have information that most of those whose cards have been deactivated are all Matuas or belong to the SC/ST communities. See how without your consent they are taking back all your rights. In Bengal, we will not allow this, she said. The Trinamool Congress supremo called it a ''fascist conspiracy.'' and said the state government would send a team to the Election Commission of India over the issue. Speaking at a public distribution programme in Birbhum on Sunday, Mamata alleged that the central government "deactivated" the Aadhaar cards of people in the state to deprive them of benefits from various social welfare schemes launched by her government. However, Union Minister Shantanu Thakur has assured that the people whose Aadhaar cards had been deactivated, would get them back. The Union home ministry has already cleared it that the deactivation process has been stopped and those whose cards have already been deactivated will get them back. I have been given the responsibility to take applications from those people. You just need to write your name, phone number and Aadhaar number and write that it has been deactivated. I will submit it to the home ministry and the issue will be resolved. I have already said it was due to some technical fault, Thakur said. NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday claimed that the Narendra Modi-powered BJP won't be able to cross 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and it will be wiped out of Parliament. Speaking to reporters in Amethi, Kharge said, "I said - they (BJP) keep saying that they will cross 400 (LS seats), but this time they will be out of Parliament." The Congress president hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his guarantee is not for the farmers, labourers, Dalits, tribal and backward people of the country. Denying any rift with the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party, Kharge said, '"Everything will be alright. He has agreed and our people have agreed too. There is no problem." Kharge on Saturday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and described it as a 'curse' for the country's farmers. #WATCH | In UP's Amethi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "I said - they (BJP) are saying that they will cross 400 (LS seats), but this time they will be out of Parliament." https://t.co/mr3cU5wfmC ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024 Interestingly, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav today made his participation in the Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra conditional to a decision on seat sharing, saying that he will be joining it the moment the seats for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are distributed between the two parties. "Right now talks are going on, lists have come from their side and from ours as well, the moment the seats are distributed and decided, the Samajwadi Party will join Congress's Nyaya Yatra," Yadav said speaking to reporters on Monday. The Congress president accused the Modi government of treating farmers like enemies. Kharge asserted that only the Congress party can provide farmers with the legal right to a Minimum Support Price (MSP). "The Modi government is a curse for the country's food-providing farmers. Due to the continuous false 'Modi's Guarantee', first 750 farmers lost their lives, and now, yesterday, one farmer lost his life and 3 have lost their eyesight due to rubber bullets. The Modi government has treated farmers like enemies, Only Congress will give them the legal right of MSP!" he said in a post on 'X'. Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his poll promises, Kharge said the former is the chief of all liars as he failed to even fulfil what he had promised during his 2014 poll campaign. "I want to ask him what happened to the promises he made during 2014--he never fulfilled those. Modiji jhuton ka sardar hai (PM Modi is the chief of liars)," Kharge said addressing party workers at an event hosted by Maharashtra Congress in Pune. The Congress national president said people keep praising PM Modi despite the latter not doing much work in the last 10 years. Kharge cautioned that if such a scenario continues, the Constitution will "vanish". "PM Modi keeps lying...you all know what he did in the last ten years. Still, people praise him...if this continues, then there will soon come a day when the Constitution will vanish. We are waging a fight to protect the Constitution and have to keep fighting," he said. Describing Prime Minister Modi as "individualistic," Kharge alleged that the former does not even take his party's name while announcing his "guarantees." "PM Modi keeps on saying that this is Modi ki Guarantee...he never uses his party name. He is very individualistic and full of himself," the Congress president said. Claiming further that the BJP had no role in the country's freedom struggle, Kharge added, "We are fighting for the country and its founding ideals all over again. The BJP had no role or contribution to our freedom struggle. We fought for the country." Taking a dig at the Congress, PM Modi earlier this month said that even Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge has predicted the return of the NDA government with over 400 seats. PM Modi made this remark during his response to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in Lok Sabha. During a session in the Rajya Sabha on February 2, Kharge inadvertently coined what would become a rallying cry for the BJP, stating "Abki Baar, 400 Paar," which translates to "This time, over 400 seats." "Our third tenure is not far away, a maximum of 100-125 days are left. The entire nation is saying 'abki baar, 400 paar'. Even Kharge ji said that," PM Modi said while replying to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in Lok Sabha. He expressed confidence that the BJP would not only secure a third term but also achieve an impressive victory by winning over 370 seats individually and crossing the 400 mark with the support of the NDA bloc. Modi's remarks were met with laughter, including his own, as he acknowledged Kharge's statement, suggesting that even the opposition leader seemed to predict the ruling party's electoral success. Modi further criticised the Congress party, implying that they had become comfortable in their role as the opposition and were preparing to occupy the spectators' gallery in Parliament. He also took a veiled swipe at Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party's alleged nepotism, criticizing the repeated promotion of the same leadership without success. PM Modi indirectly referenced Rahul Gandhi by stating that the Congress is on the brink of shutting down its shop, emphasizing that they keep trying to relaunch the same product repeatedly. The Enforcement Directorate today issued a sixth summon to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the alleged excise policy scam and subsequent money laundering allegations. While the Chief Minister has so far skipped all summons, he has been vocally criticising the ED saying that the central agencies are playing at the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Now, in a new video, CM Arvind Kejriwal was heard saying that if Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) is abolished, half of the BJP leaders would leave the party. "Today if we stop ED and abolish Section 45 of PMLA, half of the politicians will leave BJP. They (ED) are the only agency responsible for the leaders joining the BJP. No one will join the BJP. Leaders like Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhara Raje will form their own parties if section 45 of PMLA is abolished," said Kejriwal. What Is Section 45 Of The PMLA? The PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) stipulates a more stringent criterion for the approval of bail. Section 45(1) of the PMLA, it mandates two conditions: firstly, prior to granting bail or bond, the public prosecutor must be given an opportunity to contest the application. Secondly, if the application is contested, the court must ascertain that there are substantial grounds to believe that the accused is innocent of the alleged offence and is unlikely to engage in criminal activities while released on bail. Under this, the accused bears the responsibility of substantiating compliance with the dual criteria outlined in Section 45 of the PMLA. This entails demonstrating that there exist reasonable grounds to believe in the accused's innocence regarding the money laundering charge and providing assurance that the accused is unlikely to engage in any criminal activities while on bail. Why Do Political Parties Object To Section 45? Political parties believe that since Section 45 makes getting bail difficult, thus leaders who are arrested under the PMLA fear not getting bail and spending time behind bars and therefore, under pressure, they join the BJP. Parties like Congress and AAP have claimed that BJP threatens opposition leaders using the ED and force them to join the saffron party. New Delhi: GPT Healthcare Ltd, a Kolkata-based hospital chain, has disclosed its plans for an initial public offering (IPO), setting the price band at Rs 177-186 per share. The IPO aims to raise approximately Rs 40 crore from the fresh issue and plans to raise additional funds through an Offer For Sale (OFS) of up to 2.61 crore shares. GPT Healthcare IPO: Subscription Dates The IPO subscription window is scheduled to be open from February 22 to 26, with the anchor book opening on February 21. (Also Read: Nothing CEO Carl Pie Became 'Carl Bhai' In Twitter Bio, But Why So?) GPT Healthcare IPO: Allotment Dates IPO share allotments are expected on February 27, while refunds are slated for February 28. (Also Read: Google Offers 300% Salary Hike To Retain Employee; Read More) GPT Healthcare IPO: Listing If all goes as planned, the shares are anticipated to be listed on exchanges on February 29. Utilization Of Funds Of the proceeds from the fresh issue, Rs 30 crore will be earmarked for debt repayment, with the remainder allocated for general corporate purposes. BanyanTree Growth Capital II LLC, a Mauritius-based private equity fund, will be divesting its entire shareholding of over 2.60 crore equity shares, representing 32.64 percent of the paid-up equity. Company Background GPT Healthcare operates a chain of mid-sized full-service hospitals under the ILS brand, focusing on integrated healthcare services with an emphasis on secondary and tertiary care. The company has recorded significant growth, with a 21.95 percent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in revenue from FY21 to FY23, reaching Rs 361.04 crore in FY23. Profit after tax and EBITDA also saw substantial growth during the same period. Operational Details The hospital chain currently operates four multispecialty hospitals across West Bengal and Tripura, with a total capacity of 561 beds. JM Financial is serving as the lead manager to the issue, while Link Intime India is appointed as the registrar. New Delhi: In the realm of Bollywood, we have witnessed a lot of talent who are touted to be the rising stars of Bollywood. With their talent and potential, they have stood out with their performance and are considered as one of the most promising actors of the future. Let's have a look at some of the actors who outshone their projects and made a significant mark in the hearts of the audiences. Akansha Ranjan Kapoor With her compelling performances in projects like "Guilty", "Ray", and "Monica Oh My Darling", Akansha Ranjan Kapoor has proven herself as a versatile actor. Her stellar performance in "Guilty" resonated deeply with audiences, earning both acclaim and admiration. Anticipation surrounds her debut in the South Indian film industry with "MaayaOne", cementing her status as one of Bollywood's most promising talents. Radhika Madan Breaking free from the confines of television, Radhika Madan has carved a niche for herself in Bollywood. Her stellar performances in "Shiddat", "Angrezi Medium", and "Kacchey Limbu" have garnered widespread acclaim, defying stereotypes and winning hearts. As her upcoming film "Sanaa" garners acclaim at international film festivals, Radhika's star continues to ascend in the cinematic firmament. Wamiqa Gabbi From her humble beginnings with a cameo in "Jab We Met", Wamiqa Gabbi has journeyed to the forefront of Bollywood with her talent and grace. Through her memorable roles in "Khufiya", "Jubilee", and "Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley", she has captivated audiences with her performances and natural beauty. The anticipation for her upcoming collaboration with Atlee in VD 18 alongside Varun Dhawan speaks volumes about her promising future in the industry. Medha Shankar Medha Shankar has stirred hearts and minds with her powerful portrayal in Vinod Vinod Chopra's "12th Fail". As Shraddha Joshi, a UKPSC officer, opposite Vikrant Massey, her performance has garnered widespread acclaim, propelling her into the spotlight as one of Bollywood's rising stars. With her talent and dedication, Medha is poised to make a lasting impact on the silver screen. Sobhita Dhulipala Before transitioning to the world of web series, Sobhita Dhulipala showcased her talent in films, but it was her role in "Made in Heaven" that catapulted her to fame. Despite being relatively new in the industry, she possesses the acting prowess and depth of a seasoned performer. Her on-screen presence exudes charm and allure, breathing life into every character she portrays. Witnessing her versatility and tackling more challenging roles, she has solidified her status as one of Bollywood's rising stars. The Russian military leadership had to send special demands to prevent the Russian media from accessing data on the losses of the invaders in the temporarily occupied Avdiivka (Donetsk region, Ukraine). The "information support plan" of the armed forces of the aggressor country does not mention any personnel losses - instead, propagandists were advised to focus on "the advancement of forces and means." ADVERTISIMENT The message is sent to the Russian military press services,Detector Media reports. The text was intercepted by Ukrainian cyber specialists. The leadership of the Russian army has ordered "to prepare materials highlighting the massive feat and heroism" of war criminals. Describing the battles for Avdiivka, the propaganda advises to recall the heroic events of World War II. At the same time, the press services are ordered to "avoid mentioning the loss of personnel in their reports, focusing on the advancement of forces and means." "When organizing work, exclude access of media representatives to information constituting a state secret (including information on losses), information of limited dissemination, to weapons and military equipment, technical documentation for it, which are not related to the task being performed," the occupiers' leadership ordered. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA previously reported: - The commander of the Terra unit of the 3rd separate assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykola Volokhov ("Abdullah"), said that Russia's losses in Avdiivka were record-breaking. - The Tauride Defense Forces reported that between October 10, 2023, and February 17, 2024, the aggressor lost more than 1,300 armored vehicles and five aircraft in the offensive in the Avdiivka sector. Almost 50 thousand occupants have left the ranks. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! New Delhi: The toll collection division of the state-owned National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has eliminated Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) as an authorized Fastag provider. Consequently, the Indian Highways Management Company (IHMCL) has urged users to acquire Fastags from its approved list of 32 banks. Previously, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had postponed the deadline for Paytm Payments Bank from February 29 to March 15. After this cutoff date, Fastags issued by Paytm will be ineffective. Users holding funds in their Paytm accounts can claim refunds if they are unable to utilize them by March 15.. Post March 15, 2024, it will be impossible to recharge or top-up Fastags issued by Paytm Payments Bank. Compliance with the 'One Vehicle, One Fastag' regulation mandates the deactivation of Paytm Fastags. This rule dictates that each Fastag can only be linked with a single vehicle, or vice versa. Any remaining balances in Paytm accounts can be refunded upon request before the deadline. (Also Read: Will Your Salary Be Credited Into Your Account With Paytm Payments Bank After March 15? Check What RBI Says) Furthermore, the RBI has clarified that Fastags are not interoperable. Hence, customers must close their PPBL accounts and seek refunds, obtaining a new Fastag from a different bank. It's crucial to understand that to obtain a new Fastag, users need to get their old Fastag deactivated. Users cannot undergo KYC procedures for a new Fastag until their previous one is deactivated. How To Deactivate A Paytm Fastag Account Through The Paytm App Go to Profile: Open the application or website associated with your Fastag service provider. Navigate to Help And Support: Look for the "Help & Support" section. This is usually located in the menu or profile settings. Click on it to proceed. Find Banking Services And Payments: Within the Help And Support section, there should be a category or subsection labelled "Banking Services And Payments." Click on this option. Select Fastag: Under the Banking Services And Payments section, you'll find various options related to different services. Look for "Fastag" or a similar option related to Fastag services and click on it. (Also Read: FPIs Cautious On Equities; Take Out Rs 3,776 Cr In Feb So Far On Spike In US Bond Yields) Access "Chat with us": Within the Fastag section, there should be a support option titled "Chat with us" or something similar. This allows you to initiate a conversation with a customer support representative. Initiate Chat: Click on the "Chat with us" option to start a chat session with a support agent. Request Deactivation: Once connected with a support agent, explain that you would like to deactivate your Fastag account. Provide any necessary details they may ask for, such as your account information or identification. Follow Instructions: Follow any instructions provided by the support agent to complete the deactivation process. This may involve confirming your identity, providing additional information, or agreeing to certain terms and conditions. Confirmation: Once the deactivation process is complete, ask for confirmation from the support agent to ensure that your Fastag account has been successfully deactivated. Verify Deactivation: After the chat session ends, double-check to ensure that your Fastag account has been deactivated as requested. You may receive a confirmation email or notification regarding the deactivation. New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India recently gave 15 more days i.e, March 15 to Paytm Payments Bank to stop deposits, credit transactions and top-ups in customer accounts. The Central Bank has however asked Paytm Payments Bank to facilitate seamless withdrawal of customer deposits parked with partner banks. After the RBI's breather, consumers can continue to use, withdraw or transfer their funds from your account upto the available balance in your account. Similarly they can continue to use your debit card to withdraw or transfer funds upto the available balance in your account. Although, after March 15, 2024, you will not be able to deposit money into your account with Paytm Payments Bank. No credits or deposits other than interest, cashbacks, sweep-in from partner banks or refunds are allowed to be credited. But Will your salary be credited into your account with Paytm Payments Bank? Will you continue to get salary salary into this account? RBI says you will not get salary into your account with Paytm Payments Bank after March 15, 2024. RBI says that you will not be able to receive any such credits into your account with Paytm Payments Bank. The central bank has suggested that you make alternative arrangements with another bank before March 15, 2024 to avoid inconvenience. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu on February 20 where he will inaugurate multiple development projects which include railway, aviation, and road sectors among others. These projects are aimed at the development of the overall connectivity of Jammu and Kashmir to other parts of the country. Railway Projects Among the railway projects that Modi will inaugurate are the new railway line connecting Banihal, Khari, Sumber, and Sangaldan, spanning 48 km, along with the electrification of the Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section covering 185.66 km. Additionally, he will flag off the first electric train in the Valley and initiate the train service between Sangaldan and Baramulla stations. Highlighting the significance of the commissioning of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section, it is noted for featuring ballast less track (BLT) technology throughout the route, promising an enhanced ride experience for passengers. Notably, India's longest transportation tunnel, T-50, stretching 12.77 km, is situated between Khari and Sumber. These railway projects are poised to improve connectivity, ensure environmental sustainability, and bolster the overall economic development of the region. Aviation Projects To enhance the aviation sector in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for a new terminal building at the Jammu airport. The new terminal building will be equipped with modern facilities catering to about 2,000 passengers during peak hours. Spread over 40,000 sqm, this aviation project is said to be environment-friendly and will showcase the locals. Road Projects During the programme, he will lay the foundation stone of important road projects including two packages (44.22 km) of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway connecting Jammu to Katra and phase-two for four-laning of the Srinagar Ring road. Apart from these projects, PM Modi will inaugurate projects related to several sectors including health, education, petroleum, and civic infrastructure, among others. The cost of these development projects will be Rs 30,500 crore. New Delhi: India, in ancient times, used to be addressed as Sone Ki Chidiya (Golden Bird). The main reason why the nation used to be called the Golden Bird is the Kolar Gold Fields. K.G.F. was one of the biggest Gold Mine in the World. Britishers exploited this mine and took over 900 tonnes of gold to England. However, the generation of today is not aware of the history of Kolar Gold Fields aka K.G.F. The upcoming most awaited and ambitious pan India film 'Thangalaan; headlined by versatile actor Chiyaan Vikram and directed by Pa Ranjith will explore the real story and the background of the biggest cold mines K.G.F. The film is based on the real-life story of the people of Kolar Gold Fields and also how the residents of the K.G.F. saved the mines from the terror of the Britishers. Over a thousand years ago, the Kolar Gold Mine Field was discovered by Britishers, and the same was exploited and looted by them for their purpose. Ever since the first look and the teaser of the film starring dedicated actor Chiyaan Vikram was out, it is been making headlines and is the topic of discussion among Hindi audiences. Recently, on the occasion of Pongal, the makers announced April 2024 as the release period of the much-awaited film The film 'Thangalaan' helmed by the acclaimed filmmaker Pa Ranjith ks reportedly set against the backdrop of the early 19th Century and the periodic action drama is based on the true events that revolve around the lives of mine workers in the Kolar Gold Field, Karnataka. The teaser of the film gives us an insight into the mad world of the world created by the makers. The film marks Chiyaan Vikram's return to the pan-India genre after blockbuster Ponniyin Selvan 1 and 2, and his dedication, commitment, and makeover in the character are surely visible. The teaser has some bloodsucking moments and a rustic look from the actors that will leave the masses in awe of its craft. The film also stars Malavika Mohanan, Hollywood actor Daniel Caltagirone, and some prominent names from the Tamil industry. The teaser has every element that will catch your attention, from the budget to the craft to a spine-chilling storyline and characterizations that are sure to set Indian cinema on a global level. Besides Thangalaan, Studio Green who has made several blockbuster films is having another big film to release this year with Suriya starrer Kanguva. Thangalaan is scheduled for worldwide release in April 2024, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, and the music of the film is composed by GV Prakash Kumar. New Delhi: Google has rolled out the 'Developer Preview' of its Android 15 operating system for smartphones. The new preview focuses on three major areas: supporting creators and developers, privacy/security, and maximizing app performance. It is only available on select Google Pixel smartphones and tablets for testing. Notably, all these smartphones (and the tablet) are powered by Googles Tensor SoCs. What's New In The Developer Preview Of Android 15 Privacy and Security For Developers, Android 15 introduces the latest version of the Privacy Sandbox. It aims to revolutionize how user data is managed for advertising. It emphasizes shifting from conventional tracking methods to anonymizing user data into aggregate 'interest groups.' Android 15 enhances this concept by implementing additional safeguards against covert tracking tactics used by certain apps. Enhanced Efficiency Android 15 introduces new options for performance-intensive apps and games. A power-efficiency mode is being added, allowing developers to prioritize power saving over performance in specific code segments. This mode is designed to improve the overall app experience and enhance background workload management. Developers will gain the ability to check the potential thermal throttling status of their apps. This feature helps developers identify if their app might cause the device to overheat, leading to performance degradation. (Also Read: Google Opens New Office In Pune; Employee Shares Video Of Interiors: Watch) Camera Tools Android 15 introduces new capabilities for content creators and developers. Enhanced in-app camera controls are a significant addition. Developers gain more precise control over brightness and flash intensity. The update introduces support for virtual MIDI 2.0 devices. This support enables music composition apps to interface directly with software synths and run on the same Android device. (Also Read: Deepfakes Surge Ahead Of General Elections In South Korea) Update To Existing Functions Scheduled update for Health Connect platform with Android 15. Integration of support for new data types in the fitness and nutrition section. Partial Screen Sharing Capability: It allows users to record partial screens or specific app content. Mandates user consent for each recording session as per Google's requirement. The Russian occupation army continues to use its usual tactics of terror and shells numerous civilian objects in Ukraine. Putin's troops are launching missile and air strikes, as well as firing from multiple launch rocket systems. ADVERTISIMENT During the day on February 18, 80 combat clashes occurred at the front. Russian troops attempted to attack the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia region. The enemy is also attacking in other parts of the frontline. This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of the morning of February 19. In total, the occupants launched 3 missile and 43 air strikes, fired 102 MLRS at the positions of our troops and populated areas. Russian terrorist attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries among the civilian population. Multi-storey and private houses, as well as other civilian infrastructure facilities, were destroyed and damaged. On the night of February 19, Russian occupants attacked Ukraine using 4 Shahed-136/131 drones. Air defense forces and means destroyed all enemy UAVs. ADVERTISIMENT Vilkhuvatka, Petropavlivka, Borova in Kharkiv region; Bilohorivka in Luhansk region; Rozdolivka, Zhelanne, Berdychi, Tonenke, Solovyove, Orlivka, Umanske, Semenivka in Donetsk region; Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia region were under air strike. More than 100 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions came under artillery fire. In the area of responsibility of the "North" operational and strategic grouping of troops on the Volyn and Polissya directions, the operational situation remains without significant changes. On the Siversky and Slobozhansky directions, the enemy maintains a military presence in the border areas, conducts sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of our troops to threatened areas, and increases the density of minefields along the state border in the Belgorod region. ADVERTISIMENT In the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia operational and strategic grouping of troops in the Kupyansk sector, the enemy twice tried to attack the positions of our troops near Tabaivka, Kharkiv region. In the Lyman sector, our troops repelled 10 enemy attacks near Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, Terny and southeast of Vyymka, Donetsk region. In the Bakhmut sector, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled 8 occupants' attacks near Ivanivske, Klishchiyivka and Andriivka in Donetsk region. ADVERTISIMENT In the area of responsibility of the Tavria operational and strategic group of troops in the Avdiivka sector, our defenders repelled five enemy attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Lastochkine and Pervomayske in the Donetsk region. In the Mariinka sector, Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold the enemy back in the areas of Heorhiivka, Pobeda and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. Here, the invaders, supported by aviation, tried to break through the defense of our troops 18 times. No enemy offensive (assault) actions were registered in the Novopavlivka sector. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the enemy unsuccessfully tried to attack the positions of our troops near Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region 10 times. ADVERTISIMENT In the area of responsibility of the Odesa operational and strategic grouping of troops in the Kherson sector, the Defense Forces continue to hold their positions and repel the attacks of the occupation forces. Despite significant losses, the enemy continues to try to drive our units from their positions. The enemy made 16 unsuccessful attacks yesterday. At the same time, our soldiers are actively inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, depleting the enemy along the entire front line. Yesterday, the aviation of the Defense Forces struck at 4 areas of concentration of enemy personnel. Also in the eastern sector, our air defense destroyed a Su-34 fighter-bomber and one Orlan-10 reconnaissance UAV. ADVERTISIMENT Missile units struck at one area of personnel concentration, 3 control points and 2 ammunition depots of the enemy. As a reminder, the Russian occupation forces are seeking to take advantage of two opportunities in the war against Ukraine that have arisen in connection with the recent launch of their offensive operations. The first factor is weather-related, associated with the period before the upcoming spring thaw. The second is political, which is the dynamics of Western military assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. As reported by OBOZ.UA, according to analysts of the German newspaper Der Spiegel, the shortage of ammunition in Ukraine "is unlikely to be eliminated this year." They suggested that, even with all their motivation, the Ukrainian Armed Forces may not be able to withstand the pressure of the occupiers at the front. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! 32 years have passed since the crime of genocide committed by Armenian armed forces against civilians in Garadaghli village of Khojavand region, Azernews reports. After 4 years of heroic struggle against Armenian invaders Garadaghli village was occupied and burnt on February 17, 1992, genocide was committed against the peaceful population. During the occupation 118 people were taken prisoner, 33 were shot. Armenian executioners buried the dead and wounded in one place, pouring them into a household well. In total, 68 of the captives and hostages were killed, 50 were released from captivity with great difficulty. Of the hostages, 10 were women, 2 were schoolchildren. 5 of those released were women, 18 died after incurable RAN. Among those killed during the fighting of the Armenian armed forces in Garadaghli are 10 women and 8 school children. In Garadaghli village 91 people were killed, every 10th inhabitant of the village. About 800 villagers were evicted from their homeland. Azertac regional correspondent reports that Khojavand residents of Beylagan district visited the memorial complex erected in New Garadaghli village to commemorate the martyrs on the anniversary of the Garadaghli tragedy. Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Rovshan Rzayev, Head of Khojavand District Executive Authority Eyvaz Huseynov, residents of Garadaghli village, public representatives of the district, members of the families of the martyrs, former soldiers laid flowers at the memorial complex and expressed their respect for the spirit of the martyrs. During the morning of February 19, Ukrainian defenders destroyed a Su-34 fighter-bomber and a Su-35S fighter j et of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Both enemy aircraft landed in the eastern part of Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT This is the fifth and sixth aircraft that our warriors have shot down over the past three days, and in total, since the beginning of the full-scale war, the Defense Forces have already shot down 338 occupiers' aircraft. The news was shared by the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk. "Morning of February 19, 2024. Eastern direction. Minus two more occupier's planes! This is our land and our sky! Thank you all for your combat work! To be continued! I told you: f**k the luck," he wrote. It is likely that one of the Russian planes was shot down near Mariupol. A few hours before the information was confirmed by the Ukrainian Air Force, explosions were heard near the temporarily occupied city in Donetsk region and eyewitnesses saw a burning target fall over the Sea of Azov. ADVERTISIMENT Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskiy noted that the enemy aircraft had been attacking the positions of our troops with guided bombs. So he thanked the defenders of the sky for another accurate combat work. As reported by OBOZ.UA, on February 17, Ukrainian soldiers downed three Russian aircraft in the eastern direction at once. These were two Su-34 fighter-bombers and a Su-35 fighter, from which the occupiers dropped unexploded ordnance, in particular in the Avdiivka area. It is noteworthy that the pilot of one of the downed Russian fighters directed the aircraft toward a Ukrainian village. On the morning of February 18, the Ukrainian Air Force shot down another Russian Su-34. The enemy aircraft was also destroyed in the eastern direction. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! In the Avdiivka sector (Donetsk region), Ukraine's defenders have consolidated their positions on new defense lines. Over the past day (February 18), the soldiers repelled five attacks by Russian invaders in the areas of Novobakhmutivka, Lastochkino and Pervomayske. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the commander of the Tavria operational and strategic group of troops Oleksandr Tarnavsky in his situation report. Ukrainian soldiers are "successfully repelling attempts by Russian occupants to develop an offensive" in the Avdiivka sector, the brigadier general said on his Telegram channel. In the Mariinka sector , our Heroes continue to hold back the invaders in the areas of Heorhiivka, Pobeda and Novomykhailivka. There, the Russian army, supported by aviation, tried to break through our defense 18 times. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the enemy tried to attack Ukrainian positions near the village of Robotyne 10 times. Here, the Russians returned to the tactics of small assault groups involving several units of armored vehicles. ADVERTISIMENT "These offensive attempts are being stopped, the enemy is being destroyed on the outskirts of Robotyne," said Tarnavsky, In total, on February 18, the Russian army carried out 33 assault operations, 803 artillery attacks, and 26 air strikes in the area of responsibility of the Tavria Joint Task Force. Losses of the Russian Armed Forces in the operational area of the above-mentioned JFO over the past day amounted to: 624 occupants, four tanks, 21 armored combat vehicles, four artillery systems, seven vehicles, one unit of special equipment - an UR-77 demining unit known as "Zmiy Gorynych". The Defense Forces also destroyed one enemy ammunition depot; neutralized or destroyed 239 UAVs of various types. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA: - Earlier, Oleksandr Tarnavsky noted that Russian troops did not stop conducting offensive operations after the occupation of Avdiivka. The occupiers are trying to attack the settlements to the west of Avdiivka. - According to Serhiy Tsehotskyi, an officer of the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakov Handziuk, Avdiivka has fully fulfilled its mission, and the decision to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the city was correct. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! After numerous requests from Ukrainian officials, the Biden administration is considering providing Ukraine with new powerful long-range ATACMS ballistic missiles. This will allow Ukraine to strike deeper inside the Russian-controlled Crimean peninsula. ADVERTISIMENT This is reported by NBC News, citing comments by two US officials, whose names have not been disclosed. As noted, at the beginning of last year, the United States began supplying Ukraine with ATACMS missile systems, but these were mostly older versions of the medium-range ATACMS. If the Republicans continue to block the delivery of US military aid to Ukraine, the White House may turn to an ally to provide Kyiv with longer-range ATACM missiles that can reach Russia-occupied Crimea. But US funding for arms shipments to Ukraine remains uncertain due to resistance from former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress. Last week, the Senate approved a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. However, it is unclear whether and when the GOP-controlled House of Representatives will vote for it, and whether it will be approved. ADVERTISIMENT Defense officials told NBC News that ATACMS stockpiles are limited, and that it cannot be shipped to Ukraine without allocating funds to replenish US stockpiles. According to two US officials, if Congress approves increased funding for Ukraine, the U.S. could include the long-range ATACMS missiles in one of the first military aid packages funded by the money. They also noted that the United States has ready-made ammunition and artillery that could be immediately shipped to Ukraine if funding is approved. Officials do not rule out the possibility of asking allies to provide missiles to Ukraine and replenish their ATACMS stockpiles. "Without an additional funding bill, we currently do not have a security assistance package to provide to Ukraine. At the same time, I will not speculate on the content of any future packages if a supplemental is passed. We will let you know if that changes and if we have a new package to announce," the US Department of Defense spokesman said in an official comment. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, Bloomberg columnist Hal Brands said that if Washington does not provide assistance to Ukraine, it will have serious and global consequences that will undermine US policy for many years to come. Despite the fact that Europe provides significant financial support to Ukrainian troops, it cannot provide the necessary military equipment, which is extremely important for Ukraine at the moment. As reported by OBOZ.UA, at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US Vice President Kamala Harris said that Washington had no plan in case Congress blocks aid to Kyiv. The White House has only one plan A: to support Ukraine and provide it with everything it needs. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Command of the Ukrainian Defense Forces is very particular about providing and preparing Ukrainian soldiers for the front line. That is why the Ministry of Defense is currently working to ensure that in case of mobilization of 500,000 people into the ranks of the Ukrainian army, the soldiers will be provided with everything they need. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by the Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the air of Radio Liberty on Sunday, February 18. He emphasized that no mobilized citizen will be sent to the battlefield without appropriate equipment and proper military training. The military command of Ukraine is closely monitoring this process. "We are very meticulous about this, especially now, - the training of personnel. A person going to war must gain experience and practice to be ready for action," he said. Pavlyuk noted that the necessary amount of equipment and weapons for those who will be sent to the front line is available. Therefore, he believes that the Ukrainian military and political command will take care of the issue of adequate training and equipment for the mobilized. At the same time, he added that there are issues regarding large-caliber equipment and ammunition that the military command is studying and working on. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: - At the end of 2023, Ukraine's military command requested the mobilization of 500,000 people. To date, the government continues to develop rules for conscription. - At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he saw no need to mobilize another 500,000 citizens. According to him, he did not receive enough information about the planned actions and operations that would require such a large-scale replenishment of the army. - The head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy, Danylo Hetmantsev, said that Ukraine needs an additional 720 billion UAH in funding to mobilize 400-500 thousand soldiers. This is a serious amount of money, and the government may have to make unpopular decisions to find it. - On February 7, members of the Rada passed the draft law on mobilization in the first reading without any proposals from the Committee. The leader of the SN faction, David Arakhamia, said that a number of significant changes were to be made to the draft law. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The aggressor country Russia may attack NATO. And it could happen"in five to eight years". ADVERTISIMENT Bloomberg writes about this with reference to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. In addition, the official believes that Russia's invasion of Ukraine could disrupt the EU's trade relations with the American economy. In his opinion, American lawmakers should vote in Congress for a bill on additional military aid to Ukraine.Delaying the adoption of the document could harm primarily the economic interests of the United States. "Russian aggression, if left unchecked, could weaken Europe as a whole and disrupt the bloc's trade relations with the world's largest economy, as well as harm American defense companies," the German Defense Minister told reporters. According to the official, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other Western leaders have mainly focused on political and strategic arguments in justifying their calls for additional military assistance to Ukraine. However, Pistorius emphasizes the possible losses for US defense contractors. ADVERTISIMENT "We have already signed contracts worth billions of dollars and are preparing new agreements. This is one of the areas of transatlantic cooperation. And, of course, such cooperation for the sake of security is beneficial for both sides," the minister emphasized. In particular, he warned of the consequences of the Russian dictator's victory in Ukraine not only for Europe but also for the United States. According to Pistorius, Russia's unprovoked aggression is a threat to the "international order" based on rules. "Geographically, Europe is far from Iowa or California, but it is still very close in terms of security policy. Less security in Europe means less security for the United States," the German defense minister emphasized. Pistorius noted that he sees evidence that Germany's European neighbors are providing Ukraine with more weapons, as they have pledged to do. ADVERTISIMENT "The UK is doing more and more. France is also increasing its share," said the German Defense Minister, adding that he is confident that the partner countries will be able to achieve a significant amount of support in the coming months and years. But, as the official noted, it is not easy. Because their financial resources are not unlimited In conclusion, Pistorius called on Europe and the North Atlantic Alliance to prepare for the "worst case scenario." "I don't like to guess by looking into a crystal ball. I cannot predict whether Russia will attack the territory of NATO member states. But it could happen in five to eight years," the German defense minister said. As reported by OBOZ.UA, John Kirby, the White House National Security Council's strategic communications coordinator, said that if the US Congress fails to pass a bill that provides for aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, it will send a signal that Washington cannot be counted on. In this case, the United States will lose its leadership. ADVERTISIMENT U.S. President Joe Biden has called on the House of Representatives to send a bill on foreign aid to his desk for signature as soon as possible. The cost of US inaction is "growing every day," said White House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The First Deputy Minister of Defense Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, the Commander of the Land Forces, Lieutenant General Hikmat Mirzayev, and other high-ranking officials of the Ministry visited one of the commando military units, Azernews reports. Chief of the General Staff met with the command staff of the military unit, delivered to them the tasks set by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and gave relevant instructions. The Chief of the General Staff enquired about daily activities of the military unit, the state of combat readiness and service conditions. It was reported that the necessary conditions have been created to increase the level of professionalism of the servicemen and to fulfill tasks in difficult conditions, and various measures are underway. Then, Colonel General K. Valiyev watched the practical classes of the commandos on combat and special training in high mountainous terrain and severe winter conditions. The importance of increasing the intensity of exercises and classes in order to maintain the commandos' high-level combat readiness was noted. In order to accurately and timely accomplish the tasks set to the military unit, the command staff was assigned specific tasks on further improvement of the quality of exercises and classes. Training session is being held with the participation of a group of reservists in accordance with the training plan for 2024 approved by the Azerbaijan Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Azernews reports. Within the training session, reservists are taught the tactical and technical characteristics of small arms, grenades, their incomplete disassembly and reassembly, and the rules of use. Moreover, in the training area, the tasks on bringing the weapons to the state of combat readiness, taking the firing position, detecting and destroying imaginary enemy targets by following the correct targeting rules are successfully accomplished. The main purpose of the session conducted with the participation of reservists is to increase their level of combat training, knowledge and skills, as well as to improve their practical skills. In an article in The Hill, Ugandan President and Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement Yoweri Museveni said that the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and multipolarity should not be seen as a threat to the West but as a force for peace in dangerous times, Azernews reports. He stressed that NAM member countries are ready to cooperate with all in the name of ideals such as equality, mutual interests and peaceful coexistence, which originally formed the basis for the establishment of the organization. According to Museveni, many did not believe in the strength of the Non-Aligned Movement and assumed it was destined to repeat the fate of the Berlin Wall. "However, as the fissures between the great powers deepen, with some proclaiming a 'Cold War 2.0' between the West and China, the Movement is regaining relevance," he said. "Today, the organization has also undergone a transformation. The 120 member countries, home to more than 4.6 billion people, form the largest bloc of countries at the UN. Starting from poverty, its members now occupy positions ranging from global financial centers, technology hubs and manufacturing facilities to major energy exporters. This great alliance of humanity and diversity should not be downgraded to a great rivalry, which is not in its own interest," he said. The Ugandan leader emphasized that the Non-Aligned Movement is a boon to the world and its positions should not be seen as "anti-Western." "As global tensions rise, the Non-Aligned Movement can also use its collective weight to reform global institutions to better cope with today's challenges. For example, this is the case with the UN Security Council, where permanent members with veto power represent the victorious countries of World War II and can hinder effective action," the NAM chairman said. We would like to remind that the 19th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement was held in Kampala (Uganda) on January 15-20 this year, at which the chairmanship of the organization passed from Azerbaijan to Uganda. Cicely Isabel Fairfield (1892-1983) took on the pseudonym Rebecca West in homage to the protagonist of Henrik Ibsens dramatic play Rosmersholm. She was an English language woman writer at a moment in which it was hard to be a woman, anti-fascist, anti-communist and antiauthoritarian. She is the author of four masterpieces four in various genres: The Return of the Soldier a brilliant use of the limited point of view in addition to the Aubrey trilogy of novels; A Train of Powder, her celebrated journalistic chronicles of the Nuremberg trials; Meaning of Treason, a superb essay on the English spies in the service of Nazism and communism; and Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, her legendary travel book. Her friends were a whos-who of 20th century intellectuals, from George Bernard Shaw to Anais Nin and Charles Chaplin. Her independent character and sense of ethics fascinated men as much as they feared her. At the age of 16, she published an open letter in The Scotsman demanding the vote for women, which cost her friendships with her peers at their school for young ladies. She had a stormy relationship with H.G. Wells, a well-known misogynist with whom she had a son, and from whom she would finally separate. Her great-niece, Helen Atkinson, recounted how when she first went to visit her great-aunt, her parents gave her strict instructions not to mention Wells in her presence. West was a fearless individual who did not hesitate to harshly criticize Tolstoy and Strindberg, and branded T.S. Eliot a phony. In 1947, Time magazine dedicate a cover to her, referring to West as indisputably the worlds number one woman writer and The New Yorker judged her the best woman journalist. From the very first words of Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, the reader becomes immersed in Wests powerful, dominant and lucid text. It starts with a preface that speaks of the harassment carried out by the authoritarian Archduchess Sophie, who was mother-in-law she was Franz Josephs mother of Elisabeth of Bavaria, a.k.a. Sisi, for whom West displays noble sympathy. Here, she relates the murders of Sisi, rulers Alexander and Draga of Serbia and Archduke Franz Ferdinand, in which she perceives the breeding ground that would eventually lead to the war of 1914-1918 and the emergence of Nazism and Fascism that would detonate the explosion of the second great war. These early pages already contain a warning about the kind of intelligence, expressive power and courage of the journey undertaken in those interwar years by the author, whose penetrating vision then arrives at the motivations behind the terrible Croatian-Serbian war of 1999-2001, as well as the dismemberment of Josip Broz Titos former Yugoslavia. Wests sensitivity and intelligence in portraying the forces that led to the terrible conflict that has now overtaken the West is indicative of journalism that has been elevated to greatness. This unsurpassable example of travel literature is to be published in two volumes, and the first has just appeared courtesy of the publishing house that was owned by Javier Marias, a sort of posthumous homage to his admired author from the editor of the rest of her non-fiction work. I had come to Yugoslavia, writes West in her journal from 1937, because I knew that the past has made the present, and I wanted to see how the process works. Herein lies the basis of this exceptional work. The book is the confirmation of the inexhaustible existence of that which is different among people and places, in this case the history and reality of the South Slavs, considered by the West to be an amalgam of violence and barbarism, always dominated by the merciless and continuous presence of Austria and Hungary, whose debt to the South Slavs stems from them having stopped the Turkish invasion of Europe with their bravery. The secret is that the author, owner of an extraordinary expressiveness and quite refined culture, offers a lesson in the ability to put oneself in the others place in order to try to understand them. The authors observations are as suggestive as they are precise; as an example, witness her specific take on Croatian women at a Zagreb flea market (They gave the sense of the very opposite of what we mean by the word peasant when we use it in a derogatory sense, thinking of women made doltish by repeated pregnancies and a lifetime spent in the service of oafs in villages that swim in mud to the thresholds every winter). West uses the human and scenic material of the Yugoslavian towns through which she travels, interweaving it with their history, translating into a story of constant amenity, as well as an impeccable version of the conflictive relations between Croatia, Dalmatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia. This makes the Slavic world unfold before the readers eyes as the result of a revealing mosaic: nationalities full of people as passionate as they are proud of their love for their land which, paradoxically, has led them to untold slaughter. Its a formidable fresco, the legacy of a unique woman and vocational traveler that should be read with an attentive slowness to enjoy it as one should, and as it demands. A book that no cultured person should ignore. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition We Are China Chinese C919 attends Singapore Airshow rehearsal Xinhua) 08:11, February 19, 2024 A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) SINGAPORE, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese passenger jet C919 made a rehearsal flight Sunday in Singapore to prepare for the upcoming airshow. Five aircraft developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd., including C919, will meet the public at the airshow. C919 will perform flight demonstrations at the Singapore Airshow 2024, which lasts from Feb. 20 to Feb. 25. The aerial show attracts aerobatic teams from India, Australia, Indonesia and South Korea. Singapore Air Force will send its F-15 fighter jet and Apache attack helicopter to the aerial performances. The event, attended by over 1,000 participating companies, is expected to attract 50,000 trade attendees from over 50 countries and regions. Singapore Airshow will set up the country pavilion for Chinese aerospace enterprises for the first time, according to the organizer. A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) A Chinese passenger jet C919 makes a rehearsal flight to prepare for the upcoming Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Xian Jiangnan) Abbas Ganbay MPs of Milli Majlis, head of delegation to OSCE PA Azay Guliyev, members Tahir Mirkishili, Agalar Valiyev, Tural Ganjaliyev will visit Austrian capital Vienna on February 20 to participate in the winter session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Azernews reports, citing Milli Majlis. It was noted that meetings of the general committees of the institution on political and security, democracy, human rights and humanitarian issues, the economy, science, technology, and environment, and the Standing Committee will be held within the framework of the session. The Milli Majlis delegation to the OSCE PA will take part in the discussion of issues on the agenda of the winter session and committee meetings. The trip will end on February 24. Political and regulatory pressure seems to have taken its toll. Four U.S. financial juggernauts (JPMorgan, BlackRock, State Street and Pimco), which hold trillions of dollars in assets, have withdrawn or reduced their involvement in Climate Action 100+, the biggest coalition of investors and large companies vying to curb emissions and combat global warming. Opinions on sustainability or ESG practices, particularly those related to climate issues, have become political issues, which can heighten reputational risks, State Street said in its annual report, submitted this week to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They are bowing to climate change deniers, says one Democratic official. Sustainable investment criteria, or ESG which stands for environmental, social and governance are at the heart of an ideological and political tussle in the United States. Republicans have ramped up pressure against these criteria on several fronts. The latest proposal, in the New Hampshire state legislature, was to criminalize them in some cases. The initiative has been rejected, but some states are vetoing management firms that apply them and there is also pressure from Congress. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jim Jordan, and two other Republicans sent letters to State Street, BlackRock and Vanguard executives, requesting explanations of their ESG practices. In the letters, the congressmen suggested that the companies were violating U.S. antitrust law by coordinating and entering into collusive agreements to decarbonize assets being managed and reduce emissions to net zero. Membership in groups such as Climate Action 100+ was particularly in focus. Some 700 investors belong to this organization, but these four giants accounted for $14 trillion, approximately 20% of the total. The withdrawal of the financial leaders does not imply that the companies are abandoning the fight against climate change, but rather that they are disassociating their actions from the guidelines laid down by the group. Last year, Climate Action 100+ established new, stricter guidelines aimed at making investors more active in their efforts to reduce emissions. The entities claim that by withdrawing they intend to maintain their autonomy and independence of decision making in relation to the companies. Political division The initial announcements were applauded by Congressman Jordan: Todays decisions by JPMorgan and State Street are big wins for freedom and the American economy, and we hope more financial institutions follow suit in abandoning collusive ESG actions, he tweeted. In contrast, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a Democrat, disapproved: Climate risk is financial risk. Today BlackRock, JPMorgan, and State Street are choosing to ignore both, he said in a statement. By caving in to the demands of right-wing politicians funded by the fossil fuel industry and backing out of their commitment to Climate Action 100+, these enormous financial institutions are failing in their fiduciary duty and putting trillions of dollars of their clients assets at risk, he added, before concluding: Put plainly: they are caving to climate deniers. Lander was particularly critical of BlackRock, whose chief Larry Fink claimed three years ago that climate risk is a financial risk and was at the forefront of climate investment activism. The firm has not completely withdrawn from the Climate Action 100+ group, but has left its place to its international division. BlackRock had previously issued the first warning that things were about to change in its 2022 annual report. ESG and sustainability have been the subject of increased regulatory focus across jurisdictions, it warned. Some US states and/or state officials have adopted or proposed legislation or otherwise have taken official positions restricting or prohibiting state government entities from doing certain business with entities identified by the state as boycotting or discriminating against particular industries or considering ESG factors in their investment processes and proxy voting. Other states and localities may adopt similar legislation or other ESG-related laws and positions, it adds. Another problem for large investment firms is the differences in perception and regulation in the United States and Europe. State Street readily acknowledges this in its annual report: The general expectations of our stakeholders, including regulators and clients, outside the United States, especially in Europe, with regard to sustainability or ESG issues may be significantly different from expectations in the United States. Because we perform our asset management activities globally, conflicting global expectations in the U.S. and outside the U.S. complicate our ability to mitigate risks, it explains. ESG criteria have changed in the risk management criteria of listed companies. Before, the risk was not to adopt them. Now, the risk is to apply them, or both at once. Activists have taken actions intended to change or influence JPMorgan Chases business practices with regard to ESG issues, including public protests at JPMorgan Chases headquarters and other properties, and the submission of specific ESG-related proposals for a vote by JPMorgan Chase shareholders, the bank says in its annual report. Fiduciary, anti-competitive, voting power, governance and other issues posed by ESG investment strategies remain the subject of legislative and regulatory debate around the world, especially at the federal and state levels in the United States, says State Street, which stresses the regulatory and political scrutiny to which the entity is subjected. Some U.S. officials have suggested that investment practices related to sustainability or ESG may result in violations of the law including antitrust laws and breaches of fiduciary duty, it admits. An increasingly dangerous world is moving resolutely down the path of rearmament. The Munich Security Conference, held last weekend, clearly portrayed a trend that shows little sign of abating. World military spending in 2023 was 9% higher than in the previous year, reaching a value of $2.2 trillion, a new record in an already upward trend, according to data published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies on the eve of the forum. That figure is roughly equivalent to the GDP of Canada or Italy. Everything points to further growth. The trend is global and particularly apparent in Europe, due to the Russian war in Ukraine and the prospects of Donald Trumps return to power in the United States on the back of his comments about Washingtons NATO allies; in the Asia-Pacific region, due to the rise of China and the aggressive rhetoric of North Korea; and the Middle East, in the midst of a turbulent spiral surrounding the hostilities between Hamas and Israel. Rearmament concerns both conventional and nuclear weapons, with the powers embarking on investments to modernize and innovate their arsenals. At the Munich forum, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken took advantage of the presence of his Chinese and Indian counterparts to share some of the information in his possession about the new nuclear weapon on which, according to Washington, Russia is working. It is a development that would allow Moscow to place an atomic warhead in space, which is forbidden by current international treaties and would allow it to cause massive disruption of all services linked to satellites. Washington is seeking the cooperation of Beijing and New Delhi, which have greater influence over Moscow, to prevent a serious escalation by the Kremlin. Here is a look at the development of this phase of rearmament in the most strategic regions, in a context in which the United States has by far the largest budget (around $900 billion), followed by China (some $220 billion, almost twice as much if evaluated at purchasing power parity). Europe Several European politicians warned at the Munich Conference of the risks linked to Russias belligerency and the prospect of an electoral victory for Trump, whose commitment to Ukraine and NATO is doubtful. As of 2014, when the Kremlin annexed Crimea, Europe began to reverse what the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, defined as an era of silent disarmament. The increase in defense spending has accelerated after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2014, European NATO allies spent $235 billion, 1.47% of GDP. In 2023, that figure rose to $347 billion (both calculated at constant 2015 prices), equivalent to 1.85% of GDP. In 2024, the forecast is for $380 billion and 2%, respectively, according to data published by the Atlantic Alliance. Olaf Scholz and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who announced the presentation in three weeks of a new defense industrial strategy and her intention to appoint a Defense Commissioner if she obtains a new mandate in her post. The aim is to increase capabilities both to sustain Ukraines resistance in the short term, and to ensure a strong deterrent capability in the face of potential aggression from the Kremlin, particularly if Trump returns to power. The threat from Russia is real. That is why our deterrence and defense capabilities have to be credible and remain credible, Scholz said. Germany, the EUs leading economy, is fully aligned with that philosophy. Two years ago, just three days after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, Scholz announced Germanys biggest political turnaround since reunification, promising that his government would work to move the country toward a consistent military buildup after seven decades of varying degrees of containment marked by the horror of the Nazi experience. Germany has been increasing its level of military spending since then. Overall, defense spending has hovered at around 60 billion, representing 1.57% of GDP. I am proud to say that this year we will spend over 2% of our GDP on defense, said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, referring to a threshold that is required by NATO. I am also realistic enough to see that this might not be enough in the years to come, he added. Germanys response comes at a time when the Kremlin has turned Russia into a war economy, where, according to data cited by several sources, a third of the state budget is being used to sustain the war in Ukraine. Asia-Pacific In the Asia-Pacific region, the vectors driving spending are multiple. On the one hand, the steady growth of China, which, hand in hand with its long economic boom, promotes the constant improvement and expansion of its military capabilities. These increases, together with plans that have aroused misgivings in the region, have led to greater efforts by other countries in the region, such as Japan and Australia. On the other hand, the rhetoric and actions of North Korea, which recently removed the traditional goal of a peaceful reunification of the peninsula from its Constitution, represent another factor spurring spending, pushing South Korea, a major global economy, to remain in a high state of alert. Middle East The Middle East is also on track for an arms race amid the conflict between Hamas and Israel and the inflammatory effect it has had on a traditionally tense region. Israel is a nuclear power backed by military support from the United States. Saudi Arabia has for years been carrying out a military build-up that now makes it the sixth-largest spender on defense in the world. Iran does not have the economic muscle to be a significant player in quantitative terms, but it has long been cultivating the development of asymmetric capabilities that will enable it to influence the region. The conflict between Israel and the United States, on the one hand, and Irans partners in the region triggered in recent weeks by Washingtons bombings in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq is likely to spur various actors to prepare themselves thoroughly for possible unbridled escalations. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition If Maria Corina Machado, the leader elected by the Venezuelan opposition in the last primary elections and certainly the most popular politician in the country listens to anyone, it is Carlos Blanco, as has been the case for the past 20 years. An economist and consultant, Blanco is an experienced politician with no political party affiliation. He served as a minister in the Carlos Andres Perezs second government and has been a professor at the Central University of Venezuela and Boston University. He has directed media organizations, is the author of two books and is an incessant opinion columnist. He was one of the masterminds of the so-called decentralization process, the most recent effort undertaken by Venezuelan democracy to improve its management by federalizing public administration. Since Machado entered the public eye in 2004, the two have forged a solid alliance. Blanco is one of the architects of the unique strategy that Machado has pursued in relation to the rest of the opposition. We are witnessing the culmination of the worst nightmares we could have ever harbored regarding the fate and evolution of the Maduro regime, he says. His government is in a very complicated situation, but this circumstance has resulted in the expansion of repression. Question. Why is Maduro's situation complicated? Answer. He has lost a lot of popular support. Maduro is not Chavez, he never had his leadership and talent. Many Chavistas have abandoned the regime; mid-level PSUV (United Socialist Party of Venezuela) members have also deserted. In addition, there is a severe international isolation. There is the international defeat regarding the failed referendum on Essequibo, which distanced them from the CARICOM-Caribbean Community; the silence of Cuba, Brazil and Colombia. The repressive wave began in December, and worsened after the exchange of prisoners that saw Alex Saab released from jail, whose last step is the imprisonment of Rocio San Miguel. Q. Then came the decision to expel the United Nations representatives from the country. A. This isolation has not diminished the repression, but it adds insult to injury to the scandal I have described. Q. Does Maria Corina Machado have the tools to face a challenge like this? A. The essential tool in our case is not changing horses in the middle of the river. The objective is to achieve free and honest elections. Chavismo always boasted of holding elections, mocking the opposition because it had no people. Now they are afraid of elections. The democratic forces have adopted the electoral demand. Secondly, Maduro always grumbled that the opposition does not want to negotiate, the radicals, the serious opposition. That is what we are asking Maduro for, dialogue. Q. Are the talks still ongoing with these latest moves by Chavismo? Have the political stakeholders still not left the table? A. There are a lot of tables here. There are several negotiation centers. What I can say is that the movement led by Maria Corina is willing to negotiate with the regime. Q. You and Machado have always been reluctant to negotiate with Chavismo and to participate in elections on their terms. How are these circumstances different from those of the past? A. The Venezuelan democratic movement was very optimistic with the emergence of Juan Guaido and the interim presidency in 2019, which received enormous support from the international community. Thanks to the contradictions of those who led that process, that experience came to an end. The primaries were called to elect a new leader. Here we are witnessing a development from below, legitimized in a mass popular consultation. Q. What would be the highlight of those primary elections? A. The behavior of the citizens, the immense maturity of that initiative. Not a single police officer, not a single soldier, no security brigades, nothing. The citizens participated and understood what their duty was, there was not a single incident and everything went smoothly. Despite the huge adversities, there is an enormous public spirit in Venezuela. Q. There are people who think Machado does not yet have the formal control of the opposition bodies, nor the collaboration of all its sectors. A. I wouldnt say that, I dont think it is about control. It is about the internal currents of the democratic country, which are the absolute majority, recognizing her, and this has been occurring. Most of the political and social organizations of the opposition are working with her. We must provide content to the horizon of the Great National Alliance, beyond the classical approaches of the parties. This happens quite naturally in the regions of the country. The other element, which is fundamental, is the construction of the so-called 600k plan, the 600,000 citizens summoned to the campaign network for the defense of the vote, their preparation and training. Unity is not a starting point, it is an intermediate stop. We have some differences that were settled in the primaries, Maria Corina obtained 94% of the votes. Q. Is the date of the presidential election not a central issue in this so far unadmitted candidacy? A. Now Maduro is pretending to discuss this issue in the National Assembly. For the elections we are talking about, the legitimate ones, there are no dates. As soon as there are, everything will shift in the direction of his defeat. Q. In other words, if Maria Corina Machado is a candidate, it is because there has been an internal split within Chavismo that makes it possible. A. For a long time we have dealt with the impossibilities in the fight against Chavismo, and many impossibilities suddenly become possible. This is not a cliche. Situations that are so overwhelmingly dramatic make the political prognosis very complex. It happens in several fields of knowledge, but nowadays, in Venezuela, it is happening faster. What is happening today cannot be taken as a parameter of what is going to happen in the coming months. The ending of the ban and the free elections are the same thing. The Barbados agreement was signed on the basis of that reality. Five days after the agreement was signed, Maria Corina Machado was unanimously elected, to the surprise of the Chavista government. She is the custodian of a sacred popular mandate. If she is not the candidate, the elections are not free. Q. Does this mean that a delegated, alternate candidacy, an option like that of the state of Barinas in 2021, is not viable for you? A. No, that does not exist. Maria Corina did not win her candidacy by drawing from a box of soaps. The option for her to renounce her candidacy is not acceptable. It is a decision whereby she can dispose, as if it were anything else, of a popular mandate that was assigned to her by a huge majority. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition To visit Jose Ruben Zamora, you have to go through three military checkpoints and then follow a path through the forest as soldiers watch you closely from their sentry boxes. You then get an ink stamp on your arm to get through one more fence surrounding the prison cell where the prominent Guatemalan journalist and newspaper publisher has been jailed for the past 570 days. Guarded by six to eight corrections officers outside a small room with a bunk bed, table, chairs, books, family photos and a bathroom, the journalist who embodies Guatemalas fourth estate greets us with a resolute message. I wont give up. Im at peace, ready to spend three months or 100 years here. Now 67 years old, Zamora talks to us for over three hours in his cell at the Mariscal Zavala military prison, which houses everyone from drug traffickers to businessmen and politicians accused of corruption in high-profile cases. Zamora was the founder of elPeriodico, a newspaper that was forced to close in May 2023 after he was arrested on money laundering charges that he vehemently denies. International organizations have roundly denounced the serious fair violations in a case widely viewed as an attack on freedom of the press. The arrest came after the papers spotlight on alleged cases of corruption by former president Alejandro Giammatteis government. Guatemalas new president, Bernardo Arevalo, has also called it political persecution of the press. Although Zamora was sentenced to six years, an appeals court overturned the conviction last October, and ordered a new trial. Despite alleged torture during his first 17 months in prison, Zamora looks remarkably resilient. I told myself that I wont let myself give up, he said. Anyhow, he jokes, Im in charge now, noting the significant improvement in his living conditions following Arevalos inauguration. For the past three weeks, Zamora, with tanned skin, white hair neatly combed, and a thick mustache, no longer has to spend 23 hours a day isolated in a dark, dusty cell. Solitary confinement caused eye problems for Zamora, who lost 37 pounds (17 kilos) and suffered insect bites that left marks on his skin. I sprayed Baygon [insecticide] on them, but they sipped it like a Negroni [cocktail] it made them even hungrier, he laughs. But the toxic insecticide caused him to break out in hives. His long confinement led to decreased myelin in his nervous system, which then led to neurological problems. This six-foot-tall man, weighing only 140 pounds, finds even the weight of a blanket on his body painful. Cover of 'elPeriodico' when the Zamora family was forced into exile in 2003. Zamora no longer faces the constant threats and middle-of-the-night searches that disrupted his sleep. Cameras no longer record his every move. New prison officials improved his living conditions by adding windows, lights and hot water. They also allow more visitors, and Zamora can now freely move between his cell and a small outdoor exercise area. Thats where he jogs for an hour every day, daydreaming about the five-mile route he used to run along Avenida Las Americas in Guatemala City. In early February, President Arevalo called the case against Zamora spurious, and said it was trumped up to punish him for his newspapers critical reports. Arevalo firmly believes in the separation of powers in government, and wants Zamoras case to follow due process in a legal system that the president himself distrusts. Since taking office, however, the new administration has significantly improved Zamoras prison conditions. The new government has also opened up the prison to domestic and international scrutiny. Zamora recently met with Guatemalas new Interior Minister, leaders of the ruling Semilla party in Congress, the head of Guatemalas prison system, European and American diplomats, as well as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). The former government repeatedly refused requests to visit Zamora in prison. Jose Ruben Zamora meets in his cell with IACHR Executive Secretary Tania Reneaum, and Pedro Vaca, special rapporteur for freedom of expression; February 12, 2024. CIDH (EFE/CIDH) After this procession of visits from influential people, the guards are now asking me for favors... But I dont know this government, said Zamora. He also says prison officials offered to move him to a VIP cell in another military prison where politicians, drug traffickers and businessmen live in the same comfort they had on the outside. Zamora rejected the offer because It just didnt seem ethical to me I had criticized those privileges myself. The high price of challenging power An industrial engineer by profession, Jose Ruben Zamora emerged as one of the most critical voices in Guatemalan journalism after working for several oil and cement companies in the 1980s. He soon ventured into journalism, well before Guatemalas long civil war (1960-1996) ended. In 1990, he founded his first newspaper, Siglo Veintiuno, but left in 1996 and launched elPeriodico. I believed I could create a compelling, influential newspaper that serves as a catalyst for change, interpreting our nation and reshaping norms. In a country dominated by factions, our elites have favored oligopolies, monopolies and political corporatism over democracy, freedom and transparency, he tells us. Juan Pablo, a lifelong employee of the Zamora family has just cleaned the cell. Since Zamoras wife had to leave the country nine months ago, Juan Pablo brings food to the prison every Tuesday and Saturday. That day, the young man took some of Zamoras suits to the dry cleaners for his upcoming hearing on February 21. Zamoras publications employed hundreds of journalists and chronicled the contemporary history of Guatemala. His extensive network of sources was eager to expose the wrongdoings they saw in politics and business. Politicians, entertainers, police officers, judges and diplomats all shared information that his team diligently verified for publication in Zamoras El Peladero column. His investigative reporting garnered both domestic respect and international recognition. Zamora received the Maria Moors Cabot award from Columbia University, and was one of the 50 World Press Freedom Heroes recognized in 2000 by the Vienna-based International Press Institute for significant contributions to press freedom and freedom of expression. But challenging power can come at a high price. Throughout its 30-year existence, elPeriodico faced numerous lawsuits. Zamora personally experienced attacks, threats, kidnappings and even a murder attempt. I used to joke with my dentist that someday hed have to identify me by my teeth, said Zamora. This is not far-fetched. In 2008, he was kidnapped and beaten until unconscious. They broke a [spinal] disc into three pieces. I was in hospital for six months with a bacterial infection. 'elPeriodico' workers operating the printing presses; August 2, 2022. LUIS ECHEVERRIA (REUTERS) Zamora and part of his family moved to the United States after an attack on their home in 2003. The kidnappers tricked his wife and three children into thinking they had murdered the journalist. But Zamora returned to Guatemala soon after. Nothing could stop him from pursuing his uncomfortable brand of investigative journalism, and he was invited to give talks around the world. He jokes about the constant financial challenges the newspaper faced, saying that he espoused financial theology how to bring about eight miracles to meet the payroll. Following his reports of corruption involving powerful figures, advertisers withdrew under government pressure. [Former president] Otto Perez Molina took 40 million quetzales [$5.1 million] in advertising from me by threatening four telephone companies, a cement company, a brewery... Meanwhile, Zamora liquidated some his own assets to keep the newspaper afloat. Zamoras defense lawyers prosecuted In 2018, Zamora received a call from the Ministry of Justice. Controversial Attorney General Consuelo Porras (sanctioned by the U.S. for blocking anti-corruption investigations) wanted to see him. She called me into her office once a month after that. Porras openly clashed with Juan Francisco Sandoval, the ministrys special prosecutor against impunity (FECI). Sandoval was investigating alleged cases of corruption in the Giammattei administration and was close to Zamora. She didnt want Sandoval around. She wanted to kick him out of the ministry to neutralize both him and me. The meetings between Zamora and Porras went on until mid-2021, when elPeriodico published its investigation of the Russia scheme. The newspaper revealed that a group of Russian businessmen were seeking a mining concession in exchange for bribes. Zamora handed his evidence over to Sandoval. The story contained intriguing details such as a rug stuffed with cash given to Giammattei for his campaign. This revelation led to Sandovals exile and marked the end of Zamoras meetings with Porras. She called me to the ministry one last time, very angry, he said. On that occasion, instead of meeting in her office, Porras sat him at a long and messy table. She launched into a three-hour harangue laced with threats, never making eye contact. She told me that she was taught as a child to never let anyone defeat or embarrass her. EL PAIS reached out to the attorney generals office to verify this account, but has not received a response as of the publication of this report. Soon after, a Ministry of Justice source warned Zamora they were seeking incriminating evidence against him. Then, the constant persecution began. The government seized elPeriodicos bank accounts and Zamoras personal accounts. In July 2022, 18 officers wearing balaclavas and carrying rifles broke down the door to his home and arrested him. elPeriodicos offices were raided later that day. Zamora wasnt informed of the charges until the initial hearing and wasnt allowed to communicate with his lawyers, who were given no information about the charges and evidence. Journalists interview Jose Zamora in July 2022. LUIS ECHEVERRIA (REUTERS) The charges that were ultimately revealed were based on testimony from a former banker who had once been a source for Zamora. He accused Zamora of forcing him to launder 300,000 quetzales ($38,000), money the journalist admits having from selling a painting gifted by a Guatemalan artist friend named Elmar Rojas to finance his newspaper. A recent report by TrialWatch (part of the Clooney Foundation for Justice) found numerous breaches of international and regional fair trial standards. Zamora had to engage 10 defense attorneys, and four of them eventually faced criminal charges of their own. Its one of the most absurd legal processes Ive ever seen, said Zamoras former defense lawyer, Juan Francisco Solorzano Foppa. They never let us present a defense. When we clearly showed where the money came from, they countered by accusing us, labeling us as criminals, and sending us to jail. Zamoras arrest was seen as a warning to other journalists. Jose Ruben Zamora was a mentor for Guatemalan journalists and published elPeriodico, one of the three most influential media outlets in the country. All that disappeared after his arrest. This case is not just about the legal outcomes its about the messages sent and symbolic impacts of his arrest, said Pedro Vaca, the IACHRs special rapporteur for freedom of expression. The future The Zamora family wants to be able to present evidence and witnesses for his defense in the new trial. They also want him to be moved to house arrest during oral arguments, in accordance with the law. But Zamora knows all this could take a long time. I might get house arrest sometime in the next three years. But Im a realist, and for my own peace of mind, Im reconciled to staying here, he said. What he wants most is for his wife to be able to safely return from exile. Jose Ruben Zamora in a Guatemala City prison; July 30, 2022. EDWIN BERCIAN (EFE) While President Arevalo vowed to ensure journalists arent imprisoned arbitrarily, Zamora remains cautious about his promises for press freedom. Arevalo only has control of the executive branch. The judiciary branch continues to be a multiparty narco-klepto dictatorship that kept a low profile until it became brazen under Giammattei. In a certain sense, Zamora and the president share similar plights. The judge presiding over Zamoras case Freddy Orellana is the same one who launched the persecution of Arevalos party. This is why Zamora believes Arevalo should rethink his cautious approach to Attorney General Consuelo Porras, whom the president accused of leading a coup detat last year to prevent him from taking office. The president should fire Porras immediately, says Zamora. That woman has committed and continues to commit flagrant crimes. Thats the way the president must look at this or hes going to end up in my neighborhood. Everyone expects Zamora to start another newspaper when he gets out of prison, but his son wants him to consider retiring to a seaside cottage in the United States. But the man who has chronicled Guatemalan history for over 40 years still looks strong enough to wade into battle again. I think Im one of Gods favorites. Theres a reason Im still here. I must have a great many supporters in Heaven, he said as we leave. All I want is an official apology from the government, and for Angel Gonzalez [a conservative media baron and Zamora foe] to broadcast that apology for three hours during prime time. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition I was leaving here with some food for my family, and this woman comes up and asks me if I could spare something to eat, said Vilma Solier, a 39-year-old mother who works at the Nueva Esperanza communal kitchen in Limas San Juan de Lurigancho district, one of the most densely populated areas of the country. I gave her part of what I was taking home. Inside the small wooden building, Carmen Rosa Mendez serves two young street vendors who sell notebooks under the scorching sun. Three large pots sit on a stove, surrounded by ladles, a small table and a few chairs. It may be hard to believe, but in this country known for its cuisine, many people are going hungry. Not just food scarcity, but actual hunger. According to a 2023 survey by the Institute of Peruvian Studies (IEP), 57% of those interviewed (1,210) reported that their households had run out of food at least once in the last three months. In urban Peru, the percentage is 56%, while in rural Peru its even higher an alarming 75%. This reveals the notable gap between rural and urban areas, as well as social divisions within cities. Its also 75% in some urban areas where communal kitchens are often located. A woman cooks in the Nueva Esperanza communal kitchen in Lima's San Juan de Lurigancho district. SEBASTIAN CASTANEDA In these areas, said former Minister of Development and Social Inclusion (MIDIS) Carolina Trivelli, only 4% of the population has an adequate level of food consumption. Trivelli says the situation is serious, and she doesnt understand why hunger is not considered a huge problem. Its not that there is no food, but people dont have the means to get it, she said. There are days when Solier doesnt have anything to cook at her communal kitchen. Especially when there is no water, said Solier as she served Bruno Cabrera. Hes a 62-year-old man who walks with a limp due to a birth defect. I was born like this and I have never been to a hospital in my life, he said. Hes one of the 17 social cases at the communal kitchen who receives food for free. Todays menu features a hearty quinoa stew with rice and chicken. It costs three soles ($0.78) and is almost sold out by the early afternoon. The 60 diners at the communal kitchen have eaten their lunch and taken their rations home. We wont refuse food to anyone who asks, no matter who they are, said Solier. Solier and other volunteers cook the food and pay a lower price ($0.52) for their efforts. Every day, they work hard to fill the pot. They go to markets and buy whatever they can with the communal kitchens meager profits, and collect perishables that are about to be thrown away. They always make sure to use every little scrap. Food pot at the Nueva Esperanza communal kitchen SEBASTIAN CASTANEDA IEP surveys from previous years indicate that food insecurity is worsening in Peru. In 2012, 17% of survey respondents reported not having food at least once in the past three months. However, this number rose to 57% in September 2023. Several factors contributed to this deterioration, especially the pandemic. In 2020, many communal kitchens like Nueva Esperanza and Victor Marcial in Pamplona Alta (one of Limas poorest areas) were set up during the quarantine. The Victor Marcial communal kitchen is led by Rossana Huaman Colque, and sits on top of a hill beyond the paved road. Water is delivered by a tanker truck every day. It serves 104 people, has 20 social cases and charges four soles ($1.03). Todays menu is quinoa soup and green chicken stew. Hunger is rampant around here and many families have dramatic stories to tell. Francisca Guzman is a member of the Victor Marcial communal kitchen and has eight mouths to feed. Her husband used to beat her until she forced him to leave six years ago. Now she lives with her four children and four relatives in a small, three-bedroom house. She goes to the communal kitchen every day to volunteer and bring food home. Some days, they only eat fried eggs and rice. The Victor Marcial communal kitchen is in the Nadine Heredia area of San Juan de Miraflores in Lima. SEBASTIAN CASTANEDA Guzman has never been to one of Limas many grilled chicken eateries, which is something even the poorest Peruvians can afford. She cooks at Victor Marcial every weekday, and on weekends, she does laundry or cleans houses in wealthy areas of Lima. Guzman rarely takes a break, but never complains she just works hard and perseveres. She and her family are among the 70% of people who reported food insecurity in the IEP survey. Women and children are the most affected. In Latin America, there is an 11.3% disparity in food security between men and women, according to the Ayuda en Accion organization. Dramatic numbers In 2022, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that Peru had the highest food insecurity in South America. This crisis was aggravated factors like the pandemic, the war in Ukraine (causing a fertilizer shortage), and the Yaku cyclone that damaged crops in 2023. Government neglect is another contributing factor, while Perus global culinary renown has garnered more attention than the hunger experienced by much of the countrys population. Trivelli believes that there should be a special, high-level government entity led by an official empowered to address this crisis. The alarming figures speak for themselves. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) report from 2023 highlighted the plight of 16 million Peruvians suffering from nutritional deficiencies. Shockingly, this has led to a soaring 43.6% anemia rate among children aged 8 to 35 months. The Nueva Esperanza communal kitchen SEBASTIAN CASTANEDA Sociologist Fernando Eguren noted another concern apart from the children: other vulnerable groups such as prisoners, the elderly, sick people living in poverty, and even foreign migrants who often resort to begging for food on the streets of Lima. Then theres the significant impact of climate change, which is severely affecting agriculture, especially family farms that produce around 60% of Perus food. This global phenomenon affects potato and other food production, as well as ocean fishing and the Amazon Basins natural resources. According to a forthcoming paper by Eguren, shrinking Andean glaciers are affecting lakes, rivers and small mountain ponds. Droughts in 2023 led to Punos (southern Peru) driest year in the past 59 years. All these factors have impacts on food security. Communal kitchens dont give up The 3,500 communal kitchens in Peru (most of them in Lima) fight every day to put food on the table. Nueva Esperanzas president, Abilia Ramos, said that the members cover 75% of the communal kitchens operating costs, with the rest coming from MIDIS and the municipality of Lima. During the pandemic, they put up signs in markets asking for donations. Now they raise funds by selling desserts, beverages and roast chicken. Were actually solving the problem for the government, and they dont even realize it, she said. She struggles every day on this dusty hill at the end of a steep street to make sure the poorest of the poor dont go hungry. When asked about Perus culinary fame, she simply said, Im proud, but there are other things going on here. Cooks preparing food at the Ciudad Nuevo Milenio communal kitchen. SEBASTIAN CASTANEDA Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The eyes of the worlds naval powers are on Ukraine: how is it that a country with only a handful of small warships is defeating mighty Russia in the Black Sea? With minimal investment, the Armed Forces of Ukraine claim to have disabled a third of the Kremlins fleet in the Black Sea. At least 12 ships and one submarine have been destroyed or damaged, cases for which EL PAIS has found visual evidence, although Kyiv raises the number to 25. The most recent successful attacks this month sank the corvette Ivanovets and the landing ship Tsezar Kunikov with a tactic coordinated to the millimeter with swarms of nautical drones. The Ivanovets was, along with the frigate Admiral Makarov, the Russian fleets flagship in the Black Sea as of April 2022, when a Neptune anti-ship missile sank the cruiser Moskva. The Neptunes are Ukrainian-made but their numbers are limited, the Defense Ministry has admitted, because of the complexity of producing them in wartime due to the large infrastructure required and the threat of Russian shelling of the production center. The Ukrainian military has prioritized reconverting the few units it has into medium-range missiles against ground targets in Crimea, which was illegally annexed by the Kremlin in 2014 and serves as the base of its Black Sea fleet. Much cheaper and easier to produce are the marine drone bombs deployed against the Ivanovets and the Tsezar Kunikov. Between the beginning of the invasion in February 2022 and the autumn of 2023, the Ukrainian budget for the production of its drones, in secret underground locations, stood at around 30 million ($32.3 million). This figure was provided by NATO sources to Lee Willett, a researcher at the Royal Swedish Society of Naval Sciences, for an analysis published in November 2023. That is less than half the cost of building the Ivanovets, according to the Ukraine Defense Ministrys GUR intelligence directorate. Sidharth Kaushal, a researcher at the UK Royal United Services Institute, explained in a study this month how incredibly affordable it is to assemble these drones: They are easy to build, equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors, a Starlink [satellite communication system] antenna and other commercial components such as pleasure craft engines. Experts stress that Ukraine is not the first to develop marine drones, even low-cost and almost artisanal ones. Yemens Houthi rebels, for example, attacked the Saudi frigate Al-Madinah in 2017. But the Ukrainians are pioneers in the systematic and effective use of these devices, according to a study last October by the U.S. RAND center. Ukraines first attack with nautical drone bombs was launched in October 2022. It was a combined strike with unmanned aerial vehicles against two frigates (including the Admiral Makarov) and a minesweeper in Sevastopol Bay. All three ships were damaged, but were able to be repaired. The level of effectiveness on the part of Ukrainian forces since then has increased dramatically. The sinking of the Ivanovets on February 1 and the Tsezar Kunikov on February 14 are proof of this. Both attacks followed the same parameters. Swarms of at least six Magura drones, controlled from 300 kilometers (186 miles) away by GUR special forces, were launched against the two ships. In both cases they were anchored in enclosed bays, a short distance from shore. Both RAND analysts and Kaushal agree that unmanned devices are most effective when they are not deployed against targets in the open sea, where vessels have more maneuverability and where the choppier water destabilizes the drones. The Tsezar Kunikov and the Ivanovets were initially static targets with part of their escape routes closed off by land. A pack of wolves Defense Express, a Ukrainian media outlet specializing in military analysis, detailed the tactics of these Magura swarms this February. Videos provided by the GUR of the two attacks show the operation, with images recorded by the drones, evoking the teamwork of a pack of wolves stalking its prey. The drones first target the rudder, so that the ship loses its ability to maneuver. All the crew can do at this point is attempt to bring down the unmanned vehicles with onboard machine guns. But the Magura can cruise at 40 kilometers per hour (25mph) and, as can be seen in the videos, the pilots do not follow fixed trajectories. When a drone hits the hull of the ship, the following drones will target the same spot, as they inflict more damage where a breach has already been opened. Furthermore, as Defense Express indicated, the Ukrainians aim for the points where they know the ships ammunition is stored, causing a bigger explosion. Kyiv has managed to force most of the Russian fleet to withdraw from Crimea to Novorossiysk, on the Russian coast of Krasnodar province, 550 kilometers (340 miles) from unoccupied Ukraine. Despite this, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) managed to hit the landing ship Olenegorskiy Gornyak in the port of Novorossiysk in August 2023 using nautical drones. It was not specified which device was used, but the SBU operates two models christened Cossack Mamay and Sea Baby. The latter, which has rocket launchers, was successfully used in July 2023 to attack the Kerch Bridge, which connects Crimea with Russia. Cossack Mamay is, according to Ukrainian experts, the fastest military vehicle in service in the Black Sea, with a top speed of 110 kilometers per hour (68mph). Kaushal warns in his study that it is too early to say how long Ukraine will hold the advantage in terms of nautical drones, because military technology is advancing rapidly, both in offensive and defensive strategy. In World War II, multiple anti-submarine systems were quickly and successfully developed, Kaushal recalls. And the invasion of Ukraine has shown that the Russian state is capable of progress. In the first year of the war, the Ukrainians were far superior in the use of bomb drones and commercial aerial UAVs adapted for combat. Russia now has clear dominance in this area. The RUSI researcher concedes that nautical drones will always have the surprise factor in their favor, because they are very difficult for radar to detect. Ukraine has so far managed to keep Russian ships away from its waters, open a new maritime export route and reduce the threat of Kalibr cruise missile launches by the Kremlins fleet. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Ursula von der Leyen, the first woman to head the European Commission, is gearing up to run for a second term. The politician who has run the Brussels institution and played a very prominent role in a European Union in turmoil including a pandemic and a war on the continent informed her party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), on Monday in Berlin of her desire to remain as head of the EU executive body. The party gave her their support, putting her in a strong position to retain the post. The 65-year-old German conservative, who is experiencing a challenging end to her term in office and has had to abandon some of her flagship green policies due to pressure from the right and fear of the upsurge of populism, is the best positioned within her political entourage, the European Peoples Party (EPP), which is expected to officially announce her candidacy at a congress in March. Should the EPP prove to be the most voted party, von der Leyen has a strong chance of returning to lead the European Commission. The German national seems to resonate with the governments of the EU member states. In the summer, the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, said that if after the European elections in June the seat is still held by the right, he would support von der Leyen. She would need to be confirmed by the European Parliament, though. In 2019, when the leaders proposed her candidature unexpectedly and she was submitted to the vote of the European Parliament, she narrowly prevailed. If von der Leyen stands as the candidate of the European Peoples Party, the potential rivals that have emerged to date Luxembourg Commissioner Nicolas Schmit (of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers Party) and Bas Eickhout (of the Green party in the Netherlands) will not stand much of a chance against her. Von der Leyen has had issues within her European fold and with the EPP president, fellow German Manfred Weber, who aspired to chair the Commission she has headed. However, the move by the Christian-Democratic politician leaves the EPP with little or no margin but to support her and anoint her as its candidate. Although the EPP will name her as its spitzenkandidat (German for lead candidate) at its March congress in Bucharest, von der Leyen wants to portray herself not only as the conservative contender, but also as a person of consensus. Criticism over excessive prominence Von der Leyen has at times drawn significant criticism for taking too much of the limelight, overshadowing her commissioners and monopolizing the initiatives and achievements of the EU executive. In recent weeks, she has been sketching out the roadmap for the next Commission. One of the things she wishes to see is a new commissioner for defense, as she proposed on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference. In addition, she has even suggested that this should involve a country from the East the current Polish minister of foreign affairs, Radosaw Sikorski, has been mentioned though defense competences are in the hands of the member states. In her September State of the Union address, the German conservative, who has been highly committed to making Ukraine a candidate country, showed signs of her desire to spearhead the next major eastward enlargement. Von der Leyen, a physician, a mother of seven who likes to stress that she was born in Brussels, stepped up to the helm of the European Commission on December 1, 2019. Precisely 101 days after taking charge, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Covid-19 pandemic that rocked the world. The Commission struggled to get up and running, but eventually took historic steps in terms of joint production and the purchase of vaccines. In addition, the recovery fund was created proposed by Spain and supported by France and Germany , worth 750 billion, to assist the Member States in climbing out of the doldrums. Two years ago, when the world was seemingly emerging from the pandemic and its aftermath, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, launched full-scale war on Ukraine. The support for Kyiv and the response to the invasion have continued to mark her premiership. The EU again took unprecedented steps with arms funding for Ukraine. The term of office held by the German who served as minister for family affairs and then defense under Angela Merkel was widely regarded as one of the most successful in the history of the European Commission. However, in the latter part of the legislature, things have taken a turn for the worse. Her controversial trip to Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks, where she expressed support for the Netanyahu government as it began the siege on Gaza in response to those attacks, disturbed a large number of member states. For some, it was because the president of the Commission has no foreign policy competencies; for others, because the trip fueled accusations from the global south that the EU maintains double standards and does not care about Palestinian civilians. In recent weeks, environmentalists have been criticizing von der Leyen for losing ground on her green pact policy. The president of the European Union has announced that she is temporarily halting the law to reduce pesticides, following the mobilization of farmers and criticism from the right, which is concerned about the rise of populism and ultra parties that have placed environmental policies in the spotlight. Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed I have spent part of almost every day since November 8, 2016, pondering a single question: why did I lose? Hillary Clinton confesses in one of her books. This may be even more likely to happen to Biden if he is finally the Democratic candidate for the next presidential election in November and if his opponent is Trump, in whom practically all analysts in the world only see tremendous defects and little that is positive in his ideas, his program and his personality. And yet, Trump seems to command the majority of ordinary workers in the United States. His latest statements are alarming for Europe and China, the main competitors of the American empire. Trump has encouraged Russia to attack (European) NATO members that, in his opinion, do not spend enough on defense to sustain the Atlantic Alliance. He has told Putin he can do whatever the hell he wants with NATO allies who dont meet their 2% defense spending commitment. As for China, he is threatening to raise tariffs on its export products again, as he did during his first term in office, even if this means lower growth for the American economy. A chasm could open up between the U.S., Europe, and China. What explains the great chances of Trump returning to the White House despite his track record? The enormous polarization of the United States, which is an asymmetric polarization. More and more scholars are using the concept of asymmetric polarization to explain what is happening in many parts of the world: the extent to which not all actors have the same responsibility. In the American case, the most important change has occurred especially at one of its extremes: the Republican Party dominated by Trumpism. The political scientist Louis Miller, in the foreword to the book Why Were Polarized, by the American journalist Ezra Klein, distinguishes three types of polarization. One is ideological parties are increasingly homogeneous behind closed doors and increasingly different from one another. Then there is affective polarization citizens experience greater attachment to the parties, leaders and voters with whom they feel more identified, and greater hostility toward those that do not share this affinity. It is not an ideological separation but an emotional one, which does not appeal to rationality but to feelings. The third type of polarization is, perhaps, the least studied: social and territorial. There is a social, demographic and geographical differentiation that affects tastes, lifestyles and places of residence. In his book, Klein reflects on the procedures by which these three types of polarization have reinforced each other over recent decades, parties have become ideologically homogenized, positive and negative emotions have flooded political evaluations, and socio-spatial security has surged, so that citizens increasingly live in places where they share esthetic tastes, hobbies and ideology with their neighbors. This homogeneity leads to an increasingly distorted and caricatured opinion of those who think differently. All in all, the worst possible scenario in the coming months would be a Trump victory that could endanger the foundations of democracy itself, as shown in the assault on the Capitol (and which is at the center of Putins strategy with Ukraine), accompanied by a Europe where if a critical mass of far-right parties enters the European Parliament, it could block a European response to problems such as globalization and a climate transition that is being called into question. The Nobel Prize in Literature Elfriede Jelinek has written a speech in which she says: I can hear a monster breathing, I hear democracy weakening I hope it is not too late. And meanwhile many citizens go around like sleepwalkers. In September of 2023, when then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, ordered the opening of an investigation into the possible impeachment of President Joe Biden, he claimed that a trusted FBI informant had alleged that bribes were made to the Biden family. But last week, it was confirmed that the informant 43-year-old Alexander Smirnov was lying all along. Prosecutors accuse Smirnov of having provided false testimony and of having fabricated evidence for political purposes. However, despite the fact that the allegations against the president and his family are losing credibility, the Republicans arent giving up. They will continue to harass the president and his son, Hunter Biden, so long as they believe it suits their interests. The FD-1023 is a form used by the FBI to collect information from confidential sources. In the US Capitol, there has been non-stop talk for months about a specific FD-1023, a four-page form. In it, a source now revealed to be Smirnov told the FBI that Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, had received commissions worth $5 million in 2015 or 2016 from Burisma, a Ukrainian energy firm. According to Smirnov, the money was paid out by the co-founder of the company, Mykola Zlochevsky. The interview with that source occurred as part of an ongoing investigation into complaints filed in 2020 by Rudy Giuliani, who was acting as lawyer for Donald Trump. The Republican president wanted to undermine the prestige of his probable rival in that years election. However, nothing supported the credibility of those complaints. And when Giuliani found direct testimonies that contradicted them, he asked that they be buried. Paradoxically, the Republican obsession with Hunter Bidens business dealings in Ukraine, and how his father could have benefited from them, led to Trumps first impeachment. He was accused of applying pressure on the government of the then-unknown Volodymyr Zelenskiy, to investigate and incriminate the Bidens. Trump had threatened to withdraw aid from Ukraine if the Zelenskiy administration didnt comply. The FBI has attempted to clarify that collecting information from a source on a form doesnt necessarily validate the information or establish the sources credibility. Even so, Bidens rivals insisted again and again on that particular FD-1023 document. In it, Smirnov also claimed to have text messages and up to 17 recordings that incriminated the Bidens information that made the Republicans salivate. The obsession with impeachment A large number of representatives and senators from Trumps party are obsessed with impeaching Biden. They havent forgiven the fact that Trump was impeached twice in the House during his term (although he survived impeachment in the Senate). Since the Republicans won a majority in the House of Representatives more than a year ago, they have been endlessly searching for any evidence to accuse Biden of corruption. They saw the presidents weakness in his son, Hunter Biden. Obviously, they couldnt accuse the father for his sons addictions, tax violations and legal problems (he is being charged in two different cases). Hence, the investigation became about trying to prove that Joe Biden benefited from Hunters foreign business dealings, something they had already been doing for years. The difference is that now, they have a majority of seats in the House of Representatives. Still, they have been unable to find any significant evidence against the president. On top of this, the acts being investigated occurred before Biden even occupied his current position. Smirnovs indictment for providing false testimony punctures the corruption accusations that have been levied against Biden, further weakening Republican arguments. In a detailed indictment, Special Counsel David Weiss, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, has demonstrated how key evidence at the heart of House Republicans impeachment inquiry is based on a lie, said Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin in a statement. Special Counsel Weisss investigation is just the most recent to debunk the Ukraine-Burisma conspiracy theory at the heart of this fraudulent impeachment inquiry, he added. This past Friday at the White House, Biden himself said that the investigation should be abandoned and that its been a shameful endeavor from the start. Republicans, however, now say that the famous form wasnt actually that important. We have over 30 million reasons to continue this investigation and not one of those reasons relies on the corrupt FBI or an informant. Bank records dont lie, Republican Congressman James Comer tweeted. The bank records he was referring to also seem like another piece of false or at least misleading evidence. After numerous requests and subpoenas, the Republicans found a check for $200,000 from James Biden Joe Bidens brother made out to the president. There was an outcry about this, without clarifying that the funds were identified as the repayment of a loan. The president had given a check worth the same amount to his brother just two months earlier. These were also transactions from 2018, when Biden was neither vice president nor president. They were made transparently, without the slightest intention of hiding them and without any indication of irregularity. Republicans also found three payments of $1,380 each also from 2018 made by a company owned by Hunter Biden to his father. They wanted to make it appear as if this structure was a guise for China paying bribes to the president. In reality, the amounts were three installments of the purchase of a Ford Raptor SUV. Joe Biden had purchased the car in his name as a favor to his son. Almost every big revelation from the Republicans seems to evaporate as soon as it comes to light and is subjected to public scrutiny. The White House has dismantled all accusations. The most that investigations have been able to demonstrate is that the incumbent president when he was Barack Obamas vice president attended dinners with Hunters associates or clients, or said hello to them on the phone. The evidence, however, seems to matter less than the political impact. Investigating Biden is a way to counter the criminal accusations against Trump. Republicans have already given signs that they will try to maintain pressure on Biden, extend their investigations to the handling of classified documents (despite the fact that Biden has been legally exonerated) and seek arguments to request impeachment. It remains to be seen whether theyll take that final step, but the ultimate decision wont depend so much on the evidence as on whether the Republicans see themselves as having enough votes to get it done (some moderates could distance themselves) in the House and on what they believe the consequences will be in an election year. The investigation continues. And, next week, one of the highlights will take place: after several scuffles, disagreements and some theatrics, Hunter Biden has been summoned to testify behind closed doors in Congress on February 28. KYODO NEWS - Feb 19, 2024 - 20:53 | All, World, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Monday to continue offering reconstruction support to war-torn Ukraine in collaboration with the private sector, leveraging its experience and technological know-how in recovering from earthquakes. The Japanese government said it will provide Ukraine with 15.8 billion yen ($105 million) in grant aid for countermeasures against landmines and unexploded ordnance, as well as for the restoration of electricity and energy infrastructure. At the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction held in Tokyo just days ahead of the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of its neighbor, Kishida said the situation is "not easy" but that helping Kyiv recover is an "investment in the future." Japan's hosting of such a gathering in Tokyo indicated that Kishida's government is eager to demonstrate its determination to extend financial and business support for Ukraine, as the Asian country cannot support it militarily like Western nations. During the one-day meeting, Kishida and his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal witnessed the signing of more than 50 memorandums of cooperation between the public and private sectors of the two countries in a range of fields. The areas include infrastructure rebuilding, demining, agricultural expansion, improvement of the humanitarian situation, development of biotechnology, industry and information technology, and governance enhancement, according to the government. In his keynote speech, Kishida said the two nations will conclude a treaty to eliminate double taxation and start negotiations to revise an investment pact to enable Japanese firms to join reconstruction projects in Ukraine. He emphasized that Japan, which has often suffered from powerful earthquakes and other natural disasters, can make its "unique contribution" to Ukraine. Kishida added his government will establish an office of the Japan External Trade Organization in Kyiv to bolster business ties between the two countries, with the Foreign Ministry saying Tokyo has eased its travel restrictions to boost investment in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was scheduled to deliver remarks via a video message, but this was canceled, with Kyiv not elaborating on the reason. Shmyhal, however, told Kishida during their bilateral meeting later in the day that Zelenskyy is thankful for Japan's cooperation and support. The Japanese prime minister said Tokyo will try to ramp up momentum for global assistance to Ukraine. In his address earlier on Monday, Shmyhal called on Kishida, who traveled to Ukraine in March 2023 for talks with Zelenskyy before hosting the Group of Seven summit in May in Hiroshima, to revisit Ukraine. Kishida and Shmyhal reaffirmed in a joint communique that intensifying sanctions against Russia is a crucial and effective measure to deter Moscow's military activities. The conference involving about 300 government and corporate officials from Japan and Ukraine was held as concern is mounting that support for Kyiv from Western nations may wane, particularly with Russia seemingly committed to a war of attrition. In the United States, opposition by Republicans to offer more aid to Ukraine prior to the U.S. presidential election in November has resulted in delays for the administration of President Joe Biden to reach a deal for the latest funding package for Kyiv. Japan, one of the key supporters of Ukraine, has shown its commitment to supplying financial assistance to Kyiv as the provision of military equipment is restricted under its war-renouncing Constitution. In a speech at another event in Tokyo, Shmyhal said Ukraine is considering offering preferential treatment to Japanese companies that contribute to the country's reconstruction. At the G7 summit in his home constituency of Hiroshima, Kishida confirmed with other leaders that they will maintain "unwavering support" for Ukraine, with Zelenskyy participating in sessions on the closing day of the three-day gathering. The World Bank has estimated the cost of rebuilding Ukraine to be $486 billion over the next decade, which Kyiv is likely to fund through loans, representing business opportunities for firms across the globe, including in Japan. As Japanese citizens have been advised by their government not to visit Ukraine, calls are growing from the private sector to relax the advisory to allow participation in reconstruction projects. Related coverage: G7 agrees to continue supporting Ukraine Ukraine PM says Japanese companies can play big role in war recovery Zelenskyy sacks top general Zaluzhnyi as war with Russia drags on KYODO NEWS - Feb 19, 2024 - 12:10 | All, Japan Japanese startup Astroscale Holdings Inc. said Monday it has successfully launched a satellite to survey the state of a jettisoned rocket section in orbit in space, in what it calls a world first as it seeks to develop technology for space debris removal. The satellite aboard Rocket Lab USA Inc.'s rocket lifted off from New Zealand on Sunday on a mission to monitor a part of the H2A rocket body that Japan launched in 2009 and which is currently orbiting 600 kilometers above Earth's surface at high speed. Space debris has been growing in recent years in line with the increase in launches of satellites and rockets. While such objects as defunct satellites and jettisoned rocket sections raise the risk of crashes with active satellites, there is no established method to remove the debris. The startup's cuboid-shaped demonstration satellite, Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan, or ADRAS-J, measures about 80 centimeters in length and width, 1.2 meters in height and weighs around 150 kilograms. The company hopes to approach within several meters of the second-stage section of the H2A No. 15 rocket and to monitor and capture images of the section in orbit, including its rotating movements and the extent of damage and degradation. The section is around 11 meters long with a diameter of some 4 meters and weighs roughly 3 tons. Astroscale was founded in 2013 by former Finance Ministry bureaucrat Nobu Okada to offer a commercial service for space debris removal. Its future plans include collecting space debris using a robotic arm equipped on a satellite and burning it up in the atmosphere. Related coverage: Japan successfully launches new H3 rocket a year after failure Russia developing anti-satellite capability: White House Japan lunar probe lands only 55 meters from target site: agency KYODO NEWS - Feb 19, 2024 - 22:17 | All, Japan Japan Airlines Co. on Monday began flying a cargo plane for the first time in more than 13 years, as the company hopes to tap into growing demand for online shopping worldwide following the coronavirus pandemic. JAL's dedicated cargo aircraft service is offered in partnership with a subsidiary of DHL Group, the world's leading logistics company, and involves signing a contract to load a certain amount of cargo on the airline's planes. The Japanese company's first freighter since the service resumed left for Taipei from Narita airport near Tokyo on Monday. A remodeled Boeing 767 passenger jet, the plane is 54.9 meters in length and 16.0 meters high and can carry a maximum payload of 48 tons. The plane is intended to fly to nearby Asian cities such as Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei, departing from Narita and Chubu airport in central Japan. JAL plans to increase its total number of freighters to three by fiscal 2025. The aircraft will mainly carry goods with relatively stable demand at home and abroad, such as medicines and perishable items. In addition, the company expects to transport Japanese cosmetics to overseas markets while bringing general merchandise and clothing home. JAL fully abolished dedicated cargo aircraft in 2010 when it went bankrupt, leaving its cargo business to rely on passenger jets. "We would like to get involved in a growing market," Yuichiro Kito, senior vice president of cargo and mail, told a ceremony held at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture. Related coverage: ANA launches new medium-haul LCC AirJapan targeting Asian tourists JAL net profit jumps fivefold in April-Dec. on demand recovery JAL taps ex-flight attendant Tottori as 1st female president A Fuxing bullet train runs on the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway in Nang County, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Chogo) by Liu Zhoupeng LHASA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- During the Spring Festival holiday season, I had the privilege of accompanying railway workers on a maintenance journey across the plateau in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, navigating through extreme conditions resembling "ice and fire." As I joined a convoy of vehicles ascending the mountain at the Gyaca Bridge and Tunnel section, part of the railway connecting the region's major cities of Lhasa and Nyingchi, the Yarlung Zangbo River below revealed its clear and turquoise waters. The dark brown Zam Bridge, with its arch crown and 86 white suspender cables connecting to the deck, resembled a colossal harp, gracefully stretching across both riverbanks. The bridge, constructed as a concrete-filled steel tube arch, is at the world's highest altitude at 3,350 meters and boasts the longest span measuring 430 meters. During winter, the vertical distance between its deck and the surface of the Yarlung Zangbo River exceeds 30 meters, according to a worker. To ensure the bridge's safety and unimpeded access, workers must climb hundreds of narrow stairs along the arch to reach its top, which stands over 100 meters above the surface of the river. "It feels as if we're walking through the clouds," said Zhang Liang, deputy foreman of the Gyaca Bridge and Tunnel section. I looked up from the bridge and saw the workers, clad in bright yellow safety vests, gradually ascending higher and appearing smaller along the arch. Over the past two years, maintenance workers have had to inspect the bridge every week regardless of the extreme weather, especially the wind, which has a maximum speed of up to 37 meters per second. Zhang recalled his maiden mission in 2021, the first year of the railway's operation. By the time the inspection of all components was completed, it was already nightfall. The valley wind intensified, compelling him to tightly grip the handrail with both hands while pressing his body close to the stairs. He said that even after scaling the top of the arch numerous times, every time he peered down into the river, his legs would shake uncontrollably. Looking down at the tranquil river far below from the towering deck, and then up at the top of the arch reaching towards the sky, his mood suddenly echoed within me. While on the bridge, the wind deflectors on both sides produced a constant hum. Despite wearing thick gloves and winter clothing, the chill persisted. "The cold metal and welds seem like ice stabbers to our hands," said Zhang, explaining the importance of every single screw in the construction of the plateau bridge. Bidding farewell to the bitter cold Zam bridge, we entered the longest tunnel along the railway -- the 17.3-kilometer-long Dakarlha tunnel. Here, the high temperature generated by geothermal energy inside posed another challenge. A sudden wave of hot steam caught me off guard, instantly fogging my eyeglasses and camera lens. During the 3.5-kilometer walk through the tunnel, workers used inspection hammers to tap on the sidewalls, gauging the concrete compactness, identifying cavities, and assessing other wall conditions based on the resulting sounds. I also heard sounds of water nearby and in the distance. The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is known as the "Asian water tower" and is home to numerous mountains and glaciers. Their surfaces are covered by a large amount of glacial debris, which is loose and porous, allowing a large amount of water to infiltrate and gather into rich underground water resources. The area of the Dakarlha Tunnel experiences frequent rainfall, resulting in abundant underground water resources. I dipped my fingers into the hot water flowing in the drainage channel by the sidewall, and it felt like a comfortable temperature for a bath. As we went deeper into the tunnel, the temperature gradually picked up, and my hair under the helmet was soaked with sweat. The maximum temperature in the tunnel can reach 39 degrees Celsius on a regular winter night. "When the railway first opened, we had to walk through the entire tunnel, enduring temperatures as hot as a sauna," said Dong Shengrui, another deputy foreman of the Gyaca Bridge and Tunnel section. He said that they would often exit the tunnel by late morning, noting that now the tunnel has been equipped with many service roads, making it more convenient for maintenance. This inspection work usually occurs from the evening into the next day. The team inspects each beam, bearing and walking board on the bridge, as well as every drainage cover plate, joint and other components in the tunnel. Each inspection entails walking more than 5 kilometers, said Dong. "A pair of protective footwear wears out every three months." It was already the next day when we exited the tunnel, and it felt like being pulled back into an ice cellar from a greenhouse. Despite being drenched in sweat after walking for more than four hours, Dong still greeted his wife with a smile when he finally had the opportunity to video call her. Phurbu Tsering, a 25-year-old maintenance worker from Nyingchi, said it was his third time carrying out duties during the Spring Festival. "I am committed to my responsibilities, ensuring the safety of the railway so that more people can return home safe and sound," Phurbu Tsering said as he watched the trains pass by smoothly. COLOMBO, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Government ministers and delegations from 46 members of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have gathered here for the opening of the 37th ministerial session of the FAO regional conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC37), the FAO said on Monday. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu will participate in the four-day forum and will make a statement to the conference on the second day of the APRC37. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is also expected to speak on Tuesday, the FAO said in a statement. According to the FAO, delegates will participate in several roundtable discussions, including lessons learned from the pandemic and its impact on food security and nutrition, and building resilience through agrifood systems transformation. BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has released regulations on the study of the Party's history. The introduction of the regulations holds significant importance in promoting regular, long-term study of the Party's history, and encouraging the entire Party and society to draw wisdom and inspiration from the Party's history, according to a circular issued by the CPC Central Committee. Comprising six chapters and 34 articles, the document outlines general principles, leadership structures, responsibilities, content, and methods for the study of the Party's history. Serving as the core internal guidelines of the CPC for organizing and conducting the study program, the regulations delineate four primary objectives of the study program: strengthening understanding, conviction, integrity, and diligence through continued study of the Party's history, according to the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee. The document prioritizes the study of the Party's new theories in the program, noting that the main methods for conducting the study of history include self-directed learning by Party members and organized group learning sessions. The regulations point out the need to develop an accurate understanding of the underlying trends and defining features of the CPC's history of evolution, correctly understand the major events, meetings, and figures in Party history, properly address the mistakes and setbacks that have occurred on the Party's path forward, resolutely oppose and resist historical nihilism, and make official history the consensus of the entire Party and society. In line with directives from the CPC Central Committee, Party committees at all levels are tasked with earnestly fulfilling their responsibilities, implementing effective measures, and ensuring the practical application of the provisions outlined in the regulations. BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's homegrown AG600M aircraft, a firefighting model belonging to the AG600 large amphibious aircraft family, has completed its cold-weather flight tests, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). Two AG600M large amphibious airplanes completed their cold-weather flight test missions at an airport in Hailar District of Hulunbuir in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, said the AVIC, China's leading aircraft manufacturer. Lasting around two weeks, this round of flight tests was carried out in a cold environment with temperatures ranging from minus 20 degrees Celsius to minus 40 degrees Celsius, which presented a challenging setting to assess the aircraft's performance when faced with low temperatures, frost and freezing conditions. The cold-weather flight tests verified the functions and performance of the AG600M aircraft's major systems, such as power, fuel, flight control and avionics, in cold environments, the developer said, adding that the tests also assessed the aircraft's maintainability in low temperatures. To carry out the cold-weather flight tests in Inner Mongolia, the two AG600M airplanes first conducted ferry flights by traveling around 2,000 km in six hours from Shaanxi Province to the airport in Hailar in late January. This trip was the longest ferry flight mission to be completed by these two airplanes, and it also presented them with the most complicated route environment they had faced up to that point. Cold-weather flight tests are a crucial step in securing airworthiness certification, as well as learning more about the future operation and maintenance of the AG600M aircraft in low-temperature environments, said the AVIC. The AG600M firefighting aircraft has comprehensively entered the key phase of airworthiness compliance verification, and is aiming to obtain the type certificate before the end of 2024, the developer added. China's independently-developed AG600 aircraft family is being developed as vital advanced aeronautical equipment to strengthen the country's emergency-rescue capabilities. These aircraft are tailored to carry out rescue missions such as firefighting, and maritime search and rescue, in all types of terrain across the country. The AG600 series amphibious aircraft features a unique configuration consisting of an integrated aircraft-shaped upper body and ship-bottom-shaped lower body. Compared with the technology demonstrator AG600 aircraft, the firefighting-specialized AG600M has an upgraded maximum take-off weight of 60 tonnes, and a maximum water-dropping capacity of up to 12 tonnes, according to the developer. SANAA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Houthi group in Yemen on Monday claimed responsibility for the missile attack against what they described as a "British ship" on Sunday in the Gulf of Aden. "Our naval forces have attacked the British ship, Rubymar, in the Gulf of Aden with a number of missiles," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a televised statement aired by his group's satellite TV channel al-Masirah, adding that the missiles were an accurate hit. "Our attack damaged the ship, causing it to stop completely ... The ship is now at risk of sinking in the Gulf of Aden," he said. VIENTIANE, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Health officials across Laos are being encouraged to improve the standard of health services by modernizing the administration and management of the sector. Lao Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune reiterated the advice when addressing an annual meeting in northern Laos' Huaphan province last Friday to review the progress of the health sector in 2023-2024 and discuss plans for the year ahead, according to Laopattana report on Monday. Kikeo called for officials to improve the work of the public health sector to achieve expected goals. This should be done by ensuring that sufficient medical equipment is installed in health facilities, along with improved standards among nursing staff. In 2023, Laos has achieved its targets to reduce the high mortality rate of infants and mothers, while strides were made in improving the quality of food served in public places as well as the standard of medical products. Kikeo said hospital staff and health officials were following the government's policy that required medical facilities to fulfil five criteria relating to service excellence and ensure patient satisfaction. Also addressing the meeting, Health Minister Bounfeng Phoummalaysith spoke of the need to strengthen management in local systems and build the capacity of medical staff, especially village physicians, midwives, and specialists. The Laotian health ministry has initiated several projects aimed at providing better quality health services for mothers and children, providing health funding to the poor, and improving the standard of medical personnel, the minister said. The annual meeting serves to strengthen health sector management in local system, enhance the training of medical personnel, and upgrade health facilities, according to the report. This photo taken on Feb. 18, 2024 shows a view of a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, shelters more than 1.3 million displaced Palestinians. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) PARIS, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- As Israel keeps expanding its attacks against Gaza, Europe's stance on the ongoing conflict has been changing, with several European countries recently voicing their opposition against Israel's further military actions in the southern part of the coastal enclave, and some European observers even criticizing Israel's patrons in Washington. Analysts say that Europe's shifting stance has highlighted the transatlantic discordance over the Gaza conflict, which could be explained by the differences in domestic needs and strategic interests of Europe and the United States. EUROPE VOICES OPPOSITION In the past week, Israel has launched airstrikes against Gaza's southernmost city Rafah, and indicated that it is set to launch a ground operation in the city, which shelters more than 1.3 million displaced Palestinians. On Friday, the EU urged the Israeli government not to take military action in Rafah. A military action in Rafah "would worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian situation and prevent the urgently needed provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance," Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a statement. On the same day, French President Emmanuel Macron, after meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II in Paris, said that Israel's attack on Rafah could lead to an "unprecedented humanitarian disaster" and become a "turning point in the conflict." He reiterated that "the only viable solution to meet the security needs of the Israeli people and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people is the effective implementation of the two-state solution." In a joint letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar wrote that Israel's military actions in Rafah posed a "grave and imminent threat" and asked the European Commission to undertake an "urgent review" to assess whether Israel was complying with the human rights provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Also on Wednesday, while visiting Israel, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters that "1.3 million people are waiting there (in Rafah) at a very small space. If the Israeli army were to launch an offensive on Rafah under these conditions, it would be a humanitarian catastrophe." Earlier in February, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also expressed concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza in a phone talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "One of Israel's strongest allies within the (European) bloc" is now "rethinking their unyielding support of Israel's war in Gaza," commented POLITICO Europe. DIFFERENT TUNE IN U.S. Since the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas started four months ago, Europe has shared a similar stance with the United States -- condemning the attacks by Hamas and emphasizing Israel's "right to self-defense." With tens of thousands of Palestinians killed and the call for a ceasefire growing, both Europe and the United States have adjusted their positions, but to different extents and in different ways. U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated that Israel should not proceed with military action in Rafah without a "credible and executable plan" to protect Palestinian civilians. It indicates that if Israel has a plan to protect civilians, the United States will maintain its support for Israel's expanded operations in Gaza, including the attack on Rafah. In fact, the United States has not stopped providing military assistance to Israel. Such a position has raised questions among the Europeans. "President Biden said this is too much on the top, it is not proportional. Well, if you believe that too many people are being killed, maybe you should provide less arms in order to prevent so many people (from) being killed. Isn't it logical?" asked Borrell at a press conference last week. Where does Israel expect the Palestinian civilians in Rafah to evacuate to, "to the moon?" he questioned. European countries, including Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, Portugal, Malta, and Luxembourg, are "taking alternative direction to likes of the United States and UK" over Israel's actions in Gaza, noted the Guardian. "It's an important counterweight against the usual suspects -- the pro-American countries -- who tend to be more pro-Israeli," the British daily quoted Brigitte Herremans, a researcher at the University of Gent, as saying. DIFFERENT POLITICAL INTERESTS Analysts believe that Europe and the United States have both adjusted their stances on the conflict for domestic political considerations. Both sides await important elections. The United States will elect a new host of the White House in November, and new deputies will be elected to sit at the European Parliament in June. They have to consider the feelings of their Muslim communities. However, the domestic political needs and foreign policy goals of Europe and the United States are not completely the same. When supporting Israel, Washington expects to gain support from the powerful Jewish lobby groups in the United States, which are financially and politically influential, while the Europeans act out of a sense of guilt over the persecution of Jews in history. As the civilian casualties and humanitarian crisis caused by Israeli military operations mounted, the United States chose to continue to support Israel with only verbal "warnings," while Europe has been more explicit in its opposition to expanded Israeli military operations. Besides, Europe is much less in need of Israel strategically, but the United States regards Israel as a pillar of safeguarding Washington's strategic interests in the Middle East. For Europe, already hard hit by a two-year conflict in Ukraine, Israel's attempts to eliminate Hamas through military action make things harder. Caught "between two wars," "Europe is in danger," Borrell wrote in the French magazine Le Grand Continent in January. "I believe that Europe should be much more involved in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Until now, we have relied too heavily on the United States in the search for a solution to this conflict that directly affects us," Borrell said. Children are pictured at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Feb. 18, 2024. Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, shelters more than 1.3 million displaced Palestinians. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Children play at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Feb. 18, 2024. Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, shelters more than 1.3 million displaced Palestinians. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A boy fetches water at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Feb. 18, 2024. Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, shelters more than 1.3 million displaced Palestinians. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Children are pictured at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Feb. 18, 2024. Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, shelters more than 1.3 million displaced Palestinians. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) NEW DELHI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of protesting farmers said on Monday they would discuss the Indian government's proposal to offer minimum safety price (MSP) on five crops. "The central (federal) ministers made their opinion public last night. Our leadership will also discuss this in our forums and take opinion from experts," Sarwan Singh Pandher, a farmer leader, told media. Early on Monday, federal minister Piyush Goyal announced the government has proposed to buy three pulses, maize, and cotton crops from the farmers at the minimum safety price (MSP) for the next five years. The MSP fixed by the government will act as a safety for farmers to prevent them from losses in case of drop in crop prices. Goyal, who met the farmers along with fellow ministers, said government agencies will sign a contract with the farmers for the next five years for the proposed procurement and there will be no limit on the buying quantity. The farmers began their march to Delhi last Tuesday. However, they were stopped by police who had heavily barricaded roads and fired tear gas shells to disperse them at the Shambhu border in Haryana, about 200 km from Delhi. Since then, scores of farmers with large convoys of tractors are camping there. The call for Delhi march was given by farmer unions to increase pressure on the federal government to fulfil their demands which include the MSP for over two dozen crops, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases, compensation for families of farmers who died during the previous agitation. Approximately 200 farmer organizations are part of the protest plan. India's opposition leaders have also extended support to the protesting farmers and condemned the government's action to use police force to stop farmers. The farmer protests have erupted at a time when India is due to hold general elections this year and the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a record third term. Farmers in India form a considerable voting bloc. LA PAZ, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Most of Bolivia is on alert due to torrential rains that have left 85 percent of its municipalities at risk of flooding and other natural disasters, Deputy Civil Defense Minister Juan Carlos Calvimontes warned Sunday. With the alert activated Sunday in all of the nine departments of the South American country, the government urged local authorities to be prepared to respond to possible emergencies. Of the country's 340 municipalities, 279 are on "orange alert" and 10 are on "red alert," highlighting the scale of the meteorological phenomenon, Calvimontes told journalists. Orange warns of potential impact on residents and infrastructure, while red confirms the presence of such impacts and warns of their potential significant damage. Already, heavy downpours have claimed around 30 lives since November. The latest three fatalities occurred this weekend in the Achocalla municipality in the La Paz department after intense rains sparked a mudslide. The Civil Defense has deployed an immediate reaction team to provide humanitarian aid to regions that require it. NAIROBI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's electricity imports from Ethiopia rose dramatically in 2023 as Addis Ababa became the largest source of outside power supplier for the East African nation, according to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). Kenya imported 668.07 million kilowatt-hour (KWh) of power from Ethiopia last year, up from only 12.61 million kWh in 2022, the KNBS said in a new report released Monday. According to the KNBS, Kenya imported a total of 917.8 million KWh in 2023, almost three-fourths from Ethiopia. The rest came from Uganda, which initially was Kenya's main source of power imports. Kenya embraced Ethiopia because of its cheap hydroelectric power, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). To facilitate the power imports, Kenya built a 500kV interconnector line linking the two neighboring countries. Kenya's electricity consumers in 2023 stood at over 9.2 million, about half a million more than in 2022, according to Kenya Power, the country's main electricity distributor. The country's peak demand averages 2,057 megawatts (MW) while the available capacity is 2,035MW, the EPRA said. KIGALI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda and the European Union (EU) signed an agreement on Monday aimed at boosting Rwanda's mining sector and contributing to the transition toward a greener, more sustainable global economy. EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen signed the agreement with Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta, according to a statement by the ministry. The agreement will facilitate close cooperation between the EU and Rwanda in multiple areas, including the integration of sustainable raw materials value chains, cooperation to achieve sustainable and responsible production, mobilization of funding for the deployment of infrastructure required for the development of raw material value chains, as well as research and innovation related to sustainable exploration, extraction and refining, the statement said. "Global Gateway provides the framework for ambitious and strategic partnerships driving structural transformation and promoting added value, like this partnership on raw materials value chains with Rwanda. It is not only about trade and investments: it is about the planet and the people who will benefit from a sustainable, transparent, and resilient value chain of critical raw materials," said Urpilainen. Global Gateway is a European strategy to boost links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. Mineral value chains are critical to Rwanda's economy. The East African country is a major player in the world's tantalum extraction. It also produces tin, tungsten, gold, and niobium, and has potential for lithium and rare earth elements. Biruta said Monday's agreement "underscores Rwanda's commitment to unlocking the full potential of our mining sector, while contributing to the supply of critical minerals required for the transition towards a greener, more sustainable global economy." "This agreement further guarantees the quality and traceability of our raw materials, reaffirming Rwanda as a reliable partner in international trade. Rwanda values its partnership with the EU and looks forward to further strengthening our growing cooperation," he said. WELLINGTON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's dairy giant Fonterra plans to expand its food service business to more second- and third-tier cities in China by enhancing its products through investment in innovation, continuous menu development, and strengthening its offerings in Chinese cuisine. "Fonterra has had a lot of success in China. China is one of Fonterra's most important strategic markets," Teh-han Chow, Fonterra's Greater China chief executive, told Xinhua. Owned by New Zealand farmers, Fonterra has benefitted greatly from the healthy bilateral relationship between New Zealand and China, Chow said, adding over the years, Fonterra has witnessed tremendous business growth through partnering and collaborating with local customers in the areas of nutrition, innovation and sustainability. There is strong alignment between Fonterra's priorities and those of the Chinese government, such as nutritional targets for dairy consumption and China's emissions reduction targets, he said. "The China market is showing strong signs of recovery post-COVID. Over the years, dairy consumption has grown significantly in China and is expected to continue to do so," Chow said, adding Fonterra combines high-quality New Zealand dairy products with Chinese consumer preferences to develop new and innovative products. Fonterra opened its fifth Fonterra Application Center in Shenzhen in 2023 and recently upgraded its application centers in Shanghai and Beijing. The screenshot captured from a video on Feb. 19, 2024 shows Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea making a statement in Sanaa, Yemen. The Houthi group in Yemen on Monday claimed responsibility for the missile attack against what they described as a "British ship" on Sunday in the Gulf of Aden. (Xinhua) SANAA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Houthi group in Yemen said on Monday that they have fired missiles at a British ship in the Gulf of Aden. "Our naval forces have attacked the British ship, Rubymar, in the Gulf of Aden with a number of missiles," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a televised statement aired by his group's satellite TV channel al-Masirah. "The ship suffered catastrophic damage and came to a complete halt," said Sarea, adding the ship is now at risk of sinking in the Gulf of Aden. "Our attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden will not stop unless (Israeli) aggression on Gaza stops," the Houthi spokesperson said. He also claimed that his group had shot down a U.S. MQ9 drone off Hodeidah port city, which is under Houthi control, without revealing the exact time. Earlier in the day, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said in an updated advisory posted on the social media platform X that the crew of the attacked vessel, which it didn't identify, had abandoned the vessel, adding that "military authorities" rushed to the scene to assist. The British maritime agency said the attack on the vessel occurred on Sunday 35 nautical miles south of al-Mukha, located south of Hodeidah port city. Ambrey, another British maritime security agency, confirmed that the attacked vessel was a British-registered bulk cargo vessel. The U.S. Central Command said on Sunday it had conducted defensive strikes against five Houthi targets in the Red Sea on Saturday, including mobile missiles and underwater drones ready to be launched. It said it was the first time it had observed the Houthis possessing such drones, which posed a threat to shipping and regional stability. The U.S.-led coalition has conducted dozens of airstrikes against Houthi targets in northern Yemen since January, saying the strikes aimed to degrade Houthi military capabilities. However, the Houthis have said the U.S. military airstrikes have had no impact and responded by launching more drone and missile attacks against U.S. and British navy ships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Craftsman Zheng Qingshan demonstrates eggshell carving techniques via live streaming in Feixiang District, Handan City, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 19, 2024. During the Spring Festival, a series of live streaming events were held in Feixiang District of Handan, introducing the Chinese intangible cultural heritages like eggshell carving and wood carving to netizens. (Xinhua/Wang Xiao) Craftsman Zheng Qingshan demonstrates eggshell carving techniques via live streaming in Feixiang District, Handan City, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 19, 2024. During the Spring Festival, a series of live streaming events were held in Feixiang District of Handan, introducing the Chinese intangible cultural heritages like eggshell carving and wood carving to netizens. (Xinhua/Wang Xiao) Craftsman Cui Jianjun presents his wood carvings via live streaming in Feixiang District, Handan City, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 19, 2024. During the Spring Festival, a series of live streaming events were held in Feixiang District of Handan, introducing the Chinese intangible cultural heritages like eggshell carving and wood carving to netizens. (Xinhua/Wang Xiao) Craftsman Cui Jianjun speaks as he presents his wood carvings via live streaming in Feixiang District, Handan City, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 19, 2024. During the Spring Festival, a series of live streaming events were held in Feixiang District of Handan, introducing the Chinese intangible cultural heritages like eggshell carving and wood carving to netizens. (Xinhua/Wang Xiao) FUZHOU, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Construction of the main complex of a joint-investment ethylene project, which involves petrochemicals giant Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), began on Monday in east China's Fujian Province. The project, with a total investment of 44.8 billion yuan (about 6.3 billion U.S. dollars) from SABIC and Fujian Energy Petrochemical Group Co., Ltd., is being built in the Gulei petrochemicals base in the city of Zhangzhou. As the largest single Sino-foreign joint venture in Fujian Province, the project is expected to be completed in 2026 and possess a maximum annual production capacity of 1.8 million tonnes of ethylene. The project has triggered investment totaling more than 200 billion yuan for upstream and downstream industries in the Gulei petrochemicals base, according to preliminary estimates. The base is one of China's seven largest petrochemicals bases. It has 15 operational projects and a further 12 are under construction. SYDNEY, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 53 people have died in a tribal fighting in Papua New Guinea's highlands, the Australian ABC News broadcaster reported on Monday. Local police believe that the victims were shot dead in an ambush in Enga Province, in a major escalation of tribal fighting in the region, according to the media. President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinisto has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Azernews reports. The letter reads as follows: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency, On the occasion of your re-election as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I wish to extend to you my sincere congratulations along with my best wishes for every success in your high office. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Sauli Niinisto President of the Republic of Finland ULAN BATOR, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The number of livestock deaths caused by the extreme wintry weather known as "dzud" has risen to 667,841 so far this winter in Mongolia, the National Emergency Management Agency said Monday. Among the country's 21 provinces, eastern Sukhbaatar, Khentii, Dornod and Dornogovi, as well as Arkhangai in the central west, registered the highest rates of animal death, the agency said in a statement. The dzud is a Mongolian term to describe a severely cold winter when a large number of livestock die because the ground is frozen or covered in snow. As Mongolia has seen much more snow than usual this winter, over 80 percent of its territory has so far been covered with snow up to 100 cm thick, said its weather monitoring agency. One of the last surviving nomadic countries in the world, Mongolia has recently elevated its disaster preparedness to high alert due to the harsh winter and the livestock loss. The Mongolian government has been helping suffering nomadic herders. A total of 20,000 tons of hay and fodder has been sent to dzud-affected provinces. Mongolian celebrities have also been hosting donation campaigns to help nomadic herders. The promotion of livestock husbandry is seen as the most viable way to diversify the landlocked country's mining-dependent economy. At the end of 2023, the number of livestock in Mongolia stood at 64.7 million, according to the National Statistics Office. Migrant workers walk to the platform to board train G3729 at Chongqing West Railway Station in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Feb. 19, 2024. Train G3729, a chartered train for migrant workers who are about to return to work, left Chongqing West Railway Station here on Monday and headed towards Guangzhou South Railway Station. It is the first train of its kind that departed from Chongqing after the Spring Festival holiday this year. Over 300 migrant workers from Chongqing and southwest China's Sichuan Province took the train. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) Volunteers serve hot water for migrant workers at Chongqing West Railway Station in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Feb. 19, 2024. Train G3729, a chartered train for migrant workers who are about to return to work, left Chongqing West Railway Station here on Monday and headed towards Guangzhou South Railway Station. It is the first train of its kind that departed from Chongqing after the Spring Festival holiday this year. Over 300 migrant workers from Chongqing and southwest China's Sichuan Province took the train. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) Migrant workers walk to the platform to board train G3729 at Chongqing West Railway Station in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Feb. 19, 2024. Train G3729, a chartered train for migrant workers who are about to return to work, left Chongqing West Railway Station here on Monday and headed towards Guangzhou South Railway Station. It is the first train of its kind that departed from Chongqing after the Spring Festival holiday this year. Over 300 migrant workers from Chongqing and southwest China's Sichuan Province took the train. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) Migrant workers put their luggage on the rack on train G3729 at Chongqing West Railway Station in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Feb. 19, 2024. Train G3729, a chartered train for migrant workers who are about to return to work, left Chongqing West Railway Station here on Monday and headed towards Guangzhou South Railway Station. It is the first train of its kind that departed from Chongqing after the Spring Festival holiday this year. Over 300 migrant workers from Chongqing and southwest China's Sichuan Province took the train. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) Migrant workers wave goodbye on train G3729 before departure at Chongqing West Railway Station in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Feb. 19, 2024. Train G3729, a chartered train for migrant workers who are about to return to work, left Chongqing West Railway Station here on Monday and headed towards Guangzhou South Railway Station. It is the first train of its kind that departed from Chongqing after the Spring Festival holiday this year. Over 300 migrant workers from Chongqing and southwest China's Sichuan Province took the train. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) Migrant workers wait to board train G3729 at the waiting hall of Chongqing West Railway Station in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Feb. 19, 2024. Train G3729, a chartered train for migrant workers who are about to return to work, left Chongqing West Railway Station here on Monday and headed towards Guangzhou South Railway Station. It is the first train of its kind that departed from Chongqing after the Spring Festival holiday this year. Over 300 migrant workers from Chongqing and southwest China's Sichuan Province took the train. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) Migrant workers board train G3729 at Chongqing West Railway Station in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Feb. 19, 2024. Train G3729, a chartered train for migrant workers who are about to return to work, left Chongqing West Railway Station here on Monday and headed towards Guangzhou South Railway Station. It is the first train of its kind that departed from Chongqing after the Spring Festival holiday this year. Over 300 migrant workers from Chongqing and southwest China's Sichuan Province took the train. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Family members of fishermen on a mainland fishing boat will go to Kinmen on Tuesday after Taiwan's expulsion of the boat led to two deaths on Feb. 14, a mainland spokesperson said Monday. The boat from the eastern Fujian Province was expelled in the waters of Kinmen area, which led to all four aboard falling into the sea, two of whom died. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, urged relevant authorities in Taiwan to provide convenience to the fishermen's family members regarding their trip to Kinmen and take their concerns seriously. The family members, along with staff members from the Red Cross Society of China branch in Fujian's port city of Quanzhou, will accompany the two surviving fishermen back to the mainland and deal with follow-up affairs of the incident, Zhu said. She stressed that relevant authorities in Taiwan should avoid further harming the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. by Xinhua writer Bai Xu BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Before entering Harbin Ice-Snow World, a landmark theme park in the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, my friend said to me that it maybe impossible for me to try the iconic giant slide, with an obvious infusion of regret audible in her voice. Her suspicion proved correct. Despite a freezing wind and a temperature below minus 20 degrees Celsius, some people opted to wait for hours in a very long queue at the slide -- a queue so long that it prevented me from having a go at riding the famous slide. As of last Thursday when the Ice-Snow World closed, it has received about 2.71 million visitors during the 61 days of its operation. This is only one example of how popular the city of Harbin is as a tourist destination this winter. "Harbin has always been beautiful, but now more people are beginning to see her beauty," said Jiang Kedong, who has become famous this winter for hosting performances at the Ice-Snow World. According to research by Tongcheng, a major online travel agency, Harbin tops the rankings of the most popular destinations for the 2024 Spring Festival holiday. I remember seeing photos of Harbin when I was a child. Back then, I marveled at its exotic beauty -- women dressed in leathers and furs and the Byzantine style St. Sophia Cathedral combined to suggest that it was a fashionable city. In the following years, however, when people talked about northeast China, they mostly mentioned that the old industrial base, once dubbed China's "eldest son," had become a "rust belt" because of the difficulties it encountered in terms of both transformation and development. Such challenges resulted in Jiang's mother losing her job at a local factory. Jiang himself also spent time as a factory worker, with the factory he once worked at now no longer in existence. This winter the luster is returning to Harbin, with millions of visitors flocking to the city. I found the central street of Harbin, flanked with restaurants, gift shops and stores selling local specialties, to be packed with visitors, even late at night. As I walked, I could detect accents from places right across China. At the Yabuli ski resort nearly 200 km away from the downtown of Harbin, people ranging from three years old to 70 were geared up to ski -- the enthusiasm of many of them sparked by the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Even the Exhibition Hall of Evidence of Crimes Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army was packed with visitors ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, with some waiting outside the black building for two hours before getting the chance to enter. Jin Chengmin, head of the exhibition hall, was clearly pleased with this level of interest, believing that it demonstrated the "strength and responsibility of the younger generation." To make visitors to Harbin feel especially welcome, local residents even offered them free rides and free hot drinks. I asked my friend if their initiatives were prompted by their joy at witnessing the rejuvenation of the city. She shook her head and said, "No. They don't think that much. This is simply how local people behave when they have guests in their homes. They are keen to show you the best that they have." Jiang Kedong, meanwhile, told me that visitors not only took with them souvenirs and happy memories, but also left something in Harbin. Sugar-coated hawthorn on a stick is a traditional snack in north China. However, other variations of this snack have now appeared in Harbin, with hawthorn sometimes replaced by pepper, onion and even crabs -- typical food choices in faraway provinces like Sichuan, Shandong and Jiangsu. On the streets, few people now wear leathers or furs, a change that will delight animal rights groups. Instead, locals are choosing coats from Bosideng, a leading Chinese down-jacket brand, or Canada Goose, just like elsewhere in China. All of these changes suggest to me that the city is becoming more open and inclusive. My stay in Harbin was short and there are things I didn't have time to see or experience. Harbin has been named the "city of music" by UNESCO, and I was told that in summer there are usually musicians playing in its streets. The Harbin Institute of Technology, founded in 1920, is a key Chinese university known for its strengths in fields such as space science, robotics and engineering, which contribute greatly to the country's space exploration efforts. Of course, there is also the city's historical significance. It was the origin of some nomadic tribes of the Jurchen people, who later formed the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Reality is that Harbin offers a lot more than St. Sophia Cathedral and ice and snow. So I have decided to visit the city again -- maybe in summer. Would you like to go and see for yourself? BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The new building of the Yinxu Museum at the Yin Ruins, the site of the last capital of the Shang Dynasty (1600 B.C.-1046 B.C.), will open to the public on Feb. 26. The announcement was made at a press conference held by the National Cultural Heritage Administration on Monday in Beijing. The museum, located in the city of Anyang in central China's Henan Province, will showcase nearly 4,000 items or sets of cultural relics, including bronzeware, pottery, jade objects, and oracle bones. The exhibition features a vast quantity and diverse range of cultural artifacts, with over three-quarters of the relics making their debut appearances. The Yin Ruins is the first documented late Shang Dynasty capital site in China, as confirmed by archaeological excavations and oracle bone inscriptions. It is also the ancient capital site with the highest frequency of archaeological excavations and the longest duration of exploration in China. The expanded Yinxu Museum is the first national major archaeological museum to comprehensively present the Shang civilization. KAMPALA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 15,000 refugees have crossed into Uganda from neighboring countries since January, and the number is expected to increase throughout the year, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Frank Walusimbi, UNHCR Uganda spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone on Monday that most of the refugees came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan and South Sudan. He said the situation remains unpredictable as turmoil continues, particularly in the eastern DRC, where fighting rages between government troops and rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23). The UN refugee agency said more than 50,000 refugees are expected to cross into Uganda by the end of 2024, which will create a financial need of 30 million U.S. dollars, but relief support from donor countries is dwindling. Douglas Asiimwe, Uganda's acting commissioner for refugees at the Office of the Prime Minister, told Xinhua on Monday that more refugees are expected in Uganda as long as the conflict in the DRC and Sudan continues. "If you get 200 refugees arriving every day, the numbers keep growing. We have never had a day when we don't receive refugees," Asiimwe said, adding that the funding situation for refugees has deteriorated over the years. Uganda is one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in the world, hosting about 1.6 million refugees, mostly from neighboring South Sudan, according to the UNHCR. TEHRAN, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Two Iranian domestically built warships were unveiled at a ceremony in Bandar Abbas on Monday, showcasing the country's growing naval capabilities. The vessels, named "Shahid Baqeri" and "Shahid Sayyad Shirazi," belong to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy's "Shahid Soleimani" class, honoring the slain Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri said the vessels, entirely designed by Iranians, are 67 meters in length and equipped with stealth technology and weaponry, including domestically produced long-range Sayyad and medium-range Navvab air defense missiles. Tangsiri boasted of their impressive operational range, claiming they can sail up to 5,500 nautical miles (9,500 km). Powered by four engines, they are equipped to carry three light rocket vessels and one helicopter, enhancing their combat capabilities, Tangsiri added. SAO PAULO, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday accused Israel of committing "genocide" against Palestinian civilians living in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not being waged between two armies, but rather Israel's military is committing "genocide" against civilians in the Gaza Strip, Lula said during a press conference in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa. What Israel's military is doing is in the same way that Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and other European countries exterminated their Jewish populations in the first half of the 20th century, Lula said. "What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments. In fact, it existed when Hitler decided to kill the Jews," said the Brazilian president. He also criticized the controversial decision by developed nations to stop funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. "When I see the rich world announce that it will stop contributing to the humanitarian issue of the Palestinians, I wonder how much political awareness these people have?" he asked. As part of his African tour, the Brazilian president first made an official visit to Egypt, where he participated in a meeting of the Arab League, before attending the African Union Summit in Ethiopia. Passengers wait to board their trains in Fuyang West Railway Station in Fuyang City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 17, 2024. (Photo by Lu Qijian/Xinhua) HEFEI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- On the fourth day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Wu Yisheng's Spring Festival break ended. At Fuyang West Railway Station, he was waiting for the train to take him to the coastal city of Ningbo. There, he has a cleaning job. Wu, a migrant worker from Xieqiao Township, Yingshang County in Fuyang City, east China's Anhui Province, is one of the 2.3 million passengers transported by Fuyang railway authorities during the Spring Festival travel rush this year, a record high number. Fuyang is one of China's largest labor export cities, and its Spring Festival travel flow reveals the transformations in China's economic landscape, changes in railway travel, and the development of inland cities. "Because there are millions of migrant workers flowing out of Fuyang every year, the direction of the Spring Festival passenger flow, to some extent, mirrors labor demand fluctuations in certain regions," said Yang Lin, a Fuyang Railway Station staffer. The earliest Spring Festival travel rush in Fuyang happened in the early 1990s when some cities were in dire need of a huge workforce. Swarms of rural surplus laborers from Fuyang ventured out to secure employments. The number of passengers handled by the Fuyang railway increased from 210,000 in 1992 to 1.72 million in 2010 and has kept growing ever since. The free flow of labor migration moved first toward the Pearl River Delta in south China in the early 1990s, and, since the new millennium, spread to Shanghai and Hangzhou/Ningbo in the east coast. This year saw a significant rise in the proportion of passengers moving within Anhui Province, according to Yang. Zhang Wanfu waited patiently inside one of Fuyang Railway Station's waiting halls for the train bound for Hefei, the capital city of Anhui Province where he works at a home appliance factory. Following job offers with better pay, Zhang has been working outside his hometown for 30 years, he finds Hefei a reasonable place to work as the job market there has become more vibrant in recent years and it's much closer to home. Fuyang is also vying to retain the local workforce. A chartered train, during the Spring Festival travel rush in 2018, transported about 1,000 Fuyang migrant workers back home from Ningbo. As a result, the local government used that opportunity to turn the train into a makeshift job fair venue, informing the town fellows of job opportunities at home. In 2019, a start-up industrial park was established in Fuyang for locals who previously sought job opportunities elsewhere to start their businesses at home. Today, 27 enterprises of various sizes have been established, creating employment for 1,635 people. As one of the busiest hubs during the Spring Festival travel rush, Fuyang's train stations have witnessed drastic changes in how Chinese people experience train rides. At peak times, as many as 10,000 passengers could be waiting on the square in front of the packed Fuyang Railway Station, Zhang Yong, a staff member of the station, reminisced of the past, adding that under such circumstances, makeshift waiting halls had to be set up. The open-air waiting halls were marked by three colors representing three traffic directions leading to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou respectively, to divide the travelers. The only thing to keep passengers warm was a spicy soup that sold at one yuan (about 14 U.S. cents) for each portion. Today, even vacant seats may be found in the waiting halls. The Fuyang West Railway Station, a high-speed railway station launched in 2019, boosted Fuyang railway authorities' transportation capacity, ensuring improved comfort for passengers. Despite the unprecedented size of passengers this year, long queues outside the station and overcrowded waiting halls have all been in the past, said Yang Lin. "This year I'll take a bullet train to Ningbo, and it takes four hours, it's quick and comfortable," said Wu Yisheng. JUBA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- United Nations human rights experts on Monday called on South Sudan leaders to properly navigate the conclusion of the country's political transition to realize durable peace and prevent violence and serious human rights violations. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan welcomed the country's completion of the process for becoming a State Party to several core UN international human rights treaties. Yasmin Sooka, chairperson of the commission, said establishing a unified national army and transitional justice processes to deal with the past and the root causes of the conflict is indispensable. "Our investigations have found that the violence and gross human rights violations continue with impunity, with women and children being the main target of these crimes," Sooka said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, after the completion of a five-day visit. She said critical security arrangements and an independent justice system supported by constitutional processes provided under the Revitalized Agreement are essential to avoiding a return to conflict following elections. The commission said these processes under the 2018 Revitalized Agreement lay the foundations for sustainable peace and human rights protection, yet none is even close to completion, even though the transitional arrangements conclude following the elections planned for December. Barney Afako, commissioner at the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, said South Sudan's leaders must end the political and local conflicts and contestations that have brought so much pain and suffering to the people. The leaders should also invest in state and nation-building grounded in respect for diversity and the protection of human rights, Afako said. During the Feb. 12-17 visit, the commissioners held discussions with President Salva Kiir and other senior government officials and engaged with the civil society, victims and survivors, human rights defenders, diplomats and UN mission officials, the statement said. The commissioners traveled to the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and Jonglei State where women and children continue to be abducted in violent attacks along ethnic lines, carried out by heavily armed militias. Carlos Castresana Fernandez, another commissioner at the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, said victims and their family members told them they are traumatized by the abductions and disillusioned at the lack of support to return their loved ones who are missing or held hostage. "Their situation reflects the commission's broader findings from investigations across the country, that the population is defenseless against human rights abusers and lacks protection, as the institutions needed to prevent and punish crimes are deprioritized and under-resourced by the state," Fernandez said. He said addressing the lack of functioning rule of law institutions is urgent, as is the need for an independent referee who can peacefully resolve possible electoral disputes. President of the Turkic Investment Fund Baghdad Amreyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Azernews reports. The letter reads as follows: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency, On the occasion of your successful re-election as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincere congratulations on behalf of the Turkic Investment Fund (TIF) and myself. This remarkable victory reflects the trust and confidence that the people of the brotherly Republic of Azerbaijan have placed in your leadership and the path of your exceptional and nationally esteemed policies. As someone who takes great pleasure in witnessing the progress and strength at every step in the Turkic unity journey, I wish to highlight the historic victory in Karabakh and the subsequent liberation of the territory of brotherly Azerbaijan. The significant contribution of this great victory to the strength of Turkic unity, as well as the pride and honor of the Turkic Nations is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Azerbaijani people. May this achievement further enhance the prosperity and unity of the Turkic world. Under your effective guidance, the Turkic world has marked significant milestones in various areas of cooperation, contributing to its overall advancement and prosperity. Therefore, I am confident that your strong support for the establishment of the Turkic Investment Fund and its activities will contribute to a more integration Turkic world and will position the Turkic states as significant global economic players and attractive investment destinations. On the occasion of Your Excellencys re-election as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I reiterate my heartfelt congratulations. Yours sincerely, Baghdad Amreyev President of the Turkic Investment Fund BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Liu Liange, former chairman of the Bank of China, has been indicted on charges of suspected bribe-taking and illegal loan-issuing, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said on Monday. Following the completion of an investigation by the National Commission of Supervision, Liu's case has been filed by a procuratorate in the eastern city of Jinan to the municipal intermediate people's court. Prosecutors accused Liu of taking advantage of his previous positions, including former Party chief and chairman of the Bank of China, to offer help to others in terms of loans and financing, project cooperation, and personnel appointments, and accepting huge amounts of money and property in return, said the SPP in a statement. Liu was also charged with illegally issuing large volumes of loans, causing serious loss, according to the SPP. In review and prosecution, prosecutors informed the defendant of his litigation rights, interrogated him, and listened to his defense counsel's opinions. KINSHASA/KIGALI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Tensions have been running high between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring Rwanda amid fierce fighting in the eastern DRC, which the United Nations says is exacerbating the strain on already limited resources to accommodate 800,000 internally displaced persons in the region and 2.5 million displaced across the province of North Kivu. On Saturday, the DRC military accused Rwanda of launching a drone attack on the airport of Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, where fighting has been raging between DRC government forces and armed rebel groups, notably the March 23 Movement (M23). DRONE ATTACK Ndjike Kaiko Guillaume, spokesperson for the DRC military in the region, said that at about 2:00 a.m., local time, on Saturday, the Rwandan military "violated the territorial limits of the DRC" by targeting DRC aircraft with drones, damaging civil aircraft at the airport. Rwanda has not yet responded to the DRC accusation over the drone attack, but in a statement on Sunday, Kigali accused the DRC government of "abandonment of the Luanda and Nairobi Processes" and complained of "the international community's indifference to DRC's dramatic military build-up." The Luanda and Nairobi Processes refer to African regional efforts to ease the tension in the eastern DRC, including meetings in the Angolan and Kenyan capitals. The DRC has accused Rwanda of backing M23 rebels, an accusation rejected by both Kigali and the M23 rebel group. In a related development, the United States on Saturday condemned "the worsening violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo caused by the actions of the Rwanda-backed, U.S.- and UN-sanctioned M23 armed group." "CYNICAL ACT OF REALPOLITIK" The U.S. Department of State statement also urged "the government of the DRC to continue to support confidence-building measures, including ceasing cooperation with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group named as a 'negative force' by regional bodies and the government of the DRC, and which exposes the civilian population to risk. " In response, Kigali said Washington's terming the FDLR, which it describes as a "genocidal and terrorist outfit," merely as a "negative force" is "a shocking and cynical act of realpolitik, which calls into question the ability of the United States to serve as a credible mediator in the Great Lakes Region." The latest exchange of accusations between Rwanda and the DRC came amid fresh efforts by African leaders to find solutions to the renewed violence in the eastern DRC. MINI-SUMMIT AIMING TO EASE TENSIONS An extraordinary mini-summit on the security situation in the eastern DRC was held in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, late Friday, gathering several heads of state in the region, including DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame. Convened by Angolan President Joao Lourenco, the designated mediator by the African Union (AU) for the tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali, the summit was aimed to "think together to obtain a cease-fire between the DRC and the M23, and attempt a possible direct dialogue" between the Rwandan and DRC leaders. The meeting was also attended by Kenyan President William Ruto and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in addition to representatives of Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Burundi, Malawi, and Equatorial Guinea. The mini-summit was concluded Saturday after Lourenco met separately with Tshisekedi and Kagame. The Angolan president promised to continue his mediation endeavor with each of the protagonists in Luanda. The Angolan president expressed his concerns about seeing this crisis reach dangerous proportions, which end up affecting the region. President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani, who finished his term as president of the AU, said dialogue is possible between Kinshasa and Kigali. "Rwanda and the DRC are neighbors. You have a duty to cooperate," he said. "I felt that on both sides, there is a desire ... to discuss to find a solution despite the hazards." Hadia Kamel Kurdi, a mother of five used to benefit from a food box provided every month thanks to the World Food Program (WFP) aid, sits with her children in the living room of their house in Aleppo, Syria, Jan. 24, 2024. The inability of the World Food Program (WFP) to sustain its food assistance to millions of Syrians plunged more struggling families into deeper hardship and despair. ALEPPO, Syria, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The inability of the World Food Program (WFP) to sustain its food assistance to millions of Syrians plunged more struggling families into deeper hardship and despair. Mohammed Ibrahim Hindawi, once a skilled tailor and a father of six, has been laid off following a debilitating injury sustained in the Saadallah Al-Jaberi Square explosion in Aleppo City in 2013. With six mouths to feed, he had relied on aid to stave off hunger. However, with the lifeline of assistance severed, Hindawi faces an agonizing dilemma: how to feed himself or his children. The man now does simple sewing work and has had three of his children drop out of school to work and help lead a life for the family. His predicament comes as the WFP stated in December 2023 that it would stop its general food assistance program across Syria since the start of 2024 due to funding shortages. The move brought a bad time for Syrians as the specter of hunger looms large in war-torn areas due to the suffocating economic crisis in the country. During a recent visit by Xinhua to Aleppo, the cries for help were loud among the locals. Hadia Kamel Kurdi, a mother of five used to benefit from a food box provided every month thanks to the WFP aid. The box provided essential staples for her family, including rice, whole and crushed lentils, bulgur, pasta, canned beans, bottles of oil, salt, and sugar, and chickpeas, whole beans, or peas. Now, with the aid cut off, she struggles to afford even the most basic needs and her children are forced to work to supplement the family income. Her children and husband make about an equivalent of 87 U.S. dollars per month, not enough to cover their rent and electricity bills. The situation is similar for Hindawi and his children. Their family earns a monthly income of 135 dollars, less than their essential expenses, including food, rent, and medication for himself and his cancer patient wife, which amounted to 345 dollars. Life without the necessary aid feels like "a slow death," he said in a voice tinged with sorrow, appealing that "we hope the aid returns." Addressing the situation in a recent interview with Xinhua, Kenn Crossley, the WFP representative and country director in Syria, stressed the urgent need for continued support, highlighting the fragile and unstable nature of the situation. "This is not the time to abandon the people of Syria," he urged, calling upon the international community to rally together in support of those in need. "The significant funding gap affected not only Syria but all of WFP operations worldwide," he stressed. Mohammed Ibrahim Hindawi and his wife Suaad Mohamed Al-Shawi walk out of a World Food Program (WFP) aid registration center in Aleppo, Syria, Jan. 24, 2024, as they face reduced food assistance due to funding shortages of the WFP. The inability of the World Food Program (WFP) to sustain its food assistance to millions of Syrians plunged more struggling families into deeper hardship and despair. SUVA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Fighting economic crime is not an easy task, as it is technically complicated and requires capacity, financial resources, and stakeholder engagement, said Fiji Police Chief of Crime Mesake Waqa. Speaking at the opening of an anti-economic crime training program held in Suva, Waqa said such crimes can sometimes be politicized and need to be approached with great caution, the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation news website reported on Monday. A total of 23 officers from Pacific Island countries attended the training. The officer said economic crimes erode the pillars of accountability, transparency and integrity that hold institutions together and are therefore everyone's fight. "It needs our officers to be loyal to the institutions that we follow, serve with integrity, be free from corruption, and also be answerable to the law and the law alone," he said. Waqa said that crime cannot be stopped as it continues to evolve with the new trend of sophisticated technology, stressing the imperative for law enforcement officers to adapt to the changing criminal environment. ZANZIBAR, Tanzania, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Information and communications technology (ICT) experts from the Tanzanian government and the World Bank began meeting on Monday to discuss the implementation of the Digital Tanzania Project. According to a statement by the Tanzania Information Services, the experts who gathered in Zanzibar on Friday are deliberating on the 150-million-U.S.-dollar project, which aims to enhance access to high-quality internet services for both the government and citizens. The statement added that the project also aims to improve the government's ability to deliver digital public services and accelerate Tanzania's digital economy. The Digital Tanzania Project is being implemented by the Tanzanian Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology in cooperation with the President's Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance. MOSCOW, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia plans to carry out over 40 space launches in 2024, said Yury Borisov, director general of Russia's state space corporation Roscosmos, in an interview with local media on Monday. Borisov said it is important to avoid any potential launch delays and Roscosmos will continue to focus on facilitating effective and steady coordination within the corporation. "This year's main task is to complete the entire launch program," he said. Russia was working on the development of reusable super-light launch vehicles, he said, expressing the hope that the country will soon be able to renew its fleet of launch vehicles and restore its position on the global market for launch services. He noted that the ultra-light carrier rocket will be fully reusable, similar to the Amur LNG-powered rocket which is being developed. The Amur LNG rocket and the ultra-light carrier rocket will be based at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a Russian spaceport located in the Far East, he added. The defense ministry "is also interested in a lightweight carrier of this class to ensure the profitability of launch services," he said. SYDNEY, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 53 people have died in a tribal fighting in Papua New Guinea's highlands, the Australian ABC News broadcaster reported on Monday. Local police believe that the victims were shot dead in an ambush in Enga province, in a major escalation of tribal fighting in the region, according to the report. Authorities were still counting "those who were shot, injured and ran off into the bushes", and believed that more people could have died in the bushes, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Acting Superintendent George Kakas was quoted as saying. "We presume the numbers will go up to 60 or 65," he said. "This is by far the largest (killing) I've seen in Enga, maybe in all of Highlands as well, in Papua New Guinea," Kakas said. It was understood that the tribal fight involves the same tribes that killed more than 60 people last year, ABC News reported. Facing escalating tribal fighting, Enga province was put into lockdown for several months last year. BAGHDAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid on Monday condemned the kidnapping and killing of a prominent activist loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, calling it a threat to security, stability and peaceful coexistence. Rashid said in a statement that the killing of Ayser al-Khafaji, a famous blogger, was a violation of the law, urging the security forces to tighten the security measures to protect the citizens' safety. He also called for an investigation into the incident and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Al-Khafaji was found dead on Monday morning on the side of a highway in the Jebala area, north of the city of Hilla, some 100 km south of the capital Baghdad, after he was kidnapped on Sunday evening near his house by a group of outlaws, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. The Interior Ministry confirmed the incident in a statement, without naming the victim or the kidnappers. Al-Khafaji was an influential follower of al-Sadr, who leads the Sadrist Movement and commands the loyalty of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- In June 2022, Chen, a visually impaired youth, encountered difficulties in navigating train travel. To seek help, Chen dialed for the 12355 hotline service. Upon receiving Chen's request, the hotline promptly contacted social workers to facilitate Chen's trip. In the meantime, to address the youngster's distress caused by the disabilities, the hotline also offered counseling from a psychiatrist to help Chen chase his worries away. Chen said that the service has greatly boosted the confidence of disabled people like him in taking long trips. Since established by the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) Central Committee in 2006, the hotline service has helped hundreds of thousands of youngsters in China by providing much needed counseling for mental health and legal problems. At present, the 12355 platform has 115 hotlines across the country, offering legal and mental health consultations to an average of 600,000 individuals annually. These services are also available round the clock through the 12355 online platform, which was established in May 2023. Based on the needs of young people, the platform has diversified its services. In addition to offering counseling to help youths solve their problems, it organizes special activities aimed at enhancing their psychological well-being. For instance, during the senior high school and college entrance exam period in 2023, the platform organized a series of stress-relieving activities to ease the anxiety of students about the exams and boost their confidence. The platform has also forged cooperation with various departments to protect the rights of young people in China. In July 2023, the 12355 platform in Shanghai received a distress message from an individual surnamed Ma, who had been abducted and taken to Myanmar. Acting on guidance from the CYLC Central Committee, the mental health counselor maintained contact with Ma, gathering crucial information that contributed to the successful rescue of the youngster. Meanwhile, regional authorities are adopting measures to maximize the platform's functionality, enabling it to play a more significant role in initiatives such as preventing delinquent behaviors and enhancing the health and well-being of youths. Moving forward, the platform plans to persist in innovating its service methods and enhancing its capacity to cater to the evolving needs of young people. SANAA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-British maritime coalition launched an airstrike on the Yemeni Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Monday, the Houthi-run al-Masirah satellite TV channel reported. The strike hit in the area of al-Jabanah in the city, the television said, without providing further details or casualties. Local residents said on social media platforms that the airstrike hit an empty area. So far, there have been no comments yet from the U.S.-British coalition. The strike came following the Houthis claimed responsibility for carrying out a missile attack against a British cargo vessel in the southern Red Sea. Britain's Maritime Trade Operations agency said the attack badly damaged the vessel, and its crew had abandoned it. On Saturday, the U.S. Central Command said it has conducted "five successful self-defense strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel, and one unmanned surface vessel" in the Houthis-controlled areas of Yemen. The U.S. Central Command said its strikes since January aimed to undermine Houthi military capabilities. However, Houthis, in response, increased their attacks in what they said in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. 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. Representative of the UN Population Fund in Turkiye, Country Director for Azerbaijan and Georgia Mariam Khan has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Azernews reports. The letter reads as follows: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency, I am honored to extend my congratulations to Your Excellency on your re-election as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The presidential elections held throughout the entire sovereign territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan have marked a significant milestone paving the way for economic prosperity, guarantees of human rights and fundamental freedoms and peaceful co-existence. I would like to seize this opportunity to inform Your Excellency that UNFPA is pleased to reaffirm its commitment for a longstanding partnership with the Government of Azerbaijan in diverse government-led endeavors aimed at addressing demographic and population issues, advancing gender equality, and safeguarding womens health in Azerbaijan. UNFPA reiterates its commitment to collaboration with the Government of Azerbaijan within the frameworks of the 2021-2025 Country Programme, including in the context of post-conflict recovery in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur economic regions of Azerbaijan. For this year priority will also be given to climate resilience efforts aligned to UNFPAs comparative advantage in support of the COP29 conference preparations. I avail myself of this opportunity to express to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration. Sincerely, Mariam Khan UNFPA Representative in Turkiye, Country Director for Azerbaijan and Georgia CORDOBA, Spain, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to work with Spain to build a bilateral relationship with strategic determination, providing new impetus for the rejuvenation and development of both countries and injecting new vitality into China-Europe ties, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a joint press conference with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares. China regards Spain as a trustworthy and good partner in the European Union (EU), Wang added. Expounding on the broad consensus, Wang said both sides agreed that the strategic mutual trust is the solid cornerstone for the development of China-Spain relations. Last year, the two countries celebrated their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The two heads of state drew a strategic blueprint for the development of bilateral ties, and pragmatic cooperation has shown vigorous vitality, Wang said. The two sides will continue the momentum of high-level exchanges, create a favorable political atmosphere, reaffirm their mutual respect for each other's core interests and major concerns, and understand and support each other in their efforts to safeguard national unification and ethnic unity, Wang noted. He said China appreciates Spain's adherence to the one-China principle. "We both agree that opening-up and cooperation are the inherent driving force for the development of China-Spain relations," Wang said. The two sides are willing to expand cooperation in new areas such as electric vehicles, green energy and digital economy, provide a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory business environment to each other's enterprises, continuously improve the quality and resilience of two-way investment, and help each other in their economic transformation and upgrading, Wang said. China has announced the lifting of restrictions on imports of Spanish deboned beef from cattle under 30 months of age, Wang added. He welcomed Spain to make good use of such platforms as the China International Import Expo, China International Consumer Products Expo, and the China International Fair for Trade in Services to promote its exports of more quality products to China. Wang said that the two sides agreed that people-to-people exchanges are valuable in boosting China-Spain relations. Last year, the two countries hosted "Year of Culture and Tourism" events. The "Exhibition of Civilization of Qin Dynasty and Han Dynasty" and the "Dali Art Exhibition" attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors. China has unilaterally rolled out a visa-free policy for Spanish tourists to China, and Spain is also ready to adopt more measures to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries, Wang said. The giant panda is an ambassador of friendship between the Chinese and Spanish people, Wang said, noting that a popular children's song composed by Spanish musicians for Chulin, the first giant panda born in Madrid in 1982, is familiar to several generations of Spanish children. China will send a pair of young pandas to Spain after the current loan agreement expires and the panda family in Madrid returns to China, in a bid to sustain the "panda bond" between the two peoples that has lasted more than four decades, Wang said. Wang said the two sides agreed that maintaining a stable China-Europe relationship aligns with their common interests. China appreciates Spain's contributions to advancing China-Europe exchanges and cooperation when it held the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of last year, he said, adding that China anticipates and believes that Spain will continue to play an active role in the EU. The two countries are ready to promote China-Europe joint actions to cope with global challenges such as climate change, food security and public health, shouldering due international responsibilities in a world full of uncertainties, he said. "We deeply felt that the international community is increasingly worried about the future and destiny of humanity and has a stronger desire for peace, stability and development," Wang said, adding that both China and Spain are steady forces for maintaining the international order and promoting global development. China is ready to join hands with Spain to demonstrate a sense of responsibility, coordinate closely, gather broader consensus and put forth more effective solutions to push for political settlement of hotspot issues and make greater contributions to building a better future for mankind, Wang said. Noting that next year marks the 20th anniversary of China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said China is willing to work with Spain, by upholding the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, to push for more positive results in exchanges and cooperation in diverse sectors and bring bilateral ties to a new level. Firefighters extinguish fire caused by Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 19, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) BEIRUT, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. Ghazieh, adjacent to the southern city of Sidon, is around 45 km from Lebanon's capital city Beirut. The sources, who spoke anonymously, said that Israeli warplanes carried out four airstrikes, including two raids targeting the industrial area behind Al-Rai private hospital and another two targeting the vicinity of a supermarket. The sources added that the two raids that targeted the industrial area destroyed a factory that manufactures and assembles electric generators. Another tire factory and ten neighboring shops were also severely damaged. The two raids in the vicinity of a supermarket destroyed an iron and aluminum manufacturing factory and damaged six commercial stores, according to the sources. The raids also damaged a house inhabited by several Syrian workers, injuring 12 of them. Meanwhile, two members of the civil defense teams were injured while extinguishing fires caused by the explosions, according to Lebanese military sources. On Monday, Israeli warplanes launched 11 raids on six targets in the border area of southern Lebanon, destroying four homes and damaging 20 others, according to Lebanese security sources. For its part, Hezbollah announced that its fighters attacked several Israeli sites, including the Al-Samaqa, Radar, and Ramtha sites, in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms, causing several casualties. The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing increased tension since Oct. 8, 2023, after Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 302 people on the Lebanese side, including 205 Hezbollah members and 57 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. Smoke rises after Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 19, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Firefighters extinguish fire caused by Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 19, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Firefighters extinguish fire caused by Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 19, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Firefighters extinguish fire caused by Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 19, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Smoke rises after Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 19, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Heavy smoke is seen at a factory hit by Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 20, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. Ghazieh, adjacent to the southern city of Sidon, is around 45 km from Lebanon's capital city Beirut. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Firefighters extinguish fire at a factory hit by Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 20, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. Ghazieh, adjacent to the southern city of Sidon, is around 45 km from Lebanon's capital city Beirut. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Heavy smoke is seen at a factory hit by Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 20, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. Ghazieh, adjacent to the southern city of Sidon, is around 45 km from Lebanon's capital city Beirut. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Firefighters extinguish fire at a factory hit by Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 20, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. Ghazieh, adjacent to the southern city of Sidon, is around 45 km from Lebanon's capital city Beirut. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Firefighters extinguish fire at a factory hit by Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 20, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. Ghazieh, adjacent to the southern city of Sidon, is around 45 km from Lebanon's capital city Beirut. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Firefighters extinguish fire at a factory hit by Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on Feb. 20, 2024. Israeli warplanes on Monday afternoon hit multiple targets in the southern town of Ghazieh with air-to-surface missiles, injuring 14 people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. Ghazieh, adjacent to the southern city of Sidon, is around 45 km from Lebanon's capital city Beirut. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Volunteers cook food for free distribution in Omdurman, Sudan, Feb. 5, 2024. (Photo by Mohamed Khidir/Xinhua) As the lean season looms, the UN's plea is clear: agencies need the means to "provide support to families in Sudan" to avert "a hunger catastrophe." UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 million people across Sudan, South Sudan and Chad are struggling with soaring rates of hunger and malnutrition as the crisis in Sudan sends shockwaves around the region, a UN spokesperson said Monday. The ripple effects of Sudan's instability are palpable, with individuals fleeing to neighboring South Sudan and Chad, "hungry and arriving with no resources," Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told the noon briefing. Due to hundreds of millions U.S. dollars of funding gaps, the World Food Programme (WFP) issued a stark warning about the dire situation, Dujarric said, noting the WFP's difficult decision to "prioritize scarce resources to the new arrivals" means that "pre-existing refugees no longer receive assistance," a move that starkly illustrates the harsh realities of aid distribution in times of crisis. The UN's persistent alarms over the humanitarian situation in Sudan underscore the urgency, with "18 million acutely food insecure people within the country," many of whom are "trapped in areas of active fighting," Dujarric said. As the lean season looms, the UN's plea is clear: agencies need the means to "provide support to families in Sudan" to avert "a hunger catastrophe." The call to action is not just for immediate relief but a reminder of the interconnectedness of regional stability and global responsibility, said the spokesperson. An employee works at an assembly workshop of Hooeasy Smart Technology Co., Ltd. in Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 19, 2024. Factories across China have gradually resumed operations as the country's most celebrated holiday Spring Festival ends. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Employees check assembled cars at a workshop of automaker FAW Hongqi in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Feb. 19, 2024. Factories across China have gradually resumed operations as the country's most celebrated holiday Spring Festival ends. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan) An employee works at a chainsaw assembly workshop of Sunseeker Industrial Co., Ltd. in Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 19, 2024. Factories across China have gradually resumed operations as the country's most celebrated holiday Spring Festival ends. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Smart robots operate at a workshop of Ronma Solar in Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 19, 2024. Factories across China have gradually resumed operations as the country's most celebrated holiday Spring Festival ends. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) An employee works at an intelligent plant of truck manufacturer FAW Jiefang in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Feb. 19, 2024. Factories across China have gradually resumed operations as the country's most celebrated holiday Spring Festival ends. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan) Employees work at an intelligent plant of truck manufacturer FAW Jiefang in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Feb. 19, 2024. Factories across China have gradually resumed operations as the country's most celebrated holiday Spring Festival ends. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan) Employees work at an intelligent plant of truck manufacturer FAW Jiefang in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Feb. 19, 2024. Factories across China have gradually resumed operations as the country's most celebrated holiday Spring Festival ends. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan) The 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of the Heads of State and Government opened on Saturday. Join Xinhua's Liu Fangqiang to explore the summit venue, the AU headquarters building in Addis Ababa. Produced by Xinhua Global Service The 37th AU summit opened on Saturday, with a call to increase efforts to improve the state of education in Africa and fast-track the realization of Africa's development endeavors. Produced by Xinhua Global Service KIGALI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda has said that it questions "the ability of the United States to serve as a credible mediator in the Great Lakes Region." The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said on Sunday that a statement issued by the U.S. Department of State the previous day "fundamentally distorts" realities on the conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The U.S. statement "stands in puzzling contradiction with the substance and tone of the confidence-building process initiated by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence in November 2023, which created a productive framework for de-escalation," the Rwandan foreign ministry statement said. "Rwanda will seek clarification from the U.S. government to ascertain whether its statement represents an abrupt shift in policy, or simply a lack of internal coordination," the statement said. The Rwandan foreign ministry was responding to a U.S. State Department statement on Saturday that "strongly condemns the worsening violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) caused by the actions of the Rwanda-backed, U.S.- and UN-sanctioned M23 armed group, including its recent incursions into the town of Sake." "This escalation has increased the risk to millions of people already exposed to human rights abuses including displacement, deprivation, and attacks," the U.S. statement said. "We call on M23 to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from its current positions around Sake and Goma and in accordance with the Luanda and Nairobi processes." Goma is the capital of the DRC's North Kivu Province. "The United States condemns Rwanda's support for the M23 armed group and calls on Rwanda to immediately withdraw all Rwanda Defense Force personnel from the DRC and remove its surface-to-air missile systems, which threaten the lives of civilians, UN and other regional peacekeepers, humanitarian actors, and commercial flights in the eastern DRC," the State Department statement said. "We call on the government of the DRC to continue to support confidence-building measures, including ceasing cooperation with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group named as a 'negative force' by regional bodies and the government of the DRC, and which exposes the civilian population to risk," the U.S. statement added. Rwanda, in its statement on Sunday, said it considers the FDLR as a terrorist group whose elements are linked to the 1994 genocide, when about 1 million people, mostly of the Tutsi community and moderate Hutus, were killed by Hutu extremists in a span of 100 days. "It was the U.S. Department of State which in December 2001 added FDLR -- then known as 'ALIR a.k.a. Interahamwe, ex-FAR' -- to the Terrorist Exclusion List under the provisions of the Patriot Act, after the group murdered, and in some cases raped, eight Western tourists in Bwindi, Uganda, including two Americans," the Rwandan foreign ministry statement said. "To characterize this genocidal and terrorist outfit merely as 'an armed group named as a 'negative force' by regional bodies and the government of the DRC' is a shocking and cynical act of realpolitik, which calls into question the ability of the United States to serve as a credible mediator in the Great Lakes Region," the statement said. Rwanda, which has consistently denied accusations that it supports M23 rebels, said the U.S. statement "fundamentally distorts realities" in relation to the conflict in the eastern DRC. It said that ensuring FDLR demobilization and repatriation to Rwanda is "a non-negotiable requirement to protect Rwanda's territorial integrity." Since the first week of this month, amid mass displacements, 15 civilians have been killed and 29 injured following fresh fighting around Goma and Sake town, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said last week. About 135,000 internally displaced persons have fled Sake town to Goma. LUSAKA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Central banks in southern African countries were urged on Monday to put in place measures to enhance cybersecurity and mitigate disruptions posed by the rise in cybersecurity crimes. "A number of our member central banks have been affected by cyber incidents, and we equally have not been spared. We, therefore, need to closely collaborate in enhancing cybersecurity and developing resilience of all critical Information and Technology Communication systems to mitigate disruptions," said Rekha Chifuwe Mhango, Bank of Zambia deputy governor in charge of administration. The development and establishment of a well-researched and consultative cybersecurity supervision framework were vital for central banks' operations, she said at the opening of the 29th annual meeting of the Southern African Development Community Central Bank Governors Information Technology Communication meeting in Zambia's southern city of Livingstone on Monday. The need for enhanced cybersecurity was vital now that a number of central banks in the region were considering the introduction of central bank digital currencies, she said, adding that other entities regulated by central banks were fast innovating products that use various forms of crypto assets, hence the need for central banks to develop the capacity to effectively carry out their regulatory functions. LILONGWE, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Malawian Ministry of Health has launched a fresh COVID-19 vaccination campaign, scheduled to run from Feb. 18 to 23, in response to a potential outbreak of the epidemic. Secretary for Health Samson Mndolo said in a statement that although the number of recorded COVID-19 cases, admissions, and deaths has remained very low since the second half of 2023, the pandemic has the potential to cause outbreaks as it still exists in many countries around the world. As of Sunday, Malawi had 90 active cases, and the total number of recorded cases since April 2020, when the first cases were confirmed, was 89,534, while 2,686 deaths had been recorded since then, according to the statement. Mndolo said the country's COVID-19 vaccine coverage was lower than recommended, and the level of protective immunity for those who had been vaccinated began to decline 6 to 12 months after the last dose. According to the secretary for health, Malawi is integrating COVID-19 vaccination into primary health care services and routine immunization systems, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidance and recommendations. The WHO recommends that countries remain vigilant and continue to use vaccination as part of routine disease control, even though the pandemic is no longer declared a public health emergency of international concern. During the campaign, which will be carried out in the country's health facilities, markets, and other convenient places, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be administered, and eligible individuals will also receive booster doses. President of the Portuguese Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Azernews reports. The letter reads as follows: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, On the occasion of Your Excellency's re-election as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I present, on behalf of the Portuguese people and on my own behalf, warm congratulations and wishes for success in the exercise of the role which you will continue to perform. I am certain that the ties that unite our two countries and peoples will continue to be developed with a view to pursuing cooperation at bilateral level, in all its dimensions, as well as in the multilateral context. While reiterating my congratulations, please accept, Mr. President, my wishes for your well-being and for the progress of the Azerbaijani people. Marcelo Robelo de Sousa President of the Portuguese Republic TOKYO, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The University of Tokyo plans to launch a new five-year program that integrates undergraduate and graduate courses in fall 2027, with half of the roughly 100-student capacity to comprise foreign students, local media reported on Monday. The interdisciplinary program, a combination of a four-year Bachelor's degree and one-year Master's, aims to nurture talent to resolve global issues, from climate change to biodiversity, that are difficult to tackle in a conventional vertically divided academic structure, Kyodo News said, citing a university source. Under the envisioned program, named "College of Design," students can also select courses already offered at undergraduate and graduate levels at the university according to their interests across fields such as literature and medicine, the report said. Enrollment to the program plans to begin at the start of the autumn 2027 school year, with lectures to be conducted in English, it said. The top Japanese university will admit about 100 students per year in the program, with half of them from foreign countries, it added. Within the five years, students will be required to gain experience from programs outside the university for one year, such as by taking part in company internships or studying abroad. Meanwhile, the university aims to invite researchers from foreign universities and private companies to teach the program's courses, using profits generated from investments by the university's own fund. The institution is set to announce the launch of the new program by March 2025 after deciding on the details of the entrance examinations and credits required for graduation will be approved, it added. YANGON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon, was grandly celebrated in Myanmar's Yangon on Sunday. Representatives of the two countries, including Myanmar's State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai, attended the celebration. Min Aung Hlaing addressed the celebration that Myanmar and China have a long history of "Paukphaw" friendship and bilateral cooperation is being consistently promoted, expressing gratitude for China's long-term support for Myanmar's stability and development. Myanmar is willing to deepen cooperation with China in economy, trade and cultural exchanges, work together to combat telecom fraud, and join hands to build a community of shared future between the two countries, he said. Chen Hai said that China will continue to support Myanmar in taking the path of development that is in line with its own national conditions, and support Myanmar's efforts in maintaining peace, stability and development. The celebration, held at Yangon's Thuwunna Stadium, featured parades, lion and dragon dances, Chinese lantern displays, and over 50 exhibition booths on food and traditional Chinese culture. SYDNEY, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 64 people have died in a major escalation of tribal fighting in Papua New Guinea's highlands, local media said on Monday. Police in Wapenamanda, Enga province, confirmed that 64 bodies had been recovered from roadside, grassland and hills of the region since the fighting started early Sunday morning, according to PNG's local newspaper Post-Courier. Security personnel said some bodies were still out there in the bushes, the newspaper reported. Earlier, the Australian ABC News broadcaster reported that at least 53 people had died in the tribal fighting and more people could have died in the bushes. "This is by far the largest (killing) I've seen in Enga, maybe in all of Highlands as well, in Papua New Guinea," Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Acting Superintendent George Kakas was quoted as saying. It was understood that the tribal fighting involves the same tribes that killed more than 60 people in 2023, ABC News reported. Facing escalating tribal fighting, Enga province was put into lockdown for several months in 2023. NEW DELHI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Indian farmers protesting at inter-state borders near Delhi on Monday rejected the federal government's proposal for providing minimum support price (MSP) on five crops. The farmers said the government's proposal was "not in their interest", and that they will continue with their protests and march towards Delhi. They said that the government's proposal did not have clarity and that they wanted the MSP on all 23 crops and not just on pulses, maize, and cotton crops. The federal government and the farmers have held four rounds of talks over the past couple of weeks. The fourth round took place on Sunday where the government put forth a five-year plan involving the purchase of pulses, maize, and cotton crops by government agencies at the MSPs. The farmers began their march to Delhi last Tuesday. However, they were stopped by police who had heavily barricaded roads and fired tear gas shells to disperse them at the Shambhu border in Haryana, about 200 km from Delhi. Besides the MSP, the farmers are also demanding pension for farmers and farm-laborers, farm-debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases filed in past agitations, among others. "Greater understanding" between China and Europe is key to making the most of business opportunities and ensuring future prosperous relations, said a Spanish entrepreneur with 20 years experience working with Chinese companies. #GLOBALink Produced by Xinhua Global Service People attach wish notes for the Year of the Dragon on the wish trees at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, in Escondido, California, the United States, on Feb. 17, 2024. San Diego Zoo Safari Park held a special event over the weekend to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) People attach wish notes for the Year of the Dragon on the wish trees at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, in Escondido, California, the United States, on Feb. 17, 2024. San Diego Zoo Safari Park held a special event over the weekend to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) A man hangs Year of the Dragon-themed decorations at a special event celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, in Escondido, California, the United States, on Feb. 17, 2024. San Diego Zoo Safari Park held a special event over the weekend to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) CHICAGO, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The parade celebrating the Chinese New Year on Sunday attracted tens of thousands of people to Chinatown on the South Side of Chicago to ring in the Year of the Dragon. The main streets of Chinatown were lined with teenagers, young couples, and families with young kids sitting on dads' shoulders. Some 50 formations, including 10 marching bands and drum corps, 10 colorful floats, and performance and marching groups, drew cheers and applause from time to time as they passed by. The parade featured traditional Chinese dragon and lion dancing teams, as well as marching bands of local schools. People raised their arms to grab candies tossed from several floats. Dale Adele was at the parade with his son, who was on the parade team for the dragon dance. To prepare for the parade show, her son started practicing about six months ago. "This is the first time that we've come down for the parade," Adele told Xinhua. "I never got a chance to see celebrations when I was in China. I get to see some celebrating, that's very nice." As a pilot, Adele used to fly frequently to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong but never got a chance to have a tour in China. "My 14-year-old son has a very good engineering brain. He's going to high school next year, he's going to take Chinese as his language. And He wants to go to a good engineering school in China," Adele said with a smile. Harland Joseph Berk came all the way from River Forest in the western suburbs of Chicago to watch the parade with his whole family, including his wife, two sons, and a grandchild. This was the first time for the 81-year-old corn dealer to watch the parade. He thought the parade was in Chinese style and also an American thing. "You see the Chinese and the dragons, and then you see people with bagpipes, and you see black people with their bands." Berk went to China 15 years ago. "We went to quite a few different cities. We saw the tombs where the soldiers were. Of course, we were in Beijing, and we went to places where they were growing up green tea," he said. "Everyone was very nice. And it was all very beautiful," he added. The annual Chinese New Year Parade is a great event for people of different ethnic groups from around the Great Chicago Area to get acquainted with Chinese culture and traditions, as well as have a taste of Chinese foods. blackCAT / iStock.com The pandemic changed working culture forever. While some companies took a temporary break from going into the office, others decided they would never return again. According to Forbes, about 16% of companies globally are fully remote. Forbes also reports that this move is largely in line with what current employees want: 98% of workers want to work remotely at least some of the time. Discover More: 7 Creative Sources of Passive Income To Consider in 2024 Check Out: 6 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work) Looking for remote work? Heres a look at some of the companies that will never return to the office, and why. anyaberkut / Getty Images/iStockphoto Slack Youve probably used Slack as a means to communicate with employees that are remote, so it makes sense that their company values align with its product. The productivity platform supports a remote-first company, which means its assumed that employees will work remotely, but they have the option to go into offices that Slack has set up worldwide. Theyre living proof that you can foster a robust and connected team culture, even if everyones spread out across different time zones, said Kraig Kleeman, the CEO of The New Workforce. They say, Weve got the tools; lets show the world how its done.' Read Next: Grant Cardone: Heres How To Become Rich If Youre Earning an Average Salary Explore More: How I Make $5,000 a Month in Passive Income Doing Just 10 Hours of Work a Year Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief. cokada / Getty Images/iStockphoto Dropbox Dropbox adopted a way of working called virtual first, which is similar to Slacks philosophy of remote first. The primary experience for employees is 90% remote, with opportunities to meet up in person when needed. Theyre transforming their offices into Dropbox Studios spaces designed for teamwork, not the 9-to-5 grind, Kleeman said. Its a whole new take on what a workspace can be. Time reported in 2022 that Dropbox employees even receive a $7,000 stipend to use for expenses associated with working from home, like additional electronics and childcare. Story continues For You: 30 Best Games That Pay Real Money in 2024 Movus / Getty Images Coinbase Coinbase, a platform for buying, selling and storing cryptocurrency, is also remote-first and proudly proclaims its never going to the pre-2020 way of working again, after many employees raved about the shift in culture. Theyre all about breaking down barriers and building a decentralized team that can work from anywhere, Kleeman said. Its a visionary approach, especially for a company thats all about the cutting-edge world of cryptocurrency. JHVEPhoto / Getty Images Shopify Shopify is an e-commerce platform that any business can work into their selling model. Shopifys jobs are 100% remote, so employees can work easily from anywhere. Shopifys CEO, Tobi Lutke, threw the gauntlet down, too, calling the company digital by default,' Kleeman said. Shopify is on a mission to tap into talent from every corner of the globe, ensuring that work fits into life, not vice versa. SolStock / Getty Images Square Youve probably seen Square when you go to pay for something at a coffee shop or an art fair. Square makes devices that allow small businesses to accept credit card payments anywhere. This type of location flexibility is also a part of its business model. All the jobs at Square are 100% remote. Theyve seen the light realizing that people shouldnt have to commute to an office to do great work, Kleeman said. Square said part of their reasoning for switching to 100% remote work was to meet employees needs and let them work from where they felt most creative and productive. Learn More: Ramit Sethi: 5 Easy Steps To Getting Rich in 2024 recep-bg / Getty Images Zillow Zillow CEO Rich Barton said that, once the company went remote, they saw a higher number of applicants and more access to great talent to bring into the company. Barton also said that employees were more productive since going remote. Zillow jumped on the bandwagon by offering employees the choice to work from home permanently, Kleeman said. They listened to their team, who said loud and clear, We love this flexibility!' GaudiLab / iStock.com Okta Okta is a tool that helps with authentication in the workplace. You might have seen it when youre trying to log into your accounts, if you work at a big company. The team went fully remote after the COVID-19 pandemic, citing its mission to support boundary-less work environments. The switch also helps support their internationally-born employees whose visas might have expired. This way, they can keep their jobs while not having to live in the United States. shapecharge / Getty Images Atlassian Atlassian makes collaboration software for companies to easily share their work. Like other companies on this list, it made sense that the company would go fully remote, given the product it builds. Atlassian calls its remote policy Team Anywhere, which allows employees to choose their preferred working style, from remote to an office, in one of the companys 13 countries. The team says this approach has allowed them to attract more top tier talent and made their employees happier with their work/life balance. Find Out: 26 Ways To Make $1,000 Fast In a Week or Less Delmaine Donson / iStock.com GitHub Developers use GitHub to create, store and manage code. GitHub is a fully remote company. Part of the reason for going fully remote is that, since the COVID-19 pandemic, its offices were sorely under-utilized. In 2023, GitHub made the decision to go fully remote and not to renew the leases on any of its offices, saving some cash in the process. bymuratdeniz / Getty Images/iStockphoto Quora Youve probably had a burning question answered on Quora. The company is best known for being a place where people can crowdsource answers for questions they may have. Quora has adopted a remote-first working mentality but does offer a co-working stipend for employees who prefer to be in an office to work. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Companies That Will Never Return to Office In this article, we will take a look at 15 Best Countries to Move to from US that Speak English. You can skip our detailed analysis about English language and its learning market and go directly to the 5 Best Countries to Move to from US that Speak English. In this global village, the concept of a global language seems fitting. With the rise of digitization, along with increased international trade and travel, communication has become more crucial than ever. A shared language is useful for navigating international dynamics equitably. Historically, Latin emerged as the global language, or lingua franca of its time; today English is predominant. Therefore, for individuals relocating abroad, especially from English-speaking countries like the US, there are numerous best countries where they can move that speak English. English as the Lingua Franca Interestingly, English serves as the official language of 67 countries, indicating not only government recognition but also widespread teaching in schools. With over 350 million people speaking English as their first language, and an additional 430 million people using it as a second language, English speakers can be found in virtually every corner of the world. Remarkably, a significant proportion of these English speakers are actually not native speakers. Consequently, there are numerous places that can be included in the list of best countries to move to from US that speak English. Then why has English gained such momentum over the years? The answer is simple. With most aspects of life being conducted in English, the language was destined to achieve dominance. It is the most widely accepted academic language-- in 2020, 17 out of 20 globally ranked universities were English speaking. Additionally, over half of the most popular website pages are in English and more than 1 billion internet users employ English while typing. English's prominence extends to the business world, where it is deemed crucial by over 95% of employers, even in countries where English is not the official language. In fact according to a study, English proficiency can lead to a 28% increase in hourly wages. Higher levels of English proficiency in a country have been linked with elevated incomes, increased innovation levels, and a better quality of life. Story continues Furthermore, English is the prevailing language in international bodies, with approximately 85% of them having English as one of their official languages. In about one-third of these organizations, English is the sole language, which rises to a 90% share in the case of Asian international organizations. Expats and their Integration With the rise in international travel, having a common language for efficient transactions is essential. While most tourist destinations have acquired necessary language skills to communicate in English, for expats, a broader acceptance is crucial for proper integration into the society. Among various fears and challenges that expats face while moving abroad, language stands out as one of the most significant and legitimate factors. Many countries worldwide have recognized the significance of expats within their borders and are committed to ensuring their smooth settlement. Addressing the language barrier, Europe has acknowledged the need to focus on the issue, particularly concerning English proficiency. Both Belgium, specifically Brussels, and Finland, with Helsinki at the forefront, have advocated for declaring English as the official language. These countries host large international communities and believe that overcoming language barriers is essential for the well-being of the nation. While Europe, as a whole, boasts a high proficiency level in English, it's essential to keep in mind that, while moving from US to countries that speak English is undoubtedly advantageous, a little command over local languages can go a long way towards easy integration in the society. English Learning Industry Overview Language learning, overall, has been on the rise, with Global Business English Language Training Market expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.75%, reaching $4581.68 million during 2022-2027. Platforms like Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOL) and Coursera Inc. (NYSE:COUR) have proven to be extremely helpful for people learning to gather command over English, as well as English speakers to learn other languages. With over 40 languages including, French, Spanish, Welsh, Irish, Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOL) can assist US expats moving abroad in learning location-specific languages and navigating day to day life successfully. Beyond catering to language learners, the platform also serves as a valuable tool for those looking to enhance their English proficiency. Google -- Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) has recognized the value of Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOL) by integrating a new Google Search feature. This feature is meant to help people across various countries practice and improve their English-speaking skills through an interactive experience. Coursera Inc. (NYSE:COUR) is one of the largest online learning networks with over 124 million registered learners, collaborating with tech giants like Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) to provide courses and professional certification as well as English language learning. The company offers extensive training in English language through focusing on grammar, vocabulary and writing. Here are some comments from Coursera Inc. (NYSE:COUR) earnings call for the fourth quarter of 2023, applauding their growing strength: We welcome 24 million new learners, the most since 2020, growing our global learner base to more than 140 million. We expanded our educator partnerships to over 325 leading universities and companies. We grew revenue 21% over the prior year, with total annual revenue of $636 million, and we achieved this growth with increased leverage, including our first positive adjusted EBITDA quarter, delivering on our commitment to build a platform and business model that scales. I remain encouraged by our momentum and am increasingly confident in our vision for the future of higher education. 15 Best Countries to Move to from US that Speak English 15 Best Countries to Move to from US that Speak English Methodology To compile the list of the 15 best countries to move to from the US that speak English, we conducted a comprehensive analysis, drawing insights from our lists of 19 Cheap English-Speaking Countries in Europe and 20 Best English-Speaking Countries to Retire, Live, or Visit. These sources helped us form an initial list of potential destinations, which was then subjected to further scrutiny based on rankings from the Global Peace Index (2023) and the Quality of Life Index (2024) from Numbeo. We calculated an average of these two rankings and arranged the countries in ascending order, starting with the lowest average rank. In cases of similar averages, we employed a tie-breaker, considering the countries' personal income tax rates, with a preference for lower rates. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that uses a consensus approach to identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The website tracks the movement of corporate insiders and hedge funds. Our top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 stock index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years ( see the details here ). So, if you are looking for the best stock picks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Now that we have scoured through our sources, lets move to the shortlisted potential 15 Best Countries to Move to from US that Speak English. 15. Lithuania Quality of life Index Rank: 19 Global Peace Index Rank: 36 Insider Monkey Average Rank: 27.5 As a developed country with a robust economy, Lithuania stands out as a magnet for those seeking better work opportunities and an overall higher quality of life. The cost of living in the country is affordable, and it holds a comfortable position in the global peace index. Moreover, English is widely spoken in Lithuania, making it even more appealing for expatriates. Approximately 30% of the population is estimated to speak English, with an impressive 80% of the younger generation (approximately below 30) being fairly conversant in the language. Consequently, Lithuania emerges as one of the best countries to move to from the US that speak English. 14. Belgium Quality of life Index Rank: 27 Global Peace Index Rank: 20 Insider Monkey Average Rank: 23.5 Boasting a rich cultural heritage, exquisite cuisine, a thriving job market, and an excellent quality of life with high-quality education, healthcare, and affordable housing, Belgium has beckoned many expats to its land. The country maintains a low crime rate, and its standing in the Global Peace Index (GPI) further solidifies its reputation as a safe destination for relocation. Despite having three official languages, none of which are English, the language is widely spoken and understood by the residents. Belgium holds the 7th position on the EF English Proficiency Index (EPI) 2023, ensuring that Americans moving to the country won't face language barriers. 13. Sweden Quality of life Index Rank: 14 Global Peace Index Rank: 28 Insider Monkey Average Rank: 21 Similar to other European countries, Sweden offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to the US. The country provides low or almost free health and education facilities, excellent transportation, and high-paying job opportunities-- enticing perks for those considering relocation. Sweden consistently ranks among the top 30 most peaceful nations globally. Additionally, a large proportion of the Swedish population, especially the younger generation, is proficient in English. The country's commitment to English in primary education contributes to its 6th position on the English Proficiency Index (EPI), affirming that language proficiency is not a hindrance for expatriates. 12. Croatia Quality of life Index Rank: 21 Global Peace Index Rank: 14 Insider Monkey Average Rank: 17.5 As one of the best countries for Americans to move to that speak English, Croatia emerges as a highly favorable choice. Beyond its natural pleasures, such as a comfortable climate and scenic beauty, Croatia attracts expats with its high standard of living, reflected in the Quality of Life Index. The country's safe and secure environment fosters a peaceful existence with style. Expatriates from the United States are likely to settle down quickly, thanks to the prevalence of the English language, which is widely spoken as a popular second language. Croatia further solidifies its appeal by ranking 11th on the proficiency index, falling into the very high proficiency category. 11. Czechia Quality of life Index Rank: 23 Global Peace Index Rank: 12 Insider Monkey Average Rank: 17.5 An affordable lifestyle, high-quality yet inexpensive healthcare, active expat organizations, lucrative work opportunities, and low crime rates are just a few of the benefits awaiting US residents relocating to Czechia. Moreover, with the country ranking in the high proficiency category, the majority of the younger generation is comfortable with the English language. Hence, Czechia earns its place on our list of the best countries for Americans to move to that speak English. 10. Estonia Quality of life Index Rank: 10 Global Peace Index Rank: 25 Insider Monkey Average Rank: 17.5 As one of the most affordable European nations to live in, Estonia offers an excellent quality of life coupled with a warm and welcoming attitude from the locals towards expats. The country boasts a peaceful and safe environment, making it an attractive destination. Communication poses little challenge for English speakers, as it is widely spoken as a second language. The European education system, emphasizing English instruction from early school years, contributes to the country's high proficiency. With these factors in mind, Estonia stands out as a viable option for Americans looking to move to a country where English is widely spoken. 9. Ireland Quality of life Index Rank: 29 Global Peace Index Rank: 3 Insider Monkey Average Rank: 16 Nestled in close proximity to Europe and adorned with lush and gorgeous landscapes, Ireland is a veritable paradise for expats. While the cost of living may be slightly higher compared to other countries, accessible healthcare, accommodation options for all types of budgets, and affordable public transport contribute to a well-rounded lifestyle. Ireland also boasts a top-three ranking in the Global Peace Index (GPI), solidifying its reputation as one of the safest countries. English, one of the official languages alongside Irish, is spoken by about 97% of the population. For US residents seeking a country to move to where English is widely spoken, Ireland undoubtedly stands out as one of the best options. 8. Norway Quality of life Index Rank: 8 Global Peace Index Rank: 24 Insider Monkey Average Rank: 16 Chosen by approximately 877,200 expats, Norway delivers a top-notch quality of life for its residents, encompassing education, health, safety, and other essential aspects. With the added advantage of English being widely spoken, US residents would find themselves in one of the best English-speaking countries to move to. Norway's 5th position on the English Proficiency Index (EPI) further underscores the country's language proficiency, with most of the population able to communicate easily, at least up to a basic or good level. 7. Portugal Quality of life Index Rank: 20 Global Peace Index Rank: 7 Insider Monkey Average Rank: 13.5 Portugal has become a magnet for expats, drawn by its numerous benefits such as pleasant weather, low cost of living, excellent accessibility to health and education, and a safe and secure environment. However, another noteworthy aspect that adds to its allure is the country's proficiency in the English language. Ranked 8th on the English Proficiency Index (EPI), between a quarter and a third of the population can comfortably speak English. In major cities and tourist attractions like Lisbon and Algarve, English is widely spoken, further enhancing the expatriate experience. 6. Germany Quality of life Index Rank: 12 Global Peace Index Rank: 15 Insider Monkey Average Rank: 13.5 As a highly developed country, Germany offers a multitude of benefits for expats from the US. Not only is medical care more affordable than in the US, but the overall cost of living is also reasonable. The high ranking on the Quality of Life Index attests to the excellent standard of living that can be maintained in the country. Germany's positive standing on the Global Peace Index is encouraging for those looking to establish roots in a peaceful environment. Furthermore, ranked in the very high proficiency category, English is fluently spoken and understood in most large cities, tourist areas, and university towns. Hence, Germany secures the 6th position on our list of the best countries to move to from US that speak English. Click to continue reading and see our 5 Best Countries to Move to from US that Speak English. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 15 Best Countries to Move to from US that Speak English is originally published on Insider Monkey. This article takes a look at 16 safe and affordable cities in South America for expats. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on exploring safety and expat-friendly cities in South America, you may go to 5 Safe and Affordable Cities in South America for Expats. Exploring Safety and Expat-Friendly Cities in South America According to the Global Peace Index, a leading measure of global peacefulness, South America experienced a slight deterioration in peace as of the year 2023. The decline in the region's overall peace can be attributed to deterioration in safety, security, and ongoing conflicts. Notably, three countries showed improvements, whereas eight experienced deterioration primarily due to violent demonstrations and internal conflicts. The most peaceful region in South America, according to the GPI index, is Uruguay. It is also the only South American country to rank amongst the 50 most peaceful countries globally, and can thereby be acclaimed as the safest South American country for expats. However, the same cannot be said about countries such as Colombia and Ecuador. The GPI Index report states that the former has the lowest peacefulness score in the region, while the latter has witnessed the largest deterioration in their overall scores. Colombias overall GPI score is 2.693, ranking it at the 140th place out of 163 countries. In contrast, Ecuador exhibits a more favorable score of 2.095, although this is somewhat diminished by a relatively higher score change of 0.135. This nation of 18 million, situated between Colombia in the north and Peru in the east and south, is no longer a "model of stability" that it once used to be. Instead, Ecuador is now considered an epicenter of drug gangs and related violence. It isnt all bad news in the region, though. Argentina, for instance, has recorded the largest improvement in peacefulness this past year. It is safe to say that Argentina is one of the cheapest and safest places to live in South America, with violent crimes extremely rare in expat-friendly areas. In this country, violent crime is less of a problem than in other countries within the region. Story continues Despite the peace unrest that may be found in South America, it still manages to attract a decent number of expats from around the world. According to the International Organization for Migration, the region is home to more than 10 million immigrants from around the world. More than 200,000 American expatriates live in the region as well. Countries such as Colombia are revered for their tropical weather, colonial towns, and wonderful healthcare systems. The dense Amazon forest and unspoiled beaches attract yet many others to some of the best places in Ecuador, while others are lured in by the land of the Incas and the mystical Machu Picchu in Peru. For those of you wishing to make a move, the safety and security of the places within the region may be a concern. After all, the region isn't the most peaceful in the world. Regardless, expats have been moving in from all over the world to take advantage of the low costs of living, breathtaking natural landscapes, and better quality of life that they can afford in some of the best places in South America. Several locales in Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Argentina, and even Ecuador have a significant expatriate presence, making them comparatively safer to reside in than other regions of these countries. Nevertheless, living anywhere as an expat, or even as a local, requires individuals to exercise caution and practice general safety guidelines to avoid unnecessary trouble. With that said, lets move on to explore some of the safe and affordable cities in South America for expats. 16 Safe and Affordable Cities in South America for Expats Pablo Rogat/Shutterstock.com Methodology To compile our list of safe and affordable cities in South America for expats, we have relied on sources such as Spark Nomad, South American Backpacker, Worldy Adventurer, Layer Culture, and Travel Safe Abroad, to name a few. Next, we ranked our curated list on the cost of living and safety based on their country's GPI Score. A higher GPI represents a higher level of violence in a country. Cost of living has been sourced from Nomad List as well as includes recent expat experiences. Scores for each factor were summed up to curate a unique Insider Monkey score for each country. Places have then been ranked in an ascending order from the lowest to the highest scores. While this article aims to highlight safe and affordable cities in South America for expats, it is important to acknowledge that the region, as a whole, may not be the most peaceful. Prospective expatriates are strongly advised to exercise caution, conduct thorough research, and stay informed about the current socio-political climate and safety conditions of any specific area they are considering relocating to. It is recommended to stay abreast of local news and travel advisories to make well-informed decisions regarding their chosen destination. Safety should always be a top priority, and individual circumstances may vary. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 16. Lima, Peru Insider Monkey Score: 5 GPI Score: 2.13 Cost of Living: $2,000 With a GPI score of 2.13, Peru ranks 16th in our list of South American countries ranked for peace and affordability. For the most part, life in Lima is safe and comfortable for expats. Nevertheless, exercising due diligence is the way to go. An expat who has lived in Lima talks about living in areas having a higher NSE, implying a higher income for the district administration and generally better surveillance. These areas usually have patrol cars and bikes, security drones, and similar facilities. Living in secure areas and observing street smarts will enable any expat to live a trouble-free life in Lima. 15. Cartagena, Colombia Insider Monkey Score: 6 GPI Score: 2.69 Cost of Living: $1,300 One of the cheapest countries to live in South America is Colombia. Within Colombia, Cartagena is a safe option for expats to explore. Known as the Walled City, expats in the city report loving it for its beaches, food, and nightlife. However, like other cities in Latin America, safety issues exist so it's best to reside in expat communities and touristy areas for a safe living experience. 14. Florianopolis, Brazil Insider Monkey Score: 9 GPI Score: 2.46 Cost of Living: $1,200 While the cost of living pretty much anywhere in the world boils down to your preferences and needs, an expat can manage to live comfortably for $1,200 a month here in Florianopolis. Home to mesmerizing beaches and safe neighborhoods, the devaluation of the Brazilian real has made living expenses even more affordable for expats. Brazilian Gringo affirms that it is one of the few places in Brazil that doesnt hold up to the notion that the country is unsafe to live in, and can be acclaimed as one of the best places to retire to. 13. Quito, Ecuador Insider Monkey Score: 10 GPI Score: 2.1 Cost of Living: $1,500 Ecuador is a Latin American country that is among the cheapest for expats. Brimming with rich history and culture, Quito is one of the best cities to live in South America. As long as basic safety precautions are followed, it boasts a better safety profile than many other cities in South America. As an expat, the best way to lead a safe life here in Quito is to exercise caution, follow safety measures, and respect their culture and traditions. All in all, it is an attractive retirement destination due to its pleasant climate, rich cultural heritage, affordable cost of living, and a range of amenities. 12. Medellin, Colombia Insider Monkey Score: 10 GPI Score: 2.69 Cost of Living: $1,100 Coming in at 12th place on our list of safe and affordable cities in South America for expats is Medellin. Overall, Medellin has a nice vibe for expats looking for friendly people, pleasant weather, and an affordable cost of living. The city has experienced a remarkable transformation in recent years, shedding its historical reputation for insecurity. It now boasts improved safety measures, urban development, and a strong sense of community. Even Forbes has recommended the city as one of the worlds most livable cities owing to its efficient public transportation system, strong infrastructure, green spaces, and agreeable year-round weather. Nevertheless, it is advised to exercise caution and common sense to enjoy a safe living experience. 11. Cuenca, Ecuador Insider Monkey Score: 12 GPI Score: 2.1 Cost of Living: $1,200 One of the best places to live in South America for expats is, hands down, Cuenca in Ecuador. When compared to cities such as Guayaquil, the environment is much more relaxed and many individuals walking around the historic center feel like they're somewhere in Europe. Additionally, expats are drawn to the city for its affordability, offering a cost-effective yet high-quality lifestyle with reasonably priced housing, healthcare, and daily necessities. Like any other city, however, petty crime and theft are probable and it is advised to carry a money belt to conceal your valuables. Avoid areas notorious for crime. 10. Santiago, Chile Insider Monkey Score: 14 Country GPI Score: 1.87 Cost of Living: $1,800 Santiago, Chiles affordable and green capital, ranks amongst one of the safest and most affordable cities in South America for expats. From its ideal climate and great food to its exciting nightlife and modern infrastructure, the city boasts all the amenities an expat needs to live a life of luxury and comfort. Even though it is 20-25% more expensive than other cities in Chile, it is still quite affordable for expats especially coming in from places such as the USA. Expats prefer the Las Condes area to live in as it is not only developed and safe, but also complete with modern apartments. 9. Arequipa, Peru Insider Monkey Score: 15 GPI Score: 2.13 Cost of Living: $1,000 Arequipa, Peru, is another popular choice for expats due to its stunning colonial architecture, pleasant climate, and affordable cost of living. The city offers a rich cultural experience, a welcoming local community, as well as proximity to natural wonders like the Colca Canyon, making it an ideal destination for expats. Besides its blend of historical charm, cultural vibrancy, and an accessible lifestyle, Arequipa is also relatively safe to live in. 8. Punta del Este, Uruguay Insider Monkey Score: 18 Country GPI Score: 1.8 Cost of Living: $2,300 Situated on the country's southeastern coast, this resort town is renowned for its pristine beaches, upscale amenities, and tranquil atmosphere. Expats who prefer living close to nature will enjoy their time here. Overall, it is safe to live in, but exercising increased caution can help avoid dangerous situations. 7. Valparaiso, Chile Insider Monkey Score: 20 GPI Score: 1.87 Cost of Living: $1,140 Except for a few mountain trails, Valparaiso is also considered a safe and affordable city in South America for expats. Often referred to as the paradise valley, expats love it for its climate, its health system, and affordable cost of living. Like any other major city across the world, exercising due diligence is the key to living a safe lifestyle, and expats must do the same when living in Valparaiso. Before making a decision, it's advisable to visit Valparaiso, explore the city, and connect with expats who are already living there. Additionally, consulting online forums and expat communities can provide valuable insights into the experiences of others who have chosen Valparaiso as their home. 6. Asuncion, Paraguay Insider Monkey Score: 21 GPI Score: 1.94 Cost of Living: $1,000 With a GPI score of 1.94, Paraguay is another relatively safe country in South America for expats to live in. in Asuncion, Villa Morra, Herrera, Los Laureles, and Manora are some popular neighborhoods foreigners choose to move into. The city's warm climate, friendly locals, and emerging expat community make it an attractive choice for those seeking an affordable yet welcoming destination in South America. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Safe and Affordable Cities in South America for Expats. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: none. 16 Safe and Affordable Cities in South America for Expats is originally published on Insider Monkey. UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan Saja Farooq Abdullah has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Azernews reports. The letter reads as follows: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency, On behalf of the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) in Azerbaijan, please accept our sincere congratulations on your inauguration as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Building on the excellent partnership between UNICEF and the Government of Azerbaijan for more than 30 years, we look forward to continuing our collaboration in advancing the child rights agenda in Azerbaijan. UNICEF remains committed to working closely with the Government of Azerbaijan in building an even better future for children in the country and enabling them to develop to their full potential. COP29 provides a unique opportunity for Azerbaijan to play a leading role in positioning children and youth at the center of the global climate discussions. We are ready to partner with the Government of Azerbaijan to support the meaningful engagement of children and youth in climate action and equip them with education and skills needed for building a more sustainable future. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Sincerely, Saja Farooq Abdullah UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan In this article, we will look at the 17 hardest languages to learn in the world for non-English speakers. We will also discuss the importance of the Arabic language in business and the economic outlook of the MENA region. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 5 Hardest Languages to Learn in the World for Non-English Speakers. Arabic as a language According to Ethnologues data, Arabic is the 6th most spoken language in the world and is spoken by approximately 274 million people around the globe. It is also one of the hardest languages to learn for non-English speakers. The Arabic language is considered tough to learn due to various factors, including its right-to-left syntax, letters changing shapes depending on the position within a word, and the complex pronunciation of short vowels that are not written in full letters while writing the language. However, regardless of the difficulty level, the number of people learning the language has surged. According to Share America, the Arabic language has become the 8th most taught language at academic institutions in the United States, with approximately 26,000 pupils learning the language from kindergarten to 12th grade and 31,500 students learning the language at the university level. Moreover, according to the Pew Research Center, the number of Arabic Speakers aged 5 and above in the United States increased from 215,000 in 1980 to 1.4 million in 2021, making Arabic the 7th most common non-English language in the United States. In addition, with the surge in its speakers across the United States, Arabic surpassed other common languages spoken by US immigrants; for instance, the number of Italian and German speakers declined by 68% and 36%, respectively, during the same period. You can also look at the 16 Hardest Languages To Learn For English Speakers and the 25 Most Spoken Native Languages in the World. International organizations are also stepping forward to foster the Arabic language, especially in education. According to a news report by UNESCO on November 10, 2023, the UNESCO Multi-Sectoral Regional Office in Beirut, in collaboration with the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation, organized a series of consultations on fostering the Arabic language within the education system across the Arab region. These consultations are part of the UNESCO framework Fostering Arabic Language in Education and among local communities towards building more inclusive societies. Story continues Growth in the MENA Region Expected to Accelerate in 2024 Arabic is among the most commonly spoken languages in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. MENA is a resource-rich region with hydrocarbon-based products making up most of its exports. According to the World Banks data, oil rents comprised 23.7% of Saudi Arabia's GDP in 2021 alone. Furthermore, according to another report by the World Bank titled Balancing Act: Jobs and Wages in the Middle East and North Africa When Crises Hit, the MENA region as a whole experienced an extraordinary growth rate of 6% in 2022. The exponential growth was attributed to factors including the surge in oil prices and the increased export of oil by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries. However, due to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and the challenges posed by the Arab Spring, the growth activity is expected to slow down to 1.9%. Notably, the decreasing growth rates are expected to be less marked for developing oil exporter companies and are expected to grow at 2.4%. On the bright side, the MENA region is expected to grow by 3.5% in 2024 without a large gap between oil-importing and exporting countries. You can also look at the 15 States with the Best Economy Right Now and the 20 Richest Arab Billionaires In The World. To better understand the living standards in the MENA region, it is important to analyze the real GDP per capita. According to the report, real GDP per capita growth was projected to decrease to a low of 0.4% in 2023, down from 4.3% in 2022. Recovery from the pandemic and the economic shock from the Russia-Ukraine crisis are recognized as factors contributing to this downfall. However, due to the government's efforts to uplift the economy, the real GDP per capita rates for 8 of 15 MENA countries were expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023. On December 16, Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia will keep spending on economic transformation despite the oil hit. The Kingdom is determined to develop its non-oil economy despite the oil production cuts and lower oil prices. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman oversees the Vision 2030 economic transformation and is determined to boost spending and investment in infrastructure, services, and local industry. Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said, The Gulf state is midway through Vision 2030, which requires hundreds of billions in investments to help wean the economy off hydrocarbon income, build big infrastructure projects to develop sectors such as tourism and industry, and expand the private sector. Leading Players in the MENA Region Some of the top companies in the MENA region include Saudi Arabian Oil Company (TADAWUL:2222), Saudi Telecom Company SJSC (TADAWUL:7010), and Qatar Airways Company. Saudi Arabian Oil Company (TADAWUL:2222), also known as Saudi Aramco, is one of the largest oil-producing companies in the world. With a workforce of over 70,000, the company marked 90 years of exploration and discovery on the lands of Saudi Arabia in 2023. On December 14, 2023, Saudi Arabian Oil Company (TADAWUL:2222) reported its successful partnership with Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC (AML:LSE) to become its official title partner. The partnership signifies the commitment of both companies to renovate the mobility industry together and will be valid until 2028. Saudi Telecom Company SJSC (TADAWUL:7010) is a leading player in Saudi Arabia's telecommunication industry. The company was established in 1998 and is based in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Telecom Company SJSC (TADAWUL:7010) drives digital transformation engines in the Arab region. It provides digital infrastructure, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and digital payment services and maintains the region's fixed and mobile telecommunication infrastructure. The Saudi Telecom Company SJSC (TADAWUL:7010) group comprises 14 MENA and European subsidiaries. On January 22, Saudi Telecom Company SJSC (TADAWUL:7010) announced its strategic collaboration with Saudi Railways Company to elevate national cybersecurity and technological innovation. The collaboration was reached between Sirar, a subsidiary of the Saudi Telecom Company SJSC (TADAWUL:7010) and Saudi Railways Company. It is a long-term agreement to ensure that the Kingdom's railways perform as per international standards with the help of Sirars cybersecurity services. Qatar Airways Company is one of the largest airline companies in the MENA region. Established in 1993 and reestablished in 1997, Qatar Airways Company is Qatar's national airline based at Doha Hamad International Airport. The airline flies to more than 170 destinations worldwide and was named the Worlds Best Business Class for the tenth time by the 2023 World Airline Awards. On February 10, Qatar Airways Company announced its new partnership with Gategroup to enhance its inflight dining service. The partnership with Gategroup will amplify the brand name of Qatar Airways Company by providing a refined dining experience, both inflight and on the ground, in the lounges of Doha Hamad International Airport. While Arabic is a difficult language to learn for non-English speakers, there are several others. Let's now look at the 17 hardest languages to learn in the world for non-English speakers. 17 Hardest Languages to Learn in the World for Non English Speakers Maxx-Studio/Shutterstock.com Our Methodology We employed a consensus approach to compile the list of the 17 hardest languages to learn in the world for non-English speakers. We sifted through the rankings of Far & Wide, Bestlife, Watchmojo, ZacJason, and List 25, to compile a list of the 50 hardest languages for non-English speakers. We shortlisted only those languages that appeared in at least 3 sources and ranked them based on their average rank among our sources. We used the number of mentions as a tiebreaker for instances where the average rank was tied between two or more languages. The list is in descending order of the average rank of the languages. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. Using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of over 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 17 Hardest Languages to Learn in the World for Non-English Speakers 17. Greek Average Rank: 11.2 Number of Mentions: 4 With an average ranking of 11.2, Greek is among the 17 hardest languages to learn in the world for non-English Speakers. It belongs to the Indo-European language family and is most commonly spoken in Greece. 16. Persian Average Rank: 10.6 Number of Mentions: 3 Persian is the official language of Iran, and two of its variations are spoken as official languages in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. It belongs to the Indo-Iranian language family and ranks as the 16th hardest language for non-English speakers to learn. 15. Navajo Average Rank: 10.2 Number of Mentions: 4 Navajo belongs to the Athabascan language family and is spoken by the Navajo people in Arizona and New Mexico. The Navajo language is particularly difficult to learn due to its tone and the fact that pitch levels differentiate various nouns. It is the 15th toughest language for non-English speakers to learn. 14. Czech Average Rank: 9.2 Number of Mentions: 3 Czech is the official language of the Czech Republic and belongs to the Slavic language family. The language has several vowels, similar to the English language. However, there are some special letters, such as a, e, i, o, u, u, with different pronunciations, making it difficult to learn for non-English speakers. 13. Turkish Average Rank: 9 Number of Mentions: 3 Turkish belongs to the Atlantic group of languages and is widely spoken in Turkey, Cyprus, parts of Europe, and the Middle East. With an average rank of 9, Turkish ranks as the 13th hardest language for non-English speakers to learn. 12. Vietnamese Average Rank: 9 Number of Mentions: 5 Belonging to the Mon-Khmer language family, Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. There are various dialects of the language spoken in the rural areas. Moreover, the use of tone distinguishes various identical words and vowels making it difficult to learn for non-English speakers. 11. Georgian Average Rank: 8.2 Number of Mentions: 3 Georgian is the official language of the Republic of Georgia, with various dialects in the spoken form of the language. The technicality of vowels, consonants, and 3 different styles within the writing script of the language makes it a difficult language to learn for non-English speakers. 10. Hungarian Average Rank: 8.2 Number of Mentions: 5 Ranking 10th on our list is Hungarian, belonging to the Uralic language family. It is most commonly spoken in Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania. The language is written in Latin alphabets with some modifications. There are various technicalities in terms of the vowels, and the special letters make it a tough language to learn. 9. Albanian Average Rank: 7.6 Number of Mentions: 3 Albanian belongs to the Indo-European language family and is spoken in Albania and parts of the southern Balkans. There are two principal dialects of the Albanian language called Gheg and Tosk. It ranks as the 9th hardest language to learn for non-English speakers to learn. 8. Icelandic Average Rank: 7.6 Number of Mentions: 5 Icelandic is the official language of Iceland and belongs to the North Germanic language family. A complicated verb system, pronunciations, and several declensions make it a difficult language to learn. 7. Japanese Average Rank: 7 Number of Mentions: 5 Japanese is categorized as one of the most isolated languages in the world. It is mainly spoken in Japan; in fact, no nation uses the Japanese language as a first or second language other than Japan. The language's written script is very complex, making it the 7th toughest language on our list. 6. Thai Average Rank: 6.2 Number of Mentions: 4 Thai belongs to the Southeast Asian language family and is an official language in Thailand. The language combines monosyllabic and polysyllabic alphabets; many identical letters are distinguished based on tone. Thus making it a complex language to learn. Click to see and continue reading the 5 Hardest Languages to Learn in the World for Non-English Speakers. Suggested Article: Disclosure. None: 17 Hardest Languages to Learn in the World for Non English Speakers is originally published on Insider Monkey. In this piece, we will look at the 20 Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey. For more Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey, head on over to 5 Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey. In a society where approximately half of all marriages end in divorce, navigating the complexities of legal separation and child custody issues requires the expertise of skilled professionals. In 2021, a staggering 689,308 divorces were recorded across 45 U.S. states, illustrating the prevalence and significance of this life-altering event. Amidst the 1,985,072 marriages that took place during the same year, the U.S. marriage rate stood at 6 per 1,000 people, underscoring the pervasive nature of divorce within the fabric of American relationships. The process of divorce is not only emotionally taxing but also time-consuming, with contested divorces often extending over a year for finalization, though simpler cases can conclude in as little as three months. Drawing from data provided by Flowing Data, sectors such as protective services, transportation, construction, management, and sales exhibit a 40% divorce rate, shedding light on the unique strains these professions may impose on individuals and their personal relationships. On the contrary, industries such as healthcare, military service, and occupations in computers and mathematics demonstrate comparatively lower divorce rates, showcasing the diverse impacts that professional demands can have on marital harmony. As we delve deeper into the dynamics of marriage, the age at which individuals choose to embark on the journey of matrimony also emerges as a significant factor. According to available data, the average age for first-time divorce is 30 years old, a point in life where individuals may be reassessing their priorities and personal goals. Moreover, a notable pattern surfaces, indicating that the most common age bracket for divorce falls between 25 to 39 years old, encompassing a substantial 60% of all divorces. Story continues Alarming statistics reveal that 67 percent of second marriages and an even higher percentage of third marriages culminate in divorce. The financial toll of divorce is substantial, as couples spend an average of $7,000 to dissolve their union, contributing to the thriving $28 billion-a-year divorce industry that affects half of those involved in marriage. In this intricate and often overwhelming landscape, the role of divorce and child custody lawyers emerges as crucial, which is why we have handpicked the Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey. These legal professionals play a pivotal role in guiding individuals through the legal intricacies, ensuring fair resolutions, and safeguarding the rights of all parties involved, making them indispensable allies in the challenging terrain of marital dissolution. The legal sector has been experiencing a wave of innovation and disruption in recent years, with the emergence of various companies aiming to bring convenience and efficiency to both traditional law firms and direct clients. The use of legal technology skyrocketed during the pandemic; and it hasnt slowed down since. According to the 2022 Legal Trends Report, Cloud-based LPMs have transformed the practice of law by enabling lawyers to offer better client experiences and increased flexibility. So before moving onto 20 Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey, let us look at a few companies that are leveraging technology to streamline processes, improve access to legal services, and enhance overall client experience. LegalZoom.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:LZ) provides an online platform in the United States that offers a variety of legal and compliance solutions for small businesses and individuals. Its range of services includes assisting with business formations, drafting estate planning documents, safeguarding intellectual property rights, filling out specific forms and agreements, granting access to independent attorney consultations, and linking customers with professionals for tax preparation and bookkeeping assistance. LegalZoom.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:LZ) has a current market capitalization of $1.99 billion USD. For the twelve months ending September 30, 2023, the company reported revenue of $649.55 million, reflecting a 5.53% year-over-year growth. In the quarter ending September 30, 2023, revenue amounted to $167.27 million, representing a 7.73% year-over-year growth. In 2022, LegalZoom.com recorded annual revenue of $619.98 million, marking a 7.81% growth compared to the previous year. Intapp (NASDAQ:INTA) offers cloud-based software solutions designed to meet the specific operational challenges and regulatory needs of the services industry. Despite the legal industry's focus on client service, many firms struggle to attract new clients and strengthen existing relationships due to increased competition, market changes, and geopolitical uncertainty, hindering growth. To address this issue, Intapp (NASDAQ:INTA) concentrates on serving law firms with growth-oriented goals. Regardless of the specific practice areas or industries a law firm specializes in, Intapp provides a solution that integrates individuals, workflows, and information to enhance risk management, streamline operations, and enhance profitability. Earlier this year in January, DAC Beachcroft, a prominent international legal firm, opted for Intapp (NASDAQ:INTA) Collaboration & Content to enhance firmwide knowledge management. This initiative aims to enhance information management within the firm, aiming to boost client satisfaction and internal efficiency. Furthermore, the firm will collaborate with Intapp to establish best practices for supporting contemporary legal work through document management technology. CS Disco, Inc. (NYSE:LAW) CS Disco, Inc. (NYSE:LAW) integrates artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data analytics into legal practice, allowing attorneys to concentrate on their primary objectives: achieving justice for clients and prevailing in significant disputes worldwide. It's used globally by corporate legal departments, law firms, and government agencies for e-discovery in compliance, disputes, and investigations. CS Disco (NYSE:LAW) generated $134.89 million in revenue for the twelve months ending September 30, 2023, experiencing a slight decrease of -1.16% year-over-year. Revenue for the quarter ending September 30, 2023, was $34.94 million, with a modest 1.36% year-over-year growth. In 2022, CS Disco reported annual revenue of $135.19 million, reflecting a significant growth of 18.23%. As individuals in New Jersey grapple with these life-changing events, the search for the best divorce and child custody lawyers becomes imperative, and this list aims to spotlight the 20 Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey, poised to provide the necessary support and expertise during this trying time. But it is also important to note that most of these divorce law offices are local in nature. The granular and local nature of the divorce lawyer market is crucial for several reasons. Family laws can vary significantly based on jurisdiction, and a granular approach allows lawyers to stay well-versed in the specific regulations and nuances of their local areas. Additionally, family dynamics and legal needs differ, making specialization essential to address the diverse circumstances of clients effectively. One more factor is that the legal field has long prioritized independence and ethical conduct, and permitting public ownership could jeopardize these principles. Moreover, the characteristics of legal services and the confidentiality obligations inherent in attorney-client relationships might not harmonize effectively with the transparency and disclosure obligations associated with being publicly traded. Consequently, the majority of law firms opt to maintain their status as partnerships or privately owned businesses, as you will see in our list of Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey. While the idea of setting up companies and sharing marketing and back-office expenses may seem logical from a business perspective, the personal and sensitive nature of family law requires a more individualized and client-focused approach. Each case is unique, demanding personalized attention, and local specialization ensures lawyers are intimately familiar with the intricacies of the legal landscape in their specific regions, ultimately providing more tailored and effective representation to clients. Therefore, private companies, far from being inferior to their public counterparts, actually leverage their private status to their advantage. So not to fret, our curated list of 20 Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey is all that you need to choose the Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey for your unique needs. 20 Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey Stuart Miles/Shutterstock.com Methodology In compiling the article on the 20 Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey, we conducted an extensive search for divorce lawyers throughout the state. Our assessment focused on utilizing Google ratings and reviews as key criteria. To ensure a comprehensive selection, we identified lawyers and law firms in each city, primarily choosing those with the highest Google ratings and also filtering on the basis of number of Google reviews. This meticulous approach aimed to highlight legal professionals who not only excel in their field but also have garnered positive recognition and feedback from their clients. The resulting list is a curated compilation of 20 Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey, providing a valuable resource for individuals seeking reliable and highly regarded legal representation in family law matters. 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. 20. Williams Law Group, LLC Average Google rating: 4.3 Current Google reviews: 140 We are starting our list of Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey with Williams Law Group. Williams Law Group, LLC, located in Short Hills, New Jersey, stands as a distinguished family law firm extending its services to clients across the state. The firm's practice areas encompass a comprehensive range of family and matrimonial law matters, including divorce, child custody and support, alimony, property division, marital agreements, mediation, collaborative law, and various child welfare issues such as DYFS/DCPP investigations and appeals. Led by the accomplished founding attorney, Allison C. Williams, the firm boasts nearly two decades of experience and holds the prestigious certification from the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney. Under the guidance of Attorney Williams, the Williams Law Group has earned a reputation for excellence, known for its dedicated and skilled team of negotiators and assertive litigators. The firm is steadfast in its commitment as relentless advocates for the well-being of children, parents, and families, ensuring that each client receives tailored legal solutions to navigate the complexities of family law matters. 19. Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group Average Google rating: 4.4 Current Google reviews: 109 The Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group stands as a team of dedicated and specialized divorce lawyers and family law attorneys in New Jersey, committed exclusively to safeguarding your future. Whether residents of Jersey City or surrounding areas seek legal representation for divorce, child custody, alimony, child support, adoption, restraining orders, or any other family law matter, this esteemed group of advocates is poised to provide expert assistance. With a laser focus on New Jersey divorce and family law, their carefully selected team of formidable attorneys is prepared to craft innovative legal solutions and tirelessly advocate on your behalf. Boasting 25 years of collective experience, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. The Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group's offices are strategically located throughout North and South Jersey, ensuring accessibility and convenience for those in need of their exceptional legal services. 18. HD Family Law Average Google rating: 4.5 Current Google reviews: 25 HD Family Law has made it to number nineteen on the list of Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey. It is a private legal practice serving Jersey City and its neighboring areas, offers comprehensive assistance throughout the divorce process, encompassing appeals, pre-trial motions, trials, and settlement negotiations. In addition to divorce matters, the firm adeptly handles various aspects of family law, such as post-divorce modifications, prenuptial agreements, and adoptions. Principal attorney Helen M. Dukhan, recognized as a standout professional, has earned a place in the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys: Top 10 under 40. Her commitment to excellence is underscored by her ability to assist clients in both English and Russian, ensuring effective communication and tailored legal solutions for a diverse clientele. 17. The Law Offices of Peter Van Aulen Average Google rating: 4.5 Current Google reviews: 63 Peter Van Aulen stands out as a distinguished divorce lawyer in NJ, holding the prestigious certification from the Supreme Court as a Matrimonial Attorneya recognition held by only a select few in the field. With an unwavering commitment to divorce and New Jersey family law, Peter brings over twenty-five years of extensive experience to his practice. As a prominent figure in Northern New Jersey and Bergen County, he has navigated through numerous divorce cases of varying complexities, showcasing his proficiency in both large-scale and nuanced legal matters. Peter's dedication extends beyond the courtroom, as evidenced by his impressive contributions to the legal community. Having authored or edited over 300 divorce and New Jersey family law articles, he has demonstrated a commitment to sharing his knowledge and expertise. His practice encompasses a wide spectrum of matrimonial law, including handling challenging cases involving custody disputes, parent alienation, child relocation, and international child abduction. Peter Van Aulen's prowess extends to matters of domestic violence, where he has successfully obtained Restraining Orders for victims and adeptly defended clients against unfounded claims. His skill set also includes drafting prenuptial agreements and divorce settlement agreements, ensuring their enforceability and providing clients with comprehensive legal solutions. 16. DeTommaso Law Group Average Google rating: 4.6 Current Google reviews: 54 Led by Attorney Michael J. DeTommaso, the DeTommaso Law Group, LLC, stands at number sixteen on our list of Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey. A formidable team of divorce attorneys dedicated to delivering aggressive and proactive representation for families across Somerset, Morris, Middlesex, Hunterdon, and Union Counties, as well as throughout New Jersey. Specializing in a wide range of domestic and matrimonial matters, the team collaborates closely with each client to devise short- and long-term legal strategies aimed at achieving their specific goals. Whether dealing with Family Court litigation or other legal challenges, the lawyers at DeTommaso Law Group work tirelessly to safeguard the best interests of clients and their families. What sets them apart is their commitment to tailoring their approach to meet the unique needs of each case, ensuring that clients receive personalized representation at every step of their legal journey. 15. Duque Isern Law Average Google rating: 4.6 Current Google reviews: 85 Duque Isern Law is a dedicated legal practice serving individuals, couples, and families in Jersey City and the surrounding areas. Specializing in divorce and legal separation, the firm offers counsel and representation, tailoring a customized legal roadmap to guide clients through the process efficiently and with minimal stress. Managing attorney Stephanie M. Isern, with expertise in divorce cases, also extends her services to immigration law and represents clients in family courts and municipal courts. Notably, the firm includes team members fluent in Spanish, enhancing accessibility and communication for a diverse clientele. Duque Isern Law is committed to providing comprehensive legal solutions to meet the unique needs of its clients in family law matters. 14. Moskowitz Law Group, LLC Average Google rating: 4.6 Current Google reviews: 190 Duque Isern Law is not just a legal practice; it's a dedicated ally for those navigating the complexities of family law. Whether you seek assistance in establishing paternity or pursuing custody of your grandchild, their overarching goal is to provide support with unwavering integrity, empathy, and care. What sets them apart is their exclusive focus on family law. While some firms may treat family law as a secondary aspect of their practice, Duque Isern Law is committed solely to this area, ensuring that their expertise is finely tuned to the nuances and challenges unique to family legal matters. This commitment underscores their dedication to providing specialized and comprehensive assistance to individuals and families in Jersey City and the surrounding metros. 13. Freeman Law Center, LLC Average Google rating: 4.6 Current Google reviews: 297 With over 30 years of experience, Freeman Law Center LLC is a highly skilled family law firm specializing in guiding clients through divorce proceedings. Their seasoned attorneys adeptly handle issues such as child custody, support, property division, and spousal support. The firm offers mediation services for those preferring amicable resolutions but vigorously represents clients in court when disputes escalate.Freeman Law Center LLC's longevity in the legal field is a testament to its unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality legal services. With a wealth of experience and a commitment to client advocacy, the firm remains a trusted resource for individuals navigating the complexities of family law and divorce in particular. And it is very evident from the number of reviews and ratings why Freeman Law Center made it to our list of Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey. 12. Netsquire - Divorce & Family Law Attorney Average Google rating: 4.7 Current Google reviews: 29 On our list of Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey, Netsquire, based in Morristown, NJ, stands out for its specialized focus on providing swift and cost-effective divorce solutions for individuals in Morristown and the surrounding areas of New Jersey. Their distinctive approach prioritizes efficiently resolving the entirety of a divorce, all while keeping costs lower than retaining separate attorneys for both parties. Netsquire offers comprehensive assistance in various areas of Family Law, including adoption, post-judgment issues, prenuptial agreements, mediation, LGBTQIA+ Law, domestic violence, divorce, and child custody. This firm's commitment to delivering efficient and affordable divorce solutions underscores its dedication to helping clients navigate the complexities of family legal matters with ease. 11. Petrelli Previtera, LLC Average Google rating: 4.7 Current Google reviews: 50 Petrelli Previtera, LLC, is distinguished by its team of family law attorneys who bring extensive experience to a range of family law matters. Specializing in both uncontested and contested divorce cases, the firm is well-versed in protecting clients' rights concerning child support, child custody, and asset division. Their nuanced understanding of the complexities of divorce enables them to provide strategic and effective representation tailored to individual needs. Beyond divorce, the family law attorneys at Petrelli Previtera, LLC, exhibit proficiency in adoption cases and adeptly advocate for the interests of both adoptive and biological parents. Whether navigating the emotional terrain of adoption or addressing the legal aspects of biological parenthood, their attorneys are committed to providing unwavering support. 10. Family Focused legal Solutions Average Google rating: 4.7 Current Google reviews: 53 In Morristown, New Jersey, Family Focused Legal Solutions distinguishes itself as a law firm devoted to the intricacies of family and matrimonial law. Understanding the unique nature of each case, their attorneys and staff prioritize personalized attention to address the specific needs of families throughout North and Central New Jersey. Notably, this firm on our list of Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey has earned a reputation for excellence in this field. One notable area of expertise at Family Focused Legal Solutions lies in the meticulous preparation and review of prenuptial agreements. With a comprehensive understanding of the legal intricacies surrounding such agreements, their attorneys craft documents that not only meet all legal requirements but also safeguard the interests of their clients. Recognizing that legal matters persist even after a divorce is finalized, Family Focused Legal Solutions extends its support through post-judgment services. Whether it involves modifying custody or support arrangements, navigating complex cases related to parental relocation or alienation, or enforcing divorce order terms when compliance is at stake, their experienced attorneys provide necessary guidance and representation. This commitment to comprehensive assistance underscores the firm's dedication to ensuring the continued well-being and legal protection of their clients long after the conclusion of the divorce process. 9. Villani & DeLuca, Attorneys at Law Average Google rating: 4.7 Current Google reviews: 99 Founded in 1996 by Attorneys Carmine R. Villani and Vincent C. DeLuca, Villani & DeLuca is a legal firm that emerged with a vision of providing clients in New Jersey with respectful and trustworthy legal representation. With over twenty-three years of dedicated service, the firm has expanded to include a team of professionals specializing in diverse practice areas such as family law, divorce, child custody, domestic violence, DWI/DUI, criminal defense, and personal injury. The New Jersey attorneys at Villani & DeLuca prioritize individualized client needs, offering tailored legal solutions. Vincent C. DeLuca, a partner at the firm, exclusively focuses his practice on family law, bringing expertise as a trained divorce mediator and collaborative divorce attorney. Carmine R. Villani, the managing partner, co-founded the firm with Vincent over 20 years ago. He has played a pivotal role in establishing Villani & DeLuca's reputation in criminal defense. The firm's growth in stature reflects its commitment to providing exceptional legal services and personalized attention to clients facing a range of legal challenges in New Jersey. 8. The Divorce Service Average Google rating: 4.8 Current Google reviews: 37 Conveniently located in the State of New Jersey, Petrelli Previtera, LLC, is dedicated to offering comprehensive divorce services tailored to the unique circumstances of each client. Specializing exclusively in New Jersey Court Documentation, their expertise extends to all court rules and guidelines for every county and clerk in the state. Recognizing the importance of personalized support, the firm assigns a dedicated Divorce Caseworker to each case, ensuring one-on-one assistance throughout the entire divorce process until its finalization. This personalized approach allows clients direct communication with their caseworker through multiple channels, including phone, text, and email, providing them with continuous support and guidance as they navigate the complexities of divorce proceedings. 7. The Law Office of Steven M. Cytryn, LLC Average Google rating: 4.8 Current Google reviews: 86 At The Law Office of Steven M. Cytryn, LLC, meticulous attention to detail is the cornerstone of their approach. Led by a dedicated team, they thoroughly review each case, aiding clients in crafting a strategic plan that presents their case in the most favorable light before the court. Known for their assertive advocacy, the team at this law office is committed to pursuing resolutions that align with the best interests of their clients. Their experience extends across a spectrum of divorce cases involving complex issues, such as custody disputes, hidden assets, domestic violence, unreported income, and premarital property. Handling these nuanced factors with precision is paramount to protecting the rights of individuals undergoing divorce, and The Law Office of Steven M. Cytryn, LLC, ensures that each case is addressed with the necessary expertise and dedication. 6. The Law Office of Rajeh A. Saadeh, L.L.C. Average Google rating: 4.8 Current Google reviews: 105 Sixth on the list of Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey is The Law Office of Rajeh A. Saadeh. Rajeh A. Saadeh, founder and principal attorney of The Law Office of Rajeh A. Saadeh, L.L.C., is a licensed legal professional offering sophisticated counsel and representation in divorce and family law matters. With a focus on serving clients in both New Jersey and New York, Rajeh specializes in various areas, including collaborative law, contested and uncontested divorce, military divorce, and asset division. He also addresses issues such as same-sex divorce and alimony. Beyond divorce, Rajeh provides guidance on pre and post-nuptial agreements, adoption, child custody, child support, father's rights, paternity, and same-sex family law. Recognized for his excellence, he has been honored by The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys as one of the 10 Best Under 40, showcasing his dedication to delivering top-tier legal services tailored to the unique needs of his clients. Click to continue reading and find out about 5 Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. Top 20 Best Divorce and Child Custody Lawyers in New Jersey is originally published on Insider Monkey. In this article, we will discuss the 20 Most Expensive Boarding Schools in the World. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global education sector, educational technology, and companies investing in the education sector and go directly to the 5 Most Expensive Boarding Schools in the World. It is common for affluent individuals to enroll their children in the most expensive boarding schools in the world, to match their lavish homes, fancy cars, and designer wardrobes. These esteemed establishments, widely recognized for their outstanding educational standards, provide engaging extracurricular activities, a diverse curriculum, and an abundance of lavish benefits. Even though it's incredibly expensive, multiple wealthy parents think this is a worthwhile investment. Graduates from these institutions may have unrivaled access to the best education money can buy, as well as the chance to cultivate connections with the offspring of billionaires and royalty. The Global Education Sector: Education typically leads to increased entrepreneurship, creativity, and productivity, as well as technological advancements. As a result, all these factors lead to higher output and economic growth. As per The Business Research Company, recent years have seen strong growth in the elementary and secondary schools market size. At a CAGR of 9.2%, this market is expected to boost from $1620.94 billion in 2023 to $1769.82 billion in 2024. Population increase, government financing, education policy, parental involvement, and community development are the key elements propelling this rise. The latter market is anticipated to increase significantly during the next few years. At a CAGR of 8.8%, it will increase to $2483.77 billion in 2028. The emphasis on global competencies, inclusive education methods, infrastructure renovations, public-private partnerships, and teacher professional development are all factors contributing to the rise in the projection period. Personalized learning techniques, digital learning platforms, technological integration, education technology innovation, and a focus on steam education are some of the major developments that are expected to occur throughout the projection period. In 2023, Asia-Pacific had the largest elementary and secondary school market in the world, followed by Western Europe. Story continues Boarding schools are precisely defined as "twenty-four-hour intentional communities created with the student's growth and development at the center by Forbes. Of course, there are academic aspects. Students receive intellectual stimulation at boarding schools that goes beyond what is offered in regular classrooms. The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) conducted a poll called "The Big Picture on Boarding Schools" that included alumni and students from boarding schools, private day schools, and public schools. The survey's results included that, compared to 60% and 52% of graduates from private day schools and public schools, respectively, 77% of boarding school graduates claim that their institution offers leadership chances. 71% and 39% of graduates from private day schools and public schools, while, 87% of graduates say they were extremely well prepared intellectually for college. Compared to 36% and 23% of former students from private day schools and public schools, respectively, 78% of boarding school graduates said they were extremely well equipped for independence, social life, and time management. Educational Technology: The emergence of educational technology (EdTech), or the use of technology for teaching, learning, and education, has been attributed to the huge impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the world's educational landscape. Over the past few years, EdTech companies have experienced exponential growth, but the popularity of AI programs like ChatGPT has excelled in the education sector. In 2023, the industry-leading provider of student-centered online learning, Chegg Inc. (NYSE:CHGG), announced that it is collaborating with Scale AI, the AI data infrastructure, to create exclusive large language models (LLMs) that will enable Chegg's personalized learning assistant to deliver generative learning experiences. In 2023, Chegg Inc.(NYSE:CHGG) had $766.9 million in total net revenues, a 1% decline from the previous year. Revenues from Subscription Services increased 9% annually to $672.0 million, or 88% of total net revenues, up from 79% in 2021. Chegg Inc. (NYSE:CHGG) is confident in its future growth despite the decline in revenue. The business will flourish by launching the initial section of its brand-new AI-powered user experience. Companies Investing in The Education Sector: Facebook's parent company, Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), declared in 2022 that it would contribute $150 million to the Immersive Learning initiative. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) will also launch 10 additional virtual campuses in the metaverse in collaboration with VictoryXR, a firm that develops software for extended reality education, eventually bringing the total to 100 universities. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) aims to train a new generation of metaverse producers through immersive learning so they can produce high-caliber immersive experiences. The organization claims that working together on projects will enable these creators to pick up new skills and pursue fulfilling jobs. The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), an exclusively online institution, is one example of a virtual campus. The university, which has over 45,000 students, will now offer spaces where students may interact and learn in the metaverse. Microsoft Corporation also recently announced that it will invest $10 billion in OpenAI, the company whose artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT has gained widespread attention. In just a few days after its launch, the tool had over a million users, sparking a new discussion about the future of AI in the workplace. With that said, here are the 20 Most Expensive Boarding Schools in the World. 20 Most Expensive Boarding Schools in the World Methodology: To pick out the 20 Most Expensive Boarding Schools in the World and maintain objectivity and relevance in our statistics, we have limited the selection of boarding schools for this article to those included in the Fortune, which provides a list of the boarding schools globally. We also examined the World Schools, Admission Sight, and Forbes rankings for the top boarding schools. Additionally, selecting the top boarding schools in the world requires careful consideration of the views of parents and other influential individuals. Using search terms like "best boarding schools" and "expensive boarding schools," we analyzed a large number of Reddit threads discussing views on boarding schools to comprehend their viewpoints. Next, we have gathered information on the annual tuition fee from the official websites of the relevant schools to guarantee the accuracy of our list. Our list of the 20 Most Expensive Boarding Schools in the World is arranged in ascending order of their annual tuition fees. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 20 Most Expensive Boarding Schools in the World 20. Eton College (UK) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $62,882 Eton College, an independent educational institution for boys aged 13 to 18, was established in 1440 by King Henry VI of England. It maintains numerous educational connections with institutions across the world. Meritorious students can apply for financial aid and scholarships from the college. Eton College is a distinguished university with an extensive past that strives to ensure all students achieve their full potential through charity endeavors. Popular Eton College alumni include David Cameron, Boris Johnson, William Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry Duke of Sussex. Eton College is one of the 20 most expensive boarding schools in the world. 19. The Webb School (USA) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $63,900 Founded in 1870, Bell Buckle, Tennessee's Webb School is a private, coeducational, college preparatory boarding and day school. It's been called the oldest South American boarding school still in operation. With a demanding academic program and a caring community, The Webb Schools, a 150-acre boarding and day high school for grades 912, asserts its commitment to equality and diversity. The academic prowess and strong sense of community at The Webb Schools attract students from diverse countries and cultural backgrounds. 18. Phillips Exeter Academy (USA) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $64,789 Philips Exeter Academy is a co-educational residential school with approximately 1,000 high school students from 34 different nations. It has a long history of valuing academic quality and student empowerment. Exeter asserts that it fosters potential and promotes eagerness for learning. Offering a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, the program provides more than 450 courses in 18 subject areas. 17. Hurtwood House School (UK) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $67,226 Located in Surrey, England, Hurtwood House is an independent, coeducational boarding school for students between the ages of 15 and 19. Hurtwood House School presents itself as a distinct educational institution with a special curriculum that blends the best aspects of contemporary education with the established traditions of boarding schools. Hurtwood not only breaks unprecedented educational ground but also upholds traditional values and provides a secure transitional environment between school and university. Hurtwood House is among the most costly boarding schools in the world. 16. Phillips Academy Andover (USA) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $69,600 Philips Academy is a boarding and day school located 25 miles north of Boston in Andover, Massachusetts, in the United States. Phillips Academy is an educational institution dedicated to diversity, inclusivity, and excellence. It is founded on the belief that every student should have a fair opportunity to develop and acquire knowledge. With the assistance of the system this school has created, students can become the best versions of themselves and change the world. This educational institution has an impartial and diversified approach that respects and welcomes students from all backgrounds, fostering a mutually respectful learning environment. 15. The Masters School (USA) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $74,500 The Master School asserts that active learning, profound comprehension, and significant connection are its main priorities. For students from different backgrounds, the school promotes an environment that fosters learning, growth, and the development of respect for all cultures. It is among the 20 most expensive boarding schools in the world. 14. The Lawrenceville School (USA) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $76,080 Lawrenceville School boasts that it gives its pupils a challenging academic curriculum, a welcoming and supportive environment, and the chance to broaden their view of the world. They can become ready to change the world for the better thanks to this school. Lawrenceville School is dedicated to preparing its pupils to become global citizens, lifelong learners, and responsible leaders. 13. Albans School (USA) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $78,196 Located in Washington, D.C., Albans School is an independent boarding school for boys in grades 412. Albans School embraces pupils of all faiths and from different backgrounds. This school places significant emphasis on excellence, compassion, and respect. The latter offers its pupils a challenging academic program, a caring community, and the chance to grow in their moral and spiritual principles. Graduates from St. Albans are equipped to handle the demands of college and beyond. Albans School is one of the best boarding schools in the world. 12. THINK Global School (USA) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $94,050 Students at THINK Global School (TGS), one of the top boarding schools in the world, come from more than 20 nations and get a distinctive high school education. Every academic year, TGS students embark on global adventures and study in three new international cities. TGS is an independent, non-denominational, coeducational school. Students are engaged with the people and cultures they visit through a curriculum that combines project-based and place-based learning given by TGS. 11. The American School in Switzerland (TASIS) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $104,044 Established in 1956, TASIS is the oldest American college-preparatory residential school in Europe. TASIS is a well-known day and boarding school that promotes worldwide citizenship through learning, service, and travel. Serving students ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to post-graduate, this institution accommodates about 750 students annually, of whom approximately 260 live on-site. TASIS's student body highlights this school's exceptional diversity and global viewpoint, with members speaking over 30 languages and representing around 60 different nations. 10. Le Regent International School (Switzerland) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $104,700 Located in Crans-Montana, one of the sunniest and safest regions in the Swiss Alps, Regent International School offers students pristine air, breathtaking landscapes, and a supportive and hospitable community. This contemporary Swiss IB World School provides pupils, ages 4 to 18, with a rigorous academic curriculum. Le Regent International School is one of the most luxurious boarding schools in the world. 9. Shortridge Academy (USA) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $110,000 In Southeastern New Hampshire, Shortridge Academy is a year-round residential secondary school that offers young students therapy and mental health care. For teenagers in need of more intensive mental health care than they might receive at home, at school, or in a typical residential setting, the 350-acre campus provides a secure and supportive atmosphere. 8. College du Leman, Geneva (Switzerland) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $112,476 College du Leman is a Swiss boarding and day school for students from various cultures and countries, with around 260 pupils residing on site. According to the school, students challenge and motivate each other to become global citizens and cherish cultural variety. The stunning natural splendor of the Alps and reminders of European cultural legacies abound in the college building. College du Leman has one of the most expensive fees i.e. around $112,476. 7. Leysin American School (LAS) (Switzerland) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $119,375 Leysin American School is an independent, coeducational boarding school that was established in 1960 with a focus on preparing students in grades 7 to 12 for university. With more than 300 students from around the globe and a global network of more than 7,000 alumni, LAS is now a thriving alpine campus where education is conducted in English. The mission of Leysin American School is to cultivate globally engaged, caring, and inventive individuals. Students grow to become the greatest versions of themselves at LAS. This Swiss residential school offers International Baccalaureate, ESL, and American high school certificates. Leysin American School, being one of the most expensive boarding schools, costs around $119,375. 6. St. Georges International School (Switzerland) Annual Tuition Fee (USD): $126,516 Among the top IB schools in Switzerland, and one of the richest boarding schools in the world is St. George's International School. The university was founded by English graduates Lorna Southwell and Osyth Potts from Oxford University. This school prioritizes academic achievement, the well-being of students, individualized instruction, and a distinctive natural setting for learning and development. Over 64 branches of this top worldwide premium learning institution can be found all over the world. St George's International School combines day and boarding programs for students ages one to eighteen. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Most Expensive Boarding Schools in the World. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 20 Most Expensive Boarding Schools in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey. Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. However, it isn't easy to find a great growth stock. That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss. However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made easy with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects. American Express (AXP) is one such stock that our proprietary system currently recommends. The company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank. Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better. While there are numerous reasons why the stock of this credit card issuer and global payments company is a great growth pick right now, we have highlighted three of the most important factors below: Earnings Growth Earnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration. While the historical EPS growth rate for American Express is 10.5%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 13.9% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 12.7%. Impressive Asset Utilization Ratio Growth investors often overlook asset utilization ratio, also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, but it is an important feature of a real growth stock. This metric exhibits how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales. Story continues Right now, American Express has an S/TA ratio of 0.24, which means that the company gets $0.24 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.2, it can be said that the company is more efficient. While the level of efficiency in generating sales matters a lot, so does the sales growth of a company. And American Express is well positioned from a sales growth perspective too. The company's sales are expected to grow 9.4% this year versus the industry average of 5.8%. Promising Earnings Estimate Revisions Beyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. The current-year earnings estimates for American Express have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 3% over the past month. Bottom Line American Express has not only earned a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #2 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. This combination positions American Express well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it. 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 American Express Company (AXP) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research In this piece, we will look at 50 Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More. In case you want to skip our detailed analysis on the realm of science in todays world, and Einsteins contribution to it, you can go directly to 5 Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More. In the realm of intellect and innovation, there existed a luminary whose brilliance transcended the boundaries of time. On April 18, 1955, Albert Einstein departed this world after a blood vessel near his heart ruptured. When offered the option of surgery, Einstein gracefully declined, declaring, "I choose to depart on my terms. Prolonging life artificially lacks elegance. I have fulfilled my purpose; it is time to bid adieu." Following a post-mortem examination, Einstein's remains were cremated, and his ashes scattered in a location undisclosed. The globe mourned the loss of a visionary. In adherence to his wishes, his office and abode remained untouched by the shadow of memorials. Albert Einstein, born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Wurttemberg, Germany, and passed away on April 18, 1955, in Princeton, New Jersey, U.S., was a renowned physicist whose research extended across various fields, from quantum mechanics to theories concerning gravity and motion. Following the publication of several seminal papers, Einstein embarked on a world tour, delivering lectures about his groundbreaking discoveries. In 1921, he was honored with the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the photoelectric effect. Einstein's most famous equation, E = mc^2, asserts the equivalence of energy and mass, illustrating that they are interchangeable forms of the same entity. His contributions also include the development of the theory of special and general relativity, which built upon and expanded previous theories proposed by Isaac Newton more than two centuries earlier. The Enduring Influence of Albert Einstein's Revolutionary Scientific Discoveries in Modern Industries Albert Einstein's scientific discoveries continue to resonate and shape various industries in profound ways, even in the modern era. His famous equation, E=mc, establishing the equivalence of mass and energy, remains fundamental in understanding nuclear reactions, driving advances in nuclear power plants and applications in atomic technology. These principles are pivotal in the ongoing developments of nuclear technologies that impact the world today. Story continues Moreover, in the laser industry, Einstein's pioneering work on stimulated emission forms the theoretical basis for lasers, as epitomized in the acronym "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation" (LASER). The foundational concepts he laid out have propelled the widespread integration of lasers across industries such as communication, manufacturing, medicine, and scientific research, revolutionizing diverse fields with their versatile applications. Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, introduced in 1915, significantly influences space-related technologies by providing a more precise comprehension of gravity. This enhanced understanding plays a vital role in space exploration, satellite communication, and precision-related applications like GPS systems, contributing to the success and advancement of space missions and positioning systems in the contemporary space industry. While not directly attributed to Einstein, the principles of quantum mechanics, which somehow stem from his early work in quantum theory, have profoundly impacted the economy by influencing the development of modern computing and artificial intelligence. Quantum computing, leveraging quantum phenomena to enhance computation efficiency in specific tasks, represents a groundbreaking advancement made possible by the foundational quantum principles originally explored by Albert Einstein. These technological innovations continue to shape and redefine various industries, demonstrating the enduring impact of Einstein's scientific legacy on the contemporary world and its economy. Empowering Progress: Science's Vital Role in the Current Global Economy Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a significant trend in the technology landscape, with its transformative potential becoming increasingly evident. Recent years have witnessed notable advancements in AI, once confined to the realms of science fiction, now being realized in practical applications. Experts recognize AI as a pivotal factor for enhancing productivity, offering new growth opportunities, and revolutionizing traditional work practices across various sectors. By 2030, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to add a significant economic value of up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy, surpassing the combined current output of China and India. This substantial contribution is expected to be derived from $6.6 trillion in enhanced productivity and $9.1 trillion from consumption-side impacts. Moreover, research has demonstrated a robust correlation coefficient of 0.60 between Total-Factor-Productivity (TFP) and long-term economic growth in developed economies. Among the three primary components of TFP, technological output stands out as a key factor. This highlights the pivotal influence of technological advancements, including advancements in artificial intelligence, on the trajectory of long-term economic growth. As artificial intelligence progresses and enhances productivity, its effect on Total-Factor-Productivity gains greater importance, aligning with the ongoing trend seen in advanced economies. Another prominent industry within the world of science is the spacecraft industry, market growth in which is driven by a variety of factors, such as technological advancements, scientific exploration, commercial prospects, and geopolitical interests. Progress in space technology, especially in propulsion systems and miniaturization, is enhancing spacecraft capabilities, leading to the creation of more efficient and adaptable vehicles. Scientific missions directed towards exploring celestial bodies and commercial ventures like Earth observation, communication satellites, and space tourism are key contributors to the demand for spacecraft. Furthermore, the participation of private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin is further fueling interest in both government and commercial sectors. Projections suggest that the global spacecraft market is anticipated to grow from USD 6.69 billion in 2023 to nearly USD 11.63 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.34% during the period of 2024 to 2032. Let us have a look at some of the major contributors in the realm of science in todays world. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is a pharmaceutical company committed to transforming scientific discoveries into treatments that improve the lives of individuals globally. Through the application of biotechnology, chemistry, and genetic medicine, it is dedicated to addressing major health issues worldwide. Its mission traces back to the company's inception almost 150 years ago, guided by the vision of founder Colonel Eli Lilly to continuously enhance and refine existing medical solutions. In Q4 2023, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), with a market cap of $742.4 billion, reported a 13% increase in earnings per share (EPS) to $2.42 and a 19% increase to $2.49 on a non-GAAP basis, both figures inclusive of $0.62 of acquired IPR&D charges. Revenue for Q4 2023 surged by 28%, with New Products(i) revenue reaching $2.49 billion, a $2.19 billion increase driven by Mounjaro and Zepbound. Growth Products(ii) revenue also saw a growth of 9% to $5.27 billion in Q4 2023, led by Verzenio and Jardiance. International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM), a prominent American computer manufacturer, holds a significant market share in both domestic and international markets. The company is headquartered in Armonk, New York, and specializes in integrating technology and expertise to deliver infrastructure, software solutions (including the renowned Red Hat), and consulting services. IBM supports clients in navigating the digital transformation of crucial businesses worldwide. In the fourth quarter of 2023, International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) unveiled a $500 million venture fund specifically aimed at supporting enterprise artificial intelligence startups. The company also disclosed its intention to acquire StreamSets and webMethods from Software AG for 2.13 billion euros, equivalent to $2.32 billion based on the prevailing exchange rate. IBM reported a 4% year-over-year increase in revenue for the 4th quarter of 2023, reaching a net income of $3.29 billion, or $3.55 per share, up from $2.71 billion, or $2.96 per share, in the previous year's quarter. With a fourth-quarter gross margin of 59.1%, the company achieved its widest margin since 1999. Software revenue stood at $7.51 billion, showing a 3% growth, slightly below the analysts' consensus of $7.67 billion. Consulting revenue rose by approximately 6% to $5.05 billion, falling short of the $5.12 billion consensus from analysts. Also, the revenue generated from infrastructure, including mainframe computers, amounted to $4.60 billion, reflecting a modest increase of around 3%. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), an American aerospace, defense, arms, information security, and technology company, situated around the Washington, D.C area, with global operations, was created via the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta in March 1995. For the fourth quarter of 2023, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) reported net sales of $18.9 billion, a slight decrease from $19.0 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022. Net earnings for the fourth quarters of 2023 and 2022 stood at $1.9 billion, translating to $7.58 and $7.40 per share, respectively. Cash generated from operations in the fourth quarter of 2023 amounted to $2.4 billion, up from $1.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022. The company's strong performance in 2023, as well as its full-year outcomes, indicate sustained robust demand for their comprehensive defense technology solutions across all domains. Furthermore, Lockheed Martin's backlog hit a record high of $160.6 billion, and sales grew by 2% year-over-year to $67.6 billion. Now having discussed what a great deal Albert Einstien was, is, and always will be, and also having discussed the realm of science in todays world, let us move on to our compiled list of few of the 50 Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More. 50 Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More MarkoV87/Shutterstock.com 50. "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." This quote in our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More implies that a fulfilling life is one centered around selflessly serving and making a positive impact on others, rather than solely focusing on personal ambitions or rewards. It underscores the importance of altruism and enhancing the lives of those around us as a fundamental aspect of leading a purposeful and enriching life. 49. "Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." Encouraging blind obedience to authority poses a threat to the pursuit of truth. This doesn't advocate for anarchy but emphasizes the necessity of critical thinking. If unquestioning faith in authority persists, it allows for the potential perpetration of atrocities, a trend increasingly observed in contemporary society. 48. "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." 47. "Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." To a person of great stature, success in external terms holds little significance. Instead, individuals should live by their deeply held values and uphold them irrespective of external achievements or circumstances. This is the 47th quote on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More. 46. "Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school." This quote in our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More emphasizes that while formal schooling provides important knowledge, true education involves continuous learning and growth beyond the classroom. It suggests that the lasting value of education lies in the wisdom, skills, and understanding gained over time, rather than simply memorizing facts in school. 45. "I am by heritage a Jew, by citizenship a Swiss, and by makeup a human being, and only a human being, without any special attachment to any state or national entity whatsoever." Einstein, void of religious or nationalistic affiliations, adhered to universal ethical principles accepted by every religion. His identity transcended borders, emphasizing a commitment to fundamental human values. 44. "The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible." 43. "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." Engaging in contemplation with nature stands out as one of the most enriching pastimes one can undertake. A profound connection with the natural world offers insights and a deeper understanding of various aspects of life. 42. "The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive." This quote in our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More implies that a person's worth should be measured by their generosity and contribution to others, rather than by what they can gain or receive. It emphasizes the importance of selflessness and giving back as key indicators of character and value. 41. "A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be." In a world where biases abound, a refusal to acknowledge preconceived notions is essential. Relying on critical analysis of evidence rather than succumbing to confirmation bias is crucial for true understanding. 40. "I never think of the future. It comes soon enough." 39. "I believe in standardizing automobiles. I do not believe in standardizing human beings." Einstein underscores that standardization hampers critical thinking, a fundamental necessity for personal and societal growth. Unlike machines, human beings thrive on diversity of thought and individuality. This is 39th quote on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More. 38. "The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which they have obtained liberation from the self." This quote in our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More suggests that a person's true worth is determined by their ability to transcend their self-centeredness and ego, emphasizing the importance of selflessness and enlightenment in determining one's value as a human being. 37. "It is, in fact, nothing short of a miracle that the modern methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry." Einstein critiques the contemporary education system, which tends to be standardized and lacks encouragement for critical thinking. The innate curiosity of inquiry, according to Einstein, miraculously survives despite these limitations. 36. "The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." 35. "The world is in greater peril from those who tolerate or encourage evil than from those who actually commit it." Einstein's timeless insight suggests that those who permit or tolerate evil contribute to a greater peril than those who directly commit it. This perspective places emphasis on the responsibility of individuals to actively oppose and prevent the propagation of wrongdoing. This is the 35th quote on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More. 34. "The only way to escape the corruptible effect of praise is to go on working." The quote placed 34th on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More highlights the idea that continuing to work diligently and focus on one's tasks is a way to avoid being influenced or corrupted by excessive praise or admiration. By staying dedicated to their work, individuals can maintain a sense of humility and focus on their goals. 33. "Concern for man and his fate must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavors. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations." According to Einstein, the primary motivation behind all technical endeavors should be the betterment of humanity. Amidst the complexities of scientific diagrams and equations, the fundamental focus should remain on improving the human condition. 32. "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." 31. "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence." Einstein highlights the significance of continuous questioning and curiosity. For top scientists, curiosity serves as the driving force that propels them to explore new questions and seek answers. Stagnation sets in when the pursuit of questions ceases. 30. "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution." This quote in our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More suggests that imagination holds greater significance than knowledge because it has the potential to encompass and inspire progress and evolution, whereas knowledge is bounded by its limitations. Imagination fuels creativity, innovation, and the ability to envision new possibilities beyond what is already known. 29. "The years of anxious searching in the dark, with their intense longing, their alternations of confidence and exhaustion, and final emergence into lightonly those who have experienced it can understand that." Einstein captures the profound journey of research, describing the years of intense searching and the emotional highs and lows that culminate in the eventual enlightenment. His words convey not just a mastery of numbers but also a deep appreciation for the emotional aspects of scientific exploration. 28. "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." This next quote on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More encourages the value of curiosity and the habit of questioning as essential elements for personal growth and understanding. It emphasizes the idea that curiosity has its own intrinsic value and purpose, driving individuals to seek knowledge and explore the world around them. 27. "He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed." Expressing a personal belief, this quote resonates with the idea that a fulfilling life involves openness to new experiences and a willingness to be captivated by awe. Without such wonder, life becomes mere survival rather than a true exploration of the richness it has to offer. 26. "The only source of knowledge is experience." 25. "Hail to the man who went through life always helping others, knowing no fear, and to whom aggressiveness and resentment are alien." Einstein, known for his advocacy of humanity, extols the virtues of a person who consistently assists others without fear, devoid of aggression and resentment. These qualities, according to Einstein, deserve admiration and respect. 24. "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." This quote on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More suggests that in order to solve problems effectively, we need to think differently than we did when the problems arose. It highlights the importance of embracing new perspectives, approaches, and ideas to address challenges and create solutions. 23. "Out yonder there was this huge world, which exists independently of us human beings and which stands before us like a great, eternal riddle, at least partially accessible to our inspection and thinking. The contemplation of this world beckoned like a liberation." Einstein expressed what drew him to the world and the universe, shaping his professional journey and achievements. 22. "Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding." 21. "Nature shows us only the tail of the lion. But there is no doubt in my mind that the lion belongs with it even if he cannot reveal himself to the eye all at once because of his huge dimension." Our understanding of nature and the universe remains limited compared to the vastness that exists. Einstein conveys the idea that there is more to discover beyond what is currently known. 20. "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." This next quote on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More emphasizes the idea that by observing and connecting with nature, one can gain profound insights, wisdom, and understanding about the world and life itself. It suggests that nature holds valuable lessons and truths that can enhance our perspective and knowledge. 19. When you sit with a nice girl for two hours you think its only a minute. But when you sit on a hot stove for a minute you think its two hours. Thats relativity. Einstein's theory of relativity, conveyed in laymans terms, reflects his knowledge and brilliance. This quote stands among the best quotes by Albert Einstein. 18. "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." 17. It is true that my parents were worried because I began to speak fairly late, so that they even consulted a doctor. I cant say how old I was but surely not less than three. Overcoming personal struggles and challenges is what distinguishes the exceptional from the ordinary, although acknowledging survivors fallacy. 16. "Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." Next on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More implies that while logic is necessary for solving problems and reaching specific goals (from point A to point B), imagination has the unlimited potential to inspire creativity and exploration to take us beyond the confines of what is known or expected, allowing us to envision new possibilities and reach unforeseen destinations. 15. The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. The best scientists maintain curiosity, allowing them to discover and understand the mysteries of existence. 14. "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." This next quote in our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More humorously remarks that while he acknowledges the infinite nature of the universe, he expresses uncertainty about whether human stupidity has its limits. It highlights a witty observation on the perpetual and seemingly boundless nature of human folly. 13. As a human being, one has been endowed with just enough intelligence to be able to see clearly how utterly inadequate that intelligence is when confronted with what exists. The supreme secrets of the universe surpass even the most intelligent minds in their ability to comprehend. This quote is 13th quote on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More. 12. "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." This quote on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More encourages continuous learning from the past, embracing the present, and maintaining hope for the future. It underscores the importance of ongoing curiosity and questioning as essential elements of a fulfilling and meaningful life. 11. Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen. Challenging preconceived notions is essential for expanding ones learning, as common sense often relies on ingrained prejudices. 10. "The world is not dangerous because of those who do harm but because of those who look at it without doing anything." Now this quote on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More suggests that the true danger in the world arises not only from those who actively cause harm but also from individuals who witness wrongdoing without taking any action. It underscores the importance of being proactive and standing against injustice to make the world a better place. 9. My passionate sense of social justice and social responsibility has always contrasted oddly with my pronounced lack of need for direct contact with other human beings and human communities. I am truly a lone traveler and have never belonged to my country, my home, my friends, or even my immediate family, with my whole heart; in the face of all these ties, I have never lost a sense of distance and a need for solitude. Mastering the art of being comfortable with oneself, Einstein embraced solitude despite his strong sense of social justice. 8. "The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." In this quote, Albert Einstein expresses a thought on the potential limitations of formal education. He suggests that the structured nature of education might sometimes hinder genuine learning by imposing constraints on one's thinking or stifling curiosity. This quote, placed 8th on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More emphasizes the importance of maintaining an open and inquisitive mind beyond traditional educational boundaries. 7. If I were to start taking care of my grooming, I would no longer be my own self; so, the hell with it. Einstein, known for his unconventional appearance, rejected societal standards and prioritized authenticity over conformity. This quote is the 7th quote on our list of Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More. 6. "Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." Click to continue reading and find out about the 50 Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 50 Best Albert Einstein quotes about life and More is originally published on Insider Monkey. Everyone likes a bargain. But in the stock market, mindlessly chasing what looks cheap can get you in a heap of trouble. If you buy a steak for $5, it usually tastes like cheap meat. But investors can make big money when they find a prime cut of meat sitting on the sale rack. That's getting value for your money, and it's primarily how Warren Buffett has done so well throughout his decades-long career. So, where are the deals in a market hitting all-time highs? Here are three great consumer stocks trading at absurdly good prices today. And while price is not value, with their shares trading from $15 to $170, buying full shares of these stocks is within the reach of even those with not much money to invest. 1. Amazon How is e-commerce and cloud company Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) a bargain after galloping up 70% over the past year? I'll show you. Amazon is unique. Like many companies, it reinvests its profits into the business to create growth, but few do it at the level Amazon does. That's how Amazon became the dominant e-commerce company in America (38% market share) as well as the world's largest cloud platform (31% share), and is becoming a media giant that did $47 billion in ad revenue in 2023 and will stream an exclusive National Football League playoff game next season. When looking at the stock's price tag, I like to look at how much operating cash flow investors get for their money. That's what Amazon's daily operations make before management reinvests in the business. Using a price-to-operating-cash-flow ratio, you can see that Amazon is still way below where it's traded over the past decade. Additionally, Amazon is (by far) making more money per share than ever. AMZN CFO Per Share (TTM) Chart Investors have made a lot of money by holding Amazon stock for years. Today, Amazon is one of the world's largest corporations, so investors shouldn't expect the business to continue multiplying in size like it has in the past, but Amazon is too good a company for the stock to trade this cheap. Story continues 2. Altria Tobacco company Altria (NYSE: MO) has seen its share price slide for several years, giving investors $5-steak vibes. However, the future could look brighter than the recent past. Altria's core business, selling smokeable products, has remained financially durable despite years of declining volumes. Long-term investors shouldn't buy the stock based on that alone, but it does support one of the highest dividend yields you'll find. Altria's dividend yield is nearly 10%, and the company's steady profits and 79% dividend payout ratio mean it's sustainable. Over time, Altria will need to grow different revenue streams, and it does have potential with Njoy, a heat-not-burn tobacco device it acquired rights to for $2.75 billion last year. Altria will apply the Marlboro name to the Njoy device as a smokeless cigarette alternative. It also has On!, an oral nicotine pouch brand. You can see the stock's price-to-earnings ratio and dividend yield in the chart below. MO PE Ratio (Forward) Chart Lastly, Altria owns a stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev worth roughly $13 billion. Management could cash that in to help fund Altria's pivot away from cigarettes. While there are long-term concerns about Altria's cigarette business, the dividend is rock-solid today, and the stock trading at 8 times earnings gives investors a cheap enough buying price to take on some of that risk. 3. Coupang Much like Amazon, South Korean company Coupang (NYSE: CPNG) built an e-commerce business and is expanding. The company has a quarter of South Korea's e-commerce market, where it's famous for delivering 99% of orders by the next day, often within hours of being placed. Coupang also offers customers online grocery delivery, meal delivery, and media and payment services. Coupang's active customer base was 20 million as of the third quarter of last year, up 14% year over year. South Korea's population is just 52 million, so management has expanded into Taiwan, where it's heavily investing to establish itself. That unlocks a new market with an additional 23 million people. Management has said that its Taiwan expansion is going well and it will lean into the investment to keep pushing that forward. Coupang's operating cash flow has surged over the past year despite its losing money on its non-commerce businesses. That's a good sign that the core commerce business can support the broader company. You can see revenue and cash from operations trends in the chart below. CPNG Revenue (TTM) Chart Applying the same logic to value this stock as I used on Amazon, Coupang is trading at only 10 times its operating cash flow, just half what Amazon trades at. Coupang may not be as established as Amazon, but the company is on great financial footing. It has nearly $5 billion in cash on its balance sheet against just over $1 billion in debt. The business generated $1.8 billion in free cash flow over the past year and is set to grow. Coupang deserves far more respect than Wall Street is giving it. Should you invest $1,000 in Amazon right now? Before you buy stock in Amazon, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Amazon wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of February 12, 2024 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Justin Pope has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Coupang. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Have $500? 3 Absurdly Cheap Stocks Long-Term Investors Should Buy Right Now. was originally published by The Motley Fool RichLegg / Getty Images Getting sued. You may feel like this could never happen to you because you dont willfully do anything wrong. But you never know. The odds arent tremendously in your favor. According to One Legal, there are more than 40 million lawsuits filed every year in the U.S. Find Out: Im a Bank Teller: Here Are 10 Mistakes You Are Making With Your Banking Read Next: Owe Money to the IRS? Most People Dont Realize They Should Do This One Thing What happens if you get sued? In what ways can it destroy your finances and how can you prevent damage? (Not getting sued? Here are nine other ways you can wreck your finances.) Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief. It Could Interfere With Your Professional Life As Larry Bassuk, the co-founder and president of Idea Financial / LevelEsq, puts it, once you get sued, the world is watching. This is because most legal cases go public. This alone can disrupt your finances if your boss or a prospective hiring manager gets wind of the lawsuit. Getting sued puts you on the world map, so to speak, Bassuk said. The internet has a long memory, and typically picks up court docket information. Getting sued will raise a lot of questions. Check Out: 6 Ways to Tell If Youre Financially Smarter Than the Average American You May Have to Let Investors and Bankers You Work With Know About the Lawsuit Against You If you are sued, you may have contractual obligations to notify people you work with, depending on the situation. For example, your investors, bankers, partners and auditors, Bassuk said. This can trigger a (chain) reaction you must prepare for. Youre on the (Bad) Radar of Credit Bureaus Like people, if so inclined, credit bureaus are watching you and not in a good way. An active lawsuit will create a flag in the data companies and people use to evaluate you, Bassuk said. For example, many scores, some of which you dont know about, can be negatively impacted. Along those lines, if you are trying to obtain credit, an active lawsuit may negatively impact the process. Story continues Lawyers Are Expensive No question about it: When you get sued, you need a lawyer, period. But gosh they cost a lot of money, especially if youre going with a reputable one (which you should). Without one, you might as well just throw in the towel and acquiesce to every demand made by the person suing you (even if the allegations are false), said Justin Leto, CEO and co-founder at Idea Financial / LevelEsq. And lawyers are costly. They bill you by the hour, and those hours can add up fast. Exactly how much might you spend on fighting back when being sued? A fortune. The cost of legal defense is probably the most immediate damage; with some defense attorneys hourly billing rates exceeding $1,000 per hour, the cost of the defense can be ruinous to anyones budget, said John Wood, founding attorney at Grant Park Legal Advisors. This leads to secondary issues with credit. Many will have to turn to their credit to pay for legal services, causing their credit utilization to rise and reducing their credit scores. Lawsuits Cost You Time, Which Can Cost You Money Not only do lawsuits eat up your funds, they eat up your time which can also cost you money, since you may have less time to generate income. Lawsuits require your time, Leto said. You must work with your lawyer, prepare your defense, give sworn testimony, attend hearings and trials, and devote your time to your defense. All of this can be very time-consuming and detract from your ability to do your work and spend time with your family. Loss of Assets When legal fees reach staggering highs, you may be forced to liquidate assets. You can end up spending a lot later on to replace those assets, said Erika Kullberg, a personal finance expert and founder at Erika.com. Increased Insurance Premiums In some cases, insurance providers may increase your premiums after a lawsuit, Kullberg said. How To Protect Yourself Have Liability Insurance You need to protect yourself should a lawsuit against you arise, even if you think it could never happen. Start by having liability insurance. One of the best ways to avoid negative impacts of a lawsuit is to make sure that you are carrying adequate liability insurance, said Ryan Byers, attorney at Rammelkamp Bradney, P.C. If you have auto insurance and are sued because you caused an accident, your insurance company will cover the amounts that you are determined to owe, up to your policy limit. (They will often also cover your defense attorneys legal bill.) In many instances, even if they feel they are owed more money, the person suing you will just settle for the full amount of your policy because of the extra time and expense associated with collecting on a personal judgment against you, Byers said, while noting that that granted, there are some things an insurance company wont cover. Best to hash it out with an insurance agent. Form an LLC Another way to avoid negative financial consequences of a lawsuit is to incorporate or form an LLC if you are running a business, Byers said. If your business is properly incorporated and it gets sued, then the judgment creditor should usually only be able to collect against income and assets owned by the corporate entity as opposed to your personal income or assets. While this wont protect your business from suffering financial impact, it can protect your personal assets such as your home, car and bank accounts. Similarly, your assets may be protected if you place them in certain types of trust, Byers said. Your options will vary a fair amount from state-to-state, but a local attorney can discuss them with you. Dont Post About It on Social Media You may be feeling like youve been wronged or backstabbed and you want everyone to know about it. Stay quiet; or, at the very least, dont talk about getting sued on social media. Refrain from making social media posts that may be harmful or upsetting to others, said David R. Suny, managing partner at McCormack Suny. Libel and slander are common claims that can result in litigation, especially when you are commenting about another persons business. Ask Your Lawyer About Indemnification Your lawyer will be able to discuss more ways to protect your finances from devastation related to getting sued. This includes indemnification. While technical, ask your lawyer about including an indemnification clause in a contract that you are entering into, Suny said. This means that under certain circumstances defined in the contract, if you get sued the person or company that indemnifies you under the contract will pay for your legal defense. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Ways Getting Sued Can Destroy Your Finances And How To Prevent That Assessing the Sustainability of Aflac Inc's Upcoming Dividend Aflac Inc (NYSE:AFL) recently announced a dividend of $0.5 per share, payable on 2024-03-01, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-02-20. 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 Aflac Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. Company Overview Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with TGT. High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio This Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 Years How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock? Aflac Inc provides supplemental health and life insurance primarily in the United States and Japan. Recognized for its cancer policies, Aflac Inc has diversified its portfolio to include accident, disability, and long-term care insurance products. Leveraging an independent distribution model, the company has successfully marketed its offerings directly to consumers at their workplaces, establishing a strong presence in the insurance sector. Aflac Inc's Dividend Analysis Dividend History and Aristocracy Aflac Inc has upheld a steadfast record of dividend payment since 1983, showcasing its commitment to providing shareholder value through consistent quarterly distributions. The company's impressive streak of annual dividend increases has earned it the prestigious title of a dividend aristocrat, reflecting its enduring financial strength and dedication to its investors. For a visual representation of Aflac Inc's dividend consistency, here is a chart illustrating the annual Dividends Per Share to track historical trends. Dividend Yield and Growth Analysis Aflac Inc currently boasts a trailing dividend yield of 2.12% and a forward dividend yield of 2.52%, indicating a positive investor outlook with anticipated increased dividend payments over the next year. Over the past three years, the annual dividend growth rate was 14.00%, which moderated to 11.50% over a five-year span, and settled at 8.40% over the past decade. Story continues Considering the yield and growth rates, Aflac Inc's 5-year yield on cost for its stock is approximately 3.65%, an attractive figure for long-term investors seeking steady income streams. Aflac Inc's Dividend Analysis Evaluating Dividend Sustainability The dividend payout ratio is a critical metric for assessing dividend sustainability, and Aflac Inc's ratio of 0.27 signifies that a substantial portion of earnings is retained for growth and stability. The company's profitability rank of 6 out of 10, as of 2023-12-31, complements this with an indication of solid earnings capability. Aflac Inc's consistent positive net income over the past decade further reinforces its profitability and supports the continuation of its dividend payments. Future Growth Prospects Aflac Inc's growth rank of 6 suggests a steady growth trajectory. While its average annual revenue increase of 0.90% may lag behind some global competitors, the company's 3-year EPS growth rate of 6.30% and a 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 10.00% indicate a robust financial foundation capable of supporting ongoing dividend payments. Concluding Insights In conclusion, Aflac Inc's upcoming dividend, along with its history of consistent dividend growth, reasonable payout ratio, and solid profitability and growth metrics, presents an appealing case for value investors. While the company's growth rates may not lead the industry, its financial stability and commitment to shareholder returns make it a noteworthy consideration for those seeking reliable dividend income. For investors keen on discovering more high-yield opportunities, GuruFocus Premium offers a comprehensive 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. PARIS, February 19, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Air Liquide (Paris:AI) announces an investment of over 50 million euros to build a new innovative plant in Singapore and revamp its existing facilities in Malta (New York, U.S.), supplying high purity nitrogen to GlobalFoundries (GF). These Air Liquide projects will enable GlobalFoundries to benefit from higher energy efficiencies. To bring significant energy efficiencies to GlobalFoundries, Air Liquides new plant in Singapore is leveraging the Groups proprietary state-of-the-art designs, reducing the amount of electricity needed. The new plant is expected to be operational by 2026. Additionally, Air Liquide has renewed its partnership to supply high purity gases to GlobalFoundries existing units at its Malta, New York site over the next 15 years. In this context, the units in New York will be upgraded via energy efficiency projects in order to support the sites efficiency and sustainability needs over this period. Together, these projects will enable GlobalFoundries to further reduce its overall carbon footprint. This collaboration is part of Air Liquides long-lasting partnership with GlobalFoundries, to support their growth in major semiconductor hubs, as illustrated by their cooperation in Dresden, Germany. The semiconductor industry is rapidly evolving, with increasing demand for more energy-efficient semiconductor chips and Air Liquide is scaling up investments in major semiconductor hubs to support its customers presence in key markets such as smart mobile devices, automotive, IoT and data centers. Armelle Levieux, member of Air Liquides Executive Committee overseeing Electronics activities, stated: "Our journey with GlobalFoundries started more than 20 years ago and these contract extensions are further reinforcing our strategic partnership. To meet the specific needs of our electronics customers, we develop innovative solutions that bring both efficiencies and sustainability benefits. Combined with our strategic presence, close to our customers in major semiconductor hubs, our comprehensive portfolio of products and services enables us to address the technological challenges of the semiconductor industry while leveraging opportunities arising from the markets structural growth." Roberto Avallone, Head of Global Facilities and Capacity Planning at GlobalFoundries, stated: "Environmental sustainability is imperative to our business as we continue to meet the demand for GF-manufactured essential chips. Our strong collaboration with Air Liquide is a part of our global manufacturing expansion strategy in Singapore, U.S. and Germany, and we look forward to adopting more innovative solutions that further decarbonize our operations in line with our global Journey to Zero Carbon strategy." Announced in August 2021, GFs Journey to Zero Carbon Goal aims first to reduce the companys total greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030, despite a significant planned growth of its global manufacturing capacity. Story continues Air Liquide Electronics Generating 2,558 million in revenue in 2022 the Electronics business line of Air Liquide is a world reference in designing, manufacturing and supplying ultra high purity gases and advanced materials for this industry. The Electronics business line of Air Liquide is a long-term partner providing innovative and sustainable solutions to the semiconductors, photovoltaics and flat-panel displays markets. More than 4,600 employees worldwide are dedicated to providing the working agility and reliability our customers need. www.electronics-airliquide.com ____________________________ A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 73 countries with approximately 67,100 employees and serves more than 3.9 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquides scientific territory and have been at the core of the companys activities since its creation in 1902. Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquides strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transitionparticularly with hydrogenand takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies. Air Liquides revenue amounted to more than 29.9 billion euros in 2022. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50, FTSE4Good and DJSI Europe indexes. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240218435285/en/ Contacts Corporate Communications media@airliquide.com Investor Relations IRTeam@airliquide.com (Bloomberg) -- Anglo American Platinum Ltd. has proposed a restructuring that may affect 3,700 jobs across its South African operations, as plummeting metal prices squeeze profits. Most Read from Bloomberg Thats a blow for what has long been one the countrys biggest export industries and is another setback for South Africas ruling African National Congress ahead of key elections later this year. The potential cuts impact about 17% of the workforce at the company known as Amplats, plus more than 600 firms whose contracts with the miner are to be reviewed. In December, the companys parent Anglo American Plc warned that returns for miners of platinum-group metals were at the lowest level in 30 years. Despite taking steps last year to reposition the business, Amplats Chief Executive Officer Craig Miller said its clear they dont go far enough. It is apparent that further measures to create critical resilience and greater competitiveness are needed to sustain the business, Miller said in a statement Monday. These actions are necessary to enable the continued employment of thousands of workers and contractors. Acting Chief Financial Officer Sayurie Naidoo said Amplats is targeting annual savings of 5 billion rand ($263 million). Read More: Anglo American Plunges as It Slashes Production to Cut Costs The price of PGMs used to curb emissions from gasoline and diesel vehicles has nosedived since the start of last year due to auto industry destocking and a subdued global economy. Thats a rapid reversal of fortunes for Amplats and its Johannesburg-based peers. Just two years ago, the firms were declaring bumper earnings as automaker demand pushed the price of rhodium and palladium metals produced alongside platinum to record levels. Story continues The outlook for automotive demand is likely to be flat, so prices will probably hover around current levels this year, Miller said in an interview. Amplats said profit tumbled 73% to 13 billion rand last year, from 49.2 billion rand in 2022. The company slashed its dividend by 81% to 21.30 rand per share. The miners shares steadied in Johannesburg trading, after falling 24% this year. Read More: Anglo Consults South Africa as It Weighs Platinum, Iron Job Cuts Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. and Northam Platinum Holdings Ltd. have also flagged a slump in earnings, with the former offering voluntary redundancies. Four month ago, Sibanye Stillwater Ltd. said it was entering talks with labor unions over a restructuring that could impact more than 4,000 workers at its platinum mines. At Amplats, most of the jobs at risk are at the Amandelbult mine where production fell 11% in 2023 and in its processing division, which is due to mothball one of the firms smelters this year, according to Miller. The job losses come just before a crucial election, which could see the ruling ANC lose its outright majority for the first time since the end of White-minority rule in 1994. South Africas unemployment rate, including people who were available for work but not looking for a job, stood at 41.2% in the quarter ended Sept. 30. Amplats said the so-called section 189A process, which is a precursor for the restructuring, involves a consultation period with labor unions and affected employees and will be facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration. Only when the consultation process is concluded will the final number of affected jobs be known, the company said. Read More: Anglo CEO Says He Can Run Sprawling Miner Better Than Activist (Updates with comment CFO in fifth paragraph and from CEO in 10th. An earlier version of this story corrected the number of jobs at risk in headline and first paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The Egyptian Menkaur Pyramid Review Committee (MPRC) has unanimously rejected a plan to restore granite body blocks that have been scattered around the smallest of the three pyramids of Giza for thousands of years at the monument to protect the site's universal and archaeological value, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets. The committee includes engineers and archaeologists, in particular pyramid specialists from Egypt, the USA, the Czech Republic and Germany. It is said that the committee rejected the restoration project, citing the importance of preserving the pyramid in its current state, taking into account its exceptional universal and archaeological value. The decision was submitted to the Ministry of Tourism and Ancient Monuments of Egypt. The committee's report says: "It is impossible to determine the exact starting position of any block of the hull. Therefore, none of them can be returned to their original place in the pyramid. As a result, the re-installation of the casing blocks will change the ancient, original fabric and appearance of the pyramid, destroying important evidence of how the ancient Egyptians designed them." According to the report, preliminary permission was given for archaeological excavations to identify the Menkaur Pyramid boat pits (similar to those found near the pyramids of Khufu and Khafra), subject to open and detailed scientific research to be submitted to the Committee. At the same time, the search for boat pits around the pyramid should be neither a priority nor a reason to excavate the foundation of the Menkaur pyramid. This project should provide stronger scientific justification for such excavations. The Committee also approved a proposed scientific and archaeological project to explore the Menkaur pyramid, systematically collect granite blocks that fell from its outer shell, and excavate to identify the surrounding inclined debris, as well as clean up the area. The report also reflected the necessary procedures for coordinating the restoration of the mentioned pyramid with UNESCO. A pedestrian is reflected in the window of a branch of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) in central Sydney By Scott Murdoch and Lewis Jackson SYDNEY (Reuters) -ANZ Group's A$4.9 billion ($3.2 billion) buyout of Suncorp's banking business was cleared by the Australian Competition Tribunal on Tuesday, paving the way for the bank to press on with the takeover of its significant rival. The ruling came in response to an appeal by ANZ and Suncorp of a decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that blocked the deal in August on the grounds it would limit competition in Australia's banking sector. On Tuesday, the Australian Competition Tribunal's deputy president, Justice John Halley, told the Federal Court in Sydney there were sufficient "net public benefits" to allow the deal to go ahead. He said the proposed deal was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in Australia's home lending market. ANZ shares closed 2.2% lower, while Suncorp stock ended 6% higher. The S&P/ASX200 finished down 0.08%. The decision is likely to reignite debate about Australia's merger laws and fuel the ACCC's push for stronger powers and new rules which would make it easier to block deals it sees as anti-competitive. Treasury began a two-year review into merger rules in August. The takeover still requires approval by Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers and an official sign-off from the government of Queensland, where Suncorp is based. If the deal goes ahead, Melbourne-based ANZ, which has trailed its larger rivals in home lending, will be able to grow its loan book at a time when banks are struggling to attract new borrowers after a string of interest rate rises. "This is a significant milestone and an important step forward in the process, however we still have further conditions to meet," ANZ Chief Executive Shayne Elliott said in a statement. "We remain committed to completing the acquisition as soon as possible once all sale conditions are met." Chalmers said in a statement he would "carefully and methodically consider whether the proposed acquisition is in the national interest" once the bank sought approval. Story continues FIRST MAJOR LOSS FOR ACCC BOSS Suncorp Chief Executive Steve Johnston said the decision would allow the diversified financial firm to become a "dedicated Trans-Tasman insurance company" as it pared back its business model. Selling the bank would reduce capital requirements on Suncorp, and Chairman Christine McLoughlin said any remaining excess capital would be returned to shareholders. The tribunal's ruling is the first major loss for ACCC chairperson Gina Cass-Gottlieb since she became the competition regulator almost two years ago. The ACT last year backed the ACCC when it turned down an appeal from Telstra and TPG on an A$1.8 billion network-sharing deal which the ACCC also rejected. "Banking markets are critical for many homeowners, businesses and farmers. The ACCC will continue to apply scrutiny to these markets across the breadth of our functions including merger assessments and enforcement investigations," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said in a statement on Tuesday. The ACCC said last year that allowing the deal to go ahead would "further entrench an oligopoly market structure" in which four lenders, including ANZ, have three quarters of the country's A$2 trillion in home loans. ANZ, Australia's fourth largest bank by market capitalisation, said when it first announced the Suncorp transaction in 2022 that buying the banking assets would boost its mortgage book by A$47 billion to A$307 billion. Despite the positive ruling, analysts are questioning whether ANZ buying Suncorp's bank will mean it dramatically increases its home lending market share. UBS has previously estimated, using December 2023 lending data, that a combined ANZ and Suncorp would become the third-largest home lending and deposit holding bank surpassing rival National Australia Bank "To put the size of the acquisition into context, we previously estimated Suncorp Bank profit would add around 5% to ANZ Group's profit. We don't view this as a transformational, make or break type acquisition for ANZ," Morningstar analyst Nathan Zaia told Reuters by email. (Reporting by Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson and Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Sonali Paul, Stephen Coates and Muralikumar Anantharaman) Mediaflux Livewire Named "Most Complete Architecture" by the International Data Mover Challenge at SCA24 MELBOURNE, Australia & SYDNEY, February 19, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arcitecta, a creative and innovative data management software company, today announced that Mediaflux Livewire has been awarded the "Most Complete Architecture" by the International Data Mover Challenge (DMC) at this weeks SupercomputingAsia 2024 (SCA24) in Sydney, Australia. Arcitecta is showcasing Mediaflux Livewire in Booth #24 at the event. Arcitecta will also participate in the AeRO Forum: Road Testing a Research Data Reference Architecture on February 21, 2024, from 1:30 5:30 p.m. in Meeting Room C2.3 at the International Convention Centre Sydney. Mediaflux Livewire is a metadata-driven file transfer software solution that enables organizations to transfer millions or billions of files securely and reliably at light speed between one or more systems around the globe in parallel. It leverages the power of metadata to optimize data movement via parallelized data transfers across latent networks and eliminate redundant file transfers. In a separate announcement issued today, Arcitecta unveiled significant enhancements to its Mediaflux Livewire offering that address the challenges of transmitting data over low-bandwidth and unreliable network connections. "The international DMC represents the perfect opportunity for us to push the limits of what is currently possible and showcase how our technology can benefit critical research endeavors in life sciences and other industries that acquire and transfer vast amounts of data. We are pleased to work with other industry leaders and innovators once again in this competition," said Jason Lohrey, Founder and CEO of Arcitecta. "By orchestrating the data, leveraging metadata and providing end-to-end management for data transmission, Mediaflux Livewire is shaping the future of creativity and business agility." Story continues Andrew Howard, chief judge of the DMC and Associate Director Cloud Services and Innovation at the National Computational Infrastructure (NCI), Australia, said, "Mediaflux Livewires ability to move data at scale and optimize point-to-point data transfers between sites is a game changer for advancing research collaboration." The International Data Mover Challenge (DMC) is a competition that occurs once every two years, and it aims to bring together experts from industry and academia to test their software and solutions for transferring huge amounts of research data. DMC challenges international teams to develop the most advanced and innovative solutions for data transfer across servers located in various countries connected by 100Gbps international research and education networks. The challenge focuses on optimizing point-to-point data transfers between sites a crucial step in advancing research collaboration and sharing. Participants from all over the world competed by deploying the best software tools on Data Transfer Nodes (DTNs) that were set up within existing international networks across the globe. The DMC competition is a key event of the SupercomputingAsia (SCA) conference series. Co-organized by the HPC Centres from Australia, Japan, Singapore and Thailand, SCA is an annual international conference encompassing a group of notable supercomputing events with the key objective of promoting a vibrant and relevant HPC ecosystem in Asia. About Arcitecta Arcitecta has been building the industrys best data management platforms since 1998. Today, Arcitecta is transforming data management and backup with Mediaflux, a rich end-to-end data fabric that simplifies data-intensive workflows in petabyte-scale environments to improve business and research outcomes. Mediaflux unifies data management processes into a single platform, simplifying the administration of massive data sets and allowing world leaders to solve some of the most challenging problems on the planet. Mediaflux Livewire is a high-speed data mover that transfers billions of files securely, reliably and globally at ultra-fast rates. Mediaflux Point in Time redefines data resilience at scale, overcoming todays broken backup paradigm by integrating metadata-based, continuous inline data protection to eliminate the significant cost and impact of lost data. For more, visit www.arcitecta.com. Arcitecta, Mediaflux and the Arcitecta logo are trademarks of Arcitecta, Inc. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners. 2024 Arcitecta, Inc. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240219980180/en/ Contacts Press@Arcitecta.com US/EMEA Media Inquiries: IGNITE Consulting Meredith Bagnulo, +1 303-513-7494 Denise Nelson, +1 925-858-5198 Australia/APAC Media Inquiries: Emily King, Arcitecta Marketing and Communications +61 434 255 022 DNY59 / Getty Images/iStockphoto The vast majority of Americans dont enjoy filing their taxes. Even to those for whom its a relatively painless process, it still represents a chore. However, no matter how much you hate the process of putting your return together, you probably love the day the money from your refund hits your bank account. Discover: Top 7 Countries with Zero Income Tax Find Out: Owe Money to the IRS? Most People Dont Realize They Should Do This One Thing While plenty of personal finance experts insist that you adjust your withholding so that you can earn interest on it throughout the year, many Americans still seem to prefer receiving it as one lump sum shortly after they file. And certainly, if that ensures the cash gets invested or put in savings, its probably worth foregoing that extra little bit of interest you can earn by reducing your withholding. So, which Americans are getting the most back on their tax returns? To get to the bottom of that question, GOBankingRates compiled a list of all 50 states, ranked by the size of the average return people received for the 2022 tax year the taxes you filed at the beginning of 2023. The study took the total amount of money issued as returns in each state and divided it by the number of returns with a refund to come up with the average return. See where your state ranks among the rest of the country in terms of getting that fat check from Uncle Sam. KingWu / Getty Images Idaho Number of refunds issued: 1,286,619 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $1,763,227,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,370 Read: Billionaires vs. the Middle Class: Who Pays More in Taxes? Learn: Does Zelle Report to the IRS? Your Guide to Taxes and Zelle Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief. Jakub Zajic / Shutterstock.com Oregon Number of refunds issued: 2,842,777 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $4,378,396,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,540 See: This Is the One Type of Debt That Terrifies Dave Ramsey f11photo / Shutterstock.com Maine Number of refunds issued: 944,371 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $1,479,556,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,567 Story continues Marc Dufresne / Getty Images Vermont Number of refunds issued: 440,517 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $693,381,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,574 Scott Wilson Photography / Shutterstock.com Montana Number of refunds issued: 742,501 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $1,184,129,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,595 Michael E Halstead / Shutterstock.com New Mexico Number of refunds issued: 1,499,721 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $2,437,752,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,625 Learn: The 7 Worst Things You Can Do If You Owe the IRS LawrenceSawyer / Getty Images Minnesota Number of refunds issued: 3,970,935 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $6,559,739,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,652 Matt Bills / Getty Images/iStockphoto Nebraska Number of refunds issued: 1,404,018 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $2,326,430,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,657 Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images Wisconsin Number of refunds issued: 4,121,337 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $6,844,299,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,661 Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto North Carolina Number of refunds issued: 7,510,558 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $12,686,046,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,689 Find Out: Trump-Era Tax Cuts Are Expiring How Changes Will Impact Retirees Shutterstock.com Hawaii Number of refunds issued: 982,621 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $1,668,198,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,698 Shutterstock.com South Carolina Number of refunds issued: 3,673,855 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $6,240,281,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,699 DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto Rhode Island Number of refunds issued: 786,960 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $1,338,545,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,701 aceshot1 / Shutterstock.com Kentucky Number of refunds issued: 3,208,928 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $5,465,995,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,703 Read: IRS Increases Gift and Estate Tax Exempt Limits Heres How Much You Can Give Without Paying DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto Kansas Number of refunds issued: 2,054,691 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $3,505,170,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,706 SerrNovik / Getty Images/iStockphoto Utah Number of refunds issued: 2,356,556 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $4,025,637,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,708 AlbertPego / Getty Images Colorado Number of refunds issued: 4,075,961 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $6,973,265,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,711 Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images/iStockphoto Ohio Number of refunds issued: 8,532,813 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $14,658,351,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,718 Learn: Heres the Cost To Retire Comfortably in Every State by Age pabradyphoto / Getty Images Iowa Number of refunds issued: 2,221,770 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $3,824,272,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,721 DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images New Hampshire Number of refunds issued: 968,426 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $1,669,428,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,724 science photo / Shutterstock.com Arizona Number of refunds issued: 5,065,087 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $8,739,170,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,725 Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto California Number of refunds issued: 27,215,414 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $46,959,301,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,725 Discover: 7 Safest and Cheapest Cities To Live in Florida virsuziglis / Getty Images/iStockphoto West Virginia Number of refunds issued: 1,217,658 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $2,106,042,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,730 TriggerPhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto Missouri Number of refunds issued: 4,367,880 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $7,587,530,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,737 Cvandyke / Shutterstock.com Virginia Number of refunds issued: 6,082,710 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $10,580,139,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,739 DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com Delaware Number of refunds issued: 725,569 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $1,263,969,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,742 Find Out: Net Worth for Baby Boomers: How To Tell Whether Youre Poor, Middle Class, Upper Middle Class or Rich DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto Maryland Number of refunds issued: 4,475,264 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $7,804,048,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,744 f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto Indiana Number of refunds issued: 5,019,014 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $8,791,208,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,752 traveler1116 / Getty Images/iStockphoto Pennsylvania Number of refunds issued: 9,279,255 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $16,327,099,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,760 BlazenImages / Getty Images/iStockphoto Arkansas Number of refunds issued: 2,153,904 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $3,794,200,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,762 Read: Im a Bank Teller: Here Are 10 Mistakes You Are Making With Your Banking Shutterstock.com Michigan Number of refunds issued: 7,075,683 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $12,532,381,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,771 TS Photographer / Shutterstock.com Washington Number of refunds issued: 5,379,202 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $9,545,674,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,775 DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images North Dakota Number of refunds issued: 536,582 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $959,992,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,789 Nolichuckyjake / Shutterstock.com Tennessee Number of refunds issued: 4,985,921 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $8,946,038,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,794 Discover: Im a Real Estate Agent: 5 Cities Where Homes Will Be the Best Bargains in 2024 Michael Moloney / Shutterstock.com Massachusetts Number of refunds issued: 4,810,841 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $8,640,718,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,796 Marge Sudol / Shutterstock.com New Jersey Number of refunds issued: 6,541,529 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $11,751,647,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,796 sorincolac / Getty Images/iStockphoto Alaska Number of refunds issued: 536,903 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $970,276,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,807 Christian Hinkle / Shutterstock.com Alabama Number of refunds issued: 3,485,204 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $6,339,107,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,819 See: Average Cost of Groceries Per Month: How Much Should You Be Spending? Ingus Kruklitis / Getty Images/iStockphoto New York Number of refunds issued: 13,966,079 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $25,575,228,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,831 Donald Carr / Shutterstock.com Oklahoma Number of refunds issued: 2,809,496 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $5,166,899,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,839 Shutterstock.com Mississippi Number of refunds issued: 2,197,370 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $4,069,908,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,852 Michael Warren / Getty Images Georgia Number of refunds issued: 7,883,778 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $14,615,732,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,854 Explore: 5 Places in Florida Where Home Prices Are Still Cheap Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto Connecticut Number of refunds issued: 2,536,235 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $4,728,785,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,864 Shutterstock.com South Dakota Number of refunds issued: 638,068 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $1,190,593,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,866 James Mattil / Shutterstock.com Nevada Number of refunds issued: 2,343,474 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $4,400,718,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,878 Mlenny / Getty Images Illinois Number of refunds issued: 9,059,344 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $17,090,115,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,886 Read: 7 Things You Should Know If You Deposit More Than $10K Into Your Checking Account graphiknation / Getty Images/iStockphoto Louisiana Number of refunds issued: 3,334,600 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $6,494,379,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,948 Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock.com Texas Number of refunds issued: 22,324,670 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $43,499,670,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,949 RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images Wyoming Number of refunds issued: 415,658 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $810,466,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,950 Juliana Vilas Boas / Getty Images/iStockphoto Florida Number of refunds issued: 15,837,100 Total dollar amount of refunds issued: $31,578,695,000 Average refund issued per return: $1,994 Alexandria Bova contributed to the reporting for this article. GOBankingRates, using the Internal Revenue Services SOI Tax Stats for the fiscal year 2022, found the average refund check in every state by first finding each states total number of tax refunds issued and the total dollar amount of refunds issued for individual income tax and employment tax. The second figure was divided by the first to give the only ranking factor of Average Refund Issued Per Return. All data was collected on and up to date as of Feb. 5, 2024. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Average Tax Refund Check in Every State Biodiesel feedstocks are the raw materials used to produce biodiesel, a renewable and clean energy source They vary in their technologies, synthesis methods, efficiency levels, and policies that regulate their production and use. BOSTON, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest BCC Research study, the demand for Biodiesel Feedstocks: Technologies, Synthesis, Efficiency and Policies is estimated to increase from $46.3 billion in 2022 to reach $51.6 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% from 2022 through 2028. BCC Research (PRNewsfoto/BCC Research LLC) Embark on a journey through the dynamic biodiesel market landscape with BCC Research's latest report, meticulously crafted to unveil the intricate developments shaping the industry. Delving into the core of biodiesel production, the report meticulously categorizes feedstock types, ranging from versatile vegetable oils like rapeseed, palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, to the sustainable repurposing of used cooking oil, alongside the utilization of animal fats. By dissecting the market based on applications and regions, readers gain invaluable insights into the diverse uses and geographical demands of biodiesel. Each segment evaluation not only provides comprehensive market size estimations but also offers a forward-looking forecast, guiding stakeholders through growth projections up to 2028. The journey culminates in a panoramic view of the competitive landscape, featuring insightful company profiles of key players steering the global biodiesel market towards a greener future. The dynamics of the biodiesel industry are undergoing a significant shift, characterized by stagnation in production within traditional markets like the U.S. and EU, contrasted with the burgeoning growth of the renewable diesel sector. While biodiesel faces challenges in established markets, developing nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, China, and Brazil are witnessing a surge in both production and consumption. Notably, China has emerged as a major player in the renewable diesel market, surpassing Argentina as the largest exporter to Europe. In 2023 alone, China's exports to Europe experienced a remarkable spike, soaring by nearly 40%. This trend has led to a notable transformation in the U.S., where approximately 13 biodiesel plants have shuttered operations due to the allure of investments in renewable diesel. As the global energy landscape continues to evolve, these shifts underscore the need for industry stakeholders to adapt to changing market dynamics and explore new avenues for sustainable fuel production. Story continues Delve into the comprehensive insights and strategic implications of this vital research. Click here to Learn More. Key Drivers of Biodiesel Feedstocks: Technologies, Synthesis, Efficiency and Policies Stringent Policies: Numerous nations have enacted policies aimed at promoting biodiesel usage and curbing reliance on fossil fuels. For instance, the European Union has set ambitious targets, aiming for 10% renewable energy in transportation by 2020, escalating to 14% by 2030. Meanwhile, the United States has implemented the Renewable Fuel Standard, mandating the blending of specified volumes of biofuels with gasoline and diesel. These regulations foster a demand for biodiesel, incentivizing its production and distribution. Environmental Policies and Incentives: Biodiesel stands out as a cleaner and more eco-friendly alternative to conventional diesel, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions, particulate matter, and other pollutants. Moreover, biodiesel's utilization of waste materials like used cooking oil and animal fats prevents their disposal in landfills or water bodies, benefiting the environment. In response, many governments and organizations have introduced environmental policies and incentives to bolster the biodiesel industry. For example, the European Commission's proposal of a carbon border adjustment mechanism would impose taxes on carbon-intensive imports like fossil fuels, rendering biodiesel more competitive and appealing. Similarly, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's assignment of higher values to renewable identification numbers for biodiesel offers economic incentives for producers and blenders, further supporting the industry. Energy Security: Biodiesel emerges as a key player in enhancing a nation's energy security by diminishing its reliance on imported fossil fuels and diversifying energy sources. With the flexibility to be produced from various locally or regionally sourced feedstocks, biodiesel mitigates risks associated with supply disruptions, price fluctuations, and geopolitical tensions affecting fossil fuel availability and affordability. Additionally, biodiesel's superior properties, including a higher cetane number, lubricity, and oxygen content compared to traditional diesel, not only enhance engine performance and efficiency but also contribute to prolonging engine life and reducing maintenance costs. Request a Sample Copy of the Biodiesel Feedstocks: Technologies, Synthesis, Efficiency and Policies Report. Report Synopsis Report Metrics Details Base Year Considered 2022 Forecast Period Considered 2023-2028 Base Year Market Size $46.3 billion Market Size Forecast $51.6 billion Growth Rate CAGR of 3.7% from 2023 to 2028 Segment Covered By Feedstock Type, Application, and Geographic Region Regions Covered North America, EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), Asia-Pacific, and South America Key Market Drivers Stringent Policies Environmental Policies and Incentives Energy Security Biodiesel Feedstocks: Technologies, Synthesis, Efficiency and Policies Segmentation: Feedstock Type Segmentation This segment intricately classifies the biodiesel market based on the specific raw materials utilized in biodiesel production. Key categories include vegetable oils, animal fats, and other waste sources. Vegetable oils encompass a wide range of oils such as rapeseed, palm, soybean, sunflower, and corn oil, each contributing unique properties to the biodiesel produced. Animal fats consist of materials like tallow, lard, and poultry fat, offering alternative sources for biodiesel production. Additionally, other waste sources like used cooking oil, grease, and algae present innovative avenues for sustainable biodiesel production. The choice of feedstock type significantly impacts the quality, cost, availability, and sustainability of biodiesel, thereby influencing market dynamics and consumer preferences. Application Type Segmentation This segment divides the biodiesel market according to the specific end uses or purposes of biodiesel. Primarily, applications are categorized into transport and other miscellaneous uses. Within transport, biodiesel finds applications in automotive, aviation, marine, and rail sectors, each with distinct performance requirements and regulatory frameworks. Meanwhile, other uses encompass diverse sectors such as power generation, heating, and industrial processes, reflecting the versatility of biodiesel beyond transportation. The application type plays a pivotal role in determining demand patterns, performance characteristics, and regulatory considerations governing biodiesel usage across various sectors. Region Segmentation This segment delineates the biodiesel market based on geographical regions encompassing production, consumption, and trade activities. Major regions include North America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), South America, and Asia-Pacific, each exhibiting unique market dynamics shaped by regional policies, technologies, and growth trends. The regional factor significantly influences market size, growth trajectories, policy landscapes, and technological advancements within the biodiesel industry, reflecting the diverse socio-economic and environmental contexts across different global regions. This report on the Biodiesel Feedstocks Technologies, Synthesis, Efficiency and Policies provides comprehensive insights and analysis, addressing the following key questions: 1. What is the projected market size and growth rate of the market? The global biodiesel market is expected to grow from $46.3 billion in 2022 to $51.6 billion in 2028. The market is expected to witness a CAGR of 3.7% from 2023 to 2028. 2. What are the key factors driving the growth of the market? Increasing Demand for Low-Carbon Intensive Feedstock. Government policies and incentives. 3. What segments are covered in the market? This BCC Research report studies the developments in the biodiesel market worldwide. It analyzes the type of feedstock used in the market and their future scope, analyzing three feedstock: vegetable oil, animal fat, and other wastes. An analysis of major geographical markets, North America, EMEA, South America, and Asia-Pacific, is also provided. Each segment evaluation includes market size estimates for biodiesel and a forecast for 2028. 4. By feedstock type, which segment will dominate the market by the end of 2028? The vegetable oil sector will dominate by the end of 2028 because of well-established technology and easy feedstock access. 5. Which region has the highest market share in the market? In 2022, the EMEA had the highest market share, followed by North America and Asia-Pacific. Transport sectors' growing demand, stringent biofuel policies, and incentives derived the market. Some of the Key Market Players Are: AG PROCESSING INC. ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND CO. (ADM) ARGENT ENERGY AVRIL GROUP CARGILL INC. CHEVRON RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP ENI S.P.A. HF SINCLAIR CORP. NESTE OYJ POET LLC. Browse More Related Reports: Algae Biofuel: Global Markets: This report comprehensively covers the global algae biofuel industry, offering definitive estimates and forecasts of worldwide markets from 2022 to 2027. Through meticulous analysis of various regions, countries, and applications, it provides insights into the present scenario and growth prospects of the market. Leveraging data from R&D, pilot stage, and industrial-scale production, market size calculations are based on capacity and expansion plans, augmented by extensive literature research. The competitive landscape is outlined, showcasing detailed profiles of key players. Moreover, the report delves into market dynamics, including drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges, while also examining emerging trends and their impacts. Notably, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have cast negative economic shadows on the market, with 2020 witnessing an assumed downturn across segments. However, amidst these challenges, burgeoning economies such as India, Malaysia, and Indonesia are emerging as lucrative markets, drawing significant investments and fostering heightened consumer spending in the algae biofuel sector. Biofuels: Global Markets: The BCC Research report offers a comprehensive overview of the biofuel industry, covering various types of biofuels, manufacturing methods, feedstock options, plant costs, and operating margins. It provides detailed analyses of major geographical markets including North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East, with market size estimates and growth forecasts up to 2028 for ethanol, biodiesel, and other fuel types sales. Additionally, the report examines technical and commercial developments in advanced biofuels and emerging technologies within the sector. A thorough assessment of the competitive landscape of the global biofuel market is provided, along with discussions on emerging technologies and company profiles of key players in the industry. Directly Purchase a copy of the report with BCC Research. For further information or to make a purchase, please get in touch with info@bccresearch.com. About BCC Research BCC Research provides objective, unbiased measurement and assessment of market opportunities with detailed market research reports. Our experienced industry analysts' goal is to help you make informed business decisions, free of noise and hype. Contact Us Corporate HQ: BCC Research LLC, 49 Walnut Park, Building 2, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA Email: info@bccresearch.com, Phone: +1 781-489-7301 For media inquiries, email press@bccresearch.com or visit our media page for access to our market research library. Data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC as the source and publisher. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2183242/BCC_Research_Logo.jpg Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bcc-research-presents-biodiesel-feedstocks---a-global-market-analysis-302065017.html SOURCE BCC Research LLC BEIJING, February 19, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd. ("Biocytogen", HKEX: 02315) today announces an antibody evaluation and option agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. The agreement provides Gilead access to Biocytogens extensive fully human antibody library generated against a wide range of therapeutic targets. Over a three-year nomination period, Gilead will nominate targets of interest and evaluate the corresponding antibodies, with the option to acquire selected antibodies for worldwide therapeutic development. Under the terms of the agreement, Biocytogen will receive a payment to enable Gileads evaluation of certain antibodies directed to a given nominated target. Biocytogen is eligible to receive option exercise fees along with development, regulatory and sales milestone payments for each selected antibody against the nominated targets, as well as single-digit royalties on net sales. Dr. Yuelei Shen, President and CEO of Biocytogen, said, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Gilead, a partner renowned for their drug development and commercialization expertise. Our extensive library of RenMice-derived, fully human antibodies could serve as an important resource for Gilead to accelerate development of multiple novel antibody-based therapeutics to treat a variety of diseases. We are committed to supporting Gilead as well as our other partners in their drug development endeavors to benefit patients." About Biocytogens Fully Human Antibody Library Biocytogens antibody library was generated using a series of proprietary RenMice platforms, which were genetically engineered to accelerate the development of novel antibody-based therapeutics. RenMabTM mice carry the entire human antibody variable region repertoire, and can generate fully human antibodies with high diversity, low immunogenicity, outstanding specificity and affinity, and exhibit excellent developability properties. Second-generation RenLite and RenNano models, which generate common light chain antibodies and heavy-chain-only antibodies, respectively, further facilitate generation of fully human multi-specific antibodies or nanobodies. RenMice have also been engineered to lack specific drug targets; these targeted knockout platforms can generate antibodies with enhanced sequence and epitope diversity. This platform increases the likelihood of discovering novel species cross-reactive antibodies to facilitate downstream in vivo screening and identification of differentiated antibody candidates. A library featuring available antibody sequences along with characterization data is ready for immediate evaluation and partnership opportunities. Story continues About Biocytogen Biocytogen (HKEX: 02315) is a global biotechnology company that drives the research and development of novel antibody-based drugs with innovative technologies. Founded on gene editing technology, Biocytogen leverages genetically engineered proprietary RenMice (RenMabTM/RenLite/RenNano/RenTCR-mimicTM) platforms for fully human monoclonal/bispecific/multispecific antibody discovery, bispecific antibody-drug conjugate discovery, nanobody discovery and TCR-mimic antibody discovery, and has established an off-the-shelf library of >400,000 fully human antibody sequences against approximately 1000 targets for worldwide collaboration. As of June 30, 2023, 50 therapeutic antibody and multiple clinical asset co-development/out-licensing/transfer agreements and 42 target-nominated RenMice licensing projects have been established around the globe, including several partnerships with multinational pharmaceutical companies (MNCs). Biocytogen pioneered the generation of drug target knock-in humanized models for preclinical research, and currently provides a few thousand off-the-shelf animal and cell models under the companys sub-brand, BioMiceTM, along with preclinical pharmacology and gene-editing services for clients worldwide. Headquartered in Beijing, Biocytogen has branches in China (Haimen Jiangsu, Shanghai), USA (Boston, San Francisco), and Germany (Heidelberg). For more information, please visit http://en.biocytogen.com.cn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240212800632/en/ Contacts Biocytogen Antibody assets and platforms: BD-Licensing@biocytogen.com Media: pr@bbctg.com.cn EFP to Join Bonas Network of 16 Subsidiaries Across the Globe MALMO, Sweden, February 19, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bona, a global, sustainably-driven company that supplies products for installing, renovating, maintaining, and restoring premium floors, has announced the acquisition of Ezi Floor Products (VIC) Pty Ltd (EFP), a distributor based in Melbourne, Australia. EFP, which has been the exclusive importer and national distributor of Bona products in Australia for over 20 years, will now be a Bona subsidiary. "EFP has long been a trusted timber floor products supplier in Australia with decades of experience in supporting contractors and homeowners," said Magnus Andersson, CEO, Bona. "We welcome EFP into the Bona family and look forward to growing our presence in Australia." EFP was founded in 1994 in Adelaide, South Australia and opened a second location in Melbourne, Victoria in early 2000. Upon opening the second location, EFP became the exclusive distributor of Bona products. Over the past 24 years it has earned a market leading position with a network of more than 25 trade distributors and 500 retailers. "This is an exciting evolution for us at EFP," said Chris Heaney, Managing Director, EFP. "As an exclusive distributor of Bona products for more than two decades and a family company, we look forward to being part of the Bona family and joining the Bona Global Network. We expect to increase our product offerings across Australia and develop new avenues of business such as eCommerce as well as expansion of our contractor network." With this agreement, EFP becomes part of the Bona Global Network as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bona AB. By joining Bona, EFP will have access to the resources, expertise and investments needed to grow in new channels and business segments. It also solidifies Bonas long-term commitment to the Australian market. "With EFP joining Bona, we increase our footprint while securing our position for future long-term growth in Australia and also in the total APAC region," said Elin Rodenstam, Senior Vice President, Commercial EMEA and APAC, Bona. "We look forward to even stronger success and growth with customers and our team in Australia." Story continues The acquisition of EFP was formalized in February 2024 and will take effect immediately. With this acquisition, Bona now has 17 subsidiaries across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. About Bona Bona is a family-owned, sustainably driven company that supplies products for installing, renovating, maintaining, and restoring premium floors. Founded in 1919, Bona was the first in the industry to offer a full system of waterborne hardwood floor finishing and floor care products. Today, Bona offers products for most premium floor surfaces including wood, tile, vinyl, resilient, rubber and laminate. Bonas turnover is 3.8bn SEK (EUR 341 million) in 2022. The head office is in Malmo, Sweden, and the company is represented globally by its 17 subsidiaries, 70 distributors, 4 production sites and 700 employees. For more visit www.bona.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240218742975/en/ Contacts Heather Lindemann | Bona +1 (800) 872-5515 heather.lindemann@bona.com Key Insights Tourism Holdings' estimated fair value is NZ$3.94 based on Dividend Discount Model With NZ$3.57 share price, Tourism Holdings appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value Analyst price target for THL is NZ$4.81, which is 22% above our fair value estimate In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Tourism Holdings Limited (NZSE:THL) 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. 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 Tourism Holdings The Model We have to calculate the value of Tourism Holdings slightly differently to other stocks because it is a transportation 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 2.6%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.6%. Compared to the current share price of NZ$3.6, the company appears about fair value at a 9.4% 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) = NZ$0.2 / (7.6% 2.6%) = NZ$3.9 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 Tourism Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.100. 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 Tourism Holdings Strength Debt is well covered by earnings. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Transportation market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the New Zealander market. Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows. Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year. Looking Ahead: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Tourism Holdings, we've compiled three important factors you should consider: Risks: We feel that you should assess the 3 warning signs for Tourism Holdings (1 is a bit unpleasant!) we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does THL'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 New Zealander stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. This California nurse made over $100K last year but says 'having a decent job doesn't get you anywhere.' Now she's living with her dad, in what is becoming a common arrangement in America If you made a $100,000 annual salary, youd probably be pretty happy, right? Well, that might not be the case if youre living in California. A registered nurse named Winter posted a TikTok video in which she expressed her frustration with how little her more than $100,000 income gets her in the Golden State. In fact, shes found it so difficult to afford life right now that she cant live on her own and is moving back in with her dad. Don't miss She's not alone, either: according to an analysis from the Pew Research Center, 59% of American parents with adult kids between the ages of 18 and 34 admitted to offering them financial help in the past year. Having a decent job doesnt get you anywhere, Winter lamented. But is that true or does she just need to get out of California? The blue state migration Winter isnt the only person frustrated with California living. Theres been a huge migration out of blue states, like California and New York, and toward red states, like Florida and Texas. The population in the South saw 706,266 people move there via net domestic migration, according to a recent report from the Census Bureau. In fact, southern states accounted for roughly 87% of the nations growth last year, adding more than 1.4 million residents to its total population. By comparison, California saw a particularly steep population decline in 2023: it lost 75,423 residents. Personal finance celebrity Grant Cardone said that this is because blue states tax rates are too high particularly for those making good money. Story continues Winter herself complained about the taxes in her video. Her more than $100,000 a year income means she needs to pay 9.3% in taxes, according to the 2023 State of California Franchise Tax Board. Millionaires are required to pay even more money to the state. Those who earn more than $1.3 million need to pay 12.3% in taxes. This is a big reason why people are drawn to red states like Texas and Florida: they dont charge state income taxes. With the rising cost of living, saving money on taxes is tempting many people to consider uprooting to another state. Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now use $100 to cash in on prime real estate without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how California housing is unaffordable Taxes aside, Winter also complained that she cant afford anything particularly housing. Shes even moving back in with her father, despite her salary. Lots of young people feel this way. Theyre looking to the South and the Midwest for homes, which are significantly more affordable than the ones in California. A recent study from Point2 said that the Golden State has seven of the 10 most difficult cities for Gen Z to buy a home in, including Fremont, San Diego and Los Angeles. However, the same study noted that places like Fort Wayne, Ind., Corpus Christi, Texas, and Detroit, Mich., are much more affordable for young people starting out. This is because the home prices in these cities are significantly less than in California. A home in Detroit still costs three times a typical Gen Zs salary, but a home in Fremont or Los Angeles costs almost 23 times that of a youngsters average earnings. Winter isnt the only one who has had to move back home, despite her solid salary. Several other TikTokers have explained how hard it is to even move out in the first place. One Gen X mom even made a video where she empathized with her kids, who are in their mid- to late-20s and still live with her. Its tough out there right now but especially in California. It may be time to consider a move if you can swing it. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. China and Spain have agreed to provide a "fair, just and non-discriminatory" business environment for each other, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said, amid growing calls in Europe to de-risk from Beijing. In a joint press conference with Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares in Cordoba on Sunday, Wang also said China had agreed to lift a 24-year-old ban on imports of beef from Spain, calling it "good news, especially for Spanish farmers". The ban was imposed on beef products from the European Union in 2000 after several cases of mad cow disease - or bovine spongiform encephalopathy - were found in some EU member states. 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. Albares said the impact of the move would be "extraordinarily positive". "This is a measure which we have long been asking for and which benefits the entire countryside," Albares said, according to Agence France-Presse. "It is hard to find a market like the Chinese market." Wang, who travelled to the southern Spanish city of Cordoba on Sunday after attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany, said China welcomed "more high-quality products" from Spain. "China and Spain agreed to expand cooperation in new areas - such as electric vehicles, green energy, the digital economy - and to provide each other's enterprises with a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment ... to help transform and upgrade our respective economies," Wang said, according to a Chinese readout released on Monday. He said they would also step up efforts to improve cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and that Beijing had agreed to send a pair of pandas to Spain after five pandas currently in Madrid are returned to China. Story continues According to the Chinese readout, Wang said Beijing was ready to work with Madrid "to coordinate closely ... and propose more effective solutions to promote the political settlement of hotspot issues", without elaborating. The AFP report quoted Albares as saying they had "agreed to support the solution of the two states: Palestinian and Israeli" to end the conflict in Gaza. "I have expressed my serious concern about the critical situation in Rafah, the need to achieve an immediate ceasefire, to continue supporting UNRWA more than ever and the indispensable work it does with refugees," Albares said, referring to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Wang, who last visited Spain six years ago, was expected to meet Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday before heading to France. It is Beijing's latest diplomatic charm offensive as it seeks to portray itself as a reliable partner to Europe, where there is a push to reduce economic dependence on China. Wang Yi meets German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Munich on Saturday. Photo: via Reuters alt=Wang Yi meets German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Munich on Saturday. Photo: via Reuters> In talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Munich on Saturday, Wang called for the two nations to "work together to provide more stability and certainty for the world". "The two sides should remove interference, continue to adhere to openness and free trade, give full play to the role of economic and trade cooperation as a 'ballast stone', and provide a predictable policy environment for this," he said, according to a Chinese readout released on Sunday. Scholz, who is reportedly planning to visit China in April, said Berlin was against protectionism and decoupling and that it was willing to provide a "quality business environment to other countries' enterprises in Germany". "The current international situation is facing a difficult time, and Germany is willing to work with China to play an active role in maintaining peace and stability," Scholz said, according to the Chinese readout. Wang also held talks on Saturday with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, who called for more cooperation "in areas of common interest". "Germany is willing to work with China to ... carry out consultations on regional affairs, and strengthen cooperation in addressing climate change and smooth international trade routes," Baerbock said. Wang Yi also met his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock in Munich. Photo: dpa alt=Wang Yi also met his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock in Munich. Photo: dpa> It comes at a time of strained relations between China and Germany - the world's second and third largest economies, respectively. The Scholz government in July unveiled its first ever China strategy, which labelled the country as a "systemic rival", echoing the European Union's language that China was "an economic competitor and a systemic rival". It also urged German companies and investors to de-risk their economic dependence on China, the country's single largest trading partner. The new policy also raised concerns over what Foreign Minister Baerbock called "unfair competition" from China, and called for a "level playing field" for German and Chinese businesses. Beijing has rejected calls in the West to reduce dependency on China, with Premier Li Qiang in June saying it was a "forced proposition". But despite concerns over geopolitical tensions and the Chinese economy - and pressure from Chinese rivals in industries once dominated by Germany like carmaking - German investment in China actually increased last year. German direct investment in China rose by 4.3 per cent to a record 11.9 billion (US$12.8 billion) in 2023, according to a report by the German Economic Institute based on data from the Bundesbank. It concluded there was "no trend" of diversification away from China. China was also Germany's most important trading partner in 2023 for the eighth consecutive year, with goods worth 253.1 billion traded between the two countries, according to official German data. 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. BEIJING (Reuters) -China's BYD plans to launch a number of "high-end luxury" models from this year, it said in Hong Kong stock market filing. The Shenzhen-based company will also formulate a "reasonable and feasible" plan to buy back more shares, it said in Sunday's filing. Last December, BYD said that Chairman Wang Chuanfu proposed the company would buy back 200 million yuan ($27.8 million) worth of its A-shares. BYD's Shenzhen-listed shares closed up 1.3% on Monday after stock trade resumed following the Lunar New Year holidays, while its Hong Kong-listed shares slipped 1.9%. ($1 = 7.1978 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Liz Lee, Ethan Wang and Shanghai newsroom Editing by Mark Potter) The total trade volume between Iran and India amounted to $1.836 bln in 2023, India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement, Azernews reports. The trade turnover between the two countries decreased by 26 percent compared to the previous year, when the figure stood at $2.499 bln in 2022. According to the Ministry, Iran exported $699 mln worth of goods to India in the last year and there was no significant change compared to 2022. In 2023, petroleum products were the main commodity imported by India from Iran, with India importing such products worth $221 mln this year. This is an increase of 26 percent over the previous year. Raw materials for dyes and various fruits were also among the largest exports from Iran to India in 2023. Exports of goods from India to Iran for January-December 2023 decreased by 35 percent to $1.187 bln. In the previous year, exports from India to Iran amounted to $1.847 bln. Rice was the major export product from India to Iran in 2023. Rice exports from India to Iran declined 34 percent in 2023, from $1.98 bln in 2022 to $723 mln. (Bloomberg) -- eHi Car Services Ltd., a Shanghai-based car rental company, is considering a return to the US capital market with an initial public offering that may raise about $300 million as soon as this year, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg The company, which was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange in 2019 after a $850 million take-private deal, is working with China International Capital Corp., Deutsche Bank AG, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and UBS Group AG on the potential share sale, said the people. eHi may file confidentially for the listing once it clears regulatory approvals in China, the people said. Deliberations are at an early stage and details such as size and timeline may still change, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. Representatives for CICC, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan and UBS declined to comment, while eHi didnt respond to requests for comment. eHis dollar bond due September 2026 erased earlier losses on Monday following the Bloomberg News report, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The note gained by 2.5 cents on the dollar to 80.8 cents as of 3:24pm in Hong Kong, heading for the highest level since March 2022. A listing would mark a rare return of a Chinese company to the US capital market. Amid tensions between Beijing and Washington during the Trump administration, some US-traded Chinese firms such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Baidu Inc. sought second listings in Hong Kong as a hedge against delisting risks. Some decided to just delist from the US exchanges. Founded in 2006, eHi offers car rentals and chauffeur services in China, operating in more than 500 cities with over 80,000 vehicles, according to its website. The company raised $120 million in a US IPO in November 2014. Story continues A consortium led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ray Zhang bought out eHi shareholders in 2019. Private equity firms including Baring Private Equity Asia Ltd., MBK Partners Ltd. and Ocean Link Partners Ltd. also participated in the consortium. eHi then considered an IPO in Hong Kong aiming to raise about $1 billion, Bloomberg News reported in 2021. --With assistance from Qingqi She. (Adds eHis bond moves in fouth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Chinas infant milk formula market is expected to stabilize over the long term despite the countrys falling birth rate and sluggish economic recovery, according to New Zealand supplier a2 Milk Ltd. Most Read from Bloomberg The company still sees Chinas market for infant milk formula as its biggest growth opportunity, Chief Executive Officer David Bortolussi said in an interview on Monday. He was speaking after the company posted a 16% increase in net income for the first half. While Bortolussi said a2 Milk was now in Chinas top five brands for infant formula, just 9.02 million babies were born in China last year the lowest since the founding of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949. The accelerating demographic shift comes as the country struggles with a slowing economy. Its going to take longer for the market to recover than initially expected due to the cumulative impact of less newborns, Bortolussi said. On top of that, weve got pretty challenging macroeconomic conditions and somewhat of a trading down environment in consumer goods overall. Since late October, a2 has grown its market share of Chinese and English label infant formula in the country from 4.9% to 6.4%. The growth has been ahead of expectations despite births falling faster than initially expected, a2 said. Chinas falling birth rate is showing early signs of stabilizing, according to a2, and it expects births to increase over the next year as the impact of the pandemic fades and marriages increase. Historically, more babies also tend to be born in the Year of the Dragon, Bortolussi said. Both the companys Wellington- and Sydney-listed shares jumped as much as 17% after the earnings announcement on Monday. Story continues Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. As China grapples with the fallout from a $7 trillion stock decline, officials are gearing up to brief President Xi Jinping on measures to stabilize the market. This move signifies Beijings urgency to restore investor confidence and halt the markets slide, which has erased a significant value from Hong Kong and China equities since their 2021 peaks. The Shanghai Composite Index, for example, is down over 21% from its high in December 2021. The downturn has been attributed to a variety of factors, including regulatory crackdowns, geopolitical tensions, real estate defaults and internal economic pressures, prompting a call for decisive action to prevent further damage to consumer confidence, especially as the country approached the Lunar New Year holiday. Don't Miss: This startup is accepting investors for as little as 25 cents whats the catch? This Los Angeles startup is closing a real estate market gap worth hundreds of billions and you can invest in it with as little as $100. Chinas real estate sector has been grappling with significant challenges, culminating in a crisis that has reverberated through the countrys economy. The crisis was highlighted by the downfall of China Evergrande, Group one of Chinas largest property developers, which became emblematic of the broader issues plaguing the sector. Evergrandes aggressive expansion, characterized by a rapid acquisition of land and significant borrowing, eventually led to its financial distress. This situation underscored the broader vulnerabilities within Chinas real estate market, including high levels of debt, a slowdown in property sales and regulatory changes aimed at curbing speculative investments. The crisis has had wide-ranging implications, not only for property developers but also for the Chinese economy as a whole. The real estate sector, a critical engine of economic growth in China, has faced $125 billion in bond defaults between 2020 and 2023. This slump has contributed to layoffs, financial instability and a dampening effect on Chinas post-pandemic economic recovery. Story continues Trending: This startup in the climate tech industry could unlock the riches flowing 30 feet above your head. Chinas economic challenges are multifaceted, stemming from a post-COVID recovery that has fallen short of expectations. Despite hopes that the end of stringent COVID-19 restrictions would rejuvenate consumer spending, foreign investment and manufacturing, the reality has been starkly different. Consumers are saving more than spending, foreign firms are withdrawing investments, and the property sector, along with local government finances, has been severely impacted. These developments raise doubts about the sustainability of Chinas growth model, which has long been driven by construction and investment over consumption. The leaderships response has been to pledge a boost in domestic demand and economic recovery for 2024, with a focus on supporting the economy through more stimulus measures. Yet, the effectiveness of these initiatives remains to be seen, as previous measures have underwhelmed market expectations and investor confidence. The government is advocating for a proactive fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy, aiming to enhance economic vitality and address the risks and imbalances plaguing the economy. Nonetheless, the path to a sustainable recovery appears complex, with challenges such as managing high levels of debt, stimulating consumption and navigating geopolitical tensions. In the face of these challenges, Chinas efforts to communicate its strategies and reassure both the domestic and international communities have encountered skepticism. Analysts highlight a growing disconnect between official optimism and the realities faced by businesses and consumers. This gap underscores the need for more transparent and effective policy communication to restore confidence in Chinas economic direction and stability. Investor confidence is wavering amid this uncertainty, exacerbated by Xi's centralized control over economic policy, which has slowed decision-making and policy communication. The stock market has felt the impact, with significant value lost since 2021. Despite attempts by the central bank to inject liquidity, these measures have yet to convince markets of a turnaround. The policy response has been criticized for being too late or insufficiently robust to alter the negative economic trajectory. Read Next: The political landscape under Xi's leadership has shifted toward more centralized decision-making, with an emphasis on stability and common prosperity. However, this approach has led to challenges in addressing Chinas economic complexities, including an over-indebted property sector and murky financial systems. Moreover, Xis regulatory crackdowns across various industries have rattled investors and raised concerns about the legal environment for foreign businesses. Despite the establishment of the National Financial Regulatory Administration aimed at addressing regulatory gaps, investor apprehension persists. As China navigates these turbulent waters, the focus shifts to finding new drivers of economic growth. While the electric vehicle and green energy sectors have shown promise, the semiconductor industry and other high-tech areas face hurdles, including U.S. sanctions and internal inefficiencies. Beijings industrial policy, aiming to shift away from traditional growth engines like property and exports, underscores a strategic pivot toward innovation-driven development. However, the success of these measures in rejuvenating the economy and restoring investor confidence remains to be seen. The situation underscores a critical juncture for Chinas economy, with implications for global markets and industries reliant on Chinese growth. As Beijing contemplates its next steps, the world watches closely to see how one of the largest economies navigates these turbulent times, striving to balance growth, stability, and reform in an increasingly uncertain global landscape. "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Chinese President Xi Jinping Grappling With $7 Trillion Downturn As Country's Debt Levels Soar, Real Estate Collapses And Markets Pull Back Over 21% From 2021 Highs originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Part of Abu Dhabi's Hub71, The Cloud secures $12 million in Series B funding, with MENA Moonshots among the new investors, reflecting broad market confidence Strategic acquisition of KBOX adds 200 locations in the UK to The Cloud's global portfolio, purchased for an undisclosed amount, signaling a strategic move into the European market with expansion planned in the UK, Lithuania, Belgium, and the Netherlands Founder & Chairman Georges Karam, alongside strategic investors, positions The Cloud as a disruptor in the food tech sector, aiming for a dual listing in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh by 2027 with a target of 8,000 locations DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cloud, a Hub71 food tech startup, has announced the successful first close of its $12 million Series B funding round out of a total $30 million it is raising. The funding round saw participation from a new investor, MENA Moonshots, showcasing confidence in The Cloud's ambitions to innovate and expand. Georges Karam, Founder & Chairman of The Cloud This milestone, coupled with debt financing from Aluna Partners, and the strategic acquisition of the UK-based food tech startup KBOX, marks a significant stride for The Cloud, founded by Georges Karam, towards redefining the virtual dining landscape in the GCC and Europe. With a vision deeply rooted in leveraging in-house technology to disrupt the food industry, The Cloud's acquisition of KBOX strategically expands its global footprint by 200 locations in the UK. This move underlines the company's commitment to driving innovation and asserting leadership in the food tech sector, setting the stage for rapid expansion across the UK and other strategic European markets such as Lithuania, Belgium, and Netherlands. The Series B funding, a balanced mix of equity and debt, is a testament to The Cloud's business model and its vision. Having initially raised $10 million in the Series A funding, this round brings The Cloud's total funds raised to $22 million, which highlights the company's capacity to attract strategic partners like MENA Moonshots. The investments extend beyond capital, providing invaluable expertise and access to networks as The Cloud ambitiously eyes new markets and innovative dining solutions. Story continues Georges Karam, Founder & Chairman of The Cloud, shared his enthusiasm for the new developments, stating: "Our Series B funding and the acquisition of KBOX cement our role as disruptors in the global food tech sector. With a cumulative $22 million raised to date, we're not only eyeing new markets but are set on increasing our market share in existing territories. Our in-house developed technology and strategy for further acquisitions underscore our belief in the industry's consolidation and our commitment to scaling strong homegrown brands internationally. Looking forward, we continue to actively eye more strategic acquisitions while also seeking to raise further capital." Stefano Sciacca, Managing Director at Aluna Partners, said, "The online food delivery market is a mega trend that is here to stay. We believe that The Cloud will gain significant market share in the UK market through the acquisition of KBOX. Having looked at many food tech business models, we believe The Cloud is emerging as a global market leader and are excited to support such a fast-growing venture." The additional capital from the Series B funding will be instrumental in accelerating growth, with a significant portion earmarked for international expansion, enhancing operational capabilities, and further developing The Cloud's proprietary technology platform. With a presence in 7 countries and 91 cities, and ambitions to reach 8,000 locations by the end of 2027, The Cloud is on track for a dual listing in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, marking a new era of growth for the virtual chain in the EMEA region. As the company advances on this growth trajectory, it remains committed to its mission of transforming the global dining experience, empowering restaurateurs, and setting new benchmarks for quality and innovation in the food tech industry. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2342500/The_Cloud.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2342501/The_Cloud_2.jpg The Cloud Leadership & Team Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-cloud-secures-12-million-in-series-b-funding-acquires-leading-uk-food-tech-startup-kbox-aiming-for-expansion-in-europe-302064949.html Teamsters Canada Both companies have started the legal process towards a work stoppage. The earliest a strike or lockout can legally occur is now May. MONTREAL, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) are not serious about negotiating and avoiding a work stoppage, says the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), the union representing workers at both companies. CN and CPKC are currently in negotiations with the Teamsters to renew three collective agreements affecting approximately 9300 workers at both companies. CN and CPKC aim to eliminate all safety-critical rest provisions from our collective agreements. These provisions are necessary to combat crew fatigue and ensure public safety. We want to reach a negotiated settlement, but their demands are non-starters for the Teamsters. Safety is non-negotiable, said the national president of Teamsters Canada, Francois Laporte. Canadian railroads dont care about supply chains, farmers, or small businesses. They care about their bottom line, and squeezing everything they can out of their employees. If they need to manufacture a work stoppage to get there, they wont think twice, added the president of the TCRC, Paul Boucher. Railroaders are on-call workers with highly irregular schedules, making it difficult to rest appropriately between shifts. The current collective agreements provide rest provisions that work in conjunction with the existing regulatory framework, allowing workers to better manage their fatigue. Negotiations on hold as work stoppage looms On Friday, both CN and CPKC filed a notice of dispute with the Government of Canada, effectively putting negotiations on hold until government mediators can be appointed. The notice of dispute also starts the legal process towards a possible strike or lockout. Under the Canada Labour Code, a work stoppage could occur as soon as 81 days after government mediators are appointed, potentially leading to a dispute as early as May. Story continues At CN, the Teamsters represent close to 6000 conductors, locomotive engineers, and yard workers under a single contract. A strike previously occurred in 2019 over the issue of fatigue and rail safety. At CPKC, the Teamsters represent close to 3200 conductors, locomotive engineers, and yard workers under a single contract. The union also represents approximately 90 rail traffic controllers, under a separate contract also being renewed. A work stoppage in 2022 triggered wide-ranging and severe supply chain issues. In 2023, CPKC was found in contempt of court after repeatedly violating the collective agreements rest provisions. At over 135,000 members, Teamsters Canada is the countrys largest transportation and supply chain union. Its also the largest union in the federally regulated private sector. The organization represents workers at CP, CN, UPS, Purolator, countless trucking companies, and more. They are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents over 1.2 million workers in North America. Media requests: Christopher Monette Director of Public Affairs, Teamsters Canada Cell: 514-226-6002 cmonette@teamsters.ca Cans of Coca-Cola Spiced, the beverage company's first new permanent offering to its North American portfolio in three years, are introduced at a livestream media event, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in New York. For the first time in three years, Coke has a new flavor: Coca-Cola Spiced. Spiced comes in both regular and no-sugar varieties, Coke said in its announcement of the new product earlier this month. "It's Coca Cola with a twist," Oana Vlad, global brand senior director at Coca-Cola, said at the launch event for the flavor in Manhattan. She said that the new flavor is "a refreshing version of raspberry" combined with "our iconic Coca-Cola formula and then it really ends with warm spice." The new flavor joins Coke's existing line-up of flavors, including classic Coke, Coke Vanilla and Cherry Vanilla. The new offering is "Cokes boldest tasting brand innovation yet," says the company about the new flavor, adding that the drink is not necessarily spicy but provides an "uplifting taste experience unlike any other." When does Coca-Cola Spiced come out? Coca-Cola Spiced and Coca-Cola Spiced Zero will be hitting shelves at retailers across the country on Monday, Feb. 19. Cans of Coca-Cola Spiced, the beverage company's first new permanent offering to its North American portfolio in three years, are introduced at a livestream media event, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in New York. What does Coke Spiced taste like? That's hard to say, outside of Coke saying raspberry is in the drink. Though Coke says the beverages will have an aromatic blend of spices, the company hasn't revealed what spices have been included in the drink. 'People want to experiment with unique flavors' The new addition is part of Coke's focus on innovation in their brand strategy, Sue Lynne Cha, vice president of marking, told USA TODAY. "We're constantly looking at industry trends and exploring new ways to offer our customers more choice," she said. "People want to experiment with unique flavors and Coke Spiced is a direct response to that trend." The new flavor was developed in just seven weeks compared to the 12 months or more that it usually takes to develop a new product, Coca-Colas North American marketing chief Shakir Moin said at the media event in New York. He added that the company is "disrupting" the way they are working internally to better meet customer demand. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coca-Cola Spiced: Coke's 1st new flavor in 3 years is hitting shelves Global Market Insights Inc. Communication Platform as a Service Industry size is expected to register 25% CAGR between 2023 and 2032 propelled by the increasing adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Selbyville, Delaware, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Communication platform as a service market size is predicted to cross USD 95 million by 2032, as per a recent study by Global Market Insights Inc. The industry growth is attributed to the increasing demand for real-time and omnichannel communication solutions. As businesses strive to enhance customer engagement and communication experiences, CPaaS offers a versatile platform that integrates voice, messaging, and video capabilities. This flexibility enables organizations to connect with customers seamlessly across various channels, fostering better communication and relationship-building. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/7161 The shift towards cloud-based communication solutions allows businesses to scale their operations efficiently, reduce infrastructure costs, and enhance overall agility. In March 2023, Vonage, the cloud communications firm, launched AI-powered features for its Video API, addressing audio, media processing, and end-to-end encryption security. CPaaS leverages cloud infrastructure to provide a scalable and accessible platform, making it an attractive choice for organizations seeking to modernize their communication strategies without the burden of extensive hardware investments. Services for customizable & specialized communication solutions The communication platform as a service market share from service segment is slated to record high demand through 2032, as they help in delivering customizable and specialized communication solutions. Businesses are increasingly recognizing the need for tailored services that align with their unique requirements. The service range of offerings include APIs, messaging services, voice solutions, and more, allowing organizations to cherry-pick and integrate specific functionalities seamlessly. Moreover, the modular nature of service empowers companies to build and scale communication infrastructure according to their evolving needs, without committing to a comprehensive platform. Story continues CPaaS usage in transportation & logistics for real-time connectivity Global communication platform as a service market from transportation & Logistics segment is poised to grow at substantial rate during 2023-2032, due to the demands for real-time connectivity and streamlined communication. In this fast-paced industry, where efficiency and responsiveness are important, CPaaS solutions offer a transformative edge. The seamless integration of communication APIs and services allows companies to enhance their operational agility, optimize supply chain management, and provide instant updates to stakeholders. Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/7161 Stringent data protection regulations push Europe market growth Europe communication platform as a service market share will register a strong CAGR through 2032, driven by the increasing adoption of advanced communication technologies. Organizations are swiftly embracing CPaaS solutions to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration, particularly in a landscape where remote work and virtual interactions have become the standard. The stringent data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), have spurred the demand for secure and compliant communication solutions. CPaaS providers offering robust data security measures find increased traction as businesses prioritize compliance in their communication strategies. Some of the leading players in the global communication platform as a service market are Twilio, Google Cloud, Vonage, Microsoft Azure, Sinch, AWS, and Bandwidth. Browse Our Reports Store - GMIPulse @ https://www.gminsights.com/gmipulse About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology. CONTACT: Aashit Tiwari Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights Inc. Toll Free: +1-888-689-0688 USA: +1-302-846-7766 Europe: +44-742-759-8484 APAC: +65-3129-7718 Email: sales@gminsights.com Key Insights Kennedy-Wilson Holdings' estimated fair value is US$9.47 based on Dividend Discount Model Kennedy-Wilson Holdings' US$10.13 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate How far off is Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:KW) 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. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! 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 Kennedy-Wilson Holdings Step By Step Through The Calculation As Kennedy-Wilson Holdings operates in the real estate sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. 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. 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 2.3%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.5%. Relative to the current share price of US$10.1, 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. Story continues Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate) = US$1.0 / (8.5% 2.3%) = US$9.5 dcf The Assumptions Now 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 Kennedy-Wilson Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.357. 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 Kennedy-Wilson Holdings Strength Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market. Weakness Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Current share price is above our estimate of fair value. Opportunity Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Dividends are not covered by cash flow. Moving On: Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. 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 Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, we've put together three further elements you should look at: Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Kennedy-Wilson Holdings , and understanding these should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does KW'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. Opened in 1841 and almost completely destroyed by British bombs in 1944, the old Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich has seen its fair share of ghosts. Over the last weekend, however, it was haunted by the possibility of a different sort of spectre. Donald Trump, the former US president and presumptive Republican nominee for November's US election was not at the 60th Munich Security Conference but his absence loomed over it, percolating through tense conversations about Ukraine, Gaza and Europe's ability to provide for its own security. 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. On Friday, United States Vice-President Kamala Harris tried to reassure Europeans rattled by Trump's potential comeback and following his vow on February 10 that he would "encourage" Russia to attack members of Nato who had not met their financial obligations. "In these unsettled times, it is clear: America cannot retreat. America must stand strong for democracy. We must stand in defence of international rules and norms, and we must stand with our allies," Harris said. On Sunday, however, an alternative picture of the future was painted by J.D. Vance, a Republican Senator for Ohio, who said he "can't speak for Donald Trump ... but I think that [Trump] agrees with what I'm going to say". "I don't think we should pull out of Nato and no, I don't think we should abandon Europe. But yes, I think that we should pivot, the United States has to focus more on East Asia. That is going to be the future of American foreign policy for the next 40 years, and Europe has to wake up to that fact," Vance told the conference known as the "Davos of Defence". Against this backdrop, China fell down the summit's agenda and its officials were less visible than in previous years. Nonetheless, a sizeable Chinese delegation worked the margins at Munich, taking part in private and public events, looking to capitalise on Europe's horror at America's potential retreat from the continental theatre. Story continues "No matter how the world changes, China is a responsible major country [that] will keep its major principles and policies consistent and stable ... In a turbulent world China will be a force for stability," Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the audience on Saturday. While the speech was loaded with thinly-veiled barbs directed at the US and implied threats not to cross China's red line, Taiwan, observers thought it was softer in tone than that given by Wang a year earlier, owing to a relative thaw in bilateral ties. Wang Yi delivers a speech at the Bayerischer Hof hotel, the venue of the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC), on February 17. Photo: EPA-EFE alt=Wang Yi delivers a speech at the Bayerischer Hof hotel, the venue of the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC), on February 17. Photo: EPA-EFE> People in the room said that when Wang talked about "promoting China-US relations along the lines of mutual respect", his gaze was fixed on American officials in the audience. "We're at a moment where we see cooperation, competition and rivalry in different doses but all across the agendas," former Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez told the South China Morning Post on the sidelines of the event. "You can say on China's behaviour vis-a-vis Russia there was a bit of different tonality from Wang Yi here ... he did not talk about an unlimited partnership with Russia." Beijing sent three delegations to the Bavarian capital, sources said, one led by Wang, a second group of military officials and a third group of think tankers and academics spearheaded by Fu Ying, a former foreign vice-minister. In a diplomatic flurry, Wang met at least 10 foreign ministers, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ukraine's Dmytro Kuleba, and a number of world leaders, with Germany's Olaf Scholz and Serbia's Alexander Vucic among them. Behind closed doors, other Chinese delegates met and spoke alongside European academics and lawmakers who have been sanctioned by Beijing, and in some cases discussed ways in which the sanctions might be lifted. In a dimly lit room deep in the belly of the Bayerischer Hof, the state-backed Centre for China and Globalisation (CCG), a think tank, hosted a round table encouraging "Climate Cooperation in an Era of Great Power Politics". This discussion on how China, the EU and US can "embrace trilateral climate cooperation ... in the current tense geopolitical environment" was attended by a gaggle of Western officials and academics, including Germany's special envoy on climate Jennifer Morgan, and noted historians Niall Ferguson and Graham Allison. "I think the climate is probably the most common threat to mankind and I hope we can go beyond the geopolitical differences ... we have to work together," said Huiyao Wang, president of the CCG. Hildegard Bentele, a German member of the European Parliament who has previously spoken out against Europe's dependence on China for critical minerals, said she would "advocate at the European Union ... to go more actively for global cooperation, also with China". "I hope there will be more activities in international negotiations, and also on a permanent basis with China," Bentele said. Above ground though, things were a little testier. The co-chair of the German Social Democratic Party, Lars Klingbeil, became embroiled in a heated exchange with former diplomat Fu when warning Beijing not to attack Taiwan. "Attacking Taiwan will completely change our relationship with China, and we're absolutely clear on this," Klingbeil said. "You said Taiwan and Ukraine are different questions, and I would agree, but I think both are about the question: do we have a multilateral rules-based order?" he told Fu. "Is it normal to change borders with military action? That has to be a clear 'no', it's not OK to change borders by military action." His remarks earned a stern rebuke from Fu, who said: "I need to start by correcting Mr Klingbeil, between the mainland and Taiwan is not an international border." Foreign Minister Wang dismissed questions from a moderator on Taiwan and the South China Sea, laughing in his face when he asked if China would accept a "code of conduct" for the region. In private events too, discussions got heated over the self-governing island. In one instance, a prominent EU lawmaker became involved in a full-throated dispute with a Chinese academic over the issue, according to people present. On another sensitive subject, Fu was asked whether she knew the whereabouts of former foreign minister Qin Gang, who disappeared from public view in June before being stripped of his role. "Since you are from The Washington Post I guess you know him better than I do," Fu told the reporter. "And since you are a journalist I am sure you've heard the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson response, you don't need me to repeat it." China's close ties with Russia were a subtext to many of the conference's discussions. "In the conversations that I have had, geopolitics is absolutely front of mind. China is part of that, Russia is part of that ... I find that they are very nuanced in how the different global players are being seen," EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager told reporters on the sidelines of the event. Despite Wang's meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba, in which he vowed not to "sell lethal weapons" to either side in the war with Russia, China's relationship with Moscow was invoked as a red flag throughout the weekend. A series of European officials, including the commission president Ursula von der Leyen, warned that China was watching whether the West remained united on Ukraine. "All the other autocratic adversaries ... are watching very closely whether the democracies stand united," she said. As well as geopolitics, Gonzalez, the former Spanish foreign minister, said overcapacity in the Chinese economy was a major barrier to cooperation with China. "There is a space for everyone because we need to decarbonise the world, but if there's no fairness in the trading conditions, it will be done in an uncooperative manner, which will result in unilateral measures being taken to manage that," she said. "This is the message the EU has been sending to China, [do something about overcapacity] or we will have to use the instruments at our disposal to fight against what Europe perceived as unfair conditions." 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. (Bloomberg) -- European carbon fell below 55 a ton for the first time in more than two years as falling gas prices combine with mild weather and soaring renewable energy production to sap demand for permits to pollute. Most Read from Bloomberg Benchmark carbon futures have dropped 44% in the past 12 months. Its a decline that reverses years of expectations that the European Union carbon price could only rise as the bloc ramps up its climate goals. Carbon futures for December fell as much as 6.7% on Monday to 53.37 a ton on ICE Endex exchange, the lowest since August 2021. Power stations and industrial companies in Europe need a carbon permit for each ton of CO2 they release into the atmosphere. The price soared in recent years as the EU stepped up plans to effectively eliminate emissions by the middle of the century. But with the industrial slowdown following Europes energy crisis, demand for permits has been lower than previously anticipated. Carbons weakness is an echo of a broader softening of energy markets and continued pressure from investment fund positions extending their net shorts, said Marcus Ferdinand, chief analytics officer at Oslo-based Veyt. With the European Commission cutting the blocs growth forecasts, the prospect of an extended gloomy macroeconomic picture will likely continue to weigh on industry and, by extension, carbon. Some market players expect the decline to continue. Short positions by investment funds hit a record in data released last week and open interest for options that carbon will fall below 50 have soared this year to more than 10,000 lots, a level nearly 10 times as high as at the beginning of December. Story continues Veteran hedge fund manager Per Lekander told Bloomberg last week that the permits should be worth as little as 35 a ton. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Iran condemns U.S. Senate's approval of 14-bln-USD aid package for Israel Xinhua) 08:24, February 19, 2024 TEHRAN, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Sunday denounced the U.S. Senate for approving a 14-billion-U.S.-dollar aid package for Israel, which he said would enable more Israeli killings in the Gaza Strip. Kanaani made the comments on social media platform X, in response to the bill passed on Feb. 13 by the U.S. Senate for security assistance to Israel. He said the U.S. Senate's decision, funded by American taxpayers, showed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its government would receive 100 million dollars a day from the United States for "killing innocent Palestinian civilians." The U.S. Senate passed the bill by 70 votes to 29. It included 14 billion dollars in security assistance to Israel, among other things. The U.S. Senate's move has faced widespread criticism at home, with opponents saying the money could be spent on domestic needs rather than weapons, and expressing concern over the death toll in Gaza. It is unclear whether the bill will pass, as some conservative Republicans in the U.S. House have vowed to stop it. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Xian Jiangnan) The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced additional funding for a program to "secure Armenia's energy sector," Azernews reports. Another $5 million will be allocated to accelerate the implementation of projects in the field of electric power, which will reduce Armenia's dependence on Russian and Iranian natural gas, the document says. According to the document, the American agency's project in Armenia is implemented by Tetra Tech Company. After providing additional funding, its budget will amount to $15.7 million. "With the additional funding, Tetra Tech will provide technical assistance and other services to accelerate (the implementation of) key projects in the electricity sector that will increase the use of renewable energy sources and reduce Armenia's dependence on Russian and Iranian natural gas," the document says. By Can Sezer, Nevzat Devranoglu and Dmitry Zhdannikov ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A U.S. threat to hit financial firms doing business with Russia with sanctions has chilled Turkish-Russian trade, disrupting or slowing some payments for both imported oil and Turkish exports, according to seven sources familiar with the matter. The U.S. executive order in December did not explicitly target energy but it has complicated some Turkish payments for Russian crude as well as Russian payments for a broader range of Turkish exports, the sources said. U.S. sanctions aim to reduce the Kremlin's revenue and disrupt its war in Ukraine without choking Russian oil flows to global markets, to avoid a politically sensitive jump in U.S. gasoline prices with President Joe Biden seeking re-election in November. However, similar payment problems to those now faced by Turkey have already disrupted Russian oil supplies to India and complicated those to the United Arab Emirates and China, according to oil traders. Russia is the top crude and diesel exporter to energy-poor NATO member Turkey, supplying 8.9 million metric tons of crude and 9.4 million tons of diesel to its Black Sea neighbour in the 11 months to November. The emerging payment issues are due to Turkish banks reviewing business and tightening compliance with Russian clients, four of the sources said. They have not disrupted Turkey's crude supplies, delaying only a small number of cargoes, two oil industry sources said. A source with a Russian oil major said Russian oil exporters have not received payments from Turkey for two to three weeks. "It has become difficult to make some energy payments to Russia, especially after the new sanctions (threat) at the end of December. Some payments were disrupted," a Turkish source familiar with the payments issue said. "The originally agreed upon method had to be changed or the payment had to be postponed, but the shipment continued. There may be problems on a cargo-by-cargo basis," the source said. Story continues The industrial and financial sector sources discussed the payment and trade disruption under condition of anonymity given they are not authorised to speak about the sensitive matter. "Payment issues began after December. The focus is not on oil imports, but it is unsettling. It has not impacted day-to-day functioning but reminds us that a problem could arise any time," a Turkish oil industry source said. The Turkish Treasury declined to comment when asked about the issue. Turkey's banking watchdog BDDK did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ankara opposes Western sanctions on Moscow even as it has criticised Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago. It has managed to maintain close ties with both Moscow and Kyiv throughout the conflict. Though Ankara has said the sanctions will not be circumvented on Turkish soil, Washington ramped up pressure last year to halt the transit of dual-use goods that Russia could use on the battlefield, and has warned that Turkish banks and companies could be hit by secondary U.S. sanctions. "EXTREMELY METICULOUS" The disruption to Russian-Turkish payments began when Biden signed the executive order on Dec. 22 threatening firms helping Russia circumvent sanctions with the risk of losing assess to the U.S. financial system. Financial institutions doing business on behalf of those targeted by U.S. sanctions are at risk, the order said. On Feb. 1, the Kremlin said it was aware of Turkish banks tightening rules on Russian clients due to "aggressive" U.S. pressure, and that it was working with Turkey to find solutions. Russian Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina said on Friday that there were additional difficulties in foreign trade transactions related to settlements and logistics. One Turkish banker said banks carry out "extremely meticulous" procedures regarding sanctions, with compliance departments closely examining all transactions. "This issue is very sensitive and banks' compliance departments are on top of it," another banker said. A senior U.S. State Department official told Reuters it was encouraged by reports that Turkish banks are reviewing existing business and tightening their compliance programmes for Russian clients. "The President's Dec. 22 amendment to our Russia sanctions authority re-affirmed what we've said previously: that foreign financial institutions are responsible for ensuring they do not process transactions that benefit Russia's military or otherwise enable circumvention of our measures." "We have had extensive discussions with our Turkish partners over the last year. We will analyse January trade data once available and look forward to continuing those conversations," the official said. Initial data showed Turkish exports to Russia fell 39% year-on-year to $631 million in January, having increased 16.9% last year to $10.9 billion. Imports from Russia fell 20.2% in January to $4 billion, having dropped 22.5% in 2023 to $45.6 billion. Crude imports from Russia jumped more than two fold to 12 million tons in 2022. It supplied 8.9 million tons of oil to Turkey in Jan-Nov 2023, down 20% from the year before but still above the pre-war average. But much of the impact was on non-oil trade, sources said. "Exports of machinery, in particular, stopped simply because of the similarity with military equipment," the first source familiar with the issue said. "The real problem arises not with the payment that Turkey should make, but with the payment that Turkey will receive. This shows the high level of hesitation Turkish banks have towards sanctions," the source said. (Reporting by Can Sezer, Nevzat Devranoglu, Ebru Tuncay, Dmitry Zhdannikov, Jonathan Spicer, Daphne Psaledakis; Writing by Jonathan Spicer and Daren Butler; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) announced its full-year 2023 results earlier this month, and markets did not take kindly to developments in its earnings, with the stock dropping by 18% the day after earnings were announced. Management warned that the tailwinds in travel demand seen by the company so far in 2023 could be moderating globally in 2024, especially within air travel. But what really seems to have blindsided investors was news about Expedia's CEO, Peter Kern, stepping down from the company to be replaced by long-time veteran Ariane Gorin. While the news of executive succession could cast doubts over the strategic vision of Expedia, I think the stock now offers an attractive entry point given the recent developments after reviewing management commentary and the earnings report. Recap of Expedia's business pivot in the post-pandemic world Expedia is a travel technology company that operates some of the most-visited online travel properties in the world, such as the eponymous Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Vrbo and Trivago, to name a few. The company has made a few changes to the way it operates, diversifying its revenue collection models in a post-pandemic world driven by higher interest rates and uncertain macroeconomic outlooks. Most of the company's prior focus would be on an agency-based model where Expedia acted as an agent in the transaction between the traveler and the travel merchant without collecting any upfront fees. The company also operated a merchant-based model, where it facilitated end-end transactions, including collecting payments upfront, while also offering travel merchants value-added services under the Expedia Traveler Preference program. Over time, the merchant model and business-to-business segments have been the fastest-growing revenue contributors. In addition to growing quickly, Expedia's business-to-business segment also has higher Ebitda margins. Story continues 2023 results show how company is quietly pivoting toward customers with larger wallets In 2023, the travel company's gross bookings continued to decelerate to 10% growth on a year-over-year basis. Expedia had seen some strong tailwinds from "revenge travel" trends as travelers globally resumed their travel plans with Covid-lockdowns fully easing. However, those post-pandemic tailwinds that Expedia witnessed in the first quarter of 2023 started to fade last year, with bookings slowing from 20% year over year in the first quarter to 6% in the fourth quarter. The softness in travel demand was most notable in air ticket bookings, which grew only 3% year over year in the last quarter of 2023, as can be seen in the table below. Expedia Looks Set to Be the Contrarian Trade of 2024 However, the strength of its business-to-business segment continues to be underappreciated by most investors, which grew by a stellar 33% in 2023 versus 2022. Since the pandemic lockdowns, Expedia has doubled down on its focus to make the B2B business more meaningfully representative of its overall travel business, and the results appear to be paying off handsomely. As can be seen below, Expedia's B2B segment is not only outpacing the overall revenue growth of the company, it also offers higher Ebitda margins. Expedia Looks Set to Be the Contrarian Trade of 2024 Earlier in the year, management explained that the B2B business benefits from economies of scale due to the technical foundations that were already laid out by Expedia, courtesy of its business-to-consumer segment. Here is some of management's commentary from Expedia's first-quarter earnings call: "I think the B2B business has been growing terrifically, as I mentioned in my prepared remarks. We haven't had to do any big technical migrations. In fact, we've added to the capabilities over the last couple of years. And we've seen the benefits of that in many of our business lines." As the year progressed, management continued to reap the high-margin and high-growth benefits from the B2B business, and I believe they will continue to do so. In my opinion, this is one of the reasons why Expedia's board announced the CEO succession plan since the new incoming chief executive, Ariane Gorin, has led the B2B business through its most pivotal time in history during the pandemic. This development, in my opinion, is actually good news that positions Expedia for a new chapter of growth. On the earnings front, Expedia's adjusted Ebitda of $532 million grew 19% year over year, outpacing the 10% revenue growth that we saw in an earlier table. This was a new record for the company in terms of adjusted Ebitda, which grew 19%, while Ebitda margins expanded by 130 basis points to 18.50%. Fourth-quarter non-GAAP earnings per share came in at $1.72, 1.40% better than what analysts expected. The strong display of earnings allowed the company to record $1.80 billion in free cash at a free cash margin of 14%, higher than their pre-pandemic five-year FCF margins of around 11%. Management also mentioned that they have used their free cash to repurchase around $2 billion in their own stock throughout the year. In terms of Expedia's debt standing and liquidity levels, the company's gross leverage ratio has reduced to 2.30, which is still off from its long-term target of 2. The company is carrying a significant amount of debt at the moment of $6.30 billion. Although the company has a net cash position of $4.30 billion, I believe management is actively working to reduce debt toward long-term targets. The company holds all its debt in the form of senior notes, and 44% of its debt should mature over the next two years, allowing the company to get closer to its long-term leverage ratio. 2024 outlook As mentioned earlier, travel demand has been softening from a robust first-quarter 2023. Management expects that a softening in travel demand will persist in the first quarter of this year, given that pandemic-induced travel tailwinds will fade. In addition, severe quality issues in Boeing's Max 9 airplanes that Alaska Airlines witnessed midair at the start of the year have further dampened travel demand in this quarter, according to Expedia. United Airlines echoed similar sentiments in its earnings call last month as well. Given these updates, management still expects revenue to grow in line with the growth rates seen in 2023, which should be around 10%. This is almost three times higher than the projected revenue growth in the S&P 500, as per FactSet. While projecting earnings, management said it expects a one-time hit of $100 million as they move into the last stages of initiatives to streamline operations and several backend technology platforms. Hence, the company is also projecting Ebitda margin expansion similar to the margin expansion that was seen in 2023. Given that margins expanded by 0.8% to 20.9% , I can expect Ebitda margins of about 21.50% in 2024. This means Expedia's Ebitda is expected to grow by 13.30%, which is better than the 10.9% expected in the S&P 500. At these growth rates, I think a forward price-earnings ratio of 18 to 21 is justified. With Expedia currently trading at a forward price-earnings ratio of just 11.70, there is significant room for upside this year. Risks and other factors to consider The risks of investing in Expedia currently involve a larger industry-wide travel weakness that may persist throughout the year. The company has already mentioned it expects the weakening trends seen in the latter half of last year to persist in the first quarter. Sustained geopolitical tension and uncertain macroeconomic environments are the most likely culprits here. I think Expedia's first-quarter outlook, along with the CEO transition announcement, caused pessimism, sparking a sell-off in the company's stock. However, I am still optimistic about travel trends improving as we progress through Memorial Day in the U.S. Multiple industry reports from Skift andDeloitte expect tourism to moderate but still stay strong throughout the year. In fact, Deloitte also mentioned that corporate travel spending in the U.S. is still likely to finally pass the pre-pandemic line. This plays well into the B2B segment strength that I mentioned earlier. Takeaways After carefully evaluating Expedia's earnings and perusing management commentary, I am convinced of the attractive entry points Expedia offers today. The severe pessimism in the stock is currently unwarranted, and with significant room for expansion, I think Expedia could be the contrarian trade of the year. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Fiesta Mart presents Go Tejano Day, scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 2024, featuring a performance by the legendary band Los Tigres Del Norte HOUSTON, February 19, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fiesta Mart, where Texans shop for big savings and variety since 1972, announces its 29th consecutive year as a sponsor of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Fiesta Mart will present the Go Tejano Day featuring a headlining performance by Los Tigres Del Norte on Sunday, March 10, 2024, and celebrate RODEOHOUSTON with a parade float and roundup of in-store celebrations during March. Go Tejano Day, a highlight of the RODEOHOUSTON season that runs from Feb. 27 to March 17, celebrates the rich heritage of Tejano music and culture. This year's marquee musical act, 7-time Grammy, and 12-time Latin Grammy award winner, Los Tigres Del Norte, returns to the Rodeo following their last performance in 2019, which drew a record-breaking concert crowd. "Fiesta Mart is dedicated to celebrating the culture of our diverse communities," said Mitch Willis, Senior Regional Director for Fiesta Mart. "As we celebrate our 29th year sponsoring RODEOHOUSTON, Fiesta Mart is excited to join all of the festivities that make this annual event such an important tradition in Houston. We invite the community to visit our stores and experience the many flavors that make Texas such a unique place to live and work." Customers can score tickets for Go Tejano Day and other concert headliners by tuning into daily giveaways on Fiesta Marts Facebook and Instagram accounts. Several stores across the greater Houston area will also host special events capturing the spirit of the rodeo season throughout this 4-week celebration. To view a list of participating stores, visit fiestamart.com/HoustonRodeo. In 2023, Fiesta Mart marked the return of the downtown Houston Rodeo parade with a 30-foot float inspired by the stores Tejano heritage, earning the award for Best Theme. This years float for the Downtown Rodeo Parade on Saturday, February 24, will reflect Fiesta's Texas roots while celebrating its longtime sponsorship of Go Tejano Day. The floats design will serve as a celebration of Texas, embracing the elements of food, music and the diverse culture that defines the Lone Star State. Story continues Fiesta Mart recently remodeled more than 30 store locations across Texas, including several in the greater Houston area. The remodeled stores will provide customers with an enhanced shopping experience and a wider range of value-priced foods and specialty produce that Fiesta Mart is known for. The initial 30 remodels in Houston represent the first phase of a multi-year plan that will ultimately include all Fiesta Mart stores by the end of 2024. For more information about Fiesta Mart, please visit fiestamart.com or follow us @FiestaMartOfficial on Facebook and Instagram. About Fiesta Mart With more than 50 years in operation, Fiesta Mart is an international and specialty grocery retailer proudly serving Texas since 1972. Featuring favorite foods and specialty produce from Mexico, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, South America, and other places around the globe, Fiesta Mart offers an eclectic, full-service assortment of value-priced products to diverse communities representing more than 100 countries of origin. In addition to a vast selection of center-store groceries, customers will find fresh quality meats and seafood, in-house tortillerias, made-from-scratch bakeries and pan dulce departments, and in-house cafes as well as beer and fine wine. Fiesta is a proud corporate citizen proudly supporting local charities, educational programs and community events. Fiesta Mart is part of Chedraui USA, a leading grocery retailer with 24,000 team members supporting 378 store locations across three banners, including El Super and Smart & Final. For more information, visit fiestamart.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240219222089/en/ Contacts Staci Torgeson KCPR for Fiesta Mart press@chedrauiusa.com Southport, Queensland--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2024) - First Aid Pro, a leading provider of first aid and CPR training, is pleased to announce the launch of their comprehensive first aid courses and CPR Training classes that are meant to teach people and groups how to save lives. These courses, available at https://www.firstaidpro.com.au/, are designed to empower participants with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively in emergency situations. Accidents and medical situations can happen anywhere and at any time in today's busy world. Having the ability to provide immediate first aid and perform CPR can make all the difference in saving lives. First Aid Pro recognizes the importance of such skills and is committed to delivering top-notch training to individuals and workplaces across Australia. The First Aid Certificate course, available at https://www.firstaidpro.com.au/course/hltaid009/, covers a wide range of critical first-aid skills and techniques. This course is ideal for anyone looking to acquire the knowledge and certification necessary to assist in emergencies. Participants will learn how to handle injuries and illnesses, assess the scene of an incident, and provide appropriate first-aid care. Key Highlights Of The First Aid Certificate Course Include: CPR Training: Participants will learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques for both adults and infants. CPR is a crucial skill that can greatly increase the chances of survival in cardiac arrest situations. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Usage: The course includes training on the proper use of AEDs, which can be lifesaving devices in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. Wound Care: Participants will learn how to clean, dress, and bandage various types of wounds, including cuts, burns, and abrasions. Fracture And Sprain Management: The course covers techniques for immobilizing and providing initial care for fractures and sprains. Allergic Reactions And Anaphylaxis Management: Participants will learn how to recognize and treat allergic reactions, including the administration of adrenaline (epinephrine) when necessary. Story continues Basic Life Support: The course provides training in basic life support techniques, including the recovery position and assisting unconscious victims. Assessment And Communication: Participants will acquire the skills to assess the condition of a victim and communicate effectively with emergency services. First Aid Pro's courses are designed to be interactive, engaging, and hands-on. Participants will have the opportunity to practice their skills under the guidance of experienced instructors, ensuring they are well-prepared to respond to real-life emergencies. First Aid Pro offers flexible training options, including in-person courses at its training center and customized on-site training for businesses and organizations. Additionally, participants can choose from various course schedules to fit their needs. To enroll in the First Aid Certificate and CPR Training courses or learn more about First Aid Pro's offerings, please visit https://www.firstaidpro.com.au/. About First Aid Pro: First Aid Pro is a leading provider of first aid and CPR training courses in Australia. With a team of experienced and certified instructors, First Aid Pro is dedicated to equipping individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively in emergency situations. They offer a wide range of courses, including First Aid Certificates, CPR training, and more, designed to meet the needs of diverse audiences. Organization: First Aid Pro Address: 6/9 Frinton Street, Southport, QLD 4215 Website URL: https://www.firstaidpro.com.au/ Name: Jarrad Broadhurst Email Address: jarrad@firstaidpro.com.au To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198420 Transparency Market Research Volatility in raw material prices, including iron ore and coking coal, impacts flat carbon steel market dynamics. Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Feb. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The global flat carbon steel market is estimated to flourish at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2023 to 2031. Transparency Market Research projects that the overall sales revenue for flat carbon steel is estimated to reach US$ 646.5 billion by the end of 2031 . The increasing shift towards renewable energy infrastructure, including wind and solar farms, demands large quantities of flat carbon steel for supporting structures and equipment, driving market growth. Efforts to optimize supply chains through digitalization and automation enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs, encouraging increased use of flat carbon steel across various industries. The exponential growth of e-commerce platforms and logistics networks necessitates robust steel structures for warehouses, distribution centers, and transportation infrastructure, contributing to market expansion. Download sample PDF copy of report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=45432 The proliferation of high-speed rail projects in emerging economies like China and India requires significant amounts of flat carbon steel for tracks, bridges, and stations, creating new opportunities for market players. Government initiatives worldwide aimed at stimulating economic growth through infrastructure investments, particularly in transportation, utilities, and public works, drive demand for flat carbon steel products. These investments stimulate demand for flat carbon steel across various applications, including construction, manufacturing, and energy sectors, shaping the future trajectory of the market. Key Findings of the Market Report Hot-rolled coils lead the flat carbon steel market due to their widespread use in various industries, including automotive, construction, and manufacturing applications. Building & Construction application segment leads the flat carbon steel market, driven by demand for structural components, roofing, and reinforcement materials. Asia Pacific leads the flat carbon steel market, driven by rapid industrialization, infrastructure projects, and automotive production in the region. Story continues Flat Carbon Steel Market Growth Drivers & Trends Rising investments in infrastructure projects globally fuel demand for flat carbon steel, particularly in construction and transportation sectors. Growing automotive production drives the need for flat carbon steel in vehicle manufacturing. Rapid urbanization and industrial growth, especially in emerging economies, increase demand for flat carbon steel products. Continuous innovations in production processes and materials enhance the quality and efficiency of flat carbon steel products. Increasing focus on sustainable practices encourages the development of eco-friendly production methods and recyclable flat carbon steel materials. Global Flat Carbon Steel Market: Regional Profile In North America, the flat carbon steel sector benefits from robust infrastructure development and automotive manufacturing. Leading players such as United States Steel Corporation and AK Steel Holding Corporation cater to diverse applications, driving market growth with high-quality products and advanced production technologies. Europe, with its stringent environmental regulations and emphasis on sustainability, hosts key players like ArcelorMittal and ThyssenKrupp AG. These companies prioritize eco-friendly manufacturing processes and product innovations, catering to demanding industries such as construction and automotive. Asia Pacific leads the global flat carbon steel market, propelled by rapid urbanization, industrialization, and infrastructure projects. Giants like Baosteel Group Corporation and POSCO dominate the region, meeting soaring demand from construction, manufacturing, and automotive sectors. The region benefits from cost-effective production capabilities and a skilled workforce, further bolstering its market leadership. Ask here for more customization report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=45432 Flat Carbon Steel Market: Competitive Landscape The flat carbon steel market boasts a competitive landscape characterized by key players like ArcelorMittal, POSCO, and Nippon Steel Corporation. These giants leverage extensive production capacities, diversified product portfolios, and global distribution networks to maintain dominance. Emerging contenders such as Tata Steel and Baosteel Group Corporation continually challenge established players with innovative technologies and strategic expansions. Market dynamics also reflect regional players like JSW Steel and Severstal, capitalizing on local demand and specialized offerings. With fluctuating raw material prices, regulatory pressures, and evolving consumer preferences, companies relentlessly innovate, forge alliances, and optimize operations to secure market share in this dynamic sector. Some prominent players are as follows: China BaoWu Steel Group Corporation Limited Nippon Steel Corporation Nucor Corporation EVRAZ plc Maanshan Iron & Steel Company Limited Shandong Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. JFE Steel Corporation CSC Steel Holdings Berhad Gerdau S.A. Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works PJSC PAO Severstal Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) Ansteel Group Corporation Limited Benxi Iron & Steel (Group) Co. Ltd. Jiangsu Shagang Group Hyundai Steel Co. Ltd. Product Portfolio Nippon Steel Corporation , a global leader in steel manufacturing, offers a diverse product portfolio including flat steel, pipes, and construction materials. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, Nippon Steel delivers high-quality solutions for automotive, infrastructure, and energy sectors worldwide. Nucor Corporation stands at the forefront of steel production, providing a comprehensive range of products such as sheet, plate, and structural steel. Known for its pioneering technologies and operational excellence, Nucor serves diverse industries including construction, automotive, and manufacturing with unmatched reliability and performance. Flat Carbon Steel Market: Key Segments By Product Plates Hot-rolled Coils Cold-rolled Coils Galvanized Coils Pre-painted Steel Coils Tinplates By Application Machine Manufacturing Building & Construction Others By Region North America Latin America Asia Pacific Europe Middle East & Africa Buy this Premium Research Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=45432